This past weekend provided us with a few thrilling NFL Wild Card moments as well as some not so close games. The game of the weekend in the NFL Playoffs was the Sunday Night Football matchup between the Commanders and Buccaneers, but outside of that, each game was decided by double-digit point totals. Let’s go through the weekend’s Wild Card results.
Washington Commanders Beat Buccaneers On The Road
In a surprising turn of events, the Washington Commanders defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Commanders, despite facing a tough challenge from Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers, managed to secure a 23-20 victory. The late game-winning drive led by Jayden Daniels sent notice around the NFL, highlighting the Commanders’ potential as a dark horse contender. The Commanders now face a very tall task in the Divisional Round as they take a trip up to Detroit to take on the top-seeded Lions.
Eagles Soar Past Packers
The Philadelphia Eagles, favored to win, comfortably defeated the Green Bay Packers at Lincoln Financial Field. The final score of 22-10 reflected the Eagles’ dominance throughout the game. This victory solidified the Eagles’ position as a strong contender for the Super Bowl. The Eagles have now earned themselves a matchup at home against the Los Angeles Rams next weekend.
Bills Dominate Broncos
The Buffalo Bills showcased their offensive firepower in a convincing 31-7 victory over the Denver Broncos at Highmark Stadium. The Bills’ high-powered offense proved too much for the Broncos’ defense to handle, setting the stage for a potential deep playoff run. Denver got off to a great start taking a 7-0 lead on their opening drive when Bo Nix found Troy Franklin on a deep pass. But after that point, it was all Buffalo. The Bills will host the Baltimore Ravens in the game of the weekend on Sunday.
Ravens Control Steelers In Rivalry Matchup
The Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers engaged in a fierce rivalry game at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens emerged victorious with a 28-14 win, demonstrating their resilience and determination. The score didn’t really do the game a ton of justice. For the most part, the Ravens were in control of the Steelers from the opening kickoff to the final whistle. As mentioned, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are set for an epic divisional-round showdown against fellow MVP candidate Josh Allen and the Bills in Buffalo.
Texans Shock the Chargers
In another surprising outcome, the Houston Texans stunned the Los Angeles Chargers with a 32-12 victory at NRG Stadium. The Texans’ unexpected dominance showcased their potential for a turnaround season and sent a strong message to the rest of the league. After the surprising blowout win, the Texans will have their hands full in their next matchup with a trip to Kansas City to face the two-time defending Super Bowl champions.
Rams Roll Past Vikings
In the final game of Wild Card Weekend, the Los Angeles Rams dominated the Minnesota Vikings on their way to a 27-9 victory. The Rams defense recorded a whopping nine sacks and largely because of the pressure generated by the pass rush, Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold could never get anything going. The Rams will now head east to Philadelphia for their Divisional Round game.
NFL Playoffs: Wild Card Weekend Takeaways
- Underdogs Can Bite: The Commanders and Texans proved that any team can win on any given Sunday, especially in the high-pressure environment of the playoffs.
- Offensive Explosions: The Bills’ dominant performance highlighted the importance of a potent offense in postseason football.
- Defensive Battles: The efforts from the Eagles, Rams, and Ravens showcased how valuable a strong defensive performance can be this time of year.
- Unexpected Turnarounds: The Texans’ victory serves as a reminder that teams can quickly turn their fortunes around.
Looking Ahead to the Divisional Round
The Divisional Round is on deck for the NFL Playoffs. Next weekend’s action promises to be even more exciting, with high-stakes matchups between some of the league’s best teams.