The Kevin Sheehan Show - WFT Over Philly!

Episode Date: December 31, 2021

Kevin thinks Washington is going to beat the Eagles on Sunday. His keys to a big win, his final score prediction, and a conversation with Reuben Frank/NBC Sports Philadelphia helps get you ready for a do-or-die game. He finished up with six "Smell Test" picks and predictions on Alabama-Cincinnati & Michigan-Georgia.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

You don't want it. You don't need it. But you're going to get it anyway. The Kevin Cheehan Show. Here's Kevin. This final show of 2021 on this December 31st is presented by Window Nation. Go to Window Nation. Go to Window Nation or call them at 86690 Nation.

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But take advantage of this offer here that ends today. 86690 Nation or window nation.com. One guest on the show today, Ruben Frank, who covers the Eagles for CSN Philadelphia, will be our guest. Got a smell test a little bit later on in the show. I start with this quote from Russell Wilson yesterday, the quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks.

Seattle will play their final home game of the season on Sunday against Detroit. And the question being asked, Russell Wilson and others, do you think it will be your last home game as a Seattle Seahawk? And he said, quote, I know for me personally, I hope it's not my last game in Seattle. But at the same time, I know it won't be my last game. in the NFL, closed quote. That's the one out of the big names that might be available,

the Deshawn Watson's, the Aaron Rogers, the Russell Wilson's. That's the one that maybe Washington could attract. And the only reason I say that is because he grew up in Richmond, and it's on the East Coast. it's not a small town. You know, I think he and his lovely wife would love to be in L.A. or New York, I'm sure. But if they can't be there, would Washington be, you know, a poor runner-up prize? I don't know, and I'm probably wishful thinking here.

But it does sound like Seattle's going to have a lot of change in the offseason. Pete Carroll, you know, Bobby Wagner, Russell Wilson, seems like a big breakup of that roster and that team, as we've known it now, for nearly 10 years, is on the verge of being dismantled. I wonder, I wonder if Russell Wilson would be interested in Washington. Remember, back when they were talking potential trade, he had a list, and Washington wasn't on it.

So we'll see. It certainly sounded from Russell Wilson yesterday like a guy that potentially will not be in Seattle next year. Anyway, big game Sunday between Washington and Philadelphia. I like Washington to win the game outright, 27 to 24. There it is. I'm not waiting until the end to give you my prediction on the game. 27, 24, Washington outright.

And I think on Monday they will still be alive for the postseason because I don't see Atlanta beating Buffalo. And that's what would have to happen, is San Francisco, New Orleans, and Atlanta would all have to win if Washington wins for Washington to be eliminated. And I don't see Atlanta beating Buffalo in Buffalo on Sunday. And then we will get down to a situation, depending on what happens in the Sunday night game

between Minnesota and Green Bay, where the chance of them getting there won't seem like it's that much of a long shot. But they've got to get to Monday first. And getting to Monday means beating Philadelphia. So how do you do that? You know, how do you beat a team that's won six of its last eight? How do you beat a team that has totally dominated at the line of scrimmage offensively in particular

as they've become the number one rush offense in the NFL? You don't look at the game a week ago Tuesday. There isn't a whole hell of a lot from that game that will play out the same way on Sunday. Defensively, maybe, but your defensive players didn't really practice much. And you had Garrett Gilbert at quarterback. You know, this was a team that was really in disarray because of all of the COVID tests, 25 players at one point. As we've learned now, two players who were sick.

And they were both quarterbacks. Kyle Allen said he was really sick for four to five days. Taylor Heineke said he was sick. Kyle Allen said that he didn't begin to feel better until just the other day, which meant that he played Sunday night against the Cowboys at less than 100%. And I would probably guess that was the same with Taylor Heineke as well. But Washington was a mess for that Philadelphia. game. Not so much defensively, but remember, even though they had some of their defensive players

back, they had injuries during the game to their defense, and they hadn't practiced together a lot leading up to that game. I had Ron Rivera on the radio show as I do every Friday at 8 a.m. And I asked him about just practices, and he said this is by far and away yesterday, meaning, was the most normal day that they've had in several weeks. So even though they had several of their players back for the Philadelphia game. Bottom line is they weren't prepared for that game. And they had Garrett Gilbert at quarterback. So you really can't learn much about, you know, the matchup Sunday from the game that they just played. I think Washington beats Philadelphia if they run the football. Antonio Gibson is iffy for Sunday. They really need him. If not,

I'm going to make a prediction right now that Jared Patterson will be a part, certainly, of the run game, but that Jonathan Williams, number 35, you've seen him a couple of times here in a Washington uniform. He was on the practice squad. He had a carry, three carries for nine yards against the Cowboys. His game a few weeks ago against the Cowboys, he had four carries for 16 yards on that drive that made it 27 to 14 before they got the pick six from from Holcomb. He also had a catch for 19 yards in that game. I think they like Williams and what they've seen from Williams. If Antonio Gibson can't go, I would bet you that Williams ends up with at least as many carries and touches as Jared Patterson. Just, it's a hunch. I asked Ron, he said he likes Williams

a lot. They like Williams a lot. They love his power. They love his vision. But they need to run the football Sunday. And the best way to run the football would be to have Antonio Gibson. Now they're going to have a right tackle, a different right tackle again, Sam Cosmy on the COVID list, Tress Way on the COVID list. Also Kyle Shermer, the practice squad quarterback to the COVID list as well. So Washington's COVID issues are not done. But Taylor Heineke is going to start the game. I think we have a pretty good sense of that now. And if they don't run the football, it's going to be a disaster offensively.

I think we've learned a lot about Taylor Heineke through 14 and a half games, I guess. We've learned he's a great competitor. We've learned he's a really good athlete. He can really make some plays, you know. And if everything's on schedule, you know, he can manage an offense. but like a lot of quarterbacks, to be fair, if you put the pressure on him to drop back and throw the football, it's not going to go well.

So the best way to take the pressure off him and to ensure that he doesn't have to drop back from the pocket on 3rd and 10 and make plays, is you've got to be able to run the football. That's number one. Number two, given what they gave up in their last game, 238 yards in the ground, 519 yards overall. But again, I don't take much from that game, but I do take a lot from a lot of

Philadelphia's games this year, especially over the last two months. They can run the football. Now, no Miles Sanders is huge. If Jordan Howard, who was limited in practice, is limited for the game, that would be massive for Washington. Boston Scott's still pretty good. And Jalen Hertz, obviously a really good runner, but they've got to do a much better job at stopping the run on Sunday. Run the ball, stop the run. Sounds like, you know, a formula, an old adage formula, very cliche maybe. I can throw in the win the turnover battle and we're in great shape. But in this particular game, you have to run it. You're not going to be able to drop back and throw it. And you've got to stop them from running it and put the pressure on Hertz and put the pressure on hurts to make plays from the

pocket. Also, you got to protect Heineke. Like when he does drop back, hopefully it's in good down and distance situations or, you know, if they can get five yards on a first down run, they can go play action and give him some time and, you know, have some people open. But you've got to protect him. He has taken a pounding the last few weeks. I also think it's really important that they get a lead in this game or certainly the game stays within reach. You're not coming back with Heineke. And by the way, if they get behind, you're probably going to see Kyle Allen anyway. But keep the, you know, get a lead, which they did in Philadelphia. Remember, they had a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. But it's really important Sunday that

this game stay close. I think that, you know, all of their wins with the exception of the Atlanta game, they were within a score, either up a score or down a score. Against Tampa, they were actually up two scores. That was the biggest lead they've had in any game this year, 13 points against Tampa. Also, I've mentioned this several times the last few weeks. I want to see D'Andre Carter with more touches. You know, I know that they tried to get him the ball a couple of times in the game on Sunday against the Cowboys. He had that one, you know, carry for 15 yards. He, you know, seemed more interested in trying to return punts. I don't want to see the kickoffs, and hopefully there aren't a lot of them. I don't want to see the kickoffs falling a

yard deep in the end zone with him putting his hands up in the air saying, we'll take it at the 25. I want to see Carter get five to six touches Sunday, you know, offense and special teams combined. A lot of you would say, well, doesn't Terry McCorn have to touch the ball more? Yeah, I mean, I think that goes without saying. But you can't tell Taylor to force it because he's not accurate enough and he's not, I don't, you know, they forced it on a first and 10 deep shot. Not that that was a force. I didn't mind the call, but the throw wasn't good enough.

Taylor's got to throw to wide open people. And if he's not throwing to wide open people, he's got to throw, you know, those lob pass. into corners where only his guy's got a chance. You know, forcing the ball to a guy like Terry in the middle of the field, I think would turn out to be more of a problem than a benefit. Last thing, because I mentioned it last week, I think I did. I know I mentioned the issues that I thought they were having in punt protection against the Eagles on that Tuesday night.

Well, the Cowboys got one and scored on one. You know, a big special team's play could be the difference. They've got to shore up their punt protection, and you're going to have a new punter on Sunday. Stop the run, run the ball, protect Heineke, get a lead, Carter with more touches, punt protection. I like their chances, Sunday, man. I really do.

They're having a normal week of practice. Yes, there are more COVID issues, and things could change drastically between now and Sunday. I mean, this is the unknown now in the NFL. Who's going to actually be available to play the game? but it really sets up, you know, typical NFL got blown out, the other team, one big, and the other team's only laying three in a game they have to have. I like Washington's chances Sunday.

I really do like their chances on Sunday. I'll have a smell test later on in the show. Again, the prediction is 2724 Washington. I did want to mention real quickly in this opening segment that Bradley Beale was, great last night in his first game back for the Wizards. They beat the Cavs 1-10-93. He had 29 points, 10 assists, shot it well, protected the ball, made great decisions, was really unstoppable. First game back for him in 12 days. By the way, he got vaccinated. He was asked why he decided to get vaccinated. He said family. He was really good last night against a Cleveland team that's

been outstanding all year long, but they were playing their first game without Ricky Rubio. at point guard, and Rubio had been fantastic for them, leading them to the record that they have. They're five games above 500, but that was a good win for the Wizards last night. They stay above 500. With all of their issues since that 10-and-3 start, they still have not dipped below the 500 mark, and they played in some games at the end of that road trip

right before Christmas at Utah and at New York that they were underdogs in. So good for them. They've got three home games, including the Red Hot Bulls tomorrow night. But that was a good win last night. And I just thought Beale probably had one of the better games he's had all year long and one of the cleaner games he's had all year long. Thought he was outstanding.

29 points, 10 assists in 34 minutes last night in a blowout win over Cleveland. Also, good job by Maryland to come back against Brown. A pretty feisty Ivy League team. They've been tough this year against some pretty good opponents. Marilyn was down at halftime. It seems like they're down at halftime in every one of these games. They came back with a big explosive second half, outscored Brown 46 to 28,

and Eric Ayala was really good again. Three straight games where he's been outstanding. I love how crafty he is. He's 6'5. He's longer than you think. He's stronger than you think. He's not super explosive, but he's got a crafty way of games.

getting to the rim and finishing at the rim. But that's Danny Manning and Maryland's third straight win, you know, included in there was a win over a ranked Florida team. But on Monday night starts the real part of their schedule. They play Iowa next week and Illinois, both of those games on the road next week as they really get into their Big Ten schedule. Remember they're 0-1 in the Big Ten because they lost. to Northwestern in their Big Ten opener.

But next week, Iowa, Illinois, on the road, not easy. And then they come home against ranked Wisconsin. The Big Ten's brutal, although Michigan lost the UCF last night. And the Big Ten, it's been a weird year. Purdue's excellent. They're very good. They are a national championship caliber team. Michigan State's played very well so far.

Michigan really hasn't. What a disappointing season so far for Michigan basketball. All right, up next, Ruben Frank from CSN, Philadelphia. We'll get an update on the Eagles, and then we'll finish the show with a smell test and with predictions on the college football semi-final games today. That's right after these words from a few of our sponsors. All right, subscribe to the podcast, if you haven't already. It helps us out a lot.

It doesn't cost you a thing. Also, rate us and review us on Spotify and Apple when you get a chance. Ruben Frank covers the Eagles and has been for a while for NBC Sports of Philadelphia. And, you know, this is the second time, Rubin, in, you know, 10, 11 days that they'll be playing. Garrett Gilbert started a quarterback at the link in that game a week ago Tuesday night. What are you guys expecting from Washington? I'm just curious. I mean, that game was a little bit closer than maybe you had anticipated a week ago Tuesday night.

What's Philly anticipating this week with Washington? for a second time. Well, we know Ron Rivera. He was here for five years under Andy Reed, and we know that any Ron Rivera team is going to be ready and prepared and go out and play hard. And, you know, I think you kind of ignore the first game. Washington was missing not only Heineke, but a bunch of other players.

And, you know, you ignore the Dallas score. You know, those games happen. I don't think they, you know, mean anything. following week. It's kind of a non-linear, you know, league, anything can happen. So I think, you know, it's a, it's always tough playing down in Landover. And, you know,

the Eagles have had big success down there. And I think with what's at stake, they're taking this as Washington is, you know, this is a team that not too long ago had won four straight. And, you know, was one of the hotter teams in the league. So I think that's the team the Eagles are expecting. That's a team the Eagles are anticipating. And that's a team

they're preparing for full strength and come out and play hard for 60 minutes. I mean, that D-Line is still formidable. And, you know, Eagles are not at full strength in their strongest aspect, which is run of the ball. So I don't think anybody expects anything to come easily Sunday. I want to talk about the health of the running backs here in a moment. I think it's interesting. It's not a non-linear league.

I've spent so much time talking about how this is like the typical NFL, you know, one team gets run out of the building, 56 to 14, the other team's on a role and really needs it badly. And yet Philadelphia is only a three-point favorite. I think the game reeks a little bit. And I actually like Washington's chances, even though I think Philadelphia is a better team. You know, the one thing you did say, it's never, it hasn't really been a home field advantage for Washington. And you are of an age that you remember when it used to be a big deal down here and how difficult it was to play way back in the day at our, but I would expect there to be at least 50% if not more Philadelphia fans at FedEx on Sunday for this one.

I've been so impressed personally watching the turnaround of the Eagles. And for me, and I want you to correct me if I'm wrong or add to it, they've got a dominant offensive line. I mean, the backs are really good and they're going to be missing Miles Sanders, but that offensive line has been as good as any in the league. True or not? Yeah, I think that's true. And I just go back to what you were just saying real quick about RFK.

I loved RFK stadium so much. I mean, the sight lines were amazing. It was, you know, the press box was open in air. You would walk across those catwalks over the stands to get to the press box. And it was a great atmosphere. You know, we parked like a mile away from the stadium and just walking through on a Sunday morning, you know, through the tailgators and everything. I just, I loved going. I mean, I didn't like to drive and try to get out of that place

because I could never find an exit that was open from the parking lot. But that was one of my favorite stadiums, one of my favorite old stadiums. But anyway, yes, the O-line has been the real strength of the team. And it really kind of changed when the rookie landed Dickerson started playing left guard week four. And he, other than he missed one game when he was on the COVID list. But other than that, I mean, this O-Line's been tremendous. They've run the ball with different backs.

They've run the ball with different quarterbacks. They've run the ball. They've even had like four different right guards, and they've run the ball no matter who's out there. And, you know, you have three all-pro-calibre guys at center, you know, left tackle and left guard, and really right tackle, too, when Lane Johnson is back. And they are, they're the real strains of the team.

It's, you know, when they kind of moved and became a running team, That's when they took off and six and two since then. So it's been something to watch. Not only are they all talented individually. They play really well together, and they have, I think the world's best O-line coach and Jeff Stowland, who's been here under Chip Kelly under Doug Peterson, now under Nick.

So this team is going to go as far as the O-Line takes them. There's no doubt about it. But they are missing. We don't even know if Jordan Howard is going to play. So they could be down to their third running backhand. That's, you know, we'll see. It's going to be the ultimate challenge for that O-line if they can get the running game going without miles, possibly without Jordan Howard. And if Howard, you know, and I mentioned it, Howard, you know, limited in practice yesterday, it'll be Boston Scott.

And he's actually been pretty good. And I know he had that big time fumble at the end of the giant game in the Meadowlands. It really hurt. But he's, you know, he averages four and a half yards per carry. I mean, it's not Miles Sanders, and it's maybe not Jordan Howard, but it's not that far off, right or wrong? Yeah, and Boston is a, you know, he's a good little player. The thing about Boston is he's had his best success when he's been, you know, the change of pace guy. Right.

When Miles is getting all the carries, then Boston comes in for a series or Jordan gets all the carries in Boston. So he's not the ideal guy that you want, you know, to be your number one guy, when he carries, you know, that kind of thing. But he's great at the goal line. I think he's one of the better goal line runners in the league. He's got that low center of gravity. He's got great vision, and he's tough. And the first guy never brings him down.

So he's a good functional back, but it is a significant step down from Jordan or Miles. I just pulled this up. You guys signed Kerryon Johnson to your practice squad this week? Yeah, and he was in training camp with the Eagles. And it wasn't bad. They just didn't have a spot for him. So they brought him back. And I think he would be kind of an emergency, but he knows the offense because he was here all summer.

And he's healthy because he hasn't played this year. So he is on the roster. Yeah. That draft that year, Washington was going to take him in the second round. And he, Detroit selected him before. Washington ended up trading back later in that round. But I always loved him as a back, but he's just never been able to, you know, he's never stayed healthy.

That's really been his big issue more than anything else is the health. It's just, it hasn't been there. You had that great rookie year for Detroit. He broke all of Barry Sanders rookie records. He just hasn't been able to follow it up. Yeah, Washington was going to take him. Detroit took him. Washington trades back, and they selected Darius Geis,

typical of our franchise, you know, they act like they stole them at the end of the second round. Well, clearly there were red flags all over them that old Dan and Bruce weren't paying attention to, typical of the group down here. So I'm curious as to whether or not, like Jalen Hertz obviously has played great at times as a runner, as a scrambler, as a design runner, as a read option runner. You know, there's a lot of RPO in their game. We see that. and yet when Minchu came in against the Jets, he played great a few weeks ago.

Are people sold on Jalen Hertz not just for the present but for the future yet or not? Well, it depends who you ask. And it's kind of funny how all the fans that were loyal to Carson Wentz refused to acknowledge anything good that Jalen does. And all the fans that are loyal to Jalen refused to acknowledge any of his shortcomings. It's quite the drama up here, but he's done a lot of good things, and there's still concerns. I think these next few games, a few if they get in the playoffs, too, if they don't. But I think we'll learn a lot. This is when you learn about a young quarterback.

Down the stretch, playoff, a run, you know, trying to get in. These are big games, you know, on the road, division opponent. this is where you learn about a young kid. And I don't know. I think everything kind of points to him being back next year just because I don't think there's going to be any other realistic options. You know, where they're picking in the draft now, I mean, I did my first mock draft back in October,

and they were picking like, they're picking like 3, 7 and 11, and now they're like 20, 23, and 24 because the Colts keep winning in Miami keeps winning and they keep winning. So you're not going to get a quarterback there. And they have an opportunity to really, with three first round picks, even if they're in the 20s, to really improve the roster around him on both sides of the ball. Come back with him next year. If he improves as much next year as he did from last year to this year, then you really have something.

And he's 23. You know, I mean, he's, I believe, the number. I think he's got the 19th most touchdowns, if you add up passing and rushing ever by a quarterback in his first. 18 starts. He's reduced his turnovers. He's been better in the pocket. He's thrown the ball better. He's smarter when he runs and how he runs. So I think he's trending the right way. You know, the Eagles have never, the youngest quarterback to Eagles, whoever took the Eagles to the Eagles to the playoffs was Donovan McNabb, noted former Washington player. But he was 24. Of course.

So, if, you know, if the Eagles beat Washington and the Packers beat Minnesota, Jayland Hertz is the youngest quarterback ever to take the Eagles to the postseason. So to me, that's really how you evaluate quarterbacks when the games mean the most. The stakes are the highest and, you know, the lights are the brightest. Let's see how we'll respond. I think we'll learn a lot about them these next couple weeks. You know, I thought going into this season, because, you know, during the summer, you start talking about the quarterback situations with all the teams.

teams in the division. And I thought he had played really well at the end of last year. The Arizona game in particular, I remember was a game that was on TV here, and they didn't win the game, but he played exceptionally well. The one thing, you know, the one observation from afar, and he was the same way at Oklahoma and the same way at Bama, is that he's so casual at times. Like, he's just such a laid-back, cool, calm guy, but he gets very casual sometimes with the ball. I mean, we saw it in the game, you know, nine, ten days ago. In the red zone, he gets hit from behind. And, you know, he will cough it up on occasion. And sometimes it's probably frustrating, right, for you guys, because it seems like it should be easier for him to protect the ball. Yeah, and he's done a lot

better this year than last year. I think his fumbles are down, like, in half, obviously, in a lot more playing time. So that's, yeah, but that, I mean, the last couple games, he's had, he's had bad fumbles. And I think part of it is his ankle isn't 100%. He got hurt in that, you know, that Giants game and the first Giants game, and he's gotten better, but he's not 100%. You don't see him running like he did early in the season. So I think when he can't move, that's when he's kind of more susceptible to give it up the ball. You just can't outrun linebackers right now.

So it's a concern. But you're right. I mean, he is so chill as, as the kids say today, and so laid back. And sometimes it's easy to mistake that for, you know, not, I don't know, not being 100%, you know, playing hard on me, but he does. I mean, the guys, he's very tough, very, you know, very physically tough kid, and he's just, he is so even keel.

And everybody talks about, well, I try to stay even keel. I mean, I've never seen anything like it. I think a lot of it has to do with, you know, the guys have come out of Alabama, and he didn't, I mean, he did finish in Oklahoma, but he's an Alabama guy. I mean, that's where he learned how to act the way he acts. And, you know, usually you see these guys, and they're all like that. I mean, they end up like, you know, just the same personality or the same approach, the same even keel. And that's why I think he has a chance to play well in big games, because he literally,

I mean, he literally takes it play by play, and everything that happened before doesn't bother him, whatever's coming up ahead. He doesn't think about it. He's one of the more focused young kids I've ever seen. Do you see R2 Bama guys Sunday night on the sidelines swinging at each other? John Allen Duranty.

Yeah, that was interesting. Actually, John is really a guy that's, you know, first class guy all the way around. All right. By the way, your comment about RFK, it's funny because

whether it's Brad or Merrill Reese, you know, all these guys have come on my radio show for years. And it always tends to devolve into a conversation about, you know, RFK and what happened to your franchise. And it's sad because, you know, like... Merrill hates FedEx more than anybody I know. It's so funny. Can't stand it.

And he can't stand the way the PR people handle it, you know, for Washington. But anyway, you know, when Madden passed away a couple of days ago, Madden loved Rubin, he loved RFK. And all of those games in the 80s and 90s when the NFC East was at its height and Washington was winning Super Bowls. And, you know, Madden and Summerall called so many of those games. And he absolutely adored RFK. And last week was the 25-year, marked 25 years since RFK closed or since they left Washington, left RFK to go to FedEx Field. and I had played a bunch of the Madden clips from the game.

It was a game against the Cowboys in the season finale at home. Last game at RFK was nuts. And Madden just went on and on and on about, you know, the stadium and how it shook and the fan base. And, you know, and he loved the hogs and Jacoby and all of them. And it's, you know, we're often here reminded of those days. And it was another big reminder this week with Madden passing away about what it used to be like.

It sucks because, You know, the Cowboys came in here a couple of weeks ago, and 60% minimum of the crowd, you know, were Dallas fans, maybe 70%. And it's been that way a lot with Philly fans, especially when you guys have a game that's, that's, you know, meaningful, which Sunday is. So anyway. You know, it's interesting. My second year covering the Eagles was 89 and that 42-37 game down there. Keith Jackson. Yeah, Keith Jackson got the winning touchdown after the

The Gerald Riggs, I guess it was, fumble. But, you know, I went to high school with Art Munk. You know, we went to White Plains High School together. We were on the track team together at White Plains High. Oh, well. You know, those teams always kind of resonated with me just because I always followed arts career so closely. He ended up finishing with the Eagles, actually, a few years later.

But, yeah, I did a ranking of all 55 NFL stadiums I've been to. I've covered games in. And, you know, the top 10, like most of them were new stadiums, beautiful new palaces. And right in the middle, like, number six was RFK. So it's got a special place in my heart. Well, I don't think, I mean, I've said this many times before. I don't think, you know, when RFK was around and, look, a lot of it has to do with the fact that the team was great for a long period of time, too. You know, the team had been great for the last 25 years.

FedEx wouldn't be, I mean, FedEx was always, it was built basically in a day by, Jack Kent Cook. He wanted to see it before he passed away, which he never did actually. But RFK in that stretch, 70s, 80s, 90s, it was probably as raucous, as intimidating, as good of a home field advantage as there wasn't a league. I mean, you'd be hard pressed to name one that was better. Yeah, I would agree with that. Yeah, it was a fun place to go. And the vet was great, too. I mean, you had to lay low if you were an opposing fan, which I did a couple of times, but it was awesome. But your place, your new place is good, too. I mean, it's much different than what we've had down here for a long time. And it's 19 years old,

which is crazy to think about. Oh, my God, is it really? 19? It seems new, but it is, it's definitely a beautiful stadium. But it's funny when the vet was 19 years old, it was 89 and it was already falling apart. So it's definitely a different deal. seemed like it was falling apart. It had the worst turf, you know, in the, in the, but it was such a great environment. I hate people sometimes. I'll tell you a quick story. Kevin, when I was doing a book called The 50 Greatest Plays in Eagles history, and I had a long talk with Troy Aitman about some of his memories, some of the memorable plays he was involved in. And he said about the vet, he said, you know, you could be on your way over to the vet on the bus, and it would be this beautiful, warm, sunny day

and you would walk into that stadium and it was dark and the clouds were out as gloomy. There was something foreboding about walking into that place. He put it beautifully. So, yeah, it was, and those are the days, you know, Texas Stadium, and we go to Sun Devil every year and RFK and the vet. The NFC East definitely had a lot of personality. Well, whenever we do the, you know, whenever there's a meaningful game between the skins and the Eagles,

you know, you spend, you know, at least a moment thinking about it. I was talking to Merrill about this a couple of weeks ago because I had them on the radio show. The greatest for me, the greatest revenge game in Skins history is the playoff game in 1990, Buddy Ryan's last game at the vet. And that followed, that was two months following the body bag game. Because that body bag game, you know, Brian Mitchell ended up quarterbacking at the end of that game. And they were carrying one player off after another. Buddy Ryan basically was laughing and mocking Gibbs. And Gibbs to this day will tell you that the lead up to that playoff game,

he was telling people in private that he wanted that one more than almost any game he had coached. He couldn't stand Buddy Ryan. He couldn't stand the way he behaved, the way that you guys kicked the shit out of him on that Monday night game. and Gibbs was at his best, you know, when he was really motivated, and it was a one-sided beat down the other way in that playoff game, although there was a very controversial call early in the game. Do you remember what it was? I think it was a spot, right?

No. It was a full-down spot. It was a fumble by Ernest Biner that got picked up and run back for a touchdown. I think, I want to say that it was Ben Smith, or maybe it was West Hopkins. No, you're right. It was Ben Smith. Okay. Yeah, you're right. And he returned it for an early 7-0 lead, but that was the first year of replay, and they ruled Biner down.

And Washington kept the ball, and they ended up, I think, scoring a touchdown in that drive to take the lead or something like that. Oh, that was on brand for Buddy. I mean, O and three in the playoffs and scored one offensive touchdown, one touchdown in those three games. So they were all, that was, I mean, the bluster, the regular season bluster was usually gone by January when we're talking to Buddy Ryan Eagles. Yeah, that's interesting that. Yeah, but of all, I mean, it means so much to Joe. It meant a lot to him.

It meant, like, for me, life, you know, born and raised Washingtonian lifelong fan, the whole thing. there were a lot of games against the Cowboys that felt like big-time revenge games. Like they lost before they beat them in the championship game in 83. They lost in the regular season. But for whatever reason, that game at the vet that day was so satisfying to going and win that game. They lost the next week. Buddy can get under your skin.

All right. Enough of the nostalgia. What's your pick Sunday? Who do you have? I think Washington wins a game, actually. I think the Eagles running back situation Jalen hurts ankle situation

I just don't have a lot of faith in this team I think Heineke's been serviceable when he's played and you know Eagles have played a functional quarterback I mean they've they've you know run up this street against some third stringers

and emergency guys and like you know not Gail Gilbert his son with one of the Gilber I covered Gail Gilbert, gosh. But, you know, some of these guys don't even, you know, they're practice squad guys. So it's going to be a little different. And I'm just not sure this team is ready for, you know, for this sort of game being, you know, not 100%.

So I think Washington wins the game. And I have so much respect for Ron Rivera, you know, getting to know him when he was. was here and the way he goes about his business and what a motivator he is and just everything he's overcome that he's dealt with with so much class. Yeah, I think Washington wins a game. I think it's close, but I'll give Washington, you know, like a 23 to 17 Sunday afternoon. All right. So you got me picking Washington. You've got the Philadelphia guy picking Washington. We should all go put all of our money on the Eagles Sunday land. question about it. But the only reason I like Washington, to be honest with you, is it just seems

the whole world's picking Philadelphia to win this game. Anyway, Rubin, thank you so much. At R-O-O-B-NBCS on Twitter, Ruben's been covering Philadelphia Sports and the Eagles forever. Good to catch up. Thanks a lot. Happy New Year. Enjoy the game Sunday. Talk to you soon. Ruben Frank, everybody, from NBC Sports Philadelphia. All right. Up next, smell test. And I'll make a couple of picks on the two college football playoff games right after these words from a few of our sponsors Kevin looks where the John Q public is putting their cash and does the opposite.

It's time for the smell test. The smell test is brought to you by MyBooky. Go to MyBooky.com or MyBooky.orgie. Use my promo code Kevin D.C. And they'll match your initial deposit, dollar for dollar, all the way up to $1,000. If you're sitting there like, hey, there's so much football. on. I want to bet this weekend or you're already betting, but you're looking for another site. Take their free money. They're going to give you doubling of your money all the way up to $1,000 to gamble with. So if you deposit $1,000, you'll have $2,000 in your account to gamble with this weekend and beyond. If you're going to deposit $100, you'll end up with $200 to gamble with

this weekend and beyond. You have to use my promo code, Kevin D.C. If there's something already written in the promo code, erase it. write Kevin D.C. at mybooky.com and mybooky.orgie.ag. All right. The smell test last week was three and two that gets me back to 500 on the year. And actually earlier this week, I gave out Maryland and Iowa State. So that went one in one. So I'm exactly 77, 77, and four on the season. I think that's it. Seventy-77 and four on the season. This is really getting hard in terms of handicapping games where you're not sure what the COVID situations are,

college and pro. College, you got opt-outs too. A lot of changing situations in the college games. I'm going to give you one college game and that's it. I'm going to give you Utah. I told you before bowl season, I loved Maryland and I loved Utah. I like Utah in the Rose Bowl. The line's down to four, but I like Utah plus the four

against the Buckeyes and tomorrow's Rose Bowl. I'll give you picks on the two semifinal games here momentarily. Neither one of them is a smell test pick, although both of them were close. I was close to giving out Georgia and Cincinnati, but the only college game so far, and I would urge you to follow me on Twitter at Kevin Shee in D.C., because I may update these things. But I'll take Utah, excuse me, Utah plus four in the Rose Bowl. All right, let's go to Sunday. So the biggest public side of the weekend or of the NFL weekend is Philadelphia.

The public is hammering the Eagles. Now, they're also hammering the Rams against the Ravens, but the Ravens' quarterback situation is still in flux. I like the Ravens a little bit on Sunday, but I'm not giving them out. But right now, actually, the most public money, or the largest number of, the largest number of of public wagers on the NFL Sunday slate is on the Rams. Second is Washington. That Ravens game, I'm not going to give it out now without knowing what the quarterback

situation is. Washington is plus three against the Eagles, the public's all over Philadelphia, Washington coming off the 56 to 14 loss, Philadelphia coming off a 34 to 10 win. It is the prototypical, you know, textbook smell test, contrarian handicapping pick. The world's on Philadelphia. Washington doesn't seem to have nearly as much to play for, although they do. But the perception is Philadelphia is currently in that playoff spot. They can lock it down.

They can actually clinch a playoff spot with a win over Washington and a Green Bay win over Minnesota on Sunday night. I like Washington plus the three. I also like the Miami Dolphins. The public's on Tennessee. Now, Tennessee is still alive for a one-seat in the AFC. If they were to win their final two and KC loses, Kansas City loses one of their final two, they play the Bengals Sunday on the road and the Broncos on the road to finish up.

Tennessee is the number one seed because Tennessee destroyed Kansas City earlier in the year. Head-to-head 27 to 3 they won in Nashville. Miami's won seven in a row. They're getting three and a half. The public thinks Tennessee off the long mini-bye after beating San Francisco on December 23rd is the right side here. The dolphins are nasty defensively. I like Miami plus the three and a half. There's been some sharp money here too in the last two days on Miami. That line may come down to three at kickoff. The Broncos, I'm giving them out. again. I know I've done that a lot. I've won a couple of times with them, lost a couple of times with them. They're catching six and a half against the Chargers and a must win for both teams.

I think most people think the Chargers are the better team and they're laying less than a touchdown by the half point. Take the Broncos at plus seven. The public's on Dallas this week, laying six now to Arizona. I'll take the Cardinals plus the six. And then in the Sunday nighter, the Packers, in a game that will be played in frigid temperatures, game time temperature at kickoff, 4 degrees is the expected temperature. Green Bay is laying less than a touchdown. They're going for the number one seat. You know, if they finish in a tie with Dallas, Dallas wins the tiebreaker with Green Bay,

and they would have the one seed the first round by and home field throughout. Green Bay needs to win this game, and yet they're laying less. than a touchdown against the Vikings, who also have to have it to remain alive in their pursuit of a playoff birth. Buy it to seven, take the Vikings plus the seven. On the Vikings this year, I'm either six and one or seven and one on bets involving games with Minnesota, whether it's betting against them or betting on them. I've been very good at deciphering the right side in Minnesota games, as I have been, by the way, in Washington games in years past. The smell test, Utah plus four in the Rose Bowl, skins plus three Sunday, dolphins plus three and a half, Cardinals plus six, Broncos plus seven, and the Vikings plus seven.

Follow me on Twitter at Kevin Sheehan, D.C, and I will update that before the kickoffs of the game. today, tomorrow, and Sunday, if there is an update to provide. I'm looking forward to the college football playoff games this afternoon. I think Cincinnati plus the 13 and a half buying it to 14, I just have a feeling that's the right side. I think Cincinnati's really well coached. I think they're very good on defense. Bama, I don't think this is Bama's best team.

I don't think it's better than the team last year, the team's before it. they were awfully impressive, you know, backed into a corner, underdog for the first time and forever, and they destroyed Georgia in that SEC title game. And that's scary. If you get that Bama team, that is scary. Remember, they lost METI. Jameson Williams is something else as a receiver.

But I don't know, I kind of like Cincinnati to keep this close. I like Bama today to win the game, but 30 to 20. So I like Cincinnati plus the points. I think they'll hang in there. They've got a very good defense and they're very well coached. The nightcap, Michigan is a seven and a half point underdog against Georgia who had dominated everybody with their defense all year long and then gave up 421 passing yards to Bryce Young.

I mean, what a complete and utter shock that was in the SEC title game to see Georgia run over. by Bama's offense. Bama rolled up 536 yards of offense in that game. They were like 8 to 14, I think, on third down. They scored 41 points. Georgia can't keep pace with that. Michigan's not Bama offensively. Michigan's very good defensively. And I just don't like Stetson Bennett as a quarterback. I think the key to this game will be can Michigan turn Bama? Bennett over. If they can and they can get some short fields, I think Michigan wins the game. If they don't get the turnovers, then I think they lose a close, low-scoring game. I'm tempted, you know, I was tempted to give out Georgia just because the public's on Michigan, but I'm not doing it. I, the, the sharp actions very split on this game. Wouldn't surprise me if this game comes down to seven before kickoff. I think Michigan defensively, is so good with Hutchinson and Ojojobo and their pass rush,

but Georgia is so great defensively too. This is a really intriguing matchup. I'm going to pick an upset here. I'm going to pick Michigan to upset Georgia. In a game that ends up being a little bit higher scoring than maybe most think, Michigan wins it 26 to 21 over Georgia in the second semi-final. I'm not going to bet either game, but those are my guesses. Alabama 30 to 20, Michigan 26 to 21.

Washington 27, Philadelphia 24. We'll see how that one works out. It'd be nice to be back here on Monday talking about, hey, if they can beat the Giants, and Atlanta can beat New Orleans and Dallas can beat Philadelphia, they're going to the postseason. I don't think they're going to go to the postseason. I think Philadelphia is going to win one of these final two games. I think if they lose Sunday, they'll beat Dallas.

But I think Washington's got a really good chance on Sunday. All right, that's it. Happy New Year to everyone. Be safe. I'll be back on Monday.