# 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:** 21
**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 19, 2026, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/401 "2026-01-19T22:31:01Z")
Although I suppose it could have happened between 1990 and 2001 when there were three division winners and three wildcards. Under that structure, if I remember correctly, the top two division winners got a bye, and then the wildcard round featured home games for the lowest division winner and the highest wildcard. ---
**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 19, 2026, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/402 "2026-01-19T22:52:17Z")
If the division winner is seeded 2, 3, or 4, and the other 3 division teams are 5, 6, and 7, then it’s certainly possible for that division winner to play 3 divisional foes in the playoffs. Or, the team that beats them in the WC round could play 3 other teams from the same division. Would be one helluva division that season. ---
**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 19, 2026, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/403 "2026-01-19T23:08:14Z")
Ah - I was thinking of an MLB bracket, I think. ---
**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 19, 2026, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/404 "2026-01-19T23:12:36Z")
If you have 3 WCs in one division, it would not be a given that the top team is not the top seed in the playoffs, but it seems highly likely. And if they are a lower seed, they _would_ play a division rival in the first round, in the current scheme, because all the WCs are divison rivals. Which means that both the other WCs would have to win (tough division indeed) leaving them with a division rival to face in the second round, and the other WC, from that division, would have to beat the top seed in the second round. Then, the division champ would end up with home field throughout the playoffs, 3 home playoff games. Then, of course, the SB was scheduled that year to be played in the stadium of their most hated division rival, because, irony. ---
**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 19, 2026, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/405 "2026-01-19T23:30:21Z")
As if having Bad Bunny headline the Superbowl halftime show wasn’t enough to piss off the right, now Green Day has been announced as the pregame entertainment. I wonder if their set list will include “American Idiot” with the updated “MAGA agenda” lyrics. ---
**Author:** ![duality72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duality72/32/3910_2.png) [@duality72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duality72)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2026, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/406 "2026-01-19T23:36:07Z")
Billy Joe is known for being very well behaved. I’m sure the performance will be completely unremarkable. /s ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2026, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/407 "2026-01-20T00:00:51Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > They won 12 games this year (including beating the Packers in the wild card round), and 7 of those wins featured fourth-quarter comebacks. For that matter, four of their seven losses (against the Packers, Lions, and 49ers, plus the Rams yesterday) also came after the Bears had rallied in the fourth quarter to tie or take the lead, only to eventually lose. I’m not going to dig through the details, but I think it’s even more extreme than that. Of those close games the Bears came back to tie or lead inside of 2 minutes, not just in the 4th quarter, in almost all of them. ---
**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 20, 2026, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/408 "2026-01-20T00:00:56Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > If you have 3 WCs in one division, it would not be a given that the top team is not the top seed in the playoffs, but it seems highly likely. Yes, it would seem highly likely, but not certain. For instance, the Eagles could go 17-0 and get the top seed, defeating all 4 NFC West teams during the season. Those 4 teams could all go 13-4, losing only to the Eagles and each other. And one team would be the division winner, while the other 3 would be wild-card teams. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2026, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/409 "2026-01-20T00:08:33Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > I hate second guessing strategic decisions after they occur because it’s so easy to fall victim to hindsight bias, but I think Chicago should’ve gone for two. The defense was gassed, pulling off that 4th down touchdown was a huge shocker and a demoralizing, they probably should’ve struck while they could. I was at the game. Most of the crowd expected him to go for it. The euphoria over the touchdown had everyone pretty distracted and they were lined up for the PAT before most people had reoriented. Once it was tied everyone was kinda like “that was weird” But considering how fraught our experiences had been inside the 5 yard line all game, I agreed with the move. We were at home, the Rams were freezing their asses off, the crowd was insane, and we had all the momentum. This is a classic win-it-in-overtime situation. And if DJ Moore gets his head out of his ass on that last play, we walk that thing 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 20, 2026, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/410 "2026-01-20T00:12:35Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > But considering how fraught our experiences had been inside the 5 yard line all game, I agreed with the move. After they kicked the PAT and tied it, I thought, that made sense. And I definitely thought it was the right move when they were pushing down the field in OT for a game-winning FG (until the interception of course). I just felt like they were going to go for it. In retrospect I think you’re right, it gave them the best chance to win (even though they ultimately didn’t). ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2026, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/411 "2026-01-20T00:30:34Z")
I alluded to it earlier, but BJ and Caleb had the perfect play call on the decisive INT. DJ would have been wide open and may have walked in for a TD (at worst down inside the 10 for a game winning FG) had he just run the right fucking route. In person it looked like a horrible throw, but seeing it broken down last night and today, this was a perfect play call for the moment. BJ seemed like he had the Rams pass coverage figured out and got exactly what he wanted here. ---
**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 20, 2026, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/412 "2026-01-20T01:23:23Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > I’m not going to dig through the details, but I think it’s even more extreme than that. Of those close games the Bears came back to tie or lead inside of 2 minutes, not just in the 4th quarter, in almost all of them. I had the time, and I was curious, so (in chronological order) : - Raiders: Bears took the lead for good with 1:34 remaining - Commanders: Bears took the lead as time expired - Bengals: Bears took the lead with 0:17 remaining - Giants: Bears took the lead with 1:47 remaining - Vikings: Bears took the lead as time expired - Packers: Bears tied it up with 8:00 remaining, but ultimately lost - Packers: Bears tied it up with 0:24 remaining, and won in overtime - 49ers: Bears took the lead with 5:22 remaining, but ultimately lost - Lions: Bears tied it up with 5:25 remaining, but ultimately lost - Packers (playoff): Bears took the lead with 1:43 remaining - Rams (playoff): Bears tied it up with 0:18 remaining, but ultimately lost in overtime So, you’re absolutely right: they had seven wins in which they took the lead (or tied it up, then won in overtime) after the two-minute warning. ---
**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 20, 2026, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/413 "2026-01-20T03:48:32Z")
Well, it looks like the Seahawks lost their large RB Zach Charbonnet (the guy who casually scored the 2pt conversion by picking up the live fumble at the end of the play) to the ever popular Anterior Cruciate Ligament tear. ---
**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 20, 2026, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/414 "2026-01-20T04:09:42Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > looks like the Seahawks lost their large RB Zach Charbonnet Yep, already noted by @Atamasama above. > [@NFL Playoff Thread 2026](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/380): > > Zach Charbonnet who is part of the one-two punch in Seattle’s running game (which steamrolled San Francisco two games in a row) is out for the playoffs (at least). Torn ACL. He has 12 touchdowns on the year and has been a reliable “punch it in” guy all year, so it’s a significant loss. Thank goodness Kenneth Walker III is so good (he had three touchdowns on Saturday) so they still have a run game but it’s not going to be as good, and with the Rams coming to Seattle (and they always play the… ---
**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 20, 2026, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/415 "2026-01-20T13:30:12Z")
My normal Tuesday morning update. Both championship games are Sunday; the AFC game is at 2:00 CT, and the NFC game is at 5:30 CT. Spreads are taken from ESPNBet at 7:30 am CT. Patriots @ Broncos (+5.5) Rams @ Seahawks (-2.5) ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2026, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/416 "2026-01-20T18:05:52Z")
"His route is to go deep and attack that angle, which he did,’’ Williams said. ‘‘[I] thought we were going to go under the safety at that point. It didn’t happen that way.’’ Now Caleb could be just covering for DJ Moore, but I don’t recall Moore having ever been branded with the “lazy” monikor in his route running or work effort. Quite the opposite, in fact. But don’t let me interfere with the Bears angst. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2026, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/417 "2026-01-20T18:07:45Z")
These playoffs are a great example of just how important parity is to the success of the NFL. Almost every team has a chance, and theres a lot of exciting close games. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2026, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/418 "2026-01-20T18:31:37Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > but I don’t recall Moore having ever been branded with the “lazy” monikor in his route running or work effort. Quite the opposite, in fact. That’s interesting. I watched a bunch of QB videos last season, a number of which were about Caleb William. I remember a number of them calling out Moore for lazy routes or giving up on plays. I don’t have time to dig them out, and perhaps I’m misremembering or he got much better this year. But I wasn’t too surprised to see him give up on a route. ETA: Actually I found one. It was from Week 4 last year. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJEtHWDUXlA&list=PLwAY1w92sWxel-ao4\_UF1a0Wdegl8hNAW&index=4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJEtHWDUXlA&list=PLwAY1w92sWxel-ao4_UF1a0Wdegl8hNAW&index=4) at 20:51, but there were a few in that game. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2026, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/419 "2026-01-20T20:48:35Z")
I’ll take your word for it. It’s clear Moore wasn’t sprinting as fast as possible, but whether that’s because he was lazy or if he didn’t adjust the route the way Caleb threw the ball thinking he would is debateable. ---
**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 20, 2026, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/420 "2026-01-20T20:51:09Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > It’s clear Moore wasn’t sprinting as fast as possible, but whether that’s because he was lazy or if he didn’t adjust the route the way Caleb threw the ball thinking he would is debateable. Often the best receivers don’t turn on the jets until after they catch the ball, or perhaps just before the ball arrives, because that sudden burst of speed can catch the defender off guard and can cause separation. Enough to ensure a catch or avoid a tackle. You can’t do that if you’re already running as fast as you can. A receiver not going top speed in a route is actually the default to my knowledge, rather than something unusual. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372.md?page=20) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372.md?page=22)