When the NFL and AFL merged in 1970, a new playoff format was needed.
The NFL went to an eight team format with the first round being called the Divisional Round, until 1978 when the Wild Card was introduced and the field expanded to 10 teams and later 12 in 1990.
The 1st round is still the NFL’s version of the Elite Eight and there have been plenty of exciting games as teams look to punch their tickets to the conference championships.
Historic NFL 1st Round Games
Just this last season we saw an all-time Divisional Round game when Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum found Stefon Diggs, who then streaked down the sidelines after the New Orleans Saints whiffed on a game-saving tackle, for what is now known as the ‘Minneapolis Miracle’.
In 2017, the Divisional Round brought us the Aaron Rodgers pass to Jared Cook on 3rd-and-20 to set up a Mason Crosby game-winning field goal against the No. 1 seed Dallas Cowboys.
In 2016, it was Rodgers again with a Hail Mary to Jeff Janis to force overtime against the Arizona Cardinals, who then beat the Packers in overtime thanks to Larry Fitzgerald and some terrible tackling.
In 2015, it was the Packers and Cowboys again with Green Bay getting the win thanks to the overturned catch by Dez Bryant that dashed Dallas’ hopes.
The 2013 Divisional Round brought us the ‘Mile High Miracle’ when Joe Flacco found Jacoby Jones for a game-tying 70-yard touchdown pass with under a minute left in the game before the Baltimore Ravens later beat the Denver Broncos in double overtime and then the Super Bowl weeks later.
In 2012, another classic, this one between the San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints, the 49ers got a 9-yard touchdown pass from Alex Smith to Vernon Davis with nine seconds left to win, now known as ‘The Catch III’.
In 2005, Jerome Bettis fumbled the ball near the Indianapolis Colts’ goal line, but a young Ben Roethlisburger saved a touchdown and later Mike Vanderjagt shanked a field goal to tie the game.
In 1989 it was the ‘Fog Bowl’ between the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears which might have been one of the best games if anyone could’ve seen what was happening on the field.
In 1982 the San Diego Chargers erased a 24-0 deficit against the Miami Dolphins and later won 41-38. This game brought one of the NFL’s most iconic images with an exhausted Kellen Winslow being helped off of the field.
In 1975, the Dolphins go down again, this time against the Oakland Raiders, in what is known as the ‘Sea of Hands Game’ where Clarence Davis somehow came down with a touchdown reception despite being swarmed by Miami’s defense.
In 1972, perhaps the greatest play in NFL history, the “Immaculate Reception” came to be when Terry Bradshaw released the ball and took a hit, only to miss seeing the ball deflect to Franco Harris, who took it to the house for a game-winning touchdown.
There are plenty more great games in between this selection, and apologies to those games, but the point is the Divisional Round is great and has helped the NFL become the juggernaut it is today in the sports and betting world.
As you can imagine, these last second wins and losses has resulted in heart breaking bad beats.
Recent Trends
- With the game focused on offense, it’s no surprise the over is 22-10 since 2010 in the Divisional Round.
- Underdogs are 17-14-1 ATS since 2010, going 2-2 in the 2018 Divisional Round.
2018-19 Favorites for the 1st Round
When looking who will be in the NFL Divisional Round, check who are the top four teams from each conference in the Super Bowl odds.
In the AFC, the New England Patriots (+250), Pittsburgh Steelers (+400), Houston Texans (+800) and Jacksonville Jaguars (+900) are the top teams in the conference. The Patriots are no surprise with Tom Brady and company followed by the Steelers. The Jaguars nearly took out the Patriots in the AFC Championship last season while the Texans were one of the best offenses in the league when DeShaun Watson was healthy.
Over in the NFC it’s a bit tighter with the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles out in front at +400 followed by the Minnesota Vikings +550, Los Angeles Rams +600 and the Green Bay Packers +600. The Eagles are going to be solid again with a healthy Carson Wentz and Nick Foles — the best backup in the NFL. The Vikings went out and got Kirk Cousins and will also enjoy a healthy running back in Delvin Cook. The Rams have a solid offense with Todd Gurley and Jared Goff, but the defense looks to be one of the best ever with Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh on the line. The Packers have Rodgers healthy, they added Jimmy Graham to his arsenal and they are healthy up front as well.
NFL 1st Round Sleepers
The AFC West is primed to be a great division race to watch with the Los Angeles Chargers (+950 to win the AFC Championship) as one of the best teams to finish last season, the Kansas City Chiefs (+1,100) with new quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Oakland Raiders (+1,500) have Jon Gruden back at the helm and the Denver Broncos (+1,500) posses a great defense and a new quarterback in Case Keenum.
In the NFC, the Saints (+900) are a team to keep an eye on. Drew Brees is still firing on all cylinders, but the Saints now have a solid defense and a great running game.
The Atlanta Falcons (+1,000) nearly won a Super Bowl two seasons ago and will look to get back there again. The Carolina Panthers (+1,400) could also be a sleeper pick.
All-Time 1st Round Team Records
New England Patriots 14-6
Oakland Raiders 11-5
San Francisco 49ers 15-7
Los Angeles Rams 9-5
Pittsburgh Steelers 16-9
Denver Broncos 10-6
Dallas Cowboys 14-9
Jacksonville Jaguars 3-2
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-2
Carolina Panthers 4-3
New York Jets 4-3
Philadelphia Eagles 7-6
Buffalo Bills 5-5
New York Giants 5-6
Minnesota Vikings 9-11
Baltimore Ravens 4-5
Green Bay Packers 7-9
Indianapolis Colts 7-9
Chicago Bears 5-7
Miami Dolphins 7-10
Washington Redskins 6-9
Atlanta Falcons 4-6
Cleveland Browns 3-5
Los Angeles Chargers 4-7
Seattle Seahawks 4-8
Tennessee Titans 4-8
New Orleans Saints 2-4
Arizona Cardinals 2-4
Cincinnati Bengals 2-4
Kansas City Chiefs 1-7
Houston Texans 0-3
NFL 1st Round Odds
[coming soon]
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