By Brandon Simmons
The Pack Did not Slack
The Green Bay Packers did not disappoint starting off their playoff run, when they beat the Los Angeles Rams 32-18. The Green Bay offense was impressive as usual, with Packers QB Aaron Rodgers throwing for 296 yards and 2 touchdowns, but also finishing the game with no sacks. A lot of the big passing plays came off play action, which can be attributed to the effectiveness of the run game. Green Bay rushed for 188 yards, with running back Aaron Jones leading the way with 99. It’s hard to leave out the defense, who picked up 4 sacks on the afternoon.
The biggest takeaway from this game is that the Packers offense looked unstoppable, even against the top ranked Rams defense. Green Bay was able to put their playmakers in favorable matchups the entire game for some big plays. Sure, it helps that Rodgers is under center for your team, but it also helps to have guys willing to step up when it matters. Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard dropped a touchdown earlier in the game; but in the 4th quarter, he caught the touchdown that closed the game out. Some will say that the Rams did not have Aaron Donald in on numerous plays – likely because of the injury he picked up in last weekend’s game – but the ones he was in on, the Green Bay offensive line neutralized him. The O-line had the task of slowing down Donald, then open holes for the running backs to do damage. The Packers showed they will have their way any defense they come across.
Bills Ground the Ravens Before Injury to Jackson
The Buffalo Bills beat the Baltimore Ravens 17-3 after capitalizing on the Ravens’ inefficiencies. It was a weird game in which Buffalo was outgained in total yardage and time of possession but was able to pull off a convincing win. The reason that the score was as wide as it was can be attributed to Ravens QB Lamar Jackson getting hurt right before the 4th quarter and ending his night in concussion protocol. However, even before that, the Bills were giving their opponent a headache all night. Jackson was sacked 3 times on the night, including twice by Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes. The biggest defensive play of the night was the pick six by Taron Johnson, which put the game “out of reach” in the 3rd quarter. The Bills offense made an impact early. Since the weather was not as bad as expected, Bills QB Josh Allen was able to get the ball to his favorite target, wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who finished the game with 8 catches for 106 yards and a touchdown.
The Bills played a great game, but it can’t go unnoticed that the Ravens’ crucial errors did a lot to aid in this victory. Baltimore kicker Justin Tucker missed 2 field goals in this game that could have made a difference in this game. Also, when Jackson threw that pick 6, he misread the coverage and made a bad throw. Because of those inefficiencies, it allowed Buffalo to keep a strong lead, but they did not appear to do much to extend it. However, a win is a win, and any team will take one, no matter how they come about it.
Chiefs Escape with a Win Behind Chad Henn
The Kansas City Chiefs were expected to blow out the Cleveland Browns but the 2nd half would just not let them be great. After Kansas City went up 19-3 in the first half, Cleveland tried to get back in the game until QB Baker Mayfield threw a pick. But after a missed Chiefs field goal, the Browns scored a touchdown. However, Chiefs QB Pat Mahomes got hurt in the 3rd quarter and had to leave the game, which brought in back up QB, Chad Henne, who eventually helped closed the game out. Aside from those events, Kansas City handled business as usual. Before being injured, Mahomes threw for 255 yards and a touchdown. Chiefs wide receiver Tyreke Hill and tight end Travis Kelce both went for over 100 yards receiving in this game.
Kansas City showed up and played like the better team as expected, but Cleveland gave them all they had, yet could not take advantage of their breaks when it counted. In the first half, Browns wide receiver Rashad Higgins fumbled the ball in the endzone, but the ref missed a helmet-to-helmet call. At the top of the 3rd quarter, Cleveland tried to get back in the game until QB Baker Mayfield threw a pick. They got an interception late in the 4th quarter, but when it was time to take the lead on the ensuing drive, Cleveland did not execute. On the flip side, lots of credit should go to the Chiefs for not blowing the game in the end. When you put a backup QB in the game, a lot of things can go wrong, and sometimes even worse. When Henne threw that pick, it was one of those times something did go wrong. But there are also times when things go right, such as when Henne almost converted the first down while running on 3rd down and then throwing to Hill for the 4th down conversion. It just reinforces the notion of Kansas City being the better team; with playmaking starters as well as reserves who can come in and not miss a beat. This is not to say that Henne gives the Chiefs the same chances of winning as Mahomes under center; but it’s supporting evidence of how good that the supporting cast is.
Brady Gets the Best of Brees in his Possible Final Game
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers turned the table on the New Orleans Saints and finally got a win over them, this time in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. The Buccaneers lost convincingly in the 2 regular season matchups but found themselves in a close battle in Sunday’s game. The numbers for Tampa Bay QB Tom Brady will paint a story of struggle as he went 18/33 for 199 yards; but he had some crucial touchdowns in this matchup (2 passing and one rushing). But even with a low passing yard total, he spread the ball around to 8 different receivers in this game. However, it was this Tampa defense that forced the 4 turnovers that provided scoring opportunities for the Bucs. It was not an easy win by any means; there was the intensity of the rivalry and the emotion of Saints QB Drew Brees probably playing his last game.
Tom Brady should be giving his defense all the credit in the world right now because they provided multiple opportunities for him to stay up in this game. When the Saints were up 6-3, Buccaneers cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting got the interception that set up the touchdown pass to wide receiver Mike Evans. When the Saints went up 20-13 in the 3rd quarter, and the Bucs offense could not get a score, it was their defense that forced a turnover (fumble by Saints tight end Jared Cook), to get the ball back and score a touchdown to tie it. When the Bucs went up 23-20, and the Saints tried to tie, or take the lead, Bucs linebacker Devin White got a pick to help the team get the closeout touchdown. The fact that Tampa Bay got beat down in the previous 2 meetings against New Orleans but showed up in this game to grab the win, speaks volumes of the coaching staff and players of how prepared they were to win this game.
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