By Brandon Simmons
Chiefs Open Playoff Run with a Close Reminder
The Kansas City Chiefs started the playoffs in familiar territory: a victory. The Chiefs beat the Houston Texans 23-14 in a game that was almost closer than the final score suggests. However, despite the closeness of the game, it was certainly a battle that provided much resistance. Early on the Chiefs locked horns with the Texans as each team traded field goals, with Kansas City jumping to a 6-3 lead. It wasn’t until the 2nd quarter, when Chief running back Kareem Hunt ran in for a touchdown to make the score 13-3. This play was set up by Chief QB Patrick Mahomes connecting with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce for a 49 yard catch and run. So yes, those two had their moments but the defense put up numbers as well. Defensive linemen Chris Jones and George Karlaftis each terrified Texans QB CJ. Stroud for a total of 8 sacks, most of which came in the 2nd half. Karlaftis even had 2 sacks in the 4th quarter, one of them coming on a 4th down play.
This game showed that the Chiefs can put on a master class on how to win in the playoffs. All season, Kansas City has won in an ugly manner and it kind of dimmed their light a little bit. However, people forget that when it comes to the postseason, that is when they shine, which is why they’ve been to 7 straight AFC championships. Just look at how they performed in the 2nd half. The Texans opened the 2nd half with a drive that took over half the quarter that resulted in a touchdown and missed extra point. So the Chiefs respond with long drive and touchdown of their own, a play that saw Mahomes falling down but throwing the ball away in time to Kelce. Then they get on defense and geta couple more sacks to stop the drive, then get the ball back to extend the lead.
Washington Takes Command Over Lions
The Washington Commanders were known for their strength in late game play but that was a different story Saturday against the Detroit Lions. The Commanders beat the Lions 45-31 in a game that was close in the 2nd quarter but things got away to one side in the 2nd half. However, 2nd quarter was an exchange of fireworks. It started when Commandrrs running back Brian Robinson, Jr. ran for a TD at the goal line. The Lions answered QB Jared Goff throwing TD to tight end Sam LaPorta who made a one handed grab. Commanders answer with a 58 yard TD off a screen pass to wide receiver Terry McClauren. Then Goff throws a pick 6 and got hurt , getting replaced by Lions QB Teddy Bridgewater. This is followed up by Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams running a reverse for a TD. However, Daniels comes back and extends the Commanders lead by throwing a TD to tight end Zach ErtzErts.
As much credit should go to the Washington Commanders, the bigger story here is that the Detroit Lions lost this game. They weren’t really out of this game until late but the mistakes they made really ushered them into a loss. Goff was responsible for fumbling the ball away at the end of the 1st quarter, when the Lions were up 7-3. On the pick 6, Goff overlooks a receiver in front of him, but decides to take a risk and throw to a receiver in heavier coverage. Later in the 4th quarter, Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams throws a pick on a trick play. Defensively, they could not stop Daniels for anything as he finished the game with 299 passing yards, 2 touchdowns and 51 rushing yards. As great as the Washington Commanders and Jayden Daniels have been so far this season, the Detroit Lions have shown they are greater than that on paper, but just could not bring that into fruition. The only thing standing in the way of their title hopes was themselves, and they proved that by the way they played in this game.
Eagles Bury the Rams’ Late Comeback in Snow
The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Los Angeles Rams 28-22 in a close snow-ridden game. The Philadelphia defense once again held things down as weather conditions worsened but also had another big game from running back Saquon Barkley. The defense registered 5 sacks with 2 of them coming from defensive tackle Jalen Carter. Barkley – who rushed for 255 yards in the first matchup between these two teams – ran for 206 yards in this game which is the most in Eagles franchise postseason history but also 5th most in NFL history.
For the 2nd straight week, the Philadelphia Eagles defense has showed up for this team. This unit produced 5 sacks and carried the Eales offense, who could not move the ball through the air, but the ground was a different story. Barkley had over 200 rushing yards against the Rams for the 2nd time this season and got the win again as well. It seemed like it was the perfect setting for this team as the weather delved into more colder, frigid temperatures. That type of climate calls for the running game and a strong defense, something that the Eagles can provide against any opponent. Even though the weather became what it was, the Rams were still able to find success in the air, but they could not sustain it all day and had to rely on a subpar run game. Philly took advantage of their surroundings and capitalized it all the way to a win.
Bills Hold Off Ravens
The Buffalo Bills hold off the Baltimore Ravens in a close game that came down to a failed 2 pt conversion. The Bills beat the Ravens 29-27 in a game that saw neither MVP candidate at QB play as a MVP candidate. Bills QB Josh Allen threw for only 127 yards while Ravens QB Lamar Jackson threw for 254 yards but had 2 costly turnovers in this game. But it wasn’t just them to hold things down. Ravens running back Derrick Henry had 84 yards rushing, while Bills running back James Cook had 67 yards rushing. However, it wasn’t so much the fact that their final stat line indicted that there was not much to be desired for, the game itself proved otherwise.
This game was important fo Josh Allen because it displayed whathe’s capable of when it’s all on him in certain moments of the game. His passing numbers weren’t great – neither were his rushing totals – but he showed that when his number is called , he will answer. He converted numerous 3rd and 4th downs in addition to rush four touchdowns at the goal line. He had to do this to give his team a chance to win. If not, it’s a completely different result. The Bills defense gave up a touchdown late and would have been going to overtime, if not for Ravens tight end Mark Andrews dropping the ball on the 2 point conversion. Despite the low stat line, Allen came through at the important moments to keep.his team from sinking.
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