Making the right NFL picks and predictions against the spread for the playoffs is always tricky. After surviving and doing OK with the six-game slate of the wild-card weekend, it's time to build on that to improve for the divisional round.
The AFC favorites handled their business, with the early surprise results coming in the NFC. As the stakes are raised for the games and the competition gets more compelling, there should be more exciting action packed into four matchups.
Here's how Sporting News forecasts vs. the latest critical numbers:
NFL playoff picks, predictions against the spread
- Game of the Week: Bills at Chiefs (-2.