NFL Divisional Weekend Predictions: Straight Up & Against the Spread Picks for Every Game

| January 19 |

5 mins read

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Can't believe it's nearly all done and dusted. Regular season - check. Wild Card Weekend - check. Now it's the Divisional stuff - the final stage to reveal who will contest the two Conference finals next weekend.

First time I've prepped the piece all season and time for a reflection or two. Matches might be dwindling, but we'll see it through to Nevada. It's been a lot of fun, and the tipping records are highly respectable in my humble view.

I came within a point/two of nailing all the money lines; Detroit sneaked past the Rams though, and good luck to them. Green Bay were fantastic I thought, and Houston, too. What about the Eagles? Ouch, and then some.

Divisional Weekend has a few skinny minnies but could you rule out anyone at this point, especially these red-hot outfits mentioned above?

My three colleagues (Neil, Jonny, Adam) are all just about in the credit column on the spread, and I take my hat off to them for that. A fine achievement in such a topsy-turvy, thrill-a-minute, thud-and-blunder sport.

I'm sneaking the money-line prize at present but ultra-consistent Jonny is a short-head second, and overall performing with great distinction.

Anyway - the so-called underdogs have plenty on at weekend but seem sure to contribute to what should be some incredible football matches. Here we go then; and good luck if you're having a flutter.

Odds taken as at Thursday afternoon, circa 15.30, Jan 18th. Prices can often fluctuate between now and kick-off.

Alan.

NFL Divisional Weekend Predictions:

Saturday - 21:30:

Game 1: Texans (+9.5) @ Ravens

Picks ATS:

Adam: Texans
Alan: Texans
Jonny: Ravens
Neil: Ravens

Money Line - Texans 17/5 & Ravens 2/9

Picks Straight Up:

Adam: Ravens
Alan: Ravens
Jonny: Ravens
Neil: Ravens

Comments: Baltimore have had their feet up, and are our 5/2 second-favs to win the whole shooting match on Feb 11th at Allegiant Stadium in Nevada. They've got Lamar Jackson. Odell Beckham Jr. And it might be very inhospitable, weather-wise, at M&T Bank in Baltimore.

Time then for the Conference top-seeds to enter the fray.

Houston's NRG Stadium has a retractable roof, the first in the NFL to so do. The elements then, and familiarity with same (or otherwise), could be a factor. Baltimore aren't bomb-proof, and Houston have momentum, that mystical sporting beast that turns good things into quivering wrecks.

And the Texans have got CJ Stroud, Ohio State star, third in the Heisman vote, second overall draft pick, and setting rookie records for fun. He debuted against the Ravens as it goes back in Sept, throwing for 242 yards in a 25-9 defeat. He's a superstar in the making, but doing it in Baltimore on Saturday won't be easy.

I'm taking the Ravens to edge it but that 9.5 line could be tough to cover. A fabulous, mouth-watering contest awaits, and if Houston do manage to pull it off I won't be the least bit surprised - Alan

Sunday - 01.15:

Game 2: Packers (+9.5) @ 49ers

Picks ATS:

Adam: Packers
Alan: Packers
Jonny: 49ers
Neil: 49ers

Money Line - Packers 17/5 & 49ers 2/9

Picks Straight Up:

Adam: 49ers
Alan: 49ers
Jonny: 49ers
Neil: 49ers

Comments: Green Bay played a near-perfect game against the Cowboys last Sunday to book their place in the Divisional Round, and they face our favourite for the Super Bowl; the San Francisco 49ers (7/4).

The Niners will be well-rested after enjoying the benefit of being the No.1 seed in the NFC, and while the Packers will be confident after their shock win over Dallas, I think San Francisco pose a different challenge entirely.

The 49ers have a formidable defense, and plenty of offensive weapons in Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle amongst others.

San Francisco are the better team on paper here, and I'm expecting them to reach a third-straight NFC Championship game. - Jonny

Sunday - 20:00:

Game 3: Bucs (+6.5) @ Lions

Picks ATS:

Adam: Bucs
Alan: Lions
Jonny: Lions
Neil: Lions

Money Line - Bucs 23/10 & Lions 1/3

Picks Straight Up:

Adam: Lions
Alan: Lions
Jonny: Lions
Neil: Lions

Comments: This was the toughest game to pick for me against the spread as 6.5 is pretty much spot on in my opinion. I have leaned towards the home side just because I simply can't trust Baker Mayfield. I know he's been solid this season but I pretty much put last week's win to one side as that was a Philly team that just completely imploded. I thought they would find a way and the better team would show up. I was dead wrong.

For me though, I just think the Lions have too many weapons and ways they can beat Tampa Bay. If the Gibbs/Montgomery double-act can fire up early then it will really open up the downfield opportunities for Amon-Ra St. Brown to find space in that secondary - Neil

Sunday - 23:30:

Game 4: Chiefs (+2.5) @ Bills

Picks ATS:

Adam: Chiefs
Alan: Bills
Jonny: Chiefs
Neil: Bills

Money Line - Chiefs 6/5 & Bills 20/29

Picks Straight Up:

Adam: Chiefs
Alan: Bills
Jonny: Bills
Neil: Bills

Comments: I'm looking forward to this game so much, I've booked a half day on Monday to be able to watch it. Bills vs Chiefs, Allen vs Mahomes, what's not to love?

With two elite QB's I think this game could come down to the run game and in Isiah Pacheco and James Cook, we have two of the most dynamic RB's in football right now. The Bills won this match-up 20-17 in Week 14 but the KC offense has improved since then and the defense looks elite.

I think the Chiefs will just nick this and roll into the conference finals. - Adam

Season Records:

Against the Spread: