NFL: Divisional Round preview, picks

AFC Divisional Round: #1 Kansas City Chiefs (14-2) vs #6 Cleveland Browns (11-5, 1-0): The Chiefs starters haven’t played in more than two weeks as they’ve rested for this matchup. Meanwhile, the Browns have gained momentum with a pair of wins over Pittsburgh, including last week’s 48-37 triumph. Cleveland will be tasked with trying to slow down or keep up with this Kansas City offense, led by Patrick Mahomes (4,740 yards, 38 TD) and Travis Kelce. Baker Mayfield (3,563 yards, 26 TD) played mistake-free last weekend but it’ll be hard to replicate that performance against higher competition. All six of us are expecting the Chiefs (-10) to advance to their third straight AFC championship game.

Staff Picks:

Blake Stoll: Chiefs

Caleb Henderson: Chiefs

Charles Post: Chiefs

Chinedum Wejinya: Chiefs

Raven Martín: Chiefs

Tyler Taylor: Chiefs

AFC Divisional Round: #2 Buffalo Bills (13-3, 1-0) vs #5 Baltimore Ravens (11-5, 1-0): Buffalo and Baltimore are two of the hottest teams in the league, winning seven and six consecutive games, respectively. Josh Allen (4,544 yards, 81.7 QBR) has been the catalyst for the offense but the Bills defense will have to step up as they take on the best rushing attack in the NFL with Lamar Jackson (2,757 yards, 73.7 QBR), JK Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Mark Ingram. Both teams will look to establish their tempo early on, and whichever offense is able to do so will likely keep their winning streak alive. Two out of six of us are picking the Ravens (+2.5) to clinch a spot in the AFC title game for the first time since 2013.

Staff Picks:

Blake Stoll: Ravens

Caleb Henderson: Bills

Charles Post: Bills

Chinedum Wejinya: Ravens

Raven Martín: Bills

Tyler Taylor: Bills

NFC Divisional Round: #1 Green Bay Packers (13-3) vs #6 Los Angeles Rams (10-6, 1-0): The Packers should be considered NFC favorites at this point but something they've struggled with over the last few years is physical defenses, and LA certainly has one when they're healthy. According to the Los Angeles Times, Aaron Donald is ready to go after injuring his ribs in last week's win at Seattle. Make sure to keep an eye on a pair of big-play receivers: Davante Adams (1,374 yards, 18 TD) and Robert Woods (936 yards, 6 TD). Sean McVay and Matt LaFleur are very familiar with one another so this came could come down to the wire. All six of us are taking the Packers (-6.5) to reach a second straight NFC championship game.

Staff Picks:

Blake Stoll: Packers

Caleb Henderson: Packers

Charles Post: Packers

Chinedum Wejinya: Packers

Raven Martín: Packers

Tyler Taylor: Packers

NFC Divisional Round: #2 New Orleans Saints (12-4, 1-0) vs #5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5, 1-0): New Orleans has won five consecutive games against Tampa Bay, including both matchups earlier this year. We saw the Saints absolutely dominate the Bucs in early November, coming away with a 38-3 win on the road, but Tom Brady has played at an elite level over the last month and he'll hope to keep his team in it. Alvin Kamara (932 yards, 17 TD) should be focal point of Sean Payton's offense as Drew Brees has struggled recently. Meanwhile, according to NBC Sports, Ronald Jones III (978 yards, 7 TD) is a game-time decision and the Bucs will start Leonard Fournette. Three of us are picking Tampa Bay (+3) to pull off the upset.

Staff Picks:

Blake Stoll: Buccaneers

Caleb Henderson: Buccaneers

Charles Post: Saints

Chinedum Wejinya: Saints

Raven Martín: Buccaneers

Tyler Taylor: Saints

Photo Credit: USA Today.