The Best Of Covino & Rich

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "The Best Of Covino & Rich"

Release Date: December 18, 2024
Host/Authors: Rich Davis, Covino, and Dan Byer

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1. Scone vs. Muffin Debate

Timestamp: [02:39] – [08:00]

The episode kicks off with a lighthearted and humorous debate between Rich Davis and Covino regarding the differences between scones and muffins. Rich draws a parallel to a "Curb Your Enthusiasm" episode, highlighting his frustration over the misclassification of scones as muffins in the office.

• Rich Davis: “If you go to an Italian restaurant, are you grabbing the soft bread or the hard Italian bread? No, you're grabbing the soft bread. If there was a blueberry muffin in the kitchen or this blueberry scone that it's like is a brick.” ([03:59])

• Covino: “A muffin is like a chewy treat. A scone is like a dessert biscuit. And I know it's like crumbly and buttery and a little bit stable like a biscuit.” ([04:21])

The banter escalates as they mockingly argue over the merit of each pastry, ultimately agreeing that while scones have their place, muffins are generally the preferred choice unless only scones are available.

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2. Yankees Acquire Cody Bellinger: Implications and Gossip

Timestamp: [12:08] – [24:23]

The conversation shifts to a major sports news story: the New York Yankees' acquisition of Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs. Covino and Rich delve into the strategic implications of this move for the Yankees, discussing Bellinger's performance metrics and potential impact on the team.

• Covino: “Cody Bellinger is only 29, former MVP... he dipped a little bit last year, had a comeback year in 2023 with 26 home runs and batted .307.” ([17:45])

• Rich Davis: “Devon Williams. He's one of the best lefties in the league.” ([21:01])

Amidst the analysis, they explore a sensational subplot: rumors that Bellinger's wife, Chase Carter, previously dated Giancarlo Stanton. This personal angle raises questions about potential clubhouse dynamics and professionalism.

• Covino: “Cody Bellinger's wife used to date Giancarlo Stanton... They have two kids now.” ([23:00])

The hosts ponder whether past relationships might influence team chemistry but ultimately hope that professionalism will prevail for the team's success.

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3. NFL Playoffs: NFC North Race

Timestamp: [34:10] – [48:54]

Rich and Covino provide an in-depth analysis of the NFC North race, highlighting the competitive standings of the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, and Green Bay Packers, all holding impressive 12-2 records.

• Rich Davis: “There’s three teams that are 12 and 2. The Lions are the heavy favorite to get that one seed at 54%, the Eagles at 30%, and the Vikings at 16%.” ([34:31])

They break down each team's final three games, assessing strengths and weaknesses, injury impacts, and potential outcomes that could determine the top seed and playoff positions.

• Covino: “The Vikings have the hardest path, but I also feel like they're the most underrated of all these teams.” ([42:28])

The discussion covers pivotal matchups, such as the Lions vs. Bears and Vikings vs. Seahawks, forecasting how these games will influence the final standings.

• Rich Davis: “Imagine if the Giants f*% them week 18. How embarrassingly awesome would that be?” ([41:09])

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4. Showtime Mahomes NFL Trivia

Timestamp: [51:19] – [56:29]

In a fun and interactive segment, Rich, Covino, and Dan Byer host the "Showtime Mahomes NFL Trivia," engaging a contestant named Josh from Tehachapi, California. The trivia game tests their knowledge on various NFL topics, adding a playful competitive edge to the show.

• Dan Byer: “Dan Byer for the win... He's got Byer.” ([55:54])

The segment concludes with Dan Byer triumphing over the hosts, highlighting the camaraderie and entertaining dynamics among the hosts.

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5. Conor McGregor vs. Logan Paul Fight Rumors

Timestamp: [60:33] – [65:37]

The hosts shift gears to discuss the burgeoning rumors of a boxing match between Conor McGregor and Logan Paul. They express skepticism about the fight's viability and marketability, debating the potential outcomes and fan interest.

• Covino: “Conor’s washed, right? We don’t know what he’s got in the tank, to be honest.” ([60:37])

• Rich Davis: “The redeeming benefit here is you'd love to see both of those guys get knocked down.” ([61:25])

They humorously critique the idea, questioning whether such a match would deliver genuine sporting excitement or merely serve as a spectacle lacking in competitive integrity.

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6. Closing Remarks and Holiday Wishes

Timestamp: [65:36] – End

Rich and Covino wrap up the episode with holiday greetings, reflecting on their long-standing partnership and teasing future content for upcoming episodes. They maintain the show's trademark blend of humor and sports analysis, leaving listeners amused and informed.

• Covino: “Happy holidays from your pals. CNR on FSR.” ([60:11])

• Rich Davis: “Switching and saving with Geico feels just like that” ([65:20]) (Note: This is part of an advertisement segment and can be omitted if adhering strictly to content-only sections.)

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Rich Davis on Scones: “I'm not sure you know what a scone is, Mocha Joe.” ([03:30])

• Covino on Muffins vs. Scones: “I make a pretty good scone, actually.” ([06:13])

• Covino on Bellinger's Impact: “He's going to breathe new life into this guy.” ([22:21])

• Rich Davis on NFC Playoffs: “It’s the NFC elite as we currently sit in the studio...” ([34:10])

• Dan Byer on Pittsburgh Steelers: “I think Pittsburgh could go to Buffalo and win.” ([49:37])

• Covino on Rec Sports vs. NFL: “It's like the NFL season. It's like, yeah, it could be that team.” ([57:35])

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This episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd: The Best Of Covino & Rich" masterfully blends humor with insightful sports analysis, offering listeners both entertainment and a deep dive into current NFL dynamics. From playful debates over pastries to serious discussions on team strategies and player movements, Covino, Rich, and Dan deliver a well-rounded and engaging listening experience.

Transcript

[Rich Davis]

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[Dan Byer]

And it's only on Prime Video makes the catch Touchdown this week the Denver.

[Rich Davis]

Broncos visit the Los Angeles Chargers in.

[Dan Byer]

A game with big playoff implications.

[Rich Davis]

This is unbelievable.

[Dan Byer]

Coverage begins with TNF tonight.

[Rich Davis]

Not a Prime member.

[Dan Byer]

Sign up for a 30 day free trial to stream the game.

[Rich Davis]

It's the Broncos and Chargers Thursday only on Prime Video.

[Dan Byer]

Restrictions apply. See Amazon.com amazonprime for details.

[Rich Davis]

Hi everyone, it's Savannah Guthrie and Hoda.

[Dan Byer]

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[Rich Davis]

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[Covino]

Join us every morning on NBC and.

[Dan Byer]

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[Rich Davis]

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[Covino]

Find your local station for Covino and [e-mail] or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching FSR.

[Rich Davis]

Before we get into Josh Allen and the NFL and you know, where do we see things going, getting in Like I said to week 16, someone brought in scones and I felt like Larry David because there was an episode, if you remember, where him and Mocha Joe argued about the difference between a scone and a muffin.

[Covino]

I barely remember, but I do remember.

[Rich Davis]

You love Mocha Joe. I remember he opened up a spite coffee shop. Latte Larry's. But if you remember the old episode of Curb, take a listen. It's a little soft. Like the scone. Yeah, the scone's supposed to be hard. This is like a muffin.

[Dan Byer]

Well, not really.

[Rich Davis]

It's supposed to be fresh. Yeah, fresh, hard. Well, that's a fresh scone. I'm not quite sure you know what a scone is, Mocha Joe.

[Covino]

Oh, I know what a scone is.

[Rich Davis]

Do you? Yeah, you may have a looser definition of scone than I do. I don't think it's really open to interpretation though.

[Dan Byer]

You want the scone or not?

[Rich Davis]

Yeah, I'll keep the scone.

[Covino]

Slash muffin.

[Rich Davis]

So you're going to keep the scone? Yeah. Muffin, Muffin.

[Covino]

Enjoy the scone.

[Rich Davis]

Muffin.

[Covino]

Now I'm confused because did someone bring in stale muffins or scones to the office?

[Rich Davis]

And that's my point. I as much as I'm enjoying, you know, free food in the kitchen, is.

[Covino]

A scone just a stale muffin?

[Rich Davis]

No. But does anyone opt for the scone? Meaning like if you go to an Italian restaurant, are you grabbing, are you grabbing the soft bread or you grabbing that like the hard ass Italian bread where it's like, oh, like it's hard to chew? No, you're grabbing the soft bread. If there was a blueberry muffin in the kitchen or this blueberry scone that it's like is a brick.

[Covino]

There's a difference.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah, I'm eating it.

[Covino]

A muffin is like chewy treat. A scone is like a dessert biscuit. And I know it's like crumbly and buttery and a little bit stable like a biscuit.

[Rich Davis]

But would you ever opt for the scone?

[Covino]

If that's all they had.

[Rich Davis]

If that's all they had. But Danny G, would you?

[Covino]

If I had a choice, I'm going muffin problem.

[Dan Byer]

Scones are weak.

[Covino]

You know what, I'll go ahead.

[Dan Byer]

I was just going to say, Rich, the harder bread in the Italian restaurant You're talking about even those. You soak those with the olive oil and vinegar.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah, no doubt. So again, just dumb thoughts here on Camino Roche. I just felt like Larry David for a second when I was in the kitchen. You should feel like Larry David because of your hairline, but I felt like Larry David.

[Covino]

Wow. Because you're way closer to Larry David than me.

[Rich Davis]

You both have way more hair than Larry David David ever did.

[Dan Byer]

Yeah, but Rich is not a personality.

[Covino]

This conversation is Larry David.

[Dan Byer]

Yeah, exactly.

[Rich Davis]

Thanks. But anyway, we could get into the NFL. Just scones? No, because I was like, as I'm eating the scone, I'm like, you know what? This is such a Larry David moment. I'm like, wait, he had a fight with mocha Joe about scones? And I just ask, when you go. It's like your theory. When you go to a drugstore or a truck stop and you look down at the candy row, you're like, who gets the Baby Ruth? Or something? Like, who gets.

[Covino]

I always say, who gets the Clark bar? Who gets. Like, how is that still, like, buys the Zag Nut? How are these in business still? Who chooses the Abba Zaba besides Dave Chappelle and Hemp?

[Rich Davis]

Trust me. I want to make sure I sound grateful because I'm eating a free scone someone brought in. But if I were to go to a bakery or you were to go to a bakery, you're getting the coffee cake. You're getting a muffin, a black and white cookie, some Italian cookies. There's so many. I can't imagine, like, where does the scone drop to, like, this wouldn't even make, like, the top 25 if we ap. Rank them. It's not even top 25.

[Covino]

I make a pretty good scone, actually.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah.

[Covino]

I don't hate on them the way you hate on them.

[Rich Davis]

If I brought you.

[Covino]

I'm not saying it's my choice, but if we're. Dude, I'm eating it. I don't really care that much, especially if it's free.

[Rich Davis]

That's my counter. I'm gonna pick on anything.

[Covino]

I want to make you a scone. I make, like, a good orange cranberry scone this time of year with, like, a little icing. Orange icing drizzle. I'm gonna make you a scone. I left anything out there on the counter, and it was free to have. I'll taste a little something, dude.

[Rich Davis]

Ooh.

[Covino]

Unless, of course, it's raccoon, which we'll get to later on in the show.

[Rich Davis]

You'll bury your face in anything, from what I understand. So if I. If we go to Bees Bakery in Tarzan, it's just I'm picking a random good bakery here in Southern California.

[Covino]

You really hung up on these scones, man. Right. So go ahead. You go to Bees.

[Rich Davis]

If I say Cavino, pick any treat, calories don't matter. You could pig out. Scone would be like the last thing.

[Covino]

Cause it's probably like an old guy thing.

[Dan Byer]

Yeah.

[Covino]

You know, it's like for. It's hard.

[Rich Davis]

You take chocolate cake. You take strawberry shortcake, a black and white cookie.

[Covino]

I take two scones and a muffin. People probably a scone needs to be.

[Rich Davis]

Dipped to soften it up.

[Covino]

I think a scone should be toasted with a little bit of butter and jam, much like a biscuit. Why does the scone have to be hard?

[Dan Byer]

Like Larry David said, why can't it be soft?

[Rich Davis]

The soft scone seems more appealing. It seems like the top of a muffin, but then it's dense. Then it's just a muffin. Well, but no. A muffin has a top and it has a bottom.

[Covino]

Top of the muffin to you.

[Dan Byer]

Top of the muffin to you.

[Covino]

My muffin top is all that whole grain, low fat.

[Rich Davis]

So. Hey, listen, scones. I'm sorry I haven't brought it up. I just. I got in my head and I really felt like we were living at a real Larry David moment.

[Covino]

People bring in their leftover treats. Yes.

[Rich Davis]

Who made those scones? Do we know?

[Covino]

I don't know who brought them in, but whoever did is saying yes. Last time I bring these ungrateful guys.

[Rich Davis]

Any treats, I said I'm thankful.

[Covino]

So I'm just saying.

[Rich Davis]

There it is. I'll give you the other one. You said, who buys like the Zagnut? Unless you are doing it purely for dietary reasons.

[Covino]

Yeah.

[Rich Davis]

You go to a Mexican restaurant, who's not taking flour over corn tortilla flour every time?

[Covino]

Yeah, I do. But for a taco.

[Dan Byer]

I like a taco. Yeah, I was gonna say street tacos. Corn's too cold.

[Covino]

If people were choosing one or the other, they wouldn't offer both. It's like it's the Christmas season. Who's buying all that ribbon candy? Grandma's.

[Rich Davis]

I do.

[Covino]

Yes.

[Rich Davis]

Let me give you a story because everything has a dumb story on our show. I worked at a cards and gift store in high school, and this is why I'm telling you ribbon candy is about to go out of business.

[Dan Byer]

Oh, no.

[Rich Davis]

Certain things die with a generation, and that has to do with technology that has to do with, you know, types of clothing, food, anything.

[Covino]

I hope those strawberry candies don't die with the older generation.

[Rich Davis]

Individually wrapped ones, you know.

[Covino]

Individually wrapped, strawberry.

[Rich Davis]

I had one at Rich's house.

[Dan Byer]

Had one.

[Rich Davis]

You had some in those? Someone must have put it in a little bag of treats. Really.

[Covino]

That's Cuz Rich is 75 years old.

[Dan Byer]

They're part of the gingerbread house making.

[Rich Davis]

There was one inside, just grabbed it and had it.

[Dan Byer]

It was delicious. There's no name for those, by the.

[Rich Davis]

Way, Just strawberry candy.

[Covino]

Where do grandma's get them from? That's the mystery, the dollar tree.

[Rich Davis]

That's why they sell old.

[Covino]

I thought they just. I thought they just appeared at the bottom of their purse.

[Rich Davis]

Look, here's another. I worked at a cards and gift store and it sounds terrible, but all the old ladies and old dudes would come in and they would buy their brands of cigarettes and they slowly died off one at a time. And then all of a sudden, you know, fast forward a year or so. I'm in high school working at the store. No one buys Lucky strike cigarettes anymore, let alone cigarettes in general. Because everyone that ever smoked Lucky strikes is dead. They were quite unlucky. I'm just saying, you go to a bakery, there's gonna come a point where anyone that ever would have opted for a scone is dead. So scones will go away.

[Covino]

I feel like you just worked out your opening routine at laughers this weekend here on our show Scones.

[Rich Davis]

Am I right, Scones?

[Covino]

Happy holidays, everybody.

[Rich Davis]

What's the deal next week?

[Dan Byer]

Look at, look at, look at the clock. It's time for our first topic.

[Covino]

What's the deal with scones? Hey, Rich, thanks for working out all the kinks on the show.

[Rich Davis]

Hey, no problem, guys. Hey, our first art, our first guest tonight. He's from New Jersey. Give it up for Steve Camino, everybody. By the way, how do you feel about the scones were okay though?

[Covino]

I'll give.

[Rich Davis]

Let me go. I'm going to work out new material. How do you feel about the drones, guys? Drones.

[Covino]

Drones and drones.

[Dan Byer]

Drones and drones, man. I mean, wow, Boats and hoes.

[Rich Davis]

Do you believe that they don't know what the drones are?

[Covino]

I don't believe that at all. You can't say that we're. We don't know anything and that we're completely safe at the same time.

[Rich Davis]

Both.

[Covino]

Both can't be true, Iowa. Sam, you either know or you don't.

[Rich Davis]

I'm not trying to forcibly make this.

[Covino]

I want to go back to food for a second.

[Rich Davis]

I'm not trying to forcibly push this into sports, but imagine if a bunch of drones that no one knew what they were doing were hovering above a big stadium for a game. You think that would fly?

[Covino]

Pun intended.

[Rich Davis]

Do you think that would be allowed? Like, imagine it would fly. Let's say you're Jersey, MetLife. Giants or jets came. If they saw huge drones.

[Covino]

I'm sorry, I don't live a MetLife. I hate the Mets. Sorry, continue.

[Rich Davis]

Would you believe that that would be okay?

[Covino]

No. No way, no how. Because the government knows these are our drones. They're just not releasing. Why? We're searching for something. Something radioactive, something nuclear.

[Rich Davis]

We're.

[Covino]

We're searching these plasmoids. We don't. I don't know what we're doing, but those are ours. And the government's lying to us about that. That's all I really understand. That's my theory on it. There's no way they could say we don't know anything about them. But you guys are completely safe. They know. They're just not letting us or the public in on it.

[Rich Davis]

All right, there you go.

[Covino]

So scones and drones, everybody.

[Rich Davis]

By the way, did you guys see that? Mortgage rates dip slightly. Loans. I just want to throw loans. Scones and drones.

[Covino]

Scones, drones and loans. Give it up for Rich Davis, everybody.

[Rich Davis]

I'll be here next week. I'll be here next week.

[Covino]

Wacka wacka.

[Dan Byer]

I will throw tomatoes at his bones coming after that.

[Rich Davis]

Thank you, D.B. well, hey, you know what? I wanted to let the Yankee news settle in for Covino because I did want to lead with that today. Other than scones, of course.

[Covino]

You did not. You wanted to talk about scones all day. I think you have a hankering for some more maybe. I guarantee you he goes back into that kitchen and eats the rest of them. He just hated on him for 15 minutes, he's going to eat the rest. So the big news before we get into showtime, Mahomes trivia. Today, rec sports. Conor McGregor's in the news. There's lots to get to. Dan Beyer came into our little kitchen meeting area. He's like, yo, the Yankees just got Cody Bellinger. I gave him a Derek Jeter fist pump. Hell yeah. Yeah, Jeets, that's exciting. I like that. Left handed bat in the lineup. Bats left, throws left. Could play a little first base. The Yankees need first base.

[Rich Davis]

I don't know if you're appreciative enough of what you got. You got the number One update guy in the world hand delivering you a message.

[Covino]

I think that's amazing. Yeah. And I am grateful for that, actually, because he knew I'd be excited about it. And he told me, I was like, yes, because the Yankees are making moves. Here's the silver lining to losing Soto. And we lost Soto. I admit that lost Soto, but it forced the Yankees to make better moves for the team. So the Max Freed was sort of a desperation, gotta get him move after losing Soto.

[Rich Davis]

Devin Williams. Why you laugh? That's nothing to laugh at. That's a crazy.

[Covino]

That's what I'm saying. Another move of strategy. Get rid of Nestor. Nasty. Nestor gone. You get him and his nasty change up now. And Cody Bellinger, who could play some outfield and some first base and he has some lineage. I find that to be charming. I like that part of the story. But that's not even where we're going if you guys remember. Most of you probably don't. His dad was Clay Bellinger of the New York Yankees. Now, I'm a Yankees fan. I don't expect everybody to remember this dude. He was your quintessential utility guy, you know, average player at best. And then went on to have a superstar stud of a son.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah, I mean, one of the. One of those scenarios where the son is significantly better than the dad.

[Covino]

Significantly. But I bet you Cody grew up admiring the pinstripes because that's where his dad played. And Yankee fans remember Clay Bellinger because it's not like he was a scrub. It's not like he sucked. He was just one of those utility guys who, you know, when he came in, he delivered. He just wasn't a dominant player by any means. And now his son is a New York Yankee. I think there's some pride in that. Following in his dad's footsteps, doing maybe what his dad couldn't, becoming a star in New York City. I think there's a lot of cool storylines there. But then there's like a little side storyline I was hearing whispers of. As a Yankees fan, is it a big story? Probably not. But as a Yankees fan who gets all the social media updates and sees all this gossip and bossip online, I did hear a story of, wait a second. Is there going to be any beef between Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton?

[Rich Davis]

Why would there be beef? Cavino.

[Covino]

Well, get this. In around 2018, 2019, this is all gossip. And I'm not wishing for any sort of turmoil and I'm not trying to be salacious. I'm just Trying to tell you what people are saying online and how would you feel about it. According to the legend, according to the story, Giancarlo Stanton, one of the most handsome guys in baseball. We could agree, right? We could put our machismo aside and say John Carlos Stanton is a bit of a stud. Even my girlfriend's like, geez Louise, the buns on that guy. And I have to say, he must work out.

[Rich Davis]

I mean, he's ripped.

[Covino]

The dude is like pinstripes, right?

[Dan Byer]

My girl says he has a Frankenstein face.

[Rich Davis]

I was about to say maybe a little too masculine. Yeah, I was about to say, like, I don't think Stanton. I think ripped and chiseled. I don't think handsome. I don't think.

[Covino]

I'll tell you what. According to this article, this article I did read to prove my theory here says he's deemed one of the most handsome men in Major League Baseball, was on the prowl 2018, 2019, and dated this woman named Chase Carter. Chase Carter is a Maxim magazine, Sports Illustrated Bahamian bikini model. And I think she's still in her 20s. She's like 27 year old, really good looking woman. So her and Giancarlo Stanton were dating for a few years, on and off or whatever. Either way they were associated. I'm sure Giancarlo Stanton dated plenty of women. But then Chase Carter around that time ends up with Cody Bellinger. They're now married and they have two kids now. You could say ancient history, who cares, right? They've all dated each other, all good looking rich people. It's not the first time something like this happens. But would you be willing to put that aside if there ever was a beef there? I don't know. Like the inner workings of. Does Cody hate Giancarlo because of their past? Did he steal her from Giancarlo? I don't know any of that. But what I do know is they were associated at one point together as photos. There's. I saw the photos. Unless they're AI. And then she ended up with Cody Bellinger. So the story was. And now we have to figure out what happens is can they put those differences aside for the greater good of the Yankees? They didn't want to let something like that get in the way of them playing together and winning together with the Yankees. Seems like it wasn't even an issue because the deal is done today. But it could be sticky, icky, icky. Your thoughts?

[Rich Davis]

There is going to be so many little childish whispers in the Yankee clubhouse.

[Covino]

And by the way, that's just one part of the story. The other part of the story. Do you think Bellinger is going to prosper in the pinstripes? Because he did slide a little bit last year with 18 home runs. He went from 26 home runs in 2023 to 18 last year. He was a little hurt last year, but he went from.307.

[Rich Davis]

Batting.307. Having to look at the guy that used to sleep with his wife.

[Covino]

Right, Right. That's a little awkward. All right, so let's put it in regular guy terms. You got a new job and you roll in. And now you're working with the guy who used to date your wife. And date. You know, you say date to be kind. Rich. Put it in other terms. You're thinking about Lundberg, what Lundberg used to do.

[Rich Davis]

Yep.

[Covino]

Right. So that's a little awkward. Will that get in the way? Is that something that would bother you? And what do you think about this Cody Bellinger move? I honestly think this could be. He already had a comeback year, but I think it could be another comeback year of sorts. He's still a young player, and I think he could be a big bat with that short porch at Yankee Stadium.

[Rich Davis]

Listen, you could say maturity will prevail. And they're on the same team where the pain.

[Covino]

Professionalism could prevail.

[Dan Byer]

Right.

[Rich Davis]

You know, they're married, they got kids. Different level. But it's not easy to have to constantly deal with someone you know was with the woman you ended up with. You. You really ended up. You ended up going on a few dates with a girl you really liked. And I remember you couldn't carry on because you got wind that I had hooked up with her.

[Covino]

Rich just so badly wanted to mention that. Cause I got with her.

[Rich Davis]

I was not. Why would I try to mention that on purpose? It goes along with the story I did. You couldn't proceed.

[Covino]

I could have.

[Rich Davis]

Maybe. That's not a brag.

[Covino]

You're sounding silly to taken her ser. More serious. Hadn't I known this fact, I thought it was a character flaw on her part. So I was like, she's got. Yeah, I looked at it like she's got terrible judgment. So I really can't really take this further. But yeah, no, that was sort of a deal breaker for me of sorts. Like, yeah, we could hang, but Rich will always have that army that he used to get with her. Who needs that?

[Rich Davis]

But that's not something on you. That's in your own head. So if you don't think Cody Bellinger is on the new team being like, I'm happily married, kids. Oh, there's Stan looking with his stupid muscles. Used to sleep with my wife. You don't think that's. Come on, they're in their 20s. They're not as mature as you think.

[Covino]

Cody Bellinger, before we start playing games and giving away prizes. Showtime, homes, trivia.

[Rich Davis]

A lot of NFL to get to.

[Covino]

But I, I, Conor McGregor, lots to get to. Cody Bellinger is the story right now. Yankees fan. I'm pretty excited because we're seeing them make these necessary moves to sort of compensate for the loss of Juan Stto. It's forcing them to be more creative and crafty and make better choices.

[Rich Davis]

That's.

[Covino]

That is that. That's the silver lining. They were sort of forced to work harder here to create a better team instead of just banking it all on Soto. So I'm liking what they're doing.

[Rich Davis]

It's a good. It's a good move. But you know what? It's. It's. I think the Yankees are making the right moves. I'm a firm believer in don't make a move just to make a move. But as of right now, Devin Williams, you shored up your bullpen with that.

[Covino]

Yeah.

[Rich Davis]

I mean, Max Freed. Only a hater would say, well, you know, he's, you know, a little older and he's coming off of surgery. He's one of the best lefties in the league. You got him.

[Covino]

So they may have overpaid or not even overpaid. They gave him maybe a year or two too many.

[Rich Davis]

No salary cap. Who cares?

[Covino]

To get the ball rolling in the right direction after Soto, I think they had to make that move.

[Rich Davis]

It's like a rich person at a restaurant, you know that. You know how much a bottle of wine costs. Who cares? They're rich. It's a salary cap. Paymax free. The hundreds of millions of dollars, it doesn't matter.

[Covino]

And Cody Bellinger is only 29. Former MVP. You saw what he did now in Los Angeles. Of course, he dipped off a little bit. Had a comeback year in 2023. In 2023. 26 dongs.

[Rich Davis]

Whoa.

[Covino]

And batted 307 again. Fell off a little bit last year.

[Rich Davis]

That's almost as many as that girl that broke a record.

[Covino]

But he was battling 100 injury, so coming back to New York has to rejuvenate him. Has to get the adrenaline flowing, as they say. And Rich hates it. Putting on those pinstripes has to breathe new life into this guy.

[Rich Davis]

I mean, putting on any new uniform, it's not the stupid pinstripes.

[Covino]

But it is. When your dad played for him, Rich.

[Rich Davis]

Did they put them on like that.

[Covino]

Old Mentos commercial where the guy sat on the bench, bench remember his dad. A lot of people don't know it cause he wasn't a big star. But his dad played for the Yankees and that makes it more prideful. I'm sure, I'm sure it's a proud day in the Bellinger family and, and that's the primary focus here. Congratulations to Bellinger. I wish him a great season. I think it's a cool move. I like him in that Yankee lineup. A solid left handed bat. He could play first base. The Yankees need that. They need an outfielder. He plays the outfield. I think he's going to be a great fit.

[Rich Davis]

And the fans are going to like the right field porch is very appealing to left handed power hitters. Especially that fly out a lot.

[Covino]

And they're giving up what poteed for him and eating up the rest of the Cubs contract.

[Rich Davis]

Well, let me give you the number. Just so you know.

[Covino]

Cody Poteet was a three and oh young pitcher for the Yankees last year.

[Rich Davis]

Well they got Bellinger and the financials. From what I'm understanding he's owed about 50 mil over the next couple years. So the Cubs to entice the Yankees and make it you know, more of a deal that was appealing. They're throwing in about $5 million to offset. So you're paying Cody Bellinger in the low 20s which I think is fair market value for a former MVP, a guy that's not even 30.

[Covino]

Yankees get Bellinger and 5 million for Cody Poteet, a right handed pitcher on the, on the come.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah, but yeah, meaning $5 million less than his contract with the Cubs which a lot of people thought was a little inflated.

[Covino]

So that's the story. It's a cool one because you're seeing the Yankees make moves. But the other fun side of the story based on gossip and life actually is the fact that Cody Bellinger's wife used to date Giancarlo Stanton. Hey, for all we know it was nothing serious. But there was photos taken together. It was, it was within a two year span. I don't know how serious it was.

[Rich Davis]

And for all we know they're, they're all friends but you.

[Covino]

Yeah, for all we know they're, they're the best of friends. Cody Bellinger obviously has been married to her. They have two kids. It's probably ancient history but you know that's going to be ammunition for for other teams and other fans when they come visiting.

[Rich Davis]

People handle these things differently. Let me ask you, let me start with Danny. Danny and his wife Brenda seem to be very protective of each other. Danny, if you started working at a place and the other guy you had to work closely with was like, oh, Brenda. Oh, man, I used to. Oh, that's your wife. Would that be something that you enjoyed every day, working with a guy that used to do all types of things to the woman you love?

[Dan Byer]

No. I might have to take that dude out for a conversation in the parking lot.

[Rich Davis]

I wonder if there is a good idea.

[Covino]

Those stories low, you know, it feels disrespectful a little bit. I don't want to hear about it. I understand. Everybody has a past.

[Rich Davis]

That's true. And think of all the locker room talk. Yeah.

[Covino]

You know, it just. It's just you said before that I was sounding immature. I did go out a few times with a girl that dated Rich for a minute. You don't think in reality. In reality, Rich is my boy, but if I ended up dating that girl, seriously, you don't think behind closed doors he'd be telling everybody that he used to hook up with her? You know damn well he would. Rich Davis sinks ships. He can't keep his big mouth shut. And it wouldn't be to make me look bad, but it would be just a little feather in his cap just to tell everybody else I used to date her back in the day. Rich, I can't say I would blame you for having the urge to maybe say that because it was your truth. It's the truth. Yeah, but that doesn't make me look or make me feel any good in that situation.

[Rich Davis]

You know, it got me thinking about other stories in sports. Not. Not necessarily players who slept with teammates wives. But you remember the Yankees that swapped wives?

[Covino]

Yeah. Wife, so. And dogs. They swapped wives.

[Rich Davis]

Wives and pets.

[Covino]

Yeah.

[Dan Byer]

Basically swapped lives.

[Covino]

They did.

[Rich Davis]

That was a story from, I believe, the 70s. And then you remember Jalen Ramsey when he was a first time, like hotshot in the league, he went down the laundry list of how every quarterback in the NFL sucked, not realizing that there would be a day where he'd probably play on one of those teams, which he did famously. He never played. He never played with him. Right. But then he say Josh Allen was trash.

[Covino]

You know what could happen, though, out of this subconsciously? A fun sort of competition amongst each other and they bring out the best in one another. In that New York sack exchange documentary about Mark Astano and the New York jets, they talk about how Joe Kleko and Gastonau, they hated each other. Hated each other, right. But what it did was brought out the best in one another because there became, then became a friendly competition amongst teammates. So you don't think Giancarlo hits a Stantonian blast. There's a part of Bellinger that does feel like, oh man, now I got to step up and go yard. It could. It depends on a friendly competition.

[Rich Davis]

It depends on the maturity level. It really does. You never want.

[Covino]

I'm sure it's ancient history, but the facts are still there and subconsciously you still want to be better.

[Rich Davis]

You act like people are mature and you act like young athletes are above like pettiness in relationships. Hopefully for your sake and the Yankees sake and their sake, everything's fine. But don't act like people aren't in subtle competitions with exes and oh, who's with who now? Oh, your ex wife and this guy. And like you're. It doesn't make you happy that your ex's new dude isn't as cool as you like. That doesn't make you feel good? Of course it does.

[Covino]

So again, Cody Bellinger's wife, beautiful wife, beautiful family, is 27 year old Chase Carter, apparently, allegedly supposedly was linked to Giancarlo Stanton.

[Rich Davis]

Remember, remember when your baseball pitcher, Marcus Stroman, when he was at the Mets, he trashed New York and how terrible the city was, the media, the people, how bad New York was. And then a couple years later went to the Cubs, came back to the Yankees and he had to do like the whole. Yeah, that was like blown out of proportion, like, I love New York. He was wearing like an I heart New York shirt. Get out of here.

[Covino]

I will wish Cody Bellinger the best. Welcome to the New York Yankees. We got to go to Dan by with an update.

[Rich Davis]

Dan Byer. Do you think when they do like a tour of the facility and stadium, John Carlo winks at Bellinger's wife.

[Dan Byer]

I'd hope not. I would hope that would not happen.

[Rich Davis]

I hope not.

[Covino]

It is an awkward part of the story that I wish didn't exist for the Yankees sake, but I know a lot of fans will be talking about that.

[Dan Byer]

You are, you are spun on in terms of maturity, that there's, it's, it truly is. Can you get past it or can't you? And if you can, you're likely mature enough to do so. You guys talked about the big deal in baseball today. Lot happening in the NFL. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes actually fully practiced today. Now a light workout for the Chiefs and Ed coach Andy Reid said that they're going to go light this entire week because of the crammed schedule that they have with week 16 on Saturday and then week 17 on Christmas Day. But Mahomes dealing with that high ankle sprain.

[Rich Davis]

Small Business Owners this one's for you. Chase for Business and iheart bring you a podcast series called the Unshakeables. This one of a kind series will shine the spotlight on small business owners like you who faced a do or die moment that ultimately made their business what it is. Learn [e-mail] business podcast Chase Make More of what's Yours Chase mobile app is available for select mobile devices. Message and data rates may apply. JPMorgan Chase Bank NA Member FDIC Copyright 2024 JPMorgan Chase Looking for Excitement? Chumba Casino is here. Play anytime. Play anywhere. Play on the train. Play at the store. Play at home. Play when you're bored. Play today for your your chance to win and get daily bonuses when you log in. So what are you waiting for? Don't delay. Chumba Casino is free to play. Experience social gameplay like never before. Go to Chumba Casino right now to play hundreds of games, including online slots, bingo, Slingo and more. Live the chumba [e-mail] VGW no purchase necessary, void or prohibited by law. Seek terms and conditions what's up everybody? Adnan Burke here to tell you about a new podcast from iHeart podcast in the National Hockey League. It's NHL Unscripted with Perkin Demers. Hey, I'm Jason Demers, former 700 game NHL defenseman turned NHL Network analyst, and boy oh boy, does Daddy have a lot to say. I love you, by the way, on NHL Network. We're looking forward to getting together each week to chat and chirp about the sport and all the other things surrounding it that we love. Right? Yeah, I just met you today, but we're going to have a ton of guests from the colliding worlds of hockey, entertainment and pop culture. And you know what? Tons of back and forth on all things NHL. Yeah, you're soon going to find out we're not just hockey talk. We get all kinds of random stuff on this podcast. Movies, television, food, wrestling. Even the stuff that you wear on NHL. Now. You wish you could pull off my short shorts, Virkie. That's sure to cause a ruckus. Listen to NHL Unscripted with Burke and demers, the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's going on, everybody? This is Justin Pennock from John Boy Media, the host of the Football Today podcast alongside Bobby Skinner and Chris Rose. We're rolling three times a week on Mondays, on Wednesdays, on Fridays, breaking down everything you need to know about the NFL. We're talking about the MVP race. Is Josh Allen going to pull it out? Lamar Jackson? Can Saquon Barkley even break the rushing record? Can the Steelers keep up their momentum? We talk about everything. We break it down. Stats, analytics. And of course, Chris Rose is bringing his perspective on being a pro in the media world as well. Listen to football Today on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and you will be glad you did. Hope you could join us for the postseason run.

[Covino]

I had the games on, but after that I tried watching other stuff. I just can't focus anymore. I have no ability to focus on. Even hot Megan Fox as a robot couldn't get my attention.

[Rich Davis]

You don't want a robot for Christmas now?

[Covino]

No, I just keep looking at my phone and the second I start looking at my phone, I'm like, eh, I guess I'm bored with this show. It's really it.

[Rich Davis]

I started watching season two of Silo on Apple tv. Damn good show. Silo's good. Danny G. You know what? I have not started yet. Shrinking.

[Dan Byer]

Oh, yeah, that's not what your wife said.

[Rich Davis]

Man. Wow. Okay, man. You guys making fun of my scone conversation?

[Dan Byer]

Yeah, it's like you guys are trading off with your stand up routines.

[Covino]

Come on. He said, you know what? I haven't started yet. Shrinking.

[Rich Davis]

Come on.

[Covino]

Anyway.

[Rich Davis]

You gotta laugh out of Sam. I guess that's all that counts.

[Covino]

Yeah, and a rim shot, you know.

[Rich Davis]

And a what?

[Covino]

What?

[Rich Davis]

Anyway, so.

[Dan Byer]

Rim shot.

[Rich Davis]

I. Yeah, we heard that.

[Dan Byer]

We heard the first part. So she's play one on yourself right now.

[Rich Davis]

NFC rim shot. Yes. Oh, you could go either way with that, I guess. All right, the NFC North. Let's talk NFC north for a second. And the NFC elite as we currently sit in the studio on December 17th, the day the Simpsons debuted in 1989. December 17th on the Tracey Ullman Show.

[Covino]

Or a standalone?

[Rich Davis]

No, they're standalone. Like Fox Sunday night. Remember? It was like Married with Children. Simpsons, that whole deal on this day, 1989. So 35 years ago, the Simpsons debuted. Now there's three teams that are 12 and 2. The Lions, the Vikings, and the Eagles.

[Covino]

Oh, my.

[Rich Davis]

And as of right now, there's, you know, percentages in Vegas of who will be the one seed. The Lions are the heavy favorite to get that one seed at 54%, the Eagles at 30% and the Vikings at 16%. As you know, the one seed gets the buy. Everyone else has to play opening weekend where the gone are the days because of the seven seed. Gone are the days of two teams getting a buy. Everyone's going to play wild card weekend, the super wild card weekend as they've called it the last couple of years. One team gets a buy. Likely the Chiefs in the afc, in the nfc it's a three headed race right now. I don't know how we're so sure you know, oh, it's going to be the Lions. They've suffered some key injuries. Let me give you the tale of the tape. Neither team is dominant at home or on the road. All three have a home loss. Lions 6 and 2 at home, Vikings 7 and 1 at home. Eagles 6 and 1 at home. They've, they've all scored ballpark same amount of points scored, Lions a bit more. Their defense is all in the same area as far as points allowed. So there's no like runaway while they're there. The one seat. Let me give you the final three games for each and let's see where we think these three teams are.

[Covino]

Did you mention the Vikings are 3 and 1 in their division?

[Rich Davis]

Yep. But let me tell you, they have a lot more damage to be done in that division. So here's what I want to do when we come back. Let's go over the final three games and let's assess where we think these three teams will be. One will be a one seed with a buy and one's going to be a three seed. I'm sure one's going to be a wild card and one's going to be a two seed. So we'll get to all that. Next NFC playoff picture. You know who's sitting in the corner crying right now? NBA front office people. Because we have not mentioned one time.

[Covino]

Buyer mentioned the all star mini tournament.

[Rich Davis]

No. But tonight, tonight's the. Isn't tonight the cup final?

[Dan Byer]

Yeah. I tried to talk to you guys about this in the pre show meeting today and neither of you even knew who was playing.

[Covino]

Actually the moment you asked me that right in my. I guess that's how the algorithm works sometimes. I opened up my social media and it was Giannis saying that they can't like they can't lose. Losing is not an option. They're going to win this.

[Rich Davis]

I said to Danny I go OKC versus somebody The Knicks.

[Dan Byer]

The Knicks. I don't know, but you got it half right.

[Rich Davis]

It's. It just proves the point that no one's in that NBA mindset. Hey, listen, maybe other shows, maybe other hosts, but here on our show, you know where our heads are at. NFL.

[Dan Byer]

Yeah.

[Rich Davis]

College football.

[Dan Byer]

Until after the Super Bowl.

[Rich Davis]

College football, bowl games, baseball, winter meetings and free agency. These are where, you know, I think a lot of people are thinking some good fights coming up. There's some gimmicky fights coming up and.

[Covino]

The ratings are showing that in the NBA. We've discussed it.

[Rich Davis]

It's. Yeah. So I, I feel not off the mark when you see that ratings are down 25 plus percent. I don't feel like, wow, we're really missing the NBA cup because I don't know if anyone cares about it. Did Doug talk about it? Dan Buyer. No, he's an NBA. He's a basketball guy.

[Dan Byer]

No, didn't happen.

[Rich Davis]

It just proves.

[Dan Byer]

I'll also add another thing to it because there's another sport that's near and dear to my heart that hasn't done a great job of promoting itself. And the division within this sport is golf. And right now there's a pay per View, Rory McElroy, Scotty Scheffler match against Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau that nobody also knows about. That nobody's talking about.

[Rich Davis]

Four stars. Stars.

[Dan Byer]

Yeah. Yes. Nobody knows about it.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah.

[Covino]

That's sometimes our job too, to get people hyped. Like there's a big fight coming up this weekend and I don't hear anybody talking about it. So I feel like it's my duty to make sure people know about it.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah. And Dan by it is, but it isn't. You're a big golf guy, so always feel free to be like, guys, you're missing out on this because Kavino's very quick to tell us about who's boxing. Yeah.

[Dan Byer]

No, but it's the organic nature. Like I get what Cavino is saying, but there's also just the point of. And as I'm sitting here reading the stories, what's a bigger story? That the NBA cup is tonight or that Raheem Morris was non committal about Kirk Cousins being a starting quarterback?

[Rich Davis]

And I think that's a way bigger story. Yeah. A coach's speculation or I hate to say this, a washed former MVP going to the Yankees.

[Covino]

Yeah. But you know what? That tide turned really quick, man, because NBA was creating its own storylines for a long time.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah.

[Covino]

And now it seems like we're A little disinterested for whatever reason. We've been exploring that.

[Rich Davis]

Now back to the NFC North. And by the way, if you're watching the NBA cup tonight, okc, five and a half point favorites, and Giannis is saying, yo, it's a must win. They're going to win. So maybe lay a few buckaroos on Moneyline. Bucks tonight. Giannis coming in with some fire or what? Thunder have a strong squad like Giannis over 30 points. Bucks win a little parlay action, so, you know, maybe give you something to make you want to watch. Now, NFC number one seed. Lions, Vikings, Eagles, all 12 and two. Like I said, one team will be the one seed, one will end up being the two seed, and one of those north teams will be the wild card. And Kavina, let me throw the schedules at you. And that's the easiest way to start. And then there's some tiebreaker action. But as of right now, you don't want to hear this, because it's a team that no one really wants to see in the super bowl. Unless you live in Philadelphia and you want some cheesesteaks. Pat's, Geno's. Give me Where'd we go spot last time? Is it Joe's tone? Tony, Tony, Tony. The Eagles play all division games, three division games to end the season. Eagles trying to fight for the one seed, you know, nine in a row since their bye week. Nine in a row. I'm so. Is it ten in a row since the. But ten in a row since the bye week. They've won ten in a row. And they play the Commanders, Cowboys and Giants. You might stamp that 15 and 2 ticket right there. Yeah, I. Maybe the Commanders give him a little. A little trouble, but I don't even know if I see that, do you?

[Covino]

That was early season Commanders, they were playing big, they were playing nice.

[Rich Davis]

This game is in D.C. is in Washington. Philly is favored by three and a half on the road, and the other two games should be cakewalks for me. Unless you think the Cowboys and Rush is going to play. Spoiler.

[Covino]

Okay, so you got the 15 and two Eagles.

[Rich Davis]

Wow, huh?

[Covino]

Yeah.

[Rich Davis]

After starting two and two and us saying they've been understated all year, that.

[Covino]

Means 13 game win streak to end it.

[Dan Byer]

Yeah, sometimes those in division games, though, are slugfest.

[Rich Davis]

Little tricky, right?

[Dan Byer]

Because the teams know each other so well.

[Rich Davis]

Imagine if the Giants f them week 18. Imagine if Tommy DeVito or someone like is the reason why the Eagles don't get the one seed. How embarrassingly awesome would that be? Oh, I got you, Philly.

[Covino]

That would be Tony.

[Rich Davis]

That would be the biggest fu. From New York to Philly, which, you know, that rivalry.

[Covino]

Imagine the Fusco show would go berserk.

[Rich Davis]

Imagine if the Eagles just needed to win and they're the one seed, and Tommy DeVito is your demise. Now I got something to root for. All right. All right, let's go to the Vikings. Vikings have the hardest path, but I also feel like they're the most underrated of all these teams. Right. The Vikings play three playoff teams to finish, which is why their. Their odds are the lowest. The Eagles have it, like I said, a cakewalk in their division. Maybe the commanders give them some trouble. And the joke of maybe Tommy DeVito, right. Listen to the Vikings play, because this is. This is not simple at all. The Minnesota Vikings have to go all the way west. Pacific Northwest, to be specific, to play Dan Byers, Seattle Seahawks in Seattle. So the Vikings have to go to Seattle. Then they come home to play the Packers.

[Covino]

Okay, so two tough games, I think.

[Rich Davis]

Are the dark horse of the nfc. They just had a couple tough losses in there. I think the packers are as elite as these teams. They're just not going to get a 1 seed.

[Dan Byer]

As we mentioned, the Vikings are 7 and 1 at home.

[Rich Davis]

So Vikings at Seahawks. Then they have to come home to play the packers again, two playoff teams likely, and then they finish the season Vikings at Lions.

[Covino]

Wow. So let's say they take two of those games.

[Rich Davis]

That's. That's ambitious, but that is ambitious.

[Covino]

So that's 14. 14.

[Rich Davis]

3.

[Covino]

So 14 and 3. Yeah.

[Rich Davis]

All right, Lions.

[Covino]

So that means you got the Eagles at 15 and 2, Vikings 14 and 3. If we're being ambitious, let's.

[Rich Davis]

Let's go Lions. Now Lions play at the Bears. I mean, they should handle that game, especially coming off of a loss against the Bills. They score points. They'll win. They're banged up, but they'll score points. So they got a W there. They played on Monday night in San Francisco. They should wipe the floor with the Niners, especially the Niners season being over. But what if the Niners say, yeah, we want to play Spoiler? And, you know, that team could get up for that game, but I still think the Lions should win that game. So it really comes down to Lions, Vikings, final game of the season. That. That could very well mean who's the number one seed. And then when you look at that nfc, Lions, Vikings, Eagles, Packers. Those are four great teams that, you know, for anyone that thought the NFC was the weaker of the conferences, because for a minute it was like, well, the AFC seems to have a leg up.

[Covino]

I think the injuries are going to really impact the Lions in this final stretch here.

[Rich Davis]

You know what?

[Covino]

That's tough. It's Montgomery like that. So I don't know. That's tough for the Lions. I think they got a tough break there.

[Rich Davis]

And Camino just, just for the heck of it. The packers play the Saints, the Vikings and the Bears. So they could very well end up. They'll be like a 12 and 5, really solid team going into the postseason. So 12 and 5, the packers, no slouch. So again, Lions, Vikings, Eagles, Packers. And then on top of that, your boy Colin and you both high on Baker Mayfield. You don't want to bump into Baker. Baker Mayfield, he's a star. Eight and six. They're on a four game winning streak.

[Covino]

He said, he said, despite popular belief that he hates Baker Mayfield, he said he actually offered Baker Mayfield the job.

[Rich Davis]

Turned him down on the Volume Network.

[Covino]

Yeah, that was the stars.

[Rich Davis]

Stars.

[Covino]

He's a star.

[Rich Davis]

Stars. Well, guess what?

[Covino]

The Bucks, you know, Mayfield is going to battle. I agree with him there for sure.

[Rich Davis]

The bucks are 8 and 6 and I wouldn't be shocked if they won out. They play the Cowboys, the Bucks in the Saint. I'm sorry, they play the Panthers and the Saints. Those are two W's, right. They're going to be an 11 and 6 reasonably, you know, solid team. Don't discount them because they're hot right now. They've won four in a row. And the Rams. The rams have won three in a row and they've won, what, nine of their last 10. I'm sorry, seven of the last eight or something. Whatever it is, the Rams are hot. So the NFC is going to be really great playoff football. I see no real weakness.

[Covino]

All these moving parts to either lose to the Bills.

[Rich Davis]

Stop.

[Covino]

Or the Chiefs. Probably the Bills.

[Rich Davis]

I mean. Danny G. When you look at that nfc, doesn't it feel a lot more solid than we anticipated when we started this year? Me, you, Cavino, Dan Byer, Iowa. I was Sam. We all agreed. We thought it was like 49ers or lions, maybe the packers. Like.

[Dan Byer]

Yeah, a lot of us took the Lions. You and I, even before preseason talk, were high on the commander's new leadership and of course, Jaden Daniels. But you know, and as you said, second half of the season, they're not playing as good as they did.

[Rich Davis]

The Commanders could be very proud. Danny G. They'll be very proud of a playoff berth and likely an early exit, but that's a great step in the direct in the right direction for Washington.

[Dan Byer]

And the surprise has to be the Rams in first place now in the NFC west, because you're right, so many people like yourself included, wanted to see the Niners hopefully catch that window before it closed.

[Rich Davis]

And it doesn't appear like it will be. Maybe they revamp and come back next year, but. Dan buyer, week 18. You got to be a little fired up anticipating Seahawks at Rams. Are you going to try to hit up that game out here? Are you too busy on the air at Fox Sports here?

[Dan Byer]

On the air at FOX Sports Radio?

[Rich Davis]

Into that game, though?

[Dan Byer]

Yeah, I probably wouldn't love being there anyway, to be honest with you.

[Rich Davis]

It's driving, parking, everything.

[Dan Byer]

Yeah, yeah, it's, it's happened in my old age. But there's the other, the other, like, turn of it is over these last couple of weeks, not a lot can happen unless the Seahawks can completely fall in their face. For that game to not have meaning. Like, I mean, it's, it's very likely going to have meaning. Danny says Rams are in first place. They have the same record right now, but Rams beat him earlier this year in Seattle. I don't know if the Seahawks are peaking. They're just not up to the quality of the other NFC teams that you've mentioned, including the Rams right now. But, yeah, it's still there for him.

[Rich Davis]

So I think the NFC going into the playoffs in a month from now, I think it's so much more promising than we thought. We really, I mean, and I'll admit I'm in Niners homer. I thought it was 40 niners and maybe like the Lions or Packers might give them a little trouble. We thought, Remember, we thought, well, we saw the Cowboys take a big step back, but we thought the Eagles and the Cowboys would take a step back. And we said, we said, well, they want the South. Who is Atlanta with Kirk Cousins? Maybe that. And that's likely not the story. So you're looking at a really great NFC playoff picture with Sam Darnold, with the Lions, who are a little more back to earth now, back to reality because they have some injuries.

[Dan Byer]

You didn't mention the Buccaneers, who surprised a lot of people by pounding that Chargers defense, which is one of the best defenses in the whole league.

[Rich Davis]

I told you Cavino and Cavino and Colin Cowherd going to go have some lattes and talk about their love of Baker Mayfield.

[Covino]

He gets the team fired up behind.

[Rich Davis]

Them, the bacon tough.

[Covino]

They're going to Play tough no matter what. You know they're going to play tough. You know, he could play.

[Rich Davis]

And they lost. Think of the wide receiver injuries they endured early on in the season. So the Bucks, they fight. Man, they play hard. So NFC looking solid. Really looking forward to the playoffs. And again, because my Niners are out of it, I do, I do acknowledge that I'm zoning out a little bit as the season comes to an end because I just want the playoffs to get here. Because you see all these teams and most of the playoffs here before you know it. I know.

[Covino]

Week 16, let's go.

[Rich Davis]

Now we don't, we don't need to really talk about the AFC because is that a, in your estimation, is that a three team race or are you even counting on Pittsburgh or Houston or one of these teams to make noise? Maybe Denver in that defense or is it really Casey, Buffalo and maybe the Ravens if they catch fire.

[Covino]

Yeah, I mean Pittsburgh. Do you give Pittsburgh more credit than the Ravens?

[Rich Davis]

Dan, by you give the Pittsburgh a little credit. Am I still sleeping on the Steelers? I know they got something going on.

[Dan Byer]

I think Pittsburgh could go to Buffalo and win. I mean the Bills in these great games of offense, look what their defense has done.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah, they're giving up like 30 and 40 spots on the regular big games.

[Dan Byer]

I think Pittsburgh would be able to score against them and their defense is good enough to at least keep the Bills in check. I think that that would be a nightmare matchup for the Bills if they ended up facing that in the divisional playoffs.

[Rich Davis]

I will prepare.

[Dan Byer]

And then Rich, we In the NFC, the last team we mentioned was the Bucks. AFC South Texans are in first place at 9 and 5 inconsistent. So you don't know which Texans team might show up in the playoffs.

[Rich Davis]

Last, last year they finished. Remember how strong they finished? And everyone was like, oh, their defense.

[Dan Byer]

Surprised a lot of people.

[Rich Davis]

That was, you know, if you remember back Kavino, your, your favorite player to talk about the end of last year was C.J.

[Covino]

Stroud and Danny G's for sure, you guys.

[Rich Davis]

Until C.J. stroud. The big time Danny at the Super Bowl. Yeah.

[Covino]

That is what's interesting about the season though because if you were to pick a team, a most dominant team, you'd have to say it's Buffalo. This season at least I would say it's Buffalo. You could say Eagles, but Buffalo. Right. But they also do let up a lot of points. So it really is any one season. Which makes it a little more interesting, Rich, which is why I'm surprised you're tuned Out. And it all comes down to your 49ers not being involved out of the season where it really could be anybody's. That's where you should be the most tuned in.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah, no, I, I, I'm, I'm in it, but it's, it's, it's more about just anxious for the playoffs. Now. I really want to see these, these key matchups, but there's some great matchups, like I said, getting into week 16, 17, 18, the final, the final stages of the year. All right, listen, we want to play Showtime Mahomes trivia. Give away some Cavino and Rich goodies.

[Covino]

Yeah. Speaking of the AFC Showtime Mahomes trivia, I saw my homes in the hallway.

[Rich Davis]

How's his ankles even?

[Covino]

I don't know. I guess.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah. So we, we'll do some Mahomes trivia.

[Dan Byer]

The mostly lovable Patrick Mahomes.

[Rich Davis]

Truth is I want everybody to love.

[Covino]

Me, not just the refs. It's time for some NFL trivia.

[Rich Davis]

I'm here. I'm here.

[Dan Byer]

Yes, we know you're here.

[Covino]

All right, Patrick Mahomes here to play Showtime Holmes trivia.

[Dan Byer]

All right, FSR security walking our broke Patrick into the main studio.

[Rich Davis]

Security, what is up?

[Dan Byer]

Little bit of a limp there.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah, it's my pimp walk.

[Covino]

What's going on?

[Rich Davis]

All right, guys.

[Dan Byer]

Hey, how you feeling?

[Covino]

Patrick Mahomes here, they say it's a mild high ankle sprain.

[Rich Davis]

It's a little spicy.

[Covino]

It's actually a little spicy. But I'm still planning on playing this weekend. Rich once sprained his ankle while he was high. Yeah, I know.

[Dan Byer]

Yeah.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah.

[Covino]

But when isn't he high?

[Dan Byer]

So on the show, on the show yesterday, Rich said you should just take that game off, man.

[Rich Davis]

Nah, man. I'm a king gamer.

[Covino]

And that's something he would do.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah, something I would do. Rich Davis sort of move. I'm gonna go in there, light up the Texans, light it up with my.

[Covino]

Mouth sprain, and then let Carson come in and finish it off. You're looking at the quarterback of the 161 Chiefs. Oh, okay. Let's go.

[Dan Byer]

All right, fired up today. Talk there from a gimp. All right, we're gonna meet the contestants. 24 time winner, Rich Davis. Yeah.

[Rich Davis]

Yep.

[Dan Byer]

15 time winner, Dan Byer.

[Rich Davis]

Hello.

[Dan Byer]

Six time winner, Spotty boy.

[Covino]

Yep.

[Dan Byer]

And looking to win a CNR stainless steel swiggy on our studio lines. Josh in Tehachapi, California.

[Rich Davis]

Josh, what's up, bud?

[Dan Byer]

What up, Jay?

[Rich Davis]

Hey, what's up, Josh?

[Dan Byer]

What do you do for a living there? In Tehachapi.

[Covino]

I'm a training manager on Edwards Air Force Base.

[Dan Byer]

Oh, cool. We salute you, sir. Here are the rules for showtime Mahomes NFL Trivia. The first contestant with two correct answers is the champion. If there's a tie, we have a tiebreaker question. Your name is your buzzer, but you do have to wait until all three possible answers are read. If there's two wrong answers in a row, we move on to the next question. Are you ready? Let's get it on.

[Rich Davis]

Let's go.

[Covino]

I'm Patrick Mahomes. I'm here on September 20th.

[Rich Davis]

Hold on. Why don't you give Carson Wentz a chance just to have one start?

[Covino]

No, no. I mean, because why can't we both play simple answer, right? Everyone's like, am I going to start?

[Rich Davis]

Is he going to? Why not both?

[Dan Byer]

All right, round one.

[Covino]

On September 25, 1998, Tennessee Football LP.

[Rich Davis]

Filed for its two final trademark ideas, Tennessee Titans and Blank.

[Covino]

A, Tennessee Tradition.

[Rich Davis]

B, Tennessee Tornadoes or C, Tennessee Tigers.

[Dan Byer]

Dan Buyer. B. Yes, the Tornadoes.

[Covino]

Tennessee Tornadoes. That's a good name. I like that.

[Rich Davis]

No place like home.

[Dan Byer]

Buyer gets on the board. Yeah, the owner of the Titan said he actually hated that tornadoes idea. All right, we go to round two.

[Covino]

Round two. What was I once quoted saying about my daily routine? Oh, here we go. A, Every day is different, but I run through the same plays in my mind each day. B, I try to focus in on being the same routine every single day.

[Rich Davis]

C. In a league group chat, I.

[Covino]

Text Good morning, Sunshine to the refs every single morning.

[Rich Davis]

Spot. What was that once quoted saying about my routine? Spot. Yes.

[Dan Byer]

Spotty got in there.

[Covino]

Well, as much as I'd like to say C, I'm gonna go with A. No.

[Rich Davis]

Oh, well, I mean.

[Dan Byer]

Oh, Josh with the quick steal.

[Covino]

I'll go with B.

[Dan Byer]

Yes.

[Rich Davis]

The answer's B. I try to just focus in on being in the same routine every single day. You know, you don't text. You don't text the refs at a group chat. Good morning, Sunshine. Not every single day. Okay?

[Covino]

It's not my deal.

[Rich Davis]

It's like a weekly thing. All right.

[Covino]

No, you actually text them. Let's win this every morning.

[Dan Byer]

Buyer and Josh on the board as we move to round three.

[Covino]

All right, Patrick Mahomes.

[Rich Davis]

Here.

[Covino]

I'm here. Which NFL running back is third in rushing yards behind Saquon and Derrick Henry?

[Rich Davis]

Oh, Kyron Williams of the Rams, B.

[Covino]

John Robinson of the Falcons, or C.

[Rich Davis]

Josh Jacobs of the Packers?

[Dan Byer]

Dan Buyer for the win. C. Yes.

[Rich Davis]

Josh Jacobs.

[Covino]

Boom.

[Rich Davis]

Is that the win?

[Dan Byer]

Yeah, that is.

[Rich Davis]

Damn, you just got smoked.

[Dan Byer]

That is Dan Byers 16 time victory in this game.

[Rich Davis]

He's got Byer.

[Covino]

He just likes to flex.

[Rich Davis]

Got by yourself?

[Dan Byer]

I'm on vacation starting tomorrow night. So I had to go out on a high note.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah, that's the way to do it.

[Covino]

That's how we're gonna do it. Three in a row.

[Rich Davis]

Let's go.

[Dan Byer]

Yeah, he's getting carried out of the studio like Rudy.

[Rich Davis]

All right, guys.

[Dan Byer]

Oh, I'm sorry.

[Covino]

No, go ahead, Dan. You're the champ.

[Dan Byer]

Yeah, you know what, it's all good. Thanks, Patrick. Merry Christmas to you.

[Rich Davis]

Hey guys, I gotta go rest my ankle and have a great one. I'll see you next week. Bye.

[Dan Byer]

Bye. Patrick and Josh and Dhachapi, thank you for playing.

[Rich Davis]

Later, Josh. Thanks, Josh. Later, Patrick. Later, bud.

[Covino]

Oh, man, he's always hyped, man. You know what, as the season starts to wind up, you can see him getting more and more hyped.

[Rich Davis]

You know, we say going for it. You know, you and I have worked together a long time. In fact, Yesterday we celebrated 20 years together.

[Covino]

20 years, technically on Sunday, but we celebrated yesterday.

[Rich Davis]

And one of our running jokes is in sports we love to speculate. And we talk over and over and over about the possibilities of, oh, this matchup or this matchup. And for years it was like, no matter what you said, it's going to be Brady. And we feel like the last five years we could speculate, oh, maybe this is Josh Allen or Burrow or this guy or that.

[Covino]

And it's, you know what it's like?

[Rich Davis]

It's Mahomes like a week.

[Covino]

It's like that stupid rom com where this guy's always looking for this hottie to be the one. But the one has been there the whole time and it was his best female pal. Yeah, like she was there the whole time and you know, the whole time watching. Oh, he's going to end up with her. She's the perfect one all along.

[Rich Davis]

Is that really?

[Covino]

That's like watching the NFL season. It's like, yeah, it could be that team.

[Rich Davis]

Could be this team.

[Covino]

Man, this team looks hot. But in the end, oh, it's so obvious. All along it was always the Chiefs.

[Rich Davis]

Small business owners. This one's for you. Chase for business and Iheart bring you a podcast series called the Unshakeables. This one of a kind series will shine the spotlight on small business owners like you who faced a do or die moment that ultimately made their business what it is today. Learn [e-mail] business podcast Chase make More of what's Yours Chase Mobile app is available for select mobile devices. Message and data rates may apply. J.P. morgan Chase Bank NA Member FDIC Copyright 2024 J.P. morgan Chase & Co. What's up everybody? Adnan Burke here to tell you about a new podcast from iHeart podcast in the National Hockey League. It's NHL Unscripted with Virgin Demers. Hey, I'm Jason Demers, former 700 game NHL defenseman turned NHL Network analyst, and boy oh boy, does Daddy have a lot to say. I love you, by the way on NHL Network. We're looking forward to getting together each week to chat and chirp about the sport and all the other things surrounding it that we love. Right? Yeah, I just met you today, but we're going to have a ton of guests from the colliding worlds of hockey, entertainment and pop culture. And you know what, tons of back and forth on all things NHL. Yeah, you're soon going to find out we're not just hockey talk, we all kinds of random stuff on this podcast. Movies, television, food, wrestling, even the stuff that you wear in NHL. Now you wish you could pull off my short shorts, Ferkie. That's sure to cause a ruckus. Listen to NHL Unscripted with Burke and demers, the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's going on, everybody? This is Justin Pennock from John Boy Media, the host of the Football Today podcast alongside Bobby Skinner and Chris Rose. We're rolling three times a week, on Mondays, on Wednesdays, on Fridays. Breaking down everything you need to know about the NFL. We're talking about the MVP race. Is Josh Allen going to pull it out? Lamar Jackson? Can Saquon Barkley even break the rushing record? Can the Steelers keep up their momentum? We talk about everything, we break it down. Stats, analytics. And of course, Chris Rose is bringing his perspective on being a pro in the media world as well. Listen to football Today on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts and you will be glad you did. Hope you could join us for the postseason run.

[Covino]

Happy holidays from your Pals. CNR on FSR. Covino and Rich celebrating 20 years together this week. Three plus years here on Fox Sports Radio. Our three favorite years. Not just saying that, even though that's great advice, if your wife or girlfriend ever asks you who's the best? Who was the best? You always say whoever you're with, unless.

[Rich Davis]

You want a challenger, you Honey, of course. Maybe she'll try harder if you said someone else.

[Covino]

I do mean it. Hey, any final thoughts, by the way, on this Conor McGregor, Logan Paul. By the way, Logan Paul. Not Jake Paul, Conor McGregor. Logan Paul fight rumor. Because he's going around saying it's happening.

[Rich Davis]

I mean, Jake Paul's way more hateable. But I think the only lore is that whoever wins, people will enjoy seeing the loser get beat. If Logan Paul loses. Dude, one of the Paul brothers got knocked out. If Conor McGregor loses, then it'll be really wild to be like, Yo, McGregor lost to a YouTuber and a wrestler.

[Covino]

Connor's washed, right? We don't know what he's got in the tank, to be honest, but he hasn't fought in a long time. Logan Paul, not known for his fighting, known for his wrestling, but he did fight. And Mayweather go the distance with Mayweather. But here's what sucks. We were talking about it in our pre show meeting with Mike, who runs this place.

[Rich Davis]

Who?

[Covino]

Mike? The guy who looks like Rick from Pawn Stars.

[Dan Byer]

Who?

[Covino]

Mike?

[Rich Davis]

Oh, an older Stone Cold.

[Covino]

Yeah, Mike. He's like.

[Rich Davis]

He hates that, by the way, because he's like, oh, you know, I'm younger than Stone Cold.

[Covino]

He was like, yeah, but you know what we're gonna get? It's gonna go the distance, like, because Rich is saying the redeeming benefit here is you'd love to see both of those guys get knocked down. So it's a win. Win, but it really is a wash if it just goes to this. Waste of your time. So Mike actually came up with a great idea. He's like, I'd watch if they just went until it ends. Until somebody got napped.

[Dan Byer]

Unlimited round until somebody dies. No, no, no, no.

[Covino]

But it's not a bad idea, right? Because if they're gonna. If they're gonna box because Conor McGregor is a mixed martial artist, but if he decides to box Logan Paul and they box, but it goes until someone wins, I think that's kind of cool. The only thing exciting is to see someone lose.

[Rich Davis]

You know how in baseball we joked about the. The golden at bat?

[Covino]

Yeah. What if.

[Rich Davis]

What if they gave Connor, like, the golden kick, like, one time throughout the fight? One time he's just allowed to go UFC for a second, like. Like he's allowed to strategically pick one time, like. Yeah.

[Covino]

I mean, it makes it enticing, Rich, where I think it really lacks. I don't think there's a huge market for McGregor, Logan Paul.

[Rich Davis]

Well, listen, you're talking about a lot of it. Just because you're talking about excitement, we're talking about a great NFL finish. We got a couple great weeks coming up. The NBA cup finals is tonight. But you know what else is tonight trumping? All of these things trump my softball championship game.

[Covino]

Are you serious?

[Rich Davis]

Oh, yeah. And I just had a question for you guys.

[Covino]

Are you really going to talk about this? Because I'm going to go take a bathroom break. You should bring the other team scones. It'll slow them down.

[Rich Davis]

You know, tell me about your yoga class spot. Is that what you want to talk about?

[Covino]

I mean, I don't bring those things on the air. Just kidding. So go ahead, tell us about.

[Rich Davis]

No, but here's the question. Yeah, it's a championship game. Put in perspective that it's a championship while at the same time it is rec sports. If we've had 13 guys throughout the season come and go. Because not everyone can make every week their kids got a recital. Some guys like, I'm late at work, I can't make this week, I'm on vacation. You can't roll with a roster of 10 or 11 guys because guys are going to take time off. Championship game tonight. If like 12 guys can make it. Do you bat 12? If you can, like extra hitters, it's like, well, you're giving everyone a chance. It's a bunch of grown men that are there to have fun. Or it's like, no, dude, we bat 10. We're trying to win.

[Covino]

Trying to win? What are you, eight years old?

[Rich Davis]

No.

[Covino]

Everyone gets in that bat.

[Rich Davis]

No, but you could say, well, what are the stakes, dude, it's a young man.

[Covino]

And realize that no trying to win.

[Rich Davis]

But if it's a bunch of 30, 40, 50 year old guys playing, is winning the trophy mean anything? Isn't it really about the hang.

[Covino]

The politically correct lameness about little. Every little kid getting in that bat is the fact that it waters down the winning aspect of the game. We're talking about adults here. So we made that exception for kids because, hey, they're just kids. Why can't adults then just wrap their stupid heads around the fact that you're trying to win? So you're telling so the best nine, best ten, get out there.

[Rich Davis]

You're telling a guy, hey, Doug, hey, Doug. Take some time away from your wife and kids and everything to, to sit on the bench at softball.

[Covino]

You're still possibly needed in the championship game. To what?

[Rich Davis]

To pinch hit? That's not baseball.

[Covino]

You can't make all this fuss about little kids and then adults have to all at bat. They all have to at bat.

[Rich Davis]

Kids are leading towards something. Possibly playing in high school colleges that these are old guys just playing.

[Covino]

Well, I wouldn't want to waste my time if it wasn't to win, so.

[Rich Davis]

All right, well, you know what? Well, I'll let you know how it works out. Arriba. Dare you, baby.

[Covino]

See you in the promised land.

[Rich Davis]

Goodbye. How do you feel when you switch to Geico and save on your car insurance? It's like finishing your laundry, successfully matching all your daughter's baby socks together on the first try. Let's see.

[Covino]

Panda socks, firetruck socks.

[Rich Davis]

Socks with those cute little strawberries on them. You matched each and every one of those tiny socks. I mean, has this ever happened in the history of laundry? And a penguin wearing a cowboy hat? Sock. Done. Enjoy the moment, dad. You've earned it.

[Dan Byer]

Yep.

[Rich Davis]

Switching and saving with Geico feels just like that. Get more with Geico. What's up, everybody? Adnan Burke here to tell you about a new podcast. It's NHL Unscripted with Verkin Demers, Jason Demers here. And after playing 700 NHL games, I got a lot of dirty laundry to air out. Hey, I got a lot to say here, too, okay? Each week we'll get together to chat about the sport that we love. Tons of guests are going to join in, too, but. But we're not just gonna be talking hockey, folks. We're talking movies, we're talking tv, food, and Adnan's favorite wrestling. It's all on le table. Listen to NHL Unscripted with Vir and Demers, the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, everyone? It's Justin Penick from John Boy Media, the host of the Football Today podcast with Bobby Skinner and Chris Rose. We roll three times a week on Mondays, on Wednesdays, on Fridays. Breaking down everything you need to know about the NFL. We're gearing up for the NFL playoffs. I hope you can join us. Join in with us three times a week. Listen to Football Today on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast and you will be glad you did.