Using Stathead from Pro Football Reference, Yardbarker shines a spotlight on key names and numbers from Sunday’s Super Wild Card Weekend action:
“I still own you!”: That was the infamous taunt of former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers toward archrival Chicago in 2021. The same can now be said for another Aaron against another rival. Running back Aaron Jones scored three touchdowns on 118 rushing yards in the Packers’ shocking 48-32 win at the Dallas Cowboys. Jones has now scored six touchdowns in just three career games against Dallas, one more than he’s scored in 11 games against division rival Minnesota.
Three isn’t a magic number: Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson led the team with 10 receptions and three touchdowns in their stunning defeat. While two of Ferguson’s TD catches came in garbage time, he still tied a dubious record for most receiving touchdowns in a playoff loss. This record had previously been set by Gabe Davis (Buffalo, 2021 divisional round at Kansas City) and Amani Toomer (New York Giants, 2002 wild-card round at San Francisco).
Lions pass torch of futility: It only took 32 years, but the Detroit Lions finally won a playoff game Sunday night, beating the Los Angeles Rams 24-23. Detroit’s three-decade playoff win drought was by far the longest of any NFL team. That title is now passed to the Miami Dolphins, who haven’t won a postseason game since December 30, 2000. As for NFC teams, Washington now has the longest playoff win drought, with its last postseason victory coming on January 7, 2006. Miami and Washington have won a combined five Super Bowls in their histories, further proving how the mighty have fallen.
Nacua goes out with a bang: Despite the Rams’ loss, rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua caught nine passes for 181 yards and a touchdown. Nacua – who already set the rookie receiving yards record this season – set another record Sunday night for most receiving yards by a rookie in a playoff game. This record was formerly held by D.K. Metcalf (Seattle, 160 yards, 2019 wild-card round at Philadelphia).