The NFL Divisional Round features four games, two on Saturday and two on Sunday. Hopefully, the second-round of the playoffs offers more than the Wild Card Round.
There were a lot of blowouts without a memorable game on the schedule. Unless the Cowboys dropping out of the playoffs early again is memorable to you.
The Divisional Round is set! #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/YgqeYHZoSk
— NFL (@NFL) January 18, 2022
I promise that the Divisional Round is shaping up to be much more entertaining. All four matchups look pretty golden. There will be at least one game that is worth watching again, probably two with this loaded schedule.
The Divisional Round opens with the Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. In the final game of the Divisional playoff, this round ends with a potential classic between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs.
The 49ers and Packers are at Lambeau Field on Saturday evening. On Sunday, the LA Rams visit Raymond James Stadium in Tampa in the early matchup.
Let’s get into a preview of all four matchups and examine the top betting trends for the NFL Divisional Round. Head below for the top betting trends of the Divisional Round in the NFL.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tennessee Titans
Date and Time: January 22, 4:30 p.m. EST
The following odds are courtesy of BetOnline:
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Bengals | +3.5 (-110) | +159 | Over 47 (-110) |
| Tennessee Titans | -3.5 (-110) | -179 | Under 47 (-110) |
The Tennessee Titans had the Wild Card off after winning the top seed in the AFC. They started off red-hot on the back of Derrick Henry. Henry propelled the Titans to an 8-2 start through the first ten games.
Then Henry suffered a broken foot against the Indianapolis Colts on October 31 in a 34-31 win. That didn’t hurt the Titans initially, as they beat the Rams, 28-16, and Saints, 23-21. However, the Titans followed up with losses in three of four games.
#Titans RB Derrick Henry looking good, continuing to ramp up for playoffs. pic.twitter.com/boahGJMUGQ
— Kayla Anderson (@KaylaAndersonTV) January 12, 2022
They could have really needed him in some of those games, especially a 19-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In a physical defensive showdown, Henry could have been the difference at Heinz Field.
Impressively enough, the Titans responded with three straight wins to finish at 12-5 on the season. That was good to edge out the Chiefs for the No. 1 seed and a bye week in the Wild Card. Despite that, the Titans aren’t receiving much support from the public to win the Super Bowl.
Henry is back on the field for the playoffs. He indicates that he’s feeling good without any setbacks. The happiest guy has to be Ryan Tannehill. He is ten times better with than without Henry in the backfield. Everything opens up downfield with Henry on the field.
Joe Burrow has already surpassed every Bengals QB over the last 30 years in postseason Pass TD
Joe Burrow 2
Andy Dalton 1
Carson Palmer 1
Jon Kitna 1
A.J. McCarron 1 pic.twitter.com/c1jTz1yeCa— NFL on CBS ? (@NFLonCBS) January 19, 2022
The Titans welcome a Bengals team playing with a lot of confidence. The Bengals held off a late comeback bid from the Las Vegas Raiders for a 26-19 win at Paul Brown Stadium. They’ve been covering spreads with an ATS success rate of 11-7-0.
Considering the final game of the regular season didn’t mean anything, the Bengals have won four straight meaningful outings. Joe Burrow is on fire at the moment and might be tough to fade. It’s an interesting game that we’ll handicap on the sports picks page in greater detail.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tennessee Titans Betting Trends:
Bengals
- 5-0 ATS in their previous five games
- 6-1 ATS in their previous seven games on the road
- 5-0 ATS in their previous versus the AFC
- 4-1 ATS in their previous five games as an underdog
- 4-0 ATS in their previous four games versus the Bengals
Titans
- 6-2 ATS in their previous eight games at Tennessee
- 5-2 ATS in their previous seven games versus a team with a winning record
- 1-5 ATS in their previous six games versus the AFC North
- 3-7 ATS in their previous ten games on a Saturday
- 0-4-1 ATS in their previous five playoff games
San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers
Date and Time: January 22, 8:15 p.m. EST
The following odds are courtesy of BetOnline:
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers | +6 (-110) | +210 | Over 47 (-110) |
| Green Bay Packers | -6 (-110) | 250 | Under 47 (-110) |
The top seed of the NFC welcomes the San Francisco 49ers to Lambeau Field. The 49ers had fun beating an underachieving Dallas Cowboys team last week, but now it’s big business against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.
The 49ers have tremendous confidence after beating the Cowboys and getting hot at the end of the regular season. It’s best to avoid recency bias, though the 49ers have been holding their own for weeks now.
Deebo: I told you!
Shanahan: Thanks for telling me. ?@19problemz asked for the ball and scored on the next play. (via @nflfilms) @49ers pic.twitter.com/I2XTHwYZ9E
— NFL (@NFL) January 20, 2022
They played with house money going to Dallas and looked loose and relaxed, even before the game. San Franciso needed an overtime win over a good LA Rams to get to Arlington. In a sense, that game against the Rams was a playoff game of sorts for them.
They’ve risen to the occasion in must-win games and shouldn’t be bothered by having to go to the cold in Wisconsin. The 49ers have won five of their previous six attempts and riding the hot hand of Deebo Samuel into Lambeau. You can look at No. 19 of the 49ers if you want a confident player.
Confidence may not matter anything if Rodgers is on fire. Like the Patriots against Josh Allen, it didn’t matter what they did because of how locked in Allen was. The Patriots played poorly, but Allen was losing that game with the dimes he delivered.
??? ???????
It's time for the playoffs.
Narrated by @AaronRodgers12 pic.twitter.com/HYJvP45rcB
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 18, 2022
That could be the case for Rodgers, who passed for 4,115 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions in the regular season. The Packers won five straight before a meaningless attempt versus the Lions to finish off the year.
This looks like a game that comes down to how well Jimmy Garoppolo plays at Lambeau. He’s thrown 5 interceptions in his last three starts and is dealing with a gimpy shoulder.
Jimmy G can’t afford to throw a bad interception with Rodgers lurking on the sidelines waiting to get back on the field. Can he avoid the big mistake or two at Lambeau?
San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers Betting Trends:
49ers
- 5-1 ATS in their previous six games
- 5-1 ATS in their previous five games versus the NFC
- 8-0 ATS in their previous eight games in January
- 4-0 ATS in their previous four Divisional Round games
- 2-9 overall in their previous 11 games versus the Packers on the road
Packers
- 6-0 ATS in their previous six games versus the NFC West
- 12-4 ATS in their previous 16 games
- 6-1 ATS in their previous seven games as a betting favorite at Green Bay
- 9-2 ATS in their previous 11 games versus the NFC
- 11-1 ATS in their previous 12 games after a loss
Los Angeles Rams vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Date and Time: January 23, 3:00 p.m. EST
The following odds are courtesy of BetOnline:
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| LA Rams | +3 (-120) | +128 | Over 48.5 (-112) |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | -3 (+100) | -148 | Under 48.5 (-108) |
In a game that would most likely be a pick’em on a neutral field, the Los Angeles Rams travel to Tampa to meet with Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers had a fun time dominating the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card. Now it’s time for an opponent that can make them work for a win.
PICK-6. TO THE HOUSE. #RAMSHOUSE.
?: #AZvsLAR on ABC/ESPN/ESPN2
?: NFL app pic.twitter.com/AlWNM7Zm1B— NFL (@NFL) January 18, 2022
The Rams had an easy time in their Wild Card matchup as well. Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals looked nervous and confused to send their chances into the toilet early.
They were down big early and never recovered in a 34-11 final. Matthew Stafford was in good form, but he wasn’t asked to do much with Murray running around lost in the park.
Stafford will be asked to come up big this time. Brady and the Buccaneers aren’t going away quietly at home. The defensive line has to get home in the backfield for the Rams.
??????????? ????? ?? ?????!
Tom Brady found Mike Evans for a 36-yard touchdown to put the Bucs up 31-0 in the third quarter.@TMacPhils and @JawsCEOQB had the call. @Buccaneers | #PHIvsTB | #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/8AsHUV92qe
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) January 16, 2022
Two big injuries to the Buccaneers’ offensive line should make it easier. Injuries to Tristan Wirfs and Ryan Jensen could have Brady getting rid of the ball quickly.
The Bucs had no problems clearing the Eagles, as they dealt with a nervous quarterback making his first playoff start as well. Philadelphia scored 15 garbage time points to make the score look better, but it was all Buccaneers.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Trends:
Rams
- 7-3 ATS in their previous ten games as an underdog on the road
- 4-1 ATS in their previous five games versus the NFC
- 5-0 ATS in thier previous five games versus the Buccaneers at Tampa Bay
- 2-5 ATS in their previous seven games as an underdog
- 1-4 ATS in their previous five games on the road versus a team with a winning home record
Buccaneers
- 7-2 ATS in their previous nine games
- 7-1 ATS in their previous eight games as a favorite at Tampa Bay
- 5-1 ATS in their previous six games versus the NFC
- 5-2 ATS in their previous seven games after a win
- 2-6 ATS in their previous eight games after a win by 14 points or more
Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Date and Time: January 23, 6:30 p.m. EST
The following odds are courtesy of BetOnline:
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Bills | +1.5 (-105) | +107 | Over 54.5 (-109) |
| KC Chiefs | -1.5 (-115) | -127 | Under 54.5 (-111) |
The Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs close out the Divisional Round on Sunday in the late window. This has the potential for the game of the weekend at Arrowhead Field.
All four matchups should be good, but this is a heavyweight battle between two teams that have been well-liked to go to the Super Bowl. Buffalo made it easy work of the New England Patriots in the Wild Card.
BIG MAN TD ?
Josh Allen becomes the 1st QB in Bills history with 5 Pass TD in a playoff game.
(via @NFL )pic.twitter.com/v1v7jOS3lo
— ESPN (@espn) January 16, 2022
Josh Allen had time to pass and couldn’t miss, and when that’s happening, the Bills are tough to beat. Allen threw and ran the Bills into the Divisional Round, as the Buffalo defense suffocated rookie Mac Jones.
The Bills are at their best at the right time as they roll into Arrowhead with five straight wins. This team beat the Chiefs earlier in the regular season at Buffalo, 38-20. It isn’t easy beating a team twice in the same year, never mind an opponent like the Chiefs on the road.
Considering how well the Bills are playing, don’t put it past them to beat the Chiefs twice. Then you look at the Chiefs and how well they’re playing, and we have a good game on our hands Sunday evening in Kansas City.
This was true leadership from @PatrickMahomes & @tkelce in last year's AFC Championship. ? (via @NFLFilms)@MecoleHardman4 | #ChiefsKingdom
?: #BUFvsKC — Sunday 6:30pm ET on CBS
?: NFL app pic.twitter.com/9W69Sj3pac— NFL (@NFL) January 19, 2022
The Chiefs won 10 of their previous 11 games, including a blowout over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card. A scoop and score on a fumble for the Steelers made it a 7-0 score, but that was the only positive for the Steelers last weekend.
If there’s only one game you watch this weekend, the Bills and Chiefs at Arrowhead on Sunday evening has to be it.
Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs Betting Trends:
Bills
- 4-0-1 ATS in their previous five games
- 9-3-2 ATS in their previous 14 games as an underdog on the road
- 5-2 ATS in their previous seven games versus the AFC West
- 3-1-1 ATS in their previous five games in January
- 2-5 ATS in their previous seven games versus the Chiefs
Chiefs
- 5-0 ATS in their previous five games as a betting favorite at Kansas City
- 7-2 ATS in their previous nine games
- 7-1 ATS in their previous eight games after a win
- 5-1 ATS in their previous six games in a playoff game at Kansas City
- 6-2 ATS in their previous eight games versus the AFC
