You saw the first four games of the weekend all feature fourth-quarter lead changes and decided in the final minute. You saw the inevitable heroics of Caleb Williams, Matthew Stafford and Josh Allen. You saw the San Francisco 49ers‘ improbable season continue and the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles‘ end.
So let’s try to spin it forward, dive deeper and think outside the box about what we witnessed in the wildest of wild-card weekends. This is “Sound Smart,” where we prepare you for Monday morning with eight observations from the opening round of the postseason. If I do my job, you’ll be fluent in the NFL’s playoff action so far.
1. IF THERE’S ONE THING YOU SHOULD KNOW FROM WEEK 18, IT’S THAT ….
Jalen Hurts couldn’t do what Josh Allen, Matthew Stafford, Caleb Williams and Brock Purdy did.
Going into the Eagles and 49ers matchup, the three wild-card winners (Bills, Bears and Rams) trailed in the final two minutes of regulation. And of course, they all delivered a game-winning drive. That was already an NFL record for the most comeback wins inside the final two minutes in a single round in playoff history, per FOX Sports Research.
After Purdy guided the Niners to a go-ahead score with 2:54 remaining, it seemed like Hurts, trailing by four points inside the 2-minute warning, would be the next guy to get it done. Alas …
At the 20-yard line with 50 seconds left, Hurts finished the Eagles’ postseason with a sack and three incompletions. On fourth down, Hurts threw into triple coverage in the direction of Dallas Goedert. A.J. Brown was in single coverage near the right sideline on the play, but the star receiver had dropped a ball earlier in the drive (and two other catchable balls that would’ve gone for big plays earlier in the game).
It made some sense Hurts wasn’t locked in on Brown. Both because of what happened in this game. And, to some degree, based on what happened this season.
The Eagles always seem to have a turbulent year in their locker room. Between Hurts, Nick Sirianni and Brown, Philly just makes headlines for the wild things they say — sometimes to each other. This game was no exception, with Brown and Sirianni screaming at each other on the sideline. And yes, they were winning at the time.
I expect big changes in personnel from the Eagles on offense. Brown probably won’t be back. Maybe Saquon Barkley will be on the move (if GM Howie Roseman wants to sell a year early — rather than a year too late — on an aging RB). It’s feasible (though unlikely) the Eagles fire Nick Sirianni. Heck, it’s even within the realm of possibility that Hurts gets traded, though that’s a long shot. But I reiterate that possibility (which I wrote about earlier this week) because this postseason has already been defined by its quarterbacks who have had special fourth-quarter prowess. This postseason, and for the past two months, Hurts didn’t have it.
Here are this weekend’s aforementioned winning QB’s stats from their go-ahead drives.
Williams: 3-5 for 60 yards, 1 pass TD
Stafford: 6-7 for 71 yards, 1 pass TD
Allen: 5-5 for 53 yards, 10 rush yds, 1 rush TD
Brock Purdy (just outside the final 2 minutes): 5-7, 42 passing yards, 5 rushing yards, 1 pass TD
Hurts went 5 of 9 for 45 passing yards. The missing ingredient, of course, was a touchdown.
The missing ingredient for the Eagles offense is (still) yet to be determined. That’s why it’s the offseason — not the postseason — for Philly.
2. ONE PLAY THAT SAYS IT ALL
Speaking of Hurts’ final incompletion, let’s talk about the guy who broke up the pass: 49ers linebacker Erik Kendricks.
Kendricks — the guy whose pass breakup officially advanced the 49ers to the next round — didn’t sign with the club until late November. He didn’t get added to the 53-man roster until earlier this week. (They had been promoting him from the practice squad.) Sunday was just the third outing of the season for the 33-year-old linebacker. And it’s not because Kendricks is some wonderful story of a reclaimed star, fighting Father Time. With all due respect to the former All-Pro, at this point in his career, he’s just another dude.
So how did it come to this?
Well, every single linebacker who made the Niners’ initial 53-man roster was on the injured list this week. That’s right: Fred Warner (ankle), Dee Winters (ankle), Tatum Bathune (groin), Nick Martin (concussion), Luke Gifford (quadriceps). All out.
Despite all that, a 49ers linebacker made the biggest play of the game.
That’s why there’s a tremendous amount of love around the league for defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. Statistically, this defense doesn’t stand out. Or, it does, but only because it’s so bad. It’s a testament to Saleh’s leadership and coaching that San Francisco has overcome its injuries enough to still be playing.
“[Saleh] was unbelievable as we speak,” Kyle Shanahan stated after the sport, via 95.7 The Game. “The plan that he put together, keeping it somewhat simple but still challenging. Anytime you have a quarterback with a running element and all the RPOs they do, and wideouts, their running back, and tight end, it was a huge challenge. They did a hell of a job all day with it.”
It’s doubtless Saleh will get a head teaching job provide this offseason. I’m simply unsure he’ll take it.
Given that he can be headed for his second go-round after a failed stint with the Jets, he is likely to be extra selective this time round, (and I’m doubtful he’s getting the Ravens — or the Packers, if that gig opens up). If that’s the case and he returns to the Bay for one more yr, it is a coup for Shanahan and the 49ers.
3. THE SCREENSHOT WORTH 274 WORDS
Ben Johnson is simply totally different.
Following the Bears’ comeback victory over the Packers, all eyes fell on the coaches’ postgame handshake. And Johnson leaned into the second like he was a Marvel Villain, a Slytherin, a WWE Heel. The theatrics had been out of this world.
Just have a look at the picture!
And in the event you suppose: Hey, perhaps that was only a bizarre angle. Maybe Johnson wasn’t being further.
You’d be beneficiant. And you’d even be unsuitable. Just take heed to what he informed his gamers within the locker room throughout his “good, better, best” postgame speech.
“Man, f— the Packers. F— them. F—ing hate those guys,” Johnson stated, as captured in a video posted by the Bears.
Now, hear me out. This is superior. It actually is.
There are definitely issues which can be unsuitable with it. It’s solely uncivil. It’s downright pointless. Johnson’s poisonous masculinity is exhibiting. After all, Matt LaFleur and Johnson barely knew one another when Johnson randomly stated he “enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year” because the Lions OC.
Like … the place did this come from?
No one is aware of. Maybe not even Johnson.
But, forgiving all that, it’s superior. It’s clearly rooted in an NFC North rivalry. That makes the entire thing really feel old-fashioned. The Bears and Packers ought to respect one another, however they undoubtedly shouldn’t like one another. They shouldn’t be combating after the whistle on the sphere, however I’ll be within the entrance row for any trash speak.
The Bears and Packers would’ve been appointment viewing, if solely due to the quarterbacks Jordan Love and Williams, who’re among the many smoothest passers within the league. But Johnson created a brand new texture — friction — that makes this rivalry excellent. I can not get sufficient of it.
4. PEELING BACK THE CURTAIN
“Let’s go snatch these guys’ hearts.”
The Rams had underachieved for nearly your complete recreation. Quarterback Matthew Stafford didn’t seem like the MVP, with an early interception. Puka Nacua dropped a would-be landing move, and didn’t fairly seem like the Offensive Player of the Year candidate he’s. Between penalties (9 for 83 yards) and particular groups errors (admittedly a long-held difficulty for L.A.), even Sean McVay didn’t have the crew trying sharp.
It wasn’t simply that it felt a bit like a lure recreation. The Panthers had been taking part in their finest soccer. But their finest soccer wasn’t adequate.
That’s as a result of, lastly, the Rams snapped out of it within the fourth quarter.
Trailing by 4 factors with two minutes left within the recreation, Stafford stepped into his huddle with a message.
“I think [Stafford] said, ‘Let’s go snatch these guys’ hearts,’” Davante Adams informed reporters after the sport.
Is anybody else enthusiastic about that scene from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom? Just me? Alright, again to Adams.
“That was pretty cold. Just to hear that — and I actually smiled in the moment. That was like one of the most gangsta’ things you could say in that moment. And the look on his face. And then throw the touchdown,” the star receiver stated. “And then the look on his face after that. MVP stuff.”
Stafford now has 54 game-winning drives within the fourth quarter/OT, the fifth-most in NFL historical past (common season plus playoffs), per FOX Sports Research.
The 54th began in that huddle with that message.
Epic.
5. WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS AFRAID TO SAY …
Part 1: The Bills have a deadly flaw that nobody is discussing as a result of … Josh Allen.
It’s a provided that Allen can and can take management of the sport within the fourth quarter, like he did within the Bills’ wild-card win over the Jaguars. Allen has carried out all of it yr. He did it once more within the postseason. Somehow, it was his first postseason game-winning drive. But it seems like he has 50, due to how comfy he appears working the offense underneath stress, even with an underwhelming supporting solid of ability gamers.
He was requested how a lot his regular-season comebacks helped him towards the Jaguars on Sunday.
“A lot. We felt like we’ve been in situations like this,” Allen informed reporters on the postgame presser. “But to understand the moment, to not ride the wave — that was stuff we learned the entire season. We were able to utilize that.”
My sense is that they’ll trip Allen’s regular hand deep into the playoffs — perhaps even to the Super Bowl. The proven fact that they at all times have to return again within the fourth quarter isn’t worrisome. Because … Josh Allen.
What’s worrisome is that they’ll’t defend the run. And nobody appears to be speaking about it, as a result of they’re so preoccupied with the truth that Allen has a large open path to win the AFC, with out Patrick Mahomes or Lamar Jackson or Joe Burrow in his method. It’s really easy to speak about quarterbacks. It’s so enjoyable. I’m as responsible as anybody.
But if somebody can construct a cushty lead towards the Bills, that crew may run the ball to victory towards Buffalo, which allowed 136.2 dashing yards per recreation (fifth -ost within the NFL). It simply so occurred that the Jaguars had one of many least environment friendly dashing assaults within the NFL, with 4.0 yards per carry (sixth-worst within the NFL). Jacksonville would possibly’ve been one of many hottest groups within the NFL (which was a troublesome draw for Buffalo), however the Jaguars additionally weren’t constructed to use the Bills’ greatest weak point.
Will the Broncos?
Part 2: Even after the New England Patriots’ win over the Los Angeles Chargers, Mike Vrabel might be going to tear Drake Maye and the offense to shreds in Monday’s all-team assembly
The Patriots’ protection didn’t precisely win this recreation single-handedly. But man, it completely led the best way, giving Drake Maye likelihood after likelihood — regardless of a handful of psychological errors from the younger QB in his first playoff look.
Let’s begin with the truth that the Pats held the Chargers to a few factors. I don’t care what number of of L.A.’s offensive tackles had been injured. Or how brutal Justin Herbert’s supporting solid has been. That’s an actual achievement for New England.
It was unimaginable to observe this protection present counterpunch after counterpunch. When Maye threw an interception at his personal 8-yard line, his protection compelled a four-and-out on the aim line, basically nullifying the turnover’s affect.
When Maye later fumbled contained in the pink zone (a sack-fumble that was his fault for trying a move with a defender hanging off him for a chronic time period), the protection promptly compelled a three-and-out.
When Maye overthrew tight finish Austin Hooper for what would’ve been a kill-shot landing and, on the subsequent play, receiver Demario Douglas dropped a move on what would’ve been a primary down, the Patriots settled for a subject aim — however misplaced no momentum. Why? Because they allowed simply 27 yards on six performs on the next drive.
The protection answered the decision. All recreation lengthy.
And the offense? Well, they’re going to be listening to it from Vrabel — who has earned a popularity in New England for his devastating honesty (and criticism), even when it is directed at Maye. And I’ve little doubt that Maye will bounce again subsequent week towards the Texans-Steelers winner. Maye is best than that.
One of Vrabel’s acknowledged targets for the season was to compete for championships. This recreation proved the Pats can do this. But provided that the offense performs as much as its potential.
Part 3: Bryce Young was the largest winner — among the many losers.
Of all of the groups that misplaced this weekend, the Panthers had been the largest underdog. No one gave them an opportunity. Young was the least-respected QB within the playoffs. And but, there have been lengthy stretches the place Young was the perfect quarterback in a recreation that featured an MVP front-runner. Matthew Stafford couldn’t deal with the Panthers’ stress at any level Saturday (2 of 9 for 30 yards and an interception), and that opened the door for Young.
The Panthers QB threw a bone-headed interception within the first quarter, however maybe that was him getting his jitters out. Because as the sport wore on, he bought higher and higher, finally hitting a stage of precision that made for a few of his finest throws of the season.
Young was taking part in for broke. Nothing to lose. And the aggressive perspective suited him.
Just have a look at the place Young positioned the soccer on his landing to Jalen Coker. Just a magnificence.
The landing put the Panthers forward with roughly two and a half minutes left (which, as talked about, proved to be simply sufficient time for Stafford to grab “these guys’ hearts”).
Young threw the next tight-window proportion (27.5%) than Matthew Stafford (21.4%). Young may need accomplished simply 21 of 40 on the sport, however he had 288 complete yards and two touchdowns (one dashing and one passing) with the interception. He did that regardless of 20 (!!!?) QB pressures.
This is similar man who the Panthers benched in the course of final yr.
Young gained’t surrender. Young gained’t go away.
6. STATS DON’T LIE — OR DO THEY?
The Bears have seven comeback wins within the closing 2:00 of the 4th quarter/OT this season; that’s the most in a single season all time (common season + playoffs).
There was a time after I was skeptical of Williams’ late-game heroics. Given his completion proportion and his off-target throwing and his obsession with taking part in out of construction in Johnson’s extremely structured system, I simply didn’t see him persevering with to take groups down in comebacks. I’m carried out with all that doubt. Williams is particular. Period.
Get a load of this throw (under). Given the context (diploma of problem, fourth down, fourth quarter, down 11 points), it was probably the most excellent throw of the season. Bar none.
The seven comebacks encapsulate what the QB and coach have carried out collectively of their first yr as a tandem. They shall be a power to be reckoned with, and that’s partially as a result of I believe Williams can get considerably higher. Which is a wild prospect for a man who was the No. 1 choose simply two years in the past and now’s probably the most harmful quarterback within the NFL within the fourth quarter. Scarier even than Stafford and Josh Allen. This stat isn’t any lie.
7. FOR THE STEELERS AND TEXANS, WHAT I’M MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IS …
The schematic battle between Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Texans coach DeMeco Ryans.
Before the snap, Rodgers continues to be the perfect quarterback within the NFL on the line of scrimmage. That’s why I discovered myself skeptical that the QB’s helmet headset wasn’t working in Week 18. Call me a conspiracy theorist, however I believe it was a case of selective listening to. The QB was ignoring OC Arthur Smith in order that Rodgers may name his personal performs.
Would anybody be shocked? (Nope!)
The level is, Rodgers’ pre-snap recognition is unimaginable. And it’ll be of the utmost significance towards Ryans, who calls performs for a Houston protection that was sixth-best in passing yards allowed per recreation (18.35) and ninth in sacks (47) regardless of blitzing on simply 21.9% of downs (eleventh lowest). That’s partially as a result of edge Will Anderson and cornerback Derek Stingley are among the many finest gamers at their place. But it’s additionally as a result of Ryans runs a fierce and savvy protection that he can wield in harmful methods.
Rodgers isn’t cell anymore. He doesn’t need to run on the transfer — he has simply 3.2 anticipated factors added on scrambles all season. (To offer you a way of how unhealthy that’s, it’s on par with … Dillon Gabriel (3.11).) So Rodgers might want to know what he’s taking a look at earlier than the snap. And Ryans will do all the things he can to make the image hazy for one of many fastest-thinking QBs to ever do it.
8. FOR NERDS ONLY
Tom Brady breaks down how his throwing mechanics modified in heavy winds.
With the gusts blowing as much as 28 mph in Philadelphia on Sunday, Purdy and Hurts needed to ship the ball with a bit further zip to chop the ball via the wind to their pass-catchers. But it’s not nearly throwing more durable. It’s about adjusting the way you throw the ball altogether.
Please, let Tom Brady clarify.
“When you’re throwing into the wind, [the point of the ball] has to be neutral,” Brady stated on the FOX broadcast. “If the point of the ball is up, any wind friction’s going to push that ball up over the top. So as a quarterback, you don’t really like that you throw underneath because naturally that’s going to point the tip of the ball up. You’d like more of a C or an inverse, a reverse C. That’s how you kind of control the point of the ball and then you can kind of just snap it off as you throw it.
“But in these windy situations, you may’t be beneath the ball. There’s an excessive amount of wind floor of the ball to knock it off its path.”
Before becoming a member of FOX Sports as an NFL reporter and columnist, Henry McKenna spent seven years covering the Patriots for USA TODAY Sports Media Group and Boston Globe Media. Follow him on Twitter at @henrycmckenna.
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