🏈 NFL Divisional Round 2025: Matchups, Predictions, and Key Storylines

The 2025 NFL Playoffs are heating up as we head into the Divisional Round! After an action-packed Wild Card Weekend, the top-seeded teams in the AFC and NFC will take the field for the first time, setting the stage for thrilling showdowns. In this post, we’ll break down the matchups, explore key storylines, and predict who will move one step closer to Super Bowl 59.

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📅 Divisional Round Schedule

Here’s the lineup for the Divisional Round, scheduled for January 18–19, 2025. All times are in ET:

Saturday, January 18, 2025

• 4:30 PM ET: #2 San Francisco 49ers vs. #3 Detroit Lions (FOX)
• 8:15 PM ET: #1 Kansas City Chiefs vs. #4 Miami Dolphins (CBS)

Sunday, January 19, 2025

• 3:00 PM ET: #1 Philadelphia Eagles vs. #5 Dallas Cowboys (FOX)
• 6:30 PM ET: #2 Baltimore Ravens vs. #6 Buffalo Bills (NBC)

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🔥 Matchup Breakdowns and Predictions

AFC Matchups

#1 Kansas City Chiefs vs. #4 Miami Dolphins

• Storyline: The Chiefs, led by the electrifying Patrick Mahomes, are chasing their third Super Bowl appearance in five years. Meanwhile, the Dolphins boast one of the league's most explosive offenses, featuring Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill, who will be facing his former team.
• Key Matchup: Can the Dolphins’ offense crack the Chiefs’ defense, anchored by Chris Jones, while containing Mahomes' magic?
• Prediction: Chiefs 34, Dolphins 24

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#2 Baltimore Ravens vs. #6 Buffalo Bills

• Storyline: Two of the league's best quarterbacks—Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen—go head-to-head in this showdown. Baltimore’s top-ranked rushing offense faces a Buffalo defense that excelled in shutting down Jacksonville last week.
• Key Matchup: The Ravens’ secondary, featuring Marlon Humphrey, must contain Allen’s deep-ball threat to Stefon Diggs.
• Prediction: Ravens 27, Bills 21

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NFC Matchups

#1 Philadelphia Eagles vs. #5 Dallas Cowboys

• Storyline: A classic NFC East rivalry takes center stage. The Eagles, led by Jalen Hurts, enter as the NFC’s top seed. The Cowboys, fresh off a dominant Wild Card win, will lean on Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons to pull off the upset.
• Key Matchup: Dallas’ pass rush vs. Philadelphia’s elite offensive line. Can Parsons disrupt Hurts enough to slow the Eagles’ high-powered attack?
• Prediction: Eagles 30, Cowboys 20

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#2 San Francisco 49ers vs. #3 Detroit Lions

• Storyline: The Lions, led by Jared Goff, continue their Cinderella story, but they face a tough challenge against the 49ers, whose defense is one of the league’s best. Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel lead San Francisco’s multifaceted offense.
• Key Matchup: The Lions’ offensive line must protect Goff against the 49ers’ fearsome pass rush, led by Nick Bosa.
• Prediction: 49ers 28, Lions 17

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🔮 Players to Watch in the Divisional Round

• Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs): The reigning MVP will be crucial for Kansas City’s Super Bowl aspirations.
• Tyreek Hill (Miami Dolphins): Facing his former team, Hill will be determined to make an impact.
• Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens): Jackson’s dual-threat ability could be the key to Baltimore advancing.
• Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles): Hurts’ MVP-caliber season will face its biggest test against Dallas.
• Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco 49ers): McCaffrey’s versatility as a runner and receiver makes him a game-changer.

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📺 How to Watch

• TV Broadcasts:

  • CBS, FOX, NBC
  • Check your local listings or visit NFL’s Broadcast Schedule for details.

• Streaming Options:

  • NFL+
  • Amazon Prime Video (select games)

• International Access:

  • NFL Game Pass offers live streaming globally.

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🌟 What’s Next: Road to the Conference Championships

Once the Divisional Round concludes, we’ll turn our attention to the Conference Championships. The matchups will be determined by the winners of this weekend's games, with the top remaining seeds hosting.

Here’s what to expect in our next blog post:

• Full analysis of the AFC and NFC Championship Games.
• Updated predictions for Super Bowl 59.
• A deep dive into key players and storylines shaping the final stretch of the postseason.

Bookmark this page and follow us for real-time updates, expert insights, and more!

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