Let’s all take a deep breath as we process what just happened. If you could tell yourself a few months ago that we would be anticipating a Foles v. Keenum matchup in the NFC Championship game, would you believe it? I bet Lebron was all over this weekend because like a fine wine, it only got better with time and sheeeeeeeeesh I cannot believe it.
Philadelphia will battle on in the postseason after a significant win over the Falcons Saturday afternoon, celebrating their first playoff win in a decade. A slow start to the game, the Falcons secured the first points after a field goal from Matt Bryant for 33 yards. LaGarrette Blount took the ball into the end zone for the Eagles early on in the second quarter to put up 6 for Philly, but kicker Jake Elliot was unable to secure the extra point. The Falcons responded with a touchdown after Ryan connected to Devonta Freeman with a good extra point from Bryant. In a shot at redemption, Elliot nailed a huge 53-yard kick seconds before the half for a score of 10-9, Falcons. Elliot would be the only player on both teams to score for the rest of the game, with a 37-yard FG at the end of the third and a 21-yarder halfway through the fourth, for a final score of 15-10, Eagles.
Philadelphia’s success was ensured by some steady, long drives from Foles, who threw 23 of 30 for 246 yards, in addition to a solid performance by the Philadelphia defense, who was able to keep a usually active Atlanta offense at bay. Falcons star wide receiver Julio Jones, who had an average of 88-receiving yards this season, still was able to secure 9 receptions for 101 yards. Jay Ajayi led Philadelphia’s offense, with 54 rushing yards and 44 receiving yards. To survive, the Eagles will have to protect Ajayi and continue Foles’ depth against one of the toughest defenses in the league next Sunday when they face off against the Vikings.
In the most predictable of games, the Patriots stormed the hopeful Titans in Foxborough after a drama-filled week for New England. With a predominantly scoreless first quarter, the Titans put the first points on the scoreboard with 1:14 left after Mariota connected to Corey Davis, with a good extra point from Ryan Succop. Tom Brady was having none of it, and released his fury on the field, and the Patriots scored three touchdowns in the second quarter, two by James White and another by Chris Hogan. With three good kicks from Stephen Gostkowski, the Pats put 20 up in the second quarter, but they were far from over. They would secure two more touchdowns in the second half for a score of 35-7 with 10 minutes left in the game. An exhausted Titans offense finally secured another score with less than two minutes left in the game, which speaks a lot to their relentlessness. Mariota connected to Corey Davis again with a good kick from Succop for a final score of 35-14. Brady celebrated his tenth postseason game with 337 yards and three touchdowns, continuing to prove the haters that the momentum ain’t stoppin’ any time soon. Marcus Mariota has a lot to be proud of this season, leading his team farther than many would have expected out of the Tennessee team. I expect a lot from him along with RB Derrick Henry in the future.
The Steelers faced a lot of heat after some players chose to target their anticipation towards their game against the Patriots next week…the only thing standing in their way? A fiery Jacksonville team with a cutthroat defense. Sunday morning started off with a strong statement from Blake Bortles and the Jaguars, reminding the Steelers to remain in the present after RB Leonard Fournette put up two touchdowns in the first quarter for Jacksonville, with two good extra points from Josh Lambo for a score of 14-0. The Jags continued to torment a scoreless Pittsburgh after T.J. Yeldon ran up the middle for another Jacksonville touchdown. After what could have been a season-ending injury, Antonio Brown returned to fight for his team in the postseason, and scored the first Pitt touchdown with a 23-yard pass from Roethlisberger. Pittsburgh optimism was quickly killed after Roethlisberger was sacked at the PIT 48 by Yannick Ngakoue, master of the strip-sack. Jacksonville linebacker Telvin Smith was able to take the ball down for 50 yards for another Jags touchdown. While Smith was hit with a taunting penalty, the score was upheld, and Jacksonville led 28-7 with a little over 2 minutes left in the game. Roethlisberger was able to connect on a deep pass to Martavis Bryant with 0:25 left in the quarter, followed by a good extra point from Chris Boswell for a halftime score of 28-14, Jags. The Steelers secured another score in the third quarter by Le’Veon Bell, but it seemed like the game was just getting started in the fourth quarter, with both offenses going off in the fourth quarter.
Jacksonville had two touchdowns, one by Fournette and another by Tommy Bohanon and two good kicks from Lambo. Antonio Brown received another insane pass from Roethlisberger for 43 yards, and Bell followed soon after for another. Under two minutes left in the game, and Josh Lambo secured a 45-yard FG for the Jags for a score of 45-35. The Steelers refused to give up, and Roethlisberger connected in a short pass to rookie JuJu Smith-Schuster with one second left in the game, with a good kick from Boswell, but no time left. For a final score of 45-42, the Jags took the win. Blake Bortles responded to massive heat after a lackluster performance last weekend against the Bills, throwing 14 of 26 for 214 yards. Roethlisberger threw 37 of 58 for a monster 469 yards and five touchdowns. Leonard Fournette dominated the offensive game with 109 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while Antonio Brown had 132 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Almost six months ago, the Jags beat the Patriots 31-24 in a preseason matchup. Now, they face their most difficult challenge and will have to continue their defensive intensity if they want to take it all the way.
In the weekend stunner, down to the very last second, the Vikings took the win over the Saints at home for a spine-chilling night. The Vikings dominated the first half of the game, with two touchdowns, one by Jerick McKinnon and another by Latavius Murray, with two good extra points from Kai Forbath and another good field goal for a halftime score of 17-0. A killer Vikings defense was able to keep a usually dominating Saints offense scoreless until the final minute of the third quarter, when Brees finally connected to Michael Thomas. Again, Brees connected to Thomas at the start of the fourth, with kicker Wil Lutz steadily delivering his extra points, for a score of 17-14 at the start of the fourth. Forbath delivered an insane 49-yard FG for the Vikings, and the Saints were kept at bay until the final minutes left in the game. After Saints’ DE George Johnson blocked the Vikings’ punt, the Saints took over at the Vikings 40. With 3:01 left, Brees connected to rookie Alvin Kamara for a Saints touchdown and a good kick from Lutz for a score of 21-20, Saints. Forbath hit another wild FG for 53-yards, and Lutz responded, both putting up 3 for their team. Lutz’ kick was to many the seal of fate for the Vikings, and the frenetic energy in the stadium started to dip into despair. With literally ZERO seconds left in the game, Case Keenum threw an unbelievable 61-yard pass to Stefon Diggs for a touchdown, with the entire stadium erupting into absolute chaos. Keenum led the entire stadium into a Skol chant post-game that embodies the intensity of the game and its final moments. The Vikings will face the Eagles Sunday night in the NFC battle.
I’ve finally recovered after the final game, but I am a little worried about the 100 year old Vikings fan, Millie, who attended her first Skol game tonight after supporting the team since their 1961 founding.
Don’t cry because the Saturday games are over, smile because they happened!
