NFL playoffs: Divisional Round schedule

The first-ever Super Wild Card Weekend in NFL history is in the books, setting the stage for intriguing matchups during the Divisional Round.

One of the San Francisco 49ers’ NFC West rivals will be featured in the early game on Saturday. Coming off a 30-20 upset-win over the Seattle Seahawks, the Los Angeles Rams will be on the road to take on the conference’s top seed, the Green bay Packers.

The Rams’ defense impressed in its Wild Card win over Seattle, sacking Russell Wilson five times and returning an interception for a touchdown. The unit will have its hands full against Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams and the loaded Packers’ offense.

The second Saturday game should be a good one in Buffalo when the high-flying Bills host Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.

Quarterback Josh Allen went 26-of-35 for 324 yards, two touchdowns and two rushing scores in the Bills’ 27-24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Buffalo has won seven games in a row going into the matchup.

Baltimore avenged its 2019 playoff defeat by beating the Tennessee Titans 20-13 on Wild Card Weekend. The Ravens’ defense held running back Derrick Henry to just 40 yards on 18 attempts.

Sunday’s early game sees the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs host the upstart Cleveland Browns. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs went an NFL-best 14-2 to secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Without head coach Kevin Stefanski — who missed the game due to the league’s COVID-19 protocols — the Browns jumped out to 28-0 and never looked back in their win 48-37 win over their AFC North rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cleveland picked off Steelers’ QB Ben Roethlisberger four times which helped to get its first playoff victory in 25 years.

The late-game Sunday will be a matchup of two Hall of Fame quarterbacks. Tom Brady and Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on Drew Brees at the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome,

Brady torched the Washington Football Team for 381 yards and two touchdowns in the Bucs’ 31-23 win on Wild Card Weekend.

New Orleans’ defense dominated the Chicago Bears. The Saints held the Bears to just 289 total yards and went on to a comfortable 21-9 win.

This will be the third matchup of the season between the NFC South rivals. New Orleans beat Tampa Bay 34-23 in Week 1 and followed that up with a 38-3 beatdown against the Bucs in Week 9.

Here is the complete schedule for the Divisional Round:

Saturday, Jan. 16

1:35 p.m. PT: Los Angeles Rams (11-6) @ Green Bay Packers (13-3) on FOX

5:15 p.m. PT: Baltimore Ravens @ Buffalo Bills (14-3) on NBC

Sunday, Jan. 17

12:05 p.m. PT: Cleveland Browns (12-5) @ Kansas City Chiefs (14-2) on CBS

3:40 p.m. PT: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-5) @ New Orleans Saints (12-4) on FOX

What are your early predictions for the Divisional Round?