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Might as well get this thread going for any pro football fans interested this year.

I don't ever remember a year more wide open, or more difficult to pick a favorite. Every team is flawed. My current concern is that the 49ers take care of business this Saturday night against the Seahawks to secure the NFC 1-seed and home field advantage not just through the conference, but all the way to the Super Bowl that's in Santa Clara this year. The Niners' defense has been decimated by injuries and are very suspect, but their offense is the hottest in the league right now, so they have a shot; the defense is doing just enough to win games. Seattle's defense is ridiculously good, but I don't trust Sam Darnold in big games. Should be a wild match up.

If the Niner's win Saturday, I'll feel they have an excellent shot. If Seattle wins Saturday, then I have no idea who will win the NFC. If it's not the Niners, I'll pull for the Bears. Before two weeks ago, the Rams scared me more than anyone, but now that they've lost two straight, clinched only a wild card and have to play three road games, they are no longer much of a concern.

The AFC is just as wide open. I'm pulling for Denver, but I don't think they are solid enough offensively to beat three good playoff teams (hope I'm wrong about that). Both Jacksonville and Houston feel very dangerous, but not Super Bowl dangerous. More "playing a spoiler" dangerous. I'd be happy for the Bills, Chargers, Texans or Broncos if they made the Super Bowl. Both the Ravens and the Steelers are irrelevant, no matter which team wins that crappy division (same for the Bucs and the Panthers on the NFC side).

As for the Patriots... too damned soon. You have to love Drake Maye, but goddammit, not right now.

All three of California's NFL teams are in the playoffs. However, none of them are playing at home this weekend. The LA Rams are playing against the Panthers at Carolina on Saturday while the SF 49ers are playing against the Eagles at Philadelphia on Sunday. Both of them should be really good games.

Brack wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 06, 2026 3:52 pm

All three of California's NFL teams are in the playoffs. However, none of them are playing at home this weekend. The LA Rams are playing against the Panthers at Carolina on Saturday while the SF 49ers are playing against the Eagles at Philadelphia on Sunday. Both of them should be really good games.

The only game I feel confident about this weekend is the Rams beating the Panthers, but even then, Panthers already beat the Rams (although that only reinforces my opinion that the Rams will button it up and win this game - it's hard to beat any team twice in one season).

Every other game feels like a coin flip to me. Even the Texans at the Steelers feels tricky to call.

I agree that the Niner's at the Eagles should be an excellent game. If both teams bring their A-game, I lean toward the Eagles winning it, but whether Philadelphia actually does play well or not is up in the air. Philadelphia is one of the most inconsistent teams in the league this year. I'm hoping the Niners catch them on an off week.

I think the Chargers vs Pats game is pretty intriguing. The Chargers are notoriously underachievers in the playoffs, but Herbert has experience and Harbaugh is, in my opinion, likely the best coach in the league. The problem is how solid the Pats have been this year. The only thing you can hope for (if you're going for the Chargers) is that the Pats' lack of playoff experience bites them. The coaches for that team are not lacking playoff experience, however.

Should be a great weekend of ball.

Two of the California NFL teams won over the weekend. The LA Chargers loss mainly due to their offensive line.

That was the greatest weekend of playoff football I ever remember. The Pats and Chargers was a bit of a dud, but the other four games were off the charts entertaining.

How 'bout them 49ers? Best coaching staff in the league, hands down. Robert Saleh is awesome, and it just goes to show how bad the Jets are as an organization to have let that guy go. Can you imagine how the Niners would be this year if they had the star players? It's crazy how well they've played with second and third stringers.

If the Rams, Hawks and Pats lose at some point, we will have a brand new Super Bowl winner in this century. Of the nine teams left, I'd be happy with five of them winning it all. As for tonight... go Texans!

Fun season.

I'm feeling left out that I can't experience the same joy and/or excitement that y'all do.

Dr. Shades wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 13, 2026 8:37 am

I'm feeling left out that I can't experience the same joy and/or excitement that y'all do.

Why not?

Some Schmo wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:42 pm

Dr. Shades wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 13, 2026 8:37 am

I'm feeling left out that I can't experience the same joy and/or excitement that y'all do.

Why not?

'Cause I've tried to see the appeal of football--or any other professional sport, for that matter--but no matter how hard I try, I'm still unable to grasp it. :-( So I'm left out.

Dr. Shades wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:51 pm

Some Schmo wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:42 pm

Why not?

'Cause I've tried to see the appeal of football--or any other professional sport, for that matter--but no matter how hard I try, I'm still unable to grasp it. So I'm left out.

I understand this. I mean, I feel that way about basketball, for instance. I don't feel left out over it, though. Sometimes I wish I could feel as dispassionate about football as I do basketball.

If you aren't into it naturally, you just aren't. What can be said about innate interest in anything (or disinterest, for that matter)? My wife has been overhearing me watch football for almost 35 years and all it does for her is make her sleepy.

I even have off years where I'm not as into it as usual (like last year's season). Then I have revival years like this one where I'm obsessed again. Who can explain it?

I will say, however, that this season feels like an outlier. I don't ever remember a season where a fourth quarter lead felt less safe. Big comebacks are common occurrences in the league these days. You used to get one or two per season back in the day. Now it's a couple every week. Makes it pretty exciting to watch (if you like football, of course).

Schmo - I can't think of anything you've ever written on current events or politics that I've agreed with in the past , not that we have conversed directly much if at all (I'm rarely around these parts).

That said, we can find a little common ground in those 49ERS!!!!! I grew up a 49er fans (from Sac, CA originally) and have passed that love on to the family. I have four adult kids, two who are married and we all have 49er jerseys (even the girlfriends). My wife and I went old school (her-Rice, me-Lott) but the kids have Purdy, Kittle, CMC, Warner, Young, etc. This season has been a roller coaster but its been fun. Love the team and the culture, genuinely good people for the most part. No doubt its going to be tough this weekend, but we have some momentum on our side. All the games have been good across the board, except the Texas/Steelers trouncing (but I love seeing AAron lose) .

Have a good weekend, and Bang Bang, Go Niners!