Bleacher Report
NFL Wild Card Weekend is nearing its end with a slate of three more exciting games on Sunday.
The AFC East-champion Buffalo Bills opened the day by defeating the Denver Broncos and will be followed by a pair of NFC matchups featuring the Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Green Bay Packers in the matinee and the Washington Commanders visiting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the nightcap.
The Wild Card Round will conclude with a Monday night matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings.
But for now, let’s take a look at the updated playoff bracket following Sunday’s results.
No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs (bye)
No. 2 Buffalo Bills def. No. 7 Denver Broncos, 31-7
No. 3 Baltimore Ravens def. No. 6 Pittsburgh Steelers, 28-14
No. 4 Houston Texans def. No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers, 32-12
No. 1 Kansas City Chief vs. No. 4 Houston Texans, Jan. 18 or 19
No. 2 Buffalo Bills vs. No. 3 Baltimore Ravens, Jan. 18 or 19
No. 1 Detroit Lions (bye)
No. 7 Green Bay Packers at No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles, Jan. 12, 4:30 p.m. ET
No. 6 Washington Commanders at No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jan. 12, 8:00 p.m. ET
No. 5 Minnesota Vikings at No. 4 Los Angeles Rams, Jan. 13, 8:00 p.m. ET
No. 1 Detroit Lions vs. Lowest Remaining Seed, TBD, Jan. 18 or 19
TBD vs. TBD, Jan. 18 or 19
AFC Champion vs. NFC Champion, Feb. 9
The Bills rode Josh Allen to their fifth straight wild-card round victory, as the presumptive frontrunner for the 2024 NFL MVP award put on a scintillating performance while becoming the franchise’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns.
Allen threw for 272 yards, two scores and no interceptions on 20-of-26 passing to spearhead the victory. He also added 46 rushing yards on eight carries.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
JOSH ALLEN WHAT A THROW FOR THE TD ON 4TH & 1 😱🔥<br><br>UNREAL. <br><br>(via <a href=”https://twitter.com/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@NFL</a>) <br> <a href=”https://t.co/qF6J2B4LFG”>pic.twitter.com/qF6J2B4LFG</a>
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
JOSH ALLEN TO CURTIS SAMUEL FOR THE 55-YARD TD 💨<br><br>Bills are running away with it 🔥<br><br>(via <a href=”https://twitter.com/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@NFL</a>) <br> <a href=”https://t.co/5WDMX2m3i5″>pic.twitter.com/5WDMX2m3i5</a>
In addition to Allen’s strong outing, Bills running back James Cook racked up 120 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. Buffalo totaled 200 yards on the ground and dominated the time of possession.
Despite Allen’s perennial brilliance, the Bills have not advanced past the Division Round of the playoffs since 2020. Buffalo will be facing another tough test this year when it meets the Baltimore Ravens, so Allen will need to be at his absolute best if he hopes to keep up with reigning two-time MVP Lamar Jackson.
