Betting
1/16/25
6 min read
2025 NFL Divisional Playoffs: Expert Picks, Predictions for Every Game
The best weekend in the NFL is this week because of its four incredible matchups. This is the round of the playoffs that has historically produced the best games and some of the most unforgettable moments.
And while we have some bigger point spreads this week than usual, we can expect some awesome contests ahead of the Conference Championship Round. So, without further ado, here are the lines and our picks for the 2024-2025 NFL Divisional Round:
NFL Divisional Round Expert Picks, Predictions
Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Spread: Chiefs -8.5
Total: 41.5
These two teams met in Week 16, with the Kansas City Chiefs winning 27-19 in Arrowhead. They’ll be well-rested, as most of their key starters have not played since Christmas Day when they defeated the Steelers in Pittsburgh.
However, this won’t be a walk in the park for Kansas City. The Houston Texans have a strong defense with two elite pass rushers (Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr.). And with the tackles struggling this season, we should expect Andy Reid to create a gameplan that gets the ball out of Patrick Mahomes’ hand quickly.
The real story is if C.J. Stroud and the Texans can score enough to keep up. The offense has looked rather clunky during the last two months, especially since Tank Dell suffered a devastating knee injury.
It’s nearly impossible to pick against the Chiefs, especially coming off a bye. They are 11-0 in their last 11 home games and have lost just once, with Patrick Mahomes starting in their last 20 games. However, that is a big spread, and the Chiefs have not been great against the spread in the last two seasons.
They are just 3-8 in their last 11 games against the spread, so expect this game to be fairly close. The Chiefs will ultimately win and advance to the AFC Championship Game for the seventh straight season.
Score Prediction: Chiefs 24, Texans 17
Washington Commanders vs. Detroit Lions
Spread: Lions -9
Total: 55.5
The Detroit Lions are the biggest favorites of the weekend, coming in as 9-point home favorites after a Round 1 bye. The off week was favorable to Detroit to get several starters back from injury, including David Montgomery. This was the most banged-up team going into the playoffs, but the week off should help it get back on track.
Meanwhile, the Washington Commanders are coming off an amazing win in Tampa Bay, with Jayden Daniels leading the game-winning drive. We don’t usually see rookie quarterbacks win in the playoffs, especially on the road. But this isn’t just any rookie quarterback. Daniels has been phenomenal from the moment he stepped on the NFL field.
Washington’s defense played well against Tampa Bay’s high-flying offense, but Detroit is an entirely different animal. The Lions can attack opposing defenses in so many different ways, and with them having two weeks to prepare for this matchup, expect Ben Johnson to have some tricks up his sleeve.
The Commanders will score plenty of points in this game, but take the Lions to win and cover at home. The crowd is going to be electric, and despite how good Daniels has been this season, winning back-to-back road games in the playoffs is hard for any quarterback, especially a rookie. Look for the Lions to advance to the NFC Championship Game for the second consecutive season.
Score Prediction: Lions 37, Commanders 26
Los Angeles Rams vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Spread: Eagles -6
Total: 43.5
The Philadelphia Eagles did not play particularly well against the Packers in Round 1, but they forced four turnovers, which ended up being the difference in the game. Luckily for them, they get a more favorable matchup in Round 2, as the Los Angeles Rams just don’t have the size on defense to matchup with the Eagles.
We saw these two teams play in the regular season, and Saquon Barkley rushed for more than 250 yards. Philadelphia’s offensive line dominated that matchup despite Los Angeles having some pretty good talent on the defensive side of the ball. The good news for the Rams is that their defense has played much better in the last month, and they are the reason why they won the NFC West and are advancing in the playoffs.
However, the Eagles have too much talent on both sides of the ball, and the Rams just aren’t the same team when they are forced to play outside in colder conditions. Look for the Eagles to lean on their rushing attack again and for the defense to make some timely stops. Taking the Eagles -6 could be tricky, but don’t expect them to slip up here when it comes to the actual outcome of the game.
Score Prediction: Eagles 30, Rams 21
Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills
Spread: Ravens -1
Total: 51.5
The best game of the weekend features one of the top quarterback matchups you’ll ever see in the Divisional Round. Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen have been the two best quarterbacks in the NFL this season, and both were terrific in Round 1. While Allen has been the better postseason quarterback in previous seasons, Jackson has conquered some of his playoff demons in the last two years.
But this game isn’t just about Jackson vs. Allen. It’s the Baltimore Ravens against the Buffalo Bills. While the Bills finished the regular season with a better record, the Ravens are the more talented team. Their defense has really improved in the second half of the season, and they have one of the league’s top run-stopping units.
Buffalo crushed Denver on the ground last week, but don’t expect that to be the case in Round 2. Both teams should put up a bunch of points, but the Ravens have more playmakers on defense and more talent in their secondary, which should allow them to get more stops.
What makes this game tough to predict is that the Ravens crushed the Bills earlier in the season on primetime. But the Bills are just a different team at home (9-0 at Highmark Stadium this season). It's expected to be incredibly cold this weekend in Buffalo, but that might favor the Ravens, who have the better run defense and power run game behind Derrick Henry.
Expect this to be a back-and-forth game all afternoon, but for the Ravens to have just enough on defense to advance to the AFC Championship Game for the second consecutive year.
Score Prediction: Ravens 31, Bills 28
