🔔 EARL’S RINGSIDE REPORT: THE DIVISIONAL ROUND ROYAL RUMBLE IS HERE! 🔔

Posted by Earl | Friday, January 16, 2026 | 3:45 PM CST

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BOYS AND GIRLS!

Wipe the sweat off your brow because the Wild Card round was just the warm-up act! We saw a weekend full of close contests, but the weak have been weeded out!

We are down to the ELITE EIGHT! The 2026 NFL Divisional Playoffs are officially set for a thrilling weekend of action! The cage door is locked, the top seeds are stepping into the ring, and the path to Super Bowl LX is heating up!

Get your snacks ready, because here is your official RINGSIDE GUIDE to this weekend’s slobberknockers!

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🥊 THE AFC HEAVYWEIGHT BOUTS

THE MILE HIGH BRAWL: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos

• THE SCOOP: The top-seeded Denver Broncos are sitting pretty, fully rested after enjoying their bye week! They are welcoming a Buffalo Bills team that has to be exhausted, coming off a tough win on a short week!

• EARL’S TAKE: This one is going to be brutal! You have that formidable Denver defense and Sean Payton's coaching going head-to-head with the playmaking magic of Josh Allen! The Broncos excel in close games, and their defense is looking to slam the door on Buffalo!

THE FOXBOROUGH FIGHT: Houston Texans at New England Patriots

• THE SCOOP: The Patriots' talented young quarterback, Drake Maye, is about to take the ultimate test! He has to stare down the Houston Texans' ELITE defense—one of the absolute best in the league against both the run and the pass!

• EARL’S TAKE: Don't forget about the other side of the ball! C.J. Stroud is leading a potent Houston offense that is ready to light up the scoreboard! This is a compelling test for New England's defensive front!

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🥊 THE NFC GRUDGE MATCHES

THE RIVALRY RENEWED: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks

• THE SCOOP: It’s a bitter divisional rivalry clash! The No. 1 seed Seahawks are fresh off their bye week and ready to defend the nest!

• EARL’S TAKE: The 49ers are walking into hostile territory dealing with some lingering injuries, but do not count them out—they remain a potent threat when they are healthy! This one is going to be personal!

THE MONSTERS OF THE MIDWAY: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears

• THE SCOOP: The Chicago Bears are riding a massive wave of momentum after that HUGE comeback win last weekend! They are hosting the LA Rams in what could turn into a high-scoring affair!

• EARL’S TAKE: The big question is whether Chicago's defense can slow down that LA offense! Keep an eye in the trenches—the Bears' pass rush could exploit the Rams' offensive line issues!

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🚨 WHAT TO WATCH FOR!

Folks, this weekend is going to be defined by a few key storylines:

• TOP SEEDS ON NOTICE: The Broncos and Seahawks are rested, but they are facing tough challenges from highly motivated opponents!

• DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS: We have some absolute defensive juggernauts taking the field, with the Texans, Broncos, and Rams boasting units capable of taking over a game!

• QUARTERBACK BATTLES: It’s Allen vs. the Broncos D! It's young Maye vs. the Texans D! These matchups are central to who survives the weekend!

Get ready for explosive plays and tight finishes, because it’s time to play the game!

AND THAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE... 'CAUSE EARL SAID SO!

WOOOOOOO!

— Earl