The NFL Divisional Round never disappoints, and this year was no different. It was a weekend packed with thrilling matchups and jaw-dropping performances that'll be talked about for years to come. 

From Saquon Barkley’s historic run to the Commanders’ rookie quarterback stealing the show, every game had its own flavor of drama and excitement.

Turnovers and mental mistakes played a massive role across all four games, reminding us just how crucial protecting the football and keeping a level head is in the postseason. 

Now that the dust has settled on an unforgettable Divisional Round, it’s time to dive deeper into what made these games so compelling. With emotions running high and every snap carrying weight, these games left no shortage of storylines heading into Championship weekend.

Houston Texans 14, Kansas City Chiefs 23

The Kansas City Chiefs took care of business in a 23-14 victory over the Houston Texans, earning their seventh straight trip to the AFC Championship Game. It wasn’t the cleanest win for Kansas City, but their ability to capitalize on Houston's mistakes and a stout defensive performance ultimately made the difference.

One of the biggest talking points after the game — as seems to always be the case when Kansas City plays — revolved around the team wearing black and white stripes. Several penalties, including roughing the passer and unnecessary roughness calls against the Texans, drew criticism from players after the game.

In fairness, these calls did completely shift the momentum, leaving the Texans and their fans frustrated. But to imply that the Texans were going to be able to win the game even without the controversial calls is a step too far; especially with how that defensive line was playing.

Adding to the drama, Texans cornerback Kris Boyd was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct, which then led to a heated sideline exchange with special teams coordinator Frank Ross.

On the field, Travis Kelce once again proved why he’s one of the best postseason performers ever. The star tight end hauled in seven catches for 117 yards and a touchdown, marking his 14th straight playoff game with at least 70 receiving yards — an NFL record.

On the defensive side, George Karlaftis was a force to be reckoned with, logging three of the Chiefs’ eight sacks and consistently pressuring C.J. Stroud. Kansas City’s defense made life miserable for Stroud, pressuring him on more than 50% of his dropbacks.

Despite the victory, the Chiefs were outgained in total yardage by the Texans. However, their ability to force mistakes and capitalize on those penalties proved to be the difference-maker. It wasn’t a perfect outing, but Kansas City did what they do best — find a way to win when it matters most.

Washington Commanders 45, Detroit Lions 31

The Washington Commanders were sending a message to the rest of the league this weekend, clinching their first NFC Championship berth since 1991 with a statement 45-31 win over the Detroit Lions. For a franchise long overshadowed by its storied past, this win felt like a turning point — especially with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels leading the charge.

It's not just new leadership on the field for the Commanders this season; Josh Harris took over ownership in the offseason and is now one win away from the Super Bowl in his first year running the show.

Daniels was nothing short of sensational in the upset. He threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns, added another 51 yards on the ground, and posted an impressive 122.9 passer rating. It’s hard to believe this is his first postseason run with poise well beyond his years, executing with extreme confidence. 

The Commanders’ offensive success was amplified by fourth-year wideout Dayami Brown, who has caught fire at the perfect time. Brown delivered one of the most productive performances of his career, hauling in six catches for 98 yards. This followed another stellar outing just last week against the Buccaneers. 

Despite the loss, Jahmyr Gibbs was electric for the Lions, rushing for 105 yards and two touchdowns at an eye-popping 7.5 yards per carry. His ability to consistently gain chunk yardage helped prevent things from getting even more out of hand than they already were.

Defensively, the Commanders were relentless, forcing five turnovers that completely derailed the Lions' momentum. Rookie cornerback Mike Sainristil had a breakout performance with two critical interceptions. Meanwhile, the Lions, who outgained the Commanders in total yardage, were their own worst enemy. 

Quarterback Jared Goff picked a bad time to have one of the worst games of his career, with multiple head-scratching interceptions contributing to Detroit’s collapse. The Commanders’ ability to convert three of their four fourth-down attempts (with another aided by a penalty) kept the ball in Daniels' hands and away from the Lions' offense, allowing them to completely control the game.

Looking ahead, Daniels has a chance to make even more history. Rookie quarterbacks are 0-5 in conference championship games, but this year has already been anything but conventional. Daniels and his team have already defied expectations, and with the momentum they’ve built, the Commanders seem poised to continue surprising everyone. 

Philadelphia Eagles 28, Los Angeles Rams 22

The Philadelphia Eagles toughed out a gritty 28-22 win over the Los Angeles Rams, relying on their rushing attack and defense to seal the deal in snowy, less-than-ideal conditions. It wasn’t always pretty, but they played to their strengths — and their stars delivered when it mattered most.

Saquon Barkley put on an absolute clinic, rushing for a jaw-dropping 205 yards and two touchdowns. This ranks as the fifth-best rushing performance in playoff history. His 78-yard touchdown run was one for the highlight reels, a dazzling burst of speed and power that effectively broke the game open. 

Barkley’s performance wasn’t just dominant — it was historic. He became the first player ever to top 200 scrimmage yards against the same team in both the regular season and playoffs in the same year. 

Jalen Hurts, however, had a more up-and-down night. Sure, he added 70 rushing yards and a crucial touchdown, but the passing game struggled to find its rhythm. Hurts took seven sacks, losing 63 yards, and a few of those even knocked the Eagles out of scoring range. If they’re going to keep this playoff run alive, that’s an area that’s going to need some attention.

Defensively, the Eagles made big plays when it counted. They forced two key turnovers, shutting down potential scoring drives for the Rams. Philadelphia’s front four was relentless, keeping pressure on Matthew Stafford all night and forcing him into rushed decisions and shorter throws. Those defensive stops were the difference in a tight game.

On the Rams’ side, Stafford had a respectable game statistically, but his post-game comments about possibly retiring left a cloud of uncertainty over Los Angeles’ future. 

As far as my future goes, it's 30 minutes after the last game so I'll take some time to think about it. But I feel like I was playing some pretty good ball.

Now, with the win in hand, the Eagles turn their focus to the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship. They’ll need to clean up the pass protection and keep leaning on Barkley’s magic if they want to take the next step toward the Super Bowl.

Buffalo Bills 27, Baltimore Ravens 25

The Buffalo Bills edged out the Baltimore Ravens 27-25 in a divisional-round thriller that came down to the smallest of margins. While both teams battled through frigid temperatures and a snow-covered field, the deciding factor was Baltimore’s inability to protect the football. Three Ravens turnovers, including a late-game fumble by Mark Andrews, ultimately swung the game in Buffalo’s favor.

Josh Allen was steady under pressure, scoring two crucial rushing touchdowns and delivering in the red zone when Buffalo needed him most. His ability to adapt to what the Ravens' defense threw at him — particularly targeting zone coverage where all six of Khalil Shakir’s catches came — was a major factor in the win. Statistically, the Bills were outgained 416 to 273 yards, but they made their moments count — capitalizing on every opportunity Baltimore handed them.

For the Ravens, it was a case of what could have been. They moved the ball effectively, but turnovers at the worst possible times erased their efforts. Mark Andrews, despite his 61 receiving yards, had a tough night, with a fumble and a dropped two-point conversion attempt late in the game that would've likely sent it to overtime. Baltimore’s running game also struggled to find its footing early, as Derrick Henry was held to just 21 yards on eight carries in the first half.

The game wasn’t without its emotional moments. After the final whistle, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson shared a heartfelt embrace. It’s moments like these that show how the NFL, for all its intensity, still brings out mutual respect between competitors.

Buffalo now moves on to face Kansas City in the AFC Championship. If they hope to keep this run going, the Bills will need to tighten up their own execution and continue leaning on Allen’s dual-threat abilities to handle the Chiefs’ high-powered attack. 

All Stats Courtesy of NFL Pro