Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry crush Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans defense warns Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City Chiefs – Sky Sports NFL anchor Neil Reynolds has the final say on Wild Card weekend in the playoffs…
Let's take a look back at Wild Card weekend in the NFL as we whittle down the 14 teams to eight in the race for Super Bowl 59.
Can the Rams go all the way?
On Monday night, the Los Angeles Rams capped off a torrid week with a win over the Minnesota Vikings, reminding me that this team believes they can be anyone in the league – wherever they play. Sean McVay rested his starters in Week 18 and we thought that might give them a tougher game in the first round of the playoffs against the Vikings, but it sure didn't.
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Highlights of Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Rams on NFL Wild Card Weekend
They had to play in Arizona, McVay had to evacuate his family home in the days leading up to the 27-9 victory, but they got the job done with ease. This defense is on its feet and coming into form at the right time.
They have Super Bowl-winning key players in Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp, as well as other established stars now in Puka Nacua and Jared Verse on defense. This team went 10-3 from a 1-4 league opener – why can't they keep it up?
Daniels is playing for Washington again
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Highlights of Washington Commanders vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers on NFL Wild Card Weekend
This Wild Card weekend won't go down as a classic, but it served up another wonderful moment that suggests the Washington Commanders are in really good hands with their rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. He was inspiring in their 23-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, making big plays time and time again without flickering, without looking stressed, without getting overly excited.
His touchdowns came in big moments. His first to Dyami Brown was a third and goal in the first half, and the one that gave Washington a 20-17 lead in the fourth quarter was a fourth to Terry McLaurin. Both times you wouldn't even know he threw a touchdown pass – he was on to his next job. That was very impressive.
This team went 4-13 a year ago and just picked up their 13th win of the season. That's what happens when you find a real star like Jayden Daniels.
The Eagles are also hurting with work to do despite the win
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Highlights of the Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles on the NFL's Wild Card weekend
The Philadelphia Eagles advanced to the Divisional Round with a 22-10 win over the Green Bay Packers, but it was far from pretty and there is work to be done for the Eagles if they want to get things right before taking on the Rams. They were penalized seven times, while Jalen Hurts was stopped too often and only threw for 131 yards per return.
I feel like he has more in the passing game if needed, but the reliance on Saquon Barkley is so strong that they never have to get him open. Hurts can play inside, AJ Brown can read his books on the bench, and the Eagles can rely on a strong defense.
As for the Packers, I think it will go down as a season where they were good, but not good enough. They lost to a lot of quality teams at the end of the year, and Jordan Love didn't live up to the $55 million contract he signed in the offseason. He has a big year ahead of him in 2025.
Complete accounts
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Denver Broncos vs. Buffalo Bills Highlights of NFL Wild Card Weekend
I think Josh Allen will always draw attention and create headlines for the Buffalo Bills, but the reason I think this team is more dangerous than the previous ones is because of the balance they have.
Allen was excellent again in Sunday's win over the Denver Broncos, going 20 of 26 for 272 yards and two touchdowns with no picks. But the balance came with James Cook leading the way on the ground with 120 yards and a touchdown; Buffalo rushed for 210 yards as a team. They played defense, so I think this is a complete team.
As for the Broncos, it was a season that delivered much more than they could have expected over the summer. They have reason to feel very optimistic with Sean Payton leading the young career of Bo Nix, who I think will be one of the NFL's fun quarterbacks to watch.
Lamar and Henry take Pittsburgh to the ground
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Lamar Jackson compares Derrick Henry to Lightning McQueen from Cars after their playoff win
Don't let the result fool you. The Baltimore Ravens' 28-14 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday was a brutal loss. Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry have been impossible to stop in the backfield, and this is everything we all envisioned when Derrick Henry was brought in this year – you key to stop Lamar Jackson and Henry runs the ball; you jump in to stop Henry and Lamar ducks in and runs away.
Between them, they averaged 167 yards per game during the regular season and increased it to 267 on Saturday night. Baltimore rushed for 300 yards, then buckled down to 299 at the end of the game. They crushed the souls of Pittsburgh and were a dominant force.
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Highlights of Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens on NFL Wild Card Weekend
It had been eight years since Pittsburgh's last playoff win as they finished the campaign with five straight losses. I think Mike Tomlin is safe for now, this isn't a knee-jerk reactionary franchise, but it's the backdrop to his 2025 season and Pittsburgh needs to find a better answer at quarterback.
Herbert's nightmare from Houston
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Highlights of the Los Angeles Chargers vs. Houston Texans on the NFL's Wild Card weekend
Wild Card weekend began with Houston's 32-12 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. The Texans continue to struggle on the offensive side of the ball because of that pressure on CJ Stroud, who was sacked 52 times in the regular season and three more over the weekend.
But their defense makes them very dangerous, especially when they head to Kansas City to face the Chiefs, who have had defensive issues and turnover issues. Houston made four sacks, intercepted Justin Herbert four times at the end of a season during which he had previously been selected to only three teams. It was a truly impressive performance.
As for the Chargers, they have a lot to be proud of, a lot to be happy with after an 11-win season. They are in good shape with Justin Herbert and Jim Harbaugh together, but they need more offensive weapons. They need a spark and some firepower, so I'd say it was an unsatisfying ending and there's work to be done.
When is the Super Bowl?
The playoffs enter the Divisional Round on Saturday, January 18 and Sunday, January 19, when the respective No. 1 seed Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions will join the action following their bye.
Then there are the AFC and NFC championship games on Sunday, January 26, before Super Bowl LIX takes place at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9.
It will be the 11th time the Super Bowl has been held in New Orleans, the first time since 2013, and the eighth game to be held at Caesars Superdome.
Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar will headline the Super Bowl halftime show.