Should You Think Less of the Broncos After Last Night's Win?

Summary

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PTI Podcast Summary

Episode: Should You Think Less of the Broncos After Last Night's Win?
Date: November 7, 2025
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon
Produced by: ESPN

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Episode Overview

This PTI episode tackles the aftermath of the Denver Broncos' narrow, low-scoring win over the Raiders, dissecting what it means for Denver’s credibility as contenders. Tony and Mike debate the merit of “ugly” division wins, discuss wild NFC West playoff races, the Big 12’s playoff hopes in college football, quarterback preferences (Drake May vs. Baker Mayfield), and possible NFL upsets, all in their signature fast-paced, candid style.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Do You Think Less of the Broncos After Last Night’s Win?

Segment Start: 01:01

• Wilbon’s Take:
  • The game was “drek,” so bad that Thursday night NFL games as a product look subpar.
  • “That was awful. That is why you can look at the Thursday night product and say your Thursday night product. NFL is junk.” (01:37)
  • The Broncos’ pattern of coming from behind but scraping wins isn't inspiring from this game alone, but the season as a whole is still impressive.
• Tony’s Take:
  • Thursday night games are inherently flawed due to tight scheduling, but putting division games in primetime does add meaning.
  • “If you are winning a division game, I don't care how you win it or by how many, it is in my mind a good win. Cuz it’s a division.” (02:41)
  • Notes the Broncos defense shined (six sacks on Geno Smith), but admits the victory doesn't feel “championship caliber.”
• Consensus:
  • The victory, while ugly, still counts, but doesn’t upgrade their status; real judgment should come after their matchup with Kansas City next week.
  • Memorable Quote:
    • “This is not a wow win.” – Tony (03:47)
    • “If they beat Kansas City, then that's... That's a different deal.” – Tony (04:13)

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2. NFC West: Who Wins This Divisional Race?

Segment Start: 04:19

• Cardinals vs. Seahawks; Rams vs. 49ers
• Tony:
  • Acknowledges Seattle as the “hot and trendy pick,” with Sam Darnold an MVP candidate, but finds it hard to ignore the Rams and Matthew Stafford’s elite play.
  • “The trump card is Matthew Stafford. He is the only quarterback in this division who's ever actually won a Super Bowl.” (05:12)
• Wilbon:
  • Agrees neither will pick the Cardinals to win, but says “they should be 6 and 2” given lost double-digit leads.
  • “They could beat Seattle. I favor Seattle to win the division.” (06:00)
• 49ers:
  • Wilbon calls loss of Fred Warner “something that you cannot go through the season” with.
  • Both praise the competency of NFC West coaches.
• Picks:
  • Wilbon picks Seattle (“hot hand with Darnold and new WR”) to edge Phoenix.
  • Tony leans Rams but says the division is a toss-up, “very competitive, very good.”
• Memorable Moments:
  • Tony teases Wilbon for “overrating” the Cardinals, who are “at best going to be 7-11... but they're a tough out.” (07:21)

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3. College Football: BYU vs. Texas Tech – Playoff at Stake?

Segment Start: 07:34

• Wilbon:
  • Says committee tends to “hose the loser” because neither BYU nor Texas Tech are “big brands.”
  • “The committee is swayed by brands—SEC, Big Ten, and the biggest brands within those brands.” (08:07)
• Tony:
  • Agrees. Says a loss knocks Texas Tech out (“two loss team in what we both think might be a one-bid conference”).
  • “I think if BYU wins, they are in the playoffs. I think if Texas Tech wins then all bets are off.” (09:54)
• Wilbon:
  • Concludes: “This is a play-in game, isn't it?” (10:50)
• Tony:
  • “Yes, I believe it is.” (10:53)

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4. Toss-Up: Drake May or Baker Mayfield?

Segment Start: 13:58

• Tony:
  • Lauds Drake May’s stats (“top five in league in everything”) and compares his company to “Joe Montana, Tom Brady, and Aaron Rodgers.” (14:27)
  • Despite this, picks Baker Mayfield for performing with depleted weapons, “working with nothing, and he's winning games.” (15:02)
• Wilbon:
  • Agrees, surprising Tony with his pick. Praises Mayfield’s leadership and ability to “use who he’s got.”
  • “Baker Mayfield is one of those guys who knows how to lead his team. He's great late in games.” (15:41)
• Both:
  • Agree Mayfield’s become not just competent but “very good at the position.” (16:16)

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5. Vikings or Steelers: Who Keeps Up the Surge?

Segment Start: 16:19

• Tony:
  • Both teams face tough matchups; Vikings host the Ravens (“Lamar Jackson said every game is a playoff game from now on”).
  • Picks Steelers as slightly more likely to win based on recent form and favorable matchup.
• Wilbon:
  • Steelers’ pass defense is weak, but sides with Pittsburgh over Minnesota because of rookie QB uncertainty for the Vikings.
  • “Jay McCarthy has had about three or four good quarters, not full games... I'll take the Steelers.” (17:55)
• Consensus:
  • Both are underdogs, but Steelers given the edge.

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Broncos' Ugliness:
  • “That was drek. That was awful. That is why you can look at... Thursday night product... and say... NFL is junk.” – Wilbon (01:37)
• On NFC West:
  • “The trump card is Matthew Stafford. He is the only quarterback in this division who’s ever actually won a Super Bowl.” – Tony (05:12)
  • “The Cardinals are going to at best be like 7 and 11. My point is they're a tough out.” – Wilbon (07:21)
• On CFB Playoff Bias:
  • “The committee is swayed by brands.” – Wilbon (08:07)
• On Quarterback Toss-Up:
  • “Perhaps you’ve heard of them. Joe Montana, Tom Brady, and Aaron Rodgers. This is incredibly elite company.” – Tony on Drake May’s completion stats (14:29)
  • “Baker Mayfield is one of those guys who knows how to lead his team. He's great late in games.” – Wilbon (15:41)

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Timestamps for Significant Segments

• Broncos Win Discussion: 01:01 – 04:18
• NFC West Breakdown: 04:19 – 07:33
• BYU vs. Texas Tech Playoff Stakes: 07:34 – 11:03
• Drake May vs. Baker Mayfield Toss-Up: 13:58 – 16:17
• Vikings vs. Steelers Upset Potential: 16:19 – 18:44

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Tone & Language

• Conversation is fast, amiable, and peppered with sharp wit and informed banter.
• Hosts often tease one another (ex: Tony’s ribbing about Wilbon’s Arizona connections).
• Frequent references to broader NFL/college football culture and history, maintaining a mix of humor and passionate expertise.

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Additional Noteworthy Segments

• Happy 87th Birthday, Satch Sanders (20:48): A brief historical segment on the legendary Celtics forward.
• Coach Mike Brown’s NBA Journeys (21:46): Overview of the roller coaster nature of NBA coaching careers.
• Tallest College Basketball Player, Olivier Rieu Debuts (22:41): The 7’9” Florida freshman gets a standing ovation on his debut.

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Conclusion

This episode of PTI delivers insightful, no-nonsense takes on recent NFL and college football drama, while weaving in memorable jokes and sharp cultural observations. The Broncos’ ugly win sparks a fierce debate about substance versus style, the NFC West illustrates the importance of deep rosters and coaching, and college football’s playoff committee bias remains a lightning rod. Toss-Up segments let the hosts show their expertise, backing up gut feelings with stats and history, all in the competitive camaraderie signature to PTI.

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Transcript

[Commercial Announcer]

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[Mike Wilbon]

Pardon the interruption, but I'm Mike Wilbon. Prince Harry apologized for wearing a Dodgers hat instead of a Blue Jays hat to a World Series game. Has one of your clothing choices ever caused a stir?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'm Tony Kornheiser. I don't know about a stir, but that lambskin mankini definitely caused a rash. Ew. Caused a rash.

[Mike Wilbon]

You know what we call Prince Harry at my house?

[Tony Kornheiser]

No. Purple in law. Oh, did she go. Did she go to Northwestern?

[Mike Wilbon]

I'm sorry.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Meghan went to North. I didn't know she went to Northwestern. Yes. I had no idea.

[Mike Wilbon]

Undergrad.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I had no idea. I had no idea. Absolutely. Wow. Welcome to pti, boys and girls. In today's episode, the NFC west faces itself. Drake Nate takes on Baker Mayfield in a college game tomorrow with potential playoff implications. But we begin Today with last night's 107 Denver win over Las Vegas, a game where you could probably hear snoring in the stands. The Broncos game winning field goal came as a result of a blocked punt late in the third quarter. This was Denver's seventh win in a row and their 82 record is the best in the NFL. Will Bond, does this win make you think more or less of Denver?

[Mike Wilbon]

Tony, that's a totally worthy question and my answer is not going to fit because it doesn't make me have any opinion of Denver. Not that game, maybe. The whole body of work. And they keep coming from behind in the fourth quarter and they lose. They're losing at some point in every game. Yes, but that game last night, that was drek. That was awful. That is why you can look at the Thursday night product and say your Thursday night product. NFL is junk. Because the teams either don't appear ready to play, don't appear just capable of doing what it is their coaches are asking. Because I feel that the Broncos are better than that. And so I want to judge them not on what I saw last night, but on the rest of the season. And based on that, I'm still fairly impressed with the Broncos.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I will say this, that the concept of a Thursday night game has some inherent problems because you have played on Sunday and you don't get much time to do it. Yes, but I have been, I would say in the defense of the schedule, they're at least putting division games out there which have inherent meaning. So this is what I'm gonna say.

[Mike Wilbon]

And this had one.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes. If you are winning a division game, I don't care how you win it or by how many it is in my mind a good win. Cuz it's a division, we'll agree on that. So this, I'm not gonna sit here and denigra that win because it was a division win. Even though Denver showed no offense whatsoever. On the other hand, The Raiders are 15th in the league in terms of allowing yards right in the middle. So that's pretty good. Denver showed a very good defense. Denver sacked Geno Smith.

[Mike Wilbon]

Rush is historically good.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They sacked Geno Smith six times, they hurried him about 200 times. You know, I'm reluctant to sit here and say Denver's done. It doesn't make any sense to me because I think this is the way they win games. As you're saying, they win close, they win late, and they only score the 17th most points in the entire league. So they're not a big offensive team. And this is pretty much how they do it. Let me go to my notes here because I wrote some stuff down. A win like this causes a certain amount of reservation. Cuz yes, they are 8 and 2, but this is not a wow win.

[Mike Wilbon]

They don't have any wow wins.

[Tony Kornheiser]

This is not a win where you say, oh, that's championship.

[Mike Wilbon]

They won a few. They got one wow win.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So they're like marching in place. It's not artistic, it's not a statement win. But what does Herm say? Hello, we play to win the game.

[Mike Wilbon]

There's another wild win they need to have.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, the Kansas City win.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

This coming week. How about that? So I'm gonna. I'm sure you'll join me in holding off.

[Mike Wilbon]

Holding last night is not gonna inform our judgment.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But if they beat Kansas City, then that's. That's a different deal.

[Mike Wilbon]

That's a different vision changer.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes.

[Mike Wilbon]

Literally.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

All right, then let's move from the AFC west to the NFC West. 3 and 5 Cardinals take on the 6 and 2 Seahawks Sunday afternoon while the 6 and 2 Rams face the 6 and 3 Niners. Tom, which of these four teams do you favor to win this division? I know we'll get one eliminated right off the top.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay, so I think the hot and trendy pick is Seattle. And I understand it because Sam Darnold has started out this year in Seattle the way he started out last year in Minnesota. Yep, he is an MVP candidate. I believe that Seattle will have little trouble beating Arizona. Arizona is in disarray at quarterback unless Jacoby Brissette is absolutely the answer.

[Mike Wilbon]

Be careful.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But it is very hard for me not to like the Rams because every time I see the Rams I think they're pretty good. They had a loss to Philadelphia. They could have won that game. They're trying a game winning field goal. It gets blocked and returned for a touchdown. How often does that? It never happens. They lose to San Francisco 26, 23 in overtime. So both those games are games that were winnable for them and they could be conceivably undefeated. For me, the trump card is Matthew Stafford. He is the only quarterback in this division who's ever actually won a Super Bowl. And I understand that Darnold is more highly rated right now and I get that. But the numbers on Stafford I believe are 21 touchdowns and two picks.

[Mike Wilbon]

Stafford's having a great season.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'm going to go with that.

[Mike Wilbon]

Whatever back trouble that was going to keep him from being any good the first few weeks of the season. That's a long time ago. By the way, neither one of us is going to pick the Cardinals. Right? But the Cardinals should be 6 and 2. The Cardinals had double digit leads. They frittered away in three different games.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You care about them because they're Arizona and you're out there.

[Mike Wilbon]

I, I, I said I don't care about them. I watch them and I know they're better than that record indicates. So they could beat Seattle. I favor Seattle to win the division. And by the way, San Francisco's got a fascinating game coming up because they do play the Rams. They've already one of those.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's right.

[Mike Wilbon]

But the loss of Warner, the loss Fred Warner to that team is something that you cannot go through the season.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Everybody's hurt all the time.

[Mike Wilbon]

They do. But they also still managed to wind up standing often late in the season.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Because they got a really good coach.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yes, they do.

[Tony Kornheiser]

As do the Rams and apparently asahawks Seattle. That's right.

[Mike Wilbon]

I'm going to go with Seattle. I'm going to stay with the hot hand with Darnold with the acquisition of a wide receiver which makes that offense even more potent.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's right.

[Mike Wilbon]

So I'm gonna go with Seattle in this with a narrow win over Phoenix. Narrow win. But those, those three teams, that division is fascinating.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. It's a very good division. I do like San Francisco, except they always get hurt. But you look at what Kyle Shanahan does. Mac Jones is on the exact same level as Brock Purdy at the moment.

[Mike Wilbon]

It seems, you know, because hard to do that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Obviously Sean McVay can do that. Both of these guys have been, I think to two Super Bowls at these particular stops. And Sean McVay won one with Stafford. Yes, it's a very competitive, very good division. I think you overrate the Cardinals a little bit, but I think you pay attention because you watch them.

[Mike Wilbon]

The Cardinals are going to at best be like 7 and 11. My point is they're a tough out. Right. And Seattle's not going to romp on something.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Actually, I think Seattle might romp this week.

[Mike Wilbon]

I think.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let's move to college football. And the biggest game on the board this week, undefeated in seventh ranked by the committee, BYU at once beaten an eighth ranked Texas Tech, Wilbon. You've been geeked about this game for weeks. These are the two highest rated teams in the Big 12. So does it feel like a playoff berth could be at stake in this one?

[Mike Wilbon]

Yes, I do feel that way, Tony, because I think the committee is going to hose the loser. And I just think the committee will have no respect for the loser because it's not in the Big Ten or the sec. That's how the committee rolls. I'm not jumping up now screaming about it, but that's how it roll. Because those two teams, those two teams are not poor sisters, to use an old term. They got money, they have resources. Those two schools, their football programs are well funded, but they are not big brands. And it seems to me the committee is swayed by brands. Sec, Big Ten and the biggest brands within those individual brands. So the loser of this game, I.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Wouldn'T put Indiana in that category in football.

[Mike Wilbon]

But you know what? Indiana's had a year.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, I'm just saying.

[Mike Wilbon]

And Indiana's gaining.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'm saying it's a generalization that may not work all the way down the line. Okay.

[Mike Wilbon]

But you know why it does work now? Because Indiana's had. Indiana's been a big brand in all kinds of sports for decades.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, but not in football.

[Mike Wilbon]

No, but Indiana last year got into this tournament, all right? And so when you see him again, it's like a kid who comes at the Heisman.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, they're better the second year.

[Mike Wilbon]

You got a better chance at this thing. And so Indiana. But Indiana's a much bigger brand than the two schools we're Talking about right now, Texas Tech and byu.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I will say this, that I think if BYU beats Texas Tech, it's over for Texas Tech in terms of the playoffs.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Because they become a two loss team in what we both think might be a one bid conference. Right. I mean, and if you look, the committee doesn't value the Big 12. It values it more than the ACC, but they value my dog more than the ACC. The other two contenders are Cincinnati, which the committee doesn't even rank in the top 25, and two loss Utah. I think the two losses are detected. So they're not going to get it.

[Mike Wilbon]

No.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Head to head, you're not going to get it.

[Mike Wilbon]

You see what I'm saying in a different way that the committees will look at the loser of this game and say take a hike.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, I think if BYU wins, they are in the playoffs. Okay. I think if Texas Tech wins then I think all bets are off. And I think that the Big 12 could sneak in too. Last year, the ACC with Clemson and SMU, they snuck in two ACC. I'm just saying as long as it's.

[Mike Wilbon]

The right school in the ACC. I think.

[Tony Kornheiser]

The ACC is behind now the Big 12. It's behind everybody else right now. Here's how I think it's going to work out. I think it's a reasonable way of looking at it. That the Big 12 gets one. That the ACC gets one. That the Gang of Five or whatever they call that gets one, gets one. And Notre Dame. Notre Dame is going to be in. That leaves eight teams because they're gonna run the table. Well, they certainly could. That leaves eight teams among the two behemoths, the Big Ten in the sec. And I will say this, if that's what they do, I'm okay with that because I want to see them started.

[Mike Wilbon]

This with a question. This is a playing game, isn't it?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, sir, yes, I believe it is. Yeah, I believe it is. But I believe that Texas Tech. I don't think BYU has to win. And I think Texas Tech has to win. I think so. Let's take a break.

[Mike Wilbon]

It's worth watching.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Coming up, Drake May takes on Baker Mayfield on Sunday. Which would you rather have or who would you rather have?

[Mike Wilbon]

And both the Vikes and Steelers pulled up says last week. But which team is more likely to keep that winning going? Toss up his neck. This is Big Friday here on pti. Big Friday?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Is that what the kids are calling it?

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah, Big Friday.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Is it on social media as Big Friday?

[Mike Wilbon]

Yes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Oh, yes. I wish I went on social media.

[Mike Wilbon]

I don't know whose account, but Quick.

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[Tony Kornheiser]

Time for toss up two minutes. One man leaves, finishes the show, then celebrates upstairs by eating candy that's still in his office from before the pandemic.

[Mike Wilbon]

Candy corn.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And it's good. What's first?

[Mike Wilbon]

Toss up they play on Sunday. Which quarterback would you rather have, Drake May or Baker Mayfield?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay, I know how good a year Drake May is having. He is now in the top five in the league in completion percentage, yards, yards per attempt, and touchdowns. Top five. He's the fourth quarterback all time to go through the first nine games of a season and be 70% or higher in completion percentage and nine plus yards.

[Mike Wilbon]

Per second getting the ball down the field.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let me tell you who the other three quarterbacks are. Perhaps you've heard of them. Joe Montana, Tom Brady, and Aaron Rodgers. This is incredibly elite company.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah, it is.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I am aware that the Patriots at the moment are 7 and 2, and at this very juncture of the season, last year, we're 2 and 7. So if anybody thinks that Mike Vrabel doesn't know how to coach, they should stop watching now. They should stop. But with all that, I'm going to take Baker Mayfield because Baker Mayfield has been dealing without his best receivers all year long.

[Mike Wilbon]

He's been Goodwin, no. Evans.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Working with nothing, and he's winning games, and he has become a really good quarterback.

[Mike Wilbon]

I'm taking Baker Mayfield.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You are? That surprises me. One Tam hated him for years.

[Mike Wilbon]

I did. Tampa's coming off a bye week. They've had a week to sort of look at some things, figure out what they don't have, and figure out how to get around it. And we mentioned no Godwin, no Evans, no Bucky Irvin. And there's a lot of stuff missing. But you know who's not missing? Baker Mayfield, who just seems to have a sense of who on his team he can use in the absence of those stars. And by the way, Abuka is.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Is.

[Mike Wilbon]

Is out there and a.

[Tony Kornheiser]

A.

[Mike Wilbon]

A reliable. Not just reliable receiver, but a threat. And it just seems that Baker Mayfield is one of those guys who knows how to lead his team. He's great late in games.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

All right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They win late. They're at home like Denver. They win.

[Mike Wilbon]

There's no reason to doubt Drake at this point, but I'm taking Baker.

[Tony Kornheiser]

What Baker Mayfield has become is a competent quarterback.

[Mike Wilbon]

More than that. More than that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He plays that. Other people have great games. He plays that position. I'm terrified.

[Mike Wilbon]

Very good at the position.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Very good at the position. What's next?

[Mike Wilbon]

Toss up. More likely to keep it going after last week's surprising wins. The Vikings or the Steelers?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay, so let me set this up. Last week, the Vikings beat the Lions in Detroit. Now they are hosting the Baltimore Ravens. Last week, the Steelers beat the Colts. It's a pretty big win this week. They're at the Chargers. Neither to me is likely to win. But I'm being asked who is more likely to win. I think Minnesota has the tougher draw because Lamar Jackson has said every game we play is a playoff game from now on. And as much as we may like JJ McCarthy, this is his first year being a quarterback and he's missed a bunch of games already. Aaron Rodgers has clothing that's older than J.J. mcCarthy. I looked and I told you this for weeks I looked at the Steelers and they didn't pass the eye test but they did against the Colts. They turned the Colts over six times. They played really well against the Colts and I have and you have too looked at the charges when they haven't passed the eye test. So I give, I give the Steelers a better opportunity.

[Mike Wilbon]

Slightly better, Tony. The thing is the Steelers pass defense is like 31st or 32nd and the.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Other kid can pass, Herbert can pass.

[Mike Wilbon]

He's throwing a few too many picks but he can throw it. And they can figure out what it is that that Steelers weak link is obviously and I would expect so you're taking Mitchell, a coach Harbaugh, this particular Harbaugh. We got both Harbaughs involved in this equation. No, Having said that, I'm still going to take the Steelers because I got to see Jay, you know, JJ McCarthy has had about three or four good.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Quarters, quarters, not full games.

[Mike Wilbon]

And in doing so he has been impressive and he did that in Detroit last week and he had those touchdown runs. I don't want to start taking shots at J.J. mcCarthy. Not until next week when he gets the monsters in Minnesota. Then I'll take my shots. But I think the Steelers, neither one of them are going to win. Pittsburgh's not going to win. Minnesota's not going to win. The the Baltimore Ravens are in a playoff game, particularly vis a vis the Steelers. You know who is this division situation?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Detroit's going to win. They play Washington, they're going to win. Because when they 4 o' clock game they come back and they score 100.

[Mike Wilbon]

They took Tom Brady off that game. Brady, we're going to just run you right back out to California. Forget about Landover this week.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's it. Victory is so sweet. Let's take one last break. Still to come, Florida's 7 foot 9 inch red shirt freshman makes his debut.

[Mike Wilbon]

And Northwestern tries to take out a ranked USC team tonight in Los Angeles. Will the Wildcats shock the world?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Why are you playing Friday night NATIONAL tv oh, is that how it works, huh?

[Mike Wilbon]

Come on now.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So you get more playoff teams in Big Friday.

[Mike Wilbon]

Big Friday?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I thought that was just us.

[Mike Wilbon]

Nah, it's everywhere. Oh, we spread it around.

[Commercial Announcer]

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[Tony Kornheiser]

Happy time people. Happy 87th birthday tomorrow. Satch Sanders history lesson kids, Satch's real first name is Tom Thomas Ernest Sanders. He played his College Ball at NYU and was drafted eighth overall in 191960 by the Boston Celtics. You want to know what it's like to play with Bill Russell? How about eight championship rings For Satch, Sanders played forward opposite hall of Famers Tommy Hindson and John Havlicek. Played with hall of Fame guards Bob Cousy, Bill Sharman, Sam Jones, KC Jones, and he played for hall of Fame coach Red auerbach. Over his 13 years with the Celtics, Sanders averaged 9.6 points and 6.3 rebounds. And after retiring, Sanders coached the Celtics briefly and Harvard for four years.

[Mike Wilbon]

First time I ever went to Boston was to cover Patrick Ewing's announcement of where he was going to college.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Going to Georgetown.

[Mike Wilbon]

That was held at Sass Sanders Restaurant. Is that right in Cambridge? I know you always love sad Sanders. I loved him before my first trip up there you were lauding Sat Sanders.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Nyu. The violets always loved me. A not so happy anniversary, Mike Brown. On this day 13 years ago, Brown coached his last game with the Lakers as they dropped to 1 4. Brown then returned to Cleveland where he first was a head coach, but lasted only one season this time. This is the roller coaster life of most NBA coaches. Brown had success in Cleveland his first time around. Voted coach of the year in 2009. He had success in Sacramento winning the Pacific Division his first year 2023. Getting the Kings to the playoffs for the first time since 2007. 6. And being voted coach of the year unanimously. The first time that ever happened. And then he was fired two years later. Now Brown is coaching the Knicks. Has them off to a 50 start at home.

[Mike Wilbon]

Seems it's a big swing from Tibbs to Mike Brown, isn't it?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Seems that way.

[Mike Wilbon]

But they're both the credentials. These guys are both terrific coaches. And he is so interested.

[Tony Kornheiser]

If you're not Steve Kerr or Eric Spoelstra or Greg Popovich, this is what happens. So you go around. Happy trails to watching from the bench for Olivier Rieux. Florida's red shirt freshman became the tallest person ever to play college basketball when he entered last night's win over North Florida with just over two minutes to play. The 7 foot 9 inch Canadian is 2 inches taller than NBA giants George Murison and Manute Bol. 3 inches taller than Yao Ming and Sean Bradley. Ryu got a huge ovation though we never actually touch the ball. He will only play late in blowouts for now as the defending champs have a stacked front court.

[Mike Wilbon]

We gotta start including Zach Eady in These lists with height 7 4. 7 4. Zach Edie. Zach Eddy playing in Memphis. He did pretty good by Purdue for a couple years.

[Tony Kornheiser]

There is a sort of a height limit where you look up and you go, oh, that's really big. Can they play Ralph Sampson for a guy who was really big and wembanyama. Wembanyama, but a 79 college kid. We got a lot to see, you know. I don't know. I gotta turn.

[Mike Wilbon]

He's gonna watch Florida more than I thought I would. Just to watch him. I wanna see.

[Tony Kornheiser]

We gotta watch late in the game and blowouts. That's what the copy said. Let's go to the big finish if we could. Let's do it. The four teams at the top of the Premier League, Premier League table all play each other this weekend. Are you intrigued, Mr. Soccer?

[Mike Wilbon]

Oh, yes. With fourth place Sunderland, who I'd never heard of before. They're going to play first place Arsenal.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Sunderland.

[Mike Wilbon]

You familiar with Sunderland?

[Tony Kornheiser]

No. No.

[Mike Wilbon]

Paul Dipodesta reportedly leaving his job as chief strategy officer of the Cleveland Browns to take over the Colorado Rockies. Does that make sense?

[Tony Kornheiser]

He's a baseball guy. He was sort of profiled in Moneyball. This is what he do Jerry Kraft situation. Baseball is what he does. Baseball.

[Mike Wilbon]

Multiple sports.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Falcons coach Raheem Morris showed the team a video on Jesse Owens and his feats at Berlin's Olympic Stadium prior to Atlanta's game there on Sunday. Your thoughts?

[Mike Wilbon]

You and I have seen some of the film of this for decades.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's Jesse Owens.

[Mike Wilbon]

There's nothing like it. Nothing like it. One of the all time greats, Bradley Beal, had a dud of a return to Phoenix, getting booed every time he touched the ball on a 2 for 14 shooting night as the Clippers lost to the Suns. Your thoughts?

[Tony Kornheiser]

He got the dumbest contract in history given to him, by the way. Wizards. He's never really been on a winning team. Last one. Northwestern at number 19, USC tonight. Are you smelling upset?

[Mike Wilbon]

Well, what am I smelling outside? What food am I smelling outside the Coliseum?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Don't go to the column, go to Craig's.

[Mike Wilbon]

Okay? Go to Craig's for a victory party.

[Tony Kornheiser]

We're out of time. We'll try to do better next time. Rita De Cruz, our greatest Canadian fan. This is in her honor.

[Mike Wilbon]

I'm Mike Wilbon. Have a great weekend, knuckleheads. Hey, fans. Welcome back to Fansville's cheers and tears.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Aw.

[Mike Wilbon]

Okay, so like everybody deals with losing, right? To a rival and a last second field goal, whatever. It's fine. I'm totally fine. But I cope with losing with an ice cold Dr. Pepper.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Mmm.

[Mike Wilbon]

Those 23 flavors are like so delicious. They totally wash away the pain of your college football team taking a big fat L. College football. It's a pepper thing.