Green Light with Chris Long - 2025 NFL Predictions! Super Bowl Picks, Division Champions & MVP Winner!

Starting point is 00:00:00 I brought this note card. This applies to whoever's listening. I'm sorry if we offend you tonight. These are shots in the dark. Kid is going to be electric. Wait and see. Wait and see. He's going to be breaking out of these passes.

Starting point is 00:00:13 It's going to be scoring touchdowns on the offensive side and the defensive side. We haven't seen this in a while. It's going to be so electric. I just can't wait. I love the enthusiasm for the Raiders because this is one of the teams. I am betting the overwin total. I'm going to be on the Raiders wagon. you. His name's Chase Young. And I'm rooting for him to be the 2025

Starting point is 00:00:36 defensive player of the year. Welcome to the Greenlight podcast. 2025 NFL predictions show. It's here. It's right now. Chris, make and Nate run through their division winners, Super Bowl predictions, and award winners with a couple fun ones at the ending. It is time for us at the Greenlight pod to tell you exactly what might happen this year. We're going to be taking shots in the dark today on picking divisions and season long individual awards as well as a Super Bowl matchup. We're going to go around the room, get all that from all the guys.

Starting point is 00:01:45 I got Macon in here. I got Nate in here. Tanner's in the building. Cowboy Reed's in the building. Nolan's in the building. I don't know if they're going to have some picks to share, but the big three is here. you see us on the screen fellas i gotta be honest i hate this show not the show at large but this is a tough one because like we're gonna put some some teams forth here you know we're gonna

Starting point is 00:02:10 you know your favorite team might not get picked and um you know i wish they could all win the division but they can't we love you locals wherever you are i brought this note card this this applies to this applies to whoever's listening. I'm sorry if we offend you tonight. These are shots in the dark. Okay, we haven't seen any football being played yet, but here goes nothing. First off, fellas, how was the weekend?

Starting point is 00:02:40 Amazing. Wah-hu-wah. The who's win. Virginia got the win. We might be going to the Sugar Bowl based on that performance. I know there's a playoff and all that sort of thing now. 16 clubs getting in. I don't know.

Starting point is 00:02:55 It looked pretty election. Yeah. You know what I'm, you know what I'm thinking about and I'm hopeful for? What? We win these next couple games and maybe we be undefeated. And when Florida State comes week four, whatever it is, what if we get game day? Because Florida State just put a beating on Alabama. So maybe the buzz and it's early in the season and they take a shot and they come to beautiful Charlottesville for game day. Wouldn't that be electric? That would be incredible. We've been waiting a long time.

Starting point is 00:03:28 Friday night, a 7 o'clock Friday night. Do you know what the, like, I just, I'm getting the chills just thinking about what Charlestonville would be like on a Friday night. The bars might stay open until two. Hey, Nate, can I stop you right there with the Friday night part of it in college game day being a Saturday morning recording? Oh. Yeah, there is that.

Starting point is 00:03:51 I didn't. I thought you were talking about like camping out. You were going to camp out in the quad. you know all weekend that type of thing you're going to be like the you bro if we could get you out there to kick that field goal that'd be incredible bro i'll nail it but i want the money they're never going to let you on there bro they're never going to let you on there not going to let somebody from the green light pot on there no um if i stand out there wait for a ticket they would have to right yeah maybe so i don't

Starting point is 00:04:17 know i don't know how that works um but anyways yeah uva football is one and oh i had uh my boys back in town Robert Quinn, William Hayes. You know, William and Robert, or they live a state away and we're like best buddies, but, you know, I tell them they're huge flakes. You know how many times they've verbally committed to come visit me and then something happens. There's a lot going on. These guys came up for two nights and they're the easiest houseguests in the world. William told me that

Starting point is 00:04:47 he wanted to, because he went to Winston, Winston-Salem State, not only a D2 school, but in his words, having gone to an HBCU, he wanted to go experience an HWCU. And he wanted the full experience. So he came up to see Virginia play Coastal Carolina. And man, he's just a fucking trip. He's always a trip. He has always a trip. Let's see, what did he say this weekend?

Starting point is 00:05:18 He said that he tried to get me to go in the student. section. We saw Macon and Nate outside the stadium, but weren't you supposed to paint your chest? Yeah. Backed out. Yeah. Please don't do this. You know, it's only, we're only three minutes in the pod. Backed out.

Starting point is 00:05:35 You could have that. Think about that. If you had the U, the V, or the A, you could have did that cool belly trick. Yeah, the belly. Think about that. Think about that. That would definitely be, that's top 10 sports center stuff. See, there's a difference between you and me, Nate. I'm trying to blend in. I don't want anybody looking at me.

Starting point is 00:05:53 So, no, I did not want to, I did not want to paint my chest and be in the student section. You know, they would have been like the CTE is strong with this one. Like, what the fuck is Chris Long doing with his chest painted at a UVA game? Oh, and that's Robert Quinn and William Hayes. No, it was great. It was a great time. So anyways, let's get into the, let's get into the pigs. let's get down to business

Starting point is 00:06:21 let's put the nails in our respective coffins with a few fan bases this fall again we're sorry if we don't pick your team there can only be one division winner per division and we're not listen

Starting point is 00:06:35 these things I mean I don't even want to go back through some of the picks we've had in years past why are you apologizing like who cares because my name's on the pod nobody's going to say I'll remember what Dr. Fax picked last year.

Starting point is 00:06:50 You know what I'm saying? Like I'm going to be the one, you know, with the, with the arrows, you know, cast in my direction when I don't put certain teams. You'll know why I'm apologizing in a little bit. But on the other hand, on the other hand, what?

Starting point is 00:07:06 If you're right, then you're that guy. You're that guy. I know. I don't know. I just, I'm my favorite part of the year. Let's get on with the football, right?

Starting point is 00:07:15 This isn't football. Welcome to. the Greenlight podcast presented by BetMGM. If you haven't signed up for BetMGM yet, use bonus code Greenlight, and you will get up to a $1,500 first bet offer on your first wager with BetMGM. Here's how it works. Download the BetmGM app and sign up using bonus code Greenlight. Deposit at least $10 and place your first wager on any game. If that bet loses, you will receive up to $1,500 in bonus bets. Just make sure you use bonus code Greenlight when you sign up. So where do we want to start, guys?

Starting point is 00:07:53 AFC. I say we start with the, why don't we start with the AFC West, as that was where the runner up in the Super Bowl resided last year, and then we'll finish with the NFC East, where the Super Bowl champion, Philadelphia Eagles, reside, the defending champs. AFC West, fellows, I'm going to let you all go first, and then I will give you the big reveal, so to speak.

Starting point is 00:08:18 All right. AFC West I am going with the Las Vegas Raiders Unbelievable I really really really like Gendi I like

Starting point is 00:08:33 P. Carroll I love Gino Smith I love Max Crosby I think this is a year honestly and we'll reveal this later in the show I think Max Crosby probably has one of his

Starting point is 00:08:48 best years this year. And one of the main reasons why I could think about it is because the Raiders, they're going to get more first downs. Those guys on defense are going to actually get a chance to maybe take a rest in between series and hopefully can be getting off the field. But I think Max Crosby, this is a year that the offense looks like Pete Carroll is going to have that offense humming and doing what they need to do. And if their defense, just, their defense is always pretty decent, but I think this is a year for them that they potentially can break out of the West.

Starting point is 00:09:29 Okay, I just want to stop you there. I love it. I love the enthusiasm for the Raiders because this is one of the teams. I didn't tell you this yet. Okay. I am betting the overwin total. I'm going to be on the Raiders wagon with you. But I do not think that for the record, they win the division.

Starting point is 00:09:45 I think they have too many holes defensively. I will tell you, Nate, I got really excited when I turned on the film the other night seeing Gino. I don't know if you saw this bit from me on Instagram about indoor Gino versus outdoor Gino. Men lie. When men lie, numbers don't. Yeah, numbers never lie, certainly. And so I just, I feel bullish on the offense. Like, listen, you could say there's a lot that needs to work itself out at wide receiver, right?

Starting point is 00:10:16 like you know but they have some really fast unproven guys they have some guys that can take the top off the defense now they have a guy that can throw them the deep ball and they're going to be in some 12 personnel i mean they got mayor they got obviously Brock bowers who's about as dangerous as as any cover at tight end in the league i love the offense so i'm with you and i didn't i don't think the old line's that bad and i'm i'm a gno fan so i'm not calling you i'm only calling you half crazy because I think that the Raiders defense. Now, I think the floor is higher with your guy making Patrick Graham, the defensive coordinator,

Starting point is 00:10:54 I think the floor is higher than maybe it looks on paper, but Max is going to have to play his ass off. Coons is going to have to come back and they couldn't, he got hurt last year and they were in trouble. There's a lot of unproven guys in the secondary. And quick shout out to ex-UVA guy, Charles Snowden. he made the 53 this year outright, not coming off the practice squad. And he's another guy in that defense that honestly, hey, it's your time.

Starting point is 00:11:20 Like, hey, you step up, moving to his role. I'm playing on the other side of Max. Hey, get out there, make some plays. It could be an exciting season for the Raiders, man. They will play in some exciting games because they're playing some high-scoring games, man. And like you said, I really like Gino, too. I think Gino, he just had, he's a guy that had a tough start to his career. and just to see him still playing, still being relevant, still able to make plays.

Starting point is 00:11:47 And now he's on the team realistically where you can potentially give them a shot in a good situation. So it's going to be an excited season. I love the heavy lifting that realistically and potentially are doing in that sentence. I love you sticking your neck out for the Raiders, bro. We're going to have a lot of fun Sundays because I'm going to be pulling for the Raiders to win. And so will you? The Raiders.

Starting point is 00:12:09 make what you got. That's a shocking way to start off this podcast. And I think the Raiders will be shockingly competent en route to a 7 and 10 last place. Right on the number. With under 500 Gino coming off a 4 and 13 season. But that's a brave pick. I'm going to be brave too and pick the Denver Broncos

Starting point is 00:12:37 to win the AFC West at 13 and 14. adding Greenlaw, adding Hufanga, former Virginia Cavalier, R.J. Harvey is a dog. The offensive line is terrific. And the nine-time defending Kansas City Chief, AFC West winning club, the clock's going to strike midnight here at some point. And guess what?

Starting point is 00:13:04 It's probably not going to be this year, but better to be a year early in the prediction game than a year late, all right? I kind of wanted to do what you're doing here, which is pick the Broncos, you know, pucker up, say, hey, I might be a year early. Ha, ha, ha, make it so tempting. And if it weren't for the fact that I'm looking at the left tackle that they drafted Josh Simmons, so I think he's going to stabilize the tackle situation as much as you can, I would maybe pick the Broncos. I think it's going to be very close. And I'm with you where I think I'm,

Starting point is 00:13:39 extrapolating here, but the Chargers maybe don't take a step forward because of maybe Rashon Slater's injury and the defense coming back down to Earth, relatively speaking. I thought Mentor did a great job last year, but I don't think from personnel standpoint, they're quite there yet. And that sucks for Justin Herbert because I don't think it's going to be an indictment on Herbert. You know, I don't know that they're going to take the next step this year. And I'll say this, tough division. We just said it.

Starting point is 00:14:06 I mean, Nate just picked the Raiders to win the thing. I think, you know, he's having fun, at least 20% having fun, I'm thinking. But 80% is like, hey, they could be cagey offensively. And they've already played the Chiefs tough in their current form every time. You know, they played him tough with Aden O'Connell. But I think if the Chiefs get the offensive line room right, and that's going to involve the young guard, Kingsley, Suamataia, playing a lot better than he did in the preseason,

Starting point is 00:14:35 this will be a work in progress team. I will take the chiefs to win the division, but I would not be shocked at all making if you're right on this thing because the Broncos got better this offseason. And also, how good are the Broncos in the secondary where you've got a starting caliber nickel and you go out and you get Jada Baron

Starting point is 00:14:57 and the guy looks fucking incredible in preseason? It's like an embarrassment of riches on defense. They add your guy Evan Ingram. in the passing game. Sean Payton's all fucking excited about that. So you know what? I'll take the Chiefs only because I want to show them some respect.

Starting point is 00:15:17 So the AFC West, listen, there's going to be multiple playoff teams from this division. And I think if I had to guess it's Kansas City and Denver, that's the best I can guess at it. Let's move into the the AFC South. shall we?

Starting point is 00:15:36 I think Nate has a... Dova! Hey, what did it make us say? Rather be a year early than a year late? Well, this is Trevor Lawrence's... This is Trevor Lawrence's year. He's a new father, happily married. He's focused.

Starting point is 00:16:00 He's coming off an injury. They're trying to push him out of their, backs against the wall. And what happens? they go out there in the draft and they get the best defensive player and the best offensive player in one pick, and you put them in that locker room. I think Trevor is going to do amazing this year.

Starting point is 00:16:19 I think Travis Hunter is going to do amazing, but also their coach down there, I feel like he, hopefully, his style, he's going to resonate with Trevor Lawrence. And I just feel like the Jaguars, they have a huge ceiling if they can get all their pieces together. I really like their defense. I think Heinz Allen, he maybe needs a little bit more help,

Starting point is 00:16:45 but he's the guy that if he could be productive and they can maybe find a couple more guys to step up, I mean, I know I'm being a little biased, but I truly do like the Jacksonville Jaguar team as a whole. And I feel like they're a team. And the AFC South is just a tricky division where if you could just stay the course, win close games, end of the year, it could be a toss-up who ends up winning that division. So listen, it's a trendy deal here. I've heard a couple people take the Jags.

Starting point is 00:17:25 It's not like the Jags are supposed to be, you know, shoot. Well, I got my problem with the Jags is this. Since I think December of 23, they're tied three ways for the worst record in football. Now, a lot of that has to do with Trevor Lawrence's health. A lot of it, in my opinion, has to do on that last regime running its course. And quite frankly, I thought some people kind of, I don't want to say quit, but last year they were making their plans for Mekanos pretty early. And there was some uninspiring football being played.

Starting point is 00:17:57 So they have a cultural overhaul. They have a bit of a roster overhaul. You know, there are places like the offensive line that concern me. You know, I think I like the edges. You mentioned Josh Hines Allen. I love Trayvon Walker. I think they've got work to do inside. And the secondary has got to be revamped, right?

Starting point is 00:18:17 They're in the process of doing that. So I look at this group and it all hinges on, do you believe that Trevor Lawrence is fixable or not? and I am sorry to say it. I lean the process that it would take to fix him might take longer than it will take to get this roster in order. And for me, he doesn't have that kind of time. And the injuries have concerned me too over the course of his career here too. So like when you look at picking a division winner,

Starting point is 00:18:47 I'm going to fade the Jags. I am going to fade the Jags. Could I see this division being very, very competitive in spots two through four, certainly. But I'm fading the Jags a little bit, making, who'd you go with in the AFC South? Duce and Texans, repeated last year without a couple of key pieces, Nico Collins back.

Starting point is 00:19:11 The Tunsel move seemed strange at the time, but freed up resources to add guys like Robinson and Tomlinson to that line, CJ Gardner Johnson on the back end. I just think they're better than the last two years when they won this division. I don't think the gap is that wide with number two where I have Jacksonville. But I just think top to bottom, coaching staff, personnel, they are just better than everybody else. And I think that division is Houston, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Indy. Houston, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Indy.

Starting point is 00:19:56 I actually have two and four flipped. You know, I do see how Jacksonville, if you get the quarterback right, has a higher ceiling than Indy. But I actually see Indy's roster, and I think, hey, not that bad. Now, I know they're not necessarily trying to, you know, like Colts fans are going to be frustrated if you end up, you know, in purgatory again with eight, nine wins. But I think that's where you're headed. You know, I think Shane's, for everything that's gone wrong there, he's a good offensive football coach who had Gardner Minchew in the Colts two years ago within a hiccup, a drop on a fourth down of possibly being in the playoffs. Right. And they were competing with at that point the best version of this Texans team over the, as we know, this installment of the Houston Texans. So it's a long-winded way of saying I just I trust the Texans.

Starting point is 00:20:53 They're number one for me for all the reasons that we've talked about at length. I mean, the defense has got a chance to be a top top two defense and not number two. If you're picking up what I'm putting down. Okay. And then offensively, you really just need a couple of positions to hit. You need at least one of these rookie wide receivers either Higgins or Noel to come through for them. and they liked those guys. And then the big ones, the left tackle,

Starting point is 00:21:20 who everybody in Houston or in Detroit, rather, when we saw them for joint practice, really liked the left tackle. Ersary, big guy from Minnesota. So, listen, if they can get the left tackle spot right, you know, I hate to boil it down to a couple rookies, but oftentimes that's the way this thing goes. I think they can be a lot better than they were last year.

Starting point is 00:21:42 I think the offensive line is going to have a totally different. mindset. Sometimes, and I talked about this in the preview, a position group just has the flu. You know, like everybody plays down. And sometimes, especially on the offensive line, it's about working together. Tunsel leaves, the fans seem excited. And when you watch Tunsel play, there are a lot of frustrating pre-snap penalties, you know, and they have a new offensive line coach. So I like Houston. I think Indies, Indies floor when you look at the roster is a little bit higher. Daniel Jones would have to play his worst football for this team to be in the lottery, so to speak, next year in the draft. Although that might be where some of y'all want them to be.

Starting point is 00:22:23 I think Ballard and Stuyken are coaching for their jobs. I think that's part of the calculus of why you're like, I don't have fucking time to get this, this guy ready anymore from Florida that we took a, you know, a flyer on at the top of the draft. And so Daniel Jones, don't forget this. And I don't know if you agree or not. The last time the Giants won a playoff game, Danny Dimes in Minnesota, I looked at the rosters, Indy's offense and the Giants offense. Now, obviously, Indy doesn't have Sequan Barclay, but a lot's transpired since that game when it comes to the court of public opinion.

Starting point is 00:23:04 Indies' offense this year is probably better top to bottom than that group he took to Minnesota and won with. And so I think they can be a little cagey. think, you know, just a little spoiler alert, I might have Daniel Jones the comeback player of the year. This isn't a high-stakes prediction. I don't think there's two teams going to the fucking playoffs from the south. It's going to be Houston and then everybody else. Coming back from being terrible, not coming back from...

Starting point is 00:23:29 Coming back from, he's eighth. He's eighth in the odds. Coming back from getting cut, just so we're clear. Coming back from being Danny Dimes of Old. Coming back from mediocrity. Texans win totals, only nine and a half. half. Fairly low for a consensus division favorite. It's a little bit of a canary in the coal mine, but I think it's because of the uncertainty with Joe Mix and his health, you know, you're going to expect

Starting point is 00:23:55 out a lot out of Nick Chubb early. So Chubb's going to have to get it up early in the season. And then, you know, as the season goes on, we want to see these rookies come along. So outside the wide receivers. But I think if the offensive line improves, all those things become a lot easier. They also have to play better than the second half of games. I know it's a lot to throw with the offense, but the thing is, when you have a defense like that, you got a fucking, you have a lot of leeway. And I think C.J. Stroud is well aware of the narrative that was built last year, sophomore slumped the whole thing. They'll be hungry. Shout out Johnny Hecker being reunited with Bones Fossil, Cam Warden the fellas driving Tennessee to a third place finish. I like that. You're right on

Starting point is 00:24:39 there. Yeah, I think they're going to be fun and I think Cam Ward is going to be a good player, man. Now, if you're to believe everything you hear. Do you think the Jaguars are going to, they're going to be the last? They're going to be last? Well, it's kind of unimportant because they're not going to win the division. I just kind of put them there, Nate. I know what you're doing, but I just kind of put them there. I got you. Wait, you think the Raiders are going to win the division? Say that one more time into the camera? Yeah, I don't know. But like, yo, you're saying all this stuff. Did you see this recently? I don't know if you take stock in this, but, yo, seeing your star line who this guy paid a lot of money, not enthusiastic about a quarterback getting named captain,

Starting point is 00:25:15 I feel like that's a little. Who's that? Oh, ooh. Yeah, exactly. Oh, I mean, you don't take any stock of that? Like, maybe in a lot he doesn't respect, like, maybe he's not performing well enough for his liking yet. Well, maybe he was an Anthony Richardson guy.

Starting point is 00:25:34 And that's something they have to contend with. If there's a faction of the locker room that's actually like team. Anthony Richardson and you know just goes to show you how bad things have been there they don't have a lot to choose from I'm not saying Danny Dimes is a good football player but what I am saying is this isn't a division where at the bottom of the division as I put it like when the Jags it wouldn't shock me if they were two it would shock me if they won the division right it would shock me if they won the division but you could order these two through four in any direction and I would be like yeah I could see that I could see Tennessee being the second

Starting point is 00:26:08 team of division. Every year there's a worst to first, 20 in the last 23 years, I think it was, in the NFL, there's a worst to first team. And I am having a hard time this year finding that team. You know, I'm sure making nodding his head. I'm sure he was looking too, but it's like, you know, Tennessee,

Starting point is 00:26:25 we talked about this earlier. Nolan and I were talking. And Nolan said, hey, listen, it's hard with Tennessee because I don't know what their identity is. And I would agree. They don't have an identity. But you know who also didn't have an identity? last year going in the season, in my opinion, was the Washington commanders.

Starting point is 00:26:43 And they made a big jump. Now, they didn't finish first. The thing you can't plan for is how good the quarterback might be. I like the way he's starting. I do like the way that Cam Ward is starting down there. I feel like he is saying the right things. And to what you're saying, if he can kind of back up what he's talked, like what he's saying, they'll have kind of like that hardworking.

Starting point is 00:27:08 hard nose, blue collar, go to work, everything he was saying in that interview about how he watched his dad get up and get ready to go to work for a job he hated. And that's why he just loves football, loves being able to call football work. So I'm ruling for that kid. And if they can find a way to get things going in Tennessee,

Starting point is 00:27:35 I do like the quarterback that, that they have there. And I wonder, maybe he can have a Jaden Daniels or a C.J. Stroud-type rookie season where he makes an immediate impact for Tennessee. When we went to that camp,

Starting point is 00:27:52 listen, Borgonzi was in Kansas City. And everybody's hesitant when they do it, but they're like, yeah, I don't want to say it, but, you know, I was around my homes. And so, you know, like, if, If Mahomes is within three sentences of Cam Ward,

Starting point is 00:28:11 don't put him in the same sentence, but if he's within three sentences of Cam Ward for people that have been around both players, that's a good sign. I think Tennessee's going to be a lot of fun in the near future. Does Callahan survive to see it? I hope so. I liked him when I visited.

Starting point is 00:28:27 All right. So tough division to pick two through four, but in my opinion is Houston. Nate, as an alum, he goes Duval with the second upset pick in a row. Now we're going to go to the AFC North. What are we doing, boys? Going with the Ravens.

Starting point is 00:28:47 Got to go with the Ravens. I just feel like the Ravens is, it's probably the easy pick, but I just like their roster. I love their offense. I feel like just a tough, tough, tough way to lose, like last year. I'm really excited about Likely. I think Likely is about to be like one of those generational players. Like hopefully he can stay healthy.

Starting point is 00:29:16 But his athleticism and just like the little bit of stuff we've kind of seen from him, the fact that he's paired up with Lamar Jackson, we're about to start seeing stuff between them that is going to be special. And I'm excited for that. I think Mark Andrews, everyone knows how terrible the season ended. I feel like he tries, he's probably having. I would think maybe one of the best off seasons in a sense of training, getting ready, just trying to redeem yourself. It's one of those things where I'm sure maybe a little extra spark

Starting point is 00:29:50 to start the season. And I'm just excited about the Ravens. And I just feel like it's Lamar Jackson. I think it's Baltimore too. But I like the cover that two of these teams, two of these other teams got in the offseason. and Sinti with the Hendrickson drama, with the Shamar Stewart drama, you know, people calling them a poverty franchise, people saying that the quarterback and receiver rooms take up 39% of the cap highest in the NFL. They're going to have to score a bunch of points

Starting point is 00:30:28 because they're not going to hold anybody else down. I don't know. Aniruma was considered a Band-Aid for a long time. Now it's Al Golden. I like that they're a little bit under the radar. The Steelers for the fourth straight year are going to have the highest paid defense in the NFL. Good additions in Ramsey and Slay.

Starting point is 00:30:52 And you have Aaron Rogers melodrama where people think, oh, all right, that won't work. And I do think it's Baltimore. I do think it's Baltimore because of modest turnover on the staff and personnel 10 of 11 offensive starters returning. I'm with you facts on likely low key ad and new Copkins, a multi-time pro bowl receiver to go along with Zay Flowers, Malachi Stark's joining Kyle Hamilton on the back end,

Starting point is 00:31:27 and Jair Alexander is there with perhaps the best player in football, Nate Wiggins in that even in the backfield. So I think it's Baltimore. Isn't it crazy that, no, we haven't even said anything about Derek Henry. Like, we forget they fucking have Derek Henry. They have Derek Henry. It's annoying. They have Derek Henry.

Starting point is 00:31:47 If you're on the other side of a bet or you don't like the Ravens or something, like, he is just. I remember I don't play as much now, but I remember in Madden that like there was always, like, every year when you're playing competitive with your friends, there's a couple of teams that you're just like. like, no, like you can't play with them. Like they have too many players. And when we're talking about it right now, the Ravens seem like that team. I would be like, you know what? Like we'll play this game. But like, yeah, no one's picking the Raven. That's a really good point, Nate.

Starting point is 00:32:16 If it were Madden, I'd pick the Ravens to win the damn Super Bowl. Seriously. Yeah. I mean, you know, making you spoke to it with the continuity, the whole thing. The addition of Malachi Starks, who's a hell of a center fielder, at least from what we see so far in preseason. makes Hamilton and him, you know, able to be employed in different areas of the field. You get the formational flexibility.

Starting point is 00:32:42 You get Mike Green, who obviously slid for a reason, right? But he's a heck of a rookie prospect. When you watch him on film, plays with his hands. He gives him that third rusher that, you know, where you're about to pay OA, Kyle Van Nuys is a little bit up there in years, but he's been great. Now you got this Mike Green guy cycling in, kind of like they're in her big a little bit. it, you know, and then on top of it, you've got maybe the best offense in football last, last year when it didn't count. And, and again, I respect the fuck out of the Ravens. Lamar Jackson probably

Starting point is 00:33:15 probably should have been the MVP. Like, I really don't, you know me with that award, but it's, it's what happens in the playoffs. So right now we're picking the division and maybe I'm a little bit clouded because I judge them on how they perform in crunch time. But I'm going to take, I'm going to take a fucking stab at it, Nate. If not for anything other than having fun with you every Monday, I'm going to take the Bengals, man. Oh, my God. I like it. I'm going to

Starting point is 00:33:45 take the Bengals. I'm going to tell you why. Do you think they got better or worse offensively? Better? I think they got better. I, yo, hold on. Hold on. I'm not done. Here's my beef. I like the Bengals. I just don't like that you have a great freaking team, and it's the

Starting point is 00:34:03 front office and the owners just doing some goofy shit. But here's what that goofy shit resulted in. It resulted in them getting Trey Henderson, who had 17 sacks two years in a row at $30 million days before Micah Parsons goes for $47 million. I'm not saying they did that on purpose. They fell into it. They fell into it, but they got, everybody was worried about, hey, remember last year they were like, yeah, the Bengals, the Bengals will be back, but they're not going to be able. They can't.

Starting point is 00:34:32 They got to, they got to choose between Chase and Higgins. No, they don't. They get, you know, they're not going to be able to pay Trey Henderson. They figured out a way to pay Trey Henderson. Oh, they're not going to get Shemar Stewart on the field. Oh, that looks like it's going to be a major work in progress just so everybody knows here. Like, I didn't see him use his hands in preseason. I think here's where the rubber meets the road for me.

Starting point is 00:34:54 Okay, they get Gaseki back. Yoshivas is a hell of a number three. Down the Reds on anybody's a hell of a number three when you're catching the ball from Joe Burrow. Right. I love Chase Brown. Right. they get P. Ryan back. They add Fairchild at guard.

Starting point is 00:35:09 They bring in Rizner. They have better depth inside. Like they're really trying to improve the offensive line. But they will not win the division if they are a bottom five defense. Now, I just said that, but I want you to look back at the games last year. As bad as that team was, they won nine games. How many games would you say, and I know it's woulda coulda shoulda, if you just do the simple fucking things,

Starting point is 00:35:37 no dumb penalty against Kansas City. Don't shoot yourself in the foot against the charges. Don't blow a giant lead against Baltimore. We could go down the list. There's a 10, 11, 12 win team in there. All right? And to me, they got better offensively. And I think if Joe Burrow has what I think he has between the years,

Starting point is 00:35:58 he's going to come out this year with his fucking hair on fire. And so will Lamar in the division. but here's the biggest caveat, the defense. That defense last year, I just want people to remember how many people got hurt on that defense. Go back and look at how many guys got hurt in the secondary, missing Logan Wilson, right?

Starting point is 00:36:19 Hubbard, who's now at home, retired, my dog, Sam Hubbard, it was time, right? Like, he was a fixture there for a long time. There was a transition there. Chris Jenkins playing in a club. You know, they lose sample for the year. there's just a fucking a lot going on on a defense and Lou left. And to me, as big a fan as I was of Lou, sometimes I wonder if maybe when the whole secondary

Starting point is 00:36:42 regresses like Gino Stone and Jordan Battle and those guys, like when they play a lot poorer in 24 than they did in 23, and you got other guys getting hurt, and everybody's just playing shitty, if it's like that Houston offensive line room that I expect to be better, because a position room can kind of get the flu. And I'm not saying they're going to be a top 10 unit. But to me, if they're 20 in the league, this team wins the division. If they're 17 in the league, this team wins the division. I don't know what they're going to get out of Shamar Stewart.

Starting point is 00:37:12 I don't know what they're going to get out of the linebacker, who's 25-year-old rookie. I don't know what the secondary is going to look like. But it has to be better than last year, doesn't it? And even in the state they were in last year, they damn near fucking pulled a rabbit out of the hat and made the playoffs. So this is me banking on them getting back to business a little bit, relatively speaking. Won their last five, seven of eight losses by one score and notoriously slow starters. And their first three are Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, J.J. McCarthy led, Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings is a tougher game, but they have to start two and oh.

Starting point is 00:37:51 If they start two and oh, I'm feeling a lot better about this team. They fucking, here's a couple of nuggets. I think they're one in 10, one in 11 in the last, I guess it would make it like six years to start the season. Or in the month of September, not six years. No, I think it's the month of September, the last couple of years. Go back and look at it. The stat I gave you in the preview is true.

Starting point is 00:38:15 I'll just say that. So they have to play better. And I think this year, sometimes you show up in August and the mood is, is everybody's assholes a little tighter. Like, you know, everybody's puckered up because heads are going to roll if it doesn't go right. I believe Joe Burrow is going to thrive in this situation. He did last year.

Starting point is 00:38:35 Now he's got to just, it's got to carry over to the other side of the football and in late game situations, how do we conduct our business as the Bengals? I got them winning this division, but edging out Baltimore, where I think has about the best roster in the league. Flipside, Ravens start with Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas, City, Houston, L.A. Rams. One, two, three, four, five, six. They'd probably take four and two in a heartbeat.

Starting point is 00:39:03 It's not going to be easy. It's not going to be easy for the Bengals. And I think the Steelers are going to be a tough, you know, a tough football team. Obviously, you mentioned the investment in the defense. Their defense is almost, you know, it's one of those top three type defenses. That defensive line could be scary.

Starting point is 00:39:21 It is scary on paper. you know you had the you had the coverage in the back end with sleigh and ramsie if you can get something out of those vets they're going to be scary defensively but i do have concerns about broderick jones at tackle um i do have concerns about the the wide receiver room outside of dk mackaff i was just about to ask how good is dk mackaff dk mcalf is a is a physical specimen that can catch a deep ball and no i'm just telling you like he's one of is he's a an elite wide receiver i don't know where you put him like he's not in the he's not in the he's not in the jefferson chase tier of individuals say erin rogers has that spark best case in area you think dk mccaff

Starting point is 00:40:05 could be like a 15 touchdown guy i don't know i you know like for me it's it's can dk can they get the ball to d k mccaff underneath in space yeah you know because the rogers can throw deep balls he's going to attack outside the numbers with dk mackaff deep down the field. He's going to throw him back shoulder fades, but like, I also need to see them throw slants that can go for explosives. I need to see John Hussmith get involved in the passing game. I need to see Friermouth. I need to see, I need to see them being able to max up and take those shots. I need to see Darnel Washington in 13 personnel blocking his ass off, blocking edge rusher. It's going to be that kind of team where it's like, you know, they're going to have to pick and

Starting point is 00:40:48 choose their spots where they want to get explosive. That's not, that hadn't been Rogers thing. Last year he wasn't like a let's it's not a bombs over Baghdad thing with him. And we didn't talk about the Browns. What success for the Browns is picking high in the draft next year. All right. The next division is the AFC East. Are we unanimous on this guys? It's the Bills.

Starting point is 00:41:09 Yep. And this watch is going to go to show like we don't know what the fuck we're doing. Like watch the bills not win the division. But for me, wait, I don't have the bills. Who you got? I have the New England. Patriots. There we go. The New England Patriots. I love Mike Rabel. I just feel like we've all been saying it and we've seen hints of it. I think Drake May is going to be a player. I think he he can be

Starting point is 00:41:38 an electric quarterback for them. But also, I mean, we all seen it. I think this young kid, Travion Henderson, I think if this kid is going to be explosive as we've been seen in, in the preseason for them, they got a roster. I mean, they got Stefan Diggs. Yeah, he's coming off an injury. But if you can get production from him and help your young quarterback get more confidence, throw into a guy like that if he's going to perform well. And Mike Vrable is a guy that you kind of know how that locker room is going to be

Starting point is 00:42:15 and what he's going to tolerate and what's going to be going on. And just knowing that, I can see them sneaking and maybe. winning the division. I feel like what's the fun if everyone's going to pick the bills? There is no fun. So thanks for doing it. I think the Patriots, by the way, make the playoffs. As far as the as far as the AFC teams now that we're in the east that I think make the playoffs. I mean like to me, Kansas City and Denver make the playoffs. Houston makes the playoffs. Cincinnati and Baltimore make the playoffs. And Buffalo and New England make the playoffs. Okay, there's going to be surprises. But I would not be surprised. I don't think anybody's going to be surprised if New

Starting point is 00:42:51 England wins nine, ten games. I think the hype is that real at this point. I think Mike Vrable has a lot to do with it. He will elevate the floor of a football team. They will play more physically. I think you're going to get more production out of that defensive front that you've looked at it as like a, you know, some of the parts is not added up to what you think it should. I think they'll be better. Gonzalez, he's got a hammie right now. But he's, you know, you talk about a good corner room. They have that. The Dugger, the Dugger situation was kind of shocking to me. Maybe, maybe Buffalo can make an in-division play for Dugger, but they probably won't move him in-division. I don't know, man. A lot does bank on wide receiver number two, and a lot banks on the

Starting point is 00:43:41 offensive line protecting Drake May, but I expect them to win nine, ten games. It just so happens that I think Buffalo's offense is going to be incredible, as they usually. are and the biggest concern for me on Buffalo defensively, as it is annually at this point, is injuries. You know, Maxwell Harrison, I just read where he's going to be out like the first month of the season. So, you know, they're going to have to win with Trey White outside. They're going to have to win, at least in the current situation with the safety room the way it is. You know, I think eventually Brandon Bean makes a move for a safety. Please do it. Joey Bosa has to stay healthy. There's just a lot of conditional things that have to happen for this team to go

Starting point is 00:44:24 where they want to go, but I don't think it all has to happen for them to win the division. So I got the bills winning the division. And I think New England comes in second. And I would not be surprised. And this isn't like some anti-M Miami hate. I think the jets are going to be very physical. And I think they're going to match up well with everybody in that division in a way that makes them annoying. And I think there might be a log jam at three and four. I think those two teams at the bottom of the division are going to be closer than people think. In Aaron Glenn, we trust. I think finally the Jets are building the right way.

Starting point is 00:45:01 Buffalo is going to be the betting favorite in every single game on its schedule. Five straight AFC titles. Takeaway regression likely coming, but I think they're too big to fail. But I'm with you guys. New England's odds on favorite to finish second, but the worst odds of any second place finisher preseason. I like the Jets, too. I like the Jets to be frisky with Fields

Starting point is 00:45:30 and Brees and Braylin and Garrett Wilson. They're starting to stack dudes. If Membu is good at right tackle and maybe he won't be, something's happening there. And Will McDonald, Quinn and Williams, sauce Gardner, you go down the list, they have some blue chippers.

Starting point is 00:45:52 Miami last won a playoff game in 1999. Mike McDaniel's 28 and 23 in three seasons. I think it is a fourth place finish. Yeah, well, the problem is, is like when you look at the odds, it says, hey, first coach to be fired, who's got the shortest to odds? You know, it's Mike McDaniel.

Starting point is 00:46:14 And the way they ended the season last year from a morale standpoint, when you control for things like, hey, quarterback injury, which is a reality, everybody acknowledges that. Now they bring Zach Wilson in, and, you know, they've got, at least maybe invested a little bit more in that, that room, if you call that an investment. And Quinn yours, we can't forget Quinn yours, these guys might have to play this year at some point. And I think everybody knows that at this point. Also, the corner room is going to be a dumpster fire there. So, you know, when you talk about how are you going to keep up with some of the high-powered offenses, I just don't see it respectfully.

Starting point is 00:46:53 So that's the AFC East. Again, to wrap it up, I personally have Kansas City, Denver, Houston, Sincere, Baltimore, Buffalo, and New England sliding into playoff spots in that conference, the AFC. Now we're moving to the NFC. We're going to start out west. Fellas, what you got? I'm going with the L.A. Rams. And honestly, I don't know why I picked the Rams. I just feel like sometimes when you're looking at this stuff at the beginning of this season,

Starting point is 00:47:26 it's all a toss-up. We have all these analyizations and whatever it is of teams and what we think they're going to do. And this is a conference when I look at it, I was like, I really don't know. So I'm going to pick the Rams. Ooh, the Rams. Yeah, the Rams. It's hard to pick against the Rams. Hey, hey, make, what you got?

Starting point is 00:47:51 You picking against the Rams? I'm picking against the Rams. I think this division has the best case for worst or first. I'm not going to take it, but the Niners did finish. Last, I like the Seattle Seahawks, top five defense. added the quarterback of a 14 and 3 team, say what you will about the quarterback, but he still did it.

Starting point is 00:48:19 They went 7 and 1 on the road last year. I like the coach a lot, like the personnel, bit of a toss-up division. I'm with you, Nate, but I'm going Seattle, flyer on the Seahawks. I'm actually with you, Makin.

Starting point is 00:48:36 Believe it or not, I am with the Seattle Seahawks here. I zagged last year on the division. did not take the Niners. And I think we've had a pretty good beat on this division. I think the tough thing this year is it's Matt Staffordes health. Every year as he inches closer to 40 years old, you're like, can he, the guy who's getting epidurals in training camp, who's taking a beating, he's an absolute warrior,

Starting point is 00:49:02 can he continue, you know, to put it on his shoulders year after year? And he didn't play his best ball down the stretch last year before the playoffs. Now, if they can slide in the playoffs healthy, they're hell. They're hell to deal with. You've got one of the best coaches in football. You've got, but still one of the best quarterbacks in football. You know, the best version of Matt Stafford, even at this age, is that at the top of that second tier, in my opinion.

Starting point is 00:49:28 However, in a division where because of everything I just mentioned, there's a lot of uncertainty. There's no dominant quarterbacks. Okay, don't get your panties in a bunch, San Francisco. I give Brock Purdy is due all the time. He's a hell of a player. But there are levels. And when I say dominant quarterback, I mean those guys in the AFC, right?

Starting point is 00:49:48 Like generally. And there's some others vying for that, for being in that echelon in the NFC. But in divisions where it's not quarterback driven at the current juncture, I look at the defense. And in this division, personally, I just see Seattle's defense as being a class above. Now, that's not to say I don't love the Rams defensive line, but look at this Seattle defense and everything they got going on. They're going to be able to rush the past. They're going to be able to cover.

Starting point is 00:50:19 Since they got the linebacker room right last year, McDonald's unit stepped it up. And if you want to do cliches, they always say year two in a defensive system, everybody gets better. If this defense gets better and they are on paper, it's going to be tough to deal with this group. Now, the question is, can they at least just be competitive offensively? I'm not wowed by the weapons outside.

Starting point is 00:50:42 I'm sure Seattle fans who know more than me about, you know, how camp transpired daily in the wide receiver room might know of some sleepers or guys. Tori Horton. Tori Horton. Colorado State. But I got to see it. I got to see it. You know what I'm saying?

Starting point is 00:50:58 And your kind of, JSN is going to be heavily relied upon. And then Cooper Cup doing a lot of the work in the slot at his age. You know, I think he's going to want to play his best football. When a guy changes teams and he ends up in division, he's got a lot to prove this year in his mind, even if he's Cooper Cup. Sam Darnold's got a lot to prove. I think he's got the taste in his mouth leaving Minnesota where it's like, hey, I just won 14 games to make his point. You know, like I at least was part of the fucking reason. Didn't you see it was like a turnstile at the end of the season?

Starting point is 00:51:34 I was getting killed. You could put Tom Brady back there. He would have struggled against the Rams in that game. So he's got a lot that he wants to wash away. And I think overall, when you look at this group, Clint Kubiak, trying to infuse some physicality in this offensive line, if they can run the football, which I think they'll be able to because I believe in Clint Kubiak

Starting point is 00:51:52 and I believe in the backs. And hey, look at Seattle and Marshaun Lynch's era. They weren't the best offensive line. They were one of the most physical and they played together and they played nasty. If this group can do that, I think they can win the division. And hey, San Francisco, they're just replacing too many fucking guys. I don't hate your team. They're just replacing too many guys.

Starting point is 00:52:15 What do you want me to tell you? Like, we've been on San Francisco. We've been dead on on San Francisco every year. You know, people told me I was crazy when I put them in the Super Bowl in 23. People told me I was crazy last year when I had them missing the playoffs. I think there's a process that you have to follow. The window's been open long enough for them that now they're at that point where they had to let some people walk. They're infusing new talent defensively.

Starting point is 00:52:42 Guys are going to have to play like big boys, man. And we're not even talking about the Cardinals. It wouldn't shock me at all. Cheeks. If you think they're cheeks? But cheeks, yeah. I don't think they're butt cheeks, man. Harrison, Harrison Jr. could go off.

Starting point is 00:52:57 Him and Kyler, this might be the year. They get it going. The defense is going to be better, man. The defense is going to be better. I think Gannon's doing a good job there. The quarterback is the biggest concern, in my opinion. not seeing him put together consistent play where he's just making all the right decisions. It worries me a little bit.

Starting point is 00:53:15 Otherwise, it might be them I'm picking to be vying for the division championship. Yeah, Makin, I like that. You know, Nate, no shame in your play either. All right, the NFC South. NFC South. I got Tampa Bay. Easy, bro. I got Tampa Bay.

Starting point is 00:53:35 It's not, I know what do you got Atlanta, Nate? I do have Atlanta. How does you know? that. I might have got a little cheat sheet right before the show because I got a traffic cop here. Oh, okay. I let off with the two most shocking. There's a rhyme and a reason to everything I do up here.

Starting point is 00:53:51 I got you. I do have Atlanta. I like Atlanta. Okay. Tell me why. Well, honestly, I really, I'm a fan of Michael Pennix. And obviously, guys, I'm a fan of you want them to play well. But I think the combination, if he does play well, that,

Starting point is 00:54:09 backfield between him and Bajon. Mm-hmm. Between those two. Right. You got it. I just feel like Atlanta has a team that

Starting point is 00:54:22 we've seen them last year. I mean, they weren't that far off from making moves late in the season. And I just feel like they're that team that you probably don't want to, like, it's not like week to week. Atlanta's not a pushover team,

Starting point is 00:54:39 and they have the talent, I think, there, that they can probably shock a lot of people if they put together wins and maybe win a few games that no one expects. But I think Pennix is that type of talent that he can probably spark that locker room to kind of rally behind him if they're not already rallying. And also their running back is a guy that really can take over games and really change it for them. So I just think that that duo and just seeing what else and everyone else on that team and what they're going to do, I feel like Atlanta can win this division. What you got, make? It'd be really cool if Jalen Walker and James Pierce were awesome, but that's probably a

Starting point is 00:55:26 year away if it's going to have. Sounds like it's pretty good so far. Yeah. Yeah. Could be a year away for for Pennix too as he goes through his first full year as a starter. I think it's a Tampa Bay. I think Carolina finishes second. I'm going, I'm blowing past Tampa Bay because they just, they win this division. That's what they do.

Starting point is 00:55:53 Carolina, Derek Brown missed 16 games last year. Defense will be better. Bryce Young is confident. Finish better. They added Ted McMillan, another weapon. I think they can go four and two in this division. and not contend.

Starting point is 00:56:11 I think Tampa Bay wins this and it's going to be fairly boring. But I think that two and three is going to be interesting. I think Dave Canales takes his name right off, odds to be first coach fired. But yeah, man, Tampa Bay just has too many dudes. Yeah, Tampa's very good. You look at the roster in Tampa. but they're loaded. And, you know, last year was about injuries.

Starting point is 00:56:42 It was about, you know, sloppy play in key moments. I mean, the last game in their season, they did not play up to their standard. You know, it just, you know, it was almost like a spot where they weren't, they weren't there mentally. And so I think with the guys coming back healthy, guys like Antoine Winfield, who like, that's the quarterback of your defense. When he doesn't play the entire season, you know, not only do you have problems there, but, if you have problems at corner, if you don't have the pass rushers, hey, you bring in Hassan Reddick, stuff like that, little tweaks they've made this offseason to improve their team. I mean, they had issues with wide receiver depth.

Starting point is 00:57:20 They're not going to have issues with wide receiver depth anymore. They really didn't have issues per se because I thought Liam Cohen did a great job, but the depth bag was reached into because, you know, I think it was the Baltimore game on Monday night where they back to back, Evans and Godwin get hurt. Um, Ibuka is a guy they're raving about, raving about. And yeah, do you worry about replacing Liam Cohen? Sure. I just thought last year watching this offense, it was so impressive when they were in rhythm, you know, and they were also very versatile.

Starting point is 00:57:56 Now, they have the same personnel. Worf's has to come back healthy. Worf's is going to be out for a couple games to start the season. But you'd rather be the beginning of the season than the end of the season. they were able to get in 13 personnel and smashmouth people. They had multiple running backs go for 100 yards. I feel like in the same game at certain points. Like New Orleans, they just ran all over them.

Starting point is 00:58:17 The Chargers, they ran right over them. They also, as a side note, they match up really well with the biggest bully on the block in Philly over the past couple years. So if you talk about teams in the NFC that you think could maybe make a run, I count them in that class. and I made no mistake about it, talking about them in the preview. I'm excited to see, but just by getting the injured players back, Evans, Godwin, Winfield, Servassier Dennis, who's going to be a stud for them, you know, and then adding the piece as a Bucca. McMillan came on strong last year. You know, they've got a solid offensive line.

Starting point is 00:58:57 So let's see how it plays out for them. Josh Grizzard is going to be the guy with the headset offensive. and probably going to be the center of Baker's universe, but Baker's made it work with anybody the last couple years. Yaya Diabi. Love Yaya Diabi. Vita Vaya, I mean,

Starting point is 00:59:16 it's an all-name team as well. That is great. That is great. So the Bucks, in my opinion, are the winners in the South. I don't know if we see a second playoff team out of the South. I mean,

Starting point is 00:59:26 Atlanta looks like they could be that team. I'm certainly not going to be shocked if Carolina leapfrogs and making us a great call. You know, they have improved and I think Bryce is proving that he's the guy this year I think this is a year for him to prove that hey we are onto the build right like now let's commit to it whereas last year you weren't really sure so um NFC north fellas fellas go pack go bunch don't much go making your turn

Starting point is 01:00:03 Go, go 15 and 2 Detroit Lions team. Y'all are getting all excited about Micah Parsons. Lions got Aiden Hutchinson coming back. All right? Relax. Detroit can take a step back from 15 and 2 to 12 and 5 and still win this division, which I think they will do. Green Bay makes the playoffs, very good.

Starting point is 01:00:25 Maybe also 12 and 5. But it's Detroit's division until they're knocked off. They're going to keep the title. Now, I know, Nate, you've got the Packers. I feel like such a fucking turncoat because we were just in Detroit, and I love that place. And I love Dan Campbell. And Detroit fans don't care.

Starting point is 01:00:52 They think you hate them if you don't pick them to win the Super Bowl. I love and respect this franchise. You're going to the playoffs. And you could make a deep run. But I think it is the Green Bay Packers this year. I do think so. And I was sitting there with my finger on the trigger. I thought you would have said the Bears.

Starting point is 01:01:09 No, I think they're going to take a step forward, but I just think it's the unfortunate circumstance of being in this division wherein you have two of the biggest contenders, in my opinion this year, if you get the 23 version of Jordan Love, there's going to be people who say, whoa, what the fuck? You can't just pick and Jordan Love was hurt last year.

Starting point is 01:01:28 He just was. And I had your Detroit Lions in the Super Bowl. and injuries change that situation, right? You know, a bunch of injuries change that situation. So injuries are a reality, and I think they played into how Jordan Love played last year in Green Bay. I think people have this idea with them, like the defense of Swiss cheese in the second half of the season last year, because you watched them two years ago and you watched them early in the season, they really rounded into form. And I know they sent Kenny Clark down to Dallas and, you know, Detroit fans' reactions are going to be able to run the ball up their ass.

Starting point is 01:02:09 And you might be able to run the ball on them because they count in a group of teams called everybody. And y'all can run the ball on pretty much anybody, right? But I do think Micah Parsons adds a dimension that changes the game. You know, I was on the phone with somebody I really, really trust from a football standpoint. just a little while ago talking about this division. And the quote was, he shifts the power balance. He shifts the power balance.

Starting point is 01:02:39 He's one player and he shifts the power balance. I don't know if you understand. I know you don't maybe like Micah's podcast, but this guy is a fucking football playing Jesse. I know that he doesn't have the stats in the playoffs. You have to back it up. And I get all that. But if your coverage isn't elite,

Starting point is 01:02:58 and you play zone and you don't bring pressure, you just play sound football and keep things in front of you, what's the best thing you can infuse in your team? It's pass rush. They go out and get Golden in the draft. Now they have what, they had a room last year, wide receivers,

Starting point is 01:03:16 so you could argue the ceiling wasn't high enough. You know, like you were deeper than you were dominant. Now, if Golden's a player, now you've got a real number one, you've got a number two that anybody, it's like almost pejorative to call Jaden Reed number two. I love Jaden Reed.

Starting point is 01:03:34 And then you've got your Dobbs of the world, the Wicks, the guys, guys like that. And honestly, I think Jordan Love's going to take a step forward this year. So I do think Detroit's got some concerns. It's easy to explain a way. Well, Glasgow's been there,

Starting point is 01:03:49 you know, that sort of thing, but the offensive line's changing. You know, like I know I know mahogany's played, but the offensive line's changing. And there are, There are a lot of guys that were hurt last year for Detroit. I totally understand that. And Aidan Hutch's coming back.

Starting point is 01:04:04 I just don't want people to underestimate how good Green Bay can be if they're fully formed. And I don't care if I'm going to be wrong twice. I picked them to win some games last year that they whiffed on. And on Mondays, I had egg on my face. And I was like, oh, I said Green Bay would bow up and win this game. And they couldn't. They couldn't beat the best teams in the NFL. It's a process.

Starting point is 01:04:26 I also said the Lions were going to the Super Bowl last year. that didn't happen. So I like Green Bay to win the division, and I see both these teams as 12 win type teams. So this isn't a going away type thing. It's going to come down to them playing each other. And I will say this. I looked at two matchups last year. I mean, Detroit dominated time and possession of time, but Green Bay was going for over six yards of play. And actually in that metric, they were over a yard and a half ahead of Detroit in both games. So it's one of those things where it's like, if you look at a glass half full for Green Bay, you can totally see what I'm talking about.

Starting point is 01:05:03 But if you just don't like Green Bay, you're going to say I'm crazy. That's nothing what I just did. What I just did is nothing. We're headed to the NFCs. Hold on, hold on a minute now, player. The last time a team had to replace two coordinators, Eagles with, Stuyken and Gannon started the season 10 and 1 the year after made the playoffs time before that was CINC in 2014 can anybody name the coordinators 2014 well it was an

Starting point is 01:05:45 Andy Dalton era deal the coordinators in CINC in 2014 as you think about it the following year CINC goes 12 and 4 makes the playoffs So is this a sort of situation where Dan Campbell Start seeing all these Green Bay Packer Winning the division predictions And says I know how to coach a little bit of ball Well, these are all narratives It's all these are all narratives

Starting point is 01:06:13 It's like hey, are you gonna be mad? Is Dan Campbell mad that other people are picking Green Bay? Is Detroit disrespected? Are they overlooked? Is Green Bay disrespected? Man, it's just got to play out on the fucking field And to your point, it's not impossible to replace two coordinators,

Starting point is 01:06:29 especially when you're a damn good head football coach like Dan Campbell. And they also have the toughest team in the division. Green Bay's got to prove there is tough. I think Green Bay's got more talent in spots, in spots. I didn't say the whole team. But what I am saying is I think the quarterback ceiling this year is pretty high. And I think he's got a solid offensive line in front of him, and I think some of the offensive line changes are an even bigger deal than the coordinator

Starting point is 01:06:54 in in in in in Detroit so i think Detroit having a guy that's been with Sean Peyton having a guy that's been in the building you know having another young former player in Kelvin Shepard you know as a de-coordinator it fits right into their culture and they're homegrown so it ain't a thing where I'm picking them green bay because Detroit's you know replacing coordinators I just think green bay we went to camp last year and saw them up close I was like this is a fucking 12 win team and physical and they're big.

Starting point is 01:07:25 They just couldn't win the tight ball games against the guys they had to beat last year. And guess what? Teams have to grow up in the NFL. And I do think the quarterback was hurt. So, you know, certainly I'm going to enjoy probably 17 weeks of being spammed by Detroit fans telling me, I told you so you hate my team. No, I don't.

Starting point is 01:07:46 Don't hate your team. Love your team. But this is one of the best divisions in football. And you can't win it every year. I think Green Bay gets at this. year. Detroit drafted Isaac Tesla. Love Tesla. And the answer to the trivia question is Jay Gruden and Mike Zimmer. Guys, this is something I've been dreading the whole show, the NFC East. And I've been dreading

Starting point is 01:08:09 it because I have to be honest. The Philadelphia Eagles just won the Super Bowl. I know how hard it is to defend a Super Bowl title. Four and six is how we started out the gate in 2018. There's a lot of young guys on this team. There's a lot of guys that just enjoyed success for the first time professionally. Like, how are they going to respond to that? The NFC has been a shit show since 2004. There hasn't been a consecutive winner. We all know who won the NFCs last year.

Starting point is 01:08:34 It was the Eagles. Only half the team since 2000 defend their Super Bowl title with a division title the very next year. Like, there's a lot like, we need a Dory Jackson to play well. Sidney Brown's got to stay healthy. Maccuba's got to play well.

Starting point is 01:08:52 Jihad Campbell, who looks fantastic. and preseason just i mean he's a fucking stud i mean you've got unproven edge guys and i don't mean unproven because they've made plays on the biggest stage but guys that have not had the shoulder the load of a 17 game season i think a jo-mo's going to be great is he going to be able to play 40 snaps a game at a high level you know graduating from that supporting role to being a lead actor in the movie that's a lot to ask tie robinson what happens when it's his turn? What happens when we need a rush on third down?

Starting point is 01:09:28 And it's Jalick's Hunt and Nolan Smith and guys that have done these things before, but like over a 17-game season. Offensive line, I think, is going to be fantastic, as always, Stoughton University, but offensive line interior depth, like that concerns me a little bit. And absolutely, you worry about the dry spells with Jalen,

Starting point is 01:09:49 as great as he's played on the biggest stages, on some of the smallest stages he hasn't played as well. So there's a lot, and I'm sure I've gone down the list. And I think you're getting the idea here. I'm concerned about taking anybody but the Eagles in the NFC East this year because this team deserves the benefit of the doubt. They're one of the best teams this century, a year ago. I think can the commanders match up with other teams in the NFL,

Starting point is 01:10:26 maybe better than Philly in some situations, absolutely, but I think it's going to come down to the matchup when they play each other. And for that reason, I think the commanders come up just short. I am going to take the Eagles. I don't feel great about it because I think the commanders got better. They drafted a stud corner in Trey Amos.

Starting point is 01:10:45 They're bringing Laramie Tunsell. They're bringing Debo Samuel. You know, they made some moves that tell me they think they're legit. And I would agree. but two things that they don't necessarily do as well. One is going to be rush the passer. That's something the Eagles do really well,

Starting point is 01:11:03 is protect the passer. And number two, I think I think I'm a little bit concerned about when the Eagles play the commanders and the Eagles decide to jam the ball down their throat. Other than that, there's a lot to love about the commanders. I think they're absolutely a playoff team. I think they're very dangerous. Could they win the division?

Starting point is 01:11:22 I wouldn't be shocked. but I'm going to give the benefit of the doubt to the Eagles because I think they've earned it to be the team in the NFCs to pull the sword from the stone and repeat as division champions. That wasn't easy making that call, but I think it's the Eagles division to lose. I think Jaden Daniels is next level,

Starting point is 01:11:46 barring a second year regression, he's going to be held to deal with this year. And I think the commanders are going to get better. But I think the two matchups with the Eagles, are going to be very hard for them. Going with the Eagles. Going with the Eagles. Hey, they're the champs right now.

Starting point is 01:12:00 They're the champs. Obviously, you got to knock the champs off. And honestly, I feel like Jalen Hertz is, for whatever reason for me, I feel like this year coming up because of winning the Super Bowl and just his mindset, how he's going about things in the media. I feel like he's a guy that can come out and potentially have the best season of his career stat-wise. and I feel like he's going to be running a lot of touchdowns in this year,

Starting point is 01:12:28 a lot of tush push, a lot of first downs. And I'm just excited to see it because I think he's a guy now that, now that you win the Super Bowl, he's been vocal about just not caring and just not easing up and knowing that there's room to get better. He wants more, he wants to win more. So I'm excited to see what the Eagles have this year. year, but I'm also excited for Jalen Hertz.

Starting point is 01:12:56 I think this is going to be a big year for him. And the fact that he hasn't even put his ring on. There's no pictures of the most current Super Bowl winning quarterback with the ring on. And I feel like that's something, maybe that's his edge or whatever it is. But I like it. Mike? Jalen Hurts seems to do a lot of Russell Wilson-like stuff. yet it seems genuine.

Starting point is 01:13:26 It seems authentic. Maybe he really does have the right personality to be a Super Bowl defending quarterback. Be like Tony Robbins with a great arm. Yeah. So for the first time since 2004, I think there will be a repeat division champ. And then FCEs, Philadelphia Eagles.

Starting point is 01:13:46 And I think that nine and a half win total Washington commander team backslides. I think being the oldest team in the NFL is not a positive. I think they finish third in this division, 8 and 9 to the New York football Giants 9 and 8, sexy dexie, Burns, Abdul Carter, Kvon, Nacho. I mean, this is... Nacho! This is 2007-8 New York Giants level stuff. uh russie super bowl winning quarterback i mean they're going to be they're going to be a problem

Starting point is 01:14:29 for these teams but i like philly to win the division i will say this i think the giants i'm going to hit that overwin total making um defense is going to be fantastic thallis cowboys are going to be hey they did just pay duron bland though so you know they're going to stop the run and then they're going to just dominate with coverage You gotta love Jerry Jones. Always keeping the excitement side of the storyline in the NFL always, always something with him. What are y'all's NFC wildcard picks? NFC wildcard teams.

Starting point is 01:15:09 I think the commanders are getting in. I think the Lions are absolutely a wildcar team. They're probably the best wildcar team. I think it's going to take like 12, 13 games to win that division in particular, where I don't think it's quite going to take as many. I'll say this. I would not be surprised if the NFC North has the one seed in this. in this playoff other than the fact that's held to play in that division and then i think the third

Starting point is 01:15:29 team comes down to the rams or Atlanta if matt staffers healthy it's the rams if he's not healthy it's going to be atlanta and you know you're going to say i'm flip-flopping but i can't i don't know what his what his how his disc situation is right now i don't know when i see epidural in camp i'm a little bit concerned green bay l a rams chicago bears that's after division winners of philly detroit Tampa and Seattle. Well, for me, it'll be the commanders, the bucks, and the lions based off of my division winner picks. And Nathan Macon, who'd you all have in the AFC?

Starting point is 01:16:11 We know Chris you'd said Broncos, Ravens Patriots, right? For AFC wild cards? I think that's what I said. Chiefs, Bengals, Patriots after Bill's Ravens, Texans, Broncos. So I'm going to have the Chiefs, the Bills, and the Broncos after the Raiders. Your Broncos fandom isn't as strong this year because you don't have that win total like last year. Do not have that win total. So like my eggs are not all in the basket for chair for the Broncos.

Starting point is 01:16:47 I do like their squad. But this year, I just like, I think I, I think I, think I have a man crush on Pete Carroll. I think Pete Carroll is a great coach, and I think he's a guy that is just one of those coaches that can maybe get that little bit of percent of getting better out of a player that maybe the player doesn't know he has. And I feel like there's a lot of guys in that Raiders locker room

Starting point is 01:17:14 that probably can play better than they have been. And he's just a guy. I think that if he goes in there and he could do that, It'll be a special year for the ratings. Do you all want to hit Super Bowl matchups and winners now and then get into awards? Sure. Why don't we just do it? Because none of this stuff ever comes true.

Starting point is 01:17:36 Super Bowl. I got the Green Bay Packers versus the New England Patriots with the Green Bay Packers winning 27 to 24. Make him? It's the Baltimore Ravens winning the Super Bowl. with 30 points beating the reigning champs, the Philadelphia Eagles, 30-24 in the Super Bowl,

Starting point is 01:18:07 Ravens over Eagles, birds, birds. Two birds. All right, boys. You know, this is one of those things where it's like, the team that is easiest for me to place in the Super Bowls

Starting point is 01:18:23 on the NFC side. Okay? you know, the AFC is a little tough for me to figure. I would say the Bucks are going to the Super Bowl this year. I mean, I think the buck, here's the class of the NFC to me. The Bucks, the Packers, the Lions, the Eagles, the commanders in no particular order. The NFC is spicy. Now, the reason I like the Bucks is because they match up well against the Eagles,

Starting point is 01:18:49 who will be fully formed at that point in January. And honestly, I just think they got a great roster top to bottom. them. We'll go over to the AFC where... And they don't have that the division gauntlet of the other contenders. They do not. They might be hosting some home games. Now, the other thing is this, when you look at the

Starting point is 01:19:08 AFC, I don't think we talk enough about my worries about the Chief's defense. So while I think they win that division, find a way to do that, I'm not putting them back in the Super Bowl. I think the Ravens are going to have to show me like postseason success and maybe they go get the whole thing

Starting point is 01:19:24 this year. I think they're a great football team. I can't put the Bengals in the Super Bowl with that defense. But I will put the Bills in the Super Bowl with the defense like that. I'm not saying they're going to be as bad as the Bengals defensively, but I do have my worries about the bills defense. But I just felt like going into the postseason last year, Josh Allen was playing incredible quarterback. And he kept it up for nearly the whole run,

Starting point is 01:19:51 just didn't make enough plays in Kansas City, you know, or in that AFC championship game, rather. And in that case, I think this year he does it. We go bills, we go bucks. And I got the bills winning the whole thing, 3128. I like that.

Starting point is 01:20:08 Like both of those. Like all three. I hate all this. Like, I hate this whole thing. Like, you know, let me see the teams play for fuck's sake. You got preseason, right? Yeah, preseason.

Starting point is 01:20:23 I'm joking. What was your favorite preseason game to watch? Which one? You know, that one with the touchdown in it, you know? That one in the middle. All right, so what's next? We've got awards. So give me your MVP prediction.

Starting point is 01:20:41 I'm going Jalen Hertz. I think this is the year. The Eagles potentially make it all way back to the Super Bowl again. And shock the world. go back to back. And I just feel like Jalen Hertz also, I don't know why, but I feel like he's going to be at the top of the list

Starting point is 01:21:02 battling with Derek Henry for the most touchdowns, the most rushing touchdown. He's who I, that's my pick. My pick is Jailen Hertz. Another reason for Philly winning that division, good point, Nate, is that they did not ban the tush push.

Starting point is 01:21:17 It should, it's a tough one. That's a tough one. I'm going to, I'm going to use all of Nate's reasoning and pick a different player, and that's Lamar Jackson. I think he's electric. I think they're going to win the Super Bowl. It's a quarterback award. Sequin couldn't get the MVP last year.

Starting point is 01:21:34 It's a quarterback award. I think it might be Joe, I think it might be Joe Burrow this year. I think that because I think what is going to take for him to play his team into the class of teams that you pick an MVP off of, he would have to play so fucking well. They don't like repeat MVPs, as evidenced by last year, right? Like, you know, Lamar, some people think you got the shaft there.

Starting point is 01:21:57 I also think it just might be Joe's year. So I don't think it's, I don't think it's Josh's year necessarily to win MVP. I think it might be Joe's turn. Oddly enough, you said all that. And I have Joe Burrow for offensive player a year just because of all those reasons. If the Bengals want to be contenders, they want to be in the, if they want to even be talked about Joe Burrow. has to be in the headlines.

Starting point is 01:22:27 And so if that's the case for them, if they're going to be decent or even in the talk or in the hunt, Joe Burroughs numbers are going to have to be astronomical. And usually that's the way their offense works, where his numbers are astronomical along with Chase and you still got Higgins. So I can see him winning that offensive player of the year. I'm going with a wide receiver who,

Starting point is 01:22:54 had 1,300 yards and 15 games two years ago, 1,000 yards and 12 games last year. It's Nico Collins for the division-winning Houston Texans. I think they're going to win a lot of games. Nate's brother, Nico, offensive player of the year. All right, I'm pulling this one straight out of my ass. Pardon the stench. It's Jamir Gibbs.

Starting point is 01:23:24 It's Jamir Gibbs. I like that. I like that. Good player. Great player. Defensive player of the year. Who's that ball hawk that's going to get that award? I'm going with Max Crosby.

Starting point is 01:23:39 I said it. I feel like he's going to be fresh out there on the field. Like I feel like more first downs. Their offense, they're going to be putting together drives. And I feel like Max Crosby is one of those guys that, yeah, Pete Carroll, he might find a way, like not saying that Max Crosby isn't maxed out on how good or great he can be, but Pete Carroll might be able to put that battery in his back to make him that much greater. And I feel like this is, I don't know why, but I feel like this is the season he maybe goes off.

Starting point is 01:24:12 He gets that sack title and he really just helps put this team into the pitcher and the talk. And maybe maybe even to a one seat. Nate, give him the fucking one seed while you're at it. Just give him the one seed. Who, the Raiders? Yeah. I wouldn't be surprised, yo. Pete Carroll's a hell of a coach, man.

Starting point is 01:24:33 Hey, I'll be with you. I'm going to be standing on the couch cheering for Max and the fucking Raiders. Jared versus Los Angeles Rams. I think I'll eat my hat. I think Micah's the obvious pick because he's going to have something. to prove he's going to be on a good team he's going to get to run around i like chair verse i would just be surprised i would be it'd be a huge jump in production the production's got to i mean he's fucking the the firsthand accounts of how strong this guy is like his highlight tapes incredible

Starting point is 01:25:09 and the bull rushes are amazing but i just think it's got to be a guy who's got 15 sacks like if you're going to do a rusher it's got to be one of those guys um i'm not saying he can't do it it would just surprise me to jump from where he was last year to finishing at that rate. I would put Micah Parsons there only because you look around at the other elite rushers, right? You kind of play this game based on, hey, how good is the team going to be? How good is the defense going to be?

Starting point is 01:25:35 I worry about Max on that defense. I worry about T.J. Watt, and, you know, people kind of getting tired of T.J. Watt, which is the whole fatigue thing that you get weird picks. And the fact that Pittsburgh might not be as, you know, good enough to, I don't know, Do DPOIs come from non-playoff teams? I just don't pay attention. Last year is PS2, who is, you know, fringe wild card. Fringe wild card.

Starting point is 01:26:04 But it was also a weird year last year where, like, he was so fucking good. It was boring. And people are drawn to the rushers, but, you know, like, they weren't going to give it to Trey Henderson because. And so I would say it's Micah because I think the team's going to be winning a lot. I think Miles Garrett's going to be fucking balling in obscurity, so they'll never give it to a guy on the Browns defense this year. Hey, yo, one linebacker since 2012 has won it.

Starting point is 01:26:33 The year was 2018. Every single you guys think he was the one in 2012, won since then in 2018. Okay, 18. You wanted to know who it was of Fred Warner? I mean, like, no, I don't pay attention to these awards, obviously. a linebacker. An inside backer? You trick-dicking us?

Starting point is 01:27:00 I'm not trick-dicking you. Does he rush the passer from the edge? He kind of did. Is it J-J-Wa? He was more of a middle. He was more of in the middle. He was J-J-Watt, isn't it? No. No, J-G-G-G-Wah. A real linebacker.

Starting point is 01:27:15 Darius Leonard. Oh, Darius, Shack Leonard, Chiquel. uh PS2 PS2 was the first defensive back and uh last one was Marshawn Lattimore it's a it's a D-N award it's an edge

Starting point is 01:27:32 award it's an edged award and it's interesting to me to discuss whether or not like you have to win a bunch to be like who's the who was on the shittiest team Miles Garrett but what year was that 23

Starting point is 01:27:47 yeah they were shitty Chase Young, Washington, 2020. What, Chase, who? Chase Young. Good, good joke. I'm serious, dude. In 2020, in 2013, the offensive player of the year. In 2013, offensive player of the year was Eddie Lacey, running back, Green Bay Packers.

Starting point is 01:28:12 Offensive rookie of the year? Offensive player of the year. You're telling me Chase Young won defensive. player of the year. Yes, sir. You guys are up to it. You're, you're fucking with me. It's like a joke. What list are you looking at? What website you're looking at? Am I on the wrong list?

Starting point is 01:28:31 2013 was paid in. Case Young was a defensive rookie of the year, I believe. I did a copy paste. Can't be wrong. Asked. A.I. I asked Jeeves. You're asking Jeeves, bro? Chase Young did not win

Starting point is 01:28:46 deep. It did not win deep. What did he win in 2020? I think probably defensive rookie of the year. Shit. And he went to the motherfucking Pro Bowl. Pro Bowl. Eight and a half, sex.

Starting point is 01:29:01 Yeah, Chase was the 2020 defense of rookie the year. It was Aaron Donald. Same thing. All those defensive players, yeah, all those defensive players, you, because you missed, we had Stefan Gilmore, was the DB who won.

Starting point is 01:29:16 making it directly gaslighted Chris with wrong information is hilarious yeah brett defensive rookie the year as the number two pick he led all rookies with seven and half sacks yeah he helped the washington football team win the nfcccule's title and went to the pro bowl dynamite drop in making oh fuck off cowboy everything else i said was right except for chase young maybe eddie lacey My face is frozen. It's so funny. Yeah, I got Micah.

Starting point is 01:29:53 I got Micah. I do. Now, if we're going defensive rookie of the year, this one's a fucking, this is a cakewalk. Let's do it. Travis Hunter. Easy. Travis Hunter, he's going to have, he's going to have about six interceptions, three of them to the house. It's going to be amazing.

Starting point is 01:30:13 It's going to be so electric. It's going to be so electric. It's going to be great. It's going to be great. And then, and then if we're lucky, if we're lucky, they'll let him catch a few punts or kick returns and he'll get a few of those in there too. It's going to be this kid is going to be electric. You wait and see.

Starting point is 01:30:35 Wait and see. He's going to be breaking on these passes. It's going to be scoring touchdowns on the offensive side and the defensive side. We haven't seen this in a while. It's going to be so electric. I just can't wait. And like the faces, you guys are. making now when it happens,

Starting point is 01:30:51 you're going to be like, holy shit, we're going to have to listen to Nathan. That's not it. I just don't know if you, I don't know if you understand Abdul Carter. I just don't get Abdul Carter yet. It'll take time. Just give it a couple months. The guy who got pancake that was going viral for getting pancake in preseason? Oh, you're looking at viral

Starting point is 01:31:09 moments. Oh, you just I was just making sure. I'm just making sure. I'm just making sure. Yeah. Listen, I've, hey, I have I love his signature. I love the ad sign signature. Everyone's upset that he has something that is, I think it's unique and it's smart.

Starting point is 01:31:30 What are we talking about? We're informing right now. What are we talking about? And it's not true. Now, I get to be the one to say that the ad sign is not exactly. That's not his signature. No. He writes real letters. Hmm. Yeah. So as you watch the priest's,

Starting point is 01:31:49 season tape and it is just preseason the guy jumps off the fucking the the the the the screen like he was in my he was he was he was in my office he jumped out of the off the screen 3d no goggles it was crazy no goggles bro uh he Abdul Carter is when he's down the middle of somebody he's on their edge you hear what I just said he can be down the middle of the middle of somebody he's on their edge he can be of somebody and he's and he's closer to being on their edge than almost anybody I watch rush this guy's gonna have double-digit sacks and the only way he doesn't have 13 or 14 is if everybody else in the D-line steals him from him he's recession proof I know how hard it is to be a high pick and rush on a shitty team this team might be sort of shitty this year but he's

Starting point is 01:32:44 recession proof like he's you don't need coverage you don't need lead This guy's He's that man Darius Leonard was the 2018 defensive Rookie of the Year No fucking way Dude relax I was on the wrong list

Starting point is 01:33:04 All right Hold on a second I remember when All right defensive rookie of the year will be Abdul Carter New York Giants Close second Mike Green

Starting point is 01:33:17 Baltimore Ravens Dude I remember when RG3 won MVP. Fuck off. 2012. That was crazy. And then, you know, who can forget in... Not so easy,

Starting point is 01:33:34 is it? Kyler Murray, when he won the MVP in 2019, that was crazy. That was crazy. Crazy year. I mean, D'Amico Ryan's won DPOI in 06. That was fucking... Offensive rookie of the year.

Starting point is 01:33:51 Offensive rookie of the year is going to be Cam Ward. That's that's the idea I get. I'm going with Trayvion. It is exciting seeing him in the preseason. First time he touches the ball was 100 yards to the crib to the house. So yeah, like we're saying, this is all up in the air. And especially picking rookies. It's funny.

Starting point is 01:34:13 We're doing this for picking rookies. And it's just like, who knows how well they're going to do. Who knows about any of this, dude? You know, who knows? I don't get, you know. It gives a shit, really. Nate, let's get the games. Let's start the games, you know?

Starting point is 01:34:29 Vegas knows, maybe. Vegas knows. Defense, rookie, we got offensive rugby here. How about protector of the year? I'm going Lane Johnson. I've found the website, Vegasinsider.com, backslash NFL, backslash odds, backslash player of the year.

Starting point is 01:34:48 Shitty source. It's still crazy that Eddie Lacey won offensive rookie of the year. year. Notice you didn't ask for mine, a mecca, Buka, Tampa Bay. Why?

Starting point is 01:34:59 He's fantastic. I'll go, I'll go, uh, well, I was afraid you, I was afraid you were going to say, uh,

Starting point is 01:35:08 Drew Brees or something. Uh, protector, Jordan Milata, Philadelphia. I'm going with Penaeus, Detroit Lions. He's a big,

Starting point is 01:35:20 wide-shouldered guy. I mean, we met him in Detroit. He, he, he, he could legit be a protector. You know what I'm saying?

Starting point is 01:35:28 Like give that motherfucker an earpiece and a leather jacket and outside of the nightclub when I'm, you know, he would fucking move some people around. Shout out to Israel Adonaget. He has his own comic. He has his own comic book series called The Protectors. Oh, nice. Israel Donagherjay was a lot of fun to watch.

Starting point is 01:35:50 He was a fucking bull rushing dude. It's an amazing teammate. Amazing guy. Great guy. Great guy. Number 71, Chicago Bears. He ended up on the opponent tape a lot. It's back in my heyday. Who are your comeback player of the year and coach of the year? Oh, comeback player of the year.

Starting point is 01:36:08 Danny Dimes, for me, only because that's so juicy. He's eighth in the running. Everybody's going to have the money on Aidan Hutchinson. And if he has like eight sacks, he'll probably get it. But like, because that was a gruesome injury and he's a hell of a player. But I think Danny Dimes, if they win eight, nine games, which I think they have a chance to do six to eight games, Danny Dimes could be a feel good story. And what would be funnier than everybody having to cope with Daniel Jones winning an award this year? People hate the guy.

Starting point is 01:36:41 Yeah. Not as new teammates, apparently. Stike and saying everybody voted for captains. You voted for Daniel Jones? According to Zaire Franklin, that's not the case, eh? I think he's lying. I think Shane is lying. I think coaches do lie sometimes about who.

Starting point is 01:37:00 Hell yeah. Betterment of the team. It's a betterment of the team because maybe now other guys in their head that know, like, yo, I didn't vote for him for captain. If they feel like all the other guys, be like, all right, maybe he's right. But devil's advocate at the same time, this is all baseless speculation. True. Very true.

Starting point is 01:37:20 Aidan Hutchinson is my answer. Hutch is my answer also. Okay. Coach of the year. Brable. Vrable, because my New England Patriot Super Bowl pick, Rod's on it. Oh, yeah. If they go to the Super Bowl, you're fucking, you better put this bed in.

Starting point is 01:37:40 Seriously. All right. I'm going to do it. I was thinking about LaFleur. And I was thinking about, who else are I thinking about? I have it written down here on my little notepad that I... Liam Cohen. Well, no, not for me because I don't have them going as far as, you know, you possibly do.

Starting point is 01:38:02 But I'll just say this. I think Todd Bowles, if the Bucks go where I think they're going, where Stanford Steve's... Shout out, Steve. Jake is going to be realized eventually. And I think it might be Todd Ball's season. It also, to be fair, I think LaFleur is a fantastic. coach and I think if Green Bay wins all those games,

Starting point is 01:38:24 you're going to be looking at a possible Green Bay deal where, you know, Green Bay who wins 12 or 13 games in this alternate reality, I think LeFourb might win it. So I guess let me give you Todd Bowles, just for the fuck of it. Nobody is going to look back at these. Runner up, Dave Canales, big winner,

Starting point is 01:38:45 Sean Payton, D Thrones, Kansas City. That's another one. I got just a quick, we, we, decided we have fun with something at the end of the show here i gave you guys two two uh two categories okay jobs you would do for free in the NFL this year uh and uh and also guys you're rooting for all right now in the interest not making it to feel good we're taking damar hamlin off the board i am rooting for demar hamlin but i was rooting for him last year see what i'm saying like yes we're all rooting for Mark Andrews,

Starting point is 01:39:21 but who are the guys that you're really rooting for that people aren't thinking about? I got one. Willie Lampkin. Oh, yeah. You know why? Because Willie Lampkin to me is a guy that shows

Starting point is 01:39:39 that owners, NFL, like the business side of things, it gets in the way of keeping a great player and this is a guy preseason, we say, it doesn't really count for much, but as a rookie, he had the best graded offensive linemen snaps throughout the entire preseason. Ends up getting tweaked. The Rams feel like they could put them on the waiver wire. They think, hey, the way we do this in the NFL, you don't claim guys off the waiver wire.

Starting point is 01:40:17 You kind of let us deal with them. we'll pay him, we'll grab them. And the Eagle said, no, this kid is fucking good. Yeah. This kid is good. So I'm rooting for him to do well because if he does just in the future for this whole waiver wire situation, it'll just be interested to see where maybe guys do get paid if they're injured to start off on the team or if they got banged up in the preseason.

Starting point is 01:40:47 and instead of getting buried and people don't really know like, hey, I can still play. I'm a good player. Like, pick me up. Like, I can play and kind of teams and organizations doing this little sneaky thing of trying to hide guys. I feel like if he ends up getting healthy and helping the Eagles win, I think this will be a situation that's talked about a lot. And also, I like to trickle down that people are calling the Eagles. front office kind of snakeish or backstabby for doing this type of thing because all NFL owners kind of know the unwritten rule is we don't claim other teams injure players off their wire.

Starting point is 01:41:33 Why? I don't know. But I mean, I'm ruling for Willie Lampkin. No, I'm rooting for him too. He's only 5 foot 11 and he wears no gloves. Love it. So that's a guy I want to succeed in the NFL. And he does a spin move as a blocking tactic as a smaller guy,

Starting point is 01:41:53 which is very interesting to see. But I like Willie Lampkin. He's going to be at Stoughtland, you. They're going to think he's not, he's not like, he's just not real tall, but I think he can play. Grubbs, right? Grubbs was a guy who, like, I played, he was, he wasn't that, was he not that tall either?

Starting point is 01:42:15 Grub. Not that small, but grubs, yeah. Desmond Watson, how can you not root for this guy? I know he's not currently with team. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers cut. I suppose I can call him Portly, this Portly fellow, Desmond Watson, larger gentlemen. They just had him running laps for the entire training camp.

Starting point is 01:42:42 There was one really heartbreaking piece of, footage that I saw where he was just kind of like knocking over a blocking dummy and like just playing with the blocking dummy. He was so bored. They won't let him play football. I am hoping that somebody picks up Desmond Watson and somehow he turns this thing around physically, obviously he's got to get in shape to play, and then he gets a chance to play because I've always had a soft spot in my heart for big people. That's something you guys might not know about me is I just have a soft spot in my heart for big people and Desmond Watson is certainly one of them.

Starting point is 01:43:18 Yep. Fat guy. I am rooting hard for a 26 year old defensive end from Upper Marlboro Maryland, 6 foot

Starting point is 01:43:34 5, 264 pounds. His name's Chase Young. And I'm rooting for him to be the 2,025 defensive player of the year after all the hate thrown his way on this podcast as if chase young were incapable of winning d p o why new orleans saints chase young is my guy for 25 26 bro every time he makes a play you're going to text me 22 career sacks he might have

Starting point is 01:44:07 22 this year whoa double the sack production that would yeah that would definitely do it 100% be sacks. I'm also, I mean, obviously we're rooting for Bryce Young. We're rooting for, we mentioned Mark Andrews, Kyle Pitts. You know, I've teased that coming into this show. I'm rooting for Jerry and Jones. Now, he's the corner for the Jacksonville Jaguars, your division-winning Jacksonville Jaguars, Nate.

Starting point is 01:44:33 And he's the guy on the Madden cover. The other guy on the Madden cover, he's the guy who's getting a whiff of Sequin Bar. You know what I'm saying? And not only that, he's sitting there in camp like, am I like, what's my role? Is the rookie that's going to play both ways going to take this job too? Like, you know, is he going to take the wide receiver job and the corner job? Like, how does this affect me?

Starting point is 01:45:00 I think for this dude, he might not be a household name and I might be actually doing more harm than good in calling him out, but I'm rooting for him to have a great year because that sucks because Saquan Barkley makes a lot of people look. silly. It just so happened to be him in the most spectacular way. And then he's the guy that Travis Hunter's eye on his meal ticket on defense in Jacksonville. You know how hard the first day of school can be? Yeah. There's a, there's a player with a brand new name this year in the Giants secondary. Javon Holland is now Javon. Holland. And shout out to shout out to

Starting point is 01:45:45 Jevonne for putting the accent over though which as discussed is not a thing you can just do but he's done it and we wish him the best in this season. Hey, have a good season, Jevone. Good luck out there. I fucking just inserted a tilde. That's like a power move if I've ever seen it.

Starting point is 01:46:06 I'm also rooting for Miles Garrett. You know, we talked about how bad that football team's going to be and the guy just signed a big deal and that sort of thing. I don't want him to lose his mind. You know, just hang in there. They're not going to waste your whole career. Eventually something's going to happen, you know?

Starting point is 01:46:21 Starting to feel like Tom Hanks and Castaway a little bit. No, I'm rooting for. Who? Shador Sanders, because he has this sneaky little merch percentage deal with his jersey sales. And he's already generated $14 million for himself, supposedly, off of just his jersey sales. So, bro, just sit back. Yo, being the third string quarterback on a pro team is probably not that bad. He'll get to be the starting scout team quarterback every week.

Starting point is 01:46:54 He'll get to torch all the starting defenders every week and be able to put that on tape and in practice and kind of prove until he gets his shot. But I love the fact for him that he can sit back and his jersey sales can keep going and going. And by the end of the season, it won't matter that he wasn't the first pick in the draft. Because when we talk about money, he'll then on made that signing bonus off of Jersey sales. That's right. I'm excited for him. Yeah.

Starting point is 01:47:27 I'm excited for him too. That, I mean, Mackay Beckton was another guy I'm really rooting for. This is the last one. Mackay Beckton, you know, for a guy that, like, made his hay in Philly and proved all the doubters wrong. And everybody said he was this and that. And he goes to Philly and plays great. Well, you know what people are going to say. if you don't play well this year, it's going to be, oh, you weren't this, you weren't that,

Starting point is 01:47:47 you were just playing next to Lane Johnson, you were at Stoughtland University. And listen, it always helps to be in a good group, but it's his chance to really prove at stop three that he can play. And his season changed a great deal. Now he's playing next to Trey Pipkins instead of Joe Alt, because Joe Alt moved over to the left side. I am rooting for Mackay Beckton to have a great year and prove once again that he's not just, you know, guy you can put out there, but a guy that can be a real strength on your offensive line. I'm a big Mackay fan. Big ticket. Let's go, baby. Prove them wrong.

Starting point is 01:48:21 Prove anybody doubting wrong. All right. And lastly, the jobs in the NFL that you would do for free this year. Well, just how history set up, I don't think I would be working for free, like anywhere. you said a bad precedent yeah that's a bad deal it leads to undefined boundaries and lack of respect I'm with you Nate no quite

Starting point is 01:48:49 that's a really good one it's a really good one no but I thought this was this was a hard question for me like I get it and like I think we had like a good example but I couldn't think it I couldn't think anything okay Andre Patterson

Starting point is 01:49:08 Giants D-line coach Oh, that guys, that guys having a lot of fun. Like, yeah, Carter, just do a little of this and just run by the motherfucker. It would be a lot of fun. Yeah. After a few games, if not enough production, it probably could be really stressful. Oh, that shit can turn quick. And Mr. Patterson's given four decades to this league.

Starting point is 01:49:34 I hope that this is like his version of getting to the promise land where it's like, hey, you know, I've been working my whole life. Now I'm going to coach the best D-Line ever, maybe. No, probably not the case. But best E-Lin in the NFL this season. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Yeah, well, you know, people on YouTube are real little. No, that's what I'm saying.

Starting point is 01:49:52 That's what they're going to be saying when you say. They were like, wait, wait, wait, whoa. Long calls the Giants' defense line, the best defensive line ever. And remembers when Darius Leonard won DPOI. Okay. You'll never forget Eddie Lacey. No, Eddie Lacey, chip the fuck out of me. Oh, Roy.

Starting point is 01:50:12 Okay, I'll stay in East Rutherford and pick James Winston. I think if you were to set the over-under on high pressure, high-stakes, throws for James this year. It's probably four and a half and you take the under because either Russell is competent or he's not and they move to Jackson Dart. So, James can be the locker room guy. James can be James. James can be himself. He doesn't have to worry about ball. Collect those checks.

Starting point is 01:50:41 Have fun. Have yourself some fun, James. Eat some Ws. I guess I can't collect checks if I'm doing, if I'm being James Winston for free. For free. All right. And here's another one. George Carl Laftus, I mean, he's got a great job.

Starting point is 01:51:00 That's a great job. He's a good player in his own right, but he rushes next to Chris Jones. I would say he's up there. I mentioned Yoshivas. I mean, fuck, dude, I think I could go out there and catch a couple of footballs in the stripes, dude, in Cincinnati, being wide receiver number three, getting a lot of red zone targets down there, Princeton educated cat, charismatic saw him in some interviews, guys having a good life, okay? And then the other one is a D-Lyman for Denver for God's team. I brought this up last week, but to play D-Line for God's team is it's like hitting a lotto man i i think they're going to have a third guy go for double digits this year i think it's going to be benito allen and possibly cooper all double digies

Starting point is 01:51:49 i'll go washington commanders photographers of their specialists are matt gay and tress way okay well i mean people got a lot of mileage out of long cox no question gay way we didn't say where it was gay gay i mean i think it's a lot of meat on that bone all right all right uh hope you all enjoyed that one i'm sure some of y'all didn't so much um we will uh be back later in the week in atlantic city It's where the real fun begins. We'll be coming to you live, coming to you live from the Borgata, BetMGM. We're going to be doing a live show or live watch of the game.

Starting point is 01:52:44 We're going to be doing our week one preview from Atlantic City. Enjoy that. Catch you then.

Green Light with Chris Long - 2025 NFL Predictions! Super Bowl Picks, Division Champions & MVP Winner!

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