The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Moneyline Monaco - Why Lamar Jackson & Ravens will steal AFC North from Burrow & Bengals

Episode Date: August 19, 2023

Alex Monaco shares his best bets for the AFC North ahead of the 2023 NFL season including why Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens are his bet to win the division over Joe Burrow's Cincinnati Bengals. Monaco also discusses whether or not Deshaun Watson will return to form in year two with the Cleveland Browns and how much he is willing to bet on a sophomore "leap" from Kenny Pickett and the Pittsburgh Steelers. #Volume #HerdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The volume. All right. Welcome into another episode of sports gambling with Moneyline, Monaco, Alex Monaco here. Breaking down the AFC North. I got to start with a wedding crashers quote, baby. Who breaks in football? That's what Maryland does. A, if you don't know this scene, do yourself a solid.

Go watch Vince Vaughn playing quarterback with Bradley Cooper playing the end here. But as we dive into this division, I want to. preface it with a couple of things. This AFC versus NFC, and I made this reference the other day, it really is like when Vince McMahon split up the talent in the WWF, now WWE, put half the talent on raw, half the talent on Smackdown. This is what it is. Everybody who is box office not name the Eagles, Cowboys, and Niners are in the AFC. Go down the list of rosters, go down the list of quality quarterbacks. So as we dive in here, I've already spoken on the AFC East. I got a couple of teams and then some on the overs and making the playoffs from that division. And I look at the

AFC West. It's the Chiefs to lose. There's going to be a quality club and it's coming from this division, maybe two going home when it comes to January football. As we dive in, we have to start with the cream of the crop here in the AFC North. Colin, Calhurt's guest once a week on the Colin Calhurt podcast, Joe Burrow, baby and the Cincinnati Bengals coming in off a 12 and 4 season. And this was a Super Bowl hangover out the gate, right? They started out pretty much a win loss, win loss, I believe was 0 and 2 out the gate, but 4 and 4 to start the campaign and you end 12 and 4.

I mean, a win streak of a month in the NFL league is incredible. an eight game two month schedule. You cannot understate it. But they did lose a couple of players in free agency. We know about Von Bell gone. Jesse Bates gone. Hayden Hurst is gone. Samaji P. Ryan is gone.

A little bit of issues with mixing off the field. For the most part, though, top 10 defense returning. I got in the minivan of AFC quarterbacks on their way to the Galaphanakis, Vegas, dance in the Super Bowl. It's Patrick driving, and I've told this to you already. It's Joe Burrow and shotgun, and Josh Allen is in the back now. This is the Bengals second best team to me in the AFC. But believe it or not, I'm going to give you my winner of the division in a sec.

I'm on them over. 11 and a half wins at plus money. but I got a weird feeling something is not going to go according to the Hollywood script with this club. You look at them on offense, you can go on and on about them. Plus 96 in the point differential department. Six and one at home, the best team protecting home field in the AFC North unequivocally. The questions lie in this division, who by the way has a cupcake AFC other division opponents this year and a cupcake out of conference division.

The AFC North has the luxury of playing the AFC South and the NFC West. The AFC South has the Texans, the Colts, the lowly Titans, the NFC West we know has the Kyler Murray list Cardinals. We got maybe Stetson Bennett getting playing time by the end of this Ram season. It could be a very, very compelling AFC North, just. looking at the strength of schedule here, coupling that with the fact that you got three of four teams in this division, top 10 in defensive points against and top 10 in a lot of key defensive categories.

But let's start with this Bengals team. Now, you win the division, you get a first place schedule. You go tit for tat. And I got to be honest, I'm losing sleep over the Bengals or the Ravens winning this division. I look at the Bengals. I like them to be a 12 and 5 club. But I'm concerned about a non-contact calf injury with our colleague Joey Burrow. And Zach Taylor has very much stuck to the script, very press conference, almost Derek Jeter, Tom Brady,

saying something by saying nothing. He keeps saying several weeks, several weeks. Well, if you look at the week one line movement for the Browns bangles dance, that is telling you Burrow ain't playing week one, that's for sure. How do we sit here and say that this Bengals team is a great bet to win the division? division when the franchise quarterback and his health is in question. Now, I expect him to suit up by mid-September, sure, but you look at this dance. Let's call it a Kentucky Derby.

Furlong to furlong, it's neck and neck with the Ravens and the Bengals. And say what you will about the Bengals, as good as they are in the conference, as great as they are on paper, three and three in the division. Burrow does not dominate his familiar foes like you. would think he does. So the combination of the health, the combination, it's also a contract year coming up for a couple of key guys. Someone's going to get paid. Someone's going to get snubbed. I'm looking at the juju between the Bengals and the Ravens. And I lean Baltimore as far as what I'm seeing before this season kicks off. But I got him at 12 wins. Now that is going to be something I don't encourage you to

punch in till we get closer to the regular season. If anything, you're going to have that number go down if Burroughs injury proves to be substantial. But, you know, the first play schedule, this Bengals team has to play the Chiefs and the Ravens don't. You start to get fickle and in the weeds like that. How do you feel great, great about the Bengals winning this division? They're going to be in the playoffs.

They're going to be more than likely one of the last two absolutely four. teams remaining in this conference. I'm just concerned about a guy who's had an injury past. And this is the thing with Borough and sports broadcasting, sports, radio, sports, media narratives. No one's really coming down on this guy for being as injured as he's been well before his late 20s and even 30s. That to me just makes me feel lukewarm about them winning the division, especially when

they're the chalk. So I'm on them, but I don't love it. I'm looking at this Baltimore Ravens team. And I got to be honest, 10 and 7 win club last year with a banged up Lamar plus 35 in point differential. You know about what this company culture is. But two elements to me that again, football is weird like this. There's certain things off the field or certain things in the locker room that can contribute to the product on the field. I'm looking at this Ravens team, who by the way, has a cup cake schedule through the first

eight weeks. I'll talk that out in a second. You lock in your franchise quarterback. This has been an issue like with Dak in Dallas. It's been years, years are they going to pay Lamar? Are they not? They pay him. They go out and they get him, O'Dell Beckham.

They go out and they draft Zay Flowers, who I got to be honest, a couple weeks ago, I was a little low on as far as fantasy upside. just because this team does not run to pass all the time. They run to run. Top three offense running the ball again last year coming in. But you look at what they're doing on offense and you take the long-term lock-in with Lamar and you couple it with Greg Roman out and Todd Monkin in. Todd Monkin, if you don't know who he is, it was the Georgia offensive coordinator,

34-year-old, young guy, by the way. but this dude has had back-to-back bulldog championships, Natty's on his resume, and I've been reading up on him, and I've been seeing a little bit here and there of Lamar talking about him, and listen to the difference in how he talks about Monkin. He says, I have an idea for a play. I have something I want to try.

Monkin's all in. When you have, and to give you a little cowherd analogy here, you have a Brad Pitt working with a Tarantino, and Tarantino takes the, I'm the director, you're the actor role and you can't tell me nothing versus I'm open to dialogue. I'm open to suggestions. I'm open to new creative angles to make this scene better.

That's what's happening right now in Baltimore. Nobody's talking about it because again, this is in the weeds. But a new offensive coordinator with a locked in good vibes Lamar cannot be understated. Here's the other thing. This is a team that, yes, they need Lamar Jackson. but you look at what they did, eight and four with Lamar, and still got into the tournament,

the playoff tournament with Huntley, this is what's called excellent coaching, excellent infrastructure, and a team that has always played great defense. I mean, you look at the defensive points against, they are the best team defensively in the division.

Now, they do have some questions at cornerback. I don't love Humphrey. getting hurt. But this is a team that has so many assets and so much firepower. And again, does the little things correctly? I have a hard time not only slamming over nine and a half wins here and it's juiced at minus 170.

This is a team that I got to be honest. I think at plus 210 pending where you shop could steal this division. I mean, Burrow hurt with a Ravens Good Vives locker room and help. being prominent in this moment here. JK was hurt, Stanley, Lamar, you can go on down the list, a lot of banged up guys. They still went 10 and 7. I'm very high on Baltimore.

I think this is a team you can capitalize on before the season starts. And this isn't like if Burrow gets hurt and who the heck is starting at backup quarterback of faceless picture in Madden. You have Huntley. Huntley has proven that he is a guy that can come in and you can plug and play him. also looking at the beginning of this beginning of the schedule as I mentioned through the first eight weeks of the season

you got the Texans the Colts the Cardinals the Titans the Lions and a couple of divisional games this is a six and two do I dare say seven and one start for the Baltimore Ravens

plus two 10 is going to be long gone by then so I'm looking at this club I'm feeling great about him. And to me, they are the team that is the value play. We put them in tier one next to the Bengals. And again, let me just remind you, I'm not off the Bengals in any way. Your franchise quarterback just hurt his cat. This guy's at an ACL.

He's had so many already troubling cause for concern injuries, but he's protected by the media. What is really going on? Zach Taylor several weeks. I'm sorry, I'll go with a healthier quarterback and say what you will, the better defense and the best defense in the division. I got the Ravens at plus 210 baby. And one of my favorite bets of any win totals is the Ravens getting to 10 and 7.

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and use code Monaco 50 to get 50% off. That's code Monaco 50 at factormeat meals.com slash Monaco 50 to get 50% off. Now, I want to talk out this Cleveland Browns team. I'm really back and forth on them because you look at PFF's offensive line graded. and they're the second best ranked offensive line. Nick Chubb, you can make a case is the best running back in the NFL. I mean, third best as far as yards last year. He went over 1,500.

He had the most runs of 20 plus yards last year with 13. Next closest was 10. He was tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns. No Kareem Hunt in the mix. I'm looking at these guys. And I'm saying, all right, two elements of what the Browns are going to be. They're going to be an incredible. offense as far as running the football.

And I would like to say protecting Deshaun Watson. The thing with Deshaun Watson here is, who are we getting? What version? Because, oh, he came in after the 11 game suspension. He didn't have a full season. What was he doing with his first two and a half months of his time? Was he really studying? Was he really grinding?

Because I got to be honest, you go tip for tat year to year. year, 58% completion percentage and embarrassing seven tugs and five interceptions. A 79 QBR, he's never had less than a 98. Who is the Sean Watson? Where is the real life karma for giving a guy like this and causing a ton of domino effect issues in the NFL with this guaranteed contract? Where do we lie in the sand with the Sean? But again, this is business, not personal, have to separate the two.

The facts are you have the best offensive line. in the division. And the facts are you have the best running game outside, our best running back, excuse me, in the division. The best running game still is Baltimore. But you look at this Cleveland D. And that's where I think the kicker's going to be. Now, they have a top six past defense.

That's not really changing. They did go out and actually, they stacked the front seven a little bit. So they got almost better on their defense's side. But there's still the worst defense in the division as far as points against go. We're talking about Steelers, the Bengals, and the Ravens all top 10 in defense as far as points against. The Browns were 22.4 middle of the pack giving up points like there's no tomorrow. So for me, I'm going to go over on wins here.

I'm going to go under on wins here because it's at nine and a half. I think this is a 9 and 8 team. I think their ceiling is 10 wins. I mean, they were minus 20 and point differential, but you can't look at that season last year as what they're going to be this year. Because again, you had Jacoby Bressett starting it out. I'm just feeling, again, even record in the division, a 4 and 4 at home, 5 and 4 in the road, it's almost what they're going to be again.

It's just going to be contingent on if I'm wrong, Deshawn Watson getting back to a once upon a time MVP candidate. I don't think he has that in him anymore. I think this dude is not who he used to be. I could be sorely mistaken. I got the Browns at 9 and 8. Don't feel great about it. But I can't sit here and make an argument for them to be anything higher than third in the division.

And we wrap it up with the Pittsburgh Steelers here, who, oh, by the way, way have continued their streak under Mikey Conlin of never having a losing season. 16 straight seasons of 500 or better. Now, this gets interesting with a 17th game put in, took all the way the last game. You saw the winning streak down the stretch for them to hit that moment. We got picket. We have a sophomore on campus coming into the fold.

We don't have a great offensive line. Let's call a spade a spade. I, Naji Harris has underperformed. And again, the issues with what he had in his foot, the plate, then the some something in his foot, not in his foot last year. There were two versions of Harris, but they don't have a great offensive line. They're hanging their hat on what they've always been, an unbelievable defense to help their offense. What they were minus 38 last year and points four versus points against. You missed a playoffs, playoffs by a game.

But there's two big elements that are caused for concern. where is Kenny Pickett in his sophomore season? I did look great against that backup Bucks D to start that drive in the first quarter in the preseason game. And then where is this offensive line? I mean, name a team that has had outside the chiefs a not top 10 offensive line that's been in the Super Bowl. It's not sexy. It's not glamorous to talk about. We live in a betting fantasy football world.

But the reality is this offensive line is not good. and they didn't shore it up. So, well, they did do a couple of things. But I just, I look at their defense and I do love what they did. Patrick Peterson is very exciting. Joey Porter Jr. is very exciting. You already have Minka. You already have, of course, TJ coming back and you got the consummate pro on the front line with Hayward.

You got guys. You got dudes. But this is a quarterback-driven league. And Kenny Pickett is not a top 15 quarterback yet. for that reason, I'm going to go over eight and a half wins. The Mike Tomlin Street continues, but I got them at nine and eight. And pending where they are on in division and in conference, how they do that once you're tied in the division, I got him, I got him last.

I really feel, I feel terrible about it. Ryan Clark's my guy. I grew up a Cordell Stewart, Bill Cowher fan, the bus. I just can't do it. You don't have, you have the worst line. and you arguably, and he's still serviceable and he still can be good, you have the worst quarterback in the division. I have to do it like that.

A good team or two, let me remind you, is going home in the AFC North. So, but to recap, before I go on the player props real quick, I'm going to take the Ravens to win the division. I think the value, I think the timing of the purchase, and you look at the schedule, it all favors the Ravens a little bit. And let me remind you, Joe Burrow doesn't play the Ravens well. didn't break 215 passing yards against the Ravens. Remember, they played week 18 and in the wildcar round.

They barely got past the Ravens with Huntley at quarterback. This division, more so than any other division, beats up on themselves. I just feel like not buying low on the Ravens, but reminding ourselves who Lamar Jackson is when he's healthy. It's a great timing for the purchase. So I got a couple of player props going to go real quick, throw them in or not before I bring my guy, Paul on. Let's talk about the Bengals. On the player prop thought, Joey Burrow, we know this.

He does it once or twice a season. He goes ballistic on the yards and the touchdowns. Well, throwing three plus times 400 yards or more this season pays almost 6 to 1. It's that plus 550. DK, I saw it, pending where you shop. 2020 he did it once. Rookie campaign over 400 yards. Not everybody does that, by the way.

2021, 400 plus three times would have cashed it. Oh, by the way, a 500-yard game in his second season. Last year, he only had 400 plus once. We know he's going to be an MVP in this league. We know he's going to get to a Super Bowl and win a Super Bowl. Joe Burrow is that dude. Health is going to be the only thing in his way out the gate. I still think 400 plus in three plus games and almost six to ones.

A fun little sprinkle. Again, breakfast money, utility bill money. Don't go ballistic. This one I absolutely love. Lamar Jackson over 725 and a captain hook rush yards and over six and a half rushing touchdowns is even money on both of these accounts. Lamar's five year career, he's gone over that 725 and a hook four out of five. The only time he did.

Oh, by the way. and the last two years, he only played 12 games. Over that number, on one of those occasions, played three-fourths of this season. He averages 887. 887, you have to include under a full output. This is going to get slain. Lamar's going to do this by mid or early December. You have to put it in.

Again, not a Greg Roman super, as a. much as Todd Malkin's going to be run emphasis team. But when you have Lamar Jackson, you're running the football point blank period. And then in his five year career, of course, he's gone over the six and a half rushing touchdown just twice. So not, if I were to give you one, I'd go rushing touchdowns, 4.8 TDs per year. But when he's playing 15 or more, he's averaging 6.3. So I like that on the over again. He plays the whole season. That puppy's going to cash. This one is, I'd say two units. I'd say maybe three. units because Nick Chubb over eight and a half rushing touchdowns is flat out disrespectful.

2018, 19 and 2021, eight touchdowns a pop. 2020 and 2022, 12 touchdowns each coming off a career high in yards, as I mentioned, over 1,500 and touchdowns with 13, 12 rushing 1 receiving. What else do I need? No Kareem, hunt in the backfield. Top two offensive line, Nick Chubb is going to cook. this year. And last but not least, I have a fun one again. I just kind of bash the offensive line. But Naji Harris taking the pressure off the sophomore kid, 150 plus rushing yards and two plus

games pays almost four to one. Now, he's only had 150 yard game in his two year career, but he's got to have those attempts increased if he's going to hit this. But I remember, we're in the beginning of the season. First eight games, you only average 13 and a half carry. Second and half the average 17. He gets closer to a bell cow back. I think he can have a breakout game or two worth a sprinkle at almost four to one. As we bring in my guy, Paul here, as we wrap up the show, Ravens to win the division. It's going to be a riveting one, Paul.

Let's talk some mailback questions, my man. I don't know if you're with me in lockstep. This is a weird thing to cap when you have a franchise quarterback with a non-contact injury here. What say you? I like it. I like the Ravens. I wanted to ask you, you mind if I tell you one of the most mind-boggling group of stats I've ever seen in my life? And I'm not kidding.

I was blown away when I saw this on the Steel Force. I just saw it as you were going on, your rant. With T.J. Watt last year, they were 7 and 2. They allowed 17.2 points per game, 286 yards, 25 sacks, 16 turnovers, okay? Without what? 1 and 6, 25.3 points per game, 389. 9 yards, 8 sacks, and 5 takeaways. Now, Monica,

those numbers are crazy. If you measure out each one over the course of a 16 game season, in points, the Steelers defense goes from 30th to second, yards 31st to 1st, the only team in the league that would have under 200 yards a game allowed. 32nd to 7th in sacks, and 32nd to tied second in takeaways. I mean, you're talking about an MVP of a team.

I mean, that's all the way fathomable great insight by Paul. Dude, that is insanity. It's one of the craziest group of stats I've ever seen in my life, but the difference this guy makes on this team. And he does, I mean, typically he's able to say healthy, but the Watt brothers always get banged up here and there. I mean, that is fascinating. There's clearly no more important defense inside of the player,

including Miles Garrett than Mr. J. Mr. T. J. Watt. You got to wonder where he ranked when you even, include quarterbacks and running back. I mean, the numbers are just staggering. That's staggering. Well, I mean, talking that bottom of the division out, no disrespect for the Browns of the Steelers. Again, you're, you factoring in and you dabble, of course, in the betting world, the AFC South and the NFC West, I mean, team total wins wise.

You can almost gift each team in the AFC North a couple wins from each of these divisions they're playing. Is it, is it ridiculous to say that all? four of these teams can be above 500 in the AFC North? I think you can say that all the NFC North teams could end up with 10 wins as shocking as that would be. Wow. It would be crazy, but I can see it.

That's the thing, though, talking this out with the AFC, not only is a good team going home, three good teams are going home because you got seven making it. And I'm already high on the dolphins, jets, and Bill's getting there. And I'm not quite sure about the Chargers getting in. I do think they're getting 10 wins. I mean, this division, would you say the over-under still probably one and a half and you'd take the over of Ravens and Bengals getting to the dance?

I mean, any chance the Browns or Steelers shocked the AFC world? Personally, and this actually leads in great to the mailback question that we have for you. The over-under has to be a one-and-a-half because I do think the Ravens and Bengals will both get in for sure. I'm very confident in that. But then you could even push it up to two and a half, honestly. Because the Browns and Steelers, well, actually, then that's the first question for you was you mentioned the Steelers, the Browns, the Ravens, all the, like,

if assuming, let's just pretend the Bengals win the division, you need to have three other wildcar teams in the A and C. I know. So you got to pluck from the three in the north. You probably have the chargers. You have a bunch in the east. You have the dolphins and jets, like you said. And then even the Titans and Jaguars, I think the Titans are being a little underrated.

What do you think? So for you, Monaco, you know, at this moment in time, who are your three wildcard teams? So who gets left out here? This is, this is incredibly difficult. I'm on the Budweiser hot seat, old school ESPN here. I mean, look, like you said, you're going to have to, you're going to have to be a double-digit win wild card team without question. There's a world where 11 and 6.

I mean, I could see the Bengals and Ravens going 12 and 5, 11, and 6. You could flip those two around. I mean, at the moment, at the moment, I really regret saying this because I love the chargers. They're my team. I mean, I'm recovering with it. I mean, I think I got to go. And again, Ravens to win the division versus the Bengals is my pick. however you flip that,

Ravens and Bengals are getting in. Sure. One of those teams for sure. I'll call it the Bengals for this particular show as a wildcard team. I gotta go dolphins and jets, man. I could be surely mistaken. I just think as good as this offense in Miami they're talking about is, they got some dudes, Paul, on D, man.

I mean, they got some dudes in Miami on D. And we know, as we saw even the goat Brady going down, to Ace Ventura land. Something's in the 305 to where teams on the road just don't show up. I mean, you look at that drop off. Have you seen the thing with the stadium design down in Miami with the sun? Oh my gosh.

Yes, the road team's in the sun. Correct. The road teams in the sun, it's like 20 degrees hotter because you have that sun beaten down on the field. Great advantage. I mean, so what I mean, we're again, to me, the four wild, there's four teams mainly. And then, of course, you got a Browns team that could shock the world.

I'm not shocked the world, but outside looking in, you have, again, to your Titans point, maybe they have a shot outside looking in. And then, yeah, Pittsburgh. I mean, you can't count Pittsburgh out if they come in out of nowhere with a top 10D. I just, have we ever seen in the history of the AFC this many quality clubs, this many great quarterbacks on the same side of the NFL, the NFL? I can't recall. I mean, we're just going through it now.

We were talking about 10 or 11 teams, and the Patriots would be a contender in the NFC for a playoff spot. And we're not even talking about them. Patriots are probably in the playoffs in the NFC. I mean, with the top 5D, arguably. So, yeah, that's, I mean, who are you, who are your three teams if you had to go wildcard right now? Right now, I would have the Bengals winning the AFC North. Then I would have the Ravens as a wildcard team. I would have the Jets.

It's close between Miami and the Jets. Now, when you look at that AFC North and you look at the Bengals having to play Kansas City and the Ravens not, does that change who wins the division to you? I mean, that first place strength the schedule versus not. Not too much. It's something you have to keep in mind. But the Bengals, they play the Chiefs as well as anybody else in the National Football League right now. They probably play them the best. So the first place schedule, I'm not too concerned with.

it's it's one something to keep in mind but i actually also have the ravens winning the division with you do have one games winning the division by one game yes i did that's cool that's that's why that's why yeah that's that's that's that's why it's me and you here i mean well i just again i'm not down on the bangles the bangles are in the playoffs the bangles are a double digit win team the bangles could represent the a fc in the super bowl all those things are true but i i mean they don't dominate the division the division everybody's three and three everybody beats each other up. They're like,

the AFC Norse like the Kronkowski brothers at dinner. I mean, literally competing for chicken thighs, except it's wins in the debate. I mean, that's how I look at it. So I just, I don't love that he doesn't dominate division

because you look at like Mahomes in the AFC West. You look at his wreck. I mean, he scorches the division. Every year he cooks the division. This division crushes each other. Mahomes. Yeah,

there's just no other Mahomes. I actually have a couple of mailback questions before you here, Monty. Yeah, yeah. A couple of rapid fire. We got, is Nick Chub a first round fantasy pick? And actually, this one would help me a lot because I'm sitting there with the 10th pick this weekend in my draft. And I'm looking at guys.

I think you might have Barclay, Stefan Diggs, Nick Chubb available, Derek Henry. When it gets to my pick at 10, is Nick Chubb someone that I should be looking at? It sounds like you're expecting a big year. I'm expecting a huge year. I and again that that offensive line thing I mean you're a fancy football guy you you know I don't I don't know if that little stat I rattled off earlier in the show matters to you he had the most the most 20 plus runs um I mean look if it's between that's where it gets tricky if it's between digs and chub at 10 I mean the answer is yes I think Nick chub is a first round drafting do I think he's a top five no do I think if you're at 10 like you now is this

a 10 team league or 12 team league? 12 team league. Half PPR. And it's a snake. So PPR, half point? Half PPR, yeah. I think I'd go Chub over Diggs, man. I mean, it's, and again, Diggs is that guy.

I remember we did one of his prop bets. He is great for touchdowns, but I believe he doesn't, he's not insane in the receives, almost the opposite of Justin Jefferson where Justin Jefferson doesn't get in the end zone a ton, but he cooks on receiving yards. I think I got to go Chub, man. I mean, who is a better situational fantasy football running back next year than Nick Chubb? I mean, take Kareem Hunt out and you have an arguably even better offensive line. I don't know how you don't.

I don't know how you don't take him a 10, man. I mean, he's catching passes too in the training camp. They have him come. He might be the third down back there, which would make his value skyrocket. I mean, he hasn't had anything less than eight touchdowns and five years of a resume. I would have to say yes, I'd go Nick Chub at 10. I may regret it, but it's like Diggs is a top seven wide receiver probably, right? Top seven?

I would say, I got to ask you, and I'm not sure if you know off the top of your head. I'm looking here, I got this little fancy draft book in front of me. It has all the stats from last year. Did Diggs have one receiving touchdown last season? Diggs, off the top of my head, I know he had a crazy loan. number in that category. Because like you said, the past two years, 1,125 yards, 1,429 last year. But I'm seeing one touchdown in 2022. That just can't be right. That's not right. There's no chance. There's no chance. I love that we're fact checking on air right now. Yeah, I, I,

there's no way. No, that wasn't one. It wasn't one. They're there, you know what they did? Because it's 11. Okay, yeah. Okay. That makes way more. Yeah. Somebody, somebody on one of the Sites just didn't give you the double the double one. But no, I mean, two years, I was about to say, oh my God. Yeah, but no, but to to that point, though, he's only broken double digit touchdowns twice in his career. But yeah, I mean, he's a he's a guy that's going to get you over 1100, probably 1,200 yards. We know about his receiving acumen. He's gone over 100 receptions in the last three years. I just, I don't know. What do you do in the fantasy world? Do you take the seventh, sixth, seventh best receiver? I lean running back, but would you go to double?

number one running back. Will you go chub over Sequin Barclay? I think I would go chub over Seacuan Barclay. I would. I would. The only reason is because Daniel Jones is off career high. I know it's ridiculous to say this, but Daniel Jones is off career highs, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.

I mean, and Sequin got so many, what, 295 carries off the dome, I think. I mean, that's just insane traction and not a dude that's necessarily been. healthy every year, every, every game. Nick Chubb is an iron man. I mean, Nick Chubb's in the line. I think you got to go Chub over Sequin. I really do. Okay. Okay. And one more here. Jamar Chase is over under for receiving yard just 1,300.5 for next year. I know you're big on Burrow. Are you over that for Chase? And then a follow up, do you think he should be a top five fancy pick? We talked about the receivers who are all going so early this year, you'd have to imagine he would be if you follow that current draft strategy. Yeah. Yeah. I think that part B, yes, he is a top five. You know,

he's a top five talent in the league at skill positions, in my opinion. And, you know, we don't talk about it enough, but I mean, these dudes were throwing the rock in college. I mean, that is so special to be able to do that from college to the pros. Their rapport is one of one. But I mean, I mean, yeah, you look at his numbers last year. I'm looking at he always has a breakout game. Last year, he had two games at two touchdowns. I believe it was the year prior at that three touchdown game. I mean, I think he has to be a top five.

The problem is he got hurt a little bit. So his numbers are down, obviously, if you're just looking at over a thousand yards, nine tugs. I mean, he's a double digit. He's a touchdown machine. And this is a dude that gets the luxury. and some call T. Higgins, a 1A. He has the luxury unlikes a lot of these other guys. I think really Tyreek Hills,

the only one that has a true luxury with Waddle, speed for speed on both sides, that gets to lean on the fact that the defense has to stay honest with T. Higgins. You can't just double Jamar with T. Higgins on the other side. I got to go, yeah, to both. All right. Just think about that LSU team.

Burrow Jefferson, Chase, that might wind up being the greatest quarterback and then duo wide receivers you'll ever have it for a college football team. Honestly, CEH owes them his entire pro. I mean, he should just split his signing bonus up between the three of them because does he even get drafted if it wasn't for us guys? I mean, honestly, LSU offensive players getting just come-ups left and right from being on that team if you made the league.

But yeah, to your point, might be the most decorated offense in the history of college, recent memory, college football, just the passing game, the passing game. I don't piss any Miami Hurricane fans off from the O-O's. But yeah, I think, I think you got to go chase top. I mean, if you were sitting at the fifth pick, would you go chase? Fifth pick, assuming it would go McAfree and Jefferson,

probably Echler in there. I'm actually imagining Chase is going to go next, him or Cooper Cup. So yeah, I take one of those two guys, if they found. Yeah, absolutely. We got one more for you. here in the mailbag. And this is a fun one.

Has Steelers Ravens, staying on brand on theme with the AFC North, has Steelers Ravens been the best rivalry in the NFL during your lifetime? I think it's, I mean, I think it's got to be. I think back to all the Sunday night football game, games,

Big Ben versus Flacco, early Ravens with Ed and Ray versus Joey Porter, senior and the boys. I mean, Heinz Ward, decking dudes across the middle as a wide receiver on offense. I mean, it was like, it was like an ongoing joke. First of 17 points, do I dare say 20 wins, wins that game. I mean, death taxes and take the Raven Steelers unders. But I'm looking at 33 and 25, the Steelers, believe it or not, lead the overall series.

It's just, it's, I mean, it's. again, it's not historic as far as you can't go back pre 2000 to look at it. But I mean, 2000 on, I think it's got to be. I mean, up there, there's so many historic rivalries, though. So I historically know, but in my lifetime, you know, two or three decades I've watched this team. Yeah, I think it's in the conversation. I mean, does anybody else come to?

What else? What else? Yeah. Like, you had a flash in the pan with the Seahawks in the 49. in the 2010s, but I don't think that the longevity or even the intensity of that rivalry matched Steelers, Ravens. NFC East is always there. I mean, there's so many good ones between the Cowboys, Giants, and Eagles, mainly, in my opinion.

Yeah, that's where the history is going to win. But as far as just, yeah, game to game year to year, anyone can beat anyone, I mean, Ravens Steelers has to be. Now, you might have a better grip of this than I do. out west, those AFC West rivalries are really intense, right? Especially between teams and the Raiders. Yeah, yeah. Everybody not named the Chargers has intense rivalries in the division.

Okay. You saw my Padres rant. Nobody cares about the Chargers. They just don't care. I mean, at all. But I will say Raiders, Chiefs, historic, Chiefs, Broncos, sick. Broncos Raiders sick.

So, yeah, I mean, that's, that's not a game you want to wear an opposing jersey in that stadium. You just don't. But yeah, I mean, decorated. I'd say Chiefs Raiders is probably the most decorated one that goes back. But again, you know, the Chiefs were not the team to beat for many a years in this division. I always remember growing up Trent Green, Priest Holmes, Tony Gonzalez, they were good. They weren't great.

You know, it was a Broncos division after it was the Raiders, you know, of course, in the John Madden, Howie Long days. but we're going back before our pay grade on that one. But yeah, to answer the question, I mean, Raven Steelers top, top two for sure. But yeah, history, you can't go them, but in my lifetime for sure. Monaco, will you give me a second to rant here about something? There, please take a minute. I'm just chilling on Am.

I would like to say over the past 20 years or so that the Vikings and Packers has been a great rivalry. But the problem is, and it really pisses me off is that the Packer, like the Packers' main rival is the Bears. I feel like, and this is going to sound like you now, I'm watching a rom-com, and the Vikings, the Vikings are the second girl, the one you know that they're not going to wind up with. And it's just, it's infuriating because the bears are always terrible. And there's a great rivalry between two teams and the Vikings and Green Bay. And you just know that you're not the one they care about. And it drives me more crazy about how much I dislike the Packers. No, I hear you. But I mean, this is, this is your

time to shine, baby. This is where the guy in the friend zone gets, you know, gets the girl. Because it ain't Jordan loves division. You saw Collins opening around the other day. I mean, there's still babysitting him with check downs and PA rollouts. They don't trust him. So again,

you go quarterback by quarterback in that division. Packers have the worst quarterback in the division. But no, I hear you, man. I mean, the Vikings. So you guys have just such an incredible fan base. And you deserve. And you deserve. I mean, you do deserve nice things.

You really do deserve nice. Well, we don't get nice things. We certainly don't get nice things. All right. Well, that's great for the mailbag there. I'll let you wrap it up before this turns into a therapy session. Hey, I'm always up for a therapy session, baby. Hey, for Paul, for myself, Moneyline, Monaco.

Appreciate you listening. Breaking down the AFC North on the Volume Sports, YouTube channel, podcast network, and of course, AMP. And as always, we get out of here by reminding you, don't forget to hug your mother. this. We'll see you next show. The volume.