After what seemed to be a relatively boring Wild-card Weekend, the Divisional round playoff games were must watch television. Heading into the weekend, we had the usual frontrunners in the spotlight, along with a few determined underdogs ready to fight for their pride.
The weekend kicked off with a Saturday afternoon matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans. The Chiefs entered the game well-rested, having secured a bye week and sat their starters in Week 18 against the Denver Broncos. As the #1 seed and the favorite, Kansas City faced a tougher battle than expected. Both Patrick Mahomes and C.J. Stroud led their offenses to strong performances, keeping the game tight as their defenses stepped up under the spotlight. However, the Texans crumbled in the fourth quarter, struggling to convert several critical third downs. Meanwhile, the Chiefs capitalized on their opportunities, ultimately pulling away to secure the victory. With this win, Kansas City advances to their seventh consecutive AFC Conference Championship, continuing their dominant postseason streak.
Later that night, the playoffs saw a stunning upset as the #1 seed Detroit Lions faced the Washington Commanders, led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. The Lions, dominant in the regular season with a 15-2 record, looked unstoppable. The first half was electric, with back-and-forth touchdowns keeping fans on edge. However, the Commanders delivered on both sides of the ball, scoring four offensive touchdowns and notching four interceptions, including a pick-six. Their lights out performance secured a 45-31 win, ending the Lions’ season in a Saturday night thriller.
Sunday afternoon’s game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams was a cold, snowy matchup between two experienced teams. Saquon Barkley, the league’s leader in rushing yards, had another dominant performance, rushing for 205 yards and 2 touchdowns, including two 60+ yard runs. Both defenses played well, holding each other to under 14 points in the first half. The Eagles controlled possession in the second half, sealing the game in the final minutes. They now advance to the championship game with hopes of making their second Super Bowl appearance in three years.
Finally, Sunday night’s game between the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills was the most anticipated of the Divisional Round, with two leading MVP candidates facing off for a conference championship spot. The game was close throughout, with both offenses delivering when needed. The Ravens’ defense struggled in the first half but improved after halftime. Buffalo’s defense made crucial stops, including one on Lamar Jackson’s final drive, which ended with a failed two-point conversion due to a Mark Andrews drop. The Bills advance to face the Kansas City Chiefs in their fourth postseason clash in five years.
