Power-Packed Action: Unveiling the NFL Playoff Schedule 2024 for Thrilling Divisional Rounds

NFL playoff schedule 2024: Take a glimpse at the divisional round with this exclusive preview.

The NFL playoffs are well underway, with Super Wild Card Weekend now behind us. We are now eagerly heading towards the divisional round, which promises to deliver some thrilling matchups.

For the first time in his playoff career, Patrick Mahomes will hit the road as the Chiefs travel to Buffalo to take on the Bills. This clash of talented quarterbacks in the AFC will also see Lamar Jackson, the favorite for the MVP title, go head-to-head with C.J. Stroud, who is a strong contender for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

In the NFC, the Niners will emerge from their bye week and host the Packers, led by Jordan Love. The Packers recently caused an upset by defeating the Cowboys in Dallas. On the other hand, the Lions, fresh off their first playoff victory since 1991, will be hosting the Buccaneers, who managed to upset the Eagles on Monday night.

As mentioned earlier, we are in for another incredible weekend of football, and we are here to provide you with an early glimpse into the upcoming action. Let’s take a closer look at the divisional round and some intriguing storylines to keep an eye on.

AFC Divisional Round Preview: Texans vs. Ravens
Texans (4) at Baltimore Ravens (1)
Saturday, Jan. 20 at 4:30 p.m. ET (ESPN, ABC, fubo)
Odds (via Caesars Sportsbook): Ravens -9.5, O/U 45.5

The upcoming AFC Divisional Round matchup between the Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens is set to be an exciting clash between two talented quarterbacks. Lamar Jackson, the frontrunner for the MVP award, has led the Ravens to the top seed in the conference, while C.J. Stroud has impressed in his rookie season and is the favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

The quarterback battle between Jackson and Stroud is one that fans can look forward to for years to come. At just 27 years old, Jackson has already established himself as one of the league’s premier quarterbacks, while Stroud, at 22 years old, has shown immense potential in his debut season.

On the defensive side, the Ravens have been dominant throughout the season. They boast the second-best red zone defense in the league, allowing opponents to score on just 40.8% of their trips. Additionally, they have excelled in limiting yards per play and have been strong on third downs. Offensively, the Ravens could receive a boost with the return of tight end Mark Andrews, who has been designated to come back from an ankle injury.

The Texans, led by Stroud, have been efficient with the football, committing the fewest turnovers in the league this season. In their wild-card victory over the Cleveland Browns, they did not give the ball away at all. Wide receiver Nico Collins will be a key weapon for Stroud, as he showcased his skills with a standout performance in the win over the Browns. Houston’s offense has also relied on explosive plays, with multiple receivers making big catches of 25 yards or more.

While the focus may be on Baltimore’s elite defense, it’s important to note that the Texans’ unit has been solid as well. They have performed well in the red zone, ranked decently in yards per play allowed, and have been effective on third downs.

Overall, this AFC Divisional Round matchup promises to be an intriguing battle between two talented teams. The Ravens’ dominant defense will be tested by the smart and explosive offense of the Texans. Fans can expect an exciting game with plenty of highlights from both sides.

Kansas City (3) will be facing off against the Buffalo Bills (2) on Sunday, Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcasted on CBS and Paramount+. According to the odds from Caesars Sportsbook, the Bills are favored by 2.5 points with an over/under of 46.

The upcoming matchup between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen is highly anticipated. This will be their third playoff encounter, with Mahomes currently holding a 2-0 record against Allen. However, what makes this game even more intriguing is that it will be the first time they face off in Buffalo. It is also the first time Mahomes will be playing a playoff game on the road. So far, their head-to-head record stands at 3-3, with the most recent meeting resulting in a 20-17 victory for the Bills in Week 14 at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Chiefs enter this game with confidence after a convincing win against the Dolphins. Their defense was particularly impressive, holding Miami to just seven points and dominating on third downs. Throughout the regular season, the Chiefs’ defense ranked in the top five on third-down conversions. On the offensive side, wide receiver Rashee Rice has emerged as a bright spot, complementing tight end Travis Kelce. Rice’s performance of eight catches, 130 yards, and a touchdown in the previous game showcased his strong play.

Meanwhile, the Bills have some injury concerns to monitor leading up to this game. Linebackers Terrell Bernard and Baylon Spector, as well as corner Taron Johnson, exited their playoff win over Pittsburgh due to injuries. Additionally, linebacker Tyrel Dodson, safety Taylor Rapp, and corners Rasul Douglas and Christian Benford did not play in their previous game due to injuries. The progress of these players throughout the week will be crucial for Buffalo.

Overall, this matchup promises to be an exciting clash between two talented quarterbacks and their respective teams.

However, Buffalo has maintained their impressive form. They secured five consecutive victories to conclude the regular season, propelling them to the coveted No. 2 seed in the conference. Josh Allen has consistently performed at an MVP caliber during this streak, showcasing his versatility in the triumph against the Steelers. Notably, he contributed three passing touchdowns and sealed the game with a remarkable 52-yard touchdown on Monday.

NFC divisional round preview
Green Bay Packers (7) vs San Francisco 49ers (1)
Saturday, Jan. 20 at 8 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)
Betting Odds (via Caesars Sportsbook): 49ers -10, O/U 50

The Green Bay Packers shocked everyone in the opening weekend of the playoffs with their impressive victory over the Dallas Cowboys. They dominated the game, winning 48-32, and showcased a stellar performance from their quarterback, Jordan Love. Love displayed shades of Aaron Rodgers, completing 16 of his 21 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns. He distributed the ball effectively to seven different receivers and received great support from running back Aaron Jones, who rushed for 118 yards and three touchdowns.

On the other hand, the San Francisco 49ers had a first-round bye and are ready to make a deep playoff run. They have been considered one of the top teams throughout the season and are currently the favorites to win Super Bowl LVIII. The 49ers boasted the second-highest scoring offense in the NFL, led the league in yards per play, and excelled on third downs. Defensively, they have been outstanding, ranking in the top 10 in yards per play allowed. Quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Christian McCaffrey had exceptional seasons, with Purdy even entering the MVP conversation.

The coaching matchup between Matt LaFleur of the Packers and Kyle Shanahan of the 49ers adds an intriguing element to this game. LaFleur served as Shanahan’s quarterbacks coach during their time together in Washington and later reunited as part of the Atlanta Falcons coaching staff. Both coaches have had success in their respective roles and will surely bring their best strategies to this divisional round matchup.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4) will be facing the Detroit Lions (3) on Sunday, Jan. 21 at 3 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcasted on NBC and fubo. According to the odds from Caesars Sportsbook, the Lions are favored by 6 points with an over/under of 48.5.

After their first home playoff game since 1993, the Lions are now preparing for their second consecutive home playoff game against the Buccaneers. They secured their first playoff win since 1991 by defeating the Rams during Super Wild Card Weekend, breaking the league’s longest playoff losing streak of 9 games. The Lions’ offense had a strong start against the Rams, scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions and moving the ball effectively in the first half. In the second half, their defense played a crucial role by preventing the Rams from scoring touchdowns on two red zone trips and three overall for the game. However, their secondary has shown vulnerability against the pass, as evidenced by Puka Nacua’s rookie playoff record of 181 receiving yards against them, despite being in a losing effort. It will be intriguing to see how the Lions’ defense plans to defend against the Buccaneers’ talented group of receivers, led by Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

On the other hand, the Buccaneers defeated the defending NFC Champion Eagles on Monday night to advance to the divisional round. Baker Mayfield, who has been one of the most underrated offseason additions this year, had an impressive performance with 337 passing yards and three touchdowns against Philly. From a gambling perspective, it will be interesting to see if the Buccaneers can continue their success against the spread on the road. During the regular season, Tampa Bay had the best against-the-spread record on the road with 8 wins and 1 loss.

In their previous matchup in Week 6 of this season, the Lions defeated the Buccaneers 20-6 in Tampa. Jared Goff had a strong game with 353 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Amon-Ra St. Brown had an outstanding performance with 12 receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown. It remains to be seen if history will repeat itself or if the Buccaneers can pull off another upset in this game.

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