Divisional Round Wrap-Up

The Divisional Round gave us a lot to think about. Spotlighting Patrick Mahomes' dominance over Josh Allen, the 49ers' surprising win against the Packers, and Lamar Jackson's exceptional journey to clinching the 2023 NFL MVP title. These narratives reflect the season's competitive spirit and the ever-changing landscape of the NFL.

Mahomes Ousts Allen

Are any of us really surprised? I’m not. There are two people in history that have proven that they can beat Patrick Mahomes in the postseason. One is retired (Tom Brady), and the other is Joe Burrow who was ruled out for the season early in the year. Patrick Mahomes once again demonstrated his postseason dominance, this time overshadowing Josh Allen… again. This game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills, often touted as a burgeoning rivalry, yet again tilted in favor of Mahomes. Despite the high-octane encounters these matchups provide, Mahomes' consistent success, particularly in critical moments, raises questions about the true competitiveness of this so-called rivalry.

On Sunday, the Bills looked like the better overall team. However, the Chiefs' resilience and outstanding defense, coupled with a crucial contribution from Buffalo's Kicker, Tyler Bass, ultimately tipped the scale of this game. Allen's dynamic presence was undeniable; he spearheaded the Bills' ground game with 72 rushing yards and two touchdowns. In contrast, Mahomes, with his 17 completions from 23 attempts, accumulating 215 yards and two touchdowns, put the Chiefs in a position to win. Though, it was the Chiefs' defensive strategy in key moments that ultimately sealed their win.

The narrative surrounding Josh Allen, however, invites introspection. Despite his undeniable talent and contributions, his track record in pivotal playoff games against talented quarterbacks remains a point of contention. His playoff victories have been against teams led by quarterbacks either in the twilight of their careers or those not yet established as elite.?

2020: (Colts) 39 Year old Philip Rivers in his last game

2020: (Ravens) Lamar Jackson left the game early in the 3rd quarter

2021: (Patriots) Mac Jones

2022: (Dolphins) Skylar Thompson

2023: (Steelers) Mason Rudolph

While football is a team sport, and Allen's direct competition is the opposing defense, his inability to secure wins against teams led by high-caliber quarterbacks in the postseason is an aspect that warrants consideration for future narratives.

This pattern raises essential questions about Allen's ability to lead the Bills to their ultimate goal… a championship. As the NFL landscape continues to evolve, both Mahomes and Allen will have ample opportunities to go up against each other, but for the time being, it is clear that Mahomes has Allen’s number.?

49ers Struggles

The San Francisco 49ers' win over the Green Bay Packers last Saturday can be characterized as fortuitous, a testament to the unpredictable nature of football. The 49ers, facing a red hot opponent in the Packers, who had recently destroyed the Dallas Cowboys, faced a daunting challenge. Despite statistical indicators suggesting a competent performance by the 49ers, the actual gameplay painted a different picture, leading many to question the merit of their victory.

The loss of wide receiver Deebo Samuel in the first half was a significant blow to the 49ers. Quarterback Brock Purdy struggled to find his rhythm, completing only 23 of his 39 passing attempts. Christian McCaffrey, delivered a notable performance with 98 rushing yards and two touchdowns, also leading the team with seven receptions. However, these individual efforts did not entirely encapsulate the game's dynamics.

The 49ers' win, rather than being a product of their own making, seemed more a consequence of the Packers' unraveling, particularly in the final quarter. Jordan Love, had shown promising signs in the second half of the 2023 season. Nonetheless, his inexperience surfaced at a critical moment. In the game's final drive, with ample opportunity to manage the clock and position the team for a potential field goal, Love made a pivotal error. His decision to throw across his body towards the center field, instead throwing the ball away, resulted in a turnover. This mistake underscored a fundamental rule for quarterbacks: “don't throw the ball across your body towards the middle of the field.”

In summary, while the 49ers emerged victorious, they had no business in winning this game. The game's outcome hinged less on their prowess and more on the Packers' missteps. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of experience and decision-making under pressure, especially in the critical moments late in the 4th quarter.?

The Lamar Show

Lamar Jackson showed the NFL why he is the 2023 MVP this past Saturday. In the early moments of this game, the Texans actually looked like they were going to be able to compete with the Ravens. Jackson, who had sat the previous two weeks, looked a little rusty to start the game. As the game unfolded it became evidently clear that the Ravens were the more dominant team. The Ravens pretty much stopped the Texans from doing anything. Rookie sensation, C.J. Stroud completed 19 of his 33 attempts for 175 yards. The Texans failed to get their ground game going which ultimately put too much pressure on Stroud to make every play.?

In this game, Jackson delivered one of his best postseason performances to date. He achieved his third 100-yard rushing performance in his postseason career, setting a record for a quarterback in NFL history. Jackson's performance was versatile and effective, completing 16 of his 22 passes for 152 yards and scoring two touchdowns through the air. Additionally, he managed 100 rushing yards on just 11 carries, including two rushing touchdowns. This game not only showcased Jackson's dynamic ability as a quarterback but also his critical role in the Ravens' success.

This Baltimore defense is absolutely crushing. Sound both upfront and in the secondary, this is easily the best unit in the NFL. Combined with the nature of this offense… this team will be difficult to beat. Moreover, Jackson's ascent in the NFL's career playoff rushing yards leaderboard has been rapid. By the end of the game against the Texans, he had climbed to the fifth position, an impressive feat considering it was only his fifth career playoff appearance.?

Overall, Jackson’s MVP campaign is defined on his regular season performances. His record-breaking performance was particularly highlighted in a game against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium, where he threw five touchdowns with a perfect passer rating, leading the Ravens to a 56-19 victory. This game was a decisive factor in Jackson clinching the MVP award, showcasing his exceptional skill and impact on the game.

Jackson's statistics for the 2023 season were impressive: a 67% completion rate, 3,678 passing yards, and 821 rushing yards, with a total of 29 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions. His dual-threat capability, effectively combining passing and rushing, has been a defining characteristic of his play style.

It will be interesting to see how Jackson plays against the defending Super Bowl Champions. Hopefully we get the exciting game we are all anticipating.