NFL Divisional Round Betting Tips & Predictions

<p>The Dallas debacle owned the headlines and many of us casual NFL fans without a dog in the fight were happy for Houston, Green Bay, and the Lions.</p> <p>This week is a different ball game however, with the two sleeping giants of the NFL thrust back into the action.</p> <p>NFC No. 1 seed, San Francisco will join in on the fun by hosting plucky Green Bay and AFC No. 1 seed, Baltimore will get a date with those Texans.</p> <p>The highlight of the weekend has to be Josh Allen versus Patrick Mahomes. This clash sees the reigning champs on the road for the first time in the Mahomes era, as they travel to face the hottest team in football - Buffalo.</p> <p>Here is how we’re picking and playing these games, these are my picks and predictions for the upcoming NFL Divisional Round.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, January 21, 8:30am AEDT – M&amp;T Bank Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Many of us are now in love with CJ Stroud, DeMeco Ryans and the Texans as a whole. However, we so often forget about the top dog lying in wait.</p> <p>CJ was massive last week. Only five incompletions on the day, 274 yards and three touchdowns. The defence also managed back-to-back pick sixes, amounting to 45 total points scored in the most complete performance of the weekend (sorry, Packers).</p> <p>But, again, we must remember this Ravens team has gotten better the longer the season has gone on. A 13-4 season, with losses to divisional rivals and one in OT as their only blemishes. They also have a signature win in San Francisco against the all-conquering Niners.</p> <p>Remember this, though. Lamar Jackson – for all his greatness – is yet to win a home playoff game. Will he get ‘Dak-level’ tight, or will he keep it rolling? UPSET ALERT!</p> <p><strong>Pick: </strong>Texans 28 - Ravens 25.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Texans +9.5</p>

<h2>Green Bay Packers @ San Francisco 49ers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, January 21, 12:15pm AEDT – Levi’s Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>This is not Aaron Rodgers’ Green Bay and maybe that’s a good thing, because Rodgers and his Packers were hammered a couple of times by these Niners in the Bay.</p> <p>Jordan Love looked every part the franchise QB last week in Dallas when putting up 48 on the Cowboys.</p> <p>Aaron Jones wound it back as well with 118 yards and a hat trick of visits to the end zone. They have talented receivers on the outside and the defence was all over the field against Dak and Dallas.</p> <p>San Francisco is a different animal, though. They arrive in these playoffs with home field advantage and a healthy squad. You know the names – McCaffrey, Kittle, Samuel, Aiyuk – and a wizard at head coach but one in Kyle Shanahan who probably needs to land that Super Bowl blow.</p> <p>Nothing is scarier than a team with no fear and nothing to lose (Packers) except maybe a team built tough like the Niners.</p> <p><strong>Pick: </strong>Niners 28 - Packers 17.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip</strong>: -50.5 points + Deebo +17.5 rush yards.</p>

<h2>Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Detroit Lions Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Monday, January 22, 7:00am AEDT – Ford Field</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Baker versus Goff! Two discarded former No. 1 picks breathing new life into their respective careers in new colours.</p> <p>Mayfield was massive last week, crushing the Eagles to the tune of 337 yards and 3 TDs. What did they beat, though? A broken ball club or the team that went to the Super Bowl last year and was 10-1 this season?</p> <p>The Lions snapped a 31-year playoff losing streak but only managed three points in the second half to squeak past the Rams. Jared Goff made enough plays in the opening half though, to secure a victory. At the end of the day the name of the game here is - survive and advance.</p> <p>Both defences are average, so like last week with the Lions and Rams, I’ll side purely with the home team because they’re at home.</p> <p><strong>Pick:</strong> Lions 24 - Buccaneers 21.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Mike Evans anytime TD.</p>

<h2>Kansas City Chiefs @ Buffalo Bills Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Monday, January 22, 10:30am AEDT – Bills Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The one we all wanted. Josh Allen gets a shot at Mahomes in Allen’s house rather than the visits to KC that Allen and his Bills have made in the past.</p> <p>A couple of months ago, there looked slim odds Buffalo would even make the playoffs. Fast forward and this Bills’ squad could be the hottest team in the NFL. Allen is a monster and James Cook’s consistent integration into the offence has made all the difference.</p> <p>I still think Allen is overcoming average coaching, but he can make any play you need at any time. He can also overcome inevitable mistakes he often makes as well.</p> <p>Kansas City almost had a walkover last week and I am not saying that to disrespect Miami. But for a Floridian team to enter those conditions and trying to brave -30 degrees chills during the game, they had no chance.</p> <p>Mahomes can duel with Allen, we know that, but the rest of the Chiefs squad is not what it once was.</p> <p>Even the creativity in the red zone is gone. Andy Reid needs to thaw out that moustache and get to work this week to cause an upset in Buffalo and send his squad to yet another AFC title game.</p> <p><strong>Pick:</strong> Bills 27 – Chiefs 23.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Anytime TD on Dalton Kincaid ($3.80) and Dawson Knox ($5.70)</p>

<h2>NFL Super Bowl LVIII Odds</h2>

<p>Fancy a flutter on the NFL’s Divisional Round? Check out our <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/how-to-bet-on-nfl">How to Bet on the NFL</a> Punter IQ guide.</p>