NFL Divisional Round Matchups, Stats, Picks And Odds

The NFL Playoffs continue into the Divisional Round Jan. 17-18, 2026. I chip-in NFL Divisional Round matchups, stats, odds, picks, 0pinions, insight and analysis with information you can bet on in my NFL Divisional Round coverage at Offshore Gaming Association plus NFL Playoffs coverage at BetOnline.

Following last weekend’s Wild Card games, there are now 8 teams remaining in the NFL Playoffs and just 7 games remaining in the 2025 season.

NFL Divisional Round Matchups, Stats, Picks And Odds

No. 6 Buffalo Bills at No. 1 Denver Broncos

Spread/Line: Broncos (-1), Total 45.5
Saturday, Jan. 17 | 4:30 p.m. | CBS
Update: Broncos win 33-30 in OT

Opinion: Broncos (teased both sides when they were ‘Dog)

No. 6 San Francisco 49ers at No. 1 Seattle Seahawks

Spread/Line: Seahawks (-7), Total 44
Saturday, Jan. 17 | 8:00 p.m. | FOX
Update: Seahawks win 41-6

Opinion: Seahawks – line settled back to -7 on Thursday.

No. 5 Houston Texans at No. 2 New England Patriots

Spread/Line: Patriots (-3.5), Total 40.5
Sunday, Jan. 18 | 3:00 p.m. | ESPN/ABC
Opinion: Texans

No. 5 Los Angeles Rams at No. 2 Chicago Bears

Spread/Line: Rams (-3.5), Total 48.5
Sunday, Jan. 18 | 6:30 p.m. | NBC
Opinion: Rams

It will be very cold in Chicago, and NFL weather forecast calls for near 17 degrees, 10 mph winds and slight chance of snow.

Check out the top receivers in the NFC playoffs led by Seahawks WR Jaxson Smith-Njigba and Rams WR Puka Nucua.

Game analysis updates and more NFL Divisional Round matchusp, stats, picks and information you can bet on at OSGA. 

The Bears’ pass defense ranks No. 24 in the NFL by the DVOA ratings and should have trouble matching up with the top receivers of the Rams as I outlined at BetOnline. Rams stronger on defense across the board from our DES system. Despite home ‘Dogs going 2-0 ATS in the Wild Card round including the Bears miracle comback win despite a -2 turnover differential, the Rams are the play noting I’ll rarely lay road points especially above -3. NFL Playoff home ‘Dog record now 37-15 ATS, and Bears +22 net turnover margin is league best assisting in their 7 wins when trailing in the final two minutes of the 4th quarter this season. Like a tournament poker players luck sucking out with the worst of it over and over, it comes to an end when facing stronger players and teams far more often than not. Final decisive blow against the Bears in NFL Divisional Round matchups – Rams hold a +1.2 net yards per play edge with the stronger defense in all 4 key categories while facing the strongest schedule in the league vs. the Bears No. 24 Strength of Schedule. You saw what happened to the Steelers in the 2nd half against the visiting road favorite Texans in the Wild Card round. Stronger team and defense delivered despite some dumbo mistakes and 3 turnovers by QB C.J. Stroud. The Bears started the regular season 0-2 and finished 0-2 before last week’s miracle Windy City Wild Card win. Not this week against MVP QB Stafford and the superior defense. The Rams are ready to roll into the NFC Championship Game at Seattle next week.

Playoff experience of the Bills along with QB Josh Allen gives them the edge, but note Buffalo’s last minute win over the Jaguars in the Wild Card round saw Buffalo get outrushed 154 to 79 and slightly outgained with a 6.6 yards per play to 5.5 yards per play edge for Jacksonville. Bills run defense allows 5.2 yards per rush – worst of all playoff teams. Now to the Mile High, where the Broncos are rested and ready on 14 days prep with the stronger top 3 defense and across the board in DES. Broncos are 8-1 at home this season with only loss to Jacksonville despite outgaining the Jaguars by 100 yards but suffering a -2 net turnover margin. Stronger run game projection, defense and home field allows the Broncos to win and advance and get redemption for last year’s Wild Card round loss to the Bills.

So many injuries for the 49ers, who are up against it in may ways including travel against division rival Seahawks. Biggest spread of the Divisional Round, and much respect and belief in SF coach Kyle Shanahan and staff. But situational edge with bye, rest and prep plus statistical edges including defense and DES across the board makes Seattle the side to support and especially teasers. Seahawks QB Sam Darnold (follow status) expected to play but was now listed as questionable with oblique issue, and Drew Lock is capable if called upon. Seahawks shut down Niners 13-3 on road in winner-take-all division duel in Week 18. What’s changed other than more edges for Seattle, who dominated that game statistically including two-headed RB’s rushing for 170+ and 49ers RB McCaffrey just 23 yards. Niners were outrushed by Eagles 140-75 but got the road victory. Not this week with first year Seahawks coach Mike McDonald a masterful job in Seattle after building the Ravens dominant defense under top HC John Harbaugh and plenty of playoff experience game planning. Seahawks stronger on both sides of ball against depleted and tired Niners with Seattle holding a +1.2 net yards per play differential edge in this matchup as well.

More Sunday analysis at OSGA and to add here for Texans-Patriots and Rams-Bears.

The Texans No. 1 rated defense goes up against AFC top QB this year and MVP finalist Drake Maye, who faces a Houston defense that led the league in expected points added (EPA) per pass attempt and has the DES edge in four other key defensive stat categories. Patriots defense improved led by former NFL linebacker and first-year New England head coach Mike Vrabel. He’s done a masterful job as well getting NE to now 15 wins and 14-4 ATS this season after shutting down QB Herbert and the Chargers (207 yards) in the Wild Card round. But the Patriots played the weakest schedule in the NFL this season going from worst to first (14-3) in the AFC East while the Texans faced a top-5 schedule and are on a 13-2 SU run including 10 straight wins after starting the season 0-3. Texans buried the Steelers last week on the road 30-6 with second half dominance. Houston QB C.J. Stroud likely gets exposed at some point in games ahead versus stronger teams and defense, and potentially this week in Foxboro as he rarely plays in colder and inclement weather and had some problems handling the ball in last week’s Wild Card win (1 INT, 2 lost fumbles, ugh). But note the Texans rushed for 164 yards last week on 31 attempts, well above their season average (112/game), which ranks worst of the remaining playoff teams. Defense delivers again.  See team total pick as posted on X.

The Bears’ pass defense ranks No. 24 in the NFL by the DVOA ratings and should have trouble matching up with the top receivers of the Rams as I outlined at BetOnline. Rams stronger on defense across the board from our DES system. Despite home ‘Dogs going 2-0 ATS in the Wild Card round including the Bears miracle comback win despite a -2 turnover differential, the Rams are the play noting I’ll rarely lay road points especially above -3. NFL Playoff home ‘Dog record now 37-15 ATS, and Bears +22 net turnover margin is league best assisting in their 7 wins when trailing in the final two minutes of the 4th quarter this season. Like a tournament poker players luck sucking out with the worst of it over and over, it comes to an end when facing stronger players and teams far more often than not. Final decisive blow against the Bears – Rams hold a +1.2 net yards per play edge with the stronger defense in all 4 key categories while facing the strongest schedule in the league vs. the Bears No. 24 Strength of Schedule. You saw what happened to the Steelers in the 2nd half against the visiting road favorite Texans in the Wild Card round. Stronger team and defense delivered despite some dumbo mistakes and 3 turnovers by QB C.J. Stroud. The Bears started the regular season 0-2 and finished 0-2 before last week’s miracle Windy City Wild Card win. Not this week against MVP QB Stafford and the superior defense. The Rams are ready to roll into the NFC Championship Game at Seattle next week.

You can bet on it.