Public coming out strong in support of favorites in NFC, AFC championship games

For the second straight weekend, it looks like Las Vegas sports books will be pulling for the underdogs, as the vast majority of support so far is coming in on the side of the favorites in the NFC and AFC championship games.

The action was similar last weekend, and no underdogs came through, dealing Vegas a rough weekend.

“So far it’s been pretty heavy on both favorites,” said Jeff Sherman, assistant manager of the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook. “It’s caused us to go from 3-flat to 3 minus 120 on the favorites, so pretty much, the position on the books is we’re going to need at least one ‘dog to cover to do ok and both ‘dogs to cover or win to have a good day. If both favorites end up covering it’ll be a poor weekend last weekend was with all the favorites.”

In the AFC, New England is favored by 3 at Denver, while Carolina is giving 3 against visiting Arizona. The AFC line has bounced around after opening at Patriots -2.5 on Sunday. It went as high as -3.5 before settling back at 3 for now.

Sherman said the initial line was based in part on the betting patterns seen when New England played at Denver on Nov. 29. The Broncos won that game, 30-24.

“The first time they played this year, it was a Sunday night game and there was late action by the wise guys who took (Denver +3), and we closed at less than 3 at that point.” Sherman said. “And that was with (backup quarterback Brock) Osweiler, and now you’ve got (Peyton) Manning as healthy as he’s been all year, so we thought it was going to be similar to that. We thought the wise guys might be looking to take the ‘dog at 3 or higher again, but at this point they haven’t jumped in, and it’s been just public supporting the road favorite.”

The public appears to be down on Denver in general. The SuperBook has also released prices for each potential Super Bowl matchup with New England favored by 1 against either team from the NFC, while Denver is a 3-point underdog against both.

“We’re getting a little bit of play on those,” Sherman said. “We’re seeing a little Panthers and Cardinals -3 money against Denver there.”

In the NFC title game, Sherman said the public is behind Carolina, but not quite as strongly as it has backed New England. The spread opened at Panthers -3 on Sunday and has remained there so far.