Ahead of the most exciting soccer weekend of the entire season, here are our divisional round predictions and previews with arguments for and against each NFL playoff team in the second round.

I've already made predictions for every NFL playoff game this season, but that doesn't mean there aren't compelling arguments on the other side of the NFL Divisional Round odds. This is especially true when the Super Bowl odds have been reduced to four teams in each conference as part of the revamped NFL playoff gridiron.

NFL Divisional Round Odds and Previews
NFL odds from our top NFL betting sites. .

Don't miss our guide on how to bet on the NFL, or the best sportsbook promotions this week that will help you maximize your NFL betting profits during the Divisional Round.

Texans vs. Chiefs: preview
Don't miss our early predictions for the Texans vs. Chiefs to learn more about this matchup.

Texans to cover the spread (+8.5)
Another Joe Mixon in the Texans lineup should cause another close finish for the Chiefs.

These teams met in Week 16, and the Chiefs won at home by exactly eight points.

C.J. Stroud didn't play well, and the Texans largely abandoned the run - 15 run attempts for the running back against 39 pass attempts - despite the game being pretty competitive from start to finish.

The Texans relied heavily on Joe Mixon in the Wild Card Weekend victory. He used the ball 25 times against Stroud's 33 pass attempts, and Houston wore down the Los Angeles Chargers defense in the second half.

I think the Texans will take a similar approach in the divisional round to help their secondary quarterback battle a strong Chiefs defense, as well as a spectacular crowd.

Also, while I recognize that the Chiefs are a different beast in the playoffs, 11 of their 14 wins this season have come by a margin of just one point.
If the Chiefs cover the spread (-8.5)
A healthy and rested Kansas City after the playoffs? Sign me up for this one.

I get your point on the first matchup, but the last point is key for me: I don't expect the same Kansas City team to take the field on Saturday.

Didn't we already fall for that last year? The Chiefs spent the entire regular season as a dress rehearsal before flipping the switch and winning their second consecutive Lombardi Trophy. The difference this time around is that they managed to win 15 games and never felt threatened in their first win over the Texans.

I expect Patrick Mahomes and Co. to pick up a double-digit win after a two-week hiatus with a (finally) nearly healthy roster.

Commanders vs Lions preview
Don't miss our early predictions for the Commanders vs Lions matchup to learn more about this matchup.

The Commanders should cover the spread (+9.5)
Their star rookie QB is playing at an elite level, so why shouldn't the Commanders?

Jaden Daniels is about to get an ultra-short shot at NFL Rookie of the Year honors, but judging by the way he played against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wild Card weekend, there could be some MVP honors in his future.

Daniels put the Chiefs on their heels, and the game could have been much less close had Washington capitalized on at least one of their previous red zone outings. He threw for 268 yards and ran for 36 of the team's 82 total yards gained, despite constant pressure throughout the contest.

Of course, the Lions are a different story, but with the way the rookie is playing right now, I like the Commodores to be able to compete with any NFL team.

The case for the Lions to cover the spread (-9.5)
Good luck against the NFC leader at home after a week off.

The Chiefs are no joke, even if their defense is considered one of the worst in the playoffs. That can't help but worry me before facing Ben Johnson and a high-powered Lions offense that was even better than Washington's in the regular season in terms of games played and total yards and points.

Detroit's defense is getting bitten by injuries - you've probably heard that one before. But it's been that way for most of the season, and the Lions still continue to find creative ways to frustrate some of the most creative play makers in soccer. There's a reason defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn looks like a potential head coach in 2025.

I don't believe the Lions will get to their first Lombardi Trophy, but with a week off and home field advantage this weekend, they should take matters into their own hands and put an end to the best Cinderella story in the NFL.

Rams vs. Eagles preview
Don't miss our early Rams vs Eagles predictions for more on this matchup.

The case for the Rams to cover the spread (+6)
Los Angeles is peaking at the right time and has a proven formula for pulling off a win.

The Rams should reach New Orleans in my Super Bowl predictions, so I'm high on their chances of holding on to win and ultimately winning.

Los Angeles, who defeated the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night, is the same team that won nine of 11 games late in the regular season before sending their starters to rest in Week 18. Just because the market refuses to believe in this team doesn't mean they aren't one of the most dangerous teams left in the playoffs.

The Eagles defense is a real problem, but Matthew Stafford is patient enough to attack from underneath using his playmakers in space, and the Rams defense has scored fewer than 10 points four times in a row (not counting Week 18) and gave up nine sacks in Round 1. Give me this team all day.

The case for the Eagles to cover the spread (-6)
The potential for a win is there, but Philadelphia is built to overpower Los Angeles in front of a raging crowd.

If you've read my earlier predictions for the Rams vs. Eagles matchup, you know that I don't just like the Rams to cover the spread, I think they can win. But when your boss tells you he wants to back the Rams in a joint article, you let him do it.

There is every reason to believe that the Eagles will not only win this game, but win very convincingly. They beat the Green Bay Packers in Wild Card Weekend by 12 points despite having almost no success throwing the ball.

A.J. Brown is one of the top five receivers in soccer, and he only had one catch for 10 yards. You could argue that it's because Jalen Hurts isn't very good and the Eagles used the run to protect him from himself, but the dual-threat quarterback is still capable of being a game breaker when he's at his best.

With one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL, the favorite for NFL running back of the year and a top-notch offensive line, the game could get ugly for the Rams in short order in a hostile environment.

Ravens vs. Bills preview
Don't miss our early Ravens vs. Bills predictions for more on this matchup.

Ravens win odds (-1)
Baltimore looks to be the best in the NFL and is ready to face their toughest test yet.

This Ravens team doesn't just top my NFL Divisional Round predictions, they are my pick to win as they have looked like the best team in the league over the last five weeks.

Baltimore has scored 21.2 points per game over those five weeks, and while opponents leave a lot to be desired, the Ravens have been the best team in terms of net yards per game (1.6) and net EPA per game (0.27) all season long - even despite some midseason issues that now seem like a distant memory.

Like that 35-10 win over Buffalo in Week 4, which everyone seemed to collectively scratch from their memories until that game became a reality. I don't like to bet on away points between two elite teams, but the Ravens are an even bigger threat than they were in September and should leave Highmark Stadium with a win.

Bills win odds (+1)
There is little separating these teams in the battle of the two favorites for NFL MVP. However, in Buffalo, where it will be very cold and possibly snowy, I think Josh Allen's power running may prove to be more valuable than Lamar Jackson's style on the ground.

Also, as I mentioned last week, James Cook is not only one of the most underrated running backs in the league, but he entered the postseason well rested. The Bills leaned on him in the game against the Denver Broncos, and he scored 23 points and gained 120 yards. He'll have a tough matchup against a strong Ravens defense, but I think he has the talent to make an impact.

In the end, I wouldn't bet on the Bills covering that one point at -110 odds. I'd rather take an extra dime and bet on them winning at +100 odds from BetMGM.

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