Divisional Weekend recap

Saturday:

RAVENS 34, TEXANS 10

This game was actually tied at the half, but the 2nd half was just complete domination by Baltimore. The Texans only TD was on a punt return, as CJ Stroud crashed back to earth. Lamar Jackson had 4 total touchdowns. 

49ERS 24, PACKERS 21

Oh I was worried, no doubt about that. Right from the start of this game the 49ers looked terrible, particularly on defense. Once again Jordan Love had the horseshoe, flinging passes to wide open guys. And Brock Purdy was playing pretty terribly. But the 49ers led at the half anyway, because the Packers got 6 total points from 3 1st half redzone trips. Then the 3rd quarter had the teams trading scores, and the luckiest team in the NFL somehow fumbled a return in the open field, only to recover it. The luck finally ran out though late, as the Packers missed a field goal that would have put them up 7, and then Purdy and co. finally put together a clutch drive, capped by a McCaffrey TD to take the lead with just over a minute left. Then we got the glorious dagger, when Love threw an across the body interception to seal the game. Canton, my ass. So we were saved from the worst case scenario NFCCG, but the 49ers better play a lot better next week. 

Sunday:

LIONS 31, BUCCANEERS 23

I didn't even watch this game. I never had any real hope for this one, although Tampa kept it close most of the way. Mayfield lit em up, but his last chance drive ended quickly with a gift pick. Hopefully the 49ers take care of these frauds once and for all. Although in the season from hell, one can never feel safe. 

CHIEFS 27, BILLS 24

Another year, another classic between these two teams, and another gut punch for the Bills. I really thought that this was the year for the Bills to get past the Chiefs, since the Chiefs came into these playoff looking their most vulnerable they have in the Mahomes era. But in this game, they looked like their old selves. They ran well, guys caught passes, and the defense made a few stops in the 2nd half. Buffalo went back and forth with them much of the way, but then things began to go haywire with that idiotic fake punt. Even after the Bills got a huge break on the touchback fumble they could never regain control. Still, they were in position to at least tie the game late...but then...oh no...wide right. Of all the teams to lose a postseason game on a wide right. This felt like the most crushing loss of recent memory for the Bills. And the Chiefs are in their 8th straight AFCCG. 

Football logic says the Ravens and 49ers will win next week. But it's actually pretty rare for both #1 seeds to make it, and that just happened last year, so you would think it happening back to back is unlikely. I just need the Lions to lose. I'm fine with any of the other 3 winning it all.