Laugh With Me Podcast – Smells Like Football SZN 2 (Ep. 102)
Host: Jeremy Odem
Guest: Eric Larson
Date: September 3, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode, Jeremy Odem celebrates 100+ episodes of the Laugh With Me podcast and welcomes back football aficionado Eric Larson for a deep dive into the NFL's NFC division as the new season approaches. The duo brings their signature comedic banter to a thorough dissection of fantasy football traditions, the upcoming Laugh With Me Animated Series, and a position-by-position, team-by-team breakdown of NFL narratives and predictions. The discussion is seasoned with personal stories, league lore, and irreverent takes on everything from fantasy league antics to the existential plight of Vikings fans. It’s a full-throttle, laugh-along football hangout for die-hard and casual fans alike.
Key Segments & Highlights
1. Celebrating the Milestone & Animated Series Launch
[02:52 – 09:13]
- Jeremy and Eric riff on hitting the 100-episode mark
“To get to 100 is pretty cool…less than 10% of podcasts ever even get there.” —Jeremy Odom [04:09] - Announcement: The Laugh With Me Animated Series is coming to YouTube.
- First episode: “Eric Goes to Europe,” visually featuring Eric’s pub tour stories.
- Animated by artist “Alien Designed.”
- Teasers: Visual jokes, a possible cameo by Cisco (“Thong Song”).
- Memorable Moment:
“There may or may not be a scene where you’re peeing in a beer. I don’t know. Who am I to know?” —Jeremy Odom [08:08] - Hype for episode two, based on Jeremy’s “Pepper Spray Attack Survivor.”
2. The Legendary Fantasy Football League
[09:13 – 22:48]
- League Origins and Evolution
- “Hot Tub in the End Zone” league, entering its 19th year.
- Nostalgic details: from apartment keggers to all-day golf+beer-darts marathons.
- Legendary Draft Day Antics
- The “missing boat” saga: Boat floats away, scramble to rescue it kicks off the day.
“All of us with our beverage in hand, like a little confused…” —Eric Larson [12:00] - Golf games featuring creative equipment and in-group ribbing.
- Beer darts chaos: “There are probably seven 40-year-old dudes on their hands and knees crawling over this patch of grass looking for a dart.” —Eric Larson [17:26]
- Unique draft order selection methods: WWE2K battle royal, balloons-with-shots, and revolving creative chaos.
- “To keep you fools organized is quite the task. … Credit to me, honestly, for this year keeping it together and getting through the entire 15 rounds composed.” —Jeremy Odom [21:47]
- The “missing boat” saga: Boat floats away, scramble to rescue it kicks off the day.
- Draft Formats & Rituals
- 4th round draft order reset, with mid-draft breaks often featuring more drinking and games.
- Deep appreciation for the chaos and camaraderie keeping the league alive for nearly two decades.
3. NFL Broadcaster & Streaming Riff
[27:17 – 33:07]
- Ranking NFL Networks by Vibe
- Streamers (Peacock, Amazon, Netflix) fared worst (“those Netflix games were awful” —Eric Larson [28:13])
- NBC and Fox are favorites; CBS labeled “throwback” with fun nostalgia factor.
- Digression into old ABC/ESPN and broadcaster changes (“Not a huge Joe Buck fan” —Eric Larson [27:28])
- Reflection on network nostalgia and generational viewpoint differences.
4. Full NFC Division-by-Division Breakdown & Predictions
[33:07 – 101:55]
NFC South
[33:07 – 44:34]
- Saints: “Probably the worst team in football right now.” —Eric Larson [33:40]
- Carolina Panthers: Cautious optimism for Bryce Young with a Dalton mentorship. “He gets it. ...There's something to be said about not playing right away.” —Jeremy Odom [39:04]
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Predicted division favorite: “Backed by Baker Mayfield, who I'm…big hopes for him this year.” —Jeremy Odom [41:11]
- Atlanta Falcons: “I like their offensive skill players…Bijan arguably the best running back out there.” —Eric Larson [42:34]
NFC West
[47:43 – 56:42]
- Highly competitive, may send three teams to playoffs.
“This is a division that could send three teams to the playoffs.” —Eric Larson [48:31] - Arizona Cardinals: Deep but stuck in QB limbo; Kyler Murray called “average.”
- Seattle Seahawks: Defense lauded but QB swap (Smith to Darnold) creates questions.
- San Francisco 49ers: Easiest schedule in NFL, but health remains the big hurdle.
- Los Angeles Rams:
“It irks me to no end that [Stafford] went to this Ram situation...and then he won that championship and now it's just like, god, he still annoys me.” —Eric Larson [57:22]
NFC East
[60:41 – 73:44]
- Giants and Commanders: Giants expected at the bottom, Commanders predicted to regress.
- Cowboys:
“I think Dak’s a good quarterback…I think with that offense, you can bank on it.” —Eric Larson [66:15]
Huge trade of Parsons for picks signals possible near-future overhaul. - Eagles:
“Top down, best team…they’ve got the least amount of unknowns.” —Eric Larson [69:57] But lost several defensive contributors; pressure on offense to remain elite.
NFC North
[79:11 – 101:55]
- Chicago Bears:
“The Bears…trash.” —Jeremy Odom [81:52] “I think [Caleb Williams] is going to be the quarterback next year as, like, alright, he’s our guy. Let's move forward.” —Eric Larson [82:06] Over/under on wins set at 6.5—most are betting the under. - Packers vs Vikings: The Micah Parsons Effect
“The Packers just took what was a mediocre to okay defense to what could now be maybe a pretty good one…That’s the difference.” —Jeremy Odom [89:24] - Vikings:
“It all hinges on J.J. McCarthy... If he isn't the guy, yeah, they're screwed.” —Jeremy Odom [95:51] Despite strong O-line, WRs, and Flores’ defense, the QB’s inexperience is a gamble. - Lions:
“All the pressure is on the head coach…If he's right and it works, they're gonna win the division…If he's wrong, this thing implodes fast.” —Jeremy Odom [99:40] Lions have toughest schedule; lost both coordinators, but still division favorites. - Wildcard Scenarios:
“Do I think it's within the realm of possibility you could have an 11-win team win this division? 100%.” —Eric Larson [102:04]
5. NFL Scheduling, Playoff & Super Bowl Predictions
[101:20 – 104:43]
- On the NFC as a whole:
“The winner of the Lions, Packers, and Vikings…could make the argument they’ll be NFC champion contenders. But all…have bigger question marks than the Eagles.” —Eric Larson [103:22] - Schedule analysis: Lions have hardest, 49ers easiest; schedule strength could easily shape playoff picture.
6. NFL Kickoff Anticipation & Vikings Outlook
[104:43 – 106:52]
- Week 1 Matchups:
“Football baby…week one, we’ve got Eagles, Cowboys on Thursday night, Chargers, Chiefs on Friday, before that full slate on Sunday. I’m excited.” —Jeremy Odom [104:43] - Nervous energy for Vikings’ unconventional start (Monday Night Football, London games, tough early matchups).
“If the Vikings start two and three or, god forbid, one and four, it’s going to be a long process to get it righted.” —Eric Larson [106:28]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Eric on Vikings/Chargers hypothetical Super Bowl wins:
“If the Vikings or the Chargers won the Super Bowl… It would be posters. Frame pictures, everything, shirts, like, just anything you can give me. I need it because that's my whole personality for the next five years.” [35:06] - On fantasy draft chaos:
“There are probably seven 40 year old dudes on their hands and knees crawling over this patch of grass looking for a dart.” —Eric Larson [17:26] - On NFC South power rankings:
“You’re gonna spend a lot of bottom five podcasts talking about the Saints.” —Eric Larson [34:28] - On NFL schedule projection challenges:
“That’s how you end up with that dumb…‘they lost to the Dolphins, but then they beat the Patriots and the Jets’” —Eric Larson [45:15] - Jeremy to Eric re: Packers:
“That was my thing a week ago. I was saying, what did they possibly do that would tell me they’re different? And…then they make this trade for Micah Parsons. I’m like, ah, alright. That’s a move that 31 other teams didn’t make!” [87:41]
Comedic, Personal & “Laugh With Me” Touches
- Frequent playful ribbing about their own “dad bods” and animated avatars.
- Banter about flipping each other off during golf, beer darts fiascos, and “old guy” fantasy hijinks.
- Callbacks to old episodes, inside jokes about recurring guests (Cisco!), and recurring “bottom five” rankings.
- Celebratory shoutouts to silent producer Johnny and debates about who’s better-looking in animation.
- Departures into personal stories: the ordeal of the floating boat, Hooters draft nights, and tales of Brett Favre, Chargers fandom, and North Dakota blackjack.
Important Timestamps
| Segment | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------------|:-------------:| | Animated Series Announced | 05:54–09:13 | | Fantasy League/Draft Stories | 09:53–22:48 | | Beer Darts Search (Comedic Highlight) | 17:07–18:11 | | NFL Broadcasters/Media Ranking | 27:17–33:07 | | NFC Division Breakdown – South Intro | 33:07–44:34 | | NFC West Discussion | 47:43–56:42 | | NFC North Deep Dive | 79:11–101:55 | | NFC Champs & Playoff Speculation | 101:20–104:43 | | NFL Kickoff/Week 1 Outlook | 104:43–106:52 |
Closing Thoughts
This episode perfectly blends hardcore football analysis, nostalgia-soaked fantasy league stories, and the kind of slightly unhinged comedic energy that defines “Laugh With Me.” Jeremy and Eric succeed in making NFL preview season feel fresh and personal, highlighting the ways in which sports fandom, friendships, and laughter are inseparable.
Animated series drops soon on their YouTube – stay tuned for Eric’s animated debut, Johnny’s cameo, and more unpredictable “full Monty” fun.
"It’s football, baby. And week one, we’ve got Eagles, Cowboys on Thursday… I’m excited." —Jeremy Odom [104:43]