Casuals with Katie Nolan

NFL Aura Rankings, Hydrogen Bombs, and Mariners Fandom | with Mina Kimes

Date: September 25, 2025
Guests: Mina Kimes
Host & panel: Katie Nolan, Brady, Chris, Isabella

Episode Overview

In this energetic episode, Katie Nolan welcomes Mina Kimes—acclaimed football analyst and Seahawks superfan—for a whirlwind trip through the latest in NFL storylines, quirky sports moments, and the emotional rollercoaster of fandom. Packed with signature banter, the episode dives into NFL teams’ “aura,” Jeopardy regrets, playoff baseball energy, Mariners love, and plenty of smart, yet playful sports wisdom. Katie, Mina, and the Casuals crew keep things accessible, funny, and weirdly insightful—no yelling old men here.

Table of Contents

• Sports News & Email Banter (03:38)
• WNBA Coaching Drama, Baseball & Superstitions (07:45)
• Mina Kimes Arrives: Behind-the-Scenes & Jeopardy Review (28:18)
• NFL: Good/Bad Teams, QB Talk, Dolphins & Coaches (39:24)
• NFL Aura Rankings & Player Deep Dives (54:17)
• Mariners Fandom, Baseball MVPs, and Vibes (77:33)
• Isabella’s Fantasy Team—Comedy & Advice (84:15)
• Ryder Cup "Dad Preview" Segment (97:23)
• Notable Quotes

Sports News & Email Banter (03:38)

Highlights

• Robot Umps in MLB: Casual, tongue-in-cheek discussion about the encroachment of technology in sports; reflections on whether it’s the first “pillar to fall” in the human-robot rivalry.
  • “Is this the first pillar to fall in our war against the robots?” — Katie (02:33)
• Email from Adam, Oregon: Family debate over alternate names for the “tush push” football play: “ass bash” vs. “butt nudge.” The crew riffs on household naming, silly associations, and agrees to pose the question to Mina. (05:06)
• Liberty Coaching Fire: Reaction to New York Liberty’s firing of Sandy Brondello; consensus that the firing was abrupt and signaled a “vibe shift.”
  • “What a great read, Isabella. Exactly right. A lot of times it’s just a vibe shift.” — Katie (09:13)

WNBA Coaching Drama, Baseball & Superstitions (07:45)

• WMBA & Liberty: More analysis; players supported the outgoing coach (“Stewie came out with Sabrina...all behind Sandy Brondello” — Chris, 08:32).
• Baseball playoffs: Mariners clinch, emotional reactions to Tigers/Guardians, routine updates on standings and clinchers.
• Injury Stories: Emotional reaction to Tarek Skubal beaning a batter in the face; conversation about the Guardians’ surprising run despite adversity. (12:55–14:41)
• Superstitions: Isabella attributes Mets’ win to jersey placement on the couch, linking to broader sports-fan rituals (15:11).

Mina Kimes Arrives: Behind-the-Scenes & Jeopardy Review (28:18)

Enter Mina Kimes!

• Social Takes & Phone Calls: Warm-up banter about answering unknown numbers and social media etiquette.
• Jeopardy Reflections:
  • Mina shares her emotional aftermath from playing consecutive games on “Celebrity Jeopardy” — “It was the most stressed I’ve ever been on television.” (38:44)
  • Regret over conservative wagering, losing the buzzer battle:
    • “Worse to walk away and feel like you beat yourself.” — Mina (34:52)
    • “I lost it with the buzzer… I actually don’t know how bad it looks on TV… I was losing my mind.” (35:09)

NFL: Good/Bad Teams, QB Talk, Dolphins & Coaches (39:24)

NFL Aura: Sorting the 3–0 and 0–3 Clubs

• Colts: Daniel Jones legitimizes Indy, great O-line and skill players, coach Shane Steichen gets props.
• Niners: “They’re in trouble… They keep losing people [to injury]” — Mina (41:26)
  • Defensive injuries (Nick Bosa out).
  • Debate on whether Kyle Shanahan is somehow to blame for repeated injuries—conclusion: “Just crazy bad luck.” (41:39)
• Bucs, Chargers, Eagles: Generally positive outlook, sustainable methods, depth discussed.
• Jets, Giants, Texans, Titans, Saints: All 0–3; no denial—most are truly bad, but nuanced optimism for close losses and foundational development (Jets noted for “not getting blown out”).
  • “That’s my optimistic [Jets] take. …They’re losing, but it doesn’t feel bad.” — Mina (43:51)

The Dolphins & Mike McDaniel

• NFL culture & outsider bias: “If you’re perceived as an outsider… people are quicker to turn on you.” — Mina (44:42)
• Mike McDaniel's Job Security:
  • “If I had to criticize him… it would be probably riding for the quarterback.”— Mina, re: Tua (46:22)
  • Dolphins’ defensive woes noted, speculation on future changes at coach and QB.

NFL Aura Rankings & Player Deep Dives (54:17)

A playful “aura” power ranking for NFL players and teams making waves through three weeks.

• Brandon Aubrey (Cowboys, K):
  Team confidence to let him attempt long game-winners—“That’s aura.” (55:11)
• Puka Nacua (Rams, WR):
  “He’s so good at football… Even when he’s not open, he’s open.” — Mina (55:33)
• Josh Allen (“wife guy”): Light ribbing of the “wife guy” image; healthy play and good vibes.
• Isaiah Rodgers (Vikings, CB):
  Historic defensive feat: “First player in NFL history with two defensive touchdowns and two forced fumbles in the same game.” (57:48)
• Jordan Davis (Eagles, DT):
  “That’s the biggest person I’ve ever seen in my life.” — Mina, recalling Combine.
  “He hit like 19.59 mph… at the end of a football game.” (59:16)
• Caleb Williams (Bears, QB):
  Acknowledges the “weird” ways media treat him, on and off field. (61:36)
• Ongoing playful shade:
  Justin Herbert “doesn’t have aura outside of football”— Mina (59:42); Madison Beer dating fun.

Mariners Fandom, Baseball MVPs, and Vibes (77:33)

Mariners Clinch Playoffs

• Mina’s pure fandom on display—missed the clinch because she fell asleep: “I woke up to a bunch of texts…” (77:41)
• Mariners as “the most likable team in sports.” Both Katie and Mina in agreement.
  • “Cal [Raleigh] being with just the Mariners his whole career… playing a position like catcher and being productive… so many reasons this is worth remembering.” — Katie (78:27)
• Team Vibes:
  • “Suarez: ultimate vibes guy… Julio… amazing, JP Crawford, maybe the coolest athlete in baseball.” — Mina
• Fan protection:
  • “So many decades of failure allow you to protect your heart… against success.” — Mina (82:27)
• MVP talk gives way to “the year of Big Dumper” (Cal Raleigh), about narrative as much as stats.

Isabella’s Fantasy Team—Comedy & Advice (84:15)

• Isabella, a self-described casual, runs the podcast’s fantasy football team, up 3–0 despite technical goofs (accidental player drops).
• Mina reviews her lineup, suggests Devonta Smith > T. Higgins, encourages creative team names.
• Hilarious, collaborative naming brainstorm—“You better call Tyrone (Tracy Jr.),” “It’s a hell of a team.” (87:44)
• Katie: “I love providing evidence for Isabella's irrational confidence…” (91:38)
• Encourages listener participation for future fantasy Q&A.

Ryder Cup "Dad Preview" Segment (97:23)

• Katie cold-calls her father for a Ryder Cup preview. “You sound like an analyst, which is great—really fantastic stuff.” (97:44)
• Dad gives full primer on tournament format, the US team’s rookie factor, and strategies.
• Forecast: US to win, 15–13, depending on rookie performances.
  • “I’m saying we’re not even going to get that close. We’re going to take 15 to 13.” — Katie’s Dad (106:19)
• Wholesome, grounded, somewhat factually wobbly (as the crew later fact-checks), but thorough.

Notable Quotes

• “Is this the first pillar to fall in our war against the robots?” — Katie (02:33)
• “Worse to walk away and feel like you beat yourself.” — Mina (34:52)
• “That’s aura.” — Mina, on Dallas kicker Brandon Aubrey (55:11)
• “So many decades of failure allow you to protect your heart… against success.” — Mina (82:27)
• “Cal [Raleigh] being with just the Mariners his whole career… there’s so many reasons this is worth remembering.” — Katie (78:27)
• “I love providing evidence for Isabella’s irrational confidence.” — Katie (91:38)
• “Viewer Discretion… But if Football Pod is called Mina Kimes show featuring Lenny.” — Mina (92:59)

Episode Tone

• Warm, playful, inclusive with plenty of inside jokes
• Lively, analytical but accessible
• Quick-cut, collaborative exchanges punctuated by self-aware humor

Conclusion

A classic Casuals episode—meaty NFL insights, quirky laughter, vulnerable moments about sports heartbreak, and genuine joy for the teams and people who make sports great. Mina Kimes blends deeply approachable expertise with pure fandom; Isabella’s fantasy league exploits provide both comic relief and surprising success; and Katie’s dad lowers the golf-content barrier for everyone. If you love football, baseball, or just the odd cosmic truth about team “aura,” this episode is for you.