The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Countdown to Kickoff Presented by BetMGM

Episode Date: January 15, 2023

Brian Noe, Former NFL OL Geoff Schwartz, and Sports Handicapper from KrackWins.com Bill Krackomberger have you covered for Super Wild Card Weekend in the NFL! The guys react to live to the Chargers gigantic collapse against the Jaguars on Saturday night. The guys dive in to the 4 remaining Wild Card matchups, including the Bengals vs. Ravens and Cowboys vs. Buccaneers. Plus, the guys have all the info and analysis you need to bet sides, totals, parlays, player props, live bets, and much more!New users, Download the Bet MGM app today and use code COUNTDOWN for a special offer.    #benmaller #herdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Are you ready to witness greatness? NFL fans, welcome to the largest tailgate party in the nation. Let's go! Different day saying recipe. Fox Sports Radio's countdown to kickoff. Presented by Matt MGM, the king of sports books. We're setting you up with the information you need to watch your team win.

Victory is the egg game. We're here to break it all down. Let's go, let's go. This is Fox Sports Radio's countdown to kickoff. Presented by BetMGM. Now, we're live from your tailgame. Here's Brian No, H-year NFL veteran Jeff Schwartz, and Sports Handicamper from crackwins.com.

Bill Crack-Crackenberger. Oh, what's going on, everybody? Welcome in here, Super Wild Card weekend. Got pretty crazy last night. We're hoping for more craziness today. all excited for a football Sunday here. Hey, new users, download the BetMGM app today and use Code Countdown for a special offer.

That's Code Countdown in the BetMGM app. We've got Jeff Schwartz, eight-year NFL veteran with us. Bill Crackenberger from crackwins.com. I'm Brian No. You know, we had in the rundown today as we were putting this together during the Chargers Jags game last night. Hey, we might want to touch on a potential Chargers chiefs match

in the divisional round. I think we could just scratch that one right off the list as the Jags come back from a 27-0 deficit. Unbelievable what happened last night. It was. Now, I was on the Chiefs team that blew the 28-point lead in the third quarter to the Colts in the wildcard game in 2013. So I understand the feeling the charges are going through.

As a Chiefs fan, I still got to laugh at them about it because that was atrocious. And we lost for much different reasons by the game. way. Our team had seven injuries in that game. The Chargers did not. They had won Mike Williams, which was unfortunate. And there was, you know, Herbert

mentioned after the game, we could get it to all this. But I don't know about you guys. It's 27 to 7 a halftime. And Jacksonville's minus five in the turnover battle. Like, I thought this game would get close because everything went wrong for them in the first half. And just

by nature, things typically even themselves out over a game or over a season. And I felt this game will get closer. I wager on. I'm glad I did. I took Jacksonville Moneyline. I took a plus 17.5. I'm glad I got there crack.

But it's not surprising the game got close. I think the surprising part is that the Chargers chartered very, very hard in this game, as hard as possible. And Jacksonville made all the plays. We saw last night, guys, the importance of coaching. And I have been a very strong defender of Doug Peterson. I never understood why he did not get the credit in Philly he deserved. Everyone wanted to give the credit to Frank Wright or John D. Filippa who's a quarterback coach or to Carson Rents or Nick Foles or the team with a defense or anyone else,

except Doug Peterson who got Nick Foles to play the way he did in those playoff games. The best he ever had in his career who managed to salvage one good season from Carson Wence, who's now a franchise killing quarterback. Never got the credit he deserved. And last night he showed how good of a career. coachie is, man. Keep grinding away. Keep chipping away. And credit to them, man. Chargers did collapse, but Jacksonville scored 31 points basically in the last, what, 32 minutes of that game. Yeah, good morning, guys. Amazing. Watching that game, we will not have, this is a simple thing to say,

we will not have a game like that the rest of the playoffs where someone's down like that. But, you know, watching the game and watching the points spread on that game, I seen the halftime come up right away, it came up three, and one of the sports books actually, it was a big difference. So half time comes, one sports book puts, the one that actually counts, by the way, puts Jaguars minus three. But the other one, which is actually a bigger sports book, takes a lot more volume, puts up chargers minus one and a half.

You don't see that. You don't see four and a half point differences at half time too often. Right away it was corrected where it went to pick them. Someone hit it pick them. Unfortunately, I'm not in the jurisdiction. I'm in Las Vegas. I could not bet this sports book. It went to pick them

and then immediately a couple of other sports books copied the big book out here that puts up the lines for everyone and it was minus three. And then the other book actually slowly corrected it though but I have to give credit to them for even you know being unique and taking bets and putting up their own line based on their linemaker but I didn't bite though I didn't bite it

all I have I have Jacksonville I had Jacksonville in a bet where I took a jacksville a teaser bet with Cincinnati today and by the way that that that was like the most popular bets this weekend for all the sharps and listen I don't bet those type of things where That's the other game, the San Fran game, though. That's another thing I'll get into after a while. I don't like betting money line parleyes, and I didn't include Jacksonville on that, and Jacksonville would only be in a teaser leg,

going through the key numbers of three and seven, which, by the way, has done very bad for even the sharp guys. It's called a Wong, Wong teaser, which is Stanford Wong, who was a genius in the card counting field. He also ventured over to the sports betting field. He's not that good in that field, by the way. Just looking to make money. But anyway, so, but however, a basic strategy teaser going through three and seven has absolutely destroyed players this year.

I mean, literally the last two seasons, it's a losing proposition to make that type of a bet. So that's something I find interesting where in the playoffs with the tighter lines, it usually becomes a little bit of a better bet. So we have a lot of good opportunities to talk about this betting side today. and Money Line Parles, which everyone used San Fran and used Cincinnati and used, of course, Buffalo, where it just looks so easy. But we'll get to talking about that in a bit, though. Finish him with the Jacksonville game, listen, credit to him. You're right.

I mean, he's a hell of a coach. He just, let me ask you something, Jeff, from a football standpoint here. Maybe even Brian think about this. When the penalty came, I think it was it, was it water? Someone slamming their helmet, right? someone slammed their helmet and they gave them a penalty. Oh, Bosa, right. I'm going to take a lot.

Wrong team. Bosa, yeah, Bosa and Denny took another helmet on the sideline and slammed the second helmet, which that doesn't count against the penalty. Same element. But it was the first one. And now, let me ask you now. They move it that close. The game is 30 to 27.

Six. You know, they're going for the 30 to 26 going to be 30 to 27. You know, all of us who bet the game, anyone that bet the game, that affected the line. You understand the whole screen is two and a halfs, an hour and a half before the game it goes to two. So now they're going to go for two. And I'll ask you guys,

is it that easy to get to convert a two-point conversion on the half a yard line that you do go for that? Yes. And mind you, so what ended up happening was the play that ended up being run and scored was Trevor Lawrence reaching the ball over the podcast. over the goal on, essentially, which I think is the best play at all football. Drew Brees did it for so many years, right? He snapped the ball, jump over the, you know, the center and get it in.

That was not the play call. Trevor Lawrence did that on his own. That was a screen to the wide receiver. It appeared to the left. They were going to throw the ball out to the left. Lawrence did it himself. Not a single person block for that. He just did that on his own.

He saw an opening. They were in a modified, they were basically in an even front, and he just did it himself. I mean, he's 6-6. his arm is long enough just to stand there and put the ball over the end line. And this is where coaching matters, right? Because the goal is to, and this is the way we have to change the way we think about the game. I'm certainly was slow to this idea of how analytics are coming into the game, right? Doug Peterson's goal is to win the game, right?

Is to win the game. If you miss on the two-pointer there, okay, you understand now I need to score touchdown on my next drive. I need a touchdown. I need what I have to get it. If you make it, I need you need a field goal, right? And you win. A field goal wins the game. A field goal, if you kick that extra point, a field goal only ties the game and you go to overtime.

So it allows Peterson to know what I need to end that game. And he did obviously need a field goal now. So I like the call. It's in a half-yard line. Bosa was pissed off all night. And I feel interesting that you can get. I always thought that two in sports and like conducts was an automatic ejection. I guess it's not.

I guess they can just pick and choose which ones count for automatic ejections and which ones don't. But, you know, again, you know, the coaching of this, it matters, man. It matters a lot to how you set your game plan up. Even the timeout on fourth down to set up Jacksonville's play to get into field goal range there at the end of the game. Peterson, he didn't like the call, called timeout, put a new play on the field, ran to the edge. It matters, guys. It's why we talk about so much. Coaching matters.

Everything worked out because obviously if the two doesn't work, you're down four. that's a big difference. The timeout on fourth down, like you said, Jeff, if you get stuffed right there, it's pretty much game over, because there's about a minute 30 left and you've got two timeouts instead of three. But it worked out and give Doug Peterson credit.

How about the ability to gamble? You're at the one yard line. You go for two. It works out. You go back to the Super Bowl against the Patriots. You want to run Philly-Filly? Yeah, let's do it. Let's run Razzle-Dazzle here at fourth and goal at the one.

I just marvel at Doug Peterson. having the brass stones to go for it in those moments. Two things I want to mention real fast. First off, Trevor Lawrence. Trevor Lawrence to throw four interceptions. It was like the Undertaker meme where he's flat on his back and he just rises straight up. And then four touchdown passes. That was impressive.

A lot of quarterbacks would have folded in that situation, especially his first playoff game. The other thing is this, Brandon Staley. Okay. Bye-bye. Bon voyage over here. He's gone. Like Hawk Carrollson used to say, he's going. If they don't fire him, they need to fold the franchise.

And look, I'm a cheese fan. I don't want Sean Payne to be there. I'm also Justin Herbert fan. And he needs someone else to coach him in the worst way possible. No doubt. No doubt. Very quick. Go ahead.

That's the thing with Brandon Staley is I get all the negativity. I get all the criticism. He played Mike Williams. He's been banged up all season. Their wide receiver in a meaningless week set, week 18 game against Denver. and he couldn't go. If Mike Williams is on the field last night, they very well could have won that game.

That's on Brandon Staley. When you're up 27-0-0, Staley's specialty is the defensive side of the ball. You've got to get stops. So I get all of the criticism for him. What I don't get is calling out Justin Herbert. There was a lot of that last night. You're not an elite quarterback

if you can't close the deal up 27-0. It's easy. The thing is, that's the thing is play some freaking defense. You're up 27 to nothing. It's time to stop on someone's throat at that moment, Brian. I'm with you there on the defense obviously. Look, the offense needed some more

points in second half. I mean, three points doesn't cut it, but you know, 30 points should be enough to win most of the football games, especially when you're up 27 nothing. So I understand, you know, and Herbert missed I think Keenan Allen on it. You got out of touchdown or whatever. I mean, guys, yeah, yeah, yeah. The problem is, guys, and I think it's hard to

really, if you're open-minded enough to listen to this, if you're or a Herbert Hater, you need to listen to this. You need to open mind to this. So last night, there was a play that Jacksonville ran where they threw the touchdown to Zay Jones, right? It was that deep kind of three wide receivers to the right, and they all kind of ran deep kind of overrouts, right?

And they're kind of in between, they're trying to cut the safeties and they got Zay Jones wide open. I don't know if you've watched enough Chargers football. Have you seen the Chargers won't that play ever? Ever? Ever, ever one time. Say Herbert. throw the ball as far as you can, someone's in the middle.

Never. They never do that. That's the problem. They have stinky coaches. They don't use Justin Herbert. So last night, I want to give him great. Daniel Popper, he works for the athletic. He wrote in Chargers Beat Rider.

He wrote a long article about the Chargers last night. And Herbert just like, beat, beep, he threw his office corner right under the bus as soon as he, soon as possible. So you remember the third and one jet sweep they tried to run. They fumbled near the end of the first half. so bad. Bandy. I don't know what happened with that. So, no, well, Justin Herbert tells us. This tells us. Why not, Justin, tell us. He says, he says what happened was the play was supposed to go to D'Andre Carter,

who's filling in for Mike Williams. Well, Carter got hurt. So he wasn't in the game. They called it for Bandy. Bandy didn't even know he was doing it. He had no idea it was happening. So you design a play for one guy. He gets hurt. Lombardy's like, well, screw it. We'll put it in for the next guy. The third string white out. He had no idea it was happening, and they fumble the ball. So that's coaching.

That's coaching, right? It's not a Herbert. That's coaching. They're poorly coached. They're not well prepared each week. And as a, like, as a cheese fan, again, I don't want Sean Payton to end up there. But if you're Spanos, the owner, man, you don't have a choice. You're wasting Justin Herbert if you do not bring in someone else.

Yeah. No, that's the truth. Absolutely. 100% right there. Hey, we're brought to you by Progressive. insurance, Progressive makes bundling easy and affordable. Get a multi-policy discount by combining your motorcycle, RV, boat, ATV, and more. All your protection in one place, bundle and save at progressive.com. We are off and running. We got Jeff Schwartz, the eight-year NFL veteran,

Bill Krakkenberger from crackwins.com. I'm Brian No. We got to carve out a little bit of time to rock with Brock. Brock Purdy gets it done again. It's getting nauseous at this stage, the reaction to this. I won't raid on the parade completely, but we got to throw in some reality as well. And also, it's most important for this team to run the ball well today. That's on the way as well. It's Fox Sports Radio's countdown to kickoff, presented by BetMGM. Welcome to the biggest tailgate party in the nation. You're locked into Fox Sports Radio's countdown to kickoff.

Touchdown! And it's presented by BetMGM. the king of sports books. Once again, here's Brian No, age-year NFL veteran Jeff Schwartz, and Sports Handicamper from crackwins.com. Bill Crack-Crackenberger. It is Fox Sports Radio's countdown to kickoff presented by BetMGM. We could talk about how complicated other banks make it to redeem credit card rewards,

or we could talk about how with Discover, you can redeem your rewards for cash in any amount at any time. I mean talk about amazing. Learn more at Discover.com slash redeem rewards. Terms apply. A couple of nuggets here from Adam Schefter. He mentioned that Teddy Bridgewater, Dolphins quarterback, is expected to be active despite being listed as questionable. So it's like, okay, I guess they're going with the rook, Skyler Thompson.

At least that's the expectation. But Teddy Bridgewater is expected to be active, kind of interesting. And then also the other news item from Schefter was that to a Tung of Iloa is expected to be the dolphin starting quarterback in 2023. Could potentially return to field this postseason. That would require winning today with either Skyler Thompson or Teddy Bridgewater. So that's probably not going to happen. Look, the thing that we're going to hear this a lot. We saw this with Washington announcing that Sam Hals are basically a quarterback for 2023.

is what else you're supposed to stay right now? Like if you're in Washington right now and you're trying to hire an offensive coordinator, you can't say, well, we're going to draft a quarterback. You don't know that. We're going to trade for someone. You don't know that. So Sam How's your quarterback right now?

For right now, two is your quarterback. Well, guess what? If Tom Brady says, I want to come to Miami, guess what? Tom Brady's your quarterback now. No doubt. For now, two is your quarterback. For now, Sam, how is your quarterback?

but if someone else is better is available, then that person that's better and available will be your quarterback next season. And it's that simple. So for right now, too, is their quarterback. They are going, do you remember Monday, there was it two Mondays ago, right? Georgia TCU?

Or was it just last, it was Monday? This past Monday was Georgia TCU? Okay. So it feels like a month ago. It does feel like a month ago. So, you know, I, you know, I, I knew Georgia would win that game like that, but I was like, ah, TCU plus 14. I don't know.

It's a lot of points, but like deep down. I sort of knew Georgia was better, but TCU kind of had this season going. That's what I feel about Buffalo and Miami today. Like 14 points is a lot in the NFL. Yeah. But I know like Buffalo is Georgia today, guys. Like I know you're a Dolphids fan, Brian.

Like this is going to be bad. It's going to be bad. It's going to be bad. It's, you have to accept it. It's not anyone's fault. You're injured. It is what it is. But Buffalo is going to steamroll the dolphins today.

I laid 13 a half. have no problem doing it. Nice. I just did. I don't, I mean, are you, a dolphin's going to score 14 points? I don't know. I don't know.

Are you wearing your dolphin shirt today too? I am. I got to rock them in the good and the bad times. This is the definition of the bad times here today, Crack. No doubt. What do you think about laying two touchdowns in the NFL, though, crack? Yeah, well, you know my feeling on that. But you know what?

A buddy of mine just text me, and I got to ask you guys, So this is going back to yesterday's Jacksonville game And I like to know the mentality I guess Jeff I guess really the questions for you Because you're you're one you know played for years In the game last night if you remember 27 nothing first half Yeah three minutes left Staley throws an incomplete pass

With on first down No time off the clock He took 22 points right there by the way My buddy took 22 points right there And he says I have seen this idiot too many times to know He will not shorten the game in Jacksonville is a good play at 22. So, Jeff, are you guys think, do you think a coaching mentality there is to think, oh, wow, you know, we're up 27, nothing, let's start running the ball in the first half with three minutes left,

or stick to your game plan. Okay, so I think you stick to your game plan in that situation. Now, you're trying to score points at the end of the half, right? So you're trying to go down and score. Again, the problem was the third and one call. The first down call was fine. The third and one call, if you get a first down there, you're. you basically shorten the half up to where Jacksonville's probably aren't getting at all a drive in that, you know, to end the first half.

And they don't get, you know, it's 27-0 in the half time. And there's probably no comeback. And there definitely is something to the idea of obviously running the ball in the third and fourth quarter to shorten the game, especially in the NFL. College football, I'd argue probably not because college football is such a different game where the clock stoppages on first down make it to where just score as many points as you can in college football. Like there's just, there's no point short in the game. in that sport. When we lost a 28-point lead to the Colts in 2013, when I was on the Chiefs,

part of the problem is we didn't run the ball in the second half. Like, that was a huge problem. Andy Reid loves to pass the football, and we got into trouble, not running the football in the second half. The Chargers had some of that problem, too. And they ran the ball five times only in the second half. And you can't do that. Now, to your point, end of the first half,

go for the touchdown and make it happen. but you know that uh yeah just wasn't wasn't great it's just an interesting thing but i'll go back to brian's question with the buffalo game listen you guys know all seasons since since week one we've done this show i have talked constantly about not laying not only double digits i won't have been like really anything over three and a half i won't lay three uh over three and a half i'll lay three the most um it's proven true again on a small sampling of this season but it goes back for decades that just basic strategy here believe it or not guys is to take miami in this situation now i haven't i haven't done that but i'll tell you one thing as we get more as we get closer to

game time here we're going to be on air for this if a 14 and a half presents itself i will dabble i will get in there and i will be against all the public i understand um you know i don't know is demar going to be there is the kid going to be there he was in the locker room I think or showed up with the guys. If he's in the stands today or he's on the sideline, not in the stands, he'd be on the sidelines with the team. Oh, my God. How big is that going to be for Buffalo, maybe in the first quarter?

I know there, you could have, there are shops that, matter of fact, almost every single shot, yeah, I'm wrong, every single place. I just clicked on my live odd screen. Every single place has, MGM has three and a half minus 15, has a first quarter bet there. I don't know, man. I usually don't like to put so much emotion, but I think it's a good bet in the first quarter if he shows up there and pumps up the team on the sidelines.

My problem with NFL first quarter bets is that the clock runs so fast in NFL games. Yeah. Like you might get one possession. The bills might go nine minutes, kick a field goal, and the dolphins just take five more minutes and that's the end of the quarter, right? And like you don't get the opportunity to cash that ticket. It feels in college football much easier to do that. Your money line might be a better way to go.

That's just the way I feel about NFL first quarters. It just feels really hard to win. Nothing. It's free three, you're right, 7-7. You would lose with the spread. Anyway, just an idea. I didn't do it, by the way.

I just something just came to. Here's my thing about that crack. Very quickly. Okay. So if you're the bills, you're already playing a playoff home game, right? And you're trying to win this game to then play another game next weekend,

presume against the Bengals, okay? Like, you're already motivated. I'm not sure you get more motivation from Hamlin being there. Like, it's a great story. It's great to talk for us to talk about. It's great for sports talk radio. It's great for him to be there.

It's great. It's healthy. All great. But I don't think the bills are playing extra hard because he's there. Like, I don't, the motion of the stadium is maybe high, but it's high anyway. It's a Buffalo home playoff game. Like, it's going to be crazy anyway. Are there going to be more tables broken because Hamlin walks in the field before the game?

Maybe. But, like, I don't always buy, like, these external. motivators in big big games because they're already there. You should already, if you're not excited for this game as a player and you need Hamlin to walk on the field to be more excited, then you maybe shouldn't be there because I don't know what to tell you. It's a playoff game. Like, I played eight years.

I played three playoff games. Not all of us get a chance to play in the playoffs. It's a special moment to play in this opportunity, to get this opportunity. And it's a great thought. And I think that it's overthought in those moments of like, oh, they must be trying extra hard. I don't think so. I think they're just going to play.

I don't know. wouldn't bet on that solely. If you think they're going to win the quarter because they're better great, I wouldn't bet on that because the emotion is going to be different. It's a rough spot for Miami. And I think of the three games today, I think Miami, it's most important for them to run the ball effectively, to have any sort of shot to even keep this close. Because the last time they played in Buffalo, it was a really competitive game. But you had Tua. You had Tua there who played very well. And you ran the ball with Rahim Moster for 136. yards. Neither Tua nor

most are playing today. They're both banged up. They're both out. And so you've got most likely Skyler Thompson behind a banged up offensive line. Any defensive coordinator with any sense is going to say, stop the rush and make Skyler Thompson beat us again and again and again. And we're betting that will not happen. So to have any sort of shot and you're running into a brick wall more times than not today is you got to run the ball effectively and shorten the again.

game. That's it. I like the Jeff Wolfson over today in the rushing in this game for that reason. Now, the counterpoint to what you said is that Buffalo's going to expect that, I would imagine. But Miami has no chance if he doesn't rush for over as Dunbrook. If he's under, it's 509.5-ish around there. If he doesn't rush for more than that,

they have no chance in this game whatsoever. None. We've got a chance right now with Isaac Lowencrone. He always boosts our odds over here. ILO. What's going on, bud? Well, good morning, fellas. And unfortunately, we have to begin with some very sad news this morning.

Tragedy has struck the national champion Georgia Bulldogs football program. Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and football recruiting staff member, Chandler LeCroy, were killed in a single vehicle car accident early this morning in Athens, Georgia. Willock started two games on the offensive line for Georgia this past season. Two other people were also in the vehicle and were injured in the crash that happened early this morning. We have three NFL playoff games coming up later today. The first one kicks off two and a half hours from now as the Buffalo Bills play host to the Miami Dolphins. ESPN reported today.

Dolphins quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is expected to be active today against Buffalo, despite being listed as questionable because of a dislocated pinky finger, but rookie Skyler Thompson's still going to get the start with Bridgewater serving as the backup. On Saturday night, the Jacksonville Jaguars pulled off the third biggest comeback in NFL playoff history. Patterson's kick is up. The field goal is good. The Jaguars have won it. The Jaguars have won it. They have come back from 27-0-0 to win the game.

The call on WJXL as the Jaguars rallied from that 27-0 deficit with 25 seconds left in the first half to beat the Los Angeles Chargers, 31 to 30. Trevor Lawrence led the comeback. He followed four first half interceptions by throwing four touchdown passes and perhaps even more impressively celebrated the amazing victory by dining after the game at the Waffle House. Nice. Earlier Saturday, the San Francisco 40-nighters defeated the Seattle Seahawks 41 to 23 for their 11th consecutive victory. Brock Purdy through 332, three touchdown passes and no interceptions.

Fellas, back to you. Who was that I love that went to Waffle House? Trevor Lawrence himself. Trevor Lawrence. And look, we know about the Waffle House after dark. It can be a crazy place. Exactly. You know, I've in my career, I've known like the literally the 12th string guy on the Lakers.

After the game runs out a private dining room at like a five-star steakhouse, a private dining room for a Lakers 12-man bench warmer. Meanwhile, you have freaking Lawrence after a playoff game. at the Waffle House. You've got to love it. It's great, no doubt. It's Fox Sports Radio's countdown to kickoff presented by BetMGM. Let's dive into this. Follow the money. Real good money. All right, we're following the money with Jason Scott, BetMGM VP of Trading, joining us here on the show.

Jason, good morning, man. Happy Super Wildcard weekend. I'm just curious. I'll keep it simple. Which team of the three games today do you need the most? I think we probably need the bills more than we've needed any. the bills to not cover or be beaten more than we've needed any team this season. The money's literally flying at 85, 90% on what

looks like it's going to be a fairly substantial handle. So we need the Dolphins. We've also seen significant money for the Giants. So who is the team you think kind of ruins the money line parlay today? Because I, you know, the

Bengals are going to be in one. We know the bills are going to be in one. Like, who's the team today that you're hoping kind of ruins it for everybody. Look, it might be the Vikings. We're saying that the fact that Giants are favorite. There's a lot of people flipping that game into rather than all the favorites, the two favorites and one dog is a very, very popular bet.

I think the Vikings are going to be quite a significant need for us. Hey, Jays, good morning. So I just noticed before you came on air, you guys did something that actually shocked me a little bit. Most places, unless they get a lot of money on something, and we'll never move off to three because you don't want to have a chance to be, you know, sided there. So I seen you had three for a bit. You went to two and a half minus 15 according to my Don Besson, according to my, I was on the BATMMM app.

So that takes a significant amount of money to move. You don't see, I only know one sports book that does that, that goes from the two and a half to three. So now I guess I know too. So you guys will do that. You'll go off the keyest number in the NFL off the three if you have so much one. one-way action on the dog. Is that correct? Yeah, we will. And it's also the quality of the action as in the who's been involved.

I think we've spoken about that previously over the year. Where the right people keep taking the three, we're happy to move. We did have a couple of six-figure beds, one of them substantial. So, yeah, we're happy to move if circumstances say that. Kind of interesting, Jason. You'll be voting from Minnesota today, then, correct? Jason, you're going to be on Minnesota today. Yeah, we're going to need the Vikings.

Okay. Interesting in that Dolphins game there, Jason, where Skyler Thompson, we're assuming he's getting the start. Teddy Bridgewater is actually going to be active, even though he's got that pinky finger issue. Would you see any difference at all in the point spread if it's Skyler Thompson, the seventh round rookie, compared to Teddy Bridgewater?

Well, I think if Teddy was fit up more, it was a couple of points, but I think there's a lot of doubts over him. From what I'm the people I speak to hear, the concern with Skyler is what happens if he gets behind. You know, if he gets down 10 or even down 7, we've seen the last few weeks he's struggling to put points on the board, it could get really, really ugly if he falls behind

and he's going to start throwing the ball around, and it could compound into something really bad. How much is home field worth in the playoffs, like for the Vikings and Giants games? I think the Giants are overall better, right? The numbers kind of put them better, but the line is three, you know, down to two and a half. What do you kind of put home field that in this game? Well, I think there's home field advantages and different in a dome where a lot of teams are used to playing.

It's probably not as much as if it's in Buffalo or Cincinnati in the cold and the snow in one case. But look, we don't put an exact number on it. Like, you know, it's not like you come to a line and then add on them. three or take off three for a home. It varies. This situation is probably not worth much more on a point, point and a half. And let's highlight before we let go with Jason here what he said here. And Jason, correct me if I'm wrong.

Did you say that Miami is your biggest side of the year, meaning that there's been more money on Buffalo than any team you guys have booked this year, and that will be your biggest route of the year, Miami? Did I hear you right? Yes, I did. Yes, she did. That's giant. giant guys. I could tell you

right now, just based on Jason being on the show, I owe him a dinner out because I have profited off these situations and I think I'm going to be doing the same thing today with a little dabble on Miami just based on that. Let's have you. Let's have you. Let's have you. Cashing the ticket, Bill.

There you go. Because you'd be cashing as well, Jason. No doubt about that. Hey, we always appreciate your time, Jason. Enjoy all the ball today, bud. Thank you. Thank you. There he is. Jason Scott. Bet MGM. BP of trading. Hey, every Thursday, be sure to check out our countdown to kickoff, presented by BetMGM original podcast featuring yours truly. Also, Jared Smith and Bill

Crackenberger. We give our takes on all the key lines, get you set for the weekend in betting. That's every Thursday. Just search Fox Sports Radio wherever you get your podcasts. Okay, we got a lot to do. We've got Bill Crackenberger from crackwains.com. We've got Jeff Schwartz, eight-year NFL veteran. I'm Brian No. Coming up next, A little teamwork over here. We each have one pick. Will Jeff include the bills against cracks wishes? I guess is the question.

Or will he go in a different direction? We'll find out. It's Fox Sports Radio's countdown to kickoff presented by BetMGM. Hi, this is Jay Glazer, and you may know me for the world of football or fighting or even shows like HBO's ballers. What you don't know is for my entire life, I have lived in something I refer to as the gray. depression, anxiety. So now I'm coming out with a new podcast. Unbreakable, a mental health podcast with Jay Glazer,

where each week, while we talk about mental health, I hope to describe it. Give it words. Listen to Unbreakable with Jay Glazer on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Kickoffs are coming soon, and we're leading you up to them. This is Fox Sports Radio's countdown to kickoff, presented by MetMGM. The king of sports books.

Once again, here's Brian No, H-year NFL veteran Jeff Schwartz. Are you kidding me? And Sports Handicamper from crackwins.com, Bill Crack-Crackenberger. Ah, yes, just a little over two hours until kickoff. It is Fox Sports Radio's countdown to kickoff. Presented by BetMGM.

Let's dive into this. Check this out. Parlay Platter. Hey, place a first TD score or prop on any pro football game at BetMGM. If your bet loses, you'll receive up to $25 back in free bets. Okay, time for a little teamwork. We'll each have one pick, splice them all together for a parlay platter here. We'll start with you, Crack.

What are you feeling today, bud? Jason took me into it. Give me Miami with a double seven. 14 points. I'll take it. And it's starting to move, by the way. That's 13 and a half at a lot of spots. I feel like you know better, crack.

You know deep in your soul, man. You know this is going to be a bloodbath. I like it, though. Okay, how about this? I'm just going to take this pick because I'm going to be contrarian. How about the Vikings minus two and a half, guys? I am not a Vikings fan at all. I am not, okay?

I've made that very clear. They are 29th of overall efficiency. They're terrible football team. But, like, everyone's paying the Giants this weekend. Everyone's doing it. Every single person on the Giants this weekend. Give me the Vikings at home over the Giants. They have better players the Vikings do.

I always play like it. That's the problem, right? And the Giants play better. But the Vikings have better players. I'll do the Vikings here. It's just more of a contrarian play when there's not much on the board today. Brian, so I'll take that. Okay.

All right. Yeah. Hey, I hear where you're coming from on that one. I'm going to stick with the same game, Jeff. I'm going to look for some early fireworks. I looked at the first half line, 23 and a half. I could see that going over. I actually like even shorter.

I'm going to go with the first quarter. I think we get some early fireworks in this one. I'm going to take over nine and a half. I think they combine for double digits in the first quarter. I like it. Vikings defense is brutal. I like the Vikings' offense. I think Justin Jefferson is going to have a day to day.

So yeah, I'm going to start off some early fireworks. They get to 10 points combined in the first quarter. There you go. All right. We got our parlay set. I love it. At least we have a chance of winning it. I thought Crack might take Miami and you were going to take Buffalo and we're dead in the water already.

I could never. I guess we could have a, I guess if I could take, you said 14? Yeah. Yeah. I guess. I could have taken, I guess, Buffalo 13 and a half and Crack for Miami 14. We could have that sweet middle. Very sure.

That's right. It's got me 14 on the nose. I really thought once the public wakes up, listen at 7.51 a.m. here out in Vegas right now. So I thought once the public waked up, woke up a little bit, they would still, oh man, Buffalo's going to kill them, and this may get a 14 and the hooks of 14 and a half somewhere.

I haven't seen it, and I see one, two, three, four. I see four 13 and a halfs now, which they were not here when I woke up this morning. So I think we went up to the highest number of 14 and we'll see what happens here. But, you know, it's a lot of points for any NFL team during the season. And during a playoff, wow, this might be.

one of the highest lines ever in the history of football. Yeah, but isn't the issue if you go to 14.5, every sharp person will hit it because they just have to? Like, isn't that why it would go to 14?5? But the idea to go to 14 and a half because they want that bet because there's so much money coming in on Buffalo, like Jason said, this is the biggest bet of the year that they're rooting for. So let me just, let's break that down in financial terms. This is a seven-figure decision for Bet MGM. So, yeah, yeah, they And not that that means this one sports book means anything, but let me just tell you,

if BetMGM is rooting for Miami, you know the rest of the sports books are also on Miami. So they put this game to a number where they are very comfortable booking minus 14 still if they have to. So another sports book just popped up 13.5. So yeah, that's going to be the most that we're going to get here, I think, 14. And BetMGM's still solid 14. I think it'd be hysterical if crack took Miami plus 14 and a half.

Jeff, you took the bills minus 13 and a half. It lands right on 14 and my bet is wrong. Like that my bet screws up to parlay platter. This just works out perfectly for you guys. I mean, look, I understand the number and taking the dog here and just saying, look, this is the way the NFL works. These games typically end up being pretty close. You know, notwithstanding, you know, the Nair's game yesterday got a little out of,

there at the end. But I just got to have some sort of reason to do so. And if the dolphins do not start fast in this game or really prevent Buffalo from starting fast, it's going to be a long game. Look, Josh Allen's Red Zone turnovers are a problem. And if Buffalo can, or Miami can force some of those, that's a good way to keep this game close. if they don't

this one this one's not going to be you'd probably go on a run in the afternoon get the grill going like go to gym have some family time on Sunday I think the second half

of this game could be pretty ugly yeah it's one of those games I'm a football junkie I'll be watching from beginning to end but this might be a you need some you need some cash on this game to be fully invested

yeah good point Brian I know that people are going to do that today So just be careful, guys. Don't be betting every game just because there's a game on TV. How dare you crack? You bet all of them, no. Hey, coming up next, we've got a QB on the Rise and a QB that's on the shelf. Two very interesting stories with these games in Super Wildcard Week.

And that is on the way. Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our shows at Fox SportsRadio.com. And within the IHard Radio app, Search FSR to listen live. Oh, what's going on, everybody? Hope you're enjoying your Sunday morning. Happy Super Wild Card weekend to you.

Just two hours until kickoff. We're getting right after it after the show today. Yesterday we had a good window before the afternoon game kicked off, but only two hours until kickoff with the dolphins and the bills today. Now, the nightcap, Ravens at the Bengals, and it's expected to be Tyler Huntley. He's supposed to be the starting quarterback. He's got tendonitis in his throwing shoulder.

But filling in for Lamar Jackson, that's the story. Lamar is the quarterback on the shelf. He will not be able to go today again. And I don't know about you guys, but this story just seems to get stranger and stranger. Lamar had to come out and put a tweet out there playing the PR game of, hey, I want to be out there.

There's a lot of speculation that maybe he's milking the injury because he didn't get the contract he desired in the offseason. And so he had to put that out there like, I want to be out there with my guys. I've got this knee injury. He says it's a PCL grade two sprain borderline of a strain three. And then you have the head coach, John Harbaugh, not exactly coming to Lamar's defense. Lamar, he was asked point blank. What do you think about the speculation Lamar is maybe milking the injury?

And John Harbaugh was like, oh, lay, right? He wasn't going near that. He's like, well, we got hippo. We can't really comment about injuries. He could have said nobody wants to be out there more than Lamar. If he says he can't go, he can't go. He didn't say any of that. This story just gets wilder and wilder.

The hippo laws. The hippo laws are being violated. By the way, John Harbock can most certainly talk about injuries. There's no hippo laws involving professional football coach and professional football player. And also when Lamar Jackson specifically tweeted out the exact injury that he had. So the most thing as invoking the hippo laws,

which I think it's not the most misunderstood, like medical term in sports industry. You just like really in any industry. Hippelaw, guys, come on. It is very odd. So there's two camps, right? One is that Lamar Jackson's really hurt and he can't play. And there's two that's like it's a playoff game,

suck it up, go try to play, right? we've seen that there's been kind of the two the most recent ones I can recall what you know Philip Rivers playing with no ACL like in 2014 that one game and then we had the Jay Culler game where he heard his knee like never came back in and it's really tough you know if you're Lamar right now there is a selfishness to your decision there has to be right you are a business professional

you are not under contract for next season at the moment and there has to be a thought of, okay, what is best for my team and also what is best for me? This is why getting this deal done, and I mentioned this when this happened the start of the season, like this is another reason why getting this deal done was imperative. It avoids these situations. I argued in September they should have got this done for other reasons. I didn't even think about this exact reason. But this is another reason why, because now you enter the situation where Lamar might legitimately be really hurt right now still.

He might not be able to play his full game, but the speculations. is he's not playing because he doesn't want to play because he wants a contract. If you got the deal done in September, you don't worry about all this, right? And maybe he does end up trying to suit up and play through this. I don't know, guys, what is really wrong with Lamar? I don't know. I generally would lean toward trying to play the game. Now, that's what I would say.

I don't know how bad his knee is. I've been, I've played injured before. It stinks, right? And for a player of his athletic caliber, if you are downgraded to 50% of what you normally can do, he might feel like I can't play that way. And that's totally normal and totally fine. And I approve, I don't know why he needs my approval, I agree with his decision to not play this game if he doesn't feel comfortable playing. Totally get it. But I also understand players saying like, hey, man, it's a playoffs, suck it up and go play. Listen, about 20 years ago, give or take,

I was living in New Jersey and I tore my Achilles running around outside of the dog over a sprinkler head. I was in the same exact, literally the same exact building right next door to Terrell Owens. Two weeks before the Super Bowl, he had the same injury. And he played in the Super Bowl. The guy's an athlete. He's unbelievable. This guy's really an unbelievable person to be able to come back. We had a great doctor, University of Pennsylvania, unbelievable doctor that we both went to.

And he got right back. He wanted to play so bad. He was very nice, by the way. I got to meet him. He was so nice. But come on, listen. We all know this is a snow job. Oh, you kidding? Get back in there and try to play with your team. Listen, I don't know how effective you would be, but we all know what's up here. And no one wants to really maybe say it, but, you know, we know what's up.

The coach kind of hinted at it by not saying anything like that. So if you're street smart and you have some common sense here, we know what's up here. So that's all that. Well, hey, man, crack, I think it's very, very telling that John Harbaugh, has just completely sidestepped it. He's done a Barry Sanders spin move away from all of this stuff. When you're met with the

question of, hey, coach, there's a lot of talk out there that maybe Lamar can go and he's choosing not to. What do you make of that? Well, I mean, we got Hippah laws and I really can't comment about injuries. That's telling to me where if he really believed

Lamar couldn't go and he absolutely would go if he could, I think he would would say as much and he hasn't come close to saying that. Okay. That's all very fair. And I'm not really here to defend Lamar or the coach, but I will tell you,

because I've been the spot before where there's a very big difference of opinion between the way a player feels and the way the doctor feels, okay? Sure. And where, you know, Harbaugh is getting the information from the doctor, okay? And the doctor says, okay, it's been six weeks he should be. ready to play. Jeff Schwartz's ankle. Hey, it's been six weeks you should be able to play. And I'm like, yeah, I can't play. What do I'm going to tell you? Don't try he can play. And so Harbaugh is basing a lot of what he's, what he's thinking on this from what he's hearing

from his doctors. And again, that's not always the case when it comes to how the players feel. I've been this exact same spot as Lamar. Now, I played through, again, very clear, different injuries, different situations we were in. It cost me. It cost me playing through it. A giant ended up cutting me because I didn't play well for seven weeks, got a bum ankle. It just, this is the ebb and flow of like, do you believe, does Harbaugh believe the doctor? Does he believe the player? You know, again, there is a part of the Ravens, I'll tell you, and crack you're right. This is like, man, you have to suck up and play in this game.

You have to do it. No matter what, you have to go out and try to play in this game. And again, if the contract was done and finalized, he has guaranteed money, I think he would. Does it make it wrong from not to play in this game? no. Again, if he doesn't feel like he can play effectively, I understand I'm not going this game. But absolutely, if he had a contract, he'd be playing in this game. That's what it comes down to for us is that that's it. And I agree with you, Jeff.

I think that's the deal here. And if he gets that contract in the off season, I think he's suiting up. And that's why both crack, you and I, I don't think we can buy that. I just can't do it. Like there's no chance that he physically can. get out there and play because I believe the same thing. I believe if the eyes are dotted, the T's are crossed, and he's got his guaranteed cash, there's a much better chance that he's out there today. So I can't buy that there's no chance know how. It's just because the injury

and that's solely it, why he's not out there. That's not it. Yeah, you know, I think the day and age of the $250 million, $500 million quarterback might be put on hold for a while after this season, And after what we've seen from Wilson, we've seen, you know, some same problems over there in Cleveland. And let's just say, even, even Dak, he got a lot of money. Got a lot of money. And, you know, I know he had some, he was out. And when he was out, the backups, they stepped up. Dallas played great this year.

And he came back and he didn't, doesn't look so good. So he doesn't, you know, he's very vulnerable to the interception. And these guys got giant money. talking 30, 40, 50 million a year to play. 50 million is the numbers, really. So, and by the way, we're talking like he wasn't offered a contract here. Right. So he was offered.

Guys, we talked about it earlier in the year. Was it like 230 million, 130 guaranteed, give or take? He didn't take that. And that was up to, that was on him. So 130 guaranteed, did not take it. I don't know. You guys think he'll even get that again. I don't.

I don't think they'll get, maybe no. Well, okay, so the Browns basically screwed the rest of the NFL because the deal Watson got was so above and beyond the guaranteed money for the rest of quarterbacks in the NFL

that you got $230 million guaranteed. I think next up is 160, right? So if you're Lamar, you say, I'm not taking a single cent less than $2.30 guaranteed. And that's a perfectly reasonable negotiation tactic. right. I'm better than the Sean Watson. I've won an MVP. I've been to playoffs. I've won

playoff games. I've had my record of all we've heard. Great guy, right? Lamar Jackson is a great human, great dude. No sexual allegations against. I think that stuff, right? Like, I want 2.31 guaranteed because I am a better person than Sean Watson. I'm a better player. And I understand a negotiation point. Totally get it. The Ravenvins are like, yeah, we're not doing that. And it seems like, The rest of the NFL is saying, yeah, we're not doing that. Russell Wilson hurt this, by the way, because he took far less guaranteed than Watson when he went to the Broncos. He took like, what, 160, 145 somewhere around there. I don't have the numbers pulled up right away.

Crack, he will get, if he becomes unrestricted free agents, so they basically say, we're not even franchising tagging. We're just letting you walk, which is unrealistic, most likely. My guess is they franchise tag him, and if someone offers him two first round picks, he's gone. Like, they'll be like, okay, cool, like, okay. he'll get the money. He won't get $2.30, I don't think, but he'll get the 165,

170, 180 guaranteed. I just looked it up, Jeff. It's Russell Wilson, about 165 guaranteed. I didn't know it either, but yeah, 165. But you're right. It's like the Watson bar was so much higher than most of these quarterbacks

are going to get guaranteed money-wise, where I get why Lamar turned down, that's almost $100 million less in guaranteed money than Deshawn Watson. So I could fully understand Lamar's saying, what? Like a hundred thousand,

hundred million less. And I'm an MVP and Deshawn Watson isn't. I get why he didn't take it. And the Ravens, that was the news this week. They're hoping to strike a long-term deal with Lamar, with all this stuff going on. I think it boils down to this, guys.

I think Lamar can't say the honest truth. And I get it. And football, this happens all the time. Sometimes coaches can't come out. Robert Sala can't come. out and say, Zach Wilson stinks, what do you want me to tell you? You've got to kind of dance around the truth sometimes. That's what Lamar is doing. The truth is Lamar could probably go today. He wouldn't be his normal self. He's not going to be running

around like he normally can. But if he had to absolutely play, I think he could. But he doesn't have any guarantees. And you're taking a huge risk with a team that's a sixth seed. And what are your realistic chances of winning it at all with Lamar not being 100%. So I think it's a business decision more than anything. He can't come out and say that. So he's coming out and saying, well, guys, I would really want to be out there. I just can't do it. I don't think that's the truth.

I just don't think he can tell us the truth. No, he absolutely cannot tell us the truth because obviously, but look, his thing about it is like they have played well against the Bengals the Ravens have when he has been healthy for the most part, right? Last year I think they got blown a couple times. but this year the game for first game they won right to beat the bengal's early season with lamar being there right but lamar playing in that game though what it does for the rest of the team is it makes a defense play better it absolutely does

because they feel differently about the game with their quarterback in there so like it just lifts the whole even if he's not 100% it lifts the whole team up and that's the advantage of him playing in the game I think it would make the entire team play better like you look Tyler Huntley is a okay backup. Anthony Bradford, he told me he was playing an NFL playoff game a year after watching him throw eight interceptions against Utah

on the Pacto title game. I would have told you there's no, there's no freaking chance. Like, we understand as players, like if we have a chance to win the game, we're not dummies. And I think that if you put, you know, Huntley, if things go right,

you sort of get close, but they can't score points, right? If they get behind by 10, 13, 14 points, there's a feeling in that on that sidelines, like, well, It's sort of it, guys. Lamar playing that game would allow that feeling to never really happen. And that's what you're missing with him.

Not in the game obviously you're missing his talent. But he's not playing today. Maybe he plays next week if they win. I don't think they win today. And the next, you know, we'll see kind of where the negotiation goes moving forward. Again, the Ravens, of course, want him back. I just don't know if it's going to be at the price Lamar wants. Yeah.

Guys, something's funny about this line. I was waiting to talk about it. So here's the... Buggles Ravens? There you go. Listen, how can this line, it was solid seven. It goes to eight, eight and a half based on... Maybe he'll say something. Nine and a half, solid everywhere.

Maybe we're waiting. Oh, he didn't practice on Wednesday. Bang, nine and a half. Pops right back today, our last couple of days, to eight and a half. There's literally one nine on the whole entire screen. eight and a half solid, eight and a half even dog laying 15. Just something, like what did I say? Something rotten in Denmark.

Something smells here. I don't know what it is, but anyway. I think the reason the wine is pop a down a little bit is, of course. One is that there's a lot of respect for Jim Harbaugh, right? And John Harbaugh, the Ravens coach, right? And the ability for him to always have his teams ready to play each week, which they do. And the fact that last week's game, like, didn't even matter. I mean, the Ravens weren't playing.

They battled their butts off. Like, they still battle with all their backups. Now you have the start is coming back. Huntley is better than Anthony Brown. So Huntley does play a little bit. You do have a better football team. And then there's just, I think it's just respect for the Ravens culture. That, to me, feels like what the line is, crack.

Like, respect for the Ravens culture, respect they're going to play hard. And that's a divisional playoff game in the AFC North, where these games typically tend to be pretty close, pretty close, pretty physical, run the ball, black and blue division. But the counter to that is that Joe Brod didn't play well last week. No, he didn't. And if he plays better this weekend, this game might not even be close. No, what's crazy too is the Bengals, they were held to under 300 yards five times this season.

And two of those times happened against the Ravens. They held them under 300 yards in both of those games. You were last year, we burrow through for 1,000 yards against them in the two games. Right, yeah. I remember the game, what, in Baltimore, I think it was 41-17, and they just lit the Ravens up. But you know as well as I do how much things change

from what year to the next in the NFL. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, so very interesting. But you're right. It's one of these deals. Like, how many points did the Bengals have to score for the game to legitimately be out of reach for the Ravens? If the Bengals get to 20, that might be enough.

I don't know that the Ravens can get to 20. They haven't scored over 16, I think, without Lamar, maybe 17 without Lamar in the game. So that's about where you're looking at. I think last weekend was the highest, right? 29-17 was a final last weekend. That was in the highest they had scored without Lamar in the lineup. Yeah, 17. So ask yourself this.

Do you think Burrow and Cincee get to 20 points today? Pretty good chance they do. and it might not even take that to win it. Let's not forget the Ravens lost to the Browns 13 to 3. Right? So just keep that in mind. But it could be a select fest today. We'll see.

Hey, earn a $50 bonus by signing into BetMGM and clicking on refer a friend to invite a friend and in just a few simple steps. Both you and your friend will receive a $50 bonus. BetMGM, the king of sports books, the king of parley. All right, we've got a lot to do. We've got Bill Krakenberger from crackwins.com, sports handicapper. We've got Jeff Schwartz, eight-year NFL veteran. I'm Brian, though. Coming up next,

the best performance of the day could come from this guy. We'll have some details for you. It's Fox Sports Radio's countdown to kickoff, presented by BetMGM. Welcome to the biggest tailgate party in the nation. You're locked into Fox Sports Radio's countdown to kickoff. And it's presented by BetMGM. The king of sports. Sports. Once again, here's Brian No, age-year NFL veteran Jeff Schwartz, and Sports Handicamper from crackwins.com. Bill Crack-Crackenberger. It is Fox Sports Radio's countdown to kickoff, presented by BetMGM.

All right, fellas, every time you make a wager at BetMGM, you earn BetMGM rewards points that can be redeemed for things like free bets and risk-free tokens. They can also be converted to MGM rewards points that can be used towards dining, shows and hotel rooms at over 20 MGM resorts. We've got the G-Men against the Vikings here today. Vikings are favorite. It's fluctuated a little bit, right? Between two and a half.

I see threes pretty solid right now at bed MGM. The Vikings are favored by at home. And I think that Justin Jefferson, the stud-wide receiver, could have an absolute feast against the Giants today. I love this quote from Wink Martindale, the Giants defensive coordinator. He said Justin Jefferson is a top two receiver in the NFL.

And then he quickly said, and he's not number two. He's one of the best receivers in football, arguably the best. And I expect him to have a day today. We could see a lot of fireworks in this game, fellas. What do you think about Justin Jefferson and also the game in general here? Well, look, I think the Giants have better efficiency numbers than the Vikings. I don't know if people care too much about that. I definitely look into that as far as how you kind of view these teams, right?

Because you have a 13-3 Vikings team that has won 11 of 13 games by eight points or less. And last weekend, I'm not even sure we should even count. It's a Bears team that was literally playing to lose, and they played to lose and they did lose. We have not even talked about that, by the way. We were together in Cincinnati watching the end of that Texans Colts game. and like basically you knew Lovie Smith was fired

as soon as they showed Cal McNair the Texans owner on the sidelines after that game looked like someone had done bad things to his family

but the Vikings are 27th and overall team efficiency it's not good for a 13 win team Giants are 21 so the Vikings have either one bike

one bike eight points or less or they've been blown out those are two choices they've lost all four games by at least 11 points most of them by three, four, five touchdowns. It's not being close, right? The Giants, I just, the thing about both these teams is like, what do they do well?

And, like, that's the hard part about handicapping this game. Justin Jefferson is what the Vikings do well. And that's something I think, to your point, you can count on in this game, is that Jefferson is the best player on the field, right? Who's better than him as far as impactful player on the field in this game? It's probably him, right? Yeah, I would think so, yeah. And I think that for them to win, he has.

to have a big game. He had 133 yards and 12 receptions in the first game. They played a 27-24 victory for the Vikings just about a month ago. So he's got to play well for this to be a Vikings win. And like I said earlier, Crack, the contrarian to me says every single person is on the Giants. I'll take the Vikings. You know, on a normal week with a non-Miammyami Buffalo game, this would be a giant, giant game for BEDMGM, as Jason said. But of course, Buffalo is being their biggest exposure of the year. Everyone betting Buffalo. This Minnesota giant game, Jason said the same thing.

They're going to need Minnesota. You're right. People are betting the Giants with the three points. You know, Minnesota, I actually don't remember if they're home or away. You guys are correct me here. This year, they played Dallas and got blown away. They were home, right? Yeah, it was 40 to 3.

Oh, my God. They were down 33-0 against the Colts at home. Yeah. God, amazing. So it's just, you know, the home field advantage is not what it used to be in the NFL. I understand that. But this situation here, this game, wow, I'll tell you, I just don't have a side or even a total in this game as of now. And I really don't like to add a lot of things here just because I'm forced because there's three games.

I'll have a proper two maybe, but nothing on the side or total here. I see the line is, listen, there's two and a halfs and there's three. around town here. So, you know, when it's a situation where you can actually lay the two and a half or take that's free, depending on who you're on, it's actually a good player's game if you're going to play the game. I think that, you know, to me, the number in this game, like, a lot of times it comes down to obviously, like who you kind of trust, right?

Like, I don't trust either team. Yeah. I trust the Giants coaching staff. I love the coaching staff. But they're not a more talented team than the Vikings. I will give you one thing. one way that I could lean in this game is taking like Dowman Cook unders and maybe Vikings team total under.

I know you like the over, Brian, but in the first quarter at least. There's a big mismatch with a Giants defense line against the Vikings' offensive line. It's a big problem. The Giants defensive line is going to dominate this game if Bradbury, which I believe is not playing the center for the Vikings and their right tackles out as well. The Giants defense line is really good. Dexter Lawrence is an all pro. We know that Leonard Williams is very good.

The kid from Georgia, Kayvon-Tibodeau, they're a good defensive line. And I think that that's a way for the Giants to control this game, and that can make it very uncomfortable for cousins to operate in a manner that he would like to. So if you're looking for maybe an angle for an actual kind of football way to bet on this game, that to me might be a spot to do it in. I'll just say this real quick. I'm curious what you guys think about this.

When it comes to betting, I've done it many times, many other people have as well. You bet against a team. I get why some people are, a lot of people are betting against the Vikings. Their defense stinks. You pointed out the efficiency numbers.

They're not the greatest. They're point differential. They've got a negative point differential for the season. Like they've given up more points than they've scored, even though they're 13 and 4. That's amazing.

They're minus 3 in point differential for the season. So I get why some people are skeptical of the Vikings. I would add this, though. Sometimes it's not good enough to just bet against the team. You have to realize that you're not just betting against the Vikings. You're betting on the Giants. So, like, why do you love the Giants? Why are you in favor of the Giants in this game?

Maybe it's Saquan Barclay. Maybe you pointed it out, Jeff. It's the coaching staff. Brian Daibble has done a magnificent job. Wink Martindale mixes up the coverages and the blitzes and all of that. But I would just, I don't think it's a smart enough approach a lot of times to just bet against the team. I think you have to take it a step further and say, I'm not only betting against the Vikings, I'm betting on the Giants. Correct.

And just are you comfortable enough in doing so? Right, which is why I think there's other ways to wager on this game with props and maybe, you know, team totals and things like that rather than taking, you know, just the Giants or the Vikings. Yeah, absolutely. Good point there, Brian, too. You're right, when you're betting against the team, worry about the team you're betting on. But you gave some great points for the Giants here. Dayball's looking at maybe the coach of the year here.

And, you know, I'm sorry to only look at things at betting angles. He was like 10 to 1 halfway through the season, 13 to 1, then 10 to 1. He dropped to 3 to 1 to be the coach of the year. Really, really, still probably good odds. if they win this game today, he probably will get that coach of the year just to get to the playoffs anyway.

But it's a good situation there for many reasons you said. But again, all those good things and I'll still just be a fan of the game today and watch the game probably without a bet on the side or a total here. The votes are already in crack for those awards. So this weekend has nothing to do with it.

So I'm curious about that because most often it goes to like best coach on best team, but I don't know if Nick Sierra is going to win it, and I'm not sure that Andy Reid wins it. I think that Brian Dale was a great chance to win that award. I think Isaac Lohencrone has a great chance to win

the award. The award for Best Humanitarian slash update anchor? ILO with the latest. What's going on, ILO? Awards are sort of a tricky subject. I got to confess something when you brought that up. I don't know why, but I'm confessing it right now. So, you know, in high school,

they do those polls for the yearbook and one of the polls it's most likely to succeed. I voted for myself. Wow, and you were right. Well, here's the sad part. So it wound up literally in a three-way tie between me, someone who went to Duke and went on to work for Goldman Sachs

and someone who went on to go to Harvard. And if it wasn't for me voting for myself, it would have been perfectly legitimate with Mr. Goldman Sachs and Miss Harvard. I had not thought about that in years until you dragged it out of me. So good job by you there, Brian. Anyway, we've got today's NFL playoff triple header kicking off 90 minutes from now as I try and retrieve some semblance of dignity. As the Buffalo Bills host, the Miami Dolphins and Fellows,

the inactives have just been announced. Miami Dolphins left tackle to Ron Armstead is officially active. So is quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who have been listed as questionable because of a dislocated finger. ESPN reports, rookie Skyler Thompson will still be getting the start at quarterback and Bridgewater going to serve as the backup. Meanwhile, for the Bills, receiver Isaiah McKenzie,

and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips are among their inactives. And get this, fellas, the Associated Press reported a short time ago that Bill Safety, Damar Hamlin, is planning to attend the game today at Buffalo. That would be a tremendous sight and wonderful. to see. Meanwhile, last night the Jacksonville Jaguars pulled off the third biggest comeback in NFL playoff history. Patterson's kick is up. The field goal is good. The Jaguars have won it. The Jaguars have won it. They have come back from 27-0 nothing to win the game. The call on WJXL as the Jaguars rallied from that 27-0 deficit with 25 seconds left in the first half to defeat the loss.

Angeles Chargers, 31 to 30. Trevor Lawrence led the comeback following four first half interceptions by throwing four touchdown passes. We have more post-game audio from last night's Jacksonville victory. Listen. That was not from the stadium. That was rather from the local Waffle House where Trevor Lawrence dined after the game. And a video of that posted on social media, fellas, no word yet.

whether Lawrence took his hash rounds scattered, smothered, and covered, or all the way. But we're working on that. Back to you. I love it. You dive deep there, Ilo. Love all that. It's Fox Sports Radio's countdown to kickoff. Presented by BetMGM. We're brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Progressive makes bundling easy and affordable. Get a multi-policy discount by combining your motorcycle, RV, boat, ATV, and more.

All your protection in one place. Bundle and save at Progressive.com. As Ilo said, it's great story. Tamar Hamlin, who suffered cardiac arrest, what, about 10, 11 days ago, whatever, almost two weeks ago during the Monday night game. And he'll be on the sideline for the Bills game against the Dolphins. Yeah, it's awesome that he's recovering that quickly. And, you know, you're buying into this crack where I get it, right?

Like, he's going to be on the sidelines. It's a big deal for the team. You said it last week. Like, you saw two kickoff returns from the. Hine Hines, like, against the Patriots. And Josh Allen said it after the game. He was like, it was amazing. He's like, God's real.

That was his takeaway is. So, like, I don't know. We get into the analytics and the numbers. And like, man, there's a lot of stuff that's just emotional. And having him on the field today with the guys, I think that's a big deal. And it's not as if they need another boost in this one. They have everything in their favor facing the dolphins who are banged up and have their seventh round rookie in there. Yeah, Jeff is probably right, though.

It probably doesn't mean anything, but I'm just, I'm one of those guys that love Rudy. I love the movie Rudy. I love different things like that. So maybe I'm a, you know, my image of him being on the field is not going to be what I'm thinking it was going to be in the first half. They come out there maybe in the first quarter and pumped up and, you know, so happy to guys there. but I'm sure he's been in the locker room and stuff. I guess you're right. Maybe I won't buy into that.

Put it this way. I'm not bad in it. But it just was an idea, that's all. As we see here on the screen, the real lining on this game here has dropped. And I'm actually a little surprised here. Now that we're talking 840 on my time, 1140 Eastern, hour and 20 minutes before the game, I thought still the public was going to be piling on.

Before we even talked to Jason, I knew from talking yesterday, I was out and around. I talked to two different bookmakers, town. One took a $600,000 bet on Buffalo minus 13.5. The other took a $300,000 bet. Literally seven figures of, literally seven figures of just one sports book needly for seven figures. They were going to move the game to 14. And he said it may go to 14 and a half today. It's still sitting at 14 in his shop. This is a lot of public money on Buffalo today. So again, I'm going to say it. I wasn't going to really dabble in this, but there's a good situation here.

We're going to talk about it later on when we do the live section here. We'll talk about that. Crack, we can be honest that like Rudy is not like good of a movie. Like the story is great, but we can agree it's like not. It's like not like. How dare you? I'd get my Irish helmet if it was. It's like not really like what happens.

That's why it's an amazing movie, Jeff. That's why. If this is about the ducks, I love that movie. But then you learn about the real story about what happened. You're like, okay, that makes the movie even worse because none of that actually happened. Yeah. Joe Montana was the one that's kind of like, Joe ruined it, right?

He's just like, yeah, none of that happened actually. Actually ended up happening. I love it. I like your comparison, though, Jeff, about this game. It's like it's not going to be 65 to 7, like the national championship game. But your point is, and I know you're not saying it's going to be 65-7. the point you're making is going into this, you're like, man, 14 points. That's a lot of points, right?

TCU, they've had this magical season. NFL game, the playoffs, the Dolphins. Man, 14's a lot. And you might blink a couple of times in the first half and be like, wow, 14 points is not that great of a spread in this one. It very well could go down that way today. It surely can. I mean, look, I know crack has been the opposite side of this and obviously for good reason because in the NFL games, even yesterday the Niners eventually got to the number.

But for a while, Seattle was like, you were like, wow, like this is a real game. Seattle was in this game with a chance to win it. And then the Gino Smith fumble kind of crushed it. Ever since the fumble, it was 23, 17 Niners were driving down. Seleks were driving down to take the lead again. And the fumble happened. And then that was the end of the game. At worst, you kick it, you're down three.

Yeah. And the Niners scored touchdown, touchdown, field goal. Game was over. So, yeah, so I get the skepticism of, okay, this is a big number. It's the NFL playoffs. But it's a third string quarterback who's not like, he doesn't bring a dynamic. Like I can understand if it was someone who was like. Purdy.

Yeah. It was amazing. A party. See, we'll get the dinners in a second if you want to do that. Yeah. But like someone who was an other world athlete that could just like make some incredible plays with his legs and just like, you know. But that's not. Like a Taseham Hill type

Just kind of random Yeah just like something like that It's not You know like If you came out with Tasey Mill for example And you just came out with this wildcat offense You're just like look

We're just going to try it In which we know the Dolphins did In 2008 for five weeks My favorite part about that Going back I know we're going to remember later here Is the wildcat offense Work Brian for like two weeks

And for some reason It has become this myth That the Dolphins won the Super Bowl with the Wildcat offense. It worked for two whole weeks. That's it. Two weeks. It worked for like two weeks,

but it happened against the Patriots. So we forever remember that the Wildcat, which started, by the way, the year before in Carolina, Dan Henning, the office coordinator, went to Miami and ran into Miami against the Patriots. Two whole weeks at work. Two exact weeks. And it became this lore of like,

Wildcat offense. The Dolphins invented this thing that crushed the NFL. So if you come out today with a Wildcat offense out of nowhere. Yeah, for a half, maybe I keep it close. But Skyward Thompson's not that guy. And that's why I worry about how close they can keep this game. I think it was like 38, 13, something like that.

Never forget Ronnie Brown throwing left-handed passes. Remember the running back of that wild? It was legit. It was one of the funniest things ever because it was not, it was, it worked for two whole weeks. It did. And people act like it revolutionized the Dolphins franchise for years to come. Absolutely not. Hey, place a one game parlay with at least four legs on any pro football game at BetMGM. If all legs hit except for one, you'll get your steak back and free bets up to $25. All right, we've got Bill Crackenberger from Crackwins.com. Jeff Schwartz, the eight-year veteran. I'm Brian No. We've got a lot going on. It's one of our favorite things to discuss in ball and gambling. We'll do that right around the corner. It's Fox Sports Radio's countdown to kickoff presented by BetMGM.

Kickoffs are coming soon, and we're leading you up to them. This is Fox Sports Radio's countdown to kickoff, presented by MetMGM, the king of sports books. Once again, here's Brian No, eight-year NFL veteran Jeff Schwartz. Are you kidding me? And Sports Handicamper from crackwins.com, Bill Crack-Crackenberger. It is Fox Sports Radio's countdown to kickoff presented by BetMGM. Time to waste. Let's dive in. This is

Same game parlanks. I place a one game parlay with at least four legs on any pro football game at BetMGM. If all legs hit except for one, you'll get your stake back in free bets up to $25. Return to you, crack. The same game parlay

of your choice today. What is it? Well, you know, these things are so tough, man. I tell you, but I do like that you can actually, there's a drop-down menu with BetmG. where actually you could choose your spread. So I'm going to say Baltimore first half, and you could drop it down. You can go to 10.5.

Actually, I'm going to take 7.5, though. Plus 7.5 in the first half on Baltimore. Under the 40 and a half for the game. I like that still available. I bet MGM on their same game parlay. And let's go with Burrow under 279 and a half on his quarterback passing yardage. So those three together, you get back, $50,000. back 250. There you go. I like that. Nice one. We still have time for this. Let's do it.

Prop it up. Let's go. Player plays. We love the prop bets over here. We'll start with you, Jeff. What are you feeling today? Okay. Let's tell you, I got some really good, even though I do like Miami, you know, like I said, it's a peanut minus bet, but I may bet them more live on a different situation later on. But I think that Thompson under, I mean, I think I'm going to go under on everything. But I did bet under on his passing yardage. I bet under on a couple different. But we'll get, I have more things to share later on though. But yeah, under on his passing yardage, 190 and a half I see now. I think, you know, who knows? He may even get, you know, he may even get benched here. Who knows? So we'll see.

I like Jeff Wilson over 59.5 rushing yards for the Dolphins State. I mean, they have no choice. They have no choice, but they're on the ball today. I'm going to go Brady getting to at least 43 attempts tomorrow night. I think he throws it a ton, short, quick ones. Coming up next, the NFL concert tour. Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our shows at foxportsradio.com. And within the IHard Radio app, search FSR to listen live.

Oh, what's going on, everybody? Welcome in. Super Wild Card Weekend. Moving ahead, baby. We got some great drama last night as the Jags came down from a 27-0 deficit. They came all the way back to win 31-30. We're hoping to ride that wave of momentum into Sunday's games. Blowout potential exists, at least in the early game with the bills and dolphins.

But hopefully we'll get some drama today. And then we'll get to the matchup tomorrow, which is a really, really good one. Cowboys and Tampa. We haven't touched on this yet, though. guys. San Francisco, the Niners, they beat Seattle 41 to 23. And I don't know if you guys are aware of the NFL concert tour that is sweeping the nation. Have you guys heard about this? There was an NFL concert tour known as Purdy Palooza. It is just, it is sweeping the nation right now, highly, highly popular as Brock Purdy plays well again, three touchdown passes, rushed for

another one, threw for over 300 yards. I mean, listen, we'll start with the positives before I get to the reality check. The positives are, this is an awesome story. It's Mr. Irrelevant. Last pick of the draft. He's a rookie. He's unbeaten in every game he started in Jimmy Garoppolo's absence, and he's one and oh in the playoffs. And even though you saw a little early jitters to come back and have the day he did, and I mean, Debo Samuel was wide open on that touchdown, but the throws, one to Christian McCaffrey, one to Elijah Mitchell, just pocket awareness, keeping a play alive. He played well in the second half, so I'm not going to completely reign on the purdy parade.

I'll get to the reality check in a bit, but for now, let's start on a positive note. He's done something that's pretty impressive considering where he was drafted. Absolutely. That's all I'm saying about that. Moving on. He was not very good yesterday, and I think the scary part, about the 49ers is the quarterback was not great and they put 38 points. That's a scary part, right?

Is most of the time when your quarterback's not great, you don't score 38 points and look for most of that time, undefensible for much of that game, right? What Shanahan's able to do and able to put Purdy in the situation where everyone is open, Like everyone is open all the time in this offense. He throws two wide open guys all the time. It's crazy. During this game, I believe, I think this was at the end of the game, that Purdy has done in a tight coverage, a yard of separation or a few, on two whole attempts the entire game. Two whole attempts the entire game.

Everyone's always open. It's a matter of Purdy hitting those guys. and there was a tweet too with the same, he had three explosive plays on the same concept. Guy runs up the field, crosser comes across it. And like Shanahan has him dialed in, man. He's doing what he has to do.

The run game is good. So I give credit to Shanahan here to getting pretty in rhythm when he's not playing well. And again, this is a hard offense to stop when they have every single person healthy and ready to go and able to win. So, Jeff, you're saying from a player's standpoint,

which may be important, which may actually translate to a betting standpoint, whether the league likes it or not. You're saying from a betting standpoint, I'm just thinking to myself, wow, they blew them away. Purdy was 18 of 30 or something like that, and he had over 300 yards, three touchdowns, but it's deceiving to the eyes, you're saying, because of situations here that you're saying that he actually didn't play good. I'm trying to understand it for betting reasons. I think he missed a good amount of throws. I think the throw that kind of seal the game to Jennings too, right? That one, I mean, if the safety just looks up and looks at the ball,

he probably intercepts that ball, right? Like, it wasn't crisp, it wasn't a crisp game. But the way the offense works with the ability to run the ball, set up play action pass with the concern about the speed of the weapons, right? Because they can stretch you guys both horizontally, right? Side line to sideline and then vertically. So the defense has deflated, has defend every blade in the field,

every plate of grass in the field. They have to defend because they can attack, again, vertically. I mean, Debo Samuel had a touchdown where he just ran around the corner, right? I mean, like, they just, it's so hard to defend this team because everyone's healthy right now that pretty doesn't have to be perfect. And then also, the defense doesn't allow points. So when you're not allowing points, you know, you can win a game. And, of course, I scored 38 points.

You could have won that game with 23 points, right? So I think that makes it so difficult to play this team is different ways they can beat you offensively. And then you add in the defense, which eventually kind of shut down Seattle. And the question becomes obviously, can you do this in Philadelphia? If the Eagles score 28, 31 points.

It's pretty going to do enough in that game, which really would, like, the Niners are going to beat whoever they play next weekend, whether it's the Vikings or the Giants. It wouldn't be the Giants. It would be the Vikings or the Bucks, right, basically. Winner of the Bucks, Cowboys. So, no, you know, if the Giants win, then the Giants go play Philly.

That's right. And the 90s get the Bucks, right? They get the winner of the Bucks Cowboys game. Yeah, winner of the Bucs Cowboys game. If the Vikings win, they get the Vikings done. Yep. So they'll win that game. It's just a matter of going to Philly now, can Brock Pry do that in Philly?

Well, that's the thing, man, is I think the magic carpet ride could continue for another week because if Minnesota wins today, Minnesota's past defense is freaking brutal. They're going to get slow on the Niners. And Purdy will probably have another good game. But that's the thing is this is where we get to the reality check. Like LeBron tweeted, Purdy got game with a bunch of exclamation points. I hear all this stuff. Brock Purdy's a baller.

These decisions are getting easier for the Niners, what to do at quarterback. The more Brock Purdy plays. And it's like, look, man, he's just playing over his head right now. Like Jeff said, he's throwing to a lot of wide open receivers. He's just on a magic carpet right. Do you guys remember, this is the best I could compare it to. Do you remember Jeremy Lynn in the NBA? Oh, Lin Sanity.

Of course. Lin Sanity was just everywhere for about a three week stretch, and then he came back to Earth. Brock Purdy is the NFL version of Lin Sanity. That's what's going on here. And I get it. He's Mr. Irrelevant. He was the last pick in the draft, and he's greatly exceeded expectations. expectations and a lot of people have lost their freaking minds because of it. Ask yourself this.

Do you typically see in the NFL, like the Big 12 or whatever, where dudes are just throwing to wide open receivers one week after another? No, you typically don't see that. And you won't see that over time with Brock Purdy. And he's going to turn into a pumpkin. One of these weeks, it's going to happen. And a lot of people are just not aware of that. I think that the real concern becomes, obviously, when these games get a little bit more pressure-filled against a Pat Mahomes or Josh Allen or Joe Burrow or Tom Brady, which I know they beat a couple weeks ago, but playoff Tom Brady is different.

We'll talk about Cowboys in a few minutes. I'd imagine that game. It's just a little different. And I'm always on the conservative side of saying, like, hey, we need to see this player do this in this moment before I proclaim they can do it. And also, we saw in this offense, right? at the Chiefs' Niners Super Bowl. If they had anyone but Jimmy Gropolo in that game, he probably beat the Chiefs.

And it's those couple of throws that he missed in this game that are going to matter against a team like Kansas City. So that's the only caution. Everything else is fine right now with the Niners. It's going to be those moments in Philadelphia, in a Super Bowl. Can they handle those?

Can he handle those? You know, guys, I got to tell you, there's a, I talked to a lot of bookmakers around town or guys that work in risk in the shops. Well, I'll just tell you a text I just got just now. Hey, Crack, listening to your show. Sounds great.

Someone just bet us $450,000 on Buffalo minus 13.5. And we just moved it a little bit. So they did. So someone just walked up at the counter, but $450,000 on Buffalo minus 13 and a half. Just something just to tell you guys. Okay, so do you believe that story last night that a wager put $1.4 billion on the Chargers money line live?

Absolutely correct. I'm glad you mentioned it because I forgot about it. That's a real story, by the way. Jeff, do you want to read the – I have the ticket somewhere. Darn it, do you – I just want to be – I want to get to a point in life crack where I have that much money to lose on a wage. Like, that's what I get to. Even if that was your entire bankroll.

Just gone. You'd be okay with that. I'm in like maybe $500. Like, okay, I could put $500 on the Chargers money line that spot. If I lose that money, okay. Like, I'll survive. I'll work one of these shows. I'll be fine.

Like, I just, but like, I just, I can't, I can't do it. I could, I can't, I can't. And my salary's up there for the NFL. You know what I made. I can't do it, man. I want to be that rich. Yeah, no. You are thrifty over there.

Sure. I want to be that. You all, you all see me like, you know, like, you, you, you know, I, uh, you, you you wear shorts in like 20 degrees Cincinnati weather over there. Oh, yeah. Oh, that was a mistake. Oh, that was a mistake. That was great.

That was great. It was freezing outside, and my man wears shorts in that weather. He walked, we walked to the MGM sports book from our hotel, which was right there at the stadium. And I was like, wow. Dinner was short. Oh, that was dinner. I was long pants next day. Well, no, I was in my hotel room.

I was watching football. And I, like, popped downstairs. I realized, like, oh, it's kind of cold. And I was too late to go back upstairs. I was still in my, like, hoodie and shorts. I just was comfortable. And boom. Yeah.

And then cracked just, just cracked on those ribs we had. It's still not, just, just, just murdered the restaurant. Well, Brian, Brian took him home and ate him the next day and sent us all a pitcher. I warmed them up. The rest of the next day. Fantastic. I'm going to send him, I'm going to send him some good ones via. Free meals taste better.

I don't know about you. Free meals taste better. Yeah. No kidding. No kidding. So listen, here's the bet. It was at Draft Kings. They put it out there.

So I'm not spoiling anything here. I'm kind of surprised someone would make fun of their own customers. But this person bet live, the charges, when they were up, they were up giant. They were probably up like, you know, 27 points or something this time. Minus 125. He bet $1.4 million to win $11,000. $1.4 million to win $11,000. He lost a bet.

And I'll always tell people this. So we have a sports book here in town that puts up yes and no on all the individual. They put yes and no up on every single team to win the NFL championship. I mean, every single team. So the no is the right bet, by the way. The no, people aren't going to lay, you know, 60 to 1 against the chargers to win the Super Bowl. But they'll take the 35 to 1 or 40 to 1 on the other side. But this book puts up yes and no.

I like that. The no is the right side on these. I'll tell you right now. But do I put up, I have to lay 60 to 1 on the chargers? Now I'm laying literally $60,000 to win $1,000. Now, what means more to me? $1,000, which, let's be blunt, is a good dinner for taking my buddies out that I'll spend, or $60,000, which means something.

You know what I mean? So honestly, I don't even have the, have the, have the, stones to go down and bet something that probably should be more than 60 to 1 because the $1 doesn't mean anything. Situationalally here, does the $11,000 mean anything to someone that has $1.4 million and much, much more than that in a betting account, 11 grand, you deserve to lose, pal. It's tough, man, because you think it's an absolute layup. You're thinking there's nothing that can go wrong.

If somebody just gave me $11,000 on the street, that would be amazing. He thought it was a layup and it wasn't. But wouldn't you rather take the $11,000 and bet it on Jacksonville Money Line knowing the history of the Chargers? That is the worst realization when it comes to gambling. If you bet big, and I'm not talking like over a million dollars, but whatever is big to you, you bet big on a money line favorite and it doesn't work out. Your immediate thought is if I had bet the same amount of money on the underdog, what I would have made, ah, it makes it even worse.

But like in this, I'm not telling you how to spend their money. But in this spot, you have a Chargers team. There is a verb, chargering. Like, it is a thing the Chargers do. Yep. And I just would have not put any money. And I've done before the big money line wager live. Like, I just said, screw it.

I'll put, I'll just win. I'm glad to take, I'll win money, whatever. But not on the Chargers. Like, if Buffalo gets up 14-0 today, maybe I'd throw, I'm probably probably too much money. But I get that. But the chargers do this all the time. That is what they do.

It's what they're known for. I read an article this morning that Brandon Staley said. He understands that they charge her. He's trying to change that from this organization. That's a thing that they do. And he bet on him anyway. But you know what happens, Jeff? It's the U-2 song.

You know, you got stuck in a moment and you can't get out of it. This guy is like, just in the moment seeing the Chargers score every which way. Jacksonville can't stop turning it over. Lawrence has thrown four interceptions. You're just in that moment thinking it can't go wrong. And it did. That's why you got to be beyond just the moment of what's going on in the game.

I thought it was still, I can't find what I'm looking for. That's the first thing I thought when you too saw him. So you went a different direction though. But that's probably what Staley's going to be talking about when he's on vacation with the Arizona coach. like death metal song where someone's supposed to like be shredded pieces that talks about this. Oh man. So give me the theme again. I'll come up with something for you, Jeff Schwartz.

What is it? What was it? Yeah, he'll come up with a Dr. Dre song for you. No, not Dre. He wants to know, he wants some death metal songs. No, I mean, I know. Same for you. Not in the moment.

I'll think of something. I'll try to think of something and get back to you here momentarily. Hey, every Thursday, be sure to check out our countdown to kickoff presented by Ben MGM original podcast featuring yours truly. Also Jared Smith and Bill Krakkenberger, we give our takes and all the key lines get you set for the weekend in betting. It's playoff time. Make sure you pay attention here.

Cracks giving out winners left and right. It's every Thursday. Just search Fox Sports Radio wherever you get your podcasts. All right. Coming up next. All right, we get to, I think, the matchup of Super Wild Card weekend. And what we might see as the game plays out, pretty soon.

We'll get to that right around the corner. It's Fox Sports Radio's Countdown to Kickoff, presented by BetMGM. Welcome to the biggest tailgate party in the nation. You're locked into Fox Sports Radio's countdown to kickoff. Touchdown! And it's presented by BetMGM. The King of Sportsbooks.

Once again, here's Brian No, age-year NFL veteran Jeff Schwartz, and Sports Handicamper from Crackwins.com. Bill Crack Crackenberger. We are 35 minutes. That's it until kickoff over here. It's Fox Sports Radio's countdown to kickoff. Presented by BetMGM.

Be sure to check out the new looking features in the BetMGM app. It's fast and easy access to the sports you love. Whether it's live betting, the Daily Lions Boost, or the cash out feature, new users can use the code countdown for a special offer. Okay, I'm going to get you a metal song here momentarily, Jeff. There's something that game to mind here. But we got to dive into, which I think is the matchup of Super Wild Card Weekend. It's Dallas and Tampa.

It's tomorrow night, Monday night, the last game of a three-day ball fest, if you will. And I love this matchup. You've got Tampa as the home underdogs. It's a great stat, all kinds of stats in this game. But you've got Tom Brady with 35 playoff wins in his career. That's the same number as the Dallas game. Cowboys have in their franchise history. They both have 35 playoff wins.

It's just amazing. It's crazy. Yeah, I mean, look, Tom Brady, you know, the NFC, just NFC quarterbacks in general, the amount of playoff wins he has compared to all of them, which I believe is now with Purdy's win, what, like two? Cousins has one, right? I think Cousins has one and Purdy has one. Like, that's it in the NFC?

Dak has one. Wow, yeah. Was that kind of one? Yeah, he's got one. he's got one. So three wins, I think, now total, and with Purdy's win now, with starting quarterbacks, Kirk has one, I believe.

So he beat the States a couple years ago. Yep. So three, three compared to Tom Brady. Here's the way I look at this Cowboys game. Tell me if I'm wrong, guys. Okay, so Cowboys are more talented, I believe, all over the field. But Tampa has Tom Brady. And as long as Tom Brady is getting points in a playoff game,

I'm taking Tom Brady in the points in a playoff game. And again, I don't think the Tampa's better, and I don't trust Tampa's coaching staff, but I don't trust the Cowboys. I don't trust Dak Prescott right now. I just trust Tom Brady to get his team in the right situation to win this game. And, you know, there's a lot made about this grass versus turf thing,

right? The Cowboys have been bad on grass this season. There is something to that, right? Like as an offensive player, I always felt defenses were a slight tick faster on turf. They just were. It's turf. It's not, you know, there's, the surface is faster. It just, that's why the combine guys run faster on turf than they would on Grats.

So why it's done at the combine that way. But that shouldn't be the reason why you lose a football game. The Cowboys defense just hasn't been as good last month of the season. Yeah. but I just trust Tom Brady, man, until otherwise. Until we're told otherwise. I'm going to go with Tom Brady in this spot always because I know, and if everyone in this field, I know who can do it in clutch moments.

12 can. And that matters, in my opinion, in a game like this. As you see my head down, guys, I'm sorry, firing on props still between commercials, between the game. But I will tell you that prop towards the end of the show here. We'll have plenty of time to get that in. Dallas and Tampa, though, tomorrow night. Listen, this is one of those games where two and a half points.

It's not three, but you could buy it up to three minus $1.15 at one shop here, I see. I do like Tampa in this spot. I didn't bet the game. I probably wouldn't have to bet it. But if I was to bet it, I would take Tampa in this spot. I know a lot of guys are talking about putting them in, you know, a certain type of bets like teasers and money line parlays and stuff but by the way i don't know anybody except for me maybe you guys let's see if you guys did this everyone used san fran money line

buffalo money line Cincinnati money line in a three-team parlay and yes normally i would say throughout the season oh guys i mean come on these all these big teams but i know a guy that's a sharp guy with a seven-figure bank roll that has built up his money from sports betting that bet this and I still won't bet it. So it's just something off the top. I know I'm spontaneously talking about things. Come on, Jeff. Did you bet that?

You could tell us. Yeah, I bet that. And I also did it. I also did a, I also did a, I don't know why I did the same exact way. There's just a seven point teaser to get better odds and did a bangles, nineers, uh, bangles niners bills. Yep. But I won the bills under seven.

That's why I did it, a seven point teaser, which you almost never do it. Sure. Sure. I get you. You never do. I almost rarely do a seven point teaser. But I just did it. Yeah.

the better number on the bills and I think six and a half so yeah I understand but I never I never see I never I always I almost I'm I normally for fun each week do these right I don't normally tell you guys because it's just for fun yeah they're not advertise I would never advertise this and some weeks they hit some weeks they don't I'm probably after week 18 I'm probably 50-50 on the year I hit a lot in week 18 I did pretty well um but yeah they're fun but you know this weekend obviously but I didn't say like last week I did not include the cowboy was any of those. I think a lot of people did. This weekend, I really just chose the three favorites. And I was worried. The Niners, I was thinking to myself like, oh, God, how do I make up the money

if the Niners lose this game? How do I find my way? They covered obviously and they won those games. But I really do think, look, you have a situation where you have, you know, Josh Allen against Scholar Thompson. Like, if they don't win that game. Yeah. I mean, that's one of those bets, well, you'll just eat it. Those are the best bets where it's like, look, man, if I go all in with pocket aces and it doesn't work out, I'm just going to shrug my shoulders and take the L. Like, you're going to walk away. If the bills don't cover seven, Jeff, you're not going to be like, why did I do that?

I'm so stupid. You're going to be like, hey, man, it's gambling. Sometimes it doesn't work out. But you're not going to stress over that. You'll be like, hey, man, I'll take the L, whatever. It happens. Yeah. And, you know, but the Niners won because there was a little bit of me yesterday when I was

talking to friends about the Niners game where I was like, look, I think Sano can keep this close, right? They are a well-coached team. It's a division opponent. You know, Pete Carroll was doing that thing this week where, like, the Niners are so good, everyone. how can we compete, all that motivational thing. Definitely. But today I just don't think the dolphins, sorry, Brian, I know they're your team.

I don't think they have that in them. I don't either. They snuck in. You weren't even happy last weekend. We were watching the game together. And you were like, I was like, you're right, you're asking your dolphins on making the playoffs. He really wasn't. You're like, I guess, okay, I have to watch it one more week.

I'm okay, fine. It's just, the season's gone completely off a cliff. And they've got, they're banged up. They're on their seventh round rookie. who, I mean, some of these numbers where you've got 47 quarterbacks that have thrown at least 100 passes. And he's like 45th and 46th and last in all these important categories. It's like, it's just not happening, right?

Like, I don't think it makes you a bad fan if you're realistic. Like, I would love for the dolphins to win today. It's just, it's not going to happen, you know? Like, that's all we're at. Real fast. That's why the money line's 12 to 1, too. I mean, you're laying 12 to 1, 13 to 1. Bet MGM, 10 to 1.

You know, it sounds like easy money, though. I understand, but that's why the books are in business. Real fast on Cowboys Tampa, I just want to circle back to that real fast, because I find it really interesting in this matchup where I get everything that, Jeff, you're talking about with Tom Brady, his credentials speak for themselves. But, man, Tampa has shown us time and time and time again this season. They are not to be trusted. in that same stadium.

They had to come back with two late touchdowns against the Saints. They had to come back against the Rams who had a decrepit season. They're an eight and nine football team. And I get that Tom Brady in the playoffs and I get all of that. But Dallas is the better team. And I think this is a spot, especially from yesterday. We think about it, Chargers favored by two and a half. They're leading by 27 points and they wet themselves.

that's a team that finds Dallas Cowboys. For the better part of three decades, they've done the same thing. They've found ways to lose games. And I think it's one of those spots where you're like, I just don't want to take Dallas. I'll go with Tom Brady. I don't know if that's going to be the right side when it's all said and done, though. It might not be. Should be fun.

I mean, really. I mean, this should be a fun game. I don't have a bet on this game, by the way, guys. Even though I'm saying I would lean to Tampa, I don't have a bet. And I know everyone's going to have to have a bet. Monday night football, NFL Wild Card. I got to have a bet. Listen, you really don't.

You want to get something? Put something on a proposition bet or something. You can watch that player and follow that player throughout the game. You don't have to bet every single game on the board, guys. But I know it's just human nature. It's the human condition that I talk about. I know we just have to bet. We have to have action.

What is life without action? get it. I mean, I do feel like, I do kind of feel like, like, like, DAC to throw an interception would be nice in this game, right? I feel like that's a good, I don't know what the number is. It was minus, I'm trying to find that on. Oh, there's a good. It was earlier in the week.

I'll see what it is. It was at minus a $1.75 just to throw one interception, man. That was like, that's like peak, like, that was like peak Matt Stafford in the last season. A lot of choose. We threw it like an interception was like eight straight games. Yeah. Like a good, like, that's a good like Baker Mayfield number. Yeah.

I know. He's thrown a pick in seven straight games. He's thrown 11 interceptions in those last seven games. Wow. Wow. So for them, he's thrown multiple interceptions, you know? So. That's a big number to lay. Yeah, it is a big number. But if you're cashing, it doesn't matter. So we'll see what happens. All right. Well, get to in-game betting right around the corner. And also, Jeff, I'll get you some metal lyrics that I know you're very much in anticipation for. First, though, Isaac Lowencrone with the latest. I, Lo, Lo, what's up, man? We are just 25 minutes away from kickoff of today's NFL playoff triple header as the Buffalo Bills host the Miami Dolphins. Miami left tackle to Ron Armstead is active. So is quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who had been listed as questionable because of a dislocated finger. ESPN reported rookie Skyler Thompson will still be starting at quarterback for the Dolphins and that Bridgewater going to serve as the backup today.

Receiver Isaiah McKenzie and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips among the inactives for Buffalo. Meanwhile, Bill's safety, Demar Hamlin, tweeted a short time ago, quote, My heart is with my guys as they compete today, supporting from home as I focus on my recovery, nothing I want more than to be out there with them. LFG, hashtag Bill's Mafia, unquote. The Associated Press had initially reported that Hamlin was planning to attend today's game in person, but as he tweeted, he will be cheering them on from home today. On Saturday night-

Oopsie Associated Press. You know what? The Associated Press, the most conservative in terms of reporting stories and waiting and being patient, they're the most patient news outlet out there. And this is literally the first time in my career that I've remembered the Associated Press, turning out to be wrong about anything and not just sports. But there you have it. On Saturday night, the Jacksonville Jaguars pulled off the third biggest comeback in NFL playoff history.

Patterson's kick is up. The field goal is... The Jaguars have won it. The Jaguars have won it. They have come back from 27-0 nothing to win the game. 31 to 30 over the Los Angeles charges. Trevor Lawrence led the comeback following four first-half interceptions by throwing four touchdown passes and most importantly celebrated the victory afterwards

at the Waffle House. Trevor Lawrence, man of the people. Back to you. Love it, Ilo. It is Fox Sports Radio's. Countdown to Kickoff, presented by BetMGM. New users download the BetMGM app today and use code countdown for a special offer that's code countdown in the BetMGM app. Let's dive into this.

Here we go! Not live yet. Live betting. Ready to go. All right, so we're looking for in-game betting opportunities once these games kick off. I have to forecast maybe a scenario we might see where you can take advantage of it betting-wise. Crack will start with you, man. What do you see in your crystal ball there?

It's going to be kind of the same things I talk about every week with live in-game betting. I like a situation. Maybe Cincinnati comes in. By the way, I do like Cincinnati to score first. We should talk about that. I've been doing really good all season with that. I just want people to have time here. So you've got 20 minutes to get that in.

Cincinnati to score first. And I think if they do score first, I may actually take a live bet on Baltimore with double digits. There you go. Okay. I think if anyone gets a big lead in Vikings Giants, you take the points with whatever team. Yep. I think you were going there too, Brian, right? If someone gets up 10 points, 14 points, Giants up 14, take the Vikings plus the points.

Vikings down 14, Vikings plus the points. That game will be a three point, which is why, like Minnesota, minus a two and a half, not the three. I absolutely feel the same way. You've got Minnesota with all of these one-score games. That's been a very successful model for in-game betting is just the Vikings. I remember when we're in Mississippi, they're playing the Jets. And Minnesota was leading big, and it's like, take the Jets. Minnesota plays all these one-possession games.

More times than not, it works in your favor. So, yeah, if anybody gets up by 10, I'm taking the other team. In-game, no doubt about that. Now, here are your metal lyrics that you've been waiting for, Jeff Schwartz. We were talking about the chargers being up 27 to nothing, and they ended up blowing it. But there was a guy who bet over a million dollars in-game. This is what not to do with in-game betting, but in-game put over a million dollars on the chargers just to win the game. They had this massive lead.

What could go wrong? Well, you saw exactly what went wrong. So he's out over a million dollars. And so I said it's kind of like the YouTube song. You got stuck in a moment and you can't get out of it, right? You were stuck in the moment thinking the chargers can't lose and you couldn't get out of it. So you're asking for a heavy metal rendition of that thought, right? Being stuck in a moment.

How about this, Jeff? This is pretty good. It's what I could do. It's Metallica and it's No Leaf Clover, which is actually a great song. It's with a symphony. Jeff, you might actually like this song. It's not like crazy, crazy heavy. But there's a lyric in the chorus where it says,

the soothing light at the end of your tunnel was just a freight train coming your way. Oh. That's how I feel about in-game. Think about this guy who put a million dollars. Oh, I'm going to cash $11,000. It's an easy win. 11 G's, yeah, I'll take that. And the soothing light at the end of his tunnel was just a jag's freight train coming his way.

And it took all of his cash. I don't dislike it, buddy. I like it. There you go. Man, you are, you are. What's the name of the song again? What's the name of it again? No leaf clover. I think you'll like it too, cracking.

Yeah, you're big on concerts. That's my wife's favorite band. We went to go see him four or five times already. I really don't know a lot of Metallica songs, but I do go to see him. And then that's why I'm no leaf. By the way, funny note, I'll never forget this. When Dan Marino had his number retired, he walked out on the field to this song. And it was like the heaviest part of the song where it's like,

And he's kind of waving, kind of like Miss America, kind of like doing the model wave. And so every time it gets to that part of the song, I think about Dan Marino walking out to have his, it was either his number retired or being in the ring of honor. I can't remember which. Okay. Yeah, there you go.

There's some. Interesting choice for Dan Mariner there. No leaf clover, dolphins trivia for you. You'll like the intro, Jeff. I guarantee it. You'll like it with the symphony. When the guitars kick in, I don't. I don't know. Could go south from there.

Oh, check it out. Just for you. Okay, good. Please let me know. Thumbs up, thumbs down. All right, we got a lot to get to here. We got picks for you. Don't forget, be sure to follow BetMGM across all socials at BetMGM. Coming up, Crack's got a pick, Jeff's got a pick, I've got a pick.

We'll get all the picks for you right around the corner. It is Fox Sports Radio's countdown to kickoff presented by BetMGM. They're coming soon, and we're leading you up to them. This is Fox Sports Radio's countdown to kickoff, presented by MetMGM, the king of sports books. Once again, here's Brian No, eight-year NFL veteran Jeff Schwartz. Are you kidding me? And sports handicapper from crackwins.com. Bill Crack-Crackenberger.

Ah, yes, just 11 measly minutes until kickoff over here. It's Fox Sports Radio's countdown to kickoff. presented by BetMGM. Props of the crew real fast. Isaac Lohenkron on the updates. Ryan Bershinger, our trusted producer, Ira was Sam, technical producer extraordinaire, playing all the music, all the goodness over there.

Top of the hour, it's Fox Sports Radio's Red Zone Radio. Steve Hartman, Rich Ornberger, they'll get you all set for the games and have all the reaction in real time. Let's dive into this. Rapid Fire. Okay, we each have a pick for you. Could be a prop, could be a side, could be a total, could be anything.

We'll start with you, Crack. What do you like today? You know, I just seen something with a really good plus juice. I like Thompson under a half of a touchdown. So, in other words, he throws no touchdowns plus 175. I think it might be a good back, only because you're getting back so much juice. I hate to do this to you, Crack, but I still like Buffalo minus the 13. half. I took it this week. I'm staying on it. I just think the dolphins are in for a world of hurt

today. I just, I just, 11 points incundit against this Bill's team. I just don't know if the dolphins have enough with the roster right now. Even the guys that are playing, like, to run arm's, he's hurt. Like, he's playing through a lot of pain and injury. Tyree Kil, how is- I didn't bet the other way? I'm rooting for you. Like, how's, oh, oh, no, the classic I'm rooting for you. kiss of death. But I also mentioned this game about to take off that Jeff Wilson over the rushing

and minus 50, excuse me, at 59.5. I mean, they have to do this. They have to get him to rush the ball. Otherwise, they have no chance today. No doubt about it. You know, I'm looking at the money line of this game. Dolphins plus 700. You guys might think I'm crazy, but I'm not doing that at all.

It's worth a, it's worth it. Oh, man. I took Dolphins under 14.5 points this week, too. I don't know what it's at now. I can probably look at that, but they're not going to score either. I don't know. They're not. It should be a beat down.

Which is kind of a stinker because they played earlier this season. Buffalo, I mean, Miami won that game in Buffalo, that weird game where they had like three second half plays. That was it. In Miami. They won the game at home. Yeah, yeah. And then they go to Buffalo in the snow and play a three-point game. Like, they had played Buffalo well the season.

Will for Healthy Tua. And I think with him in this game, I would have been very. glad to take Miami plus eight. What would have been if two have played crack? Eight? Eight? Seven, eight? Something like that? Maybe. Nine? Probably seven. Yeah. I would I would take dolphins in a heartbeat at plus

seven, but they're not playing this game. So I just don't know how else to play this one. You've got to have the day of days from Skyler Thompson. And he's thrown for the most, he's thrown for just over 150 yards in a start. And that was last week against the Jets. So

I just don't see it happening today. My play, I'm not going to go with the Dolphins Money Line. I'm just joking around. I'm going to double down. I really think tomorrow night, what's Tampa going to do offensively? They're going to throw a bunch of short, quick passes. I think Brady has a bunch of attempts. You've got to neutralize that pass rush. Micah Parsons, is one of the best in the game. I know you mentioned it, Jeff. It's on grass, so he's not as fast. But he's still fast. And so I think that Tampa, Brady's had a great passer rating throwing the ball in two and a half second. or less.

And so I don't expect them to run the ball effectively. They haven't done it all season long. I think Brady's going to have to throw a bunch of short, quick passes. So I'm going to take over 42 and a half attempts for Tom Brady. I think it's a solid play. See if it works out or not. This is the most best steps he's at his career, right? In one season two, he's throwing the ball a lot this year.

A lot. A ton. Yes, absolutely. All right, we've got time for this. Let's dive in. This is the best play of the day. It's a touchdown. Give it to that.

Okay, crack. Of your many plays this week, what do you like the most? I'm going to give you a few quick here because Huntley, if you could find anything on Huntley under still, I see one rogue sportsbook still has them up there under rushing yards. It's great. I also like the play I've been making Cincinnati Bengals to score first minus 170. This guy agrees with me, as you can see here.

He does agree. So, yeah, under on that. and also Cincinnati Bengals to score first. Okay. You'd be proud of me, Crack. I just thought of it. When we were in Cincinnati and you needed a couple of missed field goals

and you just say, miss it left. I needed Lowry Markinen of the Utah Jazz to miss a free throw a couple of nights ago and I just said, miss it left. And he did. I was like, crack, crack's a genius. That's all we have to do going forward.

Have a fun weekend, guys.