The NFL Playoffs are in full swing, and many fans and sports bettors are anticipating the high-octane matchups this year has to offer. The six wild card matches in the past weekend have shown the increased intensity of plays during the playoffs, with viewers treated with both one-sided and close games.
Those who engage in NFL betting in an online casino in Singapore are surely looking for the possible teams that will battle it out in New Orleans for the Super Bowl 59 on February 9th. Some teams might look like a guaranteed lock for the Super Bowl (Chiefs, anyone?), but anything can happen during the playoffs, and properly studying the playoff picture can help bettors on their goals.
The Wild, Wild, Wild Card
Before diving into the divisional playoffs matchups, here’s a quick look back at what happened in the past weekend.
AFC
- Baltimore Ravens (3) defeated Pittsburgh Steelers (6), 28-14
King Henry happened. With 186 yards in 26 carries and two touchdowns, Derrick Henry and quarterback Lamar Jackson have made the Steelers defence guess all night, highlighted by the running back’s 44-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
- Buffalo Bills (2) defeated Denver Broncos (7), 31-7
One of the blowout games this wild card is between the 2-seed Bills and the 7-seed Broncos. The visitors actually led the game 7-3 by the end of the first quarter, but the Bills offense just proved too much for the Broncos. They scored 28 unanswered points throughout the last three quarters to book a match against the Ravens in the next round.
- Houston Texans (4) defeated Los Angeles Chargers (5), 32-12
Another AFC West team suffered a heavy defeat early in the weekend, as the Chargers lost to the Texans. Houston’s defence pressured the Chargers’ quarterback throughout the game, leading to four interceptions (one more than his total from the regular season).
NFC
- L.A. Rams (4) defeated Minnesota Vikings (5), 27-9
Backed by the traveling fans (this is supposed to be a Rams home game in SoFi Stadium, but the wildfires in L.A. forced the team to play the game in Arizona), the Rams’ defence made things hard for Sam Darnold and Minnesota’s offense to get going, while Stafford and the Rams offense looked comfortable from the get-go.
- Philadelphia Eagles (2) defeated Green Bay Packers (7), 22-10
It was not the prettiest of games for the Eagles, but their “Inner Excellence” (you’ll know when you see it) is enough to cruise past the Packers. Jalen Hurts threw for 131 yards and two touchdowns, a remarkable effort following a three-week absence after a concussion last month.
- Washington Commanders (6) defeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3), 23-20
This is playoff football! The Commanders ended the drought of almost two decades with no playoff win. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels threw 268 yards and two touchdowns, probably cementing his place as the franchise quarterback and Rookie of the Year. Kicker Zane Gonzalez won the game for the Commanders, delivering a 37-yard field goal to end the regulation.
The Divisional Playoffs
AFC
- Buffalo Bills (2) vs Baltimore Ravens (3)
Prediction: Bills win, 24-17
The rematch of a Week 4 matchup will feature the favourites for the MVP, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. The Ravens handled the Bills their first loss of the season in a big way, winning 35-10 behind Henry’s 199 yards on 24 carries.
But with a bigger stake at hand, can Buffalo repeat that performance and win on the road? The Bills will be up against another Top 5 run defence, but their offensive line helped the team gain 210 rushing yards against the Broncos, the team’s best in three decades. Should they manage to protect the run game and contain either Henry or Jackson (or both), there’s no stopping the Bills from another AFC Championship appearance.
- Kansas City Chiefs (1) vs Houston Texans (4)
Prediction: Chiefs win, 34-16
It’s hard to see the Chiefs losing this one. Sure, they had a quite embarrassing end to their regular season, losing 0-38. But in that game, the team rested most of the core players, which makes it understandable why the team got battered on the road.
However, two weeks before that game, the Chiefs actually defeat the Texans 27-19, with Patrick Mahomes finishing with 260 yards, a passing touchdown, and a rushing touchdown despite a sprained ankle in the previous week.
Yes, the Chiefs may not have the best statistical year, but they’re finding ways to win games. Their bye week in the first round is pivotal in resting the first team, and it can be enough to cruise past the Texans on Saturday.
NFC
- L,A. Rams (4) vs Philadelphia Eagles (2)
Prediction: Eagles win, 17-14
The Philadelphia Eagles won the first meeting of the teams in Week 12, 37-20. Eagles running back Saquon Barkley had a field day that time, finishing with a career-high 255 yards and two touchdowns. But since then, the Rams had improved their defence, only allowing 5 of their next 7 opponents (including the first-round game against the Vikings) to score 14 points or lower.
The Rams’ refined defence can make things hard for Jalen Hurts and the rest of the Eagles’ offense, which might cause them to struggle to put points up the board. But L.A.’s offensive limitations might not be enough against the Eagles’ top-ranked defence this season.
- Detroit Lions (1) vs Washington Commanders (6)
Prediction: Lions win, 27-9
The Cinderella run for Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders will continue to Downtown Detroit. However, they will be up against the Detroit Lions, arguably the best team in the league right now. Should the Commanders pull the upset, Daniels will be one step closer to becoming the first-ever rookie quarterback to start in the Super Bowl.
But that’s still a long shot, given that the Lions’ offense has been one of the best this season. Part of this is the team’s running game, led by Jahmyr Gibbs, who has 1412 yards in 250 carries and 16 touchdowns. The Commanders are ranked 30th in rushing defence, and the Lions can exploit this to punch a ticket to their second-straight NFC Championship.
Super Bowl 59 Prediction: Bills vs Lions
Sports are unpredictable, and many factors can ruin the Divisional Round predictions above. Despite that, we believe that the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions will compete in New Orleans for the Lombardi trophy.
Should they win against the Ravens, the Bills will have the golden opportunity to finally take down the Chiefs after years of losing against them (2020 AFC Championship game and at Divisional Playoffs in 2021 and 2023). Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions can avenge their NFC Championship loss against the 49ers last year and finally punch a ticket to their first Super Bowl appearance.
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Read More:
What You Need to Know About Betting in the NFL
Sources:
- https://www.espn.com/nfl/scoreboard
- https://www.nfl.com/
- https://www.buffalobills.com/news/top-5-storylines-for-bills-vs-ravens-divisional-round
- https://www.si.com/betting/texans-vs-chiefs-final-score-prediction-for-nfl-divisional-round-houston-will-upset-kansas-city
- https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2025/1/14/24343674/eagles-rams-nfl-playoffs-2025-preview-changes-matchup-saquon-barkley-devonta-smith-tyler-higbee
- https://www.detroitlions.com/news/key-questions-what-s-next-for-lions-now-that-divisional-round-opponent-is-determined