Houston Texans and Seattle Seahawks were the first two winners of the NFL Wildcard Weekend, after comfortable wins on Saturday.
The Texans were the first team to advance to the Divisional Round. They defeated the Oakland Raiders 27-14 in Texas, while Seattle were 26-6 winners at home to the Detroit Lions.
Saturday's early game saw the Texans and Raiders both started the game without their first-choice quarterbacks. Connor Cook, the Raiders quarterback was starting his first game as a professional, and struggled against the Houston defence, throwing three interceptions.
Brock Osweiler performed much better, throwing for a touchdown, whilst also rushing for a touchdown in the final quarter.
ðŸƒðŸ’¨ðŸ’¨ðŸ’¨ðŸ’¨ðŸ’¨ðŸ’¨@bosweiler17 gets to the edge for SIX! #OAKvsHOU #NFLPlayoffs https://t.co/2pU5zvnyFY
— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2017
The Raiders never led in the game. After trailing 10-0 in the first quarter, the closest they got to the Texans was 10-7 at the end of the first, but the AFC South champions always had enough, to advance to the next round.
In Seattle, the Seahawks overpowered the Detroit Lions in a one-sided match. The NFC West champions led from the first score of the game, as Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford struggled with an injured finger on his throwing hand.
Russell Wilson threw for two touchdowns, with his pass to Paul Richardson leading to one of the catches of the season. Despite Richardson's catch, officials admitted afterwards it should not have stood, due to the wide receiver grabbing his opponent's face mask.
Is @prich10 for real?!
No regard for the defender.And STILL makes the insane one-handed TD catch.
WHAT?! #DETvsSEA https://t.co/xhfiNHlvOB— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2017
Thomas Rawls dominated on the ground for the Seahawks, rushing for 161 yards, which was more than three times the amounts the Lions created in rushing. He also scored a touchdown.
Wildcard Weekend ends on Sunday as Miami travel to Pittsburgh, and Green Bay welcome the New York Giants to Lambeau Field.
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