NFL playoffs divisional recap
Packers 32, Rams 18
The league's top offense proved to be too much for the top defense. The Rams couldn't keep up on offense and didn't get the stops they needed from the defense. The outlook of this game really changed in the second quarter. The Rams, down 10-3, were forced to punt, and Green Bay capitalized to make the score 16-3 after an Aaron Rodgers QB sneak for a touchdown. The Rams answered with touchdown of their own but couldn't keep Green Bay off the scoreboard before the half. The packers took a 19-10 lead into halftime and scored on the first possession of the second half to blow the game open. Cam Akers would catch a TD pass from Jared Goff and convert the two-point conversion to cut the lead to seven. Yet, Green Bay would answer late in the 4th to put the game out of reach.
Bills 17, Ravens 3
The Bills offense wasn't the machine it has been in most recent weeks, but Buffalo got the job done in a defensive battle. A 3-3 game at the half, Buffalo used the third quarter to put the game away. After Josh Allen found Stefon Diggs for the game's first touchdown, the Ravens went on a long 15 play drive to the Buffalo nine yard line. However, Bills CB Taron Johnson picked off a Lamar Jackson pass on third and goal and returned it 101 yards for a touchdown. The Ravens only managed only managed 71 yards of offense the rest of the way. Buffalo is in the AFC Championship for the first time since 1994.
Chiefs 22, Brown 17
What looked like a game that could get lopsided very quickly turned into a competitive finish in a hurry. The well-oiled machine that is the Chiefs' offense got out to a 19-3 lead at halftime. Kansas City had a chance to add to the lead after an interception to start the second half, but a missed field goal gave Cleveland new life. The Browns answered with a 77 yard drive that culminated in a touchdown pass to WR Jarvis Landry. Chiefs' QB Patrick Mahomes was knocked out of the game with a concussion, and the impact was certainly felt. Backup QB Chad Henne came in and drove the offense down the field, but threw a horrible interception in the redzone. Cleveland had to punt, then Kansas City converted a gutsy 4th down to put the game away-- to the surprise of most people including Tony Romo.
Buccaneers 30, Saints 20
A game that may have been the final Brees/Brady meeting was a good one. The Saints led 6-3 early, when Brees was intercepted by Tampa's Sean Murphy-Bunting-- who took the ball down to the NO 3. It only took the Bucs one play to score a touchdown with Mike Evans. The Saints answered on a trick pass play from Jameis Winston to Tre'Quan Smith. Tampa would add a field goal and tie the game at 13 at the half. New Orleans opened the second half with a touchdown but couldn't manage anything else the rest of the game. A Jared Cook fumble, which was one of three New Orleans turnovers in the second half, gave Tampa the ball in New Orleans territory. Leonard Fournette would tie the game, and a Ryan Succop field goal would give the Bucs the lead. With the Saints trying to get down the field quickly, Brees would throw two more interceptions--one of which led to a touchdown and the other allowed Tampa to ice the game.