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Talk about stepping up.
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On your next campaign. Get started at LinkedIn.com results terms and conditions apply. The Jack Welch Management Institute at Strayer University helps you go from I know the way to I've arrived with our top 10 ranked online MBA. Gain skills you can learn today and apply tomorrow. Get ready to go from make it happen to Made it happen and keep striving. Visit strayer.edu Jack WelchMBA to learn more. Strayer University is certified to operate in Virginia by Chev and has many campuses, including at 2121 15th Street north in Arlington, Virginia. Hey, did you hear about the woman in West Virginia who framed the Pittsburgh Steelers tattoo she had taken off her dead husband's arm? Now that's what I call having some skin in the game. Yes, the Lincoln driving philosopher McConaughey taught us time is a flat circle. You know what else is a circle? A ring. And coaches are fond of saying no one can ever take away that ring. But of course those rings can and have been taken, sold, or lost. Still, the spirit of the point stands. Time waits for no man, but our deeds are etched into history. How we stack up that particular moment in time versus all the other moments in time is where things get murky and therefore makes it enjoyable for debate fodder with a beer in your hand. It's funny then, how some debates around goats and their positional derivations have a period at the end instead of an ellipses. Confirmation to the Supreme Court is a lifetime appointment, as is apparently Mike Tomlin's job with the Steelers. And since roughly 1983, we haven't attempted to improve mobile coffee cup technology, even though there can't be a single human being who's actually satisfied with drinking out of that little hole in the plastic lid, then in his free time spews the hot liquid all over the car's cup holder. Anywho, some things are eternal, other things are worthy of an update. It wasn't that long ago baseball was the national pastime. Boxing and horse racing were baseball's only competition for our affection. But that time's come and gone. The combined audience for all three is now dwarfed by a Giants Titans preseason game. Diamonds may be forever, but James Bond, or at least the actors who've played James Bond, are not. When Joe Montana retired, we all understood he was the greatest quarterback of all time. Then came Tom Brady. If the Chiefs had beaten Philly back in February, Mahomes the goat talk would be all the rage. But KC didn't win, and now that moment is lost like tears in the rain. But since time is a circle, every new season brings with one ring to rule them all. And with that, a fresh chance for the debating to resume. Now, of course, no matter what happens, you won't get a ring. That's for the players. What you do get is the memory. So here comes another season for you to witness. So you can contribute to the eternal conversation, or you can scissor off your loved one's skin. But be forewarned, it's not like the cold hard fact. And more accurately here, the cold hard flesh is necessarily any better. That tattoo of the Steeler helmet has the logo on the wrong side. The hypercycloids go in the right side, the ins. Personally, I think she's well within her rights to sue the tattoo artists Yoi and double Yoi start the show. Hi and hello my fellow football Americans. Today's episode of Football America is presented by DraftKings. DraftKings. The crown is yours. And in honor of episode three, the player who wears the crown is the NFL's all time best. Number three is, I guess Russell Wilson. There really aren't very many other good options unless you want to go with Jan Stenerud. I do think Rich Carlis, the barefoot kicker who's most note who's most remembered for missing the overtime kick in Cleveland that did send the Broncos to the Super Bowl. It would have hit the upright if those uprights extended a little bit further there. I'm certainly not going to go with Trent Richardson. Meantime, week three or week minus three of my weekly Super Bowl 60 pick. I'm still sticking with the Bills versus the Niners. There's no reason to change it just yet. Got you covered. Coast to coast as meaningful football draws ever closer. Jeff Schwartz is coming at us in Carolina. 10 day Tony's in Miami with the Fuentes brothers who as usual have the con. Dave Damasc here in la. Right now though to New York, it's objective Bradley with the news. Thanks, Dave. We're minutes away from what NFL playoff seatings are as teams climb Mount Lombardi. But first, the football week began with some big quarterback announcements. The Indianapolis Colts named Daniel Jones as their starter while Cleveland Browns announced 40 year old Joe Flacco as its top dog shack. You think these decisions elevate them as super bowl contenders? No, no I do not. And in fact it may well hamstring them for upcoming super bowl appearances. Yeah, certainly the Browns are out of it. You know I have to keep my powder dry here though. Like you said, we're about to along with Jeff Schwartz to announce the seeds one through seven in both the AFC and nfc which would tip which teams I think are not going to go to the playoffs. Instead, 10 Day Tony's here. Help us out. And then we'll hear from the Fuentes's too. How are you Tenday? Tony, Excited for football. Happy football season, pal.
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It's great to be here, Dave. I do have one question. Does Bradley always dress like that? Obviously this is my first time on football America. Does he wear the vest with the.
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Okay, yeah.
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B
Okay. No, no, just making sure. I didn't know.
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Look, you're here to represent one region of fandom. Bradley has no team. That's perfect.
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Oh, he's the manager.
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Right down the middle.
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So now that we have that settled, are we Are we. Are we making jokes here?
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I. I would like you to. To. To crack wise at your convenience.
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But I'm just saying, like super bowl contenders for. For the Colts and for the Browns, bringing up two quarterbacks that were Joe Flacco kind of 40 years old, if last time I checked.
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And he's a Super bowl champion.
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Sure.
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Yeah. In 2012.
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Right.
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Last time I checked. And Daniel Dimes on his second team now that has already given up on him now getting another crack with a team that's kind of okay.
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It's very, very professional.
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Daniel Dimes. Daniel Dimes Jones. Fellas, if you missed the update, that's the. That's a good one. Indiana Jones.
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A
I love that.
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C
Wow.
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Okay, I'm back in. Even though you guys know I have a little MVP flyer on Daniel Jones. Now the first step is complete. We got Anthony Richardson out of the way. Danny Daniel Jones. What is it? You called him Daniel Dimes. Did I?
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He's got to earn.
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Danny Indiana Jones. Can he crack the whip and take the Colts to the playoffs? Listen, easy to be cynical about the Browns and. But if you want to. 10 day Tony. I want to start the annual exercise. I'm going to sit it out this year and defer to you guys. I want to cobble together this time of the year. It is way easier to make a case for the teams that are going to make the playoffs than to identify the teams that absolutely, positively are not. And you say, oh, obviously I know the Browns. Good luck getting to three or four. Start us off here. 10 day Tony. Name a team that you know is not going to make the playoffs this year.
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I know for a fact that the New Orleans Saints are not going to make the playoffs this year. Tyler Schuck. It's just. It's going to take a lot for them to overcome even a weak division. Tyler Schuck, we still don't know what he is. Hasn't taken NFL snap yet. I do like Kellen Moore as, as an offensive guru there. I just don't think that Tyler Shark is going to be good enough or play early enough to actually make a difference.
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Okay, there we go. We're off and running. I think that's a good, pretty safe bet that the New Orleans Saints aren't going to make their way into the postseason. Who's next? Let's go to Mike. Mike, can you add to that list? I'm gonna go a not too obvious.
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Route, but still pretty obvious. I'm say the Las Vegas Raiders and not because they're gonna be A terrible.
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Team but I think they're in a very strong division.
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You got the AFC champion Chiefs, the.
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Rising Chargers and the tough out Denver Broncos.
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So I'm gonna say the Las Vegas.
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Raiders are already eliminated from the playoffs.
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I'm not weighing in because again if I say too much then it will tip what I'm about to say when we get Jeff Schwartz on the line. So I want you guys to settle this amongst yourselves. Are we in agreement so far? Fuentes brothers and 10 Day Tony, are we right so far? Saints, Raiders, both watching the playoffs along with the rest of us from home.
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I'm good with it. I mean have we excluded the Browns from this? Like can I not pick the Browns?
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Are all the Browns.
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If you got five quarterbacks, you don't got one.
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Amen. My issue with the Raiders, I like, I like what the Raiders are doing. It's just like Mike said, they're in a really tough division but I like Geno Smith, Chip Kelly and Genti Pete Carroll like I like the things that Brock Bowers, I like what they're doing there. If they were like in the AFC South I think that would be a for sure playoff team. But the AFC west has studs.
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C
Who your neighbors are is everything in the NFL and whether or not you can win the division or overcome. I mean those are six games out of 17. Obviously significant what division you inhabit. Okay, up to three. Now this is sort of like name that tune in reverse. Let's see how many teams we can name before we no longer are singing the right song here. Tony, you're next.
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I'm going to take the New York Jets. I think they're they're in rebuilding mode. Co new coaches I quarterback is not ready yet. I think Justin Fields is below average. Their personnel is kind of in flux. They're going to trade Breeze Hall. Are they going to keep them? They want to play three running backs. Like what is that going to do to the continuity of the offense? Garrett Wilson I like but who's going to be throwing the ball? Justin Field. So I'm going to take the jets as a team not to make the playoffs.
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They're super intriguing. I, I, I, I will spoiler alerted here and say I do not have the jets making the playoffs. I feel like I feel comfy saying that. No one anticipated me saying that in the first place. Mike, build on that. I think the jets are right and I the Raiders out of the groups out of the team's name so far that's the one I feel like a most Suspect. Yeah, well, I'm gonna stay just about here. I'm gonna stay on the East Coast.
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New York state of mind, the New York Giants while we do like what.
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Jackson Dart is doing in the preseason.
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You got the super bowl champions, the.
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Washington Commanders and the maybe good this year. Hopefully Dallas Cowboys. So New York Giants, just like the.
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AFC west in the NFC east, they're the odd man.
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I will say one thing about the Giants. That defensive line is serious. That other than that the rest of the team is awful. But that defensive line is going to make life hell for quarterbacks.
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C
I've said it a thousand times. I'll say it for the thousand and first, they're just not going to be in a situation the, the area of strength for them is going to be pass rush. How often in second halves are they going to be up on teams though? That's when you really take advantage of having a difference making pass rush. Gino, you're next now. Okay, so we're five through and I feel fairly comfortable that you guys are right so far.
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Okay. I think Mike Ryan's going to hate me on this one, but I think it's way too early for the Titans. Ken Ward is going to change things, but I think they're going to lose a lot of games. 31 to 35.
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Wow.
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Defense is just not there yet. They might have the quarterback fixed. That offense is probably going to throw a lot. I don't think they got the defense.
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Yeah.
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A ton of holes in Tennessee, Tony.
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That kind of feels like what we saw a year ago in. In Foxborough. Kind of the perfect thing if you're a Titans fan. Are there Titans fans? I mean are there real ones like Nashville based?
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Dozens of them. Dozens of them for sure.
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That's the, that's the sense I get. Yeah. That I think you're about right on that number. But Tony, I think you have to have some level of amnesia to declare that the Titans have no chance at the postseason after watching what the commies just did. They were a punchline. They got the answer at qb and then we're in the title game. Voila. Easy peasy.
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Their skill position players basically stayed the same. They got. They added Austin Eckler, they added Cliff Kingsbury, who his stint in Arizona, we didn't really have any faith in him directing Kyler Murray's offense was looked stagnant and looked completely cut off vertically. And then you just insert Jaden Daniels like, oh wow, he's an MVP candidate and this team's going to be good for the next 15 years. How did that happen? So for me, it's like, even though I hesitate saying Tennessee's not going to make the playoffs, I'm going to. I'm going to go with Gino there. I think they miss.
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Can I just say that conveniently, we're all cowards.
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NFC north untouched.
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NFC west untouched. Well, listen, I'm going to go get into last three, and then we move on to the next news story. We. Bradley's all dressed up. I don't want to waste it on just one story. Quickly, Tony, let's do three more. Let's see if we can do nine total here, and then we'll check back as the season rolls along to see how accurate you guys are. Tony, you better be on a rocket.
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Because we're running out of time.
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This one is. This one's not going to be sexy. Carolina, even though everybody likes Bryce Young this year. They're done. Atlanta, I love Michael Penck. They're done. Let me go to. Let me go to the AFC north. And I'm very sorry, Dave. Pittsburgh not making the playoffs there either. So Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Carolina.
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C
Mike, cut off his mic, please. That's enough out of him.
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I thought we gave.
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C
We gave him a nice introduction and we're being friendly with him and everything, and then he went and did that. I don't understand the attack. Bradley, give us one more story, would you, please? We have Jeff Shorts waiting. The Dallas Cowboys, still America's team. You know, if we can elect a new American Idol every year, surely we can elect a new America's team every year. The Cowboys have treated it like a. Like a, you know, some sort of PR thing rather than the truth or. I think the rest of America regards it as some empty title that they've attached to themselves. Very quickly, Tony, who are the true nominees, the true candidates for America's Team 2025?
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B
Let's go. Detroit, Buffalo, San Francisco.
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Gino, you want to throw one into the mix there? I think we owe it to the Cowboys to at least include them in there. They would be. It'd be overly cynical to just cut them out of this.
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A
It makes me feel icky. But the Chiefs, just because we are.
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C
Where we are and let's move on. It's time to ascend Mount Lombardi. All right, I'm over the moon about this one. Jeff Schwartz is smarter than you. Now available on the Football America YouTube page. We're better for it coast to coast. He is my main man. That's why his jersey hangs for all of time on The Digital Wall of Fame. Back In Old Studio 66, it's Jeff Schwartz. What's happening, fella? How are you? And happy football season.
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A
Happy fall season to you. I am excited to be here. Excited to be on with you. I was told beforehand by you and others that this is only 20 minutes. We're allowed to talk for 20 whole minutes because typically in the past we have scheduled 20 minutes and it has been a little more than that. So I'm hoping that we can be concise today and not upset our new bosses here and make this a very concise podcast between the both of us. The both of us, yeah.
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C
Dan Lebatard dispatches when it's time to record. He dispatches a couple of his minions. They're just off camera. They have. They have a hook that they use to pull me off. Like I say, important work to do here. And it is this. The 17 games that are about to kick off in the NFL are all appetizer hors d' oeuvre to the main event that is the playoffs. It's about climbing, climbing Mount Lombardi. So set in your brain, if you will, the idea that there is a mountain. You ever watch prices right? Way back in the day, the alpine climber.
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A
Oh, yeah, guy.
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C
And you'd see how high up he can get. Imagine football teams now inhabiting that personification of the mountain climber. Let's see how high they can go and we'll start it off in the nfc. This is really all that matters. All the noise, all the talk it's about if you get in and then where you're going to be seated. It is real important. Even in the age now of only one team getting a buy and not having to play in the wild card round, it still is 50% of the teams who get that one seed advancing to the Super Bowl. And over the course of this millennium, the percentage is much higher for the teams that have a buy. So, okay, critically important, let's start it off in the nfc and we'll do it with the reigning number one seeded Lions. Some not small changes much buzzed about. Both coordinators now have moved on to other areas in football America. I think at least as important is that 40% of their offensive line has also moved on. Where are they going to land this year? It's time to find out. Let's see you intrigue right out of the gate. The NFC north will belong to one of the other three teams. How say you, J Stunned.
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A
I don't think it's a crazy take. And let me Tell you why they are a team I'm eyeing as like an under team just because of their schedule. And schedule does matter a lot. Right. So they play their division opponents as we know, very tough division. But the rest of their non division games which again don't, don't matter for division but it matters for win loss, record obviously. Right. They're at Baltimore, they're at Cincinnati, they're at Kansas City, they're also at Washington, they're at Philly, they're at Los Angeles. Maybe Stafford's back by then. It's better. And they end the season by the way at Minnesota and at Chicago. That, that's a formidable schedule. You're not going to win. You know, I would say 7% of those games. If you split those games, you're probably going to be in the five seed. I'm intrigued to see who your, who your, who your NFC north champion is. But I don't think this is that crazy. I think people have to maybe understand that the Lions, despite I think we all agree, very talented team still that their schedule might get them to a five seed.
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C
Yeah. And you know, I think the rest of the neighborhood is playing a little bit of catch up. Specifically I think the Chicago Bears are much better. And Robin Peter to pay Paul, you take Ben Johnson away from the Lions and he stays in the division against you. I don't think that's a small matter either. Here's the about as hot a football take as I have. By the end of this regular season, Hendon Hooker will take meaningful snaps for the Detroit Lions. That's a prediction and not because of golf injury. All right, let's move on here. To answer your question, Bears with Ben Johnson, The Vikes with J.J. mcCarthy, Jordan Love and company with a perceived step back in 2024. How about this season? Here come the Packers. They are your north champions and they lock as the NFC 3 seed. Jeff Schwartz, how say you?
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A
Yeah, I mean I, I the. The packers last year lost a bunch of close games to playoff teams. They basically beat everyone else. If they're able to take the next step as a young roster that just gets better one more year. I still question wide receiver. I think golden obviously needs to be good almost immediately. But again I want to make sure guys, they won a lot of games last year and the games they lost three points, five points. It wasn't. I think you're blown up by playoff teams. It does feel like they're a sneaky division winner that no one's talking about. When you talk about just who wins divisions in the NFL? I will say though, the the best quarterback typically wins every division. If you're previewing divisions, just check the best quarterback that's typically the one who's going to win the division is Jordan Love. The best in this division. He might be at the moment. So he might end the season as the best.
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C
I think there is a weird thing that happens in our brains in at this point in man's recorded history which is if a team doesn't make massive changes in the off season, we sort of sleep on them a little bit. They're nice and stable. Green Bay as ever. As much as Aaron Rodgers tried to mess up that energy, I think they got through it clean on the other side. So I like the packers. Obviously I have them as the three seed who'll come out of the the NFC south. Though Bacon company have had a stranglehold on it. Some are even picking that team to go to the Super Bowl. Let's take a gaze at Wait a minute. Michael Panicks his music. It's the Atlanta Falcons. I don't think a lot of people see this one coming. I was a little premature in 2024 I took the bait. It wasn't necessarily even because of Kirk Cous Cousins. It was because I think that team is building a nice roster sort of quietly and I think they have a chance to keep up offensively with the Buccaneers this year. And that's not that that is legitimately saying something because the Bucks should be mighty offensively. I think Tampa Bay is going to have a lousy defense and I think Atlanta's might be halfway decent. Ergo division championship. How say you Schwartz?
- [22:56]
A
Yeah, no, I, I, I actually think I thought you were going to go with the Panthers here as a sneaky south champions. They're the team to me that I think they're a more rounded, more well rounded team than the Falcons. I think the Falcons quarterback is better right as of right now. The Panthers guys did a ton of work this auction to fix their issues they have especially defensively. And I think Panthers ascended last year at the right time to feel good about this season. If it's not the Bucs to me, it's the Panthers. I'm also look the Falcons too, Dave, are a team that I perpetually get wrong. If I wager on them to cover a game, they, they don't cover it. If I wager on the team who they're playing to cover the game, the Falcons cover that game, I never get them right. So maybe it's just me Again, not getting the Falcons, right.
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C
Boy, we're getting a lot of pro Carolina Panthers talk. Greg Olson last week. Jeff Shorts this week. All right, listen, I hear your noise. I'm not that that much of a cynic to turn my nose up at Bryce Young. The NFC west is going to be a fascinating. Kyler Murray's now the elder statesman in terms of time spent in that division. Is January in the Cards for that team though? Let's find out right now, shall we? Play for the Cardinals. But they'll take it and so will their fan base they get into the playoffs. How say you, Jeff Schwartz?
- [24:24]
A
I need to see the rest of the NFC west before I have a, a say on the Cardinals I, or really what with the rest of your of your nfc looks like I, I. Oh boy.
- [24:38]
C
You want to, you want to, you want to put a pin in that one?
- [24:40]
A
Yeah. Yes. Yeah.
- [24:42]
C
Okay then. Next, let's check in on the super bowl champions. How high will the Eagles fly in their repeat bid? They'd love that wild card round off this season. Will they get it? They will not get the one seed. It remains the Eagles in a nice spot just the same. Jeff Shorts, how say you?
- [25:07]
A
So I think, I think I know you're going now with, with the one seed and schedule wise that makes a lot of sense for, for the one seed. I think, I think I know you're going here. The Eagles are going to be good. It's hard to defend a championship as we know. You know, offensive line, you know Dickerson I believe is going to play week one, but maybe not. They replace the right guard. They, they have their, you know, their pass rush. Their defensive ends had to replace replace offense coordinator. So there's a there division is tougher than with the Cowboys. I think it'll be better this year. The Giants won't be an easy out because their defense, so yeah, they're the one or two seed in my mind in, in the nfc.
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C
I, I think from a fantasy perspective, if you're a buyer out there, I think the Dallas Cowboys have a lot of intriguing options there too. I don't know that especially with the Micah Parsons situation that they're going to be able to keep up on that side of the ball. I'm interested to know what Jeff Schwartz thinks is coming up here with the one seed. We only have two spots left in the nfc. I've already told you my super bowl pick over the first couple of weeks of the show. Let's cut to the chase here. Do you know who it is, Jeff Schwartz, go ahead.
- [26:16]
A
Am I guessing?
- [26:17]
C
Yeah, go ahead. Take a guess.
- [26:19]
A
I'm Gonna guess the 49ers.
- [26:21]
C
Let's take a look. The San Francisco 49ers. Are they getting into the top of the mountain?
- [26:29]
A
They go.
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C
I feel like people think is crazy to claim. I feel like the entire 2024 season deserves a whole red shirt. They were decimated by injury. All the Debo Samuel stuff all the rest of it.
- [26:43]
A
I'll say you they're going to be a favorite in 16 and 17 games. Their schedule is pretty easy. Right. They get the fourth place schedule with essentially first place talent because of last season. And it comes down to health. Right. Can they stay healthy again? They are very top heavy roster. I think Christian McAffrey like offensive player of the year is certainly possible and bounce back year. Trent Williams is back. Right. Their. Their defensive line is going to be fine. They added in the first round. Robert Sala being the D coordinator is a huge boost for them. Shanahan's running the offense, good coaching staff. But yeah, this doesn't surprise me at all. I. I'm with their. With their schedule and the players they have and presumed healthier season makes total sense.
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C
Yeah and I think you mentioned it kind of in passing among all those reasons that you like them. But I think Bob Salas return San Francisco. Okay, so it didn't work out in New York. It doesn't work out for just about anybody with the jets. But correct to those cozy confines. I like their trajectory there. All right, listen. All of a sudden we're down to it. We have one slot left. A wild card at that. Gather round. Rams and hawks, bears, bucks. America's alleged team commies. Who gets that six seed AJ McCarthy. This is a Koc pick for me. Jeff Schwartz, what do you think?
- [28:12]
A
Wow, I have so many questions. So first of all, KOC was on the broadcast for a quarter this past weekend. Like. Like on with Paul Allen. It was great. He just. It was awesome. I love koc. Okay, so we're. We're. The Vikings are. Are better than the commanders. That's what we're going with here. And like where. Where the.
- [28:33]
C
By the end of 17 games the record for this season will say that the Vikings were superior than the comics.
- [28:40]
A
And the Cardinals too.
- [28:42]
C
Yeah, yeah, that's what I just forecasted.
- [28:45]
A
Oh boy. So what are the commanders? 8, 8 and 9.
- [28:49]
C
I think that there are. I mean, you know, I think that the NFC if you kind of just are making the same assumptions that you've made for the last season or Two, it's like the NFC is soft. Not anymore. There's some legitimate teams out there and the playoff spots are. Seven is not enough for how many good teams there? There are some nine win teams, maybe some 10 win teams that are left on the outside looking in this year.
- [29:15]
A
Last question for you on the NFC side. If Stafford was healthy, where would the Rams be?
- [29:21]
C
I, you know, I was all about the Rams. I same about Stafford and McVeigh and what they did on defense last year. I was keen on them going into Philly really taking a shot at them. They, they did almost get over the hump. It's just, just, it's too weird. The Stafford thing has gone on just long enough and even if he is out there and ready to go and looking good in week one now you have to have it in the back of your head like man, if he takes a bad shot, is he gonna have to sit out for several weeks? Is he gonna have to go under the knife? Too murky for me, so I'm staying away. Do you like overall, do you want to change your number one seed? I'd like to hear what Jeff Schwartz thinks is the number one seed in.
- [29:58]
A
The and look, I, I have, I've said whether on, on just for smart you have not got it to the, the, the NFC West. To have the best record in the NFL is a very live thing because of their schedule. Guys. Their schedule is, is a joke. It just happens to work out this way this season. Fourth place schedule, right. So they get three crossover games that are, they're fourth place teams. They get the South I believe, and they get both south right this season. It's, it's a very manageable schedule, especially if the Rams and Stafford are, are going to be hurt. Like you just get, you just get. It's, it's a good situation for them. So I, I, I, I think it's very, very live for them to be the one seed. Bother me. I feel like you're gonna piss me off in the AFC just, just because I just think you are. But the nfc, I'm, I'm. This the, the wild card stuff. I mean those are feels like for you toss ups, but I could live with those, but feels like the 1 and 2 is about where they should be.
- [30:53]
C
Well, by the way, the Niners schedule isn't just the easiest this year. It's sort of historically or at least over the course of the last decade. One of it presents as one of the easiest schedules available for any pro football team in the last decade, at least.
- [31:07]
A
So yes.
- [31:07]
C
Yeah, I think there's great value in the Niners. All right, let's do the Mount Lombardi AFC side of the mountain and see who's going to be able to scale that. Dealer's choice. And I'm the dealer. So let's start with the Steelers.
- [31:24]
A
No. Here we go. This is what it was first. Just. Just have the one seed signed up for the ones. Just put them in there.
- [31:33]
C
What is it? What is it that you've ever heard from me that makes you. But do I. Do I pick the Steelers to go to the Super Bowl?
- [31:40]
A
No, you actually don't. You put the Chargers. Sorry. Sorry.
- [31:44]
C
I tell you when that Steelers are going to stink. How dare you, sir. All right, I'm going to continue. Now, you may have heard they've treated this off season quite differently than they've ever treated an off season before. And I'm not just talking about the Mike Tomlin era. Did you hear about they got Aaron Rodgers now will they make the playoffs? Let's find out out. Ayahuasca aided to the six seed. How say you, Jeff Shorts?
- [32:16]
A
I don't know. You win football games out scoring off at the touchdowns. I. The voodoo continues. I think I text you every time that happens. I don't know how you guys do it. I don't know. Sure succeed. It doesn't surprise me. Wouldn't surprise nothing surprising with. With. But there's no reason they win half of their games. It's just like, you know, here's the reason, Dave. I'll tell you the reason. It's actually.
- [32:36]
C
It's actual reason that's overly skeptical. The defense is loaded up. Here's the top three defenses in the conference issue.
- [32:44]
A
Here's why Pittsburgh wins a lot of games. It's actually a real thing. I mean, it's why Kansas City wins a lot of games too, is they don't make a ton of really bad mistakes in a game. Like they don't have dumb penalties. They obviously try to turn the ball over, but, you know, they typically don't have a lot of turnovers and they play a very clean game and they force other teams to make mistakes. And when you get to the fourth quarter, they're good on special teams, right. They can rush the passer really well. Like those are things that win football games in the NFL in the fourth quarter and they play the style of football where they just keep it close, keep it close. Then boom, you get strip sacked or you have a dumb play and they take advantage of that. So there is a quality to that in the NFL. And so Pittsburgh the 16 wouldn't surprise me especially if I think this is. If you're doing that, you probably have downgraded the Bengals is my guess. And so we'll, we'll, we'll see as we go. I just, I'm excited for the Chargers to win the nfc, the NFC west in your prediction. So let's go.
- [33:42]
C
What a creep. All right.
- [33:44]
A
Seven years to run it. You have to do it for eight years in a row now.
- [33:46]
C
Okay. Main event is the battle for the one seed obviously in the land come January. January. I thought they might go all the way to the top, but they come up just short shorts. How say you?
- [34:02]
A
I think they're the 1 seed this year. So I, I think we're in the same, we're in the same boat here. Very good football team. Just can't be the Chiefs in the postseason. That's that simple. I mean like right. Like them and the Ravens according to dvoa have had like some of the, the best four year stretches NFL history to have never played a Super Bowl. They have Patrick Mahomes problem. And so yeah, the two seed makes a ton of sense. I think there's three options for this one seed. There's two options left. We'll see if you have them up there. There's a fourth wild card by the way, that you might throw at me. I'm kind of curious if the wild card happens.
- [34:35]
C
Get to that. In the meantime though. Well, you know, I'm old enough to remember the Baltimore Colts. And the Baltimore Colts were. The eight were in the AFC east and back then the Miami Dolphins. For all the songs being sung about Don Shulin, as great as he was ground and pound with Zonka Mercury Morrison, Jim Kick and Bob Greasy providing as much to the team, maybe a tick more than Dave Damaschek did. Just a passenger along for the ride. Then the 80s arrived and Dan Marino exploded. And I contend that Shula failed Marino. He a number of terrible drafts and it, it's largely because Shula's line of thinking was outmoded specifically around Marino. He failed him to some degree. That's why Marino didn't get back to a Super bowl after that, that second season. I think Sean McDermott limits Josh Allen. I get what you said about Mike Tomlin and risk aversion and that's the way the Steelers have approached it. And it's worked, especially since Roethlisberger hurt his elbow. I don't think that's the same rule that McDermott should be applying when he has Josh Allen at QB.
- [35:49]
A
I agree with. I actually think, I think right now the, the Bengals are almost closer to what the Dolphins are doing. Dolphins did to Marino than the Bills are. The Bengals right now are just there. We'll maybe get to them at some point in this, in this shin, this little mountain here. But the Bengals, I mean, you know, they made it to super bowl in Burrows. Second, third year. Third or third year, right? I think it was his third year.
- [36:10]
C
Year. Yeah. That might have been his second year.
- [36:12]
A
Okay. Second year. But the point is they, you know, they made it early in his career like Marino, and ever since then, they just sabotaged him the entire way.
- [36:19]
C
I know. I really want to get on board. I really, even as a Steelers fan, I really can't help but like Joe. Cool. I do think Joe's awesome. Yeah. I mean, although he did get what he wanted, what he. What he needed to have his two guys. So he got him. Something is going to fall off on the other side, you would think. And here we are now with the mess that is going to be that defense. Okay, the one seed is still in play. The Bengals are in play for it. A lot of buzz around Sean Payton's Mile High gang. Can they scale to the top or at least get into the tourney? Let's find out. The mountain climbing boots aren't necessary. They just scaled a little foothill there to the seven seed. How say you, Schwartz?
- [37:01]
A
I think they're going to be better than Pittsburgh. So.
- [37:04]
C
Okay, I'm talking about the record, man. I'm talking about where.
- [37:09]
A
Well, if I think they're going to be. Have a better record, then they're going to be at the six seed or five seed. Yeah, yeah. I think, I think Denver is, is, is really good. It just comes down to the advancement of Bo Nicks. Right. Does Bonus take that next step into year two? Is there more offense given to him? Is there a little more variety, what he can do? Defense can be really good. Offensive line is good, running backs, wide receivers, it's all good. Sean Penny can coach. It's a Ken Nixon. And I know preseason is, is what it is, but their defense has looked pretty good in the preseason. Just like even the backups. Like the whole thing has looked really good so far. So I think the Broncos are in the playoffs, but a five or six seed.
- [37:49]
C
I mean, I can talk myself into the Broncos winning the West. I think the defense, like I already said, is going to be a top two or three unit in the conference. I think they are set up to really BR their foes and really you know put some attrition on them. On them Fancy pants is from KC and and from la. Is Bo Nicks ready to roll? Is he ready to elevate a little bit? I'm going to put them like I say they're behind the Steelers so have my cake and some pie there. AFC south, much like the NFC south is the redheaded step kid of its conference the NFL in the sec it just means less. I think we can agree about that.
- [38:31]
A
It does. Yeah.
- [38:33]
C
The Jags and Colts are hoping to knock off the Texans can either do it. It's time to find out. They're the Jags, they're the Texans. I mean they're the Colts. Here we go. That's right. Danny Knife does it. He got him to the division crown. How say you Jeff Schwartz? That excited huh?
- [39:01]
A
So I I know you you told me about this idea for the mountain a couple days ago which means that you decided on this before they announced who the starting quarterback was.
- [39:11]
C
You think it wasn't going to be time.
- [39:12]
A
I don't know what it was going to be but this is the one I've out of what we've done now this would be 11 teams I think in this exercise this is. This one is my least favorite favorite I Dan Jones is not good at football. We've been over this many times before the winner. The winner. The winner of a division seven out of eight. Seven out of eight of them. Right. Mostly eight of eight are the best quarterback. I don't see C.J. stroud or Trevor Lawrence essentially being worse than Daniel Jones and so probably but he's got but Tennessee has a lot of holes on the roster around Cam Ward so this is the one I'm other ones you had I could believe it. Okay sure. But no this I'm out on this one.
- [39:56]
C
You I see you're hard to pin down because I know it's a players league but you also admire difference making coaches and I think Lou Annarumo is that I think that what you saw Fangio do with the Eagles a year ago this is a poor man's version of it. Don't get me wrong. It's not like I'm talking about the Colts going to a Super bowl or anything but I think Anna Rumo is going to tune that defense up behind that offensive line and Jonathan Taylor he is the X factor because of health issues. When he's right they are a different team and consider look at the quarterbacks they were running out there last year they got the eight games. I don't see a reason that they should drop off there. And for the people who say one score games and all of that, they were on the wrong side of some really tight games against good teams a year ago.
- [40:44]
A
I'm not back at Dan Jones to win a division. I'm sorry what spin you put on it.
- [40:50]
C
All right, we're running out of room. Better claim a seat quick. In the game of musical chairs. Chiefs, they're gonna take their division for the 87th year in a row. It's time to find out. They're gonna have to settle for the five seed Jeff Shorts. What do you think he did? We don't know yet.
- [41:17]
A
It's not the Raiders. I promise you that more thing with the Chiefs is I'll just. I'll just make the case quickly. The. The team is better this year on offense. Last year they lost Rashid Rice after four games. Three, three and a half games. Now he. He will be suspended for some point this year. Hollow Brown was hurt last season. He's back right now. Xavier worthy year two we see with Ricky. Why not takes about 2012, 16 games to feel really comfortable there. Right? Pacheco's healthy offensive line, there's some question marks. I'll give you a left guard for the most part right now with Kingsley, the defense is. The defense doesn't have to be great. And Kelsey looks great. He's lost 20 pounds. He admitted last year that you know he came in a little out of shape. World tour with his girlfriend just fine. I mean I think we all agree that we'd all live that life as well. There's no shame in that. But I. I think we're going to see be a better version of Kansas City this season.
- [42:12]
C
Couple things. First of all, I don't think you say it's one of those things that people just throw out. Oh, who wouldn't want to do live the Taylor Swift life. I think you would get bored with that. I think I would get bored.
- [42:23]
A
Well I didn't marry Taylor Swift so.
- [42:27]
C
You got to see the same show and it's like a. Isn't it like a two or three hour extravaganza and you got to sit through that every single time people complain about their significant upbringing other dragging him to football games. At least the results change. They don't run the. It doesn't go the exact. The Taylor Swift show is the same show whether you're in Tokyo or in Altoona. Right.
- [42:50]
A
I hadn't thought about that. But Yeah, I mean, I guess I don't want to date a pop star then. I do the same show every night. I thought about that.
- [43:00]
C
Worry about it.
- [43:01]
A
I don't have to worry about it, thankfully, but.
- [43:04]
C
All right, enough on the Chiefs. Jeff has made his predictions. Let's find out what is the fate of the Raiders and or the Chargers have taken the AFC West. They did it, Jeff. Are you happy for them?
- [43:22]
A
You'll be right after. After nine years of predicting the charges winning the division, you finally get it right. The, the.
- [43:29]
C
All this.
- [43:29]
A
The Slater injury is a problem. You know, move it all to left tackle. You know, you talk about Chief's offensive line.
- [43:36]
C
I thought you thought it said.
- [43:37]
A
No, I, I think all. It's going to be fine. Now you're worse at right tackle. You already have question mark the center and Left Guard Lab McConkey. Obviously we'll see his health. I mean Trey Harris can't catch a pass. That's not a good thing. I love Harbaugh's mentality. I like the way that he builds his teams. But again, I just, I gotta see a little bit more from that team to win the division.
- [44:02]
C
Skepticism is fine. Obviously we haven't seen this Chargers era really pay off the way so many of us keep. Keep expecting them too. But I'm riding with Harbaugh here. I mean it's the Harbaugh season two magic and so I'm rolling with that. Even in a rugged division really should be as interesting a division as there is. I have them as the three seed. We'll see there at the three seed. So no Raiders or Texans or Dolphins. That means we only have the one seed left. It's feast or famine for the Ravens and the Bengals win the north or go home and watch the playoffs. Of course the Ravens get it. How say you.
- [44:44]
A
I mean at this point for, for Baltimore and Buffalo, it's not about we do in the regular season. It's about to do the postseason. And these teams are going to win a ton of regular season games. They're going to can you beat Kansas City when it matters most in the postseason. And this in this, in this scenario, Buffalo gets a chance first, right? As it is, no, we'll be four or five. So be the Ravens potentially getting a chance first off a buy to host Kansas City. So you have to do it at this point. Like we know what these teams are. We know Baltimore is going to be good. We know Buffalo's going to be good. It's a can they beat Kansas City in the postseason?
- [45:21]
C
But Also, and I hear you completely, but I kind of feel like they're in a weird spot. Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson and their teams in general, but also the Chiefs, too, have a weird sort of pressure after getting destroyed the way they did by the Eagles. And so that looms for them, I'm sure. But it's weird because you're exactly right. They. Their fan bases are going to be like, whatever, let's go. Let's get to the postseason. It's all that matters. But of course, the one seed means a great deal if you can avoid having to play. Of course, you're in a way better position if you're the Raven or the Bills. Right.
- [45:55]
A
The one seed is so valuable. I. This clip was floating around, but I was watching a little bit of the Kingdom, the new Chiefs miniseries, and you know, Andy Reid, they won. They won. Well on Christmas, I think, right? To win. To win the one seed. And you say, yeah, oh, yeah, that was that game. Yeah. And. And then Andy Reid came in, like, in a Santa costume. Like the. The happiness and joy for getting that one seed, man, it's so valuable. And you know, Ravens or Bills, if they get it, I think. I think it's Buffalo that, you know, one less game, right? You get to rest. Like, all those things are so important to win a championship.
- [46:35]
C
I just think the. To round out the AFC and in general, the Chiefs vibe right now, and you know better than I do, you're closer to them. I feel like it has to matter to them that there really wasn't. Since the Brady overtime game and D. Ford and all of that, that between then and the super bowl against the Eagles, there wasn't a ton that would creep into anybody on that team's mind. That's like, when push comes to shove, we're going to come through. In the end, they, you know, the Buccaneers lost. They didn't have their whole offensive line, and now they know they. It's not. It's important that the other teams know it, but I think the Chiefs now know they bleed. That's not good.
- [47:18]
A
Or. Or the. Or that. Or that motivates them to not bleed again.
- [47:23]
C
I hear you, but I just think that there's a little bit of cr. There's got to be some doubt that didn't exist prior to what they.
- [47:29]
A
I. I think so. When you get physically beat like that, because again, you're right. Their team was whole in that game. And we don't talk a lot about law, but their. Their passwords also did not hit. Jalen hurts at all like they just didn't really play well on either side of the ball so. Or motivates them. We'll see how it happens.
- [47:46]
C
Yeah. 47 year old man who dates Taylor Swift losing some weight. I don't think that that is as big a factor as people seem to be to be. He's at the tail and I have always agreed with you he is the X factor of that offense.
- [47:58]
A
Yes.
- [47:59]
C
Or anybody else. But he's old now.
- [48:01]
A
So he is old. I want to make that on the record that I have. I was probably the first person to say that. Tyreek Hill, Terry Kelly. No, it's always been Travis Kelsey.
- [48:07]
C
That's true. To be fair, I think that's right. Hey listen, all sorts of gems like that coming out of Jeff Schwartz. Make sure you're tracking down Jeff Schwartz is smarter than you. The easiest way to do that if you want to support Football America is go to the Football America YouTube page. It's also available wherever you find your your audio podcasts. Matt Ford is a great fella. Everybody over there. Blue Duck is as well. It's worth the the listen every week to make sure you're up to speed. All right. There goes Jeff Schwartz. Make sure like we already said check out on YouTube Football America page as the subscribers add in there. Surely Jeff Schwartz's inclusion will increase that. Appreciate shorts making some time for us here here. Despite the disagreements. Tony, still with us. What jumped out to you from who I had making it up onto the side of Mount Lombardi there, Dave, I'm.
- [49:00]
B
Just really surprised you're high on the Arizona Cardinals.
- [49:02]
C
I'm a high on them, but okay. High.
- [49:04]
B
You have them in the playoffs. I mean that's called, that's calling them high. They're one of the best seven teams in the NFC.
- [49:10]
C
I mean, okay, they're only 16. It's not like I'm putting them into the College Football Playoff or any. Sure. But yeah, okay, I listen, I hear you because I, I no jive, Tony. We don't know each other very well and I have to establish here and now, if I haven't already, the cardinal rule of this program, as with all my programs, a no jive policy must be. And I'm not going to jive you. And I'm not saying that Dave of five minutes ago was wrong, but he might be wrong. And if the 5 minutes ago Dave was wrong, it was with that pick. I think if I had it to do over again, I might put the Chicago Bears in there over the Arizona Cardinals. But I, I I do think Kyler's gonna have a big year and I really like what that offense is capable of doing and I at least like the pieces they have on defense.
- [49:58]
B
The pieces. I think their defense is going to be better than it was last year. I like the pieces. I like McBride. I think if Marvin Harrison Jr. Can start to like really come out of his shell and and start earning some high value targets down the field. My issue is with Kyler. I just don't think a he's I think one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL in the last couple of years. Targeting guys deep, targeting guys to the boundary. Like there's a lot of things that Kyler does really well getting out of the pocket, making things when there's nothing there but throwing the ball deep and throwing the ball to the boundary is things you need as a quarterback and he just simply doesn't have them. I just don't trust him.
- [50:32]
C
Late in the season my eye still after all these years of watching Kyler has not adjusted to watching him out there at quarterback. He looks tiny running around out there. Either way, maybe we should have included the Cardinals as an option for America's team or maybe the Bears. But we've made our list there. We'll have that out there as a poll for you. Weigh in on that. Who should be America's Team 2025. I do think we will have captured the right answer in there. I'm not gonna try and oh you know what I'll Simon Khaled. It's the Buffalo Bill. Sorry, I'm just gonna say it. They wear white, red, white and blue. We feel sad for them. They've never won a Super Bowl. We have a certain amount of pity for them them. So get in there and vote on that as soon as you can. Remember you need to you have some skin in the game and so you want to attach yourself to one of these teams at least if you don't have a previous rooting interest. Tony, great stuff from you. We'll be checking you out on the Leor Lerd show. Proper looking forward to that Fuentes brothers Dynamite stuff as always. Bradley with the news. Good stuff there pal. We need you smoking a nail. I think that'll really complete the to look for you if we can if we can get you doing that to really be a mid century newsman and most of all football Americans. We appreciate you keep on downloading the show however you prefer. You can find it wherever you find your audio podcasts and check it out on YouTube. Football America with An exclamation point is how you do that. We'll be back with more hui and applesauce for you next week. We really need to expand the two shows. Great news. We're going to be expanding to two shows as soon as we get to week one. There, there. We'll make do with the time we have here. We appreciate you checking it all out. So until next week, thanks so much. Football Americans. It's been a thin slice of heaven. Hey, it's Mike Ryan. Those sprinklers are starting to slowly come up on the football field. Time that we have with summer is dwindling. I'm sure you're already doing that thing where you're going through your photo album, flipping through the photos that you've taken this summer summer already, reminiscing about the good times that you have. I know I did. And in many of the pictures that I went back to reminisce over, I had a beautiful white can of Miller Light in my hand because I love making good times during the summer a Miller time. And it's a good reminder we're losing time on this summer. So why don't you share the moments that you have with a white can of Miller Light like I have? Whether it's a long weekend or a full on vacation, it is the perfect time to get the crew back together. And since 1975, Miller Light has been the go to way to stock the cooler and celebrate those moments. This year marks 50 years of Miller time. 50 years of great taste, great friends and unforgettable memories. Brewed for flavor with simple ingredients like malted barley, it delivers rich, balanced toffee note flavor and that golden color that just hits different Miller Lite. Great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com dan to find delivery options near you or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. Cheers to 50 years. Here's some Miller time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.
- [53:53]
A
Amigos.
- [53:54]
C
Vivimos parofres expedia. Vivimos paravia.