NFL WEEK 17 REACTION - Eagles-Bills, Steelers-Browns, Jaguars-Colts, Patriots-Jets, Saints-Titans and more

Summary

Sharp or Square: NFL Week 17 Reaction

Podcast: Sharp or Square
Hosts: Chad Millman & Simon Hunter
Date: December 29, 2025
Episode Theme:
Chad Millman and professional bettor Simon Hunter react to NFL Week 17, breaking down major games, betting angles, sharp/square decisions, and offering candid reflections on their picks. This episode focuses on pivotal games for the playoff races, performances by key players, and under-the-radar betting strategies, all with their signature candor and wit.

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Main Themes & Episode Overview

• Dissection of major Week 17 games: Eagles-Bills, Steelers-Browns, Jaguars-Colts, Patriots-Jets, Saints-Titans, and others.
• Which bets were sharp (wiseguy-approved) or square (public-backed).
• Analysis of player performances and coaching decisions impacting betting outcomes.
• Notable trends, divisional quirks, and early leans for Week 18.
• “Heroes and Shames” for the week.

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Key Game Breakdowns & Insights

1. Seahawks at Panthers

• Result: Seattle covers (-7.5)
• Simon's "Simon Says" pick comes through, attributing win to Seattle's defense and Bryce Young's struggles:
  • “Sam Darnold was horrible. Just… yeah, couldn’t hit open guys, kept taking bad sacks, went onto the ball too long…” (05:37, Simon)
  • “Seattle’s defense… they just travel. It’s crazy how good they are on the road defensively.” (06:23, Simon)
• The defense created turnovers, giving Seattle short fields. Despite injuries, Seahawks controlled the game.
• Timestamps: 04:33–07:52

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2. Saints at Titans

• Result: Titans blow 13-0 lead; Saints rally to win.
• Chad confesses betting on the Titans again despite a personal ban:
  • “Chad, you have one job. What is your one job?” (10:12, Simon)
  • “Don’t bet the Tennessee Titans. That, it’s actually true.” (10:21, Chad)
• Tyler Shuck's (Saints rookie QB) comeback credited, now +130 for Rookie of the Year — “he’s the man in this game” (11:31, Simon).
• Titans’ repeated collapses draw heavy criticism and self-irony:
  • “It was literally the only job I gave you this year. Just don’t let us put Tennessee in the contest.” (12:38, Simon)
• Timestamps: 09:52–14:19

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3. Steelers at Browns

• Result: Browns win as home dogs, cover spread.
• Early Browns lead, defense holds off Steelers despite QB Shador Sanders’ inconsistencies.
  • “Shedor Sanders in a rainstorm floated a wounded slippery duck… Fannin twisted his body, twisted his groin, caught the ball, landed on the goal line, split two defenders…” (15:18, Chad)
• Simon raises concerns about Steelers’ play-calling and Aaron Rodgers’ bizarrely conservative game:
  • “Every time took the quick check down… just trying to guess where they're going…” (16:21, Simon)
  • “This is why people lose their mind watching these games… the NFL is fixed… it felt so bizarre…” (16:23, Simon)
• Defensive dominance credited:
  • “It’s always their defense that shows up big time. The Browns did today.” (18:17, Simon)
• Timestamps: 14:21–19:46

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4. Eagles at Bills

• Result: Eagles survive, Bills lose despite late surge.
• Recurring motif: “Mistakes swing momentum more than big plays.”
  • “...mistakes swing momentum more than big plays. Mistakes. You see it with penalties, you see it with fumbles. Those are the things that end up killing teams…” (20:13, Chad)
• Analyzing Allen’s fumble, missed extra point, and failed two-point conversion.
  • “I live bet the Bills moneyline at +330 in the first half. So that two-point conversion was a real kick in the dick.” (19:59, Chad)
• Simon: Eagles’ offense still off, but defense improving.
  • “Something’s been off [with Eagles’ offense] all season. Their defense has just got consistently better every week.” (21:30, Simon)
• Second half Eagles offense anemic; Hurts 0-7, only 17 yards after halftime (23:55, Chad).
• Timestamps: 19:46–25:58

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5. NFC South Dumpster Fire: Panthers, Bucs, Playoff Outlook

• Allison Norris asks about worst division in NFL.
• Simon: “This is what I live for. I hate these people that want to reseed the playoffs. No, you win your shitty division, you deserve to be in with home field.” (32:39)
• Chad & Simon marvel at Panthers’ bad but still-playoff-bound fate; Bucs continue meltdown:
  • “The Bucs...continues to be the same. Take an early lead and then blow the game. And they completely blew this game today.” (32:38, Chad)
• Timestamps: 31:55–34:34

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6. Rundown: Giants, Raiders, Jets/Patriots, Colts/Jaguars & More

• Gambling angles, division quirks; Chad & Simon reevaluate picks they regret or are glad to have skipped.
• Patriots rookie Drake May dominates, now in MVP contention:
  • “All Drake May did was throw five touchdowns to five different receivers, go over 4,000 yards, they clinched the AFC East… he humbly said… 'I am not in [Brady and Bledsoe’s] category.'” (39:24, Chad)
• Jaguars’ playoff push credited to Trevor Lawrence’s resilience and efficient coaching:
  • “Credit to Trevor Lawrence…they kept coming back, and Trevor Lawrence was just making good throws in clutch situations…” (43:13, Chad)
• Timestamps: 34:51–45:53

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On streaky betting with the Titans:
  • Simon: “It was literally the only job I gave you this year… Just don’t let us put Tennessee in the contest.” (12:38)
• On mistakes vs. big plays:
  • Chad: “Mistakes swing momentum more than big plays… Those are the things that end up killing teams more than AJ Brown making an unbelievable play…” (20:13)
• On the chaos of the NFC South:
  • Simon: “I hate these people that want to reseed the playoffs. No, you win your shitty division, you deserve to be in with home field in round one.” (32:39)
• On Eagles-Bills adjustment:
  • Chad: “The Eagles had 174 yards in the first half. In the second half, I think they had 17.” (23:55)
• On the perseverance of Derrick Henry:
  • Simon: “This man is just, he’s the best. It’s so incredible watching him… 216 yards, four touchdowns. Once again, insane.” (54:05)

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Heroes and Shames

Shame of the Week

• Simon: Baker Mayfield & the Buccaneers for their persistent collapses.
  • “Shame on you, Baker. It's just total letdown after letdown… he's just so bad right now. He's so inaccurate.” (46:01)
• Chad: Tennessee Titans defense
  • “Shame, shame, shame on the Tennessee Titans… Second half, 24 points allowed, fourth quarter, 14 points allowed…” (47:28)

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Hero of the Week

• Simon: Derrick Henry (Ravens)
  • 216 rushing yards, 4 TDs, climbing into top 10 all-time rushing yards list.
  • “Derrick Henry, hero of the week… he’s now in the top 10 of rushing yards. It’s just incredible watching him.” (52:21)
• Chad: Brian Flores (Vikings Defensive Coordinator)
  • Shut down high-powered Detroit Lions, kept team spirited with no QB help.
  • “If they actually do get a quarterback and Brian Flores does stay, I would be really excited if I were a Vikings fan because they played with such passion and spirit and strategy…” (54:36)

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Early Week 18 Leans & Sharp-Square Decisions

• Panthers +3.5 at Bucs:
  • Both hosts taking Panthers early, citing perpetual fade of the Bucs and value in the number.
  • “I didn’t care what the number was going to be. I was going to blindly bet the Panthers. I just… have zero faith in the Bucs.” (58:06, Simon)
• Steelers +3 vs. Ravens:
  • Classic Mike Tomlin “rah-rah” spot; both acknowledged it’s a square bet but can’t resist.
  • “There’s nothing to process… people listen to the show, they knew immediately we’d be betting Pittsburgh at that number…” (58:58, Simon)
• Vikings -5.5 vs. Packers:
  • Simon surprised line wasn’t higher; expects Minnesota to move up as Green Bay may rest players.
  • “They opened Minnesota five and a half. I could only see that getting up to seven…” (61:48, Simon)
• Bengals -7 vs. Browns:
  • Quick strike: Bengals “juggernaut” at home, Cleveland’s defense doesn’t travel.
• Chargers -5.5 at Broncos:
  • Watch for Herbert’s status; line has value if Chargers play starters.

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Additional Notes & Fun Moments

• Running segment with live Bears/Niners betting and score updates.
• Frequent self-deprecation and tone of exasperation — especially about repeated mistakes with Titans.
• Insistence that divisional games are always weird, historical trends rule over logic at times.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Seahawks-Panthers: 03:43–07:52
• Saints-Titans: 09:52–14:19
• Steelers-Browns: 14:21–19:46
• Eagles-Bills: 19:46–25:58
• Panthers-Bucs/NFC South: 31:55–34:34
• Patriots-Jets: 39:24–41:49
• Colts-Jaguars: 43:13–45:53
• Heroes/Shames: 46:01–56:09
• Early Week 18 Leans: 57:52–62:38

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Final Takeaways

• Overall episode tone: Wry and energetic; both hosts are frank about regrets, humble about misses, and quick to highlight the quirks and narratives that make NFL betting humbling and fun.
• Practical advice: Week 18 lines will be volatile; grab early value, but beware of who’s sitting and playing for what.
• Signature wit:
  • “This might be as good as it gets, baby.” (60:01, Chad)

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If you haven’t listened, this summary captures the energy, sharp/square banter, and practical wagering lessons you’ll find throughout the episode.

Transcript

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[Chad Millman]

Welcome to Sharper Square presented by Hard Rock Bat. We are part of the Volume Podcast network. This is the show that makes the squares sharper and makes the wise guys pay attention. I am Chad Millman. I am joined as always by my co host, my companion, my compadre professional better Simon Hunter. Hello, Simon.

[Simon Hunter]

Chad. How we doing?

[Chad Millman]

Great. You know, you know what, we're two and two on the day, but it was some wacky, wild, fun football this game with the Bills and the Patriots just a barn burner. Let's give it up for Matt Mitchell right now because he's being a total pro. Hasn't lost it once in the prep to come on the show. He's producing the show. We watched it all together in real time. He's the mayor of Western New York and he's going to suffer through the show listening to us talk about that game, which we did not win. We had a minus one and a half in the contest. We had the Browns plus three and a half in the contest. We had the Texans, we had the Titans. I mean, plus two and a half. That one really stinks. And we had. I forgot who else we had. Who else do we have?

[Simon Hunter]

Cleveland, Seattle.

[Chad Millman]

Seattle minus seven and a half. Nice job, Simon Hunter. All right. We didn't really have any last outs, like, you know, the game. The only other games that were like in contention, Raiders, Jets, Dolphins, Colts, Jags, like we talked about all sides of all of them. So let's get into it. I want to say Buffalo for the end. Nice job by you. Seahawks minus seven and a half at Carolina. This was Simon says. And I got to tell you, it was exactly as you played out. This was about Seattle's defense. Sam Donald was truly terrible in this game, basically for the whole game. But fortunately Bryce Young in the first half was worse. 1.1 yard per attempt in the first half. I mean, Seattle's defense, two turnovers in the, in the third quarter putting him in contention to score those two touchdowns. And they kind of ran away with it from there.

[Simon Hunter]

Yeah, Seattle's defense in Seattle's run game shockingly really showed up in this game. I think it was 3, 3 at halftime. And Seattle basically ran for almost 100 yards in that first half and it was just. Sam Darnold was horrible. Just. Yeah, couldn't hit open guys, kept taking bad sacks, went onto the ball too long, had a bunch of weird sacks where he would pull his head down, look at the passers around him and, and just collapse on himself. He just was not at all on rhythm. And yeah, the defense bailed us out just because like you said, Bryce Young had what he's been doing all season. He has these up and down games and he had a really bad game today, really down. I know Teteron McMillan was sick coming into the game and zero catches or maybe one.

[Chad Millman]

Yeah, maybe one catch.

[Simon Hunter]

But catch for five yards or four targets and like, you know, you could say no excuse, but he didn't look himself. But at the same time, it really was just all Bryon. He just could not get into a rhythm. And Seattle's defense, we've talked about it this year, they just travel. I mean, it's crazy how good they are on the road defensively. And yeah, even in certain scenarios, like you said, it just things weren't going their way. It was three, three going into the half. And not that I was ever like, oh, we're dead, we're never going to cover this number, but it makes you do realize, okay, we have a bad number, right? I think they closed six and a half. Yeah, we had the hook, so we, we didn't need the touchdown. We needed a touchdown and at least a field goal. And yeah, Cooper cup had a horrible drop in the back of the end zone that you could have maybe called PI on, but it was a bad drop and they took the field goal and it's like, okay, we're probably gonna get back door here. But like you said, lucky for us, Bryce Young had a couple more. Couple more picks and you know, just one pick on the day. But that was a crucial moment when he got the ball back, turned it over and they went right down, scored another touchdown. So yeah, the Seattle team, like we've talked about, when they're flexing the defense, it doesn't matter how bad Sam Darnold is, right? They're going to keep giving them short fields and opportunities to score the ball and eventually they'll break through. So this is a game Seattle, we're missing a lot of players and didn't really matter. I think they lost. I forget who it was some in the middle of the game, one of the receivers, maybe it was Rashid Shahid, the punter, Turner wide receiver that went down the injury. But it was just Like Seattle couldn't catch a break, kept getting injuries and it did not matter. Their defense was so dominant, they just rolled this game.

[Chad Millman]

You know, Sam Darnold to begin the second half. Well, let's talk about the first two drives in the game. First drive, Seattle has a third and 31. Obviously they don't convert. Second drive, they have something like a third and 15. Third and 20, they run a draw. They actually convert it. First drive in the second half, they get down into the red zone. Sam Darnold lays one out. Perfect pass thrown directly to a Carolina Panthers cornerback. Luckily, Chuba Hubbard fumbles. On very next play, the the Seahawks score a touchdown because basically they just start, decide to start running the ball and then the very next series, Bryce, Bryce Young throws that interception. So yeah, that's, that's how we got bailed out there. Like this Seattle defense is going to be great to see next week. Like we know it's going to be a field goal game depending on what happens tonight. But right now there are three point dogs on the road at San Francisco next week. Oh no. Now the numbers move to one and a half. It was. Dude, this number was three before I came upstairs. So someone's betting this number down. We're going to talk about that in a little bit. It's going to be one of the key games to talk about. All right, Simon. New Orleans at Tennessee. Tennessee open as a three point dog. Closed closer to two one and a half in some places. Two and a half in the contest. Tyler Schuck on his rookie of the year making drive, throw, throws it. Throws a great pass to Chris Olave. Unbelievable. Very next play. Perfect back shoulder in the end zone for a go ahead touchdown. They go up 27, 26. What was more amazing about that is that the drive before had been his rookie of the year making drive. And Pettis, the Saints receiver caught a screen. He's running for the end zone. Breaks two tackles because guys are trying to strip the ball. Gets to the end zone, someone punches it out. The Titans recover. Stops the Saints from taking the go ahead touchdown. Getting the go ahead touchdown. But the Titans can't do anything with it. So shot gets to redeem himself with a new year of the year game winning draft.

[Simon Hunter]

Yeah. Let me just start from the top. This is as nice as I can possibly be to chat because he is coming off of COVID Chad, you have one job. What is your one job?

[Chad Millman]

Don't bet the Tennessee Titans that it's actually true.

[Simon Hunter]

Yeah, do not bet the Tennessee Titans. And you Failed your job once again, we would be 10 games up, we would be 10 games above our record if we just did not have the Tennessee Titans every week in our contest. And even when they're up 13 nothing. I was like, we're going to blow this game. Because I just. We should have not had Tennessee in this contest. And thank God, our main contest, I did not put them. I switched them out and put the Colts plus six and a half, which got very lucky.

[Chad Millman]

Very lucky.

[Simon Hunter]

But yeah, I was cursing your name the whole time. You had me rooting against my guy Shuck who for the believers out there. There are. I, I tweeted out we have like 20 believers in shuck who bet shuck with us. Or just I should say me, chad and believe. Plus 150 rookie of the year now 201 five or four weeks ago. Five weeks ago. He is now plus 150 to win rookie of the year. It's just he's the man in this game. You, I know you were scared of him. You were scared of Shuck when he would drop back and hit.

[Chad Millman]

Totally. I was totally scared of him. Anytime Cam Ward dropped back, I was not scared. Anytime Tyler Schuck dropped back, I was totally scared. I, I was convinced he would complete a pass.

[Simon Hunter]

Yeah, he stud 333 yards. Yeah, he was like 70 or 80 passing rate, two touchdowns. You know, just. It's crazy. I know he's been, it's been bad teams he's been beaten up on, but he's been beaten up on him. Like it's really impressive how good he's been playing. Yeah, they were down, whatever it was 13 nothing. And he came back in this game and Cam Ward, you know, we live and die by him. He had a couple incredible plays.

[Chad Millman]

Incredible.

[Simon Hunter]

Then he had a couple of just. This guy is a total bonehead rookie quarterback and he burned us. So I, I still believe until the very end because like I just have to believe that there was a chance we'd get down there, get that touchdown and whatever they want to get. The two point wouldn't matter. Mean you would cover, but he's just can't do it. Came where Even. Even on his incredible plays, his knee was down. I think it was down play that.

[Chad Millman]

Was a 4th and 10 play and his knee was down. It was a brilliant last second sort of backwards pass that got them the first down. Upon further review with replay assist, his knee was down.

[Simon Hunter]

So legit. No joke. I don't want to hear the word Tennessee out of your Mouth next week. If you bring up that game, I swear to God I'm gonna freak the out. So no tennis. I just, I can't do it anymore. I don't know what I gotta do to you for you to stay away from Tennessee. But you somehow got me back into it. It's like, dude, it was the literally the only job I gave you this year. Just don't let us put Tennessee in the contest. We put it in somehow. Unbelievable.

[Chad Millman]

Well, look, we got a little bit, we, we got a little bit caught up in their five and three against the spread the last eight games since Mike McCor took over and they've been playing better football and making better decisions and not, not doing the bonehead, ill prepared concepts that put them in positions where all of a sudden they were down 37 to three in the first half.

[Simon Hunter]

There are 31 other teams. I don't want to hear your reasoning anymore. Please, for the love of God.

[Chad Millman]

Also the wise guys love them. At the end of the day. At the end of the day.

[Simon Hunter]

Oh.

[Chad Millman]

My God, it was terrible. At one point the Titans went for it on fourth and two for midfield. They threw a wide open dump off screen. It was great. They went up 13 to nothing. We're loving it Cam. Later in that, in that half he got stripped back, strapped, got strip sacked by Chase Young who returned for a touchdown. 13, 7, 1310 with 351 to go in the first half. That was like kind of the beginning of the end. That's when we knew because the Titans were dominating that game. Dominating that game, hey.

[Simon Hunter]

Is down to plus 130. Rookie of the Year.

[Chad Millman]

Congrats to Tony Pollard. Fourth straight 1,000 yard season rushing, tied for the longest active NFL streak. Pittsburgh Steelers at the Cleveland Browns. We were on it all week. Four and a half. Four, three and a half. Close to three. I took it on the money line. I'm pretty sure you took it on the money line. Look, the Browns were truly Inspired going up 10 nothing in the first 10 minutes of this game. And like on that first touchdown, Shedor Sanders in a rainstorm floated a wounded slippery duck over the opposite shoulder from Harold Fannin Jr. Than it was supposed to go. Fannin twisted his body, twisted his groin, caught the ball, landed on the goal line, split two defenders to get it. They scored the touchdown. Fannin's done for the game. The Browns are up 10 nothing and we're feeling pretty good because she door was dominating. He was 10 of 14 for 156 yards and a touchdown. Had the Browns Driving gets it, throws a pick and all the momentum. Like, obviously there were momentum swings in this game, but the. The Browns could have put this game away in the first half and instead they barely won this game.

[Simon Hunter]

Yeah. Lucky for us, Shador had one good quarter and Aaron Rodgers could not have a good quarter.

[Chad Millman]

So you could see the difference with no DK Metcalf and. And other receivers on his team.

[Simon Hunter]

A little bit. It's. It's honestly one of these games I watch and I'm like, what was their game plan, Pittsburgh? I felt like their honest game plan was Aaron Rodgers is, I don't want to be on this highlight reel for the next 100 years of miles.

[Chad Millman]

So true.

[Simon Hunter]

Because he just every time took the quick check down or was throwing the guys who had not even broken out of their route yet. Right. He was just trying to guess where they're going to because he felt a little bit of pressure. Very bizarre game for Rogers. Really was like, I. I just. This is why people lose their mind watching these games, being like, the NFL is fixed because you see a game like this and we joked about it, but why would the NFL not want this week 18 game between the Ravens and Pittsburgh to matter? And you know, they don't care. At the end of the day, that is the truth. But when you watch a game like this, it felt so bizarre where Pittsburgh just, you know, 39 passes by Rogers, but I bet you 37 of them were between 10 yards or before. Where we just come to this game, he had been playing well, pushing the ball downfield. He was just so bad in this game. I think he completed half his passes 168 yards. Just. Just a bizarre game. And again, they ran the ball all they wanted to Pittsburgh. I think they ran for over 130 yards and they're averaging over five yards per carry. Yeah, they only got six points. So that's what I mean. It's just a very weird game. But we bet this, like I say, every year we've taken Cleveland here at home as a dog and. And now it's five out of six years they've won outright. So we talked. Divisional games are always weird. Certain teams voodoo the Jags today, that number got down to three and a half. They covered that number. Right. So it's like, it's just these weird divisional matchups. These certain teams have these teams numbers. And the Browns, it doesn't matter if they have Sanders at the quarterback position, who's terrible, or, you know, Deshaun Watson, who was terrible when he was there playing for the Browns, they just cover this number. It's always their defense that shows up big time. The Browns did today. I mean, that was a really impressive defensive performance. Like I said, Sanders, that one quarter, you squint your eyes, you're like, this guy could be a pro. Like, he was making big time throws, running with the ball the other three quarters, you're like, this guy, he won't win out in camp next year. I mean, you know, we're talking about Malik coming up from Green Bay. Where's he gonna go? If he went to Cleveland, I think he could beat out Shador Sanders.

[Chad Millman]

Like Mac Jones.

[Simon Hunter]

Yeah, Mac Jones. It's just Sanders, he just is so inconsistent. That's his biggest issue. But I always say, rookies, I tried to be too hard on him. That's when you end up with a Peyton Manning, who led the league, I think an interception as a rookie. And then Baker broke his record for interceptions as a rookie. It's. You never know, right? It's just such a tough position. So try not to react to it. But Sanders, he tried to make us lose this game. TR he tried throwing a couple sticks, but thank God they dropped them.

[Chad Millman]

He had an oh my God. Off balance into coverage, unnecessary pick. Early in the fourth quarter when the Steelers were on their heels and the Browns D was dominating even Dion, like in the box, they showed, they showed a clip of him. Like, he just took his. His hat off his hands and just covered his face and was shaking his head. He's like, come on, man. Like, these are the things you got to know better. I raised you better than this. I raised you better than to throw off balance picks into coverage when your defense is winning you the game. And the Browns defense held and they won in the game. I mean, the Browns couldn't even convert a third and one with 2 minutes, 30 seconds left to potentially win the game. Like, deep in their territory, they still had to get the defense to come back on and hold the Steelers. So kudos to the Browns defense. That's why we bet them. You're so right about Aaron Rodgers. Like, every ball he threw was just trying to make sure he wasn't going to get sacked by Miles Garrett.

[Simon Hunter]

It was bizarre, but again, it made me so happy. Where we took the Browns, where it's like, this is the dream scenario. This game right now, they just, they can run the ball all they want. Eventually they're going to have to throw in third and five and Rogers could not complete any passes.

[Chad Millman]

I. Look, we tried to avoid the Buffalo Bills, but We were enamored with Josh Allen. We were enamored with this running game. The way it played out. We, we weren't going to cover because the number ended up closing at one and a half in the contest. I'm not gonna lie, I live bet the bills moneyline at plus 330 in the first half. So that two point conversion was a real kick in the dick because I would have loved to have seen them convert back. What a crazy game. It's so interesting you see this in so many games. How much mistakes swing momentum more than big plays mistakes. You see it with penalties, you see it with fumbles. Those are the things that end up killing teams more than A.J. brown making an unbelievable play or Brandon Cooks making an unbelievable play. It's always the freaking mistakes that kill you. Because the Bills were driving. Josh Allen may or may not have fumbled that ball that led to the Eagles first touchdown. But then the Bills couldn't get anything done until four minutes left in the game.

[Simon Hunter]

Yeah, another game where a quarterback played a good quarter like Hertz to me played really well for a quarter. I think he was at 1.5 of 6 on third down. He was carving up that Bill's defense.

[Chad Millman]

Yeah.

[Simon Hunter]

And then he basically did nothing the rest of the game and let this team totally get back into this Bills team. And just what we talked about with this Eagles team, right, like their offense, something's been off of them all season. Their defense has just got consistently better every week. And this is the Fangs master class type of game where they knew Josh Allen something was off with him and he was not going to try to run the ball. They really didn't QB spine that often. It was pretty shocking watching the whole defensive game plan. And I think they said it was the first time he had been shut out in the first half at home since the Giants in like 2023. And you knew eventually he was gonna get. When I was like you, I bet the lie, but I bet the number I bought, I bought the seven and a half. You know, I think they went down, they got the four and out on the goal line and it went right back up to eight and a half and I hit it again and you just knew eventually Josh was going to get one. He got the two, he got two touchdowns, had put his team in the best opportunity possibly could put him in to win the game. And once again team let him down. Special teams, right? That missed extra point and brutal. I, I don't hate them going for two. Right. That's such a momentum play. You know, just win and get out of there. Don't have the guys play a whole nother quarter in that overtime. And sucks for us though, as someone that had the number we. We wanted, obviously the extra point in overtime because we want to cover our bet. But I do think that was the right decision by the Bills and this Eagles team that felt like an Eagles game that they've played all season where, you know, they play really well for a quarter or a quarter and a half and they just do nothing offensively the rest of the game and rely on the defense to kind of pick up the scraps. So try not to put too much blame on either side. It was horrible weather, the whole game really sloppy, both sides, terrible. You know, Eagles, I don't know what they're playing for at this point. Maybe they're playing for the two seed. If there's the math works out and the Bears lose out, maybe. I think that's their motivation, but I expect expect them to sit starters next week. So, yeah, it's. As an Eagles fan, I would say pretty disheartening seeing how bad the offense was in the second half. But at the end of the day, I guess it wins a win. But for us, as a Bill's better, we were never really in it, but we should. We had. Our only hope was they kicked that extra point, we get to overtime. But it was just at the end of the day, a bad bet. I just. Josh Allen, you can see that injury was a big deal. Yeah, you know, this team, when they get down from behind, he has been Superman. They put that stat up there all the time. He's come back this season and yeah, he's been so good to us, I can't even complain, right? He's cashed that money line like you said, many times and unfortunately this time, Chad, that two pointer just didn't go your way, brother.

[Chad Millman]

The Eagles had 174 yards in the first half. In the second half, I think they had 17.

[Simon Hunter]

I mean, the reps were also terrible.

[Chad Millman]

Yeah, Jalen Hurts was over seven in the second half and I don't. I don't know that I blame Hertz. They basically only had him throw in pretty high leverage situations for the Bills where they knew he was going to throw and they could bring so much more pressure than they had in the first half. And I just thought he was super conservative and instead of trying to make aggressive throws, which he did do in the first half, he. He just sort of took what was in front of him and now, unfortunately, it meant that they weren't gaining ground on the Bills or improving their position on the Bills. And then the Bills did what the Bills do and scored those two touchdowns. But I don't know if I don't blame, like I don't look at that and think, oh my God, the Eagles are in real trouble. I thought they played pretty well and then just were super, super conservative, hoping their defense could get that one extra stand in the fourth quarter.

[Simon Hunter]

Yeah, again, it just doesn't make sense to me though because it's like you're not good enough offensively to be conservative. You need to get some type of rhythm head in the playoffs. Their offense has just been anemic all season and this has been the problem last year. They could lean on Saquon the run in the second half and that's what was the magic syrup, right. They would dominate these teams, lean on Saquon the second half. And you saw in this game, Saquon just couldn't do anything. I think he had less than 4 yards per carry just every time he's getting hit in the backfield. And it's been the quiet secret of these Eagles this whole season. Their offensive line is just not that good. So yeah, it'll be interesting what they're like in the playoffs. Right. Once Lane Johnson's back. You saw Jalen Carter, how big of a difference he made coming back in this lineup. So like I said, hopefully Eagles rest guys next week and ready to go once they get to the playoffs because it looks like it might end up being them versus the Rams in round one.

[Chad Millman]

We got the Bears plus three and a half tonight. God, we were like both of these games so close to being three and one or four. No heading into the Bears plus three and a half tonight. Instead we are two and two heading into the Chicago Bears visiting the San Francisco 49ers. Let's take a quick listen to our friends at Hard Rock bet. Today's show is brought to you by our presenting sponsor, Hard Rock Bat Florida Sportsbook and the official sportsbook partner of your favorite Florida teams like the Jags, Buccaneers, Heat, Magic and panthers. It's week 18 and playoff spots are on the line. I think you know how it will play out. Build a same game parlay on Hard Rock BET and turn game day into payday. Or if you're more into hardwood than the green gridiron, you can put up shots on the NBA and college every night on Hard Rock bet, your home for hoops action all season long. You can even combine your football and basketball bets. If you've got a week 18 parlay, add an NBA bet or player prop to turn it and turn up the payouts. And if you missed the start of the game, don't worry. Hard Rock Bet has live in game betting so you're never too late to bet any football or hoops game all season. Find a winner or grab that player prop you had circled and bet live in just a few easy taps. If you haven't tried your first bet on Hard Rock Bet, there's still time for you to get 150 in bonus bets. If you win, just place a five dollar bet and if it hits, you get not only your winnings but also an extra $150 in bonus bets. The Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook app is the only legal sportsbook for whenever you're in Florida and also live in Arizona, Ohio, New Jersey, Indiana, Tennessee, Virginia, Illinois, Colorado and Michigan. Coming soon to more states too. Plus, Hard Rock Bet offers new promos every single day. So whenever you're listening, just open up the app and check out what you've got. Any day of the week, download the Hard Rock Bet app and make your first deposit payable in bonus bets. Not a cash offer offered by these Seminole Tribe of Florida in Florida Offered by Seminole hard Rock Digital LLC in all other states. Must be 21 and over and physically present in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee or Virginia to play terms and conditions apply. Concerned about gambling in Florida, call 1833, playwise in Indiana, if you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-809 with it gambling problem. Call 1-800-GAMBLER in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia.

[Coca-Cola Announcer]

What a matchup we got, y'.

[Simon Hunter]

All.

[Coca-Cola Announcer]

This is that classic HBCU vibe. Non stop action. The band is rocking and the crowd lit. Chance echo drum beat everybody showing that school pride. A game like this. Yeah, it calls for an ice cold Coca Cola. Ah, crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there.

[IBM AI Sponsor]

Mmm.

[Coca-Cola Announcer]

Yeah, that taste always hits the right note. Just like the band at halftime. And just like that, we're back at it. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere and an ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo. No matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going.

[Sophie Cunningham]

Season two of unrivaled basketball is here and the talent is unreal. Paige Beckers, Nafiza Collier, Kelsey Plumb, Brianna Stewart and more are back to redefine the game unrivaled basketball season two, sponsored by Samsung Galaxy, tips off January 5 on TNT, TruTV and HBO.

[Public Investing Sponsor]

Max support for the show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On Public you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index with AI. It all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year, you can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like EFTs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com, and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA SIPC Advisory Services by Public Advisors llc SEC Registered Advisor Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not investment recommendation or advice. Complete disclosures [e-mail] disclosures.

[IBM AI Sponsor]

So you're telling me that the AI that's meant to make everyone's job easier to manage just adds more to manage? On top of the thousands of apps the IT department already manages? Funny how that works. Any business can add AI. IBM helps you scale and manage AI to change how you do business. Let's create smarter business. IBM.

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[Chad Millman]

All right, Simon, One of our live viewers, Allison Norris, wants us wants us to talk about how bad the NFC south is because we got a Panthers Bucks game next week about to take the title for the NFC South. I don't want to talk about that yet because I know we're going to talk about in our liens. But look, the Bucks. The Panthers lost today to the Seahawks. Acceptable. We planned on that. The Bucks lost to the Dolphins, which I thought was going to happen. And the Bucks mo Continues to be the same. Take an early lead and then blow the game. And they completely blew this game today.

[IBM AI Sponsor]

Yeah.

[Simon Hunter]

And shout out to Alison Norris. I see all your tweets. She's one of our diehards, Chad. She's been an og. She's an original. I. I love this division so much. And we're. We're in a spot where Carolina, all they need to do is tie this game against the Bucks and they go to the playoffs at 8, 8 and 1. This is what I live for. This is everything I'm all about. I hate these people that want to reseed the playoffs. No, it's. You win your shitty division, you deserve to be in with home field in round one. So couldn't be more excited as a better. I'm dying, dying for the Panthers to win because I'm gonna 100 bet on them because I've been doing it all year. The up and down, the fade, the ride, the fade, the ride week to week. No doubt be on them upcoming, but didn't even matter what the number is going to be. They could have been the favorite. I probably would have talked myself into it. But is there going to be an easier fade than them in the playoffs? Doesn't matter who they play in the wild card round. It's like, my God, if. If it's your Bears, I think the Bears will smoke this team. It's going to be really interesting what Carolina gets matched up with, but yeah, NFC south, total train wreck. Someone put up some crazy stat. It was basically the Bucks. What are they, one in seven? Their last eight. And the guy wrote this team, if they win in week 18, will make the playoffs. And I love that.

[Chad Millman]

3.

[Simon Hunter]

I was like, that's so true. They just win one game in week 18. After run they'll win. But yeah, we missed two really easy ones today, and you nailed it. That. That one was a bad miss. And the Patriots was a bad miss. We should have been on that one. So as soon as that game started, like you said, it's like, of course they don't get enough fourth down. Of course Survivor Series runs the wrong route. Of course Baker throws that bad pick. It's just like you said, a train wreck of, you know, nine weeks now for this Bucks team.

[Chad Millman]

That's got to be the coaching. At some point, even if they make the playoffs, you got to wonder if gonna stick around.

[Simon Hunter]

No, you have to flower.

[Chad Millman]

You know, it's.

[Simon Hunter]

Unless Baker gets like hernia surgery and two, both his ACLs fixed and shoulder surgery. Then I give Todd Bowles a little leniency. But if, if nothing happens with that and it's just all the whole head coach and just. That's what it has to be. It has to be culture. It's just a total meltdown by this team right now.

[Chad Millman]

Another game that we want to talk about. Randy Savage is watching. He'd like us to know if the Giants should be our shame, shame, shame for actually winning themselves out of the number one overall pick. They're not my shame this week. Although that game ended in a brawl. So they should all be shamed for deciding they were going to take it so intensely and try at the end of the game or when nothing else mattered anymore. But oh Lord, thank God we talked ourselves out of the Raiders while Max Crosby was trolling them with more and more videos of how injured he is. I didn't watch. I think I watched. No, no, I watched half a series of that game after the early games ended, while waiting for the Bills game to begin.

[Simon Hunter]

Yeah, it's like you said, just a horrible game. Overall, Dart actually played pretty well. I think overall the Giants as a team played pretty well and you saw why. The Raiders are just awful. It's just Geno Smith, just this whole season how bad he is, just taking horrible sacks, terrible spots and yeah, just, you know, the Raiders getting number one tick, getting your guy. It's, it's all lined up now, Chad. Just, just. There's no way they win in the last week and screw up this draft pick. So I get, if I was a Giants fan, I'd be pretty pissed, honestly. But you know, like I talked about Jackson Dart, he want, he needed to win that, that game. He doesn't want anyone coming in here and being controversy with the quarterback position. So. Yeah, that was, I think that's right. That was an all timer though, that this. I think they drove the field. Finally, Las Vegas, they scored a touchdown and literally on the insane kickoff, the Giants returned it back. And it's just like, man, this is just a totally horrible team. They just kept showing Pete Carroll on the sideline, you know, talking about they think he's gonna be back next year. And all I can think about is I wonder if they're gonna let him keep that stupid hoodie of his and all of his old merch he got for this one year of work and just send him about his way because you just, you can't bring him back. Especially with the fact they're gonna be drafting a rookie quarterback. You need to go get, you know, a great offensive mind or you know, a lot of, a lot of talking right now about Brian Flores, his new contract up for the Vikings. After seeing how it's played out too in Miami. I don't know, I'd be, yeah, I'd be a little. Getting a guy like Brian Flores coming.

[Chad Millman]

I think if you're the Raiders and you're going to get a new coach and you know you're drafting a quarterback, you got to get a guy who knows how to work with quarterbacks. That's it.

[Simon Hunter]

I don't. Out there, the Chad. That's.

[Chad Millman]

I was, that's what I was going to say. Like, I don't, I don't know who that is. There's no obvious choice to go fix the Raiders like there was for the Bears, right? Like who's, who's the offensive genius who's been surprising us this year. That would be a no brainer. Who'd want to take over and work with a brand new number one overall quarterback?

[Simon Hunter]

Maybe. I mean you could look at the O.C. of the saints. I mean it's a lot of Kellen Moore, but whatever they've done with Shock between the QB coach, the OC that of all the quarterbacks is to me week to week keeps making the most progress. So that's a name to watch or whoever. I don't know who it is, but whoever the OC is or the second commander, Liam Cohen, like that's learning from the best, right? The Jags 12 wins now. It's insane. So maybe there are guys we just don't know on our radar right now. But you're right, that's probably the way to go. But I just can't get over how good Floors has been defensively with the Vikings. Just amazing and yeah, amazing, yeah.

[Chad Millman]

But when I watch him on the sideline and I think he's great, I don't know who's going to give him another shot when he's in the middle of suing the NFL. You know what I mean?

[Simon Hunter]

Yeah, that's true.

[Chad Millman]

I guess. Just it's a real, it's a real tricky one. You just mentioned the New England Patriots at the New York jets and you know, wise, wise words this morning when I tried to make the case we were never going to put it in, but you explained to me why we couldn't put it in and just about couldn't put the jets in. And in a normally blind smash spot for a two touchdown underdog at home against a team with so many injuries, all Drake may did was throw five touchdowns to five different receivers go over 4,000 yards, they clinched the AFC East. Drake may has probably put himself position to win the mvp. He, he humbly said after the game when he was told he joined Tom Brady and Drew Bledsoe as the only Patriots quarterbacks to throw for 4,000 yards, he was asked how does it feel to be in their category? He goes, I am not in their category. So yeah, they dominated. And I think he only threw like 20 passes. He completed 21 passes, five of them for touchdowns. 25 of his passes were for touchdowns.

[Simon Hunter]

Yeah, 19 of 21. 19 completion of 21 pass attempts, 90 completion percentage. And I saw someone put up his numbers next to Lamar's numbers. Basically the only guys ever did what he's did at 23. And it was a year Lamar one MVP. So you're not far off saying he is, you know, close to get MVP. Now I think he's down to plus 200 plus 175 at a couple different books. Well worth it, right? If Stafford lays an egg, you know, this upcoming game against Atlanta or in week 18, I talked about it like these, these writers, they rarely give this award to wild card teams. It's just they like to give to the quarterback of a one or two seed. So they're gonna be in quite a spot. Like to me, as much love and respect or giving to Stafford, he's had a much tougher schedule and what he's done is so oppressive and he's earned it. It's like the, the Leo winning the Oscar, right? It's like this. He put in all the work all these years. That might not be his best performance ever. This might not be Stafford's best performance ever, but he's, he's do one. Like he's always been this guy who's been at the top of the leaderboard. He's in Detroit, he's kind of. You never could give him that type of award. And we came to la, they always had such a good run game. He was never going to get the touchdowns he needed to get this award. And this year, I mean, they've really leaned into the red zone. Touchdown passes, right? Something McVay never really did before. But with the bucket, Devonte, Adams and Puka, these big body receivers, they really threw a lot of touchdowns and his numbers just look insane. So Drake may put him in a weird spot. Like he's really do. He really needs to overthrow for another three touchdowns on Monday night or week Tuesday morning. And all of a sudden they're, they're out of picking because I just think this, this Drake made the level he's been playing at. Like once again it's been bad teams, but it's incredible. Like he just does not have these let down games, he's let down spots. So I hate it as a, as a New England hater. I'm just hoping it's a one year wonder flash in the pan. But he looks, he looks so for.

[Chad Millman]

Real, he looks really good.

[Simon Hunter]

I can't wait to see what does in the playoffs because we know the stats, right? First time starters in the playoffs, it just tends to be disastrous. But he looks like the Neo, the freak, the matrix breaker, just the one of a kind type of guy. So I cannot wait to see it because the AFC is just wide open and you know, they get healthy. This Patriots team, like we said coming to this game, they had a lot of people out. They can get guys back defensively, get the offensive line healthy again. It's gonna be really interesting this, this Patriots team come to playoff.

[Chad Millman]

Will Campbell, Milton Williams, Trevion Henderson coming back. That'll be interesting once they're fully healthy and they're playing top notch talent, caliber talent every single week. One more game I want to talk about before we get into the next categories. Yeah, the Colts and the, and the Jags. This game, it opened at six and a half. It got bet down to four and a half. We both walked away from it. When it got below six, ended, landed on six. And I got to say, credit to Trevor Lawrence and credit to Liam Cohen because they were down 10, nothing. And then they were down 10, seven. And at the end of the first half they were driving and Trevor Lawrence threw a classic bad Trevor Lawrence pick in the cold's end zone that basically closed out the first half. They could have gone up 14 to 10. Instead they were going into the locker room, down 10, 7. Then they, they went ahead again and fell behind again and they kept coming back. And Trevor Lawrence was just making good throws and clutch situations, hard throws to make. He didn't panic. He didn't make his usual stupid plays. I was impressed. Like they had no reason, no reason. Cover in that game.

[Simon Hunter]

Yeah. And I was honestly only reason I played the Colts at six and a half in that contest, which is because all the professionals I knew in the world were like, d dude, you have to play that number. This number should be, you know, five and a half, four and a half. And then all of a sudden it was three and a half by kickoff. And it's like, all right, I'll follow these professionals Even though I do not believe in this and I had bet, I told you I'd bet into the Jags just because of that crazy trend now. Yeah, the colts now are 3 and 18 against this Jaguars team against the spread. And it's just the craziest stat. Like that's why once the number moved that much, I was like, all right, I have to bet this especially now three and a half. But yeah, the, the books threaded the needle. They were going to cover that three and a half and then they went for it on their own side of the field on a fourth down. And you know Rivers, it was a fun story but it's honestly played out exactly how I thought it was going to play out, where he can put together a good drive or two. But it's just, it's never going to be consistent enough to win games. And unfortunately for them, this type of game, the Jags just sold out to stop the run. I think Jonathan Taylor Barely average 3 yards per carry. Just, they just basically said you're gonna have to beat us with Rivers. And he tried his best, Chad, but you knew that pick was eventually coming. Yeah, he had another pick that was dropped and cool story was really fun. Like I honestly got a little emotional watching just to start the game. He was getting like interviewed and it's like this is surreal. Like I cannot believe 44 year old fat faced Philip Rivers is out here slinging still. And like we said last week against the 49ers, if they had somewhat of a defense, he would have won that game in primetime like he was slinging. And this week he looked a little bit like the arm had finally caught up to him. It was a little bit of a noodle arm at some point. And yeah, 17, 17 completions on 30 attempts, it just, it was never working for this offense. And like we've been saying, the Jaguars, Trevor Lawrence, the biggest thing he unlocked this year was using his legs and some crazy stat. It was basically he's the only other quarterback I think then Hurts and Allen that have rushed for more than eight touchdowns. I threw for more than 3,000 yards this season. So total props to Trevor Lawrence and we've talked Lian Cohen up for coach of the year. It's just really impressive with the Stags team done and I'm like you, there was a minute there, it's like, oh, the Colts are going to win this game and now Houston's going to steal this division. And the Jags in the second half, they found a way through all that anniversary so. So it's it's really impressive.

[Chad Millman]

Yeah. All right, Simon, who would you like to shame this week?

[Simon Hunter]

Oh, I. I had a couple options, but you gotta go with the Bucks. Gotta go with the Bucks. Just. Yeah, I guess I'll shame Baker Mayfield because he is the leader of the Bucks. So shame on you, Baker. It's just total letdown after letdown. Like we were watching that game, he had guys open. He's just so bad right now. He's so inaccurate. And you know, the run game was obviously really disappointing. This game, like, they really let them down. But you know, Baker, to face that Miami secondary and only come over 17 points in that type of game again, Baker in September, that's 34 points easy. And you know, another weird game where, you know, a Mecca Buka, five targets, three catches for 20 yards. What happened? Like, it's just bizarre. This guy was by far the best rookie catch on fire for through seven, eight weeks, and he's totally fallen off. Mike Evans, seven targets, three catches. I think he had 30 yards. Like, it was just all negative. So just total shame on this Bucks team. And just as a fan of the Eagles, when they had their meltdown, it was honestly the worst eight weeks of my life. This Bucks meltdown is even worse. I had someone compare it to that Eagles team. I said it might be worse because this is just incredible how bad it's been. But they can save it all in week 18 by winning. So pretty, pretty insane. But yeah, shame on Baker. Just totally disappointed.

[Chad Millman]

Shame on the Tennessee Titans defense. So awesome. In the first half, Jeffrey Simmons was tackling guys downfield. He was tackling guys behind the line of scrimmage. He was forcing fumbles, he was getting sacks. 10 points allowed. Tyler Schuck was in check. Second half, 24 points allowed. Fourth quarter, 14 points allowed. Those two scoring drives were both four plays. One of those scoring drives went for 80 yards in 2 minutes and 28 seconds. Another scoring drive, four plays, 64 yards in 1 minute and 10 seconds. And oh, by the way, that doesn't count. The three play, 70 yard, 1 minute 44 second drive that ended with a fumble at the goal line, which the Titans could then not convert. As bad as Ken Ward was, they did get 26 points and he gave seven points to the Saints. And the Saints and the Titans defense, with multiple chances, could not stop the Saints from going on long drives down the field in very short amount of time and coming back from multiple, multiple dub it double digit deficits. Shame, shame, shame on the Tennessee Titans. I mean, I guess it's shame on me, but really, it's shame on the Tennessee Titans.

[Coca-Cola Announcer]

What a matchup we got y'.

[Simon Hunter]

All.

[Coca-Cola Announcer]

This is that classic HBCU vibe. Non stop action. The band is rocking and the crowd lit. Chance echo drum beat everybody showing that school prize game like this. Yeah, it calls for an ice cold Coca Cola. Ah, crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there. Yeah, that taste always hits the right note. Just like the band at halftime. And just like that, we're back at it. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere and an ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo no matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going.

[Sophie Cunningham]

Season two of unrivaled basketball is here and the talent is unreal. Paige Beckers, Nafiza Collier, Kelsey Plumb, Brianna Stewart and more are back to redefine the game. Unrivaled basketball season two sponsored by Samsung Galaxy tips off January 5th on TNT, TruTV and HBO.

[Public Investing Sponsor]

Max support for the show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On public you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index with AI. It all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year, you can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. IT screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. This then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like EFTs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA SIPC Advisory Services by Public Advisors llc. SEC Registered Advisor Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not invested recommendation or advice. Complete disclosures [e-mail] disclosures.

[IBM AI Sponsor]

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[Total Wireless Sponsor]

The world's Best ski and snowboard athletes are chasing medals. Now you can follow their every move. Join Insider, the official US Ski and snowboard fan loyalty program, and get premium viewing at World cup ski events, exclusive athlete meetups, discounts from brands you love, and a custom welcome welcome gift mailed direct to your doorstep this winter. Show your support as they race for the podium. Head to Insider, usski and snowboard.org and join today.

[Chad Millman]

Simon, who's your hero?

[Simon Hunter]

Yeah, there's a lot of good options this week and I'm gonna go a little off track just to give this guy some shine because it was just so impressive and cost me some money, that's for damn sure. Derek Henry, Hero of the week. I mean, I'll go through the numbers just because how insane they were, but he had 216 rushing yards, four touchdowns. He moved into the fourth all time in rushing touchdowns and he is now in the top 10 of rushing yards. Derek Henry, he has had two seasons in Baltimore. In both seasons he's rushed for over 1,200 yards and has over 12 touchdowns in both seasons. It's just, you look through his numbers in his career, what he did in Tennessee and now what he's doing for the Ravens and it's just, you know, when you're watching a Hall of Famer, right. We knew coming in this guy had all his potential, was this giant freak. You just always wonder how his body would hold up because he runs standing up like AP does Adrian Peterson. They don't lean down, they don't get, get low. They run straight up and they take so much contact with that big, being that big of a target. Doesn't matter. This man is just, he's the best. It's so incredible watching him. And I joked with you the last week, we got really lucky with our New England bet. Yes, Horrible. Did us a huge favor and stopped putting him in the game. I don't know if you saw the Derek Henry quotes after the game. He's just basically saying this is why I train. He's like, I'm, I get better as the game goes along. I, this is what makes me so great. It's like that's like a little shot at his head coach being like, you're out of your mind. Night. Let me get touches in the fourth quarter. So yeah, here of the week. Derek Henry, just incredible game a game. I, I honestly thought Malik Willis would play that type of way in Green Bay, would play really well defensively. They never had a chance. Derrick Henry was on one just dominant that game. And Stu Pound obviously played really well. But that was a total Derek Henry type of game. 216 yards, four touchdowns. Once again, insane.

[Chad Millman]

Yeah, they kept listing all the career records. He was basically climbing the charts on total yards, touchdowns, multiple touchdown games, touchdown games, multiple touchdown games with hundred yards. Like truly incredible. The company that he is keeping now it's only people that are hall of Famers. Like when the Curtis. Yeah, exactly, exactly.

[Simon Hunter]

I love every time they show that. I love seeing Curtis Martin. That was just my. One of my favorite careers ever. Just. The guy could never wear out. Just.

[Chad Millman]

Just ran money. He just freaking ran. In the spirit of going back, my hero of the week is actually Brian Flores because that defense had. That was a one sided game. They had Max Brosman playing quarterback. I think he had 56 yards passing. And they were going up against a team that for the past couple of years has been a juggernaut offense. And while you and I can keep saying they weren't that good this year. The announcers were glazing the Lions like Jared Goff was a MVP candidate. None of that we believed was true. As good as their stats are, they made Jameer Gibbs look mediocre. They made Jared Goff look like the guy the Rams traded. They made Aman Russ St. Brown disappear. They made Jameson Williams disappear. They made that offensive line look like they are a train wreck of an offensive line. They knocked the Detroit Lions out of the playoffs. A juggernaut team the past two years. I don't think the Lions need a reset. I think the Lions are going to be fine. But I think they put them out of their misery. The Vikings did for this season. And that Vikings defense was freaking awesome. And if they actually do get a quarterback and Brian Flores does stay, I would be really excited if I were a Vikings fan because they played with such passion and spirit and strategy and he knew exactly which dials to turn at the exact right time in that game on Christmas.

[Simon Hunter]

So you said the Vikings have been a top three defensive season, Chad, I.

[Chad Millman]

Did not say that.

[Simon Hunter]

No. Would you. Would you say I. Damon, I was just hoping you're gonna set me up. I just want to bring up once again, Jalen Hurts threw for 326 yards, three touchdowns, no picks against this Vikings.

[Chad Millman]

See, I wasn't gonna say that. I like.

[Simon Hunter]

To me that's my whole point though. They're. They're legit, right?

[Chad Millman]

They've had that. They've had their moments when they've been great, but they've also had moments where they've gotten Beat up by teams that shouldn't have beat them up and teams that are really, really good. And they made those teams look healthy. But on this day, they were freaking awesome.

[Simon Hunter]

Yeah.

[Chad Millman]

When they knew they had no backup, like, they had to be perfect because.

[Simon Hunter]

They had quarterback, had negative. Like seven yards passing.

[Chad Millman]

Yeah, exactly. All right, Simon says Seattle minus seven. Nice job. Chad's choice. Houston plus two and a half. Good job. Brass balls. Cleveland plus three. Nice job. Rock in a hard place. Buffalo minus one and a half. That's a bummer. Sharp versus Square. Chad had Tennessee. Simon at Chicago favorites parlay Seattle. Yes. Green Bay. No. Tampa Bay. No. Rams. We don't know. Bills. No. Underdog parlay Houston, Yes. Bears. We don't know. Tennessee. No. Cleveland. Yes. Las Vegas. No Simon. There are two games we got to talk about for our early liens in week 18. Number one, Carolina, opened as a three and a half point road underdog against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I bet the three and a half. I also bet the money line on the Carolina Panthers. Your take on that game.

[Simon Hunter]

I don't hate it. And before we dive into live, the Bears just move to plus four and a half because I guess they have like three, 10, 10 guys with the flu right now. Just.

[Chad Millman]

Yeah.

[Simon Hunter]

Total nightmare.

[Chad Millman]

Yeah. It's not good. It's not good.

[Simon Hunter]

Yeah. Like I told you, didn't I?

[Chad Millman]

Don't.

[Simon Hunter]

I didn't care what the number was going to be. I was going to blindly bet the Panthers. I just. I've been doing it all season. Have zero faith in the bucks. I cannot believe they hung up. Three just.

[Chad Millman]

I'm shocked, actually.

[Simon Hunter]

Bizarre number, by the book. So I'll get more word on this if we're stepping in it right here, but I'll take the three while it lasts. Just like that Seattle game. I was going to give out the first three, but obviously that's gone. So, yeah, for this Carolina game, unlike you, immediately, I'm gonna grab that three.

[Chad Millman]

It's moving to three very soon. It's at plus three and a half, minus 115 at some books. It's at plus three at other books, so get it while you can. The other game, Pittsburgh hosting the Baltimore Ravens. They opened as three point underdogs. I also bet the Pittsburgh Steelers in this spot.

[Simon Hunter]

Yeah, we're the suckers. I mean, there's nothing, nothing to say, nothing to process. People listen to the show. They knew immediately we'd be betting Pittsburgh at that number. Let's see the definition of a Tomlin rah rah spot.

[Chad Millman]

Yep.

[Simon Hunter]

I Hate it. I knew it was coming as soon as they lost that game. Like, oh my God, I hope they at least give us a three when they open. That's not a two and a half. And so I'm with you. I know it's a sucker bet right now, but I have to grab that number. It's just. Does it go up to three and a half? I would be honestly shocked. See the professionals come in heavy on the Ravens. But yeah, it's, it's a crazy game where I think most people are going to have the model. The Ravens is a much better team, especially when there's no DK Metcalf. And you saw, like you said, that was a big obviously in some metrics today with Pittsburgh. So yeah, that's, that's a really tough game that I think we both are like blindly drawn to. Just simply taking. That's just very us.

[Chad Millman]

Yeah, I just don't think. I'll be honest.

[Simon Hunter]

Oh my God, Chad. Bears already scored a touchdown.

[Chad Millman]

Really?

[Simon Hunter]

Yeah. It must have been a kickoff or something.

[Chad Millman]

Oh man, look at us. Look at us, people.

[Simon Hunter]

This might be as good as it gets, baby.

[Chad Millman]

Time to bet the Niners and bet the under brock Purdy.

[Simon Hunter]

Pick six by T.J. edward.

[Public Investing Sponsor]

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[Simon Hunter]

Holy. What a start.

[Chad Millman]

Oh my God. You know what? My kid literally just texted me the exact text. What a start.

[Simon Hunter]

We're locked in.

[Chad Millman]

Let me just say one thing about the Steelers, about the Ravens. I think the Ravens might have lost that game if Malik Willis stays in. That defense was terrible and they were getting beat by a second string quarterback who was destroying them with no running game. Like I, I think, I think they got real issues in their, in their defense, in the passing game.

[Simon Hunter]

Well, it's, it's funny, like that Green Bay team I think I saw, they're going to sit everybody now and they're going to play that kid that came in that looked totally lost. Yeah, you can get Minnesota -5 and a half right now. Why did we not take that? Like they're, they're playing for real. Their defense is playing for real. Extended rest against a Green Bay team that could give two shits about that game, especially LA floor. He's not gonna be wasting a week of prep on that. He's gonna be preparing for the playoffs knowing he's going to be the seventh seed. So I, I was shocked. They opened Minnesota five and a half. I could only see that getting up to seven. Just one of those early numbers that when they opened I was, I was pretty surprised by. Be careful though. Like I. I immediately bet the Chargers without realizing Herbert might not be playing against Denver in that game because I. I don't know if the Chargers can't move their playoff spot, but they opened five and a half at Denver and we talk all the time. Herbert, anything above three in his career, he's 11 and two against the spread as a dog. So if it is Herbert and they're all playing, I think we got a great number. If he is out, I can just buy that position later. But that was just an early number that jumped out to me right away.

[Chad Millman]

I'm trying to bet Minnesota as we speak.

[Simon Hunter]

And just the last one a game I just found interesting. It's, you know, I know it's tough because we just lost on, you know, or I said that we just won on Cleveland. But Cleveland's on the road at Cincinnati, and they've just been an absolute juggernaut. It feels like down the stretch here, Cincinnati, not just defensively, offensively, obviously crushing. Yeah, they're minus 7, minus 115, minus 110 and a couple books. I'm going to take it just in case it goes up. I just. When they're humming like this, Cincinnati, they're. They're one of the better teams in football. Shockingly, Cleveland now coming off another. Another home win. We've talked. Their defense simply does not travel. So, no, that'll be an interesting game. I'm just gonna grab that one just a little early now, just in case the number does.

[Chad Millman]

I like that idea, Simon.

[Total Wireless Sponsor]

Yeah.

[Simon Hunter]

Week 18 again, people. It's a weird week where it's. I play a lot of these numbers just because I think there's gonna be a ton of movement depending on teams, how they're playing it, and other resting guys. So, yeah, it's that just the biggest one. Just be careful about that Chargers number. But I do think there is value there to grab it early. The five and a half.

[Chad Millman]

All right. I'm just. I'm getting that one done, too, as we speak. Did I get it done? Yes. Okay. All right. Big games we're going to want to watch are definitely the Panthers and the Bucks and the Steelers and the Ravens. That was Sharper Square. We are waiting on the Bears plus three and a half. We lost with the Bills minus one and a half. We won with the Cleveland Browns plus three and a half. We won with the Seattle Seahawks minus seven and a half. We lost with the Tennessee Titans plus two and a half. This has been Sharper Square, presented by Hard Rock Bat, part of the Volume Podcast Network we will be back with our next Shepherd Square on Tuesday. I go over the entire week 18 NFL slate watch listen on YouTube at Sharper Square like this video. Subscribe to the channel. Download us from Spotify, Apple Pods wherever you get your pods Rate Review Subscribe Leave us five stars. Say whatever you want. Feedback is a gift. Until next time. Love you. You better quit bull around. I'm not having this bull. Better get your minds right or I'll.

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[Simon Hunter]

All.

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[Sophie Cunningham]

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[Sophie Cunningham]

Is Sophie Cunningham from Show Me Something. Do you know the symptoms of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, or osa, in adults with obesity? They may be happening to you without you knowing. If anyone has ever said you snort loudly, or if you spend your days fighting off excessive tiredness, irritability and concentration issues, it may be due to osa. OSA is a serious condition where your airway partially or completely collapses during sleep, which may cause breathing interruptions and oxygen deprivation. Learn more at don'tsleep on OSA.com this information is provided by Lilly, a medicine company at cvs. It matters that we're not just in your community, but that we're part of it. It matters that we're here for you when you need us, day or night, and we want everyone to feel welcomed and rewarded. It matters that CVS is here to fill your prescriptions and here to fill your craving for a tasty and, yeah, healthy snack. At cvs, we're proud to serve your community because we believe where you get your medicine matters. So Visit [e-mail] or just come by our store. We can't wait to meet you. Store hours vary by location. This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.