Wild Card Weekend in the NFL was an absolute banger. Every game left fans on the edge of their seats. Many fans cried with broken hearts while others went nuts. All 6 games were extremely competitive and made you wonder who would win. No one could predict the outcomes of the games, even when teams had 4% chance of winning.
The first game of the weekend was the Carolina Panthers vs Los Angeles Rams. The Panthers were under .500 with an 8-9, barely winning the NFC South due to a Saints loss versus the Falcons. Many critics said this game was going to be uncompetitive. The Panthers turned it over on downs on the first drive. The Rams capitalized going up 7-0 off a Stafford pass to Nacua. To end the quarter, star quarterback Bryce Young got picked off.
Once again the Rams capitalized o n this young Panthers team’s mistakes. Wide receiver Puka Nacua rushed it in for a 5 yard touchdown. This is what critics expected, the Rams were up 14 and had a 90% chance to win. However, the Panthers finally responded, cutting the game to a one score lead off Hubbard’s touchdown. The Rams hit a field goal to go up 17-7. After a Panthers punt, Rams punted, but Etienne of the Panthers muffed the catch. Despite the craziness for the first time this game, the Rams didn’t capitalize on a Panther mistake. To respond, Young scrambled out of the pocket for a 16 yard rushing touchdown. This closed LA’s lead to 3 at the half.
In the third quarter, both teams traded field goals and the Rams remained up 3. However, MVP frontrunner Matthew Stafford threw an interception.
In the fourth quarter, The Panthers took the 4 point lead with a touchdown. However, the Rams responded immediately with another touchdown. Just as the game couldn’t get any crazier, the Panthers blocked the punt. This put them at the 30 yard line for an easy touchdown. Young threw his first touchdown to make the score 31-27. However, the Rams drove down 70 yards with a huge 19 yard passing touchdown to retake the lead. Carolina got the ball back with 38 seconds. Young threw 3 incompletions and on his last attempt it was intercepted.
In an absolute thriller, the Rams squeezed out a win in Wild Card fashion. There were 4 lead changes in the fourth quarter. It was a great way to start the weekend with a blocked punt, crazy catches, and multiple lead changes. This was a game the critics and analysts said would be a blow out came down to the wire. Shoutout to Holy Cross alum, Jalen Coker, for having a career day!
Another NFC matchup was up and this was a division rivalry. Packers vs. Bears is filled with bad blood and crazy fans. Soldier Field was sold out and packed. The teams had split their matchups this year 1-1. Both teams had very promising players. The Bears had young star Caleb Williams. The Packers despite some injuries had Jordan Love and a great defense.
The Bears started off strong, driving down the field scoring a field goal. They solidified the run game and had some good passing plays. However, that’s probably the only good thing that happened for the Bears in the first half. The Packers scored on a 7 yard pass to Watson for a touchdown. The quarter ended 7-3 Packers.
The second quarter started and Caleb Williams threw an interception. The Packers went down 85 yards to score. Love threw a great pass to Reed for an easy touchdown. 14-3 the Packers led. The Bears turned it over on downs once again and the Packers scored. Now up 18, you could hear scattered boos from the fans. The Bears’ post season has never been strong with things like the double doink. To end the quarter McManus missed a 55 yard field goal attempt. The Bears were down 18.
The third quarter started, the defense forced a punt. Then, the offense got a field goal. The lead was cut to 15 and it looked like there was a shot. However, another Caleb Williams interception kept the score that way.
Going into the fourth down 15, the Bears needed stuff to go their way. The “cardiac Bears” had to be summoned. Opening up with a 51 yard field goal, it looked like they had a shot. 2 stops and 2 scores, they could be in the lead. After a defensive stop, they marched 66 yards in only 7 plays to score. Swift scored the 6 yard touchdown. Soldier field erupted as the score was 21-16. However, Love and the Packers silenced the crowd with a touchdown of their own. McManus missed the extra point attempt. The Bears marched down the field once again with a 27 yard pass and a 22 yard pass. Then, Williams throws a touchdown. They went for two to try to cut it to only a field goal. Williams to Loveland, they got it. Greenbay was still up 3. Although, the Packers were able to gain some ground. They went after number 6, a corner for the Bears who looked like he was playing with a broken leg. They got down the field and set up for a 44 yard field goal. McManus had already missed one and an extra point. With how this attempt went, it’s safe to say that he will probably be unemployed soon. He missed wide right. This is where the Packers odds of winning completely collapsed. The Bears drove and hit DJ Moore for a 25 yard passing touchdown. Soldier Field exploded with cheers as they were down 15 in the 4th quarter. Although, the game wasn’t over. A minute and forty three seconds remained. Greenbay gained some yards going after Bears corner number six once again, that was a 20 yard game. Seven seconds remained at the Chicago 33. The Packers snapped it and Love lost control of the ball. In a rush he realizes he only has one play: the endzone. The Bears were all over the ball, knocking it over and crushing the Packers hopes.
This game was remarkable and was one of the best games I’ve ever witnessed. A team looked like they shouldn’t be in the playoffs and scored 25 points in the 4th quarter. McManus may never recover from this loss and it was a true wild card game. It was absolutely wild and unpredictable all the way around.
On Sunday January 12, at 1 PM to start the triple header, the Bills played the Jaguars. In the first quarter, both teams exchanged punts. Lawrence, the star quarterback for the Jaguars, throws an interception that was aimed for Washington. The Bills didn’t do a great job on capitalizing mistakes, but here with good field positioning they got a field goal. Scoring of other teams’ mistakes wasn’t a strength for either team, but combined it made a good game. 3-0 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second, the Jaguars drove down and scored off a touchdown pass to Thomas. On that kickoff, the Bills fumbled, giving Jacksonville the ball right back. However, a common theme in this game was neither team capitalizing on others’ mistakes. After a turnover on downs, the Bills were able to score on a tush push by Josh Allen. To end the half, the Jaguars just so barely spiked it in time. The refs put it under review and gave them a few seconds. Star kicker Cam Little, it looked inevitable that it would be tied at half. However, he missed. 10-7 Bills at the half.
In the third quarter, both teams exchanged field goals and Buffalo remained up 3.
In the fourth quarter, Lawrence threw it to Washington for a touchdown. They took the lead back. However, Allen was not going to let them stop him. A 15 yard pass to Kincaid to put the back up 3; 20-17. Another drive from Jacksonville brought them into scoring position. Lawrence scrambles out of the pocket and as a Buffalo defender steps up, he tosses it off to Etienne. 15 yard touchdown for the Jags. On the Bills drive, Allen aired it out 36 yards to Cooks. It was extremely risky as Allen was pressured in the pocket. Allen pushes up the middle for 11 yards, but turns back the touchdown. At the one yard line, Allen once again pushes in for a touchdown. Jacksonville let them score to get the ball back with as much time as possible. 27-24 Bills with one minute left. Lawrence drops back and is picked off by Bishop. The Bills are moving on to the next round.
There were four lead changes in this fourth quarter. This was the third straight wild game on Wild Card weekend. Josh Allen had 2 rushing touchdowns, one passing, and 270 passing yards. The Bills defense stood out with 2 interceptions on Lawrence.
Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock, the defending champions Philadelphia Eagles took on the San Francisco 49ers. The Eagles have not looked as strong this year and the 49ers defense is a little rough. The first drive by San Francisco, they drove down to score easily in less than 4 minutes. They tore Philly apart with their easy plays and great coaching. However, the Eagles responded with a 29 yard rush by Saquon. Down the field they went to score and tie up the game. The quarter ended 7-7.
In the second, Philly drove 94 yards down the field because of a great 49ers punt. A Barkley pass for 20 yards led them to a 9 yard touchdown pass from Hurts. A theme of this game was responding to the other team, and that’s what happened again. San Francisco hits a field goal to cut the Philly lead to 3. 13-10 Philly at half.
In the third, Philly came alive. Mitchell picked off Brock Purdy. The Niners offense had nowhere to go. Pressure was put on Purdy every play and the Eagle’s secondary gave the wideouts no room to breathe. The Eagles were also able to hit an easy field goal to go up 6.
As I said earlier, both teams responded to the other. A 27 yard pass to the fullback, brought them into good position. However, Philly has a great defense and Shanahan needed a trick. The flip from Purdy to Jennings who found an easy open CMC, and was hit on the pass. A great trick play to give them back the lead: 17-16 Niners led. However, another Purdy interception gave the Eagles back the ball in a good spot. They went 47 yards to hit a field goal. 19-17, where the Eagles were winning. 8 minutes remained in the game. 10 plays where San Francisco out powered the Eagle’s defense, they scored to take back the lead. The Eagles had 3 minutes. Down 4 they needed a touchdown. On fourth down Hurts throw was incomplete. The San Francisco 49ers were moving on to the next round.
This game saw 4 lead changes and came down to one drive. In 3 games so far, the point difference was 11 points meaning each game was very close. This game saw a great fourth quarter where the Niners scored 10 more than Philly. It had a crazy trick play and bad blood.
The last game of the night was at 8 O’clock with the Patriots taking on the Chargers. The Patriots climbed the ranks this year with MVP front runner Drake “Drake Maye” Maye. The team won their division and are the two seed.
The first quarter was similar to the Rams-Patriots Super Bowl. There were no scores and the only interesting moment was a Drake Maye interception. The first quarter ended 0-0.
The second quarter started off with a 94 yard drive from the Patriots. At the end of the first they managed to make the Chargers turn it over on downs. Instead of going for it on 4th and four they made the smart decision to take the points. I agree with this decision because in a low scoring game, any scores are needed. The Chargers responded with a field goal of their own. On that drive Herbert had a 20 yard pass to McConkey. Then, Maye had a huge scramble for 37 yards to set them up for a field goal. 6-3 score at the end of the half.
In the 3rd, The Patriots drove down to the Chargers 18, but fumbled. It was recovered by the Chargers. But the Chargers couldn’t do anything and had to punt. This allowed New England to hit another field goal going up 9-3. While a 6 point lead has proved to be little this weekend, in this game it felt like a lot.
In the fourth, Maye aired it out to Henry for a 28 yard touchdown. The Patriots went up 16-3. With a Chargers fumble and turnover on downs, their season ended in a tragic loss. They were unable to score.
The last game of the week was a Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Houston Texans. Houston had a strong second half after a rough beginning. The Steelers started off with a field goal to go up 3-0. On a strip sack, Houston turned it over. Pittsburgh on their next drive had a DK Metcalf drop that all the analysts are bringing up. 3-0 Pittsburgh at the end of the quarter.
Because of the drop, Houston was able to score a touchdown. 7-3 Houston instead of 10-0 Pittsburg because of the drop. However, a Houston fumble allowed Pittsburgh to hit a field goal. 7-6 was the score at the half. Pittsburgh had the chance to be up way more than this because of 2 Texans fumbles and multiple bad offensive plays.
In the third, the Pittsburgh defense managed to get an interception. This is an easy chance for Pittsburgh to score, but they couldn’t come through. 3 turnovers, but only 3 points off of it. No points were scored in the 3rd quarter.
The fourth was all Houston, starting with a Texans field goal to extend the lead to 4. Then, a sack causing a fumble and a 33 yard return put them up 17-6. Pittsburg was down 11, but they still had time. Pittsburgh’s offense once again couldn’t do anything. Stroud to Marks 13 yard touchdown put them up 18. The game was looking almost over. What iced the game was a pick 6 off Rodgers to put them up 24 because of the missed extra point.
This game brought a bunch of mixed emotions to my mind. Houston didn’t look good until the last quarter and CJ Stroud only turned up late. However, of all the teams left I like their defense better than anyone else in the AFC. We also learned the Steelers need to find a direction. They have been a first round exit 5 straight years and haven’t won a single playoff game in 10 years. Mike Tomlinin is now gone and Aaron Rodgers isn’t the future.
Overall, this weekend caused a lot of commotion and craziness. From insane comebacks, to nail bitters, to head coach firings, this weekend was full of action. We have learned a lot about the future of this playoffs and it’s very exciting for football.
