4 Favorite Expert Picks For NFL Divisional Round
With most significant favorites advancing from the NFL playoffs wildcard round without trouble, the divisional round promises better games. It is one of the best weekends in football.
The following article will analyze and predict each playoff’s games in the divisional weekend.
4 NFL Divisional Round Expert Picks
Cincinnati Bengals (11-7) at Tennessee Titans (12-5)
Spread: Bengals +3.5 (-110) vs. Titans -3.5 (-110)
Total: 47
The Cincinnati Bengals took care of business at home against the Raiders last week, but now they have to face the top seed in the American Conference.
QB Joe Burrow had a good game against Las Vegas, throwing for 244 yards and two touchdowns while his team covered the spread as 6.5-point favorites.
Burrow’s primary concern this upcoming weekend is the Titans have one of the best front sevens in football. They can decimate his offense if he doesn’t get enough protection. Burrow was the most sacked QB in the NFL during the regular season, with 51 sacks against him.
The Titans have an impressive resume in their hands. They beat teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, LA Rams, and San Francisco 49ers. Each of those teams is still in playoff contention.
Tennessee expects to have RB Derrick Henry back this weekend. Henry recorded close to 900 rushing yards in 2021, but a foot injury hasn’t allowed him to play since October. With Henry back in the lineup, the Titans are a dangerous offense from top to bottom.
Another thing that favors the Titans is the Bengals suffered several key injures at the defensive line. Cincinnati lost DT Larry Ogunjobi with an undisclosed injury, while Trey Hendrickson (concussion) and DT Mike Daniels (groin) are questionable against Tennessee.
Those three players are essential in their scheme. If they are not around, the Titans should win with no problem.
Pick: Titans -3.5
San Francisco 49ers (10-7) at Green Bay Packers (13-4)
Spread: 49ers +6 (-115) vs. Packers (-105)
Total: 47.5
The number one seed in the NFC, the Green Bay Packers, will make their postseason debut against a team that has beaten them in the playoffs in recent years.
In fact, QB Aaron Rodgers is 0-3 in the postseason against the 49ers, losing their most recent matchup in the NFC Championship game two years ago.
Rodgers already beat this Niners team early in the season when they met in San Francisco, but it took a last-minute drive to make it happen. This playoff game will be played in the freezing temperatures of Wisconsin.
Green Bay is not only rested, but it could face the Niners’ defense without their two most important players. San Francisco lost DE Nick Bosa (concussion) and LB Fred Warner (ankle) in the win against Dallas last weekend. Both are questionable to face Green Bay.
Many think the 49ers have all the right tools to beat Green Bay, but it is nearly impossible without those two guys.
Pick: Packers -6.
Los Angeles Rams (13-5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (14-4)
Spread: Rams +3 (-120) vs Buccaneers -3 (EV)
Total: 48.5
The Rams and Bucs took care of business at home in the wildcard room. Tampa Bay took advantage of a Philadelphia Eagles team that had no business in the playoffs. Los Angeles smacked the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night.
The Bucs will have one more day of rest than the Rams. Yet, Los Angeles has the upper hand in terms of recent games. The Rams have won the last two meetings in the regular season, played in 2020 and 2021.
Tampa Bay has a long list of injuries all season. They added Center Ryan Jensen (groin) and right tackle Tristan Wirfs (ankle) this weekend. If one of them can’t play on Sunday, the Rams defensive line will have a fantastic matchup against Tom Brady.
The right pick is to take the points.
Pick: Rams +3.
Buffalo Bills (12-6) at Kansas City Chiefs (13-5)
Spread: Bills +2.5 (-115) Chiefs -2.5 (-105)
Total: 55
Last season, the Chiefs eliminated the Bills in the AFC Championship game. Buffalo built a team specifically to beat Kansas City and rule the AFC from now on.
Well, we got the matchup that we wanted. It just happened one round earlier than expected.
In the regular season, the Bills destroyed the Chiefs 38-20 at Arrowhead Stadium, and now they have to do it again to advance.
Last week, Buffalo and Kansas City took care of business by stomping on the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers in the wildcard round. Both QB Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes had 5 TDs passes each. They entered this game, clicking at the right time.
The Chiefs have been the cream of the AFC in the last two years. Buffalo has put together a roster with the sole purpose of beating the Chiefs. The game will be close, but you would better take the points.
Pick: Bills +2.5.
Top Online Sportsbooks For Divisional Round
But to actually place the picks above, you need one of the Safest Betting Sites for American players.
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Conclusion
For many, the divisional round of the playoffs is the best weekend of the football season. We get two games on Saturday and two games on Sunday. Each has an enormous stress level, making it a lot of fun.
To add more gas to the fire, betting on football makes these games crazier and a lot more entertaining. If you are going to bet on the NFL, just make sure to select one of the trustworthy sportsbooks from above.
Author’s Bio
Alonzo is a Sports Analyst who has covered a few Super Bowls and a couple of World Cups for different media outlets. He analyzes NCAA College Football and NFL games for SafestBettingSites, but don’t be surprised if you read him on any other sport. He’s a gaming analyst looking for winners every weekend. He’s the new guy in town “trying to make a dollar out of 15 cents”.
