By Brandon Simmons
Lamar and the Ravens Protect the Nest with Playoff Win
The Baltimore opened their season beating the Houston Texans at home and did the same thing to start their playoff run. The Ravens beat the Texans 31-10 in a game that was a little bit closer than the score indicated. Both teams traded field goals and touchdowns in the first half, heading into halftime tied at 10. However, in the 2nd half, Baltimore came out swinging. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson ran for a 15 yard TD to break the tie. The 4th quarter was where things really got good for them. Jackson threw a touchdown to Ravens tight end Isiah Likely then later ran for a 8 yard score; both scores extending the lead to 31-10, then a field goal later by Ravens kicker Justin Tucker to give final result.
The Ravens showed they are a tough team, but scarier when Lamar Jackson is doing Lamar Jackson things. Jackson threw for 152 yards and 2 touchdowns in addition to rushing for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns. While he led the team in rushing in this game, the Baltimore running backs had a decent day as well. Ravens running back Justice Hill ran for 66 yards – which was more than double what the Texans had all game – including running to convert a 4th down. The defense deserves as much credit as well. This unit was able to shut down Houston’s ground game, which was crucial to do in these weather conditions. Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith led the way with 7 tackles, 2 of them being for a loss. The Ravens had a competitive first half but in the 2nd half showed why they are the number one seed and possible Super Bowl participant.
49ers Escape the Packers
The Green Bay Packers hit the San Francisco 49ers in the mouth, but the 49ers ended the game with a knockout punch. San Francisco beat Green Bay 24-21 on a touchdown run by Niners RB Christian McCaffrey. It was a game that saw the Packers put up a huge fight throughout the game and take the lead in the 3rd quarter, but could not maintain it in the 4th quarter. That’s Is when the Niners took control behind QB Brock Purdy and McCaffrey. After a missed field goal by the Packers, the Niners took over where Purdy connected on passes to multiple receivers, including McCaffrey, who ran in for a 6 yard touchdown with over a minute left in the game.
This was one of the games that many people were looking for Brock Purdy to have to justify him being above the “game manager” title. He went 23 of 39 for 252 yards and a touchdown and was in charge of the game winning drive that started at over 6 minutes left in the game. However, some would take that as discrediting McCaffrey’s 2 touchdowns in the in the 2nd half, including the game winner. It doesn’t matter who you are, if you can lead a drive in the playoffs that leads to the winning score, you should get credit for that at all levels. On top of that, Purdy did this without Niners wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who was in nd out of the lineup because of injury, starting in the 1st quarter. Despite that, Purdy and the Niners were still able to find a way to win the game and head to the NFC championship.
Lions Put Away the Bucs
The Detroit Lions sanked the playoff chances of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a game that was close until it wasn’t. Detroit beat Tampa Bay 31-23 in a close game that will send the Lions the NFC championship. Lions QB Jared Goff threw for 287 yards and 2 touchdowns while wide receiver Amon Ra St. Brown had 8 catches form77yards and a touchdown.
This game was decided by the flexibility of the Lions offense. Detroit has multiple playmakers on the offensive side of the ball such as rookie running back Jahmiyr Gibbs. Gibbs provided an option for explosive playmaking when he stepped on the field, which not only extended drives, but got a few touchdowns. In addition to Gibbs, Goff was able to spread the ball around to wide receivers Jameson Williams and Josh Reynolds, with the latter catching a touchdown. The Lions showed they have ore than enough firepower for their NFC championship matchup.
Chiefs Survive the Bills in a Playoff Battle…Again
The Kansas City Chiefs played their first road playoff game in the Patrick Mahimes era and came out in top. The Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills 30-27 in a game that lived up to the hype. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes threw for 215 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Chiefs tight end Travos Kelce had 5 catches for 75 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Once again, the Chiefs in the postseason are different. The Buffalo Bills had the homefield advantage but the Chiefs had their number. For every play that the Bills tried to get the upper hand, Kansas City responded with another play or drive to stay in the game. As great as the Bills played, it just was not enough to et past the Chiefs, which seems to be recurring theme evrytime these 2 meet in the postseason for the past few years. Kansas City withstood a huge hit from Buffalo but manage to come out on top.