DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 20: Wilson brand footballs with the NFL logo are pictured during the game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns at Ford Field on November 20, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
We had two AFC Divisional Round games played this past weekend, with the Chiefs beating the Texans and the Bills narrowingly beating the Ravens. Here are the highlights, takeaways, and a recap of the games:
Texans @ Chiefs
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 23: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts during the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
This game was a lot closer than the final score indicated. There were a lot of controversial calls by the refs and the game ended with a bad taste in most people’s mouths.
Patrick Mahomes
CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 04: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs throws a pass during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
He threw for 177 yards and one touchdown to lead the Chiefs to a home victory. His top target was Travis Kelce, who had 7 receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown.
Chiefs Pass Catchers
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – MAY 22: Wide receiver Xavier Worthy #1 of the Kansas City Chiefs participates in OTA Offseason workouts at The University of Kansas Health System Training Complex on May 22, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The only other Chief not named Kelce to have more than 4 receptions was Xavier Worthy. None of DeAndre Hopkins, Hollywood Brown, or any other receiver even had a reception.
Chiefs Defense
HENDERSON, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 07: Chris Jones #95 of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to the media during Kansas City Chiefs media availability ahead of Super Bowl LVIII at Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa on February 07, 2024 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The Chiefs best players were Chris Jones and George Karlaftis, who had half of the teams astonishing eight sacks.
Mixon’s Big Game
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 04: Joe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans runs the ball during Mandatory Minicamp at Houston Methodist Training Center on June 04, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
The Texans were led by Joe Mixon who had 88 yards rushing and a touchdown.
Texans Pass Catchers
HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 03: Nico Collins #12 of the Houston Texans celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at NRG Stadium on December 03, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Nico Collins had five receptions for 81 yards, and Dalton Schultz had four receptions for 63 yards to help keep the game close.
Texans Defense
The Texans defense played very well and sacked Mahomes 3 times but were also the victim of some very bad penalty calls by the refs.
Ravens @ Bills
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills passes the ball for a Touchdown to Wide Receiver Stefon Diggs #14in the game between the Buffalo Bills vs the New York Jets on Monday Night Football at MetLife Stadium on September 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images)
In a game where a ton of offense was expected with two MVP-candidate QBs, it was actually the defense and an ill-timed drop that proved to be the difference.
Allen Finds A Way To Get It Done
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – OCTOBER 16: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills calls a play at the line during the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jason Hanna/Getty Images)
Josh Allen only threw for 127 yards, but he rushed for 2 TDs and was an enormous red zone presence per usual.
Lamar Was Clutch
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, JANUARY 20: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens throws the ball in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Texans 34-10. (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
Lamar Jackson led the team to the game-tying TD, but Mark Andrews dropped the two-point conversion, giving Buffalo the victory.
James Cook and Company Control The Ground Game
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 12: James Cook #4 of the Buffalo Bills scores a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter in the game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 12, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Buffalo was a two-dimensional offense, running the ball 36 times for 147 yards and eating a ton of time of possession.
Big Performance Even In The Loss
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 06: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during the fourth quarter in the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 06, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Jackson had 254 passing yards and 2 TDs and ran for 39 yards.
King Henry
KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 05: Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 5, 2024 in Kansas City, California. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Derrick Henry had 84 yards rushing and a TD but dropped what could have been a TD pass in the first quarter.
Likely Is A TE1
BALTIMORE, MD – NOVEMBER 12: Isaiah Likely #80 of the Baltimore Ravens carries the ball against Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah #6 and Sione Takitaki #44 of the Cleveland Browns during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Isaiah Likely looks like a future star; he had 73 receiving yards and a TD.
Bills Defense Made Key Plays
The Bills defense forced three turnovers and played extremely well in the first half.
Bateman Scores Again
TAMPA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 21: Rashod Bateman #7 of the Baltimore Ravens catches a 49-yard pass from Lamar Jackson #8 for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 21, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Rashod Bateman cemented his role as the WR2 with 66 receiving yards and a TD.
