Divisional Round Playoff Games Recap: Lessons Learned and What’s Ahead

The divisional round of the playoffs was a wild ride, filled with surprises and disappointments. The Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers all fell short of their championship aspirations, while the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs punched their tickets to the conference championship games.

Let’s dive into the key takeaways from the divisional round and look ahead to what’s in store for the remaining teams.

Bills’ Special Teams’ Failures Cost Them a Shot at the AFC Championship Game

The Buffalo Bills had the Kansas City Chiefs right where they wanted them: at home in the playoffs with their passionate fanbase cheering them on. However, the Bills fell short for the second consecutive year in the divisional round, losing 27-24 at home.

The loss was not due to Josh Allen’s performance, who completed 26 of 39 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 72 yards and two touchdowns. He was the driving force behind the Bills’ presence in the game.

Instead, the Bills’ special teams unit proved to be their downfall. Tyler Bass, who hit just 82.8% of field goals in the regular season, missed a 27-yard field goal last week and had one of his kicks blocked. His most costly miss was a 44-yard attempt with 1:47 remaining in the game, which will live in Bills’ playoff lore as a haunting moment.

Damar Hamlin’s failed fake punt attempt on 4th-and-1 from their own 29-yard line early in the fourth quarter, while trailing 27-24, further contributed to the Bills’ demise. Sam Martin’s hamstring injury also led to poor punting throughout the game.

The Bills made several mistakes and endured injuries across their defense, but ultimately, it was their special teams unit that prevented them from advancing to the AFC Championship Game.

Patrick Mahomes Relies on His Best Players to Secure Victory

Patrick Mahomes delivered another outstanding playoff performance in his first road playoff game, leading the Kansas City Chiefs to a 27-24 victory over the Buffalo Bills. He completed 17 of 23 passes for 215 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions, earning a 131.6 passer rating.

Throughout the two postseason games, Mahomes has completed 62.5% of his passes for 477 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions, achieving a 100.8 passer rating. However, there’s more to the story.

When Mahomes targets Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce, he elevates his game to new heights. He has completed 24 of 32 passes for 323 yards, three touchdowns, and a 137.9 passer rating when throwing to these two playmakers. This was evident in Sunday’s game, where he went 9 of 10 for 122 yards and two touchdowns to Kelce when targeting them (157.1 rating).

While Mahomes has been effective targeting other players, completing 16 of 23 passes for 154 yards and no touchdowns, Rice and Kelce remain his go-to receivers when the stakes are high.

Baker Mayfield Makes a Case for Himself as Tampa Bay’s Franchise Quarterback

Baker Mayfield solidified his position as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ starting quarterback with an impressive performance in their divisional round loss to the Detroit Lions. He completed 26 of 41 passes for 349 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions, earning a 94.5 passer rating.

Mayfield’s performance in the postseason has been remarkable. He completed 62.3% of his passes for 686 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions, earning a 106.3 rating. In his last eight games, he completed 63.1% of his passes with 17 touchdowns and five interceptions, resulting in a 102.2 passer rating. The Buccaneers went 6-2 during this stretch.

Despite the potential for a high salary demand, the Buccaneers have found their quarterback in Mayfield. The team performed better under his leadership than under Tom Brady in his final year, largely due to Mayfield’s contributions.

Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes Lead the Lions to Contender Status

The Detroit Lions have made history by reaching the conference championship game for the first time since the 1991 season. They achieved this milestone with two playoff victories in a single season, a feat they last accomplished in 1957. Now, they have the opportunity to compete for a championship, a moment they haven’t experienced since 1957.

Since Dan Campbell’s challenging start with an 0-10-1 record, the Lions have transformed into a formidable team, boasting a 24-16 regular season record with two playoff victories. Their resurgence continued last season, where they went 20-7 in the regular season after a 1-6 start, securing two more playoff wins.

The Lions’ success can be attributed to Campbell’s leadership, which has changed the team’s culture, and Brad Holmes’ astute management of the front office. Holmes’ talent acquisition strategy has been instrumental in building a strong roster.

Penei Sewell, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Derrick Barnes, Alim McNeill, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Aidan Hutchinson, Jameson Williams, Kerby Joseph, James Houston, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, Sam LaPorta, and Brian Branch are among the players drafted by Holmes over the past three years. Additionally, Holmes acquired Jared Goff, David Montgomery, Cam Sutton, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson through trades or free agency.

The Lions’ core group of players is poised for continued growth, and the team is reaping the rewards of their hard work and dedication.

Schedule Quirks Impact Playoff Results

An interesting trend emerged in the divisional round: teams that played on short rest (Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Buffalo Bills) went 0-3. The only road team to secure a victory was the Kansas City Chiefs, who had eight days of rest.

Weather conditions undoubtedly influenced the playoff schedule, with the No. 1 seeds in the 14-team playoff format typically playing on Saturday. The postponement of one game to Monday and a scheduled Monday night game affected two teams in the playoffs, highlighting the impact of scheduling on team performance.

The NFL is expected to avoid Monday playoff games after the Monday night wild-card game contract expires in two years. This move aims to ensure fairer scheduling and avoid potential disadvantages for teams playing on short rest.

Conclusion

The divisional round of the playoffs provided plenty of drama and excitement, with several storylines set to continue in the conference championship games. The Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions will face off in the AFC, while the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers will battle it out in the NFC. Who will come out on top and advance to the Super Bowl? Tune in next week to find out!