Overview of NFL Championship Sunday, Patriots Are All The Way Back and The Seahawks Win An All Timer + Who's Back Of The Week
This Part of My Take episode (Barstool Sports) breaks down Conference Championship Sunday: the New England Patriots’ upset/slow-burn AFC win in Denver and the Seattle Seahawks’ wild NFC win over the Los Angeles Rams. Hosts recap both games, swap stats and hot takes, celebrate/roast bettors and personalities (notably Hank vs PFT betting drama), react to Mike McCarthy’s Steelers hire, run “Who’s Back of the Week,” and run through promos/charity talk tied to merch and bets.
Key takeaways
- Super Bowl 60 is set: New England Patriots vs Seattle Seahawks in Santa Clara.
- AFC game (Patriots-Broncos) was a snow-impacted, low-scoring survival — Patriots won 10–7.
- NFC game (Seahawks-Rams) was a higher-scoring, back-and-forth thriller — Seahawks won 31–27.
- Big narratives: Patriots’ defense carried them back to the Super Bowl despite an anemic playoff offense; Sam Darnold revived his stock and led Seattle; special teams and mental miscues cost the Rams.
- Off-podcast drama: long-running bet between Hank and PFT resurfaced (past $50k bet), with new charity pledges and a proposed double-or-nothing challenge.
AFC Championship — Patriots 10, Broncos 7 (concise recap)
- Game flow: Early Jarrett Stidham-to-Marvin Mims big play for Denver; Stidham later fumbled in Broncos’ end zone — Patriots recovered and Drake Maye (referred to often as “Drake May”) scored on a 6-yard run. Weather (snow) picked up late and affected offense.
- Key plays: Broncos’ decision to go for it 4th-and-1 inside NE territory (controversial play call); blocked/tipped field goal sequence; Stidham fumble in shadow of own goal line.
- Outcome: Patriots’ defense and situational coaching (substitution usage, clock management) keyed the 10–7 win and Super Bowl berth.
- Themes: ugly, defensive slugfest; snow-football; Broncos feel “sick” about missed opportunities; Drake Maye’s mobility was decisive but sparks long-term durability concerns.
NFC Championship — Seahawks 31, Rams 27 (concise recap)
- Game flow: Seahawks jumped to an early 17–3 lead; the Rams fought back (including big contributions from Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp) but Seattle held on late.
- Seahawks standouts: Sam Darnold (big return-to-form performance, ~350 yards and 3 TDs called out), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (key plays), Kenneth Walker III, Jake Bobo (big catch), strong Seattle defense.
- Rams miscues: muffed punt that led to quick Seattle TD, special teams errors, failure to convert some key third-and-longs and a crucial 4th-and-12 sequence after a Seahawks sideline penalty.
- Notable mental mistake: Tariq Woolen’s sideline celebration/movement led to a penalty that nearly cost Seattle; it didn’t ultimately prevent the win.
- Outcome: Seattle survives, earns a Super Bowl rematch with New England (a nod to previous Patriots–Seahawks Super Bowl).
Notable stats & analytical points
- Patriots’ playoff offense: one of the lowest points-per-game averages ever for a team that reached the Super Bowl (6th-lowest historically).
- Drake Maye vs Tom Brady (playoff samples in discussion): completion % difference noted (Brady ~61.9% vs Maye ~55.8 in the referenced sample), near-equal passing yards over first three playoff games (572 vs 573), Maye with more INTs in that snippet.
- Seahawks: Sam Darnold’s playoff resurgence highlighted — used his pocket and legs when required.
- Special teams emphasis: both hosts stressed how critical special teams are in postseason margins; Rams’ special teams miscues were decisive.
Betting, bets, merch, and charity drama
- Old bet: Hank won a previous $50,000 bet vs PFT that the Patriots would return to the Super Bowl; PFT still owes money (they discussed partial repayment, cash cyclone stunt).
- New talk of double-or-nothing for the Super Bowl: conversation of many tens of thousands ($80k mentioned) and charity pledges (Dana-Farber referenced; PFT offered $5k donation contingent on a stunt).
- Merch: “PFT life-size gnome” merch sold out (1,000 units sold mentioned), hosts pledged charitable donations tied to sales.
- Promotions mentioned on the show: GameTime (code PMT), DraftKings (code TAKE), Nutrafol (promo PMT), BetterHelp (betterhelp.com/PMT). (These were read as ad spots.)
Coaching/newsroom hot topics
- Mike McCarthy hired as Pittsburgh Steelers head coach — hosts debated fit and fan reaction. Some Steelers fans upset; hosts noted McCarthy’s pedigree (Packers, Cowboys) but questioned whether the hire was a true “fresh direction.”
- NFL graphic conspiracy humor: fans pointing at early-season NFL promo art and “seeing” the two eventual Super Bowl QBs (Drake Maye and Sam Darnold) — hosts called it a “rigged” meme/joke.
Who’s Back of the Week (hosts’ picks)
- Hank: Alex Honnold — climbed Taipei 101 free-solo live; praised for insane, world-class athleticism and bravery.
- PFT: Robert Saleh — noted hiring as Tennessee Titans head coach (return to a head-coach role in NFL).
- Max: Tom Brady (social/brand note) — posted luxe watch/booth content; celebration of brands/returning presence in media/golf/etc. (Various co-hosts also noted other “back” items like Scottie Scheffler/golf and Phillip Rivers interviewing for a Bills job.)
Biggest winners & losers (discussion highlights)
- Winners: Patriots (Super Bowl berth), Seahawks (Super Bowl berth), Sam Darnold (career revival + Super Bowl), certain hosts (merch/charity success).
- Losers/harsh lessons: Broncos (missed opportunities, Stidham fumble), Rams (special teams/errors, muffed punt), Devonta Adams (noted 0–5 in NFC Championship games), teams/people tied to hiring/cap choices (Titans/Rooney-era references), and various personalities who had rough days.
- Special mention: Fans, pundits and “weather look” narrative — discussion whether Patriots’ road was the “easiest” or “hardest” to a Super Bowl is expected to dominate punditry.
Notable quotes / moments
- “You can accept it or fight it — I’m choosing love. Patriots Super Bowl.” — PFT admitting he’s done fighting Hank’s Patriots hot takes.
- “Weather look” — recurring phrase/joke about favorable weather/timing benefiting New England in the late-game snow.
- Tariq Woolen sideline penalty sequence — live “oh no” moment that almost turned the game.
- Fasoli viral moment — Patriots superfan jumped/danced in the snow and went viral (hosts laughed about the fan exposure).
Ads, promos & charity mentions (brief)
- GameTime: PMT code for ticket discount.
- DraftKings: code TAKE for offers/Star Power Hour.
- Nutrafol: promo code PMT for hair-supplement discount.
- BetterHelp: betterhelp.com/PMT for therapy match discount.
- Charity mentions: Dana-Farber referenced for a $5k pledge. Hosts also mentioned donating proceeds from gnome merch; they plan to match or otherwise give to charity.
Recommended next steps / where to watch
- If you missed the games: watch the game highlights and key plays (Stidham fumble, Drake Maye TD, Seahawks’ big Darnold-to-Jaxon Smith-Njigba plays, Rams muffed punt).
- Expect two weeks of Super Bowl build-up content from the show: predictions, deeper X/O analysis, interviews and coverage from Santa Clara.
- If you follow this podcast: keep an eye on PMT’s Super Bowl week streams and content (they’re going to San Francisco; multiple hosts will stream/video).
If you want a single-line summary: Patriots’ defense and situational coaching plus snow football got them to Super Bowl 60 against a hot, resurgent Seahawks led by Sam Darnold — drama and meme-worthy moments guaranteed, and the hosts have big bets, charity pledges and merchandise headlines to carry this into Super Bowl week.