NFL Divisional round picks, predictions and how to watch in the USA

Sport Preview dives into the 2026 NFL Divisional round following a whirlwind Wildcard that more than lived up to the billing.

The first four games were all decided by one score with upsets, scares, and everything in between.

Routine victories for the far superior Patriots and Texans followed, whittling the pool down to eight teams left with a shot at Super Bowl LX in Levi’s Stadium on February 8th.

Join Sport Preview as we take a look at the latest betting odds, picks, and predictions for the Divisional matchups on Saturday, January 17, and Sunday, January 18.

Buffalo Bills @ Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos are a -1.5 favourite to beat the Buffalo Bills, with the total set at 46.5 at the time of writing.

The Broncos are one of the more interesting number-one seeds in recent memory. Their offense lacks a true superstar, and they barely scraped by in wins over some of the league’s worst teams, including the Raiders, Jets, Commanders and Titans.

Shades of the 2020 Steelers, perhaps, but what the Broncos do boast is the second-best defensive unit in the NFL, and as we know, defense wins championships.

The Bills, on the other hand, aren’t your usual number-six seed. They still boast one of the best rosters in the league, spearheaded by reigning MVP Josh Allen.

A narrow victory over the highly-touted Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday showed Allen had the poise many felt he lacked in the postseason as he notched three total touchdowns.

Allen owns the record for the most games with 1+ passing and 1+ rushing touchdowns in a game (51), and has the second most playoff rushing TDs for a QB with nine. You should expect him to find the endzone one way or another this weekend at -115 anytime rushing touchdown.

Overall, as brilliant as the Broncos’ defence is, Josh Allen has the experience and talent to bypass them, leading the Bills to their second successive AFC Championship game and their third in five years.

Prediction: Bills 28-21 Broncos – Bills +1.5

San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks are a -7.5 favourite to beat the San Francisco 49ers, with the total set at 45.5 at the time of writing.

The Seahawks come into this one as heavy favourites, and it’s easy to see why. A 14-3 record on the season in probably the best division in football speaks for itself, with Sam Darnold joining Tom Brady as the only QB in history to win 14 games in back-to-back seasons.

The emergence of Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been one of the highlights of the season as he cemented himself as one of the league’s elites. JSN has only dropped below 90 yards on four occasions this year, but hasn’t managed to find the endzone in either of the last two weeks, something that needs to change come Saturday.

The 49ers have, however, beaten them already this season, with a 17-10 triumph in Week 1, meaning the spoils were shared in their matchups this season.
Kyle Shanahan has the 49ers back firing after a lacklustre 6-11 finish last year, and Christian McCaffrey is back to his best with 2,126 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns.

CMC has four scores in his last three games, and he is -115 to find the paint anytime on Saturday.

Seattle showed up when it mattered to clinch the #1 seed in week 18, and they should have the means necessary to get over the line in this one.

Prediction: 49ers 21-32 Seahawks – Seahawks -7.5

Houston Texans @ New England Patriots

The New England Patriots are a -2.5 favourite to beat the Houston Texans, with the total set at 40.5 at the time of writing.

Sunday’s first matchup sees the number-two-seeded Patriots hosting the number-five-seeded Texans. The Texans showed up big time on Monday night, decimating the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6.

The stout defensive showing should come as no surprise, considering their defense was the best in the league all season, but the career high 112 yards by Jo’quavious ‘Woody’ Marks was the real story of the night. Marks is +150 to score anytime on Sunday.

Christian Kirk also had a huge day with 144 yards and a touchdown, and with CJ Stroud’s over/under for passing yards set at 219.5, he could be in for another big outing.

The Patriots have looked dominant all season, with second-year QB Drake Maye emerging as a bona fide MVP candidate. They ranked third in total offense during the regular season and have a variety of weapons at their disposal.

Running back tandem TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson split the carries all year, combining for 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns, and Stefon Diggs locked down the No. 1 receiver spot with 1,013 yards.

In Mike Vrabel, they possess a coach who has had playoff success before, and that should help this juggernaut to reach their first AFC Championship game post-Tom Brady.

Prediction: Texans 14-30 Patriots – Patriots -2.5

Los Angeles Rams @ Chicago Bears

The Los Angeles Rams are a -3.5 favourite to beat the Chicago Bears, with the total set at 50.5 at the time of writing.

The LA Rams have somehow defied the odds after winning the Super Bowl just four years ago. After struggling for a while, they have drafted and acquired impeccably to turn themselves into genuine contenders again.

Stafford is -140 to win the MVP following possibly the best season of his illustrious career, helped by stud WR Puka Nacua’s 1,715-yard season.

Pair this with a 1,252 rushing yard season from Kyren Williams and having Davante Adams as your WR2, and you have the recipe for a serious team.

The Bears have executed their plan to perfection, with first-time head coach Ben Johnson able to develop Caleb Williams and co into one of the best teams in the league. His O/U for passing touchdowns is set at 1.5, and he has thrown two TDs in each of his last six games.

As the second favourites to win it all at +320, the Rams are the obvious pick, but the Bears won’t go down without a fight.

Prediction: Rams 35-24 Bears – Over 50.5 points

How to watch the NFL Divisional Round in the USA

The NFL Divisional Round takes place across Saturday and Sunday, with four postseason matchups split across the major U.S. broadcast networks.

Games will air on CBS, FOX, ABC/ESPN and NBC, with multiple streaming options available for viewers without cable, including Paramount+, Peacock, ESPN platforms and NFL+. All kickoff times below are listed in Eastern Time (ET).