The Shenoa Report
January 20, 2024
DIVISIONAL ROUND WEEKEND
This week I’ve learned to welcome distractions. Football is a good distraction. We, my partner and I, suffered a major loss this past week (we are ok). I wondered if I would even write and post this blog. Clearly I’ve decided to write. I encourage you to hug your loved ones. Call your family and tell them you love them. Call your friends and do the same. Life is short. Carpe Diem. Distractions are welcome.
So let me distract myself for a while and talk about football.
I went 4-2 on my picks in the wildcard round but I was perfect in who I’d hoped would win.
Before we get into the Divisional round let’s recap Super Wildcard Weekend.
Browns @ Texans 14-45
CJ Stroud threw for 236 yards and three touchdowns, one to Nico Collins, one to Brevin Jordan, and one to Dalton Schultz, all before halftime! The defense took over in the second half, with Steven Nelson and Christian Harris returning interceptions for touchdowns on consecutive drives in the third quarter to extend the lead to 38-14. The Browns were only “in” this game in the first quarter and that’s because they got the ball first to start the game. Cleveland did score the first touchdown, a Kareem Hunt rushing TD with about 2 minutes to go in the first quarter. The Texans answered back, finishing with a touchdown of their own, a pass from Stroud to Nico Collins. The second quarter started much like the first with another touchdown from Kareem Hunt, this time it was a receiving touchdown from Joe Flacco. But that would be the last score for the Browns. The Texans unleashed an extraordinary romping of the Browns. Stroud became the youngest rookie quarterback to win a playoff game after throwing for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Stroud was replaced with Davis Mills early in the 4th quarter as his job was done for the day. Devin Singletary had a rushing touchdown, the last score of the day, early in the 4th quarter and, clearly, Cleveland wasn’t coming back. This is the Browns’ worst postseason loss since a 34-0 thumping by the Baltimore Colts on Dec. 29, 1968. It was sad to see the Browns lose but also great to see the Texans win. They’ve endured a lot, and clearly made the right decision in getting rid of Deshawn Watson. Next up the Texans will travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens in the divisional round.
Dolphins @ Chiefs 7-26
I think this was the game that Chiefs fans had wanted and expected all season and it came just in time for playoffs. For what seems like the first time this season the Chiefs actually dominated. It’s about damn time. Patrick Mahomes went 23-41 in passing attempts, 262 yards, a touchdown to Rashee Rice, and zero interceptions. Tua, who said he wouldn’t wear gloves because it was “just a state of mind” went 20-39 in passing attempts, 199 yards, had a touchdown to Tyreek Hill, and an interception. Isaiah Pacheco had a rushing touchdown and Harrison Butker handled the rest, racking up 4 field goals in the win. It was not the Dolphins day. I’m sure the temperature had an effect on the outcome. Coming from Miami where it’s 80 degrees to Kansas City where it was -4 below at the start of the game probably didn’t help Miami. With the windchill it felt like -27 degrees. It was so cold Andy Reid’s mustache had icicles on it and Patrick Mahomes’ helmet shattered when it collided with a defender's helmet. Once officials saw the fist-sized hole, they made Mahomes get a backup helmet from the bench. The Chiefs should have used a timeout for the switch or Mahomes should have sat out for a play but neither happened. I guess the refs figured that time out or not the Chiefs had already won the game. Who knows with refs nowadays. The Dolphins never threatened down the stretch in their 11th straight loss when game-time temps are 40 degrees or less. Now the Dolphins have the longest active streak without a playoff win. It was 24 years ago in 2000. Next up *SPOILER* the Chiefs will travel to Buffalo to face the Bills!
If you didn’t already know that the Bills won, you’ll read it in the recap soon!
Packers @ Cowboys 48-32
Yo! How ‘bout them Cowboys? Or should I say, GO PACK GO! This was the most shocking game of the weekend for sure. I got the pick wrong and am so happy I did! The Green Bay scoring was bananas. Aaron Jones ran for three touchdowns. Jordan Love threw for three more TDs in his postseason debut, one to Dontayvion Wicks, one to Luke Musgrave, and one to Romeo Doubs. On defense, Darnell Savage returned an interception 64 yards for another touchdown! And that is how the Packers beat the Cowboys. Here are a few fun facts: This was the first time a number 2 seed lost to a number 7 seed in NFL history. The Cowboys have now extended their playoff streak appearances without a conference title game to 13. Also, this was the Cowboys first home loss since week 1 of 2022. The Packers will head to San Francisco next week to take on the 49ers. Moving forward, I’m sure you’ll be hearing a lot of “Aaron Rodgers who?” All you need is Love.
Rams @ Lions 23-24
Unless you live under a rock you’ll remember the blockbuster trade that sent the Lions QB Matthew Stafford to the Rams for their QB Jared Goff plus two first round picks, three years ago. The Rams thought they got the better end of the deal because Stafford took them to the Super Bowl and got them a ring in Feb of 2022. Jared Goff, on the other hand, gave defenses a lot of interceptions and fumbles. Coach Dan Campbell kept coaching Goff, encouraging him and the rest of his team. You saw it first hand if you tuned into Hard Knocks in 2022. Campbell doesn’t give up on his guys and it shows. The Lions won their first playoff game in 32 years. Being the number 3 seed, Detroit will have two home playoff games for the first time in franchise history. This was such a close, nail biting, intense game. The Rams had a chance to take the lead late in the 4th but the Lions defense said, NO thanks. The Rams trailed the entire game. Detroit’s rookie tight end was able to suit up for this game having been questionable all week. TE Sam LaPorta even had a touchdown midway through the second quarter after catching a pass from Jared Goff. David Montgomery and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs each had a rushing TD for the Lions, and St. Brown had seven receptions for 110 yards. It was a good solid game, I just don’t like it being THAT close! Next up the Lions will host the Bucs, which is another spoiler of sorts. More on that in the upcoming recap.
Steelers @ Bills 17-31
This game was slated for 1pm on Sunday but due to the State of Emergency in Western NY the game was postponed to Monday afternoon. Over two feet of snow fell over the weekend, the majority of it falling Sunday afternoon through the overnight. Fans were paid $20/hr to help with snow removal. By the time the game started the field was uncovered and pristine but the stands still had a LOT of snow. Certain sections were still completely covered in feet of snow. I like to think, and judging from pictures during the game, the uncleared sections were those where Steelers fans sat. It was comical watching videos of fans trying to find their seats while wading through waist deep snow. I left work early on Monday to make sure I was able to catch the entire game and I’m glad I did. It was a great game. Josh Allen was money. Allen threw three touchdown passes and had a rushing TD on a franchise playoff-record 52 yard touchdown run. The Bills led 21-0 before the Steelers scored on three straight possessions to get it to 24-17. I didn’t like that part but Allen continued to dominate and with less than 7 minutes to go in the fourth quarter he connected with Khalil Shakir on a 17 yard touchdown pass to seal the win. Allen finished 21 of 30 for 203 yards and ran for 74 yards on eight carries, becoming the first quarterback in NFL playoff history to throw three or more TD passes while rushing for 70 or more yards and a score. Also, he didn’t have a turnover for just the fourth time this season. It’s safe to say that the Bills had one of their best games this season. It’s also safe to say the Steelers didn’t. Things just didn’t come together for them. Next up the Bills will HOST the Chiefs on Sunday. More on that in the predictions.
Eagles @ Buccaneers 9-32
I’m just going to go ahead and say what needs to be said, the Eagles are no longer a good football team. They have GREAT talent on their roster but for whatever reason, they are not playing together and they need help. Fortunately they now have all of the off season to figure it out. In other news, I think Baker Mayfield likes being in Tampa Bay and I think that Bucs fans are happy he’s there. Mayfield threw for 337 yards and three touchdowns in the romping. Tampa Bay's defense never allowed Hurts or the rest of the Eagles offense to get into any sort of rhythm. I’d like to say I was surprised with the outcome of this game, but after the Eagles lost 5 out of their last six games I almost expected this loss. I’ve also learned to never count out the Eagles and that’s why I picked them to win this game initially. So I got the pick wrong. Oh well. I’m still happy with the outcome. I like Baker Mayfield and I am glad that he is able to thrive with Tampa Bay. The Bucs will now travel to Detroit and the Eagles will travel to their couches. Big shout out and Congrats to Jason Kelce, the center for the Eagles, who announced his retirement after this game.
DIVISIONAL ROUND WEEKEND
Saturday, January 20th
Texans (10-7) @ Ravens (13-4) (4:30pm ESPN/ABC/ESPN+)
I don’t have strong ties or feels for either of these teams and just hope it’s a good game. I guess, even though I just said I don’t care who wins, I think I’ll be rooting for the Texans. I like their story. I like CJ Stroud. I think the Ravens will win but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Texans pull off a tremendous upset. I’m picking the Ravens to win. They just signed running back Dalvin Cook from the Jets and they are potentially getting tight end Mark Andrews back from his mid-season injury that placed him on IR. The Texans are coming into this game quite beat up. Houston has lost two of their top wide receivers due to injury. They will be without Tank Dell and Noah Brown for this game. I think that if both of these receivers were able to suit up it would be a vastly different game. So. I’m rooting for the Texans, I’m picking the Ravens to win, but I really just hope it’s a good game. Vegas has the Ravens -9.5 so, we’ll see.
Packers (9-8) @ 49ers (12-5) (8:15pm FOX)
It’s safe to say that the Packers loathe the 49ers, especially during the playoffs. When Aaron Rodgers was their quarterback the 49ers knocked the Packers out of the playoffs four times, including twice in the previous four seasons. Will Jordan Love fare better for Green Bay? I don’t think so, at least this time. The 49ers are 10 point favorites. That’s tough. The Packers have been playing really good football as of late. The saying goes, Any given Sunday… Well it could be any given Saturday too. We’ll see. I’m picking the 49ers to win this game.
Sunday, January 21st
Buccaneers (9-8) @ Lions (12-5) (3pm NBC)
As much as I love Baker Mayfield and what he has done for the Bucs organization this year I am all in on the Lions to win this game. Fun fact: Jared Goff is the first quarterback in NFL history to snap a 10+ year playoff win drought from multiple teams. First with the Rams and now with the Lions. Detroit is aiming to win 2 playoff games in a season for the 1st time since 1957. I like their odds. I’m rooting for and picking the Lions to win this game.
Chiefs (11-6) @ Bills (11-6) (6:30pm CBS)
These two teams have a playoff rival history much like the Packers 49ers. The Chiefs have knocked the Bills out of the playoffs twice in the past 3 seasons. Last season the Bengals knocked the Bills out in the divisional round. The Bills now have the advantage. They will host the Chiefs instead of having to travel to Arrowhead. I just hope the game doesn’t go into overtime. Josh Allen has yet to win an overtime game with the Bills. I’m rooting for and picking the Bills to win this game. Go Bills!!!!
GO LIONS! GO BILLS!
Thanks for the edit Eric!
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