The wild-card round has come and gone, and we’re down to eight teams as we head into the divisional round.
The weekend began with the Kansas City Chiefs beating the Houston Texans and closes with the Buffalo Bills hosting the Baltimore Ravens.
Three of the four games are regular-season rematches, with the only new showdown featuring the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders.
Below, you’ll find my picks against the spread and for the over/under using lines from the BetMGM sportsbook.
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Los Angeles Rams vs. Philadelphia Eagles
These teams played earlier this season, and the Eagles won 37-20. Rams QB Matthew Stafford was pressured on 31 per cent of his dropbacks in that game and completed just one pass for eight yards. The Eagles are without Nakobe Dean and Brandon Graham, but there's still plenty of pass-rushing talent. Additionally, the Eagles also allow the least passing yards per game (174.2). I'll side with the Eagles -6.
SPREAD PICK: Eagles -6 (-110)
I see many scenarios where the over occurs. The Eagles do have an excellent pass rush, but the Rams’ offensive line has stepped up massively. Stafford is excellent when he’s kept clean in the pocket with a 19:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio. As for the Eagles, RB Saquon Barkley put up 255 yards and two touchdowns against them last time, and both top receivers, DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown, are healthy.
OVER/UNDER PICK: OVER 44 (-110)
Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills
The Ravens pass defence has been excellent since Week 10. It allowed 270 yards to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the Bills don’t have a receiver like George Pickens. This game is a time-of-possession battle. The Bills had some defensive injuries in their Week 4 matchup, and RB Derrick Henry ran for 199 yards. He, alongside QB Lamar Jackson, will keep drives alive and Bills QB Josh Allen off the field.
SPREAD PICK: Ravens -1 (-110)
Yes, this game has the top two MVP favourites, but I expect a lower-scoring affair. The Bills have stepped up recently in run defence against RBs, holding all teams to four yards per carry or less in all but one game since Week 13. Meanwhile, the Ravens pass defence has allowed just 199 passing yards per game since Week 10. Sticking with 23-20.
OVER/UNDER PICK: UNDER 51.5 (-110)
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