← The Herd with Colin Cowherd
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- [00:00]
John Middlekauff
This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human love. The Night Reach for Zyn After Dark, a limited cocktail inspired series for those who get up when the sun goes.
- [00:13]
Stuckey
Down, try Zyn's Mojito Spiced Cider and.
- [00:18]
John Middlekauff
Espresso Martini Nicotine Pouches.
- [00:21]
Stuckey
Find them at select retailers.
- [00:23]
John Middlekauff
Available while supplies last. Zinn After Dark, Bring on the night. This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.
- [00:34]
Colin Cowherd
Everybody has goals. And every goal starts with an assist, whether it's on the field or off. That's why Halion is teaming up with US Soccer to launch for the Assist. It's a new campaign that celebrates those everyday acts of support that help people achieve their goals. As the makers of trusted brands like Advil, Centrum, Tum, Sensodyne, and Voltaren, Halion knows how to support everyday wellness goals. To learn more, go to halionassist. Com Hi, it's Colin from the Colin Coward podcast. I've been around long enough to know quality when I see it. Or in this case, when I taste it. Tito's Handmade vodka. Good stuff. No flash, no gimmicks. Smooth, clean tasting. Made the right way. Tito's made in Austin, Texas. Real attention to detail. I like to keep it simple. Tito's soda, one lime. Lot of ice. Refreshing, easy. Summer, winter, spring. Totally versatile. Always works. Listen, baseball season's here. The perfect time to kick back with some Tito's. It's what I pour. You should too. Distilled and bottled by 5th Generation Inc. Austin, Texas. 40% alcohol by volume. Savor responsibly.
- [01:43]
Sponsor Announcer
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- [02:36]
Stuckey
And Doug, what a horrible call. Hey, ref.
- [02:39]
John Middlekauff
Open your eyes, ref.
- [02:40]
Stuckey
You're really not gonna call that?
- [02:42]
John Middlekauff
Come on. Hey, ref, why didn't you customize your car insurance with Liberty Mutual and save money?
- [02:48]
Stuckey
I Don't think you get what we're doing. Sure I do. We're all just giving him advice. You guys on sports, me on saving money.
- [02:56]
John Middlekauff
Nope, that's not it.
- [02:58]
Stuckey
Only pay for what you need@libertymutual.com Liberty.
- [03:01]
John Middlekauff
Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. The volume.
- [03:19]
Stuckey
What is going on, everybody? John Middlekop three and out podcast brought to you by our friends and partners at Zone Pouches. Today will be a podcast. It'll just be me and Stuckey. I was going to do a mailbag, too, but me and Stucky went for an hour. You know, the next couple days are kind of holiday, so I was like, let's just do Stuckey. I'll do a mailbag probably for Friday with some. Some college football talk as well. So at John Middle Cops the mailbag, we will get one later this week. And today we'll just be Stucky hitting on, obviously, the Niner game, the Raven game, the Panther game, some other stuff, and then the college football games, which we got four games starting Wednesday night with Miami at Ohio State. Miami versus Ohio State. It's not at Ohio State, but then, you know, the games the following day. So let's get excited.
- [04:13]
John Middlekauff
You.
- [04:13]
Stuckey
You guys know the drill. Make sure you subscribe to the podcast wherever you may listen. Subscribe to the YouTube channel. We'll be live on Thursday night reacting to the slate of games on New Year's Day and then again on Saturday night reacting to the Niner game. So make sure you subscribe and never miss a thing. And let's dive into stuckey. Okay. Week 18. I'm lucky enough to get dad of the year Stuckey from Lexington, Kentucky. This is a. It's bittersweet because for the first time on Monday night, it kind of hit me. I'm like, we don't have any more Monday night, like, regular season games. You only got four more real college games that matter, I guess. Got the. You know, the Elite Eight starting. You start doing the math in your head. You're like half the. You know, a large percentage of these week 18 games mean nothing. So we don't have that much meaningful football left in our life, Stucky, as we turn into 2020. I mean, you just had a child born in 2025. That doesn't make you feel old. I don't know what will, but. How you doing, my man?
- [05:19]
John Middlekauff
Good.
- [05:19]
Stuckey
Yeah.
- [05:20]
John Middlekauff
It'll be 240 more days until our next college football game on a Saturday. Oh, so that's done. None of the playoff games are on Saturdays, even the FCS championships on a Monday night this year. So no more college football Saturday, no more money. You have one Monday night wild card game. That's it. Like the rest of the bowl games are gonna be finishing up this week and then it's just a couple college football playoff games. The NFL playoffs should be good. This week will be weird as usual, but enjoy it. The Sunday afternoon slate and morning slate if you're on the west coast is going to be pretty bad because you'd basically just have luckily for the NFL, things broke, right? Like the Ravens won, the Steelers lost. So it kept the AFC north interesting. The Seahawks won and the Niners won, kept that division interesting. You even had the Falcons up, upset the Rams and then the Panthers and the Bucks both lost to keep all that interesting even into Sunday. So the Bucks win. At least you have a game on Sunday afternoon. So now there's only three games. But there was a chance like if the Steelers beat the Browns, Steelers, Ravens is meaningless. You know, the Panthers Bucks could have been meaningless. You this if Seattle had won and the 49ers, like excuse me, if the 49ers had lost. Seattle clinches the division already. So luckily for the NFL, they got three marquee games in the slots. But then you have it now, the games in between on your early and late afternoon slate on Sunday, there's some rough ones. You're going to get a ton of backup quarterbacks. You're going to see a lot of line moves this week. As always, you're going to have a lot of decisions on who's resting, who's not. Looks like there's a chance the Eagles might rest even though they could move up to the two. If the Bears lose to the Lions and then the Chargers, they're going to rest. Even Harbaugh last year in Week 18 with a chance to move up to the five. They played their starters in Week 18 and beat the Raiders pretty handily this year. They do have a chance to move up to five, but it would require the Texans losing in the 1 o' clock slate or the Jags, which is very unlikely. And yeah, I think that they're probably making the right choice. And then you had this is all week 18 is about for the most part because then you have a lot of these teams that are eliminated. Do you really want to risk like they're going to sit some of their star players. You even have like a Raiders, the Raiders actually trying to lose versus the Chiefs who probably want to get a better draft pick. And then why would you play some of your vets like Chris Jones and like they're probably going to sit but McVeigh after the game last week, McVeigh is known for resting his starters and not caring about seating. But this time, I mean there. If the 49ers win on Saturday, they get the 1 seed and the Rams are locked in to the the 6. But if Seattle wins, then the Rams can jump them to get the five, which I think is super important this year because it's a difference between probably going to Philly or you go to the NFC south winner. So that's important. And then McVeigh said after the game, we're playing our starters right away. Maybe he was emotional, but he says we need to play.
- [08:36]
Stuckey
I think he was. I think he was heated. Just lost like his best friend. Kind of got embarrassed for the first half.
- [08:41]
John Middlekauff
But I do think that they will if the Seahawks win. If the 49ers win. No chance. I think they're sitting everyone against Arizona because you're locked into the six. That's his M.O. and why would you risk any more injuries with the Rams? And it's been a stunt like the Rams had it all 10 days ago. This is your Stafford MVP1C. This is the best team by far. Now they're on. Stafford might have lost the MVP and this was all since they were up 16 in Seattle in the fourth quarter and it's all falling apart since now they might be the 16 going to Philly. Stafford lost the MVP. That's life in the NFL on a week to week basis.
- [09:27]
Stuckey
Let's just jump right into the to the main event then. I'm sure you remember this game. This happened not that long ago and it was like a defining moment for Kyle and a young Niners team with Debo and Kittle and Jimmy G. They beat Seattle on a Sunday night to get the number one seed. Drake Greenlaw had a game winning tackle at like the half yard line and obviously a couple weeks later they're in the super bowl against the Chiefs. And they kind of dominated those two playoff games. I think they Minnesota, I actually went to that game and then they beat that Aaron Rodgers team where I think Jimmy threw like 10 times and Mozart, they ran for like 400 yards.
- [10:02]
John Middlekauff
They own packers over a couple of years stretch just by just running all over them.
- [10:06]
Stuckey
Little different operation here. Obviously a dramatically different Seattle team. You know, I was looking at the box scores like DK Metcalf, Bobby Wagner, obviously Russell Wilson was still damn good, threw a couple touchdowns in that game. I think this is fascinating. We've seen the 49ers now play two teams whose defenses are atrocious, right? And they just. I mean, Purdy's had 10 touchdowns two weeks. I mean he looks like, looks like the best player in the league, but this is a different animal. Like this is a team whose offense I think is kind of questionable. I mean, I don't think most people realize because Sam's getting a lot of credit because the back to back seasons, 13 wins on two different teams last year he threw 35 touchdowns and up until the last week was pretty bad. He's kind of been a little shaky, I would say for a while, you know, and I didn't realize this till I saw the stat. Like Lisa Leagan, turnovers, bunch of fumbles, picks. I didn't Carolina drop a pick last week. Like he's been all over the map. Now their defense, Mike McDonald, you remember the game a couple years ago, that Sunday night. Not Sunday night, Christmas night with that Ravens team and the 49ers were rolling. He punked them. And you know, purdy was like MVP watch. And it was like Mike McDonald, I don't want to say it was coming out party because people knew about him, but that was like a moment like this motherfucker's here to stay. And now this year their defense is awesome. It's crazy. Some of the stats on the 49ers like dead last in sacks, which makes sense. They don't have any defensive linemen. If it wasn't for the jets and there are no interceptions, they'd be dead last in picks. But can Sam Darnold and that offense take advantage of them? You got Kubiak, who might as well be a Shanahan, who's their offensive coordinator. Obviously Mike knows Kyle well. Played him a bunch now the last couple of years in Seattle. But go back to that Ravens game, I would just lean the home dog here. It's a coin flip game to me. Don't feel great about it. Obviously the Niners have a ton of momentum coming in offensively. You know, Trent's probably going to be out, but Kittle will be back. But you see, I mean Pearsall, it feels like he's an NBA player every time he goes down. You think his career is over, but God, when he's on the field, he's pretty good. And you know, Tonja's pretty good backup quarterback. McCaffrey's playing damn well. I mean, Kyle's just. He's. Him and Purdy have been in A zone. McDonald's been in his Own defensively, I mean they, offensively they were terrible. I thought that first half against Carolina and hell, they were bad against the Rams, you know, up until the end of the game. So I don't know. I mean, I don't have that much faith right now. Clear quarterback advantage, I think for Purdy right now. And that's to me the slight difference in the game. So I would take the Niners as a home dog.
- [12:39]
John Middlekauff
Yeah, I would lean that way like I like the Niners as a teaser piece. I mean you gotta have Kittle in there healthy, I think. I mean you can get away with it without him against the Bears defense. But he's such a difference maker, especially you know, the run game, his ability catching the ball against an elite defense. But you're right about the Seattle offense. I mean it's in a way it's been solved almost a bit like they, I mean since week 10 they're 21st in EPA per play on offense. And if you look, I mean the last week, which could give. It might give the 40, like their 49ers defense is bad. They just can't get any pressure. I mean, and Michael Parsons was tweeting this the other day, just he was tweeting about if you can't get pressure on NFL quarterbacks, you're. You're just not going to have success. And the 49ers are incapable of getting pressure. But the Panthers are just as bad as the 49ers in terms of pressure rate. And the Seahawks offense didn't do anything. And this has been like, if you go back to, I mean we could go all the way back to week 10. That's when really this has started, like against the Cardinals. And it kind of got masked because the Seahawks scored like two defensive touchdowns like the same exact place like right off the bat.
- [14:00]
Stuckey
And they were up like 35.
- [14:01]
John Middlekauff
Nothing in that game but like Donald threw like three picks in that game against the Rams. The next week he threw three or four picks, you know, against the Vikings that game was three nothing at the end of the first half until Brosmer threw a pick six. The Falcons, they broke out in the second half, but there was some special needs music that became. Was three, three at the half. The Colts game against Philip Rivers, that, that was eight. An 1816 win. And Rivers, his first start, you know the, they broke, they broke out against the Rams, but that game just flipped on like a punt return touchdown. Darnold made some mistakes there. He was good at the end, but this offense is like what they were doing early in the years, they were like, kubiak, the play action was so good. They were using heavy personnel and they weren't running it efficiently. But with all the heavy personnel, teams were like, all right, we're going to stop you running. And then they were just setting up deep shots and they were hitting them. The jsn now defenses have said, like, okay, if you want to run it, run it. We're not gonna, you know, commit and try to sell out to your inefficient run game. We're going to make sure we stop JSN on the back end and stop giving up these explosive plays. And Darnold is still a statue. And then you get into these obvious passing down situations because they're not a efficient rushing attack. And that's when Darnold is making some mistakes. So, yeah, the Seattle offense right now is very problematic. That's what I would be worried about in the playoffs if I was a Seahawks fan because the defense is obviously excellent. And then the 49ers, it's the complete opposite case that their offense right now is rolling. Pie is playing so well, but the defense is just. It's bad there. It's just void of talent. They just have no pass rush. And that's gonna really, you know, limit your ability to do things and get stops. And we saw that last week against the Bears. So it's also.
- [15:54]
Stuckey
Do you think the game plan is that you remember The Lions Week 18 last year when they had a MASH unit and they just brought the house constantly and he was all over the.
- [16:03]
John Middlekauff
Map, that it's one. It's gonna be one of two extremes. Like it's either we're gonna all out blitz the whole game, which isn't like Salah, but this is the time where you, you know, playoffs, a week 18 game for the 1 seed. This is when you bring out wild cards and change up your MO or they're just gonna sit back and then just try to bait Donald into a mistake and say drive the field. And they're just gonna play a ton of too high and take away the explosive plays because Seattle is not a very efficient rushing attack. So I could see it going either way, but it's not a great spot for Seattle. Seattle kind of got screwed by the NFL wanting this game on a Saturday because they were on the east coast on Sunday. Short week, flying across the country late in the year. That's not ideal. But yeah, I think this is a coin, coin flippish game. If you want to take the points with the, the Niners, I don't blame you. But if you look at the, the NFC playoffs right now, I mean, I think most people would agree probably when healthy, the Rams are the most complete team, but they're most likely going to be the six seed and the five or six seed, especially though the 60, that's a brutal path. They have some injuries now, right? I think they should be healthier. But you have your offensive line, you have some injuries. We saw how much that impact against Atlanta. You have devonte Adams's injury. But the defense, I think on the back end still has some questions. I think they're the most complete. Special teams aren't great. They're the probably the most complete team. But every team in the NFC as a war, I mean, you have, I mean, if you just look at it like this, the NFL, how wide open it is this year, the Ravens, who I think were the best team over the past two years. Not this year. The, you know, 2024 and 2023, unfortunately for them, they didn't get a Super bowl out of it. But in those two years, the Ravens went 20, 23. They went 10 and 4 against winning teams, teams with winning record. And then last year they went nine and three against teams with a winning record. 19 wins over two seasons. No one has more than four this year. And the Patriots, who are going to be, you know, they might get the, the ones you. Probably not. Because Denver's gonna win.
- [18:09]
Stuckey
Probably not.
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John Middlekauff
They have one win. They've only played three teams that have a winning record and they're one and two in those games. So like, there's, there's a lot of bad teams in the NFL. And then at the, you know, the rest, it's like, there's no Chiefs now. Or like, oh, they put the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. It is so wide open. You just look at the nfc, it's like, okay, the Niners offense rolling, but can you trust the defense? Seattle elite defense, but can you trust Darnold? And that offense is dwindling. The NFC south winner. Get them out of here. The Eagles offense, I mean, they've gone two different halves this year where they had no, They've no past completions and they won both games, but their offense doesn't score for two, three quarters every game. That's a major question. The packers, that, they were my pick originally, but the Parsons injury, other injuries, they are so beat up. So the nfc, it's going to be wide open. I wouldn't be surprised if like any team comes out of it. Besides whoever wins the NFC South.
- [19:06]
Stuckey
Well, one thing, I mean before the Rams these last couple of weeks, I think they would have been. I said this last night on the podcast. Not just the sexy pick for the nfc, but I think a lot of people would have picked him to win the Super Bowl.
- [19:15]
John Middlekauff
Absolutely.
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Stuckey
And the one thing that jumps out now, I give. Listen, I was hard on the Atlanta trade when they traded a first round pick for Pierce, but I mean he is fucking pretty talented. And their defensive line that the Oregon kid that got hurt last night, they were dominating the line of scrimmage. And the one thing for Stafford is, you know, in his younger days he was much more. And Rogers is the same now. Like they were like scrambles, making plays with their arm. He is a statue now. He can't move. He's. He's old.
- [19:43]
John Middlekauff
Yeah.
- [19:44]
Stuckey
And their offensive line, I mean if you look at the matchups for them, you know, you brought up Carolina defense, obviously, you know the pass rush. Tampa's defense is a joke. So getting that five seed for them is pretty big because the Eagles, you bring 98 back like you. You see fan you up there. That unit is brilliant. I think that would be. And I know they've played them. They easily could have won this year. They could have won the game last year. That's a rough first round matchup for them. Just at the line of scrimmage for their O line and a quarterback that can't move in a cold weather game, right?
- [20:16]
John Middlekauff
Yeah, massive. And then yeah, they need to get a Laric Jackson and Dotson back because they're. I mean Humphreys and their office line is just not the same. You could see that last night. But this is. Yeah. The, the difference. The, the most nervous. I mean you just. You. I'm talking to you. The most nervous fan base. It'll be Steelers Ravens fans on Sunday night. But they're. They're the most nervous. That's a winning in Panthers. Bucks isn't even winning in unless you're the Panthers. But I think that those teams, those fan bases are. They know that they're not going far. The 49ers have a chance to go far. If they win, they get the one seed a buy a home game in the division around a home game in the conference championship and then a potential home game, the Super Bowl. But if they lose, the Rams are going to play their starters against Arizona who's now a practice squad. And then the 49ers are probably going to drop to the 6 and then you're probably going To Philly. The difference between the one seed and then three home games to the super bowl and then oh wait, hey, you're in Philly next week is astronomical. So I, I wish you and other.
- [21:36]
Stuckey
I would say this for the Philly game. Let's say the 49ers lose this game. Seattle, they go to Philly. All the pressures on the Eagles.
- [21:43]
John Middlekauff
Yeah.
- [21:44]
Stuckey
Like Robert Sala is dealing with me and you on defense. You got high priced players everywhere. You know, it's like you would have no excuse to not win that you cannot lose to this Niners team with that defense, with your offense. You had A.J. brown, Devontae Smith, Dallas Goddard, Saquon Barkley. If you can't score 25 points on these guys, you know people are. Heads are rolling that you. I would guarantee you this. If the niners are the 16, go to Philly and beat them. Which I would trust me. How he wants no part of Kyle Shanahan coming in, you know, as an underdog in round one. You lose that game, I mean Patola might as well pack up his shit because he would immediately get fired.
- [22:23]
John Middlekauff
Yeah. His house is.
- [22:24]
Stuckey
He might be in trouble no matter what.
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John Middlekauff
But yeah.
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Stuckey
And honestly it's not all his fault. I mean the quarterback, they're a bizarre team. But their defense is when healthy. I mean Cooper De Jean's been, I mean that guy looks incredible right now. Jalen Carter back. They're just so physical at linebacker. Their defense is good.
- [22:42]
John Middlekauff
I, I mean yeah. Quinn Mitchell is, he's. He's allowed I think the lowest completion percentage of any cornerback over the past five years. He's dominant to like their defense is elite. But I, I wouldn't be shocked if the 49ers went to Philly and won that game.
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Sponsor Announcer
It.
- [23:00]
John Middlekauff
The Eagles offense is almost matchup proof in that it doesn't matter who they play. They go. Unless you're like completely impoverished like Giants with all their injuries. The Raiders like that's the only time their offenses look good in months. Like for a full game, literally months. It doesn't matter. Like they played the Cowboys defense and couldn't score in the second half. The Bills defense is not great by any stretch. And they went 0 of 7 set 19 plays for 19 yards in the second half and one because you know they had a blocked extra point and then now and missed the wide open 2 point conversion. The 49ers could easily go into filling win. I'm just saying the difference between having to do that and then getting a buy and knowing that they would they have two home games to close regular season. They don't have to leave Santa Clara for two and a half months. As long as they keep winning.
- [23:51]
Stuckey
Okay, let's, let's just go to Sunday night. I don't even care about the Saturday afternoon game. We'll come back the Steelers Ravens just feels right. You know, this game has mattered for a long time though. I think we'd all have to, we'd all have to acknowledge this doesn't quite feel like some of the prime matchups because the seal. I just don't think people take the Steelers that seriously anymore. And Sunday afternoon I get a DK suspended. Washington breaks his arm. That was a pitiful performance. It really was. I agree with Cower. He came on once the game ended on cbs. It was like why did they abandon. They didn't have much offensive firepower. Warren was having a successful day. Had like 12 carries for 70 yards and they only had 12 carry. Like why didn't he have 20 plus carries? Why didn't they try to do something else? They've just been a weird offense. Maybe Arthur Smith and Rogers, the rapport of the play calling, maybe Rogers changing plays in the line of scrimmage, I don't know. But that, that was, that was a rough watch. I just have little to no faith now. There are a lot of, you know, things up in the air like is TJ Watt coming back or is he just kind of sneaky done for the season? And they're just not wanting to acknowledge that Lamar Jackson is there like behind the scenes. Lamar Jackson beef with, with the Ravens. There's just a lot of weird shit going on. You, you tell me. I, I, I like the Ravens in this matchup but you know Tomlin, home dog, they've played well against the Ravens historically.
- [25:12]
John Middlekauff
But I don't know.
- [25:13]
Stuckey
This is a bizarre game.
- [25:14]
John Middlekauff
The home. When Tomlin and Harbaugh face off in the regular season, the team getting three or more points I think is 21, two and one against the spread look insane. It's over 90% over almost, almost 20 years. It's been a dog dominated series. It's usually lower scoring. I don't mind the under here. There's a lot of moving parts here. First with the Steelers defensive, I mean they say that Watt has a chance now. Tomlin said last week he needs all full participants. So he needs to be a full participant. Practice every day of the week so we'll know tomorrow today if he's a full participant.
- [25:52]
Stuckey
Is that because that injury is different than like A rolled ankle or something.
- [25:55]
John Middlekauff
Yeah, that's what he said. He said because it's a medical condition. Because if it's is this long. So we'll see if he's back. James Pierre, their corner, he's been banged up. He's been really good for them. Brandon Echols is also banged up, so they have some defensive injuries that are worth monitoring. Also their starting guard, Isaac Simo, he's questionable. Calvin Austin, I think they need him. Like, he didn't play last week. They need his speed. Because the problem with the Steelers offense right now is without DK Metcalf. And you saw this last week, and DK Metcalf, it's not like he's the best receiver in the NFL, but he's still really good. He. He's. It's his. The gravity, number one, he can make plays and he can go down the field, but the gravity that he commands right you. You can watch. Whenever the Steelers are near the goal line, you'll have a corner on Metcalf, and then you'll have a safety cheated over there. Without Metcalf in there, you can just man up. Like last week, it's Adam Thielen, Scotty Miller, and mvs. You just man them up. Your safeties can come up. And then now they also lost Darnell Washington, who's out for the year. That's big because they want to go heavy. And now you don't have Metcalf, so you want to throw to your tight ends more. And he found a nice role in this offense. So without Metcalf, this just becomes a much easier offense to defend. And there's just no explosiveness. I assume they're going to try to lean on their run game. The one good thing here is that the Ravens can't get pressure like you watch a Ray. They're like the 49ers defense now. They have a lot more talent on the back end because they haven't had as many injuries as the 49ers. But they don't get pressure like. So Rogers is not gonna have to just be like, getting rid of it in one second.
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Stuckey
Miles Garrett, where they gotta worry about it. Yeah.
- [27:40]
John Middlekauff
Yeah. So they. So. But can the Steelers receivers actually get open? I have my doubts. But then on the other side of the ball, I. When like the Ravens, who's. Who's playing quarterback, Is it Lamar Jackson? Is it Tyler Huntley? If it is Lamar Jackson, is he not 100%? And then he can't move as well and their run game isn't as good and then, like, then the Steelers have had a lot of success containing Lamar. If it's Huntley there, it probably would benefit 100 healthy Huntley. Like, that probably benefits their run game more. And then they're gonna feed. You can run on the Steelers. They're gonna feed. Well, they're gonna feed Henry here, just like last week. You can run on the Steelers. The Steelers know that. Do they load the box? But I mean, dude, the Bills, that's all the Bills. Then they just ran all over them with the same play. So so many moving parts here. Like, as a Ravens fan, I don't even know who I want to start. Like, I want to. I would. Obviously, you want a fully healthy Lamar. He's way better than Huntley, but he's not fully healthy. He hasn't been all year. And every time you see him, he's not. So I don't even know who I want, but it's gonna.
- [28:48]
Stuckey
I think you expect Lamar Jackson to be on the team next year.
- [28:54]
John Middlekauff
Depends how the season ends. Like, I think they're mad at him.
- [28:57]
Stuckey
That he's not available at the end of these seasons.
- [29:01]
John Middlekauff
Yeah, I think that there's some. There's some stuff going on. You also could. It also could be horrible. So they're like, if the Ravens don't make the playoffs this year and they lose Sunday night, there's definitely going to be some big change. I don't know what exactly it is, but there's going to be some big change coming for the organization. So. But here. And here's the thing. If the Ravens get in and, like, Lamar is healthy, like, they could win the afc. The one. Like the one and two seeds are the. Are the Pats, the Broncos. You have the Jags. This is not. This is not a gauntlet afc. The Bills are probably going to go to the Jacksonville, who are as playing as well as anyone. Like, the Jags are playing so well. The Bills are obviously dangerous to Josh Allen. One of those teams is getting knocked out on the first weekend. So, like, the Texans are still dangerous. That's. That's probably who you'll have to play, but you get. You get to the divisional round and the conference championship. Like, are you really that scared of playing Bo Nix and the Patriots? Like, they're good teams, but this isn't the peak Buffalo and Kansas City teams of the past few years that you had to get through. So if Lamar can somehow get healthy and the Ravens get in, they could make the Super Bowl. But if they don't, I think there's going to be big changes. So yeah, that's, that's why we love the NFL and obviously the script writers got it right and it's gonna the, it's gonna come down to the last game of the regular season on Sunday night. The biggest, the thing that I'm most confident in that game is that it'll be low scoring. I think the Ravens are gonna rely on the run. The Steelers, they, the receivers can't get open. There's no explosiveness. Like they actually hit some explosives for like the first time in months against the Ravens when they first played. But that was Metcalf and he's not there. So I think this would be lower scoring game. Probably come down to something random but there's, there's a lot of moving parts here with injuries and then the Ravens quarterback situation. Not sure I'll have a bet on it other than I did bet some under small.
- [31:24]
Stuckey
Today's show is brought to you by our presenting sponsor, Hard Rock bet, the official sportsbook partner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars. It's week 18 and playoff spots are on the line. Think you know how it's going to play out? Build a same game parlay on Hard Rock Bet and turn game day into a payday. If you miss kickoff, don't worry. Hard Rock Bet is live in game betting so you're never too late to the action. Find a winner and grab that player prop you meant to play and live bet on college or pro football between snaps and two easy taps, baby. Plus Hard Rock Bet they offer new promos every single day, so if you haven't tried your first bet on Hard Rock Bet, there's still time for you to get 150 in bonus bets. If you win, just place a five dollar bet and if it hits you, not only get your winnings but also an extra 150 in bonus bets. Download the Hard Rock Bet app today and make your first deposit payable and bonus bets. Not a cash offer. Offered by Seminole Tribe of Florida in Florida. Offered by Seminole Hard Rock Digital LLC in all other states. You must be 21 plus and physically present in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia. To play. Terms and conditions apply. Concerned about gambling in Florida? Call 1-833-PLAY-WISE in Indiana. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-809 with it gambling problem call 1-800- gambler Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio.
- [33:02]
Richard Sherman
Tennessee, Virginia ready or not is on sale now for the holidays, a breakout hit with over 13 million global players ready or not is the tactical first person shooter where you take the role of a SWAT commander and and feel the weight of the badge. I reunited with my Legion of Boom teammates Cam Chancer, Cliff Averill, Mike Bennett and Walter Thurman to go through real SWAT training and experience firsthand what makes this game special. You can watch the full video now at the Richard Sherman Podcast YouTube channel. Here's what we discovered. This isn't just mindless running gun like other shooters. Just like the Legion of Boom, operated as an elite defensive unit or where everyone had to think strategically and work together, Ready or Not demands the same mentality. You're commanding a SWAT team, clearing rooms, protecting civilians, making split second tactical calls. With 18 high stakes missions, endless loadout customization, you need discipline and coordination to succeed. On sale now across PlayStation, Xbox and PC with full crossplay support. Go solo or lead up to five teammates through operations where strategy matters. Don't miss the holiday sale on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S and PC. After training with my brothers, I can tell you this game gets it right.
- [34:28]
Colin Cowherd
PCs powered by Snapdragon X Elite processors are made to go the distance with blazing fast performance. Next level efficiency. Snapdragon processors are built to tackle it all. From highlight reel editing to intense player research, making it all feel effortless. And with multi day battery life, you got true freedom all right without being tethered to an outlet. So from long video calls to all day fantasy drafts, your laptop stays ready so you can be at the top of your game. It's the kind of performance your lifestyle demands. So make sure your next PC is powered by Snapdragon. Learn more at snapdragon.com laptops Snapdragon the heart of your PC. Battery life varies significantly based on devices, setup, usage and other factors. Hi, it's Colin from the Colin Coward Podcast. That would make sense that I would be the host of the Colin Coward podcast. I mean that's the way I see it. I've been around long enough to know quality when I see it. Or in this case, when I taste it. Tito's Handmade Vodka. Good stuff. No flash, no gimmicks. Smooth, clean tasting, made the right way.
- [35:27]
John Middlekauff
Okay.
- [35:27]
Colin Cowherd
I like things that are built to last. A great team, a well run organization. Same goes for my vodka Tito's. Made in Austin, Texas. Real care, attention to detail, distinct crisp taste. I was just telling my wife the other day Tito's is the one vodka it has a completely distinct taste. Been my go to for years so I like to keep it simple. Tito's Soda, one lime, lot of ice. Refreshing, easy Summer, winter, spring. Totally versatile. Always works. Listen, Baseball season's here. Your team's going to play 162 games. A perfect time to kick back with some Tito's. It's what I pour. You should too. Distilled and bottled by 5th Generation Inc. Austin, Texas 40% alcohol by volume saver Responsibly.
- [36:12]
Sponsor Announcer
This podcast is sponsored by Total Wireless, the official wireless partner of ufc. When you're streaming the fight or sharing those takedown highlights, you need a wireless provider that keeps you close to the action. With Total Wireless, you're covered by the Verizon 5G network, so you don't have to worry about your connection being knocked out at the biggest moments. It's not something you can usually say about a wireless provider, but Total Wireless really does have your back. They're in your corner every second of the day, so you never miss a thing. Visit totalwireless.com or visit your local Total Wireless store to learn more about how Total Wireless can be in your corner. 5G access requires a a 5G capable device and a 5G service area. Additional terms apply. See website for details.
- [37:03]
Colin Cowherd
So next summer, the biggest soccer event on earth is coming to the US for the first time in over 20 years. Now is the time to get in on the action. Every rivalry, every crazy skill, and of course, every goal. And we all know that every goal starts with an assist. It's true for soccer and it's true for health. That's why Halion, makers of Advil, Tums, Sensodyne, Centrum and Voltaren, is teaming up with US Soccer to launch for the assist. It's a new campaign that celebrates those everyday acts of support that help people achieve their goals, whether it's the fans cheering their hearts out in an electric stadium or the rec player who's keeping fit for weekend games. Halion is there for them. To learn more, go to helionassist.com.
- [37:49]
Stuckey
Okay, I guess I'll just ride Todd Bulls Baker Mayfield Line in the sand game doesn't even guarantee them the division, but at home I don't know. What a bizarre season from them. I saw you tweeted out either last week. Yeah, it would have been last week against Miami. Like they're they're a terrible team but Carolina, I mean they quarterback just threw 50 yards.
- [38:15]
John Middlekauff
Yeah, Carolina's not good either. The best team in the division is the Falcons.
- [38:19]
Stuckey
Yeah.
- [38:21]
John Middlekauff
This the NFL should step in and say the Saints Falcons is for the division. I agree they should just change the rules Funny enough, that game could decide the division if the Bucks win. And the way that who would.
- [38:36]
Stuckey
Who would? The Rams, Seattle or the Niners. They would much rather play Tampa or Carolina than they would go to the road in New Orleans or Atlanta right now. Right?
- [38:44]
John Middlekauff
For sure. Definitely don't. None of all those teams are choose over Atlanta. Who has. They have a good defense. Atlanta just has a dumb staff. And the historically bad special teams. Like if you look at this, this Atlanta team, they easily could have 11, 12 wins. I mean they lost. They lost to the Patriots but in New England by one because they missed an extra point. They've had like four kickers this year. They lost to the jets. They outgained about 150 yards because they muffed a punt at the one. I mean they almost pulled the game last night because they had a fuel goal to go up 17 blocked in return for a touchdown. They lost the Colts game in overtime. They gave up like three long returns in that game. I mean their special teams are historically bad. They blew the Panthers game. Everyone got hurt. They lost in overtime in that game. I mean this team has like four or five. The Bucs game they blew early in the year. Now they probably should have lost the Bucks a second time. But I mean this team easily should be a 10/ win team with their schedule in that division. But they're not. It's typical Falcons the most like this would. It would make so much sense that this NFC south what's going to happen is the Bucks win and then the Falcons win on Sunday and the Panthers get in at 8 and 9 like that.
- [40:01]
Sponsor Announcer
That would be.
- [40:01]
John Middlekauff
That would wrap it off and it would be so Falcons to finish 8, 9 tied for first and not get in and it somehow finished tied for first. When they've been eliminated for a month from the playoffs and they finished tied for first be the most Falcons thing ever. I think that's gonna happen.
- [40:22]
Stuckey
I kind of do too.
- [40:24]
John Middlekauff
So I did bet the Bucks. I hate the. I think the Bucks are terrible. I've been saying it for months and since week seven, Baker's 28th in EPA per play. I don't know if he's hurt hurt or he's part of it. He might be hurt part of it. As he came back crashing back down earth. You gotta remember over the first he was playing at like an MVP level that we've never seen before in the final two minutes of games like it was so unsustainable. They were winning all these games with like the last drive that was never gonna last. And they've had injuries. It looks like Tristan Worst will play. That's big at left tackle and the Panthers can't get pressure. Bryce Young is not the same quarterback. It's away from home. I mean he's not great anyway. But I had to play the Bucks here. This is the first time we've had in the Bucks all year. And yeah, this is my first bet on the Bucks all year. I just. It got it under 3. I don't think it should be under 3. Two weeks ago the bucks were minus 3 in Carolina. Now they lost by 3. It's a coin flip game. They out gained Carolina. They had a. Jamel Dean had a coverage bust at the end of the first half with like 20 seconds left. It led to a touchdown. He ran the wrong coverage. But now you're. They're laying two and a half. This is two weeks later. And it's not like the Panthers had a good data point last week. I know the Bucks didn't lose into the Dolphins, but the panthers threw at 24 attempts for 50 yards. So I have to play two and a half worse. I know there's some other injuries, Dean Reddick, their guards, but this Panthers defense can't get pressure. It's Bryce, it's Bryce Young on the road. I think this is the bottom of the market on the Bucks like everyone, no one wants to bet them now. They've, they haven't covered in two months. They're zero and eight against the spread in their past eight games. One in seven overall. It's. This is the bottom. I mean you're two weeks ago they're favored by three in Carolina. Now they're like two and a half at home. I have to take it. It's terrible. It sucks. And what I think my prediction, Bucks win, Falcons win on Sunday, and the Panthers get in the playoffs at 8 and 9 and host a game.
- [42:26]
Stuckey
And what's the, what's the line on the Bucks or on the Atlanta Falcons minus three?
- [42:31]
John Middlekauff
Okay, the game's in Atlanta Falcons minus three. I don't mind the Falcons. You never wanted that as a favorite though. Like you bet them as a dog.
- [42:38]
Stuckey
Because they're just Tyler, Tyler shucks. You know, like Purdy Jr. Right now. He's hot.
- [42:43]
John Middlekauff
Shuck is very hot. Now I will say, like it's maybe the, the shuck love is that, you know, you're at an all time high. He's the last he's played the, the jets, the Panthers, the Dolphins, the Bucks, the Panthers. Like, I mean he's on they're on a run of playing like the worst teams in the NFL, so. But the Falcons will probably find this game was going to go to overtime. That's just gonna happen. Saints, Falcons is going to go to overtime and if they tie, the Bucks go to the playoffs. If the Saints win, the Bucks go to the playoffs. The Panthers win. I mean, if the Falcons win, then the Panthers go. It's going to get wild. I'm actually, I'm actually really excited for it, but I did bet the Bucks at minus two and a half. Lean Falcons, but I just, I hate betting them as a favorite because they're special teams. They do dumb things and. But like they're, they're like a decent team. Like they got a good defense. Cousins is playing well. Pitts has emerged. You know, London, it's his. Will be his third game back. Bijan is unbelievable. Their offensive line is good. If they just had like a decent special teams, this division would be wrapped up and they would be an interesting team in the nfc, but it's not. We're going to have a team that's probably going to get blown out in the first round.
- [43:54]
Stuckey
If you and me were Andy Reid and Brett Veach and we're going to play the Raiders, a team that, you know, in theory it's a historic rivalry. Since we've been there, we've kind of dominated. But we go, listen, why are we just going to win this game and just hand them. And there's no guarantee Fernando Mendoza's going to be a top 10 quarterback, but give them the opportunity to resurrect their franchise. We don't really need to do that much different than we've been doing because we got Olakanu or whatever rolling around out there. But why don't we make sure. And I bring the owner in as well. Why don't we make sure we lose this game? You know, Lamar Hunt, remember in Al Davis, I think used to butt heads way back in the day. It's an easy one to like. Okay, let's. You guys took care of business. You got Crosby who's running around playing basketball. He looks fine. I mean, Crosby was just the best player in the field two weeks ago against the Houston Texans. I mean, he was, he was incredible in that game. And Bowers on ir, so I see what you're doing, which I don't. I would do it too if I were you, but I'm going to ruin your season. And here's the thing with the Chiefs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. If the season ended today, they'd have the ninth overall pick. So a loss. Now Cleveland, the Saints could technically win. That pick could be like eight. I mean, this is. It could be a big swing with an extra win to get to seven. You're in this world of like the Cowboys, the Dolphins, Tampa, Atlanta, you just kind of swim in a different world. Maybe that goes from 8 to like 14, you know. You know how sometimes those swings happen. I think the Chiefs are very incentivized to lose this game for multiple reasons.
- [45:32]
John Middlekauff
So yeah, this game is wild.
- [45:34]
Stuckey
All of a sudden you get like Bane, the kid, the Miami passer or whoever. Right. Like, you could change your franchise with like, oh, look who they got him and like lad McConkey in the second round. I mean, you get two top 10 picks in the first or second round. Like I could change the course of, you know, Mahomes, Nandy's second. Second run here.
- [45:52]
John Middlekauff
Yeah. So this game's fascinating. I will say there's a scenario where, well, number one, if the Giants win, they played the Cowboys. They're like 5.00. The Giants win at 1. The Raiders have the number one pick already wrapped up. So that's worth mentioning.
- [46:12]
Stuckey
The Cowboys are going to try though. Dax already said.
- [46:14]
John Middlekauff
Yeah, I'm just saying, like that is. But if, if the Giants lose, in order for the Giants to get the number one pick, then they, Vegas would have to win and then you would have to have at least two of these four teams win. Seattle, Atlanta, Cleveland and Chicago. So if like Seattle lost, there's a, there's a. What I'm getting at. Because then it would come down to strength of victory.
- [46:43]
Stuckey
There's a path for the Raiders to win and still get the 1 pick.
- [46:46]
John Middlekauff
Yeah, there's a path that the raiders know at 4 o' clock or 1 o', clock, but they already have the one. I don't know if they're, if they're like, if they're even going to consider that. I don't know. But so like number one, they don't know that during the week. They won't know that until the one o' clock games are over. So who are they going to rule out? Is Genti going to get ruled out? I mean, Gino's already been ruled out. Who else are they going to rule out? Not that they have a lot of players that matter. I mean, last week they basically took out their, their best defensive player. They ruled. They ruled Colton Miller out, their best offensive player in Bowers. They were actively trying to lose, but yes, you have the Chiefs who regardless if they want to say the Raiders already have the one pick locked up, they want to improve their draft pick which they rarely get to do. So what does that mean for the Chiefs? Yes, they, I, I bet them against the Broncos because that was Christmas night against Denver. You're trying to play spoiler. Remember the week before in Tennessee they were lifeless and now this is week 18. Like you said, you're incentivized. The players on the field are going to try. But do you sit Chris Jones, did Nick Bolton. You know Carlaftis worthy right. A lot of these guys, you could just sit them all and then you have a third string quarterback in Ola Duken. They, I mean The Chiefs had 130 yards and 3.3 yards per play last week. I get it was the Broncos defense but this line is crazy. So Ola Duken and potentially a shell roster is laying six on the road in, in Vegas. I get that Bowers and Crosby are out but the Raiders were just mine. I mean the Broncos were just minus seven and a half and, and in Vegas and the Broncos were just -13 and a half in Kansas City. That's an enormous move. So like how much is this is tank worth but the Chiefs might also be tanking so I don't know. I feel like the bet in the game is the Raiders at catching the points but oh, it's ugly.
- [48:57]
Stuckey
Any other games that you like in this weird slate?
- [49:02]
John Middlekauff
I love the Bengals. I think the Bengals roll the Browns. There's so the Bengals. Their offense is obviously clicking right now. Like some of their young offensive line pieces are playing better. You got barrel back all your pieces. Barrow's gonna start and play so. And their offense right now is, is clicking. And the Browns defense is just not the same unit on the road. Like they have one objective here. It's to get Miles Garrett his sack record. And their defense is just not that. I mean over the past three years the most profitable home team against the spread, the Browns. The least profitable road team, the Browns, I mean I think they're 6 and 20 against the spread on the road. It's been pathetic. But the other thing is that on the other side of the ball, I don't think, I don't think that they could slow burrow up enough to a point where they can keep up. Like you can do that against the Steelers offense which was very shorthanded. But they're not gonna have fan in here most likely Najoku. And their offense is basically throw it to Fannin that's how good he is as a rookie. Luckily he was in there for a quarter before he pulled his groin last week and he caught a 50 yard touchdown because after that their offense couldn't do anything. And the Bengals defense is actually playing much better. And it's. I think it's. There's always going to be a lot of variance in defensive numbers over short term time frames. But there's reasons to believe why the Bengals defense is much better than it was now. Over the first 10 weeks of the year, they were historically bad. I'm talking like if you go by DVOA or you just for opponent, they were the worst DVOA defensive through 10 weeks of all time. So adjusting for opponent year, they were that bad. Why is it improved since week week 10. So over the past six weeks they're one of the better defenses in the NFL from an EPA perspective. And it's not like they've played clowns. I mean they played the Pats, the Bills, the Ravens, twice the dog. And then, you know, they played the Dolphins and the Cardinals. But the Cardinals offense has been putting up points and they shut them down last week. Why is it even better? One, they changed their front alignment. Slayton is playing much better. They're getting something from Murphy up front. They have two rookie linebackers in Carter and Knight who were basically unplayable for the first 10 weeks. Like UN. Unbelievably bad. But they've been playing better, which you'd expect for rookies. Both. They're still not great, but they were not. They're like serviceable. And then they, they move Dax Hill out to outside corner and he's been locked down and I mean he's been unbelievable since moving to the outside. And then DJ Turner's been one of the better corners. That's been their one bright spot for the entire season. So now they have two really good outside corners. And, and a lot of it is because this guy, I always forget his name, Jalen Davis, he's been on like their practice squad. He's been around for a while. He's. He took over the nickel role and is, is playing well. And then the other thing is that you had a new defensive coordinator come in and Al golden, highly respected guy. So it took him some time to like figure some things out. He's changed some things schematically. So their defense is actually respectable and that's. They're not great. It's not a good defense, but it's not horrendous. And they are improving and that's all you need to slow down this Browns offense, which is abysmal and it's going to be probably without Fanon and Najoku. So yeah, I think the Bengals roll here and you might have a little bit of an emotional letdown for the Browns, right. Like they the last week was kind of their super bowl to spoil the Steelers season potentially. So yeah, I like the Bengals to roll elsewhere. There's not much. I mean there's a lot of like, all right, who's playing? Watch. And it's still early in the week.
- [52:55]
Richard Sherman
Ready or not is on sale now for the holidays, a breakout hit with over 13 million global players. With Ready or Not is the tactical first person shooter where you take the role of a SWAT commander and feel the weight of the badge. I reunited with my Legion of Boom teammates Cam Chancellor, Cliff Averill, Mike Bennett and Walter Thurman to go through real SWAT training and experience firsthand what makes this game special. You can watch the full video now at the Richard Sherman Podcast YouTube channel. Here's what we discovered. This isn't just mindless run and gun like other shooters. Just like the Legion of Boom operated as an elite defensive unit where everyone had to think strategically and work together, Ready or Not demands the same mentality. You're commanding a SWAT team, clearing rooms, protecting civilians, making split second tactical calls. With 18 high stakes missions, endless loadout customization, you need discipline and coordination to succeed. On sale now across PlayStation, Xbox and PC with full crossplay support. Go solo or lead up to five teammates through operations where strategy matters. Don't miss the holiday sale on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S and PC. After training with my brothers, I can tell you this game gets it right.
- [54:20]
Colin Cowherd
PCs powered by Snapdragon X Elite processors are made to go the distance with blazing fast performance. Next level efficiency. Snapdragon processors are built to tackle it all. From highlight reel editing to intense player research, making it all feel effortless. And with multi day battery life, you got true freedom all right without being tethered to an outlet. So from long video calls to all day fantasy drafts, your laptop stays ready so you can be at the top of your game. It's the kind of performance your lifestyle demands. So make sure your next PC is powered by Snapdragon. Learn more at snapdragon.com laptops Snapdragon the heart of your PC. Battery life varies significantly based on devices, setup, usage and other factors. Hi, it's Colin from the Colin Coward Podcast. That would make sense that I would be the host of the Colin Coward Podcast I mean, that's the way I see it. I've been around long enough to know quality when I see it. Or in this case, when I taste it. Tito's Handmade Vodka. Good stuff. No flash, no gimmick. Smooth, clean tasting, made the right way. Okay. I like things that are built to last. A great team, a well run organization. Same goes for my vodka, Tito's. Made in Austin, Texas. Real care, attention to detail, distinct, crisp taste. I was just telling my wife the other day, Tito's is the one vodka it has a completely distinct taste. Been my go to for years, so I like to keep it simple. Tito's soda, one lime, lot of ice, refreshing, easy Summer, winter, spring. Totally versatile. Always works. Listen, baseball season's here. Your team's going to play 162 games. A perfect time to kick back with some Tito's. It's what I pour. You should too. Distilled and bottled by 5th Generation Inc. Austin, Texas 40% alcohol by volume. Savor responsibly.
- [56:04]
Sponsor Announcer
This podcast is sponsored by Total Wireless, the official wireless partner of ufc. When you're streaming the fight or sharing those takedown highlights, you need a wireless provider that keeps you close to the action. With Total Wireless, you're covered by the Verizon 5G network, so you don't have to worry about your connection being knocked out at the biggest moments. It's not something you can usually say about a wireless provider, but Total Wireless really does have your back. They're in your corner every second of the day, so you never miss a thing. Visit totalwireless.com or visit your local Total Wireless store to learn more about how Total Wireless can be in your corner. 5G access requires a 5G capable device and a 5G service area. Additional terms apply. See website for details.
- [56:55]
Colin Cowherd
So next summer, the biggest soccer event on earth is coming to the US for the first time in over 20 years. Now is the time to get in on the action. Every rivalry, every crazy skill, and of course, every goal. And we all know that every goal starts with an assist. It's true for soccer and it's true for health. That's why Halion, makers of Advil, Tums, Sensodyne, Centrum and Voltaren, is teaming up with US Soccer to launch for the Assist. It's a new campaign that celebrates those everyday acts of support that help people achieve their goals. Whether it's the fans cheering their hearts out in an electric stadium or the rec player who's keeping fit for weekend games, Halion is there for them to learn more go to helionassist.com.
- [57:40]
John Middlekauff
Yeah, well, let's.
- [57:42]
Stuckey
Let's talk about some games in the matter. Let's hit on a couple of the quick college football games. You know, Miami's defense is pretty good.
- [57:50]
John Middlekauff
Yeah.
- [57:51]
Stuckey
Right. And we just saw, you know, Indiana, who has a really good defense, you know, give slain and them a little trouble. Now you get this long layoff. It can go well, but it can also. They prove last year that, you know, it cannot go well. They came in and like boat raced Oregon in that game, which was one of the crazier, I would say, outcomes I can remember just because it happened so fast now. I think a lot of people just don't trust Carson Beck. Yeah, but like nine and a half feels like a lot of points for a team with NFL guys all over its roster. Especially like you said last week in the trenches or two weeks ago against A and M and like you got good offensive and defensive line. Like you can just hang in games. You can run the ball. They started running the ball at the end of that game against A and M. I heard someone say, like they were at the game against A and M. I think it's underrated for people sitting on their couch how much the wind was blowing. Like the wind was. You could show see it when they put the flags up.
- [58:46]
John Middlekauff
You can look at the field goals in that game. Yeah, it was. Yeah.
- [58:49]
Stuckey
So I. Is. Is Miami kind of a sneaky live dog here? Maybe not to win the game, but plus nine and a half feels like a lot.
- [58:57]
Sponsor Announcer
Yeah.
- [58:57]
John Middlekauff
If I. That's the, that's the way that I would look. Especially with the total, it's 41. Like the points are going to be at a premium. Getting over a touchdown is even more valuable. I do think that the Miami defensive line can cause the Ohio State offensive line major problems. I think that the Ohio State offensive line and their running game is where they are significantly worse than last year. I mean, obviously you lost Henderson and Judkins. Their running game is just not as good. And then their offensive line, specifically on the right side and this, this Miami team in the trenches, they have a top five offensive and defensive line that will help. So I think that they can. They're going to play a lot of too high. They're going to take away the explosive plays. They're going to let their defensive lineman make plays, make the Buckeyes drive down the field. So yeah, I think their defense can hang. My biggest concern is the Ohio State defense is elite. Is Beck, is he gonna make mistakes? And which he is prone to do because he did not play well against A M. Now there was wind and A M's defense is good, but it's nowhere close to as good as Ohio State. That'll be my biggest concern. But yeah, I think this will be a lower scoring game. Two really slow, methodical teams. Ohio State was the slowest team in the country this year. Now a lot of that was load management and there's this narrative out there that oh well, they did this last year, which they did. And then once they got into playoffs they sped it up. No, they didn't. They played just really slow again. So we'll see. Like there's talk with the play calling a grind day. It's going to be more involved in the play calling. Heartline's still there, but he's going to South Florida after the season. So we'll see if that changes. I don't know. But like from what we know, this will be a really slow, methodical game where like just you might have like 10 to 15 fewer plays than a normal game. An average game that makes the points even more valuable. So yeah, I think you have to have to look at the points. I think it'll be a defensive battle.
- [60:54]
Stuckey
I'd be lying if I said I watch that much. Tech. I do respect. I mean, I think Utah and BYU are obviously good programs and they beat the shit out of them three times. So it's like clearly they paid for this defensive line. You know, Oregon's favorite in this game, morning game. I don't know, I mean, long travel, right? This game's in Miami.
- [61:16]
John Middlekauff
Correct.
- [61:17]
Stuckey
So this is. I don't know, I. I guess I would take Oregon. I don't feel great about it. I just don't have a great feel for Texas Tech. Beside, I know their quarterback's been a little hit or miss, but the defensive line is just really good. Right. I mean defensive line, like high end guys like you can create havoc.
- [61:35]
John Middlekauff
Yeah. Defensive line with height. David Bailey is just.
- [61:39]
Stuckey
The linebacker's a stud.
- [61:40]
John Middlekauff
Yeah. Lee Hunter knows tackle Jacob Rodriguez. Ben Roberts. Jacob Rodriguez, linebacker, watched him. He's a great player. So like they're. My biggest question for them is their corners. They haven't really faced elite passing attacks all year. Like Utah doesn't have good receivers. BYU's decent, but that they don't have like this electric passing attack, that's my biggest concern for them. But their, their defensive line will get after any quarterback, will get after any offensive line. And in this Oregon team, their offense didn't look it looked pretty pedestrian against most of the high end defenses. They played right against Indiana it wasn't great against even at on the road against Penn State, against Iowa now there was some weather involved in there but when they played like these high end defenses it wasn't great. Which it led me to think that this game is going to go under. I like a first half under two. Morton, the Texas Tech quarterback, he's still not at 100. He has a hairline fracture in his leg. He says he's at like 80 now. Tech can't really run the ball. This is like the best defense they will play all year. The only top 20ish defenses they played all year were BYU and Utah. And I mean those games were at the half were like 10, 7, 10 nothing, 7, 3. They were ugly low scoring games. They have a rhythm timing based offense too. They've been out, they've been on a long break. A lot of these air raidish offenses when they have long breaks this is going back to Leech. Takes a while to get back in the rhythm. You can see some slow starts. So I like some first half under, some full game under. I believe in the Tech defense making enough plays that defensive line is super elite. Their linebackers are super elite and I this is the best defense that Tech will face all year. Their running game isn't consistent. It's very inefficient. That's how you want to attack Oregon. That's not the strength of Texas Tech so. And morton's not at 100 so I think this will be a lower scoring game. So I played some first half under, some full game under. If it got to 3 I'd consider tech but I don't have a strong feel on the side.
- [63:49]
Stuckey
Yeah this is, it's a little like the Indiana Ohio State game. Now obviously Indiana's playing another huge game but like this would be the biggest win the history. I mean this would just be a massive moment for the program. It doesn't get any bigger for Oregon. You know obviously their expectations now over the course since Chip got there is like can be for national championships. Not saying that this wouldn't be like a they'd be disappointed if they lose but it's like they're a big picture program at this point in time.
- [64:16]
John Middlekauff
Yeah, next year is the year. I mean Oregon could win it all this year. I don't think they will but it could. I mean it's pretty wide open but next year's the year for Oregon. We'll see about Dante Moore and what he decides, I assume he's going to go.
- [64:29]
Stuckey
But if he can see him coming back because they can pay him like they pay him like $10 million.
- [64:34]
John Middlekauff
I can see it too if he come, if he comes back like this Next year is the year really for Oregon because they are so young. You look across that roster they are. I mean because they lost a ton from that roster from last year and they. I mean they have obviously have a pipeline of recruits and then they fill in with the portal. But their roster is set up next year to be. I mean so is Ohio State but like those are your two favorites going into next year. So any. Anything that they. If they were to win it that would be just the house money found money this year. But yeah, should be. It should be a good entertaining. And the Tech defensive line like the front seven for Tech is national title best in the nation. Good.
- [65:18]
Stuckey
I would say this, you know when it was 17, nothing. You're like God, this Bama team's a joke. And then it flip clearly Mater, I don't know what the hell happened to him. You know after the hand injury. He was a shell of himself and he was bad in this game again. I mean I. You look at Indiana played two really good teams and they won by 10 on the road at Oregon which was a massive win for their program and obviously the biggest win the history of the Indiana football when they would beat Ohio State. They blow out a lot of the bad teams. But seven points feels like a lot against Kalin who's excellent against high end opponents. And you just have to go well Bama obviously has a bunch of high end guys on their roster. Did they find a little something? They get a little momentum. No one on their roster and I'm not saying this is correct but we'll look at Indiana like an equal. You know, how could they.
- [66:08]
John Middlekauff
They.
- [66:09]
Stuckey
They fucking are at Alabama. But I don't know, I kind of like Bama in this spot. Plus seven little risky. I might. It might be you know, recency bias on the second half.
- [66:21]
John Middlekauff
But yeah, I mean they definitely got fortunate against Oklahoma. I mean they had Oklahoma some somehow they have like elite special teams all year. They have Luke Rose award winner missing kicks. They dropped a punt, they dropped a wide open touchdown that could have made it to what 24 7. It's here throws the pick six at the end of the half like that. Everything that could have went wrong went wrong. My, my concern with Bama, I mean like this team for like a couple months has not been playing like an elite team, not even like a top 10 team. I mean they should have lost. They could have easily lost to Auburn. They should have lost that South Carolina. There's just been a number of games that they've gotten away with this year. And why is that so like. Well, they cannot run the ball. They are one of the worst rushing offenses in the country. So that when you're so one dimensional and you play elite teams, it's very difficult to win. And on the other side, they don't really get elite pressure. They're like. So if I look at these two teams, one of these teams can run the ball, that's Indiana. One of these teams can get pressure, that's Indiana. I think that might end up being the difference. But Alabama with their talent at receiver and Simpson like they're, I mean they have the capability of hitting explosive plays and winning this game. The Bama special teams also all year have been really bad. But that's just hard to rely on. And Indiana knows that has extra time to repair. Really smart staff. It's just a super unsustainable formula to try to win these games with just like Simpson having the drop back in known passing situations against the defense that can get pressure. That is really good. And you have to get, I mean Indiana, two of the teams that people wouldn't be surprised won the national title. Oregon and Ohio State, they won both, both away from home. So like you have to give them credit for that. And they have, they have the Heisman trophy winner at quarterback. A really good, even a really good offensive line. They have a better, they have a better offensive line than Alabama. So I think Indiana gets it done. If you took the points with Alabama now at 7, I wouldn't blame you though. But super cool matchup of like Indiana.
- [68:22]
Stuckey
Is going to have a season to be pretty crazy when you look back.
- [68:25]
John Middlekauff
That it's just crazy. Favorite on a neutral field in the cottage. We're up against Alabama.
- [68:31]
Stuckey
It's pretty wild. You know George, I saw Lane Kiffin talking about how his coaches, you know, I mean they're working two jobs a lot going on to get a pretty big pats against Tulane which clearly they match up with the game never has a shot. Georgia. I remember watching this game in the middle of the season and they just, they went up and down the field. I mean they, they scored it will. And then all of a sudden the fourth quarter hit and Chambliss, he kind of like melted down. They started getting pressure and he turned into like a different quarterback immediately. It was like what is going on? And you know, that kind of flipped George's like that gave them a lot of momentum moving forward after that win. And you know, you know, Lane doesn't call plays. I've seen a lot of people talk about this. Like Charlie Weiss called like over 95% of the place. Lane would chime in every once in a while in a big spot or when he'd see something. But Charlie Weiss was. This wasn't one of those situations where he was an offensive coordinator by name only.
- [69:26]
John Middlekauff
Yeah, Lane would just have his wrinkles. He would make some in game calls, some aggressive stuff.
- [69:32]
Stuckey
So like their core of the defensive coordinator and the offensive coordinator are still there. Their defense just isn't as good as a lot of these other teams.
- [69:40]
John Middlekauff
Yes.
- [69:40]
Stuckey
Right. From a personnel standpoint, you know, when you talk about Oregon, Miami, osu, like Texas Tech, D line, that. That ain't, that ain't Ole Miss. They got to score now. The running back, sweet quarterbacks. When he's on, he's good. I just wonder. I see these clips of Kirby just lighting them up at practice. I wonder if he's kind of thinking like this could be number three this year there. So I mean, I guess I don't have a great feel for this game. I. I just. I wonder if Ole Miss kind of runs out of steam here.
- [70:08]
John Middlekauff
Yeah, I would lean Georgia, but as always with Georgia, I'll be looking to bet them live. They go down so much in games like. Like more than any good team that they're. They're not good on the script offensively. Bobo, Their offense corner is not good on the script. Ole Miss usually is and they'll have some wrinkles here. They'll have some like I, I think that they will probably start fast here and then the best in game adjuster in the sport. And that's what happened in the first meeting. Kirby started changing some of the looks. He's won them countless games by adjusting. So he already did that against Ole Miss once. I think Ole Miss will have some counters early. So if Georgia gets down, I'll be looking to bet them live. But I think Georgia will be able to run the ball here. They might get Colby Young back. It looks like they will get Colby Young back at receiver. He got hurt in that first game, hasn't played since. That'll give him another big target. So yeah, I think Georgia gets it done. I think the line is about right. But if I can get like a cheap number on Georgia live, if Ole Miss scores first, if it's like 14, 7, 14 3. I think this game could play out similar to the first meeting. The one thing that gives me a little pause with. I do kind of want to root for Ole Miss after with, like.
- [71:21]
Stuckey
I kind of do, too.
- [71:22]
John Middlekauff
All right. Like that. The Georgia game against Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech's defense is really bad, and they played on a neutral field and they couldn't move the ball. And that game, I can't get out of my head. That was two weeks ago. They just couldn't do anything. I don't know what happened that week. So, like, now I'm so confused about the Georgia offense. I thought it was, like, ascending, and that game just has me now. They beat Alabama after that, but that game is it. I just can't get out of my head. But I do think Georgia advances, would lean them on the number. We'll be looking for them live for sure. And then if. If we do get. If the chalk does hold, I think we're in for some really good semifinals that I'm looking forward to. But part of me does, like, just after what happened with Kiffin, Ole Miss making a run. I think it would be pretty cool.
- [72:27]
Stuckey
No, I. I would totally agree with you. Well, enjoy a rager with. You had a. You had a son, right?
- [72:35]
John Middlekauff
Yep.
- [72:36]
Stuckey
A baby boy. So enjoy New Year's Eve. Enjoy the. Enjoy the games. And we will talk next week when we see the. The brackets come out, which I think you and I, we've already been hitting that. But it's going to be really hard to bet on this playoffs because these teams, like, there's. No. Not much difference in any of these teams. So it's. It should be a pretty exciting NFL playoffs as for. Damn. Sure. So, yes. Enjoy the games and then get after it.
- [73:02]
John Middlekauff
Yeah. Good luck to your Niners. Oh, by the way, the one thing, one question I want to ask you is, is Warner potentially coming back? I've heard rumblings.
- [73:08]
Stuckey
I mean, he shattered his. I mean, no, I. I'd be stunned.
- [73:12]
John Middlekauff
Okay.
- [73:13]
Stuckey
Super Bowl.
- [73:14]
John Middlekauff
Like, maybe the Super Bowl. Okay.
- [73:15]
Stuckey
Which seems a little. Now, he was out there celebrating, but. Well, I would. We got a long way to go before that's even a conversation.
- [73:23]
John Middlekauff
Good luck to you on Saturday night. At least you're in the dance. Good luck to me on Sunday night because we're not in the dance yet, so. Go Ravens.
- [73:32]
Stuckey
Adios.
- [73:36]
Colin Cowherd
The volume.
- [73:40]
John Middlekauff
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- [73:41]
Stuckey
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John Middlekauff
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- [75:13]
Stuckey
This is Julian Edelman from Games With Names. Football is back. That means it's tailgate time and this season the only meat I'm going to grill is Dietz and Watson. I'm loving the Black Angus Dietz dogs. They're flavor packed and you can tell they are made with the highest quality ingredients. Sundays just got a whole lot better. Visit deetsandwatson.com the right way to learn more about the deets Difference Everybody has.
- [75:46]
Colin Cowherd
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- [76:14]
John Middlekauff
10 athletes will face the toughest job interview in fitness that will push past physical and mental breaking points. You are the fittest of the fit. Only one of you will leave here with an IFIT contract worth $250,000.
- [76:33]
Richard Sherman
This is where mindset comes in.
- [76:35]
John Middlekauff
Someone will be eliminated.
- [76:37]
Colin Cowherd
Pressure is coming down. Trainer Games on Prime Video January 8th.
- [76:41]
John Middlekauff
Watch the trailer on trainergames.com this is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.