2021 Week 18 Recap - The Craziest Sunday Ever?

the Chargers and the playoff bound Raiders. Can you believe it? How's everybody doing? I don't know. I don't know what else to talk about other than that game since it just ended. But I did notice how there was some like some haters kind of coming out about Week eighteen. They're like, oh, Week eighteens come and they've just served us, like the Eagles backups here on on Saturday night, as

if that didn't happen in every week seventeen anyways. But this week eighteen Sunday delivered, I mean in a in a way that I could not have possibly foreseen. Well, there were like a string of epic performances and epic games today and um, I mean that Sunday night game, which I believe was roughly five and a half hours long, that contest um totally delivered. I honestly it made me.

We'll get into it, but it made me think for just a minute of West's incredible speech about the meaningless of sports and trying to find meaning in it and reconciling that. And it's just something about the way this regular season, which has been an up and down affair, ended any most improbable insane game. Um, it was like gripping. It was gripping. It was football at its best. So no cynicism for me on the fact that it also was about five and a half hours long. I like

was walking around my garage. But obviously it was a great It was a great game, and there were a couple other games will today that we're insane. Also, you felt that lock slipping through your fingers. I'm sure you were struggling with that a little bit. You did get it done, kept your season alive with the Raiders, I'm sure as a fifteen point fourth quarter lead disappeared that that garage or is some walls that were in danger, and some controls and some some texts that we got.

Seemed like the anger was building, But it looks it all worked out well. I mean, you know, counter to that, as you could feel the Chargers coming back and inching closer to the potential world of a tie that would have caused utter chaos in Pittsburgh. So you know, there were a lot of little mini victories, um, that were possible. Here, a little mini victories on the on the front. All right, let's dig into it, um real quick. Saturday, it's gonna

be Raiders Bengals four thirty Eastern on NBC. Then, oh, we knew it was coming. It was inevitable. Patriots Bills rematch Saturday night game on CBS. Sunday, Eagles Bucks at one pm Eastern, and then Niners Cowboys four thirty Eastern on CBS Sunday. The Steelers, who are somehow in the playoffs, Uh, they get the Chiefs on Sunday Night Football. And then first ever, unless Greg can tell me it happened in a Monday Wild Card playoff game Cardinals rams from Sophie,

WHOA should we go to that game? All right, let's let's not get ahead of ourselves about west of this um coming back. The first Saturday afternoon game is in Cincinnati. But you know what it's not. It's not the Red Rocket starting this one. It's Joe Burrow. This is like West of Us for adults. Well, we've been getting, yeah, we've been getting a lot of West of This type tweets.

But this is not the West of Us that West used to talk about, because West of Us wasn't the Bengals just entering the playoffs and getting ready by the game. West of Us was a celebration of they're one and done that everyone saw coming, and it was always celebrated as the early kickoff game on Saturday. Now it is still the early kickoff game, but this feels different. Now, that's what said the same. Their heavy favorites. Hopefully they get it on. I can't believe no Colts, no Chargers.

We got the Raiders and the Steelers. All right, let's dig in, starting with yes, an instant classic from Vegas. Two seconds on the clock and Daniel Carlson is on to put a little frosting on the cake, a little forty seven yard Jeff Pomp puts such a Dadayah Purger Brent Musburger with the called Brent Musburger is like a hundred and forty years old old. That man was fully alive. With that call, Daniel Carlson capped a wonderful night for

the Kicker. He has got his own booth in the Kicker Clubs to night with his fifth field goal the difference in the thirty thirty two overtime win for the Raiders over the Chargers. Who and I know people are gonna say, oh, the Charger's gonna charge her, And they did it again. They blew it, And yes, in a way they did because I thought they were the better

team to set up well for them to advance. But the fight they showed with those fifteen unanswered points in the fourth quarter, that is something I'll remember, including that drive at the end of regulation. Anyway, Raiders events, as I said, they move on. But this is a game

that has so many levels and aspects to it. Greg, what what kind of jumped out to you the most when you kind of reflect upon it in about forty five minutes after the kick went through the uprights, Well, I I think let's hit the time out at the end of the game first, just because I feel like, because it's the last thing that ends up in the conversation. Obviously, you mentioned like the Herbert performance in the comeback and some of those throws were like that was more exciting

to me. But the fact that Brandon Staley took a time out on third and four with what was it thirty eight seconds left, to me was kind of like a nothing burger. And I think this is a case where like the announcers of the game, Alan Chris, We're getting so excited about the tie. Twitter is getting so excited about the tie that they like led everyone in this weird wrong direction. That was in some way saying

like the Raiders were laying down at that moment. The Raiders ran for seven yards on the previous play, and the Raiders at that point, we're not gonna throw the ball again. That was that was obvious. They were gonna run the ball and if they got close enough, you know, they presumably would kick a field goal to try to

win it. When Staley called that time out, he took two lightweight guys off the field that were struggling and run defense, and he put his run defense, you know, two guys who are better in run defense on the field because he just gave up seven yards. This is a terrible run defense. It's been the story of this

Chargers defensive season. Like the fact that they lost in the fourth downs and time outs like distract from the fact that he is a defensive coach and his defense stunk in a big spot like that, when basically I think the Raiders would have been okay going to a tie because they were they were just gonna run it, kind of like um our guy Sean McVeigh did at the end of the game, and if it didn't work, then they either punt or or they kick along field goal.

Staley wants to get a better guys out on the field, and they still couldn't stop it. They knew the run was coming. Josh Jacobs, who was great in this game, picks up ten yards and they kicked the game winning field goal, and they made this big deal about the time out, and that to me was just it was strange. It was like acting like the Raiders were not trying

in that situation. What they were trying to do was just run the ball, and they showed him that drive like they were gonna be able to do it and do it well. And this Chargers defense like let them down one final time. Well, Derek Carr said after the game that they you know, their intention was to win um And you know, I kind of don't really care what anyone says, But do you think that there's a different level of urgency if a tie would have led to both of them making the playoffs? That the Raiders

aren't pushing that hard to get a field goal. If but they're running the ball, what what what changes either way they're running the ball. I think you're the game was different because of the tie situation in the sense that the Raiders didn't have a huge motivation to throw there. And let's let's say that what would have changed. Let's say that that that Staley does not call the time out, the Raiders continue to run the ball, time expires, both

teams make the playoffs. Do you think that you don't think that would have been a possibility there? I do. I just think, wait, they would But what I'm saying is they would have run the ball and either I don't know what would have happened there, But let's say they run the same play and it gains ten yards, they then they kick a field goal either way. The point, and Staley said it after the game, was he was just trying to stop the run to make it as

on a field goal as possible. He called the time out not like early, and and the timing of it is what gives it away that he obviously was just doing that. He didn't call it with forty seconds left on the play. He called it with four seconds left. You know, he wasn't trying to save time necessarily. He was just trying to like stop them from running. And he looked and he saw formation that he didn't like, and they didn't stop the run. I I agree with you.

And yet Staley said after the game, Yeah, that was there was no there was no other um explanation other than what you're saying, Gregg. He just wanted to have a better defensive stop you in it on the field because he just saw them gave up seven yards like on a play where like they should not be giving up seven yards. And that's what it comes down to, I think, which is this game probably ends in a tie. And that poor dude, the Steelers fan at the stadium, he is he's like dead in the middle of the

aisle right now. If all they have to do is stop the run there and I think the Raiders are gonna play that very conservative and they're gonna make it look like they tried, but hey, you know that it is what it is. And I think it would have been a mess of story if the Raiders just ran the clock out without kneeling. And I think it could have happened if the Chargers could have just gotten to stop.

But you know, I think it didn't work out that way, and Carlson made the kick, and I think it was the best for everyone involved ultimately, not the Chargers obviously, but in the best interrance of football. I don't think a tie where nobody was really trying at the end would have been a great way for the season to end. I like the way it ended, and um I thought.

I thought Derek Carr, who did not have a very good game overall, made that huge money throw that set up those final runs that led to the game winning field goal. So he gets a little measure of revenge against Joey Bosa and the Chargers. Bosa who's trashed him um in the past for not being a money clutch player, and maybe he wasn't this game, but he delivered that big throw when necessary, And I I have to say,

in all my years like watching football. Certainly in my years doing this podcast with you guys, I I can't remember another drive like the Chargers game time drive in the fourth quarter. Nineteen plays, nineteen plays, eighty three yards, the touchdown at the gun um. It covered about two minutes in five seconds, about of game time, but about

twenty minutes of real time. It featured a conversion of fourth and ten, fourth and ten, third and ten, fourth and ten, and then the touchdown when they had one shot at the end zone or uh and they and they stuck it in there, Herbert making big throw after big throw after big throw. I'll never forget that drive. And that's why I like the Chargers fans that have been right or die with that team no matter what city they play in, are hurting again tonight. But men,

they didn't. It looked like about midway through the fourth quarter that it was a classic Chargers gonna charge or meltdown. But what they showed in this game was how it is different and they're not there yet, but with that dude, anything is possible. So I think it's a bitter sweet um night for Chargers fans who once again you're reminded how special that guy is behind center. And a credit to the whole team, because I think Collins were nailed it.

Those guys were gassed, and I think they caught some breaks with some time outs and some stoppages that even gave him a chance to get into the end zone there because they had nothing left and they weren't even to midfield yet. Um, but that took some real guts that drive that. So I have a lot of respect for the Chargers and what they did tonight, and the drive before was four team plays, like they were absolutely

winded by the time that thing ended. And it's I think it's just one of those games that the complexion of it shifted so many times and you come out thinking like you can make a bunch of mistakes and errors and get in your own way, but when you have Justin Herbert, anything is possible. And the tie felt or the the going into overtime felt inevitable once they

got going that way. But I mean, I do think if you're a Chargers fan, you look back on a lot of little what if moments like the Andre Roberts botched punt return that just basically set the Raiders up for a quick score. You know, when they I'm not disagreeing with this call. Again, we discussed this issue a thousand times, but they are stuffed on fourth and one from their own eight teen yards in the third quarter. I mean, the thing is, it's just like that's that's

who they are, that's their philosophy. I mean, justin Herbert inside your own in a game that your season is on the line, that I'm the last like math nerd personnelity. But like it's like there were tweets showing that, like over and over. The suggestion was you go for it. I think from a just like a human angle, it's like that it didn't it did it kind of it was a pivotal because it's not showing a lot of respect to the Raiders offense. The play call did not

work out. I mean, it just it's one of those things you look back on. But that's who the Chargers are, and Brandon Steely said that all season long, like this is what we do. But they're not a good interior running team and they weren't on that play. And like Darius Philon, who got carded for the Raiders, made a great play on that play. So you got to think about like the strength of your team. I don't mind

going for it there. They ended up going six or seven on fourth downbell lot of those we're in that late desperation mode. There was also a right and well one of them was fourth and two early that that ated seven points to the to the score they would, you know they would if they kicked the field goal there. That kind of evens out. But it's not just like Herbert hitting those throws is like the quality of those

throws were outrageous. The touchdown to tie it at the buzzer at the last game of regulation was one of the best throws of justin Herbert's life. He's, you know, going to his He's going to his left and he throws it down in a way when Mike Williams is getting double covered, bracketed and man coverage, like that's impossible,

Like that was unreal throw. Rickie, can we hear because I really, um my buddy, Matt Money Smith, um our friend the voice of God for the A T N podcast, I have to heal hear his call of the touchdown at the end of regulation. It's the only time we're gonna hear Money until next September in terms of calls. But this one I'm sure it was worth it. Herbert and the shotgun. Here is the season they rushed for. Here comes Max Crosby, Herbert to the end zone. But

but st Chargers. Mike Williams, d J. I don't believe what we have witnessed. Laugh or cry, Buddy, laugh or cry. We are tied at nine. What a treat for NFL fans everywhere except for one. Um. Mike Williams, by the way, kudos. He's one of those guys that was tough as nails and you know, just running those go routes, going up and down the field. Uh, he's gonna sleep for three days. Uh. Nearly made three one handed catches, including one that preceded

the game tying field goal in overtime. If he comes down with any of these balls, a different game. But then you could say, on the other side, between Derek carrs um accuracy issues on downfield shots and some drops on their side of the ball, it could have been a very different game. So man, it was. It was

just the hell of a game. I'll never forget it. Yeah, I think like Max Crosby won this game as much as like a defensive end could because I think just how many points the Chargers would have put up if Crosby wasn't just destroyed. He by the way he entered the fourth quarter. According the next gens, that's like eight pressures behind the season lead of pressures. I forget who was that was in front of him, and he had nine in that quarters. He ended up like winning that.

It was just like outrageous that the third and one last like little point was like and this goes back to the Charges run defense, so it's kind of a full circle thing. The key playing the game, I thought before those last couple of drives and was the third and twenty three run that Jalen Richard had at the end of the first half. The the Chargers are winning by four there, and we're gonna get the ball back with over a minute to go and put up more points.

And that ends up being like at least the seven points swing. The Raiders go down and score a touchdown because the Chargers can't stop a rushing play on third and twenty three. That really changed the game. And uh that that was like during a little segment where the Chargers had one first down in five drives. So it's like every every aspect of both of these teams played a part in this game. And and that was the longest third down run to get a first down of

the entire year by any team. And so it came at the perfect moment. Have you remember it was the game was over a too until they overturned the fourth and sixth spot at you know, to give the Chargers to play. It was that moment where I thought, oh, maybe the Chargers will win this thing. And then and let's close this game out by giving credit where credits due to Rich Masaccia, to Derek Carr, to Josh Jacobs, to Za Jones, that whole team that d fence the

offensive line. They finished ten and seven this year, and when they lost forty eight nine at Kansas City, they just seemed like they were done for. And then I and I'll own up to it. I I wrote them off multiple times, including a couple of days ago. They were your rider Die team back in like some Week four episode. I don't know if you remember this episode.

In the end, you were you were right, yeah, and Eldad I liked, I like playing it this way, but like, uh, they edged by the Browns, they edged by the Broncos, they stunned the Colts in Indy and then play great football and win this game. So it's it's all house

money now for the Raiders. And I know they're gonna be a heavy underdog um next week, but it doesn't matter this considering everything that this team went through this year between Gruden and Rugs uh and having an interim coaches dropped into out of nowhere to be able to go on this run in December. In January, congratulate relations to the Raiders and those fans and big year, big

year uh for Vegas football. Alright, in one little thing, like I think, you know, our overall impression of Derek Carr, the football community's overall impression has changed as he incrementally gets hotter and hotter with each passing week. Why is he looking more attractive to me than at any previous time in his career. That's that's how we're buttoning up that game. I say, maybe not the final note we were looking for, but I just think that he's kind

of feeling, you know, he's in his zone. He's feeling the calm. No wonder, Mark's not cynical, he's uh, he's gonna be rewatching that Raiders, you know, postgame interview a little later and get real comfortable. All right, let us now move on through the rest of the FC. So we're gonna hit all the A f C games and then we're gonna move to the NFC. All right, Let's move now to the biggest upset of the day. Oh Man, come on, Colts. Fourth and goal for the Colts. Jackson

Will leads this game twenty three to three. They handed to Jonathan Taylor. Jonathan Taylor, you didn't do it. He did not get there, but Jackson has stuffed him again at the one yard line. The bound goes go to the Jaguars, who a little teaser move out of the basement of the power rankings. Who j even will take

their place to end the season. Frank f Angie with the call w O k V. Trevor Lawrence captain his best games of pro the beautiful recovery and TV pass and the Jacksonville defense made that big goal line stop to basically lock it up It. Colts gag their way to infamy on Sunday, blowing their chance at the playoffs and its stunning eleven lost to the Jaguars at the Big Chlorine Tank. NFL rushing champion Jonathan Taylor held to

seventy seven yards. Carson Wentz turned the ball over twice, leading to ten points, and in defaulted in all phases to the three and fourteen Jags. Greg this was an outcome that can change the course of the entire organization in Indianapolis. It is just hard to believe because it wasn't like one of those games where it's just I can't believe he made that play, or I can't believe they made that call, or even just I don't even think you can just say, or you know, Carson Wentz

is a bum, like I get it. There was a segment when I'm sure red zone was all over this game in the third quarter where Carson Wentz um did not rise to the moment. But at that point they were already down by two touchdowns and Carson Wentz hadn't been that involved in that game in a negative way that the Jaguars just like looked better. And you mentioned Terevor Lawrence playing his best game. He played a perfect

first half. They kind of took the ball out of his hands in the second half, but when they needed just one play out of him, he made it that that scramble and throwing it up high to Marvin Jones, who had an awesome play. Uh, just a reminder of like how talented Lawrence is and his teammates let him down a few times today. They could have won this game by about thirty. I was saying when I was watching this game, I was thinking, Oh my god, are they gonna blow this because they should be winning by

about twenty five or thirty, but they didn't. Their defensive line, offensive line, everyone just freaking can we can we catch the ball? Can we catch? Can we catch the ball? That? I'm totally with you, Greg, This was there was nothing flukey about the outcome. The Jaguars kicked the Colts butt in this game. And that's why Mark Frank right after the game, do we have that, Ricky right after the game? I never expect to be sitting here, you know, having this,

having this moment right now, not like this. You know, we had a good week of practice, We had good preparation all week long. UM felt good energy the whole week, every day, every meeting. UM, I felt like we had three good plans. I like the players were dialed in and and we just didn't get it done today. You know, we just didn't get it done coaching or playing. I mean, right, Mark, he looks stunned, because there's no way you could have

predicted an Egg at this magnitude. Yeah, I mean, I think it's a top five Cults loss of all time. I mean, I really do. And I mean I know it wasn't in the playoffs per se, but it was a total collapse. And maybe there were hints of it when they fell to the Raiders the way they did. Although we think a little differently about the Raiders right now,

but you know, I don't. I didn't put anything into the fact that they hadn't won in Jacksonville, but it was an utter no show, and I think it raised It's like when you think about the Cults in general, they had they had dominated in back to back wins over the Patriots and Cardinals. They seemed like one of the more sure things in the a f C. But it did hedge around the fact that you needed Jonathan Taylor to be operating at m v P levels, you needed Carson Wentz to keep the mistakes down. And today

you got the worst version of those two scenarios. And and I'm just stunned by how dominant Jacksonville wasn't makes me think when they beat up the Bills that one week, but that just felt like such an adoration because the offense in Jacksonville had been so bad. But you got Trevor Lawrence's best game at the perfect moment for them,

and they still come out with the number one overall pick. Yes, because the Lions lost the lines upset one of the packers keeps the Jags at number one, So it's it's literally it's a perfect day for the Jaguars in every way it is. And it was the offensive line for the Colds, I think more than anything that killed them, Like they couldn't push them in the running game. There was a couple of short yard situations they couldn't get early. You heard the fourth down call. Uh. And Eric Fisher

was just getting destroyed. Some sometimes the games about matchups, and Josh Allen terrorized Eric Fisher in this first matchup where they could not get anything done throwing the ball either, and they're often was pretty bad that day too, and Josh Allen just destroyed Eric Fisher, who was coming off

an injury today. Uh. And it's almost just short circuit of the entire offense, like when that happens, and it's like a Chargers game in Storm Norton getting dominated, like justin Herbert can overcome that somehow, when it's the Colts, like Carson Wentz is not overcoming and the Cults committed the cardinal sin of any type of team in this situation late in the season, when you need it, when the other teams ready to go home for the winter, you let you get off to a little bit of

a slow start, and you give the Jags a reason to you know, start to rally around each other and start to get pumped up and get the crowd involved. And by the end of the first quarter, you knew this was gonna be a game. It was almost like shades of Like I showed um the boys, Um we got the Nintendo Classic, as I told you, which is just going off in the house right now, and they've been playing Mike Tyson's punch Out, Uh, that classic game.

So I I showed him like a clip of Mike Tyson's you know, all of his knockouts and gave him on YouTube and gave him the rundown. And then right when they thought this was literally the most dangerous baddest man alive. No one has been better. It's like, now watch this, And I showed him the bust that Buster Douglas fight, and they watched it like I felt like I was watching the Tokyo Dome event live in my

uncle Bob's house, like they were stunned. It's kind of like that, like where but Mike Tyson let Buster Douglas start to believe and then that was it. And I think that's what happened with the cults here, and I just don't know what because Carson Wentz Obviously, it washes away everything this season. It really does. It's that devastating, and it really anybody that doubted Carson Wentz now says, see, I was right all along, and you kind of were.

But I think it's very important what you pointed out, Greg, which is Carson Wentz didn't step up in this game, but neither did anybody else on the team, not the offensive line, not the playmakers, not even the defense. With Darius Leonard, who had a huge personal foul late in the game. It just looks like this weird everyone falls off and then it's like, who Who's that? Going back to Frank Reich has to take heat to this team was not ready and we saw it organizationally, it's it's everyone,

it's the whole thing. And then ultimately you look back on the Carson Wentz trade with the Eagles and someone tweeted this out that the Cults get Carson Wentz, the Eagles get a top twenty pick, a third round pick, a hundred three million in cap relief. The Eagles made the playoffs. The Cults are going home, right. I mean, Wentz is under contract for a couple of years. I just don't think he's going anywhere. And you know, of course,

I guess it shouldn't need to be said. I don't think Frank Reich or Chris Baalory are going anywhere, so I don't. I don't think it's like something that changes their organization necessarily. It's just like an ultimate like what far? How this? How this season ended? And that The thing with Wentz is, yeah, he wasn't the reason they fell behind. Like Trevor Lawrence was great on third downs in the first drive. It really set the tone, like he made great plays to keep that drive going and they had

a long touchdown drive. But when they're trailing by two touchdowns in the third quarter, and that was like the moment you needed a franchise quarterback. He had one of his worst quarters of the year, Like he just started short circuiting and had that had that quarter, and it was just like and he had the long this is like and damn, this is our quarterback here that we

need right now. And it was just as it's becoming the biggest story in the NFL and everyone's eyes are on the games and and CBS wisely is cutting repeatedly to the sideline and you see Wentz and it's like, that does not look like a leader of men that's about to save the day. And he wasn't. So it wasn't all on him, but he certainly played a big role in their collapse, losing back to back games, missing the playoffs entirely, and like we talked about at the

top of the show, um you needed this. This changed everything. This pumped life into Week eighteen. We needed either Jacksonville or Houston to do something crazy. Jacksonville did it, and it opened a door for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Let's take a break and then we'll hit that game. All right here it is and over time to try to win it. A thirty six yard effort for the magic of Boz.

The ball is down, the kickers on its way, That kickers up there, Kickers guard, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have defeated the Bollimore Ravens, and the Steelers are headed for playoff Land. Wow, Bill Hill Goam spoke too soon. They're Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers aren't dead, They're undead. The zombie Steelers aren't probably and possibly even alive after a

win over the Ravens in Baltimore. That win, combined with the cults stunning loss to the Jags and the game on Sunday Night not ending in a tie, allows the Roethlisberger led Steelers to enter the playoffs for the I don't need I meant to look this up. I'm gonna say in his Hall of Fame career, it's probably closer to like what ten twelve. Yes, it's probably closer to al right, the stats research department is on it, buddy, Alright, Greg.

The rest of the a f C had a month to deliver the head shot to kill the walking dead out of Western Pennsylvania. They could not do it. I think this is the fourteen playoff trip might be thirteen if I counted digging there. That is just the outrageous. I can't believe this team got the nine seven and one. They ruined marks eight and one first, No, I guess what, it's not going to happen now until so sorry to everyone they ruined that they like this was just such

a one season Steelers game. Then could have thrown four interceptions. He was rough was Tyler Tyler huntly made He's the mistake, especially in the red zone, you know, late in that game when they're up four to throw that interception and where he just forced it in in a field goal there really felt like it's probably gonna be enough. Um, it was brutal and man it was. I just I'm impressed.

T J. Watt not only sets the SAT SAT record, he does it in a huge spot, like in a second and goal situation where you end up stopping the Ravens from uh scoring a touchdown, Like that's that's the way you want to do it. He tied the record with Michael Strahan. Now so that is now they're together in the record books. Uh. He had a sack immediately as the game began, on a strip sack and then they changed it and just ruled it a forced fumble.

Otherwise the record would be his. But I'm glad it worked out the way it did, and now we just needs somebody else. Maybe it'll be t J Wat him self to break it out, right, but now stray hams to share the record, and I like it. It's would have been nice to him because that was pretty early in the game. That was the second quarter. It would have been nice for him to set it. But that that was the thing about what and why. He'll probably

win defensive player there. The next play after that, he made a great tipped pass to like, you know, break up a pass from Huntley too. He was all over the place. The rate the offense in this game was was pretty rough. I was watching this just thinking, man, I don't want to see either one of these teams in the playoffs. You know. You know what was not told that that initial sack was taken away, he thought.

And then he had a later one where he and Cam Hayward combined on a half sack and that was taken away because Cam Hayward had a hit to the head, so you know, Razor's edge, but they but they what was not informed? I thought? That was a little bit tough. Um, I can't help but leave this season just thinking about the Ravens and how well coached they were, how many dark corners they got out of to get to this point.

It's such a season of what ifs, but it makes it leaves me with with um more respect for that organization. As my voice continues to disappear here. I mean, the Ravens they ended this season, went on a six game losing streak. They went they were eight and three and they finished eight and nine. Of course, a lot of that goes back to injuries, and they just five of

those were on the last play. I mean, they were decimated and then lost a lot of close games in the second after after winning a lot of close games in the first half. But it's, like you know, it is it's disappointing because we talked about the Saints in the same way a couple of weeks ago, and the Saints closed strong and found ways and the and the Ravens just could not finish out these games. So just

a very frustrating loss for them and the and the Steelers. Listen, first of all, Steelers fans, Damna Shack and everybody else that had to be the most painful, strange Sunday night football experience ever. I mean when they cut to that fan the NBC cameras, the Steelers fan that's somehow in Vegas and he saw what looked like the Raiders running out the clock at midfield. Um, can you imagine the what all those fans went through and for it to

end the way it did on a field goal. If he misses the field goal, it's a tie and you missed the playoffs. That would have been an all timer in terms of fan pay. Wasn't that wasn't all time? Or just thinking about it that that puts the Steelers into I mean, man, so they are gonna enter the playoffs as underdogs because they're just there. Let's face it, I'm not a very good team. But credit to Mike

Tomlin and credit to t J watt Uh. I guess you give Ben some credit because he did, uh have the big fourth down conversion there that's set up the field goal that allowed them to advance. He's running on empty uh and yet now he's wandering like a walker into the playoffs. It's pretty crazy to see that it's the Steelers who come out of that division with the Bengals because they still clearly felt like the fourth best

team for much of the year. Yeah, this is I don't know if this season, you know, we needed a seventh AFC team, But this is how it works works out some years. Credit to Marky's Brown too, for dropping that touchdown in the end zone, um late in the game that was right in his breadbas He probably probably would have won the game there talk about it. He's almost like the embodiment of the raven season, starting so well and promising and cratering in the end. So toughire

for the Ravens. They'll be back with Lamar Jackson assuming his ankles better by week one next September. I don't know. That was a weird injury the way it all played out, But the Steelers move on. Who do the Steelers have again? They got the Chiefs. The Chiefs chief debliterated them a couple of weeks. Now, you know, these things have a way of surprising you. But just the way it all shuck out, I feel like we got the most lopsided

or less least interesting matchups possible. But but maybe maybe Raiders, Bengal Steelers, Chiefs, Eagles, Bucks, Maybe those will surprise me. Come on, do I have to watch a game of Nickelodeon, the Cowboy game, the nine er Cowboy Game. Just give me a heads up. Yes, I don't have to. I'm making you, you know, Troy, Troy and Joe will have that.

All right? Good, so double check. It's great for the kids, and Nate does a great job with it and everything, but sting to make sure I wasn't getting banged as an adult in a big spot there. Um, all right, So the Steelers advance one more week of the Ben retirement, one more weakest stories about Big Ben. The Zobbie Steelers live on. I cannot believe it. What was that? Ben? Wow? He even laughs like a zombie. Let's not assume one

more week. I don't want to jinx that and suddenly have two or three or four point alright, So the Colts cannot take care of business against an a f C South also ran. The Titans also had a chance to uh win in a layup or so we thought

that turned out to be a challenge as well. Tannahill looks laughed, comes back to the middle fires, Julio Joe tsa Titans five like hoo for six Mike Keith with the called w g f X. The Titans clinched the top spot in the a f C the for the first time in fourteen years, beating the Texans twenty five behind Ryan Tannehill's career high tying four touchdown passes. That was the twelfth win of the year for the Titans.

They locked up their second straight ANFC South title last week, and they have the number one seed in a f C for the third time since leaving Houston in ninety seven, first time since two thousand eight. Talked about that on Thursday they were one and done, so they're looking to change that up this year. They also get the first round by of course Mark This one looked like a laugher at halftime, but Houston and Davis Mills made Tennessee earn it in the end. Yeah, this this crew fishy

for Tennessee. I mean, they had a twenty one nothing lead at half, they had out gained the the Texans two hundred and sixty eight yards to sixty seven. It looked like Houston was simply not going to be able to operate on any level. And then in the second half, Davis Mills, who I mean, I think We've seen these halves from him where he suddenly gets hot. He's efficient, he can throw the ball really well. Like just caught

total fire, Danny Ammondola caught total fire. I mean, this is like a team built of like expatriots and and people that he had been essentially been written them off. And the Titans like or the Titans in the second half open with three straight three and outs and you really just starting to wonder if maybe they get caught

off guard here. And I thought that Tannehill made one of the plays of the year and it was essentially a third and five where they were just searching for life and he got whacked by this guy, Jacob Martin. It looked like he was gonna go down. He escapes the sack and completed a thirty six yard pass to Nick Westbrook Akina, which helps set up the touchdown their only score of the second half, and it was just enough to escape, so they did what they needed to do.

It grew a little too close for comfort, but they are your number one seed. It's a very tighten win. That play was awesome, by the way, I know, I thought it was just everything about Tannehill. Tis hunted away over Texans have a chance. Yeah. That so that was I agree, that was the turning point of that game. And it is interesting to me that and this is I'm not factoring in any overtime minutes and and would

love to be a grave digger on right now. Um and one thousand, twenty minutes of game time for the Titans and the regular season. Uh, it took until the one thousand and thirteenth minute for Julio Jones to score a touchdown. But he was a difference maker here. I think there were a couple of games justin where he was a difference maker in my couple, I mean too.

But now now he gets two weeks. Uh. A J. Brown gets two weeks, and most importantly, yeah, boy, Derek Henry gets two weeks with Ryan Tannehill going into the playoffs with confidence, where's your confidence level at one to ten about deep playoff run? Probably like a nine ish. I mean, just watching the other a f C teams today, it's like the Chiefs are clearly one of the best teams, and I think the Titans are the other best team. And I think a Titans Chiefs en a f C

Championship game rematch is somewhat inevitable at this point. Oh, I like the confidence. I'm I I that's a great point because I thought the same thing kind of looking at the a f C, where the Bills have been a little wonky here late in the season, and that you just wonder about what version of that team shows up. The Bengals are obviously the X factor here, but you

don't look at them as some unstoppable superpower. So the Titans, by virtue of having the advantage of a free pass to the divisional playoffs and the home home game, Yeah, they're set up very well here in the conference that's wide open, well in the way that Seeds fell, and it's always dangerous to project out because either way they

play the lowest seed. But I think if I was a Titans fan, I would like the idea that you could avoid Kansas City and or Buffalo until the conference, that that if the Seeds held, you get the Bengals, and I think that's probably your best possible matchup. But you also just you know, gave up a huge comeback by Davis Mills in the second half. I mean, let's not let's not beat our chest too much. I don't see a free pass barring a massive upset by the Raiders or Steelers. I don't see a free pass here

once you get to that. Finally, no free no free pass. It's basically just there was a scenario. You know, it could have felt different. I guess if that if you somehow get stuck against the Chiefs, But since they one Saturday,

I guess you weren't worried about it, right if you had. Basically, I think, like you know, the Patriots have a pretty good shot to upset the Bills with Belichick just being such a great defensive mind there that that would be a pretty good matchup for the Titans to the Bengals have so much trouble on the offensive line. Can they stop the run? I feel like once you get into the playoffs, the teams that can run and stop the

run have such an advantage. And the Titans have been so good stopping to run lately, and they once they get there Henry back. I mean, they've been running the ball well without Derrick Henry, so once you get him back, they should be able to continue pounding it. I think the second half today was I mean, definitely discouraging, but it also gives you a lot of good teaching points for the next two weeks, so you don't go into the playoffs too like overconfident or whatever. Yea, I hear

you on that. Wait what what's what are you laughing about? Mark? I mean, I just you know, I it concerned me a little bit what happened in the second half, But I'm with Grave Digger that like they are who they are, They've been really resilient, and I don't there's no team in the league that would be helped more heading in the playoffs with a week off to get healthier. And I would say, I would guess Grave Digger, and you

tell me if my hunch is correct. That all, like the uh bozos like me and and tens of thousands of other quote unquote analysts of the field who were in love with the Cults this season, they go down in flames while you lock up the number one seeds. So this feels like a pretty nice day for Titans Nation.

It was. I think Titans Twitter was like more excited to see the Colts lose than they were to see the Titans win, because everyone kind of expected the Titans to beat the Texans, but nobody really expected the Jags to beat the Colts when it's been it's been months of people, you know, telling you Titans man that, like the Cults are actually the better team here, and it's like there is an aura of disrespect. I think that fan base. You've won twelve games, you're the number one

seeds in the Chiefs. I don't know, it's it's funny like this is gonna sound like still trying to fight a battle that's already lost now. But like two weeks ago, that absolutely made sense and it wasn't. I don't know what happened to the Cults, but I will tell you one thing. I did what I did do. I dipped into the Cults subreddit just to see what was going on. Whoa, whoa. Not not pleasant. So I'm sure the Titans, maybe tight and Span did the same thing. But you don't. You don't.

You don't inter you don't interact in that situation. You don't dare get into the uh the commentary and rub In or anything, but you just if you want to check it out. I sometimes like to lurk uh for teams that I dislike or teams that are going through something very painful, and I thought that was interesting, say is definitely in there. Like account. The Coults have seven Pro bowlers and didn't make the playoffs. That's crazy, very crazy. And the Titans are a team that says, hey, we uh,

we've been overlooked. Now is our time. So the stage is set. Good job for you by you, grave digger. I'm sure the metrics are rolling in over on the Titans Film Room podcast, nailed it. You got one coming up? You got one coming up tonight or what tomorrow? We'll record tomorrow. Let's just get it up early. Okay, let's take advantage of the fan excitement. You know, you're right, You're right, the good stuff all right, there you go, the Titans take care of business. Let's now move Uh.

And by the way, good for Davis Mills. He's fun to watch. I don't know what, but nice little ballplayer. I noticed um quickly on the Texans that that they're considering moving on from David Culley, according to our NFL network guys, and they sort of hinted that if they were moving on from David Culley, it would indicate that they're like confident in getting the specific person that they want, and it's Nick Cassario. So you could try to guess. Josh McDaniels would be a logical one, have links he

was like in McDaniels wedding. But I don't know. You never you never know. But it sounds like that that the bad job is in here, that they have someone that they want, which I remember like banging the drum about that in August. It always felt like Cully was set up to just be the patsy here, but for to his credit, he didn't let the Texans become a laughing stock. They really did battle once they got their feet um on the ground in about October. So all right,

bad bad juju. If they fire Coulie, he's really done a nice job for them. The contract unlike I mean, it still would be a bad job and terrible um, but unlike the players, the contracts are guaranteed, so that's an He got a five year contract, which is now I'm confused, so and I know something. It's maybe standard for these guys to get five years or something close

to it. But if you gave him a five year deal and then he took that roster of nobody's and made them competitive week after week and made them get better as the season got along, and then you fire them. It's almost like the Texans don't have a clear plan what they want to do with their organization. I'm just that's just like a theory that I'm percolating in my brain that they might not know what the all they're doing. I think you're connecting some dots there in a in

a wise way. All right, let's move to back to Saturday, where the Chiefs were looking to give themselves a chance to take that number one seat. It didn't work out, of course, but they did their part, just barely. Lock this up the balls and picked up by the chase, take the office all again. Looks at midfield, go it's story. It's on, Nickboleton, Nickpole, what's the clinic? Damn side? Touch

down jans Our City on a defensive score. Melvin Ingram knocked up ball out from Melvin Gordon the third and it was picked up by Nick Bolton, the rookie linebacker. Mitch Holt's with the called w D A F. What a dramatic play. And I've been mixing up Melvin Gordon and Melvin Ingram on the show for about five years now. They finally met up in a dramatic moment. And it did not work out well for the running back Melvin at all. On a day when the offense was held

in check. It was once again the Chiefs defense that stepped up for the a f C West Chance champs. Melvin Ingram forced the Melvin Gordon fumble. Nick Bolton scooped it up, took it to the house game swinging playin for Kansas City. As I said at the time, it moved the Chiefs into the number one spot in the a f C. Titans took care of business Sunday took it back. So the Chiefs the number two seed and they get a nice matchup there, as we've said, against

the Steelers on Sunday night. Now Mark News out of Denver after the game. It was reported the next morning that the Um Dick Fongio is out after three years without a playoff trip. Uh and the Broncos. It seems Mark are trapped in a time loop right now. Uh, and they are looking for a coach. Yeah, and I think it's you know for whoever Um is interested in that job, and Um becomes an interview candidate. Like there

are questions, major questions around the quarterback situation. I mean, in another world, maybe Las Vegas opens up to You've got a quarterback there, and like Denver has a huge problem to solve on that front. I don't know, you know, I mean Vic Fongio. It's me. It's just the latest example of like I love to have him as a coordinator, but these teams that are built around like it's like an impenetrable defense and not much else on offense, um are just seemed doomed to me. That said, I mean,

like the Chiefs. They ran for like a hundred yards on the Chiefs. That's the second time that's happened in Kansas City in a couple of weeks now, and I a little concerned about that. I'm little concerned about Tyreek hills Hell, I mean his health going into next week. But other than that, they're very explosive, and I think we're looking at the Chiefs team that's going to be very very tough, very tough out. Yeah they are. And

yet this was a bummer of a week. I think they had a really bad week because as Hill got her in warm ups, him and Kelsey haven't done anything in the last two weeks. Combine kind of had the ball force to them. Demon Williams, who's been really good, was banged up in this game. Edwards a Laire is out right now, and there cornerbacks are just playing like this man. I guess they've been playing man coverage and being that aggressive all season, but they've gotten roasted in

the last two games. The only reason it didn't come back to haunt him in this one is Drew Lock just you know, couldn't connect on on a lot of these passes, and the Broncos couldn't quite make them pay. But I think that could that could be a problem in in some playoff matchups. And offensively, it was like it was the story of their season basically wrapped into one game. That the Chiefs only had seven drives in this game. Essentially they averaged ten plays to drive in those.

That's that's outrageous. They averaged ten plays to drive um and so it's not like the Broncos were stopping them. But it was just like endless seven year are throws from Mahomes. So he had to throw a lot of passes to get to where he was at and they ended up needing a defensive score to get it done. Listen, the Chiefs win twelve games. They win their division, they very nearly get the number one seed. So on some level,

they did what we expected the Chiefs to do. But I've never in the last you know, in the Mahomes era, felt that there as vulnerable as they are this year, just because you know, Patrick Mahomes averaging six yards per attempt is something that's happened too often this season. And yeah, I think the injury the Tyreek Hill is as major and it really puts a lot of pressure and guys like Nicole Hardman and Byron Pringle and Travis Kelsey uh

to step up and be special. So while I think you know, they're set up to you know, get through the first round, certainly I think they'll take care of business there after that, I see it as being pretty much a crap shoot, you know, in the a f C, because the Chiefs just they've shown us too much too many times this year that they are capable of because being very, very human and vulnerable on any given week.

So if they went on like a three game tear, I mean, I'm with you, like they've just not been the old Chiefs in various ways all year. But I mean, what if suddenly the last two years and won the last the first time, so yeah, But at the same time, like that would also be maybe a break from who they've been for most of the season, right. I thought Mohams had played his best three games of the year in terms of a stretch and a row leading into this game, and he played well. He played fine in

this game. It wasn't really on him. It was more of the offense around him. They did have a great Sunday though, getting the Steelers instead of the Chargers. To me, if you're if you're a Chiefs fan, that is a

pretty big difference. I mean, right, Mahomes my Homes said after this game, we're still looking for that complete game, and I laughed because he was removed from the Steelers game a couple of weeks ago with a thirty to three lead with thirteen minutes left, or thirty three to three lead with thirteen It was like, well that wasn't a complete game. Why because Henny didn't you know that. It's like, well, we could have played a lot better when we were un thirty three to three against the Steelers.

That's probably what he felt. It's also the middle of January. It's like you're still looking for the best version of your team. It might not be shown up, it may have already happened. I hate the I hate the Andy Reid punts in opposing territories. It's two straight weeks where it could have hurt them. You know you've got Patrick Mahomes as your quarterback, you're punting on fourth and five from the forty is like back to back weeks. It's

dealing me um. And I think with the Broncos as they begin their head coaching search, it just feels like you could hire whoever. But until they figure out this quarterback situation, we'll see what happens to soft. Ownership is a problem, like it's it's the biggest um question I think for any coach or anything going on. I mean,

ownership right now is it's a legal fight. It's unclear who the owner will be for the next coach, but it's it's pretty clear that the current owner will not be the owner for very long for this new coach, assuming a new coach gets hired. So that that to me is very problematic. But you're very hazardous. Like every everything you hear about where to go for a job, like that's that's all bunch of red flags. Right there right, Like if you how how attractive is this Broncos job.

They don't have a big time quarterback in place, they don't have stability and ownership, like they're not gonna be able to get a top candidate. It makes it makes me wonder if they would have knocked off the chiefs here, whether the Broncos would have thought about keeping Vic around knowing that as well, because they're not they're not naive to the fact that this is going to be present a challenge for them. Um, but they didn't get the

job done. It's the story of the Broncos in the fan Gio era, good defense, offense, making big mistakes and killing them. And I'll do it the last time, maybe on this show. With Vic now out the door no longer in a big chair, moment of silence for Vick, followed by this, fuh, we'll be right back. Takes the snap out of the gun, steps up in the pocket, looks into the end zone, trying to fire it, gonna keep it himself. Finally throws it. Wait it is caught

in the end zone. No, it is incomplete. Stefon Diggs, I don't think he got his feet down in the end zone. Yeah, this is this is essentially a four point swings for discussion, it is a touchdown. They don't have to challenge. You can talk him into it. Go crazy, Orchard Park. Let's go Buffalo over the Jets in a game where the offense, once again for Buffalo, I just scratching your head a little bit. Never really came together against the Jets, who entered the game with the thirty

second ranked defense in the league. But it didn't really matter because the Bill's defense absolutely destroyed the Jets offense, holding them to wait for it, fifty five yards total, the lowest total in the history of the New York Jets, uh, fifty five yards of offense. They've somehow got ten points out fifty five yards. There was a fourth and uh fourth down completion from Zach Wilson to Keenan Cole that went for forty yards for a touchdown, but that was

about it. The Bills, so not very impressive by a long shot on offense, but against a team like the Jets, you didn't need to be perfect. But that's too straight, Mark, that's two straight games going to the playoffs, where yes, you got the ws against the Falcons and the Jets. But the Bills attack wasn't in gear. Will they be

able to flip the switch against better competition? Well, I don't seem to have the same faith in buff Low that um that you guys do, and so I view them as a team that's gonna get picked off in the a f C after maybe winning the game. But I mean, I feel like every time I looked up, uh Zack Wilson was getting absolutely pummeled. He was sacked nine times. They were one for fourteen on third downs

in my one. You know, this isn't a Jets conversation so much, but that lack of consistency on what they've been on offense is concerning. I mean, Buffalo, I think just played a discombobulated attack today. If anything, well, the Jets offense has been you know, better in the last couple of weeks, certainly last week. So to hold the Jets to fifty three yards the lowest in franchise history, I mean, they get some credit for that. You know, it's like no one, no one else has done done

that to them. That is outrageous that the New York Jets have played a lot of football games to have this be the lowest amount in the history. And there was a guy the Jets, And it didn't help that the Jets of we're missing all their wide receivers mostly by the end of the game, there was this guy named Terik Black on the field, and man, I'm a pretty big Jets fan, like I know this roster, I have no idea who that guy is. And he actually made a catch and it was his first career catch

and that was good for him. But you know, they missed. They missed between Um between the Elijah Moore, between Jamison Crowder, between Keenan cole Um the Tennessee wide receiver. It's late Davis. They were they were on the third left tackle and they were definitely short. They missed so many they were missing so many guys. So none of this was very predictable. Zack Wilson did end the year without an interception in his last five games. Go build around the kid, uh Now.

The Bills good news. Also, for the second straight week a hundred and seventy yards rushing. Uh So that that helps as well. Obviously, Devin Singletary showed some signs of life late in the season, so the running game is in a good place for them. UM Josh Allen in the passing game, very up and down. Uh forty five attempts against Jets again, thirty second ranked in the league, worst events in the league statistically, and the average touch over five yards per tempt. So they got to clean

it up. It wasn't very good weather. They're very windy, uh icy day. Uh so you gotta factor that in as well, but take care of business game. But also I look at the Bills and I'm like, hmmm, are you going into the playoffs in a good in a good place? I'm not sure. I'm not sure right, but I think and we'll we'll have all week to talk about it. I know it's getting late because because Emica is coming into the room now, we're taking in the bedrooms. I think it's um um. I think they're happy to

see the Patriots. I really do. Just I think just because it's like a familiar opponent that they just played their best game of the season against a few weeks ago. Not that that guarantees a victory, just that like they know this, they know this team there. I don't think they're gonna be um intimidated by it at all. It's a very familiar opponent's not like, oh, we gotta go do a bunch of work to like figure out the Patriots. Well, they know, they know they know Buffalo too, right, We'll

see I think Saturday. My point is they're just like familiar. I think both teams will go into Mark before you get to anti Bills, because you're known to do this on the show. Let's check in with the Patriots did in their final game. They throw it out Myers Myers, and we're just gonna run around with it. Touchdown, Touchtown, miamis gloven intercepted the pitch in the end zone. It's a fable recovery, but it's a pitch. It's a touchdown.

Gimme with the call. The Dolphins, man, they play well against the Patriots in their building, especially late in the season. It seems they take care of business thirty three to twenty four over the Pats. The Pats had to get a win and a Bill's loss to take the a f C East. Instead, they get spanked here by Miami, so they head into the postseason on a down note. At tenants seven. I believe they lost three or four Mark to end the season, so they end they entered

the playoffs and a little bit of a funk too. Yeah, this was an uncharacteristic Patriots game. Sloppy. Uh. They allowed the Dolphins right out of the gate to go on a thirteen play drive that saw two ago seven for seven touchdown drive and then seconds later mac Jones throws a pick six to Xavien Howard. There's suddenly down fourteen nothing. Mac Jones lost a fumble later in the game. We heard that Jacoby Meyers lateral disaster. At the end, they kind of sealed it. Uh. Duke Johnson ran all over

them for a hundred and seven seven seventeen yards. The Pats gave up a hundred on the ground. Jalen Waddle set the record for the most rookie receptions in NFL history. The Patriots were also banged up. Christian Barmore got hurt late in the game. Isaiah Win, their left tackle, left with an ankle injury. Ramandre Stevenson had a head in injury. I mean, it just seemed to me there's their worst performance in a while, and Belichick basically said we played poorly.

Coach poorly, didn't do anything. Mac Jones said it was a super He used the words a super embarrassing performance on his own. Now, I think he made Mac Jones made some pretty fantastic throws down the stretch, but they were they puilt, They put to themselves in too much

of a hole. And like you said, down in Miami, the Dolphins have somehow had their number the last week of the season, and they did it all over again, right, and they did it in New England a couple of years ago to to get that one take that one seat away with Ryan Fitzpatrick. You know, the injuries to be are the biggest story. Like the Patriots haven't looked like a world beating team other than against the Jaguars for a while. But you know, bar More to me

is their best defensive lineman right now. Judean has gone real quiet and made a lot of mistakes over the last month. Uh and Barmore gets carted off. You're starting left tackle Stevenson makes them special, I think with the one to combo with Harris and so that to me is their biggest problem. Not not even just that they're playing poorly, because I think they could bounce back, but those are three really important players for them. I'm gonna set the spread. This feels like a m hmm. They'll

set it at Buffalo by three laying that wood. That's my guess. Uh four and a half, four and a half, okay, alright, so they're given the Bills a little more respect, but we'll see. Yeah, that's something the track here with the Patriots where they're at injury wise, Let's um keep moving on here and take care of the a f C by taking a trip to about leave Land. Keendom play action, fake steps to the pocket. He's got a good pocket. He trumps left Land, record it, touchdown problems go ahead

six yeah, case king him getting it done. Two touchdown passes for the backup quarterback in for Baker Mayfield after he underwent surgery to fix his body up, and the Browns pulled off the Bengals. Seen the Bengals who started Brandon Allen rested a bunch of starters. They weren't really into playoff positioning. They chose to try to get healthy for wild card weekend. So the Browns finished eight and nine, Bengals ten and seven. Browns go home, Bengals get the Raiders.

On Saturday in the West of US for adults, game Mark, how you doing, buddy? Um, I'm very did you watch the game? I don't even know. Do we have this on this one? You know how I'd like to have like fourteen games up at the same time on my Yeah, it got the best to me today. I kept an eye on it. Um. It just feels like anything in life that needed to end a couple of months ago. The watching the Browns on a weekly basis, they've driven

me nuts. Um. You know, I think one of the bigger news items over the weekend were these reports that they are bringing Baker Mayfield back, that that at least that's where we stand right now. It sounds like that that whatever divorce we thought might happen will not be happening. So, you know, I think it's just there's a lack of other quarterbacks to go look for. But what an uninspiring performance by them and the Bengals, who would have thought three or four months ago come out is the much

more electrifying team in Ohio. Um, it's been a depressing year for Browns fans in every possible way. And you see about that Baker report, I wonder if if it's it's a done deal or that's just like the starting point in this story. And you think this January thing,

it's always couched. It says they plan to move forward. Well, you gotta put it out there like that right now, because they probably do not like the idea of what's happened in the last week, which is that like there's a good chance that he's gonna be traded that hurts their leverage. They have to start it at the point where of course we're okay keeping them, or they're already like starting any trade talks at a disadvantage, and they want him to believe that they're keeping them too, because

that's obviously a possibility. But they don't have to worry about it now. I did see like a headline. I didn't read it, but one of the local Brown's papers is just like that said, case Keenum gives them solid play, solid quarterback play in this game. They could have used solid quarterback play over the last six weeks. And I do think that's a fair thought that you do wonder what this season could have been like with with a healthier Baker or just with case Keenum over the last

six weeks. Because as bad as the season it was, it was, you know, there one game out of the playoffs, it wasn't that that crazy? Well, I mean Dan has been pushing for them to put Keenum in for two months, and I think, you know, in the final analysis, there's a strong reason to think that things could have been a little bit different. All they needed to do was score another touchdown in a couple of these games. I mean, they were competitive, but quarterback play was a major, major

issue for them. Um. All right, so there we go. We'll we'll be talking about the Browns offseason plans. We'll be talking about what happens next with all the teams that move on from their head coaches a little later in the week. But that wraps up the a f C. Let's take a break here and move on to the NFC. Welcome back, all right, Now, a f C in the books, but there's a whole other conference we're gonna dig into now,

figure out how the playoffs all shook out. No better place to start then right here in Los Angeles, where the Rams and Niners did battle. In a classic hit it, Ricky Stafford, back on first down, throws a take one down the right sideline for Odell Beckham. Jorgia got accepted by every Thomas. Every Thomas takes it away. The Rams only have one time on remating the forty Niners are gonna win the game in l A. And they have won the game. They are going to Dallas Starlington, Texas

next week to end it. Greg Papa with the call. kN b r Embry Thomas, the rookie closed it out with the interception of Matthew Stafford in overtime. Overtime, allowing the San Francisco forty Niners to defeat the Los Angeles Rams to four at Sophi Stadium, Sofi Stadium that was packed with Niners parents. I mean that was that told you something right there in this game, Greg, The Niners

overcame a seventeen nothing first half deficit. They took the game over in the trenches, gave the lead up again, but they kept coming back and they closed it out. They're going to the playoffs where they'll face the Cowboys next week in Dallas. The Rams, even though they lose, still win the NFC West becaucause the Cardinals gagged and they will host the Cardinals next week. Crazy game. Fund

game lived up to the hype. Greg, Yeah, I can't think of many case is of a team forcing their way into the playoffs with a more stirring win than this. To be trailing seventeen points in the second half, and you know, we we know that the Forts needed this win because of what happened in that Saints Falcons game to get into the playoffs, to come all the way back, to need a touchdown drive that going the length of the field to tie it, to force over time with

no time out to get it. Uh. Is one of the moments, obviously of the Kyle Shanahan era, of Jimmy Garoppolo's career, and to me, one of the worst moments of Sean mcveigh's coaching career, because I put a lot of this game on the way he handled the last couple of minutes you're referring to. After the touchdown to tie it, I assume at twenty four the Rams get the ball back with some timeouts in a little bit of time. No, I'm I'm talking about when when they

have the lead and they're near midfield. U Uh. But what is right under two minutes to go? You bringing Matthew Stafford, you need one first down to end the forty niner season, to end this five game streak, and what do you do? You call three straight runs, the third of them on third and seven, with total give up play. You know it's not gonna get it. You were choosing at that point on third and seven that you would rather take the final time out from the

forty niners then give yourself a chance to win. It was an unbelievable herm Edwards moment topped um a few seconds later or a few drive later, when it's twenty four all and yeah, they get they get the ball to the thirty seven or so. Matthew Stafford is sacked with about you know, thirteen seconds left and he let the time click off. That wasn't as bad to me as the three straight runs, but that was insane too.

They had time for at least two plays and they were only twenty five yards away from field goal position with the Pro Bowl kicker. That was a hundred percent Sean McVeigh like losing his his nerve or his mind a little bit and not thinking clearly, because I bet if you could have especially that last sequence over, he would absolutely take a time out and not tell his offense that we're giving up. We're not gonna give you

a chance to make him play. It's not real, man, I was blown away by can I just mark before I throw it to you. I'm gonna play the other side of this. I didn't hate the move to run the ball three times. There you had um gotten a huge interception, then your offense went down the field, go ahead touchdown now has come on the field. You get a three and out. And McVeigh then had a decision. He felt like his defense had settled down, and he said,

we're gonna play ball control. We're gonna kill the time outs. We're gonna take this thing down. Uh two a minute and a half to play, and forced San Francisco to go ninety yards against my defense that I trust and believe in, filled with all these stars, and they totally you can you can you can trust it when you don't pick up the first down by trying to throw the ball. He's just he's just like so unbelievable that in the understand that I understand what you're saying wasn't changing.

All it was was taking a time or out or two away block wouldn't change, nothing would change. I know it all looks like the timeouts didn't matter because they went right down the field. But the fact that they really put they had to go eighty eight yards without a time out. Now, Mark, they did it, and I just I guess what I'm saying is I understand your side of that, Greg, But he basically McVeigh said, I trust my defense to not give up a touchdown here,

and I thought they gagged in a big spot. I'd love to hear what he has to say about that. The sequence that you that you mentioned Greg as well. I mean, this is a team that has been totally owned in a coaching staff that's been totally owned by the Niners, and we you know, we knew that coming in, and I thought that this came down to so many impressive individual performances on both on from both teams. Honestly, it was one of the games where it's like, I know,

we have like twenty two games of the year. It was one of the most enjoyable football contest that we've seen this season, and it stood out in a big spot. And for me, I mean, Jimmy g for all the stuff that Garoppolo has gone through this year, this offseason leading up, that was a signature moment and a signature drive by him. And it was just guys, like you know, all sorts of Niners players stepping up. I love that they did not abandon who they were when they were

down seventeen nothing. They came out with that ten play, ten straight runs, then the Debot Samuel touchdown pass. I mean, it's like they to me, that would have been a big spot for them to get away from their identity, lose themselves a bit, and the Rams cap the thing. I mean, the Rams looked more like the Niners the way they opened it with a third team play field goal drive, a twelve play touchdown drive. The Niners were in deep space early on in this thing and did

not flinch. I I the better. I'm so glad that they've made it into the postseason because the way they're coached, the way they operate, they're imperfect, but they are going to give the Cowboys a test. Alive Mark, you know we picked the forty Niners to win the Super Bowl. It's still alive. Well, I'm not surprised that you know that that's come to fruition halfway through the San Francisco forty nine has made the NFC way more interesting in the playoffs here. We'll get to the Saints later. Kudos.

Now they finished their season. They deserve a lot of credit considering everything they were up against. But I think the forty niners have a chance to go through that conference if if they get hot. And and yes, I agree totally about Garoppolo. I think he is a guy who's a bit of a punching bag. Um. I certainly

have not always been very high on him. I thought they were cooked when they were down seventeen nothing, and he seemed to be not playing at a high level with the bed thumb and everything, and he made so many big throws down the stretch, and I thought that that drive that that we were just talking about when McVeigh decided to punt it away and take the time outs away and put it in Garoppolo's hands and say, this guy's not gonna beat us, and he just he

carved him up. It wasn't even competitive. It was five plays, eighty eight yards and sixty one seconds in a tie game. And I mean, so much of that goes back too. I think he's not in the Cooper Cup. I think is the Offensive Player of the Year. I think Cooper Cup is a very good chance of or should have a good chance of winning m VP. But if you watch Deebo Samuel every Sunday this year. This guy is

unbelievable what he brings to this team. As long as he stays healthy, uh and Brandon Aiyuk stays on the field, and George kittles around with that running game, I think this team really is dangerous. Samuel was dominant in many ways today. I also think that Samuel, like there are a lot of divas in this league that would not accept the role that he was put into where suddenly you were becoming a running back. I mean, and then when they scouted him Shanahan, they talked about the game

that Shanahan saw those qualities in him. But he's an unselfish player who is incredibly dynamic and they trust him to do so much and he's an absolute raging star

for this team. Right that. The two big plays on that drive is Ayu to start it for twenty one yards making a great play after the catch, and Samuel making an even better play a perfect throw from Jimmy g But then Samuel makes it special going for forty three yards after the catch, Like I think a lot of quarterbacks could succeed in this situation, and and they overcame Jimmy G's two interceptions here. Um, but I guess I'm being hard on McVeigh because it's the biggest moment

of the season, right, and he lost his composure. He they took two time outs on defense in the overtime we haven't even mentioned overtime, which the forty Niners go down get get a field goal. Yeah, the Rams do stop him in the red zone and then at that point the Rams have to go score a touchdown because the tie. You know, what's the point of a tie in this situation? Really you want to knock the forty Niners out of the playoffs in the in the forty

Niners would have made the playoffs with the tie. They didn't have any time outs left because they had used their two time outs, and like totally bizarre situations before that on one of them, including right before the kick, which it just I guess it was just like a straight I don't know if it was a lot re reveal, but it was I think one of his worst moments in terms of McVeigh at the end, and and a lot of people are gonna get on Stafford to you

have you have the interception while the forty Niners are making that come back. It's a little bit of an arm punt, but it was a bad throw. Uh. And then you finish with with how they finished, which was like one of the worst series Odell Beckham could have possibly had. Appears that he ran the ron route on the first uh snap, got in the way a cup and then Stafford has a bad throw to to O

b J who did stack the cornerback. It was behind him, so it's more on Stafford there, but it was just like, I know, this isn't a popular take because everyone's always defend O Dell to the end, but you can you compete for that ball there a little bit more under but he he didn't. He didn't. Yeah, well, I think one of his issues a lot of times he doesn't locate the ball like quick enough. In that situation, he

just didn't see the ball clearly. I mean, he was behind the defender, so it's tough to really put to too too much on him. Um when the quarterback under throws it, but does he have the play before? I mean, that was three straight completions to Alda Beckham to finish that game, and this game matter for the Rams. I know they won the division anyways, but they're now the four seed. I don't think the matchup is particularly harder

in the first round, you know, you get the Cardinals. Um, although who who would have they have had They would have had the Saints, so the matchup is much harder. They would have had the Saints as a two seed and a possible home game in the divisional round, and now instead you've got the Cardinals, which is a tougher wild card, and you're gonna be if you win, going on the road to Lambeau in the second round. That's

one little thing about the Rams. I thought that they in the second half, especially in the first long stretches of the third quarter, their offensive line, which has you know, I think there were doubts about their old line coming into the year, but they've They've done a commendable job overall. But I thought they were dominated by the Niners front. Uh. They went into overtime with Stafford taking five sacks. At one point he looked injured. I just think this team,

like we've seen their high moments. You kind of could project them to go to the super Bowl. But I also think that they've got a bit of a tight butt situation heading into the playoffs based on this game. I mean, it's it's It seems like every couple of weeks there are doubts surrounding the Rams. It was their toughness, it's Ken Stafford get out of games without multiple interceptions

and turnovers. And now you've got this thing with Sean McVeigh, and I just they're they've got a lot to answer for a week from now, and yet they are the NFC West champions and they will be paying at home next week against a fading Cardinals team. Fading is the way to describe them. Let's talk about the Arizona Cardinals, who had a chance to steal the NFC West if they could just beat the sixth, the seven, excuse me, the six and ten Seahawks in their own building. They

couldn't do it. Russ takes the snap, hands to Penny. He gets a backside cut, he goes across the midfield, California. He's got out, run up ten five? Is it touchdown? Seahawks were shot. Penny was going so fast he was crossing yard lines and I didn't even see sixty yards ran away from the defense. Ros shot Penny. What a day. Steve ribal K I r O with a call man Rashot Penny, former first round pick all but forgotten his injuries derailed his career. He was a monster down the

stretch for the Seahawks. He ran for a hundred and ninety yards and that score. Russell Wilson threw three more touchdown passes, averaged over nine yards per attempt, and the Seahawks knockoff the Cardinals thirty eight to thirty. As I said, Arizona still goes to the postseason, but they limp in as the number five seed for their matchup with the Rams. The Seahawks go home, but they at least resembled themselves down the stretch. Greg, how did this game play out?

It played out like the Seahawks for the playoff team, and they just looked like a better team. The Cardinals, to me, were lucky to be in this game. Towards the end of halftime, it was yards for the Seahawks, eighties six for the Cardinals. It took a Gerald Everett drop in the end zone wide open play which is kind of been unfortunately his specialty this year. Uh and a Chandler Jones forced fumble that turned into a touchdown by the Cardinals. Defense on like the second play from

scrimmage to keep this thing close. But then the card the Cardinals come all the way back in it, and you think that they've righted the ship. Um. But Seattle's offensive line was like great down the stretch. I mean they were like opening up holes for shot penny h. Wilson was about his explosives of I've seen him uh this season in terms of like evading defenders. It was a lot of just Russell Wilson improvising as he runs around and he um. I don't know, like you you

looked at these two teams. I think they caught the Seahawks at the wrong time. But I went into this game thing and the Seahawks are just a better team right now that they've played their best lately. It's mostly because of their offense. And the Cardinals are are a bit of a mess. I mean, James Conner hurt right

at the end of this game too. I don't know if it was serious, but he converted a third and eight teen run uh and then left the game after that, and that that got me worried because he he made a big difference just by being out there today. I worry about this team, This Cardinals team, they just it's just been a month straight of confused offense. Uh, you know, they're banged up. Uh. Their their defense, which used to

be such a difference making unit. Um. You know, they had a big play that what was at a near pick six today that put them in deep in car in Seahawks territory. But I mean, Rachelle Penny is kind of made it impossible to deal with the Seahawks too. I mean, they caught him at the wrong time. They just caught him at the wrong time. And I don't I just like, look at the Cardinals and they don't seem like the team they were two months ago. And

Kyla Murray's so visibly frustrated today. He just seems something's not right. He slammed his helmet on the ground, sitting right next to the coach. I was wondering if that was because they didn't go for it on fourth and short, or whether he just was frustrated they didn't pick up the third down because they they did go for it earlier in the game in a similar situation. Because we can say that they caught the Seahawks at the wrong time.

But it's like, man, you if you're if you're any good, you're the Cardinals in that spot in week eight team and you see the scoreboard, what's going on, and in Los Angeles, you should be able to take care of business. So I think when you look at the arc of their season, as disappointed as the ramsar tonight, even as division champions, you love that you have the Cardinals coming into your building. Um, you probably would have liked it better if it was maybe the Eagles are the Saints.

But yeah, you're you're feeling pretty good because you're like, okay, we can kind of reset things. We get a team that seems to be free falling out of the mix. Now, of course, this is the NFL and nothing really makes sense. And if Kyler Murray goes off for four or five total touchdowns next weekend, that wouldn't be stunning either. But I think at this point we've seen enough from this offense really since Kyler came back, UM to say that is this gonna be ever an explosive unit again for

the rest the year. Right then had a nineteen play, ten minute, forty one second drive that didn't even reach the Seahawks red zone, which which is like an anomaly, but it also to me spells out how unexplosive this offense is. Like each one of their receivers Kirk Green and Wesley like made backbreaking mental errors in this game, and they're not. It's not like they're making up for it with with great explosive plays. No, they had six

drives go for seventeen or fewer yards. I mean, it's just completely counter opposite to the first encounter with the Rams where they want it was thirty seven to twenty and put up nearly five yards of offense. This is a different team right now. Well, they have two big weaknesses right now. Their offensive line cannot protect Kyler. He was a disaster today. And again I really think the

Seats are playing well like that. They it took too long, but they've looked quite good over the last month or so. Um and they're cornerbacks are really injured where they're playing to practice squad guys, and if they if they could get healthier for next week, that would help. But if not, the Ram as you said, Dan have to have to love that match. But I do wonder if this It shouldn't matter in theory, but I do wonder if this last couple of games helps Pete Carroll keep his job.

You would think it would, I just I mean, and as much as from the outside we all think, oh man, this Carol thing has kind of run its course in Seattle. Well, they have a long track record of success there, even if there's only one ring, and the fact that they end strong. If him and Russell Wilson are in good terms, I would think it's more likely it comes Mike comes back, both of them, I should say, Mike. Garretfolo reported early this morning that the Seahawks have no plans to trade

Russell Wilson um this offseason. So I guess now becomes if if that report checks out is true, do they bring back Pete Carroll? I think they will, but right because who are the Seahawks that are not planning, you would assume that's John Schneider and Pete Carroll, And I think that's the bigger first question is if whether those

two guys returned or not. Well, and we thought we get all these anonymous reports by now, and there has just been not much heat around Carol being just like even when the seasons a rap and they're aut of contention, just like lighting up a couple opponents at the end of the season. I think that matters in terms of

calming things down a little bit. Right, if you look at their statistical profile, like in terms of points scored and the analytics and stuff, it's like they almost have the exact same team in the yards per play stuff like that, yards for play allout as they did a year ago. It was just like they won a lot

of close games last year and they lost them this year. Um. One one quick note though on not a lot of reports, is there was one report that was essentially there's no which was essentially absolutely no one has any idea what Jody Allen is thinking. It's not like Jody Allen, who's you know, the sister Paul Allen Microsoft Air is talking

to literally anyone and is too involved. So I think everyone from Pete Carroll, the Russell Wilson, which was the report, is in the dark and just is wondering what she's gone. I mean, could you pick Jody Allen out of the lineup? I couldn't. I did not only do I not, which he looks like I don't google there recently, just because I was curious about this very it was like who what is? Because I didn't know if Jody Allen was a man or a woman, that was the problem. Um,

and it is a woman. Remember the movie Days, We've got We've got that confirmed mark. Remember the movie Day where the fake President comes to the White House and he needs to learn about like everybody in the cabinet and all these things, and they actually have the cardboard cutouts so he could, you know, pass as the president. I do the same thing with all not only ownership in the NFL, but also high ranking executives and potential airs, just so I'm the best version of myself when I

do this show. Well, you're very diligent. You're very diligent, and I and I know I could have I could follow your path and that, and yet I refused to.

I mean, can you imagine because it's not expensible, dude, those cardboard cutouts that I get made for all these people, the Jody Allen cut out that cost me two hundred dollars, Like, you need to find a place for this, you know, it's like this is taking up a lot of your lot of space, you know, your your homeownership that you have exactly, but it's all worth it to do this job the right way. Let's now move to Greg's Darling's the Saints who are not playing next week, but they

did their very best to get there. How do the I formation face the handoff play action? Taste them looking to the far side to play the troutman. Troutman makes a completion and it's a touchdown. Adam Trampling on the far side, pot on the doctor three and then headed light for the pylon touchdown. New Orleans tasting Hill. He was looking good on Sunday Atlanta, throwing a touchdown pass, driving the ball with accuracy. He has to leave the game of the foot injury. Trevor Simeon comes in. He

throws a couple of touchdown passes. The Saints cruise thirty to twenty over the Falcons. We now welcome in the pipe, Nick Shook and SHOOKI the Saints needed help here. They needed to win, get to nine and eight. They took care of their business. Then they needed the Rams to take care of the now owners. Unfortunately, that's seventeen. Nothing lead in Los Angeles didn't hold up, so the Saints go home. But really an impressive close to their season.

It was impressive and I think it was appropriate in the fashion that they did it because they lost Taysom Hill to injury and had to turn to Trevor Simeon to finish this one out and finally got Alvin Kamara

going for the first time in about a month. And yet after putting together, you know, one of their more complete performances, especially in the second half of the season, they end up setting at home because, like you said, the Fortins were able to beat the Rams and knock the Saints out of the playoffs and and it and it really speaks to you know, for them from a season long perspective, a team that was hand that was dealt a tough hand, managed to fight through a lot

of it. But ultimately that is what sank them, the fact that they couldn't win games, They couldn't win a game last week that they desperately needed to win, that type of situation, uh, you know, undercutting them and keeping them home for the first time, you know, in five years. And and you know, the first year of the post Drew Brees era ending in disappointment for them, even though they played well counting on the Rams. You know, it's

like the Rams have broken the Saints hearts a few times. Uh, the last few years. I mean, they had the score bug of the Rams game in the corner of Saints Falcon's this whole time, so you know, you're seeing it's seventeen nothing, and then you're seeing it's seventeen with under two minutes to go. It looked like the Saints are in the playoffs and Trevor Simeon is probably starting that game because Laura Open on the Sideline reported it was a Liz Frank injury for Hill, Taysom Hill, which was

so disappointed. He was playing really well in this game, throwing it well as you mentioned, Dan and running it and I and I know, the better, more compelling team made the playoffs. I think that ultimately it's better for the overall product. But actually think the Saints would have been a problem for the Rams if they had a healthy Taysom Hill, especially uh. This team was just like one of the only defenses that mattered, and they finally were getting some playmakers to make some plays in this

game and in the last couple of weeks. Yeah, I mean it was like I said, they got they got Camara going. Their defense has played well for a long time. The Falcons were playing just letting it fly because they had nothing to lose, and and it made for an

interesting game, in an entertaining game. But yeah, like you said, you know, it's it's it's it's disappointing because they would be kind of a tough out just because of the defense that they've had for the majority of the season, would make even the highest powered offense still kind of struggle at times in a playoffs setting. But you know, hey, this is this is the value of a quarterback like Drew Brees. I hate to say it, but like you know, the first year you go into a season without him,

you end up starting four different guys. You know, Jamis gets hurt and gets knocked out of throws your entire plan off kilter and you're forced to kind of roll with the punches. And I give them credit. I mean, even today, they fought through and played a good football game.

It's just that all those issues compounded and ultimately they lose by you know, they lose out in the playoffs by the skin of their teeth, and they're I think they're back to the drawing board because you know, if you look at them long term, which we have months to discuss this, but is Jamis Winston the guy. I mean, you know, they were all right with him. They were probably in a better situation than they were with any

of the guys after him, Um Tayson Hill. You can make an argument in the opposite direction, but this is this is how important a quarterback is. Well, and they were. You know, they basically go into the off season with similar questions they had last offseason, and it's one of the bigger off seasons in the NFC. And I don't think that the wise maneuver would be to settle with

this same group of quarterbacks. I mean, I don't you know, it's not gonna be easy to find someone else at this point, as the Russell Wilson's don't get traded in X, Y and Z. But I mean, from a Saints angle, you'd have to say, Sean Payton did an awesome job

this year. They they other coaching and other coaching staffs would have crumbled with what was what they faced, but they but they cannot go do all of this again next year with with completely depleted cast of characters on offense and a clown car of quarterbacks who are not ultimately the right guy. I agree with you, clown Car. I guess it is a little strong because Winston was okay.

He wasn't terrible before he got hurt. He had moments, for sure, But I I tend to agree with you that I think they're going to Peyton is gonna certainly, I think kick the tires and see if he can upgrade the position, because to work this hard to get to nine and eight, I don't know. There's that kind of a standard that they've set in New Orleans that they viewed themselves as a team that should be in contention for the Super Bowl every year, and they and

they weren't. Camara by the way, thirty carries for a D and forty six are that that is not very That's not the typical Camara workload that he's had in the past. I wonder what his workload will look like going forward if they see him as that type of let's use them as a bell cow or did they want to get the offense moving in a different direction where they could use them the way they did with

Drew brees More. That will be interesting to see anything on the Falcons before we kind of closed the book on their season. Chook. We give credit to Russell Gauge for having a nice game today, put together highlight play, a little hurdle over a defender to pick up some extra yards. He looked good in the box score. I think season long the guy that stood out to any more than anything. And you can talk about Kyle Pitts than he was, you know, the top five pick. That's

what you're expecting from somebody like him. I thought A. J. Terrell took a ton of big steps in his second season. Um, the next gen stats love him. I mean, he's he's a stud in that department and I think he's on the course to to be a name that you're gonna pay attention to in years to come, as long as they can figure out some other things, because he's developed into a pretty solid corner only a second year. So there's some positives. And I love the way they played

for Arthur Smith this year. It's just that they didn't quite have the talent to be able to get over the humping into the playoffs. If they spend an off season adding some talent, and this might be a team to watch out for, And of course you have to answer quarterback long term, but we'll across that bridge more on ESPN reported they want Matt Ryan back and that they're planning to bring him back. I tend to, you know, write these reports on you know, January ninth and pencil.

It's almost like sending a message of like, what, okay, we're here, We're behind you, Matt Ryan Um. But that it kind of makes sense to me because just because it's a pain that they could add a rookie with him, and it'd be a pain to get rid of him, and I think he played pretty well this year. Well, the financials make it tougher than some have expected to just move on from him. And it should also be added here and maybe we'll get him on the show

sooner rather than later. But Steve Weisch had speculated this past week that Calvin Ridley might be looking for a fresh start after this year where he missed most of the season with what was termed his mental health issues. So a lot of stuff to figure out with the Falcons. The Saints, yes, they have a lot to figure out too, but they you know, they go out with their heads held high. Let's take a break and then hit one more game with Shookie shotgun snap locked down a left sideline.

Evan just there, he's got it. Let's touchdown. Number two. That's touchdown? Are my goodness, that doesn't sound like Jeane decker Hoff, does it anybody? I I did not think it sounded like I'm saying what definitely wasn't him. But maybe something popped up for old Jean today. You know a lot of COVID sub doubts lately, w f U s.

The call came from whoever it was. Tom Brady put the finishing touches on another fantastically successful season, both individually and for his team, throwing three touchdown passes in a seventeen win over the Panthers, who started three and oh finished five and twelve. But Matt Rules coming back. That's what we're here in Chookie. You're not gonna find. You can turn me a hater, you can tell me or whatever.

I am not a fan of Matt Rule. And I think that the potential that was within this team, which really began the off season with the same Donald experience experiment which became an experience, uh, and choosing to go that route over you know, I don't know, spending your first round pick on a guy like Justin Fields then into this season and all the dysfunction they had offensively and how Donald clearly wasn't the guy um and wasting

a defense that played really well at times. It just the combined pro ducked was not up to standard and not it didn't fit for a guy in his second year who came in pretty highly touted and spoke, you know, all the platitudes about building the program and we're gonna do it the right way and everything else. It hasn't, you know, show to the field. And having said all of that, they had a seven nothing lead after the first quarter in this game. They were playing pretty hard.

It's not like they quit on the guy. It's just that the product over the entire season is just not enough for me. I think he should be gone. But if he's coming back, he's coming back. And enjoy that. Panthers fans and whoever you have at quarterbacks, let's spend to the Bucks here. Because they finished thirteen and four, they won the South. They will host the Eagles. Uh next week. I think that is the plumb game that

any high seed wanted. You wanted to get the Eagles, who I think are going to be out of their depth. Uh next weekend. Uh, and Uh, this is a team that you have to give him credit. Mark because last month when they lose nine zip to the Saints and they lose half their offense to injury over the course of three hours. No, were they dominant over the next three weeks. Did they almost get beat by the Jets? Sure?

Did they lose Antonio Brown and that turned into a circus. Sure, but they closed and they stuck the landing by winning three straight to put themselves in good position here. Yeah, it's the Tom Brady experience too. I you know, rewatching that Jets game, just what he did at the end of that in that march and the way that they won that affair. It just reminds you that the ecosystem is going to be different with Tom Brady running the show. Uh,

they're a low drama operation. They overcome this kind of stuff. I don't know if I see them quite as starry um a prospect in the playoffs as I did a couple and even injuries aside. Just something about them feels a little bit often times, but um, I don't know. I mean, they find a way like what you're getting Rob Gronkowski putting up a hundred and thirty yards I I to me, it's like anything could happen in these

playoffs because there is no true dominant team. Um, I don't love the idea of them having to go into Green Bay, for instance, But outside of that, you know, I think that this is a team that's going to hit the NFC title game well ground. I mean, having that big of a game, what was it, one thirty seven, so that puts him at about eight hundred yards for the season over. I mean, that is outrageous at his age at this point, and the fact that in this game they were down seven to three. I checked late

in the second quarter. There was about a minute to go in the first half. At that point in the game, the Panthers had twelve first downs and the Bucks had to The Panthers were putting it on him. It was like a hundred and ninety yards to forty and I'm thinking, like, what a terrible way to go into the playoffs. And then I look up at the end and it's forty one to seventeen. And that's been kind of the story

of these Tom Brady Buccaneers in general since he's gotten there. Like, you'll have halfs like that and then the avalanche will come hit you and it doesn't matter. That's Ciol Grayson, who's been really good for them, gets knocked out with a hamstring injury, and you without JPP, and you're without Jack Barrett, and you're without Lavonte David and those guys will matter in the playoffs. But like at the end of the day, they put up forty one, it's like

it's outrageous. That's the thing is they they tend to sleepwalk at times and then when they wake up, your toast. No matter. You know, unless you've got a four touchdown lead, you're pretty much toast. I mean, he's completing passes to Brashad Perriman and Ty Johnson and Cameron Brandon, Cashawn Vaughn, Scotty Miller on a touchdown run. And that's the thing you talk about all these injuries and how it might diminish their standing going into the playoffs. So I don't

know if they can do it. They're missing a lot of guys. It doesn't matter with Tom Brady at the controls. All you have to do is do your individual job. To borrow the phrase from the Patriots, do your job. He's gonna find you, and more likely than not, you're gonna score touchdowns. And they're still gonna be a really tough out, so you know going into the postseason, now, yeah, this is how you want to go in, of course,

with a win like this. But this, more than anything, demonstrates to me that I don't care who they have out there. As long as twelves back there, they got a really good shot. This cannot be hit hard enough. And I know we're we're kind of hitting on it a little bit here, but I'm not gonna hit on

it directly. Tom Brady is five and a half years away from turning fifty, and he just completed a season where he set a career or high in his twenty second season twenty first season by throwing for fifty yards.

He threw forty three touchdown passes. He is, depending who you talk to, the favorite or one of the favorites for sure to win the m v P. He is forty four years old, and I just again, for me personally, my fandom like him getting away from the Patriots has allowed me to like not just wallow in the misery of him refusing to get old, and now I just get to enjoy it more because it's like, man, he

just he's doing it again. And that's why like Shook, say, and even with all these injuries, if you have him back there and no one knows how to play in the playoffs more than Tom Brady and you just do your job, Yes, I absolutely could see them being a Final four team in a few weeks. Hashtag gradual decline in the in the OL. The offensive line, which is among you not the best in the league, is healthy,

and so that's really important. One very quick point, just because there's so much news out there today with all these reports, I do wonder if Matt rules percent back. J Glazer reported that he'll be back if he hires a rock star offensive coordinator. Are our guys said that the search essentially for a rock star offensive coordinator is coming, like he's gonna hire maybe a former head coach like Bill O'Brien was one name thrown out there. I don't

think he would be a rock star. Um, he does have a great relationship with the Shawn Watson, a quarterback that they're going to pursue. You wonder if that's a factor. But the way Glazer said it, like if if his status is dependent on like what happens with this coordinator higher, I I don't think his status is a percent guaranteed here. I gotta give David elei ahead to noted Panthers fan

because the Bill O'Brien thing. He said, well, if they hire Bill O'Brien, they're essentially just hiring their interim head coach rights a state of things. That's that's what you're setting yourself up for. How many star offensive coordinators are there? And I think they thought they had that with Joe Brady. Yeah, they just fired one right and I And for people who have lost the track of the Bill O'Brien uh carousel. Uh. He is the offensive coordinator of Alabama, which is a

celebrated and highly successful college football program, has a big game. Yeah. And Anna's interviewing for the Jaguars head coaching job as well. So he's the latest product of the Nick Saban coaching rehabilitation program. There you go, Shuock. We have reached the end of our time in the regular season with you. We will absolutely love to have you on the show

uh down the stretch and throughout the off season. But we want to thank you again for the vital work you do for our program on these sundays, like filling in the gaps and not only just filling in the gaps, making the show better with your great analysis and uh genial attitude toward life. Genial. I like that. Thanks, guys, I appreciate you. It's been fun being on you know. I appreciate thanks for having me this whole season, filling that gap. I mean, he he overfills it. Got the pipe.

Now he's got to get back to the gym because the pipe never rests there. He goes the pipe out the door. We continue on now. So we're going through things, we're checking boxes, we're talking playoff teams. How about two more? This game played on Saturday, Cowboys Eagles Dak Prescott next touchdown passed would be the single season records. And he's looking forward here throwing out to the left. It's caught

into the insol touchdown. There it is. He finds Corey Clever at eight yard touchdown pass for Dak Prescott, his thirty seventh of the season. Do Dallas Cowboys single season record Westwood one with a call? There, Dak Prescott through a career high five touchdown passes and broke Romo's record there. He did it against Eagles backups. I should say, but

it is what it is. Cedric Wilson and Dalton Dalton Schultz each had two touchdown catches, and the Cowboys closed out their regular season with their second fifty burger in three weeks against an overmatched Division foe. Final score fifty one against the Eagles. That a team that prioritize their health in the wild card round over a possible better playoffs seed. Now all that set that was a nice

wind mark. I think you and I were on the same page on the Thursday preview show that even if the Cowboys didn't make a big change where they ended up and they are the number three seed, they will face the forty niners and what will be a very tough game for them. Uh to go into the playoffs on a high note. Uh, it helps even if it does. Like in the back of my head, for instance, keep

me wondering, is this team like are they bullies? Can they just they phile on and beat up against these teams that are overmatched and then kind of cower a little bit against real competition, real competitions coming. We're gonna find out next week where the Cowboys really stand. Yeah, that'll be the asset test. But we basically ordered them, requested them to have an explosive finale, and they went and did exactly that. Now, I mean, look at the game.

Some of these games where you've got people sitting, I get that that you know, this is not where we're gonna be a week from now. But it showed Dallas flexing their muscles, and to me, it does it does bring more faith until into their ceiling and what they can be. Um. I think there it's their defense too.

They're just they're a balanced team. And we've talked about how we feel about the Rams going in the way they have, UM, the Cardinals fading fast like any one of these NFC teams that can go in and light up, light a team up. I don't care how it happened, the way that Dallas did it. It adds faith and I think that they're a dangerous opponent. I think they needed it for themselves because they said as much. Did. They just seem like a an a team that has

some confidence issues. They're like too high or too low. You know, they say, well, don't get too high, too low. I mean that that's not that what the Cowboys are. Jerry Jones likes to get too high and they like to get too low. And you know, Dak Prescott did not want to say that he was having a slump or that he wasn't playing with confidence, but you could just see it on the field. And so I think they came out and did this because they felt it

was necessary. You know, they played into the fourth quarter. Now, this game was tied seventeen ah late to that the Cowboys offense was incredible the whole game. That had nothing to do with the offense. They just had only had the ball three possessions at that point, and they didn't have Tyrann Smith and Tony Pollard and they didn't have

Michael Parsons either, so they were a little shorthanded. But the Cowboys starting defense gave up seventeen pretty quick points and it looked like a game for a minute and until until they took over. Gardner Minshew started for Jalen Hurtz, and yes he did uh leave the team to some scoring drives Early kept him in the mix. I did like that story about me and show. I don't know if you guys saw this that after the game against the Jets, he went into the coach's office. It was like, Coach,

I deserve the ball. I should be the starter of this team. I thought that was adorable. I love this guy. Look at he is a dangerous quarterback. I know that. Like, well, I don't know, if you're being serious, then it's an amazing move because like it's one thing to be the backup quarterback and do your job. But like Jalen Hurts probably saw that story and he was like, what what, it's a strange that's a strange one. But he's got he's got too much charisma. He can't be held down.

That's Gardner Minshew. I kind of like their backups. They had some fights. Backups. Huntley jacent. Huntley was fun. Tyree Jackson, who was when he used to be a quarterback, was kind of fun. Quaz Quiz Watkins is fun. And they actually, I think got some use out of this looking at all of these guys. They also had twelve players on the COVID list. I think they strategically told a lot of guys to take that test last Monday so that they could get their COVID list designation out of the way,

which is just a bizarre thing that you have to strategize. Coach, these fellows believe in me, and now I ask you to believe in me. Put me in coach, I will lead you to the promise. Well, it didn't work. It depends how he put it, because yeah, I think I

think that could be kind of annoying. I've always held it against Drew Bledsoe a little bit um the report of how how hard he kind of uh went went into the coach's room and tried to get Tom Brady out of there, you know, and skip, I reckon Jalen might feel a little bit sore about this, but I gotta stick to my guns and tell you how I feel. And I'm the best man for this job. Give me the ball I want to. I would like to um see actual footage of how this went, because it's turning

into a folly very quickly. That's I'm reading a transcript from I in the sky within Nick Sirianni's office. All right, and it's back by the way. That's a nice little tight end duo you got with Salts playing so well and your guy Cedric Wilson Dan had a monster game offense on paper, They're amazing. Do I have a Cedric Wilson connection with the UNWA? I don't know. One show you were just like this guy, I look, I'm fascinated. I'm always fascinated by the Cowboys. I like following America's

team through uh the good times and bad. They're just compelling. They have such a wide variance in terms of how this is gonna play out. They could meekly go out next week and so the worst draw wasn't it. This was the hardest man, I think you possibly had. Yeah, I think so. I think they could lose thirty one to seventeen next week. I think they could drop a forty burger that wouldn't send me either in advance, but and and make a deep, deep playoff run. I think

could go either way for America's team. I will tell you this, It's gonna do a big number that game. A lot of people are gonna want to watch the forty Niners and Cowboys. All right, let's uh move on now. Uh so, yes, Cowboys, and I should Yes the Eagles not. You don't only kill the Eagles obviously because they rested a bunch of people. Not a great way to go into the playoffs. Never be the team with the winning record, uh the whole season, at least the season ending with

the team having a winning record. They now go to Tampa and we'll see how that goes. But I'm feeling pretty good about who I might pick is my lock next week. I'll just leave it as that, all right. Let's now move to Detroit where the green Bay Packers were looking to win their four teen the game. But the Lions, they don't play man, they don't play love. Boards out of the gun, there's the snap Love bat

love sex and throws over the middle. It is intercepted by the Lions, intercepted down at the forty three yard line. Lions come up with a pick, and that's gonna do it. Tracy Walker with that football. Dan Miller with a call w x y T. Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdown passes in the first half, set out the second half with nothing at stake. The Lions getting that interception at the end of the game, beat the top seeded Packers thirty seven to thirty. That was Jordan's Love who threw the pick.

He threw two interceptions late in the game, but Green Bay's play oppositioning doesn't change. Unfortunately, Mark the Lions, you know, one of those type of games, great way to end your season. But if they just would have done what they were supposed to do and get beat by the Packers. Whoever the Packers are playing, they would have the number one overall pick because of what the Jaguars did. Instead, they stay it to k s Sara, Sara, you know what.

I love it for him though, because they are playing so hard for Dan Campbell and they just put everything out there today. I mean, they emptied the trick play compendium. They used all sorts of trickery on gone green Bay and they they have gone for it on fourth down forty times this season, which is the fourth most in

the league. Excuse me, they just like the market is choked up talking about the No, I just have this hit, uh they I mean it's another game like before where you know, Aaron Rodgers is out at halftime and Jordan's love looks, you know, like a non starter to me, he just just not have it. At this point, I thought it was important for Green Bay to get David Box tr some snaps um he left and went into the tent, but seemed fine. But I mean, just a little bit of playing time, he'll be huge for them

in the playoffs. And did they have any Yeah. He did his press availability afterwards and downplayed it, but yeah, it was an injury. Yeah, but he seemed he seemed like unaffected by it. Later on Alman Ross st Brown. For the Lions, they have a star and I just I know that they lose out on the first overall pick, but you can see little pieces here and again I

think that they have found the right coach. I mean, so it's I know the record is what it is, but they go into the off season with some optimism. Record for fourth down conversions NFL record Old Dan Campbell throwing caution to the wind. The Jaguars, unless they trade out of the pick, they won't be taking a quarterback obviously, so um if the Lions, if things hold, the Lions could have the pick of any quarterback. We'll get into

all that as as things play out. This isn't supposed to be a great quarterback class, but nobody knows anything, especially this time of year. It's not till the draft process plays out that you really get a better idea of where the quarterback market's going to be. But it could be one of those and this effects like if you're Jets van to for instance, with two first round picks in the top fifteen, I hope this isn't one of those Eric Fisher Luke Jocal drafts. Nobody wants that now.

People people like the talent. I think at the top of this draft a lot of defensive Maybe it's not a good quarterback classes as much, but anyway, so the Packers I don't and doesn't change. I don't know if you guys have any takes about the Packers to me. For instance, they're gonna still be number one of the power rankings. This doesn't change anything for me. And the fact that back dr got back on the field and got some reps as long as the knees holding up,

that's all great too. Well. Josh Meyers to their starting center, so that's massive, and I think that's why Rodgers, you know, said he wanted to play. It is worth noting the Lions had the lead, you know, when Rogers sat, so they had a halftime lead. It doesn't shock me the way the Lions have been playing lately that they would be competitive. Uh. I don't. Yeah, I don't take too many two big takeaways, but I haven't been overly impressed with the Packers defense in the back half of the season.

I actually think teams kind of built like the Lions, with a good offensive line, a good running game like they struggled to get off the field a little bit this Packers. Yeah, they scored three on three on their first four drives the Lions, and they were legit drives. I mean, they just they looked much much better than they had earlier stretches of the season. Is this the most successful three and year ever? I think so because

they're so fun to watch. Two and again, it's they they kind of play with this um daring do where again it's the fourth down attempts, it's the go to check out some of the trick plays they pulled off today. And I mean I think that they they're a team that if you look at what they've done over the last month plus, I think they're on the run heading in the right direction. They have changed to. They're getting rid of Anthony Lynn, their their offensive coordinator, who lost

play calling duties about midway through the season. And for what it's worth, Dan Campbell took it over as the head coach and and they their offense was a lot better after Dan Campbell took over. Greggy, you smell that? What's that? That's? Uh? Mark Sessler predicting the lines to make the playoffs next year, and us hearing about it for two and a half months next summer. I think

he'll actually predict them. Yeah, he'll predict it, and May will go back on it in August, and then he'll he'll claim it throughout the course of the season, but then go quiet once again. We can't we can't cover. Mark just got up and walked away right as I started to bring him up. So if I didn't tell the audience that Mark left, it would just make it look like he didn't say anything. Here he comes, he's

right it back and he is back. Mark's back. Yeah, Mark, I was just saying, for two and a half months next summer, you're gonna be talking about Lines going to the playoffs. That was my prediction. I'm not quite there yet, um I know, but in the summer you will be. You will. By the way you sprinted out of there while you were coffee, that was a coffin sprint. I haven't seen that the old coffing's sprint better than a

coffin sprint, right, man, This corona got me. But I'm you know, I was feeling good today until show started hanging there buddy, let's take a break. Welcome back, Let's keep moving through the NFC. It is third in two Cousins from undersetter, he's looking deep now he avoids a Bear, fires to Jefferson touchdown j j J with a forty five yard touchdown reception, and it's seventeen sixteen Bears. Yeah,

we predicted this one. Paul Allen of The Call KFE and uh nice stat stat padding Week eighteen finale for the Vikings. Kark Cousins passed for one seventy two and three touchdowns in the second half, leading the Vikings to a comeback over the Bears thirty one seventeen two teams with a head coach in danger of being canned, we'll see. We will have a podcast that will follow this one in short order, either Monday or Tuesday, addressing everything on

Black Monday related. But as of this taping, both men are still employed anyway. Jeffer justin Jefferson tied the score there. kJ Osborne caught the go ahead touchdown for the Vikings, who outscored Chicago three in the second Have greg who has the brighter future the Bears of the Vikings. Oh that's a good one. You lean feel, you know the team that has justin fields. But I I just I do like Vikings roster a lot better and just their general makeup, even like the way they've brought in talent

their organizations. I guess I'll go Vikings. That's tough. Yeah, this, I'd go Vikings too. I mean, I think also, you've you've got a lot to attract a new head coach if they do move on from Zimmer, we'll have a lot to talk about. There's some ominous reports about Zimmer. There's no need to get too deep into it now because we'll find out. But it sure looks like both these teams will probably be well. Did you hear a Zimmer snap at a reporter who asked him about his

job security? Let's listen in. Yeah, have you heard anything about your job status? And what are your thoughts? Just go on the rumors now, I haven't heard anything about my job status. I haven't heard anything about yours either. Do you think there was a chance this could have been your last game? My choice on my decision? Yeah, so, because he seems like Zimmer is just over it. Last week when they were asked if Kellen Mond was going to get to start, if he needed to see him.

He's like, no, very flatly, one of my favorite like coach responses. He's very much like a Parcels type guy. I like Zimmer, and I think, uh, it's gonna be a bummer if if he doesn't stick around. But at the same time, you know, results matter. This was, by the way, truly the d G A F Bowl. You have Zimmer who is like, you know, he doesn't care anymore, and barras coach Mattnege elected to go for it on fourth down six times, failing on all but one of

those attempts. Great Dalton got sacked three times on fourth down, which you would have to check, but that had to have set an NFL record. I don't know if anyone's ever taken three fourth down sacks in the same game. Yiks, all right, let's um. Let's quickly wrap up the NFC with the NFC Least Bowl. Here's from the snap off Bobby McCain five pit six touchdown touchdown Washington Bram Weinstein w T E M. Bobby McCain returned the first of

his two interceptions thirty yards to the house. Antonio Gibson ran for a career high Buck forty six, scored a touch, captains first one thousand yard rushing season, led Washington to a seven victory over the moribund New York Giants, washing and finishes at seven and ten, Big Blue Up, mortifying four and thirteen. Dave Gettleman's Giants career almost certainly ends

with this loss. The general manager and will see what other changes we see with these two NFC East also rans Jack del Rio says he's back the defensive coordinator. I didn't know that was up to him decide, but I guess he knows, so Ron Rivera. It's a reminder. It's like, hey, Washington, you could be worse. You could

be the Giants. You could be the clown show. To use Joe Judges words from a week ago, that that are the New York Giants right now running a quarterback sneak power uh from their own four yard line on third and nine, just to like give their their uh punt. There a little extra. That's sad. That's a sad moment there is. It is a sad moment. And you know that fan base that's had a lot of highs over the last thirty years or so um to hear the reaction in the crowd when they see a quarterbacks called

twice in a row at the goal line. The last one, yeah, third, third and nine, not even like a third and twenty eight or whatever. It's like you can go get that again against like a nine man box too, Like every like both teams had everyone just condensed next to the ball. It just it looked like they were on the goal line, but it's like now you were on the four. Neither team had over a hundred yards passing in this game.

That is not a frequent occurrence. Yeah, my guy Terry McLaurin gote somehow on his own going over a thousand. You know, my I'm losing a lot of sandwiches on Terry. It was a tough situation. It wasn't his fault. We will know. We're gonna revisit our sandwich props on our next show. Um, but I do remember you had something very lofty. Don't don't even let me know. I'd rather like be surprised when we take a look at it again.

But you were all in on scary Terry. Um. But he got bogged down by an offense that was just you know, from the Ryan Fitzpatrick injury on just they were not able to overcome the setbacks and and it's gonna be a huge offseason for the Giants. I still, to me feels like they could clean house. We're gonna find out what happens over the next few days and weeks, but for the time being, Uh, there's no denying that the end of the Giants ended. Um the season is

probably the worst team in football. Yeah, I don't I don't understand how there's there's floating reports that Joe Judge will be retained. It's like it's a combination of bizarre press conferences and a team that is completely totally regressed and has zero identity. Daniel Jones looked better I think after watching what was going on. I mean, just just

just in comparison. I do want to get though, Mark, Um, because I know you're gonna be watching this on game pass later, just like your detailed notes of all of your thoughts, Um and takeaways for how this game changes your off season. Just look at at the Giants defensive line and linebacker positions. I'll be sure to send you my notes post taste. Yeah, we do count on you, Mark to handle this film study. Believe that you. Listen, you showed me how professional you are with the cardboard cutouts.

Do you think has a future? You know you had five tackles in this game. Does you have a future with the Giants? There's only one way to check, that's the tape. Check with me on Tuesday, and I'll let you know everything that I've downloaded mentally about this. We're going to carve out a section of our next show just to break down this game, the tape study, and and we turned. We count on you because we know you're the man for the job. What a terrible task.

What was that? Mark? Thank you for There you go. All right, that's the NFC. The table is set for another year of postseason football. We will have you covered, of course, with three shows every week, maybe more, whatever it's called upon and including Black Monday or as we call it, New Horizons Monday. That's that's something that's a branding that we came up with that skirted some NFL restrictions about using the term Black Monday. New Horizons Monday

is upon us. Uh So we will have a show for you either Monday or Tuesday breaking all that down. So keep an eye out for that until then, try to get some sleep. Thank you everybody for listening. Uh does anybody else have anything else to add? No, my voice is about to die, so um, let's wrap it. It is. Yes, it's almost two am on the East coast right now, so that means we need to end this um until Tuesday. Heed the ball speA