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NFL Wild Card Weekend delivered thrilling matchups that have significantly shaped the playoff bracket for the 2024-25 season. In the AFC, the Buffalo Bills showcased their dominance against the Denver Broncos, winning decisively with a score of 31-7. Quarterback Josh Allen was instrumental in the victory, throwing for 272 yards and two touchdowns while maintaining a clean slate with no interceptions. Allen also contributed on the ground, adding 46 rushing yards to his impressive performance. Running back James Cook complemented the offense with a strong showing, rushing for 120 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.

The Baltimore Ravens also made their mark by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-14, while the Houston Texans secured a solid win against the Los Angeles Chargers, finishing 32-12. These results set the stage for the AFC Divisional Round, where the Kansas City Chiefs will face the Houston Texans, and the Buffalo Bills will take on the Baltimore Ravens on January 18 or 19.

In the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles emerged victorious against the Green Bay Packers, while the Washington Commanders fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Minnesota Vikings faced the Los Angeles Rams in a game relocated to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, due to wildfires in Los Angeles. The Vikings, led by quarterback Sam Darnold, who had an impressive regular season with 35 touchdown passes and over 4,300 passing yards, aimed to leverage their potent offense, featuring standout players like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. However, the Rams' defense, bolstered by rookie talents such as Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, proved to be a formidable challenge.

Despite some struggles on offense, the Rams relied on the experience of quarterback Matthew Stafford and running back Kyren Williams, who had an outstanding regular season with 1,299 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. The NFC Divisional Round will see the Detroit Lions face the lowest remaining seed, with additional matchups yet to be determined. The NFC and AFC Championship Games are scheduled for January 26, leading up to Super Bowl LIX on February 9.

The game between the Vikings and Rams, played on January 13, featured significant performances from key players, although specific scores from this matchup are still pending. The Rams' defense has shown notable improvement, particularly with their 'Cheetah Package' speed rush, while the Vikings' offense has remained robust despite facing challenges in the red zone.

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