NFL Analysis
1/15/24
4 min read
2023 NFL Playoff Bracket: Full Matchups For Divisional Round
Patrick Mahomes reminded everyone of his playoff bona fides, and C.J. Stroud served notice he's going to be a factor for years to come. A trip to Buffalo awaits Mahomes and the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs, while Stroud and the Houston Texans face the ultimate test in the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens.
On the NFC side, both North teams advanced. The Green Bay Packers stunned the second-seeded Dallas Cowboys, while the Detroit Lions held off the Los Angeles Rams. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers steamrolled last season's Super Bowl runner-up Philadelphia Eagles.
AFC Divisional MATCHUPS
4. Houston at 1. Baltimore (Saturday, 4:30 p.m., ESPN)
3. Kansas City at 2. Buffalo (Sunday, 6:30 p.m., CBS)
Remaining AFC PLAYOFF Field
1. BALTIMORE RAVENS (13-4, 1ST NORTH)
Playoff Momentum: The well-rested Baltimore Ravens and presumptive MVP Lamar Jackson kick off the Divisional round with a tantalizing matchup against the upstart Texans and rookie QB C.J. Stroud.
Divisional opponent: vs. HOU
2. Buffalo Bills (11-6, 1st East)
Playoff Momentum: QB Josh Allen got it done with his right arm (three touchdowns) and his legs (74 yards, one touchdown) to lift the Buffalo Bills past the Steelers. Next up, a rematch with the Chiefs, whom the Bills defeated 20-17 in Week 14 at Kansas City.
Divisional opponent: vs. KC
3. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (11-6, 1ST WEST)
Playoff Momentum: Patrick Mahomes was masterful as the Kansas City Chiefs endured freezing elements and re-established themselves as a playoff threat with their dismantling of the Dolphins. Another game in wintery conditions awaits in upstate New York.
Divisional opponent: at BUF
4. Houston TexanS (10-7, 1ST SOUTH)
Playoff Momentum: After blasting the Browns, it's fair to ask to what heights can Stroud and coach DeMeco Ryans lead the Houston Texans to ... this year.
Divisional opponent: at BAL
NFC Divisional MATCHUPS
7. Green Bay at 1. San Francisco (Saturday, 8:15 p.m., Fox)
4. Tampa Bay at 3. Detroit (Sunday, 3 p.m., NBC)
Remaining NFC PLAYOFF Field
1. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (12-5, 1ST WEST)
Playoff Momentum: The well-rested San Francisco 49ers will face the surging Packers, whom they've defeated in four consecutive postseason meetings and are 7-4 against since 2012.
Divisional opponent: vs. GB
3. DETROIT LIONS (12-5, 1ST NORTH)
Playoff Momentum: The Detroit Lions held off the Rams to win a playoff game for the first time since 1991 and just the second time since 1957, when they last won an NFL championship. Next up, the Buccaneers, whom the Lions defeated 20-6 at Tampa in Week 6.
Divisional opponent: vs. TB
4. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (9-8, 1ST SOUTH)
Playoff Momentum: Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers accomplished something Tom Brady couldn't do last season, defeat an NFC East wild-card team, this time the Philadelphia Eagles.
Divisional opponent: at DET
7. Green Bay Packers (9-8, 2nd North)
Playoff Momentum: After routing the second-seeded Cowboys, QB Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers can turn the tables on the top-seed 49ers, who knocked off the top-seeded Packers in the divisional round two years ago at Lambeau Field.
Divisional opponent: at SF
