The NFL playoffs are heating up, but let’s be real- the wild-card round wasn’t all that exciting. Most of the games were blowouts, leaving fans hoping for a better battle. Now, the divisional round is here, and it’s bringing the big shots. With Super Bowl dreams on the line, the Chiefs and Lions are back after their well-earned byes, and we’ve got an epic duel between Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen to look forward to.
Here’s how the 8 teams stack up, ranked by their chances to hold the Lombardi Trophy.
8. Houston Texans
The Texans pulled off a surprising win over the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round, capitalizing on turnovers to secure their spot. But let’s not get carried away. Houston faces a brutal matchup against the top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. History isn’t on their side: the Texans are 0-5 all-time in both the divisional round and road NFL playoff games, with an average divisional-round loss margin of 16.4 points. They’ll need a near-perfect game to keep their Cinderella run alive.
Texans are 0-5 in the Divisional Round. All on the road.
— NFL Fashion Advice (@fashion_nfl) January 15, 2025
0-4 in 🟦⬜️🟦
(including 2019 against the Chiefs)
0-1 in 🟦⬜️⬜️
Houston also lost in KC earlier this season in blue pants. With white pants on Saturday, looks like they're trying to mix up the mojo. pic.twitter.com/heUbJfPmXn
7. Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels is defying expectations as a rookie QB, guiding the Commanders to their first postseason victory in nearly 20 years. Still, no rookie QB has ever reached the Super Bowl, and the odds remain stacked against Washington.
Their upcoming matchup against the Lions at Ford Field is daunting; Detroit has scored 40+ points four times at home this season. Daniels needs plenty of help from his teammates to keep up with one of the league’s most potent offenses.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google! Follow Us
6. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams looked sharp in their wild-card win over the 14-win Minnesota Vikings. The defense led by a young but ferocious core- dominated with nine sacks and two takeaways, including a pick-six. However, their next task is even tougher: a trip to Lincoln Financial Field to face the Eagles. The Rams’ emotional motivation, driven by the challenges of playing for a wildfire-stricken community, has been admirable. But distractions off the field might begin to take a toll. Consistency will be key if they want to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive.
5. Buffalo Bills
The Bills remain unbeaten at Highmark Stadium this season, a trend they must maintain against the high-flying Ravens. Buffalo’s slow starts are a concern; they’ve averaged fewer than 10 first-half points over their past four games. That’s a risky pattern against a Baltimore offense that has been nearly unstoppable lately. If Josh Allen can fire on all cylinders early and the Bills can weather the storm, they’ll stay in the hunt.
Also Read: NFL Divisional Round: Everything To Know About Schedule And TV Details
4. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are surging, averaging 32.6 points per game since their Week 14 bye. Their defense has been equally impressive, allowing just 11.4 points per game in that span. In the wild-card round, Baltimore’s scoring dipped slightly to 28 points, but it was enough to handle Pittsburgh. A snowy, windy night in Buffalo could complicate matters for Lamar Jackson, who struggled in similar conditions during a NFL playoff loss in 2020. Still, Baltimore’s balanced attack makes them a formidable foe.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles might be the most enigmatic team left. They cruised past the Packers in the wild-card round, but their offense looked rusty. QB Jalen Hurts returned from a concussion-related absence and played for the first time in three weeks.
Donovan McNabb started 16 playoff games for the Philadelphia Eagles (9-7)
— David (@PHLEagleNews) January 15, 2025
28 total touchdowns & 17 ints
Jalen Hurts has started in 6 games (3-3)
12 total touchdowns & 2 ints
If Hurts wins the Super Bowl this year, is he the best QB in franchise history? pic.twitter.com/pXohNqoHIq
While the defense stepped up, Philly’s overall performance left something to be desired. Still, if Hurts and the offense can regain their rhythm, the Eagles have the talent to make another Super Bowl run.
2. Detroit Lions
Detroit’s first-round bye couldn’t have come at a better time. The Lions- known for their relentless effort and creative offense- are getting RB David Montgomery back from injury. Their home-field advantage at Ford Field, where they’ve routinely lit up the scoreboard, will be critical against the Commanders. The defense is a question mark, especially against mobile QBs like Jayden Daniels, but the Lions’ depth and explosiveness give them a legitimate shot at the title.
The formula is simple for the Detroit Lions…
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) January 15, 2025
GROUND AND POUND 😤 pic.twitter.com/X922ndQvyF
1. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs’ dominance is almost boring at this point. With Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes steering the ship, Kansas City has been the gold standard in playoff football. They’ve gone 6-0 in the divisional round since Mahomes took over in 2018, and this year is no different. A well-rested roster, including key veterans like Travis Kelce and Chris Jones, enters the postseason ready to pursue an unprecedented Super Bowl three-peat. Houston’s upset dreams seem far-fetched against a team that consistently elevates its game in January.
Who’s Got The Edge?
While the Chiefs hold the top spot, the Lions and Ravens aren’t far behind. Detroit’s offensive versatility and Baltimore’s balanced attack make them serious threats. The Eagles and Bills have the firepower to shake things up, but they’ll need to smooth out inconsistencies. Meanwhile, the Texans, Commanders, and Rams face steep uphill battles. The divisional round promises to bring the fireworks the wild-card games lacked, setting the stage for an unforgettable finish to the NFL season.
Also Read: Which NFL Teams Are Most Likely To Win Their First Super Bowl This Postseason?
