Miami TRIUMPHS Over Ole Miss + Who's Better: the Seahawks or the Broncos?

Summary

PTI Podcast Summary

Episode: Miami TRIUMPHS Over Ole Miss + Who's Better: the Seahawks or the Broncos?
Date: January 9, 2026
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon

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Episode Overview

The episode centers on Miami’s dramatic college football playoff win over Ole Miss, breaking down the game’s wild finish, officiating controversies, and Miami’s improbable run. It also previews the NFL playoff picture—examining the Bears vs. Packers and Patriots vs. Chargers—and debates which teams are best placed to advance. The hosts also dive into potential MLB league realignment and review major headlines in sports, from coaching rumors to player injuries.

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Key Discussion Points

1. Miami Beats Ole Miss: Thrilling Finish and Officiating Debate

Segment starts: [00:42]

• Game Recap: Miami, the last team chosen for the playoffs, edged out Ole Miss 31–27 after four lead changes in the final seven minutes. Quarterback Carson Beck sealed the win with a 3-yard run.
• Wilbon’s Reaction: Exciting but "not all that well played" due to mistakes and penalties. Wilbon is adamant about a missed pass interference call on the last play:

  "No, there's not. No, don't be a sniveling idiot. There's pass interference. Have the guts to call it..." – Mike Wilbon [01:24]

• Tony's Take: Philosophical about Hail Mary officiating, referencing Miami’s history:

  “I don't think they're ever gonna call that on a Hail Mary. Cuz you don't get a second Hail Mary.” – Tony Kornheiser [02:17]

• Game Control: Miami dominated possession (41+ mins to 8), succeeded on third downs (11 of 19), while Ole Miss struggled (2 of 11).
• Carson Beck’s Record:

  “Do you know what his record is now in college against ranked teams?... 18 and 3.” – Tony Kornheiser [03:41] Wilbon praises Beck for performing in high-pressure moments.

Notable Moments

• The passionate back-and-forth on calling penalties late in big games.
• Wilbon’s exasperation with officiating leniency:

  “Just call the damn penalty.” – Mike Wilbon [02:14]

• Debate on whether the last pass was a Hail Mary.

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2. The Other Semifinal: Oregon vs. Indiana

Segment starts: [04:41]

• Indiana’s Underdog Story: Tony leans toward Indiana, marveling at their success (25–2 under Coach Signetti) despite lacking blue-chip recruits and traditional prestige:

  “It's 100 years of lousy. So that's the motivation. A coach can go to the players and he can say everybody doubts us.” – Tony Kornheiser [05:46]

• Oregon’s Strength: Wilbon favors the Ducks for their talent, coaching, and readiness after avenging previous playoff losses.

  “Oregon's loaded. They're loaded. And they lost a game that they were favored to win at home.” – Mike Wilbon [06:22]

• Storylines: If Oregon and Miami advance, Mario Cristobal’s connection (coached both) brings extra drama.

Notable Quotes

• On Indiana potentially losing:

  “If we lose Indiana, we lose a great story about them going undefeated after 100 years of lousy.” – Tony Kornheiser [07:12]

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3. NFL Playoff Preview: Two Seeds Under the Microscope

Segment starts: [07:44]

• Bears vs. Packers: Wilbon emphasizes the evenness and emotional intensity of this rivalry:

  “The Bears and the Packers are two even teams. We know that because they play two even games on each other's home fields.” – Mike Wilbon [08:06]

  • Tony: Points out emotional investment and nerves, with motivation on the Packers’ side after a recent Bears win.
• Patriots vs. Chargers: Wilbon is more confident in the Patriots, Tony is wary, citing the Patriots’ weaker schedule:

  “I have no reason to trust New England. They played a fourth-place schedule to get here.” – Tony Kornheiser [09:36]

• Pressure on Bears: Historical struggles—the Bears haven’t won a playoff game since 2010.

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4. Toss-Up Segments

Jaguars or Texans: Who Extends Their Streak?

[13:47]

• Tony Picks Texans: Cites their defense as key:

  “They have a terrific defense and I know they're on the road, but defense travels.” – Tony Kornheiser [13:52]

• Wilbon Leans Jaguars, Understands Texans Threat: Applauds Houston’s pass rush, but still takes Jaguars.

  “Houston, with that pass rush, their ability to get after the quarterback…” – Mike Wilbon [14:54]

How Many NFC West Teams Advance?

[16:04]

• Both agree Seahawks (with a bye) advance. Rams should beat Carolina. Disagreement or skepticism about 49ers beating Philadelphia:

  “San Francisco is great fun to watch...but...I can see Philadelphia controlling the ball the way Miami did last night…” – Tony Kornheiser [17:42]

• Wilbon expects Rams to win and predicts Eagles control over 49ers.

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5. MLB Realignment Talk

[22:04]

• Manfred’s Proposal: Potential shift from AL/NL to geographic alignment (East/West), with 16 teams each, reducing travel and adjusting playoff schedules.
• Wilbon’s View: Skeptical it’ll happen soon, floats Theo Epstein as a visionary future commissioner:

  “Theo Epstein is the smartest man in baseball. Baseball could do itself good by embracing, hugging Theo Epstein…” – Mike Wilbon [22:39]

• Tony’s Take: Recognizes the radical nature for traditional fans but foresees change being accepted by the next generation.

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6. Lightning Rounds – News & Notes

[24:01]

• Anthony Davis Injury: Wilbon laments how injuries have derailed Davis’ career:

  “Everybody's body is not built for the rigors of professional sports.” – Mike Wilbon [23:42]

• Other Headlines:
  • John Morant trade rumors (“not much” value coming in return, says Wilbon)
  • College QB Demon Williams Jr. staying at Washington; implications unclear
  • Dolphins targeting Packers personnel executive for GM
  • DJ Lagway’s recruitment; “Check the money,” jokes Tony
  • Patrick Kane scores 500th NHL goal with Red Wings (Wilbon: “I do love him. You always loved him.”)

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Memorable Quotes

“Just call the damn penalty.”
— Mike Wilbon ([02:14])

“It's 100 years of lousy. So that's the motivation. A coach can go to the players and he can say everybody doubts us.”
— Tony Kornheiser ([05:46])

“The Bears and the Packers are two even teams. We know that because they play two even games on each other's home fields.”
— Mike Wilbon ([08:06])

“Houston, with that pass rush, their ability to get after the quarterback…”
— Mike Wilbon ([14:54])

“Theo Epstein is the smartest man in baseball. Baseball could do itself good by embracing, hugging Theo Epstein…”
— Mike Wilbon ([22:39])

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Important Timestamps & Segments

• Miami-Ole Miss Recap & Officiating: [00:42]–[04:41]
• Oregon vs. Indiana Preview: [04:41]–[07:43]
• NFL Playoff Two Seeds Discussion: [07:44]–[11:12]
• Jags/Texans & NFC West Toss-Ups: [13:47]–[18:10]
• MLB League Realignment: [22:04]–[23:23]
• Lightning Round (Injuries & Headlines): [24:01]–[25:15]

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Tone & Style

The conversation is quick-witted and energetic, full of affectionate ribbing and opinionated takes. Wilbon is passionate and often animated, especially about officiating and his Bears. Tony mixes wry humor with patient analysis, often grounding debates in context and history.

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Summary for Non-listeners

This episode of PTI delivers sharp, lively analysis of the biggest college football and NFL playoff stories, with spirited debate about officiating, underdog stories, playoff nerves, and the future of sports leagues. From Miami’s scrappy playoff run and Indiana’s historic turn, to nail-biting NFL matchups and a potential shakeup in baseball’s structure, Tony and Wilbon’s banter is packed with insight, stats, and memorable quips. Their disagreements—on everything from penalty calls to who will advance—highlight their unique perspectives and deep sports knowledge. If you want the pulse of what matters this sports weekend, this episode is a can’t-miss.

Transcript

[Commercial Announcer]

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[Mike Wilbon]

Pardon the interruption, but I'm Mike Wilbon. It's quitters day. Tony, have you given up on your New Year's resolution to be even more humble?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Tony Kornheiser. No way. My humility has reached breathtaking levels.

[Mike Wilbon]

Is there a panel that decides that? Who decides that?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I've worked on my humility. Okay. It is now off the charts. I am so humbled. Okay, yeah, that's good sir. It floats above the charts. I am so humble. Welcome to pti boys and girls. In today's episode, Oregon takes on Indian. The Bears and Patriots try to justify their two seeds and the Jaguars and Texans try to stay on their heaters. But we begin today with Miami beating Ole miss last night 31:27 to advance to the national championship. Miami was the last team chosen for the playoffs and they have now won three games. There were four lead changes last night in the final seven minutes of that game, but Carson Beck ran in the winner from three yards out. Wilbon, what do you make of what you saw?

[Mike Wilbon]

Great game, great game, Exciting game. Not all that well played necessarily. Mistakes, penalties, missed tackles. Fine, it's the kids, even though they're getting paid. But I, I, I can't get over the end of the game. Carson Beck, great for him, but I can't get over the end of the game. It's pass interference. Have the guts when you, when you got this. That's, that's pass interference. And so I hear the official in the broadcast come in and say, well you know, you don't call that cuz there's hand to hand combat. No, there's not. No, don't be a sniveling idiot. There's pass interference. Have the guts to call it or criticize your colleagues down on the field. And by the way, the ball wouldn't have been at the one, it would have been 15 yard penalty. So the ball would have been at the 20.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's not the pros, it's not the.

[Mike Wilbon]

Pros, it's not the NFL. Yeah, so just call the damn penalty.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So this was the last note that I took in order to read this on the air. And I'll just say that I wrote down we need to talk about the last play of the game. Yeah, we need to talk about the Hail Mary and all the interference on the Hail Mary. But here's where you and I differ because I don't think they're ever gonna call that on a Hail Mary. Cuz you don't get a second Hail Mary. And by the way, as you know, I was at a game in which Miami got beat by a Hail Mary by Doug Flutie.

[Mike Wilbon]

It wasn't a Hail Mary. I'm gonna. It's a 35 yard pass. It wasn't. It wasn't.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It was too long anyway, Mike. It was too long.

[Mike Wilbon]

Maybe at the end of the end zone.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, it was out of the end zone. Let me get back to the game itself. I thought Ole Miss was going to win. I thought they were the Cinderella story.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But Miami came into this game as a three point favorite and justified it throughout the entire game. Every time I watched Miami they were on an 85 yard, 15 play drive. Okay. Do you know that they held the ball for more than 41 minutes and Ole Miss only had it for 8?

[Mike Wilbon]

But Ole Miss was, was. Tony was hurt by the fact that they're running back who went 73 yards on Miami for a touchdown.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's right.

[Mike Wilbon]

And was injured after that. And they had to use him sparingly the rest of the game.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But I felt that Miami controlled the line of scrimmage with their offensive line and they were always making third downs, 11 out of 19.

[Mike Wilbon]

Meanwhile Mississippi was. I think Ole Miss was 2 for 11 on third down. So if you do that, if you.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Control the game by making third downs and fourth downs, you're going to win the game. You mentioned Carson Beck. Do you know what his record is now in college against ranked teams? Something and 3, 18 and 3. Now he played at Georgia and he played at Miami. Those are good teams. He often had the best team in the race.

[Mike Wilbon]

Right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But 18 and three, you can hang your hat on. And that last drive, that was his drive.

[Mike Wilbon]

Terrific career. He played the greatest and the biggest, most demanding high pressure moment. Good for him.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yep. Yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

I just don't want to see the game end that way. Tee it up at the 20. You're going to go to the 20 yard line is going to be an untimed down.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I don't think unless anybody gets that call. Not on a hail mare.

[Mike Wilbon]

I just think it wasn't a hail mare.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It is a hail mare. It's the last play.

[Mike Wilbon]

Game. Chambliss was denied his sixth year apparently, but says he's going to appeal.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, if he gets a sixth year, he'll go for a seventh and eighth because he get paid so much money in college and you're not going to make that. He's a pros. He's not going to make that.

[Mike Wilbon]

He might.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No.

[Mike Wilbon]

You don't think he's a pro?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I don't think he's going to get paid that kind of money when he starts. I don't.

[Mike Wilbon]

If you stick around for a minute. Miami will face the winner of tonight's second semifinal between number five Oregon and number one Indiana. Those two played on October 11th. Hoosiers won by 10 in Eugene. Are you leaning toward a repeat, Tony, of that result?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I find myself honestly rooting for Indiana. I think what Indiana has done in the last two years is kind of sort of remarkable. Right. Signetti's record at Indiana at the moment is 25 and 2. And they do not have the prestige of Oregon. They do not have the Nike nil money of Oregon. They do not have the blue chip recruits of Oregon, who 80% of their recruits are blue chip. Only 8% of Indiana's are blue chip. They're the best team in the country right now. And every time they go out there, they're still doubted. They beat Oregon, there's doubts. They beat Ohio State, there's doubts. They rolled Alabama and there's doubts. And the reason there's doubts, as you know, Cuz, you're a Big Ten guy. It's 100 years of lousy. It's 100 years of lousy.

[Kodiak Cakes Announcer]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So that's the motivation. A coach can go to the players and he can say everybody doubts us.

[Mike Wilbon]

That's right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let's go out and prove and it's the truth. Yeah. And let's go out and prove the wrong. Here's what worries me in this. This is a repeat this year. It's a second rematch. Now, if I'm not mistaken, Alabama avenged a loss by beating Oklahoma in the playoffs. I'm confident that Ole Miss avenged a loss by beating Georgia in the playoffs. So why can't Oregon?

[Mike Wilbon]

They can and I'm thinking that they will. I just think Dan Lanning's a hell of a coach too.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yep.

[Mike Wilbon]

He's been on the scene and had more big games for a longer time than Signetti.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yep.

[Mike Wilbon]

And Oregon, as you point out, these are two teams I've seen actually in person a couple times the last two years in Big Ten games. Oregon's loaded. They're loaded. And they lost a game that they were favored to win at home. People thought they were going to win. They were surprised when they lost that game at home. Lanning seemed. It was an interesting mood that he had in the days following the game. He wasn't loud or obnoxious. He just seemed to convey the feeling that we know who we are still. We lost one game at home to a team that doesn't lose. Well, maybe we'll get another shot.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They got another shot.

[Mike Wilbon]

Just a shot.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, they got a shot.

[Mike Wilbon]

And so, Tony, I look, Indiana is the best team right now to me in the country. They're better. When you beat Alabama like they did, you haven't lost.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They haven't lost. But I think you think it's going the other way.

[Mike Wilbon]

I think the familiarity's gonna lead Oregon.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So what we've done, we lost. If we lose Indiana, we lose. A great story about them going undefeated after 100 years of lousy.

[Mike Wilbon]

That's right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

We have already lost Ole Miss with a great story of the desertion by their coach. And so people rooted for them to win. Here's what we get if Oregon wins. What Mario Crystal Ball coached there.

[Mike Wilbon]

Oh, yeah, right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He left Oregon to return home to Miami. So you get a good story. You get a good story. Not as great story.

[Mike Wilbon]

But just so we're on the record.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

I don't want to say I'm picking.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Oregon, but I think you did win. Well, then I. You. No, I'm going Indiana. Well, I'm rooting for Indiana. Okay, let's move to the NFL and the upcoming games over the weekend. The number one seeds get a buy. So the number two seeds become the subject of our attention. Number two, Chicago hosts division rival Green Bay. And number two, New England hosts the Chargers. Wilbon. Which number two seed is most likely to go out?

[Mike Wilbon]

You know the answer to this. We've already seen the games. We've seen the games. People watched PrimeTime Bears, Packers. Two stunning games. Two emotional games. Two games with unbelievable precision and playmaking late in the games and then non playmaking because defensive play was made on Green Bay's parts. Who seal that game at home? The Bears and the packers are two even teams. We know that because they play two even games on each other's home fields. They're even New England. I know they're a neophyte, but I don't think they're even with the Chargers. I think they're better. And I think the Patriots. I'd be surprised if the Patriots lost. No result's gonna surprise me from Bears, packers in Chicago.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I don't need somebody in my ear to tell me this. So there's nobody in my ear. I've known you a long time. You're emotionally invested in this game.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You talk about my Bears. Do you think the Bears are going to win?

[Mike Wilbon]

It's a gimme. It's a 50. 50.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Do you think they're going to win?

[Mike Wilbon]

I want them to win.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Right.

[Mike Wilbon]

With every fiber of my being.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Are you afraid of this game?

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah. What did I tell you when we projected and the Bears could either get one of those powerhouse teams in the West, NFC west or the Packers.

[Tony Kornheiser]

What did I say you wanted? The powerhouse team.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah. I'm old enough to have covered Villanova, Georgetown. What did we just talk about with Indiana and Oregon? Familiarity. I'm scared of this game.

[Tony Kornheiser]

This is the key phrase. They are familiar. In other words, the. The Bears are not unknown to the Packers.

[Mike Wilbon]

That's right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And because the Bears just beat them an hour ago in Soldier Field, the motivation to me ends up with the Packers. And so yes, I would be afraid of that too. My thoughts on New England are different. I have no reason to trust New England. They played a fourth place schedule to get here. They never had three games in a row like a lot of teams have of, let's just say Philadelphia, Kansas City, Seattle, they didn't have anything like that. They got a fine quarterback, an accurate quarterback, but so do the Chargers. Justin Herbert is an accurate quarterback. He's rested, he's ready. Both coaches know what they're doing.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yes, they do.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Me, I'm just not sold on the Chargers. I'm just not. I am more sold on the packers than I am with the Chargers. And in this particular case, Jordan Love, I believe, has won a playoff game with this group. And it's all new to the Bears. I was told this morning you can corroborate this.

[Mike Wilbon]

What's that?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Bears haven't won a playoff game since 2010. Is that true? Yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

I got in the NFC title game that year and lost to Aaron Rodgers. Jay Cutler, your boy.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

He must have done something soul crushing. I was at that game and I choose to forget. And so the last game we played in Soldier Field in the playoffs is called double doink.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Right.

[Mike Wilbon]

Against the Eagles. Right. So this has not gone well for a decade.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But you're saying you think New England will lose?

[Mike Wilbon]

I think.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, no, no, no, no.

[Mike Wilbon]

I think New England will win that game against the Chargers. And our game is a. It's a pick em game. I don't know. I don't know. I want to get off to an early start. I don't want to see Caleb having us come from 16 down in the fourth. That's not the recipe.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let's take a quick break. When we return, the Jags and Texans are both in the midst of impressive winning streaks. Which team is more likely to keep it going?

[Mike Wilbon]

And two NFC west teams, I spoke of them already have playoff games this weekend with both advanced. Toss up is next.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Will you watch the game alone or will you watch it with others?

[Mike Wilbon]

Matthew and I are gonna watch this.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Will you tell Matthew to shut up at various points during the game?

[Mike Wilbon]

No. Cause he's he's obnoxious during games like I am. He learned the seat of the master Quick break.

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[Tony Kornheiser]

Time for toss up. Two men enter, one man leaves, finishes the show and spends the next 54 hours either watching football or texting Wilbon about it. What's first?

[Mike Wilbon]

Toss up More likely to keep their winning streak going. The Jaguars or the Texans.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So I think it's the Texans because they have a terrific defense and I know they're on the road, but defense travels. And let, let's be fair. The only reason the Steelers are in the playoffs is because the kid missed a 44 yard field goal. If he makes that field goal. John harbor is still coaching. Right. And now I know that you believe that the Jaguars are going to beat Buffalo. Yeah, and maybe they will. My feeling about Buffalo and Josh Allen right now, this is Josh Allen's best chance because the Chiefs aren't in it and the Ravens aren't in it. The Bengals, who were good every once in a while, they're not in it. I think it's on his racket and I'd like to see him win it, but I'm afraid of the fact that he's got an 04 record on the road in the playoffs.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah. And the Jaguars just look good.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They do.

[Mike Wilbon]

Looks really good. But I'm gonna shock you with my answer to this. Look, they got Josh Allen. Josh Allen has left the field in big games before. Hello, Kansas City. And one with a lead like the final 15 seconds. Even then he lost that game, but it wasn't his fault.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's right.

[Mike Wilbon]

Josh Allen can lead Buffalo and can keep them in the game and they can win a close game. I'm picking the Jaguars, but I understand that Buffalo could win that game. I think Houston, with that pass rush, their ability to get after the quarterback. Me too. That Aaron Rodgers. This ain't looking around at a subpar Baltimore defense, you know. No, no. He's looking at a carnivorous Houston, but.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He can get rid of the ball quickly.

[Mike Wilbon]

He can get rid of the ball.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He can get it out of his hands quickly.

[Mike Wilbon]

I'll tell you what.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And he's got Metcalf back. Right?

[Mike Wilbon]

He's got Metcalf back. But Tony, I don't think that even Metcalf's return can save Pittsburgh from Houston just coming after him and getting to him.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, I agree with that. That's why I said it was Houston. I mean. Cause the fact is now Pittsburgh closed the season well, they won a bunch of games.

[Mike Wilbon]

They did three out of four.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But this particular game, they should not have won that. A 44 yard, 44 yard field goal should go through.

[Mike Wilbon]

Should go through. Yeah, it should. So Josh Allen rooting for his team is not as good, Tony, as his team pass.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I know, I know.

[Mike Wilbon]

It's a lot on him. I know.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I Know. I know. What's next?

[Mike Wilbon]

Toss up. How many NFC west teams do you see advancing this weekend?

[Tony Kornheiser]

One, two or none? Okay, well, Seattle has a buy, right? So they're going to advance. So that's one. I believe the Rams will beat Carolina in Carolina. Acknowledging that six weeks ago, they did not. I believe that they will take them more seriously than they did six weeks ago. So this brings me down to San Francisco and Philadelphia. San Francisco is great fun to watch. They are capable. They didn't do it against Seattle, but they are capable of scoring over 40 points. And they need to, because they give up a lot of points and they give up a lot of yards. Mike. I think it has gone unnoticed in the last six weeks that Philadelphia won.

[Mike Wilbon]

The super bowl last year, that Philadelphia noticed all year.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They know how to win playoff games. They grind you down. They are. Now, I want to get this number correct. They have won their last five home playoff games. They have turned the ball over no times, and they have 14 takeaways.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah. I'd like to have some honest disagreement with you, but I'm not. The Rams are not going to lose a second time in Charlotte. This is not going to happen. All right? And so we're talking about the 49ers. And I watched the 49ers really closely the last few weeks, including a game they gave up 38, I think, to the Bears.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay.

[Mike Wilbon]

At home. And you talk about not stopping anybody. They're not going to be. I see. I can see Philadelphia running it up on the 49ers at home by running it up. We know that offense is not precise and it doesn't play as well as it should for an entire 60. But I can see that game being a 30 to 17 final.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I can see Philadelphia controlling the ball the way Miami did last night, getting a huge amount of numbers in terms of the percentage of the 60 minutes. I don't think they're going to score a tremendous amount of points. I mean, again, playoff games, by and large, they're tighter games.

[Mike Wilbon]

They are. They are. But Philly's got to be. Look, if anybody in the entire playoff field is due for a breakout, go to hell. Philadelphia.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's it. Starting the year off right with a win, and I'm humble about it. Let's take one last break. But coming up, would Major League Baseball be wise to ditch the American and National Leagues? Huh? What?

[Mike Wilbon]

Spoiler alert.

[Tony Kornheiser]

What?

[Mike Wilbon]

It would not be wise. What kind of offers are the Grizz gonna get for ja not much.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's my guess right yeah, I'm not.

[Mike Wilbon]

I can't have them. I can't have them. Not gonna do it.

[Kodiak Cakes Announcer]

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[Tony Kornheiser]

Happy time people. Happy 40th birthday tomorrow. Marcus Freeman, already the Notre Dame coach, is one of those college coaches that the NFL seems to be intrigued by. Though Freeman has publicly declared his intention to stay in South Bend, Freeman got the Notre dame job in 2021, coaching one game after Brian Kelly announced he was leaving for LSU. Freeman coached the Irish in the Fiesta bowl, losing to Oklahoma State. The next season, Freeman was 9 and 4 and won the Gator Bowl. Season after that, Freeman was 103 and won the Sun Bowl. Season after that, Notre Dame went 142 and went to the national championship, losing to Ohio State. This last season, Notre Dame was 10 and 2 but refused to play in a bowl game after getting hosed by the playoff committee. He's 43 and 12 overall. That's a wow.

[Mike Wilbon]

How many of those NFL jobs could be more gratifying than having that job? If you're Marcus Freeman, that specific job at Notre Dame.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I think the NFL could find a job that he would like.

[Mike Wilbon]

I do.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Happy Anniversary Carson Wentz. On this day 10 years ago, the college quarterback returned from a broken wrist with two rushing scores and a touchdown pass to lead North Dakota state to its fifth straight 1AA championship. Wentz was then taken number two overall in the 2016 draft by the Eagles, who traded a load of high picks to move up and take them. Wentz set a then NFL rookie record with 379 completions and the next year got MVP buzz. Remember went to but a torn ACL kept Wentz from the super bowl that the Eagles won. The effects of injuries have dogged Wentz through Indianapolis, Washington, the Rams, the Chiefs and the Vikings. But Wentz is the first quarterback to start for six different teams in six different seasons.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah, I'm sure he'd take one team in six seasons. And the thing is, at the time you don't think it's going to be so fleeting. But everybody, and this is cautionary for everyone who puts on a jersey.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I agree with that. Happy trails to the American and National Leagues. Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred told the Carton show on WFAN that should the majors expand from 30 to 32 teams, he is considering the idea of realigning the traditional leagues based around geography. 16 teams in the east, 16 teams in the West. This would mean shorter travel throughout the season and more four game playoff days as two matchups would have east coast friendly start times and would have west coast friendly start times. He's also floated the idea of 84 team divisions like the NFL. How does this all sound to you? Wilbon?

[Mike Wilbon]

Sounds great. Not going to happen. Not in his lifetime or ours. I think there's one person out there right now who can make some of these things happen. Theo Epstein. And the question is, does Theo want to be commissioner? Would anybody make him commissioner after Manfred? Would there be a groundswell? Theo Epstein is the smartest man in baseball. Baseball could do itself good by embracing hugging Theo Epstein and keeping him close in the commissioner's office. I'm not sure the people are that smart.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay, I thought about this today. For people of our age, this is a radical change and we don't want it. We viscerally don't want it. But I also believe and will be long gone that within 20 years nobody will care anymore because they'll like this. I agree they will like this.

[Mike Wilbon]

That's why I said not in Stanford's lifetime or ours.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, I don't know. Manfred might get everybody to do it because you're telling owners it's going to cost you less to travel. And that's an incentive. All right. One omission. Anthony Davis. Ligament damage in his left hand and depending on a second opinion, could miss a number of months.

[Mike Wilbon]

I said, this makes me feel bad because I have a sense of how desperately Anthony Davis wants to be out there every night and play. It's not happened and it's not happening. Everybody's body is not built for the rigors of professional sports. And maybe it appears AD is just one of those guys.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He's a great player when he's there, but he's not always there. And that's why that nickname, it's mean, but it's funny. Street clothes. Come on, let's go to the big finish. The Grizzlies are reportedly entertaining offers for John Morant. Does that make sense?

[Mike Wilbon]

Sure. You want to get rid of them because it ain't working, but it doesn't make sense that anybody else would take him on. He's going to shed the baggage before he gets to his next stop. I don't see that. Sophomore quarterback Demon Williams Jr. Been talking about him, has decided to return to UW rather than enter the portal. That you're surprised.

[Tony Kornheiser]

What. What does this mean? The agent goes back with him and the coach? Is that how it's going to work? The Dolphins are reportedly close to hiring packers player personnel guy John Eric Sullivan as their new gm. Your thoughts?

[Mike Wilbon]

You want to go and get somebody? If you're the Dolphins who's been in a culture you want where you are, and he's been with the packers, like, almost 25 years. Yeah, that seems like a smart move. Former Florida quarterback D.J. lagway visited Baylor, but will take more visits before committing anywhere. Your thoughts?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Check the money. Last one Patrick came with the Red Wings scored his 500th goal in a win over the Canucks. Is that significant?

[Mike Wilbon]

I didn't hear that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Of the Red Wings.

[Mike Wilbon]

I didn't hear that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Don't want to hear it. You love them, though, don't you?

[Mike Wilbon]

I do love him.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You always loved him.

[Mike Wilbon]

Birthdays.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Always loved him.

[Mike Wilbon]

I do.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. We're out of time. We'll try to do better the next time. I'm Tony Corn.

[Mike Wilbon]

My favorite hockey player of all time. I just. I can't hear that. I'm Mike Wilbon. Have a great weekend, knucklehead.

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