Championship Weekend NFL Predictions & Against the Spread Picks

| Thursday 23rd January 2025, 11:47am

Thursday 23rd January 2025, 11:47am

Super Bowl LIX approaches ever-closer after an action-packed Divisional Round that oversaw plenty of surprises, drama and suspense.

Alan's prediction of a Houston upset against Kansas City fell short, while Jonny, Neil and Adam correctly predicted the Chiefs to keep their hopes of a three-peat alive, while all four tipsters wrongly picked the Lions to see off the sixth-seeded Washington - who saw that upset coming?

Neil correctly tipped the Eagles to cover against the Rams, while Jonny and Adam joined him in backing Philly on the moneyline. Neil found more joy, alongside Alan, in backing the Bills both against the spread and on the moneyline against the Ravens.

The Conference match-ups take place this Sunday, with the Eagles welcoming Washington to Lincoln Financial Field, before Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen go head-to-head in what should be a belter at Arrowhead Stadium between the Chiefs and Bills.

For our full season-long record check out the bottom of the article. Please read on for all of our Championship Weekend NFL Predictions & Picks.

*All Prices correct as of 07:00 on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Prices subject to change.

Super Bowl Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Super Bowl LIX page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this competition.

Sunday - 20:00

Commanders (+5.5) @ Eagles

Picks ATS:

Adam: Commanders
Alan: Eagles
Jonny: Eagles
Neil: Eagles

Moneyline: Eagles 2/5, Commanders 15/8

Straight Up:

Adam: Eagles
Alan: Eagles
Jonny: Eagles
Neil: Eagles

Comments: What a performance it was from Washington to stun the Lions in their own backyard. Jayden Daniels has arguably been the best quarterback in the post-season, which is remarkable considering he's in his rookie year.

I don't think the Commanders will be fazed by having to play on the road again here - they're looking for a third straight upset away from home after beating Tampa Bay and Detroit to make it to this stage.

Red-hot Saquon Barkley will be the focal point of the Eagles' offence, and I don't think Washington can expect to shut him down completely - it's all about damage limitation.

I'd argue that the Commanders have momentum on their side, but Philly were in this position not too long ago when they made Super Bowl LVII. The lights could be too bright for Washington here, and I think Jalen Hurts and Barkley can lead the Eagles to victory. - Jonny

Weren't the Commanders brilliant against Detroit? Wonderful free-flowing match full of fantastic scores - but I'm thinking the Eagles' offense will be licking their lips in anticipation, as long as the spoilsport snow stays away?

So disappointing that some of the action was ruined, or rendered far less of a spectacle, last weekend by the conditions. I know traditionalists will want the cards to fall as they might; but I'm of the opinion that Arizona/Florida etc should be utilised in postseason. Huge rethink for that to happen, but attritional low-scoring blizzard affairs? Really?

Philly take this for me, but there should be points - I see the line is around 47.5. If the weather's half-decent, I'm firmly on the over - Alan

I have really gone back and forth on this game. On one hand, you have the Commanders who are in sublime form. Jayden Daniels is looking like he can do no wrong, they have a defense who can suffocate you and they picked Jared Goff off four times in the 45-31 stunning up in Mo-Town last week.

Yet on the other sideline we have Saquon Barkley. The former star Nittany Lion has been other worldly this season and coupled with the dominant Philly O-line, has found holes and left defenders in the dust. Six times we've seen him score from 60+ since his move in the off season, no player in NFL history has done that more than four times. It just shows what a weapon he is.

There is plenty of logical reasons to keep the faith in Washington to extend this magical run but I just can't bet against #26 - Neil

The lads above have covered most of the angles in this NFC battle and it's currently 1-1 between the two with the trilogy delivering the ultimate prize, with a Super Bowl appearance at stake.

Washington have defied all expectations but I agree with Neil that Saquon will just provide that killer blow to get them over the line. I'm the only one taking the Commanders to cover the spread, however. This one should go close! - Adam

Sunday - 23:30

Bills (+1.5) @ Chiefs

Picks ATS:

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

Moneyline: Chiefs 4/5, Bills 1/1

Straight Up:

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

Comments: This could be a Super Bowl match-up in itself, as two of the best QBs go head-to-head in Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. This is the fourth time these pair have met in the AFC play-offs, with the Chiefs winning all three previous meetings.

I didn't think it was a vintage performance from Kansas City against Houston, but they got the job done - a professional performance some would call it. Mahomes will no doubt rev up the playmaking here after passing for only 177 yards against the Texans, but the Bills have a real chance at finally getting revenge over their AFC rivals.

Josh Allen has been taking over games all season for Buffalo, and is rightly a favourite for the MVP award. With the form he's in, the Bills have a real shot at taking down the reigning champions and destroying their three-peat dream.

However, it feels foolish to write off Mahomes, who can sprinkle his magic on this contest once more and lead the Chiefs one step closer to the promised land. - Jonny

I tipped up the Texans to disturb KC at weekend, as I was extremely impressed with them the previous week against the Chargers. They had it all to do at Arrowhead of course, up a level or three, but did you see the officiating? Let's leave it at that.

Lovely to see Travis Kelce set another postseason record - the all-time leader in 100yd+ receiving games, nipping clear of Jerry Rice no less. Patrick Mahomes was pretty exceptional too when he wasn't being cute and the crew weren't wrapping him in cotton wool, and they're a fantastic pair that we're privileged to be enjoying right now. Generational.

KC have been shy of their best for me this season but it's been pretty much good enough nevertheless - so far. They're trickier to beat these days and have sacrificed some glitz for real grit.

However - there's usually a however - I sense a determination of equal magnitude behind the Bills, who I DID tip up to beat the Ravens. Josh Allen is having what will surely be an MVP season, and he richly deserves to get his hands on a Lombardi. This is the penultimate step to doing just that and as I alluded to last week I just have a feeling that it's his year.

What a match, can't wait, one for the ages - Alan

If this were the Super Bowl, I don't think anyone would be too upset. I really like Philly and the Lions had a great season but the best three teams in the NFL all played in the AFC this season. Baltimore played out a classic in Buffalo last weekend and the victors get a trip to KC to face a team they've seen before in these big moments and every time they have, they've found a way to lose - or maybe the Chiefs have found a way to win.

Josh Allen has been undeniably superb for his team this season. Buffalo's QB has been accurate through the air and when the lights have shined the brightest on key 3rd and 4th downs, he's called his own number and just found a way to find the line to gain.

Kansas City might be the most disrespected two-loss team in NFL history and in all honesty, they are a one-loss team as the second reversal came when they sat all their starters having already secured the number one seed in the conference. So the only team who have given them a real defeat is these Buffalo Bills.

If this game was in Buffalo, I think this would be a very easy pick. The weather in Kansas City looks set fair and that will help the hosts but give me Josh Allen in a big game. It feels like it is his time - Neil

Mmm, this is going to be hard to write.

As a Chiefs fan who has watched every minute of their season unfold, I'd love to sit here in full confidence and back my boys to take the penultimate step towards the unprecedented three-peat. Mahomes, Kelce and the defence have shown they are stepping up just when it's necessary and certainly have that championship DNA to get it down.

However, as mentioned above, Josh Allen has been a wrecking ball this season, will be a deserved MVP and was the difference maker in KC's only legitimate loss this season.

I really, really hope I'm wrong and the Arrowhead faithful can spur on Kansas City to another amazing victory but in my heart of hearts I just don't see it happening. - Adam

Season Records:

Against the Spread: