NFL Divisional Spherical, CFP Odds: Finest Bets for Rams-Bears, Indiana-Miami

[ad_1] The smart guys bought crushed final weekend.

It began with Oregon getting railroaded by Indiana. Then, Jacksonville fell aside within the fourth quarter towards Buffalo, Philadelphia misplaced outright to San Francisco and Pittsburgh scored six factors towards Houston.

Las Vegas bookmaker John Murray instructed me the general public "rolled."

I’ve bought 4 bets this weekend, and I’m too able to sweat our Payments’ Tremendous Bowl futures Saturday night time. Keep in mind, this isn’t the place for "locks" or five-team parlays. These are the video games I like essentially the most.

Let’s go to work.

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2025 Document: (39-51-6, -17.8 models)

Payments @ Broncos (-1.5, O/U 46)

I’m having déjà vu with the Payments on this spot.

It’s virtually an similar state of affairs to final weekend’s recreation when the Jaguars closed a small favourite as a result of individuals have been lining as much as fade Buffalo on the street towards a extra full workforce.

Too unhealthy Jacksonville had Trevor Lawrence as an alternative of Josh Allen within the fourth quarter.

Buffalo’s offensive versatility and defensive confusion make it a troublesome out, and I wholeheartedly imagine you get the perfect participant in soccer with a Payments wager. If Allen brings his "A" recreation, it’ll be troublesome for Denver to win.

The Broncos’ protection is excellent, however the offense is simply okay. If second-year starter Bo Nix outduels 17 within the playoffs, I’ll be sick to my abdomen.

PICK: Payments (+1.5) to win by greater than 1.5 factors

Rams (-4, O/U 48.5) @ Bears

Someway, someway, the Bears maintain successful.

Regardless of having a 5% likelihood of victory with 5 minutes remaining, Chicago scored two touchdowns and saved the Inexperienced Bay Packers out of the tip zone.

"Unbelievable" clearly isn’t within the Bears’ workforce dictionary.

Up subsequent, Matthew Stafford and the Rams roll into Soldier Discipline and the climate is horrible for throwing the ball. Wind gusts are projected to soar as excessive as 30 miles per hour off the lake and temperatures will really feel like 2º.

Stafford is 1-9 in his final 10 video games within the components and the Rams have misplaced eight of their final 10 in Chicago. The Rams have additionally struggled to guard leads this season, whereas the Bears proceed to rise like a phoenix in second halves.

Take the factors.

PICK: Bears (+4) to lose by fewer than 4 factors or win outright

TWO-POINT TEASER: Payments +7.5 to Bears +10

The mathematics is nice right here. Take the 2 underdogs and add extra factors. You knock Buffalo from +1.5 by 3 and seven to +7.5 and make Chicago a double-digit underdog in a recreation the place the entire has dropped three factors.

PICK: Payments +7.5 to Bears +10

CFP Championship: Indiana (-8.5, O/U 47) vs. Miami

I instructed y’all to wager Oregon towards Indiana final Friday.

After siding with Indiana over Alabama, Ohio State and Oregon (the primary time), I made a decision it was time to flip as a result of the Hoosiers have been too common.

Oregon misplaced 56-22.

Sigh.

Now, IU is onto the nationwide championship towards a really bodily Hurricanes workforce that has the perfect line play in faculty soccer. It has three Sunday guys on the defensive position and two first-rounders on offense.

That’s to not say Indiana isn’t a juggernaut, however the notion is reaching 2019 LSU ranges. And Fernando Mendoza ain’t Joe Burrow. If the Canes defend the ball and restrict penalties, there’s no purpose they will’t cling round.

If I instructed you in August that Miami would play for a nationwide title in its personal yard towards Indiana and be an 8.5-point canine, you’d suppose I used to be insane.

PICK: Miami (+8.5) to lose by fewer than 8.5 factors or win outright

Sam Panayotovich is a sports activities betting analyst for FOX Sports activities and the BetMGM Community. He beforehand labored for WGN Radio, NBC Sports activities and VSiN. Watch him on FOX Sports activities’ Bear Bets and observe him on X @spshoot.

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