NFL Divisional Round Picks

After a round of upsets on Wild Card Weekend we'll stick with totals while making our picks for the NFL's Divisional Playoffs . . .

Baltimore at Pittsburgh – Total 37 at Bodog

We expect the Steelers to win by three points on Saturday, but that would equal a PUSH on the current line. For that reason we're going to bet the total, which currently sits at 37.

In the previous two meeting between the Ravens and Steelers the final score went UNDER the posted total both times. This includes the Ravens' 17-14 Week 4 win (posted total 34) and the Steelers' 13-10 win in Week 13 (posted total 39). This might make some bettors ride the UNDER again, and we agree with them.

In their last seven games the Steelers have held five of their opponents to 10 points or less to go 5-2 UNDER. Baltimore has gone UNDER the total in their last three games, including last week's 30-7 win over Kansas City. One bit of math worth noting is that if five touchdowns are scored on Saturday, the total would still fall UNDER. We don't see even four TDs appearing on the board.

Pick: UNDER 37

Seattle at Chicago – Total 41 at Sportsbook.com

The UNDER may look like a good play in Pittsburgh, but we're riding the OVER when the Seahawks take on Chicago. Earlier this season the Seahawks upset the Bears 23-20 and went OVER the posted total of 38. That's a common theme in this matchup as the last five meetings between Seattle and Chicago have all gone OVER.

The Seahawks have been an OVER play for a few months now with a 9-1 OVER record in their last 10 games. The Bears closed out the season on an OVER binge with a 5-1 OVER mark in their last six games. Look for the Bears to squeak out a win in a game with more scoring than some fans might expect.

Pick: OVER 41

NY Jets at New England – Total 45 at Bodog

If you're looking for offense this weekend the Jets at Patriots may be your best bet. The Patriots put up 45 points on the Jets the last time they met, and even though their defense held the Jets to three points that night we don't expect another shutdown performance this weekend. The Patriots' defense ranked 25th in the league this season after all.

In eight games at home this season the Patriots were 7-1 OVER thanks to an explosive offense and a defense that's surrendering an average of 20 points per game in Foxboro. Before last week's UNDER in Indianapolis the Jets were 4-1 UNDER in their last five games, and during the regular season they were 8-0 OVER on the road. Look for plenty of points in New England on Sunday as a final score goes well OVER 45.

Pick: OVER 45