2026 NFL Playoffs Thread

[Whynotnow]

What a game. The end of the first half was wild, the game turned there in big part. Then the dropped punt, then the dumbest penalty I’ve ever seen to give life. So many ways that game could’ve gone.

Gotta say though the more I watch Mcvay the happier I am to see him lose. Brilliant coach but seems to make it very much about him on the sidelines, and man is he in the refs ears all the time.

[troutman]

Malcom Butler will get replayed ad nauseum.

[browna]

Originally Posted by troutman

Malcom Butler will get replayed ad nauseum.

When it should’ve been the miraculous Jermaine Kearse catch while on his back, a few plays earlier.

I’ve said for the decade +, the useless timeout Wilson cluelessly took on a nothing play right after the two minute warning, ended up being a timeout that would’ve been useful and likely played into the consideration for the pass play when they had none left and on the 3 with 20 seconds left.

[Manhattanboy]

That Super Bowl really was the first of the mainstream social media era.

I remember seeing vids of Seahawks fans destroying their TVs, furniture etc when Butler intercepted the Wilson pass.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Can people stop talking #### about Sam now?

Makes you wonder just how many young QB's have had their careers destroyed simply by being drafted by a horrible organization like the Jets. Darnold got a chance to redeem himself (largely in thanks to McCarthy being injured for the season) but a lot of QB's never get the opportunity.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

The thing is, if this had been another game like the SF one I'm sure they would have moved the goal posts again and insisted he "prove it" in the Super Bowl, even though coming into the year it was just "he has to prove it in high leverage situations", and then it became "he needs to win a big game", and then "he needs to beat the rams", and then "let's see him do it in Week 18 with the 1 seed on the line this time", and then "well he still hasn't done it in the playoffs", and then "well they didn't need him to do anything to win the game so his play doesn't count".

Hard to make that case after this game, obviously, although I fully expect a bunch of takes along the lines of "look, I give massive credit to Darnold for playing well in that game, but it's just one game. You have do do it consistently in the playoffs to be a high end quarterback in the NFL. If he can't bring his best stuff next game those questions will come back", etc.

[Cheese]

Maye became the first quarterback ever to win three playoff games against top-five total defenses (yards allowed) in a single postseason.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Makes you wonder just how many young QB's have had their careers destroyed simply by being drafted by a horrible organization like the Jets. Darnold got a chance to redeem himself (largely in thanks to McCarthy being injured for the season) but a lot of QB's never get the opportunity.

You see it a lot now where a guy just needs more stable coaching.

Darnold, Daniel Jones, Baker Mayfield, Max Jones, I'm sure I'm missing someone else.

Even Jared Goff to a lesser extent, he was singled out as the issue in LA at times and went on to be really good for Detroit.

[Weitz]

I think that stat would mean more to me if they averaged more than 18 points in the playoffs.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by Weitz

I think that stat would mean more to me if they averaged more than 18 points in the playoffs.

Worse still, let's look at all the touchdown passes he threw.

1. Good throw to Hunter Henry in the 4th quarter of the Chargers game. Well done. No notes.
2. Two unbelievable catches in the Texans game on balls that probably shouldn't have been caught by Diggs and Boutte.

... That's it.

[Cheese]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Worse still, let's look at all the touchdown passes he threw.

1. Good throw to Hunter Henry in the 4th quarter of the Chargers game. Well done. No notes.
2. Two unbelievable catches in the Texans game on balls that probably shouldn't have been caught by Diggs and Boutte.

... That's it.

Defensive games and bad weather in 2 games! Dont discount the fact he had to put the ball in a perfect spot for those unreal catches, and dont forget he has run for over a 140yds keeping drives alive and winning games.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I read that the Patriots EPA on offense in the playoffs is as bad as the Jets regular season EPA on offense. Which, obviously, not great! So yeah Maye has gotten to be passenger to this point, but if he doesn't seriously level up for the Super Bowl we're looking at an all-time bad Super Bowl.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by Cheese

Defensive games and bad weather in 2 games! Dont discount the fact he had to put the ball in a perfect spot for those unreal catches, and dont forget he has run for over a 140yds keeping drives alive and winning games.

I'm not saying he's played terribly or that he's a bad player, he just hasn't played great, and your post implied he'd done something amazingly historic when he's been kind of just... meh. Stafford made more great plays last night than Maye has made in 3 games.

I don't think the Patriots are fake or anything, people are talking about this like it's supposed to be a total mismatch and it's not THAT big a gap. I think the Seahawks are better top to bottom but they're somewhere between a 3.5 and 5 point betting favourite and that seems approximately right.

[Senator Clay Davis]

The post is correct though, it's just devoid of context and is a textbook reminder that QB wins are the stupidest #### ever. The Patriots team won those games, primarily their defense, and their second MVP after their defense were the opposing QB's who shat themselves.

[Displaced Flames fan]

I think this is a better match up for New England than the Rams would have been. Stafford is a HOFer and Darnold has never been in this position before, like Maye. I just feel like there's a better chance of mistakes with Darnold. Not saying he will definitely have them.

I think it will be a good game with Seattle pulling away late.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

You see it a lot now where a guy just needs more stable coaching.

Darnold, Daniel Jones, Baker Mayfield, Max Jones, I'm sure I'm missing someone else.

Even Jared Goff to a lesser extent, he was singled out as the issue in LA at times and went on to be really good for Detroit.

Jets will be picking a QB high in the next two drafts. If I was a team that liked the QB they pick I would definitely be keeping my eye on him when things inevitably don't work out in NY as they seem to be one of the worst offenders when it comes to ruining young QB's.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I will continue to bang this drum, but the NFL desperately needs a real developmental league. Even more so now that college ball is pure chaos and guys might go to four schools in four years. It's not even just QBs, I'd argue offensive line play is just as important for development and is in as bad of shape as QB play. But teams often throw rookies to the wolves because the cap encourages/requires them too.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

I will continue to bang this drum, but the NFL desperately needs a real developmental league. Even more so now that college ball is pure chaos and guys might go to four schools in four years. It's not even just QBs, I'd argue offensive line play is just as important for development and is in as bad of shape as QB play. But teams often throw rookies to the wolves because the cap encourages/requires them too.

Considering every team already has a practice squad just sitting there...

[Manhattanboy]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

I will continue to bang this drum, but the NFL desperately needs a real developmental league. Even more so now that college ball is pure chaos and guys might go to four schools in four years. It's not even just QBs, I'd argue offensive line play is just as important for development and is in as bad of shape as QB play. But teams often throw rookies to the wolves because the cap encourages/requires them too.

Change the rest of the rules and….. CFL?

Personally I would love that as I prefer every NFL rule over the CFL including 4 downs, narrow field and two feet in bounds, but I know I’m in a very small minority here. It would be so cool to watch the Stamps play NFL football.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Considering every team already has a practice squad just sitting there...

But....we talkin bout practice? Not the game? Cause yeah more time on the practice squad won't help any more than being on the roster and holding the clipboard. Lots of young guys need game action to develop. And while using the NCAA as it's developmental circuit worked for a long time for the NFL, the current set up in college is only making things worse.