2024-01-15 04:30:00
There was a big surprise in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs on Sunday: The Green Bay Packers clearly prevailed over the Dallas Cowboys. There was a real thriller between the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams – which was decided by a German. The Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs already prevailed on Saturday. There are two more games on Monday.
NFL Playoffs: Wildcard-Runde
Freilos: Baltimore Ravens (AFC), San Francisco 49ers (NFC)
NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round
Saturday, January 13th, 10:30 p.m
Houston Texans – Cleveland Browns 45:14 (10:7, 14:7, 14:0, 7:0) BOXSCORE
- The fairy tale of Houston’s rookie quarterback CJ Stroud continues – that of veteran Joe Flacco with the Browns is over! Stroud threw for 274 yards and three touchdowns, had no turnovers and is now the youngest QB in NFL history to win a playoff game at 22 years and 102 days. “He’s a special young man,” praised head coach DeMeco Ryans. “A special player. No matter how big the moment is, he manages to shine.”
- In an entertaining first half, the nearly 72,000 spectators in Houston saw several lead changes as both offenses made big play following big play. The passing game and the tight ends in particular were unstoppable by the opposing team. Among other things, Stroud threw a 76-yard touchdown to Brevin Jordan, while Flacco repeatedly set up David Njoko (7 catches, 93 yards). Shortly before halftime, the Texans were able to pull ahead by two scores for the first time (24:14) thanks to a 37-yard score from Dalton Schultz.
- In the third quarter, the magic of the almost 39-year-old Joe Flacco, who was put under pressure by the opposing pass rush and wanted too much, was over. Two drives in a row ended in an interception – and both were carried back to the pick-six by the defense! Suddenly it was 38:14 and the game was decided. “It’s a shame the way it ended up. It’s hard to deal with right now,” said Flacco (307 yards, TD), who played his 17th playoff game. “We picked the wrong day to have a bad day,” said his head coach Kevin Stefanski. “And by that I mean all of us.”
- The Browns’ running game only managed 56 yards on 20 attempts, and Stroud wasn’t sacked once. Running back Kareem Hunt (26 yards) scored two short touchdowns. For the Texans, running back Devin Singletary was solid (66 yards, touchdown), and Flacco was also sacked a total of four times. Wide receiver Nico Collins recorded 96 yards and a TD.
- As the fourth seeded team in the AFC, the Texans are now waiting for their opponents in the Divisional Round. If the Steelers (7) prevail over the Bills (2), they will go to the Kansas City Chiefs. Otherwise you have to go to the Baltimore Ravens.
Sunday, January 14th, 2 a.m
Kansas City Chiefs – Miami Dolphins 26:7 (7:0, 9:7, 3:0, 7:0) BOXSCORE
- It was one of the coldest playoff games in NFL history: The teams had to play at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City at -20 degrees Celsius; according to the US media, in the icy wind it even felt like -32 degrees! It was so cold that head coach Andy Reid’s mustache froze and a piece of plastic chipped off Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ helmet following he took a hit in the third quarter. “It was cold, for sure,” he had to admit. “We’ve been preaching all week: ‘We have to go into the game with fire from within.'”
- The Chiefs managed to do this, as they had the Dolphins’ feared offense under control, as they did in the duel in Frankfurt two months ago. Former Chief Tyreek Hill was unstoppable once and scored a long touchdown (53 yards), but following that the glory was over. Especially since Kansas City was also able to keep Miami’s running game (76 yards) under control. “We thought we had the right game plan, but obviously we didn’t. Kudos to them for being able to execute theirs,” said head coach Mike McDaniel. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (20/39, 199 yards, TD, interception) also didn’t play well: “Losing is never fun, especially not in the playoffs. We have to live with that now.”
- For the team from warm Florida it was the eleventh defeat in a row when the thermometer showed below 5 degrees at kick-off.
- On the other side, Mahomes particularly highlighted wide receiver Rashee Rice (130 yards, TD), while her boyfriend Travis Kelce (7 catches, 71 yards) was also strong in front of Taylor Swift. The running game, led by Isiah Pacheco (89), also shined. Pacheco made it 26:7 with a direct snap and short rush at the end of the third quarter, and that was the decision. The Dolphins failed three times on fourth down, once in the second quarter at the opposing 44-yard line.
- The Chiefs, seeded (3), only have a home game in the Divisional Round if the Steelers (7) win at the Bills (2). In this case, the Texans would be hosted. Otherwise you have to travel to your arch rival in Buffalo.
Sunday, January 14th, 10:30 p.m
Dallas Cowboys – Green Bay Packers 32:48 (0:7, 7:20, 9:14, 16:7) BOXSCORE
- What a brutal disappointment for the Cowboys! “America’s Team” had won all of their last 16 home games, but in the playoffs, of all places, there was a bad attrition that was much more one-sided than the result at the end suggested. “I’m just shocked,” said quarterback Dak Prescott (403 yards, 3 touchdowns), who played a big part in the defeat with two interceptions. “We were defeated from start to finish. There’s no sugarcoating that.”
- On the other side, quarterback Jordan Love was once once more simply outstanding: 16/21 for 272 yards and three touchdowns, a virtually perfect game. Wide receiver Romeo Doubs had 151 yards and a score, while running back Aaron Jones excelled with 118 yards and three touchdowns. “That was fun,” cheered head coach Matt LaFleur. “To put in a performance like that. I mightn’t be more happy for the team.”
- How might this happen? The Packers opened the game with a long touchdown drive, and following an interception by Prescott, Jones made it 14-0 early in the second quarter. The Cowboys punted once more, especially the connection between Prescott and star receiver CeeDee Lamb didn’t work at first. Another long TD drive from the guests – and then Prescott threw a pick-six in the opponent’s half! Green Bay was 27-0, and when that lead swelled to 48-16 in the final quarter, the first spectators left the stadium.
- The Cowboys at least worked on their own statistics in garbage time. Prescott was able to put together two more touchdown drives; he threw all three TD passes to Jake Ferguson (93 yards). With 2:21 minutes to go, Dallas got the ball back once more with the score at 32:48 and was even allowed to briefly believe in a miracle, but then they mightn’t get into the opposing end zone.
- Incredible: It was the Packers’ sixth win in the sixth game at AT&T Stadium. They can now face the top seed San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round. Meanwhile, the Cowboys have to ask themselves unpleasant questions: They have been waiting to take part in the NFC Championship Game for 28 years, and following three seasons with twelve wins each in the regular season, they once once more have nothing to show for it.
Monday, January 15th, 2 a.m
Detroit Lions – Los Angeles Rams 24:23 (14:3, 7:14, 3:3, 0:3) BOXSCORE
- The only really exciting playoff game so far! With the return of long-time Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford – he had gone to the Rams in 2021 in exchange for Jared Goff and won the Super Bowl there – the Lions finally ended their postseason plague: they had not won a playoff game since 1992, In the meantime there were nine defeats in a row. Now we can finally celebrate.
- The German-American wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown played a decisive role – once once more. He had already become one of the best pass catchers in the league in the regular season and once once more impressed with seven catches for 110 yards. With the score at 24:23 with two minutes left, Detroit needed a first down to run out the clock. He caught a pass for 11 yards on 2nd-and-9. After that there was no stopping!
- Previously, viewers had seen a narrow box! The Lions got off to a flying start and scored a touchdown on each of their first three drives. Both Goff (22/27, 277 yards) and the running game (79 yards) were unstoppable in this phase. But the Rams remained within striking distance over 3:7, 10:14 and 17:21: Stafford (367 yards, 2 TDs) defied a damaged throwing hand – he had taken off an opponent’s helmet – and repeatedly beat rookie receiver Puka Nacua in scene. He set a new record for a rookie in the playoffs with 181 yards and a touchdown.
- In the second half the defenses also joined in and the encounter became much more nervous. The Rams entered the opposing redzone twice, but only managed short field goals. They finally started their final drive with 7:18 minutes left, but then had to punt from the opponent’s 44-yard line because Stafford Nacua narrowly overthrew. The Lions took control of the ball and brought home the win.
- Lions fans can be happy: There is also a home game in the Divisional Round, either once morest the Buccaneers or the Eagles.
Monday, January 15th, 10:30 p.m
Buffalo Bills – Pittsburgh Steelers
The game between the Buffalo Bills and the Pittsburgh Steelers has been postponed from Sunday to Monday followingnoon (4:30 p.m. local time) due to an approaching snowstorm. As the Bills announced on Saturday, the decision was made due to safety concerns and in consultation with New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
Video: Snowstorm at the Bills stadium
The Bills had previously launched a public call for the duel in the wild card round. The Bills Mafia was offered $20 an hour for night work and free food to help shovel snow at Highmark Stadium.
“Aspiring snow shovelers are asked to dress appropriately for the weather (gloves, scarves, hats, coats, etc.) and bring their own shovels if possible,” the Bills said in their appeal. The helpers should, if possible, be older than 18 years.
Tuesday, January 16th, 2 a.m
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Philadelphia Eagles
1705299574
#NFL #playoffs #wild #card #AmonRa #Brown #decides #thriller #Detroit #Lions
