The New England Patriots upset victory over the Houston Texans sparked more than just playoff celebration. It ignited a social media firestorm when rapper Cardi B took aim at ESPN analysts who doubted her boyfriend’s team.
The divisional round clash ended 28–16 in favor of New England, defying predictions from the entire NFL Live panel. What followed was a masterclass in celebrity clapback culture.
Viral Moment Brings Unexpected Response
Mina Kimes, a prominent ESPN NFL analyst, found herself at the center of the controversy after Cardi B publicly called out the network’s pregame predictions. The rapper didn’t hold back in a video posted to social media, mocking the analysts who unanimously selected Houston to advance.
Rather than retreating from the spotlight, Kimes embraced the moment. She reshared the clip on social media with a caption reading Getting dunked on by Cardi B… an honor and a privilege tbh.
The self-deprecating response resonated across platforms, turning what could have been an awkward professional moment into a display of good-natured humor. Kimes joined fellow panelists Hannah Storm, Ryan Clark, Dan Orlovsky and Marcus Spears in facing the rapper’s wrath, though her reaction stood out for its levity.
Storm had been filling in for regular host Laura Rutledge during the segment that would later become internet fodder.
The Prediction That Backfired
New England entered the game as betting favorites, a detail that makes the panel’s collective prediction all the more interesting. Kimes later acknowledged this irony in a follow-up post, responding to a fan who pointed out the odds.
Yes lol, she wrote. Our dumb asses all thought we were being clever.
The admission highlighted a common pitfall in sports analysis, overthinking the obvious. Despite Vegas leaning toward the Patriots, every analyst on the panel picked Houston, perhaps seeking a contrarian edge that ultimately backfired.
Patriots Capitalize on Stroud’s Struggles
The game itself unfolded as a showcase of opportunistic football. Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud endured a nightmare first half, turning the ball over four times in brutal winter conditions at Foxborough. Each mistake handed New England excellent field position, and the home team made the most of every opportunity.
Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye threw three touchdown passes despite committing turnovers of his own. His ability to bounce back from mistakes kept drives alive and the scoreboard moving. The weather played a significant role, with wind and cold temperatures affecting both offenses throughout the contest.
By the time the final whistle blew, New England had pulled away convincingly, setting up a celebratory mood that extended well beyond the stadium.
Cardi B Defends Her Patriots
The rapper, who began dating Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs last year, wasted no time letting the doubters know how she felt. She reshared the original NFL Live prediction segment and filmed a response that quickly went viral.
What are y’all talking about? Nothing! she shouted in the clip, her enthusiasm unfiltered and unapologetic.
Her caption drove the point home, THEY DIDN’T BELIEVE IN US!!! I LIKE US!!!!! WE ALL WE GOT!!!!! WE ALL WE NEED!!!!
The energy matched the intensity of playoff football, delivered with the swagger that has made Cardi B a cultural force beyond music.
Romance and Rehearsals
Cardi B did not attend the game in person, as she is currently deep in preparation for her Little Miss Drama Tour, which kicks off next month. The tour represents a major commitment, requiring extensive rehearsal time that kept her away from Foxborough during the playoff showdown.
Her relationship with Diggs became Instagram official last June, and the couple welcomed a son in November. The new parents have balanced their professional demands with family life, though Cardi’s absence from the game shows where her immediate priorities lie as tour dates approach.
Kimes Continues Strong Season
The exchange did nothing to diminish Kimes’ standing in the sports media landscape. Her willingness to laugh at herself only reinforced her reputation as an analyst who understands the entertainment value woven into modern sports coverage.
Social media rewarded her response, with thousands praising her ability to roll with the punches. In an era where public figures often respond defensively to criticism, Kimes chose a different path.
The moment also underscored how celebrity and sports continue to intersect in unexpected ways. A playoff game became a cultural event not just because of what happened on the field, but because of who was watching and what they said about it afterward.
As the Patriots prepare for their next opponent, the narrative around their divisional round victory will include both Drake Maye’s performance and Cardi B’s passionate defense. For Kimes and her colleagues, it serves as a reminder that in today’s media landscape, every prediction carries the potential to become a viral moment.
Source: The Sporting News
