For many NFL fans, this weekend might as well be the football equivalent of nirvana. When it doesn’t matter who’s playing because the stakes are so high, and almost every team still alive is good enough to envision itself playing in the Super Bowl.
The NFL divisional round is here and the postseason bracket has once again yielded four playoff matchups with juicy storylines and the potential for memorable outcomes. It starts Saturday afternoon when the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs meet the Houston Texans for the second year in a row and then closes Sunday evening with a highly anticipated rematch between the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens featuring this season’s two MVP favorites – Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen of the Bills.
In between, the Detroit Lions continue their quest to make the Super Bowl for the first time by hosting the Washington Commanders Saturday night. Washington, led by rookie Jayden Daniels, is coming off its first playoff win since 2005 over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round. The early game Sunday pits the Philadelphia Eagles against the red-hot Los Angeles Rams, which includes an intriguing chess match between the Eagles‘ stout defense and Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.
This is shaping up to be another memorable divisional round. Analysts and experts are already weighing in on what might happen, so here is an early look at picks and predictions for every playoff game on the schedule.
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∎ USA TODAY: Chiefs 27, Texans 21
“The Chiefs defeated Houston 27-19 in Week 16. Kansas City looks primed to be the first team to three-peat as Super Bowl champions. Kansas City is well rested and Andy Reid is historically good after a bye week. Marquise Hollywood Brown’s return to Kansas City’s offense gives the team more firepower. Chris Jones has a significant advantage over Houston’s leaky offensive line.”
∎ Sporting News: Chiefs 24, Texans 17
“The Texans could make this interesting if the running game is humming, but it’s still a well-rested Chiefs team at home. Kansas City has won six straight divisional playoff games at home under Andy Reid.”
∎ ESPN: Chiefs win and cover
“The Texans played an ideal game on Sunday against the Chargers: a couple of explosive passes to get on the board on offense, several big takeaways on defense and an absolutely dominant pass rush that dictated the game script for four quarters. … The Chiefs return Jaylen Watson to the starting lineup on defense and should have plenty of tools to keep Houston’s offense stuck in the mud.”
∎ The Athletic: Chiefs have 75% chance to make AFC Championship game
∎ USA TODAY: Lions 31, Commanders 25
“(Jayden) Daniels will give the Lions’ injury-riddle defense fits, but Aaron Glenn’s defensive unit will make just enough stops. Detroit ends Washington’s improbable season.”
∎ ESPN: Take the points with Washington
“The Commanders have become masters of the nail-biter this season, boasting six victories when tied or trailing in the final moments. (Jayden) Daniels’ rapid development and the team’s uncanny ability to deliver under pressure solidify their status as a dangerous underdog.”
∎ Sporting News: Lions 34, Commanders 19
“Can the Commanders’ pass defense, which limited the Buccaneers to 183 yards in the NFC wild-card round, throw off the timing for Jared Goff, who had 21 TDs, six interceptions, and a 110.3 passer rating at home this season? … It’s a lot for rookie Jayden Daniels to overcome after his first playoff start, but the Commanders will have a chance if they limit turnovers.”
∎ The Athletic: Lions have 78% chance to make NFC Championship game
∎ Arizona Republic: Eagles 24, Rams 20
“Philadelphia beat Los Angeles in California in Week 12, 37-20, but a lot has changed since then. The Rams are 6-1 since … This game is at Lincoln Financial Field, where the Eagles are 8-1 this season. Look for a close game, with the Eagles finding a way to reach the NFC championship game.”
∎ Sporting News: Eagles 31, Rams 24
“Los Angeles won five straight games before sitting its starters in Week 18, and the defense was at its best in the victory against Minnesota in the wild-card round. Matthew Stafford had 243 yards and two TDs in the first meeting, but he also took five sacks from four different Eagles. Philadelphia will continue to dial up that pressure in the rematch, and it will eventually land.”
∎ Pro Football Network: Eagles 24, Rams 20
“The Rams’ offense finished the season ranked higher than the Eagles (11th vs. 14th). Additionally, Stafford and McVay are a fantastic veteran pairing and should not be fazed by the moment or the surroundings. That 24th-ranked defense is the issue, especially when the Eagles (have) the second-best defense in the league.”
∎ The Athletic: Eagles have 69% chance to make NFC Championship game
∎ USA TODAY: Ravens 28, Bills 24
“Allen was held to 180 passing yards in the loss earlier in the season, and that was when Baltimore’s defense was still figuring itself out. The Ravens have recently been one of the league’s best defenses, and the Jackson-led offense is dominant. … Jackson will go on the road and show the fans why he’s this year’s MVP.”
∎ Arizona Republic: Bills 31, Ravens 27
“The Ravens beat the Bills this season, 35-10, but that was in Week 4 and that was at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium. This game is at Buffalo’s Highmark Stadium, where the Bills are 9-0 this season. This could be a classic.”
∎ Sporting News: Bills 28, Ravens 26
Josh Allen took three sacks and didn’t throw a TD in the first meeting, but he has been on target at home all season. … He’ll need to make plays in the running game, too, and one turnover could be the difference in this game. Which quarterback will get a chance to lead their team to an AFC championship? The Ravens were 4-3 straight up in games with spreads of three points or less. The Bills were 4-4 straight up in the same situation. It truly is a coin flip
∎ The Athletic: Bills have 54% chance to make AFC championship game
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