We have four exciting divisional-round matchups coming this weekend. First of all, let’s look at how I did last week, and things did not go well for me. I went 2-4 and predicted the entirety of the NFC side of the playoff picture wrong. However, I am up to the task of getting all four of these games right and getting back to my winning ways. Without further do, let’s predict the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs.

Game 1: Houston Texans (4) @ Baltimore Ravens (1): Texans are coming off an impressive win over the Browns in dominating fashion as their defense showed up and dominated the second half and C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins leading the Texans on offense. It seems as if the Texans’ offseason moves paid off when they drafted Stroud, traded for DE Will Anderson, and hired Demeco Ryans, who ended up being the perfect coach. This led them to eventually make the playoffs and now win a playoff game. On the other hand, Lamar Jackson is one of the top candidates to win MVP and this Ravens team is phenomenal on both sides of the ball. Baltimore also has one of the best home crowds in the entire league and with the weather, the Ravens have an upper hand in this matchup. This will be a fun, close, and nail-biting game, and also the Texans have nothing to lose. They have come this far for a reason and will give it all they got. However, the Ravens are the best team in the NFL for a reason and are also more experienced overall. The Texans will have a tough time stopping the Ravens offense and will make some critical mistakes at the end. Hence, the Ravens beat the Texans and move on to the AFC Championship game. (Winner Prediction: Baltimore Ravens)

Game 2: Green Bay Packers (7) @ San Francisco 49ers (1): The Packers shocked everyone and dominated the Cowboys last weekend (is it really surprising though considering it’s the Cowboys? lol). They looked good on both sides of the ball led by Aaron Jones’ three TDs and the rest of the team looked pretty good as well. The 49ers will be well-rested and prepared for this matchup as most of their starters didn’t play in week 18 and the team also had a bye-week in the Wild Card Round. The 49ers have always dominated the Packers in the playoffs recently as they have won four games in a row against them. Due to the insane amount of depth on both sides of the ball from Brock Purdy, CMC, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, and the defense led by Nick Bosa, the Packers will get overwhelmed and once again lose to the 49ers in the playoffs. The Packers’ defense must have a significant impact in this game and limit Brock Purdy’s impact as well as Aaron Jones playing the same way he did last week against the Cowboys. This will be another close game, but once again, history will repeat itself as the 49ers will beat the Packers in the playoffs. (Winner Prediction: San Francisco 49ers)

Game 3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4) @ Detroit Lions (3): The Buccaneers showed out last week and dominated the Eagles, surprising nearly everyone. The defense was a huge reason why as they limited the Eagles’ ability to run the ball. Bucs QB Baker Mayfield must be really happy as he won a playoff game at the same time the Browns lost a playoff game without him. On the other hand, the Lions have won a playoff game for the first time in 32 years and also the first time at home in Ford Field. Their offense was good enough and the defense also made critical stops against the Rams offense. This will be a very exciting game, but I believe the Lions have the upper hand in this matchup. Similar to the Texans, no one expected the Bucs to reach this far, hence they have nothing to lose. They will have to rely on their defense to limit the Lions’ offense and also produce on the offensive side of the ball. This will be a close game that will go down to the wire, but in the end, the Detroit Lions will win and head back to the NFC Championship game for the first time since 1992. (Winner Prediction: Detroit Lions)

Game 4: Kansas City Chiefs (3) @ Buffalo Bills (2): Here we go again. For the third time in four years, the Bills will face off against the Chiefs in the playoffs. The last time these two teams matched up, the greatest playoff game of all time was played, in which the Chiefs won in OT (coin toss..). The Chiefs are coming off a win against the Dolphins in freezing temperatures where the offense looked good on all levels. This will be the first time that Patrick Mahomes will play in a road playoff game. The Bills will have extra motivation this weekend that will drive them to show out. The Chiefs’ defense, however, has been good all season and will have the ability to impact whatever Buffalo throws at them, but the offense isn’t looking like the powerhouse/level we are used to seeing them. This will be a decently close game, but since the Bills will use the run and James Cook a lot against the Chiefs’ defense, leading them to chip away against the Chiefs. This will be another close game, but I believe the Buffalo Bills will pull it off and defeat Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and the Kansas City Chiefs. (Winner Prediction: Buffalo Bills)