Can the Texans, Packers or Buccs defy the odds?
Who salutes in the clash of the titans between the Bills and Chiefs?
The Divisional Round playoffs have arrived and the team at BetDeluxe break down all four matches.
Ravens vs. Texans
21st January 8:30am
The first of three one-sided affairs in the market, the league-leading Baltimore Ravens enter their Divisional Round match-up with the Houston Texans as $1.20 favourites with BetDeluxe.
After finishing the regular season with a 13-4 record in the AFC North after dominating the 49ers (19-33) and Dolphins (56-19) in two of the last three games, the Ravens watched on as the Texans defeated Cleveland, 45-14.
While the market hasn’t lost faith in the Ravens, they’ll certainly be wary of CJ Stroud (3 TDs) and Houston after keeping the AFC North’s second-ranked team scoreless in the second half.
Ranked 1st for rushing, 6th for offense and 6th for defense, there’s little doubt that Lamar Jackson and the Ravens should be able to cruise through to the Conference Champs with few issues.
Suggested Bet: L. Jackson anytime touchdown @ $2.18
49ers vs. Packers
21st January 12:15pm
Much like the Ravens, the top-ranked San Francisco 49ers will enter their clash with Green Bay boasting fresh legs and short-priced $1.21 favouritism.
Led by star quarterback Brock Purdy (31 TDs) and running back Christian McCaffrey (14 TDs and 1459y), the 49ers elevated their offensive game (2nd overall) again this season. The latter, who sat out the last two games of the regular season with a calf injury, has been passed fit to return for the playoffs.
As for the Packers, they caused the upset of Wild Card Round when they defeated the Cowboys by 16 points in Dallas. Jordan Love cemented his spot as a star of the NFL with 3 TDs on 16-21, while Aaron Jones proved just as problematic for Dallas defenders as he ran home a treble of his own.
While the Packers will certainly have their chests out in the wake of their Dallas domination, very few would suggest they can replicate any of it against the might of the $2.70 Super Bowl favourites.
Suggested Bet: First Half Money Line 49ers @ $1.30
Lions vs. Buccaneers
22nd January 7:00am
Can the Lions continue their fairytale season?
At $1.33 in the market and with a one-point Wild Card thriller under their belt, there’s no reason they can’t continue their incredible form against the Buccs.
Detroit, who finished the regular season with a 12-5 record, continued to attract a legion of unbiased fans last weekend when they held on for a 24-23 victory over the LA Rams. While they trailed the Rams in total yards (-91) and passing (-102), the Lions found a way to get the win for the fourth time from their past five outings.
There isn’t a lot of love for the Buccs from punters ($3.35), despite their 32-9 victory over Philadelphia last week. Baker Mayfield (3 TDs and 337y) led an all-out offensive assault, while Tampa’s defense kept the Eagles scoreless for three quarters.
The Lions proved too strong for Tampa earlier in the season, 20-6, and we see no reason they can’t repeat the dose this weekend.
Suggested Bet: Lions (-6.5) @ $1.90
Bills vs. Chiefs
22nd January 10:30am
In the most highly anticipated Divisional Round game, the Chiefs will attempt to keep the dream of three Super Bowls in five years alive when they travel to Buffalo.
The Bills, who are $1.68 favourites, had a soft run in the Wild Card Round as they dismantled the Steelers 31-17 on the back of a 14-0 opening term. Josh Allen continued his offensive onslaught for the Bills (who are ranked 4th overall) with 3 TDs and 203y.
A lot has been said about the quality of the Chiefs this season, but they answered their critics with a comfortable 26-7 victory over the Dolphins. While this week presents an entirely different task than a Miami team that lost their last three games of the season, Chiefs fans will be buoyed by the fact they posted their highest score since December 18.
While it would never surprise anyone if the reigning champions secured a spot in the Conference Playoffs, the Bills should have too much firepower in this one.
Suggested Bet: Bills to win @ $1.68
