Another Wildcard Weekend has come and gone, and we got more of the usual: game-winning plays, defensive touchdowns, and an all-time special teams blunder.
LAR (12-5) Def. CAR (8-9) 34-31
The Rams came in as 10.5-point favorites, as the Panthers limped into the playoffs after two straight losses and a losing record to end the season. Despite being significant underdogs, Bryce Young and the Carolina offense fought hard. Wide receiver Jalen Coker had a career game with over 130 yards and a touchdown. Alas, Los Angeles prevailed. Stafford had another MVP-like performance with over 300 yards and 3 touchdowns, and found receiver Puka Nacua for 125 of those yards. With this win, the Rams will be set to take on Chicago in what should be an instant Divisional Round classic.
CHI (11-6) Def. GB (9-7-1) 31-27
Speaking of classics, Chicago has secured their first playoff win since 2011. Jordan Love played lights out football for the Packers, throwing for over 300 yards and 4 touchdowns. Unfortunately, Kicker Brandon McManus missed two field goals and an extra point. The Bears capitalized, coming back down 18 points and scoring 25 in the fourth quarter. With this win, they will head to the divisional round, where they will take on the aforementioned LA Rams.
BUF (12-5) Def. JAX (13-4) 27-24
After being labeled a bust, Trevor Lawrence had his best career season and led the Jags to thirteen wins and an AFC Championship. Unfortunately, Jacksonville’s success did not last into the postseason. Josh Allen was too much to stop, and torched Jacksonville for over 300 total yards and 3 touchdowns. An Allen rushing touchdown and a game-sealing interception by Cole Bishop were enough to end the Jaguars’ season. The Bills will now take on another elite defense in the one-seed power-house Denver Broncos.
SF (12-5) Def. PHI (11-6) 23-19
Christian McCaffery kept the injury-riddled 49ers in contention just long enough to make it to the playoffs, and once again, put his team on his back and won them the game. Over 100 yards and 2 touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown catch, kept their season alive. Unfortunately, McCaffery will get even less help with George Kittle going down with a torn Achilles. The defending Champs looked stunned offensively, and the game ended with a Jalen Hurts incompletion. While the loss for Philly was incredibly underwhelming, the last time their season ended with such disappointment, they won the Super Bowl the following season. Regardless, we’ll watch San Fran take on their Division rival Seahawks, in round two.
NE (14-3) Def. LAC (11-6) 16-3
Despite the incredible playoffs we’ve gotten to see, this game wasn’t quite the marquee match-up we were hoping for. The beat-up Chargers stood no chance against the unstoppable Patriots. Drake Maye and the offense had a slow night, but the defense more than picked up the slack. Herbert finished the game with fewer than 160 passing yards and mustered only 3 points. New England sacked Herbert 6 times and added 11 QB hits. The Patriots now have an interesting match-up against Houston in the Divisional Round.
HOU (12-5) Def. PIT (10-7) 30-6
What do you get when you pit a team with arguably the best defense in the league and a shaky offense against a team that snuck into the postseason at just slightly above average for the third season in a row? Well, examine Exhibit A in our final game of round one. Houston won by 24 points, putting up both an interception and a fumble returned for touchdowns. A 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers was getting hit all game, nor could Jaylen Warren get the ground game going. Despite the success, star receiver Nico Collins was carted off the field with a head injury, which will likely result in him missing at least a game. With the loss of Collins, the pressure is that much more on quarterback CJ Stroud.
