NFL Playoff Betting Handles: Divisional Round

The NFL Divisional Playoff Round is here, so BetMGM is handing us its NFL playoff betting handles for the games beginning Jan. 18.

There are four games on the slate this weekend. Surprisingly, Saturday's Commanders vs Lions contest is the most bet-on, per BetMGM. In that contest, bettors like the Commanders to cover +9.5, with 62% of the handle on that bet. Interestingly, despite the action, the Lions have grown as favorites, suggesting sharp bettors have action on Detroit.

Below, I'll highlight where the betting action is for the divisional round of NFL playoffs and what we can learn from the NFL playoff betting handles:

Texans vs Chiefs Betting Handle

Jan. 18, 4:30 pm ET

Texans vs Chiefs Betting Handle
Team	Spread	% Bets	% Handle	Total	% Bets	% Handle
Houston Texans	+8.5	50%	43%	O41.5	55%	45%
Kansas City Chiefs	-8.5	50%	57%	U41.5	45%	55%

Commanders vs Lions Betting Handle

Jan. 18, 8 pm ET

Commanders vs Lions Betting Handle
Team	Spread	% Bets	% Handle	Total	% Bets	% Handle
Washington Commanders	+9.5	50%	62%	O55.5	38%	49%
Detroit Lions	-9.5	50%	38%	U55.5	62%	51%

Rams vs Eagles Betting Handle

Jan. 19, 3 pm ET

Rams vs Eagles Betting Handle
Team	Spread	% Bets	% Handle	Total	% Bets	% Handle
Los Angeles Rams	+6.0	43%	33%	O44	49%	48%
Philadelphia Eagles	-7.0	57%	67%	U44	51%	52%

Ravens vs Bills Betting Handle

Jan. 19, 6:30 pm ET

Ravens vs Bills Betting Handle
Team	Spread	% Bets	% Handle	Total	% Bets	% Handle
Baltimore Ravens	-1.0	56%	65%	O51.5	32%	28%
Buffalo Bills	+1.0	44%	35%	U51.5	68%	72%

Ravens-Bills Odds Have Changed At BetMGM

The Bills opened as a 1.5-point favorite at BetMGM, but money poured in on the Ravens (65% of handle) and Baltimore is suddenly a 1.0-point favorite. Now, a 65% clip isn't so crazy that it would change the spread, so this odds movement suggests there are big bettors (whales, if you will) on Baltimore to cover.

Our expert Mitch Bannon is drinking the Kool-Aid on the Ravens. On his preview page, Mitch lays out his case for BAL. We've already seen this matchup in Week 4, when Lamar Jackson and the Ravens dominated the Bills 35-10—and Baltimore looks even stronger now. With the NFL’s top rushing defense (77.2 yards per game) and a revamped secondary allowing just 192.7 passing yards per game over the last three weeks, the Ravens went 8-3 against playoff teams this season, while Buffalo sits at just 3-3.

Go UNDER in Lions-Commanders

Mitch is equally passionate about betting the Commanders-Lions UNDER 55.5 points. Mitch wanted to bet the OVER, with Detroit and Washington ranking first and fifth in scoring this season, but 55.5 is just too high. Playoff football is different; teams play tighter defense and control the clock, and low-scoring games are common, with both teams going UNDER this mark in most of their recent contests.