It took two kickoff returns for touchdowns to do it, but the Buffalo Bills made a statement in an emotional conclusion to the regular season on Sunday afternoon.
The 35-23 win over the New England Patriots wasn’t as easy as it looked, however, even if it easily covered the six points for the home favourites. Consider the game was tied at halftime and the Patriots were a threat to cover until late in the fourth quarter, and the final score was deceiving.
A win is a win and a cover is a cover, however and that victory set up a home playoff date for the Bills against another division opponent as the Miami Dolphins head to Orchard Park, N.Y. next weekend. Given the uncertainty with the Dolphins quarterback situation, bookmakers aren’t giving the visitors much of a chance to win, establishing the Bills as hefty 10.5-point favourites when lines were posted early Sunday evening.
The Dolphins aren’t exactly entering the post-season with momentum, dropping five in a row before squeaking out an 11-6 win over the Jets on Sunday, a low-scoring affair in which they were trailing most of the way.
Underdog shoppers will attempt to build a case for the Fish based on their most recent meeting with the Bills, a 32-29 loss on Dec. 17.
Obviously the line is inflated in the Bills’ favour based on the status of Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, who remains in concussion protocol. While it seems a stretch that he would return for the post-season, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel refused to comment on Tagovailoa’s status Sunday following his team’s win over the Jets.
QUICK HITS
In other AFC lines for next week’s post-season openers, the Los Angeles Chargers are the 2.5-point road favourites going into Jacksonville, where the Jags secured a playoff berth with their Saturday night win over the Tennessee Titans. The Cincinnati Bengals, who had to settle for the AFC’s third seed, are the 5.5-point home favourites over the Ravens. Those two met on Sunday with the Bengals cruising to a 27-16 win.
- The first NFC matchup to have a line set was one that will give handicappers no shortage of headaches trying to figure out. The Cowboys, who ended the season with a lacklustre loss to the Commanders, are three-point road favourites against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Bucs, who ended the season with a losing record but as division winners snared the No. 4 seed. The Cowboys aren’t exactly a money machine on the road, but the Bucs basically backed into the playoffs.
- The NFC North winning Minnesota Vikings, meanwhile, are three-point favourites over the New York Giants, who took some early money when wagering opened.
- The San Francisco 49ers will host either the Seattle Seahawks or Green Bay Packers, a matchup hinging on the Sunday nighter between the Pack, who were in a win and you’re in situation against the Lions.
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