Every NFL team is fairly flawed in 2025. But someone has to win this thing. Someone (me) just slept on the couch for 4 hours and feels wide awake at 7 AM and is writing this very quickly instead of running up to bed to finish this sleep on the eve of the best weekend in the NFL season, the divisional round.
But my mind is finally clear on what’s going to happen. I have the vision with some themes in mind, so let’s get right to it.
NFL Divisional Round Predictions
- Bills 23, Broncos 20
- 49ers 20, Seahawks 16
- Patriots 20, Texans 13
- Rams 26, Bears 23
Second-year QBs Bo Nix and Caleb Williams are denied from an 8th game-winning drive on the season.
The Bills’ pass defense stops Nix, coming through for Allen in a way that’s going to be similar to how Peyton/Brees/Rodgers won their first rings with their defenses making timely playoff stops in crunch time.
The Bears miss a game-tying FG in the cold to deny us OT as the Rams get lucky and escape with the 3-point win.
Sam Darnold and C..J. Stroud are who we thought they were.
Darnold’s oblique injury from Thursday limits his effectiveness and the 49ers again hold the Seahawks, who struggle in 3rd down/red zone, under 18 points as Shanahan/Purdy keep the streak alive of reaching the NFC-CG.
Houston’s defense plays very well but Stroud makes some critical mistakes without Collins, and this time it’s the Patriots who score a defensive TD and win with 13 offensive points (ring a bell?).
That’d set up for just the third time ever and second in a non-strike year a Conference Championship Game round that’s two division rematches: 49ers vs. Rams, Patriots vs. Bills.
This Week’s Articles
2025 NFC Divisional Round Preview: The Greatness of the NFC West on Full Display
2025 AFC Divisional Round Preview: Is This Finally the Year for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills?
Scott’s Seven NFL Picks: 2025 Divisional Round
Not sure why these won’t embed this week but there’s the AFC and NFC previews + 7 picks including parlays on underdogs, interception throwers, and TD scorers.
Captain Comeback: NFL Analysis by Scott Kacsmar 