NFL Cover Zero: Bring on the Snow Games!

Podcast: KSR
Episode Date: December 8, 2025
Hosts: Drew Franklin (filling in for Matt Jones), Billy R. Sports

Episode Overview

This lively Week 14 recap episode of NFL Cover Zero finds Drew Franklin and Billy R. Sports flying solo, as regular host Matt Jones steps away to support his father during recovery from surgery. The duo delivers their usual Kentucky-tinged football banter while running through a dramatic slate of NFL games, notably several snowy matchups, big wins, surprise losses, and the ever-entertaining saga of the NFL’s quirkiest teams and personalities. Expect snow angels, wild upsets, referee drama, quarterback debates, pop culture asides, and fresh takes on the playoff race—all with plenty of laughs and personal stories.

Main Themes

• Snow Games & NFL Weather: The enduring magic of football in wintry conditions, with snowy Bills and Browns games at the centerpiece.
• Quarterback Drama: Veteran resurgences, rookie struggles, and midseason surprises affecting almost every division race.
• Referee/Rule Controversies: Head-scratching interpretations, questionable calls, and the perennial “what is a catch?” debate.
• Playoff Picture Madness: Shocks and swings across AFC and NFC, with a major focus on division leaders and wildcard races.
• Football Culture: Personal anecdotes, fan experiences, and a distinctive Kentucky flavor.

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

1. Kicking Off: Host Update & Personal Anecdotes (02:26–06:00)

• Matt Jones Absent: Drew explains that Matt Jones is out due to his father’s health issues. The team is sending best wishes:

  “Our heart is with Matt during this tough time... but we got a great slate of games to talk about today, Drew.” (03:28, Billy R. Sports)

• Drew’s Nashville Adventure: Wild weekend in Nashville—hotel shooting, hostile karaoke with Tennessee fans, messy but memorable trip:

  “I tried to do karaoke at Miss Kelly's... I got booed for being a Kentucky fan—because they're full of Vols. At one point, the guy even said, 'Boo this man, he's responsible for giving us Will Levis!'" (05:36, Drew Franklin)

2. Snow Games Steal the Show (06:29–14:32)

• Cincinnati vs. Buffalo—Football in the Snow: The mystical effect of snow games, the atmosphere in Buffalo, fan traditions (like shoveling the stadium!), and nostalgia for snowy NFL moments.
• Memorable Quotes:

  “Snow games are so fun.” (06:51, Drew Franklin)
  “Just something about snow games on TV, it’s just special.” (06:53, Drew Franklin)

• Player Antics: Bills DT Jordan Phillips shows up for warmups in a Canada Goose parka—hosts debate what NFL persona they’d be in the cold (08:03–09:34).
• Classic Snow Memories: Hosts recall legendary snow games, the infamous “snowplow game”, and Leon Lett’s Thanksgiving blunder.

3. Game-by-Game Recap and Insights

Bills 38, Bengals 27 (07:53–13:59)

• Josh Allen’s Dominance: Three passing touchdowns, one 40-yard rushing TD (“it’s Peak Josh”—10:45).
• Burrow’s Collapse: Two critical late interceptions squash Bengals’ playoff hopes.
• Receiver Standouts: Higgins shines, but it’s a bittersweet Bengals night.
• Debate: “Can you have too many hand warmers on your body?” (09:34, Drew Franklin)

Steelers 27, Ravens 22 (16:01–20:29)

• Aaron Rodgers Resurgence: Best game as a Steeler at 42 (16:01).
• Coaching Legends Meet: Tomlin vs. Harbaugh—booed one week, blowing kisses the next (16:53).
• Controversy: The “three-feet-down makes a catch” confusion:

  “When do we need three feet?… I couldn’t explain to somebody what a catch is in the NFL. And that’s a problem.” (18:38, Billy R. Sports)

• AFC North Discussion: Is this the end for Lamar as an elite QB? Steelers benefit from a weak division.
• Notable Moment: 42-year-old Rodgers makes a rare reception.

Titans 31, Browns 29: Snowy Mayhem (24:06–27:02)

• Drew’s Mixed Feelings: “I was all in on the tank, but I was pretty happy to see ‘em win... seeing a little bit of progress... offense looking kinda good.” (24:50, Drew Franklin)
• QB Watch: Cam Ward vs. Shadur Sanders—Sanders flashes, Shoulder throws 360 yards.
• Browns' 2-point conversion fiasco: “What a wild call... the running back wasn't ready for it either.” (25:47, Billy R. Sports)

Jaguars 36, Colts 19—AFC South Shakeup (28:31–30:53)

• Jags surge, Colts collapse: Jacksonville controls its destiny, Colts in QB crisis after Daniel Jones injury.
• Liam Cohen’s locker room fire: “He was fired up though. Could be a coach of the year candidate.” (28:31, Drew Franklin)
• Streak Watch: Jags have beaten the Colts 11 straight years at home.

Vikings 31, Commanders 0—Quickest Game of the Year (31:39–34:34)

• **Jaden Daniels gets “jacked up”—host nostalgia for big hits.
• QB Talk: Reluctance to praise J.J. McCarthy (“Not apologizing to nine yet…”).
• Fantasy Heartache: Justin Jefferson’s 2 catch, 11-yard day.

Jets Miss Playoffs, Dolphins Rolling (38:27–41:36)

• Dolphins 34, Jets 10: Turnaround under McDaniel (“We owe Mike McDaniel an apology…” 38:33, Drew Franklin).
• Jets Miss Playoffs, Extend Drought: 15 years, longest in pro sports.
• Host Empathy: “Jets fans, man, I don’t know how they get up and do it every day… at some point I would just be like, I can’t keep doing it.” (40:24, Drew Franklin)

Saints 27, Buccaneers 17—Bucs Collapse (41:36–44:54)

• Billy’s Lament: “Todd Bowles should be embarrassed. He’s a defensive coach and he's got Tyler Schuck running all over him.” (44:00, Billy R. Sports)
• Baker Mayfield Struggles; Booker’s Crucial Drop.
• Panthers/Atlanta, Dolphins, Panthers ahead—do-or-die time.

Packers Over Bears—NFC North Maelstrom (45:24–47:49)

• Caleb Williams’ late INT costs Bears: Drops from 1 to 7 seed.
• Jordan Love Sharp: Packers hot at the right time.

  “This would normally be all about Matt fawning over Caleb Williams... but he made a bad throw.” (46:10, Billy R. Sports)

• Host Pet Peeve: “That odd tie on the Packers/Cowboys record just throws off the standings even more.” (47:24, Drew Franklin)

Broncos 27, Raiders 17—Nonbelievers (49:45–53:27)

• Broncos win 10th straight: Hosts yet unconvinced about their legitimacy.

  “At some point we just gotta—like, they’re good at ten in a row.” (49:54, Drew Franklin)

• Bad Beat: Last-second field goal by the Raiders covers the spread, sparking fan outrage (50:32–51:22).
• Raiders' Struggles: 11 straight division losses.

Lions 44, Cowboys 30—NFC Playoff Implications (53:28–56:32)

• Lions Super Bowl dark horse: Gibbs explodes for 3 touchdowns.
• Cowboys playoff hope flickers: Easy slate, but running out of time.

  “I'm going to speak it into existence...” (57:14, Drew Franklin)

Seahawks 37, Falcons 9—Seattle’s Surge (57:29–59:37)

• Smith-Njigba's dominance: Seattle WR continues epic rookie campaign.
• Atlanta flails; Cousins throws two picks; Pitts only bright spot.
• Defensive shoutout: Rookie Nick Emmanwori’s stat-stuffed day (59:08).

Rams Romp Cardinals—Stafford for MVP? (63:27–66:53)

• Stafford and LA Offense Shines: 550 yards, Puka Nacua returns huge, Devonte Adams
• McVay’s Memory:

  “He says he remembers every play that he’s ever been a part of…Do you believe that?” (64:23, Billy R. Sports)

• Rams as NFC favorites: Only Green Bay seen as a potential threat.

Texans 20, Chiefs 10—Houston’s Statement Win (67:01–69:56)

• Texans defense bullies Mahomes: 3 picks, KC’s O-line battered.
• AFC South Race: “Five wins in a row for the Texans… putting them squarely back in the playoff.” (68:39, Drew Franklin)
• Chiefs Dynasty Done?

  “Ding dong, the witch is dead… There’s nothing they can do to convince me they’re back.” (69:22, Billy R. Sports)

4. Notable Quotes & Fun Segments

• On Cold-Weather Football:

  “We can see their breath. We know they’re cold on the inside. Quit acting all hard.” (09:08, Drew Franklin)

• On defining a Catch:

  "I work for the NFL and I couldn't explain to somebody what a catch is…That really is a problem." (18:38, Billy R. Sports)

• On the Jets' Futility:

  "15 straight years without the playoffs. It’s the longest drought by any team in pro season, not just the NFL." (39:53, Billy R. Sports)

• On Travis Kelce & Taylor Swift's “No Fights” Claim:

  “I do not believe that Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift have not had one single dispute in their two and a half years.” (70:29, Drew Franklin) “You're in a loveless relationship if you don't have the passion to fight every now and then!” (70:42, Billy R. Sports)

• On Jameis Winston Guesting on TV:

  "Imagine a whole two hours with Jameis Winston. It was great." (27:18, Billy R. Sports)

• On Devonta Smith’s Juicer:

  “He is so excited... talking about the things he juices... The joy on his face… very relatable.” (75:54, Drew Franklin)

5. Timestamps – Important Segments

• 02:26 – Hosts explain Matt’s absence; Drew describes Nashville weekend
• 06:29 – Diving into the Cincinnati/Buffalo snow game
• 16:01 – Steelers-Ravens showdown & Rodgers' resurgence
• 24:06 – Titans’ unexpected victory in the Cleveland snow
• 28:31 – AFC South implications: Jags hold serve
• 31:39 – Vikings’ shutout, Jaden Daniels injury
• 38:27 – Dolphins rebound, Jets crash out
• 41:36 – Buccaneers upset by Saints
• 45:24 – NFC North chaos: Packers edge Bears, playoff implications
• 49:45 – Broncos' win streak, but hosts remain skeptical
• 53:28 – Thursday Night: Lions take down Cowboys
• 57:29 – Seahawks dominate Falcons
• 63:27 – Rams offense erupts; Stafford MVP talk
• 67:01 – Texans upset Chiefs in Arrowhead
• 70:02–73:59 – Pop culture fun: Travis Kelce/Taylor Swift talk, baby news, future fan recruitment
• 75:12 – Devonte Smith’s joy over juicer (wholesome aside)

6. Closing Notes & Tone

Throughout, the tone is punchy, humorous, and camaraderie-driven, balancing sharp football analysis with personal storytelling and Kentucky flavor. The episode closes with a quick look ahead to the Eagles/Chargers Monday night game, a playful debate on the virtues of juicing, and best wishes for health and family to Matt Jones.

“We got through it without Matt. Appreciate you doing this... had a fun day. Fun day of games, lots of snow—that made it exciting.” (78:36, Drew Franklin)

For Those Who Missed the Show: This recap gives you all the must-know results from a blizzard-battered NFL week, candid takes on key storylines, inside-baseball fan talk, and plenty of humor—whether you’re a football diehard, a Kentucky sports loyalist, or just here for the hot takes on weather, pop culture, and questionable NFL officiating.

Listen to KSR’s NFL Cover Zero for more Kentucky sports and NFL coverage, weekdays from 10 to noon!