The NFL Wildcard Round has concluded, with six matchups taking place this past weekend. There were many highlights and exciting moments in most of the games, and a lot of hearts were broken. Here’s a review on the first round of the NFL postseason.
The first game to take place was the Los Angeles Rams and the Carolina Panthers. The Rams were heavily favored to win the match, as they are being led by potential MVP Matthew Stafford and potential Offensive Player of the Year Puka Nacua. Which everyone thought would be a massive blowout actually turned into an incredible game to start the postseason. The Panthers won a lackluster division to make it into the playoffs, but they were proving that they deserved to be there, taking the lead in the game multiple times. The game came down to the wire, where the Rams scored a touchdown within the two minute warning to take the lead 34-31. The Panthers had a shot to either tie the game or win, and on their possession, they couldn’t even get 10 yards. The WR on Carolina dropped a pass that would’ve picked up the first down on fourth, and that’s how the game ended. Carolina fans should be proud of their squad for getting really close to topping the Rams.
The second game was arguably the best game thus far, between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears. Now if you were like me, you probably went to bed or turned the game off after halftime, as the Packers were destroying the Bears 21-3 at the half. It seemed to be a blowout from the jump, and many people including myself decided that it was better to get some sleep. The game was far from boring, though, as in the second half Chicago hit another switch. The game went from putting you asleep to putting you on the edge of your seat. Chicago took the lead with 1:43 left in the fourth quarter, and didn’t look back. Chicago completed an 18 point comeback, which is the largest in their history.
The third playoff game was the Buffalo Bills vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars. This game was another close game that saw a lead change late in the fourth quarter. Josh Allen, quarterback for the Bills, ran for a touchdown with 1:04 left in the fourth quarter to take the lead 27-24. In the Jaguars final drive, Trevor Lawrence threw an interception to Cole Bishop after the pass got tipped in the air, and Buffalo picked up the win.
The fourth game was between the Philadelphia Eagles vs. San Francisco 49ers. This was once again a close game, continuing the trend of close games in this year’s postseason. The Eagles were up 16-10 going into the fourth quarter, and then 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings threw a touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey on the first play of the quarter to take the lead by one. After a little bit of back and forth, the 9ers were up 23-19 at the two minute warning. The Eagles drove down the field, and failed to convert a crucial fourth down attempt to end the game. The 49ers knocked off the reigning champions, in the biggest upset of the postseason thus far.
Then, on Sunday night, the New England Patriots took on the Los Angeles Chargers. This game was very lackluster, as both defenses did a great job at stuffing the opposing offense. Justin Herbert, quarterback of the Chargers, got sacked a whopping six times by the New England defense, as Herbert has absolutely no offensive line able to protect him. The Patriots won the game 16-3.
For the final game in Wildcard Weekend, the Houston Texans took on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night. This game was a low scoring affair through three quarters, until the Texans scored 23 points in the fourth, led by an incredible defensive effort. The Texans defense picked up a pick six, and also scooped a fumble for a touchdown. It was a great effort by this Houston team, who with that win, have won ten straight games in a row.
That is all the games during the Wildcard Round of the playoffs. There was great action, a lot of suspense, and just overall good football. This postseason is leading up to be an all-time classic, and next week’s Divisional Round should continue to demonstrate high-level football and intense games for all of us to see.
