NFL Pick 'Em Pool Picks (Divisional Round) - Targets, Avoids, Predictions for Pick'em Contests

Things are heating up in the NFL playoffs, as eight teams remain in the hunt for a Lombardi Trophy. There will be four games this week (Texans at Chiefs, Commanders at Lions, Rams at Eagles, and Ravens at Bills), and all eight teams will be fighting for a spot in the conference championship games.

Given that this is the postseason and really anything can happen, the pick'em pool picks this week are going to be extremely tough to predict. Each of the eight teams remaining in the playoffs are all deserving to move on to the next round.

However, in this article, I'll rank each selection one through four. The games will be grouped into locks, semi-confident picks, and toss-ups. The number listed next to the game shows my confidence level in those winners, and the winner of each game will be in red and italicized. The higher the number, the more confident I am in that winner.

Divisional Round NFL Pick'em Pool Locks

4 - Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs

Picking against the Chiefs in the Divisional Round is not a smart strategy for those who play in a pick'em contest. Kansas City went 15-1 with its starters in the regular season and only lost to the Buffalo Bills back in Week 11. Although the team suffered another loss in the final week of the season, most of the team's starters winded up sitting out that contest.

Not only did the Chiefs end the regular season with the best record in the AFC, but Andy Reid has been one of the best coaches following a bye. Reid has gone 22-4 in his career following a bye in the regular season and 7-1 following a bye in the postseason. As a result, now is not the time to pick against the Chiefs.

The playoffs bring out the best in us. pic.twitter.com/cFmJ9sHQt9

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 14, 2025

On top of that, this Texans team is just not on the same level as the Chiefs. Kansas City just beat them a couple of weeks ago by a score of 27-19, and it's hard to trust C.J. Stroud in a game like this, especially since he has struggled for most of the year and will be without Stefon Diggs (knee) and Tank Dell (knee). So, this was the easiest game to pick in the Divisional Round.

3 - Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions

This Commanders and Lions game will feature a ton of points. This is the highest under/over (55.5) of the week, and both offenses can score at a high level. But Washington's defense is just not going to be able to stop this Lions offense enough on Saturday. Detroit ranked first in points per game (33.2), second in yards per game (409.5), and second in pass yards per game (262.3) in the regular season.

The Lions should also have a field day against this Commanders front seven in the running game. Washington allowed 4.8 yards per carry on the ground in the regular season, and Detroit has one of the best rushing attacks in the entire NFL. David Montgomery will be back for this game following his knee injury, and Jahmyr Gibbs has rushed for over 100 yards in three straight games.

🚨BREAKING: The #Lions - #Commanders is the MOST EXPENSIVE #NFL GAME IN HISTORY, excluding the Super Bowl, the average get in price is $991 on @TICKPICK.

🤯🤯🤯

The cheapest get-in price $597 for an actual seat.

DETROIT WILL ELECTRIC FOR THE PLAYOFFS AGAIN. pic.twitter.com/ut1TNFhsIw

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) January 14, 2025

The Commanders do have a shot in this game because their offense has shown up in big games, most recently against the Eagles in Week 16 when they scored 36 points. However, they'll have to keep up with the Lions offense in this game -- something that many teams haven't been able to do this season. Given that Detroit also had an extra week of rest, it's hard to pick against it in the Divisional Round.

Semi-Confident Picks For The Divisional Round Pick'em Pools

2 - Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles

This game is going to be a lot closer than most people might think. The Rams have been playing really good football over the past few weeks, winning six of their past seven games, and just dominated the Vikings in the Wild Card round last week. As for the Eagles, they took care of business against the Packers last week, and their only loss across the past three months came when Jalen Hurts left early due to a concussion.

As a result, this game is going to be a dogfight between two top teams. However, the Eagles get the edge in this game. Philadelphia beat the Rams earlier this year (37-20) behind a career day from Saquon Barkley. Barkley rushed for 255 yards and two touchdowns in that Week 12 game, and Los Angeles has had its problems stopping the run this season.

Rams vs. Eagles.

See you Sunday. #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/EJty29qvfJ

— NFL (@NFL) January 14, 2025

This is a harder game to pick this weekend because the Rams have the offensive pieces and have played well defensively over the past few months. Having a Super Bowl-winning quarterback in Matthew Stafford is also a boost for his Los Angeles team.

Nevertheless, this Eagles defense presents a tough challenge for Stafford on Sunday, considering it ranks first in total defense this season. Philadelphia also has the corners to match up with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua (Darius Slay Jr., Quinyon Mitchell, and Cooper DeJean) and the run defense to stop Kyren Williams on the ground. That mixed with the team's strong running game will carry it to the NFC Championship.

NFL Pick'em Toss-Ups For The Divisional Round

1 - Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills

It's anyone's guess as to which team will win this game on Sunday. This is easily the best game of the Divisional Round and the game that is the hardest to predict. The headline here is between Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, two quarterbacks who are in the running to win the MVP award in a couple of weeks.

The Ravens are favored in this game, and they have what it takes to beat the Bills on Sunday. The biggest thing for Buffalo in this game will be stopping Derrick Henry. But there's a good chance that this front seven won't be able to contain the veteran running back. Henry rushed for 199 yards and one touchdown earlier in the year against this defense, and the team won 35-10 at home.

Although this game will be held in Buffalo, it's hard to pick against Jackson and Henry in a playoff game. Allen will be able to match the Baltimore offense on Sunday, and he will try to carry the Bills offense in this game. But the Ravens defense is also in a much better spot than the Bills defense at this point in the season.

James Cook likely won't be able to run much on Sunday, and this Baltimore secondary has played much better over the past few weeks. Given that the Ravens are more well-rounded in this game on both sides of the ball, they will be victorious and move on to the AFC Championship.

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