By: BHS Sports Staff
January 25, 2024
Unfortunately, the Browns are out of the playoffs, and as we frequently say in Cleveland, “There is always next year.”
With this, the NFL Divisional Round wrapped up last weekend, so it is appropriate to recap all of the games, along with previewing Championship Weekend.
AFC Divisional Round
Texans vs. Ravens: After defeating the Browns, CJ Stroud and the Texans were faced with a tough task against the #1 seeded Ravens. In the first quarter, both teams traded field goals, but in the second quarter, Lamar Jackson and Nelson Agholor connected for a three-yard touchdown to put them 10-3. After a punt by Baltimore on their next drive, Texans punt returner Steven Sims took it to the endzone to even the score heading into half. However, the second half was all Baltimore. In the third quarter, Jackson ran for a 15-yard touchdown to put the Ravens back in front. In the fourth quarter, Jackson threw another touchdown, this time to his TE Isaiah Likely to put the Ravens up two scores. Then, Jackson ran for his second touchdown of the game to seal a conference championship berth. The Ravens got one more field goal at the end, as they won it 34-10.
Chiefs vs. Bills: This game was the most anticipated out of all of the divisional matchups. To start off the game, Bills kicker Tyler Bass kicked a 27-yard field goal to put the Bills in front, 3-0. The Chiefs responded with a 47-yard field goal from Harrison Butker. The second quarter began and Josh Allen rushed in for a five-yard touchdown, making the score 10-3. The Chiefs took the lead right back by kicking a 29-yard field goal followed by Patrick Mahomes throwing a 22-yard touchdown to Cleveland native Travis Kelce. To wrap up the first half, Josh Allen ran in for his second touchdown of the game to give the Bills the lead right back. In the third quarter, the Chiefs answered right back with Kelce’s second touchdown of the game. The Bills respond back once again with a touchdown by Khalil Shakir, receiving a pass from Allen. With a close, back-and-forth game, the Chiefs scored a four-yard run from Isiah Pacheco. However, after a failed fake punt by the Bills, the Chiefs got right back towards the end zone. But, they fumbled in the endzone giving the Bills the ball back. With one last opportunity to tie the game, Bass missed a huge 44-yard field goal to end the game. The final score ended 27-24 with the Chiefs advancing to the championship and traveling to Baltimore this Sunday.
NFC Divisional Round
Packers vs. 49ers: After the Packers pulled off an upset against the two-seeded Cowboys, they were faced with another tough task against the one-seeded 49ers. Packers kicker Anders Carlson started the game off with a 29-yard field goal. In the second, Brock Purdy and George Kittle connected for a 32-yard touchdown. The Packers got a second field goal before halftime, but the Niners still led 7-6 at the break. In the third quarter, the game was back-and-forth with a Packers touchdown followed by a Christian McCaffrey 39-yard touchdown. Then, the Packers answered with a touchdown plus the two point conversion. In the fourth, the 49ers got a field goal to make it 21-17 in favor of Green Bay. After a missed field goal by the Packers, the 49ers got a touchdown near the end to win the game and send them to the conference championship.
Buccaneers vs. Lions: The first quarter started off with the Lions and Bucs trading field goals. Early in the second quarter, Lions receiver Josh Reynolds scored a touchdown with a nine-yard pass from Jared Goff. Later in the second quarter, former Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield connected with Cade Otton to tie the game before half. In the third, the Lions and Bucs traded touchdowns. However, the Lions gained a dominating lead scoring two touchdowns with a 31-yard run from Jahmyr Gibbs and Goff connecting with Amon-Ra St. Brown for a nine-yard pass. In the last minutes of the fourth, the Bucs got a touchdown to make it a one score game, but they failed to get the two point conversion. After a Lions punt, the Buccaneers had one last shot, but Mayfield threw an interception to end the game. The Lions moved on to the NFC Championship with a 31-23 win.
Now, it is time to preview Championship Weekend to find out who plays in Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas on Sunday, February 11.
AFC: #3 Chiefs vs. #1 Ravens
This is the sixth straight AFC Championship game for the Chiefs, but this time, they are on the road against the #1 Ravens, who have carried their dominance from the regular season into the playoffs. The Ravens are favored by 3.5 points in this matchup. The BHS Sports staff likes the John Harbaugh-led Ravens to advance to the Super Bowl.
NFC: #3 Lions vs. #1 49ers
The last time the Lions were in the NFC Championship game was in 1992, but the 49ers were here last year but lost to the Eagles. The 49ers are favored in this game with home field advantage, but it seems like most of America is rooting for the underdog Lions to make their first Super Bowl in franchise history. The BHS Sports staff likes the underdog Lions to advance to their first Super Bowl.
This is shaping up to be a very entertaining Championship Weekend. You can keep up with the scores and stats on the NFL website.
Have a great football weekend, Brooklyn!
{For up-to-date events and schedules, visit Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics.}
THE RETURN OF THE EYE 