The NFL's Divisional Round playoff games delivered drama, thrilling action, euphoria and heartbreak in equal measure. Across two days and four games, the world discovered the identity of the teams that will play on Conference Championship Sunday.
Many label the Divisional Round as the best weekend of the year. It certainly felt like the best weekend of the NFL season. Here are DAZN's takeaways from another wild weekend.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs did it again
Many fans jokingly say that the NFL has a script for every season. That script seems to reserve a special place of pain and heartbreak for the Buffalo Bills.
After enduring a rollercoaster season with injuries, off-field allegations and firings, the Bills barged into the playoffs with a late-season surge.
Following a routine win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Super Wild Card Weekend, Buffalo welcomed the Kansas City Chiefs. These teams had met twice before in the playoffs, with the Chiefs emerging victorious.
But those games took place at Arrowhead Stadium. This time, it was different. The Bills would surely get the job done before their boisterous home crowd. Unfortunately, fate or the NFL script had other ideas. Or maybe it was just the brilliance of Mahomes and the Chiefs.
Mahomes was at his clinical best. He threw two touchdowns and completed 17 passes for 215 yards. The Chiefs also rushed for over 100 yards. It was a tough, close game.
But the Bills did have chances. Josh Allen was exceptional. Sadly, critical drops from Stefon Diggs and Trent Sherfield cost Buffalo. As did a gut-wrenching missed kick from Tyler Bass.
Bass' missed kick was particularly devastating; he pushed his kick wide right of the post. The miss resembled Scott Norwood's infamous kick that cost the Bills a Super Bowl in the early 90s.
In the biggest moments, Buffalo's errors cost them another playoff game. They are now 0-3 in playoff games against the Chiefs. It feels like Buffalo might never get over the Kansas City hurdle.
Detroit continues to ride the wave
The Detroit Lions entered their Divisional Round game riding a tsunami of emotion and confidence. They rode that wave to another wild, dramatic, chaotic win. Detroit won 31-24 over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Quarterback Jared Goff played another excellent game. The 29-year-old threw two touchdowns, completing 30 passes for 287 yards. Goff was masterful, specifically in the second half.
The teams went in at half-time at 10-10 which was followed by Goff leading three consecutive touchdown drives after half-time. He willed the offense into a lead they would never relinquish. Goff completed 11 of 12 passes in the fourth quarter, throwing one touchdown and tallied 131 passing yards.
The Lions kept making big plays on offense and defense in front of a barmy sold-out crowd at Ford Field. They chased Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield all game and when Derrick Barnes caught the game-winning interception, downtown Detroit erupted like never before.
The Lions will now play in their second ever NFC Championship Game on Sunday.
San Francisco escaped
In sodden Santa Clara conditions, the 49ers miraculously escaped with a victory over the Green Bay Packers. This game was awfully close; the difference was a missed field goal and two dropped interceptions.
49ers quarterback Brock Purdy struggled all game. The Packers should have intercepted him at least twice. Instead, the 49ers caught two errant Jordan Love passes, add that to a missed Anders Carlson kick, and it was enough for San Francisco to escape with a win.
It was cruel on a young Packers team that had done so well, but the finest margins can decide playoff games. Five years ago, the 49ers arguably lost a Super Bowl due to a dropped catch. This time, fate was on their side.
Baltimore look unstoppable
The Ravens blitzed the Houston Texans on Saturday. Their convincing 34-10 over the Houston Texans moved Baltimore into their first home AFC Championship game.
This season, the Ravens have comfortably defeated the 49ers, Dolphins, Lions, Rams, Bengals and Seahawks. A young Texans team was no match for this ferocious Ravens side.
Lamar Jackson is playing the best football of his career. Odell Beckham Jr is still capable of magic, while rookie Zay Flowers looks like a budding star. And the bad news? Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews is on his way back from injury.
The Ravens look like the best team in the NFL. They have all the ingredients for a Super Bowl win.
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