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For some reason, the NFL scheduled the first three Wildcard games this weekend to be the AFC ones, and the last three to be the NFC.
Not sure why they did it this way. But I figured it made sense to break up my reviews by the different conferences, since it is conducive to that kind of a review.
Here is my review of the AFC Wildcard games played this weekend:
Saturday Games
Houston Texans 32, LA Chargers 12 - Admittedly, this was the one game this weekend (so far) which really took me by surprise. I just really did not think too highly of the Houston Texans. But they managed to win this one, and convincingly, at that. The Chargers did not play the disciplined kind of football that I had expected from a team coached by Jim Harbaugh. Justin Herbert was very sloppy, throwing four picks. The Texans dominated the time of possession. Houston was far more efficient on third down conversions, and they produced significantly more first downs. The Chargers came out looking like they would dictate the terms of this game, with two field goals in the first quarter for a 6-0 lead. And then, it was it was all Texans the rest of the way. This was a disappointing loss for the Chargers. Personally, I expected much more from them, but they were too sloppy on offense, and then the defense couldn't stop the Texans when it mattered the most. Houston advances to go to Arrowhead in Kansas City to take on the Chiefs next weekend.
My pick: Inaccurate
Baltimore Ravens 28, Pittsburgh Steelers 14 - Unlike the first game between the Texans and Chargers, this game went almost exactly the way that most people figured it would. The Ravens came in with a ton of momentum, having won four straight. The Steelers, by contrast, came in ice cold, having lost four straight. And the Ravens took this game by the throat right away, taking a comfortable 21-0 lead into the lockers by halftime. Pittsburgh tried to make a game of it, and actually scored a couple of touchdowns in the third, closing to within 14. But Baltimore was just too good. They absolutely dominated in the most important ways, holding onto the ball for nearly 40 minutes, producing 464 yards and 29 first downs on offense, compared to just 280 yards and 11 first downs on offense for the Steelers. Really, the Ravens left no doubt, sending the Steelers home with a disappointingly early exit from the postseason. It marked the sixth straight playoff loss in a row for Pittsburgh, which ties them with the Miami Dolphins for longest active losing streak in the postseason. As for the Ravens, they advance to take on the Bills in Orchard Park next weekend, which should be a really intense, exciting game.
My pick: Accurate
Buffalo Bills 31, Denver Broncos 7 - When Denver scored quickly to jump ahead 7-0, and it seemed like they might be a tougher opponent than I had given them credit for, I was worried for the Bills. To their credit, however, they kept their composure. They refused to panic or alter their game plan, showing confidence that they were the better and more experienced team. Indeed, they proved it, too, dominating the rest of the way, scoring 31 unanswered points, and that is not even the full story. It was clear that the Bills likely could have added to their point total late in the game, but instead showed class and allowed the clock to run out instead, trying not to rub it in more. Buffalo was almost twice as productive on offense as Denver was, producing 471 total yards and 26 first downs, compared to just 224 yards and 13 first downs for the Broncos. The Bills also hung onto the ball for 41:43, and had something like 30 more offensive plays in the game than did the Broncos. They just played a very strong game and left no doubt. Still, Denver should be proud for having produced a solid season, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade. But this was Buffalo's game. now, they get to host the Ravens next weekend, in what should be a very enticing and fantastic game filled with intrigue.
My pick: Accurate
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