The NFL Playoffs started yesterday. This year there are two games on Saturday, three games on Sunday, and then the first ever Monday Night Football playoff game. In 2020, the NFL expanded the playoff system from twelve to fourteen teams, giving birth to the Super Wildcard Weekend. I did not watch the debut of the Super Wildcard Weekend last year. This year I am tuned in, and I will admit the format is a lot of fun.
Yesterday, Cincinnati won their first playoff game since 1991 as they slid past the Raiders in a 26 to 19 victory. This game will be talked about for some time as the Bengals scored a touchdown after a play was blown dead, and the officials counted the touchdown in error. Of course, they then won by a touchdown, so the error impacted the outcome of the game. This close game came down to the final play with Oakland throwing an interception on the fourth down in the redzone. A play that could have tied the game and taken them into overtime.
In contrast to the nail biter brought to us by Las Vegas’ only professional sports team and the team that has grown men wearing helmets that look like they belong to a teenage girl’s Halloween costume, the Buffalo Bills dominated Belichick. Of course, Belichick is the head coach of the Patriots, and he is the biggest cheater in the NFL (on the field, Les Miles stole this title off the field earlier in the season). The Patriots were never in the game. The Bills’ never punted or kicked a field goal as every possession resulted in a touchdown. While their offense put 47 on the board, the Bills defense held the Patriots to just seventeen. The only concern around the Bills performance was two missed extra points.
I did not get much work done yesterday, but I enjoyed watching the games. Today, there are three games starting at noon. The first is Tom Brady against the Eagles. I am not sure who to root for on this one. Brady’s Buccaneers are pretty banged up, so quite beatable, but Brady is always a threat in the playoffs. The Buccaneers are a huge favorite, according to ESPN Gamecast. I want the weakest team to win, to make the road to the Super Bowl easier for the Cowboys. The Cowboys are favored to win today over the 49’ers. This evening Kansas City takes on Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh barely made the playoffs. Kansas City is a huge favorite, but there are analysts calling for an upset. I think that the Chiefs will steam roll the Stealers, and I hope that I am right.
On Monday, the Rams take on the Cardinals. I personally think that the Rams are one of the best teams in the NFL. They are a slight favorite over the Cardinals. I want to Cardinals to lose. I don’t want Watt to go to a Super Bowl. In contrast to most Houstonians, I think Watt is a failure as a football player, and I don’t believe he is the great person that the media makes him out to be.
We will see how things play out!. I have 95 minutes to get some exercise before I spend the rest of my day at my computer working while I watch football. It sunny, cold, and still outside. This is a runner’s dream weather. I am off to go enjoy it.
Go Cowboys!