Updated on: January 15, 2024 / 08:23 AM

NFL Divisional Round: TV-Schedule and Key Matchup Analysis

The 2024 NFL Divisional Round presents a thrilling weekend of football, featuring some of the league's top teams vying for a spot in the Conference Championships. From the AFC showdown to the NFC battles, each game is set to deliver high-octane football action, available on major networks for fans across the country.

NFL Divisional Round TV-Schedule

Saturday, January 20, 2024

Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens: 4:30 PM ET, broadcast on ESPN/ABC (AFC Divisional Playoff)
Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers: 8:00 PM ET, broadcast on FOX (NFC Divisional Playoff)

Sunday, January 21, 2024

AFC Divisional Playoff Preview: Texans at Ravens

Date & Time: January 20, 2024, 4:30 PM EST
Venue: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
Broadcast: ABC, ESPN, ESPN+
Weather: Around 29° F on game day
Betting Odds: Ravens favored by 9.5 points; Over/Under at 45.5 points

Team Performance

Baltimore Ravens (13-4, 6-3 Home)

Offensive Averages: 28.4 points per game, 213.8 passing yards, 156.5 rushing yards
Defensive Averages: 16.5 points allowed per game, 191.9 passing yards allowed, 109.4 rushing yards allowed
Key Players: Lamar Jackson (QB) - 3678 YDS, 24 TD, 7 INT; Gus Edwards (RB) - 810 YDS, 13 TD; Zay Flowers (WR) - 858 REC YDS, 5 TD
Recent Form: Won 6 of their last 7 games, including high-scoring wins over teams like the Dolphins and 49ers

Houston Texans (11-7, 4-4 Away)

Offensive Averages: 22.2 points per game, 245.5 passing yards, 96.9 rushing yards
Defensive Averages: 20.8 points allowed per game, 234.1 passing yards allowed, 96.6 rushing yards allowed
Key Players: C.J. Stroud (QB) - 4108 YDS, 23 TD, 5 INT; Devin Singletary (RB) - 898 YDS; Nico Collins (WR) - 1297 REC YDS, 26 TD
Recent Form: Coming off a dominant 45-14 win against Cleveland in the Wild Card Round

Game Preview

The Houston Texans, after their emphatic victory over Cleveland, face a formidable challenge against the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens. C.J. Stroud, the Texans' quarterback, has been a revelation this season, showcasing his ability to protect the football and lead his team in high-pressure situations. His primary targets, Devin Singletary and Nico Collins, have been consistent threats throughout the season.

The Ravens, on the other hand, have shown exceptional form, especially in their offensive play. Led by the dynamic Lamar Jackson, who has been effective both in the air and on the ground, the team has been a scoring powerhouse. Their defense, which has been one of the best in the league, will be a significant hurdle for the Texans' offense.

Key Factors to Watch

Quarterback Duel: The game features a compelling matchup between the experienced Lamar Jackson and the rising star C.J. Stroud.
Ravens' Defense: The Ravens’ defensive unit, leading the league in sacks, will be keen on disrupting the Texans' rhythm.
Texans' Resilience: Houston has displayed resilience, especially in away games, which could be a critical factor in this matchup.

Predictions and Expectations

The Ravens, with their well-rounded team and home-field advantage, are understandably the favorites. However, the Texans have shown they can upset the odds, making this an intriguing contest.
Expect a game where both offenses try to assert dominance early, with the outcome potentially being decided by which defense stands firmer under pressure.

NFC Divisional Playoff Preview: Packers at 49ers

Venue: Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California
Date & Time: Saturday, January 20, 2024, 8:00 PM ET
TV/Streaming: FOX, FOX Deportes
Green Bay Packers Form: Entered as a No. 7 seed; upset Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round
San Francisco 49ers Form: Finished regular season as the No. 1 seed in the NFC

Match Preview

The upcoming NFC Divisional Playoff clash between the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium is set to be a thrilling encounter. Green Bay, entering as an unexpected contender after a stunning victory over the Dallas Cowboys, carries the momentum of a dark horse. Their journey to this point has been marked by resilience and unexpected upsets, making them a team to watch.

On the other side, the San Francisco 49ers, as the top seed in the NFC, have been a dominant force throughout the season. Their balanced attack, combining a strong defense with a dynamic offense, has been a hallmark of their success. The 49ers’ home-field advantage at Levi's Stadium could play a significant role, considering their solid performance on home turf this season.

Green Bay Packers

Quarterback Performance: Jordan Love, the Packers' QB, has been exceptional since Week 12, leading the league in passer rating and showcasing significant growth in confidence and skill. His performance against the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round was stellar, with 272 yards and three touchdowns on just 15 completions.
Offensive Strength: Since Week 10, the Packers' offense ranks third in DVOA and fourth in expected points added, showing a robust improvement in their gameplay.
Defensive Challenges: However, Green Bay's defense has been a concern, ranking 28th in defensive DVOA and 25th in EPA per play. This vulnerability was evident in their allowance of 30 points to the Panthers in Week 16.
Recent Form: The Packers finished the regular season winning six of their last eight games, carrying this momentum into a convincing 48-32 victory over the Cowboys in the Wild Card round.

San Francisco 49ers

Offensive Prowess: The 49ers have a formidable offense, ending the season as one of the best in the NFL. They rank high in both passing and rushing yards, with averages of 257.9 and 140.5 yards per game respectively. Their total points scored is impressive at 28.9 per game.
Key Player - Christian McCaffrey: McCaffrey has been a standout player, leading the NFL with 1,459 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. He also contributes significantly in the passing game.
Defensive Strength: The 49ers' defense is equally robust, ranking third in rush yards against and points allowed per game. Their average of allowing only 17.5 points per game showcases their defensive solidity.
Recent Performances: Although they lost their Week 18 game against the Rams, notable performances included Ronnie Bell's touchdown reception and Deebo Samuel's dual-threat capabilities.

NFC Divisional Playoff Preview: Buccaneers at Lions

Date & Time: January 21, 2024, 3:00 PM ET
Venue: Ford Field
Broadcast: NBC, Peacock

The NFC Divisional Playoff between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Detroit Lions is set to be a compelling matchup. Here's a detailed analysis based on team stats and records:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Defensive Performance: The Buccaneers' defense has had some struggles, ranking 23rd in the NFL in total defense, allowing an average of 344.2 yards per game.
Key Defensive Playmaker: Antoine Winfield Jr. has been a standout on defense, tying for the NFL lead with six forced fumbles and adding a sack and five tackles in a key game against the Panthers.
Offensive Highlights: Wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans both surpassed 1,000 receiving yards this season, marking a significant achievement for the Buccaneers' passing game.
Quarterback Play: The Buccaneers have experienced some inconsistency at the quarterback position, with Baker Mayfield not completing a pass over 10 air yards in Week 18 but finishing with a high completion rate for shorter passes.

Detroit Lions

Season Record: The Lions finished the regular season with an impressive 12-5 record, indicating strong overall team performance.
Offensive Strengths: Detroit's offense has been potent, with Jared Goff playing well against pressure and generating big plays. The team has several players who scored double-digit scrimmage touchdowns, showcasing their offensive versatility.
Defensive Standouts: The Lions have several key players on defense, including Aidan Hutchinson, who generated significant pressure on opposing quarterbacks. They also had five players named to the 2023 All-Pro team, underscoring their defensive prowess.
Injury Concerns: The Lions might be facing some challenges with injuries, notably to rookie tight end Sam LaPorta, who has been a critical component of their offense.

Matchup Analysis

Buccaneers' Offense vs. Lions' Defense: Tampa Bay's passing game, led by Godwin and Evans, will test the Lions' defense. However, Detroit's defensive line, including Hutchinson, could disrupt the Buccaneers' offensive rhythm.
Lions' Offense vs. Buccaneers' Defense: Detroit's diversified offense will challenge the Buccaneers' defense, which has been less effective this season. The Lions' ability to create big plays could be pivotal.
Key Players: For Tampa Bay, the performance of Mayfield and the receiving corps will be crucial. For Detroit, Goff's ability to manage pressure and the performance of their defensive standouts will be key.

Prediction

Given the Lions' strong overall performance this season and their home-field advantage, they are favored to win. However, the playoff experience of the Buccaneers, especially in high-stakes games, could play a significant role. The Lions' potential offensive challenges due to LaPorta's injury could also impact the game's outcome.

AFC Divisional Playoff Preview: Bills at Chiefs

Date & Time: January 21, 2024, 6:30 PM ET
Venue: Highmark Stadium
Broadcast: CBS, Paramount Plus
Weather: Approximately 16° F on game day
Betting Odds: Bills favored by 2.5 points; Over/Under at 46.5 points

Team Performance

Buffalo Bills (1st AFC East)

Offensive Averages: 26.5 points per game, 244.4 passing yards, 130.1 rushing yards
Defensive Averages: 18.3 points allowed per game, 196.6 passing yards allowed, 110.6 rushing yards allowed
Key Players: Josh Allen (QB) - 4306 YDS, 29 TD, 18 INT; James Cook (RB) - 1122 YDS; Stefon Diggs (WR) - 1183 REC YDS, 44 TD
Recent Form: Strong recent performances, including a 31-17 win against the Steelers

Kansas City Chiefs (1st AFC West)

Offensive Averages: 21.8 points per game, 246.4 passing yards, 104.9 rushing yards
Defensive Averages: 17.3 points allowed per game, 176.5 passing yards allowed, 113.2 rushing yards allowed
Key Players: Patrick Mahomes (QB) - 4183 YDS, 27 TD, 14 INT; Isiah Pacheco (RB) - 935 YDS; Travis Kelce (TE) - 984 REC YDS
Recent Form: Consistent performance, highlighted by a 26-7 win over the Dolphins

Game Preview

This highly anticipated matchup features two of the NFL's top teams. The Buffalo Bills, led by Josh Allen, have been dominant on both sides of the ball, especially in their offensive prowess. Their receiver Stefon Diggs has been a critical component of their success. The Bills' defense has also been formidable, posing a significant challenge to any opponent.

The Kansas City Chiefs, with Patrick Mahomes at the helm, have shown resilience and tactical excellence. Mahomes, known for his dynamic playmaking ability, will be pivotal in this matchup. The Chiefs' defense has been efficient, particularly in limiting opponents' scoring opportunities.

Key Factors to Watch

Quarterback Battle: The game features a showdown between two elite quarterbacks, Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes.
Bills' Offensive Might: Buffalo's high-scoring offense will test the Chiefs' defensive strategies.
Chiefs' Resilience: Kansas City’s ability to perform under pressure will be crucial in this high-stakes game.

Predictions and Expectations

While the Bills are slightly favored, the Chiefs are known for their playoff resilience and could very well turn the tide.
This game is expected to be a close contest, potentially decided in the final moments. Look for key plays from both quarterbacks and strategic moves from the coaching staffs.

Author: Dan Anderson