The Earvin Edit

The first weekend of playoff football lived up to the hype. Wild comebacks, defensive dominance, and statement performances defined an unforgettable opening slate.

Written by Earvin Adjei

The weekend delivered no shortage of surprises. Which teams stood out, which players made the biggest impact, and what did we actually learn?

Carolina came up short against L.A., but their future looks bright.

The Panthers entered the season with several questions that needed answers. Is Bryce Young truly their franchise quarterback? Is Dave Canales the right man to lead this team? Carolina’s regular-season play and Wild Card performance helped answer both. The Panthers finished 8–9, which was enough to secure the division title and earn a home playoff game. They were wildly inconsistent throughout the year, but their postseason showing was extremely encouraging. Carolina gave the Rams a more talented and experienced team. Bryce Young went blow-for-blow with Matthew Stafford, and late in the fourth quarter, it looked like the Panthers might pull off the upset. If not for a Jimmy Horn Jr. drop on 4th-and-10, Carolina could have been preparing for a Divisional Round matchup. While that moment ultimately sealed their fate, the bigger picture remains promising. Bryce Young looks like the franchise’s signal-caller for the foreseeable future, and the Panthers have intriguing talent around him in Tetairoa McMillan, Rico Dowdle, and Chuba Hubbard. After years of turmoil, Carolina has taken a clear step in the right direction and finally has a foundation to build on.

What a difference a year (and a head coach) can make.

This time last year, the Chicago Bears were 5–12 and sat in the basement of the NFC North. Fast forward one season, and Chicago is a division champion that just pulled off the largest playoff comeback in franchise history. The Bears trailed Green Bay 21–3 at halftime, but Ben Johnson’s squad never wavered. In the second half, Chicago completely dominated the Packers, outscoring them 28–6. Caleb Williams was phenomenal during the comeback, showcasing his off-script playmaking ability and delivering throws that were nothing short of jaw-dropping. The self-proclaimed “Iceman” once again proved why he’s been so dangerous late in games. In the fourth quarter alone, Williams led the Bears to 25 points, throwing for 195 yards and two touchdowns, one of which was a game-winner to DJ Moore. Chicago’s turnaround has been remarkable. With their first playoff win in 15 years, the city finally has a football team worth getting excited about.

Josh Allen puts on his Superman cape once again.

The entire league knows Josh Allen is capable of willing his team to victory, and he proved it once again on the road against Jacksonville. The Jaguars put up a valiant effort, but quarterback play ultimately decided the outcome. Allen took his fair share of hits throughout the game, yet when the Bills needed him most, he delivered. Whether it was a clutch run for a first down or a 36-yard completion to Brandin Cooks with two minutes remaining, Allen consistently made winning plays. On the other side, Trevor Lawrence played well, but with the Jaguars’ season on the line, he made a costly mistake. A deflected pass was intercepted late in the game, sealing Buffalo’s victory. Once again, Josh Allen showed why he’s Buffalo’s Superman and why many believe he can lead the Bills to a Super Bowl in a relatively depleted AFC.

The Eagles’ offense needs major changes, but the 49ers’ coaching staff deserves credit.

Two things were clear heading into this matchup: the Eagles’ offense had struggled all season (especially in second halves), and San Francisco had been ravaged by injuries. Both trends continued in this game. Midway through the second quarter, tight end George Kittle went down with an Achilles injury, further thinning an already depleted 49ers receiving corps. Despite this, San Francisco knocked off the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles in Philadelphia. The Eagles, meanwhile, put on another disappointing offensive performance. Jalen Hurts finished with just 168 passing yards, only 75 of which came in the second half. To make matters worse, A.J. Brown, who had voiced frustration with his role all season, had several key drops and got into it with head coach Nick Sirianni. The Eagles face major offseason questions. Should they consider moving on from Sirianni? Is a new offensive coordinator outside the building necessary? Is an A.J. Brown trade on the table? While Philadelphia searches for answers, the 49ers deserve serious praise. Despite missing Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and rookie pass rusher Mykel Williams, San Francisco leaned on depth players and still found a way to win. Perhaps Kyle Shanahan truly deserves even more Coach of the Year consideration, and Robert Saleh may have earned another shot at a head coaching gig.

Drake Maye earned his first playoff win, but New England didn’t look impressive.

Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye’s first season together continues to exceed expectations. The Patriots earned their first playoff win since 2019 with a 19–3 victory over the Chargers, though the scoreboard doesn’t tell the full story. New England’s offense struggled for much of the night. Rookie left tackle Will Campbell and guard Jared Wilson were consistently beaten, allowing constant pressure and even surrendering a strip-sack on Maye. Early on, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels appeared to call plays that played into the Chargers’ strengths in man-to-man coverage. This, coupled with Maye’s occasional inaccuracy and turnovers, made the Patriots’ offense look sloppy. Still, when it mattered most, Maye made the necessary plays to secure the win. New England advanced, but it remains to be seen whether this level of offensive play will hold up against even better competition in the playoffs.

Houston’s defense is elite and may have ended Aaron Rodgers’ career.

The Houston Texans’ defense dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers, holding them to just 175 total yards, forcing multiple turnovers, and scoring two defensive touchdowns in a 30–6 rout. Aaron Rodgers was under constant pressure, getting sacked four times and managing just six points, the Steelers’ lowest output of the season. In what could be the final pass of his NFL career, Rodgers threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown by Texans safety Calen Bullock. Rodgers’ future remains uncertain, but performances like this can certainly accelerate tough decisions. Following the loss, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin resigned, ending his 19-year tenure. While Tomlin never endured a losing season, his recent playoff struggles loomed large, and Houston’s dominant showing may have been the final blow.