The path to the NFL’s final four showcases seven of the eight division champions. Patrick Mahomes and the two-time reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, will kick off the divisional round against the Houston Texans led by C.J. Stroud on Saturday afternoon. Rookie standout Jayden Daniels will lead the Washington Commanders against the top-seeded Detroit Lions in a prime-time showdown. The Commanders, with Daniels at the helm, caused an upset by defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card game. The Philadelphia Eagles will host the Los Angeles Rams in the early Sunday game, with the Rams playing on a short week after a Monday night victory. The weekend will conclude with a matchup between Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens facing off against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
According to Bet MGM Sportsbook, three of the home teams are favored by at least six points. In the first game, the Kansas City Chiefs (15-2) will face the Houston Texans (11-7). The Chiefs, aiming for a third consecutive Super Bowl win, will have to contend with the Texans, who are coming off a strong victory against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Lions (15-2) will host the Washington Commanders (13-5), who have secured five consecutive wins in dramatic fashion. The Eagles (15-3) will take on the Rams (11-7), with the Eagles favored by six points.
Each game presents its own set of challenges and opportunities for the teams involved.
The Philadelphia Eagles boast an offensive line that features five individuals who received All-Pro votes, setting the stage for a formidable front protecting their quarterback. The team’s strategy includes a heavy focus on running the ball, particularly with standout running back Barkley, who recently set a franchise record by rushing for an impressive 255 yards during a decisive 37-20 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on November 24.
As the Eagles prepare to face the Rams once again, the anticipated matchup between Rams coach Sean McVay and Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio promises to be a classic head-to-head battle. In their previous encounter, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford managed to find success through the air against Philadelphia’s top-ranked defense, connecting with receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp for a significant portion of his 243 passing yards.
Despite the Rams’ recent Monday night victory, they face the challenge of traveling cross-country with one less day of rest. However, history shows that McVay has performed well under similar circumstances, boasting a 16-7 record against the spread on short rest, including a remarkable 7-1 ATS in his past eight games. With Stafford leading the charge, McVay’s record on short rest improves to 8-2 ATS, highlighting the Rams’ ability to excel even under challenging conditions.
Nevertheless, playing in Philadelphia in the heart of winter presents a unique challenge, particularly for visiting teams. The Eagles hold an impressive 6-0 record at home in the divisional round, covering the spread in five of those games, setting the stage for a highly competitive matchup.
In another anticipated game, the Baltimore Ravens are set to face off against the Buffalo Bills, with the Ravens holding a slight edge as road favorites. The matchup between quarterbacks Jackson and Allen has garnered significant attention, although it is worth noting that MVP votes were already cast before the playoffs began. Jackson, who earned All-Pro honors, led the Ravens to a convincing 28-14 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Allen and the Bills secured a dominant 31-7 win against the Denver Broncos.
The Ravens previously delivered a resounding 35-10 victory over the Bills at home, establishing themselves as road favorites in the upcoming clash. Despite Buffalo’s formidable defense led by Greg Rousseau, Von Miller, and Ed Oliver, the team faces a challenging task in containing Jackson and the dynamic Derrick Henry, setting the stage for an intense battle on the field.
On the flip side, the Ravens must also be prepared to counter Buffalo’s offensive threats, spearheaded by Allen and James Cook. An intriguing matchup to watch will be the battle between Ravens rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins and Bills rookie receiver Keon Coleman, providing a glimpse of the talent on display in this highly anticipated game.
The Bills, who have been striving to advance to the AFC title game following three consecutive losses in the divisional round, are prepared to put up a strong fight against the Ravens. Despite being labeled as underdogs at
