Seattle overwhelmed the 49ers in all three phases—special teams igniting the show with a 95-yard return, a stout defense forcing turnovers, and an efficient offense—as they rolled to a 41-6 victory and earned a home NFC Championship appearance.
The Dallas Cowboys suffered a 34-26 loss to the Vikings, highlighting issues with their complementary football approach as all three phases failed, including missed crucial field goals by Brandon Aubrey and struggles in extending drives, ultimately leading to their fall below .500 and raising concerns about their playoff prospects.
In a decisive 34-6 victory over the Cowboys, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts expressed gratitude for his team's defense after they limited Dallas to a field goal following his fumble. This defensive stand exemplified "complementary football," a concept Hurts praised as crucial for team success. The Eagles' defense and special teams consistently supported the offense, leading to a dominant performance that highlighted their cohesive play.
The Cleveland Browns defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 13-10 by playing better complementary football and making crucial defensive stops. Despite the Steelers' strong defensive performance and advantages in field position, they failed to capitalize on multiple opportunities to take the lead. The loss highlighted the importance of executing in critical situations and the Browns' ability to make key plays on offense when needed.
Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm praised his team's physicality and resilience in their win over Virginia Tech, highlighting the contributions of players who stepped up in the face of injuries. He credited the team's success to their defensive strategy of pressuring the quarterback and disrupting receivers, as well as their commitment to complementary football. Brohm also discussed the importance of depth and the team's ability to adapt and add players through the transfer portal. Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry expressed disappointment in his team's performance, particularly in tackling and run defense, and acknowledged Louisville's strong and well-coached game.