NFL Playoff Water Cooler Conversation Starters... and some Stoppers

Starting on Monday, the office chatter will probably be dominated by playoff talk. No need to sit on the sidelines this year. Here are some easy comments you can use to start or participate in just about any conversation about the games. And, just for fun, we've included a few "stoppers" to steer clear of, too:


NY JETS VS. CINCINNATI BENGALS

Conversation starter: "After such a great season and making the playoffs, too bad the Bengals were the Bungles again.”

Because?: The Bengals lost to the wild card NY Jets 24-14 and haven't won a playoff game since 1990.

Conversation stopper: "What a coincidence that Chad Ochocinco’s jersey number is 85!"

Because?: A known 'showman', he legally changed his name from Chad Javon Johnson to Chad Javon Ocho Cinco (which is "8-5" in Spanish. "85" is actually "ochenta y cinco") in honor of his Hispanic heritage, he has said.


BALTIMORE RAVENS VS. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Conversation starter: "Joe Flacco has more playoff wins (3) in the past two years than the Patriots (2) have during the past three seasons."

Because?: Second year Ravens Quarterback Joe Flacco won two playoff games as a rookie last year, along with his 34-14 win against the Patriots this weekend.

Conversation stopper: "Too bad Tom Brady doesn't have pretty girlfriend to console him."

Because?: Quarterback Tom Brady married Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen last year.


PHILADELPHIA EAGLES VS. DALLAS COWBOYS

Conversation starter: "Did you see the Cowboys game? Yea… it was the 1st playoff win for Dallas since 1996."

Because?: The Cowboys --also known as 'America's Team'-- hadn't won a playoff game in 13 years.

Conversation stopper: "Too bad the Cowboys fans had to endure the victory in such a modest stadium. NOT!"

Because?: The Cowboys' new stadium opened in Arlington, TX in 2009 at an estimated cost of $1.2 billion! The domed stadium features the world's largest column-free interior and the largest high definition video screen. It seats 80,000, making it the third largest seating capacity stadium and can expand to hold up to 111,000 which makes it the largest capacity stadium in the NFL.


ARIZONA CARDINALS VS. GREEN BAY PACKERS

Conversation starter: "The Cardinals-Packers game was an instant classic!"

Because?: This was the most exciting game of the weekend with lots of play back and forth resulting in  overtime and ultimately turned out to be the highest scoring playoff game in NFL history (51-45).

Conversation stopper: "It’s pretty clear that Kurt Warner should retire, don’t you think?"

Context: Prior to the playoff game, Kurt Warner was asked by the press if he was considering retiring at the end of the season. However, he played well with more touchdown passes (five) than incompletions (four), pushing his lifetime playoff record to 9-3.  He looks as strong as he did in 1999 when he led the Rams to victory in Super Bowl XXXIV. (There is no better come back player than Warner!).