2025 NFL Divisional Round

 

Last weekend my picks were way off, nothing short of embarrassing, but I did say that I expected a lot of surprises during this year’s playoffs. I’m glad that I was wrong about one of my picks as the team I grew up watching, the Bears, was able to beat their longtime rivals and will host another playoff game this weekend. What will the divisional round look like? Here’s what I think:

Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos

Saturday 4:30PM on CBS

Coming off the bye, the Broncos are at home against the Bills, whom I picked against in the first round. I underestimated the Bills receivers which came up big last week but this week they face an even tougher secondary which will be helped by a good pass rush. The Bills will also bring a good defense with a secondary that is more than able to trouble a Broncos offense which at times seems to misfire and I think that will be the key. Will the Broncos offense be able to play up to par? I think the Broncos will be able to run the ball against the Bills defense and the Broncos defense will be able to hold up against a determined Bills team. The Broncos move on:

Broncos 21 Bills 20

San Francisco 49ers vs. Seatle Seahawks

Saturday 8:00PM on Fox

I saw a lot of unhappy passengers on my train ride to work this past Monday and I have been avoiding sports talk radio here in Philadelphia as I can just imagine what the conversations have sounded like. The 49ers came here and proved that they were the better team. Now they head up to Seattle where they will try to get a win against the #1 seed. I think the play calling for the Seahawks will be better than what the Niners saw last week and this will be a case where the differences in the defenses will be on display. The Seahawks will need to protect the ball as the Niners will need to force turnovers if they hope to win. I think the Seahawks win at home.

Seahawks 17 49ers 14

Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots

Sunday 3:00PM on ESPN

I picked against the Texans last week, which was a mistake and I suspect this is a 5^th seed that nobody wants to face. Their defense is for real and will pose yet another tough challenge for Drake Maye and the Patriots offense. I think this will be a low scoring affair and like so many of last week’s games, it will come down to the final drive. I also think the Patriots will move on with a chance to prove themselves against the #1 seed.

Patriots 13 Texans 10

Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears

Sunday 6:30PM on NBC

I feel like I should wait until the 2:00 warning to pick this one. I will not be shocked if the Bears are playing from behind once again and I’ll be pleasantly surprised if the Bears once again come back. I hope I’m wrong again this week, but I think this is the end of the line. This Rams team will put points on the board as will the Bears offense. This time though, I think the Rams will put the Bear in a hole that is just too deep to climb out of. The Rams will get another shot at one of their division rivals.

Rams 35 Bears 21

I’m not sure if this weekend will be able to top last weekend when it comes to exciting games, but it will come close. Hopefully, my Bears surprise me once again. What are your thoughts?