The NFL Roundup 2021: Divisional Round Recap

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Normally, the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs features a couple of stinker games. The kind that usually feature a blowout ending for a team that got lucky during Wild Card Weekend and has no place being in round two. But this year’s Divisional Round didn’t suffer from that problem in the slightest. Sure, there were some lopsided matchups, but they didn’t become that until the 4th Quarter and everything that preceded that unfortunate finale for some teams, was nothing short of stunning football. The kind that quite frankly allowed for the best teams to advance to Championship Sunday. But before we start digging into the Conference Championships, and who might represent the AFC and NFC in the Super Bowl, let’s reflect upon this round of the playoffs, one last time.
 
The Los Angeles Rams are in desperate need of some offensive weapons.
One of the big reasons that the Rams reached the Super Bowl a couple of years back, was their offense. Because they had a potent run game that helped for Jared Goff to do his thing through the air, which in turn, allowed for this team to put up big points and help their defense out. But alas, those days are long gone now, as evidenced by Saturday’s outcome. Because the lack of a solid running game and a transformative receiver or tight end, stymied the Rams’ chances at advancing. Which means that this offseason, it is critical that they either draft or sign some top-tier offensive weapons for Mister Goff to utilize, otherwise their playoff woes will continue to persist.
 
There needs to be some serious soul searching in Baltimore, this offseason.
One thing that we can all agree upon, is that the Ravens are indeed a talented team, one that has proven time and time again that they can win big games… in the regular season. But when everything is on the line in the playoffs, or the going gets tough, they simply crumble and that is going to require this team to do some serious soul searching this offseason. Because talent alone doesn’t win you big games; it takes drive and leadership and hunger and desire. None of which we are seeing from this offense right now and it is up to them to figure out how to bring that to the surface of their play, and if they cannot, then this team is going to have to deal with more early exits from the playoffs.
 
The Cleveland Browns will be quite the formidable team in years to come.
Make no mistake about it, Cleveland’s loss to Kansas City on Sunday was downright heartbreaking for certain. Because they closed the gap on the scoreboard to a single touchdown, and given one last chance with the ball, they might have upset the Chiefs and advanced to the AFC Championship for the first time in forever. But alas, it was simply not meant to be. But while that is a tough way to see a season end, there are a lot of positives to be found in this loss. Because it goes to show that this team has the right mix of talent on offense, and that they can achieve wonders when given the opportunity and that they are also super close to competing for a title. Which means that this team will be formidable for years to come and if by chance they make some appropriate tweaks on defense, they will definitely advance beyond the Divisional Round, down the road.
 
It appears as though Drew Brees won’t get a storybook NFL Ending, after all.
Truly, every player out there wants to end their career in the same manner as John Elway and Jerome Bettis and Peyton Manning. Wherein they are able to hoist the Lombardi Trophy one last time before setting off into the sunset. But that ending is rare for certain and sadly, it is one that will likely elude Drew Brees. Because while he didn’t commit to retirement in his 'end of season' presser, his tearful, farewell lap around the Mercedes-Benz Superdome… truly made it seem as though the end of his career was in sight. But while his career may not end with confetti and a gentle kiss for the Lombardi Trophy, he still has a lot to be proud of. Since he has all kinds of incredible passing records under his belt and one championship ring to boot and that's huge. Because not every quarterback can say that, and storybook ending or no, Drew Brees will indeed go down as one of the greats, regardless of how his career comes to an end. 

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