2023 NFL Wildcard Weekend recap

The first round of the National Football League playoffs is complete, and now comes the Divisional Round.

Wild Card weekend featured 12 teams, six games, and three days of entertainment. Six teams’ seasons came to an end, and eight teams’ journeys continued. The top seeds from each conference earned a bye week and will play at home every game if they continue to win.

The top seed from the American Football Conference (AFC) is the Baltimore Ravens, and from the National Football Conference (NFC) is the San Francisco 49ers. These teams are well-rested and look dominant against their opponents, much like they did during the regular season.

Cleveland Browns vs. Houston Texans

The first game of Wild Card weekend welcomed two teams that fought hard to be in the playoffs. The Browns lost multiple key pieces due to injuries, and the Texans came into the season with a rookie head coach and rookie quarterback. These obstacles weren’t enough to keep them from earning playoff spots. The Browns came into NRG Stadium as a confident bunch behind their vaunted defense and four-year head coach Kevin Stefanski. The Texans were not phased and were backed by their home crowd. The Texans’ offense and defense were too much to handle as they dismantled the Browns 45-14. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud passed for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryan’s defense scored two touchdowns off interceptions. The Texans are on the road this week and take on the top-seeded Ravens.

Miami Dolphins vs. Kansas City Chiefs

The Dolphins and Chiefs played in the fourth-coldest game in NFL history, according to profootballnetwork.com. The temperatures were -4 degrees with a windchill of -27. One team was prepared for these freezing temps, and one wasn’t. The Chiefs team showed it is a team built to compete in January and February, and Saturday showcased this. Kansas City defeated Miami 26-7. The number-one scoring offense of Miami was neutralized by the young Chiefs’ Defense as they only allowed one touchdown, forced one interception, and had two sacks causing havoc all night. The Chiefs advance and will take on the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, New York.

Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys

The first upset of the playoffs occurred on Sunday when the seventh-seeded Green Bay went down to Dallas and took down the second-seeded Cowboys. The score ended up being 48-32. The Packers came out of the gates strong with an opening drive touchdown and a twenty-point lead by halftime. The second half was no different as they added 21 more points. Green Bay’s head coach Matt LeFleur had both sides of the ball firing on all cylinders. First-year starter Jordan Love was perfect as he tossed three touchdowns and 272 yards in his playoff debut. The Packers head to San Francisco to take on the 49ers.

Los Angeles Rams vs. Detroit Lions

It was a football reunion at Ford Field for this year’s Wildcard matchup. First, the Lions hosted a playoff game for the first time in 30 years. Next, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford faced off against the team he played for his first 12 seasons after being traded. Like his counterpart quarterback Jared Goff came from Los Angeles where he was traded away from so the Rams could acquire Stafford. The game was entertaining and an offensive showdown in the first half. The halftime score was 20-21. After both defenses changed game plans the offenses were stalled. The game came down to the Detroit offense as they converted one final first down and were able to milk out the clock for the victory. Lions captured their first playoff win in 32 years by the score of 23-24. The Lions will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills

This game originally was scheduled for Saturday. Due to a dangerous snowstorm, the game was moved to Monday afternoon. The game was all Buffalo from the kickoff to the end. The Bills were riding a five-game winning streak in the regular season and brought that success to the playoffs. Quarterback Josh Allen was yet again masterful on the ground and through the air. Allen passed for 203 yards, three passing touchdowns, and one rush touchdown with 74 rush yards. Bills rode the back of Allen and beat the Steelers 31-17. The Bills host Kansas City next round.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Two teams on two different momentum swings met on Monday night for the final game of the Wildcard weekend. Philadelphia, once 10-1, collapsed to 11-6 during the final seven weeks of the season. The Buccaneers clinched their division on the final week of the regular season and played their best football down the stretch of the season. The momentum carried for both teams as Tampa Bay rocked Philly 32-9. Tampa Bay had all the answers and was the tougher and better team. Former first-overall pick Baker Mayfield was surgical as he passed for 337 yards with three touchdowns. Tampa Bay heads to Detroit for an epic battle in Detroit.

Divisional Round Schedule

Saturday, Jan. 20
– Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens at 4:30 p.m. ET
– Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers at 8 p.m. ET

Sunday, Jan. 21
– Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions at 3 p.m. ET
– Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills at 6:30 p.m. ET