Divisional Round NFL Playoffs Potential Upsets and Underdog Picks
- New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals best bets to pull off upsets in NFL Divisional Round action
- Bengals ride a nine-game win streak, while Giants aim to build on upset win over Minnesota last week
- Read on for our top upset picks in the Divisional Round odds
The field has been reduced to just eight teams as the NFL playoffs continue this weekend with NFL Divisional Round action. The New York Giants are looking to build on last weekend’s stunning victory in Minnesota as they travel to Philadelphia to take on the slumping Eagles as attractive betting underdogs.
Sunday’s schedule is highlighted by a clash of AFC contenders with unfinished business, as the Cincinnati Bengals search for a 10th straight win when they visit the rival Buffalo Bills as betting underdogs in the NFL Playoff odds.
Here’s a look at our top picks to produce as underdogs on NFL Divisional Playoff Weekend.
NFL Divisional Round Upset Picks
| Matchup | Spread | Moneyline | Pick | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Giants vs Philadelphia Eagles | PHI -7.5 | +285 | Giants | 1 |
| Cincinnati Bengals vs Buffalo Bills | BUF -5.5 | +196 | Bengals | 1 |
Odds as of January 21 at Caesars Sportsbook.
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NFL Divisional Round Upset Picks: Giants Poised to End Losing Streak vs Philly
The New York Giants have taken both sports bettors and fans on a roller coaster ride this season. Winners in seven of their first nine regular-season contests, the Giants tallied just two wins the rest of the way. However, this team may have turned the corner towards playoff contender legitimacy with last week’s stunning 31-24 upset victory over the home favorite Minnesota Vikings in NFC Wild Card action, and offer intriguing value as 7.5-point underdogs in the NFL odds.
Brian Daboll Effect:
Josh Allen was known as turnover prone QB as a rookie. Daboll then coached it out of him, resulting in an MVP-like season in 2021.
Daniel Jones had NFL-leading 65 INTs+Fumbles prior to 2022.
Now? Allen led NFL in turnovers, Jones only had 5 INTs. pic.twitter.com/ZB9a72pUxG
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 20, 2023
Undaunted by an early 7-0 deficit, Giants quarterback Daniel Jones displayed veteran calm while guiding the Giants on a pair of scoring drives late in the first quarter to seize a lead they would not relinquish, on the way to the team’s first playoff victory since Super Bowl 46. With his 301-yard, two-TD performance, Jones has effectively eliminated any remaining advantage that Philadelphia enjoyed under center. Indeed, questions linger about the fitness of Eagles pivot Jalen Hurts, who has battled injuries but was removed from the Philadelphia injury report earlier this week.
Hurts has been key to the Eagles’ renaissance this season while compiling 22 touchdown passes and 13 scoring runs. However, it is far from clear if he is fully recovered from the shoulder injury that sidelined him for two games, both of which the Eagles lost. In addition, Hurts was unspectacular while leading the Eagles to a meaningless 22-16 win over New York in Week 18, and will enjoy little margin of error against a Giants offense that so effectively harassed Kirk Cousins last week while surrendering just 61 total rushing yards. Accordingly, an edge as favorites by a touchdown is far too generous for tis unproven Eagles squad in the Giants vs Eagles odds.
Bengals Attending to Unfinished Business in Buffalo
The Cincinnati Bengals have had one objective this season; atone for the loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl 56. Battle-hardened by last season’s playoff experience, the Bengals travel to Buffalo for Sunday’s date with the Bills riding a nine-game win streak, including four straight road victories. But can they close the deal with a win as 5.5-point underdogs over the team that has been a fixture at the top of the Super Bowl odds all season? The short answer is yes.
Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Burrow make it look easy against the Ravens. #RuleTheJungle
— PlayerProfiler (@rotounderworld) January 16, 2023
The Bengals did little to inspire confidence during a sometimes brutal 4-4 start to the season. However, this team has since developed chemistry on both sides of the ball. Joe Burrow has cemented his position as an elite NFL quarterback by tossing for 354 total scores this season. But faced with a ferocious Ravens defense in last week’s Wild Card date with the division rival Ravens, Burrow put on display his ability to use all the offensive weapons at his disposal in a dominating 27-16 win.
The Bills enjoy an eight-game win streak of their own, capped by last weekend’s 34-31 win over Miami. However, they look to Sunday’s contest with some question marks. At times, Buffalo struggled to contain a Dolphins attack led by third-string pivot Skylar Thompson, who stunned the Bills by leading Miami on a 17-point comeback in the second quarter. Quarterback Josh Allen also faces a huge challenge to overcome his recent tendency to turnover the ball which includes five picks over the past three games.
Unlike against the relatively lightweight opponents that they faced down the stretch, they will be forced to pay dearly for any miscues against a Bengals squad that has surrendered an average of just 16.8 points over their past four outings.
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
