Top NFL Divisional Round Picks: Must-Target Players for Sunday’s Playoff Games
Top NFL Divisional Round Picks: Must-Target Players for Sunday’s Playoff Games
Written by Frank Taddeo @RespectedMoney on X
The NFL Divisional playoff round concludes on Sunday with two matchups featuring four teams with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations.
Our “Vegas vs Fulltime Projections”, focusing on data analytics exclusive to FullTime premium members, heads into Divisional Weekend up +13.12 units on the year!
Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
When: Sunday, January 18 at 3:00 pm ET
Moneyline: Texans +155 | Patriots -180
Spread: Texans +3 (+100) | Patriots -3 (-120)
Total: 40.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of Circa Sports
Both the Patriots (14-3) and Texans (12-5) leaned on dominant defenses to clinch their Wild Card Weekend playoff wins. Sparks are sure to fly when Drake Maye and the No. 2-seeded Patriots play host to C.J. Stroud and the No. 5-seeded Texans to their home field on Sunday.
The Patriots, who boast an impressive 14-1 SU record since late September, and are also a highly lucrative 12-3 ATS mark over their span. Meanwhile, the Texans are the hottest team in the NFL owning a 10-game winning streak, which is accompanied by a solid 7-3 ATS record.
Houston could find it difficult to extend that winning streak after learning that they will be without star WR Nico Collins after he was unable to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol.
Top Player Props
WR Xavier Hutchinson Over 27.5 Receiving Yards (-114 , FanDuel)
The third-year wide receiver is poised for an increased role in the divisional round playoff game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, with the loss of Collins.
After the big-time performance by Christian Kirk last week, it is highly likely that Vrabel will employ No. 1 corner Christian Gonzalez on the savvy veteran.
Hutchinson has historically stepped up in Collins’ absence. In fact, in two games this season without the club’s best offensive weapon in the lineup, he has turned 15 targets into 10 receptions for 153 yards and a touchdown. With 69+ yards in both games without Collins, it is time to invest in the under-the-radar wideout at a projection that he could come close to clearing with just one or two receptions. A deeper dive reveals that the former Iowa State standout has hauled in a long reception of 16+ yards in 9 games this season, including long receptions of 30 and 33 without Collins.
LA Rams vs. Chicago Bears
When: Sunday, January 18 at 6:30 pm ET
Moneyline: Rams -195 | Bears +170
Spread: Rams -3.5 (-110) | Bears +3.5 (-110)
Total: 48.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of Circa Sports
The Rams (13-5) and Bears (12-6) will square off with inclement weather potentially playing a major factor. Chicago’s forecast for Sunday calls for a high of 21 degrees, with wind chills dipping into the single digits at Soldier Field. Adding to the mix is a high chance for snow, along with strong winds – has resulted in steady sharp steam on the total dropping the opener a full field goal from 51.5 to 48.5 at Circa Sports.
The Rams, who snapped a three-game road losing streak last week in their Wild Card over the Panthers and are 5-5 SU and 6-4 ATS overall on the road this season. Meanwhile, the Bears are 7-2 SU and 6-3 ATS in front of their home faithful.
Parlay: M. Stafford Over 0.5 INT + C. Williams Over 0.5 INT (+278)
There is no denying that Matthew Stafford is in the midst of an MVP caliber season leading the NFL in passing yards (5,011) and touchdowns (49) – boasting an ultra impressive 49:9 touchdown-to-interception ratio. However, 8 of his 9 interceptions have come on the road, including one last week in the Rams 34-31 win over the Panthers.
In this play, we will parlay Williams also throwing at least one interception. After throwing 2 interceptions in the Bears 31-27 come-from-behind win over the Packers last week, the dual-threat talent has now thrown 5 interceptions over his last 7 games.
With the strong winds and frigid conditions and snow in the forecast, throwing the ball will not be an easy endeavor. Let’s grab the solid +278 odds!
Vegas vs FullTime YTD: 68-91 (+13.12 UNITS) 📈
