One running back, one tight end, and one wide receiver are featured in these NFL divisional round TD picks.
The pregame narrative: James Cook led the league in rushing yards and can be had at a fair price to score against the Denver Broncos. Elsewhere, Davante Adams should feast in the red zone against the Chicago Bears.
Check out my top NFL divisional round TD picks, featuring a play on Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner.
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NFL divisional round TD picks
Best bet: Cook to score (-117)
Cook didn't get much recognition as an Offensive Player of the Year candidate — but he should have:
- 3rd in carries (309)
- 1st in rush yards (1,621)
- 5th in touchdowns (14)
The fourth-year back is a legitimate bell cow, and his 5.2 YPC was second among those qualified by ESPN (min. 6.25 attempts/game).
That rare blend of usage and efficiency makes Cook a TD threat on a weekly basis.
Jacksonville bottled up Cook in the wild-card round, but the Jags hadn't allowed a 75-yard rusher all season, so I'll cut the RB some slack.
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Denver also owns an elite defence, but it wasn't top-tier during the season's home stretch. Following its Week 12 bye, the Broncos ranked 12th in EPA per play and gave up 21.5 PPG.
Cook also ran for 120 yards and a touchdown against Denver in the playoffs last year.
Key stat: Cook has 10 TDs in nine road games this year.
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NFL touchdown scorer bets
Adams to score (-117): Adams is one of the league's top red zone threats. He led all WRs and TEs in these categories within the 10-yard line:
- Targets (23)
- Receptions (11)
- Touchdowns (11)
The veteran didn't score in Los Angeles' wild-card match against the Carolina Panthers, but he did log 72 yards while catching five of 13 targets.
That puts any worry about his lingering hamstring injury to bed.
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Now, on to L.A.'s matchup.
Chicago's red zone defence has been brutal lately. The Bears have allowed touchdowns on 75% of their opponents' trips inside the 20-yard line over the last three games.
Last week, Jordan Love threw for four touchdowns in a hard-fought loss. And in the regular season, the Bears allowed the third-most touchdowns to opposing wideouts (20).
Adams should get his at Soldier Field.
NFL anytime TD prediction
Barner to score (+180): Barner is a star in the making.
The sophomore tight end does everything well and is practically always on the field. He played in 78% of Seattle's offensive snaps this year, with no other tight end on the team cresting 30%.
Barner's 14.9% target share ranks in the 81st percentile among tight ends, according to Rotowire.
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He scored seven TDs during the regular season and has a solid matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
San Francisco's linebackers (the position group that typically covers tight ends) have allowed an 83.1 passer rating to opposing QBs, which ranks in the 29th percentile.
I expect the Niners to be overly-focused on stopping Jaxon Smith-Njigba, which should hopefully create some space for Barner to do damage.
NFL divisional round TD picks made at 1:15 p.m. ET on Jan. 14, 2026.
