Preview: NFL playoff favorites Kansas City, Detroit headline divisional round

The eight teams remaining in the NFL playoffs meet this weekend for the divisional round. The two Super Bowl favorites, the Detroit Lions and the Kansas City Chiefs, will highlight the action as both play their first postseason games.

Houston Texans (11-7) at Kansas City Chiefs (15-2)

The first game on the board Saturday, Jan. 18, features the Houston Texans visiting the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs are trying to make history as the first team to win three straight Super Bowls. They will lean on a balanced offense with quarterback Patrick Mahomes in control. He has a perfect 6-0 record in divisional games.

The Texans beat the Los Angeles Chargers last week to advance to the divisional round. They were in Kansas City just one month ago, but they lost that game 27-19.

Mahomes was asked what makes the Texans a challenging opponent.

“That defense is extremely real; they have a great quarterback and a great coach,” Mahomes said. “We knew when we played them this last time; it was a hard-fought game. They get after the quarterback really well. They have good secondary players, and their linebackers fly around, so it will be a great challenge for us. We’ll have to play our best football.“

Washington Commanders (13-5) at Detroit Lions (15-2)

Saturday’s nightcap features the other No. 1 seed, Detroit, against the Washington Commanders, who won their first playoff game in 19 years last weekend when they beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20. The Lions are 9.5-point favorites and motivated after coming up one game short of the Super Bowl last season.

Washington –– led by the lock for Offensive Rookie of the Year, Jayden Daniels –– wants to spoil the party, and coach Dan Quinn believes they’re up to the task.

“All week, we’ve been talking about what a huge and cool opportunity this is for us,” said Quinn. “Good week of prep, excellent opponent, well-coached, but going into a really cool environment, and if you like competing, this is your kind of game. Had a good week, like I said, with preparation, and now we get to take our show on the road.“

Los Angeles Rams (11-7) at Philadelphia Eagles (15-3)

On Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles will look for a repeat of their performance in Week 11 when they crushed the LA Rams 37-20. That win was part of a string of near-perfect results, having won 13 of their last 14 games. The team also features the NFL’s leading rusher, Saquon Barkley, who rushed for over 2,000 yards in the regular season.

The Rams, on the other hand, are coming off their stunning blowout against the Minnesota Vikings in Arizona. They are playing with lots of emotion and purpose after dealing with the wildfires in Los Angeles. Matthew Stafford was asked if they could keep that momentum up after another road trip.

“To be here now, to have worked through all the things we have worked through as a team, as an individual, to get to this point and have the opportunities we have in front of us is really fun,” Stafford said. “I’m enjoying the hell out of it. I know the guys on our team are doing the same. I’m doing the best I can to lead and give ourselves the best chance to get a win, keep it moving.“

Baltimore Ravens (13-5) at Buffalo Bills (14-4)

The final divisional game might be the best matchup of them all. Baltimore and Buffalo had no trouble in the first round, beating Pittsburgh and Denver, respectively, with ease. That may be the reason there is no real favorite in this one.

It’s a head-to-head matchup featuring the two quarterbacks leading the race for NFL Most Valuable Player, the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson and Bills’ Josh Allen. It’s also a rematch from Week 4, when the Ravens rushed for 271 yards and beat up the Bills 35-10.

However, Buffalo defensive end Von Miller believes it will be much closer this time.

“It’s the battle of two heavyweights; this is what you want. This is why the NFL is the greatest league in the world. You get matchups like this, and you get quarterbacks like this going against each other,” Miller said.

The winners of this weekend’s matchups will head to the Conference Championship games on Sunday, Jan. 26, where they’ll play for the chance to punch their ticket to the 2025 Super Bowl in New Orleans.