Bussin' With The Boys – NFL Week 18 Reaction, Playoff Preview & MVP Debate

Podcast: Bussin’ With The Boys
Episode: NFL Week 18 Reaction: Playoff Preview + MVP Debate: Drake Maye Vs. Matthew Stafford
Date: January 5, 2026
Hosts: Will Compton, Taylor Lewan, and guests

Episode Overview

This episode delivers an energetic, passionate breakdown of NFL Week 18, sets the stage for the playoffs, and dives deep into the league’s current MVP race—Drake Maye vs. Matthew Stafford. The boys analyze the state and momentum of playoff teams, discuss key games and players, debate the “momentum” theory, and give their takes on controversial NFL awards and records. Along the way, they mix serious analysis with their signature banter and plenty of memorable moments.

Key Discussion Points

1. NFL Week 18 Reactions: Surprises & Standouts

• Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Ravens ([03:03])
  • Debate over which team deserved to win; hosts felt the "lesser" Steelers might be a quick out (“one and done”).
  • Quote: “Does anybody disagree that we feel like the Steelers are probably going to be one and done?” – Host 1 (04:06)
• Steelers Playoff Outlook ([04:19])
  • Texans matchup preview: mixed opinions, with Host 1 feeling Houston’s defense poses major problems.
  • Texans’ defense praised: “I personally feel like Texans have too much at all three levels defensively for the. For Pittsburgh to get a whole lot going, possibly not cross the 50.” – Host 1 (05:35)
• Aaron Rodgers Discussion ([04:32])
  • Quick aside admiring Rodgers’s “magic” but acknowledging tough times ahead against strong defenses.

2. Playoff Previews: Team-by-Team Momentum Rankings

NFC Momentum Rankings ([17:54] – [32:28])

• Seattle Seahawks: Unanimously considered top momentum team in the NFC.

  • “Seattle’s got all the momentum. Chicago’s got momentum.” – Host 2 (28:23)

• Ladder of teams from highest to lowest: Seattle, Rams, Bears, 49ers, Eagles, Green Bay, Carolina.

  • Philly & San Francisco: Both scrutinized for injuries, recent losses, and pressure; dialogue around whether Eagles are “just going to flip the switch” in the playoffs ([24:24]).
  • Philly’s tough crowd and pressure: “How tight are the Philadelphia Eagles, their fans, their stadium, that city?” – Host 1 (23:47)

• Memorable exchange:

  • Host 2: “Are we all of a sudden just going to believe that the offense is going to come alive just because now we’re in playoff mode? No.” (24:24)

AFC Momentum Rankings ([36:02] – [38:57])

• Will’s picks for most momentum:
  7. Pittsburgh
  6. Chargers
  5. Bills
  4. Houston
  3. Denver
  2. Jacksonville

  1. New England Patriots

• Jaguars get special mention for the culture giving Trevor Lawrence a grill as a “massive” momentum play ([39:33])

• Patriots praised: “I think the team that’s going to represent the AFC is going to be between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New England Patriots, period.” – Host 2 (39:19)

3. Debates, Deep Dives, & Memorable Moments

NFC Hosting Rules ([48:01])

• Critical look at sub-.500 division winners (like Panthers) hosting 12–win teams.
  • “Should a team that goes below .500 be able to host a playoff game?” – Host 1 (48:05)
  • General agreement: time to consider reseeding by record.

Bears-Packers Playoff Potential ([29:14] – [32:20])

• Anticipation for the fanbase reaction if Bears beat Green Bay.
  • Quote: “I would almost just sit back with some popcorn to just watch it kind of go down.” – Host 2 (29:28)

Mike Vrabel vs. Jim Harbaugh – "Who Wins the Fight?" ([07:57] – [09:48])

• Playful debate over which current coach would win a real fight—full of inside jokes and personal experience.
  • “The fight would last at least 12 hours. Yeah. Because there’s no way Harbaugh’s giving up.” – Host 2 (08:03)

NFL MVP Debate: Drake Maye vs. Matthew Stafford ([67:02] - [74:19])

• Intense breakdown of each candidate’s merits.
  • Host 2: “Drake Maye is the most valuable player in the NFL and especially for his team.” (70:29)
  • Host 1: “But the 15 more touchdowns is where I just [lean Stafford]… If you throw both the stat sheets up... you’re gonna pick Stafford every single time.” (73:28)
  • Statistical deep-dive from Host 2, pointing to Maye’s historic efficiency and turnaround for New England.
• Lighthearted MMA comparison:
  • Host 1: “Drake Maye’s bodying old man Stafford.”
  • Host 2: “He’s got like that Superman element, he can do everything.” (73:17)

Miles Garrett Sack Record ([61:26] – [63:58])

• Heated defense of Garrett’s new single-season sacks record as “monumental,” especially since the Browns rarely play with a lead.
  • “Possibly the greatest rusher that we will ever see.” – Host 2 (61:37)
  • “He’s an alien. He’s got a pipe on him, too.” – Hosts (62:14)

Tear Talk Segments & Listener Q&A ([50:04] – [66:53])

• Raiders: Should they draft a QB or build depth with more picks? Consensus: QB is essential if the right guy is there ([50:42])
• “Clean take” and “dirty take” banter sprinkled throughout; praised for audience engagement.

Playing "Meaningless" Games ([58:51])

• Personal anecdotes about the difficulty, or lack thereof, of playing late-season games with no playoff stakes. Ultimately, it's about “putting good stuff on tape” for next year.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On Philly crowd pressure:
  “They're not greasing up the polls, they're greasing up Sirianni.” – Host 1 (24:03)

• On the moment Drake Maye became MVP-worthy:
  “There’s only been three quarterbacks all-time to lead the NFL in yards per attempt and completion percentage: Kurt Warner, Tom Brady, and now it’s Drake Maye.” – Host 2 (70:07)

• On the playoff "momentum" myth:
  “What stalls momentum? Time. That’s what I’m saying.” – Host 1 (13:51)

• On the Raiders’ QB draft strategy:
  “If you could have a great team, if you don’t have a quarterback, you’re going nowhere.” – Host 1 (53:07)

• On watching the Bears possibly upset Green Bay:
  “I would almost just sit back with some popcorn to just watch it kind of go down.” – Host 2 (29:28)

• On the timeless appeal of fiction books:
  “You just get like a little movie in your head. You just lock in.” – Host 4 (57:18)

Special Segments

Jim Beam “Taste of the Offseason” ([75:02])

• Pouring one out for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, reflecting on Baker Mayfield’s storybook season and Levante David’s illustrious but underappreciated career as a possible future Hall of Famer.

Closing Thoughts

• The show ended with hope and humor for several franchise fan bases and a passionate case for Levante David’s Hall of Fame credentials.
• Next episode preview: Utah’s Kyle Whittingham and Kevin Byard will join the show.

Episode Takeaways

• The playoff field is as wide open as it’s been, with the Seahawks and Patriots described as high-momentum dark horses.
• MVP race will come down to narrative vs. stat sheet (Maye’s impact vs. Stafford’s numbers).
• The “momentum” conversation remains both a running joke and a real analytical lens for the boys.
• Miles Garrett’s new sack record should be celebrated—regardless of the extra game.
• Raiders fans: QB above all, but your roster needs everything.
• Levante David deserves way more Hall of Fame hype.

For fans of high-energy, genuine NFL talk, sharp opinions, and inside-the-league perspective—this episode is a playoff primer must-listen.