OverDrive - Willson on the Eagles benching Barkley, halting his record chase and picks for Week 18

Episode Date: January 2, 2025

TSN NFL Analyst Luke Willson joined OverDrive to discuss the latest around the headlines around the NFL, the Eagles benching Saquon Barkley and the team's direction, the CFL's league views, Hayes and Bro and O'Win Willson's picks for Week 18.

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The smarter way to book travel. If you smell what Owen Wilson is cooking. Girl, you know it's true. Unfortunately, this Milli Vanilli tune, it's not going away. It's not going away anytime soon. Al's brother, that hat looks absolutely phenomenal on you. You too, Partsy. You too. I appreciate that.

I feel great. I haven't slept much in a few days. Jonas, how's it have been great? You being in here with two champions, Al's brother and I, Hazenbro. Champion sandwich. It's just been a phenomenal afternoon. And we got more picks. And we were going to take a ceremonial knee, but that's a loser's move. That's a Nick Sirianni loser's move.

We want double digits. That's what we're pursuing. Dan Campbell. I'm going Dan Campbell. You're going Dan Campbell. We're all in on these picks for Week 18. Here's Luke Wilson, the future commissioner of the Canadian Football League. Have we spun you out of control?

What is going on with you? Okay, where do you want me to start here, boy? Football pick to the CFL. What's going on here? Congratulations. That might be in order right now. I sent you a tweet. I said,

congrats on the President's Trophy. I told Hayes, I remember my first season win. It was a special moment. I get you guys got your first one. I couldn't be more excited for you two. Again, I think for the parity of the league, it was good you guys finally won one. Now we go into the championship, but I would like some clarification, and I think this is fair. The last year, it was a bit gray with, like, the first round, the second round, the Super Bowl. And I don't necessarily think it has to be today, but maybe next week,

Doogie can come on and say, this is what it's going to take to win the Super Bowl this year. That's all I ask for. I appreciate that, and I think that's important. And I want that clarified as well. So, Doogie, you have about a week to figure this out, exactly what the parameters of the playoffs are going to look like. Okay?

And what's at stake. And the playoffs are very important, obviously, and we intend on winning those also. Yes. We'll get more hats. Right? If we've got to get more hats, we'll get more hats. Yeah, jobs not finished.

Jobs not finished. But, yeah, no, it's all good, man. We'll get to some picks in a moment. I do want to pick your brain on a couple of NFL stories. Not finished. Job's not finished. But, yeah, no, it's all good, man. We'll get to some picks in a moment. I do want to pick your brain on a couple of NFL stories. But I did see you tweeting about the CFL. I find that quite intriguing that you see it as a big opportunity, the Canadian Football League, to take advantage of what?

Where the rest of the sports landscape is at right now? Is that where you're kind of driving home? 1000%. Hey, hear me. In the CFL cfl hardos came for me i've been in an absolute war on twitter it's unbelievable yeah we can get to that as well but i sit here and i say you know you look at the current landscape of let's call it youth and pro sports okay basketball especially in the states viewership is extremely down. And I think there's a pretty big reason why. The product is trash.

You know, you get the odd game where it's a good matchup, but basketball, everyone's jacking up threes. I look at hockey, and I don't think I'm in the minority here, guys, and feel free to push back. But there's this world right now where it's like, man, this is the most talented hockey's ever been. And first and foremost, I don't think that exactly equates to a better product. Secondly, I would disagree.

If you look up the 1999 All-Star Game rosters right now, I have a hard time believing you guys are going to sit here and read those rosters and say that team doesn't dominate in the NHL right now. But beyond that, you look at youth sports. You want to play hockey, it costs your arm and your leg. You don't check. There's no fighting. It's unbelievable. It's not the best product we've ever seen on ice, and maybe I should be nailed to the cross for that,

but that's how I feel. Then I turn on the NFL, and this is what I'll say. There's been a couple snooze fests last week. I will agree with that. But you look at the Monday nighter, San Fran versus Detroit. That game was electric. You cannot sit here and sports fans. That was not a fun

game to watch. You look at the Sunday nighter, Washington versus Atlanta. Unbelievable. Unbelievable product. I would go to the Bengals-Francos game and be like, holy smokes. This thing is also incredible to watch. And I sit here and say, why can't the CFL?

Obviously, they're not going to be the NFL, despite what the Hardos believe. It's not the best game of football in North America. It's not the most talented. I'm sorry, CFL Hardos. That's just not the case. But this is an opportunity for the CFL to make a step here. There's a lot of fans out there that still like seeing contact, and you're not going to see that. You're not going to see it in the NHL.

So the CFL, to me, has an opportunity. But I'm learning via Twitter that I think part of the thing that holds the CFL back are these hard-o fans. They want no changes in the game. Games got to adapt, evolve. It's unbelievable. That's where I'm coming with that.

I hear you. I think you're onto something. You tell me, Hayes. No, I think you're onto something. I mean, I would agree with your assessment of hockey and where it's at. I do think it's a slippery slope that we're moving away from a lot of the physicality, a lot of the craziness, a lot of the unpredictability that a lot of Canadians have pushed out of the way for whatever reason without realizing what the endgame is going to look like, where it's more and more about

the skill which of course has a place and should have a place but I think you need to marry the two but I'm fearful that that ship has sailed and I do think that there's an opportunity for a physical sport to remain physical and to remain at least at the forefront and I'm

curious where football is going to go in this country in terms of the Canadian Football League, do they add teams at at least at the forefront. And I'm curious where football is going to go in this country in terms of the Canadian Football League. Do they add teams at some point? The Toronto market is always a conundrum because the NFL is so popular here now. How do you marry those two together? I don't know. It's complicated, but I think you might be on to something. As for the NFL, I'm curious.

You're taking the Saquon Barkley situation where it read to me the way Barkley spoke on it, the fact that he's not going to play this weekend at home against his former team, 100 yards away from Eric Dickerson, 101 yards rushing away from establishing a new record, a revered record in the sport,

and he's not playing in preparation of the playoffs. What do you make of it? Do you like this decision? Can you reason with this decision? I cannot reason with this decision. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it as well, Hayes.

I hate it as well. And I'll tell you this. What's very tough for me from an outsider's perspective is if you listen to Dan Campbell in his speech on the Lions last week in a game that was not meaningful for them as far as the standings go, and then you hear that's the mentality Detroit's got, and they're probably going to have to see Detroit at some point. And you're on the other hand like we're resting players,

like, oh, we were afraid to get hurt that is my first concern where it's like that's not really a huge thing in the NFL and I was watching a thing with Bill Belichick and Harbaugh and they were like you talk about resting players even in the locker room so it's okay you know if you can't rest everybody you don't have enough guys so it's like oh okay it's okay if Lane Johnson goes out there and gets hurt, but it's not if Saquon. You know, and that creates a bit of a weird ordeal. And I'm not, again, it's not obviously apples to apples here.

But then you keep going, and it's like, let's talk about the record itself. I'll be honest and say to you, like, that might be, as a team, the coolest record you can get, you know, as far as that front seven in the sport goes. And I get there's an extra game. We can get into that. But my argument with the extra game would be right now we'll say, oh, he did it in 17 games. You guys tell me Roger Maris beat Babe Ruth's home run record. Do you not have extra games?

30 years later, no one talks about the extra gains. It might be an asterisk now, but it's not always going to be talked about that way. You've got a shot in a past first league right now to basically write the history books as the greatest single season rusher

ever. And you're 101 yards away playing an absolutely very poor defense, who you happen to kind of be a cast away from in the New York Giants. You don't play football thinking you're going to get hurt. This guy's rushed for 2,000 yards this year not getting hurt. I have a hard time sitting here and being like, hey, man, we should play him because we shouldn't play him because he might not get hurt.

And that's the end of my rant. If I'm Saquon, you could tell in the interview. I think he was a little sad about it, man. I would be too. I mean, that's like cream of the crop style records here. This is some garbage thing. Like, oh, it's kind of quirky. This is King Dog.

I cannot believe their entire playing unit is not asking Sirianni to play. I'm talking O-linemen, tight ends, and Saquon being like, we don't want to rest. We want to play. I agree. I hate the idea that he's not playing. I think this is another development in sports. It's a sports science soft.

I'm agreeing with it. You like this idea? I like it. Let me just explain yourself. So let me give you a future headline. Saquon Barkley injured in the first quarter trying to chase a record done for the season. How do you guys feel then? Okay.

I hear you, Jonas. I understand. But can I ask you this? That's a possibility. Of course, any time you play football, it's a possibility. But in the same breath, it's like, you know know as a former guy is sitting out a week and not putting yourself in the normal routine of playing you know and now all of a sudden he goes out there and for whatever reason like hey man i spent a lot of extra time on the couch last

week or i didn't have a game or whatever i got hurt in the first quarter of the next game yeah because i was doing extra lifts or whatever like it's a hard game to quantify because that would be obviously worst-case scenario. And I totally get that. But I still don't think it's that likely. Like, you know, the guy's played 16 games so far, and there's been some of those games where he's touched the ball 25, 30 times and not gotten, quote, unquote, hurt. But if I can eliminate the risk, right?

Like if I can eliminate what's riskier, right, him playing or not playing? You're saying maybe. It's probably him playing. Sure, him not playing, yes. I mean, in sports, what are we, like, if we're doing a headline thing, it's glass half full, glass, you know, half empty. We argued about this last year with Matthews. Game 82.

Yeah, he played Game 82 trying to get 70. Right. And he was fine. Yeah, exactly. And he should have. And he wasn't fine. Well, it didn't work for him in the playoffs. But I think the ideal scenario is he gets the record and then wins the Super Bowl.

Then it's the most magical season you've ever seen. Because if he doesn't win a Super Bowl and they don't win and they hold him out for nothing and they get bounced in round one or two, now all of a sudden it's, well, what did you give up? Why did you give up that record? You gave up a chance at history. That is, yes, an individual record, but it's also a team one, which is what you're saying, Luke.

The offensive line would take a lot of pride in this, and they should. I'll be honest. As a guy who was, especially in my second, third year, pretty heavily involved in our run game with Marshawn, if we were never close to 2,100 yards, but if we were ever close to that record, I would want to play. To say that, like, I was a tight end on that team, and yet Marshawn would

clearly be the main reason. But to say that I had a small part in being the greatest rushing attack of all time, to me, that would be one of the most special things of my career. It would be in my top five. Obviously, Super Bowl is one, but that would be in my top five. Absolutely.

Alright, let's get to some picks here. Owen Wilson on the clock. The Ravens are now 19.5 point favorites. 19.5 against the Browns. You guys are on the clock. What's your play? I mean,

I hate that I'm doing this, and I'm sure you guys will make fun of me. I'm taking the Browns. Yes. And don't get me wrong. You have to. I want to take the Browns.

Correct. But 20 points? I mean, even if it's 20 in the fourth quarter, like, in a game, it doesn't really matter that much for the, you know, if it's 20 in the fourth quarter, Lamar. Ravens, it's over. Yeah, exactly. He's getting pulled from the game.

It's done. If it's 20 in the fourth quarter, Lamar. Ravens, it's over. Yeah, exactly. He's getting pulled from the game. It's done. Like, does DTR come back and snag a whatever? I have to take the 19 points.

It's going to be one of the grossest games of all time. It's a division game, too. It's the Browns' last game of the year. The guys trying to go with a good taste in their mouth. I think you can see them stumbling a bit here because you don't love taking 19 and a half. It's gross. It's gross. I'm taking the Browns.

I think it's the play, though. I mean, it's so many points. Bengals-Steelers, Bengals minus one and a half. Yeah. Tramp, where are you at? I'm kind of surprised that, you know, this is a short line as it's been,

you look at the way that both these two teams have played. It's the other stink, right? They've really showed their true colors the last couple of weeks. They're not a good football team. We've been saying it all year. It's a fraudulent playoff team. Meanwhile,

Joey Burrows out here making a late charge for MVP. If he has any hope in hell of dethroning Josh Allen, who I think deserves it at this point, he's got to win this football game and win it handily. I think for sure I think they're going to win this game, whether the Chiefs do them a solid and beat the Broncos, we'll see. Then Miami's got to lose. Miami's got to lose also against Aaron Rodgers.

It's a gong show. But I think they absolutely take care of business, and they get their victory, certainly, with a one-and-a-half spread. Who day, baby? Yeah, all day. We're on the Bengals. All right. Falcons minus seven-and-a-half.

They have to win this, and the Bucs have to lose at home to New Orleans, which I don't think is going to happen. But Falcons minus seven-and-a-half against the Panthers. Who do you like and why? Ken, I mean, at this point, like you said, it doesn't really matter. But I'm taking the Panthers. It's a division game. You know, I understand it's got blown up by the Bucs,

but Michael Panics right now is not Baker Mayfield. Baker Mayfield is on fire. You know, and you sit here and say, okay, they also don't have Mike Evans. I like Greg London. I really do. But Mike Evans up first ballot Hall of Famer at the Rays going. You look at the Panthers right now. They got a win two weeks ago against the Cardinals.

They played the Eagles tough. They played the Bucs tough December 1st. That one went to overtime. They played the Chiefs tough, and they beat the Giants. Now the outlier in there is the Cowboys loss. But I sit here. it's a division game. This will be, you know, obviously the Panthers' Super Bowl, and I don't think the Falcons think they have much chances here. You know, I think the Bucs, everybody pretty much knows the Bucs

are going to handle their business. Correct. You got a young quarterback in there. I don't think they've fully opened up the playbook for him. Watching last week, I thought he had – Penix had a tremendous fourth quarter with some really great plays. But I think midway through the third, his pass rating was 50. And he looks like he's talented.

I'm not saying he's not going to be a great player in this league, but like any quarterback, it's his third game starting. So, to me, I've got to take the 7.5 here at the Panthers. I think Dave Canales has got that squad at least turned around a bit, and they'll battle this thing and keep it somewhat close. I like that. Well, here's another one. Broncos minus 10.5 at home against the Chiefs.

Denver has to win to get in. The Chiefs, like Mahomes isn't going to play. I can't imagine Chris Jones. He's not going to play. Probably not. He's been banged up. And I don't know if Kelsey's going to play. I can't imagine Chris Jones. He's not going to play. Probably not. He's been banged up. And I don't know if Kelsey's going to play. You've got Carson Wentz.

Divisional game. Andy Reid will be there. It's a big spread, though. I mean, it's a big spread. Double digits is kind of insane. Exactly. You're sitting Mahomes. But this defense is still good enough to limit a rookie quarterback.

And Andy Reid, Steve Spagnuolo against a rookie quarterback. I get they've had a really good offensive line. But I still think they're going to put some pressure on this kid and force him into a mistake or two. They may not win the game and they may end the season 15-2, but 10.5, a double-digit spread, is insane to me. I think you've got to take the points. I think you have to take the points.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Chiefs won this game. I would not be surprised at all if the Broncos puked all over themselves here. I agree. It's unfortunate Doogie's still giving you guys layups, but I sit here and say, I mean, it's unbelievable. I'll tell you what else is unbelievable. Dave Festruck on that little thing you guys put on Twitter. I didn't realize Dave Festruck was one of you guys.

And yet, I can always see it in their eyes. Dave Festruck had that hint of, I hate pro athletes. I could see it in his eyes. He wanted to shed a tear for you guys. You guys didn't warn me that Festruck is the moral enemy to the pro athletes. I've seen many people like this guy before. He's public enemy number one right now. Once I find where my partner is, because he's on the milk carton,

I'm going after Fess Chuck. Let's go back to the Chiefs here for a sec. I also think, I know you're in a lap, but I think the NFL is going to help him out. They want Joe Burrow playing, man. Big time. 100%. Yeah, got to Joe Burrow playing, man. Big time. 100%. Yeah.

Got to have Burrow in the playoffs. Like, Hayes, I sit here and everyone's like, oh, there's not a good chance. Like, yada, yada, yada. If you're Goodell right now, you have the two potential matchup of the two best football players currently on the planet playing Joe Burrow and Josh Allen in the first round of the playoffs. Terrifying for the Bills. I mean, nothing could be more electric than that. That would be amazing. Terrifying for the Bills, agreed.

But as far as the NFL goes, you can't write the script any better. I mean, you want to talk about ratings. Let's say the Bills win that. You're then going to see probably Lamar versus Josh. And then whoever wins that, either Josh or Lamar versus Patty Mahomes. Oh, it's brilliant. I mean, this is – It's brilliant.

It's unbelievable. They're going to get Joe Burrow in. NFL's rigged. All right. Well, quickly here because we've got to be quick. Lions-Vikings. Lions minus two and a half to put a cap on the season. Oh, I'm taking –

Bikes for sure. I'm taking the bikes. Two and a half. Listen, last time these guys played? Oh, I'm taking Bikes for sure. I'm taking the Bikes. Two and a half. Listen, last time these guys played, it came down to a last-second field goal. I think that right now the Vikings are humming. The big matchup here, Hayes, is going to be, believe it or not, for me, it's going to be Vikings run defense versus Lions run game. Vikings run defense, number two yards per game, number two total yards.

They can keep Goff in third and long. I still think Goff slings it, but it's going to be one of those things where now it's going to get two or three stops, and I just can't see the Lions getting that many stops unless they get some bad turnover, some Sam Darnold, kind of like they got from

Brock. I think Addison, Jefferson, and TJ Hawkinson have an absolute day. I agree. So I'm taking the points. Yeah, I think that's the play. I'm with you there. All right, man. Find your partner because it's go time next week.

Playoffs next week. Listen, all I'm saying is this. The playoffs next week is really going to make or break Timo and Wilson heading into next season. A lot of controversy right now. Playoffs are going to be very telling. All right, buddy. We'll get the bot. That's for them to figure out, not us. A lot of controversy right now. Playoffs are going to be very telling. All right, buddy. We'll get the bot.

That's for them to figure out, not us. Good chat with you, buddy. We'll do it again soon. Cheers, guys. There he is, Luke Wilson.