Honestly, if you missed the games this past weekend, you missed what was basically the most heart-stopping stretch of football we’ve seen in years. We always hear the "any given Sunday" cliché, but the NFL playoffs opening round just took that to a whole new level. Four games decided by four points or fewer? That’s never happened in a single playoff round before. Ever.
It wasn't just close scores. It was the way it happened.
You’ve got rookie quarterbacks looking like ten-year vets and Hall of Famers looking like they finally hit the wall. The drama was so thick you could barely breathe during those final two-minute drills. If you’re a fan of the "chaos" factor in sports, this was your Super Bowl.
The Soldier Field Miracle and the End of the "Love" Affair
Let’s talk about the Chicago Bears. For years, Green Bay has owned that rivalry. It’s been psychological warfare. And when the Packers went up 21-3 at halftime, everyone in Chicago was ready to burn their jerseys. It felt like the same old story.
Then Caleb Williams happened.
The kid was a warlock in the fourth quarter. He threw for 184 yards in the final frame alone—more than he had in the first three quarters combined. The Bears outscored the Packers 25-6 in that last period. When he hit DJ Moore for that 25-yard score with 1:43 left, the sound in Soldier Field probably could’ve been heard in Milwaukee.
Jordan Love had one last shot, a desperation heave into the end zone, but Jaquan Brisker knocked it down as time expired. Bears win 31-27. It was Chicago’s first playoff win in 15 years, and they did it by pulling off the third-largest fourth-quarter comeback in NFL playoff history. If you're a Packers fan, the "is Matt LaFleur’s seat hot?" conversations are officially starting.
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Josh Allen and the 33-Year Road Curse
Then we had the Buffalo Bills heading into Jacksonville. People were sleeping on the Jaguars, but they’ve been a defensive nightmare lately. It was a slugfest. Josh Allen looked like he was playing linebacker half the time, absorbing hits that would’ve folded a normal human.
The Bills hadn’t won a road playoff game in 33 years.
That’s a long time to carry a monkey on your back. With a minute left and the game on the line, Sean McDermott didn't play it safe. He let Allen plunge into the end zone on a 1-yard run to take the lead 27-24. Some people hated the call because it gave Trevor Lawrence time to respond, but the Buffalo defense held firm. Cole Bishop snagged a pick on the Jaguars' first play of the next drive. Game over. Curse broken.
Why the NFL Playoffs Just Retired the "Old Guard"
While the young guns were celebrating, Monday night felt like a funeral for an era. The Houston Texans didn't just beat the Pittsburgh Steelers; they dismantled them 30-6. It was the first road playoff win in Texans' history.
But the real story? Aaron Rodgers.
At 42, Rodgers looked every bit his age against that Texans "S.W.A.R.M." defense. He was sacked four times and under pressure on nearly half his dropbacks. The game was tight—7-6 at the end of the third—but then the wheels fell off. A Sheldon Rankins fumble return for a touchdown and a 50-yard pick-six by Calen Bullock turned it into a rout. Seeing Rodgers sitting on the bench with that expressionless stare... you sort of get the feeling we might have just seen his last snap.
Quick Hits from the Rest of the Weekend:
- Rams 34, Panthers 31: Matthew Stafford is playing like an MVP. His 19-yard toss to Colby Parkinson with 38 seconds left saved the Rams from a massive upset against a feisty Carolina team.
- 49ers 23, Eagles 19: San Francisco lost George Kittle to a playoff-ending injury, but Christian McCaffrey basically put the team on his back. Brock Purdy found him for the game-winner with under three minutes left, ending the Eagles' hope of a repeat title run.
- Patriots 16, Chargers 3: This was the only "boring" game if you like points, but if you like defense, it was a masterclass. Mike Vrabel’s squad sacked Justin Herbert six times. Drake Maye looked incredibly poised in his first postseason start.
What This Means for Your Bracket
If you're looking at the Divisional Round, the home-field advantage just got a lot more interesting. The Seahawks and Broncos are rested, but they’re facing teams like the 49ers and Bills who are riding massive emotional highs.
The biggest takeaway? Don't bet against the "new" AFC. Between Stroud in Houston and Maye in New England, the power balance is shifting faster than most people realized.
Actionable Insights for the Next Round:
- Watch the Injury Reports: The 49ers losing Kittle is huge. Their middle-of-the-field passing game just took a massive hit before heading to Seattle.
- Fade the "Road Curse" Narrative: The Bills and Texans proved that the old "home teams always win in the playoffs" rule is dead.
- Monitor the Weather in Denver: The Bills have to travel to Mile High next. Josh Allen’s legs are a weapon, but the thin air and Denver’s pass rush (Nik Bonitto is a problem) make that a nightmare matchup.
The divisional matchups are set: Bills at Broncos, 49ers at Seahawks, Texans at Patriots, and Rams at Bears. Get your snacks ready; if the first round was any indication, we're in for a wild January.
Next Step for You: Check the updated betting lines for the Bills-Broncos game, as Buffalo's road momentum might make them a tempting underdog despite the altitude challenge in Denver.