Saturday Games:
Denver Broncos 33, Buffalo Bills 30 (OT)
This was an evenly played game. It really could have gone either way. That was what made all of the mistakes made by either side so critical.
And in that regard, Buffalo made the most critical mistake just before halftime. After allowing the Broncos to score a touchdown, breaking a 10-10 tie to take a 17-10 lead with under 30 seconds left in the first half, the Bills were aggressive and tried to score some points to cut into Denver's lead, or perhaps even tie the game, just before halftime.
As it turns out, it feels like the Bills were far too aggressive. Josh Allen scrambled and seemed to easily pick up a first down. But he did not see a Bronco defender behind him, who hit him while simultaneously swiping the ball away. It went in the opposite direction, taking a Broncos bounce and then was recovered by a Denver defender. That not only gave the ball back to Denver, but presented them with an opportunity for an easy (it felt like a free) chance at more points in what felt like it was going to be a tight game, where all points were crucial.
One successful field goal attempt with seconds left, and suddenly Denver had what felt like a fairly decisive - and not entirely deserved - 10 point margin of comfort as the two teams went to the lock rooms for halftime.
Given how close this one proved to be, going into overtime, you cannot help but wonder if perhaps Buffalo would have had a chance to win in regulation outright if not for that frankly dumb mistake. My guess is that will haunt them for a long time to come, perhaps well beyond just this offseason. It feels like another "13 seconds" or "Wide Right 2." It was an unforced error in an otherwise largely evenly matched contest.
Denver seemed to take command early in the third quarter with a field goal for a 23-10 lead.
Yet, Buffalo rallied and in fact, took a 24-23 lead. Later, they added a field goal to make it 27-23. But Denver scored a touchdown, and the Bills needed a very late field goal to force it into overtime.
Once there, the Bills committed still another turnover - the final of five on the day for Buffalo - which gave Denver a golden opportunity. All they needed was a field goal, and they got one.
Ball game.
But you cannot help but wonder what might have been, if the Bills had not foolishly shot themselves in the foot by being far too aggressive and ultimately adding to their woes just before halftime.
My pick: Inaccurate
Seattle Seahawks 41, San Francisco 49ers 6
Right away, on the very first play of the game (the kickoff), the Seahawks scored a touchdown.
That got the NFL's loudest stadium rocking, and the Seahawks and their fans pumped. In short, it set the tone for the rest of the game.
As it turns out, the Seahawks dominated this game. They won in far more convincing fashion than I had expected, much less predicted.
By the end of the first quarter, the Seahawks were up, 17-0. They scored a pair of field goals to close to within 17-6, but that was as close as they would ever get. Seattle managed to score another touchdown right before halftime, making the prospects for the 49ers to mount a comeback to even get back into this one very difficult and unlikely, given that Seahawks defense they were facing.
In fact, the 49ers never scored again. They could move the ball. Seattle's defense seemed to bend, but really did not break at any point. San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy was running around all over the field, scrambling out of necessity because the secondary covered 49ers receivers so well. The commentators said that he had run overall for over 400 yards, back and forth and side to side, scrambling to try and avoid the crush of Seahawk defenders closing in. Indeed, San Francisco's offense just had almost no real success against the vaunted Seattle defense.
But it was worse still on the other end of the game. The 49ers defense just could not seem to contain Seattle's running game, which gained 175 yards on the ground. Overall, the Seahawks offense earned 281 total yards and 19 first downs. Quarterback Sam Darnold played his role well. Mostly it was a supporting role, as Seattle relied mostly on that running game. Darnold completed 12 of 17 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown, earning a 110.9 overall QB rating. Not bad at all, and he delivered during some crucial moments.
Also, Darnold managed to avoid mistakes. The 49ers probably needed to force him into mistakes, especially turnovers, to have a chance. But he and the Seahawks really did not make any serious mistakes. They did not beat themselves or give the 49ers any easy opportunities.
Meanwhile, San Francisco had three turnovers on the day. One or two came at crucial times, when it seemed that the Niners might have drives with the potential of putting some crucial points on the board.
All of these things led to the surprisingly lopsided outcome. Again, that the Seahawks won is not really a surprise. That they absolutely dominated, winning by five touchdowns, and that they virtually had the game locked up by halftime, and certainly by some point in the third quarter, was a surprise.
Now, the Seahawks await the winning team in today's divisional round contest between the Chicago Bears and Seattle's divisional rivals, the Los Angeles Rams.
My pick: Accurate
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