Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (3:09)

Welcome in While Driving The Grind Episode 415 this episode, as always, is presented to you by our great friends at Boost Mobile. We are on the precipice of my favorite sports weekend of the year, NFL Divisional round weekend. Typically four absolutely unbelievable games. Usually you have at least six of the best eight teams in the league over the course of the season playing this weekend. This year, one could argue you have all eight of the eight best teams in the league playing this weekend, with the one exception being Mike Jags not making it. But I don't know who you'd put them over. The Bills who just beat them? The Texans, maybe the Niners in their current form. Whatever it is, basically all the right teams are playing and I can't wait to get to it. We also have coaching news from overnight and from since we last talked, so let's get right to it. We'll go to Straight to voicemail. Brought to you by our friends at Boost Mobile. Anthony Davis evidently out weeks and not months with a hand injury, not going to have surgery. Giannis booed by the Bucks fans and then comes back that you're saying the fans are ungrateful.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (4:27)

Ungrateful. Yeah.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (4:29)

Here's, here's the thing on that. Quickly. I don't, I know Giannis took it as if they were booing him. I don't think they were booing him. I think they were booing the 2026 Milwaukee Bucks. And I think that part of their frustration is that that team can be that bad despite having Giannis. But it sure seems like that relationship has run or is, you know, run its course and that it could be the best for all parties to move on. But that was a. I didn't like any of that. Giannis looked really sad on the bench and then afterwards he was like I always boo when I get booed, but those are road games. Like, I don't know. Also just now Jonathan Kaminga demanded a trade that's he's never been happy there. And the really cool one point slam 64 person tennis tournament winner gets a million bucks. They play one point each game and an amateur ended up winning the whole thing. He beat center in the round of 16 because center faulted and then beat young lady when she hit it out on in the championship. He won a million bucks. I actually watched that was pretty sick. Damanze how are you?

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (5:52)

Cinema? I'm good. I'm doing pretty good this morning.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (5:55)

No complaints right after you either on the air or off the air. Last recording mentioned some stupid Twitter meme about like four pictures. Oh yeah, one picture or whatever. And all of us were like, we don't, we weren't really that familiar with what you were talking about. And you said, well, maybe this I'm showing my own immaturity or something. This is my algorithm. Yeah, the, the White House did one so I don't know, man. We're just living in the dumbest timeline. Reminder everybody. Like rate subscribe review to the show Again, the thumbs up, the, the hitting the bells on YouTube is helpful. Get leaving us a nice review. We appreciate that. But what literally pays the bills are the subscriptions. And the cool thing about the subscriptions to this is it's totally free. So if you would subscribe on YouTube, it would be greatly appreciated. Subscribe on itunes or Spotify. It would be greatly appreciated. All right, let's get to the overnight news of John Harbaugh going to the Giants.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (7:11)

John Harbaugh agreed to go to the Giants last night and a little bit before that and shortly after our last show, Tomlin had stepped down as the Steelers coach. We'll talk about that in a little, in a little moment. But what do you think about Harbaugh going over to the Giants?

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (7:25)

Sorry, I, I don't say this often, but I totally agree with Dan Orlovsky. This is the best thing to happen to the Giants since they won the Super Bowl. They Sincerely, the There are, there are two things. No, there are three things that really matter in the NFL to being a perennial contender and avoiding being a perennial laughingstock. The first one is avoid having atrocious ownership. So the the Giant stadium mates the jets there. They just have atrocious ownership that will always be in their way. I think the Browns have atrocious ownership that will always be in their way. The Giants have had one of those three kind of benchmarks down and they have good to very good ownership in the Maris. The second thing you need is a legitimate, true professional head coach. They now have that for the first time since Tom Coughlin. Obviously the third leg of that stool, if you will, is the quarterback. I don't think they have that, but maybe they do. And if not, you'll see how you can paper it together while you tried to find the quarterback. But if ownership will stay out of the way and you have a legitimate head coach, once you have the quarterback in place, you can instantly contend. The Bears and Patriots are showing you that right now. That and I've said this before, I will say it again. If you have the right coach and the right quarterback, the rebuild is somewhat instant. And if you have had the same coach and quarterback for two years, not four years, not six years, two years, and the team is not competing at the very least where playoffs are the expectation, then you don't have the right coach or you don't have the right quarterback. There are no instances of awesome coach, awesome quarterback, but it took us four years to get it together. That flatly doesn't happen. And so the Giants got the best coach that was truly available. And, and I say that because I don't think Tomlin is truly available. I think Tomlin's going to take a year off and survey the landscape because none of these jobs are great jobs. I ranked them on the TV show yesterday but nine to one the way I had it. Let me pull up my exact list. Number nine was the Browns because of that ownership problem, because of the cap issues created by the Watson contract and because they don't have a quarterback. Number eight is the Titans to me now if you love Cam Ward, then that job moves up the list. But even if you love Cam Ward, they only have one other player on the roster you could love in Jeff Simmons. And ever since Amy Adams Strunk took over, they have just been a revolving door of front offices. They move off variable that it's been a disaster. Number seven is the Dolphins. Again, no quarterback. They have not had a head coach there since Don Shula last longer than four years and they're in a rough cap position. The Cardinals, I put it six because I think it's a very tough division and they don't have the quarterback. The Falcons are an interesting one. Super soft division, have won seven or eight games each of the last in seven of the eight last years. They do have some talent and I don't think Blank's a terrible owner so that, you know, it makes that a decent job. I put the Giants at four. They've got money, they've got a D line. They might have a quarterback. I'm skeptical. But that also is, I think not the hardest division. The Raiders, I put it three purely because I think if you believe in Mendoza, that number one pick plus the fact that you have a ton of money to spend makes that somewhat attractive. But that to me feels like a better job for a young offensive minded guy that wants to grow with Mendoza than 62 year old John Harbaugh. Now the flip side of that is while the Raiders don't mind paying coaches, the Raiders since Art shell which was 1994, in the last 30 years the they have had two head coaches get more than three get at least three years, Jack Del Rio and Jon Gruden twice and they have had a dozen other coaches get less than three years. So they will that hamster wheel will spin. And then the Steelers two Ravens won. Obviously Harbaugh wasn't going to the Ravens, the Steelers, I think that they were not going to hire a coach his age and because they want that coach to be there for 15 some years ideally. And so I think the Giants are a great job for him. I don't expect a snap contention, but I do think that all of a sudden the giants could be a 500ish team next year. I think that's a legitimate possibility and I want to see what Jackson Dart looks like. Don't love Scatter Boo and Neighbors both coming off major injuries, but this is a great day for Giants fans. Flatly this is probably the happiest you've been since the boat party playoff game against the packers with Odell and Eli at the end of Eli and it's the best day for your franchise since you won a Super Bowl. All right, let's talk a little Tomlin here to Monz.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (15:04)

Yeah. So Reed is now the longest tenured coach over there in Kansas City. Do you think that Tomlin's potentially waiting to take over Kansas City?

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (15:14)

So here's I don't think that necessarily, but I also don't think that's crazy. So the last head coach of the Steelers was Bill Cower. Bill Cower left after 15 years, went to CBS and for about five consecutive coaching cycles to Monze. Bill Cower was the number one candidate and he never left the job. He's still doing TV on cbs. He just stayed there. I do think it's on the board that Tomlin goes and does TV and never stops and is like I can make. I'm not making coaching money doing this. I mean he was making $25 million a year reportedly from the Steelers. But I'm making millions and millions of dollars for 2% of the work. I love it. So I think it's on the board. It wouldn't be my bet, but I Think it's on the board that Tomlin does not coach again. I think that's possible.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (16:30)

Okay.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (16:31)

And because he's going to have such a great job, he can be and because he's young enough, he can be very choosy. So for Mike Tomlin, my, if I had to bet on the next job for Mike Tomlin, my bet would be the Philadelphia Eagles a year from now. I think that the is a job that will come open in the next few years and that Tomlin, that's a, that's a great job. So when we're thinking of it. So the reason I don't think the Chiefs thing is a ludicrous idea is because at some point during Patrick's career, Andy's going to retire and the moment that happens, that becomes one of the greatest job openings of all time. Again assuming. Well, I mean Andy's older than you think. And so I mean andy is in two months he turned 68. So you know, again, the reason I think it's not far fetched is because or not insane is because I could see Tomlin staying in TV for more than one year. Shawn Payton stayed for one year and then the Broncos traded a pick to the Saints to get him. I, if Tomlin comes back in the next two years, his team would have to trade, do some type of compensation with the Steelers. I don't think the Steelers though would throw up too many roadblocks. But I could see you just got to think about what are great jobs that realistically could come open. The packers are a very good job and it looks like La Flor is, you know, a little tenuous at the moment. The Eagles I expect to come open the Bills at some point. Let's see, let's see how this year goes. And ne like the though like McDermott.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (18:58)

Is is Baltimore insane? Like I know we don't have a coach right now. Maybe we get a coach doesn't want.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (19:04)

Well, that's the thing. So I mean I think Baltimore is insane because it's open now. No, I just think because it's open now and he's not take. You know, he's not going there right. Right now. And and so the what I was saying about McDermott is McDermott's kind of on the perma warm seat and he could end that this year. They win the super bowl, he'll be the coach there for probably the rest of Allen's career. Zach Taylor and the Bengals. The problem there is I don't know that that's a good job even though Joe Burrows. Awesome because of ownership and so you just, you look around. But my money would be that Mike Tomlin is going to be the coach of the Philadelphia Eagles in a year. That's where I, that's where I would put my money. But I don't think I also, I think there is a chance that in three years he's still doing TV and he comes and what pulls him away from that is Andy Reid retiring. I think that's possible. All right, I know you got one more follow up.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (20:25)

You think this eliminates any chance of Rogers coming back or at least at the start of the season for next year?

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (20:31)

He's def. Well, it certainly eliminates any chance of him coming back to the Steelers. Certain. And I don't think Roger is going to be a week one starter for anybody next year. I still think he might play again, but it would be, you know, a mid season addition after an injury. All right, before we get to my favorite sports weekend of the year, today's show is brought to you by our presenting sponsor, Hard Rock Bet. Miami's made the national Championship. Hard Rock Stadium is going to be rocking and if you're going to the game, Hard Rock Bet is giving you a $10 bonus bet to get in on the action. If you're watching the game out in Miami, head to the Hard Rock Cafe, Miami, Duffy's, North Miami Beach, American Social, Miami or Batch Brickell. Hard Rock bet is dropping $10 bonus bets there too. You can turn that free $10 bonus bet into a big win by placing a same game parlay or even if you're just watching the game at home. So no better place to bet the national championship than Hard Rock Bet because it's Florida Sportsbook and they're going crazy with promos for this one. So if you're late to kickoff, don't worry. Hard Rock Bet is live in game betting, so you're never too late to the action. Find a winner. Live Bet between snaps in just a few easy taps. If you haven't tried your first bet on Hard Rock Bet, there's still time for you to get $150 in bonus bets. If you win, just place a $5 bet and if it hits, you get not only your winnings, but also an extra $150 in bonus bets even if your team is out of the playoffs. That doesn't mean you have to sit on the sidelines between same game parlays. Live betting, can't miss welcome offer and new promos dropping every day. Hard Rock Bet has you covered all postseason long. Hard Rock Bet 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, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee or Virginia. To play Terms and conditions apply. Concerned about gambling in Florida? Call 1-833-PLAY-WISE in Indiana. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem wants help, call 1-800-9 with it gambling problem, call 1-800- gambler Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio.

Louisiana Hot Sauce Advertiser (23:02)

Tennessee, Virginia everything tastes better after your team wins. Similarly, everything also tastes better once you've baptized it with a simple handcrafted flavor of the original Louisiana brand hot sauce. So just imagine how truly tasty something would taste if it was doused in the original Louisiana hot sauce after your team wins. Pretty damn good, right? That's Louisiana Hot Bayou Some support for.

Public Investing Advertiser (23:28)

The show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On Public, you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index with AI. It all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year, you can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500 with. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like EFTs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA SIPC Advisory Services by Public Advisors llc SEC Registered Advisor Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not investment recommendation or advice. Complete Disclosures available at public.comDisclosures running a.

Odoo Advertiser (24:38)

Business is hard enough, so why make it harder with a dozen different apps that don't talk to each other. One for sales, another for inventory, a separate one for accounting. Before you know it, you are drowning in software instead of growing your business. This is where Odoo comes in. Odoo is the only business software you'll ever need. It's an all in one fully integrated platform that handles everything, CRM, accounting inventory, E commerce, HR and more. No more app overload, no more juggling logins. Just one seamless system that makes work easier. And the best part? Odoo replaces multiple expensive platforms for a fraction of the cost. It's built to grow with your business, whether you are just starting out or already scaling up. Plus, it's easy to use, customizable and designed to streamline every process so you can focus on what really matters and running your business. Thousands of businesses have made the switch, so why not you try Odoo for free@odoo.com that's o d o o.com the.

LifeLock Advertiser (25:39)

New year means new health goals not just for your body, but for your finances too. But did you know financial health is directly related to identity protection? You need Lifelock because your personal info is in endless places that are outside of your control. It only takes one mistake, and not even your mistake to expose you to identity theft and lost funds. LifeLock monitors hundreds of millions of data points per second and alerts you to threats you could miss on your own. If your identity is stolen, LifeLock's US based restoration specialist will fix it, backed by the million dollar protection package. In fact, restoration is guaranteed or your subscription money back. Don't face drained accounts, fraudulent loans or other financial losses from identity theft alarms alone. Resolve to make identity health and wealth part of your new year's goals with LifeLock. Visit lifelock.com iheart and save up to 40% your first year. That's 40% off@lifelock.com iheart terms apply.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (26:38)

All right, let's talk Rams Bears demanz.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (26:42)

All right, so your MVP Matthew Stafford escaped Carolina last week and now they get to go and play the spicy Bears who keep getting these improbable wins. Do you think that last week's game was too emotional of a too emotional of an output for Chicago Bears and the fans this week to overcome? I'm sorry.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (27:01)

No, you're fine. I mean I do think there is an element of that game validated their season and there was such a catharsis from that stadium to come back the way they did to do it against that team, the hated rival. And I don't. I thought the state, I thought the Bears crowd played a real factor in the comeback and I just don't know that I expect the crowd to be a 12 out of 10 again. I also think that the Bears injuries during that game, a banged up defense losing another linebacker and the left tackle being out maybe for next year as well, but certainly the rest of this Postseason with a blown acl. They were already behind the eight ball here and now I listen, I think people know how much I like the Bears, how much I like Caleb and how impressed I've been with Caleb's late game heroics. But I feel like they're going up against the best team in the NFL and I, I think Demonte, they are going to need to score 40 to win this game. I think the Rams are going to be able to move the ball at will against this Bears defense. I think what you saw Green Bay doing in the first half against the Bears, the Rams are going to be able to do the entirety of the game. And I think Devonte Adams now knocked some of the rust off in the last game. He will be a bigger factor. Puka is simply unguardable and I, if I'm a Bears fan, I am just worried that it is there are going to be guys running wide open all throughout the game and like what we saw in that game for the packers even in the second half when who was the number six? Oh, Kyler Gordon was getting picked on repeatedly. I think that Sean McVeigh is going to draw a big red circle around Kyler Gordon and hunt him. They probably can. The Rams have enough weapons. They can stay away from Jalen Johnson. I don't know that the Bears pass rush is going to be able to disturb Stafford that much because Stafford was. Stafford was, you know, pretty, somewhere from pretty good to super exceptional in almost any scenario, but he was unbeatable if you didn't get pressure on him. I don't know if they're going to get pressure on him. And I think this is a really tough game for Chicago. It would be remarkable if they win it. If they win it, they either are then hosting the Niners in a rematch of the 4238 classic that we saw in week 17. Except this one's in Chicago or they're going to Seattle feeling like we've got the better quarterback. Let's see what the hell happens.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (30:53)

But if Carolina could score 31, they could score 40. Huh?

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (31:01)

I actually don't think so. I think the Panthers game was misleading on the overall quality of that Rams defense. And I, I also still don't totally understand how the Panthers scored all the points they did. I the, I mean Bryce threw for 260, but they only ran for 80 and was just go ahead.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (31:40)

They scored that literally that exact same amount of points the last time they played them. It was 31 point set. So I mean there's something and the.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (31:47)

Rams, the Rams defense, after starting the year off great, gave up 31 to the Panthers, 20 to the Cardinals, 27 to the Falcons 38 and overtime to the Seahawks, 34 to the Lions. You know, as you mentioned, 31 a couple weeks before that to the Panthers the first time. I think the Rams pass rush is going to have more of an impact in this game with that injury to the Bears starting left tackle again. I think Caleb will play well, but, and again we'll do our pick show tomorrow, but this feels like 42 to 27 to me. Like, I, I, I, no, I mean.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (32:34)

I do believe the offense is going to be humming for the Rams. I don't think they'll run into too many problems.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (32:40)

I just, yeah, I just don't, I don't know how the Bears. Shut up, Slow them down. Forget shut them down, slow them down. This would be a, to me a remarkably impressive win. And the only way the Bears win that I can see is if Caleb plays the best game he's played as a pro. If you get late game Caleb for the entirety of the game and I think that's just hard. It's a hard ask.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (33:12)

So you hinted that if Stafford retired out of the NFC this year that Caleb would be the best quarterback in the nfc. How important is this head to head matchup in that theory?

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (33:25)

Well, I think that if he were to win this game, some folks would argue he doesn't need Stafford to retire, he's just going into next year the best quarterback. But I, and I don't think Stafford's retiring, to be clear. But I right now would rather have Caleb than Dak or Jaden or Jalen Hurts or Jordan Love or Jared Goff or Baker or Purdy or Darnold. The only guy in the conference that I would rather have as my quarterback is Stafford. And I think that the only hole in Caleb's game right now is accuracy on easy throws. Like that's the one part of his game that is below average at this point and I'm going to give him credit that from year one to year two, the biggest thing he needed to improve on was not taking awful sacks and he fixed it. And then during from the beginning of year two to the end of year two, the biggest thing he needed to improve on was the pre snap operation, getting out of the huddle on time, not having these procedural penalties and he fixed it. So now the biggest thing he needs to improve is that the accuracy on what I would call simple passes. So I'm going to give him credit that he'll be able to fix that. So I, I, you know, I am as bullish as one can be on Caleb and I think he's just scratching the surface on who he can be. All right, let's talk about the next game.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (35:30)

Niners and Seahawks face off for the third time this year with the NFC championship game on the line. We know San Francisco has been plagued with injuries and Darnold's teams to tense up in the bright lights. Which one do you think is a bigger liability in this game?

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (35:46)

I think it's the Niners injuries because I just, I don't think Darnold is going to need to have a huge game. I mean these two teams have played twice, once in week one, once in week 18 and the final scores were 17, 13 niners in week one and 13 to three Seahawks in week 18. No George Kittle, poor Christian McCaffrey just being run into the ground usage wise. Pardon me, that Niners defense so incredibly banged up. I, I think Seattle as long as Darnold doesn't truly melt down the rest edge is also so substantial for Seattle that you know getting having the buy versus the Niners playing Sunday, a Sunday war into a Saturday game. It this has been a 10 out of 10 brilliant coaching season for Kyle Shanahan but I feel like the end of the road is this weekend and it would them in back to back weeks both games essentially without George Kittle. We'll see about Pierce all this week but last week they didn't have him. Going to the defending champion Eagles and then going to Seattle and getting two wins would be all time stuff for an underman team and I think Seattle has earned our respect on their resume is they beat the Jags, they beat the Texans, they beat the Rams, they beat the Panthers, they beat the Niners. Their losses are a two point loss to the Rams, a three point loss to the Bucks and a four point loss in week one to the Niners. So two of their three losses they played that team again later in the year and beat them. That Rams loss, Darnold had five turnovers and they were still right there. Or four turnovers, I'm not sure and I just think that Seattle is too well rounded of a team, too healthy and too rested to lose this game. All right, what are your follow ups here?

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (38:45)

Did the committee hesitate or struggle at all to put a team with a shaky quarterback atop the tiers?

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (38:52)

Yeah, I mean listen, Seattle has earned the right to be considered the best team in football.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (38:58)

Yeah.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (38:59)

But if they play The Rams. I'll pick the Rams. And if they play the Bills, I'll pick the Bills. I mean, and so I, I see Seattle has earned the respect that they get that, that spot atop, you know, everybody's power rankings. But when push comes to shove, I'm not gonna, there is a level of trust I'm just not going to be able to have in a Darnold Stafford playoff matchup or a Darnold Josh Allen super bowl matchup. What else you got here?

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (39:35)

So, Purdy, it sounds like you kind of been changing your tone a little bit on your thoughts on him. If he goes and balls out against his defense, are you officially ready, ready to get him? Give him a new conversation.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (39:46)

Well, listen, I the games and how you play in the games have to matter. And he's played good. Even though Purdy had those, you know, one really bad and one kind of bad pick against Philly, I thought all things considered, that was an impressive, gutsy performance by him. If he follows that up and plays well and they beat the Seahawks, then of course then I have to, I mean, I can't have this mind.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (40:18)

Is he like top five?

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (40:19)

I don't know.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (40:23)

Top six or seven?

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (40:26)

I don't know. I, I, I, I, I don't know. But I do know that I have been impre impressed with how he played that Seahawks game. Not at the end of the season, notwithstanding down the stretch of the season. That Seahawks game was a rough one for him, is 19 or 27 for a buck 25 and through the pick at the end. But I really liked his overall performance in that Eagles game, even though that pick near the end was really, really bad. I thought the the past to McCaffrey was awesome. I thought his escapability and scrambles were really important. I was impressed by him in that spot. Like the the games, particularly playoff games, weigh very heavily in how I feel and doing it shorthanded and undermanned is wildly impressive. All right, let's talk about the afc.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (41:29)

A team that you have not believed in whatsoever. Playing a team that you have believed in through and through throughout the season. The Bills and the bro Are you putting the Broncos on fraud watch in this game?

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (41:42)

I don't think the Broncos are frauds. I do think, however, that if they lose this game, there will be a lot of looking through their season with a fine toothed comb and the question being asked, how good were they really? And I think that'll be fair. They are playing a shorthanded Bills team. They are at home. They are healthy they had the buy and this Broncos team that they had moments of wildly impressive play but they also down the stretch of the season they had one excellent game. The packers game. They got blown out at home by the jags. They're tied 13:13 against what was left of the Chiefs. They are a two point conversion from Josh Johnson away. Or was it Mariota? I don't remember in that game who it was from losing to the Commanders. They beat the Raiders 10, 7. They beat the Texans 1815 in a game. They knocked out C.J. stroud. Jets game came down to a potential field goal at the end. They they. Their. Holy shit. Look at the Broncos moments this year were the 21 straight points to come back against Philly back in early October beating the Cowboys 44 to 24. And that Packer game when Bo Nicks played out of his mind and they beat the Packers 34 to 26 with you know, a late touchdown to ice the game when it was 27, 20, 26. It's not that. That's not nothing. And the fact that they found ways to win matters. But if they lose to Buff. Last year they played Buffalo in the playoffs. They started the game up seven nothing. They lost the game 31 to seven. The bills. You now have a banged up Bills team. If you are the team, your fans and your coach more on him in a second. Have sworn you are all year. You'll win this game. I have major doubts about it. And if they don't win this game when there I. I had this. Sorry. Let me pull it up real quick. When you add the one seed and you add all of these things kind of working for you. And next year Damanze. The Denver Broncos play in no particular order. The Bills, the Rams, the Seahawks, obviously the Chiefs twice. The Chargers twice. The Niners, the Jags, the Panthers. The. Which I get our playoff team. Not a great team, but a playoff team. The Steelers. I'm leaving some. I'm. I left out one of their tough games.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (45:34)

Well, I mean I think the life can come like.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (45:37)

Yeah, life can come at you fast now. The. And oh the. Oh, I left. The Patriots are another one and so. Big difference in how we'll view the Broncos if they win this game and lose in the conference championship game. Sir. Obviously anything past that make the super bowl win the super bowl. It's a 30 out of 10 great season. But just winning the one playoff game, getting that the. Getting that monkey off your back is so important. And Sean Payton's been writing checks all year and up to and including this week when he was a total jerk to that reporter for asking about Dre Greenlaw coming back for no reason whatsoever.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (46:40)

What was that?

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (46:41)

What did she, I mean, a reporter asked him about Dre Greenlaw attacking downhill in the run game and Sean Payton's like, what do you know about attacking downhill in the run game? You don't know anything about that. He's just, he's just when he feels like he's in the catbird seat, he doesn't appear to treat people that well. And you win this game. You've been talking all year about this team being a Super bowl caliber. Last year you said had you not gotten curb stomped by the Bills, you thought you were going to beat the Chiefs, the team that went to the Super Bowl. You now have them in your building and you're rested and the Bills have three receivers left. So we'll see again the Picks show tomorrow, but I'm leaning strongly Buffalo and we'll talk more about the Bill side of things in tomorrow's show. Are you thinking about upgrading to the all new iPhone 17 Pro design to be the most powerful iPhone ever? But you're also thinking about traffic on your way to the store, transferring all your data. The hassle of all that good news. When you order a new phone online with Boost Mobile, they'll send an expert to your home or work to deliver your brand new iPhone 17 Pro and get you all set up on Boost Mobile within minutes. No hassle. Visit boostmobile.com to get started. Delivery available for select devices purchased@boost mobile.com Terms do apply.

Louisiana Hot Sauce Advertiser (48:08)

Everything tastes better after your team wins. So just imagine how truly tasty something would taste if it was doused in the original Louisiana Hot Sauce after your team wins. That's Louisiana Hot Buy you some support.

Public Investing Advertiser (48:24)

For the show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On public, you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index with AI. It all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year. You can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like EFTs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA SIPC Advisory Services by Public Advisors, llc SEC Registered Advisor Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not investment recommendation or advice. Complete Disclosures available at public.comDisclosures running a.

Odoo Advertiser (49:33)

Business is hard enough, so why make it harder? With a dozen different apps that don't talk to each other, one for sales, another for inventory, a separate one for accounting. Before you know it, you are drowning in software instead of growing your business. This is where Odoo comes in. Odoo is the only business software you'll ever need. It's an all in one fully integrated platform that handles everything CRM, accounting, inventory, E commerce, HR and more. No more app overload, no more juggling logins, just one seamless system that makes work easier. And the best part? Odoo replaces multiple expensive platforms for a fraction of the cost. It's built to grow with your business whether you are just starting out or or already scaling up. Plus it's easy to use, customizable and designed to streamline every process so you can focus on what really matters running your business. Thousands of businesses have made the switch, so why not you try Odoo for free@odoo.com that's o d o o.com there's.

Lenovo Pro Advertiser (50:34)

No championship league for small business owners, but if there was, you'd be at the top of the steady because going pro with Lenovo Pro means you've got the winning formation. One on one advice IT solutions and customized hardware powered by Intel Core Ultra processors help you stay ahead of the competition. Business goes Pro with Lenovo Pro Sign up for free@lenovo.com Pro Lenovo Lenovo.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (51:04)

All right, last game Damanze before we play game the producers put together and get some of the questions from earlier in the week. Go ahead.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (51:13)

Yeah, so we saw Drake may struggle a little bit against the Chargers. The big thing on them was their strength of schedule and they haven't played anybody and they played somebody and struggle a little bit. So the challenge gets a little bit harder this week in Houston and they have that hellacious defense coming at them. So how are you feeling about New England going up against Houston this weekend?

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (51:32)

Listen, I think that Houston defense has a chance to carry them all the way to the Super Bowl. Yeah, but. That Houston offense is so inconsistent it allows e as bad as the Steelers offense was On Monday night. That game seven to six entering the fourth quarter. It's 10 six before the strip sack touchdown. The Houston earlier this year forced Josh Allen into one of the worst games of his career and dominated the Bills. And despite that, with let me 25 seconds left or with no more than that with I'm looking at it right now with 40 seconds left, the Bills have the ball at Houston 17 down four points. Meaning even though the Texans played basically as well as you can play defensively, the Bills had a chance to steal the game. It's just such a hard way to do business when your path to winning these games is our defense is going to carry us. And while we have seen teams do it, I the games feel like they are going to consistently be in the balance at the end. The the fate. You know the most famous example of a team's defense in the modern ish era carrying them to the Super Bowls, the 2000 Ravens. That 2000 Ravens team allowed 23 points total in four playoff games. They won their four playoff games 21 to 3, 24 to 10, 16 to 3 and the Super Bowl 34 to 7 to Monze. And that seven, by the way, was a kick return. So they. It's not even. It's. It's not even. So I said they allowed 23. They really allowed 16. And so the what are the other instances that I'm going to pull it up right now? The 2002 bucks would be the other another instance of a team's defense just dominating. That BUCS team allowed six points in round one, 10 points in round two, and then in the Super bowl they won 48 to 21. But there were multiple defensive they so the deep so that that Bucks defense that allowed 21 points also demons a had three pick sixes to score 21 itself in the Super.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (54:56)

Wow.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (54:57)

And so and the the one other.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (55:00)

Example and are you arguing these are Bucks? Oh, sorry.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (55:04)

Hold on. Just real quick. The one other example would be the 20 the 2015 Broncos. Defense was dominant, but they had Peyton at the helm. And even though Peyton was not really Peyton that year, it was still Peyton Manning and it felt like he could at least put the offense in good positions. The 2013 Seahawks are a team that comes to mind and they might be a better example of kind of what I'm worried about for Houston, that 2015 Seahawks team or 2013 as dominant as that defense was. The Niners have the ball down six inside the 10 yard line in the final moments of the game. And that's when we got you try to test me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree. That's what you get from Richard Sherman. They were still one pass away. It's just a hard way to do business.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (56:21)

Yeah.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (56:22)

And so I also think the Pats, on the other hand, are so much more dangerous now that Drake May got those first playoff game jitters kind of out of the. Out of the way. Because you saw him play better in the second half. What was your. I interrupted you. What was your question?

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (56:41)

Oh, no, I was saying, were you arguing that those defense were more dominant than this Houston's. This Houston Texans defense? Cause, I mean, it sounded like those scores were pretty crazy.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (56:50)

Well, I mean, the 2000 Ravens most dominant defense in 40 years.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (56:55)

Right.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (56:56)

I mean, that's a. They're in a separate category entirely.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (57:01)

So with us describing that, I think.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (57:04)

It might be on par with the Legion of Boom defense.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (57:09)

Okay. And.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (57:11)

But the Legion of Boom at least had good Russell Wilson and Marshawn lynch. And CJ Stroud's just been so bad.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (57:21)

Do you think he's still a franchise quarterback or. And he just lost his wide receiver? 1. Is Nico even playing?

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (57:27)

Right? I mean, Nico's probably. I would be shocked if Nico plays. It's weird because Stroud and Josh Allen are the only quarterbacks to both win. They're the only quarterbacks in the league to have won a playoff game each of the last three years. But Stroud was bad Monday night. Yeah, the. His previous playoff victories, he hadn't been bad. He was bad in that one.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (57:53)

What do you. What do you think is on the board with Drake May and a good performance against his defense?

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (57:59)

Oh, I mean, that would vault him if Drake is. I think there are ways for New England to win without Drake being really good because I think the Texans defense is so shaky or Texans offense, pardon me, is so shaky. But if Drake lights up this defense, that'll be the performance of the postseason so far. We'll give you our picks on the picks show, which comes out tomorrow. But evidently there was a The Olympic ticket draw for LA Resonance yesterday. To Monze explain this to how this worked, and then we'll do this before we get to the listener questions.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (58:39)

So yesterday LA residents were able to enter into the ticket raffle for the 20. The ticket draw for the 2028. Olymp. If you get drawn in March and April, you get a shot at buying first tickets. You're able to pick from five sports. I picked four sports. You're going to guess what my sports were, and then you'll take a. And then you'll tell me what I should fill my final spot with. And then lastly, you'll tell us what you're looking most forward to in the 2028 Olympics.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (59:11)

Okay. All right. You definitely. Your four two are obvious. You definitely pick basketball. Bear it. You definitely pick track and field. Am I wrong?

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (59:29)

I did not.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (59:31)

Oh, you did. Track and field should have been the number one. Okay. When that has to be your fifth pick, that's the single best ticket.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (59:39)

I like track and field. I just. When I was going through and seeing all on the list, there were some that popped out more to me than others. But. But yeah, I did not pick track and field. All right, well, that has to be one.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (59:51)

That has to be your fifth. I think you might have picked flag football.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (59:55)

I did. Okay.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (59:57)

I thought you might pick flag football. I think you might have picked boxing.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (60:06)

I thought about that one. Pretty heavy. I did not pick that one. But yes, I would have. Yeah.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (60:11)

Did you pick three on three? Basketball?

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (60:14)

No.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (60:15)

I wouldn't either. I think that's smart. This is interesting.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (60:21)

You got flag football, basketball, and then there's two more.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (60:28)

Beach volleyball.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (60:31)

No. Thought about that one too.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (60:36)

Did you pick any combat sport?

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (60:39)

No, no.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (60:41)

I thought you might have gone taekwondo or judo. Skateboarding.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (60:47)

No.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (60:48)

All right. I'm not going to get there.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (60:49)

Closer to home than you think.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (60:51)

What did you pick?

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (60:53)

One of them was diving. I like diving and I just think it's so hard and just seeing them pull that type of stuff off. And then lastly.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (61:02)

Shocked by that.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (61:03)

Lastly. We got tennis. No, I love tennis. You know, all the talk about it throughout the show, I've. I've gained a liking to it. You know, Mev, Dubev, Djokovic, Med.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (61:20)

All right, mine. Here's what. I would not have picked tennis because I can see tennis elsewhere.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (61:26)

Okay. This is the Olympics. It's not the. Not the best guys.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (61:30)

Yeah, but. I mean. Yeah, but the best guys play in all the majors. So I. If I could. If. So here's what I would have picked. Track and fields. My number one pick with a bullet.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (61:44)

I mean, because isn't that just like a large umbrella of a bunch of. Bunch of stuff I'm going to need there?

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (61:49)

Well, yeah, it's all the.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (61:50)

Yeah, well, it's.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (61:52)

Oh, yeah, but that's the, the field stuff is not as fun, but it's just the track. 100 meter, the 4x4, all of it. So I'd pick track and field. I think I would pick water polo.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (62:07)

Okay.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (62:07)

Which is awesome. I would pick Gymnastics. The. The two hottest tickets are going to be track and field and gymnastics every time. No doubt about it.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (62:21)

Okay.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (62:24)

And I would pick swimming.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (62:27)

Yeah, I can't that one I can't give the other ones I do find exciting. I can't watch those as well.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (62:33)

Diving. You like diving? Not really, but maybe it's because I can't do a regular dive. So I'm not as impressed by it as you are, but I like stuff that I'm not going to be able to watch elsewhere. So like, I would consider rugby. Boxing is interesting because it's so much purer than. Than regular boxing. Lacrosse is a great sport, but I can watch that elsewhere. But if you get these tickets to Monse, I'll buy them. Like if you get selected. But you have to put track.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (63:17)

These are crazy. But yeah, no, I'm down for track and field.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (63:20)

Well, to be clear, I didn't mean I'll buy him and give them to you. But I mean, I'm saying if you.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (63:25)

Get oh, you just buy them and.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (63:26)

Then you're going, oh, well, maybe go maybe. I don't know what I'll do. But I'm saying if you get selected, don't say, oh, no, I. I can't afford them all.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (63:36)

Yeah, we'll figure it out.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (63:39)

Okay. All right, let's get to some of the listener questions from this. The it was from Tuesday and then into Thursday. Yeah.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (63:49)

Anaki says one question from a fan in Spain. Do you think the Bills could beat Denver or Houston with the type of methodical drives they had in Jacksonville? I can't see Shakir with 61 yards after catch.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (64:01)

No, I think that against either of those defenses, Josh is going to have to run a little more. But I also think they wouldn't need 27 points to beat either of these defenses. All right, next.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (64:17)

ACU acuity says if anyone not named Stafford or Allen win the Super Bowl. Can we avoid the whole Hertz is a top five quarterback thing again just because he wins the Super Bowl?

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (64:29)

Listen, I think the I. I think that Jalen Hurts had legitimately had a claim after last year's super bowl is top five quarterback. He is a couple years removed from finishing top three in MVP voting. He was unbelievable in the final two weeks of the playoffs last year they won the super bowl. Like that was Mahomes Allen, Lamar Burrow. Hertz was a fine opinion to hold. He then fell some this year obviously. So the like he's. You are not like if Bo Nix wins the Super Bowl, I don't think Or Sam Darnold. I don't think people are going to say that guy defended as all that guy's top five quarterback. Hertz had a bigger body of work, including a previous super bowl appearance. Yeah, absolutely.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (65:22)

Khalil asks, do you think Houston is scarier now since they won like that with CJ Playing bad?

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (65:31)

I would feel that way if they if I thought CJ was about to start playing well. But I just think that's what CJ Is going to be doing like. So, no, I don't think they're scarier.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (65:45)

All right, next, the little man asked question for Damanze when healthy, based on the playoff runs you've seen this far, who's having the more magical year, Caleb Williams this year or Jaden Daniels last year? And I'd have to say Jaden Daniels last year.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (66:02)

I think Jaden last year was more impressive up to this point than what Caleb's done. What Caleb's doing feels sturdier for me than Jaden. And okay, you know, we'll see. And we'll see how much of this for Jaden was just injuries and whether or not he's going to be able to fade those injuries moving forward. All right, let's go to some of the questions from today.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (66:26)

Curtis asks, out of the remaining playoff teams, who is most likely to miss the playoffs next year and who do you think could get even better next year?

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (66:35)

Out of the remaining playoff teams? Out of the remaining playoff teams, the team I think is most likely to miss the playoffs next year is Denver. Is that schedule that I just laid out to you?

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (66:51)

Yeah.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (66:52)

And the team that I think get better next year is the Bears.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (66:56)

Yeah, I definitely said Bears better.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (67:00)

The, yeah, the, though the Niners should be healthier, but I don't, you know, they won 12 games anyway and so I don't know how much better they'll be. All right, last one.

Co-host (likely Damanze or Demanze) (67:13)

And then Scott asked Nick, who goes after Malik Willis? Cleveland. Cleveland. Pittsburgh. Or do you see him elsewhere?

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (67:24)

Not Cleveland. I think Pittsburgh's a possibility. I think Arizona is a possibility. I think that Miami's a possibility and I think the jets are probably the favorites for him because now that Dante Moore is going back to school, I don't know what they're going to do. All right. Damanze beat me in picks last week. He has been the gambling sage of the show this year. It's, it's there is teasers crushed and then in his picks against the spread, he went 4 and 2. We will get to our picks from last week and our four picks for my favorite sports weekend of the year in tomorrow's show, which we're about to do right now. So we appreciate everybody listening. Check check out the feeds, YouTube, Spotify, iTunes for the pod that will drop tomorrow morning with our divisional weekend picks. Huge thank you to Volume and to Hard Rock and of course our great spot. I'm sorry Volume and Blue Duck and our great sponsors Hard Rock and Boost. Talk to you guys tomorrow for our divisional round pick show. See you then.

Louisiana Hot Sauce Advertiser (68:37)

We'll try Everything tastes better after your team wins. Wings, Nachos, Celery. Seriously, everything. Similarly, everything also tastes better once you've baptized it with a simple handcrafted flavor of the original Louisiana brand hot sauce. So just imagine how truly tasty something would taste if it was doused in the original Louisiana hot sauce after your team wins. It almost sounds too tasty.

Host (likely Dan Orlovsky) (69:03)

Almost.

Louisiana Hot Sauce Advertiser (69:04)

So come Saturday, Sunday or any day football's played, head down to wherever you buy things to eat and grab some of the perfectly balanced heat. The original Louisiana Hot sauce. That's Louisiana Hotel Bayou some At cvs.

Podcast Announcer (69:20)

It matters that we're not just in your community, but that we're part of it. It matters that we're here for you when you need us, day or night. And we want everyone to feel welcomed and rewarded. It matters that CVS is here to fill your prescriptions and here to fill your craving for a tasty and, yeah, healthy snack. At cvs, we're proud to serve your community because we believe where you get your medicine matters. So Visit us@cvs.com or just come by our store. We can't wait to meet you. Store hours vary by location.

Odoo Advertiser (69:53)

Running a business is hard enough. Don't make it harder with a dozen apps that don't talk to each other. One for sales, another for inventory, a separate one for accounting. That's software overload. Odoo is the all in one platform that replaces them all. CRM, Accounting, Inventory, E Commerce, hr. Fully integrated, easy to use, and built to grow. With your business, thousands have already made the switch. Why not you try Odoo for free@odoo.com that's odoo.com if you're the purchasing manager.

Grainger Advertiser (70:26)

At a manufacturing plant, you know having a trusted partner makes all the difference. That's why hands down, you count on Grainger for auto reordering. With on time restocks, your team will have the cut resistant gloves they need at the start of their shift and you can end your day knowing they've got safety well in hand. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.

Podcast Announcer (70:54)

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.