The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 3 & Out - Texans SURVIVE Chargers, Ravens OUTLAST Packers on NFL Super Saturday

Episode Date: December 28, 2025

Former NFL scout John Middlekauff reacts LIVE following the Week 17 NFL Super Saturday matchups which include the Baltimore Ravens in a must win game against the Green Bay Packers as well as a star QB AFC battle between C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans vs. Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers. John kicks off by reacting to the Ravens big time win vs. the Packers and debates whether the Packers will be one and done in the NFL playoffs. John then reacts to the Texans win vs. the Chargers. Next, John reacts to news that Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby will be shut down for the remainder of the season with a knee injury and debates whether the team needs to trade him this NFL offseason. John wraps up with his Hard Rock Bet Hammers for NFL Week 17: Seattle Seahawks (-7) at Carolina Panthers Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5) at Cleveland Browns New Orleans Saints (-2.5) at Tennessee Titans 02:27 - NFL Super Saturday Reaction 04:16 - Ravens-Packers 20:01 - Texans-Chargers 28:38 - Raiders shut down Maxx Crosby 38:45 - HRB Week 17 Best Bets 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 is going on, everybody? How are we doing? John Middletoff, three and out podcast. Hopefully you are doing well. this show is presented by my friends at Zone Pouches. Hopefully you had a great Christmas. Enjoyed family, friends. I have been an absolute pig.

I really have cake, pie, ice cream. I need to go on like a seven-day fast because I feel terrible. But that's what the holidays are for. Same with football, because we just watched the Baltimore Ravens run for, for 300 yards on the Green Day Packers who are officially now in shambles and they might only have, they're locked into the seven seed.

The Chicago Bears win the division. Obviously, you have a massive game against the 49ers on Sunday night football. The Chargers lose the Texans. They're both in the playoffs. Houston eliminates Indie. The Broncos have officially won the West. First time the Chiefs haven't won the West

in, I think, nine years. I saw. Kind of a crazy little streak. And some other big news this weekend was Max Crosby, him a little at odds with the Raiders. So we'll dive into that situation. Where could he be headed this offseason if they choose to trade them, which I think they probably should? Yeah, we'll try to get you out of here on that. Not a super long Saturday night podcast because we've got a lot of games Sunday with a lot on the line. So yeah, you guys know the drill.

Subscribe to the podcast wherever you may listen. subscribe to the YouTube channel. We'll go live tomorrow after the Bears at Niners game. So buckle up for that one, and we will talk soon. Let's start with what just happened tonight. I think we can put the Packers on notice. They're officially in major trouble. This season went from being bright, the future of like they can win the Super Bowl.

They have one of the best defenses in the league. They're just rolling in the middle of the season to, now in complete shambles. I mean, by the end of that game, their defense, a mass unit. Derek Henry looked like he was in his absolute apex, in his prime, running for 200 yards.

They couldn't get a stop to save their life. Meanwhile, their backup quarterback is just having an incredible game, and they end up losing by multiple scores. So I think if you're a Packer fan, you're locked in on the seventh seed, you're going, what the hell just happened to our season? You know, you made the playoffs again.

You hold your head high. But a little bit like the Pittsburgh Steelers, like you never lose, right? You never have one of those seasons where you win four or five games. But this season felt like it was going to be the year. You make the trade for Micah Parsons. Everything looks like it's about to come up your way. And you look up in the middle of this game and you can't get a stop to save your life. You have guys getting carted off the field left and right.

You have an injury on the field that's, so bad, Noah Eagle, who sounds exactly like his father, comes back from break and goes, guys, we could not show you this injury. And you see their guy going in the cart in tears with an aircast, you go, holy moly, this is not good for these guys. So I just, I'm at a loss a little bit because this was a team that I had bet on to not only make it to the Super Bowl, but I thought would win the Super Bowl. Then obviously, Michael Parsons going out, the game against the Bears was kind of icing on the cake.

You're up 16 to 6, you lose it, and coming into this game in a situation that wasn't really must win because the Lions had lost and they were officially eliminated so the Packers were in. But they still, I mean, technically the Bears could lose and the division was still there. And all of a sudden, they couldn't just can't get in a stop.

and you're playing a backup quarterback. I mean, how many yards did Tyler Huntley throw for tonight? I bet, yeah, I was going to guess 95 through for 107. So they have no passing game. It was just run, run, run. Meanwhile, you're looking at John Harbaugh. You're like, last week, Derek Henry looked pretty good, and then he doesn't play at the end of the game.

What were you doing? You're like, well, the rotations are, you're the head coach. Like that was unacceptable, and clearly it was like they overcompensated tonight, and made sure that they gave them the ball just over and over, and they gave them 30s tears. I mean, they ran the ball 53 times. Now, some of those were Huntley scrambles, but just a dominant, I mean, 53 rushes for 300 yards.

They average almost, if you run for over 50 times in a game, and your average per carry is 5.8, you are shredding the opposing defense at Lambo to get embarrassed like that, especially when, let's face it, I mean, one of the defining aspects of this team the last couple years has been the defensive side of the ball, has been their defensive coordinator, Jeff Hathley, who many consider one of the top candidates this offseason to become a head coach. And they just got obliterated. And it felt like their season kind of unofficially ended tonight. Now, I do think there is a scenario that there's a lot to play out with the NFC seating.

over the next couple weeks. I mean, the only thing we know for sure is that in some version of the Panthers or Tampa Bay, we'll be hosting what I would bet on will be the Sunday morning game on Fox come two weeks in that wildcard round. But Eagles, Bear, Seattle, Rams, 49ers. I mean, the seedings, you know, the Eagles are going to get a home game. But Seattle, the Rams, and the 49ers can end up in multiple spots. and same, you know, Chicago is going to end up either one or two. But I just look at this Packer team and go that they feel like one and done.

Now, if they played the Bears in that first round, there is a scenario where that thing could get weird just because everybody and their mother would be picking the Bears. It'd be a weird feeling for Bears fans being the overwhelming favorite against a rival who's owned you until they didn't own you in that crazy comeback game. and now you win the division and now you host them. Their season online. Some people say Matt LaFleur, like the Matt LaFleur contract extension situation is kind of the elephant in the room. At the same time,

I'm watching Malik Willis. Malik Willis is everything that Twitter told you that Justin Fields was, but he actually isn't. And that's what Malik Willis is. Now, he probably had one of the best games of his career, but we've watched him now two weeks in a row, one coming off the bench,

looked just like he did the night where he got a full week of prep where he was incredible. Derek Henry and Malik Willis were the best two players on the field. And honestly, it wasn't even close. I mean, Derek Henry is going right to the hall of fame. He's truly one of the great belcow,

you know, just horses the league has ever seen. Literally physically, you know, besides Adrian Peterson and back in the day like Earl Campbell, they're just aren't running backs that size. But I was just, I was blown away by Malik Willis. And a lot of people online were like how much money he's going to get what's going to happen. Justin Fields, who just, listen, I was wrong. I love Justin Fields coming out of college.

Turns out he's just not a good quarterback. He's benched right now with the Jets. Right. Got two years and $40 million. $30 of it was guaranteed. No one would argue. Not a GM, not a coach, not a fan. that Malik Willis.

So you can go less of a sample size. But I've just watched him last year. He's dramatically better this year. Comfortable in environments in the cold, off the bench. Like I would say that would be the minimum someone would sign him for. Would be that two for 20. Young guy, high character, physically obese, can run. Honestly, do you know what I was thinking tonight?

To defend my guy, Brock Purdy, a little bit is everyone's like, well, what the hell's the difference? Mac Jones? Like, if we're going to have that argument, not me, but it's gone around, people have talked about it. And listen, I understand where it comes from. It's low-hanging fruit. Why is no one having the argument like Jordan Love or Malik Willis?

Because Malik Willis brings an element with his legs where he is an outstanding runner. And clearly, like, his instincts as a runner, on the one kind of, you know, on the give or keep play, he keeps the ball, they all bite. just walks to the end zone. I mean, he had two touchdown runs. The other one was nice, too. His throws, like throwing over the middle of the field, the touch on the outside routes, the poise in the pocket, from just like breaking tackles to stepping up in the pocket,

just absolutely blown away. So again, if Justin Fields can get two years and 40 million, Malik Willis 100% can't. If I was representing Malik Willis, if the numbers didn't just start at those numbers, I would hang up the phone. And it wouldn't shock me at all if someone gives them like two years, $50 million this off season. Because of a small sample size, obviously a long-term contract would be risky.

But I would be stunned if Malik Willis, like he's not going to be on the Packers next year. They just can't afford to keep them. And there are enough teams. I mean, the Raiders are an absolute shambles. We'll dive into them in a second. The Miami Dolphins literally just benched the guy $50 million. They might have some.

financial, they might have financial flexibility to sign them. The Arizona Cardinals are clearly getting out of the Kyler Murray business. Now I'm pretty sure he's still on the books next year for, I think, close to $40 million. So there are a lot of some of these teams with some quarterback issues that the financial flexibility will have to keep an eye on that, but we know the cap can be manipulated pretty easily. And the other elephant in the room going for Malik Willis is, as of right now, we'll have to see with Dante Moore at Oregon.

there only looks like one viable quarterback getting drafted high, and that would be Mendoza from Indiana. Again, assuming he comes out, pretty sure everyone just assumes he's going to. So if Mendoza is in the draft and he goes one, well, there are going to be some other teams that are drafting high that don't have a quarterback that are going to want a guy. And remember, unlike the NBA in the NFL free agency comes before the draft. So this guy would be signed in the middle of March, right? And the draft's not until the end of April. But right now, to me, if I had to guess, I would say two years, $50 million with like $35 million guaranteed. That's how much money Malik Willis made himself in the last

five days because no one, you know, whether you have, you know, a bias, you hate the Packers, whether you just like football, if you just watched him play the last two weeks, you'd be like, that's a good player. I see those people, there aren't 32 quarterbacks better than him. 32 quarterbacks. I mean, there are 10 guys that start that suck. 32 quarterbacks. I mean, there's like 15 good players in the league. And some of those good players are kind of playing like crap right now.

I watched Jared Gotti off the other night. I'm like, what the hell is this? You know, I mean, Malik Willis, the Minnesota Vikings would, Kevin O'Connell would like sell a pinky toe to have J.J. McCarthy ever look like that. I mean, that was, I'm blown away. I mean, all night long I kept going, if the house is possible. just how good and naturally was in the pocket scrambling around. And the other thing is sometimes you see with quarterbacks,

guys like him, this is a field's thing. And they start scrambling around, their eyes go down, they start running into sacks. His eyes are up. He's like, you know, scrambling to the side, staying behind the line of scrimmage to make throws. He has a great feel and like scramble drills for where his wide receivers are going. So again, I mean, Derek Henry, rightfully so,

will probably be the headline, runs for over 200 yards and four touchdowns. But I would put it right behind it, Malik Willis. And to me, Malik Willis kind of had his Philip Rivers moment. Like on Monday night, Malik Willis played to win the game. Like he played winning football. It was his defense's fault. And that's the type defense where in, I don't care whether it's 2025 or 1979. If your defense doesn't play well, you have no shot to win in the college football

playoffs and definitely to win in the NFL playoffs. You have none. And listen, this isn't all their fault. They have a bunch of injuries. Like you can't out scheme random backups. And they're at the point now where they just got a mass unit and they play a team like the Bears. You know, they play the 49ers. All these teams have good offensive players that they would just get absolutely shredded. And Malik Willis at least gives them hope because he can do both, pass and run around. Now, I would expect Jordan Love when he clears concussion protocol to get elevated and thrown back in there. But I think the way their team is set up right now, you could argue Malik Willis.

Because the other thing, and they kept mentioning this on the broadcast, they can't run the ball. They had 79 yard rushing, and Malik Willis had 60 of it. So Jacobs is clearly banged up. Emmanuel Wilson had three carries for 16 yards. And like his running threat is really kind of balances out their offense. So I think if you're a Packer fan, you're just kind of looking right now at the wall going, what the how what what just happened and it all started when that injury with mica parsons laying there on the ground uh season kind of pivoted right then because the moment that happened the broncos flipped a switch

and we haven't really looked back since now ironically they they did play well in the first three quarters and 10 minutes of that bears game but then it all slipped away so it does feel like the last i don't know 15 minutes of the bears game kind of defines that entire game, even though they played pretty well in that game. And a large part of that was Malik Willis with the beautiful touchdown pass, who was excellent in that spot off the bench. So the Packers are now officially the seven seed. They're going to be a massive underdog. I would guess potentially like a round of touchdown, depending whether they play the Rams, whether they play, you know, the Bears, I guess the Eagles possible. I mean, most people are going to assume the Eagles are going to lose to Buffalo and probably get defined as that number three seats.

so they wouldn't play the Eagles in the first round. But I think the backers, unlike a couple years ago, when they went to Dallas and had the big upset, this does not feel like that at all. It doesn't even feel possible, partly because their defense in shambles and offensively, it's just weird. And I would still extend Matt LaFleur.

It's definitely going to be a conversation that comes up. I mean, what he's done with Malik Willis, like you get credit for that. And the other reality is, if you were to, I guess, fire LaFleur, to me, your best option then would just be elevating halfway, but you'd have to understand, LaFleur would immediately get hired. I mean, there are so many jobs that would be open.

I think he would be a lock to get hired yesterday. I think he would immediately be hired by the Titans. I think the Giants would have to be like on drugs to not be all over him. Again, assuming that, you know, Mike Tomlin's kind of quieted everybody. And it's not one of those like, oh, it's just the narrative, the same-all, same-all with Mike Tomlin. Part of it is this. The Steelers put out, like a month ago, when they were in shambles,

Schifter starts putting out the details to his contract. Like, you know, they're not going to fire him, but they would trade them. Like, that's coming from the Steelers, right? Now, maybe he shuts them up. What about John Harbaugh? I mean, this Lamar situation's weird. I didn't even quite realize this. We were just talking about it before we pressed record the story that came out about.

you know, this information about, I guess him, I just saw the headline about him playing video games late at night. Clearly the Ravens aren't thrilled. Where do you think that information comes from? Probably not Lamar's people. And that's what happens when you lose. People start backstabbing each other. You know, Dan Campbell takes a lot of shit.

Like, what about John Harbaugh? John Harbaugh a couple years ago had the best team in the league, and he's a Super Bowl champion. And now a couple years later, I mean, if the Steelers just take care of business here and, you know, less than, I don't know, 15 hours, where they're a favorite against the Browns who were fucking terrible, you're going to miss the playoffs.

So that's pretty embarrassing. And let's face it, you're not even close to these other playoff teams, it feels like, right? So I just think Harbaugh's a guy to kind of keep an eye on. That thing's gotten weird and gotten weird fast, even with the win the night. But you don't get much credit if the Steelers win, your season's over before you even play the last game of the season, which was against the Pittsburgh Steelers. which we all thought like three weeks ago was going to probably be like Sunday night winner wins the division. Just huge rivalry Tomlin versus Harbaugh.

Now the game might not even matter. The Steelers are going to be playing Mason Rudolph against Stoop Huntley. So a lot happening. And then the earlier game, like I said, I came from lunch, walked into this bar. You know, it was weird. I kind of got drunk in the middle of the day and then, you know, sobered up by about dinnertime. drunk would be strong, but I had, you know, three or four cocktails. You kind of lose track of the days and like, is this, is every day just like a Saturday?

Even though today technically is Saturday. And they're up 14-0. I'm like, I have to like kind of scratch my eyes. I'm like, this really, the Texans are up 14-0. I go look at the highlights, you know, on Twitter. I mean, he just threw two bombs. And you get a 14-0 lead with that defense. They're going to be in major trouble.

Now, listen, the end of the game, the pass interference or the defensive holding or whatever, the penalties in general in the NFL on defensive backs, latent games are just embarrassing. They really are. And they are consistently defensive defensive pass interference, you know, illegal touching. It's already impossible to play that position. No one's allowed to get touched physically going across. the middle. We have something called defenseless receivers. No, guys, it's football. They're not defenseless. They know when they're running a crossing route or a dig route or just anything over the middle of the field. There are other defenders. Their jobs literally to tackle them and hit them, but you're

not allowed to really do that anymore. Now I can't just do anything to you. And the play call, I'm not saying obviously that impacted the game greatly, but I just think that call is consistently made. Someone asked me, I have a buddy who is a baseball player before. I'm not going to give away his team, but he's, he's in a certain team's organization. He was texting me one of his good buddies plays on a pretty good NFL team. And he's like, his buddy was texting. Like the officiating this year feels worse than ever. And like, I just kind of thought of this because he's like, why do you think? And I'm like, well, I do wonder, we used to have a group of guys. I don't want to say they were famous, but they were just kind of household names as officials. And listen, officiating is hard

to begin with. But I feel like through the 90s, the 2000s, it was kind of the same core group of guys. It does feel like a lot of them have retired. And they've hired a lot of new guys. Clearly, you don't get paid that much to be a NFL referee. I would say the group in general is as as shitty as it's ever been. And I do think they're coached up to when all else fails, call it on the defense. Call it on the defense. And that, that, that, that, that, just consistently happens all around the league, let alone a game that, you know, the Chargers would have had an opportunity to win the division next week. Now, do I think they would have? No. Now, you'd say, well, what about the Broncos the other night? I don't know.

I mean, game was a little weird. There's no doubt about it. I mean, the, the Chiefs had under 100 yards of offense. I think the dude who, they couldn't stop telling me, he's like Patrick Mahomes best friend. Like, we get it. He's thrown for like 50 yards in this game. But, yeah, I mean, that was a rough loss for the Chargers. But at the same time, like you get down 14-0 against a team like that with that much patch rush and just that ability to cover, even though Justin Herbert made some great plays with his legs too. Yeah, I just, I think the Texans, I've been saying it forever, they're a team that no one's going to want to mess with. And if they can get some explosive plays on offense, especially in the passing game with that defense,

it would not shock me to look up and they're in the AFC championship game. Now, as someone that has a ticket on them to win the division, I really hope that the Colts somehow, I don't know how they would have any motivation. Maybe it's just because of Philip Rivers can't upset the Jags. Now, I don't feel that's going to happen. So I do think the Texans are just going to end up as the wild card. But for a team that started 0 and 3,

like kind of a defining year for the Texans brass, for Domingo, for Nick Aserio. So, like, that was just a high-level operation. Like, that that was a type thing that we might look back five years when they've just been consistently good for a while. That's like what the Packers do, what the Steelers do, why they never lose. Like, when you're 0-3, you can kind of crater.

And that speaks to the character in that locker room. Obviously, the talent they have on defense, which carried them most of the season. You know, CJ has, I would say, had an up-and-down season, but he's made some big plays when he had to. And I just think the Texans are really good, really well coached. They have like a physical chip on their shoulder mentality the way they play. The other thing is when you make a pretty bold move, which they did,

they took CJ number two and then they traded back up from 12 to 3 to get Will Anderson. You better fucking be right on that one. And they weren't just right. I mean, they hit a home run on that pick. And as a buddy in the league sent me the list of the guys that the Cardinals drafted, let's just say that was a win for the Texans. And the other thing that's, you know, a big picture for us like draft guys is they have the commander second round pick because of the Laramie-Metunzel trade.

So that pick has a pretty good chance to be in the 30s. So the Texans are going to make the playoffs with their pick in the first round, which let's just say is in the early 20s. Who knows? I mean, that pick could be 28. They might have picked 28 and pick 37. So they've, because of the Will Anderson trade, You know, I think the depth on their team is definitely not as good, but they gave up a first rounder, right?

And I think they gave up like a first and a second rounder to move up to make that trade on top of pick 12, which whenever you trade pick 12 to get up to three and then future stuff, pick 12 just becomes pick three. So you basically just swap. It's what else did you give up? And I think it was a second round pick and the following year's first round pick. That's impactful. But that hurts you. I sell it with the 49ers, right? There's like last year when they ran out of juice, like, well, yeah, they've been missing first round picks for years.

years because of the Trey Lance trade. Get ready, Colts fans. Like, you dismiss the playoffs and you don't have a first round pick for the next two years. Like that is, I mean, if you lose these next two games, that is a massive win for the Jets. All of a sudden you look up and that pick is, you know, pick 15. So all of a sudden the Jets have the third pick and the 15th overall pick. Now, they've had that before and they took Soss Gardner or Garrett Wilson. They still sucked. So just because you have picks, it doesn't guarantee you anything. You got to have a quarterback or else you got no shot. And you could argue even if you're just the Jets, you got no shot, but that's a conversation

for a different day. So basically today, the Packers are the Seat, the Ravens eat, the Steelers will lose. Denver wins the West for the first time in nine years, not just Denver, but anyone. The chiefs have dominated that division. And the Texans are in and the Colts are officially out. I saw someone posted this that like when the Colts were eight and two, I don't I don't know what the Texans record was at the time, but I don't think it was great because they had had this little start.

They had, I think, over an 80% chance to win the division. And now they miss the playoffs where, you know, multiple teams in their own division are going to make the playoffs. It's a pretty big kick in the dick. And we talked about this the other day that when you make a move like that, you better be sure, but you can never be sure because this is not, this is not Apple. You know, this is not a company where you're producing a product.

You're dealing with human beings. And at any moment, a leg can break and Achilles can go, a calf can go, other people can get injured. I mean, hell, their quarterback broke his leg and tore his Achilles on top of sauce getting injured. Charvary is having a, you know, a million concussion issues. And all of a sudden, your season just crumbles. So it's just a, it's just, well, it's a great year for Houston, Tomiko gave a sweet kind of fiery speeds in the locker room.

I love D'emico Rines. The Colts got to be like, what the hell? And, you know, Carly's been on the sideline, taking notes, listen to everything. It'll be fascinating to see what happens because she's been, you know, that family's been pretty loyal to Chris. And at the end of the day, like, it's a result-oriented business. And their results just have not equaled success. But they have not made the playoffs.

Meanwhile, other teams in their division are going to the playoffs constantly. So, I mean, the Jacks turned it around like that. Now, you could argue Trevor Lawrence, if he's going to play like this, is just better than anything to have a quarterback. Want to know where I bet on football during the holiday season? It's hard to rock bet. Not just because they're the presenting sponsor of this podcast, but because they make it easy to bet,

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news news. We created our own podcast called Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast. Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to us. 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 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, 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 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 podcasts.

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 IHeart Women's Sports.

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. 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 Slico Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok.

Jacob Kingston grew up in an isolated polygamous sect. We were God's chosen kingdom on earth. He felt destined for greatness. So when a swaggering Armenian businessman catapults Jacob into an extraordinary world, he doesn't look back. Ferraris and Lamborghinis, private jets. leading the president of Turkey. I'm Michelle McPhee, and this is one of the most shocking criminal conspiracies I've ever come across.

When Jacob met Levin this went to a billion dollar fraud. But with two kings from entirely different worlds, just how long can their empire survive? The largest tax investigation in American history. You need to tell me what you know. Is somebody coming after me? Jacob told Levan, you're ruining my life. Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A couple other things before we get out of here.

You know, one big story, I think two things can be true. The organization can be right and the player can be right. Story went viral. I think within the last 24 hours, I'm getting my days mixed up. I guess it would have been on Friday. Jay Glazer put it out. And then Pete Carroll talked about it. that they told Max Crosby they were going to sit them down.

And then by the time you're listening to this, they put out state means getting knee surgery. Though if you watch the Houston Texan game, I would argue that Max Crosby was the best player on the field, like in the game with a team full of star players. I think the Houston Texans have, I think they showed five guys going to the Pro Bowl. So it's like they got a high-end group of players,

and that doesn't even include their quarterback. And the best player on the field that day was Max Crosby. And they said, we're shutting you down. And if you're the Raiders, like, don't want to really tanks in the NFL until like right now. You don't suck all season long to then win the last couple games. It's completely pointless, especially when you don't have a quarterback, when you're going to have a lot of movement this offseason. It is the right move because Max Crosby against the Giants and this version of the Chiefs

could literally single-handedly win them again. I mean, he was trying to do that against the Texans who were probably a 12-win team. So you tell him, listen, we're sitting you down. It's the right move by the organization. And do you know what you want out of a player? And I've been told this by countless people in the league. And John Spitech said this last year before the season when he came on it. They love Max Crosby.

He is literally everything you would want in an NFL player. From a work ethic standpoint, from a love of the game standpoint, from a loyalty to the franchise standpoint, he like loves the Raiders for some reason, right? I mean, no one would blame any play. if they're like, I want out of an organization like this, and he's kind of done the opposite. Now, he's been compensated.

But he is as, I would say, as bought into a team as anyone in the league for his effort and his energy for a team that never does anything. And, you know, a lot of times, the Raiders at Khalil Mack. He's like, well, if you can't pay me, get fucking rid of me. See you. Couldn't get out of there fast enough. Mari Cooper did the same thing.

Max, a lot like Derek Carr, they were very, very, very, very loyal to the Raiders brand, which, let's face it, is a little abnormal in the internet era. And I do think you got to ask yourself, so listen, I admire, just like I'm sure the Raiders admire, like I do not want to play. And he was, I saw a clip where he said this and I don't blame him. I'm like, I don't care about a draft pick. How would he care about a draft pick? He was on the team when they had a top 10 pick and they took the pass rusher from Texas Tech,

who's terrible. he's seen guys get drafted high and stink. He's seen random guys. He is one that gets drafted on the third day and become good play. A draft pick for the Raiders doesn't mean shit. So he's like, yeah, you can tell me Fernando Mendoza is the best player in the draft. We could get him and it doesn't equal more wins for us. It doesn't guarantee anything.

So I understand his mindset too. So I think both teams, I saw Ted Nguyen who writes for athletic Barry guy, big Raider fan, said it perfectly, he tweeted it out, like both. can be correct. Max and the Raiders are both right on this. Now, I also think you need to ask yourself this. I do think this offseason has kind of come to a fork in the road. Like,

he still has a lot of value. And this situation is not apples to apples, because this guy wanted a huge contract and the chiefs were hesitant to give him one and they traded him. But when Jared Allen, who had become a star in 07, and he kind of became at a contractual

impasse, got traded the Minnesota Vikings to change his career forever, went to a high level organization and then ended up becoming a Hall of Famer and played in a bunch of big games. And I do think Max this offseason one could net them multiple first round picks. To me, the minimum would be like two ones and a three. And this is a guy, it's not like he's a 24 year old guy, he's 28 years old. But he's that good. He's durable.

I mean, he's been hurt all year. He doesn't miss any games. He sober like several years ago. So he doesn't drink, doesn't party. he gets in no trouble. He's honestly, he's an all-in guy. You can't ask for anything more. He's honestly, I would say most people in the NFL, like one of their favorite players, because he represents everything that you want from a guy, right? The effort level, which you go, well, you paid a lot of money, you should play hard. You know, football can be very hit or

miss, especially with guys of that position. Take plays off on a shitty team. He never does. So I think this offseason You know I fall a lot of like 49er accounts on Instagram Mark Davis would do a belly flop off the Golden Gate Bridge Before you ever trade in the 49ers The 49ers would never be able to acquire Max McSughey Now I don't think they would trade him into the AFC

So I think the NFC Which is also full of teams that would be very very interested Right I think the Eagles would be all over I think the Bears would be all over I think the Lions would have to contemplate it very, very strongly. He's a Michigan guy. They need defensive help.

You pair him up with Hutchinson. Now you just got a dynamic pass rush. I think there are so many teams in the NFC that I think would bid heavily for Max Crosby services. And I think if you're the Raiders at this point in time, you have two goals right now. Lose out. Now, I also think the chiefs are lingering. Like if I'm Andy Reid at this point down, I'm trying to, if you lose, Excuse me, yeah, you lose to the Giants,

meaning you were in the driver's seat to get the number one overall pick. I'm trying to ruin it for you. I'm trying to ruin your season, you know, and I would imagine that you just throw out Okalanu or whatever that guy's name is. You might not even have to try that hour. I mean, he's just not that good. And at this point in time, the Chiefs just aren't that good.

So that's part of the reasoning to not put Max out there because he plays every game like it's a Super Bowl. And in a game like that where, you know, Chris Jones by then could be doing one, two, three, Cancun, wouldn't even blame him. You know, Kelsey, they basically did his retirement tour the other night, which I understand why they hyped it up so much. Like, felt like his last home game ever, which I also admire that like he probably knows it just didn't say anything.

Like this isn't, I'm not doing some tour. I'm a team guy first. That's why we've won. This isn't about me. He had a big final drive that got him in position to almost have a chance to win it. but that was another thing like Denver kind of a weird team right they play in a lot of weird games

they really do now bow had the big touchdown run I think at the end of third quarter obviously the fantastic final drive where he hit Harvey in the back of the end zone for the touchdown which was a great play as well but he had a bunch of big throws on that drive kind of got just a little clutch thing going toward them even though he can have stretches in the game

or like god this guy looks awful but and listen it's not you know apples to apples because they had Patrick Mahomes but a couple years ago, when they beat who they beat, they beat the 49ers that year, I think they were 11 and 5. The Chiefs did not have a great season. They had a lot of weird games. Hell, even last year when they made the Super Bowl,

they had a lot of weird games. So now Denver does not have the track record, but they've had a bunch of weird games for a team that more than likely is going to be the number one overall seat. So just a bizarre. My wife kept saying, like, wait, the Ravens aren't in the playoffs. The Chiefs aren't in the playoffs either? Like, what's going on?

I'm like, yeah, it's a weird year. It really is. And we know every year, and we've talked about this, that every year several teams, I think on average, like four teams that made the playoffs the previous year, missed the playoffs. But I would say the Ravens, they were the betting favorite coming into the season to win the Super Bowl, them and the Buffalo Bills. And more than likely, they're going to miss the playoffs, right? The Chiefs had been the five of the last six Super Bowls.

and they're probably going to go six and eleven. So it's just a bizarre year. And it's the NFL. And I think for the first time, I was playing golf with some buddies, you know, it's like 70 degrees here. So you get out in the morning in shorts and a in a colored shirt.

I was sweating my whole three for those of you guys in frigid conditions. But my buddy, my buddy Jeff Fong, he goes, like, who do you think is going to win the Super Bowl? And I'm like, honestly, of the 14 teams, we've been talking about this that are going to make, the playoffs, I do think you can make a legit case for like 10 of them, like to win the Super Bowl, definitely to win their conference, right? You would take the Panthers or the Bucs, everyone is going to pick them to lose in the first round. And the Packers now feel like they have

no shot to win the NFC. But I think you could make a case for all three NFC West teams. The 49ers, we're going to really see what they're made of tomorrow night against a much better Bears team than the teams they've been playing. Obviously, you know, Seattle and the Rams, the Bears, and the Eagles, listen, they've had a weird year, but they got a lot of good players. And then you look at the AFC, Denver, New England. I mean, Jacksonville, what they just did at Denver, it's like, to me, they're a legitimate AFC contender.

Houston, Buffalo's got Josh Allen. The Chargers feel a little bit unlikely, but it's like, you know, Jim Harbaugh, Justin Herbert, like, they can take down anyone in a given game. and, you know, we'll see. The Pittsburgh, interested to see what they got, but very, very excited. Pretty good day of football tomorrow.

Definitely got a couple big games, like Buffalo, Philly. I'm fired up for that one, and obviously the night game, 49ers against the Bears. That's an awesome Sunday night game. Sunday night, you know, tomorrow's probably Monday nights, the Rams playing Atlanta, which isn't great, but it might not matter.

as much for the Rams depending on what happens tomorrow. A couple things before we get out of here. My friends at Hard Rock Bet, there are three games that I love Seattle, Carolina. One, their record with Mike McDonald through two years. I think they're 13 and 2 on the road. This year they're 6 and 1. They have been a dominant road team.

I also don't think Carolina matches up well against them. You know, you watched Carolina last week against Tampa. Tampa's defense is atrocious. Can't cover anybody. can't rush the passer. Bryce just running around, making plays. I think Seattle that goes, hey, we win next two weeks.

We are the number one overall seed. We just beat the Rams last week. We're coming off that mini by. It's a lot of points, but I'm going to take Seattle minus seven in this game. I'm a little nervous. Divisional games can get weird. We just saw it, Kansas City, Denver.

But I do think the Browns are terrible. You know, last week, Junk kids breaks his leg. he was just a dominant, you know, young player for them. So you remove him. You get Pittsburgh with, it just goes, we win this game. This thing's over. And we don't have to think about next week.

Now, the guy that leads their team in targets, lead their team in yards, losing DK is not ideal, especially given their wide receiver room, isn't exactly like Antonio Brown and Plaxico Burr's are walking through that door. But I'm just going to take Rogers and Tomlin in this spot, which can be a little weird,

home, you know, road, you know, big favorites, divisional game. Like, it's, you like Tomlin's like the home dog. But I'm taking Pittsburgh minus three and a half in this game, basically just, I'm short in the Browns.

And I'm just kind of taking the mojo going in to like, let's just end this thing and win this game. Even though, like, they got suspensions. I think TJ Watts still out. A little nurse. Now, this game, I don't like, I love. If there was still like, five or six weeks, remaining in the season. I do think the Saints could win the division.

I don't even think it's debatable right now. The Saints are the best team in that division. And Tyler Shuck, who I've seen some people say if we did a redraft, would Tyler Shuck go number one overall? I don't know if that's true, but there is no disputing that like if you just watch Tyler Shuck play over the last month and you like watch Cam Ward play, you go like, I don't see that big of a gap. Now, Cam's actually made some plays over the last couple weeks. looked a lot better. Now, and he's played the Chiefs in the 49ers, but Tyler Shuck's been really good.

The Saints just looked like solid. And, you know, Tennessee's coming off, big win, beat the shit out of the Chiefs, but I like the Saints on the road, minus two and a half. Like Tyler Shuck trained, just keep on rolling. And Kellynne Moore to kind of end the season, all of a sudden you're going to look up.

It's like, wait, the Saints just went seven and ten. I thought they were like a three-win team. It's like, no, they got Tyler Shuck, baby. And kind of kind of go into this offseason with the feeling pretty good about their quarterback situation. So we will see everybody in about 24 hours. Hopefully everyone enjoys some NFL football tomorrow. And we will talk soon.

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Quince.com slash three and out. 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. 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 headwriter, 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 the game. This morning. 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 SportsSlic on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more, follow Timbo Slices 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 I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or we're 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 fame. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lennarabakina is arguably the best player in the world right now and I actually can win on any surface. 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. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.