The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Hour 3 - The Bill Belichick rumor

Episode Date: January 10, 2025

Multiple NFL teams have inquired if Bill Belichick would leave UNC Tomorrow's headlines today   Guest: Jordan SchultzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Hey guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas.

We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it. But, you know, tired and sick. Tired and sick.

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You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Jordan Schultz, he'll be on speak after us. We bring him by every couple of weeks. He's got so much information. He's joining us in studio. So there's a lot to unravel here. I've been saying before is there are certain jobs that feel like big, big lifts. Yeah.

Where I don't think scheme guy solves it. I thought last year Harbaal was necessary with the Chargers. You had, it was a big lift. The morale, the culture need to be rebuilt. The talent was actually pretty decent if you got a couple of players. So let's talk about Ben Johnson. He's going to have lots of interviews. Are there a couple of teams that are in the lead on Ben?

I look at Ben Johnson like the number one draft pick. Almost like when you get a franchise quarterback, Ben Johnson is your bona fide head coach for the next decade plus. That's how he's being viewed at with all due respect to Mike Vrable, who's also scorching hot. But Ben Johnson, he is the guy. right now. And I think he interviewed with the Patriots today. I reported he has four interviews this weekend, including Jacksonville, Chicago, and the Raiders. That was the one that I think

surprised some people. But he is someone that is going to be selective, but also has so much juice right now that he really does have his pick of the litter. New England's really interesting for a lot of reasons. I know you talk about stable ownership. They have that. They also have a quarterback in Drake May. And that's why someone like Vrable or Ben Johnson makes a lot of sense because you can really build around him. Well, and the crafts have a reputation is a bit frugal. You're not going to

have to pay Ben what you pay Vrable. Also, Vrable's going to want, perhaps his saying personnel. Ben, from what we can tell, it's about Colin plays. I mean, Ben would come in and just say, whoever your GM is, is fine?

I'll work with him. Is that possible? Yeah, I think there's been a lot of speculation. I've been told that maybe Mike Vrable would want Ryan Cowden, who he was with Tennessee and Tennessee with, who's now basically an assistant GM with the Giants. I don't know if Ben would have the same, I have to have this guy, but it is really important for Ben or any other head coach to have a stable front office. I talked a lot about Jacksonville and how that job on paper is appetizing because they have a lot of talent, but Trent Balke being retained as the GM is not a good thing.

That's going to hurt their ability to hire a head coach unless his role is reduced. So there's a lot of inside baseball parts to this, but the Patriots, to your point, Colin, we've talked so much about Drake May. That job, they also have $120 million in cap. That's the most. That's the most cap. You know you can win there.

And all due respect to a lot of these other owners, they're not going to let you do the football thing enough. They're going to meddle. Robert Kraft, he might meddle some, but by and large, he will let the football people do what they need to do. Let's talk about the bear's situation, because I think this is a big lift. It's not the Raiders dysfunctional,

but the division's good. You got some cap space, but there's an old ownership without a ton of money. Do you solve Caleb Williams, or do you get, in my opinion, I would go culture changer. I look at them more like the Jets,

that it's beyond just schemes. So you're thinking someone like a Pete Carroll. Or a Vrabel. Come in and rearrange the furniture and kind of a proven winner. See, I hear you on that, but I also want innovation because I just saw what happened with Shane Waldron and Matt Iberfluse and the steps that Caleb Williams

didn't necessarily take compared to a J.D.N. Daniels or a Drake May or even Michael Pennix at the end of the year. So if I'm Chicago, yes, I want a culture guy, but I need innovation, I need creativity. And I would even point to Caleb Williams, he broke the all-time streak, 326 passes without an interception. No rookie has ever done that. But I thought he was too safe.

I want Caleb Williams to be running around making plays. I want Swash Buckley, number one overall pick. Ben Johnson can do that. Cliff Kingsbury, maybe a Liam Cohen from Tampa. We saw how well he's done this year with Baker Mayfield. So I hear what you're saying about culture. To a degree, yes. But at the same time, you've already built your entire franchise around Caleb

with all the wide receivers, all the weapons you built. You need an offensive line, but you really need innovation at that position. So Ryan Fitzpatrick came out this week and was pretty critical of Brian Flores. He said by the end, a little bit of a dictator, for the record, that has been the criticism of Matt Patricia, Joe Judge. They come from that New England sort of school of Belichickian coaching, and they're a little bit my way or the highway. Has that hurt Flores, the Fitzpatrick comments? No, and I would, Ryan Fitzpatrick has a very unique perspective because of the position he played. the organizations he's been in.

If anything hurt Flores, it's the fact that he's been suing the league, if anything. The fact that Brian Flores, this year, though, put together the defense he has, I think they're third in EPA, first and takeaways, top five really across the board. This wasn't a defense, Colin, at least for me, and I think most people thought would be in that position this season, let alone with 14 wins. So Brian Flores is viewed as an elite defense of mind, and I ask someone close to him, what do you think Brian learned from Miami? And he said basically, Brian learned had a delegate.

And this has been the criticism of a lot of first-time head coaches. I think Raheem Morris was another one when he was in Tampa. You have to understand that being a head coach in many ways is like being a CEO. You're not going to be able to be with every position group. And as a D.C., you can focus on the defensive guys. Maybe you spend a couple of days just with the corners. As a head coach, much different perspective. So I think Brian's learned.

And as a result, he does have a lot of interest. and the Jets is one of them. And he's already said, I'm going to listen to every team that's interested in me. And I did not anticipate full transparency, Colin, that he would be in this position a year ago. So there's dysfunction and impatience, and then there's the Raiders.

Yes. I talked to Tom Telesco yesterday. He was caught off guard. I would have retained Antonio Pierce. They beat the chiefs that Arrowhead last year and should have beaten him this year, considering his quarterback situation. I thought they played their bucket.

off. Tom Telesco told me yesterday he thought as a leader and as a motivator, he loved Antonio Pierce. And he thought everything else was going to develop over time. I mean, they have Max Crosby and Brock Bowers and a good left tackle. Is it a caution tape, hazmat spill situation where like the best candidates are like hands off? So it's, it reminds me, I was just talking to J-Mac about the Jets. It reminds me a little bit with the Jets where you think, would a top-tier candidate really want to go there? Right. But then you're only 30-something jobs of these in the entire world.

So if you're a head coach candidate, if you're a GM, most guys, maybe other than a Ben Johnson or a Mike Vrable, are not in the position to be turning down jobs. And to your point about Antonio Pierce, I think they start 1 in 7. They lose Aiden O'Connell, who ends up playing pretty well down the stretch. You see all these vacancies. The Raiders, like, that's a historic franchise.

They have an elite stadium. It's a city built on entertainment. state tax. No state tax, which is big. And it is big. And also, it's a, you know, like, people like to go to Vegas. They do. You can recruit a staff in Vegas. Yeah, they do. And I, to your point about Pierce, too, I thought guys played hard for him. I asked a few players in that locker room, their views of Pierce, had they changed, and they thought Pierce started to materialize more as the season went on. He was able to hold guys accountable more as he got his footing. I was a little bit surprised that both Telesco and

Pierce lost their job, especially back-to-back like that. I'll tell you this, the one name that I just keep thinking about with the Raiders is maybe a Dionne Sanders, if he were to make the jump. I'm not saying he would, but Dion Sanders is the type of personality, the type of presence that works with the Raiders. And I know he's at Colorado. I know what we've seen Michael Irvin say about the Cowboys, but it feels like Mike McCarthy is going to be retained. But someone like that, a splash higher. It doesn't have to be Dion, but a big personality, someone that Mark Davis can relate to, that's the type of coach the Raiders would need.

You know, it's interesting. If Baltimore lost, I think we'd say, you know, Lamar Jackson's to blame, just because he hasn't had playoff success. If Buffalo lost, well, Josh Allen's played well in the postseason. McDermott would get heat. Absolutely. This sounds crazy, but the Eagles and Bills are 27 and 7. if either lost in the first round,

I think those coaches are on the hot seat. That sounds hyperbolic. But Josh Allen is the best offensive player. Superman. More than Mahomes. Mahomes has the trophies. Alan has the numbers the last five years. What if the Eagles and Buffalo lose?

It sounds ridiculous to speculate. Yeah. But Philadelphia has gotten rid of Super Bowl winning coaches. Yeah. That's a good point. Buffalo has a rookie quarterback. They're a huge favorite. I think about a 10-point favorite.

It feels to me like Sean McDermott has made a lot of progress this year, and I know internally they feel like he's matured as a leader. I totally agree. So I would look at Philly, though, to answer that question. I think if Philly flames out, it's been made clear to me that, let's say they lose to Green Bay, they don't have a good performance, they lose at home, that Nick Sariani's job would be one to watch. I don't know if he would be fired, but considering last year's flame out in the first round, to Tampa, they get blown out.

This season, the type of year they've had, especially down the stretch with Jalen Hertz, Sequin, I think Siriani needs a good performance or two in the playoffs to retain his job. Now, Philadelphia to me has the best offensive and defensive line combo in football,

but there is a lot of pressure there, and you talked about not keeping Super Bowl or elite head coaches, Andy Reid, Doug Peterson. Chip Kelly had a winning record. Chip Kelly won 10 games. So there is a lot of pressure, and I would argue that there's no more pressure on any head coach right now in the playoffs in Nick Seriani.

Okay, we've got to talk about this. Some have suggested I'm a fan of Sam Darnel. These are egregious claims and I'm deeply offended. But there was MVP talk and I thought it was worthwhile three weeks ago. And because his reckless nature in the first six years, the minute he struggles, that's where everybody's brain goes. Well, that's who Sam is. if Sam struggles against the Rams, do they move off him?

What struggles? 20 for 3,400, or 220 yards? Two picks, big ugly pick second half, they lose the game. So essentially what he did against Detroit? No, a better version of Detroit, but... I'm just trying to get calling to admit that Sam Donald is not Josh Allen. No, no. So Stafford outplays him, they lose, and Sam has an ugly pick late.

So the longer the Vikings go and the further they go in the playoffs, the better Donald plays, the better chance that he is retained. Right. So to your point, if they lose against the Rams on the backs of what happened against Detroit, I think there's a much better chance that the Vikings move off of. There's also the opportunity to tag him. Now, the quarterback tag is going to be right around 40 million. That's a massive number that really hurts your table, but it is an option. So Minnesota is going to have to make a lot of decisions in the offseason. predicated on the playoffs.

J.J. McCarthy, Daniel Jones are there. Can I ask you about the Daniel Jones acquisition? It seemed odd. Generally, you don't pick up a quarterback in November. What did it mean? Well, it meant that A, Kevin O'Connell and Daniel Jones had a great relationship going back to the draft. They were very close. They maintained that relationship.

Second of all, it cost them virtually nothing. I mean, absolutely nothing. The Giants are paying that salary. And then third, J.J. McCarthy, with the meniscus surgery, was not able to play even in the playoffs. They knew they needed better than Nick Mowens. They knew they needed someone just in case Sam went down. Sam runs around. And so does Daniel.

So Daniel and Sam are friendly. So I didn't put a lot into that. But I did look at, hey, if we bring in Daniel Jones and he looks good for us, even in practice, maybe we can retain him next year and give him an opportunity like we did with Sam to re-envigorate his career. I'll tell you this, I don't expect Sam Darnold to have the same type of performance he had against Detroit. That was like a playoff game. You watch that game. Aaron Glenn had that thing buzzed.

They're playing in a neutral field this week. They're playing in Arizona, and the Rams defense, although good, I don't think it's going to be able to get after Sam the way Detroit did. So this is a big game for Minnesota and a lot of reasons. But yeah, perhaps none bigger than Sam, who in many ways is not only playing for a team, but also his salary next few years. Finally, the Steelers don't let much out. Russell Wilson a month ago, we thought he's getting an extension.

It's been a bad month. Yes. Where are we with Ross and the Steelers? I was surprised against even Baltimore last week that they didn't make or two weeks ago. They didn't make the move to Justin Fields. I thought, at least in a game like that, give us another look. Maybe they're hiding something. They're going to do it in the playoffs.

Not much leaks out of there. No, there's not. It's a very contained organization. Russell Wilson, we sat here a month ago, and I told you, if he continues to play this well and Pittsburgh makes a run, that he could absolutely be retained to a Baker-Mayfield-type three years, $100 million deal. Pittsburgh's defense has not been the same the last month. I don't know what happened.

He needs to find that chemistry, that synergy with George Pickens that he had six weeks ago because that was really special. So I don't buy that Pittsburgh's going to get blown out by Baltimore. I think you'll see a better Russ. Same. But like Sam Darnold, Russell, Wilson is playing for his future. Not only

money, financially, but his team. And then, can I just say one more thing about the coaches? Yeah. You know, we talked a lot about Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn is also viewed in really high regard. And I think overall, the job that Detroit Lions have done with Dan Campbell really building an elite staff says a lot. And a lot of teams are looking at that saying, how do we replicate that? How do we replicate bringing in not only a great head coach, but building a staff like he has, like Minnesota has with Kevin O'Connell? It's very hard to do, but that's what these teams are talking about.

Jordan Schultz is always great seeing you. My man, thank you. All right, he'll be on speak after us and after first things first. 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, huge news? We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas, we invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. 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. Well, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band before Jonas Brothers. This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes.

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

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

help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas.

And I'm CJ Toledano, and our podcast Point Game is about defying the odds. Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed. And finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game. His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before. And he knows. Without Luca and Austin Reeves, I got to manipulate the game. We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs.

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

That man, hell get the flying. He running up the court, licking his fingers why he got the ball. Like, after you go through a training camp with that, Isaiah, you figure it out real quick. Oh, yeah. Get your ass up and down the court, and you're going to get the ball.

So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is Saigon, the story of my family and of the country that shaped us. The United States will not. stand by and allow any power however great take over another country from iHeart podcast Saigon please allow me to introduce Joseph Sherman you don't think I'm serious about a free Vietnam I should stop talking so much I like hearing you talk one city a

divided country and the war that tore America apart this for Vietnam I've taken a hit from Japanese ground fire do you rate they're pouring petrol all over him he's holding matches I'm on a landmine. For free time! Let's get out! Freedom, vomit! Run! Cigone, starring Kelly Marie Tran and Rob Benedict.

Sting, here's madness. The world should hear about this. There's a fire coming to this country, and it's going to burn out everything. Listen to Saigon on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This week on Crimless, we're joined by our first ever guest. Sorry, our first ever... human guest. I don't think I could be in the same room with Shamrock the parrot.

I'd be too nervous. That's right. The very funny Will Ferrell joins Rory Scovel and me, Josh Dean, for an episode dedicated to the many crimes committed by people also named Will Ferrell. They called to his fellow officer for the nippers. What are the nippers? Very good question. No, I was thinking, would that be a good name for like a salad dressing? Simple assault.

And it's a play on word, salt? Maybe not. I say we invest and we see. There's only one way to know. This did not amuse the cops. By the way, normally the cops are amused, but this did not abuse the cops. Will even comes clean about some of his own crimes. I didn't get caught. You know why?

If you don't want to be suspected of anything, you whistle as you walk. Listen to crime lists on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. J. Mack with a news. No, no, no, no. This is the Herd Line News. All right, Colin, let's get started with Puka Nakua. I don't know if I remember he got hurt in week one, missed a lot of time and came back just in time for that Vikings game. And boy, did he go off.

Second year receiver carved up Minnesota, seven catches for 106 yards. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores says that's not happening again. Quite honestly, we were a little bit surprised that he was out there, that he was brought up. And, you know, there was a night game on a Thursday, so we found out, you know, let's call it four hours before the game. We had seen a little bit of them from the previous year, but, you know, not much, you know, this year. So there was a little bit of scrambling. We know he's going to be out there now this time out. And, you know, we'll do a better job or I'll do a better job of making sure our guys are prepared from that standpoint.

I mean, this offense has become very Kairn Williams and Puka dependent. Cooper now Cup is much less of a volume target. So it's, and Kiron Williams and Puka and Nucor are great. They do have Higgsby, the tight end back a couple weeks ago. So they're fully healthy. But, you know, inside the RAM building, they will tell you they need to get more explosive beyond Puka. Yeah. You talked me into this game.

And also, I feel a little bad because some of my Vikings fans are pushing back now. Well, Greg Kossel yesterday said something very interesting is that the, The Vikings O line is not an elite unit. And the Rams defront, because they're so young, if you've watched the Rams defense, it has gotten noticeably better in the last like six weeks. I mean, they're 23-year-old guys. Verse is unblockable. It's just that defense for the Rams, you know, young players can improve over the course of a season.

Rams defense feels like a top five or six defense in the league now. One of the things the Vikings fans are saying is, hey, wait, that loss to the Rams, that was Thursday night. And we didn't know Puka was coming back because the Rams kind of kept it in a wraps and sprung it on them and they weren't ready. I was like, I don't know. I still like the Rams. Now, I should note our friends at Qasem here in L.A. are hosting a watch party for the game. The game's been moved to State Farm in Arizona. All ticket proceeds will go to the fire-related charities.

Oh. So we're supporting relief efforts. At Qasem. It's in L.A. Dallas, too, has one, by the way. I'm into that one. It's great. The next story, Colin, is the Chargers made the playoffs under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh. The vibes are good.

Khalil Mack has seen a lot of teams in his career. He's had a good year. Yeah, he has. You're right. He says this has been a great season, adding, we got the right group of people together. What are we going to do? We ain't got no time to waste, especially me. Chargers going into Houston. This was my stayaway game.

Why is that? Well, I just, anybody that's followed the Chargers gets a little anxious when they go on the road in the playoffs. I mean, I've seen them outplay teams a hundred times in my lifetime and lose. So I think they have the better coach. I think they have the better quarterback. I think they have the better defense. But strange things happen on the road in the playoffs. Listen, it's a weird place.

Houston has had moments this year when you're like, whoa. Yeah. I just can't get that Christmas game out of my head. 31 to 2? They couldn't do anything against Baltimore. But I watched the Chargers get annihilated at home by Tampa. So that game was a real pause button for me. Now, I'm doing this one in the picks here shortly,

so I don't want to give away all my stuff. But I think we're going to see this line come toward the Texans here in the next 24 hours to leaving up to kick off. I'm with you. I'm going Chargers, but I think the money's going to come in on Houston. I'll break it down for you next. But final story, Colin, is last night's game, Penn State, Notre Dame was tremendous. One guy stood out, number 11 there.

Oh, my gosh. Dual Carter was everywhere. Well, he announced after the Orange Bowl. He's headed to the NFL draft. He was a unanimous All-American, Big Ten defensive player of the year, got his 12th sack last night. I had Carter ninth in my mock draft. Oh, I think he's an argument. He's the second or third best player.

Producer came out and was like, he's not lasting that long. I was like, I agree. I mean, he was not 100% last night. living in the backseat. You know who, the two players that are rising up the board, he's one and the receiver from Arizona. They are shooting. T-MAC, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Team-Mack, the receiver at Arizona, shooting up the board. He's kidding. He's kidding. He said, me, best player in the draft. Best overall? Best overall player in the draft.

He's probably going to crush the combine. He might be a fourth-year-old guy. He's a burner. Yeah, Jedfish recruited him out-washington down in Arizona. So, I mean, he is, he and Carter at Penn State, are flying up the board. And just so people know, Calhurt is not joking around when he's talking about recruiting. Last night, you were all in on talking about recruits and transfer portal.

Oh, no, no, no. He's digging deep. Honestly, he's all in. It bores, you know, I don't talk about what I want to talk about in the show. I'd spend four hours, five hours. I would go past, I'd tell Nick Wright, I'm going to keep talking recruiting, take the day off. Yeah. I'm a nerd.

That's your thing. You know about like second four-star? linebackers who could be a backup on the depth chart. Like that's what you're talking about. He loses me in that stuff, but I'm trying. J. Mack with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by.

The Heard Line News. By the way, the last two years, C.J. Stroud at home, J. Mack, 11 and 5 in a passer rating of 102, 30 touchdowns, 10 picks. So C.J. Stroud's a young quarterback. The road? Little yellow. tape, little struggle there. Home spins it.

Whoever fed you that, tell them to strip out the games without Tank Dell and Stefan Diggs and show me what you got. Because it's Nico Collins against the world. I wasn't fed to me. It was in my brain. I do not need many notes.

J-Max picks next. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Hey, it's Steve Kavino. And I'm Rich Davis. And together we're Kavino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You could catch us weekdays from 5 to 7 p.m. Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, and of course the IHeart Radio app.

Why should you listen to Kavino 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.

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

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

But thanks for remembering that, guys. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, Not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and Friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier.

This week, my guest, S&L's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an acapella 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. What's up, fam? This Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano and our podcast Point Game is about defying the odds.

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

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

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

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

This is for Vietnam. I've taken a hit from Japanese ground fire. Do you rate me? They're pouring petrol all over him. He's holding matches. I'm on a landmine. For free time. Let's get out.

Freedom for Vietnam. Saigon, starring Kelly Marie Tran and Rob Benedict. Sting here's madness. The world should hear about this. There's a fire coming to this country and it's going to burn out everything. Listen to Saigon on the I-Heart. radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This week on Crimless, we're joined by our first ever guest.

Sorry, our first ever human guest. I don't think I could be in the same room with Shamrock the pair. I'd be too nervous. That's right. The very funny, Will Ferrell joins Rory Scovel and me, Josh Dean, for an episode dedicated to the many crimes committed by people also named Will Ferrell. They called to his fellow officer for the nippers. What are the nippers? Very good question. No, I was thinking, would that be a good name for like a salad dressing?

Simple assault? And it's a play on word, salt? Maybe not. I say we invest and we see. There's only one way to know. This did not amuse the cops. By the way, normally the cops are amused, but this did not abuse the cops. Will even comes clean about some of his own crimes.

I didn't get caught. You know why? if you don't want to be suspected of anything, you whistle as you walk. Listen to crime lists on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Don't miss your chance to win free cash prizes playing Fox Super Six.

Sponsored by Draft Kings. Go to the Fox Sports app to make your picks. One of the questions is which quarterback will have the most passing yards this weekend, Colin? Baker versus the commanders. Sammy D. Versus the Rams.

Stafford versus the Vikings. Jordan Love versus the Eagles on Fox. I think Baker Mayfield will have his way with the commanders who will load the box and try to stop that daunting Bucks run game and Baker will be thrown on play action and spinning it and throwing for some yards. Okay, it is time. The hitmaker, J-Mack, has had quite a year-picking games. Now we get into the heavy lifting, the serious stuff, how you're really perceived by the market.

Tomorrow's headlines today, playoff J-Mack. and Longhorns tonight. It's the Big Ten. It's the SEC. Winner goes to the national championship. What do you got? Yeah, I had some trepidation for this game because, Colin, you talk around to anybody. Everybody's picking Ohio State.

Have you heard one person pick Texas? No. The headline. Will be. Jerry's World. Jeremiah's will takes over Texas. Jeremiah Smith. I don't know how you stop him.

Now, Texas has two guys that are all Americans in the secondary. Do you double up on Jeremiah Smith? Yes. Because at that point, you just hand the ball off to Tray Henderson and the other running back, Jenkins, and they'll go bonkers. I mean, Henderson averaged 11 yards of carry against Oregon. He averaged eight yards of carry against Tennessee. It's like, geez, how do you stop this team?

Colin, I know this sounds very California-E, but sometimes, like, things happen for a reason, and I think that loss that Ohio State had to Michigan had to happen to this team. They looked nothing in these last two games like they did against Michigan. They're airing it out. out early. You've got to respect the guys deep. And then after that, it softens up the defense for the run game. I don't know how Texas stops Ohio State. I will say, I do like Sark in an underdog role all week. Hey, nobody's picking us. We're underdogs. We only lost a one team all

season. That's Georgia. Nobody's respecting us, and that's an easy motivational employee. This could feels like a shootout, you know. It could be like last team with the ball wins, but I'm on Ohio State, minus five and a half, minus six. Tomorrow's headlines today. This was my stayaway game. Texan, C.J. Stroud's Good at Home. Headline for the Chargers and Texans tomorrow. I'm already nervous. I'll preface this. I took a bath last year in the

Wild Card round. It was a rough one for me. Felt confident. And I like a lot of teams, including the Chargers. The headline, Will. Hey, pin the tail on the McConkey. Texans get spun around. Yes, I'm going for the Chargers at minus two and a half. A fun stat. A trend. I don't bet trends. But it's interesting. Jim Harbaugh this

season on a short week. Three and O straight up. Three and O against the spread. One of the best coaches in the league, getting ready for action. I don't like Josh Palmer out for the Chargers or number two receiver. Don't like it. So Mokke's going to see a lot of Stingley,

going to see a lot of Lasseter. And by the way, there's a good quote out there from Mokonki. Hey, who was the toughest receiver you faced in your college football career? He said, oh, that's easy. The guy on my team, Lasseter. Now he's got to go against Lasseter, who's with the Texans, having a good year. The real concern for the charges, you want to dig deep here.

third straight road game. Ended the season with two games on the road. They had the early buy, I think, first week in October. So there's a long stretch with no time off. They played their guys last week. I do wonder if they wear down, if you're feeling exotic, looking for a prop, Will Disley. Tight end, I like a lot.

And if you look at the numbers, Houston struggles defending tight ends. Go back to that Christmas Day game. Who's Lamar targeting? Mark Andrews, Isaiah likely. I think there's something for Disley. So I'm going Chargers minus two and a half. Tomorrow's headlines today. I think Pittsburgh keeps it close.

Jemak, I don't know. You're very much on the Raven train. What's not to love? Last four games are annihilating everybody. Four and no against the spread. The headline will be stole curtains, Ravens-draped Steelers offense. I don't know how Pittsburgh's offense gets right, Colin.

The Baltimore defense, we talked about it. I think it was week 15 or 16. When Kyle Hamilton shifted to more. more of the roamer in the back end as opposed to in the box, this defense has been lights out. They have been bottling up everybody. That Texans game, not to reference it for like a sixth time, but that really opened some eyes.

They shut down Houston at home. And I'm just telling you, this defense is nasty. Now, when this was at minus 10, you're feeling great. 10-point favorites, 17-1 straight up in the playoffs. But it's now come down a little bit. Zay Flowers has been ruled out. Yeah, I think that's big. It is big, because if you blitz Lamar, who's he going to trust?

Who's his go-to receiver? Bateman? He had 15 catches. I just worry a little bit about that. So you're paying a little price if you want Baltimore here. This was minus seven when they met like, what, four weeks ago? And now it's nine and a half, ten, without Zayflowers. And the Steelers have quarterback. He left early in that game.

He's a good corner. So listen, there's a lot of Lamar MVP stuff because he was named all pro quarterback over Josh Allen. There's some pressure on Lamar this weekend, Colin. Oh, yeah. I mean, every weekend he suits up in the playoffs. he better win. And I like the Ravens here, but yeah. Tomorrow's headlines, will Cinderella make it a

ball in Buffalo? Headline Broncos at the Bills. Well, we have to talk about your favorite guy, Bo Nix. Sean Payton. You know, there's a tough spot for them going into Buffalo. Big, big underdogs. The headline will be, Nix My Order. Buffalo's sauce overwhelms Denver Omelet. Give me Josh Allen and Buffalo.

I like the bills. a lot here. I've been waiting for this game all season. I wish it was a night game. Then you really lay the lumber. But I don't see Denver stopping Buffalo. This offense is just, it's built to dominate everyone. Denver plays one of the highest rates of man coverage. You know what that means. Patrick Sertan's turning his back to defend people. That opens things up for Josh Allen. I did already bet his prop rushing yards. It's 42 and a half, which is like 10 yards higher than the regular season. The market knows he's going to run. And we talk about this. late in the season, the big games. Josh Allen ain't risk it, no biscuit, no biscuit. Remember that?

He's now just running the football and he's a machine. So I'm on Buffalo here. I think they get the coin toss. We want the ball first. Josh Allen right down the field. And from there, Buffalo owns the game. I don't know what to make a Bow Nix. I'm not going to bore you with the numbers about first time quarterbacks against quarterbacks have been in the playoffs. Well, yeah, it's bad. It's really bad. I'm going against this weekend. I'm going against Bo Nicks who I love and Jaden Daniels who I love. Yeah. I'm just going. going against the rookie quarterbacks. I think the number of Denver against playoff teams, one in seven this year.

You strip out that Kansas City win so that when they step up against the elites doesn't go well, so it'll be Buffalo. Yeah, Minnesota and Denver, when you step up in class, they've struggled. Tomorrow's headlines today, finally, despite being in Arizona, my guy, Sam Darnold, finds himself in deep waters, Vikings, Rams and a neutral field. We saved this one for last because, honestly, this is probably top five headline I've ever done in the years we've had. The headline will be Sam and Egger. Can't spell scramble without Ram.

I know that's your favorite phrase Sam and Ham and Eggers. So we go with Sam Darnel. Listen, I like Sam. He's had a great season, but we showed the numbers earlier. Okay. The games against the elites, the Detroit, he hasn't been great. He wasn't great against the Rams. I think McVeigh's confidence as just an awesome coach here is going to win out over Flores,

who, by the way, is interviewing for a lot of jobs. maybe a head coach soon. I just, I saw a stat that the Vikings had more snaps when leading this season than any team in the NFL. When they get the, when they get the lead, they're great. Brian Flores and that defense, they blitz you. When they fall behind, it's a different story. And that run defense is soft. We saw Detroit.

I think Gibbs had four touchdowns. It's going to be a big Kairn Williams game. I know Minnesota likes to play cover two. Hey, we're not getting beat deep. Cooper Cup, Pooka, Kna Kua underneath. I just, I don't see the. Vikings stopping. What really turned it for me is the Vikings O line against

the Rams emerging D-line and the Rams finally healthy O-line against an O-K Vikings D-line. I think we talked Donald and Stafford. I think the Rams kind of control the clock. I think there'll be some splash plays. I mean, Justin Jefferson,

the number one need for the Rams in the draft is a corner. They have, you know, twos, threes. So Minnesota's going to hit on some big plays. Jordan Madison, Naylor, Justin Jefferson. They're going to hit on some big plays. But line play controls the playoffs.

It really, I mean, the only time Mahomes has been blown out in the playoffs, O-line, no tackles, crushed by Tampa. So it's like, that's why I like Philadelphia and Detroit so much. Just dominant line play. You know, Buffalo's line, we know Dawkins is great at left tackle. Buffalo's O-line this year. Run games emerged, great in the red zone. You can't get to Josh Allen.

Buffalo, what's interesting about Buffalo this year, it is really the best version of Buffalo. We thought the Stefan Diggs would take us to a new level, but they still weren't consistent running it, and their O line was okay. This is a good Bill's O line. This is a good Bill's run game. Now you had Kincaid, James Cook.

Buffalo, to me, really matches up with Detroit and Philly. And Detroit, sorry, Buffalo, remember, they kind of had a buy last week. Josh Allen just played one series to get that street going. but, you know, Denver had that game against kids. They had to play their guys. They had to keep them in. I had to win.

I know it was a blowout, but I just, Rams are coming off a by, by the way. Vikings had to play a hard game on Sunday night football against the lions. We also know, historically, after you play the lions, you're beat up, you're worn down. Yeah, the old line is so physical. Yeah. This is one of these games. I like Minnesota initially.

I thought it was bounced back. But this happens, too. Every week there's a game. Just the more homework you do, the more you realize. I mean, like, something to think about. For years and years, this was what the Niners did to you. The Lions beat you up because of their O-line. They wear on your D-line.

And the following week after you play the Lions, you're not the same defense. You don't play as well. Let me ask, is there any one upset that could happen this weekend that would totally shock you? Well, let's say there's a huge upset. I do think Jaden Daniels is so great. If Jaden Daniels just started taking off and ran for 140 yards and they beat Baker, I like the bucks. But I could see Baker can be reckless.

Baker gets pressured, makes a bad throw, pick six, you're down, and Jaden Daniels just does a Houdini. But like Pittsburgh, if they won, well, they already beat the Ravens. It's a divisional matchup. Would not totally shock me in Pittsburgh. If Buffalo somehow lost to Denver and Bo Nix, that would be my, oh my gosh, what is that?

I'm telling you right now, if Buffalo loses, Belichick. Belichick to Buffalo? Yeah, I don't know if McDermott. The phone will be ringing. He can't lose this game. I mean, he can't. And Josh Allen better not lose this either.

Yeah. Man. All right. Buckeyes Longhorns tonight. Hey guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Kevin.

And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called, Hey, Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts.

We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being and ask 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 IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Will Ferrell's Big Money Players and IHeart Podcast Presents Soccer moms. So I'm Leanne. Yeah. This is my best friend, Janet. Hey. And we have been joined at the hips since high school. Absolutely. A redacted amount of years later, we're still joined at the hip, just a little bit bigger hips.

This is a podcast. We're recording it as we tailgate our youth soccer games in the back of my Honda Odyssey. With all the snacks and drinks. Why did you get hard seltzer instead of beer? Oh, they hit a bogo. Well, then you got it. Listen to soccer moms on the Iheart 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 food. 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 Deanna 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 hungry. 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.