NFL playoffs divisional round schedule
The best week of the NFL playoffs is here, as divisional round football takes center stage this weekend. The Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions will play their first home games of the postseason, while the two NFL MVP favorites face off in Buffalo. Wondering how to bet on these thrilling matchups? We’ve got you covered.
As we do each week, we’ve gathered the best picks and gambling content from CBSSports.com and SportsLine into one comprehensive guide. You can get sports betting picks against the spread from CBS Sports experts, as well as additional feature content for each game, including insights from top SportsLine experts and the SportsLine Projection Model. Whether you’re looking for best bets from our staff or expert analysis, we’ve got everything you need. Let’s dive into this weekend’s action.
All NFL betting information is courtesy of SportsLine consensus.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans
- Time: Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET (ESPN and fubo, try for free)
- Open: Chiefs -7.5, O/U 43.5
The Kansas City Chiefs have been a puzzling team this season. Despite just one loss, many question their ability to make a deep playoff run. However, led by Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid, the Chiefs have a strong postseason pedigree. Mahomes is 6-0 in divisional round games, averaging 302.2 total yards, 16 touchdowns, and zero turnovers. This is usually when Mahomes turns up the intensity, and after a long break of over 20 days, the Chiefs are expected to show their powerhouse potential.
Tyler Sullivan is confident in the Chiefs’ dominance at home. For a detailed breakdown of all the weekend games, click here.
Despite the Chiefs’ strengths, betting on them to cover the spread can be risky. Kansas City is 0-6-1 against the spread (ATS) this season when favored by six or more points. Jordan Dajani believes the Texans, who have shown resilience, will cover the spread even if the Chiefs win the game. For Dajani’s full analysis, click here.
Detroit Lions vs. Washington Commanders
- Time: Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (Fox and fubo, try for free)
- Open: Lions -7.5, O/U 55.5
The Washington Commanders have kept most games close, with ten of their last 11 decided by one possession. Detroit has been a strong team but hasn’t consistently blown out opponents. Expert Eric Cohen believes the spread is disrespectful to Washington, given their competitive nature. Cohen predicts a close game, with Detroit’s rushing attack likely to secure the victory in the final minutes.
Larry Hartstein, known for his accuracy with Commanders picks, leans towards the over for this game’s high total. For his official pick on the spread, head over to SportsLine.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Los Angeles Rams
- Time: Sunday, 3 p.m. ET (NBC and fubo, try for free)
- Open: Eagles -6, O/U 45.5
The Los Angeles Rams face a tough challenge after playing on Monday night, a disadvantage historically for teams in the divisional round. However, the Rams have overcome this before, notably in 2021, when they won the Super Bowl. To beat the Eagles, the Rams need to tackle Saquon Barkley effectively, which they struggled with earlier this season. Since that game, the Rams’ defense has improved significantly, holding recent opponents to low scores.
John Breech sees the Rams as capable of upsetting the Eagles, especially if they maintain their defensive momentum. For his detailed divisional round picks, click here.
Will Brinson suggests betting on Rams’ running back Kyren Williams to surpass 12.5 receiving yards, given his increased role and consistent usage in passing situations.
Buffalo Bills vs. Baltimore Ravens
- Time: Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
- Open: Bills -1.5, O/U 52.5
The Baltimore Ravens, led by Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, have a significant advantage on the ground. They previously ran for 271 yards against the Bills, but Buffalo’s healthier defense will present a tougher challenge this time. Even without their top wide receiver, the Ravens’ offense remains potent with weapons like Henry, Mark Andrews, and Rashod Bateman.
Larry Hartstein, a top SportsLine expert, has identified the Ravens as part of his top plays for a Divisional Round NFL parlay. His insight into the game suggests a high-scoring affair with the Ravens coming out on top.
This weekend’s NFL divisional round is packed with high-stakes matchups and exciting betting opportunities. For more detailed analyses and betting advice, visit SportsLine, where the model simulates every NFL game 10,000 times. With a proven track record of success, it offers invaluable insights for $100 players looking to boost their winnings.
