NFL Playoffs 2023: A Comprehensive Guide

The Divisional Round: Intensity Ramps Up

The Divisional Round of the 2023 NFL Playoffs is set to kick off this weekend, bringing together the top eight teams in the league.

After a thrilling Wild Card weekend, the stakes are even higher in the Divisional Round, where only four teams will advance to the Conference Championships.

With some of the most talented players and teams in football, the Divisional Round promises to deliver unforgettable matchups and intense competition.

The Contenders and Matchups

The Divisional Round features some of the most exciting matchups of the playoffs so far:

• Jacksonville Jaguars at Kansas City Chiefs: The Jaguars pulled off a stunning upset over the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card round, while the Chiefs earned a bye as the AFC's top seed. This matchup promises a clash of styles, with the Jaguars' stout defense facing off against the Chiefs' high-powered offense.


• New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles: The Giants upset the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card round, while the Eagles earned a bye as the NFC's top seed. This matchup features two of the league's most dynamic offenses, led by quarterbacks Daniel Jones and Jalen Hurts.


• Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills: The Bengals defeated the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round, while the Bills earned a bye as the AFC's No. 2 seed. This matchup features two of the league's most exciting young quarterbacks in Joe Burrow and Josh Allen.


• Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers: The Cowboys defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card round, while the 49ers earned a bye as the NFC's No. 2 seed. This matchup features two of the league's most physical teams, with the Cowboys' dominant defense facing off against the 49ers' powerful running game.

Players to Watch

Several key players will be worth watching during the Divisional Round, including:

• Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs: The reigning MVP is one of the most dynamic players in the league and will be looking to lead the Chiefs to another Super Bowl appearance.
  
  
• Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars: The second-year quarterback has shown tremendous growth this season and will be looking to continue his impressive playoff run.
  
  
• Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles' MVP candidate is one of the most versatile players in the league and will be looking to lead his team to the Super Bowl.
  
  
• Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills: The Bills' quarterback is one of the most talented passers in the league and will be looking to lead his team to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1993.
  
  
• Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys: The reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year is one of the most disruptive players in the league and will be looking to lead the Cowboys to a deep playoff run.
  
  
• Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers' Swiss Army knife is one of the most versatile players in the league and will be looking to make a big impact in the playoffs.
  
  

Predictions

The Divisional Round is sure to deliver plenty of excitement and drama, but here are a few predictions for who will advance to the Conference Championships:

• AFC: Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals
• NFC: Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers

The Divisional Round of the 2023 NFL Playoffs is set to begin on Saturday, January 21st, with the AFC matchups. The NFC matchups will follow on Sunday, January 22nd.