Spread ‘Em: Rory & Mal’s Best Bets for NFL Divisional Round

Last week was solid. Both of us went 3-1. Different games, same result. That’s not a bad weekend by any stretch. But this week feels different.

There’s confidence in the air. There’s talk of going 4-0. And there’s also another punishment looming that nobody actually wants to deal with if things go left.

So let’s spread ’em.

Bills (-1) at Broncos

Let’s start with Buffalo -1 at Denver.

There’s no real hesitation here. Mal was on the Bills immediately. This feels like one of those Josh Allen years. The kind where everything lines up and he finally gets all the way there.

Rory isn’t overthinking it either. He’s also also on Bills -1 and thinks they win comfortably.

The Broncos aren’t getting the benefit of the doubt here.

Rory & Mal: Bills -1

49ers at Seahawks (-7)

This is where things split.

San Francisco getting a touchdown in this game feels disrespectful. Mal isn’t buying it at all. He’s taking the 49ers and didn’t even flinch. He even started talking crazy, saying they could win this game by double-digits.

Rory is on the opposite side. He thinks Seattle might actually win this comfortably and is fine laying the points. To him, the line isn’t crazy – the confidence in San Francisco is.

Mal: 49ers +7
Rory: Seahawks -7

Texans at Patriots (-3)

This one feels decisive.

Mal is riding New England. Drake Maye has changed the team’s entire outlook. Nobody expected this at the start of the year, but here they are. He’s playing well, the team looks different, and the belief is real.

Rory agrees. He’s on Patriots -3 and thinks they win by a touchdown. There’s no hedging here, no qualifiers. Both of us are comfortable backing New England.

Rory & Mal: Patriots -3

Rams (-4) at Bears

This is the trickiest game on the board.

Rory thinks this is the Bears’ year. He’s not calling a blowout, but he does think Chicago wins outright.

Mal is going the other way. If Rory’s taking the Bears, he’s taking the Rams. Simple as that. He’s fine laying -4 and seeing how it plays out.

Another split. Another swing game.

Rory: Bears +4
Mal: Rams -4

What’s at Stake

These aren’t just picks.

There’s a punishment attached, and it’s not light. The loser has to go on livestream and name 1,000 rappers before being allowed to log off. No lists. No help. No shortcuts. Just memory.

We’re already negotiating the rules. Talking strategy. Regions versus alphabetically. Debating whether 500 is even realistic.

Nobody wants to lose this week.

We disagree on two games. That’s enough to decide everything.

Now it’s just waiting for Sunday – and hoping you’re not the one naming rappers until midnight.