Always a sucker for the enormity of the Super Bowl. But if forced to pick a best weekend of the postseason, give me the Divisional Round. Where championship dreams are galvanized and pretenders come to die. Unfortunately, the uniform matchups this weekend don’t exactly meet the moment. To put it nicely, these aesthetic showdowns leave me feeling whelmed. Nothing truly awful (outside of the Commanders). But nothing truly memorable either. The breaks of the football fashion game. At least the football games make up for it and then some.

A quick note on (playoff) methodology.

I’m still analyzing every NFL uniform matchup and picking a winner against the spread based on who dresses best.  And just because a team is ranked higher in the Uniform Wardrobe Power Rankings doesn’t mean it will automatically win the uniform matchup. It’s what you wear in the instant matchup that counts.

We're not about to shame teams that made the playoffs.  So we're only crowning the best matchup of the weekend from here on out.  And still betting the over. 

Looking back at Wild Card Weekend.

3-3 on the first weekend of the playoffs. Par for the .500 course. 141-135-2 on the season. Only seven games to go.

Divisional Round Uniform Matchups and Picks.

Unlikely to ever see this one as best of the week. But I think people are selling this Texans-Chiefs uniform matchup short. Dark navy pairs perfectly with Kansas City red, and there’s ample Deep Steel Blue between the helmet, sleeve horns, numbers, and pant stripes. In a vacuum, I probably would’ve gone navy pants. But I understand Houston mixing up the mojo.* Wouldn’t change a thing about the classic look of the Chiefs, but I’ve always been lower on it than others.** So giving the nod to the Texans and a new wardrobe that has been a welcome addition to the NFL aesthetic.

Can’t say I feel great about being on the other side of the Chiefs here. The hunt for the threepeat has never been more on. And I have a hard time seeing Houston’s sieve of an offensive line keeping Kansas City at bay. But the Texans were left for dead coming into the playoffs. That defense is sneaky elite. And few QB-WR tandems are more dangerous when they’re in the zone than CJ Stroud and Nico Collins. Any Given Saturday.

*0-4 all-time in the Divisional Round in blue-white-blue (including a loss to the Chiefs in 2019). Plus a loss in Kansas City in that color combo only a few weeks ago.

**And I’ll always take KC’s road looks over their home looks.

The Pick: Texans +8.5

No shortage of potential with these color palettes. But both teams do their part to keep us from living up to it.* Commanders still have the worst white jersey in football. And as much as I’d prefer silver pants instead of Honolulu Blue, hard to knock the Lions for keeping the mojo going with an undefeated outfit.** Detroit by default.

After the rookie season and playoff debut we’ve seen from Jayden Daniels, I’m not about to sell him short. But the Fightin’ Dan Campells are unlike any test the Commanders have faced to this point. I can see Washington hitting a few explosives and hanging around for a while. But in a 60-minute fight, I like the Lions to pull away and cover the number.

*Washington more so than Detroit.

**Lions are 5-0 in this iteration of the Blueberries.

The Pick: Lions -8.5

Rams at Eagles should’ve run way with the top spot. Yellow pants from Los Angeles had the makings of a sneaky all-timer. Instead, we’re treated to gradient pant stripes and a royal-midnight green color combo that leaves a much-needed pop of yellow on the table. With that being said, this is still a serviceable uniform matchup. It just pales in comparison to what could’ve been. Philly it is.

The game below got all of the hype this week - and deservedly so. But don’t sleep on this one. Rams defense versus Eagles offense and Rams offenses versus Eagles defense are equally elite ball-knower showdowns. McVay versus Fangio is worth the price of admission alone. And I’m just as fascinated to see what Chris Shula - Rams defensive coordinator and grandson of Don Shula - has in store to keep Saquon Barkley from adding to a Hall of Fame* running back season. On top of it all, we could be in for a snow game. Can see this one going either way. But if the elements do indeed become a factor, give me the Jeff Stoutland-coached offensive line leading the way for Mr. 2000.

*Speaking of Hall of Fame, a return to the Super Bowl would give Matthew Stafford an interesting case.

The Pick: Eagles -6

Best NFL Uniform Matchup of the Divisional Round.

Ravens at Bills won’t be mentioned on any best playoff uniform matchup lists. But in a weekend where no obvious choice exists, this uniform matchup still does it for me. While purple pants may have been the move for Baltimore, purple and royal don’t provide the starkest contrast. Plus the Ravens lost in that ensemble the last time they played in Buffalo on Divisional weekend. And I’ll always take Baltimore’s white pants over black - that pant stripe is top notch. Bills understood the assignment in white-blue-white. And I have high hopes for this one under the Sunday night lights.

Vikings-Lions as Game of the Year lasted all of two weeks. Because this is the one. Lamar versus Josh may be the biggest game in the history of QB hierarchy and MVP debates. Winner is on the doorstep of their first Super Bowl appearance. And the loser is staring at an offseason of being poked, prodded, and skewered by the media - social and otherwise. The only way I see the loser avoiding such scrutiny is a repeat of Bills-Chiefs in the 2021 Divisional Round. So in that spirit, light it up boys. And get us the over while you’re at it.

The Pick: Over 51.5

Club SDR - Divisional Round Prop Plays.

As I should’ve learned from Seinfeld, you can only count on George Costanza for so long. 1-2 on the week. 28-34-1 on the year. Three weekends left to claw back to .500.

Jayden Daniels - Over 295.5 Total Yards

If the Commanders are going to hang around in this one, Daniels needs to keep the pace. The Lions are Bottom 5 in both passing and rushing yards allowed to opposing quarterbacks, so I like Daniels and Co. to keep things interesting - at least for a time. And even if they fall behind, the Offensive Rookie of the Year should keep accumulating yards in pursuit.

DeVonta Smith - Over 54.5 Receiving Yards

Smith is only six yards shy of the Eagles franchise record for postseason receiving yards. Here’s to breaking the record in style.

Lamar Jackson - Over 223.5 Passing Yards

My expectations are high for Ravens-Bills. And I have complete faith in Lamar and Josh to deliver. Let it rip.

The Gridiron Uniform Database.

Uniform graphics seen here are courtesy of The Gridiron Uniform Database. If you’ve never paid their site a visit, stop what you’re doing right now and check it out. Best site on the Internet and an invaluable resource to uniform nerds and casuals alike.

Coming Attractions.

Championship Sunday coming at ya.

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