NFL Divisional Weekend Review

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Before I get started with my review of this weekends AFC and NFC Division Championship games, I want to start by congratulating Drew Brees on what has been a monumentally historic career. I remember February 7th, 2010, Colts vs Saints in Super Bowl 44. I was laying on my couch as Drew Brees went out time after time to dissect a really good Colts defence. That night, when he won the city of NOLA a Super Bowl and you saw how much it meant to him and the fans there after Hurricane Katrina, I kind of consider that a moment that enabled me to fall in love with this game and this league. All those records he has broken definitely say enough but I want to have the chance to say Drew Brees is one of the greatest players we’ll ever see.

On a happier note, what a weekend it was in the NFL, the four teams playing for conference championships are all UNITS. There are storylines and dramatic narratives to follow, lots of questions on major injuries and above all, four teams that can all realistically have a chance to win the big one this season.

Saturday was expected to be the cold day of the division series, and it lived up to expectations. The thought going into the first matchup of the slate between the LA Rams and Green Bay Packers was simple. The all-but-guaranteed MVP, Aaron Rodgers was going to have to find a way to out perform the defensive star power of the Rams, and LA Quarterback Jared Goff was going to need to make atleast a couple big plays despite a surgically repaired thumb in the low temperatures at Lambeau Field in Wisconsin.

With the bye week in the rear view and extra time for rest and preparation, it was always going to be a tall task for Head Coach Sean McVay and the Rams. Their team lived and died with their defence and their ability to flip the field and often score points. Aaron Rodgers clearly understood the hype behind his top receivers matchup with defensive player of the year candidate Jalen Ramsey, and wanted to get him involved where it mattered most, in the red zone.

The Packers got an unfortunate yet good break with reigning defensive MVP Aaron Donald being supremely limited. He had injured his rib cartilage in the week prior versus Seattle, and Green Bay took advantage of it. Running back Aaron Jones went for 99 yards on the ground, opening up the passing game for his fellow Aaron (Rodgers) to torch the Rams and manage the clock. Davante Adams ended with 9 receptions and a touchdown, clearly victorious in his matchup with Ramsey. The Packers took down the Rams 32-18 to solidly their spot in the NFC title game next weekend, most importantly at home in the frozen tundra.

In the second game on Saturday, the quarterbacks were the main course. The ability to escape the pocket and create plays with their legs was the only thing anybody talked about all week. Points, points, and more points were on the menu as people declared this game a shootout without a second thought

In the end, it was the defences and the strategic prep by both coaching staffs that dominated the night.

A low scoring, grind it out affair at Orchard Park in Buffalo, the Bills were out to prove they were able to play with the best against the Baltimore Ravens. They had to stop the dynamic Lamar Jackson which was never an easy task. The Ravens and Bills took shots at each other all night. Big plays were at a premium and the first touchdown of the game wasn’t even scored until the second half. Both coaches clearly had their minds set on consuming the clock as much as they could, something that we hadn’t seen from the Bills in months.

On the opening drive of the second half, Buffalo broke the 3-3 tie on a 3 yard touchdown pass from Josh Allen to Stefon Diggs. Late in the same quarter, the Ravens were moving down the field and had made their way inside the red zone. Looking to tie the game up, a pass intended for Mark Andrews was intercepted and returned 101 yards for a pick six touchdown.

This all but sealed the fates of Baltimore, who were down two scores at the depths of an offensively challenged game. Buffalo took down the Ravens 17-3, punching their ticket to the AFC Championship Game for the first time since 1994.

Sunday came around and had the feel of more of a mystery. It was mysterious int he sense that we hadn’t seen the Kansas City Chiefs truly play meaningful football in 3 weeks. And on the other side of things, the Cleveland Browns were coming off a historic playoff win in Pittsburgh and were really feeling great about themselves.

This was an eventful game and probably my favourite of the weekend. Cleveland did what they could to put drives together, but their running game was off in the first half and a late fumble by Rashard Higgins, on what appeared to be an illegal helmet to helmet hit, was a gut wrenching way to go into halftime. A game that could’ve been 16-10 was 19-3, and things looked bleak for the Cinderella Browns.

Once the second half came around is when the gas pedal hit the floor for Cleveland. Star back Nick Chubb found his game and was able to continuously thrash the Chiefs inside with runs of 10 or more yards. When Chubb left the game for rest, they did the same with former Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt and were able to generate offence and put points on the board.

In the third quarter, the face of the NFL Patrick Mahomes left the game with what was deemed a concussion. The door was wide open for Cleveland. Kareem Hunt ended up scoring a touchdown with 11 minutes left in the game to keep the Browns alive. It came down to Chiefs backup QB Chad Henne gaining 12 yards on a third down scramble, and a terrific play call by the seasoned Andy Reid on fourth down to certify Kansas City’s victory over the Cleveland Browns 22-17, sending them to their third straight AFC title game at Arrowhead Stadium in KC.

Finally, the matchup of the week between two teams that knew each other well. After being beaten twice in the regular season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers went to New Orleans for a date with the Saints. A legendary QB showdown was sure to make this a classic game.

Back and forth these two teams went all night. Tied up 13-13 at halftime and trading touchdowns in the second half, it was once again the defences that won the day. The Buccs were able to take the ball away from the Saints three times, twice on interceptions and one crucial late-third quarter fumble.

When Drew Brees was picked off for the second time, Tom Brady did the honours of sneaking in the game winning touchdown, setting up the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a matchup with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers next week in Green Bay.

Prior to the game it was released that Drew Brees was leaning towards retirement after this season, and a beautiful sight was to be seen on the field post game in NOLA.

A great weekend of football it was for the NFL and its fans, with an even more exciting week of hype is upon us ahead of what is to be a sensational championship weekend next week.

Predictions:

Packers 28 – Buccaneers 27

Chiefs 34 – Bills 31

Evan Power, Evolution 107.9

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