The NFL Wild Card Round can be a mixed bag. It's where you quickly figure out which teams came to make a real run and which ones are just happy to have shown up. Some matchups feel like mismatches on paper, but that's part of the charm — the surprises, the domination, and the occasional down-to-the-wire thriller. 

Whether it was dominant performances that left no room for doubt or a nail-biting finish that had fans on the edge of their seats, these games gave us a little bit of everything.

We saw MVP-level stars shine when it mattered most, defenses take over and dictate entire games, and even a rookie quarterback rise to the occasion in his first-ever postseason outing. It was the perfect mix of expected outcomes and surprises that keep fans hooked on postseason football.

Houston Texans 32, Los Angeles Chargers 12

The Houston Texans made a statement with a commanding 32-12 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. While Justin Herbert and the Chargers had high hopes heading into the postseason, Houston had other plans.

Herbert had a nightmare outing, throwing four interceptions, including a game-changing pick-six by Eric Murray. It’s not often you see a quarterback with Herbert’s pedigree unravel like this in the playoffs, but the Texans’ defense kept him under constant duress. 

It wasn’t just a bad day for Herbert — it was one for the playoff record books, in all the wrong ways. It's the first time since Kerry Collins in 2001 that a quarterback finished a playoff game with 4 interceptions and a completion percentage below 44. 

Houston’s special teams made history, too. A blocked extra point turned into a defensive two-point conversion when D'Angelo Ross ran it back the length of the field. First time that’s ever happened in the postseason, and the crowd loved every second of it.

On offense, C.J. Stroud showed why he’s the future of this franchise. Sure, he had a few shaky moments against the blitz, but overall he completed 24 of 35 passes for 282 yards and a touchdown in the win. Joe Mixon chipped in with 106 yards on the ground and a score, keeping the Chargers’ defense guessing all game long.

For the Chargers, rookie receiver Ladd McConkey was the lone bright spot. The kid was unstoppable, setting a playoff record for rookie receiving yards with 192 on nine catches. It’s a shame his breakout performance came in a game his team couldn’t keep competitive.

With this win, the Texans now head to Arrowhead to face the Chiefs. As if the stakes weren’t high enough, this game got the Nickelodeon treatment, complete with slime graphics and playful commentary. Houston fans will hope the fun carries over into next week.

Baltimore Ravens 28, Pittsburgh Steelers 14

The Baltimore Ravens imposed their will on the Pittsburgh Steelers with a 28-14 victory that was as much a statement as it was a clinic in old-school football. Baltimore took control early and never let up, leaning on a dominant ground game and the kind of physicality that made them look like legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

The tone was set right out of the gate, as the Ravens jumped to a commanding 21-0 lead in the first half. It was classic Ravens football: explosive runs, punishing blocks, and a relentless approach that had the Steelers gasping for answers. 

Derrick Henry was a wrecking ball, racking up 186 yards and two touchdowns, including a highlight-reel 50-yard sprint where he broke three tackles and, according to Lamar, looked like "Lightning McQueen." 

You know when Lightning McQueen is just flying and flashing past, and it's like '(whooshing sound).' That's how Derrick looked when he was running past all those guys. It looked like a movie.

Perhaps the most telling moment came in the third quarter. With the game still somewhat within reach for Pittsburgh, the Ravens orchestrated a 13-play drive — every single play a run — that ended in another Henry touchdown. It was the ultimate flex, showing they could dominate without even tapping into Lamar Jackson’s MVP-caliber arm.

That’s not to say Lamar was a spectator. He chipped in 81 rushing yards of his own and threw for 175 yards and two touchdowns when called upon, thriving off the Steelers’ desperate attempts to stack the box against Henry. 

On the other side of the ball, the Ravens’ defense suffocated Pittsburgh’s rushing attack, holding them to a paltry 48 yards on the ground. The Steelers’ offense, led by veteran Russell Wilson, looked one-dimensional and overwhelmed for most of the game.

With this win, the Ravens advance to the divisional round, where their punishing style and balanced attack will make them a nightmare matchup for the Bills. For now, though, they’ve reminded the league exactly why they’re a force to be reckoned with.

Buffalo Bills 31, Denver Broncos 7

The Buffalo Bills made it look easy in their 31-7 win over the Denver Broncos, controlling the game on both sides of the ball. While the Broncos started with a spark, scoring a quick touchdown, it didn’t take long for the Bills to settle in and take over.

After that early hiccup, Buffalo’s defense locked in, shutting out Denver for the rest of the game. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix showed flashes of potential in his playoff debut, but the Bills’ defense was simply too much, forcing him into rushed decisions and keeping the Broncos’ offense off-balance all afternoon. For Nix, there’s promise for the future, but this game was a steep learning curve.

On offense, Josh Allen continued to show why many think he deserves the MVP award. Allen was sharp, throwing for 245 yards and two touchdowns while also adding 46 yards on the ground. 

James Cook had his breakout moment, running for 120 yards and a touchdown, adding a dynamic element to Buffalo’s already potent offense. His ability to make defenders miss in open space and find extra yards after contact was a difference-maker.

Now, what's interesting is the fact that this seems to happen every year. Allen and the Bills get the second seed and end up with an easy (as easy as playoff games in the NFL get) Wild Card matchup. This win marked Allen’s fifth career victory in the first round, with his list of opposing quarterbacks in those wins including Philip Rivers in his last ever NFL game, Mac Jones as a rookie, Skylar Thompson in his second-ever NFL game, Mason Rudolph, and now another rookie in Nix. 

Looking ahead, the Bills will face the Baltimore Ravens in a highly anticipated showdown. It’s Allen vs. Jackson in a battle of MVP frontrunners, and if this Wild Card performance is any indication, the Bills look more than ready for the challenge.

Philadelphia Eagles 22, Green Bay Packers 10

The Philadelphia Eagles flew past the Green Bay Packers in a 22-10 victory that was all about taking advantage of opportunities. From the very first play, when the Eagles recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff, it was clear they came to pounce on every mistake.

The defense set the tone, forcing Packers quarterback Jordan Love into three interceptions. Every time Green Bay looked like they might get something going, Philadelphia’s secondary was there to slam the door shut. It wasn’t just about turnovers, though — the Eagles’ defense played with an edge that made the Packers earn every yard.

On offense, Jalen Hurts showed some rust after missing over a month with a concussion. He made the plays he needed to, but if the Eagles want to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive, Hurts will likely have to deliver more and carry the team when it counts. 

Tight end Dallas Goedert provided one of the game’s highlights with a clutch touchdown catch, capped off by not one but two stiff-arms on his way to the end zone. It was a moment that had the crowd buzzing and the Packers’ defense shaking their heads.

Now the Eagles turn their attention to the explosive offense and underrated defense of the Los Angeles Rams in what promises to be a tough matchup. For now, though, Philadelphia’s opportunistic defense and timely playmaking have them flying high.

Washington Commanders 23, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20

The Washington Commanders snapped a 19-year playoff drought in thrilling fashion, edging out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 in a game that came down to the wire. For a team that had long been on the outside looking in during January football, this win felt like an organizational shift.

Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels delivered under pressure, showcasing incredible poise on a game-defining 4th down play. With the Commanders trailing late, Daniels found Terry McLaurin in the end zone for a clutch touchdown that tied the game. It was the kind of throw that makes you believe this kid is going to be a star.

The drama didn’t stop there. With time winding down, kicker Zane Gonzalez stepped up and drilled the game-winning field goal — but not before the ball kissed the upright on its way through. It was a heart-stopping moment that had Commanders fans celebrating like they’d just won the Super Bowl.

On the other side, Baker Mayfield put on an impressive performance for Tampa Bay. His efficiency was off the charts, posting a passer rating of 146.5 with an 83% completion rate. Incredibly, he became just the fourth quarterback since 2000 to hit those marks in a playoff game, but the only one to walk away with a loss. 

Despite Mayfield’s heroics, the Bucs struggled to sustain drives, running just 48 plays compared to Washington’s 73.

Mental mistakes on the Buccaneers’ offensive line also proved costly, derailing key possessions and putting added pressure on Mayfield. For a team with so much firepower, Tampa Bay’s inability to execute in critical moments ultimately spelled their downfall.

With this victory, the Commanders move on to face the top-seeded Lions in the Divisional Round.

Los Angeles Rams 27, Minnesota Vikings 9

The Los Angeles Rams rolled over the Minnesota Vikings with a 27-9 win where the defense was a nightmare for Minnesota and the offense didn’t miss a beat. This game wasn’t played in Los Angeles, though. Due to wildfires forcing a relocation, the Rams brought their game to Arizona and left no doubt about the goal on their mind.

The Rams' defense was relentless, tying an NFL playoff record with nine sacks. Jared Verse led the charge, proving the Rams’ front office knew what they were doing when they rebuilt their defensive line after Aaron Donald’s departure. Verse and the rest of the defense made life miserable for Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, who spent more time running for his life than he did looking downfield.

Matthew Stafford was cool under pressure, picking apart the Vikings’ defense when it mattered most. Despite Minnesota’s defensive coordinator Brian Flores sticking to an aggressive game plan and blitzing repeatedly, Stafford shredded the pressure, completing 14 of 18 passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns against the blitz alone.

This was a statement win for Los Angeles, but the road only gets tougher. They’ll face the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round — a clash of the Rams’ explosive offense against the Eagles’ stifling defense.

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