Club Shay Shay: Deebo & Joe – TNF Reaction: Kirk Cousins’ Resurgence, Falcons vs. Bucs, and TJ Watt Injury Update

Episode Date: December 12, 2025
Host: James “Deebo” Harrison & Joe Hayden

Main Theme

This episode of the Club Shay Shay spinoff “Deebo and Joe” centers on a detailed recap and analysis of Thursday Night Football: Atlanta Falcons’ comeback win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The hosts, former NFL players James "Deebo" Harrison and Joe Hayden, break down the wild, penalty-filled game, focus on Kirk Cousins’ standout performance for Atlanta, and highlight the defensive issues plaguing Tampa Bay. Later, the hosts share concern and insider analysis regarding TJ Watt’s reported lung injury during a treatment session, muse on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ long “non-losing seasons” streak, discuss coaching culture, and touch on Shador Sanders’ quarterback performance and the broader NFL landscape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

I. Falcons vs. Bucs: Game Recap & Analysis

[02:19] – [19:53]

• Game Flow & Key Plays:

  • Both teams started erratically, with multiple penalties and missed opportunities.
  • Early on, Deebo highlights the Bucs’ struggles: “Bucs lost to the Falcons, man. This the sixth loss they done had in the last eight games, dude” (02:19).
  • Heavy penalty flags throughout: “It was so many penalties. I started losing track.” – Joe Hayden (06:30).
  • Tampa Bay offense showed flashes, especially via Baker Mayfield–Evans connections, but often stalled by sacks, mistakes, and more penalties.
  • Atlanta sustained key drives despite 19 total penalties, led by Bijan Robinson and a resurgent Kirk Cousins.

• Cousins & Pitts: Air Show

  • Kirk Cousins found tight end Kyle Pitts repeatedly: “Cousins hit Pitts. That dude went crazy.” – Deebo (03:40).
  • Pitts scored three TDs; two were called “wide open” due to blown coverages: “Kyle Pitts, what are we doing in the zones? Grab that man.” – Joe (25:30).
  • The final Falcons drive featured a gutsy 4th-and-14 conversion to Pitts that broke Tampa’s back.

• Notable Sequence – Fourth Quarter Comeback

  • Falcons, trailing by 14, mount a penalty-free, efficient TD drive:
    • “Atlanta comes to life. Eight plays, 65 yards, touchdown. No penalties now. March it down smoothly.” – Deebo & Joe (13:21).
  • Hillarity over repeated two-point conversion attempts — both hosts disagree with aggressive play-calling:
    • “I ain’t going for two right there.” – Deebo (14:08)
    • “Give yourself a chance…Just give yourself seven.” – Joe (14:15)

• Defensive Blunders & Luck

  • Multiple fumble recoveries and muffed punts went the recovering team’s way—“lucky bounces.”
  • Final critical play: allowing a 4th-and-long conversion to the same guy who’d been torching them all night.
    • “How do you let them get 21, brother?” – Deebo (18:05)

• Summary Stats:

  • “The defense gave up almost 500 yards, 476 yards. And…Atlanta had 19 penalties. Dude, you got beat with a team that had 19 penalties.” – Deebo (19:53)

II. Post-Game: Tough Coaching & Accountability

[23:14] – [26:04]

• Locker Room Fallout
  • Deebo and Joe react to the Bucs coach’s post-game language:
    • “He was talking to them like he was in a locker room.” – Deebo (23:52)
    • “He kept cussing so much. I was like, is he just doing this on purpose?” – Joe (23:58)
  • Main criticism is that even with everything that went wrong, Tampa Bay “still could have walked out of this stadium with a win.” – Deebo (24:28)
  • Coverage critique: “That’s the spot. Back up. Make sure that we can rally down to everything. I’m high. I’m high. You not throwing this.” – Joe on the failed 4th down stop (25:28)

III. TJ Watt Injury Breakdown

[26:04] – [31:34]

• Initial Reports:
  • TJ Watt hospitalized for a lung issue “after a treatment session at the Steelers facility.”
  • Joe and Deebo speculate that the injury stemmed from a procedure such as dry needling, not from on-field contact.
    • “Dry needling is something that can actually puncture the lungs…” – Joe (27:23)
    • “Just because you licensed don’t mean you know what the hell you’re doing…I’m not letting anybody, just anybody dry needle me.” – Deebo (29:16)
  • Warnings about insufficiently trained staff and complexities of treating pro athletes.
  • TJ Watt remains hospitalized and the severity seen as “not a small thing.” – Deebo (30:53)

IV. Steelers’ Culture: Non-Losing Seasons & What Really Matters

[31:34] – [43:50]

• The Long Streak:
  • Deebo runs through 20 years of Steelers defense, coaching changes, and cultural standards.
    • “It’s great to not have a losing season, but that’s not the Steelers organization. The goal…is to win championships.” – Deebo (39:08)
  • Detailed commentary on why “not losing” has supplanted “winning championships” as the real organizational standard—shifting expectations over time.
  • Deebo and Joe both praise Tomlin, noting he’d be hired “immediately” if let go, but ponder whether Pittsburgh needs a new voice (41:45).

V. Shador Sanders’ Rookie Play & Forecast

[43:50] – [48:47]

• Recognition:
  • “Your boy Shador…got rookie of the week after the game, bro. First rookie quarterback to receive that honor.” – Deebo (43:50)
  • Joe expects a steady, controlled game from Sanders against Chicago, given harsh weather.
    • “Just do what you’ve been doing, Shador. Don’t do those spin outs.” – Joe (48:04)
  • Joe’s stat projection: “20 for 30, for 225 yards, two touchdowns, zero ints.” (48:07)

VI. Joe Burrow’s “Sad” Vibe & Franchise Future

[48:47] – [55:10]

• Burrow’s Press Conference:
  • “If I want to keep doing this…I have to have fun doing it. If it’s not fun, what am I doing it for?” – Joe Burrow via Deebo (48:47)
  • Joe and Deebo interpret Burrow’s comments as signaling major unhappiness—possibly seeking change due to poor offensive line protection and losing woes.
    • “That man sound big sad. Debo.” – Joe (50:00)
    • “Winning is fun. You know, five years, $275 [million], you were in Cleveland. You weren’t having that much fun.” – Deebo (50:26)
  • Both agree that the franchise’s inability to protect its star QB is a major risk for player morale and competitiveness.
    • “Joe Burrow…he got fire receivers. He doesn’t have a line.” – Joe (52:26)

VII. Side Storylines & Fun Moments

[55:49] – [61:18]

• Reporter Removed from Titans Team Plane

  • Reporter was removed for sharing “intel” from Cam Ward off the team charter after a win—hosts laugh about the risk of letting media on flights, and discuss boundaries around team privacy (55:49).

• Prize Picks Segment – “Play or Fade”

  • Joe and Deebo pick player props for the week and riff on their lineups (58:08).
  • End the segment singing, riffing, and discussing hypothetical “perfect” stat lines for Shador.

VIII. Listener Interaction & Community

[64:44] – [66:36]

• Shoutout to Super Chat Donor
  • Live fan shout-out with a listener message from St. Lucia, thanks and well-wishes to fans.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Bucs lost to the Falcons, man. This the sixth loss they done had in the last eight games, dude.” – Deebo (02:19)
• “It was so many penalties. I started losing track.” – Joe (06:30)
• “Kyle Pitts, what are we doing in the zones? Grab that man.” – Joe (25:30)
• “How do you let them get 21, brother?” – Deebo on the killer Falcons 4th down conversion (18:05)
• “Just because you licensed don’t mean you know what the hell you’re doing. I’m not letting anybody, just anybody, dry needle me.” – Deebo on the TJ Watt injury (29:16)
• “It’s great to not have a losing season, but that’s not the Steelers organization. The goal…is to win championships.” – Deebo (39:08)
• “That man sound big sad. Debo.” – Joe on Joe Burrow (50:00)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [02:19] – Falcons-Bucs drive-by-drive breakdown begins
• [06:30] – Penalties dominate (flag tracker lost)
• [13:21] – Falcons' critical, penalty-free comeback drive
• [18:05] – The devastating 4th-and-14 allowed by Bucs
• [19:53] – Atlanta’s “ugly win” despite 19 penalties, almost 500 yards allowed
• [23:14] – Coach postgame reaction (“locker room talk”)
• [26:04] – TJ Watt treatment/lung injury speculation
• [31:34] – Steelers’ “no losing season” legacy, defense history
• [43:50] – Shador Sanders gets rookie honors; preview vs. Bears
• [48:47] – Joe Burrow’s mood and future in Cincinnati
• [55:49] – Titans sideline reporter incident
• [58:08] – Play or Fade: prop bets, jokes, and laughter
• [64:44] – Super chat: fan shoutout & wrap-up

Tone and Language

Casual, highly conversational, insider-heavy – typical for two ex-players riffing about the NFL. The banter is honest, bordering on blunt, but always playful and peppered with real experience. They call out coaching decisions (“coaches, stop!”), lament bad defense (“that’s not good ball”), and relish reliving big plays (“he got 21 on that one…shaking him”). Jokes and music break up the analysis (impromptu “I Believe I Can Fly” performance [60:45]), making for an engaging, “locker room” feel.

In sum: A game-heavy episode with deep X’s and O’s, sharp critique of coaches and players, medical insights, and fan-friendly energy. Great for listeners wanting a real football breakdown with off-the-field perspective and authentic player commentary.