Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals - AFC Squad: Cincinnati Bengals Playoff Hopes Not Dead, But Hanging On

Episode Date: November 20, 2024

In this AFC Squad show, the crew discusses the Buffalo Bills slaying the dragon that is the Kansas City Chiefs undefeated streak, the Baltimore Ravens falling short, whether or not the New York Jets GM/HC job is desireable, and how the point differential in the AFC explains a lot on how the season has gone. Plus, can teams like the Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers avoid falling into trap games?Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Pre-Alcohol by ZbioticsGo to zbiotics.com/LOCKEDONNFLto learn more and get 15% off your first order when you use LOCKEDONNFL at checkout.BetterHelpThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDON today to get 10% off your first month.Bilt RewardsEarn points now by paying rent right now by when you go to joinbilt.com/lockedonnflHillsdale CollegeAll of Hillsdale’s courses are self-paced so that you can start whenever, and tune in wherever. Plus, you can go deeper with readings, quizzes, discussions - or just enjoy the lectures. Go right now to hillsdale.edu/lockedon to enroll. There’s no cost, and it’s easy to get started.PrizePicksDownload the app and use code lockedonnfl to win $50 instantly when you play $5. You don't even need to win to receive your $50 bonus, it's guaranteed! Prizepicks. Run Your Game.Click Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNFLGametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms Apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.FanDuelYou can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. New customers can place a FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - if you win your first FIVE DOLLAR BET ! Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Buffalo Bills slayed the dragon, but can they do it twice? Welcome in to the AFC squad. You are talking ball with the AFC squad. From the chiefs to the bills, the Ravens to the Texans and everyone else around the AFC, it's the local experts of the locked on podcast network, bringing you scoops, breakdowns, and the most comprehensive preview of the upcoming weekend for hard-hitting AFC football with our harder hitting takes. Buckle up, it's the AFC squad, and we have...

have a seat for you. No hurt feelings allowed. Squad up. You're part of the AFC squad. What's up, everyone? Welcome into the AFC squad. Grab your favorite beverage or snack and sit back. Relax. We break down the AFC on a weekly basis. Week 12 of the NFL seasons here. We're going to recap a little bit of week 11. There's a lot to break down here. I'm Cody Rourke. host of Lockdown Broncos joined us with some new faces here this week. We got Zach Hicks, one of the host over there, Locked on Colts. We got Mike debate as always representing for the Locked on Patriots podcast, Kevin Ostriker of Locked on Ravens, and a first time appearance from Lockedon Jets host, John Butchco, a lot seemingly going on there in New York.

We'll get to that here, obviously on today's AFC squad, which is brought to our friends over there at Price Picks. Go to PricePix.com slash Lockedon NFL. Use code, all overcase, locked on NFL to win $50 instantly when you play $5. Let's obviously get the elephant out of the room here as we focus on the grand scheme of the And once again, reminder, folks, if your favorite team isn't talked about as much or you don't like what we have to say, complain to your host show. We always try to get everybody on here. We can fit up to 10 people in here. I'm going to bang that drum every single week here.

But the Kansas City Chiefs on the Featistreek is officially over the Buffalo Bills, winning a little bit of a thriller there late. Josh Allen on fourth and two, take matters into his own hands and punching in for a touchdown. And finally, the chiefs, they've fallen. And I think the bigger question we're going to have here, folks, is. is, okay, Joe Marino of lockdown bills said it last week. It doesn't matter about the regular season, about it matters about the postseason, which is true. But somebody had to end the chief streak. And luckily, it was Buffalo.

Let's start things off here with Zach Hicks, a lockdown cold. Zach, your thoughts on obviously Buffalo ending the streak there? How important is it? And do you agree with Joe that really, hey, got to find a way to do it in the postseason? I mean, we've seen Buffalo do this the last couple times they've played in the regular season against the Kansas City Chiefs. I mean, they've typically been the better team. in the regular season matchup with the Chiefs, even when the Chiefs have been playing their best football in the regular season.

So, yeah, I mean, it's a great win. Obviously, you want to celebrate a great regular season win, beating the Kansas City Chiefs back-to-back Super Bowl champs who were undefeated coming into this game. Obviously, it's a great win, but like Joe said, it's about the playoffs. I mean, Josh Allen's been doing this at such a high level for so many years now, where, yeah, it's about the playoffs at this point. So fantastic win for the Buffalo Bills are certainly showing.

knowing that they're one of the best teams in the AFC here and taking down to Kansas City, she's a big part of that. But, yeah, Joe was completely right. It really comes down to the playoffs for this bill's team. And I think everyone in that locker room knows it at this point, too. We got two AFC East representatives here this week. And I feel like it's the first time we've had to happen. Mike DeBate, obviously you guys see the Buffalo Bills twice per week.

You know, did you expect this? I mean, I felt like you mentioned it as well. Like you've been, you've seen a dynasty, you know, covering the Patriots. You've seen what it's like. In Kansas City, obviously, been in that same conversation there. What is it that you saw about Buffalo specifically? It's like, hey, all right, they could be the Kingslayer here. Well, again, I think you put the game in Josh Allen's hands and he prove that he can get the job done and be able to win games when he needs to.

This Buffalo Bill's team will grind you out. And that's exactly what you need to do to slay the giant, like you said. I've watched teams do that to the New England Patriots. You take what they do well and you put it back on them. You put them on their heels early. Everyone figured the New England Patriots were going to. to finish 2007, 19 and 0. They finished 18 and 1 because the New York Giants took what the Patriots were doing

and they put it back in their face and they did not allow them to get up off the mat. That's what you have to do to beat a team like Kansas City. Gudos to the Buffalo Bills. They were able to do it. I know Zach's fan base. My fan base were pretty happy about it because you look at the longest win streaks now. Indianapolis still sitting there at number 23, hit that 23. The Patriots still have the 21 and the 18 game win streaks.

So, yeah, there is a little bit of celebration when it comes to those two fan bases. I know they're still popping champagne down in Miami every time an undefeated team falls. But look, bottom line, Joe is absolutely right. You did it once. Let's see you do it again. And that, again, is going to have to be in the postseason. If they're able to slay the giant this time, there may be no stop in the Buffalo Bills on route to a Super Bowl championship. But right now they're going to enjoy this win, but they've got to move on to the next one very quickly

because now the target is on their backs. They're the ones that brought down Gola. quiet, can they keep that momentum going? We're going to ship gears here to another game in the AFC North. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, as we all know, those matchups, it's a bloodbath. It's fun to watch. It's physical. There's drama.

There's fisticuffs. Kevin Ostriker, Lock on Ravens. Unfortunately, your Ravens fell a little bit short, 18, 16, and can't help but look back and say, like, what's going on with Justin Tucker? It makes one of those field goals. It's a different situation in that game. Yeah, it was brutal. And honestly, it even goes far beyond Justin Tucker, but that's going to be the biggest

storyline because we've seen Justin Tucker, you know, sorry to Zach and Mike be the greatest kicker in NFL history. I know Vinot Terry gets some love too and I'm not trying to discredit that, but obviously to me it's Tucker. But at the end of the day, this has been not even just a one year thing this year. Even last year, he struggled from 50 plus. And we're now seeing that again this year. But he's also missing from inside of 50. And you're right, Cody, it's, you know, six points and a two point loss. And you look back, this makes one of those feel. goals if you want to play that game, then obviously Baltimore wins this one, and the game looks differently. But those AFC North Raven Steelers games are always just the weirdest

games I ever watch. I mean, and this one was honestly the most Ravens Steelers game of all the Ravens Steelers games because you had crazy games defensively for both the Ravens and the Steelers, weird turnovers, including one of the worst throws I've ever seen Russell Wilson make. And I know, Mike, the worst one I've seen was a Super Bowl to give the Patriots a win. it just throws it up right in the Marlon Humphrey's arms. And then Lamar and Justice Hill give it right back on an interception two later. Only two drives to the Ravens in the fourth quarter,

multiple, I'd say boneheaded decisions from John Harbaugh, including not having Derek Henry out there for your two point conversion, which you bring Derek Henry in. And even if you don't play them all these snaps and run them all these carries, in the biggest moments you have to have your stars out there, even if it's just for the fact that he's Derek Henry, and just the gravity,

that he brings to the table because you let the Steelers off the hook. They all followed Lamar Jackson because they knew that's where the ball is probably going to go. The difference in the Bengals game last week was the fact that Henry was on the field. They ran a fake and the entire Bengals defense fell for it. So even if Henry was split out wide, the threat of him being there was huge. So tough game for the Ravens to fall to seven and four. And I have a feeling that maybe next time these two teams meet could be for the AFC North Crown. It's going to be very interesting.

I just saw the hard knocks trailer for the AFC. see north there. That looks like it's going to be a fiery thing. December 3rd for all of you who want to know where that's going to be. John Butchcoe locked on Jets. And obviously the Jets did not win this past weekend, but they're obviously in the headlines quite a bit. The big news is they fire GM Joe Douglas. John, your thought on this and really what direction is, you know, this Jets team is heading now in need of a new GM in need of a new head coach. How desirable of a destination is this New York job going to be? I would say not very desirable. I mean, I was joking on locked on jets that Joe Douglas reminded me a little bit of the episode of Seinfeld with George Costanza where he was avoiding his girlfriend so she wouldn't break up with him.

That's kind of like Joe Douglas has been nowhere to be seen over the last couple of months. Robert Sala gets fired. He's nowhere to be found. He's not speaking to the media. You know, the Jets trade for Devante Adams. Nobody hears from Joe Douglas. It was almost like he was avoiding Woody Johnson so that he wouldn't get fired. This was inevitable.

He was in the final year of his contract. it didn't really seem like he wanted it to come back because the owner's kind of taking control. The owner is the one that dictated the Devante Adams trade. The owner did not really consult with him when they fired the coach. The owner took the lead on ending the Hassan Redick holdout. It wasn't really clear Joe Douglas was in charge of this team. And there are a lot of challenges with this job.

Number one, the cap situation is in a difficult spot because the Jets have borrowed a lot from future resources to try and build this team up as quickly as possible around Aaron Rogers. Jess are also short on draft picks going forward. Again, trades that they made for veteran players. But I think the number one issue is ownership has been very erratic. And I think if you speak with GM candidates, what do they value more than anything? It's ownership stability.

Because if you have a bad cap situation, well, you can fix that. If you lack talent, you can get better talent. I mean, I think anybody who's seeking a GM job understands that you're probably not going into a good situation. The reason the team has a GM opening is that they're not very good. Kansas City's job's not open right now. Baltimore's not jobs not open right now. They're happy with their GM candidates. You can deal with a bad situation. The question is whether ownership will stand aside and let you implement your plan. And this has been an ownership that's been very impulsive and very meddlesome. And I think that that is the big issue the Jets are going to

have going forward. And another issue is that Woody Johnson might be joining the incoming administration, which throws an extra layer of chaos into this because this guy's going to hire you and then you report to somebody else. So you're the guy who you're not even reported to the guy who hired you. Aaron Rogers is who they're going to report to. There we go. Yeah. That's when I heard that the Jets had fired their GM, I jokingly asked, oh, they fired Aaron

Rogers because Aaron Rogers has been behind a lot of the moves also. It's a mess right now. I mean, it's the Jets, it's interesting with the Jets because they always end up in the same place, but they always take a different path to get there. And this has certainly been a very unique path to get to the bottom of the league. Well, we're going to continue our conversation here on today's AFC squad show. We're going to take a look at some point differentials around the entire conference at this point and highlight some of the bigger performances we continue on here today on the

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if you're unsatisfied for any reason, they'll refund your money, no questions asked. Remember to head to Zbiotics.com slash Lockedon NFL and use the code, Locked on NFL at checkout for 15% off. As we continue on today's episode of AFC squad here in the Lockdown podcast, now we're going to take a look at some of the tails of the tape here when you look at the AFC based on point differential. It kind of paints the picture about how the stories are going for everybody around the NFL. We're also going to tie in some other games that we saw there in week 11.

into this as well, some teams that came away with some impressive victories. Obviously, the Miami Dolphins, Tootungo by Lois, since he's returned. The dolphins have been cooking up a little bit as they're trying to climb back into the playoff race there at 4 and 6th. There are a couple games back of Denver who currently has a 7th seed. But the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night football also had an impressive victory over Joe Burrow in the Cincinnati Bengals and a little bit of a shootout in a thrilling game.

And I, no offense, Zach, no offense, John. But I was saying, thank goodness, the NFL flexed out. Colts Jets on Sunday night for that game. Though, even though Colch Jets had some drama up to the final two minutes, I don't know if it would have been that way in prime time there. But gentlemen, your quick thoughts on really those games that we saw there. And then you guys want to touch on, I feel like I can't touch on the Broncos game specifically,

just by myself, I just feel like it just feels wrong to talk about it. But Bo Nix throwing four touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons ending as, you know, if you pay attention to the NFC squad show, obviously Aaron Freeman over there says it is Kirk Vember. I think Kirk Vember is over, Bovember is now here. Broncos, they have their guy quarterback.

That's a fun thing to see. But let's talk about Dolphins, Chargers game. And then obviously we'll take a look at the tail of the tape here through the AFC point differential. Man, I loved what I saw in that Chargers Bengals game. I mean, you thought that, you know, Bengals were done, that this was their year. And the Chargers get out to that huge lead. And, you know, the Cincinnati defense. We talked about that last week on the show.

It's like that Cincinnati defense, Joe Burrough is so good. and Jamar Chase is so good, and they get T. Higgins back, but the defense is just so bad. And the charge to get out to that huge lead. And then Joe Burrow does what Joe Burrow does. He gets the Chase connection going, the Higgins connection going. And then it felt like no one wanted to win the game at the end. It just felt like, no, no, no, no, you take it. No, no, no, you take it.

Like, it felt like no one wanted to win it. And then finally, J.K. Dobman said, all right, fine, you really want us to win this. I'll go and win it for you. and he had that huge touchdown run, and the Bengals couldn't seal the deal at the end. Hell Mary almost worked. It almost did. We've seen it work before this year.

So look, I think that this essentially sinks the Bengals. I know we were kind of talking about, they have to win out if they want to even have a shot at the seven seed. And I don't really think that's going to go and happen. But, man, that Chargers Bengals game was something.

And look, I think the NFL definitely made the right call. And I'm sure they're glad they did with how that game ended up going. Well, you look at the point differential Bengals at plus one, eighth right now on the AFC when you look at it and it has nothing like Joe Burrow, you look at that offense, no complaints. That defense, though, has been so bad.

Even though they got Trey Henderson who leads the NFL right now in Sacks, it's weird to see the Bengals defense, especially a Lou coach team there defensively struggle the way that they are. And they're also dealing with now some injuries that are impacting them. They're not dead just yet, I don't think, but they are on life support and hang it on by a thread. Zach Hicks, let's take it to you as well because the Indianapolis Colts are a team right now they're still in the playoff hunt. There are a lot of questions.

You know, hey, we're benching Anthony Richardson. We're going with Joe Flacco. Two games into it. All right. We're going back to Anthony Richardson. There's been some ups and downs from this Indianapolis team. When you look at their point differential, minus 14, they're ninth right now in the AFC right behind the Bengals.

What is going on with the Colts? A lot of things are going on with Indianapolis Colts. But honestly, it could be a lot worse. I mean, when you look at the hierarchy of the AFC right now, there are essentially six teams for the playoffs that are pretty much locked in. And then you have a group of two to four teams fighting for that final spot. Your Denver Broncos, my Indianapolis Colts. And then you can maybe say the Miami Dolphins and the Cincinnati Bengals can be a little frisky there.

But it really comes down to Colts and Broncos, I think, for that final spot. And they have a big playoff game coming up here in a couple of days. Not this next weekend, but the weekend after, essentially a playoff game for these two teams here. So I do think that the Colts are right in the thick of this thing. I think the Broncos are probably the better team right now, but it really just comes down to what kind of Colts team we're getting. Are we getting the team that just gets their butt kicked on primetime football by the Minnesota Vikings and gets a few lucky plays that makes it closer than what it is?

Or do they get the version that they got on Sunday, which, again, their defense wasn't perfect, but Anthony Richardson looked like a legit NFL quarterback for the first time this entire season. It was such a drastic difference from what we saw. at the early part of the season, he looked calm and confident and collected out there, delivering some really great strikes. And then down eight going to the fourth quarter, it didn't phase him whatsoever. And he was able to get this team in, like, they're still in the playoff hunt because of how

he performed in that fourth quarter. So the Colts are kind of a frisky team right now. I think they'd go either way. I will say one thing of noted, they played, they played, what, six teams with winning records this year, which include the Buffalo Bills. It's going to be the Detroit Lions will be their seventh team, the Houston Texans twice. already. They played a lot of good football teams down the stretch here. It gets

a little bit easier for them. They have the Denver Broncos, they have the Detroit Lions. Then they have winnable games, not saying anything bad here about your team here. Mike, the Patriots are a frisky little team as well, but they have winnable games if you want to be a playoff team this year. So the Colts that they can take care of business, we'll be right

there with the Denver Broncos come playoff time or come, you know, right before playoff time this year. Mike, debate, let's go to your New England Patriots here. I just feel bad. When I watch, I bad for Drake Mayle because I think Drake May when you watch him, you're like, this kid has traits, but they don't have a lot of weapons around him. That to me is a little frustrating thing to see. They're minus 66, a point differential, 12th in the AFC. Your thoughts on them. Yeah, I think right now it is about the supporting cast around Drake. I mean, you look at what he's been able to do with this team and really spread the ball around to multiple receivers. Things Patriots, quarterbacks have not done a great job of since Tom Brady left and went to Tampa Bay. So you're looking now at a quarterback that is capable of finding his receivers. But the problem is, is there few and far between. Jalen Polk has essentially been invisible since being a second round pick this

year. You can only play the rookie card for so long. Eventually, these guys have to start stepping it up. He has yet to do so. DeMario Douglas has been a reliable weapon, but you saw a miscommunication between he and Drake May at the end of the game on Sunday against the Rams led to an interception. in that situation, you want to miss long. You do not want to miss short. And that's what happened here. And I think in a lot of ways, DeMario being the typical all-around field weapon that he is, maybe misread the situation.

And I think Drake misread exactly what he was going to do. That's an amplified mistake, no question about it. But for the Patriots right now, I think the big surprise has been the defense, really, not being able to hold up their end of the bargain. That defensive line has been for us. There have been questionable calls made by. the coaching staff, utilizing someone like a Christian Gonzalez who was a locked down corner to try to shut down half of the field that simply is not really working.

They failed to adjust to either put him on Cooper Cup or Pooka and Akua on Sunday and they paid the price for it. So this team has to come into its own. It's about Drake May. It's about the supporting cast around him. But it's also the decisions that are being made in that in that coach's room that really will shape whether or not this team is able to rise a. above the problems they're having right now, Cody.

John Buchko locked on Jets. We take a look at point differential for New York. Minus 38. They're 10th right now in AFC conference standing in terms of that there. I mean, obviously, we've talked about the offensive inconsistencies with them, but the biggest, I think, surprise is how much the Jets have regressed defensively this year. And look, I've said it as well in terms of covering the Broncos. For the Broncos to get John Franklin Myers for essentially a six-round pick,

I felt like it's been the steel of the offseason in terms of what the value he's bringing and then knowing how everything went out with the whole Hassan Reddick thing. I mean, what's the biggest standout here for the New York Jets in terms of their point differential? I think you hit on it. The Jets made a lot of bad decisions on the defensive line this off season. It's really difficult to understand why they traded John Franklin Myers when they did. They said it was for cap reasons, but this is a team that really has kind of thrown caution to the win with the salary cap the last two years.

They say we're all in and now we're trading John Franklin Myers because we can't get him under the cap. Well, they could have. There were ways to do it. They could have restructured the deal. They could have restructured other guys. He was a really important player for their defense because back seven of the Jets' defense is all based on speed. They go with smaller guys because Robert Salon, when he was the head coach and now Jeff Holbrook, they want guys who can fly to the ball.

And the way their jets were able to get away with that in years past was they had John Franklin Myers, who's about a 290-pound guy playing defense event. So essentially it's it's almost like a classic three forefront. We have three guys who are 290, 300 pounds who can eat up blocks. And the back seven don't really have to shed blocks as much. It made the defense more structurally sound. But they also made some other poor decisions. They let some of their, a couple of the defensive tackles go in free agency.

Lecky Fatu, the defensive tackle they signed from Arizona, has not done a very good job. As a runstopper, Javan Kinlaw has been, I don't know if he's been a disappointment because my expectations weren't super high for him, but they gave him $7 million dollars guaranteed and he's just he's been a liability. Asan Reddick, you know, we could we could spend an entire episode talking about the Jets, you know, trading for a guy who everybody knew wanted a new contract, a guy who was traded because his old team wouldn't give him a new contract and the Jets thought they could get away with not giving him a new contract. And look,

he's had zero impact since he arrived. The other issue though is sauce Gardner has just not having a good season. It's not it's not that he's having a subpar season for Soss Garner. He's he's been an average to below average corner this year. That's one I can't explain, but he's not been good this year. And, you know, when you have this sort of regression from your defensive line and when your top, when your first team all pro corner doesn't play like a first team all pro corner, you're going to have issues. It piles up there.

And obviously, would you look at the rest of the point difference around the AFC? The Buffalo Bills right now leading the pack at 106. A charter's coming at plus 75. Steelers at plus 71. And then obviously Kevin Ostrichers locked on Ravens plus 16. The Broncos, surprisingly, plus 52 at the way their defense is playing. The offense has started to click a little bit as of late. But that sets the table up here for week 12 around the national football league.

Which teams right now in the AFC are heading into a potential trap game? Could the Ravens be in one? We'll debate and discuss here on today's episode of AFC squad. Today's AFC squad show is brought to our friends over there at Hillsdale College. Time is our most precious commodity. So don't waste it scrolling through the same mind-numbing content for hours and hours. How can you spend it more wisely to improve yourself? Well, if you went back in school and you learned about maybe the Constitution, economics, and you need a refresher course. What Hillsdale College is

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lectures so go right now to hillsdale.edu slash locked on to enroll there is no cost and it's easy to get started that's hillsdale.edu slash locked on to register hillsdale. you slash lockdown. We're taking a look around the AFCA what could be some potential trap games around the NFL this week, specifically in the AFC conference. There is one team that is playing an NFC team.

They could be a little bit of a trap alert here. Thanks so much for making all of these shows here in the Lockdown Podcast Network, your first listen of the day every single day. All right, gentlemen, let's go a little rapid fire here. We're going to focus on some games here. We're going to say if it's a trap game or not. First off, starting with the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road,

taking on the Cleveland. And every time, and I have preface this by saying the last couple of weeks, I feel like anytime there's an AFC North matchup, you can kind of throw how one team is doing out the window in terms of record, whether they have a bad one or a good one. They're always just combative physical and it always kind of fit the bill a little bit. The Pittsburgh Steelers, you know, are they on trap or upset alert here potentially against the Cleveland Browns? I just, I personally am going to say, I don't think that they are. I think Cleveland is kind of their toast a little bit considering the things that they've gone through here. James Winston is doing his best there. They've made some changes.

They've got some injuries. They're also dealing with the Pittsburgh Steelers with that defense right now. Kevin, you saw it up close and personal this week. That's going to be a problem for James. I've seen both things up close and personal. I saw the Ravens fall into this Cleveland trap just a couple of weeks ago. So I'm going to say it is because James Winston can wake up and he can throw that ball like the best Tom Brady ever did. or he can throw that ball like Zach Wilson did in New York.

It can be both things. And we don't know what James we get each time. I think that's kind of the allure of James is he can be the best quarterback in the league one week and the worst quarterback in the league the next week. So obviously Pittsburgh's defense is better than Baltimore is. And part of the reason why Cleveland was able to upset Baltimore is because of the fact that they could not stop James. And I feel more confident just with the way Baltimore's defense has played for the majority

of the season that Pittsburgh's can do a better job, but it's tough because you also have a couple of guys on that defensive side of the ball that can make an impact for Cleveland, but they're just so injured right now that if I had to guess, I'd probably give Pittsburgh to win, but I'm not counting Cleveland completely out based off what I saw happen up close and personal a couple weeks ago in Baltimore. You know, another quick one for you here. The network, for some reason, has Baltimore at Los Angeles as a potential trap game this week. I don't know if I personally agree with that, but your quick thoughts on that.

We'll get everybody else to chime in as well. My definition of a trap game is, you know, one team's not very good and the other team is. And you know, these are two really good teams. Yeah, the one good team falls into the trap of not getting up to play the bad team. You're right. These are two good teams. Like, these are the five and succeed in the, in the AFC right now. And I wouldn't classify this as a trap game for either team. I just think it's a really good matchup that deservedly got a prime time spot. And it's just the horrible. We got to get pumped up for the whole.

horrible. It's another one, John versus Jim. That's going to be a, that's a storyline in itself. So I'm not labeling that one is a trap game. Baltimore and Los Angeles are two good teams. You guys are in a Grants? When you guys said Los Angeles, I didn't think Chargers because that wouldn't make sense as a trap game. So yeah, I don't think it's a trap game at all. I mean, Chargers are a good football team. They have resilient football team, good defense. I mean, I know they had some issues this past week on defense. But for the most part, this is a really good game. could go really either way. So yeah, I wouldn't classify as a trap game more of a primetime spot

than to get excited about. All right. Mike debate? Yeah, absolutely. I think anytime you're facing Justin Herbert, I think to call it a trap game is probably a little bit of an insult on that level. And also, you know, the job that the Chargers are going to be able to do. They're coached by Jim Harbaugh now. I mean, this is a team now that does have an identity at the coach's position. We heard Dave Jogamire talk about this a couple of weeks ago right here on the squad, Cody. this is a team now that believes they're going to be in any game that they face. And yeah, Baltimore is a hell of a team. And I still believe they're a lot better than what we've seen at times this year.

And I still believe they're one of the elite teams in this conference. And they will continue to be. But the charges are eager to prove that they belong there and they belong in this playoffs. They belong in this conversation. Yeah, I think this has got a very good game written all over it. I wouldn't consider it a trap. All right. John Boucho, how do you feel about this one?

Because we also have a few other games, too, that we can get to. I just feel like maybe I understand it from the sense, Kevin, of Baltimore's conference record, maybe, right? If they drop it. Yeah. Before, if you lost, it's not pretty. Yeah. Maybe. But, you know, John Bushko, your thoughts here on Baltimore, L.A.

And then we'll obviously get to, I mean, Kansas City, Carolina. Kansas City coming off a loss, Carolina finding a little bit of momentum here and there. I still don't think that one's going to be a trap game. If anything, I think Tennessee at Houston could be a trap game. I think Denver at Vegas could probably be a trap game here. And I think the Colts potentially at the. the lions like the lions are a well-oiled machine, but that could be one that, you know,

people sneak up on your thoughts here, John. Yeah, I mean, Baltimore is 7 and 4. The Chargers are 7 and 3 and they're at home. So the Chargers have the better winning percentage right now, and they're the home team. I don't really see how to be a try. I agree with everybody. That's a really good game.

I actually go back to Cleveland, Pittsburgh, though, because I think there are a couple elements that make that game interesting. I think, first of all, a Thursday night road game. That's always a bit of a tricky spot. That's always kind of an equalizer. I think you have the Steelers coming off a big win, so will there be a letdown? And also that Baltimore team, I think that Baltimore team probably took something out of them. So I think that's really the game I look to more than anything.

I would also agree. I think the game you mentioned between the Colts and the Lions, that's potentially a tricky one for Detroit. I disagree with what everybody said earlier about the Jets and Colts being flexed out of Sunday night. I was disappointed because if I had this out of that game, I wanted America this after supper through that. This is a Colts team that, you know, it's a Colts team that Anthony Richardson, you know, he played well against the Jets.

Now, I mean, part of it was there was going against the Jets, but he's a talented guy. You know, if he can replicate that performance, very, very, very streaky, very up and down. But, you know, if he is the question, was it just against the Jets or did he catch fire? Because if he caught fire, that could be an interesting game. It could be, yeah. Jack, your thoughts on that, since obviously your team, I know you and you and obviously Matt over there locked on lines, my goodness, tongue tied there, are going to do a crossover here this week that's going to release. That's a big game there, essentially. Yeah, I'm excited.

You guys think that could be a trap game for the Lions. This is awesome. Thank you guys. I appreciate it. You never know. Here's my thing. The Texans almost got them. The Colts are a very feisty team.

Like, they, I mean, the Buffalo game, I know is a 10-point decision by the end of it. but the Colts exchanged quite a few punches with Buffalo in that game. And it was pretty close until Joe Flacco forgot what team he played for and just started giving the ball to the Buffalo Bills. I mean, if Flacco just takes a kneel down on each of those interceptions, the Colts are in it at the very end of that game. Even look at the Minnesota game. If Flacco could even throw the ball forward,

that game was going down to the wire as well. So, I mean, the Colts have been competitive with top teams this year. Houston. They've gone down to the wire with Houston this year. I mean, the Colts, every single game except for the Buffalo game's been a one-score game. So I'm not saying they're going to beat the Detroit Lions. Detroit Lions are a well-oiled machine right now on both sides of the ball. And I understand the seven-and-a-half point spread.

Honestly, I totally get it. But the Colts are feisty. I could totally see this being a game where if the Lions aren't at their best, I mean, the Colts could come in here, throw some punches and do some good things. Plus 159 point differential on the Detroit side. We had to switch up to the NFC graphics just for a quick minute. I mean, and really it's not close between them and the egos. Like that is a big drop off.

And then obviously plus 106 Buffalo there. So yeah, that's going to be a very interesting matchup to watch kind of formally. I think that, you know, for me, I'm going to be upfront here. Like Denver Broncos have not beaten the Raiders in Las Vegas since they have moved there. And obviously they were on a losing streak against them prior to Bowenick, snapping out in week five. But obviously with the Raiders playing, you know, having a two and eight record right now, they're in a position now.

they can kind of play spoils for some team's hopes now at the end of the season. Brock Bowers is playing really good football right now. Very curious, though, you know, how the quarterback play is going to differentiate with Gardner, Monshoe. Obviously, the last time faced the Broncos, he ended up getting benched for Aiden O'Connell. Then Aiden O'Connell got injured a couple weeks later. And then there was Desmond Ritter for a little bit. We'll see how that is.

But, you know, for Denver, they're riding the hive coming off of a victory against the Atlanta Falcons, who are going to be a playoff team inside the NFC. They limited one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL in terms of yards and production. they're led by Kirk Cousins. They've got to keep putting the foot on the throat, I think in a situation like that and maybe kind of reclaim it a little bit. Make the AFC West very interesting here once again,

but Denver could. Like I said, I do think the Denver game does fall into a potential trap game qualification here for the AFC here this week. But obviously, gentlemen, thank you so much for rocking with us here, joining and jumping in here on the AFC squad show. We're going to keep rolling it out every single week here

on the lockdown podcast network. Once again, if you want your team to be talking about a little bit more in- depth or you feel like we did them a disservice, voice your displeasure with your host for not showing up and not being here on the show. But with that said, we'll be back next week as well for another AFC Squat Show here on the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day.