Get ready for the NFL’s Divisional Round with our predictions for which teams will advance to the next level of the playoffs and have a shot at becoming this year’s Super Bowl champions.
Image by Ole Miss NFL Divisional Round Promo banner/Twitter
The NFL’s Wild Card Round of the playoffs came and went, and now it is time for the Divisional Round. There were some good games in the previous round, and after these games, we will be one step closer to seeing a Super Bowl champion. This round has some good matchups and things could get interesting. Here are some predictions for the Divisional Round.
Houston Texans vs Baltimore Ravens (Ravens -9) – The Houston Texans won big last week as they beat the Cleveland Browns 45-14. Rookie quarterback CJ Stroud finished the game with 274 yards and three touchdowns. At 22 years old, Stroud became the youngest starting quarterback to win a playoff game. There are five rookie quarterbacks in league history to throw for more than 4,000 yards. Those quarterbacks are Jameis Winston, Cam Newton, Andre Luck, Justin Herbert and Stroud. Winston, Newton, Luck and Herbert did not win playoff games, so Stroud is the lone man in that department. The Texans played well last week, and they have a bigger challenge this week.
The Baltimore Ravens had some time to rest, as they received a bye from being the AFC’s top seed. The Ravens are back in action and could be one step closer to the Super Bowl. The Ravens are a tough team, and as long as they are healthy and ready, they should get this game.
Prediction: The Ravens take it.
Green Bay Packers vs San Francisco 49ers (49ers -9.5) – The Green Bay Packers picked up a nice win over the Dallas Cowboys last round. They beat them 48-32, and controlled the entire time. The Packers fought their way to this round, and have a tough opponent ahead of them. The San Francisco 49ers had some time off (with a bye like the Ravens) but now they are back in action. The 49ers lost their last game of the regular season, as the Los Angeles Rams beat them 21-20. The 49ers had a nice winning streak going before losing to the Ravens towards the end of the season. The 49ers are a good team, and should be able to get the win.
Prediction: The 49ers take it.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions (Lions -6.5) – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers picked up an impressive win over the Philadelphia Eagles last round. They beat the Eagles 32-9. Tampa Bay looked good in that game, and they have a good chance of advancing. But the Detroit Lions may have something to say about that. The Lions beat the Los Angeles Rams in a very close game. They beat them 24-23. The Lions have played well this season, and were a solid team at home (going 6-2 in home games). The Buccaneers will put up a fight, but Detroit should take this.
Prediction: The Lions win.
Kansas City Chiefs vs Buffalo Bills (Chiefs +2.5) – The Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills ran into each other in Week 14. It was a good game, and the Bills came out on top. This game could be just as good, and could come down to the wire. The Bills beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in their Wild Card game in a game that was delayed due to snow. The Chiefs beat the Dolphins in a game with (extremely) cold weather. The Chiefs and Bills should be a good game that can really go to either team. However, the Chiefs should take it.
Prediction: The Chiefs take it.
The NFL playoffs have not disappointed, and these games will live up to the hype.
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