"AFC Divisional Round: The Rematches Part Two"

The AFC Wild Card round has concluded and we've been given two 
great regular season rematches for your divisional round weekend. 
Were you expecting anything different as the build-up and hype is 
pressing? I'm here to tell you folks: grab a bucket of popcorn and enjoy 
the movie trailers beforehand.

1 Kansas City Chiefs vs 4 Houston Texans 

Defending two-time Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs will begin 
their quest for a three-peat Saturday afternoon in Arrowhead Stadium 
aka Chiefs Kingdom. A much needed first round bye to rest and get right 
for their usual deep playoff run. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been 
decent but not great in 2024 but when he has head coach Andy Reid 
and future hall of fame tight end Travis Kelce, a well-oiled machine is 
ready to churn. In a season where winning multiple one score games 
has been the definition of a 15-2 record. Credit, it's not the high potent 
offenses fans are accustomed to but it's doable.
Getting the speedsters back to full strength in running back Isaiah 
Pacheco, wide receiver Hollywood Brown plus the all the key players, 
Kansas City is sure to start fast Saturday afternoon. Veteran wide 
receiver DeAndre Hopkins is playing meaningful football since 2019 as 
a member of his former team Houston. But the story hasn't been the 
offense, let's show this top defense some love! Led by defensive tackle 
Chris Jones, look for him to disrupt Houston's run game early and often. 
DC Steve Spagnola has done a sensational job in scheming and 
attacking opposing offenses. We usually see a high potent offense, but 
this year the Chiefs defense has been elite in every level. 

Houston, we had a problem against Kansas City prior to this rematch.
Losing second year wide receiver Tank Dell due to an horrific knee

injury at Arrowhead. It shook quarterback CJ Stroud so bad, Houston
wasn't the same afterwards. Houston marches into Chiefs Kingdom with
a surprising upset win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Defensively, the
Texans stole the show in forcing Justin Herbert into four turnovers and
didn't look back. But... This is Kansas City they're facing for a second
time in many weeks. Stroud secured his second playoff win in two
seasons and some confidence as well. Wide receiver Nico Collins will
have to carry a bulk of the targets meshed with some type of
serviceable run game versus the Chiefs front four.

The Texans defensive line will have their hands full; along with trying to
slow down a high potent Chiefs offense. Led by defensive end Will
Anderson, the Texans need to hold Kansas City in kicking field goals
and within striking distance giving Stroud a chance to deliver an upset.
In a very hostile environment, Houston is going to face their toughest
battle in the trenches. To defeat Kansas City, playing keep away from
Mahomes and milking the clock with long drives works in their favor. You
make one too many mistakes and enough clock, Houston will lose this
game in blowout fashion.

2 Buffalo Bills vs 3 Baltimore Ravens

You wanted box office quarterbacks, this is the game everyone will be
sitting in front of their televisions for! Buffalo roamed all over Denver in
their wild card win on Sunday as potential MVP quarterback Josh Allen
was pretty good. For a Bills team, this was more about the run offense
as running back James Cook ran into the Broncos second levels. Allen
was able to distribute the football and be his usual self. It's been a
season of change as Allen doesn't have to force feed a number one
receiver; yet everyone gets involved and no complaints. Credit to
offensive coordinator Joe Brady for turning around Allen's play and
balancing this scheme out to be potent. Here's the thing: Buffalo can
beat you many ways and that's the scary part opposing teams can't
figure out.

Defensively, the front four can get home to your quarterback and rarely
make mistakes. It's a bend but don't break; but having Allen as the
quarterback bails them out of tight jams. Expect this Bills defense to
stop Baltimore's high powered run game in Lamar Jackson and Derrick
Henry. It's a challenge but I believe head coach Sean McDermott will
put his best scheme on display.

Lamar "Lights, Camera, Action" Jackson leads Baltimore into Orchard
Park with a chance to solidify his back to back MVP award; with three
overall. Late season woes with placekicker Justin Tucker, a battered
pass defense and plenty of one dimensional football. Having a late
season bye allowed the Ravens to regroup and flock away the AFC
North from Pittsburgh; with a four game winning streak.
A dominating performance from Jackson and Henry, the Ravens ran for
299 yards against Pittsburgh defense. Yes, ladies and gentlemen you
read correctly. Baltimore did any and everything at will with no remorse.
This Ravens team has all the momentum flying into Buffalo and will
have to play their best mistake free game to upset Buffalo. Look for
Henry to power his way into the heart of Buffalo's defense and wear
down the Bills early on. As the game goes, Henry gets stronger with
each carry. It's the formula which still matters in football.

Baltimore's pass defense will be the make and break against Buffalo's
dynamic receivers. Yes, it can be "got" in part of Allen's ability to extend
plays and throw darts to Amari Cooper, Keon Coleman, Dalton Kincaid
and Dawson Knox. For a Ravens team who can be solid could also be
hammered and broken early in the game. I expect the Ravens defense
to keep it close without abandoning the run game. If that happens,
Jackson will have to carry Baltimore on his shoulders.

The AFC Divisional round is here and I hope you enjoyed my preview
for each game! Be sure to checkout the NFC Divisional round preview

article as well on The Gryd's webpage! Your home for the hottest sports
content in digital media and journalism!

Stai tuned.