The Herd with Colin Cowherd - THE HERD - Hour 3 - NFL playoff picture, HC Sean Payton is doing the unthinkable for the Broncos

Episode Date: December 15, 2025

Colin talks about the most likely NFL playoff picture  With the injuries to Packers; are the Lions the better team? More thoughts on the Broncos clinching a playoff spot under Sean Payton   Guest: Mike DeFabo   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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

Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you. you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Turn someday into right now with Buddy by Jake Radio. Nonstop workout music and expert tips 24-7. Hey, head over to iHeart.com. Search Body by Jake Radio and stream it for free right now. Awesome health and wellness tips 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Remember, stick to the fight.

When your hardest hit, it's what things seem worse that you must not quit. Don't quit. Body by Jake Radio, where hope meets momentum. Search Body by Jake Radio and stream it. For free. Have a great day. I heart radio. Hey, it's Edwin Castro, also known as Castro 1021.

And I'm Kunky, his best friend and business manager. And we've got a new show called The 1021 Podcast. I'm taking you behind the scenes on how I became one of Twitch's most popular streamers. We also love sports. And with the World Cup right around the corner, we'll be breaking down the biggest storylines ahead of the big tournament here in the USA. Listen to the 1021 podcast on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas.

And I'm C.J. Toledano. It's our favorite time of the year on our podcast point game, the playoffs. We're digging into the biggest surprises of the season. And I'm looking back on some of my greatest playoff moments. If we didn't talk ever again, I was harmed. You just understood. That's how personal it got. Wow. Then after that game seven, Marquis come until 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.

Hey, I'm Deanna Maria Riva. And on my new podcast, How Hard Can It Be? I call on my Gen X squad from Ohio to Hollywood as we navigate Midlife's most fantastic BS. Unfiltered conversations from night sweats to futas to scheduling sex. Wait, what sex? Is it just me? Or does every woman my age want to look at Pinterest instead of having sex sometimes? They say we can't polish a turd, but we're sure going to try.

So let's get blunt with laughs, tears, or tears of laughter. Listen to How Hard Can It Be with Diana Maria Riva on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening to The HARD podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in noon to 3 Eastern 9 a.m. to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the herd at Fox SportsRadio.com or stream us live every day on the IHeartRadio app by searching Fox SportsPortes. Sports Radio or FSR. We're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Here's the

seeding right now in the NFC, the playoff picture, and I think the only question and I'll keep our radio listeners informed on us. Let's show the NFC playoff picture. Rams have clinched a playoff birth, one seed, Chicago

2, Philadelphia 3, Bears beat them in Philly, Tampa's reeling 4. Seattle's the best fifth wild card seed in a long time. San Francisco may be second best. And then Green Bay at 7th. The only question I have is can Green Bay now with Micah, Christian Watson, Tucker Kraftout,

this is going to be a real test for Matt LaFleur and Jordan Love. This is a real test now. Can Detroit, which, by the way, for three quarters of that game, looked like they had the number of the Rams in L.A., can Detroit now with a better roster than Green Bay, due to the Kraft, Watson, Michael Parsons' injury. Can Detroit come roaring back? I don't know what Detroit's schedule is not in front of me and beat Green Bay. I would rather face Green Bay today.

I didn't feel like this a week ago without the injuries. I'd rather face Green Bay today than Detroit with all that firepower Gibbs, the O'Line, Amher on St. Brown, Hutchison off the edge. So Detroit with Green Bay's injuries, to me, would be the top. or matchup for anybody in the NFC playoff picture. Here's the AFC playoff picture, which doesn't feel nearly as good at the top. I like Denver. They have clinched a playoff berth.

New England, I still feel they're kind of in a rebuild it too. Jacksonville, I know, I know. I can't, that division, I can't trust them. Pittsburgh, I mean, do anybody like Pittsburgh Chargers? I'd love them if they had both their offensive tackles. I think they could win the Super Bowl. Buffalo, don't trust their defense. I'll tell you, after Denver, Houston at the seven seed is the one I trust,

because I know that defense, and C.J. Stroud with time, can beat anybody in the sport, including the Rams. The Colts, fun story, forget it. Baltimore, have to go, have to sweep, win, rest of the games. They feel a bit broken. Here's Sean Payton on clinching a playoff spot. It's nice to clinch a playoff berth. You know, goal one is try to go win your division.

Goal two is try to get the best seed. And then goal three is, you know, try to win a world championship. And so we still haven't really accomplished one, two, or three. So remember, one is win the division. So we're still going. For the record, To show you the job Sean Payton has done, Russell Wilson is still on Denver's cap sheet.

I mean, this seems inconceivable. How do they have a roster this good on both sides? How are they the number one seed in the Mahomes, Borough, Josh Allen side? That is all-time coaching. Sean Payton can be a little gruff, little outspoken. Guys, great. First ballot guy. Guy is great.

Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the IHeart Radio app. Hey, is Covino and Rich from Fox Sports Radio? Now, in addition to hearing us live weekdays from 5 to 7 p.m. Eastern 2 to 4 Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, we're excited to announce a brand new YouTube channel for the show. Yep, that's right. You can now watch Covino Enrich Live on YouTube every day. All you got to do, search. Covino and Rich FSR on YouTube. Again, go to YouTube, search Covino and Rich FSR.

Check us out on YouTube, subscribe, hit that thumbs up icon, and comment away. Hey, it's us to Jonas Brothers, and guess what? We have some big news. What's the news, name? Huge news. We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas, we invented a podcast. Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to a... We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts throughout there. But this one's actually. for 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 and 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. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano, and our podcast Point Game is about defying the odds.

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

stopped by, like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too. Steve Nass would get that thing. That man, hell get that. the flying. He running up the court, licking his fingers why he got the ball. Like, after you go through a training camp with that, Isaiah, you figure it out real quick. 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. The story I've told myself about love or relationships can then shake my behavior, and that can lead me to sabotage the possibility of connection. This mental health

Awareness Month, tune into the podcast deeply well with Debbie Brown and explore the journey of healing, self-discovery, and returning to yourself. We explore higher consciousness, emotional well-being, and the practices that help you find clarity, peace, and self-mastery in a world that can feel overwhelming. The world is becoming lonelier. We're not becoming more social and connected. We're becoming more individualized, but we actually meet people in connection. If you've been searching for a soft place to land while doing the work to become whole. This podcast is for you to hear more. Listen to deeply well with Debbie Brown from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the IHeart

Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, I'm Jared Adano. You might know me as that loud guy who yells out, help on the internet. Help! Somebody! Please! But there's so much more to me than me. I'm an actor.

I'm a comedian. and recently I've become quite the helper myself. And on my new podcast, Hope from a Hypocrite, I'll be changing lives, helping people in need with my sage advice and thoughtful solutions. Sike, I'm a comedian. I'm not qualified to give good advice.

Join me and my comedian friends as we riff rant and recommend some of the most legally dubious advice known to man. If I'm calling you, even if you're on your phone, let it ring twice. One ring is too skinny. Carrie.

Oh, cream of chicken suit. Hey, cream. Cream a chicken suit. This is Help from a Hypocrite, the worst advice from the dumbest people you know. Listen to Help from a Hypocrite as part of the MyCultura podcast network available on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Will Ferrell's Big Money Players and IHeart Podcast presents soccer moms. So I'm Leanne. Yeah.

This is my best friend, Janet. Hey. And we have been joined at the Hips since high school. Absolutely. Now a redacted amount of years later, we're still joined at the hip. Just a little bit bigger hips, wider. This is a podcast we're recording it as we tailgate our youth soccer games in the back of my Honda Odyssey. With all the snacks and drinks.

Sidebar. Why did you get hard seltzer instead of beer? Oh, they had a bogo. Well, then you got it. Do you want a white collar or something here? Just hit it. What are y'all doing? Microphones?

Are you making a rap album? Oh, I would. Come on. Can you put it? Cutts through the defense like a hot. A hot knife through sponge cake. That sounds delicious. Oh, you're lucky.

I'm not a drug addict. You're lucky I'm not an alcoholic. You are. You're lucky I'm not a killer. I love this team, and I'm really trying to be a figure in their lives that they can rely on. Oh. Listen to soccer moms on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. J. Mack with the news.

No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. All right, Colin, let's start with the game of yesterday. Oh, it was a classic Bills, 35 Patriots 31. I was watching this, and it was 21-0-0 Patriots. And remember, I mentioned I love the Bills here. And I'm like, oh, my gosh, what's going on?

And what a comeback, Colin. They made a key adjustment in the second half. You know what they did? They just said, screw it, we're going to blitz the hell out of Drake May. They turned up their blitz percentage. Yeah. May was a little rattled. Yeah.

And they did some interesting stuff. They would drop Bosa from his rushing into coverage. And it confused May. I think McDermott with a stroke of genius in the second half. After the game, Stefan Diggs talked about how, listen, this was a needed result for the Patriots. Interesting. But you're playing a team like that. They play from behind.

They're used to playing from behind fighting back and gone. They've been together for some years. And they led this division for a while. So in order to get over that home, you know, play 60-minute football. and execute out of high level. Yeah, I think he's right. It's almost like before March madness. Like, you know, if you're undefeated, you're like, you know what?

Or you're a really great team. It's like, we need some close games. I do feel like New England had a bit of a charmed life. You know, you and I, one of the reasons I picked them as a shocking team is they had the easiest schedule. The Niners and them had an easy schedule. And I think it's helped both teams. Both are good. It's helped both teams.

I also think they're using backups on the left side of the offensive line. So that blitzing stuff was doubly effective. And, you know, let's give McDermott and Buffalo credit. Go on the road. You win a shootout. Those aren't easy. And I just can't wait to see Buffalo in the playoffs. Because this is the year, it's wide open.

Yeah, so after it was 21-0, the bill scored touchdowns on five straight drives coming. Five in a row. And there are some numbers. I did not realize the Patriots are dead last in red zone stoppage defensively. You get in the red zone. And it's like touchdown after touchdown. That's not going to bode well for the playoffs. Final note, Colin, by some advanced metrics,

the bills are the best second half team in the NFL. They just steamroll folks. They putter around out. I don't know if it's bad game plans for McDermott or Josh Allen just turning it up a notch. But in the second half, they are steamrolling folks. I know that they don't have any game breakers outside of Allen. I think this is the most dangerous team in the AFC.

I would put Houston second. Can you ride with that or not really? you like bonus well i think Denver's got a much much better roster and the game's going to be in denver and i get the better head coach i'm telling you sean payton you watched that game against green bay yesterday well Denver was deceptive and clever i mean they Denver does not have a hole they were down 2314 like the packers enrolled them to any injuries happen to an excellent team yeah i mean packer oh the packers it gets me so sad so just hypothetically i'm I'm curious.

Where do you stand on this? Texans go to the Patriots in the first round, seven versus two. Who you have favored in that game? That might be like close to a pick-up. I'll take the under and Houston would probably get a point or two. I'd probably take Houston. Yeah, that's just a tough matchup for the young quarterback. All right, let's move on to Jackson Dart.

I think you had the joke earlier this season. The guy's paying rent. He spent so much time in the blue tent. Colin, unbelievable stat. He was in the blue tent again yesterday. The fifth time in baseball. 10 games this season, including the preseason. So 50% of his appearances, he's going to the blue tent for concussions.

After the game, DART was surprised he had to get checked out. This definitely wasn't the first time that I've been surprised that I've had to come out, but I was definitely surprised. Didn't feel like it was that big of a hit at all. I mean, you don't just see people getting taken out of the game like that. So I definitely feel like there's a sense. for some reason. I mean, listen, I like this guy.

I think he's cool, right? He seems like a cool guy. Are you getting any Mansell vibes from him at the podium? No, no, no, no, no. Okay. No, he's a much better. I mean, he's swagged out. He's got the Louis Vuitton hat, the thick necklaces.

I'm sure you've seen. He's dating all these IG baddies. I'm talking like really, really attractive women. And you're like, oh, he's enjoying life as a celebrity. Yeah, I thought Johnny Manzell let, let his concern about being cool get in the way of his football. I don't think Jackson Dart does. I would agree with that.

He's cool and loves football. I think Jackson Dart plays, for the record, let me defend Jackson Dart. And I remember, I didn't think he was a first round quarterback. I'm wrong. I'm wrong. The thing I like about Jackson Dart is young quarterbacks make mistakes. There are certain things I will accept. One of them is you're going to have a hard time reading defenses your first two years.

It's hard. you're going to throw some picks. I'm okay with young quarterbacks throwing picks. You're three, four, you've got to bring those down. The second thing is, I like young quarterbacks to use their feet while they're learning defenses. A lot of the times Jackson, DART, is saying, this is the only way I'm going to move chains on this team.

They don't have a great receiving court. So I don't love that he's in a tent more than an REI manager. I don't love that. But I will say he's doing it for the right reasons, which is we're missing our number one guy. We're missing Scatibu. I'm trying to move the chain. I defended Lamar on this.

I've defended Herbert on this. Your first couple years in the leagues, dude, you've got to move the chains by any means possible. Young body heals better than a 30-year-old body. I think he's a franchise quarterback. He's better than I thought. I got to give up. I got to give it up to him.

Damn, you're handing out franchise quarterback tags like Santa hands out Christmas presents. Are you sure? I mean, there's a debate in New York Giants world right now. If the Giants get the number one pick, do you take Mendoza? Absolutely, I take Mendoza. That's 6'5. Yeah, I mean, Mendoza is an A-plus prospect.

But how do you take him if you think DARTDART is a franchise quarterback? You ever watch the NBA? It's called Upgrading to a Better Star. I mean, I like Jackson DART. Somebody would absolutely give you either a one or a two or a three and a four for Jackson Dart. Mendoza is a every three or four year prospect. Size, arm, grateful, humble, great family.

Like Mendoza's a whole last year. I mean, a lot of people didn't like Shadoor. Only one team moved up for Jackson Dart. That last year was a very mid-year for college quarterback. And that dovetails into our final story, which is Mr. Mendoza wins the Heisman Trophy Saturday night. In a bit of a landslide, Colin, it wasn't even close. The guys had an unbelievable college football story.

He was at Cal. He's out at Indiana. He wins the Heisman. They're the number one seed. He rolled over Diego Pavia of Vandy, who was not thrilled and put some silly stuff on social media. Here's Mendoza after the victory. To my lineman who protected me,

every receiver in tight end that bailed me out and made me look good to every running back who fought for more yards. And to our defense, They gave us that heart, swagger, and more second chances than we definitely deserved. This trophy might have my name on it, but it belongs to all of you. It belongs the first time in Bloomington. Playing in front of Hoosier Nation is one of the greatest privileges of my life. Every general manager in the league is on the phone now.

Anybody want my good quarterback. That kid is ab. I've said this. Most great quarterbacks. one of the things I loved about Andrew Luck. A little bit of a nerd. I am okay, my quarterback not being cool. Now, by the time you're worth $300 million, you can be a little cool then.

But I've seen this kid twice against Ohio State and Penn State. Ohio State's defense and their secondaries, the best I've seen in years. And Indiana's got good players, but this is, A plus plus prospect. Everything about him, I love. You don't see the happy feet in the pocket, getting nervous. And I know this sounds silly. He's very smart, like incredibly.

He's on his second business school. That's the kind of guy who he's not nervous. Nothing rattles him. You see him in the pocket. I don't know. I'm very curious to see what he does in the playoff. I don't see why they can't win the national championship, Kyle. I know that defense have lost.

They have one of their players. They can. I mean, one of the things that hurts them, they lost a great edge to injury. and they may face Ohio State again, and Ohio State won't be coming off a Michigan win, so I would take Ohio State in a rematch. But somebody asked me this weekend, who do you like in the nanny?

And I said, all I know is I think Ohio State and Indiana are the two best teams I've seen and George's third. After that, you guys can argue. And by a mile, Indiana has the best quarterback of those three. Sorry, no disrespect to Stuck Gunner or saying, but Mendoza is way better than this guy's. incredibly easy guy to root for God, what a story.

The Vanderbilt guy you can have. J-Mack with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The herd line news. If you don't have the judgment to be respectful after losing the Heisman, what do I think I'm getting

in the fourth quarter of an NFL game that's tied and you have the ball? Like, people tell you what they are and who they are. And that was not good. He came back and apologized. Not good. We're going to Pittsburgh. Steelers tonight hosting Miami, what are we to make a Mike Tomlin's future? What are we to make of the Steelers who look like the weakest division leading team? We are live. It's the herd. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific.

Hey, it's us, the Jonas brothers. And guess what? We have some big news. news news. We created our own podcast called Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to a... We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts around 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. And... Oh, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band. Before

Jonas Brothers. This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast, where people could call in and say, hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey, Jonas, 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. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm CJ Toledano, and our podcast,

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

I think Joker's going to be exhausted this series because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup, he has to really guard guys like Nas Reed. He has to guard Julius. random. And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's friends stop by, like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too. Steve Nash would get that thing. That man, hell get the flying. He running up the court, licking his fingers, why he got the ball. Like, after you go through a training camp with that,

Isaiah, you figure it out real quick. 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. The story I've told myself about love or relationships can then shape my behavior, and that can lead me to sabotage the possibility of connection. This Mental Health Awareness Month, tune into the podcast deeply well with Debbie Brown and explore the journey of healing, self-discovery, and returning to yourself. We explore higher consciousness, emotional well-being, and the practices that help you find clarity, peace, and self-mastery in a world. that can feel overwhelming. The world is becoming lonelier. We're not becoming more social and connected.

We're becoming more individualized, but we actually meet people in connection. If you've been searching for a soft place to land while doing the work to become whole, this podcast is for you to hear more. Listen to deeply well with Debbie Brown from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, I'm Joe Dono. You might know me as that loud guy who yells out, help on the internet.

Help! Somebody! Please! But there's so much more to me than me. I'm an actor. I'm a comedian. And recently, I've become quite the helper myself. And on my new podcast, Hope from a Hypocrite,

I'll be changing lives, helping people in need with my sage advice and thoughtful solutions. Syke, I'm a comedian. I'm not qualified to give good advice. Join me and my comedian friends as we riff, Grant recommends some of the most legally dubious advice known to man. If I'm calling you, even if you're on your phone, let it ring twice. One ring is too scary.

Oh, cream a chicken suit. Hey, cream. Cream a chicken suit. This is Help from a Hypocrite, the worst advice from the dumbest people you know. Listen to Help from Hypocrat as part of the Mike Cultura podcast network available on the IHartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, I'm Deanna Maria Riva, actress, mother, lover, and a Gen X woman walking through life one hot flash and hormonal crying jag at a time. You ladies know what I mean.

I'll bet you a perimenopausal chin here you do. So let's talk about it. Join me on my new podcast. How hard can it be with Deanna Maria Riva, where I call on my Gen X squads from Ohio to Hollywood as we navigate midlife's most fantastic BS. All of a sudden, I'd had hanginess happening on my own. I was like, what the hell is that? I was married when I had her, so I didn't even consider how empty that Ness was going to be. Mood swings, night sweats, fupas, sex drive.

Wait, what sex? Dating at 45. How hard can it be? How hard can it be? How can it be? That one's kind of hard, you know? Well, that's lighting. They say we can't polish a turd, but we're sure going to try. So let's get blunt with laughs, tears, or tears of laughter, and dive into it, unfiltered and unbothered and ask, how hard can it be?

I cannot believe I'm about to say this out loud in public. Listen to How Hard Can It Be with Diana Maria Riva as part of My Cultura Podcast Network available on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Well, Mike DeFabo covers the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Athletic, formerly at the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, and I love when we bring people on who have their feet on the ground covering the team, and let's bring him on live, Mike DeFabo. So, you know, there's a lot of times I'll hear stuff, and it's like, well, I mean, it's conjecture

it's internet it's not terribly accurate um mike tomlin my question's always been if you're going to have the most expensive defense then it has to be good and can you solve the running game once in the next

seven years how is how is he viewing and they just don't fire coaches so i would guess mike his job is a hundred percent safe or is that overstating it? Yeah, I mean, with Mike Tomlin, the conversation is there's a very big difference between his approval rating and his job security.

His approval rating right now in Pittsburgh has never been lower. You look at what happened two weeks ago at Accurys Stadium. I believe that fans came to the stadium and to that game to boo Mike Tomlin and to chant fire Tomlin. That's where this fan base is at after not winning a playoff game since January of 2027. of 2017. If they don't win a playoff game this year, it'll be nine consecutive years without a playoff win. But like I mentioned, there's a big difference between approval rating and job security. Mike Tomlin is signed through the 2027 season. Now there's an option year with all of that, so 2026 could be his last year. But the Steelers do not fire coaches, especially a guy like Mike Tomlin,

who's one of the highest paid coaches in all of professional sports with the reported salary of $16 million per year. So if there is going to be any kind of breakup, I strongly believe that Mike Tomlin himself is going to be the one that has a very significant say in this because he would either have to waive a no trade clause or decide after hearing fire Tomlin chance and listening to criticism from the media. Maybe he'll decide at some point that he doesn't want to continue to coach in a city that doesn't appreciate him any longer. But given the way the Steelers do business and the way the Rooney family does business, I wouldn't expect them to pay a coach like Mike Tomlin, not to coach.

Aaron Rogers, how is it viewed? It feels pretty successful. He and the D.K. Metcalfe pairing, but Aaron feels like all things considered, no run game. O line remains okay. How's it viewed in Pittsburgh? Yeah, I would agree with you. I think that if the Steelers had to do it over again, I think that they would weighed out Aaron Rogers and ultimately sign him. I mean, when he was signed, the formula was supposed to be that people said, well, Aaron Rogers might not be what he once was, but he won't need to be because he'll be supported by the NFL's highest paid defense and an offense that has a coordinator, Arthur Smith, who wants to run the football and made repeated investments into their offensive line.

And none of those things have been true. This defense that was billed as the highest paid defense, you know, if you pay the most, you should get the best. And they have been average at best. I mean, they've allowed 30 points or more five times this season. And at one point, they were on pace to be the highest scoring defense in the Mike Tomlin era. So not good results there. And then running the ball has just been a completely inconsistent endeavor. So in a lot of cases, they've leaned on Aaron Rogers and his right arm.

He hasn't been perfect. it's been an up and down season. But considering he's 42 years old and playing behind, you know, an offense with a lot of question marks, I think that he's been about as good as they could have expected. Listen, it feels like Tomlin is very reluctant to part with a T.J. Watt, Hayward. It's just those are his guys. Like he likes the older player.

T.J. Watt's not going to play tonight. What is his future in Pittsburgh? Well, you know, T.J. just signed that big car. contract. And I think that internally, there is certainly a feeling that they would like him to retire a stealer. They often talk about the one helmet guys, guys who were drafted by the Steelers, play their whole careers there, and ultimately go into the Hall of Fame as a Pittsburgh Steelers. So I think that that's the vision for T.J. Watt, but right now the concern is that he could end up having a career where he has all kinds of incredible individual achievements, but does

nothing in the playoffs. You know, tonight the Steelers are going to be hosting Minka Fitzpatrick. During his six seasons, he did incredible things here in Pittsburgh collectively or cumulatively over those six years. The Steelers had one of the best defenses in the league over that span, but they did nothing in the playoffs. And that's really the concern with the T.J. Watt, who's now 31 years old. And he is, I hate to say it, he's had a bit of a down year. And you could wonder if he's showing some small signs of regression. I mean, he is, You're comparing him to what he wants, his peak. And his peak is one of the most dominant players over the last decade.

But you look at his sack totals. You look at his next-gen stats in terms of how he's getting off the line of scrimmage. And he doesn't look like he's quite the same dominant player as he was in his mid-20s. And time is running out for him and for a guy like Cam Hayward, who has just one more year left on his contract. I saw a story about Tomlin about two weeks ago and somebody said, Tomlin's people leaked it to let everybody know he may be available. That doesn't feel like Tomlin to me, but I understand these powerful agents.

Where are the Roonies in Tomlin? I know we addressed it earlier, but I mean, the Roonies are pretty conservative. Mike's an old school guy. I've heard there's some, not discomfort, but disappointment. I mean, you don't win a playoff game for eight years. That is a stretch. are the Rooney's and the Tomlins forever defending privately each other or are there fissures? You know, I think that they're pretty united.

And I think that Art Rooney really has respect for Mike Tomlin and appreciates what Mike Tomlin has done. So after each season, Art Rooney meets with a small group of reporters. And, you know, most recently there's been a lot of heat and a lot of questions about Mike Tomlin's job status. And some of the things that Art Rooney talks about, he says, like, look, Mike Tomlin wouldn't have won all these games if he's not a good coach. And to that point, Mike Tomlin is three wins away from matching Chuck Null's regular season mark. And Tomlin will have done so in significantly fewer games. Also, Art Rooney always points out that Mike Tomlin gets players to buy in and play till the end of seasons. And that's important to art.

And that certainly is true. Just last week in the locker room, I was talking to Calvin Austin, one of their young wide receivers. And he said the whole world can be saying fire Tomlin, but in this locker room, we still believe in Mike Tomlin. And I think that that's an important thing here for this team and for Art Rooney, because Art Rooney takes the pulse of the locker room. And I think that if he feels like Mike Tomlin still has the heartbeat of that locker room, if guys are still fighting to play for him, then I think that Art Rooney is going to keep Mike Tomlin for the future. So, you know, as much as I think there is a bit of impatience on the part of Art Rooney, and they've been doing things in an uncharacteristic Steelers way,

you look at their aggressive offseason to try to shake things up. I still think he's willing to give Mike Tom on the benefit of the doubt, especially when you consider their history with coaches and how long of leashes they've given other coaches in the past. Yeah, I think tonight Miami's running the ball. I think tonight's actually interesting. You think of Miami cold weather and your role, what do you expect tonight?

Yeah, I think that that's really going to be the key to the game. Can the Steelers stop the run, which has been a challenge for them this year? You know, last time they were in Accresor Stadium, the Buffalo Bill set a new record for an opponent with 249 rushing yards. Okay, so now they turn around a couple weeks later and what would be different, okay? And so the real, the thing to keep your eye on would be Derek Harmon. He's their rookie first round pick at defensive tackle. And when he's been in the game, they've been decent at stopping the run.

They've allowed about 94 rushing yards per game. When he's not played in games, they've allowed 100 yards more per game. And so you look at Miami Dolphins. They're averaging 192 rushing yards per game since week 10. Since week 10, the Steelers have allowed the most rushing yards in the league. So that's really where it starts and ends. It's going to be cold. Both teams are going to be running the ball.

It's going to be kind of probably an ugly type of game. And really it all comes down to can the Steelers win the Lyme scrimmage on defense. Mike DeFabo, good stuff. The Athletic, Steelers Beat Rider, formerly Pittsburgh Post-Cazette. Enjoy yourself tonight. Dress warmly and we'll see you. I'll bring you back on soon. Thanks, bud.

Yeah, that sounds great. Thank you so much for having me. I really appreciate it. You bet. He does a great job. It's interesting game tonight. The Dolphins' current strength is the Steelers' weakness. and you know it's funny like green bay is a small market but they have been lean in offense forever

Pittsburgh's a small market they are just loyal to defense and like who's had more postseason success who's had more success at quarterback so I mean there are certain times in the culture of sports I remember the Lakers for a while were a little apprehensive a little bit on the three-point shot and it's like no guys it's here those European guys come over even the big they can shoot it. Like you've got to embrace certain things. In baseball, there are certain analytics similarly. Steelers feel a little outdated, not quite current to the marketplace, but they've got a lot of stability, which the New York football teams do not have.

The other story, I think over the weekend, I wrapped a bowl around the weekend, it's that two teams, Denver and Chicago, with really good young quarterbacks, rookie deal, allowing their franchises to stack them. Chicago's roster is really good. Denver's probably a little better. I think Bo Nix solidified his rep yesterday,

and I think Caleb Williams, it's hard to be a doubter. With his horsepower, durability, doesn't throw picks. I mean, he was on full display yesterday. Here's Albert Breer on the growth of the former USC Trojan. They didn't teach him how to play quarterback. Like, that's really what it was.

You know, and like they felt like we got to figure out, like, how much we can throw onto this kid, how much this kid can handle, because they felt like he was smart and he had the aptitude to do it. But they got a player who they felt like was really raw. Ben didn't really care if it didn't look good in the summer. It was, we're going to overload him with information now, and then we'll scale it back as we build the offense and we'll lean into what he's good at. and then we'll build him back up from there.

Yeah, it's, I mean, everything, I really believe this. There's never been a warm weather dynasty in football. Marino Shula should have been, it wasn't. And a big part of it is the heart of the NFL is December 15th to early February. Chicago, not just because they play in Chicago, they are built for cold weather. They are a power run team with a quarterback who doesn't have to throw deep, can strong arm that could handle the win, but we'll also just take off. So they've got a really good O-line.

They love to run the football. They've got a power thrower and a power runner at quarterback. They're good on third down. They win the takeaway battle, the turnover battle. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh, 30th and rushing on offense since week 10. So Chicago in crappy weather, guys, it's windy. It's off the lake. We're running the football.

Pittsburgh can't. Pittsburgh's not built to win going forward. They're just not, you've got an old quarterback that mostly, if he's not feeling it in the pocket, you're done, and they can't run. Chicago's the opposite. If Caleb's like struggling, it's windy, I'm going to keep the ball myself. Great O line, and they can run. So it's interesting.

I watch Chicago built for the postseason. I watch Pittsburgh, and I'm like, not at all. So we'll see. All I know is this. Those playoff matchups, they're getting close, J. Mack. Well, wait, hold on. This week, Bears host the Packers. Things broke amazingly for Chicago this past weekend.

That Green Bay situation's bleak. What's the line? I think the Bears get them. I haven't seen a line yet. But I'll just say this. The Bears probably get the two seed and then would host the seven, which would be likely Green Bay or Detroit. Detroit's only got a 40% chance.

So it would be round three. Who killed the bears in the last meeting? Christian Watson. He doesn't look like he's going to be back this week. I think that your bears looking, I mean, they're sitting pretty right now, Colin. First Things First is around the corner. Tough weekend for Nick Wright. Hey guys, it's us.

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And I'm looking back on some of my greatest playoff on this. If we didn't talk ever again, I was funny. 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. Hey, I'm Deanna Maria Riva. And on my new podcast, How Hard Can It Be? I call on my Gen X squad from Ohio to Hollywood as we navigate Midlife's most fantastic BS. Unfiltered conversations. From night sweats to futas to scheduling sex. Wait, what sex? Is it just me or does every woman my age want to look at Pinterest instead of having sex sometimes?

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