This weekend in the NFL, every single playoff game was a 1 score game at some point in the 4th quarter. There were upsets, lopsided victories, and even teams that didn’t score touchdowns. We will take a deep dive into each matchup and provide a preview of next week’s games.
Saturday started with a game between the Rams and the Panthers; everyone thought this game would be lopsided, which is exactly how it started. With the Rams going up 14-0 mid-way through the second quarter. The Panthers would battle back to make it 14-17, then the Panthers and Rams would trade body shots, and with just over 2 minutes left, the Panthers would score to go up 31-27. But Matthew Stafford would find the endzone to clinch the game 34-31.
Saturday Night Football consisted of a division matchup between hated rivals Packers and the Bears. The Packers would get off to a quick start, 21-3 in the 4th quarter, the Bears would climb back and finish the comeback winning 31-27, the Packers had 0 offense in the 2nd half. Stats-wise, both QBs impressed. Jordan Love threw 4 TDs, and Caleb Williams threw 2 TDs and 360 yards, but what really impressed, despite the loss, was the Packers’ secondary getting 2 interceptions on Caleb Williams.
Sunday started with another 4th quarter thriller with the Bills narrowly escaping the Jaguars, even when the best run game in the league is limited to under 90 yards. Josh Allen put on a show 270 yards, and the Bills’ defense caught 2 interceptions on Trevor Lawrence. The final drive consisted of an 11-yard QB sneak by Josh Allen, which led to another QB sneak TD. Final score was 27-24.
The 4 PM game on Sunday was between the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles and the 49ers. The 49ers have had some serious injuries throughout the season, including linebacker Fred Warner and Edge rusher Nick Bosa. Despite these injuries to the 9er defense, the Eagles’ horrible offensive woes continued, thanks to a TD pass from WR Jauan Jennings on a trick play, the 49ers were able to clinch a win over the reigning champs.
Sunday Night Football consisted of one of the worst games of the weekend, with only 1 TD scored, and it came from MVP hopeful Drake Maye on a TD pass to Hunter Henry. This score propelled the Patriots to a 16-3 win over the 7-seed Chargers. The Patriots will have another home game next week.
To finish off the weekend, the Texans, led by young rising star QB CJ Stroud, faced off against the veteran-led Steelers team led by Aaron Rodgers. This game had a score of 7-6 at halftime. The game would get truly out of hand for the Steelers on a Defensive TD by the Texans on a strip sack, then the Texans would intercept Rodgers to seal the game, returning it for a TD, the final score being 30-6. The Steelers were held scoreless in the 2nd quarter. Despite 3 first-half turnovers by Stroud, the Texans would escape Pittsburgh with a win.
That concludes Wildcard weekend. Let me give you my Divisional round predictions. Broncos Vs Bills, Broncos are mentally limping into the playoffs, they have struggled a lot coming into the playoffs, finishing the season narrowly escaping the Chiefs who were down to their 3rd string QB, and escaping with a win against the Los Angeles Chargers, because of that, and a red hot Bills offense and a defense that intercepted Lawrence 2 times, give me the Bills to have the upset.
Patriots Vs Texans, both defenses had a great game in the wildcard only allowing 10 combined points, I have joked that this game could legit end in a 3-2 final score, I dont think it will be this bad, but I think if the Patriots can get the run game going like they did against the Chargers they can pull out the win.
Seahawks Vs 49ers, with the 49ers losing starting TE and most playoff-experienced player George Kittle, I think the Seahawks can limit the 9ers in almost every aspect of the game. I think the 9ers’ season ends in Seattle.
Bears Vs Rams, the Bears are coming off beating a battered Packers team, the Rams are much healthier and better, I think the Bears won’t have enough to limit both Puka Nacua and Devante Adams. Or the offense to combat the Rams’ defense.
