NFL FOUR DOWNS: QB breaks ankle and “Thicker Kicker” a hero as Pats, Rams, Seattle & Broncos make final four

RAMMED HOME

Bears QB Caleb Williams might just be the best clutch performer the Windy City has seen since Michael Jordan, but the gunslinger’s luck finally ran out against the Rams.

The visitors won in the snow with a walkoff field goal, 20-17, which came after Williams willed his team into overtime courtesy of one of the most insane touchdown passes you’ll ever see.

But an interception on a pass where wideout DJ Moore seemed to give up on the play gave the ball back to Rams veteran Matthew Stafford, who marched his team down the field and in range of Harrison Mevis, aka the Thicker Kicker.

Now, the Rams head to Seattle for a classic matchup of NFC West teams in the conference championship, with the winner getting the chance to play the Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium, a venue both teams know very well.

BAD BREAK

The NFL is a cruel mistress. Case in point: Denver’s 33-30 overtime win against the Bills, which was the greatest moment for the franchise since Peyton Manning’s Super Bowl win in 2016.

After a walk-off field goal sent the Broncos to the AFC Conference Championship, the fans were still rejoicing when head coach Sean Payton took the podium for the post-game press conference.

It was there he informed the world Broncos second-year quarterback Bo Nix had fractured his ankle on a designed run on one of the last plays of the game and was rubbed out for the rest of the playoffs.

Just when we thought the unluckiest player on the field was Bills QB Josh Allen, who suffered yet another heartbreaking playoff exit.

Nix will never be mistaken for Patrick Mahomes, but he made enough plays with his legs and through the air to give this team’s elite defence a real shot at a Super Bowl.

Now, Payton’s talent as a playcaller will be tested with backup Jarrett Stidham, who hasn’t started an NFL game in 749 days, getting the nod when Denver hosts New England.

The Pats come into the game having dismantled the Texans, 28-16, courtesy of Houston QB CJ Stroud’s implosion.

To give you an idea how bad the passer was, only three Texans receivers caught more passes from Stroud than Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis (two) on a four-interception day.

SEAHAWKS SOAR

Is there a better team in the NFL than the Seattle Seahawks? No, no there is not.

Not only did the Seahawks give division rival San Francisco and old fashion beat down, 41-6, but they did so while providing a template for how to win a Super Bowl with Sam Darnold under centre.

Darnold will never escape his inner pumpkin, as we saw at the end of his tenure in Minnesota last season, but Seattle limited the chances of regression by taking a lot off his plate.

The QB only needed to complete 12 of 17 passes for 124 yards, because the team got production on special teams (a touchdown on the opening kickoff!) and that swarming defence did the rest.

As for that defence, we haven’t seen this much swagger in Seattle since the Legion of Boom days.

PANIC INDEX

HIGH: How do the Texans pay CJ Stroud the going rate for QBs – US$50 million a year – after what we saw against New England?

MEDIUM: The Patriots will be slightly worried about QB Drake Maye’s ball security against Denver’s D, with the second-year phenom leading the league in fumbles.

LOW: The Falcons hiring head coach Kevin Stefanski, while keeping defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, could get this team on track fast. Just need to figure out the QB.