We now know which teams will face off in the NFL Playoffs and you can read my Wildcard Weekend predictions later in this column.
But what a match the regular competition ended last Sunday.
It’s been a historic year for the Detroit Lions, and with their defensive and offensive coordinators (Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson) likely to be head coaches elsewhere next season, they know this is their big shot at the Super Bowl.
And so much weighed on the outcome of their game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Winning meant being the number one seed in the NFC Conference and getting a first-round bye and home court advantage, while losing meant being the fifth seed and having to travel to the fourth seed this weekend.
Initially it was a defensive masterpiece, then the Lions simply got away with it 31-9. Jahmyr Gibbs was the star with four touchdowns, but I was so impressed with Glenn and his game plan to stop the Vikings.
There’s talk about (Vikings quarterback) Sam Darnold and how long it takes him to throw the ball. The Vikings were hoping star receiver Justin Jefferson would get open, but Amik Robertson, a backup cornerback for the Lions, covered him so well.
That was probably the most unexpected thing. To give Jefferson three receptions and Jordan Addison one, that’s unheard of for the Vikings. The Lions’ defense in the red zone (between the 20-yard line and the goal line) was phenomenal.
The Lions still have 16 players on Injured Reserve and it was like playing for number one so they could get a break so some of their teammates could come back and join them.
It continues to add fuel to the fire for the Lions: ‘You can kick us when we’re down, we can have guys you don’t know, but it doesn’t matter. We’re coming after you and we’re going to win.”
That mentality radiates throughout the organization and sends a loud message to the rest of the NFL.
The Lions know their time is now.
What went wrong with my tip to the Bengals?
Denver’s victory over a weakened Kansas City Chiefs team denied the Cincinnati Bengals a playoff spot in the AFC Conference.
Before the season, I tipped the Bengals to win the Super Bowl — and Joe Burrow this season’s Most Valuable Player — and I stand by that last call.
Burrow did have an MVP quality year. He was only the third quarterback in NFL history with more than 4,500 passing yards, 40 touchdown passes and fewer than 10 interceptions in a season. The other two who did it – Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers – were both the MVP.
Ja’Marr Chase also won the receiving triple crown, so the Bengals had the best quarterback, the best receiver, but their defense was one of the worst in the NFL.
A lot of teams are happy that the Bengals aren’t in the playoffs because Burrow can pick everyone apart. They are so fun to watch and, as Burrow said, he was just getting started. If only they started the season quickly.
Were NFL teams right to rest players?
Many people were annoyed that the Chiefs rested many of their starters, but they earned the right by landing the AFC’s number one seed. Why even risk them?
The Green Bay Packers lost receiver Christian Watson to a knee injury last week and quarterback Jordan Love injured his elbow. The Packers had already clinched a playoff spot and a win wouldn’t have made much difference to their seeding, so was it worth playing their starters?
The Chiefs rested Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen left the field after just one snap for the Bills. I would say it was the right thing to do for both teams.
The biggest concern for the Chiefs is that the last time many of their starters played was Christmas Day, so there will be about 25 days between games.
With Mahomes and coach Andy Reid, no one will ever doubt whether they will be fit or ready to compete. But it does make you think: How are the Chiefs going to create a game-like situation in practice to mentally lock them in next week?
Wildcard Weekend Playoff Predictions
I think the Chargers will accept this. They are on fire and the Texans are on a downward slope.
(Head coach) Jim Harbaugh and (defensive coordinator) Jesse Minter have done a great job in their first year with the Chargers and completely changed the team culture.
This is always going to be a physical game, but even though (receiver) George Pickens is back for the Steelers, it’s just not as exciting for them as it was earlier in the season.
Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson has taken this new approach — pretty much since losing to the Steelers in November — taking control of the offense and running the ball more, so I see the Ravens coming out on top.
I’m very excited about this match, I think it will be electric. Who doesn’t want to see Bo Nix and Josh Allen?
Denver’s defense led the NFL for most sacks (63) and (cornerback) Patrick Surtain is the potential Defensive Player of the Year, but Buffalo isn’t an easy place to go.
The Bills have been playing ‘Mr Brightside’ at every home game and I don’t know if you’ve seen the videos, but the whole crowd, the players, everyone is singing. It’s such a great atmosphere.
When Chiefs fans flew in for their game in November, the Bills song “Shout” was played at the airport. I’m sure they have something planned for the Broncos and for me it’s a Bills win.
Love said he can play, but Watson is out, and the Packers will face an Eagles team that is quietly chugging along, with incoming leader Saquon Barkley rested last week.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is hoping to clear the concussion protocol after missing two games, but regardless, I think the Eagles have this.
I’m excited about this matchup because you can get any version of Baker Mayfield and the Bucs, and there will be a fun matchup between (Commanders cornerback) Marshon Lattimore and (Bucs receiver) Mike Evans since they have a rivalry.
But Jayden Daniels is having a phenomenal rookie season as Commanders quarterback and I don’t know if the Bucs defense can stop him.
The Rams rested some of their guys last week while the Vikings are coming off one of the most emotionally draining performances.
People say the NFL is a copycat league, so the Rams will look at what the Lions did to the Vikings – with backups in them – and say ‘we can do the same’, so I’m going with the Rams.
Phoebe Schecter spoke to BBC Sport’s Ben Collins
