Bettors and fans often consider the NFL Divisional playoff round weekend the most competitive - and most challenging of the season. The four games this week feature the playoff debut of the top seeds in each conference. And all the winners move one step closer to Super Bowl 59, to be played on February 9 in New Orleans. 

The Main Event takes place Sunday night in Buffalo. Dueling would-be MVPs meet when Josh Allen and the Bills play host to Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Both QBs have stacked stellar numbers throughout the season. And both QBs rolled in their Wild Card games. The Ravens beat the Bills 35-10 earlier this season 

RELATED: Super Bowl 59 Odds

The full playoff schedule won't be determined until the LA Rams and Minnesota Vikings play their Wild Card game Monday night at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. That game was moved from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California because of the wild fires throughout the Los Angeles region. 

The Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions will be coming off their well-earned bye weeks. The Chiefs are in the running for official "dynasty" status with a record third-straight Super Bowl win. The Lions, meanwhile, have never appeared in a Super Bowl. Detroit last won an NFL championship in 1957. 

2025 NFL Divisional Playoff Weekend Odds & Best Bets To Back

Now it’s on to our Divisional Round Weekend NFL picks to back on your favorite sports betting app. 

2025 NFL Divisional Round Best Bets: Game-By-Game Analysis

Saturday, January 18 (AFC)
(4) Houston Texans at (1) Kansas City Chiefs
4:30 p.m. (ABC/ESPN)

Buzz: The Chiefs went 15-2 without scoring more than 31 points in a game this season. The Chiefs and Texans met less than a month ago in Kansas City. The Chiefs won 27-19 on their way to icing the No. 1 seed in the AFC and what was in all reality a two-week bye. Patrick Mahomes threw for 260 yards, a TD, and ran for another in KC’s win over Houston. He scored on a 15-yard scamper that ended KC’s opening drive. Andy Reid called that win his team’s “most comprehensive win” of the season. They’ll have to repeat it this weekend. The Texans were at 100% in their upset over the hapless Chargers in the Wild Card round. C.J. Stroud was able to balance things with both RB Joe Mixon and WR Nico Collins. The Texans need an early lead and a mistake-free effort to overcome the Chiefs’ magic on the field, and the power of Taylor Swift and the NFL off it. Both teams underperformed on the line. But the Chiefs crushed bettors all year. They went 8-9 ATS and 3-7 ATS in their final 10 games that mattered. The “Travis Kelce” anytime TD was the most-bet player prop throughout the regular season, but he only scored 3 times. Houston gets the cover here, especially with the hook. The Texans' moneyline here at +360 would be worth a small play, as well. 

Best Bet: Houston +7.5 (-105) DraftKings   
Best Bet: Over 42.5 Points (-110) FanDuel

Saturday, January 18 (NFC)
(4) Washington Commanders at (1) Detroit Lions
8 p.m. (FOX) 

Buzz: The Lions are coming off their bye after having dispatched the Vikings in the final game of the NFL season. That win clinched the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC. The Commanders won their first playoff game in 19 years Sunday night at Tampa Bay with vicious defense, a crucial Baker Mayfield fumbled snap and the Old Man poise of rookie QB Jayden Daniels. The Lions have been riddled with key injuries, so the bye has been a big boost. The Commanders face the toughest test in the NFL entering the Lions' Den at Ford Field. While Daniels has proven himself, the rest of the Commanders won't be able to keep pace with the Lions' balanced and deep offensive attack led by QB Jared Goff and RB Jahmyr Gibbs. And the Lions defense won't be surprised with any of Daniels' antics. Trying to stop them is another challenge entirely. The Lions (15-2 SU) were the NFL's best team on the line at 12-5. They've won outright 10 straight against NFC opponents. And they're 2-1 ATS on lines of 8 points or more this season. This is a big number for a Divisional Round game, but the Lions won't let up if they get the chance to break this one open. And they will. 

Best Bet: Lions -8 (-110) ESPN BET
Best Bet: Under 55.5 Points (-110) BetMGM

Sunday, January 19 (NFC)
Vikings/Rams at (2) Eagles
3 p.m. (FOX)

Buzz: The Eagles outlogged the Packers in their Wild Card game Sunday. But Philly's offense struggled against a depleted Packers' defense. And the "boo" birds came out early in the 2nd half. Philly was prevented from being able to fully unleash Saquon Barkley and could not sustain much offense, otherwise. 

Best Bet: TBD DraftKings   
Best Bet: TBD BetMGM

Sunday, January 19 (AFC)
(3) Baltimore Ravens at (2) Buffalo Bills 
6:30 p.m. (CBS) 

Buzz: Jim Nantz and Tony Romo will be on hand to call the "Game Of The Season." The NFL’s two would-be MVPs – Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson – meet with a trip to the AFC Championship Game at stake. The 2 QBs combined for 86 TDs and just 10 picks. The Baltimore Ravens rolled into Highmark Stadium in Week 4 and scored touchdowns on their first 3 possessions in scoring a 35-10 rout. The Bills defense has markedly improved since – but so has the Ravens’. Both teams are at 100% in terms of injury and key players. The Bills were able to basically take off the 4^th quarter against Denver, in addition to their final game of the season against New England. The Ravens, meanwhile, have steadily improved down the stretch – especially on defense. They rolled past Pittsburgh 28-14 in their Wild Card win. The combination of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry continues to wreck opposing defenses. Meanwhile, nothing has been able to stop or slow down, Allen. The Bills have multiple options when Allen doesn’t run the ball – between James Cook, WR Ty Johnson, and their tight ends. The Ravens will be ready for Allen (at least). They allowed the sixth-fewest rushing yards to QBs this past season, just 3.75 yards per attempt. Both QBs here can extend plays and torture opposing defenses. This one could be an instant classic. But the Ravens hold just enough of an edge - even with a shaky Justin Tucker.

Best Bet: Ravens +1.5 (-122) DraftKings   
Best Bet: Over 51.5 Points (-105) DraftKings