Ricky’s Round-Up: NFL Playoffs, here we go!
Buckle in your seatbelts folks because the NFL playoffs have arrived. As we bid farewell to the regular season, and our sweet prince Scott Hanson on NFL Redzone, we have one last round-up of the games that set the playoff brackets in stone. Let’s go.
#1- Houston, we have a problem. Oh wait, Houston is the problem!
Last week we discussed the AFC South situation- win and you are in. Well, the Houston Texans did just that, knocking out their division rivals Indianapolis Colts and securing the division title all in one clean sweep. Head coach Demeco Ryans has worked wonders in Houston during his first season.
It is between Texans QB CJ Stroud and Rams WR Puka Nacua for rookie of the year for me, and both were magnificent in their final games of the season. Stroud was throwing dimes left, right and centre, including the very first play which went for a 75-yard touchdown, in a tense 23-19 victory. How exciting to have both in the playoffs too.
HE DID IT!
Right after breaking one record, @AsapPuka breaks another. Most catches in a single season by a rookie in the NFL, EVER. 😱 pic.twitter.com/LwFNSlbFh9
— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2024
Texans won the division after the absolute crumble of Jacksonville against Tennessee, and thus took the fourth seed, which sees them play the Cleveland Browns in the wildcard round of the playoffs. Really tough to call- Browns defence is superior, but the Texans have something about them. Texans, I’m all in.
#2- Pack your bags Green Bay fans, you’re off to Dallas!
Who needs Aaron Rodgers when you have Jordan Love. A few weeks back I said they are in with a good shout of the playoffs with their favourable schedule, and they delivered. They secured it against their fiercest rivals as well, the Chicago Bears. If you recall, Rodgers told the Bears fans two seasons ago he ‘still owns them’, and he has passed on the mantle to Love.
Love is all you need (I’ll stop now). 316 yards, two touchdowns and 128.6 Quarterback Rating, all in a high stakes game. Unreal. He and his young WRs showed what the Packers were all about in the 17-9 victory. Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks and Bo Melton all clutched up when called upon, with Wicks scoring two big touchdowns.
An away trip to Dallas is never easy, and in the playoffs, it will be deafening. This is where I believe their lack of experience on offence may come to bite them, as Love and co. have not ever felt and dealt with the playoff atmosphere. I’m picking the Cowboys.
#3- Buffawoah, where did the Bills come from?
Miami seemingly had the AFC East locked up 7 weeks ago. With six wins out of seven, and the last coming against Miami, the Bills came out of nowhere to steal the division from under the Dolphins’ noses. Not only that, but they also stole the number two seed.
It was a huge victory on Sunday night against the Dolphins, but by no means convincing. QB Josh Allen threw back-to-back interceptions early on, and then was strip-sacked for his third turnover of the game. However, he ended up with 359 yards and two touchdowns, along with some crucial plays, showing his ability to deal with adversity and keep his head in the game.
The Bills face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wildcard round, who stumbled into the playoffs underwhelmingly. Credit where credits due, the Steelers made it in against the odds having endured a tumultuous season. However, I cannot see them winning if their last performance was anything to go by. Bills by 10.
#4- FraudWatch- Philly, why are you here again?
Seriously, why? Alarm bells were ringing last week, this is a hurricane warning. Going 24-0 down to the New York Giants is utterly embarrassing. Thankfully they went out with a tad more than a whimper, losing 27-10 to round out their regular season. The literal opposite to momentum heading into the playoffs.
Things looked to go from bad to worse when they lost star WR AJ Brown midgame, but he is apparently fine, as is their QB Jalen Hurts. Hurts appeared to really damage his finger in the game, but we are told he is ok.
After last week’s embarrassment vs Arizona, the number two seed was out of reach effectively, but Sirianni still decided to start his best. Could have been much worse. The Eagles will play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their wildcard matchup with both sides looking seriously underwhelming.
#5- Tampa Bay seal the NFC South in rather pathetic style.
Underwhelming indeed. The Buccaneers had the easiest path into the playoffs on Sunday: beat the 2-15 Carolina Panthers. They did but were unable to score a touchdown against the worst team in the NFL in a 9-0 victory. Atrocious viewing.
The NFC South stole the show on Sunday, as the Saints beat the Falcons 48-17 in controversial, almost shameful style. I say shameful, watch this video below. It left the Falcons HC Arthur Smith furious, and no doubt his fury continued into the night as he was fired hours later after a poor season.
Dennis Allen: Let’s go out and take a knee guys
Jameis Winston: pic.twitter.com/f91gNbfVoN
— 5⚜️4 Ralph Lauren (@504Tru) January 8, 2024
Back to the Bucs. Philadelphia come to Tampa Bay in terrible form, and Tampa just look so uninspiring. I really can’t call a winner but seeing as I have called the others: Philly special. Both sides will be glad to be playing each other, that is for sure.
One and done time.
For 18 teams, their seasons are already over. After this weekend, only 8 will remain. It simply does not get better than this. See you next week!
