Chapter 361: Refuse to be upset
On January 7, the playoffs continued with the third and fourth wild card games.
Referring to the fierceness of the first two wild card games, the Atlanta Falcons, the sixth seed in the National League, overturned the Los Angeles Rams, the third seed, and the Tennessee Titans, the fifth seed in the American League, almost overturned the Kansas Chiefs, the fourth seed. This has been proved once again. The greatest charm of the NFL——
The strength is close and difficult to predict.
This is true every season. The gap between strong teams and weak teams is not so obvious. Once they enter the playoffs, every team has a chance. In one sentence:
"It's anyone's game."
What's more, this year is generally considered by professionals to be the most open year in terms of competition, and the intensity of the playoffs may be higher than expected.
So, can the other two wild card games also bring surprises?
Yesterday, the National League game took the lead, and the American League game entered the night game; today, the position will be changed, and the American League wild card game will debut in the afternoon.
"Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills."
Both teams are weak teams that have been weak for a long time. They have returned to the playoffs after many years; and in the American League, which is dominated by passing offense, they unexpectedly opened the game with defense, bringing a new atmosphere to this season. This playoff game is a close one, with both sides having a chance to continue writing history.
When all the media's attention was focused on the Kansas City Chiefs, enthusiastically discussing whether they were about to face the Pittsburgh Steelers or the New England Patriots, this wild card game was left out. It was obvious that the two teams were holding their breath and trying to compete. The attention was regained.
The competition is extremely fierce——
But it's not pretty.
Neither Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles nor Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor are very good quarterbacks, even below the league average. The shooting guard's performance can be said to be a disaster.
Bortles, 12 of 23 passes, 87 yards.
Taylor, 17 of 37 passing, 134 yards.
The quarterback's passing attack was as good as a ground attack. From this set of data, we can see how dull the game was. Even the ground attack seemed clumsy, so the game continued to consume time among strikeouts and punts. .
The defense takes center stage.
In football matches, "0:0" draws are also divided into different categories. There are circus performances in which anti-aircraft guns are flying in the sky while attacking each other but in poor condition, and there are boring draws in which mistakes and constant defense become the protagonist. The same is true for rugby.
This game falls into the boring category.
"3:10".
The Jacksonville Jaguars continued their strong performance this season, defeating the same defensive powerhouse Buffalo Bills at home. Linebacker Telvin Smith had 11 tackles and two effective hits with the help of God. And a forced fumble, setting a new record in Jacksonville Jaguars history and becoming the biggest contributor to the victory.
Instead, running back Fournette's performance was disappointing.
Before the game, Fournette, the fourth overall pick in this year's draft, became the focus.
He was the running back selected after Levi. Not only was he one of the top three in the NCAA last season, but he was also Henry's most powerful competitor in the NCAA last season.
After entering the professional league, when McCaffrey's performance with the Carolina Panthers fell below expectations, Fournette naturally stood at the forefront, and Jacksonville was still waiting for him to realize his talent.
Fournette, who became the target of media scrutiny after the Kansas City Chiefs' comeback victory over the Tennessee Titans, said this with confidence.
"It's coming."
The day is coming when he realizes his talent, the day is coming when he proves that he is absolutely no less than Henry and Levi.
Unfortunately, it’s not this wild card game.
Carrying the ball 21 times, advancing 57 yards, averaging only 2.7 yards per possession.
After the game, Fournette refused to directly respond to any of Levi's related questions. Under the siege of reporters, he blushed and muttered to himself,
"Coming, coming, on the way."
Her face was as red as a little girl wearing a skirt for the first time. However, no matter what, the Jacksonville Jaguars withstood the impact and refused to be upset. No matter how difficult and ugly it was, they still advanced smoothly——
Victory is the only thing that matters.
In the night game, another National League wild card game comes on the scene.
"Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints."
Compared with the game in the afternoon, this game in the evening lived up to expectations. The two quarterbacks Newton and Brees held high the offensive banner and started to attack. The two teams joined forces to dedicate a wonderful offensive battle.
Newton, who has always been criticized for being able to only run the ball but not pass, finally took out the bottom of the box and hit high, completing a high-quality passing game; but this time, he encountered the league's first passer in accuracy. Brees, under the leadership of head coach Sean Payton, Brees' passing ability has been magnified to the extreme, which is a nightmare for any defensive team.
"26:31".
Although the Carolina Panthers fought hard to the end and once took the lead in the fourth quarter, the New Orleans Saints still sent away their opponents in a wave, and struggled to defeat the Carolina Panthers at home who were trying to return to the Super Bowl stage. Leopard, march forward to the next round with your head held high.
At the post-game press conference, the two quarterbacks Newton and Brees undoubtedly became the focus of attention, but Carolina Panthers head coach Rivera seemed a little absent-minded——
It is gratifying to be back in the playoffs; but the result of stopping the wild card round is unsatisfactory. At the critical moment, Newton is still alone. If the ground attack can give some support...
Rivera's eyes hidden behind his sunglasses showed some sadness.
In addition, there is another player who unexpectedly takes the spotlight.
"How many points do you think you can score for your performance in this game?"
"Do you still think that you are the only rookie running back who can compare with Levi, because purely from a data perspective, the only rookie running back who can compare with Levi is Hunter."
The subtext is that you are not even as good as Hunter, and you are not qualified to be Levi's substitute.
Kamara, the rookie running back of the New Orleans Saints, had red cheeks and moist eyes, as if he might break down and cry in the next second. He was helpless as reporters chased him.
But what can he do?
10 possessions, 23 yards, an average of 2.3 yards per possession.
Even worse than Fournette.
He was so arrogant and arrogant before, but now he is so brutal and brutal when slapped in the face.
Before the game, the duel between the two rookie running backs "McCaffrey VS Kamara" should also be one of the highlights of the game, but the result was disappointing.
McCaffrey only advanced 16 yards on the ground. Under Rivera, he was completely used as a wide receiver, receiving 101 yards. At least he showed some potential. Unfortunately, he still cannot compare with Levi.
And Kamala, who is full of confidence and speaks out loudly, is even more dim.
The words were muttered at the corner of the mouth for a while, and finally Kamala said with a smile on her neck.
"This is just the first playoff game, and I will show myself next. Levi, I'm looking forward to a head-to-head showdown with him in the Super Bowl."
No matter what, don’t lose your momentum!
However, reporters didn’t buy it.
"Kamara, once we get to the playoffs, we're... weak?"
Seeing such news headlines, Kamala spat out a mouthful of blood——
Nonsense, all nonsense!
Anyway, whether it is the American League or the National League, the biggest focus of the wild card game is always Levi, and countless topics finally focus on Levi.
Sure enough, Levi is the traffic guarantee now!
(End of chapter)