OT 2026 NFL playoffs

[HuskyHawk]

As much as I like outdoor football in real weather, I’m glad the Patriots aren’t at home today. I honestly don’t think they could have played. Players could play but putting 70,000 people on the roads would be a disaster. Peak snow comes right around kickoff.

Both games should be good, close and competitive. Rooting for Patriots and the Rams. I was a Rams fan as a young kid. Pat Haden, Jack Youngblood, Nolan Cromwell, those teams. Then my dad took me to a Patriots game in the mid 70s and the Rams became my #2.

 

[Scoe]

Some of these coaches just can't help themselves. Take the fg and go up 10-0, now momentum has completely flipped and you are in a tied game with a backup qb.

 

[superjohn]

Sean Payton had a chip shot field goal to go up 10-0 with his backup QB who hasn't played in 3 years and a bunch of other starters out and he goes for it. He's calling this game like he has an all-pro QB in the game.

Just braindead ego coaching. Not even giving your team a chance when you have full control of the game with your backups playing.

 

[superjohn]

Some of these coaches just can't help themselves. Take the fg and go up 10-0, now momentum has completely flipped and you are in a tied game with a backup qb.

The NFL is getting harder and harder to watch. I've just about lost all interest. Going to watch something on Hulu instead of watching the second half.

 

[storrsroars]

Seems like it's gonna be Wink Martindale.

 

[JwittersPAC]

Ridiculous spot on 4th down. Maye was not close. Just absurd that the replay did not overturn call.

 

[Scoe]

Now Sean Payton cares about playing it safe what a fraud.

 

[Scoe]

Pats don't need to throw the football anymore nor should they, this game is a wrap.

 

[Scoe]

Bring back the full back it's such a shame that that position has been abolished.

 

[Kolumbo]

Stidham on 3rd & 12 ran and then slid when he probably could have run for the first down. That could be the game there.

 

[Scoe]

Stidham on 3rd & 12 ran and then slid when he probably could have run for the first down. That could be the game there.

Also slid short on that run in the first quarter with a head of steam when it would've been at the 50.

 

[Scoe]

Haha I knew that decision to not kick the fg was was gonna end up haunting the Broncos. It pays to be less of a genius and have common sense. Vrabel is very good at situational football.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

This game just ensured that only domes will exist in the next 10-20 years

 

[Mots010]

Haha I knew that decision to not kick the fg was was gonna end up haunting the Broncos. It pays to be less of a genius and have common sense. Vrabel is very good at situational football.

They knew the forecast. First half points were a premium, especially with stidham. Payton needed to take the points.

What could have been with Nix, oh well.

 

[Scoe]

That game was objectively ugly largely due to the conditions and defenses but I enjoyed watching that.

 

[Scoe]

This game just ensured that only domes will exist in the next 10-20 years

Pathetic

 

[Scoe]

They knew the forecast. First half points were a premium, especially with stidham. Payton needed to take the points.

What could have been with Nix, oh well.

It wasn't even a run on 4th and 1 it was a lower percentage play 5 yards in the backfield especially with Stidham. It's truly amazing how dumb and panicky teams get in situational football against the Pats.

 

[Mots010]

It wasn't even a run on 4th and 1 it was a lower percentage play 5 yards in the backfield especially with Stidham. It's truly amazing how dumb and panicky teams get in situational football against the Pats.

It was a bad call by Payton. But stidham is awful. Everything has to line up perfectly to win that game with him. His dumb as hell 2 yard loss contributed to the missed fg at the end of the half. And the fumble was a simple spike it to their feet then punt.

 

[RuffRuff]

That game was objectively ugly largely due to the conditions and defenses but I enjoyed watching that.

When conditions like that come into play, it's a different sport and strategy. You have to appreciate field condition, protecting the football and executing under duress. Old school.

Pats fan, not even sure how to process that one other than a trip to the SB. Denver generally had it in the bag if they had gone for a FG in the first half, poor gamble and play call by Peyton. They were gashing them on the ground at that point and the NE defense was on the field a lot of the first half. I can't say the Pats played better by any means. Not sure why they settled for a 46 yard FG in the third quarter by running it on third down. Both coaches made some questionable calls. Ultimately, a backup blunder won that game for the Pats. You like to come out of games feeling like you won them, that's one where you feel circumstantially lucky,

 

[RuffRuff]

It was a bad call by Payton. But stidham is awful. Everything has to line up perfectly to win that game with him. His dumb as hell 2 yard loss contributed to the missed fg at the end of the half.

He's terrible and rubber stamped himself as a backup. The guy would take off any time he saw a free rusher even 5 yards away, and he'd always go backwards. Had zero pocket calm. The backwards pass was ridiculous.

I truly thought the Pats letting that Mims bomb go in the first half set the tone for the game, it was unreal they let that happen on 3rd and 10 on a 0 route. Gonzo fell asleep. They were gifted that backwards pass bumble by Stidham.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Ridiculous spot on 4th down. Maye was not close. Just absurd that the replay did not overturn call.

He got it but it was ridiculous because Henry was well over the line on 3rd down and got a terrible spot. Should have challenged that.

 

[HuskyHawk]

For all the complaints about offense, the Patriots are now the only team in NFL history to face and beat three top 5 defenses in the playoffs. If they face and beat Seattle it will be four.

 

[superjohn]

It was a bad call by Payton. But stidham is awful.

You really seem to be missing the entire point of why it was such a braindead egomaniac call.

 

[RuffRuff]

He got it but it was ridiculous because Henry was well over the line on 3rd down and got a terrible spot. Should have challenged that.

Yes! Thought same thing. I was waiting for Vrabel to throw it.

Somehow this group of misfits are 17-3, with a loss to the Raiders in there. It is one of the weirdest seasons I've ever seen.

My big worry with Maye is this - he has small hands. Big kid, but doesn't have big hands. In the weather of January, that is an issue.

 

[JwittersPAC]

He got it but it was ridiculous because Henry was well over the line on 3rd down and got a terrible spot. Should have challenged that.

I disagree he did not get it. I agree the 3rd down was a poor spot but the refs made it up on the 4th down call.

 

[Mots010]

For all the complaints about offense, the Patriots are now the only team in NFL history to face and beat three top 5 defenses in the playoffs. If they face and beat Seattle it will be four.

Slow clap

 

[superjohn]

This Patriots team is maybe the worst team to ever make a Super Bowl, the worst I can remember but I can't stand Sean Payton's arrogant arse. Somebody had to make it out of a terrible AFC but good lord has New England been lucky on their way to SB.

 

[RuffRuff]

Sean Payton had a chip shot field goal to go up 10-0 with his backup QB who hasn't played in 3 years and a bunch of other starters out and he goes for it. He's calling this game like he has an all-pro QB in the game.

Just braindead ego coaching. Not even giving your team a chance when you have full control of the game with your backups playing.

And to top it off, you pass it there? You were gashing the D on the ground and they were on the field the entire half, in altitude. Push the pile for a yard versus putting it in your backups hands. Stidham stinks. He basically gave that game away.

 

[JwittersPAC]

For all the complaints about offense, the Patriots are now the only team in NFL history to face and beat three top 5 defenses in the playoffs. If they face and beat Seattle it will be four.

Pats offense did nothing against the Broncos. Gifted the ball inside 10 yard line by the horrendous play by Bronco QB.

 

[superjohn]

And to top it off, you pass it there? You were gashing the D on the ground and they were on the field the entire half, in altitude. Push the pile for a yard versus putting it in your backups hands. Stidham stinks. He basically gave that game away.

Going for it there never even should've crossed his mind. Of course the horrible playcall made it even worse. Payton always thinks he's the smartest guy in the room and he gave the game away right there even though it was early in the second quarter. I'm happy he lost.