Ride Home Rants
Ride Home Rants
Breaking Down A Defense-First Super Bowl Showdown
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Big game energy meets blunt analysis as we bring a full panel to break down Seahawks vs Patriots through the lens that matters most: defense, coaching, and quarterback poise under pressure. We open with why New England’s run under a first-year head coach surprised almost everyone, then look at how a favorable schedule met a smart, disciplined defense at the right time. Seattle’s physicality and speed on defense set the tone the other way, pushing this matchup toward a lower total where red zone calls, hidden yards on special teams, and one or two third-and-medium conversions could swing the trophy.
We wrestle with the stage itself: should the Super Bowl live indoors to protect timing routes and create a clean showcase, or outside to honor the league’s grit and reward trench play when conditions bite? The room splits, but the strategic implications are clear—dome games favor precision and pace, while elements compress calls and spotlight ball security. Then it’s quarterbacks: Sam Darnold’s hard-earned calm versus Drake Maye’s fireworks and untested composure in a moment this bright. Most of us lean Darnold today and May tomorrow, acknowledging that pass protection, not just arm talent, will dictate who looks heroic in the fourth.
Legacy talk gets spicy. Does New England own the “greatest franchise” mantle with 12 appearances and six rings, or do Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and Dallas still crowd the throne? We sort through rings, eras, and sustainability before landing on a top-tier verdict, not a coronation. Finally, we deliver exact score picks, a mostly unified nod to the under, and a candid look at repeat odds and early 2026 guesses—from steady powers like San Francisco and Kansas City to hopeful risers with the right roster tweaks.
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Welcome everybody to another episode of the Ride Home Rants podcast. This is, as always, your host, Mike Bono. I got a great and annual episode for us today. But first and foremost, I gotta mention our newest sponsor to the Ride Home Rants podcast, and that is Web Western, a clothing company designed for those who aren't afraid of hard work, those who love to work on the land with hunting, fishing, and now even those who like to get out and golf in their free time too as well. I am wearing one of their new Antler arrow hats here. Uh, for the Patreon subscribers, you will see that there. Uh, for the audio listeners, go there, patreon.com slash ridehome rants and subscribe there to get all the exclusive content. But webwestern, uh, no bs. Uh go to webwestern.com, use the promo code MikeBono and save yourself 10%. Once again, WebWestern, no BS, no one afraid of hard work. Webwestern.com, Mike Bono, promo code and save 10%. That being said, we are here to talk about the big game coming up this Sunday with the Seahawks and Patriots. Um, a little bit of a rematch from Super Bowl's past here to see who takes the championship this year and who will be crowned the Super Bowl champions. I have a panel of guests here. I'm gonna let them introduce themselves. And gentlemen, of course, we couldn't get through this without answering fitty questions to start the show. So, guys, I need your name, uh, what state you're from originally, and where does Steelers Hall of Fame coach Chuck Knoll rank as an all-time coach? And Coach Garvey, we're gonna start with you.
SPEAKER_04:All right, Joel Garvey. I'm originally from New York, Long Island, New York. And I guess I'll go the easy route since I just looked it up. Second, since he has the second role of winning Super Bowls.
SPEAKER_03:I got you. But I really have no idea. Nobody knows anymore. Tony, what about you?
SPEAKER_00:Hey, everybody, my name's Tony Bogan. I'm from Ohio, and as far as rankings, I never saw a game where Chuck Noel played, so as far or coached, so as far as I know, I do not have an answer.
SPEAKER_03:I gotcha. All right, Barth, what about you?
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, hey, what's up? I'm Ryan Barth from Central Illinois, and uh to rank where he's at, I'm with uh Tony over there, and I'm just gonna say top five since I never saw him coach a game. I gotcha.
SPEAKER_03:All right, and last but not least, we got TJ Shelton.
SPEAKER_01:Uh hello, TJ Shelton, uh, Kansas. And um, I'm gonna say other receiving votes.
SPEAKER_03:Other receiving votes. All right. All right, everybody knows me, Mike Bono, originally born and raised in the great state of West Virginia. Uh, as far as Chuck Knoll, I'm a little bit biased being uh being a Steelers fan, but he does have these second most Super Bowl wins. I mean, that doesn't apparently get you into the Hall of Fame anymore here. I'm I gotta go two on this one just from his sheer record and everything like that uh for me and just being a huge Chuck Knoll fan. Uh but we're not here to talk about Steelers Hall of Fame coaches. We're here to talk about the Super Bowl. And Garvey, we're gonna start with you and have you kick us off here. And um, who are you more surprised about being here? Uh the Seahawks or the Patriots? Patriots. Patriots, yeah. I gotta say they they surprised me this year, uh, for sure. But TJ, what about you?
SPEAKER_01:No, I'd say definitely the Patriots.
SPEAKER_02:Okay. Lorth, what about you? I think I'm agreeing with both of them saying the Patriots, just with Rabel being a first-year head coach, I think that's uh pretty impressive to get to the Super Bowl in your number one.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, with the Patriots. Yeah, I mean he didn't do much in in Tennessee, uh and then came back and uh uh bringing the team to the Super Bowl with the Patriots. But Tony, round us out here.
SPEAKER_00:I'm gonna make it a clean sweep and say the Patriots.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, I think that was gonna be the unanimous pick here. I mean, for me, the Patriots. I I did not think uh Rabel coming in he was gonna be able to turn this team around and bring him to the Super Bowl. I thought they'd at least make the playoffs. I just didn't I did not think they were gonna make it this far um with the talent that they have, but they they have found a way here to make it to the big game. And uh Garvey, uh, this game is being played uh at the 49ers Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Uh, do you like the Super Bowl being played outdoors in a warm weather environment, or would you rather see a game in a dome?
SPEAKER_04:That's a good question. I think dome, just because there's a risk of rain. Right. Always, right? And to me, it's not cold, it's not warm, it's rain that would ruin it. You know what I mean? That that to me, because cold no big deal. It's I mean, it's yes, it's not as enjoyable for the fans and those types of things, which has a huge obviously is the biggest part of it, but I would say more nervous of rain. Because I think was it the last time it was in at the at 40 honors place that it rained?
SPEAKER_03:There wasn't another raining one, or maybe I think it rained the first half. Yeah, I think it was the first half it rained, and then it kind of led up, but it was still made the conditions miserable for the players.
SPEAKER_04:Well, I say in I say indoor, or at least maybe in a place that has retractable.
SPEAKER_03:Okay, so you can open it. Get the best of both worlds. I like that. TJ, what about you?
SPEAKER_01:Uh I've been to two Super Bowls, so definitely, you know, don't too big of a game to have dependent on styles, have weather impacted, right? So, I mean, granted, you know, I don't these guys are young, so they probably don't remember Prince playing Purple Rain in the rain at Miami. I do know, but outside of that performance, you know, you have to go, you got to take weather out of it.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, uh, I'll give my thoughts here at the end. Uh Barth, what about you?
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, uh just, you know, it's tough to say. I mean, it would even the playing field, I guess, when everybody makes the argument. I think that's a lot big argument for keeping it indoors. Um, just so because you're gonna get the best two teams and the best effort put forth, I guess, being indoors. Um, but I I still just like the outdoor feel, the atmosphere, the scenery, all of that. Um, I just I guess prefer outdoors. Being an O-line and my background as well. Playing in the dirt, getting dirty, I guess that might play a factor.
SPEAKER_03:But I like the outdoors. Now we're getting to the nitty-gritty of your answer there, Ryan. Yeah, for sure. Tony, what about you?
SPEAKER_00:I've witnessed many a state championship in the cold snow. And the way the weather is, there's only two stadiums that natural stadiums where you could at least have somewhat good weather, and that's Santa Clara and Miami. And I don't know if uh in Seattle would be way too much of a wild card because they get snowed just as bad as Ohio does. So I would have to say, long story short, I prefer a dome, and I'm hoping that once that new stadium is built, the state championships are also in a dome because it evens things out.
SPEAKER_03:I gotcha. Um I'm I'm torn on this this answer. As someone who's has seen a Super Bowl in Tampa, um, outdoors, I mean, the weather was nice. You didn't, you know, you're in Florida, you don't have to worry about that. Um, didn't rain, but there was still that threat of it throughout the day. I mean, it is Florida, the humidity. I mean, it'll rain hard for 10 minutes and then just be miserably hot for the rest of the day. Um, but you know, it still was a good experience. Um, loved that, but I think I like what everyone's saying here. And let's just take the elements out of it completely, and let's just see the two teams that have made it this far and did what they were supposed to do, and make it there because, you know, like Garvey was saying, the cold. I mean, we got two teams that are used to cold weather in Seattle and and Boston. I mean, they're used to playing in weather and that. I don't think it would play too much of a factor with the players themselves. The game plan, though, I think. I mean, you're gonna get a lot of run-heavy games. Uh, some of these these older guys like the this old smash mouth, you know, just pound the rock type of type of football. Um, you would definitely get that. But I think, yeah, let's let's just take the take the weather out of it and let's let's let the players play. Uh Tony, we're gonna stay with you on this one. Um, Mike Vrabel was a player under Bill Belichick, um, in the legendary uh Patriot way, winning multiple titles with the Patriots uh as the starting linebacker. Uh, how much of an influence do you think Belichick had on Vrabel being the coach he is today?
SPEAKER_00:Also, a fun fact, he's a Walsh Jesuit grad as well, went to school up here in Northeast Ohio. Um, I have a buckeye. And you said a buckeye?
SPEAKER_03:He was a buckeye.
SPEAKER_00:Yep, Ohio born through and through. So I would have to say that he had a big impact as well. Like he was one of those veterans who could ironically have helped some guy named Tom Brady. He won like six Super Bowls. I don't know, that Tom Brady, that Tom Brady guy. So probably helped him out a bit. So I would say Brave, I'd say Belichick was probably uh a big help to Vrabel.
SPEAKER_03:Okay. Uh Barth, what about you?
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, I'm definitely gonna agree that he played a big role and had a big impact in the way Vrabel probably coaches, just as former players becoming coaches. I think there you take a lot of what you learn as a player and a coach and kind of mold it into your own way. So I definitely think that Vabel had a big impact from Belichick. Okay. Uh TJ, what about you?
SPEAKER_01:Uh yo, definitely, definitely. I mean, I think you know, that culture that they had, and you know, he's a player coach kind of guy, right? And you know, dives in there and does drills, it gives him an opportunity to really connect on a personal level. So when he's, you know, MF and you and chewing you out, you know, you know he's coming from a good place.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, okay. I got you. Garvey, what about you?
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, I would say for sure. I think probably he took a Scott characteristics and things he took and liked and probably disliked, right? I mean, I think you take both the good and the bad from everyone you worked for or with or underneath, and you know, but for sure I would say, you know, he's taken a lot good and bad from everybody he's worked for or played for.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, I mean you you can't be with a guy like Bellot that long and not take something from him. I mean, clearly, you know, you you won some championships with the man, like clearly he was doing something right. So um take what he did and kind of put your own spin on it. I think that you know helped him become the coach he is today because he didn't do a terrible job in Tennessee, just didn't have the talent around him um and on the team that that he needed to be able to take that team, but I think he has that there uh in New England. Um but yeah, I mean you you can't be around Belichick as long as he was and and not have some type of influence seep into you, whether you he'll admit to it or not. Um it's there. Uh Garvey, what about you on this one? Uh, but with both the Seahawks and the Patriots defenses, or they're both stout defenses. Um does this game eclipse over 50 points between the two teams? Probably not, no.
SPEAKER_04:No, yeah. No, yeah, I I'd say it would be in the high high 20s, 28, 24, something like that.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, I yeah, I don't I don't see it getting over 50. If it does, I mean something went terribly wrong, I think, on the defensive strategies for both teams. But TJ, what about you? We getting over 50?
SPEAKER_01:No, I mean I think the Seahawks have the potential probably to light it up more. Um so I mean I feel like you know, New England needs in a close game, you know. I mean, you know, they're not really passing for you know, they're passing for 150 yards and not really blowing it up from that perspective. So, like you said, defensive struggle, hadn't been there in a while. Everybody's gonna be a little tight. So, you know. I don't know, perhaps, but I'm gonna take the under.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, it's a bet myself, but yeah, I definitely would take the under on that one for sure. Uh Barth, what about you?
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, I'm gonna stick with the common trend. I think both these defenses are really good, um, really well coached, and they fly around. Um, and I'm agreeing with TJ on if somebody's gonna light it up, I'd have to agree with the Seahawks as they've got um more potential to I'd say score those that amount of points. Um, but yeah, I'm definitely taking the under. I'm not even sure what the total points is at for the game, but I think the under is gonna be a pretty hot bet. Yeah, I haven't I haven't even looked at that yet to see what what the lines are.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I'm not sure why I said that, but I don't know either, but I don't think there's like you said, they're gonna score a lot.
SPEAKER_03:I I gotta say, knowing Johnny and how much of a numbers guy he is, I guarantee you he has dived into this more than anybody to to come up with that number for for this question when we were breaking down this this show here. Uh but Tony, let's get your thoughts on this.
SPEAKER_00:Watch it be the over just because you all said that. Watch it be one because just because y'all said that. Yeah, I think it's gonna be. I'm gonna go the opposite direction, but I say it's gonna be over.
SPEAKER_03:Okay. Uh yeah, I just I don't like the over on this one. Just with the way these two defenses play. I just I think that uh the defenses are going to be the standouts for both teams um in this game. Uh I I kind of agree with Garvey. I think, you know, 20 28, 24, maybe uh in that range.
SPEAKER_04:Um it is over 50 in theory.
SPEAKER_03:It is over 50 in theory. I mean, that's that's on a high end, you know. Hey man, you don't become a comedian because you're good at math, Garvey. All right, let's let's not act like I did it first, though.
SPEAKER_04:I did it first.
SPEAKER_03:Tony, then stay with you. Who's the who's got the better quarterback in this game? Um, the well-traveled Sam Darnold or the young gun Drake May?
SPEAKER_00:I'm gonna have to go with Sam Darnold. I know Drake May was an MVP candidate, but I'm gonna go with Sam Darnold because he's got more to prove, and he's got the offense to do it. So I'm gonna go with Sam Darnold. Okay. Uh Barth, what about you?
SPEAKER_02:Oh, that's a tough one. And I was thinking that I was gonna come to an answer the whole time Tony was talking, and I still have yet to come up with one. I mean, Drake May still early in his career, so I mean, I guess if you're gonna go based off of where they're at right now, you got to say Sam Darnold. But potential wise, I think that Drake May has a very high ceiling to be really good.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, you do know with these questions. I make sure I come to you quick so you can't formulate a forethought. If you haven't picked up on that with how much you've been on the show, right? Yeah, I don't know.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, that's what I got for you. I'd say Drake Lay. Yeah, higher ceiling, but right now Sam Darnold. I got you. TJ, what about you?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, no, great comment. You know, I mean you go with the guy that's married, been with his, you know, wife since they were in junior high, or do you go with the guy that's I think newly engaged and excited to be there, but he's been in the league a while. So, you know, all those things factor in, right? So um, but yeah, let's I would say surround yourself with with a good good squad. I'd still lean toward, you know, Mr. Seattle City Hub.
SPEAKER_03:Gotcha. Uh Garvey, what about you?
SPEAKER_04:I'm going uh Sam Darnold, and really only because of he's bringing a little bit more to me momentum than Drake May with regards to the Protection Act as part of it, right? He's been sacked. You know, the stat that everybody's given on ED's PN 15 times in the playoffs, I think it is. Right? Or something like that. Something like that, yeah. First time than anything that's ever happened. So I'm gonna say I'm going with Sam Donald, although it's probably not Drake May's fault, if that makes sense.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, I I see what you're saying with that one there. Um, I'm torn on this one because I I liked Drake May coming out of the draft. Um, I thoug whoever got him uh was gonna have their guy for for a while. But in this game, you know, being the young guy, I I I think the magnitude of this game may get to him. And I like Sam Darnold. He's been around the league for a while. Um kind of the been there, done that kind of the this the the hype of this game isn't gonna get to him too much. Uh he has he has more to lose in this one. Um, I think he's you know just getting closer to the and closer to the end of his career career where Drake May is really just getting going. Um and I think they have the system in place for in New England for him to get back to this, you know, a couple more times to see what he can really do. Um so with that being said, I I gotta go Sam Darnold. And plus, you see a guy like that that gets bounced around the league for a while, that you know has has the potential to be good. You you want to see him succeed. Uh, you know, that's kind of where I'm at. That's kind of what basically all I'm basing this answer off of. Uh, is that I I want to see Sam Darnold uh do well. Um now, Garvey, this is uh the 12th Super Bowl appearance all time for the Patriots. Uh the first appearance was in 1985 uh season, and with this their 12th appearance in 40 seasons with four different coaches. Are the Patriots the greatest franchise in NFL history? If not, which team is this is a hundred percent Fitty came up with this question. Just if you if I even had to say that.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, no question it is. Uh are they the best? I don't know if my history is good enough in the NFL for that. But if they're not, they're top five at this point, right? Yeah, top five, I should say. They might be they're probably top three.
SPEAKER_03:I'd say I'd say top three.
SPEAKER_04:Uh kind of a cop out answer, but I'm not really answering the question.
SPEAKER_03:No, I mean, I mean, you're answering it in in a way. Um I wouldn't say they're the best. I'll I'll give you guys kind of a a little cop out here and an answer. Um, I mean, they've been there a lot. Um, and and 12 times they have seven Super Bowls. Um possibly an eight on Sunday if they were able to pull it out over Seattle. I feel like you gotta put those those old school Steelers and Cowboys in there too, as well. They have just as many um rings in that there. I it it's a flip of a coin between those three teams for me. Um but I wouldn't say the the best in in NFL history uh for that reason, but they're definitely up there, top three, top five. But TJ, what about you?
SPEAKER_01:Uh can we confirm the ring number though? Because do they have the most rings?
SPEAKER_03:I don't I think they have the most rings. I mean, let me look this up.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I mean 12 of seven. This is you know, this is taking my you know, because I don't have a lot of love for them. But if they're seven for twelve, I mean you're right. If you go to the Steelers during the back in the day, you know, obviously San Fran was pretty solid, but not that many now, you know, the Cowboys, same thing. I mean, they haven't been in since uh you know, most people in their twenties didn't even recognize they were decent teams. So um you'd probably have to lean if you just go rings and appearances. They're a solid franchise, but I don't believe in best ever because I don't want to I have Patriot friends and I don't want to give them that love.
SPEAKER_03:So I gotcha. So looking at up here, just for everybody else, the Patriots and Steelers hold the record for the most Super Bowl wins in NFL history with six titles each, followed by the Niners and Cowboys, who all both have five each.
SPEAKER_01:So I thought I dropped them down to number two then.
SPEAKER_03:All right. Uh Barth, with that new information that we just got there, what what's your answer to this question?
SPEAKER_02:Uh I think. Yeah, no, they're not that they're not the best. But with the amount, I mean, percentage-wise being in one out of every four last Super Bowls in the last 40 years, that's a rather impressive statistic. Um, but still, I just when you think about the NFL, I always tend to think about the Pittsburgh Steelers for some reason and what they've been and accomplished as well throughout their. And that's coming from a Bears fan myself, but our Super Bowl count isn't high enough. But I want to plug uh Bono. I remember calling before this season that the Bears were gonna have a rather good year this year with Ben Johnson. And uh I just want I want to get my flowers for that.
SPEAKER_03:But yeah, we we will definitely give you that for sure. You did say that. I I believe I gave you a lot of shit for that.
SPEAKER_02:You didn't, you know, and I listened, I took it, took it on the chin, but had a great year. Um, but when again, I think that when you think about just the class of the league, I I always tend to think about the Pittsburgh Steelers.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, good question. Sorry to not cut off because go out of order, so I don't know if there's the rules of this Zoom. There's not um if I you know what's the impact of a fourth place schedule in all this conversation? You know, because I mean obviously the Patriots had a slow start, but you know, they they weren't playing playing a number one schedule like your traditional teams that have been good. So something to think about for callers. You know, they they they got you can get on a roll if you're playing. I mean, I think the only team they played that legit legit was over 500 was the Bills, and then Tampa Bay was eight and nine.
SPEAKER_03:So yeah, yeah, yeah. My Buccaneers were eight and nine, and it was a rough season with us.
SPEAKER_01:I really thought now we had more of their games, they got on a roll. I gotta give them that credit, but I can get on a roll when you're playing the four, yeah.
SPEAKER_03:When you're playing the fourth, fourth place schedule, yeah. I mean, anybody can really get on a roll with that. I mean, I feel like the Patriots have an have an easy schedule every year. I think they're I don't uh I don't want to say they don't play anybody tough, but you know, it just seems to work out that the teams that they're playing when it matters the most late in the season are under 500. Um so yeah, it definitely plays a factor into that with me. And I'm not I'm not a Patriot guy. I actually can't stand the New England Patriots. And um, I hate the fact that I like Drake May and that Vrabel is an Ohio guy and I live in Ohio. I mean, I'm still not rooting for them, but um yeah, it it makes me want to, but I'm I'm still not going to. But Tony, what about you for the for this question about the the Patriots being the the best franchise in NFL history?
SPEAKER_00:Pains me to say this because I despise the Patriots, but I would agree with it. Because honestly, like no disrespect to the Steelers, the Cowboys haven't really been playoff relevant since '96. And the Niners have gotten to close to the Zenith, but never broken through. The team that's won the most in my 33, going on three, four years, has been the Patriots. Even though it was Tom Brady and Bill Belichick with the six titles, if Drake May can win one, that'll just add to the Patriots dynasty even more and make Boston sports fans even more annoying than they already are. It's bad enough they got the Red Sox winning. It's bad enough they got the Celtics winning. And they got hockey. I believe hockey is pretty good out there.
SPEAKER_02:You got the Bruins, Bruins are doing best, yeah.
SPEAKER_00:And the funny thing is, they did all of this, tore their team down, had a four-win season, did and returned back to the Super Bowl before the Jets had a winning season.
SPEAKER_03:No, I mean that it's the Jets. That's not hard to do, Tony. I mean, I I I I could go to a team and and do that, you know what I mean? Like with what with what New York's put on the field. Um, yeah, it's the the Jets. Uh I'm so glad you got that dig in here, and I wish Bitty was on this show. I was gonna say the Jets fan that helps me run this show. I really wish he was on here for that because kudos to you for making that reference on this one, and I cannot wait for him to hear the final product of this for that, just to hear his response for sure. For me with this question, I mean, yeah, you've been you've been to 12 Super Bowls, you've won half of them. Uh, does that make you you know the greatest franchise in history? I I don't think it does. Uh does it make you in the top five? Yeah, I'll give you top five. I wouldn't say best of all time. I I think that those Steelers teams that just had that mentality, and I I hate to sound like a homer. Um but yeah, I I would have to put them above them in in this one for this question here. But yeah, I mean, you've been to a lot, but I mean, percentage-wise, I mean, I think there's teams that have a better winning percentage in Super Bowls if you break it down that way to go that that route. Uh, but Tony, here we go. Now we're getting into the nitty-gritty of the show. And what is your prediction for this game and who wins?
SPEAKER_00:I say Seattle 34-31. Sam Darnold exercises his ghosts, and now we go from seeing ghosts to seeing Lombard.
SPEAKER_03:I gotcha. That's that's wow, that score though. Uh, we'll we'll get into that too as well.
SPEAKER_02:Uh Barth, what about you? Yeah, that would make for a fun game 34-31, I think you said, but I think it's gonna be on the lower end, and I think a field goal wins it 2017 Seahawks. Okay, TJ, what about you?
SPEAKER_01:Well, I'm gonna go. Um, yeah, man, Tony, you you really took it out there.
SPEAKER_03:That's a bull.
SPEAKER_01:I mean, I haven't watched the Seahawks that much this year, so I feel bad. Now I need to go back and watch some tape. Um, yeah, I'm I'm thinking 24-13 Seahawks.
SPEAKER_03:Okay, Darby.
SPEAKER_04:28-17 Seahawks.
SPEAKER_03:28-17 Seahawks.
SPEAKER_02:I stayed under that 50 that time, Coach Garvey. Yeah, now we're getting now we're getting a man.
SPEAKER_03:I got I got 21-17 uh Seahawks is uh my prediction. I think I don't think a field goal does it. I think it's just a little bit more, but I don't see this being a touchdown game. Yeah, 21-17 uh Seahawks take it, and Sam Darnold's yeah, gets that that Super Bowl ghost off of his off of his back. Uh Garvey, uh, who has a better chance uh to repeat next year? Seattle or New England. I was saying the suspense with that long pause. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_04:I'll go see how okay.
SPEAKER_03:TJ, I saw I saw the the head shoot back when I asked the question. This is a tough one.
SPEAKER_01:Oh my god. I'm sorry I shouldn't say this. This is a trash Super Bowl. So I mean you gotta say Seahawks, but neither one of them. You know, maybe the Seahawks are a playoff team, but I think reality kicks in on for the Patriots next year.
SPEAKER_02:Gotcha. Barth, what about you? Uh, just because I want my Bears to be in the Super Bowl, I'm saying the Patriots.
SPEAKER_03:There it is. There it is. Tony, what about you?
SPEAKER_00:I'm gonna have to say the Patriots because the NFC's tough. Stafford had a really great year, could be the potential MVP. You've also got uh, well, pretty much LA, and that's it. Oh, and Chicago, and Chicago, they're on the rise too. Thank you. But really, outside of them, I'd say honestly, New England has the best chance.
SPEAKER_02:It's just great to be relevant again.
SPEAKER_03:I I I I get where you're coming from as somebody who's been a lifelong, I'll even I don't want to say closet Buccaneers fan, you know. It yeah, when you become relevant, it's like now you're starting to beat your chest a little bit, you know. They're being talked about, it's great. Yeah, yeah, I get where you're coming from with this with your bears. Uh this this one's a tough one for me because like like you said, TJ, this is a trash Super Bowl. Um and as somebody who grew up 45 minutes from it's always gonna be Heinzfield to me. Uh and uh Pittsburgh, I root for the Steelers in the AFC, but as a Buccaneers in the AFC, I don't want to see either of these teams, you know, make it make it there. Um just if we're if we're going off of these two teams, I got I gotta say Seattle. I I don't think New England repeats. Um and I and I don't want to see either of these two teams repeat next year. Um and that's not just because of these two teams either. I I I never want to see the same two teams in the Super Bowl the next year. I I I want to see these teams, I want to see teams get better. I I know everyone loves these dynasties and and that. I don't want to see that. I want to I want to see competitive football and it'd be not like oh okay, so it's gonna be Mahomes and who um in in the Super Bowl and and that. So um yeah.
SPEAKER_01:You know that you know that's gonna happen again.
SPEAKER_03:So I know you you can't keep Mahomes down that like he had this year. There's there's no chance.
SPEAKER_01:Sorry, I had to let that slip.
SPEAKER_03:No, you're good. You're good. I'm I'm surprised we've made it this far into talking about a Super Bowl, and this is the first time Mahomes has been brought up. Um so we're gonna round out this show here with with this question here, and dear God, I wish he wouldn't have put this one in here into the thing. But Garvey, to start with you, let's hear it. Who is your Super Bowl uh prediction for the 2026 NFL season?
SPEAKER_05:The NFC to me is hard.
SPEAKER_04:But like there's not I think it's harder to get out of the AFC in my opinion, but I think the top teams are better in the NFC, if that makes sense.
SPEAKER_03:I know what you're yeah, I get what you're saying there.
SPEAKER_04:I'm gonna go if they can stay healthy, which is a problem. San Francisco. Because I'm not gonna go LA because I don't know if the quarterback will be back, because he has a team might retire, you never know.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah.
SPEAKER_04:And the AFC. I'll do it. I'm no Jeez. What the hell? That's a that's a reach, though. That's a reach, but I'm going. I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna do it. That is, I'm I'm they have a lot of work to do. They gotta spend some money in free agency in order for it to have good. I think they will.
SPEAKER_03:I think they will. That's I mean, for what they've been, I don't think that's too big of a reach, but it's a reach with how they look this year. With how they look this year, it's it's yeah, it's a reach. I'm not sure. There you go. I got you. TJ, what about you?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, sorry, fellas. A diehard Kansas City Chief. Been the Super Bowl's 50 years fan. Um, if Mahomes doesn't get hurt, I'm on my soapbox right now. And we make the playoffs. There's no way we're not in this Super Bowl, this trash as that playoff was. So little bias, but yeah, the Chiefs are back. Not really worried about the NFC. Um, we'll be there.
SPEAKER_03:I got you. All right, Barth, who are your Bears playing in the 2026 Super Bowl? We already know where you're going with this one.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, definitely the Bears, and they're going to be playing.
SPEAKER_01:Wait, the Bears are gonna have a tougher schedule now because one one seed, two seed.
SPEAKER_02:All right, so be all right. We'll sign a couple, we'll sign a D-lineman and another linebacker, add some depth into the secondary. We got to re-sign Bayard, but other than that, the Bears will be playing, and this is a stretch, but I think that the Ravens will make a comeback with a fresh face, and I think the Ravens will come out of the AFC. Okay, Tony, what about you?
SPEAKER_00:I'm gonna say hot take. Matt Stafford decides the 26 is it, and it's gonna be the LA Rams representing the NFC, and the Bills finally break through and get to the Super Bowl in the AFC. So Rams Bills next year.
SPEAKER_03:Okay. Um I'm I'm gonna say I'm gonna I'm gonna shit on your AFC uh prediction because the Chiefs definitely get better and Josh Allen's kryptonite comes back and he can't get past Mahomes um on that one. Um I'm not picking them to go to the Super Bowl though on this one. Um I am gonna be I'm gonna pull I'm gonna pull a Barth, and I'm gonna be a I'm gonna be a homer. Um Will Howard steps in for Pittsburgh and with Mike McCarthy and my Steelers make the Super Bowl again. Um we get back to a winning way in Pittsburgh. And Matt, like I agree with your NFC. I think Matt Stafford decides 26 is it, and the and the Rams. Uh he's playing the other grandpa, Aaron Rodgers, because he's coming back. No, Aaron Rodgers will start the season. He'll get hurt because he's 104 years old, and Will Howard steps in and brings us to grandpa. Yeah, brings us to it. Um is my prediction. Um, mainly because I think the AFC is just, I mean, it's stacked uh with teams, and the NFC is just uh just a coin flip at this point in time, um with who's coming out of there. Um it pains me not to pick my Buccaneers either, uh, in that one. I was gonna be a complete homer and say Buccaneer Steelers, but yeah, I just couldn't do that to mess up the the inner wannabe sports analyst in me, just couldn't allow me to do that. Um, so yeah, the Rams Steelers for the 2026 uh Super Bowl. But with that being said, uh I can't wait for this game, and that is going to do it for this week's episode of the Ride Home Brands Podcast. I want to thank all of my guests uh here today, uh, Ryan Barth, Tony Bogan, uh Bill Garvey and TJ Shelton for joining here and get the talk all things Super Bowl for the big game this Sunday. Uh I look forward to seeing how our predictions come true in this one. And as always, if you enjoyed the show, be a friend, tell a friend. If you didn't, tell them anyways. They might like it just because you didn't. That's gonna do it for me, and I will see y'all next week.
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