PTI - Title-Game Drama, Bills Bedlam, and a Lakers Shockwave

Episode Date: January 23, 2026

Michael Wilbon and Frank Isola discuss the NFC and AFC championship games, the Buffalo Bills and LeBron and the Lakers bombshell. 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 Wilbon. Tony was here Monday through Thursday, but today we have a twist. It's Phil and Frank Friday, folks.

Come on now. You knew I'd be here, big weekend. Championship weekend. We were away for a while. Somebody missed you, apparently. Somebody. A few somebody. Welcome to PTI.

Tony didn't have enough steam to finish when he started, so I am joined by our great friend from the starting lineup on Sirius XM, Mr. Frank Isola. Man, two ovations. That's like one too many ovation for you. Let's begin with the NFC championship game. Rams and Seahawks beat for the third time this season. The first was a narrow win by L.A. in L.A. The second was an overtime squeaker of a win by Seattle in Seattle.

Frank, which of these teams impresses you more ahead of their rubber match, Rams or Hawks? You know, I think about the Rams, and they've just won two road playoff games, which isn't easy to do. They beat your Bears over the weekend and overtime. That's impressive. And you know that they have played now seven. This is going to be their seventh road game in the last nine weeks. So all they do is go on the road. But going to Seattle is a little bit different.

Yeah. I'm not that worried about Matthew Stafford, even though Seattle, has a terrific defense. Sam Donald is going to be the key to this game. In four games against the Rams, with Chris Schuel as defensive coordinator, who's one and three, seven interceptions.

He had four of them in Week 11 when they lost in L.A. He's been sacked 16 times. So for Sam Donald, that's going to be the big question mark. He was terrific against San Francisco. I understand that. But Mike, this is the biggest game of his life. He hasn't played well against the Rams.

Last year in the playoffs, he struggled. I think it's all about Sam Donald. Even with, you know, the 13th man in Seattle and that stadium, I get it. It's going to be about their quarterback this weekend. Yeah, I'm not going to disagree with you, Frank, on any of that, because I know

as a Bears fan, I was hoping that we got to Seattle because you thought that Sam Donald might throw a couple to your guys. So I hear you there. But a couple of things. One, as difficult to Soldier Field, is to play in Seattle, forgive me my hometown people. Seattle.

It's harder. To me, it's there and Lambo are the two hardest places to play in the NFL. And the Rams know this because they play there every year. The other thing is this. The Rams defense has not been great. Not been good at all. I know in the snow and the cold last week, they gave up 17, but they gave up like 460 yards. And so I think that Seattle, even with Charbonnet out, I think that they can muster enough offense as long as dark.

Arnold is not terrible. He can't be terrible. He can't go out there and throw three or four picks. He cannot throw it to the other guy. But if he manages the game well, with that defense, Frank, with that defense Seattle has. And again, the Rams defense has struggled. They struggled against Carolina before they even got to the Bears. So I'm giving an edge to Seattle at home.

Maybe not a big one, but enough of one to advance to the Super Bowl. And you know, in New York, Sam Darnold is obviously a big story. Yeah. Because, you know, he played here in New York, kind of flamed out, spouncing, right? He's been to the Super Bowl. He was a pack-up on that Niners team that went. And you talked about the Rams defense, Mike, 27 or more points in four of their last six games. I'll give you an interesting stat as it relates to kind of Matthew Stafford and Seattle.

There have been six times in the last 50 years where the top passer has gone up against the number one scoring defense. The defense is six and oh. So it's that all that is you win with defense and that usually plays out. Seattle's got it. All right, let's move to the AFC championship game. Yes, the Patriots have a young star in Drake May while the Broncos will be forced to start Jared Stidham. The Broncos, they led the league in sacks. And Mike, you know, you love defense. So which way are you leading? Patriots or Broncos? I love defense. You know what? When I said Seattle and Lambo right there

Denver is a different kind of advantage not that it can't be loud because it can but obviously you're playing at 5,280 you got another set of problems playing at Denver

and you're playing against that defense Denver's right up there so if I did a top five home field advantage the two games hosting this weekend would both be at the top five maybe in the top three but when you don't have your quarterback

It's great to Sean Payton. I understand Sean Payton is doing and has done everything, Frankie seemingly can. He can't play the damn game for him. You know, number seven is not trotting out of the lineup, into the lineup for the Denver Broncos. Number seven of years gone by,

you can look him up all you people who have no memory. So I can't sit them good for him. He's tied with Peyton at the hip. He was the first guy he brought in. He's a capable backup. blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Big, big, big advantage to New England having to play against a backup quarterback who hasn't played in more than two years.

When I say it hasn't thrown a pass, that's meaningful. Two years. The last pass he threw was picked. So no, no, no, I don't see it at all. Yeah. Boys and Girls, Michael Wilbaum was just telling you that John Elway is not walking through that door. Not walking through that door. A couple of things, though, that I'll put in the,

the Broncos favor. By the way, they're 4-0 against New England all time in playoffs. This New England team, 8 and 0 on the road this year. That's impressive. But the thing about this young quarterback, if this had happened in the first quarter of the game, Bo Nix goes down, he's throwing Jared Stiddem, that's tough. Sean Payton, and you can see, listen, he's arrogant, he loves to get into it with the media, but he is a good coach. He's a terrific coach. He's had a week to prepare. They have that defense. They're playing at home, so I don't think it's going to be as the incommission. You're buying in?

See, well, see, you referenced John Elway. Yeah. And let's remember, and we all like Drake May, that's not Tom Brady on the other sideline. No. In two playoff games, the guy's been sacked six times. Yeah. He's been pressured 31 times on 66 dropbacks,

and he's fumbled the ball six times. So if not for Jared Strout, there's a very good chance. Houston would be playing right now in this game. So he still has a lot to do. He's been good in the two. He's won two playoff games, Mike. That's great, but there are still some issues there as well.

You're mentioning Elway. That ain't Tom Brady yet, under Senate. No, not yet. Now, Elway versus Brady, we would settle for that. That would be pretty good. Sorry, youngins. Let's move to the Ravens hiring of Jesse Mentor as their new head coach. Mentor was most recently the defensive coordinator for the Chargers,

but he also served as an assistant for the Ravens for four seasons. Owner Steve Boshadhi said of the 42-year-old, quote, He clearly understands the values, high expectations, and history of the Ravens. He's also a leader who will authentically connect with our players and inspire them to championship levels. Close quote. Bashadi seems persuaded that the Ravens have got a gym, Frank. Are you? I want to know if you think authentically connect is a little dig at the last coach.

I tend to think it's not because Minter worked for both Jim and John Harbaugh, And with the Chargers, you know, last season led the league, you know, 17 points per game, their defense gave up this year, fifth in terms of yards per game, and the Ravens were 24th. And I think the Ravens have always been an organization where they think defense first. So, and he knows that organization. He knows the owner. I think that's a plus. But you're also, if you're going to be a coach, first time coach in this league, you want to go to a team that's got a quarterback. Yeah.

And I understand it's been a down year for Lamar Jackson. There have been some playoff games or hasn't played well. Other games, he's been a little unlucky. Last year against Buffalo, the two-point conversion. That game should have gone into overtime. So I think it's a smart hire from them. They know who they're getting. The coach knows all about the organization from top to bottom.

The key for them is going to – they have to improve the defense. Probably personnel has a lot to do with it. Offensive coordinator. I think that's going to be a big position to fill. Yeah, Frank. Look, I have always been impressed with Steve Bichak. and the way that organization runs, which is what he presides over. The way he stays out of the way until he needs to insert himself.

And obviously, the hiring of a head coach is that. And I believe that Steve believes that. But I ain't buying any of it until I know what Lamar Jackson's situation is. You can be as good as you want. If your quarterback has taken the drop for whatever reasons. And I'm looking at Lamar Jackson, and I started asking the question about week four, How come Lamar Jackson now cannot outrun people with a jersey number that starts with a five? You're not doing it.

Maybe it's injuries. Maybe we get the real Lamar Jackson back. I hope so. I am not ready to wave by by to vintage Lamar Jackson. We should just be, the door should be wide open, but we don't know that. And Jesse Mentor can't determine it and he can't fix it and he can't put it back on track. if it's off track. So there's too much we don't know.

I understand Bashadi feels good about this hire, a guy he already knows, who might connect authentically. All that's great. Lamar Jackson, he's got to be the answer to most of what's going on with the Baltimore Ravens. And I agree with what you're saying about Lamar Jackson.

Let's also remember, on the final week of the season, he put his team in position of field gold, and then he's playing the following week. So even in a poor season, he still put his team in a position to win and make the playoffs. Against a pretty mediocre Pittsburgh team. But I digress. Let's take a break.

Still to come, a new report says Jeannie Bus had problems with LeBron. What's a word for LeBron's reaction? I got a word for that. And what's the best way to describe Joel Embed's performance against the Rockets Sless? That was a pretty interesting ending. It should have been a goal tend on Kevin Durant. Time to fill in some blanks with fill in Frank. What's first?

When LeBron says he doesn't care about the report that Jeannie Buss had problems with him, he sounds blank. He sounds dismissive, Frank, and I would say justifiably dismissive. Because, look, it seems like a well-reported, interesting yarn. If you're curious about the goings-on, you know, backstage of an NBA team, particularly the one that produces the most gossip. but it's just, it doesn't matter. And so LeBron basically stood there at his locker

and answered very, you know, perfunctorily, I don't care. It doesn't matter. And I just found myself nodding. And look, I am a Jeannie Bus fan. So I don't want to have to declare sides here, but I'm a Jeannie Bus fan. But LeBron's right, it doesn't matter.

And so he was dismissive. Am I being too cavalier? Am I being too dismissive? No. I don't think you are. My word is exhausted. And if you go back, about 10 days ago, two weeks ago, his agent Rich Paul is on a podcast with Max Kellerman.

Yeah. And Rich brought up the idea of trading Austin Reed to Jaron Jackson Jr. He just dumped him. He just threw him off the team. So guess who had to address it, Mike? LeBron James. He has to address something that's on another podcast. Now he has to address something that Jeannie Bus allegedly said.

He must be thinking, listen, folks, I'm 41 years old. I'm still trying to compete with these young guys. My son is on the team. I got another son in college. I got my daughter here as well. I mean, why do I have to answer everything? I think that's why he's a little tired of it. But I kept thinking about this.

Whatever Jeannie Bus allegedly or didn't say, I guarantee you something along those lines was said in Cleveland and Miami, and now allegedly it's been said in L.A. And guess what? Yeah. Yeah, but hang on, guess what? They won in all those places.

So LeBron is done right by the Lakers. They've done right by him. They've helped his brand. They drafted his son. I dismissive, exhaust, and I think it all applies. At 41 years old, he doesn't want every day to be the story about him from somebody on the outside. You can tell he's a little tired of. I agree 100% with that.

Let me just push back a little bit. In that very, again, it was a really cool exchange. LeBron was very engaged. He really is in those post-game exchanges. You and I know we've been there for those. And he's like the best person to talk to in those situations. But when LeBron goes to the part which says, I don't care about podcasts.

What? He's got a podcast. His agent has a podcast. Say what? So we're not going fully down that road with LeBron, but I don't blame him. There's no need to care. It just isn't.

What's next? Joel Ambide's performance last night was blank. Wow. It was flashback, Frank. And the part that gets me, you know, there's the points and the rebounds and he had whatever he had, 30-something, something. He played 46 minutes. Listen, if you said to me, tell me whether or not he is capable of playing 40, I'd say no.

Knowing full well, he played 40 once in this recent stretch. 46 for Joel, this is actually encouraging, considering Maxie is third in scoring in the league at 30 points a game. and rookie VJ Edgecombe, I mean, by April, he may be able to put some games up there when you're playing with Maxie and Embed and the cast where you could do something if you're Philly. But I'm going to say flashback, wow, I don't know how sustainable it is, Frank,

but when he plays like that, it reminds you of his MVP season, Mr. M.B. You're 100% right, and that's why my word is timely, because you're talking about the minutes play. That's the most minutes. He's played in a game since December of 2022. So it's been a while, and this recent stretch that he's on,

he's played in 10 of their last 12 games. In eight of them, Mike, he's been over 31 minutes. In two of them, he's gone over 40. So let me give you a little hypothetical here. Because now Tyrese is the guy, and B's not going to play him back to backs. But he's proving now because his minutes have gone up every month, so is his production.

All right, if they get to the playoffs and he's healthy, and Paul George is healthy, And you have Maxie, you have VJ Edgecombe, you have Kelly Uber, who, by the way, has played well when he's been healthy. Yeah. And then you have drumming, Grimes coming off the bench, and you also have the big of the second year-year-per-Becaine. Who wears something called a championship ring. So tell me, would you like, it's hypothetically if they have to cross their fingers in Philly for those guys to be healthy. Do you like their chances in the Eastern Conference?

It depends, Frank, entirely on the matchup. Do I like them against Detroit? No. maybe against the Knicks. It's interesting. And the Knicks have been a team. They've been to be them twice. Yes. Presumably, the Knicks are going to ascend in the absence of Boston and Indiana.

But Boston isn't absent. Boston's still there. So I hear you. And it becomes much more interesting. Look, it's a much more interesting conference and league. If Joelle Embed is healthy and playing 35 minutes a game, much less for you. And what he's not going to do, Mike, the whole back to it's over. back to back. He won't have them. They won't be scheduled.

You're not going to see him. That's right. That's right. That's it. I think we can all agree, Frank just got spank. Take one last break. Coming up, the college football playoff committee decides how many teams will get spots next season. And Giants quarterback Jackson Dart makes a bold prediction. I'm about to get tired of Jackson Dart. Time to get happy people. Happy 58th.

birthday Peter Cordo. Carta had notable success as a tennis player, winning the 1998 Australian Open and making the final of the 92 French Open. He also achieved the level of notoriety due to testing positive for a steroid that he's maintained he didn't knowingly ingest. But if you're familiar with the quarter name these days, it's got to be due to the sporting success of his three children. Son Sebastian has won two titles on the ATP tour.

daughter Jessica has won six LPGA titles and of course daughter Nelly has won 15 tournaments on the LPGA tour including two majors and his rank number two in the world today Frank he was a pretty good tennis player why do you think so many of these guys it seems like and ladies they they kind of persuade their kids to go into golf why is that they're around these they're around it every day right yeah I love watching something like passion. Watching the quarter winning play on tour. Happy anniversary to the Buffalo Bills on this day 32 years ago. The bills just crushed the Chiefs in the AFC championship game to make it to their

fourth straight Super Bowl. Nor the team has ever made it to four straight Super Bowls, not even the Patriots. Of course, the bills famously lost them all. In this particular year, they go on the fall to Troy Aikman and the Cowboys for the second time in a row. head coach and my fellow Chicagoan, Marv Levy recently celebrated his 100th birthday. The franchise hopes a new head coach can restore and even exceed the success that Levy brought. Today, Buffalo interviewed Philip Rivers for that job, Frank. That's an interesting candidate. Getting back to that AFC championship game, I was actually there.

That was the game where Montana got hurt. So he was the quarterback for Kansas City. the running back was Marcus Allen. A little weird seeing them in those years. There's some stars in both those title games. I think I was at Dallas, San Francisco. Happy trails for now to an expanded college football playoff. The CFP Management Committee announced this morning

the playoff will remain a 12-team affair for the 2026 season. There have been such internal debate about expanding to 16 or even 24 teams, certainly enough, but the Big Ten in SEC reportedly could not agree what is shocked. There will be changes to the composition of the field, though. Power four conference winners will now get the automatic bids. The highest ranked group of six champ gets in, and so does Notre Dame. If it finishes in the selection committee's top 12, God spare me. If those rules were in place this year, five lost Duke would have been in the field, Frank.

12, 16, 24, there's going to be fighting. My only thing would be Indiana played 16 games this year. So now what are they going to play? You could have a team to play 17 games? Or 18? You're going to 24? Seriously? I do think with 16, though, I think these top-seated teams, they want to play a game at home.

Think about what that does for the economy. You get another home game. I don't have a problem with 16, but that's a lot of games. It should be 8. teams. That'll be the final word for now. There'll be a lot of fighting. Here. One correction. The Broncos are 4 and O all time against the Patriots in Denver. We're running out of show. Let's get to the big finish. Fernando Mendoza has officially declared for the draft. Do you like his NFL prospects? I like his arm. I like

his savvy. I like his brains. But what else was he going to do, Mike? He did everything in college. Heisman Trophy, National Championship, and his MVP did the right thing. Jonathan Cominga, Left last night's warriors lost to the Mavs after twisting his left ankle and hyper-extending his left knee. Is that a cause for concern? Yes, it is. When you've got a guy you don't know if you're trying to trade him or not. It should be trading them. Trinity Robin has signed a three-year deal with the Washington Spirit worth up to $6 million total significant.

That's good for the league here. A lot of rumors about her going over to Europe to play. Giants quarterback Jackson Dart said he expects to do, quote, a whole lot of winning under John Harbaugh. your thoughts let's not get carried away last one women's college hoops number 16 Oklahoma beat number two South Carolina in OT you've got to be surprised yeah they beat him by 12 how about a Leah Chavez which he did in overtime really impressive right at time thanks for watching I'm frank I saw I'm Mike will be will bond have a great weekend knuckle hands down on my name your sports center