Club Shay Shay – “BEST OF NFL Week 18 Part 1: SACK KING Myles Garrett, Matt Stafford vs Drake Maye MVP Debate”

Date: January 7, 2026
Host: Shannon Sharpe
Co-host: Ocho
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and Shay Shay Media

Episode Overview

This dynamic Week 18 recap episode, co-hosted by Shannon Sharpe and Ocho, is an energetic rundown of NFL regular season finales, playoff jockeying, standout performances and milestones, coaching debates, and bold predictions for the postseason. The focus is on record-shattering performances (especially by “Sack King” Myles Garrett), heated MVP races (Matt Stafford vs. Drake Maye), and the crucial matchups and storylines as the playoffs loom.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Broncos Secure AFC’s #1 Seed (02:15–04:56)

• Broncos clinch AFC’s top seed after defeating the Chargers 19–3, tying their franchise record for regular season wins (14) and earning the top playoff seed for the first time since 2015.
• Both hosts emphasize the importance of execution even when teams "don't show their hand" before playoffs.
• Chargers rested their starters, and Broncos capitalized but “didn’t look pretty” in Sharpe’s words.

Quote:
"Just because you don’t show your hand, that doesn’t mean you lack execution. They look bad. And think about it: the Chargers didn’t play any of their starters offensively or defensively, right?" — Shannon Sharpe (03:45)

2. Vikings' Resilience, McCarthy’s Injuries, and Jefferson’s Streak (04:57–06:14)

• Vikings cruise past Packers 16–3 for a fifth straight win, despite QB JJ McCarthy’s ongoing injury woes.
• Justin Jefferson hits 100 receiving yards for the first time in 12 games and becomes just the third receiver with six straight 1,000-yard seasons.

3. Coaching Carousel & Playoff Seeding Q&A (06:22–08:28)

• Should the Giants pursue John Harbaugh if available? Sharpe says yes, though thinks Harbaugh’s “voice is a little stale in that locker room.”
• Confusion on playoff tiebreakers and reinforcement that “winning the division matters.”

4. Lions’ Disappointment & Injuries Derailing Playoff Push (08:29–09:51 / 11:41–13:04)

• Sharpe and Ocho dissect the Lions’ season-ending 19–16 win over Chicago and lament Detroit’s postseason miss after recent deep playoff runs.
• Jared Goff’s numbers: 27/42, 331 yds, 1 TD/1 INT; Jameer Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown starred but injuries and inconsistency derailed their campaign.
• Discussion of recurring “Texas route” dominance by Gibbs.

Memorable Moment:
"If brains were dynamite, you couldn’t blow your nose." — Shannon Sharpe on poor linebacker awareness (09:51, 13:04)

5. Caleb Williams' Historic Rookie Year (09:51/13:04)

• Despite a lack of team rushing in the finale, Williams sets Bears franchise record for passing yards in a season.
• Noted the Bears are still the only NFL team never to have a 4,000-yard passer in a single season.

6. Eagles’ Strategy: Resting Starters and Playoff Matchup with 49ers (18:21–21:34)

• Nick Sirianni’s approach—resting starters in the finale, sacrificing better seeding for healthier players.
• Both hosts agree: "There's much more to lose than to gain" from pushing injured starters—especially since only the top seed earns a bye.

Quote:
“I want you to heal. I want you to be fresh. I don’t care what seed we are… we still gotta play the game of football.” — Ocho (19:21)

• Rematch narrative: Eagles face 49ers, recalling Purdy’s injury in their last postseason clash.

7. Backup Quarterbacks Longevity & Roles (23:24–24:06)

• Long careers of QBs like Josh Johnson, Josh McCown, and Ryan Fitzpatrick discussed—backup QBs can stick around nearly 20 years, starters find it harder to adjust to being backups late in their careers.

8. Eagles vs. 49ers Playoff Preview & Matchup Analysis (25:46–26:35)

• Ocho contends Eagles match up “bar for bar” with 49ers, especially able to “stifle McCaffrey” and counter Shanahan’s offensive creativity.

Confident Prediction:
"It’s a perfect matchup for the Eagles defense. I got them winning the game anyway." — Ocho (26:13)

9. Stafford vs. Maye: MVP Debate & Offensive Stats Explosion (37:12–42:32)

• Stafford leads league in both passing yards (4,747) and TDs (46), vaulting him ahead of Drake Maye for MVP in the hosts’ estimation.
• Puka Nakua sets league marks in receptions and yardage, while JSN leads in yardage.
• Brief on Devante Adams’ continued reliability and the evolution of the wide receiver stats era.

Quote:
"I think Matthew Stafford's gonna win the MVP. He’s probably going to be Rookie of the Year as well." — Shannon Sharpe (41:56)

10. Defensive & Rookie Awards: Myles Garrett Makes History (78:20–90:48)

• Myles Garrett sets the all-time NFL single-season sack record (23), surpassing legends like Michael Strahan and TJ Watt.
• There’s consternation from Bengals coach Zac Taylor about the in-game celebration stoppage for Garrett’s record. Sharpe corrects: “The refs don't make that decision. The NFL made a decision.” (80:02)
• Sharpe and Ocho refuse to discount the achievement based on number of games played, noting that such caveats never came up for older records.

Notable Quote:
"The NFL sack record is 23. Myles Garrett holds it. So I don’t want to hear nothing about games… Don’t try to shortchange the man." — Shannon Sharpe (89:00)

• Discussion on how rare truly great sack/INT/catch totals are in NFL history.

11. Breakout: Seattle Seahawks’ Defensive Dominance & Playoff Outlook (46:45–58:18)

• Seahawks win at 49ers, locking up #1 seed behind a defense that stifled Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey and the Shanahan attack.
• Deep praise for DC Mike Macdonald’s schemes, Sam Darnold’s mistake-free play, and the difference the Seattle secondary makes.
• JSN’s receiving records and the “12th Man” home-field advantage highlighted as enormous X-factors.

Memorable Moment:
"If the Seahawks play like this, there ain’t a team in NFC to beat them… you’re gonna catch hell going to Seattle." — Shannon Sharpe (50:42–51:26)

12. Jags Ascent & Underappreciated Coaching (68:53–71:48)

• Jaguars clinch the AFC South and hosts credit offensive coordinator Liam Coen for Trevor Lawrence’s breakout.
• Broader discussion on the critical importance of coaching and pairing with proper talent.

Quote:
"Coaching matters. Yes, coaching matters." — Shannon Sharpe (70:48)

13. End-of-Season Banter & Franchises in Limbo (various)

• Playful back-and-forth between hosts over their favorite teams and “front-runner” accusations.
• Light-hearted complaints about team gear and allegiances (73:05–77:59).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Exchanges

• “Just because you don’t show your hand, that doesn’t mean you lack execution.” — Shannon Sharpe (03:45)
• “If brains were dynamite, you couldn’t blow your nose.” — Shannon Sharpe (09:51, 13:04)
• “I want you to heal. I want you to be fresh. I don’t care what seed we are… we still gotta play the game of football.” — Ocho (19:21)
• “It’s a perfect matchup for the Eagles defense. I got them winning the game anyway.” — Ocho (26:13)
• “The NFL sack record is 23. Myles Garrett holds it. So I don’t want to hear nothing about games… Don’t try to shortchange the man.” — Shannon Sharpe (89:00)
• “If the Seahawks play like this, there ain’t a team in NFC to beat them… you’re gonna catch hell going to Seattle.” — Shannon Sharpe (50:42–51:26)
• “Coaching matters. Yes, coaching matters.” — Shannon Sharpe (70:48)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Broncos clinch #1 seed & Chargers game: 02:15–04:56
• Vikings, McCarthy injury, Jefferson streak: 04:57–06:14
• Coaching/Seeding Q&A, Giants & Harbaugh: 06:22–08:28
• Lions' letdown & offensive analysis: 08:29–09:51; 11:41–13:04
• Eagles playoff approach/49ers matchup: 18:21–21:34
• Backup quarterbacks & roles: 23:24–24:06
• Eagles vs. 49ers preview: 25:46–26:35
• Stafford vs. Maye MVP/Ball distribution: 37:12–42:32
• Seahawks' defensive mastery & playoff threat: 46:45–58:18
• Myles Garrett breaks sack record, legacy talk: 78:20–90:48
• Jaguars resurgence & coaching focus: 68:53–71:48

Tone & Style

The conversation is lively, competitive, and infused with classic Sharpe wit and Ocho’s easygoing humor. The analysis is incisive but informal, with playful banter and spicy takes throughout.

In summary:
This episode blends expert breakdowns of critical Week 18 results with context-setting for the NFL playoffs, celebrating all-time great feats (like Myles Garrett’s sack record), dissecting MVP races, praising underappreciated coaching, and projecting potential showdowns. It’s a must-listen for understanding the 2025 postseason landscape and appreciating the electric personalities of Club Shay Shay.