NFL Divisional Playoffs Roundup

Last Updated on January 20, 2026 10:36 am by Erwin Noguera

This weekend featured the NFL Divisional Round games, delivering thrilling battles, with two matchups decided in overtime.

The action began on Saturday with the Denver Broncos eliminating the Buffalo Bills 33–30 in overtime, followed by the Seattle Seahawks having no trouble crushing the San Francisco 49ers 41–6.

On Sunday, the New England Patriots showed they are serious contenders by defeating the Houston Texans 28–16, while the final game of the round saw the Los Angeles Rams beat the Bears in Chicago 17–20 in overtime.

At Gambyl Exchange, you can explore all NFL predictions, the final bets for this Matchday, and the odds for each match.

NFL Divisional Round Games

NFL Divisional Round: Denver Broncos vs. Buffalo Bills

The Denver Broncos earned a bittersweet victory, as despite the joy of defeating the Buffalo Bills and reaching the conference final, they soon learned that Bo Nix would miss the remainder of the season due to an ankle injury.

It was a tough and evenly matched battle between Nix and Josh Allen. While the Broncos quarterback finished with 26 completions on 46 attempts for 279 yards, three touchdown passes, and one interception, the Bills quarterback went 25 of 39 for 283 yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions, and was sacked three times.

Allen ended the game in tears and said he felt he had let his teammates down. He has been heavily criticized for an incredible fumble late in the second quarter that led to a Denver field goal, which ultimately proved to be decisive.

During the game, the Broncos trailed at the end of the first quarter and again with one minute remaining, until Marvin Mims Jr. caught a 26-yard pass to put Denver ahead. With five seconds left, Matt Prater converted a 50-yard field goal to send the game into overtime.

In overtime, Ja’Quan McMillian intercepted a deep pass in a controversial play involving Brandin Cooks, as it appeared the wide receiver may have caught the ball. The officials ruled it Denver’s ball, and the Broncos went on to win with a 23-yard field goal by Lutz to secure the victory and advance.

In addition to Mims, Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Frank Crum scored touchdowns. For Crum, a second-year offensive tackle, it was his first touchdown in the NFL.

For the Bills, Dalton Kincaid, Keon Coleman, and Mecole Hardman Jr. scored touchdowns, and James Cook stood out with 117 yards on 24 carries, while Allen added another 66 yards on 12 rushes.

Josh Allen is now 0–7 in games decided in overtime.

Result: Denver Broncos 33-30 Buffalo Bills

NFL Divisional Round: Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers

The Seattle Seahawks showed no mercy against the San Francisco 49ers and crushed them 41–6 at Lumen Field, proving why they finished first in the NFC.

The hero of the night was running back Kenneth Walker, who carried the ball 19 times for 116 yards and three touchdowns, scored in the second, third, and fourth quarters. That said, everything went Seattle’s way from the very start, as on the opening play of the game, Rashid Shaheed returned the kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown to give the home side an early lead.

With just under two minutes remaining in the first quarter, Sam Darnold found Jaxon Smith-Njigba to extend the lead to 17–0.

The 49ers “closed the gap” with two field goals from Eddy Piñeiro, from 40 and 56 yards, but that was all they could manage. Brock Purdy completed 15 of 27 passes for 140 yards, threw one interception, and was sacked twice.

Sam Darnold, meanwhile, was rarely challenged, needing to complete just 12 of 17 passes for 124 yards and one touchdown. The ground game was the key factor, with 175 rushing yards on 33 attempts, in addition to Shaheed’s 126 yards on two kick returns.

Result: Seattle Seahawks 41-6 San Francisco 49ers

NFL Divisional Round: New England Patriots vs. Houston Texans

The New England Patriots improved compared to their previous game but once again built their victory on a strong defensive performance to defeat the Houston Texans 28–16.

It was a game in which the key factor was the four interceptions of C.J. Stroud, all of them coming in the first half. One of those interceptions turned into a touchdown after a 26-yard return by Marcus Jones while the Texans were leading 7–10. Stroud was heavily criticized on that play, as he simply tried to get rid of the ball to avoid a sack and ended up lofting an easy pass for the opposing defense.

The game started well for the home side with a touchdown by DeMario Douglas, but a field goal and a passing touchdown to Christian Kirk flipped the score early in the second quarter.

Then came Jones’ score and a spectacular catch by Stefon Diggs between two defenders to give the Patriots a 21–10 lead at halftime.

In the third quarter, Houston closed the gap with two field goals to make it 21–16, but the player who ended their hopes was Kayshon Boutte, who opened the final quarter with an outstanding one-handed catch on a 32-yard pass.

It was a close game, but as mentioned, the inaccuracy of the third-year quarterback proved decisive. Stroud completed just 20 of 47 passes for 212 yards, with one touchdown, four interceptions, and three sacks. He became the first player in a postseason to record five or more interceptions and five or more fumbles.

Maye, meanwhile, completed 16 of 27 passes for 179 yards, threw three touchdown passes and one interception, and was sacked five times.

Result: New England Patriots 28-16 Houston Texans

NFL Divisional Round: Chicago Bears vs. Los Angeles Rams

In a thrilling, snow-covered game at Soldier Field, the Los Angeles Rams were the only road team to win, defeating the Chicago Bears 17–20.

It was a game full of surprises, with the Rams scoring twice on the ground, both by Kyren Williams, while the Bears struck through the air, first with DJ Moore and then with Cole Kmet on an incredible play. With 18 seconds remaining, facing fourth-and-four, Caleb Williams dropped back 20 yards and unleashed a pass that traveled 51.2 yards through the air to complete a 14-yard gain. Despite the loss, it may go down as the play of the postseason, and even of the year.

Williams went from hero to villain in overtime, as he was intercepted by Kamren Curl. After a great pass from Matthew Stafford to Davante Adams, the Rams sealed the win with a 42-yard field goal by Harrison Mevis.

Williams finished the night completing 23 of 42 passes for 257 yards, with two touchdowns but three interceptions. Stafford, meanwhile, completed just 48% of his passes, going 20 of 42 for 258 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions, but came away with the victory.

Result: Chicago Bears 17-20 Los Angeles Rams