NFL Cover Zero: Divisional Round Recap and QB Legacies Being Formed!

Podcast: KSR – NFL Cover Zero
Release Date: January 19, 2026
Hosts: Matt Jones, Drew Franklin, Billy

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the wild NFL Divisional Round, focusing on dramatic endings, quarterback performances, and burgeoning legacies. Matt Jones, Drew Franklin, and producer Billy analyze the Bears’ overtime heartbreak, Bo Nix’s injury fallout, Josh Allen’s missed chances, and more, framing each event in terms of its historical significance and impact on the quarterback conversation. The crew blends sharp football insight with the show’s signature humor and Kentucky flavor.

Main Discussion Points

1. Bears vs. Rams: An Overtime Heartbreaker (01:02–14:43)

• Immediate Reactions:

  • Matt recounts barely having time to process the Bears’ devastating loss in overtime to the Rams.

  • Drew revisits the emotional swing of Caleb Williams' near-miracle Hail Mary play.

    "Just minutes ago, we lost this game, and it had a chance, if the Bears had won, to potentially have one of the two, three, four greatest plays in NFL history."
    —Matt Jones, 01:02

    "Caleb Williams runs 30 yards in the wrong direction. I mean, that's a play that only works in your backyard, and it worked. And I celebrated. But then immediately I kind of thought they were going to go for two… I muted my celebration."
    —Drew Franklin, 02:22

• Going for Two?

  • Debating Coach Ben Johnson's game strategy, the possibility of going for two in regulation, and play-calling complaints.

    "I was surprised Ben Johnson didn't [go for two]… Just the way he gambles and played that whole way being at home, you kind of had your magic there. I thought he would just try to end the game."
    —Matt Jones, 03:15

• Overtime Breakdown:

  • Dissection of the game-losing interception — was it on Williams or D.J. Moore?

  • Critique of late-game run plays vs. giving Williams full control.

    "It looked in real time like a horrible interception… The Rams cornerback played receiver, saw Williams' eyes, and made the play where Moore was just completely lost."
    —Matt Jones, 04:20

    "We should have just given the ball to Caleb… Ben Johnson's been awesome, but I wish they just give the ball to Caleb. I mean, he is so far exceeded my expectation."
    —Drew Franklin, 06:09

• Chicago's Perspective:

  • Despite the loss, hope for the Bears’ future with Caleb Williams.

    "It does feel like the start of something rather than the end of something."
    —Drew Franklin, 07:03

• Rams’ Super Bowl Odds:

  • Recognition for the Rams and Stafford enduring the Chicago cold, still believing they’re Super Bowl favorites.

    "I actually think they have a really good shot now of winning the whole thing."
    —Drew Franklin, 08:34

2. Fun Sideline Anecdotes & Broadcast Critiques (11:00–14:43)

• Staying Warm:

  • Rams players reportedly put cayenne pepper in their socks.

  • Bears opt for hot chocolate and chicken broth.

  • The crew debates the plausibility and effectiveness of such strategies.

    "Cayenne pepper in their socks… That sounds completely made up."
    —Drew Franklin, 11:39

• Broadcast Moments:

  • Disappointment in Chris Collinsworth’s subdued call of the Caleb Williams’ play.

  • Praise for alternate camera angles that captured the drama.

    "He was oddly muted…he was way too calm for the moment."
    —Drew Franklin, 12:55

    "I think he was so much in shock that he didn't give his usual moaning. I was very, very disappointed in his lack of ooh."
    —Drew Franklin, 13:06

3. Bills vs. Broncos: Missed Opportunities and QB Fallout (15:49–26:53)

• Bills’ Anguish:

  • Discussion turns to the Bills' loss: heartbreak compared to Bears', Allen's emotional postgame, missed throws, and the sense of a window closing.

    "This was the moment, this was the time for you to actually win a Super bowl. And then they don't."
    —Drew Franklin, 15:49

    "It did hurt to see him cry like that, knowing he dropped the ball…The path was there."
    —Matt Jones, 16:41

  • Josh Allen’s legacy and slim future chances for a ring in a stacked AFC.

    "Will he ever win a Super bowl or was this the chance?"
    —Drew Franklin, 26:30
    "This was the chance, I'm afraid."
    —Matt Jones, 26:45

• Broncos’ QB Woes:

  • Bo Nix's injury and the difficult transition to backup Jared Stidham, who hasn't played in two years.

    "He's the only backup quarterback who hadn't played all year. He hadn't thrown a pass…he actually hasn't completely attempted a pass in two seasons."
    —Matt Jones, 20:58/23:55

  • Comedic riff on how Stidham's anonymity as a backup is "ruined" by being thrust into the spotlight.

    "He literally had one of the greatest jobs in America. And now they're like, 'Hey, you get to play.' And he's like, 'Oh, good. Oh, it's the AFC championship and the whole world is going to watch it.'"
    —Drew Franklin, 24:48

4. Texans vs. Patriots: Quarterback Controversies & Defensive Dominance (30:13–37:14)

• C.J. Stroud's Collapse:

  • Five turnovers, crushing playoff defeat, and questions about his future as a franchise QB.

    "That game today might have cost him $75 million."
    —Drew Franklin, 31:27

  • Debate on benching Stroud for fan-fave Davis Mills — but if you do, "you can't ever bring him back."

    "He looked awful, looked completely terrified of being in that situation."
    —Matt Jones, 32:25

• Patriots’ Resurgence:

  • Drake May’s up-and-down performance and playoff fumble record.

  • Collective dread over Patriots returning to relevance.

    "They didn't really have a drought. What was it like three years…now they have their quarterback of the future."
    —Matt Jones, 35:26

5. Rapid Fire: Seahawks, 49ers, Darnold, and Legacy Chatter (37:14–46:33)

• Seahawks' Blowout Win:

  • Little debate, game goes as expected.

• Sam Darnold Super Bowl Watch:

  • The possibility of Darnold being the first from his draft class to start a Super Bowl, despite a draft class including Lamar and Josh Allen.

    "Sam Darnold has a chance to be the first person from his class to go to a Super Bowl."
    —Drew Franklin, 37:33

• Broadcast Networks Ranking:

  • NBC perceived as "biggest," followed by Fox, ESPN/CBS (Discussion 38:47–43:46).
  • Improvements of Tom Brady on Fox; Tony Romo’s act wearing thin.

6. Super Bowl Forecast and Quarterback Legacy (44:13–49:12)

• Predictions:

  • Drew leans Rams; Matt slightly toward Seahawks.

  • Extended discussion on legacy shifts if Matthew Stafford wins Ring #2.

    "If Matthew Stafford gets his second [Super Bowl], I think you now have to think of him as one of those quarterbacks, which I don’t think people naturally do."
    —Drew Franklin, 45:08

    "Oh, I completely agree…any question that he's made himself into that top tier."
    —Matt Jones, 46:33

7. Coaching Carousel & Off-Field Antics (47:58–54:46)

• Coaching Moves:

  • Falcons hire Kevin Stefanski—a coup considering options.
  • Jokes about the Mike McCarthy/Mike McDaniel-to-Titans rumors.
  • Who would want the Arizona job?

• Super Bowl Travel Plans:

  • Billy getting ready for the glitzy parties, prepping wardrobe, ordering contacts.

  • Trip logistics and playful banter about appropriate attire.

    "Maybe like an all black look or something like that… I wasn't going to wear my khakis to the Sports Illustrated party."
    —Billy, 52:52

    "The most important thing to pack is a positive attitude."
    —Matt Jones, 54:38

8. Final Segments: Monday Night College Football Preview (56:13–57:27)

• Indiana as all-time great:

  • Both hosts predict a dominant Indiana win to cap arguably the most complete championship season ever.

    "Indiana is going to kill them. It's just maybe the most dominant season we've ever seen from a college football team."
    —Matt Jones, 56:13

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Bears' heartbreak:

  "Just minutes ago, we lost this game, and it had a chance, if the Bears had won, to potentially have one of the two, three, four greatest plays in NFL history." —Matt Jones (01:02)

• On play-calling nerves:

  "We should have just given the ball to Caleb... I just didn't... I mean, yeah, Ben Johnson's been awesome, but I wish they just give the ball to Caleb." —Drew Franklin (06:09)

• On Stidham's ‘backup life’ being ruined:

  "He literally had one of the greatest jobs in America. And now they're like, 'Hey, you get to play.' And he's like, 'Oh, good. Oh, it's the AFC championship and the whole world is going to watch it.'" —Drew Franklin (24:48)

• On Josh Allen’s heartbreak:

  "This was the moment, this was the time for you to actually win a Super bowl. And then they don't." —Drew Franklin (15:49)

• On Stroud's collapse costing millions:

  "That game today might have cost him $75 million." —Drew Franklin (31:27)

• Caleb Williams play call reaction:

  "I thought [Chris Collinsworth] was so much in shock that he didn't give his usual moaning. I was very, very disappointed in his lack of ooh." —Drew Franklin (13:06)

• On Super Bowl legacy:

  "If Matthew Stafford gets his second [Super Bowl], I think you now have to think of him as one of those quarterbacks, which I don’t think people naturally do." —Drew Franklin (45:08)

Important Timestamps

• 01:02–14:43: Bears-Rams game emotional roller-coaster, play-by-play, and quarterback debate.
• 15:49–26:53: Bills-Broncos analysis; Josh Allen's missed shot; Bo Nix vs. Jared Stidham storylines.
• 30:13–37:14: Texans-Patriots turnover fest and QB controversies.
• 38:47–43:46: NFL broadcast network rankings and commentary critique.
• 44:13–49:12: Super Bowl picks and the Stafford legacy discussion.
• 47:58–54:46: Coaching hires; comedy about the Arizona job and Titans' future; Super Bowl party planning.
• 56:13–57:27: College football championship preview.

Tone & Style

The episode blends passionate football analysis with humor and regional flavor, peppered with personal anecdotes and running in-jokes. Quotes capture disappointment, excitement, and the sheer unpredictability of this NFL postseason.

Summary Takeaways

• Despite losing, Bears fans should be hopeful: Caleb Williams is the real deal, and the future looks bright.
• The Rams, battle-tested and led by Matthew Stafford, are poised for another Super Bowl run—Stafford could enter the all-time QB pantheon with a second title.
• Josh Allen’s defeat feels like the end of a window, not just another playoff loss.
• Texans’ C.J. Stroud may be at a career crossroads; this rough postseason could have big ramifications.
• Across the board, quarterback legacies and the nature of success in the modern NFL loom as central themes.
• Off-field: The hosts are gearing up for a boisterous and style-conscious Super Bowl week, with plenty of jokes about wardrobe and travel.
• The divisional round showcased both the playoff’s agony and joy—these moments will shape how we remember this season’s best and worst.