Wild Card Weekend has come and gone and now we head to the divisional round but before we do, here is 5 reactions from the long weekend and new rankings of the 8 remaining teams.

1. Pass interference only happens in the regular season.

Besides the Rams game, I don’t think it really altered the results but after calling PI often during the regular season the refs decided to take a hands off approach while allowing the defenders to take a hands on approach. Hardman was obviously held and grabbed on a deep route. He probably still could have caught it if he would keep running instead of complaining though. Pickens got held up late in the Bills game on 4th down. I don’t think the Steelers were going to score twice so no harm, no foul especially the no foul part. The worst one was on Puka late in the Lions game when he was obviously grabbed while trying to get to the football. This cost the Rams the game. Now, there were other bad calls that went against the Lions and these things tend to even out. But it is always a bummer when that happens late and it doesn’t get called in a crucial moment. The Rams still had lots of other opportunities to win the game but that one was the most egregious to me.

2. Blowouts everywhere.

I obviously love football and had a blast watching the Chiefs game but even so these were mostly a snooze fest. It seems that this is typical where the division round is where things start to tighten up. Thanks to the Rams and Lions for playing the one close game over the weekend. And congrats to the Lions for winning their first playoff game since I was in 7th grade. 

3. How about dem boys.

The Cowboys since winning their last Super Bowl in 1990 something, they have been a playoff disaster. They had the two seed and a clear path to not have to play their nemesis the 49ers until the NFC Championship. So what did they do? They decided to lay an egg and be the first ever 2 seed to lose to a 7 seed. Props to the Packers for coming in and just dominating. This loss made me happy for 4 reasons. First, I hate the Cowboys. Secondly, my son is a huge Packers fan and when he is happy he is less of a mean teenage boy than normal. 3rd, I think it is funny that the Packers are literally doing what they couldn’t do with Aaron Rodgers last year. And finally, I am all for Skip Bayless being unhappy. He is the worst. I am always happy when his team falls a part. 

4. Speaking of falling apart…

What the hell happened to the Eagles? They were 10-1…earlier this season! They finish 11-7 and lost 6 of their last 7 games. Just brutal. They don’t tackle. AJ Brown is ready to revolt for some reason. All of the sudden their offensive line can’t block anyone. I think Nick Siranni might be unstable or something. The whole thing is a mess. It really makes you appreciate Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes. I mean they went through a lot this year and a lot of problems and Mahomes even had a meltdown during the Bills game. But they stayed the course and stayed together. That is good leadership. 

5. Every weekend should be a 3 day weekend.

Having 2 playoff football games to watch 3 days in a row was awesome, even if they weren’t particularly good games. But what made it even better was not having to work for any of those days. It seems like we should always have 4 day weeks instead of 5 day work weeks. I think everyone would enjoy it and get more done. I know that some companies do this already but it just makes sense. If I ever run for President, I’ll suggest it. Also, I should run for President. 

8 teams remain! Here is the order of best shot to win the Super Bowl.

8. The Bucs

Look, Baker is a good story. The defense is playing well. But this is a team that is 2 weeks removed from only scoring 9 points against the Panthers and 3 weeks removed from getting their butts kicked by the Saints. So I am not putting a lot of weight into them dismantling the Eagles Train Wreck last night. 

7. The Texans

CJ Stroud is really good. Ryans has done an incredible job turning this once dysfunctional franchise into a competitor. They are young and talented. And I think they are here to stay. If they were in the NFC, I would rank them higher but I think they have perhaps the hardest path because they have to go to Baltimore and if they win, then they have to head to either KC or Buffalo. Stranger things have happened outside of Hawkins, Indiana but I think it will be a stretch for sure.

6. The Packers

The Packers played amazing and completely dominated the Cowboys. But lets remember that the Cowboys didn’t beat anyone good all year. Their best victory is the Eagles but the Eagles were in meltdown mode at that point. The Packers have the talent but they are young and probably won’t jump ahead so much like they did against the Cowboys. They have to go to San Fran this week who has been their nemesis in the playoffs as well. I think the 49ers are just too good to lose at home to the Packers. I have them ranked slightly hire than the Texans because if somehow they do win on Saturday it is easier for them to beat the Lions or Bucs than it is for the Texans to beat the Bills or Chiefs.

5. The Lions

From a standpoint of ease of schedule, the Lions should be higher. They edged out the Rams and now will host the Bucs who only one 9 games in the worst division in football. If they win they would either host the Packers or travel to San Fran. Neither is an easy task as the Lions lost to the Packers earlier this season at home the 49ers are very good. It’s not impossible. But let’s remember, they are still the Lions. 

4. The Chiefs

The Chiefs played their best game in a long time. The defense looked great and really only gave up one play. The offense looked solid. They moved the ball well and the penalties and drops were less and the only turnover came very late in the game when CEH gave up the ball. Pat played his best game in a while and the whole team was a lot like Justin Timberlake, Lance Bass and those other guys and as they seemed in sync. But can they do it two weeks in a row? And can they score more touchdowns instead of field goals in the red zone?

3. The Bills

I give the Bills a slight edge over the Chiefs because they are at home and they score more touchdowns. But Allen too has a knack for turning the ball over. Also, the Bills haven’t lost to the Chiefs since the 13 second game and both those games were in Arrowhead. Home field advantage is a thing. And I am sure the Mafia will be rocking. 

2. The Ravens

The Ravens dominated the 49ers earlier this year. So why are they ranked lower? Just a tougher path really.  I think the Texans are slightly better than the Packers and then I would take the Bills and Chiefs over the Lions and Bucs. So because of that, I think the Ravens have a more challenging path. Also, Lamar does not have a history of winning playoff games and the 49ers do.

1. The 49ers

They have in my mind the easiest path and the best roster. They play the 7 seed this week at home and assuming they win they would host the winner of the worst division in football or the Lions who never win anything. The key for the 49ers is not to fall behind. They are not great at playing catch up. 

Tune in later this week for my divisional round thoughts and predictions.