NFL Cover Zero: It's Conference Championship Time!

Podcast: KSR
Host: Matt Jones
Co-hosts: Drew Franklin, Billy
Date: January 23, 2026
Episode Focus: Analysis, news, and discussion heading into NFL Championship Weekend

Main Theme

This lively episode of NFL Cover Zero is dedicated to breaking down the storylines surrounding the upcoming AFC and NFC Championship games. Matt Jones, Drew Franklin, and Billy discuss surprising quarterback matchups, coaching changes, controversial firings, and league news, all while keeping the tone irreverent, witty, and loaded with pop culture and personal anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Championship Game Fever—and the Lack of It

• Quarterback Surprises:

  • The hosts struggle to muster excitement for the Championship games, particularly with lesser-known QBs like Jared Stidham and Sam Darnold (01:03, 01:54).
    • "Only pass, once he throws one this weekend, will be in the AFC championship in three years." (02:49, Matt)
  • Stidham's backstory is discussed—his Kentucky roots, college career, and sudden thrust into the spotlight (03:06–13:33).
  • Comparing city names spelled backwards sparks a humorous tangent—e.g., “Dallas” becomes “Salad” leading to a joking proposal of a “Salad Festival” (03:33–05:10).

• Emotional Angle:

  • Matt admits he’s rooting for Stidham simply because he doesn’t want Boston sports (and especially Bill Simmons) to be happy (06:00–09:28).
    • "I want him to lose is the point." (08:41, Matt)

2. Jared Stidham Deep Dive

• Bio & Career Trajectory:

  • Born in Corbin, KY—coincidentally the birthplace of KFC (03:13).
  • Career arc: from Kentucky to Texas high school star → college at Baylor → transfers to Auburn; MVP of the 2018 Music City Bowl (10:52–11:33).
  • Pro highlights include being third-string for the Patriots and a $12M deal with the Broncos, with $7M guaranteed—despite minimal playtime (13:33).

• Underdog & Unknown Factor:

  • The Patriots have little tape to prepare for him; some jokes about him potentially being left-handed now (14:20).

• Prediction Banter:

  • Hosts humorously predict multiple TDs for Stidham out of local pride and pure hope (15:02–15:19).
    • "Big time players make big time plays in big time games. And he is from the home of Nibrock." (15:19, Matt)

3. NFL Coaching Carousel

• Sean McDermott Firing (Buffalo Bills):

  • Surprise and skepticism about the logic of firing a coach with a solid record, suggesting the GM should bear more blame for roster issues (16:24–18:19).
    • "I actually thought this was not smart decision..." (16:24, Matt)
  • Dumbfoundment at the public finger-pointing around Keon Coleman, Buffalo’s young WR, during ownership/GM fallout (19:26–21:07).

• Replacing Good Coaches Trend:

  • Matt and Drew debate whether teams like the Steelers, Ravens, and Bills will actually improve after firing respected coaches (17:21–18:19).

4. NFL Rules and Oddities

• Catch Rule Confusion:
  • Ongoing frustration about the vagueness and inconsistency of the NFL’s catch rule—claims that the league plans to just “promote better understanding” rather than clarify the rule (22:41–25:15).
    • "I've never understood the rule because it's not the same rule when you are, like, in play as when you're going to the end zone or out of bounds." (23:08, Matt)

5. Coordinator Hires & Interview Hijinks

• Mike McDaniel to Chargers:

  • Speculation whether he chose LA partly for lifestyle or career move, versus taking less desirable head coach jobs (25:29–28:29).

• Eric Bieniemy Back to KC:

  • Sympathy for EB’s inability to land a head coach job despite solid track record—discussion about the hiring process overvaluing interviews (29:33–30:23).

• Interview Punctuality Bit:

  • Humorous debate: how early or late can a coach show up for an interview before it becomes a dealbreaker? (30:42–33:27)
    • "If you're there more than an hour before. Okay, you're trying too hard." (32:36, Drew)

• Robert Saleh to Titans:

  • Mixed feelings about the fit—Saleh as a defensive coach with a team needing offensive development (33:56–34:35).
  • Banter over who is the “hottest” NFL head coach, with semi-serious reference to survey results and Us Weekly (35:06–37:58).

6. More NFL News & Rivalries

• Baker Mayfield vs. Kevin Stefanski:

  • Baker’s sharp tweet after being called a “failed” QB by a Falcons reporter, and his accusation Stefanski never called or texted him after his exit (38:20–39:21).
    • "You're still waiting on a text call from him after I got shipped off like a piece of garbage.” (38:57, Baker Mayfield via tweet)
  • Nostalgia and defense for Baker and Tim Couch, both maligned yet successful Browns QBs (43:02–43:16).

• AFC/NFC Franchise Icon Status:

  • Lively ranking of most iconic NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA franchises (47:03–55:19).
    • NFL Top 5: Cowboys, Packers, Steelers, Giants, Bears (49:15)
    • "Those are the three... you latch on to a star you like. If they move team, maybe..." (55:20, Drew)

• Championship Games Preview:

  • General lack of excitement for the NFC matchup, with unfamiliar QBs—joking about not recognizing the names walking toward the Super Bowl trophy (58:32–59:43).

7. Game Picks and Season-long Scorekeeping

• Weekly Picks Segment:
  • Liberty Mutual Bundle picks: Guardians baseball, Rams over Seahawks, Patriots over Broncos with spread (64:11–65:30).
• Touchdown Scorer Picks:
  • Each host picks likely TD scorers for the weekend’s games, with points at stake for the season-long contest (66:00–67:55).
• Extended Banter:
  • Dispute over last week’s points, mock seriousness about scorekeeping integrity, and running jokes about reviewing previous calls (60:24–63:38).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "I have such an odd relationship with this person [Bill Simmons] in the sense that I don't miss his podcast, but also wish he wouldn't talk. How's that possible?" (06:04, Matt)
• "Big time players make big time plays in big time games. And he is from the home of Nibrock." (15:19, Matt)
• "It's not a great sign when those are the three facts that are considered the most interesting about your player career. But c'est la vie." (13:33, Matt)
• "You latch on to a star you like. If they move team, maybe." (55:20, Drew, on NBA fandom)
• "You're still waiting on a text call from him after I got shipped off like a piece of garbage. Can't wait to see you twice a year, coach." (38:57, Baker Mayfield via tweet)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Championship QB Fever + Jared Stidham Deep Dive: 01:54–15:19
• Firing of Sean McDermott & Coaching Trends: 15:54–18:19
• Buffalo WR Keon Coleman Fallout: 19:26–21:17
• Catch Rule Discussion: 22:41–25:15
• McDaniel & Bieniemy Coordinator Moves: 25:29–30:23
• Interview Etiquette Debate: 30:42–33:27
• Robert Saleh to Titans & "Hottest Coach" Bit: 33:56–37:58
• Baker vs. Stefanski Drama: 38:20–43:16
• Franchise Icon Rankings (NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA): 47:03–55:19
• Championship Game Previews: 58:40–59:43
• Liberty Mutual Bundle Picks: 64:11–65:30
• TD Scorer Picks / Contest Banter: 66:00–67:55

Tone & Style

The conversation is humorous, spontaneous, and candid, marked by Kentucky local flavor, pop culture asides, and light-hearted jabs. The crew blends deep football knowledge with irreverent storytelling, making even the tangents engaging for listeners.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is a dynamic mix of crucial NFL news, game previews, and entertaining discourse. You’ll get substantive analysis on quarterback narratives, NFL coach decision-making, and football culture, all wrapped up in the KSR crew’s trademark banter. Even with few classic household names left in the championship picture, the hosts find both the humor and drama in unlikely places—making this essential listening for any football fan looking for both info and laughs ahead of championship Sunday.