The NFL playoffs’ divisional round matchups are set in what’s expected to be an eventful weekend of football.
The divisional round kicks off with the Buffalo Bills visiting the Denver Broncos. The San Francisco 49ers travel to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Seattle Seahawks in an NFC West playoff bout.
Sunday begins with the Houston Texans and New England Patriots. The divisional round ends with the Los Angeles Rams taking on the Chicago Bears in the Windy City.
USA TODAY Sports provides the early predictions for the divisional round of the playoffs:
NFL divisional round predictions, picks
Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos
Date: Saturday, Jan. 17
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver
TV: CBS
Streaming: Paramount+
Spread: Bills (-1)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Bills 22, Broncos 20
Denver’s stingy defense versus Josh Allen and the Bills offense. The Broncos defense will play well and slow down Allen and the Bills. But Denver’s offense ended the year stagnant and will make a couple costly turnovers, which will put its defense in a tough spot.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks
Date: Saturday, Jan. 17
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Lumen Field, Seattle
TV: FOX
Streaming: FOX One
Spread: Seahawks (-7.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Seahawks 25, 49ers 20
The injury-riddled 49ers deserve a lot of credit for advancing to the divisional round. George Kittle’s Achilles injury was a sobering reminder of what a healthy 49ers team would’ve looked like. At some point injuries are going to catch up to Kyle Shanahan’s team. A well-rested Seahawks team gets the victory.
Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
Date: Sunday, Jan. 18
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
TV: ESPN/ABC
Streaming: ESPN App
Spread: Patriots (-2.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Texans 20, Patriots 16
The Texans have a Super Bowl-caliber defense. C.J. Stroud and the offense just have to make timely plays and avoid game-changing turnovers. Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, Derek Stingley Jr. and the Texans defense contain Drake Maye and the Patriots in New England.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
Date: Sunday, Jan. 18
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Location: Soldier Field, Chicago
TV: NBC
Streaming: Peacock
Spread: Rams (-4)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Rams 27, Bears 20
The Bears ranked 31st in pass rush win rate during the regular season, per ESPN. That’s bad news for Chicago as they try to slow down Matthew Stafford and the NFL’s top offense. The Rams’ prolific offense will be too much for a subpar Bears defense.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
