NFL Divisional Round Review
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To say we were spoiled with this weekend’s fixtures is an understatement! We were treated to two high octane games that had to be sorted in Over Time, a defensive masterclass from the Patriots and the Seahawks annihilated the injury ravaged 49ers.
OT Needed to Decide Hair’s Breath Games
Both the Rams and Broncos needed OT to see off the respective challenges of the Bills and the Bears. Bo Nix and Matt Stafford outbattled Josh Allen and Caleb Williams to see their teams advance to the Conference finals. While Broncos and Rams fans experienced pure euphoria with the games decided with final plays, the results were met with pure devastation by Bills and Bears fans. Bo Nix and Josh Allen were literally neck and neck at this game in Mile High. Nix threw for three TDs and 279 yards: Allen for three TDs and 283 yards. The deciding difference was Nix’s lone interception, compared to Allen’s two: the latter bringing the Bills’ season to a heartrending and immediate finish. It was devastating to watch Allen’s post game interview: a player who puts his body on the line and wins games on his own, apologising to his team mates for this crucial mistake. On Monday, Bills HC Sean McDermott paid dearly for the failure to advance: although the blame should not rest on Josh Allen’s shoulders.
In Chicago, the statistics shared between the QBs again paints the picture of two close games. Stafford was his composed and pragmatic self: completing 258 yards from 20 completed passes: not throwing a TD pass. His adversary, Caleb Williams provided ALL of the excitement: completing 257 yards, two TDs and THREE interceptions! His 51 yard “pass of the century,” to bring the game to OT, has to be seen to be believed. His memorable pass, completed while being pursued by THREE Rams, was from twenty six yards behind the line of scrimmage and brought roars of joy from the home crowd. Hope! Alas it was not meant to be. Like Allen, a Williams interception gave the Rams the ball, and Stafford methodically guided the Rams down the field to allow Harrison Mevis to kick them into next week’s NFC game with the 42 yard Field Goal.
Broncos 33 Bills 30
Rams 20 Bears 17
Patriots Defense Causes Stroud Collapse
We believe we can predict patterns in football. Following regular AND post-season games that saw them decimate opposing offences, we thought the turnover statistics at the end of this game would belong to the Texans! Alas, the Football Gods simply LOVE to throw a spanner in the works! This game was absolute carnage in the New England snow: CJ Stroud threw 4 interceptions in the first half alone and there were three and outs galore! The Patriots consistently scored and pressured Stroud throughout. The Patriots’ offensive line helped keep the much vaunted Texans at bay, to allow Drake Maye to complete 16 of 27 attempted passes: including three TDs.
Patriots 28 Texans 16
Seahawks Demolish 49ers to Secure NFC Spot
This blowout win was decided by the end of the first half: with the Seahawks leading 24-6: the only statistic that saw parity between the two sides was both recorded two sacks each! Seahawks QB Sam Darnold was the much happier QB: comfortably completing twelve passes from sixteen attempts for 124 yards. Brock Purdy and the 49ers were left with little to no depth with so many regular starters out injured: Purdy was the 49ers highest rusher with 39 yards: the Seahawks had three TDs and 116 yards from the wonderful Kenneth Walker III.
Seahawks 41 49ers 6
Conference Fixtures Settled
The AFC Title Game sees the Broncos take on the Patriots in Denver at 8pm (early window) on Sunday, 25th January. Bo Nix will be missing due to a fractured ankle. The rampaging Seahawks take on the Rams in Seattle at 11:30pm (late game) for the NFC Title Game. Who will be joining Jimmy at Superbowl LIX in Santa Clara on 8th February?