# NFL Playoff Thread 2026 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-nfl\ **Created:** [January 5, 2026, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372 "2026-01-05T16:53:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/201 "2026-01-13T04:09:52Z")
lol, it’s true. I deleted that part of my post because I thought he might go out for the wrap-up, but no. That’s the play. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/202 "2026-01-13T04:23:08Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > That’s the play. One final parallel to his predecessor with the Packers, Brett Favre, whose final play was also negative: he was sacked, and suffered a concussion. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/203 "2026-01-13T04:26:55Z")
There are some scary good defenses among the remaining teams. Also, just noticed both AFC and NFC brackets are going to be 1 vs 6 and 2 vs 5. Though, probably expected that neither the bottom division winners in either conference were going to advance far, even though Carolina made a good run at it. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/204 "2026-01-13T04:43:00Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > One final parallel to his predecessor with the Packers, Brett Favre, whose final play was also negative: he was sacked, and suffered a concussion. Rodgers’ final play of his Packers career was a completed pass…to a Lion. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/205 "2026-01-13T04:47:28Z")
At least the pass was caught? ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/206 "2026-01-13T05:47:28Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > My wife commented that Rodgers retired in the middle of the 4th quarter. Well put. In all those lingering shots of him on the bench during that last quarter I swear he suddenly looked like a bitter old man ten years older. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/207 "2026-01-13T06:15:46Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > I deleted that part of my post because I thought he might go out for the wrap-up, but no. That’s the play. For anyone who missed the game and hasn’t seen the highlight yet, here’s the interception and Rodgers’s pathetic gesture in the vague direction of a tackle attempt. > Not that actual effort would have made any difference by that point in the game, of course. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/208 "2026-01-13T06:50:35Z")
Funny little bit of failed (computer) programming in the NFL+ Premium service: The dates of this week’s games are listed as January 11st and 12nd. That’s some quality “fuck it” energy from the developers. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/209 "2026-01-13T12:57:20Z")
I tried to root for the Steelers so the Pats could have an easier opponent next week, but I just couldn’t. Delighted to have Rodgers go out on such an embarrassing note (assuming he retires, which seems quite likely). I also love that the Steelers had another season of just being good enough to pretend they had a chance in the playoffs, netting a mediocre first round draft pick in April. There’s a Boston-based sports writer who writes often that the Red Sox management has been producing “the illusion of contention” and I think that’s what the Steelers have been offering for quite a few years now. But they’ll keep trucking on with Tough Guy Mike Tomlin, who did great when he inherited a HOF QB, but not so much since then. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/210 "2026-01-13T13:19:07Z")
At halftime I was very worried that the Steelers were Steelering the game up to perfection. But they couldn’t get six off the turnovers and in the second half the Texans showed everyone what they could do even while only rushing four. If Stroud can avoid making really inopportune turnovers, they can play the Pats even. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/211 "2026-01-13T13:22:57Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > If Stroud can avoid making really inopportune turnovers, they can play the Pats even. Totally agree. With that defense, they can beat anybody. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/212 "2026-01-13T13:33:14Z")
FWIW, Tom Brady’s final play of his Patriots career was a pick six to a Titan. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/213 "2026-01-13T15:36:30Z")
True, but he followed that up with a Superb Owl win the following year with Tampa, so people tend to let that slide. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/214 "2026-01-13T15:56:19Z")
Divisional round this weekend. All times Central. Odds taken from ESPNBet a 9:55 CT. Saturday: Bills @ Broncos (-1.5), 3:30 pm, CBS 49ers @ Seahawks (-7.5), 7:00 pm, FOX Sunday: Texans @ Patriots (-3), 2:00 pm, ESPN/ABC Rams @ Bears (+3.5), 5:00 pm, NBC/Peacock ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/215 "2026-01-13T16:02:40Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > If Stroud can avoid making really inopportune turnovers, they can play the Pats even. That’s a big If though. Stroud was less than impressive at times during the Steelers game. He had a couple of fumbles, plus some other errors, like not realizing that the ball has been hiked until it hit him in the leg. If he plays like that against NE, the Pats will win handily. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/216 "2026-01-13T16:07:31Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > One final parallel to his predecessor with the Packers, Brett Favre, whose final play was also negative: he was sacked, and suffered a concussion. No doubt Corey Wootton still enjoys free beer at any Chicago-area bar he visits because of this play. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/217 "2026-01-13T16:09:03Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > If he plays like that against NE, the Pats will win handily. I don’t know about that. Maye was also pretty shaky and careless with the football under pressure from the Chargers. If he does that again against the Texans’ ludicrously good D-line, anything can happen. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/218 "2026-01-13T16:09:06Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > That’s a big If though. Stroud was less than impressive at times during the Steelers game. He had a couple of fumbles As was pointed out by the announcers a couple of times, he lost no fumbles during the regular season. But his interception last night was a terrible throw that cost his team three points. So, yes, if he plays that badly against a stout Pats defense, they will lose the game. > [@zimaane](#): > > like not realizing that the ball has been hiked until it hit him in the leg. That was the fault of the center. Although, Drake Maye didn’t play his best game, either. He also threw a bad pick and lost a fumble. (Ninja’d by @ShadowFacts) ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/219 "2026-01-13T16:18:34Z")
Well, sure, if a team’s QB plays poorly, that bodes ill for any team. But, these teams got to the post-season and have 10+ wins because such poor play isn’t characteristic for the QBs. Call it playoff jitters or whatever. Judging any player’s resume on one game (possibly the only game some people have caught for that team all season) is an extreme small sample size issue. The playoffs magnify everything, good or bad. I mean….nobody’s even considering Rodgers’ resume based on that single game. But he’s well known, so people chalk up a bad game to his age or just having a bad game. If he played like that all season, the Steelers wouldn’t have even been in the playoffs - and almost weren’t considering that egg they laid against the Browns in Week 17. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/220 "2026-01-13T16:28:41Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > For anyone who missed the game and hasn’t seen the highlight yet, here’s the interception and Rodgers’s pathetic gesture in the vague direction of a tackle attempt. I love seeing Rodgers humiliated, but I’ll defend him a little here. Bullock made a good juke by stopping just short of Rodgers’ contact. Rodgers really was making a decent attempt at a tackle, he just got fooled. Plenty of cornerbacks get fooled by moves like that too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372.md?page=12)