NFL 2021

[flawed_existence]

Yet another playoff game where Aaron Fraudgers has to play to protect his stats. They could've been up by 3 TDs if he played better instead of letting drive after drive stall with his sacks and throwing the ball away. That last drive was a joke, taking a big sack and throwing the ball out of bounds when you need a 3rd down conversion.

Cannot believe people compare this asshole to Brady and other great QBs. I don't want to hear about how it's the defense's fault when they held the Niners to just 6 points and zero offensive TDs. Brady would've spread the ball around and some unknown receiver would've had a monster game. That is how Chris Hogan and Amendola ended up having big games in the playoffs. Rodgers just locks on to Adams and his RB and don't spread the ball around.

I'm happy to see both Dallas and GB out of the playoffs now.

The Niners are having a Cinderella run. Their fans should be proud win or lose come next sunday.

[InThe313]

What a thriller today in Tampa!  After the Buccaneers tied it late, the Rams' Matthew Stafford hit Cooper Kupp for a long gain to set up Matt Gay's winning field goal as time expire to stun the defending champs, 30-27.  The Rams will play the NFC West rival 49ers on Jan. 30 in Inglewood, Calif.

[InThe313]

Turn on your TV now!  The Bills and Chiefs are headed to overtime after a high-octane fourth quarter in an all-time finish.  Updates to come.

UPDATE:  What a thriller tonight in Kansas City!  The Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes connected with Travis Kelce in overtime as the Chiefs topped the Bills, 42-36, in an instant classic as the Chiefs advanced to the AFC title game against the Bengals on Jan. 30 in Kansas City, Mo.  The Bills and Chiefs combined for a record-setting 25 points in the final 1:54 of regulation.

[Cadeauxxx]

That is one of the best divisional playoff weekends we've ever seen as NFL fans.

We ended up with a classic defensive game at Lambeau where the team that won, did not score an offensive TD, and won due to defense and special teams.

Tennessee/Cincinatti was won by an underdog team and a QB who just refused to quit. Joe Burrow - sacked 9 times and STILL gave it his all to win.

In the Rams/Bucs game, we got a thrilling comeback after Tampa was down 27-3, and the game could've went either way. This greatly reminded me of the Saints/Niners divisional playoff from 2011 and I know the heartbreak all too well that Bucs fans are feeling right now.

Bills/Chiefs went from a grind and became a shoot out in the final minutes with what felt like multiple thrilling ends.

I have to say, I am glad the Saints did not sneak into this playoffs. I don't think we would've caused any big upset with Taysom Hill or Trevor Sieman starting at QB. The scenarios would've had the Saints going into Dallas or LA. There's no way we would've went on a tear like the 49ers are doing right now. This Niners team gives me scrappy underdog vibes like those Eli Giants teams that won SBs. They are huge underdogs back to back weeks on the road, and they win ugly games.

I'm pulling for the Bengals cause they have Burrow and several LSU and Saints players, but if they fall to KC, I hope the Niners win it all. They are on a Cinderella run and it's been a long time we seen this in the NFC.

If I were Brady, I would retire after yesterday. He can hang his hat on delivering a SB ring to a loser franchise in Tampa, and having a big comeback in his final playoff game. They lost, but the effort was there and they could've won it. He's not getting any younger and if he keeps coming back, he just runs the risk of injury in old age that we seen other HOF QBs suffer.

[InThe313]

It's the end of an era in New Orleans.  According to NFL Network, Sean Payton is stepping down as head coach of the Saints after 16 years.

[Cadeauxxx]

I have mixed feelings on Payton's departure from New Orleans.

That was one of the strangest press conferences I have ever seen. He is supposedly retiring, yet said he would probably go coach somewhere else later on. The way he talked, just was so odd. The weird metaphors he used about day to day chores, and of course, he had to rant about refs. If you are so burnt out on refs, then why consider coming back in a year or two?

I said this a few years ago and I'll say it again - the Saints never got over the 2018 NFCCG loss. That was the non-call game and even last night, Payton had to hint about it and take some petty shots at the Rams for being in the conference title game right now. The non-call wouldn't have even mattered if they could've stopped the Rams from driving down the field and tying for OT. The refs also didn't make Brees throw that god awful pick in OT.

The Saints were never the same again after that playoff loss though. They crapped the bed to Minnesota the next year, and then just imploded vs Tampa in last year's playoffs. Maybe one day us fans can have a rationalize discussion about the fact that Brees really played awful in most of our playoff losses after 2011. His prime was truly wasted in those 7-9 years.

I'll forever be grateful for Payton and Brees turning this franchise around and delivering a Lombardi, though it was a long time ago at this point. What bothers me is that Payton is leaving this team in cap hell (70 million over) and a mess that he created. We could've prioritized the QB position in Brees' final years, but he didn't do that. Payton's insistence to prove everyone wrong about Taysom Hill, blew up in his face and that contract he gave him back in November still has me scratching my head.

I look for the Saints to do a full rebuild now, and I won't be shocked whatsoever if Payton is coaching Dallas in a few years.

[InThe313]

Positions are starting to fill.  According to NFL Network, the Broncos are hiring Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as their head coach.

[InThe313]

Next stop, Canton, Ohio.  Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger announced his retirement from the NFL, saying, "I retire from football a truly grateful man."

[InThe313]

Well, another vacancy has been filled.  According to Adam Schefter, the Bears are hiring former Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus as head coach.

[InThe313]

Three down, several more to go.  According to Adam Schefter, the Giants are naming Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll as head coach.

[flawed_existence]

Next stop, Canton, Ohio.  Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger announced his retirement from the NFL, saying, "I retire from football a truly grateful man."

Big Rape is not a Hall of Famer. There's about 10 better quarterbacks than him who aren't in the Hall yet.

[InThe313]

Well, here's one retired player whose Hall of Fame credentials are unquestionable.  According to Adam Schefter and Jeff Darlington, Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady retired from football after 22 seasons and seven Super Bowl titles.

[InThe313]

What a thriller today in Kansas City!  The Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes was picked off on the Chiefs' first drive in overtime and the Bengals' Evan McPherson hit a 31-yard field goal to send the Bengals to a 27-24 win and walked off to Super Bowl LVI on Feb. 13 in Inglewood, Calif.  Updates to come.

UPDATE:  For the second year in a row, there will be some home cooking in the big game.  The Rams rallied to reach the Super Bowl, scoring the final 13 points and sealing the win with a pick on the final drive to beat the 49ers, 20-17, in the NFC title game.

[InThe313]

Guess the GOAT isn't going out to pasture yet.  Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady said on his podcast, "It's literally day to day with me," regarding the decision about his playing future.

[InThe313]

So now he is going out to pasture after all.  Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady officially announced his retirement from the NFL.