The NFL divisional round kicks off Saturday with a slate of games that has Las Vegas professional bettors locking in their picks. After a 5-3 record last week, the Review-Journal’s panel of handicappers is eyeing several matchups, including a surprising lean toward the San Francisco 49ers as 7-point road underdogs against the Seattle Seahawks.
“Dr. Alan” Dumond, who went 2-0 on his best bets last week, expects the 49ers to cover again. “The 49ers arrive into Seattle confident off their upset win over the Eagles and have a chance to avenge their Week 18 loss to the Seahawks,” Dumond said. He cited the playoff experience edge of San Francisco’s coach-quarterback combo of Kyle Shanahan and Brock Purdy over Seattle’s Mike Macdonald and Sam Darnold, neither of whom has won a playoff game. “For as well as the Seahawks have played this year, this is simply too many points for them to be laying in a game of this magnitude.”
Dumond also likes the Los Angeles Rams-Chicago Bears game to go under 48½ points. “Despite both sides being involved in high-scoring affairs last week, we expect both defenses to play better this week,” he said, noting the expected frigid weather and possible high winds could lead to more running.
Here are four more best bets from the panel (home team in CAPS):
Rams (-3½) over BEARS
Scott Pritchard (Pritchardspicks.com) is betting against Chicago’s recent run of fourth-quarter comebacks. “Congrats to the Bears with another miracle fluke comeback win last week,” he said. “Luck is not a strategy. Rams with No. 1 offense in yards and points is.”
BRONCOS (-1) over Bills
CBS Sportsline handicapper Bruce Marshall believes Denver’s comfort in close games and elite pass rush will trouble Josh Allen. “Denver’s NFL-best pass rush is going to force Josh Allen into lots of improvising, at which he is very good, but … we still maintain the Bills aren’t quite to recent levels because of the defense.”
PATRIOTS (-3) over Texans
Pro bettor Cris Zeniuk (@lasvegascris) sees value in New England at home with possible MVP Drake Maye. “It’s hard to find value with sharp playoff lines, but New England shows value in my model. They get the benefit of home cooking and field the possible MVP in quarterback Drake Maye.” He also likes a money line parlay of Seattle and New England for +105.
Texans (+3½) over PATRIOTS
Randy McKay (@RR39), who correctly picked Houston’s win and cover over Pittsburgh on Monday night, is taking the points. “I bet Houston +3½ and still like it at +3 even,” he said. “The Texans defense reminds me of the 2001 Baltimore Ravens. Hopefully quarterback C.J. Stroud doesn’t mess it up like he did versus the Steelers (with three turnovers).” He believes Houston’s offensive line and experience will prevail.
* Last week: 5-3
* Season: 81-73-3
