Divisional Round Upsets: Ranking the Potential Shockers in the NFL Playoffs

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20/01/2024 21h33

The NFL Playoffs Divisional Round is fast approaching, and fans are eagerly anticipating the potential upsets that could unfold this weekend. After a relatively lackluster Wild Card Weekend dominated by blowouts, the Divisional Round promises more excitement and competitive matchups.

Looking back at last week's games, three surprising upsets caught the attention of football enthusiasts, with the Green Bay Packers stealing the show by stunning the Dallas Cowboys. This unexpected victory has the potential to go down as the biggest upset in this year's playoffs.

Now, as we shift our focus to the Divisional Round, let's examine the potential upsets ranked from least to most likely to happen.

Starting with the San Francisco 49ers going up against the Green Bay Packers, it's hard to overlook the 49ers' superiority in almost every aspect. Despite barely securing the NFC's top seed with 12 wins, the 49ers have shown their dominance when fully healthy. With an advantage in key areas such as quarterback, offensive line, offensive skill players, front seven, and coaching, the 49ers are expected to have an easy cover at home.

Moving on to the Baltimore Ravens versus the Houston Texans clash, the Ravens, who were the NFL's best team in the regular season, are viewed as the favorites. However, the Texans, led by head coach DeMeco Ryans and rookie quarterback CJ Stroud, possess the necessary tools to challenge the Ravens' dominance. Stroud's ability to extend plays and find open receivers under pressure could prove troublesome for the Ravens' defense, especially with starting cornerback Marlon Humphrey ruled out due to injury. While the Texans could keep the game interesting, the Ravens are equipped with significant firepower on both sides of the ball, making a double-digit win for Baltimore likely.

In a match between the Detroit Lions and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Lions have had a strong season, solidifying their position among the NFL's best teams. Conversely, the Buccaneers have had a more challenging journey and struggled against playoff teams. Though Tampa Bay managed a win over the Packers, Detroit already proved victorious against the Buccaneers in Week 6. With the Lions appearing more impressive in the Wild Card Round and coming off a dominant win over the Eagles, they have a good chance of holding serve and clinching a well-deserved NFC Championship appearance.

Last but not least, the highly anticipated game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills is expected to be an intense battle. The Chiefs, with their remarkable playoff pedigree, five consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances, two Super Bowl victories in the last four years, and the exceptional talent of quarterback Patrick Mahomes, are not easily seen as a team susceptible to an upset. However, the Bills, on a resurgent five-game winning streak to close out the regular season and showcasing an impressive defense, including their Wild Card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, are considered legitimate contenders. Buffalo's quarterback, Josh Allen, adds to their firepower and has proven himself as one of the NFL's best. Though the Bills are favored by 2.5 points, injuries to key players could change the dynamics of the game and lead to a closer matchup.

As the NFL Playoffs Divisional Round approaches, football fans are eagerly anticipating potential upsets that could shake the postseason. With intriguing matchups on the horizon, such as the 49ers versus the Packers, the Ravens facing the Texans, the Lions taking on the Buccaneers, and the Chiefs challenging the Bills, this weekend promises to be filled with excitement, suspense, and the possibility of shockers.

Sunday will reveal whether underdogs can rise to the occasion and create memorable upsets, or if the favorites will assert their dominance and continue their journey towards the Super Bowl.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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