# 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:** 15
**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, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/281 "2026-01-18T01:15:14Z")
What an absolutely bonkers playoffs we’ve had so far. If it keeps up like this it’ll be the greatest playoffs of all time ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/282 "2026-01-18T01:16:55Z")
Penalties killed Buffalo on the last Denver possession of overtime. This is Denver’s first playoff win since Super Bowl 50, Peyton Manning’s last game. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/283 "2026-01-18T01:17:23Z")
Granted, I’m a Bills fan (born in Western NY), but are you kidding me with these fucking refs? That was shit referreeing. Three close calls in OT and they all go to Denver. That interception was down by fucking contact. I’m pissed. Eh, fuck it. I’m over it. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/284 "2026-01-18T01:24:44Z")
WHAAAAAAAAAT?! The Seahawks start their game against the 49ers with a kickoff return for a touchdown! ---
**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 18, 2026, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/285 "2026-01-18T01:29:32Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Granted, I’m a Bills fan (born in Western NY), but are you kidding me with these fucking refs? That was shit referreeing. Three close calls in OT and they all go to Denver. That interception was down by fucking contact. I’m pissed. PI was ignored all game long, til that last drive. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/286 "2026-01-18T01:32:56Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > I don’t understand how the defender got credited for possession; shouldn’t it be incomplete at worst? It never hit the ground, so it’s not going to be incomplete either way. I’m a Chefs fan, and love nothing more than watching the Donkeys lose - but it was the right call. Sucks that the refs decided to wait until the last minute to find their flags, though. ---
**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 18, 2026, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/287 "2026-01-18T01:33:50Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > The Seahawks start their game against the 49ers with a kickoff return for a touchdown! It’s the third return for a TD for Shaheed this year (between punts and kickoffs). It’s what that guy does. He returned a punt for TD Ii n that miraculous comeback against the Rams earlier this season. And now the Niners get a turnover on downs at the Seattle 40. They’re lucky that they didn’t have a fumble returned for TD earlier anyway; it was iffy if it was a pass or fumble from Purdy. (Though to be fair I think it was a pass, just barely.) ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/288 "2026-01-18T01:35:20Z")
> ---
**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, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/289 "2026-01-18T01:58:20Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > It never hit the ground, so it’s not going to be incomplete either way. The issue is that the defender here apparently doesn’t have to do any of the fancy schmanzy rituals to establish possession that the receiver must do, can just rip it out after they both would be down by contact, and poof Denver ball. How can possession be established once they are on the ground? ---
**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 18, 2026, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/290 "2026-01-18T02:04:08Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > The issue is that the defender here apparently doesn’t have to do any of the fancy schmanzy rituals to establish possession that the receiver must do, can just rip it out after they both would be down by contact, and poof Denver ball. If it’s ambiguous who has possession when they’re both down by contact, because they’re wrestling over it, possession goes to whoever ends up with it. That’s usually how that works. Usually the only time you have to worry about “football moves” or anything is if the player loses possession of the ball at some point and you want to determine if it’s a fumble or incompletion. ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/291 "2026-01-18T02:14:47Z")
the same Rams who had problems with Carolina (who didn’t have Chicago’s defense)? ---
**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 18, 2026, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/292 "2026-01-18T02:31:30Z")
So, I’m thinking it’s going to be the Patriots or Texans in the Super Bowl. > **[Sean Payton announced Bo Nix has fractured ankle; season is over](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/sean-payton-announced-bo-nix-021926923.html)** > > Oh no! Terrible news for the Denver Broncos. Bo Nix fractured his ankle in overtime and will have season-ending surgery. Tough break for Denver, literally. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/293 "2026-01-18T02:46:49Z")
That’s too bad for Nix. He was playing great. ---
**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 18, 2026, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/294 "2026-01-18T02:54:31Z")
> [@Southern\_Yankee](#): > > He was playing great. Yeah he was. I was rooting for him. I watched him in college when he played for Oregon too so it was great watching the kid really break out. I was looking forward to an AFC championship game with him vs either Stroud or Maye, that would have been something. So disappointed. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/295 "2026-01-18T03:01:07Z")
Wow. Horrifying for Broncos. We switched over and didn’t see last couple plays. I think Texans defense just got a nod for Super Bowl. ---
**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, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/296 "2026-01-18T03:45:03Z")
Seahawks look to be the class of the league. ---
**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 18, 2026, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/297 "2026-01-18T03:45:32Z")
Damn. I thought Seattle dominated the Niners **last** time. This group says, “Hold my beer.” ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/298 "2026-01-18T04:05:56Z")
Niners have no one healthy left. I feel bad. Was still hoping this was at least within 10 points. Ha! Seahawks look SB ready. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/299 "2026-01-18T04:38:26Z")
Huh. That score was 2 less on each side compared to their Weed Bowl a decade or so back. ---
**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 18, 2026, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/300 "2026-01-18T05:59:45Z")
I noticed the same thing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372.md?page=16)