The NFL’s Wild Card weekend was packed with excitement, as the first four games were all decided by a single score.
My main takeaway is that fans were treated to an outstanding weekend of football. Although some people may say otherwise, every team played their hearts out, and there truly were no losers.
Now, we take a look at the NFL divisional round odds to find the best value over the weekend.
NFL Odds Divisional Round At-a-Glance
Kyle Shanahan has a chance to finally prove he deserves to be coach of the year, regardless of what the betting markets say, if he can rally his injury-plagued 49ers once again.
Similarly, Josh Allen faces a familiar challenge, as the star quarterback tries to elevate the Bills one more time.
This weekend also features the Bears hosting the Rams, where Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams will attempt to lead their promising franchise past one of football’s top offensive teams.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (-7)
Saturday, January 17, 1:00 PM ET
Divisional weekend begins in Seattle, where the San Francisco 49ers are set to face the NFC’s top-seeded team. Despite injuries on defense, the 49ers demonstrated remarkable resilience in their recent victory over Philadelphia, last season’s Super Bowl champions and long-standing rivals.
Throughout the week, market sentiment heavily favoured Philadelphia, particularly following the Seahawks’ strong defensive performance against the 49ers just weeks prior. A similar outcome is possible in the upcoming matchup, which could see the 49ers’ point spread reach +7.5.
The 49ers’ head coach once again can highlight his expertise under challenging circumstances. For those considering wagering on the 49ers, this week may present an opportunity to look beyond the point spread, so evaluate the potential value of a money line bet at +283 with Bookmaker.
Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos (+1.5)
Saturday, January 17 – 1:00 PM ET
On Saturday night, the Denver Broncos, the AFC’s top seed, will take on the Buffalo Bills, led by the dynamic Josh Allen at quarterback. The Bills have not played at their peak this season, but during wild-card weekend, a last-minute rushing touchdown from Allen secured a win over the Jaguars in Jacksonville. Now, as the lower seed, they are once again playing away, and they will rely heavily on Allen to make the difference in Denver.
The Bills’ defence will need to step up just as it did last week, aiming to keep the game close so Allen can potentially clinch a late victory. Last game, the Bills started as favourites against the Jaguars, but by kick-off, the odds had shifted in Jacksonville’s favor. It will be interesting to watch if a similar shift occurs this week on the odds boards as betting interest grows for the Broncos.
The total points line is set at 47 for this matchup, which seems high and is unexpectedly above the 49ers/Seahawks total of 45.5.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears (+3.5)
Sunday, January 18 – 1:00 PM ET
Backing the Chicago Bears at +3.5 points at home against the Rams presents a compelling option. The live odds currently list a +4 line at Heritage with modest juice (-108), which may be of interest to some bettors.
For those still evaluating the potential impact of the coach-quarterback duo of Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams in close contests, it is worth considering the Rams’ adjustment from their warm home stadium to the cold and challenging conditions at Soldier Field. The enthusiastic local crowd could further influence the atmosphere in favour of the Bears.
Forecasts indicate temperatures of -7°C with snowfall in Chicago, conditions that may pose additional challenges for the visiting Rams. As a result, the total is likely to move downward from its current mark of 51, and there may be opportunities to find lines at 51.5.
This week, Sean McVay will need to demonstrate his leadership and motivational skills as much as his technical expertise to guide his team through these demanding circumstances.
Place Your NFL Divisional Bets Today
One of the most noteworthy betting opportunities is the upcoming game between the Chicago Bears and the Rams, scheduled to take place in freezing temperatures. It is advisable to monitor the declining total points for this matchup.
Find the Best NFL Odds for Divisional Weekend
For optimal NFL Divisional Week odds on teams or individual players, Bovada and Heritage currently provide some of the most competitive prices. It is recommended to compare offerings across multiple sportsbooks, as market conditions may fluctuate.
Monitor real-time updates on our NFL odds page to secure the best value ahead of kick-off.
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
