NFL Playoffs

NFL+Playoffs

Brandon Chan, Staff Writer

The Wildcard Round of the NFL Playoffs started on Jan. 4, 2019. The first game of the weekend was the Buffalo Bills vs. Houston Texans. The Buffalo Bills were up 16-0 in the middle of the third quarter. However, the Houston Texans scored 19 unanswered points. Then, in the final seconds of regulation, the Bills kicked a field goal to send the game to overtime. In overtime, Deshaun Watson, the Houston Texans’ quarterback, miraculously escaped a sack and completed a 34-yard-pass. They would kick a field goal to win 22-19. 

The second game of the weekend was the Tennessee Titans vs. New England Patriots. Going into this game, no one gave the Titans a chance to beat the Patriots. However, Derrick Henry, the NFL’s rushing leader, put the team on his back and had 204 total yards (182 rushing, 22 receiving), which was 74% of the team’s total offense. 

The third game of the weekend was the Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orleans Saints. The New Orleans Saints were a Super Bowl favorite going into the playoffs. The Saints were down 20-17 with two minutes remaining. Drew Brees led them down the field, and they kicked a field goal to tie the game 20-20. In overtime, Kirk Cousins, the Vikings’ quarterback, threw a 43-yard-pass to Adam Theilen to set up a game winning touchdown pass from the two-yard line. The Minnesota Vikings won 26-20.

The fourth game of the weekend was the Seattle Seahawks vs. Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles came into this game with basically their whole team injured, so it didn’t help that early in the game, Jadeveon Clowney took a cheap shot on Carson Wentz, the Philadelphia Eagles’ star quarterback. Josh McCown, the Philadelphia Eagles’ backup quarterback, tore his hamstring in the middle of the game but fought valiantly. The Philadelphia Eagles lost 17-9. 

After the Wildcard Round is the Divisional Round. The first game of the Divisional Round was the Minnesota Vikings vs. San Francisco 49ers. This game was tied 7-7 in the second quarter, but the San Francisco 49ers ran away with this game. They would win 27-10. 

The second game of the Divisional Round was the Tennessee Titans vs. Baltimore Ravens. According to the national sports media, the Tennessee Titans had no chance to win this game too. However, Derrick Henry had 195 rushing yards, becoming the first player in NFL history to have back-to-back 180+ rushing yard games in the playoffs. The Tennessee Titans shut down the MVP, Lamar Jackson, and won 28-12. 

The third game of the Divisional Round was the Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs. The Houston Texans were up 24-0 in the second quarter. However, the Kansas City Chiefs have the best quarterback in the league, Patrick Mahomes. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense scored 41 unanswered points. They won 51-31. 

The fourth game of the Divisional Round was the Seattle Seahawks vs. Green Bay Packers. The Green Bay Packers were up 21-3 going into halftime. The Seattle Seahawks almost came back, but the Green Bay Packers won 28-23.

 

Photo Courtesy of FORBES.COM