Sunday, January 8, 2017

NFL PLAYOFFS - Steelers and Packers Get Easy Wins in Wild Card Games

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers both sent a message to the teams remaining in the playoffs that they better be ready to play.
The Steelers rolled past the visiting Miami Dolphins, 30-12 as running back Le'Veon Bell rushed for a team playoff record 167 yards and scored two touchdowns. Meanwhile, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had a pair of scoring passes to wide receiver Antonio Brown (five catches for 124 yards) in the first quarter as the Steelers put this one away early, building up a 20-6 halftime advantage.
The Pittsburgh defense also forced three turnovers, including two fumble recoveries to thwart any momentum for Miami. 
The only concern following the game was Roethlisberger showing up to the post-game press conference in a walking boot for a slight ankle injury late in the game, but he assured everyone he will be ready to go when the Steelers play at the Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday in the Divisional Round.

In the NFC Wild Card game, after a tight game in the first half, the Green Bay Packers drew away from the New York Giants for a 38-13 win that sends them to Dallas to face the Cowboys next Sunday in the Divisional Round.
The Giants had a 6-0 lead before Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (362 yards passing) threw the first of his four touchdown passes in the game to WR Davante Adams (eight receptions for 125 yards) for a 7-6 lead.
Just as the first half ended, Rodgers threw a 'Hail Mary' pass to WR Randall Cobb, who had five receptions for 116 yards and three touchdowns, for a score to give Green Bay a 14-6 halftime lead.
The second half was all Packers as the defense harassed Giants QB Eli Manning with the big play being a forced fumble by linebacker Clay Matthews, who recovered the ball to seal the game with eight minutes remaining and Green Bay ahead 31-13.

So the Divisional Rounds for next weekend are set . . .

Saturday, January 14
Seattle at Atlanta
Houston at New England

Sunday, January 15
Pittsburgh at Kansas City
Green Bay at Dallas


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