Saints 31 Ted Ginn’s 80-yard touchdown was the longest score in postseason history against a player’s former team — and also the difference in a game defined by this huge statement by New Orleans: Stop one facet of our offense and the other will destroy you. The most compelling matchup of Round 2 will be the Saints offense vs. the Vikings defense. Meanwhile, I’m still trying to figure out just what the hell happened to Cam Newton. How in the world does a player take this hellacious hit, stagger around and get ruled OK enough to return to the game after missing just one play? While it would have certainly spelled an unfortunate end to Carolina’s season, Derek Anderson should have been the one on the field at the end of the game — even if it meant wrecking the Panthers’ chances like Nathan Peterman did to Buffalo. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Jaguars 10 This is not what Bills Mafia waited 18 years for: O.J. Simpson resurfacing in Bills gear, a painful reminder of the Music City Miracle and a loss so ugly an airport’s pregame trolling proved prophetic. No franchise deserves this.
Speaking of juice not worth the squeeze … this is absolutely the historic playoff debut you’d expect from Blake Bortles: The Big Liability is just the fourth QB since 1950 to win a playoff game with more rushing yards (88) than passing yards (87). Yet, and still, Jacksonville’s dominant defense propelled the Jaguars to their first playoff win in a decade and put them in position to replicate a feat only the Jags themselves have accomplished: Beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh both in the regular season and the playoffs. Big Ben should be careful what he wishes for. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)To the only Bills touchdown this weekend: On our runway. Current view of our Air Traffic Control Tower! @Jaguars #DTWD #jaguars pic.twitter.com/QE9rdVFlDW — JAXairport (@JAXairport) January 5, 2018
Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images
Rams 13 Atlanta’s offense overcame a Coliseum turf that played more like the ice at Staples Center, their defense had Jared Goff running for his life, and they had control of this game from start to finish. With a trip to Philly against the wounded Eagles on tap for next week, the Falcons seemed destined for a second straight trip to the conference championship game — and maybe even a return to the Super Bowl. After all the Sean McVay hype leading up to the Rams’ first home playoff game in Los Angeles since 1979, the L.A. offense was seemingly self-stymied (how does Todd Gurley only get 18 touches?!) and special teams coughed it up twice to basically put the Rams behind early. I know the L.A. renaissance came a year early, but the Rams’ last two weeks feel like a blown opportunity to make a run in a wide open NFC playoff bracket. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Chiefs 21 Marcus Mariota has only won two games when trailing by 14 or more points … and both have come against the Chiefs. Mariota became the first Heisman Trophy-winning QB to win a road playoff game since 1980 by throwing a touchdown to himself and making a key block on the game-clinching run to get Tennessee to Round 2 for the first time in 14 years. Not bad for a kid in a sophomore slump. As for Kansas City … is there a better encapsulation of their season than this game? They start fast, inexplicably get away from running Kareem Hunt and fade away at the end. I know Jeff Triplette saved his worst for last, but Andy Reid — the first coach in NFL history to lose two postseason games in which he led by at least 17 points — is the one with a lot to answer for. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
AP Photo/Ed Zurga
