SATURDAY:
Bengals Hold on, Finally Win in Playoffs, 26-19 Over Raiders
Joe Burrow led an efficient offense that scored on six drives, including two of his touchdown passes, and rookie Evan McPherson made four field goals as the Cincinnati Bengals finally advanced in the playoffs with a 26-19 win over Las Vegas in Saturday’s wild-card game.
The Bengals (11-7) ended an embarrassing long postseason drought that spanned 31 years and eight consecutive defeats.
The Bengals move into the divisional round of the AFC playoffs taking on the Tennessee Titans.
**Las Vegas last won in the postseason in the 2002 AFC championship game.
Buffalo Bills Make Playoff History With 7 Touchdown Drives in Blowout Win vs. New England Patriots
The Buffalo Bills dominated the New England Patriots, winning 47-17 to move on to the divisional round of the playoffs. Buffalo scored a touchdown on all seven of its possessions, becoming the first team in the Super Bowl era to score a TD on each of its first seven drives of a playoff game.
Quarterback Josh Allen continued his stellar performance against the Patriots from a few weeks prior, completing 21 of 25 passes (84%) for 308 yards and five touchdowns, in addition to six carries for 66 yards. It is the highest completion rate in a playoff game with 25 or more attempts since Aaron Rodgers’ 86.1% in the 2010 divisional playoffs.
Buffalo running back Devin Singletary ran for two touchdowns behind an offensive line that dominated the line of scrimmage throughout the contest.
The Bills’ defense limited rookie quarterback Mac Jones throughout the game, including forcing two interceptions.
The Bills will now head to the divisional round of the playoffs for a second straight season with a perfect record in home playoff games under McDermott.
With a Chiefs win Sunday night, the Bills will travel to Kansas City, the site of Buffalo’s 2021 AFC Championship Game loss.
Buffalo is 0-3 in road playoff games since McDermott became head coach.
SUNDAY:
Brady Throws For 2 TDs, SB Champions Dominate Eagles 31-15
Tom Brady threw for 271 yards and two touchdowns Sunday, leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a dominating 31-15 NFC wild-card playoff victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
The defending champions set the tempo from the start, with Brady leading a pair of long TD drives in the opening quarter and building the lead to 17-0 by halftime.
The seven-time Super Bowl winner finished off the Eagles with TD passes of 2 yards to Rob Gronkowski and 36 yards to Mike Evans, improving his playoff record to 35-11 in a record 46 postseason starts.
The Bucs defense did its part, too, intercepting Jalen Hurts twice in the Philadelphia quarterback’s playoff debut.
Brady completed 29 of 37 passes without an interception while extending his postseason record for TD passes to 85.
The Buccaneers will host a NFC divisional game next weekend against either the L.A. Rams or Arizona Cardinals.
49ers Hang On Late for 23-17 Wild-Card Victory Over Cowboys
San Francisco receiver Deebo Samuel ran 26 yards for a touchdown the play after an interception by Dan Prescott, and the 49ers held on for a 23-17 victory over the Cowboys.
Dallas had a final chance with 32 seconds remaining and were at the San Francisco 41 with 14 seconds to go when Prescott took off up the middle intending to slide and then spike the ball for a final play.
But Dallas didn’t get the snap off from the 24 until after the clock hit 0:00. After a brief delay, referee Alex Kemp announced the game was over.
Dallas coach Mike McCarthy suggested the Cowboys were slowed by a collision between Prescott and umpire Ramon George, and that a sideline official assured him the play was being reviewed.
(He said, “The communication that I was given on the sideline was they were reviewing it. They were going to put time back on the clock. And the next thing I know, they’re running off the field.”)
Referee Alex Kemp said in a pool report George was trailing the play at a proper distance and acted appropriately to get the ball spotted correctly. The umpire has to touch the ball before another play can happen.
The 49ers overcame an interception by Jimmy Garoppolo when they led by 13 in the fourth quarter. Prescott ran for a touchdown to get within a score, and had a chance to drive Dallas to a go-ahead score. But the 49ers got a stop at midfield when Prescott’s desperation fourth-down pass was just out of the receiver Cedrick Wilson’s reach.
San Francisco head to Green Bay for a divisional game, looking for another trip to the NFC championship game two years after losing to Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City in the Super Bowl.
Mahomes Leads Chiefs to 42-21 Romp Of Steelers
Patrick Mahomes threw for 404 yards and five touchdowns, Travis Kelce caught a TD pass and threw another one, and the Kansas City Chiefs sent Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger into his anticipated retirement with a 42-21 blowout of the Steelers in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
Byron Pringle caught touchdown passes from both Mahomes and Kelce, and Jerick McKinnon and Tyreek Hill also reeled in scoring catches as the Chiefs (13-5) began their pursuit of a third straight AFC championship.
They scored on six straight possessions during the middle part of the game and shut down Roethlisberger and the rest of the Pittsburgh offense.
The Buffalo Bills had a similarly easy time with their 47-17 victory over New England on Saturday.
The Chiefs welcome Buffalo Sunday night.
TONIGHT:
The (11-6) Arizona Cardinals battle the (12-5) Los Angeles Rams in their wild-card game.
