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Tag: Divisional

  • NFL divisional round Props that Pop – Overs rule the weekend


    Jan 18, 2025, 05:20 PM ET

    Daniel Dopp and I hit on five of our seven props in the first week of the NFL postseason. Bo Nix let Daniel down and Zach Ertz disappointed me, from a props perspective. (Though — spoiler — that isn’t going to stop me from attacking the tight end position again this go around.)

    While we’re proud of our collective effort, we’d love to achieve perfection in the divisional round.

    Focusing solely on the Sunday games, here this week’s props that pop! — Liz Loza

    All odds as of publication time. For the latest odds, visit ESPN BET.

    Quarterback props

    Lamar Jackson OVER 278.5 rushing + passing yards (-118)

    play

    0:35

    Why Fulghum has his eyes on the Ravens-Bills’ points total

    Tyler Fulghum is taking the under in Ravens-Bills, factoring the strength of Buffalo’s offensive line against Derrick Henry.

    Loza: Jackson’s overall efficiency this season as a passer and a rusher has been off the charts. He ranks first at the position in YPA (8.8) as well as rushing yards per contest (53.8). Jackson is completing 70% of his passes with a clean pocket, so the Buffalo Bills pass rush (which ranks sixth in pass-rush win rate at 44.6%) figures to bring the heat. Still, the Baltimore Ravens‘ offensive line has protected Lamar beautifully, registering the third-highest pass-block win rate (69.8%).

    This aerial battle figures to be tight (the Ravens are a 1-point favorite) and showcase plenty of back-and-forth action (51.5 game points total). But even if Buffalo manages to contain Jackson in the passing game, the QB should gain traction with his legs against a defensive unit that has allowed 4.5 yards per carry to opposing rushers.

    Jackson OVER 49.5 rushing yards (-140)

    Dopp: Lamar has been the best rushing QB in the NFL this year, amassing 915 rushing yards on the ground in the regular season and adding 81 more yards in last week’s wild-card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. This prop could pair nicely with Liz’s prop of Jackson topping 278.5 rushing and passing yards. Lamar has hit at least 63 rushing yards in three straight games and five of his last six.

    The Bills have actually been fairly decent against the run this year, but Jackson is in a different category than any other player in the NFL when it comes to running the ball. He’s a true wizard when scrambling, especially when a play breaks down and improvises. I wouldn’t go any lower than -140 if I was taking this bet, and I’d absolutely consider pairing this with a passing prop of 275+ passing yards. When you put those two props together, it creates a nice little two-leg parlay at +163.

    Josh Allen OVER 32.5 pass attempts

    play

    10:26

    Is Lamar Jackson vs. Josh Allen the best rivalry?

    Stephen A. Smith, Cam Newton and Ryan Clark discuss Lamar Jackson’s comments about his friendship with the Bills quarterback.

    Dopp: There’s a lot to like in this Ravens-Bills matchup, but if you’re thinking about the game the same way I am, you’re likely expecting more than a handful of points to be scored. ESPN BET has the total at 51.5, so it looks like the book is also expecting some decent offense in this one as well. The Ravens defense has proven to be pretty legit at stopping the ground game, allowing the second-fewest rush attempts and the fewest rushing yards this season. That should mean more passing for the Bills offense. If the Ravens put up points like we expect, it means more throwing for Allen.

    The Ravens have the third-most pass attempts against them this season, and a 32.5 passing attempts number isn’t an astronomical amount by any means. Allen has topped this line seven times this season and fell four pass attempts short of this line when the Bills played the Ravens earlier this year in a 35-10 loss. Eleven QBs have put up at least 33 attempts against the Ravens on the season. I’m leaning into the high-scoring narrative in this one, which means I’m taking the over on Allen’s pass attempts Sunday.

    Matthew Stafford OVER 0.5 INTs (-135)

    play

    0:36

    Why Fulghum has the Eagles heading to NFC Championship Game

    Tyler Fulghum explains why he favors the Eagles over the Rams to head onto the NFC Championship Game.

    Dopp: The Philadelphia Eagles have been on a heater against opposing QBs recently, nabbing at least one interception in four straight games. But stat doesn’t even tell the whole story, as Philly has produced eight interceptions over that four game span! This defense is playing hot, and teams have had to throw against them more often than not toward the end of the season to try to keep up with the Eagles offense.

    Stafford has actually been pretty good at protecting the ball this year. He has only one interception since Week 11! I’m expecting the story to be different in the divisional round with the Los Angeles Rams playing in a blustery, cold Philly climate. Temperatures are forecast to be in the low 30’s with winds hitting 10-15 mph, and there’s a 97% chance of snow in Philadelphia on Sunday with accumulation expected to be around 3-5 inches. It’s not going to be a whiteout, but it’ll certainly be a chilly outing for a team from L.A.

    Given the Eagles defense’s knack for finding the ball and the likelihood of the Rams playing from behind, I’m taking Stafford to have at least one pick in this one. And, you know what, why not put a few pennies down on Darius Slayton, his old teammate from Detroit to be the defender to come up with the INT at +500 over at ESPN BET?

    Running back props

    Justice Hill OVER 2.5 receptions (-160), longest rush OVER 5.5 yards (-130)

    Loza: Hill isn’t the Ravens’ running back that most folks are talking about this week. And that’s exactly why I want to highlight his potential. The Bills have been fantastically generous to RBs via the air, allowing the second-most catches (5.4 per game) and the most receiving yards (44 per game) to the position over the regular season. Meanwhile, Hill has recorded at least four grabs in each of his last three healthy contests. Additionally, he hauled in all six of his looks (for 78 receiving yards a score) when he teed off against Buffalo back in Week 4.

    While the 27-year-old has registered just 53 carries thus far into the season, it’s worth noting that over 20% of them (11) went for over six yards. As previously discussed, the Bills’ run defense can be had (4.6 YPC to opposing rushers). Additionally, the Bills’ have given up the ninth-most rushes of 10 or more yards (62). That’s great for Derrick Henry. It also makes a single rush of six yards more than possible for Hill, especially since he’s averaging 4.9 yards per carry.

    Tight end props

    Dallas Goedert OVER 39.5 receiving yards (Even)

    Loza: The Rams defense put together a masterful effort in the wild-card round, limiting the Minnesota Vikings to nine points. L.A.’s young pass rush stood up, regularly pressuring Sam Darnold and protecting the team’s secondary from potential exposure. However, the Rams are unlikely to have the same success versus Jalen Hurts and the electric Eagles offense. While that should allow room for Philly’s wide receivers to shine, bettors should also expect Goedert to be involved.

    L.A. has struggled against opposing tight ends all season, giving up the third-most catches (6.2 per game) and the fourth-most receiving yards (65.7 per game) to the position. Despite the Rams’ success last Monday, T.J. Hockenson converted all five of his looks for 64 receiving yards and Minnesota’s lone TD. Ranking fifth at the position in yards per target (9.5) and seventh among TEs in yards per reception (11.8), Goedert won’t need to be fed in order to fly. Averaging over four catches and nearly 50 receiving yards per game, the 30-year-old figures to flirt with four grabs and forty yards Sunday.

    Follow Liz and Daniel on social media.





    The NFL divisional round is here, and that means it’s time for some exciting prop bets to add even more excitement to the games. This weekend, the overs are ruling the day, with high-scoring matchups expected across the board. Here are some props that are sure to pop this weekend:

    1. Over 300 passing yards for Patrick Mahomes – The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback is known for his arm strength and ability to put up big numbers through the air. With the Chiefs facing off against the Cleveland Browns, who have a suspect secondary, look for Mahomes to surpass the 300-yard mark easily.

    2. Over 100 rushing yards for Derrick Henry – The Tennessee Titans running back is a force to be reckoned with, especially in the playoffs. With the Titans taking on the Baltimore Ravens, who have struggled against the run this season, Henry should have no problem eclipsing the 100-yard mark on the ground.

    3. Over 3 touchdown passes for Josh Allen – The Buffalo Bills quarterback has had a breakout season and has been lighting up the scoreboard all year. With the Bills facing off against the Baltimore Ravens, who have a tough defense but can be vulnerable through the air, look for Allen to have a big day and throw for over 3 touchdowns.

    4. Over 50 receiving yards for Tyreek Hill – The Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver is one of the fastest players in the league and has the ability to break a big play at any moment. With the Chiefs taking on the Cleveland Browns, who have struggled against top-tier receivers this season, look for Hill to have a big game and surpass 50 receiving yards easily.

    These props are sure to add some extra excitement to an already thrilling weekend of NFL playoff action. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the overs ruling the day in the divisional round.

    Tags:

    1. NFL divisional round Props
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    #NFL #divisional #Props #Pop #Overs #rule #weekend

  • Matchups, schedule after divisional round




    After an intense divisional round, the matchups for the conference championships have been set. Here’s the schedule for the upcoming games:

    AFC Championship:
    – Kansas City Chiefs vs. Cincinnati Bengals
    Date: Sunday, January 30th
    Time: 3:05 PM ET
    Location: Arrowhead Stadium

    NFC Championship:
    – Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers
    Date: Sunday, January 30th
    Time: 6:40 PM ET
    Location: SoFi Stadium

    These matchups are sure to bring even more excitement and drama as the teams battle it out for a spot in the Super Bowl. Who will come out on top and punch their ticket to the biggest game of the year? Stay tuned to find out!

    Tags:

    1. NFL matchups
    2. Divisional round schedule
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    7. Divisional round recap
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    #Matchups #schedule #divisional

  • NFL divisional playoffs: Saturday how to watch, game information, and more


    While the New England Patriots are focused on building a staff around new head coach Mike Vrabel, the NFL playoffs are down to eight teams. Four of those will take the field on Saturday for the first two games of the divisional round.

    Here is all you need to know about those two contests.

    4:30 p.m. ET

    4 Houston Texans at 1 Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs’ quest for the first ever three-peat will start against a familiar foe. The Texans, who beat the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild card round, visited Kansas City just four weeks ago. Back then, the team of head coach DeMeco Ryans was beaten 27-19. | ESPN/ABC, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes

    8:00 p.m. ET

    6 Washington Commanders at 1 Detroit Lions: The Lions will enter the NFC side of the playoffs as big favorites over the lowest-seeded team remaining in the tournament. While Washington was able to beat Tampa Bay on a walk-off field goal, the task at hand this week is a significantly more difficult one. | FOX, FOX Deportes

    Please head to the comment section to discuss today’s action. If you want to learn the latest about the Patriots’ coaching staff, make sure to check out our up-to-date tracker.



    Are you ready for some football? The NFL divisional playoffs are here, and Saturday’s lineup is packed with exciting matchups. Here’s everything you need to know to catch all the action:

    Game 1: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tennessee Titans
    – Kickoff: 4:30 PM ET
    – TV: CBS
    – Live stream: CBS All Access
    – Location: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN

    Game 2: San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers
    – Kickoff: 8:15 PM ET
    – TV: FOX
    – Live stream: fuboTV
    – Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI

    Both games promise to be thrilling contests as the Bengals take on the Titans and the 49ers face off against the Packers. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just tuning in for the excitement, these games are sure to deliver plenty of action.

    Don’t miss a minute of the NFL divisional playoffs on Saturday. Grab your snacks, settle in on the couch, and get ready for some high-stakes football. Let the games begin! #NFLPlayoffs #DivisionalRound

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    NFL divisional playoffs, Saturday games, watch NFL playoffs, NFL game schedule, NFL playoff matchups, NFL playoffs live stream, NFL divisional round, NFL playoff predictions, NFL playoff preview, NFL playoff schedule, NFL playoff TV schedule, NFL playoff broadcast, NFL playoff coverage, NFL playoff updates, NFL playoff highlights, NFL playoff news.

    #NFL #divisional #playoffs #Saturday #watch #game #information

  • Reasons to watch every game of 2025 Divisional Round


    • WHERE: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Mo.)
    • WHEN: 4:30 p.m. ET | ABC, ESPN, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes, NFL+

    NFL Research highlight: 

    Following their bye during Wild Card Weekend, the top-seeded Chiefs start their quest to become the first Super Bowl three-peat in NFL history. Patrick Mahomes is 6-0 in his career in the Divisional Round, which is the most wins without a loss in the Divisional Round by any QB in playoff history.  

     

    Although C.J. Stroud and the Texans don’t have as storied of a playoff history as the Chiefs, their Wild Card Round performance against the Chargers, specifically by their defense, proved that they are deserving of a divisional spot. Their defense had four interceptions, four sacks, and eight QB hits — the first team with 4+ interceptions and 4+ sacks in a playoff game since the 2014 Packers, who advanced to the NFC Championship Game.  

    Mahomes and Stroud will be the first playoff matchup in NFL history between the reigning Super Bowl MVP QB and the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year QB. 


    1. The intense competition: The Divisional Round of the playoffs is where the best of the best teams face off, so you can expect to see some incredibly close and exciting matchups.
    2. Potential upsets: Anything can happen in the playoffs, and the Divisional Round is no exception. You never know when a lower-seeded team will pull off a stunning upset, making each game a must-watch.
    3. Superstar performances: With some of the biggest names in the NFL taking the field, you can expect to see some incredible individual performances that will leave you breathless.
    4. High-stakes drama: The Divisional Round is where teams are fighting for a spot in the conference championship, so the intensity and drama of each game is sure to be off the charts.
    5. Historic moments: Every game has the potential to produce a memorable moment that will go down in NFL history, so you won’t want to miss a single play of the action.

      Overall, the Divisional Round of the playoffs is a can’t-miss event for any football fan, so make sure you tune in to watch every game and witness all the excitement firsthand.

    Tags:

    1. 2025 Divisional Round
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    #Reasons #watch #game #Divisional

  • Projecting final 8 NFL playoff teams’ odds to win Super Bowl, with divisional matchup analysis


    The NFL’s version of the Elite Eight is set, and we are going to be treated to some showstopping matchups in this weekend’s divisional round. The headliner, of course, will be the clash of two MVP favorites, with quarterback Lamar Jackson taking his Baltimore Ravens to Buffalo for a matchup against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.

    Though that game will steal a lot of the spotlight, the other three games could be thrilling, too. Jeff Howe breaks down each of the four divisional-round matchups this weekend before The Athletic’s NFL Projection Model, created by Austin Mock, reveals the odds each team has to win the Super Bowl.

    AFC

    No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs (15-2) vs. No. 4 Houston Texans (10-7, 1-0 playoffs)

    Be careful what you wish for, AFC West.

    So much for the idea the Texans would offer little resistance after a late-season tailspin, as they blew out the Los Angeles Chargers 32-12 to earn a trip to Kansas City. Though the Texans will be big-time underdogs, they just played one of their best games of the season and will feel confident against the two-time defending Super Bowl champions.

    Plus, the Texans kept it tight at Arrowhead in Week 16, falling 27-19 even as they were limping to the finish line. Quarterback C.J. Stroud finished 23-of-39 passing for 244 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in that game.

    But do the Texans deserve style points for keeping it close with the Chiefs? After all, the Chiefs were 11-0 this season in one-possession games, and they’ve won 16 in a row when it’s close. They haven’t lost a one-possession game since Christmas 2023.

    So, yeah, the Texans can look back on the last meeting and wonder what might have happened if a play or two had gone the other way, but the Chiefs have become the best team on the planet — with room to spare — in those decisive moments.

    The Texans need to start fast to put pressure on the hosts, as the Chiefs haven’t played a meaningful game since Christmas, when they locked up the AFC’s No. 1 seed. If the Chiefs are going to be vulnerable at any point, it figures to be at the start as they shake off a little rust.

    The Chiefs are 15-3 in the playoffs with Patrick Mahomes as their starter. They’re also 8-2 against the Texans under coach Andy Reid, including 2-0 in a pair of playoff games that were decided by a combined 50 points. Meanwhile, the Texans will be looking to pull off another franchise first, as they’re 0-5 in the divisional round.

    • Chiefs’ chances to win Super Bowl: 22.7%
    • Texans’ chances to win Super Bowl: 3.7%

    No. 2 Buffalo Bills (13-4, 1-0 playoffs) vs. No. 3 Baltimore Ravens (12-5, 1-0 playoffs)

    These teams have been on a divisional round collision course since the Ravens wrangled the AFC North lead from the Pittsburgh Steelers. And after ending the Steelers’ season by a 28-14 count Saturday, the Ravens have earned themselves a trip to Buffalo.

    The Ravens won’t lack confidence. They blew out the Bills 35-10 at home in Week 4 and have outscored their opponents 163-57 during their five-game winning streak. Jackson has accounted for 15 touchdowns and one interception over that stretch. He gets style points for twice dominating the Steelers, who had historically given him fits before the last pair of demolitions.

    Allen, meanwhile, finished 20-of-26 passing for 272 yards and two touchdowns along with 46 rushing yards in the Bills’ 31-7 win against the Denver Broncos. And to think, the Bills even started slowly.

    Ball security, as usual, will be in focus. The Bills were a league-best plus-24 in the turnover department during the regular season, as they finished third with 32 takeaways and first with only eight giveaways. And they surprisingly smoked the Broncos without forcing a turnover, which was just the second time that happened this season.

    The Steelers ranked second (plus-16) in turnover differential, though, and the Ravens had no issues breezing through their rivals in a turnover-free game.

    The Bills won these teams’ only postseason matchup four years ago, 17-3.

    • Bills’ chances to win Super Bowl: 12.4%
    • Ravens’ chances to win Super Bowl: 10.7%

    Chances to win the Super Bowl

    NFC

    No. 1 Detroit Lions (15-2) vs. No. 6 Washington Commanders (12-5, 1-0 playoffs)

    The Lions staved off a season’s worth of hunters, successfully navigating a challenging schedule to earn the NFC’s top seed and an undoubtedly raucous home-field advantage.

    And for their first test, they draw a Commanders squad that just knocked off one of the two teams that won in Detroit this season. The transitive property has little use in the NFL, but there is something to be said for a young, inexperienced, self-confident Commanders team that doesn’t know what it doesn’t know.

    As for the Lions, they were the most dominant team in the regular season, outscoring their opponents by 222 points — 62 more than the second-ranked Philadelphia Eagles — and it starts with the franchise’s first top-ranked scoring offense in 50 years.

    Quarterback Jared Goff’s career resurgence continued with his best season. He completed 72.4 percent of his passes for 4,629 yards, 37 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Of course, he’s been aided by one of the best offensive lines in the league, and running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combined for 3,045 yards from scrimmage and 32 total touchdowns.

    The Lions defense has been crushed by injuries throughout the season, notably losing star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson. Detroit tallied just 37 sacks, tied for the ninth fewest, but it racked up two QB takedowns and 10 hits in the crucial finale against the Minnesota Vikings to lock up the NFC North title. The Lions will need a lot more of that to rattle rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

    The Commanders didn’t punt or turn it over in their upset of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, and Daniels finished a masterful 24-of-35 passing for 268 yards and two touchdowns to go along with a team-high 36 rushing yards.

    One thing feels certain: Fourth down will play a pivotal role in the outcome. The Lions were 22 of 33 on fourth down in the regular season, as they were the only playoff team to be ranked in the top 10 of fourth-down attempts — a stat that showcases how volume is most often associated with necessity rather than aggressiveness.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    Ranking NFL playoff coaches by who gives their team biggest edge on fourth downs

    The Commanders, meanwhile, were 20 of 23 in the regular season for an 87 percent conversion rate that easily led the NFL. They were also 3 of 5 against the Bucs, and they took control of that game with Daniels’ fourth-down touchdown pass to wideout Terry McLaurin in the final quarter.

    The Commanders are coming off their first playoff win in 19 years, so the Lions know how they feel a season after their own first playoff victory in 32 years.

    The Commanders are 3-0 in the playoffs against the Lions, but they haven’t met on this stage in a quarter century.

    • Lions’ chances to win Super Bowl: 23%
    • Commanders’ chances to win Super Bowl: 3.7%

    No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles (14-3, 1-0 playoffs) vs. No. 4 Los Angeles Rams (10-7, 1-0 playoffs)

    The Eagles were shaky on offense in quarterback Jalen Hurts’ return from a two-game absence due to a concussion, but they thoroughly dismantled the Green Bay Packers 22-10 nonetheless.

    It’s nice to have the top-ranked overall defense and second-ranked scoring defense to pick up the slack when the other group is out of sync. It helps to win the turnover margin by a 4-0 count.

    That’s what has made the Eagles so tough. They routinely sign up for a 60-minute bar fight. And even when the stars on offense aren’t dominating, they’re still doing enough to get a win. Running back Saquon Barkley tallied 119 rushing yards — his lowest output since Week 15 and a relatively pedestrian output for the ninth 2,000-yard rusher in history — and Hurts still came through with 131 passing yards, two touchdowns, 36 rushing yards and no turnovers.

    It wasn’t perfect, but it was a winning formula.

    And then there’s the Rams, who might not have the household name recognition of their last Super Bowl squad, but they’re coming alive under one of the league’s elite coaching staffs. The Rams hammered the Vikings 27-9 Monday night to win their first playoff game since hoisting the Lombardi Trophy three years ago.

    Quarterback Matthew Stafford bounced back after scuffling down the stretch of an otherwise strong regular season. He completed 19 of 27 passes for 209 yards and two scores against the Vikings, propelling the Rams past that vaunted 14-3 wild-card opponent after a trying week with the California wildfires.

    More impressive, the Rams tallied nine sacks — an NFL playoff game record — forced two turnovers and got a defensive touchdown with Jared Verse’s fumble recovery in the second quarter. Chris Shula’s defense has been rolling as of late, allowing an average of 8.3 points per game with seven takeaways over their last four outings, excluding the regular-season finale when they rested key players.

    The Rams likely need to win the turnover battle to pull off the upset. The Eagles gave it away eight times in their first four games of the season but have only seven in their last 14 outings.

    The Eagles have beaten the Rams each of the past two regular seasons. The Rams are 2-1 against the Eagles in the postseason, but they haven’t seen each other in the playoffs in 23 years.

    • Eagles’ chances to win Super Bowl: 17.6%
    • Rams’ chances to win Super Bowl: 6.2%

    (Photo of Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen: Michael Owens / Getty Images)





    As the NFL playoffs approach, fans and analysts alike are eagerly anticipating which teams will make it to the final 8 and ultimately have a shot at winning the Super Bowl. In this post, we will project the odds of each team making it to the Super Bowl and analyze potential divisional matchups.

    AFC:

    1. Kansas City Chiefs: The defending Super Bowl champions are once again the favorites to win it all. Led by superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs have a high-powered offense that can score at will. Their defense has also improved throughout the season, making them a formidable opponent for any team. Potential divisional matchup: Buffalo Bills

    2. Buffalo Bills: The Bills have emerged as a strong contender in the AFC, led by quarterback Josh Allen and wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Their defense has also been solid, giving them a well-rounded team that can compete with anyone. Potential divisional matchup: Kansas City Chiefs

    3. Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers started the season undefeated but have since stumbled. However, with a talented defense and a capable offense led by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, they still have a shot at making a deep playoff run. Potential divisional matchup: Baltimore Ravens

    4. Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens have one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league in Lamar Jackson, who can single-handedly change the outcome of a game. Their defense has also been solid, making them a tough opponent for any team. Potential divisional matchup: Pittsburgh Steelers

    NFC:

    1. Green Bay Packers: Led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Packers have been dominant on offense this season. Their defense has also improved, making them a well-rounded team that is capable of making a deep playoff run. Potential divisional matchup: New Orleans Saints

    2. New Orleans Saints: The Saints have a high-powered offense led by quarterback Drew Brees and running back Alvin Kamara. Their defense has also been strong, giving them a balanced team that can compete with anyone. Potential divisional matchup: Green Bay Packers

    3. Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks have one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Russell Wilson, who can make plays with both his arm and his legs. Their defense has been suspect at times, but their offense is potent enough to make up for it. Potential divisional matchup: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

    4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Led by quarterback Tom Brady, the Buccaneers have a high-powered offense that can put up points in a hurry. Their defense has also been solid, making them a tough team to beat. Potential divisional matchup: Seattle Seahawks

    Overall, the final 8 NFL playoff teams all have a legitimate shot at winning the Super Bowl, with each team having its own strengths and weaknesses. It will be exciting to see how the playoffs unfold and which team ultimately comes out on top. Stay tuned for more analysis and predictions as the playoffs progress.

    Tags:

    • NFL playoff teams
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    • Divisional matchups
    • NFL playoff predictions
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    #Projecting #final #NFL #playoff #teams #odds #win #Super #Bowl #divisional #matchup #analysis

  • 2025 NFL Divisional Round Start Sit Decisions: Buy Jared Goff


    Quarterback

    Start: Jared Goff, Lions

    Sportsbooks have conservatively projected the Lions to score nearly a billion points this week. Their 32.5 implied team total is six points higher than any other team. Even as a 10-point favorite, Goff should have no issues racking up fantasy points. In eight victories of 10+ points this season, Goff has averaged 20.2 fantasy points per game. That would be good for the QB5 on the year.

    Sit: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

    Among the remaining playoff quarterbacks, only Matthew Stafford and C.J. Stroud—the passers for the teams with the lowest implied totals this week—have fewer 25-point fantasy games than Mahomes. The inevitable Super Bowl LIX champion has the league’s third-lowest aDOT (6.9) and deep throw rate (7.9 percent). As 8.5-point favorites over the Texans, the Chiefs aren’t likely to push the ball downfield, meaning we’re in for another dink-and-dunk game from Mahomes.

    Running Back

    Start: James Cook, Bills

    Cook isn’t the best running back play of the slate, but he might be the most underrated. As long as the Bills keep things close—the spread is 1.5 points in favor of Baltimore—being a slight underdog shouldn’t be an issue for Cook. In one-possession situations, the Bills’ 45 percent run rate ranks ninth in the NFL. Buffalo logged a -2% pass rate over expected this year.

    bufproe.png

    The 51.5 total in this game is high enough to have the Bills with a better implied team total than the Eagles, despite the Eagles being favored and Buffalo entering the weekend as a dog.

    Start: David Montgomery, Lions

    I have no clue how much David Montgomery will play on Saturday. But, he practiced in full throughout the week and didn’t even get a game-day designation. That would normally tell me he is good to go for Detroit’s upcoming game. The Lions and their massive team total are all going to be popular this week. The only way to get access to the team at any ownership discount might be via taking the plunge on their goal line back who finished the regular season with the fifth-most carries inside the five-yard line despite missing three games.

    Sit: Joe Mixon, Texans

    I got burned fading Mixon last week, but to be fair to Wild Card Kyle, the thesis was that Mixon would not be able to handle the negative game script. The Texans bodied the Chargers, teeing up Mixon for a great game. There’s no way they pull off the upset as 8.5-point dogs, right? Mixon has been a true RB1 in wins and a nightmare in losses this year.

    mixonsplits.png

    The most shocking part of this split is his decrease in receiving output in losses. That’s probably noise, but Mixon has also topped a 60 percent route rate in just two games. The Texans use Dare Ogunbowale as their two-minute back, capping Mixon’s receiving production in losses. On a slate loaded with stars at running back, Mixon isn’t a priority option.

    Sit: Kyren Williams, Rams

    My advice at running back boils down to fading the two players on the teams with the lowest team totals. Their modest receiving workloads make the argument even easier. Williams’ eight percent target share ranks 37th among running backs. His mark of .52 yards per route run is two running backs shy of the worst in the NFL. Williams’ fantasy value is entirely based on touchdowns, and only the Texans project to score fewer points than LA in the Divisional Round.

    Wide Receiver

    Start: Nico Collins, Texans

    It’s not shaping up to be a good week for Texans fans, but things set up awfully well for their superstar wideout. The Chiefs run Quarters coverage at the second-highest rate in the NFL (20 percent). Collins leads the NFL in yards per route run versus Quarters at 6.2. The gap between him and the No. 2 receiver, Drake London, is as wide as the gap between London and the No. 55 wideout. Collins also leads the NFL in YPRR versus Cover 1, Kansas City’s second-most common look.

    Start: Hollywood Brown, Chiefs

    Brown only played in two games during the regular season before being given two weeks to prepare for the postseason. The speedy wideout earned a 19 percent target share and a 26 percent air yards share in the pair of appearances. That was while running a route on just 40 percent of the team’s dropbacks. Brown posted mind-bending marks of .44 targets and 2.7 yards per route. Even as those numbers dip with more volume, a potentially drastic uptick in routes will more than make up for the efficiency regression.

    Sit: Cooper Kupp, Rams

    It appears to be over for Kupp. The former superstar receiver has earned an 11 percent target share while being targeted on 11 percent of his routes over his past four games. For reference, Puka Nacua has seen 40 percent of LA’s targets with a .37 TPRR during that stretch. The Rams have moved Nacua into the ‘Kupp role’, leaving mostly intermediate and deep targets for the namesake of the elite role itself. Facing a Philly defense that prides itself on preventing big plays, expect plenty of Nacua once again.

    Sit: Amari Cooper, Bills

    When asked who their No. 2 receiver would be for the playoffs, the Bills simply answered “No” in the Wild Card Round. Khalil Shakir ran 72 percent of the routes while no other Buffalo wideout topped a 53 percent route rate. Cooper finished fifth among the team’s receivers in route rate at 41 percent. He earned a measly three targets.

    Tight End

    Start: Isaiah Likely, Ravens

    Likely’s fantasy viability depends on Zay Flowers’ health. He’s a fun dart throw if Flowers, who has not practiced this week, is active. Likely is a must-play if the young wideout can’t suit up. Likely ran 73 percent of the routes and earned a team-high 21 percent target share last week. The Ravens don’t have the receiver depth to backfill Flowers’ targets, but they do have the manpower at tight end to do so. Expect Likely to be heavily involved as long as Flowers is out or even limited versus Buffalo.

    Sit: Dalton Kincaid, Bills

    We got more of the same from Kincaid in the Wild Card Round. He only ran 66 percent of the routes and earned a pedestrian 12 percent target share. The last time he ran more than 70 percent of the routes was in Week 9. A good week for Kincaid sees him playing a similar role to Isaiah Likely, who is cheaper in DFS and plays on a team projected to score more points.





    It’s 2025 and we’re gearing up for the NFL Divisional Round, which means it’s time to make some tough start/sit decisions for your fantasy team. One player you should strongly consider buying in this round is Jared Goff.

    Goff has been a steady and reliable quarterback for the past few seasons, and he’s shown that he can perform well in high-pressure playoff games. In the Divisional Round, he’ll be facing off against a tough defense, but his ability to read defenses and make quick decisions should give him an edge.

    If you have Goff on your team, don’t hesitate to start him in this crucial round. He has the potential to put up big numbers and lead your team to victory. Trust in Goff and make him a key part of your lineup as you chase that championship title.

    Tags:

    1. 2025 NFL Divisional Round
    2. Start Sit Decisions
    3. Buy Jared Goff
    4. NFL playoffs
    5. Fantasy football
    6. Jared Goff trade
    7. NFL Divisional Round predictions
    8. Fantasy football advice
    9. NFL quarterback rankings
    10. NFL player analysis

    #NFL #Divisional #Start #Sit #Decisions #Buy #Jared #Goff

    January 19, 2025

  • Irv Smith Jr. and 11 ex-Vikings playing in the Divisional Round this weekend


    While the Minnesota Vikings saw their 2024 season come to an end this past Monday, there are still several former members of their roster who will be competing in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs this weekend.

    Of the eight teams that will be battling it out in the AFC and NFC, the Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, and Detroit Lions will all take the field for their matchups with at least one former Vikings player on their roster.

    Some of these former Minnesota players are household names while others had stints with the franchise that weren’t very memorable. After this weekend, some of these ex-Vikings will be even closer to winning a Super Bowl ring this season.

    12 former Minnesota Vikings competing in the Divisional Round of the 2024 NFL playoffs

    Saturday

    Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs – 3:30 p.m. CST

    Former Vikings

    Kris Boyd – DB (Texans)
    Danielle Hunter – Edge (Texans)
    Irv Smith Jr. – TE (Texans)

    Danielle Hunter is the most notable former Minnesota player taking part in this matchup. In his first NFL season away from the Vikings, Hunter has continued to be a dominant pass rusher for Houston.

    During the Texans’ first-round playoff win over the Los Angeles Chargers last week, the former Minnesota defender generated five pressures and three tackles. Houston will need Hunter to have a similar performance, if not something even better, in order to upset the heavily favored Chiefs on Saturday.

    Washington Commanders at Detoit Lions – 7:00 p.m. CST

    Former Vikings

    Sheldon Day – DL (Commanders)
    Jalyn Holmes – DL (Commanders)
    K.J. Osborn – WR (Commanders)

    Teddy Bridgewater – QB (Lions)
    Za’Darius Smith – OLB (Lions)
    Jonah Williams – DL (Lions)
    Shane Zylstra – TE (Lions)

    This is the playoff contest from the Divisional Round that will feature the most former Vikings players.

    Jalyn Holmes, K.J. Osborn, and Teddy Bridgewater are all former Minnesota draft picks while guys like Za’Darius Smith and Sheldon Day played notable roles on some of the recent teams put out on the field by the Vikings during the Kevin O’Connell era.

    Sunday

    Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles – 2:00 p.m. CST

    Former Vikings

    Lewis Cine – S (Eagles)

    After spending the majority of the 2024 season on the Buffalo Bills practice squad, former Minnesota first-round pick Lewis Cine signed with Philadelphia shortly before the team’s first-round playoff game against the Green Bay Packers last week.

    Cine was a healthy scratch for the matchup against the Packers, but it’s unknown if the Eagles will have him suit up to take on the Rams on Sunday or not.

    Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills – 5:30 p.m. CST

    Former Vikings

    Michael Pierce – DT (Ravens)

    During the 2020 offseason, Michael Pierce was viewed as one of the Vikings’ top new additions after they signed him to a multi-year contract in free agency.

    But Pierce’s tenure with Minnesota fell well short of his initial expectations, as he sat out the entire 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and then injuries limited him to just eight games for Minnesota in the 2021 campaign.

    After that season, he re-joined the Ravens, which is the team he played for before signing with the Vikings in 2020, and now he’s attempting to help Baltimore reach its first Super Bowl since 2012.

    More Vikings News and Analysis



    Irv Smith Jr. and 11 ex-Vikings playing in the Divisional Round this weekend

    As the NFL playoffs continue on, there are several former Minnesota Vikings players who will be taking the field in the Divisional Round this weekend. One of those players is Irv Smith Jr., who spent the first three seasons of his career with the Vikings before being traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this year.

    Joining Smith in the Divisional Round are 11 other ex-Vikings players, including quarterback Case Keenum, who will be leading the Cleveland Browns against the Buffalo Bills. Keenum famously led the Vikings to the NFC Championship game in the 2017 season.

    Other former Vikings players in action this weekend include wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who will be facing off against Keenum and the Browns as a member of the Bills, as well as defensive end Everson Griffen, who will be suiting up for the Dallas Cowboys.

    It’s always interesting to see former Vikings players finding success with other teams in the playoffs, and this weekend will be no exception. Be sure to tune in to see how these ex-Vikings fare in the Divisional Round!

    Tags:

    Irv Smith Jr., ex-Vikings, Divisional Round, NFL playoffs, football, Minnesota Vikings, former players, playoff weekend, postseason, NFL matchups, football news, sports analysis, game preview, player updates

    #Irv #Smith #exVikings #playing #Divisional #weekend

  • Texans vs. Chiefs score, live updates: Kansas City’s road to a 3-peat opens vs. Houston in divisional round


    Inevitable is a word that’s been thrown around about the Kansas City Chiefs throughout this season, as they try to march toward a historic third straight Super Bowl title. They opened 13-0, and their only two losses in the regular season were at Buffalo and at Denver in Week 18 with the No. 1 seed locked up and the starters on the bench.

    They’ve won every way imaginable this season, and while good teams make their own luck, that has some thinking Kansas City might be vulnerable. While playing up — or sometimes apparently down — to its competition isn’t in question, the rust vs. rest argument may come into play. The Chiefs haven’t played a meaningful game in the standings since Christmas Day — a 24-day layoff for the Chiefs’ top players.

    The Texans and Chiefs met in Week 16, on the Saturday before Christmas, a 27-19 K.C. win.

    The Texans were last seen making short work of the Los Angeles Chargers, 32-12 in the wild-card round. Joe Mixon rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown, and C.J. Stroud threw for 282 yards and a score. He and head coach DeMeco Ryans became just the third quarterback-head coach combo — along with Mark Sanchez and Rex Ryan (Jets), and Joe Flacco and John Harbaugh (Ravens) — to win playoff games in their first two NFL seasons together. A Texans upset would mean the first AFC championship game appearance in franchise history.

    Partly cloudy skies and cold temperatures are expected for Saturday afternoon in Kansas City, with kickoff temps expected around 20 degrees and potentially dropping into the teens as the sun goes down.

    Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
    Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium | Kansas City, Mo.
    TV Channel: ABC, ESPN
    Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo

    Live15 updates

    • C.J. Stroud limping

      C.J. Stroud limped off the field after being tackled by George Karlaftis, perhaps with an ankle injury. He’s getting checked out on the sideline, but appears to be all right.

    • Field goal: Texans 3, Chiefs 3

      After a 13-yard pass from C.J. Stroud to Nico Collins gave Houston a 1st-and-10 at the Chiefs’ 14-yard line, the Texans’ drive stalled.

      Joe Mixon ran for no gain, followed by an incomplete pass from Stroud and a two-yard scramble.

      Ka’imi Fairbairn ties the game with a 30-yard field goal.

    • Chiefs’ Trent McDuffie to the medical tent

      Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie was shaken up while tackling Joe Mixon on 2nd-and-5. He came out of the game and went to the blue medical tent to get checked out.

      However, McDuffie is now back in the game after missing five plays.

    • Stroud to Schultz for 34 yards

      Houston gets an explosive play on its opening drive with C.J. Stroud hitting Dalton Schultz for a 34-yard pass. That moves the Texans to the Kansas City 35-yard line.

    • Field goal: Chiefs 3, Texans 0

      The Texans’ defense holds after that big kickoff return by the Chiefs. Isiah Pacheco loses a yard on his first carry, then Patrick Mahomes throws two incomplete passes.

      Kansas City has to settle for a field goal and Harrison Butker kicks a 32-yarder for a 3–0 lead.

    • Eventful opening kickoff

      Houston won the coin toss and will defer to the second half. So the Chiefs’ offense will take the field first.

      Nikko Remigio returned the kickoff 63 yards for Kansas City, but fumbled while being tackled by Kris Boyd. Samaje Perine recovered for the Chiefs.

      Boyd was then flagged 15 yards for taking of his helmet, giving the Chiefs the ball at Houston’s 13-yard line. He followed that blunder up with a shove of special teams coach Frank Ross. What a start, Houston.

    • National anthem hitting Chris Jones in the emotions

      Lanell Lightfoot’s rendition of the national anthem before kickoff got Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones feeling his emotions.

    • Will Mahomes be rusty?

      A big storyline early on will be whether or not Patrick Mahomes is rusty after a long layoff — 23 days, to be exact.

    • Chiefs defeated Texans in Week 16

      The Chiefs and Texans played during the regular season in Week 16 and Kansas City won, 27–19.

      Patrick Mahomes passed for 260 yards and one touchdown, completing 28-of-41 passes. Xavier Worthy caught seven passes for 65 yards and a score. Kareem Hunt had 11 carries for 55 yards and a TD. Mahomes also ran for a TD.

      For Houston, C.J. Stroud completed 23-of-39 passes for 244 yards, two TDs and two interceptions. Tank Dell notched six receptions for 98 yards and a TD. Joe Mixon rushed for 57 yards on 14 carries.

    • Joe Mixon good to go for Texans

    • Inactives for Chiefs-Texans

    • Taylor’s in the house for Texans-Chiefs





    The highly anticipated matchup between the Houston Texans and the defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, is finally here. Both teams are coming off impressive wins in the wild card round and are looking to advance to the AFC Championship game.

    The Chiefs are aiming for a historic third consecutive trip to the Super Bowl, but the Texans are not going down without a fight. Deshaun Watson and company are determined to pull off the upset and advance to the next round.

    Stay tuned for live updates on the Texans vs. Chiefs score as the game unfolds. Will the Chiefs continue their dominance or will the Texans pull off a stunning upset? Follow along to find out! #TexansvsChiefs #NFLPlayoffs

    Tags:

    Texans vs. Chiefs score, live updates, Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, NFL playoffs, divisional round, 3-peat, road to Super Bowl, Mahomes vs. Watson, AFC showdown, Arrowhead Stadium, NFL playoffs live updates

    #Texans #Chiefs #score #live #updates #Kansas #Citys #road #3peat #opens #Houston #divisional

  • FanDuel Sportsbook promo code for NFL Divisional Round: How to bet Chiefs vs. Texans, Commanders vs. Lions


    One round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs is over and now we’ll turn our attention to the NFL Divisional Round, which begins on Saturday with a pair of games. The action begins with the Kansas City Chiefs at home against the Houston Texans at 4:30 p.m. ET and continues with the Detroit Lions hosting the Washington Commanders at 8 p.m. ET. The Chiefs and Lions were the No. 1 seeds in their respective divisions and are favored coming off a bye.

    The latest 2025 NFL Divisional Round odds lists Kansas City as an 8.5-point favorite in its matchup, while Detroit is favored by 9.5. Both teams went 15-2 on the season and at least advanced to the conference championship round a year ago, with the Lions bowing out in the NFC Championship Game to the 49ers and the Chiefs going on to win their third Super Bowl title in five years.

    The Texans and Commanders are both on the rise with talented young quarterbacks leading the charge. C.J. Stroud was last year’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and has led Houston to back-to-back AFC South titles, while Jayden Daniels is this year’s frontrunner for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and led Washington to its first 12-win season since 1991. The NFL over-under for Chiefs vs. Texans is 41.5 (the lowest of the week), while Lions vs. Commanders has a total of 55.5 (the highest) in this week’s NFL lines.

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    Texans at Chiefs (Saturday)

    • Kickoff time 4:30 p.m. ET
    • Point spread Chiefs -8.5
    • Money line Chiefs -357, Texans +375
    • Total 41.5

    Picks and more to know

    Kansas City begins its quest to become the first franchise to win three straight Super Bowls on Saturday when the team hosts Houston in a Divisional Round game. The matchup is a rematch of a Week 16 game, also in Kansas City, which the Chiefs won 27-19. That game was a one-score contest for its entirety and wasn’t clinched until Kansas City milked the final 3:41 off the clock.

    The Chiefs forced the only two turnovers of the game, both interceptions of Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, and converted those turnovers into 10 points. The victory was the fourth straight for Kansas City over Houston, a streak that began in a Divisional Round playoff game in 2019. The Chiefs’ average margin of victory in those games has been 12 points.

    This season, Kansas City (15-2) has been led by one of the best defenses in the league. During the regular season, the Chiefs allowed just 19.2 points per game, which ranked fourth in the NFL. The defense allowed the team to pull out close wins week after week. Of the Chiefs’ 15 wins, 11 came by 8 points or fewer. 

    While Kansas City is looking to reach the AFC Championship Game for a seventh straight season, the Texans are in search of the franchise’s first AFC Championship Game appearance. They are 0-5 in the Divisional Round and 0-5 on the road in the postseason, including a 34-10 loss at Baltimore last season.

    This year, Houston has been carried by a play-making defense. The Texans ranked second in the NFL in the regular season in interceptions (19), fourth in sacks (49) and fifth in total defense (315.0 yards per game). In last week’s Wild Card win over the Chargers, Houston became the first team since the 2000 Ravens to allow a sub-45% completion percentage, register 4-plus sacks and intercept 4-plus passes in a playoff game.

    SportsLine experts Jason La Canfora and Alex Selesnick have both entered picks for this matchup, and the SportsLine Projection Model says one team covers in more than 50% of simulations.

    Commanders at Lions (Saturday)

    • Kickoff time 8 p.m. ET
    • Point spread Lions -9.5
    • Money line Lions -485, Commanders +430
    • Total 55.5

    Picks and more to know

    Detroit can move one step closer toward ending the franchise’s Super Bowl drought when the Lions host Washington in a NFC Divisional Round game Saturday night. The Lions famously have never been to the Super Bowl and have reached the NFC Championship Game just twice. One of those appearances came last year when they lost to the 49ers 34-31. 

    This season, Detroit (15-2) earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC despite a litany of injuries, particularly on defense. No injury was more impactful than losing all-world defensive end Aidan Hutchinson for the season with a broken fibula. 

    With the defense playing at less than 100%, the Lions have ridden an explosive and balanced offense. Detroit led the league during the regular season in scoring offense (33.2 points per game) and ranked second in both total offense (409.5 yards per game) and passing offense (263.2). Quarterback Jared Goff ranked fourth in the league in passing yards (4,629), and running back Jahmyr Gibbs was fifth in rushing yards (1,412). Goff and Co. will face a Commanders defense that ranked third against the pass during the regular season (189.5 yards per game) but gave up 23 points per game, which was 18th in the NFL.

    Much of Washington’s turnaround from a 4-13 record in 2023 to 13-5 this season can be attributed to rookie sensation Jayden Daniels. The runaway favorite to win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award, Daniels set rookie quarterback records for completion percentage (69%) and rushing yards (891) during the regular season. In last week’s 23-20 victory over the Buccaneers, Daniels ran for a crucial first down to help set up a game-winning 37-yard field goal as time expired.

    SportsLine experts Jason La Canfora and Matt Severance have entered picks for this matchup, and the SportsLine Projection Model says one team covers in almost 60% of simulations.

    Rams at Eagles (Sunday)

    • Kickoff time 3 p.m. ET
    • Point spread Eagles -6
    • Money line Eagles -278, Rams +235
    • Total 44

    Picks and more to know

    Two hot teams collide when the Eagles and Rams square off in a Divisional Round game on Sunday in Philadelphia. The Eagles have won 13 of their last 14 games. Their only loss over that stretch came to the Commanders in Week 16 when quarterback Jalen Hurts was forced to leave the game with a concussion. Meanwhile, the Rams have won six of their last seven games. But their lone defeat over that time came against the Seahawks in Week 18 when Los Angeles rested its starters.

    Sunday’s game will be a rematch of a Week 12 contest between the two teams, which Philadelphia won 37-20 in Los Angeles. In that game, the Eagles’ Saquon Barkley ran all over the Rams, rushing for a franchise-record 255 yards and scoring two touchdowns.

    Philadelphia isn’t likely to veer much from that gameplan. Led by Barkley, who had one of the best seasons by a running back in NFL history (2,005 rushing yards), and a ruthlessly efficient offensive line, the Eagles ranked second in the league in rushing (179.3 yards per game) during the regular season. On Sunday, they will face a Rams defense that allowed the 11th-most rushing yards (2,210) in 2024.

    However, the L.A. defense has proven to be difficult to run on in the playoffs. In 12 postseason games under coach Sean McVay, the Rams have not allowed even one 100-yard rusher. If they can slow Barkley and force Philadelphia into third-and-long situations, that will free up the L.A. pass rush, which generated nine sacks in Monday’s 27-9 win over the Vikings.

    On offense, the Rams will rely on Super Bowl-winning quarterback Matthew Stafford, who enters the game on a roll. Over his last eight games played, Stafford is 7-1 and has thrown 13 touchdowns against one interception. He will face an Eagles defense that led the league in pass defense (174.2 yards per game) but will be without star linebacker Nakobe Dean, who is out for the season with a knee injury.

    SportsLine experts R.J. White and Jason La Canfora have both entered picks for this matchup, and the SportsLine Projection Model says one team covers in almost 60% of simulations.

    Ravens at Bills (Sunday)

    • Kickoff time 6:30 p.m. ET
    • Point spread Ravens -1.5
    • Money line Ravens -106, Bills +104
    • Total 51.5

    Picks and more to know

    NFL’s Divisional Round concludes with arguably the best matchup of the weekend: Buffalo hosting Baltimore. The game features the top two favorites to win the NFL MVP award in the Bills’ Josh Allen and the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, as well as two of the top three scoring offenses in the league. Buffalo averaged 30.9 points per game in the regular season and Baltimore averaged 30.5.

    The teams met earlier this season, and the game wasn’t close. The Ravens routed the Bills 35-10 in Week 4 in Baltimore. In that game, Henry ran for 199 yards, including an 87-yard touchdown on the Ravens’ first play from scrimmage. Jackson accounted for three more touchdowns, including two through the air. Baltimore limited Buffalo to a season-low 10 points, forced Allen to his worst game of the season and outgained the Bills in total yards 427 to 236.

    The dominant performance was just one of many for the Ravens this season. They led the NFL during the regular season in total offense (424.9 yards per game) and rushing offense (187.6). Jackson, already a two-time league MVP, became the first quarterback in NFL history with 40-plus passing touchdowns and fewer than five interceptions in a season. 

    The Bills, however, have a couple things going for them that they didn’t have in that first meeting. First, Sunday’s game will be at Highmark Stadium, where Buffalo is 9-0 this season. The Bills’ average margin of victory in those nine games was 17.4. That includes a 31-7 victory over a streaking Broncos team in last week’s AFC Wild Card game.

    Additionally, Buffalo will enter the Divisional Round matchup much more healthy that it did the Week 4 contest. Three key defensive starters who missed the first game—linebackers Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard and nickel cornerback Taron Johnson—are set to face Baltimore on Sunday. The presence of Milano may be the most important. A first-team All-Pro player in 2022, Milano played just four games during the regular season. But last week against Denver, he had five tackles (tied for second on the team) and a sack while showcasing flashes of his All-Pro form.

    SportsLine experts Mike Tierney, Larry Hartstein, Jason La Canfora and Erik Kuselias have entered spread picks for this matchup, and the SportsLine Projection Model says one team covers in more than 50% of simulations.

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  • Texans vs. Chiefs inactives: Who is out for Houston in divisional round


    .

    .

    The Houston Texans are relatively healthy heading into Saturday’s divisional round showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.

    Linebacker Devin White headlines the list of inactive players for the Texans. While linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, wide receiver Robert Woods and running back Joe Mixon were all listed as questionable, the trio of names will take the field at 3:30 p.m.

    For Kansas City, offensive tackle Wanya Morris is the top name out for Saturday’s matchup. Defensive back Deon Bush and tackle Ethan Driskell also aren’t expected to play.

    The Texans are riding high after their defense forced Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert into throwing four interceptions during last week’s wild-card round win. That could bode well for a Texans defensive unit facing Patrick Mahomes, DeAndre Hopkins and Travis Kelce.

    C.J. Stroud’s sophomore slump took a backseat last week as he led all passing with 289 yards and a touchdown. Mixon’s 17-yard scramble in the fourth quarter put the game away while Derek Stingley Jr. iced it with his second interception.

    The Texans look to average their December loss to the Chiefs, while Kansas City looks to keep their playoff win streak rolling on Saturday. With a win, the Texans would advance to the conference championship for the first time in franchise history.

    With a win, Kanas City could advance to the conference championship for the seventh consecutive postseason. With a victory next week, the Chiefs would return to the Super Bowl for the third straight season and fifth time in six seasons.

    Here are the inactive players for the Chiefs:

    • OT CJ Hanson

    • OT Ethan Driskell

    • DE Malik Herring

    • DE Joshua Uche

    • S Deon Bush

    • CB Keith Taylor

    • OL Wanya Morris

    Here is the inactive list for the Texans:

    • OL Nick Broeker

    • DE Jerry Hughes

    • LB Devin White

    • RB J.J. Taylor

    • C Kendrick Green

    • DT Kurt Hinish

    Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. CT. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN and ABC.

    This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans vs. Chiefs inactives: Who is out for Houston in divisional round



    As the Houston Texans prepare to take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round of the playoffs, here is a list of players who are inactive for the Texans:

    1. WR Will Fuller V – Fuller has been dealing with a groin injury and will not be able to suit up for this crucial game.

    2. CB Gareon Conley – Conley is also sidelined due to a lingering hip injury, leaving the Texans’ secondary a bit shorthanded.

    3. TE Jordan Akins – Akins has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, depriving quarterback Deshaun Watson of one of his reliable targets.

    4. LB Benardrick McKinney – McKinney is dealing with a concussion and will not be available to help anchor the Texans’ defense.

    5. DE Carlos Watkins – Watkins is inactive due to a hamstring injury, weakening the Texans’ pass rush.

    These key players being out will certainly be a challenge for the Texans as they face a tough Chiefs team. It will be up to the remaining players to step up and fill the void left by these inactives. Let’s see if the Texans can overcome these obstacles and pull off a victory on the road.

    Tags:

    Texans vs. Chiefs inactives, Houston in divisional round, Texans roster updates, AFC playoffs, NFL injury report, Divisional round matchups, Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans injuries, NFL gameday updates.

    #Texans #Chiefs #inactives #Houston #divisional

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