NFL Playoff Predictions This Weekend

 The Divisional Round Road to Santa Clara

If Wild Card Weekend was the appetizer, the Divisional Round is the 24-ounce ribeye of the NFL season. We’ve trimmed the fat, said goodbye to the “just happy to be here” teams, and now we are down to the Elite Eight. If you are looking for NFL playoff predictions this weekend, you’ve come to the right place.

The 2026 postseason has already been a fever dream. We watched the “Cardiac Bears” erase an 18-point deficit to stun Green Bay, and we saw the 49ers walk into Philadelphia and de-throne the defending champs. Now, the heavyweights—the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks—finally clock in after their bye weeks.

Grab your lucky jersey and clear your schedule. Here is your comprehensive NFL playoffs divisional round preview and predictions for the most high-stakes weekend of the year.

Saturday, Jan 17: Altitude and Rivalries

(6) Buffalo Bills at (1) Denver Broncos

• Time: 4:30 PM ET | Network: CBS / Paramount+

• The Line: Bills +1.5 | Total: 47.5

This is the “Immovable Object vs. Unstoppable Force” game. Josh Allen is currently playing like a man who has replaced his blood with cold brew coffee. His performance in the Wild Card win over Jacksonville was vintage Allen: hurdling defenders and throwing lasers that defy physics.

However, the Broncos are the No. 1 seed for a reason. Bo Nix has matured into a surgical point guard for Sean Payton’s offense, completing over 63% of his passes this season. Denver’s defense is rested, and the “Mile High” altitude is a real factor for a Buffalo team that just played a physical game four days ago.

The Logic: Buffalo’s defense is exceptional against the pass but has been “leaky” against the run. If Denver can establish the ground game early, they can keep Josh Allen on the sideline. But you never bet against January Josh until he gives you a reason to.

Prediction: Bills 24, Broncos 21.

(6) San Francisco 49ers at (1) Seattle Seahawks

• Time: 8:00 PM ET | Network: FOX / Fox One

• The Line: Seahawks -7.5 | Total: 45.5

NFC West rivalries hit differently in the playoffs. The Seahawks secured home-field advantage by beating these very 49ers in Week 18, and they have been the most consistent team in football. Mike Macdonald’s defense led the league in DVOA, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba is having a breakout year that has Seattle fans dreaming of another “Legion of Boom” era.

The 49ers are the ultimate “Giant Slayers.” They are battle-tested and resilient. However, the health of George Kittle and Fred Warner (both nursing ankle/Achilles issues) is a massive cloud over this game.

The Logic: Playing at Lumen Field is a nightmare for communication. If Brock Purdy can’t hear his check-downs over the “12s,” it’s going to be a long night. Seattle is rested, healthy, and playing at home.

Prediction: Seahawks 27, 49ers 17.

Sunday, Jan 18: The New Guard vs. The Old Guard

(5) Houston Texans at (2) New England Patriots

• Time: 3:00 PM ET | Network: ABC / ESPN / ESPN+

• The Line: Patriots -3 | Total: 41.5

Don’t let the “No. 2 seed” tag fool you—the Patriots are still the Patriots. They dismantled the Chargers 16-3 in the Wild Card round using a “bend but don’t break” defense that is classic New England. But they haven’t seen an offense like Houston’s yet.

The Texans are 5-3 on the road this year and are coming off a 30-6 demolition of the Steelers. Their defense leads the league in EPA per pass attempt. If they can rattle the Patriots’ rookie QB, this game flips on its head.

The Logic: Experts at SportsLine and Vegas Insider suggest this will be a low-scoring affair. New England’s experience in cold weather games is a factor, but Houston’s defensive front is simply too fast.

Prediction: Texans 20, Patriots 13.

(5) LA Rams at (2) Chicago Bears

• Time: 6:30 PM ET | Network: NBC / Peacock

• The Line: Rams -3.5 | Total: 50.5

The “Monsters of the Midway” are back, but they’re facing a buzzsaw. The Rams are currently the most “complete” team in the NFC. Matthew Stafford is playing with the poise of a guy who has already won it all, and the Puka Nacua/Davante Adams duo is a nightmare for a Bears secondary that ranks 24th in pass defense.

Chicago’s Caleb Williams is the X-factor. He led a 25-point fourth-quarter explosion last week, proving he has the “clutch” gene. But can the Bears’ defense stop Kyren Williams and the Rams’ rushing attack?

The Logic: Chicago relies on “magic” and late-game heroics. While that makes for great TV, it’s unsustainable against a veteran Rams squad that knows how to put games away early.

Prediction: Rams 34, Bears 24.

NFL Divisional Round: Key Injuries to Watch

Before you lock in your NFL playoff predictions this weekend, you have to look at the trainer’s room. In January, the healthiest team often wins, not the most talented one.

Sources: NFL.com Injury Report, Seahawks.com official updates.

Strategies for Following NFL Playoff Predictions This Weekend

If you’re looking at the betting lines or just trying to win your office pool, remember these three rules of thumb for the Divisional Round:

1. The Bye Week Advantage is Real: Historically, No. 1 seeds win at a high clip in this round. The extra week to heal and game-plan is a massive advantage that shouldn’t be ignored.

2. Beware of the “Emotional Hangover”: Teams like the Bears and Bills just came off high-intensity, emotional wins. Sometimes, those teams “flatline” the following week when facing a rested opponent.

3. Check the Weather: It’s mid-January. A “Polar Vortex” in Chicago or a blizzard in Denver changes the entire logic of the game. If it’s snowing, forget the passing stats and look at who has the better offensive line.

Final Thoughts: Who Advances?

The NFL playoffs divisional round preview and predictions point toward a heavy-hitter Conference Championship Sunday. If our logic holds, we are looking at a potential Bills vs. Texans AFC title game and a Seahawks vs. Rams NFC showdown.

The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is narrowing. Whether you’re cheering for the veteran poise of Stafford or the “hero ball” of Josh Allen, this weekend is why we watch football. It’s loud, it’s cold, and the margin for error is exactly zero.