NFL Divisional Round Odds and Betting Picks at Online Sportsbooks
The first weekend of the NFL playoffs did not disappoint — and lucky for us, our Wild Card picks ended up profitable (4-1).
With only eight teams remaining and this weekend’s schedule set, oddsmakers opened NFL Divisional Round odds and betting lines Sunday night.
It’s early Monday morning, but there’s no time to waste. Let’s take a look at the NFL odds and start locking in our favorite Divisional Round betting picks before the spreads move.
[Read: NFL Divisional Round Player Props]
NFL Divisional Round Odds
NFL Divisional Round Betting Picks
Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers
Opening Line: Packers -7
Opening Total: O/U 46.5
Time: Saturday, 4:35 p.m. ET
How to Watch: FOX
Saturday Update: Cooper Kupp is a game-time decision.
Aaron Rodgers isn’t easy to beat, and he’s been plenty profitable for Packers backers throughout the years, including the current season. He’ll be named NFL MVP in a few weeks after leading the league’s no. 1 scoring offense to the top seed in the NFC. However, if he’s not careful, his quest for a second Super Bowl ring could end prematurely, like in 2012 when he and the Packers entered the Divisional Round in a similar position: the No. 1 seed, fresh off a bye week, and hosting a dangerous wild card team. A Packers fan myself, I was at the game and it still haunts me.
I don’t think my concerns are irrational, though. The Rams have the no. 1 scoring defense and rank 4th in Defensive DVOA. We don’t need advanced metrics to realize a defense with Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald can stir trouble regardless of who is throwing the ball — just ask Russell Wilson.
Remarkably, the Rams defense held opposing quarterbacks below 200 passing yards seven times this season and have allowed only one quarterback to reach the 300-yard mark.
Ramsey will cover Davante Adams, and unfortunately for Rodgers, his other weapons aren’t great. To make matters worse, the Packers will be without one of the best pass protectors in the NFL, left tackle David Bakhtiari.
Defensively the Packers have been susceptible on the ground, and Rams’ rookie running back Cam Akers appears to be rounding into form at just the right time.
We’ve seen the no. 1 scoring defense and no.1 scoring offense clash in postseason four times over the last 20 years. The results? Teams with the no. 1 defense are 3-1 straight up.
One thing to pay attention to are notable injuries for the Rams. Cooper Kupp, Aaron Donald, and OL David Edwards all suffered injuries last week. Head coach Sean McVay said Donald is expected to play, and Kupp and Edwards are both listed as day-to-day.
I’m hopeful the Packers win Saturday (we all deserve a Rodgers vs. Brady playoff meeting), but I don’t like their chances to cover. The Rams defense will be a problem. Additionally, I think this spread shortens by at least a half-point between now and kickoff.
Click here for more Packers vs. Rams betting picks.
Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
Opening Line: Bills -3
Opening Total: O/U 49.5
Time: Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET
How to Watch: NBC
The second Divisional Round game on Saturday features the no. 2 scoring offense and the no. 2 scoring defense, not to mention two of the hottest teams in the NFL and two of the youngest starting quarterbacks.
In fact, if it weren’t for Rodgers, we may very well be talking about last season’s MVP versus this year’s MVP, as Lamar Jackson travels to Buffalo to face off with Josh Allen. Unfortunately for Allen and our Division Round storylines, an MVP trophy will have to come another time for Buffalo’s franchise quarterback. That’s fine, though. Allen delivered Bills Mafia their first playoff win in 25 years. Now the question is, can he get them to the AFC Championship and beyond?
Sorry, Bills fans, but one playoff win this year will have to suffice.
It’s not because I have anything against Allen and the Bills, per se, but because my respect for the Ravens has been steadily growing, hence why Ravens -3.5 against the Titans was my favorite pick last weekend.
Remember, the Ravens were favored by 3.5 points over the Chiefs in Week 3. That line and the market was obviously off a bit, but I do think the Ravens, not the Bills, are the second-best team in the AFC. I’m happy to take the points on the road during a year when home-field advantage is minimized (note: Buffalo will have 6,700 fans in attendance).
This Divisional Round line opened Bills -3 across online sportsbooks but shortened to Bills -2.5 at most shops by Monday morning. At least for the moment, we can still grab Ravens +3 at FanDuel.
For more on this game, including player props, read our Ravens vs. Bills betting preview.
[Bet Ravens +3 at FanDuel Sportsbook]
Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs
Opening Line: Chiefs -10
Opening Total: O/U 55.5
Time: Sunday, 3:05 p.m. ET
How to Watch: CBS
Remember when Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield played in college? Their teams combined for 125 points and an FBS-record 1,708 yards.
We won’t see them do that on Sunday, but this game did open four points higher than an other total on this Divisional Round slate.
The Browns defense held stout in the first half of their Sunday night game with the Steelers, but by the end of the night, Ben Roethlisberger ended with 500 passing yards while leading the Steelers to 27 second-half points. The Browns may have entered halftime with a 25-point lead, but the sheer amount of yardage allowed in the final two quarters is alarming no matter what kind of lead they had. We’ve watched the Browns give up hards and points all season, so let’s just call the first half what it was: a fluke.
Unless the Browns control the clock like the Raiders did when they delivered the Chiefs their first and only loss prior to Week 17, I don’t see how the Browns keep Kansas City from scoring 35 points.
[Bet Chiefs Team Total Over 33 Points]
Tampa Bay Bucs at New Orleans Saints
Opening Line: Saints -3
Opening Total: O/U 51.5
Time: Sunday, 6:40 p.m. ET
How to Watch: FOX
Drew Brees and the Saints got the best of the Bucs in their two divisional games.
The first loss was understandable. It was Brady’s first game with the Buccaneers, following an unusual offseason that made it difficult for Brady to form chemistry with his new team. The second loss, however, was unacceptable. New Orleans routed the Bucs 38-3 in Tampa eight weeks later. Brady and the defense will both need to step up if they’re to advance to the NFC Championship.
Despite the poor performances, Bucs fans should be optimistic. The wild card game against Washington may have been closer than the Bucs would like, but overall, Brady’s squad has looked sharper than the Saints over the last month in a half, and with the addition of Antonio Brown, Brady has an extra weapon to help move the ball inside the Super Dome.
The best way to attack the Bucs defense is to pass the ball, but Brees, whose are is visibly weaker, is no longer the passing threat he was a couple of years ago. The ough the Saints have only lost two games since their Week 3 loss against the Packers, they have been on the right side of several coin tosses, including overtime games against the Chargers and the Bears.
I think the third time’s a charm for Brady.
NFL Divisional Round Betting Card
| NFL Divisional Round Lines (Open) | Wild Card Picks (1/11) | Betting Notes (1/11)) |
|---|---|---|
| Rams at Packers -7, O/U 46.5 | Rams +7 | Line should shorten at least a half-point |
| Ravens at Bills -3, O/U 49.5 | Ravens +3 | Line is shortening to +2.5 but +3 is available at FD |
| Browns at Chiefs -10, O/U 55.5 | KC TT O33.5 | I prefer the team total over the spread |
| Bucs at Saints -3, O/U 51.5 | Bucs +3.5 | +3.5 available at BetMGM |
Check back for more NFL betting tips for the Divisional Round and the rest of the playoffs.
Image Credit: Imagn