What's Wright - Best Of - Nightmare: Mahomes HURT & Chiefs ELIMINATED, what's wrong with Lamar Jackson? Jaguars-Broncos MONSTER matchup

Summary

The Herd with Colin Cowherd — “What’s Wright: Best Of” (December 20, 2025)

Episode Focus:
A dramatic recap of an NFL week upended by Patrick Mahomes’ catastrophic injury and the Kansas City Chiefs’ playoff elimination, an exploration of Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ ongoing issues, big-picture AFC power shifts, and an in-depth look at the crucial Jaguars-Broncos matchup.

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Main Theme & Purpose

This “Best Of” episode of What’s Wright with Nick Wright (a segment on The Herd) is dominated by the shocking end to the Kansas City Chiefs’ season after Patrick Mahomes suffers a major knee injury. Nick discusses the short- and long-term ramifications for Mahomes, the franchise, and the nature of NFL dynasties. The show then pivots to examine the up-and-down Ravens, Lamar Jackson’s persistent absences, and whether the AFC is seeing a genuine “changing of the guard.” The episode closes with the rising stakes of the Jaguars-Broncos matchup and what it means for playoff seeding.

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1. Chiefs Eliminated: Mahomes’ Season-Ending Injury

Setting the Scene

• After losing to the Chargers, the Chiefs are eliminated, and Mahomes suffers a torn ACL and LCL, ending his season in what Nick calls “one of the weirdest, saddest reads I've had to do for this show...” (03:34)

Nick Wright's Initial Reaction

• Nick is open about his personal connection to the team and Mahomes, but tries to keep perspective on the nature of NFL fate:

  • “This is pro football... The devastation of the moment is real... But this happens. It was the Chiefs’ turn to have the year from hell and it was, sadly, Patrick’s turn.” (03:51)

• He outlines the relentless toll of long seasons, O-line injuries, Mahomes playing through pain, and the risk of not sitting out:

  • “There is a cost to the 20-game seasons... to Patrick’s refusal to sit out a game when his knee was obviously bothering him...” (04:34)

Context: NFL History & Dynasties

• Nick likens Mahomes’ fate to injuries that sidelined other legends (Brady, Manning, Rodgers, Lamar, Burrow):
  • “This is pro sports and this sport in particular...” (05:40)
  • “We now have a line of demarcation in Patrick's career: before and after the ACL. We'll see how he recovers, how he attacks it, how it changes, for good or bad, the player he is.” (06:05)

Perspective on the Chiefs’ Dynasty

• Nick refuses excessive self-pity, celebrating the seven-year run:
  • “This has been as good of a seven-year run as any football fanbase has ever gotten... Seven years of conference championships... matches any seven years the Patriots had.” (07:00)
• He acknowledges this year was simply not their year:
  • “I was wrong about this team. They didn’t have it this year... Had they looked like a championship-level team, this would sting even more. But it was clear where this Chiefs team was—about an hour and a half before Mahomes’ injury.” (11:04)

Chiefs’ Structural Issues Exposed

• O-line injuries, lack of running game, and receiver development all pointed to problems masked by Mahomes:
  • “I think you're about to see what actual bad quarterback play looks like, with the team right now, with its issues.” (14:24)
  • “One of the bigger disappointments is the lack of development from the wide receivers.” (14:38)

Notable Quote

• “There needs to be some real... personal accountability by everyone involved in the team. How do we make sure next time Patrick takes the field, this team doesn’t have as many glaring weaknesses?” (16:51)

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2. Looking Forward: Rebuilding & Mahomes’ Recovery

Roster Advice for Brett Veach (GM)

• Damanze asks Nick about Chiefs’ priorities:

  • “Biggest weakness right now is not being able to get a pass rush outside of Chris Jones.” (19:34)
  • Issues at D-line, no effective running game (Pacheco’s injury), and looming need to plan for life after Travis Kelce.

• On Travis Kelce’s possible retirement:

  • “Is he a dominant player anymore? No. Is he still one of the five best tight ends in football? Yes... The question is if he wants to keep doing it.” (21:45)

Recovery Outlook for Mahomes

• Nick’s confidence:
  • “I would put all my money on him being back for week one next year... There’s a very good chance he comes back as a better player.” (18:50)

Chiefs’ Next Chapter & Coaching

• “As long as you have Patrick Mahomes and Andy’s not going anywhere... I believe Andy Reid... is one of the greatest coaches.” (23:10)
• Acknowledge need to address drop-off post-Eric Bieniemy (offensive coordinator) but no panic on coaching front.

Notable Moment

• Nick’s optimism despite adversity:
  • “I am not worried at all that the Chiefs aren’t going to get back to being the scariest team in football... Having the most talented player in the history of the sport at the most important position who now has something to go prove, is a good position to start from.” (25:15)

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3. AFC Turmoil: Ravens, Lamar Jackson & Power Reshuffling

Lamar Jackson Concerns

• Persistent health issues—sick again and missing practice:

  • “It’s every year the guy is sick... I know this sounds bad... But you just can’t get sick every year and miss work. Not at quarterback.” (36:48)

• Nick is unfiltered about recurring absence:

  • “He got Covid a dozen times and then since then every year has the seasonal flu, can’t have it.” (36:48)

AFC Power Structure: “Changing of the Guard”?

• Reviewing last year’s 12+-win teams:

  • Nearly all are in turmoil or regressed. Only Philly and Buffalo have maintained form; “massive upheaval” in the conference. (33:00–34:20)

• Nick offers historical precedent (2008 Patriots lose Brady; chaos year, then order returns):

  • “This reminds me of ‘08... Feels like a lot of upheaval which led to one of the weirdest Super Bowls ever. But the next year, things kind of went back to normal.” (34:40)

• “You do have to take more seriously the young gun quarterback-led teams... but I don’t think it’s a full-blown changing of the guard.” (35:24)

Ravens & Patriots Playoff Picture

• Damanze: Should Patriots fans worry if they lose again?

  • Nick: Yes, because the Ravens “aren’t that good”—if the Pats lose back-to-back playoff-caliber games, “you fall in the awesome season, something to build on, not real contender” category. (39:17)
  • “Even your two playoff dress rehearsals, you play playoff caliber teams and you lose both. Do I then think you’re going to win three straight playoff games to make the Super Bowl? I don’t.” (40:38)

• Ravens’ upside, but concerns about Lamar and a lackluster offense:

  • “They scored 17 offensive points against Cincinnati... not a game that afterwards you’re like, man, we are rolling.” (41:50)

John Harbaugh’s Future

• If the Ravens miss the playoffs, “I think Harbaugh’s out.” (42:18)
• Playful ribbing about Lamar’s health and weather preferences.

Notable Quote

• “Have Lamar put a coat on. I don’t know... I have a theory as to why Lamar gets sick so often, but I’m not sharing it.” (42:29)

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4. Jaguars-Broncos: The Monster Matchup

Jaguars’ Hot Streak, Stakes for Playoff Seeding

• Damanze: “My Jags have been humming... offense looking great, defense holding up. But they’ve got Denver this week.”

• Nick highlights the playoff implications:

  • “If they win this game, they are super alive... to be the 1 seed.” (48:39)
  • Next two are against Colts and Titans (“ship them those wins”). If Denver slips, Jags could claim the AFC’s top spot.

• Importance of staying home in Florida (elements matter!):

  • “I don’t think Trevor and this Jags offense want to go to New England or Buffalo in round 2—they want it in Florida.” (49:41)

• Nick admits he grossly misjudged Denver:

  • “I am staring in the face, potentially being as wrong about Denver as I’ve been about any team... That’s the most embarrassing type of wrong.” (50:34)

Jaguars’ Resume & Missed Opportunities

• Noting their “best losses” (only to quality teams), but a brutal blown lead vs. Texans costs key leverage:
  • “They’d be playing this weekend to be the 1 seed... that loss is brutal.” (53:28)
• Since then, Jags have blown out several teams and beaten other contenders (Chargers, Niners, Chiefs).

Broncos’ Excellence

• Nick simply puts it:
  • “They’ve just been excellent all year. I gotta call it like it is.” (55:00)

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

On Mahomes’ Injury:

• “We now have a line of demarcation in Patrick’s career: before and after the ACL. We’re going to see how he recovers…” (06:05 – Nick Wright)

On the Chiefs’ Dynasty:

• “This has been as good of a seven-year run as any football fan base has ever gotten… Put it up against anything.” (07:00 – Nick Wright)

On Lamar Jackson:

• “You just can’t get sick every year and miss work… Not at quarterback.” (36:48 – Nick Wright)

On Dynastic Challenges:

• “There’s a reason only one team ever has gone to four straight Super Bowls… only three other teams ever had gone to three straight Super Bowls…” (15:30 – Nick Wright)

On Admitting Mistakes:

• “I am staring in the face, potentially being as wrong about Denver as I’ve been about any team…” (50:34 – Nick Wright)

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Key Timestamps for Reference

• [03:34] — Chiefs lose, Mahomes’ injury, and emotional fallout
• [07:00] — Chiefs’ seven-year dynasty in perspective
• [11:04] — Conceding this Chiefs team “didn’t have it” this year
• [14:24] — Chiefs’ roster weaknesses and what’s next
• [19:34] — Advice for re-tooling the Chiefs’ roster
• [21:45] — Travis Kelce’s football future discussed
• [23:10] — Andy Reid and the future coaching staff
• [25:15] — Nick’s optimism about Mahomes’ return
• [32:45] — AFC upheaval, last year’s top teams regress
• [36:48] — Rant on Lamar’s recurring illnesses
• [39:17–41:50] — Patriots-Ravens matchup implications
• [42:18] — John Harbaugh’s job security if Ravens miss playoffs
• [48:39] — Jaguars-Broncos stakes for the AFC’s 1 seed
• [53:28] — Jags’ blown lead vs. Texans discussed
• [55:00] — Praise for Denver’s consistently strong season

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Tone & Language

Nick Wright is emotionally candid, at times wry and self-deprecating, blending sharp analysis with personal investment (notably regarding the Chiefs) and blunt, occasionally controversial commentary (especially on Lamar Jackson). He openly revisits predictions (right and wrong), keeps a conversational flow with co-host Damanze, and makes allusions to NFL history and larger trends, tying the week’s chaos back to those themes.

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Summary

This episode delivers a comprehensive, honest postmortem on the Chiefs’ dynasty run, sets up vital questions about their future, and surveys the shifting sands of the AFC. Nick Wright’s tone is both raw and retrospective, pulling no punches whether talking about Mahomes’ resilience, Kansas City’s front office decisions, or Lamar Jackson’s frustrating absences. The Jaguars-Broncos clash is presented as a pivotal, tier-setting game for the next generation of conference powers. The show is a must-listen for Chiefs faithful, dynastic NFL followers, and anyone invested in the drama and unpredictability of pro football.

Transcript

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[Nick Wright]

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[Commercial Voice]

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[Damanze]

All.

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[Damanze]

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[Nick Wright]

IBM. Welcome to the Best of the Week for what's Right with Nick Wright. The best takes and moments from this week on the show. Enjoy. Chiefs lose Chiefs eliminated Patrick injured One.

[Damanze]

Of the weirdest, saddest reads that I've had to do for this show is very strange. Chiefs eliminated from the playoffs after the loss of the Chargers. Patrick Mahomes with a torn ACL and lcl. They're done. Yesterday you said that this was the end of a chapter or in the chapter.

[Nick Wright]

So I'll get into the that part in a second. First I want to say this. This is pro football and this, yes, this is my hometown team and yes, I have a personal relationship for Pat with Patrick and so and he's the face of the league and one of the defining players of in league history. All of those things make this extra gutting in the short term and we'll see what it means in the long term. But I don't want to overstate the, how do I put this because the, the, the, the devastation of the moment is real. The sympathy or empathy that folks should have for me or for Chiefs fans or whatever right now, I, I think that's overstated because this is pro football and this happens. And it was the chief's turn to have the year from hell and it was sadly Patrick's turn to roll craps and he was fighting through a knee injury. The last few weeks he was on the injury report. The last few weeks you saw him laboring. We said after week one, man, he sure ran a lot and sure took a lot of hits. And there's attacks to all of it. There just is. And there is a cost to the 20 game seasons. There is a cost to the offensive line injuries. There is a cost to Patrick's refusal to sit out a game when his knee was obviously bothering him. There is a cost to the Chiefs being in must win, gotta have it elimination games this early in the season. You extend your body, you extend plays, you put yourself out there and this happens. This is not. I am sick for Patrick, I'm sick for myself. But I'm also the Patriots and their fans watch Tom Brady go down the first week of a season. The Colts and their fans watched Peyton Manning miss a whole year with a neck injury. The packers and their fans watched peak. Aaron Rodgers knocked out for half a season with a snapped collarbone like the the Ravens twice have had Lamar late in a year get hurt and never come back. The Bengals and Joe Burrow have had multiple seasons derailed by the guy getting hurt. Like this is pro sports and this sport in particular. And so I, I am trying to balance how much it sucks that Patrick is going through this, how much the reality of we now have a line of demarcation in Patrick's career that's going to be before and after the ACL and we're going to see how he recovers from it, how he attacks it, how it changes for good or for bad the player that he is. And I and I. Can recognize that and do me a favor guys, don't put questions in the rundown near the top of it. Sorry this is a production note. While we're doing it it's I lose my train of thought and. I can recognize all of that while also not feeling like woe is me is appropriate. This has been as good of a seven year run as any football fan base has ever gotten. Seven years of conference championship games, five super bowl appearances, three super bowl victories that you can put it up against anything any team has done in the history of the sport. This seven years matches any seven years the Patriots had. Any seven years the Niners in the 80s had and the Steelers in the 70s is a weird one because they won four Super Bowls but they didn't get to the conference championship game every year and they didn't get to five Super Bowls. That that's a tomato tomato thing. You can say that one was better but it's at least in the argument and and now the Chiefs recede back into football general population and then see if they can emerge once again. And I and I hate that I have talked about this comp so much and now it is even more apropos. Apropos. But you guys have heard me whenever we have done the Brady Mahomes career stuff talk about in in his eighth year as a starter, Tom blew out his knee and then that team had its only real lull. Obviously they missed the playoffs the year Tom missed. They still won 11 games by the way, which is shout out to how unbelievable the 07 Pats and 08 Pats were as a roster. And then in 2009 Tom wasn't his best. They won 10 games and got annihilated in round one of the playoffs. And in 2010 Tom was exceptional. That team was 14 and two and then they lost one of the weirdest playoff games ever to Mark Sanchez and the New York jets. And then in 2011 they started their run and I don't know what is. I here is as far as this not being what's the right way to put this In a weird way. I feel worse for Packer fans with the Micah injury than for Chief fans with the Mahomes injury. In this regard I was wrong about this team. They didn't have it this year. And so had they been 11 and 3 in that game and or I guess 10 and 3 because that was right. Do I have this right? I'm all scattered 10 and three going into that game and had looked great and it was like man, this is another championship level team. I think this would sting even more. But it was pretty clear it became I came to terms with where this Chiefs team was about an hour and a half before Mahomes is injury. The final drive of the first half up 13 to 3, letting the Chargers drive the length of the field. The combo platter of not being able to punch in the Herbert interception and getting seven and then later in the second quarter allowing them to go the length of the field in 40 seconds to take what could have been a 17 to 3 or at the very least 13 to 3 or worst case scenario 13 to 6 lead into halftime in a must win home game. Letting the Chargers whose offense right now is not very good go the length of the field to make it 13 to 10. And then watching the Chiefs offense do nothing the entire second half they didn't have it. And so this was not the Chiefs leaving. Oh man. Left us potential championship on the table because the quarterback got hurt. They were not good enough this year. And I was wrong. I talked a lot of shit, poked at a lot of folks. As soon as they looked like the Chiefs again that was a brief mirage in who this scene was this season. And I do feel demons a that they are about to have a mirror held up to some of their structural issues that Patrick was holding together over these last three weeks of the year. Because I think they are going to lose to the Tennessee Titans. I think they are going to get beat up by the Denver Broncos.

[Damanze]

Oh okay.

[Nick Wright]

And then we'll see Week 18 Raiders Chiefs in Vegas. You know who shows up for that game. But I think with these O line injuries, this lack of a running game and one of the bigger disappointments of this season is. The lack of development from the wide receivers. I think you're going to see what this offense looks like with bad quarterback play because I understand Mahomes numbers after the buy the Cowboys game notwithstanding were ghastly. The Cowboys game is the one thing propping them up. I think you're about to see what actual bad quarterback play would look like with the team right now with its issues. And I do think that there needs to be some real soul searching is too strong but some personal accountability by everyone involved in the team. And hey, how do we make sure the next time Patrick takes the field this team doesn't have as many glaring weaknesses as it had in 2025? And listen, it's hard. There is a reason only one team ever has gone to four straight Super Bowls. There is a reason only one TEAM ever has gone to more than seven straight conference championship games. There is a reason only three other teams ever had gone to three straight Super Bowls. What the Chiefs accomplished was certain things were unprecedented and certain things were only, you know had only been accomplished by one or two of the other greatest dynasties ever. But you saw some of the wear of the late draft picks of guys not developing of some a a draft miss here, a free agency miss there, a bet poorly timed injury there and they couldn't run the ball and they couldn't rush the passer all year long. And these receivers who I like, I think Rasheed Rice has the ability to be excellent. I saw him be exceptional for the second half of his rookie season. I know the talent Xavier Worthy has but those guys not developing into fully formed legitimate man beating wide receivers hurt this team a lot too. And so those are the things that you address moving forward for the Chiefs. And then you see what version of Patrick we have when he comes back. I believe the type of competitor and legendary athlete he is that there is a very good chance he comes back as a better player as a player that if he especially if he can't early on rely on as much on his athleticism is even more precise in the pocket and traditional drop back sense than he's been the last couple of years. And so I'm not worried about Patrick and I would put I understand it was a terrible injury and he tore two ligaments. I would put all my money on him being back for week one next year. It's right at nine months and I think he'll do it. And what will the team around him look like is the question. Demons. I know there's some follow ups here before we get to other stuff.

[Damanze]

Yeah, you were talking about making sure the roster was good for Mahomes whenever he comes back. If Brett Veach hit you up today and asked what they should do to retool the team, how would you go about it?

[Nick Wright]

I mean I listen I think the biggest weakness right now is not being able to get a pass rush outside of Chris Jones. And they spent a first round pick on a player a couple years ago who was put on the IR this year they spent a second round pick on Omar Norman Lot a D tackle who was put on the IR early in the year. This was not a good carloft this year and they just paid him. So I think that that is the first thing that I would address and the other one is they need to have listen I Isaiah Pacheco was an unbelievable story as a seventh round pick and he was very productive and then and again it's pro football man. He broke his leg and hasn't been the same and I feel sick for him. I hate the fact that he never really got paid I and he's a champion and you know really helped the team before those injuries but he hasn't been the same since then and they can't run the ball effectively. So what they are going to have demands a next year is a third place schedule and something like the 10th, 11th, 12th pick of the draft which are two things that you never would have thought they would have going into this year. And so you have to take advantage of those things and you also have to prepare for life after Travis Kelsey. Even though I it seems like a lot of people are fully convinced Travis is retiring. I am not fully convinced of that. I obviously not only is it possible you could say it's likely but I don't know that he has made up his mind and I because I wants.

[Damanze]

To go out like this.

[Nick Wright]

Right. And so now you don't always get to pick how you go out. Travis's brother played in the super bowl against the Chiefs. The famous, you know when they the first Eagles chief Super bowl they lost that Super Bowl. He decided to come back for one more year and that was the year of the Eagles supernatural funk and meltdown and quitting in the playoff game and that's how he went out. One of the greatest centers ever, Travis lost in the super bowl, decided to come back and now like his last moments with Mahomes on the field are dark what that was and so I don't know. I don't know what he's going to do. He is still a good player. Is he a dominant player anymore? No. Is he still One of the. This year was he one of the five best tight ends in football? Yes. And so he still has football left in him. The question is if he wants to keep doing it. Go ahead.

[Damanze]

Do you think if it's of note that his brother, he sat out that year and then his team won the super bowl the next year. I think his brother's got to tell him to stick in, stay with it. Maybe you guys will get the same.

[Nick Wright]

Oh, that's interesting. Yeah, I mean. Yeah, I mean I guess that's right. It's the first year after.

[Damanze]

Right after. Yeah. They won Super Bowl.

[Nick Wright]

Yeah.

[Damanze]

What's your predictions for the next chapter?

[Nick Wright]

Listen, I think that, I think that as long as you have the. As long as you have Patrick Mahomes and Andy's not going anywhere and I understand there's been some criticism of Andy. I don't think this was his best year. I think Andy will is one of the greatest coaches in NFL history and I do think that they, you know, the Chiefs offense post B enemy with Matt Nagy hasn't been as guys are not running as wide open as they once were and things aren't quite as easy and so they do need to address that. But I believe Andy Reid, he's going to be the coach of the Chiefs as long as he wants to be the coach of the Chiefs. And I'm good with that. And Spags isn't going anywhere and I believe Mahomes will come back and still be Mahomes. And so I do think that they can snap back to top tier contender. They were the favorites to win the Super Bowl 29 days ago, but it's the NFL, man. Like shit happened crazy.

[Damanze]

I mean even a month ago that was wild.

[Nick Wright]

The Super Bowl 29 days ago. But you know, you got to win games, you got to play better, you got to get lucky on the injury stuff. And so I will, I think that they will be the favorites in the AFC west again start of next year. I think that. And you know, we'll get to Denver and the Chargers later in the show. I think that they will. If Buffalo does what it looks like Buffalo could do, they might have someone to go chase, which you know what, like that's how it's supposed to be.

[Narrator/Announcer]

And.

[Nick Wright]

I, I am not worried at all that the Chiefs are not going to get back to being the scariest team in football. I am acknowledging that this year Will across the board is looked at as a failure. And then you all, you double that up with the pain of the injury to Patrick, and you double that up with the Broncos and the Chargers having the years they've had and it's like, okay, they're going to have a fight on their hands every year, so be it. I am, I think having the most talented player in the history of the sport at the most important position who now has something to go prove, is a good position to start from. Hey guys, want to know where I bet on sports during the holiday season? Hard Rock Bet. Not just because it's the presenting sponsor of our show, but because they make it easy to bet on my favorite teams, players and leagues in just a few simple taps, especially with their brand new for you page that recommends picks based on my favorites and who I like to bet on. I open the app, go to my for you page, find a bet I like, and then bam, my bet is placed just in time for me to get back to wrapping presents and enjoy my favorite Christmas movie. Sign up today and bet $5 on any game. If it wins, you. You also score with $150 in bonus bets. A winning bet plus an extra $150 to bet with. Now that's spreading holiday cheer. Plus hard rock bet fills your stockings with new promos daily. So whenever you're listening, just open the app. Check out what you've got. Any day of the week, download the Hard Rock Bet app and make your first deposit today. Payable and bonus bets. Not a cash offer. Offered by the Seminole Tribe of Florida in Florida. Offered by Seminole hard Rock Digital LLC in all other states. Must be 21 plus and physically present in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee or Virginia to play. Terms and conditions apply. Concern about gambling in Florida, call 1-888- admit it in Indiana, if you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-809 with it gambling problem. Call 1-800-GAMBLER in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee or Virginia.

[Commercial Voice]

What a matchup we got, y'.

[Damanze]

All.

[Commercial Voice]

This is that classic HBCU vibe. Non stop action. The band is rocking and the crowd lit. Chance echo drum beat. Everybody showing that school pride Game like this. Yeah, it calls for an ice cold Coca Cola. Ah, crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there. Yeah, that taste always hits the right note. Just like the band at halftime. And just like that, we're back at it. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere and an ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo no matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and Keep that HBCU pride going.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Chapter 18 Prince Lorian's voice gently wakes you from your dreams of him.

[Nick Wright]

I can't face one more sunset without you by my side. Come with me and I vow your desires will be my North Star forevermore.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You're ready. You have Nexplanon etnogestrel implant 68mg radio pack to prevent pregnancy Nexplanon is a non daily prescription birth control for women that goes in your arm and may take a few minutes to insert by your doctor. Don't use nexplanon if you're pregnant or may be pregnant, have or had blood clots or certain cancers, have liver disease, liver tumor or unexplained vaginal bleeding. Once the implant is placed, you and your doctor should feel for it. If at any time you can't feel the implant, contact your doctor right away and use a non hormonal birth control method such as condoms. Removal of the implant may be taken difficult or impossible if it isn't where it should be while in common. Ectopic Pregnancy Pregnancy that occurs outside the womb can occur, which can cause serious internal bleeding, infertility and even death. You are likely to experience changes to your period. Ovarian cysts may occur and usually disappear. Nexsplanon may raise the chance of serious blood clots which can cause heart attack, stroke or death, especially if you smoke or have other risk factors. Nexplanon doesn't protect against HIV or STDs. With less than one pregnancy per 100 women who use Nexplanon for one year, Nexplanon is over 99% effective. No matter the fantasy, talk to your doctor, call 1-877-467-5266 or visit nexplanon.com for more information. Ask your doctor about Nexplanon PCs powered.

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[Sponsor Voice]

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[Commercial Voice]

And Doug, what a horrible call.

[Damanze]

Hey, ref.

[Nick Wright]

Open your eyes, ref. You're really not gonna call that. Come on. Hey, ref, why don't you customize your car insurance with Liberty Mutual and save money? I don't think you get what we're doing. Sure I do. We're all just giving him advice. You guys on sports, me on saving money.

[Commercial Voice]

Nope, that's not it.

[Advertiser/Brand Voice]

Only pay for what you need@liberty mutual.com.

[Nick Wright]

Liberty.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Liberty.

[Nick Wright]

Liberty. Liberty. All right, Daman, let's get to Pat's Ravens.

[Damanze]

Yeah. So Lamar Jackson's missing practice. I think he's sick again. It's. It's that time of year. The Patriots are super relevant. Denver and Jacksonville are in the top teams of the afc. You tie that in with Kansas City and Cincinnati missing the playoffs. Is there a new class of the afc?

[Nick Wright]

So I listen. I don't. I think this is a weird year. Yeah. And the. In a lot of different ways because it's not just the Chiefs and we've talked to. And. And every year there's big turnover, but there's not typically this level of turnover year to year where the. The best teams in the NFL last year the teams. And we've talked about this a bit. The. The 12 plus win teams last year. Detroit won 15. They're on the outside looking in on the playoffs. Kansas City 1:15. They're eliminated from the playoffs. Minnesota 100:14. They've been terrible. Balt 12. They're on the outside looking in on the playoffs. The Commanders won 12. They've had season from hell. The two 12 plus win teams that have maintained to some level is Philly, which I think it's fair to say is not the caliber of team they were last year. And Buffalo which might be you know Buffalo surging at the end of the year. So that part is odd. I have talked a lot about how this year reminds me a lot of oh eight sadly in that that the Patriots coming off the undefeated season Brady blows out his knee, they miss the playoffs. Peyton Manning the with the Colts they're a wild card team because the Tennessee Titans God I think that was the Kerry was that Kerry Collins Tennessee Titans they end up being the 1 seed overall. The and it feels like there's a lot of upheaval which then led to one of the weirdest Super Bowls ever where the Steelers make it which isn't that weird but they were pretty clear going into the season third choice if that in the AFC behind the Patriots and the Steel and the Colts with really the Ravens being right there in that conversation. And then in the NFC a nine win Arizona Cardinals team made it and that was that Super Bowl. So I say that because then the next year things kind of went back to normal. The Patriots won their division again. The Colts won 14 games and won their division again. The Steelers ended up missing the playoffs. The the in the NFC it drew Brees and the Saints were dominant. The so it was. Things got back to normal to a degree. So this is a weird year and there are now you do have to take more seriously the young gun quarterback led teams in the AFC but I don't think it's a full blown changing of the guard. So that's first of all now let's talk about this game specifically. I I'm gonna start with Lamar and I do not care if people think I'm a hater. I just don't. This is gonna sound bad. Whatever. Gotta grow up man. Can't get sick every year and miss work. Just can't. What other quarterbacks to Monze. What other quarterback since we've been doing the show can you remember us talking about oh critical playoff push time and he's sick again. I can't. It's. It's every year it's honestly year I'm.

[Damanze]

Thinking yeah I'm thinking something else is going on. But. But yeah.

[Nick Wright]

I mean every year as soon as it gets cold outside every year when it gets cold out. If you're a pro athlete you just can't. It's every year the guy is sick and we can. You can't be like ah well what does it matter he plays on Sunday. Like missing practice this year has hurt him. He missed four weeks of practice with different injuries or four weeks of in four weeks in a row he missed a practice. He didn't was you know, then last week he missed a practice because of a rest day yesterday. Flu like symptoms like I I'm sorry. Yeah. The. And I know that this is, this is me being an old man. And I understand. I say this walking into it knowing that Ravens and Lamar fans are going to clip this and see it and say this guy, he's the only quarterback in the league that would get criticized for getting sick. And it's like, you know what? That's true. Because it's every year the guy got Covid a dozen times and then. And since then every year has the seasonal flu, can't have it. So that's like I the I know I'm right. I don't care if it sounds bad. I know I'm right. So that's first of all. Second of all, I'm not sure whether or not Lamar healthy or not is back. I this past week was such a weird game because he's 8 of 12, but it's for 150 yards. But he threw one pick but that wasn't really his fault. But he also took four sacks and four sacks when you throw 12 passes means sacked on a quarter of your drop backs. So that part's a little concerning. Also Pittsburgh winning all these games these last couple games has really put the Ravens behind the eight ball. So none of that makes me feel good about Baltimore, which leads me to the Patriots. So go ahead and ask you me the Patriots question because these two tie into each other.

[Damanze]

Should Patriots fans be concerned if they drop a second game in a row?

[Nick Wright]

Yes, because Baltimore's not that good. That's the I think that the Patriots were crushing these bad teams and the one knock on them was you haven't played anybody and they're like but we played the Bills and we beat them and then you're up 21 nothing on the Bills and they walk you down and beat you. If you then respond to that by Sunday Night Football, national tv, a Ravens team that has been shaky, you lose that game, then to me I am putting you in the category of awesome season. Something to build on. Not real contender. Does that you seem like you think I'm being unfair.

[Damanze]

Yeah, I think same thing with the Bills how the Bills just came back and beat them just because I just think they're older guys. I think they're more experienced. Same thing with the Ravens. I think Patriot fans should be disappointed if they lose the Ravens. It's a the good squad you've Seen how Lamar Jackson can play and if Lamar Jackson comes back and he's good in this game, I think that it'd be pretty understandable. But.

[Nick Wright]

So, yeah, here's the thing. Here's. Here's would be my counter to that. You're right. There's no shame in losing to Baltimore. It doesn't mean you're a bad team.

[Damanze]

Right.

[Nick Wright]

But even your two playoff dress rehearsals, you play playoff caliber teams and you lose them both. Do I then think you're going to win three straight playoff games to make the Super Bowl? I don't.

[Damanze]

Yeah.

[Nick Wright]

If the Patriots, you know, fall to one in three on the year against teams above.500, which is what it would be. That's.

[Damanze]

Well, because at first. Because at first I felt like you were saying, like all the Ravens are cheeks. Like, you know, if you, you can't. If you lose to them, that's a bad look.

[Nick Wright]

It's. Listen, it's a bit of. It's not that the ra. And I won't call them that. I was born in the 80s. It's not that I think the Ravens are terrible. It's that the Ravens we have seen over the course of the season. I think it's fair to say they're not a great team. You know what I mean? Like, Ravens are a high upside team, but we just haven't seen that upside. And even last week, the defense was awesome last week.

[Damanze]

Yeah.

[Nick Wright]

But they scored 17 offensive points against Cincinnati. Like, that's not a game that afterwards you're like, man, we are rolling. And so I, I'm very interested to see it. This game will be featured in Nick's picks in tomorrow's show.

[Sponsor Voice]

All right, what.

[Nick Wright]

What other follow up you got before we move on?

[Damanze]

I mean, do you think that the Ravens are likely to get a head coach, a new head coach next year for Lamar, if they crap out this.

[Nick Wright]

Season, if they miss the playoffs. I think Harbaugh's out.

[Damanze]

Right.

[Nick Wright]

I just think that you can have you a new team doctor?

[Damanze]

Yeah. New team doctor as well.

[Nick Wright]

Yeah, maybe. Or maybe have Lamar put a coat on. I don't know.

[Damanze]

Coat on. He's. He's playing football outside. What do you mean?

[Nick Wright]

No, I'm talking about. I don't. I have a theory as to why Lamar gets sick so often, but I'm not sharing it.

[Damanze]

You don't think he dresses appropriately for the weather?

[Nick Wright]

I don't know. I. I have a theory, but I'm not the. I'm. This is.

[Damanze]

Okay.

[Nick Wright]

It's too hot of a take I so I'm saving it. By the way, if you're thinking about upgrading to the all new iPhone 17 Pro, designed to be the most powerful iPhone ever, but you're also thinking about the traffic on your way to the store or transferring all your data. Good news, when you order a new phone online with Boost Mobile, they'll send an expert to your home. How about that? Or home. Or work to deliver your brand new iPhone Pro and get you set up on Boost Mobile within minutes. No hassle. So how about that? You get the new iPhone, it comes right to you and a tech comes in. Get all your stuff transferred, get you set up on the network. Visit Boost mobile.com to get started. Delivery available for select devices purchased@boost mobile.com terms of course, do apply.

[Commercial Voice]

What a matchup we got y'.

[Nick Wright]

All.

[Commercial Voice]

This is that classic HBCU vibe. Non stop action. The band is rocking and the crowd lit. Chance echo drum beat everybody showing that school pride game like this. Yeah it calls for an ice cold Coca Cola I ah, crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there. Yeah, that taste always hits the right note. Just like the band at halftime. And just like that, we're back at it. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere and in ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo. No matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola Cola and keep that HBCU pride going.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Chapter 18 Prince Lorian's voice gently wakes you from your dreams of him.

[Nick Wright]

I can't face one more sunset without you by my side. Come with me and I vow your desires will be my north star forevermore.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You're ready. You have Nexplanon etnogestrel implant 68mg radio pack to prevent pregnancy Pregnancy Nexplanon is a non daily prescription birth control for women that goes in your arm and may take a few minutes to insert by your doctor. Don't use Nexplanon if you're pregnant or may be pregnant, have or had blood clots or certain cancers, have liver disease, liver tumor or unexplained vaginal bleeding. Once the implant is placed, you and your doctor should feel for it. If at any time you can't feel the implant, contact your doctor right away and use a non hormonal birth control method such as condoms. Removal of the implant may be done difficult or impossible if it isn't where it should be while in common. Ectopic pregnancy. Pregnancy that occurs outside the womb can occur which can cause serious internal bleeding, infertility and even death. You are likely to experience changes to your period. Ovarian cysts may occur and usually disappear. Nexsplanon may raise the chance of serious blood clots, which can cause heart attack, stroke or death, especially if you smoke or have other risk factors. Nexsplanon doesn't protect against HIV or STDs. With less than one pregnancy per 100 women who use Nexplanon for one year, Nexplanon is over 99% effective. No matter the fantasy, Talk to your doctor, call 1-877-467-5266 or visit nexplanon.com for more information. Ask your doctor about Nexplanon.

[Advertiser/Brand Voice]

PCs powered by Snapdragon X Elite processors are made to go the distance with blazing fast performance. Next level efficiency Snapdragon processors are built to tackle it all, from highlight reel editing to to intense player research making it all feel effortless. And with multi day battery life, you got true freedom all right without being tethered to an outlet. So from long video calls to all day fantasy drafts, your laptop stays ready so you can be at the top of your game. It's the kind of performance your lifestyle demands, so make sure your next PC is powered by Snapdragon. Learn more at snapdragon.com laptops snapdragon the heart of your PC battery life varies significantly based on devices, setup, usage and other factors.

[Sponsor Voice]

This podcast is sponsored by Total Wireless, the official wireless partner of ufc. When you're streaming the Fight or sharing those takedown highlights, you need a wireless provider that keeps you close to the action. With Total Wireless, you're covered by the Verizon 5G network, so you don't have to worry about your connection being knocked out at the biggest moments. It's not something you can usually say about a wireless provider, but Total Wireless really does have your back. They're in your corner every second of the day, so you never miss a thing. Visit totalwireless.com or visit your local Total Wireless Store to learn more about how Total Wireless can be in your corner. 5G access requires a 5G capable device and a 5G service area. Additional terms apply. See website for details.

[Commercial Voice]

And Doug, what a horrible call.

[Damanze]

Hey ref.

[Nick Wright]

Open your eyes, ref. You're really not gonna call that? Come on. Hey ref, why don't you customize your car insurance with Liberty Mutual and save money? I don't think you get what we're doing. Sure I do. We're all just giving him advice you guys on sports, me on saving money.

[Commercial Voice]

Nope, that's not it.

[Advertiser/Brand Voice]

Only pay for what you need. Need@liberty mutual.com.

[Nick Wright]

All right, Damanze, let's talk. A sneaky, huge game in the afc.

[Damanze]

Yeah. So my Jags have been humming. Offense is looking great, defense is holding up. Yeah.

[Nick Wright]

Call them your Jacks.

[Damanze]

Solid team. Yeah, they're not. They're not my Jacks. They're not my Jacks. You're your Jags. They've been humming, but they got Denver this week, who obviously has that excellent defense. How high would your confidence be if Trevor came out of this game and dealt with that defense with a whim?

[Nick Wright]

Well, here's the thing. It's not just that my confidence would be high. They win this game, they are super alive to Monze to be the 1 seed.

[Damanze]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Nick Wright]

Their next two Colts, Titans. So let's just go ahead and ship them those wins. Then all you need is for Denver to slip up one once in the final two weeks. Now, that's going to be hard to do because Denver faces what's less left of the Chiefs on Christmas and then the Chargers in a game the Chargers might not need. So in that regard that you. You know that it's unlikely that Denver falls, you know, loses one of those two games, but it's possible. The other thing for the Jags is this, and I do think for Trevor in particular, that matters. If they win this game, they have a great chance of not necessarily getting the buy, but being the 2 seed. So why does that matter? I don't think Trevor and this Jags offense, which all of a sudden is super potent, wants to go to New England or I guess in theory Buffalo in round two, like they want it in Florida. Like that is where for this team, I think staying out of the cold as long as possible is a real benefit. And Denver, it just came off its best game of the year and Denver is playing its best football of the year. And I've talked about this enough, no one can say I'm running from it. I am staring in the face, potentially being as wrong about Denver as I've been about any team going from where I was on them going into the year to the end of the year. You can say, you know, it's kind of Denver and the Raiders right now are the Raiders, though. I was just stone wrong on. But. And maybe the audience agrees with me on this. I don't know. I feel like a team that everyone expects to be bad, that you think can be good, and then they end up being bad is not as embarrassing a type of wrong as a team that a lot of people think can be really good, everyone thinks will be kind of good, and you're like, they're going to stink. And then that team ends up being awesome. That's like the most embarrassing type of wrong. And that's what I'm staring at with Denver. I. But if the Jags go to Denver and win that game, you have to start opening up the possibility that don't lie coming out the AFC for the Super Bowl. Yes. Yeah. That. Don't know why it took Trevor this long for it to click in for him, but post Thanksgiving, he's got 10 touchdowns, no picks, they're scoring 35 a game. He's been awesome.

[Damanze]

And.

[Sponsor Voice]

They.

[Nick Wright]

Liam Cohen has just done an awesome job. And so. And Trevor, by the way, was not playing very well earlier in the year. They were winning earlier in the year despite him. And so this would be obviously just a massive, massive win. Now the flip side is this. They lose this game to Monse and it becomes on the board that the Texans run them down for the division. So, like, that's the. That's the other. So this is a huge. We're talking about. Could the playoffs go through Jacksonville? Could they be the 2 seed? The flip side to all of that is if they lose this game, the Texans path to winning the division opens up quite a bit because they.

[Damanze]

And so they got one and one.

[Nick Wright]

They did split and it's a bad split because the Jags beat them early and then when they played again, that was the game. The Jags were up 26 nothing entering the fourth quarter against Davis Mills and they lost that game.

[Damanze]

So, you know, that is heavily, heavily of note.

[Nick Wright]

Yes. Oh yeah, that's a huge spot. I mean, it's just an absolutely huge spot that. Because had they just held on to that game Demons A then they would be playing this weekend to be the 1 seed.

[Damanze]

Right.

[Nick Wright]

They would be 11 and 3, Denver sitting at 12 and 2. And then you beat Denver and get the tiebreaker and basically lock up the one seed. So, yeah, that loss is brutal for them. But aside from that game, the Jags have been what they. Here's what they've done since that game. They beat the Chargers by 29. A pretty lucky, ugly overtime win against Arizona annihilated the Titans, annihilated the Colts, annihilated the Jets. Now if you're looking at that, I mean, like, that's a lot of bad teams. Agreed. But early in the year, they beat Houston, they beat San Francisco, they beat Kansas City. They're. They have the best. Such a thing exists in the NFL. They have the best losses this year as far as who they played. They lost to Cincinnati in week two when Burrow was still there. They. But, But I guess Browning, you know, Burrow got hurt in that game. They lost to Seattle, they lost to the Rams, they lost to the Texans. So they don't have. They haven't lost to any awful lot of Cincinnati. Yeah.

[Damanze]

Oh, yeah, Cincinnati.

[Nick Wright]

But Cincinnati was with Burrow at least Burrow started that game for the most part. And they. So this is massive spot for them. And on the Broncos side of things, I mean, they've just been excellent all year. I just, I gotta call it like it is and they've just been excellent all year.

[Commercial Voice]

What a matchup we got, y'.

[Damanze]

All.

[Commercial Voice]

This is that classic HBCU vibe. Non stop action. The band is rocking and the crowd lit. Chance, echo, jumpy. Everybody showing that school pride. A game like this, yeah, it calls for an ice cold Coca Cola. Ah, crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there. Yeah, that taste always hits the right note. Just like the band at halftime. And just like that, we're back at it. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere and an ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo no matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going.

[Nick Wright]

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[Damanze]

Warning.

[Nick Wright]

This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.

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