The NFL Divisional Round is here and football is entering the end of the season. Picking NFL games straight up is hard enough, but picking against the spread is even tougher. Here are the NFL Divisional Round picks against the spread. (Spreads are from ESPN as of Tuesday afternoon)
Last week: 2-1-1, Overall: 132-121-6
Saturday
Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens (-10)
The Titans’ offense consists of giving Derrick Henry the ball a lot. Their defense also has done a great job of keeping games close. Baltimore stops the run pretty well, but it should be a game they need to grind out. Lamar Jackson will lead the team to victory, but it will be close.
Pick: Titans
Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers (-7)
Minnesota already went into one of the toughest environments in all of football and came out with a win. The 49ers will be well-rested, but they aren’t accustomed to blowing teams out. Both teams will try to run the ball and control the clock, making it a close game. The Vikings will lose, but will keep it close.
Pick: Vikings
Sunday
Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs (-10)
The Chiefs seemed to hit their stride near the end of the season and now get a chance to defend their home turf. Houston was able to grind out a win over the Bills, but going into Kansas City is a different story. Deshaun Watson will keep it close, but the Chiefs will be able to outscore them.
Pick: Texans
Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers (-4)
Seattle went on the road and beat a banged-up Eagles’ team by eight points. The Seahawks have plenty of injuries on their team as well. Green Bay has an improved defense and the offense is much more balanced than in year’s past. The Packers don’t blow out teams, but given all the injuries for the Seahawks and the rest for them, they should be able to win by more than four.
Pick: Packers