Playoff Season is Here! NFL Wild Card Results

By Ariel Blanks

The playoff picture is officially here! 

The Detroit Lions clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC at the end of Week 18, while the Kansas City Chiefs have already clinched the No.1 seed in the AFC. A seed is a ranking assigned to teams based on their regular season performance, which determines playoff matchups. The No.1 seed is significant in the playoff bracket and its format as it guarantees a wild-card round bye and a home-field advantage. 

Jan. 11- 13: Wild Card Weekend: 

Houston Texans v. LA Chargers 

The Houston Texans advanced to the Divisional Round of the playoffs after defeating the Chargers during Wild Card Weekend. The Chargers led the Texans 6-0 in the first quarter, but the Texans came storming back in the next three quarters, ending with a score of 32 to 12. Chargers QB Justin Herbert threw 4 interceptions and a pick-six, which helped the Texans get the lead. Texans QB C.J. Stroud helped their come-from-behind victory, 

 Houston Texans quarterback, C.J. Stroud (center)

completing 22 out of 33 passes for 282 yards with one touchdown pass. The Texans offense seemed to be the highlight of the game, with Nico Collins catching seven passes, including a touchdown pass, and Joe Mixon rushing for 106 yards with a touchdown that secured the win. The Texans will now be advancing to the Divisional Round, playing against the Chiefs next week. The Texans might have a chance to get a win since the Chief's recent victories have been by slim margins.  

Baltimore Ravens v. Pittsburgh Steelers 

Ravens Quarterback Lamar Jackson (left) Steelers Quarterback Russel Wilson (right)

The Ravens dominated the Steelers in their Wild Card game, which ended with a score of 28-14. The Ravens controlled the first half of the game, leading 21-0 going into halftime. The Steelers found their footing in the second half and got some points on the board, with Steelers QB Russell Wilson throwing two touchdown passes. Ravens running back Derrick Henry rushed 186 yards with two touchdowns while Ravens QB Lamar Jackson rushed 81 yards and threw two touchdown passes for 175 yards. The Ravens’ victory will lead them to the Divisional Round, where they will take on the Buffalo Bills.  

Buffalo Bills v. Denver Broncos 

The Bills - Broncos game served as another blowout, with the result being 31-7. The Broncos

Bills Quarterback Josh Allen (left) Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel (right)

started off strong, with QB Bo Nix scoring a touchdown pass on the first drive. The Broncos, however, failed to put any more points on the board after scoring the first touchdown. The Bills quickly took over the game, with QB Josh Allen completing 20 out of 26 passes, totaling more than 300 yards and two touchdown passes. Bills running back James Cook rushed 120 yards, including a touchdown for 23 carries. The highlight of the game was the crazy pass from Allen to Ty Johnson, who made a sliding catch for a touchdown. The Bills are moving on to the Divisional Round, where they will face Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. 

Philadelphia Eagles v. Green Bay Packers 

The Eagles-Packers game was torturous to watch—if you were rooting for the Packers. Packers QB Jordan Love threw three interceptions, their kicker Brandon McManus missed a field goal, and the Packers fumbled the opening kickoff, which gave the Eagles an early touchdown. The Packers also left the game with around five injured players, including their last wide receiver remaining sidelined with a shoulder injury. The Eagles, on the other hand, welcomed their QB1 Jalen Hurts back after his late-season concussion which led to him missing their last two regular season games. He completed 13 out of 21 passes for 131 yards, with two touchdown passes. Star running back Saquon Barkley ran 119 yards and had 21 carries. The game finished 22-10, with the Philadelphia Eagles moving on to the Divisional Round, where they will play against the LA Rams. 

Washington Commanders v. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

               Commanders QB Jayden Daniels (right)

The Commanders made history against the Buccaneers, with their victory being their first playoff win since 2005. The game was back and forth, each team scored in nearly every drive in the second half. Commanders QB Jayden Daniels completed 24 out of 35 passes for 268 yards, with two touchdown passes and rushed 36 yards. Daniels made the game-winning drive that ended with a doink as Commander's kicker Zane Gonzalez made a field goal attempt. The game ended 23-20, with the Commanders advancing to the Divisional Round, where they will play the Detroit Lions. 

LA Rams v. Minnesota Vikings 

   Vikings QB Sam Darnold getting sacked 

The Rams-Vikings game was highly anticipated, especially with the tragic LA wildfires affecting the game's location. The game was a blowout, with the Vikings getting steamrolled by the Rams. Viking QB Sam Darnold was sacked nine times and had two turnovers, finishing the game with 25 out of 40 completions for 245 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. The strong defense performance along with Rams QB Matthew Stafford’s 19 out of 27 completions for 209 yards and two touchdowns led the Rams to victory. With the game ending at 27-9, the Rams will face the Eagles in the Divisional Round.