The AFC divisional playoff round was set on Saturday, and after the final two NFC games on wildcard weekend NFL fans across the country now look forward to the divisional round next week. It's the first time that all four road teams on wild card weekend have won. The Seattle Seahawks came in the playoffs as the sixth seed, and stole a win in Minnesota 10-9, after Vikings kicker Blair Walsh missed a late 27-yard field goal. The Seahawks will travel to Bank of America Stadium next Sunday to face a team that finished the regular season with the best record in 2015; the Carolina Panthers.
Both the Vikings and Seahawks clearly struggled in the below freezing temperatures on Sunday, and the game reminded fans of old-school low scoring physical football. Neither teams' quarterbacks threw for over 130 yards, and eahawks quarterback Russell Wilson managed the only touchdown pass of the afternoon. The Seahawks were able to get out of TCF Bank Stadium with a win, but face an incredibly difficult matchup against the Panthers.
Carolina finished the regular season with a 15-1 record, and finished with the sixth ranked defense in the league in terms of yards per game. Carolina was able to get a win over the Seahawks back in October 27-23, and it looks to be an exciting matchup between two of the best defenses in the league. Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch will remain a big question leading up to the game, as he reportedly could suit up in the divisional round.
While the Seahawks were fortunate to get out of Minnesota with the win, the Green Bay Packers handled the Washington Redskins and opened a big lead late in the fourth quarter winning 35-18. Green Bay outscored the Redskins 18-7 in the second half, and Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 210 yards with two touchdown passes. Both Packers running backs Eddie Lacy and James Starks were able to move the ball on the ground and each scored a touchdown. The Packers lost wide receiver Davante Adams with a knee injury, and he was listed as questionable to return but did not make it back on the field.
The Packers clearly looked like a different team this Sunday in their wild card round matchup against the Redskins, but it's key to remember Washington's defense finished the regular season ranked 28th in the NFL. Green Bay will look to feed off the momentum of their impressive win over the Redskins, but know the Cardinals dismantled them just a couple weeks ago, 38-8. Arizona's offense finished the regular season ranked first in the league in terms of yards per game, and their defense was ranked fifth.
The NFL divisional playoff round is now set, and football fans across the nation eagerly await this upcoming weekend when the top eight NFL teams meet.
