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NFL divisional-round playoff overreactions: Lions’ Super Bowl window closed? Chiefs aided by officials?
The first day of the divisional round of the playoffs was a thriller around the NFL. The Washington Commanders had a massive upset victory over the Detroit Lions and advanced to the conference championship game for the first time since 1991, all behind the rookie sensation in Jayden Daniels. Washington will play the winner of the Philadelphia eagles and Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship game next week.

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Houston Texans in the early game to advance to their seventh consecutive conference championship game — or every season Patrick Mahomes has been a starter. The Chiefs will host the Buffalo Bills or the Baltimore Ravens next week.

With the exciting divisional round matchups on Saturday concluded, there are plenty of overreactions to be had. Which are overreactions and which are reality?

Jayden Daniels is having the best postseason ever for a rookie QB

Overreaction or reality: Reality

What Daniels has done in two postseason games is the stuff legends are made of. The No. 6-seeded Commanders defeated the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay then beat the No. 1-seeded Lions in Detroit, making Daniels the third rookie quarterback to play in the conference championship game.

Daniels hasn’t game managed his way there either. Daniels is the first player since the 1970 merger with 250+ passing yards, 2+ passing touchdowns, and zero interceptions in each of his first two playoff games. He’s the third player with 500+ passing yards, 75+ rushing yards, 4+ passing touchdowns and zero interceptions through the first two games of a postseason — joining Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes.

The Commanders are in the conference championship game for the first time in 33 years because of Daniels, playing like a top-five quarterback in Year 1. Daniels and the Commanders have a bright future.

Lions Super Bowl window is closed

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

The Lions were the team to beat in the NFC with the No. 1 seed and a 15-2 record. This was their best chance to win a Super Bowl, and they were in position to win one with the playoffs going through Detroit. With this divisional playoff loss to the Commanders, is the Super Bowl window closed?

The core of this team with Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs and Penei Sewell are back. Aidan Hutchinson and many other key defensive starters will be healthy as well (the Lions had six defensive starters on injured reserve and 16 total players). Detroit still has a top-three offensive line in football and one of the most explosive offenses, whether Ben Johnson returns as offensive coordinator or not.

The Lions will lose some key coaches (Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn most likely), so they’ll take a hit there. There are some questions whether Goff is good enough to win this team a Super Bowl, but this team will be in the mix to compete for a Super Bowl in 2025. The window is not closed yet.

Jared Goff isn’t good enough to win the Lions a Super Bowl

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

Goff is a good enough quarterback to win Detroit a Super Bowl championship, but turnovers and subpar play in big games have been his downfall. Goff threw three interceptions — one returned for a touchdown — and had a fumble lost in Saturday’s loss to the Commanders.

The Lions may have to protect Goff from himself going forward, making him a game manager in big games instead of a gun slinger. Goff has been to a Super Bowl and two conference championship games in his career, yet has a 4-5 postseason record. Heading into Saturday, Goff’s 0.6 interception rate was the lowest in NFL playoff history — which evaporated because of his poor performance.

Detroit committed to Goff and gave him $53 million a year for the next four years. They’ll roll with Goff going forward and Goff will have multiple opportunities to avenge this playoff loss. Going forward, Detroit probably should not rely on him throwing 40+ times in a playoff game.

Travis Kelce is the best receiver to ever play in the postseason

Overreaction or reality: Reality

Kelce added to his postseason legend in Saturday’s win, catching seven passes for 117 yards and a touchdown in the victory. Kelce passed Jerry Rice for the most 100-yard games by any player in the postseason (nine) and has 14 straight playoff games with 70+ receiving yards — double the amount of the next highest player (Antonio Brown has seven).

Kelce has 2,020 receiving yards, and 20 receiving touchdowns in his playoff career — only Rice has more with 2,245 and 22 touchdowns. At 35 years old, Kelce could pass Rice as soon as this season — and he’s already in striking distance of Rice.

Both Kelce and Rice have three Super Bowl titles and are the No. 1 options for each of their Super Bowl championship teams. Kelce also has the most receptions by any player in postseason history (172) — and has these numbers in six fewer playoff games than Rice.

When it comes to the postseason, no one is a better pass catcher than Kelce.

Andy Reid will set the NFL all-time wins record for coaches

Overreaction or reality: Reality

Reid notched his 300th career win (regular and postseason) with the Chiefs beating the Texans on Saturday, becoming the fourth head coach in NFL history to hit 300 career wins. Only three head coaches have more career wins than Reid: Don Shula (347), Bill Belichick (333), and George Halas (324). The all-time wins record is well within reach.

Reid only needs 48 wins to pass Shula and is only 66 years old. The Chiefs win an average of 13 regular-season games a season since Patrick Mahomes became the starting quarterback — and this isn’t including the 16 postseason wins. Counting the postseason, the Chiefs win an average of 15 games a year.

Reid only needs three more seasons at that pace to get within five wins of the all-time record, something he can pass by the 2028 season (he would be 70). Assuming Reid doesn’t retire prior to then, he will pass Shula for the most wins by a head coach — and may have a few more championships by then.

Officials are why the Chiefs won

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

Social media was buzzing with how the officiating crew were in favor of the Chiefs in Saturday’s win, particularly Patrick Mahomes. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans added fuel to the fire by saying in his postgame press conference — “It was us versus everybody. When I say everybody, I mean everybody.” — implying the officials had calls in favor of the Chiefs.

This isn’t way the Chiefs won the game. The Texans allowed eight sacks in the divisional round loss, allowed a 63-yard kickoff return on the opening play of the game that led to three points, had a 35-yard field goal blocked, and missed a 55-yard field goal in the 23-14 loss (nine points given up right there). Houston was also 1 of 3 in the red zone, not having a single goal-to-go situation.

Houston made enough mistakes on Saturday not to advance to the conference championship game. Losses don’t need to be blamed on the officials, especially if Ryans was implying that was the case.

The NFL divisional-round playoffs are in full swing, and with each game comes a new set of overreactions. From the Detroit Lions falling short once again to the Kansas City Chiefs benefiting from questionable calls, there is no shortage of hot takes.

One of the biggest overreactions from this weekend’s games is the idea that the Lions’ Super Bowl window has officially closed. After yet another disappointing playoff loss, many fans and analysts are questioning whether the Lions will ever be able to make a deep postseason run with quarterback Matthew Stafford at the helm. While it’s true that the Lions have struggled in the playoffs in recent years, it’s important to remember that football is a team sport and one player alone cannot carry a team to a championship.

Another overreaction making waves is the belief that the Chiefs were aided by officials in their victory over the Cleveland Browns. Several controversial calls went in favor of the Chiefs, including a crucial fumble recovery that was overturned after a lengthy review. While it’s true that officiating can have a significant impact on the outcome of a game, it’s important to remember that the Chiefs also made plays on their own accord to secure the win.

As always, it’s important to take these overreactions with a grain of salt and remember that football is a game of ups and downs. The playoffs are a high-stakes environment where anything can happen, and it’s best to wait and see how things play out before jumping to conclusions.

Tags:
1. NFL divisional-round playoff overreactions
2. NFL playoffs analysis
3. Detroit Lions Super Bowl chances
4. Kansas City Chiefs controversial win
5. NFL officiating controversy
6. Lions playoff hopes dashed
7. Chiefs playoff controversy
8. NFL divisional round reactions
9. Lions’ Super Bowl window closing
10. Chiefs benefiting from referees
#NFL #divisionalround #playoff #overreactions #Lions #Super #Bowl #window #closed #Chiefs #aided #officials
January 20, 2025
NFL divisional round playoff overreactions: Travis Kelce better than Jerry Rice? Chiefs aided by officials?
The first day of the divisional round of the playoffs was a thriller around the NFL. The Washington Commanders had a massive upset victory over the Detroit Lions and advanced to the conference championship game for the first time since 1991, all behind the rookie sensation in Jayden Daniels. Washington will play the winner of the Philadelphia eagles and Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship game next week.

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Houston Texans in the early game to advance to their seventh consecutive conference championship game — or every season Patrick Mahomes has been a starter. The Chiefs will host the Buffalo Bills or the Baltimore Ravens next week.

With the exciting divisional round matchups on Saturday concluded, there are plenty of overreactions to be had. Which are overreactions and which are reality?

Jayden Daniels is having the best postseason ever for a rookie QB

Overreaction or reality: Reality

What Daniels has done in two postseason games is the stuff legends are made of. The No. 6-seeded Commanders defeated the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay then beat the No. 1-seeded Lions in Detroit, making Daniels the third rookie quarterback to play in the conference championship game.

Daniels hasn’t game managed his way there either. Daniels is the first player since the 1970 merger with 250+ passing yards, 2+ passing touchdowns, and zero interceptions in each of his first two playoff games. He’s the third player with 500+ passing yards, 75+ rushing yards, 4+ passing touchdowns and zero interceptions through the first two games of a postseason — joining Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes.

The Commanders are in the conference championship game for the first time in 33 years because of Daniels, playing like a top-five quarterback in Year 1. Daniels and the Commanders have a bright future.

Lions Super Bowl window is closed

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

The Lions were the team to beat in the NFC with the No. 1 seed and a 15-2 record. This was their best chance to win a Super Bowl, and they were in position to win one with the playoffs going through Detroit. With this divisional playoff loss to the Commanders, is the Super Bowl window closed?

The core of this team with Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs and Penei Sewell are back. Aidan Hutchinson and many other key defensive starters will be healthy as well (the Lions had six defensive starters on injured reserve and 16 total players). Detroit still has a top-three offensive line in football and one of the most explosive offenses, whether Ben Johnson returns as offensive coordinator or not.

The Lions will lose some key coaches (Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn most likely), so they’ll take a hit there. There are some questions whether Goff is good enough to win this team a Super Bowl, but this team will be in the mix to compete for a Super Bowl in 2025. The window is not closed yet.

Jared Goff isn’t good enough to win the Lions a Super Bowl

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

Goff is a good enough quarterback to win Detroit a Super Bowl championship, but turnovers and subpar play in big games have been his downfall. Goff threw three interceptions — one returned for a touchdown — and had a fumble lost in Saturday’s loss to the Commanders.

The Lions may have to protect Goff from himself going forward, making him a game manager in big games instead of a gun slinger. Goff has been to a Super Bowl and two conference championship games in his career, yet has a 4-5 postseason record. Heading into Saturday, Goff’s 0.6 interception rate was the lowest in NFL playoff history — which evaporated because of his poor performance.

Detroit committed to Goff and gave him $53 million a year for the next four years. They’ll roll with Goff going forward and Goff will have multiple opportunities to avenge this playoff loss. Going forward, Detroit probably should not rely on him throwing 40+ times in a playoff game.

Travis Kelce is the best receiver to ever play in the postseason

Overreaction or reality: Reality

Kelce added to his postseason legend in Saturday’s win, catching seven passes for 117 yards and a touchdown in the victory. Kelce passed Jerry Rice for the most 100-yard games by any player in the postseason (nine) and has 14 straight playoff games with 70+ receiving yards — double the amount of the next highest player (Antonio Brown has seven).

Kelce has 2,020 receiving yards, and 20 receiving touchdowns in his playoff career — only Rice has more with 2,245 and 22 touchdowns. At 35 years old, Kelce could pass Rice as soon as this season — and he’s already in striking distance of Rice.

Both Kelce and Rice have three Super Bowl titles and are the No. 1 options for each of their Super Bowl championship teams. Kelce also has the most receptions by any player in postseason history (172) — and has these numbers in six fewer playoff games than Rice.

When it comes to the postseason, no one is a better pass catcher than Kelce.

Andy Reid will set the NFL all-time wins record for coaches

Overreaction or reality: Reality

Reid notched his 300th career win (regular and postseason) with the Chiefs beating the Texans on Saturday, becoming the fourth head coach in NFL history to hit 300 career wins. Only three head coaches have more career wins than Reid: Don Shula (347), Bill Belichick (333), and George Halas (324). The all-time wins record is well within reach.

Reid only needs 48 wins to pass Shula and is only 66 years old. The Chiefs win an average of 13 regular-season games a season since Patrick Mahomes became the starting quarterback — and this isn’t including the 16 postseason wins. Counting the postseason, the Chiefs win an average of 15 games a year.

Reid only needs three more seasons at that pace to get within five wins of the all-time record, something he can pass by the 2028 season (he would be 70). Assuming Reid doesn’t retire prior to then, he will pass Shula for the most wins by a head coach — and may have a few more championships by then.

Officials are why the Chiefs won

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

Social media was buzzing with how the officiating crew were in favor of the Chiefs in Saturday’s win, particularly Patrick Mahomes. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans added fuel to the fire by saying in his postgame press conference — “It was us versus everybody. When I say everybody, I mean everybody.” — implying the officials had calls in favor of the Chiefs.

This isn’t way the Chiefs won the game. The Texans allowed eight sacks in the divisional round loss, allowed a 63-yard kickoff return on the opening play of the game that led to three points, had a 35-yard field goal blocked, and missed a 55-yard field goal in the 23-14 loss (nine points given up right there). Houston was also 1 of 3 in the red zone, not having a single goal-to-go situation.

Houston made enough mistakes on Saturday not to advance to the conference championship game. Losses don’t need to be blamed on the officials, especially if Ryans was implying that was the case.

The NFL divisional round playoffs always bring out some wild reactions from fans and analysts alike. This weekend was no exception, with the Kansas City Chiefs pulling off a thrilling comeback win over the Buffalo Bills. But are some of the reactions going too far?

One hot take making the rounds is the idea that Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is better than legendary receiver Jerry Rice. While Kelce is undoubtedly one of the best tight ends in the game right now, comparing him to Rice, who is widely considered the greatest receiver of all time, seems like a stretch. Rice holds numerous records and won three Super Bowls during his career, while Kelce is still chasing his first ring.

Another controversial topic from the Chiefs-Bills game is the idea that Kansas City was aided by the officials. There were several questionable calls throughout the game, including a crucial pass interference call that went in favor of the Chiefs. Some fans are crying foul and accusing the officials of favoring the reigning Super Bowl champions. While it’s natural for fans to feel frustrated when calls don’t go their team’s way, it’s important to remember that officiating is a difficult job and mistakes will happen.

In the end, it’s important to take a step back and consider the bigger picture. Travis Kelce is a phenomenal player, but comparing him to Jerry Rice is a bit premature. And while officiating can certainly impact the outcome of a game, it’s just one factor among many. Let’s enjoy the excitement of the playoffs and leave the overreactions behind.

Tags:
1. NFL divisional round playoff overreactions
2. Travis Kelce vs Jerry Rice
3. Chiefs controversial win
4. NFL playoffs 2022
5. Travis Kelce performance
6. Chiefs vs Bills controversy
7. NFL divisional round analysis
8. Kelce record-breaking game
9. Chiefs controversial victory
10. NFL playoff overreactions
#NFL #divisional #playoff #overreactions #Travis #Kelce #Jerry #Rice #Chiefs #aided #officials
January 19, 2025
NFL divisional round playoffs: Overreactions, big questions
Dan Graziano

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Dan Graziano

senior NFL national reporter

Dan Graziano is a senior NFL national reporter for ESPN, covering the entire league and breaking news. Dan also contributes to Get Up, NFL Live, SportsCenter, ESPN Radio, Sunday NFL Countdown and Fantasy Football Now. He is a New Jersey native who joined ESPN in 2011, and he is also the author of two published novels. You can follow Dan on Twitter via @DanGrazianoESPN.

Ben Solak

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Ben Solak

ESPN

Ben Solak joined ESPN in 2024 as a national NFL analyst. He previously covered the NFL at The Ringer, Bleeding Green Nation and The Draft Network.

Jan 18, 2025, 11:30 PM ET
The divisional round of the NFL playoffs kicked off Saturday afternoon with the Chiefs topping the Texans 23-14 to advance to the AFC Championship Game. Then the Commanders punched their ticket to the NFC Championship Game on Saturday night, beating the Lions 45-31.

What are the lessons from each divisional round matchup, and what’s next for these teams? We asked NFL analyst Ben Solak and national insider Dan Graziano to help size up each game and look forward from all angles. For Texans-Chiefs and Commanders-Lions, Ben answered one big remaining question and Dan judged the legitimacy of one potential overreaction.

Let’s jump in, making sense of the Commanders’ wild upset of the Lions and Travis Kelce‘s big performance for the Chiefs.

Jump to a matchup:
Texans-Chiefs | Commanders-Lions

Overreaction? The Lions have already blown their best shot at a Super Bowl.
The NFL divisional round playoffs are in full swing, and as always, there are plenty of overreactions and big questions swirling around the league. From surprising upsets to standout performances, here are some of the most talked-about storylines from the weekend:

Overreactions:
1. The Green Bay Packers are unstoppable: After a dominant win over the Los Angeles Rams, many fans and analysts are declaring the Packers as the team to beat in the playoffs. But can they keep up their momentum against tougher competition in the conference championship?

2. The Buffalo Bills are Super Bowl bound: With a convincing victory over the Baltimore Ravens, the Bills are looking like a serious contender for the Lombardi Trophy. But can they continue their hot streak and make it past the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game?

3. Tom Brady is ageless: At 43 years old, Tom Brady is still playing at an elite level and led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a win over the New Orleans Saints. But can he keep up his performance against the stout defense of the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game?

Big questions:
1. Can the Kansas City Chiefs repeat as Super Bowl champions? The defending champs looked dominant in their win over the Cleveland Browns, but they will face a tough test against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game.

2. Will the Cleveland Browns bounce back next season? Despite a disappointing loss to the Chiefs, the Browns had a successful season and made it to the playoffs for the first time in 18 years. Can they build on their success and make a deeper run in the postseason next year?

3. Who will be the breakout star of the divisional round playoffs? With standout performances from players like Josh Allen, Aaron Rodgers, and Patrick Mahomes, there are plenty of candidates for the title of playoff MVP. Who do you think will emerge as the standout player of the weekend?

As the playoffs continue, these overreactions and big questions will only become more pronounced. Stay tuned to see how the rest of the postseason unfolds!

Tags:
1. NFL divisional round playoffs
2. Overreactions
3. Big questions
4. NFL playoffs
5. Divisional round
6. NFL analysis
7. Playoff predictions
8. Football overreactions
9. NFL playoff questions
10. Divisional round recap
#NFL #divisional #playoffs #Overreactions #big #questions
January 19, 2025
NFL Week 17 overreactions: Eagles let Saquon Barkley get rushing record? Chiefs should keep Bengals out?
The NFL regular season is starting to come to a close with some exciting storylines as the postseason draws near. Saquon Barkley is going for Eric Dickerson’s rushing record while the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions each have 13+ wins and will fight in a winner-take-all Week 18 battle for the NFC North and home-field advantage in the NFC.

The Cincinnati Bengals are a win and losses by the Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos away from doing the improbable and reaching the playoffs. The Atlanta Falcons and Tampa bay Buccaneers are taking their NFC South title fight to the final round while the New York Giants lost their grip on the No. 1 pick.

With all the storylines in the Sunday slate in Week 17, what justified overreactions around the league? Which of those overreactions are truly overreactions and which are reality?

Eagles should let Saquon Barkley go get Eric Dickerson’s record

Overreaction or reality: Reality

Barkley is just 101 yards away from passing Dickerson’s single-season rushing record and has a game to play. The issue? The Eagles have nothing to play for in Week 18 with the NFC East title and the No. 2 seed clinched, and are eliminated from the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage.

If Nick Sirianni decided to rest his starters, it would be hard to blame him. How many times does a player have an opportunity to get the single-season rushing record, a mark which has stood for 40 years? Barkley may only need a half to break that record.

Getting 2,000 yards in 16 games is a tremendous accomplishment, but a memorable first season in Philadelphia would be capped if the Eagles allow Barkley the opportunity to pass Dickerson. And Barkley could do it against his former team, the Giants.

Chiefs should let Broncos win next week to keep Bengals out

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

The Chiefs don’t have to play their starters in Week 18 since they have home-field advantage locked up. Andy Reid can do whatever he likes, even if his team won’t have to play a meaningful game in more than three weeks. Sitting Patrick Mahomes and the first-team offense would do the Broncos a favor, who just need a win to clinch a playoff berth — no matter what the Bengals or Dolphins do.

The only reason this is a topic is because Burrow has beaten the Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium and the Bengals have an offense that can score with anyone. No team should be afraid of their offensive line and defense, which is an easy weakness to exploit. If the Bengals do make the playoffs and win in the wild-card round, they would face the Chiefs in their first playoff game.

The Chiefs aren’t scared of the Bengals, but who could blame them if they let the Broncos win and rest their starters for Week 18. They earned that right.

Packers are the most overrated team in the NFC

Overreaction or reality: Reality

Another opportunity to beat a team with 10+ wins for the Packers ended in a loss. The Packers fell to 0-5 against the Vikings, Lions and Eagles this season — the three teams in the conference with 13+ wins and the three teams with a better record than them in the conference.

The Packers are 2-5 against teams that currently have 10+ wins, but that victory was over a Rams team without Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. There is no victory on the Packers’ schedule that convinces anyone they can make a playoff run in the NFC, nor beat any of the elite teams in the conference.

Green Bay is a good team, and the Packers’ five losses to these 13+ win teams are by a combined 22 points. The goose egg in the win column makes them overrated, but they can change that narrative in the playoffs.

Giants won’t have a winning season for another three years

Overreaction or reality: Reality

Give it to the Giants for winning a football game when they shouldn’t have. The Giants didn’t win a 10-9 barn burner either, scoring 45 points as Drew Lock threw for 309 yards and four touchdowns while rookie Malik Nabers had 171 yards and two scores.

All the Giants had to do was lose out and the No. 1 pick would have been theirs. They could have paired Nabers and 1,000-yard rookie running back Tyrone Tracy with a quarterback who would have been picked No. 1 overall and immediately changed the fortunes of their franchise.

With the win, the Giants won’t have an opportunity to get that franchise quarterback unless they trade up (which they didn’t have to do). By virtue of strength of schedule, the Giants will now pick at No. 4 instead of No. 1 — a major difference in getting a franchise quarterback compared to a difference-maker somewhere else.

The Giants needed a quarterback in the worst way. They likely won’t get the best quarterback on the board, and will have to trust their front office to make the right pick. Whether it’s Joe Schoen at general manager or someone else, good luck with that.

Brock Bowers is Offensive Rookie of the Year

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

In most years, Bowers would earn this award for his accolades. The Raiders star broke Mike Ditka’s 63-year-old record for most receiving yards by a tight end in his rookie season, having 1,144 yards in his first year in the league. Bowers also has 108 catches, the most by any rookie in league history.

There’s even more history at stake for Bowers, as he’s just eight catches away from tying Zach Ertz for most receptions by any tight end in a season (116). Bowers is second in the NFL in catches and sixth in receiving yards, showcasing how elite of a receiver he is in Year 1.

Bowers isn’t getting Travis Kelce’s single-season receiving yards record for a tight end (1,416), but he’s having a historic rookie campaign. Unfortunately, so is Jayden Daniels, who is the first player in league history to have 10+ wins, 30+ total touchdowns and 4,000+ total yards in his rookie season.

Daniels will take home the hardware, but Bowers certainly should get votes.

NFL Week 17 brought some surprising results and plenty of overreactions from fans and analysts alike. Here are a few hot takes from the final week of the regular season:

1. Eagles letting Saquon Barkley break rushing record: The Philadelphia Eagles defense had no answer for New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley in Week 17, as he rushed for a career-high 234 yards and broke the single-game rushing record. Some fans are questioning the Eagles’ effort and game planning, wondering how they could let Barkley have such a dominant performance. Is this a sign of bigger issues for the Eagles defense, or just a fluke game?

2. Chiefs should keep Bengals out of playoffs: The Kansas City Chiefs secured the AFC’s top seed with a win over the Denver Broncos in Week 17, but some fans are already looking ahead to the playoffs and hoping the Chiefs can keep the Cincinnati Bengals out of the postseason. The Bengals have been a surprise team this year, but some believe they don’t have what it takes to make a deep playoff run. Should the Chiefs be concerned about facing the Bengals in the playoffs, or are fans overreacting to one game?

What are your thoughts on these Week 17 overreactions? Let us know in the comments below!

Tags:
1. NFL Week 17 overreactions
2. Eagles let Saquon Barkley get rushing record
3. Chiefs should keep Bengals out
4. Saquon Barkley rushing record
5. NFL Week 17 analysis
6. Eagles vs. Saquon Barkley
7. Chiefs playoff implications
8. Bengals playoff hopes
9. NFL Week 17 recap
10. NFL overreactions and predictions
#NFL #Week #overreactions #Eagles #Saquon #Barkley #rushing #record #Chiefs #Bengals
December 31, 2024
NFL Week 17 overreactions from Saturday games: Bengals making the playoffs? Bo Nix franchise QB?
The Saturday slate in Week 17 certainly didn’t lack drama, as the Cincinnati Bengals kept their playoff hopes alive with a thrilling overtime victory over the Denver Broncos. Denver could have wrapped up the AFC playoff field with a win, but the final playoff spot will come down to Week 18.

While the Bengals are still alive, the Los Angeles Chargers made sure they were in the field by blowing out the New England Patriots. The Chargers will be at least the No. 6 seed in the field, making the final week of the season intriguing in the conference for playoff seeding.

The Los Angeles Rams also inched closer toward the NFC West title with their victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Los Angeles could clinch that and potentially seal the No. 3 seed this weekend.

There were quite a few overreactions from the Saturday slate of games. Which ones are actually overreactions and which are reality?

Bengals will make the playoffs after beating Broncos

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

The Bengals were able to keep their playoff hopes alive thanks to their overtime win against the Broncos. Any loss would eliminate the Bengals, but this win gives Cincinnati the head-to-head tiebreaker over Denver if the two teams end up tied in the standings.

While the Bengals needed the win, they still entered Week 17 as the No. 10 seed in the AFC. The Bengals still need a lot of help to make the playoffs, but the path is easier. The Colts and Dolphins need to lose one of their final two games and the Broncos have to lose to the Chiefs in Week 18 to give the Bengals a chance at the postseason.

The odds are still against the Bengals. The Colts finish against the Giants (road) and Jaguars (home) while the Dolphins play the Browns (road) and Jets (road). Cincinnati would still need to win at Pittsburgh to even make the playoffs if Denver, Miami and Indianapolis lose.

And the Broncos will be playing a Chiefs team that already clinched the No. 1 seed, so second-stringers will be playing. A lot needs to happen for the Bengals to earn that No. 7 seed, but they have a shot.

Bo Nix is a franchise quarterback

Overreaction or reality: Reality

Lost in the shadow of Joe Burrow’s MVP-type performance was how Nix played in the Broncos’ overtime loss to the Bengals. Nix certainly showed he had what it takes to lead the Broncos to the playoffs in the fourth quarter, in which he went 9 of 11 for 126 yards with two touchdowns and an interceptions for a 126.1 passer rating. On Denver’s final drive in regulation, Nix went 5 of 6 for 63 yards and a touchdown — the 25-yard pass to Marvin Mims Jr. on fourth down with eight seconds left to force overtime.

Nix finished 24 of 31 for 219 yards with three touchdowns to one interception and a 114.9 passer rating in the loss. He did miss some key throws in overtime, but Nix showcased his tremendous talent on plenty of passes late in the game to keep the Broncos in it.

The Broncos don’t have nine wins without the help of Nix, who has completed 65.1% of his passes for 3,454 yards with 25 touchdowns to 12 interceptions and an 89.3 passer rating this season. Not bad for the sixth quarterback taken in the draft, especially one with 20 of those touchdown passes and a 98.3 passer rating since Week 7.

If Denver does end up making the playoffs, it’s because of Nix. The future is bright in Denver, as the Broncos have their first good quarterback since Peyton Manning.

Jim Harbaugh is Coach of the Year

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

This would be a slam dunk choice if Kevin O’Connell wasn’t having the season he’s had with Sam Darnold and the Vikings. Of course, no credit should be taken away from what Harbaugh is doing in his first season with the Chargers.

The Chargers were 5-12 last season, while ranking 22nd in points per possession (1.78) and 23rd in points allowed per possession (2.01). Harbaugh turned this team around in a year, doubling the amount of wins (five to 10), while improving the points per possession to 16th (1.96) and points allowed per possession to third (1.70) — entering Saturday’s game.

They are also going to the playoffs in his first year on the job, as Harbaugh has become the eighth coach in NFL history to make the playoffs in his first season with two different teams (49ers, Chargers).

In most years, Harbaugh has done more than enough to win the league’s Coach of the Year. Even if he doesn’t win the honor, there’s no denying how Harbaugh has steered this franchise in the right direction.

Jerod Mayo should not be the Patriots coach after this season

Overreaction or reality: Reality

The Patriots thought they had a succession plan from Bill Belichick to Jerod Mayo, but this season has been a disaster. Mayo was in for a rough first year due to the lack of talent on the Patriots roster, yet this team has not shown much improvement as the season progressed.

In the 40-7 loss to the Chargers, the Patriots looked outclassed from start to finish. They barely had the ball in the first half and spent the majority of it punting to the opponent. The Patriots looked like one of the worst teams in the NFL, which they are, even if they were supposed to be better at this point of the season than they were last year. Even with the promise of Drake Maye at quarterback, that doesn’t appear to be the case.

Patriots players haven’t quit on Mayo, yet the 38-year-old rookie head coach doesn’t appear he’s set to handle this rebuild. Questionable coaching decisions, indecisiveness during games, and defense that has fallen from fifth in points allowed per possession to 24th doesn’t bode well for Mayo’s chances.

The Patriots want to allow Mayo to grow on the job, but this team is a loss away from finishing with a worse record than last year. With Mike Vrabel and others available, will New England actually be patient with Mayo?

This just feels like a one-and-done situation for Mayo.

Rams are good enough to win a playoff game

Overreaction or reality: Reality

The Rams haven’t clinched a playoff spot yet, but they did notch their 10th win after beating the Cardinals. Los Angeles is on the verge of clinching the NFC West and getting the No. 3 seed.

When the “big four” of Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua, and Cooper Kupp play, the Rams can compete with anybody in the conference. Even when the offense isn’t fully clicking, the Rams have one of the best young pass-rushing units in the league. Jared Verse, Kobie Turner and Byron Young consistently get after the quarterback.

The Rams have their flaws, but they can certainly beat the top teams in the conference. They challenged the Lions in Week 1 and beat the Vikings in Week 8. They also were close to beating the Packers in Week 5, and this was without the two receivers of the “big four” playing.

Los Angeles is going to be a tough out in the playoffs. The Rams may even make a run in January.

The NFL Week 17 Saturday games brought about some surprising results and performances that have fans and analysts alike buzzing with excitement and speculation. From the Cincinnati Bengals’ dominant win over the Kansas City Chiefs to Bo Nix’s impressive showing with the Seattle Seahawks, here are some overreactions from Saturday’s games.

1. Bengals making the playoffs: After their impressive 34-31 victory over the Chiefs, many are quick to jump on the bandwagon and predict that the Bengals will make the playoffs this season. With Joe Burrow playing at an elite level and a talented roster around him, it’s not hard to see why fans are getting excited about Cincinnati’s postseason chances. However, with tough competition in the AFC, including the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers, the Bengals will need to continue their strong play down the stretch to secure a playoff spot.

2. Bo Nix franchise QB: Bo Nix’s performance in the Seahawks’ 38-25 win over the Detroit Lions has some people believing that he could be the franchise quarterback Seattle has been searching for. Nix threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns, showcasing his arm talent and playmaking ability. While it’s certainly a promising sign for the Seahawks, it’s important to remember that one game does not make a franchise quarterback. Nix will need to continue to develop and prove himself over the long term before he can be considered a true franchise QB.

Overall, the Week 17 Saturday games provided plenty of excitement and intrigue, with the Bengals and Bo Nix stealing the show. It will be interesting to see how these storylines develop as the season progresses and the playoffs draw nearer.

Tags:
1. NFL Week 17
2. Saturday games
3. Bengals playoffs
4. Bo Nix
5. Franchise QB
6. NFL overreactions
7. Bengals postseason
8. Bo Nix potential
9. NFL playoff picture
10. Bengals playoff chances
#NFL #Week #overreactions #Saturday #games #Bengals #making #playoffs #Nix #franchise
December 29, 2024

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