NFL Divisional Round opening lines: Bet these soft early playoff odds for Round 2 schedule

The best time to bet on a line is when it first opens up at your preferred sportsbook. If you can't make that happen, generally, the earlier you bet on it, the better.

By kickoff of that week's games, NFL lines have diminished into some of the most efficient in all of sports (arguably the most efficient), meaning there's often little room for positive expected value (+EV) on bets the later in the week you bet it. Nearly every angle has been covered by sportsbook traders and sharp bettors.

As the week goes on, NFL lines stabilize due to the trading of sharp bettors, news and injury updates, and other factors that influence the game predictions.

Many NFL betting operators now publish early hypothetical odds before the next week starts, and if you haven't bet those already, attacking these lines Monday on the second playoff week is the next-best step.

Many of these lines will go through further refinement, and even if you can't land the best closing-line value or haven't already bet them at early, sharp-embracing books, you should have your say in these markets as soon as possible.

All NFL Divisional Round betting odds and tips below are based on playoff lines current as of Monday at 11 a.m. ET.

MORE: Betting glossary: Key sports betting terms

NFL Divisional opening lines and early line movement

Opening lines were captured at midnight ET Monday at DraftKings Sportsbook unless otherwise noted.

Bills at Broncos odds

Opening lines (Monday midnight ET)

Line movement (Monday 11 a.m. ET)

The Josh Allen Juice has kicked in with more public betting coming in after the Bills' comeback victory against the Jaguars. 

The Broncos' fortunate record in close games this year might be sowing some doubts, and Bo Nix will get the biggest test of his career in this showdown.

49ers at Seahawks opening odds

Opening lines (Monday midnight ET)

Line movement (Monday 11 a.m. ET)

The George Kittle injury (torn Achilles) and Seattle's 13-3 Week 18 win in this divisional pairing share much of the responsibility for the touchdown-plus spread. (The bye week and defensive advantage help, of course.) The 49ers and Seahawks split their games this year, with San Francisco winning Week 1.

The Brock Purdy vs. Sam Darnold discussion will eat up airwaves this week -- and Darnold's ability to take the game in his hands if needed will certainly draw some doubts.

Rams at Bears opening odds

Opening lines (Monday midnight ET)

Line movement (Monday 11 a.m. ET)

The Rams barely survived the Panthers on the road but now head to Soldier Field to face a Bears squad that executed a comeback win after trailing 21-6 against the Packers.

Early vigor for the visitors has nudged toward the home team in a showdown of arguably the league's best pocket passer against the up-and-coming playmaker Caleb Williams.

Steelers vs. Patriots and Texans vs. Patriots hypothetical opening odds

As of Monday morning 11 a.m. ET, FanDuel Sportsbook posted these odds to account for each outcome of Texans vs. Steelers, which will determine the Divisional Round opponent of the New England Patriots:

The Texans' defense prompts this early trend of a tighter Patriots advantage over Houston than a possible Pittsburgh matchup.

Best early NFL Divisional Round odds to bet

49ers vs. Seahawks: Over 45.5 (-110) • BetMGM Sportsbook / Fanatics Sportsbook / bet365 Sportsbook

These early lines favor a (justifiably) lauded Seahawks defense going against a 49ers defense without George Kittle (torn Achilles),

However, if any offensive system is to be trusted with pieces to cycle in to replace big names, it's the Niners' under Kyle Shanahan.

Jake Tonges could easily replace Kittle's production (at least 75% or more, as proven during other Kittle injury stints), and this machine is battle-tested enough in the postseason to test the NFC's overall No. 1 seed.

The San Francisco offense has more upside than that regular-season finale showed, even against an opponent that tamed it.

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Broncos (+106) moneyline vs. Bills • FanDuel Sportsbook

This line may flip Buffalo as more action comes in, but for a home dog to be an outright moneyline underdog with the Broncos' elite defense.

Many may still have the Bills 31-7 win during last year's AFC Wild Card round in their minds, though this underrates the growth of quarterback Bo Nix and the lack of a true Bills No. 1 receiver to match up with arguably the league's best pass defense.

My lean may change, but this price feels like it'll turn back in Denver's favor -- and away from bettors' value -- as the week moves on.

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Bears +4 (-110) • Fanatics Sportsbook

Matthew Stafford reportedly has come out of the Wild Card weekend with a sprained finger in his throwing hand, though he's expected to play. 

Even before this news, the ATS odds widely moved from Rams -4.5 to -3.5, so I want to lock in something in between to stave off any worsening news on Stafford's outlook.

If you don't mind the lack of hook, various places are offering Bears +3.5 at better juice, though I'd lean toward a wager with a push, and I fear this ATS line will move more toward Chicago soon.

Best NFL Divisional Round sportsbook apps that may be available in your area

Even if sports betting is legal in your state, not all sportsbooks may be available to you. Here are some of the most popular options to look into: 

• DraftKings
• FanDuel 
• Fanatics
• BetMGM
• bet365
• Caesars
• theScore Bet
• Hard Rock Bet
• Betr
• BetRivers

MORE: How sportsbooks set betting lines