PMT DB
PMT DB
Divisional Round Recap: Brees Bows Out, Mahomes Goes Down, and Urban Meyer Arrives
A legendary weekend of football is in the books, even if the games themselves occasionally left something to be desired. We officially have our final four set for Championship Sunday, and the path there was paved with concussed superstars, washed-up icons, and the realization that the old guard is finally, truly handing over the keys. Big Cat and PFT broke down every snap while grappling with the fact that we might be seeing the end of an era in more ways than one.
The Last Ride of Drew Brees
Watching the Saints fall to the Buccaneers felt like watching a glitch in the matrix. Drew Brees looked every bit of 42 years old, unable to push the ball downfield and ultimately sinking a Saints roster that seemed ready for a deep run. PFT has been shouting from the mountaintops about the decline in New Orleans for a while now, and Sunday night was the definitive proof.
PFT CommenterDrew Brees is clearly washed
Drew Brees clearly looked very washed. I've been on the Drew Brees is washed train for two years now and I've said that the Saints have a Super Bowl roster and the only thing that's holding them back is Drew Brees.
Big Cat agreed, noting that while the mind is still sharp, the arm has simply quit. It was a somber exit for a Hall of Famer, but one that felt inevitable given how little zip was left on those throws. The guys wondered how Saints fans will reconcile the Brees-Payton era only resulting in a single ring.
Big CatSaints fans will eventually regret only winning one Super Bowl with Brees and Payton
If you asked a Saints fan, like, hey, that was incredible, awesome memories, but there's definitely a small part of you that's saying to yourself, shit, how do we only win one? That absolutely exists.
The Frozen Tundra and the New King of Coaching
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers made a very good Rams defense look like a high school unit. It wasn't even Rodgers' best game, yet the Packers offense operated with such surgical precision that it felt illegal to watch. Big Cat noted that the old mantra of "defense wins championships" has been officially retired in favor of high-flying schemes.
Big CatIn the modern NFL, good offense always beats good defense
At this point in time, it used to be the saying, good defense trumps all, defense wins championships. That's not the case anymore. Good offense beats good defense in the NFL today.
This led to a heated debate about the coaching hierarchy. Matt LaFleur has now reached back-to-back NFC Championship games, and PFT is ready to crown him over his former mentor, Sean McVay.
PFT CommenterMatt LaFleur is a better coach than Sean McVay
If LeFleur gets there, gets a two NFC championship games in a row, beats his old master on the way there, I think he might be [better] because McVay got to that Super Bowl on the pass interference call, laid an egg in the Super Bowl.
Looking ahead to the matchup with the Bucs, the internal bias was real. Big Cat is already eyeing an emotional hedge with the Packers in the Can't Lose Parlay, while PFT is convinced Green Bay is a wagon that can't be stopped in the cold.
PFT CommenterThe Packers will beat the Buccaneers in the NFC Championship Game
Packers are going to win. Probably. Packers are a wagon right now. And they're going to win. It's going to be boring. Nope. They're still going to score 33 points.
Rock Fight in Buffalo and the Mahomes Scare
The Bills and Ravens gave us a classic Western New York rock fight, complete with Justin Tucker missing two field goals and Lamar Jackson struggling against the wind. Big Cat remains a believer in Lamar's playmaking ability, even if the passing game isn't quite there yet.
Big CatLamar Jackson is the second best playmaker in the NFL behind Mahomes
Lamar, to me, is... if you want to say playmaker, he's probably the second best behind Patrick Mahomes. But all-around quarterback, he is still limited as a thrower.
But the real story was the Buffalo Bills proving they are a legit threat to win the whole thing. They haven't even played their best football yet, and they're still moving on. Big Cat thinks the Chiefs need to be on high alert.
Big CatThe Bills could blowout the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game
There's part of me that thinks the Bills might fucking blow out the Chiefs. I wouldn't be shocked if the Bills dominated the AFC Championship. I wouldn't be like, oh my God, where'd this come from? I really think they have that in them as a complete football team.
Speaking of the Chiefs, the NFL world held its breath when Patrick Mahomes was wobbling off the field. Between the toe injury and the "choked out" concussion protocol, the drama is at an all-time high. Big Cat isn't buying the idea that the league lets its biggest star sit out the AFC Championship Game.
Big CatPatrick Mahomes will play in the AFC Championship Game regardless of the concussion protocol because the NFL needs him
Mahomes... I think Mahomes will be fine. He's going to play. I'm not saying it's right. What I'm saying is he's going to play. Andy Reid's already planting the seed. The NFL would never allow an AFC championship game to be played with Chad fucking Henney.
Coaching Carousel and Houston's Holy Mess
Urban Meyer is officially a Jaguar, and the guys have mixed feelings. Big Cat thinks the pairing with Trevor Lawrence will actually result in some winning, while PFT is already setting the over-under on how long Urban lasts before a mysterious health issue or family commitment pulls him back to TV.
PFT CommenterUrban Meyer won't last longer than three and a half years in the NFL
Urban Meyer, I don't think he'll last... longer than three years in the NFL. I think it's three and a half. Three and a half is the over-under.
Meanwhile, the situation in Houston has devolved into a full-blown religious hijacking. Jack Easterby has seemingly used the power of prayer to seize control of the franchise, much to the horror of Deshaun Watson and NFL fans everywhere. Big Cat and PFT can't get enough of the dysfunction.
Big CatThe Houston Texans have been hijacked by Jack Easterby and it's a complete shit show
The Texans are being... they essentially, like... the owner got duped by a guy who's reading palms and being like, hey, here's what our future tells us. It's crazy. It's nuts. Jack Easterby is essentially making the McNair family pray with him for his own success.
Whether it's Tony Romo obsessing over momentum or the chaos of the fumble-out-of-the-end-zone rule, playoff football is officially back in its peak form.
Get ready for a week of speculating on Mahomes' brain and Rodgers' smile.
