Injury drama for the Lions
Tumbling top favorite crashes into NFL playoffs with big worries
By David Needy
January 8, 2024, 7:06 a.m
How exciting it would be if not only FC Bayern could become champions on the last matchday, but almost all Bundesliga clubs. In the NFL, 20 teams are still fighting for the crown in Week 18, but the battle for the playoffs is mercilessly sorted out.
Imagine that on the last matchday of the Bundesliga, 20 teams still had a chance of winning the championship. And that doesn’t mean 20 FC Bayern teams. But, it’s all just a dream: Only 18 clubs play in Germany’s most popular upper house and the decision for the cup is usually decided several match days before the 34th matchday, only rarely do more than two teams have their fingers on the cup on the home straight.
Different in the NFL. On the last day of the game, 20 teams (more than ever before in NFL history) are fighting for a place in the Super Bowl. This is because, unlike the Bundesliga, there are playoffs. Of course there are favorites who, like FC Bayern, have a better chance of winning the title than others. But anything can happen in a knockout game. Especially in American football.
Ten teams are fighting for five of the remaining, coveted playoff spots. There will be several games with the motto “win-and-in”. A win means the knockout round for Tom Brady’s former team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while a defeat means that Brady’s former colleagues have to clear out their lockers. Four division titles are also at stake, the most in a season finale since 2014. NFL drama is inevitable.
Great success for Mayfield and Buccaneers
The Buccaneers have to win to secure the NFC South and thus make it into the playoffs. In a poor game, three field goals were enough for Brady’s former club against the Carolina Panthers, who have been terribly weak this season, for an easy 9-0 victory. After three less successful seasons with four teams, quarterback Baker Mayfield shows that he can lead an NFL team into the playoffs. Sweet revenge for the quarterback who had also been benched and eventually left by the Panthers. Tampa Bay may not be playing the best football this year, but they still secured their third division title in a row. In the wildcard round next weekend we will face the recently weak Philadelphia Eagles, the runner-up.
Henry thwarts Jaguar’s plans
Things are much more dramatic in Nashville. But first, a quick look back: At the end of November, the Jacksonville Jaguars had eight wins and three losses, giving them a 91 percent chance of winning the division and a 98 percent chance of making the playoffs. At that time they were even fighting for first place in the conference, now they are defeated 20:28 by the Tennessee Titans, who had previously only won five games of the season, and still miss the knockout in the last few meters. Round.
In what could be his final game in Tennessee, running back Derrick Henry is doing what Derrick Henry does best: running and scoring touchdowns. Again and again, the Jaguars defense cannot stop the Titans’ runs, while on the other side the defense intercepts two balls (previously only four interceptions in the entire season). The bankruptcy of Jacksonville allows the Buffalo Bills (already before their game against the Miami Dolphins) and the Pittsburgh Steelers to move into the playoffs and celebrate.
Lions have to cope with serious injury
Before the game against the Detroit Lions for German star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, the Minnesota Vikings are still in the race for the final playoff spot – but that would have required a lot of help from other places and a win of their own. But as expected, the Lions are one size too big for the Vikings at 30:20. Bitter for Detroit, however: Tight end Sam LaPorta, one of the main reasons why Detroit is division champion for the first time in three decades, sets an NFL record with 82 catches in his rookie season. But shortly afterwards he had to be taken to the dressing room with a knee injury, from which he did not return for the game. A source later told the US broadcaster ESPN that LaPorta most likely suffered hyperextension and a bone bruise. His loss could cost the previously qualified Lions dearly, who will face the Los Angeles Rams in the wildcard round.
Packers and Love clinch NFC playoff spot
Who would have thought that the NFC South duel Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints would be a shootout? Both teams scored 28 points in less than 20 minutes of play, 34 at halftime – and in the end New Orleans won 48:17. This means the Falcons miss the playoffs – but a little later so do the victorious Saints.
Because the Packers grab the last coveted playoff spot in the NFC. Green Bay beat arch-rival Chicago Bears 17-9 in a hard-fought and rough game. The first season after the departure of superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers comes to a successful end for the Packers. And successor Jordan Love can do what Rodgers failed to do in 2022. Thanks to another great performance by the 25-year-old (27 of 32 throws, thrown for two touchdowns and 316 yards; a total of 32 touchdowns in his first season as a starter), his team can have little hope of a surprise on the wild card weekend. However, it will be extremely difficult against the Dallas Cowboys.
It has also been decided that the Seahawks will not be there when it comes to making it to the Super Bowl. It doesn’t help that Seattle scores a last-minute 21-20 win against the Cardinals.
Eagles go down
Suddenly it’s 24-0 at halftime. But not for the Philadelphia Eagles, as everyone expected. The NFC East heavyweight is still aiming for a division win, but is behind against the weakening New York Giants. The two dozen points are the Eagles’ largest halftime deficit against the Giants since 2012 (35:7). Later also known as the last game of Andy Reid as head coach, now head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, who, without their superstars, won 13-12 in a meaningless game at the Los Angeles Chargers.
In addition to the 24 points, the Eagles suffered numerous injuries in the first half. In addition to AJ Brown and Sydney Brown (both knees), Jalen Hurts (dislocated right middle finger) also has to leave the field initially, but the quarterback can continue and will be rested from the second half (along with starters Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson). The Eagles, who had already surprisingly lost to the Arizona Cardinals the previous week, were long considered one of the top favorites for the Super Bowl, but in the ultimately deserved 10:27 defeat against the Giants, nothing can be achieved. Once again. After impressive wins against the Chiefs and Buffalo Bills in November, Hurts’ team has now only won one of six games. The team is now lucky to face the Buccaneers, probably the weakest remaining team, in the wildcard round.
Cowboys in top form into the playoffs
Similar to the Eagles, the Cowboys have a difficult time at the beginning. But unlike its rivals from the NFC East, Dallas recovers and ultimately defeats the Washington Commanders 38:10 and wins the division title. CeeDee Lamb in particular stood out with an outstanding performance, scoring a touchdown for the ninth game in a row. Only two other wide receivers have achieved this in the 21st century (Randy Moss from 2003 to 2004 and AJ Green in 2012). Lamb (13 of 13 passes caught) and Dak Prescott (four touchdowns; first quarterback from Dallas to lead the NFL in passing touchdowns (36) at the end of the season) have developed into perhaps the most dangerous duo in the NFL in recent months – and might be a bit too big for the young Jordan Love and his Packers.