# NFL Playoffs - 2018 Edition **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [December 31, 2018, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-2018-edition/827008 "2018-12-31T22:47:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2019, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-2018-edition/827008/101 "2019-01-07T16:12:54Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > Wentz is the better/younger/more upside QB. I’m curious why, after a game where he threw two interceptions and had a woeful 77.7 passer rating, you would say that Foles has “demonstrably shown” that he is better than Wentz. Foles, like most average NFL QBs, has had very good games (last years’ playoff run), and very bad games (his final two starts before the playoffs last year), and a big chunk of “Meh” games (most of his career before last years’ playoff run). He just so happened to have his very good games at very opportune times, ala Joe Flacco or Eli Manning. But overall, he has not “demonstrably shown” he’s better than Wentz. Foles was brilliant against the best defense in the NFL. He kept his team close and engineered a playoff win on the road. This is the second season Foles has led the Eagles to playoff victories. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2019, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-2018-edition/827008/102 "2019-01-07T16:20:10Z")
I’m not a big football fan, but had heard of icing the kicker. Did not realize, tho, that the kicker frequently got a kick off while being “iced.” ---
**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 7, 2019, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-2018-edition/827008/103 "2019-01-07T16:27:56Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > I’m not a big football fan, but had heard of icing the kicker. Did not realize, tho, that the kicker frequently got a kick off while being “iced.” I imagine that it’s usually a matter of the timeout coming at the moment before the long snapper snaps the ball, and so the ball is still snapped. At that point, the holder and kicker may well have been coached to go through with the kick, in case the timeout didn’t actually come through before the snap. In the case of last night’s game, it seemed like the snap was made at least a full second after the officials blew the whistle to stop the play. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2019, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-2018-edition/827008/104 "2019-01-07T16:57:14Z")
That can also happen because there’s a risk of injury if the kicker tries to \*stop \*the kick once he’s started the motion. That’s the same reason a baseball pitcher will usually complete a pitch once he’s started it even if time is called. Also, if there’s any question about the footing or the wind, the “iced” kick lets a kicker assess them and adjust as required. ---
**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 7, 2019, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-2018-edition/827008/105 "2019-01-07T17:07:36Z")
League ought to change the rules so that no timeouts are permitted within the last few seconds of a ball about to be snapped on an FG try. Something about this yanking-the-carpet-out from under people’s emotions as the timeout is called right AS the ball is kicked is just wrong. ---
**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 7, 2019, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-2018-edition/827008/106 "2019-01-07T18:02:50Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > League ought to change the rules so that no timeouts are permitted within the last few seconds of a ball about to be snapped on an FG try. Something about this yanking-the-carpet-out from under people’s emotions as the timeout is called right AS the ball is kicked is just wrong. That’s valid but it also rewards a coach who has the foresight to keep a time out in his pocket for just such an occasion. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2019, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-2018-edition/827008/107 "2019-01-07T18:09:32Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > The Bears had better fire that kicker _tonight._ If they do, it will cost them $5.25 million–the remaining guaranteed portion of his contract. Of course, $5.25 million is chump change to an NFL team. > [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > The League has confirmed that the referees got it right on review. On review of a called incomplete pass where the other option is a catch followed by a fumble, the call of incomplete can only be overturned if there was a clear recovery of the “fumble.” If not, the play must stand as incomplete. And, speaking of people who should be fired, NBC should fire that former referee who was in the booth as an alleged “rules guru” and not only didn’t know the rules, but unnecessarily and incorrectly dumped on his former colleagues. ---
**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 7, 2019, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-2018-edition/827008/108 "2019-01-07T18:13:43Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Foles was brilliant against the best defense in the NFL. Brilliant? He threw two interceptions, including one in the red zone. We have vastly different definitions of the word “brilliant”. > [@madsircool](#): > > He kept his team close and engineered a playoff win on the road. The Bears offensive ineptitude in the first half and the kicking game was what kept his team close. Foles played fine after those two picks, sure, but the inability of the Bears to score points in the first half and a boinked field goal attempt were what led the Eagles win, not Foles’ “brilliant” play. ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2019, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-2018-edition/827008/109 "2019-01-07T18:36:32Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > League ought to change the rules so that no timeouts are permitted within the last few seconds of a ball about to be snapped on an FG try. Something about this yanking-the-carpet-out from under people’s emotions as the timeout is called right AS the ball is kicked is just wrong. Great idea. The NFL hasn’t changed any of its rules in at least a week. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2019, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-2018-edition/827008/110 "2019-01-07T19:08:40Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > League ought to change the rules so that no timeouts are permitted within the last few seconds of a ball about to be snapped on an FG try. Something about this yanking-the-carpet-out from under people’s emotions as the timeout is called right AS the ball is kicked is just wrong. So, what is the cutoff? And what if the offensive coach notices he has 12 men on the field - can he not call timeout to avoid the penalty? And I agree the last-second TO call is childish. Maybe just not have an official standing right next to the coach, requiring said coach to get some official’s attention? I’m assuming that an official doesn’t normally stand right next to the sideline. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2019, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-2018-edition/827008/111 "2019-01-07T19:10:53Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > Brilliant? He threw two interceptions, including one in the red zone. We have vastly different definitions of the word “brilliant”. > > The Bears offensive ineptitude in the first half and the kicking game was what kept his team close. Foles played fine after those two picks, sure, but the inability of the Bears to score points in the first half and a boinked field goal attempt were what led the Eagles win, not Foles’ “brilliant” play. > **[5 takeaways from the Eagles' wild-card win over the Bears](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/01/06/eagles-vs-bears/)** > > Philadelphia is moving on to face the Saints in New Orleans. The Washington Post doesn’t agree with you. I’m not an Eagles fan but Files has been brilliant when he has been called upon. All credit to him. ---
**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 7, 2019, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-2018-edition/827008/112 "2019-01-07T19:48:35Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > I’m assuming that an official doesn’t normally stand right next to the sideline. Actually, there are several who do. As [this picture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Official_(American_football)#/media/File:American_football_officials_positions.svg) in the [Wikipedia article on football officials shows](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Official_(American_football)#Positions_and_responsibilities), there are two (the Line Judge and the Down Judge) who stand at the line of scrimmage, one at each sideline. ---
**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 7, 2019, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-2018-edition/827008/113 "2019-01-07T19:53:40Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > [https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/01/06/eagles-vs-bears/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/01/06/eagles-vs-bears/) > > The Washington Post doesn’t agree with you. You do realize the word “brilliant” isn’t in that article at all, let alone describing Foles’ play. Foles is a great story, and, at times, can play very, very well indeed. But his two interceptions could (and should) have cost them the game. > [@madsircool](#): > > I’m not an Eagles fan but Files has been brilliant when he has been called upon. All credit to him. All credit, but no blame whatsoever. Got it. Like I said, Foles is a great story. Who doesn’t love the “underdog backup QB who plays amazing when the lights are the brightest” story that he embodies. It’s fun. It’s cute. It adds a sense of magic to the game. But confusing that storyline with actual “brilliant” play when he threw two interceptions and did just barely enough to eke out a win thanks to a blown field goal try that should have been good, is just silly. By all means, enjoy him. Enjoy the story. Enjoy his success. Like I said, it’s fun. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2019, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-2018-edition/827008/114 "2019-01-07T21:22:32Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Your Boys are going to be handled next week like altar boys in a room full of drunk priests. I predict that LA will win, but it might not be the mismatch everyone assumes it to be. If the Cowboys defensive can stop Gurley, they’ve got a chance. The Rams defense is a potential liability, but I suspect Wade Phillips is going to scheme his ass off against his former team. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2019, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-2018-edition/827008/115 "2019-01-08T21:45:24Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > Maybe just not have an official standing right next to the coach, requiring said coach to get some official’s attention? I always assumed the coach tells the official beforehand “I’m going to call a TO at the last possible second” so the official is ready with his whistle to stop play. ---
**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 9, 2019, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-2018-edition/827008/116 "2019-01-09T15:10:32Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I know there’s evidence that the kick was tipped so it might not be his fault, but sometimes the timing or the way the ball is kicked can make it easier for a defender to get a hand on it, so that doesn’t necessarily absolve him of all blame. From the video, it looks like Hester was still at the line of scrimmage, and jumped at most a foot to get a hand on the ball. So that’s still 100% the kicker’s fault, IMHO. For a 43 yard kick, he absolutely should have had a high enough trajectory that it was out of reach by the line of scrimmage. > [@xizor](#): > > I always assumed the coach tells the official beforehand “I’m going to call a TO at the last possible second” so the official is ready with his whistle to stop play. Absolutely. You can often see the coach talking to the ref as the clock winds down, waiting for when he’s going to call it. ---
**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, 2019, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-2018-edition/827008/117 "2019-01-12T02:31:49Z")
Bumping this because people seem to have forgotten it existed and are posting about the playoffs in the old thread. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2019, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-2018-edition/827008/118 "2019-01-12T15:17:28Z")
Even without Hunt, the Chiefs still put up about 30 or more points per game. Can the Colts maybe shave some points off the Chiefs normal productivity and can Andrew Luck’s offense keep up? And is Andy Reid a coaching leopard who can change his spots and still attack in the 3rd and 4th quarters if the game is close? I know I shouldn’t, but I’m going with Indy in a tight one, 30-28 on a Vinatieri field goal in the closing seconds. One thing to keep an eye on: as bad as KC’s defense has been all year, it did seem to improve a little in the last 2 games. Granted, they didn’t play great teams, but it’ll be interesting to see if defensive adjustments help against Indy. I’ll go with the Rams over the Cowboys, but I wouldn’t say that they’re exactly a lock coming into this game, but I think the Rams have too many weapons and they’ve had 2 weeks to recuperate and they’ve seen the Cowboys on tape. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_jeffrey_lebowski/32/215_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Jeffrey_Lebowski)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2019, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-2018-edition/827008/119 "2019-01-12T15:51:37Z")
If the Colts, Chargers, Rams, and Eagles win, then the Chargers would host the AFC Championship. I believe that they’d probably have to move the game to the Rose Bowl, because their home field, the StubHub Center, only has a seating capacity of 27,000, and I don’t imagine that they’d have both Championship games at the Coluseum. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_jeffrey_lebowski/32/215_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Jeffrey_Lebowski)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2019, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-2018-edition/827008/120 "2019-01-12T15:55:46Z")
Apparently, the Coliseum would host both games. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-2018-edition/827008.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-2018-edition/827008.md?page=7)