The NFL expanded to a 14-team playoff format last year. Fans are calling for the old 12-team format after the Wild Card Round featured almost as many total blowouts as close games. The NFL must consider the quality of their product going forward and put financial gain on the backburner for once.
That’s enough of the serious conversation for now. Let’s run through the outcome of each Wild Card game.
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Joe Burrow made his playoff debut on Saturday.
NFL Wild Card Round Recap
Burrow’s Bengals hold on for the win
This game looked like a potential blowout early. Las Vegas scored a field goal on its first drive before Cincinnati responded with 13 unanswered points. The Raiders offense came alive in the second quarter thanks to some hard running from Josh Jacobs and Derek Carr getting hot at the right time.
The defenses stiffened in the second half, as both teams only managed two field goals apiece. Carr got the ball back with less than two minutes remaining and a seven-point deficit. It seemed like the former Pro Bowler might go to overtime for the second consecutive week, but the Raiders offense shriveled at Cincinnati’s nine-yard line.
Before continuing with the NFL Wild Card review, let’s check out the upcoming action across the league.
Buffalo blows out Belichick’s Patriots
The days of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick dominating the AFC East are over, and New England fans might be feeling a twinge of panic for the first time in over 20 years. The Patriots looked completely outmatched and underprepared when they marched into the freezing Buffalo cold on Saturday night. Josh Allen and Sean McDermott opened the game with 27 unanswered points.
The final score was a crushing 47-17. Buffalo scored on its first seven drives, and the Patriots didn’t get in the endzone until just over four minutes remained in the third quarter.
Allen was in his bag, connecting on 21 of 25 pass attempts for 308 yards and five touchdowns.
Brady’s bunch roll in Tampa Bay
The game between Tom Brady’s Buccaneers and Jalen Hurts’ Eagles followed the Buffalo vs. Patriots model for most of the day. Tampa Bay led 17-0 at halftime and the lead extended to 31 unanswered points before Philadelphia finally got on the board. A fourth quarter push by Philadelphia made the final score 31-15.
Tampa Bay didn’t emerge from the fray unscathed. All-Pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs suffered an ankle injury. He attempted to play through the pain but got blown up by Ryan Kerrigan before leaving the game permanently.
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The Cowboys lost in front of their home crowd at AT&T Stadium.
Penalties pile up in Dallas
This was one of the closest games from over the weekend, and it featured a controversial ending. The score was 23-17, and Dallas was driving with under a minute remaining. Dak Prescott scrambled for easy yardage against San Francisco’s prevent defense, but the clock ran out before he could spike the ball.
The Cowboys got lucky to even be in the game. A fourth quarter Jimmy Garoppolo interception gave them life. However, Dallas’ 14 penalties proved too much to overcome.
Kansas City picks on Pittsburgh
The Steelers held Kansas City scoreless in the first quarter before taking a 7-0 lead on a T.J. Watt scoop and score. The wheels fell off after that. Patrick Mahomes tossed three touchdowns in the final six minutes of the second quarter as Kansas City went on to win 42-21.
Rams crush collapsing Cardinals
Matthew Stafford earned his first playoff win on Monday Night Football in Los Angeles’ 34-11 blowout against Arizona. Kyler Murray faced consistent pressure throughout the evening and made some decisions that torpedoed the Cardinals offense. Arizona clearly missed DeAndre Hopkins because the wide receivers weren’t giving Murray much to work with.
Los Angeles held a 28-0 lead when the Cardinals finally scored their first points with 4:11 remaining in the third quarter.
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