The NFL playoffs are right here, and the divisional spherical guarantees to ship loads of drama.
Whether it’s star quarterbacks dealing with off, underdog groups trying to pull off upsets or key betting angles to discover, we’ve acquired you coated with the whole lot you might want to know heading into the motion.
Click beneath to leap to a sport:
HOU@KC | WAS@DET | LAR@PHI | BAL@BUF
Houston Texans @ Kansas City Chiefs (-8.5) [Total: 41.5]
Storyline of the Game: The Chiefs start their march towards a three-peat
The reigning back-to-back Super Bowl champions are set to start their quest to grow to be the primary staff to seize three straight titles. After clinching the AFC’s prime seed earlier than the top of the common season, Kansas City loved a much-needed bye week to recuperate and regroup. Now, the main target shifts as to if their rhythm and cohesion maintain robust, as lots of the staff’s key contributors haven’t performed because the holidays.
Meanwhile, the Texans discover themselves in acquainted territory. For the second straight 12 months, they defended their house discipline with a commanding wild-card spherical win, establishing a highway journey to face the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
Last 12 months’s divisional spherical didn’t finish as this staff hoped, however they now have the chance to avenge not solely that loss but in addition their Week 16 loss to the identical Chiefs staff.
Matchups to Watch: Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie vs. Texans WR Nico Collins
A matchup that includes two PFF All-Pros begins off the divisional spherical. Collins, PFF’s second-highest-graded receiver this season, began the postseason proper, hauling in seven catches for 122 yards and a rating.
Nico Collins had the higher hand in his earlier matchup towards Trent McDuffie, with the Chiefs’ standout cornerback incomes only a 58.5 protection grade in that sport. Despite that outing, McDuffie’s physique of labor this season speaks for itself, highlighted by his league-leading 7.419 superior protection grade.
Betting Trends
The Texans improved to 2-1 towards the unfold within the postseason beneath head coach DeMeco Ryans after overlaying as 2.5-point house underdogs within the wild-card spherical. This week, they face their steepest unfold as underdogs this season. The solely different time Houston confronted a line of greater than 6 factors was in Week 17 towards Baltimore, a sport the Ravens dominated 31-2.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have a historical past of playoff success in betting markets, with Mahomes boasting a 13-5 ATS postseason report. However, Kansas City has struggled to cowl at house this season, holding only a 37.5% cowl charge (3-5 ATS) at Arrowhead. Four of these misses got here as favorites of 6 factors or extra.
WR Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs: Over 3.5 Rushing yards (-123)
Xavier Worthy’s position within the run sport grew considerably over the ultimate weeks of the common season, as he has logged not less than one carry in his final 4 video games (excluding a restricted one-snap look in Week 18).
This enhance in involvement has allowed him to exceed this dashing line in every of these contests. Worthy has averaged a powerful 5.2 yards per carry this season, with 2.9 yards coming after contact, making this over a practical goal once more.
Additional News
Chiefs assistant GM Mike Borgonzi interviewed with the Titans for his or her vacant normal supervisor place.
The Texans launched WR Diontae Johnson after simply two video games. Johnson was claimed by the Ravens, marking his return to Baltimore after the Super Bowl.
Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo and OC Matt Nagy have obtained interview requests for head teaching positions.
Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) practiced in a restricted capability and is predicted to play this week after lacking earlier classes.
Chiefs CB Jaylen Watson (ankle) is about to return to the lineup this week, having been sidelined since Week 7.
Washington Commanders @ Detroit Lions (-9.5) [Total: 55.5]
Storyline of the Game: The closing act of Detroit’s redemption arc
After a storybook 2023 season for the Lions resulted in heartbreak within the NFC Championship Game, Dan Campbell and his staff regrouped and refocused for 2024. Now, they stand on the precipice of redemption. A dominant Week 18 victory secured the division title and the NFC’s No. 1 seed, giving Detroit the momentum and home-field benefit they should lastly full their march to the Super Bowl.
In his first profession playoff look, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels led Washington to its first postseason victory since 2005. However, there’s little time to savor the win, because the Commanders put together to face the NFC’s prime seed. With their sights set on breaking a 33-year drought since their final journey to the NFC Championship Game, Washington enters this matchup with the whole lot to show.
Matchups to Watch: Commanders WR Terry McLaurin vs Lions S Kerby Joseph
Terry McLaurin is amid a profession 12 months, incomes well-deserved accolades like Pro Bowl and AP All-Pro honors. His 82.2 receiving grade within the common season ranked within the prime 20 amongst huge receivers, and he elevated his sport even additional within the wild-card spherical, incomes a season-best 88.1 sport grade — his greatest single-game mark since 2021.
Joseph was in some way left off the NFL’s Pro Bowl roster, however he deservedly took house PFF & AP first-team All-Pro honors. Joseph led all safeties with a 90.8 protection grade through the common season, tying for the league lead with eight interceptions.
Betting Trends
Detroit completed the common season tied for the NFL’s greatest cowl charge (70.6%; 12-4-1 ATS), partly because of their 5-3-1 ATS report at house and their 4-2 ATS report as 6-plus-point favorites. Last season, the Lions coated two of their three playoff matchups.
The Commanders, in the meantime, coated as 3-point highway underdogs within the wild-card spherical, bettering their ATS report as underdogs to 4-2-1 on the 12 months. This sport represents the biggest unfold they’ve confronted as underdogs this season, although they’ve carried out effectively in related spots, holding a 1-0-1 report when given six or extra factors.
QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders: Over 22.5 Completions (-110)
The winner of PFF’s Rookie of the Year award faces an uphill battle on this one. Given the sizable level unfold on this one, Oddsmakers anticipate the Lions to command this sport, which ought to assist a pass-heavy sport script for Washington. Daniels has surpassed this line in every of his final six full video games, largely because of Washington throwing the fifth-most display passes (94) within the common season.
Additional News
Lions RB David Montgomery (knee) practiced in full this week and seems on observe to return for the Divisional Round.
Lions OC Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn have wrapped up a number of interviews for head teaching alternatives throughout the league.
The New York Jets have interviewed Lions govt Chris Spielman as a candidate for his or her vacant GM place.
Lions RG Kevin Zeitler (hamstring) missed follow on each Tuesday and Wednesday, placing his standing for this weekend doubtful.
Los Angeles Rams @ Philadelphia Eagles (-6) [Total: 44]
Storyline of the Game: Can the Rams overcome the hostile atmosphere?
The Rams and Eagles are only a step away from returning to the Super Bowl, a stage each groups have reached prior to now three seasons. Coming off spectacular wild-card victories, they now put together for a matchup that the weather may closely affect, with snow, wind and frigid temperatures anticipated to play a major position.
The situations may problem the Rams, a staff unaccustomed to harsh climate this season. Their lone sport performed in sub-40-degree temperatures got here in Week 16 towards the Jets. While they secured a 19-9 victory, their offensive output left a lot to be desired, managing simply 4.8 yards per play.
Matchups to Watch: Saquon Barkley vs. The Rams’ entrance seven
The latest member of the 2K Club seemed each bit the workhorse for the Eagles within the wild-card spherical, amassing 119 yards on 25 carries and ripping off three explosive runs of 15 or extra yards. With wintry situations within the forecast for this week’s matchup, Barkley is predicted to shoulder one other heavy workload.
According to PFF’s Key Insights, Barkley leads the league in yards earlier than contact per carry (2.6), showcasing his capacity to seek out working lanes and attain the second degree.
The Rams protection ranks within the backside 5 in common yards earlier than contact allowed (1.5), underscoring their struggles in shortly closing down dashing assaults.
Betting Trends
Philadelphia has been a dependable staff in betting markets this season, posting a powerful 66.7% cowl charge (12-6 ATS), top-of-the-line within the NFL. While the Eagles are 3-3 ATS within the playoffs since drafting Jalen Hurts, all three covers got here as house favorites at The Linc.
The Rams, in the meantime, enter this matchup with momentum in betting markets after handing Minnesota one other loss within the wild-card spherical regardless of being house underdogs. L.A. has now coated six of their final seven video games, with three outright wins as underdogs throughout that stretch.
QB Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles: Under 25.5 Pass Attempts (-105)
With climate anticipated to play a major position, Saquon Barkley and the Eagles’ floor sport are poised to take middle stage as soon as once more. Even with out the climate as an element, this passing yardage line for Jalen Hurts feels inflated. Hurts has surpassed this complete in solely two video games because the staff’s Week 5 bye.
Additional News
Rams TE Tyler Higbee (chest) was hospitalized after exiting the wild-card matchup. Head coach Sean McVay advised reporters Higbee was “coughing up slightly little bit of blood.” Reports point out his situation has improved, and Higbee hopes to play this week.
Eagles LB Nakobe Dean (knee) suffered a torn patellar tendon in his knee, not solely ending his season however placing his standing to begin subsequent season in jeopardy.
Dallas has requested permission to interview Eagles OC Kellen Moore for an open head coach emptiness.
L.A. has designated edge defender Larrell Murchison and LB Troy Reeder to return from IR.
Snow is a possible issue for Sunday’s matchup in Philly.
Baltimore Ravens (-1) @ Buffalo Bills [Total: 51.5]
Storyline of the Game: MVP favorites face off in frigid temps
The debate over who will declare the NFL’s most prestigious particular person honor has been a continuing because the common season wrapped up, with Josh Allen of the Bills and Lamar Jackson of the Ravens firmly within the highlight. Both quarterbacks lived as much as the hype within the wild-card spherical, delivering stellar performances that positioned them among the many prime 15 highest-graded gamers of the weekend.
As these two superstars put together for his or her divisional showdown, the stage can be set within the frosty confines of Orchard Park. Weather forecasts predict single-digit temperatures at kickoff, with the potential of dipping beneath zero and a 40% likelihood of snow, including one other layer of intrigue to this epic matchup.
Matchups to Watch: Bills TE Dalton Kincaid vs. Ravens S Kyle Hamilton
While each gamers showcased their immense expertise through the common season, the wild-card spherical wasn’t their greatest displaying, and each will purpose for redemption within the divisional spherical.
Hamilton earned only a 61.6 general grade final week, a notable drop from his 90.1 mark through the common season — the second-highest amongst safeties. While chilly climate may restrict Buffalo’s reliance on the passing sport, Hamilton might want to reestablish himself as certainly one of Baltimore’s key defensive anchors to decelerate Josh Allen and firm.
Kincaid additionally struggled to make his standard affect, recording his lowest receiving grade of the 12 months at 52.4. The Broncos succeeded in assigning top-tier protection defenders to disrupt the rookie tight finish’s rhythm. With Hamilton and the Ravens protection more likely to comply with an analogous blueprint, Kincaid might want to rise to the event to maintain the Bills’ offense buzzing.
Betting Trends
Lamar Jackson’s postseason narrative is shifting, with the Ravens now driving a five-game cowl streak, all as favorites. After overlaying as 8.5-point favorites within the Wild-card spherical, Baltimore boasts a powerful 6-2 ATS report when laying factors on the highway this season, dispelling considerations about Jackson’s 2-4 playoff ATS report heading into the 12 months.
Josh Allen and the Bills have a much less favorable postseason ATS observe report at 4-7. Yet, this marks a uncommon event for Buffalo as house underdogs. At Highmark Stadium, the Bills have excelled this season with a 6-3 ATS report, overlaying in all video games as favorites.
When these groups final met in September, the Ravens dominated with a 35-10 victory, overlaying as 2.5-point house favorites. This time, the Bills will look to even the rating in entrance of their house crowd.
RB Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens: Over 19.5 Carries (-113)
PFF’s greatest runner of the season, Derrick Henry, wasted no time leaving his mark on the wild-card spherical, producing certainly one of his greatest outings of the season. He tallied 186 dashing yards — over 60% of which got here after first contact — and scored twice on 26 carries. The efficiency marked his fourth consecutive sport surpassing this line. With climate situations anticipated to affect the sport’s tempo, Henry ought to stay a focus of the offense.
Additional News
Baltimore has claimed WR Diontae Johnson off waivers following his launch from Houston. He will not rejoin the staff till after the Super Bowl.
Cold temperatures and potential snow showers are forecasted for the Buffalo space on Sunday night time.
The Maxwell Football Club has named Bills HC Sean McDermott the thirty sixth winner of the Earle Greasy Neale Award, given to the season’s most excellent coach within the NFL.