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Looking ahead to the Divisional round, there are a few things I look for as these last eight teams try to fight for a title. Also, here are my bets for this weekend.
Check out the latest episodes of the JCPod and Captain By A Hook for my full breakdowns. All odds are a mix/the best number from FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM.
Texans vs Ravens
This will be a battle of two stud quarterbacks. Lamar Jackson is most likely going to win the MVP. On the other side of the coin, CJ Stroud is looking to become the rookie of the year. The Ravens get a week of rest, while the Texans have played two straight win or go home games.
Weather could be a factor here for this Divisional Round game. The winds could reach up close to 20 miles per hour. Due to this, throwing the ball could be an issue. This makes me lean towards run games and defense, both which I like from the Ravens more. The Ravens are also adding Dalvin Cook with pretty much as fresh of legs as you could get.
If the Texans come out hot however, rust could then become a factor for the Ravens.
Bets for Texans-Ravens
- Ravens -9.5 (-110)
- Gus Edwards anytime TD (+120)
- Zay Flowers anytime TD (+150)
- Nico Collins anytime TD (+155)
- Dalvin Cook anytime TD (+700)
Packers vs 49ers
The Packers and 49ers meet again, this time in the Divisional Round. In the history of this matchup lately, the 49ers have been running the series, literally. The 49ers have run rampant on the Packers in the playoffs, and they could realistically do it again. The Packers showed OUT on defense last week, but that doesn’t mean I’m forgetting what I’ve seen before. This team has been up and down, but is for sure on an up swing. During this latest winning stretch, the run defense has also been improved, but I still see the past patterns. Joe Barry vs Kyle Shanahan will be the main battle in this game, and I think I gotta go with Shanahan. If the defense can show up, I like the idea of the Packers keeping it within 10.
It will also be interesting to see how Jordan Love does. The guy absolutely BALLED out last week, and has been really impressive to end the season. I’m curious how he will play versus this 49ers defense that has been a menace most of the season.
I wouldn’t be shocked either if at the end of the game it’s 31-17 with Christian McCaffrey having 100+ on the ground, Brock Purdy throwing for 250+ with 3 touchdowns, and one of the receivers having 8 catches for 100+ yards.
Bets for Packers-49ers
- Aaron Jones TD (+125)
- Romeo Doubs (+270) anytime TD OR Dontayvion Wicks (+330) anytime TD
- Christian McCaffrey over 89.5 rush yards (-114)
- Brock Purdy over 6.5 rush yards (-118)
Buccaneers vs Lions
Earlier in the season, the Lions shut down the Bucs on offense. They were held to two field goals, and the Lions just beat them down 20-6. Going into this game, I’m curious to see what Todd Bowles will do up front. He is known for bringing some exotics, and he loves to change up his fronts and blitz packages. With how talented the Lions two backs are, the Bucs will have to not let the Lions just run all over them. Having Vita Vea plugging up the middle will help.
They will also have to get Goff out of his comfort zone. Goff threw for 353 in the last matchup. Doing this again will for sure not be a good sign for the Buccaneers.
The Lions have the blueprint to win. The Lions are at home and have a HUGE home crowd expected. They also have a star studded offense. The big question will be the defense.
The defense smothered the Buccaneers back in Week 6, can they do it again in the Divisional Round? This was in Tampa Bay as well, so they know they have a solid plan that can work. I’m so juiced for this game to kick off Sunday. Feels as if both teams can truly steal this game, so it will be interesting to see how these teams start out the game.
Bets for Bucs-Lions
- Bucs +6.5 (-115)
- Jahmyr Gibbs (-130) anytime TD OR David Montgomery (-125) anytime TD
- Cade Otton anytime TD (+370)
Mike Evans anytime TD (+100) - Amon-Ra anytime TD (+100)
- Cade Otton over 30.5 receiving yards (-105)
- Baker Mayfield over 8.5 rush yards (-110)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown over 92.5 receiving yards (-115)
- Trey Palmer over 17.5 receiving yards (-120)
Chiefs vs Bills
This might be the best game of the Divisional Round. Brady vs Manning 2.0? This is yet another installment of the Buffalo Bills versus the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs. This time, however, Kansas City will be traveling up to Buffalo to take on the Bills. I think that this game will come down to whose defense will be able to perform better. Both teams have amazing quarterbacks, with skill positions that have had shining moments and some studs. I’m excited to look into and look at what these defenses can do to stop these offenses.
My lean in this game is the Kansas City Chiefs just mainly due to their health on defense. At some point, I just feel as if the Buffalo Bills defensive injuries will catch up to them. They lost another linebacker last week to an ankle injury, adding to the mountain pile of injuries on the defensive side. For the Bills to have a chance in beating Mahomes in the playoffs, they will have to get something out of their defense.
As for the Kansas City defense, they have to keep contain of Josh Allen. Josh Allen has shown not only can he be a superstar, but he can also give you the ball if you force them into some weird spots. He has a gunslinger mentality, so he will always let it fly. If the Chiefs can capitalize on these turnovers, it could go a long way for them.
Both of these teams have been in the headlines all seasons, and not necessarily always for good things.
The Buffalo Bills ended their season strong and have been surging. The Chiefs struggled to end the season but came to life offensively in the last playoff game.
HOWEVER, none of this could matter with a win. Mahomes vs Allen’s for a trip to the AFC Championship game? This should be a fun one.
Bets for Chiefs-Bills
- Chiefs +3 (-118)
- Chiefs moneyline (+128)
- Josh Allen anytime TD (-115)
- Isiah Pacheco anytime TD (+115)
- Travis Kelce anytime TD (+135)
- Rashee Rice anytime TD (+130)
- Dalton Kincaid over 40.5 receiving yards (-114)
- Rashee Rice over 71.5 (-114) receiving yards AND over 6.5 receptions (-102)
Let’s have a DAY! PLEASE GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY
College Football Record (regular season): 69-55
College Football Bowl Season: 23-8
Pickem Record: 162-94
NFL bets (straights) [regular season] 49-43-2
NFL Bets (Player Props) [regular season] 43-41
Nasty Boy Play (College) 2-11
Nasty Boy Play (NFL) 5-23
Jaden Chandler-Parnell, or “JC” is a Sports & Sports Betting Insider for Stare Down Sports. You can Follow him on X @Jaden95Chandler
Follow Stare Down Sports on X for all of the latest news and updates @StareDownSports
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