NFL Playoff Recap: Disappointments for Mike Tomlin and Justin Herbert on Wild-Card Saturday
Historically, Saturday’s NFL wild-card games have not been the most thrilling matchups, and this year was no exception. The day’s games were largely unexciting, continuing the trend of these playoff slots being filled with less engaging contests.
In a mistake-prone showdown, the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers turned over the ball seven times. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens played it safe against the Pittsburgh Steelers, with both higher-seeded teams advancing without much excitement.
However, the results still had a significant impact on the upcoming playoffs and offseason decisions. Here’s a look at the Saturday’s winners and losers:
Winners
Derrick Henry
Nearly five years ago, Derrick Henry dominated the Ravens in a playoff win, rushing for 195 yards. While he didn’t quite reach those heights this time, rushing for 186 yards on 26 carries with a key 44-yard touchdown run, Henry’s performance will likely delight Baltimore. The Titans, meanwhile, are facing a rebuild with the first overall pick in the NFL draft on the horizon.
Nico Collins
After a slow start, Collins became a crucial part of the Texans’ offense, ending the game with seven catches for 122 yards and a touchdown. His score ignited a 23-point scoring streak for the Texans. Despite injuries to Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell affecting Houston’s receiving options, Collins proved he is a capable WR1, as no other Texan exceeded 34 receiving yards.
Todd Monken
The Ravens’ offensive coordinator no longer faces backlash over a reduced running game after last season’s AFC Championship loss. Baltimore set a franchise playoff record with 299 rushing yards on 50 attempts, with Lamar Jackson contributing significantly in the first half. While there were missed opportunities after halftime, Monken demonstrated his coaching skills and has attracted interest from several NFL teams seeking a head coach.
Steve Spagnuolo
The playoff matchups remain uncertain, but should the Denver Broncos lose to the Buffalo Bills, the Kansas City Chiefs will likely face the Texans again. Just a few weeks back, Chris Jones exploited Houston’s shaky interior line, leading to a restructuring of the Texans’ offensive strategy. This should be a successful week for Spagnuolo, especially with head coaching interview requests from the Jaguars, Raiders, and Jets.
Will Anderson Jr.
Despite being recognized as NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Anderson still feels underrated. His impressive performance on Saturday—1½ sacks, two pass deflections, and three quarterback hits—could enhance his reputation. He may even emerge as a surprising contender for NFL Defensive Player of the Year next season.
Derek Stingley Jr.
Recognition continues for the Texans’ standout athletes. Just two days after being named to the All-Pro team, Stingley delivered two interceptions, a forced fumble, and five passes defended against Justin Herbert. After sometimes being overshadowed early in his career, Stingley has solidified his place among the league’s top cornerbacks and a pivotal member of a promising young secondary.
Losers
Mike Tomlin
As the longest-serving head coach in the league, Mike Tomlin has consistently provided stability for the Steelers. However, following a disappointing end to the regular season and a disappointing playoff loss, questions arise about the future. The team was outperformed in both their run game and defensive strategy, raising concerns as they’ve now lost six consecutive playoffs and haven’t advanced past the divisional round since 2017. The Steelers now face an uncertain offseason regarding their quarterback situation and defensive lineup. Although Tomlin often refers to maintaining high standards, finishing with a home playoff exit after achieving nine wins may lead to scrutiny over necessary changes.
Justin Herbert
Whether due to Anderson’s unblocked rush or the continuous mistakes by his receivers coupled with questionable play-calling from offensive coordinator Greg Roman, Los Angeles struggled offensively, leading to a disappointing situation for their star quarterback.
Chargers’ Receiving Corps
Rookie Ladd McConkey dazzled with a record-setting performance of 197 receiving yards on nine catches in a playoff game. However, the receiving unit faced skepticism as their season reached its end, contributing to the team’s downfall. Will Dissly’s fourth-quarter drop found its way to Stingley, while Quentin Johnston failed to catch a crucial fourth-and-1 pass, running his route shorter than necessary. With Joshua Palmer out for the game due to a foot injury and soon to be a free agent, significant concerns linger about the team’s receiving corps, aside from McConkey.
Steelers Defense
While Russell Wilson and George Pickens were under heavy criticism, the Steelers defense also faced significant disappointment. Just weeks ago, Pittsburgh allowed Henry to rush for 162 yards on 24 carries while Baltimore amassed a total of 220 rushing yards. Instead of recovering from that instance, they delivered a postseason franchise-low 299 rushing yards against them. The Steelers’ defenders appeared frustrated as they struggled with fundamental plays throughout the season. Given that the team allocated the highest cap space to their defense in 2024, the results are particularly troubling.
Jim Harbaugh
For a stretch on Saturday, Jim Harbaugh seemed to have everything going his way. The Chargers had the advantage early on, capitalizing on the Texans’ struggles. However, in an atypical performance, Los Angeles recorded only 50 rushing yards from 18 attempts and scored just three points after capitalizing on three turnovers by Houston. Despite this disappointing end, Harbaugh’s first season with the Chargers is still viewed as a success since he established a solid foundation for the future, although this finish will be difficult for a franchise that aims to secure its first playoff win since 2018.
Amazon Prime Video
As Amazon took over from Peacock to broadcast the league’s second exclusive streaming game, there were no glaring mishaps like the infamous Mike Tyson-Jake Paul event. However, the game itself turned into a one-sided affair and failed to engage viewers. While it might still contribute positively to their financial performance, it seems unlikely that many new subscriptions were gained after the first quarter.
Buffalo Bills
Facing Jackson and the ascendant Ravens would pose a significant challenge for a team preparing for a likely showdown against the two-time reigning champion Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in the AFC championship game, assuming they can overcome the Denver Broncos on Sunday. This outcome was what Sean McDermott’s team anticipated, but many would have preferred the Steelers to upset and allow for an easier matchup against the Texans.
