NFL Playoffs Divisional Round Preview and Predictions

The NFL Playoffs continue into the Divisional Round Jan. 18-19, 2026. Top No. 1 seeds Denver Broncos host the Buffalo Bills and the Broncos opened a home underdog. The No. 1 Seattle Seahawks are taking money over division rival San Francisco 49ers. 

Some exciting games and finishes in the Wild Card Round were driving more watch and wager action with five of the six contests close and within one-score into the 4th quarter. The Packers led the Bears 21-6 before blowing it with Chicago winning 31-27. Last year's Wild Card games saw five teams win by double-digits. This year the Patriots and Texans won by double-digits, but held just 9-3 and 7-6 leads into the 4th quarter. 

Home underdogs went 1-2 SU and 2-1 ATS with the Chicago Bears pulling off another historical comeback win over the Packers. It was the Bears 7th win this season when trailing at the 2 minute warning in the 4th quarter. The Houston Texans led just 7-6 early in the 4th quarter before blowing out the overmatched Pittsburgh Steelers with the Texans dominant defense delivering a pair of 4th quarter touchdowns.

Note as well for future Wild Card betting, as game totals over/under went 2-4 in this year's Wild Card round, and now 25-53 over/under favoring 'Unders' in outdoor Wild Card games dating back to 2004, per Action Network research staff. That includes 16-45 O/U if the total is 41 points or or higher and the game is outdoors (2-3 O/U this year).

NFL Divisional Round Picks And Odds 

Pro football odds from BetOnline and top online sportsbooks refresh periodically and are subject to change, including on props and live betting. Point spreads listed on favorites. All times Eastern. 

No. 6 Buffalo Bills at No. 1 Denver Broncos

Spread/Line: Broncos (pk), Total 46.5
Saturday, Jan. 17 | 4:30 p.m. | CBS
Pick/Opinion: TBD 

No. 6 San Francisco 49ers at No. 1 Seattle Seahawks 

Spread/Line: Seahawks (-7.5), Total 45.5
Saturday, Jan. 17 | 8:00 p.m. | FOX
Pick/Opinion: TBD 

No. 5 Houston Texans at No. 2 New England Patriots 

Spread/Line: Patriots (-3.5), Total 41
Sunday, Jan. 18 | 3:00 p.m. | ESPN/ABC
Pick/Opinion: TBD 

No. 5 Los Angeles Rams at No. 2 Chicago Bears 

Spread/Line: Rams (-3.5), Total 49
Sunday, Jan. 18 | 6:30 p.m. | NBC
Pick/Opinion: 

It will be very cold in Chicago, and NFL weather forecast calls for near 17 degrees, 10 mph winds and slight chance of snow. 

The No. 1 seed Denver Broncos opened a slight underdog against the No. 6 Buffalo Bills, and the game went to pick 'em by Tuesday morning.

Another line move saw the No. 1 Seattle Seahawks move from -6.5 to -7 and -7.5 over the No. 6 San Francisco 49ers. The LA Rams (-3.5) are a road favorite against the Chicago Bears. The No. 5 Houston Texans travel again to tackle the No. 2 New England Patriots (-3). 

If the Bills and Rams both close as road favorites, it will be the first time in 54 years there are two road favorites in the Divisional Round. Both those two road favorites, Colts (QB Unitas) and Cowboys (QB Staubach) scored 20 points in low-scoring victories. 

First Time Playoff Starting Quarterbacks

For the third straight year, a rookie quarterback had a strong playoff debut in leading his team to victory in the Wild Card Round. Two years ago it was CJ Stroud of the Texans. Last year' Jayden Daniels led the surprising Commanders to a pair of playoff wins including over the No. 1 seed Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round before getting steamrolled by the eventual Super Bowl champions Philadelphia Eagles. This year, both Drake Maye of the Patriots and Caleb Williams of the Bears were winners in their NFL playoff debut. Maye was sacked five times vs. the Chargers but still passed for 268 yards (17/29) with 1 TD and 1 INT while rushing for another 66 yards (10 attempts), but losing a fumble. Williams passed for 361 yards (24/38) with 2 TD's and 2 interceptions and rushed for 20 yards (4 att). Maye (+105) is also a league MVP finalist with Rams QB Matthew Stafford (-135).

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Divisional Round Props

Betting on the highest scoring game of the Divisional Round?

+125: LAR/CHI
+250: BUF/DEN
+300: SF/SEA
+550: HOU/NE 

Highest scoring team 

+250: Rams
+300: Seahawks
+600: Bears
+650: Bills, Broncos
+700: Patriots
+1400: Texans
+1500: 49ers

The playoffs are much different than the regular season, as the one-and-done format also has teams taking more chances when trailing. Variance along with uncertainty and some poor officiating and calls can change the dynamic of a game and outcome. 

NFL Playoffs Divisional Round Matchups, Data And Odds 

Here is ATS playoff data since 1988, courtesy of Playbook Sports. Rested home teams in the Divisional Round (DEN and SEA) have gone 105-37 SU and 73-65-4 ATS (5-1 SU/4-2 ATS last 3 years and 1-1 SU/2-0 ATS last year). Road teams coming off a Wild Card Round SU and ATS win (BUF, SF, HOU) are 61-76-2 ATS in Divisional Round contests (1-3 SU/3-1 ATS last year, 2-9 SU 6-5 ATS last 3 years).

Check back for more including game insight, analysis, stats and picks with additional information you can bet on ahead of the NFL Divisional Round games. 

You can bet on it. 

FairwayJay is a proven sports handicapper with top of the leaderboard success in NFL pointspread prognosis. Fairway is recognized as one of the sports industry's insightful analysts, and he chips in additional sports betting coverage and reporting on industry news and events. Follow FairwayJay here at OSGA.com and on X @FairwayJay for more sports betting insights.