The 2024-2025 NFL season crowned the Philadelphia Eagles champions. As a Giants fan, it hurts to see Jalen Hurts raise the trophy and the Super Bowl MVP, as well as watch Saquon Barkley leave the team and immediately win the Lombardi. Looking past this, this year’s playoffs were great. Despite the lackluster Superbowl, this year’s playoff games left fans with thrills, upsets, and much more.
Wild Card Round Game 1: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Houston Texans
What was a defensive first half where both teams were in a close battle, the Houston Texans took over in the second half, leading to a victory over the Chargers by a score of 32-12. Despite the Texans missing key pieces to their offense such as wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell, this offense was still able to run smoothly with C.J. Stroud leading the way. Stroud went 22-33 for 282 yards and 1 touchdown. The Texans’ lead back Joe Mixon ran for 106 yards and a touchdown, and Nico Collins also had a big day, recording 7 receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown. The Chargers had no answers for this offense in the second half, and could never really kick start their own. Justin Herbert threw 4 interceptions in this game and took a multitude of sacks. Derek Stingley Jr. and Will Anderson Jr. took over this defense and shut down the Chargers.
Wild Card Round Game 2: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens
Not the most exciting of games despite what the score may allude to. The Ravens took care of business, winning by a score of 28-14. Despite the relatively close score, this game never really felt close. The Ravens had the upper hand throughout, and the Steelers’ offense could not get much done outside of the 3rd quarter where Russell Wilson threw for 2 touchdowns. The Ravens offense was led by Derrick Henry who had a monster game, tallying 186 yards and 2 touchdowns. No upsets here, what was supposed to happen happened, and the Ravens advanced.
Wild Card Round Game 3: Denver Broncos vs. Buffalo Bills
The Broncos had short-lived success in this game, starting hot with a 43-yard touchdown from Bo Nix to Troy Franklin. After this, however, the Bills took over, scoring 31 unanswered points. Josh Allen had a solid game, throwing for 272 yards and 2 touchdowns. James Cook also played extremely well, rushing for 120 yards and a touchdown. Like the Ravens, the Bills took care of business against a worse Broncos squad, simply dominating this first round.
Wild Card Round Game 4: Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The score does not do justice to how close this game was. Despite what the 22-10 score depicts, the Packers held their own against this Eagles squad, and had many chances to come back in this game. However, Jordan Love’s 3 interceptions certainly did not help their case. There were no true standouts in this contest, the better overall team simply did what they needed to do.
Wild Card Round Game 5: Washington Commanders vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This was a great game by two great teams. The Commanders barely edged out the Buccaneers, winning by a score of 23-20. Jayden Daniels simply took over this game, cementing his status as the top rookie in this draft. He threw for 268 yards and 2 touchdowns, as well as rushed for 36 yards. Despite Mike Evans’ efforts in trying to will his team to a victory, recording 7 receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown, it was not enough to overtake the Commanders. In a game where neither team turned over the ball, it came down to which QB performed better. In this scenario, Jayden Daniels had the upper hand, as Baker Mayfield fell just short of moving on.
Wild Card Round Game 6: Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Rams
In what some may consider the most surprising outcome of this Wild Card round (I predicted this would happen), the Los Angeles Rams destroyed the Minnesota Vikings by a score of 27-9. The Minnesota Vikings make a living in the regular season, as this is not the first time we have seen them have a great regular season and then fall short in the playoffs (they did this same thing against the Giants in 2022). Darnold by no means had a bad game, throwing for 245 yards and a touchdown, however, this offense could never really get their best playmakers going. Justin Jefferson and Aaron Jones were quiet this game, leading to limited red zone trips and no touchdowns. The more experienced Stafford was able to take this one home, despite those who felt they had the worst team.
Divisional Round Game 1: Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Mahomes and company took care of business in this one, winning by a score of 23-14. By no means a blowout, but this Chiefs defense gave Stroud trouble all day, sacking Stroud a total of 8 times. George Karlaftis chipped in with 3 of those, leading this Chiefs defense. Mahomes did not have a great game, but it was good enough to move on against this underdog Texans team.
Divisional Round Game 2: Washington Commanders vs. Detroit Lions
In what is widely considered the biggest upset in the playoffs, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Commanders took down the #1 seed Detroit Lions in a shootout, winning by a score of 45-31. Jayden Daniels was unstoppable in this one, throwing for 299 yards and 2 touchdowns. Brian Robinson Jr. also had a very solid game, rushing for 77 yards and 2 touchdowns. The injury-riddled Lions defense had no answers for Daniels and the Commanders, and Jared Goff’s 3 interceptions certainly did not help. Daniels’ win against the Buccaneers solidified him as the best rookie this season, but this game may have solidified him as the best rookie of all time!
Divisional Round Game 3: Los Angeles Rams vs. Philadelphia Eagles
In a wild snow fest, the Eagles were able to narrowly take down the Rams by a score of 28-22. The Rams had a chance to take the lead in the end, but Stafford questionably threw the ball away on 4th down in the red zone, solidifying the win for the Eagles. The Rams struggled in the snow, leading to fumbles everywhere and a very inconsistent offensive output. Saquon Barkley, however, definitely did not struggle in the snow, rushing for a whopping 205 yards and 2 touchdowns. He was the difference maker in this one, leading his team to the NFC championship game.
Divisional Round Game 4: Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills
What a game this was! The Buffalo Bills narrowly squeaked out this one, winning by a score of 27-25. Despite Lamar Jackson having an overall better game, throwing for 254 yards and 2 touchdowns, Josh Allen’s 2 touchdowns on the ground were able to propel his team to victory. Not to mention, Tyler Bass notching his 2 field goals, which were ultimately the difference makers in this one. Fans could not have expected anything better out of this one, as Lamar Jackson’s inability to win in the playoffs continues.
NFC Championship: Washington Commanders vs. Philadelphia Eagles
This game was not enjoyable to watch for me for multiple reasons. #1: 2 NFC East teams in the championship game, both of which I hate, #2: this game was not close at all. The Eagles destroyed the Commanders, scoring 55 points against the Commanders 23. Barkley scored practically every time he touched the ball, rushing for 118 yards and 3 touchdowns. Jalen Hurts also had an extremely efficient game, only throwing 8 incompletions and having 246 yards and a touchdown. This Commanders’ defense had no answers whatsoever for this offense, allowing the Eagles to breeze into this Super Bowl.
AFC Championship: Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs
It’s a yearly tradition at this point for the Chiefs and Bills to clash in the playoffs, and the game is always fantastic. The Bills yet again fall short, losing 32-29. Both QBs played well. Josh Allen threw for 237 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Mahomes threw for 245 yards. James Cook had 85 yards and 2 touchdowns for the Bills, and Mack Hollins had some great plays, totaling 73 yards on 3 receptions and a touchdown. Kareem Hunt carried the load for the Chiefs, rushing for 64 yards and a touchdown. Xavier Worthy also had a good game with 6 receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown. Despite Allen’s heroics, it simply was not enough to beat out the great Mahomes.
Super Bowl LIX: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles
This Super Bowl was terrible. Not only did my rival Eagles win the Super Bowl, but it wasn’t even a close game. The 40-22 score does not show how bad this game was, as 16 of the Chiefs’ points were in garbage time. Once the score reached 34-0, I knew things were going south. The halftime show was somewhat decent, but not great (I did enjoy SZA’s brief performance though). Jalen Hurts carried this team on his back, throwing for 221 yards and 2 touchdowns while also rushing for 72 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles’ defense was incredible also. Cooper Dejean had a pick 6, and they had a total of 6 sacks. Overall, not enjoyable to watch.
Well, not the ending of a great season that we all wanted. The Philadelphia Eagles are the kings of football and will look to defend their title again next year. Overall, other than the Super Bowl, a solid playoff. Until next year’s NFL, see you in September!
