2024 NFL Playoffs Divisional Round Preview

Four more teams will be going home for good in the coming days with the NFL Divisional Round on the cards.

After an underwhelming slate of games on Wild Card Weekend, we are due for some exciting contests and the schedule-makers have delivered plenty of potential.

Houston will be desperate to atone for a loss in Kansas City less than a month ago when they get things started before Ford Field in Detroit will be going ballistic as the Lions take to the field against the Washington Commanders.

Monday morning begins in Philadelphia with the Eagles not likely to extend a whole lot of brotherly love when they face the LA Rams.

However, the best has been saved for last with a heavyweight battle in a winter wonderland as snow is in the forecast as the MVP-contenders Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson face off.

Find our NFL game previews and best bets for every Divisional Round game below as we move ever closer to Super Bowl LIX

Kansas City Chiefs vs Houston Texans
Sunday 19 January, 8:30am, Arrowhead Stadium
Kansas City 23 – Houston 14

One day, American colleges will teach a course on the 2024 Kansas City Chiefs season regardless of how it ends.

We know just how limited their offensive production has been but in spite of that they managed to go 15-2 with one of those losses a Week 18 lay down with their backups in Denver.

In the 16 games they went all out, their defence was nothing short of phenomenal, holding 12 opponents to 20 points or less and that unit is a big reason why the Chiefs have home field advantage.

However there is one major cause for concern taking the Chiefs to cover the two-score handicap the bookies have given them.

Their last meaningful game was on Christmas Day and while the rest will allow some key players to get healthy, having that long of a break between live game snaps could result in some rust, at least early on.

If Houston’s defence can replicate their efforts against LA from last week, the Texans definitely have a chance at an upset, although it’s tough to think that was anything more than an outlier in what has been a difficult season.

They should be able to keep it close with a heavy dose of Joe Mixon, who had a big day last week but the Chiefs experience in situations like this will likely see them home.

One other storyline that will be worth following is DeAndre Hopkins, the guy who starred for the Texans for so many years now taking on the team that drafted him and he’s worth a narrative bet as well.

Houston to Cover +8.5 @ $1.90

Joe Mixon 70+ Rushing Yards @ $2.55

SGM: DeAndre Hopkins 30+ Receiving Yards & Anytime Touchdown @ $4.43

Detroit Lions vs Washington Commanders
Sunday 19 January, 12:15pm, Ford Field
Detroit 31 – Washington 45

Ford Field is going to be rocking when the Lions take to the field against the Commanders and this has all the makings of a game that could get out of hand quickly.

Washington were incredibly impressive against Tampa last week but they were fighting tooth and nail with a good but not great opponent and only just got over the line.

Now they take on an actually great team and there is massive letdown potential for Washington.

Perhaps Detroit’s depleted defence might hinder their progress somewhat, however their offence has got a massive boost with David Montgomery returning to the backfield after missing the last few games with injury.

It really is going to be a choose your own adventure for Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson who can hand it off to his two backs 35 times or get Jared Goff to target his plethora of pass catchers ad nauseum.

Whether its through the air or on the ground, once Detroit gets going on offence, Washington just does not have the team to keep up with them score for score.

Detroit to Win by 14+ @ $2.35

David Montgomery & Jahmyr Gibbs to Have 3+ Touchdowns Combined @ $3.70

SGM: Amon-Ra St Brown 60+ Receiving Yards, Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta 45+ Receiving Yards Each @ $5.57

Philadelphia Eagles vs Los Angeles Rams
Monday 20 January, 7:00am, Lincoln Financial Field
Philadelphia 28 – LA Rams 22

An already arduous and draining playoff schedule for the Los Angeles Rams will take another turn when they head to Philadelphia for the Divisional Round game.

Early forecasts have the temperatures hovering around freezing at kickoff and a chance for some snow, rain or some uncomfortable mixture of the two.

Which means offensive production is going to be somewhat limited if the weather becomes a factor and the running back position will become significantly more important.

Which is great news for the Eagles who have the rushing title winner Saquon Barkley ready to roll after going for 119 yards on the ground last week, helping cover for a bad day for the passing game.

Back in Week 12 the Eagles came to LA and quite literally ran over the Rams, with Barkley tallying 255 rushing yards and two touchdowns so he is likely primed for a big day once again even in the slush.

Not to mention, Philadelphia probably won’t drop back to pass enough to bring the Rams rush into play and really limit their ability to make some stops.

SGM: Philadelphia to Win and Under 44 Points @ $2.46

SGM: Saquon Barkley 100+ Rushing Yards & Anytime Touchdown @ $2.32

Saquon Barkley to Score 2+ Touchdowns @ $3.80

Buffalo Bills vs Baltimore Ravens
Monday 20 January, 10:40am, Highmark Stadium
Buffalo 27 – Baltimore 25

It is almost impossible to oversell just how much fun this game is going to be regardless of what actually happens on the field.

The weather is going to play a factor in this one as well with a kickoff temperature of -7 (Celsius) and a chance of snow.

At publish the market is having a tough time separating the two teams with Baltimore the slightest of favourites in this battle of the superstars.

The Ravens have Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, a dangerous one-two punch that can run around or through you depending on the situation.

Meanwhile in Buffalo it all comes down to one guy, Josh Allen who has been nearly unstoppable this season and looks set to win the MVP.

Baltimore took the first meeting between these teams back in Week 4 with a dominant 35-10 victory however the case for both teams in this instance is strong enough to stay out of the head to head market.

With the big play potential on both sides, taking the over just looks like a much better option for a best bet, while the superstars have some big days of their own.

Over 51.5 Points @ $1.90

SGM: Josh Allen 225+ Passing Yards, 2+ Touchdown Passes, Over 47.5 Rushing Yards @ $4.62

SGM: Lamar Jackson 200+ Pass Yards, 2+ Touchdown Passes, Over 51.5 Rush Yards, Derrick Henry 100+ Rushing Yards, Anytime Touchdown @ $14.20


2023

There are just seven games remaining in the 2023 NFL season and we’ve got four potential classics on the cards in the Divisional Round.

After having Wild Card weekend off, Super Bowl favourites Baltimore and San Francisco will enter the fray with every team well aware they are just three wins away from hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.

After being forced to wait for over 30 years to see a home playoff game, Detroit will be back at Ford Field for another massive clash as they host Tampa Bay, while Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes will add another chapter to their rivalry in Buffalo.

By Monday afternoon we will be down to our final four teams so get ready for the Divisional Round with our previews and best bets here!

Baltimore Ravens vs Houston Texans
Sunday 21 January, 8:30am, M&T Bank Stadium
Baltimore 34 – Houston 10

It feels a bit cliched to say that a lot has changed for both teams since the Ravens 25-9 win in Week 1 but that is probably the most applicable statement when it comes to discussing this game.

For starters, the Ravens are no longer the good team trying to establish themselves as the AFC’s best, their 13-4 record and MVP-calibre season for Lamar Jackson has done that.

On the other side, CJ Stroud has grown up a lot and is not the nervous rookie on debut, showing he belongs in the postseason after an impressive showing against Cleveland last week.

But going on the road against one of the league’s best defences is going to be his toughest test of the season and it might be asking a bit much if Baltimore is on their game.

The Ravens have held their last four opponents to under 20 points and kept five under 10 points all season, the only way they don’t win this game is if Lamar Jackson and the offence do not protect the ball.

Houston put their game away last week with consecutive defensive scores and they will likely need a couple of gifts from Jackson to have any chance of an unlikely upset.

But a major part of Jackson’s MVP candidacy revolves around the fact he hasn’t turned the ball over and I’ll back the Ravens to get home in a close one on the back of his arm.

Baltimore to Win by 1-13 Points @ $2.15

SGM: Lamar Jackson 225+ Passing Yards, 2+ Pass TDs & Over 55.5 Rushing Yards @ $4.69

CJ Stroud 250+ Passing Yards @ $1.96

San Francisco 49ers vs Green Bay Packers
Sunday 21 January, 12:15pm, Levi’s Stadium
San Francisco 24 – Green Bay 21

Jordan Love’s playoff debut could not have gone any better for a guy playing for a big money extension but the difficulty level for his second start has gone up to ten.

This San Francisco defence has made life a living hell for plenty of quarterbacks this season and they have had a week of rest to freshen up for this game.

When the 49ers came off their bye earlier in the season they made absolute mincemeat of the Jaguars, belting them 34-3 and it could have been by even more if Kyle Shanahan wasn’t feeling lenient on the day.

It’s a similar story for the 49ers on offence where it just feels like they are going to have too many options for the Packers to contain.

Even if they can slow down Christian McCaffrey, that will open up chances for Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle and pretty much anyone else that can uncover.

We should see plenty of points in this game so I’ll pair up the 49ers at the line and the over on the total for the first bet.

As for the player markets, those touchdowns are going to have to come from somewhere and there’s no shortage of players who know how to find the end zone.

Aaron Jones scored three on his own last week while Christian McCaffrey scored an NFL high 21 touchdowns and was only held out of the end zone on three occasions.

This is where the touchdown combinations come in really handy and you can add in Deebo Samuel for a bit of extra insurance and get over even money for three touchdowns.

San Francisco to Cover -9.5 @ $1.90

Aaron Jones, Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel to Have 3+ Touchdowns Combined @ $2.02

Brock Purdy and Jordan Love to Have 5+ Touchdown Passes Combined @ $2.20

Detroit Lions vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Monday 22 January, 7:00am, Ford Field
Detroit 31 – Tampa Bay 23

It was a special scene at Ford Field as the Lions hosted and subsequently won their first playoff game in 32 years last week, but the question for Dan Campbell’s men now shifts to how far can they go?

Expectations could be their worst enemy as they undergo a shift from the loveable underdog to a team that just might have a Super Bowl run in them.

This is a very winnable game for they as they take on a Tampa Bay team whose season is already a massive success just getting this far and can go into the game with nothing to lose.

I’m expecting Tampa to be able to hang around in this game and at least make it a nervous fourth quarter for Detroit given the Lions struggles putting teams away.

Eight of their last ten games have been decided by ten points or less and Tampa will be happy to just chuck the ball around and make enough plays to give them a shot on their last possession.

However in Ford Field, with that crowd behind them, there’s only one outcome I can back and it’s a Lions win.

Detroit to Win by 1-13 Points @ $2.05

Baker Mayfield and Jared Goff to Have 600+ Pass Yards Combined @ $3.00

SGM: Amon-Ra St Brown 90+ Receiving Yards & Anytime TD, David Montgomery 50+ Rush Yards & Anytime TD @ $7.28

Buffalo Bills vs Kansas City Chiefs
Monday 22 January, 10:40am, Highmark Stadium
Buffalo 24 – Kansas City 27

The only thing that is stopping me from going all in on a bunch of player overs is the weather forecast which is predicting another rough week in Western New York.

At the time of publish, they are predicting temperatures well below freezing but not quite as bad as what Kansas City had to deal with last week, and slightly less snow that what fell in Buffalo.

Come to think of it, the Chiefs offensive struggles in good weather this season should also probably give some cause for concern about their ability to move the ball and score.

Not that it needs any added drama to the build up, but the only reason this game is in Buffalo is because of Kadarius Toney’s boneheaded offside back in Week 14 and that has consigned the Chiefs to the first true road playoff game of the Patrick Mahomes era.

Even though the Chiefs signal caller has passed just about every test that can be thrown his way (except for winning a playoff game against a Tom Brady lead team), a hostile environment in the playoffs is not something he has had to deal with and there has to be some doubt over how he will handle it.

The Bills defence is vulnerable and can be taken advantage of, so there is value pairing up Mahomes hitting 250 passing yards with a productive day for Isiah Pacheco.

On the other side of the equation, Josh Allen showed just what he is capable of doing when the reigns are taken off last week guiding the Bills to a win over Pittsburgh.

If he is on his game, the Bills are going to approach 30 points largely because of his big play ability and he can get them there mostly on his own, with a little bit of help from James Cook.

And after all of that, despite the concerns regarding the weather the over looks like the way to go because I cannot settle on a winner for this game.

Over 49.5 Points @ $2.25

SGM: Patrick Mahomes 250+ Passing Yards, Isiah Pacheco 60+ Rush Yards & Anytime TD @ $5.08

SGM: Josh Allen 225+ Pass Yards, 2+ Passing TDs & Anytime TD Scorer, James Cook 50+ Rush Yards @ $7.01


2022

We’re down to the elite eight in the NFL Playoffs with the Divisional Round matchups set for this weekend.

After earning a bye on Wild Card Weekend, Kansas City and Philadelphia will enter the tournament knowing they are just three wins away from a Lombardi Trophy.

Monday brings us a pair of blockbuster clashes with the Bills hosting the Bengals before San Francisco takes on Dallas after their memorable encounter last season.

We’ve got you covered for the Divisional Playoffs this weekend with our best bets below so read on and see who we are backing!

Kansas City Chiefs vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Sunday 22 January, 8:30am, Arrowhead Stadium
Kansas City 27 – Jacksonville 20

Perhaps the biggest advantage Kansas City received from getting the top seed in the AFC playoff field is the face they avoided a clash with Buffalo or Cincinnati in this round.

Jacksonville will present their own challenges, but it is fair to say that the Jaguars are not quite at the same level of those other AFC teams just yet.

Perhaps the most impressive part of Kansas City’s season is the fact that they very rarely seemed to get out of second gear and still managed to finish with a 14-3 record.

That didn’t help the punters that backed them at the line most weeks though, registering a miserly 8-9 record with the handicap.

There were times when Patrick Mahomes looked flat out disinterested and was just trying different things out for the sake of it which allowed overmatched opponents to hang around.

If we learned one thing about the Jaguars last week it’s that they will not go away regardless of the final score.

Despite trailing 27-0 at home to the LA Chargers, Jacksonville found their footing and mounted a remarkable comeback to win on the final play of the fourth quarter 31-30.

While there is no doubt in my mind that Kansas City will win the game, anything less than a full four quarter effort should allow the Jaguars to hang around enough to make things interesting late on.

Backing the Chiefs to win by less than two touchdowns has been a winning play on nine occasions this season and that’s the first one we’ll take here.

There’s also a reason the points total is the highest of any game this weekend at 52.5, so don’t be surprised if both teams wind up pushing or even topping 30 points, so there should be a number of touchdown scorers.

Look for the Chiefs dynamic duo of Jerick McKinnon and Travis Kelce to find the end zone in this one as both have established themselves as reliable options for Patrick Mahomes.

Last week Evan Engram found the end zone for the Jaguars and managed to catch seven passes for 93 yards.

When you add in the fact Kansas City gave up touchdowns to tight ends in three of their last four games, he looks to be the value play here at his current price.

Back Kansas City to Win by 1-13 Points @ $2.35

Back Evan Engram Anytime TD Scorer @ $3.25

SGM: Travis Kelce and Jerick McKinnon Anytime Touchdown Scorers @ $3.29

Philadelphia Eagles vs New York Giants
Sunday 22 January, 12:15pm, Lincoln Financial Field
Philadelphia 38 – NY Giants 7

The big questions heading into the third edition of this NFC East rivalry this season all revolve around the health of Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.

After missing a pair of games late in the season, Hurts had the chance to knock the rust off in Week 18 against a resting Giants team and has had another week to heal up.

You can just about throw out that game from a fortnight ago considering the Giants started Davis Webb at quarterback to protect both Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor from injury.

When they met in Week 14 the Eagles absolutely belted the Giants however there is something to be said about the momentum they would have picked up in their win in Minnesota last weekend.

Brian Daboll will have a few tricks up his sleeve to try and move the ball on a stout Eagles front and he may need to empty the bag to give his team a shot here.

Philadelphia just looks like it has too many weapons for even the Giants to keep up with and it’s tough to imagine the visitors putting together the near perfect performance they will need.

With a raucous “Linc” at their back, the Eagles might find themselves in a battle early but once they get rolling, the Giants will discover the gap between the two sides.

For the player market play, there is a bit of value to be found going for a left field option.

Philadelphia’s backup running back Boston Scott has become known as the Giant killer, scoring ten touchdowns in eight games, never failing to find the end zone.

He loves playing them and don’t be surprised if they turn to him near the goalline.

Not that he will be the Eagles only touchdown scorer on the day, they have no shortage of options on the ground and in the air so for a quarterback play, take Hurts to show everyone just how healthy his shoulder is with three touchdown passes of his own.

Back Philadelphia to Cover -6.5 @ $1.90

Back Boston Scott Anytime Touchdown Scorer @ $4.40

Back Jalen Hurts 3+ TD Passes @ $2.40

Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals
Monday 23 January, 7:00am, Highmark Stadium
Buffalo 10 – Cincinnati 27

Three weeks after their Week 17 game was cancelled due to the collapse of Damar Hamlin, Buffalo and Cincinnati will face off in a win or go home playoff contest.

The Bills earned hosting rights with the better record, however the Bengals have not shied away from voicing their displeasure at the game being played at Highmark Stadium, as their agreement to cancel the regular season matchup cost them a chance at hosting this game.

Just about every player in that locker room will be well aware of the short straw they have drawn in this instance and will be out to prove a point in this game.

While they put together an uneven performance against Baltimore last week and there are some major questions surrounding their offensive line, the Bengals are more than capable of winning this game.

Especially if Josh Allen makes the same mistakes he did against Miami last week, throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble that wiped out the Bills 17-0 lead.

Rest assured, if he commits three turnovers once more, the Bengals will make him pay on the scoreboard.

For that reason, the Bengals are offering excellent value at their current price, which has already drifted from their opening number.

Not that the Bills will be completely shut out however, expect a back and forth game with plenty of points scored and Buffalo finding their playoff go-to guy Gabriel Davis in the end zone.

However in a battle of the quarterbacks, nobody in the league is more confident than Joe Burrow and if this game comes down to a final drive, he is the guy you want leading the way with his reliable trio of targets.

Back Cincinnati to Win @ $2.95

Back Gabriel Davis Anytime Touchdown Scorer @ $2.65

SGM: Joe Burrow 250+ Pass Yards, Joe Mixon, Ja’Marr Chase & Tee Higgins Anytime TD Scorer @ $17.85

San Francisco 49ers vs Dallas Cowboys
Monday 23 January, 10:40am, Levi’s Stadium
San Francisco 19 – Dallas 12

It’s a flashback to the early 1990’s when San Francisco takes on Dallas with a spot in the NFC Championship on the line.

Dallas could not have looked more impressive in their 31-14 dismantling of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Wild Card Round with Dak Prescott having the best performance of his career.

He will need to top that however when he takes on a tough 49ers defence that got off to a slow start against Seattle before they hit the accelerator in the second half to pull away.

In an almost entirely quarterback-proof system, rookie Brock Purdy is doing exactly what is asked of him and looking incredibly impressive in the process.

All he has to do is hit his targets in the hands and the likes of Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk will take care of the rest.

While Dallas can absolutely stick with the 49ers for a while if this game turns into a shootout, I cannot escape the feeling that Dallas is going to revert to type in the fourth quarter and find a way to shoot themselves in the foot.

And when they do, look for the 49ers to take full advantage with Christian McCaffrey set for another busy day of work as a runner and receiver.

Finally we’ll wrap it up with both teams finding their number one receiver in the end zone for a touchdown as both sides have given up their share of passing touchdowns of late.

San Francisco to Cover -3.5 & Over 46.5 Points @ $3.60

SGM: Christian McCaffrey 60+ Rush Yards, 30+ Receiving Yards & Anytime TD Scorer @ $3.15

SGM: Deebo Samuel and CeeDee Lamb Anytime Touchdown Scorers @ $5.35


2021

Eight will become four in the NFL’s Divisional Round as we move one step closer to Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles.

Wild Card Weekend was hardly super as it was headlined by blowouts but all four contests coming up this weekend have the potential to etch themselves in the memory banks of every fan.

Top seeds Tennessee and Green Bay will enter the fray on Sunday before two proper blockbusters round out the action on Monday morning (AEDT).

We’re previewing all four games below along with finding our best bets after a profitable start to the playoffs so read on and see who we are backing!

Tennessee Titans vs Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday 23 January, 8:35am, Nissan Stadium
Tennessee 16 – Cincinnati 19

The hoodoo has been broken and the Bengals have their first NFL Playoff victory in over three decades.

Unfortunately for them, their reward for that achievement is a trip to the top seeded Tennessee Titans.

Mike Vrabel put together a strong case for coach of the year, guiding his team to a 12-5 regular season record and a first-round bye in spite of a number of major injuries across his team.

Perhaps most impressive of it all is the fact he was able to keep his team’s ground game going despite losing the best skill position player in the league on Halloween.

Having battled through the last two months, the Titans are reportedly set to welcome Derrick Henry back from his broken foot and if he can produce at close to his usual level, the scales will tip further in favour of the Titans.

Regardless of Henry’s status, the rest of the Titans team will need to be on guard against a Bengals side that is continuing to insist it has absolutely nothing to lose.

Cincinnati will push Tennessee all the way but the home side is just the more complete team and they’ll book their first ever home AFC Championship Game.

Back Tennessee to Cover -3.5 and Over 47.5 @ $3.60

Back Derrick Henry to Have 100+ Rushing Yards @ $3.45

Back Ja’Marr Chase Anytime Touchdown Scorer @ $2.65

Green Bay Packers vs San Francisco 49ers
Sunday 23 January, 12:15pm, Lambeau Field
Green Bay 10 – San Francisco 13

Aaron Rodgers may never have a better (or another) chance at defeating the San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs.

The presumptive league MVP has had arguably the best season of his career, leading the Packers to the NFC’s top seed, but the 49ers have had his number in the postseason, winning all three encounters.

When these sides met in Week 3 it was a wild ending to the game that ended with Mason Crosby’s long range field goal after a clutch drive from Rodgers.

San Francisco knows who it is and will look to utilise its ground game however I just cannot see the Packers dropping this game.

They have a very balanced offence and Rodgers is playing with a purpose, which will just keep the banged up 49ers defence on its heels.

While both Nick Bosa and Fred Warner are set to play in this game, it is hard to see them operating at close to 100% after picking up injuries last week.

If Green Bay is in with a shot late in the game, San Francisco has shown enough frailty in the fourth quarter to make everyone nervous.

I’ll back Green Bay to get the job done on the back of a big day from Aaron Rodgers.

Back Green Bay to Win by 1-13 Points @ $2.30

Back Aaron Rodgers to Throw 3+ Touchdown Passes

SGM: Davante Adams, Deebo Samuel and AJ Dillon Anytime TD Scorers @ $6.34

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Los Angeles Rams
Monday 24 January, 7:00am, Raymond James Stadium
Tampa Bay 27 – LA Rams 30

There is only one way to trouble Tom Brady and it is with regular, sustained pressure up the middle.

The LA Rams have the pass rush to generate that sort of pressure on Brady and the top line talent to win this game with their defensive front seven.

It is tempting to try and claim the Buccaneers receivers are undermanned with players such as Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown all missing however the duo of Mike Evans and Rob Gronkowski is still a pretty decent tandem for Brady to lean on in a big game.

Where the real issue lies however is on the offensive line with Tampa picking up a couple of key injuries in their win over Philadelphia.

LA should be able to take full advantage of that line and cause enough trouble for Brady to keep Tampa to a manageable score.

Then it will just come down to what version of Matthew Stafford we will get in this game, he was good enough against Arizona at home and I like the Rams ability to move the ball on this Tampa defence.

Back LA Rams to Win @ $2.20

Back Odell Beckham Jr Anytime TD Scorer @ $2.90

Back Under 48 Points @ $1.90

Kansas City Chiefs vs Buffalo Bills
Monday 24 January, 10:40am, Arrowhead Stadium
Kansas City 42 – Buffalo 36 (OT)

Forget the head to head markets, this game is as close to a toss up as you will find all weekend and it could very well be decided by the first team to punt the ball.

Both offences had phenomenal outings in the Wild Card round with Kansas City overcoming a slow start and still scoring 42 points on a strong Pittsburgh defence while Buffalo scored seven touchdowns on seven drives against New England.

The Bills came into Arrowhead Stadium on October 10 and stunned the Chiefs on the back of a career day from Josh Allen who threw for 315 yards and three touchdowns as well as 59 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Not a whole lot has changed from the visitor’s perspective as Allen still is the sole driving force behind that offence however this is a very different Chiefs team.

Their defence has found its identity and is making plays while the protection issues that plagued Patrick Mahomes have been covered up.

You realistically could make a great case for either team to win but not one strong enough for me to be willing to put any financial stake at risk, instead I’ll dip into the alternate total markets and take at least 60 points in this game.

As for touchdown scorers, Allen always remains a threat on the ground in the red zone and I’ll back him to run for one (or catch a pass for one).

On the Chiefs side, just about every secondary Chiefs skill position player looks to be well over the odds, however I’m zeroing in on Byron Pringle at $3.25 after his pair of scores against Pittsburgh.

Back Over 59.5 Points (Alternate Total) @ $2.60

Back Josh Allen Anytime Touchdown Scorer @ $2.90

Back Byron Pringle Anytime Touchdown Scorer @ $3.25


2020

Eight teams will be reduced to four this weekend as we move one step closer to Super Bowl LV.

This year’s Divisional Round features four outstanding games across both Sunday and Monday, the first of which kicks off between the Packers and Rams from the Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field.

The Bills squeaked out a narrow win last week against the Colts and they find themselves as the slight favourites heading into a blockbuster clash against the Ravens in Buffalo.

Meanwhile, on Monday, the Chiefs get to work against a dangerous looking Browns side, followed by another chapter in the Drew Brees vs Tom Brady novel when the Saints host the Bucs.

This shapes up to be a wild weekend of football and you can find our tips for all four games below!

Green Bay Packers vs Los Angeles Rams
Sunday 17 January, 8:30am, Lambeau Field

Two of the brightest young coaching minds in the game meet on Sunday in what is shaping up to be one of the most exciting matchups of the entire weekend.

Sean McVay and the Rams defence shocked the world last week with a 10-point win over Seattle, a result that largely boiled down to some brilliant scheming from defensive coordinator Brandon Staley and a few clutch throws from Jared Goff.

Now, the Rams have booked a date with the first seed in the NFC as they prepare to travel to Lambeau Field for the first time since they moved to Los Angeles.

The Packers have enjoyed a week off in preparation after defeating the Bears two weeks ago to clinch the top seed. 

For as good as the Rams defence looked last week, Staley and McVay will now be tasked with stopping future MVP Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the Packers’ potent offence.

As far as betting goes, this is easily one of the toughest games to pick.

Plenty hinges on the health of Rams defensive end Aaron Donald, while the outlook for Goff still remains murky as he battles back from recent thumb surgery.

The Packers head in the playoffs relatively healthy on the injury front, but they did make a big move during the week adding Jared Veldheer to the roster to replace David Bakhtiari at left tackle.

Green Bay’s offensive line has largely been the catalyst for their success this year, and if Rodgers is afforded a lifetime in the pocket (much like he has all season), there’s little doubt he can shred this outstanding Rams secondary apart.

On the other hand, we have seen the Packers rattled against potent pass rushes in the past, namely Tampa Bay and Indianapolis earlier in the season.

If the Rams can put pressure on Rodgers and force him out of the pocket, they could go a long way to at least keeping this game close.

In all, the Packers are tough to bet against with home-field advantage, but sometimes a week off can do more harm than good.

The Rams have plenty of momentum heading into this game, which could spell trouble for a Packers team that has struggled to bring their best to the postseason in recent years.

Tip: Back the Rams to Cover the Line (+6.5 Points) @ $1.90

Buffalo Bills vs Baltimore Ravens
Sunday 17 January, 12:15pm, Bills Stadium

The Bills and the Ravens both finished the regular season ranked Top 10 in points scored, so it’s no surprise to find a 50-point total set for Sunday’s game.

Buffalo edged out the Colts 27-24 last week for their first playoff win in 25 years, but the final score really didn’t do the Bills any justice when you consider Josh Allen torched a talented Indy defence for 324 yards and two scores.

Speaking of talent, Lamar Jackson reminded everyone just how good he can be last week in the Ravens’ 20-13 win over the Titans in Tennessee.

Jackson finished the day with 136 rushing yards and a touchdown on the day, a slightly worrying sign for the Bills after they lost 24-17 when these two sides met last season.

While the offence on both sides will take up much of the focus, it’s likely this game boils down to defence.

The Ravens had their troubles during the midway point of the year, but they were simply sensational last week holding Derrick Henry to just 40 yards on the ground.

Baltimore’s pass rush also recorded a sack and five hits on Ryan Tannehill, a performance they’ll be hoping to replicate against the agile Josh Allen.

The Bills have been outstanding all year on offence, but after giving up a combined 153 yards on the ground to Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines last week, they do look vulnerable here against Jackson, J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards.

It would be surprising if anything more than a touchdown separated these two teams, but it just feels like the Ravens are starting to warm up.

Tip: Back the Ravens to Cover the Line (+2.5 Points) @ $1.90

Kansas City Chiefs vs Cleveland Browns
Monday 18 January, 7:00am, Arrowhead Stadium

The Browns find themselves as the biggest underdogs heading into the Divisional Round laying +10 at the line against the defending Super Bowl champs.

A surprise blowout victory last week over the Steelers helped secure the Browns’ first playoff win since 1994, but they’ll need to produce an even bigger effort this week against Andy Reid’s well-rested side.

After securing the No. 1 seed several weeks ago, most of Kansas City’s main stars have enjoyed nearly two weeks off in preparation for this game.

Like the Packers, sometimes a gap between games can prove to be a problem rather than a plus, but it’s very difficult to imagine this well-oiled Chiefs machine stalling at this stage of the season.

To their credit though, the Browns have proven all season that they aren’t an easy out.

Cleveland’s defence was enormous last week forcing five turnovers against the Steelers, and it’s not like Patrick Mahomes has been exempt from an interception or two this year.

The Chiefs have also been a terrible betting play at the line this season finishing 7-9 overall against the spread.

After a couple of weeks off, don’t be surprised if Cleveland hangs around, at least in the first half.

Tip: Back the Browns to Cover the Line (+10 Points) @ $1.90

New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Monday 18 January, 10:30am, Mercedes-Benz Superdome

The Divisional Round concludes in epic fashion on Monday with the oldest quarterback matchup in history.

Drew Brees and Tom Brady have played some absolute classics over the years, the first of occurred way back in 1999 when Brady’s Michigan Wolverines battled Brees and Purdue.

Fast forward over 20-years later to the most recent game between these two future Hall of Famers, a 38-3 Saints blowout back in November that saw Brees throw for four touchdowns, and Brady throw his helmet on the sidelines.

Much has changed since then though, mainly in Tampa Bay.

The Bucs have lost only two games since that Week 9 loss and they certainly looked dangerous against Washington’s top-rank defence last week winning 31-23 in the Wild Card round.

Of course, the Saints have also hit their stride after polishing off the Bears 21-9 last week in the Superdome.

After suffering a rib injury two months ago, Brees seems to be back to his old self as he now looks to extend his unbeaten run over the Bucs to six games.

This one could go a number of different ways, but you have to feel confident in Sean Payton to get the job done in the end.

The Saints have had their fair share of troubles on defence this year, but when you compare the two teams side-by-side, it’s safe to say the Bucs look the more questionable team.

Tampa Bay’s offence is capable of beating anyone, but keep in mind they did just give up 300-yards to Taylor Heinicke last week.

Brees has plenty of revenge on his mind after losing three straight playoff games in controversial fashion, so if you’re going to bet on a favourite this week, make it the Saints.

Tip: Back the Saints 1-13 @ $2.50


2019

NFL bettors were left licking their wounds following a brutal Wild Card Weekend that saw only one favourite salute.

With the Super Bowl right around the corner, the Divisional Round presents four opportunities to build a bank, but the games don’t get any easier as the Chiefs, Packers, Ravens and 49ers all return from a bye with home-field advantage.

Last year the favourites went 4/4 in the Divisional Round, so punters could be granted some reprieve this weekend.

If you’re looking for a little help though, be sure to read our entire 2020 NFL Divisional Round Preview below.

San Francisco 49ers vs Minnesota Vikings
Sunday 12 January, 8:35am, Levi's Stadium
49ers 27 - Vikings 10

Fresh from an upset over the Saints as +8 underdogs, the Vikings now head to San Francisco laying +7 on Sunday hoping for a repeat performance.

Minnesota shocked the world last week with an overtime upset against one of the NFC’s top dogs.

Kirk Cousins’ 242-yard, one touchdown stat line wasn’t pretty – but like we’ve seen time and time again this season, the Vikings’ multi-million man came up clutch with a huge 43-yard completion to set up the game-winning touchdown three plays later.

San Francisco would have watched last week’s game with delight knowing they now face a Minnesota team that won only four games on the road during the regular season. That said, Niners defensive coordinator Robert Saleh also has his hands full against one of the most talented offensive rosters in the league.

Niners fans can rest easy knowing they’ve allowed the fewest passing yards in the league. The Vikings do pose a serious threat on the ground however, as Dalvin Cook prepares to face San Francisco for only the second time in his career.

Defensively the 49ers hold the advantage in this matchup, while things are almost even on the offensive side of the ball.

Plenty is being made of Cousins’ resiliency and whether the Vikings’ offensive line can keep him clean. Keep in mind though, Minnesota allowed the sixth-fewest sacks in the league this year, meaning the Vikings could easily put up some points in this game.

The Niners allowed an average of 20.8 points to opponents at home this year, while the Vikings scored an average of 26.5 on the road.

San Francisco is also 1-2 straight-up following a bye since 2017, so with all that in mind, play it safe on Minnesota.

Tip: Vikings Over 18.5 Total Points @ $1.85

Anytime Touchdown Scorers: Deebo Samuel @ $2.50, Dalvin Cook @ $2.10

Baltimore Ravens vs Tennessee Titans
Sunday 12 January, 12:15pm, M&T Bank Stadium
Ravens 12 - Titans 28

Bettors will be hoping for more of the same from Tennessee this week as the bookies have set a whopping -10 line in favour of the Ravens.

Tennessee pulled off the upset of all upsets in Foxboro last Sunday, knocking off the Patriots 20-13 thanks to a 100-yard, two touchdown performance from Derrick Henry.

Baltimore has had an extra week to prepare for this game – or if you’re Lamar Jackson, Mark Ingram and a handful of others – a fortnight. The Ravens chose to rest most of their starters in Week 17 with the first seed locked up, meaning Baltimore’s heavy hitters come into this game fresh and ready to charge at the Super Bowl.

Everything we’ve seen from the Ravens so far spells a big win on Sunday. Baltimore’s defence allowed the third-fewest points during the regular season, while the offence led the league in points scored.

The Titans however, also rank Top 10 in both fewest points allowed and most points scored.

If you throw in the fact tight end Mark Andrews and running back Mark Ingram are both questionable for this game – as well as Tennessee’s 6-2 record against the spread in their last eight games – it becomes almost impossible to back against the Titans.

Tip: Back the Titans to Cover the Line (+10 Points) @ $1.92

Anytime Touchdown Scorers: Mark Ingram @ $1.90, A.J. Brown @ $2.75, Ryan Tannehill @ $6.50

Kansas City Chiefs vs Houston Texans
Monday 13 January, 7:05am, Arrowhead Stadium
Chiefs 51 - Texans 31

The Chiefs will greet the Arrowhead faithful as firm -9.5 point favourites this week looking to return to the AFC Championship Game for the second straight year.

Standing in Kansas City’s way is the Texans – a team fresh from a thrilling, yet also very concerning, overtime Wild Card win against the Bills.

Deshaun Watson’s Houdini antics in the pocket last week saw the Texans cover the -2.5 spread, but can bettors really back Houston with confidence after allowing seven sacks?

We’ve beaten this into the ground all year, but the trends suggest the Texans could pull off one of the all-time playoff upsets.

Houston has consistently gone loss, win, win all season – meaning the Texans are in line for another victory before losing in the AFC Championship Game.

Read into that what you will, but it’s also worth noting four of the last five games between these sides have been decided by 10-points or less.

The environment and the heat of the moment might get to the Texans, especially with the offensive line struggling to protect Watson’s blindside. Considering the Chiefs are just 1-9 against the spread in their last 10 home playoff games though, this spread looks a little generous.

Tip: Back the Texans to Cover the Line (+9.5 Points) @ $1.92

Anytime Touchdown Scorers: Damien williams @ $1.91, Deshaun Watson @ $3.75

Green Bay Packers vs Seattle Seahawks
Monday 13 January, 10:40am, Lambeau Field
Packers 28 - Seahawks 23

The next chapter in this storied rivalry gets underway at Lambeau Field on Monday as the Packers look to win their sixth game in a row.

These two teams have played out many memorable games over the last decade but have met only once in the playoffs back in 2015.

The Seahawks emerged victorious in the NFC Championship Game that day by an overtime score of 28-22, and it wouldn’t be the least bit surprising to see a similar result unfold this time around.

The Packers have enjoyed a much-needed week off in preparation for this game as they continue to struggle through injuries. The status of offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga remains up in the air as he goes through the concussion protocol, but for now, the Packers are still favoured by -4 in the market.

Seattle has also struggled through injuries at the running back position, making this week’s game even more interesting as they face a fierce pass rush that is among the best in the league.

With that in mind, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has the difficult task of deciding whether he wants to attack the Packers on the ground or through the air. All things considered; the vertical route may be the best option as wide receiver DK Metcalf poses a serious vertical challenge to the Packers’ secondary.

Green Bay lost only once at home during the regular season and has covered the spread in five of its eight games at Lambeau. Then again, Seattle has been a strong betting play all year going 4-1 against the spread as the away underdog.

The one deciding factor in this game could be the running game, and that’s where the Packers hold an edge. Aaron Jones torched the Vikings a fortnight ago after an opening drive fumble, which spells bad news for a Seahawks team that has allowed 100 rushing yards in each of its last five games.

If the line was a little longer it might be worth taking the Seahawks to cover, but the Packers have consistently been a great bet in playoff games.

Since 2015 Green Bay is 4-1 against the spread in the playoffs, so take the Packers to keep on rolling.

Tip: Back the Packers to Cover the Line (-4 Points) @ $1.92

Anytime Touchdown Scorers: Aaron Jones @ $1.55, Marshawn Lynch @ $2.40, Jamaal Williams @ $3.75

2018

Just one of four favourites prevailed on Wild Card Weekend, so if you think you’ve got the NFL figured out, think again.

Twelve teams down to eight, the Super Bowl is within reach for one of this week’s finalists, but after a week off for the likes of the Chiefs, Patriots, Rams and Saints, are we in for another round of upsets?

We’ve taken a look at all the numbers you need to know, and our complete 2019 NFL Divisional Round Tips can be found below.

Kansas City Chiefs vs Indianapolis Colts
Sunday 13 January, 8:30am, Arrowhead Stadium
Kansas City 31 – Indianapolis 13

You wouldn’t call it the unthinkable, but the Colts heading into Houston and knocking off the 11-5 Texans last week was kind of a big deal.

Indy were superb (at least in the first half) against their bitter division rivals. Andrew Luck was lights out from the first snap, finishing with 222-yards and a pair of touchdowns in the 21-7 rout.

For the Chiefs, the biggest concern has to be stopping T.Y. Hilton. The Texans made the mistake of playing man-to-man last week, resulting in nothing more than a measly 85-yard game for the star receiver. Of course, over-committing to Hilton opens up the Eric Ebron option, leaving Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton with some decisions to make this week.

That’s easier said than done for Kansas City however, especially when you consider the Chiefs have struggled all year to stop the pass. The Chiefs ranked second in passing yards allowed during the regular season, and even with a week off, plus home-field advantage, there’s no way they can stop the likes of Hilton, Ebron, and even Marlon Mack for an entire 60-minutes.

What the Chiefs do have though, is Patrick Mahomes. We’ve already seen unexperienced quarterbacks like Deshaun Watson and Lamar Jackson falter in the playoffs, but this is Mahomes’ calling card in front of what should be a raucous Arrowhead crowd.

Even so, the Colts have the defence to stop the Chiefs. They forced an agile quarterback like Watson into three sacks and a pick last week, disrupting the pocket as well as silencing DeAndre Hopkins.

What’s to say they can’t do that again against Mahomes and Tyreek Hill?

The Colts are 13-3 in their last 16-games when playing Kansas City, and in their last trip to Arrowhead back in 2013, they walked away 23-7 victors.

Tip: Back the Colts To Win @ $3.05

Los Angeles Rams vs Dallas Cowboys
Sunday 13 January, 12:20pm, Los Angeles Coliseum
LA Rams 30 – Dallas 22

The Cowboys were determined to make things interesting in their 24-22 win over the Seahawks last week, but for the third time in the last four years, Dallas are through to the Divisional Round.

Memories of 2016’s agonising loss to the Packers will be fresh in the mind of Cowboys’ fans, but it’s worth remembering just how different this team is. It’s also worth mentioning that by the midway point of the third quarter last week, running back Ezekiel Elliott had rushed for more yards than the Seahawks had total offence.

The Rams come into this one well-rested and ready to make up for last year’s 26-13 no-show against the Falcons. Los Angeles ranked second in the league in points-per-game during the regular season, and with a now healthy Todd Gurley to rely on, it’s no surprise to see the Rams at the shorter odds playing at home.

Dallas do have something going for them though that perhaps no other team in the NFC can attest to: defence. The Cowboys did a great job on the ground last week against Seattle, limiting the Seahawks to 73-rushing yards and the lone touchdown.

That kind of effort would go a long way against a team like the Rams, but only if Sean McVay’s side doesn’t shoot themselves in the foot first. In the final month of the season the Rams looked lost on offence, and although they blew out the 49ers and the Cardinals to close out the year, back-to-back losses to the Bears and the Eagles, two NFC playoff finalists, leaves a lot to be desired.

With a 7-1 record, there’s no denying how strong the Rams have been at home. But can they really rely on their offensive line, a unit that allowed 33 sacks this season, to keep Jared Goff upright in the pocket?

We saw how destructive the Cowboys can be when they dialed up the pressure last week against Seattle, and with Goff’s accuracy woes on full display in recent weeks, this has upset written all over it.

Tip: Back the Cowboys at the Line (+6.5 Points) @ $1.91

New England Patriots vs Los Angeles Chargers
Monday 14 January, 5:00am, Gillette Stadium
New England 41 – LA Chargers 28

This intriguing game between two classic AFC foes has New England as the four-point favourites in what could very well be their only home game of the 2019 playoffs. It’s a different feel as far as New England are concerned this year though, with many predicting the long reign of the Brady-Belichick era close to over.

First up, the Chargers will take a crack following their nail-biting win over the Ravens in the Wild Card round. Los Angeles nearly blew a 21-3 lead in the fourth quarter, but cooler heads prevailed, or should we say, Melvin Ingram’s strip-sack skills.

That’s exactly what needs to happen this week if the Chargers are to take care of the Patriots. LA, led by Ingram and Joey Bosa, need to rattle Tom Brady in the pocket, forcing him into throws which, given the state of New England’s receiving corp, should turn into 50/50 balls down-field.

As we know, the Patriots at home are a different beast. Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is 0-7 lifetime against Tom Brady, and with an extra week to dial up schemes, you’d be foolish to back against Bill Belichick in this one.

For New England to win they not only need some Brady brilliance, but also a strong defensive effort. Teams like Pittsburgh paid the price when they overlooked Chargers’ wide receiver Keenan Allen during the regular season – you can bet Belichick won’t make that mistake.

Tip: Back the Patriots to Cover The Line (-4 Points) @ $1.90

New Orleans Saints vs Philadelphia Eagles
Monday 14 January, 8:30am, Mercedes Benz Superdome
New Orleans 20 – Philadelphia 14

Call it luck or even a miracle, Philly are right back where they started: in the underdog role and loving every minute of it.

Big Nick energy stormed Chicago last week as Foles and the Eagles held on for the narrowest of one-point wins over the Bears. It took a last second clunked field goal from kicker Cody Parkey, but you can’t discount Foles’ resiliency on the game-winning drive just two minutes prior.

Sitting pretty with the first seed in the NFC, the Saints kicked back last week knowing the path to the Super Bowl runs through them. The Saints and the Eagles did battle way back in Week 11, a game Sean Payton’s side won comfortably 48-7.

We now await the rematch, and although the Saints are well-rested, sometimes the bye week can do more harm than good. Are the Saints ready for Doug Pederson’s high-tempo offence? And just how can they silence Alshon Jeffery?

New Orleans will go into this game knowing they have the sixth-best rushing attack to rely on, but of course, it’s all about the air. The Eagles allowed the seventh-most passing yards during the regular season, and just like in Week 11, if Philly fail to double-team Michael Thomas, he’ll easily burn them for 90+ yards and some points once again.

There is one other stat worth noting though: the Eagles ranked dead last in touchdowns scored once an opposing team reached the red zone during the regular season. That, matched up against the Saints’ high-scoring outfit, could pose a few problems for New Orleans if they get off to a slow start.

Tip: Back Under 51 Total Points @ $1.91


2017

There are only eight teams left in the NFL Playoffs seven games of football will decide the NFL Champions.

The New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings will all be back in action after their first-round byes and they are joined in this stage of the NFL Playoffs by Wildcard Weekend winners the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars

The Division Playoff Round is always one of the highlights of the NFL season and we are set for four outstanding games this weekend.

We have analysed every game and our complete 2018 NFL Playoffs Divisional Round tips can be found below.

Philadelphia Eagles vs Atlanta Falcons
Sunday 14 January, 8.35am, Lincoln Financial Field

The Philadelphia Eagles may have the home-ground advantage, but it is the Atlanta Falcons that will start this clash as favourites.

Philadelphia were the best team in the NFC all season long, but the loss of quarterback Carson Wentz has seen them lengthen significantly in Super Bowl betting and they failed to score a point in their most recent clash against the Dallas Cowboys.

Lincoln Financial Field has been a genuine fortress for the Eagles this season and they have won seven of their eight games at the venue, but they did lose and fail to cover the line in their only game as a home underdog.

The Atlanta Falcons secured their place in the Divisional Round with a big upset win over the Los Angeles Rams and their Playoffs experience could once again prove key against the Eagles.

Atlanta have won four of their five games as away favourites this season, but they are a poor 1-4 against the line in this scenario.

The value in this clash could be in the Total Points betting market.

Backing the Under has been a profitable betting play in games involving either of these teams and the total has gone Under in the past six games played by the Falcons.

Back Under 42.5 Points

New England Patriots vs Tennessee Titans
Sunday 14 January, 12.15pm, Gillette Stadium

The New England Patriots are the shortest-priced favourites of the weekend in the NFL.

New England have been their usual dominant selves during the NFL season and it is tough to see them having any issues with this Tennessee Titans outfit.

The Patriots have won eight of their past ten games as home favourites for a clear profit and they have covered the line in seven of these wins, while they have won their last four games against the Titans.

Tennessee kept their season alive with a memorable come-from-behind win over the Kansas City Chiefs, but they will need to go to another level to have any chance of beating the Patriots.

The Titans have won only one of their past five games as underdogs and they are 2-2 against the line on the road when being given a start.

This looks set to be a one-sided contest and the Patriots should have no issues covering the line.

Back New England To Beat The Line (-13.5 Points)

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Monday 15 January, 5.05am, Heinz Field

This shapes as the most interesting game of the weekend.

The Jacksonville Jaguars scored a big win over the Pittsburgh Steelers when they met earlier this season, but it is Pittsburgh that will start this clash as favourites.

Pittsburgh have won seven of their past eight games – with their only loss coming at the hands of the New England Patriots – but it is still fair to say that they haven’t been overly impressive in the second half of the season.

The Steelers have won six of their past seven games as home favourites, but they are only 3-4 against the line in this scenario.

Jacksonville produced a massive defensive effort to beat Pittsburgh in October and their defence was at their best again against the Buffalo Bills last weekend.

The Jaguars have won two of their past three games as away underdogs for a big profit and their really isn’t as much between these two teams as the current market suggests.

This should be a fairly low-scoring affair and the Jaguars are a great bet to cover the line with a start of 7.5 points.

Back Jacksonville To Beat The Line (+7.5 Points)

Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints
Monday 15 January, 8.40am, U.S. Bank Stadium

The Minnesota Vikings beat the New Orleans Saints earlier this season and they will start this clash as clear favourites.

Minnesota won seven of their past eight games of the regular season in very comfortable fashion and their record in front of their home fans has been particularly strong.

The Vikings have won seven of their past eight games at the U.S. Bank Stadium – the site for this year’s Super Bowl – and they are 6-2 against the line at this venue.

Consistency has been something of an issue for the Saints, but there is no doubt that they are capable of brilliance on their day and they were excellent against the Carolina Panthers last weekend.

The Saints don’t have the best record on the road and they have won only one of their past four games as away underdogs, while their record against the line is no better.

Minnesota need to show that they are capable of taking the next step in the NFL Playoffs – as the Los Angeles Rams failed to do against the Atlanta Falcons – but if they produce their best football they will prove too strong for this Saints outfit.

Back Minnesota To Beat The Line (-4 Points)


2017

The 2017 NFL Playoffs continue this weekend and there are four intriguing clashes set to take place during the Divisional Round.

The New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons will all return to action after their first-round byes, while the Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks are all coming off wins.

There is plenty of betting value in each of the four games this weekend and you can find our recommended plays for each below!

Atlanta Falcons vs Seattle Seahawks
Sunday 14 January, 8.35am, Georgia Dome

The Atlanta Falcons finished the regular season with four straight wins and they will go into this clash with the Seattle Seahawks as clear favourites.

Atlanta have been excellent in 2016 – particularly Matt Ryan – but one position in which they have struggled is as home favourites.

They have won just four of their seven games in this scenario for a clear loss and they are a poor 2-5 against the line.

Seattle were far too strong for Detroit last weekend and they will fancy their chances of qualifying for another NFC Conference Championship.

The Seahawks have won one of their past three games as away underdogs for a narrow profit and I really don’t think there is as much between these two teams as the current betting market suggests.

Seattle are great value at $2.75 and arguably the best bet of the weekend.

Back Seattle To Win @ $2.75

New England Patriots vs Houston Texans
Sunday 14 January, 12.15pm, Gillette Stadium

The New England Patriots are dominant favourites to beat the Houston Texans and the line has been set at a massive 15.5 points.

New England head into the NFL Playoffs on the back of seven straight victories and they have won their past five games against the Texans.

The Patriots have won seven of their past nine games as home favourites and they have the exact same record against the line.

Houston did enough to get the job done against a poor Oakland Raiders last weekend, but there was still not much to like about their performance.

The Texans are a side that generally perform to market expectations – they have won just two of their past eight games as away underdogs and they have the exact same record against the line.

There is little doubt that New England should prove far too strong for Houston and they are a good enough team to cover the big line.

Back New England To Beat The Line (-15.5 Points)

Kansas City Chiefs vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Monday 15 January, 5.05am, Arrowhead Field

This will arguably be the toughest clash this weekend and there really is not a great deal between these two sides.

It is the Kansas City Chiefs that will start this clash as narrow favourites and they have won five of their past six games heading into the NFL Playoffs.

Kansas City have won six of their past eight games as home favourites, but they have a lacklustre record against the line in this scenario.

Pittsburgh have flown under the radar in the second half of the season and they have played some outstanding football in recent weeks.

The Steelers have an uncanny knack of being able to find a result and that really is what you need to win during the NFL Playoffs.

Pittsburgh don’t start many games as underdogs, but their record in this situation is not great and there is an issue over the fitness of Ben Roethlisberger.

This is a tricky game to analyse, but the home ground advantage should be enough to get them over the line in what should be a very tough race.

Back Kansas City Chiefs To Win @ $1.80

Dallas Cowboys vs Green Bay Packers
Monday 15 January, 8.40am, AT & T Stadium

The Dallas Cowboys recorded a dominant victory over the Green Bay Packers earlier this season and they will start this clash as clear favourites.

Dallas lost their first game of the regular season, but they went into that clash without the majority of their starters and they will be a fresh team for this clash.

The Cowboys have won all six of their games as home favourites for a big profit and their record against the line is 4-2.

Aaron Rodgers played at his brilliant best to lead the Green Bay Packers to victory over the New York Giants and they have now won seven games on the trot.

Green Bay have only won one of their four games as away underdogs this season for a clear loss, but they have been a profitable betting proposition against the line this season.

This is a game that the market looks to have got just about right and I am happy to stay out from a betting perspective.

No Bet