NFL Divisional Round Preview

And then there were eight. We've hit the divisional round in the NFL with four huge games this weekend. All with the end goal of getting one step closer to the Super Bowl. We had two big teams in the NFC fold up like cheap lawn chairs last weekend. AFC went according to plan, if you will. Lets not waste any more time. Here's how we see it going down this weekend for the Divisional Round.

Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens Saturday 4:30PM ESPN/ABC
Houston came out like a house of fire last week, beating up pretty good on the Cleveland Browns. But this week is a different animal facing the best team in the AFC in the Ravens. Look CJ Stroud was great against Cleveland last week, but he wasn't pressured. Baltimore has the type of defense that's going to make CJ really uncomfortable in the pocket and get him on the move. There's no doubt that Houston can find a way to try and get pressure on Lamar Jackson, but he's so good on the run its going to make it a lot tougher on that Houston defense. Baltimore was the best team in the AFC for a reason and they show it in this one.

Pick: Ravens 30, Texans 20

Green Bay Packers @ San Francisco 49ers Saturday 8:15PM Fox
This is the 10th all time meeting in the playoffs between Green Bay and San Francisco, which is an NFL record. Green Bay is coming off a rolling win in Dallas last week. Now it goes to a totally different animal, facing the best team in the NFC out West. Jordan Love wasn't really pressured last week against the Cowboys and will now get it turned up a little against the Niners. And San Francisco is riding a five game winning streak coming into this matchup. Oh and the 49ers have the best rusher in the game this season in Christian McCaffery. San Francisco has a more balanced attack between the run and pass than what Green Bay saw a week ago.

Pick: 49ers 31, Packers 21

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Detroit Lions Sunday 3PM NBC
This is a much different animal for the Bucs this week going to what has been a tough place to play this year in Ford Field in Detroit. Yes the Lions had a much closer game last week against the Rams, as compared to what the Bucs did against the Eagles. Tampa may have found their offensive stride last week at home, but this is different. Detroit will be turning up more of the pressure on Baker then what Philly did last week. Problem is, Bowles hasn't found a way to beat Geoff since 2019 when he was Bucs defensive coordinator. Yes the Bucs will get the big plays they need, but Detroit will make them too.

Pick: Lions 34, Buccaneers 21

Kansas City Chiefs @ Buffalo Bills Sunday 6:30PM CBS
Another cold weather battle between these two teams in what going to be the most intriguing matchup on the second day of the weekend. Part of what makes this so interesting is that this is the first time that the Chiefs have had to go on the road since Mahomes came into the league. Its going to make things tougher, but watching Mahomes has made it clear. Never count him out. This game is going to be a total shootout between Mahomes and Josh Allen. This game maybe the toughest one of the whole weekend to be able to pick because this maybe the closest matchup of the weekend.

Pick: Chiefs 33, Bills 30