New York Jets 24 Cincinnati Bengals 14
A great season for the Cincinnati Bengals, but it ended with two losses to the same team in a span of one week.
Rookies Mark Sanchez and Shonn Greene led the Jets to their 10th victory of the season, taking down the AFC North Champions to advance to the Divisional Round. If the Ravens defeat the Patriots, the Jets will travel to San Diego to take on the Chargers, but if the Patriots win on Sunday, the Jets will fly to Indianapolis.
Mark Sanchez completed 12 of 15 passes for 182 yards and one touchdown strike to Dustin Keller. Shonn Green ran the ball 21 times for 135 yards, finding the endzone once. Thomas Jones also scored for the Jets on a touchdown run.
Carson Palmer went 18-of-36 passing for 146 yards, throwing one touchdown to Laveranues Coles. Cedric Benson accumulated 169 rushing yards on 21 carries, scoring on a 47-yard run in the 4th quarter to pull the Bengals to within seven at 21-14. However, it was not enough as the Bengals finished the season at 10-7.
Mark Sanchez completed 80% of his passes, which is the second highest ever for a quarterback making his postseason debut. Only Kurt Warner had a higher % at 81.8 in 1999 with the St. Louis Rams. Sanchez is the 4th rookie quarterback in NFL history to win in his postseason debut; Shaun King, Ben Roethlisberger, and Joe Flacco have accomplished that feat as well. Sanchez and Flacco won their first playoff games on the road.
It was the Jets’ first playoff win since 2004 when they defeated the San Diego Chargers in the Wild Card round. Cincinnati, on the other hand, has not won a playoff game since 1990; the 19-year drought is the longest active streak in the NFL.
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Dallas Cowboys 34 Philadelphia Eagles 14
While the Bengals have extended their streak of not winning playoff games, the Cowboys have snapped their streak. With another victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys have advanced to the Divisional Round, where they will play the Minnesota Vikings.
It was Dallas’ first playoff win since December 28, 1996. Between then and now, the Cowboys had lost six playoff games.
Tony Romo completed 23 of 35 passes for 244 yards, throwing two touchdown strikes: one to John Phillips, and the other to Miles Austin.
The win gives Dallas a three-game sweep over the Philadelphia Eagles. It was also Wade Phillips’ first postseason win as a head coach.
Michael Vick took a few snaps for the Eagles. On his first snap, he completed a 76-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Maclin that tied the game at 7 early in the 2nd quarter. However, on his second snap, he fumbled a handoff deep in his own territory; the Cowboys recovered that fumble and went on to score a touchdown on their ensuing drive.
The Eagles’ offense was on the field for just 18 plays in the first half, during which Philadelphia gained just 140 yards.
Donovan McNabb went 19-of-37 passing for 230 yards, throwing a touchdown strike to DeSean Jackson in the 4th quarter. However, McNabb threw a pass to Dallas’ Mike Jenkins.
