NFL wild-card winners and losers from playoff openers
The NFL' sin augural “Super Wild Card Weekend” unfolded with a fairly dramatic tripleheader kicking off the 2020 season's playoffs.
Backup quarterbacks played leading roles – as did grizzled vets and passers either entering or reaching their primes. All three games on Saturday were fairly close, though only one produced an upset ... and a mild one at that
But t here was ample drama and plenty of openended questions – Rams stars Aaron Donald and Cooper Kupp couldn't finish in Seattle due to injuries – and none of Saturday's victors know who they'll face next weekend since the league reseeds the field.
But we do have a few answers, i.e. Saturday's winners and losers ...
Winners
Bills Mafia: The ardent fans of Buffalo, the AFC's version of Green Bay, got to enjoy their first playoff win in a quarter century – and some of them even attended the Bills' defeat of the Colts in Orchard Park, N.Y. Good news: Bills Stadium will host another game next weekend. Tom Brady: He now has as many playoff wins (one) without Bill Belichick as Belichick has without TB12. Brady's 31st postseason victory extended his own record among quarterbacks.
Jared Goff: Saturday's relief appearance was the former No. 1 draft pick's first playoff action since he and the Rams were stifled 13-3 by the Patriots in Super Bowl LIII. In the interim, Goff was the focus of L.A.'s offensive struggles – his numbers tumbling as the team missed the postseason in 2019 before a 2020 resurrection largely credited to the defense. But he came through in Seattle, providing a gutty performance 12 days after the broken thumb on his throwing hand was surgically pinned together. Under the circumstances, a 155-yard day that included a backbreaking TD pass to Robert Woods in a 30-20 defeat of the Seahawks seems pretty good.
Josh Allen: This season's coming-out party for the third-year Bills quarterback is now complete. Allen threw for 324 yards and a pair of scores and ran for 54 yards and another TD. Quite a redemptive performance after he flinched in his playoff debut at Houston last year.
Andrew Whitworth: After suffering damage to multiple knee ligaments against the Seahawks on Nov. 15, the Rams' veteran left tackle returned Saturday – resuming his 15th NFL season and ongoing quest for his first championship.
Taylor Heinicke: Valiant effort by Washington's emergency quarterback, who passed for 306 yards and a TD and ran for a clubhigh 46 yards and another score. Heinicke even played through an injury to his nonthrowing shoulder, revealing after the game he had suffered an AC joint separation. He likely ensured he'll have a job in the NFL next year ... and could even get a look as Washington's starter depending on how things pan out.
Losers
John Wolford: After making his NFL debut in the Rams' playoff-clinching Week 17 victory, Los Angeles stuck with the Wake Forest product and former AAF star ahead of Goff. But Wolford sustained a blow to the head/neck area on a questionable hit from Adams. Wolford, 25, who's been delaying a career in investment banking to continue his football journey, left Lumen Field in an ambulance for further observation at a Seattle hospital but eventually rejoined his victorious teammates.
Alex Smith: And, for clarity's sake, neither Smith nor Wolford is a “loser” ... both just lost hard-won opportunities Saturday. In the case of Smith, the presumptive NFL Comeback Player of the Year, he just didn't have enough time to get his balky calf ready to write another chapter to his Cinderella story.
Seahawks offense: Average at best in the second half of the season, QB Russell Wilson and Co. were abysmal Saturday. Wilson completed 11 of 27 passes for 142 yards, threw a pick-six, was sacked five times behind his typically problematic O-line, all while overseeing an “attack” that was 2-for-14 on third down. Whoa, `Hawks.
Chase Young: Great as his first NFL campaign was, a reminder that rookies are meant to be seen and not heard. The defensive end shouted “Tom Brady! Tom Brady, I'm coming. I want Tom!” after Washington escaped the tanking Eagles in Week 17. Careful what you wish for, Chase ... but if it's what you want, make sure you walk the walk next time.