NFL Parlay Picks: Divisional Round (2020)
The first weekend of the NFL Playoffs was outstanding, so we’ll hopefully get more of the same this week. To make things even more intriguing from a handicapping perspective, we have a trio of big spreads on the board for the Divisional Round.
Here’s a look at all four games and a pick for each. All odds are current as of this writing and courtesy of PointsBet.
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Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers, Sat. 4:35 PM, NBC
For the second week in a row, the Vikings are a big road underdog. They proved that was a mistake last Sunday as they went into New Orleans and got an upset win against the Saints.
Can they turn the same trick again versus a rested 49ers team that was one of the NFL’s best during the regular season? It’s absolutely possible. While San Francisco was very impressive on the season as a whole, they weren’t exactly dominant in December.
For the last five games of the regular season, they went 3-2. The three victories all came by five points or less. Minnesota is playing with house money and feeling quite confident. They keep this one closer than expected, and an upset wouldn’t be stunning.
The Pick: Minnesota Vikings +7 (-105)
Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens, Sat. 8:15 PM, CBS
The Titans went to New England last Saturday night and pulled off the upset over the Patriots. Their reward is another herculean task, as they head to Baltimore to take on a Ravens team that has won 12 games in a row.
Tennessee has the look of a playoff team that will go down swinging. Derrick Henry has been absolutely monstrous out of the backfield, and the defense seems to be getting better with each passing game.
Meanwhile, the Ravens begin their postseason journey as the favorite to win Super Bowl LIV. Lamar Jackson has been lights out, and the defense has evolved into a scary unit. The spread is high, but signs point to a dogfight. The Ravens survive, but the Titans cover.
The Pick: Tennessee Titans +9.5 (-105)
Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs, Sun. 3:05 PM, CBS
The come-from-behind win over the Bills was a sight to behold, but it also slightly overshadows the fact that the Texans were severely outplayed for the first 40 minutes or so of last Saturday’s Wild Card game.
Deshaun Watson got sacked seven times in the game, and the Texans’ offense was out of sync until he seemingly willed the squad to victory. Houston now heads to Kansas City to take on a Chiefs team that has had some extra time to prepare.
While the Kansas City offense gets the headlines, the team’s defense has been the most impressive facet in recent weeks. The Chiefs allowed a total of 27 points over the final three games. The Texans put up a fight, but the Chiefs will pull away in the end.
The Pick: Kansas City Chiefs -9.5 (-105)
Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers, Sun. 6:40 PM, FOX
Carson Wentz went down early in Sunday’s game, and the Seahawks were able to advance over the injury-ravaged Eagles. They’ll now head to Green Bay for an early evening affair with a rested Packers team.
The current forecast calls for frigid temperatures in the 20s, so the stage is set for a low-scoring, defensive affair. Both clubs have had moments where they have brought it this season, but each side has been exposed at times as well.
Since having their clocks cleaned on the road by the 49ers, the Packers have put it back together and won five straight. They’ll make it six in a row as they close out the Divisional Round with a home win and cover.
The Pick: Green Bay Packers -4.5 (-105)
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Christopher Feery is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Christopher, check out his archive and follow him @cmfeery.