Seven NFL teams remain with a chance to reach Super Bowl 57. The NFL Divisional Round sets the stage for elite teams to rise.
No more bags. Each team will hit the gridiron and check their postseason credentials. Who will clinch a spot in the conference championship?
The Kansas City Chiefs opened the weekend with a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Behind hard-nosed Patrick Mahomes and a career day from Travis Kelce, they’ll clinch their fifth straight AFC Championship.
The Philadelphia Eagles are also in action on Saturday. They welcome the New York Giants for the third installment of the NFC East rivalry this season. The Eagles won both meetings, including a 48-22 win in late December.
Sunday could be an epic move. The Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills will settle the score after their Week 17 matchup was canceled. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers meet in prime time.
Follow every game: Latest NFL scores and schedules
Choices: Which remaining NFL teams reach the conference championship?
Upset alert: Ranking the top four based on who should worry the most in the divisional round
NFL Mock Draft: Where will the top college athletes land this season?
Here’s a rundown of all the wild card action around the NFL.
Kansas City Chiefs 27, Jacksonville Jaguars 20
In summary: Despite injuring his ankle late in the first quarter, Patrick Mahomes defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars and led the Kansas City Chiefs to their fifth straight AFC Championship. Mahomes went 22-for-30 through the air for 195 yards and two touchdowns, and after he sat out some of the second quarter and made a trip to the locker room for evaluation, he again added one of his first plays on first down. Backup Chad Henne threw a touchdown pass to Travis Kelce, who had a career-high 14 catches, breaking his own record for most catches by a tight end in a postseason game. Trevor Lawrence’s Cinderella season ends with a performance where he went 24-39 for 217 yards with a score and an interception.
A highlight to know: In the fourth quarter and up three, Mahomes extended the Chiefs’ lead with a one-foot touchdown pass. Sensing the pocket collapsing around him, he rose and leapt onto his left foot to feed the ball to Marquez Valdez-Scandling.
Next: The Chiefs will face the winner of the Cincinnati Bengals-Buffalo Bills matchup. The Jaguars’ season is over.
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
Kickoff: 8:15 pm ET (Saturday)
TV: Fox
Information about the race: Odds, Moneyline and more
What to know: The Giants come to Philadelphia looking to avenge two losses to the Eagles. While all eyes will be on Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and his injured shoulder, the main name to watch is Giants star Daniel Jones. Will he return for another signature moment? In Week 14, Jones completed 18 of 27 passes for 169 yards and two total touchdowns. The Giants need more to defeat their NFC East rivals. Expect the Eagles to try to stop Saquon Barkley. This puts all the onus on Jones to deliver. Instead, watch for the Eagles to lean on their balanced offense and put the Hurts in comfortable positions to make plays.
Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills
Kickoff: 3:00 PM ET (Sunday)
TV: CBS
Information about the race: Odds, Moneyline and more
What to know: The Bengals and Bills will meet on the gridiron for the first time since Tamar Hamlin’s horrific collapse in Week 17. Emotions will be high as both teams try to reach the AFC Championship Game. This contest may come down to who has the last football. Expect high scores between Josh Allen and Joe Burrow. Each quarterback excels in big games and gains momentum after the 2022 campaign.
For the Bengals, how their offensive line (minus three starters) plays will be key in giving Burrow enough time to probe the defense. Bills tight end Dawson Knox is a watchable X-factor. The senior has scored a touchdown in his last five games. Allen will look his way closer to the red-zone and Knox’s involvement in the run game will give the backfield tandem of Devin Singletary and James Cook a boost.
Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers
Kickoff: 6:30 PM ET (Sunday)
TV: Fox
Information about the race: Odds, Moneyline and more
What to know: The Cowboys have been waiting for this moment for the past year. They have a chance to avenge some late game issues against the 49ers in the 2021 NFL playoffs. Both the teams look different because of the emergence of new stars for this match. It was a huge game for guys like CeeDee Lamb, Tony Pollard, Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey. How will each player respond to this moment? The answer to that question could decide this match.
Purdy has shined in his improbable rookie season. He is “Mr. Irrelevant” for a high-powered NFL quarterback. A dynamic defensive front seven led by Cowboys defensive stars Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence will send pressure. Instead, the 49ers will face Nick Bosa and company to cheer on Dak Prescott. This game could be a throwback defensive battle. One mistake will decide the winner at the end of Sunday night.
