FantasySP Fantasy Football Experts Game Predictions for Divisional Round

The NFL playoffs roll along with Divisional Round matchups this weekend. 

Everyone has their opinions on what’s going to happen, so some of the FantasySP writers (Morgan Rode, Brant Tedeschi, Daniel Hepner, Mark Morales-Smith) got together to give their predictions for all of the playoff games this week. 

All lines and over/under marks are accurate as of 6:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Jan. 17.

Texans at Ravens (-9.5) O/U 43.5

Morgan: I’ll take Baltimore to win, but Houston to cover in a 28-23 finish. C.J. Stroud has been an incredible story, but this Ravens’ defense is no joke and will end the rookie’s special season.

Brant: Baltimore over the Texans 34-26. I think Baltimore will pull away early and the Texans will have a late game surge to make it look close. I don’t see how the Texans can hang with them but it will be great to see how Stroud handles the pressure.

Daniel: Baltimore 27-17. Lamar Jackson played well this season, but he wasn’t appreciably better than past seasons. He’s doing his thing. The defense is the best in the league, though, and I see it being too much for the young upstart Texans.

Mark: Baltimore will win this game. Their defense will just be too much for a young Texans’ offense to overcome. I don’t think this will be particularly close either. Baltimore wins 34-20.

Packers at 49ers (-9.5) O/U 50.5

Morgan: As much as I’d love to take my favorite team (Packers), I’d like to stay perfect with my postseason picks, so I’m taking the 49ers. I do like the Packers to cover the spread here in a 30-27 final.

Brant: The feel good story of the Packers ends at 49ers with a convincing win 38-24. The Packers are likely a year away from their final form and to truly compete for the best team in the NFC.

Daniel: 49ers 38-24. Green Bay has been on a roll; they beat up Dallas last week. San Francisco is the best team in the NFC and has handled almost every challenge they’ve faced. I’m expecting the Packers to be competitive but have things unravel at the end, leading to a comfortable 49ers victory.

Mark: This is another game that shouldn’t be close. Football fans may be in for a tough watch on Saturday, because the 49ers are going to come out strong. I’ll go San Fran 31-13.

Buccaneers at Lions (-6.5) O.U 48.5

Morgan: I’m torn on this game - I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if either team won. I’ll stick with the hosts and say the Lions pull out a 24-21 win. As you can see, I again like the underdog to cover.

Brant: Bucs over Lions in a tight one 28-24. Baker Mayfield is having a great run and is truly leading the Buccaneers in a way few of us thought was possible.

Daniel: Lions 31-20. Tampa taking down the Eagles was predictable, but the Lions are playing at a different level. Mayfield will likely have another good game against a weak Detroit pass defense, but the Lions are too much for the Bucs.

Mark: This should be a fun game. I’m going to take the Lions 27-20, but it wouldn’t shock me if this game is nothing like any of us predict. 

Chiefs at Bills (-3) O/U 45.5

Morgan: Is this finally the year that the Bills take down the Chiefs? This year seems like the perfect time with KC’s offense sputtering along, but I’m going to still say the Chiefs prevail because of their past postseason experience/success. I’ll say KC wins 27-24.

Brant: The Chiefs were fortunate to play the beat up Dolphins' defense last week and had the weather in their favor. As long as Josh Allen limits his turnovers, then the Bills should win easily 31-14.

Daniel: Kansas City 24-20. The Bills had hype the last few seasons and fell short. It feels like we aren’t expecting as much of them this year, so can they fly in under the radar, so to speak, and make a Super Bowl run? I’m not counting on it. The Chiefs’ defense is too good, and Allen likes to make spectacular turnovers. How about an interception at the end to seal it for KC?

Mark: At the end of the day this comes down to one thing. We have one of the greatest of all-time Patrick Mahomes going up against a very good but very mistake prone Allen. KC also has the better defense and I’m not sure they don’t have the better weapons and O-line at this point. Rashee Rice has been consistently better than Stefon Diggs, Travis Kelce is better than anyone else the Bills have with Gabe Davis on the shelf, and Isiah Pacheco and Jame Cook are about even for me. I’m not betting against Mahomes. KC 26-24.