The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Colin Cowherd Podcast Prime Cuts - Rams Making A Comeback? Lamar Jackson “Best Football Player On The Planet”, Russ Outplays Aaron, Betting NFL Week 8

Episode Date: October 26, 2024

Colin’s top takes of the week! He starts with the Rams beating the Vikings on MNF and explains why the Rams are still very much in contention in the NFC West and why they shouldn’t be looking to shop Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp (3:00). Then, he tips his cap to Kyler Murray and Justin Herbert for “pulling their franchises uphill” (11:30) and to Lamar Jackson for being the “best football player on the planet” (15:45). He also points out that despite his ups and downs in recent years, Russell Wilson has still played better than Aaron Rodgers (26:00) Next up, John Middlekauff stops by to break down a dominating win for the Kansas City Chiefs over the San Francisco 49ers (34:00) and debate whether the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers are Super Bowl contenders… or a year away (44:30) Finally, Chad Millman, Chief Content Officer of the Action Network, joins Colin for a round of “Sharp or Square,” to help provide Colin with the sharpest betting advice for week 8 of the NFL season! 58:30- Cardinals vs Dolphins 01:01:30 - Colts vs Texans 01:04:45- Seahawks vs Bills 01:07:00 - Bears vs Commanders 01:09:30 - Eagles vs Bengals  01:17:00 - 49ers vs Cowboys 01:19:30 - Giants vs Steelers  01:22:00 - Jets vs Patriots 01:24:00- Ravens vs Browns 01:26:15 - Packers vs Jaguars 01:26:45 - Lions vs Titans (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements.) Follow Colin and The Volume on Twitter for the latest content and updates!  #Volume #HerdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. 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. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying.

Yep, that's me, Clivert Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I put on 10. I was having trouble

stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hard Way with your favorite therapist and host, Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere,

but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor? It signals to the world that you're not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to. Listen to learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun,

thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of taun tons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to stuff to blow your mind on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The volume. All right, basketball season is here,

and there's only one place to go for tickets, and you know where that is, game time. They have a new feature called Game Time Picks, filters out the fluff to show you only incredible deals on great seats, so you don't have to waste time searching through thousands of tickets. When I want to go to a basketball game, football game, concert, comedy show, just click on the event. You want to attend.

Game time gives me a seat preview, offers me a great deal. I get the best bang for my buck. Game time also has the lowest price is guaranteed, or they will credit you 110% the difference. So take the guesswork out of buying tickets with GameTime picks. Download their app, GameTime app, 90 seconds, create an account. Use the code, Colin. That's me, C-O-L-I-N.

20 bucks off your first purchase. Again, terms apply. Redeem Coat's, Collins, C-O-L-I-N, 20 bucks off. Download game time today. What time is it? Game time. First of all, this week, the rumors came out that Cooper Cup and Matt Stafford were on the trade block. Cooper Cup, I believe. You see how often they targeted Pooka Nakua. He's their future. Cooper Cup's good, but he's brittle. He struggles. He's like an old NBA player. He struggles on like back-to-back games on turf. You know, he's He's a guy ideally for him and his body, you'd play him about 10 weeks a year. But for a good team, like a Pittsburgh team that's playing well now, you get a third, fourth round pick for Cooper Cup with Pickens on the sideline routes.

You'd have a real team. You know, he would be a boost. But for the Rams, you know, they're going to extract everything they can the rest of the year. I don't know if they'll move him. I think the Rams, I have said this today on FS1. There's no question in that division. San Francisco is not as good as they were. Nobody's going to trust Gino Smith in Seattle.

Arizona can be great and awful in the same game. The Rams are now three and four. Remember last year, slow start. They won seven of their last eight, got into the playoffs, and they were a playaway from beating Detroit. So this idea of trading Cooper Cup, I get it because of Pooka Nakua, and I did not expect Pooka Nakuwa to play tonight.

That's why I had the Vikings and the under on the Rams. I didn't think Pooka Nakua was going to play. And, you know, he's just total game changer. It's, he's not Justin Jefferson great, but he's a, he's a 10 target, eight catch guy weekly basis for 95 to 115 yards. He's just a special player, fifth round or two. But the Matt Stafford trade rumors are, just don't make any sense to me. He's got this year and next year under contract, and they can walk away. But there's just not, there's nobody in the next two college drafts that is close to this.

And Sean McVeigh almost walked away from the NFL couple of years ago to take an Amazon job as a broadcaster. He didn't want to start over with some, you know, half of these first round quarterbacks don't make it. This coming up draft, you know, I mean, I can see the Rams in the third or fourth round, taking Riley Leonard out of Notre Dame, sitting them behind Stafford for a year or two. But if you're not getting Shadoor Sanders, I don't see anybody in this quarterback draft that's going to play immediately in Excel at the NFL level. I just don't. And that's what my couple sources who I've talked about in the executive suites in the NFL tell me. It's just a, this last draft was great quarterback draft.

Next two are just okay. So, I mean, Stafford, four touchdowns, 23 or 32, nine different receivers, 27 first downs. They're not getting rid of him. And I said this last year, and I'll say it again, they need a number one corner. The Rams doing the draft. They need to draft a sideline receiver, a speed receiver, and they need another offensive tackle. and probably another safety for depth, but they're not that far away. If they hit, they have a first and two-thirds.

If they hit on those picks, the team could win the Super Bowl. I don't think there are a Super Bowl team this year at three and four, but Minnesota is a good team. And when the Rams controlled that second half. So I just don't buy into Matt Stafford's moving. And I have said this before. Just think about Aaron Rogers. So Matt Stafford was a much better high school player than Aaron Rogers and a much better college player than Aaron Rogers and was better than Aaron Rogers their first four years in the league.

And then, you know, errands with the Packers, Stafford's with the, you know, bankrupt lions. And, you know, Stafford struggles to win in the same division. Rogers is, you know, out of this world for Green Bay and deserves all the credit. But what happens if Stafford the next two years makes the Rams a viable Super Bowl team? It's not unheard of. San Francisco's peak. We don't trust Philadelphia's coach. The Lions are the best team, but in a big spot, Dan Campbell, Jared Gough, or McVan, Stafford.

With no Aidan Hutchison, that game gets a lot closer. So I just look at it and I think to myself, Stafford's here, load up on draft picks the next two years, try to have some hits. You know, the Rams defense is so young that they can spend some money in free agency this year. They're not spending anything on defense. I mean, those guys are all free. They're cheap. They got a lot of second, third, fourth, fifth rounders all over that defense. They're not paying anybody right now, now that Aaron Donald's gone.

As far as the Vikings go, you know, Sam Darnold was fine, outplayed in the second half, but it really is interesting. So, you know, we all kind of picked, you know, Detroit Green Bay to be the best in the division, and then the Bears and the Vikings to round it out. And I had said if the Vikings finished fourth, it's the most talented offensive fourth-place team in the history of the NFL. they're not going to finish fourth. I think, but I do think, and they've got winnable games coming up.

You know, they've got Titans, Jags, Colts, Arizona, Bears, twice, Seattle. You know, Vikings are a good team. But I do think Detroit's got a better roster and is a better team, and you saw it last week when they played. And I think Green Bay is so young, we're not seeing the best version of Green Bay. I think over the next eight weeks, Packers are just going to get better and better and better, and I wouldn't be shocked if they got to a Super Bowl.

I don't see them as a Super Bowl winning team this year. But it wouldn't shock me. They're so young. Every time you watch Green Bay, they look better. And that's the advantage of having a bunch of 24-year-olds and 25-year-olds who are just into their prime. Detroit's a little older, more season. And that's why I like Detroit if they met in like a playoff game. But, you know, what do you do with Stafford?

So my guess is if the Vikings end up being a good team winning 10 games, but they finish third because the Vikings, you know, I don't think they're Detroit or Green Bay at their best. And remember, the Vikings may have just lost their left tackle for some time. Cross your fingers on that. But Darnold will have a market. I mean, the last several years, think about the quarterbacks who have had a market. Old Brady, Matt Stafford, Russell Wilson, Aaron Rogers, Kirk Cousins. Darnold will have a market. Now, somebody may overpay for him.

You're not going to get this Donald. He's not going to have this left tackle, Justin Jefferson, this coach. You know, probably Jordan Addison, T.J. Hawkinson. You're not getting that, Donald. But I think he'll be somewhere between the mess in New York and the Vikings, and he's a really coachable, likable kid. But you see it the night when you put him on the field with Stafford. Stafford's the better quarterback. I mean, Stafford's got nine different receivers, his pre-snap stuff.

I mean, the guy is just, Matt is just insanely gifted. But he has, you know, he doesn't have a brand. He doesn't give a rip. He just loves footballist family. And that's, you know, he's not controversial. He doesn't talk about conspiracy theories. He's just not who he is, man. And he's just a good old Texas Southern guy, loves football and family, and keeps it quiet.

But Darnold will have a market, and I think J.J. McCarthy, who had a great preseason, is kind of their future. And I think, you know, if Darnold gets the 10 wins, 10, 11 wins, that's a second, third round pick. I don't think you're going to get a first for him. But Darnold will have a market. But they didn't draft J.J. McCarthy to move off him. So, but I did think tonight when you see Darnold, and he's not reckless. He's gotten the reckless out of him. But when you see him on the same field, with like a golf last week or a Matt Staffer this week, he just doesn't feel quite that.

And I think Kevin O'Connell, who's a quarterback coach, I think a lot of people like Sam Darnel, but to give a guy a bag, you have to love your quarterback. And so he'll have a market. I think the Vikings will pull back a little. But again, both the Rams schedule and the Viking schedule, there's a lot of wins. The other thing on the Rams tonight, they got Pooka and Cooper Cup back. but the interior of their offensive line, they're still missing two starters. So this Rams team, which has a young, young, aggressive, talented defense, and a really good offensive line, top five or six in the league, when healthy.

So the Rams now are starting to get healthy. Puka, a surprise starter tonight. Big, big production. Just to give you a sense of how valuable Puka Nakua is, and I didn't think he'd play tonight. The Rams have won eight of the last nine games. Puka Nakua has played. The only loss, overtime loss, on the road to Baltimore. And with that win, the San Francisco 49ers are now in last place in the NFC West. The Chargers lose to Arizona 1715.

What you were watching are the two best quarterbacks in the league who have never had any support. Now, James Connor is really a substantial running back for the Arizona Cardinals who won on a walk-off field goal. So he's got something. But Arizona's got the worst owner in the league. They flushed out the front office. They have another young coach. Cross your fingers on that. This offensive line's a better version of the awful ones they've mostly had.

Kyler Murray has just, this is why I support him. He's had complete utter dysfunction his entire career in Arizona. But it could be worse for Justin Herbert, who tonight had no run game, patchwork offensive line. Will Disley at tight end was his go-to receiver. What a disaster. I mean, Herbert was just manufacturing offense. At one point, he had a 15-play drive, you know, accounted for almost 400 yards.

And I mean, it is just four yards here, six yards there, no run game, nine-yard completion. Justin Herbert, with a minute 54 left, gave them a 15-14 lead, five field goals. They've got no playmakers. I mean, when Brock Purdy isn't good in the red zone and you still have playmakers, it's one thing. they don't have any of the Chargers. They got nothing. So Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, they shed those contracts and they draft the Ladd McConkey from Georgia, who's a nice rookie slot. He had a couple decent catches, but they just don't have any players. And J.K. Dobbins, behind that offensive line, no run game. But this is the thing. You have to contextualize it. If you put Kyter Murray with San Francisco's talent the last four years or Herbert with San Francisco's talent, I think they have a trophy. And Herbert, I think is more popular because he's been less controversial. But they just, I mean, you saw Kuyter's 44-yard touchdown run. Herbert just methodically marching his team down behind a battle line with no-run game.

He has to throw everybody in Arizona knows it. These guys are, those are really good NFL quarterbacks. They haven't had the best owners, the best front offices, the best support staffs, the best offensive lines. And that's why I support Herbert and Kiter Murray. I mean, I love Jared. But Detroit has two legit backs, the best offensive line, a deep threat, a clever offensive coordinator, Sam Leporta.

I mean, it's an embarrassment of riches. And Jared's very good. I'm a Jared Goff Stan. But he's got, I mean, he's got a convertible driving in Malibu on an 82-degree summer day. It is good living if you're the quarterback of the Detroit Lions. So as Arizona wins that game, they're a really weird franchise. I've said they're kind of a lesser Buffalo Bills. I'm never quite sure what I get half to half with Arizona or game to game with them.

But I will say people can be critical of Kyler Murray, take him out of this operation. And what do you have? Carolina. That's what you have. Cookey, impulsive ownership situation. And I think the Chargers have a charge. chance to make the playoffs. I think the wild card situation in the AFC is incredibly weak. The Jets we kind of like, and they're two and five. So like Pittsburgh looks like to me,

Pittsburgh's not as good as Baltimore. I don't care what records are. And we'll get to Baltimore in a second. But I think the Chargers will eventually find their way once the offensive line gets healthier. I think they'll kind of figure out their way to get to nine wins. And that'll get you. I mean, Tua's coming back. We'll see what Miami is. But I, I, I, I was actually impressed with both Herbert and Kyler Murray tonight. So much, you know, I've said this before. It's one thing if you're a trust fund kid, but if you have had to fight through obstacles and turbulence your entire life and you never end up making any money, but you raise a great

family, you're a great dad, that's incredibly impressive to me. Some guys, it's not fair. They are just pulling franchises uphill from the minute they step into this league, and that is Justin Herbert, and that is Kyler Murray, pulling their franchises uphill. So Baltimore really hammers Tampa, 41, 31, not indicative of what it really was. Lamar Jackson's going to win MVP. Lamar Jackson right now is the best football player on the planet, not Patrick Mahomes. Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback.

Lamar is the best overall player. On Monday night football, he has 20 touchdowns and no picks. Tonight, five touchdowns, no picks. The thing about Lamar Jackson that I was really noticing tonight, they finally have given him Zayflowers, they finally have weapons for him. I don't know if anybody sees the field. And I thought about this watching Lamar. A lot of times with young quarterbacks, the Justin Fields or a Zach Wilson, you know, they have gifts. They move well.

They have good arms. But they just don't see the field. Is it anxiety? Is it a fear of getting hit? where they get tunnel vision, whatever it is, the ability for Lamar Jackson to sit in the pocket and be able to see sideline to sideline, it's like he's always throwing the ball to the right person. You get all the upside and really very little downside. And, you know, he has, I don't know how it ended. At one point, he had 18 touchdown passes without a pick.

You know, there was this for years. I mean, when he came into the league, I didn't know what he was going to be. I mean, I had no idea. I mean, I watched him play at Louisville in college, and I'm like, I don't think this is going to work. I didn't think Dak Prescott was going to work. By the way, Dak Prescott fell to the fourth round, so everybody in the league question whether it was going to work. But, you know, NFL GMs miss on quarterbacks all the time.

What you have to be able to do is acknowledge when you make a mistake and go, yeah, this guy can play. So it was very obvious by the middle of his second year. You're like, this guy's, you know, he's two, three touchdowns a game. He is developed into such an extraordinary pocket passer. And I think a lot of it is his, he has no fear in the pocket. I mean, he got hammered. He doesn't get hammered as much as he used to. He got hammered tonight, two or three times. A couple helmet on helmets. He's a totally fearless player, completely utterly fearless player. And he's not, he doesn't have a dad bod, he's not thick, he just doesn't care. And, and then you add Derek Henry to it. Did you notice that Troy Aikman shot tonight at the

Dallas Cowboys when he said, you know, there's a lot of teams could have used Derek Henry, and Joe Buck said anybody in particular. That's the difference in the Baltimore front office and the Dallas Cowboy Jerry Jones led front office. Derek Henry was out there for eight million bucks. And Baltimore's like, yeah, we're going to do that. I'll continue to say that Kansas City's the best team in the league, but who's playing the best football? And I think it's Baltimore. I just, I mean, it's, they reeled off at one point, 27 straight points. And Tampa's good team. Now, again, Mike Evans got hurt. That, that was tough. Baker Mayfield threw a really bad pick into the end zone. That kind of started the avalanche.

And, you know, it's like Brock Purdy throwing three picks against Kansas City or Baker-Mayfield, a big pick in the end zone against Baltimore. Then the avalanche starts. And then there's no going back on that. But I, there's not a player on the planet, including Patrick Mahomes, that I enjoy watching play more than Lamar Jackson. And you watch them on the sidelines. They should just write a book on how to act as a star quarterback. He's such an adult.

He's such a grown-up. so humble. He's on the sidelines and, you know, he's asking players, how you doing? And, you know, he's not over there gloating or he's just such a team guy. I just love him. Can not get enough of Lamar Jackson. And, you know, about the only criticism I have of that game tonight, I think I counted 17 penalties in that game. You know, does your favorite NBA player have what it takes to be crown king of the court. Find out at Draft King's Sportsbook, an official sports betting partner of the NBA. Draft Kings is offering one million a day in bonus bets for the first 10 days of the NBA season. That's 10 million in bonus bets. Here's how to shoot your shot. Opt in, get a daily NBA

profit boost token. You pick a pregame NBA player prop to boost. If that player leads the league that night, in points, rebounds, assists, you win a share of a million bucks in bonus bets. Just download the draft king sportsbook app. The code is. Colin C-O-L-I-N to win a share of a million dollars in bonus bets if your player is king of the court. Only on Draft Kings, the crown is yours. Gambling problem, call 1-800 Gambler. In New York, call 8778-8-Y or text Hope & Y 467369. In Connecticut, help is available for problem gambling.

Call 888-789-777-7 or visit ccpg.org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino and Resort in Kansas, 21 and over, agent eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see dkng.com slash B-Ball. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds.

I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions,

my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes,

creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast, it's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me, or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano, and our podcast Point Game is about defining the odds. Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed.

And finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game. His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before. And he knows. Without Luca and Austin Reeves, I got to manipulate the game. We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs. I think Joker's going to be exhausted this series because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup,

he has to really guard guys like Nas Reid. He has to guard Julius Randall. And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's friends stop by, like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too. Steve Nass would get that thing. That man, hell get to fly. man, he running up the court, licking his fingers,

why he got the ball, like, after you go through a training camp with that, I said, you figure it out real quick. Oh, yeah. Get your ass up and down the court, and you're going to get the ball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

American soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Ramos sending on the only score at the chip. I'm Tad Ramos. I'm Tom Boe. On our podcast, Inside American Soccer, you'll get the real stuff. story lines.

I'm not worried about Policicic. I'm not worried about Balagan. I'm not worried about McKinney. My only concern is what happens in the back. The biggest decisions. If you're going to look at stats and numbers, he has no shot at making this World Cup team. And the truth about the U.S. national team. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals

or potentially a great run into the semifinals. The World Cup is almost here. Experience it all with us. Listen, Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogart and Tabramos on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcast. This is Saigon, the story of my family and of the country that shaped us. The United States will not stand by and allow any power, however great, take over another country. From IHeart Podcast, Saigon.

Please allow me to introduce Joseph Sherman. You don't think I'm serious about a free Vietnam? I should stop talking so much. I like hearing you talk. One city, a divided country, and the war that tore America apart. This is for Vietnam. I've taken a hit from Japanese ground fire. Do you rate me?

They're pouring petrol all over him. He's holding matches. I'm on a landmine. Four free time. Let's get out. Freedom from Vietnam. Run! Saigon, starring Kelly Marie Tran and Rob Benedict.

Sting here's madness. The world should hear about this. There's a fire. coming to this country and it's going to burn out everything. Listen to Saigon on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. So the Steelers beat the Jets 37 to 15. It is the most points the Steelers have scored since 2021. And the Jets have now surrendered 60 points since Robert Sala, the best coach on their staff, was fired.

So I was just thinking about this. So I wrote down how every Jets game has gone. Blown out, ugly win, dominating win, New England, worst team in the league. Ugly loss, close loss, close loss, ugly loss. There are two and five football team, and the Steelers are five and two, and if you watch tonight, the Steelers' offense, I mean, it may have been ugly for Russell Wilson in that first quarter.

It was really ugly. But second half, he was the better quarterback. So two takeaways. The Jets fired Robert Sala, the defense. in the last two games, I said it at the time. You just fired the best coach in your staff. The defense has not played up to a Robert Sala standard since he was fired. That's what change does.

So now Aaron is asked to be better than he was before when Sala was the coach, because the defense isn't as good. So you got rid of the best coach on your staff. And, yeah, I mean, in the second half of that game, so I went, I was thinking about Russell Wilson because obviously I was a huge, fan in Seattle. Then Denver was, the hacky ear was a disaster. And the Sean Payton year, it was fine. And then I went and looked at the numbers for Russell Wilson in Denver. And because Sean had such disdain for him, you know, there was a sense that Russell was

terrible in Denver. No, the Broncos defense last year was awful. That's why it's so surprising that the Broncos defense this year is so good. It's mostly the same players. What happened? I mean, the same guys, basically. They didn't have many draft picks, right? They gave them up to get Russell Wilson, so they went and got a kid from Utah, defensive end. They just didn't have many picks. One got a receiver or two.

So Russell, last year in Denver, was Sean Payton. And they didn't connect. But he won five games in a row in the middle of the season. He finished with a 98 passer rating, 66% completion percentage, 26 touchdowns, eight picks, and elusive. Not terrible. It's above average. I mean, 98 passer rating is a B to a B plus quarterback with very few interceptions and accurate.

So as you were watching the second half tonight, Russell was in total control. He was more athletic than Aaron Rogers. He had two touchdowns, no interceptions. I thought he played an incredibly clean game through for about 260 plus yards. If you had told me before the night started, Russell Wilson would have outplayed Aaron Rogers. I would have said, you're out of your mind. Guy hasn't played in forever.

He's coming off a really bumpy, ugly, bad PR year in Denver. And he outplayed him. And Pittsburgh ran the ball. You know, it's the Steelers. They're just going to kind of grind it and ugly it. And they're probably going to end up winning nine to ten games. but Russell Wilson in the second half was better. And what's becoming increasingly clear, and this is not to take a shot,

but Aaron is a completely a pocket quarterback now. He's Jared Goff, but Jared Goff is much more accurate with a much better offensive line. But he doesn't move. Aaron doesn't move anymore. He has a lot of shuttle passes, a lot of quick passes. He didn't want to get hit, and he doesn't move. And just go look at how valuable Mahomes movement was today. or Jordan Love's movement was today.

Go look around the league. In the morning, Trevor Lawrence moving. That's winning football games. Josh Allen's movement today. Aaron is a pocket-only quarterback with some flips, quick passes, doesn't stay in the pocket very long. Receiving core is okay now. Mike Williams even made a catch tonight.

But Russell was the better quarterback, and it was ugly early. But you've got to get over first impressions. This is a two and five football team. Thank God they play the Patriots again. They play the Jags later. So, I mean, New York's got all sorts of opportunities. But we're going to have to be totally honest here. Russell Wilson, with this defense and this culture and this head coach and this run game,

is going to end up having a better year than Aaron Rogers with that interim coach and that crappy culture and that bad owner and a hit and miss. run game Jets couldn't run the ball tonight. You know, it's funny, Aaron and Russell Wilson, I can't speak for Russell. I don't think Russell spends a lot of time thinking about Aaron Rogers, but Aaron has never been a fan of Russell Wilson. You know, Aaron, I don't know, he's spiritual. I'm not sure if he's agnostic, but he's spiritual, always kind of rolled his eyes

at Russell Wilson. It was pretty understood in the league. So to lose to Russell Wilson is, you know, it's just, I was. would imagine kind of digs and Aaron Rogers, but I don't think anybody could watch that game tonight and be confused. Russell was much more under control, had a better run game, had a better coach, but that's part of it. So, you know, it's funny when Russell first went to Pittsburgh, my take was, oh, it's a pretty good spot. It won't be a heavy lift for him. He's got pickings on the outside, got a couple of good backs. It's a good culture. And then, you know, he calf injury,

loses his job to Justin Fields. You know, you're just hearing things that, you know, is he a stealer? I mean, the press, the leaks. But you're watching him tonight, man, and I'm like, yeah, that's better than Justin Fields. He was more under control. His cadence at the line of scrimmage.

He was more under control. So we've got to be fair about this stuff. What he looked like in the first quarter and what he looked like in the second half, two different things. And the Jets? I mean, I said going into the weekend. It was one of my picks of the week. The staff here, the volume's like, are you sure?

My Blazing Five, two wins, two losses, and a push. But this was my second favorite moment of the week. I thought Russell hasn't played. He's coming off a calf injury. The locker room, kind of like Justin Fields. I mean, Big Ben is like, you can't see him. There was literally nobody around the Steeler organization outside of it that thought it was a good move. There was nobody.

I mean, big band, talk show hosts. I follow Pittsburgh media. Nobody liked the Russell Wilson move. And by the end of this game, you're like, of course, it felt like it was the right move. He was just, I kind of just felt like he's been in so many games and so many stand-alone games. It wasn't too big for him. And, you know, what a messy season for a franchise that can. cannot get out of its way.

I mean, just think about this. Go look at the Green Bay Packers now. Green Bay Packers are humming. They've got a young quarterback. They've got incredible chemistry in that locker room with all those receivers and tight ends for the Packers. What a fun team to be part of. And it's now, when you look at the Packers,

how lucky are they to have moved on from the toxicity of Aaron? I'm being realistic. I mean, the Packers now are young, generationally, everybody's on the same page. They're fun. They're just a fun team to watch. They've got a really nice spirit in Green Bay. And cranky, prickly Aaron goes to New York, and it's just this divorce. You know, the Brady Belichick divorce was really ugly. But the Aaron Green Bay divorce, it's not good. It's the opposite of Brady. Brady won his divorce. Aaron's losing his. Green Bay, young, fun, energetic, winning. New York, mess, impulsive, grumpy. God, I just cannot believe what I watched tonight. John Middlakov, former NFL Scout, three and out podcast at the volume. Let's start, and we're going to spend some time on Kansas City and San Francisco. Both teams, you know, hemorrhaging wide receivers. And I thought this is the real separator between Mahomes and a good quarterback. Mahomes had an ugly pick. Brock had multiple picks. Brock had three. But there were three or four moments in this game. A shotgun fourth and one, Mahomes running it in, the 33-yard run. And I felt in this

game, it'd be easy to pick on Brock Purdy because he didn't play well. But Mahomes didn't play particularly well. But there is something to be said about being resourceful, which I think Andy Reid and the chiefs have made a living on. They're still ham and egging this wide receiver court. Nobody's ever healthy. Today, Purdy had to deal with that. Debo was sick. Then Iuk had a big drop. And I you get hurt. Listen, they're going to pay Brock Purdy. We know they're going to pay him. But in this moment, and again, it's Mahomes. But I thought there was a separation, kind of these three or four, two or three magical moments, and it felt like Mahomes had all of them. Yeah, I mean, you can't really box score scout Mahomes this year.

It's been pretty terrible. But halfway through that game, when they were, you know, they didn't have a large lead, but it felt like they were in control of the game. If you just watch Mahomes always made big plays. Yes. And one thing they've done, and this is where Veach gets a ton of credit and Andy being boys with Spags and bringing him on board, they're a defensive team. Yeah.

I mean, that defense creates havoc. the pass rush, all their DBSs can cover. They can lose DB after DB and they get random guys making place. So everyone's on the same page because the guy's blitzing nonstop. You've got to be able to cover. But yeah, I mean, Mahomes just comes through. They have a little magic with him and Andy in the biggest spots. Yes.

And they did benefit today from Purdy and Kyle just kind of, they were a bad. I mean, it was just, it was their, the Niners are awful in the red zone. purdy, you cannot afford. I think the question, I think there's a couple different angles to this. One, why are we always in such a rush to pay guys that you don't know for sure? Yeah. Right?

Like, I got no problem paying Josh Allen after year three, paying Patrick Mahomes. Even the Ravens butted head with Lamar Jackson. I mean, Lamar Jackson is going to go down beside like Ray Lewis, like the second greatest player in the history of the franchise. He's not a free agent after. He's going into his fourth year.

Let's take a deep breath. Yeah. If he keeps playing this shitty against good, defenses. Minnesota, turn the ball over. Tonight, turn the ball over. Now, there was one might not have been his fault, but the other, like, you just need some more plays. You can't go, well, all these injuries. Who are the Chiefs playing with? Just make a couple plays.

No one's saying you're Patrick Mahomes, but this was a pretty winnable game for the 49ers, was it not? Yeah, and Tom Brady said this, he said this twice with pretty, two of the bigger pretty completions downfield. Both balls were underthrown. Well, one's a touchdown at the end of the game. there's 11 minutes to go and they're down, what, two points? Instead, he ends up throwing the pick and the ends the game. Yeah. So, and so again, it's, I like Brock, but, you know, people struggle to contextualize things. Like, I like Sam Darnold, but this is a perfect situation. Justin Jefferson,

Jordan Addison, good run game, excellent protection, brilliant coach, top defensive coordinator. Darnold is now playing better, and he was really good today. We'll get to that in 15 minutes. but it's a perfect situation for Sam Donald. Like he went from Adam Gase, a terrible situation, to a perfect one, and he's somewhere in between. This has always been between Shanahan, Trent Williams, Kiddell. So today, you know, to me the whole game came down to the Brandon Iyuk drop.

And that forces a punt. McColl Hardman, big punt return. That was the game. Like that was the moment. Now, who knows what happens? But once again, San Francisco's special teams are a huge liability in a big game. Well, that's on the coach. Their special teams coverage have been just horrendous since Kyle has been there.

He does not care. I mean, that's the only way you can sum up their special teams units. I'm not talking about kicking and punting. I mean, they're on their third kicker in three weeks. But the actual coverage units, it's on the coach. Andy Reid, what does he do, hire Dave Tobe, widely consider the best special teams coach, going back to Chicago with Devin Hester. See, I go even further because it's 21 to 12, cowing the kid from Arizona who can fly, smokes the corner who just comes in. And even Brady's like,

listen, obviously you've got to hit the pass, but you hit that in stride, he walks in the end zone. So then you're down, just, I mean, your field goal wins the game at that point. There's 11 minutes to go. Instead, he has to stop. He gets tackled. A couple of plays later, he throws a pick. And he's not Mahomes or Josh Allen as a deep ball thrower. But that wasn't the hardest deep ball to throw. Like you've got to hit that in stride. But think of how the entire game has gone. No confidence, not playing well, doesn't have much cohesion with that player.

It was just, I just get back to this. If you have question marks about these quarterbacks and they have years to go on there, what's the difference between paying a guy $53 million and $58 million? It's going to cost you more. Well, I mean, I'd rather know for sure. Like, at the end of the day, the Cowboys, they know exactly who DAC is. So why didn't you just pay them a year and a half ago if you're going to pay him? It does save you 20, 30 million.

He's been in the building forever. Yeah, he's their guy. He wasn't going to go anywhere. Not that you're kicking Purdy to the curb, but I'd never understand this rush if we got questions. Let's just see this season play out because when they play good defenses now, Minnesota and Kansas City, like, you can't afford turnovers. You cannot afford turnovers. And this year, Purdyed the fumble.

obviously the picks in big spots. It just cannot happen. If you can't overcome them with just incredible brilliance like Mahomes somehow was doing this year, because he's turned the ball over a lot, Colin, but it hasn't seemed to matter. Well, as Brady pointed out during the game,

there was a stat that first and second down, Mahomes is getting rid of the ball quickly. On third down, he's holding it for three and a half seconds because he's trying to make big plays. But he realizes he can't do that all the time. And, you know, the other thing with Mahomes, when he missed worthy on that over-the-top throw, he overshot him. That's okay. Yeah.

Like, he's not going to give you a chance to intercept the ball. But there were, I have like six different plays here. There's a flip by him. He throws against his body, Travis Kelsey for first down. I have six. I mean, I've got sheet after sheet out of sheet of notes for this game. All six are Mahomes plays. Now, I, that's not to say, I mean, right now, Seattle's.

in first place in that division. But I said coming into the season, John, you can only be so old, so long. And Debo comes in sick, Iute gets banged up. This Niners team, Detroit is like a younger version of the Niners and younger players, when they do get hurt, recover more quickly.

And I kind of feel like the Red Zone issues are mostly Christian McCaffrey. But I kind of feel like watching Shanahan hand today. Today was a moment. You're at home. Kansas City's vulnerable. No Rishi Rice. Players go to, and they use McCole Hardman like he's a number one. And it's just, I think that you have to look at the game as a Niner fan and go, we're not beating these guys unless we've got to get more special at certain places. That's how I feel about it. Yeah. And for a large portion of the game, and this gets back to when they struggle, is they couldn't run the ball. And when Kyle can't run

the ball, his passing game is built off that. He can't just drop back and throw consistently. He's not comfortable calling plays like that. And my one knock on him as he is a really good coach and he's proven to be a brilliant play caller over the years. But I wouldn't call him the most adaptive play caller. His offense is his offense. It's very specific.

You know, he's, it's completely different. But like Mike Leach ran what Mike Leach ran, right? Kyle runs what he runs. And if he's gashing you in the run game, the passing game runs off that. He can't just go, like, he has to keep running the ball even when it's not working because his passing plays are all bootlegs and everything off play action. Instead of just spread it out and let Pertie in college. And listen, I'm not acting.

And one thing I've always pushed back against when people criticize, he's not Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes. But relative to the majority of guys over the course of his career, he's been better than or equal to the Dax, the cousins, the golfs. But you have to rely on him sometimes, just spread it out if the run game's not working. And then you notice when they started getting back, Mason started hitting some runs. And that's when Kyle feels the most comfortable. Andy Reed is a good example.

Now he's much older and much more experience. It doesn't matter. If something's working, he can ride it. If it's not working, they can adapt. Kyle, it's very, very specific. And I just think that so dependent on the run game, like I know Pierceall came back from getting shot. So it's hard to put.

But he is a first rounder. Cowing is a talented player. You got Kittle out there. Mason gets the ball. You can still throw. the ball if the run game's out. The Chiefs were lined up. I dare you to run the ball. We're going to stop it. And through the majority of the game, they neutralized it. Green Bay beats Houston 2422. And here's why this game is important. I feel like they play at each other.

Green Bay is the Houston of the NFC. Houston is the Green Bay of the AFC. I think both are a year away. I love their rosters. I love their young coaches. And I love their quarter. Jack Stroud, in my opinion, moves better. Jordan's got some real far. He's going to have bad picks, but God, he can really let it rip. I really like watching him play. But I feel like I watched the same team is that they're close, right coach, right quarterback, right-o-line, nice weapons, not quite mature enough. There's somebody in the way, Detroit. There's somebody in the way. Detroit. There's somebody in the way. Kansas City. But there was an interesting moment in this game where late Houston Demico Ryan's settled for a field goal. And they didn't force Green Bay to burn

timeouts. And I thought, well, D'Amico's a defensive coach. You just, you got to bake that in. These guys aren't going to go for it. But as I watched this game, I thought, these guys are not good enough to hoist a trophy. But if you told me over the next four years, because the quarterbacks, I think potentially with the right weapons are in that Jared Goughoff or slightly above that class, Green Bay is now 5 and 2, Houston 5 and 2. I felt like I'm watching two two great franchises after this year. They'll both be in the Super Bowl bubble for about six straight years. I think Green Bay, if they get their shit together, could be a Super Bowl contender this year. And when I say that, I just mean they're quarterback, not throw awful interceptions. I mean, he threw. He moves. He's like a

mirror image of Aaron, the mannerisms, the way he moves, the way his arm kind of hangs. But when the ball leaves his hands, it's like 2002 bread far. It could be the most incredible touchdown you've see of the day, or it could be a pick hitting the guy in stride where you go, is this guy going to go 70 yards the other way? I mean, today, he threw two picks. One got return, I think, to the 11-yard line. they had a muffed punt that led to a fumble like that. I thought Green Bay, I mean, did CJ Stroud even throw for 100 yards? No, they were not very good on offense. And two of their touchdowns, definitely one of them came on the muff punt.

Obviously, Mixing, having him back. Nico Collins, it turns out, is like they're Terrell Owens. You take him out of their offense. They kind of fall apart. But Demico's so good on offense or as a defensive coordinator creates pressure and just create some havoc. They got to settle this guy down, that being Jordan Love, in terms of, Even LaFleur made a comment after the game about, like, you guys keep pushing this far of narrative. Well, yeah, he keeps throwing the ball to the other team, but he's remarkable and he's throwing three or four touchdowns every game.

And in your offense, their offense, it doesn't have the name recognition of like St. Brown, Montgomery Gibbs, Laporta. But you watch them, you're like, that receiver's good, that receiver's good. Oh, yeah. New tight ends good. You're like, I've known Josh Jacobs is good for a while. Their offensive weaponry, and think about this, Colin, they're not going to be intimidated by Detroit. They're going to know each other really well. like a Niners Rams from a couple years ago.

So I, and honestly, I've always said this, they're actually better off not winning the division because the way they want to play on offense. Go into the don't. Okay, let's play a 35 to 30 game. Because you can't play that at Green Bay in the middle of January. There's always the downfall of Rogers teams. They have these great offenses,

and then they play some of these home games. It's like, no one can feel their hands. That's why the Chiefs are like, yeah, we can play a negative 20 now. We only need 18 points to win the game. Yeah. And now I think their defense, this Halfley guy that they got from Boston, It feels like he's kind of settling down.

They look a lot better. Much the team speeds better. He's blitzing at the right times. I mean, their defense has been pretty atrocious over the going back to McCarthy and then early on with the Joe Barry run with LaFleur. I'm not saying it's going to like completely turn the corner, but I feel a little more comfortable with it.

I mean, today you hold CJ Stroud. He still has Take Dell out there. Diggs is out there. Mixon's back. Schultz. I mean, they got enough firepower that he should be able to score, you know, pro for 150. yards. And it was a beautiful day. It wasn't like 20 degrees at Green Bay. It looked like it was 80

degrees outside. Even the announcer's like, this doesn't get any better than this. No, it's, so a Jordan loved 24 or 33, three TDs, two picks. Here's what I like about it. So first of all, Dobbs had eight catches. Wicks three, craft the tight ends, excellent, 11 yards of catch. Jacobs out of the backfield had five. Reed's terrific player. Christian Watson. I mean, I mean, they, and what's funny is none of these guys make a nickel. I mean, they're not paying any of these guys for like four years. Yeah, to me, his interceptions, they're bad. There was a play late in the game when they ended up kicking the game-winning field goal.

I think it was like less than 30 seconds left. He let it rip like 40 yards down the field. Now he overthrew the DB and the wide receiver, but it was like, what is going? Like, why are you making this throw? Right. Which he's, I'm not a Packer fan, but he keeps you on the edge of your seat when you're watching them play. Remember, that was, he threw a late pick in the Niner game to end that game. That's the thing that makes me nervous.

It's not like golf can do that. Right. But right now, he's not really throwing the ball in harm's way, where Jordan Love is throwing the ball in harm's way a lot. Well, I mean, to your point, the Texans on the road average 3.4 yards of play, terrible on third down, were allowed. They got a muff punt at the 10-yard line. There was a free touchdown. I mean, the Texans threw for 55 yards today

and have a chance to win that game. So to your point is love is going to keep, I mean, if you look at the box score, Texans should have been beat by three touchdowns, and they lose 24-22. And I think that's a little bit of what Jordan Love gives you. It also, Lefleur, to his credit, it, and I think an offensive coach is more willing to do this than D'Amico Ryan's.

He lets him work his way through his mistakes. Like, Lefleur's like, I got an artist here. I can't box him in. I got to let him do some of his stuff. You know, one of the throws that Love likes to do, and it feels like they're almost all picked or all caught, is when he throws the rainbow ball when he's backing up and he holds it too long and he just throws a rainbow. And I'm like, he's going to work himself out of that.

that those won't last and four, because he does that like four times a game. I give LeFleur so much credit because a big reason they're five and two is they won the games with Malik Willis when he was gone. And now you feel like if they can just rein this guy in a little bit and they did last year. Sometimes, and listen, I'm guilty of this, this guy has not played much football. Right. I mean, you look at, CJ Stroud has been playing for two years, Ohio State comes right to the NFL. He's been starting every year for five straight years going back to high school. You look at some of these quarterbacks, the amount of snaps that.

they've taken. Jordan Love just sat there for three years. And there gets to a point, like, obviously he needed to work on his fundamentals and everything as a project. But there gets to a point where you're just not playing at all. And then he gets thrust into it. We saw last year it took him a little while. Then he gets injured this year.

So maybe by the second half of the season, they can rein him in. I think their offense is like an unnamed. I mean, the Packers fans know them, but just, you know, people that play fantasy. But they don't have like superstar name recognition yet. Some of these guys might turn into that. By the end of the year, they might just be the same. as the Lions, just in terms of their firepower. And it's actually kind of different because of his deep ball ability.

I mean, that guy at any moment can fling it 50, 60 yards. Absolutely. Listen, you think they're ready to win a Super Bowl. I think they're here away. I really do think... I'm not saying they're ready. I just think if they come in, they do have the pieces if their defense is good, he plays well.

Because if he's playing well, they could beat any team. Do you agree with that? Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human. potential. Either way, the podcast Superhuman documented it all,

embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care which I'm saying. Yep, that's me. Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show.

This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger.

So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to The Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. What's up, fam?

It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano, and our podcast Point Game is about defying the Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed. And finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game. His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before. And he knows without Luca and Austin Reeves, I got to manipulate the game.

We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs. I think Joker's going to be exhausted this series because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup, he has to really guard guys like Nas Reed. He has to guard Julius Randall. And then he has to give us a lot. us everything he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's friends stop by, like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too. Steve Nash would get that thing.

That man, hell get the flying. He running up the court, licking his fingers why he got the ball. Like, after you go through a training camp with that, Isaiah, you figure it out real quick. Get your ass up and down the court, and you're going to get the ball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. American soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Ramos sending on to Ernie Stewart.

The chip. I'm Taude Ramos. I'm Tom Boe. On our podcast, inside American soccer, you'll get the real storylines. I'm not worried about Policic. I'm not worried about Balagan. I'm not worried about McKinney. My only concern is what happens in the back.

The biggest decisions. If you're going to look at stats and numbers, he has no shot at making this world. World Cup team. And the truth about the U.S. national team. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals. The World Cup is almost here.

Experience it all with us. Listen, inside American soccer with Tom Bogart and Tab Ramos on the Iheart radio app, Apple podcast, wherever you get your podcast. This is Saigon, the story of my family and of the country that shaped us. The United States will not stand by and allow us. any town, however great, take over another country. From My Heart Podcasts, Saigon. Please allow me to introduce Joseph Sherman.

You don't think I'm serious about a free Vietnam? I should stop talking so much. I like hearing you talk. One city, a divided country, and the war that tore America apart. This is for Vietnam. I've taken a hit from Japanese ground fire. Do you rate me? They're pouring petrol all over him.

He's holding matches. I'm on a landmine. Or free time! Let's get out. Freedom, mommy. Nah! Saigon, starring Kelly Marie Tran and Rob Benedict. Sting, here's madness.

The world should hear about this. There's a fire coming to this country, and it's going to burn out everything. Listen to Saigon on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Time for another edition of Sharp or Square. Chad Millman's CCO Action Network. I pushed it to Two, Two and One. All of our odds provided by Draft King, so I have been, last couple of weeks, I've been moving toward best quarterback. I do think defensive players statistically get hurt more than offensive players.

Defenses can weaken and the quarterback separate, coaching quarterbacks separate this time every year. If you go look at the AFC, the best quarterbacks lead each division. Kirk Cousins leads his. By the way, if you look at the quarterbacks playing best, I think eventually Jordan Love will lead his division. That's the time of the year we're in. So let me throw out a game that is fascinating. And this really highlights how important numbers are. So historically, quarterbacks off concussions don't play their best the first week back.

But Arizona, Miami, at three and a half, I'm out. but Arizona is the most inconsistent team in the league. They often have the best quarters followed by the worst halves. If it's minus two and a half or minus three Miami, I like them because Arizona, high low, high low, just beat a team that I think's better than them,

the chargers and hardball. So what I feel is like, oh, here they go, short week, Monday night, here they go, cross country, you lose a day, in prep. Here is Tua McDaniel played terribly with absolutely something to prove. They are going to

flex. They're going to keep starters into the last play. That game interests me. Like Miami not only needs to win, they've been so bad for a month, they want to sell to that locker room. We are a great team. This is a new page and a new team forget the last month. Game fascinates me. I would take Miami minus three, but the hook because of concussions and the numbers behind those scare me. What do the sharps think on this? Now it's like you are inside a professional better war room, because that is the exact conversation. Earlier this week, this line opened at three and a half. Arizona was the underdog.

The professional betters bet Arizona at three and a half. When it got to three and it even touched two and a half, professional betters started coming in on Miami. And I apologize for people listening to my voice. It sounds worse than it is. Don't worry, I'm going to be fine. The point is Miami is the team professional betters are backing for every reason you just said. They believe Tua will make this team better. More importantly, they aren't believing in Kyler Murray as a concern.

winning quarterback going cross-country to play the dolphins in a desperate, desperate situation. Desperate spot. Desperate spot. They got to win. And I really do believe Miami, Mike McDaniels has to rebrand this team fast because they've been the worst team in the league for about a month. And they have, and also they're watching the Patriots fall apart and the Jets fall apart. So it's like, guys, let's see second place first assignment Sunday. Let me give you Colin, last week, I was sitting in an airport and I was going over my notes for the favorites to do the show. And I couldn't remember who was playing quarterback for the Miami Dolphins. That's how off the radar they are.

I had to look up, literally, Miami Dolphins starting quarterback. And you know what came up, Tua? Google didn't even know who the starting quarterback for Miami was. That's how sort of forgotten they've been. So you're 100% right. They need to reframe who they are right now. Okay, Colts in a desperate spot, plus five rival game at the Texans. The Green Bay game, there was a little bit of a red flag on Houston.

So C.J. Strouds in year two clearly needs Joe Mixon and Nico Collins to be completed. He's getting worse protection. If you watch the pass attempts and you watch the coaching, they're getting a little conservative with him. It tells you that it. if they're not completely healthy, the staff doesn't necessarily trust him yet. Conversely, Jordan Love throws ugly picks early, Matt LaFleur doubles down, throw it more. They know they've got Favre on their hands. Jordan Love is an aggressive thrower, and LaFleur totally backs him.

But the way they're coaching C.J. Stroud is telling me they're a little concerned with the elements around him, and sometimes as a second-year player, he needs, though, to He needs those. The Nicos, the Joe Mixons, to fortify his game. So I'm going to take the Colts plus five. It was six on Draft Kings, all our odds provided by Draft Kings, sharper square. Yeah, it's totally sharp. In fact, it went from six and a half to six to five and a half to five.

It's now at four and a half in some places. Wise guys have been pounding the Colts. I'm going to take your theory about better quarterback and expand it because that, isn't the case in this scenario. But I do think one of the reasons why the public has been winning so much in the past two weeks, the public, meaning if there are more than 51% of the bets on one side, that is a public side. For the first five weeks of the year, the public was having its worst season in the 20 years we've been tracking this at Action Network. The past two weeks, the public is 20, 20, 7, and 1. Complete and total reversal. Obviously, Houston is going to be the public

side here, but what normally happens is bad quarterbacks and bad teams with big numbers find a way to cover and they haven't been. This is a situation where I'm extrapolating. I think it's more about good coaching and dominant unit. So you have in the Colts the number one run blocking unit in the NFL. You may get Jonathan Taylor back. He practiced yesterday for the first time off of that high ankle spring. You've got a great, great play caller in Shane Stuyken, who last year almost got the Colts of the playout with Gardner Minshue. And by the way, has this team at four and three and one game out of the first place in the AFC South behind the Texans, who they only lost two by two points already this year. So that is why the wise guys are coming in one trend for you,

division favorites the past eight years, 46% against the spread. So it's also a good spot. One more underdog. Seattle plus three against the bills. So Seattle, we haven't seen a lot of Seattle when they're healthy up front defensively. But boy, did Kirk Cousins see that last week. This is a really good defensive coach with some really tasty defensive personnel. They're also getting their top cornerback.

When I look at Gino Smith, I look at him two ways. With time and a run game, he's highly effective. When rushed, sometimes on the road, he's not. Buffalo is not a team, although I like him. I don't trust them. They're a much better version of Arizona. And Seattle, at home, healthy, a field goal, I, this is hard for me to turn down.

Three and a half, it's one of the best bets of the week. At three, I'd roll with it, the Seahawk, Sharper Square. So it's Square. The wise guys are on Buffalo. But I will tell you, I'm with you. I don't understand why they're on Buffalo. You know, we've talked about this before. We do a segment on our show called Sharp Calls.

On Tuesday, we talk about all the games. by Thursday when we do the next episode of the week, we've got feedback from a lot of professional betters with their opinions on what we talked about on Tuesday, and we will review those on the show. Seattle Buffalo was one of the games that we loved on Tuesday, and on Thursday we were getting a lot of calls from professional betters saying that they weren't buying Seattle's defense.

They weren't buying Gino Smith, and they liked Josh Allen and the year that he's having, no interceptions, hasn't thrown an interception in nine games, which is coming close to record-breaking status. Right. But I am with you. Like, the bills beat up on bad teams. Yes.

And they lose or struggle against good teams. So if you're betting Seattle, then you are basically taking a stand that you think Seattle is a good team. Yeah. And there is some evidence of that. They have gotten healthier. But there's evidence that they're a bad team too, right?

So I think that's what the wise guys are playing here. They just don't believe Seattle is a very good team yet. All right. All right, let's go to some favorites. Bears minus two and a half at the commanders. Even if Jaden Daniels plays, he's not at 100%. And you could clearly see with the Giants next week, if Jaden Daniels plays, gets dinged, pass rush pretty good for Chicago. You could see them saying, we're going to Marioita. We're going to go into divisional play.

We got no interest. I think the Bears defense, because we're so fixated on Caleb, and he's, by the way, he is building real rapport here with his offensive set. I think the Bears defense is pretty well coached. Again, it's a numbers game. I think if Jaden Daniels plays, it will be mass protection. It will be a game in which they coach him more safely. They call a game differently.

He's the difference in the franchise. And I think it's one of these games you look at and you think, Listen, if we had to not play him, I mean, he hasn't practiced this week. Even if he practices Friday, you kind of wonder what you get. I like Chicago minus two and a half here. Pretty strong play, sharper square. Yeah, that's the sharp side. And look, the betters are almost literally banking on the idea that Jaden Daniels isn't going to play in this game because he hasn't practiced.

and there is a massive difference between Jaden Daniels and Marcus Mariel. Yes. The commanders have only punted 12 times this season. That's tied with the Chiefs for the fewest since 1950. They're perfect on fourth downs. They're 50% on third down conversions. That is because of Jaden Daniels. That is because of the threat that he poses.

That is because of what he can do is both in a very accurate passer and a good runner. without that, this is a different team. It stresses the defense, which isn't very good, even from a statistical point of view, but they don't look as bad when Jaden Daniels is converting fourth downs and converting third towns. There's fewer opportunities for the opposing offense to get on the field and score points. Caleb Williams has been a brilliant quarterback the past four weeks. And by the way, in the second half,

he's covering the spread at a rate that is only compared, only matched by Patrick Mahomes right now. So this coming off a buy, this team in this spot, it is a really good time to bet the Bears at minus two and a half. The wise guys are with you. The Eagles are the only team in the league that hasn't scored in the first quarter. And that matters when they go on the road to face Joe Burrow. Joe Burrell, when he doesn't have to throw, but chooses to throw,

is as good as any quarterback in this league. all quarterbacks when they're in a whole face a different defensive test. Philadelphia, if they score, doesn't take big leagues. They're probably the most underachieving offense in the league based on personnel and productivity. So here's a team in Cincinnati, which has shown an ability to start quickly. I think Philadelphia's got much better players, but at minus two and a half, basically, season on the line with Baltimore winning, Pittsburgh winning.

This is the season for Cincinnati. At home, I only give up two and a half. Against what I think is one of the more poorly coached teams in the league, yet one of the best rosters. I'll take the Bengals minus two and a half, sharper square. Totally sharp. The public is on the Eagles, and this line has moved up.

That's called the reverse line move. When the line moves in the opposite direction of where the majority of the bets are, that tells you the professional betters are coming in on the side of the team that the line moved in the direction of. That is the Bengals. Open to two. It's now at two and a half.

This is a bet on Joe Burrow. Yep. That's all. Like, he's 22, 6, and 1 against his spread when facing a team that just covered. Overall, in his career, he's 63%. He's 70% against teams that are over 500. The challenge here is everyone should be and has been concerned about the Bengals. defense. But two things, the Bengals, defense has been really good. Defending against the long

pass and explosive plays. That's the best way for the Eagles to win. We've seen it time and again. When they get the explosive plays, that's when they can break it out. The rest of the time, their offense isn't very good. We even saw it against the Giants last week. So the pros are with you. They're backing Joe Barrel. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all,

embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying.

Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment,

and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast, it's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok.

American soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Ramos sending on to Ernie. Score at the chip. Score! I'm Tad Ramos. I'm Tom Bo. On our podcast, inside American soccer,

you'll get the real storylines. I'm not worried about Polic. I'm not worried about Balagan. I'm not worried about McKinney. My only concern is what happens in the back. The biggest decisions. If you're going to look at stats and numbers, he has no shot at making this.

World Cup team. And the truth about the U.S. national team. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals. The World Cup is almost here. Experience it all with us. Listen, Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogart and Tab Ramos on the Iheart Radio app, Apple podcast, wherever you get your podcast.

What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano, and our podcast's point game is about defining the odds. Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca. and Austin Reed. And finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game. His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before.

And he knows. Without Luca and Austin Reeves, I got to manipulate the game. We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs. I think Joker's going to be exhausted this series because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup, he has to really guard guys like Nas Reid. He has to guard Julius Randall.

And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's friends stopped by, like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too. Steve Nash would get that thing. That man, hell get the flying. He running up the court, licking his fingers, why he got the ball, like,

after you go through a training camp with that, Isaiah, you figure it out real quick. Get your ass up and down the court, and you're going to get the ball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is Saigon, the story of my family, and of the country that shaped us.

The United States will not stand by and allow any power, however great, take over another country. From My Heart Podcasts, Saigon. Please allow me to introduce Joseph Sherman. You don't think I'm serious about a free Vietnam? I should stop talking so much. I like hearing you talk. One city, a divided country, and the war that tore America apart. This is for Vietnam.

I've taken a hit from Japanese ground fire. Deuterate me. They're pouring Patrick. all over him. He's holding matches. I'm on a landmine. For free time. Let's get out. Freedom, bomb it. Nile! Run! Saigon, starring Kelly Marie Tran and Rob Benedict.

Sting, here's madness. The world should hear about this. There's a fire coming to this country, and it's going to burn out everything. Listen to Saigon on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. So you know I love the number five. when a team is favored by four and a half to five, I feel like it's a graveyard for books, that they don't want to go to that number, but they're kind of trapped. So San Francisco's at home. Dallas has not matched up well against better teams. Now, Debo had pneumonia. As a pro athlete,

I think he's available Sunday. I think Jennings is available. Jordan Mason's the second leading Russia in the league. He's a more than capable backup. Teams that are well coached with talent that deliver a stinker in the biggest TV game of the week, always play. It's an easy team to coach hard. They will play a much better football game. They're limited. No Brandon Ayuk, no Christian.

They're limited. But I think they feel they not only lost to the chiefs, they were kind of embarrassed. It was really a bad performance. I'm going to swallow the four and a half and take the Niners at home, Sharper Square. Well, you said something there that is a little bit, too flip and dismissive. No Brandon Ayyuk, no Christian McCaffrey. They might not have Debo Samuel because

the guy has pneumonia like he was in the freaking hospital. If you look at Brock Purdy's production, a third of his production during the time he's been starting has been going to Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Ayyuk. If you include Debo Samuel, 50% going. to those three guys. You take away those three guys and you know what you get, Brock Purdy and what he did against the Kansas City Chiefs. Like, Ricky Pearsall is not Brandon. I don't know if Ricky Pearsall can play. Right. Ronnie Bell is not Debo Samuel. It doesn't matter how hard Kyle Shanahan coaches these guys this week. If they can't play, they can't play. So that's the real issue. It's why the wise guys

took the Cowboys at 6 and a half, took him at 5 and a half, took him at 5, down to 4 and a half. This thing's going to 4. I would not be surprised if it's at 3.5 by Sunday because the Wise Guy money is coming in on the Cowboys. And that's Ethan with all the chaos of Jerry Jones calling out Mike McCarthy, who he could have fired after the Packers blew out the Cowboys. And now he's upset with McCarthy's play calling. The Cowboys are still aside. By the way, McCarthy, 13, 3, and 1, off of the buy, against a spread. Okay, so a game, I want your opinion on this.

It seems easy. So when Malik Neighbors was out, or Kvon Thibodeau for the Giants, it sounds alarming. But the player that really decides the fate of this team is Andrew Thomas. When bad quarterbacks don't have a left tackle, they get hideous fast. The Giants are now last year's giants, right? They competed without Malik. With Dexter Lawrence, they compete without Thibodeau. I don't think they're a competitive football team. So I get the Steelers, for the record, the second half against the Jets, 24-0, New York's got players. It was a little old Russell Wilson. He's now got a deep threat, a run game.

Arthur Smith. He had protection, moving well. We know the defensive motivations there. I know it doesn't feel sharp, but Pittsburgh minus six hosting a Giants team, Shane and Dable have been given assurance by the owner. You're not going anywhere. It's not a frenetic behind the scenes thing. Neither wants Daniel Jones. I cannot bet Daniel Jones, stand alone, on the road without his left tackle. It feels like the minus six is Sharp. Steeler, Sharper Square. It's, eh, like, no one's really interested in this game. If it wasn't a primetime game, it'd be the corner TV game because the Giants are that bad. And you're right about Andrew Thomas. Like, we've talked about this. When I'm handicapping and doing analysis,

the first thing I'm looking at is the offensive line. One of the reasons I like the Bengals against the Eagles is because Jordan Milata is out and he's being replaced with a guy. named Fred Johnson, he gives up his pressure rate as a left tackle is 22% against opposing defensive ends. The average is 6%. Offensive lines dictate your ability to run the ball, protect the quarterback, score. It's why I love the Lions so much. It's why we love them so much last week against the Vikings. It's why we hate them. We hate the Giants against the Eagles. I hate the Giants against the Steelers too. It's not a great spot, like a team that's been blown out against a team that did the blowing out.

That's a bad formula. If you want to be a better, it's very public to take the Steelers right now. I'm not saying it's the wrong side, but it's not the sharp side. Okay, there's always a game. I'm interested in your opinion. Jets minus 7 at New England.

They humiliated New England the first time. Drake may look pretty good last week. The Jets are a circus. I mean, it's, they look like they're significantly worse on defense without their best coach, Robert Sala. He was their best coach. They're not as good in the two games defensively without him. Offensively, the first game they used motion, Aaron Rogers doesn't like it.

By the second game with a new coordinator, their motion was cut in half. That is so Aaron, he doesn't like motion. He wants to go to the line, keep it clean, I'll make the call. It's begging me to take New England. Tell me where I should go. Well, if you want to bet this game, which you shouldn't want to, and you definitely should not want to make it one of your Blazoned 5 because you're on a streak right now, you take New England. Like, you've got Drake May. He's proving he can throw the ball.

You've got a depleted Jets secondary, which we saw last week like every single play. It felt like another Jets player was going out. Even Soss Gardner got banged up a little bit in last week's game. but you don't want to play this game. Like there are four big-ish underdogs this week, the Jets, the Titans, the Browns, the Raiders. There are two games wise guys want to play the underdogs. One game they completely want to ignore and one game in which they want to play the favorites. The Patriots Jets is the game they want to ignore.

All right. You always give me a game that I miss completely. What say you? Well, look, we talked about some good ones. Sinci, Indy, I love those games. We talked about Chicago. We haven't talked about Cleveland and Las Vegas. And their matchups against the Ravens and the Chiefs.

Just give me one of them. I can't stomach both. Just give me one. Pick one. It's so hard. Like, the wise guys love them both. At this point, you're better off just betting the number. and it's a little bit more of a number,

higher number with the Raiders and the Chiefs than it is with the Browns and the Ravens. I lean, if I have to choose only one of them, I lean Browns. I think they're closer to getting better. And again, subscribing to the theory that if I'm going to bet on a really bad team that is a big underdog,

I want that team to at least have one dominant unit. and the Browns do have a dominant defensive end in Miles Garrett, who wasn't even on the injury report this week. They have a dominant cornerback and Denzel Ward who's been playing great all season long. The Ravens do give up a lot of points, most points in the second half this season, along with the Titans. So there is an opportunity for James if he decides to go crazy in the second half for them to pull off a backdoor cover. I worry about the Raiders. Mahomes has a bad record as a favorite of more than three. But that record has been getting better the past two seasons.

He's 9-6-1 against the spread as a favorite of more than three the past two seasons. So you've got to look at it not just holistically, but in some recency. And this team, they're turning the ball over. They can't stay on the field on third down. I just worry they're not going to have that many opportunities to score against a Chief's defense that is pretty good. So the one thing they have going for them is Brock Bowers has the most receptions for a rookie tight end since 2000. And the one thing the Chiefs haven't been able to do this year, they couldn't guard Kittle, they couldn't guard Isaiah likely, they couldn't guard Mike Keseki for the Bengals. All of them had either close to 100 or just under 100 yards.

receiving, but none of them won the game. So, I lean Browns, if I have to choose one of them, I don't want to, but that's what I would do. By the way, Packers minus three and a half at the Jaguar screams Jags, doesn't it? Yes, 100%. It screams Jags so much, it's moved from four and half to four to three and a half. I think at three and a half, you're sort of at the bleeding edge of what the wise guys would do. They're really not that interested in it, but they would still do it because they're getting the hook. But you miss the best of the number on that one. Yeah. All right, Chad Mill. You want to talk about the Lions? Well, they played a brilliant football game. And so I don't think teams play perfect back to back. So let's discuss the number. So my rule, the biggest number on the

board, I throw out. I don't want to be a sucker. Detroit minus 11 and a half hosting Tennessee. So you're off a huge, intense, divisional game. Tennessee is a seller now near the trade deadline. They're moving off people. That worries me in the locker room. You know, Detroit's a better team. What say you on the line? 11 and a half, that's a college line. Yeah, it's massive. and I'd almost always ignore it. But I have bet the Lions. Full disclosure, I bet him at 10 and a half. I don't hate it 11.

This game is power rated by professional bettors closer to 13 or 14. But the bookmakers know they can't post a 13. They can't post a 14. They'll immediately get money on Tennessee at that big of a number. And it's totally realistic for the game to land around 13 or 14.

But again, it goes back to the offensive line. This is a dominant team. It is the best team in the NFC, bar not. They are on a collision course with the Chiefs to play in the Super Bowl. Jared Goff is the best quarterback against the spread in the NFL, the past several seasons. The Lions, the past four seasons, 70% against the spread. That is an unmatched trend. for them other than the New England Patriots of their middle aughts dynasty, middle teens dynasty.

So I don't hate the lions here. If I'm betting any of the big favorites, it's going to be on the lions. Fair enough. Chad Millman, Sharper Square. Get better. Get well, my friend. Thank you, sir. Thanks so much for listening. If you've enjoyed the podcast, take a moment, rate, and review. 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. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me. Clifford Taylor the 4th.

You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show. This is a place for raw, unfills of conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to The Clivert Show on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you your podcast. And for more behind the scenes,

follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's

superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all?

You're listening to Learn the Hard Way with your favorite therapist and host Keer Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor? It signals to the world that you're not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to. Listen and learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes.

Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of tauntons and wampas on the ice planet, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to stuff to blow your mind on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.