What we learned from the NFL divisional playoffs

 Adamo Marinelli

January 24, 2023

The conference championship weekend is set. In the AFC, we have a rematch of last year’s championship game. Joe Burrow will look to improve his record to 4-0 against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs when the Bengals visit Arrowhead and in the NFC, the two best teams in the conference will square off when the San Fransisco 49ers travel to Philadelphia to play the Eagles.

Let’s take a look at how we got here. 

Jaguars 20 - Chiefs 27 

The Jaguars kept it close with their strong defense, but even with Patrick Mahomes missing some time in the second quarter with an ankle industry the Chiefs still drove the ball downfield meticulously with Chad Henne. The Chiefs had a 17-10 lead at halftime after Travis Kelce caught his second TD of the game after Henne found him open in the endzone. The Jaguars’ offence struggled to move the ball downfield and couldn’t get their run game going in the second and third quarters got going in the fourth quarter and pulled to within seven points after a Travis Etienne touchdown, but a Mahomes pitch and catch to Marquez Valdes Scantling also sealed the game. The Jaguars’ defence gave them a shot to win this game, and although Trevor Lawrence didn’t have a bad game by any means, he wasn’t as great as he was in the second half against the Chargers, throwing for 217 yards, one TD and one interception. His teammates cost the team, especially with Christian Kirk’s crucial drop and a Jamaal Agnew fumble late in the game. Mahomes and Henne combined for 218 yards and three TDs. 

Giants 7 - Eagles 38

Absolute domination on both sides of the ball all game long for the Philadelphia Eagles. Jalen Hurts was phenomenal, the Eagles’ run game dominated the New York Giants’ run defence, and their pass rush was relentless, constantly in Daniel Jones’ face giving him no time to make a play. The Eagles’ passing game was quiet, but it doesn’t have to do much when you have such a big lead and one of the best rush attacks and defences in the league. The Eagles had five different players score a touchdown and were up 21-0 early in the second quarter. This game was not particularly close at any point. This win is a testament to how good the Eagles are on both sides of the ball, but also is a testament to how mediocre the Giants were. The Minnesota Vikings’ defence made Jones - who was shut down by the Eagles - look like prime Tom Brady; which makes us wonder if the Vikings were ever true Super Bowl contenders.

Bengals 27 - Bills 10

The Buffalo Bills end their wild season on a sour note, much earlier than expected after a tough

loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in a game where neither their offence nor defence showed up. The Bengals started strong offensively on the road despite the intense blizzard conditions and moved the ball down the field efficiently. Burrow found the endzone twice in the first quarter thanks to touchdown passes to Ja’Marr Chase and Hayden Hurst to open up a 14-0 lead. Burrow scanned the field well and consistently found the open receivers who were finding gaps in the Bills’ secondary with ease. Joe Mixon’s excellent 105 yards and one touchdown on the ground helped to open up the passing game for Burrow, who had a really good game with 242 yards and two TDs. The Bills’ offence could never seem to get going and despite a rushing touchdown from Allen to cut the lead to 14-7; seven points was the closest the Bills would get to tying the game. The Bengals’ defence was phenomenal in coverage limiting Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis to 69 receiving yards and their front four consistently pressured Allen who struggled to find any rhythm completing only 25/42 yards for 265 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. The Bengals are scary on both sides of the ball and the Bills seem to be regressing in the playoffs recently and have a long off-season ahead of them with many free agents.

Cowboys 12 - 49ers 19

Both defences were phenomenal in this game. The Dallas Cowboys’ defence kept them in the game and limited arguably the best defense in the NFL - which averages over 35 points per game - to only 19 points and held Christian McCaffrey - one of the best runningbacks in the league - to a mere 35 yards, although he did score the San Fransisco 49ers lone touchdown to give the 49ers a 16-9 lead early in the fourth quarter to break open a defensive deadlock. The Cowboys’ offence started the game strong, taking a 6-3 lead after Dak Prescott found tight end Dalton Schultz in the endzone, however, Brett Maher’s extra point was blocked, meaning he’s missed five extra points in two playoff games but he redeemed himself with two field goals from 25 and 43 yards out. After that drive, the Cowboys struggled to move the ball. The 49ers shut down the Cowboys’ rush attack, holding Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard - who exited with an injury - to a combined 48 yards on the ground. The Cowboys’ poor performance on the ground, the absence of production from any receiver except Ceedee Lamb who caught 10 passes for 117 yards, and Prescott’s two costly interceptions in opposition territory took potential points off the board. Prescott’s many mistakes in key moments of crucial games are alarming.

The Cowboys’ defence was excellent in coverage and their pass rush was consistently pressuring Brock Purdy who had a solid game, completing 19/29 passes for 214 yards. Interestingly, Prescott and Purdy both have two career playoff wins.

For the most part, the divisional round was very entertaining; let’s hope the conference championship games will be just as memorable.