Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron

Hour 3: King of the Mountain
Broadcast: September 21, 2025
Hosts: Myron Medcalf, (Matt Jones scheduled but out), Andrew (fill-in), plus guest Mikey C
Platform: ESPN Radio

Overview

This episode kicks off less than an hour from Sunday NFL kickoff with Myron Medcalf and guest hosts, focusing on listener sports takes in the “King of the Mountain” call-in segment, backup quarterbacks stepping into starting roles across the league due to injuries, and rapid-fire NFL game previews. Listeners passionately debate which team deserves more respect, whether certain players are overhyped, and which underdog might surprise this week. The episode captures fan energy, lively banter, and actionable sports analysis for football’s biggest day.

Key Segments and Discussion Points

1. Setting the Table: NFL Kickoff Sunday

[00:33-01:28]

• Hosts set up the pre-game excitement and plug the Dr. Pepper call-in line for hot takes.
• Light banter about Taylor Swift's tour bonuses and a Titanic joke sets a relaxed, fun tone.

2. "King of the Mountain" – Listener Takes Take Center Stage

[02:07-13:16]

Notable Calls & Analysis:

• Mark in Ohio (Reigning Champ):
  • "At what point are we going to realize [X coach] is Elmer Fudd with a headset in big games?"
  • Myron: Appreciates passion, notes it’s clever metaphors that help callers stand out.
  • (02:13)
• Travis in Houston:
  • Questions the hype surrounding Arch Manning, comparing him unfavorably to Ryan Leaf:
  • "He’ll end up like Ryan Leaf. A bust, because he ain’t that good." (02:47)
• James in Washington:
  • Attributes Cal Raleigh's home run surge to using a "torpedo bat." Hosts challenge the logic and ask for deeper takes. (03:41-04:31)
• Cory in Seattle:
  • Decries "east coast bias," wants the Seahawks to get respect:
  • "We’re probably a top five defense... what more do the Seahawks have to do to be talked about? It’s like we’re in Alaska." (04:49)
• Vic in Santa Cruz:
  • Predicts Chiefs will prove critics wrong about their receivers, but runs out of time.
• Danny in Florida (Eventual Winner):
  • Defends Tennessee after what he calls a “fluke” loss to Georgia (“Look out Florida, October 22nd!”).
  • Hosts validate the take, citing Tennessee’s offensive performance.
• Chris in Nashville:
  • Asserts only one future MVP among 2024 QB class: "Drake May is the guy, everyone else will fizzle out."
  • Hosts push back, asking for more depth.
• Mike in Phoenix:
  • Predicts Packers secure home field but lose to the Cowboys in the playoffs.
  • Hosts note the call is "seven weeks early" but appreciate boldness.
• Brenda in Texas:
  • Airs pain as a Bears fan and mocks Cowboys fans’ perennial optimism; hosts note cathartic rather than analytical tone.

Hosts' Reflections:

• Strong, creative metaphors and specifics help callers stand out.
• “If you have a cool little, like, metaphor and get creative with it, then you’re gonna win.” – Andrew [12:44]
• Danny in Florida’s Tennessee take is selected as the week’s “King of the Mountain” call-in winner.
  • "Look out Florida in Florida, October 22nd. Tennessee is coming against you in the whole SEC." – Danny [06:58]

3. Backup Quarterback Bonanza: Who’s Stepping Up?

[15:16-22:03]

Washington Commanders (Jaden Daniels Out, Marcus Mariota In)

• Myron: "No matter what happens, you get Jaden Daniels healthy. Don’t rush him back."
• Andrew extols Marcus Mariota as a quality, supportive backup.
• Notable Quote:
  • "Just be you. And if you feel like ... you get back to that point, great, and we’ll support you ... If you need a week, then that’s okay. I’ll be ready to go, too." – Marcus Mariota to Jaden Daniels [17:02]

Minnesota Vikings (Carson Wentz In for JJ McCarthy)

• Adam Schefter (clip): If Wentz plays well today, no rush to bring back McCarthy; but the locker room question will linger.
• Myron: "It’s just going to be hard to give that locker room back to a second-year quarterback who’s played two games in two years..." [20:22]

Cincinnati Bengals (Jake Browning In for Joe Burrow)

• Rich Eisen (clip): “Jake Browning started seven games ... finished 4 and 3 ... Why would anybody be surprised if Jake Browning goes one game over .500?” [21:27]
• Andrew, Myron remain skeptical, noting Bengals’ defensive holes.

4. Fast NFL Roundup: Team Trajectories & Matchups

[23:15-33:45]

Browns vs Packers:

• Browns in QB purgatory with Joe Flacco; locker room malaise evident.
• Myron: "If you’re Miles Garrett, you realize this is a team a long way from being relevant ... they’re playing for 2026." [25:45]
• Packers described as surging NFC contender; defense improved with addition of Micah Parsons.
• Jordan Love’s growth:
  • "We've all been building this thing together ... the sky's the limit," -- Jordan Love [27:39].

Jets (out Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor in) vs Buccaneers (Baker Mayfield)

• Mayfield praised for career resurgence and late-game poise, called underrated by hosts.
• Myron: "Baker Mayfield is just finding ways, man, to keep Tampa Bay relevant. And I don’t know how many quarterbacks you could put in that situation and they would be as good..."

5. Pick ‘Em: Lightning-Fast NFL Picks

[35:15-44:16]

• Mikey C joins as guest picker for rapid-fire game predictions.
• Banter about the privilege of "working" by watching football all day.
• Seamless, light-hearted transitions between picks; no-nonsense, quick justifications.
• A few highlights:
  • Bengals vs Vikings:
    • Myron: "Give me the Vikings to win."
    • Mikey C: "Bengals, little bit of an upset."
  • Packers at Browns:
    • All pick Packers, agree discussion unnecessary.
    • “Packers. Move on!” [41:51]
  • Cowboys at Bears:
    • Myron: "Cowboys. I don't believe in Caleb Williams."
  • Chiefs vs Giants:
    • "They’re not starting 0-3. Give me KC." – Andrew [43:35]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Myron, on what callers need to win “King of the Mountain”:

  “If you have a cool little, like, metaphor and you get creative with it, then you’re gonna win.” [12:44]

• Danny in Florida, earning King of the Mountain take of the day:

  “Tennessee is strong…look out Florida in Florida, October 22nd. Tennessee is coming against you and the whole SEC.” [06:58]

• Marcus Mariota, demonstrating the ideal veteran backup:

  "Just be you ... if you feel like ... you get back to that point, great, and we’ll support you ... If you need a week, then that’s OK. I’ll be ready to go, too." [17:02]

• Myron, reflecting on sports talk radio:

  "It makes me realize that we're pretty good at our jobs, right?...what we do is maybe a little bit harder than what you might think." [13:04]

• Jordan Love on Packers’ potential:

  "The sky’s the limit ... excited, I feel good, I feel confident, and I got a lot of playmakers around me, so we got to keep going out there and making it happen on Sundays." [27:39]

Segment Timestamps Guide

• King of the Mountain call-ins: [02:07-13:16]
• Backup Quarterbacks discussion: [15:16-22:03]
• Rapid NFL team analysis: [23:15-33:45]
• Lightning round picks: [35:15-44:16]

Episode Takeaways

• Listener engagement and “takes” are front and center; colorful metaphors and passion rule.
• The backup QB narrative looms large this NFL weekend—injuries, team resilience, and the value of veteran leadership get their due.
• The Packers emerge as a surging NFC threat, while Cleveland and the Jets are mired in quarterback uncertainty.
• The rich banter, quick wit, and inclusive community feel make this an ideal Sunday morning sports listen.

Summary prepared for Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron, 9/21/25, Hour 3.