NFL Divisional Round Kicks Off with High-Stakes Matchups

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The NFL‘s divisional round began Saturday, Jan. 18, with four high-stakes playoff games that will determine which teams advance to the conference championships. The weekend features the top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions, both of whom earned first-round byes, as they face off against the Houston Texans and Washington Commanders, respectively.

The Chiefs, aiming for a third consecutive Super Bowl appearance, will host the Texans at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Lions, seeking their first-ever Super Bowl berth, will take on the Commanders at 8 p.m. ET. Sunday’s slate includes the Baltimore Ravens facing the Buffalo Bills and the San Francisco 49ers battling the Green Bay Packers.

This year’s divisional round marks the first time the No. 1 seeds in each conference enter the postseason fray. The Chiefs, led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, are looking to cement their dynasty, while the Lions, under head coach Dan Campbell, are hoping to make history.

“We’re focused on one game at a time,” Mahomes said during a press conference. “The Texans are a tough opponent, and we have to bring our best.”

The NFL’s playoff format, revised in 2020, ensures that the No. 1 seed faces the lowest remaining seed from the wild card round. This year, the Chiefs drew the 4-seed Texans, while the Lions will face the 6-seed Commanders. The winners of these games will advance to the conference championships, set for Sunday, Jan. 26.

Officiating crews for the divisional round were announced earlier this week, with Clay Martin, Ron Torbert, Shawn Smith, and Carl Cheffers leading the four games. Cheffers, a veteran referee with 25 years of experience, will oversee the Ravens-Bills matchup, his 20th postseason assignment.

“The stakes are higher, and the pressure is intense,” Cheffers said. “But we’re prepared to ensure the games are played fairly and within the rules.”

The NFL playoffs began on Jan. 11 with wild card weekend and will culminate in Super Bowl 59 on Feb. 9 in New Orleans. Fans can expect thrilling matchups as the remaining eight teams vie for a spot in the championship game.