The AFC Divisional Round kicks off on Saturday when Super Bowl favored Kansas City hosts the Jacksonville Jaguars. Then on Sunday, Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals head to Buffalo to take on Josh Allen and the Bills. Will KC take the next step in what they hope is a third trip to the Super Bowl in the past four seasons? Will the Bengals return to the AFC Championship or is this the season for the Bills to shine? Check out AFC Divisional odds, analysis, and ATS and O/U picks for both AFC games.
NFL Entering Divisional Round: AFC Division Winner Betting Predictions
2022-23 NFL Playoffs
• When: Saturday, Jan. 21 – Sunday, Jan. 22
Jacksonville Jaguars at Kansas City Chiefs -8.5
Jags vs. Chiefs Total – 53
The spread line opened Kansas City -10. Since the opening line, the spread has moved a full 1.5 points down to Chiefs -8.5.
By kickoff, we should expect the spread line to rise again, possibly, to Kansas City -9. Make no mistake, the Jaguars impressed in their wild card victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, rallying from 27 points down to beat the Bolts 31-30.
But in the head-to-head between these two, the Chiefs beat the Jaguars 27-17 to force a push. So the belief is that the Chiefs are better suited to stopping Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars’ offense than the Bolts were.
That belief might be wrong. The Jags started winning games after the loss to KC. Counting last week’s victory over the Chargers, Jacksonville is on a 5-game winning streak, which is why taking the points is the way to go.
As far as the total is concerned, both teams will score. The Chiefs will move the ball and put up points, which means Lawrence will have to move the Jags up and down the field to counter. Over is the play.
NFL AFC Divisional Round Jags vs. Chiefs ATS Prediction: Jacksonville +8.5
NFL AFC Divisional Round Jags vs. Chiefs O/U Prediction: Over 53
Sunday, Jan. 22
Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills -5
Bengals vs. Bills Total – 48.5
Cincinnati and Buffalo never got to finish their Monday night game because of Damar Hamlin’s emergency medical situation. Hamlin recently left the hospital, which is great news for the Bills, Damar, and his family.
Now that Buffalo can breathe a sigh of relief regarding their teammate, the Bills should play excellent football, right? Not so fast. Josh Allen struggled against the Miami Dolphins last week.
He made some interesting decisions that almost led to a Miami upset victory. Bullishness on the Bills is due to the fact the Bengals required one of the most amazing fumble returns for a TD versus the Ravens to win the game.
But Cincy always struggles against Baltimore. Also, the man who returned the fumble, DE Sam Hubbard, is close to unblockable.
In addition, the Bills’ pass rush isn’t all it’s cracked up to be so even if offensive linemen Jonah Williams and Alex Cappa can’t play, Burrow should move the Bengals offense.
When it comes to the total, the Bengals will take their time. So will the Bills, which makes under the better play.
NFL AFC Divisional Round Bills vs. Bengals ATS Prediction: Cincinnati +5
NFL AFC Divisional Round Bills vs. Bengals O/U Prediction: Under 48.5
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