The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Richard Sherman Podcast - NFL Wild Card Round Predictions

Episode Date: January 9, 2025

With the 2024 NFL regular season in the books, Richard Sherman previews the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoff and gives his predictions for each game. In the NFC, Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers travel to Philadelphia to take on Saquon Barkley and the Eagles, Sam Darnold's Minnesota Vikings have to go on the road to play Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams, and Baker Mayfield's Tampa Bay Buccaneers host rookie phenom Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders. In the AFC, Lamar Jackson's Baltimore Ravens host Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC North clash, Josh Allen and the Bills host the Denver Broncos, and C.J. Stroud's Houston Texans host the Los Angeles Chargers. After, Sherm gives his picks for NFL MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Coach of the Year. #volume #herdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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It's not Christmas, but it is the most wonderful time of the year. It's time for the playoffs. And the wild car matchups are presented. How are you feeling with the bye week? Mitchell, for your Detroit Lions. Richard, I'm feeling calm. I'm feeling relieved. Yesterday was full of emotion, you know, the anxiety leading up to that game,

not knowing whether you're going to be going on the road to L.A. or taking the week off. And ultimately, the Lions get that one seed, which is huge. But the rest of the NFC, I mean, let's start in the NFC because the landscape is set. And the Eagles take the two seed and they're going to play and they're going to host the Green Bay Pass. Packers. The Bucks are going to be hosting the Washington commanders and the Rams are going to be hosting the Vikings.

Let's start with the Eagles taking on the Packers. The Packers are a team, you know, they finished with a solid record, but ultimately you look at their wins and they didn't beat anyone crazy impressive. They went 0 and 5 against the Lions, Vikings, and Eagles. Do you think there's any shot that Green Bay Packers can put it together and come out with a win in Philly? There's definitely a shot. You know, they got a good staff. They got a good defense. It's playing well. They're stopping the run really well, which is very important in this game with the season at Saquan Barclay, the historic season Stakelaan Barkley has had for the Philadelphia Eagles, their offensive line. So the Green Bay Packers being able to stop the run is huge. But what I would feel better about if they had J. Iier Alexander, if they had J.E. Alexander in the lineup to help with A.J. Brown and Devante Smith, then I would feel a lot better about it.

But Kishon Nixon and the boys, Rishon Gary's having a really good season. a friend of the program, Xavier McKinney, got another pick last week, having an incredible pro-ball season, all-pro season. So I think they could get it done, but you have to be careful because on the flip side, the Philadelphia Eagles defense has played magnificently. And it seems like they've totally bought into Vic Fangio's scheme. They understand it. Jalen Carter has developed more into a leader of this defense.

That D-Line is playing really well versus the run in the past. The secondary has played pretty good. all year. CJ Gardner Johnson is doing what he has done, you know, in his defense. He looks like he's back home making big plays. Obviously, he had the snafew where he got kicked out of the game, which was crazy. But outside of that, he's made huge plays for this defense. I think Quinyan Mitchell has played really well all season, especially for a rookie. Cooper DeGine has played well. So our guy, friend of the program, Darius Slay, continues to do what he does well. offensively, they have all the pieces.

They have one of the best offensive lines, if not the best offensive line in football at their disposal. I think that's what makes them a really balanced and really dangerous team when it comes playoff time. Now, there is a concern that Jaylen, I don't understand why Jaylen Hertz is still in a concussion protocol. You know, after this amount of time, that's a bit concerning for me. I mean, you would expect by Wednesday or maybe even late tomorrow, he should be clear

to play. And if he's not, then I start to get really concerned. concerned because they will have a much harder time beating the Green Bay Packers without Jalen Hertz than they would with him. For the Packers, you know, Christian Watson went down with an injury last week, too. I mean, that's a guy, you know, not the best hands in the league, but one of the fastest guys in the league can take the top off the defense and can really stretch the field. Without him, they're going to have to adjust.

Richard, if you're Matt LaFloor, how do you scheme this up to give your team the best shot to win this game? Well, you run to football. You lean on the run game. have to get that going. You have to be consistent. Josh Jacobs, this is the reason you got him to be effective in these playoff games, to take pressure off of Jordan Love, to take pressure off that defense, to possess the ball longer than your opponent. So that's what they're going to have to do. They're going to have to run the ball really effectively. Jordan Love is going to have to be very careful

with the football because if you give it over, give it away in a game like this, you go home and you go home in a hurry and you're on the road. So their defense are going to need to cause the turnover, maybe to and give Jordan Love and Matt LaFour an extra possession, and that'll help them win this game. But without those things, if they're not able to run the ball well, and they're having a lean on Jordan Love and lean on this offense and the defense can't get turnovers, and it's going to be a long day for him.

But I think there's definitely a path for the Green Bay Packers to win this game, but I think the Philadelphia Eagles pull it out. Well, they got to lean on the run game. Like you said, that's what gave him success in last playoffs when they blew out the Dallas Cowboys and really, you know, gave the San Francisco 49ers hell in that divisional round as well. Let's see if they can replicate that same, you know, magic that they did last year. Let's go to Tampa Bay.

They're hosting the Washington commanders, Washington commanders, one of the surprise teams this year. Jaden Daniels certainly looks like the answer for them at quarterback. And our guy, you're one of your best friends, Bobby Wagner, shows why DQ, Dan Quinn, brings them in to be the leader of that defense. but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they're resilient, man. I mean, they don't get a whole lot of credit, but they deserve a lot of credit. I mean, this team we talked about on the last podcast, they had to overcome a ton of adversity this year with key players getting injured

on the offensive side of the ball with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans going out for a considerable amount of time. This is going to be a huge game. You know, the Tampa Bay is a tough team. Do you think that they come out on top? Vegas has got them as a three-point favorite. You know, I think Tampa definitely has the advantage right now. young quarterback, but the way Jay and Daniel has played this entire season, I think he's put us

on notice that you can't doubt him, you can't go into a game expecting him to be like normal rookies and to play like normal rookies are hard to have the nerves that normal rookies would have in these playoff games. But on the flip side, there's Todd Bowles. And in playoff games, Todd Bowles has a team that creates turnovers at a high tilt, they get sacks at a high tilt, and they limit scores at a high tilt. And they're, getting healthier. They've been banged up. Jordan Whitehead has been banged up. Mike Edwards went out in that game. They've been banged up in the secondary. Vita Vaya has played a pro bowl style football this entire season. Their offensive line has played pretty good. Bucky

Irvin has come into his own at the running back position. He's done a great job. And I think Mike Evans continues to be the steadying force of this offense. And Baker Mayfield. Baker Mayfield has really played incredible football. And I think, you know, you lose track of of where he was drafted and all that because it's a feel-good story, but he still was a top pick in the National Football League, and he's playing that way. He's 41 touchdowns on the season, 4,500 yards passing. Whether it's with his legs or with his arm, he's a gamer,

and he's doing whatever is necessary to get it done. But on the flip side, so is Jaden Daniel. Jaden Daniels is running the football well. He's doing it well. They made sure to let him sit last week, so he wouldn't put his body in harm's way, because they know how he goes, this offense goes, and he's going to put his body in arm's way.

He's going to run the football. He's not sliding. He's getting the extra yards, and he's trying to do everything that he can to will his team to win football games. But there's a reason that Bucks win six and one after the buy, and after Mike Evans came back, and they really could have been 7-0 if not for a fumble by Rashad White at the end of one of those games. They would have been 7-0 and 0 and really be talking about a team that's red hot going into the playoffs. But I think this is going to be the most intriguing matchup of the playoffs of this first round. at least in my opinion.

I think it's going to be really close. I think it's going to be really competitive. Well, this guy, I mean, Jaden Daniels played in the SEC, obviously, you know, elevated the ASU before we're transferring to LSU. And I feel like the guy, like you said, he doesn't get nervous. He plays wise beyond his years.

He certainly deserves the rookie of the year award that I'm sure he will receive. They're also getting Austin Eccler back, who was starting to become a solid piece of that offense prior to going down with a concussion and getting put on IR. Other side of the ball, Tampa Bay, I mean, they seem to strike golden in the draft twice, you know, on the offensive side of the ball with Bucky Irving and Jalen McMillan out of Washington, Richard, who I know you've probably watched a time or two being up there in Seattle. This guy has really elevated his game with Chris Godwin going down. So I personally like the Bucks in this matchup, but I too believe this is probably the best matchup of the weekend or at least the most intriguing. I think the best matchup will probably go to L.A. Rams and the Vikings, which we can talk about next.

Yeah, I think that's going to be a really good matchup just because of how they literally match up. You know, the Brian Flores' defense is overly aggressive, you know, zero pressure, disguise, six, seven men at the line of scrimmage, back out, pop out in the cover two, pop out in a zero coverage, play man to man, be multiple in his coverage, play a little bit of palms. I think Stafford had answers for that the first time they played. I think Sean McVeigh had answers for that, and that's why they were

able to get the win earlier in the season. I think there will obviously be adjustments made on both sides. But again, Kyron Williams is running the ball well. Stafford with Pooka Nacua and Cooper Cup healthy. Higbee's healthy now. I think with all their weapons at their disposal, they're still a very dangerous team. It's going to come down to what can they do offensively, the Minnesota Vikings. Can Aaron Jones get going? Can Cam Acres get going? Can T.J. Hawkinson get open and be effective in this offense. Can they finally, can they get Justin Jefferson and Addison going in this game because they were shut down against Detroit and it was straight man-to-man coverage? And I think, obviously, the Rams seeing that on tape is going to be encouraging and they're going to feel Chris Shula is surely

going to think, hey, if it's not broke, don't break it. Why not do what Sam Donald struggled with against the Detroit lines, which is pressuring. Put pressure in his face each and every play. trust your defenders down the field. Trust your DBs to be able to hold up and stand up in coverage. Trust that he will not be able to get the pass off. And they have good. Jared Verse will probably be up for a defensive rookie at a year. I think he'll be in the top three if he doesn't win it.

And he's having a great year. I think O'Kellow Witherspoon is covering his butt off. I think he's doing great in their secondary. I think this defense can get it done. But I do think they're going to take a page out of Detroit's book to try to affect Sam Darnold and how he responds to, that will determine who wins this ball game because I think that Stafford and their offense will be able to score points.

If the Vikings can score points and they can manage the game and they can control it that way, I still think they're the better team, but the better team doesn't always win in a playoffs. It's about matchups. It's about scheme. It's about executing down a stretch. And Stafford has shown that he will execute at a high level. Well, the last time the Vikings lost against the Detroit earlier this season, they won on the road

following that and lost to the LA Rams. We'll see if that replicates itself. The Vikings, in my opinion, are a lot better than they played last night against the Lions. I think the Lions kind of, you know, schemed it up well, especially defensively. My goodness. But my question for you, Rich, like,

after you come off such a bad defeat, you know, and obviously with so much down the line with that first round by on the line, and now you've got to go on the road again to L.A., like how defeated do you think this team, is like mentally. Do you think, I mean, do you think they're feeling all right right now? Can they can they provide the juice that they need to get this win? No question, no question. They're playing in one of the toughest divisions in football and really one of the toughest

divisions in the last 50 years. So I think they more feel their battle tested. You know, it's unfortunate how that game went out, but they fought them down to the wire and obviously Detroit was able to pull away at the end. But that was a dogfighting. It's a really good team. And I think if nothing else, it showed them defensively that they can play with anybody, you know, that they can stand up against a really tough team.

Obviously, Jemir Gibbs turned it on and helped Detroit pull away at the end, but I don't think you're discouraged. A 14 and 3 team isn't going to the playoffs, feeling discouraged. You lost three games out of 17. I think you feel really good that you can play with anybody, that you can beat anybody. I know, you know, this team beat you earlier. I think they'll look at that tape and they'll take a hard look at that tape and see the things that they did wrong and the mistakes they made.

And I think they're a much more veteran team since they played them the first time and lost that game. So it's going to be a good game. I think Minnesota finds a way to pull it out. You know, I know they're on the road in L.A., but it's not a weather environment. It's an indoor stadium against a talented team, but not as talented as they've shown to be this year. Well, in terms of the L.A. Rams, we're going to see if Pooke and Nicole can keep up his hot streak. The guy I would keep an eye on is Cooper Cup. I mean, he's really been underwhelming for the last month of the season. I think he's due for a breakout game. We'll see if Minnesota can contain him. But this is my matchup to watch right here.

This is my favorite matchup of the weekend. Vikings against the Rams. We'll see who pulls it out. NFL playoffs. We're talking NFL playoffs. You bet we are. Get in on the action at Draft King's Sportsbook and official sports betting partner of the NFL.

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support all day. Visit rockport.com and use the code Sherman for 30% off your order plus free shipping on orders over $85. Discount code valid through December 31st, 2024. Richard, let's go to the AFC wildcard matchups. And let's start at the top. I mean, the charges are taken on the Texans, the Steelers are taken on the Ravens, and the Broncos are taken on bills. Let's start in Houston. I mean, the Houston Texans are going to be hosting this LA Chargers team, you know, with new coach, Jim Harbaugh, you know, your former coach. And the Chargers have kind of brought a whole new identity. I mean, Jim Harbaugh likes to pound the rock. This Houston Texans team has really, in my opinion, been very, very much so underachieved

this year. I know they've battled injuries, you know, obviously without Steph Diggs, without Tank Dell, but they're bringing in Deontay Johnson. We saw him in the week 18, and you obviously got Nico Collins there. You know, can Houston turn this around and be the team that everyone expected to be this season and go on a mini run in this playoffs? Well, they have the talent to do it. You know, I guess it's to be seen. You know, C.J. Stroud is taking a step back and it appeared.

Obviously, they've been banged up, Tankdale going down, Stefan Diggs going down. But DeNeil Hunter is having a good year. I think they'll get the pass rush, Derek Stingley's having a good year. Again, Nico Collins was leading the league in receiving before you went down with injury. And maybe this is the game that puts them back on track. They get some back in rhythm. The charges have shown that they struggle at times offensively to get a rhythm if they can't run the ball well.

Defensively, they've been really good in most of these games. But I think this is another intriguing matchup that can really go either way. I don't see this being a crazy blowout game from an easy. either side. I could see both sides winning it. I see how the charges could pull away, run the ball. Herbert's efficient with him with the football, makes good decisions down the field, doesn't turn it over. He hasn't three interceptions on, I think, over 500 throws, you know, had a really good season. But I can also see how C.J. Stroud and the boys can really get going. Joe Mixing could get going on the ground game, and they could start really imposing their will on this game if the

Chargers aren't able to stop the run. So that's what I love about the playoffs. We're going to see. We're going to find out. We're going to see. I mean, you've talked about it on past podcasts. You know, Jim Harbaugh is so good at changing the culture and identity of teams. Everywhere he goes, he wins from San Diego to Stanford to, obviously, you know, San Francisco and Michigan.

And now with the Chargers, I mean, this Chargers team had just been treading water for the last five years. and now they've seemed to, again, develop this identity. You've got to love what they're doing. They bring in Ladd-McConkie. I mean, if I'm a GM, dude, I'm drafting guys from Georgia or Alabama, straight up. They went in doubt, draft from one of those guys. And Ladd-McConkie, the fact that, you know, this is going to be like a guy, I wouldn't put them in the same category as Amon-Ross, same Brown,

but the fact that teams traded up and took guys above Ladd-McConkey that aren't making any impact in this league right now is wild. Land McCocky finds himself in a perfect situation with a perfect couple and Justin Herbert to sling him the rock. I'd keep an eye on him. Richard, I kind of like the Chargers in this matchup. I think you've got to go with the team that's been playing better ball. Quentin Johnston, I don't know where that performance was all year, but my goodness, what was, 180-some yards that he had last game, if he can catch the ball, I mean, the guy's a burner, big body, you know, the Chargers might have something here.

I just like LA in this matchup above Houston, just because Houston has not been playing to their level. Let's go to Baltimore, Rich. This Steelers team goes into Baltimore after finishing the season, losing four games in a row. Let's start the conversation about Mike Tomlin. This guy is such a good coach. The fact that he's able to get this team into the playoffs year after year after

year is so beyond impressive. But at what point does it just not become enough, Rich? Because obviously going to the playoffs, you want to appreciate that, but you want to win games in the playoffs. And the Steelers just haven't been able to do that of late. Do you think there's a timeline with how long Steelers can accept not winning in the playoffs? I don't know. I don't know, because I think there will be people lined up to get Mike Tomlin to be their head coach. He's a culture builder. He's a guy that, has literally never had a losing season. And I understand the frustration fans have,

but that's what happens when you never have a losing season. Fans never want the losing season. They just want what comes with the losing season. So you want a top quarterback. You want to be able to draft a quarterback, a franchise quarterback, and you'll never be bad enough to draft the franchise quarterback and to get one in the top five, unless you get him in the later rounds in a second, third round.

And I think you thought you got that with the feel good. Kenny Pickett's story. Hey, he's a hometown kid, went to pit. Like, grew up around here. Like, we think we got our franchise guy, and that didn't end up being the case. But I think some of it starts with personnel because offensively, your personnel hasn't been up to snuff.

Like, how many receivers, you know, Deontay Johnson is playing for somebody else? George Pickens looks like a really good pig. But you see the immaturity at times, and sometimes he deals with that. But he's a really great talent. You picked up Justin Fields and Russell Wilson. Justin Fields was four and two. but the offense was pretty stagnant. You know, he used his legs a lot in the red zone.

The past game was pretty anemic. And so insert Russell Wilson, and he goes out, has really good games for the first six games and looks good and looks like the guy that maybe you need to sign an extension to. And now if you look at the conversation of Steelers fans were having in Russell's first six games versus his last six, you know, our last four or five, you know, it's totally changed. And I think that's where the concern is. Like, is that Tomlin? Because the defense has regressed a little bit, you know, they're not getting as much pressure.

They're getting banged up. But still, Cam Hayward's played well. T.J. Watt has played well. They're still, Minko Fitzpatrick has made another Pro Bowl. And you wonder, I don't think you ever get rid of them. I don't think you can get rid of them and justify it, you know, oh, we went to the playoffs and we didn't win. You really, I'm not sure you had the talent to necessarily be in the playoffs and do damage. And, you know, unfortunately, that's just the case right now until you get a quarterback.

And if you think Russell's the guy, then you're going to have to surround him with more talent. You're going to have to surround him. Bringing Mike Williams in was helpful. But you're going to have to surround him with more talent and more running game, more offensive linemen, better offensive linemen, more protection in order for him to be successful. And then you're going to have to, again, shrunk that defense. But anything can happen in the playoffs, but this is just a tough division. And right now, it's Baltimore. Well, no question.

I mean, the Steelers really had a tough matchups down the stretch. They played the Eagles, the Ravens, the Chiefs, and ultimately a very hungry Cincinnati Bengals team. And Richard, they weren't frankly close in any of these games whatsoever. I think it's really telling about the team that they are. I think they beat up on mediocre teams, but when it comes to facing the big dogs, I just don't think they're there yet. I mean, they have certain pieces in place that certainly help them.

You know, Cam Hayward's an absolute stud. Obviously, T.J. Watt. Smith defensively, they got weapons. But like you said, you see immaturity from George Pickens. He talks a big game, but then drops three balls when it matters most against Cincinnati. And even in that game, it took a muff punt for them to get back in scoring position to even make that a game. So I want to talk a little bit about the end of that game, because ultimately they were in a position to go down and kick a game winning field goal. But Russell does not get out of bounds, runs the clock. And then ultimately, they put themselves

in a position where they've got to, they've got to get himself in field goal position. with 11 seconds left and Pat Fryerner, he drops the ball. Like, I just wonder again how frustrated this fan base will become. And maybe they lost a little bit of trust in Russ. We'll see. But in terms of the Ravens, Rich, like, my goodness, man, this team, I think they're due. At some point in time, this team, if they can get over that Kansas City Chiefs hump, there certainly do.

And Lamar Jackson showed it all year. He's certainly worthy of being in this MVP conversation. like how certain are you that the Baltimore Ravens are going to go in there and come out with a convincing win this weekend? I'm pretty sure about it. You know, I mean, they're playing really well and they're going to let it all hang out. I think Lamar has heard enough about him not running the ball in the playoffs and him being conservative and trying to be quarterbacky or whatever they're saying. Like, hey, use everything at your disposal, whatever's necessary to get the win. And I think that's been his problem in the playoffs.

He wants to throw it and he's stay in the pocket and show he can be. be a pocket passer and it just hasn't been, it hasn't been him. And so I think he's going to do whatever is necessary. You hear how hungry Derek Henry is from his locker room conversations. He's hungry for a win. That defense they have that was struggling early in the season. I think, I think Zach Orr has finally figured it out and made the right adjustments and that defense is playing out of their minds now.

Marlon Humphreys is having a great season. another Pro Bowl season for him. And I think that's going to be the difference maker going down a stretch. They're playing right. They're hot. They're playing together at the right time. And I think they're a team that can deal with the cold. You know, if they got to go to Kansas City and get it done, I think they can do that.

If they got to go to Buffalo and get it done, I think they can do that. And so they're a team that's built to have to weather the storm they're going to have to get if they want to get a rain this year. Well, we'll check the status on Zayflowers. He went out in week 18 with an injury. But Rashad Bateman filled in swimmingly. I mean, that guy looks fantastic. You got Mark Andrews is healthy again, finally. Big body.

And like you said, the hammer, Derek Henry just wears these teams down. I mean, the Ravens have everything they need to make a title run and come out of the AFC. It starts with the Steelers, though they got to overcome a division foe. Let's take it to Buffalo, Rich. This team, you know, Josh Allen, marvelous season. They're hosting the Denver Broncos and Bownecks. I mean, the guy looks like he's going to be a 10-year-old. starter at minimum in the NFL going forward. And he's got the perfect pairing for himself with

Sean Payton. You know, this is going to be a game that's certainly worth watching. You know, the Broncos are eight and a half point dogs, but I could see it being a lot closer than that. You know, what are your thoughts on the bills and the Broncos heading into this matchup? Well, it could be intriguing. I think Buffalo just has the pedigree. They're playing well. Josh Allen's having a really fantastic season. I think Sean McDermott is doing a great job coaching his team. their defense is playing good enough. But this Denver defense is one of those defenses that could throw everything in the kitchen sink at Josh Allen

and really cause some issues. And I think offensively, if somehow Bow Nix plays a great game, you know, he could play great. They have a chance and they could pull an upset. But I think, I don't know. I just, I don't think Bo Nix will play well enough to beat Josh Allen in Buffalo. I think that'd be really, really surprising if that happened. I think Josh Allen is going to will this team to a victory. They've won their last four wildcard games.

And I know this Denver defense has shown real great promise. Pratt Sertan, it might be the defensive player at a year this season. And they do a great job against the run. Vance Joseph deserves a lot of credit for what they've been able to do. And it's a feel-good story in the playoffs. But Buffalo is just on another tier right now than Denver. So this upset, if Denver found a way to win, be really, really surprised, but anything can happen in the National Football League.

And sometimes a rookie that comes in, young, dumb, and full of gum, it is just going to, it sometimes just goes out there and does some things because he doesn't know he's not supposed to. He doesn't know what's supposed to happen. He's just out there playing and balling and feeling good and enjoying the moment. And sometimes that's enough to get a team going, you know, if Sutton goes up there and makes a few big grabs and, you know, things can happen where momentum can shift and Buffalo could be concerned. just don't see Josh Allen losing this football game.

I really like the bills this year, Richard. They finally have something they haven't had in years past, and that's a very, very reliable run game with James Cook Pound in the Rock. I mean, I think he just tied or set the franchise record for rushing touchdowns, if I'm not mistaken. But you couple him with the ability of Josh Allen to get on the move as well. I really like the bills this year. If it's not this year, I don't know when.

I mean, you got Keon Coleman. a wide receiver who's a big body downfield that they can just huck it to. They really haven't utilized Amari Cooper whatsoever. So I'm wondering when he's going to make his appearance with them. So on the other side of the ball, the Broncos, I mean, shout out to Bo Nix for getting Cortland Sutton more involved. I mean, that's a rookie trusting the proven veteran. The Broncos and the Bills, team that's used to playing in the cold, both of these guys,

love the matchup. We'll see what happens. Hey, it's us, the Jonas brothers. And guess what? We have some big news. What's the news, name? 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.

We're starting a trend. But this one's extra special. So how did we, 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,

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 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? This Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toler. O'Dano and our podcast Point Game is about defining the odds.

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

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

why 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 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 nymphs. 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 would. whistle as you walk. Listen to crime lists on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. It's your responsibility to not just seek help, but to identify that you need help.

This is Mental Health Awareness Month. Tune in to the podcast, Jess Healed with Dr. Jay, and take real steps toward healing, growth, and becoming your best self. When you hear the word healing, what does that mean for you? What came right back to mine are the three P's that I live by, I'll go. through the process of healing so that patience, that perseverance, and that prayer equals healing to me. From understanding your mental health to doing the work, we break down practical tools,

real conversations, and the mindset shifts you need to move forward and thrive. You matter too. Your mental health is your responsibility, not your wife, not your partner, not your children, not the church, not the pastor, not the council. It's your responsibility. It's time to stop putting your healing on hold and start doing something about it. Listen to Just Hill with Dr. Jade on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Let's talk about these season awards, Richard, not that the season concluded.

Like, what's your final say with MVP? Are you giving it to Josh Allen? Are you going to give it to Lamar Jackson? I know we've talked about this at length and previous podcasts. But, I mean, in my opinion, it's a genuine toss-up. Where does Richard Sherman lie in this? And that's also about all for me. I think it's Lamar Jackson's MVP.

I think the numbers he put up right now are historic. You know, the first 4,900-yard, 40 touchdown, under-5 interception season in NFL history. This league has been around a long time. And there's been a lot of really incredible players to play. And for somebody to have a first, at this point in time, something that's literally never been done in the history of the league, And I know that, you know, the argument, what the argument is for Josh Allen, but I think it's just hard for a narrative-based MVP season to go against a statistically based MVP season when your narrative doesn't also include the number one seed and dominance. And so if the Buffalo bills, you know, Josh Allen led them to a playoff berth and people said, oh, well, nobody picked them to play this well.

it would sound better, it would make more sense if the team had actually underperformed at one point. I know they lost a lot of guys, they lost a lot of pieces, they lost Stefan Diggs, they lost a lot of veteran leadership. I understand fully. But what I'm saying is in this situation, you have to also get the one seat. Like they never missed the playoffs. They're a playoff team last year. They're a playoff team this year. So although the narrative out there may have been like, hey, we're not sure how good they're going to be this year.

They're coming off a playoff season, so they're still a playoff team, and they're a playoff team this year. So if they were the one seed, 15 and 2 with the narrative in these stats, then I could see, hey, they're going to give it to Josh Allen. They're the best team in football. He's carrying them to this spot. I know Lamar has had one of the most impressive seasons in National Football League history, but it's tough to say the best player on the best team. I understand that. when you're the two seed, it doesn't carry the same weight. And so Lamar Jackson carries weight, and I know everybody's like, Derek Henry, he has good players around him.

Yeah, that's kind of how it works. MVP's have good players around them. I mean, that's how it's going to weird. You're not going to find MVPs with bad players around them. You're not going to find good teams with bad players around them. You're just not. And Derek Henry's having a little worse season than he had when he had 2,000 yards. And, I mean, it's going to be easier for both of them.

them. It's a good team. It's a good season. That's why he picked him up. But it doesn't take away from 41 passing touchdowns from Lamar Jackson and only four interceptions. It's not like he's not throwing the ball at all. He's running the ball well. He's efficient. His offense is scoring. They're winning games. They've won four straight in December, and that's winning football. You know what I mean? These awards are usually won in December. You know, people remember the last things you've done. And I know that Josh Allen has had a really good season. I would agree with him. I'd say, man, any other year, if the narrative was this, he'd probably win it. But it's a historic season by Lamar Jackson.

That's going to make it tough for voters to say, hey, 41 and 4. 41 and 4 isn't going to win it? Like, when is it not won it? Winning some numbers like this not won MVP? You find those numbers for me. Those are absurd stats. Let's look at the defensive player of the year. I know you've been singing his praises all season, and that's Patrick Sertan.

he's the overwhelming favorite to win this above T.J. Watt and Kirby Joseph and some other guys in there, how happy are you to see that a corner is actually going to win defensive player of the year or so it looks like? That's pretty awesome. That's pretty awesome. And it couldn't happen to a better guy. I think he deserves it. Patrick Sartan has played well for so long. And he's really been the standard for corner play over the last three, four years. and so for him to add this to his resume, add this to his collection of awards, is what he deserves. You know, he's been a consummate professional. He's been the standard even for college kids.

He's been a standard for every coach to teach corners how to play the position. And so I'm happy for him. He's had a great season. A hundred yard pick six, made tremendous plays, helped his defense be one of the top defenses in the National Football League. So good for him. Obviously, pass rushers used. get it and Miles Garrett and T.J. Water

are all the ways around. But again, I just feel like they're rushing a passer. A guy playing at a high level and a good defense needs to be celebrated and that's what they're getting it right this year. Let's look at the coach of the year. I mean, this is a conversation I'm looking forward to having because, you know, Vegas favors Kevin O'Connell

heavily here, followed by Dan Campbell and Sean Peyton. You know, Kevin O'Connell obviously brings Minnesota out of nowhere and finishes with a 14 and 3 record. But, you know, the same could be said for Dan Campbell. I mean, granted, the expectations for the Lions were to win the division and be a Super Bowl contender coming into this season. But still, I would argue that Dan Campbell exceeded expectations with this Detroit Lions team going 15 and 2. You know, do you believe it's Kevin O'Connell's award or do you think Dan Campbell should have equal stake to that?

Well, I think, you know, this is when it comes down to whether you, believe it's the narrative or the expectations, you know. And I think if it's narrative-based, the guy has to go to Kevin O'Connell because he came in with either a rookie quarterback or an unproven Sam Donald, a guy who's been, who's gone from a top three pick to a journeyman coming from being a backup in San Francisco behind Brock Purdy. And you're really expecting him to start J.J. McCarthy. J.J. McCarthy goes out with the meniscus injury. And now you've got your force to start Sam Donald in just the season that he's had, the season

that Brian Flores has had, you're not talking about a bunch of all-pros and pro-bowlers on the defensive side of the ball. You're talking about Van Ginkle and Granard becoming pro-bowlers this year in a great scheme under Brian Flores and what they've been able to do, which has been great. What he has done has been masterful. These guys have come together really fast. His scheme has been on display. His guys have played hard for him, and they've been, they won 14 games. And this is not a team that you expected to win 14 games. You're talking about a team that you really, I mean, maybe 10 games. You thought six, seven spot in a wild card.

They were literally, you know, playing for the one seat. And so I think you have to give them credit for what they've been able to build unexpectedly. I think the alliance, you expect it. You know, they were top two NFC team last year. They were in an NFC championship. And guess what? They're a top NFC team this year. San Francisco 49ers had a bad year and fell off the face of the earth.

and the Detroit Lions have continued to be what they were last year. And I think, unfortunately, coaches get punished for that, you know. Andy Reid went 15 and 2, and you're not even thinking about him for coach a year because it's like, you know what I mean? So sometimes you get punished because your team's talented because the expectations for your team is high or high. And that's why Kevin O'Connell will likely get it. I mean, that's where Stefansky has multiple coaches of a year and no postseason successful. to really speak up. Well, Richard, before we wrap this up, I got to get the landscape of the Richard Sherman Power ranks, Week 18 style. I know that they're relatively irrelevant now that we're

finally in playoffs, but I got to know how you stack up the NFL right now with these power rankings. A lot of teams are playing at a high level. How do you stack them for Week 18, Rich? Well, Kansas City Chiefs go one. Your Detroit Lions, two. Three would have to be Baltimore Ravens. I'm going to go Baltimore at three. I'm going to go Buffalo at four and I'm going to go Philadelphia Eagles at five until they prove me otherwise. If Buffalo beats Baltimore in Buffalo, then, you know, they've been color me surprised. The one team that slide in those power ranks from past weeks is the Minnesota Vikings, fresh off a loss of the Detroit Lions. Like, how much does that loss really impact your view of them as a team? It doesn't impact my view of them

in totality, but it just did show that there was a different level that they haven't reached yet, you know, especially with Sam Darnold, you know, he looked flustered, he went 0 for four in the red zone. And they just, the line's defense doesn't. They're banged up. They're depleted. And a depleted defense held you out of the end zone four times, turn over on downs on one of those drives and held you to nine points.

And I think probably six of those are, like you said, all nine of them were probably gifts. you know what I mean, from turnovers that your defense gave you. So that's where the concern level rose for me is just to see him not do well with that pressure. Now, if he goes in there against the Rams and plays a fantastic game, then, you know, my confidence level will increase, but that was concerning. Well, Richard, that concludes it. The regular season's over, and we got a landscape of playoff football to look forward to next weekend. I will let you sign us off, my friend.

Well, we appreciate you guys joining us, as always. I can't wait to watch these playoff games and see how they pan out. If your team didn't make it, well, start starting studying these colleges and start figuring out what you want in the draft, do your mock drafts, or enjoy the playoffs and watch these other teams and root against your rivals. Whatever floats your boat. I'm not mad at you. We appreciate you joining us, whether it was for a second, a minute, an hour.

It does not matter. You stuck around with us, and we sure do appreciate it. Hit that sub button if you're new. The volume. Hey, guys, it's us and 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 get to ask other 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 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, it's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Tolodano. 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, Mark keep coming to you. 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. Real talent is defined by what people can do, not where. they learn to do it. So by stopping at the education section of a resume, you might throw away the perfect hire. Skills first hiring helps you see talent others miss,

like more than 70 million stars, skilled through alternative routes. Let their story unfold and gain a competitive advantage because hiring managers who start with skills are 60% more likely to find a successful hire. Hire Skills First. Learn why at tear the paper ceiling.org. Brought to you by Opportunity at Work and the Ad Council.

This week on Crimeless, Rory and I welcome a very special guest. When I did podcasts, I wear my sleep masks. I like where this is going. So if you guys will indulge me. That's right, the incredibly talented and hilarious Will Ferrell on an episode dedicated to crimes committed by people named Will Ferrell. You're good for 300 crimes?

Yeah. We've got two. I'm ready to go right up to present day. Listen to Crimless on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever. wherever you get your podcast. This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed human.