The MMQB

Albert Breer’s NFL Takeaways: It’s Time to Believe in Mike Vrabel’s Patriots The first-year coach ‘has really galvanized the team.’ Plus, what Mike McCarthy’s hire means for the Steelers and more.

@albert-breer.bsky.social’s championship Sunday takeaways:
💥 Time to believe in Patriots
💥 Darnold quotes Natasha Bedingfield
💥 Broncos’ lost opportunity
💥 Steelers played it safe
💥 Philip Rivers’s coach future
💥 Quick-hitters

www.si.com/nfl/albert-b...

Albert Breer’s NFL Takeaways: It’s Time to Believe in Mike Vrabel’s Patriots The first-year coach ‘has really galvanized the team.’ Plus, what Mike McCarthy’s hire means for the Steelers and more.

Not sure if anyone will see this at 2:30 a.m. but @albert-breer.bsky.social talked to Sam Darnold and Sam Darnold quoted Natasha Bedingfield www.si.com/nfl/albert-b...

The Rams' roster has obvious flaws, and Sean McVay must do everything possible to address them and give Matthew Stafford another shot at a Super Bowl next year
www.si.com/nfl/playoffs...

How the Seahawks Embraced the Darkness and Became Super Bowl Favorites A team led by defense and special teams survived the NFL’s best division and is now one more win from a championship.

A team led by defense and special teams survived the NFL’s best division and is now one more win from a championship.

Greg Bishop on how the Seahawks embraced The Darkness: www.si.com/nfl/seahawks...

Rams Have Pieces to Make Deep Run Next Season Despite Huge Disappointment It was understandable that Rams coach Sean McVay second-guessed himself on multiple occasions in the final minutes of Sunday night’s drama-filled NFC championsh

In the wake of another disappointing playoff exit, @gilbertomanzano.bsky.social says Sean McVay and Les Snead must prioritize fixing the Rams’ obvious flaws this offseason: www.si.com/nfl/playoffs...

His Classmates Were Ticketed for Wall Street, but He Became a Brilliant NFL Coach Seattle's Mike Macdonald never needed to announce the depth of his intellect; instead, he wore it subtly, which made him and it more effective.

Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald could have made ‘tons of money on Wall Street,’ but instead, he turned into a brilliant football coach, writes Greg Bishop www.si.com/nfl/mike-mac...

Sean Payton Passed Up Three Points That Could’ve Swung an AFC Championship Game As offense became laughable amid a second-half snowstorm, the Broncos’ early fourth-down decision became magnified and cost them a trip to the Super Bowl.

As offense became laughable amid a second-half snowstorm, @conororr.bsky.social says the Broncos’ early fourth-down decision became magnified and cost them a trip to the Super Bowl www.si.com/nfl/sean-pay...

The Patriots Will Need Drake Maye to Play His Best for a Shot at History New England’s second-year quarterback was an MVP candidate this season, but hasn’t played that way in three playoff games leading up to the Super Bowl.

If the Patriots want a shot at Super Bowl history, they’ll need Drake Maye to play like the MVP candidate he was during the regular season, writes Matt Verderame www.si.com/nfl/patriots...

Good, Bad and Ugly, Championship Sunday: Patriots Punch Their Ticket to the Super Bowl New England held off Denver in a blizzard, setting up Mike Vrabel to win a championship as a player and a coach for the same team for the first time in history.

Matt Verderame’s Good, Bad and Ugly from the first of two conference championship games ❄️🏈

www.si.com/nfl/good-bad...

For the people who are new here today, follow:

✅ @conororr.bsky.social
✅ @gilbertomanzano.bsky.social
✅ @themmqb.bsky.social
✅ @nfl-octopus.bsky.social

And more SI staff:

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How the Seahawks Learned Their Lesson and Re-Built a Super Bowl Contender The steps Seattle took to reach the NFC Championship. Plus, how the Rams, Patriots and Broncos put together their final four rosters.

With the NFL final four facing off this weekend, @albert-breer.bsky.social examines the steps each took to get here and dives deep on Seattle’s return to contention www.si.com/nfl/playoffs...

Mike McCarthy’s Hire in Pittsburgh Makes a Lot of Sense—If You Examine the Facts The former Packers and Cowboys coach has a history of success similar to that of one of the coaches in the AFC championship.

The Steelers, in @conororr.bsky.social’s estimation, are doing something wise in making 62-year-old Mike McCarthy their new head coach: www.si.com/nfl/mike-mcc...

Championship Sunday Preview, Predictions: Seahawks, Patriots Enter as Favorites Seattle and New England would set up a Super Bowl XLIX rematch if this weekend’s games play out as expected.

How will this weekend’s NFL conference championships play out?

Matt Verderame previews both games with score predictions: www.si.com/nfl/playoffs...

Jesse Minter Has John Harbaugh Similarities, But He Does Things Differently The new Ravens coach worked under his predecessor’s brother at Michigan and for the Chargers, but don’t assume he’ll bring more of the same in Baltimore.

New Ravens coach Jesse Minter may have a very close link to John Harbaugh, but don’t assume he’ll bring more of the same in Baltimore, writes @gilbertomanzano.bsky.social www.si.com/nfl/ravens/j...

Albert Breer’s NFL Mailbag: Favorites to Land the Dolphins’ OC Job Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich’s name has drawn buzz this hiring cycle. Plus, what Mike McDaniel brings to the Chargers.

📬 @albert-breer.bsky.social’s mailbag:
✉️ Next Dolphins OC
✉️ Falcons’ future plans
✉️ Mike McDaniel to the Chargers
✉️ Mac Jones’s next team
✉️ QB draft class
✉️ More

www.si.com/nfl/albert-b...

Why Jarrett Stidham Gives the Broncos a Chance Against the Patriots Plus, analyzing the Titans' hiring of Robert Saleh along with the Bills' front office situation in this week's NFL Fact or Fiction.

Does Jarrett Stidham give the Broncos a chance against the Patriots? It’s @gilbertomanzano.bsky.social’s weekly Fact of Fiction: www.si.com/nfl/jarrett-...

How Jeff Hafley and Robert Saleh Hires Affect Rest of Coaching Market Conor Orr breaks down the latest news and lists top candidates for the six remaining jobs.

And then there were 6️⃣

@conororr.bsky.social breaks down how the latest hires affect what’s next for the remaining NFL head coach openings: www.si.com/nfl/jeff-haf...

How Robert Saleh Won the Titans’ Head Coaching Job The 49ers’ defensive coordinator met with Tennessee on Monday and was promptly offered the job. Plus, why Jeff Hafley made sense for Miami and more.

How Robert Saleh won the Titans’ head coaching job and much more in @albert-breer.bsky.social’s notes: www.si.com/nfl/how-robe...

Updating our final season grades with the divisional round losers:

📝 AFC: www.si.com/nfl/2025-fin...

📝 NFC: www.si.com/nfl/2025-fin...

Five Lessons From NFL Divisional Round: Bills Need to Exercise Patience With Next Head Coach Buffalo will need to leave no stone unturned in its search for Sean McDermott’s successor. Plus, the Rams’ secondary stepped up.

What did we learn from the NFL divisional round?
@gilbertomanzano.bsky.social imparts his five lessons, including how the Bills should approach their search for a new head coach 🏈

www.si.com/nfl/five-les...

Hey, everyone please follow my guy @gilbertomanzano.bsky.social so he starts posting more, and follow @themmqb.bsky.social to read smart stories about football.

go.bsky.app/VcPrciv

How Sean McDermott’s Firing Affects the Coaching Cycle, Plus Bills’ Top Candidates The Buffalo job opening up will have ripple affects across the interview circuit, while the team likely seeks an offensive mind to work with Josh Allen.

@conororr.bsky.social breaks down how Sean McDermott’s firing affects the coach hiring cycle, along with some top candidates for the Bills to consider www.si.com/nfl/sean-mcd...

Albert Breer’s NFL Takeaways: The Patriots Don’t Want to Be Called Cinderella New England had a quick turnaround, but this team belongs here. Plus, championship weekend is set, coaches are interviewing and more.

@albert-breer.bsky.social’s divisional round takeaways:
💥 Patriots are no Cinderella
💥 Redemption for Rams
💥 Seattle’s best in football
💥 Denver’s place in history
💥 Clock is ticking on Bills
💥 Giants’ and Falcons’ coaches
💥 Quick-hitters

www.si.com/nfl/albert-b...

Rams Earn Shot at Redemption After Wild Overtime Win Over Bears CHICAGO — Sean McVay stood at the postgame podium. Behind him loomed a white concrete block wall. Beyond it echoed the screams and cheers of 53 men elated to ha

After surviving the Chicago cold, the Rams are headed to Seattle for a date with redemption.

Matt Verderame from Los Angeles's overtime win over the Bears: www.si.com/nfl/rams-ear...

Bears Have a Bright Future Despite Crushing Loss to Rams On a night of what could have been, Chicago can take solace in the fact it still has something special with Caleb Williams.

On a night of what could have been, @gilbertomanzano.bsky.social says the Bears can take solace in the fact they still have something special with Caleb Williams www.si.com/nfl/bears-ca...

Bears Have a Bright Future Despite Crushing Loss to Rams On a night of what could have been, Chicago can take solace in the fact it still has something special with Caleb Williams.

Bears Have a Bright Future Despite Crushing Loss to Rams
www.si.com/nfl/bears-ca...

Remaining matchups and where I had them ranked:

1️⃣ Patriots-Rams
6️⃣ Broncos-Rams
1️⃣0️⃣ Patriots-Seahawks
1️⃣1️⃣ Broncos-Seahawks

Give Defenses Proper Credit for The Poor Quarterbacking in These NFL Playoffs Josh Allen and C.J. Stroud are the latest QBs sent home with turnovers piling up. But the coaching on defense is making life more difficult than ever before.

Before you rip another quarterback, @conororr.bsky.social says to take a look around at just how miserable defensive coaches are making life for offenses across the board www.si.com/nfl/give-def...

These Patriots Are No Juggernaut, and They’re Also No Underdog Still, New England is in a great position to end its seven-year drought of not advancing to the Super Bowl playing complementary football.

Patriots QB Drake Maye has put aside MVP heroics for efficient performances, letting New England’s defense do the heavy lifting, writes @gilbertomanzano.bsky.social www.si.com/nfl/patriots...

2025 NFL Divisional Good, Bad and Ugly: Broncos One Step Closer to Super Bowl Denver’s Bo Nix will miss the rest of the playoffs with a broken ankle, while Sam Darnold helped Seattle advance to championship Sunday despite oblique injury.

Matt Verderame runs down the Good, the Bad and the Ugly from divisional round Saturday www.si.com/2025-nfl-div...