NFL 2016-2017 Wildcard Recap
Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans was the Saturday afternoon game. The Raiders were without Derek Carr, backup Matt McGloin, and left tackle Donald Penn. Connor Cook was making his first ever NFL start for a Raiders squad that is in its first playoff game in 14 years. The Texans had Brock Osweiler starting for the injured Tom Savage. The Texans also had the number one defense even without JJ Watt. Early on the Texans moved form their 25 to a 4th and 5 at the Oakland 37. Bill O’Brien opted against going for it or trying a 55 yard field goal despite the game being played indoors. Former Raiders punter Shane Lechler pinned the Raiders. Connor Cook’s first play as a starter came with the Raiders back at their own 7 yard line in front of a hostile crowd. The Raiders went nowhere and Marquette King’s first punt went only 31 yards to have the Texans starting at the Oakland 40. The Raiders held again on defense but Nick Novak hit a 50 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Texans.
The Raiders soon faced 3rd and 12 at their own 22. Cook tried to test Jadavean Clowney and paid for it. A short pass was deflected by Clowney, deflected by him again, and finally intercepted by Clowney to have the Texans taking over at the Oakland 4 yard line. Lamar Miller ran around the end for the touchdown to make it 10-0 Texans. After a touchback, Del Rio was determined to get Cook going rather than run the ball. Cook found Michael Crabtree for a 19 yard gain. After a sack set up 3rd and 16, Cook fired to Crabtree past the first down marker. Officials ruled the play an incompletion but Jack Del rio challenged the call. Replay showed Crabtree had his hands under the ball. Officials rejected the challenge and the Raiders punted again.
The Raiders held on defense. Jalen Richard got belted on the punt return, yet somehow bounced off the hit without going dow and got to the sideline and raced for a 37 yard gain. The Raiders were starting at the Houston 38. Latavius Murray raced for an 18 yard gain and then gained 6 more yards. Cook hit Clive Walford for 7 more yards to set up 1st and goal at the 7. Murray banged up the middle for 5 more yards down to the 2. Murray then went off right tackle and got in the end zone. The Raiders were only down 10-7.
The Texans took over at their own 18 yard line. Osweiler fumbled the snap but Houston retained possession. The first quarter ended with the Texans facing 3rd and 12 from their own 16. A West Coast Offense dink and dunk pass lost 4 yards as the defense was keeping the Raiders in the game. The Raiders took over with great field position at their own 43 yard line. Rather than run, Cook went play action pass and fired to Crabtree for a 14 yard gain. A 2nd and 9 pass to Crabtree was perfectly thrown and dropped to kill the drive. The Texans were pinned at their own 5 yard line.
Osweiler immediately fired to CJ Fiedorowicz for an 18 yard gain. On 2nd and 4 miller appeared stop cold but did exactly what Richard did earlier, bouncing to the outside for a 19 yard gain. Another 17 yard completion to Fiedorowicz had the Texans at the Oakland 35. Osweiler found Hopkins for 13 to the Oakland 24. On 3rd and 6 from the 20, Osweiler fired incomplete as the Raiders finally held. Novak barely snuck his 38 yard field goal try inside the right upright as the Texans led 13-7.
The defenses dug in and after some punts, the Texans took over at their own 40 with 2 1/2 minutes left in the half. Osweiler hit Fuller for 19 yards at the 2 minute warning. Osweiler went deep to Hopkins for a 38 yard gain to the Oakland 3. Osweiler then threw a 2 yard touchdown pass to Hopkins for a 20-7 Texans lead with 1:20 left in the half. Adding to the Raiders woes, they would have to play the second half without center Rodney Hudson, injured late in the half.
Neither team could move the ball in the third quarter as Bill O’Brien played it ultra conservative with the lead. After three quarters, the Raiders still did not have a third down conversion as offensive pass interference nullified a catch by Crabtree that would have moved the chains. Running into the kicker nullified a Houston punt return for a touchdown, although it should have been roughing the kicker. The Texans began the fourth quarter at the Oakland 41 with a chance to deliver the knockout blow. From the 18, Osweiler went deep and another horrendous penalty call for defensive pass interference put the ball on the one. Osweiler scrambled for the touchdown. With 12 1/2 minutes left, the Raiders were down 27-7.
The Raiders soon faced 3rd and 10 at their own 25. Cook fired to Mychal Rivera for exactly just enough. It was the first third down conversion of the game for the Raiders. On 3rd and 7 from their own 38, Cook went to Andre Holmes for a 20 yard gain. On 1st and 10 from the Houston 27, Cook went to Rivera for 19 yards and. Yet offensive pass interference on Rivera, another dreadful call, meant 1st and 20 instead of 1st and goal at the 8. After several miserable calls against the Raiders, they finally got one in their favor. On 3rd and 16 from the Houston 33 and Cook running for his life, a prayer bomb meant defensive pass interference and 1st and goal at the 8. Cook fired to Holmes for the touchdown. Although the Raiders were within 27-14, only 8 minutes remained in regulation.
Houston went 3 and out and Lechler boomed a 55 yard punt to punned the Raiders at their own 19 with 6 1/2 minutes left. All the Raiders had to do was take their rookie quarterback in his first game and lead two more touchdown drives against the NFL’s top defense. There are no excuses in football. 3 completions had Cook in a rhythm and the Raiders at midfield. Yet after a pair of incompletions set up 3rd and 10, Cook fired high over the middle and was intercepted. Moore returned the interception 20 yards to the Oakland 46 With 4 1/2 minutes left.
With 3:50 to play the Raiders took their first timeout with the Texans facing 3rd and 9 at their own 47. Bill O’Brien played it super safe, yet terrible tackling allowed Grimes to gain 10 yards straight up the middle for a killer first down. On 3rd and 8 from the Oakland 41 the raiders too their final timeout. Again O’Brien called a safe run and Grimes nearly got another first down. He was stopped two yard short. Rather than try a 53 yard field goal or go for it, O’Brien took no chances. Houston did not even call a timeout, instead taking a delay of game penalty with 2:12 left. Richard called for a fair catch at his own 7 yard line. The Raiders were 93 yards away with 2:06 left and no timeouts.
Cook and the Raiders went down fighting, but they went down. On 4th and 5 from their own 12, Cook found Rivera for 6 and then 11 more. On 1st and 10 from their 29 with one minute left, Cook threw 3 incompletions and on 4th and 10 with 23 seconds left was intercepted. Cook was dreadful, going 18 for 45 for 161 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. Yet what does any reasonable leathered expect from a guy starting his very first game on the road against the league’s top defense and without two of his own offensive lineman? Throw in several well thrown dropped passes and Cook had no chance. Osweiler was not much better. He was a pedestrian 14 of 25 for 168 yards and one touchdown. Yet he also ran for a score and more importantly was not intercepted.
The Raiders after 14 non-winning seasons went 12-4. Yet Derek Carr is their physical and emotional leader. Without him they are a shell of themselves. The Texans move on and travel to play New England. As for Oakland, despite the loss, this team has a bright future. The Raiders were injury-riddled, but football is not politics. There are no excuses in football. You line up with the guys you have.
The Raiders fought hard and just could not overcome the injuries. This team has a bright future ahead of it. They lost today, but they are no longer losers. Khalil Mack and the defense hung tough despite getting no help from a depleted offense.
Derek Carr should still be the league MVP. He is a superstar. Jack Del Rio should be considered for coach of the year. Reggie McKenzie should be considered for executive of the year. Let’s also give credit to owner Mark Davis, who stayed patient and allowed McKenzie to follow through on his rebuilding plan. The offseason will be long and painful. For 31 teams and their fans, it is always is. I am proud to be a part of the Raider Nation. September of 2017 will be here before we know it. 27-14 Texans
Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks was the Saturday night game. On paper the 9-7 Lions appeared overmatched, stumbling into the playoffs losers of three straight. However, the 10-5-1 Seahawks barely survived 2-14 San Francisco in the finale. Detroit brought the offense while Seattle brought the defense. Yet the first half of this game was a defensive slugfest that was scoreless after the first quarter. On the first play of the second quarter, Jim Caldwell decided to go for it on 4th and 1 from the Seattle 38. A pass play was blown up in the backfield for a 2 yard loss. Seattle then moved 60 yards in 14 plays and 7 minutes and 45 seconds. On 4th and 1 from the Detroit 39, Pete Carroll decided to go for it. Thomas Rawls gained 4 yards. After a 3rd and goal at the 2 pass fell incomplete, Pete Carroll again decided to go for it. Russell Wilson threw to Richardson, who somehow caught the ball threw the defender for the touchdown. At the 2 minute warning, Steve Hauschka tacked on a 43 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Seahawks. Yet Matthew Stafford worked the 2 minute drill well. Matt Prater hit a 51 yard field goal as the Lions trailed 10-3 at halftime.
In the third quarter the Seahawks moved from their 25 to a 1st and 10 at the Detroit 34. On 3rd and 11 Wilson was sacked to push the Seahawks out of field goal range. The Lions moved from their own 4 yard line to a 3rd and 2 at the Seattle 35. Stafford threw incomplete. Indoors away from the elements, Jim Caldwell trusted his strong legged kicker. Prater hit from 53 to get the Lions within 10-6. After a touchback, on 3rd and 1 from the Seattle 34, Thomas Rawls ran for a 32 yard gain. On 2nd and 7 from the Detroit 20, a completion only gained one yard. Yet a dumb personal foul after the play on Haloti Ngata meant 1st and goal at the 9 as the third quarter ended. On 3rd and goal at the 8, a pass to the end zone was well defended and was knocked away incomplete. From 27 yards out, Hauschka made it 13-6 Seahawks.
Seattle got it back and soon faced 3rd and 5 at their own 23. Wilson found Doug Baldwin for 12 yards and then went deep to Baldwin again for a 42 yard gain. On 3rd and 1 from the Detroit 14, Wilson hit Jimmy Graham for 10 yards. Rawls ran it in from 4 yards out to make it 19-6 Seahawks with 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Seattle got it back and went 84 yards to put the game away. On 3rd and 5 from the Seattle 33, Wilson went deep to Richardson for 27 yards. On 3rd and 9 from the Detroit 24, Wilson threw incomplete, but Pete carroll challenged the call. The officials reversed the call to a 10 yard catch to Baldwin. From the Detroit 13, Seattle accidentally had 2 receivers in the end zone next to each other. The pass was supposed to go to Jermaine Kearse, but Baldwin reached out and grabbed it for the score to put the game away. The Lions were game, but the Legion of Boom clamped down when it counted.
Do not be fooled by the score. The Lions were game, and fought hard in what was a slugfest through three quarters. However, at home, when it counted, the Legion of Boom did what it has been doing since 2013. Seattle is a dangerous team that can play with anybody. They have the experience, and in the playoffs, experience matters. Meanwhile, Seattle won in the friendly confines of home. The challenge comes next week if they can do it on the road. Whether they play at Atlanta or Dallas, either way they will be indoors and not affected by the elements. 26-6 Lions
Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers was the Sunday morning game. Early in the regular season the Dolphins thrashed the Steelers 30-15 in Miami. However, this game was in Pittsburgh. Ryan Tannehill was still not able to come back from injury, so backup Matt Moore took over again. The Steelers jumped all over the Dolphins from the outset. Pittsburgh took over at their own 15. On 3rd and 5 from their own 31, Ben Roethlisberger found Rogers for 19 and then Antonio Brown for a 50 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Steelers. The Steelers got it back at their own 10. On 3rd and 6 from their own 24, Big Ben hit Ayers for 11 and then connected with Brown again for a 62 yard touchdown and a 14-0 Steelers lead.
The Dolphins tried to get back in it. On 3rd and 13 from their own 38, Moore went deep to Kenny Stills for a 36 yard gain. Yet on 3rd and 4 from the 20, Moore threw incomplete. Andrew Franks hit the 38 yard field goal to get the Dolphins on the board. The Steelers from their own 17 kept rolling. From the Miami 26, LeVeon Bell raced for a 25 yard gain and then banged up the middle for the last yard. Despite a missed extra point, the Steelers led 20-3. Midway through the second quarter, tempers flared. With the Dolphins facing 2nd and 9 at the Pittsburgh 32, Moore threw incomplete but roughing the passer should have given Miami 1st and 10 at the Pittsburgh 17. Yet an inexplicable unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Jay Ajayi moved the Dolphins right back. Because it was after the play, the Dolphins faced 1st and 15 at the 32 rather than 1st and 10. That killed the drive and Dolphins settled for Franks from 47 to get within 20-6.
The Steelers missed a chance to add to their lead. With one minute left in the half on 2nd and 14 from the Miami 34, Roethlisberger was intercepted. The Dolphins quickly moved from their 27. From the Pittsburgh 45, Moore went deep to Parker for 37 yards. With 27 seconds left in the half and 1st and goal at the 8, Moore was sacked and fumbled the ball away. The Steelers were scoring touchdowns while the Dolphins were kicking field goals, and in this case, not even getting that. In the third quarter it was more of the same. The Dolphins moved from their 25 to a 1st and 10 at the Pittsburgh 37. Moore was then sacked and fumbled. Pittsburgh moved from their 41 to 1st and goal at the 6. On 3rd and goal from the 7, Big Ben was sacked. However, Boswell hit from 34 as the Steelers led 23-6. One play after a touchback, Moore was intercepted by Shazier, setting up Pittsburgh at the Miami 25. On 4th and 3 from the 18, Boswell came in for a 36 yard field goal try. Lippett jumped over the center to block the kick. Unfortunately for the Miami defense, the ball had not even been snapped. The offsides penalty gave Pittsburgh an automatic first down. On 3rd and 5 from the 8 with the Miami defense smelling pass, Bell took a draw up the middle untouched for another score and a 30-6 Steelers lead. Miami got a garbage touchdown but no more. Next week Mike Tomlin’s Steelers travel to Kansas City for the Divisional round. 30-12 Steelers
New York Giants at Green Bay Packers was the Sunday afternoon game. In 2007 and 2011, the Giants went into Green Bay and hit the Packers in the mouth. They ended Brett Favre’s career in Green Bay and wrecked a 15-1 Aaron Rodgers team, helped along by a Hail Mary to end the half. They won with stifling defense. In this game the Giants defense again led by steve Spagnuolo gave the Packers fits. Yet all the Giants offense could muster was a 26 yard field goal by robbie Gould in the first quarter and a 40 Yarder in the second quarter for a 6-0 lead. Yet after 26 minutes of dominating, they let up. A short punt on 4th and 10 from their own 8 had the Packers starting at the Giants 38. Rodgers went deep to Devonta Adams for a 31 yard gain and hit Adams again for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 7-6 Packers with 2 1/2 minutes left. At the 2 minute warning, with the Giants facing 3rd and 1 at their own 41, Rainey got the carry and got stopped as cold as Lambeau Field. The Packers moved from their 20 to a 4th and 2 at the Giants 42 with 6 seconds left. Then came the Hail Mary. Rodgers did it again. Just like he did to Detroit last year. Just like the Giants did to him in 2011 and Seattle did to him in 2012. Randall Cobb caught this one in the back of the end zone as the Packers led 14-6 over a shocked Giants team.
With 6 minutes left in the third quarter Mike McCarthy gambled with the Packers facing 4th and 1 at their own 42. This was after Adam Ripowski got stopped on 3rd and 1. Montgomery got the carry and ran into a Big Blue Brick Wall. From the Green Bay 41, Ben McAdoo immediately went for it all. Manning went deep to Tavarres King for the touchdown. Just like that, the Giants were within 14-13. This time the Packers struck right back. A strong kickoff return had the Packers at their own 37. Rodgers hit Cook for 13, Adams for 20, and a deep ball to Cobb again for a 30 yard touchdown and a 21-13 Packers lead. A terrible blunder by Rainey on the ensuing kickoff killed the Giants. It would have gone out of bounds but Rainey fielded it at the 3 yard line and then went out of bounds himself. The Giants punted and a 23 yard return by Mica Hyde had the packers at the Giants 37. Mason Crosby hit the 32 yard field goal to make it 24-13 Packers after three quarters.
The Packers got it back at their own 20 at the beginning of the fourth quarter. On 3rd and 10 from their 30, Rodgers went deep to Montgomery for 34 yards. On 3rd and 9 from the Giants 35, Rodgers hit Adams for 12. On 3rd and 3 from the Giants 16, Rodgers put the dagger in, hooking up with Cobb for a touchdown for a third time on the day. With 9 1/2 minutes left, the Packers were in command of 31-13. Two plays later Manning was sacked by Clay Matthews, forcing a fumble. Everyone except Matthews thought it was an incomplete pass and just stopped. Matthews recovered the ball at the Green Bay 45. Rodgers took nearly 6 minutes off the clock and Ripowski plunged in from one yard out to turn a thriller into a blowout. Manning finished 19 of 34 for 264 yards and one touchdown. Rodgers was sensational, going 25 of 40 for 362 yards and 4 touchdowns. Neither quarterback was intercepted until the end of the game where Manning’s last pass was the exclamation point. With the win, the Packers next week travel to Dallas on a seven game win streak. 38-13 Packers
The Divisional Playoff games are now set (all times Eastern).
Saturday, January 14
4:30 PM: FOX: NFC: 3.) Seattle Seahawks at 2.) Atlanta Falcons
8:00 PM: CBS: AFC: 4.) Houston Texans at 1.) New England Patriots
Sunday, January 15
1:00 PM: NBC: AFC: 3.) Pittsburgh Steelers at 2.) Kansas City Chiefs
4:30 PM: FOX: NFC: 4.) Green Bay Packers at 1.) Dallas Cowboys