NFL Notebook: Sean Payton steps down in New Orleans

One of the most exciting weekends in the history of the National Football League is now behind us. The dust has settled to reveal a quartet of teams vying for spots in next month’s Super Bowl LVI, and there’s plenty of news to discuss from off the field as well. Let’s dive in!

Bengals, Niners, Rams, Chiefs All Survive

Just how good WAS the football that was played last weekend? Consider this: The four games held during the divisional round were decided by a total of 15 points. Cincinnati squeaked by Tennessee 19-16 on a last-second field goal, San Francisco rallied in the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field to stun Green Bay 13-10, Los Angeles held off a furious Tampa Bay rally to prevail 30-27 (and set up an NFC West grudge match for the conference championship), and Kansas City, of course, sent Buffalo home with a 42-36 win in one of the most exciting games in recent memory. 

The Overtime Rules

By now, you know the story. After a frenetic fourth quarter where the lead changed hands multiple times in the final two minutes, the Chiefs won the overtime coin toss. The Bills never got the ball back, as Kansas City marched down the field and found the end zone.

Naturally, this has sparked a firestorm on social media, where fans and analysts of many different backgrounds have called these rules into question. Those who want change believe Josh Allen should have had a chance to tie the game, while those defending the rules believe Buffalo’s defense had an opportunity to give him that chance and didn’t do so.

Payton Out in New Orleans

Super Bowl-winning coach Sean Payton called time on his career this week when he announced he would not be back with New Orleans for the 2022 season.

He took the reins in 2006, and he ends his Saints tenure with a 152-89 record. He’s said he’ll likely take the 2022 season off as he ponders what’s next, but that hasn’t stopped those feeding the rumor mill from wondering if he’ll potentially supplant Mike McCarthy in Dallas.

The Latest On Antonio Brown

Things just keep getting stranger and stranger for the ex-Buccaneer. Brown’s attorney went on record Tuesday saying they’ll be pursuing legal action against Tampa Bay for the circumstances that led to his release.

The lawyer also added that a civil lawsuit remains possible, and Brown claimed Tampa Bay offered him $200,000 to commit to mental health treatment. In a word... yikes.