KSR - NFL Cover Zero: Joining Bills Mafia in Buffalo!

Episode Date: November 17, 2025

Matt Jones and Drew Franklin take NFL Cover Zero on the road for Bucs/Bills!  Matt talks about being amongst the fans and the experience in Buffalo.  What have been Matt's Top 5 football experiences?  Billy talks through the tailgating experience and the food available from the fans.  What were wings like IN Buffalo?   From the tailgating lot, Drew checks in with several fans from Bills mafia.  Onto the game, Josh Allen put on a showcase performance after a tough start.  Matt talks about his locker room experience after the game, including greeting the Bills QB.  Are the Bucs having problems closing out the games? After seeing the Chiefs lose, Matt is wondering if KC is going to make the playoffs.  The Dolphins have now won 3 of 4 games.  The Panthers pull out another win and Matt wonders about Carolina's future.   The Bears put together another comeback win after giving up a 4th quarter lead.  Should the Vikings have questions about JJ McCarthy? The Packers pull out a close win over the Giants. The Steelers win but the team has to be concerned about Aaron Rodgers.  At 3-7, what is the outlook for the Bengals? The most surprising outcome of the day had the Jaguars over the Chargers.  Sam Darnold struggles as the Seahawks fall to the Rams.   Should Matt Stafford be a runaway MVP winner at this point? A comeback win for the Ravens keeps them in the mix.  We wrap up parting gifts from the Bills stadium!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. NFL Cover Zero with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin is a production of the NFL and I Heart Podcast. Everyone, it is NFL Cover Zero. Week 11 recap. We are here in Buffalo, New York, at the Pearl Street Brewery, where it is a beautiful day, a little snowy outside, but we have had the best time imaginable in Buffalo.

as we attended the Bill's Bucks game, spent a day as part of Bill's Mafia, and now wrapping up the Sunday games here. It is wonderful. Drew, Franklin, Billy Rutledge, and me, Matt Jones. So let me just give you a little rundown of how today's going to work. Right now, the late afternoon games are kind of finishing up. We will recap those. But I do want to acknowledge that we've only seen bits and pieces of most of the games

today because we were doing something that's known in the media world as reporting. We were live on the scene for a game as two seasoned grizzled NFL reporters and a billy. And Drew, we were in Buffalo, and it was really an awesome experience. I think you would agree. Oh, yes. This really is an all-time day for me. Can't wipe the smile off my face. It just felt so good being a part of the working press.

It was. I'm doing this, but we're in Lexington just talking each other, but we got to be amongst the media. We were like H.L. Minkin today in the press box, watching a football game on the gridiron. Let's just start with this. I mean, it was Bill's bucks. First of all, it was a great game. 44, 32, a score of gamy. First time that score has ever occurred in the NFL, we saw it.

I've seen people say maybe the second best game of the season. Coincidentally, I was at the first best game of the season, the Bears Bingles. So maybe I'm a good luck charm. And we'll talk about the on-field action. But I just want to talk about the experience here at Buffalo. So this is the 12th stadium that I have been to. And at this point, I've been to most of the ones that people say are the best experiences, right? So I've been to Pittsburgh, been to Green Bay, been to Chicago, been to Kansas City, been to Denver, been to the Cowboys.

So, I mean, I don't know what else people would say, okay, that's an experience. But I've been now to all of those. And I think definitively, I would say, even as a Bears fan, this is the best experience of just fandom. Green Bay is very cool and is a very close second, I would argue. But I think this is first, and I've really, really enjoyed today. Yeah, I mean, we all know the reputation of Bill's Mafia.

We know the tables. We know their brand. But to get out there and spend hours with them, they're everything you wanted. But every person I talked to was so nice. It's like a big community. You're walking about, hey, you want a wing? You want a beer? You need water?

Yeah. You want to get on our fire truck? I mean, it's just like, it's like you know everybody without knowing anyone when you're walking around. We walked. We did, I did my ESPN show this morning at a place called Big Tree Something. Big Tree Inn. And there was a bus in the parking lot. There was like a tailgate bus.

And, you know, normally you would see those anywhere. But this one had a sign in front that just said, come on in. in and stay a while. And it wasn't aimed at anyone then specific. It was everybody. You know, now I could just tell you, I wouldn't do that. There's a lot of people I wouldn't want to come in, and I certainly wouldn't want them to stay a while. But I think they really had the belief that like, like it sort of encompassed what the community feel is here. Yeah, everybody was so nice. I kind of felt like, have we met before? The way you're talking to me, I feel like I've telegated with you for years. And that says a lot about just their character and how fun they are around here.

Yeah, so I'm going to rank for you after having done this, in my opinion, the best five experiences in the NFL going from reverse. I think for me, the Broncos were fifth. I really enjoyed it. You know, the issue is oxygen. That's a problem there. And that's important. Yeah, and so I can't put that in the top three. I would say Chiefs is fourth.

Now, granted, we've been when they were good, so I don't know what it was like when they were bad. I'd say Bears third, Packer's second, and then I would put this first in terms of just as a fan. And I would recommend everyone to come. It's in a neighborhood. And Green Bay is like this, too. But it's in a neighborhood. It's not off an interstate. Now, that makes traffic a beast if you're coming and going.

But it is just in a neighborhood. So there's like houses and there's people and there's like little mom-and-pop beers places. And I just, I think that charm is very cool. And they were very often. honest and why they love it and tell you get the way they do i mean they just straight up told me we don't have anything to do we don't have anything to do yeah it's cold we sit in our houses and when the bills play we don't just start on sunday i asked one guy's like what time did you get out here to set this up i thought he might say like 8 a m 7 a m he said i've been here in this spot since friday yeah and it's because

he has nowhere else to go i mean i say he has no other friends like this is this is this is what he does and the level of alcohol consumption i mean i always joke about bingles fans being drunk i'm gonna I'm going to change it a little bit. These are the drunkest fans, but they're happy drunk. Bingles are stab someone drunk. These are like going to put their arm around you and talk about their various life crises. Hey man, how's things with your brother? No, Beagles fans will be like, I'm going to, I'm going to kidnap you.

They're a little bit different. But this is a very, I mean, they're drinking from moment one. And as you said, they just want to hug you, offer you a drink, maybe sing a little song. They do like to sing. They're big on singing. They sing that. You know, you make me want to shout. Shout.

And then they go, let's go Buffalo. Let's go Buffalo. And then they also really love Mr. Brightside. That's the other one. Those are their two big songs. And, you know, I didn't see every person at every moment. But I walked about as far, Billy, too, as you can, in this place. I saw every tailgate lot, about every area of the stadium.

And to your point, yes, everyone. one's pretty sloppy, but it is so happy. I didn't see any alterations. They're inviting Bucks fans to their tailgates. Just as we're getting invited to come have a wing, there's Bucks fans everywhere too being welcome for their first Buffalo trip. So I can't say enough good things about how hospitable everyone was. A couple of interesting quirks about Buffalo. They have an interesting fashion sense. I mean, it's the way I would call it is loose fitting. You know how a lot of the A lot of the world is kind of going into tight, show off your physique. They don't want to show their physique off, at least not intentionally.

Everything is very big, it's very bulky, a lot of jerseys. Everybody's got a jersey. A lot of Josh Allen's, but what I like about it is it seems like there's a goal amongst the fans that everyone should be represented. So there are jerse, like I saw two Ty Johnson jerseys, who is the third string running back. And like how many places do the third. string running backs have their jersey. I think that's kind of nice, actually.

I think it adds to our part. I think it says a lot about them. They're like, well, I haven't seen him. Someone needs to represent him. Yeah, I think that's good. I almost walked out of there with a Max Harrison jersey. You and I both have to hit the store pretty well, so I almost ended up with a Bill's jersey. But I, so I like that.

And then the most fascinating thing is the proliferation of Zubaz pants here. For those of you that live anywhere but Buffalo, you probably. probably thought Zubah's pants stopped in 98. I mean, Billy, did you even know what they were? We were walking around, and I said, Drew, I got to get some of these pants that everybody's got on. Yeah. I mean, there was a time that Zubah's pants, those are those like, I don't know, what would you call it? They're almost like a tiger stripe.

They're like a very tiger stripes, but in the colors of whatever moment you want to showcase to the world. but the bill's ones like they're everywhere i would say a good six to eight percent of the crowd had on zubaz pants and i can't remember the last time i've seen a pair of zubaz pants certainly not six to eight percent uh i can name my last pair of zubaz pants because in fifth grade uh me and my classmates we all had them this is about 93 and we walked around like the bushwhackers in the hallway the wrestlers yeah and i thought they died there the legion of Doom used to wear them sometimes. Here, I bought a Labat Blue at the game.

It was a Zubaz can. There are cars shrink-trap in Zubaz. It's not just the clothes. They're like, where can we Zubaz this up? Why is that? I mean, it must be intentional. Because it can't just, do you know why it is? It's their checkerboard.

It's their, okay, so Tate is here. Tate is from Kentucky and he lives in Buffalo. He's come with us. He says it's like their checkerboard, which is a reference to how, like, Tennessee has checkerboards. They just seem to love it. Oh, yeah. You said six to eight percent. I'd take the over on that. I felt like one in three people had some form of Zubaz on. I just want you, the next time you're watching Buffalo on television to go, wow, a lot of Zubaz. And I don't think it looks great on most people, but you know what, if they enjoy it. That's part of the Buffalo charm. They just want to stay warm,

wear their Zubaz, and have a few cocktails. They don't care if you judge them. No. They're totally fine. They've been here for three days. and haven't slept. They don't care what you think of their pants. They do not care what you think. I saw a lot, a lot of what I would term white people dancing, a lot of grinding two songs. I heard Limp Biscuit three times. And I haven't heard Limp Biscuit since the late 90s three times either. And it was not just like Nookie. It was like keep rolling. But like the remix. Like I mean, it was just you're taking a step back in time a little bit. It's also, you know, the stadium's a little dated, doesn't have a lot of life left in that? Well, there's a, there's a stadium, which is the one they play in now, which is the old one, and they're building a new stadium across the road. I do like that they didn't consider moving into a more accessible neighborhood.

That's good for property value, though. I worry about the people. But, you know, I mean, like, some people would go, okay, we're in this little neighborhood that's hard to get to, and that is really hard to get out of. Maybe when we build a new stadium, we'll go to one more easily accessible. Nope. You can't mess with these good people. Were there people living across the street and they just bought them all out?

Is that what? I feel like they have to because it's just in a neighborhood. So I think they must have just told all these old ladies to get out. Then they took their house. I don't think they'd have to buy them out. The Bills fans I met, if they knocked on the door and said, we're going to put the stadium here, they would have handed them the keys and just stood outside. They would have been so excited.

Like, give me a hammer. Let me help. I guess that is probably true. And it would seem very important to most of these people that we have. good time. You know, they were very much like, you're having a good time, you know, would you like a hot dog? Like, they really, they want you to be. So I think anyone from across the country, if you make the trip here, you're going to leave with a smile. Oh, yeah. I couldn't get over, having walked over the Telgea lot, it's the culinary geniuses, the innovation. I mean, I saw a smoker

and a file cabinet. I ate meatballs. Talk about that. Hang on just a second. Don't skip over that. There was a smoker, and then there was a file cabinet like you would use for records. And what was inside. Well, they had two file cabinets. The bottom drawer in both, that was your heat, had their coals in there, but each drawer had a different protein. So he pulled one drawer, here's my fish. The drawer on top of that was ribs. This drawer was burger. Pull it point, you name it. He had all these different, oxtail. They had oxtail in a file cabinet. Yeah. And you were good with it. It was awesome. Okay. I've never had file cabinet oxtail. The oxtail wasn't ready. I didn't actually get tried.

They were fired up about the ox tail channel while we were doing a video. They were so excited. But a man served me meatballs from a bedpan. And the utensil was a nine iron. Whoa, from a bedpan? Like that you used the bathroom in? They were boiling sitting in there. And he was like, would you like one?

And he had what I thought was a ladle. I could see the handle. And as he pulled it out, it was a nine iron. And he said something like, you got to have a nine iron with you at all times. It'll solve any problem. Really? A nine iron will solve any problem. I ate wings that were fried inside.

a worn World War II helmet. They had oil in the helmet and the wings frying, pulled one out, they ate one of those. Those were really good. Yeah, I think some of the best wings. A World War II wings. Yeah. I don't think anyone owns a grill. Everything was like, come me to.

It's interesting. He said that about a nine iron. Because when I was a kid, I learned to play golf with a seven iron and a tennis ball. I would just go around the neighborhood. And I remember, like you could hit any shot with a seven iron. You could close it and blade it and use it as a drive. you could pop it up and hit it as a I'd never considered though a nine iron

could also be a way to cook he said I take it with me everywhere I guess it's more of the law than the seven yeah because you want to be able to scoop yeah you gotta be able to get a meatball out of there yeah like a three iron you wouldn't be able to pick the meatball right no you couldn't enough you'd be ridiculous to cook with a three iron but a nine iron

maybe so my World War II wing had to get the blue cheese it was in a paint tray like you'd have a paint roller to paint your house They're just full of blue cheese. Is there a kitchen store in this town? No, no bed bath. Why would they go to bedbath and beyond?

No kitchen store. You're talking about wings. Let's mention wings. So what's your verdict on? We've eaten wings from many different places to sort of try to taste them. This is, of course, Buffalo wings. You think they're better than the rest of places? I admit I came in as a hater.

I'm like, wings are wings. I love wings. I make a whole. We have a KS bar. it's the part of the chicken, you put buffalo sauce on it. I think I've had five different places wings. Probably all five are some of the best wings I've ever had. Even these Pearl Street wings I just had were amazing.

They were. They're very good. I think what you would say about the wings, if you go get wings in your town, you can go to four or five different places, and they're going to make them four or five different ways. Like they might be fried, they might be smoked. They might be...

Everyone is making them the same. Like, there is a buffalo way to make. them. Don't get cute. Don't, you know, double smoke them or triple smoke them with gas on top. Like, they're like, this is how you cook them. Because they all are cooked about the same way, and they're all very, very good. Now, I did make an error, though. I met the famous fan Pinto Ron. Wait a minute. Before we get to, but it's with the wings. Okay, go ahead. This was the World War II wing. I asked for the ranch. I thought he was going to kill me. I knew, I loved blue cheese. I knew they have blue cheese here. I don't know why my brain did that. But the look on his face was like,

Get out of my tailgate if you say the R word. So they don't just prefer blue cheese. They don't offer anything else. And if you even say ranch out loud, it's problems. They don't ask, would you like blue cheese or ranch? The assumption is you want blue cheese, and it just comes with it. And it's very good blue cheese. It's like the thick chunky.

The thick chunky. It's the real blue cheese. I'm in on blue cheese. I didn't like it before today. Didn't like it before today. But had it at that. that tailgate with Drew. I was blown away by the experience. It was incredible. What did the fans say to you? If everybody was like Bill's Mafia, we've had world peace at this point.

I think that's probably true. Yeah. There would be far fewer problems if everybody was like that. Now, let's talk about Billy. You are wearing shoes that have been commented on as being Dick Van Dyke shoes. How do we start here? Because you dressed up for this occasion, which I really liked, to honor H.L. Minkin, you dress like a member of the press. You have on a collared shirt, you have on a quarter zip and dress shoes. Suit pants, too. Oh, you're wearing suit pants. Yes.

Wow. This is a business trip, Matt. It's a business trip. We're here on business. When they said Dick Van Dyke shoes, did you know what that meant? No. You didn't know who Dick Van Dyke was, right? No.

But it still hurt. I could tell. You knew it was not supposed to. to be a compliment. No, not at all. It's kind of funny. You didn't know who he was, but yet you were still offended by. Felt it through the tweet.

You didn't like the tone. No. It's kind of a compliment. Dick Van Dyke was a big star. It was a big star. Well, we got that in common. Well, you did look nice, though. Well, thank you.

You did look nice. And you did a very good job. So far, assuming this podcast gets up, everything that needed to occur, you helped to make happen. I'm usually working on game days like this. So the tailgating experience, the press box experience, you know, I had a hard time not cheering in the press box. But, you know, like I said, business trip, I kept it professional. Now, it was nice to be part of the NFL. Well, but before we get to the part of the NFL, you did some interviews. Yes. When we were out on the, or when you guys were out on the, the hammer lot. You went to the

hammer lot, the tailgate lot, and you did some interviews. And we want to play some of those right now so that you can get a sense. I had to do ESPN, so I wasn't there. But you get a sense of what it feels like when you're out tailgating with the Bills Mafia. Afternoon from High Mark Stadium in lovely and slightly cold, Buffalo, New York, the NFL Cover Zero podcast, just touched down. Drew Franklin here, got Mario behind the camera.

Billy and Matt are also here. Billy the Bucks fan. Mario, it's his first NFL game. Me, all I've wanted to do my whole life is join Bill's Mafia, and we're surrounded by them right now. Before we go into the game, we're going to go around and meet the Bill's fans, ask them what makes Bill's Mafia so special. And who knows, maybe go through a table. Let's go. Stadium is high on my bucket list, and we're just wanting to learn what makes Bill's Mafia so special.

Well, first of all, it's a hospitality. When I tell you, welcome home, welcome home, buddy. Thank you, sir. We have a big, we're a big tight-knit family. We got Triple B's barbecue here. Nice. We just all our cooking with Brad, the filing cabinet smoker guy. We got Dee Will here. Oh, yeah. Let's go.

So when I tell you, we're a big tight-knit family, we care of. about each other. It's just something different between Bill's Mafia and every other fan base. I love the file cabinet smoker. I've seen this on TikTok actually. What are we cooking in there? We got some, we got some, we got some, we got some St. Louis style ribs. We got four wrecks of port points. Woo! Yep. Over here, we got about a hundred pounds chicken wings, we're going to fry. And we're doing today. Yeah, we got a bunch of chicken wings and I got, and I just put out some beautiful big ass hot steels. That's an incredible setup, incredible set up. What of them? What of them?

Axeels, baby! Let's go. Should I have worn something like that? Yeah, you're right here. Hang on, man. I don't want to take your cane. I wasn't sure if you. Oh, we're going to do a Jersey swap already.

All right. Hold my cane, Bill. Make him sign the waiver. Oh. Oh, my goodness. I'm never going home to Lexington. All right. Josh Allen.

Yeah. I know, right? Yeah. Can I get one of those and can you tell me what we're doing here? This is for the 716 Foundation. So we're here giving out free shots for the Bills game. All right. Thank you.

I love Bill's Mobb here so much. It's my first game. And birthday. Hell yeah. We're with the NFL. Talk to me free. It's my first game too. Wait for the NFL?

Yeah, we're NFL. We do a lot. We're going to run out some videos. Yeah, what's your name? Raleas. Raleas. Nice to meet you. My first game, too.

It's not my birthday. but happy birthday. It's good energy around here. Completely positive, good energy around here. You can't go wrong with it at all. Buffalo is cold out here, but I will tell you the energy here is up. Yes, let's go.

I don't want to put you on the spot, but I have to meet the Sister Showdown. We're with the NFL network and we're doing tailgate social media stuff. And I don't know there's any people I need to talk to more than you two. When we found out that we were going to be playing each other, I was like,

oh, we're going to go to that game. Like, hands down, we're going to be here. So I guess, like, when the season, when they released the schedule, and I was like, oh, it's not going to be on her wedding weekend. Oh, yes. So yes. So we literally have been planning this for, yeah. Once we realized because we're like, this is like once in a lifetime.

Walk me through. You're obviously a culinary genius here. Walk me through your setup. Sure. We got, these are bedpan buffalo balls. They just got started. So we got a little cooking to do. It's a nice hot, spicy meatball, a little sweetness.

We serve it in a bedpan. What is that, a nine iron? Oh, yeah. If you don't have a nine iron, like, what are you doing? This gets you out of every solution. Chicken wings in our Army helmet and a bucket here. We got a nice charcoal going here. It takes us about 15 minutes.

It's going through a little Franks hot sauce with butter. We got hot wings going. I'll be ready in about five minutes. If you want one. Oh, cheers. I like the ranch set up here. Blue cheese, sorry. Sorry, punch me.

Oh, my God. I actually love blue cheese. I don't know why I say that. I know. I'm going to stick my hand in the friar and burn my hand off. I deserve it. And this isn't the best, but it's Ken's. Rudy's is probably the best blue cheese you can buy in Buffalo.

It's outstanding. I like the tray. The tray here. It's like, you know, it's nicely served on a little paint tray. Love it. You get all the drippings going. We're good here, yes. My God, Pinto, no ketchup and mustard today.

You know your. too wild when they tell you you can't even bring ketchup and mustard to your tailgates. I love Bill's Mafia. We've been here 10 minutes, and I love everything that's happening. I've always wanted to be a part of Bill's Mafia. All right. And we kept asking for tips, and your name came up 99 times out of 100. So we've literally been walking around looking for you.

All right. Now tell me what, hey, how did you become this celebrity in itself? Well, I was just a young guy, and I was doing dumb and stupid things 40 years ago. Like people do. Like people do. And now I'm an old dude, and I'm still doing dumb and stupid. things. So I always tell young kids, start doing something dumb, start doing it stupid, doing dumb, stupid, and just keep going and 40 years from now you'll be famous too.

Winter keeps you cooped up in your house, right? And so you really have nothing to do. We're not like from LA where we can go out and lounge around, go out to the beach and stuff like that. So we only had three stations back in the day too. So the TV dictated your life. So, you know, sports became a big part of our entertainment package because we couldn't go outside and do anything. And, you know, it was winter. So, you know, for a Bill's game right here, again, blue collar, you know, people come out here and, you know, blue collar people are good beer drinking and hardworking people. And, you know, a football game is only three hours. So the Bill's Mafia, we come out here and we try to make a three-hour event, an entire day event.

So we're here four, five, six hours before the game, three, four hours after the game, a three-hour game. It's an entire day event. So that would be great to see everyone who sent me covered ketchup with mustard, but no, they talk to me in the cats. selling it tonight. Love it. Well, we're going to have to go back to Kentucky tomorrow, but I'm going to let you know. My heart is in Buffalo after being everybody. It didn't actually answer the question you ask. Oh, yes, true. Oh, yeah. How did it get started? It could start it because at my tailgate party 40 years ago, it didn't look like it does today, but we were always up to shenanigans. One of the shenanigans is

holding my arm out like that and having somebody try to bounce it and ricochet it off the burger without getting anything on the burger and nothing on me. Then it started to be coming about heightened distance. How high can we shoot it and have Kenny get under there? and 35 years of evolution and this is what you see. So overall verdict, tailgating scene at Buffalo Bills versus let's say tailgating scenes at the SEC.

I have never experienced tailgating like this. Lambo's close, as you said, because it's similar. You think this is better than like, say, Ole Miss or Alabama or Georgia? I don't think anyone can even be in the same conversation. Really?

I'm being dead serious. Okay. And I love the Grove. I love the SEC. But you know down there, they get in their own tailgate. They're not inviting you in. That's true. Everyone you walk by is like, hey, get over here.

Do the chugsky. I did a chugsky. What's a chugsky? How long would you say the thing there was? I got two by four or something like that. But it probably had nine people lined up and we all have to drink and we lift it. But I was just walking by like come to chugsy. It is.

Like the SEC, a tailgate is more of like a regal experience. You know, it's more you're with your people. It's social. This is more like communal party. I would agree. It's a different kind of experience. And because we're doing videos, I mean,

I would just roll up in people's conversations, their circles, their fire pits, and they loved it. If I were to do that in Oxford, it would be like, get out of here, you heathen,

look at us from 10 feet away. Respectfully to them. Please give us some space. You can't just walk into someone's tailgate and start eating, but here you can. Yeah. So I also liked covering my first game

as a part of the N. NFL. They gave us a different level of respect. You think so? Oh, for sure. For sure. I mean, like, you know, I mean, they got status on the front row, right? When we walked in, you know, they have facial scan technology. And so, like, there was my picture. People are like, welcome, sir. And I wanted to be like, look, you, you don't work for me. I mean, I may be in the NFL, but like, I'm not, I'm not your boss. But that was an interesting to not have to explain to people. who are you? They just sort of were excited. Some nice spreads in the press box, too. Oh, good. Two meals. Two meals.

Breakfast and lunch. It's next level. And I think if we'd stayed even longer in work, there might be a third option. We just didn't stick around longer. There might be dinner happy right now. They emailed us a menu last night. Who does that? Yeah.

And then good food, too, right? Like the really good wings, they had M&Ms, which I know doesn't sound like a lot. But if you just have a bowl of M&Ms, you know how happy they? that makes sure. We're easy to police here. Very easy police. So let's talk about the game and the field. I mean, great football game. Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield put on a show. The bills win. Josh Allen has six touchdowns. What was your statistic about Otto Graham? You said something about Otto Graham? Josh Allen has two games in which he scored six touchdowns, rushing three and passing three. He has two. The only other person in NFL history was Otto Graham in 1954 in a championship

game. He's my second favorite name of an NFL quarterback of all time. The first is, of course, Y. I diddle. And you, uh, you auto Graham is second. So I mean, when you're, when you're in auto Graham company, Drew, that's a pretty big deal. It is a big deal. And Alan had those two first half interceptions where you're wondering, uh, do you have it today against Baker Mayfield? But then I mean, he kicked another gear. The bill said free turnovers and still scored 44 points. And he didn't, you're right. Josh Allen didn't look great at the, at the beginning. He missed some, I thought, very easy throws. He had a guy who was a short pass, but he had open space and he just overthrew him.

That was completely overthrew him. That would have, it was, you know, and then there was a two-point conversion where he just missed the guy, but still overall, great game. And then I have to say when we were in the locker room afterwards, okay, we'll get back to you. Let's just talk for saying back going to the locker room after a game. How nice the Bucks reporters are. Like, I'm not used to going into a locker room after the game.

Okay, because we don't do that in college. There's a lot of nudity. Not us, them. Yeah, I mean, they asked me to put my clothes back on, but for everyone else, there's a lot of nudity. So you just walk in, and the guys are like all showering, and they're just in towels. I felt overdressed. It's just, it's odd to interview a person just sitting there in a towel. Well, you're invading their space.

right well yeah but I'm also like I'll wait for you to put on underwear don't you find that sort of odd am I the only one that thought that was weird or do you all interview people in their underwear all the I'm sure the NFL and the regular reporters are used to it but every person we're like we'll give you a few minutes to get ready one of was he was like no I'm good let's go turn the camera on you're like I said it want us to film you I did for a moment to try to get comfortable I tried to go get a towel and just join the rest of them. But they would let me do that. So, and I guess the way they do it in the NFL is the coach and the quarterback, they go

and do their own interview. And then everybody else, it's a free for them. I didn't know that. So then I look in the locker room and all the players are being talked to and Josh Allen's by himself. And I was like, you think people don't see? Are they just already tired of Josh Allen? They don't want to talk to Josh Allen?

And you looked at lonely. And he looked, he was on, he was just on his phone. I was like, well, I'll say hi to Josh Allen. His wife was really good at Senators. So I walk over and I'm like, hey, Josh. He was like, hey. I don't know if he was that excited, but he said, hey. And I said, can I ask a question?

And he said, I've already done. So I felt bad. But it was weird. Like that's a huge star. Right? How many bigger stars have you seen in your role of media than him? in an interview situation. Not any, if any.

I mean, the UK, we get to win there in college and they get big. But they weren't John Wall and Anthony Davis. They were just kids. So I interviewed Drake. We don't have to talk about that now. It was different when I did it.

But besides that, that might have been one of the biggest. Especially after the game he had. Except we're not new to interviews and media stuff. But I was kind of wide-eyed, not just the locker room, but I'm like, I am in Highmark Stadium in an area where most people don't get together. You didn't say High Mark Stadium. Did you know the name was Highmark Stadium? This is in my head.

But I'm looking around. I mean, did you know before today it was called Highmark Stadium? Yeah. Oh, I didn't. Okay. Is that a business or is that? I'm not sure on that. Okay.

But I'm just, I'm looking around, not even locker room. I'm just in random tunnels thinking I should, like, why am I allowed here? How did I get here? I'm like pinching myself, seeing Baker Mayfield and his wife, I feel like I should not be in this area. But when you work for the league, you get invited to stuff like that. Yeah, and I'm the same way. I mean, I've been watching the NFL since I was a kid.

So that had to be very cool. And to do it and cover my team as well. Now, they lost. Were you sad about that? I was. I was pinching Mario in the press box after big plays and stuff. I mean, I was into it. I really wanted them to win.

But we couldn't ask for a better game. And the trip's been a lot of fun. So, yeah. So the game itself, big win for Buffalo. all their kind of rivals for the wild card also won. So it was very important that they get the victory, and they did. You know, feel like most of the game, Tampa Bay was out playing Buffalo. And then I just thought Buffalo had a better fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter, they kind of turned it on, and they were able to make plays that Tampa Bay just was not. And Baker, you know, had a chance there at the end. They had a bad turnover. It kind of was the official ending. But once Allen hit that other gear, the bills flipped a switch. which they're in the second half and really turned it on and ran away with it. Yeah, and Todd punted on fourth and help.

What did you think about that? Fourth and two, they're on their own 40. So, you know, I mean, if they don't get it, you're basically giving the bills the ball, but he punts. You didn't like that decision. I didn't. And I was growing him a little bit for chasing points early on, going for two-point conversions.

It kind of killed the momentum. But special teams, I mean, how many times did Buffalo start on the plus side of the 40? I mean, it was the first kickoff. This was a day in general. where the new kickoff rule, you saw how important it was. The bill's got a number of good returns. The Bears probably won their game in part because of a late kickoff return. The new rule in kickoff returns, if you weren't a fan before,

I feel like you would have been after today because this was an example of why they did it. Yeah, you know, we've had this for a couple of years now, but this is my first time going to an NFL game and watching it, and especially where we're sitting behind the bills on those early ones. Like Billy just mentioned, Ray Davis made a beautiful block to open the hole. we kind of really got to see the strategy and the whole field a little better than we normally see it develop. Yeah, yeah, you can see that whole grade. You can watch a return develop.

You can see, I mean, the way the new return works, a runner really only needs to beat one guy. That's always been the case, but then there were backups. In this case, every defender has a blocker. And if they control their blocks, if the runner beats the one guy, he's off to the races. And it really gives guys who are strong return in a real option to affect a game. Yeah. And we mentioned this maybe a week or two ago about one of the teams throwing a couple of linemen out there.

I just like seeing the innovation and people trying things. Somebody's going to find a way to really capitalize on these. And it just neat to see people still getting used to the change, even though it's a couple seasons old. Faye played well. But once again, kind of comfy. Do you believe Billy is a Tampa fan? It feels like these games that are big.

Fourth quarter, they just can't pull them out. Are you worried about that for the rest of the year? Yeah. I mean, they've won a lot of close ones. But in the ones against good teams, I feel like this is a pattern. Yeah, like the Eagles. Yeah, they lost that game. They play, I believe, the Rams coming up.

So that's going to be an important one. And then they only play, like, the NFC South the rest of the way. So can they win the division and make the playoffs? Yes. But you got to get over the hump on those teams. Baker looked healthy, though. And that was a progress. Well, should we talk about how you were scared to talk to Baker?

No, I was waiting to take a picture with Baker. I mean, let's be real scared. And then the security. Baker was standing close to Billy. And Billy was down to, like they just lost. And he was talking to, is that his wife, her girlfriend? Yeah, one of the two. And they were having a conversation and you wanted to talk.

And you seemed like you were going to interrupt them. And we were like, don't do that. Oh, is that what happened? I was the opposite. I was like, go, Billy. Now, I'll go with you. I didn't want you to interrupt them. Because they were having a moment.

And I don't know if they needed you involved in it. Yeah, and I don't think Baker needed me to come up and say, like he just lost. But you wanted to. I did. Do you regret that you did? No. No, I'll catch Baker on a good day.

Do you regret not questioning Todd? You were going to go to Todd Balls and ask him about punting. I wanted you to do that. What were you going to ask Todd Bowles? Let's just act like I'm Todd Bowles. Introduce yourself and give me your question. Hey, Todd. Billy Rutledge, NFL cover zero.

Just curious, you know, what was going through your head on the punt on fourth and two? Did you have confidence in your defense? Now, what was going through through your head is kind of a, passive way to say it. Because he would say punt. Yeah. I mean, so he, he, do you regret it? Yeah.

That's, I noticed a couple other people did things like, do you regret? I think that's more of an NFL aggressive question. Put them on the spot. What's going through your head is kind of like, that's a college question. So he can squirm out of that question. You can go. So let's try this again. Okay.

Oh, the 40. You did a great job. Introducing yourself. Oh, thank you. The Broncos are going to, it looks like they're going to win this game. They're going to get in field goal range. We go ahead. Hey, Todd.

Billy Rutledge, NFL cover zero. Oh, a big fan. Well, I've forgotten my question, Todd. Thank you. See, you guys. You can't have you asking questions in the pros if you're going to get thrown off. Third time. Third time.

I mean, what if he says he's a big fan? Then I, now you're thrown off. I'm going to rub your shoulders. Get you ready. You got this. Let's try one more time. Okay. Hey, Todd.

Billy Rutledge, NFL cover zero. I'm just curious. I'm not familiar. What was the entity again? NFL cover zero. Okay, gosh. Are you one of the hosts? Yes.

It works. Okay, go ahead. Just curious, do you have any regrets on punting on fourth and two late in the fourth quarter? All right. I like that. I like that one. I think if you've done that, it would have been a good question.

But you didn't ask it because you were wanting to meet Baker and that didn't have. No, we went to the Bill's locker room together to get interviews with Ray Davis, Max Harrison, and Dionne Walker, which is more important to the show's success than me asking questions. Well, that's very selfish of you. Yeah. It's very selfish of you. And you're right. You're right.

But it would have been nice to see you in that element. I mean, he probably would have been a little thrown off by the Dick Van Dyke shoes. Well, if Todd started making fun of the shoes, then I would have to join Drew and just join Bill's Mafia at that point. But luckily, that was not the case. All right. So the bills get the win. Overall, grade our first cover zero road trip to Buffalo, what grade would you give it? This isn't just because I'm hearing in the moment.

there's the number or the letter grade I can't get high enough 100 out 100 a plus what do you want for me I had the top of my life I'm not kidding we've had we have a lot of fun in 15 years when you're like hey what's one of the most fun things you've done you're gonna put this up there I'm dead serious Mario even said I've never seen this happy this was an hour into our tailgating I wish I could tellgate with the bills every day and there's still a good chance I don't get in that car and go home tomorrow morning you were you were really happy you had like a little giddy kind of vibe

to you today. I agree with that. I love my job. So this is not a complaint about my job, but we don't tailgate anymore. And that was my thing forever before I got into media. It was like I'm first one there. We did 24-hour tailgates. That's my thing. I don't get to do that anymore. So when they took the leash

off me and let me run around the hammerle, I was just a puppy running around trying to see everything. I wish, we probably did two hours. I wish I could have done 20. You've talked about like abandoning your fandom of the Titans for the bill. Oh, Titans, we're going to have a little talk. I mean, is that, is that like, are you in the moment?

Is this like you went to, you went to the club, you saw a girl dancing, and now you're thinking about leaving your wife? Or is this like, are you really like going to do it? Well, speaking to my wife, she texted me. She's like, do I just need to move up there? Are you really not coming home? But I am torn. I'm very, I'm very loyal. I can't throw the Titans away.

I'll never do that. I'll never do that. But the bills, this isn't a one-off scenario for me. I mean, I have the hat on. That's not just a souvenir. I am now a Bill's fan. I guess I have three teams now. Matt, you got to remember the Titans broke up with Drew.

Do you remember the email? Three weeks ago. I'm the one rebounding. They broke up with them. They did. That's right. Sure, the Titans stink. I mean, we know that.

But they also don't have much of a tailgating experience. So this wasn't only a good football team. I haven't seen an NFL. You got to have like an end. Well, I mean, most NFL teams honestly don't have tailgating experiences like this. I mean, this is NFL tailgating is not, in general, I think, a, great phenomenon and this is this has it so you're i can see why you would like it by the way as we just said that the broncos just made their kick to beat the chiefs 2219 chiefs are now five and

five and officially kind of on playoff you know worry i mean like you know they're they are going to have to win because all their their rivals for playoff seating all one today so uh let's look What they got in Denver? They got Colts next week. Yeah. I mean, they got the Colts? I think it's a must-win game. It is an arrowhead.

Look at the Chief's schedule coming up. They've got Colts, Cowboys, Texans, Chargers, Titans, Broncos, Raiders. Now, they can win all those. I mean, they could easily beat 12 and 5 at the end of that, and then they're fine. But I think they can only afford to slip up maybe one or two of those if they want to get in the playoffs. Four of those are at home, and one of the road games is the Titans. So they least have that in their. favor. But those are also, some of those are teams

competing for playoff spots in the AFC. So yeah, they're backs against the wall right now. Quick note on Drew, we had a phenomenal time during the tailgate. But in the press box, you could tell he just wasn't right. He was a little jittery. He was like, I am not meant to be here. So he left, and then you went up to the top

of the stadium to go hang out with Bill's fans. Another example. I'm just standing there, and I think people saw me lingering and they were like, hey man, we'll scoot over. Do you want to sit down? Who does that? Who wants to be cramped in their own seat? For a stranger, I sat down and talked to them. I actually have to give them a shout out.

They brought their dad because when they were little, he used to bring them. Now they live in different parts of the country, and they brought their grandkids to meet him. And very top row, it's just like a tradition for them. And that's the case for about everyone around there. But Rami, Zaid, and their dad, Kareem. He moved here from Syria and learned football because he was working in Buffalo. And now they have generations of Bill's fans. And I sat with them in the top row for the third quarter and having a blast.

See, think about that. A Syrian immigrant ends up in the top row at Buffalo with Drew Franklin. I, on the other hand, Billy, am a little more boozy than Drew. When I decided to sneak down, I sat on the 50-yard line, and Mario and I stole two people's seats. I think they had left. And then you were like, why is nobody standing? I was very angry at them. I was taunting people.

Granted, I had been in the press box for three and a half quarters, and they were freezing. but I was still talking. Can we talk to the thing about the cold here? Because this isn't even like, this isn't even really Buffalo cold, but it is cold. Because the wind here is no joke. I mean, the whole lake effect or whatever. Like the wind, it's not, I mean, I think it was what, 30 degrees. It's not that it was particularly freezing.

It was just the wind. There's a biting cold here that I think is hard to describe unless you've been here. Yeah, no, Mario here didn't bring a coat, so that was fun walking around tell gates with him. But it will. Like, I was pretty good in cover of my jacket. But if you have any skin exposed, that wins get you. My hands could barely leave my hands out of my pockets. And Bill's fans are acting like, this is a beautiful day.

What are you all talking about? I mean, they had nipples out. I mean, like, they were not worried about the cold. But I can see why when teams come here in January and they look like they're going to cry, I can see why that's the case. and the wind swirls in that stadium. I mean, the kicking today was, I think, affected by it, too. And that's why I think it was a good decision to not build a dome for their new stadium.

See, I don't even know why you would consider it, because this is clearly a huge home field advantage. And they just love it. I mean, we saw a guy on a speedo at the tailgate, right? Yeah, full speedo. I can see it. Hey, he probably had Zubaz ready to cover up. Actually, let me pull this picture. I'm pretty sure it was a Zubaz Speedo.

Yep. Bless it is a speedo. Oh, no, I'm not kidding. Oh, no, sorry. is American flag. I thought it was Zubes. But yeah, full speedo right there. I think guys too old to be doing that. I agree. All right. So let's go over some of the other games today. I mean, the bills were not the only game. Now, granted, we didn't get, I had Red Zone on on my phone in the press box,

but I did not get intimate details of all these games. So this is going to be not the high-level analysis you're used to. I do feel bad. You know, people come to us to really get those next-gen stats and X's and O's. We're not going to be as deep got on that. We're probably not going to have as many today as we normally would. But go through the games. We just mentioned the Chiefs and the Broncos. The Chiefs, Broncos end up winning 2219. Bo Necks gets a late drive to get the victory. By the way, that was a game normally the Chiefs would win. They were up 1916 and had the ball. That's a game they normally win. Instead, they got stopped twice, and then Buffalo came down and kick two field goals. In years past, they win that game. So I do think that's an interesting

thing to watch. All right, what's the first one? Yeah, so the Dolphins beat the commander 16 to 13 in the game in Madrid this morning, 78,000 fans in attendance for that game at Real Madrid Stadium. I mean, I tried to watch it. I did not. Who won? 16, 13, and 02. It was 1313. And then I think I literally just stopped paying attention at the end. So the Dolphins won. Well, right as it was going in OT is as we're starting to ramp up our pregame, so I lost touch in OT. I may have literally not watched the end of the game.

Well, you were very busy during the 9 to 12 hours. Yeah, I was doing radio. So, well, I was also updating that game. I must have just stopped doing it. Well, I was trying to give you an out there. 16, 13, Dolphins won. Mike Me, Daniel, all of a sudden gets hot after you think he's going to get fired. What is that three in a row?

He's won? Yeah, and we saw, they're four and seven. Yeah, they were one in, I think they were one in seven. I think they've won three in a row. There was Stan today selling shirts. I can't even say it on podcast. It was an anti-2-a-shirt. They're just a guy selling two-a-shirts.

In Buffalo, I'm like, they're not even in this continent today. Like, why are we hating on two? No, why would you hate on two? It was very aggressive, by the way. Yeah. Well, I mean, there's probably less we can say about that game. I mean, that's, oh, well, you know. Just get home safely.

What's the first game in Germany? I hope they enjoyed it. Madrid is not in Germany. I keep thinking. That was last week. Madrid is in Spain. It was the first one in Germany. last week. That's how much that's why you do this instead of geography. All right, what's next?

There's another overtime game today. The Panthers beat the Falcons 30 to 27. Carolina is now 6 and 5 in close on the Bucks heels in the NFC South. I cannot believe the Panthers just keep winning. And they lose games they should win. Like they get beat at home by terrible teams. And then they go and win road games. Falcons are, I mean, the Falcons are the least predictable team in sports. Really? I challenge people to know when the Falcons are going to win a game. You have no idea because as soon as you ride them off, then they win. Today, if you want to be taking serious, you got to win this game at home against Spancers, and then they don't.

Today I counted their win. They're up 21-7 early. I was like, man, Falcons are going to run away with this. And the Toulouse an OT like that. And I still don't know if Bryce Young's good. It's a big game. This is third year in the league. But I still don't know if he's good because he did.

He had a great game today. Franchise record, 448 passing out. But do you think he's good? Like, would you certainly say Bryce Young is good? Yes. You would. I think he is. He has passed a threshold.

He's had some games this year, though. He's awful. Yeah. But he's also had some great games. Yeah. He ended last year on a good, like last few games. They're going to have to decide whether they extend him this summer. Would you do it?

Yes. And pay him a lot of money. You'll have to pay him like $25, $30 million. Yeah. And I would keep Canales. I think he's done a good job coming from Tampa to Carolina. It's just, you know, it's such a bad division. got a shot no matter how bad they are.

Okay. Well, six and five, they're, I mean, they're on the playoff bubble right now. So, I mean, they are the most surprising six and five team. I mean, ask the average person, what's the Panthers record? Everybody's going to say three and eight. And they're six and five. Shout out, meow mix. Miao Mix.

Just stay away. Keep doing the work. Keep doing nothing. Go ahead. What's next? Another exciting matchup. The Texans beat the Titans 16 to 13. 16 to 13.

Davis Mills, another winner for the Texans with a backup kicker kicking the game-winning field goal. Titans went on like a 95-yard drive to tie the game late, but I think they... What do you mean? It was a backup kicker. The other kicker get hurt? Fair Baron has been out for like the last two games.

Oh, you're just saying like, big picture backup. It wasn't the game. Correct. Yeah. But the Titans lose again. Davis Mills. I knew we were in trouble when we saw one of Stanford's best I mean, this is arguably, this is one of the three best quarterbacks at the second best quarterback school in history. So, I mean, it was kind of done for you all. At this point, do you want the Titans to win?

No, no, no, I want the number one pick again. I didn't like beating the Cardinals when they've, you know, scored whatever points in the fourth quarter weeks ago. People are starting to have Cam Ward conversations, though. I know it's early. I still don't blame him. They're so bad. I said this about Levis. I'll say this about the next guy.

They're so bad you cannot expect any quarterback. go in there and succeed. But I mean, isn't he... What do people expect? It's the first year and they're awful. Listen to the story that came out this week. It blew my mind.

So Cam Ward, his outlet is always, I'm going to throw it deep. That's what he does. And he asked Brian Callahan to put in fourverts, which is a very basic play in football. Just go deep. Callahan's like, we don't have that.

Like, we don't do that. Cam's were like, we don't have a play where I can just do four verse and throw it deep. Callahan, who, an officer, Offensive coordinator of the Bengals, nope, that's not in the playbook.

Oh. But when you say, let me ask you, when you say people are, who are these people? I like, people always just say people, who?

The people. Like, people that actually watch full Titans games. Who are the, but who are you talking? I'm actually probably the one person on earth

that watches their Titans game outside today. Besides true, who are you hearing having conversations about Campbell? The Titans fan base. So like just looking for reaction online. Like, I don't have a name for you.

No, I don't have, I don't have a celebrity. endorse her either here but like these are like the reddit accounts like these are the you know the team fan pages things like that all right your bears come from behind the viz of the vikings 19 to 17 i say come from behind but the vikings had to go on a drive to take the lead 17 to 16 the bears get a big kick return they kick a field goal to win the game let me tell you why i'm excited about this game bears dominated this game so start with this bears dominated this game from start to fit they were the better

team and they were up 16 to 3. But then in classic Bears fashion, they should have lost it because they give up a touchdown at 1610. Then they come down, Kyra Santos has a field goal that basically puts the game away, misses it. Cairo Santos is a nice man, I'm sure, but like I, now he granted he had four field goals today, but like he's missed so many kicks. But nevertheless, then J.J. McCarthy comes down who had had a horrible game and drives down the field and they score a touchdown, convert two fourth downs.

Mario and I are watching it in the stands with the bills and I'm like, I cannot believe this has happened. But then the new, this is why I'm excited about the bears. That was a game that I've watched them lose a version of that game for 10 years, right? And then they run a 56, they run 56 yard kickback, back to the new rules, how important it is. Caleb makes a couple big throws,

and they end up with field goal, Santos makes the next one and we win 1917. The Bears are 7 and 3. They should be 9 and 1 as crazy as that sounds. I mean, they had this game in week one against Minnesota, the exact same game, except this time they won it after they lost it last year. And that be an NFC coach of the year? Yeah. I mean, that's a big turn around.

That office is fun. I mean, the best teams are, I guess the Seahawks coach would, be a contention as well. It would be us and the Seahawks, but I think you've got to at least consider it, right? And since you brought up the Seahawks, do you think the Vikings are just banging their heads against the wall about their quarterback situation? Well, I mean, it's hard to, you were saying they were having conversations about Cam Ward. I mean, there are cases to be made still for Cam Ward. Hard to make a case to me for J.J. McCarthy right now. And Justin Jefferson, it was visible. He's getting tired of it. He threw his helmet today when he got missed when he was wide open. I mean, J.J. McCarthy's

only good game was week one against the Bears. And then he had the drive today. But if it wasn't for that, I mean, he would have just been an abject failure this year. What could they be with Donald and Jefferson and everything else right now instead of bouncing back between McCarthy and Wins? They're in the hardest division. So you can't take a step back. Well, he had a good game when I called him out on the Liberty Mutual segment.

And then he hasn't since. So maybe I should just give him some more Bolton board material. Well, he's the second year. So they've still got one more. year to make a determination with him. But I do think you have to think about bringing in another guy next year, at least to compete with him in the offseason. Oh, definitely.

Definitely. And you also, you might have to make a pet. I mean, this quarterback draft is not great. You know, I mean, I'm not sure. We thought this was going to be like a transit, you know, huge quarterback year. And now I don't think anybody's sure about any of these guys, right? Any of them. I mean, Nussmeyer guys got bunched.

Oh, if you go back to August and look at the pre-year-old. reviews and the Hizman odds. Those names have disappeared. I mean, Archmanian, your lagways, Nesmire, Cade Clubnick at Clemson. I mean, now the top two guys are Archie Mendoza or whatever. Is that his name? Mendoza at Indiana.

And then, I mean, who's the next one? The kid at Oregon, I guess. It's been full of bust of the ones that they thought were going to take the big jump and be the stars. But none of them. Drew Aller? I mean, like, you know, none of them have succeeded. So if you're a, if you're a team thinking, well,

we were going to take a quarterback in this next draft. I don't know that there's one that you would definitely want. No, not a great quarterback year after they've been blessed here here lately. Now, last few years have been pretty good. All right, what's next? Big wind, though, for the Bears. After losing to the Panthers and the Eagles, the Green Bay Packers finally got on the right side of things. They beat the Giants 27 to 20 to advance to 6, 3, and 1.

This game was close, though. Yeah, Jordan. I mean, James Winston played really well in this game. You got a rushing touchdown, too. Yes, which you picked. I'm going to clap. I mean, this is now twice. that you have made absurd Giants' quarterback rushing touchdown picks, and they've hit.

Yep, just keep tailing the boys cover zero parlay. Or just do single bets, because I don't think the parley's hit, actually. But Jordan Love throws for two touchdowns, and the Packers get a big win over the Giants. Yeah, I mean, Packers had to take care of business. Packers had to win this game, but the Giants kept a close haul. This was just a game that, you know, you had to find a way to get Brian Dayball now gone. It's nice to have James Winston back in your life. That's really the only thing I take from it.

I mean, I saw their star, Scadabu, who's obviously hurt. You know, he's at UFC with Hasabula the last night, or how you pronounce that guy's name? You got James Winston starting for you. The giant season has flipped upside down. I don't think that's a good look for the injury. I mean, I know he's injured, but to go to UFC the night before a game, you like that or no? I mean, I'm not going to make a big fuss about it, but it just shows they had so much

excitement when they switched to dart a month ago. And then now he's out, Scadaw's out, and you have James Winston leading your team. I think sometimes these dudes who, who. play better than their obvious talent, then do things that make you go, okay, that's not why I liked you. Like Diego Pavia going with, you know, $5,000 in ones in Vegas.

And you're like, I thought we liked you because you were the guy, then, you know, I don't know if you want to be doing this. Yeah, he was flying to Miami after Vandy games and coming back. Yeah. And James Giveth, he taketh. I mean, it was an interception in the end zone that was at the end of that Packers game. so you're going to get the full James experience when he starts. Ultimately, this is just a year of your tread and water if you're the night.

But nice win for the Packers. What's next? The Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals, 34 to 12. But the story of the game is Aaron Rogers didn't play in the second half. He had a left wrist injury. Mason Rudolph led them on. Mason played all right there in the second half. The game was close until. Second half and then they kind of pulled away.

And then Mason Rudolph kind of pulled away. I thought you were going to bring up the other. big part of the story. Spitgate. That was the big story. J. Mark Chase. Spitting on Jalen Ramsey. Do we think he spit? I saw these zoomed out version and I couldn't see it, but there's a new, a new film has been released and he very much spit on him. Now, it's not in the face. He spits kind of towards his chest. So there's a Zepruder spit film. There's no arguing the spit on the one I've seen.

I didn't seem the new film. It's not in his face, though. I mean, you shouldn't spit on anyone, but it is towards his chest. So Jamar Chase said I did not spit. It's, he's going to, the tape. He's got a hard time about it. Is spit him in someone. someone the worst thing would you rather be punched or spit on punched punched it's the level of disrespect yeah i'd rather be spit on then what then you get punched no i mean i just i just wipe off my face oh but if you get spit on then you punch and then they punch backs you're getting punched regardless if you get spit on i feel like you have to punch in response yeah i don't punch because i don't break my wrist but i would uh i would yell and bump i don't punch people but if someone spit on me i would i would

Google how to put it? Oh, absolutely. Have you ever thrown a pun? I have. I've been in a few fisticuffs. Have you hurt someone? No, no, no, no. I definitely lost. It was like group efforts where I wasn't the one starting it, but like house parties break into fights and you're in it and I'm like, well, here I am. I'm in the middle of a frat fight. Yeah, I can't eat anybody. I took a nasty sucker punch one time when I wasn't even involved. I was looking straight ahead, minding my own business and I was just out cold. I don't know how people who punch a lot, how they don't break their wrist. I feel like my wrist hurts after a hard golf Like, I can't imagine punching somebody in the face. We're having too much fun to be punching people.

Yeah. If you want to put somebody, come to Buffalo. No, they're not punching people. They're happy. Well, Jailor Ramsey will punch you if you spit on him. He threw a couple of Chase. They should suspend him? Who should get suspended?

Anyone? Well, Jamar should. And it should be the same as the Eagles guy that did it at the beginning of the year. He got a one-game suspension, which they counted as the game that he did it in because he didn't play in it. but nevertheless. And Jamar didn't get kicked out of this one, right? I didn't see that. So he might be out next week.

Flacco played well early, but then I had a couple bad passes that sort of led to the separation in the game. Bengals, it's been a law season. You think Zach Taylor gets fired? It's weird because he just made the Super Bowl like three years ago. And he can pull the Burrough card. But I know we know a lot of Bingles fans.

And they all are unhappy with him. Well, he was, the thing you have to remember about him is people were unhappy with him, and then he went on that Super Bowl rock. But they didn't like him before that, you know. So he had that one year, and I think Bill, I just think Bengals fans just don't trust him. So I think he probably ends up getting fired. I know that Bingles fans wouldn't be upset if he did. Yeah. What's next?

Jacksonville blew a 19-point lead last week against the Houston Texans. This week, they beat the Chargers 35 to 6. Absolute beat down. I saw very little of it because Jacksonville was up huge the whole game. surprising for a Chargers team that had looked good and that you sort of wondered, is this a container? I mean, they just get absolutely destroyed. Jacksonville now has like three really good wins this year, but they also have really bad losses.

So I don't, I mean, maybe that's just what happens with the first year coach. But impressive win today, Josh Allen, like you said, our Josh Allen breaks record. Broke the franchise record for Sacks. Josh Hines Allen, the other Josh Allen. Many people you even know there's a second, Josh Allen. Jacksonville is so, like, not talked about. We in Kentucky know. Do you think the rest of the country knows there's a dominant defender that's also named Josh Allen?

Well, yeah, because he had to change his name so he could get some of that recognition. Did it work? Well, that's a fair argument. I don't know if it did. I mean, I love Josh Shines Allen. I did like the game years ago. Did he intercept him or did he sack him? He either sack Josh Allen or intercepted him.

And that kind of helped our Josh Allen's brand. a little bit. Yeah. You know, it's tough. When you're named somebody famous, you know, I mean, if you're a football player you're named Kenny Loggins, what are you going to do? But they're both football players and kind of close to the same age. Yeah, you don't want to be like a safety name Patrick Mahomes.

It just wouldn't go well. What's next? The Rams went a close one against the Seahawks, 21 to 19. They're now eight and two. And Sean McVeigh, maybe a coach that you could have. of the year in the NFC. But the Rams have four interceptions of Sam Darnold and the Seahawks miss a long field goal at the final play of the game.

Yeah, this was the Sam Darnold come to reality game. He had four interceptions, had a couple really bad throws. Rams are 8 and 2. I mean, the only reason McVeigh is not my coach of the year is because I think he could win it almost every year because I think he's a great coach. I mean, he's going to be one of these guys.

He's our generation, the next generations like Andy Reid, in the sense that I think you're going to put him on a team and they're guaranteed to be a contender every single year. he is the coach. Yeah, and obviously he's very good, but Stafford is also having an insane year. Is he MVP right now? I think he has to be.

He hasn't thrown an interception since like week two. Josh had six touchdowns today. Yeah, but he also had two interceptions. And while I thought he was really good, I mean, his touchdowns were, you know, inside the team. I mean, I'm not downplaying how well he played. But for MVP, I think Matthew Stafford, I would actually put Josh out third behind Daniel Jones as crazy. Oh, that's the craziest thing you've ever said on this show. Why?

Daniel Jones? They're 8 and 2 or whatever. I mean, why wouldn't you pick him? I just think they've got a good roster. It's not Daniel Jones the reason why they did. Tell me the rest of their roster that's so good. No, I would take the bill's offense over the Colts. Yeah.

No, give me some of the other guys that you think are really stacked on that roster. Jonathan Taylor. Okay. Who could be in the MVP conversation over Daniel Jones? That's your worst take you've ever had. Well, go look at the odds. I think he's second in the office. odds right now. You act like I'm the only person that's come up with this. I literally think he's

second in the odds. Well, I'll have to look that up later. You can look at up. I think it's in there. Stafford, though. It's crazy of me to say that. It is. I think he's second in the odds. I'll look at the odds. Do you think I'm making this up? Do you think I'm just out of nowhere just saying that he's not? I think you're a DJ fan. He does. He does benefit from Jonathan Taylor. Fair enough, but I would take him over Al. I'm totally fine saying he's not the MVP. I would vote for I'm even fine with the argument Josh Allen deserves it over here, but you're acting like I'm from the mood with

the fact that I said it when he is second in the odds. You just wait until I get these odds up and you're going to be disappointed. We're going to wait. I would vote Daniel Jones over Josh Allen. I love Jonathan Taylor, but they don't give it to running backs. I think they should, but they don't. Do you have the odds? I only have the top

six right here. Okay, so what second? That's on the list. And he's not there. That's not true. Matthew Stafford, Patrick Mahom, Jonathan Taylor, Josh Allen, Sam Darnold, Justin Herbert. Oh, you know what? I may have gotten Drake May and saying. Oh. No, I mean, I think I had seen Drake May second, and I think I had flipped it to Daner Jones.

I'm not changing my stance, though. Fair enough. You know what? I'm going to do something I rarely do. I'm going to say, Bill, you're right. That was a weird reaction by me because I genuinely was thinking of Drake May. I was arguing like you had said that about Drake May. I will say, though, the odds you just gave.

Throw them a home. They just lost again. 13th on the MVP odds. Jonathan Taylor is the one on the Colts that should be. No, that was a screw up. That was a screw up. All right, that was a screw up. Let's cut that out.

No, you leave that in. Let's cut that little three-minute segment out. Taking crazy pills over here. I genuinely was arguing like it was Drake May. I mean, I know who Daniel Jones and Drake May are. But for some reason in my mind, I thought, well, Daniel Jones, and it's Drake May that's second. You said you were just, you think I'm making this up. I was making it.

Yeah. I'm still standing by Daniel Jones to be in the conversation. They keep winning. I mean, Taylor helps, but he's had a few too many receptions last couple weeks. But the way they started to season was incredible. I do think it's interesting the way that we just decide, you know, like I don't think Bo Nix is good. But you look at Denver's record, it's a great record, and he is the quarterback, and they

were bad before. So we just decide some guys are awesome and some guys we roll our eyes at. It just is what it is. What is Daniel Jones in the comeback player of the year odds? That's got to be worse. I mean, I would think that. I mean, I don't want to say something definitive in case I'm wrong. But I would think he would be first, wouldn't he?

Yeah. Oh, yeah, there might be another. But he's had a bad couple weeks, but I still can't believe how good he's been. I made fun of the Colts so much before the year. and I have just completely shut up the last month. You're taking that section out, are you? No. Okay.

I'm actually going to take it home with me. Daniel Jones is fourth in the comeback? Who's first? McCaffrey, Dack, Aiden Hutchinson. Yeah. Okay. I mean, I like Aiden Hutchinson. That's a good one.

Dack. I'm not giving it to Dack. I mean, I've been really good before. And I'm not, what, McAfree just got hurt. That doesn't make it. I mean, it's not like, Daniel Jones is coming back. from being a giant. Yeah, I don't like that. Look, to me, a comeback player is either, like, you had cancer and you came back. Yeah, or Alex Smith. You weren't good at all. And now you're good.

I mean, to me, McCaffrey is, you just kind of got hurt. But you were awesome before. I'm not surprised you're awesome now. And Dak, I mean, Dak's reasonable because Dak was bad the last year or so. so Daniel Jones was a joke I think Aiden Hutchinson is a better case because Aiden Hutchinson broke his leg or whatever so I can deal with Aiden Hutchins I mean people were ruthless to Daniel Jones when he left the Giants

I don't know Maybe it should just be You used to be bad now you're good Because you don't want it to just be Who's got the biggest Tom Rinaldi story You can't reward somebody for being injury prone And then coming back and actually being good That's true

That's kind of true anyway I can't believe Dax on it And I like Dak. I like that. He's having an awesome year. That doesn't feel like a comeback to me. Me either. All right.

What's next? The 49ers advanced to 7 and 4. Brock Purdy returns from his toe injury and throws for three touchdowns in a sloppy win. Yeah, I don't care. Just to be honest. I'm telling you, the 49ers play the Cardinals so many times. They play each other eight times a year. And I just can't, I just can't get worked up about it.

I just can't. And now that they've gone back and forth with Mac Jones and Brock Purdy, I'm convinced they're the same person. I don't think. I think they are the same person. I think anyone could go to Shanahan and look exactly like Brock Purdy and MacDen. Do you think you could tell the difference between Mac Jones and Brock Purdy if they walked in here? Yeah. Oh, you do, Mr. Van Dyke shoes. You wear these shoes and now you know.

NFL reporter here. I'd hope to know. He did just put us in our place with VPR. Yeah, I got a couple more. The Ravens beat the Browns. 23 to 16. Baltimore's now 5 and 5 on the year. Nice comeback by the Ravens. I mean, they were down 16 to 10, kind of their season on the line and not playing great. And then Lamar kind of gets it going and they end up winning. But that's not the story. The story is Shador Sanders came in and was not,

I mean, he wasn't terrible. Four of 16 with one interception. So that should answer all that. And the Ravens don't have a good defense. Ravens didn't allow a point in the second half. He was four of 16. Yeah. He also got sacked twice for 27 yards. If you were Cleveland, would you have had he missed the backup or would you have tried to have like a Bailey Zappy situation?

Or do you just have to like try it? I think after you picked him, you've at least got to, I mean, what's the point picking it? If you're just never. And they were leading with Dylan Gabriel. I mean, people who wonder, well, how do you play Dylan Gabriel over Shador? or Dilla Gabriel, they were winning when he got, went out. And he's been fine since he's taken over.

He's not blowing by away or anything, but he's also hadn't been terrible. Shador, maybe a little more on the terrible end. Like if he comes back next year and is good, he's a comeback player of here. Yes. Right. Did he do the watch thing today? Well, I did see he had one scramble and throw that was complete, and he was talking trash. And I remember seeing it and thinking, well, he must be going well.

But that might have been the only good play. His QB rating was 13. I don't think that's high. It's tough. They did have the Ravens on the ropes. It would have a horrible loss for the momentum they have. That would have been bad on your ACT, much less a quarterback score. All right, what's next?

Well, we already talked about the Broncos beating the Chiefs, so really the only game is the one upcoming tonight. Yeah. Which is Lions at Eagles. Well, by the time you hear this, you're going to know who won, and we don't. So we can't really say anything about it one way or the other. A good game, though. Yeah, we're going to go home after. this is over and we're going to watch it.

You got to pick? Well, again, I mean, by the time we say it, let's show how wrong we can be. On ESB, I'm going to guarantee you the lines won. I'm going to be adamant they won. And Billy suggests that the Eagles won. I'm going to be very upset. I'm going to pick the lines.

I don't know the score, but I think they went on the road. Well, just so we can say we're right as a podcast, I'll take the Eagles. That way we don't get embarrassed. One of us does it. Before we go, they were just short on TV. Do you like the Ben Johnson Bears postgame speeches? Yeah, they've been pretty good. The one today is really good if you haven't seen it.

It's like two and a half minutes and he does like a little dance at the beginning and the end. Do you like them? Yeah, and I'm jealous that your team is having fun because you all have been pretty bad for a while. And we've now turned it on. Meanwhile, my team, your old coach Matt Nagy's been like named as a contender. I have bears jealousy right now because you all are a fun team with that offense. Let's do a couple of things just to finish that little side notes from today. Number one, many of you may have wondered what happens after a game.

Do people get food? The players. We were in the Bill's locker room. Would you like to know what the Bill's player parting gift is as they leave the locker room before they go home? Yeah. They are allowed to grab one, maybe two. Jersey Mike subs. We saw them sitting there, and as they were walking out, they would go,

turkey ham or roast beef. I was pretty excited. And by the way, all the players, this is the thing. I don't care how much money you make. You get free foods. You take it. All of them took one. Every one of them I saw a take one.

They're excited. They seem very excited. Look, no onion. I got this one. What did you get? I love some Jersey mics. I'll admit as soon as I walked in and saw that, I was pretty excited for the bills. Just another reason that I like the bills.

Second, so Tampa Bay, I think because they don't come to Buffalo a lot, as they were leaving. Their players had a wings bar. A little buffet line. They had a buffet line of various wings, sauces. I noticed ranch was available for them. Oh, wow. Because they're not.

They're Florida men. They may want some ranch. So I don't know if that's going to affect how you pick teams in the future, but Jersey mics for Buffalo when they leave, wings for Tampa Bay. Also learned there's an urgency by some reporters to get to the press conference. Well, I was going to finish with that. Drew got to fight with a while.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, Drew did not do any fighting. So the bills have a higher level of technology than when I'm used to at games. They have facial recognition. But then to get in the locker room area, you have to scan a pass. And Drew, you look like you from Kentucky because you couldn't figure out where to scan it. It was tangled around my neck and it's flimsy paper, so it was folded in that. Drew was like at the grocery store and going, oh, there, and a code.

And he was standing there. and a woman was not having it. I was holding my badge up to the scanner, and she grabbed my arm, move my badge, and put hers, and she said, I am in a hurry, and then shoved me. Mario could not believe it.

Do you have that on film? Do you have the shove? You did get shoved. I'll be honest. If that had been a man, I might have been another reason I could figure out how to punch. She shoved you out of the way.

Really? And I was seriously, I had it up against the thing. It was about to bleep green, and she moved my arm and then move me. She said, I don't have time for your games. What game were you playing? No, no, she said, I don't have time for you all making videos.

I'm like, lady, I am trying to scan in. I don't even have my camera out. What are you talking about? But then Mario to go after her. So then Mario went and found her. That's my job. Come here, Mario. Mario tried to badger her into apologizing.

She didn't need to apologize. That was one of the most aggressive things. Mario went up to this woman. It was like, you know, you really ought to apologize. And she looked at him like, who are you? And she's quick. Like, Mario's like having a job. after her.

But Mario was giving her, I mean, Mario was like, you really should apologize. Well, her reasoning was, but she didn't do it. Her reasoning was worse. She said she had somewhere to be. We were in a single foul line.

Lady, everyone in that line had somewhere to be. She was with Tampa Bay. So what was that say about your team? Do we know that? She had a blue badge on the, it's in Tampa Bay staff. See, allegedly. Like, I'm going to have to see the photo evidence

of that. Well, in the tier of reporters, I know I'm way beneath her because I got moved out of the way so she could get where she had to be. I didn't expect an altercation, and I certainly didn't expect it to be with, when it's a new rivalry, Drew's Bill's Mafia now, Tampa Bay's staff, they don't get along very well. Well, you know, we go to some places and sometimes controversy falls us, and a lot of times we're like, but usually it's me. Seriously, a lot of times we're just doing nothing and it lands in on the laps. I'm just holding my pass up to this scanner and get bulldozed. Well, she was not happy.

Thank you to everybody here in Buffalo. Except her. She's in Tampa. But it was a great experience. Nice to have Tate here from, for those of you in Kentucky. Tate was the guy who held up the sign that said go to Texas when Cal was the coach. So you may remember that. Yeah.

Good see you. We never met before, Tate. Nice to see you. We will see you later this week. This has been NFL cover zero. NFL cover zero with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin is a production of the NFL and IHeart podcast. For more podcasts from IHeart Radio, visit the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. This is an IHeart podcast.

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