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)
Here are the biggest takeaways from the NFC divisional round playoff games:
Gibbs Should Always Get More Touches Than Montgomery
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 16: Jahmyr Gibbs #26 of the Detroit Lions runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Ford Field on December 16, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
Montgomery is a solid RB, especially in the red zone, but Gibbs is the best offensive player on the Lions and is a home run threat every he touches the football.
Jayden Daniels Is A Future MVP
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 06: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders rushes against the Cleveland Browns at Northwest Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
He doesn’t look like a rookie. He plays composed, poised, and MVP-caliber football. As amazing as he is at picking up yards with his legs, he is an incredibly efficient and accurate passer, too.
Goff Made Too Many Mistakes
PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 21: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions warms up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on August 21, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
The interceptions and fumble cannot happen in big games. At some point, those turnovers come back to haunt you, and they did in this game.
Terry McLaurin Is An Elite WR
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 21: Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Commanders catches a pass for a first down over the defense of Donte Jackson #26 of the Carolina Panthers in the first quarter of the game at Bank of America Stadium on November 21, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
We saw him have a huge regular season thanks to finally having good QB play and he showed up in a huge way in this game.
Zach Ertz and Austin Ekeler Are Clutch
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 14: Zach Ertz #86 of the Washington Commanders runs with the ball during an NFL Football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 14, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Both guys made big plays in key moments in this game. Ertz is a security blanket for Daniels and scored a big TD, while Ekeler not only had some big runs, but his ability to catch passes out of the backfield was also on display. Ertz also made an amazing play on the Lions onside kick attempt.
Jalen Hurts Taking Too Many Sacks
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 19: Quarterback Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws the ball during the second half in the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field on September 19, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Some people will point to the weather, but in the first half, there wasn’t much precipitation, and the Eagles didn’t pass the ball well. Hurts held onto the ball way too long. He took way too many sacks (7), and that’s not championship football. It has to improve.
Matthew Stafford Is A Gamer
ARLINGTON, TX – OCTOBER 29: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams drops back to pass during an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Stafford played a helluva game and made some big throws against one of the top defenses in the NFL. He did it on the road, in freezing cold weather and a blizzard in the second half. Down 13 points late, he manufactured 2 amazing drives that gave his team a chance to win. In the end, the Eagles defense made one last big play.
Saquon Is The Eagles Missing Piece
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles carries the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during a football game at Lincoln Financial Field on September 16, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
What is there to say about Saquon Barkley that hasn’t already been said? He had a 62-yard TD and 78-yard TD in this game, and his TDs were the difference on the scoreboard, too. The entire offense runs through him, and without him, the Eagles don’t win. He finished the game with over 200 yards.
The Rams Stars Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua Are Clutch
INGLEWOOD, CA – DECEMBER 21: Cooper Kupp #10 of the Los Angeles Rams runs the ball after a catch during an NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium on December 21, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)
Heading into the final five minutes of the game, they had 5 catches combined for under 60 yards, but in crunch time, they made 6 catches for nearly 100 yards and set the Rams up with a chance to win at the end.
The Eagles Can Be Run On For Chunk Yards
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 25: Kyren Williams #23 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the ball during the first half of the game against the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium on December 25, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Kyren Williams broke big runs against the Eagles top-ranked defense, picking up huge chunk yards. He had a 20+ yarder and 30+ yarder, and both led to points for the Rams. Williams had over 100 rush yards for the game. The Commanders are a good running team, so this is something to watch.
