The Fumblerooski Podcast - Battle-Tested -Ep 155 The Fumblerooski Podcast

Episode Date: January 27, 2023

Was Mahomes' ankle injury misdiagnosed? Can the 49ers win the Super Bowl with any quarterback? Who will represent each conference in Super Bowl 57? Adam Wright, CJ Medeiros, and Justin Tucker debate these topics as well as host special guest Justin Miller who discusses the Boston Celtics' recent struggles.

Thank you. They're saying it's a catch. It's in. Oh, it takes. Sideline. Touchdown. Unbelievable. Swings it way down the field to Watkins. Sammy Watkins for the touchdown. We are down to the final four of the NFL podcast. You're listening to the Fumble Rooski podcast by Power 88 and fans only. Excuse me, secret weapon consulting.

I'm Adam Wright with Justin Tucker and CJ Medeiros, and we have a great show planned for you guys tonight we're going to do our final game picks for the uh the conference championship matchups we've got San Francisco at Philadelphia first followed by Cincinnati at Kansas City and joining us to cover all of these topics we We have Justin Miller, Dean College alumni and co-host of the All the Balls podcast. Justin, welcome to the show. Why don't you introduce yourself to some of our listeners?

What's up, guys? Yeah, Adam, I appreciate you for having me on. I mean, it's good to be talking with some Dean College students. I mean, it seems like I went there years ago. It was only three years ago. Not too bad. But yeah, I'm just thankful that you're me on the show obviously it's a big time of the season especially in the NFL I mean like you said we're down to the final four teams the

Super Bowl is coming soon so I mean I have my own sports podcast like you said all the balls we do it honestly whenever our schedules allow us to but obviously we talk about all the sports all the balls but I love talking sports so i appreciate it adam and i don't know it's a great time to be a sports fan and even if you want to talk about some dean college stuff we can get into that as well yeah absolutely man yeah um you guys have a lot of episodes as well what are you guys are over over 100 somewhere right yeah i think we're going on 126 tomorrow. Yeah, that's pretty tough.

Yeah, we've had some special guests on too. So we've had like the voice of the South, Sean Grandy's been on the show. We've had, I don't know if you know, Mario Hirsch Gordon, but we've had David McKinnon, who's a major league baseball player. We've had some good guests on. Nice, nice. Well, you guys go check them out.

But we're going to get moving on this show. So San Francisco at Philadelphia. guys go check them out um but we're gonna get moving on this show so san francisco at philadelphia so san francisco the 49ers with brock purdy the team that has won 10 plus in a row have not missed a beat after going through three quarterbacks they are now down to their third string quarterback, Brock Purdy. So we're going to go around the table and give some game picks for this matchup. So we'll start with you, Justin. Who wins? I think it's going to be a little more low scoring than people think in this game. I mean, honestly, I didn't see San Francisco being here.

I was one of those people that I didn't really believe too much in Brock Purdy, but now you look up, you're watching TV and all of a sudden San Francisco's in the NFC championship game. So you got to give them credit for what they've been doing for the entire season. I mean, the guy, he's not losing football games. And then obviously the Philadelphia Eagles, they've been the best team from top to bottom in the NFC all season long. Jalen Hurts has done a tremendous job. They got a great defense. As much as I want to go against Brock Purdy this week, I finally am. I'm going with the Philadelphia Eagles. 24 to 20 is my prediction. I think the Eagles go to the Super Bowl. I just don't think San Francisco's defense is going to have enough to stop A.J. Brown and Devontae Smith. All right. So Justin Miller going with the Eagles to win it

and represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. But, CJ, who's your pick? When I look at it all, this team reminds me of the 2001 New England Patriots. You know, Tom Brady goes down. I mean, Drew Brunson goes down, you get Tom Brady. And I kind of feel the same way with Brock Purdy. They're running that same scheme of be a game manager and don't screw up. The only difference is that Brock Purdy has a million weapons to play with.

Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell, Debo Samuel, George Tittle, and Brandon Ayuk, and a half-decent O O-line and a stellar defense now the Eagles are a little more battle tested you know a little older and it's going to be in Philly but all Brock Purdy has to do is not make mistakes that's going to be a tall order against this defense but I think he's learned a lot from that Dallas game, and I think it's going to be a close one because, you know, Philly's going to give you the fight of your life. But don't be shocked if the Niners just eke it out. I'm thinking, and I also do agree with Justin,

that it's going to be more low scoring than you would expect, which is why I think San Fran pulls it out about 20 to 17. All right. Tuck, what's your pick? Oh, man. Well, thinking about this game all week long, this is the game I'm mostly excited for because I don't care who wins. This, to me, will be the best football game this Sunday.

Thinking about it back and forth, the number one defense against one of the best offenses, one of the best offenses against one of the best defenses. It can be a very high scoring game or a very close game. I trust the 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles defense, so I think the games are going to be reasonably close. I also agree with Justin thinking it's going to be low scoring. I think it's just going to come down to who can make the best plays. And I'm not going to lie.

I think Jalen Hurts pulls it off in the end. I trust him a little bit more. I think Philadelphia is a little more battle-tested. That was earlier said because they actually are Super Bowl champions. They've been in this position before. Not to say the 49ers aren't, but they haven't won it, so they don't understand the pedigree of it since, like, 1995. So, overall, I kind of, like, want to go towards the Philadelphia Eagles.

I think Jalen Hurts has been phenomenal this year. I think he gets the job done late, but I think it's going to be fairly close. I think it's going to be fairly close. I think it's going to be like 17 to 21. I am so glad I'm going to be the only one picking the 49ers to win this game. Screw it. I'm taking the Niners. I picked the Niners. Oh, sorry.

That was my mistake. I heard you say Eagles. So, all right. No. So, we're going to do it. It's going to be a 50-50 split. So the 49ers – I don't want it all to glory.

I kind of wanted it. Maybe it was just wishful thinking, selective listening, something like that. But listen, this 49ers team is idiot proof, and I'll explain why. You go through three quarterbacks and you don't miss a beat with your third overall, excuse me, your third strength quarterback, right? This guy, now he's been playing solid, but he has shown a tendency to struggle when he's playing under pressure, but he won't even have to worry about that as much because he's playing behind one of the best offensive lines in football. He might struggle a little bit because he's facing the best defensive line in all of football, but he doesn't need to throw that far.

All he has to do is get it off to Christian McCaffrey for three yards, and he runs it in for a touchdown. You get it to Debo Samuel, George Kittle, Elijah Mitchell, their second-string running back can do some damage. Brandon Ayuk, and I haven't even mentioned their defense, which can anchor this team. So all around this team, they don't – it's a rare occurrence in the NFL where you have a team that's surrounded

by all this talent but the quarterback doesn't have to be that good in order for them to win to win the super bowl that's very very rare but the 49ers have that like sometimes like sometimes a team wins with a backup the eagles did it a few years ago trent Dilfer did it way, way back. He's not a backup, but he's not that good of a quarterback. So for the 49ers, they just have that good of a team where they have a third-string quarterback in, and I just think they're going to take it. On Philly's side, yes, they have had a great season. There's no two ways about it.

But I've also noticed a tendency from this team where, let's say a few months back, one next week, they faced the Indianapolis Colts, the lowly Indianapolis Colts. They couldn't get over the previous loss, and they almost lost to the Colts that week as well. They barely came back in that game, which tells me that they struggle facing adversity. They can blow out any team, but as soon as a team makes it close and punches you in the mouth, they turtle. So that's what I'm worried about. I think San Francisco is

going to keep it close enough and they're going to make the plays to win this game. Give me San Francisco. But do we have any other thoughts? I think it's going to be a close game either way. I mean, I could see either team winning in the end. I'm not a huge fan of either team, but I agree with what you said, Adam. San Francisco definitely has more weapons on the offensive side of the field, and I feel like they're just so well coached. It's unbelievable. You look every year.

I feel like people count them out year in and year out, and then you look up, and they're in the Final Four, Final Eight, it seems like every season. Yeah, there's not enough discussion about this 49ers team the last four years. Three of the last four years being in the Final Four, one of those you made a Super Bowl. And not to disrespect Jimmy Garoppolo, he's a solid quarterback, but he's not a quarterback that you go to three out of four

NFC championships with. And I think that says so much about, I think that says so much about their coaching, their offensive line, their, the roster around them. That's not just, you don't just get gifted a good roster. That's good sign uh free agent signings trades all of that they they've hit on everything that they've done it's a this is and they're really reminding us of how professional of an organization they are that they're able to just do all these smart moves and as a patriots fan i don't want them to win the Super Bowl. Sorry, I don't. You can't – a three-way tie does not look as good as a two-way tie for the most Super Bowls of all time. That's just – we got to catch up.

We'll see how Mac Jones does. But I did want to change gears unless we have any other thoughts. You're so disrespectful to porn star Jimmy. You're so disrespectful, Pornstar Jimmy. You're so disrespectful. You know what? That lady said anything she touches turns to gold, and then four weeks later he tore his ACL. I'll say that much.

All right. So next we have Cincinnati at Kansas City on Sunday at 6.30 p.m. Eastern time. Don't go anywhere. This is the Fumble Rooski Podcast. Woken up and the pass is no sign yet. Edelman comes down with a football. They're saying it's a catch. It's a catch. Oh!

Takes! Sideline! Touchdown! Unbelievable! Slings it way down the field to Watkins! Sammy Watkins for the touchdown! Welcome back to the Fumble Rooski Podcast. Adam Wright, Justin Tucker, CJ Medeiros, and special guest Justin Miller. So we are on to the 630 game, the AFC Championship,

which is Cincinnati at Kansas City on Sunday. So a couple injuries on both sides. So on the offensive line for the Bengals, they are going to be yet again missing three of their five starters. Obviously no Lyle Collins, but Jonah Williams and Alex Kappa out yet again. So they will have to win on the road with reserves on that offensive line on the Chiefs side. Now this is the biggest injury of them all. This is Patrick Mahomes with a high ankle sprain, yet he's been a full participant every day this week. And videos and practice show he seems fine. But, Justin, we'll start with you.

What's your pick for this game? I mean, I'm not going to downplay the injury. I know a lot of people are downplaying it a little bit. They showed him the other night walking off the podium, walking off the field. I don't think there's any way he can be 100% after what happened. I mean, it wasn't just a small little sprain of an ankle. But I think, honestly, he's probably going to come in somewhere

at around 85% to 90% in my opinion in this game. Again, he's Patrick Mahomes. He's one of the best quarterbacks in the league. He's going to be all right. But the thing is, to me, is how much can that Kansas City offense keep up with the Cincinnati Bengals, their offense, with Patrick Mahomes that's about 85 to 90%. And in my opinion, even if he was healthy,

I think I'm going with Cincinnati in this game. I think they've been the better team lately. As good as Kansas City is, I still think they're missing Tyree Kill a little bit. Obviously, they got Juju Smith and Valdez Scantling and all of them. But to me, just Cincinnati on the other side of the field, they have too many weapons between T. Higgins, Tyler Boyd, Jamar Chase. Even with a little bit of a banged-up offensive line, last week it didn't seem like it was too much of an issue.

And this week, I don't think it's going to be that much of an issue either. I think the Bengals' defense is also very underrated. I think they can get to Mahomes. They're going to make that a priority in this game, especially with his ankle. I think we're going to see something like 31-24 in this one. I'd be surprised if Kansas City wins. But again, you've got Patrick Mahomes.

But I'm taking Cincinnati to meet the Eagles in the Super Bowl. All right. So, CJ, what's your pick? So, I'm going to let this up and down, and obviously this whole game rests on Patrick Mahomes' injury. Now, I don't think he's 100%, but here's something that a lot of people don't consider. So he may be fine now, but when he gets scrambling on that field and when he starts taking hits, there's a very real chance that catches up with him.

And when you think about the Bengals' lethal pass rush, that's just the recipe for disaster. And their defense, like Justin said, is sneakily underrated. But you look at the Chiefs' defense, you know, you got that pass rush also very good as well, you know, led by Chris Jones. But the Bengals literally have three number ones at wide receiver. So that's just going to be a showdown for the ages but i think since he pulls it out i would say probably about 28 21 maybe 28 24 thereabouts i'm going since he all right so we got two since he votes to start things off talk oh boy i already know what your pick is, but just. Our resident AFC North fan.

Ravens, to be specific. Tuck, you're muted. Tuck, you're muted. Good, I was muted because I just used profanity. You know damn well who I'm picking. I'm picking the Chiefs over everybody. Y'all already know who I'm picking. I told y'all this before.

I'm going to say it again. I am picking against the Bengals every chance I get. I need the Chiefs to win this because I'm sick and tired of those damn players. Oh my God, they make me sick. Now, let me just say this. I think the game will be close. I've called off since the last time we've had this podcast. I thought it was just going to be a straight blowout and I call it a day. I think it'll be close. I think Joey B being the franchise quarterback that he is, we'll keep the game close with think it'll be close. I think Joey B, being the franchise quarterback that he is, will keep the game close with the weapons that he has. But Patrick Mahomes and that Kansas City

Chiefs offense is something special. Without Tyreek Hill, they were still one of the best offenses in the league. Patrick Mahomes looked like Patrick Mahomes as usual. And everybody's worried about the injury, but I'm not not really as concerned especially when you have a reliable safety blanket as travis kelsey so with that being said i believe the game will be reasonably close i believe 2024 will be the score patrick mahomes shows you why he's the better quarterback and he's going to the super bowl this time around chiefs over bangles please make my prediction come true please all right so i did mention on our previous episode this week that it is advantage bangles but proceed with caution because i think everyone is writing off the Chiefs so early because of that high ankle sprain. But they're still missing three starters from that offensive line the Bengals are.

And yes, it wasn't a problem this past week. I'm not going to take anything away from their performance. Allowing just one sack with three reserves on that offensive line, that is very hard to do against a playoff team. That being said, it was against a Bills front seven that was very middling in terms of being able to pressure the quarterback this year. They were very good halfway through the year, but since they lost Von Miller and other pieces,

they haven't been quite the same. So looking at that, that's still like, that's a mismatch right there up front with Chris Jones and Frank Clark. And then look at Patrick Mahomes. I don't want to downplay his injury. I absolutely don't want to do that. But I'm starting to wonder if they misdiagnosed Patrick Mahomes.

Because he's – so like if he was to be, let's say, a limited participant and then he was expected to play, understandable. It's postseason time. You got – I mean, you're going to play through that injury. We're not going to force you to, but we know the quarterback is going to want to play understandable it's postseason time you got i mean you're gonna play for the through that injury we don't we're not gonna force you to but we know the quarterback's gonna want to play and he and who's gonna stop him from doing that but he's a full participant three weeks in a row something feels off about that because and i looked at i looked it up on how long it usually takes. Plenty of medical websites. Usually it takes about three weeks to recover from a high ankle sprain.

So I wonder if it was just a low ankle sprain. Something like that. So I'm no doctor. I'm just a fan observing. But if he's a full participant three weeks in a row with no limitations, excuse me, three days in a row with no limitations whatsoever, and on top of that you have home field advantage and you have a complete mismatch up front joe burrow still got to get the ball out so with that being said i still go bangles

but proceed with caution there i would not i would not be in the slightest surprised if the Chiefs wound up winning this game because they're actually, besides Patrick Mahomes, they're also pretty healthy there. So that's my pick. I'm still taking the Bengals, but yeah. You're taking the wrong team. I was so tempted to take the Chiefs. From seeing everything that came out this week, I was so tempted to take them. And, like, Kansas City is the second best pass rushing defense in the league. In sacks and pressures, they are second. Only to the Eagles, who are just astronomical this year. So that's probably my pick.

I'm sticking with Cincinnati. But I've been very much on the fence all season long. So we'll see how it goes. I'm still sticking with Cincinnati. All right. All right. All right. Well, we're going to switch gears and move on to Justin's guest segment where he's going to talk about the state of the Boston Celtics this season.

We're crossing sports for the first time in a while for our guest segment. So that's next this is the fumble ruski podcast here's edelman broken up in the past And the pass is no sign yet. Hamilton comes down with a football. They're saying it's a catch. It's a pass. To Gates.

Sideline. Touchdown. Unbelievable. Slings it way down the field to Watkins. Sammy Watkins for the touchdown. This is the Fumble Rooski Podcast by Power 88 and Secret Weapon Consulting. Adam Wright, Justin Tucker, CJ Medeiros, special guest Justin Miller. We have reached the guest segment of our show. Sponsored by Secret Weapon

Consulting. For business plans, secret shoppers, bar spotting, server and manager training, and so much more, visit www.secretweaponconsulting.com For our guest segment, we have Justin Miller who's going to talk about the

celtics so justin what do you got what's up guys yeah so i mean i don't know how big a basketball fans you guys are or celtics fans but this is the best team in the nba right now the boston celtics they've been at the top of the league for not just this season but for the whole second half of last season obviously losing in the nba finals year to Golden State. But they come out this year, bring back for the most part the same team. And I know they're going through a little bit of a rough stretch right now, a three-game losing streak. I was at the game last night, Adam, like I told you before. But as good as they've been so far this season, the defense to me has been a major concern right now. And am I concerned in the long run that this team is not going to go far probably not going to go back to the finals of the eastern conference finals that's not my concern

my concern is the defense right now and it seems like especially against some of the lower tier teams in the league they're just not putting their best effort forward and i know like you're playing the magic you're playing the bowls sometimes you realize it's going to be a cakewalk but you look up at the standings and you look up at some of the past results of these Celtics games, and they've played Orlando four times this season. They've lost three of those games. They've already lost two of the three they've played to Chicago so far this season. It just seems like night in and night out, they go in against some of these lower-tier teams.

They're not playing their best. I don't know if it's an effort thing, if it's a coaching thing, but if you look from a top-to-bottom perspective, their defense has been pretty mediocre from the beginning of the season until last night where they lost that game to the Knicks. So I don't know if you guys have any opinions on what the deal is with the Celtics' defense or against some of these bad teams, but to me it's a little bit of a concern right now.

Who wants to go with this? Any basketball fans? Oh, i'm a basketball fan oh yeah we're we're all about we're all uh we're all basketball guys but listen this guy's just in this month just in this month out of 14 games 13 of them they have allowed triple digits in points yeah and it's it's been happening every single week. And everybody looks past it because you look at the final score where the Celtics scored 120-plus every single week, which is great. It's great when you're scoring that many points. They have one of the best offenses in the league.

They added a third option off the bench as well in Malcolm Brogdon this offseason, and they also have a threat on the interior in Rob Williams, who's supposed to be a really good defensive player, and he's been solid. But for their defense as a whole, that's a very fair point to raise, is that they haven't been as good as they should be, especially with how they did last year. And Malcolm Brogdon is supposed to be one of the better two-way players in the league, and his defense has been a little suspect.

Same thing with Jalen Brown. And we all know what they're capable of, but it seems like there's a lot of mental errors there. You can see during games they lose their man sometimes. And next thing you know, that guy gets a basket. And it's showing in the final scores of all of these games. It feels like every single time that they win a game, everyone looks past the fact that they allowed over 100 points every single game.

Yeah. Oh, thanks. the fact that they allowed over 100 points every single game yeah yeah yeah oh thanks so a thing is i would say it's an effort thing but i'm not entirely sure i want to say it's a case of looking past teams you should be and adam i've said this before on the podcast or during football because the same principle applies there are times where you don't tend to take an opponent seriously and you get stunned in a loss. That's what I think happens. I feel that they're kind of maybe a little bit high on their own supply. I don't think it's anything that Joe Mazzulla can't handle. And you have to remember, they've been pretty banged up this year. Smart and Williams have missed quite a bit of time. Brown's been in and out. Brogdon's starting to get a pretty banged up this year smart and williams have missed quite a bit of time

brown's been in and out brogdon's starting to get a little banged up so it's just i feel like a lot a lot of it is health as well because brown like just came back and like i said and especially williams has been in and out but when williams is healthy our defense is usually at its best so that's what it is i think it's just a mental thing, and I think it's a health thing. And I think the health thing can be overcome just by, like, a mentality kind of in a way. Now, like I said, they keep – I feel like they keep looking past opponents. And if I'm Joe Mazzulla, I'm saying you go out there

and you – like it's game seven of the finals. Now you leave nothing to chance. You got to stop looking past these people because you can't play down to the competition and he can't play down to your potential. That's like my main takeaway. Yeah. So that's, I'm certain that's,

I'm sure that that's part of it. I think a big part of it is it's – I think it's – a lot of it's an attitude thing. And I'm not sure if some of you listen to the Sports Hub, but Felger and Maz during their – during the Celtics postseason run always used to preach this small thing that the Celtics and I quote would smell their own farts in other words whenever they're doing really well when they're flying high they love to notice that they are doing very well and they take pride in that it's great having that confidence but then it translates into a loss the very next game during that postseason, and it happened all the time. I mean, a lot of those postseason series,

a couple of them should not have gone seven games. The Milwaukee series, they fell down 3-2, but they probably shouldn't have fallen down 3-2 as it was. And then the Heat series, they should have taken those games in five or six games with the talent that they had, and they didn't. And it feels like that's kind of the same principle that's being applied here. They're the best team in the league. So then when they wind up facing these lower tier teams, they kind of almost take a day off because that's just kind of the attitude that they have. A team led by Jason Tatum, Jalen Brown. I mean, did you hear Grant Williams on some of those interviews during their postseason run? No, what did Batman say?

What? What did Batman say? I didn't hear from him. He's a little full of himself. But they all have reason to be because they are the best team in the league. But you've got to buckle down and put your money where your mouth is. That's kind of my take on that.

Oh, man. To be honest, as far as the Celtics are concerned, I think it's just a little bit of a hangover. They just came off of a grueling season last year when they made it to the finals and arguably should have won the finals, if I'm being honest. They were just a couple of plays here and there where the games just got away from them, and that's something you can't do against the Warriors. So ultimately, I think this was a nice learning experience for them,

but I think it's a little bit of a hangover. Also, to start the fact that they didn't have Robert Williams to start the season was a little bit of a thing. Even though they started pretty well, the defense hasn't been the same as it was last year. So I think it's just a more so of an effort thing on the defensive side of the ball. And to be honest, there's been a few struggles here and there with Jason

Tatum. This is the second three straight loss this team has had. Overall, I think it's just a matter of time before they actually get healthy and actually work together as a team. You got to remember, this team wasn't even supposed to be this good, doing this well, concerning they just lost their head coach due to extracurricular activities. But we're not here to discuss that. But overall, I'm not mad with what the Celtics are doing.

I think it's just focus, but some of it's their fault. Some of it's not their fault. Overall, I think they just need to stay the course. Like you said, not play down to competition and continue their ways. I think they still would end up with the number one seed. Yeah, and you bring up a fair point that despite all these all these concerns they are still the number one seed and record wise the best team in the league right now so they're just they're just minor concerns this isn't a this isn't a perfect team but they should still be

favored and i believe they they should uh represent represent for the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. And if they don't, it would be a disappointment. But, Justin, do you have any more to add? No, yeah, I completely agree with what you guys said. I mean, again, they are missing pieces. Every team misses pieces. It's an 82-game season. They still have more than a quarter of it left.

They'll be fine in the long run. It just making those minor adjustments making those minor tweaks and i think they'll be all right but they gotta wake up especially against some of these weaker opponents especially to prepare before the playoffs yeah you hit the nail right on the head there but um all right do we have anything else to add before we end the show tonight anything else we want to say no i'm good nice well justin thanks for joining the show i'll give i'll use these last few moments as an opportunity for you to plug your own podcast if you want you're all the balls yeah like you said so we do all the balls it's a different time every week but you can follow us on instagram it's on facebook as well

so you guys can come on sometime i appreciate you guys for having me on and um i look forward to talking to you guys more in the future about some pics maybe some march madness stuff whatever you guys want to talk about yeah that would that would be great. Well, I appreciate you joining the show. But without further ado, that will do it for us tonight. Thank you for listening to us. We have new episodes out on Tuesdays and Fridays at 7.30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel.

We have all our episodes available on Spotify, Spreaker, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and so much more. Also be sure to follow our Instagram at FumbleRooski underscore podcast to keep up with our podcasts and latest coverage on the NFL. Otherwise, we'll see you next week. Over and out.