NFL.com analysts provide one bold prediction for the Divisional Round.
Rams outlast Bears in highest-scoring playoff game ever
The highest-scoring postseason game in NFL history was an NFC West-NFC North showdown back in the 2009 Wild Card Round. In that game, 38-year-old Kurt Warner and the Cardinals defeated 26-year-old Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, 51-45, in an overtime thriller. We'll get a little déjà vu on Sunday evening, when the Rams, led by seasoned veteran Matthew Stafford, top the Bears, led by second-year pro Caleb Williams, 52-45, breaking the record (by one point) and sending Los Angeles back to the NFC Championship Game.
Against all odds, 49ers stun rival Seahawks in Seattle
It seems like everything is stacked against the 49ers ahead of their rubber match versus Seattle. Fresh off a long, hard-fought win in Philadelphia, the injury-riddled Niners have a short week before another road trip to Seattle. Meanwhile, the rival Seahawks -- who completely stifled San Francisco two weeks ago -- are well rested after a bye week. But just as Kyle Shanahan's team has done for most of the season, San Francisco ultimately defies the odds on Saturday night. Christian McCaffrey scores two touchdowns and Robert Saleh's defense forces three Sam Darnold turnovers, allowing the 49ers to pull off a 14-13 upset in Seattle.
Ballhawking Bears bedevil MVP front-runner Matthew Stafford
Stafford has looked a bit more mortal since his interception-less streak ended in Week 13. Now he heads to a frigid Soldier Field to face an aggressive, opportunistic Bears defense. If Chicago has a chance to win, it'll come by turning over the Rams' offense. Look for the Bears to take some chances in the secondary and come away with multiple interceptions on their way to their first NFC title game since the 2010 season.
Stefon Diggs cooks Houston's top-ranked defense
Diggs was held to just two catches for 16 yards in the Patriots' wild-card win over the Chargers, and he hasn't had 100-plus receiving yards in a playoff game since the 2022 postseason (with Buffalo). The four-time Pro Bowler bests Houston's elite secondary to the tune of 150 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday.
Rams humiliate Bears, prompting another testy handshake
Rams head coach Sean McVay and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur scheme up a game plan for the ages to beat the Bears by 21 at Soldier Field. It's Mike who ousts Ben Johnson from the playoffs and sends him home with his own frosty handshake, getting revenge for his brother, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.
