A rundown of the greatest weekend in NFL history
NFL Divisional Round Recap
By WVUA 23 Digital Reporter Hunter De Siver
In the 102 years that the NFL has been around, there are thousands of games people may claim were “the greatest game of all time.” But when has there been a “greatest weekend of all time”?
This past weekend was the divisional round of the playoffs. The final eight teams battled it out to the very end… literally. Every game was decided on the last-second regulation or went to overtime.
One weekend that may compare to this one was the 2019 conference championship round. The LA Rams beat the New Orleans Saints after the refs swallowed their whistles by not calling a pass interference on Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman. The New England Patriots beat the Kansas City Chiefs after winning the coin toss in overtime (keep that in mind
throughout the article).
Without further ado, here are the rankings for the greatest weekend in NFL history.
No. 4: No. 4 Cincinnati Bengals, 19 @ No. 1 Tennessee Titans, 16
The first game of the divisional round was one of mishaps. The Bengals offensive line was nonexistent as it allowed nine sacks. Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill threw an interception (third of the game) that gave the Bengals the ball at midfield with 20 seconds remaining in regulation.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow’s LSU connection with receiver Ja’Marr Chase put the Bengals in field goal range. Rookie kicker Evan McPherson nailed it from 52 yards out as time expired to win 19-16. Burrow said in his postgame interview that McPherson knew it was going in before he even stepped onto the field.
No. 3: No. 6 San Francisco 49ers, 13 @ No. 1 Green Bay Packers, 10
High scoring games are considered more exciting and make a game better. Boring games are considered low scoring if the offense plays poorly. However, the defense for both teams was immovable, which made fans wonder when the offense would turn it on.
Down 10-3 with under five minutes remaining in regulation, the 49ers blocked a punt and returned for a touchdown to tie the game. After forcing a three and out the 49ers got it back and kicked a game winning field goal as time expired.
No. 2: No. 4 Los Angeles Rams, 30 @ No. 2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 27
It’s no longer an opinion that Tom Brady is the greatest player in NFL history. Brady came back from a 28-3 deficit in the Super Bowl a few years ago. He was down 27-3 with seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter on Sunday.
The Buccaneers defense forced three fumbles in that time and Brady and the offense capitalized. After tying the game at 27 with 42 seconds remaining, it looked like Brady was about to complete the impossible once again.
Rams QB Matthew Stafford connected with future offensive player of the year Cooper Kupp for 44 yards. They made it down the field, clocked it and then nailed the game winning field goal as time expired to win 30-27.
No. 1: No. 3 Buffalo Bills 36 @ No. 2 Kansas City Chiefs 42
And now for the holy grail. One of the greatest games in NFL history.
Ten total touchdowns. Three in the final two minutes. Four touchdowns to a receiver that was unknown before the game and became a legend three hours later.
With 13 seconds left, down three with 75 yards to go, QB Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs 44 yards down field on two plays to his all-pro pass-catchers. Kicker Harrison Butler nailed it from 49 yards out as time expired to send it to overtime.
The Chiefs won the coin toss and easily drove down the field to score a game-winning touchdown.
Just like every past playoff game that went to the fifth quarter, fans across the sport argued that the NFL should change the overtime rules, so that way both teams get a possession.
This round could not have been filled with more excitement. Four game-winning plays with three at the last second. Are you serious?
Next week is the AFC and NFC conference championships. The Bengals will play against the Chiefs at 2 p.m. on Sunday. The 49ers will play against the Rams at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Hopefully, this unexpected final four will be just as good as this past weekend.
