NFL Cover Zero: Impactful Injuries and Remaining Schedules

Podcast: KSR
Hosts: Matt Jones, Drew Franklin, Billy R Sports
Episode Date: December 15, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of NFL Cover Zero features Matt Jones, Drew Franklin, and Billy R Sports breaking down a thrilling Week 15 in the NFL. The crew analyzes wild comebacks, devastating injuries, playoff implications, and standout performances. Highlights include debates over the most powerful woman in the world, the emergence of unlikely quarterback heroes, and how impactful injuries will shape the playoff landscape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL Week 15 Recap: Exciting Comebacks & Family Football Watching

[02:09-06:09]

• The crew jokes about watching football at their parents' homes with uncomfortably high winter temperatures and ultra-early dinners, using these stories as light-hearted intro before diving into the football slate.
• “The colder it gets outside, the higher my parents turn the temperature up… It's like a reverse world.” – Drew Franklin [03:07]

2. Game Analysis: Bills vs. Patriots

[06:09-10:06]

• Patriots jumped out to a 21-0 lead, only to see the Bills mount another furious comeback, led by Josh Allen.
• “You saw why in the second half. The Patriots offense died… It was really all aspects of the game. The Bills flipped a switch.” – Matt Jones [07:53]
• Playoff implications: Bills look like a dangerous potential wild card, Patriots still control the division but need to finish strong.
• Discussion on tiebreakers and remaining schedules for AFC playoff contenders.

3. Impactful Injuries: Chiefs, Mahomes, and AFC Picture

[10:06-11:56]

• The Chiefs are mathematically eliminated after losing—and losing Patrick Mahomes to an ACL late in a meaningless play.
• “Even the biggest Chiefs hater… you can't win. Pat Mahomes tears an ACL at the very end of the game.” – Matt Jones [10:56]
• The injury removes the ability for rivals to mock the Chiefs: “You can’t really mock them now that he’s hurt.” – Drew Franklin [10:45]

4. The Backup Quarterback Carousel & Gardner Minshew

[11:41-12:31]

• The panel reminisces about backup QB Gardner Minshew’s value and his classic Chris Berman nickname “Gardner Me-Me-Minshew” [12:15].
• Humorous acknowledgment of Minshew’s journeyman reputation.

5. Travis Kelce & “First Man” Debate: Power, Celebrity, and Taylor Swift

[16:27-22:31]

• Is Travis Kelce retiring? The hosts pivot to his off-field stature as “First Man of Pop.”
• Hilarious debate: “Who is more of a first man than him?” – Drew Franklin [16:52]
• Taylor Swift and the Forbes Most Powerful Women list enter the discussion. “She has more power… over all these people.” – Matt Jones [17:36]
• Suggestion that Kelce could enter music post-retirement, riffing on other NFL personalities attempting (and failing at) rap careers.

6. Chargers, Justin Herbert, and the Mystery of L.A. Football Fandom

[22:31-24:39]

• Chargers and Justin Herbert’s historic pace get ignored, even as the team wins: “I've never met a Chargers fan ever.” – Drew Franklin [23:58]
• “They can do everything right... maybe they'll get a Super Bowl this year and no one will care.” – Matt Jones [23:44]

7. The Return of Philip Rivers: Fat(ish) QB Appreciation & Poetic Endings

[24:39-32:36]

• Rivers' comeback with the Colts is dissected: the physical decline (“He looked like a high school coach whose New Year’s resolution is to get back in the gym” – Drew Franklin [25:36]) and the charm of a “regular guy” moment.
• Rivers delivers a touching locker-room speech:
  “Sometimes you… The guaranteed safe bet is to go home or to not go for it. And the other one is, shoot. Let's see what happens, you know, and so, yeah, I hope that in that sense that it can be a positive.” – Philip Rivers (paraphrased by Matt, [29:20])
• Universal lesson: “You have to have the courage to go out there and fail.” – Drew Franklin [30:10]
• The crew debates whether Rivers should quit while he’s (sort of) ahead.
• Revel in Rivers’ wholesome traditions: “He doesn’t cuss, but he’s a big trash guy.” – Billy R [33:01]

8. Cold Weather Football: Bengals-Ravens & Subzero Antics

[37:46-41:49]

• Bengals get shut out in historically cold weather.
• Discussion on tough-guy antics (like shirtless, barefoot players): “You’re just trying too hard. No one believes you.” – Matt Jones [39:02]
• Referees in the cold, headwear traditions, and the unglamorous fate of sideline camera operators.

9. Joe Burrow, Team Discord, and Retirement Speculation

[41:49-43:16]

• Reporter asks Burrow whether he himself is “slipping”; noteworthy for its bluntness.
• Andrew Luck comparisons: “No one quits voluntarily. They quit because they’re not good anymore.” – Drew Franklin [43:10]
• Bengals’ organizational malaise highlighted.

10. More Big Performances & Coach of the Year Race

[43:21-46:01]

• Trevor Lawrence’s historic day (six TDs) against the Jets [43:23-43:55].
• "First ever in NFL history to do that." – Billy R [43:26]
• Quick run down of Coach of the Year front-runners (Vrabel, McDonald, Cohen, Shanahan, Ben Johnson, Sean Payton).

11. AFC South Explosion: Texans, Jaguars, Colts

[46:01-47:02]

• Houston, Jacksonville, and Indianapolis all in playoff contention: “The AFC South has three playoff contenders; who saw that coming?” – Drew Franklin [46:44]

12. Big Injuries and Super Bowl Contenders

[47:55-49:47]

• Major injuries: Micah Parsons and Mahomes both out for the year.
• “To lose him and Mahomes in the same day is just… that stuff.” – Drew Franklin [49:33]
• Broncos and Bo Nix’s credibility as contenders discussed.

13. NFC North Drama: Bears, Packers, Lions

[54:50-57:58]

• Bears dominate in cold but have a tough remaining schedule.
• Caleb Williams’ impressive INT stats; “Wouldn’t have believed it…” – Matt Jones [54:50]
• Division could come down to Bears-Lions in Week 18; “I would say it’s the biggest game in the history of organized sports.” – Drew Franklin [56:59]

14. The Shador Sanders & QB Carousel in Cleveland

[57:58-59:39]

• Shador's struggles: “Those interceptions today… were bad.” – Matt Jones [58:00]
• Uncertainty at Browns QB; likely drafting another next year.

15. NFC South: Panthers, Bucs, & Shuck Magic

[59:47-63:17]

• Tyler Shuck’s emergence at Carolina: "He's got a few pieces of flair." – Matt Jones [62:24]
• Buccaneers' locker room “turmoil” after a promising start; “It's falling apart.” – Billy R [63:33]

16. MVP and Playoff Race: Rams, Lions

[65:02-66:37]

• Stafford making his MVP case after a big win vs. Detroit.
• “I still think that's the most likely Super Bowl today: Rams-Bills.” – Drew Franklin [66:11]

17. Play-by-Play Prep & Broadcasting Anxiety

[67:04-74:27]

• Drew shares his nerves about calling his first-ever football game on national radio next week.
• Introspective on play-calling styles: “I may go for a more minimalist, simplistic… My home's under center, snapped, pass, 4 yards.” – Drew Franklin [71:18]
• Support from Matt and Billy, with much locker room banter and advice.

18. Touchdown Parlay and Survivor Pool Updates

[76:33-77:05]

• Quick review of the crew’s touchdown battle (“Matt five, five, three…”), survivor picks, and plans for playoff coverage.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You have to have the courage to go out there and fail.” – Drew Franklin [30:10]
• “I've never met a Chargers fan ever.” – Drew Franklin [23:58]
• "Even the biggest Chiefs hater... you can't win. Pat Mahomes tears an ACL at the very end of the game." – Matt Jones [10:56]
• “Who is more of a first man than [Travis Kelce]?” – Drew Franklin [16:52]
• "This is like the royal wedding." – Matt Jones on Kelce and Taylor Swift [16:51]
• “A grandfather threw a touchdown pass today in the NFL. That was outrageous.” – Matt Jones [32:13]
• “Would you do nothing? I would be whatever tour [Taylor Swift’s] on.” – Matt Jones [20:31]
• “It'd be a massive win for the franchise... I would say it’s the biggest game in the history of organized sports.” – Drew Franklin on Bears-Packers [56:59]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:09] – Start of NFL Week 15 recap, family football traditions
• [06:09] – Bills-Patriots analysis
• [10:06] – Impact of Mahomes’ ACL injury
• [16:27] – Kelce, Taylor Swift and the power-couple/retirement debate
• [24:39] – Philip Rivers’ improbable NFL return
• [37:46] – Bengals-Ravens cold-weather shutout
• [41:49] – Joe Burrow “slipping” reporter question
• [43:21] – Trevor Lawrence’s 6 TD game
• [47:55] – Discussion about injuries derailing contenders
• [54:50] – Bears dominance and playoff scenarios
• [65:02] – Stafford-MVP, Rams as Super Bowl favorites
• [67:04] – Drew’s play-by-play preparation, broadcasting segment
• [76:33] – Survivor and parlay competition updates, show wrap-up

Tone and Style Notes

• The hosts blend deep NFL analysis with irreverent, relatable banter and pop-culture tangents.
• Frequent humor, personal anecdotes, and good-natured ribbing help the podcast feel accessible and authentic, while providing listeners with genuine football insights.

Summary for the Uninitiated

This episode offers a tour-de-force of NFL Week 15, exploring not just the stats and standings, but what’s felt by fans, players, and the media. You’ll find hard-hitting football talk—about big comebacks, playoff scenarios, the devastating injuries of Mahomes and Parsons as they send shockwaves through the NFL—alongside debates over retiring legends, music careers, and why nobody knows a real Chargers fan. The crew also peels back the curtain for a rare look at the nerves and mechanics of live sports broadcasting as Drew prepares for his first national call. If you want the NFL’s action, drama, and laughs distilled—with a few tangents about thermostats and pop stars—this episode is a must-listen.