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Vegas sportsbook shares NFL wild-card weekend betting action

Posted at 8:18 PM, Jan 03, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-04 00:06:35-05

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The NFL playoffs are scheduled to kick off this weekend, and the games should be close according to oddsmakers.

Las Vegas-area sportsbooks confirm that the opening round matchups should be competitive as all four games have a team listed as a favorite of less than a touchdown.

William Hill sports book, operator of more than 30 sportsbooks statewide, released updated numbers on Thursday pertaining to wild-card weekend.

Saturday's first game has the Houston Texans listed as an opening 2-point favorite against the Indianapolis Colts.

Each team won on the other’s field this season, and both have made turnarounds. Houston went from a 0-3 start to the AFC South title, and Indianapolis turned a 1-5 start into a wild card spot.

As of Thursday, William Hill reported more than 85 percent of the total money wagered on the point spread had been on the Colts.

Saturday's late game has the Seattle Seahawks facing the Dallas Cowboys with the Cowboys opening up as 2.5-point favorites.

Seattle led the league in turnover margin this season and placed a heavy emphasis on the run. While Dallas looks to continue to protect its home field advantage, sporting a 7-1 home record this year.

As of Thursday, William Hill was reporting more than 60 percent of the total money wagered on the point spread had been on the Seahawks.

Sunday's games have the Los Angeles Charges facing the Baltimore Ravens and the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles taking on the Chicago Bears.

Two weeks ago, the Ravens traveled to LA and handed the Chargers a 22-10 defeat that propelled Baltimore to the top of the AFC North.

The Charges look to avenge that loss with the return of their star running back Melvin Gordon added to their elite passing game led by quarterback Philip Rivers.

Sportsbooks opened the Ravens as a field goal favorite at home, and William Hill reported more than 60 percent of the total money wagered had been on the Chargers, as of Thursday.

Finally, the Eagles take to the road to defend their championship against the Bears in Chicago.

Backup quarterback Nick Foles has returned to the starter role, after Carson Wentz went down with an injury, leading Philadelphia to three consecutive victories to close out the season and into the playoffs.

The Bears enter Sunday's game with a 12-4 record, a division crown, and one of the top defenses in the league.

Chicago is overall the sportsbooks' biggest favorite of the weekend, opening as 5.5-point favorites.

However, William Hill reported more than 55 percent of the total money wagered on the point spread had been on the Eagles, as of Thursday.

Saturday's games start at 4: 35 p.m. with Sunday's at 1:05 p.m.

Recaps of all the weekend action will be available in the sports section.