The NFL Divisional Weekend playoff games featured plenty of high-scoring action, two nail-biting overtime victories, and a UFL star, Harrison Mevis, who just kicked the most important field goal of his career.
Los Angeles Rams v Chicago Bears
Harrison Mevis, Los Angeles Rams kicker (Birmingham Stallions)
On Sunday evening, the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears entered overtime locked in a fierce 17-17 defensive battle. In snow-covered, swirling wind conditions at Soldier Field, both defenses stepped up to the challenge, forcing multiple turnovers and three-and-outs.
With 18 seconds left in regulation, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams pulled off a heroic 50-yard touchdown throw to TE Cole Kmet to send the game into overtime. The blind, off-balance end zone pass left Rams coach Sean McVay shaking his head in disbelief.
But with neither team scoring on their first OT possession, the next score would win the game. As the clock ticked down to the final minutes of overtime, the Bears were in scoring position. However, a timely interception by Rams safety Kam Curl gave the Rams possession.
MVP candidate Matthew Stafford got the offense into scoring position, and former Birmingham Stallions “Thiccer kicker” did the rest. Nailing a clutch 42-yard field goal, Mevis split the uprights to give the Rams a 20-17 victory. In addition to his game-winning kick, Mevis also contributed a 32-yard field goal right before the half to tie the score at 10-10 and two extra points.
Next Sunday, the Rams will take on the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game. The game will be televised on FOX at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Buffalo Bills v. Denver Broncos
On Sunday afternoon, the Buffalo Bills traveled to Denver to take on the Broncos. In a ferocious overtime thriller, the visiting Bills and Ironman quarterback Josh Allen suffered a crushing 33-30 defeat at the hands of the number one-seeded Broncos.
Unfortunately, instead of a celebratory locker room afterwards, Broncos coach Sean Payton revealed the shock announcement that quarterback Bo Nix was lost for the remainder of the postseason with a broken ankle.
Dondrea Tillman, Denver Broncos DT(Birmingham Stallions)
One of this season’s spring stars, former Birmingham Stallions linebacker Dondrea Tillman, helped his team secure the victory with six tackles (four solo) and a stuff.
Ben DiNucci, Denver Broncos QB (Seattle Sea Dragons)
In a surprise turn of events, popular spring football star Ben DiNucci is back with the Broncos. Immediately following the news of Nix’s injury, Sean Payton reached out to the former XFL Seattle Sea Dragons star quarterback.
Following his standout season with the Sea Dragons, when DiNucci led the team to a playoff berth and a league-best record of 272 /374 completions for 2,671 yards, with 20 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and three rushing touchdowns, he spent the 2023 season with the Broncos.
Now an NFL broadcast commentator with CBS Sports, DiNucci returns to Denver as the backup emergency quarterback.
Houston Texans v. New England Patriots
On Sunday afternoon, in horrific weather conditions that resulted in multiple turnovers for both teams, the New England Patriots came out on top by a score of 28-16.
The Patriots’ defense mauled Houston Texans’ quarterback C.J Stroud for a total of four interceptions. The Patriots advance to the AFC Conference Championship next Sunday in Denver.
Jeremiah Pharms, New England Patriots Defensive Tackle (Pittsburgh Maulers)
Former Pittsburgh Maulers DT Jeremiah Pharms remained on the practice squad and wasn’t elevated for Sunday’s playoff game.
Next Sunday, the victorious Patriots will travel to Mile High Stadium to play the AFC-leading Denver Broncos. The game will be televised on CBS at 3:00 pm EST.
Check back here to find out which spring football stars make the biggest impact in the NFL Conference Round Games to determine the final two teams who will play in the Super Bowl this year.
