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When the NFL playoffs come around it seems that all roads lead through Kansas City in recent years. With the champions having yet another year of home field advantage, who can step up and change their own destiny?
Houston Texans vs.
Kansas City Chiefs
Saturday January 18th, 4:30 PM ET
The two time defending champions come into the divisional round ready to make a run at a third title. The Texans wiped the bad taste of the regular season’s end out of their mouth and looked more like a contender during Wild Card weekend. The last time these two teams met in the playoffs, Houston led the game 21-0 and then got outscored 51-10 to finish the game.
Patrick Mahomes leads a very pedestrian offense which ranks in the middle of the pack in most offensive categories. The Chiefs have been able to control the clock leading the league in average minutes per drive (3:08).
Kansas City’s defense has been better than the offense. They finished the regular season top ten in both total points allowed and total yards allowed.
The Texans looked poised to take another step forward in these playoffs after their wild card game victory. The C.J. Stroud to Nico Collins connection was on point, while Joe Mixon eclipsed 100 yards on the ground. They’ll need the same balance and production (and then some) this weekend.
X-Factor:
Houston Texans: Cade Stover & Dalton Schultz – Tight End
Any opposing team will come in looking to stop Mixon and Collins. Stover and Shultz have to step up and make plays when they are single covered. The duo can be lethal on third down and they pose a real threat in the red zone.
Kansas City Chiefs: George Karlaftis – Defensive End
Karlaftis led the Chiefs in sacks and quarterback hits during the regular season and had 3.0 sacks in four games during last year’s playoffs. His pressure could be the catalyst for another defensive led Kansas City playoff run.
Prediction: Kansas City are the heavy favorites to win this game, but I think the Texans can give them a run for their money. I’ll take the Chiefs 24-21 in another close one.
Baltimore Ravens vs.
Buffalo Bills
Sunday January 19th, 6:30 PM ET
The top two MVP candidates will meet in the divisional round, as Josh Allen’s Bills will host Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. These two teams are very similar in the fact that they can put up points in a hurry. When you take into account both teams average over 30 points per game, you might not want to take to many bathroom breaks.
This game will feature a great mix of air and ground attacks. Both teams finished the regular season in the top ten in both passing and rushing yards per game.
Both teams are allowing just over 21.0 points per game. The Bills have done it with a ton of takeaways, while Baltimore has been menacing against opposing team’s rushing attacks.
X-Factor:
Baltimore Ravens: Roquan Smith – Inside Linebacker
Smith is a massive weapon in the middle of the Ravens’ defense and he will be up front and personal with the Bills’ rushing attack. He needs to continue to be a tackling machine and be the driving force behind shutting down the Bills’ offense.
Buffalo Bills: Khalil Shakir – Wide Receiver
Allen will do everything but catch his own passes and that’s where Shakir comes in. There’s a bit of electricity every time he catches the ball and he will get plenty of opportunities in this game. The more plays they can make in the air will keep the defense honest against their massive rushing attack.
Prediction: Both quarterbacks have something to prove this year, but I’ll take the Ravens to win the game 31-24 over the Bills.