NFL Division Round

First off, some general football news. I appreciate that the smart move was taken regarding the Las Vegas Raiders. Antonio Pierce is the permanent head coach. Meanwhile, the hoodie appears to be the next Falcons HC. 

Texans v. Ravens 

Saturday was for the #1 seeds. 

The Texans struggled in the first half versus the Ravens with multiple false start penalties. Their defense did hold and a special team (punt return) score made it 10-10. 

They did not make a long field goal near the end of the half. This was a bad sign. They didn't score again. The Ravens scored once in the third. The Texans defense finally lost it in the 4th Quarter, with 17 unanswered points. 

The celebrated Ravens defense held Houston to three points (seven on that special team play). Not a way to win. The end result is not too surprising though it's unfortunate that the Texans could not make more of a game of it.  

(Setting up a big championship game no matter who won the next night. Kansas City or the Bills vs. the Ravens.)  

Packers v. 49ers

The Packers looked great against Dallas (going back to their playoff-losing ways; their head coach will get another year, but no extension yet). But, the 49ers were another affair. They were great except for a mid-season losing streak.  

They hung on because of Packers f-ing blew it. The Packers dominated possession early but it took a missed FG late in the first half to make it only 7-6 SF. This included multiple red zone Packers drives, including one stopped (maybe) on 4th and short. The announcers were all "got to go for it" (in the rain) but maybe an FG would have been the move. 

Later, it was the Packers who missed a key field goal. It turned out to be the difference with a 24-21 losing score. We have another one-sided fourth quarter, with SF having all the ten points. Anyway, the Packers should have won this game but great teams have some "escapes" like this. 

(If the Packers did win, they had a real shot to win one more game, but well, they didn't. Annoying.) 

Bucs v. Lions

This is basically the second game where the upsets had a harder task. The Bucs did not quite upset the Eagles but in some other year, the Eagles should have been the better team. The result is another mismatch, at least on paper. The Bucs were 9-8. Still, they had their moments, and the Lions are not the Ravens. There was a chance.  

Tampa didn't score much early but it was still only 10-3 (Lions) late in the First Half. This allowed Tampa to tie things up with a quick late drive. The teams traded scores in the third. Lions went ahead in the fourth. We are getting a theme here: Fourth Quarter dominance. 

Down two scores with under six minutes left, Tampa was 4th and long deep in their own end. They get the first down to have a bit of life. They score but (down by eight) fail the two-point pass. Just kick the damn XP.  

(ETA: There are supposed to be analytics that says this was the best move. Fine. 

I still question it. The result was that they made it harder on themselves. Plus, you have to factor in that it is not like you lack any shot in OT, especially if you win the toss. 

But, what do I know? I saw someone online note Tampa had low scoring in goal-to-go situations. They aren't average in the two-point conversions anyway. 

Worry about tying before winning, I say. Also, Detroit flubbed the timing of the kneeldowns, but Tampa decided to give up a final shot anyhow. Maybe take back that "less aggravating." Also, this sort of bad clock management versus an elite team in dangerous. Watch out against SF.)  

Oh well. Interception in the last drive made the whole thing a "moo point" as Joey from Friends would say. Another expected ending, more respectable than the Texans, and somewhat less aggravating than the Packers. Sigh. 

Chiefs v. Bills

This was the game that promised to be an evenly-matched affair. We saw this game already. It's one of those annual type match-ups. It followed the expected theme. 

I am unsure how much the Bills being at home mattered. In fact, the Bills missed a potential game-tying 44-yard field goal with under two minutes to play. A different way to blow it late. 27-24, Kansas City. 

I don't really care about the Ravens or the Chiefs. I am supportive of the Lions finally getting in. SF winning would be okay. But, I don't care about a Super Bowl with the other two teams. I'm tired of them. 

This weekend's theme was "Blowing it on a big stage."