Online sportsbooks experts know that anything can happen in the NFL playoffs. Teams that dominated the league during the regular season could find themselves out of the playoffs in the first round. Quarterbacks that seemed unflappable in the regular season can suddenly throw three interceptions in a playoff game and give the game away.

But as unpredictable as the playoffs can sometimes be, there are still patterns that manage to hold true year after year. As the bookie software follows the trends being established by NFL playoff teams, there are consistent trends that you can use to help improve your NFL playoff betting results. The important thing to remember about NFL playoff betting is that it does tend to stay with the trends and you need to bet with the trends as opposed to betting with your heart. The best team in the regular season is not always the team that rises to the top and wins it all in the NFL.

One of the most consistent trends in the NFL playoffs is that home teams win 70 percent of the time. Think about the upsets such as the 2011 Seattle Seahawks playoff win over the New Orleans Saints or the greatest comeback in playoff history when the Buffalo Bills beat the Houston Oilers. Both of the winning teams in those improbable wins were the home team. The NFL scores also stay on the side of the home team when the spread is figured in. NFL home teams win against the spread a little over 60 percent of the time in the playoffs. It is a trend that you cannot ignore.

Another trend that cannot be ignored in the NFL playoffs is the effect of the first round bye. The home team wins the divisional playoff games in the NFL playoffs a little more than 60 percent of the time. This 60 percent figure also holds true against the spread. That extra week of rest and playing at home seem to be strong factors in determining who wins an NFL playoff game.

The online betting sites are buzzing with the lines and picks for the upcoming college bowl games. It was recently announced that LSU will take on Alabama in the BCS Championship Game on January 9, 2012. The other bowl games were announced as well and the long history of each of the bowl games will help to add to the drama each game will produce

AT&T Cotton Bowl – January 6, 2012

Kansas State Wildcats Vs. Arkansas Razorbacks

The price per head sports experts had the Arkansas Razorbacks as a contender in the BCS championship standings for quite a while. While the Wildcats do have a very fast offense, the Razorbacks and its punishing defense will be too much for Kansas State in this game.

Pick: Arkansas

Discover Orange Bowl – January 4, 2012

West Virginia Mountaineers Vs. Clemson Tigers (-3 ½)

Clemson was another team that looked like it has BCS national championship potential when the season started. But the Tigers slipped up and put together a respectable, but hardly championship quality, record of 10-3. Clemson has been surprising the experts all season long and will continue to do so in the Orange Bowl.

Pick: Clemson Tigers

Allstate Sugar Bowl – January 3, 2012

Michigan Wolverines (-1 ½) Vs. Virginia Tech Hokies

The NCAA football experts certainly did not see this one coming. Virginia Tech was supposed to be an NCAA powerhouse this season but instead finished the year but instead finished with an 11-2 record. The Wolverines were not supposed to be as good as they wound up being and have tipped the tables away from Virginia Tech in this game.

Pick: Michigan

NFL

The online sports book websites are getting busy with all of the picks coming through on playoff bound teams. The bookie software is starting to determine playoff favorites as some critical games are played in week 12.

New England Patriots @ Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are coming off of an emotional win over the New York Giants and the Patriots are coming off of a tough Monday night game against Kansas City. Vince Young looked very efficient in his relief of Michael Vick. The Eagles will turn a few heads in this game.

Pick: Philadelphia Eagles

NCAA Football

The college rankings are getting tight as LSU, Alabama and Arkansas are all battling to see who plays in the BCS Championship game. LSU looks to be a lock. But Arkansas and Alabama are still fighting it out.

Arkansas @ LSU (-12 ½)

Arkansas can lose this game but still affect the NCAA football standings. If the Razorbacks can keep this one close, then that could put them into the number two spot in the rankings for the rest of the season.

Pick: LSU

NHL

Sidney Crosby makes his comeback on Monday and the entire NHL odds get turned upside down. The Penguins were a good team already, but Crosby’s return makes it a legitimate contender.

Pittsburgh Penguins @ Montreal Canadiens – Saturday November 26

Montreal goaltender Carey Price has been playing well, but by the time the Penguins come to town, Sidney Crosby will be one week into his comeback. The Penguins bruising style of play complimented by Crosby’s talent will make this a tough game for the Habs.

Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins

Those who bet on MLB baseball odds online will have a full slate of games to wager on this weekend in their sports betting book, and here is a look at the top three matchups to watch (remember to confirm the pitching matchups before making your picks).

Mariners Rays Odds (Friday, 7:10 PM ET)

This could be the best matchup of the weekend as Seattle’s reigning Cy Young winner, “King” Felix Hernandez, takes on David Price of the Rays in Tampa Bay, and even though these two aren’t pitching up to their normal standards, the possibility is always there for a duel.

Phillies Nationals Odds (Saturday, 7:05 PM ET)

The Phillies are the World Series betting favorites because of their pitching, but Roy Oswalt has had a shaky season in 2011, mostly due to injury. Philadelphia needs him to get back to his best for their postseason run, and he’ll be on the mound on Saturday in Washington, where he’ll face off against the Nationals’ John Lannan.

Rangers White Sox Odds (Saturday, 7:10 PM ET)

Speaking of veteran pitchers battling injuries, Jake Peavy was never the same after winning the Cy Young in 2007 with San Diego, and he’s a shadow of his former self with Chicago. He’ll lead the White Sox out against the Rangers and Alexi Ogando, who is running out of gas in his rookie season, but Texas needs him to pick up his game if they’re going to boost their betting chances in the World Series.