NFL Playoffs: What We Learned on Wild Card Weekend

There were some key lessons in the first round of NFL playoffs. After watching NFL teams for 17 weeks, you might think that you know what to expect in the playoffs. But that's rarely the case.

While the first three games were blowouts, the fourth gave you as much excitement as you could possibly want.

So what did we learn in this first weekend of the playoffs, and what does it mean for the next rounds?

The Zebras Still Make Mistakes

Despite the coach's red flag, the official in the booth, rule changes and technology, the officials still make mistakes sometimes, even in the playoffs.

An early whistle might have cost the Detroit Lions a touchdown and a 14-point lead against the New Orleans Saints.

Click on the link and take a look. What do you think?

If that wasn't enough, there was a terrible spot in the Giants-Falcons game. Fortunately for the Giants, it didn't have any substantial impact.

The Lions Defense Is Not Ready for Prime Time

The Detroit Lions defense is not yet capable of taking them to the next level.

They left Robert Meachem wide open for a 56-yard touchdown reception at a critical point in the game.

It's not like Meachem should be a surprise to the Lions. In Week 13, he also burned them with a 67-yard touchdown reception.

The Lions can score points, but they need to improve their defense significantly if they are going to be a serious contender next year.

A Team from Texas Can Win a Playoff Game

Before the Texans' win, the state of Texas was 1-6 in NFL playoff games since 1998. And, as has been well documented, the Houston Texans had never even been in a playoff game until this year.

This win is especially sweet for Andre Johnson, who has long been the face of the franchise. In the age of free agency and top players changing teams frequently, it's great to see him rewarded for his patience and loyalty to the team.

Arian Foster and Johnson were just too much for the Bengals to handle.

The Texans will have their hands full with the Baltimore Ravens next week. But for now, the sun is shining in Texas.

You Need to Convert 4th-and-1 If You Want to Win

The Atlanta Falcons learned a lesson today that the Philadelphia Eagles have learned the hard way over the past few seasons.

If you want to win the game, you need to be able to make a yard on fourth down when it's necessary. A corollary for the Falcons is that if you need to make a yard on fourth down, you should not have Michael Turner standing on the sidelines.

At a critical point in the game, the Falcons ran a quarterback sneak on fourth down. They failed to get the required yardage, the Giants got the ball back, Eli Manning threw a touchdown pass and the game was over.

Brandon Jacobs Is Right

Brandon Jacobs has been pleading all year that he be given the chance to run the ball more.

With six minutes to go in the half, the Giants were down 2-0. On a 2nd-and-11, Jacobs ripped off a 34-yard gain, down to the Atlanta 15-yard line. Five plays later, the Giants scored a touchdown and never relinquished the lead.

Jacobs' run turned the tide in an early tight defensive battle.

Big Ben on One Leg Is Better Than Some Quarterbacks on Two

Some players would not even be in the game with the injury that the Steelers quarterback has.

But Ben Roethlisberger gutted it out and rallied his team back to a tie.

A Kirk Gibson-like ending seemed to be in the cards, but Tim Tebow had a different idea.

Tim Tebow Is Indeed a Miracle Worker

A superb performance by Tim Tebow sent the Denver Broncos into the next round of the playoffs.

Much-maligned for his quarterback ratings recently, Tebow needed only one play to win the game in overtime.

The 80-yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas was a beauty to behold.