NFL Playoff Prop Betting - Dallas Cowboys vs. Minnesota Vikings

I will be talking a lot about regular season performance here. Now there are people who say that the playoffs is a whole new season, and that you can throw out the last 4 months. If this person is watching the game with you, take his money and ask him if wants to play poker.  Leave with his car and his girlfriend because he does not know what he is talking about. He does not deserve to have nice things.

Someone that has, and deserves, nice things is Tim Brown. He’s taken a look at this game and shares his All-Pro wisdom with us petty folk.

Dallas Cowboys (+2 1/2, +115) vs. Minnesota Vikings (-2 1/2, -135)

This is not a game that I thought I would be analyzing at the beginning of the year.  I like many others did not think that Brett Favre could take this team to the next level.  I also did not think Tony Romo would pivot the second best offense in the nation.  But here they are, and here we go.

First to score (Cowboys -105, Vikings -125)

When you have the 2nd and 5th ranked offenses respectively, you have to start going to the intangibles.  If you ask 10 people who will score first, you will get a straight split down the middle unless you are in Dallas or Minneapolis.  In which case you have deeper personal questions to be asking of yourself. 

At any rate, as a life long Chicago Bears fan, I have learnt (painfully) never to bet against Favre.  This is not the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field, but home field advantage is home field advantage.  Favre and the Vikings will strike first.

First score of the game (TD -185, Any Other +145)

The only thing more surprising then Lazarus the Quarterback and his offense, is how these two teams have managed to keep up the defensive pace that they set.  Minnesota is only giving up 19.5 ppg, while the Cowboys are holding opponents to 15.6 ppg.  This is a match-up of two of the best all-round teams in football.  The first score will not be a touchdown. 

Shortest FG in the game (O/U 30 1/2 yards, -115)

When two teams are so evenly matched, it can be like watching someone arm-wrestle a parking meter.  Nothing happens (or someone gets arrested for tampering with municipal property) .  So there will be a field goal inside 30, and the scoring team will be thankful to get it.  It is also generally the case, when two teams equal to the task of each other lock horns, that something crazy happens.  To that end, also bet that special teams or defense scores a TD (+140).

Longest TD in the game (O/U 44 1/2 yards)

If you buy into the prospect of a defensive or special teams touchdown then take the over.  If you don't then take the under.  Neither one of these offenses is going to crack 44 1/2 yards on one touchdown play.  Either bet has a Moneyline of -115.