If there was anybody who thought this postseason was going to be a bore, then please tell them to go back and check out the action from the wildcard round we just went through and have them rethink their opinion.
After a wild weekend of action that gave NFL fans plenty to keep an eye on, the action is set to continue with the divisional round of the playoffs upon us.
We already have the Divisional Playoffs odds fully loaded. Every game is crucial now, so be sure to check ‘em and pick your favorites!
NFL Divisional Playoffs Preview
Over on Saturday, the Kansas City Chiefs will be kicking off their postseason as they play host to Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars in Arrowhead Stadium. The Jags, who are coming off the biggest comeback win in their history would love nothing more than to repeat that performance and kick the Chiefs out of competition.
If you think about it, Jacksonville got rid of the Chargers, a team from the AFC West, just like KC, so what could stop them here? Patrick Mahomes to begin with.
At night, a returning Jalen Hurts will be looking to lead the Eagles to another win as they get ready to play host to the hyped-up New York Giants. New York, who is coming off a very strong showing and win over the Vikings in Minnesota is not quite ready to let their season end.
So what should fans get ready for? An epic AFC East-ridden game between bitter rivals.
But wait, you didn’t think the action would be over then and there, right? On Sunday, Joe Burrow and the Bengals, fresh off a dramatic win over Baltimore in the wildcard round, will be heading up northeast where the Buffalo Bills will be waiting.
Buffalo, who led by Josh Allen managed to squeeze a win against the Dolphins in the wildcard round, will be looking to avoid any unnecessary mistakes and move on to the AFC Title game unscabbed. But with Burrow and the Bengals wanting to repeat as AFC champions, who will end up coming out on top?
Closing out the divisional playoff round, it will be Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers playing host to Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys. With Prescott finally managing to put on a strong and reliable performance in Dallas’ win over Tampa Bay, will that propel the Cowboys to try and stop one of the league’s hottest and most dominant teams? We’ll just have to wait and see.
NFL Divisional Games Analysis
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Jacksonville Jaguars
Kansas City Chiefs (-9½)
Saturday, January 21stThe Jacksonville Jaguars managed to pull off a feat, not many NFL odds fans would’ve expected. After a horrendous first half against the Chargers in their wildcard round game, Trevor Lawrence and the Jags managed to turn things around at the right time and complete the biggest comeback in the team’s history routing LA back home with a score of 31-30.
Up next for Jacksonville? None other than the heavily favorited Patrick Mahomes and his Kansas City Chiefs. With a week’s worth of rest and preparation for this game, all eyes will be on what Mahomes and his offense can do to try and stop Jacksonville’s assent in the postseason.
While the Jaguars showed a lot of strength and courage in their game against LA, KC’s divisional rival, trying to stop the league’s most dominant offense will be a completely different mission to try and accomplish.
Doubting Lawrence’s ability to lead Jacksonville should not be doubted, especially with how the team managed to turn around their season and end up winning the AFC South title. But if the Jaguars don’t come out playing their most precise and flawless football, the chances of beating the Chiefs will be as slim as ever.
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New York Giants
Philadelphia Eagles (-7½)
Saturday, January 21stWho’s ready for another round of the “Brian Daboll Experience”? To say that Daboll’s first year as coach for the New York Giants has been a ride of epic proportions would be cutting it short. With a rejuvenated Daniel Jones leading the offense, Saquon Barkley showing his best football in years, and a defense that does not stop, the Giants are showing that they are a team not to be messed with. If not, just ask the Vikings, who New York booted out of the playoffs with relative ease.
But before New York starts erecting a statue in honor of coach Daboll, they’ll first need to deal with a team that’s already beaten them two times this season and who will be looking to make it three, the Philadelphia Eagles.
Playing at home, and with QB Jalen Hurts back in the lineup, it doesn’t take a genius to see why the Eagles are coming into this game as favorites. They have one of the best offenses in the league, an elite defense against the pass, and a front seven defensive line that is ready to give Jones, Barkley, and the rest of New York’s front offense a living hell.
With the Eagles ready to get their quest to Super Bowl LVII underway, will the Giants be a stepping stone in their way or will they become their worst nightmare?
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Cincinnati Bengals
Buffalo Bills (-4½)
Sunday, January 22ndJoe Cool is headed to Buffalo! After sending the Ravens packing back to Baltimore, Joe Burrow, and the Cincinnati Bengals are one step closer in their path to try and repeat as AFC Champions. This time though, the road to the conference title game will have them go through one of the toughest fields in the league, especially in the winter time, Orchard Park, house of the Buffalo Bills.
The Bills, led by Josh Allen, will be looking to score a commanding statement win against the Bengals for two reasons in specific. One to honor Damar Hamlin, their safety who suffered a life-changing injury playing against Cincinnati in their week 15 matchup. Secondly, to brush away any criticism and doubts that have surfaced because of their dramatic wild-card round win over the Dolphins by 34-31 in what should’ve been an easy win for Buffalo.
Given Cincinnati’s lack of protection for Burrow, one of Cincinnati’s main problems on the field, it’s more than obvious that if the Bengals want to win, shielding their QB against all attacks from Buffalo’s offense will be essential. For Buffalo, on the other hand, consistency on all sides of the ball will be key.
In a game where there cannot be any room for error or improvisation for both teams, will it be Allen or Burrow who move on with their squads to the AFC Championship game?
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Dallas Cowboys
San Francisco 49ers (-4)
Sunday, January 22ndIf you remember the NFL in the nineties, then the rivalry between the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys is probably at the top of your list of most important moments in the said decade. From 1992 to 1994 both teams squared off in the NFC Championship Game for three straight seasons, with the Cowboys winning the first two games and San Francisco winning the last.
You might be wondering, why does this matter nowadays? Simple, to show why the upcoming divisional round matchup where Dak Prescott and the Cowboys will be visiting Brock Purdy and the 49ers hold such importance.
The Cowboys, who are coming one of their most dominant performance in the playoffs in recent times, when they sent Tom Brady and the Buccaneers packing, will be looking to stun the league once again by stopping a Niners team that hoists one of the most talented offenses and the most dominating defense in the league.
For Dallas to win, it’s no secret that they’ll need another stellar performance from Prescott. In previous stints of the season, Dallas’ star QB was hit with waves of doubt and criticism because of his inability to show security when leading his offense. Funnily enough, it was in the Cowboys’ win over Tampa where Prescott finally showed he can be taken as a reliable leader for their offense.
As the Cowboys prepare for their visit against San Francisco, will they be able to leave the bay with their biggest win of the season, or will it be another episode of Dallas flunking out of the postseason?