NFL Cover Zero: It's Conference Championship Time!

Summary

NFL Cover Zero: It's Conference Championship Time!

Podcast: NFL Cover Zero with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin
Episode Date: January 23, 2026
Host: iHeartPodcasts
Episode Focus: Previewing the NFL Conference Championships, discussing major league news, and having fun with quirky football banter.

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Overview

This episode of NFL Cover Zero is all about the build-up to the NFL’s Conference Championship weekend. Hosts Matt Jones and Drew Franklin, joined by Billy, deliver lively football talk covering the unexpected quarterback matchups, coaching changes, major team news, and some humorous digressions (featuring city-naming games, coach “hotness” rankings, and reminiscing about sports pop culture). The tone is casual, sharp, and full of insider football knowledge—mixed with plenty of friendly ribbing and Kentucky-flavored wit.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Conference Championship Quarterback Situations

• NFC vs AFC Excitement:

  • Billy says he’s unexpectedly more excited for the NFC game due to the AFC’s “weirdness,” thanks to Denver’s starting quarterback situation:
    • "Having Stidham respectfully, a guy hasn't thrown a pass in two years, start an AFC Championship game. Feels weird." (03:12)
  • The hosts lament Bo Nix’s injury, which shifts the narrative.

• Jared Stidham Deep Dive:

  • Matt hands out rapid-fire trivia and quirky facts about Stidham, including his Kentucky roots and unusual career trajectory.
  • They riff on the Corbin, KY “Nibrock” festival, inventing reversed city-name festivals for comic effect—like “Dallas Salad” and “Sagiv Sal” for Vegas (04:22–06:09).
  • “Jared Stidham was born in 1996 in Corbin, Kentucky….They have a festival there which is just the word Corbin spelled backwards that they call the Nibrock.” –Matt Jones (04:12)

2. Odd Aversion to Patriots (and Bill Simmons)

• Matt admits rooting for Stidham just to see Boston (and specifically Bill Simmons) suffer:
  • “I listen to Bill Simmons every week and like him, I have such an odd relationship with this person in the sense I don't miss his podcast, but also wish he wouldn't talk.” (07:11)
• Extended personal anecdotes about hating Boston sports happiness and Simmons’s influence.

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3. Jared Stidham’s Football Journey

• Career Arc:

  • Stidham’s path: Kentucky → Texas → Texas Tech (initial commit) → Baylor (then transferred) → Auburn (noted for being 2018 Music City Bowl MVP) → Denver.
  • Notable tidbits: “He was picked in the fourth round, and he selected the number four as his jersey for the Patriots because he was picked in the fourth round. It was an honor because he was the first Patriots player since Adam Vinatieri to wear the number four.” –Matt Jones (13:11)

• QB Mystery Element:

  • Since Stidham hasn’t played meaningful snaps in years, the Patriots “can’t prepare” for him, and “there’s no tape.” (15:25)
  • Jokes about him potentially being left-handed now, just to confound the defense.

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4. Major NFL Team & Coaching News

a. Buffalo Bills Fire Sean McDermott (17:01)

• Drew and Billy are mystified by the move, arguing McDermott was unfairly scapegoated.

• The hosts debate the owner’s claim he saw “visible distress” on Josh Allen’s face.

  • “I was a little surprised by this. He's had such a good run. It’s not his fault McDermott that they lost the game...I actually thought this was not a smart decision.” –Matt Jones (17:31)

• General Manager Blame Game:

  • Confusion over the “Keon Coleman” pick, with management passing the buck and viral videos undercutting public statements.
  • “Even if the coach did force him into it, if you're a GM, you can't admit that the coach is pushing you around in the call.” – Billy (23:34)

b. Catch Rule “Simplification” (26:56)

• The NFL’s decision NOT to change the catch rule, but maybe to “hire a PR team” to better explain it, inspires a round of mockery.
  • “They're going to hire a PR team teaching children in schools? Here’s how you complete a catch.” –Matt Jones (27:12)
  • Extended riffing on the bizarre logic of the “football move” standard.

c. Offensive Coordinator Carousel (29:44)

• Mike McDaniel to Chargers:
  • Jokes that McDaniel may just want to party in LA; question if he’s avoiding “bad” head coaching gigs.
  • “I mean, there's something to it. It's Harbaugh, there's a quarterback, I can win with. It's LA. All I gotta do is go make this offense look good. My phone's going to ring again pretty quickly.” –Billy (32:20)
• Eric Bieniemy Returns to Kansas City:
  • Perennial head coaching candidate with near-mythic “bad interview” speculation, leading Matt to call out NFL overreliance on interviews:
    • “Do you think maybe people overreact to the interviews? I mean ... they're calling plays and coaching plays.” (33:54)

d. Robert Saleh Hired by Titans (37:57–38:51)

• Praised defensive acumen but concerns over developing young offensive talent.
• “He has to absolutely get a good OC. Now I’ve seen Brian Daboll rumored—if we get a head coach from the Giants as our OC ... very happy.” – Billy

e. Ranking Head Coach “Hotness” (39:05–41:56)

• Extended, very tongue-in-cheek debate over “hot” coaches, with Robert Saleh, Sean McVay, Matt LaFleur, and Dan Campbell in the running.
  • “Robert Sala is one of three people I’ve ever watched a sporting event with a woman and had them go: who’s that?” –Matt Jones (39:51)
  • Dismissal of “consensus” lists from sites like Casino.ca and Us Weekly.

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5. Baker Mayfield vs. Kevin Stefanski Social Media Spat (45:26)

• Baker hits back at Falcons HC Stefanski for throwing QBs “under the bus” and not even texting him upon his exit.
  • “Failed is quite the reach, pal. You're still waiting on a text/call from him after I got shipped off like a piece of garbage. Can't wait to see you twice a year, coach.” –Baker Mayfield (45:26, referenced)
• Hosts agree Stefanski’s lack of communication is “poor form.”
• Quick diversion to critique Billy’s “wrestling pants”—lighthearted, off-topic banter.

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6. Iconic Franchise Debates

a. NFL:

• Giants’ new coach Harbaugh claims “most iconic franchise”; hosts rank them Cowboys, Packers, Steelers, Giants, Bears (54:10).
  • “Cowboys have been ... there’s a reason why they have the Thanksgiving game.” –Matt Jones (54:47)

b. MLB, NHL, NBA: (60:39–65:39)

• Fire off rankings for most iconic teams in other sports, reflecting on the nature of sports fandom.
• “With basketball ... only the Celtics, Lakers and Knicks are non player-dependent.” –Matt Jones (65:14)

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7. Conference Championship Previews & Picks

• General lack of “fever” for the matchups due to less star-powered quarterbacks, but still some betting excitement and debate.
  • “If we had Seahawks vs. Stidham in the Super Bowl ... I don't know what to say to anyone.” –Matt Jones (69:20)
• Picks for game winners (Rams over Seahawks, Patriots over Broncos), Liberty Mutual bundle pick, and touchdown scorer wagers.
• Good-natured dispute over the season-long points tally for their ongoing pick ‘em competition.

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8. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On disliking Boston sports joy:

  • “I want him to lose is the point.” –Matt Jones (09:47)

• On the catch rule:

  • “You have to survive the ground.” –Drew Franklin (28:57)
  • “I have to survive the ground...sometimes they'll make you roll over and bark before.” –Matt Jones (29:21)

• On the Stidham scenario:

  • “Big time players make big time plays in big time games, and he is from the home of Nibrock and there's nothing bigger with brighter lights than Nimrok.” –Billy (16:26)

• On franchise “hotness”:

  • “Robert Sala is one of three people I’ve ever watched a sporting event with a woman and had them go: who’s that?” –Matt Jones (39:51)

• On football viewership:

  • “Buffalo Denver game peaked at 51.3 million viewers in overtime. That's the most watched Saturday telecast on any network since 1994 and the winter Olympics.” –Drew Franklin (50:39)

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Timestamps for Notable Segments

• Jared Stidham background/Corbin festival: 04:12 – 06:16
• Boston sports/Bill Simmons riff: 07:06 – 10:35
• Sean McDermott’s Firing: 17:01 – 20:09
• Catch Rule Confusion Rant: 27:11 – 29:41
• Coordinator Hires (McDaniel and Bieniemy): 29:44 – 34:39
• Titans Hire Robert Saleh: 37:47 – 38:49
• Coach Hotness Rankings: 39:05 – 41:56
• Baker/Stefanski Spat: 45:26 – 50:09
• Iconic Franchise Debates (NFL/MLB/NHL/NBA): 54:10 – 65:39
• Championship Game Previews/Picks: 69:10 – 78:17

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Tone & Style

• Warm, witty, meandering—mixing sharp football knowledge with small-town humor and relatable gripes.
• Plenty of pop culture and personal anecdotes (e.g., reminiscing about Olympic scandals, clubbing in Miami, wearing “wrestling pants”).
• Open acknowledgment of rooting interests and emotional investment in football outcomes.

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Useful for New Listeners?

Absolutely. This episode combines up-to-the-minute football news with the hosts’ trademark banter, making it accessible, engaging, and informative for everyone from casual fans to diehards. The conversational style, cultural asides, and light argumentation keep it lively while ensuring all significant NFL storylines are covered in depth—from the sideline drama to the X’s and O’s.

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End of Summary

Transcript

[Matt Jones]

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[Matt Jones]

NFL Cover 0 with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin is a production of the NFL and iHeart podcast Foreign. Welcome. It is championship weekend of the NFL Cover Zero podcast. We are going on a Thursday, getting ready for the two championship games on Sunday. Afc nfc. Drew Franklin is here with me along with Billy are Sports and Drew. I have really enjoyed these playoffs. There have been some great games. Only a couple of duds everybody's been into it. It's been exciting. With that said, I can't get the fever about these two championship games. Help me get some fever about what's happening. Help me get some hot Sam Darnold, Jared Stidham, Drake May, Matthew Stafford, fever.

[Billy]

You know, all year, you know, AFC is the loaded conference, but now that we're here, I'm more excited about the NFC game because of that Bonix injury. I wish Bonix were healthy. Completely changes the dynamic, dynamic of the game. Maybe they win, but from an excitement standpoint, having stood them respectfully, a guy hasn't thrown a pass in two years, started an AFC championship game. Feels weird.

[Matt Jones]

All right, so yeah, let's talk just a minute about what Jared Stidham is. He has not thrown a pass in two years.

[Billy]

Has not attempted a pass.

[Matt Jones]

That's a fairly amazing fact. He's thrown up pass. Not even like, not even tried to hit on a woman. Not even an old school pass. So he's just been run.

[Billy]

Only his only pass. Once he throws one this weekend will be in the AFC championship in three years. Like I didn't do, I didn't do a week nine, didn't even get in for a series. Week three, just AFC championship.

[Matt Jones]

So I did think it would be helpful though for people so that they could learn about him for me to give some facts.

[Billy]

Oh, you got Jared.

[Matt Jones]

Because they need to learn about Jared Stidham. Okay. Jared Stidham was born in 1996 in Corbin, Kentucky.

[Billy]

Place, you know.

[Matt Jones]

Well, no, Corbin very well.

[Billy]

How far is that from your, Your, your home?

[Matt Jones]

45 minutes from where I grew up. First KFC is there. They have a festival there which is just the word Corbin spelled backwards that they call the Nibrock.

[Billy]

It's my favorite festival anywhere. What a terrible name. But a beautiful name.

[Matt Jones]

You don't like Nibrock? They just spelled their town carbon backwards. So, like, is there any other city in America that could go with a backwards city? I have one for you.

[Billy]

Oh, you do?

[Matt Jones]

Croy win.

[Billy]

New York.

[Matt Jones]

New York.

[Billy]

There we go. New York.

[Matt Jones]

Could say it's the annual Croy festival.

[Billy]

Corbin has the benefit. It's important music festival. And they have rock in the word Nimrok.

[Matt Jones]

Exactly.

[Billy]

That's hard to talk.

[Matt Jones]

Dallas salad.

[Billy]

Oh, that might be the best one. How do they not have a salad festival?

[Matt Jones]

A salad festival? I mean, maybe because it's two Ls,

[Billy]

they would call it a salad salad.

[Matt Jones]

A salad festival. But that is still. I think that one, that one works. Does any. Can Anyone think of any other good ones?

[Billy]

I'm aim. Miami. I'm aim.

[Matt Jones]

I'm aim. Do you understand?

[Billy]

I'm trying here.

[Matt Jones]

I'm trying. I'm aim. I like it.

[Drew Franklin]

Sagev.

[Matt Jones]

Vegas.

[Billy]

There we go.

[Matt Jones]

Sagiv.

[Billy]

You gotta add the loss, though. What would that be?

[Matt Jones]

Sagiv. Sal.

[Billy]

Oh, wow. That sounds like an expensive place to

[Matt Jones]

visit, first of all. It does. It sounds like it would be hard to get a table at Sagavsal.

[Billy]

You're going to Sag of Sal. Wow. What is this, like a honeymoon?

[Matt Jones]

Bad bunnies playing in Saga of Sal this year.

[Billy]

My cousin can get us in.

[Matt Jones]

I think that works. Let me think real quick.

[Billy]

Cincinnati. I'm trying to do. That's a tough one.

[Matt Jones]

At Nalta.

[Billy]

Atlanta. Look at this.

[Matt Jones]

At Nalta. That also sounds like that could be something. That's an island in Greece. At Nalta.

[Billy]

Do you think this is how they let off Good morning football this morning? Just probably.

[Matt Jones]

I'm just saying J. Stidham could start because he's from Corbin. If he goes to super bowl. Could start a whole wave of people who have festivals with their city name backwards.

[Billy]

And Dallas has to be next.

[Matt Jones]

Yes. The salad festival.

[Billy]

Salad.

[Matt Jones]

I've Salad, I think makes perfect sense. So I'm just saying for. For. For. For those of you that have hoped for this idea for a long time, probably none of you, if you have. You're going to be rooting for Jared Stidham. I'm going to be rooting for Jared Stidham because I hate the Patriots. Not even the Patriots. I hate Bill Simmons being happy.

[Billy]

Really? You always use him as an example, but really just Boston being happy. Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

But let me give you an example. What Bill Simmons does. And again, I listen to Bill Simmons every week and like him, I have such an odd relationship with this person in the sense that I don't miss his podcast, but also wish he wouldn't talk. How's that possible?

[Drew Franklin]

You choose to listen to it. So I just.

[Matt Jones]

I know. And I choose to listen. Like he does 50 most rewatchable movies of the 21st century. I'm like, I gotta watch that. And then I just get mad. How can you pick that movie?

[Billy]

And you've been following Bill Simmons since I've known you. Like his page two stories back in the day, whatever it was called.

[Matt Jones]

Let's be real. I remember the first time I read Bill. Bill Simmons sitting on the toilet at Wilmer, Cutler and Pickering as a summer associate in the summer of 2001.

[Billy]

Wow. That big of a moment. You Marry exactly where you were sitting.

[Matt Jones]

I would. I hated being a lawyer at Wilmer, Cutler and Pickering. Good people. But it was a summer associate. I hated it.

[Billy]

I didn't know Bill Simmons was one of these moments where you always remember where you were, but that was a

[Matt Jones]

very picture you painted. I had to wear a suit every day. I lived in D.C. not intentionally. That's where Wilmer Cutler got me. There apartment.

[Billy]

You go where the business is.

[Matt Jones]

Well, every time I would like ask a taxi again, pre Uber, ask the taxi to take me home, the taxi driver would look at me and go, oh, I see what you want. I promise you, I live here. I would walk from 10th and M in D.C. to Wilmer, Cutler and Pickering, which was on like 33rd and M in a suit in the summer. So I'd be hot, right? I'd be hot. I'd get there and, you know, they had all open windows so everybody could see. And you had to sit at your desk. You had to sit with your jacket on. It was. It was miserable. So the only time I knew that I could be left alone is if I went and sat on the toilet.

[Billy]

Did nine times a day without even using the bathroom.

[Matt Jones]

You think because the thing they won't question you on is the toilet.

[Billy]

That gets you in trouble. If you're like knocking on the door,

[Matt Jones]

accusing someone, know the answer to your question, Right? So I would. And remember, this is just a few months before 9, 11. Everybody was a lot more laid back. I would print off the latest. I think every Tuesday, Bill Simmons would have a page two column. It would be 14 pages long, and I would sit and waste a good 30 minutes. So I've had a long relationship with this man. Sounds intimate. It's coming towards 25 years.

[Billy]

Wow.

[Matt Jones]

But I hate how happy he gets with the Patriots. And like today, I listened to this just before I came here. He's like, so the catch by the Patriots on Sunday, in my opinion, is one of the seven best catches by the Patriots in a playoff game over him. And I was like, no, no one wants that. But then he does, and I still listen. So I want him to lose is the point.

[Billy]

Well, if you followed someone for 25 years and they're a Boston sports fan, they're going to have a lot of success that you're going to have to deal with.

[Matt Jones]

Had a ton. The Red Sox during that period of time, you know, they've won all those Super Bowls. The Red Sox won their first World Series when they won a couple. The Celtics have been really good. The Bruins maybe even want. Like. It's just been too much Billy and I. I want him to be sad. Not unlike his day to day, but I want him to be sports.

[Drew Franklin]

I felt like we were getting there with Kansas City though with all the Patrick Mahomes and the winning he was doing.

[Matt Jones]

But they're not good at any other sport. Right. So they're not good at baseball. They're not good at bad. They don't have a basketball team or a hockey team. So what's.

[Drew Franklin]

Okay, so not the same dominance as the entire city of.

[Matt Jones]

I don't. Do you know any Kansas City people? Like who?

[Drew Franklin]

Like fans, like media.

[Matt Jones]

Like they're Boston people. On every station there's Boston people. Name me a famous Kansas City media, Jason Anderson. No one listening to this knows who Jason is and I like Jason. It's not. It's not the same.

[Billy]

It's not in Boston gave a lot to us. They've. They've had too much fun and he's saying now, I appreciate.

[Matt Jones]

We thank you for the tea party. It helped.

[Billy]

Wouldn't Paul Revere. I think he did something around there.

[Matt Jones]

He was good.

[Billy]

I like what he did.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Billy]

Big Paul Revere guy. Sam Adams. Great beer.

[Matt Jones]

Thank you.

[Billy]

I've been up there, did the tour, but Boston show Cheers.

[Matt Jones]

I like Matt Damon, Ben Affleck. Have you seen the new movie yet?

[Billy]

It's on my list. But I feel like I've been saying that for some movies for six years that just keeps getting pushed away.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, well, point being I don't want them to succeed and that's really what's driving me to be pro. Jared Stidham. I didn't give you a lot of facts. I got stuck at Nibrock.

[Billy]

That was just one foul. We're still going number family.

[Matt Jones]

Then moved to Stevensville, Texas where he went to elementary school and then he went to Stephenville High School and he was named the sixth best dual threat quarterback in his class.

[Billy]

I remember him being a hot target.

[Matt Jones]

He committed to Texas Tech, but then later changed to Baylor. But then after Baylor, things didn't work out so well, so he went to Auburn, which is where he played his college football and I may add was the 2018 Music City Bowl MVP.

[Billy]

Auburn quarterback right before Bo Nix. So they went Auburn to Denver.

[Matt Jones]

You could argue this has been his biggest game since the 2018 Music City

[Billy]

Ball, which is bigger. We're big Music City bowl guys. This has got to be a pinch yourself moment for him. You know, being an athlete, he's got to have the Confidence or he wouldn't be where he is. But what a world where you're just an earpiece clipboard guy for two seasons and we're not just throwing you into the playoffs. It is the Patriots, and if you win, you are the starting quarterback in the Super Bowl.

[Matt Jones]

Yes. Okay. I found this on the three interesting football facts about Jared Stidham.

[Billy]

Okay.

[Matt Jones]

Jared Stidham was picked in the fourth round, and he was. And he selected the number four as his jersey for the Patriots because he was picked in the fourth round. It was an honor because he was the first Patriots player since Adam Vinateri to wear the number four.

[Billy]

Oh, he took Vinatieri's number, Didn't retire it. Well, maybe when they got Stid on, they're like, I don't know if we should retire yet. Maybe.

[Matt Jones]

But, I mean, is that an honor?

[Billy]

I think so. That's a legend. People still probably wearing Vinatieri jerseys around. You could say, you know, that was me, too.

[Matt Jones]

Yes. His first start happened in 2020 during the COVID season when he was third string for the Patriots. Cam Newton and backup Brian Hoyer both got Covid the same week, which allowed Jared Stidham to start.

[Billy]

He probably had a shot. It's a big, big moment in that locker room.

[Matt Jones]

Vaccine awareness. He is, right? I assume so. We know he is pro Vax, and we also know that he appreciates the history of the number four.

[Billy]

Pro vax, or social distance, one of the two. He was just cautious, knowing he didn't want to lose his opportunity.

[Drew Franklin]

And he comes back home to play the Patriots.

[Billy]

Right?

[Matt Jones]

And he comes back home. That's exactly right.

[Billy]

Mike Vrabel said that they called about adding Stidham this year. We're kind of checking in, see if he was available because they trust him so much as a backup.

[Matt Jones]

And now finally, last year, after signing a two year, $12 million extension with the Broncos, in which he got $7 million guaranteed, he only had one play of the season. He came in to kneel down on the final play of the Broncos victory over the Cowboys. Those. It's not a great sign when. Those are the three facts that are considered the most interesting about your player career. But c' est la vie.

[Billy]

It's Stidham time. It's got to be cool. Also seeing the Patriots team, he knows. Well, they know him. They liked him there. I mean, he's a backup. Backups are always lovable. So a huge moment for him. I just. I wish he had played a little bit of football. So I know what we're looking but

[Matt Jones]

the problem is no tape.

[Billy]

No tape.

[Drew Franklin]

They can't prepare.

[Matt Jones]

They have no idea what he will do. Here's what they may not know. Since the last time he's played he's left handed.

[Billy]

Found out one doctor's visit changed everything.

[Matt Jones]

It's going to throw everything off for they're going to have their entire defense projecting him to roll right but he is going to roll left and now they're not going to be ready.

[Billy]

Rosters and coaches have changed but maybe he knows the Patriots playbook or at least knows his way around the building. That'll help.

[Drew Franklin]

He knows his way around the building.

[Matt Jones]

Be hard to know.

[Billy]

Hey guys, I have this playbook from five years ago.

[Matt Jones]

We could look at that. I think that's going to help a lot but so should be exciting.

[Billy]

Now we'll be betting the Stidham over on touchdowns.

[Matt Jones]

What do you think it is?

[Billy]

I'm just going to bet it at two. I assume it's probably one and a half.

[Matt Jones]

I would assume it's one and a half but maybe I'm going two plus.

[Billy]

Yeah, big Stidham game won't pick a win but he's going to be. He's going to perform two plus. Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

You think my man's going to throw two touchdowns?

[Billy]

Big time players make big time plays in big time games and he is from the home of Nibrock and there's nothing bigger with brighter lights than Nimrok.

[Matt Jones]

Well, Nibrock salad saggy sagive Sal, the big one.

[Billy]

What was the. The highfalutin one. Was that the saga, Sal? It was how you pronounced it, I think. Yeah. Oh wow. It just got more expensive visiting there. Just doubled in price.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. All right. So now there's other news besides Jared Stidham and Billy is here to bring us some of that. Billy, give us some headlines.

[Billy]

Yeah.

[Drew Franklin]

Shortly after we recorded on Sunday, the Buffalo Bills fired Sean McDermott after their loss to the BR. He was 98 and 50 in nine years with the Bills, but 8 and 8 in the playoffs. Owner Terry Pegula commented on the firing of Sean McDermott citing the visible distress of many players in the locker room as a big reason why he made the change. He said, quote, I saw the pain in Josh's face at his press conference and I felt his pain. I know we can do better and I know we will get better.

[Matt Jones]

I was a little surprised by this. You know to me if you. He's had such a good run. It's not his fault, McDermott that they lost the game. I don't know why they think a new coach is going to make a huge difference. If anything, you might blame the GM for not having enough offensive weapons. I mean, I actually thought this was not a smart decision.

[Billy]

But what about you surprised me. I mean, I know they haven't gotten to their ultimate goal, but to be in the conversation every year and have a shot seems weird to fire coach. And in hindsight it's. You know, maybe Alan didn't want him. I don't know their dynamic. But with.

[Matt Jones]

Is there. Is there reports that that's true?

[Billy]

No, no. I'm just saying when Alan was. Was crying and saying it was on me, was that like trying to keep it off of him in that moment? I don't know.

[Matt Jones]

Well, that makes it even more.

[Billy]

Make it weird that they'd fire him.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Billy]

So that's what I'm saying. I don't know their dynamic, but that could have been the case because we know how Allen was over the top and trying to put it all on himself.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Yeah. I don't get it. I mean, I. I mean people are quick to hire. They've allowed three. Three coaches have lost their jobs who to me have done really well. Tomlin Harbaugh and now him. I mean, maybe. What are the chances that the next coach for the Ravens, Steelers or Bills does better than those three? How many of them do you think will make a hire that is more successful than the guy they fired?

[Billy]

Well, that's why I think it's so crazy with him. He's been knocking on the door. I mean, sure, they just lost a road game, but I mean, you're in the second round of the playoffs, so that means you trust your search is going to go find someone that will have you at the bare minimum in the AFC Championship.

[Matt Jones]

Let's just go more specific because I mean, these are also teams that are full of veterans. Which of those. How many of those three franchises over the next three years will be better than they were the three years before the Steelers?

[Billy]

I don't think will be because they

[Matt Jones]

don't have a quarterback. I mean, they're going to be better.

[Billy]

Same situation.

[Matt Jones]

Both the Bills are going to be better.

[Billy]

In Corbin, I see Allen having a little more life than Aaron Rodgers and even Lamar.

[Matt Jones]

I agree. But do you think they will do better than.

[Billy]

No, no, no, no. That's my point. That's.

[Matt Jones]

They've been to back. I mean, they've been to two of the three last AFC championship games.

[Billy]

That's why the bill specific, the Steelers kind of think it was good for both parties, even though Tomlin's great. And I don't think the results are the reason. The McDermott one blows my mind. I mean, yeah, I guess they could have. Would you let the game at Denver, but you're going to go make a hire that would have won that game. I don't think those people are out there.

[Drew Franklin]

McDermott.

[Billy]

No.

[Drew Franklin]

Even though he should have answered for giving up 33 points as a defensive head coach. I mean, that's.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, but what did you want to want him to do?

[Drew Franklin]

I don't know.

[Matt Jones]

Jump in front of a train. Like, he said that they had to be.

[Drew Franklin]

I mean, he should have some responsibility to that. I'm not saying that.

[Matt Jones]

What does that mean? I always. When people say that, what do they mean, should have some responsibility? What should he do?

[Drew Franklin]

He should take some criticism, cut off his pinky. I mean, maybe focus on the defensive side of the ball, not drafting Keon Coleman, which we can get to in a second.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, but. All right.

[Billy]

Turnovers are why they lost.

[Matt Jones]

So let's go to that part because that's part of it, too. What happened with Keon Coleman?

[Drew Franklin]

Terry Bagula, the owner for the Bills, kept Brandon Bean as general manager despite firing Sean McDerm, and he was noticing all the heat that Brandon Bean was getting on drafting Keon Coleman. So the owner, Terry, went out and said the coaching staff pushed to draft Keon. I'm not saying Brandon wouldn't have drafted him, but he wasn't his next choice. That was Brandon being a team player and taking the advice of his coaching staff who felt strongly about the player.

[Matt Jones]

Well, it's still on you, though. First of all, even if I think all that's true, two things. One, still on the G. That's my favorite part.

[Billy]

They're talking like he came in and burned down the building. He's on your roster next.

[Matt Jones]

He's on the team.

[Billy]

He's right there.

[Matt Jones]

He's on the team. Like, he. Like he didn't move. You got to go see him. You got to be like, hey, man, you know when I said we shouldn't have picked you? It's true. But we still need you to play well. Like, how do you. I don't understand either of those comments. The gm, okay. He was listening to his coach. Well, it's still on you. Secondly, Keon is right there and young.

[Billy]

It's like, second year.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Billy]

They're having this press conference, and on the other side of the wall, Keon Coleman is lifting weights to get better for next season.

[Matt Jones]

And they're talking catches, an unnecessary strike. Keon is like, excited for the off season.

[Billy]

Got to get focused. I could do better and I'm going to do better. But they're talking about him in the next room like he sabotaged the organization and left and he's not even in Buffalo anymore. No, he is in your wide receiver room and is in theory part of your offense the next season or two.

[Drew Franklin]

Now, Brandon being did say later in the press conference, he was my pick. I made the pick. Terry's point was that we might have had a different order of personnel versus coaching.

[Matt Jones]

But. But see, that's even more of a cop out answer, right? Do you think if Keon Coleman had been successful, he would have come out and said, I actually wanted someone else? No. But Sean talked me into him. No. I mean, there's nothing worse than not accepting responsibility for a decision that you did make. Right. He did make it. So I just. And then it's almost like he's putting the whole failure of the McDermott regime on Keon Coleman.

[Billy]

There's also this thing that I think people forget exist. Videos. And the Internet today has been sharing nonstop videos of being on draft night in an interview talking about how bad he wants Coleman. So whatever narrative they're trying to paint now, we have clips of him saying it's Keon and things like that, so we can just go to the tape and know who they wanted. But even if the coach did force him into it, if you're a gm, you can't admit that the coach is pushing you around in the call. It's your job. So you're either you either drafted him or admitting you don't even have enough clout in your own room to make the pick. The coaches are doing it for you.

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[Matt Jones]

By the way, there's some breaking news here. The NFL and the competition committee are not planning to make major changes to the catch rule, although they could take steps to promote better understanding of the rulings. What is that going to be like?

[Billy]

They're going to hire a PR team

[Matt Jones]

teaching children in schools? Here's Understand what the what the rule is.

[Billy]

Here's your fluoride. We're going to check you for lice. And now this is how you complete a catch.

[Matt Jones]

Young kid, I've never, I've never understood the rule because it's not the same rule when you are like in play is when you're going to the end zone or out of bounds. It's not the same rule. Like you're down, but then you're not down until you roll over and like sing a lullaby.

[Billy]

You have to declare to the ref that you caught it.

[Matt Jones]

You guys are holding it, but I don't know why. Declaring is part of it. There should be no declaration. It should be objective. We don't ask these receivers to go. I hear by the cloud that I've comfortable I get.

[Billy]

They're saying complete the catch. But it seems referees don't agree on what's completely roll six times.

[Matt Jones]

Understand you're down when your knee hits the ground, right?

[Billy]

I don't say that if it's a catch, you have to complete the catch.

[Matt Jones]

Why?

[Billy]

To show you have possession, I guess.

[Matt Jones]

But I'm down for fumbling purposes. When I'm touched with my knee on the ground, why am I not down for catching purposes?

[Billy]

I guess you can get an image where you have two hands on the ball and a knee down. But do you really have possession with your knee?

[Matt Jones]

I don't know. I mean, do I really exist or am I a figment of the Matrix's imagination?

[Drew Franklin]

Well, they say you have to on some level.

[Matt Jones]

I have to have some, some objective truth, Mr. Kant.

[Billy]

I'm with you. I'm with you.

[Drew Franklin]

Well, you're supposed to make a football move after you make the catch.

[Matt Jones]

I don't like that though. What do you got?

[Billy]

Well, you got a stiff arm. You got a stiff arm.

[Drew Franklin]

Well, that's why you have to survive the ground. That would be your football move in this instance, would it not?

[Matt Jones]

I have to survive the ground.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, you have to make the catch. It's like DEZ Bryant back in the

[Billy]

day, he's the famous one.

[Drew Franklin]

I mean, hit the ground, ball came

[Billy]

out, you got roll over a little bit.

[Matt Jones]

You got to really say it happened in the past, doesn't mean it's a good rule now.

[Drew Franklin]

If you made a football move and then you.

[Billy]

That's the thing I hate the most.

[Drew Franklin]

Two step football, two steps and possession.

[Billy]

What if I'm falling down? I can't make two steps, I'm diving. That's why you have to catch up

[Drew Franklin]

to complete the catch.

[Matt Jones]

But I mean, sometimes they'll make you roll over and bark before.

[Drew Franklin]

I can't. I can't speak to the barking.

[Billy]

I like that they're. They're hiring a PR team to help, though.

[Matt Jones]

Well, it's not.

[Billy]

I mean, maybe we're the PR team.

[Matt Jones]

I don't completely understand it now, and I. But maybe with. With the help of these explanations, I will. All right, what's the next one?

[Drew Franklin]

We have a couple of new offensive coordinator hires in the national football league. Two we'll talk about now. Mike McDaniels is going to become the Chargers offensive coordinator, teaming up with Jim Harbaugh and Eric B. Enemy is going to return to Kansas City and become the offensive coordinator once again.

[Matt Jones]

Eric sleeping with B. Enemy. First of all, Mike McDaniel odd to choose to be an offensive coordinator when supposedly he was up for other jobs. Is this a. I wasn't going to get the jobs, so I am. I am getting out before you get rid of me? Or do you think he thinks that being the Chargers offensive coordinator is better to get him a better job than Cleveland, Tennessee or whatever was open for him?

[Billy]

I leaned that one. The second option of let me do a holdover year look great with this offense and Herbert on a team that's probably better than how they've. I know they probably have more than what they've shown. He thinks he can help break that through. But also part of me thought, you know, la. Mike McDaniel.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, you think he's going to party? That's interesting. I hadn't thought about that. So he's been in Miami. He's used to going to the clubs after a big win. He goes to 11. Yeah. I didn't know that was a club until I just saw all the Indiana people went. Did you see that big party? Yeah, they went to. I guess it's the one of the big nightclubs. And they all went. But they were all dressed in, like, jeans.

[Billy]

We never would have gotten in jeans.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, and they wouldn't have gotten in. And so they. The club had to just agree. We will let in all these yokels and we will bring our dress code down for the night.

[Drew Franklin]

I know Mendoza wasn't out there partying.

[Matt Jones]

Was.

[Billy]

Oh, he was. Yeah. There's video of him now. I can't tell you how hard he's 11. He was in 11.

[Matt Jones]

The fact that I know a name of a club in Miami is crazy in and of itself.

[Drew Franklin]

Get ready to learn. San Francisco club.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, dude, we already know. I don't already have the promoters.

[Drew Franklin]

12.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, that'd be Nice. Just across the street, open up a club called 12. We are them plus one. So maybe he just. He's used to the. He can't imagine moving from Miami to

[Billy]

Cleveland and then like Cleveland with an unknown quarterback and almost certainly going to get fired in three years.

[Matt Jones]

Tennessee, I mean, maybe. Unless you just don't believe in Cam Ward.

[Billy]

I think he failed the Tennessee interview. When I saw his outfit that was not a serious outfit at the airport. Yeah, I think he was going. He was doing Baltimore and Tennessee.

[Matt Jones]

You don't think he went home change first?

[Billy]

He should have. He should have went home and changed before he got in the Uber. But I do think there's something to. It's hardball, there's a quarterback I can win with. It's la. All I got to do is go make this offense look good. My phone's going to ring again pretty quickly.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I mean that may be true.

[Billy]

I don't have to be in front of the cameras.

[Matt Jones]

I'm just scored points. Huge pay difference between that and a head coach.

[Billy]

It's true.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. I was just a little surprised by it. But he also may have thought, well, I'm not going to get any of these jobs except Cleveland. I don't want to go there.

[Billy]

Like I said, I'm going to be fired. And then what am I going to be doing?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, and then what am I. Because you're not going to get a third chance. I mean there is that. There is a partial where you can't fail three times. You can fail once, but you can't fail three times. And then what did you say was the other one?

[Drew Franklin]

Eric B. Enemy?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I. I was surprised. I thought like, I'm not. I knew he wasn't the OC of Kansas City. He had been where I think he was.

[Drew Franklin]

Chicago.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Billy]

He had like a. He was a position coach.

[Matt Jones]

But he wasn't the oc.

[Drew Franklin]

No.

[Billy]

No. He running backs or something.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, but he left. He left on his own, didn't he? From Kansas City?

[Drew Franklin]

Well, he wasn't getting head coaching jobs like that was because everybody was.

[Billy]

Every year his name came up.

[Drew Franklin]

Right. So he went to the commanders for a little bit as an assistant head coach.

[Matt Jones]

That's where I knew he was. Is the commander College.

[Billy]

Yeah. He college for a year.

[Matt Jones]

And why do you think he can't get a job? Do you think it is. Do you think he's just not good at interviews?

[Billy]

It's got to be the interviews because every year for. It felt like a decade. The moment a coach got fired, the list would come out.

[Matt Jones]

This goes back to my point we made a few weeks ago. Do you think maybe you just. People overreact to the interviews?

[Billy]

I think so. You know, when I sit down and I got my Sunday ticket in my red zone, not one time I've seen a coach sitting at a desk in an interview setting when they're trying to win a game.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, I.

[Billy]

They're calling plays and coaching plays.

[Matt Jones]

Especially if he comes back to Kansas City and let's say the offense immediately clicks again next year and they're just back. And they're just back with drafts, there'd be a case of maybe we shouldn't listen to our gut on these interviews and just go, does he win or not?

[Drew Franklin]

Who's Todd McShay have as the best coaching candidate? Just like the draft you mentioned during the last thing. Just.

[Matt Jones]

Well, I mean, if you were objectively looking at who are the best candidates, Eric B. And me would have won years.

[Drew Franklin]

Right.

[Matt Jones]

Right. So maybe that's what they should do. I just can't imagine the man keeps failing all of these interviews.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah. Maybe he's got a bad handshake.

[Billy]

Could be a. By going. Maybe he's late to all of them. It could be little things.

[Matt Jones]

Interesting. He doesn't.

[Billy]

He does not know how to tie a tie. They're like, who? Look at that, Windsor.

[Matt Jones]

If you. Let's say you were a GM and you were doing a head coach interview and the person was scheduled at 3 o' clock block. Well, and let's say you knew they were in town. Okay. Like they're at the hotel across the street. What's the latest they could get there before you would just disqualify them for the interview?

[Billy]

I'm gonna have to flex my GM muscles and not tolerate more than a couple minutes unless it's like a big name. And I really want him. He can be.

[Matt Jones]

So you're saying if. Let's just assume this is. You're down to two people and let's say you're like, I genuinely don't know. Is 305 too late?

[Billy]

I think so.

[Drew Franklin]

No way. John Harbaugh shows up 30 saying, like,

[Matt Jones]

let's say it's two random people. It's Mike McDaniel and Robert Sol. And you're trying to decide what is the moment where them being late becomes part of the decision process. 305.

[Billy]

I'll give it 10 minutes. Then I gotta start doing my job.

[Drew Franklin]

I might even go 3:15.

[Matt Jones]

All right. But you know, they're across the street. They roll in at 3:15. No explanation. What up, man? Don't even acknowledge they're late.

[Drew Franklin]

Well, I don't like that. Like, we're off to a bad start.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Billy]

At that point, you're just going to

[Matt Jones]

hold it against them.

[Billy]

You have to.

[Matt Jones]

All right, now what's.

[Billy]

You're good at your job.

[Matt Jones]

What's the earliest that they get there that you don't think they're a freak?

[Billy]

This is tough. I like to be early. But there's a psychotic early.

[Matt Jones]

There is a psychotic.

[Billy]

Like, why are you in the parking lot?

[Matt Jones]

You're making us uncomfortable. You're here.

[Billy]

So how long have you been here?

[Matt Jones]

What's the earliest you get there that, like, people go, would you like some water? Like, do you. There's. There's coffee shop across the street.

[Billy]

Yeah, we don't even. We're not open yet, man.

[Matt Jones]

Like 2:30. 2:30 too early?

[Drew Franklin]

No, no, I was going to say like 2:15.

[Billy]

If you're there more than an hour before. Okay. You're trying too hard.

[Matt Jones]

So you're saying 145 too early.

[Billy]

I almost think you're overcompensating for a weakness. Like, I'm going to try to win the getting there early because I'm bad at something.

[Matt Jones]

I'm going to be freaked out if you're there at 2. And I'm starting to get freaked out if you're there at 250 because it's like, are you going to just annoy me the whole time you're here?

[Billy]

But when you've hired them, you want them to be the first in the building.

[Drew Franklin]

Oh, yeah. You want the first.

[Billy]

So you're the first one in, last one out. Like, if you're 15 minutes late from interview, I don't want my starting running back being like, where's my coach? We were supposed to be here.

[Matt Jones]

But I don't care how good you are as a coach, if you're going to make my skin crawl for three years, I got to move on. So you're only giving them 15 minutes late, but you're letting them be an hour early?

[Billy]

Yeah. It shows they want it well.

[Matt Jones]

So we're going to assume Mike McDaniel was late. He was late.

[Billy]

And Robert Sala was not. Okay.

[Matt Jones]

All right, what else?

[Drew Franklin]

Well, Mike McDaniels will not be going to Tennessee because they hired singular.

[Matt Jones]

It's like Stanford Cardinal.

[Drew Franklin]

What?

[Matt Jones]

McDaniel?

[Drew Franklin]

No, McDaniel.

[Billy]

Excuse me?

[Drew Franklin]

Well, Josh McDaniels is still coaching right now, but it will be Mike McDaniel not going to Tennessee because they hired Robert Sala and I think Drew has touched on it in the past but the now the news is official. I wanted to get his thoughts.

[Billy]

I like it. He was high on my list. Part of it was I enjoyed the hard knocks he was in. Not going to lie. I'm a sucker for hard knocks and I believe that the jets are just one of those cursed organizations where you can't judge. His time with the jets the defense was good but I mean they never win. Why would you expect him to win? So I'm excited about him. My only concern is he's a defensive guy best coordinator in the NFL probably and we have a bunch of young offensive guys who need developed so he has has to has to absolutely get a good OC. Now I've seen Brian Day balls rumored if we get a head coach from the Giants that I thought did pretty well given the circumstances as our OC with him very happy.

[Matt Jones]

Oh yeah. Definitely be very so I'm still pleased

[Billy]

with the with the hire. It just it wasn't enough offensive coach

[Matt Jones]

I'm sitting out before I'm being the OC of the Titans. No offense but like I'm going to wait if I might have to be the OC I'm going to have to be on a team that I know is going to be good.

[Billy]

It all comes down to do they believe in camp a good OC would love to get their hands on a young up and comer quarterback.

[Matt Jones]

Do you is Robert Salah now hottest coach in the NFL Head coach trying

[Billy]

to think Andy Reid. No. I'm swiping left on Andrew and swiping

[Matt Jones]

left probably the least hot.

[Billy]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Anybody less hot

[Drew Franklin]

less hot than Andy?

[Matt Jones]

I mean Mike McCarthy's not back.

[Billy]

I'm swiping left in my mind through the whole I think it's going to

[Matt Jones]

have to be Rob Robert Sala. I mean who else are even the

[Drew Franklin]

contenders like a Kyle Shanahan.

[Matt Jones]

Oh McVeigh.

[Billy]

Oh McVeigh.

[Matt Jones]

McVeigh.

[Billy]

Too much hair gel though. He does like the middle school spike.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. I mean Robert Sala is one of three people I've ever watched a sporting event with a woman and had them go who's that?

[Billy]

And then me. I have to change the channel. Like you didn't see that. Here, let me.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah I mean the all time of that is Jimmy Garoppolo. Jimmy Garoppolo can be on any TV screen anywhere and you have lost your woman. She leaves you and goes and tries to start date.

[Billy]

She buys season tickets for his team. You're like, I didn't know you liked football. You only got one season ticket. Didn't even think about me.

[Matt Jones]

But now you have that Nashville, so that's exciting for you.

[Billy]

You know, Nashville's a town where. I don't know if he's married. I think he is.

[Matt Jones]

I hope so.

[Billy]

But that's where all the, like, the bachelor, bachelorette, love island reality people have now just descended upon Nashville. Big dating scene. I don't want any distractions with my coach. Need to be stuck with the playbook. Not out in Nashville. But I still like the.

[Drew Franklin]

There seems to be a consensus top three here. Sean McVeigh, Matt LaFleur.

[Billy]

Oh, Matt LaFleur.

[Drew Franklin]

And Dan Campbell.

[Matt Jones]

Dan Campbell.

[Billy]

Dan Campbell.

[Drew Franklin]

I'm looking at it.

[Matt Jones]

Dan Campbell looks like the gym teacher on Beavis and Butthead.

[Billy]

Did Billy make this list? Look it up. Was this Billy's list?

[Matt Jones]

This is not. Dan Campbell's not in the top.

[Billy]

Yes, he is.

[Matt Jones]

When you say consensus on what site?

[Drew Franklin]

Usmagazine.com.

[Matt Jones]

uS magazine. Yeah, it's not. There's no thing called Us Magazine.

[Drew Franklin]

Us Weekly.

[Matt Jones]

Us Weekly, yes.

[Drew Franklin]

And then if you ask AI, that's the third name that comes up.

[Matt Jones]

I'm not worried about who AI thinks is hot.

[Drew Franklin]

I asked him.

[Matt Jones]

That's the hottest head that's looks maxing and I'm against that.

[Billy]

Mario, make sure you don't send this video off for them to use on social.

[Matt Jones]

No, we can use it.

[Billy]

This is an Easter egg.

[Matt Jones]

We are. This is. We're. We are very. We're fine in this.

[Drew Franklin]

Casino. Casino CA did a poll.

[Matt Jones]

Who?

[Drew Franklin]

Casino CA did a poll.

[Matt Jones]

Casino ca. First of all, when have you ever heard the phrase ca.com wasn't available?

[Drew Franklin]

I guess.ca McVeigh got 16% of the vote.

[Matt Jones]

And who got second?

[Drew Franklin]

Matt LaFleur at 12%. And then Dan Campbell comes in at 5%.

[Matt Jones]

So AI is basically Casino CA, which is not, I think, a reputable source. So I. I think we can agree you have the hottest cup.

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For adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis symptoms. Every choice matters. Tremphya offers self injection or intravenous infusion from the start. Tremphya is administered as injections under the skin or infusions through a vein every four weeks followed by injections under the skin every four or eight weeks. If your doctor decides that you can self inject Tremphya, proper training is required. Tremphya is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with moderately to severely active crohn's. Disease and adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. Serious allergic reactions and increased risk of infections and liver problems may occur. Before treatment, your doctor should check you for infection and tuberculosis. Tell your doctor if you have an infection, flu like symptoms or if you need a vaccine. Explore what's possible. Ask your doctor about tremphya today. Call 1-800-526-7736 to learn more or visit tremphiradio.com

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March is here and Uber Eats is delivering deals all month long. Score big savings on all the delicious food you need to fuel your sport sports fandom. Whether you're ordering in or hosting the whole crew, UberEats is serving up deals on wings, burgers, pizza, all from your favorite restaurants, plus snacks from top stores. Perennial powerhouse Underdog however the madness unfolds, these deals keep it going all month long. Visit the UberEats app for all the latest deals and start saving today. You know how it's never really about where you're going, it's about who you're going with. Like the destination could be totally average, but if the right people are there, it becomes a great memory. Toyota really gets that. Toyota designs vehicles around real life and real people. The ones who bring everyone together and somehow make the drive part of the fun. There's room for all the stuff that comes with togetherness luggage, golf clubs, camping gear, plus comfortable seating, smart layouts and space that lets everyone relax. And Toyota's lineup makes it easy to find your match. The RAV4 is perfect for everyday adventures. The Grand Highlander brings serious space for up to eight with generous legroom and expansive cargo space. The Highlander also has space for up to eight. It's ready for big moments and spontaneous ones, balancing style and flexibility. And the Sienna is built for everyday life. Carpools, road trips, snacks, spills and it even has a built in vacuum for when things get a little too messy. Messy because when people are the destination, your ride is important. Learn [e-mail] and find the vehicle that fits your people.

[Drew Franklin]

Let's talk about Baker Mayfield and his comments towards new Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski, a Atlanta Falcons Beat writer tweeted earlier this week that Falcons Kevin Stefanski had a dumpster fire at quarterback in Cleveland. Baker, Mayfield and DeSean Watson failed, which started a chain reaction to 11 other starters. QB Shadur Sanders closed out last season with seven starts. Baker took notice of that. He, quote, tweeted it and said, failed is quite the reach, pal. You're still waiting on a text call from him After I got shipped off like a piece of garbage. Can't wait to see you twice a year, coach.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I mean it was pretty. I think the two things that are poor form. One is throwing the quarterback on the bus, especially if you know you're going to be in the division. But then if he really didn't call him when they left, and I'm going to assume he didn't, if Baker says that, then Drew, I do think that's poor form. I think you got to at least say hey man, going to miss you, right?

[Billy]

Yeah. Guess report wasn't even a text. I mean you should call, but if you don't even send a good luck or even the hand waving emoji like get your ass out of here. Just no communication is the worst for head coach.

[Matt Jones]

By the way. I don't think I realize. Are you wearing wrestling pants?

[Billy]

I tried to bring those up on the morning show and couldn't get the words in those pants.

[Matt Jones]

Stand up just a second for me.

[Billy]

They last dazzled. Yeah, they got jewels on.

[Matt Jones]

Stand up you. That looks like what a WCW wrestler in 1994 would have come out in.

[Drew Franklin]

Should we turn the camera?

[Billy]

They have like bedazzled flames on the side.

[Matt Jones]

No, I know who would wear that. Disco Inferno.

[Billy]

Oh, I was gonna go buff Bagwell,

[Matt Jones]

but yeah, he would have been buff. And the stuff in those, Those are Disco Inferno. I'm just saying I've never seen those that. I wish I could pull that off. I don't want to. I think if I wore those in public, the reaction would be different than you wearing them in public.

[Billy]

I don't want to get too personal, Mario, but I do have to ask just from own knowledge here, did you buy the pants and bedazzle them or were they on?

[Matt Jones]

They were. They're pretty bedazzled.

[Billy]

Okay, so you didn't do your own bedazzling. Well, they look good. They're very shiny.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, they buy them today with holes in the jeans already.

[Matt Jones]

That's not what this is.

[Drew Franklin]

These are same vein Matt bed.

[Billy]

Can you even go through a metal detector in those?

[Matt Jones]

Do they make you at the airport take off your pants. They do me. And I always don't think it's necessary. Just wear sweatpants, sir. Why am I the only one?

[Billy]

Are those going to San Francisco? Are those super bowl pants?

[Matt Jones]

Oh, that might be super bowl pants. I think that's like a Wednesday night party pants.

[Billy]

You're going to get a compliment from a famous NFL player wearing those.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I like it. It's a good look. It's. Those are Cover Zero level pants. What were we talking about? Baker Mayfield.

[Drew Franklin]

See you twice a year, Coach.

[Matt Jones]

Do you like that there's going to have that little NFC south rivalry? Chris Meyer is going to have a lot to talk about.

[Billy]

We need. We need reasons other than Cover Zero's promotion to talk about the NFC South. Not for us. I'm not sure people even know there's an NFC South.

[Matt Jones]

Yes.

[Billy]

And Carolina. Mike, who performed at the Wake Forest College basketball game this week.

[Matt Jones]

Did you watch it? I did.

[Billy]

Want to make sure that gets a mention.

[Matt Jones]

A few people in the stands, very excited. Yeah. A lot of people perplexed, kind of exactly what we thought would happen.

[Billy]

Kind of nodding their head like, I'm so enjoying this.

[Matt Jones]

What. What happened to the guy who does the splits with his dog on his feet? And they're like, nope, if I had a. If I had. I had 150,000. So. But I like it. And as far as Stefanski, next time text.

[Billy]

Yeah, you should text. And I like the saucy Baker. When the Bucks had it rolling early in the year. He's talking a lot of noise. I kind of enjoy when Baker's got a swagger going. I'm glad he sent that out to let him know, put him on notice in the conversation.

[Matt Jones]

Swaggy Baker is a better Baker. Yeah, I don't like philosophical Baker.

[Billy]

No, Browns Baker. Tampa Baker. First half of last season is the Baker we want.

[Matt Jones]

Yes.

[Drew Franklin]

Also, the Browns had from 2020 to 2025 Stefans. He had 13 starting quarterbacks, and Baker Mayfield went 11 and 5 and led them to the playoffs.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I mean, the thing about the Browns is the sort of narrative that their quarterbacks have always stunk actually makes them overlook Tim Couch and Baker Mayfield. Tim Couch and Baker Mayfield both had some success for them, but people just don't. They don't care because they get lumped in with every other terrible one. Whereas Tim Couch took them to the playoffs, Baker Mayfield took them to the playoffs, and they just get also thrown into the dumpster fire.

[Drew Franklin]

It's a good point.

[Billy]

That jersey with like the 41 last names, they're just a name on that. But they did better and both those get well. Baker still got a good career going, but we're big Couch defenders.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Billy]

You get on any other team, there would not be bus conversation. And the Browns let them down.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. And I think, I think he went to playoffs and maybe Kelly Holcomb or whatever. He might have gone to the playoffs

[Billy]

once and I think wouldn't McNabb and Couch same draft class. Like if you flip them McNabb couch leads the Eagles.

[Matt Jones]

The way it, the way it goes. Who's. What's next?

[Drew Franklin]

The Buffalo Denver game peaked at 51.3 million viewers in overtime. That is the most watched Saturday telecast in on any network since 1994 and the winter Olympics.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, and that was Tanya and Nancy. Also the biggest TV broadcast since Tanya and Nancy on a Saturday. You, Billy and Mario Drew may have a small memory of it because he would have been like, oh, I remember it. Nothing is bitten. Tanya and Nancy captivated this country. Maybe unlike any sporting thing in my life. It was, it was like as if Taylor Swift was playing quarterback, not dating the quarterback, was playing quarterback. That's what it was because it was women's sports, but with men caring about, like, they combined everything. And then one of them tried to hurt the other one, ended up breaking her skate and crying. And there was a guy named Galilee. And it was, it was amazing that that happened.

[Billy]

It'd be like right before the AFC championship, Jared Stidham hire someone to go break Bo Drake, May. Drake, May. I don't know what it's called.

[Matt Jones]

You had one woman who was like, from the trailer park and country, and then one of them was like a ice queen. Right. They both were attractive in different ways. There were weird people involved. If it had been live. It wasn't live back then. They used to just tape the Olympics and you weren't allowed to. And there was no Internet, so the news leaked of who won. But if it had been live, I don't think there would have been one human being in America who wouldn't have watched it. Right.

[Billy]

There's really never been anything like that in sports. Really.

[Matt Jones]

I think it is. You know, we remember, like, okay, you go, who are the biggest sports people in the history of sports? Most people would answer Babe Ruth, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods. I think most people think those are historically the biggest for. And I'm not disputing that. But there's also a group of people that you had to have lived through it to realize how big they were. And Tanya Nancy is one of them. Mike Tyson is one of them. Like, unless you lived through that, you don't know what it was like when Tyson was coming up, just knocking people out. I think, Tanya, Nancy's one of them.

[Billy]

This is a little different of, like, Mike Tyson, but like a thing that happened that never gets talked about anymore. That was crazy. Is just this week I saw on Twitter the Monica Selles video where she was stabbed in a mat in the French Open. That is insane. That is absolutely insane. A lot of people don't even know that happened, but at the time, it's like, what?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I think that was in the French Open and she got stabbed. That's right. And her career was really never exactly the same after that. And tennis was still very huge then. Much bigger than it is now. Yeah. So there's a history talking about this

[Drew Franklin]

because it's the most watched telecast on a Saturday since 1994.

[Matt Jones]

Well, I understand. I mean, that was a great game and it was very, very exciting. I mean, I would assume. Have they had gotten the ratings for the Bears one? I mean, I assume it didn't see that.

[Drew Franklin]

Just saw this one.

[Matt Jones]

The Bears Rams has. Will have to be an insane rating too, I would think, right?

[Billy]

Oh, absolutely. Especially with the. That crazy finish. I'd be shocked if it's not in the conversation.

[Drew Franklin]

NFL's king.

[Matt Jones]

Yes, it is.

[Billy]

It is.

[Matt Jones]

What else?

[Drew Franklin]

Just a couple more and then we'll preview these games. John Harbaugh was being introduced as the new New York Giants head coach, and he called the Giants the most iconic franchise in the biggest sport. He will also have final say on the roster selection, which the GM downplayed. But do you think the Giants are the most iconic franchise in the NFL?

[Matt Jones]

No. I mean. So let's rank the iconic franchise. The Cowboys are number one. Fair.

[Billy]

I'd have the Packers.

[Drew Franklin]

I was going to say.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, no, Cowboys are number one. Cowboys are bigger.

[Drew Franklin]

They're valued more. You mean.

[Matt Jones]

It's just Cowboys have been. There's a reason why they have the Thanksgiving game, you know, that. That it's easy to forget. But you have to remember that when football became football, the Cowboys and Steelers were good. Right. Packers were just a little before that. I mean, don't get me wrong, I would go Cowboys 1, Packers 2, Steelers 3. I think those are the top three. And I don't really think you can dispute it, which is interesting, because they're not the biggest cities.

[Drew Franklin]

Right.

[Matt Jones]

But I do think they are the three biggest franchises. Would you agree with that?

[Billy]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, how are you want to order them?

[Matt Jones]

I could hear you out those three and then fourth.

[Billy]

I think the Giants.

[Matt Jones]

Aren't they one of the original argument? You can make it because the. The first game that people remember in football, I believe was Giants, Colts. Right. Isn't that the famous one? Maybe the first game live that was on television was the Giants.

[Billy]

And aren't they one of the original teams?

[Matt Jones]

I think they are.

[Billy]

They have Super Bowls.

[Matt Jones]

And I can hear an argument for the Giants. Giants is fourth. I think along with the Giants, you would put in that group the 49ers, the Bears, and that's probably it. So I'll hear an argument for the Giants. It's fourth. I think if you made me do it, I would go Cowboys, Packers, Steelers, Giants, Bears. That would be my five. What about you?

[Drew Franklin]

I would agree with that. I mean, I think he sneak the Giants in a little bit. I don't remember a ton of success that they've had recently.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, Tom Eli won two Super Bowls. You got in the 80s. You got to remember. Lt was a big thing in America. Parcels, parcels.

[Billy]

Several from before it was the super bowl too. I don't know how far back.

[Matt Jones]

The thing about them is, again, it's how far you want to go. They were the iconic 50s franchise, like Frank Gifford played for them. So, like, if you're kind of thinking iconic franchises by by decade, packers are the 60s, the Giants are the 50s, Steelers and Cowboys are the 70s. And in some ways the Bears are the 80s because of the 85 Bears. So like, I don't think it's coincidence. Those are the five we mentioned, right? Right.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Probably.

[Billy]

I think Harbaugh can say it in that setting. If someone had gotten up there and you know, it's the new head coaches of Jacksonville. Okay, shut up, you liar. No one believes you. But I think they're close enough that he can say it as the new head coach of New York.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

For adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis symptoms, every choice matters. Tremphy offers self injection or intravenous infusion from the start. Tremphya is administered as injections under the skin or infusions through a vein every four weeks, followed by injections under the skin every four or eight weeks. If your doctor decides that you can self inject Tremphya, proper training is required. Tremphya is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease and adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. Serious allergic reactions and increased risk of infections and liver problems may occur. Before treatment, your doctor should check you for infections and tuberculosis. Tell your doctor if you have an infection, flu like symptoms or if you need a vaccine. Explore what's possible. Ask your doctor about tremphya today. Call 1-800-526-7736 to learn more or visit tremphyaradio.com

Lowe's knows Sundays are for football, so tackle your home improvement projects by Saturday and earn your Sunday with great deals on LG and Bosch appliances. Select Bounty and Swiffer cleaning products and more. Then once your to do list is done, get ready to kick back, relax and enjoy the game. Shop in store or online now and earn your sundae with help from Lowe's, official partner of the NFL.

March is here and Uber Eats is delivering deals all month long. Score big savings on all the delicious food you need to fuel your sports fandom. Whether you're ordering in or hosting the whole crew. UberEats is serving up deals on wings, burgers, pizza, all from your favorite restaurants, plus snacks from top stores. Perennial powerhouse Underdog however the madness unfolds, these deals keep it going all month long. Visit the UberEats app for all the latest deals and start saving today. You know how it's never really about where you're going, it's about who you're going with. With like destination could be totally average, but if the right people are there, it becomes a great memory. Toyota really gets that. Toyota designs vehicles around real life and real people. The ones who bring everyone together and somehow make the drive part of the fun. There's room for all the stuff that comes with togetherness luggage, golf clubs, camping gear, plus comfortable seating, smart layouts and space that lets everyone relax. Relax. And Toyota's lineup makes it easy to find your match. The RAV4 is perfect for everyday adventures. The Grand Highlander brings serious space for up to eight with generous legroom and expansive cargo space. The Highlander also has space for up to eight. It's ready for big moments and spontaneous ones. Balancing style and flexibility. And the Sienna is built for everyday life. Carpools, road trips, snacks, spills and it even has a built in vacuum. Vacuum for when things get a little too messy. Because when people are the destination, your ride is important. Learn [e-mail] and find the vehicle that fits your people.

[Matt Jones]

What about the other sports? Baseball? Yankees 1, Red Sox 2, Dodgers, Dodgers or Cubs 3?

[Billy]

Which one? Dodgers have had a little more success, but it's Cubs.

[Matt Jones]

Man, I think it's Cubs. Yeah, I'm Gonna go so far back. And then Dodgers five then.

[Billy]

Or four.

[Matt Jones]

Then who's five?

[Billy]

Dodgers moved around.

[Matt Jones]

I don't know who five is. Five's hard because there's arrows.

[Billy]

Mets. I mean, I think old. The Reds are. I mean, they're not very good.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I don't think they would have been in a while now. There would have been a time like during the 70s, Big Red Machine that they would have put the Reds.

[Billy]

I mean, when you dial in on the timeline, there's teams.

[Matt Jones]

I don't think if you went historically, I think you'd have to say Mets or maybe the Phillies. But I think you're going to probably say the Mets.

[Drew Franklin]

Would you like to know what casino ca.

[Matt Jones]

I want to know.

[Drew Franklin]

The Mets is number four. Cubs at five. Dodgers.

[Billy]

The Giants have a lot of history. I wouldn't put them one.

[Matt Jones]

That's a good one, actually. Actually, you know what? I'm taking the Mets out. I'd put the Giants fifth because they go back to New York. Way back as well. All right, so I'm going to put the Giants now. I mean, as well do these for all. I'll save the NBA. Hockey.

[Billy]

This is going to be you.

[Matt Jones]

Well, this is hard, but it also like gives you a sense who. You know, you're not a hockey fan. So I actually think that would matter. The ones that come to my mind as likely. Red Wings.

[Billy]

That's my first one was the Red Wings came to mind.

[Matt Jones]

Maple Leafs, Rangers, Bruins, Bruins, Canadians. Maybe the Canadians. Yeah, I think those are actually the five. The only other one I could think of is. I mean, the. Who's in the original 6? Is the 6. Chicago I think is higher. The Blackhawks on this, I think there's. I think that's the original six. So I'm going to go Red Wings 1. Maple Leafs, Rangers, Bruins, Canadian. Do we like them?

[Billy]

You know NHL a lot more than me. I just know Red Sox or Red Sox. Red Wings immediately came to mind. Detroit, Canadians. I can't tell you much about them.

[Matt Jones]

I couldn't tell you much about the Canadians either.

[Drew Franklin]

But Florida team surprisingly good in hockey.

[Matt Jones]

Nobody cares about Florida. I mean, they don't. It's not even a state.

[Drew Franklin]

It's my home state.

[Matt Jones]

Basketball, is it Lakers or Celtics?

[Billy]

Just caught the Lakers and Celtics, probably. I was about to say Celtics. And right as I went to open my mouth, I was like, is it the Lakers?

[Matt Jones]

Well, historically it's probably the Celtics, but I do feel like the Lakers are the bigger draw in the last 25 years. So I'm going to go Lakers, then Celtics, Knicks and then I. It's hard because like the Bulls are so huge. But like have you cared about the bulls in 25 years? I mean they were never good before Jordan and they were never after Jordan had Derrick Rose. They did for a little while.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah. And got hurt.

[Matt Jones]

And he got hurt, man. I think there's a big drop after number three though, isn't there? After the Knicks.

[Billy]

I would even say 1 and 2 are on their own pets. They are because the way they have like same amount of chance one apart.

[Matt Jones]

But again, when TV became a thing, the Knicks were big. In the 70s they were.

[Billy]

They would just win a little more. They'd be in it.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I don't know about fourth. I mean, I guess it might be the Bulls.

[Drew Franklin]

Spurs.

[Matt Jones]

I mean the spurs have won a ton but I, I don't know if I consider them iconic. I, I think maybe Sixers. Yeah. Argument. Where do they have the Warriors?

[Drew Franklin]

Seven behind the Pistons.

[Matt Jones]

The warriors go back all the way to Philadelphia and they go to Wilt Chamber Berlin. So I'm going to put the warriors fifth because of that. What about you?

[Billy]

And the last 15 years was about as good as any run as you can have too outside of the. The Lakers.

[Matt Jones]

And it's, it's odd I go Bulls

[Billy]

just because the iconic Jordan.

[Matt Jones]

It's odd how much of basketball is based on the individual players that are there, whereas these other sports are more based, as Jerry Seinfeld would say on the long.

[Billy]

Well, I'm an example. I have a favorite team that I have not changed on, switched up on since I was an infant. I've never had an NBA team. Like I love players. I love the Pacers when Reggie Miller was there.

[Matt Jones]

And I think you can make an argument that only the Celtics, Lakers and Knicks are non player dependent.

[Billy]

Yeah, yeah. Because.

[Matt Jones]

Because I think all these other teams are dependent on who happened to play for them. The Celtics and the Lakers and the Knicks are the Celtics and the Lakers and the Knicks. No matter who's played for.

[Billy]

Those are the three.

[Matt Jones]

Those are the three.

[Billy]

The rest of them, you latch on to a star you like. If they move team, maybe.

[Matt Jones]

All right.

[Billy]

That's how it is for me.

[Matt Jones]

I didn't mean to get off on this, but. All right. One more.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah. My final note isn't much of a news note but in both games in the championship weekend we will have Sean versus Mike. It'll be Mike Vrapel versus Sean Payton.

[Matt Jones]

That's nice.

[Drew Franklin]

We have Sean McVeigh versus Mike McDonald.

[Matt Jones]

Let me ask you a question. Did you notice that or did you see someone else?

[Drew Franklin]

Oh, that was my research.

[Billy]

Well, I actually have to butt in. The top note I have. I can show it is Mike Ver. Sean. Mike Ver Sean. Because they've been talking about that.

[Drew Franklin]

So another good researcher.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, wait a minute. Wait. But he's. He's acknowledged I didn't research.

[Billy]

I. He's. I consumed it.

[Matt Jones]

Now here's somewhere. He's acknowledging he got it from someone else.

[Billy]

It is my first number. Look at my computer.

[Matt Jones]

No, I believe you.

[Billy]

But like, you're Mike versus Sean. Mike versus.

[Matt Jones]

You're suggesting, though you didn't come up with it, you saw it somewhere else.

[Billy]

I consumed it at some point. I couldn't point to where it was, but I.

[Matt Jones]

Are you suggesting it came out naturally from your head or that you consumed.

[Drew Franklin]

I consumed it.

[Matt Jones]

Okay. All right, fair enough.

[Billy]

It is cool, though.

[Matt Jones]

It is cool.

[Billy]

Top note, right above Stefanski versus.

[Drew Franklin]

Less interesting for you that I didn't have. It wasn't an original thought.

[Matt Jones]

No, I just. I was going to be impressed if you came up with.

[Drew Franklin]

Okay.

[Matt Jones]

Also, I was going to be skeptical.

[Drew Franklin]

Well, I forgot the cayenne pepper as well, so I can't put that in my socks.

[Billy]

But we didn't do my third note. I meant to bring it up.

[Matt Jones]

What was that?

[Billy]

We already went over the topic, but Travis Kelsey can't wait. Said he can't wait to see bnme around the off the facility next year.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, he may come back as his boy.

[Billy]

That hire might have changed the course of Swifty ism.

[Matt Jones]

Interesting. That would be interesting. If he comes back. Does b enemy get to go to the wedding?

[Billy]

I think so.

[Matt Jones]

The way.

[Billy]

The way Travis talks about him. Maybe. Maybe a groomsman.

[Matt Jones]

Did you read the Taylor Swift Blake Lively tale?

[Billy]

You know, I tried to keep up with that. There's just a lot going on.

[Matt Jones]

There is.

[Drew Franklin]

I don't really.

[Matt Jones]

I actually don't even know what the fight is about at this point. I know that Blake Lively doesn't like some person named Justin and Justin Bell fight each other. But what less judging. I thought it was kind of sad that their personal text to each other got released to the general public. Like they're talking about difficult parts of their life and it's just on the Internet. Do you? I feel like that's wrong. I feel like I shouldn't now I read it.

[Billy]

I'm googling it right now.

[Matt Jones]

I feel like I shouldn't have been reading it. But, like, they're talking about the disappointments they have in each other's friendship and what the other could do to be a better friend. And I kind of thought, why? Why do I get to read this?

[Billy]

This seems pretty personal between them. I think it got caught up in this big feud with this Justin guy.

[Matt Jones]

But why does the public get to see that? Maybe it's necessary for the lawsuit. But did it need for everyone to see it?

[Billy]

No, it did not. But that's the world we live in. Public interest. And Taylor Swift is number one on that list.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, well, we talk about how they

[Billy]

don't have much privacy, and you think about just walking down the street in restaurants. But as you're saying, like, best friend texts are on the Internet.

[Matt Jones]

They shouldn't get everything of their lives gets. Are they friends again or no? Do they like each other now?

[Drew Franklin]

I haven't been following this one.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, well, I mean, you're supposed to be in charge of the news, but he was. You're not.

[Billy]

He was busy Googling how many Sean's and Mike's going to do.

[Matt Jones]

Blake Lively reporter. All right, the games. We are previewed one of the games. Do you have anything you want to say for Ram Seahawks?

[Billy]

I'm really excited. I still don't know which team I'm going to pick. I have to gamble because we only have a few football games left. But as close as they played in the regular season, three points separate between two games and then having overtime in there. I'm really looking forward to it.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I mean, I'm kind of looking forward to it, but kind of not.

[Billy]

I know those west coast teams sometimes feel like they're not part of.

[Matt Jones]

I wish it was a better. I wish it was a better matchup. I'm not gonna lie.

[Billy]

You wanted the Bears.

[Matt Jones]

We did. I just. I just can't get in the Seahawks. I just. I can't get into it. If we had Seahawks vs. Stidham in the Super Bowl, I mean, I'm going to go, but I don't know what to say to anyone.

[Billy]

Well, I mean, even right now with what we have, and I know it's

[Matt Jones]

not a great Super Bowl.

[Billy]

Well, they did that graphic where it's the four quarterbacks walking towards the trophy and the names are on the back. And it used to say, Mahomes.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, Jackson hurts.

[Billy]

It said, you know, Stidham.

[Matt Jones]

I'm glad they had everyone's name up there or I wouldn't have known any of them. I'd be like, it just doesn't carry the same. I'd Be like, please keep these four men away from the trophy. They're going to steal it.

[Billy]

We just got used to so many last names or the same last names, and now it's like, oh, yeah, it's a new guard.

[Drew Franklin]

I mean, you're not worried about Sam Darnold's oblique?

[Billy]

It's true. What if Sam Darnold's oblique vowed to let it rip?

[Matt Jones]

I mean, let it rip. I don't. To be honest with you, there's not a less interesting person in the league to me than Sam darn Arnold.

[Billy]

Oh, Blake feels about right for an injury to, like a. Kind of boring.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, like, I don't even know where my oblique is.

[Billy]

Mine's been acting up lately. Hope I'm ready to go for the weekend.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, if I. I don't want to strain it, though. All right, so quarterback touchdowns, touchdowns. What was the score last week?

[Drew Franklin]

Well, we had some controversy, obviously, and I do want to look Drew in the eye here and apologize. Thank you.

[Billy]

When you looked me in the eye last week in Lauderdale.

[Drew Franklin]

Well, then take it with a grain of salt, I guess. But did review the footage and you did pick Kyron Williams. So we have to change the scoring. Matt, you now lose a point. You're down to seven because you picked

[Matt Jones]

Rico down about two weeks ago. One week.

[Drew Franklin]

Two weeks ago.

[Matt Jones]

No, we're not. The review process has to end at some point.

[Billy]

I didn't need a review. I've been telling you for three weeks what it was.

[Matt Jones]

You can't continue to review the tape. We weeks. It's like when the NFL, the next play takes off.

[Billy]

I told you what happened in the moment. You all just didn't believe me.

[Matt Jones]

The adjustment cannot be made. The. With the play is under review. They make the decision, then it's over. You don't get to go back. So you cannot go back to two weeks ago.

[Billy]

This was your error that you were carrying a month later. I tried to fix it in the moment, but you kept pushing back.

[Matt Jones]

And you're going to have to look at him if he loses. I already looked him in the eye, too. I had already relied on this score. I had started to. I changed the way I looked at things.

[Billy]

You picked different players the next week.

[Matt Jones]

I have eight point.

[Drew Franklin]

Hold on, hold on.

[Matt Jones]

I have eight points now. He can have what. I don't care what he has. I have eight. You cannot take a point away from me.

[Billy]

Last Sunday. We don't have to count it because I've clearly lost. Because we're going to make things up I had an incredible run last Sunday. Incredible run.

[Matt Jones]

I have eight points. What do you have?

[Drew Franklin]

Okay, Matt will keep you with eight. I have eight as well. And Drew has four.

[Billy]

There's no way I had four last week alone.

[Drew Franklin]

Now we are updating.

[Billy]

No way. I am betting them draftkings is paying me after they hit and I come

[Matt Jones]

in here and you're telling me they're not to throw the challenge flag that he only has four. He got three out of four last week, and I don't think he had one on the year.

[Drew Franklin]

So this is my update that was going into last week. Okay, okay. It was eight. Eight, four.

[Matt Jones]

Okay. Okay, Fair enough.

[Drew Franklin]

So now, last week, Matt, you hit zero of them.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, I can accept that. All right.

[Drew Franklin]

I hit two of them. I have 10.

[Matt Jones]

Are we sure about that?

[Drew Franklin]

Yes. And Drew hit three of them. He is now up to seven.

[Matt Jones]

So 10, eight. Yes, I will accept that, theoretically, as the score.

[Drew Franklin]

I understand.

[Matt Jones]

Although I will acknowledge this entire season is under review.

[Billy]

I mean, I have. I can't put any trust in this. Like when you say scores, you might as well tell that wall because it means nothing to me.

[Matt Jones]

This entire season is under challenge.

[Drew Franklin]

No, you shouldn't. I got worked up. Matt agreed with me on the take.

[Billy]

Of course, because you were giving him the point moment.

[Drew Franklin]

We went with the moment. Now he's.

[Billy]

No, forget the moment. How about me just an honest person telling you and you insisting I'm lying?

[Drew Franklin]

Well, I just wrote it down.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Right.

[Matt Jones]

I just assumed that I could trust the person.

[Billy]

I even replayed the whole conversation about Matt saying, rico, Nico. I said, I don't want a wide receiver. I knew everything they've said and you

[Drew Franklin]

still went on and said, colston, no,

[Billy]

no, you're going to spend this. Don't do this. You're trying to deflect. The argument was Kyron Williams. That was in Colson.

[Matt Jones]

You did argue that you picked Colston.

[Billy]

Well, that's after he kept lying. I got. It's all about Kyron Will. And you're not going to display.

[Matt Jones]

Go back to two weeks to review, though, because you end up hurting everyone involved. Just keep this in mind for the future. You're getting a lot of trust in you here and you have sort of shamed yourself over the course of this.

[Drew Franklin]

Really, One misstep. I would not put the whole season under review here.

[Matt Jones]

Let's do this. First of all, let's do this. We'll do this as the Liberty Mutual bundle. Okay? The Liberty Mutual bundle is presented by Liberty Mutual. We're supposed to pick three games, but there are only two. So let's pick. And over, under don't. And that's too much, too complicated. All right, so we're going to. We'll do this. We'll pick Reds, Guardians. First spring training game on February 21st.

[Billy]

Okay.

[Matt Jones]

It's going to take us a while to find out. The result of this probably is going

[Billy]

to take a while to pay out.

[Matt Jones]

I'm going to go Reds.

[Billy]

I like what the Guardians are doing this off season trade. Yeah. I need to see the weather, but I think for right now I'm going Guardians.

[Matt Jones]

Okay. Billy.

[Drew Franklin]

I think I'm going Guardians as well.

[Matt Jones]

All right, so that's the start. So we'll take the Guardians because we get two out of three. Now let's go to the games. Seahawks versus the Rams. I'm taking the Rams. What about you?

[Billy]

We're just doing to win here.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Why not? Well, no, because they got the spread with the other one. With the other game.

[Billy]

Yeah. So Seahawks are a field goal favorite.

[Matt Jones]

Seahawks are field go F. I'm taking the Rams even.

[Billy]

Yeah, I'm going to take Rams and the points. I'm not committing to an outcome there, but we are in for a tight game.

[Matt Jones]

What about you, Bill?

[Drew Franklin]

Rams.

[Matt Jones]

We got it. Then you sweep. I've got. Denver is only plus one.

[Billy]

I'm seeing four and a half.

[Drew Franklin]

New England. Four and a half.

[Matt Jones]

Why does it say plus one?

[Billy]

I don't know, but you should bet that immediately if you have access to that.

[Matt Jones]

All right, plus four and a half. I'm taking New England.

[Billy]

I want the Broncos to be competitive. I just can't put faith in that quarterback. Respectfully to Nibrock and Corbin, just bad circumstances for him. So I think Patriots win big in New England.

[Matt Jones]

All right, so we're going Patriots, Rams, Guardians. That's your victory bundle. Presented by. Presented by Liberty Mutual. Start your quote@liberty mutual.com let's pick the quarterbacks here or pick Sumi. Pick the scores. So, Drew, I think you'll go first here this time and you got to pick who you want for a touchdown. Let's start with the early game. Broncos and Patriots.

[Billy]

I'll also note, last week I only did long shots, all plus 200 or more and they hit. So I pat myself on back there and I'll stay with that model. I'm going long shots again. I'm looking at it. Diggs is plus 210. Just scored for me. I'm going to keep riding the Stefon Diggs way in New England this weekend.

[Matt Jones]

You're going with Stefan Diggs.

[Billy]

Yep. Let you all have all the running backs.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, so I'm going to take a running back. Who do I want? Let's see. I think I would like. I mean, yeah, with the Patriots. You can go with Ramon J. Trey Stevenson or I can get a little saucy and

[Billy]

Drake may run in one the of.

[Matt Jones]

You know what? Let's just go with Ramon Dre Stevenson. I'm going to take Ramon Dre Stevenson

[Drew Franklin]

as mine, and you can doubt the Corbin boy all you want, but give me Jared Stidham for a tush push touchdown in this game.

[Billy]

Push. Okay.

[Matt Jones]

You're going with the tush push. You're taking Jared Stidham?

[Billy]

I am.

[Matt Jones]

All right. Whatever his office. Whatever you want to do. All right. I'll go first on this next one. Rams, Seahawks. I mean, I'm going to take push Puka Drew second.

[Billy]

Well, I'm certainly not going to pick Kyren Williams or.

[Matt Jones]

No, Excuse me, Billy. Second. Sorry. Go ahead, Billy.

[Drew Franklin]

I will take Kenneth Walker and jump on that train Drew got on last week.

[Billy]

Oh, mine. Three for him last week.

[Matt Jones]

All right, Drew, that threw me a curve.

[Billy]

In that case, I will go. I'm going to go way long shot. I'm looking at plus through, plus 3,50. Colby Parkinson.

[Matt Jones]

Bank it. Colby Parkinson.

[Billy]

They have, like five tight ends. They'll throw to him.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, Colby Parkinson is your pick. I've got Puka Nakua, and you've got Kenneth Walker iii. So there you go. That's our quarterbacks. And I guess we're ready to do a little championship.

[Billy]

Heck, yeah. I'm excited. I hate that there's only three football games left.

[Matt Jones]

Me. Do you know what?

[Billy]

Be at the super bowl in, like, two weeks.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, it's right here.

[Billy]

Let's go.

[Matt Jones]

All right, guys, thank you all very much for being with us and being the kind of people that we like to see. We'll see you later. NFL Cover 0 with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin is a production of the NFL and iHeart Podcast. For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

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[Drew Franklin]

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[Matt Jones]

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[Drew Franklin]

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[Billy]

Lenovo.

[Matt Jones]

This is an iHeart podcast.

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