NFL playoff winners losers Tua Tagovailoa Dolphins deep freeze Chiefs

The NFL's 2023 playoffs are in full swing. The Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs both advanced with big wins.

The NFL playoffs have officially begun, with the knockout round of the 2023 season commencing Saturday afternoon and evening. While the wild-card games may not have been the most memorable, they still had their moments, both on the field and in the luxury suites.

The Houston Texans, AFC South champions, dismantled the Cleveland Browns 45-14, while the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs put the Miami Dolphins into a 26-7 deep freeze. With the Chiefs and Texans moving on to the divisional round, the list of Saturday's winners and losers runs deeper than expected.

The Texans' quarterback achieved his first playoff win, making him the fourth first-round rookie to do so in the common-draft era. He also became the youngest quarterback to collect a postseason win at 22 years, 102 days. The Chiefs' tight end Travis Kelce had a big win, and the San Francisco 49ers Pro Bowler Kyle Juszczyk's wife created a sweet jacket for him. The Kansas City Chiefs are now heading to Buffalo, barring a big upset on Monday.

The Texans' linebacker was the day's defensive star with a 36-yard pick-six and a sack among his eight tackles, while the Chiefs' kicker converted all four of his field-goal attempts, a team playoff record. The Miami Dolphins' top-ranked offense was limited to a season-low in points and second-fewest yards of the 2023 campaign by the Kansas City Chiefs' defense.

Despite the results, the Browns' Cinderella quarterback had a remarkable run in 2023. He almost certainly wouldn't have reached the playoffs if he hadn't stepped in to win four of five starts in spectacular fashion late in the regular season. The Browns' top-ranked defense also did their quarterback no favors by allowing 31 points and 356 yards.

The NFL's decision to move Sunday's Steelers-Bills game in Buffalo to Monday afternoon due to inclement weather effectively costs the AFC North champions a day of game-planning. The venue for the past five AFC championship games will be rendered empty for the divisional round unless Pittsburgh upsets the Bills on Monday.

Miami's loss extends their playoff win drought to 24 years, and the Detroit Lions, who host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night, haven't won a postseason game in 32 years. HBO's docuseries went one-and-done with its first-ever playoff qualifier following Miami's defeat.

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