AFC recap
Credit score the Jaguars for giving the closely fancied Chiefs all they might deal with in a surprisingly tight 27-20 loss, however the cream, and on this case the convention’s No.1 seed, all the time rises to the highest.
And that undoubtedly describes the play of Kansas Metropolis quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who battled by way of a excessive ankle sprain (extra on that later) to ship some trademark performs that nobody else within the NFL is able to.
Again-up QB Chad Henne contributed a priceless landing drive whereas No.15 was getting therapy on the sideline, however Mahomes hobbled by way of a second half so as to add an extra 10 factors to the entire and hold a plucky Jags workforce simply out of attain.
As for Jacksonville, QB Trevor Lawrence might be happy with the general high quality of his second 12 months within the league, however the younger passer will need a few of his Divisional Spherical passes again. Anticipate him and the Jaguars to be even higher subsequent 12 months.
In the meantime, in Buffalo, the Payments can have a tough time processing their 27-10 loss to the Bengals, as a result of the house workforce actually wasn’t in it. Cinci working again Joe Mixon ran offended all recreation, and the Bengals protection performed with a chip on their shoulder, which makes this workforce a scary proposition heading into the convention championship.
And the way about that Joe Burrow — the Bengals gunslinger has raced to a 5-1 play-off file and may go toe-to-toe with anybody.
NFC recap
Philadelphia had a first-round bye because the No.1 seed within the NFC, and their 38-7 win over the Giants wasn’t way more taxing.
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts got here into the sport beneath an damage cloud, however shortly dispelled them, main his workforce to a 28-Zero lead that they by no means seemed like relinquishing.
The G-Males have shocked lots of people this 12 months, and kudos goes to first-year coach Brian Daboll, even when the bubble burst in spectacular trend within the Divisional Spherical.
Philly had their method with New York on the bottom, with RBs Kenneth Gainwell and Miles Sanders combining for 202 yards on 29 carries, at a whopping common of just about seven yards per carry. That Eagles protection appears legit, too.
Speaking about protection, the Cowboys did all they might on that aspect of the ball to carry a wonderful Niners offense to only 19 factors at house.
Sadly, Dallas received little assist from its offense, who had been smothered by the 49ers D, which compelled two picks from Cowboys QB Dak Prescott and held them to 12 factors.
On a day when rookie passer Brock Purdy seemed slightly overmatched, it’s a good signal for San Fran that the workforce can win in numerous methods.
Trying forward
Simply three video games stay within the NFL season, and so they solely get more durable from right here.
Joe Burrow and the Bengals will really feel supremely assured about entering into to Arrowhead for the AFC title recreation, with Joe Sheisty having overwhelmed Mahomes every time (three) the 2 have met.
Over within the NFC, each the Eagles and Niners have purpose to really feel assured, with the previous boasting the convention’s greatest offense, and the latter its greatest protection.
The opposite aspect of the ball for each groups is sort of nearly as good, so this units up as an interesting contest of power on power, with the X-factor being this recreation options the youngest QB match-up (Hurts is 24, Purdy is 23 ) in NFC title recreation historical past.
How does that have an effect on the outcome? It’s going to be enjoyable to seek out out.
Panic index
HIGH: The Chiefs might be sweating on the well being of Mahomes’ ankle. Their title hopes rely on it.
Medium: The Payments have an elite QB with elite offensive weapons, a great protection, superb house area benefit and an excellent coach, but they solely have one convention championship look to point out for it. Edge rusher has been a obtrusive gap for them, and the damage to free agent acquisition Von Miller did not assist in that regard, however what does this workforce have to do to take the subsequent step?
Medium: The Cowboys lastly received a play-off recreation this season, however does head coach Mike McCarthy actually really feel protected on that scorching seat? If any franchise goes to sack a coach who received them that far, it is this one.
