NFL Wild Card Weekend By the Numbers

NFL Wild Card Weekend By the Numbers

It was truly a “wild” Wild Card weekend as four of the six underdogs covered the spread with two winning outright. Saturday was a particularly good day for sportsbooks who watched as all three underdogs covered and the Rams ended up upsetting Seattle.

It was also a good day for franchises that haven’t won a playoff game in many years. Here’s a look at the entire Wild Card weekend by the numbers.

25 & 26

It’s hard to believe, well maybe not so hard to believe, but neither Buffalo nor Cleveland had won an NFL playoff game in more than two decades. When the Bills beat Indianapolis 27-24 on Saturday, it marked the franchise’s first playoff victory in 25 years.

The same held true for the Browns who hadn’t even been to the playoffs in 18 years. Cleveland managed to beat Pittsburgh for the second consecutive week to win its first playoff game in 26 years. It was the Browns first road playoff win since 1969.

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$500K on the Browns

One bettor laid down half a million dollars on Cleveland to cover the 5.5-point spread against Pittsburgh. The Browns jumped out to a 28-0 first quarter lead and led 35-7 at the half before winning 48-37.

The same bettor put another $100K on Cleveland on the moneyline at +210 and had $300K on the Under in the Bears-Saints game. When Wild Card weekend ended, that bettor had won over $1 million.

Miss the stats from the last season of the regular season? Check out NFL Week 17 by the numbers.

6, 26, 44, 306, and 1

He was almost the hero of the day in Washington. Backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke was taking online classes trying to finish his degree at Old Dominion University when Washington head coach Ron Rivera called. Starter Alex Smith was hurt and the Football team needed somebody, anybody.

Rivera had coached Heinicke briefly in Carolina, one of six teams the former Walter Payton Award (FCS best player) has played for. Thrust into action in a wild card playoff game, Heinicke was nearly brilliant. He completed 26-of-44 passes for 306 yards and one touchdown.

It was just the third time all season Washington managed over 300 yards passing. One of those games was against Detroit, which had the NFL’s worst defense. Heinicke even separated his non-throwing shoulder just prior to throwing a perfect touchdown pass to Steven Sims.

That touchdown pass also ensured Washington would cover the 10-point spread. A look at NFL scores shows the Football Team lost to Tampa Bay 31-23.

Ravens +185

Heading into Sunday’s Baltimore-Tennessee clash, the big question was whether or not the Ravens could stop NFL leading rusher Derrick Henry. The Ravens proved they could.

Henry had rushed for 133 yards against Baltimore earlier in the season and 195 in the Ravens-Titans playoff game a year ago. This time, Baltimore held the Titans running back to just 40 yards.

Meanwhile, Ravens QB Lamar Jackson went off for 136 yards and Baltimore finished with a total of 236 rushing yards. That was exactly 185 more than Tennessee.

One lucky bettor liked the Ravens’ chances so much he laid down $240,000 on Baltimore to cover the three-point spread. The Ravens won 20-13 and the lucky bettor walked away with a $200,000 profit.