Divisional Rd Predictions

purplefaithful wrote:
I luv the divisional rd, I think it's the best of the playoffs! Sadly (for me) it always opens up an old wound in my heart thats been there since 1975. 

======================================================

Bills at Broncos
My heart says Bills, my head says wait a minute, thats the #1 seed for a reason. I think Allen outplays the much less experienced Nix in this one and thats enough for a win in mile high.
Bills Win 
Agreed.  Playoff experience matters.  Bills

49'ers at Seahawks
Divisional game, so gotta be careful. The 49'ers were without star power last week and now no Kittle. I think it finally catches up to them this week. 
Seahawks Win
Really want the Seahawks to lose.  3rd matchup of a divisional game, Warner might be back.  But I also agree that the Mash unit might fall short.

Texans at Patriots
This is a tough one for me to predict. I dont trust Stroud, Maye is a youngen. I think Tx D is the difference
Texans Win
Battle of the defenses against young QBs.  Stroud was awful last week.  But Patriots cinderella season reaches an end. Texans

Rams at Bears
Talk about tough to predict. Bears have been feasting on last minute heroics and Stafford and company showed grit and experience last week. Like Maye, Caleb is a youngen and the pressure only gets more the deeper you get in the playoffs. 
Rams pull this one out setting up an NFC West showdown in the NFCCG in Seattle. 
Rams.  Playoff experience.  And the lucky bounces are fickle.  They can end just like that.  Want the Rams to win to take down Darnold and the Seahawks.

Bills
Hawks
Pats
Lambs

The games this past weekend were competitive and fun to watch, except for one, maybe two.  I'm looking forward to another competitive weekend as these are some tough matchups.  Strong defenses and possibly difficult playing conditions for all games in Denver, Seattle, Boston, and Chicago (all cold, possibly windy, and/or rainy).

Bills - Check-down Charlie will continue to find some success against the weaker Bills defense, but the difference-maker will be Cook as Denver will most likely spy Allen, blitz more often than their 27% in the regular season, and force them to throw underneath, leaving Cook open for key first downs.

49ers - Other than a key turnover by the 49ers, the difference-maker will be Purdy.  The Seahawks defense will gameplan to stop McCaffrey in all facets, like the Vikings did with the Eagles and Saquon, forcing Purdy to use his legs and his arm.  Not having Kittle will prove to be difficult against one of the best defenses, but Tongues and Jennings step up and give Purdy a reliable option when needed most.  McCaffrey will prove to be too difficult to stop in the receiving game too.  I really like how Barner is improving and he looks scary, but JSN is held in check and a costly turnover by either Darnold or one of the two-headed monster in the backfield costs them the game.

Pats - I love Demco Ryans and would love to see him win a Superbowl.  However, Vrabel finds a way to outsmart the Texans in this one.  Collins is nursing an injury and may not be at full health and Marks has been improving, but the Pats defense steps up as a unit and gives Maye the keys to drain the clock.  The difference-maker will be Mike Vrabel.

Rams - Junky game for the Rams and Bears at Soldier, but remember that Stafford and Adams played in the NFC North for many years and know it well.  Despite the wether challenges, it's the Samoan who is the difference-maker.  His blocking, sweeps, hands, and physicality will prove to be too much for the weaker Bears defense.  Both Williams and Corum will have a good game as well.  Darkhorse is Devonte Adams who took offense to the comments from Ben Johnson last week ("F^CK the Packers!") finds a way to put the nail in the coffin for the Bears' season.

purplefaithful wrote:
I luv the divisional rd, I think it's the best of the playoffs! Sadly (for me) it always opens up an old wound in my heart thats been there since 1975. 

======================================================

Bills at Broncos
My heart says Bills, my head says wait a minute, thats the #1 seed for a reason. I think Allen outplays the much less experienced Nix in this one and thats enough for a win in mile high.
Bills Win

49'ers at Seahawks
Divisional game, so gotta be careful. The 49'ers were without star power last week and now no Kittle. I think it finally catches up to them this week. 
Seahawks Win

Texans at Patriots
This is a tough one for me to predict. I dont trust Stroud, Maye is a youngen. I think Tx D is the difference
Texans Win

Rams at Bears
Talk about tough to predict. Bears have been feasting on last minute heroics and Stafford and company showed grit and experience last week. Like Maye, Caleb is a youngen and the pressure only gets more the deeper you get in the playoffs. 
Rams pull this one out setting up an NFC West showdown in the NFCCG in Seattle. 

Yep, agree with this across the board.

Seahawks -  That defense is for real and good.  The run game keeps Darnold from Blue Screening.  Only way I see the 9ers winning is if Darnold throws 3+ interceptions.
Bears - One more pull it out of your butt win at the end of the game.  While that defense isn't great, somehow they keep finding a way to win.  I think they are all too young and dumb to know when they are supposed to lose.
Patriots - Vrabel is the difference here.  Yes, that Texans defense is fantastic, but the Pats D is no slouch.  Maye is an MVP candidate and I think he continues.
Broncos - Effing DESPISE Sean Payton, but the SOB can coach.  Nix will do just enough and the Broncos defense will completely shut down Allen and the gang.

Seahawks
Rams
Bills
Texans

#Seahawks QB Sam Darnold has been added to the injury report with an oblique injury and is QUESTIONABLE for Saturday's divisional round game against the 49ers. pic.twitter.com/bfe4mzthiQ

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 15, 2026

Bills
Seahawks
Texans
Rams

I wanna see how darnold plays, San Fran is beat up and missing starters.

Hope darnold walks thru the open door and gets to the next level, I'm pulling for him.