Derrick Henry has become a folk hero during the NFL Playoffs

Every NFL Sunday there are players who capture and break hearts across America. BetAmerica’s weekly Heroes and Villains feature highlights the players who made and lost money for NFL bettors.

Hero: Jimmy Graham

Fighting for the final remaining spot in the conference championships, the Green Bay Packers (-4.5) hung on for dear life in the second half at frigid Lambeau Field.

Like most of the Packers’ games this season, they built a big early lead and almost let it all slip away down the stretch. Aaron Jones scored two first-half touchdowns, including one with 1:30 to play before half to build a 21-3 lead. Like clockwork, a comeback was brewing on the opposing sideline.

Marshawn Lynch’s second rushing touchdown of the night made it a one-score game. Down by five points the Seahawks got only one more scoring opportunity, thanks to Jimmy Graham. Facing a third-and-9 situation late in the fourth quarter, Aaron Rodgers connected with Graham to reach the line to gain, or did he?

Officials ruled it a first down. Replay could not overturn the call, which gave the Packers an NFC Championship berth and a cover by a half-point.

Villain: Minnesota’s offensive line

Kirk Cousins takes a lot of heat for falling apart in prime time. He actually had an excuse this time. The San Francisco (-7) defense got after the Minnesota quarterback early and often. By the end of the night, the 49ers had six sacks and limited the Vikings to 10 points. The 49ers covered by 10 points, and another Under hit.

Villain: Bill O’Brien

The Texans (+10) were gifted a pair of early touchdowns to build a 21-0 first-quarter lead over the Chiefs in Kansas City. What did Bill O’Brien do with that gift? He forgot how to football.

Instead of going for it on fourth and 1, he burned a timeout and kicked a short field goal to take a 24-0 lead. Momentum was gone for good when O’Brien tried a fake punt. That botched fake was the catalyst to an unprecedented 51-7 Kansas City run, win which the Chiefs scored on seven straight possessions. Congrats to Over bettors, who cashed tickets at halftime.

Hero: Tractorcito

Derrick Henry is known by many as the “little tractor.” He ran like a full-sized John Deere against the Baltimore Ravens (-10).

A week after they upset New England, the NFL’s top-ranked scoring defense on the road, the Titans took an early, 14-0 lead against the NFL’s top-ranked scoring offense and rode Henry to the promised land. Henry went over 180 yards for the third straight game and finished with 195, through the heart of the Ravens’ defense.

The Titans relied on the ground game to keep the ball out of Lamar Jackson’s hands, but got big pass plays when they needed them. After a Ravens’ turnover on downs, Tennessee quarterback Ryan Tannehill ripped it 45 yards for a touchdown on the following play. That pass accounted for more than 25% of his passing yards in two playoff games. When the Titans needed another score near the goal line, they turned to Henry’s arm, not his legs, to get six more points.

 

The Titans covered the spread by 26 points and held Jackson under the 46-point total. Wise guys on the moneyline were rewarded at around +300, a nice hit you rarely see in the NFL Playoffs.

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Who will be the heroes and villains of the conference championship games? Bet your opinion at BetAmerica!