The NFL’s wild-card round is nearing its conclusion, with just one matchup remaining – the Minnesota Vikings facing off against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night.

After the games on Sunday, teams such as the Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Commanders have secured their spots in the divisional round.

Notably, Washington became the first lower-seeded team in the NFL playoffs to achieve a victory on the road. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels played impressively, orchestrating a game-winning drive in the closing moments and showcasing veteran-like poise.

Additionally, fans witnessed another strong performance from MVP contender Josh Allen, who skillfully extended plays and outperformed one of the league’s top defenses.

Here are the highlights and lowlights from Sunday of the wild card weekend.

HIGHLIGHTS

Josh Allen Stands Out with Efficiency

The Denver Broncos had the NFL’s third-best scoring defense, conceding an average of 18.3 points per game during the regular season and ranking eighth in turnovers forced (25). Allen remarkably completed 20 of 26 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns, while also contributing 46 rushing yards in a dominant 31-7 victory.

As he has done throughout the season, Allen focused on efficiency and ball security. His ability to extend plays caused confusion in the Broncos’ defense, allowing Bills receivers to find open spots. This was particularly evident in a fourth-and-1 touchdown pass late in the third quarter to running back Ty Johnson, boosting the Bills’ momentum significantly.

Jayden Daniels Impresses as Rookie

Starting his first playoff game, Daniels propelled Washington to its first postseason win in 19 years. In fact, he was just 5 years old the last time the team achieved this feat on the road against the Buccaneers. Despite the environment, he handled the pressure exceptionally well, particularly in critical moments. On 15 key third- and fourth-down attempts on Sunday night, Daniels secured two touchdowns and earned eight first downs.

In a nail-biting finish with the score tied at 20, Washington’s offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury trusted Daniels with crucial decisions on two significant third downs: a 21-yard completion to receiver Dyami Brown on third-and-6 and a 4-yard run on third-and-2 that set up the game-winning field goal.

Eagles’ Strong Start Continues

Through the first 13 games of the 2024 season, the Eagles accumulated just 17 first-quarter points. However, in their last six games, including their win on Sunday, that figure has significantly increased to 65, with 10 points scored in the first quarter of the latest match.

The Eagles have proven to be a tough opponent, largely due to their fast starts. With running back Saquon Barkley continually improving as games progress—he tallied 119 yards on 25 carries—Philadelphia can exhaust opposing defenses with powerful rushing plays. Quarterback Jalen Hurts, returning from a concussion after three weeks, also showcased his mobility, leaving the Packers vulnerable when plays fell apart. Consequently, taking an early lead appears to be vital for success against Philadelphia.

Joe Brady’s Balanced Strategy

Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady effectively implemented a balanced offensive strategy to disrupt the Broncos. Even against Denver’s strong rushing defense, which ranked third in the NFL for the regular season (96.4 yards allowed per game), Brady’s team emphasized their ground game.

The Bills ran the ball 44 times for 210 yards, with James Cook contributing 120 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries. On average, they executed 10 plays per series, excluding the five-play sequence needed to seal the win.

LOWLIGHTS

Jordan Love Struggles in Downfield Passing

With their starters well-rested, the Eagles put pressure on Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who never found his rhythm and struggled to throw effectively downfield. Notably, his three interceptions occurred while he had a clean pocket, raising concerns about his decision-making.

One interception was made by Eagles corner Darius Slay, while another resulted from a poor read thrown directly into the hands of linebacker Zack Baun. The final pick came in a moment of desperation, thrown into double coverage. All three could have been sidestepped with safer checkdown passes. Despite Love’s talent, the Eagles’ defense, known for forcing 26 takeaways, capitalized on his mistakes against a secondary allowing the fewest passing yards (174.2 per game).

Late Fumble Negatively Impacts Mike Evans’ Performance

The NBC broadcast highlighted the ongoing rivalry between Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans and Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Their rivalry, originating from Lattimore’s time with the New Orleans Saints, adds significant drama to their matchups.

In this game, Evans excelled, catching all seven of his targets for 92 yards and a touchdown. His performance included a crucial third-down conversion that extended a drive, but disaster struck when quarterback Baker Mayfield mishandled the handoff, leading to a fumble and loss of possession deep within Tampa territory. Washington capitalized by scoring a touchdown within four plays, eventually altering the game’s outcome, despite the Buccaneers tying the match later.

Denver Struggles to Maintain Offensive Drives

The Broncos looked strong initially, striking first with a 43-yard touchdown pass to receiver Troy Franklin. However, they struggled to maintain momentum for the rest of the game. Buffalo dominated, executing the final 31 points of the game, making Denver’s opening drive—their longest at 70 yards—the exception rather than the rule.

Denver managed only 42 offensive plays, far fewer than Buffalo’s 72, and converted just two of nine third downs. With the Bills outgaining them 471 yards to 224, it proved nearly impossible to claim victory against a talented team like Buffalo, especially with Allen’s ability to make impactful plays.