Sunday, January 18, 2026 — Texans at Patriots • Rams at Bears
Sunday Divisional Round Key Picks & Props (Jan 18, 2026)
AFC DIVISIONAL ROUND: TEXANS vs. PATRIOTS — BETTING ODDS, PREDICTIONS & PLAYER PROPS
Game Preview — Sunday, January 18, 2026
Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. ET • Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Broadcast: ESPN/ABC
Odds & Total – AFC Divisional Round Texans at Patriots
- Spread: Patriots ~-3
- Moneyline: Patriots ~-175 / Texans +145
- Total (O/U): ~40.5 points
Analysts project this as a tight, defensively oriented game between two strong units, with weather and both defenses contributing to a lower scoring environment.
Injury Context — Texans vs. Patriots
Houston Texans Injury Update
- Nico Collins — WR (Concussion): OUT — Collins is ruled out for this game, impacting the Texans’ top deep threat and target share.
New England Patriots Injury Update
- Alex Austin — CB (Activated from injured reserve) — Back in action and providing depth to the Patriots’ secondary.
Impact Summary:
Texans losing Nico Collins shifts passing opportunities toward other receivers, particularly Christian Kirk. The Patriots’ defensive depth is bolstered with Austin’s return.
AFC Divisional Round Texans at Patriots Game Prediction
Expect a defensive grind with both offenses working for chunk plays:
Projected Score: Patriots 24, Texans 21
Weather conditions and stout defenses lean toward a lower total and tight finish.
AFC Divisional Round Top Player Prop Picks
Hunter Henry anytime touchdown scorer
Henry has been a red-zone focal point and has recent playoff scoring momentum.
Drake Maye OVER 219.5 Passing Yards
Maye has been a high-volume passer this season, exceeding similar yardage totals often, and experts have this line flagged as a top prop.
Drake Maye OVER 35.5 Rushing Yards
With Patriots built to use Maye’s mobility, this rushing prop has been recommended as a viable play against Houston’s aggressive front.
C.J. Stroud OVER 207.5 Passing Yards
Stroud’s passing yardage prop is in play — Texans’ offense can move the ball enough to clear moderate passing thresholds.
Woody Marks Anytime Touchdown Scorer
Marks has taken on a lead role in the Texans’ ground game and already scored in the Wild Card round, making him a good touchdown market candidate.
Ka’imi Fairbairn Field Goals Made OVER 1.5
In cold conditions and defensive struggle scripts, settling for field goals is plausible — and Fairbairn has shown consistency throughout the season.
Dalton Schultz OVER 37.5 Receiving Yards
Schultz has been productive this season and could see volume as tight ends often become check-down targets in playoff weather games
Christian Kirk OVER 38.5 receiving yards
With Collins out, Kirk projects for increased targets and receptions.
NFC DIVISIONAL ROUND: RAMS vs. BEARS — ODDS, PREDICTIONS & PLAYER PROPS
Game Preview — Sunday, January 18, 2026
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET • Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
Broadcast: NBC / Peacock
Odds & Total NFC Divisional Round Rams at Bears
- Spread: Rams ~-3.5 to -4.5
- Moneyline: Rams ~-198 / Bears ~+164
- Total (O/U): ~48.5 points
This matchup projects as a balanced offensive game, with the Rams holding a slight edge due to advanced analytics and scoring efficiency.
Injury Context — Rams vs. Bears
Chicago Bears Injury Notes
- Nick McCloud — DB (Groin): OUT — Missing significant defensive backfield depth.
- Rome Odunze — WR (Foot): Questionable — Should be monitored through pregame reports.
Los Angeles Rams Injury Notes
- No major injury absences reported; active roster expected to be full.
Impact Summary:
The Bears lose a key defensive back, which could boost Rams passing efficiency, but Chicago’s front-run scoring and home crowd support still factor into game flow.
NFC Divisional Round Rams at Bears Game Prediction
Expect a competitive NFC showdown with both scoring opportunities and clock-management strategies:
Projected Score: Rams 28, Bears 24
Analysts point toward balanced offensive production with the total near 48.5 points.
Top Player Prop Picks Rams at Bears
Puka Nacua Anytime Touchdown Scorer
Nacua has been one of the league’s most prolific red-zone weapons, and analysts have this on many best-bet lists.
Colston Loveland OVER 55.5 Receiving Yards
One of the top Bears receiving props, Loveland has activity and target share that supports taking the yardage over.
Caleb Williams OVER 1.5 Passing Touchdowns
Williams has cleared multiple TD passes consistently this season, making this a strong prop candidate.
D.J. Moore OVER 28.5 Receiving Yards
Moore’s yardage total has been flagged as a favorable prop based on recent production and role.
Luther Burden III OVER 38.5 Receiving Yards
Recent trends show Burden hitting similar lines with consistent target volume, and Bears’ passing game structure keeps him involved.
Colby Parkinson OVER 19.5 Receiving Yards
Tight end role in the Rams scheme supports backing Parkinson’s yardage over, given his red-zone usage.
Kyren Williams OVER 59.5 Rushing Yards
Some lines (including ESPN’s betting preview) have Williams’ rushing yardage around this mark, reflecting expected volume.
Davante Adams OVER 53.5 receiving yards
Adams is a primary target and key downfield option.
D’Andre Swift OVER 55.5 rushing yards
Bears’ run game projects to be active and featured in scripts.
Betting Notes & Strategy
- Weather and Defense Emphasis: The Texans-Patriots game carries a low total, with conditions expected to favor running and short passes.
- Balanced Ram Offense: Rams vs. Bears plays out with mix of passing and rushing yardage, backed by large projection models and prop forecasts.
- Same-Game Parlay Potential: Combining yardage props with game picks can enhance odds while maintaining hedge value.
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