2025 NFL Playoffs: Biggest Winners and Losers From Wild Card Saturday
Wild Card Saturday in the 2025 NFL playoffs was everything fans hoped for: electrifying performances, dramatic storylines, and a few moments that left teams shaking their heads. Who won and who lost? Let’s break it all down below.
Winner: C.J. Stroud
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The Houston Texans beat the Los Angeles Chargers in every phase of the game. Quarterback C.J. Stroud, a rookie sensation, established his rising star status by throwing for 282 yards and a touchdown. He electrified the crowd and overwhelmed the Chargers’ secondary.
Winner: Texans’ Defense
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Houston’s defense was equally remarkable. They pressured Justin Herbert relentlessly by forcing four interceptions—more than Herbert had thrown in his entire regular season. Eric Murray’s pick-six was the cherry on top. The Texans also made history with D’Angelo Ross’s blocked extra point, which he returned for a defensive two-point conversion.
Winner: Ravens-Steelers
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The Baltimore Ravens put on a clinic in physical football by bulldozing their way to a 28-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Their offense leaned heavily on the ground game, racking up 299 rushing yards—the third-highest total in playoff history. Derrick Henry, acquired midseason in a blockbuster trade, looked unstoppable, and amassed a total of 186 yards and two touchdowns.
Winner: Lamar Jackson
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Every so often, a quarterback delivers a legendary performance, and on Saturday, Lamar Jackson was that player. Facing a rival Pittsburgh Steelers defense known for its grit, Jackson turned the game into his personal highlight reel. One play, in particular, had analysts buzzing: rolling right, backpedaling under pressure, then darting left before zipping a touchdown pass to push the Ravens up 20-0. The man who once admitted he’d get antsy in playoff games seemed completely at peace, shrugging off distractions, even a call from his mom before the game.
Winner: C.J. Stroud
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Few rookies step into the playoff spotlight and deliver a performance as polished as C.J. Stroud’s. The young quarterback played with the composure of a veteran by completing 22 of 33 passes for 282 yards and one touchdown.
Winner: Derrick Henry
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When Baltimore traded for Derrick Henry, the question was whether the move would pay off in the postseason. Saturday answered that question emphatically. Henry’s punishing running style not only wore down Pittsburgh’s defense but also set the tone for Baltimore’s offense. There were multiple runs where he dragged defenders for extra yards.
Loser: Los Angeles Chargers
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The Los Angeles Chargers’ season came to a crashing halt, and it was largely self-inflicted. Turnovers proved to be their undoing, with four interceptions, including a costly pick-six. Despite the struggles, rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey gave us some hope. His nine receptions for 197 yards, as well as explosive playmaking kept the Chargers in the game longer than they otherwise would have. Unfortunately for Los Angeles, McConkey’s efforts couldn’t overcome their defensive lapses and offensive miscues.
Loser: Steelers Defense
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The Pittsburgh Steelers’ reputation as a tough, physical team took a significant hit on Saturday. Their defense, which allowed just 103 rushing yards per game during the regular season, was utterly dismantled by Baltimore’s relentless ground attack. Allowing nearly 300 rushing yards is a failure to execute at every level.
Loser: Steelers Offense
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Offensively, the Steelers struggled to get anything going early, and by the time they found some rhythm, the game was out of reach. Kenny Pickett’s two touchdown passes in the second half provided some consolation, but they came far too late to change the outcome. For a team that prides itself on grit, this loss was a sobering reminder of the gap they need to close to compete with the AFC’s elite.
Loser: Justin Herbert
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Justin Herbert’s performance was a stark departure from his regular-season brilliance. Having said that, his struggles weren’t entirely his fault—the offensive line allowed constant pressure, and the run game failed to provide balance. Still, as the leader of the offense, the blame will fall squarely on his shoulders.
