Betting lines for NFL divisional round: Patriots favored vs. Texans; Rams over Bears

ByESPN ESPN logo
Sunday, January 18, 2026
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The NFL wild-card round certainly lived up to its name.

The Denver Broncos and theSeattle Seahawks--the top seeds in the AFC and the NFC, respectively, won on Saturday to advance to the Conference Final, though it came at a cost for the Broncos as quarterbackBo Nixsuffered a season-ending ankle injury.

the New England Patriots and the Houston Texans in the AFC matchup, the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears in the NFC game. The winners will travel to Denver and Seattle, respectively, for the conference championship games.

Note: Odds by DraftKings Sportsbook and subject to change.

Money Line: Texans (+145); Patriots (-175)

Total: 40.5; Opened: 41.5

FPI favorite: Patriots by 0.6 with a 52% probability to win the game outright

Betting notes


  • The Patriots went 12-5 ATS in the regular season, tied for the best record in the NFL. Overs went 11-6 in Patriots games, tied for the second highest over percentage. The Pats covered Sunday night against the Chargers, and the game went under the total.

  • New England signal-callerDrake Mayeis 9-3 ATS in his career as a favorite, including the playoffs (all this season).

Money Line: Rams (-198); Bears (+164)

Total: 48.5; Opened: 51.5

FPI favorite: Rams by 4.4 with a 62% probability to win the game outright

Betting notes


  • Road favorites in the divisional round are 5-10 outright and ATS, including 1-6 outright and ATS in the last seven instances.

  • The Rams are the fourth team in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) to be road favorites in consecutive playoff games within a season.

  • The Rams are 8-6 ATS in the playoffs under Sean McVay, including 5-3 ATS with Matthew Stafford.

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