NFL Divisional Playoff Capules
Fri Jan 16 12:05pm ET
Field Level Media
AFC Divisional Playoff Capsules
Buffalo Bills (13-5) at Denver Broncos (14-3)
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, CBS
Empower Field, Denver
FanDuel Odds: Broncos -1.5, Total 46.5
Postseason History: This is the third playoff meeting. Buffalo leads the Broncos 2-0 and defeated Denver in the 2024 wild-card round, 31-7.
The Broncos are the No. 1 seed in the AFC for the first time since 2015, the same season in which they last hosted a playoff game -- the 2015 AFC Championship Game -- when Denver beat the Patriots and went on to win Super Bowl 50 at the site of this year's game, Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. The Bills advanced by winning their first road playoff game since 1992, outlasting Jacksonville last week, to set up a rematch of the 2024 Wild Card round last season in Buffalo. The Bills also beat the Broncos in the 1991 AFC Championship game to reach Super Bowl XXVI.
Broncos QB Bo Nix was limited to 144 passing yards at Buffalo last season and is making his second playoff start. This is No. 15 for Bills QB Josh Allen, who has 36 total touchdowns in the postseason.
Bills Pro Bowl RB James Cook had 1,912 yards from scrimmage and powers the Buffalo rushing attack.
Denver's defense presents another challenge for Allen, who was battered and bruised in Jacksonville last week. The Broncos led the NFL in sacks (68) and were No. 2 in total defense (278.2 yards per game allowed) and rushing defense (91.1 yards per game allowed) and ranked third in scoring defense (18.3 points per game against) and passes defensed (94).
The Bills are first in the NFL in rushing and Allen has the most rushing yards (701) and second-most rushing touchdowns (nine) by a quarterback in NFL postseason history. He averages 309.5 combined passing and rushing yards per playoff game, the highest in NFL history among quarterbacks with at least 10 playoff starts.
Houston Texans (13-5) at New England Patriots (15-3)
Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
FanDuel Odds: Patriots -3, Total 40.5
Postseason History: The Patriots are undefeated in their last eight divisional playoff games, the longest streak in NFL history. They defeated Houston in their only postseason meetings (2012 and 2016 divisional playoffs, both in New England).
New England advanced to the divisional playoff with its first victory in the postseason since Super Bowl LIII (Feb. 3, 2019) with a dominant performance against the Chargers last week. Houston earned a road playoff win for the first time in franchise history with a 30-6 win at Pittsburgh to reach the divisional playoff round for the third season in a row. Houston has never played in the AFC Championship game.
Patriots QB Drake Maye has come a long way since he made his first NFL start in a 41-21 loss to the Texans in Week 6 last season. Maye and counterpart C.J. Stroud both threw three touchdown passes in that meeting.
Maye led the NFL in passer rating and one of his primary targets is Stefon Diggs, who spent last season with the Texans before a season-ending knee injury.
Houston's pass rush gave the Steelers fits last week. Danielle Hunter was third in the NFL with 15 sacks and had a sack and forced fumble against Aaron Rodgers last week in the wild-card round. Sidekick Will Anderson is no slouch on the other side. He had 12 sacks in the regular season and forced a fumble last week. They fit together well with a big, intense secondary featuring the cornerback tandem of Kamari Lassiter (17 passes defensed in 2025) and Derek Stingley Jr. (15).
Stroud's showing against the Steelers was forgettable. He had two fumbles and an interception at Pittsburgh and No. 1 wide receiver Nico Collins (concussion) could miss Sunday's game. Christian Kirk stepped up last week with 144 yards and a touchdown.
The Patriots are optimistic their top cover man, Christian Gonzalez, will be able to play after returning from a concussion.
--NFC Divisional playoff capsules
San Francisco (13-5) at Seattle Seahawks (14-3)
Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, FOX
Lumen Field, Seattle
FanDuel Odds: Seahawks -7, Total 44.5
Playoff History: Three of the four remaining NFC teams are from the West division. The Rams play at Chicago on Sunday night. The previous postseason game between the 49ers and Seahawks went to San Francisco, 41-23 in January 2023.
The Seahawks captured the No. 1 seed for the first time since 2014 and are on a mission to win their first playoff game since beating the Eagles in the wild-card round in 2019. The 49ers advanced by winning their first road playoff game in four years at Philadelphia, 23-19.
There is consternation in Seattle over the oblique strain suffered by QB Sam Darnold this week. He plans to play, and coach Mike Macdonald doesn't expect the injury to limit the offense. With the 49ers down several key defensive players, San Francisco has had to blitz to create pressure on the passer. When Darnold has time, he is making a living putting the ball in the hands of WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He led the NFL with a franchise-record 1,793 receiving yards.
Darnold has only one playoff start -- last season with the Vikings -- when he was sacked nine times by the Rams in a 27-9 loss.
49ers RB Christian McCaffrey remains the engine of the San Francisco offense. He has at least 100 yards from scrimmage in seven of his eight career postseason games. That includes 114 last week, when he had 66 yards receiving and caught two touchdown passes. He was second in the NFL in 2025 with 2,126 yards from scrimmage and scored 17 touchdowns.
QB Brock Purdy, 5-2 in his playoff career, has worked with a shuffled deck of receivers most of the season due to injuries. He won't have key outlet George Kittle, who suffered a torn Achilles at Philadelphia last week.
The 49ers already own a win on this field this season, Week 1 of the regular season, 17-13. The Seahawks returned the favor in Week 18 at San Francisco (13-3) to clinch the division title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Only the Chiefs have equaled the 49ers' run of success in this round. San Francisco has won seven consecutive divisional playoff games (2012-24) and would become the first NFL franchise to reach 20 Championship games with a win. It would be their fourth NFC Championship game in five seasons. Seattle has played in four previous conference championship games (one in the AFC).
Los Angeles Rams (13-5) at Chicago Bears (12-6)
Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock
Soldier Field, Chicago
FanDuel Odds: Rams -3.5, Total 48.5
Playoff History: This is the 40th anniversary of the Bears last Super Bowl (XX) victory. They defeated the Rams in the NFC Championship, 24-0, that year to advance to that game. Los Angeles defeated Chicago, 24-14, in the 1950 Divisional playoffs (Dec. 17, 1950).
Pack the handwarmers, it's Bear weather this weekend in Chicago.
Rams head coach Sean McVay is downplaying the windchill factor reading at or below zero and the Los Angeles defense is more worried about the Iceman than the weatherman.
Caleb Williams, given the "Iceman" moniker for his fourth-quarter performances this season, helped the Bears overcame an 18-point deficit - the largest comeback in franchise postseason history - and Chicago scored 25 fourth-quarter points -- third-most ever in a playoff game - to defeat the Packers, 31-27, last week. It was the first postseason win since the 2010 NFC divisional round against Seattle.
The Rams handled the Panthers, 34-31, in Charlotte to set up the first playoff meeting with the Bears in 40 years.
While Williams has been clutch, the performance of Rams QB Matt Stafford has been constant. He led the NFL in passing yards and touchdown passes. Including the playoffs, he's over 5,000 passing yards and his next TD pass will be No. 50 on the year.
He has a cadre of capable weapons, and a trio of players with 13 or more touchdowns counting Puka Nacua's pair of scores last week (13 total this season). RB Kyren Williams (13) and WR Davante Adams (14) give the Chicago defense a number of threats atop the scouting report. Stafford threw eight interceptions in the regular season. The Bears led the NFL with 23 interceptions -- seven by S Kevin Byard III -- and 33 total takeaways.
Williams and rookie TE Colston Loveland have become a dynamic duo in the passing game. Loveland led the Bears in receptions, yards and tied D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze with six TD catches in the regular season. He had eight receptions for 137 yards against the Packers last week.
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: Injury Status: Wild Card WeekendÂ
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: Lineup Prep: Divisional Round
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Starts, Sits, Sleepers: Divisional Round
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: FantasyLife Postseason Shootout Preview
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 18
- NFL Divisional Playoff Capules
- Police clear Puka Nacua's brother in car theft investigation
- 49ers LB Fred Warner not ready to return vs. Seahawks
- Seahawks QB Sam Darnold hurts oblique but plans to play Sat.
- Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes wants to be ready Week 1 of ‘26
- Eagles GM Howie Roseman praises A.J. Brown amid uncertain future
- Falcons interview Chargers DC Jesse Minter for coaching vacancy
- Mike McCarthy to meet with Titans on Saturday
- Texans WR Nico Collins (concussion) misses another practice
- Bills S Jordan Poyer, CB Maxwell Hairston out vs. Broncos
- Packers DC Jeff Hafley interviews for Falcons' HC position
- Giants, John Harbaugh finalizing $100M contract
- Drake Maye, Patriots stare down Texans' menacing defense
- 49ers LB Fred Warner potentially available against Seahawks
- Jaguars' Travis Hunter to continue as two-way player
- Art Rooney II, Steelers begin first coaching search since 2007
- WR Adam Thielen retires: 'What a ride it has been!'
- Giants land first in-person interview with John Harbaugh
- Pats signing ex-Texans DE Darrell Taylor
- NFL's wild-card drama scores huge ratings
- Fantasy Life: Breaking Down The Chicago WR Room For The Divisional Round
- Fantasy Life: The Future Is Bright For These Four Stars In The Divisional Round
- Fantasy Life: Guilloteenies Offer a Second Chance in the Divisional Round: Load up on Rams and Bears
The Paur Report
Starts, Sits, Sleepers: Divisional Round
- Injury Status: Wild Card WeekendÂ
- Lineup Prep: Divisional Round
- Studs and Duds: Wild Card Weekend
- Bender's Favorite NFL DFS Pickem Picks: Wild Card Weekend
- Injury Status: Wild Card Weekend
- Lineup Prep: Wild Card Weekend
- Studs and Duds: Week 18
- Bender's Favorite NFL DFS Pickem Picks: Week 18
- Divisional Player Rankings
- Divisional Inactives
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (foot) is playing through a stress fracture in his foot and said it was "tough" managing the pain in his return in the Wild-Card win over the division-rival Green Bay Packers last Saturday, according to Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times. "There was soreness, but at this part of the season, it's all hands on deck and play through it. I'll ride it 'til the wheels fall off," Odunze said. In his return after resting for the final five regular-season games, the second-year pass-catcher played a season-low 69% of the offensive snaps against Green Bay and caught two of his six targets for 44 yards. The 23-year-old has been limited in two practices this week, but he should be active on Sunday evening against the visiting Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round. At less than 100% while sharing targets with DJ Moore (knee) and rookie Luther Burden III, and tight end Colston Loveland, Odunze has a low ceiling and floor for fantasy managers in a game that could feature inclement weather.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks rookie tight end Elijah Arroyo (knee) returned to practice this week, but he will not be activated from Injured Reserve and won't play in the Divisional Round on Saturday night against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers, according to John Boyle of Seahawks.com. The 22-year-old was able to practice in full all week, though, so if Seattle advances past the 49ers and to the NFC Championship next weekend, he should have a good shot to return as TE depth for the Seahawks. Arroyo, a second-rounder out of Miami, was well behind AJ Barner in the pecking order in Seattle in his first year in the NFL. The young tight end played in 13 games in the regular season and caught just 15 passes for 179 yards and one touchdown. If he comes back in the NFC Championship if the Seahawks advance, he won't be recommended in fantasy playoff lineups.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (knee) said the rehab from his torn anterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament is going great and that his goal is to be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 season.
Fantasy Spin: Mahomes is unlikely to do anything during offseason workouts, so fantasy players will need to check on his status during training camp to see if he will be ready for the start of the regular season. He will likely be a low-end No. 1 or high-end No. 2 quarterback in leagues next season.
From TheHuddle
Houston Texans wide receiver Justin Watson (concussion) missed a second straight day of practice this week on Thursday, according to the team. Watson suffered a concussion in Monday night's Wild-Card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and wasn't able to return. The 29-year-old is in the league's concussion protocol and is trending as unlikely to play this Sunday in the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the New England Patriots. Top wideout Nico Collins (concussion) is in the same boat as Watson and hasn't practiced this week. It means the Texans' receiving corps will most likely be short-handed this weekend, with rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, Christian Kirk, and Xavier Hutchinson all seeing bigger roles. Tight end Dalton Schultz will also have a higher fantasy ceiling with more targets available. Even when fully healthy, Watson is too far down the WR depth chart to matter for fantasy purposes.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans running back Jawhar Jordan (ankle) was limited in practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday, according to the team. Jordan suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Indianapolis Colts and did not suit up for Monday night's Wild-Card blowout win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although Jordan has returned to practice this week, he's still very much up in the air to play on Sunday against the New England Patriots in an AFC Divisional Round game. Even if Jordan is active, he'll merely be the RB2 behind rookie starter Woody Marks. With Jordan out on Monday night, veteran Nick Chubb played 29% of the offensive snaps and carried the ball 10 times for 48 yards. Most of Chubb's work came late in the contest in garbage time. Neither Chubb nor Jordan is recommended fantasy plays behind Marks against New England.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (ankle) will not be activated from Injured Reserve for Saturday's Divisional Round contest in Seattle against the division-rival Seahawks, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. The extremely banged-up 49ers' defense won't get Warner back, and they'll also be without safety Ji'Ayir Brown (hamstring). Meanwhile, linebackers Luke Gifford (quadriceps) and Dee Winters (ankle) are questionable. San Fran's defense did a very respectable job last weekend, slowing down the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild-Card round, considering how decimated they've been by injuries all year. If they can somehow pull off the upset against Seattle on Saturday night, Warner will be itching to return for the NFC Championship against either the Los Angeles Rams or the Chicago Bears. Warner has been out since dislocating and fracturing his ankle back in Week 6.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) underwent successful surgery to fix his torn right Achilles tendon on Wednesday, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. Kittle was placed on Injured Reserve on Wednesday and will miss the rest of the playoffs. Because his injury occurred so late in the year, too, the 32-year-old veteran almost certainly won't be ready for the start of the 2026 campaign this fall. In fact, he could end up missing the majority of next regular season after tearing his Achilles in the Wild-Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday. Going into this Saturday's NFC Divisional contest against the Seattle Seahawks, Jake Tonges will take over as the Niners' top pass-catching tight end. Kittle, a seven-time Pro Bowler, still has high-end TE1 upside when healthy, but durability concerns will drastically affect his 2026 fantasy value.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (oblique) was added to the injury report on Thursday with an oblique injury and is questionable to play in the Divisional Round on Saturday night against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers, according to Curtis Crabtree of FOX 13 Seattle. However, Darnold is fully expected to play through his questionable tag this week. The 28-year-old was listed as limited in Thursday's practice. "I feel good...in routes on air, I just felt a little something in my oblique. I just didn't want to push it. It wasn't the day to push it, so that was it. I came inside, got some rehab, and I feel like I'll be ready to go for Saturday," Darnold said. The former first-rounder should be fine to play against a Niners team that he has yet to throw a touchdown against in two games this year. In the Week 18 win over the 49ers, Darnold threw for 198 yards with no TDs or interceptions.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) will be questionable to play in the Divisional Round of the playoffs on Saturday evening on the road against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Pearsall missed a good chunk of his second NFL season due to a sprained PCL in his right knee, and he's also missed three of the last four games, including last week's Wild-Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles, after aggravating his knee. San Fran could really use the 25-year-old former first-rounder back against Seattle after losing tight end George Kittle to a torn Achilles tendon last Sunday. Pearsall was limited in practice all week and is optimistic he'll be available on Saturday night. He did go over 100 receiving yards in two of his last three games, but Pearsall has been very hit or miss and injury-prone, making him extremely volatile as a fantasy option in playoff leagues in a bad matchup if he's active.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams QB Jimmy Garoppolo (back) did not participate in practice Thursday, Jan. 15. OG Kevin Dotson (ankle) was limited during practice. CB Darious Williams (non-injury), DT Poona Ford (elbow), QB Matthew Stafford (finger), WR Xavier Smith (wrist), CB Josh Wallace (ankle), TE Terrance Ferguson (hamstring), S Quentin Lake (foot) and WR Jordan Whittington (knee) fully participated in practice.
From TheHuddle
Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford (finger) fully participated in practice Thursday, Jan. 15.
Fantasy Spin: Stafford should be able to handle his normal workload despite dealing with a finger injury. He will be facing a good Chicago Bears defense but should still be a No. 1 quarterback in all fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Updating previous reports, Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold (oblique) was limited during practice Thursday, Jan. 15, and is listed as questionable for the Divisional Round playoff game.
Fantasy Spin: Darnold is optimistic about his availability for the game, but fantasy players should check the inactive list for his official status. He has been one of the better quarterbacks this season and will be a No. 1 fantasy quarterback if he plays.
From TheHuddle
Seattle Seahawks OT Joshua Jones (knee) did not participate in practice Thursday, Jan. 15, and has been ruled out of the Divisional Round playoff game. TE Elijah Arroyo (knee) and LB Chazz Surratt (ankle) fully participated in practice but have been ruled out. QB Sam Darnold (oblique) was limited during practice and is listed as questionable. LB Ernest Jones (illness) and WR Cooper Kupp (non-injury) were limited during practice but are not on the injury report. TE AJ Barner (hip), S Coby Bryant (knee), OT Charles Cross (hamstring, knee), LB Tyrice Knight (shoulder), LB DeMarcus Lawrence (Achilles), WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (non-injury), DE Leonard Williams (non-injury) and CB Riq Woolen (oblique) fully participated in practice and are not on the injury report.
From TheHuddle
Seattle Seahawks WR Cooper Kupp (non-injury) was limited during practice Thursday, Jan. 15, but is not on the injury report for the Divisional Round playoff game.
Fantasy Spin: Kupp caught at least five passes in only three of his 16 regular season games and posted at least 50 yards in only three games. He may see a few targets during the playoff game and could still be a possible flex option in a few fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Updating a previous report, Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold (oblique) said he expects to play in the Divisional Round playoff game even though he is listed as questionable.
Fantasy Spin: Darnold was a late addition to the injury report this week, so fantasy players should keep an eye on the situation. He will be a No. 1 quarterback in leagues if he is active for the game.
From TheHuddle
San Francisco 49ers S Ji'Ayir Brown (hamstring) and LB Fred Warner (ankle) did not participate in practice Thursday, Jan. 15, and have been ruled out of the Divisional Round playoff game. LB Luke Gifford (quadriceps), WR Ricky Pearsall (knee) and LB Dee Winters (ankle) were limited during practice and are listed as questionable. WR Jacob Cowing (hamstring) fully participated in practice but is listed as questionable. DE Yetur Gross-Matos (knee) did not practice but is not on the injury report. OG Dominick Puni (ankle), DE Keion White (groin, hamstring) and OT Trent Williams (hamstring) fully participated in practice and are not on the injury report.
From TheHuddle
In his first career playoff appearance, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye led his team to a 16-3 win in the Wild Card round over the Los Angeles Chargers. The 23-year-old completed 17 of 29 pass attempts for 268 yards, one touchdown, and one interception while adding 66 rushing yards on 10 attempts. However, Maye also fumbled twice, one of which was recovered by the Chargers. Maye's production upside remains sky-high, but any potential ball security issues may only be exacerbated in the Divisional Round against the Houston Texans. Houston allowed the seventh-fewest passing yards (3,486) in the regular season while ranking tied for third in interceptions (19). The Texans' defense is also coming off a dominating performance in the Wild Card round against the Pittsburgh Steelers, in which it forced two turnovers, recorded four sacks, and allowed just six points. Maye's rushing ability could carry him to success, but the difficult matchup makes him a low-end quarterback option for fantasy managers in the Divisional Round.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift was one of the stars of his team's Wild-Card win over the Green Bay Packers, recording 92 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 15 touches. Swift and Bears rookie back Kyle Monangai split playing time nearly evenly, with Swift earning 39 snaps and Monangai 36. However, Swift was the more productive player of the two, as Monangai was held to 49 scrimmage yards on nine touches. Chicago is now set to host the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round of the NFC playoffs. The Rams' run defense performed well during the regular season, but allowed three rushing touchdowns to the Carolina Panthers in the Wild Card round. Swift profiles as the priority player in the Bears' backfield for fantasy managers in the Divisional round against Los Angeles.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans WR Nico Collins (concussion), OT Trent Brown (ankle), WR Justin Watson (concussion) and DE Denico Autry (knee) did not participate in practice Thursday, Jan. 15. LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee), CB Kamari Lassiter (ankle, knee), RB Jawhar Jordan (ankle), OG Ed Ingram (shoulder), OT Tytus Howard (ankle) and DT Sheldon Rankins (elbow) were limited during practice. S Jaylen Reed (knee), LS Austin Brinkman (knee) and OT Aireontae Ersery (thumb) fully participated in practice.
From TheHuddle
