We’re onto the second round of the NFL Playoffs, with spots in the AFC Championship Game and NFC Championship Game at stake this weekend. Ahead of critical matchups between the best NFL teams this season, we’re predicting how each matchup will unfold.
Let’s dive into our NFL Divisional Round predictions for each game.
Buffalo Bills 20, Denver Broncos 17
The winner of the Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos matchup will almost certainly be the favorite in the AFC Championship Game. Home-field advantage and a superior defense give Denver an edge, especially considering how Bo Nix has performed during the second half of the season. However, the Broncos have not been able to run the football efficiently since J.K. Dobbins went down, which is the primary path to success against Buffalo’s defense. In a low-scoring game, Josh Allen will once again lead the team on a fourth-quarter comeback with a late, go-ahead touchdown drive to send Buffalo to the AFC title game.
Related: 4 Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos Predictions
Seattle Seahawks 24, San Francisco 49ers 17
One big difference for the San Francisco 49ers‘ rematch against the Seattle Seahawks is the return of All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams. Even with George Kittle sidelined, having one of the league’s best linemen out there should generate a few more explosive passing plays and additional red-zone trips. With that said, San Francisco will not be able to run the football effectively, and Seattle just demonstrated in Week 18 that it can run the football with ease on the 49ers’ defense. The Seahawks will ride an elite defense and a great performance from Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet to hosting the NFC Championship Game.
Related: 4 Predictions for San Francisco 49ers vs Seattle Seahawks
New England Patriots 17, Houston Texans 13
Concussions sustained in the Wild Card Round could sideline New England Patriots‘ cornerback Christian Gonzalez and Houston Texans‘ wide receiver Nico Collins. Both absences would be a significant blow, but New England still possesses more impact players on defense than Houston does offensively if Collins is sidelined. With that said, Houston’s defense will absolutely deliver the caliber of performance that could single-handedly decide this matchup. We just think that Drake Maye makes a few more plays than C.J. Stroud, resulting in the Patriots hosting the Bills in the AFC Championship Game.
Related: 4 Predictions for Houston Texans vs New England Patriots
Los Angeles Rams 35, Chicago Bears 31
The weather could make things very interesting here. It will be snowing at Soldier Field for the Sunday Night Football matchup, creating challenging conditions for two quarterbacks who love to take shots downfield. However, the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams are also just as effective at running the football. Caleb Williams could take Chicago to the NFC Championship Game in his second year, but his performance quarter-to-quarter tends to be inconsistent, and the Bears’ defense is by far the worst unit left standing in the Divisional Round. Barring a multi-interception game from Matthew Stafford, the Rams will come out victorious in this playoff classic. It will set up a rubber match between the Rams and Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game.
Related: 4 Predictions for Los Angeles Rams vs Chicago Bears
