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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Houston Texans @ New England Patriots

The Texans offense will need a clear plan to handle New England’s interior pass rush. This season, the Patriots rank first in the NFL in both pass-rush win rate (21.1%) and pressure rate (15.7%) from players lined up between the tackles. Interior defender Cory Durden has been the catalyst, posting an 18.2% pass-rush win rate inside, the second-highest mark among all interior defenders.

Interior pass protection was a major weakness for Houston a season ago, but that unit has taken a significant step forward in 2025. After allowing a 17.2% pressure rate from the interior offensive line last season (29th in the NFL), the Texans have cut that figure down to 12.3% this year, ranking 10th league-wide.

On the other side of the matchup, the left side of New England’s offensive line is anchored by rookies Will Campbell and Jared Wilson, both of whom struggled in last week’s wild-card win over the Chargers. Campbell surrendered a season-high five pressures, including a sack, while Wilson tied his season highs with six pressures allowed and two sacks conceded.

That duo now faces one of the NFL’s most dominant defensive lines, led by edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. The Texans’ star pairing combined for 176 total pressures this season — the most by any pass-rushing duo in the league.

Los Angeles Rams @ Chicago Bears

One of the best schematic matchups of the weekend features the Rams’ man/duo run game against the Bears defense.

Sean McVay and company lean on this concept at the highest rate in the league, calling man/duo on 41% of their designed rushing attempts. That commitment has produced strong results: the Rams are averaging 4.5 yards per carry and 2.0 yards before contact per attempt, the latter ranking third among all offenses.

Chicago, however, has been one of the league’s toughest units to run against when facing man/duo. The Bears allow just 3.1 yards per carry on the concept, the second-lowest average in the NFL, and they rarely give up explosive gains. Their 4.9% explosive run rate allowed against man/duo ranked seventh-best during the regular season.

Beyond the run game, this matchup also sets up a potential downfield passing battle. Matthew Stafford leads all quarterbacks this season, including the playoffs, in pass attempts traveling 20 or more yards downfield, with 91. Caleb Williams is close behind with 84 such attempts, ranking second overall.

The production has followed the volume. Williams’ 12 deep touchdown passes lead all quarterbacks, while Stafford’s 11 are tied for the second-most. Which defense can better withstand these vertical attacks may ultimately swing the matchup.

Chicago has been vulnerable at times, allowing 12 touchdowns on passes of 20 or more yards downfield — the second-most in the regular season — compared to nine allowed by the Rams. However, the Bears’ secondary has also been opportunistic, leading the league with 10 interceptions on deep attempts and picking off a staggering 15% of deep passes faced, the second-best rate among all teams.

Los Angeles has quietly defended the deep ball well, surrendering an 80.8 passer rating on throws of 20-plus yards, the 11th-lowest mark in the league. With two aggressive quarterbacks and defenses capable of producing splash plays, the battle downfield could be decisive.