First Things First - Howie Long joins show, Rashee Rice suspension, How dangerous are Burrow & Allen this season?

Episode Date: August 27, 2025

Watch clips on YouTube! Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FIRST THINGS FIRST YOUTUBE CHANNEL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (00:00) Rashee Rice suspended by NFL / What's on the line for Josh Allen this year? / DPOY predictions (25:46) How dangerous are the 2025 Bengals? / Cowboys have any shot if Micah Parsons is not ready? (40:26) Who has the bigger game: Arch Manning or Jeremiah Smith? (45:55) AFC North and NFC North predictions (1:13:17) Howie Long joins show (1:22:41) Can Jordan Love be an MVP finalist? (1:26:35) Any reason to doubt the Chiefs ability to make another run? / Danny Parkins' AFC & NFC North picks (1:48:55) Packed stats (1:58:48) Josh Allen, Micah Parsons and NY Giants talk (2:07:23) Final thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Live from New York, it's the show that's offering another round of congratulations on another connection. Yesterday it was Travis and Taylor. Today, Tommy DeVito and the New England Patriots. Well, Tommy. Really? Yes. Practice squad? I believe on the team.

That's not good. I think. I think. Either way, he's driving to Foxboro. Top down. The agents hold on the other string quarterback. That's not bad. Oh, my.

Great vibes? Yeah, I'm with you. I'd rather, you hope you never see him on the field. I'd rather my adopted playoff team, the Raiders, have him than Kenny Pickett is backup. Well, it's okay. Oh, tiny B, Vee, it's not a patriot. You're just a patriot. You're just a patriot.

You're just, you know, bam. First hour on first. Today, Micah's coach said Micah will be on a pitch count. Do the Cowboys have a chance against the, Eagles that is in eight days. Micah is just he doesn't look ready. No, I'm not, I'm only sending it every five days. Is that fair?

He doesn't look ready. No. What do you want to do, though? Like, stretching? How could he prove to you he's ready? Put it on his jersey. I mean, that would help. People get tired, through.

I'm boring watching these practices. I'm pulling for him, but it's just that. Fair point. Meanwhile, Patrick Sartan won defensive player the year. Last year, what are the chances he can repeat early predictions for defensive players? player of the year. You can win the coveted first things first defensive player of the year.

Which is a glove, a very sticky glove. One glove and brew refuses to participate. And finally, division predictions, AFC and NFC North, featuring a very special guest on the show who is in the building. We're not going to say who it is, but stay tuned. It's a fantastic guest. Fantastic. It's going to be great.

It also might be the dumbest thing we've ever done. That is a high barter. Yesterday you were upstairs kissing embellows. I was not. And painting, spray painting flowers. I was doing nothing. This dude is upstairs putting lipstick on, kiss an embellon.

What? It's insane. Someone had to go to CVS and get lipstick. What are you talking? You sound insane, bro. I know that. I know that. I'm upstairs.

I'm the number. Numbers got letters. Think I'm upstairs putting on makeup kissing envelopes, trying to make them look like small feminine lips. That's so crazy. What is wrong with you? I can't wait to get my own soul over. We start with Rishi Rice's suspension, six games.

This had been rumor now it's an official. It's officially not appealing it. He will miss the Chargers game opening, that opening Friday in Sao Paulo, Super Bowl rematch against the Eagles. Frisky, or a field, Giants game, Ravens. They're all apart. It's just a disaster.

Jacksonville and the Lions. Now, I was upstairs. I said, these are three huge games. That's not what you said? You said three of your four biggest games in the years. Yeah, which I viewed, Brew as the Bills, the Lions, the Super Bowl rematch, and Lamar and the Ravens. Yeah.

And then here it was- Division games, obviously. Thank you, Brew. Listen, so, all right, before I respond. on to Wilde's incorrect take from earlier that we will address here and Wilde will get very mad at me. I did check in on the tinfoil hat crew to see how this fits into the Chief's conspiracy, because remember, they were delaying it because no one's going to watch now.

Like, she's out. And listen, you guys have joked. You guys weren't joking, but I'm going to take it as joking because it hurt my feelings that I am pestering people like Micah Parsons and they're leaving me on red. I knew that you're feeling. I was like, as soon as I said, oh, that has been months. I think that was landed. It was not, because it was just not true.

It represents me the audience. Of course you don't think is true. The way you laugh, I didn't like it. However, I will tell you someone who I bet wishes didn't give me their number. And that is Florio, who tweeted. He's like, you have my number. Text me instead of tweet about me. So I'm like, no problem, buddy.

So I text him today. And he responded nicely. I don't have to get into it about the, hey, so like, is it still a vast conspiracy to help YouTube TV by making sure Rishie Rice is playing? That was always dumb, but like most conspiracies, the moment they're disproven, you moved on to the next one. Now, I preferred he be suspended later. Brew made a compelling case. He thought it was better for the Chiefs that had happened now. I actually think the Chiefs as a whole agreed more with Brew than with me, that it's like, get it over with.

Now, I'm sure they would have rather did it have been four games instead of six, but, six to me is the reasonable fair outcome. I thought four was the best he could have hoped for. I thought eight was the longest reasonable. I thought 10 would have been outrageous and anything under four, given the fact of how dangerous it was. And this shouldn't matter, but it does, that it was on video. You knew it was like that.

Right. That was going to play into it. Now to the impact on the team. If we put the chief schedule up again, if we were to look at the, if we were to look at, if he instead of being suspended games one through six was suspended games seven through 12, you can make just as compelling of an argument that that six game stretch is as difficult or certainly as important as the first six game stretch. That one has the Bill's game, the single biggest game of the year alongside the Ravens game, two divisional games in the Raiders and the

Broncos. The commanders, which according to Vegas are eye to eye with the Lions this year as far as quality of team. So I, where I am not buying that, oh, this is the worst part of the year to be suspended. If I were to power rank games by importance, not by difficulty, but by importance, Baltimore and Buffalo are the first two. The next six are your six divisional games. And for me, after that would be Texans, or if you believe in the Jags, Jags, a team that could matter for divisional winner playoff seating. Like the cross-case. conference games are the least important games on your schedule unless you believe there is some psychological edge to Philadelphia. And I'm here to tell you, there is no world that exists

where if the Chiefs lose to the Eagles in week two, they're like, well, we just can't beat that team. That's the part that I disagree. I agree with you that week, that second, that middle part of the schedule seven to 12 is just as important as the first six games. I do think Phillies, very important game. If they lose to Philly and it's close, fine. If they get stomped by Philly again. Now, I agree. I don't think the chiefs are obviously mentally tough.

I don't think they'll throw in the towel and feel like we got no chance of winning the Super Bowl. But I do think that would matter. Like, if they got to be 33 to 14 or something like that. Can I ask you this and then I'll let you go? If they get beat by 20 without Rishi Rice, do we think, well, they would? Like, if we're talking about them getting blown out, that to me is Rishi Rice independent. You know what I mean?

Like, I don't think the Super Bowl would have gone different had they, you know what I mean? Yeah, I was taking Rashid out of that. I'm just saying in general, they don't have to necessarily beat the Eagles, although it'd be great for them. They need to not get blown out, though, after what happened in the Super Bowl. But like I said, a few weeks ago when we talked about this, I do think this is the best thing for when he, if he has to be suspended. it the first six games because let's say they do whatever of those Philly, Baltimore,

Detroit, whichever of those games they win that gives them an edge over that team mentally because if they meet them in the postseason because they beat you without Rashie Rice and him coming back

will just make the Chiefs even better. If they lose, whichever of those teams they may lose to, the other team, if they meet in the postseason, has to deal with Rishi coming back, a better version of the Chiefs. They will not have faced him. So, you know, it'll be different for him.

So I, and then mentally, if they beat any of those teams without Rishi, now you really have a mental advantage over them because we beat you without our best receiver. When he's back, you really are in trouble.

So I think it's good for him. You think it's good for him? No, I mean, if he's going to be suspended, like I was saying he wanted it early inside. I knew he was getting suspended. Six is fair. I mean, eight would have been justifiable. but six is fine.

That's the thing. First of all, I just want to establish I am a Chiefs fan. No, you're not. And it's a two-way street. I love the Chiefs, and I'm beloved in Kansas City.

Neither of those things are true. That being said, I don't like this at all. The Chargers game, I'm not willing to just say, oh, that's an easy win. It's in Sao Paulo, and now you don't have your number one

wide receiver. I don't like it right off the bat. Best scoring defense in the league. I just don't like it. Go ahead. Let you keep going. And then you got a Super Bowl rematch that I do think there is some sort of psychological sup thing there.

You won the Super Bowl. You lost an Arrowhead. You got embarrassed. And I know the only reason I think it's a psychological thing for the Chiefs is when Siriani pulled the starters and Jalen's hanging out, Mahomes is still there. They didn't want to get blown out. So like, let's... If they get blown out, I agree.

So you're scoring touchdowns with two minutes left. The game, but it's, there's something there that they didn't want it to be as ugly as it was. They didn't want to be blown out in the Super Bowl. I agree. I think that's definitely true. Yeah, but they still did, but it's, it felt, I don't know, I felt like there was. It's the Super Bowl, bro. Like, you know what he pulls their starters in the Super Bowl ever.

Like that. Nick Sirianney did. No, no trailing team. You would admit, though, if the Chiefs get blown out by the Eagles. So here is what I think. It says a lot. It says a lot about. their chances if the same two teams meet in the Super Bowl again and back-to-back years.

I would agree with that. I do not think it would. Here is my triple pushback. Last year, the Chiefs played the Niners. Before the Niners were ravaged by, you know what I mean, before their season was over, annihilated them after having beaten them in a Super Bowl, beaten them the year before in the regular season, beating them in another Super Bowl

and nobody on this show said well the Niners season's over. They didn't crush the Niners in the Super Bowl. No but they correct. They crushed them in the regular season. I also think we are just not being honest about how the Chiefs

are wired and the Chiefs are built if we think there is any result that can happen in the regular season that is going to make them feel like they're the underdogs ever. No, but if you're 0-1-2, right? If you're right-of-way you're o'-and-two, you're headed to it. But we do this with respect, we do this every year with the Chiefs.

We talk about how they could lose all these games. Every year, because they always have a hard schedule to start the season, and their worst start is 3-1. Like, they did lose to Detroit that year. They did, and then they reeled off victories. Last year, they played terribly the first six weeks, which is why they were only 6-0 through six weeks. They also played the, you're talking about the Charger game.

Rishie Rice got his knee blown out at the beginning of the Charger game. They beat them. Then, you know what I mean? Then they went and beat him again. The Sao Paulo element of just like the neutral field just throws me off. To me, that is, and this is some of my frustration with some of the commentary surrounding the defining dynasty of this decade. You're right.

It is weird to play a game in Brazil. I would imagine that will impact a charger team more than the Chiefs team. I think that the... I don't know if that's true. Why? Because I think if you're... The overmatched team benefits from unique circumstances. Like if there's going to be an upset, it's like, ooh, the London game.

I don't know how that's going to play out. So then, but then I guess here's my... Because it feels to me like a lot of times with like, teams at this caliber, we set the stakes as to how they can lose. When they win, we act like it didn't mean anything. So, like, are you now of the belief that if, you are definitely, without a doubt, picking on Friday the Eagles to win the Super Bowl. No one knows that. If the chiefs, who you think could start 0 and 2, if the chiefs start 2 and 0 by winning this weird tough South Paulo game without Rishie Rice and then beats Philly, are you going to come out here Monday and say

the chiefs are the best team in football? I've always said, I'm beloved to Ken's sitting in. I literally started the segment like that. I literally started by saying I love the chiefs. I will say this. Look, I think Rishi is their best receiver. I think he's a pro-ball caliber receiver, all that.

They went to the Super Bowl last year without him. Like, they will be fine in these first games. Now, they're better with them. Yeah. But they're still great without him. I understand. But if every, if we took all of the top teams and Jamar Chase went down or Zay Flowers went down.

But they haven't had a, like, Rishie's not that. And right, if we took all those top teams and gave them Mark Wesvaultz, Scantling, McCall Hardman, Skymore, and Juju as their leading receivers. No, no, no, without the homes. As they're leading receivers, they would be cooked. Those guys all except for Jujo are now out of the league. The Chiefs won. Super Bowl with that.

Okay. So like I. Hose is the difference. Yeah. I'm worried as a Chiefs fan. Okay. Drew. Leave it at that.

Three point favorites. In Sao Powell, neutral field. Yeah. Josh Allen didn't play a snap of the preseason for the first time in his career. So no hits before the year and few hits during the year. Telling Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, last year was a step in the right direction where I didn't take too many hits. Now, I'm not saying I didn't take.

any, but during this off season, this is the best I felt after any season because I didn't take those hits. Now, our Josh, slightly smaller than Josh Allen, pulled the data on how many hits he took. And in 2024, he took 51 hits, which is the fewest among 23 quarterbacks who had 12 or more starts and far fewer than just a few years ago. He took 92. Clarify, if you would, to the audience. Oh, sorry, this is in the pocket. This is like a winning throwing. include when he's running the ball.

It's just for the low. Just for the audience. So total hits we're not, we're not. It's harder. But he did run less last year than ever. And he's through it less than ever. Yeah, MVP. Jalen Hurtson. Okay. What's on the line for the MVP

this year? The same thing that's on the line for Lamar Jackson. He is now Josh and Lamar S. Bobby. What? What? What? S-Bobbicue.

I could see. I don't even know what this is. The corner Bruce. Super Bowl or bus quarterback. They are the two main S-bobbecues in the lead. Yeah, I'm sorry.

Super Bowl or bus quarterback? That's what they are. Now, obviously, Mahomes and Jalen are S-Bob, but there is not the pressure on them, right? They've won. These two,

until they win a Super Bowl, the pressure is all as barbecue. We got it. It's all on it. What happened to the final B? Quarterbacks won word wilds. The final B.

I was saying QB. Yeah, I understand. But barbecue. Just keep going, brew. You get it, right? I do get it. All right. That's going to.

No, I'm just saying, I'm not trying to be funny. That's a fact. Yeah. There as barbecue. Yeah. Super Bowl or bus quarterbacks. Yes. Go ahead.

It just makes. total sense. It does now that I hear. All right, you get it? Now, the fact is every year until one of them until they win a Super Bowl, the pressure is going to be on it. And nothing, Dion Dawkins, God bless him. He's trying

to lower the pressure on the team, on Josh. But there is no way Lamar or Josh can be satisfied without, I guess if getting to the Super Bowl is another step in the right direction. But Lamar is

especially has to win. He's the only two-time MVP who hasn't won a championship. And Josh has to win a Super Bowl. Well, like they both have to win a Super Bowl. Maybe it'll be next year. Maybe it'll be the year after. History says one of them's going to,

they're both, you would think both of them will win one at some point. Yep. And we're getting, you know, further along in their careers. I look at it a little earlier in the postseason than you do. He cannot lose to Patrick again. He can't.

And so I think that, I mean, this, the quarterback who has owned another quarterback list in the playoffs that the Patrick over Josh is in the pole position, we can put it up there, four and O. Here's the thing, man. Like, Brady over Rivers, it's like, okay, Brady is in a drastically different class than Rivers. Aikman Farv is different because we look at them as their primes didn't align. You know what I mean, that Aikman had it.

And then by the time Farrb got rolling, the cowboys were out of there. Kelly over Marino, that's a sneaky, like the most important part of Jim Kelly's career and the worst part of Dan Marino's career is what they were. You know, Kelly getting to all those Super Bowls, Marino never getting the one. And then L.O.A co-star, it's just again, we're talking about two different total calibers of quarterbacks. Four times in the playoffs is wild. Like that This is early.

They still got long careers left too. Tom only beat Peyton twice ever in the playoffs. I say that people think it's not true. Like Tom Brady beat Peyton Manning two times ever in the playoffs. It feels like he owned him. You know why? Because he won the first two. Peyton actually has a winning record against Brady in the playoffs.

It's three to Peyton. But those three took, you know, over a decade. You know, once he was in Denver, two of those wins. Brady was immediate. Like, so that he can't lose to Patrick again. There's a lot of ways for this season. Nothing will be gratifying other than winning the Super Bowl. The only disaster is to be 0 and 5.

And so, like, yes, I think he would need, he wants to get off this list, the most playoff wins and not making the Super Bowl as a quarterback. He has seven, 30 guys have six. The other 29 have played in a season. Super Bowl. Josh has not. I think we all think eventually he's going to get there. They're like partners.

Yeah, but right. Of course they are. But you're saying if he loses to Lamar or Joe Burrow, whoever in the playoff, it's better. Again, he'll be devastated, but like it's on the flip side, if they met earlier and he won and then lost. Again, I still think that is something. I do. I think that would be okay. That's what I mean.

That's what I'm saying. Like if they, if he were to beat, if round two is Josh Patrick, Patrick wins. And then round three is Josh Lamar. Lamar wins. I don't think this year hurts Josh. Like step in the right there. Yeah. You know what I mean?

Still haven't made a Super Bowl. Like maybe Lamar ascends passive in some people's. But you, five times you are, that's more than Jordan beat the Knicks. Like you can't, you don't want to be in that. So that's to me where it's at. And also, can I add a. Yeah. I have an error of trepidation about him talking about.

trying to become basically more of a true passer. Because the reason I believe Josh Allen is the second best quarterback in the league hands down is not because just the passing. It is because of I think he is such a dynamic, devastating rushing threat. And if you look at him as a passer the last two years compared to Patrick, who these are the two years, we're like, what is wrong with Patrick? He has won an MVP and come in fifth an MVP voting. with equivalent passing stats to Mahomes,

and we think Mahomes is, like, falling off. And I'm not saying that's unfair. It's because of what he adds running the ball. If he's saying, you know what I mean, I'm going to try to run the ball less. That would, I get why he's doing it, but that would worry me. I agree with you that he, you know, he can't keep running.

Well, no, I disagree in that he has to become, he's already a good passer, But as his career goes on, he's going to have to throw it more. Because he can't keep taking these hits. He, I mean, maybe could end up like Cam Newton. Well, that's what they talk about in the article. Big Ben, who had to change how it was. So he's going to have to throw it more.

But that's the interesting thing. He won MVP last year. He threw it less than ever. He ran it less than ever. He just stopped turning it over. But still felt like he was a huge part, the main part of the office. Bill's Ravens next Sunday night. Prediction Week rolls on.

We're looking at defensive player of the year. Sartan won it last year. Here are the recent winners. Sartan, Miles Garrett, Bosa, Watt, Aaron Donalds. Shout out to Stefan Gilmore. Then two more Donalds, Mac, and another Watt. And JJ won two more before that.

Yeah. Look at that. The Watt and Donald family of Dominating this award in the last decade. Wow. All right, your defensive player of the year pick, Bru. I was torn between two guys, not on that list. Will Anderson, Jr. in Houston, who I think has a great chance. I think that defense is going to be very tough, and he's going to have a huge year, and Aiden Hutchinson.

And I'm going with Hutchinson, because I think he's coming back with a vengeance. Like, obviously he hated to miss, you know, the second half of last season. He was on pace. I'm not saying he's going to do this. but he was on pace for 25 and a half sacks. I mean, we had 70 and a half sacks in five games. I'm not saying he's going to get 25, but the record's 22 and a half. So I'm just saying that's the type of pace he was on.

And I think he will have a huge year sack-wise. I think that defense is going to be better than it was last year. And so I'm going with Hutchinson. You know how yesterday you were a little disappointed in Danny Parkins because he didn't pick the chargers to win the AFC West? And it was, he was trying to do the right thing, journalistically and integrity wise and only say what he actually believed. You wanted him to do the best thing for the show.

Yeah. I had a similar issue today. The best thing for the show is to, after the meeting we had today and after the three months we've had, is to say it's Trey Hendrickson and to make us do Trey Hendrickson right here. However, however, I don't think the Bengals are going to be good enough on defense. So I'm going with someone who I actually think could have. He's never had more than 14 and a half sacks, but I think his team is going to need him to get after the quarterback. I think they're going to have more leads than people think they will and be involved in more

shootouts. And that is Max Crosby. Max Crosby has finished sixth in this award. He's four than this award. He's great. He is the, you know what I mean? For the Raiders defense, have a fighting chance. He's got to be great. And I'm serious when I say he has gotten his sack numbers despite the fact that they are, you know, typically trailing late in these games. If I'm right and they're at least going to be more competitive, you know what I mean, have some leads. He should be able to tee off some. I say Max Strawsby for the defense. Can I put one take chip on the take roulette board? Please. A lot of noise about this guy. Talk about a guy ready to come out with a vengeance with a new contract. Michael Parsons.

Oh, one take chip. But that defense has to be good. I mean, even though it's an individual award. Yeah, I think that's a good. They got to be really good. I think that's good. And this is an award that even with a slow start, you can win. You know what I mean?

I actually, it's important. Come on. Come on late. But if they're getting blown out. That's the problem. The problem is he's going to have as many pass. Are the Bengals actually paper tigers? That's next on FS1.

the Fox Sports Channel on Sirius X-Ham. When you said new contract, I thought you also were going to say trading next. Hey, the podcast, how's the podcast doing? Great. Wow, number one. We are climbing. In the area. In the area.

Number one, local podcasts in Hell's Kitchen. And also our YouTube channel, just on fire, a slow, steady march to 2 million subscribers. So thank you for all of your support. If we did that thing we were talking about Greg doing during the commercial break as a YouTube exclusive, we should do that. Oh, yeah. Cincinnati's offense, Craig Jennings here. Cincinnati's offense averaged 28 points a game in Burrow led the league in yards per game,

putting up almost 275 every time he was out there. Didn't yield a ton of wins, but T. Higgins still delighted in his offense. Take a listen. One guy ain't got to do it by itself. You know what I mean? He got two guys out there that can get open and win the game. You know what I mean? At the end of the day.

So all I can say is really is special. You know what I mean? Not too many teams are able to get that type of, you know, duo or trio, as you would say. So, you know, we try to keep it around as long as we can. All right. So look at this graphic. When scoring over 30 last year,

the Bengals won three games and lost four. The rest of the NFL won 96 games and lost 10. So it tied the record for the most such losses. AFC North predictions are coming up. But, Brew, how dangerous are the Bengals? Moderately dangerous. Moderately. They could make the playoffs.

With that offense, they could. And Nick, I know you've talked about it's going to be hard to duplicate that office. They were only sixth in scoring offense last year, 27 a game. That's fair point. They could definitely average 20. or more. Now, that was the most they've ever average with Burrow,

but still, they could do that. And I think their defense will improve enough where they'll have a chance for the playoffs. That's why I say moderately dangerous

because if they get there, Baltimore, Kansas City, and Buffalo are all going to have top of the league defenses, top 10 defenses. And so I think if it, like,

those defenses will not let Burrough score every time, every he has the ball, which they're going to have to do a lot of to win some of these games, whereas Cincinnati's defense will have more trouble stopping those three quarterbacks. So I think if they get to the playoffs, one of those teams will beat them because of the defense. I think this is a very dangerous team. Last year, they were a dangerous team because we identified. They can score.

This team can score. It's like going to a fight and you got your crew with you. And you get into a fight and I'm with Nick. Nick decides not to fight. You might get the fight. If Nick, you go out with Nick, you might get into a fight. If we get into a fight and Nick don't want to fight with me. And I reckon, I'm not saying you wouldn't.

I'm saying you don't. And then going. I don't know how much. But the next time I go, just like the Bengals this year, I already got in my mind. He's not going to fight. So I got to do a little bit more. That's the Bengals. That's the Bengals.

That's the Bengals. You listen. When you listen to T. Higgins, he's not even thinking about his defense anymore. Last year, it was frustrating. Defense, man, hit somebody. Now they don't even, look, we're just going to outscore you. When you have that mentality,

I was on a team that averaged 35 points a game in 2011 with the Packers. It was, we went 15 and 1 that year. We didn't win it all. Clearly, you guys know, but it was that mindset. We didn't care what the defense did. It doesn't matter we're going to outscore you. That just was our, that was our mentality and philosophy. I know they presented that last year, but they were frustrated because they were hoping their defense did a little bit.

Can they win the AFC like that? I agree they can be dangerous, but can they win the AFC as they are. Absolutely. Okay. I like that a lot. Just to be clear, I would fight with you. I'm not claiming I'm a great fighter, but I think got some experience. I think he's saying he's not about.

You're trying hard. He's just saying you're not going to be that efficient when it comes to the group. No, that's not what he was saying. No, he knows after a few seconds. He's got to do it. Last year, they showed up and the defense was like, we're out of here. You're on, your own. And so now they're showing up and they're like, all right, I got to know.

And I'm just saying I wouldn't be that guy. I'm just letting you know. In this analogy, I'm Trey Hendrickson. I'm giving my all. I'm still good for. But all right. Now, listen, we, we, brew is brought up. I have brought up Drew Brees in relation to Brock Purdy and Brew is brought up.

Listen, Drew Brees won 7 and 9 a bunch of times. I think that applies more to Joe Burrow than to Purdy, which is this is not an indictment on Burrow or that offense, but three straight years. Drew Brees averaged 5,000 yards a season, 34 touchdowns, a 100 passer rating. seven and nine, seven and nine, seven and nine. Now, nobody dare question Sean Payton's coaching.

We would not do that like we do Zach Taylor. However, I'm just saying, you didn't. There's nothing you could do. He only is allowed to coach the one side of the ball. I don't know. They change the rules, I guess. I don't know. But that to me is more applicable in that we are typically,

if you have a quarterback that good, your team is just in it. But not always. And Breeze is a great example. example of it. And so the, your guys team with Aaron, I know you guys didn't have a great defense, but that was a, you guys lost a tough playoff game. You guys were a great, great team. This feels to me a lot of like do it all over again and to where yes, brew. Last year people thought they were dangerous. There was a whole, there was a whole media cycle of the chiefs are scared of them. The chiefs are going to throw the week 18 to prevent these guys from getting in the playoffs. I don't know. Yeah, I think that was a fair take. Okay. They just matched up well. The one thing, I'm not going as far as Greg.

But I do think one of the benefits for the, they're not afraid of anybody. They've obviously beaten the Chiefs in the playoffs. So they are a tough matchup for the Chiefs and the Raiders. So that's all last year. So here's the thing. And this is where I think their offseason moves might come against them. I know everybody decided Lou Aniromo was the problem. You know who was the happiest team in the league that they got rid of Lou Anarumo, the best team in the AFC?

Because what is true is we think back to those playoff games about like Burrow out dueling Mahomes. Go look at the stats. It was not that. It was that Anarumo's defense really gave Mahomes some problems. Regular season and playoffs where he just didn't look quite like himself. And so we have seen teams that, and I think the bills had been an example. It's why they got rid of Leslie Frazier, where they would have these really good right now. Again, they've had the problems with Leslie Frazier,

but where they weren't able to adjust for the best quarterbacks in the league, keep the defense at the same level. The Bengals were the opposite. Those were mediocre defenses that gave Josh Allen trouble in the playoffs the one year in Buffalo, gave Mahomes trouble. So I just, I think they're exciting. I think they're fun. I don't find them to be a dangerous team.

Open up at Cleveland. If Joe Flacco... That's the biggest must win of week one. That is the biggest must win. They struggle against the Browns. I know, but you... They struggle against the Browns. They changed everything about their week one.

Yeah, they got to win that game. Yeah. Last year, the first game, the Browns played Deshawn, who popped his Achilles, that game. Jamis and DTR, they had 259 yards more than Burrow. but the Bengals won. Oh, the first game against the Browns. The first game, the first Browns.

Yeah, they played these things. They play the Bengals. That is a must win. That is a must win. We might not even do it. Oh, because it's obvious. It's an obvious muscle. Obvious muscle.

Absolutely. Meanwhile, Cowboys Eagles in eight days. Schotenheimer says Michael would be on a pitch count if he plays, even though he has an ailing back that may or may not be diagnosed as contract dyspiditis. Here's Schontheimer. It's not a real thing. There'll be a ramp up plan.

for him. And, you know, when he lines up out there to play, you know, do I think he would play 75 plays and every play? Probably not. You know, I don't think that that's real. But I do think that he can be very disruptive like we all know. All right, Brew, does Dallas have a shot if Micah's not ready to go at 100% speed? I love Micah. Micah's fantastic. We all know that. With or without Micah, they're getting Maliwobbed. All right? Micah played in the two games against Philly last year, where they were outscored 75 to 13. Who was their quarterback in those games? Cooper Rush, but the second game, when Philly beat him 41-7,

Kenny Pickett was their quarterback. Oh, yeah. So I'm like, Philly, in Philly, banner, you know, the Super Bowl banners going up, division rival, the hated cowboys,

they're getting stomped with or without. Mike. It'll be a little worse without Micah. But you know what? Oh, no. F game incoming. Wow. F game incoming. I got a special button for the numerous F games that are going to happen this year for the Cowboys.

And Wiles, because I know the Knap Town thing really stuck in your craw, for some reason it didn't work for you. I want to give you the honor of hitting the F game button on the Cowboys for the first time. I double-checked all the wires and everything. It's ready. This is a little Charlie Brown and Lucy in the football. And I'm going to do it again. Okay. Hubbs, if this doesn't play,

you hit it like a man. I don't want to do it. You didn't hit it. I don't know what it is. What are you doing? You're massaging it. Hit it like a man. And it'll work.

I don't want to do this. I don't know why it's there. You know what? This is how it's done. FD. FD. FD. FD.

It's not going to break. It's something from a lighting supply store. It's not going to bleed. It's not going to get hurt, all right? This is the second time in two days, Drew, has not so subtly questioned your manhood of us. I'm just a hit thing.

Yesterday when you announced the Taylor Swift. Too busy reading the gossip magazines. You might have to do something in the brain. I am shocked by Brew's answer. I expected you to pick a blowout because you've been hinting at it. But Brew is Mr. Puncher's chance any given Sunday, typically. Not this one. Right, typically.

And here's what I will say. Listen, I have the Cowboys finishing last in the division. And so I am not a believer in Dallas this season. However, what I do think is, DAC historically, has played really well against Philly. Dax obviously played really well against the division as a whole, but even against Philly, he's nine and four, he's got a good passer rating, around 100. Like, he's had success there. I think Philly's defense, particularly past defense, the pass rush and the back end is going to be a work in progress. So do I see, do I think any shot?

Do I think like this could turn into a true shootout? You know what I mean? where they were DAC and CD and pickings are moving up and down the field, and Philly is also moving up and down the field on a bad Cowboys defense? Yeah. And if it's a true shootout, I don't think typically that's not the game Philly likes to play. You know what I mean? Philly likes to control the clock, run the ball.

So I think a divisional game when the other team has a high caliber quarterback, which the Cowboys do, you always have a shot. So I disagree with, bro. Yeah, I was thinking the same thing you were thinking. And then I thought to myself, as you were talking, like Philly likes to possess the ball, run the ball, down your throat. And that's exactly what they're going to do. Yeah.

And so, yeah, no. And when we showed Micah on the sideline, you know who was standing next to him? That's just now practicing coming up for Nick. Trayvon Dix. Like, this is not just about Micah. I know we're focusing on Micah, but another one of your top defenders may not even be available. And if he is, he's going to be on the. pitch count. So this is, it's just not looking good for the Dallas Cowboys come week one against

the Eagles. And the Eagles, they just feel like they have something yet again to prove. Yeah. Because of all the questions around their quarterback and those who look like this. No, I'm just saying, I mean, how many more, how many more parades do the Eagles need? They're the favorites. They're the they have more people in the top 100. They're the NFC favorites by a by a lot. Um, there, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the Jalen Hertz is in top 20 again. Like, I just, I don't, it's a lot of tiny violins for what. Tiny violins. You'll find some local blogger who said that Patrick Mahomes. Yes. Yes. Thank you. Hey, hold on a white show and you bring out a bulletin board. Hold on a second. Are you, are you, are you questioning? And I'm beloved in Kansas City. I have, I have, that's why you're beloved. Because you're, I'm, you keep. You. That's what the people of Kansas City like. They do. I want you to be real.

I don't pull punches like you in a fight with Greg. Is that going out? Alligator arms? It's Arch going off versus Ohio State and the interesting stat that we don't have video for next. Let me help you out while. I don't want you how to hit it. I don't want this back. There you go.

I'm almost. Oh, now it's broken. Now no one's going to use it. Now no one's going to use it. Okay. Oh, man. Number one, Texas at number three, Ohio State on Fox this Saturday. Coverage starts at 9 a.m.

Battle of two Heisman favorites. Arch is number one. Jeremiah Smith is four. Jeremiah Smith, obviously, on a tear. But last year in the playoff, get a look at this. He's just dominating. Tennessee, six catches for 103. Then Oregon, seven catches for 187.

Another two touchdowns. Then Texas uses my old Travis Kelsey. defensive plan. How about we guard Jeremiah Smith? One catch, three yards, and then against Notre Dame, five catches 88. So who will have the more impressive game, Arch or Jeremiah? I'm going to go with Arch. Because obviously Jeremiah's dependent on the quarterback and they got a new quarterback Julian saying who is talented,

right? In high school he was a five-star guy. Ooh, I like that. Yeah, I mean, but his first game of his, you know, real significant action. I think he's only thrown like 12 passes last year. So first start, first big game of his career, and it's against Texas. Texas obviously coming after the Buckeyes after losing that playoff game.

I think Arch is going to have a pretty good, obviously Ohio State's going to reload. But I just think they showed that they know how to handle Jeremiah Smith. I'm not saying he only has one reception, but I think Arch will. have a better game. Yeah, no, I should have had a robot do that.

Wow. Oh, wow. It's a lot. He's going to be. Of course. Jeremiah Smith, let me tell you something. Say it is all day in college. What do you know about Julie?

It doesn't matter. Really? It doesn't matter in college because the hashes are so wide. You can play the field as the boundary and leave him one-on-one with any DB you have. And he better have a short-term memory because what he's going to be doing, and striking up the band. They playing in the shoe. It is what it is.

You can't guard this guy. They might not go. They might not single courage. When you have a freshman quarterback coming in, you know what you do? I did this with my freshman quarterback that came in my senior year. Hey, man, just put the ball in the air. I got you. That's the only message he needs.

I don't care about his five-star rating. I don't care about none of that. Just you see number four, get him the ball. Good things will happen. You don't think that was their approach last year? Well, I think that they were, I mean, to be fair, Ohio State won the game. Like, I think they were, I think Texas maybe won the battle, lost the war. Like, they did take Jeremiah Smith away, and Ohio State found other ways to take advantage.

So here's, my answer is also Jeremiah Smith. Jeremiah Smith is, you know, a likely, it's almost unquestioned he's going to be the top, when he comes out, the top non-quarterback taken. And he should be, would be the top player taken if there wasn't position value. No, he still might end up that way. I'm going to revisit what I said yesterday about how fascinating Arch Manning is, which is. I am not, I want to make sure I am not misconstrued here. We don't know yet if he's good.

We think we would be shocked if he wasn't. He is being treated as if we know he's great. And we, like, we don't yet know. The small sample size, he's looked good. He's looked good. He has two career starts. One was against Louisiana Monroe, and he was not very good. One was against Mississippi State, and he was excellent.

In fill in work, you know what I mean? He played well. And there are a lot of this is the best player in the class who then it's like, wait, he's on his third school, and it didn't quite work out the way we thought. Like, the guy Caleb took the job from him. Spencer Rattler, who now, you know, year or two in the NFL credit to him, he won that starting job, but his career didn't go the way, you know, we had thought coming out of high school. Arch is being treated in a different category flatly because he's Arch Manning.

You know what I mean? And so I am not, I'm not casting my lot as an Arch Manning skeptic. I'm casting my lot as, I need to see him play against a team that shoot like this and play well. I know Jeremiah Smith is competition independent. You know what I mean? No matter who he's playing against, he can be great. So I would expect Jeremiah Smith. But I just think that there is a lot of belief in Arch Manning that I want to agree with. But I need to see like one of these games.

Like that's all. I think that's fair. Look, I hate to go against Greg receiver thing. but what saying does their quarterback is going to matter for Jeremiah Smith and he better be nice. If he's not nice, Smith's going to struggle. Receiver versus receiver fight. This is what it's like in the receiver room, you know?

Right. We go at it. This is more like a DB talk. I'll take that. I'll take that. Okay. After the break, we're doing predictions week, AFC and NFC North with a very special guest next up first things first.

Best thing we've ever done for the dumps. Probably both. Hi from New York. It's a show that has a very special guest coming up in about nine minutes. It's the second hour of first things first. Today is Brew a J yes or J. No for J. Lowe for MVP? Who wrote that? Not me.

Meanwhile. Howie Long joins us to talk about the Raiders. Oh, look at these highlights. These are great. Let this run. And what should Micah do as he prepares for a week one? But of course, right now, we're in the thick of predictions week. And we're starting with the AFC North Ravens Hungry to return to the top of the division,

where they went 12 and 5 overall last year, eating sandwiches along the way. But get this, bro. Last four seasons within the division, the Ravens, Bengals and the Browns all have the same winning percentage. 4.50. That is interesting. 8, 446% in divisional games, but the Ravens dominate outside the division. The Steelers actually have the best winning percentage within the division.

Steelers just beat everybody. That's crazy. They're a great team. Wow. We're pretty good. That's a heck of a graphic. Upper mid. Yeah.

They're great division. Nick, you can start us off here with your AFC North. Okay. Wow. Number four, we don't need to spend a lot of time on. I would imagine almost everyone, maybe in the sports punditry world, has the same team finishing fourth in this division, the Cleveland Browns.

What? I think they will start three different quarterbacks at a minimum over the course of this season. I think that Miles Garrett about midway through the year is going to be longingly just logging into online banking. Just to feel good. Like, yeah, like it's a lot of things into Halloween decorations. And I think that by the end of this season,

Andrew Barry at the very least, and maybe Stafansky as well, are going to have some real answering to do as far as where this team is going. That's more Barry than Stafansky. And I know Staphancy is one coach of the year twice, but I feel like both of them are on somewhat unsafe ground. Now is where it gets interesting. Because I think there will be people that have all three of the remaining teams winning the division.

It won't just be a, I think some people will for sure. I am not a believer in soon to be 42-year-old Aaron Rogers. And because of that, I have the Steelers finishing third. No playoff. Yeah, and missing the playoffs. Losing record? Yes, and a losing record. Yeah, definitely.

Talk about a way to end the career. And I know that, you know, we have said Aaron is, you know, just wants to put a final cap on his career. want to go out the way he did with the Jets and clearly obviously to his credit still just really loves playing football and I don't begrudge him that at all. It is also one of the reasons why I am pessimistic on the Steelers because if this year starts off tough and he starts to come to the realization, I'm not going to get that final, you know what, and not Super Bowl, but just final nice chapter.

How is that going to affect his disposition? How is that going to affect what has been since he's been a. Steeler, you know, model, teammate, citizen, all of that. And I also am not as confident as seemingly everyone else that the defense is going to be quite as good as it was last year. Cam Hayward is awesome. He is also one of the oldest awesome players in the league. T.J. Watt is awesome, but he's coming off one of his less, least productive years of his great soon-to-be Hall of Fame career. And I don't like the trade they made in Minka for Jalen. I think that was a, a downgrade.

I know that they felt they needed to change personalities, but for all those reasons, I think the defense should be good, but not great, don't trust the offense, they're third. In second, but missing the post season is the Cincinnati Bengals. I'm yet to hear a compelling case as to why this year will be different than last year,

unless you think Loua Aniromo was an inside agent for the opposition. I don't think they have the personnel defensively, and more importantly, I think what was a mediocre offensive line might actually be worse this year than it was last year. You have two big question marks on the interior and you have, you know, you have known quantities at the tackle positions, but I don't love either player, even though Orlando Brown chiefs, you know,

champion. And I think it's going to be very hard for Burrow and to duplicate his statistical success of last season. And I don't think they're backup running back. I'm sorry, they're backup running back. Smashi P. Ryan, they're starting running back to Chase Brown. I don't even going to be able to lean on. on the run. I think Chase Brown's fine. To me, it just feels like a fun team that once again goes

nine and eight. And then winning the division and winning the division easily by three or four games is of course Bruce, Baltimore Ravens. Now, I would hope for Baltimore that they are in a race for the one seed so they can stay sharp late in the year because I would imagine that they could have the division locked up, de facto locked up, by early December and that you want to be playing for something because they're such a Super Bowl or bus team. But to me, the Ravens are the clear-cut cream of the division

and the only playoff team in that division. Or, Greg. Yeah, I mean, I like the lineup. I would have it the same way. But you talk about a compelling case. I don't think there needs to be a compelling case when you talk about the Bengals. They kind of speak for themselves.

themselves. They're going to be competitive in their division. They always are. They were three and three in their division last year. But we oftentimes look at the games that teams win that are one score games and we're like, man, they were a great team. And the teams that lose those one score games, we look at them and we're like, oh yeah, they were trash. Well, the Bengals were a part of this. Most losses by fewer than seven points. Like the Bengals are in this mix with all these other teams and the other teams were absolutely, they had no shot at making the playoffs. And the Bengals were right there. And the Bengals were right there while being amongst these teams with this stat. So if you can just imagine the Bengals defense getting a little bit better,

even if their offense gets a little bit worse, they have a shot. They absolutely have a shot to make the postseason this year. What if a team lost nine of those games? Like, they'd be real prime for a comeback. Something about it. I just saw it, I mean, it just stuck out. Jacksonville talk? It was Jackson. Did we have a meeting, you guys?

Don't talk to Jacksonville. I didn't make the graphic. I didn't make the graphic. You see, I didn't talk Jacksonville. Brew. This is where you're dominated. This pains me because it's my hometown team. And what, what, what?

There's nine of those. Yeah, Cleveland. Oh. I agree with Nick. I mean, if you're not picking them last in the division, I don't know. Related to Joe Flacco. Yeah, what in the world is going on? I do think the defense could be okay, but just this season is about finding out if one of those two rookies is a keeper.

That's really what is. Because Flacco might have at best four or five, a four or five games stretch of good games. And even if he plays well, they still probably are going to lose. most of their first game. So he's going to get benched and then see what these young guys. Now the big reveal. We've been, this is it.

50-50. This is it. As recently as yesterday. Yeah. I was 50-50. How late were you at the office? I was here until about 2 a.m. Wow.

Yeah. Joking. Thanks to me. But I was at home grinding in the tape. I went home and hit the all 22. And at the end of the day, I guess this sums it up. Once bitten twice shy.

I was bitten by Aaron Rogers last year. I bet on him with the Jets. Oh, missing the plus. And I was burned. So I am not going to bet on him again. It's hard because of Mike Tomlin, right? I mean, he's won 10 games with some brutal quarterback play.

And I just think, like we talked about yesterday, Rogers, the attitude could, if they start off slow, it could get, it could kind of get ugly. And I'm just not, I won't bet on Aaron Rogers again after getting burned. Although I will say, I do think they could have a pretty, I think they could win 10 games and miss the playoffs. Wow. So I still think a good season might stay in. Yeah, I'm off of that.

I think they'll have a winning season. And like I said, maybe even win 10, but still miss the playoffs. We're literally in predictions week. I mean, it feels like we're still kind of deciding. No, no, I'm saying I think they could have a decent record, but just not make the playoffs. Okay. All right, that leaves, of course, the Bengals. The question is, will they make the playoffs?

Will they? Yes. I knew you loved them. Got them in. I knew you loved them. Well, like I said, I think the offense can duplicate what they did last year, if not be better. I agree with Greg. Like you said, is there a compelling reason?

I mean, it's hard to look at the paper. You do have, if Shamar Stewart becomes a player, now you got him and Trey Hendon, Drixon on the edges. And we've seen, remember Philly's defense a couple years ago was horrible. Big Fangio turned them right around. The Chargers defense wasn't good two years ago. They had some players, but it wasn't productive. And then Harbaugh turned them around.

So I'm not saying they're going to be a top 10 defense by any stretch. But I think they can improve, yeah, to the, and I'm taking a leap of faith because they looked horrible in the preseason. Just to distract, everything looked bad. Well, so, all right, because I feel like we know we're number one's going. So before you get there,

I want to ask you a question about the Steelers, because you and Brew are on the same side on the Bengals. What, if you're a Steeler fan or steal, what is better this season? If Brew's right and they're 9 and 8 or maybe even 9 and 8 with a playoff stamp and it's the 7th seat again and get clocked in round one, or if the bottom falls out, if we're all wrong and they're in last place, not Cleveland. And you know what I mean? And you can actually reset it. Like I think Steelers fans would actually prefer 4 and 13 than 9 and 8 and a first round playoff loss again.

I'm not the one to speak for the Steelers fans, but you asked me. So, yes, that would be the best thing that happened for them organizationally. And if you're going to be rooting for this team moving forward, you want a quarterback that's going to be your future. All right. Through your number one team, the AFC North. Did you need to ask? Did you need to ask? This is the year.

They're going to run through the AFC North. I agree with Nick on that. And what they're going to do, Wiles, they're going to go into opponents digs into their homes, into their buildings. Make them give them their bathroom. That's the ultimate sign of disrespect at your house. That's the ultimate make myself at home. Go get me your bathroom. Your own bathroom.

Yes, and I'm putting it on. They're going to kick up their feet, put them on your coffee table, and tell you to put you to put. put on the wire so we can watch it again. And they're gonna say, bring me some chips, some soda pop, and a sandwich. Joining us now with sandwiches courtesy of Casa Coozine, 427 Graham Ave in Williamsburg, Brooklyn is Cooshe himself, Kuzh.

Thank you for joining us as always. It's an honor. Congratulations on the restaurant. restaurant and these are special sandwiches. I can't wait to do. The big deal. Yeah. Yes. This is the

twins. Are you seeing you? Meanwhile, the NFC North, last year's historic regular season led to a disappointing postseason. It's only the fourth time. One division had three teams with 11 or more wins. Now, unfortunately, those combined 41. combined 40 wins by the Lions, Vikings, and Packers yielded exactly zero playoff victories with the Lions and Sam Darlane and of course Jay Low turning into Jay No.

Now some people are very optimistic about the Bears having to go all the way to the Super Bowl. Turns out they only won five games and Caleb went like three months without throwing a touchdown. But Nick, your NFC North prediction. Sorry, I'm a little bit right. This is interesting. Yeah. At number four, with a what could be historic drop in wind total. Wow.

The Minnesota Vikings. Wow. And that's a, like, it's shocking. What, what, KDAO? Just shocking. I don't think you mean. Yeah, you go from 14 wins, say, p. Is it really say, move on.

So here is, so fair, I understand. Kevin O'Connell's a genius. So here is I. Just throw it up. Just throw it up to Justin. Anybody can do it. It's like Jeremiah Smith, like Greg would say, just throw it up. Who can't do it?

Sam Donald are 4,300 yards. Move on. Next you'll be up. All of a sudden, fourth place. I might have picked the Vikings finish in fourth place, even if they had run it back with Sam Darnold. It is more about. Yeah, it's okay.

Don't worry about it. I'll let you get cook there, buddy. It's more about the overall quality, in my opinion, of the division. It's about that last year, while special didn't necessarily feel sustainable. And I do personally, I do, I support almost across the board trying to take a big swing on a young quarterback if you think you're capped. But I also think typically that involves growing pains and a bit of a step back, particularly a quarterback. As young as JJ was, as inexperienced, if you will, coming out of college as far as lack of attempts, and then who missed all of last year. So I don't think it's necessarily the wrong move, but I think this year they take a step back.

Here's where I think people will be surprised. Coming in third and missing the postseason, the Green Bay Packers. Oof. So I knew it was a Jane. Greg is bothered by it. What? Listen, I like the receiver they got in Matthew Golden. I think they might finally have a number one receiver.

I am not as strong as big of a believer in the Packers defense as some of my friends in the analytics community. And and this is where I'll tread lightly. Jordan Love is still in the we'll see part of the NFL hierarchy to me. I think that very talented, but we'll see. And I last year got thrown off by an early injury. This year he's already had thumb surgery. I know it's not throwing hand, but I still don't love the missing part of the preseason

because you have surgery on your hand even if it's not your throwing hand. And now, am I going to do it again? Am I going to just all of a sudden just be like, you know what, the Bears? No way. No, I don't think so. In the playoffs, but not able to win the division,

the Chicago Bears. So I think the Lions have graduated to a place of regular season respect that that division, even though, again, the Vikings tested them last year, that division is theirs until proven otherwise. I think that they have earned that. I do think, however, that Chicago was on Greg's list, that the one score losses.

I think that there has been far too much of an overcorrection of, from Caleb to being, you know, some people had him as a top six quarterback in the NFL coming into the league to, Is he even better than Tyson Baygent? I don't know, man. That guy sure threw it for a bunch of yards in D3, and his dad's a cool arm wrestler who leaks things to local media. And so I just, I think Chicago is going to have a average defense,

a very good offense, an improved offensive line, good weapons, and a quarterback who is going to get better as the year goes along. And that feels to me like 10 or 11 wins, which should compete for, but not be quite enough to win the division for a Lions team that has as much offensive firepower, not as quite as much as the Eagles or, I guess, on the out, really only the Eagles hands down have more offensive firepower than the Lions top to bottom. But good, not great offensive line anymore, I think, because the interior issues. Golf will be solid. I think the Lions win the division again, correct.

Can you please? Yeah, I was like, can you wrap this up? Let's stop. Because this is, this is, what? You did this last year. What did I do? You did this last year with the Packers. Houston and the Packers. I don't know, the Packer.

I was kind of right on both. No, no, you weren't. No, you weren't. No, you weren't. The Packers were a really good team last year, even with Jordan Love being hurt. You want to know who they lost to? Let's take a look. This is who the Packers were last year.

And the team that, obviously, according to Nick, is not going to win enough games. games to make the postseason. I care about winning. Well, they lost six games. Who was those six game against? Oh, Philadelphia. They played twice.

All the great teams? Yeah. All the great teams. Yeah. Teams who look at the bottom all have 14 plus wins. Like, it's kind of tough. That's kind of tough. I mean, against the other teams that they played, you see what it is, 11 and 1.

Where's your tomato cans, bro? Where do we need them? This is a team that had a quarterback that had the injury early in the season and then played through that the remainder of the season, you go and get him another receiver who you feel like it's going to be our top receiver. Their defense is good. I know you're skeptical on their defense. Their defense is they run the ball really well.

I like that. What? Can I be clear? I didn't say the Packers stink. Yeah, you did. Yes, you did. The playoffs. Not making the playoffs.

They were third in their division last year. I'm not saying they stink. I say it again, K-D. 11 and 6. I, correct. The, and I don't think they're going to go 11 and 6, but there's, but I'm not, third place does not mean you're a bad team be nine and eight. Can I, can I?

Can I, can I? Can I? Can I. Can I? Can I. You don't think nine and eight. I didn't outrageous. But we, you said, I'm not ready to, to say I, that I, that I know that Jordan,

like Jordan loves a known quantity to me. But then you were like, Caleb, like, gonna cook. Well, again, I, but I've seen, I've seen Jordan Love have more success. Yes, I have more of an intrinsic belief in Caleb than I do Jordan Love, and that's not based on their NFL careers, obviously. Clearly. But I also think that this year, unlike last year, from a schematics and offensive game playing standpoint, that'll be a fair fight between the two teams.

Last year did not feel like one. I don't think saying the Packers are going to go nine and eight is like a super hot take. I don't. Like every team that made the playoffs last year doesn't make it the next year. All right. Real? Well. It's heated.

You better have the Packers in the playoffs. I'll just warn you. The one Nick got right. And I think this is a good team, but somebody has to finish last in what is a monster division. And that will be the Minnesota Viking. I'm sorry, Wiles. I know. Well, you should be happy.

Well, you should be happy. Wilde wants them. Sam Darmwood. Yeah. It just helps him. But look, I think. J.J. McCarthy can have a nice career, but like Nick said,

we didn't see him throw it a lot at Michigan. And for him to step in with a team that won 14 games last year, I just think there's a lot of pressure on him, and he's going to have some growing pains. So I got men to say, look, I kind of hate to do it with

Kevin O'Connell and Brian Flores, but a couple years ago they were seven and ten, too. I mean, I know Kirk Cousins got hurt, but they were only four and four with cousins. So it can happen. I think they're the worst team in a very tough division. At number three, now before you put it up, I needed a worst to first.

All right. And my worst to first is San Francisco, right, in the NFC West. But I still needed a few little things, you know, surprises. Yeah. You know, teams are going to come out of nowhere. And so while I am not as high on them as Nick Wright, I do have Caleb and Ben Johnson

and the Chicago Bears making the playoffs as the third best team in the division. How about that? Caleb had some, as bad, as mediocre as he was last year. He had some moments.

And we saw him play some Detroit and some other teams tough. So I think with Ben Johnson, I think he's still going to have some growing pains, but I think they can be. I was torn between them and the Rams for that.

playoff spot and I said let me go with the team that kind of will come out of nowhere so to speak so at second and this is a legit super bowl contender legit I might even pick them to win the NFC but I'm not picking them to win the division and that is the Detroit wow second now and here's why like I said still legit Super Bowl contender and I know you got the one two seed, all that. But I don't necessarily buy that, that you have to have a one or two seed to get to the Super Bowl. But their schedule is a monster.

The division already is going to be tough. Then they got outside of division, Baltimore, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Tampa Bay, Washington, Philadelphia, and the Rams. I mean, that's tough. That's not even counting. I can't even read this one. But there's another tough team on there, too, that's pretty good out of division. So they got a tough schedule.

And I think they'll win 11 games, 12 games. And like I said, I might even pick them to get to this football, but not to win it. That means, of course, Wilde is J.S. J.S for J. Lo, Jordan, Love. I'm with Greg. Like last year, I think the injuries bothered him throughout the season, and they still won 11 games. They didn't have a number one receiver.

I think Matthew Golden is that. We'll see if he's at as a rookie. But I think he is a future, maybe present, number one receiver. And that means Jaden Reed, all these other guys. Those are good, like, that's a good group of number two receivers. Obviously, you got Josh Jacobs. The defense, as you said, the secondary, I think, is a bit of a question mark. But that defense was the sixth best scoring defense in the league last year.

And they're young. I mean, they've been young for the last few years. Now I think those guys will start to kind of fill out, so to speak. and be what they are. And so, yeah, I got the Packers winning the division. Yeah, and I'm with you. I think those three teams, or three teams, I should say, definitely have a chance to make the playoffs from this division.

But I'm going to talk about the Vikings wild. So do you have that order? You got the Vikings as the worst team in the division? He doesn't want to. I can't do it. I can't place them as the worst team in the division. I got to see it from Caleb. I had them.

I was overly hype on them early last year. I was with you. Yep. And I just, I got to see it. I have to see it. But with the Vikings, it's intriguing to me because I have a hard time believing that this is a team that won 14 games with Sam Darno, who everybody was waiting on pumpkin. Yeah. The pumpkin to show up.

It came. Everybody was waiting. And they were. It came in the last two days. The last two games. And it didn't. The regular season, it never happened. And to your point, Kevin O'Connell, he's a genius.

He knows what he's doing. But just like the Cincinnati Bengals, when they went to a fight, they didn't have their defense show up. You want to know who showed up for them? Their defense. That's part true. So regardless of what the offense looked like because JJ McCarthy may or may not be blazing out of the gates, the defense is going to show up because this is what they do. Their defense, if we look at the numbers, points per game, fifth. Opponents rush yards, you're not going to run on us.

Third down, we're going to get off the field. Like, we're going to take the ball away. Here, JJ, get another chance. Take away. I get a little nervous about taking away. I understand it. But this is what they do almost every year. And then sacks, they're going to get after your quarterback.

These are all things that you want to have happened when you have a young quarterback and you need him to get more possessions and more opportunities. I have a crazy scheme there. That's Brockford. They do. Ridiculous. Crazy scheme. Somebody got to finish last.

Somebody saved us, bro. because guess who texts the show very mad. A robot? Will Wayne. Oh, thank goodness. With you. He didn't really text. So he texts you.

He texts me. And he's in Kansas City right now. And evidently shouted us in the show out from the stage in Kansas City. And now he's mad. Sorry, Wayne. Brew's got you. I got your back. Coming up next.

Howie Long joins the show while we eat some delicious sandwiches in the break. This does look delicious. Woo. Oh, that's crazy. That. I love the suit. Long lost son. Welcome back to first things first.

Joining us now is the great Howie Long, who is going to settle a predictions week dispute. Howie. Brew is loudly, quote, sleeping on the Raiders and has them finishing last in the AFC West. While Nick thinks the upgrades to coach quarterback and running back will vault them into the playoffs. Do you share Nick's excitement for the

Raiders or oddly Bruce's pessimism that would be weird. I said it's like a trick SAT question. Of course I think three teams are going to come out of that division and I, Brew, do you agree with that?

I do agree with that. Just not the Raiders being one of them. Assuming that you're going to say the Chargers will not be in. No, I got the Chargers, the Broncos, and of course, the Chiefs in. I'm sorry, Nick, you will say.

No, I think the Chargers and the Broncos miss personally. I understand that everyone's getting Bo Nix bust ready for the Hall of Fame, Howie, because he beat a lot of backup quarterbacks. But I'm not quite the believer. And listen, I don't, here's my logic and tell me if you agree. I don't necessarily think the Raiders on a neutral field if they played the Chargers 10 times would win six of them. But I think because of the schedule difference, because of different factors,

they could have the better season. And I think that your team was at such a deficit at coaching quarterback last year that the defense is going to get better just by the morale boost of having a professional quarterback, a great coach, and that that's going to make a defense that's a little undermanned play maybe better than we saw last season. That's my logic. Well, I, you know, I do know this.

From the minute Pete walked in the building and, you know, you guys have been covering sports for a long time and Pete. And, you know, we certainly covered him a lot in Seattle and love those teams up there. And the one thing that they all had in common was, and it fits kind of the bill now with, you know, you pick the running back gentie and you bring in most dirt. and, you know, the offensive line, two tight ends. You're going to see a lot of 12 personnel. They're going to run the football. He's openly talked about the team is going to be, if nothing else, a tough physical football team.

And, you know, I think if you look at the division games, and, you know, I know, Nick, you've looked at it closely because they see Kansas City twice a year and Denver twice a year, and obviously the Chargers. And those games are, a lot of those games are coin flips. And if, like you said, you know, you talk about a culture, you talk about, you know, accountability, you talk about system, you talk about situational football, all of those things. They're going to be significantly better from your lips to God's ears, Nick, if they're in the playoffs. And listen, I'm a raider.

I was fortunate enough to be drafted there. Couldn't imagine playing anywhere else and love the team. And I hope your optimism is sometimes, you know, I watch your show a lot. And, you know, your mountains and tears and you know, I laugh and it's a lot of fun. And you can get with it. So I'm glad to hear the Raiders are what. have a tear or a mountain. Well, yeah.

It sounds more like your heart talking, Howie, which I understand than your head. And I'm with you. I'm with you there. All right. Moving on. I'm going to give you a neighborhood kind of line that I have no knowledge of the aforementioned incident. Meanwhile, in Dallas, Howie, Micah's got no deal, obviously. Dak says he's confident he'll be on the field for week one.

Schottnheimer saying he'll be on a pitch count. Now, we've been worried about injury potential. Worst case scenario. Best case, best case scenario, he's not the full Micah Parsons that we see at his peak. What are your expectations for Micah if he plays in week one? Was that was that going like this when he... He's confident. I think he was, well, listen, I don't think that's making money decisions there.

particularly the only money decision is where that check goes on a weekly basis. I think this is kind of, you know, the game plan with Dallas and Jerry, and, you know, we've seen this movie before. Micah is a generational talent in a position that, you know, I think, well, however you're lining them up, quarterback number one, left tackle, defensive end, you know, you kind of have your list and each person might have a different number two or number three or number four position. But his position, he's a positionless player, and he causes quite a bit of a problem for opposing quarterbacks and schemes and offensive lines, etc. I think Aaron Donald did it.

And there are certain guys, and I go the Bo Jackson route. He's not Bo Jackson. I'm not saying he's Bo Jackson. You could lock Bo Jackson in a closet for six months. he'd come out and run for 200 yards and not pull a hamstring. I mean, that's how good Bo Jackson was. And I think Aaron Donald falls into that category also. If he plays week one, and it's a shame because as a player,

you, you, there's only one way to get ready for football, and that's to play football. It's like fighting. You know, if you're a boxer, you got a box. I mean, you just in the ring and start throwing punches and not expect some residual kind of effect in week two, week three, week four. It might be week five, but on a pitch count for sure. I'm going to throw out another scenario. And this might, you know, I'm not saying this,

I have any news on this or anything, but what's the one significant coup that Jimmy Johnson made early on in Dallas? Getting Emmett back? Herschel Walker. Oh, that's right. I was wondering if that's right. Really?

Really? That was possible. I'm saying, you know, those two guys, they're, they're hitched at, you know, they're joined at the hip, you know, and what came first, Jimmy or Jerry, who's more responsible, et cetera, et cetera. And, you know, you'll get different perspectives on that. I'm kind of partial myself. But I think Jimmy making that trade was, it kind of was the launching pad for, you know, what turned out to be three world championships. maybe Jerry is thinking, you know, that's, that's kind of, that's a big bang kind of move. All right. Next step, though, Howie, if since you brought it up, where is the ideal landing spot outside of the Raiders? Where would you like to see, Mike, go? Where do you think you'd have the biggest impact?

Well, where does Joe Burrow play? Where does Patrick play? Where does, you know, Jackson play? where does, you know, fill in the blank. Gosh, Allen. Those quarterbacks and those offenses, he's a guy that can change the dynamic of a division and possibly the team. So just to stay here because we have maybe 90 seconds left.

I always, I think people in our position, and, you know, you talk about Mahomes Mountain Tears throw around the word, generational a lot. You don't hear it. People do, and I agree. I agree. So that's, you don't hear. it is often from an actual generational player that's in the Hall of Fame like yourself.

So there is, if Micah is for you, a guy that there'd be no question. You pay him, whatever the market is to keep him on your team. He's that level of player. Here's the problem with Micah and Jerry. And I had a similar situation with Mr. Davis. He didn't want to talk to my representation. It was my last year. I held out in camp.

And so I get the call, and it's a Howard. This is what I can pay you, you know, and the negotiation, it's essentially the mouse going in to negotiate with the cat. And I'm at a disadvantage, and Micah's at a disadvantage in that room with Jerry. And it's not fair to Micah, but it's certainly, from Jerry's perspective, is fair to Jerry. Mm, okay. It looks at Howie. Howie, thank you very much. looking forward to seeing you.

Huge game coming up week two. Super Bowl rematch. We'll see you hopefully out there, maybe. We don't know. Howie, thanks again. We'll see you during the year. Love the show. Thank you, Howard.

You're the best. More first things first after the break. Dan Graziano released his bold predictions on ESPN, writing quote, don't be surprised if Jordan Love is an MVP finalist. Now again, these are always dangerous columns to write. because they're labeled as bold predictions. Like, no, I think they're the safest columns to write.

Because if you're right, you get to brag. And if you're wrong, you're like, it was a bold prediction. That's true. Like, yeah, I was just, no, be surprised. Jaylo tied with, who's, oh, CJ. Herbord? For eight behind Herbert. Jaylo and CJ are perfect company.

That's what's your take. So that's, and it's, by the way, and it's still my take. Like, I know they both made the playoffs last year, because I want to be clear, because I feel like my Packers take could be misconstrued or my J-Lo take where I say I don't know. I am I buying that this could happen? Yes, because that's the point I'm making about J-Lo, is that I think he does have super high upside. His physical gifts and we've seen, you know, his high-end stuff is like, holy smokes. Like he really did watch Aaron Rogers for three

years, learn some of that stuff, add his own flare to it. But there is all Also, he doesn't have the established floor of the other, like, oh, those are franchise quarterbacks. And I feel similarly about CJ. Like, they're very different players. I don't think CJ has maybe the physical gifts Jordan does, but where they are both to me in the question categories. And by the way, Caleb is too. Like, I know I had Caleb, the Bears doing well. So I'm not like out or anti-Jalo.

I'm just saying I'm not ready to say minted, definite, known quantity franchise quarterback. But, yeah, the talent would make this possible. Am I right in asking, you're saying, like, I don't think there's a question about JLo and C.J. Like, are they kind of your franchise quarterback? I feel like your question is, is he a star? Yes. Okay, but I mean, I mean, he's clearly a franchise. I don't think in two years the Packers are going to be looking for a quarterback.

Right, right. But is he a star? Is he really an MVP candidate type of guy? I think that's fair, because we saw him for a great half a season. and then the rest has been kind of up and down. He's been good, but not awesome. Yeah, I mean, certainly he could be an MVP finalist. If Golden, Matthew Golden is a number one receiver now, that's huge because those other guys are good.

Jaden Reed and those guys as number two receivers. You got the run game. You got a great play caller in LaFleur. Like, everything's there, and the defense is solid. Like, they have to win the division, I would imagine. Well, that's what it would go in line with what your prediction is. You know what I mean? If they win the division, he's in the race.

Oh, yeah. He's got to be in the race. Go ahead, kid. I might become a Jordan Love guy. He's the Jordan. I might. How you age, not the Jordan. No, buddy.

I'm the guy. You're the golf guy in the division. You're, I reset every year. I think you're Bryce Young. No. He's definitely that guy. I am definitely the Bryce Young guy. And Cam Ward.

But I can have an AFC North guy. But Cam is shaking. Um. The, you have an NFC North guy. It's golf. You are the golf guy. You got, okay, prove you're not. Hold one of these.

If you're not the golf guy, you'll have no problem holding one of those. I'm just, I'm thinking about it. He is. So you liked my breakdown in NFC. North. Yes, I liked it a lot. But you're not the Jordan Love guy because one of your big things is Jay, no. It's, it's inherently. Journalistic integrity.

Right. And it's tough love. If you're going to be a one of that. More first things first after the break. Nick Wright, Chris Broussard, and Jordan Love Guy, Kevin Wilde. Live from New York, it's the show that has been gorging themselves on sandwiches during the commercial break from Coogee.

He made his special appearance. You know what I realized when he came on delivery? Yes. Yeah. Like Danny Parkins is. Yeah. Like Danny Parkins is. here for the third hour of first things first.

Today, Josh Allen says he feels better than ever, why one person here thinks that equates to the ultimate success. Oh, meanwhile are the giants, sleeping giants of the playoff race. I thought this was very interesting. The producer of this show, Christina, like, I want to throw some giant stuff in there. I said, okay, a lot of aura coming out of New York, but it's not necessarily Russell Wilson. But we're starting today with the Chiefs. News today, Richie Rice will be suspended for the first six games of the season. He'll miss the Super Bowl rematch. That game against the Eagles has lit a fire under the Cheats, according to Xavier Worthy, who did catch a sweet touchdown while a sopping wet Siriani looked on. Here's Xavier. Things didn't end how we wanted to last year, and I feel like guys, like Chris said it well in the locker room. How are you going to get better? How are you going to adapt? And

thrive off the situation. Are you going to come back better? Are you going to come back still soggy and mad that you lost? So I feel like a lot of guys in the all season came back with a chip on her shoulder, more condition, ready to work. Also a scene in the kingdom. Great documentary on the cheap. Great documentary. Danny, we're going to start with you. Is there any reason to doubt Kansas City's return to a fourth straight Super Bowl? I usually start with Nick. I hate to say it, I knew the answer for me. Of course there's reason to doubt it. Oh, my God.

In fact. Did you say thank you? I thought you heard of cheese. No, because he picked the cheese. I tried to get him all day yesterday and picked the charges. Yeah, go ahead. That's a good point. Yeah.

No, no, don't apologize. Of course there's reason to doubt it. In fact, we're picking the Super Bowl on Friday's show of prediction. Is that correct? I won't say who, but we'll preview. I will not be picking the Chiefs. Wow. That's right.

I'll give that away right now. I like that. Over one. Predictions week. Start off with a whiff. So, but it has nothing to do with the Chiefs or Rashid Rice. We've seen that they can overcome their own issues. Like, they won a Super Bowl when they led the league in drops.

They were in a Super Bowl and won 15 games when they had four different guys play left tackle last year. It's not necessarily a Chiefs thing. It is respect for Burrow and Herbert, but certainly Lamar and Allen. because if Mahomes is the Brady of this era, I think Josh Allen's going to get one at some point. I think Joe Burroughs going to get one at some point. I think Lamar is going to get one at some point. So this question is like the Chiefs or the Field,

and I think the field in the AFC is the way to go there. How's the Field been doing lately? I don't know. I mean, the Chiefs versus the Field always sounds like, well, yeah, the field. And then they play a game on that field and they're dropping confetti on the Chiefs. But I also know that you believe that Josh Allen one day will win a Super Bowl.

Yeah, one day. Yeah, I do think. Not today. Today is not the day. Well, you'll never be the guy to pick it. But at some point, you think it's going to happen. But I think it will be when the Chiefs are in the midst of downturn instead of better than they were last year.

I think maybe it will be once Travis Kelsey is gone. instead of reinvigorated and freshly engaged with someone to impress. I think it maybe would be if and when Andy Reid steps away. And Patrick has to deal with a new coach for the first time. You think it's going to take that long for someone else in the AFC to win a super bowl? I don't know. I know that Patrick's been the starter for seven years. They have been in the AFC championship game all seven.

They have never lost an AFC playoff game in regulation. They've been to five Super Bowls. They have been to three straight. And so I think that I look at it differently. Why would this year be the year? Why is this the year someone's going to break through? What has changed from this year to last year other than the chiefs shored up there? Because I think you agree with them, Brew, for a similar reason, which is at some point one of these guys is going to get through.

Look, I do think the chiefs are better on paper this year than they were last year. Now. Last year they struggled at 15.01. Right. Right. But you would agree. They're better on paper than they were last year. But here's the thing. They are trying to become, only one team ever has gotten to four straight Super Bowls.

And no team that won a Super Bowl ever or in that stretch of four or three got back. You know what I'm? So once again, just like last year, they're trying to do something that's never been done. And last year they failed to do what's never been done. And this year, I think that's a reason. Like, it's never happened. So that's one reason. I agree the chief should be favored in the AFC.

But because Baltimore is more, like you said, respect for Baltimore and Buffalo and lesser Cincinnati, if you want to toss them in. But one, these quarterbacks, history says they're going to break through. And not just, I hear you, because Mahomes is so great in read. And I hear you about, well, when they're on the decline or when. Reed is gone or whatever. But even, I mean, we've never seen a quarterback as great as Mahomes is. We've never seen one just make the Super Bowl like essentially every year. So they're going to be years.

They don't make it even as Mahomes is great. Reed is great. And I think this could be a year. And I think that if we just look to history, the chiefs are so dominant and have been so dominant that we kind of talk about Lamar and Josh just as regular season successes. And I know you can point to playoff disappointments for them, but they are really historically great. And in the era of Brady, there was also Big Ben.

And there was Peyton. And there were these other guys. And I think right now, and we have the graphic to show, Lamar and Alan are starting their career at a historic clip right there with Brady and Big Ben and Mahomes. And those other guys got to Super Bowls. That's in the first seven season. In the first seven seasons.

So it's crazy. It is a historical outlier that Alan and Lamar have been this successful in the regular season, this consistent in the regular season, and not broken through. Everything about the history of the NFL suggests those guys are going to be playing in Super Bowls, period. Yes, but everything about the history of the NFL suggests a team wouldn't have this type of success. And where I disagree with you, Brew, you're right, the Chiefs failed to do what had never been done in reaching, in winning three straight Super Bowls. They did do what's never been done in being the back-to-back defending champion and getting to the Super Bowl.

You know what I mean? There is plenty of that they did last year that had never been done before. They didn't complete the ultimate, which is the three-peat. But this is where I feel like it's a bit of Calvin Ball and some of the Chiefsuff, and I understand it. Had they won the Super Bowl, I'd feel like conversation would be like, well, not going to win four in a row. Sure. You know what I mean? And so I just, I know.

need, I understand that there started to be premature, and I was part of it, doubt of the Patriots at the end of Brady. But that was age related to Tom. You know what I mean? It was that he, that, and so even though they had, they made eight straight conference championship games and they made, what, three straight Super Bowls and four out of five, it felt like, okay, like he's 37, he's 38, he was doing something we'd never seen. It is, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, don't look at Baltimore as tangibly better than they were last year. I don't look at Buffalo as significantly better than they were last year. I look at the Chiefs as because they were more injured than both of those teams and because,

to I guess those teams credit, those teams didn't have a glaring weakness like the Chief's left tackle position, a critical spot where you had four different guys playing it. Now, maybe, KW, I'm putting too much faith in a rookie. You know what I mean? Like maybe I'm going to, in midway through the year, be like, yeah, they still have a problem there. John Taylor on the other side has been a backup, you know, most of, all of his career, really, for the most part. No, you're thinking Jalen Moore. Jalen Moore, exactly.

And Joanne Taylor's dealing with a knee issue. And so the, no, they're, they're not a perfect team. I'm not arguing they're a perfect team. But I think that there is far more reason to doubt the other teams. Like the, no, I think that's fair. But I think Baltimore, their problem is playing their best in the playoffs. Like I think they are good enough to beat Kansas City. Just will they be at their best and play well enough in that big moment?

That's the only thing for them. I think they could have beat them a couple years ago, but they didn't bring their game. So I think that's the question. I think the reason to worry is that the offense that we want to be explosive hasn't been explosive. The Mahomes wants it to be explosive. And then we got news today that is number one wide receiver is going to miss the first six games. A lot of those wins, they did not look that impressive.

No, they got them. I think winning is a skill. I agree. But I would rather not go into, what was it, seven consecutive wins by one score? They haven't lost a one score game in like their last 17 or something. 17, yeah. But I do think that is a skill with a dash of luck. A dash of luck where, but maybe at the same time, where are the chiefs and there's a mental edge and we're going to missnap the ball.

No, but I, but so here's again, here's my pushback on it. they didn't win the conference by a small margin. No. Like, you know what I mean? Like, let's say that they don't block that Raiders field. I mean, it's the Broncos field goal. They're still the one seat. Sure.

Let's say that the Raiders don't missnap the ball. All right, well, then now we have to play in week 18 to make sure we're the one seat. You know what I mean? They had, the games were close. The records were not. You know what I mean? When the chiefs did it. And then the last point that I'll make is like, I look at Lamar,

who's on that graphic right behind Mahomes that you showed, different than the other guys on that graphic. And that is if there were, if I truly believed that there were, like Big Ben was a really good playoff quarterback. Brady, obviously, early in his career, was a far better playoff quarterback than regular season. Josh has been solid throughout.

And Mahomes is Mahomes. I am not as confident. You asked me, do I think Josh will finally, definitely get one. Yeah. I'm not as confident a little more. Like gun to my head, sorry, probably. But it wouldn't somebody.

You've seen a reason to believe in that. Say it again? You haven't seen the dominant playoff performance. And one of these, we say Brady and, you know, Peyton and Big Ben, somebody might end up being Philip Rivers in this group. Yeah, really good. Sure. But they're both as good as Rivers was.

He was great. They're better. Yeah. Both of those guys are better. Here's the, I kind of debuted this take yesterday. I'm going to remix it. If you don't want Casey in the Super Bowl, I think they have to miss the playoffs. Oh, did you say, wouldn't you say that yesterday?

No, I had a remix of like about Stafford in the playoffs, like Stafford's LeBron that you don't want to see him in the playoffs. I don't know if like, if Mahomes in the playoffs, it's, again, LeBron-esque, like, I'll see you in the finals. That's the thing. You want to try to keep me out of it. They're not missing the playoffs at any time. Big injury. That's the only way. Yeah.

Well, that's, and that's the... Football. Say it again? It's football. Hold on. They're more likely wilds to just have a bad playoff game than they are to have eight bad regular season games. I believe in playoff my homes.

Maybe you don't. Oh wow. He's big against City. Predictions week, that's why I'm beloved. Predictions week continues. AFC North, Joe Burrow. We have seen the predictions revealed. Brew, you have the Ravens, Bengals, both going to the playoffs.

Yes. Steelers missing the playoffs. Nick, you have the Ravens only going to the playoffs. Danny, please reveal your AFC North predictions. And who is going to the playoffs? Be happy to. And I think Brew and I might have big disagreements across both North divisions. Oh, wow.

So, yeah, we'll see how this goes. Well, you know, actually. You know, you know yours. I don't see how. That's a good point. We were some patico yesterday, today, not quite as much. Although everybody in the world agrees, number four, AFC North, Cleveland Browns.

I can't imagine being a Browns fan watching Baker Mayfield. They've had eight different starting quarterbacks since they had Baker Mayfield. I mean, how do you, how do you wake up? It's just so brutal for a Browns fan. Probably like being a Bears fan most of your life. That hurt. I say one thing about the Chiefs.

I'm just saying, right. Oh, would it be like watching a team go through a quarterback carousel. I don't know. Yeah, how's it like trading up for Mr. Trisky when the Holmes was sitting right there for you? Uh, number three. I believe and I'm putting the playoff stamp on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

What are you shaking your head about? What's the problem? Rodgers is this? They've been a top 10 defense five of the last six years. And you add Aaron Rogers. You said you don't think their defense is going to be as good as everybody else believes. They've been an elite defense very consistently.

You know, that's a first time. It's their culture. It's just they have a defensive culture there. It's in the DNA. They don't have the players of Ravens do. I don't know. And so, bro, this is where I think it's going to be a disagreement here. Yeah, let's put it up.

I mean, it was, they are so good on paper. They were so historically impressive offensively. It seems impossible to do it again in terms of that few of interceptions, that much health on the offensively. side of the ball. Their roster is incredible. It is an incredible thing, and Lamar Jackson is a great regular season player. But the Cincinnati Bengals had an offense. Here's the thing, though. That offense for Cincinnati historically would suggest that you win 12 or more games. If you score 27 points per game, you win 12 or more games in NFL history. That's just what the numbers show. New defensive coordinator, they got Trey Hendrickson back.

three of their four picks, three of their top four draft picks are on the defensive side of the ball. If they were just, they're just the 20th ranked defense in the NFL, 25th ranks defense in the NFL. They're all that's can carry them. Last year they're about 25th. No, but in terms of adding, scoring. Impact plays, takeaways,

forcing, you know, yards, punts. Yeah. Takeaways. The Bengals are an offense that's ready to win a Super Bowl. I don't hate, I mean, obviously I had the Ravens winning the division. I don't hate this. Like, if this, turned, I think the Steelers will be good.

I don't have them making the playoffs. If this ended up being the order, I would feel fine. Because for me, the Ravens, it's all about, I wouldn't mind them having some adversity in the regular season and have to play some tough games in the regular season to get seeding or getting the playoffs, whatever,

and then maybe be a little better, more battle tested than the playoffs. So as long as you got them in, I look, I got the Bengals making it, the playoffs, but I think, with that defense. I don't see him winning. Bengals going to have a new head coach a year from now. This is the thing I don't understand though.

Yeah. The defense struggles. So you fire the offensive coach who's got the historic offense. You missed the last three straight years. They got to do something. Right. Somebody's got. And honestly, they, uh, some, some Bengals fans, they, they wanted them fire Zach Taylor after they made the Super Bowl. They were like, I think it's turn the office over the best. Exactly. He could get fired if they go. Oh, they would do two again. If you lose to the Browns, Week 1, Hussie.

We're taking resumes. Yeah, that'd be a bad loss. That'd be a bad. NFC North. I'm terrified of this for you. For me. Well, we already know. Just a lot of Caleb stuff.

You called up Ben Johnson and come on the show. Had to call on a favor for week one. Predictions week. I'll do you a solid if you come on. Right. I'm doing college or Ben Johnson. Pick you to win the division. So here we go.

NFC North picks. NFC North picks. All right, Brew. This is, I'm sorry. I thought Nick was bad. What? We haven't even done anything yet. I know what's coming.

Your fourth place Green Bay Packers. Wow. Wow. That's Jay No. Yeah. I hear you. Here's the thing about the Packers. How?

Okay. 13 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, pass a rating of 81 against playoff teams. They beat up the tomato cans. What Nick says about Bo Nix. They mollywop the cow Cowboys in Dallas in the playoffs. That was two years. Two years.

He's only been a starter for two years. And I mean, Mike McCarthy losing in the playoffs in a big spot as a favorite. I mean, that is his trademark signature. Young boy going into Texas stadium and doing that. They were two turnover dependent. They do not rush the passer. Greg Jennings.

Greg is here. Greg is very upset. They beat up on the non-playoff teams. Against playoff teams. O and four against Lions and Eagles. last year. The Lions and Eagles, the Super Bowl champion and the number one scene. It's not good when your quarterback throws the ball to the other team. That's what Jordan Love does. He will be fine. Now he's got the number one receiver.

He don't believe he was injured last year. He was banged up. Okay, he had a knee injury and you're about to say a little knee injury. It was a little knee injury. Then he came back in a couple of weeks and they won with Malik Willis. Here's a good division. Somebody had to finish last. It's okay. We need to see more. Matt LaFource is okay.

We need to see more. But Caleb and Ben Johnson. You don't even know where the- Right. Well, I know he's on the right track. Number three, the Minnesota Vikings. I actually think that J.J. McCarthy will outplay Jordan Love this year. If the Minnesota Vikings and Kevin O'Connell can get 13 wins from Kirk Cousins and 14

wins from Sam Darnold. They're going to get fine production from J.J. McCarthy. J.J. McCarthy is not going to be bad, who they traded up for. I'm not saying they're winning 14 games with a first year starter. It's going to be bad, but is he going to be? Well, you don't have them in the playoffs. Everybody who has played quarterback for Kevin O'Connell with that offensive line, with Addison and Hawkinson, but yeah, Justin Jefferson, everyone who's played quarterback

from Minnesota has been good. They don't turn the ball over. They were seven and ten two years ago. The quarterback got hurt. But they were four and four when he got hurt. That wasn't Kirk Cousins. That was a Kirk Cousins. That was a...

Remember he kept on throwing a ball the wrong. Yeah, but he's the quarterback for Kevin O'Connor. Classic Kirk Cousins, but he did it with 13 games with it. Yeah, a couple years. Okay. And then now, maybe this isn't the greatest reveal, the biggest shock in the world, but everything in the world went wrong. This is a shot.

For the Chicago Bears. No, that they're not number one. No, you're going to have number one. Listen, if I'm putting forward to... He had to maintain some integrity. some integrity. Some integrity. The Bears had everything go wrong for them.

I got them in the playoffs. I got three teams of it. But the third, I got them third place in the playoffs. So the big discrepancy is, playoffs is the second seat. Yeah. Okay.

They upgraded coach, baffled, quarterback, 60% of their offensive line. Quarterback. They upgrade, okay. Yeah. Hatred style. Patriots style.

Hey, great. The second year in the NFL. No. What are you talking about? I'm agreeing. Okay. All right. And then number one, the Detroit Lions, who for some reason people have written off as a Super Bowl contender because of an interior offensive lineman and some coordinators.

When if you look back to who has the most wins in the NFL over the last two years, it's not Kansas City. It's not Philadelphia. It's the Detroit Lions. They are a great team and have been a great team for years, as long as they are moderately health. moderately healthy on the defensive side of the ball. I think they are absolutely in contention to be back in the Super Bowl. Solid conversation. I wouldn't just, I wouldn't put, listen, I were about to become a Jordan love guy.

20 minutes ago on the show, man. I didn't love it, to be honest. Solid is actually like a pretty heavy diss from it. That's true. I actually heard. It hurts. Solid. It hurts.

Oh, can I see your new baby? Yeah. Solid. I wouldn't, I have always winning the division too. Not bad. Not bad. I think you're yada yadaing the coordinators a little too much. I think we've seen a lot of teams where we're like, wait.

And again, I'm not predicting this for Detroit. I pick him win the division. But we were like, wait, what happened? Why is that team that's good? And then Coach Manjini is like, well, they lost both coordinators. Like that, I think that does. And those were two really good coordinators, we think. I know Wilde used to think that.

I still think he's great coordinator. I have like to touch coach. forward to all the trick plays that he's been working on for week two against the Lions. It's going to be more basic stuff, but he's trying to make weird and wonderful. Okay, the one stat about CMC that will make you believe in San Francisco. That is next. Packed stats. Back here at FTF talking packed stats. Danny Park is alongside Greg Jennings and Willie Colon. Gentlemen, stats, lists, news, facts, facts, on information.

I never leave home without my trusty stats. Here we go. But stats get a bad route. So we got to make them cool. Give me my lights, please. If you will, stats that will determine and convince you that my takes are correct. Stat number one.

Oh, man. This is a little dramatic. A little dramatic, Willie Clue? A little dramatic. Well, agree to this. First stat to wow you about your Cincinnati Bengals. If you score 27 points per game, which the Bengals did last year, 163 teams have done it. We took out the year with no one could play 12 or more games

because of the strike. 140 of them made the playoffs. That was a historically great offense and frankly, an outlier. To score that many points and only win nine games, it is not likely to happen again. So we'll be like, oh, the Bengals defense is bad. I'm agreeing with you. I'm saying their offense is so great, it actually does not matter that their defense is bad because historically, you score that many points, you will win 12 or more games.

Willie Cologne. Yeah, I've seen enough Scooby-Doo to know how this is going to end. The same way to end it last season. They proved you they're able to score, but the defense is horrible. And what pisses me off is that Joe Burrow while he's pounding on the table to get T. Higgins paid, to get Jamar Chase paid. He should have been pounding on the table

to get this defense paying and get some quality of help. They pay you and Tray Henderson? Yeah, one guy. And think about this for a second. Tom Brady and his prime, what did he do? Push the money down the road, which allowed the Patriots to do what? Signed Dante Hightower. Bring on Chandler Jones.

Get this defense paid so what? So he should start stacking Lombardis. If Joe Burr was supposed to be the next coming of Tom Brady, then he needs to follow the blueprint. Bottom line. We want to see points. I like this stat. Can we put it back offensive player right now?

Can we put that? this backup, like this is impressive. It was an anomaly. I'm with you. It's not going to happen again. I get it. You're a homer, Steelers. It has nothing to do with the Steelers.

It does. It does. And it touches you. But Danny, well, well done. Because this, this is what T. Higginson's talking about when he's, when he's identifying, look, we're an unstoppable offense. It feels good to know, even from a team perspective, defensive perspective to know that, shoot, even if we can't get it done,

our offense is going to always give us a chance. You got to score points in this league to get wins. If you score 100 points and I score 100 to 1, who wins the game? You do. Right, because defense. 101 is more than 100. That's a stat. But just.

You need defense to win championships. It's not about just putting up points. Just like your numbers, it's not going to happen that often. It's exactly right. It's not going to happen. I am more confident that Joe Burrow, Jemar, Chase, T. Higgins, Chase, Chase Brown, will be able to be a consistently elite office. What else is in the briefcase?

That was good. Don't bust the process. I want my next. I want your next one again. I don't leave home without my stat. Okay. I don't know. I don't.

We're making stats cool. You guys a triple. Stat number two. Packed stats. You guys were the types that would stuff me into a locker. I stuck my stats into a briefcase. San Francisco 49ers. Oh, please.

There is no team in the NFL that is more running back to pendant than the San Francisco 49ers. You give Kyle Shanhan, Christian McCaffrey. He wins at an elite clip. And we talk about Brock Purdy. He got paid. It's not about Brock Purdy. It's not about Trent Williams.

It's not about the guys they lost in free agency. If that dude right there, Christian McCaffrey, is healthy, they score 27 a game. I just showed you what 27 a game does in terms of wins in the NFL. And it also makes Brock Purdy an incredibly effective. efficient, highly productive quarterback. When we talk about the Niners, we should be framing everything Greg Jennings through the prism of CMC. Look, I agree with you on this one.

It is about CMC. The problem with this is I don't know if he's going to be the version that we saw the year before last and the year before that when he first came over to San Francisco and the productivity. Is he able to hit those marks? Because there's no more Debo Samuel in the building where you can. switch and swap and mix and match how they've done in the past. And so I know you acquired Brian Robinson, another running back. You got to have that. But he, his workload is going to be huge this year.

And we'll see if he can make it through an entire season healthy. This is not a medical kid. So I have no idea it'll be healthy. I'm saying when he's healthy, when they are a juggernaut. You make me want to toss that briefcase, right? Like you can't. My stats. You can't sprinkle glitter on the lot.

Like you're lying to yourself. Like, you got to understand what this team is right now. They're average, and we got to accept it. They were one in five in the division last year. Let's keep it a buck. That's what it is. They're going to be average. And what's crazy about it, you talk about CMC, you forget he missed the first eight games

of last season. And then ended up on the sideline because of knee injury. You talk about all these aging superstars they have. They're not reliable. They can't keep up in the division. The best years of the San Francisco 49ers are behind it. And we just got to be honest with ourselves. I understand who Brock Purdy is and what he has to do.

But nevertheless, I don't know if he could shoulder this load, especially with how injury-prone this team is. So you're not buying the idea that he has figured out through yoga and flexibility. He's still under 30. He's younger than Derek Henry. Like, Christian McCaffrey is, the modern athlete. They have nothing to do with the stock and doubles. I don't know if his body feels like he's under 30. But I'm saying the modern athlete seems to be able to be able to stay healthy and be more productive longer.

Yeah, but with as much, again, the usage rate of Kristen McCaffrey, because of high, how Kyle chooses to use his running back. In particular, him because of his skill set, is going to be hard for him to maintain that health. Final one. Here's a stat. I'm two for two so far. Get rid of the briefcase.

I'm too. Get rid of the briefcase. Stats aren't working. Lights back, please. Oh. I jumped the gun a little bit there on the lights. That's by bad. We're working it out.

You know, it's all about the numbers. It's all good. It's really about the numbers. Oh, wow. A Justin Herbert's stat. Who knew? It had been a whole day since I gave you one. Hey, Jim Harbaugh. Let him throw. I know Harbaugh loves to run the ball, but Justin Herbert, it's the Ferrari who's going 65.

Let it loose, man. Their four highest scoring games last year were when Justin Herbert aired it out. All wins. It was a career low for Justin Herbert in pass attempts. And I know the interception numbers were low and the passer rating was high. and they won games, and I know Harbaugh wants to run the ball, but if you have that guy, Justin Herbert, and your whole thing is just full-back dive, that is absolutely putting a lower ceiling on what you can be. Justin Herbert is the type of talent that you need to win with.

And I'll say this too. Harbaugh knows it because this isn't a stat, but he's a smart coach who wins a lot of games. And if we could put his quote up there, Justin Herbert's biggest weakness is all of those that he's counting. running on offense, coaches, offensive line, playmakers, receivers, running backs to get up to his level. I don't know that Harbaugh knew exactly how good Herbert was

until he got there. And now he sees what he's got, year two, let him throw. Willie, what position did you play? Office of line, sir. Is there an offensive lineman that suffered an injury? That would be Slater. Rashon Slater. It's a good player.

Important position, would you say? I think one of the most important on office. And so you're telling what your stats are suggesting Throw the ball. Is your left tackle goes down. Yeah. Throw the ball more. That's right.

Put your replacement left tackle under duress. Oh, my Joe Alts out there too. Yeah. Yeah. They're going to have backup. Yeah. No, I'm, I need to say. Yeah.

You want Justin Herbert to be handing the ball off. Well, no. I think it comes down to one thing. If we're all, I like Justin Herbert. I love everything about his game and what he's been able to do thus far in the NFL. The problem is if he doesn't get this team to the playoffs, we're going to have to look at ourselves in the mirror and why we continue to give him a pass. Because they have all the resources.

You know what I mean? They have everything they need in my eyes. You got the running back a respectable office line. The defense will be better. They have enough, but it's really on him. And I know to your point is about, all right, everybody needs to raise to his level. But what do we talk about the Josh Allen and the Patrick Mahomes of the world? What do they do?

They put on the cape. They make the impossible possible. So at this time, in year six with Justin Herbert, we need to see him to put on the cake. In the moments that a cape needs to be worn, you put that cape on. I just don't think you have the cape on the entire game, the entire season, as much as Danny's alluding to, don't do that. It's just you're robbing us of one of the great throwers of the football. He is a great throw of the football.

But it's not about the stats. I know that that's the purpose of the briefcase. But it's about the team. He's the leader of his team and he has to deliver, especially in the division where you know Bo Nix is going to be better. The Broncos are going to be. The chiefs are going to be who they need to be. He has to keep on par and be better than what he was.

has lasted over the past years. And, and this is just not what Harbaugh does. Like Jim Dylan does. He doesn't know. It's a belief to Jim Harbaugh to realize what you have. Oh, okay. Adjust. Yeah.

That's exactly right. It's a plea. It's a plea. I'm talking to Josh Allen next. Welcome back to FTF. Getting right to it. No Huddle style starting in Buffalo. Josh Allen talking with Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated about evolving his game and not

taking as many hits. Last year was a. step in the right direction where I didn't take too many hits. I'm not saying I didn't take any, but during this off season, this is the best I felt after any season because I didn't take hits. And I was looking into it. It's not just sacks. It's not just quarterback hits in the pocket.

It was designed runs too. All of those year over year, over year are decreasing and it resulted in Josh Allen winning the MVP. His evolution from where he, like coming. out of Wyoming to really struggling in the NFL to being like a physical force of nature quarterback to now being what he was last year, it felt like the fully formed version of Josh Allen. And I do think that the best is still to come, even though he won the MVP last year. Yeah, it's hard to imagine that the version of Josh Allen that we saw last season can get

better because he was impressive last season. The part that you love your Sarm McDermott, if you're Joe Brady, offense coordinator, is to hear your quarterback talking this way, it shows signs of continued growth and maturity. What we saw, now from a fan perspective, I don't want him to lose that version of Josh Allen.

Exactly. That version of Josh Allen that makes him a difference maker, which is, I don't know if he's going to run somebody over. I don't know if he's going to run to the sideline and just chuck one. But the decision making and when he decides to run, when he forces those balls, that has decreased and it is equated into wins.

So it's a possibility. I agree with you. I think it's hard to see his game elevate because he was MVP last year. He's been an MVP in Giacender for the last, over the past four years. But to your also point, I think he's, I think what's the evolution part of it is that he's become smarter with the football. He's deciding when to run a guy over, when to get out of bounds, when to throw the ball out. When he got out of college, he was such a wild horse.

They really didn't know how to rein them in. about three years into his career to say, all right, this is what you should be doing. This is how you can impact the team in your play style. Overall, I think the real question that needs to be asked is if he's the Michael Jordaner team, where's Pippin? Who's Rodman? They scored points like they had it, though. They scored more points than Philly.

Pippen missed a lot of games in 98. But if you look at the quote, look at what he said, I know I can't play like this forever. So he's going to other people around him have to raise their game. And that's the real question. Who's going to be that Robin? Who's going to be that other cast of guys to say, hey, man, we don't need you to lower your shoulders. We could take over, take some of that off your shoulders. Dionne Doggitt said.

Deion Doggitt said it was Keon Coleman. I was thinking it the whole time like Keon Coleman, man. That catch he had to get Syracuse two years ago. It's seared into my brain. No huddle time now in Dallas. Another day, another story. Brian Schottenheimer, though, talked to the media about how he feels Micaharson's preparation is going ahead of this season. Here, Shottie.

We want him out there as soon as. possible. And when he's feeling up to it and all those things is a big factor into it. But every day that he can get out there and get reps would be great. But I will think, I do think very strongly that him being around has helped him doing some of the walkthroughs and things like that does help. There's communication. There's signals that come from the sideline. There's communication from player to player that he's getting all those things. But the best way to get good at football is to play football. So it feels like a guy who looks like me.

Should ask guys who look like you about this one. Can he be ready to play week one without doing anything in camp? I'm going to be honest with Scott. I think it's too late. You think it's too late? I think it's too late, Greg. And you know why. Because when you prepare for a season, it's about building a catalyst.

You need the value. You're like running the hills, lifting weights. That's not football. You need to push another man really get your game, your timing, your reality. what's in front of you, how to see keys. All those things take time during training camp. My biggest fear with this situation is if they do sign them right away and if they push him out there week one that he may get injured because why? What's a big part of his game? His get-off, right? Being able to explode off the ball, beat the tackles to the punch. That's something you build up to.

Coming off the bench or laying on the training table while you eat nachos watching your team play, that's not signs that you're ready to go week one. So if I'm Jerry and Company, I'm a little nervous about getting them out there. I want to mind saying, him week one to say, hey, let's get you going week two. See, I believe he could play. I think he will play. I think they will get this done. However, like, they're smart enough.

He's smart enough, but he's going to want to play more than what they should allow him. Like in a guy like Micah's situation. Protect him from himself kind of thing. You have to protect him from himself. But situationally, third and long, you got to let him go. That's where you want them. You want to be able to put him on spot duty, but they have even bigger problems. Trayvon Diggs, like, what is his situation going to look like?

How many snaps is he going to get? Is he going to play? I know we're making this just solely about Micah, but, I mean, he is one of the best defensive players. Well, my biggest fear is what we win this out of Aaron Rogers, right? Shows up in MetLife four snaps later, torn Achilles. That is a worst case scenario. That's what fears me if I'm very Jones. Micah is like almost 40 years younger.

Denier? Probably about 15 years younger, roughly. But what did we win us across sports? Guys are tan, Kaley's all over the place at a young age. So. That's true. There's no doubt about it.

We will stay in the NFC East here as we continue with the no huddle. Russell Wilson got high praise from Darius Slayton. His wide receiver won. I'm sure Nick Wright would like to be spoken to like this, as he is Mr. Consistency himself. Darius Slayton saying on Russ, I think he's disgustingly consistent. I think that carries over the way he plays football

and why he's so consistent. consistent with his throws and his accuracy and things like that. I think that's just his life. He's just a consistent human being. I am very skeptical of the consistency part of this because he consistently takes a lot of sacks and throws the ball deep. You buying it though?

I think he's spot on. Consistently kind of a weirdo. He's consistently what we've seen over the last few years. It's not going to be enough. Okay. So it's a compliment wrapped in an insult? It is. I'm sure he meant it as just as strictly as a compliment,

but based on what we've seen out of Russell Wilson, there's no flash to his game anymore. There's no pop to his game. There's no Josh Allen super Superman to his game anymore. And you would think you need a little bit of that when your team isn't the greatest, especially offensively. Obviously, you have a great weapon like beneath neighbors on the outside. You put the ball in his hands or in his area.

and he'll make things happen for you. But there's going to be moments where you need Russell Wilson in that uniform to be special. I'm not sure he can do that disgustingly consistently. Yeah, for me, it's not so much about him. It's about this team. They're dark horse for me. I think they got one of the best front sevens in the NFL. I'm paper they do.

Yeah, their secondary is upgraded. You talk about their office line. They rehabbed Andrew Thomas onto the field. So I think he'll be ready to go. Now, as far as outside of me, Lake neighbors, yeah. if they can get Tracy Turner going in that run game, they got something. If you get Dante Miller being a big time third down position receiver for them, you got something so forth.

And if you look at the schedule, it's a tough, it's a tough five games. You talk about Dallas. It's a toughest schedule in NFL. Right, but this is the caveat to it. We don't know what Jane and Daniels going to look like in year two. We don't know if Mike is going to be ready in week two against them. We know the chiefly going to probably walk the dog on them. But they can definitely beat the charge.

There's a chance that this Giants team can be two and two. We don't know what the Giants are going to look like either. Two and two or three and one. I'm serious. There's a shot that can happen. I wish you were my bookie. That would be great. Remember this.

Remember what I said? We remember it. Remember it. They're a dark horse. When they start playing Jackson Dart. I know over under five and a half wins, you've got them started two and two. That would be incredible. Coming up, everyone's talking about Ohio State and Texas on the field, understandably.

Could it also be the early frontrunner for the high swim trophy? Next. First things first. Back here on First Things First. Let's get to a little college football. Number one, Texas at number three, Ohio State on Fox this Saturday. Coverage starts at 9. Arch Manning taking on Jeremiah Smith.

Arch is the Heisman Trophy favorite, despite throwing less than 100 passes in his college career. Smith is the fourth favorite. Obviously, a ton of hype, so much great storylines in this game. You guys tell me if I'm crazy about Jeremiah. It's crazy. Okay, okay. I get that a lot. I get enough of that at home, Willie.

Let's hear me out. Yeah, I would go for it. This is a weird com. Jeremiah Smith reminds me of Adrian Peterson. Like, that dude could have gone straight from high school to the NFL. He would have been the number one receiver. Now, if Travis Hunter played both ways, so if you look at him as just a receiver, maybe not. But Ted McMillan, I like Ted McMillan a lot.

Eighth overall pick out of Arizona, Carolina. I think he's going to have a nice year. Jeremiah Smith looks like some crazy combination of Terrell Owens and Justin Jefferson. He's a grown man out there. A grown man. Like he would be a top 15 receiver in the NFL last year. Yeah, he plays like he gets the big pieces of chicken at dinner. It's unreal watching that.

And I know Arch gets, we should talk a lot about Arch Manning. He's a manning. But Jeremiah Smith is that. He's must-see TV. If you have not watched this young man play, it doesn't matter who he plays, what stage he's on. Look at that catch. In the history of the guys that have come out of Ohio State, Like we know the names, the Garrett Wilson's, obviously, the J.S.Ns, the Marvin Harrison Jr., is like, there's pedigree sometimes when you see these guys.

This kid just is like, no, I'm him. I am that guy. I'm going to be better than all of them. I'm better than anybody that you put me up against. You got to watch this young man play. That's all I can say. And I played the position. He's different.

Yeah, but I think this week is about Archie Manning. He only had two stars last season. His biggest game was against Mississippi State, and that defense was ranked last in the SEC, right? So if you talk about somebody who's the hype and everything that's happened thus far, this is his chance to cast that check and really show the world that he is him.

So this is a big opportunity for him this Saturday. I mean, look, Arch Manning, he's fascinating. It's a Manning playing quarterback who's the Heisman favorite. And that's why he's fascinating. And that's why he's fascinating. But it's also kind of like a basketball thing. Normally, if you are projected to be the number one pick in the NBA and we haven't seen you play college basketball,

like that's normal. It happens all the. time in basketball. That's fair. Normally in football, to be talked about as the number one pick. Because you have to dominate in college. We would have seen you already. Yeah.

So it's just a very weird set of circumstances. And if he does go back to college next year, we will talk about Arch Manning to be the number one pick in the draft for like 22 months. He got a tall task in front of them. Well, I mean, a lot of going to go out. A lot of hype comes with the name. But I think if I'm Archman, show out. Show out and kill the Hades. Oh, he's going to try to.

Yeah. And then Jeremiah Smith's going to. Yeah, that's a guarantee. A buck 50 and two touchdown. That's guaranteed. He is so ridiculous, man. Greg Willie, I'm Danny. Back tomorrow.

Or FTA.