Betting public beats books again in NFL playoffs
By Todd Dewey, Las Vegas Review-Journal
So much for the anticipated Super Bowl showdown between America’s Team and the team America loves to hate.
A potential Cowboys-Patriots matchup — which would’ve likely produced a record wagering handle in Nevada — was erased when the Packers outlasted Dallas in a 34-31 thriller Sunday that was the first upset of this year’s NFL playoffs.
The Packers, who paid plus-180 on the money line, were the first road team to cover this postseason after home favorites won and covered the first six games.
The Steelers, 2-point ’dogs, followed with a minor upset in a 18-16 win over the Chiefs on Sunday night, as Chris Boswell kicked a playoff-record six field goals.
The upsets didn’t prevent the betting public from enjoying another winning NFL weekend after it cashed in Saturday on the Falcons and over and the Patriots and over.