Sunday's Wildcard Recap: Key Moments & Biggest Takeaways
- Jake Barkin
- Jan 13
- 5 min read
As teams fought for survival, some rose to the occasion while others saw their Super Bowl dreams come crashing down. From dominant statement wins to last-second drama, Sunday’s games delivered everything you could ask for in playoff football. With just one more wildcard game left in the first round of the 2024 NFL playoffs, let's break down and analyze each of the three intense wildcard games that took place yesterday.
Firstly, in Sunday’s first wildcard game, the Buffalo Bills hosted the Denver Broncos in a second vs seventh-seed showdown. As a -7.5 favourite, the Buffalo Bills were expected to make quick work of the young Broncos who barely snuck into the playoffs. However, the first drive in the game ended with a Bo Nix 43-yard passing touchdown to his Oregon teammate Troy Franklin. By shifting all the momentum in their favour, fans thought the Broncos would truly be able to upset the Bills or at least make it a close and competitive game. Unfortunately for the Broncos, the Bills scored 31 points unanswered and easily defeated the Broncos 31-7 ending their season. While the Broncos came into the game with the fourth highest-ranked defence in the NFL, Josh Allen and the Bills scored over 30 points in their victory heavily relying on their elite ground game. Bills star running back James Cook made great use of the Bills elite offensive line as Cook rushed for 120 yards including an impressive rushing touchdown. When the Broncos run blocking and pass rushing were failing, they were forced to use man coverage blitz’s leaving their secondary vulnerable to big plays. Broncos superstar cornerback Pat Surtain II was no exception as he allowed receptions to three different Bills receivers including a 55-yard touchdown scored by Bills receiver Curtis Samuel. The play that clinched the Bills game came from a 4th and 1 conversion in which Bills backup running back Ty Johnson caught a spectacular pass while barely sliding inbounds which resulted in a 24-yard touchdown. The Bills will now host the Ravens in the second round on Sunday night where the winner will head to the AFC championship where they will likely face Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Following the Buffalo Bills dominant win, the other second-seed Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Green Bay Packers by a score of 22-10. The Eagles started the game off on the right foot by forcing a fumble on the Packers during the initial kickoff taking over deep in Packers territory. The fumble resulted in the Eagles scoring quickly as Jahan Dotson in the playoffs received his first-ever touchdown as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. While the Eagles best receiver A.J. Brown was limited to just one catch for ten yards, everyone else on the Eagles picked up the slack and helped the Eagles cruise to victory. For instance, Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert had an unbelievable 24-yard touchdown as he brutally stiff-armed Packers defender Carrington Valentine on his way to the end zone. The best running back in football Saqoun Barkley had a great game as he rushed for 119 yards even though he could have had an extra 60 yards and a touchdown if he didn’t slide at the end to let the clock run out.
On the other side of the ball, Packers quarterback Jordan Love failed to win as the seventh seed in back-to-back years as he had an embarrassing performance throwing for no touchdowns and three interceptions. Even though he was missing receiver Christian Watson and was also without reciever Romeo Doubs for the second half, Love was off the entire game and his elbow injury could have been a factor as it is likely he was not 100% healthy going into the game. While Packers fans are upset their season is over, it is in the best interest of the NFL and football fans as the Packers were already very injured heading into the playoffs and having the 14-3 Eagles still competing should give us fans some very entertaining games this postseason. As the Eagles are going to the divisional round, they will be watching very closely tonight as they will host the winner of the Rams and Vikings back in Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon. No matter the opponent, the Eagles will have their work cut out for them as both the Rams and Vikings are great teams and hard to defeat.
Sunday’s wildcard window concluded with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting the Washington Commanders. Even as a three-point underdog on the road, Jayden Daniels and the Commanders went into Tampa Bay and came out with their playoff victory since 2006. While the game went back and forth with both teams leading throughout the game, the matchup came down to the turnover battle. Daniels and the Commanders offence led by offensive coordinator and play caller Kliff Kingsbury had no turnovers and did not even use their punter once throughout the game. However, the Buccaneers were not as efficient as they were forced to punt twice and more importantly fumbled the football back to the Commanders deep in their own territory giving them the lead which they were never able to recover from. The turnover came from a failed jet sweep as Buccaneers center Graham Barton snapped the ball too late for Baker to hand the ball off to receiver Jalen McMillan on time resulting in the fumble. On a positive note, Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans dominated his rival Marshon Lattimore as Evans finished the game with 72 yards on 9 receptions including a contested caught touchdown against Lattimore.
The game came down to the wire as Commanders kicker Zane Gonzalez barely made a 38-yard field goal for a win as he doinked in his kick using the field goal post. Gonzalez became famous all over social media for being seen on camera fixing his hair countless times before kicking the ball. To be a kicker in the playoffs especially kicking a field goal for the win must be the hardest job in the world to do especially for someone like Zane Gonzalez who has OCD and had to calm his nerves before kicking the most important field goal of his life. Watch this video to see what Gonzalez had to deal with and overcome during the game here. Going into the divisional round, Dan Quinn and the Commanders will travel to Ford Field where they will face the top seed Detroit Lions where the winner will advance to the NFC championship.
That is it for Sunday’s wildcard recap. Can the Wild Card winners keep their momentum, or will the top seeds take over? Who do you think will win tonight's matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings? Follow the official X account of Blitz & Brawlers to stay updated with daily articles as the NFL playoffs continue to unfold.
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