The divisional round has traditionally produced some of the best games of the NFL playoffs.
Remember the Browns game against the New York Jets in 1986? And the one against the Buffalo Bills in 1989?
The slate of divisional games this weekend appears to include some great matchups that we will also be looking back at years from now.
Here’s how they will play out, in my opinion:
AFC — Jacksonville Jaguars at Kansas City Chiefs — Saturday at 4:30 p.m. — The Jaguars are a great story this season. The Chiefs have been a much better story, and a much better team, for a lot of seasons, including this one. They also have the best player in the league at the most important position in team sports, quarterback, in Patrick Mahomes. And they’re at home. Prediction: Chiefs 37, Jaguars 24.
NFC — New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles — Saturday at 8:15 p.m. — Like the Jaguars, the Giants are the surging, surprising team that no one wants to play right now. The Eagles are good and well-rested, but this is the third time these NFC East foes have played each other this season and Philadelphia will have its hands full. The Eagles will win, but not by much. Prediction: Eagles 24, Giants 20.
AFC — Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills — Sunday at 3 p.m. — The Bengals were leading 14-7 when the game was stopped the last time these two teams played. They are confident they can get ahead in this one and stay there. The Bengals can score points on anyone and have a chip on their shoulder. This will be the best game of the weekend. Prediction: Bengals 31, Bills 30.
NFC — Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers — Sunday at 6:30 p.m. — This is the toughest game of the weekend to call. The Cowboys throttled Tampa Bay in the wild-card round, but now they’re facing the best defense in the NFL. I didn’t trust them against the Buccaneers, and I’m sure not I can trust them against a much better team that has a hot rookie quarterback and is playing at home. But at the same time, will that quarterback, a third-stringer who has emerged out of nowhere, come back down to earth at some point? Prediction: 49ers 26, Cowboys 22.
However they play out, enjoy the games.
Steve King
It’s hard to believe another year has gone by. Thanks Steve!
Thanks Steve for another great year. You are an encyclopedia for the Browns📙