NFL Wild Card weekend recap: Seahawks, Ravens move on
AFC Sunday Wild Card Recap
Final Score: Seahawks 24 – Redskins 14
The Redskins lost more than the game yesterday; they lost a franchise player as well. When Robert Griffin III’s injured right knee buckled in Sunday’s game, it was obvious that having him play was not the best move for the young QB. RG III had been suffering from a knee injury suffered a month ago, and despite wearing a brace, he re-injured the knee late in the game. He was helped off the field in the fourth quarter while Seattle plowed on towards their sixth straight win, proving that they can compete outside of the Pacific Northwest.
Prior to Sunday’s game the Seahawks had lost eight-straight playoff games with their most recent win coming in 1983 versus the Miami Dolphins. Sunday was a different story as the Seattle team quickly took command over the game and played themselves to their first playoff victory in nearly 30 years.
Keys to the Win
- Despite the Redskins claiming an early lead, the Seahawks defense quickly shut them down in a quiet second half.
- The Seahawks offense surged past a 14-0 deficit with two field goals and a touchdown in the second quarter to narrow the lead to 14-13, and then blew the game open with a touchdown and a field goal in the fourth quarter.
Keys to the Loss
- Griffin was not healthy in yesterday’s game, and it certainly showed in the way he played. He eventually reinjured his right knee and had to be taken off to field, which was hard on both him and the Redskins.
- The Redskins offense fell apart after an early lead. Despite managing a 14-0 lead in the first quarter they were shut down for the rest of the game while the Seahawks scored 24 unanswered points.
Player of the Game
Russell Wilson completed 15-of-26 passes, encompassing 187 yards and one of the two touchdowns in the game. His performance sparked the Seattle offense and drove them past the Redskins en route to their sixth-straight win and spot in history as the third NFL team to come back from such an early deficit.
Quote of the Game
“Despite the fact that we have a ‘nobody’ team,” Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman said, “a team not full of first-rounders and things like that, we have a lot of guys that play at a high level.”
Looking Forward
The Seahawks are moving on and will play the Atlanta Falcons next Sunday. The Falcons are the NFC’s top seed team and will prove a very large obstacle in Seattle’s way through the playoffs. Both teams have been the definition of consistency and form, so this Sunday’s game will prove to be hard fought and down to the wire.
NFC Sunday Wild Card Recap
Final Score: Ravens 24 – Colts 9
The Baltimore Ravens wanted one more ride into the playoffs for the retiring Ray Lewis, and on Sunday, they punched their tickets for another game as they are headed on to face the Denver Broncos. Lewis played his last home game as a Raven, and he ended the game in traditional fashion with his trademark dance before being mobbed by his teammates. It truly was an emotional game for Ray Lewis, but he and the Ravens will have to continue on to their main goal: a shot at winning the Super Bowl.
The loss ended the Colt’s dramatic turnaround season featuring the return of head coach Chuck Pagano from chemotherapy treatments. It was a tough loss, one that ended a possible “Disney finish” but the Colts will have to wait until next year where they can start anew. Last year the Colts were 2-14. This year they were 11-5, and there is plenty of time to continue to rebuild.
Keys to the Win
- The Ravens held a lead the entire game, only tying the Colts once early in the first quarter. From then on, the Ravens maintained control over the Colts offense and defense.
- Both teams played sloppily early in the game, but the Ravens bounced back quickly to surge forward en route to their win.
- The Ravens outmatched the Colts when it came to experience and strategy, helping them command the game from the outset.
Keys to the Loss
- The Colts were outmatched offensively, as shown by rookie quarterback Andrew Luck’s struggles throughout the entire game. He was constantly under pressure and sacked three times.
- The Colts dropped far too many key passes that the Ravens swiftly took advantage of.
Player of the Game
Joe Flacco, QB for the Ravens, had an excellent game yesterday. He completed 12-of-23 passes for 282 yards and scored two touchdowns. He did a great job in motivating the Ravens’ offense and will be key in their playoff push forward.
Quote of the Game
“My only focus was to come in and get my team a win. Nothing else was planned,” the 37-year-old Lewis said. ”It’s one of those things, when you recap it all and try to say what is one of your greatest moments.”
Looking Forward
The Ravens will now face the Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. Where the Colts showed inexperience and sloppy play, the Broncos will be a much tougher team to beat. Three weeks ago, the Broncos trounced the Ravens 34-17. Now it is time for a rematch to see who wants to win more.
