The NFL Wild Card weekend featured an exciting slate of games with plenty of high-scoring action, 4th quarter heroics, and thrilling one-score games. All but one game ended with only a three or four-point margin separating the winners and losers. Find out which former spring stars made an impact this weekend.
Los Angeles Rams v Carolina Panthers
On Saturday afternoon, the Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers engaged in a fierce battle that saw four lead changes in the 4th quarter. Matching an NFL record for the most lead changes ever in the 4th quarter, both teams jockeyed for the win. Entering the 4th quarter, the Panthers held a tenuous 24-20 lead. However, as the teams continued to score and alternate positions, the Rams clinched a 34-31 victory in the closing seconds.
Harrison Mevis, Los Angeles Rams kicker (Birmingham Stallions)
Former Birmingham Stallions “Thiccer kicker,” Harrison Mevis, converted two field goals and four of four extra points in the Los Angeles Rams’ 34-31 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Rams lit up the scoreboard first with a 14-yard touchdown reception by Puka Nacua. Mevis landed the first of his four extra points to give LA an early 7-0 lead. Just before halftime, he connected on a 46-yard field goal. That field goal gave the Rams a 17-14 lead.
Later in the third quarter, Mevis delivered his second field goal from 42 yards, giving the Rams a 20-17 advantage. After joining the team in Week 10, Mevis continues to get the job done for the Rams. He could be the difference-maker as the Rams prepare for their next playoff victory.
Next Sunday, the Los Angeles Rams will play the Chicago Bears in the NFC Divisional Round.
Green Bay Packers v. Chicago Bears
The Green Bay Packers’ season ended devastatingly as their 21-3 halftime lead evaporated in the closing minutes of the game. But as they have been doing all season, the Bears mounted an amazing 4th quarter victory to defeat the Packers by a score of 31-27.
The first half of the game belonged to the dominant Packers as Jordan Love and the offense scored a touchdown on each of their first three possessions.
But after halftime, it was a completely different story. The Bears flipped the script to go on a scoring rampage that produced 28 points. The Bears’ defense effectively shut down Green Bay, allowing only another 6 points the entire second half.
Daniel Whelan, Green Bay Packers punter (D.C. Defenders)
With the defense smothering the Packers’ offense in the second half, former D.C. Defenders punter Daniel Whelan punted four times for 195 yards. His longest punt was for 58 yards. But ultimately, it was a failure by another special teams player who may have cost Green Bay the game. 12-year veteran field goal kicker Brandon McManus missed two crucial field goals and an extra point.
With Whelan acting as holder, McManus missed a critical 55-yard kick in the swirling Soldier Field winds just before halftime. A second 44-yard kick failed to split the uprights, along with the missed extra point. All told, McManus cost Green Bay a total of 7 points that would have made the difference between a win and a loss.
Now, the Packers will have to find a way to rebound next season as they mull over pending organizational changes.
Buffalo Bills v. Jacksonville Jaguars
On Sunday afternoon, the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars treated fans to a ferocious battle that was so closely matched, either team could have emerged with the victory. But it was the visiting Bills and Josh Allen, their Ironman MVP quarterback, who thwarted the hometown Jaguars to emerge with the 27-24 win. A crazy 4th quarter produced the same NFL record-tying lead change as the Rams-Panthers game.
Neither team featured any former spring football stars on the field.
Next weekend, the Buffalo Bills will take on the AFC’s number one seed, the Denver Broncos.
Dondrea Tillman, Denver Broncos DT (Birmingham Stallions)
One of this season’s spring stars, former Birmingham Stallions‘ linebacker Dondrea Tillman, is enjoying a well-deserved bye week with the Denver Broncos, the AFC’s number one seed. Denver will be back in action on Saturday to host the Buffalo Bills.
New England Patriots v. Los Angeles Chargers
On Sunday night, the New England Patriots defense mauled Los Angeles Chargers’ quarterback Justin Herbert to deliver a punishing 16-3 victory.
Jeremiah Pharms, New England Patriots Defensive Tackle (Pittsburgh Maulers)
On hand for the victory was former Pittsburgh Maulers DT Jeremiah Pharms, who had been released from the team on January 3rd, in order to make room for the return of LT Will Campbell and DT Milton Williams. But two days later, Pharms was back on the practice squad and elevated for Sunday’s Wild Card Game.
Next Sunday, the victorious Patriots will play the winner of tonight’s final Wild Card game, either the Houston Texans or the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Check back here to find out which spring football stars make the biggest impact in the NFL Divisional Round Games.
