Washington 17, Tampa Bay 10

Despite Washington’s earning the lowest total offensive yardage for a winning team in an NFL post-season game, 120 yards, the Washington Redskins rode their defense against the Tampa Bay Bucaneers in the first wildcard playoff game Saturday. Three sacks and three turnovers sparked the way to the 17-10 win.

Washington struck early with two touchdowns in the first quarter. Linebacker LaVar Arrington’s interception made way for a 6-yard touchdown for runningback Clinton Portis, while safety Sean Taylor returned a fumble for a 51-yard touchdown just minutes later.

New England 28, Jacksonville 3

The New England Patriots continued their 10 game post-season win streak beating the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday. However, while the numbers beget a wide margin of victory, the Patriots made many mistakes that without some luck could have changed the face of the game. New England managed a clear 28-3 win despite facing sacks, fumbles, dropped touchdown passes and more.

Patriot quarterback Tom Brady threw 6, 11 and 63-yard touchdown passes while their defense choked the Jaguar offense.

Next week New England’s challenge will be Denver in their battle to gain an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl win.

Carolina 23, NY Giants 0

The Carolina Panthers dominated with a 23-0 win against the NY Giants who faced their first shutout playoff game in 20 years on Sunday. Carolina employed a strong defense and running game and kept NY runningback Tiki Barber to a season low 41 yards and forcing four turnovers from quarterback Eli Manning.

Runningback DeShaun Foster and wide receiver Steve Smith led the Panther offense. Foster ran for 151 yards and Smith totaled 10 catches for 84 yards.

Pittsburgh 31, Cincinnati 17

The second play of the game changed everything for the Cincinnati Bengals. The Steelers’ Kimo von Oelhoffen drove his shoulder in to tackle Bengal quarterback Carson Palmer after his first pass and hit Palmer’s knee, tearing two ligaments and knocking Palmer out of the game. Without their Pro Bowl quarterback and with replacement Jon Kitna, who has seen limited playing time this season, Cincinnati couldn’t withstand the barrage from Pittsburgh.

The Steelers’ offense kept the Bengals angered defense at bay. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completed 14 of 19 passes for 208 yards without an interception, an improvement from his rookie post-season last year.

Palmer will undergo surgery in the upcoming days to repair a clean tear of both his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee.