Divisional Round Arrives as Injuries, History Shape Final Four Path

With just four games remaining before conference championship weekend, injury reports and recent history loom large as the NFL Divisional Round unfolds.

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The NFL postseason narrows significantly this weekend, as the Divisional Round brings together the league’s remaining eight teams with conference championship berths on the line. Top seeds Denver and Seattle enter postseason play for the first time, while familiar rivals and recent postseason participants look to extend their runs amid mounting injury concerns.

Saturday’s slate opens in the AFC with the Buffalo Bills traveling to Denver to face the top-seeded Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Buffalo enters the matchup short-handed in the secondary, with cornerback Maxwell Hairston and safety Jordan Poyer ruled out. Several key contributors, including defensive tackle Ed Oliver and linebacker Terrel Bernard, remain questionable. Denver will be without tight end Lucas Krull and linebacker Drew Sanders.

AFC — (6) Bills at (1) Broncos

WHERE: Empower Field at Mile High (Denver)WHEN: 4:30 p.m. ET | CBS, NFL+

Bills Injuries

• OUT: CB Maxwell Hairston (ankle)

• OUT: S Jordan Poyer (hamstring)

• QUESTIONABLE: RB Ty Johnson (ankle)

• QUESTIONABLE: WR Curtis Samuel (elbow)

• QUESTIONABLE: DT Ed Oliver (bicep)

• QUESTIONABLE: LB Terrel Bernard (calf)

• QUESTIONABLE: S Damar Hamlin (pectoral)

Broncos Injuries

• OUT: TE Lucas Krull (foot)

• OUT: LB Drew Sanders (ankle)

Matchup History

• Bills lead series 24-17-1 (since 1960)

• Last matchup: Bills won 31-7 (2025)

Later Saturday night, the NFC spotlight shifts to Lumen Field, where the Seattle Seahawks host division rival San Francisco. The 49ers will be without All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner, while Seattle is monitoring quarterback Sam Darnold’s status entering kickoff.

NFC — (6) 49ers at (1) Seahawks

WHERE: Lumen Field (Seattle)WHEN: 8:00 p.m. ET | FOX, NFL+

49ers Injuries

• OUT: S Ji’Ayir Brown (hamstring)

• OUT: LB Fred Warner (ankle)

• QUESTIONABLE: WR Jacob Cowing (hamstring)

• QUESTIONABLE: LB Luke Gifford (quadricep)

• QUESTIONABLE: WR Ricky Pearsall (knee)

• QUESTIONABLE: LB Dee Winters (ankle)

Seahawks Injuries

• OUT: TE Elijah Arroyo (knee)

• OUT: OL Josh Jones (knee)

• OUT: LB Chazz Surratt (ankle)

• QUESTIONABLE: QB Sam Darnold (oblique)

Matchup History

• Seahawks lead series 32-24-0 (since 1976)

• Teams split regular-season meetings in 2025

Sunday’s AFC contest features Houston visiting New England, with the Texans awaiting clarity on the status of wide receivers Nico Collins and Justin Watson, both limited by concussion protocol. The Patriots listed offensive tackles Morgan Moses and Thayer Munford Jr. as limited during the week.

AFC — (5) Texans at (2) Patriots

WHERE: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)WHEN: 3:00 p.m. ET | ESPN, ABC, NFL+

Texans Injuries

• DNP: WR Nico Collins (concussion)

• DNP: WR Justin Watson (concussion)

Patriots Injuries

• LIMITED: OT Morgan Moses (knee)

• LIMITED: OT Thayer Munford Jr. (knee)

Matchup History

• Patriots lead series 11-4-0 (since 2003)

• Last matchup: Texans won 41-21 (2024)

The weekend concludes in Chicago, where the Bears host the Rams under the lights. Los Angeles continues to manage quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s availability, while Chicago listed wide receivers DJ Moore and Rome Odunze as limited.

NFC — (5) Rams at (2) Bears

WHERE: Soldier Field (Chicago)WHEN: 6:30 p.m. ET | NBC, Peacock, NFL+

Rams Injuries

• DNP: QB Jimmy Garoppolo (back)

• LIMITED: OL Kevin Dotson (ankle)

Bears Injuries

• DNP: CB Nick McCloud (groin)

• LIMITED: WR DJ Moore (knee)

• LIMITED: WR Rome Odunze (foot)

Matchup History

• Bears lead series 55-39-3 (since 1937)

• Last matchup: Bears won 24-18 (2024)

Official inactives will be released one hour before kickoff for each contest, setting the final picture for a Divisional Round where health, matchups, and momentum may ultimately decide who advances. Let's Talk About It!