The NFL postseason is here, and with it comes a fresh wave of advanced data and analysis.

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.

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Buffalo Bills @ Denver Broncos

The divisional round will open with a familiar matchup, as Buffalo travels to Denver for a rematch of last season’s playoff meeting. In that wild-card game, the Broncos raced out to an early lead before the Bills seized control, fueled by dominant performances from Josh Allen and James Cook. Buffalo ultimately pulled away, setting the tone for how dangerous their offense can be once it finds rhythm.

Cook was a central figure in that contest, rushing for 120 yards at 5.2 yards per carry while producing three explosive runs of 10 or more yards. That performance came against a Broncos run defense that was among the league’s best in 2024 and allowed just 3.5 yards per carry on designed runs — the second-lowest mark in the NFL.

Denver has again been strong against the run this season, surrendering only 3.6 yards per carry on designed rushes, the league’s fourth-lowest mark, while limiting explosive runs to a third-best rate of 6.1%.

Despite Denver’s consistency up front, James Cook will once again be a focal point for Buffalo. Including postseason play, his 40 explosive runs are tied for the most among all running backs. Slowing Cook is a necessary step for Denver, but it is far from the only challenge the Broncos must solve.

Josh Allen’s presence adds an even more complex problem. Allen’s dual-threat ability stresses defenses on every snap, both as a runner and passer. A major question in this rematch will be how aggressive Vance Joseph chooses to be with pressure. Last postseason, Allen was blitzed on 12 dropbacks (41% of his total dropbacks), and he responded decisively by completing 10 of 12 passes for a touchdown, 141 yards and a 143.4 passer rating.

That decision carries weight again this season. Denver has blitzed on 39% of opponent dropbacks in 2025, the sixth-highest rate in the league, and has largely been rewarded because they have held opposing quarterbacks to an 83.0 passer rating — the seventh-lowest allowed.

Whether that approach remains effective against Allen, who has consistently punished pressure, may ultimately determine whether this rematch follows a similar script or takes a different turn.

When Denver has the ball, Buffalo’s defense will need to be especially mindful of Bo Nix’s movement within the pocket. Nix has been one of the most mobile quarterbacks by design this season, leading all passers in designed rollouts (97) and ranking fourth in dropbacks that moved him around and outside the pocket (158). Much of Denver’s passing structure is built around changing launch points and stressing defenses horizontally.

Buffalo, however, has been well-equipped to handle quarterbacks on the move. The Bills have allowed a 59.0 passer rating on throws outside the pocket, the ninth-lowest in the league, while also limiting those attempts to just 4.5 yards per throw, the sixth-best mark during the regular season. That discipline and ability to close throwing windows on the move could force Denver to win more consistently from the pocket.

San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks

Seattle’s defense has become one of the league’s best at disguising coverages, rotating safeties on 39% of snaps — the fourth-highest rate in the NFL.

That deception has translated into elite results: the Seahawks have allowed just 4.5 yards per play (second-lowest) and a 29% successful play rate, ranking third-best among all defenses. Quarterbacks have struggled to consistently solve the post-snap picture, producing a 71.7 passer rating against Seattle, the sixth-lowest mark in the league, while the Seahawks’ eight interceptions against disguised looks were tied for the most during the regular season.

For Brock Purdy, facing disguise has been a boom-or-bust proposition. Across the regular season and postseason, Purdy owns a strong 72% completion rate against rotating coverages, fifth-highest among quarterbacks, but the efficiency has not followed. He has thrown just one touchdown against four interceptions in those situations.

On the ground, San Francisco’s defensive tendencies could open opportunities for Seattle’s run game. The 49ers deploy light boxes — six or fewer defenders — on 53% of their snaps, inviting offenses to run. Seattle’s backfield duo of Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet has capitalized on those looks all season, particularly Charbonnet, whose 91.5 run grade against light boxes leads all running backs and is paired with a robust 6.5 yards per carry.

Walker has also been effective, averaging 4.6 yards per attempt while forcing 11 missed tackles, tied for 11th-most among running backs. Overall, Seattle generates explosive runs on 15% of attempts against light boxes, the ninth-best rate in the league. That strength will be tested, however, by a disciplined 49ers defense that has allowed explosive runs on just 12% of attempts, the fourth-lowest rate among all defenses.