The NFL playoffs start this weekend — here's a quick primer on every matchup
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The contenders for Super Bowl LIX (that's 59 for non-Romans) have been narrowed to 14 teams as the NFL playoffs get set to kick off this weekend. While defending-champion Kansas City (the No. 1 seed in the AFC) and the Detroit Lions (tops in the NFC) enjoy a bye, here's a quick look at the six first-round matchups, which all feature a division champion hosting a wild card.
Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) at Houston Texans (10-7) — Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET
The Texans were a hot Super Bowl pick coming into the season. But Rookie of the Year quarterback C.J. Stroud plateaued while two of his three star receivers, Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell, suffered season-ending injuries and Nico Collins missed five games. Houston still won the soft AFC South, but now they're a 2.5-point underdog at home against the wild-card Chargers.
The Bolts hope their reputation as playoff chokers (remember when they blew a 27-point lead to lose to Jacksonville a couple years ago?) will be washed away by new coach Jim Harbaugh. The former 49ers and University of Michigan boss worked his magic again to turn around a 5-12 team.
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) at Baltimore Ravens (12-5) — Saturday at 8 p.m. ET
We've been conditioned to view this matchup as a classic AFC North slugfest, and some of the ingredients are here with sack master T.J. Watt leading a tough Pittsburgh defence and bruising runner Derrick Henry powering division-rival Baltimore's ground attack. But this game is in the hands of Lamar Jackson, the dazzling Ravens quarterback who won his second MVP award last year and then took it to another