The best time to bet on a line is when it first opens up at your preferred sportsbook. If you can't make that happen, generally, the earlier you bet on it, the better.
By kickoff of that week's games, NFL lines have diminished into some of the most efficient in all of sports (arguably the most efficient), meaning there's often little room for positive expected value (+EV) on bets the later in the week you bet it. Nearly every angle has been covered by sportsbook traders and sharp bettors.
As the week goes on, NFL lines stabilize due to the trading of sharp bettors, news and injury updates, and other factors that influence the game predictions.
Many NFL betting operators now publish early hypothetical odds before the next week starts, and if you haven't bet those already, attacking these lines Monday on the third playoff week is the next-best step.
Many of these lines will go through further refinement, and even if you can't land the best closing-line value or haven't already bet them at early, sharp-embracing books, you should have your say in these markets as soon as possible.
How should we attack opening and early odds for Patriots-Broncos and Seahawks vs. The winner of Rams-Bears?
All NFL Conference Championship betting odds and tips below are based on playoff lines current as of Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.
MORE: Betting glossary: Key sports betting terms
NFL Conference Championship Game opening lines and early line movement
Opening lines were captured at the noted time from DraftKings Sportsbook unless otherwise noted.
AFC Championship Game odds
Opening lines (fresh as of Sunday 6 p.m. ET)
- Moneyline: Patriots (-250) • Broncos (+205)
- Spread (ATS): Patriots -4.5 (-110) • Broncos +4.5 (-110)
- Total: Over 41.5 (-110) • Under 41.5 (-110)
- Implied Point Totals Score: Patriots 23, Broncos 18.5
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AFC Championship Game hypothetical lines (Saturday/Sunday on FanDuel Sportsbook)
- Moneyline: Patriots (-225) • Broncos (+188)
- Spread (ATS): Patriots -4.5 (-105) • Broncos +4.5 (-115)
- Total: Over 40.5 (-110) • Under 40.5 (-110)
NFC Championship Game odds
Hypothetical opening lines (Sunday pre-game ahead of Rams-Bears at FanDuel Sportsbook)
Rams vs. Seahawks
- Moneyline: Rams (+106) • Seahawks (-124)
- Spread (ATS): Rams +1.5 (-110) • Seahawks -1.5 (-110)
- Total: Over 48.5 (-115) • Under 48.5 (-105)
Bears vs. Seahawks
- Moneyline: Rams (+106) • Seahawks (-124)
- Spread (ATS): Rams +1.5 (-110) • Seahawks -1.5 (-110)
- Total: Over 48.5 (-115) • Under 48.5 (-105)
Best early NFL Conference Championship odds to bet
Best NFC and AFC Conference Championship bets will appear here when shared.
Best NFL Conference Championship sportsbook apps that may be available in your area
Even if sports betting is legal in your state, not all sportsbooks may be available to you. Here are some of the most popular options to look into:
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- Fanatics
- BetMGM
- bet365
- Caesars
- theScore Bet
- Hard Rock Bet
- Betr
- BetRivers
MORE: How sportsbooks set betting lines