PTI - NFL Sunday matchups! Who are you taking?

Episode Date: September 26, 2025

 Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon discuss the latest NFL matchups for this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey, sports fans, the ESPN app has all of ESPN all in one place. The ESPN app is your home to thousands of live events, ESPN shows, and originals across every ESPN network and service. And now you can check if you already have ESPN Unlimited as part of your TV package for no additional calls. Visit activate.esPN.com to learn how to access your account or sign up, then start streaming in the ESPN app. It's all of ESPN all in one place. Sign up or activate now. Pardon the interruption, but I'm Mike Wilvon on assignment in Chicago. I'm Tony Kornhizer. Does the assignment involve Richard Dent, Otis Wilson, and a steakhouse for any chance?

Yeah, Chicago cut. You left out Tommy Waddle, but Waddle just became a grandpa, and so he may not get a permission slip sign. So it may just be, you know, the great defensive players in me. Maybe. I'm a fan of Waddle. As you know. I know you are.

I'm a fan of Waddle. I saw him, I've been with him, talked to him a bunch of times. Welcome to PTI, boys and girls. In today's episode, the Seahawks topped the Cardinals, the Ravens face the Chiefs, and a big weekend in college football. But we begin today with baseball as we enter the regular season's final weekend. Last night, the Tigers finally got a win beating Cleveland 4 to 2 to jump back into a tie atop the American League Central.

The Mets beat your Cubs 8 to 5 to still cling to their one-game lead over Cincinnati for the last National League wild card. Dodgers, clinched the NL West for the 12th time in the last 13 seasons by beating Arizona 8-0. Wilbon, what are you most interested in seeing on baseball's final weekend? Okay, Tony, I may surprise you. I'm still interested in Detroit, Cleveland. I'm glad Detroit won last night. I think the final was 4-2, a couple of home runs early, got them off to a good start.

I want to see how that has resolved, Detroit, Cleveland. But I don't care about the wild card races. It's just me. I don't, but there's something else I do care about. I care about home runs. I don't think anybody's going to set any more records, although it's not out of possibility. I mean, I want to see Judge.

I want to see Schwerber. I want to see the big dumper, and I want to see Shohei. Did I leave anybody out? I mean, these people are hitting historic levels of home runs. I know Schwerber can probably set the Phillies club record. If he does it, the dumper can go to, if he hits two, I mean, he can get up there and judge and ruthly.

You know, he joined them. I care about all those guys and what they might be able to do with home runs. The wild cards, that's your thing, and I care about Cleveland, Detroit. That's my final weekend. Wait, wait, wait, wait. Did you watch my notes?

Because you just stole everything on this page. Did I? In order? Because I was going to say, and I am going to say, I'm going to start small picture. I'm going to start with Shoahatani, who last night hit number 54. he had 54 last year.

I'm hoping that he hits a couple more and at least ties Schwerber. And I'm hoping he scores six runs and three games, Mike, because that would get him to 150 runs scored this year. And that would be the second time that's been done since 1949, only the second time. And then when people go to vote on the National League, Ted Williams did it, 1949.

Then when, when, when, people vote for NLMVP, I will hear this sentence. Oh, but Schwerber doesn't pitch. And I also want to see the big dumper get two more, not more. I want to see him tie, Aaron, Judge, for that 62 from a couple of years back, not go ahead of it, but I want to see that. I am interested. I am interested in the wild card. I'm interested in the wild card for this reason. Cincinnati plays Milwaukee. Milwaukee has nothing to play for. They won the division. They have the most wins in the National League. I think this favors Cincinnati because Milwaukee just wants to get ready for the playoffs. I think that hurts the Mets. And the Mets have to play in Miami. And Miami wants to

beat the Mets. And they got Sidi Al-Kantara. They put him back one day just so he can face the Mets. On the other side, Detroit has to play the Red Sox. The Red Sox, I don't think of clinched yet. They may have to win one more. One game. Magic Number One. Whereas Cleveland plays Texas, which has lost nine out of ten. And I think that favors Cleveland, but like you, I want to see more home runs. I do. Let me say this real quick before we move on, Tone.

I disagree with you about Milwaukee. You want Cincinnati out. You do not want to have to down the line, even potentially, play a team in your division in the playoffs, even though you were the superior team. You want to kill, you want to kill Cincinnati's chances. We'll see. I remember the Bears had a chance to eliminate the Packers one year.

They let the Packers live. live and get in as a wild card team and then lost the NFC championship game. You don't want to play a team in your division. If you can avoid it, kill them now. Just saying, let's move to the National Football League, where the Seahawks came away with a win over the Cardinals. Seattle was ahead 20 to 6, midway through the 4th, but Arizona scored two late touchdowns to tie things at 20.

Sam Donald then led the Seahawks in the field goal range to win it in the final 28 seconds. Tone, what does this result say to you about each team? Let me start with Arizona. I've watched Kyler Murray for a number of years now. This is his seventh year with the Cardinals. He's great fun to watch. He's a very exciting player. He has no results.

Here is his record as a starter. 3847 and 1. He's only won nine games once. I was not at all surprised that he lost last night at home because his record at home as a starter is 18. 26 and 1. He's actually better on the road. Let me move to Seattle now. I think Seattle's a pretty good team. I think they have a good defense because when the Baltimore Ravens had a good defense, not this year, Mike McDonnell was their defensive coordinator. And they have added Sam

Donald this year. And Sam Donald was really good in Minnesota and he's good in Seattle. Last night, Mike, Sam Donald, 18 or 26 for 242 yards in a touchdown. That's almost 10 yards per attempt. Donald had a rating of 111. Kyla Murray had a rating of 73.2. Donald's now 17 and 4 in Minnesota and Seattle. And this, Sam Donald and Daniel Jones are exhibits A and B about how terrible it is to be a quarterback at either the Jets or the Giants. It doesn't matter who the coach is. It is a disaster. The Jets and the Giants kill quarterbacks. these teams are okay. They're all right.

They may even be wild card teams. And they may be in the toughest division in football. But they might be the third and fourth best teams in their division because the Niners and Rams in whatever order you want to take them are probably better than each one of them. So let's not get too carried away. I'm not going to pile all that on Kyler Murray. I watch the Cardinals.

I know a little more closely than you do. Those, those that team is his record is his record, Mike. The record is his record. You know, he's not playing defense. He's not out there to stop somebody when the Cardinals defense is awful. And I was glad to see Marvin Harrison, the junior or the third or whatever Marvin Harrison is. I was glad to see him stop dropping passes that turn into interceptions after he's hit in the hands by Kyler Murray. Because that's what he's been doing so far in a year plus.

Last night he had two great catches after he caused an interception. Hit him in the hands. He's been dropping passes. He's not been what they drafted in a fourth position. He has not been Larry Fitzgerald Jr. Okay, he has not been. No, he is not. I don't want to put that all on, I don't want to put that all on Colorado.

I was going to tell you this. These are okay, teacher, okay. Well, his record is, you know, you are what your record says you are, right? The record is not great. That's what Carr says. Okay. Arizona now O and two in division. Teams that start out, O and two in division have only a 9% chance of making the playoffs.

Yeah, they're not. Let's move to college football. The biggest games tomorrow are number four LSU at number three. 13 Ole Miss at 3.30, then head-to-head at 7.30 or number 6, Oregon at number 3, Penn State in a whiteout game, and number 17, Alabama, at number 5, Georgia, between the hedges. All of these teams other than Alabama are unbeaten at the moment. Wilbon, what is the most compelling game of the weekend to you, Mr. Big Ten? This is not close. This is not close to me. Oregon at Penn State. I mean, that's my conference, and I've seen Oregon in person already

this year, and I see Penn State a lot. And Penn State, walks away from these matchups against teams in the top 10, and they lose. They can have a whiteout. They can have a blueout. They can have a luow. They can have anything they want whenever it's big and 107,000 people in that stadium, which causes traffic jams all the way back to Baltimore and Washington until about two in the morning. I know I've been in them.

They lose. So I don't know what to make of them. I'm looking at this thing saying, Penn State, show me. I don't believe you. I know they're well-coached. I know they're perennially a challenger, a contender, but they don't ultimately deliver in games like this,

and Oregon is really potent, really good. That's the matchup I care about. The other two, fine. I believe Alabama is not any good, and they're going to get crushed by Georgia, but I know Bougar McFarland says something different. And the LSU Miss O'M game, wake me, I might get to that.

Well, I expected this because, you know, those are SEC games and you're a Big Ten guys, so I expected this. In any other year, the main attraction would be Alabama and Georgia. In any other year, both of those teams would have walked into this undefeated. And in any year prior to the expansion of the playoffs, you would say that the winner of this game is the team that is going to go to the playoffs. But Alabama lost to Florida State in its opening game. That changes the trajectory of this game. obviously. Every other team we're going to talk about is unbeaten at the moment. And look, I have only one television set, and I know you think that makes me weak, Mike. I understand that,

but I have one television set. So if you tell me that Oregon, Penn State is on at the same time as Alabama, Georgia, this year, I'm going to watch like you, Oregon and Penn State. And I'm going to watch them to see if James Franklin can finally win a big game. Because let's go through those numbers. In the Big Ten, James Franklin against teams ranked in the top ten is four and twenty. Against teams ranked in the top five, he's one in fifteen.

Against the two big boys, Michigan and Ohio State, he's four and seventeen. Look, I get it. Oregon is going three thousand miles and I get it. Franklin is seven and three in whiteouts, but as you say, Oregon's really good. So I don't have a lot of confidence. I don't have

a lot of confidence that Penn State can win this game. Let's take a break. When we return, the Ravens visit the Chiefs on Sunday. Which one and two teams needs this one more? Who should be favored when the unbeaten Colts visit the Rams? Tossup is next. I got a guy who can get you a second TV tonight. Huh?

Later tonight. Can he get me a third eye or a fourth eye? Because I train my two eyes on the one TV set. That's what I like to do. You got at least one eye per TV. Time for toss-up. Two men. one man leaves, finishes the show,

then puts on his red, white, and blue speedo and drives up I-95 to Beth Page Black. What's first? Toss up, who needs a win more on Sunday? The one and two Ravens or the one and two Chiefs? So this is why they call it toss-up, right? This is a hard one. My initial reaction was to say the Ravens needed it more

because the Ravens have been terrible on defense against good teams. They lost to Buffalo and Detroit. they gave up 79 points. That's really a lot of points in two games. And for the first time, Mike, in our memory, their defense was a liability. So I thought it was them. You know, Kansas City, in its losses, to the Chargers and the Eagles, gave up 47, not 79. And I think I could make the case that the Chargers and the Eagles are just a little bit better maybe than the bills in Detroit. But then I looked at the schedule. And Baltimore's upcoming schedule is fairly soft. So maybe they don't. don't need this one. Whereas Kansas City's upcoming schedule in the next six weeks, they get Buffalo, they get Detroit, they get Washington, they get Denver. That's hard. So maybe in fact, the chiefs needed more, because if they lose this, they could end up like three and six. The chiefs need it more, and it's not close. It's not close at all. The chiefs needed more because they plan

a division with the surging San Diego superchargers. They got Denver, which I think is going to correct itself and get moving. And I don't think the Raiders are half bad. I think they're damn well coached, even though I don't want them to be either of those two this Sunday. So, no, the Chiefs are in a situation with three other legit teams in their division. While Baltimore's got Cleveland, I know the defense is really good, but, you know, they can't score.

Cincinnati didn't have his quarterback. and the Steelers, I don't know that I trust the Steelers yet, who have given up a bunch of points every game, even though Mike Tomlin says it's going to be the greatest defense since the Steel Curtin defense. I'm not buying that whole division. So Baltimore's got some time, even if they go one and three. Kansas City does not.

The division's too good. I don't think Kansas City's going to win the division anyway. They need to win now. Yeah, I came around to that line of reasoning as well. What's next? Toss up, which team do you favor on Sunday, the 3-0 Colts or the 2-1 Rams? Okay, it doesn't matter who I favor. It matters who Vegas favors.

Vegas has installed the Rams minus 3 and a half. I think that is a reasonable number. The Indianapolis Colts have been, to me, the biggest surprise of the NFL so far. Daniel Jones is a legitimate MVP candidate so far. But the teams they've beaten, they've beaten Miami, Denver, and Tennessee, and I think Denver is the only good team of that bunch, right? And that was in Indianapolis. Last week, the Rams should have beaten the Eagles on the road.

They lost in the most bizarre circumstance, a blocked field goal and a 60-yard touchdown run by a 336-pound man. I believe they go home now with tremendous motivation to win this game, and I believe the Rams will win this game. I believe the Rams will win too It's gonna be real simple Here's how we used to do this The Rams are a lot better team

Than the Colts Now Daniel Jones There's no denying what Daniel Jones Is done but it is three games He looks terrific Yeah All right but but but and that

That team is probably a little more complete Than we thought there's some weapons he's got And he's getting coached up in a way He clearly did In three games one punt Yeah Yeah Yeah

But one of the ones opponent, Tony, as you mentioned, and I agree with you completely there. Denver. The Rams are a better team. Look, the Rams has had two cracks at the Eagles in the last few months. One of them in the playoffs, they should have won that game. And then last week,

they should have won that game. The Rams are a really good team. They're going to go home and this is a get-back game for them. They need this game. They will get this game at home. I don't care what Vegas thinks, the Rams will win. That's what I think. Had the Rams, had the Rams beaten the Eagles, this could be a trap.

game, but they didn't get the Eagles. That's it. Let's take one last break still to come. Who has the edge between the unbeaten Eagles and Bucks? And a potentially big blow to the

Panthers' chances of a 3-P. You know it's time for the NHL. It's time already. That was the craziest ending I've ever seen. More so than a Hail Mary. More so. More bizarre than a Hail Mary to me.

Happy time, people. Happy 100. birthday Bobby Shance. Wow! 100. History lesson kids, Shantz is only 5, 6, and 139 pounds. But he was a terrific pitcher and fielder. The crafty left, he won the AL MVP in 1952

for the Philadelphia Athletics, going 24 and 7 with a 248 ERA. Chance had 27 complete games and 33 starts. Chance is the oldest living MVP in baseball. He won eight gold gloves and made three All-Star teams. Chance pitched 16 seasons for seven different teams, starting with the A's, then the Yankees, Pirates, Colt 45s in Houston, Cardinals, Cubs, and finally the Phillies. His career record was 119 and 99, and he pitched in the 1957 and 1960 World Series with the Yankees.

Won the ERA title with the Yankees one of those seasons. Tony, five foot six. It seems like every pitcher out there now is required to be the same size as a tight end. like all six four. How big are skeins and miserables? Those guys are six, six, it seems. Huge. Good for chance. Great career. Not in those days. Happy anniversary, Jim Palmer. On this day, 54 years ago, the future first ballot hall of famer won his 20th game of the 1971 season, becoming the fourth starter on that season's Oriole staff to do so. Palmer joined Dave McNally, Mike Quayar, and Pat Dobson to become the first staff since the 1920 White Sox, to produce

two-20-game winners. Those Orioles would lose in the World Series to the Pirates. But Palmer would win three World Series and three Salyungs in Baltimore, where he played all 19 of his Major League seasons. After retiring from baseball, Palmer went into the broadcast booth, where he is the best. He is smart and impossibly handsome.

I used to run into him at Emerald Dunes in Florida. Tony, that's the best four-man rotation ever of all time. I'm going to take exception with you, though, in the booth. And Palmer is a 10, and the booth is. But there was a guy in Baltimore who pitched named Steve Stone, who you know is my favorite in the booth, just about anybody. Sorry, Ron Darling, Steve Stone. Come on now, Stoney.

And you want to sigh young. He was in Chicago. You heard him every day. I understand that. Happy trails. Alexander Barcault. The Panthers captain could miss the entire regular. season after injuring his right knee at practice yesterday.

Barkoff had 20 goals and 51 assists in 67 games in Florida, the last regular season, then added six goals and 16 assists in the playoffs. He also won his third Selkie trophy as the league's best defensive forward. This could really hurt the Panthers' quest for a three-peat. Matthew Kachuk is also out indefinitely. Ooh. Well, those are two guys you can't do without. And seeing Barkoff carried off like that.

And we haven't even had the season opener yet. That's not a good look. It's awful to see that. I had no idea hockey was around the corner. I really didn't. Ready to go. Buck drops, baby. Let's go.

Yeah. And a bonus, happy trails to Bob Carpenter. The Nationals Play-by-Playman will call his final game Sunday after 20 years with the team and 42 years broadcasting for five teams. Nat's fans, I among them, might remember Carpenter's voice, narrating a number of memorable performances like Stephen Straussford's debut and Max Schultz Jersey's 20 strikeout game. In a nod to his signature home run call, Bob, see you later.

Wilbon, let's go to the big finish if we could. Let's do it. Daniels. Terry McCorn, both out for the commander's game against the Falcons. Is that a big deal, isn't it? Tony, those are two big dudes that commanders are going to be missing on the road. Yes, that's a big deal. Sixers have no definitive timelines for Joelle and B and Paul George, my guys,

to return from their injuries. Go ahead, take a shot. Waste of money. It's a waste of money. The 3-0 Eagles at the 3-0 bucks on Sunday. Who you got? Tony, I'm a shock. I'm going to take the bucks

who have like 1-6 or 7 from Philly. I'm going to take the bucks. Oh, and 3 times in 0-3 Texas on Sunday. Who you got? I think I've got Houston. They're supposed to be better, and they're just going the wrong way. But I would not have taken Tampa Bay.

Okay, last one. Aces, Fever and Links Mercury tonight. To whom do you lean? I'm going to take the Aces on the road, and I'm going to take Phoenix at home, I think. I'm going to watch these games, Tony. I mean, Atlanta's the surprise so far. I mean, I'm sorry, the fever, the surprise so far.

Watch both these things. We've got a lot of TVs. I only have one. We're out of time. Trying to do better the next time. I'm Tony Pornhijer. I'm Mike Loban. We're on the Deuce Monday,

Have a great weekend.