# 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:** 9
**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 12, 2026, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/161 "2026-01-12T01:32:00Z")
I think the play would have to be a kneel down, because the risk of a turnover is too great for a contested play. So you’d end up 2nd and 2 from the two, and run the clock to maybe 35 seconds. But thats why head coaches make the big bucks. ---
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2026, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/162 "2026-01-12T01:33:50Z")
Yeah, it’s very easy for me to say it from here when I have nothing on the line. I will say that it looked to me like the Jags agreed - they seemed to just allow the first down TD to conserve time. ---
**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 12, 2026, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/163 "2026-01-12T01:40:02Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > George Kittle has suffered an Achilles injury and is out for the rest of the game. Tough, tough break for the 49ers. In the postgame press conference, Kyle Shanahan confirmed that Kittle tore an Achilles tendon. So, not only will he miss the rest of the postseason, but given the long rehab time for an Achilles repair, it seems likely that he’ll miss a significant chunk of 2026, as well. > **[Kittle tears Achilles in win as 49ers lose star TE](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47584134/49ers-george-kittle-suffers-achilles-injury-ruled-out)** > > 49ers tight end George Kittle suffered a torn Achilles during San Francisco's 23-19 wild-card playoff victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. ---
**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 12, 2026, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/164 "2026-01-12T01:44:38Z")
I know hindsight is almost always 100% correct, but ISTM that when you are gifted a turnover inside the opponent’s 10-yard line, you MUST come away with points. If you haven’t scored a TD in the first 3 plays, kick the field goal and take the lead. But I also don’t make the big bucks that NFL coaches make. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2026, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/165 "2026-01-12T01:45:24Z")
Online, it seems like Eagles fans are really pissed off at their coach, Nick Sirianni. Why? I’m sure they’re disappointed that they lost, but the Eagles were good this year and won the Super Bowl last year. Why would they want to replace their coach so soon after winning a Super Bowl? ---
**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 12, 2026, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/166 "2026-01-12T01:48:46Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > given the long rehab time for an Achilles repair, it seems likely that he’ll miss a significant chunk of 2026, as well. Given that he’s not in his 20s, it’s safest to assume the earliest he’d be ready would be the playoffs next year, and likely not until the 2027 season. He’ll be a month short of 34 when that starts. He was already showing signs of age this season. Retirement might be his best move. ---
**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 12, 2026, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/167 "2026-01-12T02:29:25Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Kadarius Toney was indeed drafted in the first round in 2021 and did not catch a TD pass all season. > […] > The TD catch by Golden was a helluva play on his part, BTW. I went back to look at the stat again. It said Golden was one of two wide receivers drafted in the first round not to catch a touchdown pass in his rookie season since 2018. The other being Toney. And yes, that was a nice touchdown catch by Golden. In fact, he just looked all around promising in the latter half of that game. ---
**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 12, 2026, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/168 "2026-01-12T02:31:12Z")
I don’t think I’d have the stomach to kneel down in that situation. Of course, if you do run a real play, there’s always the chance they let you score. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2026, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/169 "2026-01-12T02:45:08Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > He was already showing signs of age this season. Retirement might be his best move. I suspect any retirement talk will be delayed since, as long as he’s on the roster, the team is paying his medical bills. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2026, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/170 "2026-01-12T03:17:15Z")
Jacksonville definitely conceded the TD with 1:00 remaining, and imho, it made sense. They get the ball back around the 30 yard line with time, have a good kicker, and they only need a field goal to tie. Didn’t work, but that’s life… ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2026, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/171 "2026-01-12T03:55:03Z")
I was disappointed with the Eagle fans taunting Kittle being carried off the field, but then I remembered they even boo their own team ---
**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 12, 2026, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/172 "2026-01-12T04:09:33Z")
And finally we have a wildcard game decided by double-digits. Wasn’t particularly pretty, but the Pats defense stepped up big-time. Patriots will host the winner of tomorrow night’s game between the Steelers and Texans. Broncos will host the Bills, undoubtedly on Saturday. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2026, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/173 "2026-01-12T04:11:23Z")
The Pats are through to the divisional round, not a resounding win but all wins are tough in the post season. Good defense won the game, the offense needs some work. ---
**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 12, 2026, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/174 "2026-01-12T04:52:32Z")
We’re back from the game! We had a great time, and I’m pretty hoarse. But damn that was cold, even with the layers. Their first playoff win in what, six years? And almost the exact same score. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2026, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/175 "2026-01-12T06:15:42Z")
I think the only way to play is to score as soon as you can and not mess around with the clock. At the pro level you get the points above all else. Hope your defense can manage it after that. ---
**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 12, 2026, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/176 "2026-01-12T08:56:45Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > And finally we have a wildcard game decided by double-digits. Wasn’t particularly pretty, And the lowest-scoring one; less than 20 total points. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2026, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/177 "2026-01-12T14:11:50Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Online, it seems like Eagles fans are really pissed off at their coach, Nick Sirianni. Why? I’m sure they’re disappointed that they lost, but the Eagles were good this year and won the Super Bowl last year. Why would they want to replace their coach so soon after winning a Super Bowl? 1. We’re assholes. 2. Once again the offense did decently to well in the first half, then was completely stymied in the second half. This has been a recurring problem this season, so to have that exact thing happen again in the first playoff game is very frustrating. ---
**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:** [January 12, 2026, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/178 "2026-01-12T14:50:40Z")
Patriots win ugly and Drake Maye was hardly in “MVP” form, but the defense really stepped up against a depleted Chargers offensive line and dominated in the trenches. The offense has been carrying this team while the defense has dealt with a lot of notable injuries over the past many weeks, so it was good to see them back to early season form, particularly as it relates to stuffing the run. On the downside, Maye was super careless with the ball and against a better team it would likely have been a different result. Now I find myself in the unenviable position of rooting for the Steelers tonight… ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2026, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/179 "2026-01-12T15:17:15Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Why would they want to replace their coach so soon after winning a Super Bowl? Because, like many fans in general, they have ridiculously unrealistic expectations. It’s very hard winning in the NFL. The difference between victory and defeat is very small, and many games could go either way for a plethora of difference reasons. First of all, San Francisco has a REALLY good team. They have a good QB and a good running game. Their defense is also good. They would have been the top seed if it wasn’t for their loss at Seattle. I’m not surprised they won, and their victory doesn’t mean that Philly or their coach is bad. With a few breaks they could, in fact, go to the Super Bowl. ---
**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 12, 2026, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/180 "2026-01-12T16:30:18Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > Once again the offense did decently to well in the first half, then was completely stymied in the second half. This has been a recurring problem this season, so to have that exact thing happen again in the first playoff game is very frustrating. As my Eagles fan best friend puts it, OC Kevin Patullo is a 15-year-old who can’t drive but given the keys to a Ferrari. I’ve watched it myself this season. The play calling ineptitude is nothing short of astounding. The 49ers blood sacrifices continue. I don’t normally watch injury replays, but Kittle didn’t look _too_ bad. Then I could see it snap through his sock. Ouch. Season ending injury for every win, is our GM secretly Doctor Faustus? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372.md?page=10)