A New Dawn for the Buffalo Bills?
At first glance, the Buffalo Bills seem poised for a magical run toward the Super Bowl, their first since 1994. With their playoff nemesis, the Kansas City Chiefs, who have historically eliminated the Bills from four of the past five postseasons, now out of the picture, optimism abounds. Yet, caution lingers among seasoned sports analysts and bettors wary of the looming expectations.
Pro Bettors’ Skepticism
Even with this favorable outlook, professional sports bettor Cris Zeniuk and CBS Sportsline handicapper Bruce Marshall aren’t convinced. They fear that the Bills may once again find themselves exiting the playoffs prematurely. Zeniuk believes the Jacksonville Jaguars present a significant challenge, having made them the best bet for the wild-card weekend as 1-point home underdogs.
“There is no team with more pressure to win this playoff season than Buffalo,” Zeniuk noted, highlighting the immense expectations placed on the team. He points out how the Jaguars have found their footing with effective coaching and recent acquisitions, suggesting they outperform the Bills in terms of stats over the last five weeks.
The Pressure on Josh Allen
With quarterback Josh Allen’s playoff record raising eyebrows—he’s 0-4 straight up and against the spread on the road in playoff games—the pressure is palpable. The Bills have a haunting streak of eight straight road playoff losses dating back to 1995. While Allen possesses the talent for game-changing moments, this year’s stats tell a different story, particularly regarding the Bills’ defense. Ranked 28th against the run, the defense may struggle against an offense as dynamic as Jacksonville’s.
Marshall adds, “Though Allen remains capable of magical moments… this was far from an elite Buffalo defense in 2025.” With Trevor Lawrence leading the Jaguars confidently—having halted costly mistakes—the stakes have never been higher for the Bills.
Insights from the Betting World
In conversations with various pro bettors, differing sentiments emerge regarding other playoff matchups.
Carolina Panthers vs. Los Angeles Rams
Pro bettor Jeff Whitelaw is backing the Panthers as they take on the Rams. Reflecting on their previous encounter, where the Panthers scored a stunning 31-28 victory as 10-point underdogs, he anticipates another tightly-contested game, noting the high spread for a road matchup.
Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers
With the Bears going head-to-head with their arch-rivals, the Green Bay Packers, "Dr. Alan" Dumond sees an opportunity for Chicago to clinch their first playoff win since 2011. Citing a strong home-field advantage with a 6-2 record at Soldier Field, Dumond highlights the Packers’ recent struggles, making this an exciting prospect for Bears fans.
The Bears and Packers Showdown
Interestingly, there is a counter-thesis to Dumond’s optimism about the Bears. Pro bettor Scott Pritchard, along with Las Vegas Review-Journal NFL Challenge champion Jay Kornegay, makes a case for the Packers as they enter as road favorites. Pritchard asserts that the Bears are “overrated,” providing a stark contrast to Dumond’s sentiments and showcasing the varied opinions in the betting world.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. San Francisco 49ers
Looking ahead to another marquee matchup, Chuck Edel believes the fresh Philadelphia Eagles, who rested in the previous week, have a distinct edge over the banged-up 49ers. He suggests that San Francisco struggles against playoff-caliber teams, placing the Eagles in a favorable position.
Houston Texans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Wrapping up the weekend’s matchups, Whitelaw and fellow bettor Randy McKay back the Houston Texans, predicting an end to the Steelers’ impressive 23-game home winning streak. They cite a challenging matchup for Pittsburgh against Houston’s No. 1 defense, raising eyebrows about the Steelers’ ability to produce against a formidable opponent.
A Defensive Play on Monday Night Football
Dumond also recommends betting on the under for the Texans-Steelers matchup, citing both teams’ recent ability to stifle opposing offenses. “Despite both sides being involved in high-scoring affairs last week," he notes, "we expect the defenses to control this game.”
Betting Insights Recap
Last week, the consensus among pro bettors was average, with a record of 5-4, while the cumulative season total stands at 76-70-3. With these insights and predictions from experienced bettors, fans and followers of the NFL have a wealth of information as they gear up for a thrilling weekend of playoff football, balancing hope with seasoned skepticism.