2023 NFL Divisional Round Predictions

For the first time in a few years, the NFL's Super Wild Card Weekend lived up to its name. It featured six games that each treated fans to historic moments and highlight-level plays. Last week, I gave my predictions for the outcomes of the weekend; the results were as follows.

• 5-1 for winners & losers
• 2-4 for spreads
• 3-3 for over & under points

While it was not the most perfect week for betters, we have certainly seen worse. Now, we turn our heads to the Divisional Round of the playoffs and preview each match-up. 

Jaguars @ Chiefs

Much like last year's Cincinnati Bengals, the Jacksonville Jaguars feel like the playoff team of destiny this year. They went from being the worst team in the league to completing one of the greatest comebacks in NFL playoff history in just one year. Now, they find themselves scheduled to have a date with the AFC's first-seeded Kansas City Chiefs.

Considering the coaching match-up, I would certainly give the Jaguars a fighting chance in this game. Doug Pederson is familiar with Andy Reid's system, and his team has all of the momentum after coming back from 27-0 the week prior. However, the Chiefs are well-rested and are one of the most unstoppable offenses in the league. I think that this will end up being an entertaining shoot-out, but the Chiefs will ultimately find a way to secure the victory. 

Official Prediction: Chiefs win, Jaguars cover +8.5, Over 53 points

Giants @ Eagles

Opposite of the Kansas City Chiefs, the Philadelphia Eagles are the number one seed in the NFC. They will be playing hosts to the New York Giants this weekend, a team that just upset the Minnesota Vikings on the road. Will the Giants be able to do the same against the Eagles?

My answer is going to be no. Division games are often closer than they should be, but the Eagles are flat out the better team on paper. They limped into the playoffs a bit after getting hit with the injury bug, but it can be inferred that the bye week helped some of those players get back to full strength. One of those players, Jalen Hurts, will be what makes or breaks the Eagles in their playoff run. Despite the tall task that the Giants appear to be, I am going to take the Eagles to win this one handily by pulling away in the second half.

Official Prediction: Eagles win, Eagles cover -7.5, Over 48 points

Bengals @ Bills

Of all the games this weekend, this one may be the one that tops the ratings. The last time the Cincinnati Bengals played the Buffalo Bills, the game was unable to be completed due to the Damar Hamlin situation; three weeks later, the Bills are looking to secure a win in honor of Hamlin and his fight to recovery.

While it would be a storybook tale if the Bills were to defeat the Bengals en route to the Super Bowl, the Bengals are not going to lay down and give the Bills the win. I believe that this game will be a competitive, high-scoring affair that features both quarterbacks going shot-for-shot with each other. While the Bills are among the most talented teams in the league, I think that the Bengals are going to come out ready to answer everything that the Bills throw at them. Ultimately, I am taking the Bengals to upset the Bills this weekend and become the NFL's villains of this post-season. 

Official Prediction: Bengals win, Bills do not cover -5.5, Over 48 points

Cowboys @ 49ers

Other than the Kansas City Chiefs, the San Francisco 49ers seem to be the team that many people are putting their money on to win this weekend. They have won ten straight games, while their opponents, the Dallas Cowboys, just secured a strong playoff victory after stumbling into the playoffs. 

With that said, the Cowboys' victory was certainly a momentum booster for the team they were able to defeat Tom Brady for the first time in the franchise's history. Will they be able to ride that momentum into their Sunday battle against the 49ers? Even though I despise the Cowboys, I believe that they will be able to compete with the 49ers in this game. However, I think that the Niners' offense overpowers the Cowboys' defense late in the game and finds a way to salt the game handily. 

Official Prediction: 49ers win, 49ers cover -4, Over 46 points