Drop Heard 'Round Baltimore

Before we dig in, I wanted to share that Opening Drive will conclude after our February 9 issue, following Super Bowl LIX.

Inspired by Exec Sum and beehiiv, I launched Opening Drive in January 2024, combining my interest in newsletters with my passion for the NFL. We focused on finding the right message-audience fit, adhering to principles of quality content without spam.

Our performance has exceeded expectations, with open and click-through rates of 54.72% and 8.43% respectively—significantly outperforming industry averages. Reader engagement has been both humbling and motivating.

While Opening Drive has been successful in many ways, there are some personal and professional goals that I want to dedicate more time to. In order to focus on these other priorities, I have decided to conclude Opening Drive.

I'm grateful to Exec Sum and beehiiv for their inspiration and platform, and most importantly, to our loyal readers who made this experience rewarding.

As we prepare to close this chapter, I invite you to enjoy our remaining issues. Thank you for being part of the Opening Drive community.

Thanks, fam. 🤝 

TG

Good morning. This is the Opening Drive, the weekly newsletter that brings you the best of the NFL so you’re always the smartest one at the water cooler.

Mark Andrews dropped a game-tying 2-pt conversion, the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes will play in their seventh straight AFC Championship game, Lamar Jackson falls to 3-5 in the playoffs, Andy Reid is the fourth HC to reach 300 wins, the Dolphins will host the first-ever game in Madrid, and we bid farewell from the Opening Drive.

Let’s dive in.

QUICK HITS

• Josh Allen, Bills hold off Ravens to reach AFC title game after late 2-point pass is dropped (Yahoo Sports)

• Detroit Lions upset by Washington Commanders (ESPN)

• Mahomes and Kelce help Chiefs to a 23-14 win over Texans and another AFC title game trip (ESPN)

• Eagles ride Saquon Barkley heroics, late defensive stand to snowy victory over Rams and NFC title game berth (Yahoo Sports)

• Andy Reid becomes fourth NFL coach to reach 300 career wins, including playoffs (Clutch Points)

• Dan Campbell brought to tears after Lions' crushing playoff loss to Commanders (NY Post)

• The Commanders’ win over the Lions averaged 33.6 million viewers—the fourth most-watched Saturday NFC divisional game in Fox history (Awful Announcing)

• Patrick Mahomes Crushed By NFL Fans for Brutal Flop in Chiefs' Win Over Texans (SI.com)

• Texans voice dismay with officiating following 23-14 Divisional Round loss to Chiefs (NFL.com)

• NFL says controversial penalties against Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes were called correctly (Yahoo Sports)

• Falcons announce Jeff Ulbrich as their new defensive coordinator (PFT)

• Bears' trade request for Mike Tomlin rebuffed by Steelers (ESPN)

• Titans hiring Chiefs executive Mike Borgonzi as next General Manager (SI.com)

• Dolphins to host first-ever NFL game in Madrid (ESPN)

• Indianapolis Colts announced as designated team for 2025 NFL Berlin Game (NFL.com)

• Tom Brady intends to continue broadcasting for Fox through duration of contract, says agent (Yahoo Sports)

• Super Bowl security will increase after recent terror attack in New Orleans (PFT)

• City of Cleveland countersues Brows as stadium dispute escalates (FOS)

• Super Bowl 2025: When and where, halftime show, how to watch and everything you need to know (Yahoo Sports)

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WHO’S UP?

Buffalo Bills. The Buffalo Bills punched their ticket to the AFC Championship with a hard-fought 27-25 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. In a battle between MVP frontrunners, Josh Allen and the Bills emerged victorious over Lamar Jackson's Ravens in a tense divisional round matchup.

Allen continued his stellar play, rushing for two touchdowns while efficiently managing the offense. Though he threw for just 127 yards, Allen made key plays when it mattered most, including crucial third down conversions to keep drives alive.

The Bills defense came up big, forcing three turnovers including two on Jackson. A fumble recovery by Von Miller set up an Allen touchdown run, while Terrel Bernard's forced fumble on Mark Andrews in the fourth quarter proved pivotal.

Trailing 27-19 late, Jackson led a touchdown drive to pull within two points. However, Andrews dropped the potential game-tying two-point conversion pass, sealing Buffalo's win.

The victory sends the Bills to their third AFC title game in four years, where they'll face their playoff nemesis, the Kansas City Chiefs. Buffalo will look to avenge three previous postseason losses to Kansas City this decade.

For Allen, the win keeps his Super Bowl hopes alive. He'll need another strong performance to get past Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs next week. But with momentum on their side, the Bills have their best shot yet at reaching their first Super Bowl since 1994.

WHO’S DOWN?

Detroit Lions. The Detroit Lions' Super Bowl dreams came crashing down in stunning fashion on Saturday, as the 6th-seeded Washington Commanders pulled off a 45-31 upset in the NFC Divisional Round.

The top-seeded Lions, who finished the regular season 15-2, were undone by five costly turnovers, including three interceptions and a fumble by quarterback Jared Goff. A 40-yard pick-six by Washington's Quan Martin in the second quarter swung momentum decisively in the Commanders' favor.

Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels shredded Detroit's injury-plagued defense for 481 total yards and four touchdowns. The Lions' vaunted offense couldn't keep pace, despite an early 7-0 lead on Jahmyr Gibbs' touchdown run.

"We were on top of the world after that Minnesota game and it's hard standing here right now and trying to process it all," a dejected Goff said afterwards.

Head coach Dan Campbell shouldered blame for the loss, particularly a costly too-many-men penalty that extended a key Washington drive. "It's my fault," Campbell repeated.

The defeat likely closes Detroit's championship window, as coordinators Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson are expected to land head coaching jobs elsewhere. It's a bitter end for a Lions team that captured America's hearts during their 2023 playoff run.

"The whole point of doing what you do is to get to the show, man," Campbell said. "We fell short."

Now the Lions face an uncertain future, with their Super Bowl aspirations dashed in devastating fashion.

BEST LOOK 🔥 

You might not like it, but this what peak stadium aesthetic looks like.

Midnight green at The Linc never gets old 🔥 

⚫️⚪️⚪️😮‍💨 

STAT OF THE WEEK

On Saturday, Andy Reid became the fourth NFL coach to reach 300 career wins, including playoffs. Andy Reid now joins George Halas, Don Shula and Bill Belichick as the only coaches in NFL history with at least 300 wins. Reid’s head coaching career includes:

🏈 273 in the regular season wins, and 27 wins in the playoffs
🏈 3x Super Bowl champion (LIV, LVII, LVIII)
🏈 A 273-146-1 all-time regular season record
🏈 A 27-16 all-time postseason record
🏈 21-4 in games played after his team’s regular season bye

MEMES OF THE WEEK

You can get free stuff for referring friends and family to Opening Drive 👇️ 

5 referrals - Opening Drive sticker pack ✅