NFL best bets: Early thoughts on the divisional round

And then there were eight. We've got two NFL games on Saturday and two on Sunday to determine the conference championships. Here's what stands out on the board at first glance.

Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens

Spread: Baltimore -9 | Over/under: 44.5 points

I for one have learned my lesson after backing the Browns in the wild- card round: C.J. Stroud is a legitimate star quarterback. The throws that this young man has been making over the past few weeks have been truly unbelievable, and Houston is playing like a team that knows it has nothing to lose and a bright, bright future. 

That's a dangerous team to draw in the divisional round for a Baltimore team that hasn't played its starters since Week 17. While the Ravens have been dominant this year and should advance, this game has all the makings of a close contest to us.

Bet: Texans +9

Green Bay Packers @ San Francisco 49ers

Spread: San Francisco -10 | Over/under: 49.5 points

Jordan Love is starting to prove that he's a flourishing quarterback with a chance to become a top-10 type passer in this league. The beauty of this Packers team is their loaded weapons on offense, with a different player able to be the biggest producer each week.

That level of variety should make it difficult for the San Francisco defense to gameplan against, and we're liking the momentum of Green Bay to keep this close against this rested Niners team.

Bet: Packers +10