Around the NFL: The Greatest Weekend of Football, Antonio Brown’s Last Laugh, Aaron Rodgers’ Future, More

January 24, 2022, by Patrick K. Flowers Chicago Bears

The Chiefs and Bills scored 25 points in the final two minutes on Sunday night in one of the most exciting games ever, capping off the most incredible weekend of football I’ve ever seen. Incredible. Let’s talk about the legendary NFL divisional round.

Bengals 19, Titans 16

Joe Burrow was pretty good on Saturday evening, but Evan McPherson was cold-blooded. The rookie kicker nailed all four of his field goal attempts, accounting for 12 of Cincinnati’s 19 points, including the game-winning field goal. According to Joe Burrow, McPherson even called his shot on the sidelines before drilling the game-winner.

.@McPherson_Evan is an absolute legend for this. pic.twitter.com/aFLtHEEJvl

— Bengals Backyard 🐅 (@BengalsBackyard) January 23, 2022

Somehow, Joe Burrow overcame a relentless Tennessee pass rush that sacked him nine times while completing 28-of-37 passes for 348 yards. Ryan Tannehill struggled in the loss throwing three interceptions, and Derrick Henry was underwhelming in his return, logging just 62 yards on 20 rushing attempts. Henry did have a rushing touchdown, but it wasn’t enough as the Bengals upended the AFC’s top-seeded Titans.

The Bengals will visit the Chiefs next week in the AFC Championship, their first AFC Championship appearance since 1988. Can Burrow and the Bengals keep the magic alive against Mahomes and the Chiefs next week, or will their Cinderella story come to an end?

49ers 13, Packers 10

I like to think I’m a human and I have empathy. I have sympathy for the way the Packers lost … and it feels great!

But seriously, who saw this coming? And on a punt block!? Holy cow!

WHAT A HEADS UP PLAY BY THE ROOK @TalanoaHufanga 🤙#SFvsGB on FOX/49ers App pic.twitter.com/yzP6NAqWgW

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 23, 2022

After San Francisco tied the game on the punt block touchdown and stopped Green Bay on their next offensive possession, it was time for former Bears kicker Robbie Gould to end the Packers’ season.

GOULDEN!

Robbie Gould sends the @49ers to the NFC Championship Game. #FTTB

(Via: @NFL)pic.twitter.com/lCU7R52nAu

— Super Bowl LVI on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 23, 2022

Gould drilled a 45-yarder to send the Lambeau Field crowd home disappointed once again. Aaron Rodgers wasn’t too reassuring after the game when asked about his future in Green Bay.

Aaron Rodgers talking about his future 👀pic.twitter.com/0fVDqSe2ZY

— PointsBet Sportsbook (@PointsBetUSA) January 23, 2022

Rams 30, Buccaneers 27

I was sure that once the Packers were out of the picture, Tom Brady’s path to ring No. 8 was going to be smooth-sailing, but the Los Angeles Rams had a different idea, even after the Buccaneers wiped out a two-touchdown deficit late in the fourth quarter.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!!!

📺: #LARvsTB on NBC pic.twitter.com/kJXJTpNrhb

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 23, 2022

Cooper Kupp was the best wide receiver in football this season. He flashed his brilliance again to steal a win from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with less than a minute to play in regulation on Sunday, punching Los Angeles’ ticket to the NFC Championship game next week. Kupp caught nine passes for 183 yards and a touchdown, and Matthew Stafford completed 26-of-38 for 366 yards and a pair of scores.

.@CooperKupp simply can not be stopped. 😤

📺: #LARvsTB on NBC
📱: https://t.co/6Hz1DjFj3t pic.twitter.com/szSa2ln5eN

— NFL (@NFL) January 23, 2022

The Rams will make their second NFC Championship appearance under head coach Sean McVay next week when they host the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium.

Chiefs 42, Bills 36

I was out having dinner and drinks with my wife (a rarity for us with two kids who both play sports) for this game, so I told my buddy, who owns our favorite watering hole, to take Buffalo all the way. I was wrong, but I was close, and my goodness, was this a ballgame to remember. Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes put on one of the best performances I can remember on Sunday night. Allen completed 27-0f-37 passes for 329 yards and four touchdowns, while Mahomes completed 33-of-44 passes for 378 yards and three touchdowns, including this all-time great:

MAHOMES TO KELCE.

THE @CHIEFS WIN THE GAME OF THE YEAR! #NFLPlayoffs #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/9eM2Ur15O0

— NFL (@NFL) January 24, 2022

Travis Kelce caught eight passes for 96 yards, a touchdown, and Tyreek Hill hauled in 11 catches, 150 yards, and a touchdown in the victory. Kansas City will participate in their fourth consecutive AFC Championship game and the third straight AFC title game at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Extra Point(s)

• Antonio Brown continues to give the world a glimpse into his incredibly immature mind every week. Brown used his viral meme to celebrate Tampa Bay’s loss to the Rams on Sunday afternoon.

pic.twitter.com/ry23FA0xc1

— AB (@AB84) January 24, 2022

• This is incredible:

This is wild 😱 pic.twitter.com/Gmv48JULz2

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 23, 2022

• I can’t wait for Mahomes-Allen part three in next year’s playoffs.

Mahomes and Allen put on a show tonight

The future of the NFL is in good hands 🙏 pic.twitter.com/BBLYTktO8D

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) January 24, 2022

• Jalen Hurts will be QB1 in Philly next season, according to Eagles GM Howie Roseman.

Eagles GM Howie Roseman says Jalen Hurts is the team's starting QB entering 2022 🦅 pic.twitter.com/fiPNwKdqdI

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) January 19, 2022

• LOL, Von Miller has always been on a different level regarding his postgame swag.

Von Miller's postgame drip after his first playoff win in 5 years 💧🤠

(via @RamsNFL)pic.twitter.com/STfD7FJEol

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) January 18, 2022

• Enjoy the view from the couch, Packers fans.