First Things First - Wildes’ Guy Mac Jones WINS in TNF, Upset Alert, Nick's Picks

Episode Date: October 3, 2025

(0:00) Mac Jones-led 49ers pick up critical TNF win vs. Rams (13:47) Upset Alert and Nick's Picks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What a day. What a day. What a day. Finally it's come true. Finally it's come true. I've been waiting since he was drafted from the University of Alabama. I've been waiting for this moment in front of the whole world. You do you did stay loyal.

You never gave up hope. Just loving it. I gave you credit, Wiles. You went out on a limb for your boy. Not really. National champion. Undefeated set the completion record. It throws a pillow and we ball out there.

Live from New York, it's the show. It's actually only a half hour today. Correct. It's first things first today. Good. It's going to be three hours. Mack Jones enters as Harvey Dent and leaves undefeated. This guy is winning. Come on.

Give us all the answers or even more questions. Uh-oh. Oh. Oh, I didn't say it, but it's coming closed. He gave a nice. Meanwhile, Texas Ravens. Is this a retirement match? for one of the show's sickest segments.

They're without Lamar. Yeah, exactly. And finally, a special edition of Upset Alert with some controversy and a special edition of Nick's picks already won up on Danny's a little bit of a free roll. Yeah, Danny, Danny, you know, I think it's the first ever pick segment that goes into the weekend, oh-on-one. Because the pick segment is usually on Fridays. He's 0 for one Thursday.

It doesn't change your strategy. What? It doesn't. Mine locked in. Mine are locked in. Ready to go. All right. Let's get to the show.

This is just fantastic. Thanks for joining us today. We're starting with Mack Jones, almost 350 yards, two touchdowns, five starters out, one functional leg. 33 pillowy completions. 49ers are four and one. Here's the baby goat after the game. I don't really pay attention like too much to it.

I don't really do like social media that much. much, but Kyle, like, came up to me and he was pissed about it. So he's like, dude, I can't believe, like, they moved us like underdogs again or whatever, more. And I'm like, I don't know what that means, really, but like, yeah, let's go kill him, you know. So he was pissed about it. I was like, yeah, I'm pissed, too. Great.

Perfect. Three and O, completing 67% of his passes. Look at the yards per game. Leading the NFL. What did the 49ers prove? to you. They're going to be, good job, W.

They're going to be a problem. No matter what. Sincerely, like, you have to give them credit. They are going to get healthier than they were yesterday. I am still nervous about Christian McCaffrey, because Shanahan's like, we got one healthy star,

we're going to use him every play we can. And Christian McCaffrey. Okay. Yeah, I'm talking about Christian McCaffrey. But they're, in my opinion, the only competition in the division, Seattle and the Rams, because with respect to Arizona,

they've now got the head to head on those guys. They have, their defense, despite not having, you know, the personnel they would hope, Sala gives them a floor that is higher than they've had in years past. And I just think,

I believe that Andy Reed is his own category, but, and I've said this for a long time, Kyle Shanahan is the best designer of offense in the NFL. And if you can get that type of performance from Mack Jones on a short week against a good defense, you could be a problem. So, like, I mean, credit to the Niners. I didn't have them in the playoffs for the year.

They're now four and one. I have to take them seriously as a playoff. contenders. I had them in the playoffs. It's hard to, you know, I have thought since all these injuries happen, not just Purdy, but all of them. That's going to be tough. But I agree. First of all, Sala

is proven to be as good as advertised. They were 29th in the league last year. I know they had injuries, but most of those guys are gone now. Nick Bowes out and they're eighth in scoring defense at this point. And as good as Mack was,

and we'll get to him, obviously, that defense, I mean, punching out that ball from Kyron Williams, he was about to go in the end zone, that probably saved him the game with a minute left. They had another fumble. And so I think their defense is legit. And you're right. Look, Shanahan, Mac Jones has certain, if you have certain skill sets, like even Purdy is a, he's a fast processor and he gets the ball, can get the ball out quick. That's what Matt Jones does. That's why Shanahan wanted him in the draft.

Like he knows, I guess, Trey Lance didn't have these skills. No. But certain skills that you have, you can cook in his system. Oh, yeah. And Mac Jones showed it. Go ahead, KW.

If you got to drink, bore yourself a little bit of something. We're going to be here for a while. Okay. Let's be serious. Last night, Mack Jones had a career-saving performance. That career. was mine.

You laid out perfectly yesterday that I have been on a career cold streak talking about the Patriots. And I think my career was headed down just to a fanboy. A dressed up fan boy wears a tie. As of yesterday

Jared the Javlet's did him. Not good. Dynasty Gap Year. Not good. He's the baby goat. Doesn't work. Take him to the hill. You were, you nailed me on I was like, I'm right. My career's over. And then 24 hours later, Mac the Baby Jones Goat, hit. Mac the Baby Jones Go, you don't even get it. You didn't even say it right. I remix. So here's why I think it's important and why I'm not moving off of the fact that he can be not only a competent quarterback, but actually one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Really? Here's the graphic, okay, from CBS.

3 and 0 record, 800 passing yards, six touchdowns, first three starts with the team since 1950. Mack Jones, we have a lot of these graphics were kind of like funny with the numbers and it's like, oh, this guy's on the list. But what's the common denominator of these guys outside of Mahomes? Let's put Mahomes in another category. Mack Jones was on a bad, had some success, got into a bad system, bad coaching, fell resurrected. Matthew Stafford was 7490, got with Sean McVay, wins the Super Bowl, is now, some say, on a Hall of Fame trajectory. Kurt Warner was back in groceries, playing for the Iowa Barnstormers. Shout out to Iowa Brew.

Amsterdam Admirals gets with Dick Vermeal and Mike Martz and all of a sudden is a Hall of Famer. Now is Mac Jones going to Hall of Fame? That's probably a bridge too far. But is it fair to say that a lot of successful guys that we already imagine, just thing are successful, are successful because they got into the right system. Like Kurt Warner and Brock Bernie a little bit. I mean, so this is, and again, today is your day. Well, it's our day a little bit, but I, but I, this is, this is.

And I think the, the proof is in the film and the game and what we're seeing. You were so nervous the Niners were going to lose. you in the midst of all this took a shot at Kyle Shanahan for his conservative play calling. That was not the right call. Okay, at the conservative play calling, where

at the end of regulation, where he was afraid, and because you were afraid, he was going to cost him to the game. He thought he could cost him the game. He trusted the defense. But regardless, the point that I'm, I think that is I text you. I didn't even tweet you. When I tweet about you, I'm joking around.

When I'm texting you, I'm like serious wild. I didn't say take that down. I didn't. Did you like what he did? I would have done the same thing, but that's not my point. My point is this. We now have voluminous evidence that if you are a starting caliber quarterback in this league, you can look like a star with Kyle Shanahan.

Jimmy G. looked like a star. He was not. Brock Purdy looked like a star. I do not believe he is. Mac Jones looks like a star. I don't think he is. And so, like, do I think KW that if they had drafted Mac Jones instead of Trey Lance, they might have played the Chiefs in the Super Bowl two years ago?

I do. Because we saw what Mac did yesterday. The only star weapon he has is McCaffrey. And when you listen to his quotes, he's like, man, Kyle told me, If I take three steps and look to the left, Christian McAver is going to be open, and that hasn't happened to me since Alabama. And so like that,

it's not that I think like Purdy's a bad player. It's that I think this is a, you know, massive statistical inflation because Shanahan is great. And I think we're seeing that. I would say Garapolo didn't look like a star. He looked like a good quarterback. He never made the Pro Bowl or anything like that. And Mac is three games.

And I want to rain on his parade. He's been great. He's played better than Purdy this year. There's no question. But it's only three games. You do want to see a bigger sample. I agree. And I would power rank them by ability.

Purdy, Mac Garoppolo. That's what I think. Purdy is more athletic and can make extend plays better. Mac is big. His size could help him. And so like I just. Readiness.

He's tough. Look, you got banged up last night. We don't have time for today. It's also why if I were the Niners. I would be like if we, we don't need to spend all that money at quarterback. We can always have a super team because if we can get really good performances out of a guy like Mac Jones. Guy like Mac Jones National champion. National champion, completion percentage.

Rams fumbled the win at the goal line and then McVeigh fumbled the play call at the end of the game. Stafford was untouched and unstoppable, but not enough. Rams dropped at three and two. here's Stafford and McVey. Take a listen. Football games are, like I said earlier, they're imperfect. We had a chance to win it multiple, multiple, multiple times. Didn't get it done. Those staying and piss you off. A lot of football left, but I'm pretty sick right now.

I'm sick of the spot that I put our group in to end the game. But, hey, these are the tough beats that you've got to be able to learn from and move forward, and that's what we're going to do. How bad was this loss? I mean, it's brutal. It's absolutely brutal, because while we're giving Matt, all those flowers and he deserves them, I thought the Rams, you know, left a ton of meat on the bone,

not just the goal of the fumble at the one yard line. They are having real trouble with their kicking game. Hey, what's going on? They got that, they had an extra point blocked. Yeah. That was to take the lead. Missed the field goal.

I had an extra point blocked. Cardi's been having issues. And you've now, I think the Rams are Super Bowl contender. I think they are fighting for seating. You know what? Home games. They won't have the head-to-head with Philly if they finished with the same record.

And the Niners now are in the Catbird seat in the division in a game where you were healthier. You were at home, but not in any real way. I was shocked at it. I always heard like, oh, they travel well. It was just a sea of rain. And where they had to go silent count some of the night. And so I thought Stafford, what makes you feel good is Stafford is Stafford is, now stacking awesome games.

Like he was awesome last night. But you shouldn't be three and two. And like they have a real chance. They could be five and oh. And instead they're three and two. Yeah. And they have you got to wonder. I mean, they'll be fine.

But morale has to be low. This is now two incredibly disappointing losses. Philadelphia where, you know, you're up huge at halftime and you kind of let that one go. Credit to the Eagles. But and then this game where like you said, self-inflicted. and you're facing a backup quarterback who hasn't played well throughout his career for the most part. And you don't win that. That's got to kill them.

And look, Nick, I'm not as high on them as you are. I'll give them contender. But I think they're a notch below like the Detroit's Green Bay's, Philadelphia's. And obviously, that looked to be the case last night. Go ahead. Do you think Jalen Hertz and the Tush Bush cast a shadow over this game? Whereas a lot of like third and one, fourth and one that weren't converted. 5 of 11 combined on third and one, the fourth and one to end the game.

Jalen Hertz gets that. For me, it feels like that's what separates. Oh, Hertz definitely. That's what separates, honestly, both teams from the Eagles where it's like we say winning is a skill, but you don't know how to actually quantify that. And it's just these little tiny details that you don't see happening with Philadelphia, that you do see happening with. Well, no, listen.

I disagree with you on tiny details. I think it's that exact specific game situation that is super easy for Philadelphia and super stressful for every other team in the league. That's not a Rams problem. Every other team in the league, fourth and one, you're holding on. You're nervous.

Maybe Buffalo. Right. And Philly, you're not. It's wild to be nervous and be like, well, this is a guarantee for us. It's a guarantee for us and everyone else is stressed. where like some people would have,

some people think McVeigh should have kicked that. Yeah. You know what I mean? I think you made the right call. I do too because it feels like if you kick it, you're just saying, we'll take the time. Right, right. Which you shouldn't do.

I also think from a morale perspective, losing to the Eagles is one type of stomach punch. Hubs, can we roll the video? Having this guy come into your building. Cook you. Do these types of things that you're going to see over the course of this game. Please show me we got the shrunk.

Whether, okay, so he starts off like that. He then does the shoulder shrug. He then at some point in the game has his pants fall down. Yeah, he's got this soggy jersey. He also, he's just eating bananas on the sideline. He's dry heaving for reasons we can't figure out. His greatness. That guy came into your building.

He got, he got pinched by his knee brace and the broadcast thought he was done. Like, I mean, this guy came in. There's a goofiness of God. You think? A little bit of goofiness about this guy. A little bit. I love him, though. You're Matt Stafford.

Yours Brew called it. Everybody's All-American and Mack Jones comes in your building and books. That's a problem. What a night. Wonderful baseball edition of weird and wonderful. Start with the wonderful Yankees, Red Sox. Cam Schlittler, who grew up in Massachusetts, It's absolutely unhittable.

It was phenomenal. 12 strikeouts, a great playoff performance. Eight innings. I'm glad they let him go. Yeah. And maybe they learned from game one. It's also I felt like they're planning on Toronto. Like it didn't feel like the Red Sox could get to them and you start to think ahead

to Toronto, keep everybody fresh. That's, I mean, listen, I also think it's the Red Sox are a great brand too. So this isn't about brands. I'm glad the Yankees won because. I think the Yankees have a far greater chance than Boston would have of actually going on a real playoff. That's true. You know what I mean? Boston's just too injured.

So many of their best players are just not available. So I'm glad the Yankees won. Yankees up 4-0 in the 8th. This is Ryan McMahon with a catch of the year into the dugout. He holds on the ball. Yankees hold on. They're headed to Toronto to face the Blue Jays. Great catch.

Kind of just a little Jeter-esque there going not to the stands, but a great win for the Yankees. Weird. Rams down. about a minute left. This is the play that turned the game here. Are you putting this, do you view this brew as a great play from Salah's defense or an error? Well, it was a great punch out. There's no doubt. But you, I mean, look, almost every time you run the football, guys are trying to punch it out. So if you're Kyran, yeah, you got to, you have got to hold that thing, even if you've got to do it with two hands, which you see them do sometimes. I mean, it's a great play, but it's an

unacceptable mistake. It cost them the game. And it could, look, this division is so tight, that each game matters for the playoffs. Oh, yeah. Of course. Push, push all the way in. Wonderful.

Four teams should run it. There's no. Pete Crow Armstrong, the early catching the first. Then it's Pete Crow Armstrong, putting the Cubs on the board. And then finally, it's Pete Crow Armstrong, catching the final out to send the Cubs. to Milwaukee, game one tomorrow.

Brew and I were talking about before the show. Shout out to the Cubs, happy for them. This isn't sour grapes because Padres were my pick before the year. And I don't complain about officiating. That missed call on the first batter of the ninth inning, if you're a Padre fan, that's really hard to swallow. You do feel like, you know what I mean? Would our season still be going?

And it was a, I know balls and strikes are hard. It was a bad missed strike call. So that's tough. And the announcers we've been saying next year it'll be different. Yeah, tap your head. Upset alert next on FS1 and the Fox Sports Channel. With some controversy. I deserve something.

With some controversy. I deserve something. We had that picks for our graphic. I mean, we got the rules. Welcome back to first thing's first time now for the hottest segment in all of sports. It's upset alert. First, let's go over to our standings. Yes.

So listen, Coach and Greger running away with it. Coach picked the wrong. Raiders plus seven at the cult already. Wilds 49ers pick is under review. So let's quickly go to the rules and see if there says anything about Thursday night football getting you any points. Nope. Zero.

Sorry. I thought you were going to get it. We're under review and the rules are there for a reason. And so there we go. Go ahead. Brew. I think I'm a surprise you guys. Okay.

This is the week. And I don't think it's the, for some people, the sky will be falling. and maybe even for you guys. Broncos over the Eagles. All right, look, the Eagles are losing at some point. Right? They're losing at some point. They've toyed with it really all season.

All four of their games have been close. And now they're misquoting scripture. It's just out of context, AJ. I mean, I'm glad you're in the word, but it's out of context, all right? So, yeah, I think the Broncos great defense. They sack the quarterback. They don't give up to passing touchdowns. Some people will make a big deal out of it.

I won't, but I think the Broncos It's on the board. Either Jalen Hurts is going to have a huge game or it's on the board. Quickly, doorstep of destiny game. I've been preaching it. What? Another doorstep of destiny?

Oh, yeah, sorry. Pucketani Field of Football is here to say, we're back on the doorstep of destiny. Patriots overbills, probably straight up, but at least close. You're like, ah, Josh Allen versus Drake. Well, let's look at the graphics here. How are they doing this year?

Well, basically a watch. Let's be honest with you. No, that is basically a wash. Basically a wash. Basically a wash. We're ready to say basically a wash. So what's it going to come down to? Probably defense, right?

So who's got the better defense? Well, it's the Patriots. The Patriots have played a little bit of tougher opponents, too. You're like saying you're a better team. Well, we're about to find out Sunday night. And finally, a quick one. Vibes alert. Oh, Broncos is doing something different.

They're doing these cold front jerseys. The bills, not the bronze. The cold front jerseys. They've got everybody in white t-shirts. They're doing a big white out. Penn State version. Well, how did that go last time we saw? Penn State, yeah.

Oregon, big upset goes on the road. Nobody believes in them, even though they were like- In fairness, Oregon might be better than the Patriots. What? I'm a Dan Lennon guy. So Patriots over Bill. Time now for Nick's picks. These shows are moving.

Knicks picks. Listen, there's no shame in it. I'm not going to make excuses like Danny Parkins has as it would and did, is a tough weekend. The Chief's pick was easy. I thought Aaron Rogers knew we would do anything against the Vikings defense. Turns out Carson Wentz couldn't do anything

against Steelers defense. And the Bengals pick was an outright horrific pick. I thought they'd keep it close instead of down 21 to 3 at halftime. Luckily, I had a bit of a cushion, six and six, much like the Kansas Chiefs, 500 through September, ready to take off. First one, sorry, Brew, direct opposite.

Eagles, three and a half point favorite. favorites. This is, wow. This, I had to double check this line. I was like, this game's in Philly, right? The game's in Philly. They're only three and a half point favorites. The next time Bo, Nix, and the Broncos beat a good team will be the first time.

The next time they beat a good team on the road will probably be 2027. I, I understand the Eagles have been winning ugly, and I bet this is ugly too. This feels like a weird score, like 26, 20, 20, 21 or something. Like how'd they even get to that, but they win, Eagles cover. Next, direct off of Parco. I'll take the Raiders plus seven at the Colts.

I think in the summer, this line was Colts by two or two and a half. I understand the Raiders have been a little disappointing. The Colts have looked great. I liked Genti's bounce back performance. I am not yet a full on believer in Daniel Jones and the Colts. And I'm getting a full touchdown. I'll take the Raiders plus seven.

And last but not least, put it there, KW. We're back in. Doorstep in destiny time, boys. At least, at least eight and a half. At least they keep it close. You know they're going to be firing late. And I think Grable's going to try to grind the game down.

I am not impressed by the teams. The bills have faced the last few weeks. I do think the Patriots off or defense is legit. And I think Mack is going to be chucking the ball around. I'm getting eight and a half. I'm sorry, Drake. Long, oh, I came in. Drake, May.

I'm back. I've got my jersey. I'm getting eight and a half. in a divisional game. So Eagles laying three and a half. Raiders getting seven. Patriots getting eight and a half. That's a three and a week in America.

Love it. Holy cow. What a show that was. Wow. Fantastic. Some people get paid for 30-minute shows. Holy moly. We'll see you on Monday.