The 2017 NFL playoffs were a thrilling and unpredictable ride, filled with stunning upsets, record-breaking performances, and unforgettable highlights. As the season drew to a close, 12 teams battled it out for the coveted Super Bowl LI title, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the very end. Let's take a look back at some of the most memorable moments from the 2017 NFL playoffs.
Wild Card Round: Upsets and Surprises
The Wild Card round set the stage for an exciting postseason, with several upsets that caught the attention of football fans nationwide. The Tennessee Titans shocked the Kansas City Chiefs, 22-21, thanks to a last-second touchdown pass from Marcus Mariota to Corey Davis. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons squeaked past the Los Angeles Rams, 26-13, behind a dominant defensive performance.
In the AFC, the Buffalo Bills ended their 17-year playoff drought with a 10-3 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, while the Baltimore Ravens edged out the Miami Dolphins, 30-6, in a rain-soaked affair. The New Orleans Saints rounded out the Wild Card round with a 31-26 win over the Carolina Panthers, setting the stage for an exciting Divisional Round.
Divisional Round: Tight Games and Nail-biters
The Divisional Round delivered a series of close games that came down to the wire. The Jacksonville Jaguars, who had the league's top defense during the regular season, fell short against the Pittsburgh Steelers, 45-42, in a back-and-forth thriller. The New England Patriots held off the Tennessee Titans, 35-14, thanks to a dominant performance from quarterback Tom Brady.
In the NFC, the Minnesota Vikings outlasted the New Orleans Saints, 29-24, behind a standout performance from Case Keenum and a game-sealing interception by Xavier Rhodes. The Philadelphia Eagles, who were without starting quarterback Carson Wentz, held off the Atlanta Falcons, 15-10, thanks to a stingy defense and a late touchdown pass from Nick Foles.
Conference Championships: A Pair of Thrillers
The Conference Championships lived up to the hype, with both games coming down to the final minutes. The Jacksonville Jaguars took an early lead against the New England Patriots, but Brady and company rallied for a 24-20 victory, securing their spot in Super Bowl LII. In the NFC, the Minnesota Vikings took a 7-0 lead into the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles, but a late touchdown pass from Nick Foles and a crucial fourth-down stop sealed a 38-7 Eagles victory.
Super Bowl LII: A Historic Shootout
The stage was set for a thrilling Super Bowl LII, and the game did not disappoint. The Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots combined for an NFL record 1,151 yards of offense, with the Eagles emerging victorious, 41-33, thanks to a late touchdown pass from Nick Foles to Zach Ertz. The Eagles' victory marked their first Super Bowl title in franchise history, while the Patriots' loss snapped their streak of eight consecutive Super Bowl appearances.
The 2017 NFL playoffs were filled with unforgettable moments, from stunning upsets to record-breaking performances. As the league looks ahead to the 2018 season, fans can only hope that the upcoming playoffs will be as exciting and unpredictable as the last.
