The Super Bowl and conference championship games are great, certainly, but the best part of the NFL postseason has always been the divisional round, which plays out this weekend.
Over the years, there have been more memorable games in this round than any other.
Here are a few quick thoughts on the four matchups this time:
*Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs — AFC — Saturday at 4:30 p.m. — The Chiefs are the new version of the New England Patriots in that they always find a win. The Texans, and in particular quarterback C.J. Stroud, who could end up being the heir apparent to Patrick Mahomes, will learn a lot by playing this game. Look for ex-Browns running back Kareem Hunt to have a big day for re-focused Kansas City, which isn’t about to lose at home.
*Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions — NFC — Saturday at 8 p.m. — From Monroe to Madison Heights, Clawson to Canton and Taylor to Troy and all points in between, is there anyone in Southeast Michigan who believes the Lions will lose this game? Of course not! But that feel-good story — and the Lions’ quest to become NFL champions for the first time since they beat the Browns 67 years ago, in 1957, in the second term of the Eisenhower administration (did you, your parents or grandparents have a “I like Ike” button?) — has been told again and again and again. The bigger reason to watch this game if you have no special attachment to either team, is to check out Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who is a true dual-threat guy. He is amazing. He was taken with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, which is where the Browns seneck this year. Deep down inside, though they will never admit it, the people inside Halas Hall, the headquarters of the Lions’ arch rivals, the Chicago Bears, are kicking themselves for bypassing Daniels to take Caleb Williams at No. 1.
*Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles — NFC — Sunday at 3 p.m. — Speaking of regrets, do you think the New York Giants have some — or a whole lot — over the fact they let Saquon Barkley get away to the arch rival Philadelphia Eagles? He is a beast of a running back and will carry — literally and figuratively — the Eagles into the NFC title game against the Lions at Ford Field next Sunday in what should be a dandy matchup.
*Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills — AFC — Saturday at 6:30 p.m. — This is the dandy matchup for this week. It is the most competitive game, at least on paper, of the round, and that’s saying a lot. Both teams are legitimate, no-fooling contenders to not just get to the Super Bowl, but also to win it. That’s because the quarterbacks, Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson and Buffalo’s Josh Allen, are battling for the league MVP award. If you have time to watch only one divisional game, then definitely make this the one. Indeed, the league and TV people have saved the best of the best weekend for last. I’ll take the Bills to win, mostly because they’re at home, where they lose about as often as 60-degree days come in Orchard Park, N.Y. in the last half of January. But this one really, truly could go either way.
Anyway, enjoy the games — and stay warm and be safe.
Steve King
