The AD's Office

Who's the Best Player on Every NFL Team?

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 08:00:17 GMT

The NFL Top 100 ranks the best players in the league, regardless of position. Here's the AD's Office's twist on it. Alternating picks, taking the best players from each team in the NFL. From the obvious (Mahomes) to the surprising (Kittle?), we cover all the names you need to know on the teams you don't follow as closely as your favorite. Plus, we take some rabbit trails about vegetables and helmet designs. Our Out of Bounds play for the week is a PSA—Don't drink and drive, please.

Thanks for joining us in the AD's Office, hosted by Alex Larsen and Devon Plecas. Each week, we'll take you through our takes on the NFL. We'll be back every week, recapping everything going on in the League that never rests. Long live football.

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What Will It Take to Win the Super Bowl?

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 08:53:51 GMT

Theoretically, any NFL team could win the Super Bowl any given season. This week, we lay out what it would take for your favorite team to hoist the Lombardi. For some teams (ahem, Chiefs), it wouldn't take much. For others? Well, the Panthers might not need to plan a parade just yet.

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Ranking NFL Head Coaches

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 21:33:50 GMT

Coaches matter—so much so, we went double length this week to break down the tiers of NFL coaches. More than probably any major sport, NFL head coaches dictate success (and squander potential). From "Proven Winners" to "Garbage," we rank every single team's coach. We let Jonathan Gannon have a mulligan to get things started (05:15). The win/loss record of Sean McDermott should give him job security, but is he actually on the hot seat ? Maybe (14:00). Also, did y'all check the subtitle of the episode? Devon's standing on business here. We surprise ourselves talking about Zac Taylor and the Bengals (22:40). We disagree on Sean Payton (Alex can't stand him, so there's that), and we hash out what to do with Jim Harbaugh (51:30)—big-time NCAA success, but also good career success in the NFL. Talking Kevin O'Connell means Alex has to put his bias aside, and Devon gives KOC the same props (01:02:00). Plus, what do you do with Todd Bowles getting a second shot at HC? Finally, our Out of Bounds Play this week is about the legacy of Patrick Mahomes the Red Raider (01:22:00).

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Super Bowl'd 2024 NFL Predictions

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 08:00:35 GMT

This week, we're talking bold predictions. From J.J. McCarthy sitting until Week 10 to several stunning trades, we give some spicy takes. In the NFC North, it's personal—and ridiculous. Alex thinks Sam Darnold is worth a 2nd Round pick, and Devon thinks Jameson Williams goes off this season. Will Derrick Henry feast in Baltimore? Will Lamar Jackson get injured? We have thoughts. Maybe the boldest pick of the show—Jason Kelce ends up working for the... (13:00). Devon goes on a mini pro-Lions (anti-Cowboys) rant, and then Alex predicts the absolute downfall of the Dallas regime. We debate Aaron Rodgers and the Jets, before a hot take about Tua's future in Miami. We think this season could be a dumpster fire for Jacksonville—or records will be broken. Some teams make it tough to have realistic hot takes—remember the Titans? They're not good. Plus, a historic season for Anthony Richardson (26:10). Oh, and Devon (kind of) thinks Stefon Diggs will be a problem in Houston, and Alex thinks Mike Evans has problems coming. We even throw in a potential arrest of an NFL owner (29:50). We're going bold here, remember? And for a fun new nickname, Christian McCaffrey is a beautiful piñata. After a string of WR trades, we agree wholeheartedly on the final bold prediction of the week. Our Out of Bounds Play this week is Bill Belichick and his (gold digger) girlfriend (43:29). Ick.

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NFL QB Rankings

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 08:00:18 GMT

Here it is—the AD's Office QB Rankings. The full NFL, picked one over the other. From Patrick Mahomes to whoever starts for Denver, we cover the 45 QBs most likely to play or matter in some way. We go head to head with every possible matchup—pairings like Tyrod Taylor vs. Bryce Young and Jalen Hurts vs. Lamar Jackson. Will Levis presents the first disagreement between Alex and Devon (06:05). We also fess up to our major misses over the years (looking at you, Josh Rosen). Devon takes a direct shot at Vikings fans (09:55), and Alex doesn't do much to talk him down. Another thing we work through—current versions of QBs who were great a few years ago but simply aren't anymore. We utilize a few different strategies to settle some disagreements—like team swaps and fear factors. Also—we give away the ending (16:10). Devon also declares himself a hater of one particular quarterback, and Alex gives a shoutout to Season 1 of The AD's Office (22:20). As is the nature of any ranking, we debate (seriously) some backup matches. We encounter a minor hangup on Dak vs. Jalen (31:00). And for you detail people—peep the subtitle (39:00). Alex wins the argument for the NFL's number two, but it's close, and then we talk about Jalen Hurts squatting a small car. We cover the final list, with some surprises that make sense the more we talk (49:00).

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Best and Worst NFL Jerseys

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 08:00:22 GMT

Deion Sanders said "If you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you play good." In other words—jerseys matter. We're talking the best and the worst jerseys in the NFL, in honor of the Vikings adding a new Winter Warrior alternate jersey. From the powder blue Chargers to the "Century Red" Giants, we cover a ton. The Bengals might have the best alternate ever (?) with the White Tigers (04:50). We also talk about the legacy jerseys you can always rep, from Randy Moss to Tom Brady (but not both on the Patriots). Some of the worst jerseys need to be seen to be believed, so we'll post them on X. Plus, a shoutout to Devon's grandma (11:45). We also discuss why the Broncos bombed their jerseys (but accidentally made fire high school jerseys). Then it's story time for Lions fans (18:50). Black jerseys demand a certain culture, and the Cowboys don't have it. We also discuss the Falcons, and Devon admits he didn't understand their logo (23:00). We also preach on behalf of the Houston Oilers, because the Titans don't deserve those throwbacks (28:15). We also touch on the highlighter jerseys in Seattle, and what even is a Seahawk (33:15)? Devon also has a gripe about Tompa Bay. We change lanes and talk about the all-time records for each team, and why the Vikings might have the most miserable fan base (36:10). Hope hurts more than failure. But the worst franchise of all time? They currently employ a player who probably belongs in prison (40:20). To wrap it up, the Browns have an elf logo—so do with that as you will.

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Wide Receiver Paydays

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 08:00:46 GMT

Justin Jefferson got *paid* and so we're talking Wide Receivers. We open right away with First Down—$140M/4yrs (00:45). Jefferson absolutely raked it in, and might just be worth every penny. We also take a glancing shot at Jordan Poole. As the resident Vikings fan, Alex isn't surprised at the contract amount. The reason for it starts a heated debate—because Devon doesn't think Jefferson is the clear best WR in the NFL (09:30). With a direct bias callout, we stick to our patterns. We also break down CeeDee Lamb's contract situation for Second Down (19:03). Devon insists Lamb will get more than Jefferson, while Alex thinks the timing changes everything. The conversation goes a bit off track when we examine if the Cowboys will keep Micah Parsons, CeeDee Lamb, and Dak Prescott. (Plus, we take a dig at Deshaun Watson, because that's what we do in the AD's Office.) Back on track, Third Down talks about the WRs who could have gotten more—or the teams who got good deals for their talent (45:13). Jefferson almost signed for much, much less—and the Eagles finessed the market. Do great WRs make bad QBs relevant? We answer it. Then we go Fourth Down—WRs worth their contracts (51:15). Some guys—Amon-Ra and AJ Brown, for example—earn their checks. Guys like Calvin Ridley and Davante Adams, not so much. We wrap with our Out of Bounds play of the week, which covers CJ Stroud's bold take on Eli Manning and Aaron Rodgers and the NFL's best RB getting a new contract to leap over... himself?

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Building the Perfect NFL Lineup

Wed, 29 May 2024 08:00:41 GMT

We're building super teams—back and forth drafting to build a perfect lineup. We flip a coin to get things started, and—no surprise—Patrick Mahomes is the first overall pick (01:30). Devon stacks his WR room, and Alex builds a versatile attack. Devon's fandom shows up a time or two (or three), too. After a run on lineman, we loop back to fill out the weapons. The LSU to the NFL pipeline fully aligns (07:30), and it's worth noting the Chiefs stack both teams. We pick up some kickers before changing to defense (14:15). The defenses take wildly different shapes, as Alex builds a ferocious pass rush with lockdown corners, and Devon establishes a run-stopping front with fantastic zone options. With the back and forth, the rosters end up pretty even—so we'll leave it to listeners to settle. A few surprises show up, because there are plenty of superstars to go around.

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Predicting NFL Division Winners

Wed, 22 May 2024 08:00:06 GMT

Episode 10 is upon us, and we're looking at last year's division winners and debating who's most likely to tumble. First Down comes quickly, as we examine the NFC North (01:30). Devon thinks the Vikings are headed downstream, and Alex's lets his bias convince him the Vikings can beat the Bears. Then it's the AFC North, which is going to be a bloodbath. The Ravens could get MVP-level talent from Lamar, the Bengals have Joe Burrow, and the Browns were good in spite of Deshaun Watson. Then it's Second Down, and we go to the East Coast (11:30). The Giants and Commanders... don't matter. The AFC East has some drama, though. It's the Bills or the Dolphins (probably), and we disagree. Third Down takes us to the NFC South and the Panthers (18:50). It's more about Kirk Cousins than Bryce Young, with respect to Baker Mayfield. The AFC South has four teams with upward trajectories (unless you think Will Levis is bad). Alex thinks the Texans will regress, Devon thinks they're still the class of the division. Then it's our Fourth Down—the Wild West (26:40). The NFC West has some stories, with the Niners and Rams vying for the top spot. The AFC West, though, is all about the Chiefs. We're also high on the Chargers—here comes the Harbaugh effect. Alex takes a shot at Sean Payton (pun intended?), too. Then our Out of Bounds Play of the Week goes way out of bounds, locked in on Joe Burrow's hair (40:00).

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NFL Mount Rushmore - Part 2

Wed, 15 May 2024 09:08:55 GMT

We're headed back to Mount Rushmore—this time, it's the defense. Devon's still denying the existence of the real Mount Rushmore, but he's fully on board with the NFL versions. We kick things off with our First Down—the linebackers (02:40). Some of the most well-known defensive players in NFL history roamed the middle of the field. From Ray Lewis to Dick Butkus, we cover some of the all-time legends. Then it's Second Down—the edge rushers (15:34). We consider the legends—like Lawrence Taylor—against the modern-day ballers like J.J. Watt. We make some arguments against and in favor of different stars, but find agreement eventually. Then it's the defensive backs for Third Down (28:35). Devon has his Mount in a second, and Alex wants to take some time to discuss it. Two of the four come easily, the other two get some debate. Plus, is a nickname crucial for eternal acclaim? For Fourth Down, we wrap up with the defensive lineman (42:10). Alex gets some fun with a Purple People Eater and another Viking on the same list. Aaron Donald makes our job easy for one of the spots, too. Finally, our Out of Bounds Play of the week shows the Lions shelling out to keep a good QB happy (52:18). TL;DR—Jared Goff got paid like he's great, even though he's good, because he isn't terrible.

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NFL Mount Rushmore - Part 1

Wed, 08 May 2024 08:00:20 GMT

In true offseason mode, we explore some of the common debates in football fandom. This week, we build our Mount Rushmores for modern-era quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends. First, a short history lesson about South Dakota's pride (which Devon thinks is fake?). Our First Down takes on the greatest QBs, and Tom Brady is the biggest lock of any conversation (05:18). We debate the merits of a few other players, including a sure-fire Hall of Famer, and add a surprising fourth option to our mountain. Second Down accepts the challenge of running back rankings (15:51). Devon's bias for Barry Sanders shows up, and Alex's bias for Adrian Peterson pushes the conversation. We eventually agree on the first three, and mostly land on the same fourth. Then Third Down goes wide receivers, and the all-time list got Mossed (29:03). Jerry Rice still needs his spot, too, but the other two spots we need to iron out. Alex thinks T.O. is third, Devon puts him four—and the last opening feels like an argument for fearsome vs longevity. Or, maybe it's just picking the most athletic player ever. Fourth Down goes for the TEs, and we've gotten to watch two of them 4K (41:30). We don't even need to debate the first three—and we could flip a coin on the remaining player. For the Out of Bounds play this week, we cross over to the NBA and discuss if Austin Rivers said something crazy (49:20).

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Draft Grades

Wed, 01 May 2024 08:00:54 GMT

The NFL Draft has come and gone, and we have the grades. Your team probably did well—unless you're a Falcons fan. From the Bay (02:20) to the Bears opening the night last Thursday, we talk about all the big moves. Caleb Williams went No. 1 overall, as expected. Devon's not a fan of Chicago's second pick, though. We cover the Bengals and Bills, who just need to refine good rosters built around great quarterbacks. (Also: Burrow has to stay healthy.) We also hit the Broncos and their... puzzling draft (09:45). Taking Bo Nix in Round 1, when Spencer Rattler went next in Round 5, seems questionable. Can Denver really surpass the Chiefs or even the Chargers (14:10) with Nix at QB? We'll see—but we're not putting any money on it. Plus, the Bills traded with the Chiefs—again (18:19). Oh, and tattoos are forever. As we roll through the NFC East, the Cowboys left us scratching our heads. The Eagles, on the other hand, aced this thing. Then we get into the Falcons taking Michael Penix Jr. at 8th overall (28:30). Devon's confused, but Alex isn't going to hold back. The Jets didn't totally act like they're "all-in" with Aaron Rodgers (35:00), and the discussion about the Lions goes exactly as you'd expect. When it comes to draft value, the Vikings crushed Rd 1 (40:05) with J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner. As a bonus, stick around to hear why the Patriots took Drake Maye—and it's not because of their scouting.

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The AD's Office Mock Draft

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 08:00:25 GMT

It's the AD's Office Mock Draft, at long last. We flip a coin to see who goes first, then alternate picks through the entire first round. Devon opens the episode with an open invite to his home to watch the draft, and we explain how we plan to go through the draft with no trades. The first pick? Easy—Caleb Williams to the Bears (03:20). Will it be quarterbacks 1, 2, 3, even 4? Or will Marvin Harrison Jr.—the potential best overall player in the draft—get snagged by the Cardinals or Chargers? We talk about some trade scenarios, but pick as though everyone has to stay in their spot. We evaluate the QBs and try to predict if J.J. McCarthy is closer to Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye or Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix. Alex shakes things up in the Top 5, and catches Devon off guard. Our shared top edge rusher goes off the board early (14:05), and it's probably not who you think. Plus, a big-time QB falls out of the Top 10 picks, which is a major win for the Vikings (even if Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's seat is on fire). Devon admits he cheers for a rival team (22:30), and then dashes some hopes of other teams' fans. We also see some solid drafts that won't get anybody pumped, until the wins start piling up next fall. Brock Bowers tumbles to the back half of the first round, and the Vikings keep the 23rd pick to add some defensive help. We give the Bills some WR help to replace Diggs (45:20), and we see back-to-back Alabama DBs before the defending-champion Chiefs add a big WR target. If anybody says the know what's going to happen, they're lying to you. It's Draft Season, baby.

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NFL Draft Prospects

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 08:00:36 GMT

It's time to introduce this year's prospects. From the big-name quarterbacks to the insane amount of top-tier offensive tackles, we cover almost everyone you'll need to know. For our First Down, we jump in the deep end (01:35). Will we see four QBs taken to start the NFL Draft for the first time ever? Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, JJ McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr., and Bo Nix—all going night one? With the top prospect since [insert QB name here], a Heisman Trophy winner, and a national champion on the list, anything could happen. Some teams will overthink things, and some teams will over-draft. Second Down, we're talking playmakers—the wide receivers, running backs, and tight end (not plural) in the draft (23:25). The top-end talent on WR in this class is ridiculous, and 7 or 8 guys could end up getting called in Round 1. Then it's Third Down, where we talk about the Road Graders (40:03). The OT depth is excellent, the DT hype is basically unprecedented, and the few elite edge rushers have coordinators salivating. Then we bring Fourth Down with the Ball Hawks (45:58). Everybody needs a shiny new cornerback. Our Out of Bounds play this week is WR drama, which should surprise nobody (52:10). Guys want to get paid, can you blame 'em?

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NFL Draft Hits and Misses

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 08:00:05 GMT

Before the NFL Draft commences, we take a look at some all-time great draft picks and some all-time busts. On First Down, we name the single greatest draft pick of all time (00:57). (Hint: He was picked No. 199.) Then we quickly hit our Second Down—the worst single draft pick of all time (03:30). Then, it's Third Down with a list of great draft picks, from Joe Montana to Jim Brown (05:38). Oh, and Devon doesn't think Jim Brown counts. We talk through some legendary Hall of Famers and some modern-day stars. We also define what we expect out of draft picks, and why Rounds 1–3 should produce starters. Plus, there's about a 1% chance for Brock Purdy to be a starting NFL player—so he's defying the odds already. Our Fourth Down rips through some of the worst draft picks ever (22:29). As we examine some players, a pattern emerges—and maybe explains why certain teams (ahem, Browns and Jaguars, ahem) have been mostly bad for decades. Then we stumble upon a litany of all-time-bad WRs in the NFC North (31:26). We sprinkle in some Transformers talk, lament missed opportunities, and unmask a serial killer. Seriously. We wrap with this week's Out of Bounds play (40:55). Stefon Diggs has to be a bad teammate, right?

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NFL Draft Confidence

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 08:00:00 GMT

The NFL Draft is just three weeks away. As we prepare for our Super Bowl, let's take a look at the confidence rating of every team heading into the most important weekend of the offseason. Our First Down hits the A Tier teams—teams like the Chiefs who consistently ace the draft (03:30). Quarterbacks matter more than any other single position, and success—Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, etc.—helps "draft ability" rankings, while whiffing—Zach Wilson, Mac Jones—knocks teams down a few pegs. Devon's bias shows up talking about the Detroit Lions and Brad Holmes, aka the Draft Master. Second Down hits the teams who are pretty average at drafting (12:54). We're talking about consistently good, not flashy drafters—the Baltimore Ravens, for example. Plus, Les Snead and the LA Rams proved "bleep them picks" worked. We also shoutout the 49ers for moving on from overdrafting Trey Lance. Alex hypothesizes that the Buccaneers looked better than they were because Tom Brady makes lacrosse players look like NFL stars. Our Third Down hits the teams who are just hoping for the best (27:15). It starts like this year's draft—with the Chicago Bears. They missed on Justin Fields, so now what? Lots of teams *might* be good at drafting, but their entire rosters are balanced on a razor's edge. Fourth Down hits the teams who aren't good at drafting (39:30). We start the bottom tier with the current-regime Vikings. It stings, but—the last couple years haven't worked out super well. Get a QB who stars for years to come? All is forgiven. For the Broncos? It's pretty bleak. Finally, this week's Out of Bounds play gets a wide receiver involved in a high-speed hit and run (50:23). Offseason, man.

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Dumb NFL Rules

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 08:00:57 GMT

This week, we're talking all about dumb NFL rules—inspired by the recent ban of the "hip-drop tackle." Some NFL rule changes are good—like allowing substitutions. Other rule changes we don't love. Above all else, the NFL wants to make money—and the rules will favor whatever brings in the most cash. With the hip-drop change, Alex and Devon disagree significantly. Devon thinks it's unrealistic to stop players from tackling like that, and Alex thinks if you can't run through the tackle, you didn't actually have the play made. For our First Down of the week, we talk about rules that have softened the game. Think about things like the soft roughing the passer calls (08:45). Also, we both quote The Incredibles. Our Second Down covers all the ridiculous uniform rules (13:23). Did you know players are required to wear white socks from ankle to calf with team colors from calf to knee? And the fines are crazy high. We at the AD's Office want custom cleats every game. Then our Third Down hits a couple touchback rules, from kickoffs to fumbles (20:14). *Disclaimer: The new "XFL kickoff" rule hadn't been voted on when we recorded, but boy, did we anticipate it. We lament shared misery as sports fans, which... might be the definition of sports. Our Fourth Down gets to taunting and celebrations (27:40). In general, we want more—let the guys taunt. Draw a line somewhere, but let's move it a bit. Finger guns don't promote violence, Mr. Goodell. Give some of the $4m in annual fines back to the players. Finally, our Out of Bounds play of the week is 50/50 Patrick Mahomes calling Travis Kelce 'old' and Aaron Donald deciding he is old (34:37). Old, but a Hall of Famer.

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Free Agency Recap

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 08:41:09 GMT

Season 2 is here! The AD's Office is back with more NFL takes, recaps, and need-to-know stories. We'll give you the social ammo you need to talk to the people in your life who love football as much as us. We open the free agency discussion with the biggest name on the market—Kirk Cousins (03:10). He's a Falcon now, and he's a mercenary. A handful of other QBs moved around, and the dominoes almost all fell into place. Now, the Vikings (and others) wait for the Draft. Baker Mayfield re-upped with the Bucs on a team-friendly deal (which allowed them to keep Mike Evans). We dissect the Russell Wilson cut and signing with the Steelers (09:45), and explain why the Broncos got hosed. Plus, Justin Fields as a backup? We have bad jokes to ease the pain, Bears fans. We also talk about Sam Darnold as the Vikings new signal-caller, and it feels like a backup with upside (19:10). There's also a big NFC North switcheroo with running backs, but Dalvin Cook probably won't be back... right? We also talk about Saquon going to Philly (25:00) and King Henry heading to Baltimore. The Eagles and Ravens both stocking up to build on an "almost" season. A bunch of WRs talked about walking out (28:30), but most of them will stay where things work. Also, so many players switched teams without changing the odds whatsoever, so... Devon throws a shot at OBJ (35:00), and Alex takes a pseudo-shot at Irv Smith Jr. Oh, and Aaron Rodgers was ready to run for Vice President of the United States? Offseason drama gold. We analyze Danielle Hunter's decision to fly south and give you the first-ever Out of Bounds Play of the Week (52:30).

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Season 2 of the AD's Office

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 08:00:52 GMT

Season 2 of The AD's Office incoming! A new NFL league year means a new season of your mom's favorite NFL podcast. Every Wednesday, we'll arm you with the social ammo you need to talk shop with your spouse, kids, friends, and coworkers. We'll give you "Four Downs" to highlight the top stories from each week, and our "Out of Bounds" play of the week is the mic-drop moment you need to look like a diehard fan.

Thanks for joining us in the AD's Office, hosted by Alex Larsen and Devon Plecas. Office hours are open every Wednesday, when we take you through our takes on the NFL.

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Rank 'Em All

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 09:00:23 GMT

Offseason Power Rankings—every NFL team, 1–32. The Panthers are dead last, and the defending champion Chiefs get No. 1. Ultimately, Mahomes is inevitable and we don't want to suggest he's not. We debate the order, but settle on a full list—with Devon's Lions at 3 and Alex's Vikings at 21. It's easy to drop the Cowboys out of the Top 5, and the Browns tumble pretty far. It's tough to admit that the Packers are good, but...they're good. Joe Flacco might be elite, but he wasn't great (10:40). The Rams wrap out the Top 10—and the Bengals miss the mark (12:15). It's tough to know what to do with the Chargers and Jim Harbaugh, but we agree the Colts look better than advertised. While we can't project records or schedules or draft picks, we know what we saw—and some teams are clearly competitive, some teams are clearly not. Overall, a good quarterback makes a big difference—it's a superstar league. The bottom few teams (27:00) require a lot more debate than the middle, which probably means we just don't know if bad can get good.

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It's the Bachelor with Helmets

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 09:00:50 GMT

It's NFL Combine week, which is perfect entertainment for die-hard fans. Check out @mathbomb on Twitter for some incredible athletic insights. In this episode, we go through the relationship status of every single quarterback in the league. We're not talking WAGs, we're talking QB:Team relationships. Every quarterback falls into one of five major relationship categories (04:02)—Married, Ring-Shopping, Flings, Amicable Breakups, and Ugly Divorces. We cover every quarterback, every team, and every awkward situationship. From Flacco (06:05) and the Browns to... Deshaun Watson and the Browns. Devon predicts the one-night-stand Aaron Rodgers is having with the NY Jets will end when Rodgers follows in Brett Favre's footsteps and comes to Minnesota. Plus, the Cowboys are stuck in a messy relationship with Dak Prescott. Josh Dobbs and the Vikings hooked up for a good time, not a long time. QBs bring drama, and the League has plenty to spare. We breeze through Devon's infatuation with Baker Mayfield (13:25), and Alex thinks Josh Allen and the Bills are married—but Devon thinks the team is putting too much strain on the relationship. In their second marriages, the Rams and Matthew Stafford found nirvana (18:45), and it'll be a sunset goodbye someday. The metaphor gets a little weird—Bailey Zappe is a booty call? (32:20)—but it mostly works. Sometimes crazy works.

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Tag, You're It

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 09:00:00 GMT

It's the offseason, which means the storylines just get better. This week, we focus on the Franchise Tag. The window opened February 20, and for the next few weeks, teams are playing chess with key players. Guys are going to get paid big, and still (rightfully) be upset about it. We discuss Kirk Cousins and his franchise tag finessing, the pros and cons of a franchise tag, and go through some likely tag candidates for each team (09:23). From the Ravens with Justin Madubuike to the Vikings with Danielle Hunter, we talk about who will and who won't get tagged. We tease the idea of a tag-and-trade to mimic the NBA's sign-and-trade move (12:55). We also explain why the Franchise Tag can sometimes be an effort to buy time for a long-term deal (19:15). Plus, players like Michael Pittman, Derrick Henry, and the other Josh Allen could all enter the conversation the same way and leave with wildly different results. Also, the Cowboys might end up paying Dak Prescott more than any player—ever (32:00). Finally, remember what we said about Kirk Cousins the finesser (43:45)? Yeah, he has this game on lock.

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Dynasty Era

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 09:00:10 GMT

What's up sports fans? We're living in the Dynasty Era—and the Chiefs Kingdom has it locked down. In the most-watched telecast of all time, the defending champs went back to back, and Kyle Shanahan experienced his second blown Super Bowl. We recap the game, talk about how it looked for the first half, and examine the mental edge needed to win the big one. We throw most of the blame on the head coach, not Brock Purdy (or Jake Moody). We break down new overtime rules (07:00) and discuss the right strategy when both teams get a chance to score. Also, Taylor Swift was there—and got less than a minute of screen time (09:10), so you need to calm down. We agree the Niners should be back, and dare to compare Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady (19:55). Devon thinks Mahomes is the greatest player of all time, but Alex thinks there's a gap from Goat to Kid. We briefly give our Mount Rushmore of QBs (24:15), and loop back to why Brady's dominance is ahead of Mahomes by a decent margin. We also ask if certain things deserve to be stories: Dre Greenlaw's ruptured Achilles, the Chiefs' lockdown defense, and Travis Kelce being a hothead changed things—luck did not. Finally, we define a dynasty and remind everyone why Vegas always wins.

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Can't Fix Something We Don't Want

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 09:00:17 GMT

What's up sports fans? It's Pro Bowl week (as we wait for the Super Bowl). We don't care much about football players golfing or wakeboarding—so we also talked All Pro rankings. If the Pro Bowl is a popularity contest, the All Pro is earned through blood, sweat, and tears. This year's Pro Bowl Games didn't offer nearly the intensity of past games, although the social media highlights are kind of fun. Shoutout to Dan Orlovsky (09:40) for killing the Precision Passing challenge (after the top vote-getters opted out). We agree, if a guy makes the All Pro list and misses the Pro Bowl, he's a textbook snub. We talk a little about the NFL Players Association and their "All Pro" list, including what it takes to get on the best all-around roster. We go over some obvious choices and some surprising misses (25:55), but really—we just needed to talk about something. The Pro Bowl does not matter. Alex accidentally dunks on the Dallas Cowboys (29:29), and Devon's bias peeks through. Plus, who do we petition to start a Waterboy Hall of Fame? We try to fix the Pro Bowl, but it feels impossible to fix something nobody actually wants (36:50). Before we wrapped, we took another shot at predicting the Super Bowl (39:55), and neither of us wants to bet against Patrick Mahomes.

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There's No Next Week

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 09:00:07 GMT

What's up sports fans? Championship weekend is over, and the Super Bowl LVIII matchup is set. Before the 49ers take on the Chiefs in Sin City, we recap how it all went down. Only two game to talk about, and the better team choked in both instances. We talk about the experience factor, and why the Chiefs and Niners relied on having been there and done that. The Ravens abandoned their power rush identity, and we can't figure out why. The Lamar Jackson hero ball didn't show up, and it hurts Lamar's legacy. Some rookie mistakes sealed the loss for Baltimore, and Kansas City did exactly what they needed to do to advance to their fourth Super Bowl in six years. The mark of the Lions this year? Gutsy calls (16:42). That identity cost them a Super Bowl appearance. George Kittle knew it, too—and we talk about the arrogance playing a factor in the San Francisco comeback. Plus, we discuss if this year's Lions fans feel how 2009 Vikings fans felt (29:08) when Brett Favre fell just short of a Super Bowl. We pivot to talk about the Super Bowl (37:00) and the unreal career trajectory of Patrick Mahomes. We compare Mahomes and early-career Tom Brady, and talk about why we might be watching the GOAT. Devon and Alex agree on both preseason Super Bowl picks and stick with it now—don't bet against Mahomes.

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How Could I Pick Against Them?

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 09:00:53 GMT

What's up sports fans? Divisional Weekend complete, and things got crazy. Devon's Detroit Lions are headed to the NFC Championship, and he was there to see it happen. We let him revel in it a bit, before an actual breakdown of the Lions beating the Buccaneers (04:38). Two teams bringing house money, and Detroit cashed in. We also muse about Baker Mayfield's future in Tampa Bay, and talk about his trash talking. To give Devon one more shot at the Cowboys, we mention a fun fact (for anyone outside of Dallas) (09:00). We don't believe in moral victories, and neither does Stefon Diggs (10:50). Josh Allen might be great, and yet not great enough as he came up short against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs—again. It's not quite a Manning v. Brady rivalry, and the Bills probably need a Super Bowl win to make it happen. Oh, and the Bills ran a fake punt with Damar Hamlin (16:50), which neither of us liked. As a bonus point—the Chiefs drafted Patrick Mahomes with a pick they acquired in a trade...with the Bills. We give Mahomes and Travis Kelce some flowers for passing Tom Brady and Gronk for the most playoff touchdowns by any duo in NFL history. We talk about the woes of the Kansas City offense (23:50), and dive into the Ravens dismantling the Texans. From Lamar's humorous post-game presser to why Baltimore could win it all, we talk about the likely MVP going head-to-head with the best QB in the league. We also talk about CJ Stroud's leadership (27:40), and segue to the Packers coming up just short against the 49ers. Jordan Love had a terrible interception, and the Niners overcame Brock Purdy's worst rain game. We pine over playoff football, driven by hard-hitting defenses, and bring up Tom Brady un-retirement rumors (37:00). Alex projects a potential blowout in the AFC Championship, while Devon refuses to bet against Mahomes. For the NFC Championship, Devon's rolling with his Lions, so Alex split the predictions.

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How 'Bout Them Cowboys

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 09:00:49 GMT

What's up sports fans? Wild Card Weekend lived up to its name. We talk about the collapse of the NFC East and hypothesize which coaches might be on the move. While we disagree on the mentality of playoff blowouts, the Packers whooped the Cowboys any way you cut it. Is Jordan Love the second-best quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft class (05:04)? (Joe Burrow is No. 1.) We wonder if Dallas will move on from Mike McCarthy and/or Dak Prescott. Alex would make a move, but Devon would hold off—for now. Predicting what Jerry Jones will do seems impossible, though. We talk about the unexpected (not here) decimation of the Eagles by the Buccaneers, and take some joy in seeing it coming (13:15). We get a few shots in at Matt Patricia, and Alex rips Mike Evans to protect the brand (15:30). We also reminisce how Baker Mayfield played scout team defense last year, and put a bow on Jason Kelce's career (18:20). In an immediate apology, we give CJ Stroud his flowers (19:40), because the Texans ripped the Browns apart. Elite or not, Flacco might come back next year. In the frigid cold, Patrick Mahomes got the Chiefs through another playoff game (24:40), even as his helmet shattered. Apparently Tua can't play in the Midwest. The longest playoff drought now belongs to the Dolphins, because the Lions are losers no more (28:00). Alex bias-checks Devon a bit on Kerby Joseph being a dirty(ish) player, and we spend a little time talking about Josh Allen's heroics. We rant a bit about the smoke around firing Mike Tomlin, and then we move to the Divisional Round (36:36). The Niners and Ravens get to show what some time off can do, and rust is a concern for both teams. Still, the best teams usually win in the playoffs. To close it out, Devon dreams big for a bit (46:45).

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We're Talking Playoffs

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 09:00:14 GMT

What's up sports fans? Week 18 of the NFL Season means it's time for the playoffs. For 14 teams, the season rolls on—Devon's Lions keep pushing, and Alex's Vikings can focus on 2024. We talk about the head-to-head matchup a little bit, and then focus on what the Vikings should do going forward. Alex gives his take on why the Panthers have a super attractive job offer, and it's all about the money (09:09). We rip through some highlights from Week 18 (11:35), and talk about some tough decisions coming for several franchises. We also give a rundown on why the "rookie QB contract" requirement for Super Bowl winners is a myth, and examine if this was the uncerimonious end of Bill Belichick. Plus, shoutout to Puka Nacua (16:37) for breaking records. We delve into Black Monday firings (19:10), from the Falcons to Chargers (and—we recorded *just* before Mike Vrabel got axed). Devon makes a case for Arthur Smith being upset with the Saints, but Alex is all for pettiness. We toss around some Jim Harbaugh rumors (26:50), and kind of think he should stay in Ann Arbor. The Raiders, though? Shouldn't interview a single soul; Antonio Pierce has earned that spot. Plus, Alex tosses out two potential coaching changes to keep an eye on (30:00)—and one of them is a playoff team. We revisit our midseason NFL Awards (33:40), and a few we want to change, but some (ahem, Lamar MVP) feel like locks. Then, at long last, playoffs (41:10). We talk about the hopefuls, go through Wild Card Weekend matchups, and give our official picks for the entire playoff bracket. Finally, Power Rankings to wrap the regular season (54:00).

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The Dumb and The Reckless

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 09:00:00 GMT

What's up sports fans? Week 17 of the NFL Season in the books, and we had drama. We give a brief take on the College Football Playoff selections (01:00) before we jump in with Mike Tomlin's 17th winning season—in a row. AFC North fans (except for the Bengals) feel good right now. After our obligatory Joe Flacco appreciation moment, we discuss how much we want Deshaun Watson out of the NFL. A broken record can still spin a great song. We talk about the Seahawks and their issues, then focus on Lamar Jackson's dominance (09:30) in the exclamation for his MVP campaign (and building Hall of Fame credential). Plus, the Bills look great at the right time, and the Dolphins might be in trouble. We also talk about the inevitable—the Vikings got smacked (16:30) by the Packers, and the Lions maybe got robbed. We look at the relationship between the head coach and general manager, and what Alex would do if he were calling the shots for the Vikings (17:29) in the season finale. That parlays into a conversation about backup quarterback value, and why the best teams have healthy starters all season long. Devon gets out his soapbox to vent (23:05) about the ending of the Lions and Cowboys matchup, and—bias aside—we agree the ref messed up the call. Also, s/o to all subscribers (26:55) for staying in the know. If you want the TL;DR—the NFL is not rigged, and even Jared Goff knows it (31:45). Alex offers a bit of bias-balance and says the ref's mistake became a bigger issue when Dan Campbell led with his ego, and Devon's fired up about the playoffs. The AFC South is wide open (41:00), and a few unexpected scenarios could shake things up next week. The mighty have fallen, and the Eagles (42:20) got their wings clipped—courtesy of Matt Patricia? Finally, we examine the drama in Denver (43:51) with the Broncos benching Russell Wilson. As always, Power Rankings round things out (47:40).

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The Elephant in the Room

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 09:00:17 GMT

What's up sports fans? Week 16 of the NFL season is done. We rip the bandage off this week with elephant jokes and address the biggest elephant in the room. Did you know elephants can't walk on water? Also—the Lions won their division for the first time since 1993. We compare Nick Mullens to Brett Favre (calm down, Packers fans) and pick (see what we did there?) apart the Vikings demise. We also debate if the Kerby Joseph hit that ended T.J. Hockenson's season was a dirty shot (06:58), and if he was headhunting Justin Jefferson. We bring out the Spider-Man meme with the Cowboys and Dolphins (11:25), and briefly talk about the Lions going to Jerry World next week. We look at the resurrected Bills, and talk about why the Rams (15:35) might be a Top 3 team this minute. Matthew Stafford has a pattern of making his receivers fantastic, and Devon's been saying it (18:01). We look at the Jaguars and their cratering attempt, plus the Steelers effort presented too little, too late. We also go off on the Chiefs, who do not look decent (25:25), and the reality of the AFC Championship happening not at Arrowhead is overwhelmingly likely. We also dive deep on the 49ers–Ravens matchup (29:50), in which Alex's prediction of Brock Purdy's MVP campaign getting torpedoed came true. Also, statistically, is Gus Edwards basically Christian McCaffrey? The Lamar Jackson experience is poised for a second MVP award, which would seem to indicate he's going to end up in the Hall of Fame. Not bad for a running back. Finally, as always, Power Rankings to round it out (38:30).

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We're Media, Not Prom Kings

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 16:23:19 GMT

What's up sports fans? Week 15 of the NFL season has come and gone. The Raiders went from zero to hero and slaughtered the Chargers—harshly enough to get everyone fired (and maybe get Antonio Pierce's 'interim' tag torn off). We talk about the importance of getting the coach right when you have an elite QB, and examine the nightmare salary cap scenario Los Angeles has to address. We also attempt to explain the collapse of the Steelers, and spend some time unpacking the NFL's stand against head-to-head hits (09:50). We also believe Gardner Minshew is a starting quarterback next year (not in Indy), and point out that Baker Mayfield's perfect day in Green Bay made his passer rating better than some shocking names (16:03). The Lions got back on track, which means Devon's a little happier. We also talk about Sam LaPorta filling the gap left by TJ Hockenson (19:40), and why the Vikings are overpaying for the same production. Speaking of the Vikings, they ran out of gas against the Bengals (and vengeful Jake Browning), yet still have playoff hopes. We briefly preview the DET–MIN matchup, and confirm Dan Campbell's goal is to rest starters in the offseason and not a play before (24:40). The Cheetah-less Dolphins shut out the Jets (28:28), which means Aaron Rodgers isn't coming back (right?). We recap the three other teams eliminated from playoff contention (32:27) and spend a little more time discussing the Brock Purdy/Christian McCaffrey MVP deliberation. Then we examine the four playoff locks (38:00) and talk about trending in the right or wrong direction. The Niners, though? Inevitable. We also explain how the Bills might need to win the AFC East if they want to make the playoffs, but Devon believes they could be the best team in the league right now (43:40). After 250+ rushing yards, the Ravens seem like the clear AFC favorites—and Alex thinks the matchup against the 49ers could catapult Lamar Jackson to the top of the MVP ballots (46:00). The QB of the best team usually takes the hardware. Finally, power rankings to close it out, and we're on the same page on both ends of the spectrum.

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Relegate the NFC South

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 09:00:31 GMT

What's up sports fans? Week 14 of the NFL season is in the books. We predicted the Garbage Bowl, we just had the teams wrong (sorry Steelers and Patriots). We talk about the thin ice upon which Pittsburgh stands, and consider if Mike Tomlin ending above .500 is inevitable. We discuss what Minshew Mania could do for Pit (04:15), and look at the free-falling Seahawks. Devon fully calls fraud watch on Seattle, and Alex writes Geno Smith (who won't write back). Another week, another QB for the Vikings (08:15) who won the ugliest game of the year, and now have to consider the actual downsides (upsides?) to missing the playoffs. Is Nick Mullens the next Andrew Luck (12:20), or is he just a good backup? We also mention the Niners look unstoppable if they stay healthy, and look ahead to a Ravens showdown that could be a Super Bowl preview. We give a shoutout to Danny, er, Tommy Devito (17:10), and thank him for beating the Packers. We admit the Lions should be better than 9–4, but still—it's 9–4. We lament the NFC South (26.55), and blame the coaching for the abject poverty of the division. We toss out the technical possibility of the Broncos winning their division (29:30), and the looming reality of an AFC Championship not hosted at Arrowhead. We're rooting for Zach Wilson's comeback, and go deep on the rout of the Eagles at the hands of America's Team. The Cowboys look and feel like a real threat, and we consider the possibility of them overtaking Philadelphia. We address the tirade by Patrick Mahomes about reffing (35:00), and we're on the same side... onside. (Sorry, Toney.) Plus, the Dolphins are also on fraud watch, and we talk about the bottom line of getting comfortable with your center's hindquarters (43:05). Oh yeah, Joe Flacco is elite (46:35), even if Devon hates hearing it. We talk through playoff odds and give Power Rankings to wrap it up.

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Welcome to Mediocrity, Most of Us Live Here

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 09:00:29 GMT

What's up sports fans? Week 13 of the NFL season in the rearview, and chaos reigns. The Panthers are officially moving to 2024, but they're not unlucky. We talk about the luck factor in football (02:30)—and it is a factor. Plus, the unluckiest team this season? Alex's Minnesota Vikings. We agree with Trevor Lawrence that a weak division is kind of nice, because we just want to win. We talk through the 49ers dominating in Philly (06:29), and we finally have the reason to knock the Eagles out of No. 1. Devon admits he was wrong about the heavyweight clash, and while we disagree on how good Brock Purdy is, we agree that he's *not* the MVP (11:35). We examine Dak's hot streak (15:38) and look at how the Cowboys survived the Seahawks, plus check on Devon's nerves after the Lions almost blew a 21–0 lead. Alex hits on the cliché of "playing not to lose" before we get into the Titans and Colts giving us overtime drama (21:00). Gardner Minshew "might not always be sexy," but the Colts are very much alive in the AFC. However, a new backup might be here to take the crown as the league's best: Jake Browning looked great, and Ja'Marr Chase is still open (24:05). We revisit the myth of tanking (26:20) and offer the Cardinals as Exhibit A. Oh, the Patriots are bad now—and get to play in the Garbage Bowl with Bailey Zappe matching up with Mitchell Trubisky... on Thursday Night Football. We declare the Patriots as terrible (31:05), and offer zero sympathy for Boston fans. Plus, we discuss the refs in Green Bay (they were bad) and joke around with a dream-trio of Tom Brady, Chad Ochocinco, and Randy Moss. Finally, we give Mike Evans some flowers (38:15) before we hit Power Rankings.

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We Are Losers

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 09:00:49 GMT

What's up sports fans? Week 12 of the NFL season in the books, and we are sad. The Lions and Vikings both took hard losses to divisional opponents, which is bad for the AD's Office boys. We look at the state of the Lions with a look at the playoffs, and examine the QB situation in Minnesota (03:40) after Josh Dobbs threw *four* interceptions against the Bears. We also take a look at the long-awaited return of Justin Jefferson and the state of the defense (08:55) under Brian Flores. We marvel at Lamar Jackson's rushing record (11:00) and the textbook mediocrity of the Los Angeles Chargers. Justin Herbert deserves better. The Steelers finally made a coaching change (13:40), and the AFC North should be competitive down to the wire. The Niners look better than anyone, and we preview their matchup agains the No. 1 seed Philadelphia Eagles (16:46). We hype up Jalen Carter's attempt to intercept a spike, and talk about Mac Jones getting benched—again (21:00). Plus, Tommy Devito might have *gestures in Italian* "it." Devon wonders if the Panthers could win their way out of the No. 1 Draft spot under a new coach, and we talk through the hair-trigger approach to employment under David Tepper. Alex tells the owner to take a look in the mirror (29:20). We start to give some flowers to the Broncos and Colts (s/o Peyton Manning), and give our predictions for the playoff teams (32:38) as the season nears the end. We're split on the NFC Wild Card teams, but the division winners seem set in stone. How could the Bills, Bengals, and Jets miss the playoffs? Well, Devon never believed in the Jets, anyway. As always, Power Rankings wrap it up (44:37).

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More Money, More Money

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 09:00:35 GMT

What's up sports fans? Week 11 of the NFL season brought some surprises, some close calls, and some expected bad beats. The Lions barely survived hosting Chicago, and Aiden Hutchinson got his big-time moment. Matt Eberflus should be gone, but Justin Fields might stick around for the Bears (03:25). We talk about the death knell of turnovers for the Vikings in Denver (04:40), and consider if Joshua Dobbs can keep making magic. We discuss Kareem Jackson's suspension, and look at the NFL's rules for player safety. Devon throws his support behind Antonio Pierce in Las Vegas (09:19), and CJ Stroud thinks he's Steph Curry. Plus, is it finally time for Trevor Lawrence to take the throne we've expected him to claim all along? We point out the issue with the current NFL playoff structure (12:50), and debate the chaos of the NFC West. Also—Devon called the Seahawks missing the playoffs back in Week 1, even though Alex isn't convinced. We give Brock Purdy his flowers for being perfect (17:04), and talk through the Eagles and Niners as the best NFC squad. We lament our shared win-less fandoms, and examine the potential tradeoff of a few bad years for a Super Bowl win. Tommy Devito might be New York's best QB, and we talk about the ideal backup QB (23:25). Alex goes top rope on Deshaun Watson (25:30) and calls out the Browns for excusing his horrific behavior, and Devon echoes the sentiment for a few teams who need to cut ties with expensive players. After a Ravens win, we talk about a potential hidden injury for Joe Burrow (29:20) and the implications of sports gambling. Zach Wilson swapped for Tim Boyle means the Jets won't be welcoming Aaron Rodgers back this season. We agree Philly fans have reason to be excited (39:00), and expect much better from the Chiefs. Also, Jalen Hurts—good quarterback (40:40), period. Alex also points out that the Ravens could be joining historic greats, and the top teams might be settled soon. We hit Power Rankings (44:02) to wrap things up.

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About the Bills (Buffalo and Belichick)

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 09:00:40 GMT

What's up sports fans? Week 10 of the NFL season is in the books. The playoff picture is still shaky, the Bills look like they're going to implode (01:25), and Russ might be cooking in Denver. Firing an offensive coordinator won't fix bad defense—someone tell Sean McDermott before he gets himself fired. We talk about CJ Stroud (09:55) putting himself in MVP consideration, and dismiss any injury excuses in his way. We take a look at the state of the Jaguars and Trevor Lawrence after a shellacking, and rip Urban Meyer for good measure. The Niners (14:50) might be back, although Alex isn't so sure. Devon throws out a super-dark horse MVP candidate, which should delight big bois everywhere. We talk about Josh Dobbs 2.0 (18:40) and Kevin O'Connell's masterful coaching performance in Minnesota, plus some chatter with Justin Jefferson getting back on the radar. We examine the likelihood of back-to-back Vikings at Lions games to end the season and kick off playoffs, and discuss the quarterback options in New Orleans. Plus, is Kyler going to make Arizona have to keep him? Additionally, the Chargers could never catch the Lions (26:15), who just added a veteran presence before their playoff push. Alex thinks America's Team is fool's gold (31:00), even though the Cowboys beat up the Giants—big time. We shout out Antonio Pierce's new-look Raiders (35:25) who, shockingly, seem to think Davante Adams is good. Also—Jets fans, don't get your hopes up for a return of Rodgers this season. Finally, is Bill Belichick already out the door (39:02) in New England (and will he end up running Bills Mafia)? Power Rankings, as always, wrap up this week's episode.

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Midseason Awards are for the Birds

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 09:00:03 GMT

What's up sports fans? Week 9 of the NFL season means Midseason Awards are here. We open with the improbable, incredible performance of Joshua Dobbs (01:15) as the Vikings pulled off an incredible comeback. Devon wants to pump the brakes, and Alex wants to give Kevin O'Connell the team's MVP of the game. We rip Arthur Smith (08:10) for mismanaging elite offensive talents like Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts. We debate if the Cowboys and Eagles played a good game (10:42) or if the Cowboys just choke as a rule. We consider the Chiefs and their unimpressive win (13:55) against the Dolphins, who we agree might be riding the hype train. We recap the drama in Las Vegas (17:38) and discuss what may have been the last straw for Josh McDaniels. (Spoiler alert: He's not over his ex.) With Daniel Jones out for the year (20:14), we talk about the Giants prospects moving forward. Devon muses the parity of this season (21:52), and we talk about the resurgence of Joe Burrow's Bengals. Alex sets the stage for Lamar Jackson to get his second MVP (31:10), and Devon gives a slight edge to Jalen Hurts and the Brotherly Shove. The one guy who doesn't get a vote? Patrick Mahomes (35:05). We go through Coach of the Year, OPOY, DPOY, and show some love to CJ Stroud as Offensive Rookie of the Year (43:40), but debate Defensive ROY. We wrap with Power Rankings—and agree on Top 3 and Bottom 3.

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The North Came to Trade

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 08:33:43 GMT

What's up sports fans? Week 8 of the NFL season rocked the league. Kirk Cousins ruptured his Achilles, the trade deadline made some teams better—and some teams worse—and the Packers are bad now. We talk about the Vikings as a Wild Card team (03:45) and savor in the Packers struggling week after week. Shoutout to Packers fans for hanging with us. It takes some convincing to admit times have changed in the NFC North, although we get to an agreement that the Lions are the kings (and Green Bay might be irrelevant). Devon previews how the Packers could immediately rebound (08:00) and Alex promises to take it easy on the suffering. We rip the NFL schedule makers for forcing fans to watch the Bears in primetime, but give Tyson Bagent some NCAA DII flowers (10:30). We even take a shot at Josh McDaniels before the Raiders fired him. After tearing apart the Bears, we cover the Giants and their negative passing yards (16:00) in this season's ugliest game. Running backs get some love as we hype Breece Hall and Saquon Barkley, and we evaluate the abuse one of them takes doing his job. Take a trip down Tyrod Taylor's memory lane, and spend some time in marriage counseling with Jerry Jones and the Cowboys (23:00). We critique the Chiefs and examine if Mahomes isn't superhuman after all, then work through a disappointing Detroit win (29:20). After a Marcus Peters appearance, we light a candle for Davante Adams and talk through trades from Deadline Day (36:25). From the Commanders and Niners to the entire NFC North, we talk through all the deals that went down. The Lions got better, the Bears confused everyone, the Vikings added an astronaut (?), and the Packers got "a haul." We wrap it up with some changes to the Power Rankings and wave goodbye to the Chiefs in the top group.

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There are Levels to This

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 04:45:32 GMT

What's up sports fans? Week 7 of the NFL season is in the books. We explore the looming NFL trade deadline, explain why big names probably won't get moved this week, and talk about why the Rams made trades work for a Super Bowl win. We go deep on the Vikings mega upset over the 49ers (02:48) and argue over the best offensive tackle pairings in the league (04:21). After a mention of Purdy's concussion (06:15), Devon says Sam Darnold won't cause any QB controversy in the Bay. We rip Deshaun Watson for his fully-guaranteed contract and being actively bad at playing football (10:13), then talk through the ridiculousness of guaranteed deals and the injury risks involved. We go all-in on Minshew Mania (14:40) and Alex calls out the Colts for terrible jersey designs. We work through Devon's Lions getting embarrassed by the Ravens (17:55) and apologize—again—to anyone who had to watch that blowout. Alex gives the Lions some flowers, and reminds them there are levels to this thing—and being good is new for Detroit. We agree the Ravens can beat anybody and Devon goes so far to say they could bring home the Lombardi Trophy (21:30). We break down the heavyweight matchup between the Dolphins and Eagles (23:20), examine the cupcake schedule Miami has faced, and finally move Philly to the top spot in our Power Rankings. Devon gets a shoutout for Calvin Johnson (26:25), and examine the roster depth of the Eagles. Alex laments Derek Carr's regression in New Orleans (31:38), and touch on the Falcons maybe hiding an injury to Bijan Robinson (34:30). Plus, we compare Chris Olave and Randy Moss (38:00)? Another week, another segment talking about Myles Garrett (42:50), and another "argument" with J.J. Watt. As we wrap, we talk about the MVP award being the Best Quarterback award and mention three bad teams—the Broncos, Bears, and Patriots—who stole wins (45:50). Power Rankings follow an aggressive analysis of Jordan Love and the QBs of the NFC North.

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He's Worth Nothing

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 11:00:39 GMT

What's up sports fans? Week 6 of the NFL season down, and some incredible storylines brewing. We talk about legendary defenses (02:00) and give Myles Garrett some flowers, talk about Micah Parsons icing Monday Night Football for the Cowboys (04:00), and question John Lynch using a third-round pick on a... kicker (04:40). Alex gives a shoutout to the local Longhorns—Hook 'em (07:45), and we rag on the Broncos yet again. We marvel at the dominance of the Chiefs (09:40) and finally call a spade a spade—the Lions are good. Does Sean Payton trust Russell Wilson (11:30) and will the Lions outrun their miserable past? We talk about the chance the Lions rob Denver of a top pick (14:40), and Devon takes a surreal moment to revel in relevance (15:45). Alex shares his favorite jersey of the weekend (16:55) and we call out the NFL for lying about alternate jerseys (17:40). We confirm the sky is still indeed blue (20:33), but look at the chances the Vikings going on a run—to their detriment (21:00)? We lay out the trade value of Justin Fields (23:30) and explain why it's not what a Bears fan is going to want to hear. Spend a few minutes with us as we lament celebration fines (26:20) and plead with the NFL to let players have fun. We examine the reality of a Patriots implosion (32:35) with inflated confidence, à la Mac Jones. Plus, we compare Bill Belichick (37:55) and Don Shula's career wins. The ghost of Julio Jones seems like more Casper than Dementor, even if he is a Hall of Famer. Before we wrap, we talk Kyler Murray (46:50) and the Cardinals—and the reality of moving on. Finally, with no undefeated teams left, we shake up the Power Rankings (50:00) a little bit.

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They Are Who We Thought They Were

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 11:00:11 GMT

What's up sports fans? Week 5 of the NFL season is in the books. We open up ragging on the Bears (00:35) and the Commanders, take a trip down Devon's worst memory lane (01:25), and set some realistic expectations for some bad NFL teams. We talk a little bit about the importance of Draft position (05:20) and shout out Stefon Diggs and Dak Prescott for outperforming their draft spots. The Bengals shot up our Power Rankings (08:15) after a weekend of Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase dominating like they used to. We tear apart the Patriots dynasty (11:15) and Alex says Bill Belichick won't be back as the head coach after this season (14:39). Devon names the NFL owners he thinks are household names (15:35), and we examine what's going on in Minnesota (18:30) as the Vikings lost Justin Jefferson to Injured Reserve. We give the Buccaneers some credit for shocking the world through five weeks (22:40) and look at the likelihood of the Lions winning the NFC North. We not-quite (but almost) name TJ Watt the DPOY (29:40), especially given his dislocated finger horror. After a month of questions, we start pushing the Brock Purdy MVP Train (32:20) down the tracks; the dude is legit. Plus, are the Niners good enough to have the MVP and OPOY (36:30)? We even compare the Greatest Show on Turf (38:01) to the 2023 Miami "Juggernaut' Dolphins. We talk about the inability of the Jaguars and Bills to put together back-to-back weeks of dominance, and give credit to CJ Stroud for outplaying every expectation of a rookie QB. On the way out, we call out the Chiefs (42:30) for a lack of receiving talent outside of Travis Kelce, and Alex casually offers his Top 3 all-time tight ends (43:50). Finally, we talk about the Hackett Revenge Tour in Denver as the Jets beat the Broncos and rip through our Power Rankings (49:20) to close out the week.

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Beatdown in Blue

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 11:00:58 GMT

What's up sports fans? It's week four of the NFL season, and some things are starting to feel familiar. We lost a full pod of Dolphins (00:48) and watched Josh Allen put on the superhero cape (02:25). Stefon Diggs put defenders in a blender (03:58) and the Bills found the balance between recklessness and ridiculous. The Cowboys still look excellent (05:50), while the Patriots have a "meh" QB option behind Mac Jones (06:40). We take a look at dirty players (09:05) and how to get away with it, plus put a little water on the fire under Daniel Jones (10:10). Alex calls Eli Manning "average" (10:45) and says the Giants are trying to repeat history. Devon Witherspoon gets his flowers (12:03), and Devon sends an open letter to Joe Burrow's head coach (12:30). Kevin Durant gets a shoutout in a rare NBA crossover moment (13:20). We take a detour to sports science and injuries (15:42) and why new equipment could end up wrecking the Bengals. For the first time this season, we call out some questionable reffing (17:06), and let them off the hook. We examine the predicament that is Zach Wilson (20:12) and explain why the Jets are in a tough spot. The Vikings got the first win of the season, despite Cousins struggling (21:45) and Devon rips "QB Wins" as a fake stat. We nudge Harrison Smith toward the Hall of Fame (23:04) and loop back to add Matthew Stafford to the list of maybe-somedays. We give the Bears and Broncos more time than they deserve (26:00), but end up realizing Justin Fields isn't the future. Chase Claypool didn't come to work (28:20), and Chicago might need to squander a first-round draft pick. Plus, we put Terrell Owens in the all-time Top 5 (29:40) and pay our fines with "straight cash, homey." We also look at Christian McCaffrey's historic day (32:50) and go in on whack MVP odds (with all the respect to Brock Purdy). We give some praise to the fullbacks of the NFL (38:15) and lavish the league's ironman, Matthew Stafford (39:50). The Packers got washed in Honolulu blue (45:12) and the Lions beat them down. Closing with Power Rankings, we agree on the Top 5 and Bottom 3—and even agree that Adam Thielen (52:10) might not be the best WR1 for a young QB.

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Down With The Ship

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 11:00:14 GMT

What's up sports fans? It's week three, and the NFL season delivered the biggest drama yet. Devon went behind enemy lines (01:15) and buries the Vikings—fans and GM alike. Alex defends past first-round picks (03:30), and shouts out UDFA Ivan Pace, Jr. for his meteoric rise to NFL starter. Drafting is difficult (05:45) for even the smartest Wall Street guys, plus a deep dive on the NFC North. Hope abounds (08:30) for the most cynical fans, even when luck hits the table (10:00). Also, Justin Jefferson: dawg (10:36). We address Tom Brady's marriage arrangement (12:20) and look at the leapfrog nature of new player contracts. TJ Hockenson's touchdowns cost about $8 million (14:20), and Travis Kelce gets a (bunch of) mentions in the midst of a WR1 versus WR2 conversation. The AD's Office endorses a key offensive player (18:10), and hopeful Alex reappears to discuss the firepower of the Vikings. We calm the Chicken Little takes (20:15) and unleash on trade rumors (21:17). Enjoy an explanation of the Power Ranking process (26:10) and Alex boldly declares Trevor Lawrence can't win MVP (28:30). Add a look at the AFC North (34:00) race tightening, and Devon demands an apology from the Titans (36:30). To close, we bring a fiery recap of the Dolphins' (almost) historic day (37:15) and remind y'all the Bears are bad. Oh, and Taylor Swift (44:52); ship it.

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Get Your Weight Up, Little Boy

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 11:00:38 GMT

What's up sports fans? It's week two of the NFL season, and the madness has just begun. Justin Jefferson learns about a dumb rule (00:50) and we ask what's wrong with AJ Brown (02:45). We talk about the magic of the QB sneak (04:22), also known as Jason Kelce. Plus, a superstar's self-inflicted expectations (06:14) and Nick Chubb's gruesome injury (08:58). We also address the strength of the AFC North (10:13), and take a tongue-in-cheek shot at Aaron Rodgers and the healing powers of... dolphins? Alex says the Patriots might be the worst he's ever seen (12:50), and Devon encourages Bills Mafia to smash some tables (14:10). We look at early DPOY candidates (15:20) courtesy of JJ Watt's social media and we agree—right now he's a Cowboy (18:40). Enjoy a quick dive on the pros and (mostly) cons of tanking (19:40), and why Alex is cynical about Caleb Williams already. Add in Ryan Leaf (23:30) and it's all-aboard the Baker Danger Train (25:40). We bring it home with the stakes for the Chargers and Vikings (32:30) and throw support behind Jonathan Taylor.

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Lions and Vikings and Bears, Oh My!

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 15:50:59 GMT

What's up sports fans? In this inaugural episode, we recap all the madness of the NFL's opening weekend. Devon's Lions (00:46) took on the defending champions who got hit with a dose of drops (or, maybe they didn't). Top overall draft pick Bryce Young made his NFL debut (07:05), and franchise QBs seemingly forgot how to play football. We also address the bottom of the barrel from the Windy City (08:32) and let Alex know his Vikings (11:30) looked "pretty darn bad." Plus, a hot take on Mike Tomlin's Steelers (17:03) and a quick dive on the status of the Ravens after losing JK Dobbins (18:42). Devon sets the stage (22:18) for why the key to winning a Super Bowl is not having a good QB on a rookie deal, and Alex shouts out Big Play Slay (28:54) for balling out at Tom Brady's homecoming. We talk about Brock Purdy (32:42) and his similarities to... Patrick Mahomes? Add in some love for the Dolphins (42:42) and a Monday-night reaction to the Jets losing Aaron Rodgers (46:43) after just four plays, and we wrap all the action from Week 1 of the 2023 NFL Season with a quick power ranking.

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