Rodgers, Allen, Mahomes, Brady Play for the Super Bowl  

The Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens faced each other last Saturday night having not lost in their last 13 games. Buffalo on a 7-game winning streak with Baltimore having won their last 6. Snow was expected but never appeared but the wind was a major factor in the Bills 17-3 win. The Ravens lost more than the game. Their quarterback and 2019 MVP Lamar Jackson was knocked out of the game late in the third quarter suffering a concussion. 

 

Baltimore received the ball looking to establish the same running game that was successful the week before against the Tennessee Titans. The team gained 236 total yards on the ground with Jackson gaining 136 on his own in the 20-13 win. Starting on their own 25, the Ravens would run the ball the first 8 times passing only twice. Jackson would get them down to the Bills 23 when field goal kicker Justin Tucker attempted a 41-field goal. The kick looked good when it left his foot until the wind took over and the ball clanked off the upright.

 

Both teams would punt the next time they got the ball before the Bills put the first points on the board. Buffalo was intent on establishing their passing game and quarterback Josh Allen was on board with the game plan despite the whirling wind. 5-plays and 17 yards later, Tyler Bass converts the 28-yard field. The wind would betray the Ravens once again on their next field goal attempt. Buffalo forces the Ravens to punt after 3 plays and then moves the ball down to the Ravens 25 only to see Tucker push his 43-yard attempt to the right.

 

Looking to get on the board to start the second quarter, the Ravens begin the drive on their own 33. 6 plays and 34 yards later, Tucker attempts a 46-yarder. This time the ball bounces off the right pipe missing a chance to tie the game. The punt fest continued before the Ravens finally get on the scoreboard. 8-plays and 57 yards later, Tucker connects on a 34-yard field goal. Jackson completing 3 passes for 40 yards as the game was tied (3-3) at halftime.

 

Buffalo wasted no time to start the third quarter. The drive began on their own 34. 11-plays and 66 yards later, Allen connects with wide receiver Stephon Diggs for the 3-yard touchdown pass increasing the lead to 10-3. The Ravens next possession proved costly and ultimately cost them the game. Jackson had the offense rolling, completing 3 passes for 39 yards while the running game chipped in for another 16. On 3rd and goal from the Bills 9, Jackson is set up in the shotgun. Looking for tight end Mark Andrews in the end zone, cornerback Taron Johnson steps in front of the pass 1-yard in the end zone and races 101 yards for the interception touchdown. Said Johnson of the play, “the ball came to me. I took it and made the play.” Buffalo never looked back.

 

Trying to get back in the game, Jackson recovers a fumble. Scrambling to find an open receiver, Jackson attempts a pass and is hit, his head slamming into the turf. Although he walked off the field, Jackson would not return as it was determined that he suffered a concussion. Back-up quarterback Tyler Huntley was ineffective and only could get them within field goal range (Bass missing a 44-yard attempt) on their next three possession.

 

The more than 7,600 fans in attendance saw the Buffalo Bills advance to the AFC Championship game for the first time since 1994. Said Allen, (23/27, 206 yards, 1 td) “it’s only going to get tougher from here. Every game has more riding on it than the last. We know that. We’re ready for it.”

 

Sunday began with the surging Cleveland Browns traveling to Kansa City looking to dethrone the defending world champion Chiefs. Both teams have storied histories. One positive, the other not so much. That is a story for another day. Kansas City was looking to get to their second straight AFC Championship game. Cleveland looking to get there for the first time since 1989.

 

Kansas City showed immediately why they are the reigning champs. Cleveland wins the coin toss and elects to kick to the Chiefs. Starting on their own 25, quarterback Patrick Mahomes promptly guides them on a 10-play, 75-yard drive. Mahomes running it in from 1-yard. On 2nd and 3 from their own 48, Mahomes connects with wide receiver Tyreek Hill for a 26-yard connection. Kicker Harrison Butkermissed the extra point as the Chiefs took a 6-0 lead. Cleveland and quarterback Baker Mayfield would answer the first time they touched the ball going 47-yards in 12 plays resulted in a 46-yard Cody Parkey field goal. Mayfield completing 3 passes for 41 yards. 

 

The Chiefs extend their lead (13-3) when Mahomes sees wide receiver Mecole Hardman turn a short pass into a 41-yard gain. 6-plays later, Mahomes sees his favorite tight end Travis Kelcie pull in the 20-yards pass and rumble in the end zone. Cleveland punts after 7-plays and Kanasa City adds another Butker field goal (50 yards) going up 16-3. Then, the ghost of Kevin Mack (see Cleveland/Denver circa 1988) reared its ugly head. Knowing they would get the ball to start the third quarter, Cleveland was hoping to put points on the board before halftime. At the Chiefs 26, Mayfield finds wide receiver Rashard Higginswho scampers towards the goal line. Stretching for the pilon, Higgins is hit by safety Daniel Sorensondislodging the ball which rolls into the end zone. Replay showing Sorenson led with his helmet which should have resulted in a penalty giving the Browns the ball back. The result was a touchback giving the ball back to Kansas City. Mahomes gets them into field goal range and watches as Butker converts it from 28 yards out taking a 19-3 halftime lead.

 

Winning playoff teams do not beat themselves. The Browns first possession of the third quarter resulted in another mistake. On their own 25, Mayfield looks for wide receiver Jarvis Landry. Chiefs safetyTyrann Mathieu steps in front for the interception. Fortunately, Cleveland came away unscathed as Butker’s 33-yard attempt hit the left goal post. Mayfield shook off the pick, taking the team 77-yards in 8 plays before finding wide receiver Jarvis Landry with a short 4-yard touchdown pass. Cleveland kicks the extra point instead of going for the 2-point conversion which would have got them within 8. Leading 19-10 and looking to extend the lead, Mahomes scrambles out of the pocket and is met by linebacker Mack Wilson who takes him down hard. Clearly shaken, Mahomes first goes to the concussion protocol tent then is led to the lockeroom. He would not return as back-up quarterback Chad Henne gets them within field goal range and sees Butker convert the 33 yarder.

 

Cleveland entered the final quarter down 22-10 with the ball on the Chiefs 34-yard line. 9 plays later running back Kareem Hunt bust threw the Chiefs defensive line for the 3-yard touchdown run bringing them within 5 at 22-17.  

 

Now in charge, Henne and head coach Andy Reid did not get conservative. On the first play from scrimmage, Henne connects with Hill for the 23-yard completion. Cleveland losses a timeout as they challenged the reception which was upheld. Cleveland then comes up with a big turnover as Henne fires a deep pass into the end zone looking for wide receiverDemarcus Robinson.SafetyKarl Joseph comes down with the pick as Cleveland looked to take the lead with 8.00 minutes left.

 

The drive began on the Browns 20-yard line. Unfortunately, the Browns could only get 1 first down having to give the ball back to the Chiefs after 7 plays hoping to get the ball back one last time. It didn’t happen as Henne did his best Mahomes impression when it mattered the most. Needing 13 yards to keep their drive alive, Henne, from the shotgun,  drops back to pass. With no one open, Henne scrambles left getting the first down. Cleveland had one more chance to get the ball back. Looking to seal the game, Kansas City has the ball on their 48 needing 1-yard. Cleveland, thinking the Chiefs would take a delay of game penalty, is shocked when Henne takes the snap and throws a quick pass to Hill getting the first down and ending the game. Said Mathieu of the play, “That’s why we love Big Red,” speaking of Reid. “He’s always on time. We always knew he has one play on the table.”

 

With the win, Kansas City became the first AFC team to play in three straight championship games. 

 

They say that football is a young man’s game. Don’t tell that to Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New Orleans Saints. The Bucs starting quarterback, Tom Brady entered the game at 43 years of age while the Saints quarterback Drew Brees came into the game age 42. A combined 85 years with both players looking to add another Super Bowl Trophy to their resume. Last Sunday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in New Orleans, the winner would advance to the NFC Championship game.

 

Both teams saw their offense sputter with the Bucs punting the first two times they had the ball going 3 and out. The Saints took advantage of a long punt return by Deonte Harris (54 yards) putting them on the board first after a Wil Lutz42-yard field goal. Tampa would add another field goal (Lutz 42 yards) before the Bucs got on the board.

 

It began with Brady moving them 62 yards in 15 plays ending in 26-yard Ryan Succop field goal. The next time the Saints got the ball, Tampa Bay would cause a turnover leading to the first touchdown of the day. On their own 37, Brees drops back looking for wide receiver Michael Thomas. Bucs cornerback Sean Murphy-Buntingsteps in front for the interception. One play later, Brady finds wide receiver Michael Evans for the 3-yard touchdown giving them a 10-6 lead.

 

Then the Saints and offensive coordinator Peter Edwards Carmichael Jr. go into their bag of tricks for their first touchdown. With running back Alvin Kamara set up in the shotgun formation, he hands to wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders as he comes in motion from the left side. Back-up quarterback Jameis Winston, who was lined up on the right side, moves left and takes the pitch from Sanders. Winston passes to a wide open wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith for the 56-yard touchdown reception. Both teams traded punts before Tampa adds a field goal (Succop 37 yards) tying the game at 13. The second half was all Tampa Bay.

 

It started off well for New Orleans as Brees moves them 75 yards in 10 plays culminating in a 16-yard touchdown pass toSmith (his second of the day) putting them up 20-13. It was all downhill from that point on as they would not score again with turnovers being their downfall.

 

The Saints defense got Tampa to punt after 5 plays. Trying to extend their lead, Brees finds tight end Jared Cook on a 8-yard reception. Trying to gain more yards, Cook gets hit from behind by rookie safety Antoine WinfieldJrforcing the fumble which is recovered by safety Devin White. Five plays later, Brady finds running back Leonard Fournette for the 6-yard touchdown catch tying the game at 20. After a Saints punt, the Bucs added another field goal (36 yards) taking a 23-20 lead. The next two Saints possessions ended in turnovers, both Brees interceptions with the Bucs adding another touchdown with Brady sneaking in from 1-yard out sealing the 30-20 win.

 

The NFL Final Four is set with a chance for history to be made. First, the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tom Brady with his six Super Bowl rings. Then, the Kansas City Chiefs will be looking to go to their second straight Super Bowl when they host the Buffalo Bills who are looking to get back to the Super Bowl for the first time since1994. The Bucs can be the first team in Super Bowl history to play the game in their home stadium.