The NFL Playoffs: Triumphs and Disappointments
Home Teams Dominate the Wild-Card Round
The first day of the NFL playoffs might not have delivered the nail-biting thrill fans crave, but it certainly saw decisive victories for the home teams. The Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens cruised past their opponents, solidifying their spots in the divisional round. For the Texans, their win over the Los Angeles Chargers was particularly sweet, marking a second consecutive year advancing past the wild-card round. Meanwhile, the Ravens delivered a commanding performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pittsburgh's Postseason Woes Continue
It's no secret the Steelers have struggled in the playoffs under Mike Tomlin, and this year, the trend showed no signs of reversing. The loss to Baltimore marked their sixth consecutive playoff defeat under Tomlin, with a third straight contest ending in a significant point gap—14 or more to be exact. This recent drop-off is stark: the Steelers ending the regular season with four straight losses, a sobering stat for fans to swallow. They are the first team in NFL history to start with ten wins yet close out the season with five consecutive losses, including the playoffs.
Despite this, it's worth noting that Pittsburgh has enjoyed a consistent run of non-losing seasons during Tomlin's tenure. But their postseason record since reaching Super Bowl XLV back in the 2010 season hasn't been as bright, posting a 3-9 record. Even in December and January—months where finishing strong often sets the tone for playoff success—they've been middling, with a combined 16-14 record over the past five years.
Derrick Henry's Dominance
While much of the playoff narrative often focuses on quarterbacks, Derrick Henry's exceptional performance for the Ravens against the Steelers can’t be overlooked. He rushed for an incredible 186 yards with two touchdowns. Henry has now become one of the postseason legends, amassing three playoff games with over 175 rushing yards, surpassing the famed Terrell Davis. At 30 years or older, Henry’s feats are nothing short of historic, sitting comfortably with the second-most yards in a playoff game for his age.
Quarterback Contrasts: Herbert and Stroud
Turning an eye to the quarterbacks, Justin Herbert's game was one to forget. Completing just 14 of his 32 passes, totaling 242 yards, his four interceptions proved costly against the Texans. His passer rating plummeted to 40.9, contrasting sharply with his regular-season performance where interceptions were a rarity. The Chargers couldn’t muster much against playoff teams, going 2-6 on the year, save for victories over the Broncos.
On the flip side, C.J. Stroud consistently shined for the Texans, completing 22 of his 33 pass attempts for 282 yards. He handled the pressure with poise, securing his second playoff victory, further cementing his growing reputation. With a 2-1 postseason record, Stroud and the Texans aim to push deeper than last year's divisional round, where Houston faced elimination at the hands of Baltimore.
An NFL postseason featuring robust storylines and emotional highs and lows is nothing new. However, as the divisional rounds approach, fans eagerly anticipate who will rise and who might falter on the grand stage.