BUF@KC: Pylon poke ’em 1

Divisional Game 4: Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes extends the football to whack and flatten a pylon — based on the existing rule, an action judged worthy of a touchdown.

Yet because pylons are positioned outside the field of play, i.e., out of bounds, we said this should not be a touchdown.  Bonking a pylon should be an indicator that a player is out of bounds. No offense to Mahomes; he’s simply taking what the existing rule allows. But we say no way — this is a Nix Six. Hocus Bogus rating: 4.5

BUF@KC: Pylon poke ’em 2

Divisional Game 4: Same game, same team, same result as the play above — a touchdown is awarded because a runner hits a pylon (located out of bounds), not the end zone.

According to the existing rule, that action qualifies for six points. Like Mahomes above, Mercole Hardman is doing nothing wrong; he’s just taking what the rule permits. And we think that is one puzzling rule. Rating: 4.5

LAR@TB: Leaner 1

Divisional Game 3: Yes, Matthew Stafford breaks the plane on this quarterback sneak. There is no question he is beyond the goal line when the whistle sounds.

Our rule, however, would require ball carriers to make contact with the end zone. Falling on top of a pile of linemen as Stafford does here, in our view, requires less effort than actually contacting the end zone. Some people will scoff at this interpretation. We understand. Yet to be consistent with our rule, this would not qualify as a touchdown. Rating: 2

AZ@LAR: Leaner 2

NFC Wild Card 3: As with the play above, Matthew Stafford breaks the plane but never makes contact with the end zone — not enough, in our view, to merit six points.

Initially, officials were not convinced Stafford had even broken the plane, but later changed their ruling. The result: a weak, uninteresting touchdown. Particularly in a playoff game, fans should expect something better. Rating: 2