NFL GAME PICKS... DIVISIONAL ROUND

Picking winners as eight teams remain in the race to Super Bowl 60

Things are getting really serious now and Super Bowl dreams are within touching distance as eight teams remain alive in a bid to be crowned champions of the 2025 NFL season.

After one of the most entertaining Wild Card Rounds in NFL history, my season record is up to 178-100. I went 5-1 last weekend with my only incorrect prediction being the picking of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Onto the Divisional Round. Here are my game picks for the weekend.

Buffalo Bills (6) at Denver Broncos (1)

The first game of playoff weekend pits the most dynamic individual player in the sport in Buffalo’s Josh Allen against a Denver defense that led the league with 68 sacks in 2025, a year after leading the NFL with 63 sacks in 2024. Allen has been under a lot of pressure this season, and he certainly got banged up in the game against Jacksonville in the Wild Card Round. So, he’s going to have to produce every ounce of his magic on Saturday night. I think Allen can work miracles with lesser talent around him and that’s what makes him truly special. Denver’s defense will present a real challenge, but I don’t know if they score enough points led by Bo Nix. So, I’m predicting, in the toughest of circumstances, that the Bills get the win on the road. It will all depend on special moments from Allen. Neil’s Pick… Buffalo Bills

San Francisco 49ers (6) at Seattle Seahawks (1)

San Francisco have been decimated by injuries this season, and you can add tight end George Kittle to that list after he tore his Achilles in Philadelphia in the Wild Card Round. But the 49ers keep punching above their weight, they keep fighting, and they refuse to go quietly into the night. That said, I believe this may be one battle too many for Kyle Shanahan’s men. Seattle are a complete team. They run the ball well, they have the best scoring defense in the league and their pass rush is fearsome pass rush. They also have one of the league’s elite wide receivers in Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The only question is whether Sam Darnold can stay out of trouble enough after leading the league with 20 giveaways during the regular season. I think Darnold will play a tidy game and I think the Seahawks will advance to the NFC title contest in a rowdy atmosphere in Seattle. Neil’s Pick… Seattle Seahawks

Houston Texans (5) at New England Patriots (2)

The first game on Sunday features a pair of in-form teams as the Houston Texans, winners of 10 in a row, take on a New England team that have won 14 of their last 15 contests. This is what playoff football is all about. The Texans are dangerous as the number five seed and very capable of going into Foxboro and taking down New England. The reason? That defense is one of the most aggressive and the best in the NFL. They led the league in fewest yards allowed in the regular season. The question for Houston is whether they can get enough out of quarterback CJ Stroud. For New England, protect Drake Maye. He was sacked five times last week against the Los Angeles Chargers and now he goes up against one of the best defensive units in the league. This is a pick-em game. It could go either way. Home field advantage for the Patriots? I’m not so sure. I think Houston can spring the upset. Neil’s Pick… Houston Texans

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Los Angeles Rams (5) at Chicago Bears (2)

The final game of the divisional round is all about the quarterbacks, as MVP-elect passer Matthew Stafford leads the Los Angeles Rams against Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears. Stafford can pick teams apart from the pocket, while Williams is a dynamic playmaker, often most dangerous when he’s ad-libbing and on the run. What makes this game so fascinating is that both quarterbacks will be guided by offensive-minded head coaches in Sean McVay of the Rams and Ben Johnson of the Bears. Both teams also have their flaws. The Rams have gone 2-2 in the past month and almost lost that game in the Wild Card Round against the Carolina Panthers. The Bears looked dead and buried against Green Bay before rallying late. It was their seventh win when they have trailed at the two-minute warning. This is a close game to call, but I believe the Rams are the more complete team and they will advance to an NFC title showdown with Seattle. Neil’s Pick… Los Angeles Rams