# 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:** 14
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2026, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/261 "2026-01-16T17:05:45Z")
I think three of the four will be lopsided outcomes. Seahawks, Rams and Patriots winning fairly big. The Bills will hang tough but eventually not be able to get the necessary stops on defense, still losing close. The Texans defense will make things hard for Maye at first, but Houston’s lack of a good QB will cost them in the 2nd half, I think eventually the Patriots win 30-13. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2026, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/262 "2026-01-16T17:05:46Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Both 49ers and Bears are considered significant underdogs. But one or the other winning wouldn’t be _huge_ shocks. With Seattle’s QB dealing with an injury, the 49ers’ odds are a bit better. > **[3 Seahawks players who need to step up vs 49ers after Sam Darnold injury](https://www.si.com/nfl/seahawks/onsi/seahawks-news/3-seahawks-players-who-need-to-step-up-vs-49ers-after-sam-darnold-injury-01kf3gp91857)** > > This Saturday night is the beginning of the Seattle Seahawks’ playoff journey. The No. 1-seeded Seahawks will host the No. 6 San Francisco 49ers in the Division He insists he’ll be playing, but he might not be 100%. I think the key to Seattle winning (aside from being able to run the ball and stifle the SF defense as they did in the previous game) is for Sam to not turn the ball over. If he’s struggling because of his health, that makes it more difficult. ---
**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 16, 2026, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/263 "2026-01-16T17:08:19Z")
Any game can turn into a blow out. But currently there’s nothing _a priori_, e.g. major QB injury or other news, that would indicate it. > [@Velocity](#): > > Houston’s lack of a good QB will cost them in the 2nd half. ? Stroud is fine. He holds onto the ball a touch too long, which is a function of other issues, but the Houston offense’s issues are from a porous O-line and lack of production from skill position players not named Nico Collins (guess who’s out with a concussion this week?!). Putting that on the QB is a truly bizarre take. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2026, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/264 "2026-01-16T20:21:14Z")
For Rams … do you think that playing in frigid weather will have any impact? ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2026, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/265 "2026-01-16T20:31:24Z")
Some, but I still think they clearly outmatch the Bears. Of course, though, my predictions have often been wildly off. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2026, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/266 "2026-01-16T20:37:05Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Some, but I still think they clearly outmatch the Bears. They clearly outmatched the Panthers and almost lost anyway. I think the Rams are a volatile team. A very talented, very dangerous team, but you don’t know what performance you will get in a game. ---
**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 16, 2026, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/267 "2026-01-16T20:53:08Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I think the Rams are a volatile team. A very talented, very dangerous team, but you don’t know what performance you will get in a game. Which, quite frankly, could describe just about every one of the 8 teams that are still playing. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2026, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/268 "2026-01-16T20:59:00Z")
I think the weather, plus the Bears’ home field advantage, plus the fact the Bears are just a very good team, means the game will likely be close, and the Bears have a good chance at winning. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2026, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/269 "2026-01-16T20:59:53Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Which, quite frankly, could describe just about every one of the 8 teams that are still playing. Or any NFL team (any given Sunday and all that), but out of the teams left, I think the Rams are the biggest wild card (no pun intended). They also have arguably the worst special teams unit in the NFL; not just among playoff teams, but out of everyone. > **[Rams Remain Unable to Close This Glaring Gap](https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/onsi/los-angeles-remain-unable-close-this-glaring-gap)** > > WOODLAND HILLS, Ca. The Los Angeles Rams have had to deal with a pleothora of Special Teams failures throughout the season, failures that have led to losses aga It’s why they fired their coordinator less than a month ago. (Not that special teams is the end-all, be-all; the Jets had the best in the league despite being overall one of the worst teams.) ---
**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 16, 2026, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/270 "2026-01-16T21:36:44Z")
EDIT: Never mind. I started talking about how the Rams might have had trouble against the Panthers because it was a division rivalry, but hey, they are not in the same division. Doh! ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2026, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/271 "2026-01-16T21:38:13Z")
Well, not _anymore_. ---
**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 17, 2026, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/272 "2026-01-17T14:08:38Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > 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 Just looked at the lines this morning: Broncos are still -1.5 over the Bills. Seahawks are now -7 over the 49ers. Patriots are still -3 over the Texans. Rams are now -4.5 over the Bears. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/273 "2026-01-17T17:21:14Z")
The Seahawks are trying a bit to hard to downplay Darnold’s injury. Schefter is reporting he hasn’t thrown at all since tweaking the oblique, and Drew Lock has been taking first team reps. ---
**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 17, 2026, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/274 "2026-01-17T18:30:38Z")
Defense wins. (Fingers crossed) ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/275 "2026-01-17T23:03:16Z")
That fumble and Denver FG is all on Allen-he HAD to know even if he is tackled he’d have no time to spike it, so he HAD to just fall down, eat the ball, and let the half end. One of the stupidest plays I’ve ever seen by any NFL QB. Note the announcers were questioning the wisdom of trying to get into FG range BEFORE the play, but that was all Allen once he SHOULD have realized he was all out of viable options. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/276 "2026-01-17T23:04:08Z")
Ok that was just bizarre. 17 seconds left in the half, no time outs, just take a knee. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/277 "2026-01-17T23:10:41Z")
I thought it looked like he was trying to lateral the ball. Only there was no one there to lateral it to. ---
**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 18, 2026, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/278 "2026-01-18T00:32:19Z")
Damn, another incredible finish. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/279 "2026-01-18T01:05:51Z")
That was a catch. How did they not review that? ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/280 "2026-01-18T01:13:04Z")
I don’t understand how the defender got credited for possession; shouldn’t it be incomplete at worst? Bills DBs lost the game tho on those PI’s; I don’t understand why they aren’t trained from the first day of training camp to NOT grab the receiver’s arm… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372.md?page=15)