The Baltimore Ravens and Green Bay Packers advanced to the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs next weekend.
The Packers held on and defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 21-16 while the Baltimore Ravens rolled to an easy victory at Kansas City, 30-7.
The Eagles, led by quarterback Michael Vick, boasted the NFL's number-two offense coming into the game. The Packers defense did a good job limiting them to 16 points and sealed the game when Vick was intercepted in the closing seconds of the game.
Packers' QB Aaron Rodgers (pictured upper left) passed for 180 yards and three touchdowns.
The Packers led 14-3 at halftime and the Eagles got back into the game quickly in the third quarter when Vick hit Jason Avant for a 24-yard scoring pass following a Green Bay turnover to cut the game to 14-10.
Brandon Jackson scored on a 16-yard pass from Rodgers to get the Packers back in front 21-10.
Eagles' kicker David Akers missed two field goals in the game and that proved to be vital as the Eagles were forced to go for a touchdown in the final drive rather than a field goal attempt to win the game.
Vick scored on a one-yard run to draw Philly to within 21-16, but the two-point conversion failed and the Eagles were on their way to being eliminated from the playoffs.
The Packers face the Atlanta Falcons on the road next Saturday night.
The Baltimore Ravens smashed the Kansas City Chiefs, 30-7 as the defense dominated, sacking KC quarterback Matt Cassel (playing in his first playoff game) three times. The Ravens' defense also intercepted the Chiefs' signal caller three times.
Jamaal Charles scored Kansas City's only touchdown on a 41-yard run to give the Chiefs a 7-3 lead late in the first quarter.
The Ravens took the lead for good on a nine-yard scoring pass from QB Joe Flacco (265 yards passing and two TD) to running back Ray Rice with 19 seconds remaining in the first half.
The second half belonged to the visitors from Baltimore as they pulled away for the win.
Ravens' kicker Billy Cundiff made a pair of 29-yard field goals in the third quarter and Anquan Boldin hauled in a four-yard scoring pass from Flacco to make it 23-7.
Willis McGahee nailed the Chiefs' coffin shut for good on a 25-yard run to make it 30-7 with 4:26 remaining in the game.
Baltimore outgained Kansas City in total yardage, 390-161 as they limited the Chiefs to just 53 yards passing. Kansas City turned the football over five times in the loss as well.
The Ravens move on to play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday in the Divisional Round.
Since my team, the Redskins, didn't get in and it looks like they never will, I'm hoping for a Packers/Jets Superbowl.
ReplyDeleteI was so pleased to see the Packers win. I am a Rodgers fan. After his last injury, I was worried about his comeback. I think he is one of the top QBs in the league. I'm not sure about their next game with the Falcons though. It's a pretty even matchup. I think the Falcons have the better offense, but the Packers have a great defense. It's going to be interesting. Can't wait for Saturday night.
ReplyDeleteI have no preference on winners between the Ravens or the Steelers, but I think the Steelers will rollover Flacco and his team.
It was about time Rodgers got a playoff win. He was due. Vick will only be better next year as this will serve as a lesson and motivation. Jets vs. Pats and Ravens vs. Steelers doesn't get any better than that.
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