Alex Creighton, Senior
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This past weekend was the NFL divisional round of the playoffs with 8 teams, and 4 games. The first game was on Saturday between the Minnesota Vikings, and the San Francisco 49ers in a NFC matchup between two very talented teams. The Vikings were the underdogs in this game coming in away, but a lot of confidence in the team after a very impressive win away against the New Orleans Saints in the wildcard round of the playoffs last weekend. The Vikings were able to keep up with the 49ers for the first half with a score of 14-10 49ers, but failed to score any points against the 49ers stout defense in the second half. The 49ers running game and their defense was their key to winning this game, as running back Tevin Coleman for the 49ers ran for 105 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Both qb’s struggled for most of the game, but the confidence stayed with 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garropolo for the rest of the game as the 49ers ended up winning 27-10 to advance to the NFC championship. The next game was between the 6th seed Tennessee Titans, and the 1st seed Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens seemed to be heavy favorites at home this game, but the Titans had something to say about that after jumping out to a 14-0 lead in the first half. Running back Derrick Henry somewhat carried this Titans offense for the rest of the game rushing for 195 yards as the Ravens defense had no answer for his powerful running game. MVP favorite Lamar Jackson struggled at times in this game with 3 turnovers, but tried his best to keep his Ravens in the game while throwing for 365 yards, and 1 touchdown while also rushing for 143 yards. The Ravens failed to stop the Titans offense, and failed to put points on the board. The underdog Titans secured a huge victory 28-12 to defeat the Ravens and advance to the AFC championship. On the next day the Houston Texans traveled to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs. The Texans came out very strong scoring 21 points in the first quarter for a 3 touchdown lead on the Chiefs. The Texans added on another field goal to make the game 24-0 making the game seem a blowout. Former MVP Quarterback Patrick Mahomes knew he had to get the offense going in order to stay in the game as they he certainly did scoring 28 unanswered points in just the second quarter. After the first quarter the Texans defense seemingly shut down and allowed the Chiefs to keep on driving down the field. Pat Mahomes kept it going in the second half, finishing the game with 321 passing yards, and 5 touchdowns thrown. Tight End Travis Kelce for the Chiefs had 134 receiving yards, and 3 touchdowns in a big game from a big time player. The Chiefs dominated, winning by a score of 51-31. For the fourth and final game of the Divisional playoffs the Seattle Seahawks traveled to Green Bay to take on the Packers. In the closest game of the weekend the Packers started well taking a 21-3 lead at the end of the first half. The Seahawks had a quick answer coming out of the half with two touchdowns in the 3rd quarter to bring the game closer. Even with just one touchdown in the second half, the Packers defense proved strong late in the game as they were able to close out the Seahawks at home. Wide receiver Davante Adams for the Packers had 160 yards receiving and two touchdowns as he could not be stopped. The Packers won 28-23 to advance to the NFC championship as they face the 49ers.
@phspiratespearl, @ac_journalism
Photo Courtesy of LA Times
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