All the NFL divisional playoff essentials you need: Four intriguing matchups highlight weekend of football
It's the divisional playoffs ... so welcome to what many consider the best weekend of the NFL season. Before we dig even deeper, enjoy these:
- Divisional round picks and Super Bowl 56 predictions
- Eight players who could make impact after missing time with injuries
- Which QB has the most to prove in the divisional round of the playoffs?
- Will the Bills-Chiefs game be a better matchup than Super Bowl 56?
- Aaron Rodgers embarks on what could be a career-defining playoff.
- What's next for the Cowboys after yet another playoff disappointment?
The divisional playoffs have featured some of the most epic games in league history: The Minneapolis Miracle, the Tuck Rule game, the Fog Bowl, the Epic in Miami, Red Right 88, Ghost to the Post, the Cowboys' Hail Mary game and the Immaculate Reception.
Sports fans can only hope one of this weekend's games can one day be mentioned in that pantheon of football classics.
NFL playoff news and analysis
- Bills view Chiefs rematch as another milepost moment: The Bills have been pointing toward a playoff showdown with the Chiefs since last year's AFC title game loss. Now they have it.
- How 49ers' Deebo Samuel became game-changer: Samuel "puts his heart and soul into everything he does," which has helped produce historic numbers as a wideout and a runner.
- Super Bowl or bust for Aaron Rodgers: If the past year and everything that has gone with it means anything, Rodgers must lead this Packers team to a Super Bowl victory.
- Negative portrayals of Black NFL coaches fuel questions of media bias: The NFL has for decades struggled to hire Black head coaches. A study says one reason is the negative portrayals of Black coaches in the media.
- Lambeau Field's coldest games since Ice Bowl: Saturday's 49ers-Packers game in Green Bay is forecasted to be cold. But will it make history as one of the most frigid games at the iconic stadium? And how do NFL players stay warm, anyway?
- Incredible journey: How Rasul Douglas went from eating off dollar menu to feasting on NFL QBs as Packers' biggest feel-good story.
- Titans haven't forgotten how Bengals humbled them last season: A 31-20 defeat in 2020 to the Bengals was a low point for a Titans defense that has improved greatly in 2021.
- Titans optimistic Derrick Henry will play: The star running back has passed physical tests in practice this week and keeps giving his team confidence he can play Saturday. Looking for another edge, the Titans have also changed their ticket rules in an effort to keep Bengals fans out.
- 'NFL's never been stronger': NBC is touting its unprecedented broadcasting double - Super Bowl 56 at sparkling SoFi Stadium, coupled with the Winter Olympics in Beijing.
- Bill Belichick praises opponent: New England's longtime coach had high praise for Josh Allen after the Bills' playoff demolition of the Patriots.
- Must-watch: New York Giants QB Daniel Jones gifts high school football player Super Bowl tickets in heartfelt surprise.
- Troy Aikman rips Cowboys game plan, compares team to Jaguars, Jets: Cowboys continue to be a topic of conversation days after their NFC wild card defeat to the San Francisco 49ers.
- Dak Prescott fined: The Dallas Cowboys quarterback was dinged $25,000 by the NFL for his comments condoning fans throwing debris at the refs.
The road to Super Bowl 56
WILD CARD WEEKEND
Saturday
Cincinnati Bengals 26, Las Vegas Raiders 19
Buffalo Bills 47, New England Patriots 17
Sunday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31, Philadelphia Eagles 15
San Francisco 49ers 23, Dallas Cowboys 17
Kansas City Chiefs 42, Pittsburgh Steelers 21
Monday
Los Angeles Rams 34, Arizona Cardinals 11
DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS
Saturday, Jan. 22
Cincinnati Bengals at Tennessee Titans, 4:30 p.m. ET (CBS)
San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers, 8:15 p.m. ET (FOX)
Sunday, Jan. 23
Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 3:00 p.m. ET (NBC)
Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs, 6:30 p.m. ET (CBS)
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Sunday, Jan. 30
AFC championship game, 3:05 p.m. ET (CBS)
NFC championship game, 6:40 p.m. ET (FOX)
SUPER BOWL 56
Feb. 13
AFC winner vs. NFC winner, SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., 6:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
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