Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action has come and gone. The week that was Divisional weekend brought us some intriguing matchups as the elite eight of the NFL have now dwindled down to the final four. Divisional weekend brought us a nailbiter in Kansas City, a blowout in Philadelphia, a snow game in Buffalo and two long-time rivals clash in Santa Clara. In this post I'll do a recap of all the games this weekend. Let's get to work!
Divisional Round Recap
Jacksonville 20, Kansas City 27: TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs
A gladiator-like performance by Patrick Mahomes puts the Chiefs in their 5th straight AFC championship appearance. Trevor Lawrence played well enough as he hit 24 of 39 passes for 217 yards with a touchdown pass to Christian Kirk and an interception. Jacksonville's running game did well as Travis Etienne rushed into the endzone in the 4th quarter that would eventually cut the Chiefs lead to three points. Jamycal Hasty rushed for 36 yards. Patrick Mahomes did Patrick Mahomes things in the game. He hit 22 of 30 passes for 195 yards and two touchdown passes. Travis Kelce and Marquez Valdes-Scantling were the players that caught those passes. Mahomes would leave the game after a dogpile would bend his right ankle just enough to cause pain. A negative x-ray and his will to compete would let him back in the game. Chad Henne came in and provided some help as he hit five of seven passes for 23 yards and a touchdown pass to Travis Kelce. Kansas City's running game got off to a good game as Isiah Pacheco ran for 95 yards on 12 carries. Jerrick McKinnon had 25 yards rushing. Travis Kelce had a day as he broke the NFL playoff record for single-game catches for a tight end with 14 catches. The game also marks the first time in his playing career that Trevor Lawrence lost on a Saturday. For the Jaguars, the season ends in some disappointment but they have the pieces to be a threat in the AFC for seasons to come. For the Chiefs, they move on and will play the Cincinnati Bengals in a rematch of last year's championship game.
Next week:
Jacksonville: Not sure what there is to do in Jacksonville.
Kansas City: Conference Championship vs Cincinnati
TW: 1-0; CV: 1-0
NY Giants 7, Philadelphia 38: TW: Giants; CV: Giants
Jalen Hurts and company looked alright as they advance to the NFC championship game. Daniel Jones looked rough in this game as he hit 15 of 27 passes for 135 yards and threw an interception. The Eagles defense made it inhospitable for Jones as he was hurried, pressured and hit many times in the game. New York only got 13 first downs and converted on 3rd down five times out of 13 in the game. Matt Breida scored the only touchdown for New York on a direct snap to Saquon Barkley that was handed off to Breida for a 8-yard touchdown. Saquon Barkley got 61 yards rushing in the game. The Giants offense, a marked improvement under head coach Brian Daboll was held to 227 total yards in the game. Jalen Hurts was under question as whether or not he was healthy. He destroyed any criticism on their first drive that resulted in a Hurts to Dallas Goedert pass that resulted in six points. Overall, Hurts hit 16 of 24 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 34 yards and a touchdown. Along with Hurts, both Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott rushed for a score and got 112 yards rushing and 32 yards rushing respectively. Philly's offense was on fire as they put up 416 total yards with 26 first downs. For the Giants, the 4-13 to 9-7-1 turnaround ends with a whimper but they should feel good heading into 2023. For the Eagles, they move onto the NFC championship game and will either face the 49ers or the Cowboys next Sunday afternoon.
Next week:
NY Giants: Go do New Jersey things or catch a broadway show
Philadelphia: Conference Championship vs San Francisco
TW: 1-1; CV: 1-1
Cincinnati 27, Buffalo 10: TW: Bills; CV: Bills
The Cincinnati Bengals 1, Buffalo Bills and NFL 0. Joe Burrow was masterful in the game as he hit 23 of 36 passes for 242 yards and two touchdown passes to Ja'Marr Chase and Hayden Hurst. Cincinnati's offensive line was the stars of the game as they limited the Bills pass rush to just one sack and provided their runningbacks much needed holes and blocks. Joe Mixon was the main recipient of that contribution as he ran for 105 yards with a touchdown run on 20 carries. Despite the field conditions in the snow-drenched Highmark Stadium, the Bengals offense moved the ball at ease, putting up 412 total yards on 71 plays. Josh Allen looked off in his game as he hit 25 of 42 passes for 265 yards with an interception that was thrown late in the game. The Bengals pass rush made him uncomfortable during the game which probably contributed to the many incompletions. Josh Allen the runner did get 26 yards rushing with the only touchdown for Buffalo. Devin Singletary had 24 yards rushing in the game. Cincinnati held the Bills offense to 325 total yards on 62 plays. Damar Hamlin was on hand for the game. Hamlin had suffered a cardiac arrest during the Week 17 game against the Bengals on Monday Night Football. For the Bengals, they move on to take on the Kansas City Chiefs in a rematch of last year's conference championship game. For the Bills, the loss ends hopes of a championship in Buffalo after the many trials and tribulations they suffered in the year.
Next week:
Cincinnati: Conference Championship @ Kansas City
Buffalo: Go hang out at Niagara Falls or something.
TW: 1-2; CV: 1-2
Dallas 12, San Francisco 19: TW: 49ers; CV: 49ers
A defensive contest in the Bay Area and the 49ers are back in the NFC championship game. Dak Prescott was not great in the game as he hit 23 of 37 passes for 206 yards with a touchdown pass to Dalton Schultz in the 2nd quarter. Brett Maher missed the ensuing extra point. Prescott would misfire and was picked off two times in the game and honestly could've had more. He wouldn't get a lot of help from the Dallas running game. Ezekiel Elliot had 26 yards rushing on 10 carries. The workhorse of the Dallas running game, Tony Pollard, would get 22 yards rushing and left the game due to injury. It seemed after he left in the 2nd half, the Cowboys offense fell apart. All in all, the Dallas offense put up 282 total yards. Brock Purdy did alright as he hit 19 of 29 passes for 214 yards. He didn't throw a touchdown pass but he didn't throw interceptions either. Elijah Mitchell had 51 yards rushing. Christian McCaffrey had 35 yards rushing with a touchdown late in the 4th quarter. It was the only touchdown the 49ers scored. The main difference was the kickers. Dallas kicker Brett Maher did hit 2 of 2 field goals but missed an extra point. Robbie Gould was the better kicker as he hit 4 of 4 field goals and had one extra point. For the Cowboys, the season ends in a disappointment way but they have some things to build off of. For the 49ers, they move on to their 3th NFC championship game in four seasons.
Next week:
Dallas: go round up some cattle or something
San Francisco: Conference Championship @ Philadelphia
TW: 2-2; CV: 2-2
2022 Pick ‘Em Records
My record:
Week 1: 8-7-1
Week 2: 8-8
Week 3: 5-11
Week 4: 11-5
Week 5: 10-6
Week 6: 8-6
Week 7: 9-5
Week 8: 12-3
Week 9: 11-2
Week 10: 8-6
Week 11: 8-6
Week 12: 10-6
Week 13: 11-3-1
Week 14: 7-6
Week 15: 8-8
Week 16: 9-7
Week 17: 12-3
Week 18: 11-5
Wild Card Weekend: 4-2
Divisional: 2-2
Total: 172-107-2
Cardinal Viking's record:
Week 1: 6-9-1
Week 2: 11-5
Week 3: 5-11
Week 4: 6-10
Week 5: 9-7
Week 6: 9-5
Week 7: 8-6
Week 8: 9-6
Week 9: 9-4
Week 10: 8-6
Week 11: 8-6
Week 12: 9-7
Week 13: 8-6-1
Week 14: 9-4
Week 15: 13-3
Week 16: 10-6
Week 17: 9-6
Week 18: 11-5
Wild Card Weekend: 3-3
Divisional: 2-2
Total: 162-117-2
Previous Picking Records:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1
2020: 163-92-1
2021: 167-104-1
2019: 161-94-1
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