With Wildcard Weekend wrapped up, let’s take a look at the winners and losers from last week’s matchups.
Houston Texans Vs. LA Chargers: 32-12
The games began in Houston with this demolition of the Chargers. LA started the game with a 6-0 lead, but it was downhill from there. Quarterback Justin Herbert threw for four interceptions which is always a recipe for disaster. The Texans looked shaky coming into the postseason, but this game changes a lot moving forward. Expect a good fight versus the Chiefs next week.
Baltimore Ravens Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 28-14
This was the Henry-Jackson show. Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry combined for four touchdowns and 267 rushing yards in the win. There was nothing fancy about it, Pittsburgh was simply outplayed. The Steelers could only muster 29 rushing yards compared to Baltimore’s 299 yards. Lamar Jackson has had issues performing in the playoffs, but he had no problems on Saturday. The Steelers are now on a five-game losing streak and have more questions than answers entering the 2025 season.
Buffalo Bills Vs. Denver Broncos: 31-7
The Broncos made the playoffs for the first time since their 2016 Superbowl run, but the magic faded quickly. Denver started on top with a Nix touchdown to Troy Franklin, and then Josh Allen got the ball. Buffalo rattled off 31 unanswered to win this game thanks to Allen and Cook. Like Baltimore’s QB-RB tandem, these two dominated to a victory. Allen and the Bills will be strong contenders for the Superbowls and will likely meet the Chiefs in the AFC Championship. The Broncos should head into the offseason with lots of confidence. Bo Nix looks like a champion quarterback, something the team has lacked since Peyton Manning, and have a very bright future ahead of them.
Philadelphia Eagles Vs. Green Bay Packers: 22-10
The double-digit losses continued into the evening time slot. The Eagles’ defense squashed Jordan Love and the Packers with four turnovers. The offense was shut out in the second half, the second-half points were too little too late. Saquon Barkley continued his reign of terror with 123 total yards, and Jalen Hurts had a very efficient game himself. Jordan Love has shown flashes, but with the quarterback play that Green Bay has been blessed with in the past, the fans will get restless soon. Both are very competitive teams, but this game showed who is a wildcard team and who is a Superbowl contender.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Vs. Washington Commanders: 20-23
After some disappointing games to start the postseason, we got an all-time game to end Sunday. Quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Jayden Daniels dueled it out on primetime, and the rookie Daniels came out on top. With five lead changes, the game came down to the final play of regulation to decide the winner. The Buccaneers led a game-tying field goal with under five minutes to play, and that’s when Daniels went to work. He drove down the field and set up a Zane Gonzalez 37-yard game-winning field goal opportunity. Gonzalez doinked it off the upright and in, sending Tampa Bay packing. The Commanders have been massive overachievers, and Daniels has shown time and time again to have that clutch gene in him. He is the favorite for the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, and for good reason.
LA Rams Vs. Minnesota Vikings: 27-9
Away teams went 1-5 this weekend, and the Vikings were no exception. Sam Darnold looked like he was once again “seeing ghosts” on the gridiron. LA’s defense forced two turnovers and held Minnesota to just nine points. Stafford looked like his vintage self, with a very efficient game and Kyren Williams was electric. While the Vikings had a 14-3 record, there will now be huge questions on who will fill the quarterback position next season.
