Gridiron Grandeur
An analytical review of the strategic intricacies, historic upsets, and championship narratives that defined a memorable NFL postseason.
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Overview
The Championship Season
The 2017-18 National Football League postseason, spanning from January 6 to February 4, 2018, culminated in Super Bowl LII. This tournament featured 12 teams vying for the coveted Lombardi Trophy, with 11 games played across various venues. The Philadelphia Eagles emerged as champions, triumphing over the New England Patriots, who were the defending champions from the previous season.
Notable Narratives
This playoff season was particularly notable for several teams breaking significant postseason droughts. The Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans all returned to the playoffs after extended absences. Furthermore, it marked the first postseason since 2008-09 without Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, and since 2001-02 without a Manning brother (Peyton or Eli). The New England Patriots extended their NFL record by reaching a seventh consecutive AFC Championship Game, while the Philadelphia Eagles ended a 57-year championship drought, securing their first Super Bowl era title. Uniquely, no games in this postseason went into overtime.
Super Bowl LII
Super Bowl LII, the championship game of the 2017 NFL season, was hosted at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Philadelphia Eagles, representing the NFC, faced off against the New England Patriots, the AFC champions. The Eagles ultimately defeated the Patriots 41-33 in a high-scoring affair, securing their historic victory. The Jacksonville Jaguars and Minnesota Vikings were the respective conference runners-up.
Structure
Playoff Format
The NFL playoff structure is designed to identify the league's ultimate champion through a single-elimination tournament. Within each of the two conferences (AFC and NFC), six teams qualify: four division winners and two 'wild card' teams. The wild card teams are the two non-division winners with the best overall regular season records.
Seeding Mechanism
Qualified teams are assigned seeds from 1 to 6. The four division winners are seeded 1-4 based on their regular season performance, while the two wild card teams are seeded 5-6. The top two seeds in each conference receive a crucial first-round bye, allowing them to rest and prepare while lower-seeded teams compete.
Playoff Rounds
The playoffs unfold in distinct rounds. The Wild Card playoffs feature the 3rd seed hosting the 6th seed, and the 4th seed hosting the 5th. In the Divisional playoffs, the 1st seed hosts the lowest-surviving seed from the Wild Card round, and the 2nd seed plays the other remaining team. The winners advance to the AFC and NFC Conference Championship games, hosted by the higher seed. The ultimate championship, the Super Bowl, is played at a neutral site.
Schedule
Playoff Timeline
The 2017-18 NFL playoffs unfolded over several weeks, featuring intense matchups across the Wild Card, Divisional, and Conference Championship rounds, culminating in Super Bowl LII. Each game presented unique narratives and showcased the pinnacle of professional American football.
Wildcard
AFC Wild Card Highlights
The AFC Wild Card round delivered dramatic finishes and significant milestones. The Tennessee Titans staged a remarkable comeback against the Kansas City Chiefs, overcoming an 18-point halftime deficit to win 22-21. This victory marked the Titans' first playoff win since the 2003 season. In the other AFC matchup, the Jacksonville Jaguars secured a low-scoring 10-3 victory over the Buffalo Bills, marking the Bills' first playoff appearance since 1999.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titans | 0 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 22 |
| Chiefs | 14 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: January 6, 2018
- Game time: 4:35 p.m. EST/3:35 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Sunny, 33 °F (1 °C)
- Game attendance: 73,319
- Referee: Jeff Triplette
- TV announcers (ABC/ESPN): Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Jon Gruden (color commentator), Lisa Salters (sideline reporter)
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
The Tennessee Titans overcame an 18-point halftime deficit to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 22–21 and won their first playoff game since the 2003 season. Kansas City opened the scoring on their second possession of the game, with Kareem Hunt's one-yard touchdown run and Travis Kelce's 13-yard touchdown reception from Alex Smith, giving them a 14–0 lead. Smith finished the quarter with a career-high 154 passing yards. In the second quarter, Tennessee's Marcus Mariota was intercepted by Marcus Peters, but Ryan Succop managed a 49-yard field goal. The Chiefs extended their lead to 21–3 by halftime with a 14-yard scoring pass from Smith to Demarcus Robinson. Kelce suffered a game-ending injury on the final drive of the half. Tennessee opened the second half with a 15-play, 91-yard drive, culminating in a unique 6-yard touchdown pass from Mariota to himself, making him the first quarterback to achieve this in a postseason game[6]. The Chiefs missed a 48-yard field goal attempt. Derrick Henry's 35-yard run in the fourth quarter cut the score to 21–16. Tennessee then took their first lead of the game with Mariota's 22-yard touchdown pass to Eric Decker, making it 22–21. Kansas City's final drive ended with a turnover on downs after a sack by Derrick Morgan. Henry then secured a game-clinching first down with a 22-yard run. Alex Smith finished with 264 yards and two touchdowns, while Mariota had 205 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Henry was the leading rusher with 156 yards. The Titans became the first road team since the 1972 playoffs to erase an 18-point deficit and win, while the Chiefs extended their league record to six consecutive home playoff losses.[8]
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 26 |
| Rams | 0 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
- Date: January 6, 2018
- Game time: 8:15 p.m. EST/5:15 p.m. PST
- Game weather: Cloudy, 62 °F (17 °C)
- Game attendance: 74,300
- Referee: Ed Hochuli
- TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (color commentator), Michele Tafoya (sideline reporter)
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
In the first playoff game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum since the 1993 NFL season, the Atlanta Falcons defeated the Los Angeles Rams 26-13. Matt Ryan threw for 218 yards and a touchdown, while kicker Matt Bryant contributed four field goals. Atlanta capitalized on early Rams turnovers, with Bryant kicking a 29-yard field goal after a muffed punt and a 51-yard field goal after a drive sparked by Julio Jones. Devonta Freeman added a 3-yard touchdown run after a forced fumble on the ensuing kickoff. The Rams finally got on the board in the second quarter with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Cooper Kupp and a 35-yard field goal from Sam Ficken, narrowing the halftime score to 13-10. The Falcons extended their lead in the third quarter with two more field goals from Bryant (25 and 54 yards). The Rams responded with a 32-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, but Ryan's 8-yard touchdown pass to Jones sealed the victory for Atlanta. Despite a late Rams drive to the Falcons' 5-yard line, a reversed touchdown call and an incomplete pass resulted in a turnover on downs. Ryan completed 21 of 30 passes for 213 yards and a touchdown, with Jones catching nine passes for 94 yards and a touchdown. Goff finished 24-for-45 for 259 yards and a touchdown, with Robert Woods as his top target (9 receptions, 142 yards). Todd Gurley led all rushers with 101 yards. This marked Atlanta's first road playoff win since 2002.[9]
Divisional
AFC Divisional Showdowns
The AFC Divisional round featured the New England Patriots dominating the Tennessee Titans 35-14, securing their seventh consecutive AFC Championship appearance. This game saw Tom Brady become the oldest quarterback to lead his team to victory in a postseason game. The Jacksonville Jaguars continued their impressive run with a thrilling 45-42 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in a high-scoring affair, considered one of the highest-scoring NFL playoff games, despite Ben Roethlisberger's record-setting passing performance in a losing effort.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titans | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Patriots | 0 | 21 | 7 | 7 | 35 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
- Date: January 13, 2018
- Game time: 8:15 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Clear and cold, 24 °F (−4 °C)
- Game attendance: 65,878
- Referee: Ronald Torbert
- TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz (play-by-play), Tony Romo (color commentator), Tracy Wolfson and Jay Feely (sideline reporters)
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
New England dominated the Tennessee Titans 35-14, racking up 438 yards of offense, 31 first downs, and eight sacks to advance to their seventh consecutive AFC Championship game.[13] Tennessee opened the scoring with a 95-yard drive, culminating in Marcus Mariota's 15-yard touchdown pass to Corey Davis. The Patriots quickly responded, with Tom Brady leading a drive that ended in a 5-yard shovel pass touchdown to James White, tying the score. White then added a 6-yard touchdown run to give New England a 14-7 lead. After a neutral zone infraction penalty gave them a second chance, the Patriots extended their lead to 21-7 with Brady's 6-yard touchdown pass to Chris Hogan. Stephen Gostkowski missed a 53-yard field goal attempt at the end of the half. In the third quarter, Brandon Bolden's 2-yard touchdown run increased the Patriots' lead to 28-7. Brady then connected with Rob Gronkowski for a 4-yard touchdown, making it 35-7. Mariota threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Davis late in the fourth quarter for the Titans' final score. Brady finished 35-of-53 for 337 yards and three touchdowns, becoming the oldest quarterback to win a postseason game at 40 years, 163 days.[12] Danny Amendola caught 11 passes for 112 yards. Mariota completed 22 of 37 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns. This game set an NFL postseason record for the largest age difference between opposing quarterbacks (Brady 40, Mariota 24).[14]
NFC Divisional Thrillers
In the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Atlanta Falcons 15-10 in a tightly contested defensive battle, advancing to their first NFC Championship since 2008. The Minnesota Vikings achieved the legendary 'Minneapolis Miracle,' with a last-second 61-yard touchdown pass from Case Keenum to Stefon Diggs to defeat the New Orleans Saints 29-24, sending them to the NFC Championship in dramatic fashion.
Conference
AFC Championship Battle
The AFC Championship saw the New England Patriots overcome a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Jacksonville Jaguars 24-20, earning the franchise's 10th Super Bowl appearance. This game highlighted the Patriots' resilience and Tom Brady's clutch performance, securing their place in Super Bowl LII.
NFC Championship Dominance
The NFC Championship was a decisive victory for the Philadelphia Eagles, who routed the Minnesota Vikings 38-7. The Eagles' dominant performance, fueled by quarterback Nick Foles, secured their spot in Super Bowl LII and ended the Vikings' hopes of playing the Super Bowl in their home stadium.
Superbowl
Super Bowl LII: Eagles vs. Patriots
Super Bowl LII pitted the Philadelphia Eagles against the New England Patriots in a highly anticipated rematch of Super Bowl XXXIX. The game was a high-octane offensive showcase, setting numerous records for combined yardage. The Eagles, led by quarterback Nick Foles, ultimately prevailed 41-33, securing their first-ever Super Bowl championship and denying the Patriots a sixth title.
Highlights
Record-Breaking Performances
The 2017-18 playoffs were marked by several record-setting achievements that underscored the exceptional talent and competitive intensity of the league. Tom Brady, at 40 years and 163 days, became the oldest quarterback to lead his team to victory in a postseason game, showcasing his enduring prowess. Ben Roethlisberger's remarkable 469 passing yards against the Jaguars ranked as the second-highest total in NFL postseason history, a testament to his prolific arm, even in a losing effort. He was also the first NFL quarterback to throw for five touchdowns in a playoff loss, highlighting the offensive firepower present in the Divisional Round matchup.
Unforgettable Moments
Beyond statistics, the postseason delivered truly unforgettable moments that captivated audiences. The "Minneapolis Miracle" stands as a singular event, where Stefon Diggs' 61-yard touchdown catch on the final play of regulation secured a Vikings victory, a first in NFL postseason history. This dramatic finish exemplified the unpredictable nature of playoff football. Earlier in the Wild Card round, Marcus Mariota also made history by throwing and catching a touchdown pass to himself, a unique and rare feat in playoff football that demonstrated his athleticism and quick thinking.
Droughts Ended
A significant and heartwarming theme of this postseason was the breaking of long-standing playoff droughts for several franchises. The Buffalo Bills (ending an 18-year drought since 1999), Los Angeles Rams (since 2004), Jacksonville Jaguars (since 2007), and Tennessee Titans (since 2008) all ended their dry spells, bringing renewed excitement and a sense of triumph to their dedicated fan bases. These returns to the postseason added fresh narratives and a broader competitive landscape to the playoff picture.
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References
References
- Bills end drought, secure wild-card spot after Bengals beat Ravens, ESPN, December 31, 2017
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