← The Herd with Colin Cowherd
The Herd with Colin Cowherd
What's Wright - NFL Wild Card Predictions: Bills-Jaguars, 49ers-Eagles, Packers-Bears, Chargers-Pats | Nick Wright
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This is an iHeart podcast.
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Guaranteed Human New Year, same extra value meals at McDonald's. So now get two snack wraps plus fries and a medium soft drink for just $8 for a limited time only. Prices and participation may vary. Prices may be higher in Hawaii, Alaska and California. And for delivery. Welcome in what's Right with Nick Rite episode 411 a combo episode. We are going to be doing our pick show and our full wild card weekend preview show. Those are kind of one and the same. You're going to get an idea of where I'm leaning on picks when we do the wild card weekend preview. And also something of a playoff preview. And also Daman, perfect outfit for you. Outfit's a weird term. Wardrobe maybe, given that this is our first show, first sports show. I hope people checked out Thursday's show, which was a far different type of show since John Harbaugh got fired. And we're going to get to that. So I don't know if you're wearing that signal to the Ravens, like, you know, you're available for.
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I'm riding with them through everything. You know, I trust and believe they were on the way up.
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B
I love it. Listen, it's a really good franchise and we're going to get to the Ravens piece shortly. The we I did Tuesday's show and I kept saying, like, by the time you listen to this, I wonder if John Harbaugh will have been fired. And for a lot of people, I bet by the time they listen to it, John Harbaugh had been fired. But we'll get to that in a bit. First, as always, this shows the this episode of what's Right is presented to you by our great friends at Boost Mobile and straight to voicemails. Brought to you by our great friends at Boost Mobile. The Wizards trade Trey Young. And it's not even going to be a topic because he got traded for C.J. mcCollum and Corey Kispert. And it is a real reminder to Monze of in this apron world where the empty calories, good stats, bad teams, guys, what their real value is. I mean, no, and I, you know, I know cj. I like cj but he's obviously in a different, you know, he's an older player.
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C
Yeah.
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B
Yeah. The salary was the important part. So this is really Trey Young for Corey Kisper. That's what that trade is. That ain't. And again, that's, that's a little dismissive of CJ McCullum, but something else. Jerry Jones says he's going to retire with the most super bowl rings he has three. The most is six. This is just a ridiculous, silly thing from an old man. And my college football playoff semifinal prediction I think we are getting Indiana Miami. I would like Ole Miss to win but I just because I really would like to really stick it to Lane Kiffin. But I think we're getting Indiana Miami. Reminder everybody. Like Rate subscribe review to the show and we are on the oh, by the way, I just, you know it's funny. People are hearing this Friday so they'll know who won Miami Ole Miss. That will have already happened. We'll see if I'm right. This could be just dated already. The but it's wild card weekend. My second favorite football weekend of the year My favorite football weekend of the year is divisional round weekend. Wild Guard weekend's my second favorite. Let's get right into it, pal.
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C
So the playoffs are officially here. Wildcard weekend coming up. A lot of the big dogs are missing out of the playoffs. So with that being said, in the teams that you see, what are some of the big storylines that you'll be following in this postseason?
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So top five storylines in order. I think I reserve the right to revise it. And I know, listen, I saw my friend Mina Kimes and Dominique Foxworth mocking this idea, but respectfully, they're wrong. The most interesting story about these these NFL playoffs are is this the year Josh Allen breaks through. I understand they're the six seed. I understand they are a flawed team with a bad run defense. But this is not Josh Allen. On the Washington Generals. They have the rushing champ. They have an excellent pass defense. They have a great offensive line that there it would be it's going to take greatness from Josh Allen to make it through on the road this playoff field, but it's doable. And I wonder I for Bills fans forget for Josh, would Bills fans rather have a better team, the best Bills team, whatever year you think that is, but have Mahomes and Burrow in the field or a flawed team but have no Mahomes and Burrow. I think Bill's fans would say give me the flawed team on the road without the boogeyman plus Joe Burrow sitting in the bracket and I think the Bills can do it now. I also think the Jags are a very dangerous team. I the I said this on tv. I don't know if I said it on here. And you'll find you'll find out who I'm picking in this game later in the show. But I believe the winner of this game is going to win the afc. I believe in both of these teams more than I believe in the top two seeds, the Patriots and the Broncos. So that is to me, storyline number one is can Josh Allen break through? That's the most interesting storyline. Storyline number two is will any of these year two quarterbacks go on a run? You have Caleb, you have Drake, you have boys. Drake has the most well rounded team. Well, I don't know, the Broncos might be a more well rounded team than the Patriot. The Broncos. Let me, I take that back. Cause I actually part of the reason that I think the Patriots are better than the Broncos is because I think Drake is so much better than Bo Nicks. But if you were to, if you take the quarterbacks off of it and evaluate the rosters, it's probably Broncos number one. The Bears are an interesting one because the offense is so good, but the defense of those three teams is the shakiest. But here's what I'm getting at. Namanze. And listen, you know, I don't believe in Bo Nicks, but it's the number one seed and if he goes on a playoff run, I don't know what I'm going to say. Yeah, we live in a world where Mahomes missed the playoffs and just tore his acl. Lamar missed the playoffs, his coach just got fired. Joe Burrow missed the playoffs for the third straight year. Okay, if one of these second year quarterbacks goes on a real run, wins multiple playoff games, shows up in the super bowl, whomever it is, assuming again, and I, I don't even really want to include Bo Nicks in this, but I have to be fair. Assuming that it's not the 2000 Ravens way to the super bowl, that the offense more than carries its weight, which obviously would have to happen with the Patriots or the Bears.
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C
Right.
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B
Does that top of the NFL, not the very top, but the top ish of the NFL quarterback pyramid have to start to include one of these kids? Yeah, you know what I mean? Like the, if Drake May and the Patriots make the Super Bowl, I already think Drake May is probably a top five quarterback. Then it becomes undeniable if Caleb puts it all together, God forbid, if Bo Nix wins two playoff games and makes like. So which of these young quarterbacks are any of them going to go on a run? And are any of these young quarterbacks, Bo at least has been to the playoffs going to have, you know, those first playoff game jitters or first real expectations in the playoffs, you know, stumble. That to me is the second biggest Storyline. Go ahead. Seem like you want to say something.
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C
No, I mean but Bo Nick's getting there. I feel like you'd attribute. You would attribute that to the defense carrying. I think it also depends on how they. How they do on the run.
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B
Right. You got to see how the game plays out. I think the third biggest storyline is and again I know that I'm quarterback centric in this but because the storylines are typically third biggest storyline is what if Aaron Rodgers goes on a run. I don't. I don't think it's likely but after that game against Baltimore, I don't think it's impossible.
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C
Is that elevated anywhere another Super Bowl. Yeah.
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Yeah. I mean the guy's got four MVPs. The guy as regular season wise he's a top three quarterback of all time. And so I obviously winning a Super bowl puts him in a. The. It's a totally different world were you to win a Super Bowl. But I don't even if he just. They break the. The Steelers break their decade long playoff wind drought, pull off some upsets. They show up in a conference championship game. Be unbelievable.
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C
Yeah.
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And so I and the Browns game was an abomination. But aside from that he's been really good for the last five weeks and he gets DK Metcalf back. So.
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No DK did that to us with insane.
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I know the. And not having DK almost cost them the their season. Yeah. I think the fourth biggest storyline is and maybe this should have been bigger is what if the Eagles repeat? Yeah. What nobody's talking about the radar.
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C
Yeah.
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B
They've kind of been flying under the radar as a defending super bowl champion. And I think it's because they have seemed flawed. So flawed all year. But if they go back like if they go back to back what that means for everyone involved on that team. All of a sudden Jalen Hurts is a no doubt hall of Famer. The. You know the Howie Roseman and the Eagles maybe they got an argument that they not the Chiefs are the. The dynasty of the franchise. Well I listen the Chiefs have been to five Super Bowls in seven years now and won three. The Eagles would have been to three and four years. One, two. And then if we extend it back to four polls it's hard to call that like part of this. It's a different coach, it's a different quarterback. But yeah it would have been. They've been if they win this year that in nine years. Damanze they went to four Super Bowls. One, three.
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C
Right.
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That's pretty unbelievable.
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C
It's so hard to imagine them repeating given how this season.
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It doesn't seem possible. But maybe but by they're big favorites, relatively big favorites against the Niners in Round one. No one would be shocked if they went on the road and beat Chicago in Round two. And if Chicago loses in Round one, then Philly would be home for Round two. Like it? There's a path there. And then number five is which of the two NFC west juggernaut teams is able to in the playoffs look the way they did most of the regular season, which is like the best team in football for either of them, the Rams and the Seahawks. The Rams path is harder, but their quarterback is so much better. Yeah, the Seahawks though, being at home, being rested, being healthy with that defense and that crowd. Dude, I am not dismissing at all the very real possibility of the Seattle Seahawks winning the Super Bowl. I think that's Sam Darnold. The Seahawks can win the Super Bowl. I can't believe it. I think right now my pick would be Matt Stafford in the Rams, but I think Seahawks can do it. So those are my five biggest storylines. We'll get to Hardballs firing in just a moment. I can spend a ton of time on it, but we haven't done it with the Monzane on this show yet. But first, today's show is brought to you by our presenting sponsor, Hard Rock Bet Florida Sportsman, the official sportsbook partner. Your favorite Florida teams like the Jags, Buccaneers, Heat, Magic and Panthers. Playoffs kick off this weekend. If you've got the script on how it's going to play out, build the same game parlay on Hard Rock Bet and turn game day into payday. Or if you're more into hardwood than the gridiron, you can put up shots on the NBA in college every night on Hard Rock Bet, your home for hoops action all season long. You can even combine your football and basketball bets. If you got a playoff parlay, add an NBA bet or player prop to to it and turn up the payout. And if you missed the start of the game, don't worry. Hard Rock Bet has live in game betting so you're never too late to bet any football or hoops all season. Find a winner, grab player prop that you had circled and bet live in just a few easy taps. If you still haven't tried your first bet on Hard Rock Bet, there's time you get 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. The Hard Rock Bet sportsbook app is the only legal sportsbook for whenever you're in Florida, and it's also live in Arizona, Ohio, New Jersey, Indiana, Tennessee, Virginia, Illinois, Colorado and Michigan. Coming soon to more states, too. Plus, Hard Rock Bet offers new promos every single day. So whenever you're listening, just open the app and check out what you've got. Any day of the week, download the Hard Rock Bet app and make your first deposit payable. And bonus bets, not a cash offer offered by the Seminole Tribe of Florida in Florida. Offered by Seminole Hard Rock 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 1-809 with it Gambling problem call 1-800- Gambler Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia all right, Damanze, let's get to Harbaugh before we get to some of the other games.
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C
All right, so sadly, after 18 seasons, 12 postseason appearances in a Super bowl ring, the Ravens are parting ways with John Harbaugh. You everything but called this on Tuesday, but now that it's official, where are the Ravens going?
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B
So it's really interesting interviewing Brian Flores found that out today. I I would be really Interested in Mike McDaniel just got fired and a lot of people are connecting Harbaugh to the Dolphins.
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C
Couldn't see him coaching.
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Couldn't see who coaching was.
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I couldn't see Harbaugh coaching in Miami.
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Well, I I think there's like a weird Steve, I think I should know this. I think there's some Michigan connection, Stephen Ross, but doesn't matter. Like the I think it'd be hard to go from Lamar Jackson to two, but they're not even going to have to like, what are they going to do? I don't know. Miami's in a tough spot. I what's funny? Not funny, but what's interesting is I thought Mike McDaniel as the Ravens offensive coordinator was an awesome idea, like that running game that he developed. Except you have Lamar and Derrick Henry. Like that would be, you know, Mike McDaniel as it looks like Matt Nagy's leaving the Chiefs. I know it's different systems and everything, but man, oh man, Mike McDaniels the Chiefs offensive coordinator is something I'm super intrigued by, even though I think it's very unlikely now. Maybe McDaniel thinks he's going to step into a head coaching job. That would surprise me. I don't, I don't think he's going to go right. But maybe will his record wasn't terrible. The team didn't quit at the end and some people might be like, look at what he did with tua. As far as the Ravens decision on firing Harbaugh, I there was no decision, guys. The. And I've done enough victory lapping on Twitter so I don't need to. And it's not, not, not victory lapping about someone losing their job. To be clear. Victory lapping on I told you guys all year there was a problem between Lamar and Harbaugh and you guys thought I was just, I spun a wheel. People thought like, oh, Nick just decided today he's going to create this out of thin air as opposed to a paying close attention to the incredibly odd objective fact that they didn't communicate about how hurt he was and also having a little behind the scenes insights. So their ability to ensure Lamar was a Raven for life and was a Raven next year was going to be kneecapped had they kept Harbaugh. So they didn't. So they move on. And even though, tell me if this makes sense to you to Monze, the odds are the next coach of the Ravens is not nearly as good of a coach as John Harbaugh, but that doesn't mean that coach won't be the one to get him over the hump. He might be a worse coach, but also like that they just need something new or better luck or whatever it is. And that it felt like you couldn't just run it back again with Harbaugh. So I felt like the move needed to be made. Even though I think Harbaugh is an excellent coach. That track to you?
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C
Yeah. I definitely don't think the next coach that we would get will be better or as good as John Harbaugh. I think that's going to be pretty hard to find. Belichick. Yes. 100%.
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Yeah. So it sounds contradictory, the Belichick thing. So interesting. Had he not had this embarrassment of a year in his coaching, he'd be.
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First in line, I imagine.
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Yes. I really think so. And you wouldn't care that. That he's old, that it's not long term? Because it's like, no, we just need to get over the hump with Lamar for Harbaugh, obviously, I think he could have his pick of jobs if I'm John Harbaugh I don't know that I want any of these jobs. I certainly. Because it was reported yesterday that he's going to wait a week before he starts taking interviews. I think that's smart because I'd be awful interested in if the Eagles, Bills or Packers lose in round one to any of those teams. Ownership decide we're going to fire our coach to higher Harbaugh now. On that note, I think Cincinnati should reach out to Harbaugh's agent today and be like, if this job was open, would he take it? And if the answer is yes, I'd fire Zach Taylor. Now, that's not really Cincinnati style for Philadelphia. It might sound harsh. Sirianni is literally the defending super bowl champion. But Howie Roseman and Jeffrey Laurie have never cared about being harsh. They drafted Carson Wentz number two overall, gave him a huge contract, moved on from him. Doug Peterson won a Super bowl with Nick Foles, then won a playoff game the next year with Nick Foles. They moved on from him. They moved like they will. If they think they can get better, they will move on from somebody. And I think Harbaugh, who came like, started coaching in Philly. I think that's really interesting there. Buffalo less interesting. And he. Danny explained. I didn't quite follow it. He has some real, like Green Bay ties about, like his. Who his agent is and the Green Bay. I don't totally follow. It doesn't matter. But it seemed like lafleur midway through the season. There was a little scuttlebutt about LeFlore not being quite as safe as people thought and how he hadn't gotten an extension. So if I'm horrible, I just want to wait and see. Do what does a job come open where the quarterback is set? Josh Allen, Jalen hurts, Jordan Love. Or am I going to have to roll the Jackson dart dice or Atlanta with Michael Pennix? Like, so that's what. That's what I think is those places.
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C
If you went over there, will be more likely to move off the quarterback though, right? Like, it's like, oh, he's obvious. It's not the coach that's the problem, it's the quarterback more likely to have a little bit more control over who's coming in.
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B
Oh, yeah. I mean, I think John Harbaugh get whatever he wants because there's also not another great head coaching option out there.
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C
Yeah.
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B
It's not like there's also Shawn Payton and Jim Harbaugh waiting in the wings. It's. Or Ben Johnson, you know that that guy doesn't seem to exist this cycle. Now let me say this about what this means. Pardon me guys. What this means for Lamar.
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C
Better come come with it next year, dude.
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B
They have changed defensive coordinators multiple times since he's been there. Again, no culpability on his end for that. Just stating a fact. They've changed offensive coordinators multiple times and they're about to do it again. They've now changed head coaches. They brought in Derrick Henry who has been nothing but dominant since he became a Raven. We can argue about how good these picks were, but since Lamar has been there, they have spent three first round picks on wide receivers. They perennially lead the league or near the top of the league in pro bowlers on the roster. And now I believe with reason to believe, he got what he wanted and he's getting a new head coach. Gotta go be awesome now. And more than being awesome, you gotta be available. You want to know a shocking fact, Damanze? In the last five years, Lamar Jackson and always injured brittle Joe Burrow have played the exact same amount of games.
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C
No.
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B
That'S true. I'm not making that up.
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C
That is an insane statistic.
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B
In the last five years, Lamar Jackson has played 70 regular season games and four playoff games. And Joe Burrows played 67 regular season games and seven playoff games to the tune of them both playing in the last five years. 74 games in the last five years. They both have played in the playoffs two years and either missed or not been healthy for the playoffs the other three years. For context on that, in the last five years, Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes have also played the exact same number of games. 93. So 19 games more of more than a full. A full season of playoff run of more availability. And the Lamar stat is stunning, isn't it? Because we look at Burrow as injuries always out.
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C
I thought Lamar way more football than him.
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B
Right. And with Joe we also like. And they're very. What do you call it, like significant injuries. You know what I mean? Like Joe Burrow, like, oh, he's out months with a turf toe. Oh, he's out the end of the season with the ucl Lamar they've. It's. I couldn't. When I, I didn't know that when I was looking it up, I was just like, I'm curious.
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C
They're a little ticky tack. Well, I feel like with Lamar they are less crucial injuries than they are.
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B
Well, they're not. It hasn't been like needed surgery like Joe needed on both things. Right. But the. It's stunning 74 games each. So he's got to be available. He turned 29 yesterday. He's going to get the biggest contract in NFL history this offseason. He's got to go perform. And I'm not sitting here saying he can't do it, but it'll be a good offseason. He's come. Yeah. Pretty big off season. Pretty. Pretty big off season. All right, let's talk about some of the playoff games before we get to our pick.
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C
So after your Chiefs got eliminated, you need immediately jumped onto the Buffalo bandwagon and said that they should win the Super Bowl. But the problem is they play your Jags. They obviously have the prince that was promised on there. So you're in a little bit of debacle. You said that the winner of this game would go to the Super Bowl. Do you care to explain that more?
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B
Yeah, listen, I just, I. I know that people think it's fastile analysis just be like Josh Allen's best quarterback on the side of the bracket. So I'm picking him.
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C
Yeah.
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B
But in the NFL playoffs, if you have a superhero, this is my old Jared Goff thing that people got mad at. Do you remember that? The superhero and the civilian. That is that I call Jared Goff a civilian.
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C
Yes, I do remember that.
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B
It's just hard to a civilian when there's superheroes and Bo Nix, CJ Stroud, Aaron Rodgers at this point in his career, who am I? Oh, are civilians. Doesn't mean they're not good. But it does mean I can't imagine those guys are just going to put the team on their back, ascend to a higher plane. Justin Herbert, who I do not believe in has the traits of a guy who could do that. He has. He's never done it. He's never shown it to us. But if it were to happen, it wouldn't come out of nowhere, Right? Drake May, by the way, same with Trevor. Let me say that about Trevor. Now. Trevor at least has won a playoff game and played well in the playoffs. But Trevor, he has the traits of a guy who could be a superhero. Was a projected superhero coming out of school. Hasn't quite hit yet. Drake May looks like a young superhero. It's like, oh, Drake May checks all the boxes but it's his first time ever in the playoffs. Josh Allen is a legit superhero hero in the prime of his career. Has played great in the playoffs. The other guys who are his caliber of guaranteed future first ballot hall of famers in their prime are not in the playoffs Hard to pick against that team, however. And so I guess when I. So if they w. I think the Jags are excellent. Excellent. And if the Bills can go to Jacksonville and win, then they go to New England and win. They've already done it. They can go to Denver and win like they. They. They can beat all those teams. Jacksonville, on the other hand, has been the best team in the NFL, certainly the best team in the AFC for two months. And if they beat Buffalo, do I think they can go to New England? Of course. Do I think in the AFC championship game, they could go to Denver. They just went to New England and dog I'm to Denver and crushed them. Do I think that in round two, if it happened to be this matchup, they could beat Pittsburgh or Houston? In Jacksonville, they already beat Houston. And so I. I just think those are. I think the Bills are the scariest team because of Allen. And I think right now the Jags are the best team. And it's a brutal spot where I got to pick one of these two. Yeah.
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C
I was about to say who do you. Who do you actually want to win, though? Like what. Jackson would be your. Okay.
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B
Yeah, that's fine. I. I want Trevor. Do you realize it would seem unfair if we went from since, like, first things first. And this podcast has been a thing.
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C
Yeah.
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B
If the Super Bowls went from. If it went Mahomes, Mahomes misses a year. The borough year. Mahomes, Mahomes, Mahomes, AFC wise. And then the year he's out, it's Trevor Lawrence, the guy that I'm the only national supporter of in Trevor Lawrence.
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C
Yeah.
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B
Like that. It would. It would just seem.
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C
It's the luckiest guy.
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B
Yeah. And so I would love it to be Trevor. NFL history tells us it should be Josh that this is. This is his time now. But I will say this. And the Ravens, I'm sure they didn't do it because of this stat or whatever, but the stat that I was telling you guys before the year and hear what I'm saying here, because it's an interesting one. Every coach and quarterback combo that has ever won a Super bowl together won their first super bowl together within the first five years of being together. So like Damante. Do you follow what I'm saying there? You as an avatar for the audience, like there is. There has never been a coach quarterback combo that got over the hump and won a Super bowl together that didn't get over the hump in their first five years. Right now you might have won, you know, like Brady and Belichick also won one in year 18 together. But you win. That was relevant this year for two combos. Lamar and John Harbaugh, who'd been together eight years, and Josh Allen and McDermott who have been together eight years. I do not think McDermott's on the hot seat. However, losing in round one, even though they're the sixth seed and they're on the road, I think could put them on the hot seat. I also though. Oh, you think for sure.
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C
Yeah. Because I think how you feel, how the world feels. This is supposed to be their year. Everybody's gone. Then you lose in round one. Not even getting there.
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B
And here's the other thing. You lose in round one to a team that even though they're 13 and four and have been bludgeoning people nobody respects. Yeah, like I respect the Jags. I but nobody.
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C
Right.
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B
It had somehow they like let's say they drew the Patriots and lost in round one. I think you're like man, Drake may variable this team. They were better all year. The Jags are a tough one certainly. And so I don't know. I don't know. I find it so fascinating. I cannot wait. That is the game of the weekend to me. Yeah, they're the easily. All right, let's actually hold on. Are you thinking about upgrading to the all new iPhone 17 Pro? Designing the most powerful iPhone ever, but you're also thinking about all your traffic, all the traffic on your way to the store, transferring all your data. 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 Boost mobile.com to get started. Delivery available for select devices purchased@boost mobile.com Terms to apply. All right, let's talk Philly for a minute before we get to our picks.
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C
Eagles are hosting the Niners this Sunday and you know what everybody's going to be looking at? Can Phillies offense look normal? Can they play a decent game? Do you think that they'll be able to return to their super bowl selves and just hit it like a switch in the Snyders game?
- [35:23]
B
So here's what I think is interesting. I think people forget what the Eagles offense looked like last postseason because it did not get rolling until the conference championship game and then it went into hyperdrive. Conference championship game they scored 55 points. The Super bowl, they scored 40. Round one against Green Bay. Phillies scored 22 points. Jalen threw for 130 yards. Round two against the Rams, Jalen threw for 128 yards. They scored 28 points, which is really good. But if you remember that game is 16 to 15 entering the fourth quarter and that the Eagles were settling for field goal. Settling for field goal. And then Saquon rips off the 80 yarder where he's slapping his helmet. But the passing game was not working. And then they had the really weird sequence at the end where the Rams almost ended up stealing it. And then come the conference championship game and Super Bowl. I mean they scored 95 points those two weeks. But even those two weeks, Jalen didn't throw for 2:50 in either of those games. Last year, the Eagles offense, when they we say it got rolling, Jalen was very efficient. He took care of the ball. He had an unbelievable touchdown run in the Rams game. He, you know, he crushed Washington with the tush pushes. That's when the member of the refs were like we're going to award a touchdown if you keep this shit up to Washington. But last year's Eagles playoff offense was Saquon being unreal. Jalen threw for in four games, 700, 726 yards. So it wasn't that. All of a sudden the offense, the, the passing game started rolling. They were a dominant and they listen, they kicked the Chief's ass in the Super. I'm not taking anything away from them at all. The point I'm making is it wasn't okay. You know, now we've got this playoff mode offense. It was the offense they'd been all year. Saquon Barkley was freaking awesome. Jalen hurts took care of the ball. That's the offense they were all year. That's the offense they were in the playoffs. If that trend of being the offense they were all year, there'll be that offense in the playoffs continues. They're in huge trouble because the offense they've been all year this year is terrible. Now they are drawing a bad defense. But I am, I will admit I am a little nervous about the Eagles going on a run just because their fans are so obnoxious to me. But not do you. The Eagles have not scored more than 20 points against a playoff team since the Week 3 win against the Rams where they the blocked field goal return for a touchdown. Since then, this is what they've scored against playoff teams. 17 against Denver, 10 against the Packers, 15 against the Bears, whose defense is not good. 19 against the Chargers, 12 against the Bills. So I they're healthier they have Lane Johnson back. I don't think that I think that Eagles offense has been broken all year and I don't believe Demons a it's going to all of a sudden switch. I don't think they can flip the switch. I also am curious in that game and we'll get to it in picks in just a moment. Can the Niners offense be as prolific as they're going to need to be against a defense that dominant? But it is time now for Knicks picks so demanz oh there it is. There's our friends at Hard Rock bed. I was waiting for it. So in order to to keep the 500 or better streak alive, I think four of the five years on this pod we've been 500 or better. Yeah we needed to go three and two or better the final weekend. Let's go through it because we laid two and a half with Tampa. They won by two so now we got to go three and one down the stretch. Seattle minus one felt great the whole way. Raiders plus five and a half. I told you guys my God that Chiefs offense, it was just so bad. So now we just need one win. In the late windows Miami plus 12 felt dead pretty early. So it all came down to Pittsburgh against Baltimore and you have I was rooting for Pittsburgh to win outright. That's great because I picked them. I know it makes you sad but I picked them and I and I just the so I was rooting for it. Despite that. You should have seen how I reacted to Boswell's missed extra point. Because Boswell's missed missed extra point. I'm like oh my God. Plus three and a half is home.
- [41:46]
C
Yep.
- [41:47]
B
Like now now there's no overtime, there's no funny business. Now we the it's either going to be a Ravens 2 point win or Pittsburgh. I'm sorry a Ravens 1 point win or a Pittsburgh 2 point win. So we got it 44. 44 and 2. Nothing to write home about. You would have lost money on it because of the vig. But still going 500 picking games is I'll call it difficult. I would have liked to do better. The only the only piece of our gambling show that was dominant and we'll get to it more in a moment was Demons a teasers which I am considering next year to Monze putting real funds behind like I am. I'm. I'm considering having a huge portion of my 2026 football gambling portfolio be Damanze's teasers. I appreciate man that's I mean you.
- [42:51]
C
Really.
- [42:54]
B
Did a great job that. Well, you did a great job. You. I. It was just impressive. We'll get, we'll get to that in a moment. But now all lines are of course from Hard Rock Bet. But I'm told something that there's a twist this year.
- [43:10]
C
Yeah. So we're going to. Going to be picking on all the games but I'm going to be going head to head with you in picking. Picking games as well. You stepped over to the teaser landscape. I'm going to step over to the pigs landscape.
- [43:22]
B
Okay. Love it. And so I don't know where we agree or disagree. So why don't you. So you set up the. You say the game, I'll say my pick and then you say where you stand on it.
- [43:33]
C
Okay. So first we got the Rams -10 and a half at Carolina. You're taking the Rams there.
- [43:40]
B
Listen, this is a, I believe a square play. The home favorite, home dogs, big home dogs in the playoffs are always cover. The producers tell me there have only been nine home dogs in the playoffs since 1970 of greater than four points and they're one and eight. The road favorite is one and eight against the spread. I understand that. And ten and a half is a ton of points. I just believe Carolina is not only the worst team that made the playoffs, but I don't think they're a good team. I think that there were five or six teams that missed the playoffs that right now, this week I think are better than Carolina.
- [44:36]
C
Yeah.
- [44:36]
B
And the fact that the Rams played them and lost to them will give the Rams just enough appropriate fear to know it doesn't matter that we're double digit favorites. We have to take care of business. I will swallow this huge number and lay the ten and a half with the Rams. Your thoughts?
- [44:56]
C
I'm taking, I'm taking Carolina there.
- [44:59]
B
I knew you would.
- [45:00]
C
I'm. Yeah, no, I'm, I'm. I trust Carolina and that's. It's a lot of points. Honestly.
- [45:07]
B
Yeah. I was going to say you just like the points.
- [45:10]
C
Yeah.
- [45:10]
B
Which is totally fine. It's a lot of points.
- [45:14]
C
So that's, that's where I am there. I mean.
- [45:16]
B
All right, next one.
- [45:18]
C
The next one you got Chicago plus one versus Green Bay.
- [45:23]
B
Listen, Chicago's at home and I think they're better than the packers and they have played the packers twice. Both games came down to the final moments. But the packers are the, are not the same team from an injury perspective.
- [45:43]
C
Jordan Love is coming off not playing in a minute.
- [45:46]
B
Right. Jordan. Jordan Love hasn't played. The packers obviously don't have Micah, don't have Tucker Craft. They don't have a lot of key guys. They when they played the Bears the first time Caleb had a pass into the end zone to potentially, you know, tie the game. I think they probably would have gone for two. He threw the pick and when they played him the second time he had the pass in overtime to win the game. I, I think the Bears are better. The Bears are at home. The Bears are healthier. I did not like how the Bears played this weekend. I still think the packers won nine games because they were about the quality once everybody got hurt of a nine win team. I'll take Chicago plus one.
- [46:25]
C
The Bears might have the better coach for all we know these days. But yeah, I took Chicago there too. I don't know if you said that the.
- [46:33]
B
Okay, so we're on the same page there. All right, next page there.
- [46:36]
C
Jacksonville plus one versus Buffalo. Yeah.
- [46:42]
B
So I'm taking the Jags plus the points and you might say what points? It's point. I gotta be honest with my dear friends at Hard Rock bet I'm disappointed that I can't that this isn't one and a half and I really want that half point because I think so let me explain my pick here, okay. I, I think Jacksonville is the more well rounded team and the team that currently is playing better. I also think Buffalo's tendency to play poor early and then rally late could be a problem for them in this game if Jacksonville is able to shorten the game by efficient passing and running the ball with etn. I also the reason I said I want that half point is for some reason or another deep down kind of think Buffalo is going to win this game by one and and so like that a a 24, 23 Bills win.
- [48:03]
C
And.
- [48:05]
B
So I know this is the definition of kind of having it both ways. I get that I don't have a super strong conviction. I really liked when I thought I was going to be getting I thought when this game I thought it was going to be Bills or minus two and a half but it was Bills minus one and a half and now it's Bills minus one. But I will take Jacksonville plus one. And to be clear because I see what the producers wrote said number one storyline was Josh breaking through. To me those storylines were not all predictions. It was what the biggest storyline is. Will Josh break through and this bet can you know Bills. The Bills win by one. There is no way to win this pick in either direction. It would mean the lines exactly right. I just think, I think the jags there are 13 win team that's at home, that's healthy, that's playing great. They shouldn't be home dogs. So I just, I, I'm obligated to.
- [49:09]
C
This pick has you scared. You're.
- [49:11]
B
I don't love it. You never love, you never love picking against the team that you think is more likely to win because you're getting the points, but the points you're getting are one.
- [49:23]
C
One.
- [49:24]
B
You don't, you don't love that. You really don't love that. But it is, I gotta say Jacksonville plus one.
- [49:30]
C
I took Buffalo minus the point just because if Josh Allen does not go out there and win, it's going to be really bad for him. It's going to be really bad for Buffalo I think if they don't go out and get this win. So I took with minus the points but San Francisco plus four and a half at Philly.
- [49:47]
B
Yeah, I'll take the Niners plus the points. Yeah, I just, I think that, I think this should be Philly minus three and it's Philly minus four and a half and I think San Francisco can win. I certainly just, I don't trust Philadelphia to look impressive offensively again against teams that had a pulse down the stretch. Beat the Bills by one. Lost to the Chargers by three in overtime. Lost to the Bears by nine. Beat the Lions who had a pulse at that point in time by nine but beat the packers by three. Lost to the Broncos by four like they just even early in the year. Beat the Cowboys by four, beat the Chiefs by three. That Rams game that you'll. Oh, they beat the Rams by seven. Not really. They were beating the Rams by one. The Rams were attempting a game winning field goal and then it got blocked and returned for a touchdown. They beat the Bucks by six. Like their wins by real margin this they're have a more than one score wins the Giants, the Raiders, the Commanders. So and I understand it's not like I'm getting seven and a half, I'm getting four and a half but I do. I thought the Niners defense played its best game in forever against Seattle and I think that if they now Trent Williams not practicing Wednesday I don't love. I've got to imagine he will play in this game Sunday. I like that this game is Sunday instead of Saturday for that purpose. I think San Francisco can win. I'm getting more than a field goal against a team whose offense is broken. I'll take San Francisco plus four And a half.
- [51:47]
C
I'm riding with you there. Very. Yeah.
- [51:50]
B
Easy side. All right.
- [51:52]
C
Chargers plus four at New England.
- [51:57]
B
I think the Pats win, but I think the Pats win by three. I'll take the four points. I. I'm underdog. Heavy, but I just. I can't. This is. This would be traumatic. And I understand. His offensive line's brutal. I get it. This would be traumatic for Herbert if he lays another egg. He doesn't have to win like I'm not going to. They aren't as good as New England. They're on the road. I'm not going to. If he, you know, plays a normal Herbert game and they just lose, he. Now, he's not going to get, like, bonus credit, but I'm not going to kill him for it. But he can't lay another egg. I don't imagine he will. He's been carrying this team on the offensive side of the ball throughout the year. The defense. But the real, the real reason that I like grabbing the points here to Maze is Drake May has not faced a defense as good as the Chargers defense. I don't know if he's done it all year. Like, I'm trying to think who's the best defense the Patriots faced. I. I can't find a good one. I mean, the Steelers, I guess you could argue they turn the ball over five times when they lost the Panthers, like, early in the year. I don't know. Like the Bills. The Bills pass defense has been really good all year. Drake May threw zero touchdowns against them in two games. Now, listen, this isn't me. I'm. I think the Pats are going to win, but I get four points and what I think will be a low scoring cold game at night. And I just don't think it's going to be a prolific passing attack. I also think Vrabel can shorten the game if he needs to. I'll. I'll take the four points with the.
- [54:01]
C
Chargers taking the four.
- [54:04]
B
Okay. So right now our only difference is you've got Carolina plus ten and a half and you've got the Bills minus one. Other than that, we're on the same page. All right, last one.
- [54:16]
C
Last. You got Pittsburgh plus three versus Houston.
- [54:19]
B
I think Steelers are going to win. And I understand Tomlin hasn't won a playoff game in a decade. I get it. They get DK Metcalf back. They're coming off that type of victory. Houston's offense never got fixed. It got a pulse, but it never got fixed. There is this weird stat that only I care about which is that Mike Tomlin's the greatest Monday Night Football Coach ever. He's 22 and 3 in his career on Monday nights and 12 and oh at home. He's been, he's been the head coach for 20 years. He's never lost a home Monday night game. This is a home Monday night game. And I think that Rogers is going to be for the first time all year to monze willing to stand in the pocket and get hit if he needs to be because they're in the playoffs. And again, just like a kind of auto gambling rule. I know it has not been a good rule in the playoffs the last decade, but Mike Tomlin at home getting points. I just gotta, I gotta be on that side of it.
- [55:34]
C
Yeah.
- [55:35]
B
So I'll take Pittsburgh plus the three.
- [55:36]
C
Rogers might get mangled though.
- [55:39]
B
He might. That would be a good.
- [55:40]
C
Yeah, I'm with you on. I'm with you on that too. Pittsburgh plus three.
- [55:44]
B
Great. So we only have two differences but my, my picks are the Rams minus ten and a half and then all the underdogs. Chicago plus one. Jacksonville plus one. The Niners plus four and a half. The Chargers plus four. Pittsburgh plus three. And demands a. Even if you don't win. I'm so proud of the fact that you are. You just, I. You just love getting points. You tease underdogs up instead of favorites down the NFL playoffs. You're like, just give me the points. Love you love getting points. I. It makes me so happy. Such a good. Yeah, exactly right. They're giving you the points. Just take them. All right. Speaking of good gambling fundamentals, Damanze crushed his teasers this year. Eleven and seven, including a four legger a few weeks ago. This week I don't even think it was close on any of them. Carolina plus 10 and a half. They lost by two. Pittsburgh plus 11 and a half. They won outright. Buffalo plus a half. They annihilated the jets even with Mitch Trubisky playing. What are you doing this week?
- [57:07]
C
This week we got a three team eight point teaser at plus 100 and we're going to be teasing Chicago up to plus nine. I want to tease Buffalo up to a touch to plus seven and then I want to tease the chargers up to plus 12. You know I can only go with the games they give me is what yeah we had this week.
- [57:26]
B
So I like a lot.
- [57:29]
C
Yeah.
- [57:29]
B
I also like the fact that you resisted the urge to tease. If you like the Panthers plus ten and a half, you might be like, well I really like them. Plus 18 and a half. But I think deep down you felt like, yeah, they might get booked.
- [57:45]
C
They could lose by 19.
- [57:46]
B
Yeah, right. They could, they could lose by three scores. And you're not getting quite the key numbers. Your, The Chargers one's a little awkward. Going from 4 to 12. It's not as much value. But I also, I don't think they're going to get blown out. Come on, Chicago's got to be able to. You know, if Chicago gets blown out at home, it's a disaster. And listen, the Jags have been kicking the shit out of people. Yeah, but this is the Bills and the playoffs. You get. I'll, I'll look past you teasing through the zero, because you obviously get it up to seven, which is such a key. So I, I've lost. I believe it's patronizing at this point for me to grade the teasers. I'm not grading them anymore. You're just the. You have taught me how to do it. I'm graduated. All right, you've graduated from it. I do have a touchdown Genie this week.
- [58:45]
C
Who we going with?
- [58:47]
B
Trevor Lawrence. Guy loves that quarterback sneak. Okay, Trevor Lawrence. Yeah, Trevor Lawrence. Plus one. 70 anytime. Touchdown. Is my touchdown genie this week solid?
- [59:01]
C
All right, that was a bold one. I didn't expect that.
- [59:03]
B
So that is. So what's the offer? I know what the offer is, but go ahead.
- [59:08]
C
So you skipped the offer last week. This week we were riding with your boy, Trevor Lawrence, along with TD Genie. He's thrown for three touchdowns with zero interceptions in three of his last four games. Do you think he can do it again? Trevor, three plus touchdowns and zero interceptions at plus 600.
- [59:24]
B
So this doesn't count, right? Like if he runs for one, it has to be three passing touchdowns. Then I, I, I sadly have to turn this down. I, While I appreciate it, I just think the. This is going to be a running game for the Jags. Bill's run defense is bad. Pass defense is good. So even at 6 to 1, I sadly have to reject it. Damanz. Can't, can't wait for the weekend. I'm gonna be FaceTiming you a bunch during these games. Wild card weekend should be excellent. Your Raven's not in it, my Chief's not in it. Get to be nice and relaxed. Enjoy ourselves. Chill out. Thank you to everybody. Like Rate, subscribe, review to the show and a shout out to our wonderful sponsors, Hard Rock, Bet Boost and Zen. Thank you to Volume and Blue Duck. Enjoy a great football weekend. Talk to you guys Tuesday what's Right.
- [60:11]
A
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