Summary of "Pardon My Take" Episode: "Championship Sunday, Fred Smoot, SB Champ Mitchell Schwartz, PFT vs Max and Fyre Fest"

Release Date: January 24, 2025

On this riveting episode of "Pardon My Take," hosts Big Cat and PFT Commenter delve deep into the excitement surrounding Championship Sunday, offering comprehensive previews of the NFC and AFC Championship games. Joined by special guests Fred Smoot and Super Bowl Champion Mitchell Schwartz, the episode is packed with insightful analysis, heated debates, and engaging banter.

1. Championship Sunday Preview

NFC Championship: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders

Big Cat opens the discussion by highlighting the competitive landscape of the NFC Championship. He states, "The Eagles have better players at almost every position except for the most important position and that's quarterback." ([19:09])

• Philadelphia Eagles: Big Cat praises the Eagles' robust defense, emphasizing their ability to counteract strong offensive plays. PFT Commenter adds, "Terry McLaurin better than A.J. Brown at the moment on defense." ([20:06])

• Washington Commanders: The focus shifts to the Commanders' strategic strengths, particularly their quarterback, Jaden Daniels. Big Cat notes, "Jaden Daniels is going to do something special and we're going to have maximum pain for Max." ([19:48])

AFC Championship: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills

Mitchell Schwartz provides an expert perspective on the Chiefs vs. Bills matchup, underscoring the Chiefs' offensive prowess led by Patrick Mahomes.

• Kansas City Chiefs: Schwartz commends the Chiefs' ability to elevate their game during playoffs, mentioning, "We've been a fourth down team of all time." ([79:55])

• Buffalo Bills: The Bills' defense receives praise for their consistency, although concerns are raised about their middle field performance. Schwartz observes, "Buffalo's run defense shows up and they're able to possess the ball and make Pat Mahomes watch." ([86:46])

2. Team News and Updates

• Commanders' Coaching Changes: Big Cat and PFT Commenter discuss the Commanders' strategic hires, particularly the promotion of Aaron Glenn. Big Cat remarks, "It's just good to get someone like that into the building." ([06:17])

• Lions' Organizational Shifts: The episode touches upon the Lions' recent decisions, including the firing of Trent Balky and the potential hiring of Liam Cohen by the Jaguars. PFT Commenter highlights, "They can't handle much more from PMT." ([09:13])

3. Rivalries and Beefs

A significant portion is dedicated to dissecting the ongoing feud between Ryan Clark and Marcellus Wiley.

• Ryan Clark vs. Marcellus Wiley: The hosts analyze Clark's inconsistent criticism of quarterbacks Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, contrasting it with his praise for his own team's performances. PFT Commenter notes, "Jakel Clark is acting like Vegas didn't happen because he's a freak, and then the other person says everything is fine." ([14:14])

4. Player Updates and Performances

• Mark Andrews' Charity Donation: Big Cat discusses Mark Andrews' generous donation of $95,000 to his charity, expressing mixed feelings about the gesture. He states, "I would still rather have caught that ball and not fumbled the other one, but still nice." ([11:40])

• Injuries: The conversation covers various player injuries affecting team dynamics, including Jalen Hurts' status and the Commanders' defensive lineup. Mitchell Schwartz emphasizes the importance of keeping key players healthy for playoff success.

5. Betting Predictions and Parlay Bets

The hosts engage in lively discussions about game predictions and potential betting strategies.

• Eagles vs. Commanders: Big Cat expresses optimism about the Eagles' performance, predicting a score of "Eagles 34, Commanders 21" ([36:28]).

• Chiefs vs. Bills: PFT Commenter leans towards the Chiefs, albeit acknowledging the Bills' potential, stating, "If Josh can have one of his better performances, the Bills have a very, very good chance of winning." ([46:20])

• Parlays: The segment includes the creation of parlay bets, with humorous stakes involving waxing. Hank proposes, "Jalen Carter one plus sack," while PFT Commenter opts for, "Commanders over 23 and a half team points." ([56:47])

6. Guest Interviews and Insights

Fred Smoot:

Fred Smoot brings a passionate perspective on the Commanders' journey to the NFC Championship.

• Team Confidence: Smoot asserts, "We are America's new team. The nation's capital, the Washington Commanders." ([62:40])

• Commanders vs. Eagles: He highlights the Commanders' strategic advantages and the importance of Jaden Daniels' leadership, stating, "Jaden Daniels is the key to this game." ([67:40])

Mitchell Schwartz:

As a Super Bowl Champion, Mitchell Schwartz offers expert analysis on both Championship matchups.

• Chiefs' Offensive Line: Schwartz praises the Chiefs' offensive line adaptability despite injuries, noting, "I'm really optimistic that Kansas City's O line has found the groove." ([106:07])

• Defensive Strategies: He elaborates on the Chiefs' defensive approaches to limit opponents' key players like Saquon Barkley, emphasizing teamwork and strategic playcalling.

7. Game Strategies and Outcome Predictions

• Eagles' Defense vs. Commanders' Offense: The discussion centers on how the Eagles' elite defense will challenge the Commanders' offensive strategies. Big Cat mentions, "The Eagles defense is much better than what Jaden Daniels has played in the last two playoff games." ([22:21])

• Chiefs' Offense vs. Bills' Defense: Schwartz analyzes the Chiefs' ability to adapt their offensive game plan against the Bills' formidable defense, stressing the importance of maintaining a strong offensive line to support Mahomes' gameplay.

8. Final Score Predictions

• Eagles vs. Commanders: Big Cat predicts, "Eagles 34, Commanders 21," while Hank counters with, "28, 24 Eagles." ([36:33]; [37:08])

• Chiefs vs. Bills: Mitchell Schwartz anticipates a competitive game, suggesting a close finish without endorsing a definitive score.

Conclusion

This episode of "Pardon My Take" offers a thorough and spirited examination of Championship Sunday, blending expert insights from guests with the hosts' characteristic humor and debate. From team strategy breakdowns to heated rivalries and betting banter, listeners are treated to a multifaceted preview of the NFL's most pivotal games.

Note: All timestamps correspond to the provided transcript and are used to reference notable quotes and segments within the episode.