The curtain has fallen on the pulsating Wild Card Weekend of the NFL playoffs, leaving a trail of vanquished dreams, euphoric celebrations, and a reconfigured playoff bracket. With eight teams advancing and eight bowing out, let’s delve into the complexities of this pivotal round.
The Jacksonville Jaguars, armed with a resurgent Trevor Lawrence, pulled off one of the most stunning upsets of the weekend, stunning the Los Angeles Chargers 31-30 in a back-and-forth thriller. Lawrence threw for 253 yards and four touchdowns, while Christian Kirk reeled in nine passes for 84 yards and two scores. The Chargers, who looked like a Super Bowl contender a few weeks ago, were undone by crucial errors and a defense that couldn’t stop Lawrence’s aerial assault.
In another upset, the Giants upset the Minnesota Vikings 31-24 in the NFC. Daniel Jones played his best game of the season, throwing for 301 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. Saquon Barkley rushed for 109 yards and a score, while the Giants’ defense held Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson to just 47 receiving yards.
The Bengals continued their hot streak, dispatching the Seattle Seahawks 23-17 to advance. Joe Burrow threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns, while the Bengals’ defense forced two turnovers. The Seahawks, playing with an injured Geno Smith, were unable to keep pace.
In a highly anticipated matchup, the Buffalo Bills prevailed over the Miami Dolphins 34-31 in a nail-biting contest. Josh Allen threw for 352 yards and three touchdowns, while Stefon Diggs made eight catches for 114 yards and a score. The Dolphins, led by Skylar Thompson, fought valiantly but came up just short.
The San Francisco 49ers held off the Dallas Cowboys 19-12 in a defensive slugfest. Brock Purdy played mistake-free football, throwing for 214 yards and two touchdowns. The 49ers’ defense limited Cowboys superstar Dak Prescott to just 207 passing yards and forced three turnovers.
In a one-sided affair, the Cowboys put on a show, dismantling the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-14. Prescott was efficient, throwing for 305 yards and four touchdowns. Ezekiel Elliott led the Cowboys’ rushing attack with 87 yards and a touchdown.
With the Wild Card Weekend concluded, the NFL playoff bracket is now set. The remaining eight teams will compete in the Divisional Weekend, with the winners advancing to the Conference Championships.
AFC Matchups:
| Time (ET) | Network | |
|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville Jaguars at Kansas City Chiefs | 4:30 PM | NBC |
| Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills | 8:15 PM | CBS |
NFC Matchups:
| Time (ET) | Network | |
|---|---|---|
| New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers | 4:30 PM | FOX |
The Wild Card Weekend of the NFL playoffs has been an enthralling spectacle, full of surprises, upsets, and high-stakes football. Eight teams have secured their spots in the Divisional Weekend, while eight others have had their seasons come to an end. The remaining eight teams will now vie for a berth in the Conference Championships and the ultimate prize: Super Bowl LVII.
The Divisional Weekend promises to be just as thrilling, with intriguing matchups and the stakes even higher. The NFL playoffs are a testament to the unpredictability and excitement of the gridiron, and the coming weeks will undoubtedly offer more unforgettable moments.
