Bodog Fantasy Playoff Pick 'em Contest Tips

by Bodog Sportsbook | Dec 21 2007

The NFL regular season is winding down, which means fantasy football is all but over. But before you hibernate until Sept. 2008, there's still some fun to be had during the playoffs.

Bodog Fantasy is giving all its players a chance to make the NFL playoffs a little more interesting with the Bodog Fantasy Playoff Pick 'em Contest. Between Jan. 5 and Feb. 3 players that sign up for the "NFL Playoff Prize League" and pick all the playoff matchups correctly against the spread could win a trip to Vegas!

In case you feel like you'll struggle to make the right pick come postseason, here are some tips to get you started:


The Running Game is the Playoff Game

When it comes to the playoffs in pro sports, there's always one style of play that dominates. In the MLB postseason it's solid pitching, in the NHL postseason it’s solid goalkeeping, in the NBA postseason it's solid post play and in the NFL it's a solid running game. A team with a solid running game tends to go deep into the playoffs.

Teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars are already gaining a reputation as a tough out because they have the second-best rushing offense in the league at 149.6 yards per game. A solid running game means a solid offense, solid time of possession, and a solid shot at covering the spread. Especially as an underdog.

Beware of "Playoff" Weather

One of the reasons the running game is so crucial in the playoffs is because Mother Nature can single-handedly take out the passing game.

When games are in East Coast cities like Pittsburgh, New England and Green Bay in late December and January snowstorms are likely, making it hard to throw, score and cover the spread as a favorite.

All in all, favorites are 1-4 ATS this year in games where bad weather is a factor. That's something to keep in mind with teams like New England, Green Bay, Cleveland and Pittsburgh in the postseason.

Defense Wins Championships

Defense wins championships. Yes, I'm sure you’ve heard it before but you need to hear it again.

Throw the Colts' Super Bowl win at me if you want but in the end it was their ability to shut down the run that got the offensive-minded squad its first championship. Quarterback Peyton Manning had at least one interception in every one of his 2006 playoff appearances: however, the defense only allowed over 100 yards rushing once. Their ability to play championship defense at the right time helped them go 4-0 ATS on the way to the Super Bowl.

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