It’s time to unleash the excitement! The NFL playoffs begin this Saturday, starting with the thrilling Wild Card games. Unfortunately, the Detroit Lions, despite their entertaining 3-13-1 season, did not secure a spot in the postseason.
However, Lions fans can savor their victory in the last game and enjoy the excitement until draft day. They also have the opportunity to support one or even three teams until September, or perhaps even until February. It’s everything they could ask for and more.
Week 18 taught us a valuable lesson – there are no guarantees in this season. As we approach Super Bowl LVI on Feb. 13 in Los Angeles, we are here to provide assistance. Keep reading to discover the latest NFL betting promotions in Michigan and some potential teams to consider wagering on.
Michigan sportsbooks using playoffs for promotion season
Currently, there are several offers available, but please note that the majority of them are exclusively for new customers who need to create new accounts and make initial deposits. As the playoffs advance, anticipate additional NFL-focused betting opportunities to emerge.
BetMGM Sportsbook: Bet $25 for each game, get $50 for MNF
Monday Night Football will feature the NFL playoffs for the first time.
This weekend, loyal customers of BetMGM Sportsbook will receive a complimentary $50 bet as a reward.
If you place a $25 bet on any market for each of the first five playoff games this weekend, the book is giving away a complimentary $50 bet for the Rams/Cardinals game.
Make sure to review the Terms and Conditions as usual, and please note that an opt-in is also necessary.
DraftKings Sportsbook: Hammer the Over on Bills/Patriots
DraftKings Sportsbook offers a new-user promotion wherein players have the opportunity to secure $280 worth of free bets by placing a $5 pre-game moneyline bet. The winnings are distributed in the form of seven $40 free bets, which must be utilized within a span of seven days.
Additionally, there is a Hammer the Over promotion available for the New England vs. Buffalo game. By participating and placing a bet on the over, every 5,000 bettors will win a -110 bet. It is worth noting that the maximum value of this bet may vary across different regions, so it is recommended to seize the opportunity wherever it is available.
FanDuel Sportsbook: Wild Card weekend same game parlays bonus
During Wild Card weekend, FanDuel Sportsbook is offering a Same Game Parlay Bonus. If you place cumulative same game parlay wagers of $20 or more on any NFL Wild Card Playoff game between Jan. 15 and Jan. 17, you will receive bonus site credit added to your account. To be eligible, your wagers must consist of three or more legs with final odds of +400 or higher. Once you have placed the qualifying $20 worth of bets, you will receive a level of site credit that increases as your same game parlay bets reach $200 or more, ultimately culminating in $100 in site credit.
Packers, Chiefs situated as Super Bowl favorites
The Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs have been labeled as the favorites to win the Super Bowl by oddsmakers. However, let’s take a closer look at the teams that have a connection to Michigan and possess either a strong emotional appeal or a high likelihood of advancing this week and potentially becoming champions.
NFC teams to ponder as the NFL playoffs open
Do you recall the thrilling matchup in Week 18 when the top contenders for the Super Bowl, the Lions, emerged victorious with a score of 37-30? Although the talented starting quarterback was benched for a significant portion of the game, his team ultimately suffered defeat. In order to prioritize the well-being of our readers from Michigan and cherish that memorable event, we will refrain from discussing the Packers, who finished the season with a record of 13-4, until they face off against either the Bucs or the Eagles in Round 2.
However, since they are the favorites, people would understand if someone decided to take that betting option.
Another Decent Bet: No. 2 seed Tampa Bay Bucs (13-4)
There’s really no need for further explanation when it comes to our pick – Tom Brady. I mean, we’re talking about the legendary Michigan man with an impressive collection of championship rings. This Sunday, Brady and his No. 2-seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be taking on the Philadelphia Eagles in their own turf.
Despite the challenges posed by injuries and Antonio Brown, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers remain strong contenders with +450 odds of winning the championship at FanDuel. Both the offense and defense have been impacted by injuries, with the unfortunate loss of Chris Godwin for the entire season. However, Coach Bruce Arians remains hopeful as he anticipates the return of key players such as Leonard Fournette, Shaquil Barrett, and Jason Pierre-Paul, which will undoubtedly boost the team’s performance on Sunday.
The Los Angeles Rams (12-5), seeded fourth, pose a legitimate threat.
Matthew Stafford should not require any justification for our choice. Unfortunately, our friend Stafford has encountered difficulties with interceptions throughout this season, and to add to his troubles, he will now have to recover from a toe injury sustained in the 27-24 overtime loss to the Niners.
Despite some uncertainty, Coach Sean McVay remains optimistic that Stafford will be able to play in the upcoming game against the Arizona Cardinals, who hold the No. 5 seed with an 11-6 record. As someone familiar with Stafford’s resilience, Michiganders have confidence in his ability to persevere. Additionally, the Los Angeles Rams have managed to bounce back from a mid-season slump, winning five out of their last six games. Notably, both teams have previously achieved victories on each other’s home turf this season. The Rams are currently favored by 3.5 points at DraftKings and hold 10-to-1 odds to secure a Super Bowl victory in their own stadium.
The San Francisco 49ers, a 6th seed with a record of 10-7, are considered a longshot.
If you were a fan of our previous choice, then it’s likely you didn’t root for the Niners to win against Stafford and his team last week. You might not be inclined to support them now either, but their determined style shouldn’t be overlooked. Plus, it’s worth mentioning that Ambry Thomas, a former Michigan player, made the interception to seal the game. The Niners now have a challenging matchup against the Cowboys (12-5), who are seeded No. 3, in Dallas.
In the past five games, San Francisco emerged victorious in four. Despite quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s thumb injury, he impressively maintained a completion rate of over 70 percent for the third consecutive game. As Detroiters appreciate and admire such resilience, it feels acceptable to support the San Fran team, especially since they have seven players who previously played college football in the area. The Niners are considered 3-point underdogs against the Cowboys according to DraftKings, and their odds of winning the Lombardi trophy stand at 20-to-1.
AFC teams to ponder as the NFL playoffs open
Similar to the Packers, the Tennessee Titans (12-5), who are the top seed, will have a week off to start their third consecutive playoff journey. They hold the advantage of playing at home throughout the AFC playoffs and will face either the Chiefs or Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round. The Titans have favorable odds of +750 to +850 at Michigan sportsbooks, making them an enticing choice for a Super Bowl wager. The potential return of Derrick Henry, known for his powerful stiff-arming, from his foot injury adds further strength to their chances.
Another solid wager: Kansas City Chiefs, the second seed with a record of 12-5.
After a shaky start, losing four out of their first seven games, Kansas City went on a remarkable winning streak following their defeat in Nashville in Week 7. They nearly dominated the rest of their schedule, except for a late loss to Joe Burrow and the Bengals in Week 17. Betting on the Chiefs seems like a promising gamble, especially with Chad Henne, a former Michigan player, serving as the backup for Patrick Mahomes.
Apart from being widely adored as the beloved State Farm actor (second only to Jake, naturally), Mahomes maintains his reign of dominance. It appears almost certain that the Chiefs will emerge victorious over the Steelers in Kansas City, for the second time this season. Almost. However, as we previously mentioned, it would be unwise to underestimate a team commanded by the exceptional head coach, Mike Tomlin.
However, the Chiefs were not far behind the Packers as the favorites to win the Super Bowl, with a 12.5-point advantage over the Steelers at BetMGM Sportsbook.
The Cincinnati Bengals (10-7) rank as a legitimate threat at No. 4.
Although the Lions have had less postseason action compared to Cincinnati historically, the Bengals making a playoff run could generate a similar level of excitement to that of Detroit winning the Super Bowl in 2025. From 2016 to 2021, Cincinnati endured five consecutive losing seasons and currently holds the longest ongoing playoff win drought in the league, stretching back to 1990. It’s worth noting that the Lions possess the second-longest streak, dating back to 1991.
In the realm of betting, it is reasonable to support the Ohioans as they have a genuine chance in 2022, with the Bengals showing promise.
Burrow successfully guided his team to clinch the division title, along with securing a remarkable triumph over the Chiefs in Week 17. In the upcoming postseason opener on Saturday, the Bengals will be hosting the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders’ performance will largely depend on whether they feel revitalized or fatigued after their thrilling showdown against the Chargers on Sunday night. The Bengals are currently favored by 5.5 points for the game.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, ranked seventh and with a record of 9-7-1, are considered a longshot.
Despite not looking impressive this season, the Steelers managed to maintain a winning record for the 15th consecutive season under coach Mike Tomlin.
Despite his ongoing struggles throughout the season, Ben Roethlisberger’s recent victories with the team have not been impressive. However, there are intangible factors that can greatly impact football games. It’s widely believed that this could be the final season for the 39-year-old quarterback. Perhaps he will summon enough determination for one last impressive performance in Kansas City. Additionally, there is a possibility that Coach Tomlin will outdo Chiefs coach Andy Reid in terms of preparation. Regardless, it cannot be assumed that the Chiefs will secure a victory solely based on statistics and predictions.
For those who prefer to steer clear of the favorites, we proudly introduce our resilient urban comrades as an alternative for your high-risk wager. The Steelers, labeled as 12.5-point underdogs, possess odds varying from 60-to-1 to 90-to-1 for clinching the Super Bowl victory.
