The Bobby Bones Show – "Lots to Say": NFL Week 14 Recap & WWE's Charlotte Flair (Dec 10, 2025)

Hosts: Bobby Bones & Matt Cassel
Special Guest: Charlotte Flair

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a spirited recap of NFL Week 14, headlined by the unexpected return of Philip Rivers, deep dives into quarterback debuts and struggles, up-to-date power rankings, and a detailed preview of the week’s key matchups. The episode features an in-depth conversation with 14-time WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair, exploring her injury comeback, career evolution, and lessons from competition.

Main Themes & Segments

1. NFL Week 14: Injury Fallout, Comebacks, and Power Rankings
2. NFL Week 14 Game/Team Analysis
3. Shadur Sanders & Rookie Quarterbacks: Hype vs Reality
4. Special Guest: Charlotte Flair (WWE) – Injury, Identity, and Success
5. Fun Closers: Stories and Light Moments

1. NFL Week 14: Injury Fallout, Comebacks, and Power Rankings

The Philip Rivers "Rookie Movie" Story (07:01)

• Topic: Colts’ QB Injury Crisis & Rivers’ Return
• Daniel Jones’ Achilles tear (out for season, free agent soon)
• Anthony Richardson’s fractured orbital bone; Riley Leonard also injured
• Surprise move: Colts sign 44-year-old Philip Rivers after a workout
  • “Old Philip Rivers, man, he's still coaching ball, so he's probably in shape.” (C, 07:11)
  • Rivers’ connections: mentored Leonard, former Colt, familiar with Jonathan Taylor, Quenton Nelson, Pittman
  • Pocket-passer, out of NFL 4-5 years, but brought in for experience
• Fun stat: If Rivers plays a snap, HOF eligibility restarts
  • “One snap in a game, you're off the ballot for five years.” (A, 09:54)
• Side note: Rivers could be oldest QB to start (Brett Favre referenced as grandpa starter, 10:53)

2. NFL Week 14 Game/Team Analysis

Power Rankings Breakdown (11:42)

Honorable Mention

• #6 – Kansas City Chiefs: “Just missing the list this week at number six, the Kansas City Chiefs.” (A, 11:45)
  • 6-7 record; need to win out. Host’s bet: Will they make the playoffs at long odds?
  • “If the Ravens are in the hunt at 6 and 7, so are the Chiefs.” (A, 12:46-12:54)

Top Five

• #5 – Bills (9-4): Gutsy snow win, big defensiveplays (15:16)
• #4 – Packers: Big win over Bears; Caleb Williams’ growth as a young QB (19:35-20:41)
  • “He’s going to be a really good quarterback.” (A, 20:18)
• #3 – Patriots (11-2): Playing disciplined under Mike Vrabel, Drake May emerging as MVP candidate, strong special teams (21:13-22:43)
  • “This is a young, young football team… the future is really bright.” (C, 22:07)
• #2 – Seahawks: Big jump after not making last week’s list (23:19)
• #1 – Rams (10-3): “You got to put them in… the Rams at number one 10 and 3 vs the Lions next week.” (A, 23:41)

Conference Analysis

• Acknowledgement of heightened parity in the NFC ("six teams…could represent the NFC in the Super Bowl", A, 23:51)
• AFC wild-card race is wide open. Chiefs, Ravens in the hunt, Dolphins/Bengals technically alive.

Quick Previews / Picks (Bills @ Patriots, Lions @ Rams, Packers @ Broncos)

• Arguments for/against home field, QB performances, defensive battles.
  • “I'm going with Green Bay. That defense ... I think it’s going to be a defensive battle.” (C, 27:06)

3. Shadur Sanders & Rookie QBs: Hype vs Reality (55:52)

• Shadur Sanders: Examined as a surprise starter due to injuries

  • Mixed results: “he’s played well against bad teams and bad against good teams” (A, 57:41)
  • “I think he's got four games to prove himself.” (A, 57:47)
  • Discussion on whether Browns should/would draft a new QB if Sanders underwhelms
  • Matt: “It’s a lot to put on a young quarterback... but as long as he keeps moving forward, taking care of the football… there's some highlight reel plays on there…” (C, 58:22)
  • Future draft: Oregon’s Dante Moore and Indiana’s Mendoza as possible targets

• Jalen Hurts & Eagles’ Struggles

  • “I think it's about the Eagles and where they are from a momentum standpoint. Because now it's what, three straight? They've lost three straight…” (C, 63:46)
  • Philly fans being quick to call for coach’s removal: “I don't feel like rational people are calling for Sirianni's job. I feel like Philadelphia fans are calling for Sirianni's job.” (A, 65:14)

4. Special Guest: Charlotte Flair – Injury, Identity, and Success

Segment Start: [32:26]
Guest: Charlotte Flair (14-time WWE Women’s Champion)

Early Life & Athletic Foundations

• Grew up a volleyball player, even played in college. Once aspired to play professionally.
  • “I did beat volleyball. Gabriel Reese was like my role model… All I wanted to do was play in college.” (E, 36:22)
  • Family turmoil and self-identity struggles changed her goals after college.

Wrestling Origins & Connection

• Inspired not by personal ambition initially, but by her brother’s dream.
  • “I started wrestling for my little brother, which was his dream, and then turned into mine.” (E, 38:12)

Physical & Mental Demands of Wrestling

• Training: “Being athletic, being in shape, keeping up with my training has what's kept me in the game… It’s like my decompressor.” (E, 33:57)
• Injuries: “Small, random bruises are what hurt the most… I think I broke my nose the first week.” (E, 33:21, 40:04)
• Early challenges: “Taking bumps is not natural… Like the ropes hurt, the mat hurts.” (E, 39:04)

Evolving Into ‘The Queen’

• Character development: Slow and ongoing.

  • “Definitely the first two years, I didn't even, like, know where to put my hands on my entrance… finding a character, the charisma, I think for me, that just hasn't stopped.” (E, 40:09)
  • Embracing legacy (“Flair’s kid”), overcoming the pressure of lineage.

• Artistry: She personally pays for the elaborate wardrobe.

  • “No, it's up to you to invest in yourself… That’s all part of what I invest into Charlotte.” (E, 41:15)

Villain or Hero: The Psychology

• “It's harder to be liked. It's easier to be disliked.” (E, 42:14 & 42:18)
  • “When you're doing something wrong is when you're not getting a response from the audience. So whether it's for me, boos, cheers, or woos… as long as the fans are engaging, I'm like, that's a win.” (E, 42:22)
  • Currently a "good guy" for first time, feels she’s more relatable now:
    “For so long, I made this character that wasn’t relatable because I’m like… She has to be the best. …But there’s so much more … I’m not starting over. But now… the character can be more relatable, and that’s what I’m learning.” (E, 43:02 & 44:01)

Coping With Pressure, Separation from Persona

• “I used to say, oh, I wish I was more like my character in my real life... But really, what's, like, made the character special over this last year is not being like that.” (E, 45:15)
  • Discusses being a role model, importance of authenticity for fans

Milestones & Comebacks

• WrestleMania 35: First women to headline
  • “I walked down the ramp and was like, I did exactly what I said I was going to do… we were meant to be there that night because it was the best story that whole year.” (E, 46:45)
• 2025 Royal Rumble Win/Return from Injury:
  • “I was more nervous about being away for over a year… When you've been off in a way, you're like, will they remember me?... How do you get in that mental space…” (E, 48:22)
• Future Goals:
  • “I really want to main event WrestleMania again… but I think personally and professionally, it’s continuing to grow as a character… show layers.” (E, 50:30)

5. Fun Closers: Football Stories & Light Banter

• Matt Cassel’s One Career Punt (66:25): Story of a legendary “quick kick” for 57 yards into massive wind with a dry sense of humor.
  • “No, I literally looked over the sideline like, say that again. Like, are we serious?” (C, 66:28)
  • “I was fired up because it literally was down on the one, but at the same time I was like, I'm getting a little bit more credit than I deserve, but I'll take that credit. It was pretty sweet…” (C, 67:55)

Notable Quotes & Moments (w/ Timestamps)

• On the Rivers comeback:
  • “It's like the Rookie, the movie... can't imagine anybody being older than him.” (A, 09:59)
• On character and crowd response:
  • “When you're doing something wrong is when you're not getting a response from the audience.” (E, 42:22)
• On returning from injury for Royal Rumble:
  • “I was more nervous… will they remember me?… How do you get in that mental space.” (E, 48:22)
• On player-fan irrationality:
  • “I don't feel like rational people are calling for Sirianni's job. I feel like Philadelphia fans are calling for Sirianni's job.” (A, 65:14)

Memorable Moments

• The playful debate over power rankings and whether the Chiefs should be “in the hunt” graphic
• Charlotte Flair’s candid reflection on the difference between her persona and her real-life struggles
• Detailed football outsider-insider analysis from both Bobby (fan) and Matt (ex-QB)
• The “Rivers as Grandpa QB” light-hearted side tangent
• Charlotte’s behind-the-scenes talk about wardrobe costs and investing in your own character
• Matt Cassel reciting his punt play and owning both the (dubious) credit and the moment

Timestamps for Key Sections

• Philip Rivers comeback: 07:01–11:38
• Power Rankings: 11:42–24:01
• NFL Quick Preview: 25:39–27:20
• Charlotte Flair Interview: 32:26–51:29
• Shadur Sanders/Browns QB Segment: 55:52–61:40
• Eagles/Hurts Discussion: 62:30–65:14
• Matt Cassel’s Punt Story: 66:25–68:09

Summary & Takeaways

This episode blends sharp football analysis, humorous banter, and a heartfelt interview with one of wrestling’s biggest stars. Bobby and Matt strike a balance between high-level league trends and quirky player narratives, while Charlotte Flair’s conversation reveals the athleticism and resilience required at the top of women’s WWE. The show is light, conversational, occasionally nerdy, and always engaging—a can't-miss for fans of either gridiron or squared circle.