Episode Transcript
[00:00:01] Speaker A: This is it. This is our last action packed Sunday until the Super Bowl. We have the NFC and AFC championship games. Me, Aaron, Jason, we go over both games, who we like over under point spread. I think Aaron gives you some final scores, actually, and then some more coaching updates. So it's exciting. I'm excited. You don't want to go anywhere, go.
We got the guys here to break down the conference championship games this weekend on Sunday, January 26th.
And the NFC commanders at Eagles and then the AFC bills at the Chiefs. Both are poised to be epic games.
I think we should start with the noc. What do you think, guys?
[00:00:58] Speaker B: Yep.
[00:00:59] Speaker A: Yeah. So they already faced twice this year. They split the series. Eagles took home the win in Week 11, winning 26 to 18. The Commanders won most recently in Week 16, 36 to 33. It was a pretty exciting game. I can't remember if Hertz was out that week or not.
[00:01:18] Speaker B: He got hurt in that first quarter.
[00:01:19] Speaker A: Yeah. So third time's a charm, I guess for either team. You know, we'll see who takes the series for the year.
Both have different paths of how they got here. Eagles have been perennial super bowl contenders for the last few years.
Most recently make making it to the Super Bowl a couple years ago. Had some injuries, got balanced out early last year, maybe made a vow to come back stronger than ever. They lost some key pieces, including Kelsey, one of the best centers in the NFL. But then they also gained guys like Saquon Barkley that's kind of transformed their whole offense and made them a chaot. They have weapons on in wide receiver that they have not used consistently throughout the year. Only when we kind of had some drama unfolding in the middle of the late end of the season. Then Jalen Hurts kind of took it up a notch and saying like, is that what you guys wanted to see? I still remember that. It was great. It's like, nah, dude, it's you. You know, it's your receivers bitching about it. We've seen their guys pull out textbooks that end up being on number one on the Amazon seller list. Motivational speaking, stoicism. And then the Commanders face it, they've been a joke for a long time. They've had carousel or quarterbacks over the last 10, 15 years, perhaps even more. Snyder finally sold the team.
They got new ownership. They brought in basketball guys that Ben Johnson didn't want to be a part of. I just ran into a quote in that again today.
And they got Kingsbury, they got Jaden Daniels, who had a stellar season at lsu. And here they are with a season to remember. They got the whole Washington fan base. Fucking pumped, man. Fucking pumped. So you got a Washington team that's pretty aggressive on the offensive side, play calling. You figured this is going to be a shootout. Eagles, you got Fangy on calling the game plan on defense.
Sirianni an enigma. A lot of people either love him or hate him, but this is gonna be epic. It starts at 12:00 Eastern on Fox, so Tom Brady and his boy will be on the call.
How you guys think this is going to play out? Or what are some things that you're going to be looking for on each team?
[00:03:51] Speaker B: Yeah, Rome. I mean, you mentioned Washington's had a rough road here. I mean, literally, they've changed their team name twice since the last time they were relevant here in the football universe we call the National Football League, you know, this game for Philadelphia comes down to can. Can they really find their inner excellence? That's really what I think is what Philly is going to be looking for here. You mentioned Hertz got hurt in the last matchup early in the first quarter. Looked like Philly was going to run away with that game. Pickett came in, he played solid, but. But Jaden Daniels rallied him back. I think he threw that touchdown with 13 seconds left. That was a big win for the Commanders because that helped them secure the six seed going forward along with a few games afterwards and helped them avoid this matchup in the wild card round that ended up falling to the Green Bay Packers. So I believe last night Jason said the weather's just going to be cold. No snow, no rain in the forecast.
I think the weather's going to play a factor just because I'm curious to see how Washington, Jaden Daniels does in the cold. You know, he's a Southern cow kid from San Bernardino, went to Arizona State, lsu. Pretty warm climates, you know, played at Tampa Bay opener, warm indoors against Detroit. So we'll see how the cold plays a factor here.
Special teams, Jake Elliott, I mean, he has missed extra points, but he's been making field goals. Zane Gonzalez, I guess he suffers from OCD or something. Whatever's going on there, he looked real shaky in the kicking game. Missed a real easy field goal against Detroit. I mean, he saw him against.
Was that. Yeah, Tampa Bay was literally combed his hair like 30 times before he went out there. Shoot. Tied his shoe like 30 different times before he went out there and made that kick. So special teams is definitely something intriguing. Kicking game is going to be looking for in this one. As well.
[00:05:48] Speaker C: Yeah, great points by Aaron. As far as the weather, you know, we get this time of year, you know, we were talking about it just from the home field advantage standpoint. As you know, when it was coming down to Detroit and Philadelphia and who got home field advantage, it was going to be a potential big theme for Detroit. Obviously that's at the window right now. But good part. You know, it's going to, it's going to play into a factor because this Philly team is used to it and I think this gives us an advantage also. It's a team that spent 10 and I think they're 10 and one at home this year. So hey, this is a team that plays great at home. Washington, not terrible away. Obviously they had a good season. I think they're seven and three away. But you know, you get in, you get into an environment like Lincoln Financial Field, you know, the Philly fans, you know, they are a interesting rowdy bunch that's going to be all in on this team. And that's a different type of environment for a rookie quarterback to going into the defense for Washington really hasn't been their strong suit throughout the year. A lot of shootouts, Jaden's had to bring them back in and the Philly defense is really good offensively on the Philadelphia side, you know, the offensive line just has been that bread and butter for, I don't know, it's been like a decade right now. They got, they have the best offensive line or a top three offensive line in the league every year making, you know, holes for running backs. But Saquon, it's even a bigger deal right now and how much they can get him the ball, whether it's in short passing games or just overall running plays.
Interesting against the spread for both of these teams. I think it's depending what you're looking at. Washington 12, 6 and 1 against the spread. Philadelphia 12 and 7 against the spread. And what you're looking at was it minus six, minus six and a half, depending what book you're looking at right now. It's a very intriguing line. So I'll tell you my pick on it. I think Philadelphia is going to win this game. I think there's going to be able to wear, wear out Washington on both sides of the ball. The spread I think is in a tricky spot right now. Rome, would you look at this as a six and a half? You got.
[00:07:41] Speaker B: I got six.
[00:07:43] Speaker C: We got six. I saw six too.
You know, at a six line. Philly, you know, would have covered in the first game. Which they did didn't cover in the second game once they lost but at Washington. But I think this is going to be Washington's end right here. I think Philly's been the top two team in the NFC the entire year. I probably the biggest question mark for them in the game is going to be Jalen hurts his health. You know I, I don't even think he's on the injury report to be honest with you. But I think there's still questions about it because last time I looked at the injuries I didn't see him on there. But I like Philly in this game. I think they cover the six still. I just don't think the deep defensively Washington's to be able to hold on and I think Philadelphia does have enough defense to contain in some bad weather and that little bit of a colder climate would fill it cool.
[00:08:28] Speaker A: So you got Eagles with the six. Aaron, how about you?
[00:08:34] Speaker B: Yeah, I'm going to concur. I agree. I like Philadelphia here. They won. You know, Jason said they're one on one against each other. One and one against the spread. I tend to in these games not look so much at the spread but who I think is going to win and who tends to win in the playoffs tends to cover both. These teams have covered both the previous games or Philly pushed the last one. Washington's covered both their wins. Both got good records against the spread. Like Jason mentioned, what 12, six 112 and seven for Philadelphia it opened up at four and a half five. It quickly went to six. I was really licking my chops when I saw Philadelphia favored by four and a half five wise money came in on them quick.
Likely going to stay six, six and a half. I like the Eagles here to cover too much, too much in the run game there and I think their defensive line will control a banged up Washington offensive line that just lost really an ultra guard and the secondary I think Fangio, Rome you mentioned. I think it's going to come up a great game plan. Third time seeing Jaden Daniels, second time in what about a month. Similar to how the Steelers do of Lamar Jackson. The more times they see him, the better they typically do against him. I think Billy knows what Washington's going to do. They know the speed, they know what Jaden Daniels is about. They'll be able to contain him a little bit better than some of these other teams that first time see him. I like the Eagles here. I like them to cover. I'm going to agree with Jason. I think it's going to Be the lowest scoring game. I lean towards the under. If Philly's going to win and cover, they're going to have to keep Washington's point in total down.
I'll go 27, 17 Eagles in this one.
[00:10:12] Speaker A: So just under. Yeah, okay.
Yeah, you know it. I, I did see the line start out at F4, ballooned up to six.
I think a big key will be the weather. How cold or what kind of cold it's going to be if there's going to be like some wind pickup there taking a little more frigid. My main concern is the poorest run defense on the commanders, especially with Saquon Barkley. You got to imagine he's licking his chops for like another big game. He has a personal vendetta for this year, you know, and he's been taking advantage of his opportunity to kind of showcase like who he is. You know, he's up and down career with the Giants and you know, now those infamous, you know, NFL film sessions in the GM's office where they're just talking about Barkley and everybody else, you know, including Daniels and draft prospects.
I imagine he's gonna have a big game, not 200, but around the 100 range.
I'm not sure if they cover. I, I think it's be a close game. I do expect a shootout and, and, and I do expect the Eagles to kind of take control towards the end of the game in the fourth quarter for me. And you kind of hit the top score 27. I was kind of thinking 27 for Washington, but I was thinking maybe 27 to 21, 24 in that range right at that 48 mark. So it's only Thursday night. I'm undecided what I'm going to tweet about, but it's really tempting.
I'm going to lean on the over, but it should be closely. Contestant Eagles. But six points is a lot.
[00:12:10] Speaker C: I think Saquon, you guys already brought it up. I think that that's really what you're looking for, what his performance has been the entire year. Jaden Daniels, if, when you're looking at him, you know, if he's able to get past this, you know, you're talking maybe the greatest rookie season of all time. You know, I think we talked about in the last pod with, you know, Rome, Rome's guy, Ben Roethlisberger, I think brought the Steelers to the AFC championship game, but it was really riding, you know, the coattails of a defense at that point and, you know, some other good rookie performances. But you know, Jaden Daniels being able to take it on his back as the quarterback leading an offense that's the strength of the team and not reliant on the defense to a Super bowl would be be really intriguing storyline, you know, going into it. You know, for the guy who's probably going to win Rookie of the year, it's a heck of a way to start the career. I don't know, was it Dan Marino's second year he took the Dolphins to the Super Bowl. I think, I think it was like that and then never. And then never got back.
[00:13:03] Speaker A: So I mean it was talking about Ace Ventura.
[00:13:08] Speaker C: Yeah, I don't think it was, I don't think it was that. The East Ventura year that was in 94 or whatever. But this was, this is Marino and in the early 80s. So yeah, I think those are two interesting storylines of what you could be going into the Super Bowl. It'd be, it'd be a huge deal for Jaden Daniels. I mean the, the hype would be super real for him to do that in his rookie year. But you know, I think Saquon and Philly, I mean, Philly's got some unfinished business going into right now. You know, they get Sirianni, like I was listening to stuff today where if you would have lost last week, they were like, oh, he's gonna get fired. And now he's a six point favorite for, to take this team to the Super Bowl. You know, he's two as a two years removed from taking the scene to super bowl and losing like on a, you know, a last minute play to Mahomes and the Chiefs. So. And he's taken the Eagles to the playoffs like every year. So it's, it's a, it's a very interesting dynamic to have a coach has been as successful as him and this, he's always on the verge of getting fired, like, oh, you should be doing more with what you have. And I think that's just another intriguing storyline. But I think he's, you know, we talked about Ryan Day where he loses to Michigan and they want him fired. He wins four dominant performances in the playoffs, wins the national championship. You'd be saying the same thing about Sirianni right now. Calling for his job last season as he lost, you know, they're calling through his job throughout the season and now, hey, he's two wins away from winning the Super Bowl. So I think there's a lot of motivation there. Different, different type of head coach Sirianni is. But you can't argue with the success, success. The guy wins. So I think another, I think, intriguing storyline on the Philadelphia side going in and out of this game.
[00:14:37] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean, Cereon is like you said, Jason, I mean, very similar to Ryan Day where like, all he does is win games and yet hasn't won the big one and everybody kind of wants him out of town. Remember, he took over for Philly team. That wasn't great. They got to the playoffs the first year, eventually lost Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. That's the year the Rams went on to win the Super Bowl. They get to the super bowl, lose a close game. Last drive to the Chiefs last year, lost what, five of their final six and just got, you know, humiliated by the Buccaneers in the playoffs. And then now on the verge of one victory from getting to the Super Bowl.
Romy mentioned Saquon. I looked at the last two games against the Commanders. 150 yards and 146 yards rushing. One of those was about Jalen Hurts, whether or not Hertz is at 100%. Like Jason said, he's not on the injury report. He came in and looked pretty good late in the fourth quarter there. Converted some big drives to finish off the Rams. So I, I don't think he's going to have a problem playing a big game. And you know, Jaden Daniels, best rookie season ever. If he gets this team to the super bowl, for sure, I think you have to put him in there. I mean, no one's expected the Commanders to be this good, this relevant. And he's going to have to pin him on his back because he's, he's led him there all year. And to beat the Lions and Philly on the road in the playoffs, the two most dominant teams in the nfc. I think without a doubt he would be definitely rookie of the Year and the greatest rookie season in NFL history if he's able to get this team to the super bowl.
[00:16:16] Speaker A: That would be impressive. Let's jump to the afc.
Buffalo Bills at the Kansas City Chiefs.
I believe I saw some stats somewhere on X. Whereas Bills are trying to become just a third team to beat the Chiefs twice in the same season.
They did it previously, several years ago, and I can't remember who the other team was. I think it was the Patriots in the beginning of this whole thing. The end of Tom Brady's tenure there.
[00:16:54] Speaker B: But so to beat the Chiefs of Mahomes in the Mahomes there twice is what you're saying.
[00:16:59] Speaker A: Yeah, twice the same season. Yeah.
Interesting stuff going on on this game. Just had some Stats and just disappear. This is what you get for having 20 tabs.
So chiefs are trying to go to the super bowl again for three straight trips.
[00:17:16] Speaker B: For the, for.
[00:17:16] Speaker A: For the third straight trip. I think last time I seen him do it was at the bills in the 90s. They lost three straight times. Everyone. A lot of people want to see history being made. Four straight trips. A lot of people want to see history being made. I personally don't. I don't care.
That's all. I just don't care.
[00:17:40] Speaker B: Well, who you got, Rome? I mean, last night you literally came on at 1am and said, My Bills. So I might. The world wants to hear it, man. Just. Just pick them now, man. Just pick them.
[00:17:52] Speaker A: No, I'm obviously going for the Bills, but it's going to be cold as well. Not snowy or icy. Now, I play some aspect into it, but Josh Allen turns into a beast when it's cold below 30. Unstoppable himself. Yeah, I think the Bills probably the only team to beat the Chiefs this season with their starting lineup in there. And so kind of like payback. Bills and Chiefs have faced off considerably in the last few years.
Bills winning in the regular season, Chiefs winning in the postseason. We all remember some of those games. That's why they changed the rules to allow Josh Allen an opportunity to come back and win a game if they ever met up again. So we'll see. Maybe that all comes into fruition in this game. What are you guys looking for in this one?
[00:18:42] Speaker C: These are one of the games.
Talk about like legacy games. So think. Well, I've been thinking about this for Josh Allen because thinking about 20 years ago, it was Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Brady had won three Super Bowls. Manning was putting up all the records and everything during the regular season. Manning couldn't win the game in Foxborough, couldn't win the out goal. Everything was against him.
The year of Super Bowl 41, I think it was 2006.
Colts came back from a 21 to 2012 deficit in the AFC championship game, was at home at Indy.
Manning dethrones. Brady finally gets over the hump, gets to the super bowl, wins the Super Bowl. So kind of like we talk about probably more in basketball, but like, hey, you got to pay your dues and kind of get past it. The Bills have been paying their dues right here with the afc and it's, it's a juggernaut within the AFC and the. And the Chiefs have owned it. So like the Patriots did kind of before them.
I think Josh Allen, you're Looking for this is what you want to do. You want to go into Arrowhead. You wanted to throw in the two time defending champions and then, and then you know, cement the name for yourself and go into the next level. And I think, I think that's what the Bills are playing for in this game. I'm not going to call them my Bills like Rome did but I think if you and I said, I said in the last pod though like I think the Bills are probably America's team and you're looking at the final four in this right now and who probably like a sentimental like team that America is probably rooting for because hey this is a franchise that had a bunch of success in the 90s and probably like you know in our dad's era and then growing up right now, hey recently they've been really good and they get all the great social media pub about Bill's mafia, what they do in tailgates, what they do for like charities of like players on the other teams and stuff like that. Like they've a very likable team. And you know I mentioned the Chiefs, you know that the Harvey Dent analogy last time. They're the villain know they are the villain that they get all the calls whether right, wrong or indifferent. The referees are in their back pocket. That's what everything's going to be going against the Bills in this game. So it has it. If, if we're talking like a professional wrestling matchup right now the Chiefs are the heel of heels and they got the ref in their pocket at the same time and they're going to have distractions left and right and everything. Can the Bills be that baby face that's to have good despite all the odds in the game going to come through and win and will kind of walk away.
If you're asking me at this point, I think this is the Bill's time and I think they're going to have to go through everything. There's going to be some bad pass, you know, roughing the passer call against Mahomes. That's going to be terrible more than likely and it's going to be through all odds. But when you look at some of the stats I was looking as we were talking about the last game, four remaining teams. The worst point differential of the four remaining teams is the Chiefs. They're only plus 59 point differential for a team that went 15 and 2 over the season. For the season the Bills were plus 157. Like they had an offense that scored 525 points. Where the Chiefs, man, they're. They're just getting by or the kind of. They're going and they're. They score opportunistic points, I'll give them that. But the Bills got a ton more on offense. And while the downside for them is they have not traveled well, they have been. They were undefeated at home, but I think five and four on the road, so that's a negative. But the Chiefs need kind of everything. But at the same time, the Chiefs, everything goes their way. Like a couple of my friends is like, they're, you know, Mahomes is. Mahomes is just grace from God at this point. Everything just kind of goes his way. But I think, like Brady before him, there's going to be a moment where, hey, the person that keeps knocking on the door finally gets through. For me, this is the time for Josh Allen and the Bills to kind of get through them. And I think it was a plus two or plus one and a half right now for the Bills. You know, I'd take those, but I still think that the Bills went straight up.
[00:22:38] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean, you mentioned the referees. I mean, how ironic would it be if the referees actually miss an obvious call against the Chiefs and it actually favors Buffalo? I did see something, it was yesterday before. The crew that's refereeing this game, the Chiefs have not had success with. They actually have a losing record with this crew that's coming out. At least the head referee, so that's something to keep an eye on. I think also with the referees and the calls not called or whether or not they should have been, you may have a game where the referees, you know, kind of swallow their whistle and let them play. You know, it might be like, you know, any questionable calls, let's not call it unless it's like, completely obvious where, like, Mahomes took a legit headshot. You know, keep the, you know, flags in. So Buffalo, you guys mentioned, you know, Jason said, you know, it's their time, they're ready.
I. I agree. I mean, I'm rooting for Allen and those guys to do what they got to do against the spread.
Kansas City Chiefs have a below.500 record. 8 and 10 and every other team's almost six games above.500 against the spread. And we talked about last week, the Texans out over 100 yards more. I'll play him really in every aspect, except. Except getting the eight sacks and, you know, the questionable calls that led to if, what, 10 points off of drives for the Chiefs.
Allen, you know, he's one thing They've done with him. Offensively, Joe Brady is. They don't turn the ball over anymore. They don't make any risk throws. The real not conservative, they, they attack when they need to, but they don't force throws into coverage. Turning the ball over. They did had zero against the Ravens. They won that battle. They could win the turnover battle against the Chiefs team that rarely turns the ball over too. We talked about it yesterday. Yeah, the Chiefs do all the small things better than everybody in the league. You know, whether it's not committing penalties, whether it's not turning the ball over. And another thing is the Chiefs are one of the better teams on third down. Why? Because they stay ahead of the chains. They're always in third and three, third and two, third and four. You got a lot of options. You know, Mahomes can run for five, six yards.
[00:24:47] Speaker A: And don't forget third and pass interference. It's a good, it's a good first down play too.
[00:24:53] Speaker B: Absolutely, man, absolutely. So I think for this game, obviously everything's at play, special teams. Do you trust Bass in this game or Buckner? We'll see.
[00:25:07] Speaker A: Obviously.
[00:25:08] Speaker B: He missed a field goal last year, a chance to tie that game and send it into overtime. He missed for James Cook, Jason's guy, he's been balling out. You can run the ball in the Chiefs, they've got some weakness there in that defense. You can run it if the Buffalo Bills don't turn the ball over.
Able to convert 50% or better on third down and limit the Chiefs to less than 50% on third down and turn them over. You got to like Buffalo's chances.
Like you said, Rome, this has kind of been like a heavyweight fight where the Chiefs loses in the regular season, come back and win in the playoffs.
Whether or not the Bills are ready to get over the hump, I'm going to take the Chiefs.
I'm just, I'm going to. I, I'd love to see Buffalo win, but something tells me like, you know, it's not going to happen and it's going to be the Chiefs finding a way to win. I don't think it's going to be the referees. I just think Buffalo's going to go up late, Mahomes is going to work his magic and probably make a play happen. And if not, then maybe Von Miller can resemble himself from Denver, come out and make a big sack and a play. But I'm going to go with the Chiefs. Late field goal by Buckner to win that one.
So yeah, I'll take, I'LL take the minus one and a half too, because like I said, I think teams that win these games typically cover the spread. So I'll go Chiefs to cover the one and a half.
[00:26:34] Speaker A: Yeah, you guys mentioned a few things.
Josh Allen, Pat Mahomes, this is gonna be their fourth time facing off in the playoffs. Mahomes has won the previous three. The only other quarterback matchup Joe that's had more in the playoffs was what Jason was talking about. Manning and Brady, they met five times in the playoffs.
[00:26:57] Speaker B: So Manning winning the final two.
[00:27:00] Speaker A: Yeah. So I think, I think it's Allen's turn. I think he only had one bad game out of those. Otherwise he's been pretty impressive. You did mention the turnovers. KC has not turned the ball over, I think since their Week 11 matchup against the Bills. The Bills are going to swarm them. They kept Kelsey at bay. They'll probably implement something. I think that's gonna be really key, making sure that guy does not get open, have like these crazy. He just had so much field ahead of him every time he made a play against Houston.
Bill's defense, not as stingy and dominant of years past, but they're still pretty effective. So I think they're going to cause enough chaos for Mahomes. On the flip side, the Chiefs did blitz Allen a lot, I think in the beginning of the game and it just didn't work. Allen knows how to read it, option out of it, do whatever and he performed pretty well. So they did like more conservative approach in the second half and it still made no difference. Right. I'm really curious how Spagnola is going to kind of game plan for that.
Hell of a defensive coordinator.
I'm still taking the Bills though.
I got them winning.
Yeah, I just got them winning. You know, I. I believe the football gods will finally deliver us from hell.
If not, I'll be getting blacked out drunk at the super bowl and eating lots of chicken wings and pounding lots of maybe not even Michelob Ultras. I'll be going straight the IPAs and double IPAs and hitting up all the scotches on my shelf.
Nah. Trying to bleed my eyes out.
Jason, you had the Bills, correct?
[00:28:56] Speaker C: I did. Which goes against my preseason pick. So I guess I get to be right no matter what.
[00:29:07] Speaker A: You know, the over under is really intriguing. They're both at 48 and a half. Is that right?
[00:29:13] Speaker B: Both games? Yeah.
[00:29:14] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:29:15] Speaker B: Commanders. I got 47 and a half.
[00:29:17] Speaker A: 47, okay.
Not much of a difference.
I actually anticipate this game to be a little bit Lower scoring. I'm leaning on the under on this game.
And it's all going to come down to who has the possession last. If it's like a touchdown and Mahomes has 30 seconds, he's money, right? Same thing. If Alan has 30 seconds, he's money as well. It's gonna be really intriguing who manages the clock so they. So that they get the ball when the final seconds are ticking off.
All right.
That it.
[00:30:01] Speaker C: For the games? I think so.
Only thing we got left is 24 hours later, we got just a ton of more coaching news.
[00:30:10] Speaker A: All right, let's take a quick break if you guys want to talk coaching again.
[00:30:15] Speaker B: Why not?
[00:30:20] Speaker A: All right, time for another coaching update in the NFL. I just found out, talking to guys who are taking a little break, that Liam Cohen told the Bucks he's out. He's bouncing back to the Jags. So he interviews for the job not once, but twice.
Balki's still there as a gm.
Kahn, the owner. Right. He said that he's not gonna fireball. He's not gonna do a complete sweep of the front office because that's quote unquote, suicidal. But here we are a few weeks later doing the exact same thing that he did not. He said he was not going to do fires. Balky.
All of a sudden it's like, hey, Colin, could he come back for another interview? Reconsider that thing. This is after news that he was offered to be the highest paid assistant coach. Top assistant coach in the, in the NFL. He's like, ah, sorry, Bucks, I'm not going to answer my phone calls today. I'm busy. I'm stuck in traffic. Where are you stuck in traffic to? I'm in Tampa or Jacksonville.
[00:31:32] Speaker B: Jacksonville.
[00:31:33] Speaker A: There you go. Jacksonville.
[00:31:34] Speaker B: Duvall County.
[00:31:35] Speaker C: Duvall County.
[00:31:38] Speaker A: And then quick little text here and there, hey, I'm taking the job. So what happened?
[00:31:46] Speaker B: A lot happened, man.
[00:31:48] Speaker C: Well, I. Yeah, I think going back to the. We talked about this weeks ago with Shad Khan because I. I think I brought this up where he said an interview that he'd be willing to fire the. The GM if. If the right coach came along, which was, I thought at the time, an absurd thing to say out loud because pretty crazy. Either you're committed to the guy or you're not. Who's going to be running your general manager, if not, get rid of him. And Aaron and I were talking two days ago, or was it yesterday? Basically, like when they dismissed Bulky. I'm like, well, why did you not do this two, three weeks prior, before you Started interviewing, you know, the head coaches because now, you know, now who's, who's making this decision from a head coach perspective. So obviously Liam Cohen has been sought after. I think he's, he's, he's highly thought well of around the league in circles, I guess. You know, after Ben Johnson and probably Joe Brady and maybe he's just around Joe Brady. He's like, this is, hey, this is one of the top offensive minds in the league. And it was kind of just when he was going to be a head coach, but interesting stuff in, in Jacksonville and so not surprising, but the turn of events were, yeah, okay, this ain't for me. I'll just go back and be an OC almost seemingly doing what Ben Johnson did a year ago where it's like, ah, maybe got some unfinished business. I'll sit here, be the highest paid assistant and then maybe another more lucrative job will come around next year. But you know, Shad Khan said, no, I'll just fire this guy and then please, please, please, once you reconsider and, and come back. So Liam Cohen not walking into a terrible situation. When you think of a personnel perspective, I think Jacksonville has, have a quarterback. What right, wrong or indifferent. I mean, he's a, he was a number one overall pick. He signed to an extension. I think he's been underwhelming his career. We talked about a little bit. He's probably been, you know, average at best when you look at the 32 quarterbacks in the NFL. But there's skill there that was exceptional in college. And he was thought of as one of the best prospects to come out of college because of how good he was early in his career in Clemson. And then you got a lot of young, great players. Brian Thomas, you got some good running backs. You know, defense is pretty loaded and it was a team that made the playoffs just a year prior. So yeah, there's, there's something, there's something to work with. And so I just think the question's going to be is now you bring in Liam Cohen, you fire the general manager. Okay, what general general manager, you know, is Liam Cohen kind of, kind of maybe bless or bring with him that's going to be running this team. You got to think ever since Irvin Meyer, there's just been all this shakiness in Jacksonville. Probably dates back even earlier than that. But really since that Urban Meyer hire, it has been kind of a wave of emotions and everything within Jacksonville and, but you know, there's at least something there. And an Aaron mentioned the last Pod a very winnable division because, you know, the Texans seemingly are the best team in the league, but they took a big step back this year. And then you got two other teams that are just kind of floundering as well too, with the Colts and the Titans. So I think, I think it's a pretty good deal for Liam Cohen. It's just going to be structurally within the organization.
You know what's next.
[00:34:52] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean it's. I think it's a good hire for, for Jacksonville. I mean, talked about Trent Bulkey, you know, Jason, and we talked about it. Rome, like basically on Black Monday, like, why not just get rid of this guy? Like, it seems you're not sold on him. Literally came out and said, and I said it was going to happen, they were going to get rid of him. They found the right coach and Liam Kwan wanted the job. And on his way there, he's like, you know what? I don't want to work with them. Khan and he, Khan, like literally, literally probably like an hour after is like, hey, Trent, you, you got to go, dude, like the guys that we want to hire don't like you.
I like you, but they don't like you. So you got to go.
Interestingly, based off what I'm hearing is, you know, Liam got a new three year extension to make him the highest paid OC in the NFL under the condition that he does not go back and do a second interview with the Jaguars. Hence why he did not sign right away. I think Khan and those guys got word of that and made the move and fired. And then like you said, Rome kind of, you know, drew back channel said, hey, he's gone. We want you come up and interview and let's get this deal done. From what I'm hearing, he's going to get Ben Johnson money. He gets to handpick the gm. He's basically given the keys to the Ferrari. And now let's roll. And like Jason said, they've got talent. Trevor Lawrence is there. You saw what he did with Baker Mayfield this year.
[00:36:26] Speaker A: Yeah, Baker has his best career year statistically. At least 40 plus touchdowns, 4,500 yards a baller.
[00:36:35] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean, ETN at running back Brian Thomas probably gonna be second or third in rookie of the year voting. Yeah, they got Evan Ingram, a really good tight end and young guys on defense. Jaguars always kind of like that team. Like they go on a five, six year spurt where they suck and then they get all this good young talent and they make a run to like the AFC championship. Remember was it just 2019? They were in the AFC championship and the Patriots beat him and then, like, literally just took a tank dive from there.
[00:37:05] Speaker A: Yeah, that was weird. I really like that team. I really like that team.
[00:37:08] Speaker B: I mean, that was a team that had the Ramsey, all those guys. I mean, that was a really good team. They should have beat the Patriots. Let's be honest. They. They had them down and literally, like, structurally, like Jason says, they're just terribly ran. They fell apart. And here they are now starting again at Reset with Liam Cohen, new gm. Interestingly, though, yeah, I know Raider fans are starting to freak out because the GM last yesterday had agreed to terms and not yet, from what I heard, signed the contract to join up with the Raiders. So there's speculation maybe he jumps ship and goes with Liam to Jacksonville. So keep an eye on that. It's nothing official, but that's the rumor mill. Raider fans are freaking out. They are freaking out right now.
[00:37:57] Speaker A: Interesting.
I got nothing to add, so unless there's, like, other news you guys got.
[00:38:08] Speaker C: I think the other news out of it was Dallas. While it's not official, it was pretty much leaked out that Brian Schottenheimer. Yeah, Brian Schottenheimer was potentially going to be the. The Dallas head coach. And it went over about as well as you can think of, is that this is the one remaining assistant on the payroll for the Cowboys that wasn't the play color for a team that's bounced around the league for, you know, the last decade or so, really has taken just a bunch of lateral moves and, okay, we're going to give you the keys to America's team, the. The Cowboys. I mean, it seems like Jerry Jones is not concerned, but it looks like they've had zero plan. I think the word on the street was they assumed they were going to get the deal done with Mike McCarthy, and then they didn't. And we're really, like, had no plan, but Jerry's like, yeah, we'll figure it out type thing, and seems to maybe some dissension within Jerry and his son on who. But the next, like, kind of choice would be. But a lot of criticism of the Cowboys because they haven't brought any of these, like, top, you know, coaching candidates, whether it was Ben Johnson or, yeah, I'll even think Liam Cohen or, you know, Mike Vrabel. Like, none of these guys were kind of brought in. And this, you know, they've been sitting here for, you know, more than a month right now. You know, nothing with McCarthy and really no backup plan to even do Interviews and stuff. So, I mean, they look so ill prepared. Don't know what the direction of the franchise. It's a roster that, you know, Rome, you applauded him for playing hard for McCarthy down the stretch, but you know, they, they blew it in free agency from the running back perspective that they didn't hear the end of it all year with not signing Henry or Saquon and just re signing Zeke Elliott. You know, kind of we're a one man show with CD throughout the year offensively. So there's a lot of, I think a lot of rest unrest with the Cowboys and now you're looking at the commanders who are just on the rise. The Eagle, you know, you got an all NFC East, AFC championship game and the Cowboys look like just a disorganized mess down there right now. I know when I texted you guys this earlier, I think I woke Rome up with the text about it. And then he turned on the hurt, you turn on cowherd and he said it was like the end of the republic or something in Dallas.
[00:40:22] Speaker A: Yeah, he was like going full blaze because I saw your text. I'm like, oh, you know, like that's why I get up, I put on sports radio, slowly get out. I'm like, oh, dude, this is hilarious.
[00:40:33] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean, I don't think we should be shocked by this. I mean, Jerry, literally, Jerry, four hours before the opening kickoff signed Dak Prescott to an extension which was literally what, five, five days before the season started. He gets cd, he's starting to lose contract.
[00:40:48] Speaker A: He's starting to lose. I think we made.
[00:40:51] Speaker B: And now literally like sits on McCarthy for weeks before he allows him to go interview with the Bears because like Jason said they wanted to sign Mike McCarthy. I'd heard speculation as they pin in the contract to make Jason Witten the coach in waiting. Soon as Mike McCarthy heard that he was out the door and that was the reason why, you know, he wasn't going to stick around. Basically you were saying is like, hey, I want you to mentor this guy because I don't think you're good enough for the job long term and then you can just bounce in like two or three years.
[00:41:22] Speaker A: Yeah, I was on this Reddit board about the McCarthy thing and they're saying like, oh, you know, here's a two year pruvit contract again. And by the way, here's Witten as your lead, you know, assistant. He's gonna be taking your job over anyways. And yeah, I would have said, fuck, you do that too. But some guys on this board, it's pretty funny. I just pulled it up because I saved a link and they're like some guys complaining, like, why is it such a big deal that coaches, you know, are arguing for, like, length of contract? Just fucking take the job. He was already there five years, you.
[00:41:54] Speaker B: Know, not only there five years. I mean, he had three years of winning 12 plus games, right?
[00:41:59] Speaker A: Yeah. So these guys are like, yeah. What really matters is not the length. It's about girth. So some other guy responds, McCarthy is exactly not lacking in girth. Mike McGirthy is.
That's why you don't go on Reddit.
[00:42:15] Speaker C: Yeah, exactly. But, yeah, I mean, it's a disrespectful offer for a coach that had success there. And you're only gonna offer him two years, which basically means one year, because you're kind of in the hot seat immediately after a one year on your contract as well, too. So. I don't know. I mean, I think part of Cowherd's kind of take, which you told me Roman kind of looked at it too, but it's. It's all a show. I don't know. And I think a lot of people question whether it's like, is winning the thing or in Dallas or is it. Is it all the circus in the show? Because, you know, the team, I think the only team that's never made the NFC Championship game since like, 2000 or something like that, like, every other team now has made the NFC Championship game now that the commanders are in, except the Cowboys in the. Since the year 2000. Some. Some absurd, like, stat like that. They haven't been in it since, like, they won the Super bowl in 95 or something like that. But, you know, they're the most valuable team in the NFL from a. From a money standpoint. And Jerry, this is kind of his personal toy. But, like, at the end of the day, like Aaron mentioned, you signed Deck right before the season started. It's a big deal. It's fanfare. Okay, now we got this circus with the head coach. We're talking about Dion, but we're not really serious about Dion. And you know, every coach they've really gotten, you know, you think about the succession, planning. Like, Jason Garrett was like, the same thing where he was like this coach in waiting. He falls in love with some assistant guy. And now it's the same thing with. With Witten, like, okay, I got a guy that's kind of ready there. And now. Now you look across in the NFC Championship game, you got two former Assistants where, whether it's Dan Quinn or offensive coordinator for the Eagles, Kellen Moore, that were just in that house, you know, more than like, 18 months ago or something like that, that are in this game where, hey, you had established guys that could have been, you know, the succession plan that. That you so richly wanted. So, I don't know. It's. It's the Cowboys. It's a show. We're going to talk about it. I'm sure it's going to lead, first take and get up and everything else that Rome watches in the morning. You know, I don't have. Okay.
[00:44:12] Speaker A: Yeah. Too much.
[00:44:13] Speaker B: It's funny you mentioned Dan Quinn, because I think that's who Jerry Jones wanted. Right? I mean, Ben Johnson was supposed to take the commander's job and literally pulled out, and then Dan Quinn slipped in. So I think the whole plan all along was, given how that defense was playing, was to have McCarthy be the lame goat. And then you go to Dan Quinn is the guy that steps in. Now you got, you know, Brian Schonheimer. I mean, he's made tons of lateral moves. Say what you want. He's been in the league a long time. I mean, he was the OC for Mark Sanchez and the jets when they were last relevant under Rex Ryan.
[00:44:48] Speaker A: Was he really?
[00:44:48] Speaker B: He'd been the OC with Pete Carroll in Seattle there for a while. He was the OC again here with McCarthy. But McCarthy called the plays, so he's the perfect. What do you want to call, like, basically fill in for the Cowboys? I mean, Jerry's very loyal to kind of quote, unquote, Cowboys at heart. People like, if you're there, he'll take care of you. So it makes sense that he would want Witten to be the guy. I mean, went and coaching high school football from Christian school or something and won a championship, so wants to get him, you know, his feet wet in the coaching NFL ranks. And McCarthy would have been a good guy to learn from, but like you said, Rome, I mean, you're not here to mentor anybody, given what McCarthy. McCarthy's got a super Bowl. He's won one more super bowl than Jerry's won in the last 30 years. That's not me. That's all I really need to say.
[00:45:36] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:45:37] Speaker B: And you know, Garrett, an ex Cowboy in the succession plan, I think Jerry would take on Dion, but I don't think Dion has any intentions of leaving Colorado. And like Jason has been saying forever, I. I don't see Dion coaching beyond two or three more years anyways. So given his Health problems his age. He probably just. He's going to want to retire here, go watch his boys play football and enjoy the rest of his life here pretty soon.
[00:46:01] Speaker A: Yeah, he just had a couple of toes amputated and he's not even that old. It's just. Yeah, the health stuff is pretty bad.
[00:46:08] Speaker B: Yeah, it's not great.
[00:46:09] Speaker A: Yeah.
Yeah. You know, if, if, if all that stuff's true, Cherry Jones gets his whipping boy, you can kind of control what happens. Who knows, man? Like, there's like this phrase, like, you know, you want someone to be king that doesn't want to be king. Maybe he didn't want to be coach and he's like the next man up. Maybe he does a great job.
Who knows?
[00:46:30] Speaker B: But if you're Brian Schonheimer, you're not turning this down. I mean, you're never going to get a hold coaching kick again.
It's basically like a title fight where a guy like in the UFC just pulls out and they call the number 10 ranked guy who's on the card and, like, you want a title shot, like, yeah, I don't care if I get knocked out in the first round. It's a pain. I get a title shot.
[00:46:47] Speaker A: Well, that's my point. He wasn't pushing for it. You know, he's never, like, interviewed for other head coaching jobs, so maybe it pans out. I don't know. I'm trying to be. Trying to be optimistic for the Cowboy fans out there, or you can go listen to the herd and it's. It's the beginning of the end of a proud franchise. That's why I don't believe those Ford rankings, man, those estimations, it makes no sense.
[00:47:10] Speaker B: No, I mean.
[00:47:10] Speaker C: I mean, valuation is different than winning. Like, you know, like, you know.
[00:47:18] Speaker A: A lot of tears.
[00:47:20] Speaker B: Yep.
[00:47:21] Speaker A: Awesome. Well, I'm excited to see who else gets hired.
Few more dominoes to fall.
[00:47:29] Speaker C: Yeah. A lot of intrigue with Vegas talking about whether GM is signing on the head coaching vacancy. And then the Saints, you know, they lost out on Aaron Glenn. So what's kind of their plan B going to be?
[00:47:43] Speaker A: Crazy.
[00:47:45] Speaker B: They still have, what, Loomis. Is the GM down there in New Orleans?
[00:47:50] Speaker C: I believe so, yes. I saw an interesting thing for them about David, about car being on the market, and then potentially, I don't know, is it the jets or Giants potentially being a landing spot for him?
[00:48:04] Speaker B: So car doesn't look like a New York guy to me.
[00:48:08] Speaker C: No.
[00:48:11] Speaker A: Might be over.
