The playoffs have now reached the divisional round. The Wildcard round did not disappoint, and now, with the number one seeds entering the picture, the games are sure to be entertaining. The winners of these games would be one win away from playing in the Super Bowl.
AFC
Houston Texans @ Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs entered the playoffs this week with a home game against the Houston Texans. The Chiefs ended the regular season with a 15-2 record, but many of those wins were decided on a final play. The Texans got to this stage after their victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. Could they defeat another AFC West side, or would Kanas City make another Conference Championship game?
The Chiefs had the opening possession of the game and could get the opening score from it. The drive started on the Texans’ 13-yard line, thanks to a very strong kickoff return. However, the offense would be unable to go anywhere from here, resulting in a 32-yard field goal from Harrison Butker to deliver the points.
In response, the Texans would also get their first set of points from their opening drive. Starting from their 20-yard line, the offense led by C.J. Stroud, made its way down to the Chiefs’ 12-yard line. But, like the opening drive from Kansas City, this drive also stalled in the red zone. This led to a successful 30-yard field goal attempt from Ka’imi Fairbairn.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis field goal leveled the scores, but this did not last long. On the next drive, the Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs’ offense would be able to reach the Texans’ 18-yard line. Here, the drive stalled, but Butker made a 36-yard field goal to give the Chiefs again the lead. A few drives later, it was the Texans turn to have another field goal attempt, this time from 55 yards out. However, Fairbairn’s kick went wide right, handing the Chiefs possession on their 37-yard line.
This missed field goal would be a costly error for Houston. The Chiefs would quickly go down to the Texans’ one-yard line. Kareem Hunt found the endzone for the rushing touchdown to extend the lead. Houston could slightly reduce this lead on their final drive before halftime when Fairbairn was successful on a 48-yard field goal attempt.
This meant that the Chiefs had a 13-6 lead over the Texans at halftime.
Houston had the second half’s opening drive and would use it to get themselves back into the game. Starting from their 18-yard line, the Stroud-led offense slowly descended the field to the Chiefs’ 13-yard line. Then, after 14 plays and over 10 minutes of game time, Joe Mixon found the endzone for the rushing touchdown. However, the subsequent PAT that would have tied the game was missed, retaining the Chiefs’ lead.
This lead increased on the following drive. Mahomes moved his offense down to the Texans’ 11-yard line. He was lucky to be able to do this, as earlier on the drive, he fumbled the ball. But he was able to retain possession. However, the whole play was irrelevant anyway, as there was an unnecessary roughness penalty against the Texans’ defense on the play, but many, including the commentary team, believed that the penalty was uncalled for.
Embed from Getty ImagesAt the Texans’ 11-yard line, Mahomes found Travis Kelce for the touchdown pass.
A couple of drives later, Kansas City would again be able to increase their lead. This time, Butker kicked a 27-yard field goal to all but seal the win for the Chiefs. The Texans tried to get something from their next drive and were given a 35-yard field goal attempt. However, this was blocked by the Chiefs special teams defense.
The Texans did get something on the last drive of the game. However, this would again be controversial. Houston benefited from an intentional safety that occurred on the Chiefs’ punt. Ultimately, this only gave them two points, so it didn’t change the game. But it did annoy many people.
What would annoy more people is that the Kansas City Chiefs had defeated the Houston Texans 23-14.
This win puts the Chiefs into their seventh consecutive AFC Championship game, and it will be the sixth time that Kansas City will host the game. But who would they face for a spot in the Super Bowl?
Baltimore Ravens @ Buffalo Bills
In a contest that could have gone either way, the Baltimore Ravens faced the Buffalo Bills. Both of these teams are strong enough to be contenders to defeat the Chiefs, something that the Bills did in the regular season, and the Ravens were unable to by a foot. Both easily defeated their wildcard rounds opponents, setting up an entertaining affair in a cold Highmark Stadium.
The Ravens had the opening drive of the game and would be able to get the game’s first score from it. Starting from their 27-yard line, the Ravens offense, led by Lamar Jackson, would be able to make its way down to the Bills’ 16-yard line. Here, Jackson found Rashod Bateman for the touchdown pass to give Baltimore the early lead.
However, the Bills would respond with a score of their own. On their first drive of the game, the Josh Allen-led Buffalo offense made its way down to the Ravens’ one-yard line. From here, Ray Davis found the endzone for the rushing touchdown to tie the scores early in the game.
On the following drive, the Ravens would make a mistake. Jackson’s deep pass was intercepted by the Bills defense. Luckily for Baltimore, the Bills could not do anything with this possession. However, the Ravens would not be so lucky on their next drive. Jackson would be sacked and then fumble the ball, which was then scooped up by the Bills, who returned the ball to the Ravens’ 24-yard line. Here, the offense got the ball down to the one-yard line, where Allen found the endzone for the rushing touchdown to take the lead.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Ravens could cut into the lead on their next drive. A mistake-free drive brought Baltimore down to the Bills’ eight-yard line. Here, the drive stalled, setting up a 26-yard field goal attempt from Justin Tucker. He was successful with this kick.
But Buffalo could extend their lead on the final drive before halftime. Allen would again find the endzone for the rushing touchdown down at the Ravens’ four-yard line.
This meant that the Bills had a 21-10 lead over the Ravens at halftime.
Baltimore could cut into this lead on their opening drive of the second half. The offense would able to make their way down to the Bills’ 29-yard line, where the drive would stall. This set up a 47-yard field goal attempt from Tucker, who was unsurprisingly able to make the kick.
On their next drive, the Ravens would continue to cut back the Bills lead. This time, the Ravens offense went down to the Bills five-yard line. Here, Derrick Henry found the endzone for the rushing touchdown,. They then attempted a two-point conversion attempt, which if successful, would have tied the game, However, the pass was incomplete, keeping the Bills’ two-point lead.
But, this lead would grow on the following Bills drive, when kicker Trevor Bass made a 51-yard field goal. On the following drive, the Ravens would make another mistake when Mark Andrews fumbled the ball, which was scooped up by the Bills’ defense. The Bills would capitalize on this mistake and bring the ball down to the Ravens’ two-yard line. Here, the drive stalled, with Bass kicking a 21-yard field goal.
Embed from Getty ImagesWith three minutes left to play, the Ravens were eight points behind. They needed to find the endzone and get the two-point conversion to take the game to overtime. The drive started on the Ravens’ 12-yard line, with Jackson and company able to move down to the Bills’ 24-yard line. Here, Jackson found Isaiah Likely for the touchdown pass. They then went for the two-point conversion attempt that would decide both teams’ game and fate. Jackson threw a pass to Andrews, but Andrews dropped the ball.
This meant the Buffalo Bills defeated the Baltimore Ravens 27-25.
This game went as expected. It was a tight game that went down to the game’s final play, exactly what playoff football should be. The Bills advance to the Championship game, where we will have another round of Mahomes vs Allen.
NFC
Washington Commanders @ Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions were the top seed in the NFC. The Lions have been one of the highest-scoring teams in the NFL this season, and for the first time, they could make the Super Bowl. They faced the Washington Commanders, who have been a surprise package this season under rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
The Lions had the game’s first possession but could not do anything with it. However, they would have more success on their second possession. Starting from their 29-yard line, the Lions’ offense, led by Jared Goff, went down to the Commanders’ one-yard line. Here, Jahmyr Gibbs found the endzone for the rushing touchdown.
In response, the Commanders could put their first set of points onto the board. On a drive that started on their 30-yard line, Daniels could lead the offense down to the Lions’ 29-yard line. Here, the drive stalled, setting up a 47-yard field goal attempt from kick Zane Gonzalez. This is something he was successful with,
But on the next drive, Detroit would make a costly error. The offense would make its way down to the Commanders’ 17-yard line, but here, Goff was sacked and fumbled the ball, which would be scooped up by the Washington defense. The Commanders would get down to the Lions’ two-yard line on the subsequent drive. Brian Robinson would find the endzone for the rushing touchdown to give Washington the lead.
But this lead did not last long, as the Lions’ would strike back on their next drive. Shaking off the prior mistake, Goff could move the offense down to the Commanders’ two-yard line. Here, the quarterback found Sam LaPorta for the touchdown pass. Washington quickly responded, with Daniels finding Terry McLaurin for a 58-yard touchdown pass.
The scoring streak continued on the next drive, but it would not be Detroit who would find the endzone. Goff’s pass was intercepted by the Commanders’ defense, who would then return the ball to the endzone for a pick-six touchdown, adding to the Commanders’ lead. Additionally, it needs to be noted that Jared Goff was injured on this play and did not take part in the following drive.
Embed from Getty ImagesHowever, even without Goff, the Lions could find the endzone. Backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater would help the offense reach their 39-yard line. Jameson Williams found the endzone for a 61-yard rushing touchdown to make it a three-point game.
The lead became 10 points when Daniels found Zach Ertz for a five-yard touchdown near the end of the first half. To make things even better for Washington before the half, on their final drive, Goff threw another interception.
This meant that after a very high-scoring half, the Commanders had a 31-21 lead over the Lions.
The Lions were able to cut into this lead on their first drive of the second half. Starting from their nine-yard line, Goff and company could move down to the Commanders’ eight-yard line. Here, Gibbs found the endzone for the rushing touchdown to make it a three-point time again. But, like the last time, this did not last long.
On the responding drive, the Commanders went down to the Lions’ one-yard line. Here, Robinson found the endzone for his second touchdown of the game. In response to this, Detroit threw another interception. The mistake was costly, as the following drive ended in another touchdown for the Commanders. This time, Jeremy McNichols found the endzone from the one-yard line.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Lions got some points on their next drive, with a Jake Bates field goal from 28 yards making the uprights. But, it was not enough. On their final line, Goff threw another interception to close a season where the Lions experienced the highest of highs, but it all crashed down when they needed it not to.
This meant that as the clock reached 0, the Washington Commanders had defeated the Detroit Lions 45-31.
This was a high-scoring thriller that many expected to see when these two teams played. However, mistakes cost the Lions, giving Jayden Daniels, a rookie quarterback, the opportunity to send his team to the Super Bowl. But who would they meet in the conference championship game?
Los Angeles Rams @ Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles, like the Detroit Lions, have been a high-scoring side. With the elimination of the Lions, they would be the favorites to make the Super Bowl. However, the Eagles would have to defeat the Los Angeles Rams to face their divisional rivals in the NFC Conference Championship. This task is not easy, and the Rams could cause an upset. Would they be able to go to a wintry Lincoln Financial Field?
The Eagles had the game’s opening drive and would be able to get the opening points from it. Starting from their 26-yard line, the offense led by quarterback Jalen Hurts could make their way down to the Rams’ 44-yard line. Here, Hurts would find the endzone for a long rushing touchdown. However, the PAT missed.
In response, the Rams also found the endzone on their opening drive. Starting from their 33-yard line, the Rams’ offense, led by Matthew Stafford, would be able to move down to the Eagles four-yard line. Here, Stafford found Tyler Higbee for the touchdown pass. The PAT was successful on this touchdown, giving the Rams a one-point lead.
Embed from Getty ImagesLos Angeles lost this lead a few drives later when Saquon Barkley found the endzone to record a 62-yard rushing touchdown. The Rams could immediately cut back the lead that the Eagles had just gained, through a 30-yard field goal from kicker Joshua Karty.
This meant that the Eagles had a 13-10 lead over the Rams at halftime.
Both teams’ drives to open the second half would end in punts. But the Rams would be able to level the scores on their next drive. The Stafford-led offense went down to the Eagles’ 16-yard line, where the drive would stall. This set up a 34-yard field goal attempt from Karty, which was successful.
But the Rams’ lead did not last long. On the following drive, the Eagles’ offense would stall at the Rams’ 26-yard line. This set up a 44-yard field goal attempt from Jake Elliot, which was also successful, handing Philadelphia a three-point lead.
The three-point lead became one point on the Eagles’ next drive when Hurts was sacked in his endzone. This was a safety for the Rams, giving them two points. However, Los Angeles would make a mistake on their next drive. Kyren Williams would fumble the ball, which would be scooped up by the Eagles’ defense. This mistake would prove costly, as Elliot would kick a 23-yard field goal on the subsequent drive. However, it could have been a lot more, as Barkley did find the endzone, but it was later ruled that he was down at the one-yard line.
The Rams made the same mistake on their next drive. This time, Stafford fumbled the ball, which was then scooped up by the Eagles’ defense. This would again result in a field goal for the Eagles.
Philadelphia’s lead would be extended on their next drive when Barkley found the endzone for a 22-yard rushing touchdown. In response, the Rams’ offense would be able to keep themselves in the game. They made their way down to the Eagles’ four-yard line. Here, Stafford found Colby Parkinson for the touchdown pass.
Embed from Getty ImagesLos Angeles had one final attempt to win the game. On this drive, they made their way down to the Eagles’ 22-yard line, where they had an essential fourth down attempt. However, the pass from Stafford was incomplete.
The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Los Angeles Rams 28-22.
The win means that there will be an all-NFC East conference championship, as the Eagles will host the Commanders for a spot in the Super Bowl, where they will face either the Kansas City Chiefs or the Buffalo Bills.