The divisional round is wrapped up with two overtime games and one blowout. On Saturday, the (13-6) San Francisco 49ers traveled to Seattle to face the (15-3) Seahawks. Seattle came out strong in the first quarter scoring 17 points and adding seven more before the half to the 49ers two field goals scored in the second quarter. Seattle added two more touchdowns and a field goal, defeating San Francisco 41-6.
The L.A. Rams and the Chicago Bears played on Sunday along with the Houston Texans and the New England Patriots. The Rams and Bears were knotted up at 10 apiece at the half and neither team scored in the third but both were able to add touchdowns in the fourth quarter to send the game to overtime.
Chicago’s quarterback Caleb Williams tossed an ill-advised pass that was picked off putting the game in Matthew Stafford’s hands. L.A. iced the game with a 42-yard field goal that sealed the win, 20-17.
The Houston Texans were in Foxborough to face the Patriots on a snowy and cold Sunday evening. New England jumped out to a quick lead but Houston responded with a field goal and a touchdown taking a 10-7 lead and this would be their only lead of the game.
The Patriots scored two more touchdowns before the half taking a 21-10 lead and never really looked back adding another in the fourth for the win, 28-16.
Saturday’s other game took place here in the Mile High City and while Denver fans filled the stadium with orange and blue, there were pockets of blue and red resistance throughout the stands.
The Buffalo Bills had a bunch of players out with injury but despite that disadvantage, many believed Bills quarterback Josh Allen would be too much for Denver’s defense to handle, and they were almost right.
Josh Allen was slinging the ball all over the field and running when he had no one open. Unfortunately, Allen faced one of the leagues best defenses, but the Broncos weren’t really keen on getting turnovers in the regular season. But this is the playoffs and Denver’s secondary was a force getting two interceptions and forcing five fumbles with three recoveries, which ended in points for the Broncos just before the half, taking a 20-10 lead at the half.
Buffalo hung in there and forced the game into overtime scoring 13 in the fourth. Bo Nix and the Broncos offense took to the field first stalling and having to punt to a red hot Josh Allen. Just as Allen was pushing the Bills closer to midfield he dropped back for a long pass down the center of the field intended for Brandon Cooks, that was contested by Ja’Quan McMillian who went the ground with his hands on the ball stripping it from Cooks hands and being awarded with the interception.
Bo Nix lead the Broncos down the field after two defensive pass interference calls placed Denver deep in Bills territory on Buffalo’s 5 yard-line for the go-ahead field goal, and win. Denver beat the Bills 33-30 and will advance to the AFC Conference Championship to face the Patriots.
While everyone was on cloud nine celebrating the Broncos win, Bo Nix was wincing in pain on the sidelines. Despite the pain he was in he, managed to walk out on the field to give an interview while standing on a broken ankle.
Nix suffered a season ending injury two plays before the end of the game, moving Jarrett Stidham into the driver seat this coming Sunday at home against the Patriots. Coach Payton has assured fans that Stidham is ready for the spotlight.
