This is, without question, my favorite professional football weekend of the year.
Two days, four spectacular games, and delightful stakes across the slate. Although this weekend’s games won’t decide the Super Bowl, it will shape what happens next. Plus, the more football the better.
In terms of prop betting, I finished last week 4-4. Meh.
I still haven’t had a losing week in months, although we just couldn’t break free from .500 in any game.
This week, I’ve got more props for all four playoff games. If you plan to watch and bet on football, check out my best NFL prop bets below.
Please note that all NFL Divisional Round odds and lines are current as of 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday, January 19.
NFL Divisional Round Prop Bets
Cincinnati Bengals at Tennessee Titans
The availability of running back Derrick Henry is an enormous story in so many ways for this matchup, although it’s hard to know exactly what we’re going to get from him. Still, his sheer presence in the backfield (assuming he actually plays) changes things quite a bit.
Cincinnati is a difficult offensive matchup, however. Joe Burrow is on a roll, and he has no shortage of weapons at his disposal.
Tennessee’s best bet, then, is ball control. It’s leaning on the run game and asking Ryan Tannehill to do just enough.
Can they do it? We’re about to find out.
Titans Over 12.5 1st Half Points (-130) at Betway
Wager: 1 Unit
So much has been made of Cincinnati’s offense, and it’s not hard to see why. I do, however, expect Tennessee to be plenty potent on that side of the ball as well.
Titans 1st To Score (-145) at Betway
Wager: 1 Unit
I’m piggybacking off my first bet with another. Tennessee, fresh off a bye, will be first to strike on the scoreboard.
Best NFL Prop Bets to Make for NFL Divisional Round
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San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers
This game is going to be cold.
Of course it will be. It’s Green Bay in January; it’s always cold.
A team from California will have to adjust, although the 49ers will be thrilled to make the adjustment. Jimmy Garoppolo was just so-so against the Dallas Cowboys, but San Francisco’s defense was superb.
Specifically, the defensive line was wonderful. And if it can duplicate that effort against Aaron Rodgers, the 49ers may live to play another day.
Green Bay will be up for it, though. Coming off a bye, the offense is likely to put more pressure on the 49ers. Davante Adams will likely do what CeeDee Lamb did not. And the points might be plentiful along the way.
Green Bay Over 26.5 Total Points (-130) at Betway
Wager: 1 Unit
While San Francisco’s defense just played a superb game, I don’t think they’ll have the same success this week against the reigning MVP.
Over 9 1st Quarter Points (-110) at Betway
Wager: 1 Unit
We just need a touchdown and a field goal for our NFL bet of the day. These two teams can handle that. No matter how cold the temps are, the scoreboard should move.
Look for the Green Bay Packers’ offense to come out firing at home in the NFL Divisional Round against the San Francisco 49ers. (Image: USA TODAY Sports)
Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Neither team played in a game that was all that watchable in the second half, which speaks to the kind of performances both teams delivered.
While it’s hard not to start with Matthew Stafford vs. Tom Brady, both defenses allowed a combined 26 points last week. Granted, it came against the Philadelphia Eagles and a broken Arizona Cardinals squad, but the efforts feel meaningful given what is coming next.
The Rams have a knack for playing competitive games, and I expect that to be the case once again. The Bucs, meanwhile, have been a bit up and down all season, but the health of their roster is coming together at just the right time.
This is a tough one. For me, it’s the toughest game on the board.
Under 24 1st Half Points (-110) at Betway
Wager: 1 Unit
Both defenses were wonderful last week and have been tough all season. While the level of difficulty certainly rises here, this could be a meat grinder of a football game.
Under 5.5 Total Touchdowns (-115) at Betway
Wager: 1 Unit
This bet might be playing with fire with all the skilled offensive players on the field. But I still love these defenses, and it wouldn’t shock me if this game finished well below the Total on our NFL gameday odds.
Check out more of our NFL Divisional Round betting tips:
Buffalo Bills at Kansas Chiefs
The best game of the weekend will be the last one. The Bills and Chiefs are the two most talented teams in the AFC and are coming off blowout victories in the Wild Card Round, beating the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers by a combined score of 89-38 last week.
The most impressive aspect of the demolition was unquestionably Josh Allen’s destruction of Bill Belichick’s defense. Buffalo didn’t punt, turn the ball over, or essentially do anything wrong.
Kansas City started a tad slow against Pittsburgh. The Chiefs even fell behind early. Then Patrick Mahomes caught fire and the game was over by halftime.
The first time these two teams met this season, Buffalo largely dominated KC — something the Bills will attempt to do again. But this Chiefs team is much different now, and I expect the outcome to be much different as well.
Chiefs 1st Half Winner (-125) at Betway
Wager: 1 Unit
As mentioned, I expect a much better effort from Kansas City this time around. As good as Buffalo looked last week, playing on the road is a different beast, especially at Arrowhead.
Over 10 1st Quarter Points (-120) at Betway
Wager: 1 Unit
Is Mahomes good for a touchdown in the first quarter? Is Allen? The answer to both of these questions is likely yes.
I’m good with the Over. This game should be fun from the start.
