The seeds and the eight best teams in the league enter the scene: from Broncos-Bills to 49ers-Seahawks, passing through Texans-Patriots and Rams-Bears, the quarterfinal weekend promises tactical clashes, stars under pressure and decisive challenges towards the Super Bowl
The eight strongest teams in the NFL open the weekend of Divisional Roundbasically the quarter-finals (to put it in European terms) which will lead to Super Bowl LX.
After last week’s Wild Cards, the number one seeds of the AFC and NFC, namely the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks, come into play.
The Colorado franchise will face the Buffalo Bills on Saturday. On paper the clash is between the Bills’ attack and the Broncos’ defense. In reality, despite the presence of quarterback Josh Allen, Buffalo’s offense will be without important elements and this could represent a problem against Denver’s defense, led by coordinator Vance Joseph. His is a particular story: former head coach of the Broncos in 2017 and 2018, in that capacity it didn’t go well for him. Returning to Colorado in 2023 on HC Sean Payton’s staff, Joseph has built one of the best defenses around.
For Denver it will be about trying to contain Allen, especially on the runs. If Buffalo’s Qb is forced to throw a lot, Joseph’s defense could have an easy time. On the other hand, if Allen was able to move then there could be trouble: if there is one thing that Denver has suffered this year it has been the quarterbacks capable of carrying the ball themselves.
The other match on Saturday is the one between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. Two weeks ago the two teams faced each other in the regular season. Seattle prevailed (13-3). On that occasion the Seahawks managed to produce 180 rushing yards. If Seattle is able to run a lot this time too, then things could get bad for the California team. If, however, Frisco manages to contain the opposing runs, forcing Seattle to throw, then we will have to see how quarterback Sam Darnold responds, with 20 turnovers this year (14 interceptions and 6 fumbles).
On the other side of the field, the Seahawks will have to contain the 49ers’ offense. A first way to do this will be to… execute many runs, in order to maintain control of the ball for a long time and thus limit the time available to the San Francisco offense.
Sunday’s matches will see Houston Texans and New England Patriots on one side, Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears on the other.
The first game can be easily read as the confrontation between the Patriots quarterback, Drake Maye and the strong Texans defense. According to data provided by ESPN, New England has averaged 8.6 yards gained per throw this year, the third best in the league. However, the Texans defense allowed only 4.8, the lowest figure in the NFL. Who will win?
Finally, LA vs. Chicago. Caleb Williams is one of the best quarterbacks around, but the Rams’ pass rush is fearsome. Having said this and having said that the Bears defense will have to worry about long throws (20 or more yards) from Los Angeles QB Matt Stafford, the climate factor will also have to be taken into account: in Chicago at the time of kickoff the perceived temperature should be below zero.
