# 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:** 28
**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 31, 2026, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/541 "2026-01-31T00:36:48Z")
Should we start a Doper GoFundMe to buy the team? ---
**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 31, 2026, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/542 "2026-01-31T00:41:14Z")
**The Seattle Straightdopehawks** Trying to win a championship since 2026. (It’s taking longer than we thought.) ---
**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 31, 2026, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/543 "2026-01-31T01:17:36Z")
What would our colors be? ---
**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 31, 2026, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/544 "2026-01-31T01:19:05Z")
Judging from the Dope logo, dark blue and gold. [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b6/The_Straight_Dope.png) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b6/The_Straight_Dope.png) ---
**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 31, 2026, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/545 "2026-01-31T01:19:53Z")
An improvement. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2026, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/546 "2026-01-31T01:30:21Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I’m not at all shocked that it’s up for sale; I’m a bit surprised Jody kept it so long. I’m just surprised it’s being sold _now_. Worth noting that the estate is denying the rumors. > “We don’t comment on rumors or speculation, and the team is not for sale,” a spokesperson for the Paul Allen Estate said. "We’ve already said that will change at some point per Paul’s wishes, but there is no news to share. Our focus right now is winning the Super Bowl and completing the sale of the Portland Trail Blazers in the coming months.” And > “The time will come when that changes given Paul’s plans to dedicate the vast majority of his wealth to philanthropy,” read a statement she released in July of 2022. “But estates of this size and complexity can take 10 to 20 years to wind down. **There is no preordained timeline by which the teams must be sold**.” ---
**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 31, 2026, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/547 "2026-01-31T01:43:14Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > Worth noting that the estate is denying the rumors. Okay. Well, it’s fan panic then. And it was on ESPN, and I know Brady Henderson gets a lot of inside stuff from the Seahawks, so I thought it was trustworthy. I wonder why that rumor would come out, and would get so far as to make it to ESPN? Or are they just trying to find _something_ noteworthy when there is no real football going on, and things are sort of dead until the Super Bowl? [![](https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExeXJrMHZzMW5lejlmYzZmZjJhOWZ3NTl5ZHprYWxqd3N1NGdycHltayZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/LRUiBLxa1VTghMAIOl/giphy.gif) ](https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExeXJrMHZzMW5lejlmYzZmZjJhOWZ3NTl5ZHprYWxqd3N1NGdycHltayZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/LRUiBLxa1VTghMAIOl/giphy.gif) ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2026, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/548 "2026-01-31T02:23:14Z")
Well, thinking cynically, I guess all I know is that they denied the details of the current rumor. Could be that they’re strategically lying, could be that one tiny incorrect detail exists that gives them leeway to rebut the story, could be a lot of things I guess. Ultimately, we know that she has to sell the team at some point. After a Super Bowl win sure seems like the best time. Here’s an interesting thought. It’s well known that Jody is a deeply involved owner, up to having a day-after conference with the coach after each game to go over the performance. She could easily afford the team. Maybe she’s the buyer? ---
**Author:** ![Jegpeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jegpeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jegpeg)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2026, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/549 "2026-01-31T23:39:08Z")
The wording from the Estate does not contain any lies. - They are not commenting on the rumor / speculation that the club will be put for sale after the super bowl - The club is not for sale (present tense, so true at the time the statement was made) - That will change at some point, whether that is Mon 9th or some years in the future the statement doesn’t say. ---
**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 31, 2026, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/550 "2026-01-31T23:47:39Z")
> [@Jegpeg](#): > > That will change at some point, whether that is Mon 9th or some years in the future the statement doesn’t say. The “breaking news” that the Seahawks will be sold after the Super Bowl would be true even if it happened in 2040. ---
**Author:** ![Jegpeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jegpeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jegpeg)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2026, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/551 "2026-01-31T23:47:44Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > And since the State of Washington is set to get a cut of the proceeds, the sale of a championship team produces a greater public good than if the Hawks were in the basement. My understanding is the State of Washington would only have got a 10% cut if the Seahawks were sold prior to May 2024. Havig said that the reason Paul wished the sale to be made (rather than kept in the family) is that all the proceeds will go to Charity so the sale of a Championship team does produce a greater public good than if the Hawks were in the basement. ---
**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:** [February 1, 2026, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/552 "2026-02-01T03:09:54Z")
Theory now is that the Seahawks sale rumor source was Robert Kraft, trying to cheat again and give his team an edge in the Super Bowl by stirring up drama and doubt. > **[Patriots may be secretly sabotaging Seahawks Super Bowl hopes](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/patriots-may-secretly-sabotaging-seahawks-134509315.html)** > > Tom Brady and Bill Belichick may be gone, but the Patriots are always the villain in every story. I don’t know if I believe that, it seems clumsy to me. ---
**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:** [February 1, 2026, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/553 "2026-02-01T03:50:23Z")
Oh man, what a joke. “Secretly sabotaging” 🤣🤣🤣 ---
**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:** [February 1, 2026, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/554 "2026-02-01T04:00:18Z")
> [@ShadowFacts](#): > > Oh man, what a joke. It’s not that I don’t think Kraft is above it, I just don’t think he’d do something this ineffective. It’s kind of a nothingburger. ---
**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:** [February 1, 2026, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/555 "2026-02-01T13:45:05Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > It’s kind of a nothingburger. You think? This is just typical Patriots jealousy/hatred coming out. I’m sure the sources for this “story” are unimpeachable. 🤣 ---
**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:** [February 1, 2026, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/556 "2026-02-01T14:12:01Z")
I mean, if someone is gonna take a shot at someone to undermine them right on the eve of the Super Bowl, you can’t do much better than this: > **[DOJ Files: Jeffrey Epstein Urged Patriots Owner Robert Kraft to Hire Jack...](https://thesportsrush.com/nfl-news-doj-files-jeffrey-epstein-urged-patriots-owner-robert-kraft-to-hire-jack-goldberger-in-2019-case/)** > > DOJ release confirms that Jeffrey Epstein played a direct role in assembling Robert Kraft's legal team to fight 2019 solicitation charges ---
**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:** [February 1, 2026, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/557 "2026-02-01T14:18:44Z")
Secret sabotage!!! ---
**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:** [February 1, 2026, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/558 "2026-02-01T17:21:06Z")
[![](https://i1.sndcdn.com/avatars-000541995810-s5augi-t1080x1080.jpg) ](https://i1.sndcdn.com/avatars-000541995810-s5augi-t1080x1080.jpg) I think all of these “rumors”, and rumors about the rumors, they’re just filling the void of real football news before the big game. ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/559 "2026-02-04T01:25:50Z")
jealousy? hatred? of what, who’s the historic dynasty here; why should they hate a team they’ve already beaten once? or be jealous of a team entering only 4th time in their entire history? ---
**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:** [February 4, 2026, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/560 "2026-02-04T01:49:00Z")
Sorry, you’ve misinterpreted what I was saying. I was talking about jealousy OF the Patriots by others. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372.md?page=27) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372.md?page=29)