NFC Championship
The NFC championship game was certainly more contested than the Super Bowl, but was a game of really two halves. What seemed to be a favorable game for Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers turned south quickly but was a result of a few mistakes and missed opportunities. Tampa Bay ended up winning 31-26.
First Half
The Green Bay Packers kept the game close and contested until the second quarter, where similar to their regular season bout the Packers seemed to fall apart. This was seen especially on the last Buccaneers play of the half, where they completed a 40+ yard touchdown to Scotty Miller after capitalizing on a questionable no call interception. This deficit seemed to be too much for the Packers to come back from, but they were able to get close in the second half
Second Half
The second half, especially the third quarter, showed vintage Aaron Rodgers and his ability to comeback in big games. This also was aided by cornerback Jaire Alexander taking over the game on defense for the Packers, getting two interceptions. Brady threw a total of 3 interceptions in the second half and looked ready to choke the game, but the Packers offense could not capitalize, only scoring 6 total points off of turnovers.
At the end of the game, they had the chance to tie the game, but after a questionable decision to kick a field goal, the offense never got the ball back and Tom Brady’s offense advanced despite his lackluster performance
Officiating
Another main aspect of the game, similar to the Super Bowl, was the questionable officiating in the game. There were many clear holding calls not ruled against the Packers, including Rodgers one interception. In addition, to end the game a holding penalty was called, and this inconsistency ended the game for Green Bay.
What may look like on paper another Aaron Rodgers NFC Championship choke was really filled with missed opportunities and defensive mistakes such as corner Kevin King allowing 3 touchdowns and the game ending holding call. The Packers will be back, but this game was unfortunate for their fans as this was the best team they have had and may have for a while.
AFC Championship
The Chiefs beat the Bills 38-24 in the AFC Championship Game. Here are 3 key things from the game that led to the Chiefs winning.
1. The Bills’ non-existent running game finally caught up to them
Throughout the regular season, the Bills’ running back tandem of Devin Singletary and Zack Moss struggled to generate much of anything on the ground. The Bills mostly got away with it because of the brilliance of their passing game; however, on a day where the Bills were constantly behind the sticks and facing many 3rd and long situations, a solid 3-4 yards on the ground on first or second down would have gone a long way to helping Josh Allen out. The Bills ended up going 5 for 14 on 3rd down and a big part of that was the running game’s inability to pick up yardage on early downs to set up Josh Allen for favorable 3rd downs. Devin Singletary only managed 17 yards on 6 carries. Singletary averaged only 1.3 yards before contact, so the problem for the Bills running game is likely both Singletary and the run-blocking. Regardless, the Bills need to upgrade their run game to compete at a championship level.
2. The Chiefs adjustments on offense won them the game
With the Bills preferring to sit in a soft Cover 2 for most of the game to prevent Tyreek Hill from burning them over the top, the Chiefs took advantage with a dink-and-dunk passing game that you wouldn’t normally associate with the vertical passing game that Andy Reid likes to employ. However, it was just as effective and the Chiefs have more than enough playmakers and speed on the outside to pick up yards after short passes. The Bills defensive gameplan gave the Chiefs trouble during their regular season matchup, but Offensive Coordinator Eric Bienemy’s adjustments were the key behind the Chiefs putting up 38 points.
3. Sean McDermott’s baffling decision-making on 4th down cost the Bills the game
1st drive: 4th and 3 at KC 33, McDermott calls to kick the field goal
Right before halftime: 4th and goal at KC 2, McDermott calls to kick the field goal
1st drive of 2nd half: 4th and 3 at KC 8, McDermott calls to kick the field goal
None of these three decisions are ever justifiable, but they are especially unjustifiable when playing a team as explosive as the Chiefs. The Chiefs can put up points in a hurry, and if you have an opportunity to capitalize on an early advantage, you take it. The drive right before halftime where McDermott kicked a field goal at the 2 yard line of the Chiefs is the most egregious of them all. The Bills were down 21-9 and a touchdown would have made it a one-possession game. The Bills kicked the field goal and the game stayed a two-possession game. Part of McDermott’s decision-making was definitely influenced by the lack of a reliable goal line running game, but that is not an excuse for such a terrible decision. Each of these decisions lowered the win probability of the Bills and a month after the game, fans are still scratching their heads wondering what McDermott was thinking.