Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron: Episode Summary – Hour 3: The Phones are Off
Released on December 15, 2024
In this engaging episode of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron," hosts Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf delve deep into the current landscape of the NFL, European soccer rivalries, and the evolving dynamics of college football playoffs. Skipping advertisements and non-content segments, the discussion is rich with expert analysis, spirited debates, and insightful predictions. Below is a comprehensive summary capturing the episode's key points, notable quotes, and the overall flow of conversations.
1. Super Bowl Predictions and Team Analysis
The episode kicks off with Matt and Myron analyzing the odds of various NFL teams clinching the Super Bowl. The conversation primarily centers around the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, and the reigning favorites, the Kansas City Chiefs.
Matt's Perspective:
- Matt emphasizes his unwavering confidence in the Chiefs, stating, "I'm betting on the Chiefs until they lose. I just am. While they're not playing the best football right now, they have the best record in the NFL." (03:02)
- He highlights the Chiefs' path to the AFC Championship, suggesting that their remaining games, especially against the Texans, are manageable for them to secure their spot.
Myron's Counterpoints:
- Myron counters by expressing skepticism about the Chiefs' sustainability, remarking, "They find a way to win these games. Is that luck going to continue? I mean, it's going to run out at some point." (04:11)
- He underscores the resurgence of other teams like the Ravens and questions the Steelers' viability in the current playoff race.
Statistical Breakdown:
- Matt mentions the probabilistic edge, stating, "If you add up the numbers, it would be about 54% for your four and like 46% for mine." (03:02) indicating a close contest between their predicted favorites.
2. European Soccer Rivalries: Celtic vs Rangers
Shifting gears, Matt and Myron delve into the intense rivalry between Celtic and Rangers in the Scottish Cup final.
- Matt expresses enthusiasm for the atmosphere, saying, "There are no more fun group of people to be around than Scottish people. Have you ever been to a... a lot of Scottish people? They are the best." (10:11)
- Myron shares his experiences from visiting Scotland, adding, "I have been to Scotland twice. Both times for golf trips, and yes, very hospitable. Very. It's fantastic." (17:29)
The hosts discuss the passion and intensity surrounding the match, highlighting its significance in the world of European soccer.
3. College Football Playoff Expansion
The conversation transitions to the College Football Playoff, focusing on its expansion to 12 teams.
- Myron touches on the reasons behind the expansion, stating, "NIL has been the great equalizer in all of college sports." (16:16)
- Matt adds context about home-field advantages and the dream scenarios the expansion could facilitate, saying, "The home field advantage too. In that first round, we have dreamt of this situation." (12:35)
They speculate on the potential impact of this expansion on the competitiveness and excitement of college football.
4. NFL Game Predictions and Analysis
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to predicting the outcomes of various NFL games scheduled for the day. Matt and Myron systematically go through each matchup, offering their insights and picks.
Notable Predictions:
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Ravens vs. Giants: Gabe picks the Ravens, supported by Matt’s remark, “I’ll take the Ravens.” (38:37)
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Jets vs. Jaguars: Both hosts agree on favoring the Jets, with Matt humorously referring to Aaron Rodgers’ tenure with, “Aaron Rodgers on his way to a conspiracy theory podcast.” (39:30)
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Cowboys vs. Panthers: They lean towards the Panthers, highlighting Bryce Young's performance, “Bryce Young has been playing better... I think they're going to continue to that.” (39:33)
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Commanders vs. Saints: A bit of back-and-forth ensues with Matt expressing concern over the Commanders’ stability but ultimately supporting their win, “I'm going to pick the Commanders.” (40:15)
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Chiefs vs. Browns: Matt takes a bold stance by backing Cleveland Browns over the Chiefs, stating, “I'm going to take Cleveland." (41:15)
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Bills vs. Lions: Both hosts favor the Bills, with Myron indicating, “I’m going to go with the Bills.” (43:19)
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Buccaneers vs. Chargers: They opt for the Chargers, discussing defensive strengths, “I’m going to take the Chargers to win at home.” (43:32)
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Steelers vs. Eagles: A consensus emerges in favor of the Eagles, with Matt noting, “I’m going to take the Eagles to win on the road.” (44:20)
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Bears vs. Vikings: Myron supports the Vikings, citing Sam Darnold’s prowess, “I’m going to take Sam Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings.” (45:12)
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Falcons vs. Raiders: Both choose the Falcons, critiquing Kirk Cousins’ performance, “I’m going to take Atlanta.” (46:08)
Discussion Highlights:
- Sam Darnold’s Performance: A detailed debate unfolds around the Minnesota Vikings' quarterback Sam Darnold, with Myron advocating for his impact, “Sam Darnold has taken a team that we thought was a disaster and they have a chance to be the one seed in the NFC.” (35:04), while Matt questions the Vikings' potential decisions regarding their quarterback roster.
5. Quarterback Contracts and Team Strategies
A significant segment addresses the contract negotiations and future of key quarterbacks like Sam Darnold and Brock Purdy.
- Myron discusses the complexities surrounding Sam Darnold’s contract, emphasizing the high-stakes nature for the Vikings, “Whatever decision that GM makes is a 'you get fired if you get it wrong' decision.” (31:17)
- The hosts compare scenarios with other quarterbacks, debating the strategic moves teams might take in securing their QB positions, and the potential repercussions of these decisions.
6. Host Interactions and Listener Engagement
Although the episode is titled "The Phones are Off," the hosts humorously address issues with phone lines not connecting, leading to light-hearted banter.
- Matt shares a listener's message praising Gabe, comparing him to a golfer's impressive shot, "One person writes... 'he's better than most. And that's like Tiger's putt at the Players Championship.'" (14:22)
- Myron mentions difficulty in reaching the show, leading to playful commentary about call lines and listener accessibility.
7. Closing Remarks and Upcoming Segments
As the episode wraps up, Matt and Myron reflect on the day's discussions and hint at future topics.
- Matt mentions upcoming analyses, including reacting to Week 15 in the NFL and the College Football Playoff kickoff, ensuring listeners stay tuned for more in-depth sports coverage.
- They also highlight the continued excitement in sports beyond American football, referencing the ongoing Celtic vs. Rangers match and the fanfare surrounding European soccer events.
Final Notable Quote:
- Matt concludes with enthusiasm for the ongoing sports drama, “This game is insane. 3, 3. As they are playing in extra time.” (47:09)
Conclusion
This episode of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" offers a thorough exploration of the current sports climate, blending statistical analysis with personal insights. From dissecting NFL playoff potentials and quarterback contracts to appreciating the fervor of European soccer rivalries, Matt and Myron provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of the sports world. Their dynamic interaction and expert predictions make this episode a must-listen for avid sports enthusiasts.