For these losing teams, management will have difficult choices ahead of them. These are decisions above my pay grade…that’s why they get the big bucks. Here are the six teams who lost this week and the main reason their season is over.
Chargers
Justin Herbert seemed to turn the corner this year with Jim Harbaugh at the helm. They had a decent matchup against a Houston Texans team sputtering at home, and they had all of Los Angeles to rally for. Herbert only threw three interceptions all year…he threw four in this game. He only completed 10 more passes to his own team than the Texans, completing 14. Another reason for the loss was that their running game abandoned them, only gaining 51 yds on the ground. Questions are starting to swirl as to whether Herbert will ever be “the guy.” He’s a tremendous talent with size and arm strength to make any pass on the field, but there’s something missing. He’s now 0-2 in the playoffs and beginning to look like a second-tier QB on the back end of the top 10, or even out of it, as these younger QBs start to emerge. He’s starting to remind me of Drew Bledsoe…but even Bledsoe made it to a Superbowl.
Steelers
Russell Wilson actually had a decent game, and this loss cannot be pinned on him. He completed 20 of 29 passes for 270 yards and two TDs. Much of that was when the Steelers were already down 21-0, but that wasn’t his fault. The main reason for this loss was the defense…if you want to call it that. They were awful, and TJ Watt was invisible. Their defense gave up 301 rushing yards and 476 total yards. No team can survive that. And to make matters worse, their running game was terrible, only gaining 29 yards, with Najee Harris getting 17 yards on six rushes. In the offseason, they’ll have to decide on Harris, as well as their two QBs, Wilson and Justin Fields. This could be another re-build for Mike Tomlin since the departure of Ben Roethlisberger.
Broncos
It’s tough to pin this loss on any one thing. Bo Nix wasn’t great, but he led the team to a 7-0 lead with an opening drive score that surprised just about every member of Bills Mafia. And at the half, they were only down 10-7. But this game was won simply because Buffalo is a far better team, and Josh Allen is one of the top few QBs in the game. They completely dominated the time of possession. Buffalo’s offense completely controlled both lines and the clock, holding the ball for nearly 42 minutes. Denver only had the ball for 18:17 of this game…and you can’t win like that.
Packers
Jordan Love threw three pivotal interceptions in this game, and that is the main reason the Packers are home for the rest of the playoffs. The Eagles weren’t great in this game, which is why I think the Rams have a puncher’s chance this week against them. Love has had a nagging elbow injury, which probably had something to do with the poor performance. But it’s the overall decision-making that he lacked. Bad elbow or not that will need to improve for him to move into that next level.
Buccaneers
This game was the only close matchup this week that literally went down to the last second. It was close throughout and went back and forth. It’s tough to pin this loss on anyone, especially the QB. Baker Mayfield did go 15 for 18 with two TDs, but when they needed him, he made an extremely costly fumble trying to hand the ball off on a jet sweep. Sometimes, a team just faces a team of destiny. Not that the Commanders are going to win it all, but the entire season has been magical for them and their rookie QB, Jayden Daniels. He has the swagger and aura of a 10 yr veteran who rises in the game’s biggest moments. I think the Cinderella ride does end in Detroit for them, but for at least one week, they proved to be the better team against the Bucs.
Vikings
Sam Darnold cost himself millions of dollars these past two weeks. He was one game away from leading his team to a 15-2 record and no.1 seed. The loss took them on the road to face the Los Angeles Rams. The biggest reason for this loss was Darnold’s inability to avoid pressure and their offensive line to protect him. He was sacked nine times. And although some were because of the O-line, some were 100% on him, holding, holding, and holding the ball. After “three Mississippi,” it’s on the QB…you can’t expect your line to keep you upright for five seconds or more. Three weeks ago, all the talk around the Vikings was how much Darnold would get and where they would trade JJ McCarthy. Nobody is saying that now. No doubt, Darnold will latch on with a team, but it won’t be the Vikings.
