# NFL - PLAYOFFS - DIVISIONAL ROUND the World in 80 Days **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 9, 2020, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-divisional-round-the-world-in-80-days/846173 "2020-01-09T13:58:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-divisional-round-the-world-in-80-days/846173/61 "2020-01-12T23:12:28Z")
I had stuff to do this morning so I didn’t turn the game on until it was 24-0. I turned to my wife and said we’ll it doesn’t looked like I missed anything . . . and then the Chiefs scored. I’m not sure what happened to get us there but since I turned on the game its be 51-7 with 6 min left in the 4th. ---
**Author:** ![racepug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-divisional-round-the-world-in-80-days/846173/62 "2020-01-12T23:28:02Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > This notion that a QB has to be the classic prototypical QB is kind of ridiculous. > > That’s not to say Lamar Jackson is destined to be a HoF QB, but this overemphasis on his mechanics is pretty silly given the QBs left in the playoffs. They all have different strengths and skillsets and only a minority would have been considered an acceptable pocket QB 20 years ago. > > All Jackson has done is win a Heisman, been a strong candidate for another, and done more than a credible job this season at the most important position on the field. > > So he didn’t get to the AFC championship game in his first full season as a starter. He had a bad game in his first playoff run. His mechanics aren’t what most people think will be ultimately successful. The rest of his team also got their butt handed to them. But sure, their offensive system is questionable, and clearly he’s the biggest reason they lost. Does anybody else feel this is a bit of a ridiculous standard to set? Oh, so Lamar Jackson deserves all the credit when his team wins 11 straight games but now that it’s flopped in the playoffs, again, he shouldn’t need to shoulder his part of the blame for that? Football is a team sport, yes, but a team’s quarterback play goes a long way towards determining how a football team does. Relying on one’s athleticism is fine but after a while (and maybe not even a very LONG while) in the N.F.L. a guy playing quarterback has to bring more to the table than simply being able to run around to avoid tackles. ---
**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, 2020, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-divisional-round-the-world-in-80-days/846173/63 "2020-01-12T23:33:43Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > **Baker** , looks like maybe you better call in sick tomorrow… No, he good. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-divisional-round-the-world-in-80-days/846173/64 "2020-01-12T23:40:33Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > 24 unanswered, then 34 unanswered. I understand what you’re trying to say, but I’m pretty sure those 24 points got a rather emphatic answer. 😃 ---
**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 12, 2020, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-divisional-round-the-world-in-80-days/846173/65 "2020-01-12T23:54:52Z")
What a time to be alive! ---
**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 12, 2020, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-divisional-round-the-world-in-80-days/846173/66 "2020-01-12T23:59:14Z")
Well, that was the first playoff game so far this season where an over bet would have paid off. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2020, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-divisional-round-the-world-in-80-days/846173/67 "2020-01-13T00:02:46Z")
> [@racepug](#): > > Oh, so Lamar Jackson deserves all the credit when his team wins 11 straight games but now that it’s flopped in the playoffs, again, he shouldn’t need to shoulder his part of the blame for that? Football is a team sport, yes, but a team’s quarterback play goes a long way towards determining how a football team does. Relying on one’s athleticism is fine but after a while (and maybe not even a very LONG while) in the N.F.L. a guy playing quarterback has to bring more to the table than simply being able to run around to avoid tackles. This is, quite frankly, another dumb take, and is a complete non-response to the post you were quoting, and to the broader discussion about the Ravens’ offense. Sure Jackson has to take some blame for last night’s loss. He had a poor game. But he also wasn’t the sole reason for the loss, having been let down by his receivers at least six times on dropped catches, and having also seen his defense steamrolled in a way that hadn’t happened all season. Any team can have a bad game, either because they just (for whatever reason) make mistakes and fail to execute, or because they get outplayed by another team on the night, or they get some back luck, or some combination of those things. It’ happens to the best of teams, and to the best of quarterbacks. My point is simply that, if you look at last night’s game and, based on that one game only, start offering hot takes about Jackson’s lack of QB skills, then all it shows is that you’re one of those people who sees everything in cliches. ---
**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 13, 2020, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-divisional-round-the-world-in-80-days/846173/68 "2020-01-13T00:50:02Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Any team can have a bad game, either because they just (for whatever reason) make mistakes and fail to execute, or because they get outplayed by another team on the night, or they get some back luck, or some combination of those things. It’ happens to the best of teams, and to the best of quarterbacks. My point is simply that, if you look at last night’s game and, based on that one game only, start offering hot takes about Jackson’s lack of QB skills, then all it shows is that you’re one of those people who sees everything in cliches. Just to be clear, I wasn’t necessarily blaming Jackson entirely for last night’s dud. I pointed out (as you did) that the WR’s choked by dropping pass after pass. I also put some of the blame on Greg Roman, who tends to fall in love with gimmick offenses which work well until they don’t – I lived in Niner land when he was in SF and the same thing happened out there with Colin Kaepernick. I’d rather get an OC who can utilize Jackson as a passer first and a runner second - I think Jackson actually can throw the football down field accurately. Beyond that, some of Tennessee’s success – a lot of it, actually – was on offense and their ability to play old school “ground and pound” offense. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2020, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-divisional-round-the-world-in-80-days/846173/69 "2020-01-13T00:59:27Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > No, he good. That’s _ **she** _ good. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![racepug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2020, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-divisional-round-the-world-in-80-days/846173/70 "2020-01-13T01:11:03Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > This is, quite frankly, another dumb take, and is a complete non-response to the post you were quoting, and to the broader discussion about the Ravens’ offense. > > Sure Jackson has to take some blame for last night’s loss. He had a poor game. But he also wasn’t the sole reason for the loss, having been let down by his receivers at least six times on dropped catches, and having also seen his defense steamrolled in a way that hadn’t happened all season. > > Any team can have a bad game, either because they just (for whatever reason) make mistakes and fail to execute, or because they get outplayed by another team on the night, or they get some back luck, or some combination of those things. It’ happens to the best of teams, and to the best of quarterbacks. My point is simply that, if you look at last night’s game and, based on that one game only, start offering hot takes about Jackson’s lack of QB skills, then all it shows is that you’re one of those people who sees everything in cliches. Actually, what it shows is that I don’t buy into hype the way some people do. I’m not convinced that L.J. has all the requisite skills to be a consistent starter at QB in the NFL and his performance in his last two playoff games doesn’t do anything to change my perception on _that_ count. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2020, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-divisional-round-the-world-in-80-days/846173/71 "2020-01-13T01:24:21Z")
I’ll take the 18 point spot for the Pack at the half but as we’ve seen throughout these playoffs there’s no such thing as a safe lead. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2020, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-divisional-round-the-world-in-80-days/846173/72 "2020-01-13T01:29:34Z")
> [@racepug](#): > > Actually, what it shows is that I don’t buy into hype the way some people do. I’m not convinced that L.J. has all the requisite skills to be a consistent starter at QB in the NFL and his performance in his last two playoff games doesn’t do anything to change my perception on _that_ count. Oh, you’re one of those, “If you haven’t done it in the playoffs, you’re hopeless” types of cliches. I get it now. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2020, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-divisional-round-the-world-in-80-days/846173/73 "2020-01-13T02:14:15Z")
Clearly, after one’s first complete season, being the starting QB of a team with the best regular season conference record leaves enough doubt as to one’s bona fides re: being a consistent starting QB. Riiiiight. Again, might not be destined for the HoF. Might not ever win a playoff game. But at the very, VERY least, Jackson has earned the recognition that he can be a consistent starting QB, at the very least when combined with a reasonable team around him and a coaching staff that uses his skills. I’d love to see the equivalent cliches about how inconsistent a starting QB Dan Marino was based solely on his playoff record. ---
**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 13, 2020, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-divisional-round-the-world-in-80-days/846173/74 "2020-01-13T02:41:53Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Oh, you’re one of those, “If you haven’t done it in the playoffs, you’re hopeless” types of cliches. I get it now. Yeah, Andy Dalton never won a single playoff game yet I think he’s undoubtedly the greatest QB to ever play in the NFL. ---
**Author:** ![racepug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2020, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-divisional-round-the-world-in-80-days/846173/75 "2020-01-13T03:07:17Z")
Wellp, the 'hawks gave it a good shot tonight but I think they were hit too hard by injuries to be true championship contenders this season. I expect the 49ers to make it back to the S.B. this season but the A.F.C. championship game is a tougher call, for me. Given the difficulty that the Chiefs have in winning home playoff games I’m tempted to pick the Titans to win next Sunday. ---
**Author:** ![racepug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2020, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-divisional-round-the-world-in-80-days/846173/76 "2020-01-13T03:11:01Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > Clearly, after one’s first complete season, being the starting QB of a team with the best regular season conference record leaves enough doubt as to one’s bona fides re: being a consistent starting QB. > > Riiiiight. > > Again, might not be destined for the HoF. Might not ever win a playoff game. But at the very, VERY least, Jackson has earned the recognition that he can be a consistent starting QB, at the very least when combined with a reasonable team around him and a coaching staff that uses his skills. > > I’d love to see the equivalent cliches about how inconsistent a starting QB Dan Marino was based solely on his playoff record. Last I checked football is a team sport. So according to people like you and “mhendo” Lamar Jackson deserves all the credit when his team wins but when his team loses, well, his teammates let him down. Gotchya. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2020, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-divisional-round-the-world-in-80-days/846173/77 "2020-01-13T03:49:28Z")
> [@racepug](#): > > Last I checked football is a team sport. So according to people like you and “mhendo” Lamar Jackson deserves all the credit when his team wins but when his team loses, well, his teammates let him down. Gotchya. Never once said that. Stop misrepresenting my argument. It’s dishonest. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2020, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-divisional-round-the-world-in-80-days/846173/78 "2020-01-13T04:40:52Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > **I pretty much agree with you with the caveat that the NFL is rushing SOME QBs to play too early.** Examples for me besides LJ (amazingly talented but could use more seasoning and coaching on his throwing) are Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield. Let em sit and learn for a couple of seasons.\*\* Despite the stereotype of dumb jocks, football is a very complex game and it takes time to absorb it all.\*\* And it certainly didnt hut Garoppolo. > > Also, it was those two missed 4th and 1s that did the Ravens it. Remember when it was 14-6 and Baltimore was in FG range…they could have made it a five point game. For me, that was the turning point in the game. So, yeah, it was a total systems failure. And thumbs down to Bal receivers for the drops. My bolding. Agreed. It’s no coincidence, in my mind, that three of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history - Steve Young, Aaron Rogers, and Tom Brady - spent their first year or so sitting on the bench and learning how to be an NFL QB. (And of course, Young and Rogers had the advantage of backing up two more HOF quarterbacks, Joe Montana and Brett Favre. Talk about watching the best…) ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2020, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-divisional-round-the-world-in-80-days/846173/79 "2020-01-13T04:55:43Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > Again, might not be destined for the HoF. Might not ever win a playoff game. But at the very, VERY least, Jackson has earned the recognition that he can be a consistent starting QB, at the very least when combined with a reasonable team around him and a coaching staff that uses his skills. At this same point in their careers, Colin Kaepernick looked like the quarterback of the future. Except, ya know, almost winning the Super Bowl. I won’t anoint ANYONE after just one season. The rest of the league has an entire offseason to figure out what to do about Jackson. ---
**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 13, 2020, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-divisional-round-the-world-in-80-days/846173/80 "2020-01-13T06:24:36Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > Agreed. It’s no coincidence, in my mind, that three of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history - Steve Young, Aaron Rogers, and Tom Brady - spent their first year or so sitting on the bench and learning how to be an NFL QB. (And of course, Young and Rogers had the advantage of backing up two more HOF quarterbacks, Joe Montana and Brett Favre. Talk about watching the best…) Not that I disagree with the premise (though there are some QBs, like Russell Wilson, who have thrived by playing from Day 1). But, that said, Young isn’t actually an example of this. He was a starting pro quarterback right away, coming out of college – just not for the 49ers. He signed with the Los Angeles Express of the USFL after leaving BYU, and started for them in both '84 and '85. After the Express shut down in '85, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and started five games for the Bucs in '85, and fourteen games in '86. At least with the Bucs, his stats weren’t particularly good (just over 50% completions, 11 TD versus 21 interceptions). At that point, Young was 26, with four seasons of starting experience in pro football, between the Express and the Buccaneers. The Bucs drafted Vinny Testaverde with the first overall pick in '87, and traded Young to the 49ers, where he indeed backed up Montana for four seasons. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-divisional-round-the-world-in-80-days/846173.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-divisional-round-the-world-in-80-days/846173.md?page=5)