Ten Worst Plays from the 2026 NFL Playoffs

Here are the 10 worst plays from the 2026 NFL playoffs. We’re not allowed to embed NFL highlights, so here are the FanLive visual for each play:

10. Jarrett Stidham’s strip-sack lost fumble:



The Broncos had their backup quarterback on the field for the entire AFC Championship. They had a chance to win, but Stidham ruined those plans.

9. One of the 49ers’ turnovers against the Seahawks has to be on this list. Here’s Brock Purdy’s interception where he threw the ball late over the middle of the field:



The 49ers had no chance at Seattle. There were turnovers and special teams blunders galore. This was one of many I could have picked.

8. A.J. Brown drops his third pass of the game against the 49ers, this time on the final offensive drive of the game:



The 49ers won in an upset in Philadelphia, and a major reason why was Brown’s lethargy. He had three dropped passes and didn’t look like he cared at all about the result.

7. Drake Maye lost a fumble on a strip-sack against the Chargers while in the red zone during a 6-3 affair:



Maye was sacked on at least five occasions in each playoff game. This sack resulted in a red zone turnover.

6. Later in the Patriots-Chargers game, Justin Herbert had a chance to lead a comeback, down 16-3, but lost a fumble on a strip-sack just over midfield:



This one wasn’t on the injured Herbert so much as the horrible backup tackles. Herbert will be hoping that Ra’Shawn Slater and Joe Alt can remain on the field this year.

5. Aaron Rodgers had a lost fumble on a strip-sack that was returned for a touchdown:



The Steelers had no business being in the playoffs, but were able to hang around for a while versus the Texans. That changed on this play.

4. Perhaps the play that decided the NFC Championship was the muffed punt by the Rams returner at the beginning of the third quarter:



Rams special teams were poor all year, and this muffed punt likely decided the NFC participant in the Super Bowl.

3. The Seahawks nearly blew it with Tariq Woolen committing an insanley stupid taunitng penalty, allowing the Rams to score on the next play:



Woolen gave the Rams a free touchdown with his dumb taunting penalty. It didn’t end up mattering, but it could have decided the game.

2. C.J. Stroud was nearly benched in the Patriots game. Part of that was this ridiculous pick-six:



Other Stroud turnovers could have been chosen as well. He was a total disaster in this game.

1. Josh Allen’s nonsensical lateral prior to halftime of the Denver game:



Josh Allen had a golden opportunity to win the Super Bowl with the Chiefs eliminated from the playoffs. Yet, he made this insanely stupid play just prior to halftime to extend Denver’s lead.