Kansas City Chiefs get warning from Houston Texans as Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry dominate again, writes Neil Reynolds | NFL news
Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry tear apart the Pittsburgh Steelers, as Houston Texans defense issues warning to Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City Chiefs – Sky Sports NFL anchor Neil Reynolds has the final say on Wild Card weekend in the playoffs…
Let’s take a look back at Wild Card weekend in the NFL as we whittle down the 14 teams to eight in the race for Super Bowl 59.
Can the Rams go all the way?
On Monday night, the Los Angeles Rams capped off a torrid week with a win over the Minnesota Vikings, reminding me that this team believes they can be anyone in the league – wherever they play. Sean McVay rested his starters in Week 18 and we thought that might have given them a tougher first-round playoff game against the Vikings, but it certainly didn’t.
They had to play in Arizona, McVay had to evacuate his family home in the days leading up to the 27-9 victory, but they got the job done with some ease. This defense is getting on its feet and coming into shape at exactly the right time.
They have Super Bowl-winning key players in Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp, as well as other established stars now in Puka Nacua and Jared Verse on defense. This team is 10-3 from a 1-4 league opener – why can’t they keep it up?
Daniels is again starring for Washington
This Wild Card weekend won’t go down as a classic, but it served up another beautiful moment that suggests the Washington Commanders are in really good hands with their rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. He was inspirational in their 23-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, making big plays time and time again without blinking, without looking stressed, without getting overly excited.
His touchdowns came in big moments. His first to Dyami Brown was a third-and-goal in the first half, and the one that gave Washington a 20-17 lead in the fourth quarter was a fourth-down to Terry McLaurin. Either way, you wouldn’t even know he threw a touchdown pass – he was on to his next job. That was very impressive.
This team went 4-13 a year ago and just recorded their 13th win of the season. That’s what happens when you become a real star like Jayden Daniels.
Hurts and the Eagles have work to do despite the win
The Philadelphia Eagles advanced to the Divisional Round with a 22-10 win over the Green Bay Packers, but it was far from pretty and the Eagles have work to do if they want to clean things up before taking on the Rams. They were penalized seven times, while Jalen Hurts fumbled too often and only threw for 131 yards on the return.
I feel like there’s more to the passing game if needed, but the reliance on Saquon Barkley is so strong that they never really have to get him open. Hurts can play inside, AJ Brown can read his books on the bench, and the Eagles can also rely on a strong defense.
As for the Packers, I think it will go down as a season where they were good, but not good enough. They lost to a lot of quality teams at the end of the year, and Jordan Love didn’t live up to the $55 million annual contract he signed in the offseason. He has a big year ahead of him in 2025.
Complete accounts
I think Josh Allen will always draw attention and make headlines for the Buffalo Bills, but the reason I think this team is more dangerous than previous teams is the balance they have.
Allen was excellent again in Sunday’s win over the Denver Broncos, going 20 of 26 for 272 yards and two touchdowns without a pick. But the balance came with James Cook leading the way on the ground with 120 rushing yards and a touchdown; Buffalo rushed for 210 yards as a team. They played defense, so I think this is a complete team now.
As for the Broncos, it was a season that delivered a lot more than they could have ever expected during the summer. They have reason to be very optimistic with Sean Payton leading the young career of Bo Nix, who I think will be one of the NFL’s fun running backs to watch.
Lamar and Henry take Pittsburgh to the ground
Don’t let the result fool you. Saturday’s 28-14 victory for the Baltimore Ravens against the Pittsburgh Steelers was a brutal victory. Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry have been impossible to stop in the backfield, and this is everything we all envisioned when Derrick Henry was brought in this year – you push the button to stop Lamar Jackson and Henry runs the ball; you press the button to stop Henry and Lamar ducks and runs away.
Both averaged 167 yards per game during the regular season and increased that to 267 on Saturday night. Baltimore rushed for 300 yards, then took a knee to be held to 299 at the end of the game. They crushed the souls of Pittsburgh and were a dominant force.
It had been eight years since Pittsburgh’s last playoff victory, and they ended the season with five straight losses. I think Mike Tomlin is safe for now, this isn’t a reactionary franchise that’s been on its knees, but that’s the backdrop to his 2025 season and Pittsburgh needs to find a better answer at quarterback.
Herbert’s Houston Nightmare
Wild Card weekend started with Houston’s 32-12 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. The Texans still have issues on the offensive end, due to that pressure being placed on CJ Stroud, who was sacked 52 times in the regular season and three more on the weekend.
But their defense makes them very dangerous, especially as they travel to Kansas City to face the Chiefs, who have struggled on defense and have struggled with turnovers. Houston created four sacks, intercepted Justin Herbert four times at the end of a season during which he was previously drafted by only three teams. It was a truly impressive performance.
There’s a lot to be proud of for the Chargers, a lot to be happy about after an 11-win season. They are in good shape with Justin Herbert and Jim Harbaugh together, but they need more offensive weapons. They need spark and firepower, so I’d say the ending was unsatisfying and has work to do.
When is the Super Bowl?
The playoffs enter the Divisional Round on Saturday, January 18 and Sunday, January 19, when the No. 1 seed Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions will join the action after the bye.
Then comes the AFC and NFC Championship Games on Sunday, January 26, before Super Bowl LIX takes place at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9.
It will be the 11th time the Super Bowl has been held in New Orleans, the first since 2013, and the eighth game to be held at Caesars Superdome.
Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar will headline the Super Bowl halftime show.
