CJ Stroud Exposed? Josh Allen Heartbreak, Broncos Chaos and WHAT IS A CATCH?

Summary

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Outta Pocket with RG3 – Episode Summary

Episode Title: CJ Stroud Exposed? Josh Allen Heartbreak, Broncos Chaos and WHAT IS A CATCH?
Date: January 19, 2026
Hosts: Robert Griffin III (RG3) & Grete Griffin

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Overview

In this fast-paced, candid, and entertaining episode of "Outta Pocket with RG3," Robert Griffin III and Grete Griffin break down the divisional round of the NFL Playoffs, tackle viral moments across several key games, and weigh in on the controversial Atlanta Falcons coaching hire. The hosts bring their trademark blend of analysis, storytelling, and humor while offering pointed takes on all things "outta pocket" in sports.

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Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Bills vs. Broncos: The Catch/Interception Controversy

[00:00–02:29]

• Main Question: Was Jaquan McMillan’s overtime interception against Brandon Cooks in fact a catch or a pick?
• RG3 argues: It looked like a legitimate catch by Cooks. He asserts there’s video and photo evidence showing he “survived the ground” and only lost the ball when it was ripped away, suggesting a problem of rule clarity.
• Quote: "There's no clarity on what is a catch... it's complete gray area and it's subjective by nature to protect the referees. And that's the problem right now. This gray area in subjectiveness has eroded the trust between NFL fans and the refs." — RG3 [01:36]

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2. Josh Allen’s Playoff Heartbreak

[02:29–05:28]

• Allen put up three touchdowns but was responsible for four turnovers, including a key fumble just before halftime and a missed throw to Dawson Knox late in regulation.
• Emotion on display: Allen tears up postgame, drawing empathy and praise from RG3 for "holding himself accountable."
• Quote: "Real men cry. And he's holding himself accountable for all four crucial turnovers that he made during the game." — RG3 [02:51]
• Discussion on whether the Bills’ Super Bowl window is closed: RG3 says absolutely not as long as Allen is there, but stresses the need for a true No. 1 receiver—"an eraser" who can be game-breaking in critical moments.

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3. Broncos Playoff Win & Bo Nix’s Injury

[07:03–09:55]

• Broncos get their first playoff victory since 2016 but lose star QB Bo Nix (broken ankle).
• RG3 muses on whether Nix’s absence is like "the Temptations losing David Ruffin or AC/DC losing Bon Scott." He ultimately believes backup Jared Stidham could carry them, referencing NFL history of backups leading title runs.
• Quotes:
  • "Jared Stidham, who was one of the best backups in the NFL can replace Bo Nix and lead the Denver Broncos to a Super Bowl." — RG3 [08:47]

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4. Jared Stidham Steps Up

[10:00–11:04]

• Insert from Stidham: “I have no doubts that I’m a starting caliber quarterback in this league.” [10:00]
• RG3 vouches for Stidham’s skill and preparedness, calls on Sean Payton to "get him going early" for the biggest game of his life.

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5. Viral Spiral #1: Seahawks Dominate the 49ers

[11:04–13:08]

• Seattle destroys San Francisco 41-6, buoyed by a Rashid Shahid kickoff return and three Kenneth Walker III TDs.
• Seahawks D forces three turnovers, 49ers go scoreless offensively.
• RG3 draws parallels to Legion of Boom-era teams.
• Notable Dialogue:
  • "Is Sam Darnold the best QB from the 2018 class?" — Co-host [12:03]
  • "He’s not, but he’s in prime position to be the first one to win a Super Bowl." — RG3 [12:10]
• RG3 fiercely defends Sam Darnold against critics questioning the legitimacy of his injury.
• Quote: "To question a player's character by saying that he is willfully and willingly trying to exaggerate an injury... you shouldn't be on TV." — RG3 [13:12]

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6. 49ers’ Season Unravels

[15:31–17:35]

• RG3 exonerates Brock Purdy, blaming injuries (notably, 74 missed starts by top players) and line struggles for San Fran’s demise.
• Vivid Analogy Quote: "Brock Purdy was literally running like a child away from a whooping the entire game." — RG3 [17:21]

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7. Quirky Theory: The Practice Facility Curse

[17:35–18:41]

• Discussion about the 49ers' injury bug possibly stemming from their practice facility being located near an “electromagnetic massive field,” drawing laughs yet genuine intrigue.

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8. Viral Spiral #2: Patriots Knock Out the Texans — CJ Stroud’s Meltdown

[18:42–23:40]

• New England outlasts Houston 28–16, powered by takeaways.
• CJ Stroud throws four first-half picks (five turnovers total).
• RG3 discusses whether Houston should “trade” Stroud—flatly says no, but warns they must “wait to pay him” and that Stroud has looked off since his concussion.
• Quote: "CJ Stroud needs to go into hibernation, work on his craft, and come back out swinging next year." — RG3 [21:24]
• RG3 also humorously references Stroud’s “energy” since being seen with Amber Rose, suggesting distractions and exposure may have contributed to his struggles.

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9. Stroud’s Health & The Aftershocks of Concussion

• RG3 speculates Stroud hasn’t "ever recovered" since Week 9's concussion, and recommends getting his brain mapped at Nestry, a brain health firm.
• Quote: "CJ, I'm being dead serious man, take care of your brain. It's everything." — RG3 [23:41]

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10. Patriots’ Path Forward

[24:26–25:41]

• Patriots head to their first AFC Championship in 7 years.
• Discussing rookie Drake May: He needs to reduce sacks and fumbles (league-high 14), and maximize opportunities, especially after the defense generates takeaways.

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11. Viral Spiral #3: Rams Edge the Bears – Caleb Williams Edition

[26:12–28:06]

• LA outlasts Chicago 20–17 in OT.
• Bears rookie QB Caleb Williams shows flashes of greatness but throws three picks.
• RG3 affirms Williams as “the future in Chicago,” lauding two spectacular 4th down throws.
• RG3 hammers home: “If you win the turnover battle, you win the game,” noting every divisional winner did so.
• Quote: "The ball is everything. Your coaches in Pee Wee, middle school, junior high, high school, NFL, college ball, all that, they talk about it every time." — RG3 [28:07]

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12. Shoutouts: Rams’ Kicker Steps Up

• Praises "the thicker kicker," Harrison Mevis, for drilling the OT-winner and sending LA to the NFC title game.
• Quote: "Kickers are people too. Until they miss." — RG3 [28:35]

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13. Pocket Take of the Week: Falcons Hire Kevin Stefanski (Coaching Chaos)

[29:12–33:07]

• Clip: Atlanta fan DC Young Fly erupts over Stefanski’s hiring, blasting the Falcons’ decision and culture disconnect.
• RG3 and Grete break down the local uproar: Stefanski recently clashed with Shadur Sanders (Deion Sanders’ son), and the hire is seen as baffling for “Black Hollywood.”
• RG3 contextualizes the outrage:
  • “It’s not that they want a black coach, they just don’t want a coach who doesn’t want authentically black players.”
• Both hosts question the rationale behind hiring a coach “who has only won eight games the last two seasons.”

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Josh Allen’s accountability
  "Real men cry. And he's holding himself accountable..." — RG3 [02:51]

• On the clarity of NFL catch rules
  "This gray area in subjectiveness has eroded the trust between NFL fans and the refs." — RG3 [01:36]

• Defending Sam Darnold
  "You love to see it." — RG3, on Darnold’s comeback story [14:54]

• 49ers’ injury woes
  "Brock Purdy was literally running like a child away from a whooping the entire game." — RG3 [17:21]

• Falcons coaching hire
  "Kevin Stefanski just single handedly tried to end Shadir Sanders' career before it even started." — RG3 [31:15]

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Time-Stamped Highlights

• 00:00–02:29: Bills/Broncos catch controversy, NFL rule ambiguity
• 02:29–05:28: Josh Allen in tears, Bills playoff letdown, Super Bowl window
• 07:03–11:04: Broncos moving forward without Bo Nix, Jared Stidham steps up
• 11:04–15:31: Seahawks blowout Niners, Sam Darnold redemption, injury skepticism
• 15:31–18:41: 49ers injury crisis, practice facility conspiracy
• 18:42–23:41: Patriots’ win, CJ Stroud’s turnover meltdown and health concerns
• 24:26–25:41: Patriots’ championship return, Drake May’s next steps
• 26:12–28:35: Rams win in OT, Caleb Williams’ star moments, LA kicker delivers
• 29:12–33:07: Atlanta Falcons/Stefanski hiring uproar, culture disconnect

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Tone and Style

Bold, sharp, and irreverent while offering real football insight. The hosts aren’t afraid to call out bad decisions, challenge popular narratives, or throw in a pop culture metaphor. The energy is up, the laughs are real, and the episode never lets up.

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Recommended For:
Fans seeking the real story behind NFL headlines, off-the-rails debates, sharp analysis, and the unfiltered voices of RG3 and Grete.

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Transcript

[Robert Griffin III]

Was it a catch or was it an interception? That is the question that every Buffalo Bills fan and NFL fan around the world wants to know. And we're going to get to the bottom of it today in 33 minutes or less. Because we're also going to recap the Bills, Broncos, Niners, Seahawks, the Texans, Patriots and the Rams versus the Bears. And we're also going to talk about the Atlanta Falcons hiring a coach by the name of Kevin Stefanski and the reaction from the fans. So welcome to out of pocket with RG3, hosted by your boy and the lovely and amazing 107 time all American grate Griffin. If you haven't like, subscribe to our podcast. What are you waiting for? Come on people, we can't get this done without you and we love doing these shows for you. So hit that like and subscribe button and let's go ahead and get to the opening drive.

[Co-host]

Opening drive. Buffalo Bills vs Broncos Was it a catch or was it an interception? In the AFC divisional round, the Buffalo Bills outgained the Denver Broncos by 100 yards of total offense and held the ball to almost 41 minutes and still went home. The Broncos forced five turnovers and survived the Josh Allen's fourth quarter surge, winning 33:30 in overtime on Will Lutz's 23 yard walk off field goal. Allen had three touchdowns, but his four turnovers flipped the entire game and ended the Bills second season. But the most controversial play of the game was when Jaquan McMillan's interception in overtime. Did Brandon Cooks catch the ball or do you think it was actually an interception?

[Robert Griffin III]

I believe it was a catch. I believe it was a catch because when he hit the ground there is video evidence and picture evidence that he had control of the ball, which means he survived hitting the ground and then the ball was whipped or was ripped away from by Jaquan McMillan. But here's the real problem people. The real problem is there is no clarity on what is a catch. There's no clarity on how long a player has to maintain control of the ball. There's no clarity on what amount of movement can happen when the ball and still be considered a catch. There's no clarity on when a player with the ball has control and is declared down by contact. There's no clarity on what is a football move. It's complete gray area and it's subjective by nature to protect the referees. And that's the problem right now. This gray area in subjectiveness has eroded the trust between NFL fans and the refs.

[Co-host]

All right, but take Us to the turnovers and Josh Allen, because there is an absolute reason he had this to say after the game.

[Robert Griffin III]

It's extremely difficult.

[Co-host]

I feel like I, yeah, I feel.

[Robert Griffin III]

Like I let my.

[Guest or Interviewee (possibly a player or analyst)]

Let my teammates down tonight.

[Robert Griffin III]

Man, that's. That's tough to hear.

[Co-host]

What does, what does Josh Allen crying at the post game press conference tell you?

[Robert Griffin III]

Well, well, for me, it tells me that, that he's a real man, right? Real men cry. And he's holding himself accountable for all four crucial turnovers that he made during the game and the plays that he didn't make to win the game. So, people, these are the turnover facts, all right? The Bills literally tried to fumble the game away and they did three fumbles. And the Broncos scored 13 points off of those fumbles. The Broncos scored 10 points in 22 seconds to close halftime after Josh Allen's crucial fumble. He was a little loose with the ball, right? Josh Allen missed Dawson Knox for a game winning touchdown right at the end of regulation on a crossing route. He. He's going to fill those types of plays for the rest of the off season, maybe even longer, for years, because he knows he can make them happen. And here's the other thing with Josh Allen. Did you know that Josh Allen has the most playoff wins without a Super bowl appearance? Oh, he now has eight playoff wins, more than Philip Rivers, who has five, who's tied with Mark Brunel and also Danny White. That those are not the names that Josh Allen wants to be associated with. And you could see the hurt and the pain in his eyes, knowing that he really felt like he let his teammates down. But it's not just heartbreaking for Josh Allen. It's heartbreaking for the Bills fans. It's heartbreaking for the Bills organization because he is good enough and they are good enough to win a Super Bowl.

[Co-host]

It's definitely heartbreaking. Like, let's. Let's listen to Dion Dawkins and Brandon Cooks talking about Josh Allen.

[Guest or Interviewee (possibly a player or analyst)]

I mean, you know, at the end of the day, he's been carrying us all year. And you know, the way I think about it is, you know, somebody step up to be able to alleviate some of that from him. And when you great and you feel like you have to do so much, you know, you have the opportunity to be able to afford some of those things. And that's what I think about Ja. He's the greatest quarterback in this league. Me, we all, everybody else around them got to come up, be able to make plays so he doesn't always have to be the one to feel like, man, I gotta win this game.

[Co-host]

Do you think the bill super bowl window is closed?

[Robert Griffin III]

No. No. I think as long as you have Josh Allen, your Super bowl window is wide open. He, he's a one of a kind type of player. So if he's on the roster, you have a chance.

[Co-host]

But what do you think the Bills need to do to get over this hump of going to the playoffs, winning the playoff game. Winning the playoff game, but not quite making it to Super Bowl Y. Yeah.

[Robert Griffin III]

And I know a lot of people are going to talk about the no Lamar, no Patrick Mahomes, no Joe Burrow or in this playoffs. And. But that's not really what matters. What matters for Josh Allen is what's on his team. Josh Allen needs an absolute eraser at wide receiver. He needs a true bonafide number one wide receiver. There's some guys in the draft that they can possibly go get. There's going to be some guys available through trade that they can also go get, but he needs that number one wide out. Because in the playoffs, it's not about the, the X's and the O's as much as it is about the Jimmies and the Joes. Coaches who get to the playoffs are really great at X's and O's. Yeah, they know how to scheme. But the teams that get over the hump have the Jimmies and the Joes where you need them. Quarterback, running back, wide receiver, pass rusher, interior offensive line. They have those guys. The Bills need to go get that eraser at wide receiver and find someone who can deliver that Randy Moss impact that Randy provided for the Patriots even though they had Tom Brady. You can never upgrade your roster enough. And then I know Keon Coleman has been a fire plug for a lot of people to, to clown on him and make fun of him, but they need to move him into the slot. He's a big slot receiver. That's what he primarily played in college when he had his most effectiveness anyway, that at Florida State. Of course, that would give them an opportunity to have a big guy in the middle who can, who can own the middle of the field and, and, and can create mismatches for you and then have that dude outside where you're like, man, if all else fails is I got him and you don't. And the Bills do not have that right now. And that's why Josh Allen has to wear the cape every single game.

[Co-host]

Well, on the brighter side of things, the Denver Broncos got their first playoff win since 2016 when they won The Super Bowl. But in an ankle breaking turn of events, they lost Bix for the remainder of the season to a broken ankle. Do you think the Broncos season is over without Bonick?

[Robert Griffin III]

No, I don't think it's over. I think the Broncos can still win the super bowl with Jared Stum at quarterback. But it'll be a hell of a lot harder to get past the New England Patriots without Bo Nicks. Bo Kn is the only player in NFL history to have over 7,500 yards passing, over 750 yards rushing and win a playoff game before his third career in the NFL. Bonick is the has the most game winning drives in the super bowl era by a quarterback who is 25 or younger with eight. So yes, losing Bo Knicks is massive. But the Broncos will have to decide if it's like the Temptations losing David Ruffin, if it's like Queen losing Freddie Mercury, or if it's like AC DC losing Bon Scott. What do I mean by that? The Temptations kept singing after David Ruffin, but it never really over the same anymore. You know, ain't too proud to beg you talk about Queen. They weren't the same either after losing Freddie Mercury, but AC DC brought in Brian Johnson and then created Back in Black, which is arguably their most iconic album ever. So Jared Stidham is the man now.

[Co-host]

Okay, I get all that, but do you think Jared Situm can really lead the Broncos to a Super Bowl?

[Robert Griffin III]

Yeah, I. I really do believe Jared Stadium can lead him to a Super Bowl. It's not uncommon, guys, for a backup quarterback to come in and lead a team to the promised land. Tom Brady replaced Drew Brusso when they want a Super Bowl. Kurt Warner replace Trent Green and they won a Super bowl with the Rams. Nick Foles replaced Carson Wentz with the Eagles and they won a Super Bowl. So God dang it. Jared Stidham, who was one of the best backups in the NFL can replace Bo Nix and lead the Denver Broncos to a Super Bowl.

[Co-host]

It's funny that you say that Nick Foles replaced Carson, Carson Wentz because listen to this Nick false tweet that he had to say after Bo Nicks went down.

[Robert Griffin III]

Oh, you do your research, huh?

[Co-host]

Note for the Broncos and their fans. I know it has been an emotional 24 hours. I feel feel for Bo and the team and I'm sending prayers for a strong recovery. A positive note going into the game versus the Patriots is that they struggle against backup QBs in championship type games.

[Robert Griffin III]

Hey man. Nick F. First of all, Nick is Funny man. He is hilarious, but he's spot on. Let's see if Jared Stum can make it happen.

[Co-host]

All right, let's take us to Jared Stum talking about his belief in his ability to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.

[Jared Stidham (clip)]

I know what kind of player I am, kind of person I am. And like I said earlier, I'll be ready to go if, if I need to be. And yeah, like I said, I have no doubts that I'm, I'm starting caliber quarterback in this league.

[Robert Griffin III]

Now is your chance to prove it. Stitty. That's what we call him. That's his nickname. Okay. Jer Stidham, in case you guys didn't know, is a former Baylor quarterback and I had the chance to work with him at Baylor. He's a hard worker, never backs down from a challenge. He can make all the throws on the field. And the bottom line is he has the athleticism to make off schedule plays when the moment calls for it. And, and he's a God fearing young man. I mean he, he's always been taking steps to, in his mind, be prepared for moments like this. And I have no doubt that he can step in and lead the Denver Broncos in this moment and what will be the biggest game of his life. And it's Sean Payton's job to get him going early, allow him to see the ball completed so he can gain confidence because it's a big moment not just for him, but for everyone in that organization.

[Co-host]

All right, let's get to our next segment. Viral spiral number one. Seattle Seahawks complete domination of the 49ers. Seattle dog walked the 49ers 416 and punched the ticket to the NFC title game for the first time since 2014.

[Robert Griffin III]

Wow.

[Co-host]

It started with a 95 yard opening kickoff return touchdown by Rashid Shahid.

[Robert Griffin III]

And.

[Co-host]

And it never cooled off. Kenneth Walker the third piled on three rushing touchdowns to tie Shawn Alexander's Seahawks single game playoff record. While the Seahawks defense forced three turnovers and kept the Niners out of the end zone the entire night. Seattle scored in 13 seconds, set a playoff record and made the 49ers look like they just did not belong in the same round. This game was historically just ugly for Niners. The 416 loss, their worst playoff defeat since 1987. Is Sam Darnold the best QB from the 2018 rookie QB class? Is another question I thought I would ever ask you.

[Robert Griffin III]

Yeah, I mean he's not, but he's in prime position to be the first one to win a Super Bowl.

[Co-host]

That is insane. I mean, my mind goes boom.

[Robert Griffin III]

Like, put, put up the, you talk about Sam Darnold and, and put up the, the graphic about Sam Darnold and the rookie class that he was in. You're talking about Baker Mayfield going number one overall. You got Sam Darnold in there, Josh Allen, who we just talked about, Josh Rosen, who everybody's forgotten about already, and Lamar Jackson, who is my teammate in Baltimore. These are the guys that he is potentially going to win a Super bowl before. You never in a million years would have thought that, ever. But Sam Darnold in the 2026 Seattle Seahawks are in this position because they are built just like the 2013 Super bowl team, right? The number one ranked defense in points per game, yards per play, and on third downs, they get off the field. They're also a top five rushing team team in the NFL and number two in points per game on offense. That to me, sounds like the legion of boom. And Russell Wilson and Marsham Lynch. I mean, Seattle fans have to be excited.

[Co-host]

Do you think Sam Darnold haters just owe him an apology now?

[Robert Griffin III]

Oh, yes, absolutely. Apology man. And all the haters out there need to tell him they're sorry. Scotland, I'm so sorry, sir. I didn't mean to. I didn't mean to doubt you. They're doubting him. They're questioning his oblique injury. The man didn't throw a pass since Thursday, yet still came out and went out there and bawled out. And I just thought not only was it ridiculous that anyone would question his oblique injury as if it was an excuse, a setup for an excuse for him to play bad. I didn't, I didn't just think it was ridiculous. I thought it was unprofessional. These guys are playing at the highest level. It's not our job to try to create stories where there is no story. It's our job to report on the story and give our professional advised opinion on what we think is going on. But to question a player's character by saying that he is willfully and willingly trying to exaggerate an injury to set up a potential excuse means you shouldn't be on tv because now you're putting yourself before the players and that should never happen. So that's what I have to say to anyone out there who question the validity of San Darnold's injury. The bottom line is what I love to see about this Sam Donald story is the fact that this man had endured so much in New York with the Giants, so much in Carolina with the Panthers, reset himself with the 49ers, and now he has a chance to lead the Seattle Seahawks to the Super Bowl. If you're the Minnesota Vikings right now, you're kicking yourself because you didn't give Sam Darnold the opportunity to continue to be your quarterback. You moved on from him. And I understand JJ McCarthy and everything they poured into him. But now Sam Darnold went to another team and proved yet again that he can get it done. It's almost poetic. You love to see it.

[Co-host]

Sometimes the grass ain't greener on the other side, baby.

[Robert Griffin III]

Sometimes it ain't. But for Sam Donald, it certainly is.

[Co-host]

For him, he definitely is. But for the 49ers, it was an ending to a true, truly persevering season. Once literally one of the most banged up teams in the NFL finally had all of their injuries catch up to them, Brock Purdy finished with 15, 27, 440 yards, 37 rushing yards and one interception. Do you believe Brock Purdy is the reason the 49ers lost?

[Robert Griffin III]

No, no. Hell no to the nah nah, nah. Hell to the nah. Brock Purdy is not only not the reason that they lost this game, but he's the reason that they were even in this game. No one will say to you that Brock Purdy played great, right? You have the interception, you have no touchdowns, but this man was out there giving it everything he possibly had with the roster that was handicapped from the beginning. When you look at the 49ers injuries, you're talking about George Kittle, Mikel Williams, Fred Warner. Nick Bosa had a combined 47 miss starts. Throw in Brandon Ayuk, who I know no one wants to talk about, but that's 64 starts from your starters. You're talking about Ricky Piersol as well, coming in. And he adds now 72 starts. And then if you want to throw in Juwan Jennings, who everybody loves, right, he also missed a few starts. That's 74 starts from their best players on the team. This team, the 49ers, have to improve their offensive and defensive lines. They couldn't rush the passer all year once Nick Bosa went down and especially when Michael Williams wasn't available and they couldn't protect the quarterback. Brock purdy ran for 413 yards on 33 drop backs. What does that mean? That means that against the Seahawks, Brock Purdy was literally running like a child away from a whooping the entire game. He was scrambling, literally running for his life. That is not what you want your quarterback to do. And if the 49ers want to get back to the super bowl, they have to start winning in the trenches again.

[Co-host]

I want to bring up a social clip that I saw the other day about the 49ers practice facility being right next to, like, electromagnetic massive field and which is, like, proven to, like, weak intendants and everything. And like, the 49ers being one of the most injured teams in the NFL. Like, they should probably think about moving that facility somewhere else because, like, there's no way. There's no connection. Connection there. If you can prove to me that the electromagnetic field that's right next to it.

[Robert Griffin III]

Yeah.

[Co-host]

Is literally affecting the players that go out there every day.

[Robert Griffin III]

Yeah.

[Co-host]

You know, I mean.

[Robert Griffin III]

I'm tracking what you're putting down. And here's what I do know, because you were also a professional athlete, and I was also a professional athlete. We all are looking for every single edge we can find.

[Co-host]

Yeah.

[Robert Griffin III]

Right. So because of that, if someone brings that up, the team needs to address it. They got to figure something out, because we can't be having electromagnetic fields determining whether or not our guys stay healthy or not. And it has been an issue for the Niners for years now.

[Co-host]

See? See, see?

[Robert Griffin III]

It's not a conspiracy theory. It might be true.

[Co-host]

Bio spiral number two. The Patriots sent Houston Texans home. It's a snow game in Foxborough, and the Patriots turning into a takeaway clinic. New England beat Houston 2816 as Drake made through three touchdowns. And second, C.J. stroud melted down with the four first half interceptions, including a 26 yard pick six. That flipped the game for good. The Texans defense kept swinging, but the turnovers just buried them. This is a tough question to ask, but do you think the Houston Texans should trade C.J. stroud?

[Robert Griffin III]

No, they shouldn't trade C.J. stroud. But he just proved that they need to wait to pay him. Houston brought a championship defense, and their quarterback showed up dressed like a turnover. Stroud finished 20 for 47, for 212 yards, one touchdown, four picks, and he also had a fumble.

[Co-host]

Yeah.

[Robert Griffin III]

All right, so that's five turnovers, five turnovers. Stroud became the first player ever with five interceptions and five fumbles in a single postseason. And he only played two postseason games. C.J. stroud is the reason that the Texans lost that game, but he's also the only reason they've been in that game for the past three years.

[Co-host]

Yeah.

[Robert Griffin III]

So if you're the organization, you have to weigh both of those things equally. But CJ Simply hasn't been the Same, in my opinion, since he was spotted driving Amber Rose home from a celebrity softball game. I'm sorry, people. Listen, I know it's not a joke and I know Texas fans are hurting right now. But here, stay with me. Stay with me. Put up the image of him and Amber Rose or if we have the video, put it up there.

[Co-host]

Didn't he come out and say that it was like nothing and he gave her a ride.

[Robert Griffin III]

He gave her a ride. But you got to be careful who you giving rides to.

[Co-host]

We don't know what kind of ride he gave.

[Robert Griffin III]

I don't know. I'm not even going to speculate there. That's all you. But what I am saying is energy is everything. And sometimes the people you're around can bring the wrong energy and take your energy away. Facts. So I believe CJ Stroud, one of the biggest mistakes he made, made after his rookie year was all the media in the podcast that he did. You know, he was overexposed. You know, it opened him up to a ton of scrutiny. And when you have that successful rookie year, trust me, I know it only enhances the way people microanalyze everything you say or look at what, everything that you do. But you have to account for that.

[Co-host]

Yeah.

[Robert Griffin III]

To me, CJ Star better not sniff a podcast this offseason because ever since he said this on, on a podcast, Mahomes, Lamar, myself, Dak, Joey B. No, he ain't really playing. And it hurts and it seems harmless, right? Hey, I'm a top five quarterback in the NFL. What's he supposed to say? Just don't answer the question. Just say, not including myself, just to absolve yourself of that level of scrutiny. But CJ Honestly needs to get back to the basics and it'll help him secure his bag. You know, he, he, he had a Super bowl ready defense and, and he had. And he couldn't carry the offense to me. Houston needs the best version of CJ Stroud. They need to give him a better offensive line. Yes. I know that he needs more explosive playmakers on the outside at running back and at wide receiver. I know that not having Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz down the stretch hurt him massively. I know that. But you can't go out there and play that way and then come back out and have all the endorsement deals and have all this stuff going on. CJ CJ Stroud needs to go into hibernation, work on his craft, and come back out swinging next year. And this leads me to what I think the biggest problem, the absolute Single biggest thing for C.J. stroud that happened this year. I don't think C.J. ever recovered from his concussion in Week 9 against the Denver Broncos. And the reason I say that, I'm a guy that had a few concussions in my career, and concussions are something that can have lingering issues. All right. He missed three games.

[Co-host]

Yeah.

[Robert Griffin III]

That's how bad his concussion was early in the year. Most guys miss a game, they come back, they go, what a three games. He hasn't looked comfortable. He hasn't looked in rhythm. He hasn't looked like the same DOT specialist that we're used to seeing him be. When he's dropping back to throw, he. It seems like his reactions were a little bit slower. That interception that he threw off his back foot coming off the boot, action where he was trying to throw the over route, it just felt like he was a little slow reacting to the blitzing backer coming to his face. And then it looks like he just throws it up, but it was his reaction time. To me, that looked a little bit off. So what I would suggest for CJ Stroud is he needs to go get his brain looked at. And I don't mean that jokingly at all. We got all the jokes out earlier in this segment. I mean that seriously. There's a company called Nestry. What they do is they map your brain.

[Co-host]

Yes.

[Robert Griffin III]

And they can talk. They can show you how your brain is firing in the pathways and actually do corrective training to help you heal from concussions. So, C.J. i'm being dead serious, man. Take care of your brain. It's everything. Not just for while you're playing. But why? But after you're done playing, go check out Nestry, and I promise you, you'll come out of it feeling like your old self again.

[Co-host]

I had a concussion once, too, but it turned out that was just pregnant. I'm sorry. It got too dark.

[Robert Griffin III]

She had to bring it back. I had to bring it back.

[Co-host]

But do you know, I was celebrating because I was happy I was pregnant. But you know who else I celebrating right now? The New England England. The New England Patriots.

[Robert Griffin III]

The New England Patriots.

[Co-host]

After seven years, the Patriots are finally returning to the AFC Championship game. It's been 15 years straight that the AFC Championship Game has featured either the Patriots or the Kansas City Chiefs.

[Robert Griffin III]

Wow.

[Co-host]

What does Drake may need to do to get the Patriots back to the Super Bowl?

[Robert Griffin III]

Oh, not get sacked so much. I mean, I said it last last week. I think that he needs to get out in the open field and use his running ability a little bit more and he's been sacked 10 times in two games in past the playoffs. So you can say, hey, is that Drake May's fault or is it the offensive line's fault? I think it's both. I think if you're a quarterback that has the ability to get out and as I call it, get jiggy witted in the open field, then you have to exercise that ability. And, and we need to see more of that from Drake May, otherwise his offensive line is going to continue to feel like have a defeatist mindset. Drake was awesome at times in this game, but he was also sloppy. He didn't just get sacked five times, he had four fumbles and he has a league high 14 fumbles this year. So like the Patriots defense has absolutely been playing out of their mind. But their offense has to produce more points off the turnovers that they got. They got four first half interceptions off of CJ Stroud and they only won the game by 12 points.

[Co-host]

It's just so crazy that either Drake May or Jared Statham will have a Super bowl appearance before Josh Allen, before Lamar Jackson, before Dak Prescott, before Justin Herbert and before the entire Lions franchise. I mean, wow, that is, that is like. That is so crazy because what, what.

[Robert Griffin III]

Timeline are we living in right now exactly? In the metaverse, it's the Drake Drake made Drake Mavers. It's Drake metaverse May metaverse. I don't know, but one of those.

[Co-host]

We almost had it.

[Robert Griffin III]

It's kind of crazy.

[Co-host]

Virus viral number three at the Rams take the wind out of Chicago sales. It was a snowy, nasty, stressful environment that Soldier Field and the Rams survived the Bears 2017 in overtime. Kyron Williams punched in two rushing touchdowns, but Kaylin Williams forced overtime with a fourth down. Miracle to Cole. Met with 18 seconds left in the game.

[Robert Griffin III]

Crazy.

[Co-host]

Then Caleb threw his third pick in overtime which is the most interceptions the Rams have had in a game since 2001. And Harrison mis drilled the 42 yard walk off to send LA to the NFC title game. Do you think Caleb Williams prove that that he is the Bears franchise QB this year?

[Robert Griffin III]

Yes, I believe Caleb Williams is the future In Chicago. Caleb Williams had two of the best throws I've ever seen in NFL playoff history on fourth down during this playoffs. It's crazy. Two feet off the ground. Boom. Dime on fourth and 10. The touchdown that he threw on fourth and four in the red zone after he scrambled back would look like 30 yards. Crazy.

[Co-host]

Crazy.

[Robert Griffin III]

But he also proved the age old proverb that if you win the turnover battle, you win the game. Caleb Williams escaped every sack in this game just to get tackled by a career high three interceptions. Every team that won the turnover battle in the divisional round won the game 49ers. They lost the turnover battle 3 to 1 and the Seahawks beat them. The Bills lost a turnover battle five to one and the Broncos beat him. The Houston Texans lost a turnover battle five to three and the Patriots beat him. And the Bears lost a turnover battle three to nothing and the Rams beat him. The ball is everything. Your coaches in Pee Wee, middle school, junior high, high school, NFL, college ball, all that, they talk about it every time.

[Co-host]

Ball don't lie, the ball don't lie.

[Robert Griffin III]

And the ball is everything. So if you're a young player out there, quarterback, running back, wide receiver, if you're a db, the ball is the program. And when it's in your hands, you got to take care of it. And when it's not, you got to go get it. The NFL just showed you on the highest level, the ball is everything.

[Co-host]

But we do have to shout out the LA Rams for getting back to the NFC Championship game. You know it's a fifth game winning drive in the playoffs for Matthew Stafford.

[Robert Griffin III]

Yeah, it was. And shout out to Matt doing his thing at 37, one of the best 37 year old seasons I think I've ever seen. But a good kicker can make or break your super bowl run. And I gotta give a massive shout out to the thicker kicker, Harrison meis. He went 2 for 2, sent the Rams NFC championship game. And that can't be overstated because I promise you guys, kickers are people too. Until they miss. Then everybody goes after them and unfortunately their families. So good for Mavis. The thicker kicker came through and the Rams are on their way out of.

[Co-host]

Pocket take of the week. The Atlanta Falcons hired former two time NFL culture deer and former Cleveland Barons head coach Kevin Stefanski. And here is how avid Atlanta Falcons fan D.C. young Fly responded.

[DC Young Fly (clip)]

Bro, what the ugly. Get your ass on, bro. Bro, the Atlanta Falcon do not with this city, bro. Y' all went and did that bro on 32, bro. What the you did to your door, bro. We don't want y' all ass, bro. We want you do it egg lad the thing y' all don't win and got mad at the VP and this the first decision you gonna do what the is going on in the city. See that why I be over there with the host, bro. They don't do stupid. I mean they might do some questionable but they don't do stupid like that. But you crazy. Hey bro. Go get Shadu, bro. We don't want your ass, bro.

[Robert Griffin III]

The hell?

[Co-host]

What do you think of this hiring, my love? Stop laughing. Answer the question. Oh my God. Did you just hear dc?

[Robert Griffin III]

Listen, the bottle. The bottom line is this. Kevin Stefanski just spent the majority of his time in Cleveland the last year undercutting Shadir Sanders, who is probably the most powerful and influential young black player in the league today. Now Matt Ryan and the new regime in Atlanta decides to go and hire Kevin Stefanski because of their ties together. And Matt Ryan understanding that he runs and yes, he's a two time coach of the year. But it couldn't show a bigger disconnect between the organization and the city. Kevin Stefanski just single handedly tried to end Shadir Sanders career before it even started. Shadur Sanders happens to be the son of guy by the name of Deion Sanders.

[Co-host]

Who's that?

[Robert Griffin III]

I think, I think Deion Sanders is like, like one of the most famous and popular Atlanta Falcons players of all time. And the city is livid. You just brought Kevin Stefanski to the black Mecca, to black Hollywood where most people believe this is the center of culture of black America. And you brought in a guy that tried to destroy that for a young player in Shadur Sanders being confident, knowing who he is, speaking confidently, keeping his chin up and knowing that he can be who he says he is, not just because he's Deion Sanders son. So when I hear these complaints and oh, there's been many, go look them up. Go look them up. Atlanta Falcons fans are not happy. Yeah, I understand it.

[Co-host]

I do too.

[Robert Griffin III]

It makes sense. It's not that they want a black coach, they just don't want a coach who doesn't want authentically black players. And I think everyone would agree that Shadir Sanders is authentically himself. But even more so, it just seems weird that you would take a coach who has only won eight games in the last two seasons and be the first team to hire him. As DC Young fly said on third and two, what do you think?

[Co-host]

I, I agree, like his record is not. Doesn't, doesn't prove why they hired him. And also like you said, like you gonna hire him to black Hollywood while he has done that to Shadur Sanders and everybody was already scolding him for doing that to Shadir Sanders and now you're gonna bring that to Deion Sanders's team. None of that makes sense. This hiring doesn't make any sense. But hey, I hope it works out for them. I wish them well and everybody go Falcons.

[Robert Griffin III]

Yep, it could be. It could turn out well. We're not saying it isn't, but we. I understand the angst and why people are upset, but that does it for us. We said 33 minutes or less. We hope we stayed true to that. If we didn't, we appreciate you for sticking around. Go ahead and leave a like on our page, subscribe to our podcast and leave a comment of what you want us to talk about next, how you feel about our takes during this episode and whether or not you think it was a catch or not by Brandon Cooks in the game between the Bills and the Broncos. We'll see you guys next time for out of pocket with RG3 and the 107 time all American Greta Griffin Deuces. We gotta go be parents.

[Co-host]

Also, I know Robert says he just don't do any podcast, but you can still come to ours.

[Robert Griffin III]

Bye.