Hour 3: Myron the Salesman

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" – Hour 3: Myron the Salesman

Episode Release Date: November 17, 2024
Hosts: Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf
Platform: ESPN Radio

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Overview

In this engaging episode of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron," hosts Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf dive deep into the current state of the NFL as Week 11 unfolds. From analyzing key matchups and team performances to discussing playoff implications and player injuries, the duo provides listeners with comprehensive insights and spirited debates. The episode is peppered with humor, listener interactions, and expert sports analysis, making it a must-listen for NFL enthusiasts.

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Key Discussions

1. Early Week Game Predictions ([00:39] - [04:44])

Matt and Myron kick off the episode by highlighting the significance of the upcoming early games, emphasizing their potential impact on playoff seeds.

• Highlighted Games:

  • Steelers vs. Ravens
  • Chiefs vs. Bills
  • Chargers vs. Bengals

• Insights:

  • Team Confidence: Myron notes, “A lot of decisive games, games that will mean something once we get to the seeds in the playoffs. And also I think just confidence...” ([01:22])
  • Double Headers: The duo praises the early lineup, considering it potentially the best set of afternoon matchups for the season.

2. NFC West Showdown: Seahawks vs. 49ers ([01:57] - [04:44])

The conversation shifts to the NFC West, focusing on the Seahawks' struggles against the dominant 49ers.

• Key Points:

  • 49ers' Dominance: Myron points out the 49ers’ six-game winning streak against Seattle, stating, “The 49ers have won six straight against Seattle. Does the streak continue, Myron, today?” ([02:49])
  • Seahawks' Defensive Woes: Concerns about Geno Smith’s performance and the Seahawks allowing 25 points a game.

• Conclusion: Both hosts agree that the 49ers are likely to continue their dominance unless significant changes occur.

3. Rams vs. Patriots Analysis ([04:44] - [06:08])

The Rams' journey toward the playoffs is scrutinized, especially in light of their injuries and Matthew Stafford’s performance.

• Discussion Points:

  • Leadership: Myron praises Drake May’s emerging leadership, saying, “...he’s starting to figure it out” ([05:27]).
  • Injuries Impacting Performance: The Rams have struggled with key players’ injuries, affecting their offensive consistency.

• Prediction: Both hosts are inclined to favor the Rams, given their potential to overcome setbacks.

4. Playoff Contenders and Concerns ([06:08] - [08:23])

The focus shifts to other playoff hopefuls, including the Packers and Vikings, highlighting their struggles and uncertainties.

• Packers' Performance:
  • Jordan Love’s Struggles: Myron expresses concern over Love’s high interception rate, “Jordan Love has thrown 10 picks” ([07:38]).
  • Playoff Doubts: The Packers’ ability to secure a playoff spot remains questionable without improvement.

5. Listener Interaction and Humor ([08:23] - [10:25])

A humorous segment ensues as a listener messages joke about Myron being better suited as a salesman, leading to playful banter between the hosts.

• Notable Exchange:
  • Matt jokes, “I don’t want to be a popcorn automatic” ([09:26]).
  • The conversation veers into anecdotes about popcorn salesmen, adding a light-hearted twist to the episode.

6. Game Predictions and Team Analysis ([12:13] - [19:24])

A comprehensive analysis of critical games unfolds, covering team performances, player injuries, and strategic plays.

• Chiefs vs. Bills:

  • Chiefs' Momentum: Undefeated at 9-0, praised for making fewer mistakes.
  • Bills' Playoff Prospects: Myron highlights their strong record, “Bills are undefeated at 9.0” ([12:23]).

• Cowboys vs. Texans:

  • Cowboys' Struggles: Ongoing issues with home game losses and quarterback performance.
  • Texans' Resilience: Potential to overcome current setbacks and improve their playoff chances.

7. Listener Picks and Predictions Segment ([34:54] - [44:31])

Matt and Myron engage in a friendly competition, making their game picks for Week 11 and discussing the reasoning behind their choices.

• Key Picks:

  • Ravens over Steelers: Matt opts for the Ravens, citing Russell Wilson’s decline ([36:21]).
  • 49ers over Seahawks: Both hosts agree on the 49ers due to their superior defense and Christian McCaffrey’s impact ([40:50]).
  • Bills over Chiefs: Diverging opinions here, with Matt favoring Buffalo and Myron choosing Kansas City.

• Standout Quote: Myron advises, “I would actually advise you to pick Buffalo out there” ([41:42]).

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Myron Medcalf: “A lot of decisive games... can give you a boost of confidence” ([01:22]).
• Matt Jones: “I don't want to be a popcorn automatic” ([09:26]).
• Myron Medcalf: “Jordan Love has thrown 10 picks” ([07:38]).
• Matt Jones: “Nothing will surprise me. But I'll pick the Ravens.” ([36:21]).
• Myron Medcalf: “I would actually advise you to pick Buffalo out there” ([41:42]).

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Conclusions

This episode offers a blend of in-depth NFL analysis, strategic game predictions, and entertaining banter between Matt and Myron. Their insights into team dynamics, player performances, and playoff scenarios provide listeners with a clear understanding of the unfolding football landscape. The inclusion of listener interactions and humorous segments ensures the episode remains both informative and enjoyable.

Future Episodes Preview: Listeners can look forward to continued in-depth discussions, game recaps, and more interactive segments as Matt and Myron navigate the remainder of the NFL season together.

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Stay Tuned: Tune in every Sunday morning at 10 am Eastern on ESPN Radio, the ESPN app, and SiriusXM Channel 80 for more insights and engaging discussions with Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

And the kickoff here on ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance. Had some good milk talk, Some good football talk. Dr. P. Call in line 888 say ESPN. A lot of you have strong feelings on the grossest drink in America and that's okay. I'm all right with that. But we've enjoyed it. My Metcalf. I'm Matt Jones. You know, we are about an hour away from the early games. Best set of early games probably. I mean, well, best set of one two afternoon punches you'll ever see. Steelers, Ravens, Chiefs, Bills, right after that, nightcap, Chargers, Bengals is. It's all right. We care here in Kentucky, but maybe not everybody everywhere will but Raven, Steelers, Bills, Chiefs. Myron, how can you ask for a better double header?

[A]

No, it's great. I mean, you almost, you're kind of surprised that's not one of the Sunday night games, right? But yeah, it'll be good, man. A lot of decisive games, games that will mean something once we get to the seeds in the playoffs. And also I think just confidence, right? I think if you're the Ravens and you go to a place like Pittsburgh where you struggled and you win, especially where the Steelers have played, you get a big boost of confidence there. And I think if you're Buffalo and you beat Kansas City and you give them their first L of the season, that might give you a boost of confidence because you know you got to face them again in the postseason today.

[B]

In the, I have to tell you, the NFC west, it is usually pretty hard for me to care about the NFC west games. They're always at 4:00. I feel like those teams play each other like 75 times. I mean, they don't play anybody else. And always I feel like they only play each other. I mean, there's only so many times a Cardinal Seahawks game can be on red zone and me fall asleep during it. But today you get the Seahawks and the 49ers. I think this is their seventh matchup of the season. But at this point, the 49ers are a six and a half point favorite. Seahawks are one in five in their last six games, they started three. And oh, Christian McCaffrey has averaged 163 yards from scrimmage against the Seahawks in his career. And the 49ers have won six straight against Seattle. Does the streak continue, Myron, today?

[A]

I mean, it feels like it, especially since Seattle has to go on the road. I mean, Seattle's a good example of a team that some of the numbers are impressive, but if you watch the on field performance, it's not. I mean, they're top 10 in yards per game right now, kind of middle of the pack scoring offense, but they've had a lot of problems on defense. They're giving up 25 points a game during that stretch. You know, you're talking about this one in five stretch over the last six games. I think Geno Smith has been sacked seven times, I mean 20 times, and he's thrown seven interceptions. So they're just one of those teams, Matt, that they're not good enough to make those mistakes against good teams. And I think that's kind of what they're running into right now.

[B]

Yeah, I agree with you. I think they, you know, we got excited with their start, but they've come back to earth. Where are the 49ers? I mean, we've talked, you hear me talk all the time about teams that don't win, that make the super bowl and lose it. In the history of those teams, 49ers, I think you could have given up on, but starting to look more like the 49ers. Are they a contender in the NFC or not?

[A]

Definitely a contender. But now you look at them and go, okay, I have a lot less confidence in a 49ers team that has to travel with Brock Purdy, that has to maybe go to Detroit, go to Philly potentially in order to get to the NSU championship game. So I don't think that that's a team that will get to the super bowl if those are the circumstances. Plus, Matt, you don't know who's going to be healthy for this team. There's just been so many injuries from Brandon IU to. I mean, George Kittle is out today. You just never know who's going to be available. Even Christian McCaffrey, you're looking at it and going, okay, will they have him now for the rest of the season? You just never know with this roster. So between maybe having to go on the road and the injury issues, it's hard to have a lot of confidence in the 49ers being a super bowl team.

[B]

Do we Is it Kittle out today? Is that right? Am I seeing that or.

[A]

Yeah, no kidding.

[B]

Correct. No Kittle. So no Kittle and Williams likely to play after not having thought they would play otherwise. Now on the other side, the Rams. You know, I said something really nice about the Rams last week. I said they were kind of my dark horse super bowl team. They went out and proceeded to lay an egg. They go to New England this week. They are now four and five. You, if you're the, if you're the Rams, you have to win this game like you have to win it. If you don't win this game, your chance to make the playoffs are nil. But the Patriots look better. Obviously. We saw them in person last week. This would be a ripe chance for the Patriots to pull an upset. What do you like in it?

[A]

Well, I mean, you know, Drake May is starting to figure it out, man. I guess last week ahead of that Chicago game, he kind of brought the team together and kind of had a meeting and you know, told guys they had to pick it up. So I think he's kind of coming into this leadership role. He had moments against Chicago, man, where you said, okay, he's getting more comfortable and. Whereas a Rams team that's also dealt with so many injuries. But the problem has been Matthew Stafford just not making the throws. You're used to Matthew Stafford making. He hasn't been the on point quarterback we used to seeing. But remember they were 3 and 6 last year and they made a playoff run. I think they won seven of their next eight games after that. So they understand adversity. But I think the path might be a little bit more difficult starting four and five this year.

[B]

Yeah, it is. I mean this entire NFC west feels like a group of teams that I can't dismiss any of them, Myron, but I don't believe in any of them. Okay. Yeah, I mean I look at Arizona, Seattle, the rams and the 49ers and I don't necessarily believe in any of those teams to win a playoff game. With that said, I also believe you could take any of those teams and they could go to Philadelphia in the first round of the playoffs and it wouldn't shock me if they pulled an upset off. Does that make sense? Like if they were the seven seed playing at two seed Philadelphia team and you had the Rams, the 49ers, the Cardinals or the Seahawks on the road and you told me they beat Philadelphia and Philly, it wouldn't shock me.

[A]

Yeah, I think that says more about like how people see Philly this year. Right. I mean they've won six in a row. I mean five of those games were against I think sub 500 teams. But yeah, it feels like if they get into that matchup they would have a chance. No team feels unbeatable to me in the NFC playoffs other than alliance team because I just don't think that you're going to go to Detroit and beat Dan Campbell's team with the way that they're playing right now. But everything before that, I don't know that anything would completely shock me. I mean, we're not even talking about teams like the Vikings or the packers, teams that are also solidly in the playoff picture. I think it's going to be a fun run, man. Once we get to the.

[B]

What do you think about the packers, by the way? The six and three people? It's just they're not a conversation piece, oddly for as high profile of franchises that is. What do you think about them?

[A]

Yeah, I mean, you know, I think people again look at Jordan Love and they see a guy who obviously was incredible in what he did last year hasn't been as smooth this year. I think some of the big moments people have questioned, I mean they played what their last game was, that Sunday game against Detroit. I don't think he threw a touchdown pass in that game. I don't think he's had a touchdown pass since mid October or something like that. So I think you look at a guy like that and go, you're going to have to play at an elite level, I think, to get to the lines even to beat this good Vikings team, those NFC west teams you talk about, and a Philly team that's playing better. And he hasn't done that for a long stretch. And I think that's the concern for the Packers.

[B]

One person writes on the text machine 772-774-5254 I like listening to Myron try to sell the bad games in the no huddle. But I would say to him, please do whatever his bosses at ESPN say because if he were to get fired and have to become a salesman, he would end up going broke.

[A]

You don't think I can say I couldn't be a salesman? Is that what he's saying?

[B]

I think that was the gist.

[A]

I think sales. I think sales.

[B]

I think he was saying you need to keep your job that you have.

[A]

Yeah, because as a salesperson you wouldn't be that good at it. No, I'd have to be selling something that was like it sold itself. Probably. You Know what I mean? Like something that, like, people are going to buy no matter what you did. Like what I wouldn't. A popcorn or something. You know what I mean? You don't want to be a popcorn automatic. Yeah.

[B]

I don't know how much you know about the American economy, but do you think there are a lot of popcorn salesmen out there? Are you. Are you. You want to be the guy that like, walks up and down the stairs at baseball games and sells popcorn?

[A]

I know a popcorn guy. Like, I know popcorn guy. His name's Orville. 100%. Not even joking.

[B]

Who's your popcorn?

[A]

I guess there's a popcorn guy I grew up in college, went to college with. He's still selling his popcorn. Yeah, it's really good.

[B]

It's his popcorn.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. He said he sells it. Like you gotta like go to him to get the popcorn. It's not like you have to go.

[B]

To him to get the popcorn.

[A]

Yeah, it's not stores.

[B]

It's not stores.

[A]

No, not. It's not in stores, but it go.

[B]

Hang on a second. His job is people just go to his house and get popcorn from him.

[A]

If you know to call. Yeah, yeah.

[B]

If you know who to call.

[A]

So he's a secret salesman now. He's a popcorn. I knew him. He's bigger now, but I knew him when he was. Nobody really knew him.

[B]

And who is this person you're acting like this is like a secret.

[A]

I'm trying to find his. His name.

[B]

Oh, so you don't know. So the popcorn salesman, that's the secret.

[A]

Angie. Angie's. Angie's.

[B]

Angie. That sounds like a woman's.

[A]

Which got big. No, Angie's got big. Angie's popcorn. It got big.

[B]

But isn't that.

[A]

I remember it. It is, but the guy who. I'm telling you, man, it got big. Now it's everywhere. But I remember when Angie's was not big. Yeah, Angie's.

[B]

And it's his popcorn. But it's a woman's name. Ryan Reynolds here for I guess my hundredth mint commercial. No, no, no, no, no, no, don't. No, no, no. I mean, honestly, when I started this.

[A]

I thought I'd only have to do.

[B]

Like four of these. I mean, it's unlimited to Premium Wireless for $15 a month. How are there still people paying two or three times that much? I'm sorry, I shouldn't be victim blaming. Here, give it a [e-mail] switch whenever you're ready.

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I'm telling you, man, I think it's Andrew's population.

[B]

Well, it sounds completely believable to me, Keith. Just as believable as the Cowboys having a shot at having a good season. And what if we told you that the Cowboys had done something no other professional sports team has done this year? We'll tell you what that is. And we'll find out if there's any way to buy this mysterious Angie's popcorn from Myron's friend who he doesn't remember his name. That's next here on espn.

[A]

I'll find it. I'll find it. Football Sunday on ESPN Radio.

[B]

Chiefs find a way to make one fewer mistake than everybody else every single week.

[A]

Undefeated at 9. 0, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs face Josh Allen in the 8 and 2 Buffalo Bills.

[B]

Touchdown.

[A]

Bills coverage begins today at 4 Eastern on select ESPN radio stations. Matt and Myron, the podcast.

[B]

This one is over. The Eagles break a six year losing streak in Arlington.

[A]

We didn't run it good enough and we obviously didn't pass protect good enough. We didn't throw good enough. I didn't call plays good enough. But you know, I'm not going to sugarcoat this. You can't, you can't win by taking.

[B]

Care of the damn ball.

[A]

Five turnovers, it's just, it's unacceptable. Bottom line is that we've got eight.

[B]

Ball games, we've got a lot to.

[A]

Work on that we can do better. We did all the things we did and end up with a game like this.

[B]

I mean, there might not be a bigger joke in professional sports right now than the Dallas Cowboys. I mean, just every time you think, well that's about a biggest joke as they could be, then they find a way to be a bigger joke. The latest being the fact that they don't, Myron, have a curtain that they could cover up the sun with. And it leads to drop passes and it leads to Jerry Jones going, what do you want me to do? It's the sun. Like, we can't get rid of the sun. Sun's part of Earth. And it felt like such a fitting part of the Jerry Jones legacy and the saga. And it continues tomorrow night on Monday Night Football as the Texans play the Cowboys, trying to stop a six game losing streak against the team. The Cowboys are the only professional team in the four major sports not to win a home game yet in the 2024 calendar year, no year, no point have they won a home game. The Giants, at least one last season.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Will that change Monday night?

[A]

I don't think it will, man. Even though C.J. stroud, like, @ the Texans haven't been great, you know, and they've kind of had these moments where you're like, okay, are they a different team? You got C.J. who, if anybody wants to pump the brakes a little bit on Jaden Daniels, look at CJ Stroud and how everybody went from sort of prodigy to, oh, it's been a little bit different in year two, but I mean, the Cowboys just look bad everywhere. Cooper Rush starts that game last week against the Eagles. Trey Lance comes in, can't get the job done. CD Lamb can't see a clear touchdown because of the sun. Which, by the way, Matt, isn't that the first thing you do when you build an arena or a stadium? Don't you say, we want to make sure that people aren't blinded by the light, especially our players?

[B]

About that. First of all, I went to WrestleMania in Dallas.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know what they did, because part of it was during the day. They had a curtain up over the sun. They did. So clearly they know how to do it. Secondly, there has been a hole in the Cowboys Stadium since the TV show Dallas was on. Go back to the intro to the TV show Dallas and it's an overhead of the Cowboys Stadium and you see that half of it has light and half of it doesn't. So this is an issue that they've had for 40 years. And it feels like if they wanted to fix it, they could. They don't want to fix it because I guess that's. They think it's awesome. But it is a perfect example of the sort of ineptitude of the franchise and maybe even more so the way they don't change. They don't change the way they play. They don't change the way they coach Jerry doesn't change the way he's an owner. And it has led to the problems that they have right now it's a.

[A]

It's a mess, right? And it makes you go, okay, how do they get out of this mess? Because there's no easy solution, dad. Prescott. Prescott comes back, and then the $60 million a year contract kicks in. Right. After coming off this injury, his latest season in the injury. Now you got the Deion Shadur talk, which I don't know, that is. But, Matt, is that a thing? Like if. If Colorado continues to win and they end up in a solid bowl game just outside the playoff rankings, and Dion's like, hey, I want to go back to the Cowboys after they fired Mike McCarthy. But I'm only doing it if you find a way to draft Shadur. I mean, if you're Jerry Jones. He seems wild enough to consider something like that.

[B]

Yeah, I think he does. I mean, I think there are many reasons to not do that. You know, I mean, I'm. Now, I think a lot of what Deion does would not work in the NFL. The sort of him being the bigger than life personality, him using, you know, I don't want to say intimidation. He doesn't do that. But he's certainly a figure who sort of tries to use his presence to lead, to change. I don't think that works in a league where guys make that kind of money. Then I would go even further. I don't think a guy coaching his kid in the NFL at quarterback is a really smart thing. But I could totally see Jerry Jones doing it. Even though that would be as big a disaster as that will be if it's in Cleveland or Tennessee or another place or Vegas. It'll be even more of a disaster if it's in Dallas. And so, Myron, because I see it as a disaster, I certainly think it could happen.

[A]

Yeah. I mean, Jerry Jones is attracted to disasters. I also think he's contracted attracted to this idea of the unconventional approach to things, like everybody else does it this way. I'm going to show you guys that I can get us back on the right track by going in a different direction. I mean, it's a little bit like Dan Hurley to the Lakers, man. Like when that talk was happening and people were saying, what do you think? In my mind, I was going, you all don't know Dan Hurley. I don't see how he goes around LeBron and Anthony Davis and all those guys with his personality and that works in the NBA. He's perfect for college. And I feel the same way about Deion. To me, it's smarter for Deion to think about Florida State than The Dallas Cowboys. But the Cowboys have to make some sort of a move and I don't know what that is. You're going to have a quarterback coming off another season in the injury and now he has the highest, the biggest contract in NFL history. You have a guy in CD lab who clearly needs some more weapons around him in order for that offense to get going. You have a guy in Micah Parsons who's about to ask to be paid as the highest defensive player, the wealthiest defensive player of all time. And yet you have a coach who can't last beyond this season. So there's just so many question marks with a Cowboys team and a lot of them are self inflicted.

[B]

Yeah, I think that's right. Let's go to the Texan side real quick. C.J. stroud's been sacked 34 times. That's the second most in the NFL after Caleb Williams. You know, they started so hot. They have been a sleeper super bowl pick for some people. That loss against the Lions, when you have five interceptions from the other quarterback, that can be kind of a crippling loss for a team. Are you still in on the Texas? They're going to win the division. So this is really a playoff question for them.

[A]

Yeah, I think, you know, it really. That's one of those losses where it just kills the confidence. Right. With everybody. Because if you can't win that, then when do you. How do you win those kinds of games that you're going to have in the playoffs? So for me, my concern would be with the Texans is like, you get into the playoffs and you're facing, you know, a team that maybe doesn't have your resume or your record, but you know, you've lost in games where the other team threw five picks. What does that do to a team? They got big injuries that they've had to deal with. Nico Collins and Stefan Diggs, like, there's a lot going on that C.J. stroud has not been able to overcome this season in ways that he did a year ago. But it ain't going to change. You know, C.J. stroud is not going to get a pass because of what he doesn't have since we saw last year. So last year could end up being actually one of the more challenging things for him, Matt. Because it allowed us to judge him in a way that might not be fair considering what he's dealing with.

[B]

Yeah, sophomore slumps are real. You know that people get tape on you. They start to, you know, the great ones can adjust to your adjustments and we will see if C.J. stroud will be able to do that, I will say, as a 54% completion percentage over his last four starts. That's the third worst in the NFL over his last four starts. And that is, to me, that's a troubling and worrisome thing. But you also do have to put it in perspective, which is their season for the most part is almost irrelevant now because they're gonna, they're gonna win the division. I mean, I don't think there's any team like when you're the Bills or the Chiefs or the Lions, you're still playing for home field and all that. I don't really think the Texans are playing for anything like they're going to win the division and they're not going to be the top overall seed. So, like they're just kind of going, I guess we need to be ready here in eight weeks and we'll see if that ends up happening. The Chargers are a team that I don't think anybody's considering as a contender, probably because they have no fans. But should we be doing that? That's next on ESPN Radio. Hey, it's your resident super bowl champ, Chris Candy. Coming up Monday, a huge weekend in the NFL, plus an elimination game at the sec.

[A]

And I'll recap it all.

[B]

Am I Upon Further review at 7am Eastern, it's UnsportsmanLife weekday mornings at 6.

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Canada. Kickoff on ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance. Right now, the ESPN BET Best player prop of the day according to your guy, Joe Fortinbaugh is Josh Allen Myron over seven and a half Rush attempts. Do you like that one?

[A]

Oh yeah. Not I think, especially if you know, amari Cooper isn't 100% no Keon Coleman. We're going to see a lot of Josh Allen running the ball. I like that.

[B]

Do you, by the way, do you think the game tonight or this afternoon, the Chiefs and the Bills, is that a high scoring game? Is it a defensive affair? You know, those two teams were used to them kind of airing it out. Do you think today, with Amari Cooper out and the struggles the Chiefs have had with their offense, where do you think it'll be?

[A]

Yeah, it may not be, you know, the 35 to 34 game we're accustomed to, but maybe over 20 for each team. I mean, the Kansas City defense is the real MVP of that team. It's not my homes. And Josh Allen having to adjust without his top targets, I think has also been a big deal as well. So maybe a bit more low scoring than people expect.

[B]

Yeah. I have to tell you, I hope that game is better than Rex Ryan's jacket today. I'm just. I'm just saying, like, I know I.

[A]

Want a jacket, man.

[B]

Well, I mean, I'm wearing, like, a St. John's hoodie, so I'm not trying to act like I'm dressed in a suit right now. I'm just saying, like, I don't know, light purple.

[A]

Did you. Did you. Did. Did you say that was Joe Fortenball's bed of the day?

[B]

No, I'm sorry. It was. It was someone else. I thought it was Joe.

[A]

Aaron Dolan.

[B]

It was Aaron.

[A]

Aaron Dolan.

[B]

Aaron Dolan. I thought that was Fortn ball. I couldn't.

[A]

Oh, okay.

[B]

I just. All I saw was the clip and I. But Aaron, that was. That was.

[A]

I thought you saw Aaron Dolan and said it was Joe for.

[B]

No, no. Aaron Dolan. Yeah, Joe Fort Ma. His mustache is. Is awful, too. So, like, the combination of those two, I would never. I would never get him confused. So Bengals and the chargers play at 8:20 tonight. Sunday night Football. You're going to get a lot of ooh in and on from Chris Collinsworth. With two great quarterbacks, Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert, playing each other. Justin Herbert's played great. He's played seven consecutive starts without interception. It's the longest streak in the NFL this year and the longest streak in Chargers franchise history. As far as the Bengals, they win tonight, they get over 50% chance according to ESPN analytics, to make it in the playoffs. If they lose, it goes to 22%. Not only is that the case, it's also the case that if for the Bengals to make the playoffs, you kind of look at the playoff picture. They're probably going to end up going against the Chargers for the spot. So if you win this game, you would actually have the tiebreaker against the Chargers. If you lose this game, it becomes hard to see a path for the Bengals to make the playoffs. This is must win for Cincinnati. So do they rally the troops, push the bad vibes away, Myron, and get a victory in a less than stellar home environment in la?

[A]

I mean it's possible. I mean obviously the home environment hasn't been a big factor for the charges because you know the charges are one of those teams where I think Jim Harbaugh, you got to give him credit, he is the quarterback whisperer. Justin Herbert is better with him as the head coach. Obviously this defense is really good as well. One last week against the Titans and I think their starting cornerbacks were both out. But the Chargers schedules have been a bit deceptive. You know where these wins have come from. They lost to Kansas City on September 29, then they beat the Broncos, lost to the Cardinals, another playoff team, and then they beat the Saints, the Browns and the Titans. So a lot of this win total has come from Non playoff teams, sub 500 teams. But they're getting ready to start a run where they're going to play some really good squad. So I think it starts tonight. Matt, to your point, if you can beat the Bengals, I think people go okay, maybe we we're not talking about the charges enough. If you lose to Cincinnati at home, I think people will call them frauds and I think they'll be justified in that.

[B]

Well, I think if you're Cincinnati, look, they didn't make the playoffs last year. They have really struggled this year. You know, maybe they haven't always had their full group that they've had borough all year. You know, we kind of expected after their run a few three years back that this was going to be a team we'd see year after year after year. And that just has not happened at this point. And I do think there's a little bit of a thought about the Bengals for me that this is a make or break game. You look at the rest of their schedule, it's doable their schedule. They played a lot of the, they played a lot of the teams early that they, that they struggle with. But now they have after this the Steelers next week, then they play the Cowboys, the Titans, the Browns, the Broncos. So those are all winnable games. But I think you got to win this one in order to make it matter. Now on the other side with the Chargers, they win this game, they're seven and three, Myron. I mean, they're sitting there, they're probably not going to win the division, but that would make it to where they would have a three game lead on everybody for a playoff berth. And the Chargers, because they're probably not going to win the division, can start playing for a road playoff game because then that's probably where they're going to end up.

[A]

Yeah, no, I think, I think that's why this kind of feels almost must win for me with the Chargers only because their schedule is about to get more difficult. Like they have gotten away with playing again some teams with losing records over the last five, six games, but they're going to play sort of the meat of their schedule over the next month and a half.

[B]

So they play, they play just so you know, the Ravens, the Falcons, the Chiefs, the Bucks. Then they get a little bit easier to finish the game. But their next four games are Ravens, Falcons, Chiefs and Bucks. So, you know, you want to give yourself some leeway, Myron, to lose some of those games.

[A]

Yeah, I think that's why tonight is that important. Especially I think at home. Again, you got two quarterbacks who, who have been criticized, I think for different reasons. Joe Burrow has been a guy where we saw him go to the super bowl, he's defeated Kansas City in Kansas City, which is very hard to do. Few quarterbacks have been able to do it. But then starting with the injury season last year hasn't looked like that. Joe Burrow to a lot of people. Even though the numbers are still pretty impressive, completing 69% of his passes, he's only thrown four picks this year, 24 touchdowns. It ain't Joe Burrow, but no, it's not people expecting to be in the Lamar, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes kind of category. Whereas Justin Herbert, it's like, and I'm not, I'm not making fun of the Chargers, but tonight for a lot of people will be the first time they've watched a Chargers game this year.

[B]

Maybe the first time they've watched them in three or four years. I mean, the Chargers are the team back to four, you know, the late games. The Chargers are the team that are playing the Broncos at 4:30 in a game that unless you're watching red zone, you wouldn't not even know is occurring. Right. Some people forget, like Jim Harbaugh pops up and they go, oh, he's not at Michigan anymore. Like that's, I think how People look at the Chargers, they are in an NFL where every single thing is talked about 365 days a year. No one ever cares about the Chargers. And it is a bizarre thing. But I think it's helped Justin Herbert, who's quietly, after a lot of criticism early in his career, been excellent. And Myron, I don't think anyone knows. I don't think all but the most NFL dorks have any idea what Justin Herbert's done this year.

[A]

Yeah, and it's interesting because, like, you know, at the collegiate level, everything Harbaugh did, you know, was a big issue. It's a big storyline. Nobody cares in the NFL that he's there. But I think you win tonight on a national stage, a lot of the people who maybe have not cared might care more. They might focus on Justin Herbert more. I mean, he's put up some ridiculous numbers that are compared to the Peyton Mannings and Andrew Lux of the world in terms of the first few years of his career, but nobody focuses on that. I think you go out and beat Joe Burrow on the national stage, people will look at this team, especially with that defense, and say, maybe we're looking at a sleeper in the AFC playoff picture that we haven't given enough attention to.

[B]

Why is it a story that the Seahawks almost drafted Devo Samuel?

[A]

I don't know. I don't know. Just. I don't know. I don't know.

[B]

Why is that?

[A]

Kudos to Adam Schefter. You know, I think he broke the story, but I don't know.

[B]

How many years ago was that? That was like five years ago. Right, but why is that?

[A]

I mean, they're playing each other, I think. I think that's what they're facing all, you know, Seahawks in the 49ers.

[B]

I almost went out, went out with this beautiful woman who then got married to someone else. Who cares? Like, are you going to break a story that I almost had a date eight years ago with this particular woman? Like, why is that a story?

[A]

I got a buddy who swears he almost got Beyonce's number. Like, back in the day.

[B]

Like, back, way back in the day.

[A]

It's like, yeah, you know, it's one of his claims to fame, but. Yeah. No, I don't know why it matters that.

[B]

No, it doesn't. I almost went, you know, I almost went and saw Taylor Swift 10 years ago. Who cares? Like, I don't understand why that's a story, especially on a game day. I mean, almost only counts at horseshoes and hand grenades.

[A]

So why yes.

[B]

Well, I also want you to know I almost drafted Patrick Mahomes and then did not. It's good to know.

[A]

Well, Bengals in charge almost with hand grenades. What is that? Oh, yeah, true. I got it now. I didn't understand it first, but I got it. You never heard that before? That's maybe the most common saying in the world.

[B]

You've never, you've never heard that saying?

[A]

In what community is it one of the most common phrases in America?

[B]

Yeah, it's always, you know, you know, everything doesn't have to be white and black. You act like we all have different sayings. I feel like you have the same sayings that we.

[A]

I don't, I don't think everything is white and black. I just think we sat at different tables at the cafeteria sometimes, that's all.

[B]

Well, that may have been. And I wanted to sit at your table. I was just scared.

[A]

Coming up, y'all gave me free apple juices and milk.

[B]

I wanted to sit over there and I was like, I'm scared.

[A]

What you think was gonna happen?

[B]

I like ice cube too, guys. It's like, nobody cares. We ain't gonna hurt you. You. Well, I don't know. Coming up next, we make our picks for week 11. Why were you scared? I was just scared. Sunday morning with Matt ESPN Radio.

[A]

You got stop watching all Sunday on ESPN Radio.

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[A]

Undefeated at 9. 0, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs face Josh Allen in the 8 and 2 Buffalo Bills touchdown. Bills coverage begins today at 4 Eastern on select ESPN radio stations. Matt and Myron the podcast Looking for.

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[A]

Only a jack in the box.

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Order one on the Jack app. Today it is Canada kickoff here on ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance. Insurance for motorcycles, boats and RVs. For protection on the road and on the water. See how much you can save at 1-800-progressive and progressive. Com last week we made picks and Nick, we were in Chicago. I had a one game lead overall on our pick thing. How did it go last week?

[A]

I mean it depends who you ask. I think Myron maybe might have been under the influence with the picks he made because it was a man. I'll say that stuff. Those picks were bad. I took some risks. They weren't okay. The commanders had a double digit lead over the Steelers. That could have been a win for me. It's the cow. Who knew the Bears. Who knew the Bears were going to fall apart against the Patriots at home? I know, but that, but you were like I don't want to pick them. I'm making, you know.

[B]

What was the record last week, Nick? The Eagles.

[A]

The Cowboys was a bad pick. Matt Myron went 6 and 6. You picked the jets who lost by 30 points.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

The jets played Cardinals.

[B]

Cardinals.

[A]

Yeah. I didn't know the Cardinals were that good.

[B]

So I went 10 and 2. Myron went 6 and 6. So now I have a five game lead. I am 85 and 44 on the year. Myron is 80 and 47. That will be a probably an insurmountable deficit.

[A]

It's not insurmountable. That's insurmountable.

[B]

It's pretty insurmountable, I think.

[A]

But that's okay from your perspective, right?

[B]

Five game lead. That's the way it goes. So let's get going. What's up the let's pick the ones this week. What's up first?

[A]

Ravens at Steelers. So you also have such an advantage because you picked second.

[B]

What you pick has no influence on whatever.

[A]

I was actually thinking about this, what I picked.

[B]

Yeah, it is an advantage.

[A]

You can play kind of protect.

[B]

But I don't. I picked five battleship different than him and won four of them last week. Just for the record.

[A]

Okay, so Ravens at Steelers. This is hard because history says the Steelers have kind of had the Ravens number. I think Baltimore is playing the best football in the entire NFL. Russell Wilson to me fell off last week and kind of showed who he really is at this stage of his career. So I'm going to pick the Ravens. I don't feel great about it. Nothing will surprise me. But I'll pick the Ravens.

[B]

Yeah, I don't think this one is hard. I think the Ravens win Steelers. It's been an amazing year for them so far but for me they're. They're kind of on borrowed time throughout the year. The Ravens are a Better team after a so so performance the last few weeks, they come out play well. I take Baltimore. What's next?

[A]

Jaguars at Lions.

[B]

Any chance this would be a Myron pick? You want to take the Jags on the road against Detroit? It's 14 point underdogs.

[A]

No, no, no. Matt Mack Jones would be terrible. Watch this though. If you got Sam Laporta in your fantasy lineup, he's out. But the Lions will win by.

[B]

Laporta is out. Is that new? Is that new news or no?

[A]

I don't know if it's new. It broke in the last hour.

[B]

Just broke. Okay, good deal. I'm going to take the lines as well. I think that one's easy. What's next?

[A]

Rams at Patriots. This is the big one, man, because they on the Rams are trying to right the wrongs, make another run to the playoffs like they did last year when they were three and six. Now they're four and five. I was impressed by Drake May man and kind of what he was able to do against the Bears. They're starting to figure it out. I don't. I want to pick the Patriots. Let me just say I feel like I should. Go ahead.

[B]

Don't be a chicken. Go ahead.

[A]

But I, I just don't think they'll beat the Rams. I think. I think Matthew Stafford will be better this year. Better this game. So I will pick the Rams in this one.

[B]

Oh, see, I tried to bait you into it. I'm taking the Rams. I think the Rams win. This is one of those classic. Rams lost last week and shouldn't. Patriots won last week maybe shouldn't flip it. Rams win this time. What's next?

[A]

Browns at Saints. Gee, we lose. I feel like in this game, in this game between these two, these two teams, man, I'll pick the Saints at home. I don't feel great about that. Might be a closer game than people imagine because at least the Browns defense will have some life. But I'll pick. You know what? I'm picking the Browns. Never mind. I'm picking the Browns.

[B]

Why did you.

[A]

Wow. Never mind, never mind, never mind. I'm picking the Browns.

[B]

I'm taking the Browns. I was hoping you were going to take the Saints. James is not losing this game. This is a J game. I'm taking the Browns. I thought I had another one on you. What's next?

[A]

Nah, I talked myself out of it. Cold said Jets, Anthony Richardson is back. It feels like it can't get much worse for the Jets. I mean everything is bad for the defense is terrible. Even though their interim head coach is a defensive guy. Aaron Rogers can't move. But it's also Anthony Richardson, who I just isn't an accurate passer. Makes a lot of mistakes. I've seen it with my own eyes. This is the kind of bounce back game the jets need. They'll win. Jets win.

[B]

Aaron Rodgers had a big week. RFK's picked his health secretary. He comes out bouncing. So Aaron Rodgers and the jets get the victory.

[A]

He in the cabin, too?

[B]

Yeah, probably.

[A]

Vikings at Titans. Vikings.

[B]

We were a little behind. So I assume you're gonna take the Vikings, right? And then what's next?

[A]

Raiders at Dolphins.

[B]

I'm gonna assume you're gonna take the Dolphins, right?

[A]

I'm going to take the Dolphins, yep.

[B]

All right, so let's now go to the hard ones. What's next?

[A]

Hackers at Bears again. I just didn't see a team that knows how to play football when I watched it live in Soldier Field with Chicago. It's not just the offense. Fine. You fired Shane Waldron. It's not just that banged up offensive line. It's a quarterback who to me has a lot to learn to be able to reach whatever his ceiling is. But Jordan Love has thrown 10 picks. I think he leads the league. He can't stop throwing interceptions. Hasn't thrown a touchdown since mid. No, mid October. I'm going to pick the packers, but nothing will surprise me.

[B]

There was no reason for that to be that long. We stink. The packers have won, beating us like 10 straight times. Packers win. That's easy. What's next?

[A]

Aaron Rodgers. Aaron Rodgers was like eight of them.

[B]

We stink. Go ahead.

[A]

Seahawks at 49ers. Oh, man. Seahawks. What are they, one in five in their last six games? Christian McCaffrey is back. It'll be the 49ers. I think the Seahawks defense is giving up like 25 points a game. McCaffrey's presence changes everything. Give me the Niners.

[B]

Yeah, I'm going to take the Niners as well. I think this is a game where they write the shit. Continue to write the ship. Give me the 49ers. What's next?

[A]

Falcons at Broncos.

[B]

All right, now here's a close one.

[A]

It's a tough one. The Bo Nicks bowl, obviously, Kirk Cousins, what he's able to do when he's healthy. Bo Nicks has done some good with the Broncos. And that defense has also had its moments. I'm going to pick Atlanta, though. I think offense is better. Good offense is going to beat a team. I think, like the Denver Broncos. Kirk Cousins will have a big day. Give me the Falcons.

[B]

Yeah, see, we. I don't think we've picked differently on any game and I wanted to this week, but I was close. Atlanta. I don't know how we don't pick Atlanta here. I think they're better than the Broncos in the Denver home field. I think Atlanta's going to win. What's next?

[A]

Chiefs at Bills?

[B]

All right, maybe we're different on this one. Who you got in Buffalo?

[A]

Just, you know, they're undefeated. They keep finding ways to win close games. Without his top targets, Josh Allen is definitely at a disadvantage against this Kansas City defense. I want to pick Buffalo and I would actually advise you to pick Buffalo out there. I'm going to pick Kansas City.

[B]

All right. We finally get a different one. Even though I'm the biggest Chiefs defender in the world, they're going to lose this one in Buffalo regular season. They'll beat them in the playoffs, but they will lose this one. I'll take Buffalo. We now have at least one difference. Give me the Bills at home. What's next?

[A]

Bengals at Chargers.

[B]

Big game. Could go either way. This is a tough one. What do you got there, Myron?

[A]

That Charger defense is real. I mean, no matter what you think about Justin Herbert, who's been really good, and Joe Burrow who actually has been so much better than people have said, I mean, 24 touchdowns, four interceptions. The Chargers defense will be the X factor in this game and they're going to really put a lot of pressure on Joe Burrow, make life hard on him this afternoon. Give me the Chargers to win and to sort of have their coming out party to the world.

[B]

This is the biggest game of the day. Not in terms of the most entertaining, but probably the one with the most at stake. Because if you're the Chargers, you win this game, you're probably in the playoffs. If you're the Bengals and you lose this game, you're probably out of the playoffs. That makes it hard to figure out what to do. I think the Chargers have more room for error in this game. So I'm going to take Cincinnati. They got to put it all on the line. They cannot lose here. So I'm going to take the Bengals on Sunday Night Football on the peacock. What's next?

[A]

Texans at Cowboys. I mean, the Texans a win. I mean, in state rivalry. The Cowboys have just been terrible. Cooper Rush, tray lands. I don't care who you go to, they can't see in their own building. This will be a bounce back game. For C.J. stroud and Texans.

[B]

Yeah, this is an easy one for me. I think the Texans role and I think there should be a memo given to the NFL. Please do not put the Cowboys on prime time again even though I'm sure they are scheduled to be on in future games. You wanted to make a correction about popcorn that you thought people really cared about.

[A]

Yeah, people thought I was making up the Angie's Popcorn thing. It's a national brand now out of Mankato, Minnesota. I used to buy from Dan, one of the co owners when he would come to like games. I could call him now. I could email him now. Well I don't know if any more but at one point I could email him get popcorn before it became a big thing. So I did know him before the.

[B]

So for those of you wondering or scoring at home, Myron used to know the guy that does Angie's Popcorn. Not sure if he knows him anymore. At one time could have emailed him but not sure if he could email him now. I'm sure everyone wanted to sneak no before we finished the game. There you go.

[A]

I'm just saying I knew him before he got back.

[B]

Might be emailing guy.

[A]

We'll see more. Hey, it's Greeny and Monday this will be the place to talk football. What a week 11. We'll look back on the Chiefs and the Bills in Buffalo and head to a Monday nighter for bragging rights in Texas, the Texans and the Cowboys. It's greeny starting 10am Eastern on ESPN radio and the ESPN app. 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 SiriusXM Channel 80. Matt and Myron the Podcast.