GBF- Clunker

Summary

Podcast Episode Summary: GBF- Clunker
Release Date: January 17, 2025
Podcast: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hosts: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, Mike Ryan
Guest: Austin Eckler

---

Overview

In the episode titled "GBF- Clunker," hosts Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and Mike Ryan delve into the excitement of the NFL playoff weekend from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami. The discussion spans a wide array of topics, including hypothetical quarterback trades in the playoffs, in-depth analysis of upcoming playoff games, personal insights from NFL player Austin Eckler, and engaging fantasy football anecdotes. The episode is punctuated with humor and lively banter, making it both informative and entertaining for listeners.

---

NFL Playoffs and Hypothetical Quarterback Trades

Hypothetical Scenario Introduction
At [04:01], Stugotz poses a unique hypothetical scenario:
"In a weird, weird world where the better team in the NFL playoffs could trade their quarterback for the opposing team's quarterback for just a game, do you think Dan Campbell would trade Jared Goff for Jaden Daniels?"

Discussion Points:

• Trade Rules:
  By [04:05], the hosts explore potential rules, such as limiting trades to once per playoff year and prioritizing higher-seeded teams for trading opportunities.

  Stugotz: "You can't do it during wild card weekend. It has to start in the second round."

• Incentives and Fairness:
  At [09:11], Stugotz emphasizes the need for incentives to prevent teams from intentionally losing to retain trading privileges.

  Stugotz: "I think he would [trade Jared Goff for Jaden Daniels]."

• Strategic Implications:
  The conversation touches on how such trades could impact team dynamics and playoff outcomes, including potential quarterback swaps like Patrick Mahomes for Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson.

---

Interview with Austin Eckler

Personal and Professional Updates
At [21:06], Austin Eckler joins the show to share significant life updates:

• Marriage and Family Life:

  Austin: "Got married, which has been amazing. Definitely the most impactful decision of my life so far."

• Health and Concussions:
  Discussing his experiences with concussions, Austin emphasizes the importance of education and medical guidance in his decision to continue playing.

  Austin: "If you're progressing, coming back at a normal rate and there's nothing permanent, you're in a position where you're not any more risk than anyone else."

• Career Decisions:
  Austin reflects on his move to the Washington Commanders and how playing alongside rookie quarterback Jaden Daniels has revitalized his career.

  Austin: "He's dynamic, running, sprinting for his life out there. I think it was just him being in his first game. He's extremely fast and making all the plays."

Impact of Marriage on Lifestyle
Austin shares how marriage has positively influenced his habits and relationships:

Austin: "She's helped me get closer with my family, learned to put the toilet seat down, clean up my side of the sink."

---

Fantasy Football Insights

Hosts Share Experiences
The hosts discuss their triumphs and challenges in fantasy football:

• Draft Strategies and Player Performance:

  Mikey A: "The competition gets a lot tougher because there's so many fewer teams that have exact same player combinations just with one small tweak or adjustment."

• Unexpected Outcomes:

  Chris Simms: "Kyron Williams was something I thought was going to pop this year like a few years ago... Sometimes I'm a year early."

Audience Engagement
The conversation encourages listeners to engage in fantasy contests, with humorous reflections on their own performance:

Mike Ryan: "I have to get that funk."

---

Coaching News and Adam Schefter Interview

Deion Sanders and the Cowboys
Adam Schefter discusses the potential of Deion Sanders joining the Dallas Cowboys:

Schefter: "There are people who think that that's the logical choice. Teams change their minds regularly, so it's still possible."

Jets Coaching Rumors
Schefter provides insights into the Jets' coaching search, hinting at candidates like Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson:

Schefter: "I think Aaron Glenn is going to get a job in either New York or New Orleans. They have a lot of qualified NFL people."

College to NFL Coaching Transitions
The discussion highlights the improbability of college coaches moving to the NFL due to the abundance of qualified candidates:

Schefter: "I don't see a college coach making the jump... These are moving targets that are fluid."

---

Predictions and Game Picks

Chiefs vs. Texans [07:07-08:14]

• Share Bear (Billy Gill): Picks Chiefs to win.
• Mikey A: Chooses Chiefs to win but doubts they cover the spread.
• Stugotz: Goes with Houston.
• Gordy and Carl: Both select the Chiefs.
• K. Funk: Picks Houston, citing the team's recent performance.

Commanders vs. Lions [08:14-09:55]

• Share Bear: Selects the Lions.
• Mikey A: Chooses Lions.
• Stugotz: Picks the Lions.
• Gordy and Carl: Both choose the Lions.
• K. Funk: Picks the Lions, emphasizing Jaden Daniels' impact.

Rams vs. Eagles [09:55-11:29]

• Share Bear: Picks Rams.
• Mikey A: Chooses Rams.
• Stugotz: Picks Rams.
• Gordy and Carl: Both select the Rams.
• K. Funk: Picks Rams, expressing confidence in their Super Bowl potential.

Bills vs. Ravens [11:29-12:35]

• Share Bear: Picks Bills.
• Mikey A: Chooses Bills.
• Stugotz: Picks Bills.
• Gordy and Carl: Both choose the Bills.
• K. Funk: Picks Josh Allen (Bills), highlighting the quarterback's strengths.

National Championship Game [12:35-16:11]

• Hosts Discuss: Ohio State vs. Notre Dame, with K. Funk expressing reluctance due to dislike for both teams.
• Final Pick:

  K. Funk: "I'm picking Notre Dame plus eight and a half."

---

Humor and Banter

Lighthearted Interactions [13:34-16:11]
The hosts engage in playful humor, including teasing about missed appearances, technical glitches, and humorous takes on fantasy football picks:

Billy Gill: "He spiked your jersey." ([54:17])

Mock Negotiations and Jokes [16:11-27:52]

• Spiking Jerseys:
  Stugotz and Billy Gill joke about spiking each other's jerseys due to missed appearances.

  Billy Gill: "He spiked my jersey. It's done."

• Garage Code Freeze:
  A humorous exchange about a frozen garage keypad causing a delay.

  Stugotz: "The garage code froze the keypad." ([56:23])

• Cheating on Spouses for Money:
  The hosts create a fictional scenario involving cheating on spouses for financial gain, leading to laughter and teasing.

  Mikey A: "How much does it pay? Do you know?"

---

Closing Remarks and Upcoming Content

Final Game Picks [27:52-31:07]
The hosts conclude their game picks with final predictions:

• Chiefs vs Texans: Majority pick Chiefs, with some opting for Houston.
• Commanders vs Lions: Majority select Lions.
• Rams vs Eagles: Majority choose Rams.
• Bills vs Ravens: Majority pick Bills, with some hesitating.

Teasers for Future Episodes [31:07-35:23]
The episode wraps up with teasers for upcoming segments and interviews, including ongoing fantasy football strategies and more guest appearances.

---

Notable Quotes

• Stugotz: "I think he [Dan Campbell] would [trade Jared Goff for Jaden Daniels]." ([09:11])
• Austin Eckler: "Life is lifeing. That is 100%, you know, a thing... trying to find the good in all this stuff." ([32:52])
• Mike Ryan: "He threw the jersey off." ([53:58])
• Stugotz: "You can't do it during wild card weekend. It has to start in the second round." ([06:41])
• Austin Eckler: "If you control the airwaves... create your own image..." ([43:39-43:45])
• Chris Simms: "Fantasy is very important. Very important in the grand pantheon of things. It means way more than it should." ([25:44])
• K. Funk: "I'm picking Notre Dame plus eight and a half." ([105:45])

---

Timestamped Highlights

• [04:01] Stugotz introduces the hypothetical quarterback trade scenario.
• [09:11] Stugotz states belief in Dan Campbell's willingness to trade.
• [21:06] Introduction of Austin Eckler.
• [32:52] Austin discusses life changes post-marriage.
• [37:18] Austin elaborates on Jaden Daniels' impact.
• [39:59] Discussion on concussions and health.
• [49:28] Austin wraps up his interview.
• [53:58] Humorous exchange about "spiking jerseys."
• [56:23] Joke about the frozen garage keypad.
• [105:45] K. Funk makes his final game pick.

---

Conclusion

"GBF- Clunker" delivers a comprehensive and engaging episode that blends serious sports analysis with personal insights and entertaining banter. The hosts effectively balance in-depth discussions on NFL playoffs and fantasy football strategies with lighthearted humor, ensuring a captivating listening experience for both regular fans and newcomers. Austin Eckler’s candid interview adds a personal dimension, offering listeners a glimpse into the life of an NFL player navigating professional challenges and personal growth.

Transcript

[Billy Gill]

You're listening to Giraffe Kings Network.

[Stugotz]

Stugach. I want to tell you a story. I'm serious here. My wife and my two daughters, they begged me to buy a peloton. So I bought a peloton. And then I watched that peloton sit in my office and stare at me. So you know what I did one day I looked at it and so I decided to get off my ass and I jumped on the peloton because no one else was using it and I paid for it. I mean, so why not? Then I realized eventually that they bought it for me. And I got to tell you, way more challenging than I could have ever imagined. Peloton coaches are walking the walk. I love the coaches. I do the Grateful Dead one. It's fantastic. They have a sub 3 hour marathon runner, military trained athlete, a former college basketball player, and so many other well rounded coaches on their team. All this experience really shows in their classes, which are never short of challenging, especially for me. So I jumped on it that first time. It was challenging, more challenging than I thought. And then I wanted to beat the bike and so I kept jumping on it. And I absolutely love it. I mean, I'm the only one who uses it, but again, they got it for me. I mean, I had no idea. That's a little passive aggressive that you think. Find your push, find your power with [e-mail] this episode is brought to you by Allstate.

[Billy Gill]

Some people just know they could save.

[Stugotz]

Hundreds on car insurance by checking Allstate first. Like, you know, to check the date of the big game first before you accidentally buy tickets on your 20th wedding anniversary and have to spend the next 20 years of your marriage making up for it. Yeah, checking first is smart. So check Allstate first for a quote that could save you hundreds. You're in good hands with Allstate Savings. Vary terms apply. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company and Affiliates, Northbrook, Illinois.

[Billy Gill]

This episode is brought to you by Amazon.

[Mike Ryan]

Sometimes the most painful part of getting.

[Chris Simms]

Sick is the getting better part. Waiting on hold for an appointment, sitting.

[Mike Ryan]

In crowd crowded waiting rooms, standing in.

[Chris Simms]

Line at the pharmacy.

[Mike Ryan]

That's painful.

[Stugotz]

Amazon One Medical and Amazon Pharmacy remove.

[Billy Gill]

Those painful parts of getting better.

[Mike Ryan]

With things like 24.

[Billy Gill]

7 virtual visits and prescriptions delivered to your door thanks to Amazon Pharmacy and AmazonOne Medical Healthcare just got less painful. You know what's smart? Enjoying a fresh gourmet meal at home that you didn't have to cook meat. Factor your loophole in the Laws of mealtime. Chef crafted meals delivered with a tap, ready in just two minutes. You know what's even smarter? Treating yourself without cheating.

[Stugotz]

Your goals.

[Billy Gill]

Factor is dietitian approved. Chef prepared and you plated. Pretty smart, huh? Refresh your routine and eat smart with factor. Learn [e-mail].

[Stugotz]

God bless football. Billy Gill.

[Mikey A]

God bless football. Mikey A.

[Billy Gill]

God bless football.

[Mike Ryan]

Stugouts.

[Stugotz]

Thank you, Mikey A. We have a big weekend, the biggest weekend coming up right now since last weekend. The biggest weekend of the NFL season. The, the divisional round of the playoffs. Adam Schefter, Austin Eckler gonna join us on TV on the audio version of the podcast. You can listen to Chris Sims, you can listen to the picks. We have all that over there. It is a big weekend and I have a question for you guys. I was thinking about this. I have too much time on my hands and so I wanted to start with a question for both Billy and Mikey at. Okay, guys, in a weird, weird world where the better team in the NFL playoffs could trade their quarterback for the opposing team's quarterback for just a game, do you think, do you think Dan Campbell would trade Jared Goff for Jaden Daniels?

[Mikey A]

I have a follow up question before we get to it.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Mikey A]

Can you only do it once per playoff year? So, like, that's.

[Stugotz]

Okay.

[Mikey A]

So it's not like every.

[Mike Ryan]

Oh, big question.

[Mikey A]

So it's not every round. You know, Dan Campbell has the opportunity to change quarterbacks. It's just. He can do it once. Also. Does every favorite have this or just the one seed?

[Stugotz]

Wow. So I had it as every favorite. Okay. The higher of the, the higher seed of the two teams. So every favorite. So Buffalo would have the ability to trade Josh Allen for Lamar Jackson before this game. But I like Billy's idea of you have this and you can use it once per postseason.

[Mikey A]

Well, here's where the gamesmanship comes in in this game, right? Because a lot of the teams probably would have to do it in the first round because if they were the lower seed in the next round, then they wouldn't have the opportunity. Opportunity to do it again.

[Stugotz]

Right?

[Mikey A]

Like if there, if there were upsets, then the further you go, you lose that ability to do so. Unless. Unless every team has it. And if you beat a team that hasn't used that, you take that ability from them.

[Stugotz]

Ooh, I like that.

[Mikey A]

By the way, I just want to point out real quick, today's episode of Godless Football is presented by DraftKings. DraftKings. The crown is yours.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, I'm just imagining the NFC championship game, and let's say it's Rams and Lions and Dan Campbell still has that trump card. Does he trade for Matt Stafford?

[Mike Ryan]

Didn't work out last time the Rams played our Stafford.

[Stugotz]

Now McVeigh has Golf back.

[Mikey A]

Now here's. Here's the thing, though. If you can only do it once, then you could have a situation where if Dan Campbell holds onto it, he could theoretically get Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, or Lamar Jackson in the Super Bowl.

[Stugotz]

Yes.

[Mikey A]

So does he. Hold on. Or does he think, you know what? Jared got us here this far, he can beat any of those quarterbacks.

[Stugotz]

Right. And he beat Matthew Stafford. Right.

[Mikey A]

So or. Or technically, C.J. stroud, I guess, is still in the mix in this hypothetical.

[Stugotz]

Well, that would be C.J.

[Mike Ryan]

Stroud, the worst quarterback left.

[Stugotz]

Well, I don't know. Would the Chiefs trade for CJ Stroud before this game? No, they would not. Come on.

[Mikey A]

What are you. What are you doing? They would not.

[Stugotz]

You know what I don't like? Billy makes a good point where I don't think if this ridiculous rule was ever implemented. I don't think you could do it during wild card weekend. It's unfair. You're taking away. No, you can't. It has to start in the second round. It has to start right now.

[Mikey A]

I mean, the. The. The team that could have done it wild card weekend would have been the Texans taking Herbert.

[Stugotz]

Yes. Right.

[Mikey A]

Then Herbert kind of pooped the bed. So you wouldn't have wanted to do that.

[Stugotz]

Right. And then the Steelers would have been able to trade Russell Wilson for Lamar Jackson. That's not fair. You can't do it. It has to start the second round of the play. Playoffs.

[Mike Ryan]

Could you imagine if they did the trade and Justin Herbert through four picks?

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Mikey A]

Yeah. Oh, man.

[Mike Ryan]

They would be screaming.

[Mikey A]

Oh, wait, hold on a second. Wait, hold on, hold on.

[Stugotz]

Wait. I have a big correction. I have a big correction. Hold on. We're getting excited. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I brought this up. Now we have a big correction. No, the Steelers would not be able to trade for Lamar Jackson. I just stated on the front end that only the higher team can activate the trade.

[Mikey A]

No, only. Only the higher seed. But you do. You do have a situation where the Bucks have to decide, do we want Baker, do we want Jaden Daniels?

[Stugotz]

Right.

[Mikey A]

But now, now here is a twist in this game, which is kind of crazy that this is how we're starting this off, because we have a national championship on Monday.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, we actually have national championship. And like, the Biggest college football play, NFL playoff weekend. But let's do this.

[Mikey A]

We should, we should probably talk about. We should probably talk about that. However, I have some breaking news. We're going to have a show on Monday even though the company is off. So you're going to get your fill of national championship talk on Monday. We'll, we'll broach the subject today perhaps, but let's not put the card in front of the horse. Also, I just want to point out we're presented by Smirnoff, the world's number one vodka. Please drink responsibly. Here's another hypothetical to this scenario. Stugach.

[Stugotz]

I love it.

[Mikey A]

If the Texans decided they wanted Justin Herbert on their team next round, should they win. Justin Herbert is no longer on their team. CJ Stroud is still their quarterback. Could you go and tell CJ Stroud, hey CJ Throw us the ball. Every damn time you have it. Constant pick sixes and sabotage the other team so that you win. Just asking, just asking.

[Mike Ryan]

Stop Herbert from doing it too though.

[Stugotz]

Right? Right.

[Mikey A]

I mean it. Look it. It kind of felt like that's what they were doing anyways is having a contest.

[Mike Ryan]

This whole thing falls apart if we keep digging. This whole thing falls apart if we keep digging.

[Stugotz]

I really just wanted to know if Dan Gamble, if he had the opportunity in a crazy world to trade Jared Goff for Jaden Daniels, would he do it? That's really why I came up with it. I think he would. Yeah, I did.

[Mikey A]

Okay. Then he'd use it this round, I guess.

[Stugotz]

Right. So you have to make some incentives to prevent the tanking from happening. I understand what you're saying. Jaden Daniels goes to the Lions, he loses the game on purpose. The team, the players that he cares about, they make it to the NFC championship game. Jaden Daniels goes back to the Commanders the next week because that's them's the rules, you know. So you would have to make it some sort of incentive for Jaden Daniels to actually go out and win that game for the Commanders.

[Mikey A]

He gets a ring it in that scenario. The only way Jaden Daniels playoff continues is if he tanks. Because then his team moves on and he moves on with them where if the Lions move on, he doesn't. His season's over regardless. So it almost incentivizes the tanking of the lower seated quarterback because they will lose on purpose. So their team and their playoff hopes continue. I think we need to think this through a little more. We'll work on this.

[Stugotz]

We do. But imagine wrinkle I want to throw in Sirianni, and you trade for Matthew Stafford. You get rid of Jalen Hurts and you lose that game.

[Mikey A]

Let me. Let me ask you something. We're going to talk to Austin Eckler for the first time in a year.

[Stugotz]

Yes.

[Mikey A]

Dare we waste his time with this hypothetical?

[Stugotz]

I want to waste someone else's time with it.

[Mikey A]

Who?

[Stugotz]

Chris Sims.

[Mike Ryan]

Oh, man, he's gonna be so bad.

[Stugotz]

I'll tell him it was Billy's idea.

[Mikey A]

I love when I get a text from him saying, guys, I gotta be out by a certain time today because I know those are the days for these types of questions, because I know he's not in the mood for them.

[Stugotz]

Did he give you that yet? Did we get one yet?

[Mikey A]

Yeah. Oh, we did. We also got. We also got something that I've never seen on text before, which just says Fu Billy. Not fu, but it says Fu Billy. And somehow the font just gets bigger and bigger as I read it. Like it blows up that new iPhone. Yeah. And it just says fu, Billy. Like exploding in my face.

[Stugotz]

Loves you so much.

[Mikey A]

Yeah, I don't know about that. But, hey, did you mention our fantasy league? You could compete against us in weekly fantasy contest presented by Smirnoff, the world's number one vodka.

[Stugotz]

I didn't mention it responsibly.

[Mikey A]

You did not.

[Stugotz]

No, no. But go ahead. Keep going. Yeah, I'm stuck on this Jaden Daniels, Jared Goff thing and what I would do. That's all.

[Mikey A]

I thought. I thought I heard you mention it. You could go to DKNG Co Smirnoff to compete against us. I finished right outside the money last week. I finished in 40th place. So close. This is my week, friends. The problem is stugats, Mikey, and I'm sure you're running into this. And our listeners are running into this, too. The competition gets a lot tougher because there's so many fewer teams that so many of the teams that are in it have the exact same player combinations just with one small tweak or adjustment. And that's the difference between the winners and losers presented by Spirit off the world's number one vodka. That's a Monday segment. We're not doing winners and losers today. On Monday, we'll do winners and losers, and you will find out that I was one of the losers in fantasy again. So compete against us. Win some money. Take it from me, because I'm not going to win. I never do.

[Stugotz]

You really got to find a guy at a team at this point in the Season for your daily fan. You got to find someone, right, that no one is expecting to do anything and they have a massive game.

[Mikey A]

Can I tell you who it never is? Mac Collins. Because that's always my go to. And it's never Mack until, until I don't pick him. And then it's always.

[Mike Ryan]

And then it will be. Could you just let me know when you're, when you're not going to pick him so that I can, I, I.

[Mikey A]

I done it like three weeks in a row and I'm like, ma, please, just eight points. I'll take eight points from you. Like, that's all, like, this 1.3 crap is not doing it for me. Just like, can we get seven? Can we get eight? Because like, when I finish 40th, it's literally like 2.7 points is the difference. If you get me eight points, I may win the whole damn thing. Like, let's just do something here. But it, you'll see. I'm not going to take him this week. It'll be Mac.

[Stugotz]

So again. All right. So again, if you want to hear Chris Sims, that is on the audio version of God Bless Football. But coming up next, there is plenty of coaching news going on in the NFL. Deion Sanders to the Cowboys. Anybody? Well, ask Adam Schefter next. Ah, the great Adam Schefter is with us on God Bless Football. We have left him alone this season. I told him as my friendship blossoms with him, I tend to leave my friends alone.

[Mikey A]

You also promised him you were going to get him a phone deal at the beginning of the season, if I remember correctly. And you have.

[Chris Simms]

That's a good memory.

[Mikey A]

Yeah, that's a good memory.

[Chris Simms]

And I don't, I don't recall any phone calls coming in about anything like that.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, you're right. I need to get on that. I'm on it. I'll have it done by next season, I promise you.

[Chris Simms]

Okay, great.

[Mike Ryan]

You got a copy of the book, Chef?

[Stugotz]

Sir?

[Mike Ryan]

Because I don't. How about you, Billy? You got a copy of the book?

[Mikey A]

Because I have it. I'm sure Chef got one, though.

[Chris Simms]

Yeah, I, I think I, I didn't. I put out something on like IG Stories and tweet. I think I read. I don't know.

[Stugotz]

Whatever you did, you did say he's so busy he doesn't have time to talk books right now. Okay. He is too busy right now. Mikey, I want to start with your question before I get to Deion Sanders and the Dallas Cowboys, because I think your question is an exceptional question. And I'm not certain anyone's ever asked Adam Schefter this question before, so go ahead, Adam.

[Mike Ryan]

Do you ever get emotionally invested in some of these things? Like, are you ever getting texts and you read it and you go, now, why are they doing that? Like, come on, Don't. Don't do that. Like, I just. This is a terrible idea. I have to report it. But it's just terrible.

[Chris Simms]

Well, I'll say this. A lot of times. You know what comes to mind when you say that? Emotionally invested.

[Stugotz]

Right.

[Chris Simms]

Like, people always say, who's your favorite team? And let me start by saying, my favorite team is whoever's on my fantasy team, first and foremost. Okay?

[Stugotz]

Right.

[Chris Simms]

But once we get past that, honestly, you're rooting for people and people that you admire, respect. You're rooting for people. When you say emotionally invested, I always think of the draft like, I always know, like, there's a GM or a coach there. They're all in on a certain guy. Like, I could tell. Like, they call me. They're like, this guy. No, no, wait and see. And all of a sudden, like, boy, I hope this guy goes to this team. Like, you're waiting to see. And I've had it happen. I've seen that guy go right before that coach was going to pick him. And I know how disappointed the coach is. There's some great stories of that, too, actually. I mean, I remember one year I'm talking to the Rams, and they're telling me how much they love this tight end. And if I believe South Alabama named Gerald Everett. And I'm talking to 49ers and they tell me how much they like this tight end at a South Alabama named Gerald Everett. And I'm thinking to myself, oh, boy, oh, boy, this is going to be interesting now to see which of these NFC west rivals gets Gerald Everett. And I'm not sure if the Rams traded up that year or just drafted them ahead of the 49ers, but right before the 49ers picked the Rams, turning the card, and it's Gerald Everett. And the 49ers are obviously very disappointed that they didn't get the tight end that they wanted. So lo and behold, in the fifth round, they settled for another tight end from Iowa, George Kittle.

[Stugotz]

That's so good. But have you ever gotten, like, I got. I got.

[Chris Simms]

I got 50 of those.

[Stugotz]

Okay. So off season, I want to do an entire episode on this. Okay. Because I'm wondering if Adam ever gets a text, like, from a. From A trusted source. Jets are talking to Arthur Smith and he's like, why, why, why? What are you.

[Mike Ryan]

What are we doing here?

[Mojo]

Like, no, no, come on, guys.

[Stugotz]

That's.

[Chris Simms]

That's for Jet fans too react to, not me.

[Stugotz]

Okay? You just care about your fantasy team. Go ahead, Millie.

[Mikey A]

Well, speaking of your fantasy team, Adam, has there ever been an instance where maybe you make a quick move on your fantasy team before you report a story that you know is breaking? Let's just say, you know what, this version on the wayward. Let me put in a quick claim here and then I'll tweet out the news.

[Stugotz]

I like that.

[Chris Simms]

Well, I've learned over time not to make that mistake. Where there was a year where all of a sudden I'm sitting at the dinner table at 6:05, I get a call that the. That the Cleveland Browns are trading Trent Richardson to the Indianapolis Colts for a first round draft pick. And I file the story to ESPN and I tweet it out and then I go. My next move, of course, isn't to go to the Sports center, but to go pick up Willis McGahey on the wire before anybody can get him. And by that time, one Matthew Berry already had snaked him from me. And so I said, that's it. I'm not doing that anymore. From now on. From now on, we are picking up the player before we follow the news.

[Stugotz]

That a boy.

[Chris Simms]

And we're not gonna leave this to chance any longer. Like, we're gonna. We're gonna use that information and we're gonna try to.

[Mikey A]

Insider tradings, some would say. Adam.

[Chris Simms]

By, by the way, by the way, though, it was great because people would always pay attention in our league to, you know, what, what Mort was doing without. So Mort would always like all of a sudden he pick up Tim Tebow or, or Andrew Luck, you know, or Brett Barr would love doing that. He would love doing that. Wait, wait, wait, wait. Mort just picked up Andrew Luck. What's going on here? What's going on here? He would do that to mess with people.

[Stugotz]

He had a sneaky, great sense of humor. More. He really did. He would do right just to make you think he's coming back. That's it. Drop.

[Chris Simms]

Sneaky, great sense of humor.

[Stugotz]

Just a great sense of humor. Yeah. Wonderful man. I miss him. What's going on in Dallas with. With Deion Sanders and Jerry Jones? You see Adam just watching let's Go and, and seeing some of your reporting on this, this seems like it has a better chance of happening than not happening. Is that Fair?

[Chris Simms]

I, I, I can't tell, because it depends who you speak to, Right? Like, there are people I've spoken to say this, this isn't going to happen. And then other people I speak to and say, yeah, it is going to happen. Like, and I really don't know what to make of it right now. All I can say is that the two guys have spoken. There's great respect, love, and admiration there, and we'll see where the Cowboys search takes them. Like, I do think Kellen Moore is going to be in the mix in Dallas. There are people who think that that's the logical choice. I don't know if that is. Here's the thing, teams change their mind. People change their mind on a regular basis. So what Jerry Jones and the Cowboys feel today might be different on Sunday or Tuesday or Wednesday. So these are moving targets that are fluid. I just think the safest thing right now, I know you want more. People want more. I just think Dion going to Dallas is possible. I don't know how possible. Maybe it's very possible. Maybe it's not that possible, but it's possible.

[Mikey A]

So when they blocked Mike McCarthy from interviewing with the Bears, you don't think there was any malice there, they were actually interested in negotiating with him at the time?

[Chris Simms]

Well, I don't think there was malice, but I don't think they were interested in negotiating either. I think they were still trying to figure out what they wanted to do, oddly enough, because they never entered into negotiations with him. So you can't say that they wanted to negotiate with him when they never negotiated with him. I just think that they were, they were not done with him yet. And honestly, I mean, I don't like it. But, but what, what was the rush? It wasn't like Chicago's job was filling up. It's not like they can do in person interviews until after the divisional playoff round. It's not like that wasn't going to be there this week as opposed to last week, and I think Dallas probably recognized that. So, yes, it comes across initially as petty, and why would they do that? But in the grand scheme of things, it really doesn't amount to very much in the end.

[Stugotz]

Adam, with Dion just going back to the Cowboys, this is a job that he would, that he would potentially take because a lot of people just assume he wants to go to the NFL and coach his son.

[Chris Simms]

Well, his job is, that's true. But, but, but I think that the love and respect that he has for Jerry Jones is such that if Dallas went in that direction. And if Deion decided to do it. A lot of ifs. Yes, I think he would. Yes.

[Stugotz]

Amazing. What are you hearing out of the jets and what's going on there?

[Chris Simms]

Well, I can't confirm the rumor that they're now thinking of putting in to interview Robert Salah. They've interviewed so many people that I think that they may submit a request. I mean, they've interviewed everybody else here.

[Mikey A]

Right.

[Chris Simms]

Like, everybody.

[Stugotz]

It's crazy. We're gonna make the wrong decision, Adam.

[Mike Ryan]

Doesn't matter who it is.

[Chris Simms]

It's wrong.

[Stugotz]

It's gonna be. I feel like it's gonna be Aaron Glenn. Is that fair? Like, is that.

[Chris Simms]

I think Aaron Glenn is getting a job. I think Aaron Glenn is going to get a job in either New York or New Orleans. There are other places that are interested, but those are the two most logical ones. He's going to come out of this cycle with a head coaching job. And so the jets are right there. And that. That would stand to be a logical conclusion to draw. But there's a lot that still has to play out.

[Stugotz]

We'll get you out of here in just a second. If a college coach was to make the jump from college to the NFL this year, who is the most likely candidate to do so? Is it. Is it Marcus Freeman? Is it Sarkeesian? Who's the guy?

[Chris Simms]

I don't. I don't see a college coach making the jump. Okay, look, here's the deal. Basically, in person, interviews of coaches on teams can't take place until after the divisional playoff round, Right? Okay, so. So. So these teams with six openings right now, there are six openings they still haven't met face to face with the Joe Brady's, Kellen Moore's, Aaron Glenn's, Ben Johnson's. I'm just thinking of all the guy I don't want to forget, Cliff Kingsbury. I'm just going through this weekend all the guys that are going to be coaching. There's a lot of guys. Yeah, there's a lot of guys that.

[Stugotz]

Haven'T met with teams that's got to play out. Right.

[Chris Simms]

And so there are six openings. Okay, well, I believe two of them are going to go to Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn. We're down to four. Four openings. We got Brian Flores, we got Liam cone, we got Kellen Moore, we got Joe Brady, we got like, we got a lot of qualified NFL people. I don't see a college guy trumping one of them. I just don't see it right now. Now, again, I want to be very clear These things change. And for all I know, somebody's calling Sark or Marcus Freeman or Lincoln Riley, whoever the hell it is and whoever. I just don't.

[Stugotz]

But his point is there's a lot to play out. These playoff games need to play out. You don't know, maybe Nick Sirianni gets fired if he loses this weekend. Who knows? You know, crazy Todd Monk.

[Chris Simms]

And if somebody explained to me.

[Stugotz]

You.

[Chris Simms]

Know, like Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson, they're kind of holding up the moves, and nothing can really happen until these people start taking jobs, like. Because I think there are a few places that would like Ben Johnson and there are places that would like Aaron Glenn. And they're probably not going to move on until we get answers. And we can't get answers for them for a little while here.

[Mikey A]

Right.

[Stugotz]

What are you looking at over there?

[Mikey A]

Yeah. What's breaking. What? Something's happening. Who's getting hired? Who's getting fired? What's going on?

[Chris Simms]

Stu Gotch just got fired. He doesn't know yet, but he's gonna find out. Very, very.

[Mike Ryan]

Pick up Billy Gill on your waiver wise.

[Chris Simms]

Very unexpected, but Stugot's just got laid off. It's unbelievable. Yeah, I got a response to this text about it afterwards, but, yeah, he.

[Stugotz]

Just got laid off. You're the first person I'll call for a job, and Mikey is right. Pick up Billy on the waiver wire right now. Stop reporting it. Pick up Billy right now. Adam.

[Chris Simms]

Yeah. By the way, I, I do do that. Yeah. I, I get a wire. I'm not gonna make that mistake. I'm trying to think of somebody like that I picked up in. In a move. It happened this year with somebody. Forget who it was I picked up.

[Stugotz]

I would only. Listen, I know you love your job. I would only use that information for my fantasy team. All your information.

[Chris Simms]

Well, fantasy is very important. Very important in the, in the grand pantheon of things. It means way more than it should. And as I always say to everybody, and it's. It's so true. Like, fantasy means nothing and it means everything, right? Sure.

[Mike Ryan]

Speaking of your fantasy team, you say every year you got a player going into the draft who you. You keep close to the chest. You don't tell anybody. This is the guy I want. Season's over. Who was it this year?

[Mikey A]

Oh, yeah.

[Chris Simms]

Well, I really thought this past year I could tell you this. The guys that I drafted on my ESPN team that, that. That I was eliminated in. Was I eliminated in round 2 or 1? 2 or 1? I forget. I was 11 and 3 during the regular season. 16 team league and on my team I had Jaden Daniels, I had Brock Bowers, I had Terry McLaurin, I had Malik Neighbors, I had a lot of rookies that really turned out. The guy that I thought was going to pop this year like a few years ago, my guy was Kyron Williams and he broke his foot on the opening kickoff and I told so many people take Kyron Williams, take Kyron Williams, take Kyron Williams. And he did nothing all year long. And then the next year Kyron Williams was Kyron Williams and I was a year ahead of the curve. I thought this year going in, I liked a lot of those rookies, I took a lot of those rookies but I also took a. I didn't take him initially in my 16 team draft but I thought Aldrich Estimay in Denver was going to have a little bit more of an impact his rookie year than he wound up having. And sometimes I'm a year early so.

[Stugotz]

Fancy just follow that next year. He's the guy to take.

[Mikey A]

Yeah.

[Chris Simms]

Late round, Aldrich estimate late round.

[Stugotz]

Yes.

[Chris Simms]

Has a chance. We'll see. I mean it didn't happen this year and in fact he was even inactive last weekend against Buffalo, so.

[Mikey A]

Right.

[Stugotz]

The problem was he was out the first four weeks of the season. He did pop a little bit towards the middle of the season. But you're right. Right.

[Chris Simms]

A little bit. It was not. It was, it was, it was a little bit less than I expected it to be.

[Stugotz]

Yes. Adam, we appreciate the time as always we will do the hourong edition that I want to do with you about text coming in breaking news commentary on it. Unless you guys think that I, that I. That I didn't notice it. I did. I called get up, let's go. I believe that's too great show.

[Mikey A]

Yes, you did.

[Stugotz]

I don't know, I don't know what's going on. Too much content out there. Shifter. Thank you and we'll talk to you.

[Austin Eckler]

This is a message from sponsor Intuit TurboTax guys taxes was waiting and wondering and worrying if you're going to get any money back whatsoever and then waiting, wondering and worrying some more. Now taxes is matching with a TurboTax expert who can do your taxes as soon as today. An expert who gives your taxes their undivided attention as they work on your return while you get real time updates on their progress so you can focus on your day. An expert will find your every deduction possible and file every form, every investment, Every everything with 100% accuracy. All so you can get the most money back guaranteed. No waiting, no wondering, no worries. Now this is taxes get an Expert now on TurboTax.com only available with TurboTax Live. Full service, real time updates only on iOS mobile app. See guaranteed [e-mail] guarantees.

[Mikey A]

I'm curious to see what the new setup is because we haven't spoken to him since his new setup.

[Stugotz]

Yep. I heard it's a very modest apartment. We know he drives a. Well, that. No, there was a whole story about Austin and the modest apartment he lives in and the kind of a clunker car that he's driving around.

[Mikey A]

Hold on a second. Hold on, hold on, hold on. Well, let's wait till his camera works.

[Billy Gill]

Hold on.

[Austin Eckler]

Let me go back out and go back in.

[Stugotz]

He just logged out. He's gonna come back.

[Mikey A]

He's never coming back.

[Austin Eckler]

Oh, my goodness.

[Stugotz]

Austin. We figured that you were listening to our conversation. I called your car a clunker and you said, you know what? I thought I missed those guys. I heard that. I heard that.

[Austin Eckler]

By the way, it's not a clunker. Hey, let me. Let me get my camera working. Hang on, I gotta use another camera.

[Mike Ryan]

I hope the camera comes on and he's got a giant middle finger up at you, stupid.

[Stugotz]

Standing in front of a ferra.

[Mikey A]

Yeah, I feel like Austin's given someone the middle finger maybe two times in his life and he still regrets it. Like, he still feels guilty.

[Mike Ryan]

He feels bad about it.

[Stugotz]

He's too polite.

[Mike Ryan]

I guess the guy had a reason to cut me off in traffic.

[Stugotz]

I like doing an inter. I like doing an interview about Austin without Austin just commenting on talking about him.

[Mikey A]

We are back.

[Austin Eckler]

The boys are back.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, I want. So you objected to me calling your car a clunker.

[Austin Eckler]

It's not a clunker. It might not be, you know, the most flashy car, but it's. It's modest. It gets me to A, to B. You know, I got some. I got some tint on it, some black rims, some 22s. So I mean, it's. There's a little. There's a little style in it, but also keeps it within the budget. Actually, funny story. Not really that funny, but I didn't have a car my rookie year, so I ubered to the facility for like the first, I don't know, month and a half until I actually got some game checks. Then my first purchase was go get a car. So then finally got my car, and that's the car I had my rookie year. Still Got it. Eight years later.

[Stugotz]

Awesome.

[Mike Ryan]

Austin. He called your car a clunker. Meanwhile, his has been in the shop for, like, months. And I'm sure it's a much, much more expensive car than your clunker.

[Austin Eckler]

Oh, hey, yeah. At least mine works. So. Hey, it's still out there.

[Mike Ryan]

There you go.

[Austin Eckler]

Or shine.

[Stugotz]

It's.

[Austin Eckler]

It's getting there.

[Stugotz]

Billy was pointing out right before you came on how much life has changed for Austin Heckler since the last time.

[Mikey A]

It's crazy. The world has changed. Austin is married since we spok him last. Austin, like, and we haven't spoken about this on air offer or whatever, but, like, there's a documentary that was kind of crazy about your wife and her was out there. Like, we had no. We've spoken to you for years. Had no idea any of that was going on. Like, you have switched teams now. Like, you're in the playoffs. Everything's different from you. You have coast how. Yeah, you're east coast living. You have your clunker car, your modest apartment. You got called it earlier.

[Stugotz]

Still has that guitar, though. I see it right there.

[Mikey A]

How. How. How are. How are you feeling, by the way? Because, like, you also dealt with concussion issues and injuries this year. Like, how. How are you? A lot has happened since we spoke.

[Stugotz]

Listen. On everything since the last time we spoke. Austin, go ahead.

[Austin Eckler]

Life is lifeing. That is 100%, you know, a thing. Like, it is moving forward. It is. There's ups, there's downs. As you said, I had dealt with injury this year. We've had an amazing year as a team, though. Got married, which has been amazing. Definitely the best decision of my life so far. Or the most impactful, I should say. So it's been a lot of. A lot of good. Mostly good. I think that's more perspective of just trying to find the good in all this stuff. You know, mentioned with my wife and her sister and all that stuff with the documentary, if you haven't seen it, it's called Dancing with the Devil on Netflix. It was like number one for like two years. She got into just a bad situation still in that. So that's still going on. But yeah, right now we're in the playoffs, the car still works and I'm healthy, back on the field and looking forward to, you know, playing the Lions here in a couple days.

[Stugotz]

Wait until you get a new car. Yeah. That's the best decision in your life. I mean, that'll be the next best. How is married life, man? How has it changed you? In what ways has it Changed you.

[Austin Eckler]

In what ways has it changed? I think it is 100 made me a better person because Mel is very family oriented where I have not even close to her. So she's actually helped me get closer with my family just because it's part of her routine now. It's, you know, filled into my routine. I now learned to put the toilet seat down, you know, things like that. You know, the basics, the basics. Gotta clean up my side of the sink. Even though she got all this product and all this stuff on her side, you know, she doesn't like my beard tripping trimmings on there. So, you know, normal or normal married stuff.

[Mikey A]

So you were a free agent and you ended up going to the Washington Commanders and then you won the lottery because you guys got Jaden Daniels and you had no idea you were going to have him as soon as you signed with Washington. And look at you now, second round of the playoffs.

[Austin Eckler]

Hey, it's. It's been one of those things where you go into a new environment. There was actually 60 new free agents on the team, on the 90 man roster. And so new ownership, new coaches, new GM, new 60 new players. Like, it felt like it was like a whole new environment for just so many people. So I think that's what helped us kind of come together because we were all kind of new. There was no like existing, like kind of culture that was there that you were getting acclimated to. We were creating the new brotherhood, creating the new culture. So that is I think what really helped us get off on the right foot of being like, we don't know what the hell happened last year, but this is what we're doing now. And that was really great for us. And then obviously Jaden coming in and making all the plays he's made with a lot of older guys like myself coming around and supporting him is. Has definitely been us a method to win. So here we are.

[Mikey A]

Is this one of those things that really kind of worked out the best way that it should have for you? Because when we spoke to you headed into free agency, you told us like, I don't see myself as an east coast guy. You kind of didn't say it, but you were kind of like, the Raiders wouldn't be bad. Tom Talaska is going to be there. Like, I'm from Las Vegas. And it seemed like that maybe a good landing spot for you now. Like, look at how the season's played out again, you're in the playoffs. Tom isn't even in Las Vegas anymore. Tom Brady's there they just got rid of their coach like that seems like it's more of a rebuild situation. It seems like things worked out in the best way possible for you, even though that's not necessarily what it seemed like you wanted at the time, you know.

[Austin Eckler]

Well said, well said. But I think life has a funny way of teaching you lessons, you know, And I think in general, not to get deep here, but as humans, we kind of tend to go towards the things that we find comfort and familiarity in, you know, but it's not always the best thing for us. And at the time, I didn't really know what was the best thing. Both were directions, both were options. I was more comfortable with one, one was more unknown. And so I got put into position where I went to the unknown route and ended up working out for me. That doesn't always happen, I would say actually, most of the time that's probably not. It doesn't happen that way. That's why we tend to go to the things that, that we go to and find comfort in. And so this is one of the cases that for me as a person, I'm still not an east coast person as far as want to live here long term, play football, grind it out during the season. Yes. But I don't know if you saw that. Me, I had to swipe like 4 inches of snow off my car and I was like, you know what? West coast don't sound so bad.

[Stugotz]

I'm wondering how long it took before you realize, like, oh, man, I need some new clothes.

[Austin Eckler]

Yeah, it was, it was 19 degrees this morning. I'm like, you know what? The playoffs is about the only thing that makes me excited to be out here right now, as far as, you know, like, hey, this is, this is the reason this is worth it being out here. Other than this, take me back to the warm weather and I'll come back out here in the, in the summer.

[Stugotz]

You know, Austin, just back to, to Jaden Daniels for a second. I remember talking to Dominique Foxworth. He was at a Ravens practice. I called him. He was nice enough to pick up the phone, and he was watching a very young Lamar Jackson. And I remember saying, is he any good? And he said, do you know how difficult it is to be the best athlete on a field full of world class athletes to be able to stand out like that? And so I'm wondering, is that kind of a similar feel you have for Jaden? How long did it take you before you realized, oh, this guy's different?

[Austin Eckler]

Well, you don't really know the caliber of different until you get a few games in. Because you got to think when we're in training camp and Otas, there's no full speed, so you don't know, did they sack him? Did they not? We don't know. We blew the whistle because the defense got him, you know, like, got him, you know, touched him or something like that. And so you get into preseason, he gets some opportunities. He doesn't get many. He's playing in, like, the first quarter, you know, the first few plays, and that's. That's it. You're out. Because they're anticipating starting him for the. For the first game. And so we kind of move through Marcus and him or Marcus is starting for a lot of training camp, and Otas kind of just taking that leadership role. And so then Jaden starts to, as we get closer to the first game, get into a position where he's starting to take some of the reps with the ones. And then we eventually get through preseason, get to the first game, and then the man is dynamic, running, sprinting for his life out there. I think it was just him being in his first game. He ran the ball, like, 19 times. That game, you know, was just taking off, taking off. And that's when it kind of came alive of like, okay, this guy is extremely fast. Like. Like, he's. He's running real fast and dodging and ducking and diving and all that. And then with him throwing the ball, I guess that's another thing where, okay, you're a runner, but now you run to throw. So that's one of the things that he's learned to do instead of run to run. Now he's running to throw because he's. You're the quarterback.

[Stugotz]

Let it.

[Austin Eckler]

Let it ride. Let these guys that are paid to run run for you, even though you can. Now he's starting to kind of un. Unlock some of these kind of tricks that he has. And so as he's been going through these games, we've seen that. We've seen him be a runner. We've seen him run to throw the ball. We've seen him run and get out of scramble, make plays down the field. And so now our offense is kind of taking the shape of, okay, let's get Jaden's legs activated. And then also, hey, he can sit in the pack, in the. In the pocket and throw it, too. We've seen some amazing throws to Terry. So I think as time's gone on, it's been like, oh, yeah, he's good oh, he's really good. Oh, shoot. This guy's rookie of the year.

[Stugotz]

Good.

[Austin Eckler]

Like, like, oh, this is next level good. So it's been awesome, man. It's been so cool.

[Stugotz]

Billy mentioned the, the concussions, and, you know, there were some stories written. You lost your yet short term memory loss, which is terrifying. I can't even imagine what's that like. But this is different for you now because you're married, so you have a lot of people to take into consideration. Did you have discussions without with your wife? Because there were a lot of people saying, hey, Austin, you had a great career. Call it quits. I don't know how you feel about people having those opinions in that conversation, but we had a similar thing going on down here with Tua, and Tua said, yeah, of course, I spoke to my entire family about this. They're the important people in my life. So how do you feel and how do you feel about the conversations revolving around your future, your career, and what you should do?

[Austin Eckler]

Yeah, I think it's. I think it's actually good that people are talking about it just because I think, you know, brain health and concussions in particular are a good topic to make sure that people are educated on, especially when you're going through them. And so for me, this was my second concussion of the year. And this one, obviously, I said, you know, had memory loss, knocked out. I remember, I remember running out in the field, and then all of a sudden I started, like, remembering things and I saw Mel, my wife, sitting next to me in back in our, like, locker room, and I'm like, what the heck? Like, what, like what just happened? And so that, yeah, definitely freaks my wife out. She thought I died on the field. Like, that's literally her word. She's like, you were laying there unconscious. I thought you were dead. And so obviously that's not great for her to go through. And her mental health. And her mental health affects my mental health. And my mom as well, you know, calling. She wasn't even at that game, so she was terrified. So there's a lot of, yeah. Emotion that goes into that. And then I went and just continued to kind of educate myself around concussions and learned from a few experts out there and felt comfortable at a place where, hey, I didn't have any long term sustained damage as far as being able to recover. There was no permanent damage. There's no nothing, no bleeding on the brain, no fractures or anything like that on the spinal cord or stuff like that. So it was a concussion. And just because I was knocked out doesn't mean it was any worse than any of my other concussions. What you kind of determine it with is how many symptoms do you have? You know, I had some blurred vision, stuff like that. So progress through that at a normal pace. And based off of that and all the information that I gathered was like, hey, if you're progressing, coming back at a normal rate and there's nothing permanent, you're in a position where, hey, if the. The fact of you getting a worse one is probably still really close to the same type of odds as if you didn't have that concussion in the first place. So with that knowledge, I was like, okay, I'm not any more risk than anyone else is right now. I feel comfortable coming back to play. So that's. That's what it went into, all that.

[Mikey A]

So having spoken to all the experts and knowing that you've gone through this, talking to your family, all that stuff, like the fan out there, the people that don't play the game, that don't go through it, say, well, why doesn't Austin just put on a guardian cap? That's supposed to help? Is that something that you have those discussions with, or is that something that's just like, it throws off the way that I play? Like, that's not something I consider. You just realize in talking to the experts, it's not really going to make that much of a difference one way or another.

[Austin Eckler]

Both. So, yeah, I had the conversation. And the thing is, if. If I. It wasn't. It's not like I felt like my equipment was unsafe. Like, I'm out there and, oh, I don't have the best equipment. My helmet's really good, rates really high. Like, my equipment is solid. And if it wasn't, then I would upgrade it. And then also on top of that, the guardian hat definitely does affect your performance. Like, I remember wearing that thing a couple years ago when they first came out with it, and I just felt top heavy. Like, it's just like an extra pound or so and a half of weight on your head. And so just even me as a runner, right, keeping my balance and all this stuff is def. Definitely thrown off just a little bit running with this thing on my head being a little bit more top heavy. Go down probably a little bit more easy. I remember actually had a neck guard one time because I got speared in the face, but I couldn't put my neck all the way back. And just that, like, it was a couple inches that I lost of mobility. And anytime I would go Down. I could feel myself tripping running forward because I just couldn't pull my. My head back. And so the little things like that that affect us as an athlete to be able to have balance, speed, knowing where our body likes to cut and the positions we like to be in. So I think they still have a ways to go with kind of just making that more efficient and of just a better tool. Can definitely see it, you know, being something that continues to be progressed because I get the intention, what they're trying to do, it's great, but I just don't think it's ready yet.

[Stugotz]

If you left it just up to Mel, it was her decision alone. Would you have retired? Would she have retired you?

[Austin Eckler]

Yes.

[Stugotz]

Really?

[Austin Eckler]

I would not be playing football anymore if it were just strictly. Mel was like. Mel's like, I want you to be done. That's. That's where she's at. Because that's when I tell you she thought I died on the field.

[Stugotz]

Yeah. It's crazy.

[Austin Eckler]

She's like, I don't want to ever see you out there again.

[Mikey A]

All right?

[Stugotz]

So she. So she wants. So you're married. You're recently married. She wants you to stop. And how do you convince her, no, hey, Mel, I'm gonna be okay?

[Austin Eckler]

It wasn't really me convincing. I had her come to all of my second opinion meetings with me. So she was in the room, like, listening to the doctor hearing all of those things. So it's definitely eased her mind. But at the same time, she still doesn't want me to have to go through any of that again and doesn't want me to risk that. So that's where she's at. And that's why she's like, okay, yes, I get why you're going back. Still makes her nervous as hell, right?

[Stugotz]

I figured, hey, just look. Look at my quarterback.

[Mikey A]

No, I don't think that's how that works.

[Stugotz]

Unfortunately.

[Austin Eckler]

She does not care about.

[Mike Ryan]

She cares.

[Austin Eckler]

You can watch football at all before. He doesn't care about the quarterback, what team it is, anything like that.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, but you care, and you're two games away from the super bowl, my man.

[Austin Eckler]

I care. Yes. I care. I want my team. The team that I'm on.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Austin Eckler]

To be the best. So absolutely, I care. And my teammates as well.

[Mikey A]

When you look at the Lions, holy crap. Like, you can't think that going up against it, but holy crap, the Lions.

[Stugotz]

Like, second time. I think it's his second time going to Detroit. Mikey was telling me right before he came on, this was a Vastly different organization.

[Mike Ryan]

Last time I looked it up, the last time you were in Detroit was with the Chargers in 2019, and I think they finished 3 and 15. So I think it's a little bit of a different team that you're going to be facing from the last time you were in Detroit.

[Stugotz]

Holy crap.

[Austin Eckler]

That's the only film I watched, so. And I'm just kidding. No, you got to put respect on their name. 100. 100. They have. They have earned that respect, and rightfully so. Like, they have a lot of dynamic players. They're about culture, they're about brotherhood. And I know that's what we've been built on this year as well. So it's going to be awesome. Heavyweight battle, kind of two brotherhoods that are really intertwined with each other going at it Saturday night.

[Stugotz]

It is crazy. The whole. Listen, your life, as much as it's changed, and it's changed a lot. Okay. But my life has also changed since the last time we spoke. And so. And because we only have a couple of minutes to go here.

[Mikey A]

So you're going to make it about you.

[Stugotz]

Well, no, I'm going to ask the catch up, too. Let me.

[Mikey A]

Let me hear what's going on.

[Stugotz]

Well, did you see what happened with A.J. brown during the. The Eagles game? Did you see what he was doing?

[Austin Eckler]

Oh, he's reading a book on the. Yeah, on the sideline. That was wild.

[Stugotz]

That was wild. So before we ask you the wildest thing you've seen a teammate do on the sideline. That was a. Mikey. A question right there. I have written a book. Austin. Okay.

[Mikey A]

Wow.

[Billy Gill]

Okay.

[Stugotz]

It is Stugatz's personal record book. Yes, I wrote it. It's doing very, very well. And I'm wondering if I get one of these to Madison or I get it to you if I get it. Yeah, yeah.

[Mojo]

He already knows.

[Austin Eckler]

You know, actually, I don't know if it's gonna. You know, my old clunker car, it doesn't.

[Mikey A]

Yeah, it doesn't fit.

[Austin Eckler]

It down. Might be too much weight to have in my car, you know?

[Stugotz]

Yeah. How much money do I have? Like, give me the charity donation I need to make. I'll buy you a new car. I mean, tell me what I need to do.

[Mikey A]

A new car.

[Mike Ryan]

Did you see what happened to the book A.J. brown was reading?

[Austin Eckler]

I did.

[Mike Ryan]

Went from like 5, 000 on Amazon to number one. So I get it. Buy him the new car.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, I would.

[Austin Eckler]

Look, I think the NFL should open up. Hey, there's opportunity for, you know, guys on the sideline to hold a product or something, you know, hey, we're always looking for. Instead of selling something to Netflix, we can do that and also do this on the side, too. You know, make some extra cash, you know?

[Stugotz]

All right, if I send it, will you at least, you know, take it under consideration? At least just get on the field with you, you know, and just think about it? That's all. If the moment's right at the end.

[Mikey A]

If the moment's right, you know, you're.

[Stugotz]

Winning, you're on to the NFC Championship game.

[Austin Eckler]

You know, the clunker car comments really hurting your chances here.

[Mikey A]

I'm sorry. Yeah.

[Stugotz]

It'S, it's, it's really a compliment because it speaks to as much money. No, this is how I'm gonna spin it. Give you a very responsible spender. Okay. And Austin is always trying to teach people something. He's trying to teach someone something somewhere. Okay? And what he's trying to do is, hey, look how much money I've made and I'm continuing to make. And yet I still keep my expenses low. Right, right.

[Austin Eckler]

That's right. Me and Warren Buffett, you know, we, we have, you know, we're driving the same car, live at the same spot. You know, life is about. Yeah. Finding happiness, you know, keeping it, keeping maintaining that. So, yeah, you know, I'm just gonna keep my clunker car and I'll let you keep your book over there, and I hope it does.

[Mikey A]

Well, I, I, I don't, I don't want to put you on.

[Stugotz]

Regret saying it.

[Mikey A]

I noticed you didn't even update the colors on your AE30 shirt there, which is a little bit disrespectful to your current team. But, hey, it's a good shirt.

[Austin Eckler]

Never forget your roots. Like, look, I was on the Chargers for seven years, right? I owe a lot of respect to that, to that fan base, all that. Still love them out there. So never forget it. This is the foundation. We've done a lot of stuff out in la, and, yeah, let's keep it going.

[Stugotz]

Is there a small part of you, like just a tiny small part of you that is happy you're still playing and they're not?

[Mikey A]

Yeah, just tell us we're still playing.

[Austin Eckler]

Yeah, I'm a competitor. I hope everyone loses.

[Stugotz]

All right, man. We hope to see you in New Orleans, not joining us on Radio Row, but playing in the actual Super Bowl.

[Mikey A]

I hope not to see you. Honestly, if we see you that things didn't go well, make sure to bring.

[Austin Eckler]

The book, then bring that let's save.

[Stugotz]

The book for the Super Bowl, Austin. Now we're talking.

[Mikey A]

There it is.

[Austin Eckler]

Well, hey, guys, it feels like we haven't even skipped a beat. It feels like we've been talking every week still. You know, we still got the same energy, same vibes, man. I'm glad to see you guys still going strong.

[Stugotz]

Yep. And we're going to do this through the super bowl, man. So I'm looking forward to it. So thank you so much. It was. It was. It was great catching up with you, man.

[Austin Eckler]

Yes.

[Stugotz]

I'm happy.

[Austin Eckler]

All right, boys.

[Stugotz]

I'm happy you're in a good spot. I'm happy you're feeling okay. And two games away from the super bowl, man. Let's go get it. Yeah.

[Austin Eckler]

All righty. Take care, y'all.

[Stugotz]

It is time for this week's edition of Studio gots, presented by DraftKings. The Crown is yours. NFL divisional round. Best week of football we have all year. Four and two a week ago. 83, 50 and three on the season. One for the ages. Here we go. Four games. Chiefs minus eight and a half. They're taking on the Texans. I gotta be honest, right before I sat down to record this, I was taking the Chiefs, and then Fuentes got into my head, into my ears, and now I'm taking the Texans. How about that? Puentes did such a good job convincing me that I am now taking Houston. Chiefs are minus eight and a half. I'm taking Houston plus eight and a half. Chiefs win the game, the Texans cover. If I lose, I blame it on Mike Fuentes. I mean, how has a win win for me? Amazing. So I'm taking the Texans here. Chiefs win by four points at home. Commanders plus nine and a half. They're at Detroit. Take it on the Lions buy it up to 10. Detroit wins. Washington covers the Lions by three points over the Commanders. Rams plus six at Philadelphia. Rams going to win the game outright. I have been telling you I would not be shocked that the Rams make it to the Super Bowl. I think they might make it to the Super Bowl. Rams going to beat the Eagles, Win the game outright. They get the COVID The Rams by four points at Philadelphia. And finally, game of the year. Game of the year. Two MVPs must win games for both of them. This is for the right not to hoist a Lombardi trophy. It feels like it should be. This is for the right to go play Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City. Oh, that's terrible. This game feels like it should be for more. I am taking Buffalo here. I Am so tempted to take the Ravens. Puerto is trying to talk me into that one as well, but I'm not. I am taking Buffalo here plus one and a half. Buy it up to two. Buffalo gonna win the game by seven points at home. Those are the picks, everyone. Good luck.

[Mikey A]

Playoffs. We're talking about playoffs. You bet. We are. Get in on the action at DraftKings Sports with an official sports betting partner of the NFL. Scoring touchdowns is key to winning in the playoffs and you can score big by betting on them at DraftKings, the number one place to bet touchdowns. Go to the DraftKings sportsbook app and make your pick. New DraftKings customers can bet $5 to get $200 in bonus bets instantly. Download the DraftKings sportsbook app and use Code Bless. That's Code Bless for new customers to get $200 in bonus bets instantly. When you bet just five bucks only on DraftKings sportsbook, the crown is yours.

[Stugotz]

Gambling problem.

[Mikey A]

Call 1-800-GAMBLER in New York. Call 877-8-HOPENY or text hopeny467-369 in Connecticut. Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org Please play responsibly on behalf of Boot Hill Casino and resort in Kansas, 21 and over. Age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void. In Ontario, bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG co Audio Liquidity there.

[Stugotz]

He is very aggressive with Billy. I mean, Jesus, just is that aggressive.

[Billy Gill]

I mean, you know, saying Billy, I mean, that's the usual par for the course, ain't it?

[Mike Ryan]

I mean, I just assume everything you say to Billy is somewhat aggressive.

[Billy Gill]

Yeah, exactly right.

[Mikey A]

I mean, exactly right.

[Billy Gill]

Yeah. Yeah, exactly right. You know what?

[Mikey A]

You know what, Chris? You know what? You actually.

[Stugotz]

Oh, wow. Oh, wow. Oh, wow. Is he. Oh, wow. Oh, he threw the jersey off.

[Chris Simms]

Oh, my God.

[Billy Gill]

Take off that big headed stupid hat you got on. It kind of looked cool from the side at first, but now I look at you and from the front you look like a bobblehead. Holy crap.

[Stugotz]

He spiked your jersey.

[Billy Gill]

He did. He spiked my jersey. It's done.

[Stugotz]

I mean, this is a text that said 11:15. We get it. Okay? You need to be out at a certain time. We got it. And then a couple of seconds go by and it dawned on you that you had not greeted Billy the way you greet Billy every single day. Which is you, Billy.

[Billy Gill]

Exactly right. I just, you know, why? Just make sure. We started off the day the right way. And I get them warmed up and ready to go here for the. For the pod. That's what he's doing. Let's go.

[Mikey A]

And then you keep us waiting and you're late. After all these rude messages from you.

[Billy Gill]

This morning, I'm sorry about that. I know I had. I. I had to do one more thing that I had forgotten about, so I messed that up. But it's okay. We're even. We've waited on Stu Gotts plenty of times before.

[Stugotz]

Don't lash out at me. I spike your Jersey.

[Mikey A]

Chris. You will. You will love this. Because we're not going to let him live this down. We had an interview before this and we were all waiting and just started without him because he locked himself out of his house somehow.

[Billy Gill]

I'm not surprised. Nobody was.

[Mike Ryan]

Not a single person was surprised.

[Billy Gill]

How does that even happen? Like, you don't have a garage code either, or nothing? Like.

[Stugotz]

No, we do.

[Billy Gill]

20, 24.

[Stugotz]

I want to explain to you.

[Mikey A]

What, 2025, but close my garage.

[Stugotz]

Smoky, smoky. Drinky, drinky. Are you still writing 24?

[Billy Gill]

Probably have, now that I'm thinking about it. I'm like. I probably have written.

[Mikey A]

You have to, like. You have to, like, March to correct that, I think.

[Billy Gill]

Right, right. That's what I figure.

[Stugotz]

So, Sims. So, Sims, I have a loaner. And so the garage clicker that I have, I don't have it with me because it's in the. And then it's so cold down here that the. Now this happens. Billy, I'm not certain if you're aware.

[Mikey A]

No, it's like 63 the most.

[Stugotz]

The keypad I have on my garage, it froze. It's frozen. I mean, it's impossible.

[Billy Gill]

That's it. That is the biggest bull I've ever heard. I. I woke up today in 18 degree weather and my key code worked. I don't think that was a problem.

[Stugotz]

Built for the cold weather, right? Your key code is built for the cold, though.

[Billy Gill]

63. Yeah, that's right. So even key codes are soft in Florida is what you're talking. You're telling me that's what you're. You're telling me I can't play in the cold weather?

[Stugotz]

I mean, stuff happens in Florida. You get in your car, it's 61 degrees and it says you have a flat tire. I mean, you need tires.

[Billy Gill]

Yeah, I know, I know. I got some family in South Florida, a close cousin, and they're like, the other day were texting me, like, the kids thought it was so cool because we had to turn on the. The seat heaters today in the car. They hadn't done that. Oh, you. You rugged South Floridian. Floridians dealing with that horrible weather.

[Mikey A]

It is currently 68 degrees in Parkland.

[Billy Gill]

Oh, my gosh.

[Stugotz]

Right? Frozen.

[Billy Gill]

The whole country wants 68 degrees right now. We're freezing our ass off.

[Stugotz]

The garage code froze the keypad.

[Billy Gill]

Yeah, yeah. It's an anomaly. Somehow Things freeze at 63 degrees in Florida. Somehow.

[Mikey A]

So good.

[Stugotz]

Oh, God, I deserve it. Chris, we were talking right before you came on Quinn. You or Quinn Ewers and him opting in for the NFL draft. I'm not certain if that's the move now for guys because we have seen it with other guys who opt in. Carson Beck just did it, Opted in, got the deal from Miami, got back out of the draft. We think it's pretty stupid that Quinn Ewers opted into the NFL draft. We think he should take the money to stay in college for another year. What do you think?

[Billy Gill]

I agree with you there. That's really what I would have thought. Now, I mean, what makes me think is, did he not have people offer him the amount of money that maybe he thought he would get? I don't know. But yeah, if you told me, like, oh, wait, and this is where you're right. College is different now. And you can maybe keep a guy around a year longer where it goes, wait, I'm not going in the first round. And I can collect a better check staying in college here than I can in my first two years or three years in the NFL. Why don't I do that? I was expecting that. I was. I was expecting him to sign on with another team. I've told you guys before, I didn't think there was any way he was coming back to Texas. That wasn't happening. But yeah, to hear the draft thing. I was surprised the other day. I really was. And surprised. And yesterday, I should say, and surprised just because, you know, one of what I just said. But two, you know, to what I think you're saying, I mean, we're talking about a guy here that I think is going to be viewed as a fifth round pick in the NFL somewhere in that range. I don't think it's going to be anywhere near day one or day two. And that's where, of course, I thought he would stay in college, too.

[Stugotz]

What do you make of Sarkeesian and the NFL rumors? We talked about this last week. You think. I mean, you told us you thought he would be a good NFL coach. He's probably the most qualified of the college coaches right now outside of Belichick. So what do you make of that?

[Billy Gill]

Well, I mean, he's capable. I just would want to be like, why? Why would you want to do it? Why would you want to go in the unknown in the NFL, right? You're, you're in arguably the greatest college job there is in football right now, or certainly one that's at the top five. Right? And then they're one of the few colleges that can pay you like NFL money for a long, long time. So. And you finally got the program exactly where you got it here. I mean, gosh, we lost a ton of studs in the NFL last year. It didn't miss a beat and just went, hey, we're one of the three or four best teams again this year. And I think that's going to continue to roll. So, you know, I, I'm sure there's been some calls to his agent and all that, but I've never heard anything where was real tangible for many of the people I know in the NFL to think that Sark was like really a high level consideration for one of the six jobs that are left back still open.

[Mikey A]

The thing that I don't understand, I guess between the difference between the college and NFL right now is the coaches that are leaving are usually like the older coaches that are like, I'm not used to this world where we have to pay the players of that. Right? But even in this like new world of parody in college football where any team can reach out and give a quarterback $3 million, hypothetically, right. Texas can still outpay the majority of the teams out there. And that's so much more of an advantage than you would have going to the NFL where every team can pay every player whatever it is that they want. So even though more teams can come in and take your players, you're really competing with like, like 12 to 15 that could actually steal your players.

[Billy Gill]

I don't even think it's that many, really. I mean, you know, I, I think your point's very real. It's a good one. You know, that's why you saw the head coach of Boston College, Jeff Halfley, leave Boston College, right? And go, I'll go be a coordinator in the NFL somewhere. Because he knew at a school like that he just can't compete with the way the, the current status is in college football. Chip Kelly at ucla. Wait, the hell would be in the head coach at ucla. I'll go Be an O coordinator at one of the teams Billy is talking about. That can kind of sway the pendulum in their favor year after year after year because of their big money. Hey, college football, we're, we're going, we're going to, I think we're going to dive down into Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, Houston Astros territory here. It's going to be like the same four teams every year. That's what we're going to. I know there's commissioners in certain conferences that are already like, whoa, I don't know about the nil. The SEC is sweating their ass off, right? They've been getting an advantage by stockpiling rosters forever, Right? And I saw this even at Texas when I was there. We could have third string linebacker that would start in the NFL, but he couldn't start at our team at Texas because. And they couldn't transfer because, you know, back in that day, you basically lost two years of your life trying to transfer. So now rosters are spread out throughout college football. Georgia, Texas, whatever. They can't keep a third string awesome linebacker on the roster. He goes, to hell with that. I'm going somewhere else and going to make money. And then on top of all that, they wanted to make it paying legal. And again, I mean, everybody knows the SEC was a little more forthcoming with paying players under the table. We all know that. Yeah, yeah, exactly. What? But now all of a sudden, like the first year paying players is, oh, everything's even. Oh, the SEC ain't that good. Oh, they better watch out. Because none of the SEC schools other than Texas have the amount of money that Michigan, Notre Dame or Ohio State have. And I just think you're going to see that Michigan, Notre Dame's going to be printing money, printing it. This is like, this is the greatest gift ever to Notre Dame. They're like, wait, we don't have, we have very high academic standards. We've missed out on some people because of that. But now we can pay you a ton of money to come here. And now you'll be like, I'll go to school. And it'd be a little harder to school for that money. And we'll be a top four team in college football every year. I mean, Notre Dame is going to be a powerhouse now from here on out. And I think those four teams that I mentioned, you know, add another team or two into that, are just going to dominate college football.

[Stugotz]

PFT with Mike Florio every day on Peacock, the Unbuttoned podcast. Football night in America. NBC has Rams Eagles on Sunday, we will get to that game in just a second. Chris, how much money did Sam Darnold cost himself the last two weeks?

[Billy Gill]

You know, 10, $15 million?

[Stugotz]

Man.

[Billy Gill]

I would say so. You know, he still can get a good payday. He certainly can do that. But like, you know, maybe getting a 30 or 40 million dollars like you know, one year type of deal or a two year 60 like that, I don't know if he's going to see that. And where, if he played well the last two weeks, I think he might have got to go to a place maybe and been like, they'd be like, hey, you're the starter now. It's going to be like we'll bring in him the starter, but I don't know if we want him long term. Maybe we should draft a quarterback too, just like we saw him do in Minnesota. So that's where it's tough. It is tough. The Detroit game, guys, he played really bad. I am not going to defend him much. Yeah, I told you guys last week, it was like, whoa, throw it. He's open. Or, or he's open. And damn, how'd you miss that throw last week? I'm not going to put as much on him. I watched that film on Tuesday. There wasn't jack open that game. The Rams were all over Kevin O'Connell and that passing offense and what they wanted to do, let alone they tricked him with some blitzes too. So that one, I'm going to put a little bit on everybody. Even though he wasn't his best. But yeah, he certainly cost himself maybe a better positioning as far as a quarterback. And then just the, the money itself, Stu Gu.

[Mikey A]

Along the same line the past couple of weeks, Russell Wilson probably cost himself the starting job next year in Pittsburgh. Did he not like, because when we, when we spoke a month ago, it was you, you found your guy, you got to lock him up, give him a Baker deal, he's good enough. But the last couple weeks you found out he is not good enough and this is probably his last starting chance.

[Billy Gill]

I would think I, I would think so. And you know, like found your guy and I, I know I, I and I certainly was, hey, he's playing well and all that. Even when he was playing well, I was like, I don't know how much long term I want to commit to him, but I mean, either way to what you're saying there, there's no way, there's no way he's going to be done as a starting quarterback. It's three teams in a row now where you kind of hear the locker room doesn't love them. Have you guys watched Hard Knocks? I mean, let alone from what I've heard right. From people, you watch Hard Knocks and all his talking to the players, it falls on deaf ears. They're literally like not even listening to him because he's so robotic in what he says and it's so like just cookie cutter. Hey, we gotta play better. Hey, we gotta play better. Hey, we gotta play better. Hey, we gotta play better. And you're like, did he just say that Four times in a row. That's all he said. Hey, shake it off. Hey, shake it off. Hey, shake it off. And you can see the team, like, literally like, yeah, okay. They're like nodding their head like, yeah, we hear you. Great, Great. No way he's back there as a starting quarterback. No way he's a starting quarterback anywhere in football.

[Mike Ryan]

Is Mike Tomlin done in Pittsburgh. Because there are people in Pittsburgh that want him gone, but it feels like they're just kind of slow dancing in a burning room between the two of them, Pittsburgh and Tomlin, where neither one really wants to end it. They're just going to let it crumble around them.

[Billy Gill]

Well, something has to change there, like, drastically. Right. Because they're stuck in this, like this meddling of where we just get in the playoffs, but we're not really a contender to get in the get to the Super Bowl. And I think a little bit is that because they try to get to the super bowl and they kind of put band aids on their roster and they never kind of really tear it down to go, okay, now let's rebuild it. That's a problem. Yeah. All the talks about, like, he's lost his last five playoff games and all that. I understand that. All that should be there. I get it. Right. Certainly do. 2017 was probably the last 2017 and 2018 were probably the last two years where you went, man, the Steelers could go to a Super bowl and win it. 2017, they blew that game against the Jaguars, remember? And Blake Bortles, that was a big deal because they were already talking about their championship game matchup with the Patriots. That was a mess up the next year, they missed the playoffs and it was one of those teams where they were banged up during the year and they got hot late and you were like, if they get in, they might win the Super Bowl. They didn't get in. That was the last time they've been legit. Now, what I will say with Mike Tomlin, and you heard me say Drastic something on the roster drastically has to change. Yeah, that's the big thing. I mean, one, they can't get the quarterback issue right. That's. Sure. And if you want to Blake blame Mike Tomlin for offensive coordinator failures and stuff like that. Okay, I understand all that, too. But the way his team plays and the way they compete and the way he manages games, I have a hard time looking and blaming Mike Tomlin and Mikey. Yay. They have a clear pecking order there. Right? He coaches the team. They got a front office that picks the players. The players aren't all that special there. That's the other thing, too. You take away George Pickens, who the cares about anybody else on Pittsburgh's offense, who cares, let alone. We don't even care about him that much. And I would condone as far as drastic trade him. He's one of your best assets. He's a pain in the butt. Get him out of here. Get some things for him on the defensive side of the ball. It's the same thing. It's like, okay, T.J. watt. Cam Hayward has some moments after that. Who the cares about anybody else? And that to me, is not Mike Tomlin's problem. So that's the thing, too. Mikey A. Where I hear you with that, and I hear Steeler fans say that, but they haven't stepped on a field in a playoff game since 2017. Where I've gone, well, yeah, they should win that game. I mean, you. You've heard me for three years now. They're one and done. They're going to lose this week. It's over. But, like, so there's no chance to win some of these games. And a lot of the times I'd go, I'm not sure they'd be in the games if it weren't for Mike Tomlin to begin with.

[Stugotz]

Chris, I asked you last week and I asked you again this week, would you be surprised if the Rams made it to the Super Bowl?

[Billy Gill]

Yes, I would be.

[Stugotz]

Still be surprised. So good, Chris.

[Billy Gill]

I know. They're so good. They are. This is. This is not a good matchup for them this week. I will say that. I mean it. It's. It's hard when you turn on the film from the previous matchup and watch a guy run the ball 26 times for 255 yards. And let me just tell you, like, there was another four or five runs where you're like, he's about to break in for 70. Oh, they just tripped him up. I mean, he, he was on. He could have broke the NFL rushing record that day. He was this close, right? So I had. That's where I just. This weekend is where I don't want to ever put anything, you know, against McVay and Stafford because they're special, they're battle tested, they're super bowl winners, they can come up with game plans. But, man, Philadelphia, as you guys have heard me say, I think is the, the most talented team in football. They're well coached. It's going to be about 18 degrees in Philadelphia on Sunday, and I expect Philadelphia to be ready to go with Jalen Hurts and company. And yeah, the Rams are going to have to do so much. They're going to have to really change the way they approach that game and really get out of their comfort zone on the defensive side of the ball, which could lend to them making some plays and keeping the game close. But it could also lend to, oh, there's A.J. brown 101, touchdown. Oh, we blitz and they tossed it outside to Saquon and now nobody's there. Oh, touchdown. And we're down, you know, 21 nothing before we even got warmed up in the game. That's what I would worry about if I'm the Rams.

[Stugotz]

But Chris, selfishly, from a fan perspective, you agree with this, right? Because I like when, when the playoffs started, I was thinking to myself, there's going to be nothing better than whatever the AFC Championship Game is going to be. It's going to be Chiefs vs. Bills or Chiefs vs. Ravens in all like likelihood. But if the Rams get past the Eagles and Detroit wins their game, I'm not certain that NFC Championship game won't have more storylines and be more intriguing than the AFC Championship Game where you have Stafford going back to his old team and trying to prevent them from going to the Super Bowl.

[Billy Gill]

It would be awesome. It would. It would have great storylines. It certainly would be a great matchup. And you know, again, we've said this a lot like a team can be better than another team in totality, but it's a matchup league. I'm. The Eagles are a tough. The Eagles are a tougher matchup for the Rams than the Lions are because of the Lions and some of the issues they have on the defensive side of the ball. Right. That's one where I go, yeah, the Rams defense is in trouble versus the Lions offense. But I look at it and go, well, I think the Rams offense will be able to move the ball on the Lions defense, too. So that evens the playing field. This is one where, you know, I could see them having a few drives, moving the ball against the Eagles defense, but man, the Eagles just won so many battles physically up front. The Rams really, the more you break them down, the more you realize Puka Nuku is really their only real threat on the offensive side of the ball. You know, other than Kyron Williams in the run game in the past game, Cooper Cup's not the same guy he used to be. I would, I would expect the Eagles to kind of double Puka Nakua in some certain situations. Take him away. Right. And make somebody else beat them. I just don't know if they have enough weaponry there to mess with the team that I call the best roster in football in the Eagles.

[Stugotz]

Chris, a lot of people are saying that Texans defense, it's funny how things change after a single victory and the other team has a bye week. So you haven't seen them play. But now a lot of people are saying the Texans could keep it close because of their defense with Kansas City. And Kansas City has played a lot of close games. What are your thoughts?

[Billy Gill]

Yeah, I do too. I mean they was close the first time around, right. When they, when they played the Saturday before Christmas.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Billy Gill]

They're a team that, they're extremely talented and this is a Chiefs offense that we know is not super explosive and does play some close football games. The big thing here is can the Chiefs protect these two super freaks coming off the edge? And protection's been an issue for the Chiefs all year long. Right. So can they block? And then like are Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy ready to take the next steps and become really big time explosive playoff type receivers? Hollywood Brown's first game back was that first matchup. So he'll be a different player now. Xavier Worthy's gotten better and better as the year went along. The Texans played them some man to man in the football game and really gave them some issues when they did it. So I would think they're going to be emboldened by that too. But the Chiefs are the kind of team that are going to be like, well, we got something for you. And then we know how Mahomes is and you play him a certain way and too aggressive, he's going to be like, how dare you play me like that. I'm going to throw a bomb over your head. You can't do that to me. That's disrespectful. So that'll be interesting. That chess match and then the Texans offense the first time around, they protected okay. And you saw last week, it's something I've been calling for, for the Texans offense, three step drop passing game. Yeah, they don't protect well. So why are we holding the ball for five and six seconds waiting for people downfield? If you don't protect well, they change that and that's going to be interesting to see what it does to Kansas City or whatever. But I think they hang around and are a pain in the ass. But I'm going to pick the Chiefs. I picked them 2717.

[Stugotz]

I want to say Detroit's going to blow out the commanders, but man, Jaden Daniels is special. I'm not going to like, I can't do it. I can't get myself there because that guy by himself can keep them in the game.

[Billy Gill]

They're hard to blow out and like we've said, it's just like they do everything with him. He's so mature in how he plays. He's surgical. He can make big plays when he's there, he can scramble when it's there, do all that. The big thing to me is the Lions defense can't let Washington go on these 15 play, 60 yard drives that chew up seven minutes or like last week, it was a 17 play, 90 yard drive that chewed up like seven and a half minutes. That's what they can't do and that's where it's incredible and how mature and surgical Jaden Daniels is. But that to me would be the thing that would bode well for an upset if they can control the clock, get down there, score, touchdown. Oh, Rams offense is a little off kilter because they can't get on the field and get a rhythm going and all of a sudden we're in a nail biter and we know Washington is very comfortable being in a nail biter. My thing with Detroit though is I don't think they'll let that happen. Detroit has shown in these kind of games that they'll be aggressive on defense. To either force your hand and create a turnover or you go down and score, that's fine. But our offense is getting back on the field. Let's get in a shootout and see what happens. I think they're a pain in the ass, but I, I took the lions, I believe, 34 to 21 stugots.

[Stugotz]

All right, let's make Chris's head explode. In a weird world we were discussing earlier. Okay. If the higher seed, the better team in the playoffs could trade their quarterback for the other team's quarterback, do you think Dan Campbell this week would trade Jared Goff for Jaden Daniels?

[Billy Gill]

No.

[Stugotz]

Why?

[Billy Gill]

Because, Jared, I mean, this is why. Because Dan Campbell is like, he's loyal to a fault. He loves his Jared Goff. He loves his attitude he brings to the team. He embodies kind of his toughness and leadership that he wants for his team. So that's why I understand the question. I get it. I mean, every coach is going to go, damn, I wish my quarterback had Jaden Daniels skill set. Other than like the coach of the Bills or the Chiefs or the Ravens, everybody else is going to be like, I'd like one of those right there. Where can I get that? Is that on aisle five? Where can I get that?

[Stugotz]

Right.

[Billy Gill]

Certainly, Chris.

[Stugotz]

I just think it's an intriguing idea. Like, fast forward to the conference championship game. Okay, so the Chiefs are the better team. They could trade Patrick Mahomes for Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson.

[Billy Gill]

I mean, Yeah, I know they ain't gonna do it. Okay.

[Stugotz]

Or Dan Gamble could trade golf back for Stafford.

[Billy Gill]

Yeah, I, I, I, I know it's a, it's a fun idea. It's cool. But, but man, Jared Goff, you, you know, you go into that stadium and that city, he is so loved and they're so behind him. He's a big part of why their culture is the way it is.

[Stugotz]

Ravens and Bills feels like it should be for much more than the right to go to Kansas City to face Patrick Mahomes. It doesn't feel right, but it's going to be such a great game, Chris. It feels like so much is on the line for this game, but is it really? When you consider they have to go to Kansas City the next week, like one of the guys is going to be the guy that still can't do it in the postseason until next week, and then that guy's going to be the guy who can't get it done in the postseason because he lost Mahomes.

[Billy Gill]

It gives you, it gives you the opportunity to take that man to man and take it on.

[Mikey A]

Right.

[Billy Gill]

That's what the big thing is.

[Stugotz]

Yes.

[Billy Gill]

Like, they both are going to want the opportunity to go there.

[Stugotz]

Yes.

[Billy Gill]

And slay the beast of Mahomes.

[Stugotz]

Yes.

[Billy Gill]

Realizing that, yes, they could lose and there's still going to be that same, you know, bull aura around them or talk around them. They can't win the big game. I, the games. I cannot wait for this one. Yeah. It's the two best players in football this year, and they're the two biggest players that have the most pressure on them in the NFL playoffs. So that's why you love it. Because they both have that, oh, they can't win the big game, which is a bunch of bull. I mean, as we know, Josh Allen is playoffs. His statistics are as good as anybody, like in the history of the playoffs. Lamar, we know, is special as hell, but he's got a losing record in the playoffs, so that's crazy. They're both like first ballot, you know, upper tier with Deion Sanders type super hall of Famers, in my opinion. They're just missing some of this right here. So this a little bit. Not to the same extent, but this is a tough matchup for Buffalo. Buffalo has a hard time stopping big teams that can run the football. And then you couple that with a team that can throw the football as well, McDermott's going to have to have one of his most creative game plans of the year, and Josh Allen and the Bills offense are going to have to play their best game of the year. I'm going to be interested to see what they do. Do the Bills go, hey, we're just going to attack with Josh Allen and we're not as scared to get in a shootout with you, right? Or do they go, let's control the clock, let's run the ball. Let's let Josh Allen kind of do what we just said with Jaden Daniels. Five years, five yards here, seven yards here, quarterback run James Cook there and keep Lamar on the sidelines. Right. I could see it going either way, so that'll be interesting. I do think the Bills offense is gonna be able to move the ball in the Ravens, and I think the Bills offense will be able to run the ball in the Ravens. The Ravens run defense is overrated. To me, it's the number one run defense in football, but that's because everyone played the Ravens and went while passing the defense. I can throw for 350 every game. Why would I run it on them? So that's where it's a little skewed. The first matchup. The first time around, Buffalo moved them in the run game, but they got too pass happy and got away from it and then got Gordon down on the scoreboard and couldn't get back into it. I think it's a close football game, Stu Gods. I do. I think it's a lot of fun. I'm going to pick the Ravens to win with a last second field goal to win the game, 30 to 28.

[Mikey A]

Wow.

[Stugotz]

It's going to be a great weekend. We'll get you out of here. What are these three guys? Barrow, Allen, Lamar, Jackson, maybe two. They're going to be Dan Marino. Like I agree with you, the first ballot hall of Famers in the Dion class. But one of them has to be Dan. There's not enough time and enough Super Bowls to go around for all four of them.

[Billy Gill]

I know. I'm hoping that they don't become Dan Marino and they can kind of become like John Elway at some point where dealt with some early, you know, career struggles playoffs but then started to as the years went by got to win one or two late in their career at some point in their career to get off the schneide because they are super bowl winning quarterbacks.

[Stugotz]

They are.

[Billy Gill]

They're that caliber. They're as good as anybody we've ever seen. Yeah, they're in a tough spot and you know, this is their year. This is their chance and we'll see if they can do it. Whether they can, you know, whoever wins this one and then if they can beat the Chiefs the next week. If the Chiefs beat the Texans.

[Mikey A]

Real quick before you go, who in the NFL or who will be drafted this year that is the next Chris Sims in the NFL.

[Billy Gill]

Gosh. That we drafted this year. Well, who's.

[Mikey A]

Who's or current quarterback who's big and.

[Billy Gill]

White and is just a above average athlete with a really strong arm. Who is that when yours my. I throw it. I throw it. I have a strong arm arm than Quinn yours and I think I'm a better athlete so I can't give it to him there. But I don't know what when we get to draft time and all that. I'll give you a better answer there. I'll have some more clues on that.

[Stugotz]

All right.

[Mikey A]

All right.

[Stugotz]

He had to get that hit. He's an.

[Billy Gill]

He is an who.

[Mikey A]

Chris.

[Billy Gill]

No you with the big Dolphins helmet on.

[Stugotz]

All right, Sims, enjoy the week to.

[Mikey A]

Put it back up.

[Stugotz]

But never I don't want to be.

[Billy Gill]

Up in your house. Screw you. All right. If that number one jersey is going to be in that room then I don't want to be in that room with it. All right? Oh, okay. I'll see you later.

[Stugotz]

Is back.

[K. Funk]

No. Awfully happy. Awfully happy to see me, Mike. He wasn't the same on that episode I listened to last week.

[Mikey A]

So did you. What did I miss last week? What did I miss?

[Stugotz]

What do you mean?

[K. Funk]

Did I. You know, I review every episode. You see this notebook, Billy?

[Stugotz]

Even the wind you're not on. I mean that's weird.

[Mikey A]

Saw Mike Rawes has a travel show where he's visiting Alaska.

[Mike Rallis]

Yeah. Whoa, Debut.

[Mikey A]

Yeah.

[K. Funk]

You're in Alaska now? Or you already filmed it?

[Mike Rallis]

No, already filmed it. The episode is out today on Prime Video.

[Stugotz]

All right.

[Mike Rallis]

The Wanderer. The. The idea behind it was. And this was totally true, we had no idea where we were going. They came to our house to. To film here in Phoenix. And like, 20 minutes before we left for the airport, they told us we were going to Alaska. So we had a little bit of time to. To change any. You know, empty out the. The bathing suits and warmer clothes.

[Mikey A]

And.

[Mike Rallis]

And then we. Even then, we still had no idea what we were doing. Every day we. We went out there. We just kind of went with the flow, and wherever it took us, that's what we did.

[K. Funk]

Was he and your wife or.

[Mike Rallis]

Yeah, me and my wife. Yep.

[Mikey A]

That's awesome, man. No mistress.

[Mike Rallis]

Well, you'll have to watch to find out.

[K. Funk]

She's pregnant.

[Stugotz]

Hey, honey, I'm cheating on you. Here she is.

[Mike Ryan]

And Alaska.

[Mike Rallis]

You know, I. I've. I signed up for one of the. These platforms where you can see people post social media jobs that.

[Billy Gill]

This is.

[Mike Rallis]

It's actually, this platform is how we found this TV show. So they post, like, places where you can audition for either social media collaborations or TV shows or movies. And there's. There's a lot of these reality TV shows that's like, honey, I'm cheating on you.

[Stugotz]

Or.

[Mike Rallis]

Or do you have a big secret you're keeping from your wife? And I just think, who is signing up for that? Like, hey, you want to go on this show that we keep big secrets from each other?

[Stugotz]

Well, before I answer that, how much does it pay? Do you know?

[Mikey A]

Yeah. And what. And what's that website also?

[Stugotz]

Yeah, what is the website?

[Billy Gill]

Yeah, yeah.

[Mike Rallis]

Backstage. Backstage dot com, I think. I mean, I have the app at. The Backstage app, so we're all wrapping.

[Stugotz]

It down right now.

[Mikey A]

So would you.

[Mike Rallis]

I've looked at my wife and been like, are you sure our marriage isn't on the rocks right now? Like, we might need to go to this show.

[Billy Gill]

You thought you were going on the.

[Mikey A]

Wanderer, it said you were going on.

[Austin Eckler]

Yeah.

[Mikey A]

For you, the Wanderer could mean a.

[Mike Rallis]

Few different things, you know?

[Stugotz]

No, but I'm telling you, like, if I had this discussion with my wife, like, hey, Abby, I just have to tell a big secret about our marriage, but we're gonna get paid a half million dollars to do so. I'm gonna tell everyone I'm cheating on you. She'd be in on it. She would. She would.

[K. Funk]

Yes, Most wives probably would.

[Mikey A]

I would think Yeah, I don't know about most wives. No, I don't think so.

[Stugotz]

500K though.

[Mike Ryan]

I can think of at least one that would say no.

[Mike Rallis]

I love those. I love going through those scenarios in your head, like, what kind of paycheck.

[Mikey A]

Would it take to play where's the Line? Yeah, it's.

[Stugotz]

What kind of paycheck would you be willing to do it with a smile on your face?

[Mikey A]

Face.

[Stugotz]

I think. Right. It's like, I think a half million tax free up front does it for me. I don't know.

[Mike Rallis]

Yeah, that's, that's a nice payday.

[Stugotz]

Yes. Like, how about a hundred thousand dollars, though?

[Mike Rallis]

That's pretty good. I mean, that's.

[Stugotz]

Wait, Rawls, we're making up a story here. We didn't actually cheat on our wives.

[Mike Rallis]

Right? I know.

[Stugotz]

Damage.

[Mike Rallis]

Damage.

[Stugotz]

Now I'm starting to think, what if I did actually cheat on my wife? Would someone have to pay me to reveal the secret? Secret.

[Mikey A]

I mean, but here's the thing. Like, if you want to get out, you now have your out and you have a nice paycheck to kind of.

[Stugotz]

Start this, this new life. Yeah, but, but, and also, you can kind of like, you know, create your.

[Mikey A]

Own, you know, image of how you.

[Stugotz]

Want it to be presented too. You know, you control the, you control the airwaves.

[Mike Rallis]

Yeah.

[Stugotz]

I go, I got a big secret. My wife's cheating on me. How about that?

[Mike Rallis]

That's good. Save your reputation, still get the paycheck, right?

[Mike Ryan]

Who cheats on Clooney?

[Stugotz]

I can't believe she did it.

[Mikey A]

K. Funk, last week you were not here. And I don't know if you heard what the, what the ruling from Carl was. The ruling wasn't.

[K. Funk]

That wasn't a ruling from Carl. That was Mikey. And that's not acceptable. So let's just move on.

[Mikey A]

On.

[Stugotz]

Well, it is acceptable.

[Mikey A]

Hold on a second.

[Stugotz]

Let Billy explain it first.

[K. Funk]

I already know. I, I heard that.

[Stugotz]

But to explain it to the audience.

[Mikey A]

Yeah, for the audience and didn't watch the show. Yeah, exactly.

[Mike Rallis]

Last week, you think today's their first.

[K. Funk]

Day on the show?

[Mikey A]

You were in Alaska.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, football today.

[Mikey A]

Well, okay, so here's, here's what happened, Mike, and anyone who was not listening last week when Cave Funk was out because K. Funk was out and he didn't give us notice that he was going to be out, the ruling was decided that K. Funk would have to forfeit the games last week. And because Mojo normally does opposite K. Funk, Mojo was looking at an undefeated week just because K. Funk was getting all Forfeited losses. Now, because he's a man of integrity. Mojo made the picks last week. And Mojo, in making the picks, still went 5 and 1. So he only cost himself one game by not assigning K. Funk all of the forfeits. However, I believe the forfeit still stand. And Carl confirmed that.

[K. Funk]

Not true, but. Okay.

[Mikey A]

All right.

[Stugotz]

Enough. Right? Well, no, not true. What? That Carl confirmed it. He did. We were here.

[K. Funk]

Do you know how many people have showed up and not made picks on the show?

[Mikey A]

No.

[Stugotz]

Who? Name one.

[Mikey A]

Yeah, name every other week.

[K. Funk]

Share Bear. Every other week.

[Mikey A]

No, they make picks.

[Stugotz]

They make picks.

[K. Funk]

Carl missed a week.

[Mike Ryan]

They always send in their picks.

[Stugotz]

They always send the pics in.

[K. Funk]

Would you like to know where I was? I told Billy, so.

[Mikey A]

No, no, it's okay.

[Stugotz]

No, we don't want to know. Wait.

[K. Funk]

It's okay.

[Billy Gill]

I don't want to know.

[Stugotz]

No, you're not gonna listen. This is not the time to shower us with guilt. I mean, we. We feel for you. We love you. We care about you. Mikey said all that.

[K. Funk]

That's who it is. Mikey is the. Because it was his idea.

[Mikey A]

What?

[Mike Ryan]

I said.

[K. Funk]

Hey, guys, I got an idea. Hey, how about zero?

[Mikey A]

That's him. That's his voice.

[Mike Ryan]

It sounds just like me.

[Stugotz]

You know what?

[K. Funk]

Where's Carl? I need to.

[Mikey A]

Well, he's working, but I have his picks. Yeah, I have his picks.

[Stugotz]

He's got a job.

[Mikey A]

No forfeits. I know where your head's at. He's not forfeiting. I also have Gordy's picks. Yeah, he's working.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, we have Gordy's picks. Is Mojo coming in here? The Wanderer should be you in Alaska in your bathing suit. That's what the show should be.

[Mike Rallis]

Well, I. I will say this. A little teaser. I do end up in even less clothes than a bathing suit. If that's.

[Billy Gill]

That's.

[Mike Rallis]

You know, I'll let. I'll let your imaginations run.

[Stugotz]

Wow.

[K. Funk]

I'm in.

[Mike Rallis]

Unfortunately, I lost a bet. So I. I think back to the whole The Seinfeld shrinkage episode. You know, wow. Cold water. And.

[Stugotz]

And he's in Rallis in the Wild. How about that?

[Mikey A]

Yeah.

[Stugotz]

I mean. Billy, are you hearing this?

[Mikey A]

Well, hold on. I want to watch tonight.

[Stugotz]

Spoiler alert.

[Mike Rallis]

It's family friendly. It is family friendly.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, but you're naked.

[Mike Ryan]

Oh, Mojo, it's so good to see you.

[Mojo]

I've been listening backstage for about 10 minutes now with the inability to say anything.

[Stugotz]

Okay, so listen. Mojo, hold on. Don't say another word. The floor is yours. I want all your thoughts on everything you heard over the last 10 minutes. Go ahead.

[Mojo]

Well, yeah, I guess putting football aside for a minute, I heard a whole conversation about $500,000 and fake cheating on your. Your spouse or something.

[Billy Gill]

I don't know.

[Mojo]

I. I came in, like, halfway through that, so I have a lot of questions on. On that front, but I don't care about any of that right now because I think the thing I want to start with is just an apology and a thank you from. From K. Funk.

[Mikey A]

Okay.

[Stugotz]

You want him to thank you and apologize to you?

[Austin Eckler]

Yeah.

[Mojo]

You know, I just. I think I earned that. I. I stuck up for him last week. I gave him a chance.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Mojo]

I mean, honestly, it's probably worse in the end because I let him pick opposite Mojo, which is suicide. That's a terrible idea with how Mojo, the spread master, picked, but it did open the floor for us to throw this in his face one more time.

[Billy Gill]

We almost.

[Mojo]

We almost missed the opportunity to do that, but. Funk. You're welcome, pal. I'm just. I just would like to hear the words. Words.

[Mikey A]

Yeah.

[K. Funk]

Nothing was said about my opposite Mojo, but I would like to say is thank you for the week before your 69 week where you had zero wins. That was pretty cool. You should have.

[Mojo]

Yeah, that was a tough one. I should have realized that as a married man and a father, now that the. The 69 jokes have expired. My. My window there. I should have. I should have gone a different way on that one.

[Chris Simms]

You live in your life.

[Mikey A]

Well, hold on. It's. Hold on a second. I'm glad you brought that week up because we had a bit of a controversy last week when we were trying to figure out what we were going to do there because you. You decided to hijack the showcase, Funk, as I remember, and make everyone pick college games. But those were only going to count if you did. Well, now I was going through the record. That is 100 what we agreed on.

[K. Funk]

No, Mojo said if I didn't do well, it wouldn't count towards me. I didn't say about that.

[Stugotz]

That.

[Billy Gill]

So.

[Mikey A]

Okay, well.

[Mojo]

Are you hearing this? If you lose, it doesn't count. If I lose, it counts triple. Like, what. What am I offering you right now?

[Mikey A]

Like, it's odd.

[Billy Gill]

Free play. It's like.

[Stugotz]

Free play.

[Mikey A]

Yeah.

[Mojo]

Goodness gracious, dude. Well, some respect here.

[Mikey A]

Have some respect. I'll say this.

[Mojo]

Respect.

[Mikey A]

Mojo was.05 when we were just doing some of the games. But. But if we included some of the college games, he was one in six. Now, the story of that week was Mike Rollace, who went 8 and 1. If we included all of the college games. Yeah, yeah.

[K. Funk]

Good job, Mike.

[Mikey A]

I. I have you as three and four, but I have two games missing that I'm gonna have to track down because you were doing things where you're changing games after we recorded and you were picking some games. Yeah, yeah, yeah. We also sent.

[K. Funk]

Gordy didn't make picks. He made picks. It's all right. Let's just. This whole. This whole season's a wash. When it comes down a wash, it.

[Mikey A]

Is most definitely not.

[Mojo]

As bad as you did.

[Chris Simms]

Really?

[Stugotz]

Really.

[K. Funk]

You even sat on the show last week. You're like, we just make stuff. You said it on the show last week. We just make stuff up. We make K Funk lose. We make Mojo win.

[Mikey A]

I don't think that ever was said.

[Billy Gill]

You don't need to make.

[Mojo]

You lose.

[Stugotz]

Just fine on your own.

[Mikey A]

Yeah, you're killing it.

[Mojo]

You know, what can we do? We have fact checkers on the show. Because I'd be very curious, like, if we looked at all the sports podcasts in the world, if there's a person on the planet that has picked worse than K. Funk, because I don't think that person exists.

[K. Funk]

What are we talking about here?

[Mojo]

In any sport, in picking anything. I don't. It doesn't even have to be sport.

[Stugotz]

You're saying any sport anywhere, Anything on the planet. No one has been worse than K. Funk.

[Mikey A]

Well, year. Well, yeah. Share Bear's been worse.

[K. Funk]

Correct.

[Mojo]

From the freaking poker table.

[K. Funk]

Get your.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, the thing is, Share Bear doesn't take this thing so seriously or personally.

[Mojo]

Oh.

[Mikey A]

Oh.

[Stugotz]

Get out of here. Get out of here.

[Billy Gill]

No, we all know that's not true.

[Mikey A]

You have a notebook where you take notes that you just showed us.

[K. Funk]

You'll see. Listen, you'll. You'll find out about this notebook later. This is for exit interviews for the season.

[Mikey A]

Exit interviews.

[Stugotz]

I can't wait.

[Mikey A]

Are you our HR department?

[K. Funk]

Well, no, but the legal team will take a look at this.

[Stugotz]

Can you give us, like, can you give us the legal team grades? Like, can you do that?

[Mojo]

Like, is that notebook also your diary? Like, worry about it. How pointed you are in yourself, in your picks every week.

[K. Funk]

Listen, I want. Where's Carl at?

[Mikey A]

Yeah, he's working. Yeah, yeah. Week 11.

[Mike Ryan]

Loud pitch, voice made me feel bad today. Sad face.

[Chris Simms]

Mojo.

[Mikey A]

Mojo was so mean to me this week.

[K. Funk]

You guys are.

[Mojo]

Remember the week we were really nice to him? Like, overly nice, everybody.

[Stugotz]

He didn't like either.

[Mikey A]

He lost every game.

[Mike Rallis]

It was there Was a. I used to help out at. I used to help out at WWE tryouts. I would, like demonstrate the drills and stuff like that. And there was this one time, there was this drill I was really bad at. I was doing a handstand bump. You do a handstand, then fall on your back. And I just couldn't get it. I did it like, okay. But the coaches and the other talent that were helping out, like, really made it seem like I was doing really bad. But they were, like, trying to be really nice and encouraging me. And it got to the point where everyone who was trying out started encouraging me, like, come on, Mike. You can do it. And it, like, made me feel so much worse that there was these people who were just trying to try out to get to where I was, and they were encouraging me, like, you can do it. And that's what it reminded me of. That week. We were nice to K. I would.

[Mojo]

Say that this isn't anything like that because at least your handstand bumps were kind of bad. Like, funk is pure, full bad. It's not. There is no kind of. It's just all the way in.

[Mikey A]

Huh?

[Mike Rallis]

Fair enough.

[Mikey A]

Write that down.

[Mojo]

I have to hop off in two minutes, unfortunately. So it goes without saying that all of my picks this week will be opposite Funk. Funk needs me to pick first so he can go out.

[Mikey A]

Yeah, K. Funk, you want him to go first? It's only four games. We can go through it quick. You want him to pick?

[Stugotz]

You want to do it quickly. Here.

[K. Funk]

Do all four Mojos right now.

[Mikey A]

Okay?

[Stugotz]

All right. Let's go, Mojo. Here we go. Texans at Chiefs. Chiefs minus eight and a half. Who you take?

[Mojo]

Wait, Funk, say it again. You need me to do the pick so you can go opposite. You're scared to make your own picks? Is that what you're saying?

[K. Funk]

For second time in the season.

[Stugotz]

Well, Mojo, it's up to you. It's your call. You can make the Pigs or you can just go opposite K. Funk, you.

[K. Funk]

Can do whatever you want.

[Mojo]

I'll tell you what, Funk, left or right?

[K. Funk]

Mojo, just go. I don't need to say left to.

[Mojo]

Say left or right. I only have a minute. Say left or right.

[K. Funk]

I'm not playing this game. Go ahead.

[Mojo]

Say left or right.

[Stugotz]

Just say it.

[Mikey A]

Left to right.

[K. Funk]

Middle.

[Mojo]

Meet me halfway. Say left or right.

[Stugotz]

Mikey. I say it for him.

[K. Funk]

Yeah, there you go. Mojo's number one fan. Go ahead.

[Mojo]

You said left.

[Billy Gill]

All right.

[Mojo]

I'm taking all the teams on the right.

[Mikey A]

Oh, you're right.

[Mojo]

Doing. You're Right, Bills. There you go. Even though. Wow, that kind of. I don't like to pick against the Ravens, but Funk said it.

[Stugotz]

Whatever.

[Mojo]

I don't care. Okay, I'm trying to give you an opening here. Dude, I just went 5 and 1.

[Stugotz]

You went.

[Mikey A]

He took all the favorites also, though, Mojo.

[Mojo]

Okay, then I'll go the other side. I don't care.

[Stugotz]

Why don't you just go opposite K Book? I think.

[Mikey A]

Yeah, we'll just do opposite K. Funko.

[Mojo]

And funk's 0 and 4 again.

[Mikey A]

Bye, Mojo. Thank you. Great appearance.

[Stugotz]

Shows up for four minutes and he wins. Everybody, everything. It's unbelievable.

[Mikey A]

All right, K Funk, sorry about that. Back to you.

[Stugotz]

Let's get to the games here. Okay, Billy, you have Gordy's picks and you have Carl's picks, right?

[Mikey A]

I do. I do have Gordy and Carl's picks.

[Stugotz]

Let's go to Texans. Let's go to Texans at Chiefs. Chiefs are 8 1/2 point favorites. Share. Bear gonna start with you here. Chiefs at home, Arrowhead Stadium, first game of the weekend, minus eight and a half. Take it on, Houston.

[Mikey A]

I'm gonna go.

[Billy Gill]

I'm gonna.

[Chris Simms]

Houston.

[Mikey A]

I think I'm going with the Chiefs to win, but I don't think they're gonna cover.

[Stugotz]

I'm gonna go with Houston. All right, taking Houston. Mike Rollace, are you taking here?

[Mike Rallis]

I think I'm going, Casey. They seem to be hitting their stride right now, and I think that honestly, the last week, not. Not totally fluky. But when you get back to back pick sixes like that, it's gonna run the score up. But I think Casey wins comfortably.

[Stugotz]

All right, Billy, who did Gordy and Carl take here?

[Mikey A]

Gordy took the Chiefs and Carl took the Texans plus eight and a half. He says that Kansas City will win, but it's too many points.

[Stugotz]

Oh, he gave you commentary, huh?

[Mikey A]

He did.

[Stugotz]

That's very nice commentary, K punk, who you taking here? You have Texans at Chiefs. Chiefs minus eight and a half.

[K. Funk]

I'll take the points here. I'll take Houston. They looked pretty good last week, and that's a lot of points. Casey hasn't covered much this year, so.

[Stugotz]

Give me that one.

[Mike Rallis]

One time they did cover is when they beat the brakes off the Houston Texans.

[K. Funk]

Yeah, it's tough to do things twice, so, buddy. Tough to do.

[Stugotz]

All right, right side so far for Mojo. Okay, here we go, next game, guys. Commander Saturday night Commanders at Detroit. The Lions are nine and a half point favorites in this game. That feels like a lot to me. That's just me, though. Let's go to Mike Rollos first.

[Mike Rallis]

Yeah, I agree. That is. It's just too much. I mean, I think the. The lines super impressive last time we saw him against the bikes, but, man, Jayden Daniels just keeps doing it. They just keep putting up points, and I think they keep it close. But the Lions win. So give me the commanders.

[Stugotz]

All right, Share Bear.

[Mikey A]

You know, I was going to kind.

[Billy Gill]

Of say there's too many points as well, but I kind of have one of those feelings. Going to be close, close, close, and.

[Mikey A]

Then kind of at the end, something.

[Billy Gill]

Something's going to happen and kind of.

[Stugotz]

Break away and it'll end up being.

[Mikey A]

You know, 10, 12 points.

[Stugotz]

So I'm gonna go with the Lions. All right, Taking the Lions. Billy, who does Carl have? Who does Gordy have?

[Mikey A]

Carl and Gordy both have the Lions.

[Stugotz]

All right. They both took the Lions. K Funk, where you going here?

[K. Funk]

Yeah, I mean, that's a lot of points. I'm the same way. Washington and Houston were my biggest bets last week. I want to keep. Say. Say I'm gonna take them again, but give me the Lions.

[Mikey A]

Oh, okay.

[Stugotz]

Taking the Lions. And so we have. You have the Lion. So we have. We have Mojo with the commanders. All right, let's get to the next game. We have the Eagles taking on the Rams. The Rams are six point underdogs at Philadelphia. I could see the Rams playing in the Super Bowl. Share Bear. Who you take it.

[Mikey A]

You know, it's kind of like one.

[Stugotz]

Of those things when you got, you.

[Mikey A]

Know, Hurricane Katrina, you got, you know, all the craziness, you know, Boston in the years, it's kind of like you hope for the city.

[Stugotz]

You know, let's go with the Rams.

[Mikey A]

I mean, there's ever a time to put some people together, I guess. I think this is kind of the year with, you know, all these crazy disasters. You know, you never know they're going to happen. So it's safe to say, I think the statistics are a little bit more.

[Stugotz]

Likely for the Rams to win than.

[Mikey A]

What the Lans dealt with. So let's go with the Rams.

[Stugotz]

All right, Taking the Rams there, plus six on the road. Mike, roll us. Are you taking here year?

[Mike Rallis]

I mean, plus six. You know, it doesn't seem like much compared to the other games, but that's a lot of points still. And yeah, I mean, the Rams are playing good ball, I think. You know, I. I can't root for injuries. You know, I just can't go that far. But as an Arizona Cardinals fan, what I can root for is Rams go on a magical super bowl run and everybody just retires. They've had it. McVeigh, Stafford, they all call it quit. So I'll go Rams here.

[Stugotz]

All right. I like it. Billy, who does. Who does Carl have and who does Gordy have?

[Mikey A]

They both have the Rams.

[Stugotz]

All right. They both took the Rams. K. Funk, are you taking here?

[K. Funk]

Yeah. Well, now, this kind of.

[Stugotz]

It's a tough game.

[Mike Rallis]

Nobody likes the Eagles.

[Chris Simms]

I'm.

[K. Funk]

I'm more with Sherbet here. Like, you know, when something like this happens and it could be. I'm not saying they're going to win the super bowl, but they look pretty damn impressive last week, and they had a lot, a lot going on. The only thing that bothers me here is the weather. I think it's going to snow most of the game, they said.

[Stugotz]

But 18 degrees, they said in snow. Yes.

[K. Funk]

Yeah, I'll take the Rams.

[Mikey A]

Okay.

[Stugotz]

Taking the Rams. So Mojo has the Eagles. Well, someone has the Eagles. It's Mojo.

[Mike Rallis]

There you go.

[Stugotz]

All right. Final game. It's the game of the year until next week's AFC Championship game, but it is the game of the year. It feels like it should be the AFC Championship game. Ravens. It could be a Super bowl matchup. Jesus. Ravens.

[Mikey A]

Bills.

[Stugotz]

Bills plus one and a half at home. Two of the best quarterbacks, top five quarterbacks in the NFL. Who we take it here, Share Bear. Bills plus one and a half at home. Take it on the Ravens. It's been 30 plus years since the.

[Billy Gill]

Bills four Super bowl run.

[Mikey A]

I think they had a chance.

[Billy Gill]

I'm gonna go with the Bills is their year.

[Stugotz]

All right. It's the Bills year. Wow. Okay, who we take it here? Mike, roll us.

[Mike Rallis]

I'm with Share Bear. It might just be their year. I mean, you look at the. The last time these two teams saw each other, Baltimore just ran it down their throats. Absolutely blew them out. But I think this is at least a toss up in my mind. I. I maybe favor the bill slightly. So at the end of the day, give me the one and a half.

[Stugotz]

Let's go to what, Gordy and Car. Billy, who'd they take?

[Mikey A]

Gordy took the Bills. Carl took the Ravens.

[Stugotz]

Wow. I'm so tortured on this game. All right, K. Funk, who you taking here?

[K. Funk]

Yeah. Tough.

[Stugotz]

It's tough.

[K. Funk]

What I think, what I think should happen, and they should be some kind of agreement is after that second the buzzer, this game's over. The MVP should go to the winner of the game. That's what I feel like. Forget the Voting. Whoever wins this game, in my mind, is the mvp. I'm going with the guy at home. Give me Josh Allen.

[Mikey A]

Wow.

[Stugotz]

All right. Taking Josh Allen, that means Mojo has the. The Baltimore ribbons. All right.

[Mikey A]

That's good. I think you wanted them. Mo Or. Sorry. K. Funk. I have an offer for you, if you'd like to accept it. Would you like to accept it?

[Stugotz]

It.

[Mikey A]

Before we. Before you even know it. Do you trust me?

[K. Funk]

No, of course I don't trust you.

[Stugotz]

You might want to hear him out. It's an offer. You could say, what's your.

[K. Funk]

What's your offer, Billy? I'd love to hear it.

[Mike Ryan]

I want to hurt my feelings.

[Mikey A]

I know the way that your brain works, and I know the way that you operate. And I know that you're thinking we should be picking the National Championship game on Monday, don't you?

[K. Funk]

I didn't say that.

[Mikey A]

You are thinking it, though. You want to pick the National Championship game. Ohio State versus Notre Dame. Ohio State is an 8 1/2 point favorite in this game.

[K. Funk]

I actually don't want to pick this game because I despise both these teams.

[Mikey A]

All right. So since. Okay, then we will. We will.

[Stugotz]

Yeah. But you have a chance to take someone you. Right?

[Mikey A]

We will make this very special. You will be the only one picking this game. And if you get it right, it counts as five wins. But if you get it wrong, it counts as 10 losses. Fine. 10 and 10.

[K. Funk]

10 wins for something.

[Stugotz]

If you get it right, you get 10 wins. If you get it wrong, 10 loss, losses.

[Mikey A]

Okay?

[Stugotz]

Wins. You're gonna win the damn thing.

[Mikey A]

I mean, come on, you can catch up to Mojo.

[K. Funk]

I hate the game, though. I hate the teams. I hate the game.

[Mikey A]

Yeah, but 10 wins, 10 wins, five losses.

[Mike Rallis]

You gotta take that funk.

[K. Funk]

I'll do 10 wins, five up. But I'm the only one picking.

[Mikey A]

Yes, you're the only one.

[Stugotz]

You're eight.

[K. Funk]

All right, what's the line?

[Mikey A]

Eight and a half. Wait.

[Stugotz]

So Mojo does not get opposite of things this.

[Mikey A]

Huh?

[K. Funk]

No, no, hold on.

[Mikey A]

Because if he gets opposite and you get 10 wins, he could get 10 losses, right? You could really, really make up ground.

[K. Funk]

So just me and Mojo.

[Mikey A]

Just you and Mojo. And you are in control of who has what game here. What team?

[Stugotz]

That's.

[K. Funk]

That's what I don't want. This is game's terrible.

[Stugotz]

Dude, I'm nervous, too.

[Mikey A]

This is a big one. This. This is our biggest game ever.

[Stugotz]

It is. Yeah.

[K. Funk]

What's the line?

[Mikey A]

Ohio State half, eight and a half point favorites against Notre Dame.

[Stugotz]

Take It.

[Mojo]

Oh, my God.

[K. Funk]

I hate both of these teams.

[Mikey A]

If you get this right, you make. You make up 20. You make up 20 games on mojo because it's a 10 win swing and a 10 loss swing for him. This is a 20 game swing for you.

[K. Funk]

All right? I'm not going to win this because I know who I want to take and I'm going to take the opposite who I want to take.

[Stugotz]

Oh, no.

[Mikey A]

What do we do?

[Mike Rallis]

That's a great way to set it up.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Mike Rallis]

The win win.

[K. Funk]

Then like, I hate. There's no team I probably hate more. I mean, besides, like, I'm a Gator. So beside like your rivalry team, like Florida State. I can't stand Notre Dame. I hate them. I always bet against them. Obviously they're having a hell of a season this year, but they always choke. They always choke in a big game.

[Mikey A]

Yeah, exactly. Right.

[Stugotz]

Billy's making you a great.

[K. Funk]

Give me. Give me Notre dame.

[Mikey A]

Notre Dame plus eight and a half. Now, if you win, you get 10 wins. If you lose, you get five losses. If Mojo wins, he gets five wins. If Mojo loses, he gets 10 losses. We are all in agreement on this.

[K. Funk]

Yeah.

[Mikey A]

Okay.

[K. Funk]

I have nothing. I have nothing to lose.

[Stugotz]

Except.

[K. Funk]

Except go lower than share me in here.

[Mikey A]

Well, you. You could do that this week regardless of this extra game. So don't worry about that. All right? So 10 wins, 10 losses if you lose.

[K. Funk]

All right?

[Mike Rallis]

Go fighting Iris.

[K. Funk]

And I'm picking my. The team I just hate. Okay, Perfect.

[Mikey A]

All right, good.

[Stugotz]

Thank you. Have a great weekend. We'll talk to you next week. Rallis, stay. Dress Alaska.

[Mikey A]

The Wanderer.

[K. Funk]

Can't wait. Can't wait to see the shrinkage. God bless.