Wild Card Weekend

BILLS 27, COLTS 24

Closer than I expected. The Colts really did seem to have the right gameplan going in. Their ball control kept the Bills O off the field, especially in the first half. But they trailed at halftime cause they didn't cash in. One redzone trip ended in 3. Another ended with a very bad decision to go for a 4th and goal at the 3 having just lost yardage. Buffalo took over, as Josh Allen was great (best of luck to the AFC east the next 10 years dealing with that). Diggs got a TD and 100 yards. To Indy's credit they did fight back with a couple quick TD drives. But then they went all Kubiak with their final drive and had to settle for a hail mary that fell incomplete and gave Buffalo their 1st playoff win since I was a junior in high school.

RAMS 30, SEAHAWKS 20

The biggest enigma in the NFL strikes again, as a Rams team that just a few weeks ago lost to the Jets, goes into Seattle and hands the Seahawks their 1st home playoff loss in 16 years. It didn't matter that the Rams started a backup QB or ended up having to play most of the game with a crippled Jared Goff, because Russell Wilson was awful. He hit 1 big TD but besides that was freaking awful. He got pick sixed. He ran into sacks. Passes misfired all over the place. I don't know what happened to him. The Rams defense was formidable, but Wilson is one of the greats. Or he was, anyway. The Rams had a couple more big injuries in this game, so of course they will be shorthanded in their next game...at Lambeau.

BUCCANEERS 31, EX-SKINS 23

Didn't watch much of this game. I only tuned in late when I saw the WFT was going to have to turn to a FIFTH string QB. Turns out he never had to come in, but the brave Brady somehow managed to overcome the great challenge that was the Taylor Heinicke-led 7-9 champs of Tank Division. Heinicke looked alright actually. Might have even had a chance to tie it late if not for the obligatory refball moment that helped out Brady. I'm so very tired of this shit. This dipshit is in the divisional round having beaten 1 winning team all season.

RAVENS 20, TITANS 13

Ravens get revenge on the team that beat them in their house last year by returning the favor. This was a good game, very antithetical to what all the dipshits want every NFL game to be. Good defense, good running (at least on one end). At 10-0 it certainly looked bad for the Ravens, but Tennessee never built on the lead. They couldn't get Derrick Henry going. The Ravens COULD get Lamar Jackson going and that was the difference. He outgained Henry 3 to 1. Ravens-Bills next week is going to be great.

SAINTS 21, BEARS 9

The Trubisky resurgence sure screeched to a halt the moment he stopped playing garbage defenses like ours. Once that sure TD was dropped the game was over. The Saints weren't incredible on offense by any means, but Brees was efficient, and their defense was excellent. I can at least have some hope they can beat Brady next week (although the NFL won't allow it).

BROWNS 48, STEELERS 37

Could see this coming a mile away. Maybe not a 28-0 1st quarter, but the Steelers early January demise was an easy guess for weeks. Other teams have had great starts to a season only to flame out in ugly fashion in the playoffs, but few have fallen apart like the Steelers did. This was probably Ben's last game and if it isn't it should be. He ended up throwing for 500 yards but his 1st half picks were disastrous. The Browns barely had to do anything, just sit back and wait for Pittsburgh to implode. Mayfield and the backs did their part too. The Steelers sort of rallied, and I'm sure Cleveland fans were nervous briefly, but after Tomlin punted on 4th and 1 near midfield the game was decided (rough weekend for coaches punting in these spots). Browns get their 1st playoff win in 26 years, and their 1st road one since 1969. The Tomlin era Steelers suffer another embarrassing playoff failure. It's really quite amazing how bad they have been in the playoffs the last 10 years.

So onto the divisional round. 
In the NFC it's a fait accompli. The NFL wants a Rodgers-Brady NFC championship game and they will get it no matter what the Rams and Saints try to do.
In the AFC I just cannot see the Browns beating the Chiefs, although that game should be high scoring. 
Bills-Ravens could be a classic. I think the Bills win but an upset would not surprise me at all  

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