It was Couch Potato Heaven as the NFL put on a show during last weekend’s Divisional Playoffs. Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow survived being sacked nine times as the Bengals upset Tennessee 19-16. San Francisco blocked a Green Bay punt late in the game on their way to a 13-10 win in Lambeau. The Los Angeles Rams completed a deep pass to Cooper Kupp to avoid another Tom Brady comeback in winning 30-27 over Tampa Bay. And Pat Mahomes outdueled Josh Allen, 42-36 in overtime, with both a flip of the wrist, and a flip of the coin.
A look at the crazy games from the past weekend and more.

• The sample size is a little small, and no disrespect to Boomer Esiason or Kenny Anderson. But I’m already calling Joe Burrow the greatest Bengals playoff quarterback of all-time.
• As for the Titan’s Ryan Tannehill and his three interceptions, I guess the old joke rings true. But you’re the only ten I see is not supposed to refer to a quarterback rating.
• Jimmy Garoppolo got the win in Green Bay despite his continued struggles, which brings me to my Super Bowl Quarterback Theory. There have been 55 Super Bowls and I estimate that only five of those winning quarterbacks have zero chance of ever making the Hall of Fame. We know Garoppolo isn’t Tom Brady. The question is whether he can be Trent Dilfer.
• I’ve made plenty of fun about Aaron Rodgers and his stance against getting vaccinated. But the guy that really needed protection last weekend was Green Bay’s punter, Corey Bojorquez.
• Jokes aside – I’d take Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, most of the quarterbacks we passed on in the draft (Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen…), and even Deshaun Watson in Denver if it meant a happy ending.

• By the way, John Elway. What exactly was it that you didn’t like about Josh Allen??
• Josh Allen was ridiculous in that Buffalo Bills loss, and the only thing that stopped him from advancing in the playoffs were the controversial overtime rules. Some are suggesting that both teams are given a chance with the ball, and others are talking about a 10 or 15-minute overtime to the end of the clock. I would like to suggest my own idea. Since beer sales are halted at the beginning of the fourth quarter, can we make an overtime rule to pour us a quick one to compensate?
• Patrick Mahomes is now 7-1 in the playoffs at Arrowhead Stadium, but I like the Los Angeles Rams as the betting favorite. They play the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium, the Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium, and they already survived three crucial turnovers and that lucky rabbit’s foot lodged way up Tom Brady’s butt.
• Finally, in the NFL. New Orleans coach Sean Payton has decided to retire. I guess his job was no longer a Brees.
In other news.

• Longtime NBA legend, John Stockton, had his season tickets suspended at Gonzaga University for failing to follow the appropriate mask requirements inside the arena. Apparently, the former Zags point guard had trouble wearing a mask while attending games. Hey John. Can I assist you with that?
• Same old Stockton. Avoiding the shot and deciding to pass.
• I get the young guys at the gym that refuse to wear a mask. After all, their young bodies can survive Taco Bell and Jagermeister. But John, you’re 59!!
• Missing Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open is understandable based on his vaccination status, but missing Peng Shuai is not. The Chinese tennis player has only been seen briefly after accusing a former Vice-Premier of sexual misconduct. The controversy escalated when fans showed up at the event wearing Where is Peng Shuai? t-shirts. T-shirts for Djokovic were not necessary as he was easily found skiing the slopes of Montenegro.

Images via si.com, thesun.com, thedailymail.com, nfl.com, yahoo.sports.com

Alan Tapley The Athletic Supporter

Alan Tapley is an educator, author, and blogger who has lived just outside of Boulder for the last twenty years.  His published work includes two novels, two children’s books, a series of cartoons in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, and multiple sports related articles. His love for family and the state of Colorado is only matched by one thing, his passion for sports.  The first baseball game he ever attended was at Wrigley Field, before there were lights.  At the final Bronco game at the old Mile High, he allegedly cut out a piece of his seat in the South stands.  But regardless of being here for the Avalanche’s last Stanley Cup, the Rockies only World Series appearance, and all the Broncos’ Super Bowl Victories, his wife never fails to remind him that he wasn’t at the University of Colorado in 1990, like she was.  The year the Buffs football team won the National Championship