NFL Divisional Round Predictions & Betting Tips (2026)

Eight teams remain in contention for Super Bowl LX as the playoffs enter the Divisional Round this weekend, with four mouth-watering contests for National Football League followers.

All roads lead to Levi’s Stadium and the Super Bowl in February but focus remains on the here and now for the time being, with the top seeds entering the postseason picture following last week’s Wildcard Round.

Anything can happen in the playoffs and we’ve got four very exciting, competitive matches to look forward to this weekend. Fingers crossed all four games live up to the hype.

NFL Divisional Round Schedule:

Punters can bet on the NFL playoffs at William Hill and here are this weekend’s scheduled Divisional Round fixtures:

• Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos – 9.30pm, Saturday 17th January
• San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks – 1.00am, Sunday 18th January
• Houston Texans at New England Patriots – 6.00pm, Sunday 18th January
• Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears – 11.30pm, Sunday 18th January

Winning the Super Bowl is the ultimate goal for any NFL player but only one team can lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy each season – and it looks like being one of the most competitive playoff rounds in recent years. Here, I give my thoughts on each game:

Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos Prediction

While it would be foolish to write Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills off completely, I am siding with the Broncos to get the job done on home turf. They had a bye through to the Divisional Round while the Bills are on a six-day turnaround following Sunday’s victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In addition, Denver are just a well-oiled machine. They might not have the ‘wow factor’ that Allen gives the Bills, but the Broncos are solid on both sides of the ball and home-field advantage, particularly taking the altitude into account, could make the world of difference.

Broncos v Bills score prediction: Denver 23-17 Buffalo

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks Prediction

The 49ers were narrow underdogs in the Wildcard Round but defied their odds to progress to the next stage. However, beating this Seattle side in Seattle during the playoffs may be a step too far and I have to side with the Seahawks in this contest – it might not be completely one-sided but they should prove too strong.

Having said that, it is important to remember that the 49ers won in Seattle in the opening week of the NFL regular season in September. A lot has changed since then though and the Seahawks are on a seven-game winning run and I expect that to continue.

Seahawks v 49ers score prediction: Seattle 31-20 San Francisco

Houston Texans at New England Patriots Prediction

Given Houston’s immense defensive prowess, I’m expecting the Texans to keep this one close but New England should have enough to get over the line – especially with Drake Maye playing at an incredibly high level this season. When the Patriots play at Gillette Stadium during January, we usually know how it goes…

If Nico Collins can’t suit up for this clash, his loss will definitely be felt on the Texans offence. It might not be the most exciting and open contest in terms of points scored but the Pats can grind out another victory if they are sensible.

Patriots v Texans score prediction: New England 17-10 Houston

Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears Prediction

I can see this being one of the most exciting matches of the weekend and I fancy the Rams to come out on top – albeit in a narrow victory for the road team. The Bears defied the odds to beat the Green Bay Packers last weekend but that success will have taken a lot out of them, especially with it being against an arch rival.

One of the most potent offensive units in the National Football League, the Rams head to the iconic Soldier Field as a points-scoring juggernaut and they may prove too strong for Chicago in the end. Bring it on.

Bears v Rams score prediction: Chicago 21-24 Los Angeles

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*