Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
The five best NFL player prop bets to make for the upcoming week.
As the NFL reduces the number of teams that can win the Super Bowl from eight down to four, this week’s prop bet picks touch all four games.
The picks include a rookie sensation putting up numbers (but not a “W”), one San Francisco 49ers receiver scoring a touchdown while another underachieves (again), a veteran running back helping control a game, and a young running back taking his talents on the road in the playoffs for the first time.
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The five smartest wagers to take to the pay window for the Divisional Round.
For my money, with the potential exception of the first two days of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, there is no greater two days in sports than the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. Six teams had to earn their way there. The two best teams are rested and surrounded by friends waiting for somebody to come to their house trying to take it away from them.
This week’s picks mix it up, taking a game to go Over, one to go Under, both teams rested from their bye making a statement, and an underdog looking to continue its January dominance.
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Use our staff’s weekly pick’em against the spread and straight up for the win.
NFL picks are provided for straight up (moneyline) and against the spread (ATS) NFL pick pools.
Each week’s spread picks are graded by the line as of when the person entered their picks. This will create situations in which a movement of the line can result in two participants having the correct pick but with different teams chosen during an individual game.
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2023 Season-long rankings: moneyline
DMD – David Dorey, SG – Steve Gallo, HS – Harley Schultz, CC – Cletis Cutts, CJB – Cory Bonini, HCG – HC Green, KH – Kevin Hickey
A league-wide view into the best wagers to make for NFL Divisional Round action.
There is no better time in the NFL than the Divisional Round of the playoffs. The two top dogs are waiting. Everyone else earned their way to this spot. Let’s go! In the Wild Card Round, typically a couple underdog teams make it to next round. In the Divisional Round, there is always one. The question is which one? The NFL rarely goes all-chalk.
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook
The Ravens are understandably big favorites (9 points at -110 for both teams). They’re well rested having laid down in Week 18 to the Pittsburgh Steelers. When they’ve played all their guys, Baltimore won its last six games and 10 of the last 11. The Texans are great story, but the Ravens are assassins. They beat the Texans by 16 points in Week 1 and six of Baltimore’s last seven wins have been by double digits. Take the Ravens and lay 9 points (-110).
The Over/Under is the lowest of the week (44 points at -110 for both Over and Under). Week 18 excluded, the Ravens have scored more than 30 points in eight of their last 10 games, including against the Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins. The Texans have enough big-play ability to keep up for a while, just not 60 minutes. Take Over 44 point (-110).
The 49ers are the biggest favorites of the week (9.5 points at -110 for both teams). There’s a good reason for it. Their wins this season have come by 23, 7, 18, 19, 32, 31, 13, 18, 23, 12, 16 and 17. When you’ve hit 11 of 12 times, it’s hard to walk away from that pay window. Take the 49ers and lay 9.5 points (-110).
This is the highest Over/Under of the week (50.5 points at -110 for both). While both offenses are capable of putting up big numbers, if you’re of the belief that the 49ers are going to win, they’re going to take the air out of the ball in the second half, especially if the Packers can’t stop it. Take Under 50.5 points (-110).
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The Lions are solid favorites (6.5 points at -110 for both teams). This is more because of the Buccaneers than a Lions juggernaut. The Bucs played five regular-season games this year against teams that made the playoffs. They lost them all. Too many things have to happen right for the Bucs to cover this point. Take the Lions and lay 6.5 points (-110).
This Over/Under (48.5 points at -110 for both). The Lions have the best offensive line in the NFL. Dan Campbell is a newbie realist. If Detroit gets ahead by 10 points, they grind one 15-play drive that makes this number really hard to hit. Take Under 48.5 points (-110).
The Bills are a disrespected home playoff favorite (2.5 points at +100 Chiefs, -120 Bills). Since 2021, Josh Allen is 3-2 against the Chiefs – all on the road. He’s 3-0 in the regular season and 0-2 in the playoffs. The Chiefs have become like Muhammad Ali – you keep betting on him until you shouldn’t. Getting two-and-a-hook keeps multiple game scenarios in play. Take the Chiefs plus 2.5 points (+100).
Few would think the Over/Under would be this low (46 points at -110 for both teams). But, in their last two meetings, the point totals have been 44 and 37. That’s not a fluke. Both teams have discovered the running game, and with Buffalo’s defense so depleted in the back seven, both teams need to win by any means necessary. This has a 23-20 vibe more than it does a 35-31 likelihood – both which involve nine scoring drives. Take Under 46 points (-110).
A snapshot look at the NFL betting lines and odds for Divisional Round sports betting and DFS action.
A good way to start your weekly homework for DFS (daily fantasy sports) play is to analyze the Vegas odds for the Divisional Round.
These guys have a long history of making money off of setting the right game spread and points scored. So it can be an early indicator of teams to target due to high-scoring potential, and teams to avoid for the opposite reason.
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook
OFF = No odds currently listed.
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The five best NFL player prop bets to make for the upcoming week.
As we reach the “Elite Eight” round of the NFL playoffs, we take at least one prop bet from each game and mix things up. This week we take the most dynamic young receiver left in the playoffs to score a touchdown, a pair of NFC East players to hit Under their Over/Under numbers and a pair of receivers hitting Over for logical reasons.
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook
Use our staff’s weekly pick’em against the spread and straight up for the win.
The Huddle staff makes its weekly NFL game picks every Thursday.
NFL picks are provided for straight up (moneyline) and against the spread (ATS) NFL pick pools.
Each week’s spread picks are graded by the line as of when the person entered their picks. This will create situations in which a movement of the line can result in two participants having the correct pick but with different teams chosen during an individual game.
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook
DMD – David Dorey, SG – Steve Gallo, KP – Ken Pomponio, HS – Harley Schultz, CC – Cletis Cutts, CJB – Cory Bonini, HCG – HC Green
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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
The wisest wagers one should make for the upcoming NFL Divisional Round of the playoffs.
We have reached the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs and No. 1 seeds are getting their welcome to the dance on their home turf. For this week’s picks, we take two home teams covering the spread, one Over, and one Under.
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook
When these teams met in Week 10, Kansas City had one of its worst games in terms of turnovers (minus-3), yet still dominated and won 27-17. When you overcame three turnovers, built a 20-0 lead at halftime, and kept the Jaguars at arm’s length in the second half, how bad was it? The Chiefs had only three offensive drives in the second half but ran 29 plays and held the ball for 9:39 of the fourth quarter to close things out.
The Chiefs are heavy favorites (9 points at -111 Jaguars, -109 Chiefs), and the weather forecast calls for a rain/snow mix with temperatures in the mid-30s at game time. That doesn’t sound like Jaguars weather. The Chiefs won by 10 with a minus-three turnover number. Imagine if they win the turnover battle? Take the Chiefs and lay 9 points.
There is always something special about division rivals playing each other a third time in the postseason. They played in Week 18. In a twist of irony, the Giants knew their playoff seeding and the Eagles didn’t. As a result, Jalen Hurts shook off the rust against a Giants team resting numerous starters. The result? A 22-16 Eagles win that featured six field goals and three touchdowns.
In this rivalry, a score like that isn’t unusual, which is why the Over/Under number is a little puzzling (48 points at -109 Over, -111 Under). While the Eagles hammered the Giants in their first meeting this season, in their last six games these two have combined to hit Under this point five times – all by four points or more below this number. Familiarity will come into play and every point will be safeguarded, which again could lead to as many or more field goals as touchdowns. Take the Under (-111).
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The Damar Hamlin tragedy abruptly ended the regular-season meeting, which had huge postseason ramifications. The Bengals were ahead 7-3 and driving when the game stopped. Had they won, this rematch would be in Cincinnati. As much motivation as Hamlin is going to provide pregame to the Bills Mafia, the Bengals have their own motivation – revenge.
The Over/Under acknowledges points will be scored (48 points at -112 Over, -108 Under). Both defenses have playmakers, but the straw that stirs for both teams is their offenses. Their defenses can struggle and still win games. If their offenses struggle, it’s a lot harder to win. I see both offenses taking chances downfield and enough splash plays will happen that there are too many scenarios (good, bad or hideous for the losing team) that hit the Over to avoid. Take the Over (-112).
This is an ideal betting matchup, because the Cowboys have a dedicated fan base that has surrendered January money for pushing 30 years. America’s Torn Betting Slip. Fresh off their win against an aging core of a Buccaneers roster, the Cowboy Swagger is back in play and dreams of punching the 49ers in their Purdy mouth are afoot.
The result is that the 49ers are small home favorites (3.5 points at -112 Cowboys, -108 49ers). It isn’t the San Francisco offense that has the team in this position – even though it has been weaponized since Christian McCaffrey arrived. It’s the league’s top-ranked defense. Dallas has a lot of talent, but it doesn’t take many mistakes – in any of the three phases of the game – for a team like the 49ers to take advantage of and exploit. Take the 49ers and lay 3.5 points (-108).
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