-
J.J. Post, ESPN
The NFL regular season might be over, but the quality postgame quips are still going strong in the playoffs.
On Saturday night, the Baltimore Ravens handled business at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers, amassing a 21-point lead by halftime before cruising to a 28-14 final. The Ravens’ star tandem of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry shined in the win — Jackson accounted for two of Baltimore’s touchdowns through the air, and Henry tallied the other two on the ground.
After the game, Jackson had an interesting point of reference to describe Henry’s game — animated race car protagonist Lightning McQueen:
“When Lightning McQueen gets flying, flashing past, like ‘pshew, pshew’ … that’s how Derrick [Henry] go.”
Lamar Jackson said watching Derrick Henry is like watching the movie “Cars” and likened Henry to Lightning McQueen pic.twitter.com/QO7Xagn9St
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) January 12, 2025
Jackson’s comparison was the highlight of post-victory commentary from the wild-card round week of the NFL playoffs.
“It’s not about how you start, it’s how you finish.”
It took some time for the Texans to find their rhythm in the first game of wild-card weekend — the Los Angeles Chargers amassed an early 6-0 lead and Houston didn’t get on the scoreboard until there was just under a minute remaining in the first half. But when the Texans hit top gear in the second half, the results were impressive.
Twenty-two second-half points helped Houston turn what was initially a low-scoring game into a rout. The Texans’ defense picked off four of Justin Herbert‘s passes, while Stroud connected with Nico Collins seven times for 122 yards and a score.
After the game, Stroud stressed the importance of ending with your best effort even if you start slow.
“This is what everyone’s been waiting for, right?“
The Bills handled business at home during Sunday’s early game, surrendering an early touchdown before posting 31 unanswered points en route to a 31-7 win.
The result sets up a prime-time clash for the divisional round, pitting two of the AFC’s top teams in the Bills and Ravens as well as the two leading candidates for league MVP — Allen and Jackson — against one another. Asked about the box office nature of his squad’s next game, McDermott didn’t mince words about the expected hype.
Barkley has had gaudier statistical days this season than his effort against the Green Bay Packers, but the star Eagles running back still rushed for 119 yards on 25 carries as Philadelphia advanced to the divisional round.
Sunday marked Barkley’s first playoff game since his former team, the New York Giants, lost to the Eagles in the 2022 divisional round. In a postgame interview, Barkley reflected on what it meant to be back in the hunt for the Vince Lombardi Trophy after watching the playoffs last season at home.
Source: www.espn.com