The Bills QB was incredible in the success in Jacksonville. To move forward, Buffalo will have to concede an encore against the Broncos. New England has shown that it knows how to win even without the best Maye. Tomlin is leaving the Steelers
Given the season without clear favorites, after all the first round of the playoffs almost went according to predictions. If we want, the real surprise was Carolina’s performance, which put the Rams against the wall. One thing is certain: the two games on Saturday and the first two on Sunday have reconciled us with the less than excellent football seen in the regular season. And Monday’s had heavy consequences, with the resignation of Mike Tomlin who leaves Pittsburgh after 19 seasons, all of which ended with a winning record.
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There had already been some signs of slowing down at the end of the regular season. But frankly few expected the Rams to risk losing at the home of the Panthers. Instead it happened. Bryce Young played an excellent game, even taking into account the weapons he has next to him. Now LA will go to Chicago (watch out, the Rams haven’t won a game with temperatures below zero since 1983…), who got the better of Green Bay. Do we want to talk about the management of the Packers’ last drive, which ended with the missed field goal? A series of bizarre and counterproductive choices. Nothing against the Bears, but if we say that it was Green Bay who threw it away rather than Chicago who won it, we don’t think we’re exaggerating. One thing is true, however: in Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson the Bears have finally found a quarterback and a coach worthy of the name. They had been looking for them all their lives. And we also like the fact that the coach doesn’t mince his words, in spite of the now unbearable political correctness of the USA. The “f… the Packers” said in the locker room and then reiterated the next day is a breath of fresh air. And then if you continue to rack up victory after comeback victory, it can’t be a coincidence.
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While the Seahawks rested, San Francisco lost other pieces (goodbye poor Greg Kittle, blown Achilles tendon) but Phila won. There were big doubts about the Eagles’ attack, but frankly against a decimated defense like that of the Californians we expected more. Instead we witnessed the usual hysterical scenes from AJ Brown, a limited Barkley, a Jalen Hurts who did his thing but no more. The game was won by Kyle Shanahan, the trick play that sent McCaffrey for a touchdown following a throw by Jajuan Jennings was a masterpiece. Repeating in Seattle will be almost impossible. But will we see that Sam Darnold will take the field: the version of the last two regular seasons with 14 wins each or the one of the immediate exit in the last playoffs? The 14 interceptions and 6 fumbles in the regular season should not be underestimated.
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Another No. 1 seed entering the picture, at home against Buffalo. The Bills deservedly won in Jacksonville in a splendid game. The difference, for a change, was made by Josh Allen. Even though he took more beatings than Jake Paul with Anthony Joshua. How he got to the end is unknown… Bills who also (re)lost Gabe Davis. They remain our favorites to reach the Super Bowl in the AFC. However, the trip to Mile High was anything but a walk in the park. We’ll see if the Broncos’ defense will be able to do better than the Jags’ defense did, although it didn’t fail.
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So New England also knows how to win with defense… Drake Maye played below his standards, even after the two turnovers, yet the Pats dominated with a line that tore poor Herbert to pieces. Linebacker Spillane said that after the game some Chargers players admitted that they often had no idea what their opponents were going to do on defense. A masterpiece by Zak Kuhr, who in fact took on the role of defensive coordinator for the entire season with poor Terrell Williams who is fighting prostate cancer. And speaking of defenses, do we want to talk about Houston’s? Aaron Rodgers will have nightmares for a long time. A dominant performance like few have seen this year. We’ll see if it’s enough to break the bank for Foxboro.
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