Super Wild Card weekend is even more popular this year with two extra games and seven playoff teams in each conference. The leading oniine sportsbooks are expecting big betting volume right up to kickoff. That includes BetOnline, who has been one of Offshore Gaming Association's highest rated sportsbook for over a decade. Oh, and BetOnline is also one of the highest-rated online poker sites for players in the U.S.

BetOnline is 'all-in' for the 2021 NFL Playoffs and Super Wild Card weekend. The head oddsmaker at BetOnline sent me a message regarding the NFL Playoffs. 

"All 6 Games this weekend are generating a huge handle, and the the three biggest are: Seahawks / Saints / Steelers." 

As the lines and totals adjust, so does the betting activity and percentages on each game.

Saturday, Jan. 9

Indianapolis at Buffalo: Bills -6.5 and Total 51
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle: Sehawks -3 and Total 42
Tampa Bay at Washington: Buccaneers -8 and Total 44.5

Sunday, Jan. 10 

Baltimore at Tennessee: Ravens -3 and Total 54.5
Chicago at New Orleans: Saints -10 and Total 47
Cleveland at Pittsburgh: Steelers -6 and Total 47 

A look at the NFL Playoffs betting activity from seven leading online sportsbooks tracked by Action Labs, and you'll see the sportsbooks including BetOnline will need underdogs Bears, Browns and Rams to cover the spread and/or win outright. That would hurt favorite bettors, teasers and moneyline bets on the Saints, Steelers and Seahawks. Approx. 60% of the spread bets are on the favorites and even more on the moneyline favorites.

I suppose if you go Inside the Numbers and support the team with the better running game and defense, including run defense, then you'll make a bet on the Rams. and LA's top rated defense. However, with uncertainty at quarterback and whether Jared Goff will start or play with his thumb injury, it's important you pay attention and manage the course with alternative plans prior to kickoff and during the game. 

Despite having the biggest edge and mismatch at quarterback with Russell Wilson over whoever the Rams play at quarterback, Seattle is still only a 3-point favorite. The total of 42 is the lowest of any game this season for either the Rams or Seahawks. 

Even the Colts are statistically stronger running the ball and stopping the run as they look to slow the Bills powerful offense. Bettors believe the Bills will stampede the Colts with the highest percentage of spread bets supporting Buffalo.

Bettors are also lining up on road favorite Baltimore with the Ravens league-best rushing attack and the stronger run defense and overall total defense than the Titans. 

I'm researching and betting other ways than just points spreads, moneyline and totals. We finished Week 17 of the regular season with a 3-0 'Dog log to end the season on a high note and come back from a season of fumbles and bogey's to salvage par on the sesaon at 25-25 ATS and 16 outright underdog winners. The four year run is 102-79 ATS (56.4%) selecting only NFL underdogs. 

The NFL playoffs are a different season and handicap, ​but the online sportsbooks are clearly pulling for the underdogs. OSGA colleague Glenn Greene points out 5 great New Year's resolutions to keep as you bet on sports in 2021. That includes in-game wagering to add to your betting portfolio with many top sportsbooks including the Big B's - Bovada, Bookmaker and BetOnline adopteding in-game wagering to supplement prop wagering and pre-flop side and total bets. In-play wagering keeps bettors engaged throughout football games or any sport. 

Among the top 5 global gamblign stories of 2020 highlighted by OSGA offshore sportsbook insider Hartley Henderson is the Offshore operators dive into more sports betting partnerships with U.S. companies and governments.

The sportsbooks are counting on a heavy handle and betting during NFL playoffs, but that doesn't mean you should bet every side or total on Super Wild Card weekend. Take your Shots where Birdies present themselves, and manage the course with all the Clubs in your bag.

You don't (and shouldn't) use Big Bertha on every Hole or game, but give up length the off Tee prior to kickoff and take a shorter Swing looking for more Fairways, Accuracy and high-percentage plays. That includes prop bets, in-play betting and hafltime options when you're trying to recover from a wayward Shot and pre-flop bet. If you Navigate the Course well and avoid the Hazards, Rough and mistakes (turnovers), you'll likely make Par and even a few tap-in Birdies. You'll feel better about your game when the Super Bowl arrives and you've banked more Birdies than Bogey's with Amen Corner ahead and the bevy of prop bets waiting for you to Score. 

You can bet on it. 

FairwayJay is a leading national sports handicapper and is recognized as one of the sports industry's most insightful analysts. Read more great insights from Jay here and follow him on Twitter: @FairwayJay