2025 NFL Divisional Playoff betting tips & match previews

The NFL Playoffs continue this Saturday with a pair of blockbuster Divisional Round matchups involving both #1 seeds.

Below are our NFL betting tips and previews for Kansas City Chiefs v Houston Texans and Detroit Lions vs Washington Commanders.

Kansas City Chiefs vs Houston Texans preview

Sunday, January 19 – 8:30pm AEDT – Arrowhead Stadium

After finishing as the #1 seed in the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs continue their path to the Super Bowl as they welcome the Houston Texans to Arrowhead Stadium.

The Texans were impressive in their first playoff game last Saturday, beating the Los Angeles Chargers 32-12. After conceding the first six points of the game, there were concerns around the Texans, but they turned it around, going on a stretch of 23 unanswered points through the middle of the game to get the job done comfortably.

Running back Joe Mixon (106 rushing yards and a touchdown) and wide receiver Nico Collins (122 receiving yards and a touchdown) were excellent on offence, while the defence had four sacks and forced four turnovers.

However, the concerns remain around quarterback C.J. Stroud, as the Texans had three turnovers. This week on the road, they are strong outsiders at +380 to win with leading NFL bookies.

The Chiefs had a week off on Wildcard Weekend, but most of their key players haven’t played since Christmas Day when they clinched the #1 seed.

With Patrick Mahomes under centre, the Chiefs have only lost once this season, as he shows that despite having a statistically poor season, he is still getting the job done.

Tight end Travis Kelce (+120) remains the number one target in the Chiefs offence, while Xavier Worthy (+200) and DeAndre Hopkins (+275) are other options in the air. On the ground, the duo of Isiah Pacheco (+150) and Kareem Hunt (+165) will split carries.

Currently Kansas City are the favourites to win the AFC at +135 with top online bookmakers.

Based off the last five years, it is hard to look past Mahomes and the Chiefs given how much success they have had in the playoffs. With the added advantage of playing at home and the Texans inability to limit their turnovers, back the Chiefs to cover the line of -8.5 points at -111.11 with Marantelli Bet.

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Detroit Lions vs Washington Commander preview

Sunday, January 19 – 11:15am AEDT – Ford Field, Detroit

In the second game of the day, the Detroit Lions enter as strong BetOnline favourites against the Washington Commanders.

The Commanders were impressive last Sunday, as they got the job done against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a field goal as time ran out. In a back-and-forth game, neither team could get away, but with four minutes on the clock, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels led the Commanders down the field and secured the win.

The Washington defence was excellent, limiting the Bucs pass and run game while also securing a vital fourth-quarter turnover.

Daniels continues to impress in his rookie season, but this weekend will be his biggest test yet. At +175 he is a value option to find the endzone, while others such as wide receiver Terry McLaurin (+125) and running back Brian Robinson Jr. (+162) are key candidates.

However, with the star power of the Lions, it is no surprise to see the Commanders as clear underdogs at +400.

Securing the #1 seed in the NFC, no one needed a bye week more than the Lions, who have been killed by injuries this season.

Detroit finished as the highest scoring team this season, as quarterback Jared Goff leads one of the best skill groups in the NFL.
Running back David Montgomery (-151.52) is set to return, where he resumes his backfield partnership with Jahmyr Gibbs (-227.27). In the air, Amon-Ra St. Brown (-125) is the WR1, while Jameson Williams (+140) and Sam LaPorta (+140) are also threats in the endzone.

Despite their excellent season, there is a weakness in their secondary, which allowed the third-most passing yards in the league this season. However, they still remain the Super Bowl favourites at +260 with leading NFL sportsbooks.

Given the Lions have scored over 30 points in each of their last five games, it is hard to see how the Commanders can keep up. Detroit will play a rush-heavy defence to put the pressure on the rookie quarterback, while on offence, expect the Lions to get the run game set early. Despite the line being set at 9.5 points, Detroit should be far too strong, covering comfortably at -111.11 with Marantelli Bet.

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