NFL Divisional Round picks against the spread: Bills-Ravens, Chiefs-Texans and more

We wondered whether or not our strong end to the regular season against the spread would continue into the postseason. For the most part, the answer was a resounding yes.

Overall, the FTW experts crushed the wild card games (with the exception of Prince Grimes and Christian D’Andrea).  So now things get a little trickier. The divisional round features two marquee matchups with the Baltimore Ravens at the Buffalo Bills — a matchup of the top two MVP candidates in Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson — as well as the upstart Washington Commanders looking to slow down the mighty Detroit Lions.

The Rams-Eagles and Chiefs-Texans should be tightly contested as well.

Will the favorites continue to prevail? Let’s find out. Tail (or fade) responsibly!

All odds via BetMGM

Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs (Saturday)

Opening Line: Chiefs -7.5

Blake Schuster: Chiefs -8.5

I want to take the Texans with this line but I just can’t do it. It’ll be freezing in Kansas City and CJ Stroud hasn’t been making the most logical decisions in the best of situations. This will be a close game that the Chiefs run away with in the fourth quarter.

Prince Grimes: Texans +8.5

Houston’s defense is good enough to give the team a chance. The offense probably won’t do much, but I’ll take the points.

Charles Curtis: Texans +8.5

The Texans convinced me last week that they’re better than we think. Houston will cover this.

Robert Zeglinski: Chiefs -8.5

The Texans’ defense is great enough to make the Chiefs really sweat out another AFC title game berth. But the outcome of this one hinges more on C.J. Stroud delivering. And I’m not really sure the 2024 version is capable of such a feat.

Christian D’Andrea: Chiefs -8.5

The Houston secondary can create problems here. But Chris Jones is the last guy you want to see with a terrible interior offensive line.

Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions (Saturday)

Opening Line: Lions -10

Blake Schuster: Commanders +9.5

Detroit wins this, but Jayden Daniels keeps things just close enough.

Prince Grimes: Lions -9.5

This is a lot of points, but the magic has to end at some point, right? The Lions are on a mission to finish what they started last year.

Charles Curtis: Commanders +9.5

Is Detroit healthy now? Even then, Jayden Daniels has enough magic to at least cover here.

Robert Zeglinski: Lions -9.5

Jayden Daniels is special and he might own the NFC for years to come. But this is the juggernaut Lions’ time. Saturday night in Detroit should be a party.

Christian D’Andrea: Commanders +9.5

OK Jayden Daniels, I’m convinced.

Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles

Opening Line: Eagles -6

Blake Schuster: Rams +6

Los Angeles gets the outright win and Eagles fans finally have a real reason to lash out this season.

Prince Grimes: Rams +6

The Eagles will keep this game close with good defense and their own inability to stretch the field.

Charles Curtis: Rams +6

The Eagles will win, but I like what I saw out of Los Angeles last week, especially defensively.

Robert Zeglinski: Rams +6

Sean McVay’s and Matthew Stafford’s Rams are playing with house money. The Eagles are just hoping Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni don’t spontaneously combust.

Christian D’Andrea: Eagles -6

The last time these teams met the Rams were in revival mode and Philly still won by 17… in Los Angeles.

Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills

Opening Line: Bills -1.5

Blake Schuster: Bills +1

I see your Derrick Henry stiff arms and raise you Josh Allen body slams.

Prince Grimes: Ravens -1

I’m leaning on Baltimore being the better team.

Charles Curtis: Bills +1

Dawgs at home, in the cold? Come on!

Robert Zeglinski: Bills +1

It’s such a shame we get this game in the divisional round instead of the Super Bowl. Alas, I’ll give the Bills the edge because they’re at home. And until Lamar Jackson sustains his great play throughout an entire postseason, the jury is out.

Christian D’Andrea: Ravens -1

The Ravens have more ways to win this game, but no outcome would surprise me.