Close Games During Wildcard Weekend

Close and competitive matchups, with games coming down to the wire every week, filled the NFL regular season...and that same trend continued during the NFL Wild Card weekend.

Of the five games played on Saturday and Sunday, four were close in the 4th quarter, with the outcomes decided by one score or less.

According to OptaSTATS, “This is the first time in NFL history there were 4 games decided by 4 points or fewer in a single postseason round.”

The Panthers made it a close game against the Rams after falling behind early, regaining momentum before the Rams scored the go-ahead touchdown with under a minute remaining, and won 34-31.

Adam Schefter tweeted, “The Rams-Panthers had four fourth-quarter lead changes, tied for the most in a playoff game in NFL history.”

The excitement continued as the Chicago Bears put together a remarkable comeback to beat the Packers 31-27, pulling out the close win after struggling in the first half.

In the fourth quarter, the Packers were winning 21-6, but the Bears cut the lead and made it close thanks to quarterback Caleb Williams’ superb play, leading his team to three consecutive touchdown drives.

Sunday delivered close games as well, with the Bills and Jaguars playing in a nail-biter with Buffalo pulling out a 27-24 victory. The Bills kept it close, with Josh Allen taking over while their defense stepped up, forcing turnovers.

The 49ers and Eagles game also turned out to be a tight one, with the reigning Super Bowl champions losing to San Francisco 23-19. 

Frank Schwab wrote on YahooSports, “There were nine lead changes in the fourth quarter of the first three games, and the previous record for a single playoff round was six. Then there were three more in the San Francisco 49ers’ win over the Philadelphia Eagles.”

He added, “In the first three games, none of the teams that led at the two-minute warning of the fourth quarter won the game.”

Mark Schofield noted on YahooSports that “The Rams, Bears, and Bills all scored touchdowns in the final two minutes of their games, making this Wild Card Weekend the first time in NFL history that three different games were decided by a game-winning touchdown in the final two minutes.”

Bottom line, the first weekend of the NFL playoffs has lived up to the hype and given fans and the league office what they desire…close games! These types of matchups keep us engaged, increase our love for the sport, and ignite hope.

As fun as close games are for sports fans, our deeper desires are to experience close relationships with others and, most importantly, to remain close to God. 

Psalm 145:18 (NLT) tells us, “The Lord is close to all who call on Him, yes, to all who call on Him in truth.”

As followers of Jesus, yes, God is always close, but sometimes He seems distant because our fellowship with Him is lacking. He hasn’t pulled away, is still with us, still available, and wants us to draw close to Him.

Unfortunately, sometimes we make choices that cause us to drift away and allow our closeness and intimacy to fade.

James 4:8 (NLT) implores us, “Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.”

Too often, we’ve either ignored Him, disobeyed Him, or valued other things above Him, leaving us feeling a gap between us. 

The key is, when we realize we’ve distanced ourselves, we must put together the “comeback” and make it a “close game” again. Meaning, we must repent from our sin, turn toward God, humble ourselves, seek Him, and run into His open arms. 

Because of His love and grace, a close connection with the almighty God of the universe is possible for us through faith.

Hebrews 11:6 (AMP) says, “But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.”

Today, as we remember how amazing close playoff games can be, let’s embrace how remarkable a close relationship with our Lord and Savior is.

As we actively pursue ongoing fellowship with Him, that closeness will lead and empower us to engage in what matters most, increase our love for Him and others, and ignite hope in us. 

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for desiring a relationship with me personally and for making that possible through Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. Forgive me for drifting away and being consumed with other things. Please help me to draw near to You and experience that close connection my soul longs for. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.