This weekend’s NFL Conference Championships serve up two quality match-ups with the Kansas City Chiefs facing the Buffalo Bills for the AFC pennant and the Philadelphia Eagles hosting rookie-QB-led surprise package the Washington Commanders in the NFC decider.
Both showdowns feature appealing road dogs. KC’s Arrowhead Stadium has been a home from home for Buffalo in recent years, while the Commanders racked up 22 points in their last quarter of football against Philadelphia earlier this season.
NFL Playoffs Divisional Round predictions
Bills (+1.5) to cover vs Chiefs @ 10/11
Commanders (+5.5) to cover vs Eagles @ 20/21
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Buffalo to bounce reigning champs at Arrowhead second home
The Bills were somewhat fortunate to land our bet in their 27-25 Divisional Round victory over the Ravens, with Mark Andrews dropping a pass in the endzone late on for Baltimore.
However, they’re still worth backing as -1.5 underdogs against Kansas City on the strength of their recent record against the Super Bowl three-peat seekers.
Buffalo halted the Chiefs’ nine-gaming winning streak with a 31-20 win on home turf in week 10 and their record at KC’s Arrowhead Stadium in recent campaigns is phenomenal given the hosts’ status as the NFL’s dominant team this decade.
Sean McDermott’s men have emerged victorious from their last three visits to the Sunflower State, with regular season wins in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Pick: Bills (+1.5) to cover vs Chiefs @ 10/11
Washington fairytale no forlorn hope against NFC East rivals
How you look at the Commanders 5.5-point underdog billing in the NFC Championship game depends a lot upon how you view their 36-33 week 16 win over the Eagles.
Washington gave up 21 first-quarter points before Philly lost Jalen Hurts to injury, but they also came back to win despite turning over the ball five times and racked up 22 points in the fourth quarter with sensational rookie QB Jayden Daniels calling the shots.
Hurts is expected to be in from the off at Lincoln Field, but he’s unlikely to be 100%, having carried an injury through much of the second half of their 28-22 Divisional Round win over their LA Rams.
If Washington can avoid the silly mistakes that dogged their previous meeting with the Eagles, they can surely get within six points of an 80% Hurts.
