NFL Games This Week | Divisional Playoff
After an incredible Wild Card Round, with massive upsets, historic comebacks, and no shortage of drama, the NFL is back this weekend with the Divisional Round as the playoffs continue in a powerful way. The top seeded Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles enter the fray this week, and they will be looking to use their extra rest to really lay down a marker and show the NFL world how strong they are, but they come up against tough, battle hardened teams this weekend.
So with that said, let’s take a look at the matchups in this weekend’s Divisional Round and see what we have in store for us.
AFC: Jacksonville Jaguars (4) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (1) - January 21st, 4:30 pm ET
The AFC Divisional Round matchup between the fourth seeded Jacksonville Jaguars and the top seeded Kansas City Chiefs is one to watch. After a wild Wild Card Round, the Jaguars are riding high after their epic comeback against the Los Angeles Chargers, a 31-30 victory after being down 27-0 at the half. Led by a stalwart defense, the Jaguars have the chance to take down the number one seed and move on to the AFC Conference Championship game.
The Chiefs have been the top seed for the playoffs for a reason. Led by MVP candidate Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs have one of the most potent offenses in the NFL. Their defense is also respectable, being the sixth-ranked defenses in the regular season. However, the Jaguars defense will pose a much greater challenge than what the Chiefs have faced this year.
It will be a battle of two very different teams, but both have the same goal in mind: a chance to move on to the AFC Conference Championship game. The Jaguars will need to rely on their defense to contain Mahomes and the Chiefs high-powered offense, while the Chiefs will need their own defense to limit the damage the Jaguars offense can do. With two strong teams squaring off, this game promises to be one of the most exciting games of the playoffs.
How to watch: Peacock and NBC
NFC: New York Giants (6) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (1) - January 21st, 8:15 pm ET
The first NFC Divisional Round matchup between the sixth seeded New York Giants and the top seeded Philadelphia Eagles looks like a one-sided clash, on paper at least. Both teams have had positive seasons and are looking to take the next step towards the Super Bowl, but there really is one standout team here.
The Eagles enter the game as the favorites, having earned the top seed with a 14-3 record and a bye in the Wild Card Round. With their high-powered offense of Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, the Eagles will be looking to score early and often.
The Giants come into the game as the underdog but have shown that they are capable of winning. They earned the sixth seed after a 10-7-1 regular season, and then went on to upset the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card Round. They are led by Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley and have a solid defense that can make life difficult for opposing offenses.
The Eagles will be looking to prove their dominance, while the Giants will be hoping to prove that their Wild Card victory wasn’t a fluke. Both teams have the talent and drive to make it to the NFC Conference Championship game, and this game will decide who will take that next step.
How to watch: FOX
AFC: Cincinnati Bengals (3) vs. Buffalo Bills (2) - January 22nd, 3:00 pm ET
The second AFC Divisional Round matchup between the third seeded Cincinnati Bengals and the second seeded Buffalo Bills is shaping up to be an amazing game. Buffalo had a hard fought victory against the Miami Dophins in the Wild Card Round, while the Bengals had a much easier game against the Baltimore Ravens. The Bengals come into this game with the momentum of their win and the confidence of their high powered offense.
On the other side, the Bills come in with the momentum of their thrilling win and the confidence of their strong defense. Quarterback Josh Allen has been playing at an elite level, and his ability to make plays with his feet and arm will be key for the Bills in this matchup.
The Bengals have a strong offense that is led by quarterback Joe Burrow. Burrow has been on fire since returning from injury and has been a key figure in the Bengals offense. His ability to spread the ball around to his talented receivers, like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, will be essential for the Bengals to have success against the Bills defense.
This matchup between the Bengals and Bills looks like it will be an intense and exciting battle. Both teams have strong offenses and defenses, and both teams have the momentum of their Wild Card Round wins. The winner of this matchup will advance to the AFC Conference Championship game, so make sure to tune in to see who will come out on top.
How to watch: Paramount+
NFC: Dallas Cowboys (5) vs. San Francisco 49ers (2) - January 22nd, 6:30 pm ET
In the final game of the weekend, the fifth-seeded Dallas Cowboys and the second-seeded San Francisco 49ers clash in the second Divisional Round match in the NFC. The Cowboys shocked the football world with their 31-14 win over Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round. They will now face a much tougher test in the 49ers, who are fresh off a dominant 41-23 win over the Seattle Seahawks and have won 11 games in a row.
The Cowboys have been led by their defense all season and will need to rely on that unit to slow down San Francisco's high-powered offense. Dallas has allowed the sixth-fewest points per game and will need to contain the 49ers' run game, which features star running back Christian McCaffrey. On the other side of the ball, the Cowboys will need to take advantage of their dynamic offensive weapons, such as running back Ezekiel Elliott and quarterback Dak Prescott.
The 49ers will be looking to continue their impressive winning streak, while the Cowboys will be looking to shock the world again. Dallas are very capable, but this match might be a step too far for them.
How to watch: FOX
Author: Alex Simeonidis