The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Richard Sherman Podcast - Week 17 Reaction: 49ers clinch #1 seed, Seahawks fall, Lions-Cowboys ending

Episode Date: January 1, 2024

Richard Sherman reacts to Week 17 in the NFL. Richard breaks down the San Francisco 49ers clinching the number-one seed in the NFC with their win over the Washington Commanders, the Seahawks getting upset by the Steelers, the Kansas City Chiefs narrowly escaping the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Detroit Lions losing to the Dallas Cowboys on a VERY questionable call. The Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins are heading in the wrong direction while the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens are surging at the right time. Has Lamar Jackson convinced Sherm that he's the NFL MVP?2:45 - 49ers at Commanders 4:45 - Steelers at Seahawks 8:40 - Lions at Cowboys 18:30 - Cardinals at Eagles 24:30 - Bengals at Chiefs 30:00 - Dolphins at Ravens 40:00 - Patriots at Bills 42:15 - Titans at Texans 46:30 - Jets at Browns (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements.) #volume #herdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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terms, and responsible gaming resources. The volume. Notice, sir. New balls for these yo! Super Bowl. Championship. That should always be the expectation. All right, man. Ex. Go on here. Welcome back to the Richard Sherman podcast. We are nearing the end of the season, Mitchell, and things are getting crazy.

It's been an emotional weekend, Rich. We're nearing the new year. Richard, last night was a devastating one for me, but we don't need to start there. Let's start with San Francisco. You're 49ers. They go get a win on the road. They knock off the Washington commanders, take full control of the NFC, have clinched the number one seat and a buy.

Your thoughts, Rich? Well, it was kind of a slow start to the game, but in the end, they turned it around. They got, they held them to 10 points. Christian McCaffrey needs the game with a calf injury, which makes the buy even more important. I doubt they play them next week. I would imagine next week they only play the starters,

probably for the first half. That's usually what they've done when they've locked it up. You know, it makes no point playing them the whole game unless you just really are concerned about getting that win. But, you know, things change every week. So who knows what Kyle would do. Already breaks the 49ers record for most passing yards in the season. Passing, what he passed?

Jeff Garcia and Steve Young on the list in 16 games. IUC has his seventh game with 100 plus yards. The commanders are in a rough spot. but if you look on the other side of the coin, they're in a decent spot because they could potentially be the number two pick of the draft, which would get them their quarterback of the future

for their new head coach, whoever that may be, or, I mean, if you think Ron Rivera is surviving this, then Ron Rivera. But overall, good game for them, not a ton of, to talk about other than CMC, Brock Purdy played a solid game. You know, they had to have this win.

They play the Rams next week, like I said, but I can't imagine them playing their start as the whole game and trying to win that game when they already got the one seat sewn up. I would guess you got veterans that need to rest like Trent Williams, Christian McCaffrey coming off the injury.

Debo Samuel, the way he plays, Brandon Ayuk, defensively. You got Eric Armstead, who's been nursing this injury. Javon Hargrave, again, nursing this injury. But yeah, Mitchell, and then Seattle. Seattle looked good early on in this game, at least offensively.

They were moving the ball down the field. It looked like Gino was playing another good game, and he was going to take them to the promised land. But Mike Tomlin and East Pittsburgh Steelers just find a way every single season near the end of the year. They find a way to get it done, to execute, to win these games, and he's done it again. His 17th straight season of not having a losing season, Mitchell.

He is guaranteed another winning season for the 17th time. out of 17. It's incredible, and I don't think it gets enough credit. I don't think it gets enough attention. It's how incredible that record is. He's doing it with now Mason Rudolph. He's done it with three different quarterbacks, Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, and now Mason Rudolph,

and Mason Rudolph has done the best. He scored 30 points in consecutive games for the first time this year. I mean, he's starting to look like their guy, and people thought it was their guy after Ben left. But he's playing a good game. I mean, you got a, you got to, you got to, there's a lot of questions, you know, about what happened this game for Seattle, D.K. Midcalf played good. Kenneth Walker looked kind of banged up throughout the game, but he still ran for 53 yards and a touchdown. Gino 23 of 33 for 290 and a touchdown.

But it just, defensively, they just couldn't get the stops when they needed them. They couldn't slow down this offense. Najee Harris seemed to be controlling the game. Jalen Warren controlled the game. Najee Harris didn't get a ton of yards. I mean, 27 rushes for 22 yards. Jalen Warren, on the other hand, 13 rushes for 75 yards was doing a heck of a job.

They found out if you throw the ball to George Pickens, it works out and your offense is executing and your offense scores points and the ball moves down the field. Lo and behold, he was frustrated early in the season. And people were like, man, he's wrong. He wants the ball, and it's a simple as throwing him the ball. And these guys aren't even trying to throw him the ball. He'd go games without targets or one or two targets.

The guys are throwing slant routes or dirt in the ball right in front of them. And it's just like anybody would be frustrated. So they seem to be getting more and more dangerous as they go. Mason Rudolph is making those big plays, but it's a crushing loss for the Seahawks. It clenches a playoff spot for the Rams, which is huge. they've been playing good. And the Rams, again, they're going to play San Francisco at the end and a meaningless game for San Francisco. Yeah, and that's tough, Rich.

I mean, you hit the nail on the head. I mean, the Steelers have found their guy, Mason Rudolph, giving these guys big opportunities, George Pickens, Deonté Johnson. We talked about it a number of times throughout the season. Kenny Pickett just didn't give his options outside the chances. Here he is back-to-back games doing his thing. George Pickens, Monster numbers these last two games. Good for him.

Seahawks, Rich. I mean, this was a had-to-have-have-it game, and now they're left waiting, praying to get bailed out by the NFC North for a second year in a row. And what they're going to have to have happen essentially is whoever wins tonight's game between the Packers and the Vikings is going to have to go and turn around and lose next week's game. And the Seahawks are going to have to win for them to have a prayer, Rich. And they had everything in their old hand. They could control their own destiny. And you know, Rich, playing in Seattle is not easy.

This is a place. This is a place teams go to die, right? It just hasn't been that way. And I don't know, man. I don't know. I figured they would win this one easily, rich, and then they go to Arizona and take care of business. They'd be a shoeing for that seventh seat at minimum.

And now they're left on a prayer. Richard, I want to talk about a game near and dear to my heart. Because yesterday, last night, the Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions faced off. down in Dallas. And, you know, it was a back and forth game. Obviously, I don't think it went the many, the way many people thought. You know, I think everyone thought it would be a high scoring shootout. A lot of, you know, the lines would get the ball moving on the ground,

Dallas get the ball moving through the air. Not so much the case, more of a defensive battle that comes down to the wire. But before we get into the nuts and bolts of the game, let's talk about the end, because there was controversy in Dallas. It had huge implications on this postseason. Let's not overlook that. The Detroit Lions go down the field, minute 30 left, no timeout, score eight, what would be potentially tying touchdown 19 to 20.

They elect to go for two. Dan Campbell, otherwise known as Dan Gamble, elects to go for two. They hit Taylor Decker in the corner of the end zone for what very well could be a walkoff winner, or 23 seconds left on the clock. Flags thrown after the play, an eligible man downfield. Richard, how in the world does this happen? It's clearly a mistake on Brad Allen's part.

Just going through routine and not actually seeing and listening to how the Lions wanted to negotiate this eligible receiver. Clearly, you see Penae Sole and Decker walking up to him. clearly see the swing tackle coming on to the field and him running away before there's even an real interaction between he and Decker. So he's just assuming, hey, the swing tackle's coming in. I know what you guys are about to tell me. He's assuming it's very presumptuous. Hey, he's the guy reporting eligible. He's the guy doing this. And Decker was trying to do it in the most subtle way.

So you can see him trying to do it with kind of like one hand, like on his belly, like, hey, it's me. It's me. I'm reporting eligible. But it doesn't seem like Brad Allen got that. And so he went with what he thought was happening. Obviously, Dan Campbell said he told him before the game. If we go for a two-point conversion, this is what we're going to do. We want him to be eligible. We want the other guy to be eligible, and we'll go about it. And so it was really weird.

It was a very bizarre play because Decker was not covered up on the play, as you would assume an eligible tackle, I mean, an ineligible tackle would be. He'd be covered up by a wide receiver. the receiver was off the ball, the receiver checked with the referee. If the receiver, that same referee is the one who called ineligible man downfield, which is odd, which is odd because after you check, they would say, hmm, you're off the ball, there's not a tight end there, flag. That's the illegal formation.

But they didn't say that, which tells me they thought it was a legal formation until they went down the field, which is, you know, it leaves a lot of question marks. But at the end of the day, they gave it to, to, Dallas and Dallas is likely going to have another home game now. Dag Prescott played an incredible game, 26, a 38, 345, two touchdown, CD Lamb, broke the record for a wide receiver in Dallas, the regular season record for yardage, breaking Michael Irvin's record that he said multiple times. He had 227 yards in the game, a career high.

He had a 95-yard reception, also a correct. career and franchise high for the Dallas Cowboys. It was an incredible game for him. He was out there cooking. They had no answers for him. And that has to be concerning going forward because on the other side, Jared Golf, he played okay. He had two interceptions, very costly interception on that out route late in the game.

But again, they still had a chance late. Jamir Gibbs played solid. He combined with David Montgomery, played a really good game. I think they both had impacts. Amon Ross, Satan Brown, played a good game. Your guy, Sam LaPorteur played a good game. And then Aiden Hutchinson, three sacks. I mean, he had a third of his sacks in this one game.

Mitchell, he was all over the place. But you have to be able to cover him. If C.D. Lamb is their guy, and he was their guy going in. Again, it goes back to Aaron Glenn in his defense. Like, what are you thinking? There was a play where they went zero. They went zero coverage, and a guy closed his eyes in the end zone, where it could have been a safety.

You talk about a two-point ball game. They lose by one point. And you, that's a, what, a nine-point swing, an eight-point swing, whatever it is, when you could have had a safety, but instead you give up seven points. I think at the end of the day, that was the difference in the ball game because that swung the momentum in a different way. You talk about a safety where you get the ball back and you give your offense, the ball back, and the momentum's going your way and you're making them feel away. But instead, it's a touchdown against zero coverage. And so that was a huge mistake by them. But you got to give credit to Dallas.

you've got to think about their fans and how they're feeling and how they went from thinking they lost this game and they're the fifth seed and they you know got a lot of questions to be in answer to a flag changing that they get the win Philadelphia goes and loses at home to the Arizona Cardinals which gives them the two seed now and gives them a home playoff game and I mean it can't feel better than them right now. Okay football season is finally here and here's one thing every fan should know you can get anything you need for game. day delivered with Uber Eats. Well, almost, almost anything. Because no, you can't get your dream running back for your fantasy team delivered with Uber Eats. But flapjacks,

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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. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care which I'll say it.

Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show.

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mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right what you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast

network on TikTok. It's just wild. I mean, that's why this Brad Allen controversial call, it changes everything, Rich. And it also changes the San Francisco 49ers having a buy week next week because otherwise they'd have to beat the Rams. You know, otherwise, you know, the Lions could get the number one overall seat. There's a lot of what ifs in this game. I mean, the Lions elected to go for it on fourth and goal instead of kicking a field goal earlier in the game, which would inevitably have been a difference maker for him. You know, obviously after Dan Campbell got the flag on the ineligible touching,

ineligible man downfield, you know, they could have kicked a field goal or extra point to go to OT is a lot of what ifs. But the Lions DNA, they don't care. man. They're going to take risks. They're going to take shots. And the reality is, if they can get out of this first round, if both these teams can get out of the first round, we're going to have a replay of this exact same game. And Brad Allen's input in it will be irrelevant. The biggest hurdle will be the Lions have to go down to Dallas versus the Cowboys having to come up to Detroit. But Richard, let's move on here because we can talk about this game all day. It's certainly the biggest talked about game this weekend. Let's move to Philly because Philly loses a game. They had a lot to win here. I mean, this is locking up the division, you know, getting that two seed. And Philly loses. Now, they're one and four in the past five games.

This team has lost their identity or so, it seems. I don't know who I'm even watching with these Eagles anymore. They don't scare me. They clearly don't scare their opposition. Richard, can you explain this at all? Yeah, it's just their confidence has collapsed since the Niners game. And then consequently the Dallas game. And then you just saw the rails kind of coming off.

the Seattle game. They go to Seattle and take that loss. And then they take this loss. The win, even the win against the Giants, didn't feel great. You know, Tyrod has a chance with a Hell Mary pass in the end zone. They only win by eight. You know, it wasn't a game where you just felt like they were in control. They felt dominant.

And a lot of their wins this season, even against very good opponents, were close games. You know, they played everybody pretty close, which is, which wears on you after a while. Hertz has 38 touchdowns. has an Eagles franchise record for touchdowns, which is cool. But again, this NFC East, there's a reason that there hasn't been a repeat NFC East champion for a very long time. And it doesn't look like there will be this year with what just happened. They had a small possibility at having it for the Philadelphia Eagles, but they botched it against Arizona Cardinals who scored on for their second half possessions,

who battled all game long. and again, they continue to run the ball well and set a foundation for the future that seems like they're going to be a pretty formidable team regardless of how they are in the future with a good defense, they get some more pieces and some more offensive weapons. And they're going to be very formidable.

I mean, James Connor, 26 for 128 and a touchdown. Dorch has seven catches for 82 yards. Kyler, 25, 31, 232, 32, three touchdowns in the interception. and they just kept battling. The Eagles were up 21 to 6 at the half, and you thought, all right, this is going to be the game.

They kind of get away, the game everybody's expecting them to have. But no, no. They found a way to get, ways to get stops. Gannon's defense is finding ways to get stops. And you wonder where really goes from here. They don't have confidence.

They don't have an identity offensively. we talked about for weeks how predictable this offense is, how, you know, we had Christian McCaffrey on a Monday night football broadcast predicting a play that they were going to run based off the formation, based off where the tight end was aligned. If you have a running back on the opposite team being able to call out your plays, then that's a problem. He's not on the defense. He's not a guy that's studying their offense and trying to find ways to stop it.

He just was sitting there watching the game. And he's like, this looks like a formation that I've seen before. And maybe I've seen it this game. game. And when your offense is that predictable in the NFL and you get down a stretch of these December ball games, then you're going to have a hard time, and especially in a playoffs. The playoffs is going to get really ugly because defenses, we don't have anything else to do, but study every game you got. Your good stuff, your bad stuff, your trick plays, your tendencies, all your tendencies are out there. So nobody's really getting surprised in the playoffs unless you

make up a few plays. Everybody has a few wrinkles here and there, but nobody's getting surprised. So if you don't have a foundation that's fundamentally driven where you can say, hey, we can just run what we do well and have success. You're going to struggle. And that's what they're struggling with is they don't have anything that they do incredibly well, that you could say, hey, this is where we're going to hang our hat because nobody's going to be able to stop us from doing this. No, no doubt. And you've seen it throughout the years, Rich.

I mean, when the Wildcat was introduced into the NFL, it screwed with defense's mind for about a season, season and then people figured out. when the RPO was introduced. Screw with people's heads for a year, year and a half. You know, that's when you saw Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens really take this league by storm. And then people started to slowly figure out the same is going on with these Eagles. And they're just so predictable. They're not a fun team to watch offensively right now. And I know they're having their struggles defensively as well without slay in there and some other key injuries.

But the reality is, man, if they can get out of the first round, they're going to play an NFC South team, you know, whether it be the Bucks or the Saints. that isn't going to be an easy out with the way the Eagles team is playing. And then, Richard, they're going to have to go on the road more than likely to San Francisco, and they're going to get the brakes beat off of them. I mean, that's just a cold, hard reality of it. I mean, I'm not a forecaster here, Rich, but I'm telling you, it's looking like an early exit with the way this team's playing right now, unless they can fix it quick, and it's got to be really, really quick.

Yeah, it has to be really, really quick. And it doesn't, there aren't any obvious answers. You thought, oh, okay, they're going to. to switch from Sean Decide and Matt Patricia, that's going to solve all their als. No, you knew that wasn't. That wasn't. There's a fundamental issue within this defense, and I can't even put my, because the talent along the D-line is there. You have veterans and Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham. You have young guys and Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter, Hassan Reddick, and all the chaos he calls last year, Josh Sweat. You knew the linebacker position was a point of

weakness, but you thought the secondary was a strength, and they've been having a rough time. They've been giving up some yardage in the back end. And so offensively, again, you thought this offensive line is strong. They're going to at least be able to run the ball with DeAndre Swift and these big monsters up front. That hasn't been the case. All day always open, AJ Brown and Devonte Smith. They've had impact in these games, but that hasn't been the case.

Jaylon Hertz is looking like a shell in himself. So it's everything. All their strengths have to. turn into question marks. And that's been the problem. And I don't know where they go from here. There's a lot of questions in Philly. There was a lot of questions in Kansas City, too, leading into this game. They're able to get a win, you know, they're able to clinch the AFC West, which is big for them. You know, Rishi Rice was heavily involved. Kansas City beats a scrappy Cincinnati Bengals team also desperate for a win. And I don't know the exact playoff breakdown, but I would

assume this eliminates since he from contention. Richard, your thoughts on this game. Kansas City walks away with the 25 to 17 win at home. Have they right at this ship, this rocky boat that they've been cruising along for the last few weeks? I mean, I guess, you know, they, you know, the Cincinnati team had been playing better. Jake Browning had been playing really good football, giving them a chance at the playoffs. But I don't know. The Kansas City Chiefs have been kind of Jekyll and High, it looks like they may have found some rhythm between Patrick Mahones and Rashie Rice, this game, where they're pushing a ball down the field and having success. But I don't know, Mitchell, I've never seen them this inconsistent.

Patrick Mahon still had a good game, 21 of 29, 245 in a touchdown. This will be the first time in, what, five years that the AFC championship doesn't just go through Arrowhead Stadium as it has. They'll get their home game, but they'll likely be traveling to Baltimore or, I mean, they could be traveling a few places after that if they have to play whoever the two seat is

because I'm not sure they're going to be able to get the two seed. Maybe they'd be going to Miami. That'd be a good game, but I don't know. I mean, Isaiah Pacheco had one of his best games, 18 rushes for 130 yards, but it just didn't feel like the dominant Kansas City team that you've known. Their defense turned it around in the second half and started to get some stops.

But early on, it just looked like that both teams were just exchanging shots. They're, you know, shot here, shot here, shot here. And that's what I don't. I thought that this defense was one of the best in the National Football League. And in the AFC, they definitely had been showing that. And I don't know what they're becoming right now. But hopefully next week they can get it, get back on track versus the Chargers. I'm sure the playoff seating is kind of already decided.

I'm not sure if they still have a little bit of movement left. It looks like the Bengals are eliminated. The Broncos are now eliminated, even with their win today in the AFC West. So I don't know. This Kansas City Chiefs team is kind of a mystery right now. We'll see because Patrick Mahone's in the playoffs. You can't count them out. There's going to be a lot to talk about next week,

but this team's lost their explosiveness offensively. I think that's just a reality of it, Rich. I mean, they're going to be faced, you know, obviously a home matchup in the playoffs, but they're going to be playing either the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, you know, Buffalo Bills, one of those three teams. And I don't think it's easy to say they're going to beat any of them right now. So this is going to be a first in a long time in Kansas City. We shall see if Patrick Mahomes can rise to the occasion.

But Richard, this freight train in Baltimore just keeps on chugging along. I, if there's any doubt who the best team in football is right now, I don't think you have to look very far because it's Baltimore. And I know you love the San Francisco 49ers and rightfully so. I mean, they are a juggernaut in their own right. But what Baltimore did to them last week and what they did to Miami this week, it's hard to overlook this team anymore. Richard, your thoughts on the Baltimore Ravens winning 56 to 19 over the Miami Dolphins. I mean, Mitchell, they put a whooping. on the Miami Dolphins.

And it was close, close-ish early on. There were a few mish by the Miami Dolphins. I think Tyreek dropped the touchdown pass and ended up being a field goal. But from that point forward, the Baltimore Ravens put their foot on their necks and their foot on the gas and they pulled away.

Lamar Jackson had 255 in the first half. He ended up with 321. 18 of 21, only had three incompletions, had more touchdown passes than incompletions in the game. a perfect 158.3 passer rating. He ran the ball six times for 38 yards. Gus Edwards had his fair share of Russia 16 for 68 yards and a touchdown. Zay Flowers with his first 100-yard receiving game in the National Football League.

And it almost all came on one play, a long touchdown pass from a Don Pretty Pass from Lamar Jackson, Kyle Van Hoy with a sack in the game, career high eight sacks for him. They picked him up off the streets mid-season Mitchell, and he has been a revelation for them in this past rush. Another guy who's been incredible for them has been Roquant Smith, who had an interception. Gino Stone with another interception. Isaiah likely only had two catches,

but one of them was a beautiful catch on a fourth down pass, a one-handed pass that he takes for a touchdown that really started to break the game open. They look like the class of the, the AFC in the class of the league right now on their way. Obviously, the number one seed. We'll see how the playoffs go. But they're going to be a tough team to beat. They're going to be a tough out.

Miami Dolphins who were kind of flying and getting a lot of respect. Stumbled a lot this game, Tuatunga by Loa, two interceptions, the two touchdown passes. Devin a chain had 14 catches, I mean 14 rushes for 107, four receptions for 30 yards. but Tyreek Hill only six catches for 76 yards. He was on that pace still doesn't look 100%. So unlikely to get the awards that he was in line to be chasing.

Bradley Chub looked like he may have torn his ACL, which you hate to see. So yeah, without Waddle and without Moster, obviously, I don't even know if those guys played, if they would have made much of a difference. This team is just rolling. They're running the ball well. They're throwing the ball well. defensively, they're putting a lot of pressure on the quarterback from a lot of different places.

And so, Mitchell, you got to give them all the credit in the world. 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 I-Hard radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football,

or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated.

One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me, or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim?

Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam Jay. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack.

So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you for finishing that sentence. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Well, unlike the Philadelphia Eagles, man, this team, this Baltimore Ravens team is the furthest thing for predictable. I mean, they can do it all. Their aggressive is all get out defensively. offensively, I mean, they are beyond the lead. They can hit you from all cylinder. Everyone thought when Mark Andrews went out, this team was going to slide a little bit. Isaiah likely coming out of nowhere,

a coastal Carolina prospect, just doing his thing, looking like a very, very good rising star in this league at this point. But Richard, I'm here to ask the tough questions. You know, you know, that's why I'm here, Rich. That's what I hope you're here for, Mitchell. You know, you have not been on this Lamar Jackson MVP. hype train over the last couple weeks. You've been a proponent against it, if you will. And Richard,

I got to ask you, what does this guy got to do to prove to you that he's a worthy, you know, recipient of an MVP award? Well, Mitchell, he had five touchdown passes in the game. And that's what we needed to see all season. We need to see a lot more touchdown passes. He had more touchdown passes in this game, Mitchell, than he had the whole month of September and the whole month of November and all the games he played in seven games. Those seven games, Mitchell, he had six touchdown passes. And in this game alone, he had five. And so that's what we, we needed to see more of.

That's the only argument against his MVP case is that the touchdown numbers aren't there. This game, he showed both with his legs, with his arms, he's executing from the pocket. He got the yardage. But again, Mitchell, that's 24 touchdown passes now on the season. And it just hasn't happened in a very long time. I think a couple of years ago, you know, they keep bringing up some Peyton Manning stat where he had 28, where he got it over Brady that year with only 28 touchdown passes. But that was 15 years ago. Of the last five MVPs, nobody has had less than Lamar's 35.

And Aaron had 38 last year, Mahones had 41 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. And so everybody was bringing up the clip where I was like, man, you know, Hertz is doing a lot for his team. and he deserves it. He deserves a shot at. And they're like, look, you said something about Hertz? And it was like, yeah. And then Mahomes got it with 41 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. So that's the thing. The numbers had to be there. They were not there for Jalen Hertz, regardless of the seating or whatever what the case may be. He didn't have the numbers in terms of touchdown passes. They had the number one record in the NFC, but he did not have the touchdown pass numbers. Mahomes did. And that's why Mahomes got the award.

And so people were like, you're hating, you're hating. I'm just going off the way they've described this award and the way they picked this award for the past five, six years. And it's been the guy with the most touchdown passes. Well, not the most touchdown passes, but you got to have at least over 30. And you cannot show me a situation outside of 15 years ago where they gave it to Peyton, where guys getting it with less than 30 touchdown passes in his day and age. But this could be a new day and age. This could be the one that changed at all because he is the heavy betting.

favor right now, and they'll probably give it to them because you talk about Tyree Kiel, who had a chance at it, kind of falling off the map. He didn't play one of the games, and then the other two, he had under 100 yards. Christian McCaffrey didn't finish this last game for the San Francisco 49ers, so his production dropped off even though he got a touchdown. He's still one touchdown away from tying Jerry Rice's franchise record of 23 touchdowns in a season. So the chances are there. But again, when you talk about the numbers that I'm talking about and the things that I've argued, it's still an accurate discussion where you say, hey, 24 touchdown passes over 16 games

isn't as impressive as some of the other things we've seen from MVP years. So you can argue to death. You can say, hey, the intangibles are there, his impact on the game, his impact on defenses, the way he controls the game. No question about it. That's not ever in question. Lamar Jackson is one of the greatest players in this game and one of the most unique players in the history of this game. But again, Mitchell, the numbers are what the numbers are.

Well, you know the next follow-up question that's going to come is if it's not him, then who? And everyone else's mind immediately goes to the quarterback position. You know, oh, you know, Mahomes, Josh Allen, Jalen, Jalen Hertz, you know, etc. Haven't been putting on MVP seasons either. We're forgetting all the other skill position, non-quarterback players. I mean, Tyreeks, CMC, etc. I think Barry Sanders summed it up best in a tweet he had recently when he was a co-MVP years back. He's like, this is the year that CMC wins a co-MvP with insert quarterback here.

Because it's always about the quarterback. It always will forever be about the quarterback. And Richard at some point in time, like you said, a hundred times, they're going to have to do their best quarterback and their best non-quarterback. Because this, I don't know, I don't know how you don't give it to Lamar, but. At the same time, it's just becoming a quarterback-only award, and it's kind of unfair. But not to make light on Lamar, but he is also going to take home this making look easy player of the week brought to you by Morgan and Morgan, America's largest injury law firm. Like we said, Lamar made it look super easy against Miami Dolphins, five touchdowns, 321 pass yards. He's a third game career.

It was Lamar's third career game with a perfect pass rating, tied for the most in NFL history. So that's been this week's making look easy brought to you by Morgan and Morgan America's largest injury law firm. If you're ever injured, go to for the people.com slash Sherman or dial pound law. That's pound 529. Winning in this league is hard, but hiring Morgan and Morgan is very easy, rich. I don't want to spend too much time on this game, but the Buffalo Bills, they get a win against the New England Patriots, the lowly New England Patriots. And what this win sets up is an opportunity to win the division next week against the Miami Dolphins on the road against Miami.

Richard, Buffalo didn't play their best game this week by any means. They got a six point win. But the dolphins didn't either. And there's going to be a lot going on next week, a lot on the line. Who do you like the most to win this AFC East Division? I mean, I guess Miami Mitchell, this is one of those where all the teams are kind of limping to the finish line. It was not a great game by the Buffalo Bills. Obviously, the Patriots had a good plan for him.

Josh Allen struggled the majority of the game. I think he only had 40 yards passing in the first half. He did have two rushing touchdowns, but didn't have a passing touchdown in the game. James Cook, 16 rushes, 48 yards, nothing crazy. in Concade, four catches for 87 yards. Again, Stefan Diggs under 30 yards receiving yet again, which is starting to become concerning. But on the other side, Rasul Douglas has been a revelation since he was traded to the Buffalo Bills. He has been everything they could have asked for and much, much more, I would imagine. He had two interceptions in the game, one being a pick six.

Ed Oliver had an interception in a sack. The concern is, is what happened to Von Miller? Like, is that serious? Is that career ending? They paid him a lot of money, but he was a healthy scratch this game. Maybe they're resting him up. Maybe there's something we're not hearing. But that's a big deal, Mitchell, and that's a big question mark going into the playoffs. He's a guy that they brought to be a finisher to get him over the hump in these playoff

games to help them win a championship, to help them win a Super Bowl. And if he can't go and he's not going to be able to make an impact, you wonder if their boat stops early in these playoffs because Josh Allen, they're not going to win a lot of games if Josh Allen is going to play like that, like he did this game against the New England Patriots who have won four games. Yeah, no question. I mean, the rest of these games this week, it's all about, it's all about playoff implications.

I mean, Houston wins a game pretty commandingly against Tennessee Titans. That rematch, they took care of 26 to 3, no problem. You get C.J. Straub back. And that sets up another, you know, huge matchup next week against the Indianapolis Colts who have just been, you know, quietly putting together a pretty impressive season, Rich. This week, or this time next week, they'll be playing for a playoff spot against these Indianapolis Colts. Richard, the Houston Texans, who do you like most in that matchup? Well, you know, the Houston Texans, if their defense can play like it just did,

you talk about Derek Stingley and the amount of interceptions he's had since he's come back. He's amongst the league leaders with five. He's up there. Charverius Ward has had. Obviously, Duran Bland ran away with it very early in the season. But Will Anderson with another two picks. You talked about their foundational pieces. There's a lot to be excited about for this Houston Texans team,

and they're playing good at the right time. Devin Singletary comes in 16 rushes for 80 yards. Nico Collins, seven for 80 yards. C.J. Stroud, 24. 32 in his return game, only one touchdown. But this defense was really lights out, and that's what they're going to need. They're going to need CJ Stroud to play well, but this defense is going to tell you how far they go on these playoffs, whether they get put out in the first round or they even make

the playoffs or they have a chance to make a run because it's looking like they're not going to get the division with Jacksonville playing Tennessee at home this next game. I think they should be able to win that game. If they don't, then that division gets crazy. I don't know who wins it. It is wild. I mean, and speaking of this Texans defense, they win this week's almost, almost perfect defense of the week brought to you by our friends over at Uber Eats, where we highlight the NFL's best defense of the week.

The Houston Texans, they've been bringing the hurt for a little bit here now, Rich. They've been a true revelation in this league this year. year, you know, Will Anderson, like you said, Derek Stingley, Houston Sack Titans quarterback six times and held Tennessee to a season low three points. Titans went one and 12 on third down. I mean, the Texans had them on lockdown all game long. They made it really easy for C.J. Stroud and the offense. So that's this week's almost, almost perfect defense of the week, brought to you by our friends over at Uber Eats. And remember, with Uber Eats, you can order almost almost anything you want. Uber Eats is the official.

on-demand delivery partner of the NFL. Go ahead and order now. Richard, before we leave this game, I mean, the expectations in Houston were pretty darn low entering this season. D'emico Ryan's enters this year as a first-time head coach, you know, obviously a ton of experience with San Francisco and former player at Houston. He's done a hell of a job. I mean, is there a legit chance for him to take home coach of the year?

Yeah, I mean, I would think he would have a shot at it, but what John Harbaugh has done, what Kevin Stefansky is done with four quarterbacks now, you know, now starting Joe Flacco off the couch and winning four or five, heading into the playoffs. The defense is playing incredible. Some of the teams that they've been able to beat, I think it's going to be hard to give it to him. Obviously, he has a great, great shot at it. You know, he has great argument because that way his teams play, they have the potential.

If they can beat Indy next week to have a 10-win season coming off a year, they pick one and two or two and three in the draft. I mean, you can't, you couldn't imagine them going from two and three in a draft to having a 10-win season and potentially making the playoffs. That's what they've done. I do think C.J. Stroud has a shot at winning the player of the year, the rookie of the year. for the offensive side of the ball, the way he's been playing, it'd be hard not to give it to him. It's really impressive what they've done. And, I mean, they're going to make this division fun for years to come. A couple of young quarterbacks coming up in this, this AFC South.

You've got to love to see it. But you mention them, Richard. A team I love right now is the Cleveland Browns. They got to be one of the favorites just to watch. I had zero expectations going into watching that Thursday night football game. I'm sure you did too. I know Vegas didn't have much. That over-under was like in the mid-30s.

And then you see the Browns putting 34 on the board in the first half. Before we leave this week's recap, Rich, I just got to ask, like, how in the world does Joe Flacco go from on the couch to putting 34 on the board in the first half in a Thursday night football game? It is just unheard of. Mitchell, though, that's why you love sports. Stories like Joe Flacco is why you love sports and why NFL is king. Because you never know, Mitchell, send a.

stories are always right around the corner. You have storylines all over the place. And in the playoffs this year, it's going to get even crazier, especially if some of these quarterbacks go to their homes, Mitchell. You got Matt Stafford coming back to Detroit. You got Joe Flacko heading back to Baltimore, things like that. Storylines write themselves. People will be talking about the script of the NFL and how they were right.

I guarantee you the NFL scriptors didn't have Joe Flacko coming off the couch to win four or five games. That's no question. Yeah. Well, you got to love to see it like you said, Rich. Well, that concludes our week, what are we? Week 17, man. This year has flown by. It's been a lot of fun. That it concludes this week

17 recap. We got a big game tonight, Vikings, Packers, a lot of playoff implications on the line, especially for the Seahawk fans out there. We shall see who wins that. Richard, I will let you sign us off. Well, thank you guys for joining us in week 17. The season's almost

over, but you know we're here for the playoffs and the off season. So we appreciate you rocking with us as long as you have. Hit the sub button if you knew. Can't wait for the conclusion of the season and see how these playoffs pan out. See you next week. The volume. 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 Side 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.

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 I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey,

or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that experience. excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfills of conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to The Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

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