2025 NFL playoff predictions: Breaking down every divisional round matchup, fantasy options and more

Some say Divisional Playoff weekend is the best two days on the NFL calendar. Four games, eight teams, to decide the conference finals. This is what we, as football fans, live for. Besides the games, there are many betting and fantasy options for us to enjoy. Come along as I go game-by-game with my takes and the most interesting nuggets I found about them.

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Houston Texans vs Kansas City Chiefs divisional round preview

The playoff slate kicks off Saturday in Kansas City as the Chiefs begin their quest for three straight Super Bowl championships. The Chiefs are 8.5-point favorites over the Houston Texans, who they defeated 27-19 in Week 16. I like KC to win but not cover the 8.5. The Chiefs starters haven’t played a meaningful snap since Week 17 - four weeks ago.

This is Patrick Mahomes' time. I expect the face of the league to shine and get the ball to his revitalized receiving corps. Hollywood Brown, Xavier Worthy, and DeAndre Hopkins are healthy and dangerous. Brown is my favorite DFS play ($4200) on DraftKings. His snap share improved by 13% from Weeks 16 to 17. In those two games, he saw 15 targets on limit snaps. Xavier Worthy is averaging 10.3 targets in his last three games. When these two teams hooked up in Week 16, he saw 11. He’s a weapon as a runner as well, with eight carries over his last three. He’s a difference-maker. I fully expect Travis Kelce to be the playoff wizard we’ve come to expect over his Hall of Fame career. Per Fantasy Points, Kelce has at least 71 receiving yards in 13 straight postseason games.

For Houston, I’m not feeling a big Joe Mixon week. While the Texans fed him in the Wild Card round, he also picked up an ankle injury and is listed as questionable for Saturday. Nico Collins, however, is rock solid. Even in a tough matchup, Collins has produced (7/60 on 10 targets). I’m not fading him. KC gives up the fifth most points to the TE position, and last time out, Dalton Schultz had his best game of the season. If Houston is playing from behind, I like Schultz to be the second option behind Collins.

NFL: Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs - Source: Imagn

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Washington Commnders vs Detroit Lions divisional round preview

Everybody keeps waiting for the clock to strike midnight and for the Lions to turn back into a pumpkin. With injuries all across their defense, the dream season should be ending soon, right? Well, nobody set the Lions’ alarm clocks. This game carries a massive 55.5 total, which I think goes over, but I don’t like the Lions to cover the 9.5 points. Detroit wins, but only by three.

Jayden Daniels's playoff debut was nothing short of spectacular. He dissected the Buccaneers’ defense with pinpoint accuracy. His ten-designed QB runs were the most he’s had all year. If Washington is going to upset Detroit, he’s going to have to put on his Superman cape one more time. Terry McLaurin should have a great day against Detroit’s man-heavy defense. McLaurin’s 22 targets in Washington’s last two contests are 13 more than the next closest teammate. The passing game runs through Scary Terry.

If anyone else has a big day, I'd like it to be Austin Ekeler. This game has all the makings of a shootout where Washington has to throw extensively in the second half. That’s where Ekeler shines. Detroit just allowed a dusty Aaron Jones to catch five passes last week. Ekeler is a sneaky play as the Commanders play catch-up.

How do you not love everyone for Detroit? It’s a fantasy bonanza every time they take the field. Detroit welcomes David Montgomery back to their backfield, which could cap Jahmyr Gibbs’s ceiling. In the three games without Montgomery, Gibbs scored 49, 29.3, and 28.4 fantasy points. With Monty back, I’d expect him to steal some goal-line carries, and for fantasy, that’s massive. Gibbs goes from a 30-point type player to a 15-20-point player. Still impressive, but it’s not slate-breaking.

Syndication: Detroit Free Press - Source: Imagn

One player I’m high on is Jameson Williams. I think his size and speed on the outside could be a problem for Washington. The Commanders play a high percentage of man coverage (36%), which means rookie Mike Sainristil is on an island with one of the NFL’s fastest players. I like Jameson to break one deep and help the Lions advance.

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Los Angeles Rams vs Philadelphia Eagles divisional round preview

Sunday kicks off with the Rams flying across the country to tangle with the NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles (-6 favorites). These two met in Los Angeles back in Week 12, a 37-20 Eagles victory. I don't like the Rams ' chances with temperatures dropping into the teens in the second half. Matt Stafford’s only cold-weather playoff game was back as a member of the Lions, and he lost that game to Seattle in 2017. Give me Philly and the points in this one.

I doubt Saquon Barkley will run for another 255 yards again as he did in their first meeting. That said, he will go off because that’s just what he does. Barkley’s last three rushing outputs were 119, 167, and 150 yards. He’s a machine. I think the Birds will ride him to another win. If Philly needs to throw, they can. Jalen Hurts can handle the Rams blitz pressure and find A.J. Brown and friends for significant gains. Hurts was ⅗ for 62 yards and a touchdown against Green Bay’s blitz last week. Since Week 6, Hurts has ranked second in the NFL in passer rating when facing the blitz, according to CBS Sports' Jeff Kerr. If the Rams dare blitz Hurts, he’s ready and able to win from the pocket.

NFL: Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Rams - Source: Imagn

The Rams offense has centered around Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua. The problem for LA is that the Eagles allow the second-fewest fantasy points to running backs. Williams did find the endzone in their earlier matchup, but I find it hard to see him sustaining a volume of carries that helps him for DFS or for the Rams to win. Cooper Kupp's disappearing act is jaw-dropping. Since Kupp’s eight-catch game vs Philly in Week 12, he’s caught 13 passes. He hasn’t seen more than three targets in over a month.

For the Rams to win, Kupp will need to win underneath against the zone-heavy defense of the Eagles. A sleeper to look out for is tight end Tyler Higbee (chest), who has been a target hog in Kupp’s absence. Higbee has 12 targets in his last two games, one of which he left early due to injury.

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Baltimore Ravens vs Buffalo Bills divisional round preview

Everyone is excited for this heavyweight fight in Western New York. While the Ravens smoked the Bills 35-10 in Week 4, Baltimore sits as just a one-point favorite. The two leading MVP candidates figure to put on a show worthy of their prime time stage as Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson look to punch their tickets to the AFC Championship. I’m leaning toward Buffalo simply thanks to their home-field advantage. Temperatures Sunday evening in Orchard Park are forecasted to be in the single digits.

Baltimore is likely without WR Zay Flowers (knee), which will hinder their passing game, as Flowers is their most electric playmaker. I think the Ravens will try to lean on Derrick Henry as they did in their first matchup (199/1). Although Buffalo does allow the third-highest points to opposing RBs, they’ve only seen three all year go over 100 yards (Henry being one). This feels like a Lamar Jackson game. Put the ball in your best player's hands and let him cook. Jackson ran for 54 yards and a touchdown in their first meeting.

It wouldn’t shock me at all if he topped 75 yards in this contest with so much on the line. The Ravens’ leading receiver in that Week 4 game was backup RB Justice Hill (6/78/1). I can see him being a factor again against a Bills defense that pass-catching backs can exploit. Just ask Jahymr Gibbs, who caught 5/83/1 in Week 15. Don’t sleep on tight ends, Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews. I like them as the leading target producers for Jackson. Likely played on 80% of Baltimore’s snaps last week and saw four targets.

NFL: Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Ravens - Source: Imagn

For Buffalo, it’s simple. Josh Allen has to do everything. His rushing attempts should easily be in the double digits as he tries to carry the team on his back. I like Allen to account for four touchdowns and throw for 250 yards while running for another 100. He’ll spread the ball around to a plethora of receivers led by Khalil Shakir (100 targets on the season). James Cook will carry the rock against a Ravens defense that has allowed just one back over 70 yards (Saquon Barkley 107). I think the Bills use third-down back Ty Johnson more as a threat out of the backfield. His acrobatic receiving touchdown in the Wild Card round was awe-inspiring.

I like Johnson to top 50 total yards and score. As for the Bills receivers, they simply spread the ball around too much to pinpoint who can go off. For them, it’s a strength. For handicappers, it’s a nightmare.

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