My first bet: Early picks for NFL divisional round - ESPN

Only eight teams remain in the playoffs after wild-card weekend and action continues with the NFL divisional round. Four «win or go home» matchups will decide who makes the AFC and NFC championship games next week with two on Saturday and two on Sunday.

The weekend kicks off with Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs facing C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans (4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). Meanwhile in the NFC, Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions will take on rookie Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders (Saturday 8 p.m. ET, FOX).

On Sunday afternoon, the Philadelphia Eagles, fresh off a win over the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round will face the winner of the Minnesota Vikings-Los Angeles Rams game (Sunday 3 p.m. ET, NBC). The weekend concludes with MVP betting favorite Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills taking on first-team All Pro QB Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens (6:30 p.m. ET, CBS).

Here's a look at where our team thinks you can find values in the early line before they start to move as the week goes on.

All odds are accurate as of time stamp. For the latest odds go to ESPN BET.

Last week: Bills (-8.5) vs. Broncos. Line closed at Bills -7.5. Bills won 31-7.

I think Baltimore closes as the favorite here so let's get our money down now. Which team has the better defense? Baltimore. Which team has the better offense? Baltimore. Which team has the better head coach? Baltimore. The «Lamar can't win in the playoffs» narrative provides some early value here. Speaking of Jackson, you don't think he's looking to shut everybody up? The two-time MVP just ran the ball 15 times against the Pittsburgh Steelers last Saturday, his most rushing attempts in a game since Week 1 at