Only eight teams remain in the hunt for Super Bowl LIX. The Wild Card Round wrapped up on Monday night and wasn’t the most competitive series of games. Only one of the six games was decided by less than 10 points. The other 5 games were all won by at least 12 points. Could we see some closer games this weekend?
Let’s quickly recap the Wild Card Round and preview each Divisional Round game with the best bet.
Bet on the NFL
Wild Card Round Recap and Divisional Round Preview
Wild Card Weekend began with a blowout in Houston, foreshadowing the rest of the round. The Texans upset the Chargers 32-12, which was followed by a dominant win for the Ravens over the Steelers later that night.
On Sunday, the Bills scored 31 unanswered points against the Broncos to win by 24. Meanwhile, the Eagles beat the Packers 22-10, and the Commanders capitalized on Tampa Bay’s mistakes to kick a game-winning field goal as time expired. The round finished with the Rams dominating the Vikings 27-9 on Monday night.
As the field narrows, the stakes rise. There are four games this weekend, so here’s a preview of each matchup along with a best bet.
Houston Texans vs Kansas City Chiefs Preview
The Texans are coming off a dominant win in the Wild Card Round over the Chargers. Houston was a 3-point underdog at home, as oddsmakers seemed to have lost faith in C.J. Stroud and the offense after a rough end to the regular season. However, the Texans came out hungry.
Stroud had a fantastic game, throwing for over 300 yards with 3 touchdowns, showcasing the poise that made him a star in his rookie season. Meanwhile, the Houston defense intercepted Justin Herbert 4 times—more than his regular season total—to completely stifle the Chargers offense. It looked like a reenergized Texans team riding much-needed momentum into the Divisional Round.
Now, they face the Kansas City Chiefs, the AFC’s top seed. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are well-rested after a first-round bye, but that layoff could lead to early rust. While the Chiefs offense remains elite, their defense has shown vulnerability against mobile quarterbacks, which Stroud can exploit with his ability to extend plays.
Take the Texans on this sizable spread to keep the game competitive against a Chiefs team that might start slow.
OUR PICK: TEXANS +8.5 (-110)
Washington Commanders vs Detroit Lions Preview
The only close game of the Wild Card Round was between the Commanders and Buccaneers. Washington’s rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels, looked like a seasoned veteran in his playoff debut. He threw for 268 yards with 2 touchdowns and added 87 rushing yards to lead his team to victory. It was an impressive win for the Commanders, who showed resilience in a high-pressure moment.
However, the challenge only grows tougher this weekend. The Detroit Lions are fresh off a bye and have home-field advantage at Ford Field, where their raucous fanbase will be a factor. The Lions could also get a significant boost with the potential return of running back David Montgomery, who’s missed the last few weeks with a knee injury. Paired with Jahmyr Gibbs, Montgomery could make Detroit’s backfield a nightmare for Washington’s defense.
The Lions’ passing attack, led by Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown, should also pose problems for a Commanders secondary that has struggled against top-tier offenses. While Washington’s defense has been solid, it’s hard to envision them keeping pace with a healthy Lions team firing on all cylinders.
Expect the Lions to cover the spread and secure a comfortable win at home.
OUR PICK: LIONS -9.5 (-110)
Los Angeles Rams vs Philadelphia Eagles Preview
Both the Rams and Eagles cruised to double-digit wins in the Wild Card Round. Now, they’ll face off in Philadelphia, where the Eagles are a touchdown favorite. Despite the spread, this game has the makings of a competitive matchup.
The Rams’ defense played lights out last week, limiting Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison to a combined 77 receiving yards. Sean McVay’s game plan focused on controlling the air attack while pressuring Kirk Cousins into mistakes. Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford looked sharp, throwing for 287 yards and 3 touchdowns against a Vikings defense known for its aggressive pass rush.
Philadelphia’s defense, however, is an entirely different beast. With stars like Zack Baun and Darius Slay, the Eagles can make life difficult for opposing quarterbacks. On the other side of the ball, Jalen Hurts continues to impress as one of the league’s most dynamic players, combining his elite rushing ability with an improved passing game.
For the Rams to have a chance, they’ll need to limit turnovers and contain Saquon Barkley, who torched them for 255 yards earlier this season. While the Eagles should ultimately prevail, Los Angeles has the tools to keep this game within the number.
OUR PICK: RAMS +6.5 (-110)
Baltimore Ravens vs Buffalo Bills Preview
The final game of the Divisional Round promises to be the best of the weekend. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens travel to Buffalo to face Josh Allen and the Bills in a clash of MVP-caliber quarterbacks.
Baltimore’s offense has been humming, with Jackson leading the way as both a passer and runner. The Ravens’ defense has also stepped up in recent weeks, forcing key turnovers and stifling opposing running games. However, they’ll face a Bills team that has been unbeatable at home this season.
Buffalo’s offense is loaded with weapons, from Amari Cooper and Dalton Kincaid in the passing game to James Cook in the backfield. Josh Allen’s ability to make plays under pressure will be crucial against a Ravens defense that loves to blitz. While the Bills have had their ups and downs this season, they’ve consistently risen to the occasion in front of their home crowd.
The line opened with Buffalo as a slight favorite, but it’s since shifted in Baltimore’s favor. Even so, getting points with the Bills at home is too good to pass up. Expect a hard-fought battle with Buffalo narrowly edging out the Ravens to advance to the AFC Championship.
OUR PICK: BILLS +1.5 (-110)
