NFL divisional round: Futures look bright for Lions

With the NFL divisional round set, it seems only right if we take a look at how the bracket has broken down and put down a pair of futures on the teams we're liking best to make a run at the Super Bowl. Sound fun? Terrific.

Finding us a team worth backing in both conferences

The AFC playoffs currently look like so:

• No. 1 Baltimore vs. No. 4 Houston
• No. 2 Buffalo vs. No. 3 Kansas City

We faded Houston in the opening round, and C.J. Stroud certainly made us feel silly. He truly looks to be the real deal for the Texans, and he should give Baltimore a run for its money in this round. It seems a tad premature to expect Houston to keep on rolling here, but it makes us want to avoid Baltimore in the futures market.

Instead, we turn to Buffalo and Josh Allen. For the first time ever in the AFC playoffs, Patrick Mahomes will hit the road. Kansas City has taken down the Bills in two of the past three postseasons, and we're thinking now would be a pretty great time for revenge.

Buffalo is red-hot, winners of six straight games. It's time for this franchise to get back over the hump and into the Super Bowl.

Betting: Bills to win AFC (+235)

The NFC playoffs are as follows:

• No. 1 San Francisco vs. No. 7 Green Bay
• No. 3 Detroit vs. No. 4 Tampa Bay

Jordan Love and Green Bay looked absolutely terrific on Sunday against Dallas, and while the spread is large, don't sleep on the Packers making some noise against San Francisco. The Niners are the easy choice to go all the way here, but their price at -185 doesn't excite us.

Instead, we're thinking Detroit is the play. While their secondary has its issues, their offense is absolutely explosive and loaded with talent. They should be able to handle Tampa Bay with ease at home, and if the Packers pulled off the upset, they'd get themselves a conference championship in Detroit.

Candidly, this does feel like San Fran's conference to lose, but Detroit is a fun team we want a piece of down the stretch.

Betting: Detroit to win NFC (+330)

In the news...

Bucs, Bills win to settle divisional round — We had a few more blowouts to wrap what was overall a disappointing Super Wild Card Weekend from a competition standpoint, with Tampa Bay and Buffalo cruising to home victories. The Bucs dominated Philadelphia from the jump, ending what has been a historic collapse for the once 10-1 Eagles. Jason Kelce has retired following the loss, a sure-fire Hall of Famer for Philly. Buffalo dominated Pittsburgh 31-17 and will host the Chiefs in the next round in what should be another chapter in what has typically been entertaining games between these two.

Caleb Williams declares for NFL Draft — 2022 Heisman winner and presumed top pick Caleb Williams has entered the NFL Draft following his junior season at USC. Williams is widely accepted to be the top pick in the draft this April, whether that be the Chicago Bears or another team that trades up to the first overall pick. If not Williams, it would likely be UNC's QB Drake Maye. Williams is currently -900 to be taken first overall.

Marc-Andre Fleury passes Patrick Roy for second-most NHL wins — Minnesota Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury picked up win number 552 yesterday to pass Patrick Roy for second all-time among NHL goaltenders. Fleury's Hall of Fame resume only grows, with three Stanley Cup wins under his belt. He's got quite a ways to go before hitting Martin Brodeur's record of 691 career wins, which feels unlikely. Fleury and the Wild currently have the fourth-worst record in the West with 41 points and are +450 to make the playoffs.

Today's Bark Bets is written by Griffin Carroll. Follow him on Substack: griffybets.substack.com.