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2021 NFL Playoffs: Ranking every Divisional Round game

By Leigh Oleszczak

TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 08: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints looks to pass during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 08, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 08: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints looks to pass during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 08, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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Ranking every NFL Divisional Round game in 2021
Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

Ranking the four Divisional Round games of the 2021 NFL Playoffs.

After Wild Card weekend provided us with plenty of entertainment around the NFL, it’s time for the Divisional Round of the 2021 NFL Playoffs, which will determine the AFC and NFC title games.

This weekend will be the first time we’ve seen the Chiefs and Packers in action since Week 17 (really Week 16 for the Chiefs, as they rested their starters in the regular-season finale) and that should provide plenty of fireworks.

With the matchups set, let’s rank the four divisional-round games from worst to first.

4. Chiefs vs. Browns (Sunday, 3:05 p.m. ET kickoff)

We’ll see the Chiefs in action for the first true time since Week 16 and it’ll come against the Browns, who shockingly advanced after blowing out the Steelers in the first round (though Pittsburgh did make things somewhat interesting in the second half). Cleveland didn’t have their head coach for that game and still took it to the Steelers, so no one should be underestimating the Browns.

That being said, this game is heavily skewed toward Kansas City because, well, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champs. As of now, the Chiefs are favored by more than a touchdown and while Cleveland is just excited to be apart of the playoffs, Kansas City has bigger fish to fry. Just winning the game and advancing isn’t enough. They want to run it back and be the first time to win consecutive Super Bowl titles since the Patriots did it in 2003-04.

This game might be the “least exciting”, but it won’t lack explosiveness. Patrick Mahomes vs. Baker Mayfield gives us the rematch of that exciting 2016 college game between Texas Tech and Oklahoma where the quarterbacks combined for over 1,000 passing yards.

The Browns’ best chance to win this game is to capitalize on KC’s struggle when it comes to stopping the run. Kareem Hunt will be motivated to do well against his old team and that’s definitely a storyline to watch.

Chiefs-Browns might be No. 4 on here, but this matchup is still going to provide a good time.

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