The NFL Divisional Round saw a couple of massive upsets take place in a much more exciting playoff weekend than Wildcard Weekend. Don’t sleep on the Washington Commanders, as they have a recipe for success on the field. Meanwhile, the losers of the Divisional Round head into the offseason needing to retool a few things for a better 2025 season and a better playoff run. We can’t wait to see what will happen during championship weekend and the upcoming Super Bowl.
Here are the grades for all eight NFL teams after the Divisional Round.
Which NFL teams had high grades after the Divisional Round?
Baltimore Ravens: B-
The Ravens played their hearts out in an intense Divisional Round shootout against the Buffalo Bills but lost 25-27, ending their hopes of reaching the Super Bowl. Lamar Jackson threw two touchdowns against an interception, Derrick Henry rushed for 84 yards and scored a rushing touchdown, and Isaiah Likely and Rashod Bateman each scored a touchdown.
On defense, the Ravens had a sack but no interceptions against Josh Allen. As good as the Ravens are, not being able to complete two-point conversions stung the team in the second half of the game. The Ravens enter the offseason looking for an even stronger start to the 2025 NFL regular season.
Buffalo Bills: B
The Bills played a very competitive game against the Baltimore Ravens and won 27-25. Josh Allen threw no touchdown passes or interceptions and scored two rushing touchdowns, James Cook rushed for 67 yards, Khalil Shakir had 67 receiving yards, and Ray Davis scored a rushing touchdown. On defense, the Bills had two effective fumble recoveries, two sacks, and an interception from Taylor Rapp.
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The Bills’ rushing attack made a lot of noise with short-distance runs, which led to very easy and effective scoring drives by Davis and Allen. The Bills have their toughest test of this NFL season, an AFC Championship rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Detroit Lions: C-
The Lions had their good moments on offense but missed some opportunities in their 31-45 upset loss at home against the Washington Commanders. Jared Goff threw a touchdown against three costly interceptions, Jahmyr Gibbs had 105 rushing yards and scored two rushing touchdowns, Jameson Williams scored a rushing touchdown but threw an interception on a failed trick play, and Sam LaPorta scored a touchdown.
On defense, the Lions had no sacks or interceptions against Jayden Daniels. This loss is a painful pill to swallow for a Lions team that accomplished so much during the regular season. Dan Campbell and the Lions need to get healthy during the offseason for a better 2025 NFL regular season.
Houston Texans: B-
Despite having more yardage on all fronts than the Kansas City Chiefs, the Texans lost a tough and controversial 14-23 battle in the Divisional Round, ending their 2024 NFL season. C.J. Stroud threw no touchdowns or interceptions, Joe Mixon rushed for 88 yards and scored a touchdown, and Nico Collins had 81 receiving yards. The Texans had three sacks on defense. Even with the Chiefs surging in the fourth quarter, the Texans were also challenging the referees.
As Wes Anderson Jr. said, “We knew it was going to be us versus the refs going in this game.” Anderson was flagged for roughing the passer against Patrick Mahomes during the Chiefs’ second drive of the game. Meanwhile, the AFC Playoffs will run through Arrowhead Stadium.
Also Read: NFL Playoff Grades: Grading All 12 NFL Teams After Wildcard Weekend
Kansas City Chiefs: C+
The Chiefs didn’t play their best game of the playoffs but managed to survive and take advantage of the Houston Texans’ missed opportunities in the team’s 23-14 win in the Divisional Round. Patrick Mahomes threw a touchdown with no interceptions, Kareem Hunt rushed for 44 yards and scored a rushing touchdown, and Travis Kelce scored a receiving touchdown.
The Chiefs had eight sacks against C.J. Stroud on defense but no interceptions. Despite not playing their best game in the NFL playoffs, the Chiefs continue to find ways to win against their opponents on offense, while the defense, coached by defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, continues being a force to be reckoned with.
Los Angeles Rams: B-
The Rams tried to put up a fight against the Philadelphia Eagles in a cold and snow-filled Lincoln Financial Field but fell just short in their 22-28 loss in the Divisional Round. Matthew Stafford threw two touchdowns with no interceptions, Kyren Williams rushed for 106 yards, Puka Nacua had 97 receiving yards, and Colby Parkinson and Tyler Higbee both scored touchdowns. On defense, the Rams had seven sacks but no interceptions.
The Rams were unable to slow down Saquon Barkley from having an incredible afternoon on the ground but did what they could on offense to play catchup against the Eagles. The Rams head into the offseason with the hopes of returning to the playoffs in the 2025 NFL season.
Philadelphia Eagles: B+
The Eagles played a very competitive game at home against the Los Angeles Rams and escaped with a close 28-22 win. Thanks to the Detroit Lions’ loss to the Washington Commanders, the Eagles will host the NFC Championship game. Jalen Hurts threw no touchdowns or interceptions and scored a rushing touchdown. Saquon Barkley rushed for 205 yards and scored two touchdowns, and Dallas Goedart had 56 receiving yards.
On defense, the Eagles had three defensive fumble recoveries and five sacks but no interceptions. Barkley continued to shine in the rushing attack with his 205 rushing yards, but the passing attack needs to step it up, especially against the Washington Commanders coming to town in the NFC Championship game.
Washington Commanders: A-
The Commanders continued to amaze NFL fans everywhere, with an incredible 45-31 upset win over the one-seeded Detroit Lions in the Motor City and reaching the team’s first NFC Championship game since 1991. Jayden Daniels threw two touchdowns with no interceptions, Brian Robinson Jr. had 77 rushing yards and scored two rushing touchdowns, and Zach Ertz and Terry McLaurin both scored a receiving touchdown each.
The Commanders had two sacks, a fumble recovery, and four interceptions, one of which was returned for a 40-yard pick-six by Quan Martin. The Commanders were extremely effective on all sides of the ball and took advantage of the Lions’ offensive mistakes and injury-plagued defense in the upset victory.
Also Read: Re-Grading The 20 Biggest NFL Free Agent Signings From The 2024 Season
