# 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:** 23
**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 25, 2026, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/441 "2026-01-25T20:33:16Z")
The main cam in Denver appears to have a glitch which is not providing the full hi-def resolution one might expect-from the cold or such? ---
**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 25, 2026, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/442 "2026-01-25T20:33:25Z")
As an EAGLE fan, I gotta root for the backup QB. So, Go, Broncos! Next game, I really think the Rams can beat Seahawks. As much as their last. two games are criticized, they somehow won both. I think both games are gonna be close. ---
**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 25, 2026, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/443 "2026-01-25T20:34:24Z")
For as long as I’ve been watching football with my son, any time Sean Payton pops up on the screen I do a “lip reading” of him as though he talked like a southern Porky Pig. I don’t know why I do it, other than I have disliked him since the bounty days, but even now as I chat with my son on Discord during the game, I am doing it. For your amusement. Stidham really composed so far. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/444 "2026-01-25T20:35:09Z")
I’m glad to see that Denver isn’t going to try win 3-0. So what if you have a backup quarterback! It’s the AFC Championship! Go big or go home! ---
**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 25, 2026, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/445 "2026-01-25T20:35:38Z")
I mean, they’re at home. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/446 "2026-01-25T20:42:07Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > they’re at home. Touché. But they are _trying_ to not stay at home. The Super Bowl is in Santa Clara. Go big or stay home! ---
**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 25, 2026, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/447 "2026-01-25T20:44:27Z")
That works! ---
**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 25, 2026, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/448 "2026-01-25T20:55:42Z")
Well, hindsight is great, but I certainly would have kicked the FG there. Although Denver’s D has been playing great, so maybe it wasn’t a huge gamble. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/449 "2026-01-25T20:58:08Z")
Me too. And I definitely was thinking that even before the play. ---
**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 25, 2026, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/450 "2026-01-25T21:11:17Z")
OK. Please explain why that wasn’t a touchdown? Was a whistle blown? ---
**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 25, 2026, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/451 "2026-01-25T21:11:37Z")
Somebody pleaase explain to me what just happened, and why the ball couldn’t be advanced. I had the sound off for a minute. ETA me screaming at the TV “Drake Maye can fucking RUN”, thank you Josh McDaniels. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/452 "2026-01-25T21:33:37Z")
I assume the last couple of posts were about the Stidham fumble. It was blown dead on the field because they initially ruled it a forward pass, then changed their minds, so it was Patriots ball but they couldn’t advance it. That could have sucked for the Pats, but they punched it in pretty quickly, so no harm done. ---
**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 25, 2026, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/453 "2026-01-25T21:40:37Z")
Anemic first half offense by the Patriots, I’m glad to go into halftime with a tie and the ball in the 2nd. I expect to see more rollouts and runs by Maye in the 2nd. ETA oh jesus who added kirk cousins to this unholy mix. ---
**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 25, 2026, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/454 "2026-01-25T21:51:33Z")
> [@fachverwirrt](#): > > It was blown dead on the field because they initially ruled it a forward pass I don’t think that’s the case, though. I didn’t hear a whistle, and the official who was right there wasn’t calling the play dead. It looked to me like they decided after the fact that it was a forward pass, and then threw a flag for grounding. And then they reconsidered and decided it was a lateral, but, for whatever reason, the defense couldn’t advance it. Oh, well, as you say, the Pats scored. ---
**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 25, 2026, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/455 "2026-01-25T22:11:06Z")
It’s quite refreshing to watch a game with so few penalties. Denver’s gonna need a couple of PI calls to go in their favor to have a chance. ---
**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 25, 2026, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/456 "2026-01-25T22:15:31Z")
Drake Maye needs to practice sliding on his left leg, or he’s really going to get clocked sometime. ---
**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 25, 2026, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/457 "2026-01-25T22:22:32Z")
The Patriots are going to win for sure, but I’m just curious how close the Broncos can keep the game before the Pats pad their lead to pull away. ---
**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 25, 2026, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/458 "2026-01-25T22:27:55Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > The Patriots are going to win for sure Pretty bold statement with a quarter to play. With these conditions, a defensive score could turn the game around. ---
**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 25, 2026, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/459 "2026-01-25T22:48:08Z")
That transition graphic of the snow was something. Eventually the Broncos might just heave the ball downfield. (or miss a field goal) ---
**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 25, 2026, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/460 "2026-01-25T22:56:24Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Eventually the Broncos might just heave the ball downfield. Yep.. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372.md?page=22) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372.md?page=24)