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- [00:01]
Matt Jones
This is Matt and Myron, the podcast.
- [00:06]
I don't know if the Come on, ladies needs to be added to the. To the intro there, but that's all right. I do appreciate these intros. They're good. You know, college basketball season, by the way, starts this week. Starts tomorrow, actually. So people, we don't really do the thing other sports do, which is let you know when the season is starting.
- [00:26]
Myron Metcalf
It just happens all of a sudden. There are games, like Liberty is playing North Carol, but they're like games.
- [00:33]
Matt Jones
Tomorrow, the college basketball season begins. It's Matt Meyer, presented by Progressive Insurance888. Say ESPN. You can save when you do what I do, which is I bundle my motorcycle, my RV and my boat insurance into one big package. Visit progressive.com. what are you laughing at, Byron? You don't think I bundle?
- [00:54]
Myron Metcalf
You don't have any of those things. How many people you think have a motorcycle, an RV and a boat?
- [01:01]
Matt Jones
Probably not a lot. I mean, those are. Those are three things that.
- [01:05]
Myron Metcalf
That's a tough combination kind of person.
- [01:07]
Matt Jones
First of all, you gotta have money to have any of them.
- [01:09]
Myron Metcalf
Yes.
- [01:10]
Matt Jones
A person that has a boat, I don't know if they have an rv. I certainly don't know if they have a motorcycle.
- [01:18]
Myron Metcalf
So, like three different clubs.
- [01:19]
Matt Jones
They really are. They're three different cultures. Yeah, but. But if you have them all, you can bundle them@progressive.com. by the way, that ad is specifically for you. All six of you that have. All three of you better be going to progressive.com. all right, it is now time for King of the mountain. 30 seconds. You make the call. Whoever is the best wins the week. And then we decide if you can beat our champion. Let's go ahead and play. This is Bill in Nebraska. He is our current King of the Mountain. Ladies and gentlemen, your winner and new King of the Mountain champion. All right, Bill. 30 seconds. Go.
- [02:02]
Kevin O'Connell
Time now for the new and improved version of the Kevin o' Connell Busted Quarterback Shop on the Matt Myron show, starring Matt Jones and Myron Metcalf. If you got a busted quarterback, we can fix them, Fats. Then you'll have a QB that's guaranteed to last. Hi, I'm Kevin o'. Connell. If you've got a Kirk Cousins or a Daniel Jones who might need a little tune up, or a Sam Darnold who needs a complete overhaul, bring them to the Kevin o' Connell Busted Quarterback Shop. We'll fix them up right? Guaranteed.
- [02:33]
Matt Jones
If you got a busted quarterback, we.
- [02:36]
Kevin O'Connell
Can fix them fast. Then you'll have a QB that's guaranteed to last. The Kevin o' Connell Buster Quarterback Shop is not affiliated with the Minnesota Vikings football organization.
- [02:46]
Matt Jones
That was a whole big song right there. And you get a chance to beat it. We've got folks on. We'll start with Kurt in San Diego on the Dr. Pepper. Call in line. Kurt, go.
- [02:57]
Caller
Hello, gentlemen.
- [02:58]
Matt Jones
How are you?
- [02:59]
Caller
So. All right, so here's my take on Halloween. Halloween is a mere excuse for women to look sexy. No matter. And fill in the blank with whatever animal for kids to dress up as. 80s cartoons characters that they have no idea who they are. And for the adults in the room, meaning the. You know, usually the men to steal the kids chocolate when they come home after they're. They're plenty of kids.
- [03:30]
Myron Metcalf
I don't know what just happened.
- [03:31]
Matt Jones
Yeah. All right. So I don't think it was the most thought out. I also don't think anything you said is necessarily wrong. You just basically described what Halloween was like.
- [03:43]
Myron Metcalf
I don't know.
- [03:43]
Matt Jones
Yeah.
- [03:43]
Myron Metcalf
I don't know.
- [03:43]
Matt Jones
The tape, like, going. Christmas is a time we gather around the tree and we give each other packages. It's not really a hot take. It's more just a description of what Halloween is. So I think, Myron, that one's not going to be a final. Let's go to Billy in Richmond. Go, Billy.
- [04:00]
Caller
Good morning, gentlemen. My take has to do with the World Series last night, and I was all in with the Blue Jays the whole way through. Ohtani gets rocked and they have to pull him. And the. Grabowski comes in and he hits the Dodger. He hits the Blue Jays batter in the arm. The guy tries to get tough and looks at him. Grabowski fires off some expletives, tells him what he thinks of him, and shows so much heart inside. I. I switched and I became a Dodgers fan. That's my take. And the Dodgers won.
- [04:38]
Myron Metcalf
And then this is King of the Mountain. Are y' all trying to get on top of the mountain? Are y'.
- [04:44]
Matt Jones
All.
- [04:44]
Myron Metcalf
What are y' all doing? I don't really understand, like, what this is.
- [04:47]
Matt Jones
He kind of just did a play by play of. He did a play by play of. What happened.
- [04:52]
Myron Metcalf
So then he was auditioning to be a Dodgers broadcaster. It feels like.
- [04:56]
Matt Jones
What'd you think about that little fake brawl last night? In the fourth inning, everybody runs out. Did you think that was kind of.
- [05:03]
Myron Metcalf
No one's fighting in game seven. Yeah, nobody's fighting in game seven of this. Everybody go back to your dugout.
- [05:08]
Matt Jones
And it was also clear he didn't try to hit Him. Why would you hit somebody in that situation? There would have been no reason to do that. You're not even the greatest hitter that he hit. I don't. I thought that was kind of a fight. I like the guys in the bullpen laughing as they were running out to clear. Yeah. 888, say ESPN. No good contender yet. So let's try Jim in tacoma on the Dr. Pepper calling line. Jim, what do you got?
- [05:34]
Caller
Yes, I'm not a Blue Jays fan, but three of the Blue Jays home losses over the last two weeks included a 15 inning loss against the Mariners, then 18 innings lost against the Dodgers and 11 innings against the Dodgers. That's 44 innings in three games totaling 17 hours. Basil needs to step it up and start using the ghost run on second base like you do the regular season. During playoffs, use a ghost runner. Tending. This is ridiculous. 6 hours 30.
- [06:05]
Matt Jones
Wow. Now that is a hot take. I will say, I don't know if it's a good take, but using the ghost runner in game seven of the World Series. Mario, do you like that?
- [06:17]
Myron Metcalf
It's definitely a hot take. I mean, I don't think he. He could have said it maybe a little bit more effectively, but no, I don't think that's crazy.
- [06:27]
Matt Jones
I get it. In the regular season, I actually think it's probably a good idea. I actually think it's added to the regular season. Games don't just go into eternity. But you can't do it in the World Series because what ends up happening is you bunt the runner over to third and then you hit one lazy fly ball and you've scored a run. Like, that's not what. That's not how you want the World Series to end, Myron.
- [06:45]
Myron Metcalf
Well, you don't want it to end on a fake dead ball. That works in the Dodgers favor either, which that happened.
- [06:50]
Matt Jones
So, I mean, the way it goes, smart by that outfielder to throw his hands up and not make a play.
- [06:55]
Myron Metcalf
Very smart.
- [06:56]
Matt Jones
That was a very smart play. Luke is in Oklahoma. Go Luke.
- [07:00]
Caller
I'm a die hard Steelers fan, and I don't think that the Steelers will be in super bowl contention until Mike Tomlin is fired. I think the super bowl he won was with Bill Cower's roster, and I think he's lost all drive to get something done in Pittsburgh. The organization is content with being.500. And I just don't think that Mike Tomlin has what it takes anymore.
- [07:24]
Matt Jones
All right, first of all, I think just out of sheer badness of the other ones, this is our Initial leader in the clubhouse. It's funny how the Mike Tomlin takes continue to come in this. Do you. Are you surprised how much Steelers fans, I mean they have a national radio show here and they all want to talk about how they don't particularly think Mike Tomlin's doing.
- [07:45]
Myron Metcalf
Well, I think there's a disconnect between like nationally and obviously the media darling Mike Tom that everybody loves him. And locally, I think what people are feeling. I think there's.
- [07:55]
Matt Jones
Reminds me of. It reminds me of many years ago at Kentucky with Tubby Smith, how the national people all were like, we love Tubby Smith, but locally people are ready for a change. It kind of feels like it's that way with Pittsburgh when it comes to Mike Tomlin.
- [08:08]
Myron Metcalf
No, it definitely does.
- [08:09]
Matt Jones
Trucker nav in the Dr. Pepper call in line. He is. I don't know where he is, but I'm sure he's somewhere great. How are you, Trucker?
- [08:18]
Caller
Yeah, I'm in Oklahoma too. Thanks. Hey, I didn't watch the World Series. I watch only the highlights or listen to radio because I usually drive overnight. But I've been saying all along that baserunner in game three, I believe it was that got tagged out. He thought he was going to walk to a second. He got tagged out. It was a live play. I think that came back to haunt him because that game, the rest of the game, no matter what they did, it's like they played two games, 18 innings. And I think it. It affected the whole team. What do you guys think?
- [08:52]
Matt Jones
Well, again, not a hot. Take a question, but nevertheless, I do think I, you know, it's hard to say, though game three swung the series because the Dodgers won. But then the Blue Jays won the next two games. Myron. So I can't really say it swung the series. I think probably the play that swung the series to me was that ball getting stuck under the thing. Because I mean, to me that's the most important play, the one there at the end of game six.
- [09:15]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah.
- [09:15]
Matt Jones
Dead ball.
- [09:16]
Myron Metcalf
I mean, that was an incredible sequence. It was one of those things that people didn't even know what had happened. Like, didn't know because it happened so rarely. But sometimes on great teams, they just. Things work in their favor.
- [09:27]
Matt Jones
I don't say this to be rude. The Fox Major League Baseball analyst. I think we can do better than the rules guy. I'm not saying. Oh, I mean he's. I'm sure he's. I'm sure he's a nice fellow, admired. But we could do it.
- [09:42]
Myron Metcalf
It's tough to be a rules guy.
- [09:44]
Matt Jones
I feel like, why is it tough? You just come on and say the rules. Like you can't come on there. Like he didn't go well, could be out, could be safe.
- [09:52]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, like, like, like he said. We'll see. Like hold on, man.
- [09:59]
Matt Jones
Who's gonna say will? I guess. I mean, we have quietly say Wilson. That's nothing.
- [10:04]
Myron Metcalf
You're the wheel.
- [10:06]
Matt Jones
Now is this Worchester or is this Worcester? Which one is this? This is Worcester.
- [10:11]
Myron Metcalf
Worcester.
- [10:11]
Pat
Yep, it's Worcester Math guys. Yeah, sorry.
- [10:13]
Matt Jones
Okay, well, hang on. Just for the record, he wrote W O R C H E S T E R. If I'm correct, Worcester has no H in it. Am I right, Pat?
- [10:23]
Pat
That's correct. It's W R W. When you put.
- [10:26]
Matt Jones
The H in, it looks like Warchester, which was a street in Middlesboro. But we pronounce everything like that. But. So this is Pat in Worcester. What do you got?
- [10:37]
Pat
Yeah, I don't quite have a song or nothing, but my thought was that this World Series, one of the most exciting ones of the past decade or so. And I think it's solely because or not solely because, but I think the shift band proves that it's a very good thing in this World Series. And also thank God for the pitch clock or that 18 inning game would have been 18 hours.
- [10:57]
Matt Jones
I have come around to both of those rules. Myron, I think you've got to give Major League baseball for credit. The pitch clock has made baseball infinitely better. You're right. The these World Series games would have ended at five in the morning if it wasn't for it. And then the shift has made it with more offense. Two rules changes I was a little skeptical on. I think they both ended up being really positive.
- [11:21]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, and I was surprised people booed Rob Manfred last night when he was presenting the trophy. I mean, Rob Manfred has been arguably the best commissioner in sports. I think the last couple of years with the changes that have helped baseball tremendously. So I was surprised by that.
- [11:35]
Matt Jones
Let's do one more Mike in Gainesville. See what you got. Go.
- [11:40]
Mike
I am sick and tired of athletic directors given these 50. $20 million, $50 million buyouts that end up being on the backs of the fans. And I think lsu, the governor. I'm glad you fired the Athletic because he's one of those guys with a $50 million buyouts. But he should have stayed out of it. He probably chased away any good coach who would want to go and coach lsu when the government can fire you or Hire you anytime he feels like it. It's ridiculous.
- [12:08]
Matt Jones
It's interesting, Mike. I agree with the second part, but that's contrary to the first part. You said you're glad he got fired, but then you're not glad he got fired. Do you? The problem with saying, though, we shouldn't have these buyouts is some school will just give it Myron. And then what are you going to do?
- [12:24]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, I think schools are fooling themselves that they think there's something going to be able to offer deals without massive buyouts. Like, good luck.
- [12:31]
Matt Jones
Good luck.
- [12:31]
Myron Metcalf
Because the market's going to dictate that.
- [12:33]
Matt Jones
You can't do that. I mean, just say LSU wants Lane Kiffin. If Ole Miss is willing to give him $11 million with a buyout and LSU says we're not doing that, then he's gonna stay at Ole Miss. Right. Like, why would he go somewhere else? I don't understand why anyone thinks that's gonna work.
- [12:52]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, the governor made it sound like he wanted to pay a coach on an installment plan or something. Like, get a guy for $43 an hour.
- [13:00]
Matt Jones
We're gonna pay you. This is a deal we're gonna have in Louisiana $200,000 for every time you win a game. What do you say? I just don't think that's going to work, Myron. I don't think coaches are going to agree to that. You're going to get somebody, but it might not be who you want.
- [13:18]
Myron Metcalf
I don't need to ask them about Dr. Martin Luther the King to know what he thinks. You know, I can kind of tell. I had a feeling. I had a sense.
- [13:29]
Matt Jones
Didn't know you were going to go there. All right, who is our winner this week? Jim in Tacoma about his ghost runner. Luke in Oklahoma for Mike Tomlin. Pat and Worcester about banning the shift, or Mike in Gainesville about buying.
- [13:43]
Myron Metcalf
I like buyout guy.
- [13:45]
Matt Jones
You do?
- [13:47]
Myron Metcalf
Wow.
- [13:47]
Matt Jones
Okay. I was gonna go. I think I was gonna go with Pat and Worcester. James, those are the two finalists. Pick our winner.
- [13:54]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, I like Pat and Worcester. All right, so Pat agree with them.
- [13:58]
Matt Jones
But I like the take.
- [13:59]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah.
- [13:59]
Matt Jones
Patton, Worcester with the banding, the. The shift being the correct thing. He is our winner this week. So now the question is, does Pat this week beat out Bill in Nebraska with the Kevin o' Connell shot? Myron, what do you say?
- [14:12]
Myron Metcalf
No chance.
- [14:13]
Matt Jones
Yeah, I'm about to say no. This was not a. Not the.
- [14:17]
Myron Metcalf
Wasn't our best week.
- [14:18]
Matt Jones
Everybody tried hard, but we didn't really have our best week. So Kevin O' Connell, Bill in Nebraska and his song Stay King of the Mountain for yet another week. Congratulations to Bill. We're going to continue our talk about the games. Get ready for the picks. I'm in Cincinnati. I'm going to walk over and see Bears and Bengals. All that's next here on Matt Myron on ESPN Radio.
- [14:39]
Matt and Myron, the podcast.
- [14:49]
It is Matt Myron here on ESPN Radio, presented by Progressive Insurance. Scouting you down to kick off? I'm here in Cincinnati where they are 40 minutes away from Bears and Bengals. Got a big crowd of Bengals fans. They seem to be playing polka in the back of the background here at the Holy Grail. You hear this song, Byron? Is that coming through the microphone?
- [15:11]
Myron Metcalf
I heard something. Yeah, it did. It was interesting. Who's the dj? Because it was interesting to hear.
- [15:17]
Matt Jones
I don't know who the DH is, but he seems to be having a fun time. I just. By visual here, I'd say half the fans are. Well, maybe 30 to 40% of the fans here are Bears fans. That's a group of fans that travel. Well, Myron, all the way down here to Cincinnati.
- [15:33]
Myron Metcalf
How far is it? What kind of drive is that?
- [15:36]
Matt Jones
Chicago to Cincinnati's probably five to six hours, something like that. So it's not a terrible drive for Bears fans.
- [15:41]
Myron Metcalf
That's light work. You can, you can do that, get to the game and drive back home. So, yeah, I mean, what.
- [15:46]
Matt Jones
What fan base do you think travels best to road games? It's probably. What do you think? Steelers. Cowboys.
- [15:54]
Myron Metcalf
Steelers fans. Yeah, you can get a lot of places from like Pittsburgh, Green Bay. You can get a lot of places. Those are also.
- [16:01]
Matt Jones
I've always thought those teams that were good in the 70s seem to have national fan bases for whatever reason.
- [16:09]
Myron Metcalf
That's the other part.
- [16:10]
Matt Jones
So, like when the NFL first went on television in Mass. Which is the 70s, the teams that were good, the Cowboys and the Steelers specifically, they just developed these national fan bases that I think have made it to where they have fans all over the country.
- [16:28]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, I think a lot of those Bears fans you see and probably live in the area. Right. Probably didn't necessarily come, probably.
- [16:33]
Matt Jones
Although I do think the 80s bears did that to 85. Like, that's how I ended up being such a. That's how I ended up being such a big fan was from the 85 bears. So I think that that's really probably the.
- [16:45]
Myron Metcalf
The.
- [16:46]
Matt Jones
The teams. But I would say if you're talking about road fans traveling, I agree. Mine, I think the Steelers are probably number one. Yeah.
- [16:54]
Myron Metcalf
No, I think they're out there on the road all the time. You can get a lot of places devoted fan base. To your point, four Super Bowls in the 70s, that's one of those things that carries over across generations. Obviously multiple Super Bowls since then, but this is a big game for Chicago. I think if you're a Bears fan, we're going. You're going to leave this game having a pretty definitive view of Caleb Williams and who he can be. Because last week was the opportunity, it was right there for you to play the Ravens without Lamar Jackson. Go out there and win. Make a statement.
- [17:25]
Matt Jones
Can you hear what's played in the background? It might be Flo Rida Low.
- [17:30]
Myron Metcalf
I didn't play a flow ride.
- [17:31]
Matt Jones
I told you I did. I promise you requested and I bet.
- [17:36]
Myron Metcalf
70% of the people you uphold it would call Flow Rider a great rapper. Flow. I'm telling you, Flow Rider just happens.
- [17:42]
Matt Jones
To somewhere there's some white girls getting down in this bar. I'm sure as they do the get low. Vikings and Lions are on ESPN radio today. You said earlier this is a huge game for J.J. mcCarthy, who it becomes. It's become very clear to me working with you, you do not believe it.
- [17:59]
Myron Metcalf
It's not that. It's just I think you took a lot of risks, right. You get him out of Michigan, run heavy offense, didn't throw a ton. So already that's a situation where you got to go, okay, you better be sure about this. Dude hurt last year. Can't judge that. Comes in this year, has one incredible quarter. I mean, somehow this. This might be the greatest player of the week run we've ever seen. One strong quarter wins player of the week.
- [18:19]
Matt Jones
Yeah. Well, no, I mean, remember, not just one strong quarter. The Bears were that game and kind of. And then he had. Yeah, it literally was one quarter. It was the fourth quarter of that Bears game. The thing was, it was Monday Night Football, though, and everybody watched it, which is why I think a lot of people listening. If you haven't followed the Vikings, you may think that kid looks great because you. We all saw that one quarter. Yeah.
- [18:42]
Myron Metcalf
And it didn't help because it only elevated the expectations that he gets hurt again. So coming in with Carson Wentz now hurt after he played for three weeks with a bad shoulder, JJ McCarthy has to be good. Like, there's no one coming in that you can trust. There's no veteran available that you can bring in. He not only has to be good, he has to be healthy because you could shape the future of this organization going into 2026. If JJ McCarthy doesn't prove that he can play the position at a high level or at least a level that makes you feel like he can continue to get better match, you got to go get somebody else this off season. Well, there still risk it in this NFL.
- [19:19]
Matt Jones
As far as Detroit, they are quietly really good. You know, they lost the first game, got blown out. They did lose to the Chiefs, but I still think the Lions might be the most slept on good team in the NFL. Do you agree?
- [19:33]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, I mean, I think the Kansas City loss kind of made some people go, okay, maybe they're fraudulent, but there's no question they might be the number two team in the NFL to me. I mean they're in that conversation even with that loss.
- [19:44]
Matt Jones
Yeah, I mean I think they are really good, which is in part why I believe the Chiefs are really good because they handled them so easily. Right. I still think you're talking about the Lions being second, third or fourth best team. I think they roll today against the Vikings. I actually think this game will be probably not good for McCarthy backers and probably good for people like Myron who are skeptical. We will go over the last couple games, including Sunday Night Football, make our picks hopefully play a little more Florida. That's next year on Matt Myon on ESPN Radio.
- [20:18]
Matt and Myon the podcast.
- [20:28]
It is Matt Myron here on ESPN Radio. We are presented by Progressive Insurance and we are counting you down to kickoff. And hey ESPN BET sportsbook. Download the app today. Plus if you have a gambling problem, call 1-800- gambler here in Cincinnati at the Holy Grail where people are getting ready, starting to head towards the game. So it's clearing out a little bit, but the music is still pumping, Myron. And that's the thing is you can hopefully hear in the background.
- [20:56]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, they're having a party where I don't know if anyone there is a fan of every song they played. You know, it's an interesting mix of music.
- [21:06]
Matt Jones
I don't know, I mean it's still. It's exciting. What are you worried about? Don't you.
- [21:09]
Myron Metcalf
It's exciting. No, just different genres. No, they're great songs, but just a really interesting mix of songs.
- [21:14]
Matt Jones
Yeah, I want to give a quick shout out, if you don't mind, to my high school. James Rachel, you should be excited for the Middlesboro High School Yellow Jackets in the hills of eastern Kentucky. They went undefeated for the first time in 23 years. They beat Sare. Now you may say, why do I care? Sare is a private school in Lexington. You know who coaches Sayre? Someone everyone here listening knows. Chad Pennington, former Jets quarterback, is the coach of Sayre. Sayre is where they. All the. All the. The rich kids go to school. They. They really get all the players and all the money, and they came into the mountains and they played our good country boys who had their pregame meal at Cracker Barrel, and then they went and they won. And you think I'm laughing. They did have their pregame meal at Cracker Barrel, and then they went into Bradner Stadium and historic Bradner Stadium and beat Sarah to go undefeated. That's where I went to high school. Shout out Myron Metcalf to my Middlesboro High School jackets, the home of Lee Majors, the $6 million man.
- [22:15]
Myron Metcalf
Oh, Lee Majors. Oh, that's a good. Did you ever watch that show?
- [22:18]
Matt Jones
Yes. When you drive into town. Would you like to know what. What the sign says when you drive into town? And then I will do the games, says, welcome to Middlesborough, Kentucky, home of Lee Majors and Kentucky media personality Matt Jones.
- [22:33]
Myron Metcalf
Does it really say that?
- [22:34]
Matt Jones
It really does say that. Oh, that's cool. Me and the six million. Six million dollar man in life. A big deal. 600, man. We are right next to each other on the. On the townside.
- [22:45]
Myron Metcalf
It's a big deal, man.
- [22:46]
Matt Jones
So. Congratulations, Yellow Jackets. Myron, I don't.
- [22:49]
Myron Metcalf
Congratulations to the. Congratulations. Well, you didn't. Let me. Don't say that, Stu. I didn't congratulate the Yellow Jackets. You haven't given me a chance to. We were talking about other stuff. Congratulations to the.
- [22:59]
Matt Jones
More mountain, though, than eating the pregame meal at Cracker Barrel.
- [23:03]
Myron Metcalf
No, that's about as. Yeah, that's perfect. That is.
- [23:08]
Matt Jones
They ain't worried about. They ain't worried about the redesign. They still went.
- [23:14]
Myron Metcalf
That's like. That's going to Popeyes. Like, that's a. Yeah, that's a statement. You know exactly what that team looks like. You don't have to show me the roster. I know exactly what that team looks like.
- [23:26]
Matt Jones
That'd be a great. That'd be a great state championship. Popeyes versus Cracker Barrel. Versus Cracker Barrel. Hoosiers two. The football version.
- [23:35]
Myron Metcalf
Remember? The Titans, too. Put those teams together, that'd be something you're talking about.
- [23:41]
Matt Jones
What restaurant would that be if you put those two teams together?
- [23:45]
Myron Metcalf
But it'd be good. I mean, both. Both, you know, quality food, man.
- [23:49]
Matt Jones
I'm exactly right. Both quality food. All right. There's some games on the calendar today that don't look very exciting to me. One of the things I like to do is myron gives me 20 seconds on why I should care about this game. I got six games for you, Myron. Explain to me why I should care. Let's start with Sunday night Football. Seahawks and Commanders. Why should I care?
- [24:08]
Myron Metcalf
You should care about this game because the Commanders have given up 27 plays of 20 passing yards or more. Sam Darnold is one of the best downfield pass announcers in the entire NFL. Will that be the difference? And also Jaden Daniels. Are we going to see last year's Jaden Daniels now that he's kind of healthy? Big storylines in this game.
- [24:25]
Matt Jones
All right, I'll take that. I want to see it because I want Jaden Daniels play so I can hear Chris Collinsworth go, oh, my. Can you believe it? Like, I love when he gets excited about a quarterback and he just grunts and makes noises. Myron, that's what I want to hear.
- [24:41]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, it'll be fun. I think you might.
- [24:43]
Matt Jones
Let's go to 49ers, Giants. Why should I care?
- [24:46]
Myron Metcalf
You should care because this 49ers offense still is trying to get going now. No Brock Purdy again, Matt Jones leading the way. Can Christian McCaffrey get things going in the running game against a Giants team that's given up a lot of points? I think 215 points in the first eight games of the year. But also Jackson Dart, anytime you get a chance to see him, you might be watching the Giants quarterback of the future.
- [25:06]
Matt Jones
Are you? I mean, we're still with Jackson Dart. Are we? You know, what would you say the second half of the season is about for him now that he doesn't have scatter Boo. I mean, like, is it. What is the. Is it just trying to just get him reps?
- [25:23]
Myron Metcalf
No, it's all you want out of Jackson Dart. If you're a Giants fan, is knowing you have a guy going to 20, 26. And I think you do. And I think that to me was success. Yeah, I think that feels like success to me.
- [25:36]
Matt Jones
Either way. All right, Falcons, Patriots. Drake May. Why am I caring about this game?
- [25:41]
Myron Metcalf
Well, people are calling him a mini drop. Josh Allen. I mean, that. That's the. You believe the narrative right now. That's the net. I mean, he beat. Went out and beat him, you know, I mean, I think Drake may. If he puts up a game like that again against a Falcons team that's had the best pass defense, they blitz a ton. It's not going to be fun. I Think for Drake May today. But if he can solve this Falcons defense and have another big game, I think a lot of people are saying, okay, it was Jaden Daniels, Caleb Williams and then Drake May. He's got a chance to be the best in this group potentially if he continues to evolve at this rate.
- [26:13]
Matt Jones
It would be a very Falcons thing to do after a couple of the clunkers they put up the last two weeks to come out and win this game today it's the Patriots, wouldn't it? I mean, I find that we've joked over the years they are the hardest team for me to ever pick so hard because I have no idea what they're going to do on a week to week basis. Is it cuz it's Cousins, right?
- [26:31]
Myron Metcalf
Or is it Pinnocks coming in today?
- [26:34]
Matt Jones
Yes, it's Cousins, right?
- [26:37]
Myron Metcalf
I think it is. That's a good question. I think it's Cousins. We didn't.
- [26:40]
Matt Jones
That makes it much less interesting to me. Saints, Rams, what do I care about?
- [26:45]
Myron Metcalf
I think the Rams are looking like maybe the team to beat in the NFC potentially. I mean they've had some injury issues. We don't know what to do with the Eagles. And again, you're playing the Saints, so I don't think anyone's going to say you're proving something in this game. But watch how the Rams are developing and how the pieces are starting to come together at the right time. It looks a lot like their last super bowl run.
- [27:06]
Matt Jones
It does. I don't know. I don't think they have quite the offensive firepower they had then, but yes, it does a little bit. I'm there to see is Tyler Shuck a quarterback that I ever have to care about again? Like, I mean these are the next couple weeks. They're probably going to decide they're drafting a quarterback either way. But I think the question of is it him or Rattler that's also on the roster will probably be decided over the next couple weeks. Panthers. Packers. Watch. All right. Panthers. Packers. Why should I care about this?
- [27:35]
Myron Metcalf
I mean, I still feel like Jordan Love is trying to prove to people that he's the guy, right? And he can lead them into the playoffs and lead them potentially to an NFC championship game. Last week he had a great run, I think 20 passes in a row. He's efficient, but he hasn't had that superstar moment yet in his career. And a big game today, maybe that's the start of that.
- [27:59]
Matt Jones
Yeah, I don't care. Although I will note the Panthers are four. I mean the Panthers Are four and four like. Like I with. No one talks about them and no one seems to care, but they are 4 and 4 and I. Have you ever seen a team. It's Pinnocks, by the way, starting today, not Kirk Cousins. But have you ever seen a team that is four and four that is talked about less than the Panthers are as being competent?
- [28:23]
Myron Metcalf
I mean, because Bryce Young is the court. I don't think anyone believes that Bryce Young is anything that intimidates four.
- [28:29]
Matt Jones
Four. I mean, they've shown him. If you want to believe Bryce Young, they were awful his first year. They were okay last year and now they're 500. I mean, aren't you seeing, like, aren't you seeing improvement? Doesn't that matter?
- [28:43]
Myron Metcalf
No. I mean, there was a conversation even this season about whether or not he's gonna be able to hold on to that job. Then he had the high ankle sprain. So we'll see how he comes back after that. Looks like he'll be the starter again, but it's hard for me to believe in a 4 and 4 record in that division. Yeah, where you have a quarterback you don't necessarily trust.
- [29:01]
Matt Jones
Let's finish with Chargers Titans. I really want to hear you make me care about this. I mean, because my natural inclination is to take every Titans game and just ignore it. My Kentucky Wildcats volleyball team plays a top five matchup against Texas today. I'm thinking of replacing Charter's Titans on the TV with Kentucky, Texas Volleyball and espn. Any reason I should care about Chargers Titans?
- [29:27]
Myron Metcalf
Well, if you got money involved, this could be the first time that the Titans lose four consecutive games by double digits since they relocated to Tennessee in 1990.
- [29:38]
Matt Jones
Oh, is that right? That's an interesting stat. First time they would have ever lost four straight by double digit. Well, that's going to happen, isn't it?
- [29:45]
Myron Metcalf
For the first time since relocating the 19 to Tennessee from in 1997.
- [29:50]
Matt Jones
So do you consider to be. Are the Titans the most pathetic team? I think you could argue this Titans team is the most pathetic team in 10 years. Not just because they're bad, because they're also brutal to watch. They're not even. At least the jets sometimes are fun. These games are not even moderately entertaining.
- [30:10]
Myron Metcalf
No. And every island I watch them for the press conference because I watch this Cam Ward to throw everybody.
- [30:16]
Matt Jones
Cam. Ward's going to say, Cam, you know.
- [30:18]
What he's gonna say?
- [30:19]
Myron Metcalf
He's gonna. He's gonna tell you that everybody on his team is terrible. That's what he's gonna say.
- [30:23]
Matt Jones
You gotta appreciate the honesty though. There's Myron's attempt to make you care about these other games. Look, it's another bad week. The weeks start getting better next week. But these last three weeks in terms of schedule have not been the best of what the NFL offers. Except for Chiefs, Bills. Today we're going to make our picks and let you know who's going to win each game. We are 15 minutes away here in Cincinnati. This is Countdown to Kickoff. It's Matt Myron counting you down to kickoff here on ESPN Radio.
- [30:52]
Matt and Myron, the podcast.
- [31:05]
That's right, Will Smith. We were hoping to have Will Smith on the show, but he had other things to do today after Will Smith hits the home run last night for the, for the, for the Dodgers to win the World Series. So it's just me and you. And if you want. If I'd had notice, I could have given Will Smith lyrics out. Myron. For some of our wild, Wild west games or maybe for Miami a little bit later.
- [31:32]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah. Great song.
- [31:33]
Matt Jones
What's your favorite Will Smith song?
- [31:37]
Myron Metcalf
Problem? Welcome to Miami.
- [31:39]
Matt Jones
Really? Mine's parents just don't understand. I want you to listen all you kids all across the land. It is now time for us to pick all of the games. It is. Pick them. Let's go. Actually, I think it's called take your pick. But you know what? I'll call it Pick them. What's up first?
- [32:00]
Falcons at Patriots.
- [32:01]
Myron Metcalf
Byron Drake May at home. Right, that matters. But this Falcons defense is tough and they just send a lot of really interesting blitz packages. They're going to pressure him a lot. They could rattle him. But I'll pick Drake May at home. Give it to Patriots.
- [32:15]
Matt Jones
I have no idea what to do with a Falcons game ever. I mean, it feels like. I know I've said this for seven straight years. When it comes to, to the Falcons, it is absolutely impossible for me to pick their games. With that said, Patriots are home. Drake Mays played well. They're 6 and 2. They're trying to stay atop the division. I'm going to take the Patriots to get the victory at home. Who's up next?
- [32:38]
Chargers and Titans.
- [32:40]
Any chance you get an upset down in Nashville, Myron?
- [32:44]
Myron Metcalf
No chance. Chargers just destroyed the Vikings. And every time I hear Cameron talk, it sounds like he's questioning whether or not he should be playing football anymore.
- [32:53]
Matt Jones
Does he think about doing something else with his life?
- [32:55]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah. Chargers win this.
- [32:57]
Matt Jones
Yeah, I'm gonna go with the Chargers. I think they, you know, Justin Herbert had a good Halloween costume with his what is it? Madison beer that made that went viral. So I think that's gonna lead to a victory. And plus, Titans are pathetic. Give me the Chargers. What's next?
- [33:16]
Bears at Bengals where I am.
- [33:18]
What you got, Myron?
- [33:21]
Myron Metcalf
I want to believe in Chicago, you know, but last week kind of made me doubt even more that this team can be consistent. I know I said earlier in the show I picked Cincinnati, but I'll pick Chicago, barely.
- [33:33]
Matt Jones
I'm going to take. I'm going against my team. I think the Bengals get it. I think Burrow or excuse me, Flacco plays well. I'll take the Bengals to beat my Bears and make me sad here at the game. What's next?
- [33:47]
Colts at Steelers.
- [33:48]
Big game today. Probably the set. Well, definitely the second biggest game. What do you got, Myra?
- [33:54]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, I mean, I think this is sort of maybe the awakening, right, for. For the Colts in terms of playing a really good team for the first time in a long time. This isn't like beating up on the Titans and some of the other bottom of the barrel squads they've had to face. Steelers obviously are infuriated by what happened against Green Bay. I think the Steelers win this game and the hype train for the Colts will slow down.
- [34:15]
Matt Jones
I actually agree with you. I'm taking Pittsburgh to win at home. I think the Colts, I still think they're very good, but winning in Pittsburgh's hard. I think Aaron Rodgers will play well. Give me the Steelers to get the victory at home. What's next?
- [34:27]
49Ers at Giants.
- [34:28]
Mack Jones goes into New York. What do you got, man?
- [34:32]
Myron Metcalf
Hated to see what happened to Camp Scatter Boot last week. But you know, Jackson Dark I think will continue to improve. I think this is another good test. Mac Jones having to fly across the country with a San Francisco team with an offense that you question sometimes, but I'll still pick the 49ers.
- [34:48]
Matt Jones
Yeah, you don't. You don't like Mac Jones flying across the country. He's. He's a bad flyer. I'll end up time zones, man. I'll take the 49ers. McCaffrey was kind of held in check last week. I think he re gets engaged. Give me the 49ers to win in New York. What's next?
- [35:04]
Broncos at Texans.
- [35:05]
Texans look good last week. What do you got?
- [35:08]
Myron Metcalf
They did. But the Broncos just pressured that Cowboys defense, that offense, right. And really slowed them down and humbled them. And I think they can do the same thing against the Texans. Give me the Broncos to win.
- [35:17]
Matt Jones
Yeah. This is a tough one. I'm gonna take Houston to win at home. Broncos look great last week. I think though, if the bo Knicks experience has shown you one anything, it's up to one week down the next. Give me the Texans to win on ESPN Radio. What do we have next?
- [35:31]
Vikings at Lions.
- [35:32]
You'll listen to it right here. What you got?
- [35:36]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, I mean Lions win and I think that that's sort of a given, right? J.J. mcCarthy coming in from injury. The question is how does he look? Do you leave this game? You're The Viking saying J.J. mcCarthy is making improvements. This guy can handle an NFL offense. Or do you leave feeling like we have the worst quarterback situation in the entire NFL? Both are possible. I think after today's game. Give me Detroit.
- [35:57]
Matt Jones
Yeah, I'm going to take Detroit. I don't think it's close. I think Detroit wins easily. They get the victory. What's next? Panthers at packers in Green Bay. How does Bryce Young do on the Frozen Tundra?
- [36:10]
Myron Metcalf
I don't think it'll matter. I mean, Jordan Love completed 20 passes in a row against the Steelers in that win. He has been efficient even though he hasn't maybe looked like a superstar yet. But he's playing really efficient football and I think that'll continue today. Give me the Packers.
- [36:23]
Matt Jones
I was surprised after he threw 20 straight passes to learn the NFL doesn't know what the record is for most passes completed in a row. Feels like they. Feels like they should find that out. I'm going to take the packers to to win at home. What's next?
- [36:38]
Jaguars at Raiders.
- [36:39]
What do you got?
- [36:42]
Myron Metcalf
This is tough, man. I, I want to feel like the Jags can do this, but this also feels like the kind of game where they slip. Give me the Jags. But I'll say this is a one score game in the fourth quarter.
- [36:55]
Matt Jones
Yeah, I'm gonna take. This is close. I'm gonna go with the Jags. I think they end up winning, but I wouldn't be surprised on ESPN Radio if you ended up with get getting a Raiders home victory. What's next St. Ted?
- [37:08]
Rams.
- [37:11]
Myron Metcalf
I mean, everyone's picking the Rams, but I mean watch for the Rams and how much better they're getting sort of every week. Didn't have Puka Nakua still managed to play at a high level. Like they look like the same team that won a Super bowl not that long ago.
- [37:24]
Matt Jones
Yeah, I'm gonna take the Rams. I think they should win relatively easily at home. What's next?
- [37:31]
Chiefs at Bills?
- [37:34]
What do you got? Myron this one's close. This is a big game of the day.
- [37:38]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, I think the Bills are one of the few teams that can get into a game, you know, where both teams score over 30 and be able to compete against Kansas City. They can put up those kinds of numbers and stay with them. I think that can happen today. Give me the Bills to win this. Although Kansas City has looked better in recent weeks, Rashee Rice coming back, I feel like the Bills at home will have the edge.
- [38:02]
Matt Jones
Yeah, I'm going to take the Bills. Regular season, this game has been much kinder to the Bills than in the postseason. At home with that crowd, it's going to be night by the end. I think Josh Allen makes the plays. But like you said, ultimately this is all going to be about what happens when they play in the postseason. But for this game and I think it'll be a big win, I think it'll ensure that when these teams play in the postseason, Patrick with Mahomes will have to win again on the road, but I actually think he'll do it. I'm going to take the Bills. What's next?
- [38:33]
Seahawks at Commanders.
- [38:36]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, I mean this commander's defense has given up a lot of big plays and Sam Donald has created a lot of big plays for the this Seahawks Seahawks offense. Jayden Daniels, not 100%. I mean coming back, but where is he at? But I'll still give the commanders the edge being at home.
- [38:53]
Matt Jones
Yeah, I, you know, this is tough for me. I think it all depends to me on Jaden Daniels and his health. I'm going to take the Commanders because I think they need it a little bit more. But this is a toss up for me, especially if you don't get Jaden Daniels. But I'm going to go ahead and take the Commanders to win at home. And what's our final one?
- [39:11]
Cardinals at Cowboys.
- [39:13]
Which dag do you get on Monday night?
- [39:17]
Myron Metcalf
I think you get the deck that has looked like a top five quarterback for most of this season. I think a guy who can put up big time numbers with that offense with George Pickens and CD Lamb and all they've been able to do. Now the defense obviously has its holes but on offense they can compete with anybody. I think in the NFL. I think the thing to watch for the Cardinals with Jacoby reset is we don't know when we'll see Kyler Murray. Like we don't know what's going to happen with Kyler Murray. Like there could be a regime change with Kyler Murray.
- [39:44]
Matt Jones
You have already you have already said goodbye to Kyler Murray. I. That. That's been your big revelation. You don't like J.J. mcCarthy and you're ready to say goodbye to Kyler Murray.
- [39:54]
Myron Metcalf
I just don't know if small quarterbacks can compete in this NFL anymore. You know, I don't. I don't know if you can win games with a small guy.
- [40:01]
Matt Jones
Yeah, I don't either. I think you're going to take the Cowboys here. I expect a big performance from Dak and on Monday Night Football with that crowd, I expect the Cowboys to take the victory. I want to thank the folks here at Holy Grail in Cincinnati for hosting us. The Bengals and the Bears about to go. We have here on the radio. Coming up, Vikings and Lions, Jaguars and Raider follow after Myron. I always enjoy it and in two weeks I will be in Buffalo. You got to find a way to come join me up there so I can put you through a table.
- [40:34]
Myron Metcalf
You think that's what would happen? I. Yeah. I don't know. I don't get involved in that. It'd be fun, though, to be involved.
- [40:38]
Matt Jones
You might not have a choice. I might just. I might just make sure that you go through what game day is next. Not sure who's on it, but I'm sure they are wonderful human beings and they will help get you through the day of the games. This has been Matt Myron right here on ESPN Radio.
- [40:54]
Thanks for listening to Matt and Myron the Podcast. You can listen to the show live every Sunday morning at 10aM Eastern on ESPN radio, the ESPN app, and on Sirius XM channel 80.
- [41:08]
Kevin O'Connell
Wow.
- [41:12]
Matt Jones
Matt and Myron the Podcast.