A big day with some big -- and shockingly quiet -- performances. If your Super Bowl was like mine, there are some zeroes or close to it on both sides of the matchup. I always say that making the playoffs can be about skill, winning in them is often about luck. Hope it was with you more than against you.
Chargers at Patriots: Your Chargers stepped up and played big in this game. They were helped along by one of the sorrier efforts by any Patriots defense in, oh, 25 years or so. Like seriously, they couldn't cover anyone the entire game. I know they close Christian Gonzalez early which hurt, but that was a bad performance. Apparently Jerod Mayo will be one and done in New England. It's not all on him, but nothing good occurred in this one.
Broncos at Bengals: High drama throughout this one. I was out and rudely watching TVs or staring at my phone because it was so compelling. A weirdly low-scoring first half, with Denver's offense struggling and its defense containing Ja'Marr Chase and getting some big stops. Then an absolutely chaotic second half, with Burrow and Higgins making play after play, and then Nix and Sutton and Mims answering with some incredible plays of their own. Ultimately a heartbreaker for the Broncos (could have easily been the same for the Bengals). I would have gone for 2 at the end, but Denver's history this season when needing 2 yards isn't good enough to say it was any kind of sure thing. But some mismanagement on the part of Sean Payton who will need to live with his conservative choices this week which factored into the loss. (Zac Taylor his lucky his team won and can escape criticism for his own silly choices.)
Cardinals at Rams: Figured Trey McBride would finally catch a touchdown in a game whose final score was 13-9. James Conner aggravated the injury he was trying to play though and left early. Cooper Kupp had another lousy game; Matthew Stafford too. Only Kyren (TD) and Puka (10 for 129) did anything for LA, McBride and Marvin Harrison for the Cardinals. A much uglier game than the previous one, but I think most objective observers would rather see the Rams in the playoffs than the Cardinals.
Colts at Giants: A year ago I also got burned in a seemingly choice situation, with the Packers defense facing a struggling Giants team starting an error-prone backup quarterback. This year it was the Colts, and they've been an opportunistic group all season. But one team came to play and one didn't, with Drew Lock and Malik Nabers lighting up the night. Lock: 309 yards and 4 touchdowns. Hard to figure. Good numbers for the Colts offense too, especially Taylor and Pittman, but fortunately they're out of playoff consideration at last. While the Giants probably played their way out of the No. 1 overall pick.
Jets at Bills: Weather got a lot of attention in this game, but it didn't seem to bother Josh Allen passing it. One really impressive TD throw, one pretty lucky one. Three total touchdowns, plus another that he would have had but opted to let James Cook punch in. Disastrous day for Aaron Rodgers and the Jets offense. I heard an Ian Rapoport item yesterday that the Browns might look to add Rodgers or Kirk Cousins to their quarterback room as competition for Deshaun Watson. That's got to be made up, right? Rodgers would make zero sense, and neither is going to sign anywhere to "compete" to start. If they don't get starting offers (and I won't rule out that possibility), retirement is certainly an option. Someone is playing Rapoport here.
Titans at Jaguars: Hey, it was twice as high-scoring as the 10-6 game these teams played two weeks ago. Brian Thomas, Calvin Ridley and Tyjae Spears all put up good numbers, but only Thomas (as it seems he always does) scored. Jaguars used their committee backfield which helped no one, since neither scored. Brenton Strange had Jacksonville's first poor game by a TE all season. Forgettable, like these teams' seasons.
Raiders at Saints: Both teams pulled out some of the stops in this one, with the Saints throwing a long touchdown on a flea-flicker and the Raiders making Ameer Abdullah their featured runner, getting their first 100-yard rushing performance of the season. Brock Bowers set records (these rookie receiving records aren't lasting long these days...), Jakobi Meyers had a fine day, Aidan O'Connell proved to be a solid streaming option. Guy like O'Connell and Lock, putting just enough good stuff on tape late in the year that they'll be employed somewhere next year. One week after being weirdly underused at Green Bay, Kendre Miller left with a concussion after just 3 carries. Maybe next year.
Panthers at Bucs: Big game for Bucky Irving...except for the fact that multiple times when he got the team down near the goal line, Baker Mayfield instead through touchdowns to wide-open receivers (including Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan twice each). One was right after Irving stepped out a fraction of a second before hitting the pylon where it appeared he could have walked right in. A little frustrating, but a big game anyway, and huge for Baker Mayfield. Carolina's defensive coordinator is somehow in his second year on the job, I do not thing there will be a third. The talent is poor, granted, but hard to believe it's as poor as it looked in this game. Big game for Adam Thielen. Horrific one for Carolina's Hubbard-less ground game.
Cowboys at Eagles: From the early Pick Six that was among the worst throws Cooper Rush has probably ever made, this was a good old-fashioned beatdown. It took a bit, but ultimately Saquon Barkley had the anticipated huge game rushing it (no touchdowns, unfortunately), and DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown had good games (and a combined 3 TDs) receiving it. Tanner McKee threw touchdowns to each guy (and Brown had to bribe a fan to get the QB's first scoring pass back). Eagles entering the postseason on a little more of a roll than at this time a year ago. Dallas had an early touchdown but nothing the rest of the way. Moving on.
Dolphins at Browns: I understand that Kevin Stefanski has won a couple of coach of the year awards and whatnot, but could we fire him maybe just for subjecting us to Dorian Thompson-Robinson the past few weeks. Browns did nothing on offense, what a shocker. The rough news is that the quarterback downgrade for Miami did in fact torch DeVon Achane's value, while the guy some probably benched, Tyreek Hill, did just fine. Jerry Jeudy had a decent game but I can't blame anyone who didn't start him.
Packers at Vikings: Green Bay's minimal potential gains from this game should maybe have been considered more strongly. They didn't come out with a lot of life, with the division title out of reach. Jordan Love struggled, and the Packers frustratingly wound up getting most of their touchdowns from players no one started. I expect they'll be tougher in the playoffs, but a dud yesterday (the final score is deceptive, like the first meeting between these teams). Strong game for Sam Darnold, who I think it will be very tough for the Vikings to let walk in the offseason. Guess we'll see how the playoffs go.
Falcons at Commanders: Thrilling game, especially for Bucs fans watching their chances of winning the NFC South return with a late missed field goal by Atlanta. Big game from Jayden Daniels, and I'm again struck by the feeling that both teams should get to possess the ball in overtime -- they've changed it for the playoffs, which means they're aware it's an issue, but not for the regular season. Fantastic late drive by Michael Penix to help force the extra period, where Atlanta then didn't get to touch the ball. Rough outing for those who had Terry McLaurin, with the star totally shut down by Falcons corner A.J. Terrell. Hard to argue with starting him, but a painful night.
Lions at 49ers: No doubt there are lots of players in fantasy title games needing production from the Lions here. I'm one of them, with Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta going. Problem is that the Lions can't improve their playoff positioning in this game. Dan Campbell being Dan Campbell, he says they're playing to win. I hope he sticks to that, but I'm a little nervous. I will be closely, closely watching and reading the pregame coverage (and I picked up Craig Reynolds just in case, because Detroit has to put someone on the field). Lions 24, 49ers 17.