NFL on ESPN Playoff Divisional Round Double Headers – Week Two of the NFL Playoffs arrives with just eight teams left in the race to Super Bowl LIX and the Divisional Round brings blockbuster NFL double headers Sunday and Monday live on ESPN.
Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Commanders, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills are the eight teams that remain in the race to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.
The Divisional Round begins on Sunday January at 8.30am AEDT with the Houston Texans facing off against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Houston has a mammoth task in stopping the defending Super Bowl champion and #1 AFC seed Kansas City Chiefs.
The Texans lost 27-19 to the Chiefs back in Week 16 of the regular season and the last time they met in the NFL Playoffs, Kansas City came back from 24-0 down, to prevail 51-31.
To add to the difficulty, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is 6-0 in the Divisional Round – the most wins without a loss in any playoff round in NFL history.
Following live at 12pm AEDT on ESPN, the Washington Commanders clash with the Detroit Lions.
Washington survived a thriller against Tampa Bay in Wildcard Weekend – a 50 yard Chase McLaughlin field goal in the final seconds handing them a 23-20 win.
Their rookie QB Jayden Daniels has shown his coolness all season long and he will need to fire to stop the juggernaut that is the Detroit Lions this season.
After finishing as #1 seed in the NFC, with a 15-2 record, many have struggled to stop the Lions offensive force.
Given their form all season, expectation is high and the pressure all on Detroit.
Monday January 20 sees another massive NFL playoff double header, with another two heavyweight showdowns.
At 7am AEDT, the Los Angeles Rams travel to meet the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Rams secured their place in the second week of the post-season following an emotionally charged 27-9 win over the Vikings.
Los Angeles’ defence came to play, sacking Minnesota QB Sam Darnold nine times.
But up next is arguably the best defence in the NFL – led by defensive tackles Jalen Carter and Milton Williams.
Throw in the offensive arsenal that contains superstar Saquon Barkley and it is clear that the Rams will start underdogs in the Divisional Round, against the #2 seed Eagles.
The Divisional Round concludes at 10.30am AEDT as the Baltimore Ravens battle the Buffalo Bills.
Baltimore took their only meeting this season in Week Four, handing Buffalo a 35-10 loss.
That defeat was the third largest defeat in Bills’ QB Josh Allen’s career, a rare low point in what has been a potential MVP season.
Buffalo were clinical in Wildcard Weekend, downing the Denver Broncos 31-7.
Baltimore impressed many in dispatching the Steelers 28-14. Their hopes rest with their own QB star Lamar Jackson – ensuring a must see quarterback battle between he and Josh Allen.
NFL Playoffs on ESPN
Sunday January 19
8.30am AEDT, Houston Texans vs Kansas City, ESPN
12pm AEDT, Washington Commanders vs Detroit Lions, ESPN
Monday January 20
7am AEDT, Minnesota Vikings/Los Angeles Rams vs Philadelphia Eagles, ESPN
10.30am AEDT, Baltimore Ravens vs Buffalo Bills, ESPN
Every game from the NFL Playoffs and Super Bowl LIX is LIVE on ESPN
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NFL on ESPN Playoff Divisional Round Double Headers
