This year’s divisional round signals change throughout the NFL. In a league where passing is prized, a group of teams that opted to run the ball instead have advanced to this point in the playoffs; and for the first time since 2002, the AFC championship game won’t feature Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, or Ben Roethlisberger. These teams have bucked tradition, but how will they fare against each other? The Ringer has all the action covered, so stay tuned for updates, analysis, and highlights from our staff.
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Everything You Need to Know About the 2020 Divisional Round
After an eventful wild-card weekend, it’s time for the divisional round
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January 13, 2020
The Packers Offense Finally Looks Dangerous Again—and Not a Moment Too Soon
After a rough final month of the regular season, Green Bay’s passing attack found its footing against Seattle. Now Davante Adams and Co. will get to try to do it again in the NFC championship game.
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January 13, 2020
Ravens Nevermore, Hail to the Chiefs, Hall of Fame Tears, and Empty Nest Sports Dad Syndrome With Cousin Sal
Plus: Bill and Cousin Sal Guess the Lines for the conference championship games, discuss the best and worst Super Bowl matchups, and talk future bets and subplots
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January 13, 2020
The Mahomes Comeback Game, the Titans Out-Bully the Ravens, and More Playoff Chaos
Robert Mays and Kevin Clark break down the Chiefs’ historic 24-point comeback against the Texans and more from the divisional round
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January 13, 2020
Patrick Mahomes’s Virtuoso Performance Reminded Us He’s the NFL’s Most Talented Passer
Last season’s MVP made the extraordinary look normal in the Chiefs’ comeback win against the Texans
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January 13, 2020
Who Was the Giant Hall of Fame Guy That Made Bill Cowher and Jimmy Johnson Cry?
Pro Football Hall of Fame president David Baker has a more interesting past than you’d expect
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January 13, 2020
The Winners and Losers of the NFL Divisional Round
Derrick Henry and Patrick Mahomes did things we’ve never seen before in the second round of the playoffs. Plus, the Ravens came up short when it mattered most.
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January 12, 2020
Aaron Rodgers Needed a Superstar. Davante Adams Delivered.
The Packers’ no. 1 wideout set a new team playoff receiving record against the Seahawks in the divisional round
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January 12, 2020
The Chiefs Made a Historic Comeback Look Easy
Kansas City found itself in a 24-point hole early—then they put up so many points so quickly that their win wasn’t even all that close
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January 12, 2020
The Texans’ Epic Choke Job Was Shocking but Not Surprising
Bill O’Brien’s team has made a ritual out of playoff collapses and no-shows, but Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs may have been the crown jewel
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January 12, 2020
The Ryan Tannehill Trade Remade the 2019 Season—and Leaves an Enduring Roster-Building Legacy
When the Titans traded for the former Miami QB, few people noticed or cared. Now Tennessee is one step from the Super Bowl, and that move helped topple one of the greatest regular-season teams of all time.
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January 12, 2020
How Do the Ravens Pick Up the Pieces After That Embarrassing Loss?
Assessing the offseason plans for the AFC’s best regular-season team, who were bounced from the playoffs in a historic upset on Saturday
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January 12, 2020
Derrick Henry and the Titans Are Crashing the Playoffs
Tennessee wasn’t even supposed to be here, but they’ve now knocked off the defending champs and the 1-seed in stunning fashion
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January 12, 2020
The Ravens Just Had an All-Time Playoff Collapse Against the Titans
It wasn’t only that the 1-seed lost to the 6-seed, it was how it happened
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January 11, 2020
The Kirk Cousins Vikings May Have Just Hit Their Ceiling
Minnesota enters the offseason with no cap space, a bunch of defensive free agents, and several crucial needs
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January 11, 2020
The 49ers Just Reminded Everyone Why They Are a Super Bowl Favorite
San Francisco had squeaked into the NFC’s no. 1 overall seed, but the team’s 27-10 demolition of the Vikings showed that they are as complete as any team. No one should be surprised if this team is lifting the Lombardi Trophy in a few weeks.
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January 10, 2020
The Players to Bet on in the Divisional Round, Plus Danny’s Grandmother!
We break down the players to bet on and stay away from in each game of this weekend’s divisional round
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January 10, 2020
The Keys to the NFL Divisional Round
It’s a passing league. So why are the remaining teams so good at rushing?
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January 9, 2020
The Normal Rules of Football Analytics Don’t Apply to Derrick Henry
Modern football wisdom suggests that running the ball is less valuable than ever. Except, apparently, in the case of the Titans star—whose blend of size, power, and speed is unlike anything the NFL has ever seen.
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January 9, 2020
Say Hello to the New Guard of Elite Quarterbacks Reshaping the NFL
There’s a changing of the guard happening in these playoffs among the upper echelon at the league’s most important position
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January 9, 2020
The Evolution of Aaron Jones and the Emergence of a Packers Superstar
Green Bay’s other Aaron has long been overlooked because of his size. But he’s been a revelation in his first season under Matt LaFleur—and he may be the key to the Packers’ playoff success.
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January 8, 2020
What Each Remaining Playoff QB Says About the NFL
Many of the divisional round’s signal-callers are here for the first time. Are there lessons we can learn from their presence?
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January 8, 2020
The 49ers’ Swiss Army Knife Playmakers Are the Key to Beating the Vikings
With George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Kyle Juszczyk, Kyle Shanahan has the do-everything playmakers he needs to create chaos against opposing defenses. San Francisco’s schematic versatility could be crucial to a long playoff run.