The NFL wild-card round certainly lived up to its name.
denver broncos and this Seattle Seahawks — the top seeds in the AFC and NFC, respectively — will be in action in the divisional round this upcoming weekend after earning first-round byes.
The Broncos will face visiting AFC buffalo billJoe survived a wild ending against jacksonville jaguars That included four touchdowns in a back-and-forth fourth quarter.
Patriot Stop los angeles chargersAnd New England will host it houston texans.
In the NFC, the Seahawks will host san francisco 49ersWho scored the final 13 points in their first-round matchup with the defending Super Bowl champions philadelphia eagles To achieve victory.
Bear Erased 18 points deficit against green Bay Packers in their wild-card matchup, and Chicago will host it Los Angeles Rams. Ram was able to overtake carolina panthers thanks to a Matthew Stafford Go-ahead touchdown pass with 38 seconds remaining.
Here’s a look at the odds for each game in the Divisional Round, with initial reactions and bets from Matt Bowen, Pamela Maldonado and Seth Walder.
Attention: from obstacles DraftKings Sportsbook And is subject to change.
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(6) buffalo bill at -1.5 (1) denver broncos
Saturday, 4:30 PM ET (CBS)
Line Movement: Broncos opened -1.5
money line: Bill (-118); Broncos (-102)
Total: 46.5; Opened: 46.5
FPI Favorite: The Broncos will win the game outright with a 0.3 to 50% chance
betting notes
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The Bills defeated the Broncos 31–7 in the wild-card round last season, but that game was played in Buffalo.
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The Broncos are 3-9 favorites against the spread this season.
(6) san francisco 49ers at 1) Seattle Seahawks -7
Saturday, 8pm ET (Fox)
money line: Seahawks (-275); 49ers (+275)
Total: 45.5; Opened: 46.5
FPI Favorite: Seahawks 3.7 to win game outright with 60.0% chance
Walder’s first bet: Total points under 46.5 (-110)
That’s not just because the Week 18 contest between these teams ended with a total of 16 points. I’m more focused on the fact Sam Darnold It’s been a completely different quarterback since Week 11. Through the first 10 weeks of the season, Darnold led the league in QBR. Weeks 11 to 18? He ranked 27th (!), only ahead of geno smith, shadure sanders And brady cook. The 49ers will also play heavily against loaded personnel and invite Seattle to make a run. I expect the Seahawks to agree and have a fair amount of success. But succeeding with a run results in much fewer points than succeeding with a pass. And the Seahawks’ defense is capable of slowing down or shutting down completely (george kittel-Under) 49ers, I’ll happily take the under.
Last week: Packers-Bears over 45.5 (Total points: 58)
Moody’s first bet: Jackson Smith-Njigba 100+ receiving yards (+137)
Smith-Njigba is entering this rematch with confidence after being the focal point in Seattle’s Week 18 win over San Francisco. Seattle is rested, playing at home and facing the 49ers’ defense may be shorthanded again, and Smith-Njigba has already shown he can produce against San Francisco’s coverages. This sets up yet another spot where the Seahawks can lean on their top receiver, who has averaged 9.6 targets and 105.5 receiving yards per game in a high-stakes matchup against a division rival this season.
(5) houston texans on two) new England Patriots -3
Sunday, 3 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN)
money line: Patriots (-155), Texans (+130)
Total: 41.5; Opened: 41.5
Bowen’s first bet: Total points under 41.5 (-105)
Houston and New England’s defenses dictated the outcome of their wild card wins: pass rush, coverage and late movement in the secondary. And both units ranked in the top 5 in defensive scoring during the regular season. Under seems like a safe play here.
betting notes
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The Patriots went 12–5 ATS in the regular season, tied for the best record in the NFL. The over went 11-6 in Patriots games, tied for the second-highest over percentage. The Pats covered against the Chargers on Sunday night and the game went under the score.
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New England Signal-Caller drake may Including the playoffs (this entire season), he is 9-3 ATS as a favorite in his career.
(5) Los Angeles Rams -3.5 hrs (2) Chicago Bears
Sunday, 6:30 pm ET (NBC)
money line: Rams (-192); Bear (+160)
Total: 51.5; Opened: 51.5
FPI Favorite: The Rams will win the game outright by 4.4 and with a 62% chance
Bowen’s first bet: Total points over 51.5 (-110)
The Rams and the Bears feature top 10 scoring offenses, and I’m betting on the playcallers in this matchup as well. Sean McVay and Ben Johnson will have answers on the call sheet to create explosive plays, especially in the pass game. Take over.
Last week: Bears +1.5 vs. Packers (Bears won 31-27)
Maldonado’s first bet: total points over 51.5 (-110)
If this game creates instability then it is over hit. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford Will be aggressive against a defense that doesn’t generate pressure, and Chicago QB Caleb Williams‘The desire to push the throw forward invites short fields. Quick points, mistakes and fast math.
Last week: Jaguars ML vs. Bills (Bills won 27-24)
