NFL divisional round picks, plus why the pressure is on Lamar Jackson and ranking the final 8 playoff teams

Welcome to the Friday edition of the Pick Six newsletter!

I don’t want to sound the alarm bells, but I’d like everyone to know that there are only SEVEN games left in the NFL season and four of them will be going down this weekend, so you’re definitely going to want to watch all of them. 

The divisional round of the playoffs almost always gets crazy, and I’m expecting nothing different this weekend.

• Lamar Jackson trying to prove he can actually win in the playoffs? I’m watching. 
• The Packers and 49ers renewing one of the best playoff rivalries in NFL history? Can’t miss that. 
• The Lions trying to get to the NFC championship game for the first time in 32 years? I will be glued to my TV for that.  
• JOSH ALLEN vs. PATRICK MAHOMES with a trip to the AFC Championship on the line? That’s must-see TV … and it’s on CBS, which makes it even better. 

We’ll be covering all four games in today’s newsletter with some best bets, bold predictions, and of course, picks.

As always, here’s your daily reminder to tell all your friends to sign up for the newsletter. Actually, you don’t even have to tell all of your friends; just tell one friend and I’ll be happy. To get them signed up, all you have to do is click here. Let’s get to the rundown. 

1. Today’s show: Divisional round best bets

If you’re a regular listener of the “Pick Six NFL” podcast or a regular reader of this newsletter, then you know what we do on Fridays: We make picks. And then, just when you think there’s no way we’ll make any more picks, we make more picks. 

For today’s show, host Will Brinson was joined by R.J. White and Alex “PropStarz” Selelnick — two of our gambling gurus over at SportsLine — and the three of them offered some of their best bets for the divisional round of the playoffs. They’re coming off a week where they went a combined 8-4, so you should definitely pay attention to what they have to say this week.

The crew spent an entire hour handing out picks, and we’re going to go over a few of their best bets here. 

Will Brinson (2-1 in picks we shared here last week, 27-29-1 on the season)

R.J. White (2-1 in picks we shared here last week, 24-30-3 on the season)

• Chase McLaughlin OVER 6.5 kicking points vs. Lions
• Josh Allen OVER 0.5…