I thought I would change the format up a little bit this weekend and just give you my thoughts on each of the four games played in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. It's easier for you to digest and it's certainly going to be a little easier for me to write having secured a total of eight hours of sleep over the last two American football-filled nights.
After a dramatic weekend that reminded us that teams should always emphasise protecting the football and their quarterback, we are left with an AFC Championship Game that pits the Buffalo Bills against the Kansas City Chiefs; while the upstart Washington Commanders will take on the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC title showdown.
Let's get into my thoughts and ramblings after a highly entertaining set of games.
Houston Texans 14-23 Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are winning playoff games behind the arm of Patrick Mahomes and the receiving skills of Travis Kelce. It must be January again! But the truth is, the Chiefs are now a defensive football team and they needed every one of their eight sacks against C.J. Stroud to advance to the next round.
Kansas City gained just 212 yards of total offense – which was the fewest for a winning playoff team since 1991. Mahomes had his positive moments and his connection with Kelce looks like being reinvigorated for another playoff run, but this attack is far from its best right now. We'll see if that matters in the AFC Championship Game or if the Chiefs will find a way once more.
The Chiefs have a feeling of inevitability about them. They have their flaws, but they just keep winning. They have now reached the AFC Championship Game for the seventh year in a row – that's each of Mahomes' seven seasons as a starter. It is an incredible run and while I accept there is fatigue out there when it comes to the Chiefs' continued success, we have to accept greatness and the fact we have rolled from one dynasty in the New England Patriots right into another.
Houston had their chances in this game and out-gained KC by 336 yards to those 212, but they could not protect Stroud – an issue that was season-long – and the Chiefs found a way to win the big moments and advance. And who is brave enough to bet against them in the next round?
Washington Commanders 45-31 Detroit Lions
And just like that… a magical season for the Lions is over! I'll get to the form of Jayden Daniels in a moment as the rookie led Washington to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since the 1991 season, but the biggest differentiator in this contest was turnovers.
Protect the football better and the Lions could be hosting this Sunday's NFC Championship Game. Detroit turned it over five times and that led directly to 21 Washington points. That's an obvious point of emphasis in a contest that was decided by 14.
I felt the pressure heaped on the Lions' shoulders showed and their defensive injuries finally caught up to them, especially after in-form cornerback Amik Robertson broke his arm. Jared Goff had some huge moments, particularly in a second quarter where the teams went back and forth for six touchdowns and a playoff record 42 points. But he also made some poor decisions, throwing a pick six in that second period and another end zone interception just before the half.
And when it felt like the game was slipping away from them, the Lions panicked a little. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson went into the bag of tricks that had served them so well all season long and all that produced was another interception thrown by wide receiver Jameson Williams. Detroit were pressing too much and it was not paying off.
While the Lions were imploding in a game that produced more than 1,000 yards of offense, Daniels was continuing to operate with ice in his veins. Time and again, the rookie quarterback answered the bell and ended the night with 299 passing yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. This young passer simply cannot be shaken – he makes one big play after another; even on fourth downs, and is the major reason the Commanders are 60 minutes from the Super Bowl.
But he is not the only reason. Dan Quinn has done a wonderful job as head coach and first-year general manager Adam Peters has knocked it out of the park. Washington's top four tacklers on Saturday were all new to the team in 2024 in Jeremy Chinn, Frankie Luvu, Bobby Wagner and Marshon Lattimore. Another new addition for this season, Dorance Armstrong, recorded two sacks and rookie cornerback Mike Sainristil grabbed two interceptions. Oh, and veteran running back Austin Ekeler added 88 scrimmage yards.
As for the Lions, a Cinderella season has been torn to shreds. And now they face a period of uncertainty as Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn most likely take head coach jobs elsewhere in the league. What comes next for Dan Campbell's side? Will their Super Bowl window remain open?
Los Angeles Rams 22-28 Philadelphia Eagles
Snow game! Heading into Sunday's contest in Philadelphia, the NFL world was reminded of a 2013 blizzard contest in which Matthew Stafford's Lions took on an Eagles team that saw LeSean McCoy rush for more than 200 yards on that memorable day.
Sunday saw Stafford playing the Eagles in the snow in a game where Philadelphia's running back gained more than 200 yards on the ground. The more things change, the more they stay the same! Barkley sought advice from McCoy before the game and while he probably doesn't need much help in this historic season, it clearly paid off.
Barkley had broken Rams' hearts in Week 12 by rushing for 255 yards and two touchdowns. In this Divisional Round showdown, he carried 26 times for 205 yards and scored on runs covering 62 and 78 yards. That last score seemed to ice the game – excuse the pun! But Stafford would not go quietly and rallied, meaning the Eagles needed a late defensive stand to advance to the NFC Championship Game.
And now we wait to see how healthy quarterback Jalen Hurts will be for that meeting with Washington. He injured his left knee and lacked mobility when he returned from the dreaded blue tent wearing a brace. The Rams sacked Hurts seven times on a night when he threw for just 128 yards. The previous week saw Hurts throw for just 131 yards. Should we be worried? Will that lack of passing game production catch up to the Eagles or can they keep riding Barkley all the way to New Orleans?
Baltimore Ravens 25-27 Buffalo Bills
I have to start where this game ended. After Lamar Jackson produced late heroics to throw a touchdown pass to Isiah Likely with 1:33 remaining, Baltimore needed the two-point conversion to tie a tense affair played in frosty conditions.
Lamar rolled to his right on a designed quick throw to Mark Andrews, but his tight end – who caught 11 red zone touchdowns this season – dropped the ball Jackie Smith-style (look him up, kids) as he fell backwards to the goal-line. Heartbreak for the Ravens – another lost season for Lamar Jackson, who is likely to feel very little comfort in a few weeks when he is named NFL Most Valuable Player for a third time.
Mistakes killed the Ravens in a close game. Lamar threw an interception and lost a fumble, while Andrews also lost a fumble after making a big catch over the middle in the fourth quarter. Why he tried to go sideways instead of turning upfield will remain a mystery to me and many others.
Buffalo were balanced and played much better than expected on defense and that allowed Josh Allen to throw for just 127 yards and no touchdowns, although he did score on a pair of short runs.
Like every other game played on this Divisional Weekend, the losing team out-gained the wining team in total yards. Baltimore gained 416 to Buffalo's 273, but the turnovers and mistakes in key moments, like the failed two-point conversion attempts (Lamar had an earlier two-point throw knocked down) came back to bite the Ravens and dramatically end a season that promised so much.
That's how brutal and unpredictable the playoffs can be. The Lions and Ravens looked simply historic at various times this season, but they will be just like the rest of us as we watch the final three games of the year on television to find an NFL champion.
