NFL Divisional Round Predictions: Picks for Each Game

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NFL Divisional Round Predictions: Picks for Each Game

NFL Divisional Round Predictions: Picks for Each Game — Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Matt Johnson · Sportsnaut

Tue, Jan 13, 2026 ·

3 min read

Buffalo Bills 20, Denver Broncos 17

Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The winner of the Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos matchup will almost certainly be the favorite in the AFC Championship Game. Home-field advantage and a superior defense give Denver an edge, especially considering how Bo Nix has performed during the second half of the season. However, the Broncos have not been able to run the football efficiently since J.K. Dobbins went down, which is the primary path to success against Buffalo's defense. In a low-scoring game, Josh Allen will once again lead the team on a fourth-quarter comeback with a late, go-ahead touchdown drive to send Buffalo to the AFC title game.

Seattle Seahawks 24, San Francisco 49ers 17

Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

One big difference for the San Francisco 49ers ' rematch against the Seattle Seahawks is the return of All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams . Even with George Kittle sidelined, having one of the league's best linemen out there should generate a few more explosive passing plays and additional red-zone trips. With that said, San Francisco will not be able to run the football effectively, and Seattle just demonstrated in Week 18 that it can run the football with ease on the 49ers' defense. The Seahawks will ride an elite defense and a great performance from Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet to hosting the NFC Championship Game.

New England Patriots 17, Houston Texans 13

Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Concussions sustained in the Wild Card Round could sideline New England Patriots ' cornerback Christian Gonzalez and Houston Texans ' wide receiver Nico Collins . Both absences would be a significant blow, but New England still possesses more impact players on defense than Houston does offensively if Collins is sidelined. With that said, Houston's defense will absolutely deliver the caliber of performance that could single-handedly decide this matchup. We just think that Drake Maye makes a few more plays than C.J. Stroud , resulting in the Patriots hosting the Bills in the AFC Championship Game.

Los Angeles Rams 35, Chicago Bears 31

Matt Marton-Imagn Images

The weather could make things very interesting here. It will be snowing at Soldier Field for the Sunday Night Football matchup, creating challenging conditions for two quarterbacks who love to take shots downfield. However, the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams are also just as effective at running the football. Caleb Williams could take Chicago to the NFC Championship Game in his second year, but his performance quarter-to-quarter tends to be inconsistent, and the Bears' defense is by far the worst unit left standing in the Divisional Round. Barring a multi-interception game from Matthew Stafford , the Rams will come out victorious in this playoff classic. It will set up a rubber match between the Rams and Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game.

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