Six Times Smack Talk Backfired in the NFL

by Jeremy Block - 12/9/2024

6 times smack talk backfired in the NFL Joe Burrow Cincinnati Bengals

Smack talk is a huge part of the NFL -- players use it to hype up their team or get under their opponents' skin. But sometimes, the trash talk goes a little too far. And let's just say, things don’t always go according to plan. The golden rule? Never talk unless you’re ready to back it up.

Here are six unforgettable moments when smack talk completely backfired in the NFL, leaving fans and players alike shaking their heads.

1. Cam Newton vs. Clay Matthews - "It’s That Wheel Route!"

In a 2017 regular season game, a red-hot Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers faced off against the Green Bay Packers. During a key red-zone drive, Packers linebacker Clay Matthews decided to do some pre-snap trash talking, yelling, “It’s that wheel route! It’s that wheel route!” Matthews thought he had cracked the Panthers’ code, as if he could predict their play.

But Cam being Cam, he wasn’t having it. With a sly grin, Newton shot back, “That’s cool, you’ve been watching film. Watch this…” Instead of running the wheel route Matthews was so sure about, Newton dropped back and tossed a perfect pass to Christian McCaffrey, who was wide open up the middle for a touchdown. Matthews’ attempt at mind games blew up in his face, and the Panthers made him pay, leaving everyone -0 including Matthews -- looking stupid.

Doc’s Sports offers NFL expert picks for every game on our NFL predictions page.

2. Tom Brady vs. Giants - "We’re Coming for You!"

Going into Super Bowl XLII, Tom Brady was feeling pretty cocky. The New England Patriots were on the brink of a perfect 16-0 season, and Brady wasn’t shy about showing it. In a press conference before the big game, he told the Giants’ defense, “We’re coming for you!” He was absolutely convinced that nothing could stop the Patriots from picking up another title.

But, as we all know, the football gods had other plans. Eli Manning and the Giants weren’t exactly intimidated by Brady’s words. Instead of using the smack talk as extra motivation for Brady, the Giants’ defense took it as a challenge and stepped up big time. They sacked Brady five times and then made the most clutch stop in Super Bowl history, driving the ball down the field for a game-winning touchdown. Brady ate his words, and the Patriots’ hopes for perfection went up in flames.

3. Jalen Ramsey vs. Davante Adams - "Make Sure You Go Where I Go!"

We all know Jalen Ramsey has never been one to shy away from a little trash talk, and he certainly wasn't holding back before the 2020 showdown with the Green Bay Packers. On the sidelines, Ramsey was caught chirping at Davante Adams, saying, “Make sure you go where I go.” Ramsey was clearly looking to show Adams who was boss.

But instead of backing down, Adams took Ramsey's challenge and turned it into a learning lesson. Adams ran wild, grabbing eight catches for 104 yards, while the Packers rolled to a 36-28 win. So, while Ramsey was busy running his trap, Adams was busy running all over him, proving once again that the best way to shut down trash talk is with action on the field.

4. "Burrowhead" - The Smack Talk That Fired Up Kansas City

The infamous “Burrowhead” talk. Before the 2023 AFC Championship Game, the Cincinnati Bengals decided to stir the pot a little, calling Arrowhead Stadium “Burrowhead,” a nod to Joe Burrow’s success balling out against the Chiefs in the previous year’s AFC Championship Game. They had every right to feel confident after that win, but maybe they got a little too cocky.

Let’s just say that Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs were already ready for some payback. And when they heard that smack talk? Oh, it lit a bigger fire under them. With Mahomes playing with a chip the size of the stadium on his shoulder, the Chiefs came out swinging. The Kansas City defense sacked Burrow five times, intercepted him twice, and walked away with the win. Talk about eating your words.

5. Matt Hasselbeck’s Coin Toss - "We Want the Ball, and We’ll Score!"

Let’s rewind to the 2004 NFL Wild Card Game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck made a bold move during the coin toss, saying “We want the ball, and we’ll score.” Confidence, right? After winning the toss and getting the ball first in overtime, Hasselbeck’s next move was a little... less impressive. He threw an interception straight to Packers cornerback Al Harris, who took it to the house for a game-winning touchdown.

That trash talk didn’t just backfire -- it practically handed the Packers the game. So yeah, maybe next time, keeping that “we’ll score” line to himself would've been the smarter play.

6. Chad Johnson vs. Cleveland Browns - "I Sent All the Browns DB’s Some Pepto Bismol"

Before a 2004 matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns, Chad Johnson (then Chad Ochocinco) made some bold remarks. Telling the media, “I sent all the Browns DBs some Pepto Bismol. They’re going to get tired of covering me.” Well, let’s just say it didn’t exactly go as planned for Mr. Johnson. The Browns defense took that smack talk seriously, held Johnson to just three catches for 37 yards, and the Bengals ended up getting crushed, 34-17.

Not only did they contain him throughout the game, but they also shut down the Bengals' offense and put a beating on the team. Johnson’s words were quickly silenced, as the Browns proved they were far from “sick” of covering him.

Get NFL picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bet premium picks by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.

Start:	December 11, 2024 @ 12:00 PM
Expert:	Tony George
Free $60 Account Sign Up

Six Times Smack Talk Backfired in the NFL

Most Recent NFL Handicapping