NFL Super Wildcard Weekend Star Performers
(Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports)
Round one is down, and six teams are already packing their bags for their off-season holiday break. The Niners took care of business eventually, the Jags bounced back from a ludicrous position, the Bills were run far closer than they should have been by the Dolphins.
The Bengals eventually got past the Ravens, the Vikings finally lost a one score game (when it really mattered) and the Cowboys crushed Brady’s Bucs. No huge upsets this week but some juicy matchups as our one-seeds join the fun next weekend.
Daniel Jones
QB, New York Giants, W 31-24 @ Vikings
Danny Dimes had the game of his life in his first playoff appearance. Seemingly unphased by the pressure of the situation, he performed at an elite level. Excellent decision-making, great scrambles, throwing absolute darts, it was everything we should come to expect from first round draft starting QB in the NFL nowadays but has been spotty at best throughout his career thus far.
But a near 70% completion percentage and a pair of touchdowns was just desserts for Jones. One might argue that the Vikings D don’t offer the stiffest competition but I genuinely believed he performed as well as anyone else out there with the ball in their hand this weekend.
Christian McCaffrey
RB, San Francisco 49ers, W 41-23 vs Seahawks
The ultimate dual threat from the backfield right now. There are no other words for it. Every time he gets the ball I expect magic and on a number of occasions, especially when Purdy was finding his feet in the first half, McCaffrey really shone through.
Finishing the day with 115 yards including his sumptuous, powerful run down the left sideline for his day-long 68 yarder, McCaffrey was divine. The Niners are the team to beat out there right now. So much depth it’s hard to see who can top them.
Asante Samuel Jr.
CB, Los Angeles Chargers, L 30-31 @ Jaguars
You get THREE interceptions, and your team loses?? How is this possible???? Samuel was reading Lawrence like a book in the first half of the match on Sunday night. Zay Jones? Pick. Evan Engram? Pick…. Oh, going there again are you? PICK! He must be beside himself after the result. However, it’s the next man who might well be to blame.
A week to forget for… Brandon Staley
You have nothing to play for, yet you start a full first team in your dead rubber a week before you go into the play offs? What were you thinking? Losing Mike Williams might well have cost you the game here, chap.
With that extra leverage on the field, I find it hard to believe that the Chargers would have Chargered quite so hard in the second half of Sunday’s game. Hang your head in shame, Staley. Play for the win. Swallow a smidge of pride. Learn the lesson.
