NFL Divisional Round Up: Shocks & Spills Aplenty!
Well, there we have it! The Chiefs and Eagles secured their place in the respective Championship deciders. In Detroit, Jayden Daniels led the Commanders to a shock victory over the highly favoured Detroit Lions. The Bills topped the Ravens in the most anticipated fixture of the weekend. Take a deep breath as we relive one of the most exciting weekends of the season … so far!
Chiefs & Eagles Advance
Patrick Mahomes was outplayed and outperformed by CJ Stroud this week, just as Jalen Hurts was outshined by Matthew Stafford. Alas … the Chiefs and Eagles win! It is this time of the year that the “complete” rosters win: the top coaching and collective buy-in can outshine the spectacular individuals It wasn’t “just” the Mahomes show this week: the Chiefs targeted Kelce, Worthy and Gray in the passing game to great effect. When the Texans defence believed they had got the handle on Mahomes (16 completed from 25), the Chiefs were able to make hay through their robust ground n’ pound: Hunt and Pacheco shared the rushing duties to firstly gain the lead, and then maintain it! The Chiefs’ offensive prowess was joined in the spotlight by Saquon Barkley and his beloved offensive linemen as Jalen Hurts was nullified by the Rams’ passing coverage: completing 15 of 20 attempts for 128 yards. It was up to Barkley to duel the laser focused Matthew Stafford: who threw for 342 yards and two touchdowns.
Chiefs 23 Texans 14
Eagles 28 Rams 22
Commanders Shock Lions
Lions and neutral fans alike were left DEVASTATED after this result! Fans of teams who failed to make the playoffs were openly supporting the Lions. Whether it was Dan Campbell’s leadership and memorable team talks, the exciting performances of Ben Johnson or Aaron Glenn’s respective charges, or the brilliance of Jared Goff, the Lions have been a delight to watch this season! No one told Jayden Daniels! In the western re-telling, Daniels will be portrayed as the gun slinging new comer, attempting to usurp the beloved grizzled Sheriff: and the locals will be left in awe of the new man in town! (Can you hear the clink of spurs and the sepia colouring of the events as they happen?) Daniels was on fire (he completed 22 from 31 attempts for 299 yards and two touchdowns). Daniels’ cavalry was the Commander’s defense that intercepted Goff twice! The second quarter was a shootout between the two teams: the frantic highlights package from the second quarter is worth a watch all by itself! It was a prolific showing by Daniels and Dan Quinn’s charges! They will be in buoyant mood ahead of their NFC Championship decider against despised NFC rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles,
Commanders 45 Lions 31
Allen Bests Jackson
The best was saved for last in this week’s fixture list … and it was a pleasure to behold! TWO MVP candidates battled it out: but their respective performances did not echo their heroic form from earlier in the season. Allen in particular had a muted display here: completing 16 from 22 with 127 yards gained, while Jackson’s totals were mild in comparison to his previous exploits against the Steelers: completing 18 from 25 and a respectable 254 yards gained. The Bills were decisive from the start: building a 21-7 lead by the end of the second quarter. It was a lead the Ravens were unable to overcome: despite a commendable comeback in the second half. With 1:33 to go, the Ravens attempted a two point conversion to send the game into overtime after an Isaiah Likely touchdown. NFL fans the world over, expected Lamar Jackson to lead his team with the two point conversion … it was dialled in! People were settling into their stadium/sitting room seats for more tension and delight! It was not to be … there has to be a loser! The blame will be placed, unfairly, on Mark Andrews, the Ravens’ veteran TE who failed to gather Jackson’s pass and force a period of OT. The Ravens’ on-side kick attempt was recovered by the Bills, and on they march to the AFC Championship game!
Bills 27 Ravens 25
And onwards we go to the exciting Championship weekend! Who will reign supreme? Will the Eagles continue their grip upon the NFC title? Will the Bills upset the Chiefs’ Threepeat quest? There is only one way to find out: it may be difficult to wait an entire week for the deciding games, but there will be ample previews on the site to whet your appetite further!
The Eagles play the Commanders at 20:00 on Sunday 26th January.
The Chiefs play the Bills at 23:30 on Sunday 26th January.