NFL Divisional Round games are decided by trench advantages, coverage mismatches, and game scripts. Several key matchups could factor into the weekend's final playoff outcomes.
This PrizePicks Cheat Sheet for the Divisional Round is your ultimate resource for the top player picks, projections to target, and matchup insights for the playoff slate.
Ready to lock in your NFL Divisional Round predictions? Just go to the PrizePicks NFL board, pick your players, and predict if they’ll have More or Less than their projected stats to earn cash if you're right.
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NFL Divisional Round Predictions, Matchups & Cheat Sheet
Find the top NFL Divisional Round predictions, picks, matchups to target, and players to target below in the PrizePicks Cheat Sheet, including analysis on QBs, RBs, WR vs. CB matchups, and OL vs. DL mismatches.
Best RB Matchups for NFL Divisional Round
Here are two of the top RB matchups for PrizePicks NFL this week to help you make your Divisional Round predictions.
Broncos RB RJ Harvey vs. Bills Defense
Buffalo struggled mightily against the run this season, allowing 136.2 rushing yards per game (fifth-most) while also giving up 5.41 yards per carry (third-most). The Bills also allowed a league-high 24 rushing TDs.
Denver rookie RJ Harvey has quietly emerged as a reliable contributor, finishing the season with 540 rushing yards and seven rushing TDs while fumbling only once. Since Week 14, Harvey has found the end zone in every game he played, excluding Week 18.
Against a defense that consistently bleeds production and volume, Harvey’s TD equity stands out.
Texans RB Woody Marks vs. Patriots Defense
New England’s run defense collapsed down the stretch, allowing 141.5 rushing yards per game over the final four weeks of the season while ranking bottom 15 in yards per carry allowed at 4.6. They also surrendered the seventh-most TDs in the NFL.
With WR Nico Collins still recovering from a concussion, Houston may lean more on the ground game. Rookie RB Woody Marks finished the season with 703 rushing yards. In the Wild Card Round against Pittsburgh, he rushed for 112 yards and was the primary catalyst behind the Texans' playoff victory.
Given the matchup and game script, Marks could receive another heavy workload.
Divisional Round Prediction for PrizePicks: Woody Marks – 54.5 Rushing Yards
Best WR vs. CB Matchups for NFL Divisional Round
Here are two of the top WR vs. CB matchups for PrizePicks NFL this week to help you make your Divisional Round predictions.
49ers CB Deommodore Lenoir vs. Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
CB Deommodore Lenoir has struggled in coverage, allowing a 104 passer rating when targeted while giving up 12.1 yards per reception on 41 completions. He now draws a difficult matchup against WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who has put together a breakout season.
Smith-Njigba finished the year first in the NFL in receiving yards with 1,793 while hauling in 119 receptions on 157 targets, ranking fourth in the league in target share. Over his final three games, he posted receiving lines of 96, 72, and 84 yards while consistently seeing 8-9 catches per game.
This matchup might see Smith-Njigba’s volume and route-running ability thrive against a corner who has struggled to limit efficiency.
Rams WR Puka Nacua vs. Bears CB Nahshon Wright
CB Nahshon Wright has been a liability for Chicago, allowing 53 receptions and 13.7 yards per catch. He now faces Rams WR Puka Nacua, who leads the sport in receiving yards per game and ranked third in total targets with 160. He also finished the regular season with 129 receptions and 10 TDs, ranking fourth.
In the Wild Card Round against Carolina, Nacua posted 10 catches for 111 yards, continuing his dominance. Chicago’s defense ranks 29th in yards allowed per game, making this an extremely intriguing matchup for the Rams’ top receiver.
Divisional Round Prediction for PrizePicks: Puca Nacua – 98.5 Receiving Yards
Best OL vs. DL Matchups for NFL Divisional Round
Here are two of the top OL vs. DL matchups for PrizePicks NFL this week to help you make your Divisional Round predictions.
Houston Texans DL vs. New England Patriots OL
The Texan's defensive line remains one of the most dominant units in the NFL, built around elite edge pressure.
DE Danielle Hunter has been a nightmare, piling up 83 total pressures and 16 sacks. On the opposite side, former first-round pick Will Anderson Jr. has been just as destructive, leading all edge defenders with 93 pressures and adding 13 sacks. Inside, veteran DT Sheldon Rankins continues to collapse pockets, recording 38 pressures.
That front draws a nice matchup against a Patriots offensive line that has been battered by injuries and inconsistency. LG Jared Wilson has surrendered 20 pressures and 4 sacks, while C Garrett Bradbury has allowed 20 pressures up the middle. RT Morgan Moses has struggled on the edge, committing 8 penalties, while rookie LT Will Campbell has already been flagged 7 times and allowed 5 sacks.
Against a Texans pass rush that consistently wins both outside and inside, protection issues could loom large for New England.
Seattle Seahawks DL vs. San Francisco 49ers OL
Seattle’s defensive line has quietly become one of the most complete and dangerous units left in the postseason. DE DeMarcus Lawrence continues to produce at a high level, posting 52 total pressures along with 8 sacks. DT Leonard Williams has generated 58 pressures, which ranks fourth among all interior defensive linemen.
Rookie standout DT Byron Murphy II has emerged as a force as well, recording 50 pressures, giving Seattle disruption from every alignment. The Seahawks front now faces a San Francisco offensive line that has been leaking pressure.
LG Spencer Burford has ceded 21 pressures, while RT Colton McKivitz has yielded 32 pressures. OL Dominick Puni has also been exposed, giving up 30 pressures.
With Seattle’s ability to produce across the board, the 49ers’ protection issues could be a decisive factor in this matchup.
Divisional Round Prediction for PrizePicks: Brock Purdy – 227.5 Passing Yards
Best QB Matchups for NFL Divisional Round
Here are two of the top QB matchups for PrizePicks NFL this week to help you make your Divisional Round predictions.
Seahawks QB Sam Darnold vs. 49ers Defense
Over the final four weeks of the regular season, San Francisco’s defense declined significantly against the pass, ranking 25th in EPA allowed per dropback and 30th in pressure rate. This may set up well for a less-than-100% Sam Darnold, who benefits when given time in the pocket.
Darnold finished the season fifth in passing yards with 4,048 and ninth in passing TDs with 25 while ranking inside the top 15 in average depth of target at 8.7 yards. With San Francisco struggling to generate consistent pressure, Darnold may operate efficiently and push the ball downfield.
Rams QB Matthew Stafford vs. Bears Defense
Chicago’s defense is without starting LB T.J. Edwards. This comes at the worst possible time as they face Rams QB Matthew Stafford, who is having one of the most productive seasons of his career.
Stafford led the NFL with 4,707 passing yards and 46 passing TDs while throwing only 8 INTs and ranking third in the league in average depth of target (9.5). In the Wild Card Round against Carolina, he threw for 304 yards and 3 TDs.
This matchup could favor the Rams’ passing attack against a declining Bears defense.
Divisional Round Prediction for PrizePicks: Matthew Stafford – 269.5 Passing Yards
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Make NFL Divisional Round Picks on PrizePicks
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