The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz - GBF- Boxing Day Hangover

Episode Date: December 26, 2023

Stugotz and Mikey A are joined by Mike Golic to talk about the games over Christmas weekend, including what is wrong with the Chiefs, how good the Ravens are and what a great story Joe Flacco has been for the Browns. Plus, if the season ended today matchups that have us all excited. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You're listening to Giraffe King's Network. God bless football, Mike. Yay. God bless football, Mike. Go, Nick. God bless football, Stu. Here we go. Thank you, Mike. Brock Purtie. Blah, blah, blah. Come on. Seriously, that's where you're going to go right out of the gate. Yes, I am. Go ahead Mike, give me your thoughts, because that was a great game last night, a great game for the Ravens. I think that boath is well for the dolphins. I'll explain why in a second here.

But let's get your thoughts here on the Ravens beating up the San Francisco 49ers at their place last night. They did. Listen, first and foremost foremost give credit to Baltimore. I mean we talk about complete teams The finally the help they gave Lamar at the wide receiver position and I'll get into Lamar And that defense reminds me kind of like I hate to do this the old school Mean hard-hitting defenses and just aggressiveness That Mike McDonald their decordinator is showing.

It is, it is fun to watch. Now, Brock Purdy, four interceptions, two or tips, and a third, he got his arm hit with me through the ball. So very tough to say, really bad four interceptions on him. The one in the red zone, that Kyle Hamilton got in the end zone, that was a bad one. He got, he got, he got burnt on that. Mike, the other one where he knew he had a free play and still through the ball anyway was a terrible decision by Brock Pertie. Yeah. Yeah. Listen. So the interceptions, like I said, three or the four were not really on him, but his decision-making

for the night. It wasn't one of his better nights. But put, give a lot of credit to Baltimore for that. You know, that Baltimore kind of muted those weapons, that San Francisco that we keep talking about, because kiddler was making catches. I mean, I think he'd let them in receptions. Kiddler and then I yuked in Dibo's Samuel. They were still, I mean, Sam Darnal actually came in and took him right down on a drive to score.

You're like, it was weird because he takes him down and to score it. Look like Purdy was going to go back into game. Right. Get a pinch nerve and went up to Kyle Shanahan and they talked and that was it. Purdy was done for the night. I'm sure it was. We don't want to risk anything further though. You're not going to get much further with a pinch nerve. I had a million of those. But again, when you're a quarterback, it's a different story. So it was, uh, it was better safe than sorry in that situation. Um, my guy, the way I read it was in Kyle Shanahan, spoke to Brock Purtie. Purtie went up to Shanahan said, I'm good to go. Shanahan put the old, uh, you know, the play calling sheet right in front of his face. And no one could read his lips. Right.

And told Purtie, Hey, you know, Sam, just scored a touchdown. You're hurt. I'm going to ride. I would say I'm the rest of the game and see what happens. But I am guaranteeing you, Mikey, I thought I was thinking what I was thinking. Holy shit, Sam Donald's going to come back and win this game. And we're going to have that moment. And we're going to have with Zach Wilson five years from now.

I mean, amazing. We, because we almost got the same moment of, you know, with Ty ride Taylor going in for Tommy DeVito and the DeVito air ending, right? I see the comparison between, you know, that, because we almost got the same moment of, you know, with Tyra Taylor going in for Tommy DeVito, and the Vito era ending, right? I see the comparison between, you know, that, Donald and Purdy. He should have took the $20,000 from the pizza place. I'm telling you. How about it, huh? But, uh, yeah, I mean, listen, that's why they kept saying Donald.

That's, that's why, you know, you're, but listen, it didn't lead to a win, but he's a competent enough quarterback to try and keep your, your team's head above water. But let me tell you, it just the ship started sinking. Allignment after allignment after allignment going down for the 49ers. My God. I mean, all of a sudden, Jadevian clowning looked like the number one pick of the draft again, because he's going against a second and third string. I mean, they of a sudden, Jadevi on clowning looked like the number one pick of the draft again, because he's going against a second and third string.

I mean, they shifted this guy. They had to. They were on their last offensive lineman of the guys that they had nicked up. So they had a switch guys around and it was just feast time for Baltimore. Who, and it's not like they need the help. They came in leading in sacks. So it's not like they don't know how to get the recorder back. So it's just like, it's just like shark circling and a whole bunch of blood in the water

that just keeps getting worse and worse. I just want to clean something up and we'll get to your thoughts here on the March Jackson. Purdy had that interception where two flags were thrown. He knew even if he completed the pass, the play was coming back because it was obvious holding and he still put the ball out there and it got picked off. You need to throw that out of bounds Mike. It was not his best night. I'm not going to write them off, but it was not his best night.

Agreed. It was not his best night. And again, we put some of that on. That was only statistically the best defense in the NFL. He was playing against. So, there's a reason he had an off night. And there's a reason they say defense wins championships. I'm not going to go that far, but defense is a huge obviously part of the game. Defences kind of sort pretty much outplayed offenses this

year. We've talked about it all year. That offense is having looked as good. Defences have looked really good. And the Baltimore Ravens defense is one of them. Now you've Nick get Kyle Hamilton nicked up at the end. Let's hope it's nothing serious. He had an MCL. He had a brace already on the knee. He heard it again. Those things are so painful. The MCL is at the smaller ligament. It hurts really, really bad. So hopefully that won't be a lot of time if any lost there. Because that guy has turned into one of the great Swiss army knives is nice in this league.

No, he can do. Remember when he first came in the league, it was kind of where do we play him? Now it's like, where don't we play him? We play him deeply, we play him linebacker depth. We play him on the line. I mean, he is really developed into one of the better safeties in the league. And that's that's helpful. It's already been a great defense.

Um, Mikey, I put me in the living room as Sam Donald scores that's helpful. It's already been a great defense. Mikey A put me in the living room as Sam Donald scores that touchdown. He's driving again. Did you think we were gonna have a moment Mikey A? Were you furious at Sam Donald last night? No, because I always knew he would succeed as soon as he left the Jets. And then I don't know.

My Abby Abby said that Sam Donald from the Jets. I said, yeah, she goes, he looks like a different person. I go, that's what good coaching in a competent organization looks like, Abby. Now, now again, he was four for five on that touchdown drive. And then he was four for nine, the rest of the way. I know. So, you know, but a lot was thrown on him. He would, that's a tough part to come into the game when you're down like that, and

have to throw yourself back into the game. And you can't use a lot of the offense. So I just say chalk this one up for Baltimore. Injuries, Hertz, San Francisco on the old line, but Baltimore look at and Lamar Jackson, it's always so amazing to see when you're at the top sport. You have the most elite players in that sport in the world. And one guy just looks different still. Yep. Right. And that's Lamar. I mean, his movement, the frustrate. I, let me, let me

tell you, I, I would look so bad rushing against him because I was not a great past pressure by any strategy imagination. And to have that guy, I, I, I would have to get so lucky to get a hand on him. He is incredible. I mean, he makes great athletes look silly. Warner. It's unbelievable with how smooth he looks. Oh, that one. When he's running in Fred's work,

it's got him one on one. I mean, come on. There's no shot. And nothing against Fred Warner, who's a great running back. This is just literally one of the most elite athletes in the world showing his stuff in the open field. It's ridiculous how athletic this guy is.

And again, as we said, they got him some weapons. He ends up throwing over 250. No interceptions, two touchdowns. That's the key, no interception. So big night for Baltimore. Look good. Mike, I'll tell you a quick story. I remember speaking to Dominique Foxworth.

I was on the telephone with him. He was out at Ravens training camp. He's a former Raven, of course, one of Super Bowl there. And he was watching practice. And this is early in the Mars career. And he said, he goes, do you know how horrid it is on a field of world-class athletes? Yes. For one of the guys to stand out, head in shoulders Do you know how hard it is on a field of world class athletes?

Yes. For one of the guys to stand out, heading shoulders above everyone else. And I said, must be pretty difficult. He goes, Lamar Jackson's that guy. Yes. I mean, it's just crazy how good he is. Listen, he's completing over 66% of his fastest for the year, still in single digits on interceptions with seven as 19 touchdowns, but his running, you know, is ridiculous of what he does. What I think

he's close to 800 yards now with a couple of games to go. They win this week and oh, by the way, another, you know, we talk about the great matchup of Baltimore and San Francisco. Now, we go right to Baltimore and Miami. Yes. Baltimore wins this game that they're the number one seed in the AFC. Before we get to that game, because I do think what happened last night actually benefits the dolphins, because all the talk leading up to this game

will be about Baltimore, the more winning the MVP and the dolphins just kind of sell it under the radar there. But before we get there, Mike, you know this, Baltimore, no one ever talks about this. Or at least I feel like no one ever talks about this. I think we all know they're one of the great organizations in the NFL.

But when everyone starts talking about best head coach in the NFL, you'll get Kyle Shanahan, you'll get Andy Reed, you'll get Bill Belichack. You know what name you rarely get? It's John Harbott. He's one of the best coaches in the NFL, Mike. He is. And you know what one of the differences, you know,

you talked about Andy Reed. Now, Bella check obviously what has been talked about, but Andy Reed calls plays Kyle Shanahan calls plays. You know, so that that adds to it as well. John Harbott is just what he is a great coach. Yeah, this is a guy who was a special team coach. It became a head coach and now has the longevity of Mike Tomlin, you know, Bill Bella check Pete Carroll, you know, and what he has done, you're right.

It's a heck of an organization that has just built very well. And now we finally, as we, we always say finally, build around your quarterback and they finally did a little bit this year. So that, I mean, we've done this so every weeks too, and Mike, we almost changed weekly. Lace the last couple of weeks, it's been San Francisco's, the dominant team, San Francisco's the dominant team. But before that, they had their three game losing streak, Philly had their three game losing streak, still doesn't look all that great yet. Buffalo's been up and down. It's like, who do we pick? The cowboys look great in the naked smoke. So it's like, who do we pick? The cowboys look great and then they get smoked. So it's like, who do you pick now?

So, you know, the flavor of the week is Baltimore. It's funny how that works. So you mentioned the dolphins, and I'm wondering here, Mike, because that game is coming up, and essentially whoever wins that game is gonna be the one seed in the AFC. So it is a monster game, one o'clock,

in Baltimore, dolphins at Baltimore. But what do you make of the dolphins, Mike, because they did the one thing that people criticized them for. They hadn't beaten a good team. Well, they didn't just beat a good team. They beat the team as you just pointed out that two weeks ago was everyone's best team in the NFL. And Mike, they did it with defense. And I think that's encouraging for dolphins and their fan base. I listen we know about the power of their offense so and as we always talk about going into you know the playoffs how is your running game how's your defense because that's one of the

things that's obviously going to carry you far is how well you are there because of the possibility of of whether that you may travel to now Miami could pull it out and be the number one seed and everything goes through Miami. But they're sitting there in a top five, you know, in defense, you know, I don't know if the expectation was there. You knew Cleveland would be up there. You ball tore be up there. Kansas City, you know, has been up there as well, though not so much as of late. But, you know, here's Miami, you know, they were, they came in the weekend, second, two ball to more in sacks. I mean, again, you asked people to guess who it would be.

I don't think many were guessing Miami. So give a lot of credit there to what's going on with that team at Vic Fangio, right? Going down there and doing a thing. I mean, you know, he's been a defensive guy, obviously, his entire life. And I talked to, me and Mike talked to Bradley Chubb a week or so ago, and about the difference of Vic Fangio, because when Bradley Chubb was in Denver and Vic was the head coach to now the coordinator and just running the defense. And Bradley was like, listen, we always loved this guy's defense. You know, what it was about, he just had obviously different responsibilities when you're

the head coach, but now we can just focus on the defense again. And that's a monster monster thing because you already have a team that you could get away without scoring an opponent because of the talent you have. You know, as long as you keep those guys healthy, you had Tyreek, Nick, a little bit Waddles, been Nick, a little bit those guys, I mean, and those guys are like, as my son Mike would put it, when they get Nick, it's like a pebble can bounce up off the road and do an engine on a Ferrari.

It doesn't take much, and they could be, they could be Nick, a little bit. But if they're on, you know, they can stick with the team and win 35, 32, 38, 35. But to know now that you could have a defense that could stifle an offense. That is huge. I mean, what? What?

We just said, wow, the game of the year in Baltimore, San Francisco. And now this Baltimore Miami game is monstrous. It really is. I've been saying all year, Mike, I wonder if you agree. I've been saying the entire year. If the dolphins, now I think they have to get the one, the one seed to have a shot, but if they do get that one seed, and it's two home games to the Super Bowl,

the dolphins have a really good chance, because at that stadium, man, they're a different team, like they're just better at home, like most teams than they are on the road, but they're dominant at home. Yeah, it's like we talked about the Cowboys. The Cowboys have been dominant at home and not as good on the road.

Right. That's show, so and now, they're likely going to be the 50 didn't have to do everything on the road. So a lot of people are kind of saying pushing them to the side. So but Miami is the other way. Now, you know, to be able to have everything and have the decent weather. I mean, the worst thing in the world you want to do if you're from Miami is have to go to Buffalo or eventually to, you know, any kind of a snow place that snows in Kansas City, you know, because now we're back to Baltimore. Exactly. Exactly. Because now look, you have Patrick at home and doing something he's never done. He's going to have to go on the road. Good. To win. Yeah. So it's different for them. So it comes down. And for me, I'm looking forward to it because if Miami were to lose this game,

or I'm sorry, if Miami were to, yeah, if Miami were to lose this game to Baltimore, week 18 schedule hasn't been set yet, it may be if Buffalo wins this week and Miami loses, the Sunday night game that I get to go do, like I'm doing Green Bay Administrative this Sunday, next week it might be Buffalo at Miami And that would be for the division. If Miami loses this coming week and and Buffalo wins,

Buffalo would be one loss behind. But if they beat Miami, they were to sweat Miami same record. They would win the division. We could be talking about Miami being the number one seed. And in two weeks, they could only get as good as the five seed. I mean, it's crazy. how it's what's going on. It's that kind of season. Mike, it's so great because this week,

you have, like just about every game has some sort of meaning to somebody. I mean, you have Bucks in Saints, you have Colts and Raiders, you have Seahawks and Steelers. All those games are monster games for these teams, Mike. Huge because you're not just looking at the top. Like I said, my game is Green Bay of Minnesota. You know, that's the eight and 10th seed right now

just on the outside looking in both with seven and eight records. And when you say eighth or 10th seed, you're like, oh, they're gonna be, no. I mean, the seventh is just eight and seven. They're all just one game by the Rams, which man, whoo, playing well right now in Seattle, out of the six seven slot at eight and seven. They're all just one game by the Rams, which man, who are playing well right now in Seattle out of the six seven slot at eight and seven. So and nothing's going to happen to Dallas. They're going to keep that five seed pretty much. It looks

like. So yeah, every all of these games are becoming very big not just for the top, but for it's just like we're going to talk about next year in the college playoffs. We're going to be arguing over eight through 14, right? And here, we're trying to see who's going to get, you know, five or or six, seven. It can go all the way down whoever the 10th and 11th seed is now still has a shot for. So very exciting. Check him out, go Joe and golic weekdays eight to 10 on the Draft Kings Network and also wherever you get your podcast, golic and smettie as well. He's got, you have the Vikings and Packers

coming up this weekend, and we will get to other chiefs here in a second. We also have a, well, we have a special feature for you that Billy started last week. Mike, if the season ended today, we will finish up with that. It's okay. Which is why Mikey was smiling

when you brought up the Lions, I believe. That's okay. The Rams and the Lions. Oh my God, it's the season ended now. I will. I believe in him. Yeah, so the Rams and the Lions. Oh my God. It's the season end to now. All right, we'll get to that in a second now. But Mike, I am wondering, are you surprised? We had Baker Mayfield.

You and I spoke to Baker Mayfield in Leightauho before the season started. Or surprise, it's gone this well for Baker Mayfield in Tampa. No, because this is kind of what he does. He's he can be a guy. You kind of grab players love him. He's such a team guy. Yes. Players love him. Oh, lineman love him. I mean, he's just a great teammate, but unfortunately, he could just be inconsistent, but he'll have a consistent year and a play really well. You'd be like,

okay, that's the number one pick on the draft. And then he'll play horribly and turn the ball over a ton of times. And all of a sudden, you go like, ah, that's the Baker Mayfield. I'm sure there's a lot of people right now that are saying, oh, he's full Tampa Bay into making him the top quarterback next year. And then next year, you'll see the real Baker Mayfield. You know what? Screw that. Do you play in ball right now? And that's all you can go on. What have you done for me lately?

And right now he's not turning the ball over again. I keep saying I look at that I and T Colin for quarterbacks because in in this year of it's been more defense and offense. The worst thing you can do is it offense is turn the ball over, give the other teams offense another possession and maybe feel position. And he's not doing that. 26 touchdowns now and what eight interceptions. I mean, he looks great.

He, in my opinion, he deserves to keep being the quarterback of that team because also remember, they're not gonna have a high pick. And you're talking about maybe two to possibly three true graded first round picks, but we know how it works. They'll be four, maybe five quarterbacks taken in the first round because teams just can't help themselves and say, I can make this guy a first rounder.

But they're not going to be in a position to pick high. So if they wanted to get one of those type of quarterbacks, they'd have to trade assets and they might just go, we're good here. Right. I know we're good here, but unfortunately, you know how people are. It's like the potential of someone you haven't seen to, we know Baker Mayfield. Look how he's playing this year, but back in 2019, he had 22 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.

You know, which Baker Mayfield are we going to get or is is he gonna get hurt because that dude will throw himself into anybody Well Mike that's what I love about it Mike Mike the guys in Tampa these are guys most of them played with Tom Brady I want a Super Bowl. They're like hey, we love the way Baker compete. I love that shit, man You know, you know, we're Baker would be fun to watch if he weren't if he had this attitude and was a Buffalo Bill fan And not a football player, right? would be fun to watch if he weren't, if he had this attitude and was a Buffalo Bill fan and not a football player. Right. Could you imagine out in the tailgate, the flaming tables, he would be bouncing off of

with his attitude, man. I love his attitude. I love him. And he's a guy I wish would just would play consistently well because I just love what he does. He's doing it now, Mike. I always think of it as a teammate and he is. So that's the question. Will Tampa be hold onto that and say, okay, you're our guy going forward. Maybe they'll still get a quarterback. You know, but but give give, uh, you know, Baker the reins, which, but if they get a quarterback in the first run, you always know that's the end of the story.

But I don't think they will. I don't think they will. They may take one later on in the draft. I think Baker is going to get that shot. Good on him. Good for him. Mike, a lot of the success that Tampa Bay quarterbacks Tom Brady Baker may be able to have had is because of Mike Evans. He's going to be a free agent. So if Tampa is stuck with a decision to keep Evans or Baker, Do you think they keep Baker? See, I don't know their money situation because here's the thing. Both our old, both our, our vets. So if you're going to win, you're going to need them both to win. It's not like you're going to start rebuilding something and say, okay, let's keep Baker, but let's get rid of the guy who for

what 9, 10, 20 straight years has got has been a thousand yard receiver. Even though he's getting up there in age and he gets nicked every now and then, you're going to win. You got, you got a group right now that you need to add to and you don't want to take away a big part, even though Mike Evans, like I said, he is, he's been there a while. When he get, when have you get into league and it... it's gosh uh... two thousand fourteen you know so he's been there a while but he's still playing great so i i don't think you can subtract one of those pieces

My Joe Flacco, who is about, I don't know, two or three years younger than you were. You have to love this story. You're from Cleveland. You have to love this story, Flacco. It's so great. How could I'm trying to think of who else because we kept saying to make a rye in for a while, right? Or what is he who's in Houston? How does Kevin Stafansky not win coach to the air?

Earlier on that they were talking about, you know, do we need to get rid of this guy? You have four quarterbacks and you're solidly in the fifth slide for the playoffs. And because oh, by the way, the other team in your division in Baltimore is going to be the number one seed. I get it. You're on your fourth quarterback and you're you have 10 wins, 10 wins with the potential of 12 wins. I mean, that is unreal. What they have done. And oh, by the way, you lost Nick Chubb as well. One of the best running backs in the league. And you've made chicken salad out of that one. Um, I'm already Cooper. It was was unbelievable. And Joku is getting a lot more, you know, in sync with

with Flacco. And we know what that defense is about. They to me are probably one of the best stories this year because as we talk about teams that go through two, three, there's a couple with four. I think Minnesota has gone through four quarterbacks as well. And this team is a 10 win team with four quarterbacks. Incredible. I mean, it kind of makes it kind of makes the owners and Hazel maybe cringe every time they have to sign to Sean Watson's check every week to say, we got 10 wins without this guy. You know, we're gonna give him 230 mil for which a lot of people are asking. Don't write off the mecha, Ryan. Yeah, because CJ Strad should be coming out of protocol.

They couldn't make the playoffs and then go to the Super Bowl for all we know this year. I mean, they could. I mean, that's crazy. Right. Oh, season's crazy. They have been incredible. Obviously, it's in tank Delher and they get Nico Collins. They'll get him back, but if they can get strouled back, they're slitting just sitting just one slot away from the Colts, you know, and they have the same record. So yeah, these next couple of weeks are going to be a lot of fun to watch. They have the same record as the Jag, these next couple of weeks are gonna be a lot of fun to watch. They have the same record as the Jaguars who lead the division.

Right. Jacksonville is starting, or in all honesty, that division is starting to, we always rip the NFC South, the ASC South, it's starting to look like the NFC South. Right? Where you're barely gonna get it, maybe a, well you can't have a 500.

One game over 500, a one game below below 500 is going to win the division. We kept mocking the NFC South about that, but now at least the leader in the vision tap as a winning the best. The South. It is. It's not the South Eastern conference. It's just not worth it. But Mikey, they play the Titans, the Texans do this weekend, and then, final week of the season, they play the cults. I mean, what a year this is. Yeah, it's been absolutely incredible. So, we really start the, you know, you'll make the playoffs

if, if, if, and, or all that stuff, starts which makes my eyes glaze over, hurts my, hurts my head. All right, before we get to the season ended today. Right, if the head. All right, before we get to switch the season ended today. Right. If the season did end today before we get to it, let's get his thoughts. Let's get Michael. It's thoughts here. Mike the chiefs. What is going on? Three of the last four games.

They have scored less than 20 points yesterday. They could sit there and complain about cadarious Tony, the offensive line. This and that yesterday, and Travis Kelsey could throw his helmet all he wants. Okay. Yesterday, Mahomes fumble, terrible fumble, terrible interception should have thrown two more. That game was on Patrick Mahomes. I don't want to hear from those two guys bitching about their teammates. Some of this is on them. Okay. So I don't know what's going on in Kansas City Mike, but this is this is unlike anything we've ever seen from Patrick Mahomes.

There was the, when Mahomes went down to look like, I don't know if he was berating the old line or really trying to get on the old line. Maybe he was trying to encourage him or whatever. And then he has a bad mistake on the field. I'm like, an old line meant to go over in front of him and the other quarterbacks, you know, go on to him. You're right.

They have, they can sit there and bitch and mow and complain and and they haven't done it as much now after the cadarious Tony offside stuff. And listen, I heard my home's after the game and he's right. He said, we have to clean up our mistakes. And he's right, whether it's drop passes or penalties or whatever it is, they have to clean up their own mistakes. But we kept, we keep giving a team like them to benefit of the doubt. Correct? That they won't have as many penalties or they won't drop as many balls or they won't do this.

So they won't do that because they, it's just like we would give the billbell a check and Tom Brady and New England all the time. Well, it's them. They'll figure it out. And we always say, well, it's Andy Reed, my home's Kelsey, they'll figure it out. Right now, it's a struggle for them. They don't put the fear into anybody anymore. You know, Kuros, to Rishi, right? He is really kind of stuck up as that other receiver we've been waiting, waiting to find, but they're not

putting the fear into anybody anymore. They're not the defense, which for a while was just absolutely outstanding. You know, they haven't been what they have been for a while now. I'm sitting there trying to, I mean, they gave up a little over 300 yards, they can't do city, but that's still a team that's used to getting so much more. And the Raiders certainly are world beaters, but there has to be a lot of introspective looking

in Kansas City. They're frustrated just by what my home's are doing, just by what Kelsey is doing. These guys are used to being the number one seed and a fight for the Super Bowl every year. Now they have to go on the road. They're not as good and it's showing in their frustration. So what a test for them to try and see if they can collect themselves or if they're just going to implode. I look forward to seeing him go on the road

and trying to get it done. Yeah. Because they've never had to do it before. Are you going to be surprised if Kansas City makes it to the Super Bowl? Not Wednesday, just makes it. And I'll ask the I will. Now you will, right?

Well, that's interesting. Because they're not playing as good as they've been and for the first time, they've got to go on the road. They've got to, to road trip for them to the Super Bowl. So yeah, I think there are teams playing now again, it's week to week now, but Baltimore, Miami, you could pick teams, maybe even Buffalo, let's see how they finish up, that are playing better.

Now, could Kansas City put it together and make a run, that wouldn't shock us, but this year it would surprise me a little bit with the way they're playing and now changing to go on the road. There is going to be a team like Miami or Baltimore when Patrick Behoom's come strolling into the stadium and they've had such great regular seasons and they're going to say to themselves, what the fuck did we do to deserve this?

Yeah, how about this? I got this guy coming in here. We're afraid for a lot of, there are places you don't want snow. I mean, you want a good track for Lamar, you know, you want good weather for Lamar. If everything goes through Baltimore, correct. You know, because this guy is, is just a magician. Mike, let me tell you, my home's is not going to sweat coming down to Miami to play the dolphins.

I promise you that. No, it's not. No, it's not. No, it's not. It's not going to have confidence. But it's, they, they showed cracks in the cracks in the wall this year without question. That haven't been fixed yet. All right, let's quickly get to if the season ended today.

Mikey A is going to give us the playoff matchups, give them our thoughts on if the season ended today, because if the season did end today, there would be some delightful, amazing playoff matchup. So Mike E.A. the floor is yours. If the season ended today, next year remind me to start this week one, okay? All right. If the season ended today in the AFC, Baltimore would be your one seed. Yep. So your first game would be the Indianapolis Colts at the Miami Dolphins. Dolphins. We can move quickly. Dolphins. Yeah, Dolphins. We're moving on that. Dolphins blow them out.

Yep. Okay. Possibly my favorite matchup in the AFC. Because again, much like the Patriots and Colts for years, we're going to again see the Buffalo Bills and Josh Allen against Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City in Kansas City. Wow. If the season ended today. If the season ended today. Right. I wish it did. What, I mean, this is a game that where we had a rule changing over time, right?

Right. Yes. Yes. Yes. I take Buffalo here, Mike. I would right now I would probably take Buffalo, but that's one that if Kansas City wanted, I would would not be the least bit shocked, but for the purposes of this, I would take Buffalo. Same. Alan, Alan Mahomes becoming the new manning Brady, or at least this kind of version of it.

Well, I mean, that's what we're looking at right because yeah, all the other teams don't have starting quarterbacks out there. Right. No, only the top teams do. It's weird, right? Exactly, right. Exactly, right. Well, well, then we move on to a team with a juggernaut starting quarterback. The Cleveland Browns would travel to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Yeah. Oh, I would take the Browns. How do we have any faith in Jacksonville? I don't. I don't. If the season ended today, then Cleveland's defense. I mean, absolutely fantastic how they're playing. So yeah, I mean, I would you'd have, I mean, remember, they just played a couple of

weeks ago, Cleveland won 31 27 in that one, but I would definitely take Cleveland. Yes. And Joe Flacco was not going to sweat going to Jacksonville simply because he doesn't sweat. And so there you go. Right. Exactly right. Joe cool. All right.

So that's the AFC, right? That's the AFC movie to the NFC. See Mike, it's a quick game. Exactly right. Joe cool. All right. So that's the AFC right? That's the AFC. Okay. To the NFC. See Mike, it's a quick game. Painless. You know, I like this. I like this. Okay. If the season ended today, San Francisco would be your number one seed. Right. And your first game would be a rematch of two weeks ago. Seattle would travel to Philadelphia this time. I mean, I still got to go with Philly, even though Philly is not what they've been, I would still take them over Seattle. I still like that D line of Philly secondary, you know, worries me or the back seven a little

bit. They've been having their troubles and you're dealing with DK Megcalf and lock it, which is tough, but I would still go with Philly there. I would take Philly as well. I got to Philly Philly going back to the Super Bowl. All right, next game. Yes, so we both take Philly there. Yes. This is a beauty coming up. This might be my favorite game of the entire weekend. I needed to happen.

Yeah. The Rams traveling to Detroit to take on Jared Gomp. Settles everything. I mean. Wow. That, you couldn't ask for a better, I mean, listen, where the NFL scripts out the season before the season starts. Yes.

They had good writers for that. For the rest. We're a better script right now. Both teams, the one thing in doing games for both these teams, the one thing I said about them both is the depth of talent. We've already talked about San Francisco and their depth of talent on offense. You can say the same thing about Detroit, which I did is when I saw Beat Denver and then the same thing about the Rams when I covered them beating New Orleans, just the way they can spread the ball around to different receivers. So this one may fall on the defensive side of the ball.

Do I go with the home team here? Man, because because I picked Detroit to make it to the the NFC championship game this year. If Stafford really cares about those fans in that city, he will let Detroit steamroll the Rams. Or he's every one is super cool. That's what he's gonna do. Yeah. But it's such a super cool. And that's what he's gonna do. Yeah.

But it's such a good guy. Amazing Detroit. The last time they won their division, it wasn't even, it's not even a division in the NFL. I would take the Rams here, Mike. I would. Like I know you're waffling a bit. It's a tough game to pick.

I take the Rams. I, I, this would be a pick them for me, but because I picked Detroit to go to the NFC title game, I will take Detroit to win at home. But this is easily a pick them for me, but because I picked a try to go into the NFC title game, I will take the try to win at home, but this is easily a pick them for me. So good. All right, great game. Your final game of the weekend, Dallas Cowboys going on the road, which, which the Bay of Proven is a little bit different to Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay bucket years.

Dallas. All right, Mike, Mike, before you respond, I do subscribe to the theory that Dallas and that controlled environment at home is a much better team than they are on the road. Tampa, it can get muddy there. The field, they're mucking up. I would take the bucks to meet the cowboys in this game. Let me turn in five cowboys traveling to the eight and seven bucket ears. You know what?

Stu, I'll go with you because that track can get sloppy. Yes. And Tampa knows how to play on that. And Dallas has not been good on the road. They could be, they could look great and they can look awful. And Tampa Bay just got up at bottom right now, man. They're like the other legend that could, right? They just keep going and going and baking.

It just keeps going and going and I'm one of those. If you don't have a rooting interest in a team, well, people will hear. They love the Cowboys or hate them. So we know how that goes. But Tampa's a fun team to root for. It's like, oh, we don't think they can go that far, but maybe they can get a game. Well, you know what? I'll pick them as well to get this game.

I don't ask for much, man. Well, I do.? I'll pick them as well to get this game. I don't ask for much man I well, I did I asked for plenty, but listen just give me bucks and browns in the Super Bowl Just give it to me give me baker versus the browns in the Super Bowl Please that would be amazing my wife actually picked the browns and the lions to be in the Super Bowl Wow, I don't know how many people went down that road. When did she do this? Beginning of this season. Oh, wow. I mean, she's listen, I'm not going to be shocked by anything. I still think the best, the biggest and best surprise this year has been the Browns. I'll go back to it. Yes. You'll be on your fourth quarterback and have 10 wins. Yeah. It's just absolutely amazing. So we'll see what they can go. But I like

this game. I like it. Better than your BCS ranking. So we found something that you like. We'll do it again every week starting week and next year we'll do it starting week one. Yeah. I'll see. Now I hate you guys again. I'm curious. We want we're going to do the first round playoffs. Go Joe and go look eight to 10 every morning on the Draft Kings Network and wherever you get your podcast, golic at somebody as well. He's got the Vikings of Packers coming up this weekend. Check him out there.

Who got you the nicest gift of everyone in the family? Who got you the nicest holiday gift? I am still waiting for some gifts. I've not received any gifts. Really? What can I tell you? No, in all honesty, we don't really get gifts anymore. We're kind of one of those that kind of,

if we need it, we get it. So yeah, and to, you know what the gift is? Let me get much here. The gift is my grandkids. My kids and my grandkids. The best. Yeah, that's a very cool thing. And God bless football.

God bless football. We're gonna have a gift for you by the way. I believe next week, right Mikey? I'm not spoiling it. We just, we're gonna have a gift next week, right? If you bring on Tony Missouli again, isn't that just continually re-gifting? No.

No, you're right, it is. We changed the wrapping. Right, I'm the wrapping. Someone gifted me a friendship with Tony Missouli and I keep passing along to you. Yeah, you're beautiful. Ha, ha, ha, ha. Oh my God.

God bless football, Michaelic. God bless football, Mikey. God bless football Mikey. God bless football everyone. Please give me browns and bucks.