Bussin' With The Boys – Episode Summary
Episode: Shedeur Sanders Wins, Greg Olsen On J.J. McCarthy + Taylor Lewan On Ohio State vs. Michigan
Date: November 24, 2025
Hosts: Will Compton & Taylor Lewan
Guests: Greg Olsen (FOX Sports), Regular Crew
Overview
This episode dives deep into the Thanksgiving Week slate of NFL and college football, focusing on massive shakeups in the NFL playoff picture, Shedeur Sanders’ breakout as the Cleveland Browns QB, and previews the epic Michigan vs. Ohio State rivalry. With NFL veteran insight from Greg Olsen and the typical “boys” banter, the show covers coaching blunders, analytics, quarterback controversies, and the emotional stakes of big games.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. NFL Thanksgiving Recap & Houston Texans Surge
(Starts ~11:13)
- The boys reflect on the Houston Texans’ dominant defensive performance, highlighting the pass rush that gave Josh Allen fits (“seven, eight sacks in that game” – 11:13).
- Discussion on the AFC South playoff race; consensus is Texans are real playoff contenders.
- Will Anderson & Danielle Hunter’s relentless effort receives heavy praise (“A couple of robots rushing around the edge. It was unbelievable to watch.” – 12:00)
- They analyze the Texans playoff chances, assess QB Davis Mills, and conclude defense is the controlling factor for Houston’s resurgence.
2. Buffalo Bills at a Crossroads
(~15:35-19:57)
- The Bills’ inconsistency and team culture issues – especially the Keon Coleman “healthy scratch” saga – are front and center.
- The O-line’s “internal clock” issue: Taylor notes Bills blockers stop on protection too soon, leading to easy sacks for the Texans (“That’s a big issue that is just fixed with effort.” – 18:32).
- Greg Olsen highlights the gravity of the situation: “I think if you’re the Bills, this is a DEFCON 5 panic mode…” (20:16).
3. AFC Playoff Picture: Chaos Reigns
(~20:53)
- Multiple teams (Patriots, Broncos, Colts, Jags, Texans) are unexpectedly in the playoff hunt, with the boys loving the chaos.
- The hosts revel in preseason predictions now being blown up (“My boy loves chaos.”—21:12).
4. Greg Olsen Joins: Passing Analytics & Play Calling
(24:40 and throughout)
- Greg Olsen provides nuanced breakdowns of quarterback development (J.J. McCarthy, Vikings), emphasizing the need to let young QBs play freely to accelerate growth rather than overly sheltering them (“If you’re in a slump, we got to swing through the slump… Who cares if we lose 40 to 14? We’re not going to worry about playing not to lose.” – 31:09).
- Detailed discussion on team-building windows, salary cap constraints, and why the Vikings’ present/future hinges entirely on McCarthy’s progression.
5. Shedeur Sanders Browns Debut: Hype vs. Reality
(~36:43-46:54)
- Shedeur Sanders wins his first game as Browns starter (breaking a notorious 0-17 first start streak for Cleveland QBs), causing major buzz.
- The hosts and Greg dissect his live arm, cockiness, postgame comments (“A lot of people want to see me fail, and it ain’t gonna happen. Imagine what a full offseason looks like. It’s going to get dangerous.” – 37:34), and caution against too much self-hype.
- Greg Olsen: “You can say whatever the hell you want in the media as long as you win. But you better win, right?” (44:08)
- Sanders’ stretch ahead is analyzed—consensus: real judgement comes after matchups with the 49ers, Steelers, and Bills.
6. Jameis Winston: Beloved Locker Room Leader
(46:54-51:53)
- Segment celebrates the “Jameis Winston Experience” after a wild, entertaining performance for the Giants, including memorable pregame speeches (“We outside, but we inside. I don’t care what boundaries you have to cross. Any. By any means necessary…” – 49:46).
- Greg Olsen admits, despite normally hating pregame speeches, Jameis has a unique, loveable fire.
7. Analytics Deep Dive: NFL Late-Game Decisions / Run vs. Pass
(55:54, 66:36, and especially 69:03–94:02)
- The boys, led by Olsen, debate several controversial calls:
- Should the Colts have gone for it on 4th-and-4 to seal the win vs. the Chiefs?
- How analytics and new kickoff rules (shorter kicks, more returns) should dictate late-game strategy.
- Taking the points vs. “going for it”—Greg’s passionate argument: “The goal is to win in regulation. There is no forcing overtime. That is not part of any of these decision processes.” (74:17)
- Olsen explains why old-school “run-first” & “punt for field position” strategies are obsolete, concluding coaches are often too afraid to own an aggressive choice (“Coaches are uncomfortable, they don’t like it…They’d rather you lost anyway, but now you, hey, we gotta play better defense.” – 71:10).
8. Eagles & Jalen Hurts: Regression to the Mean
(56:42-65:54)
- Philly’s inconsistent offense dissected: talent-laden but lacking rhythm, explained as a mix of offensive line turnover, OC changes, and Hurts’ limitations in timing/processing.
- Will: “Unless he knows exactly what he’s doing with the football, or a guy is just wide open in front of his face, [Hurts] is not letting it rip.” (59:10)
- Olsen zooms out: year-over-year offensive regression is expected in running game/explosive plays; only elite QB play truly “carries” over.
9. College Football Extravaganza: Rivalry Week Preview
(133:08 and throughout last hour)
- The second half is an extended, highly detailed college football preview—especially for Michigan vs. Ohio State (“This game means everything. And it’s in Ann Arbor… If Michigan wins this game, we truly own Ohio State. There’s no more excuses.” – 135:20).
- Taylor (former Michigan captain) lays out the stakes, cultural animosity, and the narrative cycles for both programs.
- Panel riffs on other big rivalry games: Texas A&M vs. Texas, Auburn-Alabama, South Carolina-Clemson, Vandy-Tennessee.
- Discussion includes:
- Playoff chaos scenarios (ACC/SEC)
- Heisman watch (Jeremiah Love, Diego Pavia, Fernando Mendoza)
- Coaching carousel speculation (Lane Kiffin, Chip Kelly, Brian Kelly, etc.)
10. Personal Struggles, Gameday Superstitions, & Locker Room Bonds
(Throughout)
- Periodic, hilarious asides on ordering coffee, assembling furniture, and the mental grind of winter football workouts.
- Group therapy on post-career fitness setbacks: “I’m just a fat piece of—. I’ve been handling myself very poorly… I’ve got to get started.” (110:38)
- Peak locker-room energy in discussing pregame speeches, old college workouts, and forging accountability groups to “get back to it.”
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
Greg Olsen on late-game analytics:
“The goal is to win in regulation. There is no forcing overtime… Coaches are uncomfortable, they don’t like it. And this is not unique to Shane Steichen. It’s pretty much every coach around the league with the exception of a couple. It drives me insane.” (71:15) -
On Shedeur Sanders’ attitude:
Will: “The postgame press conference is extremely short-sighted and it plays exactly what you said. Like he is the main character of his movie. In his mind, there’s no other movies taking place.” (42:19) -
J.J. McCarthy (by Olsen):
“I think at some point they need to just rip the band aid off and say, we’ll fix all the fundamentals in the offseason… If I’m Kevin O’Connell, I’m saying JJ, just get back and rip it. I don’t care if you throw five picks—you’re not coming out of the game.” (27:10) -
On college rivalry stakes:
Taylor: “If Michigan wins this game, we truly own Ohio State. There’s no more excuses. … This game means everything.” (135:20) -
Taylor on NFL playoff madness:
“If there’s one thing we’ve learned in the 2025 football season, it’s Will Compton and chaos are a match made in heaven. You two love each other so much.” (15:10)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Texans-Bills Deep Dive: 11:13–17:34
- Buffalo’s Panic Mode: 19:25–20:53
- Greg Olsen Joins, AFC Analysis: 24:40+
- J.J. McCarthy & QB Theory: 26:48–33:09
- Shedeur Sanders Discussion: 36:43–46:54
- Jameis Winston Lovefest: 46:54–51:53
- Run/Pass Decision Analytics: 66:36–94:02
- Eagles Hurts Analysis: 56:42–65:54
- College Football Rivalry Week Blitz: 133:08–end
- Ohio State-Michigan Epic Rant: 135:20–141:29
- Heisman & Coaching Carousel: 172:14–174:45
- Personal Locker Room Stories: Throughout, e.g., workouts (104:08), fitness struggles (110:17)
Tone & Takeaways
- Raw, locker-room authenticity—ballplayer lingo mixed with sharp analysis.
- Plenty of humor, warmth, and “boys” energy, but with high-level football IQ from players and coaches.
- Magazine-worthy breakdown on why “analytics vs. old school” is reshaping football.
- Deep appreciation of football culture: rituals, superstitions, rivalries, and how identity is forged.
For Listeners Who Missed It
This episode is a football lover’s feast—a seamless blend of X’s & O’s, locker-room storytelling, roast sessions, and high-stakes college/NFL talk. Whether you want to understand why going for it on 4th down is the new norm, hear how Shedeur Sanders shook up Cleveland, or get hyped for Michigan-Ohio State, the Boys bring humor and insight you won’t get anywhere else, all while showing massive love for the chaos of football in November.
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