KSR Podcast Summary – “NFL Cover Zero: A Wild, Wild Weekend!”
Podcast: Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR)
Episode: NFL Cover Zero: A Wild, Wild Weekend!
Date: January 12, 2026
Hosts: Matt Jones, Drew Franklin, Billy
Theme: Recap and analysis of the NFL Wild Card weekend – one of the most unpredictable and thrilling in recent memory.
Episode Overview
Matt Jones and the KSR crew break down one of the wildest NFL Wild Card weekends ever, featuring historic comebacks, coaching controversy, fan stories, and the unique traditions and personalities that make playoff football unforgettable. Drew Franklin’s Bears finally break through after 13 years, leading to lively debate on destiny, key turning points, and the unforgettable atmosphere at Soldier Field. The team also looks ahead to the divisional matchups, shares NFL lore, and dives into fan culture—from cheese graters to bucket-list Super Bowl trips.
Highlights & Key Discussion Points
1. Wild Card Recap: Edge-of-Seat Finishes
- Comedown from a Snoozer: The crew jokes about the only letdown being the Patriots-Chargers, with all other Wild Card games ending in edge-of-your-seat drama.
- “First four games of the weekend, the team leading with two minutes left ended up losing…just shows you the chaotic finishes we got in every game.” (Matt Jones, 03:41)
- Historic Parity: The episode opens with Drew and Matt marveling at how open the field is this year, with perennial favorites knocked out and new heroes emerging.
- “For four of the five games so far in the wild card playoff, as exciting a round of exciting four games as you could have…” (Drew Franklin, 03:13)
2. Bears-Packers Thriller & Chicago Euphoria
- Drew’s Personal Joy: Drew describes the emotional rollercoaster of the Bears’ first playoff win in 13 years.
- “As a Bears fan, it’s the best win since the Super Bowl…the best atmosphere of any we saw.” (Drew Franklin, 04:11; Matt Jones, 14:13)
- Atmosphere at Soldier Field: The hosts emphasize the magic of a cold, night playoff game in Chicago, arguing it’d be a mistake to ever move the team to a domed stadium.
- “Part of what makes it great, it’s night, it’s cold. Everybody’s, like, in this thing together.” (Drew Franklin, 06:41)
- Caleb Williams’ Breakout: Major focus on rookie QB Caleb Williams’ calm under pressure and his “impossible” game-winning throw.
- “That throw on fourth and eight…is that one of the best throws you’ve ever seen?” (Drew Franklin, 07:10)
- “He couldn’t have walked out there and put the ball in a better place, handed it to the receiver, three guys encircling him.” (Matt Jones, 07:11)
- Packers Collapse: The group skewers Green Bay for their clock mismanagement and botched kicking, referencing coach LaFleur’s history of poor decision-making.
- “How do you get a delay of game out of a timeout?” (Matt Jones, 08:29)
- Fan Culture: The rise of the “cheese grater” as a Bears fan anti-Packers symbol—recalling wrestling legend Abdullah the Butcher’s predilection for cheese graters.
- “How did that guy get a cheese grater in?” (Drew Franklin, 11:10)
- “I love it. The guy was making cheesehead hats for Packers fans…Then he flips on the Packers and makes them cheese graters, and he can’t even keep up with the orders.” (Matt Jones, 11:52)
- Ben Johnson’s Coaching Swagger: Bears coach Ben Johnson calls out Matt LaFleur by name in the postgame, and the team debates sports hate and rivalry authenticity.
- “He says, blank the Packers. I bleeping hate the Packers, several times. Fair or foul?” (Drew Franklin, 15:20)
- “I’m going to say fair. He just won a big game against the Packers…Let them have their fun.” (Matt Jones, 15:31)
3. Debating the Bears’ Future
- Destiny or Real Contender? Are the Bears just riding a lucky streak or is this a legit title run?
- “Even we’re making plans about going to the Super Bowl…I really believe in them.” (Matt Jones, 18:20)
- Value of Fan Experience: Jokes about paying $12,000 for a Super Bowl ticket vs. just experiencing the city.
- “Would you pay that to watch?”… “No, but I wouldn’t pay $12,000 to go by myself.” (Billy & Drew, 19:40–19:54)
- The Super Bowl Shuffle Returns? Fantasizing about reviving the ‘85 Bears’ iconic Super Bowl Shuffle if Chicago makes it.
- “Maybe the old guys can come back and, like, paint their nails and wear the earrings like Caleb Williams…as he shuffles.” (Matt Jones, 52:09)
4. Other Wild Card Games in Focus
Rams vs. Panthers
- Stafford’s Heroics: Praise for Rams QB Matthew Stafford’s ice-cold, two-minute drive; Drew picked the Rams as his Super Bowl hopefuls but marvels at the Panthers’ resilience.
- “Stafford looked like an MVP when he had to go down the field and get a two-minute drive for a touchdown.” (Drew Franklin, 24:50)
- Bryce Young’s Growth: The crew finds hope for Carolina despite the loss, noting Young’s poise in comeback situations and surprise playmaking.
- “If I’m a Panthers fan, I’m excited about him…he proved to not give up on him.” (Matt Jones, 26:10)
- Panthers’ Fan Favorites & Legends: Lively ranking of the Panthers’ all-time stars and why Cam Newton remains larger-than-life in Charlotte fan culture.
- “He was beating the drum. But man, they love him in Charlotte.” (Billy and Matt Jones, 26:37)
Bills vs. Jaguars
- Allen vs. Lawrence: Josh Allen shines; even an injury-filled first half can’t slow his dominance.
- “Josh Allen. You give me Josh Allen against another quarterback, I’m taking Josh Allen.” (Drew Franklin, 28:43)
- “He was awesome again today. And it like a superhuman effort.” (Matt Jones, 28:58)
- Trevor Lawrence’s Limits: Despite steady play, Lawrence’s late turnovers seal the Jaguars’ fate.
- Support for Struggling Players & Reporters: The team defends a Jacksonville beat reporter’s supportive comments to Jaguars OC Liam Cohen, pushing back on social media negativity.
- “She sounded so sweet…But she’s getting crushed on the Internet. If you want a symbol of why our society is falling apart…” (Drew Franklin, 33:34–34:05)
49ers vs. Eagles
- 49ers Perseverance: San Francisco battles through injuries to stay alive, while handsome D-coordinator Robert Saleh gets repeated TV face-time.
- “Insane what the 49ers have gone through… just throwing people together. And now they’re onto the second wind of the weekend of the playoffs.” (Matt Jones, 39:57)
- Eagles’ Dysfunction: Team chemistry issues explode, as A.J. Brown refuses media interviews after clashing with coach Sirianni.
- “A.J. Refused to talk to the media… He’ll never play for them again.” (Matt Jones, 41:20)
- Rest vs. Rust: Matt argues the Eagles looked rusty after a week off, contending it contributed to the mistakes.
Patriots vs. Chargers
- Notably, this was the “one dud”:
- “That was our payback for four games being good.” (Drew Franklin, 48:18)
- Frustration with Chargers’ Playoff Performances: Calls to ban the consistently underperforming Chargers from future playoffs.
- “I don’t think they should be allowed to be in the playoffs anymore.” (Drew Franklin, 47:22)
5. NFL Coaching Carousel Speculation
- Should Matt LaFleur Be Fired? The crew debates whether Green Bay’s coach has to go after repeated failures.
- Best Openings for Harbaugh: Lively speculation about the openings at the Giants, Ravens, and Packers.
- “If I’m him, I go to the Giants and try that.” (Matt Jones, 44:50)
- Coaching Fate on a Field Goal: Discussion of how a 22-year-old kicker’s miss determined the future of coaching greats, Tomlin and Harbaugh.
- “That makes both of those decisions seem so arbitrary…” (Drew Franklin, 46:18)
6. NFL Playoff Preview & Super Bowl Plans
- Upcoming Matchups Announced: Quick rundown of next week’s divisional matchups and scheduling.
- Super Bowl Party Rundown: Comedic highlight reel of the dozens of celebrity-filled parties in Vegas, from sports events to concerts featuring Juvenile, Post Malone, Chris Stapleton, John Legend, and more.
- “We’re going to hit all of these...Which one are you going to wear to these events?” (Drew Franklin & Matt Jones, 59:03–59:30)
- Anticipation from Crew: The crew jokes about their credentials, impending Super Bowl trip, and the unique experience of the big game and its wild satellite events.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On the wild nature of the weekend:
- “For the first four, we’ll throw the Patriots and Chargers to the end. How awesome were these games?” (Drew Franklin, 03:13)
- On Caleb Williams’ biggest throw:
- “Is that one of the best throws you’ve ever seen?” (Drew Franklin, 07:10)
- On Ben Johnson taunting Packers coach:
- “He said in the press conference, I like beating Matt LaFleur. Didn’t even say Green Bay, said Matt LaFleur, called him out by name…” (Drew Franklin, 14:49)
- On sports hate:
- “I like that the Bears and the Packers—at least the coaches—may legitimately hate each other.” (Drew Franklin, 16:32)
- On fan traditions:
- “But yet a big cheese grater. No problem.” (Drew Franklin, 12:47)
- On true sports fans’ priorities:
- “Would you pay that to watch?” (Billy, 19:40)…“No, but I wouldn’t pay $12,000 to go by myself.” (Drew Franklin, 19:46)
- On Josh Allen vs. Trevor Lawrence:
- “You give me Josh Allen against another quarterback, I’m taking Josh Allen.” (Drew Franklin, 28:43)
Important Timestamps
- Bears’ playoff euphoria and Soldier Field atmosphere: 04:11–06:41
- Cheese grater story: 11:10–12:24
- Ben Johnson rivalry comments: 14:49–15:58
- Debate over cold weather Bears stadium: 06:13–06:41
- Coaching carousel speculation: 17:03–18:07, 44:50–45:15
- Rams-Panthers recap and Cam Newton’s popularity: 24:50–27:16
- Drew and Matt’s Super Bowl plans and party preview: 56:10–59:50
- Debate over sideline reporter’s kindness: 33:34–36:14
- Eagles’ messy playoff exit, Sirianni-AJ Brown drama: 41:01–44:11
Tone & Style
Maintaining the KSR’s signature mix of quick wit, relatable sports-fan humor, and genuine passion for football, the hosts blend deep football expertise with light-hearted banter. They highlight the drama and absurdity of NFL fandom—celebrating wild moments, fan rituals, and heartbreaks equally. Their discussions, while informed and detailed, have a casual, everyman energy: “Would you pay $12,000 to watch? Well, it’s your team!” or “How did that guy get a cheese grater in?” captures the essence perfectly.
Summary
If you missed NFL Cover Zero’s “A Wild, Wild Weekend!”, this episode is a must-listen for any football fan—especially those delighted by upsets, wild finishes, diehard rivalries, and authentic fan culture. From the magic of Soldier Field to the hilariously chaotic world of Super Bowl parties, Matt, Drew, and crew deliver both sharp analysis and infectious fan energy. The Bears’ fairy-tale run, the Bills’ Allen-Lawrence battle, and coaching hot-seat drama stand out, but the real joy is in the playful arguments, inside stories, and moments of pure fandom that define this truly wild wild card weekend.