Carton's Takeaways from the Conference Championship Games

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From The Early Line Live

Dissecting Sam Darnold's Super Bowl Appearance and Coaching Decisions in NFL Playoffs

The narrative surrounding Sam Darnold's progression to the Super Bowl has sparked a variety of reactions. As a former Minnesota Vikings player who led the team to 14 victories last season before being released, Darnold's current success should arguably be more concerning to Vikings fans than to those of the New York Jets. The decision by the Vikings to let go of a quarterback who would eventually reach the Super Bowl was questionable, especially considering his replacement, JJ McCarthy, did not deliver similar results.

Another point of intense discussion has been the coaching during key NFL playoff games. Criticism has been particularly directed at Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos and the LA Rams' performance under their current coaching regime. Payton’s decision not to secure a field goal to go up 10-0, despite the game conditions where points were at a premium, was highlighted as a significant misstep. This choice was seen not just as a mistake in retrospect but as a glaring error in real-time strategy, reflecting poorly on Payton’s decisions during critical moments.

Conversely, Drake May's performance for the New England Patriots has been met with skepticism despite leading his team to the Super Bowl. May, noted for his minimal yardage during the AFC championship game, was not viewed as a decisive factor in the Patriots' success. Instead, criticisms have been aimed at the opposing defense's inability to control the game, particularly during a crucial 9-minute drive by the Patriots in the second half that ultimately determined the game's outcome.

This analysis extends to Rams' coach McVey, whose decision-making at the end of the first half against the Seattle Seahawks was scrutinized. His handling of the clock allowed Seattle to increase their lead significantly, which put the Rams in a difficult position for the rest of the game. The strategic blunders by McVey and Payton across these games highlight a pattern of coaching decisions that arguably cost their teams tremendously during pivotal moments.

The spotlight on these coaching errors underlines the immense pressure and scrutiny that comes with leading a team in high-stakes situations, and how critical decisions can often define or derail a team's success trajectory in the playoffs.