Best bets: NFL Divisional Round picks and predictions

Jess Root | Staff Writer

The Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs didn't give too much intrigue. Most of the games weren't close and only 1 road team was victorious. Next up are the 4 Divisional Round playoff games with 2 being hosted by the No. 1 seeds off their bye weeks -- Baltimore and San Francisco.

While last week, the trend was for favorites to win big, this week it appears the underdog will be king.

Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook NFL odds and lines, and tab the best NFL Divisional Round playoffs bets to cash in on among SportbookWire's NFL expert picks and predictions.

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NFL Divisional Round best bets

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 11:05 a.m. ET. All games ET unless noted.

TEXANS +9.5 (-110) at Ravens – Saturday, 4:30 p.m. (ABC/ESPN)

The Ravens beat the Texans 25-9 in the season opener and have won the last 3 meetings by double digits. But the Texans had lost to the Cleveland Browns in the regular season, only to then blow them out in the Wild Card round last weekend.

But there is something about this Texans team that just feels special. Houston is 7-3 ATS this season as the underdog.

The Ravens were rolling before sitting starters in Week 18, winning 6 in a row and 5 of those by double digits.

However, Baltimore will have some rust. Will Houston win outright? I don't think so, but it should be an entertaining, close game.

PACKERS +9.5 (-110) at 49ers – Saturday, 8 p.m. (FOX)

The Packers are rolling, and QB Jordan Love is playing very well. They have scored 33 or more points in 3 of their last 4 games. They have forced multiple turnovers in 2 of their last 3 games.

The Packers can run the ball, rushing for over 120 yards in 6 of their last 7 games, and the 49ers have allowed over 100 yards on the ground in 3 of their last 4.

The Niners have allowed over 20 points in 3 of their last 4 games, so we could see a back-and-forth affair. The Niners probably win, but it will be a 1-score game.

BUCCANEERS +6.5 (-110) at Lions – Sunday, 3 p.m. (NBC)

The Bucs have won 6 of their last 7 games, allowing 15.3 points per game in that stretch.

The Lions won their regular-season matchup 20-6, but the Bucs have scored 29 or more in 4 of their last 6 games.

Two of the Lions' last 3 regular-season wins were by more than a touchdown, but 6 of their 13 total wins were by fewer than 7 points.

I expect a Lions win but the Bucs to cover the spread.

CHIEFS (+120) at Bills – Sunday, 6:30 p.m. (CBS)

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes will have to play on the road in the postseason for the 1st time, but the Chiefs were 6-2 on the road this season.

Buffalo is 8-1 at Highmark Stadium this season and has won 6 straight games.

However, in a battle of Mahomes vs. Bills QB Josh Allen in the postseason, until Allen does it, I'm going to pick Mahomes. Both make big plays when their teams need it, but Allen is prone to making boneheaded plays earlier in the game.

The Chiefs have allowed 20 or fewer points in 6 straight games.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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