What a fun first day of the NFL playoffs. Here’s a couple of thoughts, observations, questions from Sunday (NZT) games in no discernable order:

– Coaching matters in all sport but the difference between bad, good and great seems to be hyper-exacerbated in the NFL

– While it’s right to praise Brock Purdy, coach Kyle Shanahan deserves a boat load of acknowledgement for his body of work in San Fran with five (or is it six?) different starting QBs during his time in the Bay

– Is Doug Pedersen the most poised coach in these playoffs? The 4th & 1 play to set up the field goal was masterful. The recognition, the timeout; the adjustment, the calm … I repeat, masterful

– The mental & intestinal fortitude shown by Trevor Lawrence was off the charts

– The trust and belief in Trevor Lawrence from his coaches and team-mates is right up there too

– Seattle found a hole or two in that 49ers D … just saying

– If you’re Sean Payton, which QB do you want to work with the most? Surely Justin Herbert would excite him more than Russell Wilson or Kyler Murray or Dak Prescott

– I hope Geno Smith gets a nice contract from Seattle. He was very immature when he came into the league with my Jets, but he’s clearly learnt a lot over time & his acknowledging of the past and sincere humbleness is very endearing

– What did Joey Bosa say to that official? Are we talking Crash-Davis-to-the-umpire in Bull Durham territory?

– Has Brandon Staley landed in Thailand yet? And was Kliff waiting for him at the arrivals gate?