It’s no exaggeration to say that this was the best divisional round weekend I’ve ever seen. Every game was action packed and went down to the wire. This was the first time in NFL history that four playoff games were decided on the final play of the game. We also saw two upsets, with both of the No. 1 seeds eliminated. Here is the good, the bad, and the ugly from the Divisional Round.
The Good
Walk-off field goals – The playoffs are built for drama, and there are few endings more dramatic than a walk-off field goal. We were treated to three this weekend, with the Bengals, 49ers, and Rams all kicking winners as time expired. The 49ers actually managed to win despite never leading in regulation. For the Bengals and Rams, they have clutch game-winning drives from their quarterbacks to thank for their place in the conference championships next weekend.
The ending in the Bills-Chiefs game – Somehow this game one-upped every ending that had come before it. There were 25 points scored and three lead changes in the last two minutes of regulation. This included a 13 second drive that saw the Chiefs get into field goal range. Mahomes and the Kansas City offense proceeded to drive down the field and score the winner in overtime, taking them to their fourth straight AFC Championship Game.
Green Bay’s defense – The Packers may have lost this weekend, but that doesn’t change the fact that they had the best defensive performance of the weekend. They did an outstanding job of limiting the 49ers running game, allowing just 3.7 yards per carry. Their pass rush was utterly dominant too, pressuring Jimmy Garoppolo on 47.8% of his dropbacks. Unfortunately for Packers fans it wasn’t enough to win them the game.
The Bad
Cincinnati’s offensive line – The Bengals’ offensive line was the talk of the offseason, particularly after their decision to draft Ja’Marr Chase over Penei Sewell. That debate reared its head again this weekend. The Titans sacked Joe Burrow nine times, tying the postseason record. They pressured him on 15 of his dropbacks and he mustered just three completions for 15 yards on those plays. Cincinnati will need to be much better against the blitz-heavy Chiefs defense next week.
The Rams’ ball security – The fact that the Rams won this game after losing four fumbles is nothing short of incredible. It started with Cam Akers fumbling at the Buccaneers’ 1-yard line just before the half. Cooper Kupp then turned it over, with the Bucs scoring a touchdown on the ensuing drive. There was then a botched snap and another Akers fumble in the fourth quarter that almost cost them the game. The Rams became the first team in NFL to win a game after losing four fumbles and blowing a 20-point lead.
No. 1 seeds fall flat – With the Titans and Packers losing, both of this year’s No. 1 seeds are out of the playoffs. Both were favoured to win their respective matchups, but inconsistencies on offense saw them fail to capitalise on multiple opportunities. This marks the first time since 2010 that both of the No. 1 seeds have been eliminated in the divisional round.
The Ugly
Packers special teams – There are three certainties in life – death, taxes, and Green Bay’s special teams unit making mistakes. This has been an issue for the Packers for a number of years now and didn’t improve this season with a change in coordinator. Two huge mistakes this weekend cost them the win and a place in their third straight NFC Championship game, with a blocked field goal and a blocked punt returned for a touchdown. That was the 49ers only touchdown of the game
Divisional Round MVP
Gabriel Davis, Buffalo Bills – Buffalo might have lost, but Davis made history this weekend. He became the first wide receiver to have four receiving touchdowns in a playoff game. He finished the game with eight catches for 201 yards.
Rookie of the week
Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals – Chase was outstanding once again for the Bengals. He finished with five catches for 109 yards in their win over Tennessee. He looked electric in the open field, averaging 18.8 yards after the catch.
Stat of the week
25 – The 25 points scored in the last two minutes of regulation in the Bills-Chiefs matchup was the second most in any game in the Super Bowl era. The Vikings and Ravens set the record with 28 back in 2013.
