The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 3 & Out - Reaction to Baker Mayfield & Buccaneers MELTDOWN on TNF in loss vs. Falcons

Episode Date: December 12, 2025

Former NFL scout John Middlekauff is reacting LIVE immediately following the Week 15 Thursday Night Football matchup between Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons vs. Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for an important NFC South matchup for the home team. John kicks off by reacting to the Falcons upset win over the Bucs on TNF and what it means for the NFC South divisional title moving forward. John then discusses Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow's comments about wanting to be able to have fun playing football, and if the Bengals would ever consider trading him to kick start a proper rebuild. John wraps up reacting to news that the Indianapolis Colts plan to start QB Phillip Rivers in Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks. Later John is joined by betting guru, Stuckey from The Action Network to break down the upcoming weekend in the NFL. They dive into the biggest matchups, key storylines, and deliver their expert insight on where the value is for bettors. They’ve got you covered with sharp analysis and some of the best bets to make this weekend. 04:54 - Falcons-Buccaneers 22:55 - Bengals QB Joe Burrow 30:39 - Colts to start Phillip Rivers vs. Seahawks 44:40 - Stuckey joins the show Follow John on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for the latest.  All lines provided by Hard Rock Bet Use promo code “3ANDOUT20” on https://nicokick.com/zone for 20% off at checkout! Check out Gametime - the fastest growing ticketing app in the US, and the official ticketing app of 3 & Out and GoLow -  for tickets to all of your favorite NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA teams. Concert and comedy show tickets, too. Go to Gametime now to create an account, download the app and use code JOHN for $20 off your first purchase. #VolumeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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What? I don't even know why I just talked like that. What's going on, everybody? How are we doing, John Middokoff 3 and Out podcast? Hopefully everyone is doing well. This little show is presented by my friends at Zone Pouches. Hopefully, you're doing better than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who lost tonight and are in complete shambles.

They've lost how many games now? One, two, three, four, five, five of the last six games in a free fall. Baker was outplayed by Kirk Cousins. Bejohn Robinson looked like a superstar. So we'll dive into that game. Joe Burrow rumors. We've got to dive into that because I'm not quite sure that the owner is going to agree with the internet. And I think we're almost underrating this story with Philip Rivers.

44 coming back. Actually, I'm riveted. I can't wait to watch if he does start, which Schefter said, signs point to him starting. Stucky will also join us and we'll go over all the games coming up this weekend. So we got some good ones. And yeah, this will be our last podcast till Sunday night. So you guys know the drill.

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Cousins felt like he was losing a little steam. Like, this is what's supposed to happen. Tampa's having a weird season. They'll be eight and six. They'll win this division at like 10 and 7. And all is right in the world. And then all of a sudden, that's not what happened. Atlanta started scoring.

Rahim's going for two, and they end up winning it on a walk-off field goal in Tampa Bay. I would say somewhat stunning. Now, when you watch the game, it wasn't really stunning because here's just the reality of what we witnessed tonight. Kirk Cousins was better than Baker Mayfield. I mean, Kirk Cousins actually was pretty good tonight. And I actually think that's a pretty big reflection of Tampa Bay because their defense is atrocious. It is really, really bad. And when Baker Mayfield, on 2nd and 14, late in the game, to a pass that potentially ices the game to his star young rookie,

over the middle of the field, who is open, throws it behind him. And it's an incomplete pass. And the next play, he sacked. And then obviously they punt in Atlanta drives the field. Cousins makes a couple nice plays. And they kick, what, a 43-yard field goal to make this division pretty interesting. Now, one takeaway I had is why you can't write your headlines before the game ends. With about five, six minutes to go when it felt like Tampa was going to win, I went, listen.

the buck's offense you get mike evans who's a hall of famer godwin is just a stud you got a buca you get bucky irvin back tristan warfs was locking up the young cats you know at left tackle you get baker playing solid especially in the red zone you can just kind of throw it up to those two guys they are going to be a tough out but they were going to be a one and done team like as the four seed they weren't beating whoever in the nfc ended up as the five seat i actually think they would have been an underdog in that game Now, I mean, they still control their own destiny because they play Carolina twice.

But does this feel like a team that's just going to beat Carolina twice? And there has been a lot of heat and a lot of people have been, what about Todd Bulls? What's the deal here? Now, I'm a little biased. I work with Todd and Philly. I've always really liked them. But I do understand, like, fans, when your team looks shitty and your coach has no emotion people cannot comprehend it.

Now, you could argue when your team looks bad and you're constantly screaming, they also think you're a fraud. When you're losing, it doesn't really matter how you act. They're going to nitpick you, right? You're seeing it with Kalin DeBore and he's 10 and 2 that he is, or I guess he's 10 and 3 now if you're losing to Georgia, but like, there's not enough juice behind him.

Sabin would be ripping asses up and down the sideline. Well, not everyone's personality is that. Not every guy is a yeller and a screamer. Pete Carroll was smiling, chewing gum in his heyday for Seattle, and they were killing people. All that matters is what you see on the field, because the majority of work happens

when none of us are watching. And clearly, whatever they're doing in Tampa, and Todd is a defensive guy. And when he was a defensive coordinator for Ariens at multiple spots, we all agreed he's one of the best defensive coordinators in the league. But now as a head coach,

the defense is clearly falling off a cliff. I mean, they are atrocious. They make curate. Cousins, who, like Rivers, I thought was washed years ago, who I was texting people in the league, I'm like, isn't it crazy? They paid this guy almost $30 million to be their backup. By the end of the game, I'm like, hey, he's pretty good. Now, but it's a reflection of the team. It's who he's playing. It's like, is J.J. McCarthy good? Or did he just get to play the Washington commanders? Probably a lot of the Washington commanders. Now, Cousins has a track record, but at his age,

like my expectations are pretty low. And as the game went on, he skipped a couple of balls. He's got serious limitations. Can't move, arm strength's a little hit or miss. But if you're not getting any pass rush, and your DBs can't cover, like he could hit guys. And he should have thrown a touchdown to a guy, honestly, I had to Google. I'm like, can he stills?

No, it's David Sills from West Virginia. I'm like, who is this guy? Filling in for Drake London. He's Kirk Cousins locker mate. I'm like, yeah, a lot of people want to talk to those guys, I'm sure. but like the best player on the field tonight was Bejan Robinson. He looked like he was back where he grew up in Tucson playing high school football. He was just operating in a different speed than everyone else.

Now we'll get to him in a second. He's a special talent. Like his just pure ability, I would say one of the more talented guys in the league. And honestly, it's kind of sad. I'd be lying if I've dialed in every single snap of that many Falcons games over the last couple months. But like most people, I've watched this guy's career since he's. was a Texas, like, God, God, this guy's really good. I mean, this guy, there are a lot of playoff teams like, hey, what Atlanta, would you guys

this off season? But we'll get to that in a second. But like, the bucks, there's just something missing. And we were on early, Baker Mayfield. I think it opened up at 50 to 1. It was down to like 20 to 1. It was like, God, where could this thing go? Could he be a favorite by middle to the end of the season to win the MVP?

And the answer is no. and whether he was banged up earlier this year, I'm not quite sure. I mean, we kind of knew he was in and out of the injury report, but his play is just very hit or miss now. And one thing that he has to kind of hang his hat on, if he's not doing the crazy playmaking running around, is accuracy. And you saw moments tonight where he's hitting Mike Evans on the back shoulder

fade over Terrell, which is just an unstoppable throw. He had a great two-point conversion to Chris Godwin. The timing was perfect. he back-shouldered him because the DB was on the inside. It's like, that's pretty high level. And then he also had throws that you're like, that's pretty bad. And clearly his numbers, I think he's 19 to 34 tonight, not great. But the margin for error for their team, because their defense is so atrocious, they don't have any margin for error on offense. Like they can't afford to not put up points on every drive. And that ended up costing them tonight.

And I would say this about the bucks. If I was a betting man, right now, I would just have a hard time seeing them beating Carolina twice. So you would just be like, yeah, they split, and then Carolina ends up winning the division. And there has been a lot of talk about the Todd Bull situation at head coach. Obviously, he took over for Bruce Ariens when he retired and has done a good job. I mean, handled that weird year with Tom Brady, but the last couple years of Baker Mayfield have not just been entertaining. They've been a good team.

And it does feel like it's starting to go the other way. now. And I think sometimes, you know, when you have an area of expertise, it's like the Sharon Moore thing is a massive story right now. But from a football standpoint, it's like their offensive line is a buddy in the league texts me. And he's been scouting their program the entire Harbaugh era and obviously the Sharon time. He's like it's never been worse. Well, Sharon Moore's an offensive line guy. He's an offensive line in. That's his area of expertise. So I'm watching Todd. I know Todd can call. called blitzes, but the overall defense just looks like it gets worse and worse. And I do think there's extra emphasis in terms of like, hey, we're playing Kirk Cousins. It's one thing. It's like, if you had lost tonight to Joe Burrow or Josh Allen or, you know, some top end guy, you'd be like, listen, we got beat, one of the best guys, our defense is not great, and they lit us up. But Kirk Cousins throws for, what was his final yard is tonight? 373 yards.

And let's face it, if the dude catches a wide open pass down the sideline, does cousin throw for like 420 yards tonight? Kirk Cousins, who everyone kind of universally makes fun of the Falcons for having this contract of this guy that's not able to play. I almost said makes fun of Cousins, we don't really anymore. He's actually kind of likable in a weird way. But that one was tough. And for the first time, because I've never bought it,

I do see a scenario that if this team misses the playoffs people often say and I get a lot of DMs it turns out the bucks sneakie have more fans than you realize sorry I've been I've been battling this my wife got sick and my immunity's battled it off but it's kind of creeped in and out that you know I get people like Todd Bulls got to go Todd Bulls got to go Jason Light needs to fire Todd Bulls

and my take always with a GM and a head coach it's not really one or the other firing the guy. Like a coach can kind of get a GM forced out and a GM can kind of get a coach forced out, but it's through the owner. Like the owner has to be on board. The owner is the one paying those two guys and beside the players, those are their two highest paid employees.

So if Todd Bowles is gone, it's because the Glazer family wants him gone. Right? It's not whether Jason says, hey, it's time for a change or whatever. not his call. That's not the way it works. You know, there's not a more powerful GM in the league than Howie Roseman. Siriani's job status always came down the last couple years, you know, or two years ago when they had that losing streak to Jeffrey Lurie, not Howie Roseman. And I'm not saying how he was one way or the other. But my point is that these decisions, you know, like Joe Shane

survived because the owner kind of likes them, right? And whether he wanted Brian table or not, that's John Mara and his crew. So I think this decision will be if they keep crumbling like this at home, short week against a terrible team in your division, that's type stuff to get you fired. Because it's not like, you're not firing

Baker Mayfield, right? You saw Mike Evans at the end of the game right before they kicked the field goal, just kind of going nuts. Like he looked furious. Don't blame him. He's like, I came back, I had my clavicle shattered. I've battled hamstrings the last couple years. I do

everything humanly possible to get on this field. I'm busted my ass making plays. I have six catches for 130 yards. I'm dominating this game. Our offense, it felt like, should dominate this game. And what happens? We lose. Now, I do think, Baker threw a pick.

You know, you'd have to get like some Orlovsky type to, like, I don't necessarily put all the blame on Baker for that throw. Has some similarities. It's not an apples to apples. scenario, but like, kind of like Jalen Hurts, the last pass that ended the game against the Chargers. I view that as a really good defensive play. And, you know, in this situation, it was a great defensive play call. I think Herbstreet says they typically run man coverage. They had the slot corner turned into a zone defender, and he read Baker's eyes, and he jumped the

comeback or the outrout or whatever it was to Mike Evans. You just had to jump a little bit and picked it off. But that was a killer play. The intercept. The intercept. and the misspass to a mecca over the middle. And this team, because of the way that they're operating right now, need him to be, I don't know, a top, definitely a top 10 quarterback for them to make the playoffs. And clearly the way he's playing is not really that. He had some moments tonight. But like I said, I do believe that all the course of the game, like Kirk Cousins outplayed him.

I mean, that's now part of that is Coussons was sacked one time. It's not like Tampa exactly has Warren Sapp and Simian Rice coming after your ass, right? They don't get pressure on a guy that can't move. It's not like Kirk Cousins is Caleb Williams and can take off

when the pockets of disaster. No, he just sits within a two-yard radius. You could argue, even Jared Gough, no quarterback moves less than Kirk Cousins. He's an old-school player. They don't really exist. I mean, watch.

all these college quarterbacks. All the guys we're talking about in the draft. Fernando Mendoza, athlete, Dante Moore, athlete. Even like the Ty Simpson type guys, they can move around. Cousins cannot move around at all. And they sacked them one time. Meanwhile, Baker was sacked five times. So, I mean, that's kind of the game. You get your quarterback gets outplayed, your quarterback gets sacked, their quarterback doesn't get hit. And for the most part, he's really productive. I mean, that's probably the best game Kurt Cousins has played since like early last. year. And part of the reason I love the bucks tonight was I just kind of bet against Kurt Cousins.

And for a while it was working. But to allow 15 points down the stretch, obviously two touchdowns and a field goal, 15 points, it sounds a little better than it actually was because they went for two twice. They didn't get either. I know, you know, the analytic crew love going for, you know, two at every stop, right? Down 14, down 8. or down when they could be seven, they'd rather be down six, which I get it, you're playing to win. And to me, the Falcons, once you're four or nine, you don't have your first round pick,

like just throw shit at the wall and hope it sticks. But, I mean, the one thing they have going for them, I thought this tonight, like, I don't know if this win is enough to keep Rahim and the front office alive. their last three games are at Cardinals, Ram Saints. So I guess it's not inconceivable that they win a couple games down the stretch and end up 7 and 10, where at one point in time it felt like they were going to end up 5 and 11. So maybe their final record could look better than the product we saw. But if they do fire everybody and people come in and just take this thing over,

I think one thing you would want to do is probably rip this thing down to the studs and truly start over, which they haven't really done. Now, if I own the team, I wouldn't want to get rid of B. John Robinson, right? He's a remarkable talent. Clearly, Herb Street was talking about tonight, like elite character guy, everything you want in a player. But he is their most valuable asset by a mile. And we have seen, at least in the course of my life, Marshall Falk was once traded. We have seen some big time running backs.

You know, Christian McCaffrey, not that long ago. was viewed to be over the hill and went for a second, a three, and a four. I mean, I think Bejan Robinson, you might be able to get two ones. You definitely get like a one and two twos. And you don't have a one. Your quarterback situation is in major flux. You have just a weird operation going on. I do think you would have to entertain it.

And I do think good teams, like, if you tell me you put Bejan Robinson on the Chiefs, like I know Bejan Robinson is, I'm not a big fantasy guy. So if you play fantasy, you know, he's a name talked about for years. But I feel like in the world I live in that is just talking about the major things that are happening in the NFL, watching all these games that matter and his games just don't matter. He feels a little out of sight out of mind. And that sucks because I think if you put him on the Chiefs, if you just put him on some big time team, I think he'd be a superstar. I mean, look at Christian McCaffrey. Kind of happened to him.

Came to the Niners and became one of the biggest names again in the NFL. And I do think depending on who takes over and what their big picture is, that is an easy way to get yourself some assets and flip it around. Look at the Jets. I think your first reaction is like no fucking way. The Jets just traded two guys and got three first round picks back. Now, if you had to list those three guys when you factor in age and contract, Bejohn's still on his rookie contract, I'd rather have Bejohn than a 28-year-old Quinn and Williams, assuming that I have to give him his third contract with his going to be. massive, and I definitely would rather have Bijan than Sauce Gardner.

And I don't say that lightly because typically he'd rather have a corner than a running back, but I think Bejohn's kind of like Christian McCaffrey. I mean, he's bigger. I mean, he's like, same type deal. Like, he could just be a starting slot receiver, and there would be no stopping him. Like Christian McAfree could have just been a wide receiver, and he would have been a dominant wide receiver. They just happen to be unreal running backs.

They can run inside, they can run outside, they can break tackles, they can make guys miss, and B. John is 23 years old. I just Googled it right before we press play. Turns 24 in late January. Probably like the AFC, NFC championship game weekend. So that's something I know people like, trade Joe Burrell. Like, guys, we'll get into that in a second. Pump the brace there.

But this would be one that if I was the Falcons and really just wanted to restart my franchise and kind of tear it down to the studs because they have been patchworking in this thing and putting Band-Aids over bullet holes for a while and it is just not worked out. And for as cool as tonight was, if you're a Falcons fan, you go, where has that been?

Even Kyle Pitts tonight. I mean, halfway through this game, you're going, what's up with this guy? He's got one touchdown on the year? Maybe he's just cousins. He had 11 for 166 and three touchdowns. He looked. Again, you're playing the bucks.

But just his size, his ball skills, his movements. He's a guy. that you watch. He's going to go somewhere else. And the second part of his career, I bet he becomes a pretty eye-in player. I bet really good teams are extremely interested in this individual. Pretty sure he's a free agent this offseason. I think he is.

And if he is, I think a lot of people are going to be very, very interested in him. So, bucks, man. Not good. Today's show is brought to you by our new presenting sponsor Hard Rock Bet. The holidays are here in the sports schedule is packed tighter. the Santa's gift bag. Week 15 football games, bowl games,

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We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to a... We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts throughout there. But this one's extra special. So how do we actually come up with a name, Hey Jonas, guys?

I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call. it and well we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band before Jonas brothers was this is how you guys remember it going down yes I have a very different memory of this we were talking about a thing a bit for the podcast people could call in and say hey Jonas and then I wrote down on my little notepad hey Jonas and offered it up as a potential title but thanks for remembering that guys listen to hey Jonas on the iHeart radio app Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it.

Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert It's Michael and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Keer Games.

And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. and we're still chasing it and we don't know when we've done enough because people scoreboard watch.

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Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies,

and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to. to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them.

Listen to Sports Slice on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slic Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. The French Open is one of the toughest tests in tennis, and I know firsthand because I competed there myself. I'm Renee Stubbs, and on the Renee Stubbs Tennis podcast, I'm breaking down everything happening at Roland Garris. Every match, every upset, and what it really takes to win on Clay. Jenchian win. I mean, she went down in three to Rabakina, but I'm delighted. She's an outsider to win the French for me.

And she likes Clay. Listen, Lerner Rabakina is arguably the best player in the world. right now and I actually can win on any surface because if she's serving, well, good luck. Consider this your court side seat to the French Open. Listen to the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHart Women's Sports. Speaking of Joe Burrell, I've hinted it this a couple times. I'm not floored because I get the business and I understand saying star player actors.

trade them to these three teams, gets headlines, gets excitement, gets people to engage. I'm not talking shit about that world. I'm in it too. But I just think there are some things that when we talk about it, the Cincinnati Bengals, have you ever known an old person?

An old stubborn person? Typically as they age, it gets worse. Have you ever known an old stubborn rich guy? they definitely are not listening to anybody. Now, I've never known an old, stubborn billionaire, but that's what Mike Brown is. Mike Brown is an old, stubborn billionaire that over two decades ago had an issue with this quarterback

who wanted out. Do you know what he told him? Retire. I'm not trading you. Didn't budge. Do people forget that? I've been along long enough in the internet era to remember some things.

And Mike Brown, because all we do is talk about how stubborn Mike Brown is, how poorly he runs the team. He had a situation with the number one overall pick, a former Heisman trophy winner that resurrected his franchise named Carson Bonner. He wanted to leave, and Mike Brown would not let him. You think, and listen, I watched Joe Burroughs comments. My first takeaway wasn't that like 100%, this guy, this offseason is going to pound the table, wants to trade.

I think any time your team sucks. you've missed a large percentage of the season with a bad foot. It's just, that sucks. Like, you start looking around, you go, God, if I hadn't been injured, we would be in first place more than likely, even with our shitty defense. And then I saw Jamar Chase say,

like, I think you guys are blowing this out of proportion. I'm around him every day, and he's been around him forever going back to LSU. He's like, I see a happy guy that's positive. But regardless, the reaction of, like, here are the teams that can trade for him. The Rams. The Eagle, you just start listening, you know, the usual suspects.

I expect Mike Brown to not trade Joe Burrow for the next several years. If you think this off-season, it's like, oh, the Rams are going to trade them four first-round picks. What do you think Mike Brown wants with four first-round picks? He'd rather just have his star quarterback. And here's what I will say about the Bengals. Joe Burrow has dictated terms to them from a personnel. standpoint. He was pounding the table for Jamar Chase over Penae Soule. That I would say organizationally, obviously both guys elite. Organizationalally, I think if we were running a team,

we would place star offensive tackle over a star wide receiver. But they listened and they went with the receiver and it's obviously paid dividends. It's been awesome. But they found their receiver. They draft this other guy in the second round who's also a stud. Joe Bro's like, we can't let him go. Well, we're going to be paying two guys a ton of money at that position. They listened, and they did it. Now, defensively, they don't spend a lot of cash, like actual cash, relative to a lot of other teams.

No one's disputing that. But you didn't do that? Joe Burrell, because he grew up in Ohio, then played for the Bengals, and then they put an enormous offer in front of him. He didn't have to sign it. Now you go, are you crazy? They gave him $250 million. Well, he could have played hardball.

He could have used some leverage. I don't know. But I have a hard time like feeling too much sympathy for a guy who signs the contract, knowing kind of what he's signing up with. It'd be one thing. If you sign a big contract, the owner that you're dealing with leaves. It'd be like the reverse of Washington. It'd be like, you have Josh Harris. He sells to Dan Snyder. You didn't know you were getting in business with. and you're like, this sucks. But that's not the case.

Mike Brown owned the team before. He went to the NFL and he currently owns the team now and he's going to own the team or his family is for the foreseeable future. When you get in business with certain people and you have and like you understand what you're getting into business with, it's kind of on you. It really is. Now, it's the NFL. That's not the NBA. It's hard to force trades. You know, it is complicated, right? You're typically stuck on a team for a while. but like you sign this big contract they do a lot of the things you want them to do and then we start complaining about like why does this team have a lot of holes well most teams that invest huge amounts of money in four or five players

especially at premium positions are going to have some holes on their roster now you could argue they have more than than they should if they were better at drafting they just drafted the dude uh uh uh uh, uh,

germane Burton who they cut I think a couple days ago he's been inactive the last couple weeks I think they left him at home for the Ravens game on Thanksgiving uh showing up late I mean listen the Bengals historically

they got a little like Al Davis to him like character there are a lot of teams that get character red flags you're off the board. The Bengals like print you two two cards. They don't discriminate there with some red flags off the field.

But then you get in positions where you're cutting the guy a couple years into his career when you've drafted him on the second day of the draft. And they also do things like this year. They drafted defensive linemen really, really high. I'm pretty sure he had like four and a half career sacks in college. So, I mean, this is the franchise you're dealing with. And listen, I know people are going to say, like,

he should demand his way out. Even if he went scorched earth, like Miles Garrett last year, goes to Super Bowl, starts asking or hitting all the shows and saying it's time. I've talked to my representative. I've told the Bengals, I won out. My belief, absolutely nothing will happen. I would bet, you said, hey, you got to bet $10,000. If Joe Burrow demanded a trade, would he be traded or would he not be traded? It would take me less than a second to bet on he will not be traded. I wouldn't even have to think

because I've just followed football long enough and it's not like I even from that area but if you have a brain and just common sense and just can put two and two together the way this guy is operated I don't see that. I do not see that happening at all so this is going to be a story

I'm sure there will be things said after the season I don't expect this to go away I do think teams, if it ever did become realistic, would obviously be very aggressive. The Rams would move heaven and earth. They would be like, Matt Retire will get you. I'm not disputing any of that. But it takes two to tango. Like, I mean, you know, you can't do a trade without both sides agreeing to the deal.

And I just think one side is not only not going to be interested in listening. I don't even think they, like, they just want no part of it. not even in that world. So, fun story for everyone to talk about. I think it's about as unrealistic as any story that kind of consistently gets brought up. And last but not least, I don't think if he actually starts, and Adam Schaefter tweeted a day quoting one of the local guys in Indies posts about his practice that like, I think Adam's no dummy.

He knows what he's doing. all signs pointing to Philip Rivers starting this weekend. That's one of the craziest things do ever happen. If he actually starts, he's been retired since 2020, he's been coaching high school football. He's 44 years old. I mentioned this to Stucky today, that during the Raven Steeler game,

they mentioned a stat that like, I think it was either 75 or 76 games had been started by a guy over 42 years old. And Tom Brady accounted for, 66 of those. And Rogers is now the 67th. So I don't even know. Maybe you'd have to go back to like the 70s or 80s, some of these random old guys. This is not normal. And this is truly unprecedented. Kyle Shanahan said today that Philip Rivers, because I mentioned to Stucky, that the 49ers were going to sign him if they made the Super Bowl, the year that Brock Purdy

heard his elbow against the Philadelphia Eagles. And Kyle Shanahan said that when Jimmy Garvey Broke his ankle and Purdy came in. They contacted Philip Rivers then, and he was in the Zoom meetings each week because they wanted him just up to speed in case something happened to Purdy. So Philip, it's weird, right? Like, a lot of these guys, it was clear.

Like, Drew Breeze was shot, and everyone was out. Rathusberger's arm, over. Eli, over. And then there's like Flacco who just like legitimately keeps playing, but he's like the backup. You know, Rivers was never in that position where he's like, I'll just be someone's backup. But for whatever reason, coaches just love this guy. And clearly his relationship with Shane Seichen is pretty unique. He goes back to, he was his quarterback coach in San Diego. They speak the same language. Sometimes it's like in life when you date,

when you get married, there are certain women that you meet that you just like, it's hard. It's to explain, right? You just have an instant connection with, right? Ideally, the one that you're married, do, and spend the rest of your life with. But throughout your life, when you date different people, you just, you just vibe, you have a connection. Football's kind of like that too. Right. Some of these individuals, Tom Brady had it with Josh McDaniels, right? Philip Rivers clearly has it with Shane Steichen. Brock Purdy and cousins and some of these guys had it with Kyle Shanahan. Sean McVeigh clearly has it with Matt Stafford. Andy Reed and Patrick Holmes, Andy Reed and Alex Smith.

And that relationship is just a pretty special relationship. It's like you speak the same language immediately. And there's a respect factor that goes both ways. And that can only take you so far. I do think, I don't want to throw a red flag on this situation,

but at 44 years old that there's just no way humanly possible you've been training at the levels in which you used to. You're going to Seattle, who as of this morning, was two touchdown favorite. They are one of the best teams in the league.

They have one of the best defense in the league. But specifically they have one of the fastest defenses in the league that is led by, you know, he's a head coach. So it's hard to, like, I don't think most people consider it. They go, Robert Sala or whoever, the best defensive coordinators in the league. You know, Shula, Spagnola, Fangio. Mike McDonald should be listed in that group, if not at the top. He just happens to also be the head coach.

And you're going into a hornet's nest. Place will be bananas. They can operate at warp speed. All their DBs run and hit. They have multiple defensive linemen who will fucking rock you. I think it's kind of scary. And I'm fascinated to watch. At the end of the day, football's entertainment.

He knows what he's signing up for. I'm rooting for it to go well I think him winning or just competing and have the game close would be one of the coolest things we've ever seen it also could get really ugly and here's the other thing

I went to the gym the other day and I usually do this like a little circuit thing upstairs and I have like a set like five or six things I do for like multiple circuits and for whatever reason there was like this lady in the area and I came at a different time than I usually did And I was like, you know, screw it.

So I kind of started doing some other things. And I just, one of those benches that you can kind of do free weights on, you can do sit-ups, you can do a lot of different things on it. I just put my feet on it and did decline push-ups. Like I've been doing it my whole life. I want to do some push-ups. Just put my feet up. It declined.

You can use a medicine ball, whatever. But I didn't stretch or anything. It was like one of the first things I did after I kind of did the rowing machine to get the heart moving. And the first push-up I did, I felt like a back muscle pulled. And for the last three or four days, it's just like, something's off in my back. You know what? I'm 41. Things that never happened before my life just,

and I'm not a professional athlete. But anyone, once you get in your late 30s, definitely into your 40s, you just start feeling things. You're like, God, I've never really felt that before. I've been doing that same thing for the last 20 years, and I've never felt this pain. Philip was 44.

So I would imagine toward the end of his career, the hits hurt a little more, a little harder to get up. I think we underestimate this isn't 1987 you're not technically allowed to totally kill people across the middle of the field

the one area though that allows you to be really really physical as the line of scrimmage in the offensive and defensive linemen now you can say well you can't hit their feet and you'll get a flag for late hit okay but you can still late hit them and I'm rooting for this to go well

I'm a Philip Rivers fan I've been saying forever You see his press conferences. Do you know how good this guy would be on television? I, nothing I feel stronger about than Philip Rivers. If he went to television like Brady or Breeze or any of these guys in called games, I think he'd be a superstar. If Troy Aikman retired, I think you could throw him on Monday night

and he'd be the next John Madden or John Gruden. I think he'd be that good. I'm very confident in that. His love of football, as we're seeing right now, strapping it up at 44 years old, he's not doing this for the money. Google how much he's made. I'll bet the number is over $250 million.

It ain't a lack of cash in the bank. No, he's got a lot of kids and grandkids now. But I'm pretty sure Philip probably invested pretty well, or at least safely. So I just think this guy's a football junkie. I just hope everyone knows like this could be a little scary from my man, Philip Rivers. Hey, it's us, the Jonas brothers.

And guess what? We have some big news. What's the news, huge news? We created our own podcast. Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it.

We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts throughout there. But this one's extra special. So how did we actually come up with a name, Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it. Well, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band. Before Jonas Brothers was...

This is how you guys remember it going down. Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast, where people could call in and say, hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts,

or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smigel and Friends. me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel,

help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind.

Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real.

From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slicelife Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kier Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience

in the mental health field and conversations. with so many incredible guests. I'm talking. Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing and we're still chasing it

and we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth, or are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro.

Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way. Open your free Our Heart Radio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. The French Open is one of the toughest tests in tennis. And I know firsthand because I competed there myself. I'm Renee Stubbs. And on the Renee Stubbs' tennis podcast, I'm breaking. down everything happening at Roland Garris. Every match, every upset, and what it really takes to win on Clay.

Genshin win. I mean, she went down at three to Rabakina, but I'm delighted. She's an outsider to win the French for me. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lena Rubakina is arguably the best player in the world right now, and I actually can win on any surface. Because if she's serving, well, good luck. Consider this your court side seat to the French Open.

Listen to the Renee Stubbs Tennis podcast on the IHen Hot Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. Okay, fired up to be back again with my main man, Stucky from the Action Network. Big Betts on campus, Action Network podcast. And it turns out he's about to have a child that turns 99 percentile. Might have a little Trent Williams there in the baby or in the belly. So congrats to you, Stucky.

Thanks, yeah, 22nd. uh will be first time dad um so fingers crossed for good health and everything goes okay but yeah he's 99.9 percentile size across the board um so i was just telling you i'm going to train to be a a tight end that can quarterback sneak that's the future like just i'm going to get him the elite quarterback sneak skills like as soon as he's you know maybe three under center Let's start practicing snaps. I'm kidding. Do whatever you want.

But yeah, it's exciting. And it'll be on a Monday. And the first thing I looked at, I'm a very sick individual. What was there was one bowl. It's the famous Idaho potato bowl in the afternoon. I do have money on it. But so, yeah. I'm looking forward to that, but we're in the middle of the grind.

There's no stopping kid or not. Yeah, I mean, I think, you know, we don't know. We have a loose state, but, you know, if there was a chance, it was like a Monday night, you know, you had that wild card Monday night football game on. We'd have to set up some plans with the hospital. You know, we could be mid-delivery. We got Niners, Eagles, you know, Monday night at football, we'll be dialed in. But, I mean, we got a lot going on.

We're recording this Thursday night. Michigan's and Shambles. You got T.J. Watt, who just went to the hospital. You got Philip Rivers who's back. I don't even know. Honestly, I don't even know where to start. Let's start in the National Football League. Let's just, I mean, that's a pretty big story, Philip Rivers.

I look this morning, they're catching two touchdowns at Seattle. Do you expect him to be the starting quarterback Sunday after, noon? I honestly, I usually have a take on those things. I have no idea. Like, I would imagine if Leonard's healthy, he'll play, but I don't know. They must have signed him for a reason he knows the playbook. If he does, I also have no idea how to price this game. We've never seen any. We've never seen this. A guy is 45-year-old grandfather. He's put on a couple pounds. Guys have played in five years going to go out and start against, on the road against one of the best defenses in the NFL.

How do you price that? I don't know. I mean, it's close to impossible. I don't like the look at line for this. Obviously, you're down to the Colts at the last week upgrade, the Seahawks for their win, but it was like three and a half. Is 14 the right number? I couldn't even tell you. I mean, also the Colts secondary is not the same Trivarious Ward.

I don't know if his courage. Is it? I know. That's awful. Third concussion this year. Jesus. And then you have Sauce Garner. still hurt that DeVarhus Buckner's on so their defense isn't the same they have an offensive line injury so I don't know I mean I really don't know what to expect I don't know if he's going to start now I will say I'll be tuned in but I won't be betting it but yeah you got to watch that who's not interested to see how it turns out it could be a complete disaster or maybe

he's semi-serviceable I assume he's going to try to look they're going to try to run taylor a bunch the Seahawks know that he's probably going to throw to Tyler Warren a bunch. Usually that's what the Sealks may make you do throw underneath. And like if you're a usually a backup does this, they rely on their tight end a lot. But especially if you're like a 45-year-old, I'm like, you're going to, you want to get rid of the ball quick. Like, can he get hit? Can he take a hit? That's another question.

I just, I have no idea, but it's going to be fascinating to watch. From a betting perspective, your guess is as good as mine. Flip a coin. you have the audio on on the Steelers Ravens game on Sunday morning with all the games going on? The what? The audio? Yeah, like when you watch a bunch of games, you just choose one game to have the audio on typically, or how do you usually do that? Well, it's funny that you ask.

Normally, yeah, like NFL, I, if must there's a really big game that I want to watch, then I'll just have that on. But you'll have like a red zone on my main with volume and then the TVs around it with the other games. But sometimes on a college football Saturday or college basketball Saturday, I will have, and I'll be by myself because someone would. You're going to say multiple audio is going on. I'll have audio on all of the TVs,

and I will be putting one lower a little bit. And then it's, if you ever walked in to a room when I'm doing this, you'd be like, what is wrong? Do you need to lock this person in a psych ward? You're like Jeffrey Dahmer of football or something. every once in a while I do do that because and then I'm because then I can catch more like

someone will mention like an injury if I'm paying attention here and it's if I'm like really wrapped up in the day and really excited I'll do that but it's uh yeah usually just just one game well because that you're right because like when there's like seven eight six however many games going like the morning slate you just missed up like if you just watch a game individually you get pretty good nuggets like one thing that they said I typically have the audio on the best game in the morning and same in the afternoon with all the other games going around it. But I had it on the Raven Steelers game.

I was going back and forth with Raven Steelers and Bengals bills with the audio. But when I was watching, when they had the audio on for the Steeler game, there was like a stat that guys of 42 years or older, because Rogers had just turned 42, had played like a combined. I think the number was like 75 career games in the NFL. but 66 of them were Brady. So 67 of them. So it's such a small sample size.

That's the thing with Philip Rivers. It's like if you remove Brady, it literally never happened with people like 42 years old, let alone 44 who has just been out of football. With a four-year break. Yeah, that's, I mean, it's going to be cinema. I'm with you. I might just wriggle a little on indie,

though even if he had been playing, you would say Philip Rivers, kind of a bad matchup, can't move. Their defense is really fast. there, let alone the break. I know his high school team makes sense, right? Shane coached him in. He knows the playbook.

In San Diego. You run across some guys, like certain people, like for Brady, it was Josh, for Peyton, him and Adam Gase, just like, you know, Shane Stike and Philip River, just like a football relationship that you just hit it off and you just talk the rest of your life about football. So I do believe that they probably talk. I think people would be shocked probably how often they'd actually talk over the last three or four years.

You know, text like daily, you know, about, about, like, family, not about food, just like simply football. Like, it's, it's probably really in-depth geeky. So I'm, I think it's a, it's a fun story. But let's, you got to feel bad if you're Brett Rippin, though. They're on the practice squad, all the quarterbacks are hurt, and they're like, well, let's call Philip Rivers. And, yeah, so I'm fascinated to see what happens.

I've literally no idea what's going to happen. I have no idea how to price it. I have no idea how to bet it. It's a pure pass for me, but I will be tuned in. Remember John Lynch when Purdy messed up his elbow said if they would have been able to win that game somehow, the plan was to get Philip Rivers for the Super Bowl. Really?

Yeah, he said that a couple years ago. I never heard that. Like, in like an off-season interview. Like they, because they start looking around, again, like these guys, when you're so desperate, like you're not going to go, the ship's not going to go down with Brett Rippin. Or whoever the 49ers,

You know, because by then the 49ers, Purdy was their third string quarterback. So it was like they had nothing. Yeah, they had not. I mean, McCaffrey was throwing passes. Yeah, because then even their backup Josh Johnson had got injured as well. So it's just like, I do understand Indy, like, are we going to look Jonathan Taylor in the eye and let go down?

At least he can respect our effort. So I, in a weird way, I probably would have done the same. I would, yeah, that's fascinating. I never even thought about that if the 49ers had won that game, what they would have done. for a team going to the Super Bowl without a quarterback and then having to find one, that would have been super cool.

I never heard that Lynch said on that. That's amazing. Okay, let's hammer some games. Let's just start with not a great game, pretty big spread. I do think the Cardinals are just kind of circling the drain at this point. They're in shambles. Houston has serious life, right? I mean, they are kind of rolling.

I mean, CJ, I don't even know what his box score was. last week against the Chiefs, but has a little mojo going. I mean, their defense is pretty incredible. Now, you know, take them to just blow people out. I wouldn't say that's like the Houston Texans M.O. But I just think this card thing is really starting to fall apart. I mean, they've been blown out a couple times. You and I talked about, they were like the best like three and eight team in the league.

They could have easily been at eight three. I mean, they were probably like seven, eight plays away. But by now this thing's getting away from at Houston, you know, D'Amico, Kassari. CJ, the pass rushers and their DBs, their team hits so hard. That hit Petri Hat across the middle. It was like, God, it feels like an old school throwback team right now. Even I heard Dmitico's like, yeah, sometimes you kind of miss being out there watching these guys flying around.

I'm a hammer of the Texans this week with minus nine and a half. Not my cup of tea. I mean, the Texans look at, they're probably at the close the peak of their market value. They're coming off games against what, the bills, Colts and Chiefs. maybe they come out a little flat. I could see they're just not a team I want to bet to win by a lot of margin. Having said that, so like we mentioned the Cardinals,

how good they how close they were in every game. I don't know who's going to play for the Cardinals. So they might just have no players available. I mean, you're talking their receivers. They're down to like maybe just Michael Wilson. I think Marvin Harrison might not play Weaver. Their offensive line is now in shambles.

like Hernandez is on IR, Christian Jones, Paris Johnson is out there. They're without their tackles. They might be without both guards. Their defense, like Walter Nolan, Thompson, Melton, Mack Wilson's on IR.

They are, I mean, even their returners, their kick returner, punt returner. They are, you look, you pull up their injury report. It's a CVS for C. Like, it's insane on both.

It's on all three phases. So, yeah, all the offensive line injuries in particular, might just be death for them. So not my cup of tea, but I don't think they'll be betting the Cardinals here. And you're right on the Texans. They are extremely dangerous.

I know people, like, they say that about, say this is not a lot of teams, like you don't want to face this team. You don't want to face the Texans if they should get into the playoffs. It looks like the last spot is probably going to be, because if you look at the Texans,

the Texans have, they're home against the Cardinals, home against the Raiders the next two weeks. And then they have the Colts at home. And we're short in indie, right? Yeah, I mean, India, I think, is done. So, and the Texans right now, so that would, they sweep down there at 11 wins.

They're getting in. And then it comes down to they win the division. The Jags have a couple easy games, but the Jags also go to Denver. So the biggest, the hardest game on the Texan schedule left is the Chargers, but with the state of the Chargers' there's offensive line with that defensive line. And that's not like the Charters of a big homefield advantage. That's their road game. Their other three are at home.

The Texans are going to be extremely dangerous. Their offense is playing better. Their offensive line has played better in the second half of the year. Also, like Woody Marks has given the run game some juice. And then they're, I think one of the best things that happened to the Texans is when Nico Collins went out. Then Nico Collins out. They had Christian Kirk out with injuries.

And these other, and then, you know, Stroud was out. These other receivers, these younger receivers had to step up, guys like Higgins. And now they're able, they were able to develop depth, the wide receiver. And they have some other reliable options outside of Nico Collins. So while the offense isn't great, you don't need it to be great. You just need this offense to be serviceable. And, you know, they're still probably going to struggle to finish drives in the red zone. But this is, I think, for my money, it's the best defense in the NFL. It's nothing fancy. It's, yeah, we're going to line up.

They're not going to, like, blitz of a ton. They're not going to show a ton of exotic looks. Damico will change the game plan based on who they're playing. But it's just, look at that front, look at the secondary talent, and you don't need to do too much. It's just a sound unit. And, yeah, they can hit. They can get after the pass. They can cover.

There's really no weaknesses on that defense. So they get in. And then, like, depending on what happens, like, there's a good chance Mahomes isn't in the playoffs. It looks like Allen will probably be, by the way, Alan the last two years against this Texan's defense has been abysmal. They have tortured him and tortured that offensive line. And then you look around and it's like,

the other quarterbacks are going to have been here, like Lawrence, Knicks, May, like all inexperienced young quarterbacks that, like this Texan's team on with their defense leading the charge. can certainly make a run. They are dangerous, and the Cardinals are just so beat up. I think the one thing that separates, I would say, Houston, Seattle, and Denver

is, like, you can have a good defense if you just have, like, a good front seven, like a dominant D-line and kind of get by with some random DBs. So, you know, I'd say the Rams or somewhat like that. When you have, I mean, listen, Lasseter is from Georgia, so it's not like he's coming from UC Davis here, but you start to turn him into a good player.

Stingley is a stud with Petrie. So all of a sudden, you got DB talent, and dominant pass rushers, that there is no, nothing you can do, right? I mean, that's what, I mean. The ultimate flex,

like that's, like the Seahawks are able to do this too, is, and the Broncos, the Broncos blitz a lot. Like the Seahawks don't blitz at all. And they can get pressure in elite grade. Texans can do the same.

That gives you so much flexibility. If you can get, that is the key to an elite NFL defense in 2025. You can get pressure without blitzing. And all those teams that you mentioned, certainly can do that. Well, the checkdowns, when you have elite team speed in your defensive backfield,

the checkdowns, instead of going for seven yards, get tackled to like two yards, you know? So it's like you're not really moving the ball. You can't just dink and dunk them to death because their team speed to get up close is, like, you know, a cushion is actually not a cushion. Like you see some of these slow defenses, you know, guys are wide open.

You're like, it just, it doesn't, nothing you can do. That's, to me, kind of the Rams downfall is like, do you trust their secondary, you know, is it good enough? And, you know, I don't know. Yeah, that is the question with the Rams, I think. Because in the NFC, as opposed to, the NFC is going to be a war. And now you can get away with that against the Eagles, your secondary issues, although their secondary got roasted for a half.

I mean, it's not the last time the Eagles' offense looked good, maybe the Giants game. So, but you look at the NFC playoffs, the Packers Cooper DeGine was locking down what's his name what's that Cooper DeGine was

he had some sweet plays against McCawkey he was yeah he looked great in space there yeah the Rams I mean I don't know maybe you can get through the NFC there's not like the Bears are a running team

the Niners can throw it the Seahawks they want to run it but they certainly can throw the bucks are are fading. Their offense has been very bad. We'll say they have had some injuries. The Eagles can't throw it.

So maybe the Rams, I mean, the Rams, the offense is so good, it might not matter. Well, let's talk about that game because that's another, I'm going to go, you know, lines coming off a long week,

get some offensive momentum. They got a lot of team speed. Obviously, St. Brown is a badass. Maybe he wasn't as hurt as we thought, but like, I don't think anyone questioned his toughness before that game. So it's like, yeah, I wouldn't jog me at all. He was like 45, 50 percent and just toughed it out.

James and Williams has really exploded since Gamble, since Dan Campbell kind of kicked, you know, Johnny Morton to the side. And like if you have some secondary issues, you know, obviously the Lions, offensive line is not nearly what it has been the last couple of years. But, you know, Gibbs in space. I mean, now Landman's, I don't know, look pretty damn good. But I'm hammering the Lions, you know, this weekend plus five and a half. Again, the Rams are, you know, probably a higher version of the charges, but it's not, you wouldn't say exactly a home field advantage. right at so-five for them. So I do think that extra, that extra week,

I think also if you're the Lions, like that game against the Cowboys just gave you life. I mean, their season was kind of on the line. And now, you know, this is a pretty big Dan Campbell week. But, like, you know, assuming Seattle wins, it's not like when you look up at the standings, the Rams of the number one seed, but you're playing the lines. And then what, they have a short week? They got to go to Seattle.

I mean, this is a massive four-day stretch. You would say, I mean, kind of must win if you're just going to get. Yeah, I'll give Seattle the benefit of the dad at home on a short week. So let's just assume you lose that game. All of a sudden, you lose this game against the Lions. 49ers beat the Titans, you know, beat the Bears, beat the Colts. You know, this is a little more jumbled, I think, than people, the casual. I hear a lot of people saying, oh, Ram's going to win the Super Bowl.

It's like, they're going to be the, you know, one of the top seats. Like, are we sure? Yeah, it's, that is a huge game at Thursday. I'm looking forward to that one next week. I have nothing here. Like, I'm pretty close to market. this will probably come down where the lines could have an advantage is McVeigh will get a little too conservative at times and maybe like settle for field goals even

though he has an elite offense and you know that especially as an underdog Campbell's going to go balls to the wall and be really aggressive. Oh yeah. Which could work at his advantage, especially like when you're trying to pull off the upset. His secondary stinks too. So it's like he's not like he's stopping anybody. Yeah, that's my biggest concern here is can the lines, offensive line hold up against the Rams defensive line.

And the, I mean, maybe you get Kirby Joseph back. I think he was at practice today, but you lost Brian Branch. And that's secondary with all the injuries that they've had. Like, and they play man and they blitz, which is just asking for trouble against Stafford and those receivers. But can the Lions match them scores? Yes, certainly. I just will probably come down to like three or four lines.

four downs. They are, I think, all of their last seven. So maybe they're due to get some four downs. But I'm pretty close to market here. Getting Kirby Joseph back would help a lot, though. But I got nothing there. Really good one, though. Especially for the lines. Like, if you look at the lines right now, they have, they have the Steelers at home next week. And we just saw Watt is in the hospital. So hopefully he's okay. But we'll see what, what has. happens there. But right now, they're in the eight hole. So they're one game out. And of and they're behind the bears. And I mean, the NFC, man, you're, you could have teams to get the 11 wins and don't get in this year. So they're one game back. They're,

what, five and a half six point dogs here. They lose this and the bears play the Browns. They're seven and a half point favorites. They're two back. And now they did already beat the bears. So all you got to do is be one back. and then you can catch the bears in the finale because they play Chicago, but it's outdoors, late December, golf outdoors,

might not be the best spot. And the lines, they also go to Minnesota, you know, not the easiest place to play. But Chicago, they have to, they don't have an easy schedule either

because this is going to go right down the wire. Chicago has, you know, they have the Browns this week. He would hope they get that win. This is a massive game for them. Yeah, you can't mess this up.

You cannot mess this up. But then they have the rematch with the Packers at home. They, then they go to San Francisco and then they host the Lions. So those are, you got the Browns, we got to win this game. It's in a tough spot, right? Like sandwiching between the Packers games after that physical game. I think I might have to take the 7.5 with the Browns. The Browns offensive line injuries might scare me off.

They are like down to, they're like 12th combination. They're center just when I are. They might be down both tackles, both. guards. The injury report is, I think they were all out again today. But I will say this, like the total, this is going to be like five degrees. The total is in the 30s. The bear's run these is really bad. The Brown's run these really good on the year. Now, maybe last year, last week, they gave up all those rushing yards of the Titans. Maybe Malik Collins went on Iowa is that important. I doubt he's like Aaron Donald on steroids because that's what you'd have to assume based on what they did last week without them.

I still think they're a really good run defense. So this should be a lower scoring game. It's a tough spot for the Bears. I might take the seven and a half with the better run defense. But the Brown's offensive line issues are scary. But yeah, these NFC races, these games over the next two weeks, and a lot of times don't just pencil in the wins. You see this every year in the NFL when you just say. Oh, yeah.

When you just say like, all right, this one will be a win. It's about next week. You see these teams, especially in week 18. When you, like, it's a team that's dead, like a team that needs the win, we see at least one upset every year. So, yeah, I'm looking forward to these next four weeks. See, that's the thing, like the Lions, the Rams, the Broncos of Green Bay. You know you're going to get the best effort by both teams.

But like, if you're the Bears, you're coming off a loss. But everyone kind of gives you the win because it was pretty impressive. Yeah. And then you're like, well, we get them at home here in a week. And all of a sudden, you know, Miles Garrett's sacking Caleb Williams a couple of times. Junkins bus off a 50-yard run. You're like, wait, we're down 17 to 10. It's freezing cold in the third, late in the third quarter.

Like you said, these cold games, it's why, you know, Denver hosts in Green Bay. Denver had the equivalent in college like Sabin always did before the Iron Bowl. He would play Mercer. He would play McNeese State or whatever. LSU always did that before they played Alabama. and that game was a joke. You had the Raiders, right? I did.

That's an all-time. One of the luckiest covers I've ever had in my life. I'm sending Christmas cards and flowers to Brandon Jones and his family for that delay of game. Who calls a delay of game in that spot with like five seconds, ten seconds left? Unbelievable. And I'm sending Christmas cards to Pete Carroll

for kicking the fuel goal. I was watching that. I was standing up. So he completed the past. ass and I was like, stood up off my couch. And then I saw, I saw him, like, reach over him. And I'm like, are they going to throw a flag? And then I, I, the announcers was like, what a silly play. And I saw the flag. So then I'm like, oh, my God, kick it, kick it. And then the announcers, they're not showing the sidelines on what they're deciding. The announcers are like, and here comes the field

goal team. I was like, but then the better in me is like, he's going to miss it. He's 100% I'm going to miss it. Who's just been tortured for 20-plus years betting. So then I'm on the edge of my seat. Like, don't, don't bring me all this way and miss this field goal. And then it was like, I think it was the only, it was probably had to be the only time the NFL history that the, a team that lost, it'll walk off field goal.

Did you hear Pete's logic on it? Do you believe, like, he thought they had a little more time and that he'd get an onside kick and then throw a bomb? I mean, technically, if you had like, I think he got too much flack for it because number one, what else are you going to do? Like, yeah, if there's one second left and then you need like eight, nine seconds, right?

Like then you have to kick a field goal there. Because if you try to score a touchdown, the time's going to run out, right? So the only way, if you're down 10, the only way you could ever win, there needs to be like 10 seconds. You have to kick the field goal then, which only takes like five seconds.

then you need to onside kick it and then you need to get the ball back around midfield and then you run around throw a Hail Mary it doesn't matter if time runs out because it's the last play of the game so from that sense it makes sense but with five seconds left it doesn't matter either way

like what you should have said is just like we got reps for the field goal team and no one got hurt right like you don't get anyone hurt on a field goal but I probably will pay for that the gambling gods will make me pay but that I will never probably

ever covered like that again in my life. But you're right. The Bronco. That's my logic. Denver gets a little bit of a patsy. That's not like a lot of guys probably hit the town. They don't need to go to the ice bat. Green Bay, Chicago, the second half. I mean, there were plays where guys pain on the helmet was coming off.

That thing was the war zone. I read a lot of respect for the bears. Like, we knew they were good. But that was like the mental and physical toughness they showed. To fight that, too. They were on the brink of getting blown out. Caleb making plays, Ben Johnson, dialing up some plays. it was really impressive. But to me, that's both teams on like Monday.

You know, like when players talk about, you know, sometimes I'm not, I'm not feeling right till Wednesday or Thursday after big games. That has that type feel. Then they go on the road to Denver, especially when you got Chicago next week. Not that I think they're going to have a letdown here because all these games are big. I just think that's a tough physical spot when Denver kind of gets a patsy. And you play, I don't know, your most physical game. I mean, especially, you know, they were just coming off the Lions game,

which the Lions game, I know it was a short week, but it's much more like Bill's Bengals, right? It's just kind of flinging it around. You know, it's a different toll on your body at the highest level. So I'm going to take Denver as a dog in this spot. I don't feel great about it because, you know, Bo Nicks against that defense, but part of it is even at the end of that Bears game, they were just huffing and puffing and rightfully so.

I mean, these games are freezing cold. There was one visual where Caleb was in. in the huddle calling the play, you can tell, like, he has to be, because you're not able to get the same wind, he's flying around. I can't even imagine how all those guys felt, which I love it. I mean, I thought that was like as riveting of a half as we've had this year, just on the edge of my seat watching that game. Yeah. The first two games were entertaining, the two big ones, the Ravens, Baltimore and Sinci Bengals, that was on a different level from a physical standpoint of like, this feels like mid-January, which I thought Green Bay, I mean, I have money.

them to make Super Bowl. But Chicago, it's like, goddamn, they fucking brought it. So I just wonder if Green Bay can match that intensity for three straight weeks because they're going to have to bring it next week again. Right. Yeah. It's not an easy spot for them. Going on the road after that with the Bears

again next week, this game, similar to the Bears. This game sandwiched between those two huge divisional games. It was a really physical game. Broncos pretty much had what it amounted to a walkthrough. Broncos, by the way, Broncos have won 10 straight. Patriots have won 10 straight, both may close as home dogs with both starting quarterback. So without a quarterback injury, that has only happened one time since 1980, and it might happen twice this weekend.

The only time it ever happened was not in the regular season. So the AFC championship game 2005, Steelers had won 10 straight. we're hosting the Patriots and Brady were plus two and a half lost 41 to 27. It's the only time it happened since 1980. Might have it twice this weekend. From a matchup perspective, the Packers are going to play a lot of zone.

Nick struggles a lot more against zone. The Broncos are going to play a lot of men, single high. Love is really good against that. So there's some matchup things that I like for the Packers here, and I'm getting the better quarterback. But from a spot perspective,

of home dog. It's 110 straight. Getting the Packers in a tougher spot. I don't hate your logic. One thing is, you know, Ben, the Midwest, Kyle, is just he'll just run until the cows come home. You know, let's face it. Sean likes to pass. You know what I mean? Sean's just not going to, Sean's handy read, right? I mean, Ben will just, I mean, at the end of the day,

he would run it 50 times a game if it is working. And that work to his benefit in that game because it wears you down. That's Kyle's whole logic of the Shanahan family is in these big games when we're all equals in cold weather. You're not just going to throw it for 400 yards, right? And it's one of games. And that's, you know, I think why they got back in that game on that long drive. And ball off. And I just think Denver, it's like, Sean's like, watch my guy, Bo Nix.

Throw another incompletion. That's what makes me nervous. Like you said, I mean, this game is, the bills were in major trouble, bro. I mean, the Bengals were driving. And I thought it was 28, 25. I'm like, he's going to score. They're going to be down 10. This is how this thing's kind of going to end for them.

It was 2818 before then. Just smoke, you're right. And that pick was just, I mean, it was a, your mouth hits the floor moment. And then obviously the next play, there's another one that's a little freakier. But that saved their season. Hey, it's us to Jonas Brothers. And guess what? We have some big news.

What's the news, huge news. We created a. own podcast called Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts throughout there.

But this one's extra special. So how did we actually come up with a name Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it. Well, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band. Before Jonas Brothers. This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes.

I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast, people could call in and say, hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, Not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and Friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, S&L's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes.

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I think a lot of people are going to hammer the bills in this spot. They're just not very good on defense. Now, the New England, you know, Joe Burrell looked like LSU Joe Burrow. I mean, he was, he came out that game in the beginning. Those first couple drives were like, holy shit, he's good, you know. And, you know, can Drake may do that? He's been doing that against easier competition. I just think the Bill's defense really scares me.

I mean, they are, to me, closer in, like, a lion's operation. Now, they got this quarterback who's superhuman. He had a couple of runs in that game. It's like, are there even defenders around? Like, where are you guys? He had, like, one that should have just been, like, a first down for, like, you know, it was like a big third down. He just kept running.

It's like, where is everybody? It's crazy. That was one of my favorite bets that place this year to watch. I'd be over. I got SVP shouted me out on bad beats

the day for a snowver I've been talking about snowvers for like 15 years which is when there's like an inch of snow on the ground you can't have like

a foot because then you can't move but there's like an inch of snow on the ground and there's no there's not a lot of wins

these games historically have gone over at like a 63, 64% clip and a lot of times didn't Shady McCoy have a big game

in the snow did you think The defenders, number one, you can't, Brady always talk about this. I love playing in the snow. I mean, they were off like 35-0 at the end of the first half in a snowstorm against the Titans, I think one year. At the end of the first quarter, it was like with Moss. They scored like on their five touchdowns and five drives in like the first quarter.

But you, as a deb, as a deback, the receiver knows where they're going. So you can't, like, it's a running back too. If you're a linebacker, they know where they're cutting. Pass rushers can't get any footing. So quarterback has all day. they know where the receivers are going. And we saw that last week. And like elite quarterbacks in the snow without wind can just, it was just awesome to watch.

No, I do like the bills fair. Like, look, the bills defense does have issues. And it's not, it's nowhere close to an elite unit. We'll see if they get Bosa back, which will help. But the Patriots, their offensive line, and they're going to be without their left tackle. I think that's big because the Bills can still get pressure, especially if Bosa's back. And their left tackle, their rookie Campbell has been playing well. Now they have the Darien Lowe who's not very good

and might be a major issue in this game. The other thing, there's a couple things that I like here. But number one, I just need Josh Allen and win the game. There's not many quarterbacks, if any, that I trust right at this moment to go out there and get me a win if I need it. And for what it's worth, in his career, if he's a dog or a favorite of less than three,

so he just needed him to win the game. He's 30 and 14 against the spread. Historically, only Brady and Breeze are better. He's 18, 8, and 2 against the spread in that spot. And just overall, when it spreads between three and three, so a competitive game, he's 19 and 7 against the spread, 73%. But the Patriots look, they've been great, May's been great, but they've also been a little bit lucky.

They're 14 of 18 on 4th Downs, number one in the NFL. Their opponents are 7 of 22. That stuff adds up. They've also had 15 fumbles, only lost 7. They've recovered 70% of their opponent's fumbles. Here's where I think, and when they met the first time, the Patriots to beat the bills in Boston. to their credit. But Buffalo had 11 penalties and three turnovers and the Patriots won

on a walkoff field goal. The Patriots run defense is also playing at an elite level at the time, but they've lost Milton Williams. And since week 11, they're 31st and rush success rate allowed. So I think the bills will be able to get the run game going a bit more. And one of the biggest problems with the Patriots, because look, the bills are going to play a lot of zone. Mays has been shredding zone is one of the biggest problems of the pitch. So they're going to move the ball. but where the Patriots really have issues is in the red zone when the field shrinks

because May's deep ball's been amazing the Patriots on the season are 24th in red zone touchdown percentage on offense they're dead last on defense so I think the bill's gonna be have a finish off drives but they had a pick last time

they had a cook fumble that killed two dong drives and this Patriots run deed is just not the same so I think the bills go in to Foxborough and get it done I will say variable has been very good He's six and O against the spread off of a buy.

Patriots coming off of a buy here, but I'm going to trust Allen to get it done, make this race a little more interesting. Although all the Patriots have to do is beat the dolphins and the jets at home. And then no matter what happens in this game, they will win the division. They also go to Baltimore next. But I think the bills get it done. It should be a really, really fun game. Okay, I shorted JJ McCarthy last week.

did not. Well, you just took the Vikings that you weren't necessarily believe. Yeah, so I'm buying the car. He actually had, you know, a pretty solid game for his standard. Obviously, they're playing the commanders who part of your logic was, bro, this is the worst defensive secondary you might ever see. And that was true. Throw a bunch of touchdowns. A little different animal going into Dallas, coming off a loss, long week. I mean, even if the Eagles, which they should take care of the Raiders, they still have life, right? And they're still. still alive. Jerry even talked about. I saw some quotes this week. So I, like, is JJ McCarthy going to have back-to-back weeks where he's like throwing touchdowns? So I guess I'm just going to stick with that logic. I know I got burned once, but I'm going to take the Cowboys in this spot

minus five and a half Sunday night football. Again, different number, but I'm against you. I have some Vikings. I just think the lines too high. The Dallas defense, it's better with Quinn Williams, but it's still not trustworthy. The Vikings offensive lines getting healthier. Their defense is still a problem. I think it's a bit too many. We're asking Dallas to win by margin here. Like, that's, it's, I think this is getting too high. Am I going to be nervous by McCarthy?

Yeah. But like, O'Connell told him to just go out there, let it rip. And he solves mechanical issues, especially like throwing left. And he looked a little better. So he'll at least have some confidence here. We'll see, we'll see if CD Land goes with his concussion. I didn't see his status today. I thought he was definitely going to be out the way that he was, like, fencing.

But, oh, by the way, one last note, the Patriots of 10 wins, seven of the quarterbacks they beat are either rookies or no longer the quarterbacks. They beat Dart, Bryce Young, Flacco without chase, Fields, Pennix, Gabriel, Ward, Rattler, Tua, and Baker. I mean, that's as easy as it gets. It's the easiest schedule I'm going to fill by far. But I do think the Cowboys might have life. They win this game.

They host the Chargers who are in trouble. I really like the Chiefs this weekend. We can talk about that next. But this Eagles team is broken. And it really reminds me of 2023. And in 2023, they had it. It was with Brian Johnson, coordinator, much maligned, right? The offense had major issues.

Everyone was talking about it. Everyone knew it. Now, they started off hot. They won a bunch of overtime. They won a bunch of close games. And like I remember the command. in overtime. They beat the bills in overtime in a game that they should have lost like 10 times.

And they started off, I think 10 and 1, 9 in 1. So even better than this year. And then they fell apart. They lost five of the last six. They lost the division to the Cowboys. And then they got blown out, blown out in Tampa, 32 to 9. It's the same exact vibes. I mean, and by the way, that year,

they lost as an 11.5 point favorite in December at home after a Monday night game to the Cardinals. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah, yeah. The crowd was running around. Didn't they have a big comeback at the Cardinals? Yes. They also lost in December

to a Pete Carroll team with a Gino-Smith backup. They lost to the Seahawks when Gino was out and Drew Locke beat them in this meltdown. Jackson Smith game winning touchdown right side of the end zone It was a dime

So Yeah He had two dimes Remember we had to drive the whole field He had DK on a bomb And then he hit Jackson Smith for the walkoff Yes Was that game was a nice game

Yeah was Monday night football Yeah Yeah Did you see today And I don't think this is random Jeffrey Lurie gave a bunch of He did an article with Mike Silver And I think he wants to like

Support and show like Hey we're not giving up because he had some quotes when Silver asked him if this season's like anything a couple years ago. And he said nothing like it. Absolute opposite. We have a Super Bowl defense and great special teams. Our offense will get it going. I'm not worried at all.

He also said on the turnovers. We had a lot of turnovers, but some of them were flukes. Wow. Well, turning it over two times. First quarterback. Their defense with Patricia was leaking oil too that year, right? Yes. Yes, it was.

Yeah, their radbury. Yeah, their defense was falling apart at the end of the season. I mean, they gave up like 30-something to the Cardinals in that loss. You know, they let Drew Locke come back on them. They got destroyed at the Giants. They got destroyed at Dallas. They gave up. They were giving up.

They got the 49ers. Remember the 49ers? That's what it started the slide. The 49ers put up like 45 on them in Philly. it was like 45 to 17 and yeah so their defense also so their defense now is more Super Bowl caliber but the offense to me

might be more broken like it's it is because the star receiver doesn't like quarterback I mean it's evident and the offense line is way worse and injured and he had the plate calling it's just a bunch of hitch routes there's no creativity Hertz isn't running the ball at all

like that's one of his biggest assets he won't he's he's he's like Anthony Davis who wants to be a power forward, not a center. Jalen Hertz wants to be like Joe Burrow. And he's not like, Justin Herbert with a broken hand was like, you want to run the plays used to call in San Francisco for Capernick. I'll do it. Like, whatever. Hertz is not, they just call pocket passes. I mean, that's like when, whenever when, like, that's like Russ at the end of his career when he tried to just be a pure. And that's, like, that's not what makes Russ. And Russ can't do that. Right. Like, this isn't like Hertz isn't going to be the guy that. sits there like Burrow and just he needs to use his legs. It's one of his assets that puts the defense in conflict

also makes the running game go more. They have all kinds of issues. Would it shock me if they got upset by the Raiders? Probably. The Raiders are so bad. But I do think with Pickett, he can at least move around, which you need to do. Like, Gino just takes

crippling Zaks. Pickett can at least move around, move outside the pocket. Because the Raiders' offensive line is one of the worst I've ever seen with the injuries. What's crazy about Jalen too as a runner is like his running back instincts for like a running back. Like he's very, he doesn't take big shots when he's in the space. He's got a very instinctive like feel, you know,

when he's outside the tackle box moving. And he's not, he's actually really good at it. Like, I mean, it's, you know, avoiding hits. It's not like he's getting mollywapped like down the field like Lamar when he was younger. Like he's pretty nasty. at avoiding it. So it's not like, and it's 2025, this isn't in 1987. You're not going to get killed.

So, like, and he's already been, you got $250 million. So it's like what, I don't understand, but clearly that is an emphasis. We don't do this anymore. Like, we don't run those plays. Yeah. Like, I would like institute, like, the option with him and Seekwan. It probably dominate. Yeah. You got to have some elements up, but they need to use some play action, some motion, like,

more under the center. Herbert's legs killed the Eagles. I mean, he saved their save the game. Yep. So, yeah, they played the commanders twice there. And then they played their, so their schedule is fairly conducive here. But if they drop one of the games, the most likely game that they'll lose if the Cowboys can win out is at Buffalo.

Like, I don't see them winning at the bills with the state of their offense right now. But are they going to sweep Washington? I don't know. This team, like, the way that they play, they can't get margin in anybody. And by the way, like, the Cowboys, the Cowboys need to win out. I don't think that the Eagles are going to lose out with their schedule. If they lose to the Raiders this weekend, that would not be a safe environment walking to that train. You don't know.

Petula better start getting the cleaning supplies for the eggs on his house. So, Ken, the Cowboys went out. I mean, they have the, they're at the commanders at the Giants down the year. Those all be easy games because those are like division rivals that'll be up for those games. But they host the Vikings this week and then they host the Chargers. And I think the Chargers are done. Like the Chargers, they got a win over the Eagles. They were outgained by 130 yards.

They averaged 3.8 yards per play. They were, they had five turnovers. The Eagles turned over five times and they had the ball in overtime at the 10 with a chance to win. So, and why is that? Well, you have the Herbert hand. So I really like the Chiefs this week. The Chiefs haven't covered in five straight. I think this is the bottom mark. Now, they've taken some money. It's the five and a half now, anything under six. It's a short week for the Charter's going on the road outdoors and like it's going to be like zero degrees. Probably not great for Herbert's hand. But this offense right now is incapable of functioning, especially on the road with

the state of their offensive line. It's decrepit. I mean, and what they've done on the road this year, since their offensive line injuries. They lost by 30 at Jacksonville. They lost at the Giants. They barely beat the Titans and they barely beat the Dolphins. That's what they've done on the road. And then if you look, since week four, since they've had the offensive line injuries, the Chiefs are fifth in EPA per play on offense.

The Charters are 25th. Like, this is trending to a bottom 10 offense. They gave up a 70% pressure rate, the highest of any game this year, to the Eagles, who didn't have Jalen Carter. And Herbert got sacked seven times. the Chiefs have a higher pressure rate than the Eagles, even when they do have Jalen Carter.

So Chargers also play the highest rate of zone in the league. This Chief's offense has issues. The receivers are really struggling to get separation and man, but against Zone, I mean, their EPA per play is 75% higher, against Zone than it is versus man. They can still dink and dunk it down the field. The Charters want to present explosive plays. I think there's a great spot to back the Chiefs.

They've had the much tougher schedule. They're 40 points better, net points. points better than the Chargers. Short week on the road in the cold, Herbert with his hand. Offensive line is a disaster. Chiefs can still get pressure. Chiefs have some offensive line injuries, but the Charters aren't the team that's going to, they're not the Texans. I think they're like 23rd in pressure rate. I think this is the time to buy the Chiefs. And it could get interesting. The Chiefs in order to make the playoffs, I put a little couch change bet on the Chiefs to make the playoffs. I think that's like, they're like five to one. Obviously, they need to

to win out. So they're, and if they went out, they get the 10 and 7. And if they, we're assuming the Colts are done so we can throw them out. I think the Texans are in, the Jags are in, the bills are in, the Pats and the Broncos. So, and then the winner of the AFC North. So then I think the last spot comes down to the Chargers versus the Chiefs. So you might say, well, the Chargers have nine wins, the Chiefs have six. That's true.

but Chiefs host them this week could close the gap to two. Then the Chargers are at the Cowboys, won't be easy, home against the Texans with the state of their offensive line, that's not going to be easy. And then they're at the Broncos. With the state of their office line, that's not going to be easy. And then the Chiefs have the Broncos at home next week, or one of the games. And then they're at the Raiders and at the Titans.

I think the Chiefs win this week, they're going to win out. So the question then becomes, can the charters win two of their last three against the Cowboys on the road, the Texans at home, and at Denver? There's a chance that Denver is playing in week 18 against the charters with a chance to clinch the one seed. And if they do, they let the Chiefs in who they would play if the Chiefs win the first game, which is just amazing drama. Chips are about the new playoffs. Could also be in a position where

maybe they know they're going to be the two seed and would they rather just rematch the Chargers or beat them? There's a chance. It depends on what the Patriots do too. So the Patriots and Broncos are the same record but the Broncos have the tiebreaker. And by the way,

in that scenario that I just mentioned, if the Chiefs and the Chargers finished with 10 wins, the Chiefs win, the Chiefs win the Tiebreaker on common games, assuming the Chargers lose at Denver and at the Chiefs. Is that the first time? breaker for a division? Division record, which would be the first that's head-to-head, then division record.

Whatever that, if that, whatever I just described, they finished 10 because they split, they would have the same division record, assuming the Troy Rogers lose at the Broncos. And then it would come down to common opponents and the chiefs would win. So they're not dead. The charters, they charge is, I could see the charges going, oh and four. Like, couldn't you at Denver, at Dallas, at KC, and home against Houston? That's why that loss. the Philly was so bad or that loss for Philly because it's like they have no business beating you.

You can't lose to a team with no offensive line, a quarterback with a broken hand. You can't have. Bad, bad, bad. And they're running back. Like, I didn't watch much North Carolina football, but all my buddies in the league like this guy. I remember watching like highlights of him. I'm like, okay. And then they take him in the first round.

Even before he got injured, there's something. He just doesn't look very fast. I'm not going to judge him in that Eagle game coming off the injury. but it's not like, I mean, I would say the running back crew so far this year. It's like, uh, I'd rather have a menongi in like the seventh than some of these guys going on the first. You know, this is why people are at him and like, don't take these guys high, you know?

For every Christian McCaffrey and Bejanor Robinson, there are a lot of guys that are whiffs. And then all of a sudden, you're like, wait, the best running back was a fourth rounder. So I'm with you there. Do you know who wins the tiebreaker of the Texans and the Jags? They finished with the same? Uh, so Texans, let's see.

By the way, if you're, there's a, you're going to be listening to Zaphyl at a game. The Bucs playing the Falcons is an important game because if the Bucs win tonight, then they will clinch the tiebreaker of the Panthers if they split. So they play each other twice. I kind of like the Saints in that game. How about you? Yes, I agree, especially if I can get a three. But if the Bucks lose on Thursday night and the Panthers win against the Saints,

and the Panthers are in trouble. And the Panthers and Bulls are in trouble. split and they finish tied the panthers would win the tiebreaker uh but texans jaggs tiebreaker um so because assuming the texans beat the colts they would be their division record would be five and one the jags still need to take care of action in the division they would still need to beat the colts and they would need to beat the uh beat the titans so they could both go five and one of the division and obviously they split let's see it gets a little complicated i guess it depends on who you lose two, right? Like who with the Jags?

What would happen if they finish with the same record? More than likely looking at their schedule, it would probably be like the loss of the Colts, but I guess they could lose the Broncos too. Doesn't it kick into conference record? So if they finish tied, they're probably that means, so they split

the series, they split head to head. Yeah, let's assume Jags lost. Division record, they're both five and one. Yeah. So then it will come down to common games also probably tied and then then we'll come down

the conference record where Houston would have the edge because there if it plays out like we say that Houston would be 11 and 2 Jags 10 and 3 that Bronco game's big

so the Texas have legit life yes yeah it's for those of us that have their future to win the division it's it was dead until it wasn't

and now it's I had the Jags to win the division pre-season. And on this week, I played plus 350. This week I played Texans

plus 175. Hey, it's us, the Jonas Brothers. And guess what? We have some big news. What's the news, huge news? We created our own podcast called Hey, Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts.

Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts. We're starting a trend. But this one was. extra special. So how do we actually come up with a name Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it. Well, we were thinking I'm originally calling it

one of the early names of our band. Before Jonas Brothers was... This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast where people could call in and say, hey Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little Notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast.

But thanks for remembering that, guys. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smigel and Friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel. help an a cappella band with their between songs banter.

Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened.

That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down,

give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsSlic on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so rapidly.

up in the chase, that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth. Are you a good person because you're afraid?

Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, is we have real conversations about. All healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now.

The French Open is one of the toughest tests in tennis. And I know firsthand because I competed there myself. I'm Renee Stubbs, and on the Renee Stubbs Tennis podcast, I'm breaking down everything happening at Roland Garris. Every match, every upset, and what it really takes to win on clay. Gentile. I mean, she went down to three to Rabakina, but I'm delighted. She's an outsider to win the French for me. And she likes Clay.

Listen, Lena Rubakina is arguably the best player in the world right now. And I actually can win on any surface. Because if she's serving, well, good luck. Consider this your court side seat to the French Open. Listen to the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. right now who do you think if you were betting Seattle or the Rams who wins that division? Oh, that's a tough one.

I think common wisdom of people that just talk about football just are like placing the Rams there. And it's like, I can see. The Seahawks are, their defense can be anyone on any day. In a weird way, too, the Niners, because they play each other, aren't sneaky dead. They've already beat both those two teams. They've got the Titans. Then they got the Bears and they got Philip Rivers. And then they play Seattle last game of season in San Francisco.

So it's, their schedule potentially broke. I mean, the Bears game will be hard. But again, the NFL, you can never just go win. But, I mean, are the 49ers off a buy losing the Titans? That feels like impossible, doesn't it? Yeah, the 49ers aren't dead. And you're going to have one of these teams gets a loss. Yeah, next week.

On Thursday and the Rams. Rams better be careful this week. I agree. Let's end on the Steelers. Obviously, that news with TJ Watt. I mean, you just... not good. I mean, it don't just take random people to hospital in the middle of the week, something like that. And also, again, I'm not trying to speculate, but sometimes with stuff like that, you know, you're probably more likely to be gone for a while than just like, oh, you just miss a couple days, right? So, I mean, all of a sudden, you know, we see this in the NBA sometimes, like goes to the hospital, then it's a blood clot, and he's out for six weeks. You just, you just never know they will be, they will err on the side of precaution with anything internally. We know that. Now, you know, D. D.K. had, even Rodgers, when he was interviewed after that Ravens game was like he was just raving about his week of practice.

I mean, clearly they got in his ass like, bro, we're paying you. So we need you to carry it. He's playing Gunner. I mean, it was sweet. He looked pretty awesome. But is he a guy, you know, is doing that week in, week out? You know, Miami. I didn't even know that Jets, Dolphins game was going to like the three and out group

text was like talking about the game. I'm like, is this game even happening? And I look at the box score. He throws like 120 yards and they win by 24 points. it's like the Jets. What a joke. But clearly the dolphins, if I would have told you on December 11th that the dolphin, you know, two months ago

that the dolphins and chiefs would have the same record, would you believe me? Incredible, no. I thought the Dolphs might have the worst record in the league. McDaniels is going to get fired, and now here they are. They're going to get an extension. Their run defense is playing really well,

A-Chane. They're basically just running it. And then they're relying on, now they've had some easy games. I mean, the Bill's game is impressive. But two throws for like under 150 yards. game. Yeah. They're just running it. And then they're run defense playing well. Their defense is playing better overall. Can they just line up and run it

at the Steelers? I mean, that's what the Bills did. We'll see. Because you guys aren't dead. I mean, the Ravens. The Steelers, but the Ravens have a tough schedule. The Bengals aren't even dead. I sprinkled someone to Bengals 15, 17 to 1 to win the division. Because if they beat the Ravens this week, there's a chance that 8-9 wins his division. And if the Bengals went out, they finish eight and nine. The Ravens still will be stuck at six wins. They go to Green Bay.

They host New England and then they go to Pittsburgh. The Steelers go to Detroit next week. They host the Ravens. And then they go to Cleveland. That's not going to be an easy game from Cleveland against their rival wanting to end the Steelers season. And then the Bengals have the Ravens, the Dolphins, the Cards, and the Browns. Yeah.

So I think if the Bengals win this week, they're sneaky lie. Because 8-9 could win the division. And if the Bengals get there, they would win all the tiebreakers. If they get to 8-9 and all the teams are 8-9, which is funny because they win the division record. Because that Flacco went in against the Steelers probably counting pretty big right now. They would have the best division record. So, yeah, but the Ravens aren't dead, but they need this game. Like, you're going to, you have host to England gone to Green Bay, gone to Pittsburgh.

It comes down to, like, is Lamar going to, he's not healthy. He's on target rate. He doesn't have the same. bad. Yeah. Is there a time where like it's this week, right? Like, okay, all of a sudden he looks like the old or does it never come this this year?

So I don't know. I haven't bet a Ravens game in weeks because of that. It's just hard to know like, okay, is he at 70, he's at 60, 70% now is he going to be at 80% this week? Because he's had like a knee, a ham, toe injury. So I don't know. But right now, you can't, I can't trust the Ravens. And then the scary thing about the Ravens defense is playing well overall.

I mean, lastly, they give way too many explosive passing plays to Rogers. You got to give the Steelers credit for hitting them. But they don't get pressure. It's where they miss Maudebucke. They don't have elite edge rush. So like, if you can't get pressure on Burrow, he's going to pick anyone apart. So huge game. I think the winner of that game, the Bengals lose their done, obviously.

But the winner of that game, very live in the division. Steelers, it's a field goal. I think that's about right. Dolphins are playing very well. But in the cold, it's going to be freezing, Tua historically, not at his best.

So that's what the key. Can they, you always run these show up here because it's two in the cold. You're not going to have, presumably not going to have what. They're going to try to give it to A chain a million times. That's what the bills did, and you couldn't stop it.

They run the same plate 20-some times, but you got a force two at a throw in the cold here. So they have a huge advantage as far as the weather because two historically has been very, very poor in these conditions. I'm wearing sandals and shorts. The way you've talked about all these Midwest and Northeast games, there must be a cold front going through, huh? There's snow on the ground out here in Lexington, so it's not fun.

Well, at least you got Kentucky basketball, which I heard someone say is not going well for the 25 million they've spent on that roster. A lot of grumblings here. So, yeah, it's, it's, I watched a little, I watched some of that BYU, the, the star freshman that played Clemson. He had an amazing game either night. That game was incredible. That second half was sweet.

Yeah, it's, uh, they were, um, they played, the funny thing is this kind of sums up NIL and like they, like, BYU with all their money now has someone who might be the number one pick in the draft. I think like the, if you look at those rosters, the, like, they were playing Clemson. Clemson had two Mormons on their team and BYU had one. I think. But yeah, BYU, go watch. If you, if you're just like a casual fan of college basketball,

if you like the NBA, this kid, AJ DeVanza, who had like, I think he finished with like 29 points, 9 rebound, 7 assists. He's a player. Legit, legit talent. But Michigan is the story of college basketball. They are blowing everybody out of the water. NIL or just like good team. Good team. Like they hit in the portal.

They have a good coach and Dusty May, but they've just been destroying teams. I mean, so they're ranked number one. They rank, they're ranked number one. Analytically, everyone has them number one. It's so, and they might be double-digit favorites all the way up until January 30th when they go to Michigan State. So they might be number one and undefeated for a long time. But I think NIL is sick.

I mean, it's just like all of a sudden Texas Tech, sweet football, BYU's got like, Kobe Bryant on their team. It's like, count me in on NIL. It's added a cool little element. Or when people fail and they have a high price to see, like Texas's boosters are looking around, we're going 9 and 3 paying 40 million or Kentucky basketball cutting 25 million dollar

checks. Calapari's talking about some dudes paying Alamone to his wife on NIL. I mean, it's just, it's I'm all for 2025, man. It's great. Yeah, it's fun but when it's not fun, there's people get pissed. The questions and are, and patience is hey we're put this all the talking this is Kentucky is in Lexington it's

this is what 21 million is this is what 21 million like like when that get him fired does it get you fired faster I don't know it's they got a good it's not good so far okay Stucky enjoy the weekend and have fun watching football talk you soon buddy talk to you guys next week have a great night see everyone later and we'll be back Sunday the volume Hey guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast?

Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it. But, you know, tired and sick. Tired and sick. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite.

Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where SportsSlice comes in. I'm Timbo, and every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear.

Listen to Sports Slice on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slica Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. I'm Michelle McPhee, and I've been unraveling the strangest criminal alliance I've ever reported on. A Mormon polygamist and an Armenian businessman. Multi-million dollar house, Ferraris and Lamborghinis, private jets, a billion dollar fraud. But how long can this alliance last? Tell me what you know. Is somebody coming after me? Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Winning on Clay is an art.

The rallies are relentless. And at the French Open, only the toughest survive. I'd know. I competed there for decades. Join me, Renee Stubbs, on the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast for no-nonsense breakdowns of the biggest matches, the toughest players, and the moments that define Roland Garris. She's an outsider to win the French win. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lina Rubakina is...

arguably the best player in the world right now, and I actually can win on any surface. Listen to the Renee Stubbs tennis podcasts on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.