Games with Names - Dudes on the Divisional Round

Episode Date: January 15, 2026

Gronk & Jules are back! We're in the thick of the NFL playoffs and we're here to get into all the action. Today, we're breaking down all four of the Divisional Round matchups plus looking at some of the most meme'd out moments from that insane Wildcard Weekend. Support the show: http://www.gameswithnames.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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the investigation into the most notorious killer in New York, since the son of Sam, available now. Listen for free on the IHart Radio. Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcasts. I wouldn't go crazy and be like, oh, it's going to be two first-round picks in order to get Mike Tomlin as your head coach in the future. I would say maybe like a second rounder or a third rounder, you know. If I'm Mike Tomlin, everything's going to be about who the quarterback is. What if he did the ultimate craziness and went to the Baltimore Ravens?

And I think him and Lamar would be great together. Welcome to dudes on dudes. I'm Julian Edelman. And I'm Rob Grancke. And this is the show where your favorite dudes get to talk about their favorite dudes. That's right, Jules. And the playoffs are heating up and we're going to be breaking it all down ahead of the divisional round. And look at some of the most meaned moments of the playoffs so far.

So make sure to drop a like, subscribe, and hit the bell to be notified every time we drop a new episode. Let's go. Dudes on Dudes is a production of IHeart Radio. Let's get into it, Jules. It's been exciting so far. The playoffs, you know, the games have all been great. To tell you the truth, yeah, the Patriots game was great because they won, but overall, it was the boringest playoff game, you know, but it doesn't matter how you win.

If you win in style, if you win excitement, all you got to do is win. But I'm just looking at overall pitcher for NFL fans and the NFL. The NFL has won in Super Wild Card round. All the games going down to the wire, all the excitement. It's just been so great. Gotta love playoff football. It gets you out of your seat. And we're in the thick of it right now.

And now it's the divisional round. And we're going to preview each game. But first, we have to talk about some news, Jules. Okay, we got some new news. What news we got? Well, let's get into it. Mike Tomlin steps down in Pittsburgh after 19 seasons. He's going to be a lock for a great TV spot.

And he's going to be a lock for whatever he wants to do, you know, after, you know, this little coaching, you know, coaching gig that he just had for 19 seasons. Yeah, and let's go over some of his accolades. Tomlin, 2007 to 2026, when 143, 119, and two ties, never had a losing season. Oh, and 7 in his last seven playoff appearances, though. That's probably the reason why this is all happening. Steelers will be looking for just their fourth head coach since 19, your favorite number, 69.

Well, let me reiterate it, 1966. Okay, 19669. 1969. What's interesting here is that the Steelers still own his rights since he resigned. So this might be a situation in the future where we might see it happen again. Sean Payton when he left New Orleans and the Saints. he kind of resigned, you know.

He didn't just get fired, so then his contract was terminated. He lapped one on TV. Actually, Fox, you know, as an analyst for a little bit on your show, Julian, which is really cool, you know, fun facts stated right there. And then he wanted to go back to coaching, so he had to get his, what happened there? He got his rights traded to the Denver Broncos. He got traded to the Denver Broncos. So in the future, if Mike Tomlin wants to coach again, become a head coach, that could be the same. scenario, you know, as shopping.

He may get traded, you know, in a year or two if he wants to go back to coaching. And there's no doubt about it that he's going to be a hot commodity at the coaching position, you know, because it's Mike Tomlin and his resume just stands for itself. And people love him and he's young and he still's got a lot of juice. But also, he can probably get a job anywhere on television, no matter who it's with. If it's with Fox, CBS, if it's with one of the streaming networks now, I mean, he's going to be in high demand. It's Mike Tomlin. He's got personality. He knows his stuff.

Any great dude overall. You think he's going to like TV, though? Is he going to like TV? I'm not sure. He's going to like TV if he chooses to go the TV route, then yes, that means he likes TV. But he's a kind of a low-key guy. You know, he has some great, you know, quotes every once in a while. But overall, I see him being a more low-key guy, so it wouldn't surprise me if he doesn't go down that route either. I would love to see him on TV. He got to come work for Fox. That'd be fun. but say he comes and works for TV for a year

and then he wants to go back and he gets to pick how many picks are you giving up if you are another organization to trade for Mike Tomlin how many picks you've given up and what picks are you giving up? Okay, that's a great question. Well, first off, it was kind of like a mutual agreement. Yes, I know the Pittsburgh Steelers still have his rights,

but overall, you know, I think they would fair play it. You know, the Steelers organization wouldn't really hold anything against him. Yes, they're going to want something in return for him, I would say, because they do have his rights. So I wouldn't go crazy and be like, oh, it's going to be two first round picks in order to get Mike Tomlin as your head coach in the future. I would say maybe like a second rounder or a third rounder, you know, just for good faith to Mike Tomlin as well. Or I would say Mike Tomlin, hey, you know, we got a great relationship. We're the Pittsburgh Steelers organization. We're the owners and we want you to be successful. What you did for this organization for the Pittsburgh

Steelers is second to none. We want to thank you for that. We're going to let you go, but in return, we want a little compensation. What do you think is fair for that organization to give to us? And Mike Tom will be like, you know something, maybe like a third rounder's fair. You know, let's not play hard ball or anything. Let's make this an easy transaction. So I think maybe it could be up to Mike Tomlin in the future what the Pittsburgh Steelers receive. Well, Sean Payton was traded for a first and a second round pick. I think Tomlin's going to be hot too. But I think Tomlin left in more good faith

and he could have possibly been fired, but he resigned. So in the situation with Champaign, I felt like he just said peace. Like they didn't want to fire him. He just said peace, you know what I mean? They were possibly about the fire Tomlin, but it made it look better in the situation where he resigned. I think the best place for him is probably,

Baltimore. No, you can't go to Baltimore. I mean, just a rivalry. If you think about it, they got the quarterback. If I'm Mike Tomlin, everything's going to be about who the quarterback is because they couldn't get it turned on after Big Ben kind of retired. You know, that's kind of where the beginning of the end was for the Pittsburgh Steelers in his time there. So like, it's all about what quarterback you have. And right now,

the best quarterback on the market is the Baltimore Ravens. So if he tries to be a coach this year, what if he did the ultimate the ultimate craziness and went to the Baltimore Ravens? How freaking nuts would that be? And I think him and Lamar would be great together. I mean, that he would be great in that organization. The only reason I don't see that happen. There's no way he could do that, right? Because of just everything that went down with the Ravens in Pittsburgh and the Steelers over the last two decades. And what's funny that you brought that up, the Ravens owner was actually he asked if he would hire Tomlin.

And he said only if it's greatest answer ever. Only if the Steelers hired Harbo. That's freaking, imagine that swap right there. That's a shoddy guy. I've been watching him. He's funny. He's confident out there talking about this coaching cycle. And you could tell he was kind of selling in that thing too.

Like, you know, I'm not just kidding. You know, you can't just look at a coach, you know, that's went 38 and 36 or whatever and say, well, you know, he's not a good coach. He was the hot whistle or the hot ticket the year before, whatever his time before. So, you know, he was just kind of putting in there one of these coaches that has one of those mid records. Maybe it'll be different in Baltimore.

That's what he was kind of like, I don't know, that's what I felt like I heard, like he was selling that. What team do you think Tom would be a good fit for? Well, I think he's going to take off a year at least. There's no doubt about that. I mean, he well deserves. He needs to go to Cancun, go lay by the beach, you know, on a floaty. How about Cancun lately?

Everyone's hitting up Cancun about these goddamn retirement parties. What about Barbados? Yeah, I mean, I think Cancun is just the original destination. It's not like, you know, these players and coaches are actually going to Cancun, you know, on this vacation. They're definitely taking a vacation. But I would say somewhere else, just Cancun is the destination. Let's go back to Hawaii, man. Let's bring it back to the mayor.

the homeland. Yeah. Hawaii. Our Caribbean Island. Like Hawaii, though, I agree with you. Hawaii part of the U.S. Everyone starts saying, we're not going to Cancun. We're not planning golf trips in Canada.

We're planning Hawaii golf trips. Yes. Vacation starts in Hawaii. Let's get Hawaii back. Let's get Hawaii. We took the goddamn Pro Bowl away from them. We took the Pro Bowl away from the Hawaiian people. The Hawaiian people love the Pro Bowl.

Aloha. Aloha. I know, no more Aloha Bowl. They ain't got shit over there and they love football in Hawaii. They do. They love football. We need to start getting the vacation bug back to Hawaii. There we go.

This is a pro-Hawaii podcast. Let's go. Keep it going. The only reason I would say Cancun is well why people say because it's so close. It's an hour flight from Texas, you know, from Florida. It's an hour flight. That's the reason why that destination is just so brought up. Yeah, but, you know, thinking about it, these people don't want to be close to their jobs.

They don't want to be close to what they just finished. They want to be far. They want to be far. Let's go take a freaking six-hour flight from Los Angeles, go halfway around the world, and let's go to Hawaii. And that's when you could just get away. That's the ultimate relaxation. Hey, there's one guy. You get laid right after, right when you lay down.

They lay you right there. They put the lay on you rogue. Hey, you want to know who did it right? Was when Cliff Kingsbury, he got let go with the Arizona carnos. And then next of you know, he took the farthest flight away. He was where, where was he? In Taiwan, Taiwan. Yeah, he was Thailand, Bangkok, I don't know.

Bank, Thailand, that's where it was. Thailand, Thailand, Thailand. Yeah, I'm freaking adding freaking cities together. He was in Bangkok, Thailand. No one can get a hold of them. So yeah, right, get as far away as possible. We're pro-Hawai. We're pro-Hawai.

Yeah, Hawaii. And it's official, Joyce. I think Tomlin's going to take it. year off of coaching and I truly think he's a great fit for TV, you know, whatever station wants them, I think, you know, they would go and grab them and whatever he does next, you know, he's going to be very successful if he wants to even do anything, you know, or just sit back and relax for a year. Hey, he's earned anything he wants to do right now.

That's a long tenure, bro. 19, 18, 18 years for both Harbaugh and Tomlin. That shit's hard. That shit's hard. It is hard. It really is, man. I mean, they're putting their blood and sweat and tears in every single day. It's not like, oh, hey, you know, you get the summer off. Here's, you know, some vacation days.

Like, it's literally every single day for 18, 19 years straight. So I actually want to tip my hat off to Tomlin and Harbo for just their excellence, you know, and what they did for the game of football over the last two decades. And let me tell you, both of those coaches are similar, you know, style as well. It was a Vietch facing those teams. I mean, they were physical. They were relentless. They never gave up.

It was always a freaking dog fight in the trenches against them. They always had Big D. Lyman, linebackers that took no shit as well. And it was always because of the personalities of the head coaches. And Tomlin and Harbo brought that to the table. They definitely did. We had some unbelievable matchups with both of them. And some that included in the very next thing we're going to talk about this divisional round. let's get into some of these matchups,

huh? Should we get into them? Yeah, let's do it. How about this? You got to start off, right? We got to start off Patriots Houston. What are you looking forward most to in this matchup? Obviously, Houston's defense,

their secondary versus the Patriots, wide receiver, you know, corpse. I mean, we'll see how it goes down. I mean, this defense is, I got to give it to them. I finally saw them play for the first time, like a full game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers, and they are just absolutely phenomenal across the board.

They got past rushers that are pro bowlers and all pros. They got the linebackers that are, you know, very, very solid, and their secondary is freaking phenomenal as well. So I'm looking at New England's past game versus secondary of Houston. That's what stands out to me. That's the matchup that I'm looking most forward to. Well, I'm looking forward towards, what's McDaniels going to do on first and second down in the run game

against the Houston Texans? I know the Houston Texans against the run. What are they second against the run, Jackie? Probably second after the Jacksonville Jaguars. Yeah, they're second against the run. And the only way you could get favorable matchups against that defense on third down is if you keep it short. So you have to win first and second down.

You got to play on church. track, which is tough, you know, against this second ranked rush defense. But that's ultimately how you're going to keep the guys in check. Because last week, you know, you look at it, Will Campbell kind of struggled last week protecting against those L.A. Chargers. Like, he gave up a couple sacks. That pocket was condensed. Now, how do you get rid of that? Let's make it third and three instead of third and eight, third and six plus, so they can't run all these exotic twists, games, blitzes on defense. And the Houston defense is kind of a do what they do type defense. You know what I mean? They're not going to try to disguise a lot. So I'm really interested

to see how Josh McDaniels and the offense runs the ball on those first two downs, first and second down, to stay on track to keep those third downs minimal and manageable. And on top of that, in order for the Patriots to win this game or defeat the Houston's... Yeah, yeah. So your keys, that's perfect. Let's jump in right to our keys. The keys? I would say patience.

Why patience for this game? Extra patience. Because you're going to have to take what the defense is going to give you. This is going to be a game where, like you said, the short first and second down, Julian. They got to just get a couple of chunk, you know, yardages at a time. It's not like they're going to have big plays. You know, 20-yard throws. No negative plays.

That's not going to happen. They got to be patient and just take what's given to them. You know, a little dump off to the running back. You know, that flares out because everyone's covered down the field. Get three yards at a time, like you said, make it very manageable on third down. So these defense events cannot tee off. And so that's going to really test Drake May. This is going to be as hardest test, you know, of his career.

There's absolutely no doubt about it. It's going to be the best team they have faced. not best team offensively. They're just average on the offensive side of the ball, but the best team defensively by far that the Patriots are facing this year. So patience and take what's given and also they cannot turn over the ball. They just can't. Instead of, you know, going for it and, you know, trying to force it in

and having a possible interception, no, throw the ball away and just punt it. And then let your defense take care of them, you know, as well and make it a close game instead of, giving them a freebie, you know, just because you're trying to, you know, sneak it in or or fire a pass in where it shouldn't be going. Yeah, my keys of the game are pretty similar. You know, you say patience, I say disciplined. You got to play disciplined football, okay? You got to be able to kick the ball after every offensive drive. That means taking care of the football. You have to understand that your defense is pretty good, too, against an

offense that's not very good talking to New England Patriots offense. If they take care of the football, I think they stack up better against that defense because you know the Patriots defense is going to give Houston some trouble. That Patriots defense got rolling last week with those two big boy tackles. Mill and Williams. Mill and Williams and Williams and who's the Barmore. Those two right there, that's what makes it go. Those two guys. So, you know, disciplined on offense, kicking the ball after every offensive possession, whether it's a punt, playing field position game, or whether it's a field goal. We can't have any interceptions, no fumbles.

Drake May cannot have the game he had last week. You cannot have that game. For example, like if it's fourth and one and they're on their own 48 yard line, typically that's when you kind of go for it on fourth down. Well, in this case, versus Houston team, I would rather take the chances and punt it and pin them within their own 10-yard line instead of going for it on 4th down. Like that's the scenarios we're talking. That's how you got to play discipline.

That's where you got to play smart. You know, and that's where field position, you know, takes over more than, you know, trying to possibly go for it and get points. So this game's all about strategy going into this one. And, Jules, after last week's wild card divisional games, what did you learn about each of these teams, the Patriots and the Texans? You know, I didn't learn much about the Houston Texans. They were what I expected them to be.

Very, very tough on defense and consistent offense. What we learned about the Patriots is their defense can game playing defense. Now they're playing against a beat-up Chargers team. But that defense, we learned that that defense can get after the quarterback better than what we've seen all year. Now, you've got to take that with the great assault. They're playing against the worst offensive line. the playoffs at that time. But, you know, I learned that that defense still has the ability

when you need it to get pressure on the quarterback. And the offense, you know, you learn from, you know, with the Patriots, you know, that was the first time we saw Drake look kind of human ish in a long time, probably going back to that Pittsburgh game. you know, the offense just looked a little sloppy, which they can't do that. So this could be a great thing for both these teams to learn from to see how urgent you have to be

and how these games aren't won by big plays. These games are won by the team that makes the least amount of mistakes. Yes. What I'm excited about is how is Drake May going to respond as well? I am too. That's one of his best performance. which is last week.

But we've seen him now respond actually throughout the regular season. Sometimes he didn't have that grade of a game and he always bounced right back and just put on a show the very next week. We're following a week after that. So I'm excited to see how he does, you know, going into this week versus his best defense that he's that he's going to face all year long. But what I learned about the Houston Texans is, like I said, I didn't really see them play a full game this year just because there's so many games

and all that. So this was the first game I really tuned in. And what I really loved, like, everything that I've heard about them, you know, it lived up to the hype, how great their defense is, their offense isn't that great, you know, but their defense is just so dominant in their past rush. Well, what I really loved is just watching Will Anderson, you know, after the game. He got interviewed in just the way that he deflected his answers and gave credit to his teammates and just how humble he was and how well-spoken he was.

You know, I became a fan of Will Anderson. I always knew he was a great player at Alabama. Never seen him talk before, never seen him do an interview before. But the way he represented himself and the organization for the Houston, Texans, I was literally like, that's the guy I want on my defense line if I was a GM or a head coach. Like the way that he just brought his energy to the table, he was a leader, and I appreciated him. And that's one thing I learned. And when you got great guys on your defensive line, getting after the quarterback like that and great leaders,

you know, it means something as well. So it's just, it's good to see that, you know, whenever just someone is a studly like that, you know, in, in, in interviews and on the field. You know what? You said something right there. GMs and head coaches, you got to shout out the GM for the Houston Texans, our former guy, Nick Casario, because he has put together a pretty dang good football team on that defense. And he's got it on offense. It's just, you know, the defense has got a lot of high-paid guys. Their offense lines kind of banged up.

You know, they've been shuffling injuries on, you know, the skill group on offense. So, but, like, if you look at that team, that team looks like a good team. So you got to shout out Nick Casario for putting together, you know, a damn good team on paper. And they've been showing it on defense all year. Oh, and Josh McDaniels' brothers is coaching the receivers. Wait, for real. I didn't even know Josh McDaniel had a brother. That's a coach.

Yeah, he does. And the NFL as well. Yeah. He was in college when we were. I think he was in college when we were playing. He's the receiver coach for Houston. Oh, we got a McDaniels showdown in the playoffs, baby. You got a McDaniel showdown.

This is what I'm talking about. Oh, yeah, they look very, they look similar. And how about Shane? Shane Vereens in the front office over there in Houston. Oh, shout out to Verini. I bet you Cheserio got him. He said, I need to get me a little Berkeley boy. I got to get me a Berkeley guy.

Love Shane. He's a playoff guy too. When it comes to playoffs, Shane's always there. He always stepped up. He's a lot of catches in the playoffs. No doubt about that. Who's going to win it, Rob? Oh, man.

This is tough one, Joe's. I want you to go first. Let me hear you're going Patriots. You're going Patriots. Okay. Look, okay. You know, this defense. If Houston wins, their defense is going to have to do miraculous things.

They really will. The Patriots are going to have to turn the ball over, which I think they're going to be harping that all week, take care of the football. You know, I can't see. It's tough. Houston, I think 25, 26 points wins this game. 24 points wins this game.

I mean, not even. I think 18 points wins this game. No, 21 points wins this game. So I think this defense, when you look at the Houston Texans, the whole do what they do, they don't disguise. They remind me a lot of those old Legion of Boom Seattle defenses where you knew what they were doing. Every team knew what they were doing, but you couldn't beat them.

You know, I think Josh always, when we were playing against defenses like that, we always had great plans. And it's going to be different because you have to have the discipline at the quarterback position to take what they give you if you're going to play a team like this. And the receiver group has to get vertical because everyone's on a string on defense. But I like Josh's game plan to be able to outscore what Houston's offensive game plan is going to be, I think. When you say, Julian, you know what a team's going to do. and you still can't beat them

and they're going to do what they're going to do. It's because the guys on the field are great football players. Great football players. Like the Legion of Boom, you know, in Seattle. We knew what they're going to do. We knew what their coverages were going to be. Why they don't have to disguise and make it all difficult because they got such talented players on the field that if you just line them up.

And that's what Houston definitely does. And that's what Houston has. If you just line them up one-on-one, they're going to win majority of the time. and that's why, you know, they just stick to what they do because it's working. And when you've got dominant players, that's when coaching goes out the window. And that's when, you know, great players step up. And that's why you have a great team because guys on the field are going to, you know,

factor in if you win or lose the game. And if you go down, you know, all the way to the Super Bowl and have a team like Houston at defense, it's because, yes, they got good coaching. But also, these guys are talented. These guys are football players. And it's hard to beat them just one-on-one. So I would say, though, if the Patriots win this game, it is because of the coaching. This is the only game because of the way that the Patriots game plan with McDaniels and Vrable,

just their mindsets and how they work. If there's going to be a team that exposes, you know, the weaknesses of the Houston Texans, it's this game, you know, coming up versus the Patriots. It's the Patriots who are going to expose them. and they're going to find ways, you know, and personnel groups to be able to have the advantage out on the football field, you know, against his defense. Drake May has to be Drake May, too.

Yes, he will be. He's got to go, he's got to have some big plays with his legs, some big plays with, like, they got to be disciplined, but when there's a shot, you got to be able to hit it. And he needs a couple big plays with those legs. But I think the Patriots can win this. game. And so therefore, after saying all that, I think Drake May will be on because that's why he wasn't, you know, too par last week because he was saving it for this week, Jules. It's kind of what I did

sometimes. Oh, we got this game under the wraps, you know, it's the fourth court. I don't need to go full out. But next week, I'm going to save my legs. That's what Drake May was doing, Jules. That's how big of a genius this guy is. Who you pick it? I'm going with Patriots. Patriots. They're exposing the Houston Texans from game planning and Drake May playing. you know, at 100% that he can play at. We'll be right back after this quick break. Hi, I'm Dr. Priyanko Wali. And I'm Hurricane de Bolu.

It's a new year. And on the podcast's Health Stuff, we're resetting the way we talk about our health. Which means being honest about what we know, what we don't know, and how messy it can all be. I like to sleep in late and sleep early. Is there a chronotype for that,

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The answers were there, hidden in plain sight. So why did it take so long to catch him? I'm Josh Zeman, and this is Monster, hunting the Long Island serial killer, the investigation into the most notorious killer in New York, since the son of Sam, available now. Listen for free on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcasts. Let's move on. Oh, we got a great game.

We got the number one seed versus the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos versus the Bills. And what are you looking forward to in this matchup, Julian? I'm looking forward to seeing how the Denver Broncos start the game and how they show up after having a bye week. with a young football team. Did they take advantage of this by week? Are they going to be sharp or are they going to be slow? I'm really interested to see how Sean Payton calls the game. Is he going to, because a lot of these teams,

they get away from the run game when you play the bills. Is Sean going to sit there and sit there and just go after the deficiency of that defense and run the ball, even if it's not working at first, and hit that damn. You just hit the dam. until that water crack goes in there and it busts open. I don't know.

I'm interested to see how they start and what that game plan is going to be against that defense of the Buffalo Bills. And I'm also interested, like, how's Josh Allen going to be? He looked beat up after that last game. He had the ankle, he had the knee, he had the hand. Like, is he going to, this is going to be a freaking great game? because is he going to be Superman again

when Superman has a little bit of that kryptonite because he's all banged up and he got to do like Batman stuff almost because he doesn't have the superpower so he's going to have to outthink him or stuff. I don't know, man. I'm just excited to see how they start on Denver with the by week, young football team.

And is Josh Allen going to be a freaking Superman even though he's banged up? Is he going to have to be Batman? I don't care how banged up you say Josh Allen is. he's going to be Superman no matter what because that's what you're looking for it in this match can heal up he's he's superhuman he heals up within the week you know he's got not in certain planets he's there's been ready to go they're in like ice and stuff and all of a sudden he loses his power can't even lift up a baby this is not the case he's got his superpowers and the buffalo bills are

going to need his superpowers as well because he literally has no one on the outside to throw to especially with Gabe Davis going down with the torn ACL. I mean, he's got the two tight ends and Knox and King King, K, and they got the run game with James Cook, but I don't think that's going to be enough. But also at the same time, I think Denver's still beatable, even if the Buffalo Bills don't play, you know, to the level that they need to play at, Denver sometimes plays down to their level, you know, and they keep, you know, these teams in the game, they don't know how to close, you know, games out, you know, or blow, like I'm talking in the third quarter, second quarter, when they should be blowing teams out. They, they,

keep it close, which then gives Buffalo the chance. And if you put the ball on Josh Allen's hand at any time, he can go down the field, even with no wide receiver, he can run the ball. He could push it for 25 yards down the field, which was the greatest touch push I've ever seen was last week. I couldn't believe that happened when he went for 9, 10 yards on it. But just by mistake. But I'm really looking forward to how Josh Allen does handle and how they game plan, you know, against Denver's defense

because they're a phenomenal defense. They're at home. How are they going to create yards and get first downs? How are they going to score in the red zone? Because like I said, they don't have an it factor as a playmaker besides the run game only.

So that's what I'm looking forward to. And Josh. What are the keys of this game? Yeah, the keys for Buffalo is obviously to run the ball, to run the ball, you know, and just play. you know, like football in the 1970s and 80s. We're going to run

the ball down your throat. We're going to tell you your defense down. We're going to wear you down. We're going to control the time of possession. You know, we're going to control the football as well. We're going to keep your offense off the field. That's how Buffalo is going to win this game. That's the key for the bills is let James

cook out there on that field. And Josh Allen as well, he has to be involved in the run game. You know, he has to have, you know, his 50, 60 plus yards and and make some big plays. And for Denver, it's their offense to get off to a fast start, you know. They got to put a complete game together.

Now, this is the playoff Buffalo Bills. They're thirsty. They want to win. You know, the Mahomes isn't in the playoffs. Burroughs not in the playoffs. Like, this is their easiest road to the Super Bowl now, especially after they beat Jacksonville. I thought that was going to be the hardest, you know,

opponent for them to go in Jacksonville against a hot Chubber Lawrence. So Denver needs to start fast, you know, and show that they can. can keep the consistency going on offense. That's a big key for them. Yeah, for me, Broncos' keys, take care of the football, which they do. You know, they love, they play muddy games just like, you know, the bears, they wait to the last minute. They take care of the football.

You know, they have to do that. How did the Jaguars lose last week? They had three takeover, three turnovers. You know what I mean? And Buffalo is damn good at getting those takeaways on defense. They'll low you to sleep with how bad they can't stop the run. Our rush defense is terrible. But they play the game.

These teams that play against Buffalo get away from that run. And Buffalo does a good job of stacking that box on first and second down to be able to get into those long third downs where they can get those tip picks and all that stuff. So taking care of the football is number one for Denver for me. just like young teams that have good defenses, young offenses that have good defenses, take care of the football. Just take care of the football, just like the Pats.

And then for Buffalo, your keys, they somehow got to force an explosion, like a takeaway momentum type play on the road. Somehow, whether that's a takeaway on defense, whether that's a huge return, on special teams, whether that's a block kick, they need an absolute momentum play on the road in Denver to quiet that crowd. Because leading into our next question,

how hard it is to play in Buffalo or how hard is it to play in Denver in the playoffs? It's very hard. That crowd's really loud. The defense can time your snaps because of the. that crowd noise. And for an outdoor stadium, I would say it's top three, loudest stadium in the league.

Outdoor stadium, top three. Them, Seattle, Kansas City. Those three outdoor stadiums, they rock really loud. Yes. They rock really loud. And on top of that, it's the mile high stadium,

Jules. You're a mile up in those mountains. The air is thinner. It's harder to breathe. I would say that can catch up to, you, you know, leading into the third and fourth quarter a little bit. I felt a little bit, but once you get going, actually, your mind off of it. Your mind is off of it. So it just plays a little fact, just plays like a little factor. Because out of the two, if you're an athlete, like a mile high,

it can't affect different people a different ways. Exactly. Like some people, like, it just may be in the blood. It really isn't going to get to you only a mile high, but when you start hitting like a mile and a half, then that's when it truly affects you even as an athlete. So it's just, it can just affects, you know, some of the guys on the team more than nutters. So it could play a factor into it. But it is very difficult to play in Denver. I mean, those fans bring it. Those fans love their football. Just overall, Colorado as a state just loves to stay active. They love sports, you know, so they're going to be bringing the juice. It is loud, like you said. You know, they use the crowd to their advantage. So I'm excited about this one because I'm from Buffalo. They're excited about

this game to go into Denver and prove that they can win another, you know, game on the road. I mean, Buffalo needs this win. The city of Buffalo loves the bills, you know, more than anything, more than their kids in Buffalo, more than their dogs. That's how much they love the bills. So it's going to be a hack of a game. And these matchups

this week are phenomenal if you're just a football fan. Who are you going with? Man, I don't like these predictions, Jules. I don't either. It's tough, man. So hard. Because if you know, if you're a real football knower, if you're a real football knower, then you know,

you know absolutely nothing because you're not inside the building you don't know how everything went down that week of practice or what's going on. And if you know football, that you know you don't know anything predicting these things because shit, one of the receivers,

girlfriend is cheating on them. We don't know anything about that. There was a fight and practice. You know, we got one dude, you just don't know what's going on. Some guy got in a car accident. He was late to practice. You know, what's going on?

But I think the bill is. I think the bills are going to win. And also, Bo Nix, can Bo Nix beat Josh Allen? Okay, that's what it comes down to. Can Joe, Bo Nix beat Josh Allen? Oh, last year he couldn't. I forgot. They faced off in the playoffs last year in the first round.

The Buffalo Bills knocked the Denver Broncos out, but that was in Buffalo. Well, now can Denver be like, screw these bills? They knocked us out last year. They're coming in our house. They conquered some demons winning on the road. They give them their own medicine after they knocked us out of the playoffs last year. So we will see. Also, can Bo Nick step it up?

I mean, this is the time, you know, I mean, he is still very young. Actually, he's a very old young guy in the NFL because he's like 24 or 25 years old. He played a long time in college. But it's just the time where Bo Nix can take it to a whole other level and gain their respect, you know, from the NFL that he's the real deal at the quarterback position. We will see. I'm going with the Denver Broncos just because it's at mile high. It's in Denver. They got Sean Payton as their coach.

He's going to be ready to go. go. He's full steam. I mean, I just, I just can't see the bills overcoming their deficit at the wide receiver position at the big play making ability. Even though they did bring in our guy, Brandon Cooks, I got to appreciate his big play that he made. He's the part of the reason why the bills won last week was because of Brandon Cook's and that big catch that he made on the final drive to put the bills in the position, you know, to score. Rob, all your analysis, I agree with a thousand percent. Sean Payton, unbelievable coach, unbelievable defense for the Denver Broncos, at home, loud crowd.

Everything tells me it should be the Broncos. But I don't know, man, there's a little light at the end of the tunnel with no burrow, no Lamar, and no Mahomes for Josh Allen. I understand. Can't argue that. There's a little light at that tunnel, and it ain't another train. I think it's an actual daylight. And you're talking about if you know football, well, if you know football, you know that any given moment or any given day, any given team can win as well. Wait a minute.

Last. Okay, no. High Mark's gone. It's over. It's official. It's sad. That the bills will never play another game in High Marks. You know what?

And it got me thinking the Patriots went on their dynasty run the last year and their last. stadium at Foxborough. Is this a little Bill action? Little Bill's action? Come on, Buffalo. Joe, everyone's been getting new stadiums. The dynasties don't start because of a new stadium. You never know, Rob. It just happened because it was the Patriots. It just happened with the Patriots. I mean, the Chiefs are getting a new stadium. Look at the Rams and look at the Chargers. They got that new stadium. Actually, look at the Rams kind of did go on a dynasty run. They still are once they moved to L.A. They were absolutely trash in St. Louis. Who else? their home field.

Wanted at their home field. Cowboys got a new stadium. That theory proves wrong right there. That was years ago, though. I'm sorry. Yeah. They were supposed to go on a dynasty run. Then they have just nothing.

Cleveland's get a new stadium. Could be a dynasty. Oh, no. Nah. New stadium does. Hey, Rob, on a serious note, though, what's High Mark Stadium mean to you? I mean, it means everything.

That's where I grew up, you know, watching NFL games live in person. It was the only stadium I ever went to, you know, as a kid and just means so much to Buffalo, you know, it must mean so much to the city, so much to the people just growing up there. But it's the start of a new chapter. There's going to be memories for a lifetime at Highmark Stadium. They're going to be talking about it forever.

It's going to be passed down to the next generation as well in Buffalo to the families there about how great of a stadium it was and how many great memories. But it's just time for it to go. I mean, it served its purpose. and Buffalo, they haven't won a Super Bowl there. And that's the only thing that's hindering that stadium is that there's no championship that got brought there. Yes, they made it to Super Bowl and AFC Championship, but never a championship championship. And that's what it's all about.

So it is time to move on. They do need a new stadium. I think it's great for Buffalo. Highmark means so much to everyone, but they're ready to blossom into bigger and better. We'll be right back after this quick break. I'm Dr. Priyanko Wally. And I'm Hurricane Dibolu. It's a new year.

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and how real strength comes from listening to yourself and to others. Guys who are toxic, they're immature, or they've got something they just haven't resolved. Once that gets resolved, then there comes empathy as in compassion. If you want this to be the year you stop powering through pain

and start understanding what's underneath, listen to the mailroom on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your favorite shows. A decade ago, I was on the trail, of one of the country's most elusive serial killers, but it wasn't until 2023 when he was finally caught. The answers were there, hidden in plain sight. So why did it take so long to catch him?

I'm Josh Zeman, and this is Monster, hunting the Long Island serial killer, the investigation into the most notorious killer in New York, since the son of Sam, available now. Listen for free on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, did you do the... you go like, did you do this, the spike like that there?

Or you brought it over your head? No, no, I didn't. Where is that one at? That was in London. Oh, that was in London. That was in London. You did some kind of spikes. Because you used to ball out at Highmark every fucking time I went there.

Actually, you're right, Jules. Highmark Stadium. You had probably like 10 touchdowns there. I probably have like six or something. I had a couple, two tutty games there. Six or seven. Well, yeah. I had that big long post for like 60 yards as well.

when I looked at Marty B and I forgot to play Tom Alert. I was like, oh, my gosh, I was like, Marty, what's the alert? He goes, he screams at me, Mamba. And I was like, oh, Mamba, I got the two-way posts. Let's go, baby. Kaboom. And that's when I'm best actually is like, oh, shit, I forgot like my play. So then it makes me like, oh, I don't want to look embarrassed, like get embarrassed now that I forgot the play.

So right when Marty B alerted, A, it's Mamba. I was like, oh, I got the post. And then boom, I went full going around right by DB. Tom hit me like 30 yards on the field. and I brought it for like 40 more yards, you know, to the house, baby. Love Highmark Stadium. 12 touchdowns at Highmark. No way.

I had 12 touchdowns in Buffalo. Oh, that's first the bills. No, that's just first Buffalo. Oh, yeah, yeah. Oh, my gosh. I 12 touchdowns. There's Buffalo in my career. I love it.

That's freaking great. I love it. My favorite memory from the stadium will always be the pink dildo. Oh, I knew that was coming. I knew that. Bro, I, I'm not a joking. laughing guy during a game. I'm Mr.

Manly mean in the moment guy. That's intense. I see a pink dildo on the field with the little smiley face and Brady it said Brady on there or something. And I was like, what the fuck?

I started breaking out laughing. I just still remember the referees contemplating. The referees were contemplating who get it out there and they would, they wouldn't pick it up, they just started kicking it. It was funny. Let's move over to the NFC.

Oh, let's take a look. Yeah, Fox's game for the weekend. At the trilogy matchup this year between the 49ers and the Seahawks. What I'm looking forward to the most in this game, Sam Darnold, what's he going to do? Oh. Is Sam Darnold? Because everything tells you, everything tells you that Seattle should win this game. The Niners, and what they've done with the smoke and mirrors on defense,

and without the skill position group on offense, no kiddle, no IUC, no problem for them, they just still find a way to get Christian McCaffrey the ball. This ultimately comes down to how is Sam Darnold going to handle this? Is he going to be the Sam Darnold we've seen throw the ball away to the other team seeing Ghost, or is he going to be Sam Darnold, take care of the football and play to the strength of his team? I'm excited to see how Sammy D does. Because he's got an opportunity to go out and light it up. Now, Sala's going to make it hard,

but player for player on offense and defense, defense for the Niners, offense for the Seattle Seahawks, they should be able to do something there. And Clint Kubiak on offense, getting head coaching interviews and stuff. Well deserved. Well, it is, but he's,

He better go out and win. You got to go out and beat a Niners defense that don't have the guys right now. You can have the X's and O's, but you need the Steve's and Joe's, and they didn't got them. I'm looking forward to Kyle Shanahan and his masterminding, you know, of how the San Francisco 49ers are going to move the ball. I'm not even talking about putting up points. Like, it's going to be a low-scoring game.

They got to figure it out once they get into the red zone. maybe field goals will win them the game, just get points on the board as much as possible. How are they going to move the ball down the field? I mean, no kiddle now. It was so unfortunate to see. Love kiddo. Love the way that he plays the game.

I think he's the best complete tight end in the game. It was so hard to see him go down. He's a great leader. He's great for the game of football. They don't have Pearson's. He didn't have him last game. I'm not sure if they're going to have him this game as well. I mean, they're just depleted across the board on the office side of the ball ball.

with Trent Williams, Christian McCaffrey, and their other tight ends actually are stepping up as well. Mitch will be making plays too in the playoffs. And Kyle Eusecheck, I mean, he's going to have to come through. You know, he's going to, whenever he touches the ball in the past game three or four times, he's going to have to break some tackles, get some first down. So it's going to be a mastermind of Kyle Shanahan. How are they going to scheme a plays, you know, to throw off Seattle's defense

and move that ball down the field. That's what I'm looking forward to because that's the only way that they're going to be able to win this game is that they're going to have to move the ball. They didn't move it at all. Week 18, when they were buying for the division, they were playing for the number one seed. And now here we go.

We got a rematch. I mean, Seattle just absolutely dominated San Fran that game. It was a mismatched. They didn't on defense. It was only, what it was it? They only won by 10 points. That's why I said if they just figure out a way to move the ball. They don't have to score touchdowns.

They've got to just kick field goals, get points up because they can stop Seattle's offense, you know, with their defense. But I just don't, I just see Seattle just overpowering, you know, San Francisco just because of the players, you know, not because of coaching and all that. I think coaching is a van of San Fran,

but the players just eventually, you know, if you've got great players, they're just going to overpower everything and win the game for you. And if Sam Darno does collapse, I mean, he's known for collapse in the playoffs. He's never shown us yet that, hey, I can step up in the playoffs. Last year was a bad showing in Minnesota. So they're probably banking on him. How can we frustrate Sam Darno? How can we get some turnovers from them?

The keys of the game for the Niners, they got to score in that opening drive. They got to, because what do every single metric number or stat this thing tell us about the San Francisco 49ers? They are a completely different team from ahead they are when they're behind. They're like 0 and 42. If they're go into the fourth quarter with, you know, a seven point deficit. They're like one in 32, if they're losing by seven points at half time. They got to go out and score the very first time they touch the ball and play from ahead. That gives Sala and that defense the opportunity to play against Sam Darno when they're trying to score. So I think the key for me, for the

Niners, they got to go out and they got to score right away to play the game. And, you know, the way they want to play the game from ahead. That's what they, that's what they're designed to do. For Seattle, Sam Donald's got to take care of the football. And it's not going to be easy because the San Francisco 49er defense, even though they don't have anyone, they still manufacture shit somehow. You know, Sala, he should be another head coach. He's given himself head coach credibility with the performance that he's had for these San Francisco

49ers on defense. We expect Kyle Shanahan to do all that on offense. The defense, last year, or a couple years ago in there in the Super Bowl, it was all the defense court we don't can't do it. Now they got Sala, and they're

in a divisional round. Like, that's big. Huge. Salah's doing a great job. Great job. There's another, what was I say, another opportunity for an X head coach to be able to get another head coaching gig because this year there's no like ben johnson or leiam cohen you know that's available out there for hiring that's an offensive genius

you know to become a head coach this year it's all about recycled head coaches that did have an opportunity and now they didn't really you know take full advantage of the opportunity they didn't win they got fired and now they're uh a coronator and now they're dominating again and now they're going to have a second head chance to become a head coach that's the that's the cycle of head coaches going into getting hired, you know, I believe this this year. I mean, look at, I mean, and also recycle head coaches that just got fired. I mean, Tom Lane can be a head coach somewhere else. Harbaugh can be a head coach somewhere else.

A Stefanski can be a head coach somewhere else. And in this case, we're talking Sala, who's the head coach of the Jets. He absolutely killing as the defensive coordinator now for San Fran. He can become a head coach now, you know, once again. And then we're also talking Brian Flores. I mean, with Minnesota, he was our coach, one of our coaches in New England. head coach Miami didn't work out now it became a defensive corner so this is the time of where it's coaches with experience that are going to be hired as a head coach again instead of a first time

you know off first time head coach that's been an offensive coordinator their whole life um even like cliff kingsbury you know you can throw his name in the mix Brian dable i wouldn't say down the future you know i wouldn't say he's going to become a head coach this year but he can become a coordinator again and you know do four or five years as offense corner dominate and then and become a head coach once again. But my keys to this game, back to the San Fran game, I would say there's one key, and it's getting the ball on Christian McCaffrey's hand, which they're going to do.

A million times? But Ken, they're going to do it. But how are they going to create the explosive plays for Christian McCaffrey? They need chunk plays every once in a while. Seattle hasn't allowed a hundred-yard rushers since week eight of the 2024 season. Wow. And that was James Cook. And Christian McCaffrey, yeah, the most touches this year,

but his yards per touch were really, really down because it was like, what else are they going to do? So everyone knew they were going to get the ball of Christian McCaffer. What they got to do is create ways so he can go for 20-plus yards, have a 40-yard gain, one or two of them in the game to get them going. Yeah, so how explosive can they get Christian McCaffrey to be and design some plays for him? And what's crazy, Jules, at beginning of his season on Fox,

said, hey, you know, Seattle's not going to win this game. It's week one opening versus San Francisco, but Seattle's going to be the better team in the end, so San Francisco better take advantage of this game and win it. And now look, I truly believe Seattle is a better team, but if this is Grand Shadamas, we're talking, Julian, right now. Seattle is a better team, and not just by default because San Francisco beat up. I just truly think they are just overall, you know, across the board of just, you know, the players and the personnel that they brought in

and also how they're playing together as a team now, even though San Fran is pretty ridiculous with what they're doing with how many guys are injured. San Francisco beat Seattle week one. I said that. They scored on their first drive, but they scored on their first drive. Oh, well, there we go. Who wins the game, Rob?

Who wins this game? We're on the first drive for San Francisco. Well, San Francisco scores on their first drive, and that's got to be a touchdown. They're going to win this game, but they're not going to do that. I'm going Seattle. Leonard Williams, defense event. defensive tackle, just absolute dog.

The guy's just a mammoth of a human being who can, you know, has athleticism of a linebacker. I mean, he's going to be a key, you know, key difference in this game. I think the coaching of the San Francisco of 49ers will keep it close, closer than what it should be. But Seattle, you know, we'll see how they come out off this by, but they should win this game. they should win this game Shanahanham 2 and 3 all time against Mike McDaniel

as a play caller averaging 18 points per game you know they should Seattle should win this game I'm going with Seattle but if they don't would it surprise you know because it made it scarier when the Niners have to play these guys the third time because that's how good

Shanahan is as a coach I think it's scarier for the Seattle Seahawks than it is for the 49ers. All right, let's jump into our final game. Rams versus Bears. Oh, the final game. Oh, this is the game I've been looking forward to as well because you've got Matthew Stafford, who's most likely going to be the MVP of the league. But then you've got the Young Buck coming up.

Caleb Williams, can he take down, you know, the reigning, you know, established quarterback in the NFL, Matthew Stafford. It's in Chicago. as well. The Rams, I think, are a better team overall. What I'm looking forward to, though, is just this quarterback matchup. Matthew Stafford versus Caleb Williams. What I want to see a game, I want to see a game that's just back and forth. Yeah, defense is cool and all when defenses get stops. But I want to see Matthew Stafford march down the field. And then I want to see Soldier Field go crazy for their quarterback. And I want to see Caleb Williams march right back down the

field and put up six. And then Matthew Stafford get the ball, march down the field. Then Caleb Williams, marched down the field where it goes down to the final minute of the fourth quarter with Caleb Williams, you know, ball in the hand down by four and see if he can do some magicy, magical moments once again in the fourth quarter under one minute and just see a great game and just see a quarterback driven game as well. That's what I'm looking forward to. I'm looking forward to see Caleb play the first three quarters. I just want to see him play. is he going to be a little better the first three quarters or we got to wait to the fourth quarter for all the fireworks?

It's got to slow down here in the first three quarters. I need to see first three quarters. That's what I'm, because I think that it's going to, I think it's about to change where, you know, Caleb reminds me a lot of Josh Allen early in his career. You look at Josh Allen early in his career. Everyone said he was so inaccurate. He couldn't make the throw.

I mean, I remember watching it from the other side. And he made all these crazy plays. but when the game slowed down and he started hitting his receivers became more, you know, what they call on schedule with his stuff, hitting the layups, that's when he became Josh Allen. You know, Caleb, he's right there. He just got to get those first three quarters. I want to, the layups, we got to hit him. You know, and will he do it and will it start this game?

You know, that's what I'm looking forward to seeing. My keys to the game. What's your keys? Major key, Larry, let's hear it. My key for the Chicago Bears, if they want to win this game, they got to continue to do what they've done on defense. They need takeaways. They lead the league in that.

Defense ain't great at anything but one thing. Taking the ball away. They take the ball away. Most takeaways in the league this year. In the league. And they need that against this Rams team. Who's hot, but who has given the ball away the last couple weeks, twice each game, I think.

Last few weeks, they've been given the ball away. So it's out there to be had. There's a lot of, you know, so I think that's my key for Chicago. For the Rams, for the Rams, they got to get a stop on defense when they need it. I feel like they've struggled at that.

Like, I feel like there's big plays sometimes against this Rams defense. I don't have any stats on it. just off my memory of seeing like on third down or something they need to they need to get off the field those are my keys what are your keys are up oh i mean i like your keys jewels but that wasn't a major key alert like this is going to be a major key alert and it's it's ken puka nakua you know stay at top of his game i mean he's the heart and soul of this offense yeah matthew stafford is at the quarterback position, but at the skill position, I mean, he's the life support.

Like, when they need something big, you know, it's Pooka Nukuwa. And just the way that he's playing, the juices that he's bringing to the table, he's not just a key. He's something that I'm looking forward to every week because you love just a football player out there on the field. And this guy is exactly that, you know, he gives up his body. He doesn't go down on tackles. It takes two, three guys to knock him down just the way that he's playing. He's playing powerful. He's playing explosive.

He can do it at all levels. He can go deep. He can do the intermediate route, the in-cuts. And then also you can throw him a screen pass. And then he can take it, you know, from one yard all the way to 250 yards and bring it to the house and score a touchdown. This guy is unbelievable. He's the key to the Rams offense. How is Chicago going to stop him?

I don't think they're going to stop him because he's just that good. And he shows that he can step up, you know. That's why they need a takeaway. Exactly. Why they need a takeaway? They need a little bad throw. Who needs to be vulnerable for the Chicago Bears is Matt. to do Stafford. If he's vulnerable, the Bears can take advantage of it. One bad throw,

boom, they'll take that ball away. And Pucco can't do anything about a bad throw. So it's all about, you know, it's all about how well Stafford's going to place that ball versus wonderful Chicago Bears defense. That loves, once we, once again, loves to take the ball away from love it. Love it. They love it. And who's going to win this game, Jules? Who do you got? You know what? I like the Bears. The Bears. I like the Bears at home. I think they got a little magic going right now. Like everything tells me that McVe, Stafford, MVP, you know, they should win this game.

But Matthew Stafford's 1 and 9 when it's below 30 degrees. I believe it's going to be freezing there. This is an L.A. team going to Chicago. Chicago's been practicing out in that weather. They know that weather. And we don't know how they're going to act. So I believe in Ben Johnson and what he's, been preaching all year. I believe in

Tuny, Dolman, and Jackson. Tony. Dolman and Jackson. That middle part of that offensive line. I just, I like what these Chicago Bears are doing to get past the L.A. Rams. Not by logic, just by fate.

What about you? The Bears as well, Jewels. Double Bears? That means Rams are going to win now. No, no. This is the first time we're actually doubling up that we both agree on who's going to win the game. That means we're definitely going to be wrong. No, it does it. We're smart guys, Julie.

I don't remember that. You know, we're football-I-Q. The analyst jinx, though. Are we analysts? I'm not going because the Bears, I'm not saying our better team. I'm going with the Bears because it's great for the NFL. It's great for the city. The Rams, they got no fans.

They win the championship. 4,000 people go to the parade. Whippy-do. I'm talking for the NFL, for the city of Chicago, for everyone that's soldier field, for the passion of the, game to bring back the nickname da bear so you can say that down the hallway in your school when you're just walking the class and it just makes you happy the bears that's why i'm going with the bears for that reason just because it's great for everyone outside of l.A that's not a ram fan it got me thinking

for the polish sausages out there for the bar pizzas the deep dishes the italian beefs this one's for Chicago. There we go. Biden. Deep, deep crust pizza. Is that what they call a deep dish pizza? It has some deep crust to it. But I like the bar pizza. I like their, they have a thin bar pizza. It's like Cracker pizza too that people

kind of sleep on. I love that. All right. Tavern pizza. Tavern style. Tavern style. Oh, so good. We'll be right back after this quick break. Hi, I'm Dr. Priyanko Wally. And I'm Hurricane de Bolo. It's a new year. And on the Podcasts health stuff we're resetting the way we talk about our health.

Which means being honest about what we know, what we don't know, and how messy it can all be. I like to sleep in late and sleep early. Is there a chronotype for that or am I just depressed? We talk to experts who share real experiences and insight. You just really need to find where it is that you can have an impact in your own life and just start doing that. We break down the topics you want to know more about. Sleep, stress, mental health, and how the world around us affects our overall health. We talk about all the ways to keep your body in mind, inside and out, healthy.

We human beings, all we want is connection. We just want to connect with each other. Health stuff is about learning, laughing, and feeling a little less alone. Listen on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Every January, we're encouraged to start over. But what if this year is about slowing down and learning how to understand ourselves more deeply? What if this year is about giving ourselves permission to feel what we've been holding and knowing that it's okay to ask for help? I'm Mike De La Rocha, host of Sacred Lessons.

This is a podcast for men navigating stress, emotional health, fatherhood, identity, and the unspoken pressures were taught to carry alone. We talk honestly about mental health. mental health, about healing generational wounds, and about learning how to show up with more presence and care. If you want a healthier relationship with yourself and the people you love, then Sacred Lessons is the podcast for you. Listen to Sacred Lessons with Mike Dolorotcha on America's number one podcast network, IHeart. Follow Sacred Lessons with Mike Delarocha and start listening on the free IHeart Radio app today. Hey there, this is Dr. Jesse Mills, director of the men's clinic at UCLA Health and host of the mailroom podcast.

Each January guys everywhere make the same resolutions. Get stronger, work harder, fix, what's broken? But what if the real work isn't physical at all? To kick off the new year, I sat down with Dr. Steve Polter, a psychologist with over 30 years' experience, helping men unpack shame, anxiety, and emotional pain they were never taught the name. In a powerful two-part conversation, we discuss why men. aren't emotionally bulletproof, why shame hides in plain sight, and how real strength comes from listening to yourself and to others.

Guys who are toxic, they're immature, or they've got something they just haven't resolved. Once that gets resolved, then there comes empathy, as in compassion. If you want this to be the year you stop powering through pain and start understanding what's underneath, listen to the mailroom on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your favorite shows. A decade ago, I was on the trail of one of the country's most elusive serial killers, but it wasn't until 2023 when he was finally caught. The answers were there, hidden in plain sight. So why did it take so long to catch him?

I'm Josh Zeman, and this is Monster, hunting the Long Island serial killer, the investigation into the most notorious killer in New York, since the son of Sam, available now. Listen for free on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcasts. It was a great weekend of wildcard games, but an even better weekend for memes. The meme game was outrageous, and we're going to react to some of the most memeable moments from this wild card weekend, the meme corner. Let's get started. This was Ben Johnson basically MFing the Packers.

Let's see it. All right, Joe, we got F the Packers as a meme. That fires me up. It does. I love it. I love it as well. I think it's great for sports. It's great for the game of football. It's great for rivalries. That's the oldest rivalry in the NFL. Exactly. And we haven't had a rivalry. If you're on that team, if you're on the Bears, it's going to make you want to give everything that you got to give. You know, your blood, sweat and tears for Ben Johnson when he's coming out and bringing that juice to the table and saying that F, F the Packers like that. But also, this is great for sports overall because I feel like it's gotten soft. over the last decade or so in rivalries. It's like, you know, it's better to be, you know, a great team, like have great sportsmanship instead of more hatred in rivalries.

I mean, let's look at the Yankees versus the Red Sox right now. Dude, right now I first got to freaking New England, Yankees and Red Sox people hated each other. And now I swear I go to a Red Sox Yankee game. I'm like, this is the most laid back atmosphere, you know, that I felt. Like it feels like it's just a regular minor league game and there's no hatred at all. What makes sports sports and there can be hatred that doesn't go over the top?

You know, I would say that's the limit right there. You know, nothing more. But what you can just be passionate about and talk shit and not have any repercussions is sports and having that robbery. And this is great to see. This is bringing back that passion, you know, fan base versus fan base, team versus team. I love to see it. I loved it too. It's oldest, oldest rivalry in the game, our game, football. And I agree with everything you said, Rob, everything. What's the most hype you've been in a locker room? I think the

most hype I've been in a locked room was probably right after that AFC championship game in the Chiefs in Kansas City. I felt like we were just hyped after that because of the whole road thing. and we use that to go into the Super Bowl. And maybe, you know, the Bears use this locker room moment to get past these L.A. Rams. But I loved it. I loved it. When was your most hyped locker room experience? Oh, most hype.

Oh, definitely after we beat Baltimore an AFC championship game. Yeah, we didn't win the Super Bowl that year, but I was hyped up that we were going to Super Bowl. I even had a damaged ankle, but it didn't matter. wasn't stopped. Our first one? Yeah, our very first one. I was, I was hype, bro. I was, I was, I was the start of Yosoi Fiesta. That's how hyped I was at Yosoi Fiesta. That shit, that's a meme right there. Memes don't start unless if you're super hyped. And that's when I was most hyped was going to that Super Bowl. And that's why that meme started. And it's still, to this day, Yossoi Fiesta, where I go, that shit still living big. It is. I went to Mexico City

did a thing. Everyone was just saying, Yosue Fiesta. Let's move on. to the next. Matt LaFleur and Ben Johnson's post-game handshake. Wow. Oh, man. Everything that we just said, you know, that's, hey, the people out there think that the coaches like each other and Kiki and Buddy Buddy, these coaches are, these guys are like want to be players that want to win crazy that like really take it to heart after. It's not as bad as everyone's hyping up to be, you know. There's no. doubt. I mean, Ben Johnson was just so excited. And that handshake's never going to be more than a half second long in the history of this handshake. Especially in division. They're in division. These guys fucking hate each other. What I love about this though is that this is going to be a thing for rest of time with these two facing each other. For as long as both of these guys are the head coaches

of the Packers in Chicago, it might sometimes it might not even be about the game. People are going to be looking forward to the half second split after the game and their handshake, you know, for years to come. So this is great. This is great for the rivalry. Just everything about it. And I mean, it wasn't as bad as what people are hyping it up to be. I mean, you're excited.

I think this head coaches as well, and same with quarterbacks to meet the other quarterback, you know, and or head coach at center field after a loss or a win. I think it's very difficult, you know. It is very difficult on the guy that loses the game. It's even difficult for the guy, you know, that wins the game because you're so excited in that situation. So it might be taken out of context. Like, oh, he's being disrespectful, but it's no, he's just emotions.

I hate when quarterbacks get criticized. Oh, he didn't shake his hand long. He didn't give him words of wins. Bro, you just maybe lost your biggest game of your career. there shouldn't even be possibly a handshake. Like if you want to, you should be able to go right back into the locker room and not be scrutinized at all. I hated going to midfield.

When I was with the bucks, I said, I'm over that shit, bro. I didn't go to the midfield one time. I hated after a loss. I had to fucking pretend I was happy and have a conversation and smile with the guy that just whooped my ass. Clearly he's going to be out. I'm going back in the locker room. And then even after a win, I'm like, they just lost.

Why would they want to talk to me? I just whipped their ass. So that middle of the field shit, I'm not about. I don't want to criticize it or take it too much into a take because of the emotions that just fly, you know, at that time. Fitzpatrick always rags on Brady about that. Yeah, he does. I love Fitzpatrick.

That's one thing I'm like, Fitzpatrick, like, you know, like he said he felt disrespected by Tom or something because he didn't go out and shake his hand or something. Dude, there's so much that goes into that. And like I said, I think that media, that midfield thing is just take it way out of context. I mean, you don't know what's going through someone's head, their emotions. If they even want to go out there, I hate a meeting at middle of the field after a game. I stopped doing it. I didn't do it once in Tampa. I don't think Fancy should take it personal.

Exactly. You know, it's more of. Never take anything personal after the game. No, especially Tom's on a different level where he's already thinking about the next game. He's already, I mean, for real. When you win so many goddamn games, you know, sorry to reign on people's parade. You didn't go say hi to him. after the game, we did just compete against. I got Tommy's back on this. Come on, Fitz. Definitely. Me too. Don't get sensitive. All right. Well, we got one more. One more, one more, baby.

Let's go down to Jacksonville where a reporter praised Liam Cohen, you know, after the game. Yeah, I saw this. Do you see this? Wildcard loss. So it was like a nice, a reporter said some nice shit to him, and everyone's like getting mad about it. On the day, Lynn Jones, Jacksonville, Free Press News. I just want to tell you, congratulations on your success, young man. You hold your head up, all right? You guys have had a most magnificent season.

He did a great job out there today. So you just hold your head up, okay? And ladies and gentlemen, Duvall, you're the one, all right? You keep it going. We've got another season, okay? I appreciate it. Take care and much continued success to you in the entire team. So is this sparking?

People are mad that the lady did that. Wait, wait, that makes zero sense to me. Can you please explain to me why people are mad that the lady did that? I actually want to personally meet this lady, this reporter. I really loved her comments. And the way that she said it, she said it with passionate energy to lift up Liam Cohen. This era is all about knocking people down.

And in this case, you can knock people down when it's needed, but not in this case. Liam Cohen did an unbelievable job. First year had coach Jacksonville Jaguars, you know, unbelievable year. 13 lost last year. They had 13 wins this year. Unheard of to be able to do that. It's ridiculous what he has done

At reporter right there I want to meet I want to give my props to her How she lives life How she looks at the positive Outtake and sees the positivity You know In a season

Instead of just knocking him down Because of a playoff loss That they gave everything that they had Lynn Jones I don't Lynn Jones Shout out Lynn Jones Great great job And much respect

You know And the way she said it was no bullshit though It was like that's who she is That's how she looks at life The outlook of life So Lynn Jones, I appreciate you. I mean, Matt, respect. You know what?

It kind of reminded me of like, you know, you're with these people in the media like all year long. They know you. And like I remember like Mike Reese, Mike Reese was always like a guy that would like hype you up at the end or something. You know what I mean? We had, you had some relationships with guys that would, you know, they would, they would kind of, they would kind of comfort a loss instead of going for the. jugular with a question or or some of the sort like that. Tommy Coran, you know, he was, he'd always kind of give me a little, hey man, we are right, we are right, man. This is awesome to

see. This is the real, this is the real relationship between these two people that see each other every day of the football season. So for people to hate on that and for people to say that, that's not professional in, in their realm, all right, dude, cool, go, go be a hater. Go hate. Let's Let's go hate more. I'm a real life. She responded to people hating on her by saying, you can call me a fake all you want, honey. I've been doing this a very long time.

I love Lynn Jones. Much respect to Lynn Jones, y'all. I love Lynn Jones. Last one. We got one more. Encore. Let's do it. Oh, our boy, playoff dough.

Well, should I say, Dancing Dolah? Playoff Dola, Dancing Dola. Dola Dola. Crazy Dola. I mean, this guy just got so many nicknames. And now he's a mean. He got the crowd at Gillette hyped up.

What was great is I actually got the FaceTime Dola before that because he FaceTime me because I was hanging out with one of his boys in the studio. And then he hit me up. And I didn't even know he was at the game. And he showed me where he was like, oh shit, you at Gillette right now. This is like an hour before the game. He's like, yeah, I'm at the game. Didn't tell me he was pumping up the crowd or anything.

An hour later, I see him all over the place. I'm like, Dola, just talking to you bro. Now you're getting the crowd going. Let's fucking go. He said, you got to love Dola, man. He brings the juice to the table. He looks like a little alternative rock star. He got like a, you know, he's got the hood up. He's got a sick jacket on. There's probably some crazy graphic on that of Johnny. Is it Johnny Cash or John F. Kennedy? There's something on his shirt. He looks like he's singing at a Bon Jovi concert, possibly the Breakfast Club guy. I don't know. Jude Nelson. We all know. We remember him.

But, you know, Dola, I would have got fired up if Dolah came out there and did that. Oh, yeah. And he's playoff, Dolah. It's playoff time. You don't bring Dolah in the regular season. No. You bring Dolah in one is the day layoffs. He probably taped his own ankle before he went out there. I know that story. I love it. Oh, my God. What a man, Foxboro probably was pumping. Oh, I heard it was rocking, bro. It was right. It's going to be rocking. again. They need it. Come on, Foxboro. We need you guys. Gotta be loud. Got to be real loud. They will be. Loud and proud. They ain't no doubt about it. They will be. Well, that's been another

episode of dudes on dudes. Subscribe on Apple Podcast, Amazon, music, Spotify, wherever you listen to your podcast, comment a dude you want us to do. And remember, rate and review. Call in and ask us questions on that chill line. That number is 561-203-5789. Remember to follow dudes on dudes on YouTube, Instagram, at TikTok and Snapchat. See you all next week. Dudes on dudes is a production of I-HeartRadio.

For more podcasts from I-HeartRadio, visit the I-HeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is Dr. Jesse Mills, host of the Mailroom podcast. Each January, men promise to get stronger, work harder, and fix what's broken. But what if the real work isn't physical at all? I sat down with psychologist Dr. Steve Poulter to unpack shame, anxiety, and the emotional pain men were never taught how to name.

Part of the way through the Valley of Despair is realizing this has happened, and you have to make a choice whether you're going to stay in it or move forward. Our two-part conversation is available now. Listen to the mailroom on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your favorite shows. Hi, I'm Dr. Priyankawali. And I'm Hurricane Dabolu. It's a new year. And on the podcast, Health Stuff, we're resetting the way we talk about our health.

Which means being honest about what we know, what we don't know, and how messy it can all be. I like to sleep in late and sleep early. Is there a chronotype for that or am I just depressed? Health stuff is about learning, laughing, and feeling a little less alone. Listen on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you do. get your podcasts. A new year doesn't ask us to become someone new. It invites us back home to ourselves.

I'm Mike Delarocha, a host of Sacred Lessons, a space for men to pause, reflect, and heal. This year, we're talking honestly about mental health, relationships, and the patterns we're ready to release. If you're looking for clarity, connection, and healthier ways to show up in your life, sacred lessons is here for you. Listen to Sacred Lessons with Mike Deloach on the IHart Radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get you. your podcast. A decade ago, I was on the trail of one of the country's most elusive serial killers, but it wasn't until 2023 when he was finally caught. The answers were there, hidden in plain sight. So why did it take so long to catch him? I'm Josh Zeman, and this is Monster, hunting the Long Island serial killer, the investigation into the most notorious killer in New York, since the son of Sam, available now. Listen for free on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, wherever you get your podcasts.