The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Hour 2 - AFC playoff predictions

Episode Date: March 14, 2025

Colin gives his AFC playoff predictions following the week of free agency. He talks to 4-time Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby about his new contract with the Raiders and competing against Patrick MahomesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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35 consecutive seasons. There are four plus new playoff teams. Yet fans are always outraged when you eliminate four, five, or six teams. So yesterday, in the much harder to predict NFC, I had three new playoff teams. Today, we do the AFC. Now, that's a much easier conference to predict. Last year I went four for four on division winners. Mahomes, Alan, Lamar, C.J. Stroud, pretty easy.

So I think the AFC is much, much easier to predict. Yesterday, you know, you're throwing darts on some of it. I don't know how well the Niners draft. I don't know. How good is Darnold in Seattle? I don't know. I think I know. I don't know.

So today, we go to the AFC. again, I think this is an easier, easier, much easier, conference to predict. Let's start with the AFC East. If Josh Allen is in his prime like Brady was, he will win this division going away. Front office, coach, they've added Joey Bosa, Josh Palmer, a couple good linebackers. This is the best team going away. They got the star quarterback, the starback, the left tackle. You know, they're going to be fine.

And a good edge rusher. capable coach. Patriots, one of my surprise teams in the league. I think they have the second most talented quarterback in the division. I don't think it's particularly close in Drake May. They got to get him weapons in the draft, but it's a very good tight end running back draft. And they upgraded with Mike Frable at coach from Gerard Mayo, who just didn't work, and they spent a lot of money. So this is going to be a different team. I think they will double their win total. No question. Dolphins third, no notable upgrades, but smart coach. capable quarterback. If Taran

Armstead retires at left tackle, that is a problem. That is a problem. And the Jets, I mean, it is what it is. I got a new coach, downgraded quarterback from Aaron to Justin Fields. It is what it is. I think this is an easy one. Bill's Patriots, Dolphins, Jopens.

AFC North, great division. I'm going to go Ravens, Bengal, Steelers, Brown. Okay, the Ravens, the only thing I worried about is, is Ronnie Stanley, the left tackle coming back. Answer is yes. Bengals, cheap franchise. They're three best players.

Burrow, Jamar Chase, Hendrickson, even T. Higgins are four best players, aren't particularly happy. Very, very top-heavy. But this year, I think basically, Burrow and their star receivers will lead them narrowly to a wild card berth. Whether or not Aaron Rogers goes to Pittsburgh or not,

they are tone-deaf offensively and over the last five years, they just consistently get bad late in the year. Steelers' third. And I like the coach in Cleveland. They got Miles Garrett re-signed. But, you know, what do they fish rot from the top or the head or something like that? What's it saying?

I just don't trust the organization ownership. AFC South. So I think Tennessee will be the most improved team. I'm going to take the Texans, Titans, Colts, and Jags. Now, the Texans are rebuilding the O-line. They moved off three guys. So I think they had to. They fired Bobby Sloick.

But again, I get the best quarterback. I get arguably the best coach, so I'm going to go with a Texan. C.J. Stroud. I mean, again, I'm going to do it again this year. Best quarterback in the division wins. I think Cam Ward actually is pretty electric and wins some games for the Titans and will arguably be the second best quarterback in the division. And also, you're kind of guessing on him.

You don't know what he is. So generally, you need an offseason to figure out what a quarterback is. I think Cam Ward comes into some backyard football. But J. Mack likes the Titans as a quarterback. a surprise team. I do too, potentially as a playoff team. I like the Colts roster, but they're going into camp with a quarterback competition. That sounds very collegiate. Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson don't love either, like the coach, the GM, the roster, Colts third. I don't know what to make. Trevor Lawrence hasn't been what we thought. They've got a new coach. Again, do you trust the

front office? I'll watch their draft. It is what it is. Finally, the best division in football, I mean, you get literally everybody. I'm going to go Chargers win the AFC West. Kansas City's the wild card team. Broncos third Raiders 4. So I'm going to lean into Jim Harbaugh. I think Najee Harris

is the perfect running back for this offense. They brought Mike Williams back, a physical receiver. I thought their improvement last year was remarkable. I think they'll keep improving. We've got to be honest about Kansas City. They're not winning all those

close games again. Their offensive line is in total flux. At left tackle, they're going to start a left tackle that's never started. They let go of Joe Tunney, their best offensive linemen. I think Denver made two big swings on defense with Hufunga and Greenlaw. I think they both pay dividends. I think, I even think the Raiders will be viable. Gino Smith, they got their O-line set. Pete Carroll, Chip Kelly, Max Crosby. I think their defense has some players. They were all banged up last year. They gave the Chiefs, twice. This division, I don't think the winner of this division wins more than 12, whoever it is, and I don't think the fourth place team wins fewer than eight. So I think this is the best

division going away in football. I mean, the coaching is Jim Harbaugh, Andy Reid, Sean Peyton, and Pete's got Chip Kelly, and Andy Reid's got Spags, and Kansas, and then all of a sudden you got, you know, the Chargers have Jesse Minter on defense with Harbaugh. This is arguably, the best coach division in the history of the NFL. So my division winners, I'm going to do it like last year with one exception, Bill's Ravens, Texans, Chargers, wild card teams are the Patriots, Bengals, and Chiefs. So I have five new playoff teams, two in the AFC here, Patriots Bengals, and three in the NFC. So I have five new playoff teams. There have been at least four and often more for 35 years in a row.

So some of you fanboys are going to be upset, but you have to have minimum for new playoff teams. So my new playoff teams yesterday, I had Seattle in the playoffs. I didn't make it last year. I had Atlanta winning their division. I believe in Michael Panics. That was a new playoff team.

Here I've got the Patriots and Bengals. I'm forgetting somebody in the NFC. And I, I, I, wherever Aaron Rogers lands, if he goes to Minnesota, oh, I had the Bears yesterday, my bad, is a wildcard team. So wherever Aaron goes, if he goes to Minnesota, my guess is he's a backup by like October. They're going to start JJ McCarthy. If he goes to New York, they're not getting past Philly and Washington.

If he goes to Pittsburgh, he probably is worth a game over Russell Wilson. But Russell Wilson was really good until the end. And all the raw, raw stuff just doesn't pan out at the end of the season. and so I don't think Aaron's going to change the dynamics of any division in football at this point. Again, last 30 games, he's 11 and 19. His passer ratings under 90. That's with Matt Lafleur. That's with like, okay, it was the Jets.

Well, it was also Green Bay. So most of those games, majority of them, or close to majority or half, there were Green Bay games with Matt LaFleur. So he didn't make the playoffs last year. They lost the Detroit at home. Remember that? That was the last game of the regular season. You want to pushback or no?

I do, of course. This is tough because I like this team a lot. I was just drilling down on the Chargers a little bit. You know how many teams they beat last year that made the playoffs? One. Denver twice. That's it. They did not beat anybody good all season. And I look at the Chargers offseason, Colin. Where have they upgraded?

Najee Harris? Is that an upgrade? Mike Williams bringing his corpse back to run down the field. I don't see the improve. I don't see how the roster's gotten better. What have we said about Jim Harbaugh first three years in the NFL? I know, I know. Did you see their draft last year? A lot of guys that can play. I guess my disagreement would be, like, I think the Broncos have improved their team dramatically.

And the Chargers, I don't think they're like status quo, aren't they? Well, like I said, the winner will not win more than 12 games, and the loser will not win less than fewer than eight. I think the division goes down to the last three weeks. I think health, what worries me about the Broncos? Hufunga and Greenlaw struggle to stay healthy. Yeah. That's a real thing. And by the way, Garrett Bowles has had some hell stuff at left tackle.

So a lot of their guys, like the Niners last year, I worry about Denver staying healthy for 18 weeks. I am a little to go to a last place team, not the Jets. The Jags, you have just sold all of your Trevor Lawrence stock. You're done. You're off Lawrence. There was a time where you would not take a call on him. He was in that group for him.

And it's over. Well, you know, it's funny. So Greg CoSell for years and years. kept telling me over and over. The tape tells you he is not close to Josh Allen, that he doesn't see the field as well as he should. He tends to run sometimes to a fault. He gets banged up.

And listen, there was always a question about Trevor Lawrence. Here was what was the knock. He really likes football. Does he love it? That was the Andrew Luck criticism. Andrew Luck had a big, broad life. He really enjoyed football. He didn't live for it.

He wasn't Brady. He wasn't upset. He's not obsessed like Brady or Breeze, just obsessed. Trevor Lawrence is good at it and likes it. But he said when he got drafted, it's not the beginning and the end of my, it's not, it doesn't define me. It doesn't define me, yeah. Well, I kind of want, I want football too at some point as a quarterback to define you for, I'm not asking forever. I'm just saying for like 12 years.

It's got to be kind of the center point. I mean, I'm not, I'm not asking football players to not have a life and be happily married and have, I'm saying. But for the eight years you're in your prime, I need you to really be focused. Really care deeply. It's not that he's distracted, right? It's not like he's like, oh, I love sports cars or whatever. He just, football is like, eh, I'm playing football. Cool.

It's not like Tom Brady's obsessive compulsive. You know what? Most people in my, Steve Jobs was obsessed and he changed the world. You know, most people that are obsessed, all these devices we have, they're built by obsessed people. So I know everybody wants you to be balanced and healthy. I like people that deeply care about stuff. I think quietly Trevor Lawrence is like probably one of the ten most interesting figures heading into the season. Because Colin, there was talk like, do we even extend him?

Like how much money do you give him? Because he hasn't been the number one pick you thought he'd be. He was supposed to be generational. Yeah. Well, that's why the NFL is great. You can be a second, third, fourth, fifth round pick like Max Crosby, who's joining us live, six years, four pro goals. leads the NFL and tackles for loss over the last four seasons. You know, I've told you this before.

I love you, man. And you did something this week that I think you are very willing to talk about the demon that you've overcome. You've been very willing. There was a picture you put on your Instagram, so I'll ask you about it because you put it out there first. I wouldn't otherwise. But I've talked to you about this before. And there are people right now in this country struggling with what you were struggling with. do you remember the day that you just said I'm over this I'm going to change my life do you remember that day

absolutely absolutely first off Collins great to see you always you know you're my guy but yeah man I'll never forget it you know what I mean that was the biggest day and most important day of my life you know besides the day I married my wife and the day my daughter was born I wouldn't be here in this position if I didn't make that decision for myself and my family you know, to get healthy and put myself first and get the help I need it. So, yeah, man, it's been a hell of a journey ever since. It's been five years already. It's crazy how time flies.

Do people ever come up to you and thank you for your messaging and willingness to talk about it? Yeah, all the time. You know, my first year, and once I got a year of sobriety, that's when I came out public about it. Because honestly, I had, you know, I had a guy like Darren Waller in my locker room who was very public and open about it. And I was kind of terrified to tell people that, you know, I was an addict and I was going through what I was going through. But seeing a guy like that and talking to other people of big influence, you know, talk about their struggles to be open about it. I think it was super important because of my platform and how I can impact others and get back because, you know, a lot of people don't like to talk about it, but there's millions of people suffering from addiction.

So very open and honest about it. and I think that's the most important thing. You know, you live one life, and as many people as you can help is the best thing you can possibly do. So that's what's all about. So you are now in the best division in football. It's crazy. I mean, look at the coaches. Sean Payton, Andy Reid, Spags, Jim Harbaugh, Jesse Minter.

Now you have Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly. So when Pete speaks to the team or you individually for the first time, what was Pete Carroll's message? compete you know he talks about it all the time no matter what we're doing we're going to compete we're going to have fun when we do it and the culture is is first and foremost you know Pete everywhere he's been has created a culture of winning and and fun and it doesn't mean you're not working hard it means that everybody enjoys showing up every single day we we have one the hardest jobs in the world there's a reason why there's only 1500 NFL players on the planet. You know what I mean? There's 8 billion people and there's only a tiny,

tiny group of people that can really do it every day. So you have to enjoy the process. And that's something that he's big on. I've talked to a ton of people that he knows and his coach. They've reached out to me from, you know, Marshawn Lynch to Richard Sherman and Michael Bennett, all those guys. They all, the wording and how they approach me about how Pete is and how he operates are all so consistent. They absolutely love him. So I'm super excited. You know, and Pete have only known each other for a couple months now, but I can't wait to continue building that relationship and continue to do it together and build a winner here. You know, it's funny, the quarterbacks that you pursue, so you got Mahomes who moves

really well and throws, couldn't throw left-handed. Bow-nicks is smaller, but way more athletic than people think. Justin Herbert's a bit of a house. When you rush, do you, is that usually you don't care, or do you like, are there angles you take on guys? Do you think differently, when rushing, Bo, Justin and Patrick. Absolutely. Absolutely. You know, they all have their strengths and weaknesses, and it's up to me to figure out the best approach every single week because every quarterback's different, every team is different,

every coach is different, and the schemes that I've got to, you know, go against change weekly. You know what I mean? I know I'm being circled every week, and they're going to double team, me, triple team me, chip, and all that. So for me, it's like an ultimate mind game more than anything because I'm trying to figure out how to break that code. And it's become more and more of a challenge, but it's become more and more exciting. You know what I mean over the years? Because it's like I take it as like a sign of respect, you know, the teams are coming after me.

But you got to be so locked in and you got to find those couple plays in the game. Okay, if they get in this formation, this is how I'm going to approach this and this is where I'm going to change this. game like that's literally how I'm watching the film like I'm watching my film all you know leaving up to it how can I improve how could I be the best version of myself and then okay where is these these little windows I can I can capitalize on so yeah every quarterback is different you know Pat is I mean Pat is one of one he's different you know he's going to try to make every single play you know guys like Josh Allen Lamar um even Herbert like Herbert's gonna you got a you got to smack him over and over and over again

He's going to literally, like, he'll be on it, damn near on his back, and he's still trying to get rid of the ball and make play. So, yeah, it's ultimate respect at the end of the day, but they know, like, my job is to kill him, and they're the ones, you know, trying to play quarterback, but also they know I'm trying to take their head off at the same time. So I've said before there are very few defensive players that lead teams, that are the soul of the team.

And when you were talking about contract, I had said on this show, I said when I think Raiders, even in the 70s and 80s, I think of Max Crosby. He looks like a Raider. He plays like a Raider. You talk a lot of trash. Is that to fire you up, or is it to intimidate others? Because you should be in my business. You never stop talking.

Who's that for? I think it's a mixture. And I do appreciate that, Colin. I know your boy over there. I've seen one of the clips. I'm going to keep my opinion to myself. but I know you know football, Colin. I don't know about your boy over there,

but I would just keep it like this. You know, for me, I get fired up. It just depends. Like, honestly, sometimes if you're just in a, that day, you can't predict how you're going to feel every single day. Sometimes you're going to be in the best mood ever. Some days you're going to be in a dark place. Like, that's just what comes with it.

And I just, sometimes I just talk just kind of like get myself going. You know what I mean? Like, try to get myself. Like, if I feel like, I'm not a hundred and ten percent myself, I might just start a fight in the middle of practice just to get myself going, you know what I mean? So it just kind of depends on where my mind's at and what space I'm at. You know, I don't like to try to chase a feeling because some, you know, like, if you

have a great game, some guys will go be like, okay, I need to feel like that again. And how do I get to that? You can't chase, there's never going to be that exact feeling. You know what I mean? You just have to go with the flow and be where your feet are and find whatever space you're in and maximize that because that's just reality. That's how life is. Some days you wake up and you have the big smile on your face. Hey, I'm going to have a great day. Some days your body's sore, you're hurting, but you still have to find a way to be at your best. So I just feel like there's no perfect

recipe to it. You just have to, you can't try to overthink it and try to make something that it isn't. I just try to go with the flow. And some games, I'm quiet. I might not say a single word and I'm just laser focused. Some games, I'm just something pissed me off or I'm, I'm just, I'm I'm trying to get myself going, and I'm just on somebody. Like, Raven's game, like I was talking the whole game. Some other games, I've had some of the best games in my career, and I'm sitting there smiling the whole game, not saying a word, not talking. I just go with the flow.

You know what I mean? I don't try to force any type of vibe or energy. Finally, for about a week, you were the highest paid non-quarterback in the world. And I know you're not about a money guy. Every time I see you, Jeans T-shirt, you're watching UFC. But do you ever, that day when you signed that contract, who'd you think about? What'd you think about that one day? Where money was like a big discussion in your life?

Yeah, honestly, you know, this, you know, being the second time that I've gotten an extension, you know, the first time was like, oh my God, you know what I mean? Like, it was just crazy. Like, I did it. You know, I got this huge contract and I always like had that in the back of my head. How would that feel? And I feel like the first time it was like this big thing. And for the outside world, you know, I was like the third or fourth highest paid end at that time. And I'm like, I'm a top five guy now, blah, blah, blah, blah.

And it meant a lot more to me then than I felt like it to the outside world. But this time around, like, setting history, you know, resetting history, being the highest paid non-quarterback. I feel like the outside world was like a huge, huge response. And for me, it was just like another day. Like I can't even explain it. You know what I mean? Like, I'm so laser focused right now. I'm being at my best and getting back healthy and preparing for this next season.

I got so many goals and things I want to accomplish. I truly, like, I just wanted to get to a point where I was happy and where I'm comfortable and my family's comfortable. And it's the same as usual. I was literally the day I signed my contract, I'm in there boxing with the guys and getting my work in before I went inside my contract. My agents and all them are looking at me like, I'm like, I got to get my I work in first. I'm going, you know what I mean? Like, this is most important. I wouldn't,

I wouldn't have the deal if I'm not putting in the work. So it really, it's unbelievable. Don't get me wrong. Like, it's an absolute blessing. Like, I am set beyond set and my kids are set and all that is incredible. But truly right now, like, I'm just focused on building, you know, trying to win a Super Bowl, most importantly, and building a Hall of Fame resume. And that's, that's my focus every single day. Hey, hey, do you meet Gino yet? Gino Smith, have you met him yet? Yes, I have. He was in the building a couple days ago. So the second, like, the news broke, I had been on FaceTime with him like five minutes before. He called me with a big smile and was all fired up. So, yeah, I was super fired up. I'm super happy that he's a part of our part of this team now. And I just have heard nothing but great things about him. So just taking it one day at a time. We're building our relationship. And I've been a fan from afar for a long time. I think, Gino, you know, people have opinions, you know, how the beginning of his and things like that, but look what he's done as he's gotten, you know, as the years have gone by, and he truly is a really, really, really good quarterback, and I know he's still far from satisfied.

So, yeah, we've had some great conversations, and, you know, we're definitely excited to get to work together. That's so great seeing you. I'll be going to more UFC fights now here in the next couple of months. It's always great to see you. Congrats to you and your family and sharing some personal stuff. Sometimes I don't know if I should ask those questions, but you're always very, very, appreciative and you give great responses and there's people out there that have dealt with

what you did and you're five years free of it and it's amazing and I just love seeing you man I appreciate you come on the show you're the best brother and Colin I see all your clips man all the love and respect you show it truly means a lot man you're one of the best in the game so I appreciate you

I'll be seeing you soon all right Max Crosby and I've said this before there are very few defensive players Lawrence Taylor's one he defined the Giants It was not Phil Sims. It was Lawrence Taylor to find the Giants, the toughness. Max Crosby's the Raiders.

Like you have to be, like Lamar Jackson to me, I would argue this. Mahomes does not define the Chiefs. I think Andy Reid shares in that. Spagg shares in that. I think Lamar Jackson is the Ravens. Like he's the soul in the fabric. I cannot see him playing for any other team. Max Crosby's a Raider.

And then if you followed the NFL since the 70s, 80s, 90s, you go back to Lyle Al Zado and Matusack and all the tough guys with the Raiders and Jack Tatum and even their offensive guys, you know, tough guys. Crosby's a Raider. And by the way, two X's. Max with two X's. That's a Raider.

Yeah, you notice he said, one guy on his set really knows his stuff. My phone is just not, won't stop buzzing. People are like, Max, Crosby hates you. What did you say? I'm like, what did I do? and everybody's pointing to this clip, we talked about his extension. Yeah.

Remember Max Crosby got the big extension. We talked about on March 5th. And all these Raider fans jumped down my throat. Angry Raiders. You were like, well, I don't know if I would pay him. And I'm like, that's like not playing Lamar Jackson. We talked about trading Miles Garrett because the Browns weren't in contention. You did?

Yeah. You were on board with that. No, what? Oh, no, Miles Garrett. Miles Garrett of the Browns. Because they're not in contention. So why wouldn't you move off Crosby, who's a girl, by all accounts, like great human? Because he's the source.

he's the soul of the team. Miles Garrett isn't the show of the team. Well, no, he's the best player on the team. Who's the soul of the Browns? I would say Stafansky. Staphansky got Baker Mayfield. Stafansky has had the deal with nonsense at quarterback, and the last few years he's won 11 games

and 11 games. He's the soul of the team. Don't confuse best player. Yokic is the soul of the Nuggets. Right. Okay. Or is it Malone the coach? By the way, LeBron is the soul of the Lakers. Not a dear, Luca. Right, right, right.

So it's just, the best player isn't always, like Lawrence Taylor was the Giants. Reggie White was the Packers, you know. But I would say when Aaron Donald was with the Rams, McVeigh is the soul of the team. His energy, his intelligence, his culture. McVeigh is the Rams. They can move off any player. McVeigh is the Rams. So, but do you think it's fair for Max Crosby, your boy, to jump off the top rope and

clobber me? Yeah, I kind of like it. Huh? Hey, slow feet don't eat. You didn't move very well. That was harsh. Now, listen, I do remember seeing Max Crosby at the Super Bowl. He's a great guy.

He's an enormous human being. And a great guy. Seems like a nice guy. When we go to UFC fights, there's all these media types. Who do I hang out with? The athletes? No, like Max Crosby. We always sit there and have a beer.

And he eats. He doesn't have slow feet. I need to get on his diet to bulk up a little bit so I can. But they're just guys. Anybody listening to me that's over 50. like Max Crosby is a raider from the 70s that's what the raiders were like you know the tattoo culture is much greater now that it was

when I was a kid growing up people with tattoos served in the military like you'd have a Navy guy with it you could always tell the guy was in the Navy because he would have a tattoo now it's the tattoo culture but I mean Max is like he's leaning in to be in a raider it probably sounds like you're too close to him to be impartial when it comes to you know I don't always want to be impartial I try to be But you know what?

That's why you're never going to be a GM, man. You can't have a relationship with this guy Crosby. I don't always... Listen, I try to be fair, but I do like certain players because of the way they respond and react. I can't help it. I mean, I cannot help liking LeBron based on being one of the smartest players in the history of sports.

I can't. I mean, I was more of a tiger guy than a Phil guy, and I love Phil. but there was something about Sundays and Tiger and Buffed and the red shirt and pumping his fist and throwing his clubs. That's why I don't like country clubs. I was more of a tiger than a Phil guy, and I love Phil. I was always more than a magic guy than a bird guy, and I loved bird. So it just, there are, you know, this whole impartial thing. Everybody has a bias.

I think I'm a moderate. I think I'm a moderate with politics. But on social issues, I've historically gone left on fiscal. issues I've gone right. We all have biases. But there are some players I root for. You love Max Crosby. He's one of your favorite players. By the way, Brady. I love Brady's obsessive nature.

Who doesn't love Tom Brady? But again, I always give Brady the benefit of the doubt. Well, then I'm biased. I was always a Tom guy. Now, I know Peyton and love him. But I thought Tom, I thought sometimes Peyton could clinch his teeth in tight spots. I never felt that with Tom.

So it's, you know, it's just, This idea that all of us are just never have a bias. Well, everybody does. I'm a max guy. I don't really have much of a bias, just to the Jets, but they're irrelevant, so what is it bad? Like yesterday, people are like,

you know, like, I'll get a lot of stuff on the chargers, picking them over the Chiefs. Folks, the Chiefs were like 10 and 1 in close games. I think they were undefeated. I don't think they lost any close. No, that's not going to happen. And their own lines, a mess. They just let go of, they don't have a left tackle

that's ever started. in that division? I got Jesse Minter. I got all these pass rushers. You got Max Crosby. Raiders could have beat them twice last year. And now the Raiders have like a grown-up quarterback. Rocket Mortgage helps you use your rent payments to get closer to home ownership.

It's called Rent Rewards. Save up to $5,000 off the cost of your home just by paying rent. Go to Rocket.com, Rocket Mortgage LLC, licensed in all, 50 estate. One more herd? The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week, within the IHeart radio app.

Search Herd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. Hey, it's us, the Jonas Brothers, and guess what? We have some big news. What's the news, new? Huge news. We created our own podcast called, Hey, Jonas. We invented a podcast?

Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to a... We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts throughout there. But this one's extra special. So how do we actually come up with a name, Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it.

Oh, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band before Jonas Brothers. This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast where people could call in and say, hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas, Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys.

Listen to Hey Jonas on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel.

Help an Acapella band with their between songs banter. your group perform. We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The French Open is one of the toughest tests in tennis. And I know firsthand because I competed there myself. I'm Renee Stubbs. And on the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast, I'm breaking down everything happening at Roland Garris. Every match, every upset, and what it really takes to win on clay. Jen she won. I mean, she went down in three to Rabakina, but I'm delighted.

She's an outsider to win the French for me. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lena Rubakina is arguably the best player in the world right now. And I actually can win on any surface. Because if she's serving, well, good luck. Consider this your court side seat to the French Open. Listen to the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, Founding Partner, a partner,

I Heart Women's Sports. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds.

I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Mark Few last hour, Gonzaga Bulldogs. Her line, what do you have tomorrow's headlines today? Yeah, we could do that if you want, if you want. Can I, yeah, let's, let's, let's, let's, let's, let's, just make a Max Crosby specific? No, I was looking at this thing.

So you mentioned Cooper Cup earlier. This is really interesting. So the Rams are seen as very pro player. Okay, very, that's why they can get Stafford. That's why they can get Devonthe Adams. Very pro player. Yet, it's all about winning in data, and they move off guys quickly. So they're moving off Cooper Cup.

So they have moved off Vaughn Miller, Robert Woods, Todd Gurley, Jalen Ramsey, Jared Goff, and they have been right every time, every single time. So they'll treat you great, but they've got a gift bag and see you later in the next breath. And it's really interesting. So much of this league is saying goodbye at the right time. And a great example of this, Warren Sharpe. had this yesterday. Cooper Cups rank in the ability to get open has gone downhill from 15th to 71st. It's now 141st. Devonte Adams, when you compare that, oh, he does get open a lot of the

time. He is now 6th, 7th, 15th. So they just looked at data and said one guy gets open and one guy doesn't. We love you. We're moving off it. And I think that's the, they moved off Gurley and goff. And by the way, some guys had stuff in the tank. The only guys they haven't moved off, they didn't want to move off Stafford, although they gave him a number, and Aaron Donald retired and moved off them, and was still first or second best defensive tackle when he did it. So they, that's the thing about the Rams. This is what the Niners haven't done. The Niners waited a year too long to get off guys, and now they feel wobbly and have to hit on six to seven draft picks. They didn't want to let go at Greenlaw. They don't want to let go

Hohfunga. They paid two receivers and they should have moved off Debo. We said it on this show. Debo's a good player. Chesspiece. You can't pay both of them because you got Joanne Jennings and you got Kittle. You got to pay those guys. So there's a Belichick feel to these Rams. The difference is Belichick a couple of times moved off guys and got burned by it like they had three or four good years left. Nobody exits like the Rams do and they're never wrong. Now Jared Goff's still good, but Stafford was an upgrade. So I think on Cooper Cup, they went into this year. It was very obvious if you watched Cooper Cup last year,

they were not designating plays for him. And so I think they went to him a year ago. My guess is they went to him a year ago and said, restructure your deal, and he's like, no, thanks. We got to get money back. But if you watched them last year from week one, Puka was the guy. Puka was absolutely the guy.

Kiron Williams. And that was with the tight-end Higby out. And they still weren't directing a lot of traffic and throws to Cooper Cup. So J-Mack is next with Hurt Line live in L.A. It's the Hurd. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the I-Hard Radio app. Hey, is Steve Kavino.

And I'm Rich Davis. And together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You can catch us weekdays from 5 to 7 p.m. Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific, on Fox Sports Radio and of course the I Heart Radio app. Why should you listen to Covino and Rich? We talk about everything, life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world? We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture.

Stories that, well, other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss. And the fact that we've been friends for the last 20 years and still work together, I mean, that says something, right? So check us out. We like to get you involved too. Take your phone calls, chop it up as they say. I'd say the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio. maybe the most interactive show on planet Earth.

Be sure to check out Covino & Rich live on Fox Sports Radio and the IHeart Radio app from 5 to 7 p.m. Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific. And if you miss any of the live show, just search Covino and Rich, wherever you get your podcast and, of course, on social media. That's Cabino and Rich. Hey, it's us to Jonas Brothers, and guess what? We have some big news. What's the news, name?

Huge news. We created our own podcast called, Hey, Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We first people to do podcasts. A pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts throughout there. But this one's extra special.

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

We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast, for people could call in and say, hey Jonas, and then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it.

Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel help an a cappella band with their between songs banter.

Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The French Open is one of the toughest tests in tennis, and I know firsthand because I competed there myself.

I'm Renee Stubbs, and on the Renee Stubbs' tennis podcast, I'm breaking down everything, happening at Roland Garris, every match, every upset, and what it really takes to win on Clay. Jenchian win. I mean, she went down in three to Rabakina, but I'm delighted. She's an outsider to win the French for me. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lerner Rabakina is arguably the best player in the world right now, and I actually can win on any surface.

Because if she's serving, well, good luck. Consider this your court side seat to the French Open. Listen to the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast on the IHeart Radio app. Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque.

Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle. Grace. Listen to Superhuman on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Sunday, the NASCAR Cup series eats up in Vegas or Christopher Bell. We'll look to hold off the pack and capture his fourth consecutive checker flag. The pre-race kicks things off at two eastern

with the green flag flying at 3.30 only on FS. How about J-Mack with the news? No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the Heard Line News. Pittsburgh Steelers, Colin, still searching for a QB, but they got D.K. Metcalfe. Ooh, bet on the one in the Super Bowl, people. He got a five-year extension. Metcalf talked to the media yesterday, said he's comfortable with what the team plans to do, a quarterback, despite not knowing who's going to throw him the football. Colin, I got Mason Rudolph as a backup.

Not to be confused with Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. It's bad in Pittsburgh right now. No, but they don't think so. so. And again, I'm not anti-DK. METCAF. Oh, he's good. Five years, 150 million for a highly penalized wide receiver who did not

catch a lot of third down to first down conversion catches. Like I said, he's a bigger, stronger player than Amaran St. Brown. Amar on St. Brown catches. 75 times became first downs. I am for receivers who move the chains on third down.

And D.K. doesn't. But he's a big play guy. But my argument is, that's George Pickens is, so it's the same guy. Well, interesting, you mentioned Pickens. So, you know, Pickens wears 14. D.K. Metcalfe in Seattle War, 14. Well, D.K. Metcalfe wants 14, and Pickens

is like, no, no, no, that's my number. Not for sale. D.K. Metcalfe's going to wear four. So the wide receiver's already squabbling in what's going to be... I would move. I would move Pickens, but... Could you get a second for Pickens? He's still on his rookie deal?

He's... Just a bit of a headache that I think... I think you probably could. This is not a great receiver draft. I think you could. You've got to take a dumb team and be like, hey, hey, pick it. Look at these numbers. You know, my Jets or something like that.

We kind of feel like a Hail Mary for a coaching staff trying to save their job like the Giants. Well, the Panthers, Carolina. Hey, we want T. Higgins. We couldn't get it. We'll take tickets. I can see them doing that. And then it's like, you know, Bryce Young, who apparently is coming on the show.

Bryce Young, they're like, what are we doing? Didn't. Not probably. Higgins. Anyways, next story is we're waiting on Aaron Rogers' decision, Colin. Where's he going to go? Steelers, Giants, they're the frontrunners. The Vikings are looming as a dark horse. I am dubious of this, but according to Diana Rusini, Rogers is expected to make his decision soon.

And it sounds like the Vikings have had meetings and conversations about pursuing Rogers. The Giants have the biggest offer, but they don't seem to be itching for his services. All signs kind of point to Pittsburgh, but it would be impressive if he did pick up. the Giants and he nailed it. Yeah, you made fun of me when I said he doesn't have to leave, he can stay in his house. It's just such a weak move to go, oh, let me go cross town. Well, I think you're viewing Pittsburgh.

They hate each other. This wouldn't be going Rams Chargers, right? That's totally different. He can play in the same stadium. It's just same house, same stadium. I just get a better offensive coach and I get a better weapon. Neighbors is every bit as good as Garrett Wilson.

I think he's got more upside. Probably. So my take is what the Giants need is a quarterback, tight end running back. Aaron's the quarterback. It is an excellent tight end running back draft. So if they had, you know, I'm just telling you, if I was Aaron, I would either retire, which I think I would probably do first or New York Giants. I don't think you can go out like that. It's like, I think Dan Marino's final game, they lost like 61 to 7.

playoffs, it's like, oh my gosh, Burino, it's over. You want to go out on a high note if possible? I don't know if it's possible. With the Steelers, they could make the playoffs again. They could with Rogers. They're not going anywhere, right? Yeah, yeah, I don't think they are, but they could, yeah. Final story, Colin, is to college basketball, Cooper Flagg, we talked about the injury

yesterday right when it happened. He is listed as doubtful to play today, and for the rest of the tournament, actually, They play Duke UNC tonight at 7 Eastern. Cooper Flag, best player in the country. I don't know, Duke's odds to win the Natty went down a little bit after this. They're going to need a healthy Cooper Flag. It doesn't look like that bad. Just keep them out of the ACC tournament.

They'll still be a number one, won't they? Yeah, they'll be a number one. They're not going to lose a number one seat. Yeah, just keep it. Unless they say Cooper Flag's out of months, then it's up. You know, for a kid like that, it's probably four to five days of really intense treatment. if he was 32, it's 12 days. Yeah, you know he's 18 years old.

Yeah, 18 years old. I mean, five days of heavy treatment, and it'll be 95%. He's probably the best thing to come out of Maine in, like, the last few decades. Have you ever been to Maine, by the way? Yeah, I've been to Maine twice. What did you think? I was fine. I did a speech there once.

I drove by Stephen King's house, which is pretty cool. And then one time as a kid, I was on a propeller jet from Seattle, landed there, then went to Europe. I remember that. But last time I was there at a very nice lunch with the people that I spoke in front of about 4,000 people. People were great. Four thousand? Are there that many people in Maine? Yeah. Sorry, I'm only been there once.

Maybe it wasn't. It was a lot of people. It was a lot of people. They were nice. Very nice. Was Cooper Flagg's parents? I didn't see it. I saw this tall kid shooting jumpers in the backyard, though.

I figured it wasn't Stephen King. Stephen King's house is pretty cool. I would hope so. I mean, pretty big deal. It's kind of a wealthy individual. That's probably the circle you hang with, right? That kind of guy? No, I do not.

Horror writers? No, I don't. J-Mack with a news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Herd-Lie News. Oh, J-Mack. So we had our predictions. Should we throw those up there again?

I'll give you my predictions. I did NFC yesterday. I think that's harder than the AFC. So once again, I'm picking, you know, the top quarterbacks. I do think the Chiefs come back down the earth. I have the Bills, Ravens, Texans, Chargers. And then the Patriots, Bengals, Chiefs. Listen, Kansas City's not going like 10-1 in close games.

Their offensive lines worse, and there's no help. And, I mean, they're drafting late first round. You're not getting, you're getting the fifth best offensive tackle. So, and, you know, Travis is expensive, Patrick's expensive. I mean, we just saw Xavier Worthy got in trouble. Rishie Rice, immature guy. So they've got, I mean, this is not me making a bold prediction. I think they'll win 10 or 11 games.

I think the Chargers probably win 12. And I think the Raiders, Chargers, Broncos all significantly, they're getting better, and I think the Chiefs are getting worse. I think, I mean, the Chiefs have been to two Super Bowls and gotten smoked in a couple of them, and then they've won a couple of them. But I don't think, I think the Tom Brady Super Bowl loss was, their left tackle got hurt before the game. Kansas City looked completely outclassed and outmanned,

and I don't think you can correct all of that. Plus, Jay Mack and I have talked about this, the Super Bowl losing curse. Teams that lose Super Bowls more often than not, it's a sign of things. And I just think they have huge O-line issues, and I don't know how you solve them. Because nobody's given up a great left tackle. Because if you have a good left tackle, that generally means you're protecting a good quarter- So that's one of those positions. The draft gives you about two good left tackles a year,

and once you get them, you just don't give them up, right? You think it's quarterbacks, it's also left tackle. You can find pass rushers. At any one time, we got about six great left tackles in this sport. So there are my NFL playoff predictions. That's a great point. You left out barbers. You find a good barber?

You don't give that up. Why did the Texel give up on Tunsell? Too many penalties, got very expensive, great pass blocker, mediocre run blocker, little immature, too many penalties. And I think they felt they got the best out of him

and they're going to move on. I think they feel like, I don't think he's in that top four or five class. No, yeah, I would agree. He's top 10. Yeah, a lot of penalties. His biggest contribution as a pro was wearing a gas mask

and doing the bong hits. Remember before the draft? His best contribution was protecting C.J. Stroud for two years in the league. He has not been phenomenal. He's a very good. pass blocker. Yes. Very good. Maybe the two or three in the league.

He doesn't run block quite as well, but he's top ten left tackle. I like Ronnie Stanley more. Now Ronnie Stanley's not as good a pass blocker, but he's a better run blocker and I can get penalties. Hey guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called, Hey, Jonas.

We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. First people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it, but, you know, tired and sick. Tired and sick. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen.

We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smigel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's, Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel help an a cappella band with their between songs banter.

Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, I'm Deanna Maria Riva, and on my new podcast How Hard Can It Be? I call on my

Gen X squad from Ohio to Hollywood as we navigate Midlife's most fantastic BS. Unfiltered conversations from night sweats to coupas to scheduling sex. Wait, what sex? Is it just me or does every woman my age want to look at Pinterest instead of having sex sometimes? They say we can't polish a turn, but we're sure going to try.

So let's get blunt with laughs, tears, or tears of laughter. Listen to How Hard Can It Be with Tiana Maria Riva on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano. It's our favorite time of the year on our podcast point game, the playoffs. We're digging into the biggest surprises of the season. And I'm looking back on some of my greatest playoff moments. If we didn't talk ever again, I was calling me.

You just understood. That's how personal it got. Wow. Then after that game seven, Marquis come in, he's like, you know I love you, dog. You know, it's all love. This was just playoffs. This was just basketball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.