The NFL Divisional Round is notoriously the most exciting weekend in football, and if the latest episode of The Coach JB Show with Big Smitty is any indication, the 2026 postseason is about to reach a boiling point. In a high-octane episode featuring former NFL quarterback Shaun King, the crew moved past the “yacht talk” and orca anecdotes to deliver a raw, unfiltered preview of the matchups that will define the road to the Super Bowl. From the “road warrior” Houston Texans to the high-altitude drama in Denver, here is the deep dive into the weekend’s most critical clashes.

The Texans vs. The Patriots: A Defensive Masterclass

The conversation ignited with a look at the Houston Texans heading into Foxborough to face the New England Patriots. For Coach JB, the story of this game isn’t just about the quarterbacks; it’s about a Houston defense that he describes as “legit as it gets.” Despite the Texans losing star receiver Nico Collins to a concussion, JB is putting his “bread” on CJ Stroud to secure his fourth career playoff win.

“This Texans defense travels,” JB noted, emphasizing that the pass rush lanes and secondary discipline will make life miserable for Patriots rookie Drake May. The crew highlighted Dalton Schultz as the potential X-factor, noting that the Patriots’ secondary often struggles to cover elite tight ends. However, the prediction wasn’t unanimous. Vinnie, providing a counter-perspective, leaned toward the Patriots due to home-field advantage and Stroud’s recent struggles without his top target. For JB, who admitted to holding a “bias” ticket for the Texans to win the AFC, it’s a matter of the Texans’ defense “stymieing” the New England offense until separation is created.

Mile High Drama: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos

Perhaps the most intriguing matchup of the weekend takes place at elevation. The Denver Broncos, boasting what JB calls the “second-best defense in this playoff run,” welcome Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. The “elevation factor” was a point of contention, with JB dismissing the idea that a team can acclimate in just 24 hours.

The Bills enter the game severely depleted at wide receiver, with Gabe Davis and Josh Palmer sidelined. This leaves Keon Coleman and James Cook to carry the load. Shaun King pointed out a “baffling” trend in Buffalo’s coaching: the limited use of James Cook on third downs despite his explosiveness. JB’s take? “If all else fails, go with the better QB.” While he acknowledged that Denver’s Bo Nix is at his best when playing “free-flowing,” he warned that Nix is equally “susceptible to being turnover prone” when the speedometer is off. The consensus? Experience might just trump the thin mountain air.

The NFC Showdown: Niners, Seahawks, and the “Sam Darnold” Debate

Moving to the NFC, the heat turned up significantly. Coach JB delivered a shocker by predicting the end of the San Francisco 49ers’ run, favoring the Seattle Seahawks to dominate the line of scrimmage. He believes the Seahawks’ defense is too potent to allow Brock Purdy and Brandon Aiyuk (Jennings) to dictate the game.

However, the most explosive part of the show centered on the Rams vs. Bears and the legacy of Sam Darnold. While JB is high on Matthew Stafford—calling him the best quarterback in the bracket—the crew clashed over Darnold’s ability to handle big-game pressure. Shaun King defended Darnold’s limited playoff opportunities, while JB remained skeptical, demanding that Darnold “show him” something before he offers his trust. “McVay is best when it’s personal,” JB asserted, predicting a “belt ass” victory for the Rams over Caleb Williams and the Bears.

Beyond the Field: The Business of the Show

In true Coach JB Show fashion, the episode wasn’t all Xs and Os. The crew touched on the future of the podcast itself, with Shaun King demanding to be “privy to the books” as they negotiate the next phase of their media deal. Between jokes about JB’s 11,800-pound yacht and the dangers of orcas off the coast of California, the chemistry of the team shone through, proving why they are the number one sports podcast on the charts.

As the Divisional Round kicks off, one thing is certain: the stakes have never been higher. Whether it’s the “road warriors” from Houston or the “anomalies” in Buffalo, the 2026 playoffs are proving that in the NFL, you’re either the hammer or the nail. And according to Coach JB, there’s a lot of hammering about to happen.

For fans looking to stay ahead of the curve, the message is clear: engage, subscribe, and pay attention to the “brass tacks.” The road to the Super Bowl goes through the trenches, and The Coach JB Show will be there for every hit.