NFL Divisional Round Playoffs 2024: It’s Chiefs, Ravens, 49ers and Lions for a Berth in Super Bowl LVIII
Championship Sunday is set.
For the Buffalo Bills, it was Wide Right, the Sequel. Tyler Bass missed a 44-yard field goal with 1:44 remaining that would have tied the Kansas City Chiefs and possibly sent the divisional game to overtime. Instead, the Bills’ third consecutive loss in the postseason to the Chiefs gave Patrick Mahomes his first postseason road win, and a trip to Baltimore next Sunday to face the Ravens in their sixth consecutive AFC title game.
Earlier Sunday, the Detroit Lions hosted their second consecutive playoff game after having one since 1957 before this season, and defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With the victory, Detroit packs its bags to take on the San Francisco 49ers, who survived the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night.
Mahomes, Purdy, Jackson and Goff will try to lead their teams to a berth in Super LVIII next Sunday.
Jay Biggerstaff/USA TODAY Sports (Mahomes); Cary Edmondson/USA TODAY Sports (Purdy); Cary Edmondson/USA TODAY Sports (Jackson); Matt Krohn/USA TODAY Sports (Goff)
On Saturday, the Ravens punched their ticket to the AFC championship game, beating the Houston Texans, 34–10, at M&T Stadium in Baltimore. With the victory, Lamar Jackson earned his second postseason win.
Sunday
Chiefs 27, Bills 24
Mahomes and Chiefs are headed to Baltimore to take on Lamar Jackson & Co. to go to the Super Bowl.
Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports
- What it means for Chiefs: Kansas City (13–6) has finally found its offense. On a day when the defense surrendered 27 first downs and 182 rushing yards, the Chiefs showcased a trait they’re long known for but haven’t unveiled all year: the ability to constantly move the ball. Kansas City averaged 9.3 yards per play, while Patrick Mahomes threw for 215 yards and two touchdowns. Additionally, Isiah Pacheco ran for 97 yards and a score on 15 carries, keeping the Bills off-balance with a sustained ground attack. Ultimately, it’s a sixth straight AFC championship game appearance.
- What it means for Bills: Buffalo (12–7) is finished in its current form. The Bills have a host of players who are either potential cap casualties or free agents, including Gabe Davis, Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, Mitch Morse, DaQuan Jones and others. The loss came as no fault of Josh Allen, who totaled 258 yards and three touchdowns. Ultimately, this will be remembered as Wide Right II, with Tyler Bass missing a game-tying, 44-yard field goal with 1:47 remaining.
Lions 31, Buccaneers 23
Reynolds and the Lions are headed to San Francisco to play the 49ers to go to Super Bowl LVIII.
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
- What it means for Buccaneers: Tampa Bay (10–9) offered up a surprising season, with Baker Mayfield leading the way. Few expected Mayfield to revive his career with the Buccaneers, throwing for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns in the regular season to help secure the NFC South title. Moving forward, general manager Jason Licht has a lot of work ahead. Mayfield is slated for free agency alongside other stars, including receiver Mike Evans and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. If Licht can keep at least two of them in-house, Tampa Bay is a good draft away from building off what was a campaign of overachievement.
- What it means for Lions: Detroit is going to the Bay Area, one game away from a place it’s never been. The Lions got a huge effort from rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who accounted for 113 total yards and a touchdown on 13 touches, while the defense harassed Mayfield into four sacks and a game-sealing interception. After failing to win a playoff game since 1991, or host one since ’93, the Lions are now hoping to upset the 49ers in Santa Clara, which isn’t farfetched. The key will be Jared Goff’s play-action passing and Detroit’s defensive front led by Aidan Hutchinson getting pressure on Brock Purdy.
Saturday
Ravens 34, Texans 10
Jackson accounted for four total touchdowns against the Texans, running for two and passing for two to advance to the AFC championship.
Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports
- What it means for Texans: Houston (11–8) has an incredible future. This season was more than anybody could have reasonably expected after the Texans won 11 total games over the past three years. After going through three coaches in as many campaigns, DeMeco Ryans is clearly the future. And C.J. Stroud is already a top-10 quarterback with phenomenal upside. While the Texans were outclassed in Baltimore, they’re a team loaded with young talent, a smart coach and a cap sheet that will allow for ample additions in future offseasons.
- What it means for Ravens: Lamar Jackson is going to be the story line, but the defense should be. The unit was awesome Saturday night, limiting Houston’s offense to three points after the Texans torched the Cleveland Browns a week ago. However, it shouldn’t be surprising. The Ravens led the league in sacks (60), yards per play against (4.6), points against (280), points per drive allowed (1.35) and other categories. Under coordinator Mike Macdonald, Baltimore’s defense is terrifying, and will be a major test for either the Bills or Chiefs next Sunday.
49ers 24, Packers 21
McCaffrey rushed for 98 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including the game-winning score with 1:07 to go in the fourth quarter.
Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports
- What it means for Packers: Green Bay (10–9) had a wonderful run to end the season largely behind the maturation of Jordan Love, but it ended on a missed field goal and an ugly interception. Still, once the temporary hurt subsides, the Packers should be excited about what’s to come. Love is on a cheap deal, and his weapons are almost all in their first or second years. There’s work to be done defensively, but Green Bay sits in a good position to fight with the Minnesota Vikings and Lions in the NFC North.
- What it means for 49ers: San Francisco (13–5) played a hideous game filled with Brock Purdy misses and defensive lapses, but the 49ers found a way to win. Yet in the postseason, there’s no worry about style points. That said, there has to be some concern about Purdy struggling throughout, as he completed 23 of 39 passes for 252 yards. That might be enough against the Lions or Buccaneers, but any of San Francisco’s possible Super Bowl opponents would welcome that stat line considering who they have under center.
