After the Patriots got destroyed by the Buffalo Bills, a fan could have easily stopped watching football in this postseason. However, a true fan of the sport would never look away even if their team did not make it. Last week, I decided to do a game preview on the Titans versus the Bengals, and my prediction for a close victory for Tennessee fell short. However, it was a thrilling game that kick-started the best playoff weekend ever. So instead of breaking down just this game, we will look at five takeaways from this exciting weekend that my Patriots need to learn from but all teams watching from their sofa must appreciate heading into next season.
1. You only win with great quarterback play unless you have a great defense-the instant classic between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, it was a reminder that your quarterback must play at an elite level Championship. In two playoff games, Josh Allen completed 48 of his 62 passes for 637 yards, had nine touchdowns and zero interceptions. Despite his heroics, he will be watching the Championship game from home after coming up just short. Not to be overlooked this weekend is the outstanding play of Matt Stafford in silencing the doubters with a virtuoso performance in coming up clutch for his team. In the same game, Tom Brady showed the heart of a champion by leading his team back from a 27-3 deficit to a tied game with under a minute left. Joe Burrow showed grit and poise after getting sacked nine times to fight for his team and winning it at the end. The outlier was the great 49ers defense that contained Aaron Rodgers to just 10 points. Ryan Tannehill showed how not having a great quarterback can cost your team because he threw three awful interceptions. Yes, teams around the league either need to have an elite quarterback or defense before thinking about a championship.
2. End-of-game decisions are equivalent to life and death in football- every game this weekend was decided by one score or less. It is underscored the importance of end of game decisions and being ready for the moment. The Kansas City Chiefs looked ready for the moment. In three plays, the team moved the ball more than 40 yards to tie the game in just 13 seconds. On the other hand, the Bills had the chance to force the Chiefs to field the kick-off and play tighter coverages. The Buccaneers attempted an ill-advised all-out blitz while Tannehill tried to rip the ball into tight coverage leading to an interception. Coaches around the league must discuss strategies and train their players to handle these pressurizing situations that end in sweet victory or the agony of defeat.
3. A great kicker is an underrated part of winning Championships-as a Patriots fan, the importance of Adam Vinatieri’s kicks to win the Superbowl cannot be understated. This weekend the importance of the much-maligned position came to the fore. All four games in regulation ended with a kicker nailing a field goal as time expired. The most difficult on paper was Robbie Gould, who kicked a 45-yard field goal in the snow on the frozen tundra at Lambeau Field. Evan Mcpherson, a rookie kicker, not only nailed the 52-yard game-winner but was 4 for 4 on the day. Matt Gay had the easiest kick this weekend with only a 30 yarder in perfect weather but he reportedly had an injury in warmups. Mahomes would not complete the miraculous comeback without Harrison Butker. Every General Manager and Coach should be asking themselves, can my kicker deliver in the clutch? If your team wants to win a championship, a great kicker is needed to finish the job.
4. Elite Offensive weapons are a must-have in the NFL- the close finishes this weekend revealed that when the game is tight a quarterback needs his star players to shine brightest to pull off a win. The Chief’s tandem of Kelce and Hill combined for a mammoth 19 catches, 246 yards, and two pivotal touchdowns in the last 5 minutes of that game. They were not even the best receivers on the field because Gabriel Davis was unstoppable with eight catches, 201 yards, and a playoff record of 4 touchdowns for the Bills. Cooper Kupp had nine catches, 183 yards while Mike Evans had eight for 119 yards in defeat. Ja’Marr Chase had five catches 109 yards while AJ Brown had five for 142 yards despite the loss. It highlights as a Patriots fan the need to upgrade at the wide receiver as soon as possible in free agency or the draft.
5. Winning a championship is hard-the weekend was a reminder that it takes a lot to win a championship. I felt bad for the fans of the Bills, Packers, Bucs, and Titans because those losses were excruciating to experience. To advance in the playoffs require key players in the team to be healthy, the right strategies must be executed for all 48 minutes, and players must be able to weather adversity. The Packers showed that the special team unit may cost you a championship with a blocked punt and field goal attempt. It also pointed to the importance of seizing the moment because being in the position to advance may never come around for rosters that essentially change from year to year.