The NFL’s postseason has been winnowed down to the final eight contenders, which includes two franchises that have never made it to a Super Bowl – the Detroit Lions and the Houston Texans.
The divisional round of the playoffs is set for this weekend, with four contests that will decide which teams advance to the AFC and NFC Championship Games.
Houston Texans @ Kansas City Chiefs
- Point Spread: Texans +8.0 (-105), Chiefs -8.0 (-115)
- Moneyline Odds To Win: Texans +375, Chiefs-525
- Over: 41.5 (-110)
- Under: 41.5 (-110)
- Kickoff: Saturday At 4:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Kansas City is returning to action after their starters have had two full weeks of rest, thanks to a bye week in the first round of the playoffs and a Week 18 game against the Denver Broncos that was meaningless to their overall postseason seeding.
The Texans were rated underdogs by online sportsbooks at home last weekend to the visiting Los Angeles Chargers. QB C.J. Stroud trounced the Chargers by a 20 point differential, easily covering the spread and sending LA home packing.
With Patrick Mahomes and all other key players for the Chiefs healthy, we believe that KC will win the game and cover the 8-point spread.
Washington Commanders @ Detroit Lions
- Point Spread: Commanders +9.0 (-105), Lions -9.0 (-115)
- Moneyline Odds To Win: Commanders +400, Lions -575
- Over: 55.5 (-120)
- Under: 55.5 (EVEN)
- Kickoff: Saturday At 8:00 p.m. (FOX)
The Washington Commanders were also underdogs during Wild Card Weekend, projected to lose on the road to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by 3 points. This week, DC must travel to Michigan to play the top-seed in the NFC who are also leading the odds to win Super Bowl LIX.
Detroit features a balanced attack on both sides of the ball and it will take a herculean effort by Jayden Daniels and the Commanders just to remain close. We predict that the Lions will cover the 9 points and win.
Los Angeles Rams @ Philadelphia Eagles
- Point Spread: Rams +6.0 (-105), Eagles -6.0 (-115)
- Moneyline Odds To Win: Rams +220, Eagles -270
- Over: 44.0 (-110)
- Under: 44.0 (-110)
- Kickoff: Sunday At 3:00 p.m. (NBC)
The LA Rams were yet another underdog winner in their Wild Card matchup against the 14-win Minnesota Vikings. Their defensive front line and passing game on the offense will be hard for the Eagles to overtake, but oddsmakers have them favored by 6 nonetheless.
We’re not certain that Stafford and the Rams will be underdog winners once again, but we’re betting on them to cover the six points this Sunday.
Baltimore Ravens @ Buffalo Bills
- Point Spread: Ravens -1.0 (-110), Bills +1.0 (-110)
- Moneyline Odds To Win: Ravens -115, Bills -105
- Over: 51.5 (-105)
- Under: 51.5 (-115)
- Kickoff: Sunday At 6:30 p.m. (CBS)
The Ravens’ Lamar Jackson and the Bills’ Josh Allen are the most likely NFL MVPs for the 2024-25 season. The winner of this game could get the inside edge on the award, but Jackson deserves it no matter what the outcome is.
The weather in northern New York is expected to be in the single digits at kickoff with a 40% chance of snow. Baltimore is a one-point favorite on the road in Buffalo, but we’ve got a strong feeling that the Bills will win this game.
Will Buffalo finally eliminate KC in the AFC Championship Game and earn a Super Bowl bid? This could be their year.
*NFL Playoff Odds Offered At Bovada Sportsbook