NFL Cover Zero: Trade Deadline and Week 10 Preview!

Podcast: KSR
Date: November 6, 2025
Hosts: Matt Jones, Drew Franklin, Billy

Episode Overview

This episode dives into a pivotal week in the NFL: trade deadline fallout and the Week 10 slate. Matt Jones (broadcasting from the Northeast), Drew Franklin (from Lexington), and Billy break down blockbuster trades, intriguing international games, headlines across the league, key injuries, betting odds, and their picks for the coming week. The tone is energetic, irreverent, and packed with both sharp analysis and playful banter.

Main Themes

• Biggest Trade Deadline Moves: Jets’ rebuild, surprises from Cowboys and Colts, fire sale by the Saints, and more.
• NFL International in Berlin: The league’s first game in Germany—culture, expectations, and predictions.
• Midseason Power Shifts: Analyzing what recent moves and upsets mean for the wide-open playoff race.
• Team and Player News: Coaching decisions, the Kyler Murray saga, injury updates.
• Betting and Survivor Pools: Hosts’ takes on odds, their picks, and fantasy angles.
• Podcast Drama: The ‘Meow Mix’ Panthers podcast jinx.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL’s First Berlin Game & Culture Clash

Time: 03:00 – 07:40

• Falcons vs. Colts make up the first-ever NFL game in Germany.
• Hosts riff on Berlin’s reputation—nightlife, tough club entrances, “heart-clogging” local cuisine.
• Matt Jones: “The worst food on planet Earth is in Germany…if you like beer, though, it’s the place for you.” (04:43)
• Predictions point to a low-scoring, run-heavy game, but hosts love the early morning kickoff for U.S. fans.
  • “Whatever the first-half under is, Drew, take it.” – Matt (07:17)
• Light-hearted jokes about NFL players and the Berlin club scene.

2. Trade Deadline: Jets Tear Down, Contenders Load Up

Time: 07:42 – 16:50

• Jets Deal Sauce Gardner & Quinnen Williams: Massive returns (multiple first-round picks), marking a “total rebuild.”
  • “If you’re a Jets fan, you’ve now lost your identity. What was probably a top five defense…but it was a top five defense that had you going 1-7 anyway.” – Matt (08:34)
• Colts and Cowboys Go All-In: Both teams trade for star defenders; hosts debate the wisdom of mortgaging the future.
  • “This is like a trade for job security…you traded away all my good players, how in the world could you fire me?” – Matt (09:38)
  • “If you gave up that much, you better go win it now.” – Drew (08:50)
• Losing in New York or Winning in Indianapolis? Jokes about lifestyle trade-offs for elite players.
  • “I’d choose a losing team over living in Indiana. I’m that selfish.” – Drew (11:15)
• Other Major Trades:
  • Saints trade Rasheed Shahid to Seahawks.
  • Bears acquire Joe Tyron-Shoyinka.
  • Cowboys also add Logan Wilson.
  • Billy’s Recap: “There were eight trades on that Tuesday alone. Tied for second most ever.” (12:32)
• Seahawks and NFC parity highlighted; Rams called favorites, but “NFC is wide open.”

3. Quarterback Turmoil & Job Security

Time: 16:55 – 19:41

• Kyler Murray Benched in Arizona: Jacoby Brissett named starter even if Murray is healthy.
  • “What a brutal knife in the back to Kyler Murray…That is a signal the Kyler Murray era is ending or has ended in Arizona.” – Matt (17:06)
  • “He’s sitting at home nursing a foot injury, playing Call of Duty, not looking at his playbook…” – Drew (17:58)
• “It’s like, honey, I’m going on vacation, but even if I was here, I wouldn’t want to see you this week.” – Matt’s analogy (18:34)

4. Innovations & Trends: New Kickoff Tactics

Time: 20:20 – 23:55

• Seahawks use 300lb defensive linemen in their new kickoff return scheme—successful innovation.
  • “It was funny seeing two 300-pounders on a kickoff—but it worked, forced a fumble.” – Drew (21:05)
• Hosts discuss how the new kickoff rules have made the play “actually matter” again and look for more strategic shakeups.

5. The Meow Mix Podcast Jinx

Time: 24:08 – 29:48

• The quirky Panthers fan podcast “Meow Mix” stops posting—Carolina immediately goes on a win streak.
• Drama: When they plan a return, ex-players and fans tell them to “stay away”; hosts riff on podcast jinxes and speculate on what the Meow Mix crew looks like.
  • “You do this podcast out of love…something happens where you break through—a Panthers podcast…I feel bad for them.” – Matt (26:19)

6. Betting Odds & Power Rankings

Time: 29:51 – 32:50

• NFC #1 seed odds: Rams, Eagles, Seahawks, and Bucs the betting favorites.
  • “I still think the Eagles are the favorite…If I was gonna hedge now, I’d go ahead and take a +350 Eagles ticket.” – Matt (30:12)
• Lions seen as a “great value” at +750.
• AFC: Bills and Colts favored for the top seed; Chiefs seen as better Super Bowl bet despite longshot odds for #1 seed.
  • “This is the most open the NFC (and maybe whole league) has been in a long time.” – Matt (30:58)

7. Key Injuries

Time: 33:20 – 34:24

• Tucker Kraft (ACL, out for year), Joe Alt (Chargers lineman, high ankle, season-ending), Jaden Daniels (injured in blowout, criticized for still playing).
• Dan Quinn (Commanders coach) earns credit for candidly accepting blame:
  • “I actually gained some respect for him for just acknowledging that was a mistake.” – Matt (33:39)

8. Football ‘Ballgate’: The Kicker Ball Controversy

Time: 35:04 – 38:43

• Debate over the unfairness of using a “quarterback ball” instead of a “kicker ball” on hurried field goals—a subtle but impactful rules technicality exposed on a missed 54-yard try.
  • “There’s gotta be one ball for all, let it be whatever it is.” – Matt (36:43)
  • “This is going to be my crusade in the offseason: get rid of the other ball!” – Matt (38:20)

9. Week 10 Game Previews, Picks, and Pools

Time: 38:44 – 53:14

Key Previews

• Thursday Night: Raiders vs. Broncos

  • Little enthusiasm for the struggling matchup, but the Broncos’ surprising run—“They're actually in contention for the 1 seed.” – Matt (39:13)

• Picks of the Week (Liberty Mutual “Victory Bundle”):

  • Matt: Bucs to cover vs. Patriots.
  • Drew: Bears to cover vs. Giants (offensive momentum).
  • Matt: Lions vs. Commanders under (expecting bad weather and a slow game).

• Jets vs. Browns: Browns expected to keep rolling as “Jets take the rest of the year off.” – Drew (43:33)

• Rams vs. 49ers: “Huge one for the Rams, they're set up for the 1 seed.” – Matt (44:10)

• Steelers vs. Chargers (SNF): Debate over whether battered Chargers can protect Justin Herbert or if Aaron Rodgers capitalizes.

  • “I've been a big Chargers believer, but Justin Herbert just keeps getting pummeled.” – Drew (45:26)

• Eagles vs. Packers (MNF): Hosts stunned Packers are favored after their embarrassing Panthers loss; both prefer the Eagles’ roster.

  • "I think the Eagles have the most talent. I'm a little bit surprised by that." – Matt (47:41)

• Survivor Pool:

  • Billy: Seahawks over Cardinals
  • Matt: Bills over Dolphins
  • Drew: Already out; good-natured ribbing ensues.

• Touchdown Pool Picks:

  • Billy: Justin Jefferson
  • Matt: Bijan Robinson
  • Drew: Josh Allen

Notable Quotes

• “I've been through this a lot—big win, then lose a bad game right after.” – Matt, on Bears vs. Giants (42:12)
• “If you gave up that much, you better go win now.” – Drew, on Colts/Cowboys trades (08:50)
• “He’s running for his life.” – Drew, on Justin Herbert leading QBs in rushing yards (52:26)

Notable/Entertaining Moments

• Joking about the “least sexy” but most important injuries.
• Lighthearted disdain for Indiana led to: “Living in Indiana would be the worst fate to put on a man.” – Matt (11:23)
• Meow Mix podcast analysis: hosts imagine them as “two accountants with cat ears” or “cat ladies” (29:10–29:36).

Timestamps for Top Segments

• NFL in Berlin / International Game Banter: 03:00–07:40
• Trade Deadline Reactions: 07:42–16:50
• Kyler Murray Benching: 16:55–19:41
• Seahawks Kickoff Innovation: 20:20–23:55
• Meow Mix Panthers Podcast Curse: 24:08–29:48
• Odds / Playoff Power Rankings: 29:51–32:50
• Week 10 Picks & Survivor Pool: 38:44–53:14

Summary

This episode offers a fast, entertaining flyover of NFL Week 10, with the KSR crew unpacking trades, strategic trends, and the shifting playoff landscape with humor and insight. The hosts’ chemistry shines as they blend betting advice, league gossip, cultural tangents (from German food to podcast curses), and just enough football nerdery to satisfy both diehards and casual fans.

Recommended for:
Anyone wanting a fun, digestible whiparound of NFL news, storylines, and betting angles—with plenty of laughs and the unique flavor of the KSR squad.