Anything Better? - The Rivalry Is Dead - Week 4 NFL Picks

Episode Date: October 1, 2026

Bill and Paul are back for Week 4.  

What's up, everybody, and welcome back to the Anything Better podcast show with your host, me, Paul Verzi over here, Bill Burr over there. You guys know what it is. Every time we do the Anything Better podcast, especially for football, we have Jake the Snake and we have the Greek freak Andrew Themless somewhere in Beverly Hills. Bill, we both went two and two. Okay? I went two and two. I think we, I think you did. I thought it went one and three.

Oh, Billy, win some lose some. Listen, we're kind of right here. You know, I'm, I'm eating. I went 0-4 last week. I took an uppercut to the taint. Oh, no, you're like down the game. Straight left to my dick, Paul. That's what happened to me.

Then I took a roundhouse, and then I got a pile driver. I went 0-4, Paul. It was blood all over the mat. Listen, I opened last season, O and 4, week one. Oh, it was ugly. Nothing's worse than week one. O-and-4 week one. Nothing's worse.

Dude, I didn't, how about the Rams getting fucked? on that pass interference call. Which one? I don't know if I saw that. Which one? Right at the end of the game. The guy picked the ball off. Oh, yes.

And the guy kind of reached back because then he goes like this. He goes like, oh, like that. And he got the fucking call. And then Bo Nix brought him in for the win. Bo Nix, dude. I thought they were dead and buried. Look at that. I'm not saying, listen, listen, Paul, come on.

There was a little Hazard County. You know we got to start doing worst pass interference call of the week. Yeah, there's always one. Dude, that one, okay, that was that one this week. The week before was that CD Lamb? Yeah. Did you see that one? He literally grabs the guy and pulls him down, the fucking guy.

And you're like, oh, my God, they're finally going to, they've been calling more offensive pass interference, but I'm sorry to the Rams fans. You guys got the old joby there. You got jobs. Yeah. I thought, me and you were texting during that Eagles game, dude, Eagles knocking on the door. I was like, oh, Monday nights, like you said, Monday night's special.

I'm like, all right, Sequin's going to run it in? Or what's his face? Jalen Hertz is going to throw one here. And then he's running out of bounds. He was barely out of bounds. And all this guy got his money's worth. Fucking bam! And he just went like in the air, like fucking, like one of those Matrix movies.

It was in slow. The only thing that didn't happen was the camera didn't come around. And I'm like, all right, well, there's like a penalty that'll get him closer. And then he was fine. He got air. He got up and he's like, I am fine. And they're like, no, no, no. Time to go into the tent.

And then the other guy came out. Was it Nick Foles, Jr.? Who the fuck came out? Somebody else came out. Andy Dalton, the Red Rifle. The Red. The Red. Well, the red rifle fucking threw it like he was playing catch with his son, right to the, right to the, the bear's fucking corner or whatever or the safety.

And I, you know, oh, Paul, I was, I was walking around. I was wearing out a little strip there in the carpet. Well, we have to address this because I texted you this. And I'm happy a bunch of our fans reached out. Apparently, people listened to the New York Giants heard the show, Bill. I said the New York Giants should get J.J. McCarthy. I don't think, you know, a lot of people not happy with it, dude. It's a fifth round pick for a 10th overall pick.

And here's the thing. Anybody going, what the fuck? He sucked. He started 10 games in the NFL. He won six. Now it's coming out today. Little bit of him. No, he's a fucking, he's an immature kid.

He talked to himself as a third person, called himself number nine. The coach was like, cut the shit and don't dance in the end zone. So he gets a touchdown. Oh, no. fucking dance in the end of it. Oh, no. If you're fans to this show, Paul Verzee loves a headcase. Oh, he loves a guy that talks a little shit.

You know what it is, Paul? You like talking shit. And you can't read the T-Lumber 9? Yeah, it's, I know. Yeah, you don't say number 9 unless you're in the Beatles. No, and now he's number 18. But I will say this. Well, you know, number 18's going to do what number 18 does, Paul.

Ricky Henderson. Yeah, well, hopefully, you know, we kind of got like that little thing like out of him. I know, Papa, what are we going to not to address the elephant in the room? Congratulations to you and your New York Yankees. Oh, dude, I'll be honest with you. I feel, I got to be honest, I feel like this is the first year. I feel almost like not a fair weather fan, but I went to a couple of Yankee games. I have not been, I'm not going to sit here and say that I have been watching baseball all year.

When Judge went out, some guys went out, I watched our young guys. I watched that young kid we brought up George Lombar, who's great. Dude, Cam Schlittler to me, he's fucking amazing. But I have not been in this. GA took a fucking guy near Boston for you. You know, when you're trying to get some sort of victory. If it wasn't for a guy from Walpole Mass, you know, I'm out here in Chicago, Paul,

and I was watching a part in the interruption. And after the first game, you guys won like six to nothing. at Tony Cornhizer goes, so much for the biggest rivalry in sports. One game that wasn't close, he shits on it. And then he goes, you know, there's no excitement.

The rivalry's dead. I wanted to, like, jump through my TV and fucking choke this guy. It's like, dude, you guys created the narrative, the sports media about the curse of the babe, and you rode that, and you had no backup plan.

And now you're waiting for this storyline to magically fall into your fucking lap. It's lazy sports journalism. The whole fucking thing was 19, 18, fucking curse of the babe. How are they going to blow it this time? Then we won role credits. The movie's over. It's like the Cubs. When was the last time they did a thing about all the long-suffering Cubs strands? It's over. Yep. You break the curse. It's over. Don't get mad at us, Tony Cornhizer, because you can't come up with the fucking narrative. Yep. I agree. Stop staring at your phone, Tony.

Yeah. It's, it's, but listen. He's blaming us, Paul. Yeah. Yeah. It is lazy. All this shit is lazy. I can't hear you now.

Now I can't hear Paul. You can't hear me? Okay, guys, it looks like we lost Bill. Unfortunately, Bill was talking about Tony, Tony Kornheiser and the Yankees and Boston rivalry. I got to be honest, I agree with Bill. You know, it's, like Boston slayed the dragon in one of the worst possible ways for a Yankee fan coming back from down 03. It was one of the worst things as a Yankee sports, as a Yankee fan,

and then Boston did it. And then they're trying to come up with these things to make it like an exciting thing. And it just doesn't feel the same. What I was saying, and here's what we're going to do with the show, guys. I'm going to talk for a little while here. I'm still going to do my picks. We are going to put Bill's picks in the show. So you will see Bill's picks. And we're still going to bring in Jake for injuries and we'll talk to Andrew and all that stuff. So you're going to get the show. It's just Bill, unfortunately, is having issues with traveling. Let me say this up front right now about the New York Giants. I want to thank everybody who reached out saying you guys called it because you guys know that to anything better, the,

anything better podcast, knows what they're talking about, not just with picks, but we know what we're talking about when it comes to the NFL and what is going on and what did I say about my New York football giants. I said it does not hurt to go and check a young quarterback out like a J.J. McCarthy, get J.J. McCarthy. All right, he's had 10 NFL starts. He's six and four in those starts. Okay. There were times, yes, he looked. bad but i also looked at his highlights and when he was winning and playing good and they thought he was the guy some of those throws were incredible um and today some reports today are saying that the quarterback whisper and i hate that dumb shit i hate when they say that because they said

brian dable's a quarterback whisper none of these guys are quarterback whispers they're offensive minds they look and work with the quarterback and they figure out or they see if the quarterback and figure it out i don't buy into that whole shit i think the reports today are are right is that it was more a maturity thing talking about himself in the third person number nine this dumb shit i think the kids got some growing up to do but he won a national championship with michigan and i think that the giants have a way more reward than risk in this situation the guy has a winning record he respects harbaugh he uh played under harbaw's brother and won a national title. I think that John Harbaugh knows, and that's the other thing. Can we act accordingly when it

comes to people that know their shit in the NFL? John Harbaugh has done nothing to let you think he doesn't know what he's doing. He has done nothing in the NFL that would make you go, man, this guy doesn't, it's actually the opposite. He's actually, all he's done is one. He has a Super Bowl under his belt. All the people that work for him respect him. All the players respect him. And guys, you know how you know that? How many Baltimore Ravens followed him to the Giants? Isaiah likely, Patrick O'Card, to how many two linemen? All of these people wanted to go with him because all he does is pretty much win or stay at a respectable level his career.

So I think the J.J. McCarthy thing for a fifth round pick to get a number 10 overall first rounder who has a winning record and is 23 years old. makes all the sense in the world. And you guys heard it here on the Anything Better Show First. We are going to get into Picks right now. Let's bring in Jake the fucking snake. There he is. Hey, good to see you, Paul. What's going on? Jake, how are you, buddy?

I'm doing good, doing good. You know, we're about to get a heat wave here in Southern California. But I don't know that. I can't complain. It's going to be a baseball play officer on. and NFL is in full swing, so things are going well. Listen, it's always a heat wave with Jake to Snake in California, right? No doubt.

Very sure. Do you, what do you think, Jake, okay? You're a big NFL guy. For the people that don't know, behind the scene stuff, Jake does a whole write-up about the week and the preview of the week, and he sends it to us. I mean, we're not running a Mickey Mouse operation here, but Jake, since Bill is not able to join us,

and he can only send in a recording of his picks, what do you think of my assessment of J.J. McCarthy? Did the Giants do the right thing by getting a 23-year-old J.J. McCarthy, who has so much football ahead of him with only 10 starts under his belt, or did they waste a fifth-round pick, in your opinion? This is an interesting one. I think, I don't think fifth round picks are super valuable, in my opinion.

Like, I think when you start getting to those later rounds, like, you can really, I think those are expendable, not saying you can't find talent in those rounds, but like, I think that if I'd rather trade those types of picks for players. And we know J.J. McCarthy is a player. And the Giants, obviously, like we talked about, just, you're not going to win any games with James Winston. And this roster is just too talented, the division's wide open to punt on the season. and like that would be a mistake. So I think trading for a quarterback was the right move.

You know, it's hard to know if Jay J.J. McCarthy is going to be the answer. But it doesn't matter. You just need something for now. And like you're saying, Jason McCarthy is only 23 and he has a lot of football ahead. So, you know, it could go either way. But worst case scenario, it doesn't work out. And then you still have Jackson Dark coming back next year. So I think they absolutely made the right play to go get a quarterback, whoever it may be.

Yeah. And I agree with you. I think having a Malik neighbor's back. a scataboo back. I love this Malachi Fields kid. I think he's going to be a big target for years to come. Yeah, I just feel like with the tight ends like Isaiah likely and Theo Johnson, I just feel, and the offensive line has not been terrible.

I feel like the Giants owe it to themselves, their fans. I just feel like the Giants got to give this a real shot. And I personally, here's another prediction. You ready? This is hot off the press. from the Anything Better show. This is what I think. I think J.J. McCarthy's going to be in there.

My guess is J.J. McCarthy will start by week six or seven. I think what's going to happen is unless James Winston balls out. And if that happens, if James Winston does ball out, then you know what? That's good for the Giants anyway. So I either think the Giants are going to win and progressively get better with James Winston or Harbar is going to go, we got this 23. year old on the bench let's throw him in unfortunately i think the latter is going to happen i think i've seen enough with james's mobility which i don't think there's a lot of and i think he makes bad

decisions i think he was also throwing the ball at people's feet um not just because of the weather and the rain but i think it was a fear of interceptions um i just saw something in him that just didn't look great and i think that mccarty will play by week seven is my prediction we're going into week four. It's probably going to take them a couple weeks to learn the playbook. If we win those two games, it'll extend. But I think you're going to see J.J. McCarthy a lot sooner than some people think, which they're saying the end of the year. I don't think so. I think they got them for a reason, and I think the Giants know that. Yeah, what is going to be on? I'd say even earlier, if James keeps playing like this, like, I think week five or six is kind of reasonable.

If you really think you can get a crack at the division, because we'll talk about some of the games, but the Eagles play the Rams next week, or this guy, sorry, on Sunday. So, I mean, if they lose that game, suddenly this division's very open. And it's like, you don't want to just throw away the season, especially when you can go to the playoffs. So I think who do the, sorry, I forget who the Giants play on Sunday? Do you remember? The Giants have the Cardinals.

The Cardinals. So, I mean, that's a winnable game. So, I mean, it will really depend on how James looks in that game, for sure. I think that's going to say. And I think this is the, this is. the Giants are dogs, I think, but I don't think by a lot. Yeah, so the Giants are. Yeah, I open at one.

I open at one. It's now up to two and a half, I believe. Yeah. Yeah, the Giants are two and a half point dogs at home to the Cardinals, which tells you that, which tells you that that's, and again, this is not to pick on James Winston, because I, I think he's a, I think he's a decent backup, but I don't think he's a starter. and I think that if we did have a legit starter in there, I think that we would be three and a half to four point favorites,

in my opinion, especially at home. And we have a winning record. I know it's only two games, but we have a winning record at home. The crowds have been great at home. I think if we had a quarterback that was a legit starter, we would not be dogs instead. We'd be the favorite. Now, Jake, give us the, what do we have for injuries, buddy?

Yeah, so there's been a lot of injuries this season, but the good news is there's actually some good news as well. We'll start with the bad just to get it out of the way. Baker Mayfield is the biggest injury for sure. He dislocated his thumb at the end of the loss to Green Bay. I'm sorry. Wait, did they play Green Bay? No, I'm sorry.

Well, it doesn't matter. No, it was against the Vikings. He's just looking at his thumb against the Vikings. He's going to be out three weeks at least. So that's a big injury there. The Dolphins running back, Devon A. Chan is out for the year. towards ACL. So that's a big one. Yeah, it's a big one. It's really unfortunate. He's really really nice player, got a big contract, but they're not trying to win many games anyway, but you

still hate to see it. But there is good news as well. Justin Jefferson hurt his ankle in that Buccaneers game, but it sounds like it's pretty minor. He might even play against Miami. We'll have to see, not officially confirmed. And then Puka Nicua is expected to come back against the Eagles. He's been out for a while. And Nico Collins also. so may return against the Cowboys, which is big because Houston's now 0 and 3. And I'm sure we may talk about that game later, but Houston was 0 and 3 last year and still made the playoffs. So their season's not over, but they really need to start winning games. So this is a critical one for them against Dallas.

So they would definitely like their star receiver back. And then last one, Lamar seems to be a little bit limited in practice with a back injury. I still think he plays, but, you know, just something to be cautious of. they're pretty big favorites going into their matchup. Yeah, and unfortunately, I think we talked about this, but Brian Burns, the Giants Brian Burns is officially ACL tear, which sucks. And, you know, it's another, it's a blow to my team. It seems like when it rains, it pours with these injuries.

And Jackson Dart had the surgery, and the surgery was no extra damage. The surgery went well. PCL, which they thought was a problem, was actually didn't need surgery and was intact. His ACL was intact. So they fixed the meniscus. And there is possibility and hope for if the Giants can salvage. Yeah, if the Giants could sneak in to a wild card or get into the playoffs somehow that he could come back, which would be, which would really seriously be exciting. But the Brian Burns losing that pass rush sucks.

Okay. Wait, I had one more I forgot to mention. Nick Bosa injured his calf in practice last week. That's another huge one. He's going to be out for a few weeks at least. So definitely because if you're talking about teams with big injuries that maybe remember the Niners, of course. They're definitely always at the top for whatever reason.

I think, yeah, they said that they're, you know, because of the where the facility, I don't know about all that, but all I know is Nick Bost has been having a rough go at it. It really comes down to, in my opinion, yes, the violence and speed of the game has just gone to a whole other level and it's just so violent that all of these injuries are inevitable but i think if if i i'm being honest with you right now if if it was it was um all verzi's league if i'm the commissioner of the nfl and i got that job tomorrow the first thing the first thing i would do is i would make sure that all of these stadiums

all of these fields are on natural grass, the way that football started out to being played, the way that it's softer on the tendons and the ligaments and the legs and all that shit. Yes, there's going to be injury, but all of this shit really started to happen on a regular bit. It's almost like ACL tears of the knee have become the Tommy John surgery of pitchers, where it's just, it's inevitable, it's going to happen to a star, They're going to get it repaired, and it's just happening too much.

And I don't understand why. Let me ask you this question. How many soccer players who are moving a lot more, right? Soccer players are constantly, I mean, you're out there for a long time. You're just running, run and running. The subbing is much less. And how many ACL tears, MCL tears were there during the World Cup on grass? I didn't see, I mean, I'm sure there could have been a couple, but I didn't see any.

I didn't see any of it. Yeah. And to your point about the soccer, it's not even, I mean, it's obviously such a different sport and there's a lot of running. But I think what you saw there is that the NFL is perfectly capable of putting grass fields everywhere across the league. So if they're able to do that for soccer, why are you doing that for football where injury rate is 100%? You're going to get hurt even if it's on grass. But turf is all but guaranteeing it because your plea can get caught in the turf or whatever. There's a million things that could happen.

And it's like, you know, what's underneath the turf? is solid concrete. So you're basically playing on concrete as well. So you're preaching in the choir here. This is a big passion point of mine, actually. I can't, I just don't understand why this is such an issue. It's really not even that expensive either, considering these NFL owners are all making millions of dollars every year.

No. I'll take your questions aren't exactly going down anytime soon. So it's just like that blows my mind that you wouldn't want to protect your stars, to be quite honest with you. 100%. Hold on. Yeah, let me just fix this. Fuck a little.

100% have one more thing too. I don't think these international games are helping much either for these guys' bodies. Flying all the way to Australia and Europe and Rio where the field's not even stable in Rio before kickoff and all that stuff cannot be good for these guys' bodies either. So those are the two big ones I just wanted to add.

Yeah, and I remember, I want to say too, I think when the Raiders played in New Mexico or not New Mexico, Mexico City or whatever, I remember the field being like ultra slick and people slipping all over the place. And it's just like, In my opinion, if you just play on the way the fucking game started to be played, it was played on grass.

And like you said, cleats getting caught. And a lot of times it's a non-contact injury where all of a sudden somebody's walking and for whatever reason they pop and they drop down. That's why I was talking about how soccer players, like it wasn't happening. And, you know, there's a lot of intense games in soccer, especially towards the end of a World Cup game. If it's a one-nothing game and people are going all out, I didn't see guys dropping. I know, listen, granted, they're not getting tackled.

I understand that. But when you're in a full sprint and you're kicking and you're doing all those things, I just didn't see it happening. So for the life of me, I don't know why John Marr and the New York Giants, forget the commissioner. I don't know why John Marr and the New York Jones, but like you said, we could sit here and talk until we're blue in the face about it. It's obviously not changing. They're not changing it.

So anyway, thank you for the injury report. Andrew, come in here. You know what? Us three, we can go through the picks here together. Bill is going to throw his picks in. I guess I'll go. I guess I will go first. Yeah, I will go first here.

And I'm going to be honest with you guys. Oh, for everybody that wants to know, I am dead even this year. I was three and one, one and three, and then two and two. And I believe Bill is one game back. and Jake is four and six and Andrew is even as well. So there you have it. I talked quickly about two of my picks that were very frustrating. I mean, you guys brushed on it earlier in the opening,

but Rams Broncos, I mean, what a BS way to end the game. I was on the Rams there for that pick. And then I had the Saints who just completely folded down the stretch. So two tough ones, but looking to bounce back here with these next four picks. Andrew, yeah, yeah, that was tough. Andrew, go back to that, though. That says Bill is two back, but Bill's only one back, I believe. Because he was, he was, right?

The O and four is his killer. I think five and seven makes sense. Oh, okay. One in three, and then O and four. It's five, yeah, be five and seven. Yeah. Oh, is it? Yeah, he went three and one, and then he went, oh, and five.

Oh, got it. Okay. All right, so he's five and seven. I am six and six dead even, same as Andrew, and Jake is four and six. All right, guys, I looked at these lines. I looked at these lines for the first time today early this morning, and I was like, let me see what I really like. And, dude, this is, we've been doing this show now.

I think this is our sixth season. And this is one of the hardest. When I looked at these lines, I know it's only week four. This is one of the hardest that I've seen. The numbers are so perfect. And there's one tonight that's really intriguing. It's the Steelers and the Browns. You know, it's one of those things where it's like,

did Deshaun Watson turn a corner and maybe feels good because the Brown fans were cheering him and he came back and won that game? or does Aaron Rogers feel good because he looked good last week and he came back and he might have figured something out. The number is so fucking perfect. This really is a pick-um. So you know what for my first pick? I'm going to stay away from that.

I'm going to let that one linger for a second. Guys, I'm... Oh, sorry. What's the last time the Browns have been favored against the Steelers? Like, that's crazy. I feel like, anyway, sorry. I just want to interject. No, no.

no that's that's true i i can't remember maybe maybe once in the last another fact there is that the brown's win they'll be three and one to start the year and many people out they have the word to be tanking for arch and all this stuff but here they are they could be three and one after tonight um well listen to me you gave the guy gave the guy a quarter of a billion dollars you know what i mean they gave they they better make it work um i'm gonna do something nuts i don't know why i'm doing this The last two big spreads I took, I hit. I hit the Chiefs. And then last week I hit, and then this week I hit the, who was it?

The, not the Cowboys. What was the big spread that I just hit? It was, both were big. It was the, Chiefs Dolphins. Chiefs Dolphins I hit. And then I guess the week before that, there was a big one, and I hit that. I'm going to do the opposite this time. This time, I'm going to take the points.

And I am going to take the Tennessee Titans. 13 and a half. That's right. That's right. I took the Niners, 13 and a half. And then I took the Chiefs and both won by that by big numbers. But this time I'm going to take the dog with points. And I'm going to take the Tennessee Titans.

Here's my reasoning. Okay. Everybody going, Paul, what are you doing? What are you doing? First of all, don't you dare question me. Okay, because it's me. And I've earned enough on this show. But here's the deal.

the Tennessee Titans started to really get in a rhythm until he makes that horrible throw, which I'm glad he did, because the giant safety is amazing, and Holland's one of the best safeties, if not number one right now. But Cam Ward started to cook. He started to cook, and he started to move that team.

The Ravens are good, but you know what? 11.5 points. Now they're saying after, this is another reason. Now after Cam Ward threw that ball, they're going, maybe this just isn't the guy. Maybe this guy. And I'm like, you know what? I think this can kind of be the time where he's like, I know now, I see it now.

So I'm not saying I'm going to win, but I'm going to take the Tennessee Titans getting 11 and a half against the Baltimore Ravens. I think it's a sharp play. I like it. So now we will now we will see Bill's pick. Bill's first pick Okay guys For my second pick Of week number four

Like I said dude These lines are wild And perfect Look at that Lions Panthers game dude Tell me that's not the perfect Fucking spread For the Lions Panthers Because you kind of thought you knew

Who the Panthers were Um My thoughts are too it just feels like I can explain that to my three doesn't it to your point I know it does feel like three that's why these point fives

these point fives are yeah the Rams just lost to the Broncos and the Eagles look bad the Eagles look very bad the Eagles look dude and by the way

like time to start over like it ain't going to with Jalen arts right now. Well, also, Case Keenum, who has not played football in years, looked like Joe Montana. He was really good. He was just great in that game. He was so perfect in that game.

It's almost like he would, Case Keenom was so good. And he had his kids and wife there. It's almost like he should walk away now. It's not getting better than that. My friends are the exact same thing. That's so funny. Yeah. I mean, literally, like, you're not going to beat this.

Like, yeah. Do the Case Kingdom movie now. I'm going to take, look, I think, I know it's three and a half, I think the Rams are going to fucking go into Philadelphia. I think the Rams are going to go into Philadelphia, bad taste in their mouth after that Denver loss. And for the Chicago Bears without Caleb Williams to do what they did to the Eagles, I'm taking the Rams to go into Philadelphia chip on their shoulder

and win that game by, I don't know why I'm saying, seeing eight, but I'm seeing between eight and 11 or 12. Give me to Rams. Paul, that's my favorite pick as well. Andrew, you can write me in for the Rams. I think they bounce back in a big way. I think this number is pretty short. I mean, it's gone up to three and half probably because they announced Puka's coming back. But I just, I mean, the Rams should have won against Denver as we talked about. And then the Eagles just look, I think they're in big trouble. They can still maybe make the playoffs because that division kind of a mess right now, but Eagles look really bad, and I think the Rams are going to be

starting to get back on track. They're one and two, so they really need this win as well. You know, I said at the beginning of the year, I don't see the Rams win in the Super Bowl. Everybody crowned them, Super Bowl champs early. I don't, I don't see that. I think that they're a very, very good team, but like this idea that Aaron Donald cannot play for a couple of years and then just come in and get the same speed, I don't buy that. I know that's, I know that they're going to get Miles Garrett back, but we'll see. Either way, I agree with you. I think that they have to win. All right, guys, for my third pick of week four, okay? Oh, my God. And another perfect one is the Jags and Bengals and the Bengals, the Jags look good, though, don't they?

They do. But the Bengals are good, too. They had kind of a flute loss against the Steelers, in my opinion. A lot of that was special teams and mistakes that came cleaned up. But yeah, I mean, that's, that could be a potential playoff preview for sure. You know, Jacks could win their division and Bengals could be in the wild card. I can see it. It's going to be a good game. Are the pay, am I seeing that? Andrew, did you get that right? The Patriots are favorites? Bills are minus six and a half. That is, that's the issue of the way around. Okay. I was going to say, all right. I was going to say, dude, that's free money right there,

everybody. All over the business. Yeah. And that is. Jake and I were talking about that one earlier. That's still, I don't really, I wouldn't take. Well, I think Paul is saying it, that's another perfect, I'm sorry, but that's another perfect number. Like, I think that's right around where it could be either way. But yeah, I mean, Andrew and I were talking about earlier. And this is kind of the season for the Patriots, you know.

That'd be one in three with a loss, and the bill is basically clinched the division. So I think, you know, this is a guy really tough. Yeah, yeah. If it was at night, I'd say the Patriots had a better shot. I just think you're going into Buffalo. It's a 10 a.m. game or one o'clock game, excuse me. And, yeah, I don't know. I think that's a tough one.

All right. You know what? I'm going to do it. Why not? Why not? I'm going to take the Steelers tonight getting two and a half. I'm going to take the Steelers getting two and a half. Because it's one of these things where it's like, if the Browns are for real, show me.

And you guys know I love those show me games. I love the games where I'm like, if I'm wrong, then. then okay, but like Dishon Watson's got to show me two weeks in a row. Cleveland's got to show me that they can win that game last week and then come home on a big Thursday night game against a division rival and do it. And I don't know if they're there yet. So tonight I'm going to see, but they got to prove it to me. Give me the Steelers.

Oh, God. I think we're going to end up getting no video from Bill. So Bill just sent his picks. So I'm going to read off Bill's first three picks. Okay. Do they match mine? Let's go down them. No.

So first, Bill is taking the Patriots. Oh, that's a hit. Oh, okay. Okay, I was going to say head to head because I almost went. All right. He is taking the Cardinals. Oh. I like, I hate to say it.

I hate to say it. I was going to pick the Giants. That's a scary one. Andrew, I'm joining him all the Cardinals, by the way. But unfortunately, for it. So those are Bill's three. Paul, you make your last pick. And then Jake and I will finish out ours, I guess, just to.

Well, why don't you tell me Bill's fourth so I don't touch it? Uh, you're not going to touch this. Okay. Yeah, I got to lose this one. Okay. All right. If you do, I will be so shocked. I've never seen you pick.

this team against this team at this time a year. I don't think you'd touch it. We'll see if I'm right though, but go ahead. Okay. And Andrew, I think that you messed up the, sorry, I don't want to call you out on it, but I think the dolphins. I threw these together right before we started this morning. I think the Dolphins Vikings has to be wrong. Yes, that is correct. I was going to say. And now that And now the I just, I will actually says,

I am taking the Vikings. I have faded. Yeah, I am too. This will be, I, this will be three for three for five. I was just,

I was just going to say. Every week. Yeah. Let's see. I was just going to say. Who is that Dolphins? I took the Raiders week one. I took the Niners.

And then did I do it again last week? Did you take the Chiefs? No, yes. Yes. Well, that's what I did. Yeah. I took the Niners and Chiefs.

I'm going for week four, baby. Every week. I'm going to, I'm. Yeah, good. Yeah. Well, listen, here's the deal. And you never want to pick against an injury, but when the fucking dolphins lose their number one guy and now their running game is in question.

But listen, a lot of times, running backs come in, a second running back to come in and be great. They look terrible. They look so bad. looks bad last year. Yeah. And I think them being in Minnesota, I'm going to take the Vikings just because, like I said, two times in a row, I had the Niners do it. I had the Chiefs do it.

Are the Vikings going to do it probably because the, the dolphins don't have much. The dolphins don't have much. And let's be honest, the dolphins are looking at Archman. I'm not saying they're tanking, but you're looking at these teams and you're going, dude, you know, let's not, I'm not saying don't try, but, let's not. I'm not saying don't try, but let's put our best foot forward. But, you know, we'll see. So I'm going to, there you go.

That's my fourth pick. I'm going to take the Vikings. The Vikings should win that game by two touchdowns. They really should win that game by at least 13. So I like that. And there you go. Three fours for sure. Okay.

So tell me Bill's fourth pick. Bill is taking the Raiders against the Chiefs. Raiders. The Raiders. Bill is taking the Raiders against the Chiefs. What's that spread? Four and a half.

Four and a half. Four and a half. But it's such a perfect number. In Vegas? No. Yeah, but the whole field in Vegas isn't much. I like the Chiefs.

I like the Chiefs in that game. You know, listen, at the end of the day, at the end of the day, okay? at the end of the day, you're talking about Patrick Mahomes versus Kirk Cousins. I know Kirk Cousins looks good, but you're talking about a better coach and a better quarterback and a more experienced team. And those three things should do it. I do think the number is, listen, the number is, the number is perfect. But I like the chiefs.

If the chiefs are for real, the chief should win this game by a touchdown. Yes, I agree. I think if the Chiefs do not win this game, it probably says a little something about the iffiness of the season, especially defensively. But Jake, what are your other picks? I'm actually thinking about the Saints. So I think I'm just going to punch that.

Yeah. So Saints is definitely a pick I like. I think we were talking about it offline, but I think that Atlanta winning against Green Bay kind of says a lot more about Green Bay and where they're at. And the Saints probably should have won against the Raiders. So, I mean, we're looking at a Saints team that would have a very different record with that win. And I think people are overreacting a bit to the last weekend's of football.

So I think the Saints are much better team in Atlanta is going to – Atlanta's still not very good. So I think it's a great spot for the Saints coming off a loss at home against Division rival. I think that's one of my favorite picks. And then we were talking about the Chiefs. I'm scared to lock it in. So, Andrew, if you want to lock in your other two, if I think about it.

I think that's probably the way to go. The game I really want to take is I really want to take the Broncos Niners, just because it's the hardest game on the board. What side would you like there? I would probably go a little contrary to probably go Broncos. I think the Niners can't keep the momentum every week like that. But yeah, I don't know. I don't know, dude.

I haven't seen the Niners. have not shown anything that they have a weakness. They look good, dude. I know. That's why I'm expecting. Yeah, I kind of worry about the competition they played would be. So this is a great test for both teams. Because the Broncos kind of won a weird game.

The Niners kind of won a weird game. And then the Niners played like the dolphins and somebody else bad. So it's like this is a great spot for both teams to see who's for real. The other one I'm curious about too is this Packers, Buccaneers. like, I don't know. I just feel like it's the Packers should probably win this game. Am I wrong? Well, Baker Mayfield's out, right?

Yeah. Baker's out. Packers have looked really bad, though, but you are right. They should probably win that game. Who's the backup? Who's the backup? This rookie, Jalen Daniels. Don't know too much about him, but he's a rookie.

Probably not going to do much. All right. I have my fourth thing. I just, it came for me. I like the Cowboys. This is normally not the side I'd be on. I really don't like the Cowboys and usually think they're going to be bad. But I think that the Rams, the Texans are being low over-ally their own three right now.

I know they need the win, but I just think Dallas could use the win too. And I think that's just too many points. I think it's going to be a close game. So I just think that with a bunch of tough numbers on the board. I'll take the Cowboys getting three and a half. And also, dude, don't forget, the Cowboys really, really, they took a bad one. What's scary is the Texans are so desperate. And like, how funny is it that I took the Cowboys, painfully took the Cowboys as a Giants fan.

It was not easy to do. But the way they lost and I still won by half a point and they ended up getting me to two and two. But dude, you are talking about, make zero mistake about this. the Texans are the Texans dogs or is that did you get that one right Andrew or is that no they are no Texans are favorite okay that's what I mean so if the Texans are favorites by three and a half at home against the Cowboys you know this is literally the most desperate team that you will if the Texans lose this game they're probably not going to make the playoffs yeah statistically you might be able to say the same about Dallas because they'd be one in three

as well. Yeah, I mean, Dallas would have to, Dallas could maybe, maybe save it, but you go 0 and 4. You go 0 and 4, and their chances are, so I think Dallas is going to see the craziest Texans team that you could see. That's an interesting game.

It's one that I don't want to touch, but good for you, Jake. You know, Jake the snake, going in, diving in a deep end. Why not? I know. I normally would be on the Chiefs, but I think that half a point is just too much. I love Fayette.

Raiders. It's a great hobby, very profitable one. But yeah, that half a point is a, is a scary me away. But I really like the Chiefs as well. And I just punched in the Packers where talking. I'm just going to go for it. I just want to, I'll root for them there. The other one, like I said, kind of, I'm still because Broncos, but the other one I told Jake earlier, I kind of like the Seahawks here. Okay. That's a good. Yeah, I mean, listen. I don't like the seven, but still. I mean, well, the charges again, like, talk about desperate, you know. Yeah, but just because you're desperate doesn't mean something is off with the charges.

Something's off, but then we talked about this as well. The schedule just gets too crazy after those first two games. So it's like, you know, between the Bill, Seahawks, you know, they play the Broncos and Chiefs and the Ravens. It's like, who are they supposed to be to those teams that can't beat the Cardinals and Raiders at home? Look, I know. I'm winning games.

Yeah. Yeah. Well, look, and Andrew makes a good point, just because you're desperate. it doesn't mean you're going to turn it around. And I get that. Something is, and again, I don't know this to be true, and I'm not trying to be a dick. And if it is, we're all human.

Something is off with Herbert personally. I really believe, I don't know if it's a woman. I know it sounds funny. But the human element comes into this. Because you don't go from a guy that does what he does. And I'm not saying he's like the greatest ever, but something is. could it be an injury that he's just playing through?

Maybe. Could there be something where he doesn't, you know, some of these guys play through shit because they don't want to lose their job because you lose your job, you're done. Could it be something personal at home, relationship? I don't know. But it's just very weird to me.

Because if you look and just hear me out, if you look at the history of Jim Harbaugh, and if you look at the history of Jim Harbaugh in the NFL from when he was with the 49ers and then when you look at him with Michigan, All Jim Harbaugh does is kind of what Parcells did was where it's like first year this, second year progression.

By third and fourth year, you're ready to go. For them to be, sorry, Jake, I know what's your team, but for them to be at the bottom in, in another year of Harbaugh, when it seemed like they started to turn a corner,

lets me know something else is going on. I could be wrong, but I doubt I am. Well, I think the people don't like to hear, you know, Herbert doesn't have this, Herbert doesn't have that. But the truth is, I just think Herbert doesn't have anybody to throw to. It's like what's really the problem. And the Chargers, you know, they've done a decent job trying to, you know, fix the line.

You know, injuries happen. That's one thing. But to not even make an effort to give him any decent weapons is kind of the problem. Like, you can't really name any of the Chargers receivers because they're mostly nobody's. Like, I'll just be honest. It's harsh to say. But, you know, a lot of these guys are not really the top-tier talent. look around the league at some of the good teams.

The Bengals have Jamar Chase and T. Higgins. The Ravens have good, you know, better receivers all the chargers have. The bills went out and traded for DJ Moore. Even if that doesn't work out, you still went and tried to do something. Same with New England with A.J. Brown. Like, those guys, that's the kind of players you need in the league, not Quinn Johnston and, you know, but I'm just saying, like, that's one of the bigger problems. Obviously, Herbert needs to play better, not defending the way he's played.

But, yeah, and to your point, Paul, it's like you should not be regressive. Harbaugh's first two years on the Chargers, we've had 11-win seasons and made the playoffs. You're supposed to improve from there and not be at the bottom of the league. So obviously something's not right with the offense. Hopefully, this is like the best thing for them.

They have a terrible year, get a high draft pick, draft maybe the kid from Ohio State. He was going to be a really special player. And just come in the next year, bring it. I really hope we don't overreact and fire Harbaugh and McDaniel. I think what would be the smarter option is like you just say last year, put it away.

We need to come in more focused and hopefully just have a better year next year because clearly this is over. But listen, there are exceptions sometimes. There are exceptions and maybe the charges, something clicks and they fucking peel off three, four in a row and they're back in it. I'm not saying that that can't happen. That does happen sometimes. And I think Herbert, if any quarterback can do it, it's Herbert. But I agree with you. You got to bring some people in.

All right, guys. let's go to the I was going to do it because I didn't want to say I don't want to roof the Seahawks but I think I'm going to go Seahawks it was either that or I was actually pretty close to and Paul this lines up with your theory too the Seahawks come off a bad loss on the road

they're coming home they're going to be fired up and angry so like I actually would per like I think I'd be less like more you know willing to say the Chargers might cover if like the Seahawks had blown out in Washington last week you know but coming off the loss and they need to win games to keep up in the division.

I think Andrew's on something. Listen, I'm not saying I know we had a fan go, well, Paul, you're actually wrong because it's not even over 50%. It's 49. It's 49. Something percent, but it's my homecoming theory, a good

team losing a heartbreaker coming home. I think if a good team loses a heartbreaker and their next week they're at home and they're an above 500 team, I love their chances. So Andrew, I like that. I mean, seven is, you know, seven is a, is a, you know, it's a touchdown. So like, it's one of those things where it could be a push because, you know, the Chargers are fighting for their lives,

but I like it. All right, guys, now it is time. You have all of our picks. You have Bill's picks. Again, if you guys are, don't know, or, you know, whatever, Bill is out, Bill is out this week. He is, he is, he was on the beginning of the show. He had to travel. Phone went down, but he did send in his, he did send in his picks. And so you have all of our picks and now it is time for the Monday night special. You could insert in your head, Bill singing it. But I'm not saying it because it's his thing. We have the division rival game, Atlanta Falcons versus New Orleans Saints in New Orleans.

I saw that you two guys, oh, wait, did Bill pick the Saints or did you two guys pick the Saints? We picked the Saints. Yeah, me and Andrew. Okay. Andrew and Jake picked the Saints. Bill and I did not. But for the Monday Night Special, I like the home team under, I like the home team under three points. Can I ask you question?

Yeah. Do you think this is a shootout or do you think this is a low scoring game? It's Monday night. Why are you writing Saints there, though? I think you said Home. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. No, no, I'm sorry. I saw Bill's name and I was like, Bill already has four.

Yes, we're going to take the Saints minus two and a half at home against us. the Falcons. It's, listen, when it's a division rival game with a line like this, prime time, I always love home team prime time. Home team prime time with a low line. Yes, it could look like a pick-em, but basically it's the same teams, same odds, but you have home field with the home crowd going nuts. That's got to be an advantage.

That's how I look at. I think a pick you have to do for this as Bijon anytime touchdown because he's just so good. or whatever his over 50 yards are. Something called Bejan. Let's go Bejan Robinson. Anytime touchdown. I like it. I think he's just too good.

You know, he had two touchdowns on a screen bay on last Thursday. I think it's just inevitable he finds his own. How about this? Can we do this, Andrew? Over 47 and a half. That's why I said he was a shoot. I got something, I got even something better, something more fun. and something that should probably do the odds.

And listen, we're not affiliated to anybody right now. So we can do this, but are we allowed to build our own? You can do whatever you want. Let's do any time, any team field goal above 50 yards. Oh, that's fine. 50 plus yards. So there's just another bet, your prop bet you're putting out there. 50 plus yard field goal from either team.

I think that that's a nice little payday. you could build it. Maybe we could quit adding that to this or on its own, you're saying? No, I'm saying adding that to this because I, listen, they go 50 yards, 51 yarder is now, when we were growing up, it's now a 45 yard. It's like a 55 yarder, they go 55 and 56, they go for all the time. But I like it with the Saints and Bejean. I think that that makes for a fun parlay and it makes it special.

I like it. It's important and special. is in the name. Yeah, I was going to say Saints anytime like turnover, but honestly, this is better. It doesn't contradict our Saints two and a half. I actually think I'll go as far as to say this. The easiest part of this parlay is the 50 plus yard field goal. And so it may be right. I think you're right. You may be close. Yeah. I mean, well, I mean, 50, yeah, they go for 50. Yeah. Yeah, it's probably more likely they kick a deep field goal than even a touchdown being scored. I see where Paul's mind's at because I actually agree.

And that's where I think I'll pile under that. I think that that's why I think this game stays under big time. Yeah, are we adding a fourth leg? Or are we sticking with three? I mean, listen, if anybody at home really wants to do it, they can punch it in, they can punch it in just a 50-yard field goal. Well, you know what? How about this?

I agree. Let's do it like this. Let's keep our Monday night special for the show. So shows Monday Night Special will be a three-leg. Saints, Coving, you know, Saints Robinson, a touchdown, and above 50. And then you guys can do ours. And then if you want, just take the Femmless Special, which is just an added one, which will get you more money.

Or do both. Put a little on this one and then a little on the other one. There you go. Obviously, guys, we always say this, bet responsibly, have fun with this. This is not for your kids' college. This is not for a car. It's not for a mortgage. This is a couple bucks here and there, having fun watching football.

Is this the week that your boy goes above 500 and we ride that wave? We'll see. Listen, usually I'm bad until week seven. So I'll take where I'm at. Thank you guys so much for watching the show. I have to plug some dates, guys. I am going to be October 8th and 9th. I am going to be in Jamesville, Wisconsin at the Comedy Cabot.

On the 11th, one night only helium in Buffalo, New York, one of my favorites. I have not been to the comedy cabin, so I don't mean disrespect. I haven't been to Janesville, but I have been to the helium in Buffalo. That's October 11th. We just added Uncle Vinnie's October 16th and 17th in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. November 6th, your boy is headlining the New York Comedy Festival's Stand West, the brand new stand. I guess it's getting christened by Dave Chappelle on the first of October. they're making the green room nice

going to be a whole new stand comedy club on West 15th Street. I am headlining it November 6th for the festival. New Year's Eve, I'm in Philadelphia. I'm at Cap City, January 7th. We added a bunch of dates. So go to Paul Verzi.com for that and check out Paul's best podcast,

which is produced by your boy right there. Andrew Semless. We got some great guests coming up. We just had Jeremiah Watkins. We got Sam Marell coming. We got Brett Ernst coming. You could check that out. Check out all of Bill Burr.

stuff go to Bill Burr's website, all of his stuff, and there you guys have it. We will be back next week. Go Steelers tonight. I need that now. Now, you know what? Now I'm intrigued to watch. Now I have something to watch. I got Steelers Browns to watch tonight, you know?

Absolutely. And don't forget, we have the Monday night special for you guys. It is the Saints minus two and a half. It is any time touchdown for Bejan Robinson and it is either team hitting a 50-yard plus field goal tonight, and you can cash that ticket in. Thank you guys so much.

We will see you next week.