Keys to victory for all 8 teams in the NFL Playoffs Divisional Round

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While not all NFL playoff teams are created equal, all teams that will take the field this weekend in the Divisional Round are among the upper echelon of the league this season, and it's not unreasonable to assume any of these eight teams could find themselves among the four teams playing for a shot at Super Bowl LX. Here's a look at one key to victory for all eight teams.

Denver Broncos - Establish Defense and Pass Rush

The Broncos clash with the Bills on Saturday, and the best way for them to ensure they play for the AFC Championship after this weekend is to handle business defensively. It's no secret the Bills have one of the best offenses in the league, ranking in the Top 5 in both total yards and scoring. But the Broncos have the second-ranked defense in the NFL this year, and it's their pass rush that is particularly dangerous – they lead the league with 68 total sacks, with four players registering seven or more sacks this season. Josh Allen was visibly playing through pain for the Bills in the Wild Card Round, and rattling him early could pay dividends.

Buffalo Bills - Josh Allen Needs To Do Josh Allen Things

A large part of Buffalo's offensive success this season has come due to veteran quarterback Josh Allen, who has been a consistent weapon for the Bills' offense for years. He's particularly dangerous in the postseason, as he is first-place all-time in the NFL with 310.6 total yards per game in the playoffs among players with a minimum of 10 postseason starts. If Buffalo wants to dethrone the top-seeded Broncos, Josh Allen must showcase his usual playoff magic.

Seattle Seahawks - Dominant Run Game

The Seattle Seahawks found a recipe for success against the 49ers in Week 18, defeating their divisional rival 13-3 with a strong rushing attack that compiled 171 combined yards and one touchdown between star running backs Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet. If the Seahawks can replicate that type of performance, that can sustain long drives and dictate the pace of the game against a typically explosive San Francisco offense.

San Francisco 49ers - Force Sam Darnold Into Pressure

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold led the NFL in giveaways in 2025 with 14 interceptions and six lost fumbles, and is reportedly dealing with oblique issues entering Saturday's game with San Francisco. The Seahawks are the top seed in the NFC and knocked off San Francisco 13-3 in Week 18, but if the 49ers can force Darnold into mistakes, it will make it much easier to earn a win.

New England Patriots - Another Drake Maye MVP Performance

Drake Maye has looked like one of the NFL's best quarterbacks in 2025, leading the Patriots to a 14-3 regular season record, No. 2 seed in the AFC, and a Wild Card Round win with 4,662 passing yards, 32 passing touchdowns, 516 rushing yards, and four rushing touchdowns through 18 outings. He has been the lifeblood of one of the top teams in the NFL this season, and if he continues to play at his current level, he can take the Patriots a long way.

Houston Texans - Ride The Defense, Ride The Momentum

The Texans have the top-ranked defense in the NFL this season, and if anyone can stop Drake Maye, it will be this unit. The Texans also enter with momentum, riding a 10-game winning streak dating back to November. If Houston can continue to channel their momentum and show up with their typical defensive intensity, it can make things tough for New England.

Chicago Bears - A Strong Start Is Key

The Bears knocked off the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round to advance despite trailing with two minutes remaining in their game. This marks the seventh such win for Chicago this season, which is the most for any NFL team (including playoff games) since the 1983 season. The Rams have the top-scoring offense and third-best total offense in the NFL this season, and trailing early against them can be deadly. The Bears will want to set the tone from the beginning.

Los Angeles Rams - Matt Stafford Must Overcome The Odds

Stafford passed for a career-high 46 touchdowns and over 4,700 yards this season, and is a strong MVP candidate. But the weather in Chicago will be between 10 and 15 degrees on Saturday, with wind gusts of 20 to 30 miles per hour. Stafford is 1-9 with the Rams in cold, rainy, and snowy conditions, and 1-2 in games under 40 degrees. But he has thrown for 200-plus passing yards and two-plus passing touchdowns in his last eight playoff games. A big performance from Stafford in an unexpected environment will be crucial for the Rams.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Keys to victory for all 8 teams in the NFL Playoffs Divisional Round

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