BALTIMORE — Sanity prevailed early during Wild Card Weekend when the NFL made the commonsense decision to move Monday night’s game from SoFi Stadium to Glendale, Arizona, due to the devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area. The swift resolution allowed Rams and Vikings fans ample time to adjust their travel plans, the Rams to evacuate players, families, and pets on two chartered planes, and the Cardinals organization to help recreate a home-game atmosphere for the Rams, even providing the correct end zone paint. Most importantly, it ensured that crucial resources in Southern California were not diverted as wildfire threats persisted.
With that settled, the spotlight shifted to the AFC on Saturday. Here are the winners and losers from the opening day of the playoffs:
Winners
1. Lamar Jackson
Jackson's pocket presence on his touchdown pass to put the Ravens up 20-0 against the Steelers was mesmerizing. He moved laterally, stepped up, backpedaled—and delivered a strike. As a passer, runner, and orchestrator, Jackson was unstoppable. Reflecting his composure, he revealed he was so focused on the game he ignored his mom’s call before kickoff. “I was just chill,” he said.
2. Ravens’ Rushing Attack
The Ravens’ second touchdown drive embodied physical dominance: 13 plays, 13 runs, primarily by Jackson and Derrick Henry, capped off by a Mark Andrews “tush push.” It drained the clock, demoralized the Steelers’ defense, and highlighted Henry’s unstoppable form—186 rushing yards at a 7.2-yard average. With 299 total rushing yards, this team has clearly moved past last year’s playoff struggles.
3. The King Henry Wildcat
The rare sight of Derrick Henry as a Wildcat quarterback—with Jackson in motion—was a nightmare for defenders. Henry’s stiff-arm remains a fearsome weapon, as Minkah Fitzpatrick painfully discovered.
4. Ravens’ Defense
Since Week 11, the Ravens' defense has been dominant, allowing over 100 fewer total yards and 10 fewer points per game. On Saturday, they held the ball for nearly 20 minutes longer than the Steelers, stifling Pittsburgh's offense completely.
5. Houston Texans Defense
The Texans dismantled the Chargers’ potent offense, forcing Justin Herbert into four interceptions—three more than he threw all season. Their dominance was evident early, limiting Herbert to 8 completions on 20 attempts in the first half and stuffing the Chargers twice in the red zone.
6. Texans’ Playoff Reputation
Often underestimated, the Texans proved doubters wrong, advancing to the Divisional Round for the second consecutive year. With DeMeco Ryans and C.J. Stroud leading the way, Houston is no longer an afterthought.
7. Chargers’ Future Outlook
Despite the loss, this season marked significant progress for the Chargers under Jim Harbaugh. From five wins last year to a playoff berth this season, their turnaround hints at even greater potential next year.
Losers
1. Steelers’ Offense
The offensive struggles continued, managing just two first downs and 17 plays in the first half. Conservative play-calling, including multiple punts on short fourth downs, reflected a lack of confidence. Though Russell Wilson showed some spark in the second half, the damage was already done.
2. Steelers’ Quarterback Dilemma
Wilson and Justin Fields failed to establish consistency this season, leaving Pittsburgh with tough decisions as both head to free agency. While Wilson had flashes of brilliance, his limited mobility and costly sacks proved problematic.
3. Steelers’ Defense
Once the team’s backbone, the defense crumbled, giving up 242 rushing yards by the third quarter. Derrick Henry’s 44-yard run, untouched by defenders, epitomized their struggles.
4. Fans of Clean Football
The Texans-Chargers matchup was riddled with errors—dropped passes, turnovers, and a botched extra point turned into two points for Houston. Both teams must clean up their play to compete further.
5. Chargers’ Wide Receivers
Drops and tipped passes plagued the Chargers’ offense. Aside from Ladd McConkey’s 197-yard performance, the rest of the receiving corps combined for just 45 yards. Upgrading Herbert’s supporting cast is a clear offseason priority.
This revised version sharpens the narrative, condensing the information for clarity while preserving key details.
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