NFL Divisional Round schedule
The GIST: After four long days without playoff football, the eight remaining squads will be back on the gridiron this weekend, hoping to punch their tickets to next week’s conference championships. And if the Wild Card action taught us anything, it’s that truly anything can happen in the postseason. Buckle up.
Tomorrow’s games: The fun begins with the AFC No. 1 seed Kansas City Chiefs hosting the No. 4 Jacksonville Jaguars at 4:30 p.m. ET. Led by superstar quarterback (QB) and NWSL investor Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City is heavily favored at home, but QB Trevor Lawrence’s Jags are fresh off the third largest playoff comeback in NFL history. Never say never.
- Then comes the 8:15 p.m. ET nightcap, featuring the NFC No. 6 NY Giants vs. No. 1 Philadelphia Eagles in an all–NFC East showdown. The Birds are expected to prevail — everyone’s favorite Christmas carolers did win both regular-season meetings, after all.
- That said, after eliminating the No. 3 Minnesota Vikings last weekend, the G-Men already have one massive postseason upset under their belts; could the third time around vs. the Eagles will be the charm?
Sunday’s games: The 3 p.m. ET battle between the AFC No. 3 Cincinnati Bengals and No. 2 Buffalo Bills is one of the most highly anticipated of the weekend. Not only will it pit two of the NFL’s best offenses against each other, it’s also a rematch of the Week 17 game in which Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin suffered on-field cardiac arrest.
- ICYMI: Hamlin has since been discharged from the hospital and visits the Bills’ facility almost daily as he continues his recovery. Maybe he’ll be on hand to witness his QB Josh Allen and Cincy signal-caller Joe Burrow trading touchdowns.
- For the grand finale, the NFC No. 5 Dallas Cowboys face the No. 2 San Francisco 49ers at 6:30 p.m. ET for the record-tying ninth time in the playoffs. Niners QB Brock “Mr. Irrelevant” Purdy made himself relevant by leading his stacked squad to glory last week, but Dallas’ stalwart defense should pose a bigger challenge.
