Why Seattle Beats New England: Offense, Depth, And A Buzzsaw Defense

A snow-globe 10-7 grinder followed by a bona fide shootout—this week swings from frustration to fireworks. We start with Broncos-Patriots, where ice, defense, and missed chances smothered offense, then pivot to Seahawks-Rams, a clean, high-stakes showcase of timing, motion, and confidence that finally felt like January football. From there, we build a clear Super Bowl case: Seattle’s deeper weapons, JSN’s matchup-proof reliability, a violent defense, and field-flipping special teams give them multiple paths to points, while New England’s big-play dependency limits their chase game.

We don’t just pick winners—we name the stat leaders and explain why. Sam Darnold gets the nod as leading passer behind a plan that manufactures answers pre-snap and punishes leverage post-snap. Kenneth Walker’s burst and expanding route menu make him a game-tilter, with Rhamondre Stevenson as the battering ram New England needs if they want to keep it close. JSN profiles as the receiving leader regardless of coverage; elite separators travel in February. Scorelines? We lean double digits for Seattle, and we tell you exactly how they get there.

Then it’s a rapid, honest “Will they be back?” audit. The Steelers face quarterback questions, while the Ravens look primed to run the North. The Jaguars are steady in a shaky AFC South; the Chargers’ reset screams upside if the line stays intact. The Eagles still own the East unless the OC hire falls flat. The Packers sit at a fork while the Bears surge behind Caleb Williams. In Buffalo, promoting Joe Brady without a true reset risks a familiar divisional ceiling. The Texans’ defense is real, but their offense lacks a dependable core; the 49ers confront age and injury across key spots. Denver’s in, the Rams are in if Stafford returns.

We close with the coaching carousel: why the Eagles’ OC search must deliver autonomy and clarity, the Giants’ options and what they signal, and how coordinator fits reshape quarterbacks more than splashy names do. If you want a sharp, story-driven guide to who actually has an edge and why, you’ll feel right at home here. If you enjoyed this one, follow, share with a friend who loves film talk, and drop your Super Bowl pick and MVP in the comments—who you got?

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Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:12

We are back on a Tuesday. You are listening on a Wednesday. Thank you for joining us. However, you may be listening. You are listening to the Pylon Cam. I am your host, Mike Frisella, with my co-host, Johnny J. Winomer. Johnny, how you doing?

SPEAKER_00 0:26

Good, man. We got dumped on with snow this weekend, but um other than that, I mean, it was it's nice because the snow came on a football day, so you at least had something to do. Um, but yeah, I mean it's been good.

SPEAKER_01 0:40

We we got literally like so in North Carolina there was a lot of snow. Like there was a lot of snow that hit pretty much everywhere, but where we are at, we literally just got ice. So Elio like didn't even get to play in the snow. Like he just went outside and we just kind of stood on the ice.

SPEAKER_00 0:58

Yeah, we we had like 12 inches of snow followed by like two inches of ice. So it's where now it's like if you step on the ground, like your foot doesn't make an imprint because it's just solid ice on top. It's gonna take forever to melt. It's it's awful.

SPEAKER_01 1:12

And we might get more snow this weekend.

SPEAKER_00 1:15

I heard. I'm I'm pretty out on that. So if that could not happen, I'd be I'd be it's gonna turn into like sunshine.

Setting The Agenda

Broncos Patriots: Defensive Slog

SPEAKER_01 1:24

Because I hope so. I hate weather people. Anyway, all right, let's dive into these game recaps. We got a loaded episode for you guys today. We're gonna start with the conference game recaps. Let's start off with the uh Broncos Patriots game. Um, nothing more exciting than a 10-7 conference championship game.

SPEAKER_00 1:44

It was ass. No way around it. It just was not a fun watch. And then the snow came in the second half. It was like, all right, these teams already are having trouble like scoring. And then second half, they're like, all right, we're gonna add some snow in so nobody scores. Um bad game. Yeah, ugly game.

SPEAKER_01 2:03

It's crazy, man. Like, we were talking about the Patriots last week, like the the defense has really just turned it on in the playoffs again. Tough to say that against Jared Stidham, but yeah, their defense is playing really well. Like, even even at worst, like the Broncos have a top offensive line, and they still aren't able to run the ball against this Patriots defense with his which has been lights out with Milton Williams being healthy. Um really bad, really bad um trajectory for RJ Harvey, who's someone I really liked coming out, and he just like I saw one of those nerdy tweets where it's like EPA and like all those advanced stats, and he's like in the low 40s, which is not good.

SPEAKER_00 2:49

Yeah, that's not where you want to be. He hasn't been, I think, for them, um, what they were looking for. 2.8 yards per capita. I'll say I've seen some positives in his game that I didn't see at UCF. Like he he fights for extra yards now, like he's he's got a little like power back in him, which is cool, but um pass pro, I still think it's bad there, which limits obviously when you can use him. Um and yeah, he hasn't been the home run threat that they were looking for at all.

Patriots’ Defense And Broncos’ Run Woes

SPEAKER_01 3:19

No, there's been flashes throughout the season. Like, I think he had a 54-yard touchdown, whether it was a catch or run, I don't remember. But um like this team, we talked about it a lot in the preseason. Like this team desperately needed a running back, and they really did like he's been out for a long time, but they really were doing well with J.K. Dobbins. J.K. Dobbins was having a phenomenal year, and then he got hurt, and they were hoping to get him back in the playoffs, and he just looked like he was, I think, one week away. Like he would have played this week in the Super Bowl, but without Bo Nicks, without Dobbins, like with no running back, like what did you really want Jarrett Stidum to do?

SPEAKER_00 3:58

Right, I I think he was kind of outgunned. Um, I think for them this offseason, obviously, it's gonna be weapons, receiver, tight end, running back, everything. Um, but yeah, it like listen, and I know people said this on Twitter. I've been a proponent of this. The Patriots Mickey Mouse run to the Super Bowl continues. I mean, Bonicks played this game. I I don't I don't think this is the outcome, I'm gonna be honest. I agree, I agree 100%. I I I hate being a what-ifer, but it it was true. I mean, the Patriots barely the Broncos. If Will Lutz makes the field goal, this game's in overtime, and that's against Jared Stidum. So um, I thought the the game like looked electric though, like the crowd and everything, it was pretty cool. Um, unfortunately, Stidum, he just he couldn't get it done, and that happens. And not every backup quarterback is gonna come in and have like the Nick Foles run, you know? Like, it's just not in yards.

Injuries, Missed Chances, And Diggs Frustration

SPEAKER_01 4:51

I'm not laughing at you. I'm just looking at the box score right now, and I just I'm laughing because I just saw like Matt Collins two catches for 51 yards, and I'm like, dang, like who did he really lead the the game with 51 yards? And I look down and it's Stefan Diggs for six catches, uh, six targets, five catches, and 17 yards. And I saw I remember seeing a quote from Stefan Diggs after the game, and he was like, they wanted to say I was washed, but I'm not. It's like you had 17, you had 17 yards on five catches.

SPEAKER_00 5:23

I I will say I was really disappointed in Drake May, to be honest with you, with the way he played. Um listen, I we can say Mvp can and all this stuff. I think he's a good player, I think he's got a good future. Any other quarterback has that performance in the playoffs, they're getting fried on Twitter, on everything.

SPEAKER_01 5:40

I think the the thing that saved Drake May, though, at the same time, like 10 carries for 65 yards on a touchdown. Like, yeah, in in terrible, in terrible weather, Stefan Diggs couldn't generate a yard, apparently. Um I'm like, and like again, it's not like he was one catch, 17 yards. Five catches, you should have probably at least 50 yards, especially if you're supposed to be the wide receiver one in this offense. So I'm not disagreeing with what you're saying.

SPEAKER_00 6:09

I'm just I just think it's interesting that we're counting rushing yards as quarterback stats now. There's other quarterbacks that don't get that lotion when they don't play well in the pass.

Seahawks Rams: Finally Real Offense

SPEAKER_01 6:17

It's that quarterback has two top 10 wide receivers at his disposal and Saquon Barkley.

SPEAKER_00 6:25

We're not gonna make it about him, but I'm just saying. Tweet us out if you know who we're talking about. Like, is there anything else to say about this? This game is very boring, and I actually hate that we opened with it. It's very uninspiring for the Super Bowl. Like, it just is.

SPEAKER_01 6:45

I yeah, and going to the next team, dude. Like, I I don't think this team is I don't think this game talking about the Seahawks, Rams. I don't think the Seahawks are gonna outright demolish the Patriots, but I do think the Seahawks are going to well, we'll get to that when we get to that. But Rams 27. I agree, Seahawks 31.

SPEAKER_00 7:05

Great game. I mean, listen, uh the Rams kind of got bailed, but I know it's against the rules, the taunting. This game probably shouldn't have been as close as it was, um, all things considered. Seahawks dominant. I'll give you credit. You've been on the Sam Darnold train all year. I I dude, it's it's crazy. I still don't trust him in the Super Bowl. I just don't. But he was incredible. Um, I thought he was really good. The Rams, on the other hand, uh, I'm sure they have some plays that they want back, maybe some throws from Stafford. Um, but I let listen, I I I the Rams got out coached as well. Um that's a big tail of the tape. So I like saying tail of the tape now, you notice that it's a nice thing to say. Like Bruce Buffalo. Yeah, you well, yeah, dude. You go, you watch the game. I I love the game, though. I thought it was entertaining. Like the Rams never died. Um and just everybody was everybody's kind of cooking. It was it was way more of a refreshing watch if there was seen before.

SPEAKER_01 8:04

I think it too too, dude. Like, it was really the first game, honestly, all playoffs, where it was just good quarterback play. Like Stafford had 374 yards, a pass rating of 127.6. Darnold, 346 yards. They both threw for three touchdowns, both had over 40 yard passes. Uh uh, Darnold had a better pass rating by 0.2, dude. Like, this was the first game where it was like actually felt like we were watching playoff football with high stakes and people like offense. Like, not to take anything away from defensive players because the good defense is exciting to watch, but like in the playoffs, you want to see points, even if it's defensive points.

Edge Play, Coaching, And DK Doubts

SPEAKER_00 8:44

Yep. How do you feel about? I was reading something on Twitter today, and somebody said that Jared Verse, and I was watching, I started watching the guys like montage of it. He was like, if he doesn't get home on the power move, he has no second move to just take him out of the play.

SPEAKER_01 9:01

And he's had a very he's been good this year, but his sophomore year has not been anything like it. So I charted all of the rookie every every first round rookie edge rusher going back to like 2020, maybe further, maybe like 2019, and Jared versus rookie year was like I don't remember if it was first or second with Micah Parsons, because I didn't weight any of the grades, but I gave them a composite score based off of where they ranked out of certain metrics, and like him and Micah Parsons obviously went like had two of the most insane rookie years we've seen in a very long time. Oh, yeah. But Jared versus second year compared to his first year is like really like unimpressive.

SPEAKER_00 9:50

Yeah, and guess what? Like, it's it's with everything in the NFL. Like, teams are going to get taped, they're going to try and stop your best players. He's obviously one of them. So if teams are looking at it and they're like, oh wow, good power move, but he's cooked after that, like guys are gonna be like, all right, like let me just stop that. Um, so yeah, it's I mean, he's still a great player. I thought the Rams defense was was good, honestly, everything all considered. They have a young team. Um, I don't know. I do have anything else to say about this game? I'll just say this.

SPEAKER_01 10:19

This is the first Chris Shula has owned Sam Darnold for all year. And this was the first year where I felt like Sam Darnold actually knew what he was seeing out there, or first game where he actually felt like he knew what he was seeing out there. And um, I mean it showed, but it also helps, dude. Like Jackson Smith and Jigba, he he like low key said on Twitter that he like joined the Illuminati, and like the year he's having, like, I wouldn't be shocked if that's true. Like, he's having the most insane year of all time. It's like he has superpowers. It's like they had to get DK out of there. Um, side note, dude. I think DK Metcalf is the most overrated receiver in the NFL. And I felt this way for a long time.

SPEAKER_00 11:01

Yeah, he's he's cooked. He was he was good at uh like coming out the gate, and then he could have got a game.

SPEAKER_01 11:05

Yeah, because he was like what we're talking about with Jared Verse, like teams get taped, like DK Metcalf could only run like half the route tree, and it and honestly does not have good hands.

QB Prep, Coaching Trees, And Scheme

SPEAKER_00 11:15

Yeah, I was well, I was back to what I was gonna I was gonna say about Darnold. Um, I saw somebody I wish I could give credit, I forget who it was, but they said there's this thing called the Alex Smith effect where these guys bop around to so many different teams and they've played so many downs that eventually like they kind of just know what they're seeing out there sometimes and they'll just put this type of game up.

SPEAKER_01 11:34

Yeah, and I think coaching goes a really long way because I listened to um Daniel Jones talk about this on um some podcast he was on. Um, and they were like, what's the what's been the it might have been the green light pod, but it was like what's been the big thing for you um going from New York to Minnesota briefly to the Colts. And he was just talking about like you know, Darnold was there in Minnesota when DJ came over and he was talking about how there's certain like if you know anything about Daniel Jones from from the New York era, it's the hardworking, like hardworking first one in, last one out type mentality kind of guy. And he was saying how like he's always been a a good preparer for things, but the way that the Vikings prepared, and the way that Kevin O'Connell had them preparing, and the way like the details they were looking at, and the motions that they were being installed in the offense, where when they motion this way, it tells them, okay, I have cover one and it's man coverage, or okay, this guy's not following their end zone. And it basically these offensive and Stakens probably the same way. I think Steichen is honestly gets way too much heat from Colts Twitter, but these offensive coaches can get these quarterbacks in in a way where they're so prepared within what their offense is. Like they're using their offense to get the answers from the defense, which like Kubiak definitely is in that same tier of Steichen O'Connell, where like he probably has like the the training, like the the mental stuff, the mental prep is probably so high. It's probably top of the league with Kubiak, honestly.

SPEAKER_00 13:18

Yeah, and and Daniel Jones needs that probably more than any quarterback in the league because he's usually pretty ass.

Kenneth Walker And Usage Debates

SPEAKER_01 13:27

Sorry. Yeah, I had to slide that. You had to because nobody wants to coach Jalen. It's not true. All right, anyways. Anything else?

SPEAKER_00 13:37

Oh, last thing uh that was exciting.

SPEAKER_01 13:40

I'm just happy we're finally seeing Kenneth Walker unleashed. Because this is what I was talking about the other week. Like Kenneth Walker is the most underrated running back in the NFL.

SPEAKER_00 13:48

Yeah, I think I think a lot of what they did this year was I think they know Kenneth Walker's pretty injury prone. They they made that a split and now they're kind of unleashing him, which is pretty cool. Yeah, they shouldn't have done that. They should have just gave him the work. Well, no, because then he gets hurt, dude. He's made a glass. Anyways.

SPEAKER_01 14:04

Alright, so this next segment. We're gonna be talking about the teams that were eliminated from the playoffs. Oh no, we're doing Super Bowl predictions first. My bad. We're gonna be talking giving our Super Bowl predictions. We're gonna start with leading passer. Who do you think is going to be the leading passer in the Super Bowl?

unknown 14:25

Drake.

SPEAKER_00 14:26

Yeah, Sam Darnold. Sam Darnold. Um I'm just not buying anything that New England's selling on offense, and I don't I think they're really gonna have some problems moving the ball. The weapons are limited. Um, and I think the last like I haven't really been too inspired by Drake these playoffs. I know he's played good defenses, but there's nothing, there's not there's no game that stands out to me where I'm like, wow, like he's gonna beat out the guy that just threw for what 346 yards against the Rams.

SPEAKER_01 14:55

Yeah. No, I'm with you. I think I just don't think Drake may have the firepower on offense to do this. Like Right, yeah, and that's what I was saying, kind of a little bit. It's not really him. It's like, okay, you're gonna put him, you're gonna bring a knife to a gunfight with Kayshawn Booty against Jackson Smith and Jigma. Like, you're not gonna win.

SPEAKER_00 15:13

Yeah, I feel like I feel like they're kind of dependent too on a lot of like deep explosive plays, the Patriots. Um, and I don't think they're gonna get those, and they haven't gotten those, and it's been the reason we've kind of seen them not offensively like play well.

SPEAKER_01 15:29

Yeah, I agree 100%. All right, so we agree. Sam Darnold. Next, leading rusher.

SPEAKER_00 15:37

This is interesting. I'm gonna go a little bit off topic here. Well, not off topic, but off kilter in certain in the sense that I think the carries are probably gonna be split in Seattle. I I just You're gonna go with George Helani. Dude, I'm telling you, I think no, I'm not gonna go with George Helani, but I think he's gonna be in the rotation. Um, my I think it's gonna be Ramondre Stevenson. Um, like I I really think the Frebles gonna want to get physical with Seattle's defense because that is a physical defense. Yeah, and in order to tire them out, they're just gonna run that freaking battery ram and just hope for the best.

Score Picks And Why Seattle Rolls

SPEAKER_01 16:12

I honestly don't know. Um Treyvon Henderson had like had one carry for four yards, so I think I'm just gonna I don't think they go ahead.

SPEAKER_00 16:22

I don't think they trust him in big situations, which is weird because he doesn't fumble, like he's not a fumbler. Yeah, I think Stevenson, they just the Patriots just like to grind teams into the ground, and Stevenson is so much more brutal to tackle.

SPEAKER_01 16:35

I think I'm gonna go with Kenneth Walker though, just because I'm trusting the talent. Like I think Kenneth Walker's the most talented running back in this game. Um, and I think he's also he's also the type, yeah, dude. Like he he can break loose at any moment. Um I don't hate that. Especially I love that they're getting him more involved in the pass. I mean, this doesn't affect uh matter for rushing, but they're getting him involved in the passing game, and he's like breaking off 20-yard catches on these screens, and it's I don't know why they didn't do that sooner.

SPEAKER_00 17:06

Well, they're doing it now and it's working. All right secret weapon. I kind of like when teams do that.

SPEAKER_01 17:10

Same leading receiver.

SPEAKER_00 17:16

I mean, uh it's just gotta be JSN. So he's so much better than every other weapon in this game, in my opinion, that I would be shocked. Even if Gonzalez is on him, I don't care. I like it doesn't matter.

SPEAKER_01 17:28

Yeah, I've learned over this year, like you gotta just like these guys like Puka and JSN, like and Jamar Chase, it doesn't matter who's covering them. They're like some some corners, some corners will have their number. Like Chase always struggles against the Browns, but like it doesn't matter. They're just they're just the best players in the world at this one job, right?

SPEAKER_00 17:55

And the quarterback looks for those type of guys in big game situations, yeah. He's he's gonna go his way. He's gonna go his way. It's gonna happen.

SPEAKER_01 18:03

Um, all right. So we agree there. Game winner. We're probably I'm all Seahawks so far. Darnold Walker, James.

Special Teams, Speed, And Gatorade Bets

SPEAKER_00 18:11

Yeah, I mean, I'm I think you're sticking with that. Probably I am too. Um I'll give a score. I think doing a score is cool. I'm gonna go 31 to 14. Um, Seattle beats New England. I think it it's gonna be close, second half. It's just start the wheels just come off the bus. Um, I don't think New England has the firepower to keep up, like we've been saying. And this Seattle defense is a freaking buzzsaw.

SPEAKER_01 18:36

Yeah, I I agree. I'm going Seattle. I think the thing with this game, which the Patriots haven't faced this. The Patriots have faced tremendous defenses. Granted, you can't take that from them. They have not faced an offense like this with a defense like that. And that's gonna be the difference in this game. Like, you you're not gonna beat them 10-7, you're not gonna beat them 17-14. Like, you are gonna have to keep pace on offense, and I just don't think they have the horses on offense to do that.

SPEAKER_00 19:10

No. Um I'm I'm I gotta say this. I am leaning more towards it's going to be a blowout than it's gonna be a close game.

SPEAKER_01 19:18

Yeah, I'm gonna go. I'm gonna go with um I'm gonna say 35 to 17. Okay. Are you right there with me? I honestly think that if the if the Seahawks can't run the ball, I don't think it's gonna matter. Because here's the other thing, dude, like Seahawks' special teams with her she since they've gotten Shahid is insane.

SPEAKER_00 19:44

Problem. Yeah. That was awesome last weekend, the first play of the game.

SPEAKER_01 19:48

Yeah, he's a nightmare. He's like just uh uh the big like the biggest home run hitter in the NFL, I honestly think.

SPEAKER_00 19:58

Just yeah. They have so many good pieces on offense and defense. Um, oh, and actually the kicker turn happened two weeks ago. I'm sorry, but yeah, I was talking about it.

SPEAKER_01 20:09

No, but yeah, he had he also had a huge play again where he almost scored a touchdown. Um, he got like shoelace tackles, speed kills. He is so fast, dude. Yeah, speed kills. Um all right, dude. So that's our Super Bowl predictions. So now oh, last prediction. Gatorade color. What's your prediction on the Gatorade color?

SPEAKER_00 20:28

I loved it. I I I love the Gatorade color, it's fun. So I'm thinking Seattle's gonna win. I think it's gonna be blue. Um what? That's just my thing. If I had to go I think Glacier Freeze is the most popular one. I'd probably go Glacier Freeze like that lighter blue. Yes, yeah, light blue. I if I had to pick a second one, it's probably lemon lime.

SPEAKER_01 20:46

Because I was gonna go with light blue, but part of me just wants to say purple. So I'm gonna go purple. I know, dude. People love purple. I'm going purple. Okay. I I would be shocked if it's purple. Me too, but I'm taking it. Plus 8,000.

SPEAKER_00 21:01

I if the Patriots win it, if the if the Patriots win, it's gonna be clear.

SPEAKER_01 21:05

I was gonna say if the Patriots win, it's gonna be yellow.

SPEAKER_00 21:08

Okay, I could see it. I think the Eagles was yellow. The Eagles might be the not this Eagles, Doug's Eagles were the last yellow. It's time.

Will They Be Back: Steelers Outlook

SPEAKER_01 21:20

Alright. So now for the third time I've said it, that's actually gonna wrap up that segment. Now, for our next segment, we're gonna be looking at all of the playoff teams that did not make that lost, that they got kicked out of the playoffs, and we're gonna ask one question Will they be back? So the first team we're gonna talk about is because you know in the NFL, there is about I think I think the stat is replace half the playoff teams. So out of what is there, six sixteen teams that make it? Uh so seven plus seven, no, fourteen. 14 teams that make it seven of them are gonna be new. So first up is the Pittsburgh Steelers. I'll let you go first on this.

SPEAKER_00 22:05

No, yeah, no. Um the McCarthy hire was so Steelers for me. I'm not sure what the Rogers situation is. I don't like teams that have question marks of quarterbacks. If he plays great, I just I think the rest of that division is probably gonna get a little better. Um, I think a full season of Burrow, uh, it's probably gonna be a little bit more difficult for Steelers to win those games. The Browns will probably get worse. I think the Ravens will get better too. Dude, the Browns have a Pro Bowl quarterback. What are you talking about? That's true. People forget that. Um I that's that that's a whole nother argument. I mean, they just trash the Pro Bowl at this point, but I hate it. Um I absolutely hate the Pro Bowl. I'm saying no. I don't think they're gonna be back. I think they have too many question marks first year of a new coach. I don't think it's gonna blow over well.

AFC North Landscape And Ravens Rise

SPEAKER_01 22:53

I don't think they're gonna be back. They have um so like two of their big free agents coming up are Isaac Simalu and Kenneth Gainwell. Like, let's like to be honest, like Kenneth Gainwell is really good this year, and Isaac Somalu is one of the is one of like uh the better guards in the NFL. Um, I actually liked the uh Mike McCarthy hire because I think like this is a team that's obviously going to be in the market for a quarterback. They're they're in the market for a quarterback, but even if Roger Rogers comes back by 2027, they're gonna be trying to draft one. Um, so I actually like the hire for here because he Mike McCarthy has success with in the playoffs and he has success with with top end teams, but I also like it for the future. But in terms of them making the playoffs next year, it's going to I don't think it's gonna be up to them because I don't think they're winning this division, and I don't think they're good enough to make the wild card. They have 65 million dollars though to spend, so it's not like they're going in this. Like what I did this exercise where I uh every year I do a team preview document uh like Excel document, and this year the craziest thing to me was like most of the teams that made the playoffs have very healthy cap situations, and a lot of the teams that are bad have very bad cap situations, which doesn't make any sense. Well, it doesn't make any sense, it doesn't, but it does. You know, it's all draft. The teams that draft usually have good cap health. Um so absolutely I don't think the Steelers will make it because I think the Jesse Minter Ravens are going to steamroll this division. They have$36 million. Lamar's gonna be healthy. Um, they may lose Tyler Linderbaum. Um that's like their big free agency loss. Like likely's a free agent, but they extended uh Mark Andrews. Uh Draymond Jones, free agent. So they'll probably cut Marlon Humphrey, but that's why I think that this team is like very much in the market for like Mansor Delane or Jerm McCoy if they fall to them. Um I think those two in a Jesse Minter defense is gonna be insane. Um I I really am not scared of the Bengals. Like, I I think the Bengals are gonna do what they do every year, and I really don't think they're gonna like that. Okay, you're a little bit of a hater. No, that's a team that has a tremendous amount of starter, starters that are becoming free agents. Cam Taylor Britt, Trey Hendrickson, um Joseph Asai, those are 15 million plus dollar players. Like, I know that's not like a ton, like a ton of money, but those are starters. And the the rate the Bengals are not a team who drafts well. So like you're banking on Shamar Stewart taking a step. Like you're banking on these players who haven't done a whole lot. And do you keep T. Higgins this year? Like, I think T. Higgins getting traded is very much on the table because he's gonna be worth probably a high second to some team. The way his contract is structured is you have you have year over year, it's a three-year deal, but you have year over year control. I don't think paying him this year when you could go out and get they have$77 million, but to go out and get like another guard and get a good offensive line for once, like I think that should take precedent over T. Higgins. So I think this team has a lot of question marks. They don't draft well, they have$77 million, but it's really hard to buy a to buy a Super Bowl team. So I think this is the Ravens division to win, and I don't think there's gonna be any team from this division that makes a wild card.

SPEAKER_00 26:22

Yeah, I agree.

SPEAKER_01 26:23

That's my hot take.

SPEAKER_00 26:25

Yeah, I agree. I don't uh it's not gonna be the AFC North of old.

Jaguars’ Path And AFC South Reality

SPEAKER_01 26:29

No, especially with the coaching changes. I'm shocked they stuck with Zach Taylor, and I think they stuck with Zach Taylor because I don't want to pay anybody else. Like, honestly, I'm not even trying to be funny. Like, I think they're they're too frugal to pay a top-end coach, which is a shame. Sad. Um next the Jacksonville or Jaguars. Yeah, they'll be back. I agree 100%.

SPEAKER_00 26:57

Yeah, I I I I don't have like even a ton to say. I just think their team's good. They hit on the coach. Uh the rest of the division doesn't inspire me at all. Um, I don't think they're gonna get a wild team, wildcard team either, the AFC South. Um, I unless the Texans move on from CJ. But um, yeah, other than that, like I just think they're gonna be back. I think you're being kind of disgusting towards the Colts. The Colts are ass, dude. And I'm gonna be straight up with you. If they bring Daniel Jones back, okay, he would have led the same collapse that happened.

SPEAKER_01 27:27

I don't I just don't agree with that.

SPEAKER_00 27:29

I just don't agree with that. Okay, okay, let me speak. Here's what happened, okay? Teams got tape on them in the offense, and they said, Oh wow, if we stop Jonathan Taylor and force this guy to throw, we're gonna win games. And what happened? They lost to the Steelers, they lost to the Chiefs, they lost to all the good teams.

SPEAKER_01 27:44

Yeah, but dude, they lost to the Chiefs in like a one-score game.

SPEAKER_00 27:47

It don't matter. You can't, yeah. And guess what? All they went was three and out in the second half because Daniel Jones couldn't pass the ball. So what we have to be realistic. I think the sauce Gardner's.

SPEAKER_01 27:57

Playing with a broken leg, dude.

SPEAKER_00 27:59

I I respect it. I think he's a great guy. I don't think he's a good quarterback. Um, and I think the sauce gardener traits are really gonna come back to haunt them because now they can't draft a quarterback this year. Well who were they drafting this year?

SPEAKER_01 28:11

Who were they which quarterback were they drafting this year? Ty Simpson? It doesn't matter.

SPEAKER_00 28:16

Maybe he's a better option. Oh my god. I will say, if I'm I'm the I'm I'm not re-signing Daniel Jones, I'm pivoting to Anthony Richardson, I'm seeing what he's got.

SPEAKER_01 28:25

There's nothing to see with Anthony Richardson. He can't hit the broadside of a barn. If he gets the healthy.

SPEAKER_00 28:32

He's a top five. He I mean, if he wasn't five, he was like six. You gotta see what you got there. You gotta roll him out.

SPEAKER_01 28:39

Quarterback on the Colts roster.

SPEAKER_00 28:41

Listen, that's all I'm saying. Uh we're not we're not talking about the Colts. I'm just telling you when I think about the division. I and I'm telling you, I disagree.

Chargers Reboot And Division Stakes

SPEAKER_01 28:50

I think that the Jags are going to be back for sure. But what I will say is I think that the Colts are going to be back. They still have arguably the best roster in the division. Um they're ass. I think Daniel Jones was playing excellent before he got hurt, and then his play declined when he broke his leg and kept playing. Um, I think the Titans are going to be a team this year with$113 million top four pick, Brian Dable and Robert Sala. I also think the Texans are still gonna be a team this year. I think this is gonna be a very competitive team because that defense is so good. And here's a free agency uh prediction that I'm gonna give. This team desperately needs a running back. I think Jacksonville lets Etienne walk, and I think Etienne goes to the Texans. They've seen him up close for four years, twice a year. Etienne is a good back. I don't think Jacksonville wants to pay him because they I'm sure they like what they have with Bashul Tutin. Um, and they'll probably draft another guy to compliment him, but they're gonna let Etienne walk, and I think Etienne's gonna go to either Tennessee or the Texans. I think he's staying in the division.

SPEAKER_00 30:01

Yeah. Overall, we both think they're gonna be back. The other players in the division.

SPEAKER_01 30:06

This is the thing, though, and I didn't mention this, um, neither did you. Team only has five million in cap space. They're gonna lose, they they have to decide on Devin Lloyd, who they declined his option. They declined his fifth-year option. Their defense is night and day with Devin Lloyd on the field. They have to pay him. Yeah, he's like he's a dog. That's going to be a huge swing in what whether this this team becomes is is more or less the same. And I this I think they're still taking interviews like Anthony Campanelli and uh Udinsky are still getting interviewed for jobs. Yeah, so they might lose a coordinator.

SPEAKER_00 30:45

Yeah, overall, we I think we're both in agreement they're gonna be back.

SPEAKER_01 30:48

Agreed. Um, all right. Will they return Los Angeles Chargers? San Diego Chargers.

Panthers, Bucs, And An NFC South Pivot

SPEAKER_00 30:57

Yeah, I mean, I think we're both gonna be in agreement on this. I don't this is one I don't think we have to spend a time. Like they're gonna get a lot of players back. Um, they got a new offensive coordinator. I think it was a great move, great hire. Um, they already made it this year without the guys that they're going to be getting back. Um the biggest loss is definitely Minter on the defensive side of the ball. I just think I just think they'll be back. Um, I you know, I think they're gonna be good. I think they're gonna do the same thing in the playoffs, though. They will sell. That's just what they do. Um, but that's not the conversation here. The conversation is will they be back? I think yes.

SPEAKER_01 31:31

Uh, I definitely think they'll be back. I also think I'm probably gonna pick them to win the division next year. Um, Joe Alt, Slater, and McDonald or McDaniel are massive upgrades. Massive. I think Joe Alt Delone is a massive upgrade. McDonough McDaniel is gonna unlock Omarion Hampton. He's gonna unlock Trey Harris, he's gonna unlock Ladd McConkie in ways like we and like Ladd McConkey was really good in 2024. Like, these people these players are gonna be like we're gonna see forms of these players we have not seen yet. And they already extended Tier Tart, who like that's a big get for their defensive line. Um, because I that's someone I was looking at for the Giants. But yeah, they're definitely gonna be back, but I'm taking I'm probably gonna take them to win the division next year. Next team the Carolina Panthers.

SPEAKER_00 32:26

Yeah, I don't think they're gonna be back. Wow. Um, I think the Falcons are gonna get a lot better. Um, well, it's not I don't think the Falcons are winning this division. Listen, I just I don't think the Panthers have a good enough roster. I think they they got they won a lot of games that were very lucky. Um I I think they need some serious improvement on the defensive side of the ball, and they need to get another weapon for Bryce Young. I'm just not sure the team does it. I I don't think that they were resoundingly good enough this year where I can confidently say, like, oh yeah, they're gonna be back.

SPEAKER_01 33:02

Yeah, I definitely don't think they're gonna be back. Um but at the same time, like I don't think they have a whole they don't have a tough way, like there's not a tough path to get back.

SPEAKER_00 33:16

Right, that's that's the thing that that makes me question my decision, but at the same time, I actually am changing my answer.

SPEAKER_01 33:22

I think they do get back. Um because unless the the Bucks kind of like see a dramatic improvement to a lot of their team, specifically on defense, and they're gonna lose Mike Evans this year, who probably I would imagine retires possibly. Um Jamel, Jamal Dean's gonna be gone, Jamal Dean's gonna be gone, Logan Hall's gonna be gone, um, K Dotten's gonna be gone, Rashad White's gone. So it's like there's gonna be a whole lot of new faces on this offense, and Chris Godwin didn't look right after his injury, so like if they're not gonna push him, your competition becomes Michael Penix or Kirk Cousins, because I'm not ruling out Kirk Cousins becoming the starter, um, and then it's the Tyler Shuck Saints. Who yeah, I'm saying it like that because of Joe A on Twitter.

SPEAKER_00 34:17

I think the Tyler Shuck Saints are gonna win that division. That's my sleeper pick for next year, but uh it's not the topic right now, but yeah, I think that's who's gonna win it.

SPEAKER_01 34:26

I think it's the Panthers. They have 40 million in cap space, the Saints have negative 27.

SPEAKER_00 34:31

I listen, I would hope that the Panthers get better. I want them to. I'm just not sold on like making the right.

SPEAKER_01 34:38

So your January prediction for the NFC South is uh the Tyler Shuck Saints. Feels like you're just attacking me for no reason. Anyway, um I'm not NFC East, Philadelphia Eagles.

SPEAKER_00 34:52

They'll be back. They get to the playoffs every year when Jalen Hurts is a starting quarterback. They definitely have some questions. Um obviously, like the offensive coordinator, I think, is a big time hire. Uh, I know we'll probably get into that a little later. What that looks like, who that is. Um, but the rosters there, the defense is like pretty much fully back. Um, they should be okay. They're gonna lose like to Kobe Dean, who they'll replace with Jahab Campbell. Um, but yeah, I mean, other than that, it's pretty much the same team. Interesting to see what they do with AJ Brown. I think they'll do well in the draft. Um, but yeah, I think they'll be back. I don't think any of the NFC's teams, the rest of them have gotten significantly better. Um, I think maybe Jaden Daniels coming back if he's fully healthy is a threat. But I still think even then, I think at worst, I think this team's wild card. Um, but yeah, they should they should definitely win the division again.

SPEAKER_01 35:42

I think they will be back. I think though, like this is not gonna be a cakewalk. I think there's there's not I think there are always teams that go worst to first. And depending on the OC hire, depending on what happens with AJ Brown, who I think they keep, the$72 million cap hit makes him almost untouchable, no matter what they want to do. Um, I do see the Giants unbiasedly plussing up. I think Jackson Dart is good enough to win games. I also think that if we learned anything from the 2022 Giants, just because a team has a bad record does not mean they're not talented, right? So, like the 2022 team, that 2022 roster with Leonard Williams, Xavier McKinney, Saquon Barkley, Daniel Jones, Dexter Lawrence, all these players who went on to become Pro Bowl or higher level players were just hiding on the Giants roster because they had horrible coaching. So if the Giants with John Harbaugh can plus up Abdul Carter, they can plus up Brian Burns, they can plus up plus up Dexter Lawrence, and with the Denard Wilson hiring, who I really like, and you should know about Denard Wilson because of what he did with Philly with James Bradbury and Darius Slay, I think that this the Giants team, like I think that if there is a threat within the division, if John Harbaugh can work his magic kind of like Jim did in the first year, I don't think the Giants win the division, but I think they push Philadelphia to the end.

SPEAKER_00 37:13

Yeah, I I think it's gonna be I think it's gonna be competitive, and I do think there's a complete situation where the Eagles have a rough start, they fire Siriani, and it's all hell breaks loose. Like it's definitely on the table. I feel like everybody knows that Sirianni's done. So that's what makes keeping him not make sense. Right, yeah, and we'll get into that later, but I you know I have a lot to say about that, but yeah, um, but overall I think they're back. Like the team's good, they just have good players.

SPEAKER_01 37:39

Yeah. And the rest of the division is kind of like I still I still think the doubt, like the Cowboys are just like a rich version of the Bengals, and then Washington, I have to do that.

SPEAKER_00 37:48

Don't sleep on the don't sleep, don't sleep on the Christian Parker hire for Dallas.

SPEAKER_01 37:54

Oh yeah, he they took it.

SPEAKER_00 37:55

He was very highly he was very very highly regarded here.

SPEAKER_01 38:00

Yeah, but Dallas's corners like they got they have Savon Ravel and uh Daron Blant. And then like nobody behind you.

Packers’ Fork In The Road

SPEAKER_00 38:10

Okay. Is this guy just an elite coach or was he just coaching Quinyal Mitchell and Cooper DeGene? Yeah we're gonna find out.

SPEAKER_01 38:16

That's true. Alright, next up. The Packers.

SPEAKER_00 38:21

Green Bay Packers. No, they're not gonna be back. I think things are kind of I think they're headed towards a pretty like they're a fork in the road with I think the way their team's currently constructed. Yeah, um, I I love the defense. I love the defense, but the offense just leaves so much on the table to be desired. Like, is Jordan Love it? I I still don't know. The turnovers sometimes are literally like loony tunes. I'm like, what is this guy doing? And the receivers are still bad. I'm sorry. Golden was a complete, looks like a complete miss. Uh, granted, they haven't got him involved a lot. I don't know what's happening there, but I just have serious concerns, and I think the Bears are gonna run that division.

SPEAKER_01 39:04

Yeah, no, this is definitely the Bears division to lose, which is kind of parlays into the next one of the of or a few later with the Bears. But I think with the Packers, like the biggest thing for them is I totally agree with you on the the roster construction because the catalyst of this offense has been Josh Jacobs, and he's another year older. Um you're losing Romeo Dobbs potentially. Who's a bit that's a big friendly target for Jordan Love? They came in together, yeah. Like they came in together. He's a big player for them. He's been good for them with his gigantic helmet. Like that's a player, like I'm kind of watching, like to go around the league and just kind of pop up somewhere where he's he gets to be a true wide receiver, too, instead of like in this weird rotation. Um, they gotta decide on Quay Walker. But I think why they will be back. I'm gonna say they'll be back. I think they make the wild card. Because I think the Detroit is in worse standing than the Packers are.

SPEAKER_00 40:07

Yeah, they are. They are.

SPEAKER_01 40:08

With Petsing, the Petsing hire was crazy to me. Like, there's so many good coordinators out there. And you took and maybe I look like an idiot. We're going to clip this. It's probably going to be on social media. And I wouldn't be here saying, oh, they hired Drew Petsing when Brian Dayball's out there or Mike McDaniel's out there, or all these other offensive coordinators out there, and they took Drew Petsing. I I think that that is, I see what they're trying to do with Petsing. Like they want someone who's going to run the ball, feed the tight end, play smash math, but like he doesn't have the creativity. And maybe that's maybe that's what they need. Maybe they need to get away from creativity and just go to what they know. Maybe that's why they hired Drew Petsing.

SPEAKER_00 40:45

It's nice that you see what they're trying to do because I don't. And it was completely asinine. And we're going to be having this exact conversation next year as to why the Lions did that. So and then I think the Vikings are a non-factor, sadly, with nine.

SPEAKER_01 40:56

As long as nine is our quicker.

Bills Turmoil And Regime Questions

SPEAKER_00 40:58

Yeah. It's sad to say. Um, I I could see I could see them being a wild card. I just I think there's too many other good teams. I I think the Giants will be better than them next year. Than Detroit? I really do. No, uh Green Bay. Oh I I I'm selling Green Bay hard. I think Green Bay is gonna be like a 7-6 win team.

SPEAKER_01 41:18

My worries with Green Bay are not with Jordan Love, weirdly. Um, I actually think Jordan Love is kind of overhated, but um I'm a generational hater of Jordan Love. Yeah, I hope the Giants are in the mix. I mean, that would be sick. Alright. Will they return? Buffalo Bills. Officially hire Joe Brady.

SPEAKER_00 41:44

I hate that so much. So let me get started with them, right? You you slam your head coach, literally burn, try and burn his reputation to the ground, and you act like you're gonna make this big regime change. And what do you do? You promote the GM that sucks, and then you hire the offensive coordinator, the guy you just fired. I like Joe Brady. I think he's a good coach. I just think I think this is a nightmare there. And uh you got people calling out players, like they it's almost like they tried to pin the season on Keon Coleman not being good, which is insane to me. Um I think it's gonna become an unattract. Yeah, it's gonna be an unattractive destination for players to come. That shit gets around the league. Like, I don't care. I I think it's an unattractive destination, it's freezing. The GM is awful at drafting, they're probably not gonna get any impact guys. Maybe they get lucky. And I don't think Brady is the coach that's gonna push Josh Allen to stop with this like hero ball turnover show. Probably not. In my and yeah, in my opinion, Dable was the higher, like he was the right guy, he would have made a regime change. He can get in Josh Allen's head and get him to stop doing that. They missed the boat. I don't think they're back. I think it's Patriots division to rum.

SPEAKER_01 42:57

Yeah, I'm gonna say they'll be back as a wildcard team. And Rich Eisen made a really good point about the Keon Coleman thing. So not only did you just you lied, because this was as much of a Sean McDermott guy, I mean Brandon Bean guy, obviously, as it was Sean McDermott guy. Which again, why is Sean McDermott a defensive coach pushing so hard for Keon Coleman? That makes no sense. Um but so what if Keon Coleman breaks out next year and goes for 1200 yards? You realize how dumb you would look as an owner.

SPEAKER_00 43:31

You gotta bring back McDermott then.

SPEAKER_01 43:33

Like, bro, like if that's McDermott's guy and Keon Coleman snaps, like, okay, Brandon Bean, you can't evaluate talent, and your owner is is just as much of an idiot. And number two, like, okay, Joe Brady, you've been with this team pretty much the entire time. Our coach just got fired because we did not make it past the divisional round. So unless you make it past the divisional round, you're also a failure, even if you're a first-time head coach. Like, and then like the point that you made and I made last week, like Brandon Bean is the poster child for failing upwards because there's no rhyme or reason that you could possibly sell to even Bills, like a lot of Bills fans don't understand that move because it's like, how how like what free agency hit? What free agency hit did you get? What draft hit dude? Sean McDermott's first draft without Brandon Bean, I think he landed three all pros.

unknown 44:29

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 44:30

With tradition uh Trevarius White, Matt Milano, and there's one other one. And it's like since then it's just been Brandon Bean whiffing on draft picks until he landed Josh Allen because as he famously said, if I if I don't if this doesn't work, I'm not gonna be here. Yeah, because you suck at your job. And Josh Allen did work out. He also happened to not only work out, but he's probably the best quarterback in the NFL. And he saved a job. It's just it's that is just so insane to me.

SPEAKER_00 44:57

Joe Brady's a scapegoat hire, though they'll fire him at the end of next year. The whole thing's a disaster. I don't think they're gonna turn it around until they get a completely new regime, which they failed to do here, and I think it's gonna come back to fight him.

SPEAKER_01 45:09

Yep.

SPEAKER_00 45:09

And I hope Keon Coleman goes to a different team and he balls out.

SPEAKER_01 45:12

I hope he balls out on the Bills. Like, I really do.

SPEAKER_00 45:15

No, there's no way they're retaining him. And I could there's no way. There's no way he comes back after what they did to him. Like, and I listen, I I I've been like, you know, all right, Keon Coleman wasn't great this year. You you just don't do that to a player. That was like so knock that was so out of pocket. Out of all of their misses, too, like why him? It so insane, dude. I I felt I legitimately like felt that same.

SPEAKER_01 45:41

It just kind of was like he caught the most outrageous stray of all time. Yeah, screw the bills. Yeah, I mean Josh Allen's never winning a Super Bowl on that team, so it doesn't matter. He'll win it on his next one. Um, Texans, they coming back.

Texans Ceiling And Offensive Concerns

SPEAKER_00 45:57

Oh god, the defense is so good, man. It's a shame. Um, I'm gonna say I'm gonna say no. I already said that I don't think another team from the AFC South gets in. I don't think it's gonna be the Texans. I think CJ Stroud's just about cooked, and I don't think they're gonna move off him. Um, so yeah, I I don't I don't have a ton to say on them. We know the deal with them. The defense is great. I just I don't see it with the quarterback. I think it might get worse.

SPEAKER_01 46:23

Yeah, I think I don't know if they're one of the teams who has a vacancy at offensive coordinator. We'll get to that next. Um but I just think a quarterback who needs to be coddled like CJ Stroud does really limits a lot of what this team's upside is. They still have a question mark across their offensive line, basically from guard to guard and that tackle. Yep. They also have no running game, like Woody Marks was a cool story, but he's not a true running back. Like that could be a three-down back. Um I don't I'm saying no, dude. I I think I think the Colts and the Titans are going to really mess with this thing, bro. Like, if you could score 20 points, you beat the Texans.

SPEAKER_00 47:05

The Titans, yes, Colts no, I agree.

49ers Aging Core And Tough Division

SPEAKER_01 47:10

All right, so we both agree they're not coming back. Yeah, they're cooked. Sadly. This is an interesting one. 49ers. Hell no.

SPEAKER_00 47:21

You don't think they're coming back? I nah. We talked about this last last episode, kinda, how how the roster is just old as fug. Um, to put it respectfully, it's just old. I think CMC at some point is going to fall off a cliff. I think it's gonna be next year. Do you think he's gonna get attacked by the electromagnetic fields? Yeah, he might, dude. Uh first, I'm not buying into that, by the way. I'm I'm all buying. I'm all about it. I knew you would be. I can't believe that shit. Anyways, I think he's gonna be probably not as good as he normally is. That's gonna be a problem for them. Um, I love their head coach. I think Brock is good enough to win a Super Bowl with the right team around him, but they don't have it. Um the injuries, I I I always worry about guys coming back. Like the injuries that were sustained by the their key players are very serious. Like an Achilles for a 30-something-year-old tight end is tough. Yeah, he's done, sadly. I really think he is, which is a shame because he's awesome. I love George Hill so much. Yeah, and uh like uh Bosa will be back. I'm sure Fred Warner will be back. Is Fred Warner getting up there in age? Could be. He's coming off an Achilles pop too. Yeah, I dude, the Achilles are tough. Listen, I think they have a good organization. I don't think next year they'll be back. I think I but I think they're a team that can rebuild in a year.

SPEAKER_01 48:40

Yeah, I actually am gonna agree with you because I forgot that Los Angeles and Seattle are both in this division. It's late. Exactly. Yeah, like they're just gonna get the crap kicked out of them, and then you get the poor Cardinals in there just fighting for their lives. Trying to hire a head coach, like, do they have one by the end, the beginning of the season? They might not. And Kyler's gonna be gone. And dude, Arizona's probably on the clock for 2027, though. Oh my god, imagine Arch Manning gets sent to Arizona. Yeah, I don't need to see that.

SPEAKER_00 49:11

Um that the commissioner would step in, I think. Sorry, Cardinals fans. God, I mean, that would be a nightmare, unless maybe there's a good hire that comes out. I don't know, but I think we're both in agreement.

SPEAKER_01 49:22

Yeah, I agree. I think I think this roster is teetering like Cliff Fall off in terms of like too many key players. Like Ayuk's not coming. Ayuk's done. So your receivers next year are Jawan Jennings, and who's a free agent, who's a free agent, Ricky Pearsall, who can't get on the field. Never plays.

SPEAKER_00 49:42

Jacob Cowing, and then Cowing was hurt this year too.

SPEAKER_01 49:48

Yeah, and then your backup tight end who liked Loki, Caleb, uh, what's his name?

SPEAKER_00 49:52

I liked him.

Bears Ascending And WR Decisions

SPEAKER_01 49:53

I liked him. Tong Tonges. He was good when he played, um, but then uh behind him, he's I don't know if I don't know if he's the guy. Yeah. So maybe they got Kyle Pitts. Stop. He's a giant. Yeah, okay. All right, he's an Eagle. We both agree. No, he's not. Yeah. The Bears.

SPEAKER_00 50:14

Yeah, they're bad. You know I love this team. This is this is the best take I've had on the entire time we've been recording since the summer. I'm all in on these guys, and I think Caleb Williams is gonna take another step even further next year. You you also got the Panthers right. Don't sell yourself short. Right, but the Bears is my best one because I was all in from day one. Um, and I and honestly, you you were too. I think you just had more questions about the other teams in the division. But um, I think Caleb takes another step forward in his second year in Ben Johnson's offense, and they're just gonna get better. Like they got draft picks. Uh, I think the young guys that they took this year were literally just starting to kind of break out towards the end of the year. So I'm excited to see where they're at next year. This Burden and Loveland, dude, they're awesome.

SPEAKER_01 50:58

I the one player I'm I'm genuinely like, I don't know what to do with you is Romo Dunze. Because, like, dude, like I'm a huge DJ Moore fan, but I was really like, all right, you're gonna trade DJ Moore and keep Odunze. Now I'm like, I'd keep DJ Moore and trade O'Dunze. I don't I don't think it's value's high. I think a team would bite on him. Top 10 pick. He's not terrible, but like I just I think if like if he's shown he's shown flashes. Yeah, and if like Ben Johnson can't make you work, dude, like I just don't know.

SPEAKER_00 51:36

I don't know. I will say I read a thing about him that that that like fracture in his foot that he like calls him to miss a couple weeks, he had been playing through that and it was it was much worse than the team let on. That's that's true. Dude, having something in your foot, like imagine like and receivers, they got a step, cut, so it's like you can't do nothing. Imagine a shooting pain in your foot every time you're trying to do that. So maybe that's a thing. I don't know. I think they're gonna keep him.

SPEAKER_01 52:01

I don't think they're gonna trade him, but DJ Moore is definitely a named one. I think he's getting I think he should have been traded. I love him, they just don't need him. They don't need him, though. Uh, he was he was good for them down the street. He was really good in the playoffs. Um, okay. We both agree they're back. Next team. The Denver Broncos.

Broncos, Chiefs, And Wild Card Math

SPEAKER_00 52:23

Tough for me. Um, I will say I think the division is going to get significantly better. I do think that the Raiders will. I'm not saying they're going to be good, but they will not be a joke with Fernando Mendoza back there. Um, I also think the Chiefs are somehow going to be semi-back. I don't know if they're a playoff team, but I mean Mahomes and Reed, hard to root against. I think Denver is back. I think I could see two wild card teams coming from this division. It wouldn't shock me at all. Oh, definitely. Definitely two. Yeah. It's gonna it's gonna be tough though. Broncos have that number one you know division winner schedule now. Um, things might look a little different. I think they beat teams. They got they got lucky a little bit, I hate to say it, in certain situations. They also got unlucky in others, but um, I like Bo Knicks. I thought the progression was so good this year from him. Like you saw what you wanted to see. Um, my biggest thing for them is can they get the weapons around him to have a successful offense? Because Corton Sutton can't be your one. I'm sorry, he can't.

SPEAKER_01 53:29

This is definitely a team that needs like if they traded for DJ Moore, like that would be a huge upgrade for them. Um I think that like with this division, I think they're definitely back in the playoffs, but there are a lot of question marks around like how much better do the Chiefs get when they come back? I think the Chargers are gonna be a juggernaut this year if they can stay healthy, because we saw it for like three weeks without Rashawn Slater. They were going nuts.

SPEAKER_00 53:58

That's my point.

SPEAKER_01 53:59

Yeah, so I think they'll be back, and I also do think this team gives out at minimum two playoff teams. Like, I think there's a good chance that the the Chiefs kind of get in there as well, um, obviously with Patrick Mahomes. But I just don't know, man. Like, I just can't really trust the Chiefs. Like, they don't talk about not having really having a guy, like Rasheed Rice when he's on the field and not being a scumbag, is excellent. They have no running back, which like again, if they get Jeremiah Love, this team looks completely different. Um, Travis Hunt, uh Travis Kelsey is like, is he back?

SPEAKER_00 54:33

Worthy has been he's been so underwhelming for them. And I really liked Worthy, and he had a good rookie year, so maybe I loved him, dude. I I thought he was gonna break out. I the injuries definitely hurt him. Yeah, but is that what he's gonna be now? Like, is he just gonna be an injury-prone guy that has a wiry frame that can't stay on the field? We don't know. Yeah, they're gonna need more from him, though.

SPEAKER_01 54:52

Yeah, I agree. All right, Broncos are we both agree they're back.

SPEAKER_00 54:58

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 54:59

Last team, the Rams.

SPEAKER_00 55:04

I'm assuming Stafford's coming back, so I'm saying. Under the assumption Stafford is back, this is an easy guess. Under the assumption he's not, I don't know if I would feel as comfortable with that. Um but the defense is defense is back, they're young, the weapons are there, everything is in place for them to make another deep playoff from.

SPEAKER_01 55:22

You know who I'd really like this team to pick up as like a reclamation project? And I actually hate that I'm about to say this because it potentially would validify what J-A is saying on Twitter. Will Levis. I feel like Will Levis has all the talent in the world, and if they could get him to like see the field, I'm not saying like he would be good, I'm just saying like why not? Like to sit behind Stafford for a year, he's free, he's really young. Yeah, I don't know. Because like who else are you putting back there? Well, I don't know.

SPEAKER_00 55:56

Though there'll be guys out there, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 55:58

So the Rams are easy, yes. The roster is also incredibly young.

SPEAKER_00 56:03

Yes, it is, and it's gonna get better.

SPEAKER_01 56:04

Yeah, outside of like Devontae Adams and Stafford. Alright. I agree. That's all the teams.

SPEAKER_02 56:12

Is that that's it? Wow.

SPEAKER_01 56:13

Oh, one last thing on the Broncos. You know what's really gonna make their life hard? They are probably gonna lose Davis Webb, and they just fired their OC. So they're getting new coordinators, and I think they got a new defensive coordinator as well.

SPEAKER_00 56:30

Yeah, I think Vance Joseph will get hired away somewhere. I don't know.

Rams If Stafford Stays

SPEAKER_01 56:34

Yes. Okay. Alright, now to the next thing. The coaching carousel updates. So since we since last week, I know that um Brian Dable has been hired as offensive coordinator. Mike McDaniel was hired for the Tennessee Titans. Mike McDaniel was hired during our recording to the Los Angeles Chargers. Um head coaching jobs that have been filled. Robert Sala to the Titans. Joe Brady. Joe Brady to the Bills. That's really it. I think that's it. So vacancies for coordinators. Oh, the Dolphins hired Bobby Slovick, Chiefs hired Eric Bienemy, um, commanders hired David Blau, Tommy Reese to the Falcons, and then the Bucks hired Zach Robinson, former Rams off uh passing game coordinator, and the Falcons offensive coordinator. So the vacancies are still sorry, I didn't mean to cut you off, but the vacancies are the Eagles, Giants, Broncos, Browns, Steelers, Ravens, Jets, Cardinals, Raiders, Bills. Oh, yeah, and then the Jets fired their offensive coordinator today for some reason, instead of doing that three weeks ago. Really ahead of the curve.

SPEAKER_00 57:53

They're just a bad organization, top to bottom. I would love to know why.

SPEAKER_01 57:58

I would love to know what spurred that today.

SPEAKER_00 58:01

Yeah, the owner's a clown. And that definitely hurts. Um, I don't think we need to talk about all these. We can hit on the big ones. Obviously, the first one that comes to mind is definitely the Eagles. Um, I'm gonna say it's either Matt Nagy or Jim Bob Cooter. They are casting a very sad. They are casting a very wide net. Uh they've interviewed some guys that I don't really know why they're doing it, like Mike Manon. Um why? Uh, but my here's my thing, right? I think this is their Sirianni seed is just blazing hot to start the year. This is their last, hey, can we make it work, right? With we got Vic who's not going anywhere. They're trying to get an offensive coordinator, and they won't say this, but they're trying to get somebody that's not going to jump if they have a successful year for a head coaching job. I think Matt Nagy and Jim Bob Cooter fit that bill better than others. Um, something people haven't talked about. I think it's a tough job in the sense that they were on top of the world last year, right? So anything less than that is it considered a failure on the offensive coordinator's part. I don't know. I you know, I don't think that's the case, but Philly's tough. And I do think that these guys are very weary of working with Siriani, who typically has meddled in the offense, like to have his hand in things, like to do things a certain way. Um, he's been in the interviews, I don't think he should be. Um, and you know, they're telling these guys they're giving full autonomy, but I'm I'm not sure it's gonna happen, and I assume they aren't either. Uh, so that's the big holdup. I think it ends up being one of those two guys. Um, they could have a surprise guy. Siriani was a surprise hire. But um, yeah, I think this is a huge decision. Um, and if it goes south, uh everybody's gone.

Coordinator Turnover In Denver

Coaching Carousel: Hires And Vacancies

SPEAKER_01 59:50

Yeah, I think the Eagles and then um sorry, I was just checking the coaches that got hired. So to recap the head coachings, because they're A few fit a few coaches that got hired. Um, so Jesse Minter officially to the Ravens, that was after last week's episode. Uh Mike McCarthy officially to the Steelers, Joe Brady officially to the Bills, and then the openings are Browns, Cardinals, Raiders. Um, but to your point, I agree. I think that the Eagles are in a very precarious spot, and I think that, in my opinion, these coordinators don't want to go somewhere where their quarterback can't throw. So that's just my two cents. Shaking my head. No, I'm just kidding. You're gonna have your two cents. But um, I do think Sirianni is a big issue for these. And I I do think that these coaches like don't want to bring their families to Philly. Like, just to be honest, like they don't want to be somewhere where you guys are like their house is getting egged, like after a game. Like their kids are gonna get eggs thrown at them when they get off the school bus. Like, I don't think people want to bring their family there. Um, the Giants, all indications are it's Todd Munken unless he gets a head coaching job. But I did just see, which makes me really happy, that the Giants just submitted an interview for uh Davis Webb. That was my pick for offensive coordinator for the Giants, who I'd really like for them to hire. But if they go with Todd Munkin, I won't be like too upset, but I think Davis Webb is a better hire. Um, and nobody wants to touch the Browns in any capacity, they don't want to be the head coach there, they don't want to be the offensive either.

SPEAKER_00 1:01:31

I actually got a spam call today from T-Mobile, and it was the Browns asking me if I wanted to be their head coach. I mean, dude, everyone's saying no. They need to really look inward as to why this is happening and they need to figure it out. And they need to clench their fist and wave it towards the heavens of we have a Pro Bowl quarterback.

SPEAKER_01 1:01:50

Why does nobody want to be here?

SPEAKER_00 1:01:52

They should deadass hire Dion. They're already a joke.

SPEAKER_01 1:01:56

Yeah, might as well just have fun for a year. You sell tickets out the wazoo.

SPEAKER_00 1:02:00

Put put butts and seats and see if maybe Prahn's got something to offer.

SPEAKER_01 1:02:05

Um Raiders. Uh, sorry, I was going through this list. Steelers, I think the interesting ones that we'll see are the Ravens is gonna be interesting. The I think the Raiders is gonna be a really interesting hire. Um, because I think they get Kubiak personally as their head coach, which would be sick.

SPEAKER_00 1:02:25

If you told me today if they if the Eagles could fire Siriani and that would be their next head coach, I would say do it.

SPEAKER_01 1:02:32

I'm surprised you guys didn't hire fire Sirianni when Harbaugh became available, honestly.

SPEAKER_00 1:02:38

Yeah, well, see, here's the thing, and like I we don't need to spend a ton more time on this, but I will tell you the mentality. No, they're just uh they're afraid because they've had success with this and they don't want to screw things up, and and they look at it as okay, if we get a new coach, we're rebuilding this whole thing, but you're not like sometimes you just gotta take the plunge, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:02:57

Um and I think the interesting ones are the teams that don't have a head coach or coordinator, which obviously you wouldn't have a coordinator if you wouldn't have a head coach, but who do the uh Cardinals hire? Who do the Browns hire? Who do the who does Aaron Glenn get for the Jets? And who is their quarterback gonna be? I think whoever they hire is gonna give us a big indication of like, are they going after Kyler Murray? Are they going after Tua? Are they going after God, dude? If the Jets got Tua, everybody in that building needs to be fired and they need to start over again.

Eagles OC Search And Sirianni Heat

SPEAKER_00 1:03:28

The Jets are ass, and this has been the way they have been for quite a while, and I just can't. I don't have enough bad things to say about them, honestly. They just they just do things wrong. I will say I think the Cardinals is low-key and attractive job. I don't think there's a lot of pressure. Expectations are so low. Um, and you can kind of build a team. I I think they're the only issue is they they fire head coaches so fast.

SPEAKER_01 1:03:55

Like, even if you try to build something, like you're probably fired by year four.

SPEAKER_00 1:04:00

Yeah, which there's such a happy medium there with like how long do we let someone go out, and how long is it before they're just cooked, you know?

SPEAKER_01 1:04:09

Um Steelers, I do think will be interesting with Mike McCarthy. And can they resurrect Caleb Johnson? I don't get it, man. I just don't get it.

SPEAKER_00 1:04:19

He'll get some run. I think Tom one's a little bit of a bullhead sometimes, and literally that stupid fumble kick play, like literally cooked him. I think McCarthy will give him a chance. Um, I think if they get Rodgers back, they could be sneaky.

SPEAKER_01 1:04:32

I think Rodgers does come back. I really do think Rogers plays one more year. Yeah, I hope so. I love watching his life still. Alright, dude. That's an episode. It is. That's an episode. So we will be back next week. We'll probably have another mock draft at some point.

SPEAKER_00 1:04:50

Yeah, definitely. Uh I think probably uh, you know, we should think about that next week because it's what this weekend's Pro Bowl.

SPEAKER_01 1:04:56

Yeah, so it's a good it's a good spot. Pre-Super Bowl mock draft and then a post-Super Bowl mock draft with the finalized draft order. Um, all right, but that's gonna do it for us.

SPEAKER_00 1:05:05

Go ahead. I just want to say, as our like we we both should watch the Pro Bowl and give a review on it next week about how bad it is. Live stream it.

SPEAKER_01 1:05:14

Live stream reaction. All right. Well, that's gonna do it for us. We'll catch you in the next one. Peace.