The NFL playoffs kick off this weekend and it's time to start planning ahead! We've got Divisional Round lookahead lines for savvy bettors eager to get a jump on the action.
Below, I'll break down potential NFL Divisional Round matchups with analysis on the lookahead lines to help you capitalize.
Chargers vs Chiefs Divisional Round Look-Ahead Lines
| Market | Chargers | Chiefs |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | +5.5 (-105) | -5.5 (-115) |
| Moneyline | +215 | -260 |
| Point Total | OVER 47.5 (-110) | UNDER 47.5 (-110) |
Chargers vs Chiefs would be the third meeting between these teams, with Kansas City emerging victorious in Weeks 4 and 14.
The Chiefs won those two matchups by a combined nine points. Jim Harbaugh is an excellent coach, and his hardnosed approach has quickly turned around the Chargers fortunes. But, defeating the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs at Arrowhead in the playoffs is another story.
Breaking: The #Chiefs are designating CB Jaylen Watson to return from IR, and he will practice today, sources tell @NFLonFOX. This is a huge boost for Kansas City, who has been without Watson since late October due to a broken fibula.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 3, 2025
He and Trent McDuffie are one of the best CB… pic.twitter.com/ePRd10X5YG
Expect to see Kansas City come out on top in what should be a third straight defensive showdown.
Best Bet: Under 47.5
Ravens vs Bills Divisional Round Look-Ahead Lines
| Market | Ravens | Bills |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | +1.5 (-110) | -1.5 (-110) |
| Moneyline | +102 | -120 |
| Point Total | OVER 52.5 (-110) | UNDER 52.5 (-110) |
Ravens-Bills gives NFL fans a rematch of the Week 4 clash and a titanic battle between the two quarterbacks deadlocked in the NFL MVP race.
Baltimore handled Josh Allen like no one else has this season, and cruised to a 35-10 victory at home. The Ravens ran all over to the Bills to the tune of 271 rushing yards and would look to emulate that performance. Tackling Derrick Henry in the cold in Buffalo is not for the feint of heart.
Josh Allen: I'm the MVP!
— Nick (@HolzSportsCo) September 30, 2024
Travis Jones: pic.twitter.com/lBuVucxH24
While Allen will certainly put up more of a fight, the Ravens defense has been dominate of late. Zach Orr's stop-unit sits first in EPA per play allowed over the last five weeks by a large margin. I'm on the underdog Ravens in this one.
Best Bet: Ravens ML
Vikings vs Lions Divisional Round Look-Ahead Lines
| Market | Vikings | Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | +3.5 (-110) | -3.5 (-110) |
| Moneyline | +154 | -184 |
| Point Total | OVER 53.5 (-110) | UNDER 53.5 (-110) |
Yet again we have a potential rematch, as the Vikings and Lions could meet for a third time this season. Detroit won a close one 31-29 in Week 6 before demolishing the Vikings 31-9 in their highly anticipated Week 18 clash.
The Lions defense matched their Nickel personnel (5 DBs) to Base offense (2 WR personnel) only 14 times the whole season before matching 15 times against the Vikings in week 18.
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) January 8, 2025
Thought this was a great example of how using light bodies can be weaponized if used the right way. pic.twitter.com/NFf9z2DfUR
I think Detroit will have a different Divisional Round opponent from the NFC North, but like them to come out on top in this hypothetical matchup.
Best Bet: Lions ML
Buccaneers vs Eagles Divisional Round Look-Ahead Lines
| Market | Buccaneers | Eagles |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | +5.5 (-104) | -5.5 (-118) |
| Moneyline | +210 | -255 |
| Point Total | OVER 48.5 (-110) | UNDER 48.5 (-110) |
Bucs vs Eagles pits Baker Mayfield against Jalen Hurts in a rematch of their Week 4 clash. Tampa Bay demolished Philadelphia in that September battle, in a game that wasn't very competitive.
Mayfield threw for 347 yards and two touchdowns and Mike Evans ate up the Eagles secondary. Now, Philadelphia has improved defensively since then, but by how much?
This line is far too high for a dangerous Bucs team that could easily storm back in the fourth quarter.
Best Bet: Buccaneers +5.5
Rams vs Lions Divisional Round Look-Ahead Lines
| Market | Rams | Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | +6.5 (-105) | -6.5 (-115) |
| Moneyline | +250 | -300 |
| Point Total | OVER 53.5 (-110) | UNDER 53.5 (-110) |
Rams vs Lions pits Matthew Stafford against the team that drafted him first overall. Stafford vs Goff always makes for top-tier television, as their trade has borne fruit for each team. Of course, the Lions would be heavily favored in this contest. But, never count out the Rams as plucky underdogs.
Ultimately, I think the Lions simply outscore an overmatched Rams squad.
Best Bet: OVER 53.5
Vikings vs Eagles Divisional Round Look-Ahead Lines
| Market | Vikings | Eagles |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | +3 (-105) | -3 (-115) |
| Moneyline | -110 | -106 |
| Point Total | OVER 47.5 (-110) | UNDER 47.5 (-110) |
Vikings vs Eagles has traditionally been a beatdown in the playoffs, with the Eagles decimating the Vikings en route to the Super Bowl just a few short years ago.
Philadelphia is 4-0 SU against Minnesota in the playoffs all-time. I like that streak to continue.
Best Bet: Eagles -3
Texans vs Chiefs Divisional Round Look-Ahead Lines
| Market | Texans | Chiefs |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | +7.5 (-110) | -7.5 (-110) |
| Moneyline | +300 | -375 |
| Point Total | OVER 42.5 (-110) | UNDER 42.5 (-110) |
At one point, the Houston Texans were four scores ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs and looked to be taking the next step as a franchise. Then, Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs back, and these franchises have gone in opposite directions since.
I like the Chiefs to roll in this matchup. Although, Kansas City has failed to cover a spread of over seven points this season.
Best Bet: Chiefs -7.5
Vikings vs Buccaneers Divisional Round Look-Ahead Lines
| Market | Vikings | Buccaneers |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | -1.5 (-104) | +1.5 (-118) |
| Moneyline | -110 | -106 |
| Point Total | OVER 48.5 (-110) | UNDER 48.5 (-110) |
Vikings vs Buccaneers would be an interesting chess match between two defensive coordinators - Brian Flores and Todd Bowles - who both love to bring pressure.
The offensive line that keeps their quarterback clean would likely win this contest. Tampa Bay has shown time and again they are one of the best pass-protecting units in the NFL. And with Bucky Irving and Rachaad White in the backfield, they can run the football too. This is a bad matchup for the Vikings, so I like the Bucs in this lookahead line as home dogs.
Best Bet: Buccaneers ML
Rams vs Eagles Divisional Round Look-Ahead Lines
| Market | Rams | Eagles |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | -1.5 (-104) | +1.5 (-118) |
| Moneyline | -110 | -106 |
| Point Total | OVER 47.5 (-110) | UNDER 47.5 (-110) |
Rams-Eagles is another rematch of a regular season game. Philadelphia rolled to a 37-20 victory in Week 11 behind 255 rushing yards and two touchdowns from Saquon Barkley.
Los Angeles will aim to limit the damage from number 26 in a potential rematch. But, shutting down Barkley 2k is easier said than done.
Saquon Barkley vs. the Rams:
— Barstool Philly (@BarstoolPhilly) November 25, 2024
• 255 rushing yards
• 300 yards from scrimmage
• 2 TDs
GIVE THIS MAN THE MVPpic.twitter.com/hDk0g0Zoyk
This would be one of the best games on NFL Divisional Weekend. I love the potential Rams vs Eagles OVER 46.5 on the latest lookahead lines.
Best Bet: OVER 46.5
Packers vs Lions Divisional Round Look-Ahead Lines
| Market | Packers | Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | +4.5 (-104) | -4.5 (-118) |
| Moneyline | +184 | -220 |
| Point Total | OVER 54.5 (-110) | UNDER 54.5 (-110) |
An all-NFC North showdown would take place in the Divisional Round if the Green Bay Packers can get past the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
Detroit smacked Green Bay in both meetings this season. In fact, the Lions have won six of the past seven matchups against their hated rivals. However, in the 105-year history of NFL football, only 13 teams have swept the season series and then defeated that same team in a home playoff game. Give me the Packers against a decimated Lions defense.
Best Bet: Packers +4.5
Super Bowl 59 Exact Matchup Odds
| Teams | Odds |
|---|---|
| Ravens vs Lions | +800 |
| Chiefs vs Lions | +380 |
| Bills vs. Lions | +800 |
| Bills vs Eagles | +1600 |
| Steelers vs Lions | +6000 |
| Ravens vs Eagles | +1600 |
| Ravens vs Packers | +3500 |
| Bills vs. Vikings | +3000 |
Odds via BetMGM as of January 8th
Thankfully, there are a number of intriguing matchups on the Super Bowl 59 exact matchup odds board.
Chiefs vs Lions would pit the top-seeded teams in each conference against on another for the Lombardi Trophy. Bills vs Lions would be a colossal clash between two of the NFL's worst teams over the past two decades.
However, at +800 odds, Ravens vs Lions provides the best bet on the Super Bowl 59 exact matchup board. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense is more than capable of running roughshod through the AFC playoffs this season. While Jared Goff and the Lions have been nigh on impossible to stop all year. This game would give bettors an explosive contest between the top-two offenses in the NFL. The same-game parlays and player prop wagers would be insane.
