2025 NFL Schedule with Warren Sharp - Part 2

Summary

The Favorites - 2025 NFL Schedule with Warren Sharp - Part 2

Release Date: May 23, 2025
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Hosts: Chad Millman and Simon Hunter
Guest: Warren Sharp

---

Introduction

In the second part of "The Favorites" podcast episode, hosted by Chad Millman and Simon Hunter of the Action Network, the hosts continue their in-depth analysis of the 2025 NFL schedule with special guest Warren Sharp. Building upon their previous discussion, they delve deeper into team strategies, rest advantages, and the implications for the upcoming NFL season.

Recap of Previous Discussions

Chad Millman opens the conversation by recapping their last session with Warren Sharp, where they explored potential changes to playoff seeding, the Tush Push strategy, and the significance of rest advantages from both a betting and one-loss perspective. They also touched on how rest advantages could indicate which teams are poised to win their divisions, influencing win totals, futures, and odds.

San Francisco 49ers Analysis

Warren Sharp provides a comprehensive analysis of the San Francisco 49ers, focusing on their recent decisions and future prospects.

• Quarterback Contract:
  “The Niners historically have been successful because they've generally kept their costs under control and they've kept their quarterback costs under control. Specifically, while this is an outsized contract, it's not like a break the bank for a quarterback contract this year.” ([02:33])

• Player Health and Rest Advantages:
  “They’ve been getting screwed on rest advantages for the past three years and I do think it really came back to haunt them last year.” ([03:00])

• Fred Warner's Resilience:
  “Fred Warner, who broke his ankle in Week 4 and played 100% of the snaps the next seven straight games, did not miss a game for the rest of the season...” ([04:08])

• Team Depth and Roster Management:
  “They have more studs than many teams do and they're paying those studs what they deserve. So then they're going to have to get by with better players that are playing on their rookie deals...” ([04:36])

• Offensive Strategy Under Kyle Shanahan:
  “Kyle is such a genius when it comes to designing offense... he’s working much, many more steps behind than most other offenses are able to because they don't have such unique game plans designed to such unique, talented players.” ([06:00])

• Schedule Strength and Future Prospects:
  “They play the easiest schedule of any team in the NFL because they had that rare horrible season... they’re going to need this draft class to impact their 2025 season if they're going to get to where they need to get.” ([07:30])

Chad Millman reflects on the schedule details: “If they continue to botch their drafts, which they've done a little bit more than I think 49ers fans would like... they need to hit is a secret team that I felt really needed to hit in this year's draft...” ([08:24])

Buffalo Bills Evaluation

The conversation shifts focus to the Buffalo Bills, highlighting their favorable schedule and strategic advantages.

• Warren Sharp on Bills' Favorable Schedule:
  “The Buffalo Bills play the number one easiest strength of schedule of opponents on the road of this entire season. Their road schedule is the easiest.” ([14:18])

• Rest Disadvantages Later in the Season:
  “From week 10 through week 18, they're playing four games at a rest disadvantage...” ([16:00])

• Strategic Tent Poles in Schedule:
  “Week one, Sunday night football, Baltimore Ravens at home... Week nine, halfway through the season, Kansas City Chiefs at home...” ([16:30])

Simon Hunter expresses optimism about the Bills: “There’s so many things that just break Buffalo's way with that schedule. It sets up very well for the Buffalo Bills.” ([20:29])

Chad Millman suggests betting strategies: “I might do a Bills vs. Niners, Super Bowl matchup bet right now before the number on the Niners drops even more.” ([13:53])

Super Bowl Odds and Betting Insights

Simon Hunter and Chad Millman discuss the Super Bowl odds, particularly focusing on the 49ers and Bills:

• 49ers' Odds:
  “We got it. I was a 20 to 1. I'm seeing most books now 15 and 16 to 1.” ([10:21])

• Bills' Dominance in Early Season Games:
  “The Buffalo Bills are favored in every single game... They just seem like a team that's going to easily get to 11-12 wins the way the schedule set up for them.” ([12:39])

• Potential Super Bowl Matchup:
  “A Bills vs. Niners, Super Bowl matchup bet... What do you think of that, Simon?”
  "I love it." ([13:53] - [14:10])

Tennessee Titans and Other Teams

Simon Hunter highlights the Tennessee Titans as a "unicorn team" with a unique schedule:

“Tennessee is a team in a very unique scenario of very simple all season, 1 o' clock, 4:30 Sunday. I love that for a team that I'm very interested in this upcoming season.” ([25:00])

Chad Millman adds: “Tennessee and New Orleans, the only teams without prime time games this year.” ([26:32])

Bye Weeks and Player Health

Warren Sharp emphasizes the importance of strategic bye weeks and their impact on player health and team performance:

• Strategic Use of Bye Weeks:
  “Teams care about when their bye week is and they're trying to focus on it... The Philadelphia Eagles were a prime example of this. Jumping out to big leads early in game so they could rest their guys...” ([27:18])

• Preventing Player Fatigue:
  “More teams need to be aggressive early in games, to jump out to leads, to be up at halftime, to put games to bed by the middle of the third quarter so they could rest these guys...” ([28:00])

Chad Millman agrees, noting the physical toll of the sport: “The buy is probably saving years on people's careers because it is a brutal game.” ([24:05])

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Chad Millman and Simon Hunter wrap up the episode by reiterating the strategic insights shared by Warren Sharp. They encourage listeners to consider the analyzed schedules and team strategies when making their betting decisions for the upcoming NFL season. The hosts also promote Warren Sharp's preseason football book, offering listeners a discounted rate.

Warren Sharp emphasizes the need for teams to balance competitiveness with player health through strategic game management and bye week utilization.

“Teams want to be ahead. Their number one priority is being ahead at the final whistle after 60 minutes. Their priority should be to be up by double digits entering the fourth quarter.” ([28:30])

Key Takeaways

• San Francisco 49ers: Solid team with strategic player contracts and a favorable schedule, but dependent on draft success and player health.
• Buffalo Bills: Highly favored schedule with strategic home games against tough opponents, though face rest disadvantages late in the season.
• Tennessee Titans: Unique scheduling without prime time games, presenting a strategic advantage.
• Bye Weeks: Crucial for maintaining player health and team performance; strategic use can influence playoff success.
• Super Bowl Betting: Strong recommendations for considering Bills vs. Niners as a potential matchup based on current odds and schedule analysis.

Notable Quotes

• Warren Sharp:
  “Fred Warner... did not miss a game for the rest of the season even though the Niners only won six games and were eliminated from the playoffs.” ([04:08])

• Simon Hunter:
  “There’s so many things that just break Buffalo's way with that schedule... It sets up very well for the Buffalo Bills.” ([20:29])

• Warren Sharp:
  “Teams want to be ahead... Their priority should be to be up by double digits entering the fourth quarter.” ([28:30])

---

This detailed analysis offers listeners a comprehensive understanding of the strategic elements influencing the 2025 NFL season, providing valuable insights for fans and bettors alike.

Transcript

[Podcast Host]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Degree Advertiser]

Okay? Have you heard about this? Last year, Degree changed the formula for their Cool Rush deodorant. Their fans rebelled and wanted the old scent back and Degree listened. That doesn't happen often.

They admitted that they effed up and are bringing the original Cool Rush scent back. And it's exactly how you remember it. Cool, crisp and fresh. There's a reason it's the number one men's antiperspirant and it's back in Walmart, Target and and other stores for under $4.

So try it and see what the fuss is about. Head to your local stores to try the OG Cool Rush for yourself.

[Podcast Host]

It's true that some things change as we get older. But if you're a woman over 40 and you're dealing with insomnia, brain fog, moodiness and weight gain, you don't have to accept it as just another part of aging. And with MITI Health, you can get help and stop pushing through it alone. The experts at MITI understand that all these symptoms can be connected to the hormonal changes that happen around menopause, and MIDI can help you feel more like yourself again. Many healthcare providers aren't trained to treat or even recognize menopause symptoms. MIDI clinicians are menopause experts. They're dedicated to providing safe, effective, FDA approved solutions for dozens of hormonal symptoms, not just hot flashes. Most importantly, they're covered by insurance. 91% of midi patients get relief from symptoms within just two months. You deserve to feel great. Book your virtual visit [e-mail] that's joinmidi.com.

[Dan Flores]

Why is a soap opera Western like Yellowstone so wildly successful? The American west with Dan Flores is the latest show from the Meat Eater Podcast Network. So join me starting Tuesday, May 6th where we'll delve into stories of the west and come to understand how it helps inform the ways in which we experience the region today.

[Podcast Promoter]

Listen to the American west with Dan Flores on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Chad Millman]

Welcome to the Favorites the Podcast part of the Volume Podcast Network. I am Chad Millman of the Action Network. Today. I'm joined as always by my co host, my companion, my compadre, my bff Professional Better Simon Hunter. Hello Simon.

[Simon Hunter]

Chad, how we doing?

[Chad Millman]

We had a great time with Warren on Tuesday. We went through potential changes to playoff seatings. We went through Tush Push. We went through the benefits of rest advantage, both from a betting point of view and from a one loss point of view. But we dug very, very deep into the teams in this upcoming season that are getting the best of the rest advantage and how that's indicating which teams we might like the most when it comes to winning the division. Win totals, futures, odds, etc. Let's dig in a little bit deeper with our friend Warren Sharp. If you go in to San Francisco, Warren, you brought up the Niners and Brock Purdy just signed this contract for $53 million a year. And the Niners historically have been successful because they've generally kept their costs under control and they've kept their quarterback costs under control. Specifically, while this is an outsized contract, it's not like a break the bank for a quarterback contract this year. When you look at the Niners from a rest advantage and we've noted, we've, we've said earlier they've been getting screwed on rest advantages for the past three years and I do think it really came back to haunt them last year. With players going down again and again and again and again. You look at the Niners, how do you position them in terms of rest? Because Simon and I have talked a lot about the Niners as being a team that we like as a futures bet.

[Warren Sharp]

Yeah. So the other thing too, you mentioned all those players going down. The one guy who should have probably gone down but didn't is a dog, Fred Warner, who broke his ankle in Week 4 and played 100% of the snaps the next seven straight games, did not miss a game for the rest of the season even though the Niners only won six games and were eliminated from the playoffs. So if he with his, and by the way makes the Pro bowl again.

[Chad Millman]

And just signed a contract to make him the highest paid linebacker, well, well deserved.

[Warren Sharp]

I mean and, but, but to your point, where is all the money coming from? And the 49ers are one of those teams that's very top heavy. They have a lot of, I'm say a lot. They have more studs than many teams do and they're paying those studs what they deserve. So then they're going to have to get by with better players that are playing on their rookie deals to try to get a 53 man roster that is talented enough top to bottom that can withstand the rigors of an NFL season and produce success. The Niners have been generally solid when their guys are out on the field together. But I think last season when you're talking about like Ayuk and Debo and CMC and Kittle, those guys were on the field with Brock Purdy I want to say less than 40 snaps or something because of all of those injuries. And so when they're missing guys, that's when it becomes more difficult for Kyle Shanahan to elevate the rest of the players. And it makes a lot of sense. Kyle is such a genius when it comes to designing offense, but he, he's taking advantage. He's building everything into. I've got CMC here. Here's all the things I can do with cmc. Let's design unique things for cmc plus Kittle over here, and we're going to work off of this. We're going to use play action, whatever the case might be. And then when those guys aren't there and the players that are replacing them don't have the same level of skill set, Kyle's working much, many more steps behind than most other offenses are able to because they don't have such unique game plans designed to such unique, talented players. Kyle Juszczyk and George Kittle, two of the most unique players at their positions in the NFL that can do so much. The Niners, number one. We start with something that doesn't even involve rest. And that's just their general schedule. They play the easiest schedule of any team in the NFL because they had that rare horrible season. From a records perspective, they haven't played a schedule like this in a while. You know, they haven't had a year where they've won only six games in a while. This is a team that's going to going to the NFC championship more often than they're having a losing record. So this team has been successful. Now they get an easy schedule. Now their rest schedule, I've got them as the fourth easiest net rest edge schedule of any team this year. And if I look at some of the details here on the Niners, I ranked them 5th best in total net rest edge. They don't have any massive edges, but they do play four games with more rest than their opponent. Only two games with less rest than their opponent. And, and to Simon's point, and if you guys are on board with the 49ers, if they get their main players healthy, this team is a solid team. Everybody loves to hate Kyle Shannon. But the key to me is this, and I said this before the draft, if they continue to botch their drafts, which they've done a little bit more than I think 49ers fans would like, that is why their team isn't getting over the hump, in my opinion. They need to hit. They needed to hit is a secret team that I felt really needed to hit in this year's draft to then be able to provide that lower end talent that's going to need to play some snaps when they're paying all those bigger named guys. So I'm, I've got higher expectations than most, I think, for the San Francisco 49ers because of their rest schedule, because of the strength of their schedule. But they're going to need this draft class to impact their 2025 season if they're going to get to where they need to get. I feel like paying Brock Purdy and is fine because of what he has been able to deliver and how well he fits. He's obviously atypical, he's not a prototypical quarterback. You know, he doesn't have the size and the stature back in the pocket. So people are going to say, well, this guy's not worth it. But for Kyle Shanahan, he's worth it. And so in this offense with Kyle, I'm fine with paying Brock Purdy. You just have to build up that bottom end of the roster.

[Chad Millman]

Simon now that we've seen the schedule, who they're playing, we've seen the win totals, we were talking a lot about the Niners before we saw any of this. It was sort of based on their team being bad last year and getting healthy and what their odds were. Has your opinion changed or is it strengthened? What's your status right now with the Niners?

[Simon Hunter]

Definitely strengthened because it was what we already knew. The teams that were going to play, we just needed how they were going to lay the schedule out for them. And then once you see the schedule like Warren talked about, it's like the dream. Them, the Bills, to me, two teams that really jumped out where the schedule really worked in their favor and in the sense that this 49ers team, we talked about it and Warren just alluded to it that they, they needed to hit in these drafts because they've had to pay all these big time players and they're having to make it all work. Chad and this, this to me feels like a really tight window here because we could either see them be a really good team this season or one or two more key injuries away, key positions and that all falls apart. Right, because they have not drafted well. And you know, we've seen teams like Detroit, Philadelphia, like these other teams in their conference that have drafted well. Right. Hitting on big time rookies that have progressed into year two and that's something that's been lacking a little bit with that 49ers team. So to me, Payne, Purdy, we knew it was coming. The way the schedule broke all of it. It's just lined up for this team. Like, if McAffrey's right, you know, you got solid back coaching that defense. Like, it feels like it's all lined up for this team. And we know the Rams historically get off slow. So it's going to be all lined up for them. Like, get out to a fast start, stay healthy. I mean, this is easy to be a team that can make another run. And that's why, I mean, you talked about them before the season started. Just, they fit the exact same bill the Eagles fit the year before. Year from hell. Tons of doubt from the public perception. We took the early value, the number already moved up, so we got good value on the number. We better early. Now everything Warren's telling me, it's making me feel good where it's like I want to hear other people saying they have the same view as I do, which is grading them out as a very easy schedule.

[Chad Millman]

Do you have the latest number on the Niners super bowl odds? Well, I asked my next question, see if you guys can look it up or if someone can tell me what it is.

[Simon Hunter]

So they're. So they're basically when. When we. We opened it up, Chad, what do you think? We got it. I was a 20 to 1.

[Chad Millman]

I think it was 20 to 1.

[Simon Hunter]

So that's what I think we originally got it, 20 to 1. I'm seeing most books now 15 and 16 to 1. So again, nothing crazy, but still, that's what we do it for. Like, right. That +400 is a really nice something to hold on to.

[Chad Millman]

I would not be afraid to still bet them at 15 or 16 to 1.

[Simon Hunter]

That's fair.

[Chad Millman]

And I would not be surprised if come the start of the regular season, you know, I love to do that round robin of the teams that are, I think, 12 to 1 or less. I bet the Niners as the season goes on and more and more people take a bite of that 15 to 16 to 1, especially after listening to the show because we move numbers that it's going to get into that 12 to 1 range. It'll be, you know, interestingly, I think it'll be the Lions, the Eagles, Niners, who are probably the three teams from the NFC with the shortest odds that'll be part of that round robin. You mentioned the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo Bills. The Athletic did a story about this yesterday or two days ago. There are numbers for literally spreads for every Game, right? We saw Raybon already put in a team total for the Eagles in the first game of the year in the app. Simon and I have bet the Cowboys at plus 7 and plus 240 against the Eagles in the first game of the year. But there are literally point spreads for every single game for every single week of the NFL season right now. The Buffalo Bills, the Athletic, wrote about this the other day. The only team in the NFL that are favored in every single game. I put this in the favorites podcast, Slack Channel last night and to make sure Matt Mitchell was aware and he was not in a good place with this. But Simon, you think they're worthy of that?

[Simon Hunter]

Oh, yeah, it's. They're worthy of it. But I, I mean, Warren's probably the same. I mindset. I have that Ravens opening week. That's a gift. You're getting Lamar as a dog. It's not the playoffs like the playoffs. I got why the Bills had the number they had against Lamar. This is totally different. This is week one. Bill's historically come out slow as well. And then we've seen it with Josh Allen that, you know, he rallies the team and carries them. We so much earlier in the season when the guys are just figuring out. But to me, they're the issues where their schedule says they play all the big dogs, they're playing the Eagles, a team that Josh Allen's never beat, and he's a favorite against them because he is at home and he should be. It's. It's interesting for them though that, you know, last year they snuck up on us because they have 70 million in dead cap. We thought it was gonna be a rebuilding year. This year it seems like everyone's on board, right? They're what, -275, their division, their, their big time super bowl bet. For a lot of bookmakers right now, that's one of their biggest teams bet on right now by the general public. So the fact that this schedule broke the way it did, I love this for this Bills team. So, yeah, if you're, if you're hedging and putting a lot of Bills mafia, you know, in your, your divisional parlays, I can't hate it right now. They just seem like a team that's going to easily get to 1112 wins the way the schedule set up for them.

[Chad Millman]

Chad, I might do a Bills Niners, super bowl matchup bet right now before the number on the Niners drops even more. Get better odds on that. What do you think of that, Simon?

[Simon Hunter]

I love it.

[Chad Millman]

Thank you I like when you wonder me. It makes me feel vindicated and validated. Warren, give us your Bills. Take.

[Warren Sharp]

Yeah, I was going to throw in on the Buffalo Bills. You know, part of the reason that they're favored in every single game is their four toughest games that they play this year are in Buffalo. So they play the Ravens, they play the Chiefs, they play the Eagles, and they play the Bengals. Those aren't easy games, but they're all in Buffalo and so that definitely helps the Buffalo Bills. And then if you're talking about a team that needs to exceed their win total, obviously you want to play the toughest games at home where you're most likely to have a little bit of extra edge with your crowd. Easy games on the road are never a bad thing. And the Buffalo Bills play the number one easiest strength of schedule of opponents on the road of this entire season. Their road schedule is the easiest. So that's a positive. The only negative to throw in there is that the Bills from week 10 through week 18, they're playing four games at a rest disadvantage, only one game at a rest advantage. They are minus 10 days in net rest from week 10 onwards, which is the third worst of any team in the NFL down the stretch. But these games are week 10 versus the Dolphins, they're at a rest disadvantage of three days. Week 14 versus the Cincinnati Bengals, they're at a rest disadvantage OF three days. Week 15 against the Patriots. The very next week they play the Patriots, who are off of a buy we just mentioned. While buys aren't great, it hasn't been as big of a benefit to most teams nowadays as it was back in the day. And then they play the Eagles Week 17 at a one day rest disadvantage. So that rest isn't beautiful. But everything else with the way the schedule is falling for them I think is really nice for the Buffalo Bills. And the other thing is if you just look visually, I'm a very visual learner. I like looking at things visually. When I'm looking at the Buffalo Bills schedule, they have like clear tent poles on their schedule. Week one, Sunday night football, Baltimore Ravens at home. Week nine, halfway through the season, Kansas City Chiefs at home, two weeks off after a bye week, they play the Carolina Panthers in the middle there. So they got plenty of time to rest and get healthy and focus on that since Kansas City Chiefs game and then week 17, second to last week of the season, they play at home against the Philadelphia Eagles after playing the Cleveland Browns. So again you're hoping that when you play the Cleveland Browns when you play the Carolina Panthers, you're putting up some points early in that game. You're pulling out your guys a little bit early. You're getting healthy, rested and focused on those other big games that you have. But there's only three of them, beginning, middle and end of the schedule. So I do think it sets up very well for the Buffalo Bills. But it seems, guys, every single year it's like, if not now, when, like for the Buffalo, it's always like when is the time that they're finally going to get over the hump here. So maybe it's this year, but we've been saying that for several years now.

[Chad Millman]

Look, we say that about the Bills. We say it about the Niners.

[Mint Mobile Advertiser]

Do you say data or data? Well, at my house we say data. And for the longest time I thought paying a fortune on my monthly data plan was just normal. That was until I found out about Mint Mobile and their premium wireless plans that start at just 15 bucks a month. Say bye bye to your overpriced wireless plans, jaw dropping monthly bills and unexpected overages. Mint Mobile is here to rescue you. All plans come with high speed data and unlimited talk and text delivered on the nation's largest 5G network. Use your own phone with any Mint Mobile plan and bring your phone number along with all your existing contacts. Ditch overpriced wireless and get three months of premium wireless service from Mint Mobile for 15 bucks a month. No matter how you say it, don't overpay for it. Shop data plans it mintmobile.com favorites that's mintmobile.com favorites upfront payment of $45 for three month five gigabyte plan required. That's equivalent to $15 a month. New customer offer for first three months only, then full price plan options available, taxes and fees extra. See Mint Mobile for details.

[Cedar City Advertiser]

Discover the Art of Adventure in Cedar City and Brian Head, Utah. Here you can discover southern Utah's first artists at the Parowan Gap petroglyphs or carve a fresh trail at Brian Head Ski Resort. Paint the town red, perusing Cedar City's unique shops, museums and savory bites. Marvel at nature's masterpieces at nearby Zion, Bryce and Kolob Canyons and be mesmerized by the endless starry nights at Cedar Breaks National Monument. Your inspired adventure awaits. Plan your trip today@Visit cedarcity.com the American.

[Dan Flores]

West with Dan Flores is the latest show from the Meat Eater Podcast Network, hosted by ME writer and historian Dan Flores and brought to you by Velvet Buck. This podcast Looks at a West available nowhere else. Each episode I'll be diving into some of the lesser known histories of the West. I'll then be joined in conversation by guests such as Western historian Dr. Randall Williams and best selling author and meat eater founder Stephen Rinella.

[Simon Hunter]

I'll correct my kids now and then where they'll say, when cave people were here. And I'll say, it seems like the Ice age people that were here didn't have a real affinity for caves.

[Dan Flores]

So join me starting Tuesday, May 6, where we'll delve into stories of the west and come to understand how it helps inform the ways in which we experience the region today.

[Podcast Promoter]

Listen to the American west with Dan Flores on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Chad Millman]

Warren, you said the magic words. Carolina Panthers in a look ahead spot for the Buffalo Bills. Oh my God, I feel like that's week eight. I feel like we got to bet that game right now. Do you know what I mean? It just feels like that's candy. We got to take advantage of that.

[Simon Hunter]

Yeah, like there's so many things that just break Buffalo's way with that sculpture. That Eagles game chad in week 17, it's in between two Washington Commander games. So like again, just catching the Eagles in a bad spot when they're going to be really focused on their division. Obviously, if the commanders be the team that everyone talks about them being the season. So it just, it felt like it's all break in Buffalo's way and you're right, like they're a team that, you know, this window for them, it's going to be what, two to three years here if they do this rebuild right? Like they're, they've kind of gone a new direction where, you know, the offense, it's really about, you know, cooking Josh Allen, doing Josh Allen things and then defensively they're paying all their young guys. So I'm really excited to see the direction of this team. This builds the next two to three years because, yeah, it feels like every year we're going to be saying, is this it? Like, is this final the year this curse franchise gets over the hump? And if there's one guy to do it, it's going to be Superman himself. Josh Allen, like, he's, he's got it all, Chad. Last year he was an inch short. This year we'll see if he gets that extra inch and makes his way to the Super Bowl.

[Chad Millman]

What do we think of early season buys versus late season buys? You mentioned the Bears Feel like the Bears are getting screwed here. But how does that play out historically? Warren?

[Warren Sharp]

Well, more teams now have been able to request their preference in terms of when they take a buy. All the international teams are allowed to request exactly when they want to buy, and then other teams can kind of file a request in the NFL. It wasn't long ago, I mean, I guess it was. We're getting old now, but like in the early 2000s when they first did division realignment, there was four teams that had to buy every single week from week three to week 10. And that was it. Four, four, four, four. Every single week. Now we've got four games in week four, teams in week 14 that have a buy, and we've got four teams in week 12 that had a buy and we got a couple teams in week 11 that had a buy. Last year was a little bit more skewed to the end of the season. We had six teams in week 12 that had to buy and six teams in week 14 that had a buy. This year we don't have that the last two years. Each of the last two years. Just as a little note for anybody who cares, zero bye weeks, week 13, and they try to get everybody playing on that Thanksgiving Day weekend so they don't have buys. Then they have buys the week before that. They advise the week after that and then it ends. But there have been some teams with the 17 game schedule that and only one team getting a first round buy in the playoffs and that have done some homework internally and thought to themselves it might be more advantageous to have a buy later on in the season. We wouldn't want to have a buy, let's say week four, week five, week six, and then have to go all through the playoffs, not have a shot at like being the first overall seed and then playing all the way through until the Super Bowl. Having had no extra week off since, you know, early October, many teams are trying to avoid that by requesting a buy a lot later. But then you just have to survive until, you know, week 12, week 14. So I don't know that we have enough data because they just started doing these. Week 14, sorry. Yeah, week 14 buys. The first season they started doing that was 2021. So we don't have a whole lot of data to show how much that helps these teams yet. But it definitely has been a growing trend with the extra game that they added to the schedule of some teams requesting to have buys later in the year.

[Chad Millman]

Yeah, you look at how physical these games are and the way these players get beat up and you really marvel at the fact so many years went by without bye weeks and these guys were just going week after week after week for 16 game schedules. I'm not talking about the 60s and 70s when it was 14 games. Like the buy is probably saving years on people's careers because it is a. Simon. This is a brutal, brutal game.

[Simon Hunter]

Yeah. And we talk all the time too about how there's no mystery here, the reason that one or two seeds usually make a far run in the playoffs, right? Easy because they're going to rest a guy early or they get that by a week. Like it's, it's not like, remember years ago, it used to be. Well, we don't know if we want to rest players because we don't want them to lose the rhythm that's kind of died out now with, especially with the extended season that we've had where teams are just. No, like we just need to make it to that. Get the rest. I mean, my favorite ever will always be Detroit. Last year, right. They didn't take off the final week of the season because Campbell's a psycho. He wanted to lose that rhythm. They had the bye week and then they couldn't find it against Washington. So, you know, that is something that does happen. But yeah, my view of it, like, my most interesting takeaway, especially with what we're talking about here, is that, you know, there's, there's certain teams that you want to look out, they're not on the main stage. Like last year, a team that jumped out that I got really wrong was the Vikings. Right. The Vikings had basically no prime time games. They're a team that pretty standard schedule, Chad, always one o' clock, maybe four 30s. But they're, they're, they had a pretty simple setup that year. A team this year that really jumps out to me, it's a unicorn team is Tennessee. A team that took the number one quarterback, number one pick, zero games outside of that window. I don't even think they gave him a Thursday game. Chad. Tennessee. So this is a team in a very unique scenario of very simple all season, 1 o' clock, 4:30 Sunday. I love that for a team that I'm very interested in this upcoming season in Tennessee. So those are the type of things where I'm like, again, once I get Warren's book, I, I'll dive into his information on Tennessee because that jumped out to me right away of huge, huge advantage. A team that no one's talking about. Born Cam Ward, barely talked about in the draft the rescheduling guys reflected that, giving them zero prime time games. I could not believe when I saw it.

[Chad Millman]

Well, Tennessee and New Orleans, the only teams without prime time games this year. Simon, you and I have talked in abundance about the Tennessee Titans at 8 to 1 in A in the AFC south where honestly, anything can happen and there's no reason why they couldn't be the Texans of two years ago. I'm glad you mentioned Warren's book so I can remind people, go to Sharp football, use promo code action, get his preseason Bible for $1. $1. That's ridiculous. I mean, you're basically giving away the best preseason football book that there is. Warren, you should be ashamed of yourself. You should be ashamed of yourself.

[Warren Sharp]

I don't want to even promote the book. You did a great job with that. I appreciate that. I just want to get on my soapbox for one second about the bye weeks and just say one more thing about these bye weeks. Teams care about when their bye week is and they're trying to focus on it. And we know there are 17 games and we know that only one team has a buy in the playoffs. Teams need to play every single game that they play a little bit more focused on the fact that if we're up big, we can take our starters out and they avoid all the wear and tear injuries are going to happen league wide. You never know when a player is going to get injured, but what you do know is that they're more likely to be injured if they're playing 100% of their snaps because the game is close all the way to that final whistle. The 2022 Philadelphia Eagles were a prime example of this. Jumping out to big leads early in game so they could rest their guys, they could stay health healthier in the season. They made it all the way to the Super Bowl. Obviously we know it didn't end the way that it did just this past year, but the Philadelphia Eagles are a great example. More teams need to be aggressive early in games, to jump out to leads, to be up at halftime, to put games to bed by the middle of the third quarter so they could rest these guys to get through the season. I don't know why it's not a bigger focus. Teams want to be ahead. Their number one priority is being ahead at the final whistle after 60 minutes. Their priority should be to be up by double digits entering the fourth quarter. That would help their players stay a lot healthier throughout the course of the season. And I wish more teams cared about that than they do.

[Chad Millman]

Look you're preaching to the choir, Warren, because that would also mean a lot more backdoor covers. So everybody wins. Start resting your starters. NFL coaches Warren Sharp, thanks for coming on. Simon and I will return with our next episode of the Favorites Tuesday on the Action Network YouTube page with special guest Jason Benetti. Download us from Spotify, Apple Pods, wherever you get your pods. Rate Review Subscribe Leave us. 5 stars. Say whatever you want. Feedback is a gift. Until next time.

[Warren Sharp]

Love you.

[Cedar City Advertiser]

Action Network reminds you, Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you care about has a gambling problem, help is available 247 at 1-800-GAMBLER.

[Degree Advertiser]

Okay. Have you heard about this? Last year, Degree changed the formula for their Cool Rush deodorant. Their fans rebelled and wanted the old scent back, and Degree listened. That doesn't happen often.

They admitted that they effed up and are bringing the original Cool Rush scent back. And it's exactly how you remember it. Cool, crisp and fresh. There's a reason it's the number one men's antiperspirant. And it's back in Walmart, Target and other stores for under $4.

So try it and see what the fuss is about. Head to your local stores to try the OG cool rush for yourself.

[Podcast Promoter]

At iBarbecue, we've reinvented the traditional barbecue. We call it social grilling because it's more fun when we grill together. You're flipping steaks, your friends grilling veggies, and everyone's gathered around the table, not just waiting for food, but making memories. It's interactive barbecue. It's not just just cooking, it's connecting. With our innovative tabletop grills, everyone gets in on the action, cooking, chatting, laughing together. It's immersive dining. It's an experience ready to bring your people together. Visit ibbq.com where the heat meets the.

[Dan Flores]

Heart why is a soap opera Western like Yellowstone so wildly successful? The American west with Dan Flores is the latest show from the Meat Eater Podcast Network. So join me starting Tuesday, May 6, where we'll delve into stories of the west and come to understand how it helps inform the ways in which we experience the region today.

[Podcast Promoter]

Listen to the American west with Dan Flores on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Podcast Host]

This is an iHeart podcast.