Wild Card Thoughts

The NFL packed six games into Wild Card weekend. Here are some thoughts on those games.

Indianapolis Colts-Buffalo Bills

1. A couple coaching decisions by Colts head coach Frank Reich may have been the difference in this game. In the middle of the second quarter, the Colts had a fourth-and-goal from the 2. Reich chose to go for the touchdown rather than the chip-shot field goal. The Colts didn’t get that touchdown. After a Colts touchdown early in the fourth quarter cut the Bills lead to eight points, Reich chose to go for a two-point conversion. The Colts didn’t get that two-point conversion. Those decisions took four potential points off the board in a game that the Bills won by three points. For what it’s worth, I liked the fourth down decision at the time. I didn’t like the decision to go for two. 

2. It might simply be due to pregame expectations but the Colts impressed me more than the Bills. The Colts controlled this game. They held the ball much longer and moved the ball and chains more consistently. They had a single unproductive possession. The Bills had three three-and-outs. If the Colts finished drives they’re probably rolling into the Divisional Round. On two drives, the Colts held the ball for 11:55, ran 22 plays, gained 115 yards. They drove to the Bills’ 1-yard line on the first and the 15-yard line on the second. They scored no points. 

Los Angeles Rams-Seattle Seahawks

1. Isn’t it amazing that even a supposedly elite quarterback can look pedestrian when he’s constantly harassed in the pocket. Russell Wilson looked pedestrian and he’s supposed to be elite. These talking heads should remember that when they bash quarterbacks that play behind pedestrian, at best, offensive lines. Um, Kirk Cousins comes to mind. 

2. Many talking heads were damn near ready to hand the MVP award to Wilson in September. It’s good that they wait for the season to end before they decide such things. 

3. Some viewers probably considered this game a tough watch. I like defensive games. This was a good defensive game. The Rams defense was excellent and they were forced to do a lot of it without Aaron Donald. Russell Wilson was often running for his life. 

4. I sure do like seeing the Seattle Seahawks lose. That team and fan base with a name pilfered from another always feels so entitled. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Washiington

1. This was supposed to be an easy game for the Buccaneers. Washington didn’t make it easy. Taylor Heinicke played great. 

2. There was a time when I thought that Heinicke had a chance to be the Vikings quarterback. Or at least compete for the job. Then he put his foot through a window a couple days before the start of training camp. It cost him a season and he just wasn’t the same. Maybe his quarterbacking window is open again. 

3. I like Tony Dungy as a broadcaster. I like Tony Dungy in general so it’s hardly a surprise that I like him as a broadcaster.

Baltimore Ravens-Tennessee Titans

1. Lamar Jackson finally wins a playoff game. Why was that such a steaming narrative? Winning in the playoffs is supposed to be a difficult thing. Despite winning an MVP award last season, Jackson is just getting started on his career. It’s a team game and he’s a big reason that the Ravens are playing in the second round in consecutive years. 

2. Lamar Jackson sure is a fun player. 

3. Perhaps a key development for the Ravens moving forward was the production of receiver Marquise Brown. The Ravens needed that from him all season. 

4. This game was complete in less than 3 hours. Blink during a Ravens-Titans game and you might miss an entire quarter. 

5. Titans head coach Mike Vrabel might spend the entire offseason thinking about his decision to punt on 4th-and-2 from the Ravens 40 with 10 minutes to play in the 4th quarter. His team was down 17-13. They have Derrick Henry. Far more often than not he can just lean into the line and gain three yards. If there was a turning point in this game that decision might’ve been it. 

Chicago Bears-New Orleans Saints

1. It felt like the telecast of the game on Nickelodeon got more attention than the game itself.

2. Perhaps the Bears would’ve been more competitive on offense if Javon Wims hadn’t seen a pass drop through his hands. Actually, Wims never saw the pass drop through his hands because he didn’t see the ball into his hands. It’s the first rule of pass catching. Look the ball into your hands. It was a sure touchdown if Wims had done the one thing that a receiver has to do. The 40-yard yard toss was probably the best of the game for Mitchell Trubisky. Catch it and the game is tied 7-7 late in the first quarter. Maybe it’s a different game. Maybe not. 

3. It was good to see Michael Thomas playing football again. 

Cleveland Browns-Pittsburgh Steelers

1. Congratulations Cleveland. It’s been a while. 

2. Another decision to punt on fourth-and-short in the fourth quarter. I thought this was the playoffs. A win-and-go-home affair. Why were a couple coaches (Mike Vrabel and Mike Tomlin) so passive?

Congratulations to the four teams moving on to the Divisional Round. 

One other football thought:

There’s always idiotic trade speculation in professional sports. This Deshaun Watson trade speculation is among the most idiotic. To quote Texans beat writer John McLain, “It’s not happening!” Even giving it a fraction of a second of thought is a waste of time.