NFL PLAYOFFS - Divisional Round Review

The NFL playoffs are down to the final four teams as the New England Patriots will play at the Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC championship. In the NFC title game, it will be the Los Angeles Rams traveling down to The Big Easy to face the New Orleans Saints.




Saturday, January 12
Kansas City 31, Indianapolis 13 -The Chiefs dismantled the Indianapolis Colts, 31-13 as they ran the ball for four scores, including two by running back Damien Williams (129 yards on 25 carries). It was the first home playoff win for Kansas City since the 1993 season.

LA Rams 30, Dallas 22 - The host Rams battered the Dallas defense to the tune of 273 rushing yards as both C.J. Anderson (123 yards and two rushing TD) and Todd Gurley (115 yards and a rushing score) surpassed the 100-yard plateau. The Cowboys defense allowed 463 yards while they only had 50 yards rushing in the game.


Sunday, January 13
New England 41, LA Chargers 28 - The host Patriots ran all over the Chargers defense, bolting out to a 35-7 halftime lead as RB Sony Michel (24 carries, 129 yards) scored three touchdowns to lead the rout. Quarterback Tom Brady passed for 343 yards and a touchdown as the Patriots coasted in the second half.
Chargers QB Philip Rivers had three scoring passes in defeat. This is the eighth straight season the Patriots are advancing to the AFC Championship Game, which is an NFL record.

New Orleans 20, Philadelphia 14 - Marshon Lattimore sealed the win for the home team New Orleans Saints with his second interception of the day (off a deflection through the hands of Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery) with 1:53 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Saints fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter as Philly QB Nick Foles threw a 37-yard TD pass to Jordan Matthews and then scored on a one-yard run. From there, the Saints did all the scoring for the rest of the game as QB Drew Brees had a pair of touchdown passes, including a two-yard strike to WR Michael Thomas (12 receptions for 171 yards) to give them the lead late in the third quarter. Saints kicker Will Lutz made two field goals to help provide the final outcome.


NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 
Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 
New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs