Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images The stage is set, and these NFC East opponents will face off for their chance to compete in Super Bowl LIX. The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in the Divisional Round, and will now officially host the Washington Commanders for the NFC Championship Game. The conference championship will get underway next Sunday, January 26 at 3:30 PM ET at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles didn’t have the cleanest game against the Rams, and unfortunately several guys suffered an injury (of varying severity), but they were able to put the game away thanks in part to Saquon Barkley breaking free for a 78-yard touchdown. Philadelphia and Washington were 1-1 against each other during the regular season, but the Commanders win in Week 16 came late in the game and Jalen Hurts suffered a concussion in the first quarter. Still, Jayden Daniels and Co. looked dynamic in their divisional game against the No. 1 seeded Lions, and will be a tough challenge for the Eagles. But, a home game against the Commanders is more ideal than a road game against the Lions, so at least Eagles fans get one more chance to will this team to the Super Bowl. The Eagles opened up as 5.5-point home favorites against the Commanders.
NFL Playoffs 2025: Eagles will host the Commanders in the NFC Championship Game
2025 AFC Divisional Round: Ravens vs. Bills
Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images The Divisional Round will come to an end on Sunday night with the final AFC matchup. The Divisional Round of the playoffs will come to an end on Sunday night with an AFC matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills. The Ravens lead the all-time regular season series between these teams, 7-4, and have won four of their five most recent meetings. They last faced off at the beginning of the 2024 NFL season, with Baltimore winning at home 35-10. They’ve also met once in the postseason, in the 2021 AFC Divisional Round, with the Bills winning in Buffalo, 17-3. The winner of Sunday night’s game will face the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship next weekend. Here’s everything you need to know about Sunday night’s game. Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills Game time: 6:30 PM ETChannel: CBSOnline Streaming: FuboTV | Paramount+Location: Highmark Stadium | Buffalo, NYSiriusXM: 229 (BAL) | 228 (BUF) Odds via FanDuel Baltimore Ravens: -1.5 (-120)Buffalo Bills: +1.5 (+102)Over/under: 51.5 points SB Nation Blogs Ravens: www.BaltimoreBeatdown.comBills: www.BuffaloRumblings.com Open thread: Discuss Sunday night’s game in the comments below.
Rams-Eagles: Divisional Round second half game thread
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images The Los Angeles Rams are trailing at the half, but they still have two quarters to flip the script The Los Angeles Rams trail the Philadelphia Eagles by a score of 13-10 after the first half. L.A. has been keeping the contest close. They also have been outcoached and outplayed by a thin margin, but it’s been enough a gap to say the Eagles had the better first half. The Eagles struck first with a touchdown, but after a missed extra point they only led 6-0. The Rams then answered with a touchdown of their own, and they took the lead after successfully making the extra point pushing the score to 7-6. The Eagles would score again on a long run from Saquan Barkley as the Eagles retook their initial lead by a score of 13-7. L.A. responded with a field goal to make the score 13-10 with over 12:00 minutes to go in the second quarter. This will be the final game of the season for one of these two teams. Both teams have had great campaigns, but only one will get the chance to take on the Washington Commanders next week in the NFC Championship. Stay tuned to see which way this game ends.
Lamar Jackson is locked-in for today’s divisional round game vs. Bills
Lamar Jackson is locked-in for today’s divisional round game vs. Bills Larry Brown Jr. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has arrived at Highmark Park to take on the Buffalo Bills in the AFC divisional round. Convincing Jackson that this was a success without advancing to the Super Bowl LIV Is beyond pointless. Jackson and teammate running back Derek Henry know they must lead the Ravens to victory by being the superstars in tonight’s contest. Word has flooded media outlets that Bills quarterback Josh Allen is favored to win the MVP award for the 2024 NFL season. However, Jackson still led the NFL in passing yards, and his team led the NFL in rushing yards per game. No quarterback on the field had more rushing yards than Jackson this season. It is very cold outside, but nothing is colder than the blood running through Jackson’s cold veins.
Raiders 2025: Is the staring quarterback even on the roster?
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell played in nine games this past season and started seven of them. The second-year signal caller showed progression but is it enough to merit QB1 consideration in 2025? | Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images Former coach Antonio Pierce regretted decision to make Gardner Minshew QB1 The key decision between the integral hires of a new head coach and general manager for the Las Vegas Raiders is simple: Franchise quarterback. The NFL is a quarterback-driven lead and unfortunately for the Silver & Black, with how the QB room was underwhelming this past season, instead of driving, the team is stuck in neutral with a habit of going in reverse sometimes. From then-general manager Tom Telesco signing veteran free agent Gardner Minshew II to a two-year $25 million deal ($15 million guaranteed at signing) to forgoing a quarterback prospect in any round of the 2024 NFL draft, to then-head coach Antonio Pierce deciding to start Minshew after a tepid competition with second-year signal caller Aidan O’Connell, things did start well. Ineffectiveness, injuries and stints on injured reserve rattled the room necessitating the addition of Desmon Ridder from the Arizona Cardinals practice squad. Quickly, the signal caller situation for the Raiders was fascinatingly horrifying. Minshew threw more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (nine) as he went 2-7 in the nine game she started for Las Vegas this past season. He went 203-of-306 (66.3 percent completion rate) for 2,013 yards, was sacked 29 times, and fumbled six times. O’Connell threw for eight touchdowns to four interceptions going 2-5 in the seven games he started. He finished 154-of-243 (63.4 percent) for 1,612 yards, was sacked 10 times, and fumbled twice. Ridder lost his lone start and threw two touchdowns and interceptions. He went 52-of-85 for 458 yards while getting sacked 10 times, and fumbling three times. Thus, it’s fair to wonder is the staring quarterback in 2025 even on the roster? What a throw by Aidan O’Connell #LVvsKC on Prime VideoAlso streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/3UW5MNjm3n — NFL (@NFL) November 29, 2024 The ragtag Raiders may look quite different depending on who the team hires as the new head coach and general manger. And if Las Vegas lands a sound offensive mind as head coach — say for example Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson — the quarterback spot becomes far more encouraging. That kind of play calling head coach should be paired with a general manager who is of like mind but can also be steadfast in their own beliefs if it conflicts. Because that duo will not only determine the future of the trio of names mentioned above, but also using draft capital or cap space to either land a promising prospect or ink a veteran option during free agency in March. Fiscally, a long look at Minshew is a must. The 28-year-old base salary next season is $11.84 million with bonuses and guaranteed salary gives him a $14 million cap number. If Las Vegas were to cut the quarterback with a post-June 1 designation, the Raiders would take on $4.66 million of dead cap but save $9.34 million in cap space. Physically, Minshew doesn’t have the arm to willingly throw deep and his scrambling ability and pocket awareness were amiss. O’Connell, meanwhile, has the look a bridge quarterback rather than franchise type. The 26-year-old is a quick decision maker, has an accurate arm with average arm strength though. And he isn’t the most nimble on his feet. But it’d be interesting to see how O’Connell fares under the tutelage of a play caller of Johnson’s caliber. I’ve seen a lot of mixed reviews from #RaiderNation about Gardner Minshew being named the starter. I’d like to remind all of you of this game that literally happened 8 months ago. pic.twitter.com/NFlxgAYnDx — Levi Edwards (@theleviedwards) August 18, 2024 Ridder, on the other hand, is a restricted free agent after being signed and Las Vegas can apply either first-round, second-round, or original round tender to either have the quarterback re-sign or get compensation from another team that inks him to an offer sheet. (Ridder would most likely return to Las Vegas even if a tender were applied). The Raiders decision making duo could determine O’Connell is viable option while adding a quarterback in NFL Draft. Or the team could sign a free agent as the market could see Sam Darnold leading a group that has Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, and veterans Jacoby Brissett and Marcus Mariota. The other option is trading for one, hence the open-endedness of the quarterback conundrum. Las Vegas does have the No. 6 pick in April’s draft and seven other picks including two third-round selections. The team can potentially package a player or draft pick (or both together) to move up to land a prospect or stand pat to see if one falls to them at six. If neither of those happen, it shouldn’t discourage the decision makers from looking to add a prospect later in the draft. Because competition is healthy and the Raiders need more of it at the all-important quarterback position. The battle for the starting role shouldn’t be lukewarm. It should be as scorching as the summers in the Nevada.
Bills vs. Ravens game day inactives: Will Zay Flowers play?
Bills vs. Ravens game day inactives: Will Zay Flowers play? Bills vs. Ravens game day inactives: Will Zay Flowers play? Nick Wojton Here are the full game day inactive lists for the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens ahead of their NFL Divisional round matchup at Highmark Stadium: Baltimore Ravens (12-5) WR Zay Flowers (knee) S Beau Brade RB Rasheen Ali S Marcus Williams LB Adisa Isaac OL Nick Samac DL Josh Tupou Buffalo Bills (13-4) CB Kaiir Elam QB Mike White KR Brandon Codrington (hamstring) OL Sedrick Van-Gran OL Ryan Van Demark WR Jalen Virgil DT DeWayne Carter
AFC Divisional Round: Baltimore Ravens @ Buffalo Bills Live Thread & Game Information
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images Today’s second of two NFL Divisional Round Games features the Baltimore Ravens and the Buffalo Bills. The Bills will be today’s host as the number two overall seed in the AFC Playoffs. With their 13 and 4 records, the Bills won the AFC East and advanced to the Divisional round after defeating the Denver Broncos 31 to 7 in the Wild Card round of the AFC Playoffs last week. The Ravens earned the number three overall seed in the AFC Playoffs by winning the AFC North with their 12 and 5 record. Baltimore advanced to the Divisional Round of the AFC Playoffs by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 28 to 14 in the Wild Card Round this past weekend. Please use this thread to follow and discuss this evening’s game between the Ravens and Bills and, as always, your Miami Dolphins. Please follow all site rules in the live threads and other posts on The Phinsider. Please remember that SBNation is strictly against sharing illegal game streams. Sharing, discussing, or requesting illegal game streams may result in a temporary suspension from the site or a ban from the entire SBN platform. Baltimore Ravens (12-5) 1st AFC North @ Buffalo Bills (13-4) 1st AFC East Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. EST, Sunday, January 19th Location: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York TV Broadcast: CBS Streaming: Fubo, YouTube TV, DirectTV, NFL+, Hulu w/live TV, Paramount+ FANDUEL Sportsbook betting Odds: Ravens -1.5; Point total: 51.5; Moneyline: Ravens -120 | Bills +102
Lions-Commanders NFCD snap counts: Defense, again, needed to adjust for injury
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images A look at how the Detroit Lions deployed their snaps against the Washington Commanders in the NFC Divisional round of the playoffs. Taking a closer look at the snap counts from the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders NFC Divisional round battle in the 2024-25 NFL Playoffs. Offense Quarterbacks Jared Goff: 66 (96%)Teddy Bridgewater: 3 (4%)Hendon Hooker: Emergency third quarterback An unflagged hit to the head following an interception forced Goff to be evaluated for a concussion, and while he missed the next series (a three-play drive that ended with a Jameson Williams 61-yard touchdown run), he returned the following drive. Running backs Jahmyr Gibbs: 52 (75%)David Montgomery: 17 (25%)Craig Reynolds: 1 (1%) — 15 special teams snaps (52%)Sione Vaki: 0 (0%) — 24 (83%) Montgomery got the start but it was clear from the jump that he needed to get his legs back under him and Gibbs got a significant amount of work. It ended up being another monster day for Gibbs (105 rushing yards, six receptions, 70 receiving yards, and two touchdowns) which capped off an unbelievable season. Tight ends Sam LaPorta: 67 (97%)Brock Wright: 17 (25%) — 5 (17%)Shane Zylstra: 3 (4%) — 21 (72%) LaPorta finished the season strong, playing nearly every snap and registering six receptions for 51 yards and an insane touchdown. Wright and Zylstra saw their snaps scaled back from recent weeks but this outing lines up with the majority of the season. Wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown: 66 (96%)Jameson Williams: 61 (88%)Tim Patrick: 30 (43%)Kalif Raymond: 29 (42%) — 10 (34%)Allen Robinson: 0 (0%) With the tight ends getting scaled back a bit, the receivers saw a correlating increase in their snaps, most notably Amon-Ra St. Brown and Kalif Raymond. Together, they combined for over half the Lions’ production through the air. We saw the best and worst of Jameson Williams in this game. He saw four targets (about half what he has seen per game over the last two months) and only secured one catch for 19 yards, but his 61-yard touchdown run illustrated his explosive upside and why he is so dangerous. Unfortunately, his decision to throw a pass on a trick play that led to an interception was arguably the play that ended the Lions’ season. By no means is he totally to blame for the result of this play, but he certainly shares responsibly. Offensive line Christian Mahogany: 69 (100%) — 5 (17%)Graham Glasgow: 69 (100%) — 5 (17%)Penei Sewell: 69 (100%) — 3 (10%)Taylor Decker: 69 (100%) — 2 (7%)Frank Ragnow: 69 (100%)Dan Skipper: 2 (3%) — 5 (17%)Michael Niese: 0 (0%) — 5 (17%)Kayode Awosika: 0 (0%) — 5 (17%)Kevin Zeitler: INACTIVE — INJUREDColby Sorsdal: INACTIVEGiovanni Manu: INACTIVE Christian Mahogany got his second start of the season and was a force from the Lions’ right guard position. It certainly helps to be playing in between two All-Pros, but Mahogany led the Lions’ PFF grades on offense (92.2 overall) and firmly put his name in the conversation for a starting role in 2025. His ability to on both the left and right side at a high level further helps his case. With the Lions focused on spreading things out vs. Washington’s defense, Dan Skipper only saw the field as a sixth offensive lineman twice in this game. Defense EDGE Josh Paschal: 66 (88%) — 8 (28%)Za’Darius Smith: 40 (53%)Al-Quadin Muhammad: 40 (53%)Jonah Williams: 9 (12%) — 8 (28%)Mitchell Agude: INACTIVE Paschal and Smith saw the majority of starting reps on the edge in this game, with a healthy dose of Muhammad, and filler work from Williams. Paschal and Smith also saw the majority of their reps on the edge but they did show some versatility by taking a handful of snaps inside (Paschal has six, Smith had two). DT Levi Onwuzurike: 63 (84%) — 8 (28%)DJ Reader: 60 (80%)Myles Adams: 9 (12%)Chris Smith: 9 (12%)Pat O’Connor: INACTIVE — INJUREDBrodric Martin: INACTIVE After splitting reps inside and out for the majority of the season, Levi Onwuzurike played almost exclusively inside in this game (59 inside, four on the edge) helping fill in for an injury-depleted defensive tackle group. Reader once again increased his snaps to also help mitigate the Lions’ losses inside, seeing nearly double the snaps he saw earlier in the season. Linebackers Jack Campbell: 75 (100%)Alex Anzalone: 74 (99%)Trevor Nowaske: 17 (23%) — 24 (83%)Jalen Reeves-Maybin: 6 (8%) — 24 (83%)Anthony Pittman: 0 (0%) — 24 (83%)Ben Niemann: 0 (0%) — 22 (76%)Ezekiel Turner: 0 (0%) — 14 (48%) For the second week in a row, the Lions moved away from deploying their base defense on over 50% of snaps, instead reducing it down to around 30%. That shift meant more subpackage play (most notably from their safeties) with only Campbell and Anzalone on the field. Cornerbacks Terrion Arnold: 75 (100%)Kindle Vildor: 73 (97%) — 11 (38%) Amik Robertson: 2 (3%)Stantley Thomas-Oliver: 2 (3%) — 16 (55%) Robertson broke his arm on the second defensive play of the game, putting an exclamation point on a season full of brutal injuries. Vildor stepped into the starting role opposite Arnold, and while he did decently in coverage, he was changed with missing two tackles. Thomas-Oliver only saw two snaps but was notably one of the 12 players on the field on the Lions’ critical “too many men” on the field play. Safety Kerby Joseph: 75 (100%) — 8 (28%)Brian Branch: 67 (89%)Ifeatu Melifonwu: 42 (56%) — 1 (3%)Morice Norris: 22 (29%) — 23 (79%) In addition to losing Robertson at corner, the Lions also saw Melifonwu and Branch unable to participate at different points of the game due to injuries. While Branch only ended up missing eight snaps, Norris—a UDFA who was just signed to the active roster a few weeks ago—was needed to fill in for Melifonwu. When Melifonwu was on the sidelines and the Lions shifted to nickel sets, Joseph shifted into Melifonwu’s coverage role and Norris
Jalen Hurts suffers knee injury in Eagles-Rams playoff game
Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images The Eagles’ QB was able to return to the game, but was wearing a knee brace after visiting the sideline. With just a few minutes left in the third quarter on Sunday against the Rams, Eagles’ QB Jalen Hurts took a huge hit that bent him backward and immediately had him grabbing his left knee in serious pain. Jalen Hurts was injured after getting rolled up on this play. He’s headed to the medical tent.pic.twitter.com/UkJaA9ghV6 — Pro Football Network (@PFN365) January 19, 2025 Hurts ended up finishing the drive, but then went into the blue medical tent after leaving the field. Hurts was sacked five times through three quarters, and was already in pain even before halftime. He’s a guy that will play through whatever he can, and did return to the game with a knee brace after being checked out — and then immediately took another sack for a safety. Kenny Pickett is back as QB2 after being able to recover a bit from his broken ribs, and Tanner McKee is the inactive emergency quarterback if needed. Hopefully Hurts can stay clear of any other issues in the fourth quarter, and his knee injury isn’t actually something serious.
Quinyon Mitchell injury: Eagles rookie CB ruled OUT against Rams
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images The Eagles’ rookie cornerback was sidelined during the Rams’ first offensive drive of the NFC Divisional Round matchup. The Eagles’ defense had a few nice plays during the Rams’ first offensive drive in Sunday’s playoff game, but Los Angeles ultimately got into the endzone to take the lead, 7-6. During the drive, rookie CB Quinyon Mitchell left the game after tackling Matthew Stafford. Just as the broadcast was boasting the number of defensive snaps Mitchell played as a rookie, he ended up leaving the field to be checked out and eventually ended up in the blue medical tent. He was ruled questionable to return after suffering a shoulder injury and soon after made his way into the locker room. It wasn’t long after halftime that the team announced Mitchell would not return, and had been ruled out. Injury Update: CB Quinyon Mitchell (shoulder) has been downgraded to out. https://t.co/JDGrIggbQy — Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 19, 2025 With Mitchell on the sideline, Isaiah Rodgers took his place. Rodgers has filled in for Darius Slay quite a bit throughout the season, so he has a rapport with the defensive backs and can hopefully rise to the occasion. Hopefully Mitchell’s injury isn’t something that will be an issue for the rookie long term.