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Okay, let’s take a much needed break from politics, even though I in fact just came back from a couple of weeks of not talking about politics. Already almost feel a need to distract myself in some way from the incredibly depressing and grim news that has been pounding us, one headline after another, in this still very young new year.
So, here we go, let’s review the Wildcard Games that were this past weekend:
Houston 22, Buffalo 19 (OT) - The Bills fought very hard, and this game went all the way to overtime. Many are questioning the play and decision making of Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen, who many felt did not even come close to rising to the occasion. Allen completed 24 of 46 passes for 264 yards, while also adding 92 yards on nine carries. Deshaun Watson enjoyed a far more prolific game for Houston, completing 20 of 25 passes for 247 yards and one touchdown. His legs also proved to add a dangerous and unpredictable element to the Texans offense, as he added 55 yards and another touchdown on 14 carries. The Bills defense did a pretty solid job in containing Houston, and despite their offensive difficulties, Buffalo stayed alive in this one right to the end. They actually produced significantly more yards than Houston's offense did, as they earned 425 yards, to just 360 for the Texans. They also had a decisive advantage in first downs. But in the end, it was not enough, as Houston took better advantage of their opportunities. As a result, the Texans were able to win this one with a relatively easy field goal in overtime to move past Buffalo and advance to the divisional round of the playoffs, where they will meet the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. My pick: Inaccurate
Tennessee 20, New England 13 - The problems that plagued the Patriots throughout the second half of the season wound up costing them very dearly in this game, and it ends their season far earlier than they are used to. Yes, the Pats have reached played in at least the divisional round of the AFC playoffs every seasons dating back to 2010 season. And they reached the AFC Championship Game every year since the 2011 season, for that matter. But New England lost, at home, in their first and only playoff game this season, as the Titans capitalized on the weaknesses that Patriots opponents have taken advantage of throughout the second half of this season. New England's defense is still tough, and allowed the Pats to stay in this game until the end. But that Patriots offense just lacked the firepower to get past the tough and physical Tennessee defense, and that doomed New England's hopes to reach a fourth straight Super Bowl. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady looked visibly frustrated all evening, and the last pass that he threw when New England was one on the one-yard line and needed 99 yards to go, was ultimately a pick six for Tennessee. On the day, Brady completed 20 of 37 for 209 yards, with that interception on his last play that turned into a pick six. It would be rather ironic, and an ignominious way to end his career in New England, if that is to be the last pass that he ever throws for the Patriots. For the Titans, Ryan Tannehill completed just 8 of 15 passes for 72 yards, which included one touchdown, as well as one INT. But Tennessee's offense was really powered by Derrick Henry, who pounded his way to 182 yards and one touchdown on 34 carries. New England actually slightly outgained the Titans in overall offensive production, 307 yards to 272 yards, and they had one more first down. But the Titans relied more heavily on their defense shutting down the Pats offense, which they largely did, even shutting New England out for the entire second half. The Titans will now move on to the divisional round in Baltimore, while the Pats see their season come to a premature end, far earlier than they were used to and expecting. My pick: Inaccurate
Houston 22, Buffalo 19 (OT) - The Bills fought very hard, and this game went all the way to overtime. Many are questioning the play and decision making of Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen, who many felt did not even come close to rising to the occasion. Allen completed 24 of 46 passes for 264 yards, while also adding 92 yards on nine carries. Deshaun Watson enjoyed a far more prolific game for Houston, completing 20 of 25 passes for 247 yards and one touchdown. His legs also proved to add a dangerous and unpredictable element to the Texans offense, as he added 55 yards and another touchdown on 14 carries. The Bills defense did a pretty solid job in containing Houston, and despite their offensive difficulties, Buffalo stayed alive in this one right to the end. They actually produced significantly more yards than Houston's offense did, as they earned 425 yards, to just 360 for the Texans. They also had a decisive advantage in first downs. But in the end, it was not enough, as Houston took better advantage of their opportunities. As a result, the Texans were able to win this one with a relatively easy field goal in overtime to move past Buffalo and advance to the divisional round of the playoffs, where they will meet the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. My pick: Inaccurate
Tennessee 20, New England 13 - The problems that plagued the Patriots throughout the second half of the season wound up costing them very dearly in this game, and it ends their season far earlier than they are used to. Yes, the Pats have reached played in at least the divisional round of the AFC playoffs every seasons dating back to 2010 season. And they reached the AFC Championship Game every year since the 2011 season, for that matter. But New England lost, at home, in their first and only playoff game this season, as the Titans capitalized on the weaknesses that Patriots opponents have taken advantage of throughout the second half of this season. New England's defense is still tough, and allowed the Pats to stay in this game until the end. But that Patriots offense just lacked the firepower to get past the tough and physical Tennessee defense, and that doomed New England's hopes to reach a fourth straight Super Bowl. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady looked visibly frustrated all evening, and the last pass that he threw when New England was one on the one-yard line and needed 99 yards to go, was ultimately a pick six for Tennessee. On the day, Brady completed 20 of 37 for 209 yards, with that interception on his last play that turned into a pick six. It would be rather ironic, and an ignominious way to end his career in New England, if that is to be the last pass that he ever throws for the Patriots. For the Titans, Ryan Tannehill completed just 8 of 15 passes for 72 yards, which included one touchdown, as well as one INT. But Tennessee's offense was really powered by Derrick Henry, who pounded his way to 182 yards and one touchdown on 34 carries. New England actually slightly outgained the Titans in overall offensive production, 307 yards to 272 yards, and they had one more first down. But the Titans relied more heavily on their defense shutting down the Pats offense, which they largely did, even shutting New England out for the entire second half. The Titans will now move on to the divisional round in Baltimore, while the Pats see their season come to a premature end, far earlier than they were used to and expecting. My pick: Inaccurate
Minnesota 26, New Orleans 20 (OT) – This result was the most surprising of this weekend to me. The Pats game was a mild surprise, but they were running out of gas ever since that loss to the Ravens in midseason. But I have never seen a 13-3 team lose on Wildcard weekend before. Indeed, New Orleans was stunned by the Vikings, who looked solid through and through. They did look tentative on offense, seemingly unsure about putting the ball, and their fate, in the hands of their handsomely paid quarterback, Kirk Cousins. Dalvin Cook was enjoying a solid day, and the defense was doing a very solid job of holding the Saints normally explosive and dangerous offense in check. But when the Vikings had no choice but to take a chance with Cousins putting the game in his hands, Cousins delivered. In overtime, with Minnesota trying to win the game before that dangerous Saints offense led by Drew Brees could ever get their hands on the ball, Cousins completed a beautiful 43-yard pass to Adam Thielen, putting the Vikings two yards away from the end zone, and a win. Shortly after that, Cousins delivered for his team again in a big way, keeping cool and throwing a perfect four yard pass to Kyle Rudolph in the corner of the end zone to ice the win for the visiting team. On the day, Cousins completed 19 of 31 passes for 242 yards, and that touchdown that won it. As for the legendary Brees on the losing side, he completed 26 of 33 for 208 yards, with one touchdown, and one INT. Dalvin Cook hurt the New Orleans defense all day, picking up 94 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries. The Vikings win a thriller, and hand the Saints another haunting loss. These two franchises have faced one another five times in the playoffs, dating back to 1987, and the Vikings have won four of those five games, and probably should have won that one that they did not win. This one had to be devastating for the Saints, and you have to wonder if this was the last, best chance for Brees to get a second ring. My prediction: Very inaccurate
Seattle 17, Philadelphia 9 – I figured that either team could win, and also figured that this would be more or less low-scoring. Admittedly, I did not expect it to be this low-scoring, but in the end, the Seahawks were the better team. There was some controversy regarding whether or not the hit on Carson Wentz was clean or not, or should have been a penalty. But one way or the other, the Seahawks defense was firm throughout the game, and they played extremely well, earning a tough playoff road win. Seattle's offense outgained Philly's by 100 yards, producing 382 yards of total offense, to just 282 for the Eagles. Russell Wilson completed 18 of 30 for 325 yards and one touchdown. Meanwhile, Josh McCown, who came in for the injured Wentz, completed 18 of 24 for 174 yards, but was unable to lift Philadelphia up enough to win this one. I had expected the Eagles to win, because they were the hotter team, having won four games in a row with their backs against the wall throughout, while Seattle seemed to have lost the tremendous momentum that they enjoyed earlier in the season. But I was wrong. They played very well, and managed to earn a win in a very tough environment. They now advance to meet the Packers at Green Bay’s Lambeau Field, a game that should be very good! My pick: Inaccurate
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