We're officially through the wild-card round for the 2022 season, and all eight NFL playoff divisional round teams are locked in. And after the Cowboys defeated the Buccaneers on Monday night, we know the four matchups for next weekend.
NFL Divisional Weekend
So let's look ahead to that stacked divisional-round schedule, which includes the first postseason contests of the season for the Chiefs and Eagles, who each had a bye after 14-win campaigns. To get you ready for next week's slate, Brooke Pryor picked out the biggest thing to watch for in each game, and Seth Walder explored how each team can win to advance to its conference championship game.
Following an entertaining super wild-card weekend, the NFL playoffs continue with the divisional round, and BetMGM's already posted odds for the next slate of games. As we do at the start of each week, we'll list every divisional round game's spread, moneyline, and total, updating those numbers as they get bet throughout the next few days.
The divisional round slate kicks off on Saturday afternoon with the top-seeded Chiefs (-9.5) hosting the fourth-seeded Jaguars for the second time this season at Arrowhead Stadium (4:30 p.m. ET, NBC). Later that day, the NFC's top seed, Philadelphia (-8), hosts the sixth-seeded Giants in an NFC East battle in prime time (8:15 p.m. ET, FOX). The action then spills over into Sunday, as the second-seeded Bills (-6) face off against the third-seeded Bengals (3:00 p.m. ET, CBS) before the second-seeded 49ers (-4) welcome the fifth-seeded Cowboys (6:30 p.m. ET, FOX).
Keep in mind these lines will move throughout the week as we get updates on the playing status of key starters and betting limits increase. Below, we take a look at the latest odds for the divisional round from BetMGM and offer up an early bet to consider.
We were completely teams, Patrick Mahomes connected first with Tyreek Hill and then with Travis Kelce for with no time on the clock a 49-yard field goal by Harrison Butker took the game into overtime and in said overtime, Kansas City took the ball first and the eight-yard touchdown combination from Mahomes to Kelce gave them the only home team win this weekend.
Seven teams compete from each conference, and only one team in each conference receives a first-round bye, which inherently allows for two additional Wild Card games on the opening weekend of the postseason.
WHERE TO BET: FanDuel Sportsbook (-114) Dallas Goedert OVER 47.5 receiving yardsThe Giants really struggle against tight ends, which we saw last weekend when T.J. Hockenson posted ten catches for 129 yards, which were both game-highs. New York is the most blitz-heavy team in the NFL, which leads to opportunities for tight ends to have huge days over the middle of the field. According to Pro Football Focus, the Giants have a coverage grade against tight ends of 39.0, which ranks 31st in the NFL.
Ever since sports betting became legal in Louisiana last year, it has swept over the state. Sports fans everywhere are looking for the best advice and what they should play each weekend. So, our guys from Crunch Time Matt Miguez and James Meche are here to help you with the Divisional games this weekend!
I can't remember anything that has gone before coming close to it; I think we'll be talking about this divisional round, and the games within it, for years to come. The stakes were so high, every game went down to the wire - and each were different in their own way.
As for Tennessee, at some point they have to have more than just Derrick Henry. The defense did their part, but is Ryan Tannehill ever going to step up and play at the level of some of the other quarterbacks from this weekend's games?
Jalen Hurts was playing like the NFL MVP before he hurt his shoulder in Week 15 at Chicago, and he was a Fantasy star. He's healthy now for the divisional round of the NFL playoffs against the Giants, and we'll see if he can regain his mojo to help DFS players on DraftKings and FanDuel.
That's the Hurts we should see again this weekend, and he's someone I plan to use in a variety of lineups. When healthy, there aren't many defenses that are going to stop Hurts, and I expect him to tear apart the Giants at home.
Outlook: Lawrence is easily my favorite quarterback this weekend, and he'll be popular given the matchup. Kansas City is No. 3 in most Fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks this season at 22.1 points per game, and four of the past six opposing quarterbacks against the Chiefs have scored at least 23 points. Lawrence already faced Kansas City in Week 10 and was 29-of-40 passing for 259 yards and two touchdowns, along with 26 rushing yards. He should be able to replicate a similar stat line, and he just threw four touchdowns against the Chargers in the wild-card round after starting the game with four interceptions. Hopefully, his momentum in the second half from last week carries over to this matchup on the road.
Outlook: I'm playing Toney in a few lineups this week against Jacksonville with the hope he becomes more than a gadget player for the Chiefs. Toney only had two targets in Week 18 at Las Vegas and finished with two catches for 18 yards, but he also rushed three times for 26 yards and a touchdown. And the week before in Week 17 against Denver he had four catches for 71 yards on four targets. He could be ridiculously explosive, and the Chiefs might give him more work coming off a bye. It also helps that Mecole Hardman (pelvis) is still banged up. Toney's low price and potential reward could be amazing in the divisional round.
Outlook: James was outplayed in the wild-card round at Minnesota by Isaiah Hodgins (eight catches for 105 yards and a touchdown on nine targets) and Darius Slayton (four catches for 88 yards on eight targets) when he finished with four catches for 31 yards on six targets. But he should rebound this week against the Eagles, who have struggled with slot receivers, including James in Week 14. He had seven catches for 61 yards and a touchdown against Philadelphia, and I like James the most of the Giants receivers in the divisional round. Hodgins is worth playing as well given his recent run of success, but I would avoid Slayton as you'll see below.
Outlook: I hope Smith-Schuster breaks out of his funk in the playoffs, but he's been struggling coming into the divisional round against the Jaguars. In his past three games in the regular season, Smith-Schuster had just seven catches for 83 yards and no touchdowns on nine targets. He suffered a concussion in Week 10 against Jacksonville, which is why he finished that game with two catches for 33 yards. The Chiefs have been relying more on Kadarius Toney of late, and he has more targets than Smith-Schuster (6-5) in the past two outings. Since Smith-Schuster plays with Patrick Mahomes, there's always the chance for him to stand out, but his recent struggles have me slightly concerned about his production.
The guys are joined by Mike LaTulip (@LaTulip_Mike) to discuss tonight's Illini vs Iowa game. Later, Hans Dee hosts Who Ya Got, including the guys predictions on NHL and B1G basketball games this weekend.
Lon and Derek begin the hour discussing Illini basketball recruiting and what Illinois' options look like for adding to next year's roster. Later, the guys break down the Big Ten basketball landscape after the weekend slate.
Lon and Derek give their thoughts on championship weekend in the NFL and they look ahead at the Bucs-Chiefs Super Bowl matchup. Later, the guys hear from Illinois football wide receivers coach George McDonald.
Derek breaks down potential non-conference opponents that Illinois could fit into their schedule this weekend. Later, the guys pick their favorite player props for the Chiefs-Bills and Bucs-Packers games this weekend.
Former WCIA TV sports reporter Rob Collins joins the guys to talk Chiefs-Bills, Patrick Mahomes, and other Kansas City sports topics. Later, the guys get medical advice on if Mahomes should play this weekend.
Former Illini golfer Nick Hardy joins the show to discuss his top 15 finish at the PGA Sony Open in Hawaii this past weekend. Later, the guys recap each NFL Divisional Weekend game, and preview Championship Sunday. 2ff7e9595c
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