Club Shay Shay: BEST OF NFL Week 18 Part 2

Host: Shannon Sharpe (a.k.a. Unk)
Co-Host: Chad "Ocho" Johnson
Episode Date: January 7, 2026
Main Theme: Breaking down the conclusions of NFL Week 18, head coach and GM shakeups, a dramatic Steelers win, and the complex state of several franchises entering the postseason.

Episode Overview

This episode spotlights the dramatic close of the NFL regular season, with Chad Johnson and Ocho dissecting high-stakes games, coaching changes (notably the firings of Pete Carroll and Raheem Morris), last-minute playoff clinches, and the state of organizations on the brink. The show maintains its trademark banter and storytelling style but dives deeply into the gritty realities facing several teams, including the Steelers, Ravens, Falcons, Browns, and Raiders.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Steelers Win AFC North on Missed Ravens FG

[02:20 - 14:50, 21:10 - 35:14]

• Game Recap:

  • Steelers clinch AFC North after Ravens rookie kicker Tyler Loop misses a 44-yard field goal; Steelers win 26–24.
  • Both teams played well; the Ravens jumped to a 10–0 lead but couldn't pull away.
  • Lamar Jackson's performance: Efficient (11/18, 238 yds, 3 TDs, 1 INT), but limited mobility.
  • Derrick Henry rushed well, but the Ravens' offense couldn't maintain drives.
  • Aaron Rodgers for the Steelers: “Clean game,” statistically strong, made key throws late.

• Critical Analysis:

  • The Ravens defense lacked a pass rush, allowing Rodgers to stay comfortable and deliver.
    • "If you don't put pressure on him, he's gonna pick you apart." — Chad Johnson, 05:27
  • Steelers’ dominance on third down set the tone.
    • “You let somebody pick up 55% on third downs, you gonna probably get your ass beat.” — Chad Johnson, 08:03
  • Ravens rookie kicker’s miss: Heavy blame, but pressure is unique.
    • “How many times in practice they kick for a chance to go to the playoffs? … Probably never.” — Ocho, 09:27
    • “The guy that they [Ravens] replaced … all he did was kick the Ravens to the AFC Championship … you see the importance of having a kick.” — Chad Johnson, 09:36

• Implications:

  • Loss might put John Harbaugh's job security in question.
  • Discussion on historic clutch kickers and importance in playoffs (Adam Vinatieri, Justin Tucker).

Ravens' Problems: Coaching and Roster Holes

[12:26 - 17:39, 21:10 - 22:08]

• Defensive Shortcomings:

  • No consistent pass rush, questionable secondary depth, reliance on young or subpar players.
  • Need for multiple new linemen and elite rushers; most of the team lacks clutch presence.
  • Harbaugh’s challenge: Loyalty vs. tough staff decisions.

• Offensive Challenges:

  • Lamar’s diminished mobility flagged (“looks like he got a piano on his back” — Chad Johnson, 21:47).
  • Solid running game but not enough plays/time of possession to wear down opponent.

Upcoming Playoff Matchup: Steelers vs. Texans

[29:03 - 33:14]

• Steelers’ Edge:

  • Aaron Rodgers’s experience; getting DK Metcalf back; distributed offensive workload.
  • Ocho’s playoff logic: “I’m not betting against two players, a coach and a player that have been in the postseason multiple times that are used to it.” — Ocho, 32:21

• Texans’ Approach:

  • Fearsome pass rush (Will Anderson, Danielle Hunter, etc.), but lack of a true run game could limit their ceiling.
  • Steelers will try to make them one-dimensional.

Falcons Fire Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot

[39:03 - 44:23]

• Immediate Fallout:
  • Atlanta finishes 8–9, misses playoffs; quick hook for both the coach and GM.
  • Falcons' talent highlighted (Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, Michael Penix Jr.) but patience in short supply.
    • “Arthur Blank, very short of patience. Only allowing Raheem three years…” — Ocho, 40:17
  • Speculation about Matt Ryan taking a senior/front office role, marking a trend of former players in executive positions.

Browns Fire Kevin Stefanski; Quarterback Woes

[45:55 - 59:32]

• Coaching Carousel:

  • Despite success, Stefanski is let go after six years, 45–56 record, multiple QBs cycled post-Baker Mayfield.
  • Franchise’s failed investment in Deshaun Watson scrutinized; coaching hires and leadership under question.
    • “Who hired Stefanski? Who brought all those players in? He did. So he brings all those players in, he stays and gets to hire another coach? OK.” — Chad Johnson, 59:37

• Broader Issues:

  • Discussion: Teams drafting QBs into bad situations rarely prosper.
  • Ownership accountability is questioned (owners can't be fired, only coaches/execs).

Raiders Fire Pete Carroll after One Season

[61:16 - 66:23]

• Instability:

  • Raiders conclude 3–14 season, bottom-tier offense and defense despite star Max Crosby.
  • Heavy financial burden: Paying large sums to departed coaches (Gruden, McDaniels, Antonio Pierce, Carroll).
  • Shannon suggests trading Crosby to accumulate draft assets for a true rebuild.
    • “You gotta trade Max Crosby. That’s the only thing of value that you have…” — Chad Johnson, 64:31

• Quarterback Woes:

  • Consensus: Raiders must stop seeking “secondhand” QBs and draft their own franchise QB—but without support, that’s a risky proposition.

Old-School NFL vs. Realities for Players

[67:09 - 81:33]

• Storytime with Unk & Ocho:
  • Rich, personal anecdotes about early career financial struggles, buying their first houses, and making sacrifices for the future.
  • The duality between public “success” and unseen personal hardship highlighted with humor and sincerity.
    • “The people aren’t going to understand because they’ve only ever seen the finished product. They never get the sacrifices that went along that journey…” — Ocho, 77:45

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Most NFL quarterbacks … if you don’t put pressure on him, he’s gonna pick you apart.”
  — Chad Johnson, 05:27

• “How many times you think John Harbaugh told him 'This is the kick to get us into the playoffs'?... Probably never.”
  — Ocho, 09:27

• “If you let somebody pick up 55% on third downs, you gonna probably get your ass beat.”
  — Chad Johnson, 08:03

• “I said, when you buy a house, what’s the first thing you go buy? What can’t you live without?”
  — Chad Johnson, 66:24
  — (Leads to a comic exchange about blown budgets and first apartments/houses.)

• “Owners can’t get fired, Joe.”
  — Ocho, 57:28

• “You gotta trade Max Crosby… that’s the only thing you have of value.”
  — Chad Johnson, 64:31

• “The people aren’t going to understand because they’ve only seen the finished product. … They never get the sacrifices that came along that journey.”
  — Ocho, 77:45

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Steelers-Ravens Game Breakdown: 02:20–14:50
• Kicker, Coaching Fallout: 08:27–14:50
• Ravens' Defensive Problems: 12:26–16:17
• Lamar Jackson's Mobility: 21:10–22:05
• Steelers Offense & D-line: 22:08–25:37
• AFC North Playoff Implications/Legacy: 28:23–33:14
• Falcons Fire Coach & GM: 39:03–44:23
• Front Office Trends: 43:03–44:23
• Browns Fire Stefanski/QB Woes: 45:55–59:32
• Raiders Fire Pete Carroll: 61:16–66:23
• NFL Player Struggles (Personal stories): 67:09–81:33
• Pete Carroll’s Short Leash/NFL patience: 81:36–84:00

Tone & Language

The conversation is candid, blending humor, locker-room camaraderie, and hard truths about the NFL business. Ocho and Unk trade playful insults, share tales from their playing days, and don’t shy from calling out poor management or examining the unforgiving realities of football careers.

Summary Takeaway

This episode is a masterclass in blending entertaining sports talk with meaningful analysis on football culture, front office decisions, and why so many seemingly “obvious” rebuilds so often fail. Longtime fans and casual listeners alike come away with a deeper appreciation for the pressure-cooker environment facing NFL kickers, coaches, quarterbacks—and the families they provide for—when careers and fortunes hang in the balance of a single missed field goal or an owner’s loss of patience.