Last week, the higher-seeded divisional winners won five of the six matchups, which means that home-field advantage made a big difference. It might indicate that the teams were superior to the wild card teams. However, the divisional round week is dubbed the best in the football calendar because it is a battle of the sport’s elite. The weather will play a factor in three of the four matchups played in outdoor stadiums, which will be affected by plunging temperatures due to an arctic blast. The matchups are intriguing, headlined by the Sunday night duel between Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen in Buffalo. In this article, we will preview and predict the winners this weekend.
1. Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs-Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN)
This is a rematch from week 16 when Kansas City won 27-19 at home. The Texans were probably the most impressive team from the wild card in their 32-12 demolition of the Los Angeles Chargers. In the game, the defense dominated the Chargers offense by forcing four turnovers from Justin Herbert in one of the worst performances in his career. Herbert was forced into those errant throws because the Texans could generate pressure with four sacks. On offense, Joe Mixon was dominant with 25 carries for 106 yards and a TD, which is a winning formula in the playoffs of running the football and playing good defense. However, I can only see a Chiefs win after nearly three weeks of rest. Chris Jones will make it difficult on CJ Stroud to make life difficult for the Ohio State product. The Chiefs allowed one sack in their previous matchup, and I think Patrick Mahomes will get the protection he needs to find the open receiver. I think Kansas City rolls at home and pull away late in the fourth quarter.
Chiefs 30-Texans 20
2. Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions-Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (Fox)
This game will be a shoot-out for the right to proceed to the conference championship round. Last week, the Commanders pulled off the upset with Jayden Daniels starring with 24 of 35 completed passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns. I think Daniels will play well again on the road and in the dome despite the raucous atmosphere expected at Ford Field. The Commanders will take advantage of a depleted Lions defense, but Daniels needs to protect the football against this opportunistic defense. However, the problem for the Commanders is that the top-ranked Lions will roar on offense and take advantage of a defense that ranked 18th in points allowed per game this season. The Lions will win, but Daniels will impress again but come up short this time.
Lions 31-Commanders 27
3. Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles-Sunday, 3 p.m. ET (NBC
These two teams met in week 12 when the Eagles destroyed the Rams 37-20 on the road. The difference maker that produced a one-sided result was Saquon Barkley, who rushed 255 yards and two touchdowns. The big question for the Rams is, can they plan to limit Barkley in this matchup? Last week, they found the right answers and dominated the Minnesota Vikings. The Rams sacked Sam Darnold 9 times and forced two turnovers, while Matthew Stafford was efficient by completing 19 of 27 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns. However, last week the Eagles’ victory was secured by a strong defensive performance that forced 3 interceptions from Jordan Love and recovered a lost fumble. I think the Eagles win this game because Barkley and the defense will be too much in the snow expected on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.
Eagles 23-Rams 20
4. Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills-Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET (CBS)
This will be the best game this weekend and probably this season in a matchup of the MVP candidates featuring Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. It is a rematch from week 4 when the Ravens won 35-10 at home on Sunday Night Football. This time around, the Bills will be hosting the Ravens, and they looked prime for the showdown after reeling off 31 unanswered points to erase an early Broncos 7-0 lead. Like the Rams, the big question for the Bills is can they stop Derrick Henry? In the previous matchup, Henry had 24 carries for 199 yards and a TD. Also, in six games against the Bills, Henry has averaged 99 yards with eight total rushing TDs. I think Henry will be the key difference in the matchup of the MVP quarterbacks, and in the 3-degree weather, he will be a hard man to tackle. I have the Ravens winning a thriller, with Lamar icing the game with a key scramble to run out the clock.
Ravens 24-Bills 23