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NFL divisional-round weekend grades
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

NFL divisional-round weekend grades

The first NFL playoff weekend to go 4-for-4 in walk-offs is certainly in the conversation for best ever. It took an improbable (putting it mildly) drive for just one favorite to win. The Chiefs will defend their AFC title against the Bengals, while 49ers-Rams III marks an unexpected NFC decider. Here are the NFL divisional-round grades.

 
1 of 20

13-second span will stick with Bills

13-second span will stick with Bills
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

This loss will not tag the Bills to the degree "28-3" dogs the Falcons, but Sean McDermott's team should be preparing for the AFC championship game. Even after failing to drain any time on their final regulation kickoff, the Bills (12-7) letting the Chiefs go 44 yards in two plays is inexcusable. Neither defense held up in this QB duel for the ages, but Buffalo's No. 1-ranked pass defense missed All-Pro Tre'Davious White. And its deep D-line could not disrupt Patrick Mahomes when it mattered most. The Bills offered scant resistance on the Chiefs' final three drives. Narrowly missing a rare opportunity, the AFC's second-best team will be tagged with the "13 seconds" label until it can topple the kingpins.

BILLS GRADE: A-minus 

 
2 of 20

Mahomes building storied playoff resume

Mahomes building storied playoff resume
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

The genre of do-or-die scenario the Chiefs (14-5) faced often results in a botched lateral sequence or, if the offense is lucky, a Hail Mary try. Mahomes coolly turned it into a standard drive, completing two passes in 10 seconds -- on a march eerily similar to his 21-second, two-completion drive to push the 2018 AFC title game into overtime. No QB instills the kind of fear Mahomes does. Yes, he caught the same coin-toss break Tom Brady did in a defenseless duel three years ago. But the Bills allowed Mahomes to complete his final nine passes -- for 177 yards and two TDs. Sporting a 25-1 playoff TD-INT ratio, Mahomes is long past his midseason hiccups and commanding a Super Bowl favorite once again.

CHIEFS GRADE: A-minus | NEXT: vs. Bengals (Sun.)

 
3 of 20

Josh Allen deserved better

Josh Allen deserved better
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Since the 2011 overtime rule change, toss winners are 10-1 in the playoffs (shaky start for the format). Allen was poised to oust the Chiefs had he heard "tails" to start OT. The fourth-year passer erased a two-score deficit by leading a methodical go-ahead drive and followed it up with a rapid-fire sojourn, doing whatever his team needed. Though Mahomes lit up a Buffalo secondary missing its top corner, the Bills were largely healthy and would have had the top quarterback entering the championship round. Allen solidified his place as a top-shelf QB this season, but a Super Bowl title window rarely opens this wide. The 2022 Bills will have to deal with Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and improved Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert editions in an elite AFC arms race. 

 
4 of 20

K.C. DBs stumbling into Ja'Marr Chase rematch

K.C. DBs stumbling into Ja'Marr Chase rematch
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

This no-turnover shootout was undoubtedly a top-10 playoff game , but the Chiefs' inability to cover Gabriel Davis may dock it historically. Buffalo's defense let Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill loose too often; Kansas City's secondary let a backup streak open on several occasions. Mahomes covered for his defense, as he often does, but Davis becoming the ninth 200-yard playoff receiver and the postseason's first player to catch four TD passes does not make the Chiefs' midseason defensive surge look legitimate. That said, K.C. presumably getting Tyrann Mathieu back for the Ja'Marr Chase rematch will help.

 
5 of 20

Championship-round first adds pressure for Chiefs

Championship-round first adds pressure for Chiefs
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Arrowhead Stadium becoming the first venue to host four consecutive conference championship games changes the equation for the Chiefs, who once again benefited from a No. 1 seed losing early. The AFC favorites now have an Aaron Rodgers- and Tom Brady-less field to navigate. Sitting on one Super Bowl win during this streak, the Chiefs not claiming another title this year would make this a somewhat disappointing stretch. Two of the three teams to qualify for three straight Super Bowls (the 1971-73 Dolphins and 2016-18 Patriots) won two during those spans. Absent a February parade, these Chiefs' legacy would veer closer to the other such team (the early-'90s Bills). 

 
6 of 20

Cooper Kupp prevents creative Rams collapse

Cooper Kupp prevents creative Rams collapse
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Had Sunday's first game also reached overtime, the Rams deserved no faith after their diverse effort to undo a quality performance. Los Angeles' spree of mistakes -- three lost fumbles, a fourth after a horrid snap immediately following a Bucs turnover, and a 47-yard field goal that fell short -- rivaled the Falcons' Super Bowl LI undoing. Kupp redeemed himself after losing one of the four fumbles; his two-catch final drive allowed the Rams (14-5) to avert a catastrophe. Kupp's 183-yard day gives him 244 playoff yards. If the Rams book a Super Bowl berth, Larry Fitzgerald's postseason record (546) is in play. Altogether this season, Kupp has 2,191 receiving yards. 

RAMS GRADE: C-plus | NEXT: vs. 49ers (Sun.)

 
7 of 20

Bucs defense unravels after spearheading rally

Bucs defense unravels after spearheading rally
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

The same personnel that lifted the 2020 Buccaneers to a championship nearly concluded one of the great playoff comebacks. Tampa Bay's defense gave its besieged offense the ball at midfield or in Rams territory three times, after also denying Cam Akers a potential rally-preventing TD. But a botched blitz on Kupp's 44-yard grab rendered this effort an action-packed footnote. Lavonte David's miscommunication left him in no man's land on the Bucs' blitz effort. Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles blitzing here is interesting, given the Rams' collapse-in-progress, but Tampa Bay's sluggish first half ended up proving costly in what turned out to be a winnable game.

BUCCANEERS GRADE: C 

 
8 of 20

Von Miller shakes off postseason rust

Von Miller shakes off postseason rust
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

If Justin Tuck caused the most trouble for Tom Brady during his first leg of Super Bowl runs, Miller has been the top pass-rushing thorn in the ageless QB's second chapter. Six years after sacking Brady 2.5 times and intercepting him in the Broncos' 2015 AFC title-clinching win, Miller remained a problem for Brady by sacking him once and pressuring him on 27% of his rushes. Aaron Donald and Leonard Floyd also got to Brady, who was down All-Pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs. Notching a sack in a sixth straight game, Miller opened rushing lanes for his teammates to help interrupt what became a live Bucs comeback bid. Big year for Rams trades.

 
9 of 20

If Brady is done, he will go out on strange game

If Brady is done, he will go out on strange game
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Curious Seahawks and Falcons decisions opened the door to more Brady rings in the mid-2010s, and the Saints and Packers stumbled in their efforts to slam the door on the 40-something great during his first NFC postseason. The Rams took a stranger path to lay out a red carpet, and Brady (30-for-54, 329 yards) again capitalized on mistakes by moving his team into a final-minute tie. The ending not going the Bucs' way provided a twist, and it sets up an offseason in which they might need to sell the legend on their Super Bowl LVII viability in order for him to return at 45. It will be tough for Tampa to re-sign all of its starter-flooded free agency contingents this year, putting Brady to a pivotal decision.

 
10 of 20

Rams make correct call on Matthew Stafford

Rams make correct call on Matthew Stafford
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Not responsible for any of the Rams' turnovers, Stafford did enough early to steer his team to the Super Bowl doorstep. In his first divisional-round game, the 13th-year QB outplayed Brady -- in a 366-yard, two-TD showing overshadowed by the near-collapse -- and set up Los Angeles' game-winner. After hitting a wall with Jared Goff, the Rams are being proven right for their decision to send two first-rounders to the Lions (and eat a massive dead-money sum) for Stafford. Crafting one of the most interesting mid-career upswings in QB annals, Stafford landed with the right team after seeing several lesser squads submit offers. In one month, he could go from never winning a playoff game to starting a Super Bowl at home.

 
11 of 20

49ers defense extends MVP-to-be's January misery

49ers defense extends MVP-to-be's January misery
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Rodgers is now 0-4 against the 49ers in the playoffs. The soon-to-be four-time MVP did not display the efficiency that led the Packers to the No. 1 seed. The 49ers deserve credit for limiting Davante Adams, eliminating the Packers' auxiliary receivers, and winning against a reshuffled Green Bay O-line. Deploying a Nick Bosa- and Arik Armstead-led pass rush (five-plus sacks for a third straight game) that reminded of the one that hounded Rodgers in the 2019 NFC championship game, San Francisco (12-7) did not allow Green Bay points on six straight drives. While special teams will be this game's legacy, 49ers' struggles on offense made this defensive consistency necessary.

49ERS GRADE: B-plus | NEXT: at Rams (Sun.)

 
12 of 20

Third-phase disaster dooms Packers

Third-phase disaster dooms Packers
Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin/USA TODAY NETWORK

For all the problems the Packers offense experienced, the team would likely be preparing to beat the Rams a second time had it executed routine fourth-down plays. But Green Bay's season-long special teams issues persisted, etching an unusual chapter in the team's expanding list of Rodgers-era playoff letdowns. A blocked field goal and a blocked punt changed the game's complexion, but Deebo Samuel also returned a kickoff 45 yards. And the Packers (13-5) lined up with 10 men for Robbie Gould's game-ender. Be it muffed punts, kick-return TDs, or Mason Crosby's nine missed field goals, special teams proved nightmarish for the NFC favorites. Saturday night ensured these Packers specialty units will be remembered for a while.

PACKERS GRADE: D

 
13 of 20

Upset will not quiet Jimmy Garoppolo skepticism

Upset will not quiet Jimmy Garoppolo skepticism
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Exceptions like the 2017 Eagles or 2012 Ravens exist, but the modern NFL's Super Bowl-winning baseline is fairly clear: A-list playoff QB or elite defense. The 49ers are trying to take the back way; their Garoppolo-led offense compiled 212 yards Saturday. The 49ers became the fourth playoff team since 2000 to win without scoring an offensive TD. Garoppolo is by far the biggest QB liability left in the playoffs, and the 49ers lack the defensive firepower they possessed in 2019. The injured QB still made some necessary throws late and has the field's best-remaining rushing attack. The 49ers getting here also opens the door to Jimmy G in 2022, creating a fun playoff subplot.

 
14 of 20

Round 2 of Rodgers drama begins early

Round 2 of Rodgers drama begins early
Mike De Sisti/USA TODAY NETWORK

Popularity nosedive aside, Rodgers remains in top form. Jordan Love's November outing -- one that led to the Bills-Chiefs classic landing in Missouri instead of New York -- confirmed Rodgers' importance. The Packers are now the first team to win at least 13 games in three straight seasons, but their 39 regular-season wins are the most in a three-year span without a Super Bowl berth. Rodgers carries the NFL's second-highest 2022 cap hit ($46.8 million) and will decide if he wants to stay in Green Bay by March 16, the start of the next league year. This would be the last chance for the Packers to cash in on his value. If this is it for Rodgers in Wisconsin, the Pack will have a sobering two titles in 30 years with Rodgers and Brett Favre.

 
15 of 20

No. 6 seed carries odd upper hand

No. 6 seed carries odd upper hand
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Two No. 6 seeds -- the 2005 Steelers, 2010 Packers -- have won Super Bowls. Ahead of their fifth NFC championship game in 11 seasons and second title game against the Rams (1989 ), the 49ers are 3.5-point underdogs. But they bring an interesting superiority run over the Rams, having won six straight games in this series. The Rams lost a 31-10 Monday-night game in Santa Clara and blew a 17-point lead in Week 18, and their two losses to an injury-stricken 49ers team in 2020 highlighted the current Kyle Shanahan>Sean McVay edge. This championship round also represents a tough blow for defense-oriented coaching candidates. All four finalists' HCs are offense-based and call plays, further showcasing this skill set's importance. 

 
16 of 20

Joe Burrow withstands historic playoff onslaught

Joe Burrow withstands historic playoff onslaught
Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer/USA TODAY NETWORK

The Titans tied a playoff sack record and further reminded the Bengals of their O-line underinvestment. Burrow's 348 passing yards included considerable RAC (mostly involving Ja'Marr Chase), and he did not need the kind of dimes he dropped against the Raiders. But Burrow standing in -- often without a sixth blocker -- made the necessary throws amid a nine-sack, 13-hit evening. Post-ACL rehab, Burrow's game was both alarming and wildly impressive. The Bengals (12-7) must devote more bodies to protection against the Chiefs, but they have a quarterback who has already beaten the two-time reigning AFC champs and now riding the team's biggest wins in 33 years.

BENGALS GRADE: B-minus | NEXT: at Chiefs (Sun.)

 
17 of 20

Titans' Tannehill formula crumbles

Titans' Tannehill formula crumbles
George Walker IV/Tennessean.com/USA TODAY NETWORK

Tennessee (12-6) is now 0-3 as a No. 1 seed, with this oft-doubted squad failing to come through despite Derrick Henry's return. Ryan Tannehill's game included three interceptions but four completions of 20-plus yards. His A.J. Brown throws could not mask another underwhelming playoff effort. Titans OC Todd Downing running Tannehill on a crucial third-and-inches, ahead of a Bengals fourth-down stop in the fourth quarter, steepened the hosts' uphill battle. In an AFC featuring an increasing number of star QBs, Tannehill coming up short again is a reminder of this team's unorthodox contention blueprint's thin error margin.

TITANS GRADE: C 

 
18 of 20

Evan McPherson justifying Cincy's investment

Evan McPherson justifying Cincy's investment
Albert Cesare/The Enquirer/USA TODAY NETWORK

The Bengals moved on from Randy Bullock during the 2021 offseason and saw him on the other sideline in Nashville. Cincinnati's newcomer enabled the visitors' upset, with 54- and 52-yarders part of his four-field goal day. The Titans' pass rush made Bengal drive sustaining difficult, with one of Jeffery Simmons' three sacks forcing McPherson to try from 54 in the first half. Long-term kicker planning is fairly difficult outside of Baltimore, but the Bengals' fifth-round pick made a rather notable contribution to a low-scoring playoff game.

 
19 of 20

Prices rising for Titans

Prices rising for Titans
Andrew Nelles/Tennessean.com/USA TODAY NETWORK

Simmons registered three of the Titans' nine sacks, which matched the 1993 Chiefs for the most in a playoff game. Harold Landry followed a 12-sack regular season with 1.5 against the Bengals, finalizing his contract-year breakout. Landry will be a free agent in March. The price to re-sign or franchise-tag Landry will not be the only spike for the Titans, who also have A.J. Brown going into a contract year. Tannehill's cap number is set to balloon from $11.1 million to $38.6M in 2022. Tennessee's changing equation, one that helped the team punch three straight playoff tickets, will challenge GM Jon Robinson.

 
20 of 20

Bengals among least likely conference finalists

Bengals among least likely conference finalists
Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer/USA TODAY NETWORK

The Bengals and Chiefs have never met in the playoffs, adding more spice to an AFC decider way off the September radar. FanDuel had the Bengals at plus-12,000 to win Super Bowl LVI -- tied for the NFL's third-worst odds entering the season. This is not necessarily the least likely conference finalist ; the 2017 Jaguars emerged after a 3-13 season. The Bengals going from 6-25-1 in Zac Taylor's first two seasons to this still should be appreciated, and Burrow's rapid progression -- one that could feature another tier jump as better blockers arrive -- will keep Cincinnati in the mix. This still feels a year early, but the Bengals have kind of proven themselves in this matchup.

Sam Robinson is a Kansas City, Mo.-based writer who mostly writes about the NFL. He has covered sports for nearly 10 years. Boxing, the Royals and Pandora stations featuring female rock protagonists are some of his go-tos. Occasionally interesting tweets @SRobinson25.

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