KSR NFL Cover Zero: "Thankful for a Long Weekend of Football!"
Date: December 1, 2025
Hosts: Matt Jones, Drew Franklin, and Guest Analyst
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts, Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM), NFL
Episode Overview
This episode dives into an action-packed NFL weekend spanning Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Sunday games amid chaos for the hosts (UK football coach Mark Stoops was fired). Matt, Drew, and their guest analyst give an energetic recap of the key NFL storylines and games, focusing on surprising upsets, playoff races, and memorable football moments, laced with their classic humor, pop culture tangents, and plenty of food talk.
Key Topics and Discussion Points
1. Delayed Podcast, UK Coaching News & the Thanksgiving Slate
- The episode was recorded late due to the University of Kentucky football coaching change.
- Hosts agree: Thanksgiving delivered great football, perhaps the best Day slate in years.
- “Maybe the best Thanksgiving day of football in a long time.”—Matt Jones [02:19]
2. Thanksgiving Night Game: Ravens vs Bengals
- Focus on Joe Burrow’s hair and heartthrob status leads into serious football analysis.
- “He’s becoming like a 90s teenage male TV heartthrob… Brian Austin Green.” —Matt [03:09]
- Ravens losing ugly at home; confidence in Lamar and the defense gone.
- “I’m scratching the Ravens off because they just don’t have it. Lamar doesn’t look quite the same.” —Matt [04:01]
- Drew doubts Ravens’ playoff chances despite not being mathematically out.
- Bengals: Sitting at 4-8, still technically alive if they win out, given division rivals' mediocrity.
- “If they’re 9-8, they will win the division… that Ravens game in two weeks could be for the division.” —Matt [05:55]
- Discussion how the AFC North is a mess: Close, ugly games and missed opportunities.
3. Broadcast Booth Talk, Thanksgiving Culture, & Food
- Banter about why Chris Collinsworth didn’t call the Thanksgiving game (“Dereliction of duties… he not like turkey?”)—Matt [06:57]
- Jokes about Tom Brady’s vegan stuffing and the pregame show.
- Side debate: Corn casserole—the right or wrong Thanksgiving side?
- “I think you deserve that. I mean, favorite is a little strong for corn casserole, but I like corn casserole.” —Matt [08:57]
4. Chiefs vs Cowboys: Most Watched Game?
- Hosts marvel at the massive audience: Possibly the highest-viewed regular season game.
- “If you weren’t watching that game… you should be put in prison.” —Matt [10:29]
- Drew recounts the family ritual of watching the Cowboys, TV on during the blessing [10:50].
- Where’s Taylor Swift? Wonder why she’s not showing up in suite shots—genuine family banter about NFL broadcasting spectacle.
- “That’s also a dereliction of duty by CBS.”—Matt [11:09]
Chiefs Analysis
- Host Drew has “given up” on the Chiefs as title contenders, but admits he’s flip-flopped all year [11:45].
- Matt: Path for KC still exists if they get hot, “Rocky II moment” could be possible given the home-heavy schedule [12:45].
- “If they win five straight… Not certain in the AFC, but probably.”—Matt [12:01]
Cowboys Analysis
- Cowboys’ mid/late season surge, defense improvement, big games vs Lions, Vikings, Chargers highlighted.
- “They’re doing all they can to make that push.” —Drew [16:32]
- Upcoming games labeled as “loser leaves town” matches.
5. Packers vs Lions: Lions Letdown, Jordan Love Emerges
- Dan Campbell’s alleged wall punching after the disappointing loss.
- Lions’ coordinator losses discussed for possible struggles.
- Packers praised—Jordan Love’s progress: “Old two out of three, which is two out of three games, he looks like Mahomes…” —Matt [22:50]
- “If he ever becomes old three out of four, we might have a Super Bowl winner.” —Matt [23:16]
6. Bears Beat Eagles: Potential Playoff Hope
- Bears’ road win in Philadelphia; Caleb Williams “wasn’t great,” but team dominated.
- “This Bears team...maybe they can win a game or two.”—Matt [24:50]
- Drew notes Bears ran for nearly 300 yards on the Eagles' top defense.
- Philly fans’ reputation for meanness confirmed.
- “Their fans are so mean… my mom was very disappointed in them.”—Matt [26:21]
- Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown called out; parallels to Stephon Marbury’s shoe brand, Starbury, tangent.
7. Pop Culture Tangents & Humor
- Spoiler debate: Matt may have spoiled “Stranger Things”, playful bickering ensues [13:09–15:14].
- Steven Berries and $10 hoodies nostalgia (Kentucky mall stories) [29:39–31:23].
- “Whoop! There it is” originated as “Whoop! Here I am” according to Matt.
- Best NFL players to fear in a fight; fun lists from all hosts [57:56].
- “Maxx Crosby… He has nothing, nothing to lose.” —Drew [58:08]
- QBs you’d want or not want to fight sparks more laughter (“I could beat up Brock Purdy.” –Matt [60:17])
8. Sunday’s Notable Games & Playoff Race Rundown
Panthers Upset Rams [32:26]
- Emotional Carolina win, Matthew Stafford's bad fumble, Panthers dangerous in playoff chase.
- “I still don’t know if Bryce Young’s good or not… but he’s fun.” —Matt [35:17]
Texans Edge Colts; AFC South Mayhem [41:24]
- CJ Stroud huge for Houston; Texans now 7-5, AFC South more competitive than expected.
- “Supposed to be the worst division in football and it’s the most competitive.” —Matt [42:34]
- Will Anderson praised as a monster on D-line.
49ers Beat Browns [43:41]
- Shedeur Sanders called out for attitude postgame.
- Billy Harold Fannin Jr. (Bowling Green local) catches a TD; local pride!
NFC South: Bucs, Panthers, Falcons, and Saints
- Division still up for grabs; end-of-season games to decide race.
- “They play Carolina two of the last three weeks. Those games will decide the division.” —Guest Analyst [47:06]
Jets, Tyrod Taylor
- Tyrod Taylor “man of the people” in another Jets win.
- “Tell me he’s 27 or 47 and I’m not sure.” —Matt [48:32]
Titans Update & Will Levis
- Drew’s team struggling, coach “just holding the job,” nostalgia for recent AFC Championship run.
- “Will Levis still has life in the NFL.” —Drew [51:04]
Vikings, Seahawks & Minnesota QB Woes
- Max Brosmer has a historically terrible outing; Vikings are collapsing [51:30].
- “More interceptions than points… pretty rough day.” —Drew [52:13]
9. Miscellaneous Fun & Observations
- Open playoff field: Hosts note “no one looks truly good,” meaning it's anyone’s Super Bowl this year.
- “If no one is good, then everyone is good.”—Matt [70:28]
- Trivia, weekly knockout pool banter, Survivor pool stories.
- Drew shamefully admits to watching a Hallmark Bills Christmas movie filmed in the same Buffalo bar they visited for ESPN [65:01].
10. Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)
- “If you weren’t watching that game… you should be put in prison.” —Matt Jones, on Chiefs/Cowboys [10:29]
- “He’s becoming like a 90s teenage male TV heartthrob… Brian Austin Green.” —Matt Jones, on Joe Burrow [03:09]
- “Corn casserole… just butter. Depending if you want more of a runny or a fritter, but like condensed milk, just unhealthy stuff.” —Drew Franklin [09:24]
- “I’m scratching the Ravens off because they just don’t have it. Lamar doesn’t look quite the same.” —Matt Jones [04:01]
- "Supposed to be the worst division in football and it's the most competitive..." —Matt [42:34]
- "That was the first game to win on the road in Philadelphia that I thought, okay, this isn't just a team that can make the playoffs. Maybe they can win a game or two." —Matt, Bears postgame [24:43]
- “If no one is good, then everyone is good.” —Matt, on the wide-open playoff race [70:28]
- “Maxx Crosby… He has nothing, nothing to lose.” —Drew, on list of scariest NFL players [58:08]
Timed Highlights
- 02:19 — Thanksgiving Football: High praise for the day’s slate
- 04:01 — Ravens vs Bengals dissected, Ravens “scratched off” as contenders
- 10:29 — Chiefs/Cowboys: Must-watch game of the holiday, Swift/Kelsey watch
- 16:32 — Cowboys’ playoff path and remaining schedule
- 22:50 — Jordan Love “2 out of 3” theory, Packers optimism
- 24:50 — Bears dominate Eagles; playoff hopes rise
- 32:26 — Panthers upset Rams, Stafford costly turnover
- 41:24 — Texans beat Colts, AFC South is chaos
- 51:30 — Vikings’ disastrous QB play, Seahawks shutout
- 57:56 — Scariest NFL Players You’d Least Want to Fight: Maxx Crosby tops the list
- 60:17 — QBs you could (maybe) beat up: Brock Purdy, Jared Goff, Russ Wilson
- 64:54 — Bills bounce back, Drew confesses to watching Hallmark Bills love story movie
Tone and Takeaways
- Energetic, witty, irreverent, and deeply knowledgeable; plenty of family and Kentucky flavor.
- Food and pop culture tangents add character and fun (corn casserole, Stranger Things, Starburys).
- Playoff implications and power rankings discussed, but with skepticism: few teams seem elite.
- Audience engagement: Hosts make their analysis relatable, speaking as fans and friends, not just pundits.
Conclusion
This episode is a quintessential KSR blend of NFL breakdown, comic relief, pop culture sidebars, and Kentucky pride. For fans wanting insider insight, family banter, or just laughs, it’s a goldmine—especially if you want to feel like you spent Thanksgiving weekend dissecting football and casseroles with friends.