NFL Divisional Round picks: Consider Broncos, Bears and Texans this week
Lorenzo Reyes explains why he’s eyeing up underdogs for his NFL divisional round picks.
The NFL playoff divisional-round schedule continues with two games on Sunday, Jan. 18. Two big games.
They both pit No. 5 seeds against No. 2 seeds, with the New England Patriots hosting the Houston Texans in the first and the Chicago Bears hosting the Los Angeles Rams in the second.
Which teams will win those NFL postseason games on Jan. 18?
Check out The Arizona Republic’s NFL playoff picks and NFL playoff predictions for each game on the NFL playoff schedule today.
Will we see some upsets or will the higher seeds advance to the AFC and NFC championship games?
NFL playoff picks: 49ers at Seahawks | Bills at Broncos | Rams at Bears | Texans at Patriots | The Republic’s score predictions | Win probabilities | Super Bowl pick
Watch NFL playoff games on FUBO (free trial)
Sunday, Jan. 18 NFL playoff game predictions
Houston Texans at New England Patriots, 1 p.m. MST (3 p.m. ET), ESPN/ABC (stream with FUBO)
The Texans have won 10 games in a row. They have not lost since Week 9 on Nov. 2. Can they upset the New England Patriots at home to extend their win streak? Yes, they can. But, it is going to take an elite defensive performance and a clean game from C.J. Stroud to do it. The quarterback will make enough plays to send Houston to the AFC championship game for the first time in Texans history (they are 0-6 in the divisional round all-time).
Prediction: Texans 23, Patriots 19
NFL playoff odds: 49ers at Seahawks | Bills at Broncos | Rams at Bears | Texans at Patriots | Divisional round odds | Super Bowl odds | NFL power rankings
Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears, 4:30 p.m. MST (6:30 p.m. ET), NBC (stream with FUBO)
The oddsmakers like the Rams’ chances to beat the Bears, establishing Los Angeles, the No. 5 seed, as the favorite over the No. 2-seeded Bears. But Chicago is playing at home in this one, and the weather could be a factor. Caleb Williams and company will continue their magical season with an upset over Matthew Stafford and the Rams.
Prediction: Bears 27, Rams 24
NFL playoff schedule: 49ers at Seahawks | Bills at Broncos | Rams at Bears | Texans at Patriots | TV channels, streaming | Announcers | When is Super Bowl? | Super Bowl scenarios
When do NFL teams play next? 49ers | Seahawks | Bills | Broncos | Rams | Bears | Patriots | Texans | NFL playoff bracket
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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