2025 Wild card weekend is officially over and we got a lot to go over. While every game didn’t come down to wire as you like as a football fan. There were still some great games and some great storylines as well. So without further ado let’s jump into it.
Houston Texans 32: Los Angeles Chargers :12
Even though Houston was the home team, this was totally opposite how most people though this game was going to go. After starting the season 5-1 the Texans were not the powerhouse people thought they were going to be. C.J. Stroud struggled mightily his sophomore season and Houstons big offseason trade acquisition Stefon Diggs was out for the year. A long with Tank Dell. Meanwhile for the Chargers Jim Harbaugh turned the team around like he was supposed to. By running the football and playing good defence, but this is the playoffs anything can happen.
Both teams started out flat and then Houston’s defence took over. Justin Herbert threw four interceptions, two of them to Derek Stingley Jr. Herbert only threw three interceptions all season.
Nico Collins had 7 catches for 122 yards and a touchdown and Joe Mixon also went over the century mark with 106 yards and a touchdown in the Texans dominating victory. However, there was a bright spot for the Chargers was that Ladd McConkey broke the rookie receiving record in a playoff game with 197.
Baltimore Ravens: 28 Pittsburgh Steelers :14
This was the game I was personally looking forward to the most during wildcard weekend. This rivalry is always so close, these games can go anyway. Apparently not this time. Derrick Henry ran wild. Rushing for 186 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Russell Wilson tried to bring the Steelers back but Baltimore didn’t budge and seems poised for a superbowl run.
Buffalo Bills : 31 Denver Broncos : 7
If you were one of the people that thought this game was going to be close, I gotta ask why? Josh Allen is playing the best football of his life and his on track for MVP this season. Bo Nix delivered a 43 yard bullet to the end zone for Troy Franklin on Denver’s first drive. After Will Lutz missed a chipshot field goal at the end of the half it was pretty much curtains. James Cook ran all over the Broncos defence and Bills steamrolled to the divisional round.
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— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles 22: Green Bay Packers : 10
After these teams put on a show in week one in Brazil I was expecting the same thing in the playoffs. Unfortunately the injury bug bit the Packers hard. It liked every play a starter would go down for the Packers. It didn’t help that Jordan Love threw three interceptions.. The Eagles proved to be too strong for the Pack and cruised to the divisional round.
Washington Commanders : 23 Tampa Bay Buccaneers :20
This was easily the best game of wild card weekend. Jayden Daniels has turned around the Commanders franchise and became the 4th rookie quarterback to win a playoff game on the road. This game was a great back and forth game that came down to the wire. Commanders kicker Zane Gonzalez looked like a nervous wreck as he doinked a 37-yard field goal off the right upright propelling the Commanders a date in the Motor City and the Lions.
Los Angeles Rams: 27 Minnesota Vikings : 9
Sam Darnolds cinderella story of a season ended in brutal fashion. Just two weeks ago the Vikings had a chance to earn a first round bye. Now they’re sitting on a beach somewhere wondering what happened. He looked like New York Jets Sam Darnold, losing his pocket presence and accuracy. Darnold was sacked nine times and couldn’t get in any rhythm. With the wildfires going on in LA you could tell this game meant something for the Rams, as this game was held Arizona due to the fires. The Rams dominated from the start and earned a matchup with the Eagles.