The NFL Playoffs are finally upon us! In one of the weirdest Wildcard Rounds in recent memory, we had ONE close game with an average victory margin of 17 points. Hopefully, we’ll have some closer games in the Divisional. So, after the Wildcard Round, how did the playoff teams fare?
1.Ravens
Baltimore finally knows their Divisional opponent in the upstart Texans, who surprised a lot in an absolute demolition of the high and mighty Browns. While the week one matchup lead to the Texans going home with a loss, the Ravens shouldn’t overlook Houston. CJ Stroud has been on fire recently and it’s the Ravens job to cool him off. While Lamar Jackson’s playoff record has been a scratch against him, I believe he and the Defense have enough to send the Texans packing, but it should definitely be closer than week one.
2. Niners
As with the Ravens, San Francisco is now eyeing a matchup with the biggest surprise of the Wildcard in the Green Bay Packers. While Brock Purdy has been here before, he’s still young and prone to make mistakes, but I don’t see any happening here. Packers Defense is by far the worst in the Playoffs and couldn’t stop a late surge from the Cowboys, so I think it’s safe for Niners fans to start booking NFC Championship tickets.
3. Bills
Quality win for the Bills in Buffalo, but let’s be real; Pittsburgh wasn’t winning that game, especially in the snowy hell that was the Ralph. In my opinion, that game said more about the Steelers than the Bills. That being said, Buffalo looks to host the Chiefs next weekend. Will the snow and cold be enough to give the Bills an advantage against the also cold tested Chiefs?
4. Lions
What a thriller against Matt Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams! Also, what a season for Detroit. As of Sunday, the Lions have their second playoff win since the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Yes, that’s actually true. Tears of joy were shed over Ford Field, which will host the Divisional round game against the Buccaneers. If Detroit can hold off Tampa Bay, they’ll appear in their first NFC Championship in Franchise history. Keep making history, Detroit!
5. Chiefs
Breathing I’m subzero temperatures is hard enough, but playing in them? Nearly impossible. Kansas City isn’t known for the cold, but it played to an advantage against the warm weather Dolphins. The Offense looked better Saturday, but how will it fare against the Bills this weekend? They’re predicting snow again for Buffalo, but the Chiefs have seen this before. I expect this game to come down to the wire, so bring your popcorn. While you’re at it, bring your coats!
6. Texans
Houston definitely made a statement on Saturday, with a whipping of the Browns in front of the Nation. On that note, the Browns were banged up and missing starters, so who are the Texans really? A matchup with top seeded Baltimore is imposing, but depending on what Texans team we see, this should be close. The Texans haven’t seen the AFC Championship and the city of Houston hasn’t seen an AFC Championship since 1979. Add insult to injury, the Texans have never won a road playoff game, and are traveling to Baltimore. It isn’t promising on paper, but anything is possible.
7. Buccaneers
Did anyone expect the Bucs to walk the Eagles like a dog? The Defense stepped up and kept Philly’s Offense quiet for a majority of the game. Mighty impressive. That being said, heading to Detroit, fresh off their first playoff win in my lifetime (I’m 26), expect the Lions to continue their run. Tampa’s got a helluva test on their hands, but should be able to rise to the challenge. A win, on the other hand, may be hard to come by.
8. Packers
Where was this all season, Green Bay! Jordan Love and company went into Jerryworld, where the Cowboys were undefeated this season, and made Dallas look foolish! The 48-32 score looks close, but it was 48-16 before two garbage time TDs made it somewhat close. If they can bring that energy into Levi Stadium this weekend, they may have a chance. I’m not making the same mistake I made last week by counting them out, but it looks bleak.
9. Rams
Los Angeles fans have to be hurting after that game. A holding call was the difference between moving on to Tampa and the Lions getting their first playoff win. Sadly for Rams fans, it was the latter. After eyeing a 44 yard FG to seal a win, the call pushed the FG to near Justin Tucker range. That being said, why punt there? Brett Maher isn’t exactly known for his leg, but it’s the playoffs! Sean McVay played it too safe and it cost him in the end. Great season by Los Angeles though.
10. Dolphins
A Marine Biologist could’ve told us; Dolphins die in the cold. That impressive Offense went dead quiet in Kansas City and cost them. Of all times to have a losing streak, the very end of the season isn’t the best time. I’m sure Tua and Tyreek had their wool socks on during the flight home, though? Fins up, Fins down.
11. Browns
Since their rebirth in 2000, the Cleveland Browns are now 1-3 in playoff games. That’s over 23 years now. While Joe Flacco looked to be the savior. He left “Playoff Joe” in Baltimore. A 45-14 loss to the Texans is a slap to the face of every long suffering Browns fan, while their neighbors to the Northwest are celebrating. Tough times to be a Browns fan.
12. Cowboys
You ever look at a cupcake or those huge milkshakes they make on TikTok and immediately feel your stomach get upset? That’s how I felt watching the Cowboys on Sunday. What was a great Offensive and Defensive get walked over by a 7th seed is disgusting, but allowing the first ever 7th seed victory is worse. All the work from the Cowboys just to get blown out by a QB making his first NFL start is just an absolute mess. What are the Cowboys going to do this Offseason to fix this?
13. Eagles
That was awful. Coming into the playoffs as the reigning NFC Champs just to get swept aside by a 9-8 team speaks volumes. The past month, the Eagles have looked bad. The Offense has slowed, the Defense has had trouble stopping average teams, and the Special Teams has kept them in games. While firings would really solve anything, they need to take Defense play calling duties away from Matt Patricia. Since he took over, the Defense has been putrid. Shame for Philadelphia, I really thought this team had a chance to run it back several months ago.
14. Steelers
I’m sorry to say it to Pittsburgh fans, but what did you expect? It seemed the only reason the Steelers were in position for a playoff spot was due to TJ Watt and Mason Rudolph playing his butt off. With Watt missing the Wildcard, the team had to depend on the Defense playing lights out. The snowy weather in Buffalo helped, but Josh Allen and company still tore them apart. Still happy to see some life from the Offense, firing Matt Canada was definitely the right move. Better luck next year.
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