3 & Out - NFL & NFL and CFB Best Bets: NFL's Wildcard Weekend & College Football Playoff's Semi-Finals

Summary

The Herd with Colin Cowherd – 3 & Out

NFL Wildcard Weekend & College Football Playoff Semi-Finals [Jan 8, 2026]

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Episode Overview

This episode, hosted by John Middlekauff and guest Stuckey, dives deep into the NFL Wildcard Weekend and the College Football Playoff semi-finals. The duo breaks down playoff matchups, identifies realistic Super Bowl contenders, and gives actionable betting insights for both NFL and CFB games. They examine recent coaching changes, offer sharp statistical breakdowns, and compare strengths and weaknesses across players and teams. The conversation maintains an engaging, opinionated, and analytical tone, blending stats, humor, and sharp sports radio banter.

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Key Topics and Insights

1. Coaching Carousel: Harbaugh Out in Baltimore

[05:19–11:13]

• Baltimore Ravens Fire John Harbaugh

  • Stuckey (Ravens fan) feels it was time: “I think Harbaugh and the organization needed a change... these blown leads, these heartbreaking losses to end seasons... was the straw that broke the camel’s back.” (06:21)
  • Discussed potential splintering between Lamar Jackson and Harbaugh.
  • Head coaching candidates discussed: Jesse Minter (liked by Stuckey), Cliff Kingsbury (disliked as head coach), Chrisula.
  • Key offseason priority: draft edge rushers due to the Ravens’ lack of pass rush last year.
  • Noted how hard it is to win Super Bowls in the NFL and fan impatience: “You go to any fanbase… they think their coach is awful unless they’re winning Super Bowls every year.” (07:02)

• Possible Rebounds for Stefanski

  • Speculation about Stefanski joining the Giants’ staff if Harbaugh lands in New York: “That would be very intriguing if they got Harbaugh and Stefanski...” (13:09)
  • League-wide coaching volatility: past Coach of the Year winners (2019–2023) mostly fired.

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2. Who Can Win the Super Bowl? Contenders Breakdown

[14:33–22:25]

• John’s List of Contenders:

  • AFC: Jaguars, Patriots, Texans, Bills (excluding Steelers, Chargers, and Bears).
  • NFC: Rams, Eagles; Bears and 49ers dismissed primarily for defensive struggles.
  • Stuckey expands the list to include Packers, Seahawks, Broncos.

• Quote:

  • “You can nitpick every team… the Bears, not with that defense… but the Packers, I think their offense is going to be healthy now, they can just outscore teams.” (20:26–21:26)

• 49ers’ decline noted: Attrition and injuries make them a tough sell as serious contenders.

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3. NFL Wildcard Game Previews & Betting Angles

Rams at Panthers

[22:25–28:29]

• Historical spread: Rams as massive 10.5-point road favorites.
• Previous matchup: Panthers won outright in November but with heavy luck.
• Breakdown: Rams’ offensive line health key; Carolina’s defense does well disguising coverages—could keep it close.
• Betting lean: Under 47 (weather mild; both teams excel in kickoff coverage).
• Quote:
  • “If this is at 10.5 or 11, which would be the largest road favorite in NFL playoff history, which is pretty insane…” (23:42)

Bears vs Packers

[28:29–36:17]

• Ben Johnson revived this rivalry; both regular-season games thrilling.
• Bears’ record fluky: +22 turnover margin, 6 comeback wins, weak division record.
• Packers benefit from a Week 18 “bye” and return of key lineman.
• Stuckey favors Packers: “Love has been… the best quarterback in the NFL with a clean pocket. Well, the Bears can’t get pressure.” (32:22)
• Bears’ defense ranked 30th EPA per play (if you remove turnovers).
• Historic stat: QBs in first playoff start vs. QB with playoff experience are 20–40 straight up, 20–39–1 ATS since 2003.

Jaguars vs Bills

[36:18–44:48]

• Both teams streaking, winner seen as potential Super Bowl favorite.
• Jags: 8 straight wins, dominant at home ATS. Slightly inflated record against weak schedule.
• Bills: 0-5 on road in recent playoff history but more battle-tested.
• Stuckey leans Jags 1st half Moneyline: “Lawrence…13th in EPA... second half, he’s 32nd... their script wears off.” (41:51–43:06)
• Analysis: Expect Jags to start strong, Allen could bring Buffalo back late.

Eagles vs 49ers

[44:48–52:29]

• 49ers decimated by injuries, especially defense.
• Eagles expected to “run it every play”; Shanahan’s offense likely overmatched against rested Eagles defense.
• Eagles are #1 in red zone TD rate (70%), but Stuckey expects regression.
• Stuckey betting under due to depleted offenses and outdoor conditions.

Patriots vs Chargers

[52:29–58:19]

• Chargers underdogs (+4) on the road, despite Harbaugh-Herbert combo vs New England rookie QB Drake Maye.
• Patriots’ defense and schedule exposed: faced only one team with a winning record all year.
• Chargers’ defense, led by Jesse Minter, elite at limiting deep balls.
• Stuckey: “Happily take an elite QB and staff with the clearly superior defense catching over a field goal in the playoffs..." (57:23)

Steelers vs Texans

[58:19–62:55]

• Texans (dome team) on the road in cold weather—a typical bad historical spot.
• Concerns: Can Stroud handle Steelers' blitz? Texans’ DBs (Lassiter, Stingley) could neutralize Pitt receivers.
• Stuckey leans Texans, but with caution; expects a close, potentially low-scoring game.
• “Dome teams on the road in the playoffs when it’s under 30 degrees… 1 in 14 their last 15 games. They don’t do well.” (61:33)

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4. College Football Playoff Semi-Finals & National Title Picture

[63:44–77:08]

• Miami, Indiana, Ole Miss, Oregon — All Live to Win Title

  • Miami praised for physicality (“feels like an NFL team”), especially on the line.
  • Indiana lauded for execution and veteran play; dominates “little things” (penalties, giveaways, third downs).
  • Oregon: More talent, but young. Indiana "a team of 24-year-olds."
  • Ole Miss faces unique challenge with Lane Kiffin gone; intrigue surrounds interim staff.

• Key Betting Angles:

  • Miami could physically overwhelm Ole Miss: “I think Miami has a chance to just kind of physically overwhelm these guys because I don’t think Ole Miss has really felt that…” (68:31)
  • Indiana’s discipline and execution could prove decisive vs. Oregon; wary of Lanning’s fourth-down aggression as underdog.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “Signetti finds just incredible gems in the portal… they might, if Indiana dominates again, be four and a half over Miami, seven and a half over Ole Miss.” (74:49)
  • “Oregon winning would be the least surprising… the other options are Miami wins it… who no one thought was going to make it.” (77:08)

• Transfer Portal/NIL Drama:

  • Tangent on QB flipping schools post-contract, lawsuits, and the need for oversight: “It’s completely lawless. And the calendar needs to change... you have a team in the semis without a head coach—disaster.” (82:43–84:17)

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “My baby has a massive head and is flipped the wrong way... so this Thursday through Monday stretch, your boy is gonna soak up big time.” – John Middlekauff on cherishing Wildcard Weekend before becoming a parent (03:56)
• “You can’t fire John Harbaugh for Cliff Kingsbury. If I was a Ravens fan, I would boycott. That’s not allowed.” – John (09:23)
• “Quarterbacks making their first playoff start against a quarterback who has playoff experience: 20–40. Straight up, 20–39–1 against the spread. Very, very bad.” – Stuckey on first-time QB playoff performances (34:16)
• “Hard Rock Bet has live, in-game betting so you’re never too late to the action—it’s just that easy, baby.” – John (ad segment, omitted from analysis) (14:33)

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Timestamps Overview

• 05:19–11:13: Ravens coaching change, Harbaugh’s legacy, and offseason priorities
• 14:33–22:25: Identifying true Super Bowl contenders and rationale
• 22:25–28:29: Rams at Panthers wild card matchup and under bet explanation
• 28:29–36:17: Packers vs Bears preview, rivalry revival, key stat breakdowns
• 36:18–44:48: Jaguars vs Bills analysis, home/away splits, betting strategies
• 44:48–52:29: Eagles vs 49ers, injuries, coaching, and total points outlook
• 52:29–58:19: Chargers vs Patriots, rookie QB questions, trust in Herbert & Harbaugh
• 58:19–62:55: Steelers vs Texans, dome teams in cold weather, key positional battles
• 63:44–77:08: CFB semifinals breakdown, coaching strategies, matchup keys
• 82:43–84:17: NIL/transfer portal legal drama, need for new rules

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Final Thoughts

This fast-paced, stats-packed episode features expert level football discourse and betting insight at every turn, ideal for fans poised for the most important weekends of the football season. John and Stuckey dissect each game with both data and feel, never shying away from strong opinions or industry quirks. Their CFB breakdowns transition seamlessly from pure X’s and O’s to larger questions about the future of college football amid NIL chaos.

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For complete, nuanced recommendations and up-to-the-minute hot takes, listen to the full episode.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

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[A]

The volume.

[C]

What is going on everybody? John Middelkopf three and out podcast. Hopefully everyone is doing well. We are brought to you by my friends at Zone Pouches. Love those guys. Today will be a pretty straightforward show. I will be joined by friend of the program, fellow father. Why technically I'm not a father yet. The child still on the belly Stuck. He is. Had a baby last I think a couple weeks ago and I wanted to bring him on because we got the College Football playoff game starting tomorrow. We're going to talk about that at the end. We ended up just firing through a bunch of NFL, you know, from the super bowl standpoint to the game standpoint this weekend through Monday. Start off with asking about John Harbaugh, who obviously was. He's a Ravens fan, so some get his thoughts on that. But Stucky will bang out. He's got stats galore. We will dive into the individual games. Not an easy week to pick. I mean unless you're hammering the Rams money line. These games can get weird. The season's been weird. I would imagine some weird stuff is going to happen this weekend. So we will, we'll get ahead of it. That, that will be the show today. Yesterday we discussed obviously Harbaugh getting fired. John Harbaugh, I guess you knew that probably. You know, from Eber Floors to Kingsbury, some, some of those situations. I will do a reaction to Saturday night. Excuse me, Thursday night Miami playing Ole Miss, which is actually, I want to say in my backyard, but it's about an hour drive from where I'm at. It's a pain in the ass to get to so I'm just gonna watch it on television. But we'll do a live reaction on YouTube after that. I'll do a big mailbag on for Fugazi. Friday at John Mittlekopf is the Instagram. So fire in those DMS and we'll do a big mailbag on for Friday for sure. But. But other Than that. You guys know the drill. Subscribe if you listen on Collins feed. If you listen on, you know, subscribe to my own feed three and out feed. Apple, Spotify, we got you covered from an audio standpoint. We have YouTube will be live Friday, Saturday, Sunday. I think Monday is going to be our first show on. On Netflix. So it'll. It'll be uploaded on Netflix Monday morning. That's the plan. Right now I have a. Another, you know, marketing business call on Friday to kind of iron out some more stuff. But as of now, that is the plan. We will keep you updated and again, nothing changes here. So we will just keep doing the same old podcast that we've been doing for a long, long time and just keep swinging our pick, talking a little ball, talking life and. And, yeah, see where it goes. But let's just. Let's just dive right into Stuckey. Okay? This is always the time of year where you start getting a little bittersweet because you start counting the games. And for me, this is one of the last, probably the last, just pure weekends of football, especially with my life. Stucky. I have. My baby has a massive head and is flipped the wrong way. So we have a scheduled C section right now, next week on Thursday. So I. This, this Thursday through Monday stretch, your boy is gonna soak up big time. How you doing, man? This is. This is a rough time of year in a weird way, because it should be great.

[A]

Yeah, same thing happened to us and then we ended up having to go even earlier, a week earlier because her. My wife's blood pressure, like, spike. She had, like, preeclampsia. So we had an emergency C section, but that was the same thing that happened. And yeah, I just count like we have. I believe we have 15 football games left and seven of them are this weekend.

[C]

Geez. And puts it into perspective right there.

[A]

Yeah, this is the weekend you really got to cherish because you got college football semi on Thursday, college football semi on Friday, and then wild card, wild card, wild card. So five straight days, playoff football, and then it'll really hit you on, like, Tuesday morning. You're like, wow, especially for you. So congrats. I wish everything. I wish you well, and I hope everything goes well. But yeah, this is the. This is the time it really starts to hit you. But I am very excited for this weekend.

[C]

I am, too. And before we dive in any football, you are a Ravens fan, obviously. John Harbaugh is one of the central figures of football, especially just because of his football family. I mean, he played in One of the most famous Super Bowls of all time. He played against his brother. I don't think we're ever seeing that one again unless they play each other, which you never know if he goes to the Giants or whatever resurrects him in a couple years. But your thoughts? Because my initial thought was obviously you and I. And it had been out there, people kind of rumbling about it. But when you see was a truly a wow moment, I thought, yeah, no.

[A]

I, I, I, I didn't know if it was gonna happen, but I had a feeling it would. And I do think that it makes sense from an organizational standpoint. I mean, sometimes you just, I think it'll probably work for both parties. I think that just, I think Harbaugh and the organization needed a change. You've had all of these blown leads, these heartbreaking losses to end seasons over the years, and I think losing this, losing to the Steelers to miss the playoffs in the fashion that it did was the straw that broke the camel's back. And I even said like, I was, it was, I thought, I think Harbaugh is a good coach and I think he did a tremendous job over his tenure. Brought a Super bowl to Baltimore, but I did that decision not to run another play and get more yards. That is the hardest stadium to kick in in the NFL. And to, to go back two yards with a young kicker, I, the best.

[C]

Kicker in the league. Just missed an extra point.

[A]

Just missed an extra point. So I, that was just a gut punch and a tough way for Harbaugh to end his 18 year tenure in Baltimore. But I do think it was time. And it seemed also that like, the relationship between Lamar and Harbaugh was potentially splintered a bit. So that might have had something to do with it. We'll see how much say Lamar has in this decision and what his, how long his future will be in Baltimore. But it's, I, as a Ravens fan, I'm, I'm okay with it. Even though I liked Harbaugh. A lot of, a lot of fans are delusional. Like it. You know, you go to any fan base in the NFL, there are so many that just think, no matter what, no matter who they are, they think their coach is awful. Right? It could be anyone. Like, there's, there's, there's a ton of 49ers fans. I think Shanahan's awful. There's a ton of that. Any fan base you're, you find, you'll just see like Shanahan because they, unless, like you're winning Super Bowls every year.

[C]

He shut him up a little bit this year, but it got. Last year got ugly.

[A]

Yeah, but people don't realize, like, winning Super Bowls is, is, is hard. Like, it's. But I like Tarball, but I, I thought it was time for a change. I'm very curious to see who they bring in. And what's that?

[C]

What's your guess?

[A]

I'm kind of thinking maybe Chrisula is a name that I could see them going, but I just, I don't know the direction they want to take. What's that?

[C]

Not Jesse Minter.

[A]

I could. Yeah. Would Mint. I could see Minter too.

[C]

Minter. Kingsbury combo.

[A]

Yeah, that, that's the, the, A lot of the rumblings are around Cliff. I don't know if he would be. I don't like Cliff as a head coach. Think he can be a good offensive coordinator, but that'll come down to. I could see that working with Lamar.

[C]

Such a soft, soft offense for Baltimore, you know, even with. When they got run heavy with Roman. It's a physical run game. Cliff. I don't know, man. I, I, you're talking to a Cliff hater. From a football standpoint, seems like a great guy.

[A]

No, I'm not a big Cliff guy either. I would not. I, hopefully he's not the head coach. I would, I've been tracking.

[C]

That would be insane. I mean.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

You can't fire John Harbaugh for Cliff Kingsbury. If I was a Raven fan, I would, I would boycott. That's not allowed.

[A]

I would actually love if it's Minter. So we'll see. It'll. It'll be an interesting off season. There's also like the, you just can't not like Lamar in his, in his prime, in his peak, was as good as any quarterback you'll ever see in this league. But part of what made him so dominant was his speed and his ability. You had to respect his rushing ability and his ability to create and, you know, buy time and scramble and then hit plays downfield. He's not getting any younger. And the accumulation of all these injuries, what does that do to him over time? Hard to say. Obviously wasn't healthy this year, but yeah, I'm super cute. It's going to be a very, very interesting offseason. I think just as important as nailing the head coach, they need to go, this is my number. This will be. And they have a really good gm, really good owner, really good scout team. Their number one priority in the draft has to be addressing the edge rush. They had no edge rush. And it is very difficult to win in the NFL in 2025 if you can't get pressure. And I mean, that's going to be a concern. We're going to talk to 49ers. That's going to be a concern for the 49ers if they want to make like that's probably going to prevent them from making a run is their defense and their inability to generate pressure and that plagued the Ravens all year. They need to address that whether it's in free agency or the draft. This is a draft class that's loaded with edge talent. So they need. They need to hit there because a lot of the other pieces are there for them to make a run next year. But it'll be an interesting off season in Baltimore for sure.

[C]

That's where I think it's a big advantage for, you know, the Chiefs and the blow in that game and they draft Knight, it's pretty easy to move up a couple spots and get. All of a sudden it's like, God, the Chiefs got the best defensive lineman in the draft. You know, and that's. That can change your future. You know, I. The other thing.

[A]

So Raiders to make a 60 yarder and give the Chiefs a better draft pick.

[C]

But you had mentioned it last week once the Cowboys started tanking at halftime, which little ironic because they didn't even own. They don't own their pick. Right. They have the packers picks which didn't even matter. I don't know. I mean, classic Cowboys. What. What a. The j. The Jets. Yeah, the jets have their. The jets had a pretty good day, right? I mean, the jets, obviously, they stink. But the other thing is I saw Stefanski, spent a couple days with the Giants and now you know Harbaugh. You couldn't hire Stefanski over Harbaugh. But if you're Stefanski, if you've just been with the most dysfunctional organization or one of them in all of sports for a while, wouldn't you just want to take a deep breath? And if I'm Mara, the easiest way to get people like, okay, John, you're back. Convince Harbaugh. Use him as your offensive coordinator. Hey, Kevin, all you got to do is focus on offense. We'll pay you like five, six million dollars a year. You might just be one and done. You don't want Cardinals, the Titans, this. That's the same thing you were just dealing with. Come here and you'll have the pick of the litter and you'll stalk where I wonder if they're Trying a little package deal. Obviously they didn't know Harbaugh was going to be available when they first got Stefanski but if I'm them, I double down Stefanski and be like listen, come here with John, he'll let you run the offense. Can you imagine that? If you're the Giants fan and you got Harbaugh as head coach. Stefanski and I listen I know people are going to want Stefanski as their head coach but if you're Stefanski, why would you want these organizations where people just go like two and three and done all the time. I wouldn't touch these teams that are available.

[A]

I mean that would be, that would be very intriguing if they got Harbaugh and Stensky because yeah, I mean I Stensy he was just put in a position where how was he going to succeed number one in that division, number two with the DeShawn Watson and he made it clear they got that his team got that out right away that he disagreed with the Watson trade.

[C]

Did that. Was that leaked in the last couple days? I didn't even see that it got.

[A]

Leaked like an hour after it was announced he was fired. So yeah, he was just putting I mean two time coach of the year by the way the last five besides o' Connell last year all of the coach of the year since 2019 were fired. Variable who's obviously been rehired but Harbaugh, Stefanski. Stefanski twice. Who's. Who's the on the. Why is his name slipped me the Bears coach at Nagy got fired. It's pretty crazy how, how quick things can turn in the NFL but I think that would be great. And then maybe this does like carball convince Wink Martindale to come be the defensive coordinator but if they just need to address like the secondary a bit and if they can get that and I think it's Stefanski offense with the way he wants to operate his offense with a mobile quarterback in dart. Yeah, there's, there's potential there. So yeah that's. I think that would be a great landing spot for Stefanski and I think that would be a win for the Giants if they can pull that off.

[C]

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[A]

Yeah, I mean look, the Bears a great year for Ben Johnson. Stud like should be one of the. It was in. Should have been in the running for coach of the year. What he did with them and Caleb Williams was tremendous. But is a team. They. They were the first. They were only the second team since 1985 or the strike year in 82 that had that won a division with a losing division record. 2010 Chiefs were the other team. They easily could have been 0 and 6 in their division. They had an onside kick recovery against the packers and that crazy win. And then they needed a long kickoff return to beat the JJ McCarthy and the Vikings. Otherwise they would have been zero and six in the division. And they had NFL records. Six wins when trailing under two minutes. They easily could have lost to the Raiders. The Commanders they beat both by one. The Bengals with Flacco. They won in the final seconds there. The Giants, they won in the final seconds there. The Vikings, the Steelers with Rudolph and the packers with Willis. Like this team easily could have lost 11 games. So yes, I. I guess also I'll start in the nfc.

[C]

So what was their division record? They got swept by the line four. And they split with the other two teams because JJ beat him week one. You're right.

[A]

Yeah. Two and four. Only two teams since 1982 have won their division with a losing division. Recording wild. Yeah. So especially in that division. That the fact that they still want it is pretty crazy.

[C]

Someone asked me actually in a dm could the Bears be one of the first teams ever to win their division? And like you could make the argument that they're the worst team in the division. It's like, well, I, Minnesota to me with their quarterback situation. The Bears quarterback situation is dramatically better. So I, yes, I, I, I would argue that the packers clearly would have won that division if it didn't just fall off a cliff in December with injuries. Right?

[A]

Yes, yes, agreed.

[C]

And the Lions.

[A]

The Lions.

[C]

Injuries, Coaching situation. But the Lions had coaching situations. It's like Johnny Morton got fired. Dan, I thought you fired him like two months ago. You know, he just got to keep his office. Okay.

[A]

Yeah, the Lions had a bunch of injuries too. Defense, offensive line. But yeah, their coordinator losses and, and the coaching stuff definitely didn't help.

[C]

But.

[A]

All right, so I'll start in the nfc. Like yeah, you, it's, it's so wide open. Because I can nitpick it. Every team. Like the Rams. Yes. Obviously. The Panthers.

[C]

No.

[A]

Clear. No. They cannot win it. The Eagles. Yes. Although that offense, it's scary. The 49ers. No, it's the defense. It's not good enough. So I have Eagles, Rams, the Seahawks. Can I see Darnold winning a Super Bowl? It's hard. But they're the one seed with that defense. You have to put them in there. So that's three. The Bears. No, not with that defense. The Packers, I'm gonna say yes. Did the defense has fallen off with the injuries, especially to Parsons. But I think they beat the Bears. I mean they're the 70s. That's tough. They beat the Bears and then they would play the Seahawks like could you get a Darnold game? Sure. And then like, you know, it's hard for me to see them beating the Rams, but I'll hesitantly put the packers like their offense is going to be healthy now. They can just outscore teams. So that's four in the nfc. In the afc. Your Broncos the one seed. So you have to put them there. Steelers? No. Texans. With that defense. Yeah. Jags? Yes. Bills, yes.

[C]

Patriots?

[A]

Chargers, no. With that offensive line, I guess Patriots, yes. So as the 2 seed, I'm not a full on believer yet. We'll get to that. But yeah, I mean I. In the afc, honestly, the only team I can't see winning it is the Steelers. The Charters offensive line is going to make it tough, but with that defense, Harbaugh, Herbert, I mean you can't completely count them out. So I think the afc like you can tell me any team, but the Steelers got to the Super Bowl.

[C]

Agreed.

[A]

And I wouldn't be shocked.

[C]

Okay, let's just start Saturday afternoon. Rams, massive favorite on the road. Against a team that lost in a winner get in game because it wasn't actually a winner get in game because Atlanta, as we saw, won the game, which for a split second it felt like Tyler Shuck was going to lead him down the field and win the game that he throws the pick. I don't, I haven't even checked the weather in Carolina, but it can be. This isn't. You know, I think when you say some of these southern places, you know, in Tampa it was raining but it wasn't cold. Carolina could get cold. What I know you're a weather guy. Cause you. What's the, the outlook there? This is just stay away from me. The ten and a half, that's a huge number. I thought the Rams, if Jacoby, if that play doesn't get called back. I think they called it a personal foul on the offensive lineman. Wilson caught like a 70 yard bomb and it was 23 to 20, felt like they were going to score. It was going to be 27 to 23. And you're like, what is going. You could see the look on McVeigh's face where he felt a little lost. Like I don't know what to do here.

[A]

Yeah. In a game where he wanted to play as starters to play better, he.

[C]

Was trying to win.

[A]

Yeah. What is going on against a team that has been. That is just basically a practice while with all their injuries that's been getting blown out every week.

[C]

Wilson looked like Puka Nakua in that game. He's making sweet plays.

[A]

Yeah, he was. He was incredible. Incredible year for him. Yeah. So this, if this is at 10 1/2 11, which would be the largest road favorite in NFL playoff history, which is pretty insane. These two teams played in November. The spread closed 10. The Panthers won outright. But it was extremely fluky. I mean the Rams in that game had a 60% success rate. They led the league for the entire season at 50%. They had a 76% rush success rate, which is insane by the way. They led the league there at 50%.

[C]

So.

[A]

But what happened in that game? Well, you had Stafford pick six. You had a fourth down bomb, another fourth down bomb and a third and eight, 35 yard touchdown. Like not sustainable. The Panthers in that game, they only had a 30, what, 38 success rate, which would have been like bottom four in the league. They didn't do much except hit these like very high leverage plays. And the Rams turned it over three times. However, I will say in that game they didn't have any of their linebackers who were hurt. They didn't have J.C. horn who had a concussion, their top corner. They didn't have Morig, their starting safety who was suspended for the at the end of the 49ers game the week before. So they were extremely shorthanded on defense. They still forced Stafford into a bunch of mistakes. And I will say for whatever reason this Stafford has really struggled against his old coordinators, Raheem Morris and Ivo. I think in he's faced them four times and he has 11 interceptions. And Ivo, who I think he's a really good defense coordinator, he doesn't really have a lot of talent to work with in Carolina, but that McVeigh Shanahan tree this year, he kind of owned them. I mean you had Stafford who had the three turnovers and they were completely decimated. Brock Purdy had what, three picks against the Panthers and Jordan Love lost outright to the Panthers at home. So like their defense has something on this and Stafford historically has struggled with defenses. You don't want to blitz him. And I don't think Carolina will blitz. They historically don't. The defenses that disguise their coverages post snap, Stafford has struggled with. If you want to like go into where Stafford struggle, the Panthers disguise their coverages post snap at the highest rate in the league. So I think that they're going to try, you know, they're going to play a ton of COVID three, disguise their coverages, try and take away explosive plays. So I think that they maybe can hang a little bit more than some people think. And also you have to think is Kevin Dotson healthy? The offensive line for the Rams is not the same without him. Is the. How healthy is Devonte Adams? Right. He had two touchdowns in the first meeting. So all this is to say that I'm looking at an under. I want to get a 47. It's at 46 and a half right now. Outdoor totals by the way, in the wild card round. Above 44, 31 and 10 to the under since 2003. That's 76%. Just an incredible clip. But I think that the Panthers defense, which will be healthy this time around, play a lot of zone can. Can they keep the rams to like 28? Sure. And I did this Panthers offense, it's. I can't see them doing much like are they going to hit a bunch of fourth down bombs again? Maybe. But the rushing offense is broken. I mean this is since Week 10. They're 27th in rush success rate, 29th and rush EPA. Their backs are worn down like Bryce Young. I can't see him shredding this Rams defense. So what is the ceiling for the Panthers? It's 17, but I wouldn't be shocked if they only scored 10 points. It's hard for me to see them doing much. Maybe there's some home playoff voodoo with the crowd, which should be excellent, but I think the number's about right. I'm looking at an under here. This, to me, I project is like 2817 Rams. Wouldn't be surprised if it's like 2810 Rams or. Or 2414 somewhere in that ballpark. Another really small little thing. These are two of the best kickoff teams in the NFL as far as opposing starting field position. They both do it really well. So that's just like, you know, an extra 10, maybe 15 yards on some drives that the other offense will have to go. Weather should be good, though. It's like going to be like 60, I think. Not much wind, but it is outdoors. But I'm. I'm looking at the under. I do think the Rams should advance unless it is an extremely fluky game and the Rams still had a chance to win that game despite all those flukes. But I'm looking at under there. Don't really love anything, though.

[C]

Okay. If I had to list the top five games of just that I enjoyed the Most during the 2025 season, I think both Bears and Green Bay games would be there. The first time they matched up at Lambeau was just. The second half was thrilling. And obviously the ending in the second one is one of the crazier things you saw all season long. These games. The Ben Johnson thing has resurrected this rivalry which did not exist because as Aaron Rodgers would tell you, I own. And he did. It was a joke. And I just think there's something cool about this matchup. Now they get to play. I heard a stat that they've only played twice in the history of the playoffs and they've both been in Chicago. One going back to the 40s, and then one was that Cutler game in 2000. I guess it would have been like January 2011. But listen, the Bears never led in either game till the final play, right? It took the onside kick. I just. I. I don't know. I. There's something about me, and I'm a guy that had money on Green Bay to make it to the Super Bowl. I cashed out of that one as it started getting ugly. But I decided I've said I don't even like the Bears because of their defense to make a legitimate run. But I don't know if Green Bay is the team that could take advantage of that. Now obviously they get essentially gave themselves a buy last week. Right. So that's going to help I think. You know, Tom's coming back, they got some reinforcements coming. You think it's serves Jacobs, you know, a little bit to get a breather. I think the problem is I see with them and I've always supported Jordan Love, but Malik Willis has gave their team a rushing element. I'm not calling him Lamar Jackson, but he was huge for them. Right. Movement wise. And that's not really how Jordan Love plays. So this could be extremely cold. The thing that was so cool about the second game is we, you know, in most of our adult lives, you know, unless you go way back to like the Erlock or Briggs days, these Bears home games just haven't mattered. And at night and we get so used to watching like the Ravens and the Steelers and those plays rocking at night or Lambeau rocking at night or Kansas City now you just kind of forget like that place had a collegiate feel to it. I mean that place is going to be on fucking fire. I'm taking the Bears in this game, you know, as a home dog. Ben Johnson, you know, I get LaFleur might be fighting for his Green Bay job.

[A]

Right.

[C]

I mean now he would immediately get another job with one of these franchises. But there is a chance that they don't extend him. Right. If he were to lose this game by like 10 points. Obviously the Green Bay packers are well coached, but I'm going to ride Ben Johnson and a little bit of that Washington Commanders last year. Fairy dust on the franchise this year.

[A]

Yeah, this is the first home playoff game for the Bears since the double doink so crowd will be fired up. I played the packers plus one earlier this week since I made them a favorite. I just went over the Bears like a pretty fluky year. I mean they also were plus 22 turnover margin which led the league. The packers were I think dead even. The Bears led the NFL in takeaways and fewest amounts of giveaways and they still needed like six miraculous wins against bad teams. And I you mentioned last week, I don't think that that's insignificant getting a buy.

[C]

They tried. They tried.

[A]

Yeah, the Bear but the bears like week 18. The both these teams had up their buy was in week five. They both had early season buys and then have dealt with a number of injuries. The packers literally took the week off, spent the week prepping for this game and I mean they did nothing the Packers. If anyone watched that game, I bet the Vikings in that game. The packers had I think seven net passing yards or something. I mean they literally just didn't do anything.

[C]

You loved Minnesota last week. That was like your favorite bet of the week.

[A]

Yeah, they did. They did nothing. I mean they, they, you could tell that. And they just sat everyone so they were going to be rested. They're going to be healthier on offense. Getting Tom back is huge. Love has been, if you look at EPA numbers, been the best quarterback in the NFL with a clean pocket. Well, the Bears can't get pressure. He's gonna have a clean pocket here. He's gonna have his weapons. His offensive line is going to be healthier. And it's. I just trust him over Caleb right now. I mean Caleb, he's had a much, he was improved this year, but I mean he was still bottom three in bad throw rate. You look at completion percentage over expectation and EPA composite. Love was third. Caleb was 28th. Early down, drop back success rate, packers seventh, bears 26. Like there's so I could go on and on. I mean the Bears, it's the big.

[C]

Plays with, with Chicago offensively, yes, but.

[A]

The packers still do a good job of limiting explosive plays. The Bears do not. And the packers hit as many explosives as any team. Like I think that fate could face favor Green Bay. Now Chicago is going to have success running the ball. And the packers defense has fallen off since week 11. Like they were trending towards the top 5 top 10 unit. And then you lost Wyatt and then you obviously lost Parsons who's massive. And the trickle down effect from there is. It can't be overstated. So they've been bad. They've been like a bottom 10 defense since Week 11. The Bears are going to have success running the ball. They do almost against anybody. But I think the packers can limit the explosive plays here. I think Love can do his thing against. I mean this Bears defense is bad. I mean if you remove turnovers, they're 30th in EPA per play. They're 26th and early down, drop back success rate without turnovers. Like they can't stop anything. They can't get pressure, they can't stop the run, they can't stop the pass. So. And this Packer, while the Bears were pretty lucky in turnovers in close games, the packers were pretty unlucky. Like they, they went 03 in games they didn't punt. The rest of the NFL went eight. No, it only happened 11 times. So. Yeah. And here's another stat that it's going to come up in a couple games. Caleb's been better this year. Still has his warts. I think Johnson will slowly keep him, keep getting him better. But this is his first playoff start since 2003. Quarterbacks making their first playoff start against the quarterback who has playoff experience. 20 and 39, straight up. 20 and 40, 20, 39 and 1. Excuse me. 20 and 40 straight up, 20, 39 and 1 against the spread. Very, very bad. Also applies to May versus Herbert. So love it. You just never know this first playoff game, even at home, there's nerves, there's jitters. And historically hasn't gone well. Especially when you're facing a quarterback who already has that playoff experience under his belt. So I did play the packers when they were a dog.

[C]

I think the crappy part for Bears fans, if you lose this game, if they would have drawn the 49ers or they would have drawn the Rams and you lose in the first round, I think people been like, take it a couple weeks and be like, that was an awesome season. I think losing to the packers would tame it a little bit. Especially coming into Chicago. That would suck. There's just a lot, there's a sneaky lot on the line.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

For. I think the way we look at the Bears moving forward for LaFleur, I mean that's another kind of elephant in the room no one's really talking about. Ed Policy said this off season, like, yeah, we gotta see now it's the NFL, not college. He technically come back on a one year deal. Shane Steichen and Ballard are doing it, but Green Bay doesn't really operate like that. So it's, it'd be, it's going to be interesting.

[A]

It would be a sour ending for the Bears. And then especially because then you're like, we lost the Packers. We didn't win a playoff game. He lost it at home. And now we have a first place schedule next year.

[C]

Yeah, that too. Because they had the last place schedule this year.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And they still won two and four in the division. I didn't realize for some reason I thought 3 and 3. But. Sunday, if, if I was. If we treated the NFL like we did college football, I think there would be people voting. Jacksonville is the number one team in the country. Like they are red hot. You watch them, they look fantastic. I mean the team speed, the physicality, obviously how good their quarterback looks. But defensively, I mean, and I get it was the Titans, but there was a moment in that game when the linebacker had to pick and they were just vibing. You're like, God, this feels like a college team right now that is just rolling. That being said, I'm taking Josh Allen. I don't feel great about this at all. And if Josh, if the Bills lose this game, which it wouldn't shock me if we look up and the score is like 35 to 20 and I'll bet on Jacksonville from then on forward, I think they can win the Super Bowl. But if not now, then when there's no Lamar, there's obviously no Mahomes. It's never been this wide open for them. They have clearly the last couple years it's like Baltimore, Kansas City. Who were better teams than them? Kansas City we could debate. But definitely that year, you know, they beat Baltimore and then they lost to Kansas City. And I thought Baltimore was better last year in that second round game. And I just think that that thing could get really weird really fast. I just wonder if you just get Josh Allen on a mission and maybe I'm being an idiot even thinking like this in Jacksonville rolls them. But speaking about the Bears, speaking about, you know, some of these places, Kansas City forever, what Seattle's gonna have, you know, what you guys had in Baltimore. When you get home games, Jacksonville doesn't really have a home field advantage. So I, I don't think that really like phases Buffalo. This isn't going on the road to Kansas City, which they are very, very comfortable. I mean, they've been in these environments now for how many years playing in these. The biggest playoff games of the year. Right. And they've, they've lost a lot of them. But I, I'm taking the Bills here. I do not feel great about this. And I think if he gets by this game, I think they could go on a legit role and they could win the Super Bowl.

[A]

Yeah, it sucks. This is the first, this is the matchup in the first round because the Jags are as hot as any team. And then the Bills with Alan, without having to worry about my homes and Lamar, like this is, this looks like their year and one of these teams is going to be sitting at home Sunday night. So yeah, I think the winner of this game is very live to win the afc.

[C]

Are you surprised that the Bills, like, I mean, the Bills are favored in this game? Is it just based on history? Because if it was reversed and Jacksonville is going to Buffalo, but you know, the Bills were playing like Jacksonville and I think Jacksonville had just had the season the Bills had. I feel like the Bills would be favored by like 7 points if it was reverse, right?

[A]

Yeah. I mean the Jags look, the Jags come in, they've won eight in a row now. You could. Now the schedule hasn't been great.

[C]

Some Titans, Colts in there.

[A]

It's a lot of Titans, a lot of Colts in there, the Jets. But you have to there, there is merit to it when you blow out the Chargers blow them out of the water. And then you went to Denver and you beat them handedly in Denver. So and what is. So what has happened to the. And by the way eight games. So they've won eight in a row. The Bills have lost eight straight road playoff games. It's been a very long time. McDermott is 0 and 5 on the road now. Most of them 1 in 4 against the spread. Most of them have come against Kansas City. One against Jacksonville way back I think in like 2017. And the Jags have, they have been very good at home this year. They're 7 and 1 against the spread. That's the, the best cover mark in the league covering by 14 points per game. They're. And they're six and two against the spread in the first half covering by over seven points per game. The Bills in the first half on the road against the spread 3 and 5. Why do I bring that up? I play the Jags first half so first half moneyline. But let me just, let me first touch on the Jags improvement. So what has happened? Well since they went and got Jacoby Myers has been a revelation for them. I mean they're. They're top four in drop back success rate and drop back epa. So Lawrence has really benefited from that. But there's other things that happened. BTJ got healthier. Cole Strange, their star tight end came back from injury also just a natural improvement of the Liam Cohen offense as they started to get a handle of it in his first year there. And then they moved Cole Van Lan and they inserted him at starting tackle. Kicked Walker a little inside and band landed. They just signed him to extension. Has been a revelation of tackle. Little has really struggled there. Looks better suited for the guard. So like all tight end, you know offensive line changes, you add Myers, you know you get healthier pass catchers. Like there's reasons why this offense is starting to hum and it's not like this. Bill's defense is great. Additionally the Jaguars defense, Monteric Brown has been a revelation at corner after Jordan Lewis went down. Jerry and Lewis kicked back into the slot. They, they are also getting healthier. They've been dominant against the run all year. Top 5 rush success rate. There's Antonio Johnson at safety's playing really well out of nowhere. So there's, there's real thing. And their special teams are incredible. They have a kicker who's an alien. He can make, make them from 70, 70 yards.

[C]

68 the other day. Yeah, 7.

[A]

67. And I love Liam Cohen and if you look Trevor Law and Trevor Lawrence, a lot of those improvements since all those things I mentioned have come against zone defense. Right. Over the first nine weeks of the year, he was like 19th in success rate. Against zone. Since week 10, he's third. Why is that important? Do the Bills play a ton of zone? So why am I playing the Jags first half? Well, number one, the Jags in the first halves of games have been incredible. A lot of that is the Liam Cohen script. And Trevor Lawrence in particular has benefited from that in the first half. Lawrence 13th and EPA plus completion percentage over expectation for the full season. 14th adjusted EPA per play. It's even better than that since week 10. But that's the full season. In the second half, Lawrence 32nd in a EPA plus completion percentage over expectation and 21st in success rate. His numbers fall off. That's a lot of the script wearing off, right? And a lot of what Liam Cohen does early on in games. How about Josh Allen first has. He's 25th in EPA plus completion percentage over expectation. 21st in adjusted EPA per play, 24th in success rate. Second half. Second. Second. First. Fourth quarter.

[C]

First.

[A]

First. First. The Bills have not started well many times here. And why? Well, they come out and they want to run the ball. That's by design. That's what they want to do. And they want to wear teams down. But you still have Josh Allen and. But they, they, their script isn't great. They just want to run the ball. That's going to go into the teeth of the Jags defense. So Jags at home with this script, I think they get a lead. Where are the Jags still vulnerable. I do still think it's their secondary. So Allen from behind in the second half. I'm not betting against that, against this Jags defense. So once like Allen has to be unleashed. I think it could be a flood coming for this Buffalo offense. But I think that there's some distinct advantages in that Cohen script early on that Jacksonville can take advantage of. So I did play him first half Moneyline against Buffalo. I've just seen it too many times. And also keep in mind Buffalo's kicking situation. Prather got hurt, got hurt last week. We Will see if he's healthy enough or if they have to work out a kicker. It's a big kicking advantage for Jacksonville. But I did play Jags first half. That's kind of how I see this where, like, I think Cone's gonna have some amazing screens drawn up and they're gonna have success early on. But Josh Allen, once he has to. Once they just have to unleash him against the, you know, his own heavy defense, it could be trouble. So that's how I think it probably plays out. I think like Jags get out to a lead and then they're gonna have to hold on. And it's probably Allen that leads the Bills back to victory. And I agree with you. If they win this, if they win that game, I think they probably go to the Super Bowl.

[C]

Okay. Another team that was super bowl aspirations because they're the defending champs. The Eagles minus four and a half at home. According to Hard Rock Bet the 49ers injury list got way uglier last week. They lost both linebackers. Who won both. You know, Tatum Bethune was already banged up. He's Fred Warner's replacement. He's out.

[A]

He's out for the year, right?

[C]

Yeah, done. And if this was October, he'd be in trouble. It'd probably be a season D winners got injured. He's in major trouble. Ricky Piersoll, by all accounts, re injured, his PCL or whatever. I think he is major up in the air. And we saw how important he was when they got rolling in those games against the Bears and the Colts for their offense and you felt his absence. You know, Trent, I would guess that he's going to tough it out, but, I mean, he's got a legitimate hamstring injury. Not even counting all the other injuries that they have. I just don't think you can have that many injuries on defense when your defense was already, you know, on the front seven was in shambles and have a chance. And the Eagles would be crazy to not basically run at every play. And if they do, I don't know. They've been waiting all year. Unleash Jalen to move around a little bit. That could also be a huge advantage. It's like the 49ers have guys. Eric Hendricks is going to start. Eric Hendricks was unemployed. I mean, that's. But that shows you where they're at. So, I mean, their best players are up in suites with casts and knee sleeves on. I just don't know how they play defense because their margin for error on offense, which is now Banged up. Like, it's a lot different in there with Pearsall with a healthy Kiddle and Juwan, then when he's missing. It's crazy how, you know, dependent they are on them. And Philly rests everybody. And they're getting Lane Johnson back. Who. I mean, this. This is not a big challenge for him against the guys the Niners are rolling out. I mean, Huff's not bad, but I just don't think. I think the 49ers just had a gas. They're like a car that's been on empty for a while. That. That Bears game, they were able to win because the Bears defense is atrocious. But you saw last week in Seattle, they just. They made Kenneth Walker and Charbonnet look like the best running back duo in American history. It wasn't. I mean, it was a joke. That third and. What was it? 17, man, that was a backbreaker. John lynch wanted to jump out of.

[A]

Third and 17, sweep that. That goes for a first time. That should only happen in, like, the Mac on a Tuesday night.

[C]

And honestly, kind of easily. It's not like he had to break three times. I mean, he's one cut.

[A]

One cut and he was there.

[C]

I. I just think so. Saquon Barkley, the running ability, the one advantage the 49ers have is that Philly, that place can just get weird. It doesn't feel like the fans really love this team. They've been a tough watch. They've gone into these huge spells. If they do have trouble scoring against the 49ers, then I think it's fair. Just, I'm out on the Eagles. I'm just completely out. Yeah, I like Philly in this game, and I think the 49ers, it's impressive what they've done with their injuries. The reason Kyle makes a lot of money is because a lot of these coaches did. Losing all over the league would lose in this situation with all these injuries. And he got to 12 wins, and you can tell me the schedule that they still won. I mean, that Bears game is a game that most coaches in the league can't pull off, right?

[A]

Yeah. No. Shannon did an incredible job. I wanted to fade the Eagles. I'm totally out on the offense, but I just can't here in this particular matchup with all the injuries. I mean, Luke Gifford, too, the other linebacker for the 49ers, dealing with a quad injury. Like, they could have their top four linebackers all out, including Warner. It's bleak. Now, I will say, though, the Eagles offense, legitimately just beats itself against it doesn't matter who they play will beat itself for like a whole half every week. So I mean, go look at the Dallas game. Dallas is an atrocious defense. They didn't score in the second half in that game. There's a number of examples of like they just can't do anything. And like the 49ers, what, what's they do have an advantage with Salah versus Petula. Like that's a huge advantage. So what is Salah going to do here? I assume like because the 49ers defense since all these injuries has been really bad, especially Warner and Bosa. But then you just add on more injuries, it makes it worse. The one thing they've done is they limit explosive plays both on the ground and through the air. And they hold up well in the red zone. Like that's got to be their goal here. Just limit explosive plays, make the Eagles drive the field, get stops in the red zone. Now the Eagles are number one in the league in red zone touchdown rate 70%. I don't buy that. That's a very high, a lot of variance in that stat from season to season. And like last year they had a way better offense. They were 55%. So I could see some potential. Like there's some looming regression coming for the Eagles. Like they could just end up settling for a bunch of field goals here. So I, I ended up playing the under here outdoor under. There's going to be impactful wins. It's hard for me to see the 49ers offense having much success. I don't think Pearsall is going to be 100%. I'm not even sure Williams will go and this for and this Eagles defense will be rested. Fangio historically has gotten the better of Shanahan. I think they've met five times head to head. Whether channel's a coordinator. Head coach Shannon has yet to clear 15 points. Has averaged about 10 and a half points per game. So yeah, like the Eagles are number one against tight ends. They're number one against short passes. Like the one weak area of this Eagles defense is their, their second corner on the outside which is be beautiful. Be very nice to have a healthy pier saw to take advantage of that. But that, that, that's not even the case here with the PCL injury. Not even sure he suits up.

[C]

So their, their linebacker play is just so good against the Niners run game which you know, you throw Jordan Davis some of the bodies they have. I mean Fangio's turned Hunt into pretty high end player. See he's got. He. He's got three picks and he had three more picks than the Jets.

[A]

Yeah, I insane. So like it's hard for me to see the Port. And you look at this 49ers offense. You mentioned Pearsall. They exploded down the stretch. But when they had a play, when they had a step up, you know against the Seahawks went even all year when they stepped up in class against defenses like they averaged only 17 points against the seven top 10 defenses that they played. I think that's like their ceiling here.

[C]

Their online got worked against Seattle. I mean that's destroyed the Jalen Carter and. And Hunt and the linebackers. Blitzen gotta be licking their chops to go up against these guys. I mean pleasant if he's gotta play. I mean it was tough matchup but Jesus. I mean there's. You talk about a. A fall from Trent to that guy. I mean pretty big. Yeah. McKivitz, the Niners love him. But I mean I. Let's not. Let's not pretend he's Lane Johnson or anything. Yeah.

[A]

So I, so I played the under like I think the 49ers ceiling here without flukes and Eagles don't turn the ball over 17 points. Can the 49ers hold the Eagles under 28? Like keep them the 28 or below? I think so. Like the Eagles only got the 30 plus four times this year against the Raiders. They got the 31 against the Giants, which is their only explosion really. They got to 38. They got to 31 against the Bucks and then they got the 33 against the Rams when they because of a field goal block with no time left. So really only three times all year and they played some bad defenses and there's a, there's a. There's a real scenario here where the Eagles are up two touchdowns and there's no one better that just bleeds out the entire second half with like a 12 minute drive. They're like a service academy. I mean this is a team that won two games this year without completing a pass in the second half. The NFL record. So I played the under. I would lean Philly with you. It's. I think the injuries to San Fran are too much to overcome on the road here and the defense just isn't good enough. It's too hard to win the NFL when you can't get pressure.

[C]

Look, this morning Hard Rock Bed had the Chargers getting four points on the road in New England.

[A]

I.

[C]

My. I'm going to keep this pretty simple here. Harbaugh, Herbert on the road against a team like the one thing you would say about New England that they're not exactly rolling out. Jalen, Carter and Hunt coming after you from a pass rush standpoint.

[A]

So 27th adjusted pressure rate so you.

[C]

Can'T take advantage of their offensive line. I have seen Harbaugh, I like, like Shanahan in a situation where he, you know, Shanahan doesn't have enough right now, but Harbaugh has enough to like win a playoff game. I like the Chargers in the spot plus four. Now, I don't know if they win the game, but this is a spot. Now there's a pressure on Herbert, right? Plays that playoff game last year. All the haters came out of the woodworks because it was ugly. I mean, it's probably the worst game he's ever played in his entire life going back to like peewee football. So I think he's got a lot to play for. I just think the, the Harbaugh mentality. And this goes back Fangio was talking about this when asked about some of his teams back in the day with Jim. They are built, you know, from a physicality standpoint, from a toughness standpoint. How just their mentality on defense. Now they got to run the ball. You know, I've been a little, you know, I'm not the biggest Hampton guy, but I like the Chargers in this spot. Now New England, there is no disputing, you know, from a coaching standpoint. They're going to be ready. I mean, Josh is. How many games has Josh been an offensive coordinator in. In January games? My guess would be like 50.

[A]

I mean, I don't know.

[C]

It's got to be close to an NFL record for being the pure offensive coordinator, not offensive coordinator and you know, the head coach like a Mike Shanahan or an Andy Reid. I'm just talking the only. I'm only an offensive coordinator. He has to own the record. And obviously Variables had a ton of success in playoff games. Some of those right came on the road. Though he did lose the home game against Cincinnati. In fairness to him, Tannehill played like me or you in that game. He's throwing a bunch of picks. It was atrocious. But I like the Chargers in this spot. I know their offensive line. I'm not like picking them to go on some crazy run here, but I think they are an extremely live dog going on the road against New England. First time you brought up first time playoff games for rookie quarterback or not. He's not a Rookie quarterback.

[A]

But first start against the quarterback has playoff experience. Yeah, historically that has not gone well, even at home.

[C]

And he, and listen, he's been awesome. I'm not some Drake May hater at all, but a little like Caleb, like at usc, they didn't really play in that many important games. He definitely didn't at North Carolina. So it's not like, well, he started Obama for two years or LSU or Ohio State. Like this is his first year kind of in the bright lights. Let's be real.

[A]

This is also the hardest defense by far he'll have faced all year. I mean, The Chargers are second EPA allowed over the past 10 week. 10 weeks. I mean, the, the Pats played nobody all year. I mean you, you want. And then their defense, even their defense, this, these are the. They only played one team with a winning record all year. That's it. One team.

[C]

Bills.

[A]

The Bills. And they split with them. And then their schedule, which is the easiest in 25 years, was even easier than that because they faced the Ravens with Tyler Huntley, they faced the Saints with Spencer Rattler. They faced the Browns or the Bengals with Joe Flacco. They faced the Browns with Dylan Gabriel, the Jets with Justin Fields, the Dolphins with Quinn Ewers, the Jets with Brady cook. I mean, 11 of their 14 wins basically came over rookies or backup quarterbacks or quarterbacks that were benched. It unprecedented easy schedules, they're hard to price. But like, who's the third best quarterback they faced or the second because Lamar only played like a quarter, like a quarter and a half. So they played Josh Allen. Who's the second best quarterback they face? I guess I would say Baker. And that was in the second half of the year where he was either hurt or I don't know what happened. He was one of the worst quarterbacks in the league over the second half of the year and they were missing like a bunch of weapons out. And then the next. How about the third best quarterback they faced this year? I don't, I don't. Bryce Young. I don't even know. Flacco maybe. I have no idea. So this will be a big test for their defense, which is dealt with injuries late in the season. And, and Drake May. And Drake May's been incredible. His deep ball is incredible. But this is the Chargers defense under Minter that takes away the deep ball as well as any defense in the league. And May, he did get away with a number of throws this year. I mean he finished 31 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, but 26 big time throws. 17 turnover worthy plays. You go back to that Ravens game, he should have thrown a couple picks so I wouldn't be shocked if Minter tricks him in to a couple interceptions. The PAT's also pretty lucky when it came to fumbles this year. They also went 18 of 25 on fourth downs and their opponents went just 10 of 30.

[C]

And so like they got commanders thing to them.

[A]

Yes, very much so. And here's where so Minter is going to run a ton of zone prevent explosive plays, make the PAT score in the red zone. And the Chargers two straight seasons have been elite in the red zone. Charters offense isn't great in the red zone but this pat's defense was bottom three in red zone defense and they played I just told you the schedule they played so yeah I agree. And and herbert by the way 12, 2 and 1 against the spread is an underdog of more than a field goal. To wrap it all back to what you said initially I wrote this game up for Action Network. This was my sentence. I said I'll happily take an elite quarterback in staff with the clearly superior defense catching over a field goal in the playoffs against a quarterback making his first career postseason start. Yeah, give me the Chargers here.

[C]

Okay, we'll we will get the nightcap on Monday with a team that took a windy missed field goal from not even being in this spot. Now they do get DK Metcalf back. Cam Hayward looked like he was 28 years old in that game. He was edible. You know TJ was a step slow in that last play to likely and then he blasted Lamar but felt like you felt the pressure from other guys. Now maybe if you go back and look at the all 22 they were keeping an eye on him more. I mean Jalen Ramsey blew that that one play. Clearly he bit on it and he was in no man's land. And Zay Flowers just walked to the end zone. I mean this defense I just hard to trust the Steelers in this spot now underdog at home. They haven't lost a Monday Night Football game since like 1991. Am I getting that stat right?

[A]

Yeah, I think 33 years.

[C]

Yeah. So it's been a while.

[A]

I now they lost a Monday afternoon game in the COVID year don't count.

[C]

Don't count.

[A]

I know it doesn't count but I'm saying I was looking back at it it was weird. They they moved a game to like five o' clock that that year was there was like Tuesday games, Wednesday games. But yeah 33 straight.

[C]

Do the Texan strengths Take advantage of what Pittsburgh stinks at. Like, he'll get rid of the ball fast. He's not looking. He might throw a lot of pass attempts, but it's not like he's running around back there. Is there a little upset potential here? Now, I'm, I'm rooting for the Texans here. I'm going to take the Texans minus three. But I, I could see where this thing's a little close at halftime. You know, we talk about the voodoo, the magic in Pittsburgh. Hell, we just saw it.

[A]

That's all you got to look at. Bounce off.

[C]

Like three guys bounced off guys, chess. I mean, hell, even the touchdown for Rogers, I mean, the DB slips falls down. Now, in fairness, that was happening to Baltimore, too. They're blowing coverages, but that whole thing just got wacky for both guys.

[A]

Yeah, that was crazy.

[C]

You know, if they lose this game, is Tomlin next? I mean, are we. Does Harbaugh get fired on a Tuesday? Does Tomlin get fired or, slash traded or go to TV next week? Who knows?

[A]

I, I, I, I, I.

[C]

You know, I could see Pittsburgh putting up a little fight here, but I, I do think if the Texans offense just shows up, I don't know, it's going to be a tough match, especially because the DB play, I mean, you, Lassiter and Stingley, you know, can neutralize. I mean, those guys can play.

[A]

So Lassiter has to play. I believe they just held him out for precautionary reasons last week, so he's been dealing with an injury. I'm, I'm assuming he'll let go. Like not DNP or limited practice, then full on Friday and play the drop off to Traymond Smith. I think is. It's a crater if he's in there. Yeah, it's hard for me. Like, Petrie will be huge in this game, defending a lot of what the Steelers want to do. They might miss Darnell Washington here. You got to remember, the Sears offense wasn't doing anything against the Ravens, who can't get any pressure until Kyle Hamilton might be like the most valuable defensive player in the league. He went out, they averaged like 3.5 yards before Hamilton went out and then 6.8 after. I mean, he's basically like an all playing, like an all pro linebacker. He, he does everything for them.

[C]

When you put Petrie kind of in that world, I mean, he's a pretty unique player.

[A]

Yeah, he can, because he can defend the run.

[C]

He's a stud. I love that guy.

[A]

Yeah, I love him. I, they really missed him last year when he went down. But yeah, I mean like this is historically dome teams, these indoor teams that go on the road in the playoffs when it's under 30 degrees, I think they're like 1 in 14 their last 15 games. They don't do well. And now you got to do.

[C]

Texans had to account for a lot of those. Right. For a lot of those J.J. watt shop teams. They would win at home and then the second round would go on the road to New England. Go on the road to whoever. And lose.

[A]

Yeah. So yeah. How did the Texans handle that? They're. The Steelers are going to blitz a ton, I assume, and Stroud's been very poor against the blitz. Can their offensive line hold up? Rodders been bad against pressure. I assume it's gonna be a lot of quick passes, a lot of game. Well, the total's 39 and a half. So like this, this spread was three and a half. I think it made sense. I wish I took some three and a half to clear out the three nows and what should be a low scoring game probably comes down to like a fluky player too. Could see the Steelers winning.

[C]

How about the one Roger scramble where he kind of found himself in no man's land and I just stopped. I was like, what was that?

[A]

That was hilarious. So if I had to, I'd take the points, but would have. Would have preferred three and a half. Still got to dig into that some more on a Monday night. By the way, if I had a quick question, I always. I don't think I've asked you before.

[C]

If you had a pick.

[A]

If you were. If I. You were kidnapped and you were held in a TD less prison and they, they allowed you to leave for one weekend of the NFL playoffs, would you choose wild card weekend, divisional round or conference championships?

[C]

I'd probably choose the second round because you get more games. So I get Saturday and Sunday, so I get a couple days of life. Feels like by then you got the best teams, kind of get rid of the riff raff this week you don't.

[A]

Have like a Panthers Rams game.

[C]

Yeah. So I probably choose now. You get a little more inventory, you know, do I get three days away from my captures? You know, do I get Saturday, Sunday and Monday? So I mean. But I would probably choose the second round.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

I think in that scenario. So let's, let's get out of here on college football like we did with the super bowl, you know, I mean now we have 14. I think it's fair to say all four teams could win the national championship. Ole Miss pretty heavy underdog relative to the other two. Indiana heavy favorite right now. Like +120 to win the Natty. I do think Miami, I mean I will get into this. I like Miami a lot in this game and I just think they're, you know, to get them 3 to 1 to win the Natty, where the Natty is going to be at home if they're crazy, which is a pretty, pretty cool for them. I mean it's, you know, Indiana's had the turnout they've had in these games, rightfully so at Ohio State or in the Rose Bowl. It just feels like these Indiana home games, that would be the first time where it's like that Miami thing would be pretty special. Mario, the offensive line. I also think Oregon and I was telling Coward this. You know, a lot of Dan Lanning's things, like his whole mantra and his pregame speeches, they're favored in a lot of these games. So he's having to like manipulate them a little bit. I think he's learned this from Saban and Kirby now. He's like a legitimate underdog. Like, I don't think you're going to meet many people that aren't like, yeah, I think Indiana is going to most people picking Indiana to win the national championship and they are legitimately an underdog on paper. I would just imagine most people are not picking Oregon. They, you know, the thing with Saban and Kirby, they didn't get to be the dog a lot of times, but when they did, they could go into fucking rare form.

[A]

And against the team that beat you on your home field.

[C]

Yeah. So they've played. I saw their linebacker being interviewed yesterday. He's like, you know, coming off that Penn State game, we might have had a little bit of just overlooked him.

[A]

I wouldn't have said that. I wouldn't have said that.

[C]

I wouldn't either because then I would have said nothing.

[A]

I would have said, you say nothing to Sig. Like you, you have all that advantage in, in house. I wouldn't have said anything now.

[C]

You know, to me, my Miami, he's just a tough violence. Rah, rah, we're gonna kick ass. Ole Miss, I don't even know Pete's thing, but those two guys, Sig and Dan are classic. Like use every different angle, create a story chip on his shoulder. I do think Oregon is just. Everyone's overlooking them and obviously Indiana is. I mean the, the two game stretch. He's had the greatest two game stretch in the history of the program. They beat Ohio State to win the conference and then they it felt like they ended Alabama who feel like they're kind of in shambles right now struggling to get transfer portal guys but that's a whole another Ty Simpson just left But I think they want to go with the five star so it's not even Ty Simpson wasn't coming back right to be their starting quarterback. So it's not even that weird depending on where he went. I I just I think Miami and Oregon would be interesting. I, I, I'm not counting out Oregon in this spot. So just to win an ash can can all four teams win the national championship?

[A]

Yeah, I think so. They I got there's it's hard to, it's hard to really price and quantify the of like what's Ole Miss right now. Like they have more got more guys on the staff aren't going to be on with them. Like what does that do and how much of an impact. We've never seen anything like this so there's no precedent. Like it's pretty crazy. So this does that hurt over time? I I don't know but this Trinidad Chambliss, I mean that second half against Georgia he looked like prime Lamar. It looks like it was insane the way that he's playing like and that's going to that's critical. He's like unsackable, unpressurable and that's what you need to do against Miami because bane and mess door just wrecking saying the statue so he, he just creates plays and buys time. That's going to be huge against Miami. Mario vs. Joe Judge Clock management so whoever's up with a minute to go is probably going to lose.

[C]

But the thing is they ran the ball obviously Lacy's a really good player. I was reading that you know Miami is a top five run defense but really like the way they're playing right now, there's probably no one better like in the country. You know when you factor in how they've really brought it the last couple weeks if they could run the ball and got some big spots against Georgia who clearly and you've been hammering this is not built like Miami right now. Their defensive line doesn't look like that. This is a different level and so part of Trinidad who like you said was awesome that that game was theater it didn't get any more entertaining than that. Is he going to be able to do that? Like you're like well you just did it against Georgia. Well that ain't the Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith Georgia. That's a Little bit different and I think that's why Kirby wasn't that mad after. It's not like he thought he just lost with his best team. He knows pretty flawed where this Miami thing like that front, that defense in general. I do think if they can't run the ball and I do think it's going to be difficult. I kind of like I did a little alt lines and Miami's going to.

[A]

Be able to run the ball here.

[C]

I, I don't think I, I think it's possible Miami wins this game by like 10 plus points and you, you can get plus odds if you get like minus six and a half because right now it's a three and a half. But you got to lay some juice on Miami if you go up to around a touchdown you like. I, I kind of, I, I think Miami has a chance to just kind of physically overwhelm these guys because I don't think Ole Miss has really felt that because the SEC physically wasn't an overwhelming conference, which is weird to say this season.

[A]

Yeah, no, you, you're, you're right. Oh, it's going to come out of the Chambliss. Can he. Can. What kind of plays can he make an extending Blaze against that Miami front? I also kind of like the over here. I know Miami's played under games but Ole Miss is going to pump up the tempo, try to wear down that defensive line. We saw them get kind of weird worn down against Ohio State when Ohio State went to the two minute draw. Other than that, Ohio State's a snail, but I think they're going to, they're going to use tempo here and then you're going to see this Miami offense I think need to do more and they should be able to, they're going to be able to run the ball on this Ole Miss, Dan. They're probably gonna hit some more explosive plays. This is also on a track in Glendale that the field conditions are very slippery and the games always go over here. So I kind of like the over. I think it's gonna be an exciting game. Ole Miss special teams don't sleep on them. By the way, that Carnero, that kicker, he's incredible.

[C]

Yeah, he is.

[A]

But yeah, Miami would. It would be amazing story if they got the national title in Miami after all the controversy of them getting in. And then they could play Oregon who's like bouncing all around the country. They're playing in Atlanta and they could end up having to go to Miami for the national title to play Miami. I don't Think that Oregon doesn't have a chance. But I do think Indiana is going to win. But I need three to bet it. I need three. Like a flat three. I make it like four. A little over four. Well, how does Indiana keep doing this? I mean one of the. If you go back to that original Oregon game and I watched it again the other day, it was they just beat him up the line of scrimmage. And one of the main differences between these rosters and is Oregon is very young. Like they have more talent, more blue chips, but they're very young this year. Like this is supposed to be kind of a rebuilding year for Oregon.

[C]

24 touchdowns by true freshmen. Like a NCAA record or, or led the country insane.

[A]

Yeah, like they lost a ton of draft picks, rebuilt their, their, their lines and Indiana is like a team of all like 24 year olds. So. And that showed in the first meeting. They pressured more on 20 of his 40 drop backs. Sacked him I think five or six times. He was under fire the entire game. Indiana was able to run the ball, Oregon wasn't. And then Indiana was able to get pressure. Oregon wasn't consistently so that was the difference. And then Indiana just wins games with execution. They are the most this team and part of that is the veteran nature and the coaching staff. And Signetti is incredible. But like here's where the game could be decided. Third down defense. Indiana 29. That's fourth in the country. Oregon's 40th third down offense. Indiana 55% best in the country by far. That 55% is elite. Elite. You've probably seen that five times over the past 10 years. Oregon 43% still good. But 28. How about giveaways? They don't turn it over. 0.6 per game. That's fourth. Oregon, very good point six. But 20th penalties per game. Indiana 3.4. That's third in the country. Oregon 5.2, 33rd. So Oregon is very good in all those little things. But Indiana's elite, like they don't turn over. They don't, they don't commit penalties, they don't let you convert on third downs. And they convert on third downs because. And their average, the distance to go on third downs, the lowest in the nation because they're able to run the ball and they should be able to run the ball a bit on Oregon here. But I'm not laying three and a half. I think it'll be a competitive game. The biggest X factor in this game is and especially as an underdog, there's something about coaches Named Dan Degenerate Dan Lanning. You know, he's going to go for it a bunch on fourth, which he should as an underdog. And they're, there's. I mean he went for it seven times I think against Texas Tech.

[C]

I thought he was being a little reckless early. You know, their defense was good. You could win this game, Dan, like nine to three. What are you doing?

[A]

Once you go up two possessions in that game, it was over. Yeah, I disagree with them. That's his nature though and like that's kind of his identity system similar to Dan Campbell. So you know, but I think that's. That works in his favor here when you're an underdog.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

So that's going to. There's going to be a couple of swing plays there on fourth downs that could end up deciding this game. I like Indiana to win, but I wouldn't be completely shocked if Oregon won. I think both, both are going to be good games.

[C]

Indiana wins. They'd obviously be favored against Ole Miss.

[A]

Seven, seven. Seven and a half over Ole Miss.

[C]

What's the line against Miami? One?

[A]

I would say probably. I'm going to say three and a half.

[C]

The thing would be is like Miami and Indiana kind of similar. Like, like you said Indiana dominates the line of scrimmage.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And I didn't realize the kid that broke his leg high five in the fan was a transfer portal guy from.

[A]

The Mac from Kent State.

[C]

They had turned him into like led the league or led the country in tfl. So I was like they are finding guys. It'd be one thing. It's like when you know you get quinch on junkins from Ole Miss. He's been the SEC freshman of the year. And finding transfer portals like that, it's another thing to find Chambliss from Ferris State or a dude from Kent State. Like that's high level transfer portal personnel work. That's badass. I respect Indiana because they're transferring. Even Mendoza and I get his brother's on the team. Like it's not like he was coming from usc, he's coming from Cal. Did they even have they go to bowl game the previous year? I don't think they did.

[A]

No. No. That Signetti is like famous for this and like grinds tape and finds These gents the 40, your 49ers the year before they, they plucked CJ west from Kent State who turned into a stud and got drafted.

[C]

Oh, he's a transfer portal guy too.

[A]

God, yeah. From Kent State. And yeah this they're. They might they didn't miss him last week, but like their blitz, their blitz packages and pressure packages are amazing. They had or I'm curious to see the Oregon adjustments because they, they could not block Indiana. Their, their third down blitz packages and Indiana some of the best in the country. Now obviously Oregon's gonna have a counter to that, but you would also expect Indiana to not do some of the same things. So I can't wait for that chess match.

[C]

But.

[A]

But yeah, Signetti finds just incredible gems in the portal. Actually, I think, I think Indiana, like if Indiana dominates again, they might be. It depends how dominant these things are, but it might be like four and a half over Miami, seven and a half over Ole Miss. But obviously that could change. I think that's like what it would be today. But if one of these teams looks really good, then that'll change injuries as well.

[C]

Would it be the craziest thing we've ever seen? You know, I don't, you know, I know when Jim Valvano jumped up and down at NC State like back in the 80s, but I mean I was born 84. It doesn't feel like we've had. Now it's a little different. I mean, he's spending a lot of money, right? I mean he is buying these guys the transfer portal. You wouldn't even had access to the Kent State guys, right, because you couldn't transfer. You have to sit out. So it's, it's not an apples to apples comparison. It's more realistic like what he's doing now. You're more capable to do that with the rules. But still, even with the rules, no one in a million years, even last year I thought like a great year. It's like they'll come back to earth a little bit. And they are clearly dramatically better in just in terms of like unfazed by the bright lights. I mean that game against Bama was like, Jesus, I get Bama's not great. But that was. That looked like a Saban team would do to a team that didn't belong to be there. That's what happened to them last year against Notre Dame. It's like, hey, you don't belong to be here.

[A]

Yeah. I mean they made Alabama quit in that game. I mean back to the things they held Alabama and Ohio State with all those receivers of 13 total combined points.

[C]

I can't think the quarterback's really good and you got the number one. That's the other thing. They have the number one picket quarterback on a team that clearly is really good with a Bunch of. I text an NFL buddy, I'm like, how many high end guys? Like, they don't have too many high end guys. Like, they're, they're left tackle. That's the offense. You know, he's. I think a lot of people view him as a future guard, but he's an NFL player, but he's not. No one's viewing him like Trent Williams or something.

[A]

Right.

[C]

So they got a lot of guys like that. You know, Surat, really good college player. He's not going to go. He's not going to be like a top 10 pick. He's not. Malik Neighbors.

[A]

Yeah. Kamara Pons. A lot of these guys will get drafted, but they're not like top 10 picks.

[C]

Yeah, they're just full of guys that are going to go from like pick 100 to 200 beside the quarterback. But if you're well coached, you're tough. They're just, I mean, they're beating teams with technically more talent on the roster than them. From a recruiting standpoint.

[A]

Yeah. They're just out executing everyone and they're, they're grown men. It's. Yeah. I can't think of a parallel. Like, like six said it would be a hell of a movie for a coaching job like this and then for this team to come out of nowhere and now beat the favorite to win the national title. Indiana. Indiana football. But this Oregon winning would be the least surprising thing as far as, like, how you look at college football even though they're an underdog in a semi because the other options are Miami wins it. Who, like, no one thought they were going to make it a college football. They didn't even make the ACC championship. Ole Miss wins it after Lane Kiffin left with a skeleton staff. Or Indiana football wins the national title like crazy. Like Oregon would be the most normal outcome.

[C]

If you didn't know much about college football, though, and you just watched Miami the last couple of weeks, you'd be like, they feel like an NFL team.

[A]

Yes. The, the one thing that could hold him back that I need to see. And he'll need to be, he'll need to do more in this game because they're not going to hold Ole Miss to nothing. Is Carson back in a big game. Like, I mean, he's only thrown for like 220 yards. He hasn't had. He hasn't had to. They just run it and their defense dominated. But Beck is gonna have to not make mistakes in critical games, which is.

[C]

Our second best wide receiver beside the true freshman Daniels.

[A]

But I Mean, he's not great. Like their passing attack isn't great. They just want to. They want to run it, play defense, and they want to get the ball to Tony as much in many creative ways as possible. But Beck is gonna. There's gonna be a moment where Beck's gonna have to make some throws. That's. That's my biggest question for Miami. But I think we got. We got two good semifinals games with tons of storylines. Like the Ole Miss is just. It's a crazy situation. Can you imagine if Ole Miss wins a national title without Lane and then Lane never wins a national title again in his career. Like that is.

[C]

I mean, what are the chances? I mean Lane's no lock to just be in the final four of the next couple years, right?

[A]

Far from it.

[C]

How about this? I'll get you out here on this. Obviously, you know, there's a fluid story the. The Washington quarterback that he's probably headed to LSU and they're gonna get sued. It is classic Lane. I. I don't blame him for doing it. There are no rules. But that is. At first I'm like, that is a crazy story. Signed this 4 million dollar. And then of course it's. Yeah, he's gonna go to Lane. I'm like, oh my God.

[A]

Yeah, it's messy. I mean college basketball, that's a whole other story with like NBA guys now playing on.

[C]

Did you watch the Baylor kid?

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

How'd he look?

[A]

He looked okay. I mean it wasn't. I. I don't think it's like gonna.

[C]

He's not changing branded as prime at dude or something.

[A]

But yeah, like how now with lawsuits. Like this is just a new world. But what. What ends up. Of course Lane is in the middle of it. What ends up. And we have like Sam Levitt who was now I think it's gonna. He was supposed to come potentially to Kentucky, but I think he's now going to go to Alabama or where lsu because Simpson's gonna the NFL. But what. So what like now they're suing him. Like say you sue for him to stay. But then what's that situation? Yeah, he wanted to go make more money. And then you have a quarterback who doesn't. Who's hates is mad at you and how that's gonna.

[C]

What to me what you have to do because where you're angry is like even if you were gonna leave, if we would have known we had some big time money to buy someone sweet and we didn't get to play that game because we just assumed I don't know. A week ago we had a sign the contract. You got to be the people that blow this up and you sue it and you make it so ugly that you get to the point where he doesn't get to play for LSU and he's screwed. And like that to me is now the mindset because like you said, what, what are you gonna do, sue him? So he comes back like he's already kind of moved on. I, you know, it's, it's an ugly. But I think you sue and I think a lot of people are kind of going to root for this, to blow this situation up because I, if.

[A]

You were there, needs the oversight there needs.

[C]

Well, we sign a four million dollar contract with the Volume or Action Network and then like a week later we're just like, yeah, we're doing this other thing and just leave. Like you get sued. That's how the real world works. There's, once you get to a certain number in life with business, like people come after you and you know, in college, like, well, they're just kids. Like those days feel a little over. And this feels as ruthless like this guy just signed the contract. A week later he's like, I'm coming back. And then he just clearly lame. They offered more. Who knows? Whatever the offer is.

[A]

Yeah, I think it's like 2 million more is the rumor.

[C]

So I, I, I think that, that, that, that can't, that, that's not the way the, you know, it's one thing like a guy commits in the NFL during that tampering period, but he hasn't signed anything. And remember Emmanuel Sanders like backed out. Yeah, but no one signs their contract. And then a week later like, oh, I signed with the Chiefs, but now I'm going to go play for the Cowboys. That's not the way it works because that's the way the real world works when you sign the contract. And I, I think this is the first time where it's like I could see this thing. This is where the ending kind of comes from the contract standpoint because you're buying these guys back have. I think this time's a little uncomfortable. Like you sign the contract and you sign the contract you want thing. Well, he's only paying him 100 grand. This is $4 million, right?

[A]

Yeah. And as you said, it kept them out of the, the quarterback game.

[C]

Is he that good?

[A]

He has potential. I mean, I mean you looked at. Because I mean he can run, he can throw, but like all the big games this year, is he kind of shorter. Yeah, he's, he's, his, his size is, is definitely the problem. And like in all the. Whenever he had to step up against the, the better defenses, it wasn't pretty. But you might be right that this might just be needed and a necessary thing to fix. And they're, they're eventually it seems like inevitably there's just going to have to be some kind of scapegoat in a lawsuit ends up getting screwed and, and this might end up being like good for the long term of the sport because it's just like the wild west right now. There's, and there needs to be oversight and more structure and there's just no rules. It's completely lawless. And there's the calendar needs to change. You look at all these teams in the playoffs that had coaches that were already took jobs elsewhere. You now have a team in the college football semis without a head coach who went to arrival and now some of their staff is not staying on. I mean it's a disaster.

[C]

You can't have a guy. I have no problem. Let's say you go to the draft college or the NFL and I get drafted like you know, in the sixth round even in the college football and it's like I want to go back to school. I never played in the NFL. I would be get that screwed up. The kid that was drafted 31st if he wanted to immediately come back. But you can't just go pro for several years and then come back.

[A]

Yeah, that's.

[C]

He played wembanyama in the summer league. There's like the pictures of him guarding. It's like. No, that's, that's like. That's where I do agree with the coach is like what are we doing? How did they even know to contact this human being?

[A]

It's insane. We're in the, we're in the wild west in college athletics. So yeah, it's going to take some kind of big moment to worst lawsuit to fix it. So I think you might be right.

[C]

Okay, Stucky. Well, enjoy the week and enjoy the baby and enjoy life and I will talk to you. We'll figure out a time talk next week. Not quite sure on my schedule, who knows. We had a contraction last night. I was like, oh my God, better buckle up. This could happen soon, you know.

[A]

Well, good luck if it happens sooner, brother. And I will enjoy the football as well. Maybe your last free weekend and I'll talk to you next week.

[C]

See ya.

[A]

Cheers. The volume.

[B]

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[A]

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