The NFL Divisional Round is here, and Saturday’s matchups are loaded with storylines, history, and heavyweight talent. The AFC gives us a clash between the sixth-seeded Buffalo Bills and the top-seeded Denver Broncos, while the NFC features a fierce West Coast rivalry as the San Francisco 49ers head north to face the Seattle Seahawks. Let’s break down what to watch in each of these high-stakes showdowns.
AFC Divisional Round: No. 6 Bills (13-5) at No. 1 Broncos (14-3)
It’s been a long time coming, but the Denver Broncos are finally back in a familiar position: the AFC’s No. 1 seed. This marks their first time atop the conference since 2015, the year they rode a dominant defense all the way to a Super Bowl 50 title. And fittingly, it’s that same side of the ball that’s leading the charge once again.
Denver’s defense has been nothing short of elite all season. They led the league in sacks with 68-bringing relentless pressure from all angles-and finished second in both total defense (278.2 yards per game allowed) and rushing defense (91.1 yards per game). Add to that a third-place ranking in both scoring defense (18.3 points per game allowed) and passes defensed (94), and you’re looking at a unit that’s built to win in January.
But if there’s a quarterback who can challenge a defense like that, it’s Josh Allen. The Bills’ star signal-caller has been a one-man wrecking crew in the postseason.
With 701 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns in his playoff career, Allen holds the record for most rushing yards by a quarterback in NFL postseason history and trails only one in rushing scores. His 309.5 combined passing and rushing yards per playoff game is the highest ever among QBs with at least 10 playoff starts.
Simply put: when the lights are brightest, Allen shows up.
This game is shaping up to be a classic battle of strength vs. strength-Denver’s suffocating defense against Buffalo’s dynamic, dual-threat quarterback. The Bills are riding momentum, but the Broncos are rested and ready, hosting their first playoff game since the 2015 AFC Championship. Expect fireworks, physicality, and a whole lot of intensity in the Mile High air.
NFC Divisional Round: No. 6 49ers (13-5) at No. 1 Seahawks (14-3)
The NFC side of Saturday’s slate brings us a matchup steeped in familiarity and playoff tradition. The Seattle Seahawks are back as the conference’s top seed for the first time since 2014, and they’re hosting their first postseason game since the 2020 Wild Card round. Historically, Lumen Field has been a fortress in January-Seattle won 10 straight home playoff games from 2006 to 2017-and they’ll be looking to recapture that magic as they chase their first playoff win since 2019.
Standing in their way are the battle-tested San Francisco 49ers, fresh off a gritty 23-19 road win over the Eagles. That victory snapped a road playoff drought that stretched back to the 2021 Divisional Round, when they took down the Packers at Lambeau.
This isn’t just another playoff game-it’s a rivalry with deep roots and real bite. The 49ers and Seahawks know each other well, and that familiarity usually breeds physical, high-stakes football. San Francisco has shown they can win tough games in hostile environments, and they’ll need that same edge if they want to knock off the NFC’s top seed.
For Seattle, this is a chance to reassert their identity as a postseason powerhouse. For San Francisco, it’s another opportunity to prove they’re built for the road and for the moment. Expect a hard-hitting chess match between two teams that know exactly what’s on the line.
Bottom Line:
Saturday’s Divisional Round games are more than just playoff matchups-they’re legacy-defining moments.
Whether it’s Josh Allen trying to outduel the league’s top defense, or two NFC West rivals battling for a shot at the conference title, these are the kinds of games that shape seasons-and careers. Buckle up.