NFL 2024-2025 Divisionals Prequel
The NFL 2024-2025 Wildcards are in the books. This weekend brings the Divisionals round.
Saturday January 18, 2024, 4:30pm on ESPN
AFC: (4) Houston Texans at (1) Kansas City Chiefs (-7 1/2) — The 10-7 Texans did win a playoff game, but the 15-2 Chiefs lost their regular season finale because they played backups. The Chiefs offense isn’t as high octane as in years past but defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has the top defense in the NFL. A few years ago the Texans took a 24-0 first quarter lead at Kansas City. By halftime the Chiefs led 28-24 en route to a 51-31 win. With Walrus Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes, they are always a threat. The Chiefs are seeking to reach the AFC Title Game for the 7th straight year, with 6 of those 7 games being at home in Arrowhead. The Chiefs are too deep and too experienced. Chiefs cover
8pm on FOX
NFC: (6) Washington Commanders at (1) Detroit Lions (-9 1/2) — The Commanders are a very good football team. Jayden Daniels has been leading them to victories in Cardiac fashion. Yet the Detroit Lions are a wrecking ball. Yes, their defense is injury-riddled. At home in their dome, their pinball wizard offense can outscore anyone. Dan Campbell and Dan Quinn both take 4th down risks. The Lions are well rested from their bye week. Go with Jared Goff and his many offensive weapons to win the game, but the spread is high. Given Detroit’s defensive injuries and Washington’s resilience, beating the spread is certainly possible. Lions win but fail to cover
Sunday, January 19, 3pm on NBC
NFC: (4) Los Angeles Rams at (2) Philadelphia Eagles (-6) — The 10-7 Rams won the NFC West and then knocked off 14-3 Minnesota in the Wildcard. Now they were at the 14-3 Eagles, who won the NFC East. In the regular season the Eagles went into Los Angeles and throttled the Rams 37-20. Saquon Barkley is running wild and gives the Eagles the advantage. As much of an offensive wizard as Sean McVay is, the Eagles between Barkley and the home field should be able to win this game to get back to the NFC Title Game for the second time in three years. Yet the Rams are a confident bunch and the Eagles do not blow teams out. Their offense did very little against Green Bay last week. Eagles win but fail to cover
6:30pm
AFC: (3) Baltimore Ravens (-1 1/2) at (2) Buffalo Bills — Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen were both in contention for the league MVP. The winner of this game goes to the AFC Title Game. The 13-4 Bills and 12-5 Ravens met early in the regular season, with the Ravens winning a 35-10 blowout. Yet that game was in Baltimore. The rematch is in Buffalo. Derrick Henry is running with authority but the Buffalo defense is stout. Both of these teams are phenomenal, but this is one game where the home field truly matters. The weather is expected to be cold and bad, which is Buffalo weather. Upset special, Bills win outright
eric