The NFL playoffs continue today with two divisional round games on Saturday, followed by another two on Sunday.
Both of today’s matchups feature the AFC and NFC top seeds in what should be easy wins — at least on paper.
But these are the playoffs, where dynasties rise and fall, and new ones emerge. Anything can happen.
The day kicks off with the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Houston Texans in the late afternoon. The Washington Commanders then play the NFC top-seed Detroit Lions at Ford Field in the evening.
As Super Bowl LIX approaches, the stakes of these games rise and winter weather also becomes a factor, especially in open-air venues like Buffalo’s Highmark Stadium.
NFL Playoff Bracket: How We Got Here
The Chiefs and Lions have enjoyed around two weeks of rest and are now playing their first playoff games of the year.
Today’s matchups were set up by wins last week led by last year’s NFL Rookie of the Year and a candidate for this year’s Rookie of the Year: quarterbacks C.J. Stroud of the Texans and Jayden Daniels of the Commanders.
Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are on a mission to win their third consecutive Super Bowl. Undefeated at home this season, do the Texans stand a chance against the Chiefs?
Obviously, the odds are heavily in the Chiefs’ favor. But the Texans aren’t a pushover. Kansas City beat Houston in Week 16 by a score of 27-19. Not a blowout, yet it was characteristic of the 15-2 Chiefs’ wins this season.
In 2024-25, 11 out of the Chiefs’ 15 wins were by a single possession. Kansas City’s average margin of victory was just 7.1 points. With their eyes on the Super Bowl, the Chiefs know just when to turn it on and give enough to win. Wins, not margins matter.
Date and Time: Saturday, January 18, 2025, 4:30 PM Eastern
Weather: 24°, Cloudy ☁️, Windy 💨 (NNW at 16 mph with gusts up to 27 mph)
TV: ABC and ESPN
Streaming: ABC website, ESPN app and website, ESPN+, Hulu, Sling, NFL+, NFL Game Pass International (Outside U.S.)
Venue: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO (Outdoor)
Washington Commanders vs. Detroit Lions
The 15-2 Lions are inarguably the best team in the NFC. This game should be a cakewalk for Detroit, but the Commanders’ Daniels has shown veteran-like poise.
Washington truly has something special in last year’s second-overall pick. Head coach Dan Quinn is unafraid of putting Daniels to the test in high-leverage situations — and Daniels’ success, including in last week’s 4th quarter, shows he’s up for every challenge.
Date and Time: Saturday, January 18, 2025, 8:00 PM Eastern
Weather: 26°, Cloudy ☁️, Windy 💨 (NNW at 10 mph with gusts up to 26 mph)
TV: Fox
Streaming: Fox Sports app and website, Sling, NFL+, NFL Game Pass International (Outside U.S.)
Venue: Ford Field, Detroit, MI (Indoor)
Globely News covers the game changers transforming the worlds of business, sports, politics, and technology. From AI and electric vehicles to the rise of China and the NFL's next stars, we've got you covered.