Halford & Brough in the Morning - The Seahawks Are Two Wins Away From A Superbowl

Episode Date: January 22, 2026

In hour two, Mike & Jason chat with Swedish hockey insider Uffe Bodin (1:14) about what to expect from Team Sweden at the Olympics, what they're saying about EP40, as well as what Uffe thinks of potential first overall pick Ivar Stenberg, plus the boys preview Sunday's NFC Championship featuring the Seattle Seahawks and the LA Rams with ESPN's Brady Henderson (27:45). This podcast is produced by Andy Cole and Greg Balloch. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

703 on a Thursday. It's a trash Thursday here on the Halford and Brough Show on Sportsnet 650. Halford, Brub of the morning is brought to you by Sands and Associates. Do you have CRA debt? If you do, Sands and Associates can cut your debt by up to 80% with no upfront fees. Learn more at Sands-Trustee.com. We are in hour two of the program. Ufa Bowden's going to join us in just a moment here for a little Swedish hockey talk. Hour two of this program. It's bratsed by Jason hominock at Jason. Mortgage.

If you love giving the banks more of your money, then don't let Jason shop around to find the perfect mortgage for you. He is, of course, the most medal of all the mortgage brokers. Visit him online at Jason Dow Mortgage. We're coming live live from the Kintech Studio, make 2026 year-year to move better and step stronger with Kintech custom orthotics. Our next guest is the head of content creation for Better Collective and our Swedish hockey insider.

Ufa Bowden joins us now on the Halford & Brough Show on SportsNet 650. Good morning, Ufa. How you doing? Good afternoon here in Sweden, but I, I'm really good. Thanks for having me, guys. Yeah, thanks for coming on and taking the time to do this. We appreciate it. So you're in Sweden. I've got to ask you, how are the locals reacting to the current health of the Swedish Olympic team? That's less than a month away now from going to the Olympics in Italy. Oh, gosh, it's like a disaster, really, like every morning when we wake up.

There's like new news about an injury. Like, obviously last night you saw what happened to Oliverick-Milarsen. and it's like never-ending story. So, no, it's not a fun time right now in regards to that. I know there's a lot going on with regards to the health of guys who may or may not be back. Has anyone officially been ruled out that was originally named to Sam Halam's first roster that they announced earlier in January? Yeah, so exactly.

Yeah, so the other day we learned that Jonas Prodeen won't be able to participate. Really bad news because he is... really underrated defensive defenseman can skate with the best of them so it's actually a huge loss and then of course you have Leo Carlson in Anaheim who had surgery on his

left thigh last week and he's also not going to make it so we're waiting for them to decide who they're going to pick for the team instead and obviously you know about Gabriel Landisg and his situation with his ribs so

we don't know what's happening with William Neelander. So it's quite an extensive list at the moment and everyone is kind of holding their breath. Mike and I were talking about 2014 the other day and remembering that yeah, Canada won gold, but Sweden, they just had such bad luck. Even though they made it to the gold medal game, they did it without Zetterberg,

they did it without Henrik Sedeen, and then they lost Nicholas Backstrom for the gold medal game. I can't even remember who the 1C was for Sweden in the gold medal game. If Leo Carlson can't play for Sweden, who is the 1C for the team? Well, you know, if you look at the current form of players or how they're playing right now, I would actually say it's Mika Zadayat. He's been, you know, in the midst of this crisis or whether we're going to call it with the New York Rangers,

he's actually been putting up a lot of points and been really productive. So at this point, you probably take him over Elias Patterson, who's been kind of up and down since returning from the injury. So I think at this point it's probably Mika. What is the Pedersen discussion like in Sweden? Does he get debated much, or does he get talked about much? I mean, I think it was more last season, you know,

with everything going on with the rumors about his spat with Yati Miller. I mean, that was a huge story over here as well. This season, with the way the Kinex has been trending, you know, I think the question everyone is asking right now, okay, is he going to stay around or is it possible that he is actually open for a trade probably in the summer or what's going to happen? So, I mean, in the beginning of the season, I think everyone saw that he really worked his spot off.

He tried to do the little things, but it just hasn't, I mean, the offensive output isn't there anymore, and that's obviously a concern. And I think that's why when you look at the Olympic team, it's hard to see, okay, what can we expect from this guy? I know he used to be obviously a very productive player, but at this point of his career, it's kind of hard to know really what to expect. With all of the injuries that the team has suffered thus far, Who is Sam Halam going to be leading on in terms of driving the charge and the leadership group and the guys that are really going to be frontline players?

The guys that are going to be leaned upon most as Sweden goes to the Olympics. I mean, if you look at the guys that he announced in the summer, I think a few of those probably. And that would be Rasim Stalien. Victor Headman is slowly returning from injury and it sounds like he'll be ready to go for the outdoor game. in the beginning of February that they play in Tampa. So he should be ready to go. So obviously those two guys on the blue line

together with, I would say, probably Gustav Forsling and Eric Carlson. And then up front, unless we get some bad news about Philem Neelander, he's obviously going to be a guy. And then you know, Adrian Kempe together with Lucas Raymond,

are two players that have been really good for the national teams. I would say I would say those guys probably. Who's going to be the starting goalie right now if you had to guess? Yeah, that's a good question too. It's been kind of up and down. But if I had a gun to my head today,

I would probably say Philip Gustafson of the Minnesota Wild. He has put up some decent numbers. I mean, he was kind of overshadowed by the play of Esper Walshatt during the first half of the season. But at the same time, I think he's been maybe more consistent. in the way he has played compared to the youngster. And obviously, Jacob Marksum is having a real tough season with Devils,

so it's kind of hard to imagine him being the number one guy at the moment. We're speaking to Uffet Bowden, Swedish hockey reporter here on the Halford and Brough Show on Sports Net 650. Here in Vancouver, the playoffs will not be happening this year, and it's January 22nd, and we've already turned our attention to the upcoming NHL entry draft and where the connects might fall in the lottery. So I've got to ask you about Ivar Stenberg,

who we're starting to learn more and more about we're by no means hockey prospects experts on this show but it's hard not to notice the talent that he has. Tell our listenership a little bit more about Stenberg and his rise, especially this year with the juniors and the draft and everything else. Yeah, I mean, he made his debut last season. I mean, he's late 2007,

so he came up in the ranks of Roland in Gothenburg last season. and made quite a, he played quite good in the playoffs. So you started noticing him a lot and then he had a good under 18 world championships with the Swedish team, made it to the finals where they got ousted by Canada. But he's really come on strong in this season and he's been, I mean, the big talking point here in Sweden

when it comes to hockey for the past few months, I mean, he was sensational during the fall at a new record among junior players in the history of the, Swedish Huckily with 10 straight games with points. And obviously, I think most people saw what he did during the World Juniors, maybe had a bit of a slow start, but he was the best player for Sweden when it really mattered. You know, just an excellent hockey IQ can really, you know,

control the pace of the game, can control the puck, really hard to get to. So he's been sensational. And I don't know, I've just glanced through some draft rankings. after the world juniors, and it seems like quite a lot of them actually have him number one over Gavin McKenma right now. Yeah, it's going to be a fascinating NHL draft to see who actually goes first overall.

There's one other guy that I wanted to ask you about, and that is Veeho Bjork, who's not the biggest guy, but man, he's fun to watch. What's his story? Yes, I mean, Sais and skating has always been, like, talking point or what people or scouts have been skeptical about but

I would say like he's showing at the world juniors where he showed like that he can play the 200 foot game you know really strong on face-offs and you know producing points but also taking care of his own end he plays a really mature game for being you know 17 years old and he was

one of the key Coggs for the Swedish team that actually won the goal in Minnesota earlier this month So he's been coming out really strong and the really intelligent player has excelled on every level he's played on. And just a really solid prospect. So, I mean, he might not be, you know, the flashy guy like Stenberg or McKenna. But, you know, if you want to get that really strong two-way center that can excel basically in all parts of the game, I think he's the guy for you.

Ufa, this was great. Thanks for taking the time to do this today. We really appreciate it. If you're open to it, we'd love to do this again as we get closer to the Olympics. Of course. Any time for you guys. Oh, beautiful. Thank you, buddy.

Appreciate it. That's an Ufa Bodin, Swedish hockey reporter here on the Halford and Brough show on Sportsnet 650. I did that. I booked a guest for the future as well. Nice. Two birds with one stone there. Curious to see what happens with this Swedish team going into the Olympics. They are all kinds of banged up.

Yeah, that, you know, Sweden is number three in the world. And I think they're fully healthy. they'd be fine candidates for the gold medal, or at least to get to the gold medal game. But if these injuries keep piling up, I don't know, man. Well, not having Brodine and Carlson kills them. Yeah. That's a killer.

We're talking about Leo Carlson, who's really come on this year for the Anaheim Ducks, like a young star, potentially a superstar in this league, and to not have him really put him, them in a tough position because then you're looking at, okay, well, who is your top line center? Is it going to be Elias Pedersen? Maybe. Mika Zabanajad, Joel Ericksonak, good players, but Zabanajad, he's getting on in years a little bit. Joel Ericksonak, good player. I don't know if you want him as your one C at the Olympics with best on best.

I will say this. Nealander maybe, but he's injured. There is a huge, huge opportunity. And yes, it's a boom or bust, but there is a huge opportunity for Elias Patterson at these Olympics. Massive. Huge opportunity.

That door to 1C status, minutes, deployment, all of it is wide open. And it's there. And he's got very talented wingers to play with on that team. That goes without saying. Yep. Maybe a future King's teammate. I think that, yeah, right, in Kemp.

I think that there's, it's an interesting team because they're not going to be favorites going into this tournament. As a matter of fact, the injury reports are probably going to make them underdogs more than anything else, especially when it comes to playing against the two big powerhouses in Canada and the U.S. And I mean, I don't even, with those injuries, I don't know where even they stack up against Finland, which is their natural rival. But more to the point, there's going to be an opportunity for them to make some noise as an underdog. because there is going to be an element of, well, they're undermaned, who's going to step up for them to compete with the big dogs?

And if Pedersen can do it, it's a big if. But all the things that we've talked about... PDP can rack up some points in their first game against Italy. There you go. Get your confidence up against the Italians, right? Here's a thing. They just get shelled. Oh, God, nothing goes right.

Here's the thing. If a lot of the trade talk that we're hearing right now, involving Lewis Pedersen, is predicated on new situation, new surroundings, new teammates, new beginnings. Maybe, just maybe, we can get a snapshot of it with the Olympics with Team Sweden. I think he's got a better chance this year at the Olympics than last year of the Four Nations. Four nations, he went in there. You know, things were not good.

And I'm not saying things are great right now, but he does look better this season. Yes. He looks more comfortable now with the puck on. a stick. But when it comes to best on best hockey, the one thing I wonder about is the pace of the game and whether or not he's going to be able to keep up because his skating still doesn't look as dynamic

as it did a few years ago. Now that's the bus part of this opportunity. We talk at the boom and bust. The bust is that he goes and it further illustrates physically how much he's struggling with a lot of the things that it takes to play at the highest level amongst best

on best NHL players. Because I guarantee you a lot of the teams that are looking at this aren't just looking at the vibes and the mentals and the atmosphere and the change of scenery they're like is this guy physically capable is his body up to the challenge or is he going to be in a decline because if you watch him play he just we've said this a billion times on this show he does not look like the same dynamic player that broke into the nchel in the first few years no could do things physically that either he can't do or he's hesitant to do right now but there is a physical

component to this for sure that other teams are going to be leery of. It's not just a, can he get his mind right type thing. Do the Canucks want to pull the trigger on a trade if they're going to before the Olympic break? Someone just texted in. Nobody sees this huge opportunities like Petey. Yeah, I know. Okay.

I know we're projecting a little bit. I know that historically every time it's been like. Maybe this time it'll be different. But what if we get them new wingers? But what if we give them some time off in the summer? But what if we invite them? to golf. But what if the vibes are better? What if we change the coach? What if we change the system

a little bit? What if he goes to the four nations? What happens if we get rid of J.T. Miller? What happens? Super positive about it and maybe he has a great Olympics and that ups his trade value. Yeah. What if we all cheer? Let's go, Petey. What if we do all these things? Have we thought of us already in chance? We do all these things. And it doesn't work.

What then? All right. Let's dive back into the Kinnock stuff from yesterday. We got a few minutes here. I'll just set out the remainder of the show. 730. We're going to do our first. Seahawks preview. Really our first NFL preview. We're going to have Nick Shook on the program tomorrow

to cover both the AFC and NFC championship game, but we're going to go Seahawks Heavy. Brady Henderson's going to join us on the other side. I'll remind you, Seahawks Rams, obviously 3.30 this Sunday and the NFC championship. Drancer's going to join us at 8 for some Canucks talk. And we'll probably get more into the trade stuff as well with Drancor, given all the guys that put their best foot forward yesterday,

snapping in 11-game losing streak and showing that, hey, I can be of value at this year's trade deadline. Hey, I'm going to do an early what we learned. Sure. And this is just a reminder to send your what we learns into the Dunbar Lumber text line at 650, 650. We'll go into the inbox after we speak with Drance in the 8 o'clock hour. But we need more of what we learns into the Dunbar Lumber text line.

Metro Vancouver's Trust of Choice for contractors and rental warriors for over 50 years. Visit them at one of their three locations to serve you or online at Dunbarlumber. I learned that Shane Wright is reportedly available. I saw this for trade. I think it was Pagnata. What's going on here? Who was reporting it? And I wonder if the Canucks will be interested given his age and profile.

He is a right shot centerman who's 22 years old. and you'll remember for a few years it looked like he would be the for sure first overall pick in the draft and then he fell all the way to the Seattle Cracken I think it was it number four or something like that

number four yep and he just hasn't thrived he was not playing a lot in Seattle he was around 10 minutes last game his deployment is that of a bottom six forward, not a top six guy. So can I just say that these are the types of moves that the Canucks have made in the past? Yep.

And these are the types of the types of moves that have not worked, ultimately. They haven't. And what they've ended up doing is throwing a lot of draft capital at these types of moves. I think you could call Shane Wright at this point a reclamation project. Now, some of these things work out. you know, Trevor Zegris is working out in Philly, although he showed more at the NHL level than Shane Wright has. And I don't like these types of move.

I'd rather the Canucks just go and make the picks in the draft because when you chase an age gap, which the Canucks did under Jim Benning, and they've still kind of done. And there's hints that they might still try to do it in acquiring players that are maybe 22 or 23 or around that age that haven't worked out with the teams. You're getting a guy that another NHL team has seen and felt,

okay, we're going to say no thanks to. Now, people can always bring up, but what about this guy? And there's a guy in Edmonton right now that a lot of people wish the Canucks had shown a little more patience with, and that's Vasili Pod Colson. Yep. So these can work out, but I also think you have to, if you're going to throw out an example like Pod Colson

and be like, you know, like Pods is getting an unbelievable opportunity to play with some very good players. And it's not like he's piling up the goals for the Emmington Oilers. I would just like them to go make a bunch of draft picks. It's their picks. You know, they just get in a situation where, like, we'll pick whoever we want. They're not taking it off the scrap heap of other teams.

You know what? You probably won't like this, but I actually, I'm okay with them pursuing a guy like, right? Like his numbers last year. He had 19 goals and 44 points. You know,

he just turned 22 like two weeks ago, right? I don't think he plays a hard enough game. No, I know, but if you're talking about, reclamation projects are one thing, right? And I know that the Canucks have a history

of chasing guys. The problem I had is they were chasing guys that were first round picks eight years ago. That's what I mean, the Derek Pooleyots of the world. We're like, we liked him in his draft year. And I'm like, his draft year was a decade ago. Like he's, you know what he is right now. This is the Lechromackie draft class that year.

And, you know, look where, and I know Lechromackie was way further down the board than right. But I do wonder, there are times in the National Hockey League. And I think on, you can count more than just on one hand, where you found a guy where it just hasn't worked out with that organization. Zekris is a good one. Zekris is a good example. And I had, believe me,

I was more skeptical than anybody that that was going to work in Philadelphia. Yeah, me too. If you can get him for the right kind of price, that's what I kind of liked about the Zegra's deal. They didn't pay a whole hell of a lot to get him in the door. Yeah. Because here's the thing.

I could just see the Knotx's doing this, especially if they trade Pedersen. They're going to need to find centers. You know, you'll still have Heidel and you'll still have Rossi. We don't know if he's. Heedle's going to last. And Rossi is, I don't know, I still don't have a read on Rossi. Didn't see him enough.

And he's got a few injury concerns now too. So they're going to be looking for guys with upside. And there is still going to be, you know, it's the Vancouver Canucks and they can say we're going to be patient. You know that they're going to be tempted by a few. Maybe this guy, maybe this guy can speed things up for us a little bit. I got, okay, so the, it's, according to that same report, the Cracken aren't necessarily looking for picks. They're looking for top six players right now to get in return.

Yeah. Just completely hypothetically speaking, would you consider flipping Rossi for right? Like turning up, not, not. Turning them around right. No, no, no, it would be a winger. They're not going to take Rossi. In a hypothetical situation, what I'm saying? Like, if you had a player right now where you weren't giving up picks and you were giving up a guy.

I think Rossi's a much better player than shit. that she ain't right. I'm not disagreeing with that. What I'm saying is, would you suggest something along the lines of we're going to move a player to try and get what we consider to be a distressed asset or someone that we think can flourish in a better situation? Sure.

Because that might end up being the play. Yeah. I don't know exactly if the Canucks even have the right stuff from what the Cracken want. Yeah. Like they don't need picks. They want to be competitive now. I haven't done a great job of it,

but they want to win now. Is there a garland trade that can be made? Yeah, so that's kind of those are the deals I'm talking about, right? Where it's like... But I would rather just take the first... If you get a first round pick for Connor Garland, I would rather just have that. Sure.

And you just go out there and choose your own players. Yeah. And watch him not make it. You're not trying to talk yourself into a guy that has been given plenty of opportunity in Seattle to make his mark, and it's gotten to the point where the Krakken reportedly are like, yeah, you know, when Shane Wright was drafted,

people in Seattle were like, we're set down the middle. We got Maddie Baneers and we got Shane Wright. And in a few years, we're going to have one of the best one-to-combos in the NHL. Well, it hasn't worked out like that. Maddie Baneers is a good player, but he's not a franchise player. It really hasn't taken the league. And Shane Wright isn't even close. I just want to see Wright come here for Brough's reaction and to have to force it.

Such a complicated history between the two. Well, I remember watching him, okay, so people. people that I don't know. I remember watching him at the World Juniors and I'm like, what's the big deal with this guy? He's not involved in the play. Like he doesn't get his nose dirty out there. And I and I was like, I understand why this guy is falling

because... And you're not wrong by the way. He doesn't he doesn't look like a player that plays with much intensity to me. Petey for Shane Wright straight up. Someone just texted it in. It's Nate from Comox. Wright's been something of a bust thus far considering his draft pedigree. Not to say he won't be better, but I'm just saying like it's a

fair reaction. Considering I mean, I think it was expected. It would be funny the year after the Canucks get Evander Cain. It's like, because I've always kind of been like, I don't really care for a Vander Cain. And then I have jokingly, but with a little bit of truth, been like, I don't know about the Shane Wright guy for a few years,

that it's become like a bit of a running gag on the show. That would be funny if the Canucks were like, because I saw that. The Canucks tried him just to spite you. I saw that report. I'm like, that is. That is exactly the type of move that the Canucks would make because they're always tempted. You know, they're like, what if we could sell you?

Hold on. On a 22-year-old right-shot centerman who was once considered a potential first overall draft pick, he's only 22. And you can get him for the low, low price of whatever. Well, it would be a you can fix them trade because the Canucks would be selling the Cracken on PD and the Crack would be selling the Canucks on the right Like maybe you could fix this guy Cracken would be saying the same thing

Maybe you could fix this guy But the ask for PD is going to be More than that Much bigger. Yes. I think it's I think it would be like right plus plus plus Which is unfortunate because it might sabotage the entire thing Well it's going to be PD for I think probably three assets

The ask, I don't know if they're going to get it It's probably going to be some semblance of a center back Yep, that sounds almost like a center back in soccer, but a center, we did this yesterday. Space. A first round draft pick and maybe a prospect. Yeah. And I know we're up against the time. And they're right to ask for it.

And they're right and they're right to ask for that. Right. Considering what PD is shown in the NHL so far, you know, what he's done when he's been at his best. And also the just the absolute dearth of available center. And the retort would be like, well, Pedersome? With that contract and all the water on the bridge, it was like, okay, fine, go sign Nick Schmaltz. Good luck. Yeah.

Okay. We're just traded for a Seattle sounder. We're way up against it for time. We got to come to a break. When we come back, Seattle of the Seahawks variety, Brady Henderson, our Seahawks insider insider insider from ESPN is going to join the program. You're listening to the Halford & Brough Show on SportsNet 650. It's Canucks Central on SportsNet 650.

From exclusive interviews to insider scoops and post-game breakdowns, we, we, We've got it all. Tune in weekdays 4 to 6 p.m. on radio and on demand through your favorite podcast app. 735. Happy Thursday, everybody. Halford Brough, Sports 9, 650. Halford Brub of the morning is brought you by Sands and Associates. Do you have credit card debt?

You do. Sands and Associates could cut your debt by up to 80%. With no upfront fees. Visit them today at sands dash trustee.com. We're an hour two of the program or the Midway Show, Midway Point. of the show on a thrash Thursday. Brady Henderson, our Seahawks Insider from ESPN, is going to join us in just a moment here.

Hour 2 of this program is brought to by Jason Homick at Jason.Morgage, the most metal of all the mortgage brokers. If you love paying too much for your mortgage, then don't let Jason shop around to find the perfect mortgage for you. Visit them online at jason.orgasen. To the phone lines we go, Brady Henderson, our Seahawks insider from ESPN, joins us now on the Halford & Brough Show on SportsNet 650.

Morning, Brady. How are you? What's up, fellas? Nothing wakes me up. in the morning, like hearing the death metal that you guys play right when I come on every Thursday. I love it. We do it for you, Brady, and for... You know I got to wake up sometimes. I'm usually not up this early.

Well, we appreciate you, one, waking up, and two, embracing the thrash Thursday. And Brady, I must say that when you came on the show last week and we're like, no problem for the Seahawks. I'm not worried about this game at all. You were absolutely right. Did you predict, did you have it in your plans that they'd return the opening kickoff for a touchdown and just keep rolling after that? Not quite, no, I did not get the script for this game. I mean, I did, like you mentioned there, I did have a feeling that they were going to win that game somewhat easily.

I certainly didn't think it would be by 35 points, and I didn't think that they would, you know, dominate that game like they did from the opening kickoff. But, yeah, I mean, they had just a lot going in their favor in that game. And they do have a few things, a few advantages in this game, but certainly it's going to be a lot tougher when you consider the opponent and how just evenly matched those first two games. I was looking this up off on. I think one of my colleagues, Spiel-Gates tweeted this a few days ago, but the Seahawks in those two games that they've played,

they've been decided by three points. Yeah. And I think there is a difference in total yardage of one yard. I think it's 850 yards to 849, which just shows you how close those first two games were. Do you think Sam Darnold was cheering for the Bears or does he want a chance to play the Rams? I think he's probably embracing this opportunity to kind of slay the dragon again. But I am sure that if you got Sam Darnold on the golf course and got a few Guinnesses in him,

he would tell you that, yeah, he probably was rooting for the Bears just because, you know, I think that if the Bears came into the Lumen Field in an NSC championship game, I think that would have been an easy win for the Seahawks, frankly. And that's not the case with the Rams. And look, we all know the history that Sam Darnold has against that Chris Shula defense. You know, they sacked him nine times in the wild card round last year. I mean, even if you sort of dismissed that game as, you know, the Rams, you know, beat up offensive line, or excuse me, the Vikings beat up offensive line,

getting dominated by the Rams front in that game, you know, he still has thrown six interceptions against that defense in two games this year. And so between their ability to pressure the quarterback and their ability to kind of disguise coverages and kind of muddy the picture for quarterbacks on the back end of that defense are really, you know, on the front end because, you know, one interception they had was by a defensive lineman

dropping into coverage in that December game. You know, they make life hard on quarterbacks and they've made it really hard on Donald. Yeah, the Rams were the one team I didn't want the Seahawks to face, you know, because of Sam Darnold, but also just because, you know, Sean McVeigh has been there and Matt Stafford has been there. What is Mike McDonald's said about playing the Rams specifically and the challenges that come with playing a team that's so familiar with the Seahawks,

but also has a fair amount of history against the Seahawks. Yeah, well, you know, it's funny, you know, when you look at both of the games that they've played against the Rams this year, the head coach has lost the individual battle against his play-calling counterpart, but his team has still won that game, right? So go back to the Week 11 Rams game, and Mike McDonald's defense kind of shut down, you know, McVeigh's offense. I think they held them to, you know, under 200 yards, I believe it was,

some can fact check me on that. But the bottom line is Matthew Stafford didn't really take over that game like we've seen Matthew Stafford do. And the Rams still won it because their defense picked off Darnold four times. Kind of the opposite story in the Week 16 rematch where, you know, McDonald's defense gets worked. Like we've never seen that defense get worked to the tune of 580 yards. You know, get receivers running open in the back end of McDonald's defense left and right. and yet McDonald's team still wins it. So, you know, in that game specifically, that second game,

and he told me afterwards that part of the issue was, in retrospect, he just gave his defense too much game plan-wise. Like, he put too much on their plate on a short week for them to really handle. And I think that is always kind of the balance that, you know, play callers try to strike is that they want the game plan to have enough in it to where their defense or their offense can have enough schematic answers to combat what the other side of the ball is doing, but not too much to where they're just overloaded

and they can't play freely. And it really seems like that was the case in that second game. I mean, you know, Seahawks defenders talked about, you know, how some of those just explosive passing players were the result of communication issues, which really jives with what McDonald was saying about those guys were just too overloaded mentally. So not a short week this time.

In fact, they had one extra day to prepare for that game. And then, you know, it's also, the other issue with that game last time was that by the end of that game, that secondary was kind of depleted. They had guys drop and left or right. So they're healthy this time. That said, it's still the Rams and Darnold is still playing with, you know, the injured oblique and all that. So this is not going to be an easy game for them. Well, you set this up perfectly.

My next question was, what's going on with the oblique injury? Yeah, he is still having to manage it. And Darnold made that clear to me when I asked the post game, you know, if this is something that is, he's going to have to continue to work through, and he said, yes, absolutely. And this week that means that, you know, he's not going to throw as much as he normally would. And Mike McDonald said that yesterday. We saw Donald show up as limited on the injury report, which, you know, was to be expected based on what McDonald's said. And so, you know, he looks normal in that game, I would say.

Like, you know, there was that one moment late in the first quarter where, you know, he tries to escape pressure. He hits the ground kind of hard on a sack. and then he got up, looked a little ginger to me, no pun intended. And then on the very next play, he just rifts that throw in the air to Cooper Cup. I think that throw it went about 37 yards in the air, like on a line with enough zip to get it that far, but also enough touch to get it right over that underneath defender. And McDonald said after he saw that, you know, he exhaled knowing that, okay, you know, Sam was going to be okay.

And to me, he looked like he threw with his usual. zip. He looked like he moved with his usual mobility. Now, he only threw the ball 17 times in that game because it was such a blowout, and he ends up getting pulled with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter. So, you know, in those first two Rams game, he averaged 39 attempts. So my point there is that that oblique and just Darnold in general is going to get a lot tougher test on Sunday and then he got last Saturday. No doubt. He'll have to inevitably throw the ball more, I think. But in a very weird way, at least for that one week. The oblique injury almost

kind of, I don't want to say worked, but it allowed them... It worked. It worked, because he didn't have to throw the ball that much, and by nature, didn't turn the ball over, didn't take sacks, and they really established a ground game for whether this is the fourth or fifth consecutive week,

where they really ran the ball effectively. Kenny Walker going for 1-16 on just 19 carries. And with Charbonnet out now, I wonder if a big chunk of this game plan is going to be let's get the ball in number nine's hands more than we have all year. Like let's get them over 20 touches and see if we can wear these guys out, the Rams I mean, on the ground like we have the last few weeks because the Seahawks running game has been

really, really good over the last month or so. Yeah, but that is the tricky question, I think, with Ken Walker the third, because you could easily look at the success he's had this season, you know, going over a thousand yards during the regular season, playing in all 18 games. to this point. You could look at that and say, at least the way I look at it is, yeah, I wonder how much of that is the fact that they have been sharing the work, or he has been sharing the work with Charbonnet. You know, he had 19 carries in that game Saturday.

That was the most he's had in any game this season. He has not had more than 20 carries in the game. He's only average 13. So, yeah, on one hand, they're definitely going to need him to step up without Charbonnet. I also just wonder if they would still kind of like to keep, kind of like to manage his workload knowing that that is sort of what has got them to this point with him, with all the injury questions he had going into this season after missing the 10 games over his first three seasons.

Remember, he was dealt with the foot and ankle injuries over the offseason and it sort of had the feeling of like, okay, here we go again, and then here he is playing in every game. So I don't know exactly what that's going to look like in terms of his workload, but I do want to hit on something that you mentioned there. I think you were on to something there when he talked about how, you know, maybe in some way, weird way, the injury kind of worked in Darnold's favor.

And that's not to dismiss the injury because it's a legit injury that he's playing through, but there's a saying in golf, which is beware of the sick or injured golfer. And the idea is that when a golfer is dealing with something, as long as he can play through it, it sort of gets him to like really stay within himself and did not try to do too much. And as a golfer myself, just an amateur golfer, like, I've experienced that. For me, it's hangovers. Sometimes I play my best call. Hell yeah.

Yeah. And look, I realize, you know, those shaking hands are really working to his advantage. That's right. I realize, like, it's a lot different than playing quarterback in the NFL and Sam Darnold was playing through a legit injury. But I do wonder if there was some carryover there of like, hey, that sort of forces you to just not try to do too much

and just really play within yourself. I love that analogy, by the way. That's amazing. It's tremendous. I'm wondering about the style of running that Charbonnet brought. I think it's pretty different from Walker's style. And do the Seahawks have anyone else that can run the ball maybe in the same style that Charbonnet did?

Or are they just going to have to go with Walker all the time? You know, honestly, I don't have a great feel for that just because we really haven't seen their running backs get much, work beyond the top two guys this season. Now, Valis Jones is, he is a well-built guy, and so we'll see if he can bring some of that power. I mean, we also will see which of those guys they make active as the third running back. You know, they got some options now.

And George Hollani, he started the season as their number three guy. Then he went down with the hamstring injury. They just designated him to return to practice. So it sounds like he would be healthy enough to play in this game, but, you know, they still have the other two options with Baylis Jones and then Cam Acres, you know, the former Ram who won Super Bowl, what was it, 56, with Los Angeles. So they got some options. We'll see what that looks like. But to your point, I think that is one area where they will miss Charbonnet is, you know, he is very good in the third down situations and the short-yard situation. And, you know,

I've made this point on Twitter and on SportsCenter yesterday, but I do think this brings the push more into play. as effective as that play has been for them, they really haven't gone to it a lot near the goal line because Charbonnet was so good at punching the ball in, six of his 12 touchdowns were from one or two yards out, but they don't have Charbonnet now if they hand off at the goal line, so I think that could mean more A.J. Barner, push push and that part of the field.

So defending the 49ers, I don't want to say it was easy, but once Christian McCaffrey got hurt in that game, it was kind of like, okay, well, do they have any weapons left now, any at all. You know, they went to that game after just losing George Kittle. And they were really banged up. And I think they did well just to get to that game, to be perfectly honest with you.

The Rams are a little different, right? Right at the top of the food chain in terms of stopping guys, you got Puka. And after that, like, there are also, you know, you got Devonte Adams. You got the Seahawks' old friend, the tight end, who's made some big catch is Colby Parkinson. So what is the plan?

Does it just start with Puka and then hope to limit him? And then you just accept that the Rams because they are so good offensively that they're going to make some plays, they're going to put some points on the board, and you hope that the offense can match it a little bit. Yeah, I think just based on how that last game went, and I realized that by now that was a month ago and that not everything stays the same from,

to week, let alone for month to month in the NFL, but it's hard to imagine them just totally shutting down that Rams offense, you know, especially now that DeMonte Adams is healthy. You know, they've got, it's not just Parkinson at a time. I mean, they've got Tyler Higbee back at this point, Terrence Ferguson. I mean, they've got a lot of tight ends they can throw at you. You know, I think the one thing I will say about the Seahawks defense is, you know, it's really hard to dictate terms on defense. NFL. And typically, as Mike McDonald has said, like, you're more so reacting to what the offense does,

both in terms of your play calls and your personnel. The Seahawks are a little different in that regard, in that, you know, they are, they kind of run out their personnel regardless of what personnel the offense is throwing out. And, you know, typically when an offense, you know, rolls out two or three tight ends like the Rams like to do, well, the defense is going to go heavy to counter that. And yet the Seahawks, they like to just stay with the defense. They like to just stay with Nick Eman Worry on the field in Dime and in some cases in Nickel. And that is kind of an interesting, I think, you know, subplot to the Seahawks defense versus Rams' offense matchup in this game is that, you know, the Seahawks are so good

with Eman Worry on the field because he's so versatile that it doesn't really matter of what kind of personality offense throws out. And, you know, it just, Eman Worry has been a fantastic player for them and he's going to have come up big in this game because he is not coming off the field. the Rams have two tight ends, three tight ends, one tight end, no tight ends on the field. He's going to be out there, and he's going to have to play one of the best games of his young career. Well, Brady, I'm sure the atmosphere was incredible for the 49ers game, especially with the start that the Seahawks got off to.

I'm sure it's going to be loud and electric for the Rams game. So enjoy the experience, and win or lose. We'll talk to you next week, and hopefully we are previewing the Seattle Seahawks going to the Super Bowl. Enjoy the game, Brady. Thanks. All right, thanks. Enjoy it yourself, guys. Appreciate it. Thanks. Brady Anderson from ESPN, our Seahawks Insider, here on the Halford & Brough Show on Sportsnet, 650.

Still doesn't seem real to me. The Seahawks have one game to go to the Super Bowl. Oh, it's real. I also want to point out, and I should have mentioned it to Brayette, too. And one loss from punching you in the nose. Yeah, it's going to be interesting to see how I handle that. It's an HR violation waiting to happen. It's going to be interesting to see how your nose handles it.

It'll burst wide open and I'll bleed and we'll just see what happens. I might miss and get you in the eye. Don't do that. Yeah, there's a lot going on at the Halford & Brough Show on Sports 9650, including the one to watch, brought to you by Limitless AV. How many guys are you picking today? Just one, my friend. Just one.

Although shout out to Justin and Eastman, who's been tracking my sort of scatterplot shots, where I pick everybody for one to watch. Last night's didn't go so badly. I called out the vets collectively. Guess what? They showed up. Tonight. The collective won?

The collective of one. Tonight, so I did not realize this until scouring NHL public relations emails overnight. But we are now in Patrick Kane watch. Did not realize that Patrick Kane is now just three points away from passing Mike Madano to become the all-time U.S.-born player and league history leader in terms of points. That's your one to watch Patrick Kane, who's. three points away from sending some American record? Yes, that's my one to watch. Okay. Why don't you do one?

Because I think these are... Why don't you do something? They're hilarious. Yeah, you should do something for a change. Instead of sitting there and doing nothing and providing little to no value to the show, I strongly suggest, here, you know what? Read the limitless A.V. One to watch, read. And you can do one. And you can pick someone that you'd like to watch tonight on a night where the Canucks aren't playing.

And there's not a multitude of games. So you go ahead and you find one. Who would you like to watch from Pittsburgh and Edmonton? How about that? Who would you like to be your one to watch from Pittsburgh and Edmonton? Connor McDavid. Connor McDavid. Hey, I like that.

Wow, what an original pit. He's a good player. I want to watch Connor McLeod. Why don't we take someone from Vancouver's biggest rival to watch tonight? It's Conner McDavid. Connor McDavid. He's a good player. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That he can get on board with that. I don't know. I'll be watching tonight.

Are you going to watch Conner McDavid? That might be the greatest one to watch. I think he's actually upset. Let's watch Connor McDavid play. Let's watch Connor McDavid play. Yeah. Sounds good to me. So the one to watch is Connor McDavid.

He's going to be playing tonight. Six o'clock fuck drop. Patty Cairn's going to have five points tonight. I was like, man, he was the one to watch. The entire buildup to the thing was that, they were bringing Mike Madano to Minnesota tonight because they're playing Quinn Hughes in the Minnesota Wild. But we didn't get to that part of the limitless AV one to watch,

because someone decided they needed to interrupt yet again for the Limeless AV One to Watch Did you want to continue with your count Why you want to watch Connor McDavid tonight In particular? He's pretty fast Is it because he's going to...

He's going up against Cindy Crosby And Codney Crosby and Connor McDavid are playing each other I mean you know Patrick King I'm too busy watching Patrick King Well now you're back to naming two No no no that's not why you would watch Connor McDavid That's why he'd watch the game

And then you say the game is your one to watch tonight Brought to you like by the MLSAV I think the sponsorship has gotten away from us They've never enjoyed it more. Limitless A-V is Vancouver's most trusted audio-visual integration experts specializing in seamless video conferencing solutions and hybrid workspaces.

Book your personalized tour of their experience center today at LimitlessAV.C.I think we've named every game list on the slate tonight. Have fun watching them. You're listening to the Halford & Brough show on Sportsnet 650.