NFL Divisional Round

Good morning,

Let’s dive in…

Developing Stories 📰

Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens

The NFL playoffs kicked off with 14 teams looking for a spot in Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas this February. Following the wild card round, only eight teams remain we go into the divisional round.

Houston is making its first playoff appearance since 2019 having shown dominance in the wild card round. Despite Cleveland taking an early 14-10 lead in the second quarter, Stroud and the Texans scored an impressive 35 unanswered points securing a convincing victory. Stroud became the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game, contributed two passing touchdowns, a rushing touchdown, and two pick-sixes in the 45-14 rout.

The upcoming matchup between Houston and Baltimore brings anticipation, especially considering their defensive struggle in Week 1, where the final score of 25-9 disproved the intensity of the game. With Baltimore's starters well-rested after Week 18, the return of former All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews adds to the Ravens' offensive firepower.

 Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers

In a rematch from the 2021 NFL playoffs, San Francisco and Green Bay meet again. San Francisco emerged victorious in the divisional round with a 13-10 win in a snow-filled game, and two years earlier, they secured a 37-20 win over Green Bay in the NFC championship game. Green Bay, having dominated the wild card round against the Dallas Cowboys, enters the game with a strong offense led by quarterback Jordan Love and a defense that scored twice and tallied four sacks.

Since their Super Bowl run in 2019, San Francisco has not enjoyed a bye week in the playoffs. Similar to the Ravens many of their key players had a two-week break by strategically resting in Week 18.  The 49ers stand alone among the remaining teams in the NFL playoffs, showcasing a top-three scoring offense and scoring defense from the regular season.

 Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions

Tampa Bay was in control throughout the wild card round finale and secured a 32-9 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Quarterback Baker Mayfield delivered a standout performance completing 22 of 36 passes for 337 yards and three touchdowns. Detroit got their first postseason win since 1991, secured a victory over Los Angeles in the wild card round, with quarterback Jared Goff displaying a season-best completion percentage of 81.5%. Both these teams met in week 6 with Detroit winning 20-6. Tampa Bay’s offense struggled but has improved since.

 Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills

We get another Chiefs-Bills playoff showdown. In both the 2020 and 2021 playoffs, these two teams played in the conference championship and divisional rounds.

For the first time in Patrick Mahomes', Kansas City is playing a road playoff game. The team showcased its offensive talent in the wild card round against the Miami Dolphins marking their best performance since mid-October. Even in subzero temperatures, Kansas City's formidable defense rose to the occasion by limiting Miami's offense to 264 yards and seven points.

Headlines 🚨

On This Day in Sport History: 1972 Sandy Koufax, Yogi Berra & Early Wynn elected to Baseball Hall of Fame,

2000 Michael Jordan returns to the NBA joining the Washington Wizards,

2013 Lance Armstrong admits to doping in all seven of his Tour de France victories.

Djokovic eases into fourth round in 100^th Australian Open match.

Ohio State Bill O’Brien Joining Ryan Day’s Ohio State staff as offensive coordinator.

Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh said TE Mark Andrews is still a gametime decision in Saturdays’s playoff game against the Texans.

Kliff Kingsbury is expected to interview with the Chicago Bears for the offensive coordinator job.

Miami TE Cam McCormick granted ninth year of eligibility.

Warriors assistant Dejan Milojevic passed away of a heart attack at the age of 46.

Dusty Baker returning to the San Francisco Giants for his third stint as a special adviser to baseball operations.

Trends 📈📉 via Oddsshark

🏀 Bulls at Raptors

• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games

• The total has gone OVER in 6 of Chicago's last 8 games when playing on the road against Toronto

• Toronto is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago

• Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago

🏀 Wizards at Knicks

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games on the road

• Washington is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against New York

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New York's last 5 games at home

• The total has gone UNDER in 8 of New York's last 9 games

🏀 Thunder at Jazz

• The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Oklahoma City's last 10 games when playing on the road against Utah

🏀 Grizzlies at Timberwolves

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Memphis's last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota

• The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Memphis's last 8 games when playing Minnesota

• Minnesota is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games at home

🏒 Avalanche at Bruins

• The total has gone OVER in 7 of Colorado's last 8 games

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Colorado's last 6 games on the road

• Boston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Colorado

• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games at home

🏒 Canadiens at Senators

• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Ottawa's last 5 games

🏒 Stars at Flyers

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing at home against Dallas

🏒 Wild at Lightning

• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games on the road

🏒 Blues at Capitals

• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games 

🏈 Texans at Ravens

• The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston's last 7 games when playing on the road against Baltimore

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games when playing Baltimore

• Baltimore is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Houston

🏈 Packers at Niners

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Green Bay's last 5 games on the road

• The total has gone OVER in 7 of Green Bay's last 8 games

• San Francisco is 19-4 SU in its last 23 games at home

• San Francisco is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games

🏈 Buccaneers at Lions

• Tampa Bay is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games on the road

• Tampa Bay is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games

• Detroit is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home

• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games at home

🏈 Chiefs at Bills

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas City's last 6 games when playing on the road against Buffalo

• Kansas City is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games on the road

• Buffalo is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

• Buffalo is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home

Public Money 🤑 via VSiN at 9AMCT

🎓🏀 NCAAB

58% of bets and 78% of money is on #11 WISC -11

38% of bets and 78% of money is on UNDER 142 IND at #11 WISC

🏀 NBA

49% of bets and 77% of money is on CHA -4

35% of bets and 66% of money is on NO -1.5

59% of bets and 80% of money is on MIA -6.5

36% of bets and 80% of money is on UNDER 227 ATL at MIA

25% of bets and 51% of money is on UNDER 227 BKN at LAL

🏈 NFL

36% of bets and 47% of money is on SF -9.5

67% of bets and 77% of money is on OVER 50.5 GB at SF

56% of bets and 67% of money is on DET -6.5

63% of bets and 84% of money is on OVER 50.5 TB at DET

30% of bets and 44% of money is on UNDER 45.5 KC at BUF

Future Odds 🔮 via Bovada Sportsbook

Injury Report 🏥 via ESPN

BAL (TE) Mark Andrews | Doubtful - Ankle, not likely to be activated from IR

BAL (CB) Marlon Humphrey | Out - Calf

BAL (CB) Damarion Williams | Out

BAL (CB) Daryl Worley | Out - Shoulder

BUF (WR) Stefon Diggs | Questionable - Foot, will be limited at practice today

BUF (WR) Gabe Davis | Out - Knee

BUF (S) Taylor Rapp | Out - Calf

BUF (CB) Christian Benford | Out - Knee

BUF (CB) Taron Johnson | Questionable - Concussion

BUF (LB) Terrel Bernard | Questionable - Ankle, did not practice yesterday

BUF (LB) Tyrel Dodson | Questionable - Shoulder, limited at practice yesterday

BUF (LB) Baylon Spector | Out - Back

DET (TE) Sam Laporta | Questionable - Knee, was limited at practice yesterday

DET (CB) Jerry Jacobs | IR - Hamstring

GB (CB) Jaire Alexander | Questionable - Ankle

GB (RB) AJ Dillon | Questionable - Thumb/Neck

HOU (DE) Jerry Hughes | Out - Ankle

HOU (OT) George Fant | Questionable - Illness

HOU (WR) Noah Brown | IR - Shoulder

KC (WR) Kadarius Toney | Questionable - Hip/Ankle, did not practice yesterday

KC (LB) Cam Jones | IR - Chest

KC (WR) Justyn Ross | Questionable - Hamstring, was limited at practice yesterday

SF (S) George Odom | IR - Biceps, expected to be activated today

SF (DE) Clelin Ferrell | Out - Knee

SF (LB) Dre Greenlaw | Questionable - Achilles

TB (RB) Chase Edmonds | Questionable - Toe, did not practice yesterday

TB (WR) Chris Godwin | Questionable - Knee, was limited at practice yesterday

TB (LB) Shaquil Barrett | Questionable - Ankle, did not practice yesterday

Weekend Picks 🔒

CBB

Toledo -7.5 | CMU does not matchup very well and the Rockets have been hot. CMU is amongst the worst scoring teams in the country. The Rockets are 50^th in offensive scoring and should win comfortably here.

NFL

Buccaneers +6.5 | The problem with the Lions is they have struggled from stopping opposing teams tun game. They have plenty of offensive power but with Mayfield connecting with Evans, Godwin and other receivers a touchdown spread seems too much.

49ers TT over 29.5 | The Packers defense continues to struggle allowing 32 points to the cowboys (25 in the second half). The same defense that allowed the Panthers to score 30. The 49ers have had time to rest and will be healthy on offense with much time to prepare.

Chiefs +2.5 | Mahomes is 6-2 SU and 7-0-1 ATS as a road underdog.  The Bills have several key players out on defense majority in the secondary. KC defense has been solid this season as they are 2^nd in passing yards allowed and 2^nd in sacks.