The 2025 playoffs have been surreal. Following the conclusion of the divisional spherical, not one of the NFL’s high seven groups in preseason Tremendous Bowl odds are left within the playoff subject, in response to Sports activities Odds Historical past through BetMGM betting information.
The Buffalo Payments have been the final such group, and so they’re now going residence after their third consecutive playoff loss by three or fewer factors, following Saturday’s 33-30 time beyond regulation defeat on the Denver Broncos. They’re now the one NFL group to ever try this, per CBS Sports activities Analysis. Buffalo’s 73 regular-season wins since 2020 are probably the most within the league this decade, however they’re now probably the most ever in a six-season span with no Tremendous Bowl look. The Seattle Seahawks‘ 41-6 steamrolling of the San Francisco 49ers tied their most lopsided playoff win in group historical past.
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud made the improper type of NFL historical past on Sunday in a 28-16 defeat on the New England Patriots, and Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams produced the complete Williams rollercoaster expertise within the Los Angeles Rams‘ 20-17 time beyond regulation victory.
With all that and extra taking place within the NFL throughout the final two days, it is time to dig into the divisional spherical’s greatest winners and losers.
Broncos overcome Payments 33-30 in time beyond regulation
Winner & loser: Bo Nix
Bo Nix ended up as each a winner and a loser, following Denver’s thrilling 33-30 time beyond regulation victory over the Buffalo Payments. He is a winner for tying the Broncos’ single-game playoff passing touchdowns report with three, the final of which got here on a dime to large receiver Marvin Mims Jr. to place the Broncos up 30-27 with 55 seconds left in regulation. Nix quieted his doubters by following up that throw by main Denver on his eighth game-winning drive of the season, which tied an NFL single-season report together with the playoffs.
He’s a loser as a result of despite the fact that his group gained, his 2025 NFL season is completed. Head coach Sean Payton introduced postgame that Nix fractured a bone in his ankle on the penultimate play of the sport and can have surgical procedure on Tuesday. Brutal blow for Nix to lose the prospect to start out an AFC Championship on his residence subject.
There isn’t a greater loser in your entire divisional spherical of the 2025 postseason than Buffalo Payments quarterback Josh Allen. Allen’s Payments’ prior 5 playoff losses have been towards Patrick Mahomes‘ Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Joe Burrow’s Cincinnati Bengals. All the groups he misplaced to went to symbolize the AFC within the Tremendous Bowl with a number of the finest quarterback abilities within the league right this moment.
Mahomes, Burrow and two-time NFL MVP Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson all weren’t current within the AFC’s 2025 season playoff bracket. Not solely did Allen fall quick regardless of his Payments being favored on Saturday, however he actually helped give the sport away. After not turning the ball over in his earlier six playoff video games, Allen turned the ball over 4 occasions — twice through interceptions and twice through misplaced fumbles. The Broncos scored 9 factors off of Allen’s giveaways, together with a 50-yard subject objective on the halftime buzzer and the game-winning, 23-yard subject objective in time beyond regulation. He grew to become simply the fourth quarterback within the twenty first century to throw a number of interceptions and lose a number of fumbles in a single playoff recreation. He additionally airmailed a cross to a wide-open Dawson Knox with 16 seconds left in regulation that might have simply been the game-winning landing cross with practically no time remaining. Allen might have had a signature playoff second, however he simply could not join within the clutch.
As an alternative, his Payments at the moment are the primary group ever to lose a playoff recreation in three consecutive seasons by three or fewer factors, in response to CBS Sports activities Analysis.
BUF Josh Allen | 2025 |
ARI Carson Palmer | 2015 |
DEN Jake Plummer | 2005 |
NYJ Chad Pennington | 2002 |
Allen might by no means have a postseason path seem like as simple because the one which was introduced to him in 2025, which is why he fought by tears and stated, “I really feel like I let my teammates down,” on the postgame podium.
Winners: Sean Payton and Wil Lutz
Each Sean Payton and Broncos kicker Wil Lutz have been collectively on the 2018 New Orleans Saints the place they have been on the improper aspect of a cross interference name in an eventual 26-23 time beyond regulation NFC Championship recreation defeat towards the Los Angeles Rams.
Towards the Payments, the Broncos netted 47 yards mixed on two cross interference penalties in time beyond regulation that helped arrange Lutz’s game-winning, 23-yard subject objective. That is a win for these two.
Seahawks pummel 49ers 41-6
Kenneth Walker is about to turn out to be a free agent this offseason, and his inventory could not be any increased after his efficiency within the divisional spherical. He amassed 145 yards from scrimmage (119 dashing and 29 receiving) and three dashing touchdowns in a successful effort. He joined 2005 NFL MVP operating again Shaun Alexander as the one gamers in Seahawks historical past with no less than three dashing touchdowns in a playoff recreation. Walker is primed to money in come March.
Sam Darnold was a late addition to the Seahawks’ damage report on Thursday, the final day of follow forward of the divisional spherical, as a restricted follow participant with an indirect damage.
Come recreation time, he appeared fully unaffected by the damage and the 49ers’ protection. Darnold performed an environment friendly model of soccer, connecting on 12 of his 17 throws for 124 yards and a landing. With an additional day of relaxation forward of the NFC Championship on Jan. 25, Darnold could possibly be again to full power when Seattle returns to motion with a visit to Tremendous Bowl LX on the road.
Loser: Kyle Shanahan
It was a tough general 12 months for Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers. His high six highest-paid gamers missed a mixed 64 video games together with the playoffs. All-Professional edge rusher Nick Bosa (torn ACL), All-Professional linebacker Fred Warner (fractured and dislocated ankle) and All-Professional tight finish George Kittle (torn Achilles) all suffered what grew to become season-ending accidents.
So as to add insult to damage, Shanahan’s 49ers have been completely dominated by Mike Macdonald’s Seahawks all season lengthy. San Francisco concluded its 2025 season scoring a complete of 26 factors in three video games versus the Seahawks. That’s tied for the fewest factors scored by any group amongst 76 single-season head-to-head matchups with three video games within the Tremendous Bowl period, since 1966, in response to CBS Sports activities Analysis. The 1994 Pittsburgh Steelers additionally held the Cleveland Browns to a mixed 26 factors throughout three matchups. The 49ers have been decimated by accidents and embarrassed by an NFC West rival over and over. It would not get a lot worse than that.
Patriots defeat Texans 28-16
Winners: Patriots’ protection and LB coach Zak Kuhr
The Patriots now have extra playoff wins (two) than touchdowns allowed (one) this postseason. Their one landing allowed is tied for the fewest touchdowns allowed throughout the wild card and divisional rounds within the twenty first century. The opposite two groups who completed this feat, the 2000 Baltimore Ravens and the 2006 Indianapolis Colts, each gained the Tremendous Bowl. The Patriots turned the Texans over a whopping 5 occasions on Sunday afternoon, and so they repeatedly acquired their arms on the soccer.
New England’s 14 passes defended ranks as probably the most by any group in a playoff recreation for the reason that 2004 Philadelphia Eagles‘ 17 within the divisional spherical towards the Minnesota Vikings. The gamers on the sector clearly deserve the vast majority of the credit score however fill-in defensive play caller Zak Kuhr, the group’s linebackers coach, additionally deserves some shine. Defensive coordinator Terrell Williams took a go away of absence to battle prostate most cancers after Week 1, so Kuhr has been tasked with calling the group’s defensive performs.
New England was the NFL’s No. 4 scoring protection (18.8 factors per recreation allowed) within the common season, and has leveled up within the common season.
Loser: C.J. Stroud
Relying on who you ask, C.J. Stroud’s faceplant towards the Patriots overshadows Josh Allen’s four-turnover outing towards the Broncos. Stroud accomplished simply 20 of his 47 passes (42.5%) for 212 yards, a landing and 4 interceptions. That effort mixed along with his slog in Houston’s wild card street win on the Pittsburgh Steelers makes Stroud the primary participant in NFL playoff historical past with 5 or extra interceptions (5) and 5 or extra fumbles (5) in a single postseason. His 10 mixed fumbles and interceptions are additionally probably the most within the first two video games performed in a postseason within the final 35 seasons, per CBS Sports activities Analysis.
That is the identical quantity Stroud had throughout 14 regular-season video games in 2025. He will probably be extension eligible this offseason, however after producing a historic stinker within the 2025 postseason, Houston ought to definitely consider carefully about handing Stroud a large pay day on a multiyear extension.
On the one hand, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye grew to become the primary New England quarterback to throw for 3 passing touchdowns in a playoff recreation since Tom Brady did so within the 2017 season’s Tremendous Bowl LII within the win over the Texans. He additionally grew to become the primary quarterback with three passing touchdowns in a successful effort over Houston’s vaunted protection this season.
Nonetheless, Maye must ship Edible Preparations to each Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud for each of their performances towards his Patriots’ protection this postseason as a result of they’ve distracted from his personal playoff struggles.
Maye is the primary quarterback for the reason that 1970 AFL/NFL merger to win a number of playoff video games whereas taking no less than 5 sacks in a number of video games in a single postseason. His pocket consciousness has been extraordinarily missing in these playoffs between the sacks and his fumbling points: Maye has fumbled six occasions for 3 turnovers whereas additionally throwing an interception in each video games performed in these playoffs. Three of them have been within the first half of New England’s victory over Houston, and he was extremely lucky just one was recovered by the Texans for a takeaway.
In eight playoff quarters, Maye has 5 turnovers. Towards the top-seeded Broncos and their NFL-best cross rush, enjoying as unfastened with the soccer like he has within the divisional and wild card rounds will result in the Patriots watching the Tremendous Bowl from the sofa. Simply ask Josh Allen.
There is not any method round it: New England Patriots left deal with Will Campbell has been tough this postseason, particularly in a successful effort towards the Texans’ vaunted protection. First-team All-Professional edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. and second-team All-Professional edge rusher Danielle Hunter are the most effective cross rush duo within the NFL, however Campbell struggled mightily on Sunday: he allowed two sacks and 4 quarterback pressures. His efficiency within the Patriots’ 16-3 wild card spherical win over the Los Angeles Chargers wasn’t significantly better: he surrendered 5 quarterback pressures and a sack.
There was some fear when Campbell, the fourth general choose within the 2025 NFL Draft, was popping out within the draft about his wingspan, and it seems these issues have been professional. Campbell, who’s listed at 6-6, 319 kilos, was measured as having 32 5/8″ arms on the NFL Scouting Mix. Offensive tackles with longer arms have a greater alternative to forestall edge rushers from plowing into their chest due to higher attain.
Patriots 2010’s All-Decade Workforce left guard Logan Mankins‘ arm size was 33 3/8″ — longer than Campbell’s. Like Campbell at LSU, Mankins was a left deal with at Fresno State. Nonetheless, he moved inside to protect within the professional’s. Maybe Campbell can be higher geared up to guard Maye if doing so from the inside. Maye is the one quarterback for the reason that 1970 AFL/NFL merger to be sacked 5 occasions in a number of video games in a single postseason and win these video games. The Patriots is probably not so fortunate going ahead towards the Broncos within the AFC Championship recreation and in future playoff runs.
Rams prevail over Bears 20-17 in time beyond regulation
Winner & loser: Caleb Williams
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams supplied the entire Caleb Williams’ expertise within the Bears’ season-ending 20-17 divisional spherical loss towards the Los Angeles Rams. He threw for 257 yards, two touchdowns and a career-high three interceptions whereas finishing simply 23 of his 42 throws (54.7%).
William tossed a game-tying, 14-yard landing cross on fourth-and-4 to tight finish Cole Kmet whereas fading away over a number of Rams defenders that was one of the clutch, jaw-dropping throws in current NFL playoff reminiscence. After he retreated backward down subject, Williams’ throw traveled 51.2 yards within the air, probably the most on a purple zone passing landing in 10 seasons, per CBS Sports activities Analysis. That landing cross was additionally thrown 26.5 yards behind the road of scrimmage, probably the most on any completion up to now 10 seasons, in response to CBS Sports activities Analysis.
For as nice as Williams’ landing throw was, his cross that ended Chicago’s ensuing drive was equally as horrific. He sailed a throw over a seemingly open Luther Burden III for an interception to Rams security Kamren Curl when all of the Bears wanted to attain in time beyond regulation was a subject objective after Los Angeles’ punt. Some view the cross as an underthrow by Williams to DJ Moore. Mockingly, Williams had time within the pocket and set his toes earlier than making that mind-numbing cross. It is virtually as if when Williams has extra time to suppose when dropping again to cross, it causes him to overcomplicate lesser diploma of problem throws. Williams’ 14.6% off track throw price was the very best within the NFL in 2025 among the many league’s 33 certified quarterbacks. Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy was barely forward of Williams with a 14.4% off track throw price.
Winner & loser: Sean McVay
The Los Angeles Rams averaged a stable 4.1 yards per carry towards the Chicago Bears, however head coach Sean McVay dialed up 42 passes for Matthew Stafford within the Chicago snow to simply 30 designed runs. He was lucky his squad survived to stay one other day after that resulted in Stafford finishing simply 20 passes for a 47.6% completion share. McVay will must be significantly better along with his play calling towards the Seahawks’ No. 1 scoring protection within the NFC Championship recreation.
The Los Angeles Rams kicker nailed the game-winning, 42-yard subject objective in time beyond regulation to ship his squad to the NFC Championship recreation, and it was the primary game-winning subject objective of his total profession. Kickers get destroyed once they fail within the clutch, however Mevis deserves a shoutout for coming by in a giant spot in his first time in that state of affairs within the playoffs.
