NFL Divisional weekend round-up: Chiefs sneak past Browns, Tom Brady eliminates Drew Brees

Packers too strong for Rams

The Green Bay Packers resoundingly demonstrated why they are the number one seed in the NFC, beating the Rams 32-18 in the first game of the Divisional Round. Matt LaFleur’s side could have won by more, had they not failed to add points after scoring a touchdown on two occasions.

It was an impressive showing from Green Bay who made a feared Rams defense look rather toothless, assisted by the injury to Aaron Donald that limited his involvement and effectiveness.

The Packers’ passing game was expected to be good, and it was with Aaron Rodgers producing another sublime performance. The way in which Green Bay bullied Los Angeles up front was slightly more surprising, with three running backs all having influential games and Jared Goff being put under consistent pressure by the Packers’ defense.

Jalen Ramsey could not eliminate Davante Adams from the game, as he has done with other top receivers this season, while Robert Tonyan, Allen Lazard and Marquez Valdes-Scantling all made key plays.

The play of the game was undoubtedly Rodgers’ touchdown run, created by a double pass fake to allow him the time to run into the end zone. It was one he, and the 8,500 fans at Lambeau Field, certainly enjoyed.

Given the coaching ability of both Sean McVay and Brandon Staley, LaFleur deserves credit for calling a game that comfortably defeated his old friend and colleague McVay.

Bills defense steps up against Ravens

Going into the weekend, Bills-Ravens was arguably the most mouth-watering encounter. Two very different, but equally exciting teams managed to produce a rather dour first half, with neither side managing to build any offensive momentum.

Justin Tucker, one of the best kickers the game has ever seen, missed two field goals while Buffalo’s Tyler Bass also missed three points.

The key moment in the game came at the end of the third quarter when Taron Johnson intercepted Lamar Jackon in his own end zone, running 101 yards to score his side's second touchdown. This crucial intervention took the Bills to a 17-3 lead, a score that did not change in the final quarter. The game so easily could have been 10-10 at the end of the Ravens drive, instead they fell to an unassailable 14-point lead.

It was a difficult game for Jackson, who was sacked three times and missed the final quarter after suffering an injury. For Josh Allen, the other star quarterback on show, it was not his finest performance but the Ravens defense deserve credit for that.

Buffalo will be absolutely delighted that they managed to limit the Ravens to just three points. If their defense and Allen can both perform in the same game, they will be extremely tough to beat.

Chiefs sneak past Browns after Mahomes injury

When the worst case scenario occurred, and Patrick Mahomes went down with a concussion, unable to return to the field, perennial back-up Chad Henne ensured the Chiefs got over the line.

The reigning champions got off to a fast start against the Browns, scoring with alarming ease as Tyreek Hill was given the ball with every opportunity. Cleveland hung in the game but looked to have blown their chance towards the end of the second quarter. Rashard Higgins stretched for the goalline to score the touchdown that would bring the Browns back into the game, only for Daniel Sorensen to dislodge the ball inches short. It certainly looked as if he initiated contact with his head, but no such call game.

Cleveland trailed 19-3 at half-time, and their hopes of progressing looked all but over until Mahomes went off with a concussion - he had suffered a foot injury early on but had continued playing.

Jarvis Landry scored a touchdown before Mahomes’ exit but the real momentum swing came when the star quarterback left the field. The Browns began to run the ball effectively with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt coming to the fore, the latter scoring a touchdown to take the game to 22-17.

The Chiefs needed something from their back-up Henne with Cleveland now within touching distance. He started well, passing with confidence and moving his team down the field. Henne then threw one of the worst interceptions of the season, managing to pick a spot on the field to throw to without any of his team-mates.

The Browns could not score from the resulting drive and punted. They needed a stop but twice Henne defied them. First, he scrambled to bring them close to the vital first down before a gusty pass call from Andy Reid, with just one-yard required, iced the game for Kansas City. A bold call that will undoubtedly go down in history.

Cleveland will rue the lack of timeouts saved for the final few minutes, but ultimately this season has been a success for them. For the Chiefs, they will just be pleased to have snuck through and will hope Mahomes will be fit for next weekend against the Bills, although that is far from guaranteed.

Brady beats Brees in what could be his last game

It seems as if Drew Brees has played his last NFL game, after the Bucs defeated the Saints. It is a great shame that Brees contributed so heavily to the defeat, throwing crucial interceptions while his inability to complete passes cost his side.

New Orleans probably should have won, if it were not for a number of key errors made that provided Tampa with a short field on more than one occasion.

That being said, the Bucs stayed in the contest and took advantage of their opportunities, with the running of Leonard Fourtnette and Ronald Jones coming to the fore as the game progressed.

Going into the final quarter, the score was level at 20-20 but 10 unanswered points saw Tampa home.

Ultimately, Brees very much looked like a 42-year-old, while Tom Brady was an assured and more dynamic presence, despite being a year old than his counterpart.

The Bucs face the Packers next week, a team they completely dismantled during the regular season.