NFL Cover Zero: Parity, Revenge, and the Mayfield MVP Surge
Podcast: KSR, iHeartPodcasts and Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM)
Episode: NFL Cover Zero: NFL Parity, Vrabel revenge, and Mayfield MVP
Date: October 16, 2025
Hosts: Matt Jones & Drew Franklin
Overview
This midweek episode of NFL Cover Zero dives into the increasingly unpredictable 2025 NFL season. Hosts Matt Jones and Drew Franklin discuss the sudden parity across the league, unexpected team success and flops, coaching drama in Tennessee, a wild locker room fight, Baker Mayfield’s bona fide MVP run, and memorable quotes and moments both on the field and off. If you’re searching for clarity in this bizarre NFL season, you won’t find it—but you’ll get smart, funny banter and unexpected insights.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Monday Night Football Recap – Chicago Bears’ Statement Win
- Chicago Bears defeat Washington Commanders with a last-second field goal, a huge confidence builder for sophomore QB Caleb Williams.
- “This is the quarterback we've been looking for since the punky QB known as McMahon. And I believe in him.” — Matt Jones (06:44)
- Bears have now won three in a row; Drew highlights both the drama and fun in a Nor’easter-soaked finish.
- Discussion of Troy Aikman's harsh criticism of Caleb Williams during the broadcast.
- “Did you think is watching it that Troy Aikman was too harsh on Caleb Williams throughout the game?” — Matt Jones (03:41)
- Drew argues Aikman was unnecessarily critical, especially given Williams’ stats and progress.
Postgame Speech Culture & Locker Room Access
- Discussion about the Ben Johnson locker room speech:
- “Don’t let anybody tell you takeaways are lucky. They're not lucky. Let's go get more of them.” — Paraphrased, Ben Johnson (06:00)
- Both hosts enjoy the increased access, though question what gets left on the editing room floor.
- Matt and Drew debate the performative nature of these speeches now that cameras are ever-present.
NFL Parity: Who's Actually Any Good?
- Surprising struggles for preseason favorites (Bills, Eagles, Ravens, Lions, Chiefs).
- Genuinely wide open field: teams like Colts (5–1), Bucs, and Seahawks are in strong positions.
- “If there was ever a year that a random team could sneak up and win a title, isn't this the one?” — Matt Jones (09:00)
- Both hosts attempt their current top five teams—and differ quickly:
- Matt: Chiefs, Bucs, Lions, Eagles, Bills.
- Drew: Chiefs, Bucs/Lions, Colts, Bills (leaving Eagles out).
- “I can't remember a year that this has been harder.” — Matt Jones (12:26)
Chiefs-Lions Postgame Fight Breakdown
- Suspension: Branch is suspended one game for punching JuJu Smith-Schuster after the game.
- Discussion of escalating tensions, Mahomes’ involvement (or lack thereof), and Dan Campbell’s stern response.
- Matt and Drew agree that, given the national stage, the punishment felt light.
- “I might have gone two games.” — Matt Jones (16:10)
Titans Coaching Chaos & Vrabel “Revenge Game”
- Brian Callahan fired as Titans head coach; replaced by Mike McCoy. Drew is both frustrated and relieved:
- “I wanted to watch Vrabel beat him by 50 on Sunday, but these cowards wouldn’t even let Vrabel bend them over and spank him in Nashville.” — Drew Franklin (17:53)
- Scathing comments on Callahan’s record:
- “Brian Callahan was 4 and 19 against the spread. And they were mostly underdogs.” — Drew Franklin (19:21)
- Drew makes the case for rooting for total collapse and a #1 pick.
NFL Ratings Dominate & “Big Data” Controversy
- NFL viewership at 15-year highs—Bucs-49ers averages 27 million viewers.
- Discussion of new measurement methods (“Big Data”), counting fans in sports bars, etc.
- “You gotta Watch out. Here comes big data.” — Matt Jones (24:03)
- Consensus: More NFL, more audience, not too much of a good thing.
Baker Mayfield: MVP Campaign & Legendary Confidence
- Rookie Tez Johnson confused for MVP chants—thought they were for him, not Mayfield.
- “Wouldn't you like to live your life with a level of delusion where you believe after one touchdown, everyone's chanting for you?” — Matt Jones (25:38)
- Mayfield now second in MVP odds, behind Mahomes. Matt argues Mayfield should be the favorite:
- “I've been saying for three weeks on this show, Baker Mayfield is the mvp.” — Matt Jones (26:17)
- Drew and Matt: Mayfield, with depleted Bucs, outplays expectations, showing “swagger,” resilience, and leadership.
Quarterback Updates & Old Men Still Slinging
- Dylan Gabriel quote about rough hits:
- “My mom used to beat my blank when I was a kid. So I don’t think anything will be as bad as that.” — Dylan Gabriel, via Matt Jones (30:25)
- Flacco-Rodgers “Icy Hot Bowl”: Second-oldest QB matchup ever; funny banter about Flacco’s age and Jake Browning’s misfortune.
- Commentary on the awkwardness of WRs publicly critiquing their own QBs.
Jaguars, Travis Hunter, and Multi-Position Hype
- Jags staff working to maximize Travis Hunter’s offensive role, but hosts think distractions and over-focus are holding the team back.
- Debate on challenges of playing both sides of the ball as a pro (mental and physical overload).
Jets Troubles & Quarterback No-Man’s Land
- Jets still winless; Garrett Wilson injured, internal drama rising.
- Disappointed analysis of Justin Fields’ career and why it’s time to move on:
- “Anytime you start a sentence with ‘he seems like a nice fella,’ whatever comes next is not good.” — Matt Jones (41:38)
- Tyrod Taylor named as a perennial presence and relic for bad teams.
“Victory Bundle Presented by Liberty Mutual” — Week 6 Picks
- Bundled picks for the week:
- Jaguars over Rams (in London)
- Panthers over Jets
- Eagles over Vikings
- “We're going all animals for our victory bundle... Jaguars, the Panthers, and the Eagles.” — Matt Jones (47:10)
Survivor League & TD Picks
- Survivor league locks: Patriots over Titans (Matt), Chiefs over Raiders (Billy).
- Touchdown picks:
- Cam Scadabo (RB, Billy)
- Xavier Worthy (WR, Matt)
- Jalen Hurts (QB, Drew)
- Drew pitches his “Brown’s tight end” fascination for TD picks.
Around the League – Key Previews & Notes
- Bengals-Steelers (Icy Hot Bowl): High stakes for both; old QBs hold the torch.
- Dolphins-Browns: Browns’ defense key, doubt over Miami’s offensive stability.
- Bears-Saints: Bears primed for potential letdown following MNF win.
- Colts-Chargers: Both contending for #1 seed; Chargers to wear “Charger Power” all-yellow uniforms.
- Texans: Unremarkable season; hosts struggle to recall a Texans highlight.
- Commanders-Cowboys: Both desperate for a bounce-back; Eberflus' defense worries in Dallas.
- Falcons-49ers on SNF: 49ers favored, but injuries and Falcons’ unpredictability could factor.
- Monday Night Football Doubleheader:
- Bucs-Lions: If Baker wins, “crown him” for MVP.
- Seahawks-Texans: Hosts forget Texans even exist.
Broadcast Nuggets
- Spiro Dedes, “NFC South Boys” group chat: Embracing mundane broadcast assignments.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Matt sees QB hope in Chicago after decades:
- “This is the quarterback we've been looking for since the punky QB known as McMahon. And I believe in him.” (06:44)
-
Drew on Titans firing Callahan:
- “I wanted to watch Vrabel beat him by 50 on Sunday, but these cowards wouldn’t even let Vrabel bend them over and spank him in Nashville.” (17:53)
-
Mayfield’s self-awareness:
- “I've been doing this exact same thing with the same attitude since Cleveland, but in Cleveland, I was cocky and arrogant, and now I'm a dog. I play with swagger.” — Drew, quoting Mayfield (28:02)
-
Tez Johnson’s MVP confusion:
- “He genuinely thought the crowd, after his first touchdown pass of his career, thought he was the MVP of the league.” — Matt (25:08)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Monday Night Football/Bears Recap: 01:13–07:14
- Parity & NFL Top 5 Debate: 08:03–12:26
- Chiefs-Lions Fight & Suspension: 14:43–17:00
- Titans Coaching Drama: 17:44–21:11
- NFL Ratings/Big Data: 21:11–24:55
- Baker Mayfield MVP Discussion/Tez Johnson Ancedote: 24:55–27:47
- Victory Bundle Picks: 44:13–47:48
- Survivor League Picks: 47:48–49:42
- Other Games Preview (SNF, MNF, etc.): 53:19–64:19
- Texans Forgetfulness: 62:19–64:19
Tone & Host Chemistry
Matt and Drew mix sharp football analysis with snappy, irreverent banter, often poking fun at each other, the league’s unpredictability, and even their own inability to remember anything about the Texans. They dissect the NFL’s chaotic landscape without taking themselves (or the sport) too seriously, making for an engaging, accessible listen.
Summary prepared for listeners seeking highlights, context, and the week’s best convos from NFL Cover Zero.