NFL Cover Zero: 0-2 Chiefs, Burrow & Allen Injuries, and Power Rankings!

KSR Podcast | iHeartPodcasts & Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM)
Date: September 15, 2025
Hosts: Matt Jones (reporting from South Africa), Drew Franklin, Billy (Facts of the Game)

Episode Overview

Matt Jones, while on location in Stellenbosch, South Africa, joins Drew Franklin and Billy for their weekly NFL Cover Zero breakdown. Despite the miles, the crew delivers fresh reactions and debate after a dramatic Week 2 NFL slate. Key themes include the Kansas City Chiefs’ surprising 0-2 start, critical injuries to Joe Burrow and Josh Allen, and evolving early season power rankings. The episode also features their signature blend of football analysis and playful banter—including international travel comedy, wild tangents about pop stars, and ongoing jokes about yogurt stores and stadium kickers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Matt’s South Africa Adventure

• Matt is podcasting from a vineyard near Cape Town, South Africa, at 1am local time ([01:32]–[07:33]).
• Drew and Billy joke about technical difficulties and discuss Matt’s arduous 15-hour flight (“you can watch an entire movie, two Gilded Age episodes, and you’re barely a third of the way there”—Drew, [04:08]).
• Amusing reflection on how global connectivity means “Ian Eagle can still be on your lap the whole time” ([07:35]).
• Running bit about local food (“brekkie” sandwiches from “Wimpy”), and Matt’s comically perilous trips to a yogurt store ([37:00]–[40:30]).

2. Game of the Week: Eagles 20, Chiefs 17

• Chiefs fall to 0-2, raising alarms for the defending champs.
• The pivotal moment: Travis Kelsey’s dropped pass near the goal line, intercepted by Philly, swings the game ([09:00]).
  • “If he catches that, there’s a very good chance that the Chiefs win the game” — Matt ([09:13]).
• Kelsey’s mistakes (running into Worthy Week 1, the drop Week 2) spark retirement speculation and “is this the end?” melodrama.
  • “He has two huge errors for a 13 year veteran in two games”—Matt ([09:57]).
  • “Is it just married life or is it that he’s old?”—Drew ([10:20])
• Humorous aside comparing their podcast to the Kelce brothers’ show, riffing on celebrity gossip and Travis’ dating life ([11:47]–[12:36]).
• Chiefs’ rough upcoming schedule outlined ([14:12]), making a playoff return far from assured.
  • “They, the season from hell, is at least on the table”—Matt ([15:11]).

Billy’s Game Fact:

• “Since 2021, the Eagles have run the tush push 150 times... back to back times to score a one yard touchdown.” — Billy ([15:39])
• Debate erupts over the excitement and fairness of the “tush push” play: Matt calls it boring and wants to see rules adjusted.

3. Cowboys 40, Giants 37 (OT): The Craziest Showdown

• The most entertaining game so far: wild lead changes, three touchdowns in the closing minutes, and a 64-yard field goal ([21:05]).
• Both Matt and Drew freak out over Kentucky’s Wan’Dale Robinson’s go-ahead TD late, only for the Cowboys to storm back ([23:19]).
• Giants’ Russell Wilson throws a “punt” interception in OT—coaching, QB, and time management criticized ([23:48], [24:56]).
• Drew: “Do not lose… and they found a way to do the one thing you would do, which is throw an interception and lose.” ([23:39])
• Russell Wilson’s job security discussed—no “Jackson Dart for QB1” just yet.

Billy’s Game Fact:

• “Giants have lost nine consecutive games on the road vs Dallas. And now 16 of the last 17 games played.” — Billy ([30:45])

4. QB Injuries & the Bengals’ Grit

Bengals 31, Jaguars 27

• Joe Burrow’s toe injury likely sidelines him for weeks—huge blow, but team starts 2-0 for the first time since 2018 ([26:23]).
• Backup Jake Browning goes “92 yards on the final drive”; Matt shares deep-cut Jake Browning trivia ([26:46]–[28:48]).
  • “He has the national record for most touchdowns in high school… guaranteed (university) business school admission as a recruit” ([27:14]).
• Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence and OC Liam Coen: “they already have a look of a couple on the rocks.” — Drew ([29:23])
  • “They thought they had this great offensive mind coming in… looking like it's in trouble already.” — Matt ([29:30])

Billy’s Game Fact:

• “Cincinnati is now 2-0 for the first time since 2018. Travis Hunter had 81 snaps, 42 on offense, 39 on defense.” ([31:05])

5. Highs, Lows & Overreactions: Patriots, Dolphins, and Lowly Teams

Patriots 35, Dolphins 30

• Tua’s critical red zone interception leads Matt to call the “end of the Tua era” ([33:04]).
• Discussion of new kickoff rules and return touchdowns—creating more excitement—but confusion remains.
• Both hosts trade blows on which team is, in fact, “worst in the NFL,” vacillating between the Dolphins, Saints, and Titans ([35:10]).
• Patriots finally hit 30 points for the first time in nearly three seasons; Matt is shocked ([35:31]–[40:55]).

6. Rest of the NFL: Hits & Whiffs

• Seahawks impress on the road versus Steelers—Aaron Rodgers struggles: “He does not want to be hit… you got to bring the pressure.” — Drew ([45:41])
• 49ers, despite injuries and backup Mac Jones (three TDs), roll the hapless Saints.
  • “I think the Saints are the worst team in the league.” — Matt ([48:51])
• Lions annihilate Bears 52-21; Bears “pitiful,” and Lions offense looks restored ([55:53]).
• Cam Ward (Titans rookie QB) gets hype despite another Titans loss—potential rookie of the year? ([57:55]–[59:37])
• Ravens rout Browns—Flacco nostalgia, but time to play rookie QBs discussed ([60:03]–[61:02]).
• Bills cruise vs Jets; Josh Allen survives a nasty hit but “I can breathe. We’re alright.”—Allen ([62:05]–[63:14])
• Cardinals squeak out a win over Panthers, despite nearly blowing a 27-3 lead. Final play: Bryce Young “ran 45 yards backwards… and fumbled” ([64:10]).

7. Power Rankings: Early Leaders & Controversy

• Both hosts debate the top five teams after two weeks:
  • General consensus: Bills, Eagles, Ravens, Packers, Lions (in some order).
  • Chiefs drop out after 0-2 start.
  • “Bills and the Ravens… that is going to be a war for who comes out of that conference.” — Matt ([66:08])
  • “There’s always one game in week one that doesn’t make any sense.” — Drew ([57:23])

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “Of all the locations I’ve ever done a show, I can tell you one I’ve never done... I am in Stellenbock, South Africa, at a ranch outside of Cape Town.” — Matt Jones ([01:33])
• “Is this the day the music died? … does it end today with that drop?” — Matt on Travis Kelsey and the Chiefs’ dynasty ([09:42])
• “Are you out on the Chiefs yet? 0-2… are you done?” — Drew ([13:42])
• “If the Titans have a rival, it’s the Colts. I hate them… Then they went on to score on their first 10 possessions of the season. It’s an NFL record.” — Matt ([54:42])
• “He has the national record for most touchdowns in high school. That’s probably something you didn’t know.” — Drew, on Jake Browning ([27:22])
• “You can watch an entire movie, two Gilded Age episodes, and you’re barely a third of the way there.” — Matt, about a 15-hour flight ([04:08])
• “[Eagles’] tush push… Let’s all do a quarterback sneak and push the guy in front of us. Exciting play.” — Matt, deadpan ([16:07])
• “Mind your business. I’m a free man, right? I’m 40. I said, I’m going across the street to get yogurt.” — Matt, on being shadowed in South Africa ([37:54])
• “A man climbing over a barbed wire fence with eight huge individuals just waiting on the other side… I wanted him to get over that fence so bad just to see what the next step was.” — Matt, on the viral Zach Bryan fight ([71:06])

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [01:33]–[07:33]: Matt’s trip to South Africa, 15-hour flight stories, and technical hurdles.
• [09:00]–[16:57]: Chiefs-Eagles recap, Kelsey’s crucial drop, and the “tush push” debate.
• [21:05]–[24:56]: Cowboys-Giants thriller, OT insanity, and Giants’ painful loss.
• [26:18]–[29:23]: Bengals win/Joe Burrow injury; Jake Browning deep-dive.
• [33:04]–[40:55]: Patriots-Dolphins recap, Tua worries, Patriots score milestone.
• [45:10]–[47:14]: Seahawks-Steelers, Rodgers in decline, and Seattle’s rise.
• [48:51]–[53:52]: 49ers-Saints, Mac Jones cameo, kicker trivia.
• [54:42]–[55:53]: Colts-Broncos, Daniel Jones redemption, early-season records.
• [55:53]–[57:23]: Lions crush Bears, NFC North implications.
• [57:55]–[59:37]: Titans-Rams, rookie Cam Ward, Titans’ ongoing misery.
• [60:03]–[61:02]: Ravens dominate, rookie QBs in Cleveland.
• [62:05]–[63:14]: Bills destroy Jets, Allen’s bloody nose, quick hits.
• [64:10]–[65:14]: Cardinals-Panthers drama; Bryce Young’s crazy final play.
• [65:47]–[67:36]: Power Rankings: Who are the elite teams after two weeks?
• [67:57]–[71:41]: South African food/life tangent, travel tips, and closing Singapore rugby/fight video riff.

Conclusion

Despite the miles, Matt Jones delivers sharp NFL takes and comic relief from South Africa. Week 2’s central themes—Chiefs’ shocking slide, QB chaos, backup heroics, and shifting league hierarchy—play out while hosts riff effortlessly between stats and wild anecdotes. The episode ends with travel tips, rugby upsets, and a viral country music bar-fight video, true to the KSR crew’s tradition of mixing football analysis with full-sprint, off-the-rails fun.

Notable Segments for New Listeners:

• [09:00–16:57] Chiefs/Eagles struggle & dynasty collapse
• [21:05–24:56] Cowboys-Giants instant classic
• [26:18–29:23] Joe Burrow injury crisis, Jake Browning legend
• [37:00–40:30] Matt’s yogurt store adventure in South Africa
• [65:47–67:36] Power Rankings: Who’s really on top after two weeks?

Quotes, stats, and banter are directly attributed in original voices and timecodes for contextual clarity.