The NFL Divisional Round gets underway on Saturday as Houston, fresh off a dominant 45-14 win over Cleveland, gears up to challenge top AFC seed Baltimore.
With NFL MVP frontrunner Lamar Jackson and tight end Mark Andrews back from injury, a Texans upset led by rookie Stroud would be a remarkable feat.
Meanwhile, the Packers, following a 48-32 triumph over Dallas led by Love, prepare to reignite their storied NFC rivalry with San Francisco.
The 49ers have a four-game playoff winning streak against the Packers, all against Aaron Rodgers. A win in this matchup could significantly boost Love’s stature.
Sunday’s games promise to be equally thrilling as Detroit Lions’ coach Dan Campbell is striving to lead the team to its first NFC championship appearance since the 1991-92 season in their game against Tampa Bay.
Then the Chiefs and Bills face off, reigniting the quarterback duel between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen.
Which teams will progress to the championship weekend? Check out our NFL Divisional Round picks & best bets based on the latest NFL odds.
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NFL Divisional Round Schedule
Saturday
AFC: Houston Texans vs Baltimore Ravens
NFC: Green Bay Packers vs San Francisco 49ers
Sunday
NFC: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions
AFC: Kansas City Chiefs vs Buffalo Bills
Houston Texans vs Baltimore Ravens
The Texans, securing their first AFC South Division title since 2019, have been on a roll, winning four of their last five games.
Their recent triumph, a 45-14 rout of Cleveland, featured two forced turnovers and a strong second-half defence.
Rookie QB C.J. Stroud was exceptional, throwing for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Nico Collins and RB Devin Singletary bolstered the offense with crucial touchdowns and yardage.
The Ravens, boasting six home wins and the NFL’s top point differential (+203), enter as the top seed with a 13-4 record.
Their formidable defence ranks sixth, allowing a mere 16.5 points per game and despite a recent 17-10 setback against Pittsburgh, QB Lamar Jackson remains a pivotal figure, backed by rookie WR Zay Flowers and RB Gus Edwards.
Although Baltimore secured a 25-9 win over Houston in the season opener, the Texans have shown marked improvement, suggesting a competitive rematch that the Ravens will sneak, just.
Pick: Ravens @ 1.25
Green Bay Packers vs San Francisco 49ers
The Packers (9-8), seventh-seeded and on a four-game win streak, averaged 22.5 points in the regular season.
They capitalised on Dallas’ two turnovers for a 48-32 victory, led by Aaron Jones with 118 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Jordan Love added 272 passing yards and three touchdowns, with Romeo Doubs scoring a touchdown among his six catches.
The 49ers, NFC West Champions (12-5), won five home games and had a +193 point differential, ranking second in total offense with nearly 29 points per game.
Brock Purdy had a stellar season with 4,280 passing yards, and Christian McCaffrey amassed over 2,000 scrimmage yards and 21 touchdowns.
Despite recently resting key players in a 21-20 loss to the Rams, the 49ers’ strong rushing defence and offensive firepower make them favourites to cover at home.
Pick: 49ers (-9.5) @ 1.88
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions
In their Week 6 encounter, the Lions triumphed 20-6 over Tampa Bay on the road.
However, facing the Lions at Ford Field presents a bigger challenge for Tampa Bay, particularly if Jared Goff mirrors his earlier performance.
In that game, Goff threw for 353 yards with two touchdowns, while Amon-Ra St. Brown made 12 receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown.
This duo excelled in the Wild Card win against the Rams, with Goff boasting a 107.9 passer rating at home this season.
Baker Mayfield will be equally motivated, and Tampa Bay stands a chance if Mike Evans can exploit the Lions’ secondary, which is a plausible scenario.
However, Tampa Bay’s struggle to run the ball in their first meeting could be detrimental if repeated, potentially allowing Detroit’s pass rush, led by Aidan Hutchinson, to dominate.
Pick: Detroit Lions (-6.5) @ 1.98
Kansas City Chiefs vs Buffalo Bills
Mahomes is set for his first postseason road start of the playoffs, making this a fascinating encounter.
In their Week 14 meeting, Buffalo edged out Kansas City 20-17, a game remembered for Kadarius Toney’s pivotal offensive offsides call.
The game was closely contested, and while the focus is on quarterbacks Mahomes and Allen, it could turn into a defensive showdown.
In their initial matchup, neither team established a strong run game, and the Bills controlled the clock, a key strategy to limit Mahomes’ field time.
If Allen can steer clear of game-changing interceptions, Buffalo can leverage the home-field advantage and cold weather.
Allen’s strong performances in the past two playoff meetings against the Chiefs could be pivotal.
This time, it might be the Bills’ defence turning the tide with a crucial late turnover, dashing Kansas City’s repeat aspirations.
Pick: Bills (-2.5) @ 1.81
NFL Divisional Round Picks & NFL Best Bets
Baltimore Ravens @ 1.25 vs Houston Texans
San Francisco 49ers (-9.5) @ 1.88 vs Green Bay Packers
Detroit Lions (-6.5) @ 1.98 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Buffalo Bills (-2.5) @ 1.81 vs Kansas City Chiefs
*Odds subject to change.
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