NFL betting tips: 4 picks for the Divisional Round
20 Jan
NFL
Guy Giles
Guy Giles makes his NFL betting picks for the Divisional Round of the 2023 playoffs, with four bets against the spread.

Visit the Betway online sportsbook for the latest NFL odds and lines, and Betway’s NFL picks page for picks and predictions throughout the season.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (+8.5) vs Kansas City Chiefs 1.95

The Divisional Round of the 2023 NFL playoffs begins at Arrowhead as the No. 1 seed Kansas City Chiefs take on the surprise package in the AFC this year, the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Jacksonville sneaked into the postseason with a 20-16 win over AFC South rivals Tennessee in Week 18, and then pulled off one of the biggest comebacks in playoff history in the Wild Card round.

Down 27-0 to the Los Angeles Chargers, Trevor Lawrence and the Jags played an incredible second half to eat into that deficit before stealing the win with a Riley Patterson field goal in the final seconds.

That win takes the Jags’ win streak to five and they will have some serious momentum heading into one of the most hostile environments in football.

The hometown Chiefs own a five-game win streak of their own, one that earned them a crucial bye for the Wild Card round last weekend.

When these teams met in the regular season, Kansas City were 27-17 winners at home, and they should ultimately get the W here and head into the AFC Championship game.

However, they do have a history of tight wins this season, with seven of their 14 victories coming by six points or less, so take the surging Jags and the points.

NEW YORK GIANTS (+8.5) vs Philadelphia Eagles 1.87

The NFC’s top seed also enters the playoffs on Saturday as the Philadelphia Eagles welcome the upstart New York Giants to Lincoln Financial Field.

This is another interesting tie and a potential banana skin for an Eagles team which has been so impressive all year.

The story for the Giants has been the impact of first-year head coach Brian Daboll, who seems to have an answer for just about everything that comes his way.

The way Daboll has rejuvenated the franchise has been nothing short of spectacular, particularly the way in which he has maximised the talents of quarterback Daniel Jones, who had one of his best games of the season as they beat the 13-win Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card round.

Considering their two losses to the Eagles in the regular season, this is likely where the fairytale of New York ends, but this spread makes it worth backing the Giants one last time this season.

CINCINNATI BENGALS (+5.5) vs Buffalo Bills 1.95

This is likely to be the game of the round between two of the most exciting offenses in football, so it’s worth looking at the over with the line set at 49.5.

Sticking to the spread, though, this looks a nice buffer for a Bengals team that has won 10 games in a row in their hunt for a first Super Bowl for Cincinnati.

Joe Burrow has been in the form of his life in recent weeks, throwing 18 touchdown passes during that win streak, and is supported by one of the most talented receiver trios in the league in Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd.

While Cincinnati dispatched Baltimore 24-17 in the Wild Card round, Buffalo had some trouble with a Miami Dolphins side led by rookie third-string quarterback Skylar Thompson.

The Bills have struggled for consistency this season and while they remain one of the best all-round teams in the league, there are questions over their ability to get over the line in big games.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (-4.5) vs Dallas Cowboys 1.95

The Brock Purdy show rolls onto the Divisional Round as the 49ers continue to look dominant in their quest for a first Super Bowl since 1994.

San Francisco has had to ride out some tough times this season with injuries to Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo leading to Purdy, Mr Irrelevant in the 2022 draft, taking the reins as play caller in Week 13.

Purdy has been a picture of consistency since then, silencing the doubters with assured performance after assured performance.

After his three-touchdown performance in the Wild Card round against Seattle, Purdy has now thrown at least two touchdowns in all seven of his starts in the NFL.

He will face a tough test against one of the best defensive units in the league on Sunday, but will be backed by an elite defense of his own.

The Cowboys were impressive against the Bucs last weekend, but Tampa Bay are not the same threat as they were last season, and this 49ers team is a different beast.

Back San Francisco to cover in the final game of the weekend.