The NFL gave us one of the best – and surprising – Wild Card Rounds in recent years this weekend, starring Baker Mayfield’s Cleveland Browns.
In addition, the day also brought painful defeats that would lead to changes in the sports structures of different teams. Among them, the Pittsburgh Steelers, who will have to meditate if they can get to a Super Bowl with still the future Hall of Fame, “Big Ben.”
Without further ado, here are the 15 takeaways from the start of this late season:
1. The Bills won their first playoff game in 25 years. The defense allowed 472 meters and the offensive line had a difficult time all afternoon. But success is essential to Josh Allen’s confidence and to putting last year’s loss to Houston in the rearview mirror. #NFLxESPN
2. The Colts dominated the entire first half against the Bills and were left on the scoreboard. Questionable decisions and poor execution. Sabermetrics is a resource, not the Bible. If this was the end of Philip Rivers it was fun watching him play and he’s Hall of Fame in my book. #NFLxESPN
3. Rams’ defense is the best in the NFL; They recorded 5 shots and through the air no one is better. Cam Akers is the attack map. They have their 2 QBs between cotton, although both should be available. If Donald and Kupp are okay, the Rams are dangerous. #NFLxESPN
4. Russell Wilson had the fifth worst passer rating of his career and didn’t look like himself in the second half of the season. The attack line was another disaster and Brian Schottenheimer showed little inventiveness from the wings. Ugly goodbye to the Seattle season. #NFLxESPN
5. The Buccaneers had their first playoff win in 18 years. The simple explanation is Tom Brady, who showed all his validity and played a great game. At the same time, I am concerned about the Tampa Bay defense over the air, which has to improve a lot if they want to run. #NFLxESPN
2:27
With a very close game, the Buccaneers defeated Washington 31-23.
6. Quarterback Taylor Heinicke, who becomes a free agent, made several dollars and at least one backup role with his stellar performance for Washington. Alex Smith, with his incredible story, will most likely be retiring. Washington’s talented defense was left to duty. #NFLxESPN
7. Lamar Jackson pulled the gorilla off his back, which meant his first playoff win. You can include it in several plays, but at the very least it fails, it burns you to the ground. The Ravens defenses did a phenomenal job, limiting Derrick Henry to 40 yards. #NFLxESPN
8. While defense was Tennessee’s biggest problem all season and they were in desperate need of pass-rushers, it was the attack that disappointed against Baltimore. After an encouraging start, they leaked and Derrick Henry found no spaces. #NFLxESPN
9. The Saints’ defense has been phenomenal in the last 10 games, and that trend continued against Chicago. Drew Brees played a decent game and will celebrate his 42nd birthday on Friday. Will Lutz has missed four of his last seven field goals. #NFLxESPN
10. The lack of aggressiveness in Chicago’s attack confirms the lack of confidence they have in Mitchell Trubisky, who likely played his last foray as the Bears’ QB. The Chicago defense did their part, but they ended the year with a 1-7 record against winning teams. #NFLxESPN
11. The Browns had not won a playoff game since 1994, lost 17 times in a row at Heinz Field, were unable to practice for several days, and their coach was not on the wing. Of course they forced five losses and were up 28-0 before the end of the first quarter. #NFLxESPN
12. Nick Chubb is one of the best running backs in the NFL and I am very happy for the Browns fans who have suffered so much. #NFLxESPN
13. The Steelers became the first team in history to lead the league in the bag division for four consecutive years, and they took up no bags in elimination against the Browns. #NFLxESPN
14. Ben Roethlisberger had a game to forget, although I find it hard to see him retire after such a bad game. If he decides to retire, he’s still worth $ 22 million in dead money, so logic would tell me he’s restructuring and playing for another year. We’ll see … #NFLxESPN
1:50
The Browns dominated the first half over the Steelers, who tried unsuccessfully to overcome the score.
15. Fact to Note: From 2000 to today, the teams that swept a run of two games in the regular season against division rivalries won 75 percent of the third playoff games between them. #NFLxESPN