Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign.
[00:00:03] Speaker B: Welcome back to source from the sofa. We are going to be recapping a lot of things since we had technical difficulties throughout the week trying to get on recapping the college football national championship, the divisional round from the NFL. We will get into the conference championships as well later on. So lot to cover. Some new hirings and a really good goalie fight happened in the NHL yesterday. Pretty epic. If you didn't get a check, get a chance to check it out.
It's the Florida Panthers I think against the San Jose Sharks. Unless there's an old clip, I don't know. Really cool though.
But first we will get into the national championship recap which featured Indiana and Miami 2027-21. Indiana holding on for their first Natty finishing a perfect season 16 0.
And lots of praises for Kurt Signetti, what he's done in the two year turnaround.
Some people think they might not ever win one ever again and this is already improbable.
And yada yada yada, Mendoza going to the NFL after this.
They got a new guy awaiting to take over as quarterback for next year and Miami, man, just looked out manned in the first half despite them having the bigger guys up front. But then in the second half they just came out roaring back and almost took it out of Indiana's hands. I was actually surprised. Aaron Hughes had Miami with the plus eight and a half.
I thought it was not going to be that close. And it was close, close, close. They had a chance to take it away.
Their quarterback, Carson Beck.
All losses this year have been an interception by him as the last play of the game. Bittersweet.
But honestly, great game, great game. Thoughts on that?
[00:02:07] Speaker A: Yeah, Rome, I mean you mentioned, you know, we had Miami plus the eight and a half coming into that game. I closed I think at seven and a half. That was the original opening line.
But yeah, I mean the game kind of played out. Second half how I expected, you know, Indiana, Miami. I thought it was gonna be a close game. Miami first half, as you mentioned, really kind of hesitant on offense, really kind of conservative. Just a lot of, you know, run the ball first and second, third down.
It was basically a lot of third and seven, third and eight.
Indiana was able to kind of play their coverages and this, you know, Miami and Beck weren't able to get anything going.
Second half they regrouped, they got that big run by Fletcher, 57 yarder for a touchdown their first possession.
And then really back, you know, they kind of let him start throwing the ball a bit more downfield get the passing game going.
I mean, give credit to Indiana. I mean Indiana Mendoza, he got, he got beat up in that game. Couple couple shots low, a couple shots to the head, he got a busted lip. I know Kurt Signetti was calling for a couple personal fouls to be called in that game. Yeah, but I mean, yeah, I mean Miami, we knew they were tough all year in the trenches. Defensive line, I mean they were getting after Mendoza, lots of sacks. I mean this was not a great game offensively for him.
I think a good game for NFL scouts to kind of watch and see because, I mean this is a. Miami has a lot of, you know, defensive linemen that are going to be NFL pros and a lot of first rounders as well.
[00:03:34] Speaker B: So kind of a good look at what it.
[00:03:37] Speaker A: Yeah, so it's not like your typical Northwestern or Rutgers on a Saturday where they got maybe a guy that's going to be drafted in the sixth and seventh round. So this was a good look for teams to kind of see what Mendoza, how he could stand up to a beating. Getting sacked, stepped up, made some plays, made some huge throws in the fourth quarter. That QB sneak to go for it on four from five, I would have kicked the field goal. We've been seeing it in the NFL playoffs. Teams not taking points, coming back to hurt them. But they converted it, got the touchdown. But big one for Indiana.
You know, I'm glad we closed the season out on the right side of this one with Indiana on the money line. Miami plus eight and a half. So a good way to close off a college football season for us.
[00:04:23] Speaker B: Jason.
[00:04:24] Speaker C: Yeah, I mean Aaron really hit it on the head. We talked about Miami in the preseason. You know, what they're going to be able to bring to the table. The questions this year versus last year kind of around quarterback because they, they nailed it the year prior, getting the first overall pick in the draft, basically who was in a lot of instances was bailing them out. And offensively and then Miami overall for the season, kind of it was a different identity of a team. You know, Carson Beck had the experience in the, in the SEC and stuff, but this wasn't by any means like a barn burner offense. Even though they had Tony and you know, the guys up front, from a playmaker standpoint, you never really saw it going. And as Rome, you mentioned in this game, like nothing was happening for them. First half and they only come through in the second half. But Indiana, I, I think everyone questioned them a lot to the season. Is this team real? Who do they like last year, they didn't play anybody and they lost, you know, pretty much the only two big games they had. They come back this year. Is it going to be the same thing where, hey, they're really talented enough to beat up, you know, on the lower teams of the Big Ten, but when it came to the big matchups, what could they do? And they, they rose to the occasion, man, they went, they win the big games on their schedule during the regular season, they win the Big Ten title game, run through pretty much everyone throughout this playoff. And you know, you mentioned at the top, like, you know, people saying this could be a one, one and done thing for Indiana. I'm not sure about that right now. You, you seen right now in this modern era, anything can happen seeds in the season, depending on who you're getting. And you know, if you have a specific target in mind, like I don't know, the age, the average age of this Indiana roster. I know that a lot of jokes are on Twitter about like, you know, basically it's an older, it's an old, they're 23, you know, depending on, you know, what the transfer portal looks like and you know, what the nil deals with these schools and the investment that's going to happen. You know, you may get more stories like this or hey, may, you know, I mentioned in previous podcasts as I, as I give more criticism to the SEC and where it's at. Like you're gonna have more competitive schools like this that are going to be in the financial game to bring in these upperclassmen and put a team together in an off season that, you know, has more experience and, and is built differently to be able to go extended rounds. I mean, think about like now they schedule, they're 16 and 0. Think of the, the college before, you know, was 11 games. Now we're, you know, playing up to 16 games. I mean this is a full NFL regular season. These guys are playing too. So I mean there, there is a lot into it.
I think Miami, this is a good stepping stone for them. You know, you think, you know, they need to win the acc. I think going forward, you know, to make things a little either they should be dominating the ACC with this level of talent, but you know, this puts them in the national spotlight. You know, similar I would similar s story to Notre Dame a year ago where many people didn't give a lot of credit. They make the run all at a national title game, put a pretty good showing into a one possession game in the fourth and come up a little Short against a superior Big Ten team that had, you know, just a little more, you know, a little more talent. But impress, you know, you can't, you can't deny where Indiana used to be in the Big Ten when Signetti took them over and where they are now, like regardless of the way you kind of built it, everyone has these opportunities. Everyone, tons of programs spent a bunch of money, but you know, you get them to the right place and you make a run in this playoff and it's a deserving national champion.
[00:07:32] Speaker B: Pretty crazy from last to now being national champs in a two year span.
Epic to say the least.
This was the most watched championship.
I had the stats right here since two, since 2014.
It got 30.1 million viewers in 2014 was the highest. It's been 33.2.
But this is also the most watched anything non NFL related since the Cubs beat Cleveland in game seven of the 2016 World Series. So a lot of people tuned in for this. Got a lot of views, I would say, about Fernando Mendoza.
When that play got busted up and he just kind of, he got hit and then kind of rolled around and then did the dive and got like what, three, two guys on his back and won the front. Like that was like a, that was really good. That was really, really good.
Kind of felt like he won it with that one. So I don't know how he's gonna do in the Raiders next year.
I don't know he's gonna do.
[00:08:35] Speaker C: But yeah, the Raiders need, they need to, they're gonna need to find some offensive linemen, you know, because that offensive line couldn't block for Genti this year and you know, he'll have a rough time, but I mean, that's what it is. Being the first overall pick. A lot of times you're not going to a great situation 100%.
[00:08:54] Speaker B: Yeah, with this Miami, they're going to be favorites next year. Notre Dame will be back. Hopefully we get both them in the, in the playoffs next year.
Miami validated the, the cfp, you know, playoff committee, so they lucked out on this one.
But any changes you guys want to see moving forward, what do you guys, you guys want to do? Like too early to predict, you know, teams that should be in the national championship spotlight going to next year.
[00:09:23] Speaker C: Aaron's going to know more of me. I mean the transfer window is like open right now and stuff, so who knows what these teams could be able to buy in the next 10 days or something before whatever signing day, transfer window or, you know, you got like what 30% of the guys are in the port.
[00:09:36] Speaker A: Yeah. Is it close?
[00:09:38] Speaker C: Is the portal closed?
[00:09:39] Speaker A: Well, new. New names going in is closed. Unless of course, you're Miami and Indiana. I think it's open for a couple days, but it closed on the 16th. But if you're still in the portal, you can be signed, but you cannot re. Enter the portal now.
Well, obviously Romeo mentioned Mendoza. His brother's now left. He's going to Georgia Tech. So the Mendozas want nothing to do with Indiana now. So that's just how college football is. We love you one minute, see you the next. So you gotta love it. Football.
[00:10:06] Speaker B: Aren't they bringing Tulane's quarterback, TCU's Hoover? TCU.
[00:10:10] Speaker A: And they're bringing in Hoover from TCU.
I think they got another recruiter too, that they like.
Obviously the big story is who's going to Miami, going to get at quarterback after the Duke transfer kid entered in the last minute, last hours. I know he's in a litigation lawsuit right now of Duke to try to keep him. So we'll see what happens. I know Miami, Miami's been looking to spend money on a quarterback. We know with Beck gone, their other quarterback that they had is enter the transfer portal. So we'll see what happens there.
Romy mentioned teams next year. I've seen the way, really top 25. I mean, Texas is going to be good. I mean, we all expect Texas and Arch Manning and everybody to take that leap. They got a good transfer portal hole coming in.
You know, Ohio State, Georgia, they're all going to be in the mix. Lane Kiffin, they're calling him the Keenan, the transfer portal. They got the number one transfer portal recruiting class coming in, Penn State. Matt Campbell's doing a good job of bringing players in. Basically everybody from Iowa State that was there. It's basically they just changed. They changed logos and the helmets. Yeah, they picked up their quarterback for me. Rome, you're talking about a kind of a Cinderella team next year to watch. I'll throw this team out early because I want to be on that bandwagon. Now. I don't necessarily think they're going to make the playoff or win a national championship, but keep an eye on Oklahoma State.
Oklahoma State's bringing in the coach from North Texas. He's bringing over like 12 transfers for them. This can be similar to what Indiana did with. With James Madison. I think Oklahoma State's a team next year that can win eight, nine, 10 games and be on the fringe of winning the Big 12 and making a college football playoff experience. So that's a team. If you're looking like an Indiana that can come in and kind of was dead in the water where they go three and nine, I think Indiana or Oklahoma State next year can go nine and three or better. That's a team to keep an eye on with all the transfers they brought in.
[00:11:58] Speaker B: Nice.
I agree with those teams. Well, Oklahoma State, that's really interesting. I'll have to take a look at that. But yeah, Texas, Miami, Notre Dame should be back.
[00:12:09] Speaker A: Next year.
[00:12:09] Speaker B: A lot of people on X were pretty adamant that Ohio State was definitely the best team this year. They just, you know, got beat at the wrong time. So that was amazing to see that chatter during the national championship game.
[00:12:23] Speaker C: The wrong time was in the Big Ten title game and then again in the playoffs. I mean, come on. I mean, you know, it's just, that.
[00:12:29] Speaker B: Was just a little fun. X.
[00:12:33] Speaker C: It's, it's funny with the playoff, you said they wanted to be changed and we'll talk about it at nauseam. But I, I, you know, you could say the committee did get it right with Miami, but where they got it massively wrong was Alabama.
And, and I'm, you know, that's, that's the thing we're going to talk about. And I will, I will, I will bookmark this as we talk about SEC teams, you know, going into the playoff again next year and like where it's at because they didn't show up in this playoff this year. You know, the teams are going to be good, no doubt about it. But you know, we start looking at some of these other conferences and what it'll be going into. Notre Dame will be back. But you know, I'm worried about Notre Dame because I don't even know who they're playing. They're going to have like probably the easiest schedule out there. So they have no room for error as far as slip ups or anything when it comes to their schedule. They may got one loss on there, but two losses will kick them out again because they're basically playing nobody. So I think there's a lot up in the air when it comes into next season. But Notre Dame should be good, man. They got a sophomore quarterback now who look really good in a freshman year. That'll be even better.
But when you go into the playoff next year, we'll, we'll get to the cycle again of all these great SEC schools. But then when it comes down to it, you know what, what is in Indiana, Ohio State, Penn State, you know, the Big Tens, no slouch, they're a little top heavy but you know, they've proven now two years in a row they're going to run through, you know, a four game path to the tournament. They got the teams and the horses to beat, you know, the SEC and everybody else.
[00:13:51] Speaker A: Yes. I'm looking at Notre Dame schedule. Norde's really got three games next year.
They've got smu, Miami, byu. Those are the three big games. Maybe Wisconsin turns into something they open with them at Lambeau Field there in Green Bay to start next year in September. So that's really their big games. Everyone else, you got Purdue, Michigan State, Stanford, Syracuse. Not, not a tough schedule. So. Yeah, I mean agree. I mean Notre Dame can afford one slip up two maybe they're outside looking in.
I know, I don't think the committee changed it. Right. I know they were kind of meaning to decide whether or not they were going to expand to 16 games I or 16 teams. I don't think that not passed yet. Right.
[00:14:32] Speaker B: No, no, no, I know, I know.
[00:14:35] Speaker A: The Big Ten, the Big Ten's proposals to get to 24 teams, that's too much. So that's probably something we could have in the next five years.
[00:14:43] Speaker C: It's, it's gonna happen. It's just gonna be. You talk about the ratings for this Rome. I mean these, these matchups are equal. Just more stakes, more ratings. I mean you'll see what, whatever becomes of bowl season and everything like that. I, I 24 seems like a lot, but yeah, I definitely think you're probably gonna get to 16 because you're gonna have these conferences want more buy in when it comes to the money aspect.
[00:15:04] Speaker A: Well, I think we're getting the 24 because I think, I don't know if it's 20, 28, 29, 30, whatever the year is. All the conference, all the power four conference championship games contracts are over. So they want to eliminate that and just add more teams to the playoffs is what I'm kind of gathering from the Big Ten.
[00:15:20] Speaker B: Got it.
[00:15:21] Speaker C: Which is perfect because those games are just terrible right now.
[00:15:24] Speaker B: Yeah, we'll be able to talk more about that in the future. Let's switch gears into the NFL.
We had some really great games and one awful game.
Two awful games. I would say two really good games.
Let's start with Saturday with the Bills losing to the Broncos 30 to 33.
And then later on Saturday night, the 49ers losing to Seattle up in Seattle. And that was just a blowout from the get go.
Let's go.
Bills first because that was really Exciting game. The Bills had plenty of chances to win it. There was some costly turnovers from Josh Allen. I'm not sure how much merit you guys put on the two fumbles and the two interceptions, especially that last one.
Pretty bummer. One play call that does stick out was one day it was. It was very similar play. Receiver catches it, defender steals it away. They rule out an interception. And that pretty much doomed the Bills right then and there.
Next day, same thing happened. It was with the Patriots or was that with the Rams and Bears? Those Rams and Bears.
And they ruled devontae Adams. Yeah, there. There you go. And they ruled it a catch. Same play, different rulings. It really pissed me off.
[00:16:48] Speaker A: I disagree with you, Rome. I disagree. I think they got the ruling of Bright on both of those games. But yeah, well, Aaron's wrong in that.
[00:16:55] Speaker C: But that's because he's Sean Payton Homer. And as he wants the Broncos to win, Bill's got absolutely screwed. The Bills got absolutely screwed in that game. There's a million angles of Brandon Cooks with the ball, knee down, everything football move, elbow, like all sorts of stuff.
And you're going from there. And it was the exact same play in the Rams Bears game. And I think they got the call right on the Rams Bears game, but completely wrong in the Bills Broncos game. The Bills did have their chances, but I mean, when you get down to these moments in the postseason right now, and these are game altering plays, there's several of them that taking place in, in different things. You know, these calls do matter and you know, we're talking about, you know, frames and inches and going through the replay and stuff. But, you know, we're. I don't know if we're on year 30 of deciding what a catch is, but this was definitely a catch by the receiver that was ripped away after the ball's down by contact. There's a bunch of angles all over social media that says it and they're not getting admitted, but you know, it's costly stuff in the moment, in the stakes are ultimately high. Cost the head coach probably his job at the end of the day on this one call. So I mean. But the Bills blew their chances. This should have been Josh Allen's time. The. The Broncos were not very impressive throughout the game. It's to going to be even worse going to the ASC title game given that they don't have their starting quarterback now. So it, it's. It was a disappointing result, honestly, for a call to be so detrimental to that. But the Bills kind of did it to themselves.
[00:18:18] Speaker B: They, they, they did. And that. And that's kind of been like the storyline for the Bills. Every playoff exit, they're right there, something weird happens and they lose. It's happened in division round so many times, usually against kc. I feel really bad. Josh Allen was crying. I feel like crying afterwards. I'm like, God damn it. Because I'm not really impressed by like, who's left, you know, like this, this is a year that they, they could have stole one. So any comments from that game, you guys?
First of all, Stidham, who's, Who's gonna be, you know, playing quarterback? He did pretty good in Vegas. Right? And I actually think, like, he has like, you know, potential to be a starting quarterback. We haven't seen him since then because they're paying like what, 12, 14 million to be a backup, so who knows what happens? But I don't think it's as easy as, as people think it's going to be with their backup quarterback.
[00:19:09] Speaker A: Yeah, we'll get back into breaking that game down when we get to talking the spread and picks for that Rome. But yeah, I mean, Broncos first half I thought played really well offensively. They got a lot of things going where they put up 20 points there, but I mean, Buffalo turned the ball over five times.
I mean, so weird. You talked about him getting fired.
Yeah, I, you know, the owner said basically, you know, just the failures in the playoffs, he's had enough of it. And maybe that, you know, I don't know what Josh Allen was doing in that last play for them offensively there in the first half when he turns the ball over, fumbles. Broncos get a field goal, the end half. I mean, just take a knee. You got no timeouts. It's 11 seconds, you can't do anything. I mean, they're playing the sideline anyway. So he just runs down the middle, I don't know, throws the ball back. I don't know what he was doing on that play.
McDermott is the head coach. You can't, you can't be doing anything aggressive on that play there. That really hurt him. That gave the Broncos a 10 point lead going into the half. A lot of momentum. Obviously Buffalo did come back, but, you know, five turnovers. James Cook with a fumble as well.
You know, they just had multiple, multiple mistakes throughout. Gave Denver a lot of chances and Denver eventually, you know, made a player two more. I mean, Allen missed a touchdown late there too. I think it was Kincaid. He had him. Kincaid.
[00:20:22] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah.
[00:20:24] Speaker A: Threw it a little bit high. Could have got it I mean, I thought. I thought the referees missed a holding before on that same play there that the Bills were getting. Getting away with. But as far as the interception, I do have it as an interception. You had to maintain possession to the ground. Cooks does not. The defender does. I had the right call. I believe they got the recall right as an interception.
[00:20:44] Speaker C: Maintain to the ground. He took it away from him after he was on the ground.
[00:20:48] Speaker A: Yeah, but you got to maintain possession through the ground football move. He does not. The defender did. So I. Therefore, I agree with the interception call. I mean, it's.
It's a tough play, but I think it is an interception.
Devonte Adams, it was a different play because he was standing up and then was taken to the ground, not in one simultaneous moment, so that I had ruled as a catch down by contact. So I think the referee's got both of those right in the game to their credit. I'll say that.
[00:21:17] Speaker B: Wild.
[00:21:18] Speaker A: Now, if you go back and watch when your Steelers played against the Ravens, I could see why there's some things wrong, because Rogers had a catch that should have been an interception against him that they rolled down. So that's kind of the. Where everybody's kind of. The refereeing's a little bit suspect on that, but I do think the referees got that right in both games.
All right.
[00:21:38] Speaker B: I'm really sad the Bills are out, man.
I was, like, the last team I was actually rooting for. I think they should be in the conference championship and like. To find out what to find out.
[00:21:48] Speaker A: Like.
[00:21:48] Speaker B: Like Broncos fans, literally, minutes after, you know, they're, like, celebrating going to the championship to find out that Bo Nix is out for the season with a broken ankle. There's rumors or, like, there. There's a little.
Supposedly they're.
[00:22:03] Speaker A: They're.
[00:22:04] Speaker B: They're drugging him up to see if he can handle the pain, possibly see him.
[00:22:07] Speaker A: They.
[00:22:07] Speaker B: They can roll his ass out there, but no way.
[00:22:11] Speaker A: Nick's ain't playing, man. He's not going.
He will not. He will not be playing.
No. He can hit.
He barely could roll out and throw it past the end of the game against Buffalo.
[00:22:23] Speaker B: Came straight from Bronco territory, man. They're trying to drug him up to see how he can handle it.
[00:22:28] Speaker A: Next Bronco territories, they're already drugged up. Rome.
[00:22:33] Speaker B: Niners, Seahawks, we can keep this one really short.
It just looked like all the magic disappeared. It was midnight. Cinderella had to go home. Or Snow White or whoever that princess was.
Brock Purdy wasn't great.
Was he terrible or was he just Like a little flustered. I can't really tell. The defense was just lights out.
They start off with the kick return for touchdown, they get right in the hole. It seems like everything that the Niners were trying to do just like miscues and, and, and everything.
They just seemed like they were just flustered by everything that Seattle was doing on the defensive side and, and then just kind of went out of it, got kind of out of hand. Donald didn't have a crazy game, but he was efficient, made the right reads.
Thoughts on that game?
[00:23:28] Speaker C: Yeah, I mean, there was stuff on Purdy, but obviously at the same thing, the rushing attack, they couldn't really get the running game going. And then the magic you said for the 49ers is the injuries. They were, they were carting guys off left and right in that first half. Going into the blue tent, like, I, I mean, I was joking with my Niner friends, you know, the electrical substation thing, man, they were just sniper and guys left and right, you know, that were coming off the field going, going into the blue tent. I'm like, man, did he, the McCaffrey pop his Achilles? Did Con just blow out his ACL? Like, I mean, it was kind of crazy and like the Seahawks just from, from the opening bell, man, it was like almost like a big punch at the start and the Niners get back up, but they're just groggy and it just, they were just never able to recover and everything they were able to do throughout the entire season to keep games close, it just wasn't there. There wasn't. There wasn't guys, I think left in the defense that can compete. And from a physicality in this game, you know, Seattle just owned it, you know, beginning to end and just. The Niners just didn't have anything left to give.
[00:24:25] Speaker A: Yeah, Rome, I mean, I touched on it during the preview. This was going to be the blow out of the week, so it was not a surprise to me. I mean, you guys said it best. I mean, Niners came in limping, they left, they left on in the stretcher, wheelchair, back of the ambulance, right? It's like Madden 96. You get hurt, the ambulance comes out and takes you out. That's what they did. The Niners. Look, the Niners came into this game way overmatched. Seattle off a buy, back to back games against them. It was a classic blowout spot. Seattle did exactly what they needed to do, run it down their throat, beat them up at the defensive line, on their O line, you know, Brock Purdy, I'm not going to say he had a bad game at all. He was just. I mean, 49ers were just overmatched in this game. I don't care. You could have thrown Mahomes, Josh Allen, burrow. All those guys out there, they still would have gotten beat by three or four scores in this game. They just did not have the players to beat. Seattle coming off a buy. Seattle looks tough, they look fresh, they look healthy. 49ers. We'll see what they end up doing here in the off season. They're going to have to get, you know, get some players healthy for sure. Resign some guys. I mean, I know gm, they're moving. Lynch said they're moving off iuk. So he's gone.
So we'll see. Jennings is a free agent. Kittle likely probably start next year on the PUP list. Trent Williams did announce he's coming back for them, so we'll see. And Robert Sala, we're talking about head coaching. You know, he just got the job there of the Titans, so they could be looking for another defensive coordinator. Their third in the last three years.
[00:25:47] Speaker C: Yeah, Aaron, I mean, while I disagree with you on the interception in the Bills game, I mean this, this game particularly, you called so well. I mean, people were hollering at you, just how well you looked and everything, you know, that Saturday night with how great a prediction this was. So I just, I just wanted to make sure.
[00:26:02] Speaker B: Watch out.
[00:26:03] Speaker C: I got a little too much love.
[00:26:04] Speaker A: I wasn't expecting.
[00:26:06] Speaker B: Oh, you're right. The text message.
God damn, that was embarrassing, man.
[00:26:13] Speaker A: I had to check to double check to make sure that was me. A little discount. Double check?
[00:26:18] Speaker B: Yeah, I got. I got mixed up, dude. And then, and then the person I was texting, she called me an old man because I got it mixed up.
[00:26:25] Speaker A: So.
[00:26:29] Speaker C: I can't believe you told her, man. I thought it was hilarious. It was an all time text that.
[00:26:33] Speaker A: It was pretty funny.
[00:26:35] Speaker B: Yeah, I did tell her because I wrote. I meant to text you guys, but I wrote her and I was like, disregard the. And then, you know, it went backwards. I text both you guys differently. So hilarious.
We had a laugh about it later that night.
Yeah, I got nothing, man. I got nothing on that game. When you look at the stats though, you would think that the game would be a lot closer, but it was just special teams. It was everything else.
I would say Seattle looks like the team to beat for the rest of the playoffs.
I don't know.
Let's talk about the other two games though. That happened on Sunday.
We had first Texans Patriots, Patriots winning 28 16. This was kind of ugly. I'm not gonna lie, man. This was not a great game.
And C.J. stroud, two back to back bad games. He looked totally out of it. He was out. You know, he, he just like, like the moment was just too big for him.
The defense, I thought they did a decent job. They had some mixed cues in the first half, but everything tied up in the second half. But the four interceptions from CJ Stroud, and they were still within striking distance until that final touchdown by the Pats.
Not good, man. He lost this game. Like, this was on him for sure.
And I'm not really sure what else they could have done.
You know, you hear like guys like Bill Simmons or other like sports critics saying, like, you know, once they saw that he was done mentally, take him out the half and put in Mills. Mills did pretty good in relief, you know, in the, in the middle part of the season. I don't know how you guys like that idea. It's a little too late now. But Drake may. That one pass to. Is it booty or boot? How you pronounce this last?
[00:28:20] Speaker C: I don't know.
[00:28:20] Speaker B: Booty. Oh, no, it was.
[00:28:23] Speaker A: That's how I say it. Right.
[00:28:25] Speaker B: It was beautiful. It was, it was a gorgeous pass. An even better catch.
Second to your Caleb Williams. Miraculous stuff, which he had another one in the game after this one.
We'll talk about that one too. But thoughts on the Pats Texans game?
[00:28:43] Speaker C: Yeah, it was an ugly game. Both teams really couldn't play in the weather. I mean, we're talking January football and, you know, turnovers happening. Four interceptions for Stroud, Drake, Mayhat interception in two fumbles, I believe in that game.
So, you know, they were just turning it over back and forth. Inopportune moments. But you mentioned the C.J. stroud, I think, is the biggest narrative coming out of the game. In the preview, I talked about as far as him in the passing game, what I've seen in a majority of these games. It's, it's, it's first read and then I don't know what to do with the ball and whether that's, you know, just some of the lack of the skill. Players obviously didn't have. Hasn't had Tank Dell all season. Didn't have his number one target in this game, but I think a lot. So expecting some big things out of probably Schultz was, you know, that was his biggest play, I think 42 yards and that one big play to Schultz. But I just don't know, offensively, C.J. stroud now for two straight seasons, there is some highs, but just too many lows and just the progression in the past game. The evolution of this offense doesn't seem to ever find its footing.
I know Rome, you brought up other people talking like, hey, do we pay this guy? You're going into year four, you know, then you get to the fifth year option. Are you giving him, you know, however much Money, like top 10, top five quarterbacks gonna be when he really hasn't proven. I think he's 12 and 5. This.
That's the question. I mean, you brought up. I don't think you changed the mills in this game, but, you know, are you gonna invest in somebody right now or. Hey, hey, you drafted a hell of a defense. I mean, you will Anderson, you know, defensive player of the year, you know, for the next couple years potentially, and for what the havoc he's able to wreak on that side and just, you know, the overall defense of where it's at. So they're 12 and five in, you know, a pretty winnable division because of a defense. Offensively, I mean, you lose the game because of the turnovers on offense. I mean, I think there, I think there was one. Aaron, you have to remind me, I mean, they punted at a certain point down, I think, and I was like, man, well, yeah, you punt because you probably have a better chance in scoring on defense versus offense at this point in the game because of the liabilities that they have turning the ball over in an environment like this. So I just. Yeah, I think you're going to have a lot of questions in Houston. Do they get the full complement of, you know, weapons, you know, Houston's offensive line. A lot of, you know, talk about it last year, I think it was slightly better this year. But I mean, really, it really paved the way for a Patriots who, you know, were good. I think Ramandre had some great runs for them. You know, Drake May wasn't outstanding. He didn't have to be to win this game. But now, I mean, the winner of this game we were coming off of, you know, what happened the day prior, that you're going to play a backup quarterback in the AFC title game. Like, I, I at least thought during this game when Drake May was fumbling the ball and stuff, I'm like, man, the Tech, you guys are going to be right. The Texans are going to the super bowl because they're going to shut down a backup quarterback in the ASC title game and do just enough to get by And I. I just think offensively they messed this thing up and, you know, really gifted. I mean, we. We lose the. We lose the Chiefs out of the playoffs, and we're going to get the Patriots going back to the super bowl.
[00:31:41] Speaker B: Probably.
[00:31:41] Speaker A: Yeah. I mean, give Jason credit. He came out and said he did not trust CJ Stroud going in this game. And he was absolutely right. I mean, that was a. That was a terrible, poor performance by him. I mean, the ball being thrown behind receivers by not. Not inches. We're talking yards. I mean, he was missing by good foot and a half, two feet on some of these passes. I don't know what he was doing.
Texas defense was great. They kept him in the game throughout. I mean, if C.J. stroud rolls out, just does not. It just eats a sack. He doesn't throw up a ball that gets, you know, batted up in the air and gets returned for a touchdown. It's still a 10, 7 game. They're punting. So they go down 14 10. Never regrouped.
The defense for the Texans was great. I mean, they're getting sack pressures on Drake. Mamie, look at Patriots got lucky that two or three of those other fumbles did not get recovered by Houston. They had a great chance to recover, almost could have recovered and took it back for scooping scoring six.
So the defense for the Texans was great. I mean, you mentioned. I was going to text you guys, I'm like, man, maybe you give C.J. stroud one or two series here in the second half. And they come out, they got a field goal, I think, on the first drive in the second half. And then they were driving inside the red zone. Woody Marks fumbles, I think was 21, 16 at that time. Then Drake May leads him down for that touchdown and go up 28, 16 to really ice the game. But this offense, you know, no Nico Collins we mentioned was gonna be a problem.
They lose Schultz, what, In the second or third series of the game. So that really hurt.
[00:32:58] Speaker B: That was bad. That was big. Yeah, that.
[00:33:01] Speaker A: Yeah. You know, Jason mentioned the 42 yard reception. I think I was on the first or second possession of the game. And then after that, the next possession, he got hurt. So that really hurt him. Woody Mars kind of in and out of the lineup of an ankle as well. The offensive line, they were missing, you know, one of their tackles. I think another one got hurt as the game went on as well. So the Patriots just feast or famine, right? They were just going. They smelled blood in the water and CJ Stroud did not look Comfortable at all.
Terrible game by him. You know, I think afterwards he said, look, the loss is on me. He's basically said, hey, I'm not sure really where I'm at right now, figuring out the offense. Agree with you guys, this guy has regressed the last two years. Year four coming up, year five. I mean, you probably pick up the fifth year option. It's only 20 mil. You see what he's got. But as far as extending my contract now, I'm not doing it. I'm not giving this guy free 45, $55 million. Let me see how he does next year.
You know, like Jason mentioned, they're gonna get the wide receiver back and then get Nico some other guys, and then you got, you know, mixing out for the season. I'm reading. Maybe he never plays again. Kind of a freak accident. The GM said from what I read from sources that he just dropped some weight on his foot, had a procedure and lost blood flow to his foot. So has the problems even walking.
So that's. That's an issue. I don't think he's going to get cleared anytime soon. But the Texans have a great defense. Can they get things figured out offensively? That would be the next step. I mean, I don't know if it's the quarterback coach situation. They got to find somebody to get footwork better of C.J. stroud.
But yeah, he had a great, great freshman year, but sophomore juniors not look so good. So you give him a senior year and then you put him in the transfer portal, get rid of his ass to be any better.
[00:34:42] Speaker B: Well, last year wasn't good, but this year he had ups and downs, moments. He looked good. Mills definitely looked a lot better. Went when. When he came in relief. But he just might be a middle of the road quarterback, you know, just good enough to maybe take the division once in a while. But remember, he made, like, some weird comments, too, how he was getting older. You know, ever since he. He.
He gave a pep talk to Kate Williams saying like, don't worry, champ. It's gonna get better. You'll see. He's been. He's been playing like. Like it was like a jinx, dude. I don't know.
It was a jinx for him.
[00:35:13] Speaker A: And the one thing I will say about that, they've both been as far as each other in the playoffs, so he's. He's got that going for him. They both can't get past the divisional round as it is right now.
[00:35:22] Speaker B: All right, let's switch gears the next game, though, because we I, I, I do want to wrap up the recaps and get straight to the championship games. We have the Rams outlasting the Chicago Bears in a snowy game.
Lots of fun. Caleb Williams, some more epic throws in the fourth quarter. Like, Jesus Christ, man, it was unbelievable. Did have three interceptions, but you win some, you lose some. So I've heard people call him like the modern day Brett Favre, so that's some pretty high praise with like him being able to scramble and create something out of nothing.
Other than that though, I thought the Rams played a little conservative for my taste. It seemed like they didn't really want to take it away or were they too cold?
Was like the, like the Bears defense just looked like top notch all of a sudden, you know, like, what did you guys see?
That's my biggest gripe. And then finally when we went to overtime, right, because we almost didn't have overtime, then they took the long shots, they got some PI calls. I hate when a game ends on like three PI calls like that. I'm not a fan of it. I think we should get rid of the, the call where like it's a spot where the foul happened. I, I just Wish it was 10 yards.
You get a new set of downs, spotting it where the foul happened. I don't think it's fair at all. I think it's, I never liked that rule and I didn't like that's how the Rams clinched this victory.
Thoughts, man.
[00:36:53] Speaker C: Well, I gotta take a deep breath in this room. I'm, you know, I, despite rumors out there, we didn't delay the podcast this week because I was in mourning the past several days. This is true technical difficulties. And if we recorded this on a podcast on Monday, I probably would have some hurt feelings about it. But in the end of the day, like, this was a pretty epic Bear season. I think I put it the second best bear season of my lifetime. I can't include the Bears winning the super bowl since I was three months old at the time.
But I'll, I'll put the super bowl year where they lost was pretty epic for me. But this one, you mentioned the epic throws by Caleb Williams. I mean, he has three or four throws in the past month that are all time like historic throws. I mean, it could be my, it could be my timeline bias. But the Bears lost this game on Sunday and the NFL and Every which Way are still tweeting out videos of his game tying touchdown pretty much at the end of regulation for just how improbable it was and just you know, running backwards for his life, falling backwards and throwing the ball 45 yards in the air to Cole Comet. Just an unbelievable play. So it's like playing NFL didn't feel.
[00:38:01] Speaker B: Like falling backwards and he's just throwing it like that.
Just crazy.
[00:38:06] Speaker C: You don't think it's there. I don't know what was better that one or like the the era Jordan throw versus the packers on the fourth, you know six the week prior. It's just, just insane throws. And then you think back to the other Bears packers regular season game that over time just continued stuff from Caleb that is just out of this world and which makes you cited to the Bears fan. I I think the Rams going into this are obviously the heavy, the heavy favorites and the offense, I don't know if it was conservative but there was something different that Dennis Allen had dialed up in this game. You saw, you know, corner blitzes, safety blitzes with Joanne Brisker and stuff that got out of staffer that were confusing them. They were able to contain Puka. I still think, you know, in a lot of situations you can go man up on Puka and not allow him to pick zones apart. And in this weather condition where the footing wasn't as great and everything, you know, it was an all equalizer like we talked about in the preview. And the Bears are able to find pressure in different ways because all season the Bears front four can't generate pressure. But hey, corners, linebackers, whatever, which way they got the pressure to Stafford and they kept the game close. And I think in the criticism as much as I trust in Ben Johnson on all season and there's a lot of I guess counterpoint to this, you love Ben Johnson's aggressiveness and that's what's got you here. I didn't like it in this game and I haven't liked it in a couple of these games in the first half particularly the because there was times we could should have taken three points. You're in a game where it's subzero temperatures. You don't know what's going to happen as far as turnovers or your ability to score and taking the points where you can. And makeable field goal rains I felt was a mistake early in the first half because at that time I think his assumption was I don't know about the defense. We need to score touchdowns against the Rams where now you're into halftime and the game is tied 1010 and you didn't need the shootout because it wasn't going to be a shootout. You should have taken more points to give yourself whatever advantage it could be. And I felt that was some mismanagement there. I know Kurt Warner. I saw the NFL Network going into the game. That was some criticism against what they did against the packers too. Like being too aggressive. Like, if you can't get the short yarded situations right on third down, you shouldn't be going for it on fourth down when there's points on the board. So that, that was probably the biggest gripe I had in the game.
But. And everything about that game felt like it was going to be the Bears since they scored on that. To end the regulation, like, and then making the stop in overtime and then the interception and in overtime was just heartbreaking at that point because I don't know why we're going for it. We just need three points. You know, we're taking the shot downfield. You know, Ben Johnson talked about it being, you know, a new play combination. There was uncertainness in the routes. There wasn't a ton of practice with it. And I just think that's a risky gamble. You're putting in a play like that where you just, you just need to get some first downs, get close, kick the field, go, go home and win the game. So. An epic Bear season. But I, I think that there was a huge opportunity for the Bears to release some surprise some people and for a Rams team that was considered best in the league. But I, I think the Bears showed some things on tape, I think for the Seahawks, you know, on how to stop some stuff offensively here going into the NFC championship game. But man, it. If you told me the beginning of season Rome, would I have taken a divisional round loss and beaten the packers twice and all this stuff, I would have said yes.
[00:41:16] Speaker B: Oh, hell yeah.
[00:41:16] Speaker C: But it hurts in this moment where you get. It hurts from this moment where you get so far. And then I would say I was more hurt just because you can't. The stadium, that was playoff football and the NFL is better when the Bears are good. And you're telling me these last two games at Soldier Field, like these were must watched events. They're the most watched games in the wild card round, the most watched games in the divisional round. Like this is. This is playoff atmosphere that like resonated on tv. Can only imagine what the stadium felt like.
[00:41:43] Speaker A: Yeah, I mean, it was a fun, exciting game. I mean, back to what Jason was saying. I mean, yeah. Early in the game, Ben Johnson, that first drive, not taking points. Yeah. Came back. I agree with what Jason said too, with. He thought it Was going to be a shootout game, but you never know how games are going to play out. There's never. You can never go broke taking points. Whether it's a field goal here or there, take it when you got an opportunity. It was a four and five. Four, four, whatever it was. Not like it's a four. You know, a yard, yard and a half maybe. You go for it. You know, Roman dudes, they kind of dropped a touchdown. A player two before that could have caught one. So you take the points.
You know, Rome touched on the Rams offensively. No, I don't know what they were doing. They should have lined up a double, tied in three tight ends and just round the ball down the Bear's throat. Every time they wanted to run the ball, they could. Once you do that, you get them out of those pressure package looks and then you can do some stuff in the passing game. So the Bears had The Rams confused. McVeigh kind of overthinking things.
They got lucky to get out of there for win. I mean, they really did. I mean, Stafford there got some stuff going in the fourth quarter and in that overtime, the Bears, you know, Ben Johnson over aggressive, truly. But I don't know why you don't go for two points there at the end of the game. You got the momentum. You just made the greatest play in the world. You got a defense that shock. Go for two, win the game. They would have won it. Another mistake by him. So his aggressiveness has not been the right call late in the game. Early in the game, he's missed out on opportunities. I would have went for two.
With the Rams basically in shell shock, I think they would have got it and got the win and got out of there. Been headed to Seattle themselves, possibly for the Rams.
The Rams, look, they got the win. They got issues coming up right now. Their special teams has not been very good. They got to get back to the run game. They can't run the ball. That takes away from what Stafford's done. The Rams have not been running the ball well the last month and offensively they've not been as good. Devonte Adams doesn't look the same since he's coming back from the hamstring injury puking Akua, you know, to Jason's point. Look, if you can play some man to man coverage on him, get physical, even have a safety over the top, you can take him away. He's a zone guy. He's his own beater. So the ramps got some question marks going in, but a big win for them. The Bears gotta like what they've done.
They should be able to build upon on this. I know Ben Johnson kind of came out and said, look, you take nothing out of the season in the next year, and everybody starts at scratch zero. But the Bears, you know, they got to work on some accuracy stuff with Caleb Williams. We know he can make big throws, but he's still missing some simple, easy throws that we talk about all the time.
You know, he missed a couple big throws there, even on that drive where they got stopped on a fourth down. I think he could have hit Luther Burton for an easy first down. Instead, it goes for a third down, fourth time, they get stopped there in the red zone. So it's things to work on accuracy wise for Caleb. But the Bears, the upside is high. Definitely for them.
[00:44:24] Speaker B: Yeah. No epic season. Who would have thought? 12 and 7, just inches away from going to the conference championship. Pretty epic season. Lots of good turnarounds this year. Let's take a quick break. We'll come back, talk about the conference championships.
[00:44:45] Speaker C: All right.
[00:44:45] Speaker B: We're here to talk conference championships.
We have as. I just forgot who was in it.
My team's not in it, so who cares? Even my backup.
[00:44:58] Speaker C: That's what I said, man.
The playoffs are over. I don't know. Everyone's talking about. The excitement's gone. These four teams, boring. Nobody cares.
[00:45:05] Speaker B: I'm actually not excited about this super bowl now. Like, it's not gonna be. Not gonna be good. I don't know. I'm not really pumped up about this comic championship. So are they both on Sunday?
[00:45:15] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:45:17] Speaker B: Thank God. All right, so we got the Pats visiting the Denver Broncos this Sunday. Is this Eastern or Pacific time?
Let's just say it's 1:00pm Pacific Time.
[00:45:32] Speaker C: It's 12:00pm Pacific Time.
[00:45:34] Speaker B: Yes, 12:00pm Pacific Time.
New England.
New England's favored by four and a.
[00:45:41] Speaker A: Half.
[00:45:43] Speaker B: Over under 40. Two and a half. Aaron, who you got in this game?
[00:45:49] Speaker A: Yeah, Rome. I mean, we've got the AFC Championship game here. What? New England, Denver Broncos. I think this is a rematch of the 2015 AFC Championship game in which Denver won and went on to win that super bowl with Manning over Tom Brady.
[00:46:04] Speaker B: That was not mistaken here.
[00:46:07] Speaker A: No. Was not a good Super Bowl, I guess, in Carolina as the Broncos getting.
[00:46:13] Speaker C: Blown out by the Seahawks, right?
[00:46:16] Speaker A: No, I think that's the one when the Broncos blew out the Panthers.
[00:46:18] Speaker B: That was before.
[00:46:19] Speaker C: Okay. All right. I think.
[00:46:20] Speaker B: Yeah, right.
[00:46:20] Speaker A: Yeah. I think the one before, a couple years before, is when Seahawks got blown out by the Broncos. But no, I mean, Rome, you've got, you know, we talked about Bo Nicks being out.
You know, fractured ankle, I guess. You know, you're, you've got some crazies out there in the Mile High. They're, they're, they're literally on the Mile High. Pixie dust. If they're telling you that they're going to throw Bo Nicks out there on Sunday to play against such a, against this Patriots defense here in the playoffs lately.
So we'll see.
You know, new quarterback for the Broncos coming in. Sean Payton feels confident in them. This defense for the Broncos been a top five unit all year. We know the Patriots here have struggled in these playoffs against two good defenses in the Chargers and Texans of back to back games.
For me, you've got Drake May making his first career ever road playoff start in the tough Mile High against this Bronco Stevens. I think the Broncos defense is going to have a really good game. I think they're going to force some turnovers. I think the Broncos are going to do enough on offense. And Rome, not only do I like the Broncos to cover plus four and a half, I think the Broncos are going to win this game and get to the Super Bowl. So yes, I'm going to take the Broncos plus four and a half.
I think they went outright, but I'll take the points here. I think they do enough. I think their defense steps up. Drake May's been fumbling the ball a lot. I think Bonito and those guys make the plays necessary. And the Denver Broncos win a close game. I'll say it's like 24, 23 Broncos win that close.
[00:47:53] Speaker B: Jesus Christ.
They are. Just because I don't, you know, I actually do believe in the backup situation here.
Sean Payton, if he likes them, there must be something there. I liked him on the, on the Raiders. I thought he was gonna get another shot. Instead, he signs a backup deal with Denver to go play with Sean Payton. So there's something there, there's something happening there. Feels like a Garoppolo kind of vibe. Except this guy has a lot more potential than Garoppolo. Although I, I personally like grapple a lot when he was playing, but I, I think it's gonna shock some people. I'm gonna go with the points as well. I think Broncos win this one. Patriots have looked really shaky in both their victories, but it's been a good year. But I think it's going to end. Jason?
[00:48:34] Speaker C: Yeah, I'm going to go opposite you guys. I don't love the backup situation, so I don't think there's been an overly impressive Broncos offense to begin with the entire year with the starter. And you're telling me the backup is going to come in during the playoffs against the defense is pretty Good. The Patriots are 8, 80 on the road. This is a team that knows he'll win on the road, you know, so you laugh at that room. I don't know. I'd be. I. I'd be much more confident if Bonix was playing. But you're telling me that the backup's going to come in. I just don't trust that. Four and a half. Yeah, it's a little bit of a shaky point situation. You definitely see it being closer. But I think the Patriots will cover this and they're going to go to the Super Bowl.
[00:49:09] Speaker B: Nice.
That's quick. Next one, I guess. NFC championship.
LA Rams visiting the Seattle Super Super. Seattle SuperSonics. The Seattle Seahawks.
[00:49:22] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:49:23] Speaker B: Dude, they used to beat up the Lakers all the time. I used to hate Seattle. The only time I liked is we were playing on NBA Jam.
[00:49:29] Speaker A: Ray Allen, man, doing. Doing the Lakers.
[00:49:33] Speaker B: Dude, I could not stand Ray Allen.
[00:49:35] Speaker A: Back at old Kiarina Key arena down there in Seattle. Downtown.
[00:49:42] Speaker B: Yeah. No, I hate what he did for the Heat. I hate what he did for the Boston Celtics. I hate what he did with the Seattle Seahawks, you know, giving Kobe and the Lakers a hard time.
Anyways, it's a rematch. Third time they played this year. It seems like it's just been like an NFC west rematch, you know, cycle this year.
We know what happened in the previous two times.
Seahawks fair by two and a half at home. Not a lot over. Under is 46 and a half.
I gotta say, man, I don't know which way to go, but to Devonte Adams. He's missing the Super Bowl. Does Stafford win another one? Kind of cement. I think this would pretty much cement his hall of Fame thing. I don't think he's a Hall of Famer yet. That's my opinion.
Seattle Seahawks loaded on defense. Donald has done really well. They have a very potent offense as well, one of the highest scoring in the NFL. They have a chance to get a Super bowl this year, which would be kind of wild. Consider they got rid of their starting quarterback and their lead receiver just a year ago. Jason, who you got?
[00:50:45] Speaker C: Yeah, it's an interesting line because I felt that Seattle should be favored by a little more in this game right now. So I'm going to take Seattle minus two and a half. The Rams are going to have to go on the Road third week in a row they went all the way across country to Carolina, went to Chicago. Rough conditions, rough, you know, tough game where it was at. Now have to go up to the Pacific Northwest and play a Seahawks team which more or less got a buy last week versus the 49ers and you know, the Seahawks got the extra day of preparation against a team that they're pretty familiar with. Now both of these games just the regular season were, were super tight. Aaron brought up the, the really great point about the Rams running game. That's going to be their key. I think that the Rams are going to stay in this game. They got to get Kyron going, you know, take some, you know, play ball control, you know, not turn the ball over. The special teams as you mentioned, Seattle won that, that game in all three phases last week against the 49ers. So the Rams can't afford to be making mistakes in any one of those. But that's how Seattle's going to win. I think Seattle is going to win. The Rams are the best team all year up until kind of the very end where we started happening to those couple games and they were on a good run here. But I think Seattle's gotten hot in the right moment and this is going to take them to the Super Bowl.
[00:51:56] Speaker B: Aaron agree.
[00:51:57] Speaker A: I mean look at this is the Rams fourth road game here in the last five weeks. You know Jason added those games in. Remember they traveled to Atlanta during the span too. So they've been put playing in a lot of brutal, physical, tough games Coming off that physical cold game against the Bears. Look, Seattle's fresh. Seattle's like the champion. Waiting for the underdog Rams to come in here that basically have fought like five times in the last 12 months. If you're bringing fighter instance and the champs only fought one time. Seattle's fresh. They had a warm up game against the 49ers last week. Basically came out skate three. Obviously they did lose the running back.
They're back up in that game.
[00:52:33] Speaker C: But look, Charbonnet.
[00:52:34] Speaker A: Yeah, Seattle here, look Sam Darnold I talk about all the time. If he does not turn the ball over, they should win this game. Their special teams is really, really good. The Ram special teams unit is bad. Defensively we know they're great and offensively we know if they don't turn the ball over they're pretty efficient. Here look, if this is our third three peat, third repeat. If the team's matching up three times, guess what? The loser in the first one, the team that the team that Lost the first one, won the second and third. The Bears won second and third against the Packers. We had Seattle do the same against the 49ers. They're going to do the same against the Rams. They're going to beat them up out physical them. I think the Rams probably keep it close in the first half. Third quarter, fourth quarter, they fade away. I like Seattle by double digits here. I kind of, I agree with Jason that the line should be higher than two and a half. I wouldn't be surprised. It gets bet up to three, three and a half. But I like Seattle to advance here and get to the Super Bowl.
[00:53:25] Speaker B: Nice. I'm agree with you guys. I think it's Seattle here this year. We've had a lot of injuries and a lot of like close calls for like these other teams. It's just kind of lining up for a Seattle super bowl run here. They're healthy, they had a nice little tune up, a couple tune ups. Now they look like they're on fire and really not like a lot of holes on this team. It's the most complete team left in the field.
And Rams, they're kind of like the Niners, right? They just been, they looked great.
Best in the NFL for like a good like 6 week stretch. I would say it was like probably like what like week three to like week 10 or something like that.
Had a couple of tough tumbles along the way, but a little banged up. And I gotta say man, devonte Adams and a few other guys didn't look that great in the last game. I, I thought, I thought there was a lot of blown opportunities and, and I think just like the war of attrition is starting to catch up, I got nothing much to add besides, I'm just kind of surprised that I might be rooting for Seattle to win the Super Bowl. I feel weird saying that, but I don't know who else to root for.
[00:54:38] Speaker A: Well, I mean the interesting thing is there is going to be a, you know, an NFC west team playing in the Niners house whether it is the Rams or Seahawks for that super bowl. So that 49er fans, the city might not be too happy about that as a division rival, will be at the Super Bowl. But Rome, I mean look at after that. Seattle gave up 38 points on that Thursday night game against the rams. The last three games combined total, they've only given up 19.
[00:55:02] Speaker B: Lights out.
[00:55:02] Speaker A: So this defense has been lights out. They're fresh like we mentioned. And the Rams, I mean they just, they warm nutrition. That's a great Point you put there. They look tired to me. I think eventually they're going to break down and Seattle's just gonna, you know, roll over and get them to the Super Bowl.
[00:55:19] Speaker B: In all honesty, man, I probably think Stafford probably deserves the mvp, too. I think he's had a great year, but.
Yeah, just banged up. It's tough.
We'll see. Any other final comments for these championship games?
Damn. I thought we're gonna go longer on this one.
I'm glad we did the caps with this. Otherwise, it had been a quick.
[00:55:42] Speaker C: I mean, we're down to two games. Rome, you know, the Broncos got a backup quarterback.
[00:55:47] Speaker B: We're just like, we're like finally, like the way Aaron was like, like a couple weeks ago, like, well, your team's out, but my backup team's out. So I got nothing else to root for. I'm like, well, I got. I got no one, really. Like, I'm rooting for.
[00:56:00] Speaker C: I don't got a backup team. I'm all in on the one team, and they're out, and my spirits are crushed. And I'll be honest with you, it's.
[00:56:05] Speaker A: A total homer bias.
[00:56:07] Speaker C: But the playoffs are just less fun. The Bears this year were fun for.
[00:56:10] Speaker B: The first time, and it was good. It was good.
I, you know, I. I remember the Bears.
[00:56:15] Speaker C: I don't know who's bringing the excitement. I. I don't know who's bringing the excitement this game. I'm ass in the final four. It's got to be Seattle. Maybe that's the only one right now that's going to be an exciting. Okay. Because America's going to hate the Patriots, the Broncos. I don't know what the likable story there is. The Rams. There's a repeat. I think the Seahawks might be the only team America likes right now.
[00:56:35] Speaker B: Dude. People like going to become the coach of the Patriots. If they win the super bowl in year one, it's gonna be a complete 180. The whole country's gonna turn on them again. Their enemy number one. It happens that fast?
[00:56:47] Speaker C: Oh, absolutely. Because, I mean, it was. It was funny while they were down. Down bad for Belichick. And then they bring in the, you know, Mayo, and it's not good, right? Ah, man, like, I loved it. We want him to leave, but we don't want to be that bad. And they're like, okay, well, Ramble's a good story.
[00:57:00] Speaker A: All right.
[00:57:00] Speaker C: They're getting things back on track now.
[00:57:02] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:57:02] Speaker C: We're just gonna own the league again.
[00:57:04] Speaker B: Yeah, well, expecting at least like, a Three year, four year window here.
[00:57:09] Speaker A: Yeah, I mean, look, we talked about it. I mean, look, they've had the. They had the easiest schedule in the NFL since 1999. Their schedule's not been tough. The playoff matchups they've gotten have been relatively great because it still are. Because, I mean, Denver, about Bo Nicks again, they're not playing against an elite offensive unit. So we don't really know how good this defense is. I mean, the Chargers had no O line.
You know, C.J. stroud was terrible. Now you've got a backup quarterback that hasn't taken a snap since Week 18 in 2023 in an NFL game. So got a lot of question marks there. I mean, look at the Bears. The Bears going out is definitely kind of a sad story. And look at. Jason could sit here and tell you he's only got one team. He's mad because both his teams got beat by the Rams. So of course he's going for Seattle this week. And no doubt about that, Carolina and the Bears getting beat by the Rams. So yeah, he's on Seattle. He wants to see Seattle when it's Super Bowl. We were go back and basically be like, hey, those guys took out my own teams.
[00:58:04] Speaker B: We were so close to having a couple epic championship games, though. Bill's pats, you don't tell me that's not breaking records. Bears, Seattle just Bears back in it. Like, man, that would have been so good. We're that close to having an epic conference championship games, two of them.
Then like, you know, who, who knows that super bowl is really good. And now I'm just like, ah, you know, flip a coin. I really don't give a shit.
[00:58:31] Speaker C: Well, the only thing I'll say is, I mean, we may not be as enthused, but these games still probably gonna have like 40 million people watching him or something at that point. We looked at, you know, that Bears Rams game, I think had 45 million people watching. Talked about the national title. Yeah, it was the most watched divisional round game of all time.
[00:58:48] Speaker B: Watching with a few fans here.
[00:58:50] Speaker C: Yeah, I mean, you mentioned the national title game too, on the viewings of that. I mean, football is king, whether it's college or pro, you know, there'll be excitement generated. Everyone's going to be watching both of these games on Sunday. So, I mean, you're just looking for what's the dramatic storyline heading into the Super Bowl.
[00:59:06] Speaker A: Yeah, I mean, look at Jared Stinham's an interesting story. We'll see what he's got. I don't know, I mean, he's looked good in preseason. That's the only film we got on him.
[00:59:14] Speaker B: I think he has a lot of.
[00:59:16] Speaker A: I do, too, Rome. I did see a tweet from Nick Foles said, hey, be happy, Denver. Because the Patriots don't like to play backup quarterbacks in the playoffs. They don't win. That's pretty funny. Pretty hilarious.
So look, I believe in Jared Stidham. Sean Payton came out Sunday, double press conference and announced it right away. He could have kind of hid that Bo Nicks injury to Monday or Tuesday.
He basically said, hey, look, I trust this guy. I'm coming out announcing. He's starting now. And you better watch your ass. Because I believe in them. And I do, too. I do think the Broncos are going to win. I think they're going to surprise some people on Sunday.
[00:59:51] Speaker B: I think so.
He has an arm, man. He has a arm. I don't think people remember, like, the little shorts that he had with the Raiders, but he made that team look somewhat decent for a little while.
A lot of potential.
This game wins up a starting job or a chance to be a starter somewhere else next year. I don't know. Maybe it's with my Steelers. We'll see.
Throwing something out there. All right, that'll do it. Then we'll.
I'm thinking, let's recap Sunday night so it's fresh. Sounds good, you guys.
[01:00:21] Speaker A: I mean, yeah, the games, the games will be over by what, 6, 30, 7 o' clock Sunday night.
[01:00:25] Speaker B: So, yeah, I'll be chilling with the daughter. I'll make sure we have some pizza ready. We'll do a quick recap. I think it'll be good.
Get the bourbon ready. Let's sip on some bourbon on Sunday night.
[01:00:37] Speaker C: All right, Sounds like a plan. And then we can get it. And then we can get this over with and we're getting into F1 season Rome. F1's coming. We got livery reveals right now. You saw the audio. Audi car Mercedes dropped today.
[01:00:49] Speaker B: I, I got us a hookup here at the Sonoma Speedway if you guys want to come race. I'm working on that angle. Apparently my daughter went to, went to school with the, the dad's a race car driver, so I have an email.
[01:01:02] Speaker C: Okay.
[01:01:04] Speaker B: I had to.
[01:01:05] Speaker C: So you're talking like, do they got a car for me to drive or I just drive up my, my, my sedan up there.
[01:01:12] Speaker B: I'm just trying to see if they're gonna hook it up or, you know, what's gonna happen there. But it'd be kind of cool.
Get like a little race going.
[01:01:19] Speaker C: That'd be cool.
[01:01:21] Speaker A: Yeah.
[01:01:22] Speaker B: Let's recap on Sunday then. Yeah. F1's coming up. We'll start baseball a lot of fun.
[01:01:27] Speaker A: You got NBA second half baseball. We'll talk Paramount plus kicks off this week in Rome.
So that's a Big Big UFC Paramount Plus UFC 324 that era starts this weekend as well.
[01:01:41] Speaker B: Nice. And then yeah that's all I got. And then we'll talk NFL coaches next time some hirings sounds really weird cycle.
[01:01:49] Speaker C: At some point we could talk about when the. When the Dodgers are the Dodgers killing baseball. We all have to have that show together at some point.
[01:01:58] Speaker A: The Mets aren't giving up. They made some moves made some trades.
[01:02:01] Speaker B: So I gotta be honest man like the signings a little much.
[01:02:07] Speaker A: Yeah.
[01:02:07] Speaker C: The Mets trading for another guy a pitcher from a 97 win team just they're just giving away another a pitcher that doesn't want to one of the three three market teams again so only.
[01:02:17] Speaker A: $8 million a year because they don't.
[01:02:19] Speaker C: Want to pay in the year after. It's gonna be. It's gonna be great.
[01:02:21] Speaker A: We're headed.
[01:02:22] Speaker C: We're headed to door we're headed to a baseball lockout.
[01:02:24] Speaker A: This is all this is exactly. We are going to be in the lockout for sure.
[01:02:29] Speaker B: It is what it is.
Yeah I, I do have a comment about the daughters though. I'll save it though of like the competitive advantage that they have and it's all goes back to the McCourts of how they that whole thing up and how baseball didn't walk for bankruptcy. That's what started this and honestly it all lines up and that's why baseball couldn't stop it It's a perfect storm and it doesn't stop for another 10 years.
So I think they're either way but.
All right, I'll do it. Source for the sofa check us out YouTube comment like subscribe Got a boost on ratings on Spotify, especially Apple podcasts these past few weeks. So thank you for listening.
If you want to shoot us an email some comments you can email us@ sources FT from the FT stands for from the sofa sources ftsofa gmail.com I think we're kind of ready to take in some email requests as well. Comments Concerns if you want to give us. If you want to give you some relationship advice. Aaron, you know a perennial single guy has plenty of life advice on how to manage a marriage. So we gotta put on the spotlight.
[01:03:41] Speaker C: I mean Aaron's pulling people on Saturday night, man with. With great football picks. So that's all that matters.
[01:03:47] Speaker A: Hey, the ladies love winners. Let me put it that way. They love.
[01:03:50] Speaker B: Ladies love winners. Yeah.
[01:03:53] Speaker A: That's one thing that never gets old.
[01:03:54] Speaker B: People, we are out.
