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- [00:00]
Ryan Reynolds
Hey, Ryan Reynolds here wishing you a very happy half off holiday because right now Mint Mobile is offering you the gift of 50% off unlimited. To be clear, that's half price, not half the service. Mint is still premium unlimited wireless for a great price. So that means a half day. Yeah, give it a try@mintmobile.com Switch upfront.
- [00:23]
Mint Mobile Announcer
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- [00:29]
Matt
Cmintmobile.com this is Matt and Myron. The podcast.
- [00:35]
Myron
I mean, sometimes I do forget it to like bring Myron into the conversation, but it's not because I don't love him. I mean, he could be a little salty, but I still love the guy. And it's Matt Myron. Presented by Progressive Insurance. See why over 43 million drivers trust progressive to stay protected on the road? See for yourself@progressive.com I don't want you to ever think Myron, I don't want you to be a part of this because it's Matt Myron for a reason. Myron's there.
- [01:00]
Matt
Yeah, but I mean, that particular interview you went into like wrestler mode, you know, like you went into.
- [01:05]
Myron
That was with Mark Henry, the world's fan.
- [01:08]
Matt
Yeah, you went into that mode where you were like, yeah, this is me and Mark. I was like, he's trying to sign him or something. I didn't know what you were doing. I came in eight minutes later.
- [01:17]
Myron
My guy. Hey, if you're. As you heard from SportsCenter, the Dolphins Commanders tied 66 at halftime in Madrid in a game that is putting the entire country of Spain, which was already on siesta, putting them back to sleep as they try to wake up for dinner. But hopefully, hopefully it will get better in the second half. I'm here in Buffalo at the Big Tree Inn, which is just down the street from the stadium in Orchard park. And there are Bills fans everywhere. I'm getting pictures from some of my friends around the tailgate. Lot of people wearing fur coats, people going, I've already seen one table get gone through. This is, I would say in the NFL. Of the places I've been, this is the best tailgating scene, without question. I mean, there are, there are people, everyone who lives in the neighborhood uses their grass for parking lots. And there are pe. They're just. The tailgating here reminds me of SEC college football tailgating, Myron, more than an NFL atmosphere.
- [02:19]
Matt
Well, I think like the Buffalo, you know, Seen Green Bay have, you know, experienced this. I, I do think they care more about their teams because it's kind of what they have, you know, so there's just a different relationship. No.
- [02:34]
Myron
Meaning.
- [02:34]
Matt
There's just a different relationship they have.
- [02:36]
Myron
In the city or what?
- [02:37]
Matt
No, it's. It's a different relationship. When you see Buffalo Bills fans going into that stadium and shoveling to. To get the game ready.
- [02:45]
Myron
That is true.
- [02:45]
Matt
Like, I mean, and people parking on. It's just a different relationship to the team compared to what you have. I think a lot. Lot. You don't see a lot of people.
- [02:52]
Myron
With the LA Rams volunteering for labor for the games because that's, because that's.
- [02:57]
Matt
Because they're not. They're not going to bring the shovels back. You know, somebody's. Some of these.
- [03:02]
Myron
You can't.
- [03:02]
Matt
You can't give out all this stuff in some of these cities. It's not going to get back.
- [03:06]
Myron
It is true. It is interesting also to see. I mean, this is not the ingress and the egress or whatever. They. I mean, these are just neighborhood roads. This is not like interstate. I mean, these are just. Imagine the roads on your street. That's what people are taking in and out of here. So it's. It is fascinating. It's a very cool atmosphere. I would suggest to anyone, if you are an NFL fan or even if you're a college football fan and you want to see the most college football experience on the NFL level, I think the Buffalo Bills are it. Now, as far as the actual game, the Bills embarrassed last week against the Dolphins. I mean, absolutely embarrassed. Maybe the worst performance by a team that fancies itself a contender all season. Do they bounce back from that? Or is this just who the Bills are this year? Because losing to the Dolphins, like that really is a pitiful loss.
- [04:00]
Matt
I mean, I mean, the Dolphins are giving up like 135 yards a game. Bills had one of the best run games in the league, couldn't muster past 100. I mean, this is. I think what you saw last week was how quickly things can fall apart for the Bills and it becomes Josh Allen has to do everything. And I think that's why it's hard to feel like they can win a Super bowl because of what you saw last week. You saw them beat Kansas City. You've seen them play with some of the best teams in the league and hold their own. The Bills can do that. But they can also be in a situation where once it starts to fall apart, it falls apart. So Quickly. And then everyone just sort of looks to Josh Allen and says, can you find a way? And I just don't think that's a winning formula.
- [04:43]
Myron
Yeah, I'm even though a little surprised. I mean, they. Josh Allen has shown himself to be superhuman in some ways in the last two or three years, and it just feels like this year it may be that the supporting cast is so bad he can't. But I'm surprised he hasn't been able to. I mean, he has seen, he has looked human. He has tried to, I think, do too much at times, in part because he hasn't gotten a lot of help. The line play has been putrid and obviously we've talked about the issues with the defense. Is it something they can correct? I mean, if they lose today, the, the sort of path to missing the playoffs is definitely on the table. I mean, if they lose today, I would even say that it starts to become not certain at all they make the playoffs. Will they win against Tampa Bay? A good team coming in?
- [05:37]
Matt
I don't know, but I know what they're. They're also facing a hungry Tampa Bay team. Yes. Tampa Bay, I think, is in a division that they feel like they can win. They have a fairly large cushion still. But this is also a team that wants to prove that they can win a Super Bowl. I mean, that's what the Bucks are after. Just lost to the Patriots in a, in a close game. So this is a team that wants to go to Buffalo and, and show that it can play with anybody in the league. I think this is a really tough game, especially for a Buffalo team that couldn't run the ball against one of the worst run defenses in the NFL. Last week.
- [06:11]
Myron
I don't understand that either. I don't understand all of a sudden, I mean, two year last year with Cook and Davis, they had a, a dual threat running back team that could bounce both, both get yards and it's just gone away. It is completely gone away. And, and overnight it seems Byron it.
- [06:30]
Matt
To me, I think what's different about this, this team is again, they can look great. And I think if you tell me. If you look at Buffalo's biggest games, I mean, the week before they beat Kansas City, you go, when that team is rolling, it's hard to stop them. Like when they get on that run, it's hard to slow them down, but they can just look terrible. It's almost like a band, Matt, that has three giant hits on an album in 10 filler songs. You know what I mean? It's like, okay, the. The biggest songs are huge. Wow. You would go to the tour for that.
- [07:03]
Myron
But, I mean, isn't every band. I mean, doesn't every band have filler songs? I mean, what. What. What band produces an album that are just straight bangers?
- [07:11]
Matt
All of them. Boyz II Men never had filler songs, to be honest. I mean, Boyzed Men. Every song. There was a. There was a commitment to the art. There was a commitment to the art with Boys. Give me.
- [07:20]
Myron
Give me the secondary songs on Boys to Men albums.
- [07:24]
Matt
End of the road.
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Myron
That's not a secondary song.
- [07:27]
Matt
That's.
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Myron
Arguably. That was. You're mentioning two of the biggest songs of all time. I mean, secondary.
- [07:32]
Matt
And then the road is Bended Knee. Down on Bended Knee was a secondary song.
- [07:37]
Myron
Another huge song. You're mentioning their singles. I want you to give me the B sides.
- [07:43]
Matt
There were none. That's what. That's. You're making my point. They were so good that every song was a hit.
- [07:48]
Myron
They didn't only produce five songs. They would. An album of theirs would have 14 songs. You don't know the other ones You.
- [07:56]
Matt
You think boys demand is letting somebody put a filler song on one of their albums? They would never allow that because they were that committed.
- [08:04]
Myron
Make me do this. I'm going to pull up Boys.
- [08:06]
Matt
Was that committed to the art, is what I'm saying. They were that committed to the art. Bended Knee on Bending Knee down on Ben. I'm down on Bend. That's all.
- [08:18]
Myron
That was also a single. But. But your point is, you. You're surprised at the inconsistency of. Of this Buffalo team.
- [08:26]
Kevin Clark
You.
- [08:27]
Matt
You would never gamble on them to win the Super Bowl. I guess that's the point I'm at. Like, I don't care what they do the rest of the year. I'm not going to pick them to win a Super bowl or even to get to one at this point, because there's just too many ways for them to lose. I think they've gone from super bowl team to most likely contender, most likely to lose first in the AFC playoffs. Like, I just don't think you can count on them. They're not reliable.
- [08:52]
Myron
Okay, I'm going to. You think that's their issue? Well, I. You may be right about that. I. I still feel like when I have Josh Allen, I have a chance, but I have been really shocked. All right, hang on. Before you do this, I'm gonna read you the. The starting. The first album for Boys to Men was called Cooley High Harmony okay.
- [09:14]
Matt
Yes.
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Myron
I'm gonna read you some of these songs from disc one. Lonely Heart. This is my heart.
- [09:23]
Mint Mobile Announcer
Ah.
- [09:25]
Matt
Oh, great song.
- [09:27]
Myron
How does go.
- [09:30]
Matt
That's the start of it. Yep. Go ahead. Yep. That's the start of it. That's the start of it. That's how it starts. I don't want to do the whole song. We don't have time.
- [09:40]
Myron
You can't do any of the song. You don't know.
- [09:42]
Matt
These are all. These are all. I just gave you the first lyric in the first line of that's how it starts. And. And then. Listen, dad, they're making art in the studio. There's no filler tracks for Boys to Men.
- [09:57]
Myron
All right, so you're telling me you do know how Lonely Heart goes and.
- [10:02]
Matt
This is my heart, right? That's the next track.
- [10:05]
Myron
You know. How do you know how simping goes?
- [10:08]
Matt
Yeah, it's like. It's like one of those bop beats. I remember. It's like one of those. Come on. It's one of those beats.
- [10:13]
Myron
So you think every song starts for them. They're like master in the 90s.
- [10:18]
Matt
Every song did. Every black group started their song with and from like 1991-97. Yeah.
- [10:24]
Myron
Okay. All right. Well, you have better memory of this than I do. I don't know that I think that's correct. We are going to let you know. There are other stories in the world of sports beyond Motown Phillies B hits. That's next here on Matt Myron on ESPN Radio.
- [10:38]
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- [12:23]
Matt
Matt and Myron the podcast.
- [12:25]
Myron
Yeah, I mean this is not a B side, but so we know this. I'd like to have heard if you knew. It's Matt Myron on ESPN Radio counting down to kick off. Commanders lead the dolphins 13 to 6. I wish you could see some of this fashion here in Buffalo. I mean, the thing that's great about the Buffalo is that they don't just wear a jersey or a hoodie. They wear like things that sparkle, things that glow fur. Like this is. This is a fan base that knows how to do the fashion side of everything. They also want to hear the news across the world of sports, which means they want headlines. Extra, extra.
- [13:03]
Mint Mobile Announcer
Read all about it.
- [13:06]
Matt
The Sunday headlines.
- [13:08]
Myron
All right, James has the word. The stories behind the stories. What's up?
- [13:12]
James
First, the NFL filed a grievance against the NFL Players association asking the union to stop its annual team report cards and saying the exercise violates a collective bargaining agreement by airing public criticism of teams. According to documents obtained by espn, the league claims the report cards, which poll players on various aspects of working conditions, violates the CBA clause that says NFL owners in the union must, quote, use reasonable efforts to curtail public comments by clause personnel or players which express criticism of any club, its coach or its operation and policy. What do you think about these?
- [13:47]
Myron
Ridiculous, ridiculous, ridiculous. I mean, you. I get it. But first of all, the idea that the players are not supposed to say that you don't have good food in the training facility because it embarrasses you. Get good food. Right? So they criticize the bills where I am because the flights are bad, because they charter bad flights, then get good flights. The idea that you would complain about players just acknowledging what their working conditions are, isn't that the whole point of a union? I thought it was absolutely ridiculous. And I, I'm for Like hearing your airing your grievances in private. But this was absurd on the NFL's part.
- [14:28]
Matt
Well, let's, let's go down to the foundation. It's jets owner Woody Johnson who's behind this, who is tired of people every year being like, the jets are terrible. It's one thing to be terrible and it's another thing to be terrible. And people like, also the cafeteria is terrible too. Like, that's the thing is like, the jets aren't winning as an organization and then everything else is going wrong. So it's really the franchises that are getting the lowest grades who want to get rid of this.
- [14:53]
Myron
That's who's mad. My favorite is the Bengals who got an F minus in child care. And the reason is they apparently don't have daycare. I like the idea that the Bengals just keep the kids out in a parking lot during practice.
- [15:07]
Matt
Like somebody's auntie kids.
- [15:10]
Myron
No, they just put a fence around the parking lot and they're like, sit here, kids.
- [15:15]
Matt
Somebody's grandma just out there. Just kids running around.
- [15:18]
Myron
How do you get an F minus in child care? I mean, like, that's almost. What a bizarre thing. I want to know how bad is the Bengals childcare to get an F minus?
- [15:29]
Matt
They don't even have a sign. They just have an open field and you just let your kid out while.
- [15:33]
Myron
You go to work rather than watch out children crossing. They're like, hey, go faster across a.
- [15:40]
Matt
Cooler full of bologna sandwiches and high seas. You just hope your kids okay when you get, when you get done with work.
- [15:47]
Myron
What's next?
- [15:49]
James
The Golden State warriors star Steph Curry and Under Armour are parting ways and and ending their long standing partnership. Besides announced Thursday, Curry standalone endeavor, Curry brand will move forward independently. His shoes will release as planned through Under Armour during the 2026 year, but he is now entering sneaker free agency. Before their game against the spurs, he was seen wearing Nikes pregame.
- [16:15]
Myron
That's crazy, man.
- [16:16]
James
What do you guys think about that?
- [16:17]
Myron
I don't know what happened here. I don't know what happened here. But it didn't go well because the moment he got free agency, he just took those Under Armour off immediately and he was like, I'm done with them. I don't understand how they're going to still release Steph Curry shoes and Steph Curry won't wear them himself. I don't think that's going to be a great seller.
- [16:34]
Matt
Yeah, that was somebody like announcing a divorce then showing up to the game with somebody else that same night. I mean, when he put on those Kobes, I don't know how independent the Curry brand is going to be. But Matt, I did hear someone say, hey, it's hard to build a new brand around an aging star when it comes to shoes. Wait, look at Michael Jordan. Steph Curry is going to be selling shoes for the next 30 years if they do this.
- [16:56]
Myron
That's not the same, though. Steph Curry shoes, let's be honest, they stink. I mean, the Jordan shoes still work because the Jordans are iconic. But, like, I'm not sure. I mean, when LeBron, I mean, LeBron, I don't know if his shoes are going to win. He retires. I mean, Jordan's a unique situation. The problem with Steph Curry is his shoes have always stunk. As a sneaker head, nobody wants to Steph Curry's he wear it's dad shoes, but it's not even cool dad shoes. Of all the superstars that play, he's got the worst shoes. And I think he's trying. My guess is he's trying to put out one cool shoe before he goes away. Because, I mean, his shoes issues stick. I mean, they just do and they always have.
- [17:35]
Matt
He's got to get with Nike or somebody to kind of change.
- [17:38]
Myron
I mean, it just. They haven't worked. I mean, Kobe's work, Jordan's work, Steph Curry's do not. What's next?
- [17:45]
James
Major League Baseball announced their award winners this past week. Tariq Skubal, the Tigers pitcher, won a second straight Cy Young. Paul Skeens won the NL Cy Young for the first time. Shoi Otani, MVP in the nl. And Aaron Judge won the American League mvp. Topic.
- [18:06]
Myron
You know, James, you're reading this like you're finding all this out for the first time.
- [18:09]
Matt
Yeah.
- [18:11]
Myron
Like you're like, almost like, surprised. Like Paul Ski. He's not young.
- [18:15]
Matt
That's like.
- [18:16]
Myron
He's like.
- [18:16]
Mint Mobile Announcer
Wait, who's.
- [18:16]
Kevin Clark
Who's this?
- [18:17]
Myron
Shohei Ohtani.
- [18:18]
Kevin Clark
It is.
- [18:18]
Myron
It's like, like you. You pronounce Shohei Ohtani like you'd never heard his name before.
- [18:23]
Matt
Probably.
- [18:25]
James
I'm not reading. That's probably the problem anyway. Cal Raleigh did not win the MVP even though he hit 60 home runs. I'm sure Myron has some opinions on this one.
- [18:35]
Matt
Yeah, I mean, that's. That's wrong. I mean, if he's wearing pinstripes, he wins. If he's wearing a brand uniform that.
- [18:42]
Myron
People know, he wins because he's in Seattle.
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Matt
Listen, what is mvp? Most Valuable Player? There's no way you look at Cal Riley and don't realize that he was the only.
- [18:53]
Myron
Let me make the case. Judge. I mean, he's the first person to ever hit 50 home runs and win the batting title. I mean, no one's ever done that in a season. I mean he, he is, I mean he was an absolute monster. No, he did not hit as many home runs. I get that. But on every, every other metric except home runs, Aaron Judge was better. So why wouldn't you pick Aaron Judge?
- [19:17]
Matt
Because Cal Riley was more important to his team. Most valuable shouldn't be the guy we think is the best player for the best team. Wearing pinstripes helped Aaron Judge win this award.
- [19:27]
Myron
Again, there's no doubt about teens win if that's your definition. I mean, the Pirates stink. He was, I mean, pitching's different. He's the best.
- [19:34]
Matt
I think pitching's different.
- [19:34]
Myron
Why is it different?
- [19:36]
Matt
Because I, I think there's just more diversity in how people vote and how people view good pitching. Whereas when you are hitting home runs and you're a big time player for someone on the team like the Yankees, it does help you. I mean it was 17 to 13 in first place vote. So there are a bunch of people who did vote for Cal Raleigh. I just think the brand, I don't.
- [19:56]
Myron
Think it's affected this morning though that Aaron Judge, I mean he's the most valuable player.
- [20:01]
Matt
I think Cal Riley was.
- [20:03]
Myron
Okay, well some people think that, that, that means valuable, like in some sort of intrinsic sense. And then some people think it's just the best player, which maybe that's something they need to like figure out. Is it most valuable in the sense of if you didn't have them, you wouldn't win or is it just best player? I think if it's best, best player, it's Aaron Judge. Just because he wins every metric except home run. Now don't get me wrong. Cal Raleigh, being a catcher and doing what he's doing was absolutely insane. But Aaron Judge also was able to, I mean, to win, hit 50 home runs and win the batting title just doesn't happen, right?
- [20:36]
Matt
Yeah, but we haven't had an mvp, I think, who was a catcher since Buster Posey, I believe in 2012. So like you're starting to get the same thing that happened to running backs in the NFL. This idea of you're not going to give it to someone in that position. And I think that's part of my problem with it too.
- [20:50]
Myron
It was probably also unfortunate for Cal Riley that he gets this year with Aaron Judge. I mean Judge hits 49 home runs, he probably doesn't win. I mean I think it was the fact we have this mythical 50 number that also makes it be part of it as well. There's some a big matchup in the AFC west this afternoon. Part of honestly three straight amazing games to throughout the day. If you are stuck on your television we will do that and more. I am here in Buffalo looking at some old school Bucks and Bill's gear. Very cool environment. Looking forward to going. We'll deal with all that. That's next here on Matt Myron on ESPN Radio.
- [21:27]
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- [21:57]
Ryan Reynolds
Hey Ryan Reynolds here wishing you a very happy half off holiday because right now Mint Mobile is offering you the gift of 50% off unlimited. To be clear, that's half price, not half the service. Mint is still premium unlimited wireless for a great price. So that means half day. Yeah, give it a try@mintmobile.com Switch up.
- [22:20]
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- [22:29]
Matt
Matt and Myron the.
- [22:31]
Myron
Podcast it is Matt Myron on the ESPN radio presented insurance counting down to kick off. The Commanders still lead the dolphins 13 to 6 in Madrid we have some breaking news from Adam Schefter. Bill's wide receiver Keon Coleman is inactive today because he missed a team meeting Friday morning. Until then the Bills planned to play him, but when he missed the team meeting Friday morning, he was ruled out of the game. This bar full of Bills fans that I'm sitting in may not know it be kind of funny if I just told them all live on air, wouldn't it?
- [23:10]
Matt
Yeah, I mean it's a huge Bucks fans.
- [23:12]
Myron
I would tell these guys next to me but if I get a Bills fan here next to me, I'll tell them and see if I can get Their sadness on the air. But that is a big deal. And it might be also sort of emblematic, Myron, of the problems the Bills have had this year.
- [23:27]
Matt
Yeah, I mean, he had a touchdown last week in the loss to Miami. But everything you've been saying, this is the issue. The Bills aren't good enough to also have headaches in the locker room. And here's the thing about Keon Coleman. I think everybody loves his, you know, his vibe, funny guy, all that stuff. He's on social media. But if this is a part of that personality that becomes an issue for the team, how are you missing a team meeting?
- [23:54]
Myron
Yeah, I mean, it's Friday morning, though. You might maybe overslept. But that, I mean, it's a pretty strong punishment in a game that, you know, we've talked about is crucial. That's a pretty strong punishment to do. Wouldn't you agree?
- [24:09]
Matt
It's a strong punishment to us because we don't know if there's a history attached to this.
- [24:13]
Myron
Right. That's true. And we don't know there's other specifics of it. Yeah, I mean, there may be. There may be other stuff going on. I think the biggest game of the day that I'm interested in watching is right here on ESPN Radio. Not to be a plug, but I'm plugging the Chiefs and the Broncos. Andy Reid is 22 and four after a bye week in his career. Just an absolutely unbelievable number, 22 and 4. And they go to Denver today in a game that if they want to win the division, they kind of have to win. They can still make the playoffs without it, but if they want to win the division, they got to win. And. But to go further, as of now, they are not projected in the playoffs. So if they lose today, they will still not be projected in the playoffs. It is a massive week for both teams. What do you want to see today in Denver? A place that Patrick has had some difficulties even when the Chiefs were rolling and the Broncos weren't good in a way.
- [25:08]
Matt
Even if you look at the record of the Broncos, you may disagree, but this does feel like two desperate teams. And the Broncos, the record suggests that they. That's not the case.
- [25:17]
Myron
Why do you think desperate?
- [25:19]
Matt
Well, the narrative is changing on Bo Nicks and whether or not he can lead them anywhere. I think Bo Nicks is becoming a guy where it feels like, okay, can they win in spite of Bo Nicks? I think that's becoming the challenge there. In a game like this, you have a big moment, you play well against Kansas City. That changes, obviously, with Kansas City. I think it's the opposite. People don't really care about their record because they assume if they get into the playoffs they'll still be dangerous. Matt, to your point, if they lose today, we're gonna have to have a strong conversation about Kansas City maybe not even being in that picture, not being good enough.
- [25:54]
Myron
Definitely. I mean this is. It is assumed and I'm one of these people. If you get the Chiefs in the playoffs, nothing that happened before matters. I mean, honestly, they can get the playoff as a seven seed and I'm probably picking them all the way to the super bowl regardless. They. That's just what I'm going to do. But if they don't get in the playoffs, obviously they don't have a chance. If you look at the way the AFC setting up, there's probably going to be eight teams playing for seven spots and right now the Chiefs are the eighth team and they have a schedule where there are games that are certainly winnable but they have like five games left that are losable. And at some point you have to start winning these games, Myron, or they're going to find themselves on the outside looking in.
- [26:38]
Matt
Yeah. And a lot of things are not going well. Chris Jones, the all pro defensive tackle, doesn't look great. I think he's got two sacks so far. Doesn't like look like the all world defensive player he's been in the past. Obviously Mahomes is Mahomes, but they haven't been able.
- [26:53]
Myron
You still think Mahomes is the best quarterback in the league? There are people who don't want to say that anymore. I still do. But do you still believe I haven't.
- [27:00]
Matt
Said it in three years. Best player of this generation, but not the best player of the last three seasons. I don't think there's any metric to defend that. I mean, obviously I don't think he's the issue this year. I think the lack of consistency with this offense and I also think they're just playing in afc that's gotten a lot better from last year. This year, that's their issue too in all this. But you lose today, it's a different story, I think.
- [27:25]
Myron
Yeah, I agree with you, Bo Nicks. I like what it's interesting. When you said the Broncos were a desperate team, I thought that was incorrect. But I do understand what you're saying about Bo Nicks because I've been a bonix skeptic from moment one. I'm still a skeptic, but it does Feel like the performances in the last few weeks have, have even left even Bo Nick supporters shaky. Which is weird though, because they still win most of these games. He's one of the odd quarterbacks that has the questions rising about him, but the record is actually not changing very much and he's actually winning more of a percentage than he did last year.
- [28:03]
Matt
It's not changing. But you know what they are, Matt? They're one of those teams where from the outside a lot of us will look at the record and say, that's an eight and two team. I think there are only three teams in the league with better records than the Broncos right now. But I bet a lot of Broncos fans who've watched this run, who've watched this seven game winning streak are like, well, wait a minute, you didn't see the two picks against the Raiders. Four picks in his last three games. Like, there are a lot of these moments where you're like, okay, if he can't get this team rolling against the Raiders, what is he going to do when their schedule gets tougher on the back half? They played Houston, obviously there are issues there. Dallas, the Giants, the Jets, outside of the Eagles, it's not like they're out here beating the best teams in the NFL and their schedules.
- [28:48]
Myron
I look at teams like this, I look at teams like this and go, I can't wait to bet against them in the playoffs. That's how I look at. Yeah, like I look at a Broncos team and say, you're going to be a home favorite in a playoff game and I cannot wait to put my money down to say you're going to lose that playoff game. That's kind of how I feel. And a big reason for that is Bo Nicks.
- [29:10]
Matt
Yeah, well, and they got two more games starting today against Kansas City. They gotta play Green Bay, Jacksonville, obviously their issues, but still a team you got to get past. And then they got to end the season against the Chargers. So this could change if Bo Nix doesn't play at a more consistent level. But the storyline here is Kansas City. I just think we assume every team has this 15 year window to win a bunch of Super Bowls, but Justin Herbert is getting a lot better. The AFC picture is getting more complicated for Kansas City and I think that's what they're experiencing too. I don't think they're going to run through the AFC the way that they have in the past.
- [29:44]
Myron
And let me read you the rest of their schedule because I do think that matters. You. They've got next week. They Excuse me. Next week they've got the Colts at home. Then they go to the Cowboys, host the Texans, host the Chargers, go to the Titans, host the Broncos, go to the Raiders. So it's kind of like I was saying, there's three or four games in there, you feel pretty confident they're going to win, but then there's another four where they're kind of toss ups and they can't lose them all. It feels like what's happened this year is they keep losing all these toss up games and they cannot lose them all and make sure they find their way into the playoffs.
- [30:20]
Matt
Yeah, I think it's just less room for error.
- [30:24]
Myron
That's the best way to put it. Cowboys play the Raiders on Monday Night Football. Football right on ESPN. Cowboys are 3, 5 and 1. The Raiders are done at 2 and 7, but the Cowboys are 3, 5 and 1. Is there any way you think they can sort of weasel their way back in the playoff picture or. No?
- [30:43]
Matt
I don't think so. I mean, again, you're not going to fix your defensive issues in the middle of the season. I think that's the biggest difference with basketball. Football. Basketball teams can look one way, you know, and then a month later be completely different because you can just tweak things. Football is so much harder to do that when you just have a personnel issue. The Ravens defense was bad because they weren't healthy. Now they got healthy and they're one of the best units in the league. Dallas doesn't have that. Like Dallas doesn't have the ability to just add a bunch of pieces. So when you're giving up 40 plus points in some of these games, I don't know how you turn things around to become.
- [31:19]
Myron
Can I read you the rest of their schedule?
- [31:21]
Matt
Yeah.
- [31:21]
Myron
So they play the Raiders. Here's their next games. Eagles, Chiefs, Lions, Vikings, Chargers. How would you like to have that as the next five on your slate?
- [31:32]
Matt
Yeah, that's a problem. That's a problem. I mean that's, that's not, that's not good. They would have to do something miraculous to get back into that playoff picture.
- [31:41]
Myron
What would you do? By the way, if you're the Raiders with Pete Carroll, you, you, you hired this guy. He seems like a nice man, but he's, he's like, he's, he's like Jack LaLanne. He's doing one handed push ups at 84. I mean, do you, do you, are you excited about the possibility of year two or do you just try to cut your losses after year one?
- [32:01]
Matt
Do these Kids know about Jack la, like, remember the Saturday morning commercials, man.
- [32:05]
Myron
I don't, I don't think a lot of people. Lane doing like handstands stuff, man. Yesterday on my local show I referenced Walter Mitty and today I'm doing Jack LaLanne. So I'm not really like kind of connecting with the young people, but there. But Pete Carroll. Pete Carroll gives Jack LaLanne vibes a little bit.
- [32:27]
Matt
What I would do is tell Pete Carroll he can't go and get his old quarterback from the team that fired him and assume that everything was going to work out. Three years later. Geno Smith just isn't good. In this league. You are not going to go further than your quarterback can take you. It's just not an NFL built that way anymore. These great defensive teams that have guys who you go, okay, quarterback isn't all that, but they can still make a run. That era is over in the NFL. You will not surpass the ceiling of your quarterback. And Gino Smith just isn't a good quarterback. So that's where they have to start.
- [32:56]
Myron
I understand, but I could have, I could have seen his argument. In a league where some of the top teams, the two top seeds. Seeds our quarterback by Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones, you could see the thought of, well, why not Geno Smith? Like you can at least see where they're coming from, right?
- [33:15]
Matt
Maybe. I mean, the thing is, Geno Smith isn't a plan. Like at the end of the day, it's true. You have to have an idea of what you're going to do going forward. And they just don't seem like they have that.
- [33:26]
Myron
You can tune into a football double header today. The Giants host the packers, followed by the Chiefs at the Broncos. Coverage begins at noon eastern on select ESPN radio stations. Tune in and you can make it happen. Plus we'll talk about the other half of that doubleheader. What happens when Jamis goes up against the packers that more here live in Buffalo. At least for half of us. It's Matt Myron on ESPN Radio.
- [33:53]
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- [34:57]
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- [35:29]
Matt
Matt and Myron, the podcast it is.
- [35:32]
Myron
This is how we do here on ESPN Radio, presented by Progressive Insurance. The Dolphins just ran it into the end zone in Madrid. Extra point pitch. They can tie the game. These games in in Europe, Myron, they haven't been like, well played, but they pretty much all been close and come to the down to the end. So I guess that's pretty good for the exported product, right?
- [36:00]
Matt
Yeah. I mean, it still feels like we're giving them like PlayStation twos in a PlayStation 5 world, a little bit like we're not giving them the best of the best. I also noticed this game, Matt, you usually, you see a bunch of jerseys for both teams. This feels like people went to the thrift store a little bit and just kind of grabbed whatever NFL jerseys they could find. You know, I don't know if there's as much of a connection to these two teams.
- [36:22]
Myron
I think, I think that I, I think that's, you know, for people if you live in Spain, you know, we have a lot of expats in Spain. A lot of Americans have been moving to Spain because it's cost of living's down the siesta. So I think you, if there's two NFL teams playing and you, you can wear the jersey of the team you like. Why are you laughing at that?
- [36:44]
Matt
I'm laughing at Miami players just salsa dance on a touchdown celebration. Do we get to do something that.
- [36:51]
Myron
We think well, that's also not Spain. Like, that's not that, that's. That's like Latin America, South America. Spain. Spain does not salsa dance.
- [37:02]
Sponsor Announcer
That's.
- [37:02]
Myron
That's a. That's more of a Brazilian. Like, I think they just think, well, you speak Spanish, you must salsa dance. That's not how it works.
- [37:10]
Matt
Like if, if somebody came to America, you know, and all of a sudden they started doing like, you know, the hammer dance. That'd be like, wait a minute. You know, that's not everybody who does that.
- [37:22]
Myron
I actually think, I actually think everyone that comes to America should do the hammer dance. I would, I would be. I would be for that. I'll tell you what else I'm for. I'm for my Chicago Bears. I am a lifelong Chicago Bears fan and probably for the first time. Hey, how are you? Thank you very much. Appreciate it. We got. That was a Matt Myron fan just walked up. Myron.
- [37:43]
Matt
How about that? What'd they say?
- [37:44]
Myron
He came up and he, he just came up and said, I'm a fan of your old show. How about that? That's exciting. Anyway, I'm used to having no hope about my football team. Team. And I am completely like buying into Caleb Williams and starting to get a little bit excited. And I do think today's game at Minnesota is one that I don't want to say is crucial for the Bears, but it's big. I felt like the Vikings sort of stole the opening game against Chicago on the first game of the year. I thought Chicago outplayed them, but then JJ McCarthy had the late comeback. This is a big one for Chicago and I think it's a chance for Caleb Williams to continue to show that progression that he has in the last few weeks.
- [38:23]
Matt
Yeah, I think this was what last week was. Caleb Williams fourth, I think game winning drive. I think certainly you come to the season and you go, okay, how is he going to adjust? Is he going to prove he's the guy? I still don't think he has reached what people thought he would be when he was picked number one in last year's draft.
- [38:41]
Myron
That may be true, but he's improv. But like he continues to improve. Prove. I don't know what his ceiling is, but yeah, he has improved a lot.
- [38:49]
Matt
No, and I was going to get to that point. I was about to say that like what you just said. I was about to say that's what I was about to say. And then you kind of took the line. So then. Because you had to say the line. So now I was Gonna. Now I gotta come up with a different line because you took my line. So now I gotta say something else, right?
- [39:07]
Myron
Yeah.
- [39:07]
Matt
Caleb, he isn't proven. They're not. He's not the issue. I still feel like this is a Chicago team where even if you look at the record, do you think they can win a playoff game?
- [39:17]
Myron
Like, they haven't reached that point yet.
- [39:19]
Matt
Where you go, okay, can they be a team that you actually take seriously if they get into the postseason?
- [39:25]
Myron
That's a good question. I, I don't really know the answer to that. I mean, I think they have on paper, to put it a different way, I think on paper they have all, all that they. You need. Their quarterback has improved, they've got great receivers. Offensive line has, has been better. I still don't think it's wonderful. The defense is all right, but I'm with you. I. It's not like I feel in any game you don't take last week against the Raiders, you know, that game was competitive for too long. It's not like in any of these games. I think, well, we're good this week. That's why I want to see what they do here against Minnesota, because I know the Bears feel like they let one one go in week one and I want to see if they're able to go and kind of get it back in Minnesota. Yeah.
- [40:08]
Matt
And that was the game that made J.J. mcCarthy a one week legend. I mean, he won offensive player of the year all off of one fourth quarter and we haven't seen that JJ McCarthy since. So I do think it's a statement also in the division and where these teams are headed. I think coming into the year, people thought, okay, the Bears are the team that probably have the most to figure out. Detroit looks pretty good, right? They're going to be very good as long as Dan Campbell is there. Do you believe in the direction the Green Bay packers right now? Do you believe where the Minnesota Vikings are headed with J.J. mcCarthy looking this way? There's a world where the season ends with Chicago looking like the second most stable team in this division. And I don't think anybody would have thought that coming into the season.
- [40:46]
Myron
Well, let's look at the division. I mean, this is huge for the division race. Detroit and Chicago are tied at 6 and 3. Green Bay's 5, 3 and 1 1, Minnesota's 4 and 5. If you're Minnesota and you want to have any sort of thought of making the playoffs or continuing the division, have to win today. Right? Must win for Minnesota.
- [41:02]
Matt
Would you Agree, must win. And you know, I did the Vikings Ravens game. I was, I was about as close as you could be to the field as you can be not playing on a team last week. So it's like the team and then it's me.
- [41:13]
Myron
Second time you've said that.
- [41:15]
Matt
No, I didn't. No. And, and one thing I noticed, I stood behind JJ McCarthy a of bunch bunch when he was coming to the sidelines in that game. And you can appreciate his poise, right. Like you can appreciate just his demeanor. And he had a lot of confidence even when things were going wrong. What I was concerned about, Matt, was what was happening around him. Justin Jefferson kind of pouting a little bit on the sideline. The team kind of going from this high energy team to all of a sudden losing that little by little over the game. And J.J. mcCarthy, you can see tell very young quarterback, doesn't necessarily how to respond, know how to respond in that adversity, but he just wasn't good enough. There was multiple throws that we were on the sidelines going, who was he throwing to? Right. Like, what is the goal here? And they got to figure out if he can be the guy. Like, this is not just about the standings this year. This is the next part of the season. And whether you think Jaden McCarthy is worth being the guy going for.
- [42:09]
Myron
James, do you? I. I'm not sure. Was, was Myron, was he as close to the sideline as you can get or was he like. I'm not totally sure where he was stationed during that game.
- [42:22]
James
Yeah, I've heard rumors that he was okay. You couldn't get any closer unless you were a player.
- [42:27]
Myron
Yeah, I just want, I just want to make sure because like I wasn't 100 sure where his vantage point was. Yeah. And it sounded, I mean, I'm dodging players close to the players as. As he could be.
- [42:37]
Matt
I mean you're. You're almost afraid that players are going to forget, you know, because maybe I look like a football player. They're going to high five you.
- [42:43]
Myron
Yeah, exactly. They might forget. You're worry about. You're kind of built like a. You're built like an NFL linebacker.
- [42:49]
Matt
So a little bit. Almost ran into an NFL referee too, by the way, at the goal line. NFL referees backpedal really fast. I wasn't ready for it. There was almost an incident and I don't know what would have happened. Like, I'm like, if you would have bumped into me, what happens there?
- [43:04]
Myron
Are you, are you trying to suggest that an NFL referee like out athletic Jew in the.
- [43:09]
Matt
Oh, they're faster than you think. NFL referees backpedal. Oh, my goodness. You, you have no idea. They are far more athletic than anybody realizes. The way they can move, their agility is incredible. How they can stay with the action. 100 and I was right there.
- [43:24]
Myron
You were, you were talking to me earlier about Lamar's agility. Now you're also praising the agility of the NFL referees. Am I? Those standards, I don't know, am I supposed to buy that? You, you understand the way that they.
- [43:39]
Matt
Can monitor the action without getting caught up in it is actually remarkable. I mean, like, it is a skill, what those NFL referees are able to do.
- [43:49]
Myron
All right, it is now time for King of the Mountain. As you know, we asked for who is the best caller every morning on ESPN Radio. Every Sunday you got a call. Make a 30 second take on any topic. And if it's the best, you can take the King of the Mountain belt. It is. 888 say ESPN. We need you to call now. 888 say ESPN. Just a 30 second take on any topic. We'll pick the best ones. You'll be the winner this week and if you're better than our current champion, you will be ESPN's king of the mountain. 888 say ESPN. Get in now. I'm looking forward to seeing who's doing it. We are here in Buffalo and we'll be back. It's Matt Myron on ESPN Radio.
- [44:31]
Matt
Matt and Myron, the podcast.
- [44:37]
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