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NFL With Andrew Whitworth, Washington Capitals Dylan Strome In Studio, Texans Beat Steelers And Mike Tomlin Resigns + Guys On Chicks

Wednesday, January 14, 202620 takes

The Texans throttle the Steelers to close out Wild Card weekend and Mike Tomlin steps down as HC in Pittsburgh after 19 years (-). We do some weekend clean up plus Hot Seat Cool Throne including LeBron’s Patches, Brooks Koepka is back and Zac slept in again (-). Andrew Whitworth joins the show to talk NFL Playoffs, best teams remaining, playing in the cold and Steelers plus his Super Bowl pick (-). Washington Capital Dylan Strome joins the show to talk hockey, playing with Ovi, his journey to being a really good pro, superstitions and more (-). We finish with guys on chicks (-).

Andrew Whitworth and Dylan Strome on NFL Playoffs, Ovi’s Record, and Mike Tomlin’s Resignation

The divisional round is set, and the Texans have officially ended the Aaron Rodgers era in Pittsburgh. It was a classic Mike Tomlin performance where they dragged the opponent into deep water, only to realize the opponent had gills and they were the ones drowning. Big Cat and PFT broke down how the Texans' defense is essentially the AFC version of the Legion of Boom, swarming every play and making CJ Stroud’s first-half struggles irrelevant.

Win
Jan 14, 2026
#23396
Big CatBig Cat

The 2026 Steelers are exactly the same team we've seen since 2018

They are the exact same Steelers team that we've seen since 2018 every single year. ... The Steelers were doing exactly what they've done all year, and almost in a position to potentially steal this game. Except the Texans defense is just so good.

The Steelers lost to the Texans 30-6 in the Wild Card round, continuing a streak of one-and-done playoff appearances since 2016.

The biggest news of the week, however, was Mike Tomlin finally stepping down after 19 years. It felt like the right time for a change, even if the Steelers don't technically believe in firing people. The cycle of going 9-8 and losing in the Wild Card had finally reached its expiration date.

Push
Jan 14, 2026
#10183
HankHank

The Patriots can beat any defense with their current offense

I just think offenses are a strong suit. I think [the Patriots] can beat any defense and I'd rather be playing a team that is known for their really good defense than their really good offense.

The Patriots beat the Broncos' elite defense 10-7 in the AFCCG but lost to the Seahawks' elite defense 13-29 in the Super Bowl. They could beat some elite defenses but not all.

While the search for a new coach in Pittsburgh begins, PFT has a destination in mind for Tomlin that would provide the stability a certain NFC East franchise is desperate for.

Open
Jan 14, 2026
#10177
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Aaron Rodgers will retire sooner rather than later

I'm excited to see how long [Aaron Rodgers] can drag out this off season with his decision to retire or not. I actually think it's gonna be sooner rather than later. I think that he's probably gonna walk away.

The outcome of Rodgers' retirement is pending after the Jan 14, 2026 episode date.

Andrew Whitworth joined the show to break down the upcoming matchups and explain why he's not ready to give up on the NFC West just yet. As a former Ram, he still sees that division as the powerhouse of the league, and he even put his reputation on the line with a bold Super Bowl prediction that would break the hearts of everyone in Western New York.

Open
Jan 14, 2026
#23400
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Aaron Rodgers will play again because he loves holding everyone hostage

I also think he's gonna play again. 'cause he's gonna love holding everyone hostage. I also think he could go to Minnesota. ... I feel like the Steelers were the perfect fit for him in terms of like looking for a seasoned quarterback to lead their offense.

The outcome depends on Rodgers' off-season decisions in 2026.

Whitworth also touched on the weather factor for the dome teams traveling to Chicago and Foxborough. He admitted that while he used to be a tough guy, living in LA has softened him up to the point of needing an overcoat for anything under 50 degrees. Speaking of old legends, Big Cat made a plea to Al Michaels to give the fans a proper heads-up before he finally hangs it up.

Void
Jan 14, 2026
#10179
Big CatBig Cat

Mike Tomlin resigning was the right move for both sides

I actually think that this was the right move by Mike Tomlin. I do believe that this was his call. The Steelers are never gonna get better to a point where they're competing for Super Bowls. I think he's a really good coach. It got stale.

This is a subjective assessment of a coaching tenure.

In the second half of the show, Washington Capitals star Dylan Strome stopped by the studio. He’s a legitimate PMT superfan and shared incredible stories about playing with Alex Ovechkin, including the fact that Ovi seemingly only drinks Coke and coconut water. Strome was on the ice for the historic 895th goal and admitted he celebrated like a little kid because he knew he was witnessing history.

Void
Jan 14, 2026
#23401
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Tony Romo is the worst broadcaster in football

He's been the worst, you guys. ... We've never been more right about anything. ... People are calling us haters. ... He's so bad.

Subjective opinion on broadcasting quality.

Strome also went deep on his superstitions, which include feeding a teammate a specific colored gumball and timing his skate-tying down to the exact second on the clock. He even provided a hilarious theory for why the Capitals have been so abysmal in shootouts this season.

Open
Jan 14, 2026
#10189
Big CatBig Cat

This has to be Al Michaels' last year

I do think this has to be Al Michaels' last year. Next year has to be. I would appreciate if Al Michaels would do a retirement tour. If he was like, this is it, I would not complain about him at all because he is a legend of the game.

Whether Al Michaels retires is pending.

Before letting the guys go, we hit Hot Seat Cool Throne, where we checked in on Zac’s sleeping habits and LeBron’s potential retirement plans. Big Cat thinks the writing is on the wall for the King, especially with the Lakers hosting the All-Star game this year.

Void
Jan 14, 2026
#23398
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Marcus Freeman is essentially a young Mike Tomlin

I told [Jersey Jerry] like Marcus Freeman is pretty much young Mike Tomlin. He's defensive coach run the football leader of men. I think he'd be like in that same mold.

This is a subjective comparison of coaching styles and archetypes.

Make sure to check your clocks, uninstall the 'goop' from your life, and get ready for a massive weekend of playoff football.

I hope your personal trainer is gay and your gumballs are the right color.

nfl-playoffspittsburgh-steelershouston-texansmike-tomlinnhlwashington-capitalsaaron-rodgers

More Takes

Void
Jan 14, 2026
#10176
Big CatBig Cat

The Texans are the AFC version of the Seahawks

The [Texans] are essentially the AFC Seahawks, in my opinion, where their defense is elite. And you essentially have to get to the point where you're like, can you see CJ Stroud or Sam Darnold playing a clean enough game that they can get all the way to the Super Bowl?

This is a subjective comparison between team styles.
Void
Jan 14, 2026
#23397
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

CJ Stroud is the most 'susceptible to ass' quarterback remaining in the playoffs

I do think that CJ Stroud is, he's not his ass as he played last night, but he does. He's susceptible to ass. ... For quarterbacks that remain in the playoffs, I feel like he, just off the top of my head, he might have the highest probability of ass.

Subjective assessment of a player's consistency and floor.
Push
Jan 14, 2026
#10180
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The Giants should hire Mike Tomlin

I could see the Giants doing it. This feels like a Giants move. The Giants crave stability. They want Daddy Tomlin to come in and whip him into shape. I don't think it'd be a terrible hire.

The Giants contacted Tomlin during their search, but he declined and is not coaching in 2026. They hired Harbaugh instead.
Void
Jan 14, 2026
#23399
Big CatBig Cat

The NFL should fix the playoff schedule to have dedicated conference days

I would be all in for, for the future of the NFL playoffs. ... Wild Card weekend starts Saturday. All the AFC games Sunday, all the NFC games divisional round Saturday, the two AFC games Sunday, the two NFC games then, and then the championship weekend Saturday, AFC championship, Sunday NFC championship.

The NFL has not adopted this scheduling format; it remains a proposal.
Open
HankHank

The LIV Dam is about to break with Brooks Koepka's return to the PGA

Brooks is back. ... If one of [Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, or Cam Smith] flips, that's a second massive domino that it will be tough to come back from. ... The damn could break.

The long-term stability of LIV Golf vs the PGA Tour is an ongoing saga.
Open
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

John Rahm will flip back to the PGA Tour

I think John Rahm's gonna come back. I don't know about Cam Smith, but Rahm feels like the next guy that's going to flip [from LIV to PGA].

Whether Rahm returns to the PGA Tour is pending.
Loss
Big CatBig Cat

LeBron James will announce his retirement at the All-Star Game

He's gonna announce he's retiring at the All-Star game. They're gonna rig it so that he can win the all-star MVP. It's in LA. And then he's gonna say, I'm retiring.

LeBron did NOT announce retirement at the 2026 All-Star Game. He said 'When I know, you guys will know.'
Void
Big CatBig Cat

I love Ben Johnson for saying 'Fuck the Packers'

He was asked on Monday about his 'fuck the Packers' comments and everyone freaking out about it and he did not apologize. And I absolutely love it. ... I want Ben Johnson to be the outsider who like is like, fuck all of you, I'm here to do a job.

This is a personal value judgment on coaching behavior and rivalry.
Win
Jan 14, 2026
#10193
Andrew WhitworthAndrew Whitworth

The Super Bowl champion will come from the NFC West

I said on that show that I thought the Super Bowl winner was gonna come from the NFC West. I feel good about three of them still being in it. And I still think that the NFC West is gonna be the Super Bowl champion.

The Seattle Seahawks (NFC West) won Super Bowl LX 29-13.
Loss
Jan 14, 2026
#10191
Andrew WhitworthAndrew Whitworth

The Rams will beat the Bills in the Super Bowl

I'm going Rams, Bills Super Bowl and I'm going Matthew Stafford and the Rams win the Super Bowl. That's, that's my prediction.

The Rams lost in the NFCCG to Seattle 27-31. SB was Seahawks vs Patriots, not Rams vs Bills.
Win
Jan 14, 2026
#10195
Dylan StromeDylan Strome

Ovechkin breaking the goal record is a top-tier sports moment

Leading up to the [895th goal], it seemed like there was like 21 games and then 11 goals. He broke his leg and we were like, take your time getting back. He's like, no, two weeks I'll be back on the ice. Being a part of [the goal] was really cool. I mean, I had an assist on 890, 91, 92, 93.

Ovechkin's pursuit of the record is factually grounded in current sports history, and in this fictionalized 2026 transcript, the record is achieved.
Push
Jan 14, 2026
#10197
Dylan StromeDylan Strome

The Capitals' 0-5 shootout record is due to shooting on southpaw goalies in practice

We're 0-5 in shootouts this year. And I'm gonna strictly say that it's only because we always shoot on southpaw goalies. We don't actually get to shoot on regular [right-handed] goalies [in practice].

The Capitals were statistically 0-5 in shootouts at the time, but the cause is a humorous correlation rather than a proven fact.

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