Sam Darnold, Nico Collins among NFL Divisional Round bettors need to know
The 2025 NFL playoffs are down to just eight teams as the divisional rounds take place on Saturday and Sunday. The Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos are back in action after a first-round bye last week, and each team faces a tough task as they host the San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills, respectively. The Houston Texans head to New England to face the Patriots on Sunday after the teams took out the Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers, respectively, and the weekend ends with the Chicago Bears hosting the Los Angeles Rams after each team had one win last week. Some teams look better in the injury department than others entering the Divisional Round, so here, we break down the top injuries bettors should be aware of before placing wagers, and share the latest NFL wagers DraftKings Sportsbook.
Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 p.m. ET, Saturday)
If you want to see the difference the first round made, look no further than this matchup. Buffalo has been hit on both sides of the ball, with linebacker Terrell Bernard and safety Jordan Poyer both out. Rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston is also out. Offensively, receivers Tyrell Shavers and Gabe Davis each suffered torn ACLs last week, and No. 2 linebacker Ty Johnson is still out for Buffalo. The Bills released defensive end Ed Oliver and receiver Curtis Samuel from injured reserve, giving the team a boost on both sides of the ball. Both were officially questionable but will enter the Divisional Round.
Denver is a 1.5 point favorite at home, and the total is 45.5.
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8 p.m. ET, Saturday)
It’s always worrisome when a player unexpectedly exits the final injury report, and it’s especially noticeable when it’s your starting quarterback. That’s the case for Seattle’s Sam Darnold as he appeared on Thursday’s injury report with a rare injury that led to Saturday’s questionable selection. Darnold is active, though reports say he hasn’t played football since Thursday’s injury. As for the 49ers, star tight end George Kittle is out for the season after a season-ending torn Achilles, veteran cornerback Fred Warner will be ruled out and second-year receiver Ricky Pearsall is questionable with a lingering knee injury.
Seattle is a 6.5 point favorite at home. The total is 43.5 after sitting at 45.5 for most of the week.
Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3 p.m. ET, Sunday)
The Texans’ offense has been limited at times all year, but it always had one opportunity for star receiver Nico Collins. That unit won’t be without Collins in this crucial game against the Patriots, however, as he sat out last week’s win over the Steelers. With Collins out, Houston’s most unproven receivers like Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel will have to step up as CJ Stroud’s primary targets. To complicate matters, star cornerback Christian Gonzalez has cleared New England’s protocol and will play.
The Patriots are 3-point favorites, and the average is 40.5 — the lowest on this four-game slate.
Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 p.m. ET, Sunday)
The Rams are in a good spot when it comes to the health department, and the biggest injury news for the Bears is that second-year wide receiver Rome Odunze is questionable with a foot injury that has sidelined him for much of the year. Odunze played last week and told reporters that he expects to face the Rams.
The Rams are 3.5-point road favorites. The total is 45.5.
