NFL Cover Zero: The Playoff Push!

Podcast: KSR
Hosts: Matt Jones, Drew Franklin, Billy
Episode Date: December 11, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Matt Jones returns to host alongside Drew Franklin and Billy for a jam-packed Week 15 NFL preview. The crew dives into the shifting playoff picture, examines the possible end of the Chiefs' dynasty, reacts to Philip Rivers' surprising NFL return at age 44, and covers plenty of unique stats, inside stories, and banter—from baby names to flag football’s Olympic future.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal Updates and Banter

• Matt opens the show with a mention of his absence and gratitude, then quickly pokes fun at Drew’s “dad hat,” leading to a riff about baby names for Drew’s expected daughter.
• Humorous back-and-forth about naming the baby "Bartina" (after bar meeting and ex-girlfriend Tina), and balancing originality with practicality.
  • Memorable quote (04:23):
    Matt Jones: “I think it’s unique. People will be like, ‘Martina?’ No, Bar-Tina.”
• The conversation transitions to the anxiety and seriousness of picking a name that a child will carry for life. Matt suggests reading every third name from a baby name list, which results in the short list: Olivia, Charlotte, Isabella, Sophia, Barbara.
  • Drew jokes about considering old-fashioned names thanks to trends and Matt’s goading.

2. The Chiefs Dynasty: Beginning of the End?

• Matt thinks the Kansas City Chiefs’ incredible seven-year run is likely over after recent losses, praising them as one of history’s most impressive franchises.
  • Quote (09:57):
    Matt Jones: “You could make an argument that along with the Patriots run, the Steelers run in the ‘70s, maybe the Packers in the ‘60s, those are the best runs of all time… It seems to now be over.”
• Drew reflects on the emotional rollercoaster of the dynasty’s decline, referencing Travis Kelce's own public doubts.
  • Drew Franklin (10:20): “Even Travis Kelce’s got comments out there where he’s like, anytime we faced adversity before, I felt like I had an answer. I don’t have an answer this time.”
• Both agree Mahomes will have another act in his career, but anticipate significant roster changes and wonder about Andy Reid’s future (now 70).

3. NFL Culture, Games, and Media

• The hosts joke about the fan exhaustion that accompanies dynasties but argue star power makes for a compelling NFL (e.g., comparing Mahomes/Allen to replacements like Bo Nix/Trevor Lawrence).
  • Matt Jones (12:05): "You’re telling me Chiefs Rams would not be more fun? ... It's like when people got tired of Tiger winning—no, who wins now? Some guy named Max."

4. Philip Rivers Returns at 44

• The Colts stunned the league by signing Philip Rivers, out of football for five years, to potentially start.
  • Matt Jones (17:29): “Have we ever seen anything like this? ... To sit out a sport for five years—that’s a long time. And he looked old when he played.”
• The guys riff on Rivers' lack of recent football activities, speculate about his fitness, and riff on other ex-players’ careers post-retirement.
  • Billy (25:25): “His oldest child is as old as Riley Leonard [the backup].”
• React with sympathy and amusement for Riley Leonard—a rookie potentially displaced for someone the same age as Rivers’ oldest child.

5. Quarterback Discussions & Notable Stats

• Jordan Love’s “ToyotaThon” Stats:
  Billy brings up Jordan Love’s prolific performances specifically during ToyotaThon sales windows, a running inside joke.
  • Billy (26:29): “In 19 games over the last three seasons, Jordan Love has 35 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, and is completing 68% of his passes during ToyotaThon.”
• Matt and Drew poke fun at the odd specificity, tie it to car dealership sales pressure tactics, and share personal car-buying stories, including the “Larry Power Move” for haggling.
• Eagles and Justin Herbert Media Moment:
  Billy reports on Justin Herbert’s eye-rolling incident with sideline reporter Laura Rutledge, leading Matt to sharply disapprove and defend Rutledge’s professionalism.
  • Matt Jones (33:08): “Laura Rutledge is the nicest person in the world ... He owes her an apology. Go celebrate with your team, but you can do the interview or just walk away, but don’t roll your eyes at Laura Rutledge.”
• Discussion on the Eagles’ offensive struggles and Jalen Hurts' inconsistency, and Lamar Jackson’s surprising downturn.
  • Matt Jones (34:38): “I don’t get it. I don’t understand how Jalen Hurts can be so inconsistent at times... Lamar has completely fallen off the planet too. I mean, what happened to Lamar?”

6. NFL Playoff Scenarios & Key Matchups

• Billy updates on Week 15 playoff scenarios. Patriots can clinch the division with a win over the Bills; Rams and Broncos can clinch playoff berths.
  • Anticipation builds for Patriots-Bills as the best matchup of the weekend.
  • Drew roots for the Bills as the worthy postseason favorite.

7. NFL News, Expansion, and the International Game

• Professional Flag Football League:
  Major news that NFL owners are investing $32 million into professional flag football, aiming to build on its boost from the upcoming Olympic inclusion.
  • Matt Jones (42:44): "If you’re the NFL and you’re doing this, then [Rondo]'s got to play… you want someone with name recognition."
• Expansion into Germany:
  NFL confirms four straight seasons of regular season games in Munich, referencing Germany’s large American football fanbase (>20 million).
  • Discussion extends to NFL's global growth, international games logistics, and a tangent explaining European vs American geography.

8. Emerging Quarterbacks and Rookies

• Shadur Sanders to Start for the Browns:
  Despite a loss to Drew’s Titans, his performance earns him the starting job for the remainder of the season.
  • Matt and Drew debate whether the Bears' game vs. the Browns is an automatic win, consider the challenges of playing in severe cold weather.
• Rookie QB Rankings:
  Spirited debate ranking the current class: Drake May, Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, with skepticism over Nix but acknowledgment of Caleb's progress under coach Ben Johnson.

Notable Quotes & Moments (by Timestamp):

• On Chiefs’ Dynasty End:
  Matt: “These were the good times, and I feel like C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson ended them Sunday night.” (12:58)
• On Car-Buying Haggling:
  Matt: “My dad, Larry, his method of doing cars is the one I’ve done. He’d sit down and look at the person and go, ‘I don’t like to haggle ... You have to make a profit ... but this is it.’” (30:22)
• On Laura Rutledge/Herbert Incident:
  Matt: “He owes her an apology. Go celebrate with your team. That’s fine. But you can do the interview or just walk away, but don’t roll your eyes at Laura Rutledge.” (33:08)
• On Flag Football at the Olympics:
  Billy: “Rajon Rondo is officially the top-ranked flag football quarterback in the United States.” (44:39) Matt: “If you’re the NFL and you’re doing this, then he’s got to play… you want someone with name recognition.” (44:57)
• On Bears-Browns in Frigid Temps:
  Drew: “If I’m a fan, I want the absolute worst... Like, there’s nothing better than a good, good snow game.” (52:25)

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------|-----------| | Return of Matt & Baby Naming Banter | 02:33–07:00 | | Chiefs Dynasty/Loss Reflection | 09:08–14:45 | | Taylor Swift/Kelce Wedding Offshoot | 14:14–16:45 | | Philip Rivers Return & Ex-NFLers’ Careers | 17:29–21:13 | | Jordan Love “ToyotaThon” Stat/Car Buying | 26:18–32:25 | | Justin Herbert/Laura Rutledge Sideline Moment | 32:26–33:22 | | Eagles, Hurts, and Lamar Dissection | 34:16–35:10 | | Playoff Scenarios Rundown | 36:36–38:33 | | Flag Football League & Olympic Expansion | 42:14–46:15 | | NFL International (Germany Focus) | 47:25–48:56 | | Science/Geography Tangent | 48:56–51:03 | | Rookie QBs, Browns-Bears, Shadur Sanders | 53:37–55:09 |

Final Segment: Victory Bundle Picks & Survivor

• The crew picks the Bengals over Ravens, Cowboys to cover vs. Vikings, and Bills over Patriots.
• Survivor pool debate leads to Billy taking the Eagles and Bears.
• Fantasy picks: Drew—Christian McCaffrey, Billy—Wandell Robinson (slot receiver stat skit), Matt—Dak Prescott.

Tone and Style

The episode maintains the classic KSR blend of sports expertise, running jokes, Kentucky flavor, fast-paced riffing, and offbeat but insightful tangents. The hosts display camaraderie and deep NFL knowledge, offering both hard analysis and relatable anecdotes for football fans of all stripes.

Takeaways

• The NFL’s playoff race is wide open, with the Chiefs era possibly ending and new faces emerging.
• The league is betting big on flag football’s future—with potential for surprising athlete crossovers.
• Off-field personalities (from baby namings to auto-buying strategies) blend seamlessly with football talk, putting a unique KSR stamp on weekly sports coverage.

For more football and Kentucky-flavored fun, listen to KSR’s NFL Cover Zero every week!