The second weekend of the NFL’s post-season slate caps off on Sunday with a pair of must-see divisional games that will shape the road to Super Bowl LX.
Four teams will look to punch their tickets to the conference championships — and the stakes could hardly be higher.
Here’s a closer look at the final two games, with one key question for each team.
No. 5 Houston Texans @ No. 2 New England Patriots | Sunday, 3 p.m. ET
Sunday’s matchup is layered with familiarity. The Texans and Patriots share deep ties across coaching staffs and front offices, and both are led by former Pro Bowl defenders who’ve quickly stamped their identity on their teams.
However, the paths they’ve taken to get there have been very different. Houston leans on its momentum-shifting defence while New England has taken off thanks to the play of franchise quarterback Drake Maye.
In their wild-card games, it was defence that ruled the day in many ways and it will likely play a big part in Sunday’s matchup.
While these teams haven’t crossed paths often in recent seasons, their shared history runs deeper — including multiple regular-season meetings and three playoff clashes, all previously won by New England.
Can the Texans reverse that trend and finally reach an AFC Championship Game, or will the Patriots turn back the clock on their dynasty years?
One key question for the Patriots: Can offensive line protect Drake Maye?
One question looms larger than any other for the Patriots: can the offensive line keep Maye upright? New England’s rookie quarterback has fast-tracked the rebuild with his composure and arm talent, but Sunday’s divisional test against Houston’s relentless pass rush may be his steepest challenge yet.
The Texans thrive on collapsing pockets, forcing hurried reads, and turning minor breakdowns into drive-killing plays.
Even in a comfortable wild-card win over the Chargers, protection was far from airtight. Los Angeles generated consistent pressure, forcing Maye to speed up his internal clock and lean heavily on quick throws and movement outside the pocket. Maye was brought down five times and was also stripped, which could’ve been problematic had it not been for his defence stepping up for him.
One area that Maye can exploit against the Texans is his legs. That was something he did against the Chargers when he struggled to get much going through the air. Maye picked up 37 yards on third-down scramble plays against the Chargers and he ranked second in the league in scramble yards, according to PFF.
One key question for the Texans: Who will step up on offence?
Houston’s defence has been the constant all season, but the Texans will need more balance if they’re going to push past New England and finally break through the Divisional Round barrier.
Against Pittsburgh, the offence sputtered for long stretches, leaning heavily on field position and defensive stops to survive.
C.J. Stroud remains the engine, but he’ll need help, and what steadied Houston’s offence against the Steelers was the ground game. Running back Woody Marks delivered a 112-yard effort and sealed the win with a fourth-quarter touchdown, running behind an offensive line that allowed just one negative play all game.
That approach may be harder to replicate against a Patriots defence that has been stout against the run, particularly since getting Milton Williams and Jack Gibbens back in the lineup.
Houston has a wealth of talent at receiver, but won’t have Nico Collins in the lineup while the Patriots get cornerback Christian Gonzalez in after he was questionable while in concussion protocol.
No. 5 Los Angeles Rams @ No. 2 Chicago Bears | Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET
The Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams will cross paths in the post-season Sunday for the first time in four decades. A lot has changed both on and off the field for the franchises since then.
While those past games generally favoured tough-nosed defensive matchups, this one features two teams that finished inside the NFL’s top 10 in scoring and total offence.
Los Angeles led the league at 30.5 points and 394.7 yards per game, with Chicago close behind at 25.9 points and 369.5 yards. Big plays have followed, too, as the Bears and Rams ranked among the top three teams in explosive gains this season.
Sunday night at Soldier Field will present its challenges for two offences capable of bringing some fireworks.
One key question for the Rams: How will the cold weather impact their gameplan?
Sunday night in Chicago is expected to bring brutal conditions, with temperatures dipping into the 10–15 degree Fahrenheit range, wind gusts between 20–30 m.p.h., and wind chills plunging below zero. The Midwest cold has been a talking point all week, and it’s a clear departure from the environment the Rams are built for.
Much has been made of Matthew Stafford’s 1–9 record in cold, rainy, or snowy games since joining Los Angeles. The number lacks nuance — the Rams are just 1–2 in games below 40 degrees with Stafford under centre, and he threw for more than 300 yards in both losses — but it still underscores how thin the margin can become when conditions deteriorate.
The wind, more than the cold, could dictate terms. Strong gusts threaten to disrupt timing in the passing game and make downfield throws a gamble, forcing the Rams to adjust how they attack.
Just as significant may be the impact on special teams — an area that has already plagued Sean McVay’s club at times this season. Fielding punts and kickoffs in swirling wind invites volatility, and a single miscue could swing momentum in a tight playoff game. Harrison Mevis has stabilized the Rams’ kicking situation since Week 10, but Los Angeles has rarely asked the rookie to attempt long field goals.
If this game comes down to a high-leverage kick in brutal conditions, trust and execution will be tested.
One key question for the Bears: Can they rely on another comeback effort?
Chicago’s win over Green Bay demonstrated its resilience, rallying late after a sluggish start and leaning on timely defensive stops and clutch execution when the game tightened. It was an impressive response under pressure — but repeatedly spotting playoff opponents’ early advantages is a risky way to live.
However, you can’t question the Bears’ ability to pull things off in a close game. The wild-card comeback against the Green Bay Packers marked their seventh win of the 2025 season when trailing in the final two minutes of regulation.
Cold conditions at Soldier Field can shorten games and magnify mistakes, making early control even more valuable. If Chicago can establish the run, protect the football, and avoid chasing points, it can keep the contest on its terms.
The Rams defence has been vulnerable down the stretch, allowing 28.3 points per game since Week 13. The Rams have surrendered 27 or more points in five of their past seven games.
You have to think Ben Johnson was smiling watching Bryce Young carve up the Rams’ secondary last week, but could the weather at Soldier Field limit some of that?
One thing the Bears can’t do is spot Stafford a lead and hope the veteran stumbles and opens up a comeback opportunity. But don’t expect the game to be out of reach, even with a multi-point lead.
