The 2023 fantasy football season is still over half a year away from starting, but there are already some worrying signs concerning three players that owners relied in this past season, that will make it difficult for them to replicate this season’s point totals in 2023.
The Divisional Round is one of the finest weeks of football all year. We kick this weekend off with two Saturday games that I’ll evaluate from a sports betting perspective. Below I provide summaries for each of those matchups, with a link to my in-depth betting previews for those contests.
Weather: Outdoors, chance of rain or snow late in the contest
The Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes Chiefs are the measuring stick in the AFC. No one wins every game, but Kansas City is the most reliable team in the league. Trevor Lawrence’s Jaguars are the interesting upstart that’s ahead of schedule. I expect this to be the last time Lawrence will be a two-score underdog for the next decade.
Ultimately, I have the Chiefs winning this contest, but I’m taking the Jaguars against the spread or passing given this large number. I took Lawrence over 249.5 yards passing and for him to not throw an interception at plus money on our Player Prop Happy Hour show. I also tailed Josh Larky on Christian Kirk’s over-yards receiving prop, although the line has moved since we made that play.
Score Prediction: Chiefs 27 Jaguars 24
Weather: Outdoors, no current concerns
From a pure talent standpoint, the Eagles have an advantage against the Giants at virtually every position group. If Jalen Hurts looks like the MVP candidate he was before his throwing-shoulder injury, the Eagles could dominate this game in every aspect. If Hurts looks rusty, that opens the door for the Giants to keep this one close.
The winning formula for the Giants was driven by strong defensive efforts paired with Daniel Jones’ low-risk offense. While New York’s offense has had a limited ceiling all year, Jones carved up a Vikings defense that fired their defensive coordinator in the wake of their wild-card loss. Expect the Eagles’ defense to be a far more problematic opponent for Jones and the upstart Giants.
I have some level of interest in all of the Eagles’ key offensive players to exceed expectations in this matchup. Eagles star right tackle Lane Johnson is off the injury report, which increases my enthusiasm. Since I think a lot of Eagles players are in for a big day, I will avoid straight bets in this matchup. However, I’m building a same game parlay where the Eagles smash in the air and one where they smash on the ground.
Score Prediction: Eagles 27 Giants 16
The pool of available DFS players has shrunk with teams getting eliminated from the playoffs, but there are still plenty of good options out there. Jordan Vanek says this wide receiver should be a top play in your Divisional Round DFS lineups.
Ten of the best value player props available to bettors in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs.
Despite the great coverage provided by the Chargers’ defensive backs, such as Asante Samuel Jr. and Michael Davis, Jaguars receivers have a chance to be worth a sneaky play in DFS. Zay Jones specifically may benefit from Christian Kirk and Evan Engram being the focus, Jordan Vanek and Greg Jennings explain.
