The Divisional Round is under way, and hopefully the games are a bit more competitive this time.
After a Wild Card weekend that was filled with surprising blowouts, the stage is set for some interesting matchups. The Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions officially begin their quest for the Super Bowl, while the other remaining teams hope to knock them off their perches.
Despite the chaos, this writer managed to go 4-2 over the course of last weekend. Some picks aged like fine wine (cardiac Commanders doing it again), while others aged like milk (who really had the Chargers and Vikings looking like the worst teams in the Wild Card?)
So which four teams will earn the right to compete in the conference championship games next weekend?
Houston Texans vs Kansas City Chiefs
This matchup became a lot more interesting in the blink of an eye.
The Texans were a mild surprise last weekend, dominating the Los Angeles Chargers 32-12. The pass rush made Justin Herbert’s life miserable, and they could easily take advantage of Kansas City’s own pass protection issues. Riding high after a big victory, the Texans could easily turn that momentum into a shocking victory.
That said, voting against Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid is a tough ask. Reid has had a full week to prepare a gameplan to prevent what wrecked the Chargers from happening to them. Meanwhile, moments like these are where Mahomes plays at his best, and he is well-equipped to handle the pressure of competing for a three-peat.
Houston was widely considered as the candidate to upend the Chiefs atop the NFC this past offseason, and they now have the chance to do exactly that. However, it’s just too difficult to bet against the best quarterback-head coach duo in the league right now. Expect a close game, but the status quo will not break just yet.
Prediction: Chiefs 20, Texans 16
Washington Commanders vs Detroit Lions
The Commanders pulled off the biggest upset of this weekend, and will hope for a similar result this time around.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels has practically changed the culture of the Commanders overnight. The balance he has brought this team has opened up the offensive playbook dramatically, giving Washington confidence that they can impose their will on any opponent. That attitude will be crucial to maintain if the Commanders hope to keep their Cinderella run from striking midnight.
To do that, they will have to hold off the Lions. Las Vegas Raiders fans will be watching offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s playcalling closely, and they will be able to watch him compete with a full deck. The Sonic and Knuckles running back duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery is officially reunited, giving Johnson the freedom to dial up plays if the ground game gets going.
The Lions feel like the template of what the Commanders are trying to build. The plucky upstarts will come close to a road upset, but the Lions have the horses to pull away late.
Prediction: Lions 32, Commanders 24
Los Angeles Rams vs Philadelphia Eagles
Both teams are in for another rematch, as the Eagles defeated the Rams 37-20 in Week 12. Things are a bit different this time around, however.
The Rams have won the last six of quarterback Matthew Stafford’s starts, and the team is peaking at the exact right moment. Even more shocking has been the rise of the defense; in the last four games where starters have played, the Rams have held each of their opponents to under ten points.
Of course, this is also an Eagles team that plays as efficient and dynamic of an offense as any team in the NFL. Jalen Hurts has avoided costly mistakes, Saquon Barkley is still running over teams and the wide receiver duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith will give the Rams fits if their young defensive line cannot put pressure on the quarterback.
The real X-factor in this matchup is Rams coach Sean McVay, who has his team rolling with a ton of momentum. He knows what it takes to win it all in the playoffs, and that experience is going to come in handy in a big game against an opponent that bested them earlier.
The Rams pull off a stunning upset, setting up a NFC Championship game between Stafford and Jared Goff. That alone is worthy of cinema.
Prediction: Rams 24, Eagles 17
Baltimore Ravens vs Buffalo Bills
It is fitting that the final matchup of the weekend is the one most fans have been waiting for for a long time.
Quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen are in a two-horse MVP race, and a playoff victory will serve as the ultimate bragging right between the two. That said, I would not be surprised at all if this is not necessarily a showcase of their talents.
The reasoning is simple: the frigid temperatures. Buffalo is scheduled to hit a high of 19 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday, and games in the cold weather typically mean the passing games are an afterthought.
The Bills have a good running back in James Cook, but the problem is that the Ravens have a two-headed rushing monster in Jackson and Derrick Henry. Baltimore will hold the edge in a game that features the running game and hard-hitting defense, which has been baked into the team’s identity for this century.
The usually rowdy Bills Mafia goes as silent as their offense does, as the Ravens win a low-scoring affair.
Prediction: Ravens 17, Bills 13
Conflict of interest looming over Tom Brady’s next broadcast
