NFL Playoff Recap: Wild Card Round
By Max Pollio
The NFL playoffs are underway, with 14 of 32 teams vying for the Lombardi Trophy. Only one will come out on top by February. The Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions, both finishing the regular season with 15-2 records, earned first-round byes and did not participate in the Wild Card round.
Chargers at Texans: Jan. 11, 4:30 p.m.
The first game of the playoffs took place in Houston, where Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers faced C.J. Stroud and the Texans. The Chargers entered the game under heavy scrutiny, with injuries impacting Houston down the stretch. Stroud also faced challenges in his sophomore season.
Los Angeles started strong, with Herbert connecting with his offense for two field goals by kicker Cameron Dicker, giving the Chargers a 6-0 lead after the first quarter. However, the second quarter saw a turn of events, as a Herbert interception led to a touchdown by Texans wide receiver Nico Collins. A field goal extended Houston’s lead to 10-6 at halftime.
Stroud and the Texans kept the momentum in the second half, with a long drive capped by a field goal to make it 13-6. Herbert’s struggles continued, as he threw a pick-six to Texans safety Eric Murray, giving Houston a 14-point advantage at 20-6. The Chargers’ woes deepened when tight end Will Dissly dropped a pass that led to another interception, setting up a field goal to make it 23-6.
Los Angeles fought back with an 86-yard touchdown from wide receiver Ladd McConkey, cutting the lead to 23-12. But Stroud responded with another drive that set up a touchdown by running back Joe Mixon, extending the Texans’ lead to 32-12. Herbert threw his fourth interception of the game, sealing the Texans’ 32-12 victory.
Steelers at Ravens: Jan. 11, 8:00 p.m.
The Pittsburgh Steelers faced the Baltimore Ravens in the second Wild Card matchup. Pittsburgh nearly won its division but fell short after four consecutive losses. Baltimore, led by MVP candidate Lamar Jackson, entered the playoffs on a four-game win streak.
After the Steelers’ opening drive stalled, Jackson led the Ravens on a 7-minute drive, capped by a touchdown pass to Rashod Bateman. Baltimore never relinquished the lead. In the second quarter, touchdowns by Derrick Henry and Justice Hill gave the Ravens a 21-0 advantage at halftime.
Pittsburgh fought back with a touchdown pass to Van Jefferson, but Henry’s 44-yard touchdown run sealed Baltimore’s 28-14 victory. Despite a solid performance from Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson, who went 20 of 29 for 2 touchdowns, Jackson and Henry were too much for Pittsburgh.
Broncos at Bills: Jan. 12, 1:00 p.m.
The Denver Broncos barely squeezed into the playoffs as the seventh seed, led by rookie Bo Nix. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills, the second seed, dominated the regular season behind potential MVP Josh Allen.
The game started with a bang, as Nix connected with former Oregon teammate Troy Franklin for a 43-yard touchdown. Buffalo responded with a field goal, then took the lead with a touchdown by James Cook to make it 10-7.
A missed field goal by Denver kicker Will Lutz and a controversial touchdown pass to Ty Johnson from Allen made it 21-7. The Bills’ dominance continued with a 55-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Curtis Samuel, completing the 31-7 rout.
Packers at Eagles: Jan. 12, 4:30 p.m.
The Green Bay Packers, the seventh seed with an 11-6 record, took on the top-seeded Philadelphia Eagles. Green Bay, led by Jordan Love, faced the formidable duo of Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley.
The Packers fumbled on their first play, and Philadelphia capitalized with a touchdown pass to Jahan Dotson. After a few turnovers, the Eagles added a field goal, making it 10-0. Love threw two interceptions, and a missed field goal by Brandon McManus left Green Bay trailing at the half.
Philadelphia extended its lead in the second half with a touchdown to tight end Dallas Goedert. The Packers responded with a touchdown by Josh Jacobs, narrowing the gap to 16-10. However, the Eagles sealed the game with two field goals and an interception to win 22-10.
Commanders at Buccaneers: Jan. 12, 8:30 p.m.
The Washington Commanders, led by potential Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels, took on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who had a 10-7 record behind quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Tampa Bay opened the game with a 50-yard field goal by Chase McLaughlin, but Washington answered with a touchdown pass from Daniels to Dyami Brown. The game went back and forth, with McLaughlin’s field goals and a touchdown from Mayfield to rookie Bucky Irving putting the Bucs back in the lead.
Late in the game, Daniels threw a touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin, and Washington sealed the win with a field goal as time expired, securing their first playoff victory in 20 years.
Vikings at Rams: Jan. 13, 8:00 p.m.
The Los Angeles Rams hosted the Minnesota Vikings in Arizona due to unsafe conditions at SoFi Stadium. The Vikings, led by quarterback Sam Darnold and wide receiver Justin Jefferson, finished the regular season 14-3 but faced the challenge of playing on the road as a Wild Card team.
The Rams struck early with a 27-yard bomb from Matthew Stafford to Puka Nacua, and a 2-yard touchdown pass to Kyren Williams gave Los Angeles a 10-0 lead after the first quarter. Minnesota’s first chance to respond ended with a Darnold interception, and the Rams capitalized on a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
The Rams led 24-3 at halftime and never looked back. Darnold and the Vikings finally scored a touchdown in the third quarter, but Los Angeles’ defense dominated with 9 sacks, leading to a 27-9 victory.
The next slate of Divisional games will kick off Jan. 18, with the Chiefs returning to the playoffs in pursuit of their third consecutive Super Bowl appearance. Eight teams remain, with only one city destined for Super Bowl glory.
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