AFC divisional betting preview: Get your popcorn ready for Bills-Ravens

Many say the divisional round is the best weekend of football all year. Last week's mostly uncompetitive games and the intriguing matchups in the final eight would suggest there's truth to that sentiment.

The AFC semis features three of the top four Super Bowl favorites at theScore Bet/ESPN Bet: Chiefs (+225), Ravens (+450), and Bills (+550). Odds suggest one of these three teams will likely be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in three weeks.

The Chiefs advanced to the AFC Championship with their victory over the Texans on Saturday. They await the winner of the highly anticipated meeting between Lamar Jackson's Ravens and Josh Allen's Bills.

Get your popcorn ready.

This is by far the marquee game of the divisional round, and it's a shame one of these teams' seasons will end this weekend.

The Ravens and Bills have both enjoyed sensational seasons and have been on a collision course ever since it became evident the Chiefs had the No. 1 seed locked up. Jackson and Allen both turned in MVP-caliber campaigns, setting the stage for an all-time classic Sunday night.

The line originally opened with the Bills as 1-point favorites, but enough money has come in on the Ravens to flip the spread. Still, this game is largely a coin flip with the Bills paying -105 on the moneyline.

These two teams are very evenly matched. Their offenses are predicated on an effective run game, which their quarterbacks are heavily involved in. This in turn opens up the passing attack. Neither team has true superstars in pass-catching positions, but the Ravens certainly have an edge at running back with Derrick Henry likely to handle 20 or more carries.

The slight advantage the Ravens have on offense they give up on defense, ranking second last in passing yards allowed per game. Allen shouldn't have a problem dissecting the Ravens' porous secondary.

While the Ravens ranked first in rushing yards allowed per game, the Bills don't have a traditional rushing attack. Baltimore's ability to clog up the line of scrimmage may not be as effective against Buffalo since Allen generates a lot of yardage by escaping a collapsed pocket.

The Bills' defense is far more balanced and should be better suited to slow down Jackson than the Ravens against Allen.

Yes, the Ravens destroyed the Bills 35-10 at home in their Week 4 contest. Henry ran for 199 yards and three touchdowns, and Allen only completed 16 passes for 180 yards.

However, home-field advantage can't be underestimated in this game. The Bills were one of two teams to go undefeated at home during the regular season (Kansas City was the other), and the Buffalo crowd will do everything possible to make Jackson's day difficult.

We're splitting hairs between two Super Bowl contenders but siding with the home team.

Pick: Bills +1