For essentially the most half Wild Card weekend was owned by the favorites however the Commanders and Rams had different concepts. Each accomplished upsets with the Rams successful in dominant vogue. Up subsequent, we’ve the Divisional spherical which in my view is one of the best NFL weekend of the 12 months.
Each single matchup has intrigue and will supply us one other drama-filled weekend of soccer. Earlier than the video games begin let’s go over 3 issues we’re wanting ahead to watching.
Can the Payments Cease the Ravens Dynamic Operating Recreation?
Buffalo simply could be essentially the most full workforce within the NFL proper now. After the Broncos went up 7-0 on a gorgeous bomb by Bo Nix, the Payments utterly dominated the remainder of the sport. Josh Allen was as soon as once more close to good and the balanced Payments offense managed the clock. Allen had his wow moments together with this 4th down landing to Ty Johnson.
JOSH ALLEN. TY JOHNSON. WOW
?: #DENvsBUF on CBS/Paramount+?: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/mG8n29QALD
— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2025
A giant key to this recreation would be the Buffalo run recreation. The Ravens protection is averaging a league low 3.6 YPC to operating backs this season. If they’ll neutralize James Prepare dinner and make the Payments offense extra one dimensional they’ve a very good likelihood of successful. Once more we’re speaking about Josh Allen so simpler stated then executed.
Talking of operating recreation, the Ravens as soon as once more ran throughout their opponent final week. Baltimore stacked up 299 speeding yards towards the Steelers protection to cruise to victory. To ensure that the Payments to advance they might want to shut down the Ravens run recreation and make Lamar Jackson one-dimensional. It must be fascinating to observe how this performs out.
Can the Rams Pull Off the Main Upset in Philly?
Probably the most shocking outcomes from Wild Card weekend was the Rams domination of the Vikings. This recreation was all LA from the beginning as they cruised to a 27-9 win on Monday evening. The large story was the Rams younger protection who sacked Sam Darnold 9 occasions and made his life depressing. That is the second consecutive unhealthy recreation from Darnold and the potential free agent might have damage is inventory going into subsequent 12 months.
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The Rams will want their protection to play at a excessive stage once more in the event that they wish to win in Philly. It’s a troublesome process for LA as they are going to be going cross-country in a raucous, cold-weather atmosphere. Operating again Kyren Williams will must be used early and infrequently because the Rams primary focus must be to regulate the clock. If Saquon Barkley will get going it will likely be lights out on LA’s season.
Will the Commanders Proceed Their Cinderella Run?
Jayden Daniels as soon as extra labored his late-game magic to steer the Commanders into the Divisional spherical. There are a ton of spectacular stats to take a look at from Daniels’s historic rookie season however none extra spectacular than this. There have been 3 cases the place a rookie QB has led his workforce to 0 punts and 0 turnovers and Daniels has all three. It’s extraordinary for a rookie quarterback to have this a lot poise.
If the Commanders hope to proceed this run they might want to go to Detroit and upset the excessive powered Lions. Detroit is a juggernaut on offense main the league with 33.2 PTS/G. Their protection has its holes, so the Commanders might want to rating on nearly each possession. Additionally, don’t anticipate to see a lot punting on this recreation. These two groups like to go for it on 4th down as referenced within the chart beneath.
One of these aggressiveness can in fact backfire however I like to see it. Management the ball as a lot as doable and the Commanders have an opportunity.
Detroit is getting wholesome on the proper time with operating again David Montgomery set to make his return. The Washington protection has struggled to cease the run all season and they’re going to want discover methods to cease Montgomery and the electrical Jahmyr Gibbs. As of now the O/U on this recreation is 55.5 so anticipate a excessive scoring shootout.
