NFL Division Round Football: The Panel's Picks For Saturday's Games
Our team of experts examines the NFL Division Round weekend football, focusing on odds and insights from top betting sites.
Continue reading for The Panel's in-depth coverage and expert predictions. Saturday will feature games in Kansas City and Detroit.
NFL Division Round Football Predictions:
- The Panel Pick 1: Kansas City Chiefs -8.5 Points - 10/11 With Betway
- The Panel Pick 2: Detroit Lions Over 32.5 Points - 20/21 With Betway
Texans Vs Chiefs Pick: Kansas City To Cover
Houston and Kansas City will play on Saturday as the NFL Divisional Round begins.
While the Texans won resoundingly last week, most of Kansas City’s starters have been resting for three weeks. For instance, Patrick Mahomes last played on Christmas Day in Pittsburgh.
Houston's defense performed well last week, allowing only 261 yards and causing four turnovers.
One concern was the offense, which did well but coughed up the ball three times. That cannot happen in Kansas City.
DeMeco Ryans deserves credit for a great game plan against Justin Herbert and the Chargers.
Mahomes will be a much more significant challenge, however. Add temperatures in the teens, and it will feel like home for the Chiefs.
The Chiefs are likely to come out with a lot of adrenaline, so Houston will have to play smarter while pushing the Kansas City defense.
We have less confidence in the latter, so another Chiefs win is likely to be on the cards as they advance to the AFC Conference Championship.
The Panel still likes the spread despite the move to 8.5.
The Panel Pick 1: Kansas City Chiefs -8.5 Points @ 10/11 with Betway
Commanders Vs Lions Prediction: Bring The Points!
The second game on Saturday night will feature the other number-one seed in the playoffs: the Detroit Lions, who have averaged an NFL-best 33.2 points per game.
They will play the Washington Commanders, who advanced last weekend after a friendly bounce off a goalpost in Tampa Bay.
Washington have a knack for staying in games, with Jayden Daniels thriving in fourth-quarter situations that a typical rookie would not.
Detroit have suffered significant injuries of late, but David Montgomery, who has 12 touchdowns to his name, will return.
Jahmyr Gibbs leads the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns and averages almost six yards per carry.
The updated numbers favour Detroit, who scored over 30 points. You will find some betting apps offering a price of 20/21 on the Lions to tally 32+ points.
Teams can run on the Commanders, as they averaged 4.8 yards per carry. Detroit, playing on their fast turf, have a balance and tempo that figures to confound Washington.
Jared Goff threw for 4,629 yards in the regular season, with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams going over 1,000 receiving yards and 19 combined touchdowns.
Add in Gibbs’ 521 receiving yards and five touchdowns, and Washington may have too many game-breakers to slow down on Saturday night.
The Panel's second pick for Saturday is for Detroit to score 32+ points at home.
The Panel Pick 2: Detroit Lions Over 32.5 Points @ 20/21 with Betway
