NFL Playoff Picks: Divisional Round Bets Guaranteed to Put Cash in Your Pocket

The NFL's divisional playoff round is on the horizon, meaning handicappers are gearing up for one of the biggest betting weekends of the year. While all four of the favorites look pretty good to win outright, it all comes down to how close the games are going to be.

Every game certainly has upset potential, though, so it isn't inconceivable to think that underdogs could rule the weekend. At this point in the season the oddsmakers have finely tuned their craft, so making winning picks is tougher now than at any point during the season.

With that said, there is still money to be won. Here are three picks that will make you a winner this weekend.

New York Giants (+7.5)

The Green Bay Packers are the defending Super Bowl champions and are coming off a 15-1 regular season, so it's no surprise that they are 7.5-point favorites at home against the New York Giants this weekend. At the same time, though, the Giants may be the team that is best equipped to beat them. In fact, they almost did that during the regular season, but the Pack came out on top 38-35 thanks to a last-second field goal.

Big Blue will get another crack at the Packers, although the stakes are much higher this time. The Giants' best bet is to avoid getting wrapped up in a track meet with Green Bay because they'll never win that way. New York will need a strong pass rush as it usually has, a good performance from the running game and a mistake-free performance from quarterback Eli Manning. I do think the Packers will win the game, but the Giants will keep the scoring low enough to where they can make it a close contest.

New Orleans Saints vs. San Francisco 49ers (Over 47.5)

It isn't often that you see an over/under as low as 47.5 in a game involving the New Orleans Saints. The reasoning behind that number likely stems from the fact that the Saints are facing one of the league's best defenses in the San Francisco 49ers, but I think that is inconsequential. The Niners have one of the best run defenses in recent memories, but when it comes to defending the pass, they certainly aren't unbeatable.

The Saints are better in the running game than they're given credit for, but quarterback Drew Brees and the passing game are what carry the team. Brees is on an unprecedented hot streak right now and I don't see him slowing down any time soon. New Orleans has scored at least 42 points in four straight games, and while they may not reach that threshold against the Niners, I do think the teams will score enough to eclipse 47.5 total points.

New England Patriots (-13.5)

After upending the heavily favored Pittsburgh Steelers last week, it seems as though quarterback Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos are capable of anything. As great of a story as their success is, though, I believe that the fairytale will come to a screeching halt this weekend. The Broncos are faced with the gargantuan task of taking down quarterback Tom Brady and the mighty New England Patriots on the road.

Because of how well Tebow played last week and how much diversity the Broncos showed on offense it is understandable why some might be compelled to take Denver plus 13.5 points. I feel like much of the Broncos' success had to do with an ambush game plan and the fact that they played at home, though. The Patriots won't be surprised this week, though, and after already beating the Broncos by 18 points a few weeks ago, I think New England has the formula to do it again.