NFL Cover Zero: Playoff Berths Being Clinched!
Podcast: KSR (iHeartPodcasts & Sports Talk 790)
Hosts: Matt Jones, Drew Franklin, and Billy
Date: December 22, 2025
Overview
In this lively Week 16 episode, Matt Jones and the KSR crew dive into a packed NFL weekend, breaking down the games with playoff implications, discussing standout player performances, coaching controversies, and providing their trademark mix of humor and fandom. With Matt broadcasting from New Orleans fresh off a Saints win, the crew celebrates clinched playoff spots—especially for Matt’s beloved Bears—while analyzing surprises, heartbreaks, and memorable moments across the league.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Bears Clinch Playoffs & Wild Comeback (02:03–08:49)
- Matt is riding high after the Bears make the playoffs, thanks to a Lions loss. The conversation focuses on the Bears' miraculous comeback against Green Bay.
- Matt: "Probably one of the best Bears wins of my lifetime." (02:03)
- Drew: “Green Bay was at 99% in the fourth quarter… but they kept making the right play.” (04:11)
- They debate whether the Bears can break their 15-year playoff win drought and the likability of the young team under Caleb Williams.
2. Caleb Williams’ Emergence & Second-Year QB Surge (06:29–08:49)
- Discussion on the rise of Caleb Williams, with Drew citing his record low interception percentage.
- Matt: “He has the fewest interceptions of any quarterback ever with a thousand attempts.” (07:35)
- They note the changing culture under coach Ben Johnson and celebrate the competitive group of second-year quarterbacks.
3. Jaguars Demolish Denver & Establish Themselves (10:22–13:54)
- The Jaguars’ dominant win over the Broncos signals a shift in AFC power.
- Drew: “Jaguars are turning it on at the right time.… they’ve got a little swagger.” (13:06)
- Liam Cohen’s leadership and trash-talking style get a lighthearted roast.
- Matt, on Cohen: “For a dude that is as dorky as he is, he talks an amazing amount of trash.” (13:31)
4. NFL Officiating Controversy: Steelers vs. Lions Ending (23:52–27:46)
- Matt shares a story about practicing play-by-play on a flight, then transitions into the chaotic and penalty-filled ending of the Steelers-Lions game.
- Drew: “That last play was just mayhem... it was a pretty blatant push off.” (23:52)
- Ref controversy and crowd confusion over the officiating calls.
- Matt: “I’m very surprised they called [both penalties]... both valid, but surprising.” (25:39)
5. Mike Tomlin’s Coaching Consistency (27:01–28:11)
- Enduring success of Tomlin is celebrated.
- Billy: “19 years!” (27:01)
- Matt: “The fact Pittsburgh wants to get rid of him is kind of odd to me.” (27:04)
6. Fan Encounters & Detroit’s Reputation (28:25–33:21)
- DK Metcalf’s altercation with a fan and the perils of viral sports moments. Matt references the “Coldplay couple” incident and reflects on the durability of city reputations.
- Drew: "You can’t be doing that, especially mid-game… we can’t have you leaving the bench to go grab a fan by the collar." (31:17)
7. Patriots-Ravens Thriller & Lamar Jackson’s Future (38:00–42:59)
- Patriots’ comeback win highlighted by Drake May’s clutch throws.
- Matt: “He’s the Drake YES… he’s good and the Patriots are good, which makes me mad.” (38:54)
- Concerns about Lamar Jackson’s injury history and potential decline.
- Drew: "He seems to have lost a step... the MVP caliber Lamar, I think, is behind us." (41:52)
8. Around the NFL: Quick Game Recaps & Quirky Stats (43:22–49:37)
- Eagles clinch the division amid a brawl with the Commanders.
- Noted as the first NFC East repeat champion in 20 years.
- Saints' Shuck delivers another strong outing, with Taysom Hill achieving 1000+ yards passing, rushing, and receiving.
- Billy: “Taysom Hill became the first player in the Super Bowl era to have a thousand yards passing, rushing and receiving in a career.” (47:31)
- Bills narrowly defeat Browns; Shador Sanders' shaky final drive discussed.
9. Coaching Clichés, Traditions & NFL Miscellany (54:39–64:38)
- Matt preps for his first live play-by-play broadcast (New Orleans Bowl), shares stories about coach interviews and frosted hair tips (56:28).
- Linguistic tangent: “The worm has turned”—origin and meaning debated (60:39–64:38).
- Billy: “It comes from a 1546 collection of proverbs…’Tread a worm on the tail and it must turn again.’” (63:55)
10. Rest-of-Week Games, Injury Fallout & Playoff Race (66:03–68:41)
- Bucs’ collapse continues; Todd Bowles’ job in jeopardy.
- Billy, on the Bucs: “They started 5 and 1. They’re now 7 and 8. Todd Bowles should be let go at the end of the year. It’s just unacceptable.” (65:31)
- Anticipation for Philip Rivers’ return for the Colts: hope, doubt, and comedic takes.
- Matt: “I don’t think that’s good for the sport. …You can’t just like, not play baseball for five years and go hit a home run, right?” (68:50)
- Drew: “It’s a bad look for young quarterbacks… Philip Rivers says on a microphone, I’m fat. And then goes out there and plays.” (69:28)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Matt Jones (on Bears win):
“To actually have it go right for once, yesterday was just like a great sports day for me… That’ll be one you put up there.” (10:22) -
Drew Franklin (on Caleb Williams):
“He's just had a few that have been untimely… but overall, yeah, he's been protecting the ball. And was it like six comebacks this year?” (07:59) -
Matt Jones (on Mike Tomlin):
“That, to me, is the most amazing stat… Pittsburgh wants to get rid of him, is kind of odd to me.” (27:04) -
Drew Franklin (on coaching theatrics):
"I think this year, the coach of the year race is so open. They know the cameras are on and it’s kind of like performance art to help their case for voters." (09:41) -
Billy (on Saints’ Taysom Hill):
“Taysom Hill became the first player in the super bowl era to have a thousand yards passing, rushing and receiving in a career.” (47:31) -
General banter (on city rankings):
“What’s the city you would want to go to the least in America?... Jacksonville, I think is a good call.” (32:54–33:21)
Important Segment Timestamps
- 02:03 – Bears clinch playoffs, celebrating comeback vs. Packers
- 06:29–08:49 – Caleb Williams emerges, second-year QBs in league
- 10:22–13:54 – Jaguars blow out Denver, Super Bowl contender debate
- 23:52–27:46 – Steelers-Lions ending, officiating chaos analyzed
- 27:01–28:11 – Mike Tomlin’s winning record streak
- 28:25–33:21 – DK Metcalf & fan interactions, Detroit’s reputation
- 38:00–42:59 – Patriots’ comeback, Lamar Jackson’s health concerns
- 43:22–49:37 – Quick recaps: Eagles clinch, Saints’ new star, Bills sneak past Browns
- 60:39–64:38 – “The worm has turned” origin discussion
- 65:31–66:21 – Buccaneers’ slide, Todd Bowles’ fate
- 68:41–70:18 – Philip Rivers returns, what it means for QBs and NFL narratives
Final Thoughts
This episode delivers a balanced blend of celebration (Bears, Jaguars, Patriots), concern (Ravens, Bucs, fading stars), and irreverent commentary (on coaches, cities, and sayings). The hosts’ camaraderie shines through, making for an engaging summary of a pivotal NFL weekend. They keep the tone light yet knowledgeable, ensuring listeners are both informed and entertained—perfect for NFL fans looking for a digest of all the top stories and a few laughs along the way.