GREEN BAY - The magical ride of Sam Howell came to its final stop for Green Bay as the Packers fell 30-27 to Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have been the hottest team in the NFC closing out the season and they will keep that going as they head to Super Bowl LVII.
For the Packers, it's a disappointing end to a season with Super Bowl hopes. The emergence of Tua Tagovailoa this season was giving Packer fans championship dreams. However, multiple concussions turned those into a nightmare as the quarterback wasn't available down the stretch in the playoffs.
At the same time Sam Howell showed he belonged in the NFL with a dazzling performance in week 18 as well as the divisional round in Dallas. With the injury concerns for Tagovailoa, Howell will be crucial to Green Bay's plans next year.
The Packers now turn to the offseason with cap concerns that need addressing. Both Justin Jefferson and Quinnen Williams will be looking for monster contracts while multiple players will need their cap hit lowered through cuts, trades, and restructures. GM SD has his hands full maneuvering the salary cap to keep his stars and fill out a roster.
On the bright side, Green Bay has three first round picks including number five and ten. Does SD pick at those spots, move up, or move back? All options will be on the table. League insiders have even think it's possible the Packers take a quarterback in the top five considering the question marks around health at the position. A move like this would create all kinds of questions heading into the 2023 season.
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP - Houston Texans @ Kansas City Chiefs
KANSAS CITY - In the game of the year, the Houston Texans upset the Kansas City Chiefs 32-29 in overtime. Houston looked overmatched early as the Chiefs built a 17-0 lead. However the Texans recognized there is no 17 point play and went to work. In fact the Texans never led in this one until the final score. The conditions were terrible with snow and howling winds.
"This one reminded me of the AFC Championship game back in 2017 when I was with the Jets," GM TH said. "Crazy wind, three yard punts, and an overtime win."
Malik Willis was the one to lead the Texans offense back in this one after Gardner Minshew struggled early. Willis played free and loose and it let to great things for the Houston O.
"Felt like I had nothing to lose out there," Willis said.
Late in the 4th needing a touchdown and a two point conversion to tie it, Willis hit Brandin Cooks with 17 seconds to go. On the two point conversion, Laviska Shenault took the handoff across the goal line and the game headed to OT.
In overtime, the Chiefs won the toss but fumbled on their first play setting up the Texans. After a turnover on downs from Houston, it was the Chiefs who looked poised to win. However the Texans D held and the wind became the deciding factor as Tommy Townsend punted the ball 3 yards essentially setting up the Texans for the win. A Rodrigo Blankeship field goal was all Houston needed and they were off to Super Bowl LVII.
The Texans meet an extremely hot Tampa Bay Buccaneers team where Tom Brady will look for his 8th Super Bowl ring after knocking out the other two 3GML teams on the NFC side. Houston, meanwhile, is looking to join the small list of teams to win back to back Super Bowls.
