Nightcap - Hour 1: Ravens defeat Steelers, Texans handle Chargers, Ocho clowns Unc

Summary

Podcast Summary: Club Shay Shay – Nightcap - Hour 1: Ravens Defeat Steelers, Texans Handle Chargers, Ocho Clowns Unc

Release Date: January 12, 2025
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts, The Volume, and Shay Shay Media
Description: NFL legend Shannon Sharpe—3x Super Bowl champion and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame—engages with top athletes, celebrities, and influencers to delve into their accomplishments, challenges, and everything in between.

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1. Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dominant Victory

Game Outcome:
The Baltimore Ravens secured a commanding 28-14 victory over their division rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, advancing confidently into the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.

Key Performances:

• Lamar Jackson: Displayed exceptional prowess with 175 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 81 rushing yards on 15 carries. His performance was pivotal in maintaining a clean game with no turnovers and only one sack.

  • Shannon Sharpe [04:13]: “Lamar Jackson looked extremely well tonight. Derrick Henry Ran, and this is why they got him.”

• Derrick Henry: Contributed significantly with 86 rushing yards on 26 carries, scoring two touchdowns. The dynamic duo of Jackson and Henry was instrumental in the Ravens' success.

  • Chad Johnson [11:10]: “Listen, from the Ravens, I like they dominated from the start. They dominated from the start to finish.”

Strategic Analysis:
Shannon Sharpe commends the Ravens for their commitment to running the football, which controlled the clock and limited the Steelers' offensive opportunities. Chad Johnson emphasizes the Steelers' inability to effectively counter Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry's combined offensive threat.

• Shannon Sharpe [14:13]: “The Ravens are committed to run the football, 50 carries is a commitment.”
• Chad Johnson [12:07]: “You’re not gonna have drive. You’re going to march down the field... But Najee Harris is not going to be able to.”

Notable Quotes:

• Shannon Sharpe [16:02]: “Not a promise. Promises are like pie crust, thin and easily broken. They are committed.”
• Chad Johnson [14:44]: “Now, when you have a guy like Lamar, you worry about his arm and you worry about his legs.”

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2. Houston Texans vs. Los Angeles Chargers: Texans Triumph

Game Outcome:
The Houston Texans overcame the LA Chargers with a decisive 32-12 victory, marking the first instance of a game concluding with that exact scoreline.

Key Performances:

• C.J. Stroud (Texans): Managed 281 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception.

• Joe Mixon (Texans): Excelled with 25 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground.

  • Shannon Sharpe [39:25]: “Joe Mixon ran the ball really well. 25 carries, a buck. 61 touchdowns total rushes.”

• Nico Collins (Chargers): Had a standout day with seven catches for 122 yards.

  • Shannon Sharpe [39:39]: “Nico Collins was sensational today. He lines up in that tight ass split and the corner is playing off.”

Strategic Analysis:
The Texans' defense effectively neutralized the Chargers' offensive threats, particularly Justin Herbert, who struggled with four interceptions and was sacked four times. Shannon highlights the Texans' ability to pressure Herbert and control the game through a strong running game.

• Chad Johnson [47:39]: “Y'all did methodical thinking. You're going to drive down the field and dink and dunk, and that wasn't going to be the answer.”
• Shannon Sharpe [50:56]: “They really got at the Herbert. They neutralized the running game.”

Notable Quotes:

• Chad Johnson [47:04]: “If it wasn't for the interceptions, this game might have been a little bit different.”
• Shannon Sharpe [50:31]: “He got great ball skills. He's getting better and better.”

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3. Playoff Implications and Upcoming Matchups

Scenarios Discussed:
Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson explore potential playoff matchups based on various outcomes:

• If the Broncos Win:
  • Broncos advance to face Kansas City.
  • Texans travel to Baltimore.
• If Buffalo Wins:
  • Baltimore travels to Buffalo.
  • Texans face Kansas City.

Analysis of Team Strengths:
Sharpe praises the Ravens' offensive strategy and their ability to control games, while Johnson questions the realism of the Broncos' chances against Buffalo's formidable defense.

• Shannon Sharpe [53:52]: “That's why we play the game.”
• Chad Johnson [56:22]: “You don't want me to sign. You don't want me to shine.”

Notable Quotes:

• Shannon Sharpe [65:18]: “No matter how many times I've had my heart broken, I believe in love.”
• Chad Johnson [63:00]: “Lamar Herbert's name is always in that group you just named.”

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4. Discussion on NFL Rules and Game Safety

Rule Changes Critique:
The hosts delve into recent NFL rule changes aimed at increasing player safety, expressing concerns that these changes may be diluting the game's integrity without adequately addressing the inherent dangers.

• Shannon Sharpe [70:50]: “Now, NFL, stop this. I think y'all have done enough to the rules and everything.”
• Chad Johnson [72:28]: “They’re watering down the game of football. It’s like getting surgery repeatedly when the body is perfectly fine.”

Impacts on Gameplay:
Sharpe argues that adding more games without expanding roster sizes increases injury risks, drawing parallels to road safety.

• Shannon Sharpe [73:56]: “If you keep adding these games, you're going to have to increase roster size. It’s only fair.”

Notable Quotes:

• Shannon Sharpe [74:03]: “You can't tackle with your face. You’re going to get somebody, somebody’s gonna break their damn neck.”
• Chad Johnson [80:07]: “Keep messing with God’s work, and now you look like a goddamn.”

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5. Concluding Thoughts and Final Analysis

Overall NFL Landscape:
The discussion wraps up with reflections on team performances, coaching decisions, and the evolving nature of the NFL. Sharpe emphasizes the importance of team loyalty and strategic gameplay, while Johnson underscores the challenges coaches face in maintaining team performance and morale.

Final Remarks:
Shannon Sharpe asserts his commitment to celebrating victories while maintaining a critical eye on league developments, and Chad Johnson encourages listeners to stay informed and engaged with the ongoing playoff dramas.

Notable Quotes:

• Shannon Sharpe [87:13]: “But to ask the players to play this many more games, Ocho, I don’t have a problem.”
• Chad Johnson [89:36]: “But look, you know the Bronco in... You want you guys to win that game.”

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Highlighted Quotes with Timestamps

• Shannon Sharpe [04:13]: "The Ravens move on to the divisional round with a convincing 28-14 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers..."
• Chad Johnson [11:10]: "Listen, from the Ravens, I like they dominated from the start. They dominated from the start to finish."
• Shannon Sharpe [14:13]: “Not a promise. Promises are like pie crust, thin and easily broken. They are committed.”
• Chad Johnson [43:42]: “And boy, oh, boy, does daddy have a lot to say.”
• Shannon Sharpe [70:50]: “Now, NFL, stop this. I think y'all have done enough to the rules and everything.”
• Chad Johnson [72:28]: “They’re watering down the game of football. It’s like getting surgery repeatedly when the body is perfectly fine.”

---

Conclusion

In this episode of Club Shay Shay, Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson provide an in-depth analysis of the recent NFL playoff games, highlighting standout player performances and strategic decisions that influenced the outcomes. Their passionate discussion extends to broader NFL topics, including playoff implications and controversial rule changes aimed at enhancing player safety. The dynamic interplay between Sharpe and Johnson offers listeners both expert insights and engaging commentary, making this episode a must-listen for NFL enthusiasts eager to understand the intricacies of the game and the evolving landscape of professional football.

Transcript

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[Bobby Bones]

Hey, it's Bobby Bones. Join me and former NFL quarterback Matt Castle every Wednesday for our new podcast, Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle. Between us, we have over 17,500 passing yards, multiple New York Times bestsellers, and one mirrorball trophy from Dancing with a Star. So where else you can find a show with that much athleticism and football insight? We talk sports, but we talk pop culture and music and a little bit of everything. Listen to Lots to Say with Bobby Bones and Matt castle on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Michael Lewis]

Hey there, it's Michael Lewis, author of Going Infinite Moneyball, the Blind side and Liars Poker. On the latest season of my podcast, against the Rules, I'm exploring what it means to be a sports fan in America and what the rise of sports betting is doing to our teams, our states and ourselves. Join me and listen to against the Rules on America's number one podcast network, iHeart. Open your free iHeart app and search against the Rules. Listen to against the rules on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Adnan Burke]

What's up everybody? Adnan Burke here to tell you about a new podcast. It's NHL Unscripted with Verkin Demers, Jason.

[Jason Demers]

Demers here, And after playing 700 NHL games, I got a lot of dirty laundry to air out.

[Adnan Burke]

I got a lot to say here, too.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay?

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Each week we'll get together, chat about the sport that we love.

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Tons of guests are going to join in, too. But we're not just going to be talking hockey, folks. We're talking movies, we're talking tv, food, and Adnan's favorite wrestling. It's all on le table.

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Listen to NHL Unscripted with Virk and demers in the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Justin Pennik]

What's up, everyone? It's Justin Pennik from John Boy Media, the host of the Football Today podcast with Bobby Skinner and Chris Rose. We roll three times a week on Mondays, on Wednesdays on Fridays Breaking down everything you need to know about the NFL we're gearing up for the NFL playoffs. I hope you can join us. Join in with us three times a week. Listen to Football Today on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast and you will be glad you did.

[Shannon Sharpe]

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[Shannon Sharpe]

Eligibility restrictions, terms and responsible gaming resources as the Baltimore Ravens move on to the divisional round with a convincing 2814 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, their division rival. Their arch nemesis Lamar Jackson was sensational again. 16 of 21, 175 yards passing, two touchdowns and 15 carries for 81 yards. Clean game, but King Henry 26 carries, a buck 86. Two tubs. That dynamic duo was sensational, as they've been all year long. Thank you again for joining us. I'm your favorite UNC Shannon Sharp. That guy is your favorite. Number 85, the Route Runner extraordinaire, Liberty City legend, the Bengals Ring of Fame honoree, the Pro Bowler, the All pro. That's Chad Ochocinko Johnson. Please make sure you hit that subscribe button. Please make sure you hit that, like, button and go subscribe to the Nightcap podcast feed, wherever you get your podcast from. Thank you, guys. We thank you every night that you join us. We thank you since 2324 and continued on into 25. Thank you for your continued support. All the awards, all the accolades, all the praise that we receive is because of you, our loyal and faithful viewers and listeners. So thank you again. Please make sure you check out Shay by La Portier. We do have it in stock. And the holidays are upon us. They're past us, actually, but they still can celebrate. Hell, why not? I celebrate all the time. As a matter of fact, I might have me a little something. George give me a little Glad. Now, you know the Ravens, when we do we in the playoffs, we moving on, unfortunately. Whoa, whoa, Ocho. I don't need that. What's with the sad look? That's unnecessary. Ojo. Let me live.

[Chad Johnson]

I. I'm. I'm let you live. But you a Bronco, huh? You are Bronco. Listen, you live. Wait a minute, wait a minute. Stay with me. Stay with me.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Listen, I'm a Bronco tonight. I'm a Raven.

[Chad Johnson]

Wait a minute. Hold on, hold on now.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Let's. Let's not do that.

[Chad Johnson]

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You're not.

[Chad Johnson]

You're not. You're not gonna do that. You're not gonna do that. Listen, your time, the majority of your time was spent in Denver Mile high. Just remember salute. Remember, salute. Now you just so happy we salute.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Tomorrow we flop tonight. So make sure you order a bottle of shaved by the pork. Yeah, if you can't find in the city or state near you, you can hey, order and we'll ship it directly to your door. And please drink responsibly. Please make sure you check out my media company on all of his platform. Oji. Nobody's a little cocktail. The little, little, little nightcap. This is nightcap. So, you know, I'm having me a little night cap. You know, go and get the ball of shave out La Portier. Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on.

[Chad Johnson]

Don't use no cup. Drink it, drink it. Drink it for the head. Drink it for the head.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Hey, we too classy for that, Ocho. This is. This is. This is bsop. This is top of the line. This is a bsop that drinks like an xo. This glass is Turkish quartz. It's made especially most of your taste. Come from your nose. And so we want you to taste this. You see it? Swish it around.

[Chad Johnson]

Well, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on. Now listen, listen, listen, listen. Now, what you can do. Now, I don't. What you just said to me, that's like calculus to me. You know, I don't know nothing about now alcohol, right? But I'm just saying what you can do is take the bottle itself. Yeah, the bottle itself. Then you can smell it and then take it to the head from the bottle.

[Shannon Sharpe]

But that's not. That's not. That's what you do with rot gut liquor. That ain't what you do with this kind of liquor. This is the kind of liquor that you savor, that you enjoy. You get with your boy, you got your nice cigar or you're in the fireplace, you had a nice evening, you're having a couple of cocktails and you with your boy, you sitting around and you telling stories. This is what you do with this.

[Chad Johnson]

Okay, so everything you just explained, it sounded like a wait next hell moment. That's the first thing I thought of. Waiting, exhale. Sitting around the fire.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I want to get through this because I really want to celebrate this victory night. Thank you.

[Chad Johnson]

But you not part of the Ravens.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Please make sure you follow my media company on all of its platforms. That's Shay Shay Media and my clothing company, 84. With 84 being spelled out, we had a lot of release that just dropped last month. Shirts, sweats, koozies, beanies and mugs. Quantities are limited, so please make sure you grab yours while supplies last tickets for the super bowl show in New Orleans. It's our first spring tour stop. They're on sale now. The link is pinned at the top of the chat. February 6th in New Orleans at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. Be there. You don't want to miss this one. Great guests are lined up. We can't wait to have our first spring Tour stop of 2025. The first of about 10 stops that's on the docket. Ocho, both Nightcap and Club Shae Shay are both been nominated for NAACP Image awards. Nightcap was nominated for outstanding podcast, art, sports, entertainment. Club Shay Shay was nominated for outstanding podcast, society and culture. Please go vote for you guys. Link is pinned at the top is in our bios and we greatly appreciate that and thank you NAACP for the nominations and congratulations to all the other nominees. Ravens run past the Pittsburgh Steelers 2814 in the divisional round. Ocho, the Ravens ran this ran the ball 50 times, 299 yards. Derrick Henry 26 for a buck 86, two touchdowns. Lamar Jackson added another 81 on the ground. Lamar 16 of 25, 175, two touchdowns, no turnover, only one sack. But the Ravens dominated this game. Even though the Steelers came out, they sped up the tempo in the second half. I really never was really worried because they had to commit too much to stop the run. There was a couple plays oho I saw they had eight men on the line of scrimmage. Not eight men in the box, eight men at the line of scrimmage. But the Ravens, when they play like this offensively, they're very difficult to beat. Now I'm still a little concerned about their past coverage on the back end. Ocho. That's still a little concerning to me because the teams they could potentially face now at the Buffalo win tomorrow, we're going to get a rematch. Baltimore, Buffalo, Houston, Kansas City. But we're going to talk about that a little later. But let's talk about this game. Ocho, the Ravens, Lamar Jackson, I believe he's going to win the mvp. You're going to believe. You believe he's going to win the mvp? He showed tonight that he should be the mvp. Now, Josh, Josh Allen might come out and have one of those games he had against the Rams, three touchdown rushing, three touchdown passing, or one of those games where he rushed for a touchdown pass for a touchdown catch, four touchdown. But Lamar Jackson looked extremely well tonight. Derek Henry, Randle ball. This is why they got him. But what did you love most about what you saw from the Baltimore Ravens?

[Chad Johnson]

Listen, from the Ravens, I like they dominated from the start. They dominated from the start to finish. I said it before the game started. In order for the Pittsburgh Steelers to have a chance in this game, for one, you got to counter Lamar Jackson, you got to counter Derrick Henry and the production that they were going to produce. You weren't going to have drive. You going to march down the field and have 11, 12, 13, 14 play drives with the Steelers offense, right? Arthur Smith going to have to call a different type of game in order for him be in order for them to be able to hang with the Ravens. What did I say? I tweeted before the game started. Arthur Smith, the game plan should have been finding different ways to get the one offensive weapon you have that is a threat, the one playmaker you got, number 14. Put him in different positions, find ways to make find ways for him to make plays to give you chunk plays because you're not going to be able to march down the field najee Harris is not going to be able to. Did you see Najee Harris numbers at the end of the game? Huh?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Six carries, 17 yards.

[Chad Johnson]

Come on, now.

[Shannon Sharpe]

They had 11 carries for 29 yards.

[Chad Johnson]

There's nothing you can do with that. There's nothing you can do with that. So I knew it was going to happen. I knew it was going to happen. Find ways to get your best offensive weapon. Way to get the ball. They hit him a few times in the second half, but at that point, you already down two scores. It's too late, actually.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You was down three scores. You was down 21. Nothing.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, my bad.

[Shannon Sharpe]

And they got up to it. And the thing is, Ocho, they better be glad that they got to stop, because the Ravens pick up that third down. When they got the ball, they got to go down the field and score. So give them credit again. Give the Steelers credit. They bowed their back when they absolutely have to to give themselves a chance. They got the ball back, go down the field, make the score 21 to 7. And what happened? The Ravens get the ball back. Said, man, let's stop playing with y'all. D. Henry, do what you do. He ended up the gut, and he scores a touchdown from 44 yards out. I love the counter that the Ravens did to the Steelers counter. They had the defensive end crashing to try to take away that inside zone Read. Because a lot of times, you remember last time they played Ocho, Derrick Henry bended back. He ate him alive. They said, hey, High Smith, Watt, crash that. Lamar pulled it. Okay, y'all want to crash? And he did it like three, four times in a row.

[Chad Johnson]

Oh, yeah. There's nothing out there.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay, I'mma pull it again. Y'all still crash. I'mma pull it again. But I like the counter that Todd Monkin had to their counter because he knew they had to do something to stop Derrick Henry in that inside zone read. Their counter was crash the end. Monkin's counter was pull the ball. I like that. And you see, running a football is all about commitment. A lot of times people think, well, man, they ain't do nothing. Well, you only gave him the ball three times, so you expect them to have 100 yards on three carries. When the Ravens are committed to run the football, 50 carries is a commitment.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Not a promise. Promises are like pie crust, thin and easily broken. They are committed. That says, you know what? Nothing else matters. We're running the football today.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Stop it.

[Chad Johnson]

Right, but listen.

[Shannon Sharpe]

What?

[Chad Johnson]

This. What? The Steelers could have done this, and I'm not a defensive Coordinator. I'm definitely not a defensive coordinator, but everything has to have gap. Everybody has to be sound and disciplined, understanding what their, what their assignments are in order to stop that run. Now, when I look at the Steelers defensively, I see them as a defense that can hang and some will stop the run. Their identity has always, most of the time has been their defense. Yes, this, their identity is their defense. The fact that they couldn't do anything.

[Shannon Sharpe]

And their ability to stop the run.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, it's beyond me. But see, Ojo, I don't understand.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Let me tell you why their ability to stop the run is predicated on one particular guy. But you got two guys you got to worry about if you over commit to stop Derrick Henry. Lamar Jackson pulls the ball and you see what he does. Okay, you say, I'm going to hang back. Not Derrick Henry bends back. You see, you have so much to worry about when you have a guy like Lamar with his leg. So when he makes the ball and he rolls out pretending like he has it, it holds the backside in. Well, he holding the backside in. That gives Derek Henry an opportunity to cut the ball back if necessary. You crash, I pull. You don't. I let, I give. And so when you have multiple things to worry about, that's what makes a guy like Lamar so dangerous. You worry about his arm and you worry about his legs. He's not just, oh, he just gonna throw the ball. Look at the guys that's in Patrick Mahomes, he doesn't run as much as Lamar, he doesn't run as much as Josh Allen. But you better worry about his legs because we've seen the past two Super Bowls, it was his legs that basically ended up winning them the game.

[Chad Johnson]

Listen, on third downs too, that's it all.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Basically all the guys that's in the playoffs, what can they do? With the exception of Sam Darnold, all the guys got legs. Cj strive to run a little bit. Not much, but you look at Lamar, you look at Patrick Mahomes, you look at Josh Allen, those guys can move and that's what makes them so dangerous. If they don't turn the ball over, they're going to be difficult to beat. Now defensively, you'll have to tighten up. Now if you look at the way they played today, look at the situation on that touchdown ball, that was covered too the inside slot. He takes off running. Marlon has to go with him. But the safety sees that he's going hard. He can't get over the top. So he's late getting over the top. Because what does the DB taught to do? I'mma push him. He didn't push him inside. He let Pickens get outside. You gotta shove him inside. Now, when you shove him inside, you sink, but you watching the flat. Well, he let Pickens get outside. The slot is screaming up the field. The safety can't get all the way over because there's a hole shot. He holds just long enough, Russ hits him. Boom. Touchdown. Yeah, and I won the first touchdown. That's quarters. I don't know what the DB Think, Ocho. That's. That look like they were in quarters because everybody just rotated back.

[Chad Johnson]

Bro, you got to get back. Want to be back up out of there?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes. And so hold on.

[Chad Johnson]

But Hamilton. Hamilton was trying to. Was trying to direct traffic before the snap.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Oh, yeah, but I don't.

[Chad Johnson]

I don't know if the communication was off and he couldn't hear. He. I mean, everybody couldn't hear what was going on.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I'll tell you what, Ocho. You could direct traffic all you want to, but you better get your ass out the trap. You better get your ass off the freeway, because they'll run your ass over. They don't care nothing about you. Direct the traffic, get you.

[Chad Johnson]

Right, right, right.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Hey, you doing all this and talking about you better move your ass out the way. Yeah, but the Ravens play like this, Ocho. I mean, look at the efficiency in which they ran the ball. They only threw the ball 21 times. Yeah, they ran it 50 times, but before the tune of 300 yards, 6 yards of pop. So guess what that means. Oh, we control the clock.

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[Bobby Bones]

Hey, it's Bobby Bones. Join me and former NFL quarterback Matt Castle every Wednesday for our new podcast, Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle. Between us, we have over 17,500 passing yards, multiple New York Times bestsellers, and one mirror ball trophy from Dancing with a Star. So where else are you going to find a show with that much athleticism and football insight? Based in Nashville, we're more than just your basic NFL show. We talk sports, but we talk pop culture and music and a little bit of everything because we got lots to say. I. I texted you and you texted me back. Now, I don't know if you have the update, but, like, all the little thumbs up and heart and stuff, like, it's all colored. They changed it and the, the heart's a little pink. It felt like I told you I loved you. I'm going to be honest. It was a little pink.

[Shannon Sharpe]

There was something sentimental. When you, like when, when you send it, it's like, do I send the heart now?

[Bobby Bones]

I don't like the color edition.

[Shannon Sharpe]

It's extremely pink.

[Bobby Bones]

Listen to Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Adnan Burke]

What's up, everybody? Adnan Burke here to tell you about a new podcast from iHeart podcast in the National Hockey League. It's NHL Unscripted with Birkin Demers.

[Jason Demers]

Hey, I'm Jason Demers, former 700 game NHL defenseman turned NHL Network analyst, and boy, oh, boy, does daddy have a lot to say.

[Adnan Burke]

I love you, by the way, on NHL Network, we're looking forward to getting together each week to chat and chirp about the sport and all the other things surrounding us that we love.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right?

[Jason Demers]

Yeah. I just met you today, but we're going to have a ton of guests from the colliding worlds of hockey, entertainment and pop culture and you know what, tons of back and forth on all things NHL.

[Adnan Burke]

Yeah, you're soon going to find out we're not just hockey talk. We're into all kinds of random stuff on this podcast. Movies, television, food, wrestling, even the stuff that you wear on NHL.

[Jason Demers]

Now you wish you could pull off my short shorts, Ferkie.

[Adnan Burke]

That shirt of kazarakas. Listen to NHL Unscripted with Burke and Demers and the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Michael Lewis]

Hey there, it's Michael Lewis, author of Going Infinite Moneyball, the Blind side and Liar's Poker. On every season of my podcast, against the Rules, I take a broad look at various characters in American life. The referee, the coach, the expert. My next season's all about fans and what the rise of sports betting is doing to them, to the teams, and even to my family. I'm heading to Las Vegas and New Jersey and beyond to understand America's newest form of legalized gambling. Listen to against the rules on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Justin Pennik]

What's going on, everybody. This is Justin Pennik from John Boy Media, the host of the Football Today PODC alongside Bobby Skinner and Chris Rose. We're rolling three times a week on Mondays, on Wednesdays, on Fridays, breaking down everything you need to know about the NFL. We're talking about the MVP race. Is Josh Allen going to pull it out? Lamar Jackson? Can Saquon Barkley even break the rushing record? Can the Steelers keep up their momentum? We talk about everything. We break it down. Stats, analytics. And of course, Chris Rose is bringing his perspective on being a pro in the media world as well. Listen to Football Today on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts and you will be glad you did. Hope you could join us for the postseason run.

[Chad Johnson]

This is another thing. When I think about this, right? I think about the afc, I think about all the AFC and I look at them from a defensive standpoint. To me, when I think about the Bills defense and I think about the Chiefs defense, out of the three, including the Steelers tonight, who has the best defense in the personnel to be able to stop the run? Out of the three I just named the Chiefs. You think so?

[Shannon Sharpe]

I like the Chiefs the best. Okay, Because a lot more so sometimes your best defense is your offense, right? So Buffalo can do it. Also because they got Josh Allen third and one, fourth and one. He's going to get it, right? He's going to get it. And so a lot of times the best way to really defend the Ravens offense is to keep Lamar Jackson and Derek Henry ass on the sideline.

[Chad Johnson]

Okay, I see where you're going with it.

[Shannon Sharpe]

That's the best way because eventually you're going to give them enough. Look, and Todd Monkin is going to figure a way to get his playmakers in position to make plays. The best way to negate, that is, is to keep them on the sideline. That's what this, that's what the Ravens did to the Steelers. Well, you say, well, they only have a few playmakers. Well, you can't make plays when you're on the sideline because think about the yardage that they had. They had what, a 20 minute, 20 minutes in the first half to 10. They had 300 yards to 64. Well, I don't know what you're going to do unless you get in school, unless you get in short fields because your defensive sports and turnovers, you're not going to do a whole lot with 64 yards. Not much. Not much at all.

[Chad Johnson]

Not at all.

[Shannon Sharpe]

When the Ravens play Like this when they are committed to the run. They committed to the run today. They came out and Todd Monkey says, we are going to run the damn football. Lamar Jackson said, I ain't trying to beat you. Hey, all that other stuff, he's like, look, I've been. I heard what he said. He said, I've been antsy. I've been sometimes maybe I've been trying to do too much.

[Chad Johnson]

Right. When you think about this, right. Ever since Lamar Jackson. Mama cussed his ass out five weeks ago. They ain't lost a game since.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Nope.

[Chad Johnson]

They ain't lost a game since. I'm sure what Mama said, you know, in short term, baby, get out there and do what you do well.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes.

[Chad Johnson]

Don't try to do anything else. What you do well, you're special. There's something about you that is special. There are reason why you make that goddamn 250 million. They paid you for that for one reason, and it wasn't to sit back there and drop back 50 times and throw the goddamn ball. So I mean. I mean, that's. That's a good thing. When they. This the thing about it. The thing about it is what happens if they commit to the run? Now, depending on who they play next, we don't know who it's going to be. I'm assuming it might be Buffalo. Matter of fact, it's going to be Buffalo. It's going to be a rematch. Again, what happens when they commit to the run, but the Bills commit to stopping the run, even though the Bills are a little undersized up front? They're a little undersized up front, but what's going to happen then?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Well, here's the thing. If the Ravens win. Excuse me. The Ravens won. If the Bills. If the Bills win, Baltimore travels to Buffalo. It'll be around. It'll be a rematch of what? Week three, week four, Derrick Henry ran wild. I think he had 199 yards rushing. Now, if. If. If that's the case, the. If the Broncos win, the Broncos would then travel to Kansas City and then the Texans would travel to Baltimore.

[Chad Johnson]

So, okay, like, I like the hypothetical. I like the hypothetical.

[Shannon Sharpe]

We got to give it.

[Chad Johnson]

Are you covering all the bases?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes. I'll be like the chat knows what happens if the Bronco pulls the upset? If the Broncos pulls the upset, the Broncos goes to Kansas City and the Texans travel to Baltimore. If Buffalo wins. If Buffalo wins, the Texans travel to Kansas City and Baltimore goes to Buffalo.

[Chad Johnson]

I tell you what, even though you covered all the bases, the fact that you Even utter those words out of your mouth and saying that the Broncos even have a chance of beating Buffalo.

[Shannon Sharpe]

They do. That's why they call it football.

[Chad Johnson]

I know that's why they call it football. But listen, if so happened, God comes down and the football gods bless the Broncos and Bo Knicks and they happen to beat the Buffalo Bills, which is highly doubtful. I double what I owe you.

[Shannon Sharpe]

How about this? Even if God came down, the Bengals can't get in the playoffs. I mean, they done been gone too long. You know, Lazarus, I mean, even Lazarus, when he got Lazarus up, he wasn't dead that long. He can't wake him up.

[Chad Johnson]

Why we talking about the Bengals?

[Shannon Sharpe]

You know what, As a matter of fact, while you talking, I should be the show. Do the whole show. You should just show up and since my got two teams in the playoffs, I should do the show.

[Chad Johnson]

Wait a minute. You got. You don't have two teams in the game.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I got two teams. Chad. Will y'all tell Ocho that I played.

[Chad Johnson]

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. See, that's what you're not gonna do. You were drafted by the Denver Broncos. You just happened to be on the Steelers. You just happened to be on the Ravens team for two years. We know you got a helmet. I got a helmet too. Oh.

[Shannon Sharpe]

So I happen to be on the Ravens, the team that won the very first super bowl in Ravens history. So I just happened to be there. So I didn't have. So did I do anything for the Ravens?

[Chad Johnson]

Listen, the defense. The defense won that super bowl. So we gonna get a credit to the defense.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I mean, I did score a couple of touchdowns in the playoffs.

[Chad Johnson]

Okay, okay, okay, I. Listen, I scored a couple on Madden.

[Shannon Sharpe]

No, I just. Ain't no man. I could come angle on the field. I mean, Chad, I mean, y'all can. I'm trying to figure out. I mean, if you go. If you. Huh.

[Chad Johnson]

You're a Bronco, man. You can't do that. Listen, you happen to play for the. You happen.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Tom Brady. So. So I guess. Let me ask you a question. When the bro. When the Bucks have their reunion, their 10 year reunion, their 5 year, 10 year reunion, Tom Brady shouldn't go because he was a. He was a Patriot, right?

[Chad Johnson]

He's a Patriot at heart. No matter. No matter.

[Shannon Sharpe]

So.

[Chad Johnson]

So you are Denver Bronco. Unk. No matter how you try to slice it, no matter how you try to play it.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I didn't say I wasn't. All I'm saying is I got two teams in the playoffs. I Got two teams, the Broncos and the Ravens. When the Broncos aren't playing the Ravens, I root for the Broncos. I win the Ravens. I and I. Then if they play each other, I root for the Broncos. But if the Ravens play the Bills, I'm rooting for the. I'm rooting for the Ravens.

[Chad Johnson]

That's not the way it works.

[Shannon Sharpe]

It doesn't work that way.

[Chad Johnson]

It works. The team, wherever you played for, for the most of your career, that is your team. Just because you go to the. Huh?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Oo. I just. Oo. I didn't have a cup of coffee. I won the chip. Yeah, I won the chip in Baltimore. The very first chip that they ever got.

[Chad Johnson]

Okay. All right. You. You're a Raven. I'm gonna let you have that. I'm gonna let you have it. I'll let. I'll let you have it. I know one thing. The Bronco. The Bronco can go on home tomorrow. And I don't. I mean no disrespect. If there any Broncos fans in the chat, you know how I feel about you. I love you. I love you. But I'm talking football. I'm talking football, and I'm talking about the match of tomorrow. Number 12. No, Josh Allen don't wear. What number Josh Allen wear?

[Shannon Sharpe]

17.

[Chad Johnson]

17. I'm talking about number 12. 17 ain't gonna put that cape on tomorrow. And he gonna show you why he's in the MVP race in the MVP running. Now, he might not win mvp, but he's going to put on a MVP performance. I love Bo Nicks. I love. I love Sean Payton, you know. Come on, man. Put that. Put. Put it down.

[Shannon Sharpe]

We. We know, Chad.

[Chad Johnson]

Come on, man.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Y'all see how Ocho doing? Ocho. Ocho. Ocho don't want me to do me to live. My team won tonight.

[Chad Johnson]

My team plays tomorrow. Your team plays tomorrow.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Play tonight. I have another team playing tomorrow.

[Chad Johnson]

No, it don't work like that. It don't work like that. Listen, when you get married. Listen, when you get married, right?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes.

[Chad Johnson]

Married, you only have one wife. You're not Muslim. You're not Muslim. You're not finna have two teams. You're not finna do that. So you are a Bronco. And it's okay. It's okay. You're a Bronco.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Angelina Jolie was married to Brad Pitt and Billy Bob Thorpe. Now, I don't care if she was only mad for two months, she was mad to Billy Bob. Now, let me have my moment. I won a Super bowl with the Ravens two Years is a long time.

[Chad Johnson]

A long time for what? Two years is still the honeymoon phase. You don't even listen.

[Shannon Sharpe]

It was really good.

[Chad Johnson]

You don't even know who you're dealing with. The first two years, you ain't even seen their true colors.

[Shannon Sharpe]

1, 2, 3, 4. Man, I won five playoff games in two years with the Ravens.

[Chad Johnson]

Ask me how many playoff games. Ask me how many playoff games I won.

[Shannon Sharpe]

With the. With the. You probably won two. Two.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Divisional and the championship round.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I wish you somebody could tell. Yo, I don't even know what to tell you.

[Chad Johnson]

I mean, listen, I'm just. The fact that you. You like. It's like. Like you holding on to something that.

[Shannon Sharpe]

That.

[Chad Johnson]

That's really not a part of your history.

[Shannon Sharpe]

How you tell the story. How do you. Let me ask you a question. How do you tell the story of the Baltimore Ravens without mentioning shell and sharpening?

[Chad Johnson]

Because you just talk about the defense the whole time.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I still got. All I know is this. If you go back and look at the longest postseason touchdown from scrimmage.

[Chad Johnson]

Oh, come on, man. Come on, man. Come on. All right. I'm gonna let you have it. You know what?

[Shannon Sharpe]

You.

[Chad Johnson]

You don't want me to celebrate.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Why you don't want me to win?

[Chad Johnson]

Because you're really not a Raven. You are a runner.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I'm really not a Raven because you.

[Chad Johnson]

You just. You just happen to play for the team. That. That. That's not your heart. Your heart is not there.

[Shannon Sharpe]

A free agent. They spent big dollars to get me.

[Chad Johnson]

Thank you.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Trying to rain on my parade, y'all.

[Chad Johnson]

What.

[Shannon Sharpe]

What.

[Chad Johnson]

What time of Broncos and the Bills play? I met 1 o'clock tomorrow, matter of fact, we should. While the game is going on, we should do the show while the game is going on so we can get your reaction. We can get your live reaction in game while the Bills are playing the Broncos. Now that would be. That would be exciting.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I mean, me, Jamal. I mean, we came in together, me and Big Mom.

[Chad Johnson]

All right, I'm let you have it.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay. Why you don't. I mean, I was there for two years. I won a Super Bowl. The fans in Baltimore remember. I mean, the ones that's old enough to remember now, maybe some 10 year old don't remember, a 15 year old.

[Chad Johnson]

Don'T remember, but I'm just saying two years, man, it's the honeymoon phase, man. You. You really don't. You really don't like. Like, y'all ain't even. Y'all ain't even been together.

[Shannon Sharpe]

How many People were. Tom Brady won. Won a Super bowl in his first year.

[Chad Johnson]

Right? But Tom is a Patriot. Tom is the Patriot at heart. I'm sure if you would have asked him. And no cameras around him. Say, you know what? My tenure was so short with Tampa Bay, but I am truly.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Three years is not short, Ocho.

[Chad Johnson]

Huh?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Three years ain't short.

[Chad Johnson]

Three, man.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I mean, the man played 20 years at one stop. Would you want to put in another 10 at Tampa?

[Chad Johnson]

No. No.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Tell y'all trying to do me. He don't want me to have no shine. He don't want me to have no shine. Cause I don't want. Cause the Ravens, my team, won tonight. What?

[Chad Johnson]

If you. If you want to have shine, your team has to win tomorrow. Your team has. A matter of fact, I don't even. I wonder what the odds are in Vegas. I wonder what the odds are in Vegas. What you think?

[Shannon Sharpe]

We blocking.

[Chad Johnson]

Nice. I thought it was Bronco country.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Let's ride. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. What did I say? Tonight we flocking.

[Chad Johnson]

Okay.

[Shannon Sharpe]

All right.

[Chad Johnson]

Kodak Black. We flocking.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You don't want me to sign. You don't want me to shine. Hold on. Jordan, hand me that right now. Jordan about to hand me something.

[Chad Johnson]

What's that? Oh, come on. Come on, man.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Now, if you go. If you go regular.

[Chad Johnson]

Come on, man.

[Shannon Sharpe]

One of these. Now, I did have something to do with them. Put one of them in Raven Stadium.

[Chad Johnson]

All right. All right.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Now, I would like to think I'm a part of it.

[Chad Johnson]

Okay. All right.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You said we still in the honeymoon phase. In the honeymoon phase. Y'all still kids, right?

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Listen, those were. Those were fortunate circumstances, you know, Congratulations to you during that time, but again, we need to understand that it was the defense. Unbelievable defense at that, was able to get that trophy. No disrespect to others that were a part of that team, but you are a Bronco at heart. No matter how you try to splice it, no matter how you try to play it and just say, oh, I was with the Ravens two years. Two years. I mean, like, nah, that ain't it. You're a Bronco.

[Shannon Sharpe]

That's the hate alert going off.

[Chad Johnson]

Hey, we're gonna. We're gonna talk about them Broncos tomorrow. Don't worry about it. Broncos tomorrow.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I tell you what, if you go look, 2000, 2001, and you see who wore the number 82, can y'all look that up right quick? Because I. I think.

[Chad Johnson]

But Quadra Ishmael with 82.

[Shannon Sharpe]

87.

[Chad Johnson]

Oh, my bad.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You don't want to give me. You don't want to give me no credit. He don't want me to shine.

[Chad Johnson]

I'm letting you shine, but you just doing like you. You doing like. Like you overdoing it. As if you were with the. With that. As if you. The way you was there two years. That's it. Just two.

[Shannon Sharpe]

But you make it seem like I was just on the team.

[Chad Johnson]

Nah, you. You was just on the team. That's it.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I'm at the team. And receiving.

[Chad Johnson]

Y'all ain't had no receivings.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Oh, Lord have mercy. You see every chance, every time he tried to undermine what I did.

[Chad Johnson]

I'm not trying to undermine what you did. I'm just saying, like, you are a Bronco. You are Bronco. You're a Bronco no matter what. And I want you to keep this. Keep the same. I want you to keep the same energy tomorrow.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I played 14 years. I played 12 with the Broncos, 10, two with the Ravens, two more with the Broncos. So 12 with the Broncos, two with the Ravens.

[Chad Johnson]

I was watching it.

[Shannon Sharpe]

See?

[Chad Johnson]

You see how unbalanced that is? What, 12? 2. 2, 12. 2.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Most of the time, that's what happens, don't y'all?

[Chad Johnson]

Right. Right, but. Right, but people always gravitate toward the team they played the most Time for. Now it's okay for you to celebrate the Ravens win tonight.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I am so. What you mean, it's okay? I am celebrating it.

[Chad Johnson]

Well, you're. You're over. You're over celebrating.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You know what? Let me have me another. Sweet.

[Chad Johnson]

Be careful now.

[Shannon Sharpe]

We got another hour and a half.

[Chad Johnson]

Time.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Half time. Fly when you're having fun. Your team. Your team in the playoffs?

[Chad Johnson]

My team? The Bengals.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Any of them?

[Chad Johnson]

No, we at home. It's okay.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Patriots? Dolphins?

[Chad Johnson]

No, I don't. I don't. I'm not. I'm not a Bengal.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Oregon State.

[Chad Johnson]

I'm a Bengal.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Sam Ojuko.

[Chad Johnson]

Listen, I'm a Bengal. I don't claim to be anyone else, but the team that drafted me and that I played the majority of my career for.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Well, Ocho, I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry you weren't fortunate enough to go to, like, you know, Broncos. I didn't go to Ravens.

[Chad Johnson]

I wasn't tripping. I got drafted where I did. Now, the cars that I was dealt, I did the best I could with the cars I was dealt. That's all I could do. Yeah, you know, that's it.

[Shannon Sharpe]

That's what he dealt me. He just dealt me the big joker, you know, he dealt with that big joke. I got a big joker. But the Baltimore Ravens win. Double up the Pittsburgh Steelers, the arch rival, their nemesis, 28 to 14. Lamar Jackson. 16, 21, 175 yards, two touchdowns, no turnovers. Derek.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

26 carries, a buck 86, two touchdowns. Lamar Jackson, 15 carries for 81 yards. Ravens run the ball 50 times for 299 yard. Unbelievable. Domination.

[Chad Johnson]

Unbelievable.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Hold on, let me see here. Pull up the. Oh, it went out. Need to reload the page. They really dominated this ball game. Did it come back up? Team stats. Team stats. No. No. Raven Ocho Ravens possess the ball almost 2 to 1. 39. 33 to 20 minutes and 27 seconds. So they almost doubled him up. The Ravens was 10 of 15 on third down, 72 total plays to 45 total plays, 464 yards to 280 yards. The Ravens were really good. Not. Not a whole lot of penalties. 3 for 14. Steelers had 7 for 41. One sack, 29 first downs to 11. Hell, as a matter of fact, in the first half, the Ravens had more first downs. The Steelers ran plays.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah. Hey, listen. And I knew. I knew what the magic was. I said it before the game started. I said it before the game started. You got to use your offensive weapons. Listen, I know Arthur Smith has an offense that he wants to run, but you got to change things up. You got to change things up. You got to counter what the Ravens do extremely well. And you did. You just tried to do it. Methodical thinking. You're going to drive down the field and dink and dunk, and that wasn't going to be the answer.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah. What the thing was, Ojo, is that when you fall behind the Ravens now, it takes you out of really what you want to do. They want to run the ball, they want to control the clock and things like that. When you get down 14, you get down 21. Ain't no more running the football. It's all about throwing the football now. You mess around and go three and out. Now all of a sudden your defense is back on the field after they've been tired.

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[Bobby Bones]

Hey, it's Bobby Bones. Join me and former NFL quarterback Matt Castle every Wednesday for our new podcast, Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle. Between us, we have over 17,500 passing yards, multiple New York Times bestsellers, and one mirror ball trophy from Dancing with a Star. So where else you can find a show with that much athleticism and football insight? Based in Nashville, we're more than just your basic NFL show. We talk sports, but we talk pop culture and music and a little bit of everything because we got lots to say. I. I texted you and you texted me back. Now, I don't know if you have the update, but, like, all the little thumbs up and heart and stuff, like, it's all colored. They changed it and the. The heart's a little pink. It felt like I told you I loved it.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You.

[Bobby Bones]

I'm going to be honest, it was a little pink.

[Michael Lewis]

There was something sentimental when you.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Like when you send it. You was like, do I send the heart now?

[Bobby Bones]

I don't like the color edition.

[Shannon Sharpe]

It's extremely pink.

[Bobby Bones]

Listen to Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Adnan Burke]

What's up, everybody? Adnan Burke here to tell you about a new podcast from iHeart podcast in the National Hockey League. It's NHL unscripted with Burke and D.

[Jason Demers]

Hey, I'm Jason Imers, former 700 game NHL defenseman turned NHL Network analyst. And boy, oh, boy, does daddy have a lot to say.

[Adnan Burke]

I love you, by the way, on NHL Network. We're looking forward to getting together each week to chat and chirp about the sport and all the other things surrounding it that we love. Right.

[Jason Demers]

Yeah, I just met you today, but we're going to have a ton of guests from the colliding worlds of hockey, entertainment and pop culture. And you know what? Tons of back and forth forth on all things NHL.

[Adnan Burke]

Yeah, you're soon going to find out we're not just hockey talk. We get all kinds of random stuff on this podcast. Movies, television, food, wrestling, even the stuff that you wear in NHL.

[Jason Demers]

Now you wish you could pull off my short shorts. Ferky.

[Adnan Burke]

That's short of Kazar Ruckus. Listen to NHL Unscripted with Burke and demers in the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Michael Lewis]

Hey there, it's Michael Lewis, author of Going Infinite Moneyball, the Blind side and Liar's Poker on every season of my podcast, against the Rules, I take a broad look at various characters in American life. The referee, the coach, the expert. My next season is all about fans and what the rise of sports betting is doing to them, to the teams, and even to my family. I'm heading to Las Vegas and New Jersey and beyond to understand America's newest form of legalized gambling. Listen to against the rules on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Justin Pennik]

What's going on everybody? This is Justin Pennik from John Boy Media, the host of the Football Today podcast alongside Bobby Skinner and Chris Rose. We're rolling three times a week, on Mondays, on Wednesdays, on Fridays, breaking down everything you need to know about the NFL. We're talking about the MVP race. Is Josh Allen going to pull it out? Lamar Jackson? Can Saquon Barkley even break the rushing record? Can the Steelers keep up their momentum? We talk about everything. We break it down. Stats, analytics. And of course, Chris Rose is bringing his perspective on being a pro in the media world as well. Listen to Football Today on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and you will be glad you did. Hope you could join us for the postseason run.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Houston Texans get it going in the second half and they pull away from the LA Chargers 3212 score. Gami says that is the first time that a game has ended with a score of 32 12. C.J. stroud 22 33, 281, one touchdown, one interception. Joe Mixon ran the ball really well. 25 carries, a buckle, six one touchdowns, total rushes, Houston 34 for a buck 68 on the touchdown. Nico Collins was sensational day. Seven catches for a buck 22 as they almost triple up the LA Chargers. Justin Herbert did not have a great day. He only threw three interceptions all year. He threw four today, 1432, which is less than 50%, 242 yards. But one of them came on an 86 yard touchdown. So one touchdown, four interception. He was sacked four times. A 13 QBR. They couldn't run the ball. 18 rushes, 50 yards. But Ladd McConkey had himself a day Ocho. He gave it to everybody. Nine catches, a buck 97, one touchdown. But if you go back and look at it, he was really the only one that caught a pass that did it. The tight end, dissolute. He caught two for 16. Fitz caught one for 15. Chart caught one for 10. Davis called one for four. That was it.

[Chad Johnson]

Now listen, listen, the first half, first half was horrible. The first half was very boring. First half was very, very, very boring and very underwhelming. Like, when I think about the Chargers offense, I thought, you know, it would be a high scoring game. I. I just thought it would. Especially having Justin Herbert, Justin Herbert being in the playoffs. I'm like, you know what? Quentin Johnson had a hell of a game last week. Yeah. 198, 87, something like that. So I'm thinking, okay, Quinn Johnson coming in with the confidence after having a game like that. Then Ladarius McConkey, I don't even call him Ladd no more. Lad is short for Ladarius. You know, as far as I'm concerned.

[Shannon Sharpe]

He'S one of us.

[Chad Johnson]

Hey, listen, he had a phenomenal game today. And C.J. stroud in the Texans, they scared me a little bit. They scared me a little bit with the way they were playing in the first half. Now, if it wasn't for the interceptions, if it wasn't for the interceptions that brother Herbert threw, this game might have been a little bit different. And I tweeted after he threw the first one, all right, now you playing around, you gonna pay double for that?

[Shannon Sharpe]

I mean, both of them. I mean, C.J. his interception, that was terrible.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I'm like, bro. And then, and then Herbert came back. I mean, Herbert interception was terrible. They were awful.

[Chad Johnson]

Wait, which one? Well, listen, one was on.

[Shannon Sharpe]

No, no, that was dissily. That was the tight end that dropped it disly. No, you come out the one you talk about, the one in the flat and they got a picture that went.

[Chad Johnson]

Through lad McConkey's hands.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Oh, the one over the middle.

[Chad Johnson]

No, it was, it was, it was like.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, the. Over the middle. What you call them? I know, I know. The one you talking about. Yeah, that was, that was how. I mean, Ocho, he was so tall.

[Chad Johnson]

Now, it was a laugh. Okay, listen, now if your hands, if your hands touch it, especially for somebody like Lad. Ladarius, if the ball touch your hands, you got to have that. You got to have that because it went right. Went right through his hands. Yeah, but, but listen, it was, it was, it was an ugly game, especially the first half. The Texans got it together in the second half.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes.

[Chad Johnson]

Now if I'm not mistaken, didn't see they Shroud gets get sacked three times in the first half, if I'm not mistaken.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, I know my trip.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah. I mean, they have to play better. They have to play. If they're playing. If they were playing a better team, a better offensive team.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I don't know if you get off to the start that they got off the day you play Kansas City. Now, if you play Kansas City or you play the Ravens, you're not going to be getting off to the start because you can't spot. That team is going to put. That team is going to put 14, 17 points on you. Really put you behind the eight ball. But Eric Murray's pick six off of Justin Herbert late in the third quarter gave the Texans a 20 to 6 lead and they didn't look back. Herbert, a brutal day, throwing the football, four interceptions. He had nine completions to lad McConkey and five to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, seven other receivers. So Ladd was getting open. He did a great job. He's done a great job. But then the interceptions that they ended up getting. Stingley Jr. It shows why he's an All Pro. Cause he had a phenomenal back. He got tremendous ball skills. Did a great job. I thought he was going to take that one to the house.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah. Speaking of ball skills, I want to talk about technique. I want to talk about his technique on the double move most of the time. On the double move that the receiver tried to run on him most of the time. DB plays so aggressive and bites on the first move where he's not even in position to recover.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right.

[Chad Johnson]

Man. Not only he bit on a little bit, but then he was able to transition, get back, get his eyes on the ball, and then ping it off. I don't think people, the casual fan, you know, the casual fan watching from home, they just see interception. I mean, just the development on how he got the interception and how he kept himself in position to even make the goddamn play. I'm like. But golly, yeah, he got. He got.

[Shannon Sharpe]

He got great ball skills. He's getting better and better. They did a great job of pressuring. Will Anderson Jr. Had a sack and a half. Mario Edwards Jr. Had a sack and a half. They really got at the Herbert. They neutralize the running game. So now we know. Now we can just go hunt. We can turn and unleash the hounds and we can just go hunting because we have. We know you have no threat of running the football. I'm not even concerned about the. I'm not concerned about you running it. All I'm doing is pinning my ears back. Hey, linebacker, y'all haven't run front fold. Let's go hunting.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah. Now, now listen, Buffalo. Buffalo Broncos would play tomorrow. So who would be the next opponent.

[Shannon Sharpe]

For the Texans if the Broncos win? The Broncos go to Kansas City and the Texans go to Baltimore. Right. If Buffalo wins, Baltimore goes to Buffalo. Houston goes to Kansas City. See, what I tried to tell you. That's what I was trying to tell you. Talking about. You ain't want to hear what I was trying to say. I was just trying to give you the outlines of what was going to happen.

[Chad Johnson]

I mean, I. I like the outline. I like the outline of what you're saying, but we already know how it's going to play out. You know, we understand how it's going to play out.

[Shannon Sharpe]

No, we don't.

[Chad Johnson]

Listen, you know. You know what I got. You know, right now, you're a hopeless romantic, like, in a sense, where it's like a little bit of delusion, you know, when you're not. When you. When you wanted to play out one way instead of having. Instead of reality actually setting it and understanding how it's going to go. It's kind of cute. It's kind of. It's kind of cute. But I understand, you know, the Bronco in. You want you guys to win that game and you go to play. Wait, no. Yeah, you go play, kid. No, What? Kansas City? Yeah, Y'all have. No, no, it ain't happening.

[Shannon Sharpe]

If the Broncos win, the Broncos would go to Kansas City.

[Chad Johnson]

That's what I said.

[Shannon Sharpe]

The Texans would then travel to Baltimore. If Buffalo wins, Baltimore have to pack up, go to Buffalo. The Texans go to Kansas City. So basically, Kansas City gets the lore of the seeds. So the Broncos and the Texans are the lower of the seeds. So the Texans, if the Broncos win, Broncos, seven seed, go to Kansas City. One seed Baltimore, which is the three seed, would travel to the two seed, which is Buffalo.

[Chad Johnson]

Okay, Buffalo wins, right?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Baltimore packs up, goes to Buffalo. They're the lower of the seed, so now they're the higher the seed. See, it goes. If you're the low seed, one's supposed to get the advantage. So we're going to play the lower seed, which would be the Texans or the Broncos.

[Chad Johnson]

Right? So basically, Buffalo's playing Baltimore.

[Shannon Sharpe]

That's why we play the game. That's why we play the game.

[Chad Johnson]

Oh, man. Come on, man.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Let me ask you a question.

[Chad Johnson]

Come on, now.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Did you say. Did you say that with New England, when New England was playing the Giants, did you say, we know who's gonna win?

[Chad Johnson]

No.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay, okay. That's why you play the game.

[Chad Johnson]

Stay with me. Real quick, now. Anytime the Patriots play the Giants, the matchup was Always good. The matchup was always good because they played the Patriots extremely well. Despite them not being a divisional opponent for some reason, the Giants always had the Patriots number.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Why?

[Chad Johnson]

I have no clue. I have no clue. Every time they play it. Well, in this case, in tomorrow's game. We know. You do realize, listen, the three blind mice can see how it's going to go. Buffalo's win that game. Broncos are going to put up a.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Great effort between me and you. The Broncos beat Buffalo last year with Russia.

[Chad Johnson]

I understand, but in Buffalo.

[Shannon Sharpe]

But that ain't none of my business. I don't even know why I brought that up.

[Chad Johnson]

That was regular season, wasn't it?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yep.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, exactly. This is different. These have playoff implications on hand. Then get ready to play Superman, the MVP runner.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Was he not Superman last year?

[Chad Johnson]

Huh?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Was he not Superman last year? Oh, he just turned to Superman this year.

[Chad Johnson]

He was heavily turnover prone last year.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay, I'm just checking.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, I'm just making sure, you know.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Hey, don't worry about my bro. Oh, Bo. Oh, Bo.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, I like both.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I like our Knicks. Yeah, I like Bogard Knicks.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, I like Bogard them. Okay, okay. I'm with you when you're right, but I like Bo. I ain't saying nothing bad about Bo. He's played very well. He's one of the reasons why they're in the playoffs.

[Shannon Sharpe]

When my team in the playoffs. I got two teams in the playoff. I only played for two. I got both of my team in the playoffs. You got no team. You play with more teams than I did and ain't none of them made the playoff.

[Chad Johnson]

No, I'm not. Listen, don't say, oh, man. All right. I like your energy today. I like your energy. I'm glad you feel good. Make sure you have the same energy tomorrow. Make sure you have the same energy tomorrow.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Please, can I enjoy tonight?

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, you can enjoy tonight.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I get 24 hours of joy, this victory.

[Chad Johnson]

Okay. Okay. Because you're gonna have a sad face on tomorrow. Matter of fact, I want you. They want you to wear that same Bronco robe you had on. Wear that robe. Get your Bronco helmet. Get everything. I want all your. All your. Your Bronco memorabilia. Have it. Make sure you have it on the show tomorrow.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I mean, I'll be. I'll be. I'll be My Ravens gear. I gotta have break. I have to. Might have to break my Raven. I have to take my Raven.

[Chad Johnson]

Don't do that. Don't do that. Matter of fact, here, let me get you again. Let me get you an early G. You Broncos tomorrow.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Hold on. I gotta take. I gotta take. I gotta take my Bronco. I mean, my Ravens jers out the frame. Coach a hater. I don't even. Rather. I don't even know why he hate so much. C.J. stroud is now the sixth quarterback in NFL history to win a playoff game in each of his first two seasons. He joins Big Ben Rothenberger, Joe Flacco, Mark Sanchez, Russell Wilson and Brock Purdy. CJ Stroud joins that elite group. Let that sink in for a second. Ben Roethlisberger is going to the hall of Fame. I don't think Joe's gonna make it. Russell Wilson might. Hey, Brock Purdy has his entire career ahead of him. C.J. stroud. I meant. I read O.J. o.J. Ocho. What you call me?

[Chad Johnson]

You call me O.J.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah. Cause I got you on the run. I got him on the road.

[Chad Johnson]

Hold on. I got. I got you. I got your early gift for you. For your Bronco. For you.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Ah, look at it.

[Chad Johnson]

A little gobbles bag. Hey. So you can put your helmet. Put your shoulder pads. Hey, put your cleats. I wanna. I'm gonna get it out. Get it out early for you, huh?

[Shannon Sharpe]

You a hater.

[Chad Johnson]

I ain't hating. I'm just. I'm just trying to help you out. I'm helping back up, matter of fact. And you can meet the Bengals in Cancun.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Nah, we ain't going.

[Chad Johnson]

Talk to me this idea.

[Shannon Sharpe]

C.J. stroud is not the sixth quarterback in NFL history to win a playoff game. In each of his first two starts, he joins Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Flacco, Mark Sanchez, Russell Wilson and brock Purdy. That's six. C.J. stroud, Big Ben, Joe Flacco, Mark Sanchez, Russell Wilson and Brock Purdy are the only quarterbacks in NFL history to win a playoff game in each of their first two seasons. 22 of 33, 282, one touchdown, one interception, three sacks. Joe Mixon ran the ball. This is why they got Joe Mixon. Y'all didn't want Joe mixing anymore. Houston Texas said, gladly. Take him off your hands. 25 carries a buck. O6, one touchdown. Nico Collins was sensational today. Ocho on Nico Collins touchdown. He lines up in that tight ass split and the corner is playing off, so he don't press if you playing off. If he takes off and runs a shallow cross, he gonna score. Yeah, he ran a slant and he jumping up and down. I'm like, what did you expect, bro? That guy that title split and you not gonna press him, you're not gonna put hands on him or nothing.

[Chad Johnson]

Hold on. Well, you gotta understand, huh, the point of having the condensed split is to get the corners to back up. Most of the time it's for receivers that have a problem getting off the ball. Nico's not one of those, One of those players. And anyway, if you do go up there and you press Nego Collins, you gonna get your ass. De Bos, he not little and he's strong, especially up in the press. And he's very, very good in man to man. So you got to pick your poison. You want to play off and make a play on the ball and just.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Make the tackle, you're not, you're not going to make, you're not going, you're not going to make no play on the ball because he got that tight split. He only needs 12 yards. He runs a five yard slant. He catch the ball, he going to drag your ass in the end zone. But my point is with that condensed split, he runs a shallow cross and they got crosses coming. You will get picked off.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, you are.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I'm looking at these guys, I'm like, bro. I'm looking at the guys split. I see guys doing certain things like, bro, why you let lad McConkey? You don't get. I understand that you gotta buzz the flat, you gotta buzz the hook, but at least give him a jam. You let the man go scot free, circle in behind you where you vacated and not reroute him. Yeah. When a guy comes in your lane, your area, ocho, you got to reroute him.

[Chad Johnson]

Got to. You gotta do something.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You gotta do something. You can't let him just free release and just go.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I was like, man, I just, I worry about some of these guys. I'm like, bro, did y'all watch after the game, Alzi Alshir had some words for Rex Ryan. Let's take a listen.

[Chad Johnson]

Wait, wait. Give me, give me better content. Cause I don't even know what Rex said.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You finna find out?

[Chad Johnson]

Here it is now. Rex Ryan said it was going to.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Be a bye week for the Chargers. Your thoughts same on him? I mean, he's coaching his league. He knows, you know, that's, that's just him being, you know, TV guy.

[Chad Johnson]

I don't take it personal because in.

[Shannon Sharpe]

The day he's coaching us, he knows how this league is. It's a week to weekly. This is the best of the best. So he can say what he wants. You know, it is what it Is. But I take that. I don't even take that. That personal. I think maybe he was just, you know, trying to hype himself up for TV or something. Joe Baxter in the locker room, smoking on a cigar, said he had. He was smoking on that Rex Ryan paper. Rex said he didn't realize that the Chargers had earned a bye week because they were playing the Texans. Given the Texans had played poorly over the last month of the season. Obviously players hear everything. If they didn't hear it, somebody sent it to them. That's why Al Z said Z said what he said.

[Chad Johnson]

Listen, honestly, I'm thinking Rex Ryan, obviously thinking it's going to be a bye week for the Chargers is simply because only not only Harbaugh, but the fact that they had Justin Herbert at quarterback, Justin Herbert at the helm. And I think Justin Herbert needs to be held to the same standard that other quarterbacks are held at, that they see as top tier. When we mentioned some of the best quarterbacks in the league, Justice Herbert's name always comes up, right? Based on. Based on, you know, he's the. The. The. The prodigy or the. I'm not sure what word I'm looking for, I'm trying to use here. I don't want to be disrespectful category.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Look, I hold Mahomes, Lamar and Rogers to a different level than I hold anybody because those are the guys that have the MVPs. They've been labeled the best. They've been the guys that's been first team all Pro on multiple occasions. So you have to hold them to a higher standard than you hold everybody else. Now, if you want to put Josh Allen, you want to put Joe Burrow, you want to put some of these other quarterbacks in a group that's a notch below, that's fine. But Joe, Justin Herbert name. Huh?

[Chad Johnson]

Justin Herbert's name is always in that group you just named.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, it is, because Ocho, I think it is because of the tools. You see a guy that's 6 foot 5, 240 pounds, has a right arm, he can make all the throws like a lot of these quarterbacks can. But I don't judge him because he really hadn't really done anything. I mean, he went to what they wanted. The vision around the playoffs. When I talk about Joe Burrow, he's gone to a Super bowl, he's going to an AFC Championship game twice. Josh Allen has gone to an NFC championship game twice. They get the Matthew Stafford, those guys get critiqued a little harder than, say, some of these other lesser tier quarterbacks. But Mahomes, Lamar and Aaron, they get judged the harshest because one guy has four MVPs. A Super Bowl MVP. One guy has two MVPs, three Super Bowl MVPs, and another guy about to have his third regular season MVP. So that's why we judge Lamar the harshest. It's not what you don't say this about Burrow. You should be thankful. You should be thankful that I don't mention him and Burrow in the same breath. I don't mention him and Josh Allen in the same breath because you shouldn't.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, you're right. You're right.

[Shannon Sharpe]

But. But Obogar might have something to say about that tomorrow.

[Chad Johnson]

Has something to say about what?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Ocho? I'm just saying Bogard might have something to say about this.

[Chad Johnson]

I'm just trying. Let's be. Listen, you've been watching football for a long time now. You done been around the game for a long time. You played the game at a very high level. You won a Super Bowl. You won Super Bowls. You're a Hall of Famer. You know the game. You know the game. You understand the game. You know it's a week to week basis when it comes to the playoffs. Now, you know the Broncos do not match up anywhere at any position with the Buffalo Bills. So why do you have this, this sense of hope for the Broncos tomorrow? I don't understand it. You. You acting like a hopeless romantic.

[Shannon Sharpe]

No matter how many times I broke, I had my heart broken, I still believe in love for me.

[Chad Johnson]

Now wait, say it again.

[Shannon Sharpe]

No matter how many times I've had my heart broken, I believe in love.

[Chad Johnson]

Right?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Someone to kiss, someone to miss.

[Chad Johnson]

Hey listen, it's gonna be a good game tomorrow though. And I'm hoping. I'm hoping Bo Nicks can make it interesting. I'm hoping Sean Payton can make it make it interesting. I'm excited to watch Marvin Mams and Cortland Sutton and Washington boys do something, man. But something about that. Got that number 17.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Unbelievable. He's playing.

[Chad Johnson]

He's playing and listening, man. Listen. I'm excited though. It's going to be a good one.

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[Bobby Bones]

Hey, it's Bobby Bones. Join me and former NFL quarterback Matt Castle every Wednesday for our new podcast, Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle. Between us, we have over 17,500 passing yards, multiple New York Times bestsellers, and one mirrorball trophy from Dancing with the Stars. So where else are you gonna find a show with that much athleticism and football insight? Based in Nashville, we're more than just your basic NFL show. We talk sports, but we talk pop culture and music and a little bit of everything because we got lots to say. I texted you, you text me back. Now, I don't know if you have the update, but, like, all the little thumbs up and heart and stuff, like, it's all colored. They changed it and the. The heart's a little pink. It felt like I told you I loved you. I'm going to be honest, it was a little pink.

[Shannon Sharpe]

There was something sentimental when you. Like when. When you send it, it's like, do I send the heart now?

[Bobby Bones]

I don't like the color edition.

[Shannon Sharpe]

It's extremely pink.

[Bobby Bones]

Listen to Lots to Say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Adnan Burke]

What's up, everybody? Ad Nan Burke here to tell you about a new podcast from iHeart podcast in the National Hockey League. It's NHL Unscripted with Virkin Demers.

[Jason Demers]

Hey, I'm Jason Demers, former 700 game NHL defenseman turned NHL Network analyst. And boy, oh, boy, does daddy have a lot to say.

[Adnan Burke]

I love you, by the way, on NHL Network. We're looking forward to getting together each week to chat and chirp about the sport and all the other things to running it that we love. Right?

[Jason Demers]

Yeah, I just met you today, but we're going to have a ton of guests from the colliding worlds of hockey, entertainment and pop culture. And you know what, Tons of back and forth on all things NHL.

[Adnan Burke]

Yeah, you're soon going to find out we're not just hockey talk. We had all kinds of random stuff on this podcast. Movies, television, food, wrestling. Even the stuff that you wear in NHL.

[Jason Demers]

Now you wish you could pull off my short shorts. Forky.

[Adnan Burke]

That shirt of Kazarok. Listen to NHL Unscripted with Burke and demers and the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Michael Lewis]

Hey there, it's Michael Lewis, author of Going Infinite Moneyball the blind side and liars Poker. On every season of my podcast, against the Rules, I take a broad look at various characters in American life. The referee, the coach, the expert. My next season is all about fans and what the rise of sports betting is doing to them, to the teams, and even to my family. I'm heading to Las Vegas and New Jersey and beyond to understand America's newest form of legalized gambling. Listen to against the rules on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcast.

[Justin Pennik]

What's going on, everybody? This is Justin Pennik from John Boy Media, the host of the Football Today podcast alongside Bobby Skinner and Chris Rose. We're rolling three times a week, on Mondays, on Wednesdays, on Fridays, breaking down everything you need to know about the NFL. We're talking about the MVP race. Is Josh Allen going to pull it out? Lamar Jackson? Can Saquon Barkley even break the rushing record? Can this Steelers keep up their momentum? We talk about everything. We break it down. Stats, analytics. And of course, Chris Rose is bringing his perspective on being a pro in the media world as well. Listen to Football Today on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast and you will be glad you did. Hope you could join us for the postseason run.

[Shannon Sharpe]

This week. Three teams with better records than their playoff opponent will hit the road in the wild card round. That's. That is nothing new as the league playoff seating has always rewarded division winners with a home game. But like many years in the past, the league will again review its playoff seating format this offseason. Sources tell CBS Sports the owner has always preferred the current format, but there could be an appetite for change that reward teams with a better record with their home playoff game. That's not right. That's the whole purpose of winning your division.

[Chad Johnson]

Right?

[Shannon Sharpe]

So now because, because oh, we got a 15, we got a what? A 14 win team that's on the road. Really? So like we haven't had that before. They didn't win that. It happened. Ocho, it's not often that you have a 15 win team and you have a 14 win team in the same division, right? Derrick Henry is the first guy to rush for at least 1900 yards and not win the rushing title. So what are we going to do now? Go back and look at strength of schedule? No, he didn't win. Somebody had more wins. Okay. It is what it is. Y'all gotta stop. NFL, stop this. I think y'all have done enough to the rules and everything. Now y'all want to Take. Now y'all want to take the onside kick out.

[Chad Johnson]

Listen, and you know, you know what their excuse will be. Everything that we're doing is for the betterment of the game, to improve. To improve the game. Now, what they've done so far, and I mean no disrespect, I understand safety and wanting to protect the players, but also protect the shield, is you're watering down the game of football. And with football was known and played as. It's not the same. It's not the same. And you continue to. You continue to. It's like getting surgery. It's like you see a woman that continues to get surgery over and over and over when the body of work was perfectly fine. Keep messing with God's work, and now you look like a goddamn.

[Shannon Sharpe]

And that's the thing. Don't y'all be pretty. So. So pretty soon we'll take the punt out. I mean, you taking the kickoff out. Just take the punt out. Take the onside kick. You've already done whatever that. I don't know what they call that new kickoff rule where the guy. You can't move until the guy catch the ball. I mean, Ocho, you playing an inherently dangerous game. I don't care. Listen, I don't care how many airbags you add. I don't care. The seat belt. I don't care if you add carbon fiber or whatever you add. When you drive at a high rate of speed, things happen. Yeah, I don't care. So when you play the game of football and you take a big man and he runs into a bigger man at a high rate of speed, that's not what the human body was meant to do.

[Chad Johnson]

Right? You. Right.

[Shannon Sharpe]

So you're at. So it's going to happen. You trying to make an inherently dangerous game safe. I don't know how.

[Chad Johnson]

You can't. You can't. I'm not sure why they can't get that through their skulls. It's impossible. Not only is it impossible, the dimensions of the field, they haven't changed yet. No, but the players playing in today's.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Game, they got bigger and faster.

[Chad Johnson]

Listen, they gotten bigger, they gotten faster, they gotten stronger, but the dimensions of the field haven't changed. So that means at a high rate of speed, when running, the collisions are still the same.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Exactly.

[Chad Johnson]

Now you tell them, well, you can't hit people in a certain way. You can't leave with your head. Well, how else do you tackle? You don't tackle with your face.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Hell, no.

[Chad Johnson]

You don't tackle with your Face, you gonna get somebody, somebody gonna break their damn neck.

[Shannon Sharpe]

But guess what, Ocho? And you've increased the game. You've gone from 12 to 16 to 17, about to go to 18. But you want to make the game safer.

[Chad Johnson]

No.

[Shannon Sharpe]

The more times you do so, the more times you get on the interstate and drive, the greater your risk are for a car wreck. So the more times you add games to it, there's a greater chance players are going to get hurt.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

And it's just, it's just common sense. It's the law of average.

[Chad Johnson]

Right. I think the league, the league should just come out and say, listen, we're doing all that we can to make.

[Shannon Sharpe]

As much money as we can to make as much.

[Chad Johnson]

There we go. You took the words right out of my mouth. That's it. Because that's the bottom line at the end of the day anyway. That's in any business, especially a business like this, especially a million dollar business like this. At the end of the day, we're trying to find ways to make as much money as possible. And if adding gains is going to be it, so be it.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, and I'm okay with that because that's. I mean, you can't, you can't, you can't. Since we want to make this safer. Under the guys who said, well, look at the rules. But you add more games, you increase guys chance of getting injured by you, by playing. I mean, look, you keep running across the street, sooner or later something bad gonna happen. Ocho, you keep crossing the bed at the intersection, something's gonna happen eventually.

[Chad Johnson]

Oh, yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You can only tilt fate so many times. I get it. The kickoff is. Yes. You got big guys riding at a high rate of speed and got. Look, I get all that. I understand it and I understand trying to make the game safe. But you can't say I'm trying to make this game safe on one hand, adding games. On the other hand, by the same token, as you mentioned, the dimensions of the field haven't changed or the roster size.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

So what about that? Are you going to add more? Of course not, Ocho. Because if you add five more players, that's a couple of extra million dollars that the owners are going to have to pay.

[Chad Johnson]

Have to pay. Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

So I'm trying. I'm confused. Oh, we'll give y'all more. Practice squad, man. The practice squad players, now they listen, I mean, they won't make it 8, 9, what a practice squad player make maybe $10,000 a week good money. Get out there, practice something you love more than you go. I promise you, it's more than you gonna make on a job. If you got a degree, you got your degree. Some guys have their degree by the time they graduate. You're probably not going to go make 1 70, $200,000 on your first job. No. So, hey, I get to play football, blah blah, blah. Hey, I'm going to get called up. Hey, who knows what might happen? Somebody might. Hey, somebody might sign me to the active roster. Then I get a man guarantee. But if something got to change, if y'all keep adding these games, you got to add. You got to add the roster size, you got to increase it. It's only fair.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

What do we got? Practice squad players could earn between 12,521, 300, depending on their experience level. Rookies and second year player earn a minimum of 12,500 a week. That club money, Ocho.

[Chad Johnson]

Really? That's really cool.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I was on the acting roster. They make that. I made 63,000 a year.

[Chad Johnson]

That was back in the day. Now you played 37 years ago now.

[Shannon Sharpe]

So, you know, I don't give a damn they cheated. I want restitution. Veterans with at least three years of experience can earn a minimum of 16,800 with a max of 21,300. So, hey, a practice squad player can legitimately make 3, 400,000. Yeah, man, I was first team all pro. It made three hundred and twenty five.

[Chad Johnson]

Long time ago, boy. Time. Times have changed. But look, but look, but look at. Look what? Look how God has blessed you now.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Oh, I ain't complaining. Yeah, I want back pay, though.

[Chad Johnson]

Listen, if you getting back pay, then I need to file a lawsuit because I want all my fines back. All my fines. I need to talk to Merton Hanks. I need to talk to Paul Tagliabu. I need to talk to Roger Goodell. Everything you find me for that is now celebrated and allowed. I need my money back.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Hey, nah, hey, that money. I didn't jack that money off anyway, so. Ain't no sense. Ain't no sense to me lying on your. Don't give me that. Because I. Hey, the little money I had, I. There wasn't no saving back then.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, I feel you.

[Shannon Sharpe]

There wasn't no savings back then.

[Chad Johnson]

I got a question.

[Shannon Sharpe]

What's that?

[Chad Johnson]

If anybody ever really looked in to where that fine money goes, they say it goes to charity. Have we asked these charities are they really literally getting the money that they take from us or somebody pocketing it at.

[Shannon Sharpe]

But here's the thing. Though. You don't get to write it off, though. Yeah, they write it off. Yeah, that. You know, I think if I'm not mistaken, I think they just gave $5 million for the, the, the fire department. The NFL did. Didn't they get $5 million? That's probably your fine money. Some of it.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah. See, so it goes somewhere. I just don't know who is lying in somebody pocket.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, you're right. You're right. But that's all I'm saying. If, if, if you're going to keep increasing games, you're going to have to increase roster size. You got to, you got to, you got to go to a 50, 51, man Ross game day roster.

[Chad Johnson]

Right?

[Shannon Sharpe]

And maybe even a 50, maybe even a 53, 56 roster during the course of the week. Keep 18, 16, 18 practice squad guys. I get that. That's fine.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

But to, to, to ask the players to play this many more games, Ocho.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Now eventually, you know, they're gonna add an eight team to the playoffs too, though. Yeah. Oh, that's coming.

[Chad Johnson]

You know what that does?

[Shannon Sharpe]

That's more.

[Chad Johnson]

What?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Money. Ocho. There's. That's the only way. What else can you sell? You're not adding. You're not adding another. There's not another team. So you're not gonna get that 6, $7 billion to split up between the owners. Right? So the only way, these streaming services, Netflix, Amazon, they'll pay, but you got to give them something to pay for.

[Chad Johnson]

Right?

[Shannon Sharpe]

The game was on Amazon. The first game was on Paramount plus right. Streaming platform. They got bookoo money and they're in a lot of homes, 180 countries. Netflix, Amazon, give them something. What would y'all be willing to play for a playoff game? 100 mil. What if we give you 2? Would you give us 175 for 2? Put your discount of 25. Give you something. Yeah, give you something, Ocho.

[Chad Johnson]

Yes, sir.

[Shannon Sharpe]

And that's. And so I, I don't have a problem. I won't. I want the league to make as much money as you they possibly can. I want the players to make as much money as they possibly can. But you have to understand by adding this. Give the players, Give more players an opportunity.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

It's okay. I promise. I promise you owners, y'all ain't gonna go broke. If you add three. If you add three to five more players to the active roster, you're not gonna go. I promise.

[Chad Johnson]

They're not, they. Listen, they're not gonna go broke, but you have to Understand, owners, at the end of the day, they don't want to pay that much money. They want to keep making money, but they don't want players keep taking pieces of the pie.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right.

[Chad Johnson]

That they don't want. They want to add the games.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Well, that's why they. That's why they locked y'all last out in 2011. Oh, yeah, upside down. The players got 52, and the owners got 48.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

So they changed the door, locked y'all out.

[Chad Johnson]

I remember that.

[Shannon Sharpe]

And guess what? Not a piece flip. But basically, yeah, they get, like, tv, but they still get to sell local television, local radio, local sponsorship. Y'all see. Y'all see all those sponsorships up in the stadium?

[Chad Johnson]

Hey, speak. Hey, speaking of. Speaking of sponsorship, how much you think it would cost to have my name instead of it be Paycore Stadium? What if I wanted the Bengals thing to be Chad Johnson Stadium?

[Shannon Sharpe]

How much you do it for a minimum of 10 years.

[Chad Johnson]

Okay, but how much would that be?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Probably 50 to 100 million.

[Chad Johnson]

Oh, hell, can you imagine that? Could you imagine if I had the money or just the liquid or the assets to have the naming rights to the Bango stadium? That would be. That'd be dope.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I don't want that if I got that kind of money. I don't. People say nothing. Like, I was reading this thing the other day, and the guy said, if you got 25 million, you got f. You money, right? I won't go to hell money. I want to be able to tell somebody to go to hell. I want it fu. Die. No, no. Go to hell. Right, right, right. So I think you need, like, 100 mil to be able to do that. You could be comfortable. Comfortable. I want to be comfortable sitting on a hoodie.

[Chad Johnson]

I like it. I like it.

[Shannon Sharpe]

That's what. I'm retired, Ash. Jordan. It's been fun.

[Chad Johnson]

Made you out. You out.

[Shannon Sharpe]

No, no, no, no, no. Y'all will keep running it, y'all. You could be in charge. You could be in charge. You may charge that as you got a few money. I. I ain't tell y'all about that big farm ass mom got.

[Chad Johnson]

What happened? What happened?

[Shannon Sharpe]

She got a farm, people. What?

[Chad Johnson]

So she gonna get the mini cows and stuff.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Oh, and in the farm. It's a ranch. She sold. She sold it. She sold one. Got a little smaller one. Say it was. You know, she got. They got working hands and everything.

[Chad Johnson]

Ask. Got that money, boy.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Ash, no. Okay. Because she work hard. I give her credit that she does work hard. That's one thing. Ash Is very money motivated. Yeah.

[Michael Lewis]

Yes.

[Chad Johnson]

There we go.

[Shannon Sharpe]

She's very motivated and I like that ultra. Check this out. Atlanta Falcons and fired defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake after a disappointing season. The side of the ball, the team announced today. Lake had been with the Falcons for just a single season, coming over from the Rams with first year Atlanta coach Raheem Morris. Lake was an assistant coach. Assistant head coach with The Rams in 2023. Previously he was head coach at the University of Washington. Atlanta finished with an 89 record. Missed the playoffs after starting 6 and 3. His best start since 2016. Team Super bowl season after Week 18 overtime lost to the Panthers on Sunday, Morris was visibly upset with how the team's defense performed. It allowed 44 points. Morris said he was really shocked that the defense didn't come out to play. Over the course of the season, the Falcons alive the highest quarterback completion percentage in NFL at 70% and the second most touchdown passes with 34. Atlantis finished second to last in the NFL with sacks 31 and quarterback pressures at 28.1%.

[Chad Johnson]

Well said. There's a problem right there. You just said it. You finished second to last in quarterback pressures and in sacks. And then you expect Jesse Bates, AJ Terrell, Justin Simmons, and I'm not sure who's on the other side of AJ Terrell, but you expect them to cover people all damn day. All damn day long.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Quarterback completed 70% of the passes.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, and it's surprising that a coach will get fired with some of the names that I just said that they have on that defense. It's. It's surprising. But that starts also up front. Yeah, that starts with who am I from? For who's putting the pressure.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You got Grady Jarrett, Matthew Judon. I like Grady Jarrett. Solid. Matthew Judon did not have the season that he kind of, I guess he expected to have. Right. But you're gonna have to. You're gonna have to go out and be a major player in the free agent market. Yeah, you're gonna have to go, hey, what do you play? Trey Hendrickson's gonna probably be available. Yeah, you go and you know in Francis Ocho, you got to overspend. You got to overspend in 300. That's just the rule of thumb.

[Chad Johnson]

Every time. Every time. And. And mo. And most of the time you. Most of the time, some of the players you're going to have to overspend for. You get your money's worth, though.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes.

[Chad Johnson]

Compound the players. You get your money's worth because look.

[Shannon Sharpe]

A lot of times that Guy's already established in the community. He has a foundation. Sometimes, not all. Sometimes they have wife, they have kids that's already enrolled in school. So they've already entrenched themselves in the community. Now you want him to pull that up, pull that fabric up and leave? Well, what's it worth? It? It's gonna have to cost you because you gotta talk to my. Hey, you know, we gotta move. It's like, damn, baby, we just said, you know.

[Chad Johnson]

But I talked to y'all talk to the wife.

[Justin Pennik]

Yes.

[Chad Johnson]

You know, listen, that, that's. That's the scary thing about being a coach. Not only being a coach, but being a married coach at that. Being a player. Being a married player at that. Especially if you're not. Not one of the ones. If you're not one of the ones. At any moment, at any time, if a season doesn't go right, it doesn't go the way it should go, and you get fired. Now you got to go home, you got to explain to your wife, you know, baby, right now I'm out of work. I'm out of work, and we might have to uproot everything, move. Kids got to find another school. You have to find another job. Unless you're a stay at home mom.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah.

[Chad Johnson]

You know, everything you got to start on, you got to start all over. That has to be tiresome.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, Culture is like the military. Ocho. You already know you're gonna move, right? And you're gonna move a lot. You're gonna be in Germany, you're gonna be in Guam, you're gonna be in Japan, you're gonna be in all over the place. You're gonna be in. In California, you're gonna be in Florida, you're gonna be in Georgia, Texas. You're gonna be all. You understand that? Also, if you're a Pentecostal minister, you're gonna move, right? If you're a coach, you're going to move. I don't give a damn how great you are. Coach Belichick. Coach Belichick started out, look at. He was in Detroit, he was in the Giants. He's with Cleveland. Cleveland. He's with the Cleveland. He's with the Patriots. Then he went to the jets, and now he was the Patriots. Now he's in North Carolina. You're going to have to move. Yeah, you're going to have to move. Even most of the coaches, Andy Reid, Andy was in San Francisco. Then he went to Green Bay, Then he went to Philly in Kansas City. You're going to move.

[Chad Johnson]

You got to love what you do, you got to really have a passion for coaching and love what you do. To be able to do that, you.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Gotta find a partner.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Also okay with that and understanding long hours. So don't get. Don't go start dating the coach. I ain't know. Huh?

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Shannon Sharpe]

It's just like, look, if you marry a quarterback, the really good ones. Yeah, they devoted to that thing. They spend so much time with that clicker. And so that's what you, you know, you. You ma. He's married to the game. You married to him married to the game. Right. And you understand that. But, yeah, the Falcons, I'm not surprised. Hey, Mr. Blake, you should have just went ahead and gave up those two first rounders and got Lamar.

[Chad Johnson]

Lamar, he wouldn't have had no problem.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Lamar 28. Hell, Michael Phoenix Jr. Is 24. He four years younger. Lamar done been in the league damn near seven, eight years.

[Chad Johnson]

Can you just imagine? Just the thought.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Just imagine Andrew took him away from Baltimore chat.

[Chad Johnson]

Look at this chat. Like, close your eyes real quick and just imagine Lamar Jackson wearing that eight in Atlanta. And that city would be upside down, man. Upside down.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Oh, well, the volume.

[Bobby Bones]

Hey, it's Bobby Bones. Join me and former NFL quarterback Matt Castle every Wednesday for our new podcast, Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle. Between us, we have over 17,500 passing yards, multiple New York Times bestsellers, and one mirrorball trophy from Dancing with the Star. So where else are you gonna find a show with that much athleticism and football insight? We talk sports, but we talk pop culture and music and a little bit of everything. Listen to Lots to Say with Bobby Bones and Matt castle on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Michael Lewis]

Hey there, it's Michael Lewis, author of Going Infinite Moneyball, the Blind side and Liars Poker. On the latest season of my podcast, against the Rules, I'm exploring what it means to be a sports fan in America and what the rise of sports betting is doing to our teams, our states, and ourselves. Join me and listen to against the Rules on America's number one podcast network, iHeart. Open your free iHeart app and search against the Rules. Listen to against the rules on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Adnan Burke]

What's up, everybody? Adnan Burke here to tell you about a new podcast. It's NHL Unscripted with Virk and Demers.

[Jason Demers]

Jason Demers here. And after playing 700 NHL games, I got a lot of dirty laundry to air out.

[Adnan Burke]

Hey, I got a lot to say here, too, okay? Each week we'll get together to chat about the sport that we love.

[Jason Demers]

Tons of guests are going to join in, too. But we're not just going to be talking hockey, folks. We're talking movies. We're talking TV, food, and Adnan's favorite wrestling. It's all on Le Table.

[Adnan Burke]

Listen to NHL Unscripted with Virk and Demers, the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Justin Pennik]

What's up, everyone? It's Justin Penik from John Boy Media, the host of the Football Today podcast with Bobby Skinner and Chris Rose. We roll three times a week. On Mondays, on Wednesdays, on Fridays. Breaking down everything you need to know about the NFL. We're gearing up for the NFL playoffs. I hope you can join us. Join in with us three times a week. Listen to Football Today on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast and you will be glad you did.