NFL Playoffs Under Duress List - Divisional Round

The Divisional Round is an important benchmark in the postseason as it means “you’re a game away from being a game away” (2 games away from the Super Bowl).

Last week's Wild Card round indeed lived up to its name, delivering surprises and shaking up expectations. The shockwaves were felt most strongly with the Dallas Cowboys' shocking home defeat at the hands of the Green Bay Packers, a resounding 48-32 victory that underscored the unpredictable nature of the NFL playoffs.?

A huge shoutout must go to the Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans, where emerging quarterbacks Jordan Love and CJ Stroud showcased resilience and skill in their playoff debuts to pull off incredible wins. Additionally, a special mention goes out to the Detroit Lions, who secured their first playoff win since 1991 with a victory over the LA Rams.

As we shift our focus to the upcoming week, the pressure is palpable for the remaining teams, each vying for a coveted spot in the Conference Championship Games next week. With the spotlight intensifying, let's examine the teams under the most scrutiny and stress as they navigate the pivotal Divisional round…

Baltimore Ravens

In a pivotal matchup for the Ravens, the stakes are high not just for the team, but especially for their star quarterback, Lamar Jackson. While Lamar is on the brink of clinching his second MVP award, there's an undeniable need to rectify some previous postseason setbacks to solidify his standing as an all-time great quarterback among fans.

Taking a closer look at his playoff history, Lamar's record stands at 1-3, with two losses on home turf and a modest 52 points scored in total. The numbers reveal a tale of struggle with a 56% completion rate, 3 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, and a passer rating of 68.3—the third-lowest playoff rating in the past two decades among quarterbacks with a minimum of 125 passing attempts.

Up next for Lamar is the Houston Texans who are riding high on confidence after dismantling the formidable Cleveland Browns defence with a resounding 45-14 victory. Rookie sensation CJ Stroud has been a revelation, showcasing his mettle on the big stage with 236 passing yards and three touchdowns in the first half alone—a rookie record. However, the Texans, founded in 2002, have never won a road playoff game.

With the Ravens as favourites to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, a defeat to CJ Stroud's Texans would not only be an upset but also a potential stain on Lamar's legacy. Will Stroud lead the Texans to their first-ever AFC Championship game, or will Lamar Jackson prove himself and reaffirm Baltimore's status as the most feared team in the AFC? The stage in Baltimore is set for a showdown that will define legacies and determine who emerges as the true powerhouse in the race for the Super Bowl

Next Game: Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium

Buffalo Bills

In a stunning turn of events, the Bills, once facing less than a 50% chance of making the playoffs just six weeks ago, find themselves on an extraordinary six-game winning streak. This impressive run, which started with a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead has propelled them into the Divisional Round where they will confront their postseason nemesis.

Despite Bills QB Josh Allen boasting a 3-1 record against Patrick Mahomes in the regular season, the postseason has been a different story. The Bills faced were comfortably beaten in the 2020 AFC Championship Game, losing 38-24. A year later, in the Divisional Round, a game etched into memory, Allen's stellar performance seemed to secure victory when his touchdown gave the Bills the lead with just 13 seconds remaining. Yet, Mahomes, orchestrated a remarkable drive, forced overtime, and the Chiefs ultimately clinched the win by winning the toss and scoring on their first drive, leaving Allen without a chance to respond—an ending that prompted a change in overtime rules.

Historically, if a team scored a touchdown on their first drive in overtime, the game concluded there and then. However, the rules were revamped in 2022, ensuring that in playoff games, each quarterback receives at least one possession in overtime, regardless of the first team's scoring outcome.

As Allen and Mahomes get ready to face up in the playoffs for a third time, the Bills now have the coveted opportunity of hosting the Chiefs on their home turf at Orchard Park, a scenario they had been yearning for. The narrative among Bills Mafia suggested that the Chiefs could only prevail against them at Arrowhead in the playoffs. Additionally, this battle incredibly marks Mahomes' first road playoff game outside of Super Bowls.

The burning question arises: Can the Bills finally triumph over the Chiefs in the postseason, or will Mahomes continue his exceptional reign by advancing to his sixth consecutive AFC Championship game? The stage is set for an epic clash that promises to redefine the dynamics of this riveting postseason rivalry.

Next Game: Kansas City Chiefs at Orchard Park

San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers, much like the Baltimore Ravens, are emerging from a three-week hiatus after securing the coveted number-one seed in the NFC. After the surprising exits of the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round, many are now deeming it almost a formality that the 49ers will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, with a fair share predicting them to go on and win it all.

Their upcoming clash against the Green Bay Packers will be the first-ever matchup between a No. 1 seed and a No. 7 seed since the playoff expansion in 2020. The Packers, listed as more than a touchdown underdog on most betting slips, are in hot form though. Despite a shaky start, Jordan Love has been exceptional in his last four games, winning them all with 12 touchdowns and a 74% completion. The standout game was his unbelievable performance in his playoff debut at Dallas last week where he threw three touchdowns and had an outstanding passer rating of 157.2

However, the 49ers boast a formidable lineup with offensive weapons like McCaffrey, Deebo, Aiyuk, and Kittle, making them a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs. While the Packers have already surpassed expectations by winning a playoff game, they face an uphill battle to repeat their Dallas heroics in San Francisco.

Yet, as the saying goes, "on any given Sunday," outcomes can be unpredictable in the playoffs. The question looms: Will the 49ers assert their dominance over the Packers and secure a second consecutive trip to the NFC Championship Game, or will Matt Le Fleur's Packers pull off another unexpected upset on the road, bringing them one step closer to a surprise Super Bowl appearance?

Next Game: Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium