The NFL’s Wild Card Weekend did not disappoint, setting up what should be a thrilling AFC Divisional Round. Saturday will feature a dominant Ravens team against a young and talented Texans squad, while Sunday gives us a matchup between elite quarterbacks as the Chiefs take on the Bills.
Below we are breaking down both AFC matchups this weekend. We will give you everything you need to wager on the games and win big at NFL betting sites this weekend
Texans Preview
The Texans made a statement in the Wild Card round with a 45-14 blowout of the Browns. CJ Stroud was fantastic, throwing for 274 yards and three touchdowns against a league-best Browns defense. However, the performance of the defense stole the show. The young unit had been inconsistent all season but has allowed fewer than 20 points in four of their last five games.
While the Ravens are a heavy favorite, the Texans performance against the Browns signals they could be up to the challenge. Their offense showed they can compete with a top-level defense, which they will face in the Ravens. The key will be if the Houston defense can replicate their Wild Card success. Lamar Jackson will present far more of a challenge than Joe Flacco did, so we’ll see if they can adjust.
Ravens Preview
The Ravens earned a first-round bye after finishing with a 13-4 record. They have arguably been the most balanced team in the league, despite key injuries on offense. They finished the season ranked fourth in scoring (28.4 PPG) and first in opponent scoring (16.5 PPG). They led the league in sacks (60) and turnover differential (+12), which has been a big part of their success in the regular season.
The Ravens opened their season with a 25-9 over the Texans, but they will face a very different team on Saturday. While defense is their strength, we saw the Texans shred a Browns defense that was just as good. That means Lamar Jackson and the offense will likely be the key to the game for Baltimore. If the Texans let the MVP-favorite get comfortable, this game will be over quickly.
Chiefs Preview
The Chiefs were able to take an advantage of a historically cold home game to easily defeat the Dolphins. Their defense was able contain the league-best Miami offense, holding them to just 264 yards and seven points. On offense, the Chiefs finally showed up against a good defense. They scored 26 points on 409 yards, an impressive feat considering the brutal weather conditions.
We know the Chiefs defense is great, but their offense remains a questions mark. They did well last week but faced a Miami defense missing several stars. The offense finished fifteenth in the league in scoring (21.8 PPG) after leading category in last season (29.2 PPG). The reason has been their league-worst receiving corps, but rookie Rashee Rice is starting to develop into a dangerous weapon and could be the key to victory on Sunday.
Bills Preview
We have seen two versions of this Bills team this season, and the good one showed up last weekend. They destroyed the Steelers, dominating on both sides of the ball. Josh Allen showed up in a big way, finishing with 203 passing yards, 74 rushing yards, and four total touchdowns. Running back James Cook also looked fantastic, averaging 4.4 yards per carry. The defense was also great, leading to a 31-17 win.
While the good version of the Bills showed up against the Steelers, that hasn’t been the case much of the season. Buffalo nearly missed the playoffs, securing a spot by barely beating the Chargers and Patriots. The bad version of this team turns the ball over and struggles to score points, and it led them to lose five of eight games after starting the season 3-1.
Michael is an avid sports fan and a veteran bettor from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He learned the trade from his grandfather in Las Vegas as a kid. As an adult, Michael started picking games for a small sports betting site and has built it into a career. His experience allows him to provide tips and information to help other bettors improve their game. Michael cheers for all Wisconsin pro teams, the Arizona State Sun Devils (his alma mater), and the Ottawa Senators. He specializes in baseball betting but has extensive experience in football, basketball, and hockey. When he isn’t pouring over stats, he’s spending time with his two young children or hiking and enjoying the outdoors.
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