McKinstry’s Pick-Six Lifts 49ers Past Lions 38-31 in Wild Card Thriller
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — In a game that lived up to every bit of its billing, the second-seeded San Francisco 49ers survived and advanced Sunday night, edging the seventh-seeded Detroit Lions 38-31 in a wildly entertaining Wild Card matchup at Levi’s Stadium.
The 49ers were shorthanded up front, missing multiple starters along the offensive line, but overcame the adversity behind star power on both sides of the ball and one decisive, season-defining play late in the fourth quarter.
That moment belonged to cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry.
With the score tied 31-31 and Detroit driving with under two minutes remaining, McKinstry jumped a pass from Jared Goff, intercepted it cleanly, and raced 45 yards for a touchdown, sending the home crowd into chaos and effectively sealing the game.
Offensively, CeeDee Lamb was unstoppable. The All-Pro wideout torched the Lions secondary for 168 yards on seven catches, hauling in two touchdowns and consistently moving the chains when San Francisco needed answers. His ability to win one-on-one matchups kept the 49ers afloat during a back-and-forth contest that featured multiple lead changes.
Despite the offensive line issues, Jordan Love managed the game effectively, spreading the ball around and keeping Detroit’s pass rush from fully taking over. The Lions, meanwhile, matched San Francisco score for score for much of the night, refusing to go away until McKinstry’s late heroics flipped the script.
The win sends the 49ers to the Divisional Round, where they’ll look to get healthier and continue their postseason push. For Detroit, the season ends in heartbreak — undone not by a lack of fight, but by one perfectly timed play on the game’s biggest stage.
For San Francisco, it was survival.
And in January, that’s all that matters.
Texans Dominate Raiders 38-10 in Wild Card Round Behind Henry, Defense
HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans wasted no time showing they were ready for playoff football, overwhelming the Las Vegas Raiders 38-10 on Saturday in the Wild Card Round at NRG Stadium.
Running back Derrick Henry set the tone early and never let up, rushing for 123 yards and consistently punishing the Raiders’ front. His physical running style kept Houston ahead of the chains and allowed the Texans to dictate the flow of the game from start to finish.
The Texans defense was just as dominant, harassing Kenny Pickett all afternoon and limiting the Raiders to minimal production. The exclamation point came in the second half when Denzel Ward jumped on a loose ball and returned it for a scoop-and-score, effectively ending any hope of a Las Vegas comeback.
Quarterback Drake Maye managed the game efficiently, capitalizing on short fields and avoiding mistakes as Houston steadily pulled away. By the fourth quarter, the outcome was no longer in doubt.
With the convincing win, the #2-seeded Texans advance to the Divisional Round, continuing a remarkable turnaround under head coach Frank Ross and reinforcing their status as a legitimate AFC title contender.
Chargers Eviscerate Dolphins 66-6 in Historic Wild Card Rout
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — What was expected to be a competitive Wild Card matchup instead turned into one of the most lopsided playoff games in league history, as the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Chargers obliterated the fifth-seeded Miami Dolphins 66-6 on Sunday at SoFi Stadium.
From the opening drive, it was clear this game was headed in one direction only. Matthew Stafford delivered a postseason performance for the ages, throwing for 426 yards and six touchdowns, tying the NFL playoff record and carving up the Dolphins secondary with ruthless efficiency.
As dominant as Stafford was through the air, Christian McCaffrey was just as punishing on the ground. The league MVP rushed for 208 yards and a touchdown, consistently ripping off chunk gains and keeping Miami’s defense trapped in survival mode.
The Dolphins had no answers for the Chargers’ receiving trio, who ran free all afternoon. DeVonta Smith led the way with 128 yards and two touchdowns, while A.J. Brown added 117 yards and two scores of his own. Davante Adams capped the embarrassment with 90 yards and a touchdown, often finding himself uncovered as Miami’s coverage completely unraveled.
By halftime, the outcome was already academic. By the fourth quarter, it was historic. Los Angeles scored touchdowns on nine of its first ten meaningful possessions, turning a playoff game into a highlight reel.
The win sends the Chargers surging into the Divisional Round with massive momentum — and sends a clear message to the rest of the AFC: this offense is peaking at exactly the wrong time for everyone else.
