The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Favorites - NFL Betting Recap Week 18

Episode Date: January 6, 2025

Another NFL regular season is in the books as Action Network NFL betting experts Chad Millman and Simon Hunter faithfully return to discuss all things betting for NFL Week 18. Together they talk about a disappointing season in their contest, a cakewalk in the Mile High City, and the fresh NFL Super Wild Card Weekend lines. We get a recap of all their weekly picks, good and bad, as they take accountability before a massive Sunday Night Football game kicks off in the Motor City. #Volume #HerdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it.

Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter.

Listen to humor me with Robert Smygle and friends on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where SportsSlice comes in. I'm Timbo, and every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room

stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear. Listen to SportsClace on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slica Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hard Way with your favorite therapist and host, Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor it? It signals to the world that you not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to listen to learn the hard way on the iha radio app apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast welcome to the favorites the podcast presented by bet three six five we are part of the volume podcast network live from our tommy john home studios i am chad milman of the action network

it is our sunday night episode we're going to review for one last time this football season the five picks we put into the contest they are a reflective of our entire season so far. We're going to dissect a little bit about why we left some games out, but that is not the main event. The main event is we're going to preview the early lines we already like for wildcard playoffs. Some of them are moving already across key numbers. I'm joined, as always, by my co-host, my companion, my compadre,

and my BFF professional better, Simon Hunter. Hello, Simon! Hello, Chad. What a day, brother. Took 18 weeks, man. prior to today we had 17 weeks of dogs shitting the bed of favorites playing perfectly of living through the exact opposite of everything we had relied upon as betters for years years and then today the dogs they finally started barking the bears covered the cowboys covered the jacks covered the saints covered the saint covers, the Patriots covered, the Panthers covered, even the Texans as dogs against the Tennessee Titans covered. Of course, the Giants did not cover. Somehow, the Giants ended up in our final five, even though like every other game looked more attractive because the Giants were already playing

all their backups and their third stringers. So it didn't matter who they were playing. I don't know how we ended up with that. We did have the Panthers, which is great because we've been banking on them for weeks. We had the Jags. We had the Chiefs. That was a bit of a bummer, but everyone seemed to like them, so they all took a hip. We're two and two on the day with the Vikings plus three and a half. Tonight, let's break it down. More importantly, we're going to talk about what we are seeing for any of the early playoff lines. We got four lines posted for the four games that we know are set. Obviously, we're waiting on two NFC matchups tonight based on the Vikings and the Lions results.

Catch every episode of the favorites live on YouTube. For those on YouTube, don't forget to give us a like and subscribe to the Action Network YouTube page. As a reminder of the favorites podcast is presented by Bet365 and now new Bet365. Customers get $150 in bonus bets when you bet $5.

Sign up using promo code favorites, deposit $10, plays a bet for $5 to get $150 in bonus bet. Those bonus bets can be used on spreads, totals, player, props, futures, and more. Whatever the moment it's an ever-ordinary bet 365 must be 21 or older and present in, Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or 18-and-old in Kentucky, gambling problem. Call 1-800 gambler or 1-800 bets off in Iowa. Terms, conditions, restrictions, apply. Let's start with some housekeeping. People want to know performance, how we did during the year.

It was not pretty all the time. Foxhole started out 0 and 6, ended 8, 8, and 2. Simon says, 9, 8, and 1. Executive decision, 5 and 13. Big Balls Better the Week, presented by Tommy John, started 4 and 0, ended 8 and 10. It's what happens when you're constantly betting home underdogs. We'll give out the final record from the contest at the end of the show. It's not going to be good.

New York Giants plus two and a half at Philly. How do we end up with the giants of all the dogs that like had things locked up or needed to win to stay? Like the Giants were the only ones who were who were never in it. I mean, they were down four. They had a chance at the end there, and they obviously punted the ball back to the Eagles. I don't think they got the ball back. But yeah, bet a bad number was a bad bet.

We basically bet on a team that, you know, should have realized they came off their Super Bowl. And, yeah, our quarterback drew lock in that first half did nothing. Basically put up a goose egg. Tanner McKee, you didn't even play that great, but he played well enough to get them to the 17 points, which, you know, I guess they won, they got 20 at the end there, but yeah, Eagles, like you just said, Eagles playing their backups, the Giants, I'm playing their backups for weeks, look like the Giants for the team that was rusty.

So, yeah, that was a bad one in. Obviously, it's even more brutal and that's the only dog that doesn't cover the early slate. So it stinks. We had a lot of dogs we liked this week, ended up on a bad one at a bad number, did not come through. Bad, very bad, bad all the way around. because we liked, we talked about the bears, we talked about the freaking saints, like the number of parleyes we had on the money line and on these underdogs to cover. The Giants were barely in any of these things for me.

But whatever, at least it's over. Malik Neighbors did set a Giants record for most receptions in a season. and the announcers were making such a big deal about this because really it's their job and what else are you going to do? Can you think of a giant's receiver in history that's actually worth fawning over other than O'Dell who was not historically great or even great for longevity? Can you think of one?

Plaxico, man. Come on. Dude, come on. I'm thinking historically great. Like the way, and this, by the way, tumor? No, the answer to my next question will prove my point because they were making such a big deal.

Malik neighbors franchise record for most receptions in a season. That's a big deal. Oh my God. It's so amazing. The Giants, such a historic franchise. I could not think of anybody who is worthy as a great receiver, a Hall of Fame caliber receiver for the New York football Giants. And then because I'm like, who cares?

Like, it's the freaking giants, right? Then they gave the answer to who set the record. Do you know who it was? Who had the Giants record or the NFL? Giants record for most receptions in the season. That's shocking. It's not Odell. Who is it?

Steve Smith. And not the Steve Smith you're thinking of, the one who's finalist for the holidays. He was on the Eagles, Steve Smith? Steve Smith. I think he went to like USC or. or something. Yeah. Was it?

Early 2000s. Oh, yeah. Like, that's the guy who set their record. So that says all you need to know about how much this team needs a reset. I don't know. I'd be excited. Like, they got their receiver. Now they just need an offensive line and a quarterback.

Yeah. Good luck, Giants. Ask the Bears how that's going. You just need an offensive line. You just need a quarterback. You got your receivers. You're fine on the edges. You just need those two things.

Easier said than none. Jacksonville at Indy, we had Jacksonville plus three and a half. You know how the people who run the media, all the NFL executives who decide when they're really going to what games on Red Zone, how little they think of Jacksonville and Indy, even though it was a riveting game. Because in the first half, despite multiple lead changes and a field goal with less than 40 seconds, and the half. I think at a red zone, I saw maybe three plays from this game. They would just go to it like, you know, after the fact, they weren't going to it in real time. They'd show you the highlight. But this was a great game. Played exactly the way we thought it would. Yeah, it was a

corner, definitely a corner TV at the sports book. There was me and a couple other guys all huddled around it. I mean, the funniest thing was that next to that TV in the corner was that Buck Saints game. I think after maybe the first quarter, they moved it to the main TV. It was like, okay, this, because people are going wild about, you know, survivor contests, I mean, it really was a really fun day at the book. Sweating out survivor contest. People like us who are betting dogs, like there's a lot of dog love in the building today. And, yeah, it was, it was pretty surreal coming down the wire for a lot of those games.

So, yeah, I get what you're saying, though. Definitely was not, you know, they went to overtime. and I think maybe five of us knew that because even Red Zone didn't cut into it in overtime, man. I thank God I didn't text you. I was going to text you, but basically they go to overtime

and the Colts got the ball first. And I just in my mind, it was like, oh my God, hear me and Chad go again. And, you know, another game we did today went to overtime. So at the same time, I was just like, oh, my God, deja vu, two dogs going overtime. But yeah, like we're hoping, Chad. It looks like it's the year of the dog because,

you know they've got a big fourth down stop that jaggs team and you know got the field goal in overtime but mac jones man like it it was crazy how he kept getting us back from the dead um we kept needing touchdowns from him he kept doing it got that field goal at the end and go to overtime and uh yeah on fourth in 22 threw a nice middle of the field 15 yard pass just to end the game put us out of our misery no pick six no strip sack no pass behind so felt good you know bet a good number you know, I had a ton of money on four and a half, a bunch of money on four, obviously some money on the three and a half. And I'm just like, oh, my God, I'm going to lose all these numbers. And it was nice that it kind of felt like the game went as it should.

The Colts just don't cover against the Jaguars. It's bizarre. But we love those type of trends. And I'm happy it came through for us and the fans. Here's a theory. So ever since Mack Jones started playing, this team has played with more fire, more passion. they were scrappier, more energized, seemed to be having so much more fun

than when Trevor Lawrence was playing, right? And you think back to Doug Peterson when he was the Eagles coach, when did he have his greatest success? The six, seven, eight week run after the superstar MVP caliber quarterback, Carson Wentz went out, and he had Nick Foles,

backup quarterback, everyone's rallying around the guy. Is it possible that Doug Peterson is a better, scrappy, not as talented quarterback coach than he is a uber talented quarterback head coach.

No, what helped him is he got to play Tennessee to our last five weeks. So you got two wins there. And obviously, I mean, you joked about it. that Colts team is just atrocious. Like Brian Thompson Jr. It's just such, it's crazy different levels.

He's at such a different level than anyone that could even defend him on the Colts team. So, yeah, Mack Jones, he knew the assignment, just throw it down to Brian Thompson Jr. He'll get it. And yeah, he saved our ass today because I'm not going to lie. They drove to fill that opening possession scored a touchdown on the Colts. And I was like, well, we basically need Mac to answer. And he did. And, you know, we didn't even talk about yet that.

Panthers game, but, you know, a lot of things happen in the two-minute warning in both these games. And in this game, you know, I think they're down seven and a half time because, you know, they kicked the ball back. Yeah, it's 2013. Able to drive the field and get a field goal. So tough, tough when you're always behind it, but it's like we always say, like we trusted the number, trusted the spot. And yeah, it's nice when it comes through with the number, literally land exactly we thought it should. You said the number should be three. It was three and a half. We took the value and it came through. The announcers on the Texas Titans games said something interesting.

They talked about Davis Mills and him trying to perform so well for the Texans. And Davis Mills said to them, he's like, look, these games might not mean anything, but to someone like me, it's extra time in the league as a backup quarterback if I play well. And I feel like...

And I feel like... What's that? I said Carson Went said the same thing. Did he? Well, you might have cut his time in half. Mac Jones, I feel like, gave himself another five years in the league with his performance just the past six weeks. Yeah. Jonathan Taylor, by the way, had 177 yards rushing.

In his last four games of the year, he averaged 156 yards rushing for game. Pretty amazing. Quietly dominated at the end of the year. All the talk about Derek Henry and Sequin and even Bijan, who had 170 yards rushing today, we're going to get to that game. Jonathan Taylor, nice job. And, by the way, even with all the touchdown, you know, drama, still had five touchdowns in those four games.

I mean, Cook's for, I want to give Cook's love for the Bills as well. You think he had 16 touchdowns, Matt Mitchell. I think he set the Bill's record. Pretty insane year for running backs, really was. Really incredible year. Like, really, and Kieran Williams, who didn't even play. Yeah. Amazing.

Yeah. All right, Carolina at Atlanta. So we had Carolina plus eight and a half. Game of the day, bed of the day, team of the day. You mentioned you were at the sports book. My younger son plays rec league basketball. It doesn't, it's like, it's just him and his buddies fucking around, but it's like an organized league.

And the games are really fun because he's playing with all those buddies that, you know, we've known in various stages throughout school. And obviously he's going to go to college next year because he's a senior in high school. So my wife and I want to go to these games because it's fun to see all these kids that, you know, goofing around and, you know, hanging out and, you know, acting like idiots together. But of course, like it's happening from 330 to 430. So I bring my phone to the game and I'm watching the end of the game. And I've got my notebook out.

And one of the kids is like, what are you doing? Are you scouting? Like, he thought I was taking notes on the other team. I'm like, I'm working, asshole. and this game was going back and forth on my little tiny screen and like, I'm going to say it right now.

I think we're fucked next year. Because we talk so much about the Panthers heading into the season. They became the team we thought they would be but it wasn't until midway through the season after everyone had stopped listening to us or just thought we were idiots. So now we're going to start next year

talking about the Panthers again because we love this team. We love this team. Even Dave Canales said we got our guy. finally admitted it after Bryce Young's game today. He was awesome. Yeah, I think for the most part, though, people jumped on board. I would say I went from getting, I don't know, 50 death threat hate,

e, DMs and Twitter replies about them to some nice things said to us about us, like knowing when to jump back in about how much they love and enjoy betting this Panthers team and how they were going to ride with us one last time today. And yeah, they, you know, they're, our savior in the Moneyland Parlay, right? They came through big time and that was another game though. It made me sick my stomach, right? We're dominating in the first half and they basically gave up 14 points in a minute 50 seconds or a minute 45 seconds. It was like this is why people hate betting this team. It's like you do everything right. Bruchung plays so well and your defense

just totally lays an egg and rolls over in the final two minutes. They just done it consistently this season. Like, they just are so bad in the two-minute drill. But Bryce Young, man, what a game. You know, the throws he makes, even today, running the ball. Like, he just looks so confident, comfortable in this game. And it's like, that was probably the most fun part about watching it. The past five, six weeks he has smiled.

He's confident. He's making just baller throws. Really amazing throws. down the seams, on the sidelines. So accurate. Finding guys in the end zone. How about that play? I can't remember if it was in the first half or the second half,

where he threw the ball. And before the guy had caught it, he did what Lamar did yesterday, turned around, had his back to the play and had his arms in the air, signaling touchdown. Like, the guy's just loving playing right now. 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. 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. Oh, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band. Before Jonas Brothers. This is how you guys remember it going down?

Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast, 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. Last night, a blown call changed the game. The morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened.

That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athletes themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls,

We break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slices Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential.

Either way, the podcast Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The French Open is one of the toughest tests in tennis, and I know firsthand because I competed there myself. I'm Renee Stubbs, and on the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast, I'm breaking down everything happening at Roland Garris. Every match, every upset, and what it really takes to win on Clay. Jenchian win.

I mean, she went down in three to Rabakina, but I'm delighted. She's an outsider to win the French for me. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lina Rabakina is arguably the best player in the world right now, and I actually can win on any surface. Because if she's serving, well, good luck. Consider this your court side scene. to the French Open. Listen to the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast on the IHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. So here's my question for you. The Falcons come close to winning the division, only had a few games with Michael Panics, who I would say was good-ish. Like, I think people can be fooled into believing he was better than he was

because his arm is so good and he can just whip the ball. but he also was incredibly inaccurate. Yeah. And didn't make great decisions all the time. Obviously, we only had a few games. Meanwhile, the Panthers finished five and 12. Which one of these teams do you think has more optimism about next year? Probably still Atlantic because they have a lot of the pieces in place where I agree.

I'm excited for the Panthers. I think they know what they need to do, right? Just spend all their money on the defensive side. Like the offense went healthy. Like Trubal Harbor will be back. You know, I don't know what the deal is with the rookie they drafted this year. He kept getting injured. And I think he got re-injured this season when he came back.

You know, they have a lot to build around. You're talking about Xavier Leggett, the receiver? No, that's the right receiver. They drafted a running back. Oh, right, that kid from Texas. Jonathan, I forgot his name. But yeah. Stud.

Like probably the best running back. Brooks. There we go. Thank you. That's right. That's right. Yeah, but I told you, there were biggest issue is that there was no secret that there in this stretch,

you know, these last eight games, feeling was the best receiver. Yes. Like there's no doubt about it. And that's, that is a problem when your best receiver is a dude who we think he'll be back next year. He should come back, but it's not, it's not great. You're not, you don't want to be a position where you have a guy in his mid 30s is your best receiver. But, yeah, the Atlanta thing, you know, not that we knew they were going to lose here, but I talked about the numbers on Penn.

next one you really dived into it and broke it down. He does look good on film. When you break it down and look at the numbers, there are things he struggles with. Like he's not that accurate of a quarterback as people think. And we kind of saw in this game, right? He was a little inconsistent. Even though he put up a ton of points,

he had basically, I mean, second and five, second and four every time he had the ball. Like Robinson dominated that game. Like we thought he would. 170 yards. It's like, I think the Panthers gave up 200 yards rushing. the final six weeks of the year. So, yeah, it's, again, I'm just so excited for the Panthers

where they really made us look like straight idiot fools for nine weeks, ten weeks there. And then you kind of saw now what we saw coming to the season, which is like this team had a ton of potential, a ton of upside. And just a huge drive for them. Like we talk about all the time. Like these bad teams, you win this type of game,

just like years ago with Detroit lines and this exact scenario you win this type of game it sets a tone for the upcoming season and the motivation guys because like we figure all the time how human this is like again we talk about the hangover the Super Bowl I saw a great quote by Debo Samuel where he loses a Super Bowl he couldn't leave his house he said he was so depressed for a month and then it was like holy shit we got OTAs like that's how quick the season comes on you where it's like he said he couldn't get it he still wasn't out of the funk even coming to this year You said he just could not get out of that Super Bowl funk.

So setting the tone for the upcoming season. It's the ultimate high vibes. And there's no doubt mean you were going to be sucked back in on this Panthers team. I'm just so happy and excited about this team's future. Oh, my God. We're so screwed. Like, we are going to be betting so many. Like, it's going to be so terrible.

You're not wrong about the Super Bowl. So I had lunch on Friday with Friend of the Pod, Seth Wickersham. And I did pitch him on the Sean McVeigh. and Baker Mayfield idea that I said I wanted to pitch him on totally liked it then he tried to piss in it like the old joke is

an editor walks up to an oasis in the desert with a writer and the writer's like oh my God it's perfect and the editor jokes oh wait I can make it better and then he starts to pissing it

and I gave Seth this brilliant idea he's like oh my God I love this idea and then he starts coming up with these other things I'm like guy what's the matter with you I'm giving you

gift. And yet he still tried to make it something that it wasn't. We were talking about the Super Bowl between the Chiefs and the Niners and how people forget that block kick, right? And like, the Niners were so close. Kyle Shanahan was out coaching Andy Reed and beating Patrick Mahomes. And like one block kick, least to one drive, least to a game tying field goal. It's like, I understand it. I understand it. I do. The Panther's going to be in that spot one day. I love it. Kansas City plus ten and a half at Denver. Look, we loved it. Everybody loved it. And Carson Wentz couldn't stay on the field. The Chiefs D couldn't get off the field. First quarter and a half, the Chiefs had six plays. The Broncos had three touchdowns. Bo Nix, was 18 for 18 with nearly 200 yards and three touchdowns before he had an incompletion.

Like, it was dead from the start. Congrats to you, by the way, because I'm convinced me you gave away the under 40 and a half. And it played out that the chiefs did exactly what you said they were going to do. Run the ball, burn the clock. It just so happened. The Broncos tried to score every time they had the ball, except like the last seven minutes of the game. And that's why I love veteran coaches, though. Andy Reid was just so brutally honest.

He's like, if they would allow me to play with a running clock in this game, I would play with running clock. And I didn't honestly think the chiefs would just no show like they did. But I do think it was the Bo Nix effect where, you know, we talked about coming to this game, Bo Nix had been struggling down the stretch here. And we're seeing here that in that first half, Bo Nix, like you just said, he was 18 and 19, 282 yards, three touchdowns, 153 passer rating. What are we going to do, Chad? So that was dead from the start.

Like you said, Carson once, I think he went three and out on three straight drives. On the flip side, Bowenick scored three straight touchdowns and terrible bet. You know, a day where a bunch of the 10-point dogs came through, our big dog. Once again, we just can't hit the mark, man. All season long, that's what it's been like. Yeah. The fact that the Saints covered, the Patriots, covered the bears covered like we knew them the chiefs like when evan told us they were the most

bet yeah i know when i saw that this morning yeah i know but i was already like i already made my bet i kind of delay in it like i honestly couldn't get out of it so um that was definitely one that hurt where it's like man we saw the signs telling us to get out and we kept we pushed ahead where yeah the the biggest regret definitely of the day is not having the bears or the cowboys were we both love those the cowboys one scared me off there because a trailer But yeah, the Bears one just hurt because it was like that was the dream. We just knew how do they were. We talked about it. I let the trend scare me off. But yeah, to me like again, we didn't we didn't have in the contest. That was my favorite game of the day that Bears game. It had everything the highs and the lows. Why I love betting of like I won and died that money line a thousand times on the Bears and they're just they were the chaos team of the year. I mean, we we joke that that that hell Mary they were would they have four wins going to that hell Mary or five ones? No, they stopped winning after that. Right.

That's what I mean. So that was their first win since that hell merry. And it's like, it's just crazy. A little play like that can determine a whole team season. 11 in a row. And they, I was watching this game, again, watching this game, you know, at the West Harford Reg League basketball game. And everybody's saying to me like, you can't just watch the kids.

You got to watch the game. I'm like, I'm working. I am actually working. And I watched the Bears. They ran. They like managed the clock. They spiked the ball. They got the field goal.

They ran around like they had won the Super Bowl or the West Hartford Rec League Championship acting like they had never won before because they really haven't. And now the good news is the Bears going to interview Thomas Brown, the current interim head coach, to be their new head coach. Super excited about that. This is all going to go great. Bears won in honor of Virginia, Alice McCasky, who turned 102 today.

Can you believe that? The NFL is 105 years old. She's been around for 102 of those years. I mean, it's good to be rich. I wonder how liquid they are, though. They're not like Josh Harris, you know, like the Harris Blitzer Capital Rich, They're like, you know, football rich.

I don't think they can pull a lot out of that yet. I don't know. I feel like this whole country's built on people buying things they don't have money for. It's just loaning money out of assets they already own. So I'm sure they're doing all right. Yeah, I'm not going to cry for them. My favorite incentives from today. Gino Smith got $6 million in incentives.

We talked about it the other day. $4 million for getting more than 185 passing yards in the game. that got him over this season total he needed to get for a $2 million incentive. Finish the season above 70% completion percentage, got a $2 million incentive for that. Got the Seahawks to 10 wins, got a $2 million incentive for that. Mike Evans got his incentive for 1,000 yards. He went crazy on the last play of the game.

That was amazing. Yeah, that was great. What I've loved with this is how unabashedly aware the players are of their incentives and how excited their teammates are for him. But then also how the announcers are just like, Von Miller just got $1.5 million for that sack. Callais Campbell just got $300,000 for that sack. Jim Nance was so excited when Coralyn Sutton got his 89th catch.

He was like, he just got $500,000 for that catch. Like, it was insane how excited people were. Yeah, the Von Miller were might have been my favorite. He literally just one-handed push Drake May. And then he just knew right away that that counts as a sack. It was just a very veteran, awesome moment for Von Miller getting his money. All right. Our final record in the contest, we are nothing, if not accountable, people.

Don't ever say we're not. We talk about our records every single week. We have Minnesota three and a half in the contest, 39 and 50 on the year across 17 completed weeks. Finished with five weeks, finished five weeks with a winning record. Just terrible. It's not as bad as I thought, though. Really? Yeah, honestly, I was expecting the worst, brother.

We've been terrible this year. Yeah, I mean, these favorites have just crushed. Crushed us. Absolutely crushed us. It's our first losing season. It hurts, but we'll bounce back next year. Don't lose faith, people. Well, the big question is going to be, do we overcompensate?

Is this year in our head? Are we betting road favorites? Are we afraid to bet the dogs? No, no, no. How much do we think, like, the 30-yard line start or... We bet five dogs today, Chad. We have not changed at all. That's true.

It's so true. What are you even talking about? talking about. All right. Wild card lines. The one NFC line that we have so far, Green Bay plus three and a half at Philly, your first instinct.

I mean, they're basically begging you to take Green Bay, and I'm going to throw a quick penny on the Eagles right there. It was three. The lines moved basically off of a couple key injuries, right? Jordan Love got her. Watson got hurt. I think another receiver of theirs might have got hurt in this game.

You know, we already talked about Jay or Alexander missing this game. He's done for the season pretty much. So yeah, you know, they're missing a deep threat wide receiver, the number one quarterback and their quarterback's banked up. Like this number is going to keep going up. If the news comes out, it's anything worse and they might be playing a backup, which I honestly don't hate for Green Bay if they're stuck in that position because I think me and you both agree where Jordan Love has just been shaky even that game before he got hurt. He did not look comfortable. Like he never got into a rhythm No against that Bears team And Eagles you know As much as people want to bash them about some of their weaker competition They still are the number one pass defense this season

So it's like if if Green Bay wants to lean into them Just running the ball that would be nice for them But to me yeah I can already tell you this number is gonna be too low Like I honestly thought this would open a four I was excited to tell us to bet the Eagles at three Still happy to take the three and a half I can just see this going up especially if the injury news does come out,

this is going to get up to what, six or seven, Chad? Yeah, my first instinct on this was, we're betting the Eagles. Like, I just, I keep thinking about this defense. It's just, it's so good. And in the latter half of the year, it's been so dominant, and I keep thinking about their defensive tackles.

And the strength of the Packers, whether it's Jordan Love or anyone else, is going to be Josh Jacobs running up the middle. That's how they win the game, right? They lean into him early. they try to establish line of scrimmage, they try to get some touchdowns early in the game based on him. As soon as they go away from him, they start to struggle.

We've seen that every single time, and I don't even know if they'll be able to take advantage of him as much as they have in the past because that defensive line for the Eagles is so freaking good. Yeah, I think you're right. We're like, the Eagles are going to stack the box. Like the burner, they've lost their burner now. Like the guy on the outside that kind of could threaten you.

I know Watson has in a great season because he's just been injured all the time, but, you know, he tried to fight through the injury, come back today. And I think he got carted out of the stadium. Like that's how bad would ever happen to him. So, yeah, unlucky for the Packers. But again, they're the seventh seat. So it's like, this is a very respectable line for a seven seat. I think at this exact point last year against Dallas, I think we got them at an eight point dog, right? Didn't we get? So, yeah, the books are given the respect to Green Bay right now in this opening line. I think it's too much respect. They're getting good value.

And my favorite meme, you'll enjoy this, Chad. Guess who's also one of five in the division other than the Green Bay Packers? Chicago Bears. So you guys have the same divisional record this season as the Green Bay Packers. It's not even a rivalry. It doesn't matter. Doesn't matter. Denver Broncos, speaking of a seven-seed and a two-seed and an eight-point line,

Broncos are eight and a half on the road at Buffalo. Give me Buffalo. Yeah, and this is interesting though. Certain books have this eight and a half. A couple of books already have this at seven and a half. So it might be early professional money betting this number team, but I'm right there with you. I hate it.

I mean, we're so chalk to start here, but this feels like two different levels of class. And I'm happy for you, Bo Nix, incredible game today. It felt like they ran just two coverages, the entire game,

the Chiefs. They simply did not try in any sense of the game. And Bo Nix, this season has been a road warrior chat. So, you know, usually we try to do our four best bets for a wild card weekend. I don't know if this will be one of my four. Maybe it'll be chads on the bills, but opening line here, minus seven and a half, I got to take that with this bills team. By the way, for folks who are watching on YouTube, Simon's having some camera issues, so we apologize. He's just blacking out for a second or two, but it's not affecting

audio or rhythm or our ability to talk to each other or her love for each other. By the way, we were 50 and 40 last season. So a reversal. It happens. You know, look at the worst year in the history of dogs. What do they want from us? They know what the show is. I know. I know. Does Matt Mitchell have an opinion on this Bill's game as our resident Bill's expert? How does he feel about such a huge line against a Sean Peyton Bo Nix team? Chad, I spend almost every playoff season consumed with anxiety about the Buffalo Bills as a them that just needs to see them win one Super Bowl so I can put down that heavy load for the rest of my life. However, I never worry about wildcard weekend. My life will be ruined when the

bills inevitably lose at some point at this playoffs. It won't come in the wildcard round. I just don't see that coming. And maybe I'm inviting disaster. I'm like, I don't need to invite disaster. Disaster will find its way to me. I'm just not going to fucking worry about bonics on the route. So I wish them the best of luck. Let's go, Matt! Hey, it's us, the Jonas Brothers, and guess what? We have some big news. What's the news, dude? Huge news. We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast. Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to a first people to do podcasts.

Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts throughout there. But this one's extra special. So how do we actually come up with a name Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it and well we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band before Jonas Brothers was This is how you guys remember it going down?

Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast 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, 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.

Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered.

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embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The French Open is one of the toughest tests in tennis, and I know firsthand because I competed there myself. I'm Renee Stubbs, and on the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast, I'm breaking down everything happening at Roland Garris. Every match, every upset, and what it really takes to win on Clay.

Jenchian win. I mean, she went down in three to Rabakina, but I'm delighted. She's an outsider to win the French for me. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lerner Rabakina is arguably the best player in the world. world right now and I actually can win on any surface because if she's serving well good luck consider this your court side seat to the french open listen to the ren stubbs tennis podcast on the iHeart radio app apple podcast or wherever you get your podcasts presented by capital one founding partner

of i heart women's sports Pittsburgh Steelers they cannot move the ball on offense they have been a train wreck for four games in a row Simon you had been predicting sort of Russell Wilson's moonballs being shot down to Earth. They have been. And this past weekend against the Bengals, George Pickens couldn't catch them. Now they're going to be on the road. Eight and a half point underdogs against the Baltimore Ravens. We know all the stats.

And again, like, we got shows Tuesday. We got shows Thursday. We got a lot to unpack. I'm not going to go into detail on the, records, but we know that other than this past, the last time they just played, these games are generally underdogs cover very, very short, very, very small spreads. So this is an anomaly to have this big of a number, and it's entirely based on what we saw on Saturday, I think. Exactly.

No one's, we're the only us and professionals and trend betters are betting the Pittsburgh team. Everyone is going to throw in the bills with this Ravens team into their money line parlays into their teasers. It doesn't get much easier. And this is basically every year chat. And hey, we might get caught here. You know, we did last year in this exact scenario of trying to fade Lamar in round one. But we know Lamar, it's just different in the playoffs. He gets tighter.

And now he's facing. this team that historically has been his krypton night. I mean, people act like he answered the demons in that last matchup, but it's like, they're one-on-one on the season against this team. They split. And it's like, this is the defense that knows how to figure out now. You know, we don't know the status of JJ Watt at this point. That's a big deal.

TJ. DJ. That's a big deal for me and you're right. Like that's, that guy is a huge deal against Lamar and stopping what he's so special out, which is creating plays on the fly with his leg. So no rush to bet it. I mean, I'm going to grab it. As soon as we get off this call, I'm going to drive in the affiliate, grab a couple eight and a halfs where I can.

But would be shocked if this keeps going up just because I know professional money is going to come in on Pittsburgh. It's just to the professional side. This was going to be the easiest bet. As soon as I saw how it was laying out that Pittsburgh was going to lose to Sincere. I was like, oh, my God. We're going to get Pittsburgh at the Ravens in round one. And it's going to be us against everyone else. Like, no one's going to be back in this Pittsburgh team, especially the way they've looked.

And I mean, we'll agree. Like they got lucky covering that last game. I mean, it was just incredible, incredible how they came back and covered that. But that's life when you were kicking field goals, which is what since he did. And I think the same thing we said here, Chad, it feels the type of game where Lamar might be able to move the ball up and down the field. But I think he's going to struggle against this Pittsburgh team in the red zone. And yeah, this is a big one too. We'll wait and see it.

It's all about the injuries, right? We've seen the difference since this Pittsburgh team has had a couple of injuries to their defense as well, right? Like the secondary, big deal, the defensive line, it's a big deal. Very big deal. Again, not rushing to make a ton of bets on this one, but I'd be shocked if this is one of our four. Well, look, it's a huge deal. Like that secondary, they were getting beat up by the Bengals until T. Higgins went out. Everybody.

I mean, every team they've played in the stretchers has been attacking that secondary. Killing them. So I think we need a lot of, you're going to go bet the eight and a half, but you still think the number is going to go to nine, nine and a half? I think there's a possibility just because we talked about the injuries. Like if there's no TGA Watt, I mean, the books might have to take it to 10 to get some money resistance against this Ravens team. This is the darling of the league right now. I mean, they've been incredible down the stretch here.

And, you know, that backdoor crazy cover they had against Cleveland, it sets a tone, right? They were sloppy and bad in that game, and they blew them out. I mean, they dominated them in that second half. So it's just the public opinion couldn't be any lower on this Pittsburgh team. I know Evan's going to have this amazing stats. You're basically in this rare, rare error of a team that's on a four game losing streak heading into the playoffs or maybe it's five game losing streak. I think it's four.

Basically teams of this exact scenario, they tend to cover in the playoffs. Like no one's going to buy on them so the books are going to give you a big number. They tend to step up when they matter most, especially in the playoffs. I think one of the biggest problems we had this year is because the favorites, kept winning, we definitely, at least I did, I can't speak for you entirely. But I think we definitely let a little bit of recency bias seep into some of our handicapping more than we have in the past. And when I say we, I mean me.

I'm not going to speak for you. Yeah, I had no problem, Ben favorites. I definitely adjust in the sense of I was not putting as much big money as I normally would on dogs just because what we talked about. you think I need more time to dive into the whole kick, kickoff, and teams started at the 30 and how so many teams just went forward on fourth down this season at midfield. Like it's just, it was a very unique season that it's something I'm going to have to adjust and update my model for.

Last game that we have a number for, Chargers three point favorites on the road at the Houston Texans. I was thinking about what this line was going to be when I was watching the end of the Raiders Chargers game. Obviously, the last few weeks, we've loved the Chargers. And they have not been a team we've been afraid to bet as favorites on the road. I was a little surprised this number opened as big as it did. I just thought it would be closer to pick, to be honest. So all of a sudden, this felt, I was like looking forward to betting the Chargers and I'm less looking forward to it now. I mean, it's three. And there is a lineup for Tampa, Washington, so we can break that one down.

but yeah the this line being minus three to me that's a Chargers line like you said when it was three and a half I was like fuck am I really gonna have to bet Houston here but a minus three how do we not take that charges number like they're they're the more complete team as we head into this exact spot like Houston they did the smart thing today they played their starters which is one of the reasons where it's like I not that I hated Tennessee today and moving off of it because they were playing their starters for in Houston but it was more of like, okay, that's a smart decision. I know a lot of people might hate on it,

but it's like they have now found a rhythm in weeks, Houston's offense. So that was nice for them to get the opening drive there. But the Chargers, even today, like how they dominated with exactly how we talked. We said they would, right? They just wait for you to make a mistake. And this Houston team has made a bunch of mistakes. And, you know, defenses, no, they can just shade to Nico Collins. Just put a guy over top of them, a guy underneath.

And, you know, force CJ to beat you in other areas. And he just hasn't done it down the stretch here, especially against good teams. So I'm with you that, you know, obviously in the perfect world, this would have been a pick. Me and you would be hammering this Chargers line. But I still think there's value in the minus three. This number feels right. I don't want to bet Houston. So I'm hoping we can get this in our picks at the end of the week.

But I'd be shocked if it stays three. I could easily see this going up to three and a half. Unless there is some respected professional money coming to the other side. I just, I can't see with this Houston team. It felt like they overachieved last year. Got lucky to be in a weak division this year. And they're basically running to a team that it's pretty legit in this Chargers team. So I don't see a Tampa Washington line.

What do you have? Sure. Right now, they opened at three. So when we came on here, I said it to you, I was like, oh, my God, you can get Tampa minus two and a half right now against Washington. That was a gift. Minus three is still a gift to me. Like, you're getting a rookie on the road here at a field goal against a veteran

Bucks team that, you know, that was their game. from hell today. Everything was going wrong. They found a way. Like that was, as an Eagles fan, I was praying for them to blow that game. I would much rather face the Pennix Atlanta team than this veteran bucks team. So, you know, another game that was probably one of my favorite ones of the day. Like that was, it was truly theater in the sports book. You had grown men crying about Atlanta losing and then other grown men crying because they won on their bucks. And it was just really fun for survival pool. So yeah, this is a buck's team that I like this number. I want to fade Washington. And I'm sure the public will come in on Washington because of what the bucks did today.

And people kind of dismissing them. And I totally get Jane Daniels the upside. And we talk about the variance with him on fourth down. They could easily win this game. Like this is a good, a strong number at plus three if you want to take it. And at two and half, I'm way more confident on the bucket. Three, I'm not dying to take it. But that's that's where I'm at right now. I like them as just like the Chargers. I think they're the better team. They deserve their respect. Unlike the Chargers, they're at home here. That feels like a really good number at home against a rookie who's on the road in his first playoff start. Baker is balling. He was not going to lose that game today. And I actually agree with you. To me, this was one of their most

impressive wins of the past two seasons because they were just getting destroyed. They could have been glassy-eyed and lost confidence on the side. line and been asking themselves what's happening, why aren't we winning, like starting to blame themselves losing their composure. If they had one more series, they probably would have covered that game. Like they just won it going away in the second half. They stopped making stupid mistakes. Buck Irving, you know, was running wild, which I think will be in an advantage against the commander's defense. We saw what Rico Dowdell did today. Like, they did not have a problem moving the ball with Trey Lance against a commander's defense that was trying for much of the game.

So don't hate it, but we're going to dig in more, a lot more. Yeah. A lot more to say. We've got to do some research, some fine-tuning, got to see how these numbers move, see who's injured, see how the seedings finally play out after the Vikings and Packers game tonight. reminder, we have the Minnesota Vikings plus three and a half in the contest.

Our last pick of the year, we're going to sweat it out and what might be the best game of the year. The Favorites podcast is presented by Bet365 and now new Bet365 customers get $150 in bonus bets when you bet $5. Sign up using promo code favorites, deposit $10. Place a bet for $5 to get $150 in bonus

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help is available 24-7 at 1-800 gambler. 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. 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 helped make you funnier. This week, my guest, S&L's Mikey Day and headwriter, 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. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo, and every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear. Listen to Sports Slice on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal,

but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth.

Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to learn the hard weight with your favorite. favorite therapist and hosts Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor?

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