THE LEAGUE: Ranking the BEST & the WORST of the AFC plus SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Summary

Buffalo Plus: THE LEAGUE – Ranking the BEST & the WORST of the AFC (Aug 26, 2025)

Episode Overview

The Buffalo Plus crew—Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, and Dan Fetes—break down the current state of the AFC ahead of the 2025 NFL season. The conversation dives into divisional rankings, quarterback questions, coaching hot seats, organizational stability, and predictions for playoff teams. A special segment also announces a live event at the Thirsty Turtle on September 4th. The tone is lively, with friendly banter and sharp opinions, combining insider knowledge with engaging debates.

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Special Announcement: Buffalo Plus Live Event

• Thirsty Turtle, Victor, NY – September 4, 5:00–7:00 PM
  • Meet & greet, live podcast, raffles, and outdoor games.
  • Coincides with the first day of the NFL season.
  • “It’s going to be so much fun. The last time we were out there—awesome crowd, great to meet everybody.” — Jenna (01:11)

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Key Discussion Points by Division

AFC North

Ravens: The Class of the Division?

• Roster Assessment: Stability at ownership, GM (Eric DeCosta), and head coach (John Harbaugh).
• Addition of Malachi Starks (safety), Derrick Henry (RB), DeAndre Hopkins (WR).
• Mike: “The Ravens might be the best team in the NFL coming into the year, right?” (06:00)
• Derrick Henry’s Outlook: Jenna doubts his staying power; Mike sees him as “a force of nature” if used smartly (07:50).
• Notable Quote: “If they’re smart, you know, Lamar can handle a lot of the workload in terms of scoring points for them. It just makes it so much easier when you have Derrick Henry.” — Mike (08:00)

Bengals: Defensive Concerns & Organizational Discord

• Lingered outside playoffs last year (9-8 record).
• Defense: “Their defense stinks.” — Mike (04:21)
• Zach Taylor considered on the hot seat.
• Uncertainty around handling player contracts (Trey Hendrickson, WR signings).
• Joe Burrow remains a franchise tier QB but organization questioned.

Steelers: Stability Masking Mediocrity?

• Ownership remains the most stable (Rooney family).
• Mike Tomlin: “A team that always wins nine games, a relatively stable organization…” — Mike (10:30)
• New QB, questions about handling “big personalities.”
• Banter: “Standard is the standard.” — Group on Tomlin’s slogans (14:26)

Browns: Chaos and Quarterback Carousel

• Ownership (Haslams) called out for interference.
• QB situation “wild” — Joe Flacco, Shador Sanders, Dylan Gabriel, Kenny Pickett, Deshaun Watson all in the room (16:07).
• Shador Sanders: Noted for off-field spectacle; criticized for preseason performance.
• “That is just wild. And everybody believes they're in the market for a quarterback next year.” — Jenna (16:07)

Division Summary: Ravens seen as the clear frontrunner; Bengals and Steelers could flip spots; Browns remain mired in instability.

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AFC East

Bills: The Standard Bearer

• Still considered the best in the division.
• Discussion of young safety likely to start and roster tweaks.

Jets: Ascending Challenger

• Predicted to finish second.
• Mike: “I just kind of like the atmosphere of the Jets. I think it's back to being about football for them.” (18:06)
• Defense talent praised; offense considered “good enough.”

Patriots: Rebuilding under Vrabel

• Roster called “least talented,” but Vrabel’s coaching expected to maximize results.
• Organizational infrastructure behind due to Belichick’s legacy; needs investment.
• “He has proven that over the years, he has done more with less than most coaches.” — Dan (19:13)

Dolphins: Wheels Coming Off

• Both McDaniel and GM Chris Grier considered on the hot seat.
• Locker room, culture, and leadership issues highlighted.
• “I think this is the time they start making major moves. I think Tua survives… I think Mike McDaniel gets fired at the end of the year.” — Mike (21:14)

Division Summary: Bills remain atop, Jets a solid second, Patriots expected to overperform, Dolphins predicted collapse.

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AFC South

Texans: The Lone Legitimate Organization

• Unanimous pick to win the South.
• Nick Caserio (GM), DeMeco Ryans (HC) highly praised.
• Defense with Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, Derek Stingley strengthens identity.
• CJ Stroud: Expected to bounce back and “dominate the division” if the offensive line holds up.
• “They are the only legitimate team… only legitimate franchise in the division.” — Mike (24:49)

Jaguars/Colts/Titans: The Rest

• Jags: Brian Thomas Jr. highlighted, organization called “bad,” Trevor Lawrence underachieving.
• Colts: Ownership transition, Chris Ballard on hot seat, Daniel Jones at QB, still have Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman.
• Titans: Rookie Cam Ward labeled possible bright spot amid overall struggles.
• “Flip a coin… it really is going to be inconsequential.” — Mike on picking second place (43:14)

Division Summary: Texans clear front-runners; the rest expected to scramble to .500 or below.

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AFC West

Chiefs: Still Kings, But For How Much Longer?

• Ownership (Hunt family), GM (Brett Veach), Andy Reid, and Steve Spagnuolo praised for stability.
• Anticipated offensive shift: “I think they're going to play. I think they're going to throw the ball a lot, and I think they're going to try to throw it deep a lot.” — Mike (36:52)
• Competition in division ramping up—potential for “fatigue” to impact Super Bowl runners-up.
• Travis Kelce: Questions about age, focus, and motivation.
  • “He was awful in the Super Bowl…almost looked disinterested.” — Mike (40:26)

Broncos: Trending Up, But Not There Yet

• Defense praised; offense still doubted beyond Bo Nix’s strong rookie showing.
• “They're Super Bowl adjacent contenders, but I don't think they're Super Bowl contenders.” — Dan (28:55)
• Concerns about team maturity and readiness for big moments after “celebrating a week 18 win like their Super Bowl.” — Dan (33:02)

Chargers: ‘Blocked the Number’

• High national expectations: Jim Harbaugh’s arrival, Justin Herbert, Ladd McConkey.
• “He was so bad in his playoff appearances… He could play for the Steelers.” — Mike (33:27)
• Dan: “It’s the ex-girlfriend you’ve called too many times… I don’t know why we keep going back to… I’ve deleted and blocked the number.” (32:54)

Raiders: Improved, But Still the Floor

• Coaching and QB situation now “adults” in the room.
• Not expected to contend but will be a “harder out.”

Division Summary: Chiefs remain on top, Broncos and Chargers/Chargers and Raiders fighting for playoff contention, Raiders the “floor.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Sean McDermott has a way better resume with less talent, less MVPs, less Pro Bowlers, less All Pros. And John Harbaugh gets this prestigiousness.” — Dan (00:00, 09:04)
• On AFC North: “Division of mediocrity… it's a division of mediocrity.” — Dan (09:04)
• On the Patriots: “He has proven that over the years, he has done more with less than most coaches.” — Dan (19:13)
• “They’re legally allowed to [make the playoffs].” — Dan on the Patriots’ postseason hopes (47:00)
• “It's the ex girlfriend you've called too many times… I blocked the number.” — Dan on the Chargers (32:54)
• On culture: “It just gets overlooked, the fact of what the culture that Sean McDermott has built, what it's been able to withstand, what it's been able to do for all of these years...” — Dan (21:18)

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Rankings & Predictions

Division Picks

AFC West:

• Chiefs (all three)
• Broncos (second)
• Chargers/Raiders (third/fourth, debated)

AFC South:

• Texans (consensus)
• Colts/Jags (coin flip for second)
• Titans last

AFC North:

• Ravens (all)
• Bengals/Steelers (debated second)
• Browns usually last

AFC East:

• Bills (all)
• Jets (most)
• Patriots (second in Dan’s view)
• Dolphins last

Wild Card/Playoff Teams

• Consensus wild cards: Broncos, Bengals (possibly Chargers, Patriots, or Jets)
• “I think the West is the best division, which would make you think they could [send two wild cards], but they're going to beat each other up a little bit.” — Mike (47:07)

Hot Seats

• Mike McDaniel (Dolphins)
• Zach Taylor (Bengals)
• Kevin Stefanski (Browns)
• Tomlin's job security solid, but “if it goes off the rails…” (48:55)

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Fun/Easter Eggs

• Extended debate over the word “prestigiousness.” (09:56, 10:03)
• College roommate nicknames and Roman numerals (“IV is the coolest.”) (12:48)
• “You say it like a bangle. Like a bracelet.” — Playful riff on the Bengals’ name (44:03)

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Important Timestamps

• Thirsty Turtle Event Announcement: 00:44–01:45, 49:29–50:12
• AFC North Deep Dive: 04:55–17:14
• AFC East: 17:16–22:32
• AFC South: 23:34–27:47
• AFC West: 27:47–35:15
• Predictions & Hot Seats: 41:05–49:09

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Tone & Approach

• Signature Buffalo Plus humor and chemistry.
• Insightful, data-driven conversation mixed with candid personal takes.
• Tough critiques especially on coaching, front office management, and intangibles like “culture.”

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For Listeners:

If you missed the episode, this summary gives a complete map of the crew’s hottest takes, reasons behind their rankings, and who they think will rise and fall in the AFC this season—plus plenty of the friendly ribbing and deep Buffalo knowledge that defines the Buffalo Plus channel.

Transcript

[A]

Blind resume. Sean McDermott has a way better resume with less talent, less MVPs, less Pro Bowlers, less All Pros. And John Harbaugh gets this prestigiousness.

[B]

Is that a word, prestigiousness? I don't know.

[C]

I don't know if you added the nest, but, you know, on your scale, I'm going to accept that. Yeah, you are right. That he has.

[A]

Wait, what was that?

[C]

Underperformed.

[A]

What was that?

[C]

You are right. It does. You are right, Dan.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

All right, important news. We're coming to you. We have exciting stuff as we will be going live at the thirsty turtle on September 4th. That'll be Thursday, coming up from 5 to 7. It's going to be Buffalo Plus Live. We've already done an event there, but it's going to be so much fun. The last time we were out there, awesome crowd, great to meet everybody. We're going to do a meet and greet, then we're going to do a live recording in the podcast. But very excited.

[C]

Thirsty Turtle, September 4, meet and greet, 5 to 7. It's the day of the first game of the NFL season, so you're all going to be watching the game probably later, but you come to us five to seven, seven to eight for the pod. We can't wait to see everybody.

[A]

Yeah, it was great atmosphere the last time. We're just going to run it back. Outdoor games, events, raffles, all that stuff included. So make sure five to seven. Thirsty Turtle. Jenna was supposed to plug this earlier in the show. She didn't, so we are.

[C]

But you did only mention it 10 seconds before we went on.

[B]

I know. I mean, that's just not fair. You're just setting me up for failure.

[A]

So when we talk about this at the end of the podcast, this will all make way more sense to you. But we wanted to make sure we hit it early on in the podcast, so here it is.

[B]

All right. Welcome back to the Buffalo Plus Channel, presented by Connors and Ferris, Mike Catalon and Dan Fates. I am Jenna Cotrell. Please be sure to, like, comment, subscribe and share. Welcome to the latest episode of the league presented by Stellar Roofing, Windows and Siding. Today we're going to talk about the afc. Who's on the hot seat? Is it general managers? Is it coaches, Some of the players to talk about and predictions as we get into the 2025 NFL season. I want to start with Mike, you off the bat, because what do you make of just the AFC heading into this season?

[C]

You know it's quarterback heavy, right? That's what Everybody says. I think the fascinating thing about the AFC this year is it has been, you know, rinse, repeat. Right. It's the Ravens, it's the Bills, it's the Chiefs. But I think this year there's a little bit of a push coming from a couple other teams and I think it's going to be interesting to see if they have the guys to get it done. And we'll talk about one of those teams when we get to that division. But I still think it's top heavy with those three. If you're betting now, I don't even know what the numbers would be to say one of those three teams is going to represent them in the Super Bowl.

[A]

Right.

[C]

But you, you never know. I just like the way a couple of other teams are put together.

[A]

Yeah, I think you're trying to. It's every year there's always going to be a team that surprises you. There's going to be a team that didn't make the playoffs last year that is more than likely going to surprise people, turn heads and be that team that, oh, you don't want to play them. And it. Last year was the Broncos. So again, now everybody's really high on the Broncos. Let's see how they pan out in year two with Bo Nix and that really good defense. And I think they're that trendy pick that the Bills used to be a few years ago where it was like up and coming quarterback, really good defense, all these kind of things. It's just different to me because it's a retread of a head coach is what makes it different to me.

[C]

Yeah, it does make it different. But that Bill's team made it to the AFC championship.

[A]

Well, I'm talking about even like 20, 19.

[C]

I would say last year was 19 for them.

[B]

Last year was 19.

[A]

Okay, I could say I'm with you there.

[B]

Yeah, that's fair.

[C]

So we'll see.

[B]

I mean, I, I think when you do talk about the afc, it is like you said, it is the quarterbacks. And just I, I am curious. You didn't mention the Bengals. We talked about, you know, Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson.

[C]

Their defense.

[B]

I know, their defense stinks. I'm not saying they're. I mean, you could say Zach Taylor is one of the coaches that will be on the hot seat, everything that goes into it. Would they finish last year like 9, 9 and 8 obviously did not make the playoffs, but they have Joe Burrow. They had the whole off season to retool things like where do you think they stand as we head in?

[C]

Their defense stinks.

[A]

Their defense can't be as bad as it was last year.

[C]

Why not?

[B]

I agree.

[C]

Why not?

[A]

New defensive coordinator.

[C]

Great. What did they do with their own best defensive end?

[B]

Yeah, okay.

[A]

Well, they're reaching. There's encouraging signs again, that.

[B]

That's a fair point, though.

[A]

They signed their. Their second round pick officially signed. So they do have some pieces. They can't be as bad.

[C]

Okay?

[A]

They just can't. And they don't need to be. That's the thing. They don't need to be elite to be a playoff team that you don't want to face in January because if they have the 15th best defense or if they had the 18th best defense last year, they probably make the playoffs. And the overreaction to the preseason, I know we've talked about it a little bit, but they gave up two drives early on against the Commanders. I think that was the Monday night preseason game. Holy cow, what are we doing with our lives? And they didn't give up any more points. So we're sitting there like, oh, this defense, this. These guys are, you know, plumbers and electricians. And it's like, they can't be as bad as they were.

[C]

Why?

[A]

Because they can't.

[C]

Well, let's go through that division. All right. Are we going to do it by division?

[A]

Let's do it by division.

[C]

I think that AFC north is a fascinating division. I mean, look, the Ravens might be the best team in the NFL coming into the year, right? If you look at what they had last year and then they added in the secondary, it's got. They have stability, they have stars, their roster's got a lot going for them.

[B]

Could you imagine if the Bills had Malachi Starks?

[C]

Just, oh, they didn't need a safety.

[B]

Just pour some out.

[C]

Just.

[B]

Just shed some tears.

[A]

Quick aside, I had finally talked myself into Malachi Starks, like, the night before the draft when other people were like, hey, like, the Bills are really interested. Again, it never. Malachi Starks was never on the board when the Bills were on the clock. But I fully talked myself into it. People like, oh, they got safeties. Yeah, they could. They could really use balance.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

All right, we'll. We'll get to the Bills. They. They have a young safety that is going to start and they hope that he can be that guy in year two. Yes, he's going to start.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

So we'll see what happens.

[B]

I love that statement because it's just a statement. You're like, Ah, we'll see how it goes.

[C]

They have players.

[B]

There are players on this roster.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

All right. AFC North.

[C]

Yeah. I mean, what's Steve Asadi, the owner, been there. Eric DaCosta, the GM, John Harbor? They have stability, they have talent. I mean, when you look at. When you talk about 1 to 100 in the league, I don't know how many they ended up with this year. They got Lamar. Lamar and Derrick Henry to start. They added DeAndre Hopkins, tight end. Guys are banged up. You know, we saw what happened with Andrews at the end of the year. Their corner room. They added Jair Alexander, but they've got Nate Wiggins and Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton and Mile Malachi Starks is what I wanted the Bills secondary to be. It just never worked out.

[A]

Was coming out there for a second.

[B]

Do you think Derrick Henry is still going to be at an elite level or do you think that maybe this is the point where he starts to drop off?

[C]

I don't think he'll drop off. I think if they're smart, you know, Lamar can handle a lot of the workload in terms of scoring points for them. It just makes it so much easier when you have Derek Henry and I think kind of like with the Eagles and Saquon, they had great years last year. You can't keep going to that well and expect that guy at the end of the year to be that good. But any moment, that guy is a force of nature.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

So I think if you're smart and you can get offense through other players where it's just nice to have that in your back pocket all the time when you have one of the best running backs in the NFL, I'm going.

[B]

To be ahead of the curve and say, this is the season, you start to see the decline.

[C]

Really?

[B]

Yeah. Because if it's not this year, next year I can say I'm going to be ahead of the curve.

[C]

You were way ahead of the curve.

[A]

It's like all the people are like, this is the year Brady's going to fall off. And they did that for 10 years.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I do have a one. I do have an. Try again. I do have a complaint about the AFC north, the Steelers. That's. That's a big one. I don't think it's some juggernaut of a division.

[C]

No.

[A]

The reason they beat up on one another outside of the Ravens for a few years, where they had the number one seedings of that. It's a division of mediocrity. Like there's. I've never seen Again, I have been very much not a fan of John Harbaugh for all that he has done. I get it. He has the ring. But he's had a loaded roster and has won zero championships in the last 10 years and has struggled at times to make the AFC championship game. So while, and I know this is mainly a Bill's podcast, all these things, you go blind resume. Sean McDermott has a way better resume with less talent and has more AFC championship appearances, less MVPs, less Pro Bowlers, less All Pros. And John Harbaugh gets this on. It's part of. It's probably also why Mike Tomlin is still a coach. It's like they have this prestigiousness. Is that a word?

[B]

Prestigiousness? I don't know.

[C]

I don't know if you added the nest, but you know, on your scale, I'm gonna accept that. Yeah, we're gonna take. We're gonna accept that.

[B]

Look that up.

[C]

Prestigiousness.

[A]

It's probably just they have this prestigious.

[B]

Prestigiousness.

[C]

It is.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Nailed it. Ahead of the curve. You are right. That he has.

[A]

Wait, what was that?

[C]

Underperformed.

[A]

What was that?

[C]

You are right. It does. You are right, Dan.

[A]

Thank you.

[C]

I was going to clip that, but if you look at the division, we cover the Bills. Look at the two. This division has Mike Tomlin and a team that always wins nine games, a relatively stable organization and it has Joe Burrow. We'll get to the AFC east, but it is really top heavy in the AFC East.

[A]

I agree. My point is, is that everybody says like, oh, this, that AFC north football, it's so tough. It's mediocre football. They just happen to beat up one another.

[B]

I think for a long time it was really tough. And then with the falling off of the Steelers and then obviously the Browns are still the Browns.

[C]

No, no, no. The Steelers don't fall off until the playoffs start.

[B]

Okay, well.

[C]

And then they fall off a. Yes. No, I'm just kidding. I'm kidding. I'm saying is they're the most. Nick, they're going to end up there and then they'll. Then they'll just.

[B]

Yes. But I, I feel like it's the reputation, right? Being hard nosed football.

[A]

I'm not saying it's not. I am saying it is top heavy. Nobody talks about the AFC east as this buzz saw of a division, but they put this AFC north pedestal. Like. But you do have the toughest division in football. It's like you do have to think so.

[C]

Burrow twice a year and you play the Steelers that is better than what we've seen in the East. My problem with the Bengals is, as we go to the Bengals, you got Mike Brown, Duke Tobin, Zach Taylor. I think he's on a bit of the seat this year with that team. And they don't know how to handle their own players. Great. They signed both their wide receivers. Congratulations. They got that done. We already know they can score points with their offense. I just don't think in the way they've handled, yes, Trey Hendrickson's going to sign, just like Micah Parsons is eventually going to sign. But they drag it out and drag it out and they cause themselves some issues. And I think that team has talent on offense, but I don't like the organization at all. I think it falters where I think the Ravens have a very good organization.

[A]

Agreed.

[C]

And they're right there.

[A]

And then there's the Steelers.

[C]

Well, with the Steelers, I mean, you have the Rooneys, right? Art Rooney. He goes by the second. Why do you go by the Second instead of Junior? Is it not.

[A]

I don't.

[C]

The full name.

[B]

Well, maybe. Is there an Art Rooney iii, like, did this.

[A]

If you're the fourth, you can go by iv. And I think that's the coolest.

[C]

Yeah. My brother's the fourth. Is he Brother?

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Ivy. Yeah.

[B]

That's cool.

[A]

My college roommate was Angelo Chandra iv. And I was like, I didn't know that till the very end. I was like, I would have called you iv.

[B]

Damn.

[A]

That's the coolest thing.

[B]

Put his governance out there.

[C]

Shout out, A.C. the Steelers have the Rooneys, obviously the most stable organization in the history of the league. They don't, you know, they keep the same people. It's not always great. I know, but Omar Khan as the gm, you ask Steelers fans up and down with what they've done. Mike Tomlin, they do have a new quarterback this year. And I don't know if you guys have an opinion on him.

[B]

What's his name?

[C]

What do you think it's going to.

[A]

Be different this year. It's not going to be different.

[B]

Do you think it could ever get bad? Bad?

[A]

Yeah, Bad in New York.

[C]

Well, Mike Tomlin has.

[B]

That's the thing. I feel like he's done such a good job. I interrupted you. I'm sorry.

[C]

Yeah. No, no, you're fine. I was just going to say Mike Tomlin has usually put up with a lot of crap. Not from the quarterback.

[A]

Correct.

[C]

It was usually his crazy wide receivers.

[B]

He has dealt with challenging personalities.

[C]

You know, Ben Roethlisberger. But he. He Won. And he was a great player for them. Other than that, they've had a bunch of mediocre guys in and out at quarterback. Now he's got the big personality, and we will see if that. If there's something that makes Mike Tomlin crack, this might be it. Because that guy is just, you know, he says the. You know, he stays like, there. He says his things in his press conference.

[A]

Standard is the standard.

[C]

Standard is the standard.

[A]

Did you know that he was college roommates? I interrupted you with Sean McDermott.

[B]

I have heard that.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

It is something to note, though, because I do think while Antonio Brown and all the personalities that you had there, the quarterback talks a lot more than those other players.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

And especially if there's going to be weekly segments.

[C]

Oh, there's gonna be.

[B]

Well, that is one thing that I think. There's way more exposure and there's way more possibility. I feel like for some kind of wild.

[C]

They start with the Jets.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Well done.

[C]

And they have DK Metcalf, who was going to make some big plays. And then we'll see. We'll see. That ends up going. Their defense. I. One thing I looked at, they brought in Jalen Ramsey of Joey Porter. They gave Jalen Ramsey, like, a lot of money.

[B]

Yeah, that's. Yeah, that.

[C]

That was good. Yeah, that was a little bit odd. Use up that cap, and then you have the Cleveland Browns.

[A]

And that's all we need to say about the Cleveland Browns.

[C]

Well, you say ownership. I feel bad for Browns, the Haslams, Andrew Barry. I don't know if he's a good general manager because the ownership jumps in. They have Kevin Stefanski, who people think is a talented guy, but he is. And then you've got Jim Schwartz, who did a really good job with their defense as best they could. Their quarterback room is the most. The Giants one is very interesting that theirs is Joe Flacco, Shador Sanders, Dylan Gabriel, Kenny Pickett, and they still have desean Watson. That is just wild. And everybody believes they're in the market for a quarterback next year.

[B]

That's insane. So that is a also Miles Garrett signing back there. Just give me the cash at some point. Like, isn't your happiness matter?

[C]

Maybe he's happy.

[B]

Do some endorsements, though.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Get your coin up that way. It's like Stockholm syndrome. Like, what are we doing? Why would you go back there?

[A]

I. I think it was funny, too, the fact that obviously we know Shador fell to the fifth round, and it was like all his kind of antics and stuff, and The. The posse and all of the things that were surrounding Shador at Colorado, like, he'll cut that out in the NFL. And he walks in the first preseason game with like a guy holding a staff and a whole film crew and it was like, boy, this is so Browns. This is so Browns for the fourth string quarterback.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And he looked awful in the last preseason game. So it's a good thing nobody overreacted to the first preseason game saying that he earned the starting job.

[C]

I saw our friend Dan Orlovsky took him to a little bit of task for the wedding. So a lot of that stuff that he did in college showed up. So at this point, he'll probably play this year. I think they're all going to play at some point. Yeah. Except for Deshaun Watson.

[B]

All right, do we want to go AFC east next or how do we.

[C]

Want to do Whatever order you want to go, Boss, you're the host.

[B]

Okay. Sorry. Let's go AFC East. Why not? You said top. Heavy.

[C]

It is top.

[B]

It is. It is. It is the Bills.

[C]

I'm going to say it. I've said it before. The jets are finishing in second place in the division. I think they're going to be the second best team in the division. I like what Aaron Glenn has done. They are not. They don't have the quarterback, I don't believe. But I think they know what they have. I think the Patriots. I think Vrabel and the Patriots are still going to try to get this working to get the guys in they want for the long term with Drake May, and I think that might hold them back a little bit this year. He wasn't happy with the roster. He's. That. That is not a great roster. It is certainly a thin roster.

[A]

Yep.

[C]

Now they have Stefan Diggs, who should help the young quarterback. We would think. I just kind of like the atmosphere of the Jets. I think it's a back to being about football for them. The owner has stayed out of the way. They don't have to worry about it. It is definitely the Aaron Glenn show. I like a lot of guys. They have on defense and I think they have enough talent on offense. I think they're going to be a tough out in most games. They've always been for the Bills.

[B]

I was gonna say they've been the ones that challenged both below the most.

[C]

And listen, when I'm talking about this, I'm looking at it as a battle between teams that are gonna win seven, eight games.

[B]

Yeah, I understand.

[A]

I think the Patriots roster wise are the least talented roster. I think they will overachieve the most. I think they will get things going in the right direction after, like this year will be the one where next year we're sitting there going, maybe they were 7 in, oh, 10.

[C]

They do have a 7 and 11. Relatively easy start to their schedule, too. And sometimes when you look at that, you're like, okay, and then you see where they are and then it. Then it turns a little bit.

[A]

I'm just such a variable fan of what he will do with. He has proven that over the years, he has done more with less than most coaches. So I have a faith that he will get it turned around, especially in New England, where I know it's not the Belichick way anymore. But Vrabel does get things right.

[C]

He.

[A]

He does.

[C]

I would say the issue is, and I was listening to Albert Breer, who's covered the Patriots and covered the NFL for a long time, and he was talking about just how far behind that organization is in infrastructure, coaches, analytics, all the other things. Because Belichick did it all himself, basically, or did it the way he liked it last year. They were so overmatched. Coach was overmatched. It just was a. And he said, Vrabel's got the juice to get that stuff done, but they are way behind in those departments. In order to build a stable organization, Kraft's got to spend money. He hasn't had to spend money on those things.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

It's kind of funny when you've had that team that way and you have.

[B]

To make the commitment to do that. And sometimes when you haven't done that in the past, I think it can be kind of shocking. And I do think, though variable, like what he learned in Tennessee and just having a position before when they, when they signed him, I was like, okay, that is. That, to me was a good signing for New England.

[A]

I think Vrabel gets everybody to sit up straight, not just in the building, but also I think in the division, people will take notice.

[C]

So do you want to wait to pick the divisions? We could do it or just do it at the end. Whatever you would like. Do them at the end. And then you got the Dolphins. I think they're a fourth place team this year. I think this is the time they start making major moves. I think TUA survives because they like him and they have him and they're paying him. I think Mike McDaniel gets fired at the end of the year. I think Chris Greer may get fired too. I think it's going to be One of those years where it just. It's already not great there. They've already started to get rid of players and they don't have the proper culture. They just don't. And I think they finish.

[B]

Yeah, the wheels are about to fall off. Yeah, that's what it feels like.

[A]

It's also very telling to, like, Jordan Poyer taking shots at them on his way out. Like that, to me, was another one where we always like, oh, Jordan will end up in Miami. And you start to see some of these things, and it does. At times, I think it gets overplayed, but in the grand picture, I do think it gets overlooked is the fact of what the culture that Sean McDermott has built, what it's been able to withstand, what it's been able to do for all of these years and for players to. I mean, we can talk a little bit like the Bills bringing back Jordan Phillips. Like, it's a. It's a little bit like, hey, if I'm going to play, I'm only going to play where I want to, where I fit. And the Dolphins seem to just be saying, we'll take him, we'll take him, we'll take him. And it has blown up in their face because they were the team two years ago. Trent Sh. You know, it was a deontay hardy punt return that got the Bills to win the division. Like, it wasn't that long ago that we were. This isn't a.

[B]

Remember that game?

[A]

Yeah, like, this wasn't this. Oh, the Dolphins are these lovable losers. Like, they were a contending team. They. They found ways to scrap and play it. Now, they may have mismanaged the fits and tua and all that stuff, but, like, those guys played hard, and then they got this talent kind of shot into them, and the culture just fell apart, what they were building.

[C]

You know, you guys will always show me some meme and you'll be like, oh, it reminds me of this. And usually I got to kind of check it out because you guys tell me about it. I'm picturing one, and you guys would tell me of somebody looking at Miami, Buffalo, and then the next is the reality of what the two are like. Miami looks 10 out of 10. If you're just saying, where would I like to be? And then Buffalo is Buffalo. And then the reality of it, how it comes to play based on that culture, it's strictly about the culture, the football culture. So that's where I see them, you know, as just being a struggling team still with talent, but not overwhelming talent. Yeah, yeah.

[B]

I picture the dragon meme that's like the three dragons. Two of them look ferocious and one's.

[A]

Just like, how's it go?

[B]

Nope, not doing.

[A]

I missed it.

[C]

I missed it.

[B]

But that's what I picture.

[C]

You maybe find that.

[B]

That's terrible. All right. Do we want to do AFC South?

[A]

They are a division.

[C]

We'll save the best for last. This is the just lost ships here.

[B]

What do you think about the Texans, C.J. stroud, another year? What do you think?

[C]

I think they're the only legitimate organization in that division.

[A]

That is correct.

[C]

They have Nick Casario, general manager and they have, I think top heavy. I think Tamiko Ryan's is a good football coach. I love a lot of what their defense does. They get after it. I think it's interesting with Stroud this year because, you know, last year he was supposed to have. I mean they lost some dudes like Diggs got hurt, Tank Dell got hurt. I'm being fair to C.J. stroud. I just didn't think he was top five. Like. Well, like he said after his rookie year, fair. And their offensive line has still not been good. Now they're. They basically revamped the whole offensive line so they're like, well, this isn't working. Let's just demonstrate this. Yeah, yeah. Try it differently. But you're talking about a playoff team doing this. And that defense, that defense is good. I mean you look at what they've got on the edge, you know, with Anderson and, and Daniel Hunter.

[A]

Yep.

[C]

Like they got some guys that can get after it a little bit. And Stingley in the secondary, like they've. They've got some dudes there.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And I think Stroud is a good quarterback. I think that'll be interesting this year. Nico Collins coming back. But they are, they are the only, I think the only legitimate team. I think that's franchise in the division.

[B]

What do you think for C.J. stroud this year? Is it a bounce back year or is it more of what we saw in year two?

[C]

I think he's better. I think he's better than he was last year. I think the team will be better. I think they will dominate that division. I just. I don't see anybody chasing them.

[A]

Yeah, that felt like a lost year last year. I mean the, the offensive line was just so bad and Shroud was running for his life. It felt like so much. So I, I do see a bounce back year. To what extent, I don't know. But 10 wins may win that division just by how anemic I think a lot of that other division is.

[B]

Yeah, who comes in second?

[A]

I want to say the Jags, but I just don't. I just. I don't know.

[C]

Shot Khan. They've got that. James Gladstone is now the General Manager. 12 year old Liam Cohen, who. He did. Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

What I love about that team is Brian Thomas Jr. I want a picture of Brian Thomas Jr. We have Roma Dun over there and Travis Hunter. That's the franchise. Yes, that is. I am not.

[B]

I'm excited to see him play.

[C]

I am not a Trevor Lawrence. Let me tell you something, dude. If you can't make it work with these two, I just think he has been an underachiever his whole time there. Bad organization, too. But I have never sat there and watched Trevor Lawrence and gone, God, just give this guy a little bit. I just don't. I just haven't seen that. Yeah, he's really been for number one overall guy. I mean, they got Josh Hines Allen, the Colts. I mean, Jim Merce passed away. Now his three daughters, who are the ownership group. Chris Ballard's got to be on the hot seat.

[A]

I mean, we've said that last four years.

[C]

It's funny, Shane Steichen, like, they, they, they made a terrible decision in the draft with quarterback Anthony Richardson. Anthony Richardson. And then they bailed on him. Like, it just was bad. He was bad. He was young and immature.

[A]

I think saying that you were too tired and needed to take yourself out of a play, that's a bad. Was that bad?

[C]

Yes. And now they have Daniel Dimes there.

[A]

He's fast.

[C]

They have some talent at the wide receiver position. They have some good players.

[A]

Pittman was a monster two years ago and they resigned him. Big fan of him. Like, he had like 114 catches. He had like 165 targets two years ago. Yeah, bad quarterback play. They still have Jonathan Taylor. Like, they still have some guys. It's just. I just have zero faith in that organization as a whole to get it right.

[B]

That feels like this is the year where things were going to start. Yeah, there's going to be some, some new guys in there. All right. AFC west now. I'm excited because there's just more competition. Like that to me, has always been the biggest thing. It feels like the Chiefs every year had been able to just walk their way to the playoffs because of the division. Now it's like, okay, there's going to be some competition. Dan.

[A]

Yeah, I, I like the Broncos. I like the Broncos. Last year. I am not as high on Them as others as seeing them as a Super bowl contending team. I still think that offense has some flaws. Their wide receivers are okay. I'm not like sold on their offense as a whole. I think Bo Nicks played over expectations to achieve what they did. I like the defense a lot. I'm not the biggest Sean Payton fan, but I like them. I just don't love them to be. They're in that second tier that I just don't think is there yet. But they're super bowl adjacent contenders. But I don't think they're super bowl contenders.

[B]

I think because of how they outperformed last year, it just changes your expectations this year. And because of that, like they're just not going to sneak up on anybody.

[C]

They're good. I think they're good. And listen, I'm not a huge.

[B]

Sean, does that pain you to say that?

[C]

No, but I think the guy can coach B Knicks was really good and he set a floor there. I don't know what his ceiling is. It may not be that high, but they've got. They brought in Evan Ingram to help them, you know, but they've got that Troy Franklin. From what you're hearing in the preseason, it's well to think drafting young receivers can help the team. And they've got Cortland Sutton on defense, Benito Patrick certain, Zach Allen. Like they got some dudes on that team and I think they are. They have been in the past a well run organization. I think they're getting back to that and I think they have a plan. It looks like they have a plan and they're executing it. Should have beaten the Chiefs last year. Blew them out in the second game when the Chiefs rested everybody. But that first game, if you remember, was on the blocked field goal. I don't think they're afraid of the Chiefs in that sense. Look, the Chiefs are still the team. Obviously. I think they're good. I think they're really good. So I think they're going to. They're going to challenge. That whole division is good. The Raiders are the floor and the Raiders got some talent there and at least they have two adults.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

Quarterback and coach.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

Which will make them better and maybe a harder out. And then you have the Chargers. So I think the. The real. That's the division that has the most competition. I think top to bottom.

[A]

I agree. I just. And that that Broncos team, what rubbed me the wrong way and what really kind of changed the way that I view them and especially talking to some people from Denver was that week 18 win. And I know they made the playoffs and that's great. And they hadn't made the playoffs in a long time, but they acted like beating the Chiefs third and second stringers was like winning their Super Bowl. And they came to Buffalo, opening drive, touchdown. And then it was just a shellacking after that. Like, that's where you always talk about, like, you gotta be that. I don't know how ready they are for the big moments.

[C]

You're right.

[A]

Because. Yeah, because here they are in a spot where that's two.

[B]

I know, Michael.

[A]

That's two.

[B]

Three.

[C]

I do. Okay, you are possibly correct.

[B]

Go on. Like, you have to say you're right. Just be like, oh, I could see why you would say that.

[A]

Like that, that right there. Like even that Chiefs game. And I, I know you can tip your caps and say like, great job blocking that kick. And I know it's just a regular season game, but like, that's a moment that you need to capitalize. I think back to when the Bills beat the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. Like, you get those moments to prove that you're a real team. And whether it's having a kick blocked or getting blown out or celebrating a week 18 game like that, just. I don't know if they're there yet. I think they're a playoff team. I just don't know if they're ready for that stage yet in that moment. And you only get. You only learn that experience from going through and coming up short and then picking yourself up, dusting off and going back at it again.

[B]

That's fair.

[C]

I agree with that.

[A]

You wanted to say you.

[C]

No, I don't agree with you. I know in your mind, you're right. How's that? Is that good?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

But I think they should learn from that. I think they went in there with a confidence a little misguided. It is funny. Like, I remember watching that game and I'm thinking, for the Bills, just keep scoring.

[A]

Denver.

[C]

Yeah, they just kept putting up touchdowns and look, they hadn't had a lot of success and they're celebrating and it still is the Kansas City uniforms out there.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

So they're going to enjoy it. And it was big. And then they start out with the big play against the Bills. Really dominated. Really dominated the rest of the game. Maybe they learned something from it. But I want to know. I'm going to let you. What do you think of the Chargers?

[A]

I'm over it.

[B]

That's. I mean, I.

[A]

It's the ex girlfriend you've called too many times and you're like, it's just not working. Like, I don't know why we keep going back to.

[B]

But that. Like, you're gonna keep calling.

[A]

Nope, I'm done.

[B]

Take someone new.

[A]

No, I blocked the number.

[B]

Really?

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

I just. They have to do something about it to make me. I've deleted and blocked the number.

[B]

But nationally thinking, nationally speaking, I feel like they're still, hey, this is the year Harbaugh. Justin Herbert, they got Lad Monkey. Like, what are they going to do?

[C]

He was so bad in his playoff appearances. He could play for the Steelers. Justin, he was so bad.

[A]

How bad was he? He could play the second half against. For the Chiefs against the Eagles. Did you know the Eagles scored a. The Chiefs scored a touchdown after the bill. The Eagles pulled all their starters.

[C]

I mean, you have Justin Herbert who put up great numbers last year and he is a talented player.

[A]

Puts up great numbers every year.

[C]

He does.

[B]

He's not clutch.

[C]

Yeah, he's. You're right. But I take it a step farther. He's been bad in those playoff games. Not just didn't make the big plays. Like he gives the ball up a ton. Would have four interceptions last year in the game. They brought back Kenan Allen. I like Lyde McConkey a lot. He's a very good player. Derwin James is a great player. Khalil Mack is still there. I don't love their defense. It's okay. They run the ball pretty well. But I just, I think of them as a. As a third. I think of them as the third place team in the division.

[A]

I like lad McConkey a lot and I know we talked about this, but obviously Ladd had a great year and all these things. And somebody had talked about Ladd being a really good slot wide receiver and he's like, I don't know why everybody keeps thinking that I'm a slot wide receiver. Like, I played on the outside as much as I played inside. And somebody. I can't remember what it was, but it was like pro football analysis, something. Somebody along those lines was like, he's right. But he spelled right W, R, I, G, H, T. And it was just a perfect. So when you said lad McConkey, I just started giggling to myself, being like, yeah, why? Why does everybody view him as a slot wide receiver? It's like, he's right.

[C]

So would he have the nickname White Lad? But that's redundant.

[A]

Yeah, he's the only Lad on the team.

[B]

Lad is such a weird name when you say it.

[C]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

Lad, Lad, Lad.

[C]

Dude, can Play, dude can ball. Yeah.

[B]

Oh, man. I remember when I thought. Thought Quentin Johnson Johnston was going to be good.

[C]

Yeah, you did.

[A]

That was your Bill's pick.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

He looks the part. He looks every part of him. Looks the part. He.

[A]

He was so good with that guy from tcu, the quarterback. They scored a billion points and then went in the national championship game and got boat race by Michigan.

[C]

Who's the other team in the West?

[B]

Oh, yeah, yeah, the Kansas.

[C]

Look at their lineup. When you say.

[A]

I'd rather not.

[C]

No, I mean, when you talk about what they have, you know, they have. The Hunt family is ownership stability. Brett Veach might be the best general manager in the NFL. He's one of them. He's right up there at the top. You got Andy Reid, Steve Spagnolo. That's. That's stability that you want. That is consistency. And I mean, like, we have to tell people They've been an AFC championship game 19 years in a row, and I think this year they're going to play a little differently. I think they're going to play. I think they're going to throw the ball a lot, and I think they're going to try to throw it deep a lot. They have speed. I mean, they're going to use Rashi Rice for as long as they can until he's suspended. They do have a lot of speed on that team. You know, I don't know how much the loss in the super bowl motivates you for an entire year, but, you know, they were right there on the verge of history and they didn't make it. They can go to their fourth straight super bowl to tie the Bills. Their defense still has dudes on it, so they obviously are one of the favorites, probably the favorite. Well, certainly the favorite in that division. But it will be interesting to see them with competition six times a year, because the Raiders even usually play them.

[B]

Yeah, they do. I wonder at what point. And do you think this is even a point? The exhaustion.

[A]

I was just thinking that. Of when does the bottom fall out.

[B]

Back to back to back, and then obviously the loss. And then now, like you said, like, the competition in the division is just flat. Better if you start to see things kind of go sideways, because obviously, you know, the talent is there, but I just think at some point it piles on to a point where it can be tough to overcome. And obviously, Mahomes did not have a phenomenal season last year, so what will his game look like this year? He's still clutch. He stole all these things. But I. I Am just curious to see. And we'll obviously learn this year.

[A]

Yeah. I just wonder, like I said, when does that. Fatigue, exhaustion of. I mean they've won it on top of it. You know, you talk about super bowl hangovers. You talk about the hangovers of losing in the super bowl, getting so close, having to pick yourself back up and go through it again. They may be a team that is. And I don't know their schedule off the top of my head, but like what might wake that team up is being like three and three heading into week seven, like to be like, hey guys, we're still the Chiefs. And it is fascinating to think about how long New England did it.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And how many times they. They were able to just lather, rinse, repeat and roll. Roll the ball out there and continually play at a Super bowl caliber level. I like the speed that scares me. The defense because of Spags and because of those elite players that they have, the McDuffies, the Chris Jones, all those kind of guys.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

You just wonder.

[C]

I, I think you're right. I mean it's, it's a concern for the Bills. You don't want to go a different way.

[A]

You don't want to say that there's this. You want to get ahead of this one?

[B]

No, no. I was just looking up their first six games. So they have the Rams, the Eagles, the Giants, the Ravens, the Jags and then the Lions. So it's like three and three in terms of. You have some tough games.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

But also.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. Then you also have the Giants and. Yeah, the Jags. Yeah. That Eagles game is at home. The Ravens game is at home. That Lions game is at home.

[C]

Oh, wow. So they got all three of those. That. That helps.

[B]

That definitely helps.

[C]

That helps. So yeah, we'll. We'll see how it plays out.

[B]

So do you think Travis Kelce, where do you think his game is at?

[A]

It's a really good question. You'd hate, you'd hate to like write them off, but you can tell he's in the, you know, the final back nine of his career and is seems very happy with everything that he's else has got going on off the field. You just wonder how much. I remember they were talking about it too. Like what makes such great football players like, like what made Travis Kelsey so elite is like his. All the things you do off the field and when you don't want to do as many of those things and I'm not saying that's the case. I don't know. It. You Just see him doing a lot of other things. Where is that? Attention, detail and how that. That was something that was called out during last year when he had a average year by his. A bad year by his standard. It's still a top five tight end in the league. But where is. Where's that in his head? Because it was the. Was even going to come back for this year. That was a question.

[C]

He was awful in the Super Bowl.

[A]

Very bad. He was.

[C]

It was like he almost looked disinterested.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

In playing.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

And that's not normally. Normally that guy. When the stakes get higher, he got better. He is making a lot of money on his podcast.

[B]

It's pretty successful.

[C]

Almost the same as us. It's like we're. We're there one, we're two, but we're gaining on them.

[A]

Yeah. So that they have a couple more subscribers. So if you could, like comment, subscribe. We really appreciate it.

[B]

We have a Taylor.

[C]

That's true.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And when Jenna releases her next album, she was singing a little bit beforehand. Well, that would be some record. I would tell you. All right, so let's pick the divisions then.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

AFC West, Chiefs, Chiefs. Chiefs. Gonna win it. Second place. I've got Broncos.

[A]

I would go Broncos, Broncos, Raiders, Chargers.

[C]

I wanted to say that. I wanted. I'll let you have that. I wanted to say it. I'm going to keep the Chargers third. Harbaugh is another nutso guy, but he can coach, so let's see how they do. We got him in third place.

[B]

What if they're bad? Bad?

[C]

They would. It would have. Herbert would have to be bad. He has been a very good regular season player. Or if they had some more injuries. I just. I don't love their defense right now. Yeah. We'll see what they get for a pass rush. AFC South. Let's go from the best to the worst.

[B]

Texans.

[C]

Texas win by default.

[A]

Texas Jags.

[C]

So we didn't even talk about the Titans. I apologize to Titans fans. They've got the young quarterback. They're not a very good team. I think he's just going to play. They're going to play it out this year. I think it's going to be. It's going to be a tough year for them.

[A]

I think Cam Ward on a really bad team may surprise some people.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Because he bounced around so much in college. I don't think people really got to understand his journey. And people were talking about it. I can't remember. It may have been on Pardon my Take, but they talked about his calmness in some of those games this last year where it was Miami and Florida and like, yeah, everybody's freaking out and they're in Gainesville and all this stuff. And Cam Ward's the calmest guy on the entire Miami sideline. And like, that translates. Calmness on the field, in the pocket, in hostile environments translates. So, like, they may be bad, bad, but I think Cam Ward, at the end of the season, people may be going, hey, they got something maybe they can build around.

[C]

But what do you have? You have an organization that, you know, you're. The coach is already in trouble.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And now you bring in a young quarterback. I guess it's a little bit like the Giants.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

But we'll see how it plays out. I would go. I mean, just flip a coin. I'll say maybe. I would say maybe even the Colts finish second. It really is going to be.

[A]

It could be the Jack Inconsequential.

[C]

I don't think any of those teams are playoff teams.

[A]

New.

[C]

When you look at it. North Ravens.

[B]

Do you think Steelers?

[A]

No. Bengals.

[B]

Then bank. Okay. Because you think that there's no way the defense can be as bad.

[A]

I know.

[B]

I always wanted to say Bengals, Steelers, Browns.

[A]

I almost wanted to say Bengals just to be contrarian.

[C]

Is that in your mind? You could be right.

[A]

Yeah, I. Yeah, I just. I like the Bengals. I'm scared of the Bengals.

[C]

If I'm scared of.

[B]

You're scared of Joe Burrow and the offense.

[C]

Do you mean of the actual animal or the team?

[A]

No, I. I mean the. The. I mean Joe Cool. Like that guy is.

[B]

Yeah, he's.

[C]

He's a great quarterback.

[A]

He is. And that's the most important position to have.

[C]

And I had.

[B]

Say the name again of the team.

[A]

The Bengals.

[B]

Okay. You. To me, you say it like. Like a bangle. Like a bracelet. Yeah, the Bangles.

[C]

I don't know if I mentioned this before, but their defense stinks. Yeah, I think I did. I'm gonna. Just to be new or something. I'm not the contrarian. I'm gonna say Steelers second.

[A]

I'll say Steelers last.

[C]

Oh, behind the Browns.

[B]

Behind the Browns.

[A]

You want anarchy on this pod? Yeah. Shador leads them to seven wins. Wow. And Rogers is so bad, he gets benched.

[B]

Dang.

[C]

Now I would say. I so hope you're right about that. Yeah, I so hope you're right about that.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

In the east.

[B]

All right. So the Bills.

[C]

I have Jets.

[B]

I could see the Jets.

[C]

Are you going to jump onto my hot take that I've had for months now? Or you going to go Patriots second or Dolphins second?

[B]

I think the. I think the floor is about to, like, come out, fall out in for the Dolphins. I would definitely say the jets. And then I guess I would de facto mean the Patriots third.

[A]

Patriots second.

[C]

Yeah. You're just such a contrarian.

[A]

I like Mike Vrabel that much.

[C]

I like him. He's a good coach.

[A]

I think that they will be well prepared for every game. You've heard some of the stories, you've heard former Titans players like, kind of talk about it, that they would go into a game when they knew they were going to. They didn't have the horses for the fight. And he. He would say, we're going to score this many points, we're going to do this many yards, we're going to get this many turnovers, we're going to win the game 20 to 17. And he's like, more often than not, that would happen.

[C]

And then they got rid of all their good players.

[A]

That is correct.

[C]

And then. Then it fell apart on him. It's an interesting year for Drake May, and we'll have a lot of time to talk about the Patriots because he was okay last year. He showed flashes, but I think the expectations are really ramped up for him. Yeah, it's just different for him this year with Diggs there and some help on offense. And they've changed some things. They drafted early on the offensive line and with Mike vrabel and Josh McDaniels is the offensive coordinator, that should help him. But I think the pressure, not pressure of losing his job, but pressure of being that guy to take that next step, much like Josh Allen did in 2019 when he took a major step.

[A]

So who are the seven playoff teams? We know the four.

[C]

The four teams in the. Yeah. And then I would say. I think, honestly, I would say it would be the Broncos. And I would say probably the Broncos, the Chargers and the Bengals. I said Steelers second, but I think the Bengals will finish if they're going to make the playoffs.

[A]

Broncos, Bengals.

[C]

And.

[A]

I don't want to say the Chargers. I'm over.

[C]

You could say the Jets. You could say the Patriots. Could the Patriots make the playoffs?

[A]

They could. They're legally allowed to.

[B]

But I knew as soon as you got excited exactly where you're going to go.

[C]

I just think when you could. When you look at these divisions, I think it's pretty clear cut. The four winners, it would take something major for. I guess the Bengals would be the team because of Burrow, that if something went south, it could go that way, but it looks pretty clear with the four division winners. So then you start saying which teams win, and I think the west is the best division, which would make you think they could, but they're going to beat each other up a little bit, get two teams, and then that last one could be wild up for grabs the last couple of weeks, where it's a teams. Teams that have eight wins, maybe nine wins, all fighting for that. Well, wait a minute. What are we saying? Pittsburgh's gonna get in there.

[B]

I was actually in my head, it was Pittsburgh.

[C]

Yeah. And they're gonna get in there and they'll.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

No.

[B]

Do you think there's any team that would be like the Texans a couple years ago or the Broncos last season that kind of like, lower expectations and you're like, okay, they. They put it together.

[C]

I think the Patriots would be that team.

[A]

Or the Colts, if everybody plays up to over their heads.

[C]

Yeah. I mean, we like to make fun of Daniel Jones. He's better than what they've had there.

[A]

Yeah. I think He's a top 30 quarterback.

[C]

He is a quarterback.

[A]

Well, I'm just saying, like, for when he was backing up, you could look around and say there were starting quarterbacks.

[C]

That were worse than him, but he usually started.

[A]

They were bad. The Giants were bad.

[C]

Yeah. Hot seat guys.

[B]

Top 30.

[C]

Mike McDaniel, no question. He's on the hot seat.

[B]

Zach Taylor.

[C]

Zach Taylor's on the hot seat.

[A]

That's what scares me about the Bengals is they have this.

[C]

They have, like, just because we.

[A]

Everybody's getting canned if. If this season goes south.

[B]

Do you think Tomlin. What would it take for Tomlin to actually be on the hot seat?

[C]

Aaron Rodgers, it wouldn't take him to hot seat. It'd be like, Mike. Tom was like, get me out of here. I'm done. The standard is not the standard anymore. I'm out.

[B]

I just. You know, that clip of him being like, we do not care. I just feel like everything that Aaron Rodgers says, just be like, we do not care.

[C]

Oh, man. Mike's gotta be sitting there going, okay, this is.

[A]

They're buddies.

[C]

Oh, yeah, we'll see.

[B]

That's how it all. Yeah, I don't believe that for a second. You know, as soon as he leaves the room, they're like, oh, my God.

[A]

We meant to push this in the beginning. Thirsty turtle.

[B]

Oh, yeah. Whoops.

[A]

Poor job hosting by Jenna.

[C]

Well, Dan is going to put a nice graphic on there saying, thirsty Turtle right at the beginning for our personal appearance while Jenna blew right by it.

[B]

I know you even did say that, but thirsty turtle on September 4th. We would love to see you there. Thirsty Turtle and Victor, we're gonna do an appearance from 5 to 7. It's gonna be so much fun. We did one last year. It was awesome. So highly recommend checking that out.

[C]

And if you're thinking that. What it's the day the season starts.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

You'll be home before the game. It's perfect timing. We can talk football and then you can go watch the season opener.

[C]

Yeah. All about the and it's the first of at least right now, six live appearances we have. We're going on tour.

[A]

The Buffalo plus tour.

[B]

That's crazy.

[C]

I know.

[B]

Love it. Okay. All right. Thank you everyone for watching. From my Catalana and Dan Bates. I am Jenna Cottrell. This will do it for the episode of the league presented by Stella Roofing windows and siding. Again, please be sure Like Comment. Subscribe Share For Mike Catalana and Dan Fates, I am Jenna Cottrell. We will see you next time on the Buffalo plus channel. Presented and Ferris.