Fri 15/01/2021 - 04:26 EST

NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round Betting Picks

NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round Betting Picks

Before you even think about betting the second round of the 2020-21 NFL playoffs, read this in-depth guide first. We’re previewing all four matchups, plus offering up free betting predictions on each game — spreads, moneylines, over/unders, we’re covering it all!

If you're looking for NFL playoffs divisional round betting picks, you've come to the right place. We've done the research ahead of time and selected our four very favorite wagers ahead of the NFL postseason weekend.

We'll offer those free tips shortly, but first, let's see which teams are favored. Here are the current betting lines, per online sportsbook BetOnline:

FavoriteBetOnlineBetOnlineUnderdog
Green Bay Packers-355+285Los Angeles Rams
Buffalo Bills-155+135Baltimore Ravens
New Orleans Saints-163+143Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kansas City Chiefs-475+385Cleveland Browns

Speaking of BetOnline, the bookmaker is running a special sign-up bonus geared for NFL playoff bettors. Presently at the site, first-time players can earn a whopping $1,000 in free play by just signing up and depositing money into their account — that's it! That's a whole lot of free cash to boost your potential winnings right away!

And since we're on the topic of winning big, these are our favorite four bets of the NFL divisional round: 

Spread: Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers (-7)

Let's go right ahead and say it: the Rams aren't getting blown out in this one — despite not knowing who will be their quarterback come Saturday (both are injured at the moment). 

Simply put, this Los Angeles defense is too damn good to not keep things close. The Rams defensive unit ranks first in several categories: yards allowed (281.9 per game), pass yards allowed (190.7), and points (18.5). The group is led by two studs — Aaron Donald (who likely will play despite his own injury) upfront and Jalen Ramsey in the secondary. 

Green Bay presents its own challenges: Aaron Rodgers having a career year at 37 years young, a two-head monster of a run game, Devante Adams being a touchdown machine (18 scores in 14 games), and home-field advantage at Lambeau Field. Regardless, we see this game going down to the wire and being decided by under a touchdown due to the aforementioned Rams 'D. 

Betting pick to make: Los Angeles Rams (+7)

Over/Under 50 Points: Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills

This matchup pits one of the league's most high-flying passing attacks (Buffalo ranks third in this category) against THE top-ranked run offense. A classic new school (throwing) vs. old school (rushing) affair. Despite the unique circumstances, the points total is a modest 50 — second-lowest of the weekend.

Bookies are tempering scoring expectations and so are we. Look, playoff football is different. It's colder, it's more physical, and most of all, it's more smashmouth. Games are won at the line of scrimmage, typically using the run game.

At 191.9 yards per game, Baltimore led the NFL in rushing for a second straight season. Of course, that ground game is led by run-happy quarterback Lamar Jackson, who's perhaps the most gifted scrambler of all-time at his position. 

But here's the difference-maker: the Bills are accustomed to dual-threat quarterbacks given their own, Josh Allen, is known to take off and run. Facing an athletic Allen in practice day in, day out for three seasons now will aid them in slowing down Jackson and in turn, the Ravens' vaunted rushing game. That likely keeps this a low-scoring slugfest.

Betting pick to make: Under 50 points

Spread: Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs (-10)

It's a rarity to see a double-digit spread in this round of the playoffs, but that's the exact position we see here.

But here's the thing: Kansas City, despite its 14-2 mark, has been awful against the spread in the second half of the season. The Chiefs have not covered a line since a Nov.1 matchup against the Jets. That's 7 losers and one push in the last eight out.

That stat alone is why we're hammering the Cleveland spread — and we mean hammering. That, and also, these aren't the lovable loser Browns of old. They proved it by clobbering their "neighborhood bully" Steelers in the wildcard round. Cleveland's high-flying offense will do enough to keep pace with the Mahomes-led Chiefs and cover.

Betting pick to make: Cleveland Browns (+10)

Moneyline: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+143) at New Orleans Saints (-163)

All eyes on the two gunslingers in this one — Tom Brady and Drew Brees. Two ex-Super Bowl MVPs. Two future first-ballot Hall of Famers. One last shot at glory (maybe, especially in Brees' case).

The two dueled in the regular season twice with New Orleans winning handily each time — 34-23 and 38-3. But what's that old saying, "it's hard to beat a football team three times in a season?" 

Welp, we believe it proves true in this situation. Here's why: Tampa is red-hot. The Bucs have piled up five consecutive wins by an average margin of 16.2 points. That's come off the back of Brady playing like the Brady of old — he's thrown 14 touchdowns against one interception in that span. 

To borrow another NFL saying with plenty of truth to it: teams that get hot at the right time win in the postseason, and that's Tampa to a tee right now. Our upset of the week is the Bucs moneyline. 

Betting pick to make: Tampa Bay (+143)

In case you're looking for more NFL playoff odds, you can find anything and everything at one of the betting sites below. We've included in-depth reviews and promotional details to help you pick one bookmaker — but honestly, you can't go wrong with any of 'em. 

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