← The Herd with Colin Cowherd
The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Sharp or Square - NFL WEEK 18 REACTIONS - Jets-Bills, Saints-Falcons, Lions-Bears, Cardinals-Rams, Browns-Bengals and more
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- [00:00]
Podcast Announcer
This is an iHeart podcast.
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Chad Millman
Guaranteed Human.
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Chad Millman
Welcome to Sharper Square presented by Hard Rock Bat. We are part of the Volume Podcast Network. This is the show that makes the squares sharper and makes the wise guys pay attention. I am Chad Millman. I am joined tonight as always by my co host, my bff, my companion, my compadre professional Better Simon Hunter. Hello Simon.
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Simon Hunter
Chad. What a insane day my friend.
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Chad Millman
The early games were so disgustingly bad in the in the first five first 15 minutes of combined game action for the Giants, Cowboys, the Bengals, the Browns and New Orleans and Falcons. First of those three games, 15 combined minutes meaning the first five minutes of each game, four total turnovers and a blocks extra point. That's how bad these non playoff teams were playing in these early windows. And then in the afternoon we got some freaking barn burners which was awesome. Our final five were New Orleans plus three and a half, Cincinnati minus seven and a half, Detroit plus three and a half, Rams minus seven and a half. We got the Steelers plus three and a half tonight, so we're three and one on the day. We're hoping the Steelers can close it out. Boy, dude. The other thing I'd be worried about. Simon. As a Bears fan, I watched them get Shut out in the first three quarters, the Rams nearly gave the game away. The Texans do not let the score deceive you. Like, there was some pretty inconsistent play from three playoff teams that I think we're expecting a lot of. So. Want to get into it?
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Simon Hunter
Yeah, football's hard, buddy. I wouldn't. I mean, what can you do but football. Yeah. I can't leave you to mention it. Miles Garrett. I think that was the most insane part of the day, the. Well, dude sack record.
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Chad Millman
But, yeah, get to it. That's the whole. That's. That's the Cincinnati Cleveland breakdown.
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Simon Hunter
Yeah, that's, to me, though, off the top. I. I should have mentioned it myself, but just that was, to me, the most incredible part. I did not, honestly did not think he was going to get it. I think there was like nine minutes left. It's like, oh, my God, they might just run it here and never let him get a chance at it. But, yeah, that was one of those moments you'll remember for the rest of your life. Right. It could happen. Now they keep adding games. It could happen. But you saw that last one to get. Took him, what, three games. It was just the hardest one to get. Is that last one. So Joe Burrow, I don't know if he did him a favor. I think he was going to get him anyway, but I think as soon as he felt him touch him, he kind of fell down there. So, yeah, that was a great, great moment.
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Chad Millman
All right, let's get into it. We'll get to that game in a second. I got a lot to say about that game because it kind of ruined my day. New Orleans plus three and a half at Atlanta. Look, the Saints and the Falcons traded turnovers. And in those first five minutes, the Saints got a blocked punt inside their red zone that led to a Falcons touchdown. But the Saints were in it, man, that whole game. Like, they dominated the first half. They were only losing it because of mistakes and being a bad team. And, you know, for a minute there, like, Tyler Shock was playing like rookie of the year in. In the first half. He was looking great.
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Simon Hunter
Yeah. Folate played. Their kicker, could make that field goal in another life. They win that game easily. They dominated Robinson. I couldn't believe. I knew they would try to take him away. That was my whole mindset was, they'll try to take him away and make Kirk beat him. Right? And Kirk wasn't good either. Like, again, it's crazy they even won this game. The Falcons. Props to them. I. I really did think there's a World where the Saints, if they play this game, you know, a 9 out of 10 times, not 9 out of 10, but 8 out of 10. Feels like the Saints with a lobby would beat this Falcons, they're just.
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Chad Millman
Kirk, Kirk was great and like he, he had some really good throws. And Kyle Pitts and Drake London made some great catches today. Like, it wasn't. Wasn't perfect. They played like the better team both offensively and defensively. Their pass rush was all over Tyler Shock for the first three and a half quarters. The Falcons had the second most sacks in the NFL this year after spending the past three years having the fewest sacks each season.
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Simon Hunter
And if you're New York, Chad really likes Kirk Cousins. Kirk was not good today. He threw for 180. I think he completed like 55.
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Chad Millman
I said he made good throws today, whatever it is.
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Simon Hunter
Like, I, I think he got away with one here. But Shock, he threw that pick. I don't know if you felt like we were deader than Deb, but I did. When he threw that pick, I thought that was the moment for him. Rookie of the year slipped away, got the ball back and drove that field. And I know the announcer was saying when they're going to kick the field goal, but it's like just get the, get the touchdown. You have all the. Don't. It's always easy to get the three, then get the seven, get down there and get the touchdown. He just made a couple great throws, a couple insane catches by the, you know, New Orleans receivers. But yeah, that was a classic. You just bet the number, hope it comes through. And honest at the day, it's like I said, if Olave played, I felt like that they really could have beat that Falcons team and we be sitting here. Shook would be rookie of the year, but saw the odds before he came on. It's not looking good for my bet, Chad. It looks like gonna be Ted McMillan, who, you know, deserves it. Like we said, one rookie of the year because they won the division, hit over a thousand receiving yards, yada, yada, yada. But I'm upset about it. I thought Chuck played really well.
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Chad Millman
But look, Shock, I really thought at the end of that game he kind of played himself back into it. That last drive. He had a pass. He was. They were in desperation mode. They had no timeouts. They had to push the ball downfield just to get into any kind of scoring range. He scrambled right. He was about to go down through a perfect pass that he layered over a defensive back that one of his receivers caught on the Sidelines and then they scored a touchdown. He couldn't have put the ball in a better position if he had placed it into Ronnie Bell's elbow. Ronnie Bell had one hand that was being held by a defensive back. He's got about 2 inches of space in the back corner of the end zone and the ball lands. You know what it was. Old listeners of the show will remember this. It was a Carson Palmer which nibble throw. Like he, he landed it in the crook of Ronnie Bell's elbow. So all he had to do was literally just keep his arm in an L shape. That was a great throw. And for a second I'm like, maybe people will see that.
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Simon Hunter
Yeah. Again the on new onside kick rule, I think. What is it, 12? Yeah, we didn't really have a chance there but if it was just, you know, we, I never gave up. They might be able to win it. But at the end of the day, like I texted you, it all worked out. Our, our Panthers win the division. Bed hit and we won on the numbers. So I really can't complain. It all, it all worked out.
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Chad Millman
We get to think about the Panthers and betting the Panthers for one more week. We'll get to that. They're playing the Rams. By the way, you mentioned Tyler Shook and his odds. You looked at it before we came on. So did I. Tele McMillan after yesterday's game, crossing 1000 yards now the Panthers win the division. He's minus 1000 to win. Offensive rookie of the year Jackson dart after his win against the Cowboys today. Had a good game, couple touchdown passes, a lot of running yards, 256 yards passing, no interceptions. He actually jumped over shook. He's a plus 900 now. Shock is, you know, plus 11, plus 1200. So that's where we stand with the Tyler Shock rookie of the year. I hope maybe, maybe some people cashed out. Maybe they got some money because they were making offers. Jesus Christ. This game makes me sick. The Browns at Cincinnati Bengals were seven and a half point favorites in the first quarter. The Bengals had a block extra point after they scored their first touchdown. Joe Burrow threw a pick six from his own from the Browns five yard line. On the next series, the Bengals fumbled the ball and the Browns returned that fumble for a touchdown. Are you kidding me, Bengals? Are you seriously kidding me that you were going against a quarterback who could not move the ball down the field and you decided today was the day where you're going to put the ball on the carpet and just let that defense. That is very good Score at will. I, I don't even know what to say.
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Simon Hunter
Yeah, we got. Got that. That one stung. I mean, you knew as soon as I got. What was it, the second defensive touchdown. It's like you can't, you can't cover for sure. Good. A good comparable team like the Rams, maybe we have a chance of coming back, but when Joe Bro doesn't have it, he just doesn't. He doesn't have it. It was just one of those days for him where you can't blame that fumble on him. But there's plenty of thirds down, third down plays. He just was not hitting it. And they punted a bunch and, you know, they got the late lead, didn't get the two pointer and you feel bad about your day. Chad, there is a man out there and one of the biggest known survivor contests in America, he took the Cincinnati Bengals and he lost $3 million today. I believe he's the only one in the whole contest that lost. The other seven, I believe won. So, yeah, you think you're having a bad day. That, that field goal, that late field goal someone lost $3 million on. So that's. I'm trying to put that in perspective because I, I had the Bengals moneyline as well. But hey, Browns over four and a half wins. It hit. Let's go the bread.
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Chad Millman
The Bengals were so bad. And I've got a lot more to say about this game in my.
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Simon Hunter
I hated this game like you did.
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Chad Millman
Well, look, Zach Taylor. Every, every. This is Zach Taylor.
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Simon Hunter
I moved on. You watched the whole thing, didn't you? I moved on as soon as I got that second touch. And I go, all right, this, this game's done.
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Chad Millman
I watched the whole freaking thing. I wanted to suffer in my agony. I like. And you know, like some days I'm just trying to keep it together. Okay? I'm. I'm taking notes. And like, my wife comes in, she had had a meeting and she's like, hey, how's it going? What's going on? And I keep telling her I'm not here. Pretend I'm at my office, four hours away. But then my son is there and they're having a conversation. And I'm trying to be like a good husband and a good father.
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Simon Hunter
I love this. You're like slowly turning to Dennis from always stunning. You're about to tell. I'm going to put you in a little glass.
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Chad Millman
I'm not like, I don't want to be like the dude who's losing it because the fucking bangles are terrible. And Zach Taylor is truly awful as a coach. I don't want to be the person who wants to throw the remote through the television because they're just making so many stupid, egregious, fundamental mistakes that are so elementary to winning a football game. You know, I got a nice life. I want to be nice to my family. And so inside, I'm not just boiling, I'm broiling. I can feel my insides and being cooked. Absolutely cooked in these moments. So we'll talk about this game a little bit more, because I did watch every single second of this game, including the Miles Garrett sack. Good for him. I'm happy for him. I think he's a class act. I want him to win. I want him to get his awards.
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Simon Hunter
Yeah, it's. I don't know about him being a class act, but he's seems like a class act. Definitely a great player. And one of my favorite quotes ever is by arguably the greatest tackle ever, Lane Johnson. They would. They basically, we scrimmage him every year in the summer before the season. Like, we have those. Like, you know, those fake games.
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Chad Millman
Yeah.
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Simon Hunter
Practice. He said he's the only player he's ever gone against where every time, he knows he's gonna lose 101, because he's never had that his entire life. He's never looked at another man and said, no matter what, doesn't matter what I do, if this guy wants to beat me here, I'm gonna lose. And, you know, it's just crazy. We are living in our lifetime. This record just keeps getting broke. I know the extra game helps, obviously, but it's. It's really special. We got to see something like that today.
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Chad Millman
Well, look, you could argue the extra game helps, but Miles Garrett is also double and triple teamed on practically every play. And. And as they noted, throughout the year, he was facing considerably fewer pass rush snaps, fewer pass attempts than anyone else who's ever chased this record by a wide margin. So he's getting it in a much more efficient way than anyone who's ever done it. Boy. Detroit plus three and a half at the Chicago Bears. We snuck by with this one.
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Simon Hunter
I.
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Chad Millman
This is. This is one where, you know, I got a text chain with my Chicago buddies. It's going the whole day, and early in the day when it's like the Bengals game. One of the reasons I'm so sick to my stomach, because my phone is buzzing every 30 seconds. But then during the Bears game, it's every 15 seconds. And whatever I felt early in the day, collectively, this group felt in the afternoon, watching this game, because these, these Bears did not give us anything to give us any confidence whatsoever heading into the playoffs. I can't stand this defense and I can't stand the flowers that every broadcaster gives. Dennis Allen, like, he's so good. This defense continues to get annihilated every single week. And then they get a miracle freaking turnover. And everyone thinks they're just geniuses. It's. It's driving me nuts.
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Simon Hunter
Yeah, but lucky for you, got a buddy Simon, who told you what the deal was a couple days ago. Chad.
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Chad Millman
It's just you said that, and I was thinking about that.
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Simon Hunter
If this is the exact thing you see coming, though, you do this long enough where it's history constantly repeats itself. I know you don't believe in it, but we are stuck in the matrix, my friend. All of it. This has all already happened. And as soon as they lost that game in Santa Clara, I was like, oh, my God, now they're going to lose to Detroit. Are you kidding me? And my favorite part was this morning. You're like, why do we even like this game? And they try to pull you back in where. I get it, you're a Bears fan. You were believing. I mean, the cutest thing ever was you're like, yeah, we're gonna get 4,000 yards today. No, you're not, Chef. By the way, Williams is not thrown.
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Chad Millman
For 4,000 yards for a second in the half. I'm like, this is our time. This is our time.
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Simon Hunter
And they almost got me because they came back, but I never thought we were never going to cover the three and a half. It was like, even if they get this two pointer and all these things happen, at least we'll get this. But yeah, the Bears may be pulling off the win at the end. I mean, they, they certainly tried, but the Detroit team, I know, I get you're upset about your defense. They were moving the ball at will. I cannot believe all the field goals they settle for. I mean, talk about being a beaten down man. Campbell, he is a shadow of his former self. Now he's kicking field goals.
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Chad Millman
Yeah.
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Simon Hunter
On 4th and 5 from your guys, like 6 or 7. It was like, oh, my God, it's work. Whatever happened this season has just taken a toll on him where he's just totally, totally gone the other way. He was playing very safe, just simply trying to beat you guys. He really wanted to win that game. You could tell by the way he was playing. Yes, Very conservative and it worked. But Caleb tried the magic at the end there. Like you said, that was really, really fun, exciting fourth quarter and who knows, you know, we'll talk about the lines coming up here with this Bears team. I don't want to be the bearer of bad news continuously, but I'm the other way. It's like you guys just doesn't matter the game. You find a way to make it a three point game. It's. This was a really special team in a really special season. So congrats Chad on the two seed. I'm bitter as an Eagles fan, but it's a big deal. Like you got a new head coach. Second year quarterback. He took that step. Number two seed. Pretty incredible.
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Chad Millman
It is amazing and I don't like, I'm not, I'm not. I, I'm. I'm not that disappointed in this game. I love watching Caleb play and he was so magnificent in that fourth quarter, especially on the drive that tied the game. Him and Colston Loveland. That's going to be a magical connection. I mean in that last Drive, Caleb was 7 of 9, 86 yards. A touchdown to Loveland and he was throwing dimes. At one point the Bears had like, I don't know, he had fumbled a snap, picked it up, threw it 50 yards downfield and had an intentional grounding on it. So it was like 3rd and 20 from their own 10 and they still figured out a way to convert and get down the field. Luther Burden was amazing in the second half. Really just an incredible playmaker. Like you can see once they get Roma dunes a back, this is going to be a really special offense the way Ben Johnson is running it. So yeah, no, not wild disappointment in this game at all.
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Simon Hunter
Like, I mean it looks like it was a close game. You guys got. I mean that we were not 16.
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Chad Millman
Nothing in the fourth quarter or not.
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Simon Hunter
Like the, the amount of plagiarism defense played as well. I mean they. What did. They almost had 150 more yards than you guys Offensively Detroit, like they really did dominate. But like I said, you guys are. You can't kill you like you just keep coming back. So yeah, that. It's a, it's a brutal loss. But now, yeah, good man. Move on playoffs. You've made it, my friend. At home, Round one hosting against number two seed.
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Chad Millman
We got to play our biggest rivals again. We're getting him at home. I think we're up for the challenge. Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams. This was Chad's choice. Rams made it a little bit closer than I would have liked in the second half. In the first half they were Getting field goals. They were turning the Cardinals turnovers into points. They were up by 10. Stafford had one of his touchdown passes. And then in the, in the third quarter, Jacoby Brissette turned back the clock and looked like he was playing for his next 10 year, 500 million dollar contract. And Michael Wilson was catching bombs and Trey McBride was starting to challenge Puka Nakua to catch him for the season. Leading receptions Season receptions leader. It was a brilliant two drive for the Arizona Cardinals. And all of a sudden they're in the lead like 20 to 16. I'm like, what the fuck? What the fuck just happened here?
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Simon Hunter
Yeah, they, they, they try to blow it. I mean that like you said, they played well enough in the first half to be up 10 points or whatever it was. And second half kind of started collapsing themselves. But we, we honestly got bailed out by the refs. And that's when it feels like there was a couple of huge calls. Like Wilson had an insane catch.
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Chad Millman
Yes.
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Simon Hunter
They brought it all the way back. Yes. You know, a couple plays for the Rams that they, they got first downs on. And you know, we talked about Stafford. This was going to be an opportunity to try to pad the stats and he looked a little lost to start the game. Like they were settling for field goals. I think they settled for what, two field goals to start? Yeah, but yeah, four touchdowns, 250 passing. Even had a rush for three yards which was pretty shocking. It's like you heard the noise that he never runs the ball. This because everyone's talking about the Drake May running numbers. But yeah, yeah, yeah, really gonna be once again tough for these voters. I don't know what they're gonna do.
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Chad Millman
Well, look, right now, Matthew Stafford, we talked about it on Tuesday, was plus 300 to win MVP. He's now minus 125 and Drake May is plus 106 or minus 135 and Drake May is plus 106.
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Simon Hunter
This is tough. Like that's what I mean. Like I don't, they're trying to, they're trying to guess what these. Was it 50 guys that vote on it. It's really hard to know what these writers are going to do. Right. And these people in media where everyone has a different opinion on it and you could kind of tell the way people speak where some guys really do have an attachment to Stafford over drake.
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Chad Millman
Look, it's 46 touchdown passes. Like he had four touchdown passes today.
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Simon Hunter
Football.
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Chad Millman
And, and did he leave Matt Mitchell, maybe you can look this up. Did he lead the league in passing yards? Did he. Did he beat out Dak? I know in the end of the. It, like it was Dak, and I believe he did.
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Simon Hunter
It was him and golf actually came down. Him and golf. Because that sat. After throwing, I think only 70 yards. Yeah, but, yeah, it's. You know, we talked. We talked about. There's. There's a bunch of stats out there. Do. Favorite staffer, but I don't know if we've ever had a six seater or maybe. What is he the five seed now? We had Peyton Manning, right. Peyton Manning was a five seed when he won one. So it has happened before, but it's. It's definitely unique.
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Chad Millman
McVeigh was definitely trying to get it to him. You know, like after that fourth touchdown pass, he. They went over to the sideline and they had this shot on television of McVeigh and Stafford hugging and McVeigh talking in his ear. Not just like, hey, congratulations, but he was in his ear for long enough that they had to cut away to a commercial. Right. So you can only imagine what he was saying and being excited about the fact he got that extra touchdown pass and he's over 45 for the year. Like, he was saying to him, that was your mvp, right? Go get it. And so.
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Simon Hunter
And my favorite part was he. He lasted Stafford this season. Right. With all the noise coming to the year, he lasted this whole season, stayed out. And the biggest one that I'll just end it on is just that you saw how great that Seattle defense is all year. A Stafford offense put up like over 500 yards against them. Yeah. For over 350 and three touchdowns. So I know he lost that game. But again, I don't put them. I don't put all that on him. There's so many things that went Seattle's way with the refs and everything like that. So, yeah, it's. It's. It's really gonna be tough. If I. If I did have a vote I've talked about, I would give it to Stafford just because of the career. But Drake, man, if he does win it, I. I'll fess up to it. He's worthy, man. The kid is just played out of his mind. It's. It's not his fault about the schedule, but. Yeah, Patriots fan saying they have nobody. Diggs. I think I checked my rankings. He might be grayed out as my third best receiver this season. Diggs for what he does, per play, epa, per play, break routes, all of it. He's just had a really great season. I think I get it. They're trying to make him more of the victim. Drake May, but no, he had weapons right? He had good running backs. I know the offensive line had injuries but you know Diggs is, Diggs is no pushover. He was great this season. He actually played really well for them.
- [24:29]
Chad Millman
I watched that Rams offense and thought to myself if they play the Bears they are going to eat the Bears up alive. That defense, they will have no, they will have no way to stop what Matthew Stafford can do with Puka Nukua.
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Simon Hunter
They can't stop. I'm telling you I'm interested about this Bears team. I can't wait. You guys can run the ball. I know you couldn't today, but that was just divisional game shit got weird.
- [24:53]
Chad Millman
All right, let's get a quick word in from our friends at Hard Rock bet. Today's show is brought to you by our presenting sponsor, Hard Rock Bet, Florida's sportsbook and the official sportsbook partner of your favorite Florida teams like the Jags, Bucks, Heat and Magic. The NFL playoffs kick off in just a few days and it's the perfect time to build the same game parlay on Hard Rock Bet and cash in on all the action. Or if you're more into hardwood than the gridiron, you can put up shots on the NBA and college every night. On Hard Rock Bet, you're home for hoops action all season long. And if you missed the start of the game, don't worry. Hard Rock Bet has live in game betting, so you're never too late to bet any football or hoops game all season. If you haven't tried your first bet on Hard Rock Bet, there's still time for you to get $150 in bonus bets. If you win, just place a $5 bet and if it hits, you get not only your winnings, but an extra $150 in bonus bets. The Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook app is the only legal sportsbook in the beautiful state of Florida. Plus Arizona, Ohio, New Jersey, Indiana, Tennessee, Virginia, Illinois, Colorado and Michigan. Coming soon to more states too. Plus, Hard Rock Bet offers new promos every single day, so whenever you're listening, just open the app and check out what you've got. Any day of the week, download the Hard Rock Bet app and make your first deposit payable in bonus bets. Not a cash offer offered by the Seminole Tribe of Florida in Florida offered by Seminole Hard Rock Digital LLC and all other states must be 21 or over and physically present in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee or Virginia to play terms and Conditions apply. Concerned about gambling in Florida, call 1833 PLAYWISE in Indiana. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-9 with it. Gambling problem, call 1-800- gambler in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia. All right, we're going to get to the. I want to do a little bit on the Ravens and Steelers because that line has moved aggressively like we talked about it would this morning. Before we get to that Dallas, we made sure we didn't put it in the contest. Thank God they were a shit show that game. They were terrible. Everything that is wrong with the Cowboys, they couldn't stop anyone on defense. Made Jackson Dart look like he might be the second best odds to win Rookie of the Year. And they had personal fouls and penalties and they were undisciplined and they were just a train wreck and atrocious and you get what you deserve. What do you got something to say.
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Simon Hunter
About that other than God, we avoided it? It's just something was fishy about it and yeah, the deck being taken out. I know, I know Matt Mitchell thinks that maybe there's a world that Deck did win. The passing record, whatever it was, he threw for 70 yards and I think he was only up 40 yards coming to the game. So just simple math, 250 by Stafford. No matter what he threw for the most shards or at least over Dak. I don't know about golf because golf threw for 330, but yeah, it's just I didn't see them sitting deck. I'm shocked at that.
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Chad Millman
Yeah, I am too.
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Simon Hunter
They, they could have set a record for the Cowboys and as an Eagles fan. Thank you, Dallas. I mean they got a Boris. Draft picks. I'm better. Draft picks are good, good for the Dallas Cowboys. But the Giants now don't have the number two pick, I believe. I think they dropped in the order and I mean we'll get into the off season. I've been hearing some crazy rumors about the Giants and getting Arch Manning and all the stuff going on behind the scenes and like I haven't seen much about the media about it, but I've been hearing stuff about it for a while about like a handshake deal with him and him leaving and I'm shocked he's not coming out. Apparently he's going to stay. But Archman, I think he would have gone number two to the Giants if they kept that pick. But we'll see what's gonna happen with that. But yeah, now Dart maybe played himself out of it. Smart man. I don't think they take a quarterback now, they'll have what, the pick, four or five, something like that. Because they, they obviously have more wins than a couple teams now.
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Chad Millman
Well, look, maybe they can suck next year and get Arch Manning next year.
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Simon Hunter
There you go.
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Chad Millman
Anything that you want to say about Washington and Philadelphia? The game closed. Four and a half.
- [29:14]
Simon Hunter
I think it got to three, just like the Bears game. We got all the way down to three, which is crazy. Right before kickoff, they didn't look. Honestly, not much to say is I. It was painful because they, they should have won the game. I guess that would probably be the biggest takeaway. But we talk all the time. The refs, they have all the power. I think Washington had four penalties for 19 yards. The Eagles had nine penalties for 125. And it was like all three touchdowns were pass interferences in the end zone. They gave him the ball at the one and it was just that type of game. Right. The Eagles were playing backups. Think McLaren played, you know, Debo played. So, yeah, Eagles, you know, if they can't go to Chicago and beat the Bears, I guess they don't deserve to go to the super bowl anyway. But yeah, it's. It's kind of heartbreaking. They could have had the two seed. I'm not gonna lie. It's. I don't want to go. I don't want them going to Chicago. Chicago already beat our asses earlier this year, so it's pretty wild that Sirianni just gave that game away in a sense.
- [30:14]
Chad Millman
Yeah, Totally. Totally gave it away. It was kind of weird. Before we get to Heroes and shame of the week, let's talk about the Steelers and the Ravens because I know people are going to want to go watch that in a few minutes. So I don't want to shortchange it before the line has moved to four and a half.
- [30:34]
Simon Hunter
Yeah.
- [30:36]
Chad Millman
I'm only emboldened to take the Steelers now. Like, to me, this is an overcorrection in the market compared to what we believed it should be.
- [30:49]
Simon Hunter
It could be. I have no reason. I honestly hate this, but I hate that we have to do it. And that's why I made Simon says. It's like I knew I was going to hate it, but I have to do it. I, I. Once again, I'm living with the shame forever of betting the Ravens is a 5 1/2 point favorite in this matchup of the year. So Pittsburgh. I thought this line would keep getting higher. It went to three and a half after our show, down from four and we talked about it, it's gonna steam up, right? The public. It's the last game of the season. They're going to come in with whatever money they won or whatever they're chasing on and bet this Ravens team. So, yeah, no problem. Grab the four and a half. Like I'm, I'm not going to keep giving out the stats. It's just, you bet the dog here. It's what we do. So I'm with you people. It's. It's not fun like that. Saints bet. Not fun like betting these ugly dogs. It's never fun, but it is when they win.
- [31:34]
Chad Millman
Shame, shame, Shame of the week. Can I go first?
- [31:40]
Simon Hunter
Go ahead, brother.
- [31:41]
Chad Millman
Zach Taylor. If I get one more shot of Zach Taylor standing on the sideline and pursing his lips as if he is stoic and unemotional in the face of complete and total incompetency. If I were a Bengals fan, I would be losing my shit knowing that this guy is my coach and that this is my team. Forget about all the mistakes that were made. There's things he can't control, right? They missed the first extra point. They missed the second extra point. Their offense gave up 14 points. Their defense, their defense only gave up 6 points in the entire game. But he did not give them the chances that they needed to win that game. At the, in the middle of the third quarter, they have a fourth and one from midfield. And this is, by the way, after they started with a second and two. Could not get closer to the, could not get the first down. He decides to punt it instead of going for it. It's the 18th game of the year. You got a losing record. What do you, what are you playing for? And then at the end of the game when it's 134 left, they've got a first and goal from the four. You've got time. Why are you not running the ball and burning more clock? Instead, they immediately go for the touchdown. They score, give the Browns plenty of time to come back and win the game. But mostly my issue with Zach Taylor in this game was their game plan wasn't let's win the game. Their game plan was let's try to keep Myles Garrett from getting the sack record. So both of the Browns cornerbacks were out for the game. You've got Joe Burrow, who's a brilliant downfield passer. You've got Teagans and Jamar Chase, who are the best receiving core in the NFL. And every single throw is Short at the line of scrimmage, across the middle. Desperate to not let Myles Garrett get the sack. And what does he do? He gets the sack. And as soon as he gets the sack, what do the Bengals do? They start throwing the ball downfield and they score an easy touchdown. Like, what was he coaching for? It was. It was cowardly, the way he coached this game. I thought it was pathetic. I thought it was an embarrassment. I thought it was indicative of everything that was wrong with the Bengals organization and why they haven't fired this guy is beyond me.
- [34:21]
Simon Hunter
Shame.
- [34:22]
Chad Millman
Shame.
- [34:24]
Simon Hunter
Yeah. So for my shame, Chad, I'm gonna shame the US Government. What US Government? Where's this guy going with us on a sports podcast? No, people, I'm not talking about shaming them for those reasons. I'm talking about shame them for this 10 tax on my losses. Chad, people don't know you were looking at me. I'm in Bermuda right now. I have left my country of America, my favorite country. I am gone, people. I'm no longer in America because of this tax law. People aren't talking about it again. I hate it. I'm. I'm one of these sheep. I didn't care about either because I was like, there's no way. There's no way they're going to tax 10% of our losses. And they are. This is really happening. Like, I can't get over it. I really cannot. We're someone like me. I'm going to find a way around at people. This is what I do for a living. I will find a way around this 10 tax. All of you, this isn't. This is the most un American tax in our entire existence. This is a country that went to war over t tax. And now we are paying a 10 tax on our losses with sports betting because we choose to legally sports bet. And now they're going to tax us 10 on our losses. It's. It's truly blowing my mind. I can't believe it's not a bigger deal. More people aren't crying about it. I guess it's just because no one cares. But you should. You are going to lose your mind next year when this year is over 20, 26, and you go to pay your taxes, you're paying 10% on top of your losses. It. It truly isn't imaginable. Again, every dollar I make in this country, I pay over 30% in taxes on. And then I pay taxes if I want to buy something, if I want to buy food, everything. My pre taxes on my property, I get it. We're all getting it done by the man. It's. It's a corrupt world we live in. But I cannot believe this happened. I cannot believe we're paying 1010 of our taxes on losses. It's. It's true. It's blowing my mind. I really cannot believe someone like me. That's big money. That is going to be a huge amount of money I am going to pay on my losses because everyone loses. So it is. It's truly blowing my mind. And I can't believe when the calendar turned, it was so bittersweet in the book with all the boys in A.C. it's like we may never be here ever again. It's. It's crazy. It's just over. We. It was a great run, but it is over. Shame on you, US Government.
- [36:38]
Chad Millman
Look, that's a. A feature or it's. It's a. A part of the one big beautiful bill that was passed for those who didn't pay attention because it's a very inside professional sports betting. Thing is, you are now getting taxed on losses as a professional better. We're going to dig into this more in the off season because I do think it's fascinating everybody, not just professional, right? It's injurious for anyone who bets. But all of a sudden like you used to be able to deduct all of your losses. So if you made $100 but you lost $100, you were now paying taxes on the zero. But now if you make a hundred dollars and you lose $100, you are actually paying taxes on the amount that you lost. So you made zero, but you're paying taxes on the $10 that is the delta.
- [37:33]
Simon Hunter
Well, betting off minus 115 minus 120 lines it like it's never been worse. I cannot go to route. Bad it is right now.
- [37:41]
Chad Millman
It's bad. It's bad. By the way, shame on the aga, the American Gaming association, which did not do anything to stop this. In fact, after the one big beautiful bill was passed, they were touting how fantastic it was for betters and didn't even notice that this was in the bill. So shame on them and their ineffectiveness. Okay, hero of the week, Simon. I don't know how it can't be Tyler Shock who gave us such a glorious ride the past few weeks. Even if I wasn't along for it. He's been great and was a guy who we consistently wanted to bet on. And it came through for us today at the end of the year in the last game, in the last quarter, in the last minutes. He found a way to get us the win by playing the number. Tyler Schuck. Congrats to you on a glorious, glorious season.
- [38:38]
Simon Hunter
We love you, Shock. I'd say this might be it for us. Like, I bet next year the magic will be gone. He'll be. You'll go back to being terrible because he's like, oh, my God, five years old already. But what a moment we had here in his rookie season.
- [38:49]
Chad Millman
Yeah, totally. Totally. Who's your hero?
- [38:54]
Simon Hunter
My hero of the week. I'm going with Atlantic City. I know should be a player, but I'm going with my favorite place to be the city. Just a little history. June 14, 2018, at the Monmouth Racetrack. I believe our Governor Philip Murphy placed the first bet.
- [39:14]
Chad Millman
Yes.
- [39:15]
Simon Hunter
And that, you know, same night I went down to Borgata and was one of the few people that plays place a future. I think my first future was literally on the Eagles. It was. It was just like even talking on the guys. It's just been a magical run these last couple years in Atlantic City. It was just brought back new life to the city. The books were always packed, concerts came back. Like, the music came back. You know, the talent came back. A lot of great comedians came back, especially Oceans. You know, all these casinos, Hard Rock, you know, they had some great shows, like, all of them. And, you know, I can't get over how great it was a sports player when it first came back, because all the books were new. You know, they brought in a lot of people from Vegas and a lot of old faces that I knew, and it was just a really fun time. It really was someone that lives to bet. You know, all these different weekends, time spent in the books, going from casino, casino, walking the boardwalk. I mean, the amount of drunk dates I had just laying on the beach there, being like, what am I doing here? Like, what am I doing blowing this money? Why. Why am I laying on this beach? But I'm gonna miss it. It was just a very unique city. I love and I. Like I said, I hope they change these tax law, tax laws, and I'll be back in New Jersey because it's just. There's nothing better. It was the wild west when it got approved. I feel like we had 20 sports books, I think online came to pass. Like, that summer, maybe it was, like, August. It was just. It was the best. It was the best because Vegas felt like it was the past and it was all old and everything was new and better and, you know, easier to make A buck in the state and yeah, it was just, like I said, hero of the week. Atlantic City of my life. That was. It was a great six years and I honestly can't believe it's over. It's bittersweet.
- [40:57]
Chad Millman
New Jersey did it right. As soon as it passed, they did it right. Simon says this week was Pittsburgh plus three and a half. We will get there. Chad's choice was the Rams minus seven. That's a win. Brass balls. Carolina plus three and a half. That's a win. Rocking a hard place. Bengals minus seven and a half. Sharp versus Square. We're double losers. Chad at Cincinnati, Simon at San Francisco. Favorites parlay Cincinnati, Philly. Minnesota Rams underdog parlay Pittsburgh, Carolina, San Francisco, New Orleans. Man. All right, let's talk about some playoff liens quickly. Bills 1 1/2 point favorites over the Jaguars. The Bills currently do not have a place kicker. They cut Michael Baggley. Matt Prater got hurt again today. I don't know what they're going to do. Matt Mitchell is apoplectic. The Jags are one and a half point dogs at home. The small market team getting disrespected.
- [41:59]
Simon Hunter
Yeah. And it's. I don't know. It does. I'm gonna hit it. I'll hit the plus one and a half now on the Jags, obviously, but I would, I would be shocked if this line flipped. I just can see the, the public doing what they all are going to do. They're going to hammer the Bills. It's the only quarterback they know and trust. Right. Like the AFC is all these people. You can. I have a million different reasons not to trust. And the one true fact is Josh Allen. Yes. He's never been to a Super Bowl. It's never, I mean, a couple games. I guess you could say it's fault. Right. He has done things to be his fault, but it's always been the defense that's disappointed them. So once again, can the defense show up here? I don't think so. This Jags offense, man, they are a job. Yeah, they're that good. And this is an orchard park, so I know it's painful to do. I mean, who cares if you're mad, Mitchell, you got to believe it's Josh Allen. But if, if I, you know, get word that the foot stuff is all good, the lower body is all good, maybe I could waver a little bit. But right now that I'm, I'm very, very confident on taking this Jaguars team, especially as a home dog in the spot.
- [43:10]
Chad Millman
I want to think about how we're going to do this because I don't want to go too deep into every game because we got so much to research. But there's not that many games and it's.
- [43:16]
Simon Hunter
We can just fly through them all like yeah. I'm not gonna just be Ben them. That's just a game. I bet it right away just because of. They are a dog.
- [43:21]
Chad Millman
The Jags, Bears, one and a half home dogs also.
- [43:27]
Simon Hunter
They're already minus one. Yeah. Minus one and a half favorite. Like I told you that, right? Yeah. So that's another game I'll probably take a position on, but I'm in no rush now that it's already flipped. Eagles open two and a half. It's already up to minus three.
- [43:38]
Chad Millman
Yep.
- [43:39]
Simon Hunter
So you know, if Brock Purdy gets a three and a half dog, that's a conversation. But if you want the Eagles, I would say it looks like the pros are coming on them. It's minus three minus 115 now. So not only did it move off the two and a half, it's already minus 115 on the three. So it's. It's an interesting moving and yeah. Panthers plus ten and a half against the Rams. I know Chad's already thinking his mind we got to take the Panthers. But I'll see if I can talk them off that.
- [44:05]
Chad Millman
I don't actually feel that way. I don't feel that way. You know why? Because look, I love the Rams. I think they're amazing and I think they're a juggernaut and I love watching them. And I do think that the Panthers, while they didn't play great, they played well enough for them to go stink it up in the next game. And honestly at home against the Rams, if the Panthers hadn't picked off Stafford multiple times and had multiple touchdowns on defense, they lose that game going away. So I'm not entirely convinced the Panthers are going to be the side. Yeah. That we want in that game. The last game we got to make one comment about. We said we can't wait to fade the Patriots in the playoffs.
- [44:48]
Simon Hunter
Easiest bad. Grab it now. Say it. Plus three and a half charges. You gotta grab it. Yeah. Patriots fans, in my mind I'd be excited because it is Herbert who is Owen too. But I. I'm gonna give you guys all the stats. It's just. It's always really tough for the. The first year quarterback in the sense first year in the playoffs quarterback. It just, it's just different. The speed's different. Everything about that mentor, you know, he's getting offers for coaching jobs. He's the DC of his Chargers team. They're just a good defense. It's gonna be interesting to see how Drake May plays because they're one of the best defenses against deep ball. So I'm just going to give it out now just in case it does move. I could easily see this being three once we hop on on Tuesday morning.
- [45:33]
Chad Millman
All right, we're going to dig in deeper. If you're playing the contest, you'll be getting totals in the contest moving forward, so be advised. We'll announce all the contest details on Tuesday's show, but obviously you're going to be able to we're going to expand the pool on on what you can choose from. Final review of our games. We had the Bengals minus seven and a half. That was a loss. We had the Saints plus three and a half. That's a win. We had the Rams minus seven and a half. That is a win. We had the Lions plus three and a half. That is a win. We're on the Steelers tonight plus three and a half to hopefully go four and one. This week this has been Sharper Square presented by Hard Rock bet, part of the Volume Podcast Network. We will be back with our next Sharper Square on Tuesday to go over the entire playoff slate. Watch or listen on YouTube at Sharper Square. Like the video, subscribe to the channel. Download us from Spotify, Apple Pods, wherever you get your pods rate. Review. Subscribe. We miss five stars. Say whatever you want. Feedback is a gift. Until next time.
- [46:37]
Simon Hunter
Love you in your seatbelts. It's playoff time.
- [46:43]
Podcast Announcer
This is an iHeart podcast.
- [46:46]
Chad Millman
Guaranteed Human.