TSBN - NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round Recap

Saturday Games

Washington defeats Detroit, 45-31 in the Divisional Round of the 2025 Playoffs.

The NFL Divisional Round Recap features the 8 teams that went head to head in the Divisional Round of the 2025 Playoffs.

Detroit lived a great existence coming into the weekend, the Lions controlled the top seed of the NFC with a 15-2 record, home field advantage and a fanbase that had just welcomed in their first season of expectations. Prior to the game, the Fox Broadcast played a video of Detroit Lions fans referring to their team as a team of destiny. Meanwhile, Washington came into the game with zero expectations... No pressure and just the new happy go lucky team living in the realm of exceeding the expectations in Year 1 of what most perceived as a rebuild.

This game was close when it started, but Jayden Daniels and the Commanders took... a... commanding... lead and never looked back. At the end of the day, Detroit fell at home, 41-35. This game was never really in doubt and Detroit fans were welcomed to their first ever season of not living up to the expectations of improving on the season before. There is something cathartic about watching a team fall short of their fan expectations when they're riding their highest... or maybe that's my early nomination for the "Hater of The Year" award.

Washington is living the good life right now, playing with house money. Meanwhile, Detroit is going to be on the receiving end of the negative side of success. Players and most importantly coaches, will be plucked from the Lions and the tough times will come as they have to handle both expectation and exodus.

Houston loses on the road to Kansas City 23-14

Saturday started with the Texans traveling to Kansas City. The Texans coming in hot off a big win over the Chargers and surviving their first round matchup, where so many thought LA would pull off the upset. The Chiefs? That's a different story. Following another season of the chatter on ESPN and elsewhere questioning their greatness, the fans of losing teams questioning the referees and complaining about the calls that seemingly "go Kansas City's way." and etc. I'll be one of the few to say this... The Chiefs didn't need the refs to win this game... despite DeMeco Ryans and Will Anderson's undying and unwavering claims that question the integrity of the game. Despite THAT being the easy way out, the Texans biggest issue is scoring 12 points. Yes, the score was 23-14 at the end, but the final two points were scored via the Chiefs punter running out the endzone to waste time off the clock at the end of the game.

Randomly, Houston led the game in almost all statistical categories, they allowed one thing that NEVER wins games. 8 sacks to the Kansas City Chiefs. You cannot play the defending Champions and allow that many hits on your QB. Kansas is a defensive team that has the ability to score points when they need to. You have to play a perfect game vs Kansas City. Houston, decidedly did not. Kansas City moves on and the pressure remains on whatever team faces them next.

Sunday Games

Eagles hold on to a 28-22 win over the Rams

Following the Rams defeat of the Minnesota Vikings in Phoenix and the Eagles over Green Bay, the two were matched in Philly in the always anticipated "Snow Game" of the playoffs. The Rams came into Sunday the underdog, but the type of underdog that most people has some faith in. Surely after watching the Commanders dominating the Lions, ANYTHING felt possible. Meanwhile, the Eagles were doing what they do best, run the ball, play good defense and just keep the win train going. They used the same formula as Saquon Barkley had an absolute field day, rushing for 205 yards and 2 touchdowns with some HUGE runs of 62 yards and 78 yards respectively. In the two games vs the Rams, the former New York Giants running back ran for 534 yards and 4 total touchdowns.

Despite being down big in the 4th quarter and 4 minutes left in the game, the Rams were able to get a touchdown, stop Philly and get the ball back with just under three minutes. That final drive brought the drama level way up, for an already exciting game. The rams moved the ball at their will, then the two minute warning came and the following plays seemed like the Rams magic had run out. A few passes and amazing catches later, the Rams were down deep in the Red Zone. Stafford dropped back to pass and Eagles intercept the pass with 15 seconds left, solidifying their spot in the NFC Championship game against the Commanders.

The Ravens fall short in Buffalo 27-25

In the marquee matchup of the weekend and what most people felt was an AFC Championship Game level match up, the Bills hosted the Ravens. Another snowish game on Sunday led to another fun ending and a ton of fun plays.

Following a great game, and an dramatic drop on a two point conversion, where Mark Andrews has the potential game tying score slip through his hands following a fantastic drive orchestrated by LaMar Jackson.

Baltimore came into this game with the pressure of having a multiple time MVP at quarterback and making the big splash move of signing Derrick Henry to the team to help get them over the line and lead the Ravens to the promised land of the Super Bowl. Meanwhile, the Bills have the same goal... minus the expectations. Buffalo had an exodus of talent this off season, Stephon Diggs departure this offseason had most people in the media space trusting the Jets... yeah, that was a thing, and the Dolphins as the team to beat. In a world of major expectations, the Bills are living the good life. Most of America will be cheering them on or hoping that they can knock off the hated Chiefs.

Championship Weekend

The Bills travel to Kansas City to face the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game

Buffalo will travel to KC to take on the Chiefs in one of the more anticipated AFC Championship games. The Bills/ Chiefs Rivalry is takiong another step in their evolution as they grow into the new Brady/Manning. The Bills have won three straight regular season matchups... but lost the last two playoff matches, including one of the most fun games in recent playoff history. More on this game on the "Tipping Point with Mike Tipton" this week.

Washington travels up I-95 to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game

Philadelphia has pulled the best possible matchup they could want to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl, by drawing the Commanders over the Lions. Beating two of the teams that most people thought could pull off the upset, the Eagles solidified their position as one of the best in the NFC. Meanwhile, the Commanders are still playing with house money, the team has no pressure, no expectations and are years ahead of "schedule"... for whatever that means. More on this game on the "Tipping Point with Mike Tipton" this week.