The NFL Roundup 2022: Super Wild Card Weekend Recap

Written by John Edward Betancourt

​Hello again, football fans, and welcome to another edition of the NFL Roundup. One that gets to focus upon a weekend that lived up to its namesake. For Super Wild Card Weekend was as epic as it gets, since it was filled with incredibly satisfying beat downs and stunning upsets and moving drama and well, with that in mind… let’s not waste any more time today and dig right into every magnificent moment that the first round of the NFL Playoffs sent our way.
 
The Cincinnati Bengals won their first playoff game in thirty-one years in a breathtaking manner.
I think we can all agree that the pressure of winning the franchise’s first playoff victory in decades, translated to the field on several occasions for the Cincinnati Bengals. Because at times, it was incredibly obvious that these guys were nervous, and the boneheaded mistakes made on the field reflected that through and through. But eventually, the Bengals settled down and figured out how to best the Raiders and stop them when it counted in the most dramatic and cinematic way imaginable and just like that, Cincy got its first playoff win in forever and hopefully the fans of this proud franchise hang onto this one for a long time. Because regardless of what comes next, this is stunning progress for this franchise and hopefully, this team can keep the magic going when they take on the Tennessee Titans in the Divisional Round.
 
To call the Patriots game an ‘embarrassment’ would be a gross understatement.
Make no mistake about it, what happened in Buffalo on Saturday night, was about as ugly as it gets. Because not only were the Patriots unprepared to face the Bills in any capacity, but they made zero adjustments throughout the game, and they certainly didn’t show any desire to fight for a win in the slightest. Not to mention, the Bills basically exposed Mac Jones in a lot of ways, leaving football fans everywhere to wonder if he is indeed the long-term answer at quarterback and well… if Robert Kraft cares about this team in the manner he claims to… serious changes should come about in the offseason to the coaching staff and the personnel structure. Because this was a direct result of bad coaching and seeing as to how Big Bill is also the de facto GM in Foxboro, it would make sense to take a few things off of his plate. To ensure this team is never this unprepared in a big game, again.
 
The Philadelphia Eagles had no business being in the playoffs this year.
Speaking of ugly games, let’s talk about that Eagles/Bucs stinker. Because Philly was outclassed and outcoached at every single turn in this game and hot streak in the regular season or no, their performance here makes it clear that the weird nature of the 2021/2022 season benefitted them in a manner that it shouldn’t have. Because this team isn’t ready for this kind of big-time game in the slightest, and they’re going to need to make some major changes to the roster and the playbook in the offseason to avoid this kind of messy loss in the future. So don’t be surprised to see some changes take place on the coaching staff play calling wise to keep things fresh and expect this team to upgrade the offensive line and the receiving corps, so that Jalen Hurts can succeed in big games going forward.
 
The Dallas Cowboys have an ego problem, and it reared its ugly head again on Sunday.
Something I’ve made mention of before regarding the Dallas Cowboys, is that they have a tendency to get a little full of themselves and think they are God’s gift to football and that’s backfired on them more times than I can count. Because it gives them a sense of invincibility in big games, and they take their opponents for granted and once again… it happened on Sunday. Because ‘Dem Boyz’ really thought they were going to dominate the Niners at home and cruise to success. But San Francisco’s opening drive, wherein they marched down the field and punched the ball into the end zone, left the Cowboys shell shocked and unsure of how to proceed. To the point where they shot themselves in the foot often and for their egotistical efforts, they were sent packing in the first round of the playoffs… again. And sadly, this will continue to happen, until the Cowboys show a sense of humility, and who knows when that day will come.
 
Ben Roethlisberger’s storied career ended on a low note Sunday night.
Obviously, every player that enters the National Football League, is looking to end their careers a la John Elway, Peyton Manning, and Jerome Bettis. Wherein they win the Super Bowl and ride off into the sunset… a champion. But there are only a handful of players that get to have that kind of storybook ending and a vast majority of them will either fade away late in their careers or see it end with an ugly loss and the latter of those two options is precisely how Ben Roethlisberger’s career came to a close. Because the Pittsburgh Steelers, another team that really had no business in being in the playoffs this year, were blown out by the Kansas City Chiefs. Ending an eighteen-year run that featured two Super Bowl rings for Big Ben and well, that’s simply how it ends for #7, with a loss that was unsatisfying and uneventful. But thankfully, this will be nothing but a footnote in his career, courtesy of the incredible resume he put together as a Pittsburgh Steeler.
 
Matthew Stafford finally enjoyed a playoff victory.
It is obvious that trade the Los Angeles Rams made for QB Matthew Stafford was designed to help both parties. For the Rams needed a dynamic QB that could utilize the weapons present on this team and Stafford, wanted to play for a contender and get his first ever playoff victory and well, last night both sides got what they wanted. For Stafford once again showed his command of the Rams’ offense by dropping dimes all night and he got his first career playoff win. Giving him a taste of the good life in the NFL at last after spending years in playoff purgatory in Detroit and well, it is wonderful to see a talented QB such as Stafford finally get his due in the postseason and hopefully the magic of this win will translate over to the Divisional Round. Because the Bucs will be a real test for this team, and they’ll need Stafford’s best if they want a shot at the George Halas trophy.  

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