Wild Card Weekend….kind of a bust? Most games were blowouts. Nay, all but one game was literally a massive blowout. The Vikings never showed up, the Chargers just threw another interception, the Steelers weren’t thinking about the past or present, and the Broncos were just happy to be there. Shoutout to the Bucs and Commanders for at least making things interesting. Hopefully the Divisional Round will bring closer games and better action. The Chiefs and Lions should be well rested after their bye week as the number one seed in each conference. Here’s our 2025 NFC Divisional Playoffs preview.
Washington Commanders vs Detroit Lions
Saturday, Jan. 18 at 8 pm ET on FOX
How about Jayden Daniels and the Commanders coming back to take down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They forced a timely turnover of Baker Mayfield to put themselves ahead and then stormed down the field and won it after the Bucs tied late. Sure, it may have taken a doink to get the job done, but here they are. And as their prize for winning last week, they get to travel to the belly of the beast and face the Lions who are coming off a much-needed bye week.
I like the Commanders, I like their story, and I am happy for their fans who are finally getting to watch a fun team after watching Dan Snyder destroy things for years. However, the Detroit Lions are a different kind of beast. I believe the Lions are Super Bowl bound and while the Commanders might test them, they won’t stop them.
The key to this game will be Jahmyr Gibbs and the Lions running game. They run it second most in the league. The Commanders are 30th at stopping the run. They are 27th in stopping fourth downs which we know the Lions love to do. The Lions will be too much for the Commanders in this game. Prediction: Commanders 23 Lions 31
Los Angeles Rams vs Philadelphia Eagles
Sunday, Jan. 19 at 3 pm ET on NBC
Props to the Rams who came into the game after the incredibly hard week that they had with the wildfires in LA and pounded the Vikings who looked like one of the best teams in the NFL all season. It was incredible how they disrupted Sam Darnold and sacked him six times in the first half alone. They ended the game with nine total sacks which tied an NFL playoff record.
I have to believe that the Eagles, were watching that game on Monday Night thinking, “oh crap.” I wasn’t impressed by Philly one bit against Green Bay. Jalen Hurts was terrible for most of the game. It was their defense that made the stops that were needed and the Packers making too many undisciplined mistakes that allowed Philly to win, 22-10.
This time around, they have to deal with a red-hot Matt Stafford who didn’t have to do all that much a week ago considering his defense was all over the field and creating chaos for the Vikings. I love an upset, and the Rams are playing for something bigger than themselves which fuels that. Prediction: Rams 26 Eagles 23