The divisional round of the NFL playoffs is on the horizon, and there are just eight teams left competing for the Super Bowl LX title.
Heading into the weekend, the Seattle Seahawks have the best Super Bowl odds at +300.
Of the eight teams, three are from the NFC West — the Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams.
The No. 1 seeds from each conference, the Seahawks and Denver Broncos, will be in action, facing the 49ers and Buffalo Bills, respectively.
Below, I’ll provide a prediction for all four divisional round matchups.
Denver Broncos vs. Buffalo Bills
if (!res.ok) { throw new Error('Failed to fetch odds data'); }
const data = await res.json(); const oddsData = data?.data?.game?.details?.current_line; const visitingTeam = data?.data?.game?.visiting_team; const visitingTeamLogo = data?.data?.game?.visiting_team?.image_url_90; const homeTeam = data?.data?.game?.home_team; const homeTeamLogo = data?.data?.game?.home_team?.image_url_90; const gameTimestamp = data?.data?.game?.details?.timestamp;
return { oddsData, visitingTeam, visitingTeamLogo, homeTeam, homeTeamLogo, gameTimestamp }; }
async function renderBetMGM(componentId, league, gameId) { let oddsData, visitingTeam, visitingTeamLogo, homeTeam, homeTeamLogo, gameTimestamp, error;
const container = document.getElementById(componentId + '-odds'); if (!container) return;
try { ({ oddsData, visitingTeam, visitingTeamLogo, homeTeam, homeTeamLogo, gameTimestamp } = await fetchOddsData(league, gameId)); } catch (err) { error = err.message; }
if (error) { container.innerHTML = `
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if (!oddsData) { container.innerHTML = `
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let gameDate = new Date(gameTimestamp * 1000); const gameDateFormatted = gameDate.toLocaleDateString('en-US', { year: 'numeric', month: 'long', day: 'numeric' });
container.innerHTML = `
`; }
// Example usage renderBetMGM('block_9e93712162c6d31a7961ff4cd0fd70a8', 'NFL', '9a2084f0-146c-417c-a94d-b26012539d1e');
The Broncos are allowing just 91.1 rushing yards per game (second) and lead the league in pressures (292), and while that seems quite formidable, I’m more concerned with their offence.
The Broncos won 14 games this season, and 11 were by one score. In addition to averaging 23.6 points (14th) per game, the Broncos rank 18th or worse in average points per first, second, and third quarter.
I’m not sure the Broncos could come back if the Bills get out to a lead.
I predict the Bills will win and cover the spread.
PREDICTION: Bills +1 (-115)
Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers
if (!res.ok) { throw new Error('Failed to fetch odds data'); }
const data = await res.json(); const oddsData = data?.data?.game?.details?.current_line; const visitingTeam = data?.data?.game?.visiting_team; const visitingTeamLogo = data?.data?.game?.visiting_team?.image_url_90; const homeTeam = data?.data?.game?.home_team; const homeTeamLogo = data?.data?.game?.home_team?.image_url_90; const gameTimestamp = data?.data?.game?.details?.timestamp;
return { oddsData, visitingTeam, visitingTeamLogo, homeTeam, homeTeamLogo, gameTimestamp }; }
async function renderBetMGM(componentId, league, gameId) { let oddsData, visitingTeam, visitingTeamLogo, homeTeam, homeTeamLogo, gameTimestamp, error;
const container = document.getElementById(componentId + '-odds'); if (!container) return;
try { ({ oddsData, visitingTeam, visitingTeamLogo, homeTeam, homeTeamLogo, gameTimestamp } = await fetchOddsData(league, gameId)); } catch (err) { error = err.message; }
if (error) { container.innerHTML = `
`; return; }
if (!oddsData) { container.innerHTML = `
`; return; }
let gameDate = new Date(gameTimestamp * 1000); const gameDateFormatted = gameDate.toLocaleDateString('en-US', { year: 'numeric', month: 'long', day: 'numeric' });
container.innerHTML = `
`; }
// Example usage renderBetMGM('block_b28d82a561b565ba2e0a38c4527dc65f', 'NFL', '6971134a-fe2f-4e2d-b9c7-4043a1c28e5a');
I’ll be the first to say seven points is a lot for a divisional round game involving two teams that are division rivals and just played a couple of weeks ago, but I’m concerned about the 49ers in this game.
With tight end George Kittle tearing his Achilles, that’s one less option for QB Brock Purdy.
In 10 games, including the wild-card round, Purdy has completed 68.3 per cent of his passes for 2,429 yards (7.7 yards per attempt) for 22 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
When Kittle hasn’t been on the field, though, Purdy still has a reasonable completion percentage of 65.2 per cent, but he’s thrown eight touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Not only that, but in his two starts this season against the Seahawks without Kittle on the field, he’s thrown for 206 yards, one touchdown pass and two interceptions.
Finally, the Seahawks primarily play Cover-3 and Cover-6. Against those, Purdy has five touchdowns and seven interceptions. Without Kittle on the field against those coverages, Purdy has one touchdown and four interceptions.
I predict the Seahawks cover the spread.
PREDICTION: Seahawks -7 (-118)
New England Patriots vs. Houston Texans
if (!res.ok) { throw new Error('Failed to fetch odds data'); }
const data = await res.json(); const oddsData = data?.data?.game?.details?.current_line; const visitingTeam = data?.data?.game?.visiting_team; const visitingTeamLogo = data?.data?.game?.visiting_team?.image_url_90; const homeTeam = data?.data?.game?.home_team; const homeTeamLogo = data?.data?.game?.home_team?.image_url_90; const gameTimestamp = data?.data?.game?.details?.timestamp;
return { oddsData, visitingTeam, visitingTeamLogo, homeTeam, homeTeamLogo, gameTimestamp }; }
async function renderBetMGM(componentId, league, gameId) { let oddsData, visitingTeam, visitingTeamLogo, homeTeam, homeTeamLogo, gameTimestamp, error;
const container = document.getElementById(componentId + '-odds'); if (!container) return;
try { ({ oddsData, visitingTeam, visitingTeamLogo, homeTeam, homeTeamLogo, gameTimestamp } = await fetchOddsData(league, gameId)); } catch (err) { error = err.message; }
if (error) { container.innerHTML = `
`; return; }
if (!oddsData) { container.innerHTML = `
`; return; }
let gameDate = new Date(gameTimestamp * 1000); const gameDateFormatted = gameDate.toLocaleDateString('en-US', { year: 'numeric', month: 'long', day: 'numeric' });
container.innerHTML = `
`; }
// Example usage renderBetMGM('block_4a29c19690e4575fbe57f632fd620fe8', 'NFL', 'b1390aed-8b7a-42c7-a54d-1648958c9d28');
The New England Patriots secured the win over the Los Angeles Chargers last weekend, and while it may have been slow to start, remember that the Chargers have one of the best secondaries in the NFL.
Now, the Patriots and second-year QB Drake Maye draw another top-tier defence that completely demolished the Pittsburgh Steelers.
That said, this Patriots offence is quite different from the Steelers’.
The Texans are fourth in the NFL in pressures (262), but when under duress, Maye has averaged 8.7 yards per attempt, seven touchdowns and three interceptions. He also has an average depth of target of 12 yards, so he’s not afraid to push the ball downfield.
We also need to examine the coverage the Texans play most often: Cover-3.
Maye has absolutely decimated Cover-3. He’s completed 75.1 per cent of his passes for 1,643 yards, 9.5 yards per attempt, six touchdowns and two interceptions.
I don’t trust this Texans offence, especially if wide receiver Nico Collins, who left the wild-card round with a concussion, doesn’t play.
Through 15 games, including the wild-card round, Texans QB C.J. Stroud has six touchdown passes and three interceptions without Collins on the field.
Ultimately, Maye will out-duel Stroud, and I predict the Patriots will cover the spread.
PREDICTION: Patriots -3 (-118)
Chicago Bears vs. Los Angeles Rams
if (!res.ok) { throw new Error('Failed to fetch odds data'); }
const data = await res.json(); const oddsData = data?.data?.game?.details?.current_line; const visitingTeam = data?.data?.game?.visiting_team; const visitingTeamLogo = data?.data?.game?.visiting_team?.image_url_90; const homeTeam = data?.data?.game?.home_team; const homeTeamLogo = data?.data?.game?.home_team?.image_url_90; const gameTimestamp = data?.data?.game?.details?.timestamp;
return { oddsData, visitingTeam, visitingTeamLogo, homeTeam, homeTeamLogo, gameTimestamp }; }
async function renderBetMGM(componentId, league, gameId) { let oddsData, visitingTeam, visitingTeamLogo, homeTeam, homeTeamLogo, gameTimestamp, error;
const container = document.getElementById(componentId + '-odds'); if (!container) return;
try { ({ oddsData, visitingTeam, visitingTeamLogo, homeTeam, homeTeamLogo, gameTimestamp } = await fetchOddsData(league, gameId)); } catch (err) { error = err.message; }
if (error) { container.innerHTML = `
`; return; }
if (!oddsData) { container.innerHTML = `
`; return; }
let gameDate = new Date(gameTimestamp * 1000); const gameDateFormatted = gameDate.toLocaleDateString('en-US', { year: 'numeric', month: 'long', day: 'numeric' });
container.innerHTML = `
`; }
// Example usage renderBetMGM('block_f2f40f837891781c316435e97f12196b', 'NFL', '44077069-f79c-46a3-9414-ce4d0b970d02');
Both teams have excellent offences, and neither has a defence capable of stopping the opposing offence.
The Rams lead the NFL in points per game (30.7), and the Bears are ninth (26.2).
What convinces me the Bears will cover the spread or even win is that QB Caleb Williams has solid numbers against pressure and Cover-3.
The Rams play Cover-3 more than anything else, and against it, Williams has a respectable 8.1 yards per attempt and a 9:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
When pressured — which could happen often against a Rams defence that’s third in pressures with 274 — Williams has thrown seven touchdowns and two interceptions.
And for a cherry on top: The Rams have allowed 63 carries for 337 yards, three rushing touchdowns, 14 receptions, 117 receiving yards and another touchdown to running backs over the last three games combined.
I predict the Bears cover the spread at home.
PREDICTION: Bears +3.5 (-102)
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