The NFL playoffs are back in full swing this weekend as the divisional round kicks off after a brief five-day breather. And right out of the gate, we’ve got two heavyweight matchups featuring the top seeds in each conference. Both the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks return to action after enjoying their well-earned first-round byes - and both will be tested by hungry No. 6 seeds with something to prove.
Saturday’s Playoff Slate: A Tale of Two No. 1 vs. No. 6 Showdowns
Let’s start in the AFC, where the Denver Broncos will host the Buffalo Bills in a rematch of last year’s playoff clash. That one wasn’t close - the Bills rolled to a 31-7 win in Buffalo. But this year, the scenery shifts to the altitude of Empower Field at Mile High, and the stakes feel a whole lot different.
Denver, the AFC West champs, have been waiting for this moment. After a decade-long absence from the Super Bowl conversation, they’re looking to reassert themselves among the league’s elite.
But standing in their way is a Bills squad that’s been here before - and knows what it takes to win on the road in January. Buffalo’s aiming for a second straight trip to the AFC Championship Game, and they’ve got the weapons to make it happen.
Kickoff for this one is set for 3:30 p.m. MT on CBS, and it promises to be a physical, high-stakes battle between two teams with unfinished business.
Later in the Day: NFC West Rivalry Hits the Playoff Stage
Over in the NFC, the nightcap brings us a familiar matchup with a playoff twist: the Seattle Seahawks hosting the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field. This will be the third meeting between these division rivals this season - and the second in just over two weeks.
The season series was split, with each team winning on the road. The 49ers took the opener, 17-13, while the Seahawks answered in emphatic fashion, clinching the NFC West crown and the conference’s top seed with a 13-3 win in the regular-season finale.
Now, with everything on the line, these two know each other inside and out. Expect a chess match between coaching staffs and a slugfest between rosters that don’t like to give an inch.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. PT on FOX, and the atmosphere in Seattle should be electric.
Playoff Picture and Super Bowl Outlook
With wild-card weekend in the rearview, the bracket tightens up. The divisional round runs January 17-18, setting the stage for the conference championships next week. And while the Seahawks remain the betting favorites to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, the landscape is shifting.
Despite not playing last week, the Broncos have seen their Super Bowl odds dip slightly - a reflection of how strong teams like the Bills and Patriots have looked lately. But don’t let that fool you: Denver is still a top-tier contender, especially with home-field advantage in their back pocket.
The next 48 hours will go a long way in defining the road to Super Bowl Sunday. Can the top seeds hold serve at home? Or will the No. 6 seeds crash the party and shake up the bracket?
We’re about to find out. Buckle up - playoff football is back.