The Wild Card Weekend lived up to the billing. We were given a six game slate and the games were mostly exciting. Most of the outcomes were expected but there were the occasional upsets. We have to look back at each game and wonder what went right and what went wrong. Here is a look at each game with that analysis.
Colts-Bills
What Went Right for the Bills?
The Bills had a tough day to start. The Colts were giving Allen tough looks and matched up well across the board. The Bills truly started to take off when they started calling plays to get their players into great situations. Josh Allen ran the ball twice in the final minute of the first half to give the Bills the lead. Defensively, the Bills knew they were going to have to stop running back Jonathan Taylor. While they struggled early on against Taylor, the lead certainly helped since the Colts turned to clear passing situations. In the end, the Bills were bailed out by Josh Allen and specifically, his play-making ability.
What Went Wrong for the Colts?
The Colts knew they would have to take some risks defensively. Whether it was sending pressure or disguising coverage, they knew they were going to be in trouble if the risks failed. Seeing Stefon Diggs catch a deep pass for a touchdown on single coverage was a testament to these risks. Offensively, the Colts were instantly in trouble when they entered trailing and obvious passing down situations. The big issues were when the Bills were able to limit the passing lanes from the pocket knowing Philip Rivers wasn’t mobile enough. The Colts needed to set the tempo for the upset to be possible and once they were trailing this game felt over.
Rams-Seahawks
What Went Right for the Rams?
This game was not only a showcase of the Rams defense and how they prepare for each game masterfully, but it was also a testament to Seam McVay as well. The Rams started a backup and once he got hurt, were forced to play an injured Jared Goff. To avoid giving Goff any difficult situations, the Rams made it a priority to run downhill this game. The Rams almost played a perfect game once they caught a break in the Russell Wilson pick-six. This game was a display of how the Rams may not be the best in the NFC but can match up with anybody.
What Went Wrong for the Seahawks?
We can start with the interception by Russell Wilson. This game was ultimately a referendum on the Seahawks offense. We knew Jalen Ramsey was going to shadow DK Metcalf but the Seahawks couldn’t find anyone else open the entire game. One would think that there would be designed plays to get Tyler Lockett open but there was none of that. The Seahawks also never were able to establish the run game and thus the Rams could continue to rush Wilson.
Buccaneers-Washington
What Went Right for the Bucs?
It was clear that Tom Brady was going to have to get the ball out of his hands quickly. Moreover, brady was going to have to look for the second or third option in passing plays. The Bucs found Antonio Brown and Chris Godwin open constantly and were able to build the lead because of it. The defense didn’t have a great game but they knew that Washington was going to look for Terry McLaurin and Logan Thomas and did a great job prioritizing the two in the defense.
What Went Wrong for the Football Team?
It’s hard to knock a team that didn’t have a quarterback. Taylor Heinicke did what he could and played as good a game you could ask for. It may seem odd to say but the loos felt like a win considering how outmatched the Football Team was. The defense simply couldn’t pressure Brady enough with their front four. Additionally, the Football Team allowed Brown to find one on one coverage, and considering how Mike Evans was covered well, they needed to constantly double Brown. The Football Team played well but they were simply overpowered, the future does look brighter though.
Ravens-Titans
What Went Right for the Ravens?
The Ravens struggled at first and it looked like the Titans had their number. There were multiple adjustments that the Ravens made that gave them this victory. The first was opening up the run game and allowing Jackson to find open lanes. This allowed the Ravens to utilize the entire field and find open receivers with the Titans defense looking into the backfield. The next important thing the Ravens did was defensively they adjusted to take away AJ Brown in the passing game. The front seven did a phenomenal job containing Derrick Henry throughout the game but Ryan Tannehill was able to find open receivers. The Ravens kept Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters on the Titans top targets and it paid off.
What Went Wrong for the Titans?
The Titans could never kick off the run game. This is truly where their problems started and forced the hand of the Titans coaching staff. Moreover, once the Titans trailed in this game, the run game was forced to be abandoned. The Titans needed to allow AJ Brown more deep shot opportunities and Corey Davis to potentially win in the slot, neither happened. On the defensive side of the ball, we saw a poor defense exposed once the Ravens adjusted to it. The Titans needed to force Jackson’s hand and not give him the option to run. The Titans might have been outcoached for the first time all season.
Bears-Saints
What Went Right for the Saints?
This was a game that we all anticipated the Saints would control from start to finish. The Saints were winning but only marginally throughout the game. The true parts of the victory came when the Saints were able to get Alvin Kamara in space whether on the ground or designed routes. The offense picked up in the second half and 21 points were all they needed. The defense played a near-perfect game. They clogged the middle in the run game and Marshon Lattimore once again quietly took away a top receiver. It will be exciting to see how the Saints matchup against the Bucs next week.
What Went Wrong for the Bears?
The Bears couldn’t find Jimmy Graham until the last play of the game. This is where you start to see the ineptitude of Mitch Trubisky as the Saints knew exactly how to keep in under control. The Bears played a good game defensively and it was surprising to see how well Kyle Fuller played against Michael Thomas. The problem was simply the basic playcalling and inability to find open receivers against a great defense.
Browns-Steelers
What Went Right for the Browns?
The Browns played one of their best games in the history of their franchise. Without their head coach and multiple members of their coaching staff and offensive line, they scored 48 points. The offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage, giving both Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb great lanes to expose the Steelers defense. The Browns also allowed their tight ends to get open off play-action and Jarvis Landry lined up in the slot giving Baker Mayfield easy throws throughout the night. The defense was forced mentally to play prevent defense since they had a 28-0 lead after the first quarter but the ability to drop seven finally paid off in the 4th quarter when the Steelers couldn’t find any passing lanes.
What Went Wrong for the Steelers?
It was as if the Steelers didn’t take note of anything that happened the week before. Yes, the first snap of the game was launched into the end zone for a Browns’ touchdown. Yes, Ben Roethlisberger threw four interceptions and looked lost the entire game. But, lining up a linebacker on Jarvis Landry when he was in the slot, something that happened literally the week before? Not preparing to stop a downhill running game when it’s a known truth that the Browns’ primary form of offense comes off the run game and play-action? You would think from watching this game that the Steelers were missing a head coach from Covid-19 seeing how unprepared they were.
