NFL: only 8 Super Bowl contenders remain!

Jacksonville Jaguars (4) at Kansas City Chiefs (1)

Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET.

The first matchup of this divisional round of the playoffs will pit the Kansas City Chiefs, who are coming off their bye week, after finishing the season as AFC leaders, with the Jacksonville Jaguars who managed to pull off an upset in the Wild Card Round with their victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Trevor Lawrence is coming off his best game in the NFL, or at least his best second half: under the guidance of coach Doug Pederson, he managed to throw four interceptions in the first half to lead his team to victory with a historic comeback. But, let's face it, there's nothing to suggest that Kansas won't beat Jacksonville. The only thing they have going for them is that at this point in the season they have nothing to lose.

The Chiefs come into this matchup as the overwhelming favorite to win the Super Bowl, and their quarterback Patrick Mahomes is favored to win MVP of the season. Mahones has never lost as a starter in a divisional round of the playoffs. I repeat: it's almost impossible for the Jaguars to match up with the league's best offense and second-best defense with the most sacks, only behind the Philadelphia Eagles.

Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs +10.

UPDATE: Kansas City Chiefs, 27 – Jacksonville Jaguars, 20.

New York Giants (6) at Philadelphia Eagles (1)

Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET.

The key lied in Jalen Hurts' right shoulder: Philadelphia's QB has been the great beneficiary of the rest in the Wild Card Round, as he has been able to rest his injured shoulder, which caused him to miss two of the last three regular league games. Hopefully he'll stay inside the pocket, leaving the field open for Miles Sanders. If Hurts takes too many risks, there's no doubt the Giants defense will go after that right shoulder.

New York is coming off a surprising win over the Minnesota Vikings, with several yards both on the field and in the air from Daniel Jones, with 78 yards rushing and 301 passing with two touchdowns. It will be difficult for Jones to get those same numbers in his aerial game against the best pass defense in the league. If the Giants want to have a chance, they will need a big game from their running back Saquon Barkley.

Based on their play throughout the season, the Eagles are the clear favorites, especially if we remember the two games this season and add the fact that the Giants have not won in Philadelphia since 2013. I'm still reluctant to believe that the New York Giants have no chance, and not because I credit their win against the Vikings' mediocre defense in the Wild Card Round, but because of their historic performances as underdogs in the playoffs.

Prediction: Philadelphia Eagles: +3.

UPDATE: Philadelphia Eagles, 38 – NY Giants, 7.

Cincinnati Bengals (3) at Buffalo Bills (2)

Sunday, 3 p.m. ET.

This game comes after the one that was suspended a few weeks ago due Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest. The player is recovering and visits his teammates almost daily at Buffalo's facilities in preparation for the Divisional Round. This is helping to boost the team’s morale leading up to a game which is expected to be very close.

Despite what may seem like a great winning streak coming into this round for both teams, neither team is at its best. Buffalo struggled more than expected against the Miami Dolphins without their starting QB. Josh Allen, after leading the regular season in turnovers, with 14 interceptions and five fumbles, added three more turnovers, taking unnecessary risks and being unable to find his star wide receiver, Stefon Diggs throughout the second half.

Cincinnati, meanwhile, needed its best defense to overcome a rocky Baltimore Ravens that came very close to pulling off the upset, if it weren't for a fumble on a Bengals one-yard line that is already playoff history. In the most evenly matched game of this round, the difference may be in the Bengals defense’s ability to put pressure on Allen.

The Buffalo Bills are the favorites and they should win, especially if Allen plays as expected for a QB of his caliber. However, if the Bengals’ defense is able to keep the game close, I think the always consistent Joe Burrow can lead the Cincinnati Bengals to victory in this round.

Prediction: Buffalo Bills +3.

UPDATE: BUFFALO BILLS, 10 – CINCINNATI BENGALS, 27.

Dallas Cowboys (5) at San Francisco 49ers (2)

Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET.

The last game of this round will pit the Dallas Cowboys against the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers are favored to win, but after Dak Prescott's performance last week, anything goes.

Young up-and-comer Brock Purdy and starter Prescott shined in his Wild Card Round games, and all eyes will be on them again this Sunday night. The key will be in both teams’ defenses. Dallas' Micha Parsons and San Francisco's Nick Bosa are two of the best defensive ends in the league and will make it very difficult for QBs who did not face very demanding defenses in the wild card round.

If Prescott plays like he did in the previous round, the Cowboys will be able to compete with a 49ers with a better roster and with fewer players unavailable due to injuries. Should this happen, the game between coaches Kyle Shanahan (San Francisco) and Mike McCarthy (Dallas), with completely different coaching styles, could be really exciting.

Prediction: San Francisco 49ers +3.

UPDATE: DALLAS COWBOYS, 12 – SF 49 ERS: 19.