Playoffs! How did it go?

 How did it go? HOW did it GO???

…

It went something like this!

“Colts are playing well. They look as though they should win. Was that a catch? Was THAT a catch??? Intercep- wait, offsides. INTERCEPTION RETURNED FOR A FULL FIELD TOUCHDOW- wait, that wasn’t caught. And Bills TD for the lead!” And that was just the last drive of the first half of the first game, a narrow win by the Bills over the Colts. Josh Allen’s moxy and cannon should not be ignored. And the defense did a good job buttoning up in the red zone. Phillip Rivers moved the Colts up and down the field, but got into the endzone too infrequently.

Rams at Seahawks was a  slow developing clash between division foes in Seattle. The backup Rams QB, who started the game, was knocked out, pushing the injured starter back into the game. A big defensive play made it appear the Rams may start to run away with it, but some improv by Russ and Metcalf being left unguarded made it a game… but only briefly. Cam Akers was the offense for this Rams team, and even without Aaron Donald the D Line made Wilson uncomfortable. 

Washington fell to Tampa Bay in an exciting affair compliments of a near comeback from another backup QB, who was also hurt, but came back to make it a one score game. Taylor Heinicke showed guts dueling with the GOAT, but his early mistakes were the difference. Brady threw for 2 TDs and nearly 400 yards in this one, as the Buccaneers move on.

On Sunday, The Titans came out hard and fast to a listing Ravens team, but then the tides turned. The Ravens clamped down on Brown, bottled up Henry, and Lamar broke off a couple massive runs to win the game. Some gutless calls by Vrabel made it hard to keep the offense moving, and Tannehill never did enough to move the chains.

Jumping back to the NFC, the Bears appeared to have no direction as they only mustered 3 points before a last second TD made it a respectable 21-9 win for the Brees led Saints. Brees was again efficient, went unsacked, and had a great improv TD pass to Latavius Murray. But in the sense of fairness,, it shouldn’t be hard to beat a Chicago team plagued by 9 penalties, missing their 2nd and 3rd receiver, and their 4th WR dropped a perfect, in the basket TD catch which would have tied the game up.

And then the Browns. What can be said? No playoffs for 18 years? Spell broken. Lose at Heinz Field for 17 year? Not any more. No playoff win since 1995? Forgotten. No road playoff victory since the 50’s? That is all history! Riding a 28 point first quarter, and compliments of 4 interceptions and a fumble recovery for a TD, the Browns held on as the Steelers made it interesting with 37 points in the last three quarters. But it wasn’t enough.

This was a weekend filled with excitement and fun. Home teams lost four games and only won twice. Backup Qbs started in place of former 1st overall picks. Brady played in his first wild card game as a visitor. Nickelodeon slimed Sean Payton. Refs blew a turnover call.

What a time to be alive.

To less important matters, I went 5-1 this weekend. The pass rush did not get to Brady and Alex Smith did not play, so I blame those for my one wrong pick. My 6 year old son went 4-2 (wrongly picking Seahawks and Steelers). My toddler is 3-3, tied with my wife, and our 7 year old daughter is at 2-4. What family fun!