The race to the Lombardi Trophy is heating up.
The AFC divisional round playoff matchups are set. Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and the Baltimore Ravens travel to upstate New York to take on Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Patrick Mahomes and the reigning Super Bowl 57 and 58 champion Chiefs host the Houston Texans in Kansas City.
Will the Chiefs advance to another AFC championship game or will C.J. Stroud and the Texans pull off a massive upset? Who will win the battle of MVP candidates in Buffalo? Each AFC battle is a rematch from the regular season.
In the NFC, the Lions will play the lowest remaining seed. Detroit will face the No. 6 seed Washington Commanders. Washington won 23-20 over the No. 3 seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their first playoff victory in nearly 20 years.
Here are my score predictions for the divisional round of the playoffs:
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AFC Divisional Round
No 1. Kansas City Chiefs vs. No 4. Houston Texans
Naysayers fueled the Texans as they took care of business versus the Chargers. Edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter are game wreckers. Meanwhile, cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. notched two interceptions versus Los Angeles.
The Chiefs defeated Houston 27-19 in Week 16. Kansas City looks primed to be the first team to three-peat as Super Bowl champions. Kansas City is well rested and Andy Reid is historically good after a bye week.
Marquise Hollywood Brown’s return to Kansas City’s offense gives the team more firepower. Chris Jones has a significant advantage over Houston’s leaky offensive line.
Patrick Mahomes has led the Chiefs to six straight AFC Championship games. Mahomes and company are headed to another AFC title contest.
Score prediction: Chiefs 27-21
No 2. Buffalo Bills vs. No 3. Baltimore Ravens
This heavyweight battle features the two favorites for MVP.
In the wild card round, Josh Allen and the Bills made easy work of the young Broncos team. Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens ran by the Steelers.
Buffalo is undefeated at home this year and has the luxury of playing at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Sunday. The Bills need all the home cooking they can get because they were throttled by the Ravens 35-10 in Baltimore on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 4.
Allen was held to 180 passing yards in the loss earlier in the season, and that was when Baltimore’s defense was still figuring itself out. The Ravens have recently been one of the league’s best defenses, and the Jackson-led offense is dominant.
I predict Jackson will go on the road and show the fans why he’s this year’s MVP.
Score prediction: Ravens 28-24
NFC Divisional Round
No 1. Detroit Lions vs. No 7. Washington Commanders
The Commanders won their first playoff game since 2005. Their reward is a trip to Detroit for a meeting against the Lions on Saturday night.
Dan Quinn, Jayden Daniels and Bobby Wagner have spearheaded a remarking turnaround for the Commanders. Daniels is on his way to winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He is the fourth rookie quarterback in NFL history to start and win 13 games, including the postseason.
However, the Commanders’ magical season will end in the Motor City. I predict the Lions’ physicality upfront will overwhelm Washington. Detroit possessed the sixth-best rushing attack in the NFL, and they will get back David Montgomery to pair with Jahmyr Gibbs.
Daniels will give the Lions’ injury-riddle defense fits, but Aaron Glenn’s defensive unit will make just enough stops. Detroit ends Washington’s improbable season.
Score prediction: Lions 31-25
(Editor’s note: This story will be updated when the final NFC divisional round matchup is determined.)
