PFF’s media research team has been hard at work this week, preparing for kickoff by pulling data-driven insights and talking points for our broadcast partners around the league. Now, we’re sharing those same nuggets with you. So, whether you’re looking to hit on your bets or just get smarter about the game, these are the key storylines to know for every divisional round contest.

Rashid Shaheed’s opening kickoff return for a touchdown set the tone as Kenneth Walker III rushed for three scores and the Seattle Seahawks overwhelmed the San Francisco 49ers 41-6 to reach the NFC Championship Game.

Will Lutz drilled a 23-yard field goal in overtime to send the Denver Broncos to the AFC Championship with a 33-30 win over the Buffalo Bills in a game defined by late drama and turnovers. After Josh Allen forced overtime with a last-minute field goal drive, his fourth turnover of the night — an overtime interception — set up Lutz’s winner and ended Buffalo’s season.

PFF’s media research team has been hard at work this week, preparing for kickoff by pulling data-driven insights and talking points for our broadcast partners around the league. Now, we’re sharing those same nuggets with you. So, whether you’re looking to hit on your bets or just get smarter about the game, these are the key storylines to know for every divisional round contest.

Trevor Sikkema details the top-10 rookie classes in 2025 by PFF WAA and WAR.

Below are eight head-to-head collisions to circle as you follow all of the divisional round action, including Byron Young vs. Darnell Wright.

Using PFF grades and team-level data to identify the most pressing roster needs for all 32 teams heading into the offseason.

Using PFF grading, we identify the top performer at each offensive line position from the teams still alive in the postseason to assemble the best possible five-man unit.

Using PFF’s snap-by-snap grading, we identify the offensive linemen whose play took a clear step forward in 2025 and cemented them as top-tier performers at their positions.

PFF graded every player on every play during the wild-card round, and these were the top wide receivers by PFF receiving grade.

A significant part of the roster-building equation that every team must consider is which internal free agents to retain. Below is one player on an expiring contract whose franchise would love to re-sign.

We're diving into every matchup in the divisional round of the 2025 NFL playoffs — including key storylines, matchups to watch, and injury news. The Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos kick things off on Saturday afternoon.

With the recent departure of Mike Tomlin from the Pittsburgh Steelers, nine NFL franchises are now searching for a new head coach ahead of the 2026 season. Each opening presents a unique mix of strengths and challenges, but as first-year head coaches like Mike Vrabel, Ben Johnson and Liam Coen have shown this season, the right hire can accelerate a turnaround quickly.

It's crunch time in the quest to win a Super Bowl. These three players need to be better in the divisional round for their teams to advance.

Max Chadwick provides one rookie who can be his team's X-factor during the NFL playoffs.

Wild Card Weekend delivered a wide range of quarterback performances that shaped the outcome of playoff games. Rather than focusing on a single box-score outcome, this breakdown examines the best quarterbacks from the opening playoff round across several key categories, highlighting how passers impacted games and separated themselves when the stakes were highest.

The Los Angeles Rams travel to Chicago, Ill., to face the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Jan. 18, with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

The Houston Texans travel to Foxborough, Mass., to face the New England Patriots on Sunday, Jan. 18, with kickoff set for 3:00 pm ET on ESPN.