After an exciting Super Wildcard weekend, we have reached the 2024 Divisional Round. Will we see any upsets, or will the favorites rule the weekend? Let’s take a look.
Hand up! I was wrong about the Houston Texans last week. While it took the offense a while to get going, the Houston defense played lights out against the Broncos.
With a matchup at Arrowhead up next for the Texans, they will be looking for their defense to step up again. The last time these two teams met (Week 16), the Chiefs controlled the tempo on offense and kept the Texans at arm’s length the entire game.
The Texans’ offense cannot bank on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs only scoring seven points. While they have not looked like the Chiefs of old this season, their experience and talent are more than enough to guarantee they will put points on the board.
It is hard to pick against the Chiefs. They play disciplined football on defense, and their offense is always a threat, with Patrick Mahomes at Quarterback. The Chiefs won eleven games by one score this season, which helps me feel confident in their ability to defeat the Texans this weekend.
Score: Chiefs – 31 Texans – 20
Let me preface this breakdown by saying this: the Commanders and their fans should be pleased with this season. The future in Washington looks very bright for the Jayden Daniels-led squad.
With that being said, the Commanders will not win this game. The Detroit Lions are on a level above the competition right now.
Detroit has been decimated by injuries this season and still feels like the most complete roster in the playoffs. On the topic of injuries, it is expected that running back David Montgomery will be returning for the Lions, adding another weapon to Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson’s inventory.
If you are here for the bold predictions, it’s your lucky day. Watch for Jared Goff to throw five touchdowns, each to a different receiver. The Commanders will not go down without a fight, but the Lions are a tier above the rest of the field.
Score: Lions – 45 Commanders – 21
These teams met in Week 4 this season, and the Ravens handed the Bills a 35-10 loss. Can the Bills extract some revenge? Let’s break it down.
Both teams handled business in the Wild-card round last week, and this game could decide who will represent the AFC in the Superbowl. In a match between two Superbowl favorites, conventional thinking would tell you that this will be a back-and-forth game that comes down to the final play. It will not.
The Week 4 game will prove to have been a preview of what we see in the Divisional round. The Baltimore Ravens will absolutely smoke the Buffalo Bills. Don’t get me wrong. I believe Josh Allen is one of the best Quarterbacks in the NFL, but this season, his efforts won’t be enough to take down the Ravens.
The duo of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry will feast this weekend just as they have done all season. The Ravens will follow the trend I see forming in this week’s games and win in convincing fashion.
Score: Ravens – 38 Bills – 17
Of every game in this year’s Divisional Round, this game has been the hardest for me to assess. Both teams looked great in their Wild-card games and have a ton of momentum coming into this one.
The Rams’ defense stifled the Vikings’ offense, and they even scored a touchdown of their own. On the flip side, the Eagles’ defense pressured Jordan Love to the point that he never truly looked comfortable.
A part of me wants to pick Los Angeles this week after seeing the Eagles’ offense slow down a bit in the middle portion of last week’s game. The Ram’s defense will not allow Philadelphia back into this game if Jalen Hurt’s squad cannot remain consistent.
However, I believe in Philadelphia’s defense and running back Saquon Barkley to pick against them in this spot. Even with breakout star Nakobe Dean out, watch for the Eagles to harass Matthew Stafford all game and come away with the victory, punching their ticket to the NFC Championship game.
Score: Eagles – 24 Rams – 13
This weekend, we will see the true contenders separate themselves from the pack. Will the powerhouses steamroll the competition, or are we in for some surprises this weekend? Please share this article and let me know your thoughts.
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