Wild card games saw most favorites move on
January 8, 2019
The NFL wild card playoff games over the weekend saw most of the favorites win, although the Chicago Bears were upset in heartbreaking manner.
In the first AFC wild card game, the Indianapolis Colts put up all 21 of their points in the first half over the Houston Texans. The Colts only gave up a touchdown in the fourth quarter, helping them earn a win in the first round.
The Colts will move on to play the No. 1 seed in the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Seattle Seahawks and the Dallas Cowboys faced off in the second game on Saturday. Although Dallas held a lead for the majority of the game, Seattle battled all the way to the end.
The Seahawks scored late to cut down the deficit to only two points, but kicker Sebastian Janikowski could not attempt an onside kick late in the game when needed due to a hamstring injury he suffered after attempting a 57-yard field goal at the end of the first half.
The Cowboys advance in the playoffs with this win, setting up a game against the top offensive team in the NFC, the Los Angeles Rams.
The second AFC wild card game included the LA Chargers and the Baltimore Ravens, with Ravens rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson becoming the youngest playoff starter. But Jackson struggled for most of the game, until putting up two late touchdowns in a last-minute effort that came too late.
The Chargers’ 23-17 win will set them up with a game against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots this weekend.
Finally, the Philadelphia Eagles held off the Bears in a game that came down to the final seconds.
Philly scored late, taking the lead from Chicago. Chicago was able to drive down the field and enter field goal range in the final seconds of the game.
Chicago was set up for a 43-yard field goal, but kicker Cody Parkey’s attempt was blocked and hit the goal post twice. Philly, the reigning Super Bowl champions, will play Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints in the divisional round.