PMS 2.0 1456 - TNF Preview, Kirk Herbstreit, Mike McCarthy, Dolphins CB Jack Jones, Dan Orlovsky, & AJ Hawk

Summary

The Pat McAfee Show 2.0, Ep. 1456 (Nov 20, 2025)

TNF Preview, Kirk Herbstreit, Mike McCarthy, Dolphins CB Jack Jones, Dan Orlovsky, & AJ Hawk

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Episode Overview

Pat McAfee and the crew dive deep into NFL Week 12 with a focus on Thursday Night Football: Buffalo Bills vs Houston Texans. The team is joined by Kirk Herbstreit, Mike McCarthy, Dolphins corner Jack Jones, and analyst Dan Orlovsky to break down QB development, game matchups, the college football landscape, and much more. As always, the discussion is energetic, unscripted, and full of expert analysis, light-hearted banter, and real talk about the mindset of players and coaches.

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Key Discussion Points & Notable Segments

Thursday Night Football: Bills @ Texans

[00:00-11:30, 39:37-45:51, 59:48-68:22, 72:06-82:17, 107:22-108:18, 165:01-168:43]

• Texans’ “Dougie” Davis Mills gets the start with CJ Stroud in concussion protocol. McAfee emphasizes the importance and difficulty of being a prepared backup QB.
  • "When a backup QB gets dropped into a game, it's a nightmare. The team is not prepared for you, you’ve got no reps. You’ve been sitting. Now it’s your time." – Pat McAfee [00:36]
• Buffalo’s strengths and liabilities: The Bills' pass defense is strong ("secondary seems like pretty damn good"), but their run defense is questionable, as highlighted by recent struggles.
  • “Tackling is a mentality... Buffalo’s defense maybe can get there, but they haven’t shown it.” – Pat McAfee [01:46]
• Stadium atmosphere in Houston: Pat relives playing against JJ Watt, describing NRG Stadium as the loudest he's experienced.
  • “That place was the loudest I have ever heard.” – Pat McAfee [04:53]
• Gambling perspective: Texans 5.5-6 point underdogs, 77% of bets on Buffalo, but McAfee and crew feel Houston is being underrated due to home field and defensive prowess.
• Josh Allen’s struggles at NRG Stadium (stat: 0-3, low QBR).
  • "Josh Allen career at NRG stadium: 0-3. 46.9 QBR. Not good." – Pat McAfee [09:30]
• The panel is almost 'too confident' in Houston covering: “Covering six. I’m almost too confident. I don’t like where I’m at.” – Pat McAfee [07:24]
• Debate over what statistical trends matter: Is Allen’s Thursday record or his NRG Stadium struggles more predictive?

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QB DEVELOPMENT & PERFORMANCE: J.J. McCarthy & Beyond

[13:12-22:31, 98:15-106:22, 150:59-154:42]

• J.J. McCarthy’s press conference sparks a big coaching and development discussion (altering drops, injuries stunting growth, new mechanics mid-year).
  • Kirk Herbstreit: “The Josh Allen trajectory is kind of a unicorn... it's premature to declare JJ or others don’t have what it takes after just a handful of starts.” [16:49]
  • Herbstreit’s dinner conversation with Richard Sherman: Some insiders doubt McCarthy and suggest Minnesota could go a different QB route, but Kirk urges patience.
• Coach Mike McCarthy gives a masterclass in QB/training fundamentals:
  • Emphasizes reverse engineering QB prep ("nine of your games will come down to two minutes"), importance of drop-back footwork, pocket passing, and consistent development.
  • “You have to invest a lot of time into the footwork of the quarterback... It’s all about playing within seven concepts you can close your eyes and play.” – Mike McCarthy [98:15]
  • Live coaching: Pat and Mike dissect a proper three/five-step drop on air [102:05].
• Dan Orlovsky’s mechanical breakdown: Fixable but severe mechanical issues for J.J. McCarthy (over-striding, improper weight transfer, shoulder fly-open) explain erratic misses.
  • “He’s got some really fixable, but extreme mechanical things they gotta figure out.” – Dan Orlovsky [153:00]

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NFL NEWS & TRENDS

Joe Burrow's Return & Injury Philosophy

[33:12-39:10]

• Burrow returns from turf toe with Bengals at 3-7 ("season’s not over if I get back... we can win out").
• Herbstreit’s take: Elite QBs always want to play if healthy; it’s not about money, it’s competitive drive.
  • “If Joe Burrow can play, he's going to play. That’s why he’s Joey Burrow.” [36:56]
• Panel on franchise interests vs. player mindset: The push-pull of owners, fans, and players regarding injury timelines.

New England Patriots – “Fool's Gold”?

[24:16-32:34]

• Patriots and rookie QB Drake May igniting talk – Cam Newton calls them “fool’s gold”, but the crew dismisses that as hot-take TV.
• The locker room culture and improved chemistry ("mix of old with young having fun" – Kirk Herbstreit [28:44]) could drive a postseason run.
  • Stat: “Last 10 Super Bowl champs each played eight or more teams under .500” – Boston Connor [31:15]

Chiefs’ Playoff Push

[87:52-90:19]

• Chiefs sitting at 5-5, going into a pivotal game with the Colts. Is it a “must-win” for the defending champs?
  • “Sustained success is clearly the hardest thing to accomplish... 'til we get to 10 wins, keep grinding.” – Mike McCarthy [88:28]
• Division and playoff math: 10 wins still the golden mark.

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NFL PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: JACK JONES, MIAMI DOLPHINS CB

[112:12-129:21]

• Jack Jones joins: Coming off a game-saving INT in Spain, reflects on leadership, film study evolution, and the unique experience of playing (and staying focused) in Miami.
  • “You just gotta find a group of guys who care about football more than partying... I think we got a team this year.” – Jack Jones [117:49]
• Embraces being called a ballhawk, breaks down his mindset on big plays.
• On film study vs. instincts: “At one point, film hurt me because I was guessing. Coaches taught me how to anticipate, not guess.” – Jack Jones [120:49]
• Locker-room love for Mike McDaniel; teammates jokingly demand he bring only his grill (dental jewelry) for good luck.
• Team Mantra: “Be convicted... just keep trusting the coaches, putting one foot in front of another, cause this is a tough league.” – Jack Jones [127:37]

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL CHATTER

[45:33-51:54, 64:17-69:52, 111:03-111:43, 134:06-135:37]

• Oregon vs. USC preview: Both teams need a win for playoff hopes; historical ATS trends, Lincoln Riley’s road woes.
  • “Oregon crowd is undefeated... Eugene is absurd when the show goes out there.” – Kirk Herbstreit [49:26]
• Lane Kiffin and coaching carousel: Ole Miss fan anxiety over looming job changes, playoff committee rules stating they can consider a coach/roster's status for rankings.
  • “There’s a chance Lane is enjoying what he's got at Ole Miss... if the money’s comparable, why leave?” – Pat McAfee [64:52]
• Fun with tradition: Eugene, OR lauded as a special, electric atmosphere for college football.

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FUNDAMENTALS, EQUIPMENT & PRACTICE PHILOSOPHY

[82:17-96:18]

• McCarthy expounds on the importance of padded practices into November, scheduling around seven-day cycles for maximum rhythm.
  • “It’s not who you play, but when you play them... efficiency is found in regularity and padded practices.” – Mike McCarthy [82:48]
• Debate over modern practice gear: Guardian caps (padded helmet protection); initial player gripes versus statistical evidence for improved safety.

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MEMORABLE QUOTES & MOMENTS

• “Stats can tell any story. It just depends on your perspective.” – Pat McAfee [11:36]
• “If Joe Burrow can play football, he’s going to play football. That’s who he is.” – Pat McAfee [38:06]
• “You gotta be delusional with this... you have to be sick in the head, like, absolutely gone!” – Jack Jones [125:38, on NFL DB mindset]
• “It’s always, what have you done for me lately?” – Kirk Herbstreit [16:49]
• Live drop-back demo (“punch, reach, crossover, heel toe!”) with McCarthy [103:27]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• TNF Preview: 00:00-12:30, 39:37-45:51, 59:48-68:22, 72:06-82:17
• Kirk Herbstreit on JJ McCarthy: 16:49-23:12
• Jack Jones Interview: 112:12-129:21
• Mike McCarthy on practice, development: 82:17-96:18; 98:15-106:22
• Orlovsky QB mechanics breakdown: 150:59-154:42
• College Football (Oregon/USC, Kiffin): 45:33-51:54, 64:17-69:52, 111:03-111:43

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Notable Banter & Running Jokes

• Loudest NFL stadium memories from Pat's punting days.
• “Dougie (Davis Mills)” legacy with the show – repeat inside joke and explanation.
• Ongoing fashion debates and the crew reacting to each other's on-air gear.
• Extended riffs about Thanksgiving food preferences and “proper” mashed potatoes.
• Vitamin C debate: seasonal voice health secrets from Herbstreit, delivered with patented McAfee ribbing.

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Panel’s TNF Lean

• McAfee & most of crew: Texans +6 (“Easiest bet... but nervous about feeling too good about this pick.”)
• AJ Hawk: Bills -5.5 (“I’m a Josh Allen guy. I just think they have too much.”)
• Final answer: Slight consensus for Texans to cover as home dogs, but much respect/praise for Allen’s ceiling and Buffalo’s offensive firepower.

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In Summary

This episode is a fast-paced, wide-ranging sports talk showcase, anchored by expert NFL and college football analysis but always spiked with signature humor, authenticity, and camaraderie. The show delivers sharp football education — from granular QB footwork to the psychology of coaching and leadership — while never taking itself too seriously. Whether you’re betting, yearning for locker-room stories, or seeking big-picture sports wisdom, this episode ranks as classic "PMS": insightful, irreverent, and throughly entertaining.

Transcript

[Pat McAfee]

Hello, beautiful people, and welcome to our humble abode, the ThunderDome. On this NFL Week 12 kickoff, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. This sports program begins now. Football.

[AJ Hawk]

It is magical.

[Pat McAfee]

And week 12 of the NFL season is kicking off in the AFC south as the Houston Texans host the Buffalo Bills. Now, Dougie Davis Mills will be the quarterback for the Houston Texans. He's out of Stanford. He's been in the league a long time. We've been talking about Dougie Davis Mills so long that we actually just call him Dougie because that's how much we talked about him. Dougie got a lot of playing time throughout his career in Houston. Very experienced guy. We've talked about these backup quarterbacks having experience and at least understanding how to operate an offense. Because whenever a backup quarterback gets dropped into a game, it is a nightmare situation. The team is not prepared for you to be the quarterback. You've got no reps with anybody. And oh yeah, you've been sitting for two, two and a half hours now. It's your time. Now, I'm not saying that's what he's been doing here for the last couple weeks here since CJ Str got the concussion, but I'm just saying that is a backup quarterback's life. So how good you have to be at quarterback at the backup quarterback position is a big deal. And Dougie has been a guy, I think that whenever they needed him to step up and play some ball, he's been able to play some pretty good ball for the Houston Texans. Now he's taking on a Buffalo Bills defense tonight. Now this Buffalo Bills defense has certainly been talked about in a big way because that big guy on the graphic right there with the white helmet, yeah, he's the mvp and he just came off a record breaking weekend. Yeah, he did something only he has done one other time. And otto Graham in 1954 has done since 1950. So he is special. That big one there. Can he win a Super bowl with the defense that they have? Well, the defense can't really stop the run that good. Okay, so they can't stop the run. But pass defense, very good pass defense second. Okay, so secondary seems like pretty damn good. Front seven being able to stop the run. Haven't been able to do it. Now they say, and if you listen to J.J. watt, whenever he was calling, he said he talked to McDermott about it. And I actually thought to myself, well, JJ in these production meetings, probably good, like JJ asking real questions. I think everybody in NFL, not that this hasn't happened before, I'M not knocking it, but whenever it comes to the Buffalo Bills conversation, I assume McDermott has a lot of respect for J.J. so whenever J.J. says like, hey, why is your run defense ass? Which is basically what J.J. watt said to McDermott. He said, well, we thought it was kind of gap stuff that we weren't really at. And then it got down to like the tackling and then we needed to be better tacklers. So they think they got the gap thing down a little bit now, they still have been given up. Okay, they still be giving up. But tackling is a mentality and it feels like if they're able to turn that on with how talented they have been on the back end in the past. Defense, this Buffalo Bills defense maybe can be one that can get there. They just haven't shown it do. The Houston Texans is six point underdogs on one particular sports book.

[Boston Connor]

Wow. A lot of points.

[Pat McAfee]

Five and a half points on every other sports book. But you can get the Houston Texans right now and six points to kick this thing off against the Buffalo Bills off of a historic weekend. Okay. In Houston now, place to play. I have been on the record of saying this, and I know not a lot of people think it's because the Houston Texans are. The Houston Texans. Houston Texans. Though whenever CJ Stroud was a rookie maybe, and then it's kind of, you know, not continued to happen there. But whenever I played for the Indianapolis Colts, and by play, I mean kicked balls for the Indianapolis Colts, we had to play in Houston every single day. It was during the J.J. oh, man.

[Boston Connor]

Nightmare.

[Pat McAfee]

It was actually.

[Boston Connor]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

I mean, every time he's jumping up on Ace.

[Boston Connor]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

You open a program, they leave a program on the locker room at every single locker before the game. And you get there early, you just kind of. It's. You're forced to read it. Almost like you look through it. J.J. watt with the local car dealership. Turn a corner. J.J. watt can sell you headstones if anybody dies.

[Mike McCarthy]

Beautiful, I bet.

[Pat McAfee]

Boom. Yes.

[Boston Connor]

J.J. watt, bloody nose.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, but that's also selling to the ear. Nose, throat.

[Tone]

Yeah.

[Boston Connor]

Yeah, exactly.

[Pat McAfee]

I mean, he was. You know, during commercial timeouts, they have like ads run on the jumbo truck. Yeah, JJ Was representing some.

[Ty Schmidt]

Every single one of them.

[Pat McAfee]

JJ I mean, it was in. Every time got a pop and every time there was an opportunity and a chance he was going to just take over the game. And every time it was seemingly for like the AFC south, you know, it was like a big time. So it was normally Thursday nights. We were playing normally Primetime games when we were playing down there. And that place was the loudest place that I had played it. Now, I did not play in Seattle. I had a chance to experience Seattle a couple of years back. It is certainly loud. I'm not saying it is not loud, but the place that I played at every single year was the loudest that I have ever heard. A stadium that was one of those places where your ears like actually kind of hurt once you walk out of there. So I assume tonight should be a great atmosphere. Now it's much different than when JJ was on every single page and everything like that, when that team was obviously humming and doing their thing. So I have no idea what we're going to get. But I do know that if the Texans are ever able to figure out how to get on track which they have the number one defense in the league. D' Ameco. Ryan's everybody loves him. C.J. stroud is supposed to be guy. If the Houston Texans can ever get going, it's like that would be a powerhouse.

[Boston Connor]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Especially how big that city is.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

People forget Houston's top five city in the when it comes to population in United States of America. It's like that place loves ball. That place could be great. And tonight there's a chance that they make a massive statement as six point dogs on Thursday Night Football. It'll be on Amazon.

[Boston Connor]

Okay.

[Pat McAfee]

We obviously love the prime telecast. We'll be having Kirk Herbstreit join us in about 10 minutes. The talks to tables here at Boston Connor and at Ty Schmidt, one half of the Hammer Cowboys. AP Tony's here. And I'm realizing you opened the box that we got sent to the Thunderdome and put the hoodie on because that hoodie looks like no hoodie that I've ever seen before. And I opened that box this morning and I said, wow, this seems like the hoodie just has no opening. So that's what it looks like on is what I'm realizing. That looks very cool. That's a. That's a super. The things that Bruce is showing me on screen down here, they do not need it. I mean it is high fashion. I didn't know that that potentially does look exactly like that. I was not thinking like that. I. I think you look awesome right now. Thank you. I think you look immaculate.

[Ty Schmidt]

Thank you.

[Pat McAfee]

Is that because you feel good on how you're seeing the game tonight? Six point spread at one particular sportsbook. Five and a half everywhere else. What's the percentage of money on who and what can we take from that.

[Tone]

Yeah. 77% of the money tonight or 78 at was on the Buffalo Bills. It's down to 77 now obviously you said it's six at ESPN, five and a half at every other sports book right now, earlier in the stage.

[Ty Schmidt]

So.

[Pat McAfee]

This might be a part. Yeah, go ahead. Could have been the issue.

[Boston Connor]

11 more days.

[Pat McAfee]

Jeez.

[Tone]

Earlier in the season it was all dogs on prime time and all dogs on Thursday night. But as of late the. The favorites have had their way a bit. But this one is a, it's a heavyweight fight tonight. You've talked about the Texans defense and the Bills offense. They're basically both top five in literally every single catego. So that side of the ball is going to be awesome tonight. And then it's how much do you believe in the Bills defense and how much do you believe in the Houston Texans offense? Davis Mills, I just looked it up. He has thrown for in his two starts, 292 and 274 with about 62 and a half percent completion percentage. So he's been good like. So there's a chance the Texans do can move the ball tonight. They aren't the best rushing team in the NFL, but I think we're in for a heavyweight bout at least on one side of the ball.

[Pat McAfee]

What did Herb street do? Talking about Iowa, Oregon.

[Mike McCarthy]

Shh.

[Pat McAfee]

You're dead. Shh. Don't tell anybody. Don't tell anybody. Keep it down. Amongst friends here, this one feels like Houston tonight. Covering six. I'm almost too confident. I don't like where I'm at. I've almost started to fade myself already this morning because of how confident I was. Houston Texans plus six. Then he starts rattling off stats. 292. 260 something. Yeah, he's been good. 270 something. And you think about Chubb, right?

[Boston Connor]

Oh yeah, they got Chubb.

[Pat McAfee]

Sure.

[Boston Connor]

They got Chubber.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, I've seen him.

[Boston Connor]

Yeah, the big Chubb.

[Pat McAfee]

I've seen him. I've seen him. Oh yeah, you know, I've seen it out there.

[Ty Schmidt]

Nico Collins is pretty good.

[Pat McAfee]

Six points, a lot of points. Especially with how that Buffalo Bills defensive. But then you think about what, what J.J. watts said about Sean McDermott saying we can turn it, we'll turn the tackling up. We'll get better at that. It's like, yeah, they will. Maybe this Buffalo Bills team Tonight wins by 30. Maybe this Buffalo Bills team, fresh off a historic weekend, a record breaking weekend for the mvp. Six touchdowns, three on the ground, three through the sky. Josh Allen's Josh Allen. This is the mvp. This is who we have come to love and to come to expect. And he still loves the game. I mean, he's celebrating every single time. The boys still leading the group. He's having the boys over at the house. Josh Allen, the perfect NFL quarterback. Every other team is looking for a Josh Allen. Now, what does it take to be a Josh Allen? You gotta be gigantic. You gotta be able to throw the ball 100 yards. Actually be able to do that. You got to have a work ethic as if you came from a ranch. And you got to have an attitude that is, like, perfect for ball. You know, jovial, have a good time. But also voted the biggest shit talker in the entire NFL. It's like this dude is what everybody's looking for. Okay, that. That is 100% true. So maybe tonight the defense turns it on and the Buffalo Bills say, we are exactly who we were supposed to be coming into this season. Or the trend continues for Josh at NRG Stadium. Have you seen this? Have you seen it?

[Ty Schmidt]

We have trends.

[Pat McAfee]

Hembo, stat, please pull it up. Josh Allen career at NRG stadium, including the playoffs.03.

[Ty Schmidt]

Oh, no.

[Pat McAfee]

I don't know if it's the air. I don't know if it's stakes. Every outside 46.9 QBR. That's not good. That's not Josh Allen. 46% completion percentage. Are those always right next to each Other? Percentage in QBR? Do we know? No idea what goes into the R1 down here.

[Boston Connor]

So many.

[Tone]

So many things.

[Pat McAfee]

It's only out of 100. I know that because somebody told me somebody's QBR the other day, and I said, quick, needed denominator. Is that with the 101 or the 127.41 or the 151? It's the 100. The QBR one. I would like to let people know I like the QBR one the most. It's out of 100. I think that makes sense.

[Boston Connor]

Yes, it does.

[Pat McAfee]

The ones that grandstand and can't act like they can't get the 24.2 points down to 100. So we can all understand what the grading system is as opposed to doing well. 24 of 100 is a quarter. So if it's an 80, we got to add a quarter difference onto that. So it's actually. Is that a B rating or is that a. What the hell is that?

[Tone]

Yeah, the pass rate. 153.8 or whatever it is.

[Pat McAfee]

Bingo.

[Boston Connor]

That's one.

[Pat McAfee]

So then you start doing the math. Well, what's a 110? That's 43 under. Good. But it's above 100. It's thirds, I think. So it's like a seven. What? You start doing the math. QBR, they made it 100. That's my favorite one. This one that Josh Allen has at NRG Stadium. Not good. Okay. He has been great, basically everywhere. NRG Stadium, which has had multiple names down in Houston. He has not been fantastic. I'm excited to see how tonight goes. There's so many things we can pull from to make ourselves feel justified. 77% of the money now is on the Buffalo Bills minus five and a half or minus six, whatever the case is. And this first time I've ever been this, like, It's a layup. 23% is. Is an absolute. Yeah. Layup. And then you start thinking like that, and then all of a sudden another step pops out from NFL and prime. Folks are like, hey, just a heads up, whenever dudes on Thursday nights never loses.

[Tone]

Did Hambo Habakati said that one or are you trying to tell a story one way?

[Pat McAfee]

It is interesting. What. What story? The stats tell from the perspective of the statistician.

[AJ Hawk]

Yes.

[Pat McAfee]

You know, because it does feel like we can find stats for both sides of everything. Well, here's some stat that makes us go, just like we said, and then somebody will come back with the opposite. I'm like, wait, I thought there was a majority on this side that said this. How is there a majority on this side that says this? Well, there's two different focus groups that we get the numbers from, but also there's two different questions and sets of answers that there could potentially be. So now we got a majority both sides. Well, how. How so what's the purpose here? What? What is it? No, it just. They help your argument. It's like, well, I need one to pick a Thursday night football game.

[Ty Schmidt]

Exactly.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay. Josh Allen, really good on Thursdays. Not good at energy. Which one means more? Which one means more? Which one means more?

[Ty Schmidt]

You know, unstoppable force means an immovable object.

[AJ Hawk]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Can't really earn the greatest. They're not good at all. Against the run he can throw. They're great at stopping it. Does that just completely mean the Buffalo Bills defense dominates the Houston Texans tonight? Because their worst part is they're also not the best. You know, there's so many.

[Tone]

Two of the Bills losses, two of the best defensives. They played Atlanta and New England. They scored 14 and 20.

[Pat McAfee]

So can Dougie Mills get to 21. That's the question we'll be asking all day. Let's go around the NFL a little bit, shall we? JJ McCarthy chit chat about what life is like now that he is a starting quarterback in the NFL and what the expectations are now of his game coming in here.

[Mike McCarthy]

I was taught how to play quarterback.

[Boston Connor]

In a very different way, and that's.

[Mike McCarthy]

You know, expected going into the league.

[Pat McAfee]

Going into any new team, any new system. But at the end of the day.

[Boston Connor]

You know, it was really just the injuries that I felt like, you know.

[Pat McAfee]

Kind of took away all those reps and the constant repetition to make those.

[Boston Connor]

A habit and make them concrete like Ko talks about. But, yeah, I feel like, you know, it's just the repetitions.

[Pat McAfee]

You know, how many times could I go home? And every time I take the dogs out, I'm getting, you know, 10 drops each time.

[Boston Connor]

Little things like that where you just.

[Pat McAfee]

Keep building the reps. I like stealing reps now. I was a guy that would do a wall sit somewhere like an ass, you know, like, if we're out somewhere, sure, let me go steal. Let me go steal a wall sit. Let me go get a minute, let me get two minutes. Now. I used to be a public pass set guy as well, and I did that mostly whenever AQ Shipley was in my life. And I think that was because I was trying to showcase that he can get extra reps publicly as well. I like anytime somebody stealing reps. Now, what a lot of people are taking from that, I think is, hey, he needs to work on a lot of stuff. All of a sudden, he's already in the NFL. He's in his second year with his. What's the entire angle here and what's the end game of changing up your entire swing once you make it to the pga? And it's like, well, we've seen guys in the past have to change the way they throw and change the way they operate in the pocket. And we're just chatting about the guy who's playing tonight. Josh Allen was one of the most raw, talented humans that I think the NFL's ever seen. I think that would be an easy sentiment. There was things in highlights of him his rookie year jumping over, like, not somebody diving at his waist. This person was meaning to helmet. To helmet tackle him, and he jumped over this guy's head in the middle of a game, and then he would go to throw it and, boy, it was in the stands. Nobody's near where that is. So it was like, ah, it was also. It was, it was its own experience. It was, it was, it was its own experience. And then the next year he showed up and wait a minute, those balls aren't in stands anymore. They're kind of a little bit closer then the third year he shows up and it's like, bang. We get Stefan Diggs over here, we get another deep option and also pinpoint target. Bang, bang, bang. So everybody kind of points to the Josh Allen story because where he was his rookie year versus where he is now, let alone where he was year four, year five, is what everybody hopes whenever their guy maybe doesn't fit the NFL football style early enough. Joining us now is a man who has, I hope, literally maybe the most sane answer about this. All this guy watched JJ at Michigan told us JJ has everything that you would possibly want to be an NFL quarterback. Now he's hearing that J.J. mcCarthy is having to change some things up mid season here in his second year. Excited to hear what his thoughts are on how JJ will attack this and if he'll be Josh Allen. Ladies and gentlemen, Kirk Herbstream. Yeah, Kirk. Kirk, it feels like. Feels like you're the right guy to ask this to and about. I don't know if you got to hear the sound bite, which is why I was trying to re. Summarize it for you there. As I was asking you the question. J.J. mcCarthy had a press conference where he chit chatted about how changing his drops, changing his throat. People are basically saying, hey, he's changing the quarterback that he is here middle of his second year. He also mentioned because of the injury, I didn't get all the reps my rookie year and also rookie off season. So what do you think this means for JJ long term? And is he Josh Allen? Is there another Josh Allen on the way where development is about to be crazy because we're seeing JJ miss, you know, some balls that I don't know if we all expected. I certainly did not.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Kirk, I agree with you. I don't know if, you know, the Josh Allen trajectory of what he's been able to do is kind of a unicorn. I mean, he's such a rare commodity. Looking forward to seeing him tonight, but I, I think. How many starts does JJ McCarthy have? 5. 5 or 6 starts in his career at this point? I think in a year where we've seen Daniel Jones and Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold all kind of get things, kind of resurrect their. Their careers and get in the right spot, I just think it's. It's it's very premature, whether it's a guy like JJ McCarthy or Michael Pennix or whoever it might be to look at them and evaluate them and make a declaration that this guy's trash or this guy's not, doesn't have what it takes. I'm not saying that you guys are saying that at all, but I know there are people out there because we, we are, as a world of consuming sports, especially that position. We are, we want results right now. What have you done for me last week? What did you do against Baltimore? What'd you do against Chicago? And if, like this week, if he goes out and balls and people will be like, oh, he figured it out this week. It's not like that. You know, I think the injury last year set him back just getting reps, just being around. Even this year there were times when he wasn't able to, to get a lot of reps, you know, Monday through Friday. So that's going to slow down your development. I was surprised. I don't know if he's going to rephrase that. Next time he, he talks publicly with the media about, you know, I'm learning how to play quarterback totally different from what I knew in the past. I mean, he was pretty effective at Michigan. Now let's remember the kind of quarterback he was at Michigan. He was not a quarterback like you see in some of these systems that run some form of a spread and the quarterback does everything, you know, he's throwing it 50 times. They go as he goes. This was an offense in college that ran the football. They, they were in 12 and 13 personnel, they were in 22. They ran the ball and set him up to do play action. And he, and he did it really, really well. I just, I think when I.

[Ty Schmidt]

There, right there.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

I wouldn't say last thing. The one thing that I always thought is the marriage. I thought with he and KO I just thought the scheme very similar. I thought KO could kind of adjust this scheme to his skill set. And I still think that. And I think as they progress and get better. It's funny, we were at dinner last night and Sherm asked me if I'm out on J.J. mcCarthy. We were walking back to the hotel. I was like, like, like, are you out? He's like, I, man, I don't, I don't, I don't like what I'm seeing. And he's like, he's like, I, I wouldn't be surprised maybe if, if maybe they wouldn't get like a Mac Jones or somebody else because it's really hard, you know, to. To watch a guy develop when you're trying to compete in the NFC North.

[Pat McAfee]

They made this decision, though, Kirk, like you mentioned Daniel Jones there. Whenever you're saying the resurgence in the second year because you let somebody develop. But like, Daniel Jones was in their building last year. Now they made an offer for Daniel Jones to remain. I think the Colts did not offer as much, but certainly told them, like, hey, you could be the starter here, no problem going forward. Then Sam Darnold, the success that he's having, I think Aaron Rodgers wanted to play there. And what Kevin o' Connell's been able to do to your point, everything you're saying is like, he's been able to win. So they were playing for the number one in the NFC last year, last week of the year, last year. So I think it's natural that everybody's thoughts are like, the team is ready to go. You got Addison, you got Justin J.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Look, look at the pieces around him. I mean, that's a lot of pressure.

[Pat McAfee]

To play good now, though, I think, like, that, that. That was kind of building from all the decisions that made before. Now let's go back. We talk about how good of a coach Kevin O' Connell is. This is JJ McCarthy literally talking about quarterback development right now. You know, like, that is what he is saying. Like, he's having me work on this, he's having me work on that. That's like development. That is actual coaching that's happening hopefully at a team near you, you know, you would help. So I don't know them making my entire thought on is all those decisions they made. They. I think they thought JJ was going to be good. Right now.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

I, I think he's. I look at him almost as a rookie, you know, and I mean, look, look at, look at Caleb last year. I think there are a lot of people are like, this guy's trash. Get rid of this guy. He's terrible. You know, and then they went out and got Ben Johnson. He got more reps, game slowing down. He's starting to make better decisions.

[Pat McAfee]

Have you been eating vitamin C? Have you been taking vitamin C?

[Kirk Herbstreit]

I need vitamin C. No, it's too late.

[Pat McAfee]

You already lost.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah, you're done.

[Pat McAfee]

You should have been. You should have been seed up, bro.

[Tone]

We.

[Pat McAfee]

Hey, how long have we been seed up in here, actually?

[Ty Schmidt]

Oh, since October.

[Pat McAfee]

Hey, we. We actually, this. We're not a big, like, hey, let's think months in advance type.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

I've already. I've already lost the battle.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh, yeah.

[Ty Schmidt]

You're done. You're done.

[Pat McAfee]

Sounds like it. And I, I don't want to, but.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

We'Ve been battling my voice for three or four weeks now.

[Pat McAfee]

Seed up, bro. You need to be seat up. You need to start like that's what we do every morning. There's actually somebody that delivers the C, you know, around like, hey, here we go. Can't have anybody doing the hole.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

What brand on the C are you guys going with?

[Pat McAfee]

We're looking for the purest C out there. If you have good, pure vitamin C, from our understanding, it is good for fall, especially if you're in a position where you have to speak a lot and there's a guaranteed allergy or something going to hit everybody's this area, you know.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

How about last week we were in Athens and, and Todd Graves and Luke Brian were having a little house party. We were getting ready to call the game and my voice was like this. And I go over there with Peter. They wanted to say hi to Peter. Of course I go over there and, and people are, you know, tailgating, having a good time. And I'm talking the way I'm talking right now. And Luke's like, what's wrong with your voice? And I go, man, it's just that time of the year, you know, traveling. He's like, man, he's like, I got something in the house. He's like, you got to take this. And I, I forget what it was called, but he's like, here, you, you got, you got inflammation. He's like, this will help you out. Runs into the house, comes out with this bottle and this is how much I trust Luke. I had no idea what it was immediately. And Todd's like, you sure this isn't going to affect his mind? You know, he's got to go call Texas Georgia in a couple hours. And Luke's saying, no, no, no, he'll, he'll be fine. It'll just help his voice. So I rolled the dice and took it, but I have no idea what I took. But it didn't affect my mind.

[Pat McAfee]

But sick, man. If it would have been like DMT stuff somehow make sure imagine you're.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

But he said he don't even know stage. When you get on stage, you'll be doing this too. But I, I, you need to watch it.

[Pat McAfee]

You need to watch it. There is something on the way up to something. Season is currently in full bloom. But on that note, I've talked to a bunch of those guys and they have a bunch of shit. There's like a Vaporizer thing with some stuff. That helps, because that's obviously their livelihood, you know, and they're doing a lot of traveling. But for us, I think in the fall, I think in this weather, it's a guarantee.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

I gotta start taking my seat. Like, I gotta get on the team. Even Connor's doing it.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh, he's one of the drivers.

[Boston Connor]

What the hell is that supposed to mean? Herbie, let's not get this started. You don't want me today, Herbie, you don't want this.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

It's hot. Hey, Connor, what did you think of? I know you guys tune in to Cam all the time on his takes. What do you think of what Cam had to say there about the quarterback that I love in this Patriots team that I. That I love with Raves.

[Boston Connor]

I mean, what he said today, I think he's not too far off. Like, can you really say you trust Drake May more than Patrick Mahomes right now in the playoffs?

[AJ Hawk]

No, no.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Fool's goal. I don't mean that. I think. I thought he called him Fool's goal.

[Boston Connor]

Oh, yeah. He said that originally. But even that, I'm not sure. I'm not. I don't. I don't put too much stake in those shows just because we all kind of know how they work behind the scenes. So that entire thing is not something I really even.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

I don't know, but that.

[Boston Connor]

Well, you know, a person wants to say one thing, and not everybody can say the same thing, even though one thing would be right. So the other person's gonna go the other way for the debate itself. But I don't put too much stake in it. I also.

[Pat McAfee]

We would like to say we do not know if that's 100% their gimmick. We are saying that it's weird that it finds the microphone, the person who disagrees with the other person on a regular basis. Yeah, Just.

[Boston Connor]

Yeah, yeah. This is not factual. This is just based on how the show has gone for the last 10 years. All those types of shows. Typically, it's one side versus the other. Now, I don't know if Cam Newton truly feels that way. I do know Drake May grew up a massive Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers fan, so it would be weird for him to take that stance. It's a young quarterback who loves him who also did an ode to him versus the Panthers when he scored a rushing touchdown and did Cam Newton celebration. So there's a lot of things that go into that thought.

[Pat McAfee]

We just hope they move along.

[Boston Connor]

Yeah. But he has to prove it. Like, no, Matter what. Either way, whatever the schedule is, you got to win the biggest games in the playoffs. When that comes down the road.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. Drake's still very young. Obviously not a lot of big time football yet because he hasn't had the opportunity, just literally hasn't had the opportunity to be there. We're all excited to watch it. We all believe in him. And I don't think Drake may took a shot back at Cam Newton.

[Mike McCarthy]

No.

[Pat McAfee]

I think if you pull the quote and, and write it and just put it out there, it certainly sounds like it's a shot. But what is actual answer and what he was asked, it's not a shot at all. Let's go to a W E E I 93.7fm.

[Mike McCarthy]

You're familiar with this guy and he.

[Pat McAfee]

Played for the Patriots. Cam Newton said the Patriots are fool's gold. That was his words, not mine. Do you. Do you hear those things? Do you react those things? Any comment on that?

[Jack Jones]

Oh, no.

[Mike McCarthy]

Yeah.

[AJ Hawk]

I don't even know what show he's on.

[Mike McCarthy]

You know, I think they get paid.

[Pat McAfee]

To make remarks and you'll make certain comments.

[Mike McCarthy]

So, you know, just worried about what.

[AJ Hawk]

People in our organization think and what about we think and my teammates think and everybody's gonna have different opinions.

[Mike McCarthy]

So we should go out there on.

[Pat McAfee]

Sunday and worry about ourselves. Great answer. That was from.

[Boston Connor]

That was from Fitzy and I really apologize. I'm not sure who is co hosting.

[Pat McAfee]

With Fitz and Wit. We appreciate that. Just got pulled up. Okay.

[Boston Connor]

Boom. Yes.

[Pat McAfee]

No Fitz and Wit is.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

At all. No, it wasn't a shot.

[Pat McAfee]

He was asking.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

I think he was just saying. I think he was just basically saying, you know, I don't know what show.

[Jack Jones]

The.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

You know, I'm in the film room. I don't know what show he's on. I'm just worried about the guys in the facility. This organization. We're just trying to win games. I think he just went into kind of that Bull Durham quotes, you know, I think he was. I didn't take that any. I really didn't take anything there any other.

[Pat McAfee]

But if you pull it and you put it up there and stuff. Yeah, I don't even know what show he's on that is. Certainly if you potentially put it out there, it's Drake May saying who said what. Yeah, I don't even know what show he's on.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

But the uni love that uni everything.

[Pat McAfee]

Hey, we love everything they're doing. We actually kind of hate how much we love everything that the New England Patriots are doing. You Know, it's kind of a tough pill to swallow at this stage of life in football fandom.

[Boston Connor]

Yeah. But even to your point about pulling the quote, sorry, Kirk, my bad. Real quick. He also called Stefon Diggs a diva in jest. And if you were to pull that quote, of course, and you read it, it's like, oh, what, he's calling his, you know, number one wide receiver a diva. But like, he's just joking. And yes, I guess it's kind of weird if your starting quarterback isn't watching ESPN every day from 10 to 12. But Drake May is a 23 year old kid. All he knows is what Vrabel is teaching him. And what do you think Vrabel's saying? Like, hey, yeah, you should be listening to what everybody's talking about you. Or do you think Vrabel saying, hey, if you're listening to anything outside this building, you probably don't belong in the building to begin with.

[Pat McAfee]

Well, and also if you are listening things outside this building, when you were speaking to the media, you were telling them you are not. I think that is certainly a part of it. And I think you were about to say something about the Patriots.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

I was just gonna say two things. Number one, about Drake May, probably the nicest human being I've ever covered. He's got three older brothers, they all love to kind of bust each other's chops. And so he, if he does something, if he says like, hey, I don't even know what show he's on, I don't think that was taken anything more than just trying to kind of spin it towards. We're focused right here on what we're trying to do. He's entitled to his opinion. We're just trying to win games. But I do think, can you find more talented teams, more experienced teams on rosters? Absolutely. But as we know, this is a team game. And right now you have a team, a mix of old with young, that are having a lot of fun playing together. And you know what winning does to a team. And some of these games, Connor, they would have lost some of these games earlier in the year. You know, you start stacking wins, think about how their season started it, and think about where they are now 11 weeks into this thing. I just think this is one of those teams that looks forward to going over the facility, looks forward to practice, looks forward to the meeting rooms. It's incredible what good karma and what good kind of that, that mojo that you try to create culture. And right now this team has it. How far it'll take them. Who knows? Are they Fool's Gold? Who knows? They haven't played the toughest schedule. But I'll tell you what, the more they believe in each other and they play for each other, and the more they start to really show that, hey, we can win some of these games, they're going to be a tough out as we go down the rest of the way.

[Pat McAfee]

One of the MVP favorites is the quarterback. So, yes, you can win any game with that. Like, that's kind of the conversation into.

[Boston Connor]

The Fool's Gold thing. I think the perfect encapsulation would be you can argue the two best wins for most teams this season. One would be Patriots in Buffalo in primetime in the last night game at Highmark Stadium when they were wearing their new uniform uniforms like you're seeing in New England and they beat the Bills. And then you can argue Todd Bowles off a bye on the road in Tampa Bay against Baker Mayfield, who was an MVP candidate before he played the New England Patriots defense. So the fool's Gold, yeah, that's asinine. But aside from that, the other thing to talk about too, Kirk, would be, I think it was the last 10 Super bowl champions each played eight or more teams who were under.500. So if we want to do the whole schedule sucks thing, we can go back through every single super bowl champion schedule over the last 10 years and judge their schedules. But again, people who don't know ball don't realize that when you finish last or second to last in your division, your schedule does actually get easier. And that is what's happened in the Patriots finally.

[Pat McAfee]

Hold on, Herbie. Hold on, Herbie. Hold on, Herbie. Hey, how sick of hearing that.

[Boston Connor]

I'm not even sick of it. It's just one of those things where it's like so many people don't know ball or understand how it works that you can't answer them all. And it makes sense why football coaches, football players, people who are actually in the game, can't even go on the Internet just because of how stupid people are on there.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, the Patriots are a wagon, though. That's all we care about right now.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Trevion Henderson's become a great story, but Ramondre Stevenson comes back. Boy, they're going to have a one, two punch in that backfield. And they've been doing this the last couple weeks with just Treveon. So when they get healthy, be fun. I think Baltimore on the road, Buffalo, of course, looking for revenge. Those are going to be tough games for them. But they're going to be heavily favored all the rest of their games. I mean, I said I think last week, there's a real shock. This team's looking at 13 or 14 wins. You know, whether it's fool's gold or not, they're probably going to be the one seed throughout, in my opinion. I know you love Indy. I think, I think New England is good. New England's going to get home field throughout the AFC playoffs and we know how important that is when you get to the postseason in that cold weather with Vrabel as the head coach, came so close to the AFC championship when he was in Nashville and I think if he gets that home field throughout, they're going to be a tough team to beat.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, Foxborough always incredibly difficult and their fans very, very good. And you look at their road, they certainly have what seems to be a great path to that. And we gotta remember these are all NFL teams, even teams that are ass at the end of the season. Oda, there's a of lot of players though at the end of the season who are trying to like earn spots and roster spots. So there's a team that is an ass team that is going to catch one of the very good teams towards the end of the season. That is just kind of how it always is. Who is that guy? We have no idea who that guy is. Well, he just earned a job next year somewhere, so that was like a Super bowl type situation for him. We talk about the Patriots obviously being the team that could potentially be the 1 seed. Let's talk about who they have. The Bengals. Go ahead, Ty.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah, Kirk. It looks like, I mean, speaking of past teams, you know, this Sunday the Patriots play the Bengals, but it looks like the Bengals might be getting back Joe Burrow. He's a full participant at practice yesterday. We'll see what happens today. So they have that on Sunday and then quick turnaround and they play again on Thanksgiving. What's your take on that whole situation? Obviously, if you're a Bengals fan, if you are that franchise, he's your franchise guy. He's the face of the franchise. So if he's healthy, he's going to want to play and you're going to want to see him play. But at 3 and 7, I just, I mean, is there any way they can get into the playoffs? We'll see. But what are you expecting to see from Joe Burrow? Because they really. He. He can't be so, so like he needs to be last year's mvp. Joe Burrow. Right. When he gets back into the game on Sunday. And can their offensive line protect him? We'll see. What do you think about that whole situation?

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Yeah, I think anytime. I mean, I'm just a fan of. Of not, you know, growing up as a kid in southwest Ohio, a fan of the Bengals, but I'm a fan of Joe Burrow. I'm a friend. I'm a fan of Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson. I'm a fan of these great quarterbacks and watching them be healthy and watching them play like you guys and like all NFL fans. So nobody can get into the mind of Joe Burrow. This guy's dealt with so many injuries and very unusual injuries for a quarterback to deal with. You go back to that calf that he had. Of course, he had an ACL in his first year with Cincinnati. Now he's got a turf toe that required surgery. I mean, you know, I think for me, I never experienced turf toe. I've talked to Joey Galloway, Pat. I don't know if you ever had it. When you talk to people that had it to the level that Joe's had it, that's a serious injury. And, you know, to be able to put himself back there, I think speaks about the competitive spirit that he has. I mean, the team is sitting there at 3 and 7. It easy for people to be like, what's the point? Season's over. Joe's probably looking at like, man, if I get back, we can, we can end up winning out and we, we can finish 10 and 7. We can maybe get a shot as a wild card. I guarantee you that's how his mind thinks. So just his presence, just like, again, you put any of these mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, the presence of Joe Burrow, being in that uniform, if he's able to go out there and play, not only impacts the offense and their execution, it impacts the defense. It impacts the. The guy selling the popcorn, it impacts the state. I mean, everybody is impacted when you bring back a guy like Joe Burrow and we'll see. I, I'm shocked. I. I really didn't know if it was going to be after Thanksgiving. Was, is he going to wait to see if they're in contention? But not surprising to hear he's full go and. And he's ready to roll. That dude is as competitive. That's probably his greatest trait, is how competitive he is.

[Pat McAfee]

I, I found it very fascinating because there is, in theory, an argument. Okay. Because just like everything seemingly has an argument, which is why it's so hard to get everybody to agree on things these days, it feels like there is an argument like three and seven teams not going to win. We all know they can't win. Defense not good enough. Put him back out there. He either re injured something or gets hurt again. Then you miss next year and the off season, which is more important. And I get that in theory, if careers were able to just last forever, you know, and like games were pick and choosable on whether or not you wanted to play them, which is not how professional athletes view anything, let alone like Joe Burrow. But it's like ownership definitely wants Joe Burrow out there. How much we paying this guy? Yeah, we would like him out there. Fans definitely want Joe Burrow out there, right? Bengals fans that are going to game at least would like Joey Burrow to be there. It's like, it's an interesting dynamic. Whenever you're the pillar, highest paid guy, most important guy, and you've been out, but you can come back. It's a, it's a, it's an interesting convo for the long term.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

I totally, I totally get, get that. But I, I think it for him, I don't want to speak for him, but I've known him, you know, watched him from 2019 on, when he, when he to me engineered the best college offense that I've ever, ever seen. But that dude just like, like Tom Brady. Like, I, I think if Tom Brady were in this situation, I don't think it's about how much money I'm making or the potential of being hurt. It's just the, the elite guys. It's just the competitive. I need to get out there. I need to do what I do not. Because I owe it to the franchise. I owe it.

[Ty Schmidt]

It's.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

If I feel healthy, this is, I think how his brain works. If I feel healthy, give me the ball. Let's go play.

[Pat McAfee]

Play.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Like, I think that's how he is. That's. That's kind of like the mindset. His dad was a defensive coordinator at the college level. It's kind of how he was raised. You ever hear him. He gets his ass hammered and people are like, wait, why don't you get. He's like, I'm a football player. Like, he's a linebacker playing quarterback. That, that's, that's how he plays the position. And so I, I've really been following how healthy he is or not healthy, but if, if he's full, go in practice, number nine is going to play like you. You can't keep him out of the lineup.

[Pat McAfee]

Up Nine. Welcome back. We're happy for that. I want to let you know, I know there's an argument by people who think they're smarter than franchise and Joey and everybody saying, hey, we need to think about off season in next year as opposed to right now. Let's mail it in. But I also understand that, like, the reason why Joey Burrow is Joey Burrow is because if Joey Burrow could play football, he's going to play football like that.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

What if he came back and they won seven in a row and, and went to the wild card and we.

[Pat McAfee]

Had those sweet shots of him going in warm ups.

[Ty Schmidt]

Is Joe playing defense?

[Pat McAfee]

And he's doing one of these. He's so cool. There's a chance, dad. Defense coordinator.

[Ty Schmidt]

He probably plays like a linebacker.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, he actually told us that whenever we talked to him, whenever he was a young lad, we had a chance to interview him. We were very pumped about it because we obviously watched that season as well alongside everything that was happening in 2019. And like, just my first thing, just like I told Mahomes the other day whenever we were down there, Texas Tech, I think you heard me. Soon as I see him, hey, need you to stop taking these hits, okay? Need you for the good of football. For the good of football, brother. We need you to stop taking these hits.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

We need you.

[Pat McAfee]

Everybody else can kind of take these hits. We need you to stop taking these hits. We told Joey Burrow that I think I was a part of at least more than a few of those with Andrew Luck. They all have the same response. It's like, first of all, I'm giving the hit. And also it's football. Like, hey, this is what football is. And it's like Joey B. Ohio football guy. Wait to see him back out there maybe, since he does go on a run. All right, last question here about the game tonight. I know you have stuff going on all day. Go ahead, Tone.

[Tone]

Yeah, Herbie, we know the championship fight tonight is Josh Allen versus the Texans defense, but I wanted to ask you about Davis Mills and what you've seen from him the last two weeks, because we've loved him forever. Whenever he was getting his starts with coach Dave Cully and carrying that Texans team, how do you think he does tonight? Because, I mean, he is a big, strong, athletic, great arm, quarterback back. It's just that he's sitting behind C.J. stroud. How do you feel about the Texans offense and Davis Mills tonight going against the Bills?

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Tone? Interesting. I, I'm with you, man. I, I, you know, there's so many teams. I was talking to a friend of mine this morning about this. The health of these NFL rosters and the teams that end up making it are the teams typically that are able to stay healthy. And, and a lot of times if you're starting quarterback goes down. I mean we just were talking about Joe Burrow. Think about they, they were searching. I mean Jake Browning tried to come in, it didn't work out. They had to go on the street. They found Flacco, fortunately to at least give him something. But your quarter, your franchise quarterback goes down like CJ Stroud, what are you going to do? And they're fortunate to have Davis Mills. You know, this will be his, as you guys know, this will be his 29th start. And it's not just like some guy that's back there. I feel like he's almost a guy and when he looks at himself, he sees a starting quarterback in the NFL and he's been able to. This is a team that was losing, losing close games, a lot of one possession games he started the last couple of weeks. Why CJ's been down with this, this concussion. He'll start his third game tonight. They've won two in a row with him under center. But you're right, the story, really, the matchup with Josh Allen against the best defense right now in the NFL is going to be a great story. But I tell you what, if, I don't know if you guys have really been watching Buffalo teams are running the ball down their throats and they've had Oliver injuries really hurt them. Taylor rap back and safeties really hurt them. So as much as we're going to be looking at Mills, how will he do if I'm Houston, I'm testing the interior, that Buffalo defense, I'm running the football, I'm possessing the ball. I'm keeping number 17 and 4 on the sideline as much as I can to try to possess it. And you got to try to set up Davis Mills on some, some play action. Nico Collins, by the way, as you guys again know, one of the better receivers in the NFL. They will try to, if they can get their run game going tonight, they'll try to get Nico Collins isolated one on one against these, these, these corners from Buffalo to try to hit some big plays. So I don't know, I, I like Davis Mills. I think he's a talented guy and I think, think Houston's very fortunate with CJ down third week with a concussion. Yeah, maybe if it was a Sunday game, maybe he'd Be okay. But hopefully he'll be all right the following week. But look, I think Davis Mills will play within the structure of the offense and play well.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, we love Dougie Davis Mills. Yeah, we are. We're a big fan of his. We've been following him closely. Called him the wrong name. Okay. So whenever he first got his start, however long ago, was called him Doug Mills. Okay. I did. Me.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

How'd you go. How'd you go, Doug on.

[Pat McAfee]

I saw D. Mills. Yeah. And I was like, oh, you're just.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Like, hell with it.

[Pat McAfee]

I'm going, Doug, Doug Mills. Yeah. That was back whenever we were on. Just on the Internet, you know, so obviously a little bit more wild. And, yeah, I was like, doug Mills getting a start here for the Texans.

[Boston Connor]

He said he was good with it, though.

[Pat McAfee]

So, yes, this is how this all came about. So I am very. It becomes pretty big clip, obviously, because I'm Colts, they're Texans, and, you know, I kicked it on, so I kicked myself against them in their building on a Thursday night. It was awesome. But I. I respect their fan base. The loudest building I've ever been in. Whenever I played, I didn't get a chance to go to Seattle and play there, but, like, Houston yearly was the loudest place we were at. It was. It was real. I had a lot of respect for what they were doing down there. So whenever I dropped a Dougie Mills out there, the Houston Texans fans. And he did. He did well. They absolutely attacked me. And then the Texans reached out, and they're like, would you like to talk to Davis Mills? And I'm like, shane, sure.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Some people complain. Defense.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Some people call him David Mills. Well, I've never heard Dougie Doug. That's. That's another.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. Only his. Only his closest enemies, I guess, at this point. So he. He comes on the show, we have a full convo with me and him calling him Dougie. And then big brain. Huge. Huge. And can. Yeah. And can spin it. Yeah, yeah. Like, yeah. Yeah.

[Ty Schmidt]

He is. He's a big son of Matt.

[Boston Connor]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

We have followed. So we have followed him since that moment. So, like, I feel like we have an advanced level of information on Dougie Davis Mills because literally, from day one, we have had a relationship with him. So anytime he pops up, we're like, Dougie Mills. We talk about Dougie a lot. You talk. You said 29 starts or 25 starts. I forget what number.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

29. 29. Tonight, I'm gonna say, when I say him on the field tonight, I'm gonna Be like, Dougie, what's up kid?

[Pat McAfee]

He will know. Yeah, he. He will know where that is from. And I. He said he was cool with it. It's certainly not cooler than Davis, but Dougie Davis Mills has been a big part of our show. So like we are a massive fan. And he was getting six points. He was getting six points with that number one defense in the league on a Thursday night. Josh Allen eight no on Thursday nights. I know you know that. Josh Allen 03 at NRG Stadium.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Him worst game of his career last year against this defense. He was like what was he 9 of 9 of 30 for 131 yards last year against this defense. So you know he's fired up to go up against them. Houston, they've won two in a row. They. They were. Ow. What?

[Pat McAfee]

Only 23% of the money is on. Only 23% of the bets are on. On Houston right now. But we love the Bills too. But what did. Were you about to say? There was another stack of. Just please.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

No, I'm just saying that I get so excited about the.

[Pat McAfee]

You got to keep it down. Yeah, we're trying to do that with this one here. So please.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Okay. Have you figured out Oregon, USC yet?

[Ty Schmidt]

A given.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Oregon. It's a given at home.

[Pat McAfee]

Oregon. Right. Last time I was up there. Coach shows on Saturday. Last time I was up there, I picked Indiana right in their face. And I've never been more.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Oh, that's right. And it turned out you're right.

[Pat McAfee]

It's tough, but it's tough stuff.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Are you going Metatroy?

[Pat McAfee]

I don't know.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

You're not gonna go met a Troy, are you?

[Pat McAfee]

I think you know me pretty good. I think you know me pretty good. I think you probably know what you're pretty.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

They're pretty good.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. Yeah. Certainly Southern California for sure. Yeah, that's probably.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

That's not your call. That's not your.

[Pat McAfee]

That's probably the way. But on that note, I've yet to dive in completely to the. I will be doing that on our 14 hour pilgrimage to Eugene, Oregon. I'll be watching the film of USC's offense who obviously I've seen games them play throughout the season. I followed the highlights. I've seen their stats. I haven't watched them for like entire games. Obviously Lincoln Riley's a super talent. Okay. The offense is outrageous and maybe you know, they hang. They can really do some stuff here all of a sudden. Maybe. But if this Oregon fan. What up, Peter? Who do you like? Peter? Peter? Who's Peter? Like, what up, dude?

[Mike McCarthy]

He doesn't care.

[Pat McAfee]

Peter.

[Ty Schmidt]

He's relaxing.

[Pat McAfee]

He's got his tongue in his mouth. What's going on?

[Dan Orlovsky]

I know.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

I think he just woke. I just woke him up from a nap. How about the little. He's got a little wound underneath that left eye.

[Pat McAfee]

What happened?

[Kirk Herbstreit]

No, Bo and him scrap every day and I think he got a canine underneath his. His left eye.

[Pat McAfee]

Bo's the youngest, right?

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Yeah. Ten months was a good scrap coming.

[Boston Connor]

For that top spot.

[Pat McAfee]

He is. He's trying.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

I think he is. We, We. We're going to have a little war here in a couple months. I. I got my money on the big fella.

[Pat McAfee]

Hey, Peter, I'm pulling. Love you as raising your top dog.

[Boston Connor]

Pete like the dims on Bodo.

[Tone]

Pete's sleeping in satin sheets these days. He getting a little too comfortable, Kirk.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh, that's what Bo's saying.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

I. I think he is. I think that's valid.

[Pat McAfee]

Peter's who we think he is. To be 100% transparent. When I first meet Peter, I love Peter the dog. But I think, wow, Peter's. Peter's kind of doing whatever the hell Peter wants to do right now. Is this who Peter is then? Peter, over the next few weeks.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

He loves you, dude.

[Pat McAfee]

He is an unbelievable dog. He's an unbelievable dog. I think you know that he sleeps.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Underneath you in the meeting every week.

[Pat McAfee]

Unbelievable dog, though. Like, I think you know that. And rest in peace, Ben. We fucking. Hey. Rest in peace, Ben. The reason why Ben was so awesome is because Ben, like, knew what was majestic. Yeah. Just chill and knew what was happening. Like, hey, we're in a meeting. So Ben would just kind of like, sit down. All right, I'm just going to chill. We're in a meeting right now. Peter was still young, wanted to go see what everybody was doing in meeting. And it was like, ah, Peter just. I don't know if you can do this forever, you know? I don't know. I don't know if this is gonna. I don't know if this is gonna be a thing. And then watching him become like the dog that you and Bo and Mitch and the crew have kind of.

[AJ Hawk]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

He's a great. You should be very proud of what Peter has become. I mean, he is a awesome dog. I. Fuck.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

He's a good boy. Yeah, he's a good boy. He's getting more chill. He's more comfortable. He's not big on the crowds this year. He's. He's. He's decided to take. Take a little bit of A rain check from the crowd, by the way.

[Pat McAfee]

We respect that. We respect that out of Peter. Peter go. I'm about done with these people. Yeah, I, I respect that. But on that note, I can't wait to see him and you over there in Eugene. Should be an awesome scene on Saturday morning.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Be awesome. I can't wait to see what you're up to this week. It's going to be fun.

[Pat McAfee]

We were just. It's very early.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Yeah, yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Oregon crowd is always insane. Right? Like that is.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

The Oregon crowd is undefeated. We've been there in the past. You know, before the 12 team playoffs, it was a four team playoff. We would go to, you know, Oregon often like twice. You know, when Chip Kelly was there and even previous years, we'd go there twice a year a lot, you know, and, and I know this year we've been kind of avoiding the repeat school visit, but I will be shocked if it's not the same, if not a better atmosphere or Oregon. Eugene, Oregon is absurd. When. When the show goes out there, there. And again, my live hit is 5:30am local for sports center and then we're live at six local.

[Pat McAfee]

They are awesome, dude. It is. That is. It has been a special place, which is why I didn't like that I just knew Indiana was going to win that particular game because I grew. I'm in. I'm in Indianapolis. So like I'm watching the Hoosier games. Like I'm being forced to watch Fernando Mendoza. And I just kind of knew that at that time, at that time for both those teams, Indiana was the better team. Like in my eyes, whenever I'm making a pick, which is always what I do now, is there some places that certainly sway me into believing the other. If I think it's a coin flip, I will be swayed. But I'm trying to get winners, bro. I'm trying.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Yeah, you're doing a great job of it. Doing it. By the way, did you see Saban in Reese? I always wanted to ask you this. Do you like when they hold the chair? Because that chair's wobbly.

[Pat McAfee]

I don't.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

What do you think about them trying to help you out there? Do you want to. You want them not to help you out because that's. That thing's teetering.

[Pat McAfee]

So I appreciate what they're doing. I understand what they're doing and I obviously the goat and many would say potentially the goat on the other side as well when it's all said and done, you know, so two goats there. My biggest fear is and I don't know how to tell them this. I. I have told Reese because I. If I go down, it's going to be to Reese's side, okay? So if I fall and Reese is, like, kind of signing up for it, not only am I the. The big ass that hurt myself, now I take out Reese and the goat too, like that. That's kind of my only worry is, like, Saban puts his arm out there, it's like, yo, I'm. I'm like 255 right now. 260.

[Mike McCarthy]

You're gonna lose your arm.

[Pat McAfee]

If I'm coming down, that's not like a good spot.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Wait a second. You're not. You're not too. You're 255.

[Pat McAfee]

I think I'm like 250 right now. Yeah.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

What are you, like, 7% body fat? There's no way you're 255.

[Pat McAfee]

I know. Shout out to the folks at Affinity. We're, you know, we are. We are working. We got a morning routine. We got some science brewing. Hey, I went down to Parris island last summer and I watched how, like, these DI's operate, trying to learn about them as much as possible as I was going to try to do the impossible task of acting like one, especially in the World War II II era, which is the greatest generation. And then it's drill instructors who are like the most badass humans of all time. These. These men and women are operating on, like, three and a half, four hours of sleep at maximum operation. And it's like, what all is possible with the human body. I'm watching you, and I'm like, you know what? I need to maybe kind of walk in a little bit because I get exhausted, you know, throughout football season. Great jobs, easy jobs, but we're doing a lot. We're doing a lot. And I get, like, tired, and I'm like, man, maybe I'm not cut out for this. I go down to Parris island, watch these DI's, and I'm like, oh, I need to rearrange what I'm doing here. Like these. They're up early. We're working out, we're eating. We're doing this. Like, we're taking care of ourselves here. So, like, I've tried my best after that to, like, kind of lock in, and I am reaping benefits. I am reaping the benefits of it right now. But, boy, Thanksgiving's just nicked. What will you do?

[Kirk Herbstreit]

What will you do if it's Thanksgiving? Are you. Are you allowed to have normal portions. Are you. You can only have a little bit. I know you don't eat mashed, but you don't eat mashed potatoes, which is a total waste. Total waste of time.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

I don't even know how you. I don't even know how you have Thanksgiving stuffing.

[Pat McAfee]

Stuffing. Thank you. Yeah, I'll put the mashed potatoes on a. Okay, I'll put it on there. And then I'll put all the stuff that tastes good on top of it, too.

[Boston Connor]

Making your taters, man. Whoever's been buttering your biscuits. Biscuits has been doing it wrong.

[Pat McAfee]

We might blame my mom. I love her. My mom's sweetheart.

[Boston Connor]

Hard working, no doubt.

[Pat McAfee]

And she was not a big. Hey, I'm a cook stuff person though. Okay. That was our thing. So I do believe there is a chance I have that my wife, okay, she does make phenomenal mashed potatoes. But there's cheese in there. There's like flavor. It's like the stuff that tastes good. You know, there's butter. The amount of butter. That's it. Mashed potatoes.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Part of the mashed potatoes, though. That's part of mashed potatoes. Mashed potatoes. You don't just mash potatoes with water. I mean, you got to throw in all kinds of stuff.

[Pat McAfee]

You would, though, from my understanding is you.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

No, no, no, no, no, no, no. You need, you need, you need stuff.

[Pat McAfee]

Butter sauce on them.

[Boston Connor]

Exactly.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. But raw. Hey, naked. I'll eat those too.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

I've never had a mashed potato without salt and pepper and butter. And like, you got to make them taste good. You don't. Just potatoes.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay, you're right. We'll agree to. We'll agree on that particular one. You got to make them taste good. I, I agree completely. Stuffing just pops right out there. Just right. Just ready to go. Cannot wait for all the other fixings. You know, the things that come along with the apple pie.

[Boston Connor]

The fixings.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, the fixings. Oh, it's just next week. Next week. Week from week from today. Ham. The ham. Oh, my God. Hawaii rolls. Oh, my God.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Oh, it's go time, pumpkin. Are you allowed, Are you allowed to eat with your 7% body fat?

[Pat McAfee]

I'm not. 7%.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Are you allowed?

[Pat McAfee]

I'm trying to get there.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

You allowed to eat?

[Pat McAfee]

Yes, I'm eating at this point. It's just like gotta do all the other stuff, you know? Can't just like not do this stuff and do this stuff. If you do that, then all of a sudden, you know, you start becoming a tired person all the time and a little bit.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Besides the 195 sauna for 30, are you doing any cardio walking?

[Pat McAfee]

We're doing a little walking.

[Boston Connor]

I mean, okay, the U ball. U ball is good.

[Pat McAfee]

Playing U ball for 10 straight games because me and Foxy can't be beat. It's a.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

It's Ty. Ty and Tone and Connor and the whole crew. They doing this with you?

[Pat McAfee]

U ball?

[Boston Connor]

Yeah, yeah, we play U ball, but it's crazy. Kirk, I want to actually get your opinion on this. If you're playing a two on two sport and the two best shooters of that sport are on the same team, what do you think the chances are that they lose back to back games?

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Impossible.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay, thank you, Herbie. You knew where that question was coming from. And on that note, me and Foxy started shooting the same shots as everybody else at the exact same.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Foxy's an athlete.

[Boston Connor]

Hold on, Kirk, you're a professional athlete and Foxy is actually the only one that played high school basketball, so. Yeah.

[Dan Orlovsky]

Holy.

[Boston Connor]

The basketball game. You guys are.

[Pat McAfee]

It's a state fair game. It's a little ball. I bowl. I don't even shoot.

[Boston Connor]

Every game's a state fair game.

[Pat McAfee]

And on that, who.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Who's the best athlete on the squad?

[Pat McAfee]

Me, by far.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Herbie.

[Boston Connor]

Yeah.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

I'm going Foxy. Besides Pat. I'd say Foxy.

[Pat McAfee]

No. Hey, everybody has different strengths. Nobody has different strengths.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Who can. If we hit a baseball, who do you think would hit the baseball the best for sure.

[Pat McAfee]

Entire tone.

[Mike McCarthy]

Yeah, we.

[Tone]

We play.

[Boston Connor]

I like you, Kirk.

[Dan Orlovsky]

All right.

[Pat McAfee]

All right. Have a good game now. You're the best, ladies and gentlemen. Yeah.

[Ty Schmidt]

What a that guy. I'm done with Kirk forever. I am. And I'm sorry that we're going to be muted. That pissed me off. You Kirk ruined I was season and that was so condescending.

[Dan Orlovsky]

You're a.

[Pat McAfee]

We're back on the other side. Goodbye. This Marshan beast mode lynch prize pick is making sports season even more fun on prize Picks.

[Mike McCarthy]

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[Pat McAfee]

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[Mike McCarthy]

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[Pat McAfee]

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[Pat McAfee]

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[Mike McCarthy]

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[Pat McAfee]

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[Jack Jones]

That's code TPMS to get $50 in.

[Pat McAfee]

Site credits after you play your 1st $5 prize picks. It's good to be right. Must be present in certain states. Visit prizepix.com for restrictions and details.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

You ever show up late to the.

[Pat McAfee]

Game and your friends already saved your seat, your drink, even a plate that's looking out, that's having your back. And that's exactly what AT and T does with the ATT guarantee. They know staying connected matters. That's why AT and T has connectivity you depend on guaranteed or they'll proactively make it right. Just like that friend who takes care of things before you even ask. AT&T connecting changes everything. Terms and conditions apply. Visit att.comguarantee for details. Football he's the greatest. We're so lucky we get a chance to chat about tonight. Week 12 of the NFL season kicks off as the Buffalo Beatles travel down to Houston to take on the Texans. A number one defense in the league. From the Houston Texans battles against the reigning mvp fresh off a historic Sunday where he scored three on the ground and three through the sky. Buffalo Bills looking to win a Super Bowl. Texans what are they? We find out tonight. I know Dougie Davis Mill, the quarterback for the Houston Texans is a backup and he's playing three games now with CJ Stroud in the concussion protocol since that nasty hit where he got hit by shoulder pad in the head and also field by head. It was kind of a double whammy. We hope he is okay. He misses his third game. Dougie Davis Mills tonight will be his 29th start. We just learned from Kirk Herbstream who will be on the call. Very experienced. Will they cover the six points that they are getting on a Thursday night football battle? The toxic tables here at Boston Connor and at Ty Schmidt one half of the hammer done. Cowboys AP Tony's here last hour was 77% of the bets I believe were on the Buffalo beals favored by six on ESPN sportsbook five and a half other places.

[Tone]

Yeah, 77 is still that number but six is not. Six has disappeared. I'm now seeing five and a half.

[Mike McCarthy]

Across across the board.

[Pat McAfee]

I would like to say I was pretty obvious about what I wanted you.

[Tone]

Did you said before shout out there.

[Pat McAfee]

I like it now.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yep.

[Pat McAfee]

Lock it in now and AJ Ladies and gentlemen, a man who's college football national champion super bowl champion Ryder cup winner and the all time leading tackler for the Green Bay Packers, A.J.

[Boston Connor]

Hawk.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, A.J. didn't get to hear it, but I locked it in at 6 earlier. If I was to take the Houston Texans. I. I don't know what you did.

[AJ Hawk]

Oh, so what can I get the Bills at the then Five and a half.

[Boston Connor]

Five and a half or six?

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. Or if you want minus.

[Boston Connor]

If you want minus six.

[AJ Hawk]

Yeah, no, I'll take the. I'll take the good one. I don't know who I'm picking yet, though. I don't know who. Do you know you already made your pick?

[Pat McAfee]

No, I'm just saying earlier today I said, hey, if I was to pick the Texans, we locked it in. I would like a plus six. If I was to. I. I kind of feel like this. I don't know. I don't know.

[Boston Connor]

But you were pretty st. Nobody knows.

[AJ Hawk]

What'S going to happen.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, well, don't you think you kind of know? Don't you feel. You don't feel.

[AJ Hawk]

I have a good. Yeah, I have a feeling. I have a feeling. One way for sure right now, maybe.

[Pat McAfee]

One of the most that you've had all season. Are you seeing this the same way I have?

[AJ Hawk]

Maybe a little bit. But I don't know. Going off of what you have said, I don't know if we're on the same page here.

[Pat McAfee]

So you feel a complete opposite maybe the way that I feel. I woke up this morning saying Houston Texans are getting sick. Six points at home on a Thursday night with Dougie Davis Mills against a team that is very good. Obviously a very good Buffalo Bills team. But like, I don't think any of us from watching them are like, hey, this is the team that's going to win a Super Bowl. So six points feels like a lot of points. And then on the flip side, Josh Allen's on their team. You know, like I woke up thinking Texans plus 6. Easiest bet. Most I've felt about a pick all year other than the Indiana one, this is the most that I've ever had conviction about it. Indiana 1 hits. So maybe that gives me a little bit of a false hoax here. You know what I mean? Which hope is something that you certainly need. I wrote an entire post about it this morning because Lane Kiffin asked me to send a daily message of motivation. It has become part of the routine. Don't look for it to last long. Okay, that one.

[Tone]

Things are getting loud down there.

[Pat McAfee]

What's that?

[Tone]

That whole. Whole situation.

[AJ Hawk]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Is he still reading a daily message.

[Tone]

He did put out his daily message as well, but just. It's getting hot down there.

[Pat McAfee]

What do you mean it's getting hot?

[Boston Connor]

Done it.

[AJ Hawk]

I mean obviously he's gone. We know that.

[Pat McAfee]

What? Who said that?

[AJ Hawk]

I mean, I'm just saying. Nobody said that. But in my humble opinion, he's out of there. See you.

[Pat McAfee]

All right, we'll put it on the ticker. We'll put it on the ticker.

[AJ Hawk]

I mean, come on now. Like when he, when you had him on, he was great. He was really good. I love him. I love everything about him. That's why he's being recruited by all these great schools.

[Pat McAfee]

So what? What?

[Tone]

I think all three places are getting real tired of waiting.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah. A lot of get off the pot.

[Boston Connor]

Yeah. You talk to a couple Ole Miss fans and they are damn near at the point where Sheriff, he comes back, whatever, we're still going to hate him.

[Pat McAfee]

Now what?

[Boston Connor]

That's just that, that is just the, the, the old Ms. Reddit Mills, if you will.

[Pat McAfee]

The Rebel Red.

[Tone]

The message boards.

[Boston Connor]

Message board.

[Pat McAfee]

They're still throwing their fastball, it sounds like.

[Boston Connor]

Oh yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

I like, I haven't been able, believe it or not to look at college football message boards since the year 2008. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. So I, I have not, I've tried not to ever, you know, even have. I don't want my alo to thin think yes ever to that just because boy I've been on the receiving end and I, I assume they are pretty talented in there. They, they, they are not a happy bunch either. And they are very passionate, you know. So I'm happy to hear that those are still throwing 100 on the paint and everything like that. He came on the show to clear up that there's been no ultimatum. He was doing yoga 6am with the athletic director. Oh yeah, yeah.

[Tone]

And the fans don't give a whether there's an ultimatum or not.

[Mike McCarthy]

They have one.

[Ty Schmidt]

No, I think they just see the writing on the wall. You see all these openings, you know, you see all these different coaches is these universities. What are they doing? What are these coaches doing? They're signing massive new contracts to stay at their school so they're not lured away to the, you know, Penn States, the Florida's, the LCUs of the world. Lane Kiff is just, hey, I'm bide my time. I'm about my time. Which typically means we're gonna have a great season. That season's gonna end and then I'm gonna go somewhere else. And when on my way Out. I'm gonna ransack the pantry and take a bunch of players with me. So I think, think. I think Ole Miss fans are starting to see the rattles off.

[Pat McAfee]

I don't. That's. I don't know if that's necessarily.

[Boston Connor]

Oh, yeah.

[Tone]

I saw Ole Miss fans worried because they think this is going to happen, that the College Football Committee is going to drop them in the standings because they're not going to have a coach for the playoffs.

[Pat McAfee]

Did you see one of the things that they put up?

[AJ Hawk]

Who?

[Pat McAfee]

The College Football Playoff committee?

[Ty Schmidt]

No.

[Pat McAfee]

They have stipulations underneath this. Wait, look this up. Look up the College Football Playoff committee stipulations. I think there's like four of them. Them. They have different things. The fourth one or the last one, maybe it's the third one. It basically says, like, can judge a team depending upon who would be absent from the players and also from the coaching staff if the playoffs were to happen. Can judge or dock a team for that. It's in there. And I think that's in there because of Jordan. Right. A couple years back with Florida State. That'll be in there forever.

[AJ Hawk]

Because it should be in there. It should be in there.

[Pat McAfee]

I agree. And they also give themselves, like, hey, if we want other relevant factors, such as unavailability of key players and coaches that may have affected a team's performance during this season or likely will affect its postseason performance. Great work there, Bruce. Way to find that. There's a lot of words that was in there. I saw that this week. So when it came out, I try to be as well read on everything as possible. Possible. You know, I try my best to stay up to date on absolutely everything. It's not necessarily the easiest to dive into all the whatchamacallits, but for the College Football Playoff committee, with my entire thought, like, hey, you guys have said that, like, good losses are better than, like, any of the good wins. Like, basically what you have said is that is. That is kind of how you guys are viewing this. So then I wanted to, like, find out what are the stipulation? Like, what are. Is that a stipulation? So then I saw that one. I was like, wait a minute. This seems like a pretty important little, Little stipulation to this entire thing that does give them an out if a coach is to be poached potentially to another job. But you're going to another job, what to win, right? You're going to win a national championship. So you're going to potentially not get into the College Football Playoff with the team that you have currently to go try and win a national championship somewhere. I don't fully understand why everybody just thinks he's leaving. I genuinely. I genuinely. Because of, I guess, how college football has gone forever. And I was at West Virginia when Richard went to Michigan. Okay. So. And we're hopefully going to be in a national championship the next year. So I understand that, like, this has been the thing. This has been the thing. But you watch that doc with Lane. Okay, you watch that doc with Lane. He is a unique character. I think we can all say that whenever it comes to being a college football coach and how he does things, there is a chance that he is enjoying the hell out of what he has at Ole Miss. And if they have money, which I don't know if they do, they might not have, like, Oregon and like Penn State, Ohio State, Texas, Texas Tech. Like, I don't know if they have, like, the highest money, but I think if the money is all kind of comped comparable at all these places. Not saying they are. I don't know what everybody's finding. And nobody's really come out and said head. Right. I've been pressing. I know I have tried my best saying, who has the money?

[Ty Schmidt]

Has an extension even been offered?

[AJ Hawk]

Yeah, exactly. That's. I want to know. Ask Elaine.

[Dan Orlovsky]

If he.

[AJ Hawk]

If they have offered him an extension, then he can. Then we can kind of gain some info.

[Tone]

I bet we agree a thousand percent with everything you're saying. All I'm saying is the fan bases are in a frenzy right now.

[Boston Connor]

All of them understand that, too, because, sure, maybe an extension wasn't offered, which. Which would make absolutely zero sense because to what Ty said, like, every single coach that was getting thrown out for Penn State for all these other jobs, they got extensions and they signed them. And so maybe Ole Miss is like.

[Pat McAfee]

Hey, you know what?

[Boston Connor]

We're not going to do that. We're going to go the opposite way, actually, and make this as tough and miserable as possible for not just us, but for Lane and the entire university's alumni and fan base. But it feels as though an extension might have been offered.

[Pat McAfee]

And instead of signing, that's what everybody is like, kind of reacting.

[Mike McCarthy]

That's how.

[Boston Connor]

And that's how it feels.

[Pat McAfee]

That's how people are acting. Got it. Yeah. Wild situation. And there's not like just a bunch of coaches. Yeah. So a lot of people are saying that the fans are obviously at these schools, would like some answers sooner than later because there's a lot on the line here. Ole Miss still very much.

[Mike McCarthy]

Oh, yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

I mean, they're gonna try to win.

[Boston Connor]

Absolutely.

[Pat McAfee]

So it's like, would you leave? What are you leaving for? Well, I'm leaving to go win a national championship and also maybe better resources. It's like, okay, who has. That's a good conversation. I hope somebody will tell us the answers to that at some point. Feels like we have been asking for a few weeks now, like Florida, lsu, Penn State. We know what Penn State's doing. I think we've been very open with what Penn State's doing. Have I heard the same from Florida, lsu? I hear they're both. They're invested. Yeah, they're in. But then the answer is always like, local recruiting is just so much easier basically at Florida, in LSU than at Ole Miss. Lsu, the statement is five stars fall off trees in Louisiana. And a lot of guys down in Louisiana take a lot of pride in being lsu. Like LSU is like their school. So they think like the natural recruiting and the talent of recruiting that you have much greater access to than the rest of the country is warranted enough of a national championship by itself. So then when you talk about all the other resources, it's like, that's just kind of like added on top. It's like, interesting because are we in the world now where the other resources meet anymore? And then you hear from people that are like, no, if you can sign a five star, four, two guy because he grew up four feet away from the university, that is much better than having to transfer Portal. Guess if person is happy there. So there's so much going on in flux. I assume it's not an easy decision obviously for anybody to have, but for Lane, it's like, I think he's trying to win and I think he wants to win a national championship.

[Ty Schmidt]

He's focused on.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. So all this external noise is loud. He says he's doing yoga at 6am with the athletic director. He's saying there's no ultimatum given to me. And everything he's talking about is trying to win. Ah, I don't know, man. It's. I don't know when that answer comes. And I don't know what the right answer is at this point, especially with.

[AJ Hawk]

The college football playoffs now. Like, how do you do? Like, I know we played Mark d' Antonio took the Cincinnati job. He was our defensive coordinator at Ohio State State. But he coached us. He. He agreed to take the job, like at the beginning of bowl practice, I believe. And he was with us all through bowl practice. But he had Already accepted that job at Cincinnati. So he coached us through all that. He coached us in the bowl game. And then, you know, he's hugging us and crying on the field afterwards, knowing he's leaving, but we. And he's sitting there on the bus trying to, like, put his staff together, trying to bring recruits in like it's a thing. But that's. You can't be doing that through a college football playoff run.

[Pat McAfee]

No, especially where the transfer portal window is, too. Too think about where the transfer portal window is. So, like, the other places are certainly thinking to themselves, you need to be in here by name two upper. And it looks like you want to climb a mountain. These are guys you call now, what are we doing here? Do you know what they're doing in there? Are we getting in that. That trailer that Matthew Stafford got in? Do you remember Matthew Stafford was in the Immortal Chamber? Yeah, the. The Immortal Chamber that he was in during the off season. I don't know if you know that. Are you getting into any trailers to live forever with the optimized to extreme boys?

[Mike McCarthy]

No, I haven't done that. It's actually, I had a chance to work with those guys when I was with the Cowboys and just keep in touch with them. They do a lot of work, you know, with federal agencies, public service. Did some really, you know, excellent work for the Dallas Cowboys in their time, but they're just, you know, former Navy seals, all special forces throughout their. Throughout their ranks are just. Just a really neat, unique group of people. So really enjoy those guys.

[Pat McAfee]

Hell yeah. Hey, Optimosity Extreme, we appreciate you.

[Boston Connor]

Let's go.

[Mike McCarthy]

I like to think you love them, Pat. They're right up your alley.

[Pat McAfee]

Yes. I mean, as you were talking there.

[Boston Connor]

I was like, yup, what are we talking about?

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, they have a great website optimizing our nation's heroes here. We just checked this out. I thought you were going to give a full breakdown. You said. There you go. Yeah. No. Yeah.

[Mike McCarthy]

You still working through the mechanics of TV?

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. You're the best. Coach Michael McCarthy optimized City X. We appreciate the hell out of what you do for the United States of America. Let's talk about tonight, Coach. Hey, six points was the line and is the line at one of the sports books. You can get it at five and a half. Texans have the number one defense in the league. Josh Allen is an absolute alien. That's obviously what everybody is kind of putting on the marquee. What are your thoughts as we look at this game? And I don't want to you give a pick as you, you are continuing, you know, to be on a winning side of things. But what is your thoughts on how they should both be looking at this game if you were the coach of both these teams?

[Mike McCarthy]

I, I think it's a great matchup and especially where we're, where we are in the season. You know, obviously the, you know, you talk about Houston, you know, with, with the quarterback situation, but Davis is, I remember him coming out of Stanford. I mean, he's, he's, you know, he's, he's got the, he's a prototype quarterback. You know, great size, can really spin it. I think, you know, you're really able to stay in tune with how you want to play on offense with Davis. So I think that, that, that is something that he's proved the last couple weeks. But I just think, you know, the things that you look at. You got great defense. I love, you know, I love Houston's defense. They got great, you know, excellent, you know, studs on all three levels. That's something, that's the first thing I always look at. And, you know, and they're what, year three. And they're their program down there, their defense. So, you know, the ability to take the ball away in the noise. I think this is going to be a really tough outing for Buffalo. I think it's going to be tougher than we all think. I mean, Josh, it's hard to pick against him. I know. Personally, I've always leaned towards a quarterback. When you get into tight games, you get into November, December championship playoff type games, you always tilt towards a quarterback. But I'll tell you, I think the ability to run at Buffalo's defense, which, which, you know, I think since they lose an Oliver, that is something I'm sure it'll be focused on. And I think this is really going to come down cleanly to who takes care of the ball. And, you know, Texans do a great job. They're running, hit defense, swarming the football. You know, they got the noise in their favorite. I mean, that's, I think Houston's a place that's louder than people think it.

[Pat McAfee]

You know, his knees, they said his knees might not be good. It's like he's £311 running around. Yeah, his knees might hurt. I mean, that is just like a part of it. A body that big, AJ not supposed to move the way that he does, and it feels like he's only getting better and they're using him even more.

[AJ Hawk]

AJ yeah, we're finding him all the time. And think about, like, how many different ways you could use him. You can line him up on the end of the line of scrimmage, like he actually is a tackle, have a block, block, and then he's releasing out to the flat. And then you say you throw the ball to him. Like, a lot of defenses have a five yard, no cover zone where they're not going to jump down anything under five yards. Say you're six, seven yards deep, you're dropping in cover average, and they dump the ball to him in the flat, and you have 10 yards in between, and he has a full head of steam coming at you. Like, what do you do? Like, you have to find a way to get all 11 dudes to tackle this guy. Because I think it's true, like, the more and more he gets the ball, like, the more confident he is and the more we're going to continue to see stuff like this.

[Pat McAfee]

What the play you're describing did happen against the Bengals this week, and it went exactly how you thought it would go. And whenever you talk about getting more and more confident, it's like him. Him looking like he's Derrick Henry in high school to these dudes. It does have to feel good to become, like, I don't want to say a focal point because Friarmouth, obviously great tight end as well, he's playing more.

[Tone]

Snaps than all of them.

[Pat McAfee]

But Mount Washington's becoming a focal point because of his ability to just be a tackle. And by be a tackle, he literally 311 pounds, 6 foot 7 or whatever. I mean, he could be a tackle if he wanted to right now, and he acts as such. And then it's like you have a slip every single time if you want it. And he's able to do whatever he wants. It's almost like an X factor that I don't even know how you stop. He's got, you know, he's very. I don't want to say it. A. Gronk was massive, okay? His catch radius was gigantic, and Gronk was impossible to tackle. And I don't want to put Darnell Washington and Gronk's role because Gronk is faster, I do believe, than Darnell Washington. But there's a lot of similar qualities of being just dominating on a football field. And he has certainly become that.

[Tone]

Yeah, he has. And obviously that play happened. But there was also one where AJ Was talking about where literally it was. I think it was third and 17 or third and 11, I can't remember. But they dumped it down probably like seven yards and then he went and got the first down there too and he's awesome. Aaron and Mason have been going to more on third down now he's. Because they. He's so big and it's so hard to cover him but I know there's a lot of people. Daniel Jeremiah was the first person I saw State compared him to Jason Peters. He was a tight end in college who moved to left tackle pretty soon. Like when his say his, his. His athleticism diminishes a little bit. He could go straight from 80 straight right to 79 and just probably be a Pro bowl left tackle because he's so like when he is at that position he is so good at blocking, run and pass. He's. He definitely has a future as an offensive lineman if he wants to as well.

[Pat McAfee]

And there's going to be a reporting eligible forever basically for him. Here's him from high school. A.J. we found his. This is Darnell Mount Washington's overtime footage. That's him at wide receiver. Could you imagine? Yeah, right. Yeah.

[Tone]

Junior high. I believe it said in the tweet.

[Pat McAfee]

Junior high.

[Mike McCarthy]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah.

[AJ Hawk]

I think they said eighth grade.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. Playing under the lights in eighth grade. That makes sense. With Darnell Mount Washington at wide receiver, excited that the Pittsburgh Steelers are using him and I'm excited that maybe that becomes a new position. Maybe some 300 plus pound tight ends just start becoming a very normal. Because if you can protect your quarterback, that's a huge deal. If you can run the ball, it's a huge deal. And if you can make it look like you're about to do both those things and be untackleable. That sounds unstoppable. Joining us now is a man who will love cold play with that type of guy. Ladies and gentlemen, optimized to the extreme. Coach Mike McCarthy.

[Mike McCarthy]

Good to be back.

[Pat McAfee]

What hell's going on?

[Mike McCarthy]

What the hell's going on? I mean things started spinning. I think we went to the Internet to one o'. Clock.

[Pat McAfee]

I think you got. We're on your Internet now. Coach. Don't worry about the fight. You disappeared on us, you know that.

[Mike McCarthy]

I know, Yeah.

[AJ Hawk]

I don't know what happened.

[Mike McCarthy]

I don't know what happened. So where were we?

[Pat McAfee]

Where were we?

[Mike McCarthy]

I gave you the pick and everything. So I guess it's an automatic win.

[Pat McAfee]

Or we didn't hear it. We missed that. We missed that. We'll get back to that at the end.

[Mike McCarthy]

We're talking about I'm taking a winning team.

[Pat McAfee]

No, no. Well, we'll make sure you clarify that later. We'll make sure you clarify that later. We're talking about Darnell Mount Washington over there in Pittsburgh, and obviously you know, him coming out of Georgia. I assume you guys scouted and did the entire thing through the draft. National champion there, very successful there behind Brock Bowers. He's starting to become like a focal point for the Steelers offense because I think they can disguise him as a protection guy and then he can leak out at any given moment. And when he has the ball in his hands, he's untackleable. Big man with the ball who can move. Sound like a treat for a play caller or a play designer, I would assume. Coach.

[Mike McCarthy]

No, absolutely. I thought I was sitting here listening to you talk about him before and you asked the question. I thought you made some great points, particularly even in pass protection, that to have a, you know, a Y on the line, you know, tight end that big that, you know, also can chip from. From that position, also fully remove, you know, a great pass rusher to a wider gap, a wider alignment. I think there's so many little things that you can utilize too. And the Steelers have history. If you go back, was it to the 70s, the Larry Brown move from tight end to left tackle and had a great career there in Pittsburgh. But no, it's, you know, he was definitely a unique talent coming out of Georgia. I think that, you know, the medical was. Was the only question you had on him. But it's great to see him having success because, you know, the on the line, wide tight ends that can play, you know, at that position and be dominant as a run blocker. I mean, that's something that. It really solves a lot of schematic challenges too, because you're always, you're always trying to move tight ends more, movement tight ends and put them in position to block a defensive end. So when you have a tight end that can block a defensive end on the line of scrimmage, I've always felt that's a huge advantage because, you know, the first thing you talk about in your run game meetings is how do you win the C gap? You know, you got. The C gap is where the front is connected to the second level of the defense. So that C gap blocking area is a very important area to target of how you're going to where they're expanded in a zone scheme, you know, you know, knock it down or, you know, cut the defense in a pattern scheme. And when you got a guy, you know, that can do it right there on the line of scrimmage, at 3:11 or 3, you know, whatever. Whatever he is. That, that, that's, that's a huge advantage in the run game. Also the pass protection because of the chipping and helping on these great pass rushers, which seems like everybody has three of them. And, and then obviously what he's doing in the past game, like J. AJ Said, no one wants a T tackle him. So. No, I think he's a huge weapon. And, and I think, I think Tone said they're using, you know, a lot more when rightfully so.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, hey, I like that. Listen, listen to your recall there real quick. I heard I was picking up some stats you guys are dropping that I didn't necessarily have. But I think you're saying he's playing more, nobody wants to tackle him. Yeah, I think that is all accurate. I agree with your assessment. If you were to get back into coaching, which sportsbooks are obviously putting you as a favorite at some different places. So congratulations, coach. If you want to get back into coaching, people are saying, hey, looks like this guy could do it, you know, which is, which is good news. And we would certainly echo that particular sentiment. Are you looking for a 300 plus pounder that can catch the ball and move a little bit, maybe for your next offense?

[Mike McCarthy]

No, absolutely, no. No doubt. I just think, you know, you look at the trends in the, in the league, it's something I've always paid attention to. You know, when I arrived in Dallas, you know, it was a, you know, an offense that was entrenched in more of 11 personnel as a starting point. I've always believed the game start, you know, with a two tight end, 12 and 21 and you know, migrate, you know, to the 13 personnel and at 11, obviously, you know, with the three wide receiver set, because I just think there's such value in being a multiple personnel offense because, you know, with that, with the injury challenges that you have and you know, as a coach, when you're, you know, you're playing your fourth, fifth, maybe sixth, you know, receiver over your second or third tight end, you know, where, you know, you know you're not utilizing your weapons as well as you can too. So. So, yeah, definitely. I think it's a big man's game. It always has been, always will be. And to have that type of player on the line of scrimmage, it gives you the ability to get in and out of one back, two back concepts very easily.

[Pat McAfee]

All right, I'll start eating. Go ahead, A.J.

[AJ Hawk]

Yeah, coach. Obviously next week's Thanksgiving. We know like this is when the Season truly starts. I think a lot of the great teams, this is when they really come alive and start playing their best ball. I guess as a coach, what do you do when it comes at this point in the season? We know with padded practices, you, you could have one a week and now I think you might not even at some point, you can't have any more padded practices. Really towards the end of the season, what do you do to keep your team ready? I guess to actually make them, help them ramp up to where these games actually matter. And this is, we can go try to win a Super Bowl.

[Mike McCarthy]

Yeah. I think every year as a head coach, you know, sets out that, you know, the schedule for the season, you know, you try to project as best you can throughout, you know, all, you know, all 18 weeks. And with that, you know, the thing I, the first thing I always looked at the schedule is because it's. People are always so caught up in who you play. It's really not who you play, it's when you play them. But I think the most important component of scheduling and regulating your football team is when you get in. How many seven day runs do you have as a football team? How many seven day sequences you have? Because that's where the continuity, the regularity, the efficiency, the connection really happens. I'm a big believer in the padded practices on Thursday. Not only just to get the players ready to play in the game that Sunday, but you're always developing the younger part of your football team. You know, some people don't believe in nine on seven drills and things like that. I think they're a must. Not only, you know, once again, not for the older guys, more as much so for the younger guys. So especially with the state of the league with the offensive line, you know, how do you continue to develop offensive line, you know, into the season? And you got to approach it coming out of the gate that way because, because, you know, ideally you like your younger players not to play till potentially, you know, November, December, because, you know, definitely my history, I believe that they're definitely ready. They're ready to play and contribute by then because they're able to get into that, you know, the regulation of a normal, normal season. So, and that's tough, you know, when you're a popular team. I mean, if you, you play for the packers, you play for the Cowboys, you got a lot of Sunday night, you got a lot of late night games and so forth. So the rest of recovery becomes a challenge. But that seven, those seven day windows important. And the reason why I'm making a big deal, but. Because now, I always felt, you know, when you get to Thanksgiving, that's when now you go into a different shift and, you know, AJ and our time together, the winter schedule. So, you know, you come into a winter schedule, and I used to try to take 60 minutes off the day on Wednesday and Thursdays, you know, especially living up here in Green Bay. I mean, you go to work, it's dark, and, you know, the players come out that, you know, get. Get to go home in a stark.

[AJ Hawk]

So how do you know?

[Mike McCarthy]

How do you. Those are all things you think about, you know, part of the recovery and so forth. You get into this winter schedule and. And then you got the. Was it 13 padded practices, so you got to filter them in on a short week and, you know, because they're. They're vital. I mean, it's. You know, you have to play the game in pads, and I think you need to definitely practice in pads once a week. So I just think the scheduling kind of shifts after this week, and this was a week that I, you know, always targeted because I always felt this is probably the last week that I. I could really, you know, keep my foot on the gas as far as trying to push the players, because you do really gotta look at the wear and tear of your. Of your football team, you know, throughout the season. But this is where, you know, where it comes down to, because you gotta make that push in November and make, you know, you want to be playing your best football in December. So I always thought this was a big week for teams as far as their overall development. You know, I think it tells you a lot about your team, where you are when you get to this point. And I'm not talking about the, you know, the guys that are lined up on Sunday. I'm Talking about all 68 players, you know, you know, all the way through your practice squad.

[Pat McAfee]

Have you thought about this at all?

[Mike McCarthy]

It's kind of. This is what I do, Pat.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, you just gave so much good shit there. There are so many different things, like, for me to want to dive into more to learn about one of them, though. You talk about needing to have pads. Thursday was your day. Got 13 them. We got to slide them in. Is that full pads or are you a shells? You a shells guy? What was your full pads?

[Mike McCarthy]

I think it's full pads. AJ Used to try to get away and put the sweatpants over there.

[AJ Hawk]

Put sweatpants. Yeah, coach. Yeah, coach. They come knock on your. They knock on your legs. If you're wearing sweatpants, it's, it's negative 30 out. And people, I just want my sweatpants. He won't know if I don't want my pants on.

[Pat McAfee]

Nope.

[AJ Hawk]

They get you right away.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh, you, you. We need to see the pants. You, you are a. The pants need to be on. Coach.

[Mike McCarthy]

It's the details, Pat. I just think, you know, I have those sweats on. I think you, you got to practice your team the right way. And I don't think it's too much to ask your football team to wear all the pads on a Thursday.

[Pat McAfee]

Go Hawk.

[AJ Hawk]

True. All right, coach. Hey, he did say one time, coach said, if I, if I lose somebody with a th bruise on a Thursday, I'm going to lose it. I said, coach, if I sit out a game with a thigh bridge, you can cut me on the spot. I'm just letting you know. But I did wear my pants.

[Pat McAfee]

It is crazy though, because the pants are just like Spanx these days. You know, they're like tights. Basically. You're just kind of putting different mentality, though.

[AJ Hawk]

There is like a different mentality or feel when you have your pants on. It's just different.

[Pat McAfee]

Everybody thinks it too. It's not like putting the shoulder pads on. All right, we're strap it up. Got it. Okay. Even me, like punter. Even like, let's do this. The whole thing. Obviously putting those pants on. It's. Everybody in there is like, yeah, just stomping. Let's put these things on, I guess.

[Boston Connor]

All right, sick.

[Pat McAfee]

Let's go have a full pad practice today. And the coaches are like, is it. Yeah, you're a football player.

[Boston Connor]

Football.

[Pat McAfee]

See, put on your football pants.

[Tone]

Uniform.

[Pat McAfee]

Chris angel wears football pants whenever he's dangling from an NFL stadium. You can wear football pants whenever that hell you're doing football practice. I love that. Coach, we need more of that. Tone has a question for you about this weekend.

[Tone]

Yeah, Coach. Kansas City Chiefs have won 10 plus games in 10 straight seasons, which is insane. Nine division titles in a row and now they are sitting five and five, which would be the nine seed right now for the playoffs. And they have a Colts team who is one of the best records in the NFL coming in off of a buy.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh, is this.

[Tone]

I, I hate saying this, I hate this term, but is this a multi must win for the Chiefs this weekend to not go from 5 to 6 potentially drop to the 10 seed in the AFC?

[Pat McAfee]

3Rd best odds to win a Super bowl still?

[Tone]

Yes, they still have the third best odds to win the Super. What are your thoughts on the Chiefs overall in this game this weekend against the Colts?

[Mike McCarthy]

I'm a big believer that sustained success in the league is clearly the hardest thing to accomplish. And you know, what the Chiefs, Andy Reid and that group has done as spectacular. So with that, I don't think you could ever count them out. I think with, you know, you look at the, you know, the length of a season, this is a time of year they're, they're very comfortable in. They, you know, their experience of playing in big games, must win type games, who has more experience than them? So. And that's where I just think, you know, going back to. We were talking about scheduling, you know, before is this is the time of year you just got to keep your head down. And the old adage of just keep chopping wood, you know, when people are talking about winning a Super bowl in week three, four, eight, nine, it's. It's. To me, it's just, you're wasting time and energy because, you know, that's a conversation for the preseason. Everybody has their, you know, their time that you talk about the goals for the year. And I would hope all 32 teams are talking about winning the super bowl, but this time of year. And I point to AJ Again, I used to just tell our guys, until we get to 10 wins, you know, let's just keep our head down and keep working on who's in front of us. And, you know, you only have so much time and energy each week to prepare for your opponent. And I think Andy, whatever, you know, his formula of work and the way they grind and so forth, speaks for itself. So I would not, I would not count those guys out.

[Ty Schmidt]

And.

[Mike McCarthy]

But yeah, it's, you know, it's getting late. I mean, they have five losses, as you stated. But, you know, I think they, they obviously done a great job with their record of sustained success. They know how to just keep. Keep their head down and keep grinding. And, you know, because really, when you get to 10 wins, that's the only time you start, you know, looking around. I understand they may be the 10th seed, but I mean, who's trying to win week 12? I mean, it's me, but it's about being right where you need to be in the end. And, you know, the best mindset is just keep, keep it about what's in front of you. So. And I think they've obviously done that as well as anybody who's done it in the history of our game.

[Pat McAfee]

I love that you said they got five losses. Of course, quick math, 17 minus five is what they still have 12 wins. And we all understand that they have Patrick Mahomes 12 more than 10, which he was indicating a couple different times there about how he treated the building. Gonna have to have 10 wins in most cases. I. Unless your division is completely ass and you win your division somehow with less than 10, going to have to have 10 wins to make the playoffs. Just in the NFL, it was like that. I think with 16 games still like that, with 17 games at the desired position. Is that accurate or no, 10 or 11.

[Mike McCarthy]

Probably fat. Right, right.

[Pat McAfee]

10 or 11, depending on the year. I think depending on how like the. The top of the thing's doing.

[Boston Connor]

Yeah, I think four teams in the history of football have missed the playoffs with less 11 wins. I only know that because Matt Castle in New England. But yeah, typically it's 11 or 10, 11 game.

[Pat McAfee]

You know, just to have a chance though, you got to get to 10. So all these teams. We were just talking to Kirk Herbstrate about Joey Burrow's mindset. He's like, all right, we can still get to 10 wins here.

[Boston Connor]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

So like there's a chance we still sneak in. In an AFC that could have a lot of questions.

[Tone]

Last year there was one 10 win team that did not make the playoffs. That was the Seattle Seahawks at 10 and 7 last year.

[Ty Schmidt]

Boom.

[Pat McAfee]

Was there any 10 wins that made it?

[Tone]

Yeah, there was a lot. There was a lot of 10 wins that made it.

[Pat McAfee]

Or.

[Tone]

Sorry, in the. Yeah, the Bucks want it 10 and 7. They won the division. The Rams wanted 10 and 7. They won their division.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. So you're trying to get the double digit wins, which is what it sound like for you and A.J. obviously you've been in there. Coach McCarthy's building. Hey, Coach, whenever he put his head down, did you guys put like one of those flags on? Whenever it's like the, you know, like the oversized load or whatever the hell it is, whenever AJ puts that whole thing down, you know, guardian cap. Did he? On top of the. Yeah, the helmet on top of the guardian cap. Whenever he put his head down and go to work, that thing's got to be. That's two, three foot radius right there, Isn't that right?

[AJ Hawk]

What are we talking about?

[Pat McAfee]

Did you.

[Mike McCarthy]

Do we have guarded caps? Aj?

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, AJ started it.

[Ty Schmidt]

Actually.

[Pat McAfee]

Coach, did you know that?

[Boston Connor]

Tried to make it the hot cap.

[Pat McAfee]

You didn't know that?

[Mike McCarthy]

What's that?

[AJ Hawk]

Coach, you know, you know better than to believe what these guys are saying, Coach. No, I was, I was out of the league before the Guardian cap became a thing.

[Pat McAfee]

No, that's. You're a trailblazer in the pillow on top of the.

[Boston Connor]

By Atlanta cut him.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, you're right.

[AJ Hawk]

I was pushing for him.

[Pat McAfee]

How do you feel about the Guardian Cap coach? That's a good question. Now, you're still potentially going to get back into coaching, so obviously you have to say what you have to say here because of how the league is and where it's headed. But the Guardian cap thing, AJ Hawk and many others that maybe tackled people for a living still find it pretty tough for that. That is a thing, I think. Right, A.J. i don't want to speak out of pocket for you.

[AJ Hawk]

I don't.

[Jack Jones]

I mean, I've.

[Mike McCarthy]

I've.

[Pat McAfee]

I'm.

[AJ Hawk]

I'm not torn on it. I understand if it helps. And I have no issue with people wearing. I think it's kind of weird seeing guys in games wearing them. Yes. Practice. I don't think there's any issue, but.

[Pat McAfee]

He'S talking strictly optically, if scientific, which they say.

[AJ Hawk]

This feels like it'd be too heavy on my head. I don't think I have a strong enough neck to support that stuff.

[Pat McAfee]

It was a big change in football. People are talking about the kickoff being a big change. Having these massive things over top of the helmets, I think was also a pretty big change there for a bit, for a lot of people to kind of take in. But I do think it's. It helps from the stats that we're hearing from the Guardian Cap people. How have you managed that entire conversation with your team as it was taking place?

[Mike McCarthy]

Well, I mean, the sports science, I mean, to me, when it. When it comes in under that. Under that realm, I mean, you have to give the players, you know, the options to do those things. Yeah, I mean, I don't think anybody was, you know, was, wow, these look great, man. I can't wait to put these on. I don't think anybody said that when they came out, but I think the reasoning behind it in the science and the numbers, it supports it. So, yeah, I've never had a problem with it, but, you know, I think the way they integrated it was. Was smart. You know, they started with the lineman and they worked their way through. And I just think, like anything I know my time in the league, what does it. What does. What does the data tell you? You know, and you have to do those things in the real work environment. So as time has gone on, now that they have the data that supports, you know, supports, you know, this just Any piece of equipment, whether it's, you know, when they change the shoes or even the helmets. I think, you know, some of the greatest changes they made was, you know, when they. When they start out lying, outlawing, you know, helmets that just weren't, you know, to the performance level.

[Pat McAfee]

What do you mean? You mean the ones that, like, guys were wearing for 15 years that got F report card, like, grades, like, hey, these things are not good. And then guys are like, I'm not changing it, though. If you change it, I'm gonna go out there without a helmet, or I'm a retirement. And for a while, they were just youth. They were just legit, though. You're 100% right. There was a while where people were just going out there knowing the helmet was basically a baseball hat. Like, basically knowing that and just going out there. And finally the league was like, enough. We can't be doing this anymore. We got to get better helmets. That was all during your coaching tenure. I completely forgot about that, because there are some players that were very pissed about it. There were some players that are very pissed about it at the time, not now, obviously.

[Mike McCarthy]

No, definitely. I mean, but I think just like anything, you know, if you can start these things, you know, in youth football through, you know, through high school, through, you know, through college, I mean, then now, you know, now those. Those situations are resolved. But, yeah, I just think equipment, you know, as a whole is just. Is so much better. And I just. I just remember when, you know, our two sons played football, and that's when they started upgrading the helmets and so forth, and I was very comfortable letting our kids, you know, play football because, you know, there's. Football was under attack, you know, you know, big time here for. For. For a good decade. And so, you know, the numbers were going down and used sports, I mean, those. Those things were real and understandable, you know, the.

[AJ Hawk]

Why.

[Mike McCarthy]

So the fact that the. The league has got behind it and the research and development that's gone into the helmets and any other parts of shoes, I mean, when they start regulating having guys wear the proper shoes, I thought was a big deal. You look at all the lower extremity injuries, you can tie a lot of those in the old days to not having proper shop footwear and being in tune of what surface you play on. I mean, those are all very important factors that go into this. I think the league has done. Has done an excellent job of moving that forward and making the game safer and educating the players. But at the end of it, you got to get it down into the U sports and you know it works through. So But I think like a guy like A.J. that didn't have it coming through and A.J. you know, I mean look at his head. He didn't hit any of it.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, exactly. He did not.

[Mike McCarthy]

But, but knocked the hell out of anybody.

[Pat McAfee]

I think this is when you were coach.

[Mike McCarthy]

I think the fact that starts. Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh, there it is.

[Mike McCarthy]

I, I, I, I think, oh, wow.

[AJ Hawk]

Coach, we all know this.

[Pat McAfee]

Kick me out of the game back.

[AJ Hawk]

Then for wearing told you don't even realize the helmet.

[Boston Connor]

Yes, it is coach.

[AJ Hawk]

It might be, I might, I don't know, maybe I got that thing I.

[Tone]

Forgot when they weren't the same color as the helmet.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, that was, that was, that was trailblazer. That's the prototype. So thank you guys for your service to football because to your point, there was a lot of things coming out that it felt like maybe our game was going to end up being kind of taken away from a lot of different people and then the evolution and fighting back kind of by ball to remain is great. And now we're more popular. Football is more popular than ever. And that's a good thing for society, not a bad thing for society. And I'm happy we're doing it the right way. Ty has a question for you about. You talked about those, the amount of practices you have in a full week cycle with the team before the holidays. Go ahead, Ty.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah, Coach. There's been a lot of chatter about JJ McCarthy and you know him, his alter ego, Nine and people basically saying like, well, Nine sucks. We need JJ McCarthy. And there's also been people saying, hey, you don't really want your quarterback to have an alter ego. You kind of want that guy to maybe be the same person at all times. But, but in terms of development and all that kind of stuff because we do have a lot of young QBs in the league right now who are making starts under immense pressure. And it's kind of one of those things where you want to develop them but at the same time, like they need to win these games. You know, you got Caleb, J.J. mcCarthy, they're not out of it yet. Drake May with the Patriots. Bo Nicks. Like, a lot of these guys are still young quarterbacks, but as a coach, how do you go in knowing like, hey, I still need to develop this guy and at the same time understanding that come Sunday he's going to have a start under an immense amount of pressure in a game that we're going to have to win?

[Mike McCarthy]

Yeah, you know the, you know, first part there, Ty, I, I don't really follow the Vikings is, you know, my fellow Packer mate there. You can understand that.

[Ty Schmidt]

No, yeah, for sure. I like on him though when he doesn't play good.

[Mike McCarthy]

What's.

[Ty Schmidt]

I'm sorry I said I like on him when he doesn't play good though.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, it's rude.

[AJ Hawk]

Okay.

[Mike McCarthy]

Yeah. So I don't know about the alter ego nine question but, but the young quarterback, definitely, I think, you know, you make a lot of excellent points. You know where these guys are and I think really playing with a young quarterback, you know that that process starts the day that, that they arrive, you know, on campus, you know, at your organization. And I think just the biggest thing, you know, to play quarterback in this league, you obviously everything is, you know, about, you know, ultimately running a game plan and going winning and stacking success each and every week with that. So when I, when I look, look at developing a quarterback and it's really frankly how I look at how to train a football team. You have to reverse engineering and what I mean by reverse engineer. If you look at the games in the National Football League and I'm sure the guys can give us stats on this as we're talking about it, but you know, 17 game season, you know, nine, you know, on an average nine of your games is going to come down to a two minute. And if you look at the playoff football games, over 90% of those games are going to come down to the last series. So that's the reality of winning a championship in the National Football League. So how do you train the most important position on the field with the quarterback? They have to be able to throw the ball from the pocket. And you know, I could hear, you know, Paul Hackett, my old mentor, he'd always, you know, tell us as young coaches, you know, that we're working with the quarterbacks. You can't be spending so much time on a run game and a protection because these guys get paid to throw the football at the end of the day. They got to be able to pick the ball up and go win the game at the end of the game. So the hardest thing for a young quarterback in my opinion is the drop back game. So, you know, you start with the run game and the run game today is a lot harder than it was in the 90s. I mean these defenses today are, you know, they're giving you so much scheme in first and second down, you know, almost the way it was in third down in the old days. So you run the Football, it creates more work as far as, you know, more check with me's automatics and things of getting plays and what that falls on the responsibility of quarterback. Then you have protection adjustments, you know, are you a hot team or you protection adjustment team? You know, I've always believed you had to be both. So there's, there's more work too in the development of quarterback and then the action game in the quarterback movement stuff. It's, it's really a one, two run type decision, you know, so they have to be able to do that. And every quarterback that plays in this league can do those things in his, you know, I think in his sleep. I think that just comes into training. But the drop back part of it, I always felt that, you know, when a guy was playing in his first year and Aaron's really the first one, last one I've had as a starter. And if you go back and look at these young guys, we'd always ask them and say, you know, what are your top seven pass concepts? And then really, you know, buy into those, you know. And you know, two of them were usually a three step or some form of a four vertical. You had to give them a runaway, but you kept their decision making really clean. You know, either they're pure progressions where you just 1, 2, 3 before where the ball goes, or a pure progression to the field with an opportunity to throw the ball to a one on one match. So making it real clean because you wanted those quarterbacks at a young age to be able to play in seven concepts that they could just close their eyes and play. And what I found is throughout their whole career of working with them, those concepts are the ones you'd always lean towards in a big, big opportunity in the game or if they're struggling and things like that. Because you know the drop back game, you know, the timing, the footwork and all, you know, all the work that goes into that, that's the hardest thing for young quarterbacks to have success. And then there you go.

[Pat McAfee]

How's this drop back? Coach, I'm gonna do Steve Young remember this shit? Remember when he used to do that one right there? Remember Steve Young used to do that drop back? What is the best drop back? Three step, five step, seven step. And what are we looking? Are we flipping the hips and running backwards like this while staying square? What does a good drop back look like? Coach, it's on you. You're the coach. What's good drop back look like?

[Ty Schmidt]

What's good drop back look like? It's on you, coach. Call it.

[Boston Connor]

Oh, okay.

[Mike McCarthy]

You want. Good. You mean, do I want a three, a five, or seven?

[Boston Connor]

Yeah.

[AJ Hawk]

How's he start?

[Jack Jones]

If you're.

[Mike McCarthy]

If you're training a court. If you're training a quarterback, you always started with the five step. And you talked about how you get away from center. You punch, reach. All right, so punch with your left foot, reach with your right. You lefty already.

[Pat McAfee]

Righty. I was doing ste.

[Mike McCarthy]

Yeah, yeah. Punt. Yeah. Punch and then reach with your right foot right across the midline a little more. Open that hip up. Can you turn the foot a little bit?

[Pat McAfee]

It.

[Mike McCarthy]

Keep your chin on your shoulder looking downfield. No, I mean, you gotta look. Oh, could get your helmet straight.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, I don't know if my helmet's gonna be okay.

[Boston Connor]

He doesn't know if his helmet's gonna.

[Pat McAfee]

Be able to get there.

[Mike McCarthy]

Coach, we just. We just threw you out of the quarterback room.

[Pat McAfee]

No.

[Dan Orlovsky]

There you go.

[Mike McCarthy]

Bunch, reach, crossover. Here you go. Heel toe.

[Ty Schmidt]

Now fire that some big on that four step.

[Mike McCarthy]

There you go.

[Ty Schmidt]

Let's go.

[Pat McAfee]

Ball that where you go.

[Mike McCarthy]

Now we got something to work with.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, yeah, we can spin a little bit. The drop back, though, is so fascinating because everybody does it differently, but it's all expected to be same. And then you hear the talk about, like, one hitch. No hitch. Hey, that ball needs to be out right now. Hey, this is a three. Like, we listened to AQ Shipley talk about it yesterday. He's like, hey, this is a five step. This is a five step, an outplay. You need to get that the hell out of there. But if you can't do a drop back, there's no timing on anything, is what you were kind of referring to in a lot of these college. I'm not saying J.J. wasn't able to. He was under center given the entire thing. But working on all this stuff is very pivotal to the timing of offenses and everything. Is that also accurate to say?

[Mike McCarthy]

Oh, definitely. That's where all the work's at. And that's where I. I go back to him. How much time you spend on the run game, how much time you spend on protection. You. You got to invest a lot of time into the footwork of the quarterback, you know, and. And, you know, the thing about the old days in the offseason program, you know, we had a thing called quarterback school. Quarterback school started, like, March 15, and you get four weeks just working, clearly, with the quarterbacks before the off season started in the middle of April. So that was the only time, really, the quarterback that you could really hone in, you know, four, four days a week and hone in on all the little things that they got to do. Plus you can do the introduction to all the installs and the new wrinkles that you were wanting to put in with the, with the offense. And so then when the rest of the team came in the middle of April, those guys already been through the installs once, but you had a whole month, month of working the feet. And so then you're able to go through a normal office, what I would call a normal off season program through April, May and you know, in the first week or two into June. So with that and it just be a product of how you visualize how you want to train the position. So how do you do that now in this season? You got to find the moments. And I think that really most quarterbacks that I've worked with in a modern ERA these last 10 years and 15 years since 2011, they do, they do a hell of a job with the, you know, with their personal quarterback coaches, you know, and you have to have a relationship with those guys because you know, you want to be on the same page. You want to, you know, when you're talking about a five step drop, you know, this is how we do it in Green Bay or this is how we do it in Dallas and you know, and make sure the training is all the same. I think Dak Prescott has a great support group around him as far as how he trains with his personal PT and his as a quarterback coach. But it's all lined, you know, it's all aligned because, because there's so much that goes into that position and if you're not putting the time and the footwork and winning in the drop back game, that's the most important time of the game. When the game is on the line, the quarterback has to drop back in the pocket, throw the ball to win and he's got to be able to come out of the pocket and make scramble throws and win. If he's got to throw it away most situations that's a positive play. So I mean the training for all that, it's just, it's a big time commitment and how you find time to do that today, Today's game is just a little bit more of a challenge than it was in the old days.

[Pat McAfee]

Fundamentals, baby. Win ball games. That's what it's. I'm already into punch and reach world. I don't know. While you were talking there giving your answer, I just want to let you know, quarterback School. Four weeks of me working on this. Yeah, right, bro. I'm coming out of that thing. Look like Peyton, man at quarterback. Here we go. That was kind of your guys's thing, right? You and Dak. Here we go. That was one of the greatest cadences of all time. Did you come up with that? How'd that. That become the.

[Mike McCarthy]

That was a. That was a group effort. We were having. We were having some things we wanted to overcome and the communication in the room was, you know, the lineman felt that, you know, they needed a little bigger indicator, you know, so. And that's what we came up with.

[Pat McAfee]

So how big do you need? Do you need three words to let you guys. Here we go. Hey, it's coming. About to snap it. That's awesome. It's. Coach, you're the man. We appreciate you so much for joining us every single week. Sorry you lost connection there in the middle of it all. Feels like you like the.

[Mike McCarthy]

Shoot. I'm going to go against the grain. I'm going to take the points.

[Pat McAfee]

Houston Texans plus six.

[Ty Schmidt]

Boom.

[Pat McAfee]

Coach McCarthy, if he was picking games, he'd be seven and three. The guy sees it. Crazy.

[Mike McCarthy]

I'm kind of on that crowd noise in Houston. I think as going to be. I think it's going to be lit up. And if Houston takes care of the football, I do think they'll get some takeaways because they got to keep the point total down for. On Buffalo. I mean, if they. If Buffalo gets that thing north of 25, I think, you know, that's going to be hard for Houston.

[AJ Hawk]

So.

[Mike McCarthy]

Yeah, they're pointing football action. Pass run, Adam. So, yeah, I think. I think it's going to be hell of a game.

[Pat McAfee]

That's the Buffalo Bills ever under right there is 25, actually what you just said. So the books are seeing it the same exact way. You are far. And I appreciate everything you've done for our show today. You were awesome. We'll see you again next week. Ladies and gentlemen, Yinzer legend coach Mike McCarthy. Like a sapphire.

[AJ Hawk]

Get that chin right in your shoulder looks so natural.

[Pat McAfee]

Thank you. It's going to be uncomfortable for me, I think with a helmet on, too. I don't. And shoulder pads. That's going to be.

[Boston Connor]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

They asked Drew Brees.

[Boston Connor]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Because that's what they were telling him to do. Right.

[Boston Connor]

Look out the bottom.

[Pat McAfee]

That's like Aaron. What didn't Aaron used to.

[Ty Schmidt]

When he first came in. Yeah, yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

That's such a big deal if you think about it like, hey, we need your Drop to be the same as Justin Jefferson's route. So let's go ahead and make that happen. All right. We'll make our picks on the other side. We'll see you again tomorrow. Goodbye. From Oregon tomorrow. Oh, just remember that it's Thursday.

[Boston Connor]

Yeah.

[Ty Schmidt]

Thursday.

[AJ Hawk]

That's Thursday.

[Mike McCarthy]

Right.

[Pat McAfee]

Wow. One thing leads to.

[Tone]

And I kind of forgot what. Until Kirk was talking about old Pac 12 rivalry. Oh, yeah.

[Ty Schmidt]

Big one. Big one.

[Pat McAfee]

USC, Oregon. I just. I. That's a. We're putting a lot on these students. Hey.

[Boston Connor]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

And it's like, it's a big school. Yeah. But they show up. Their. Their crowds are awesome. Like always awesome. Like historically great crowds. Oregon. And it's like we put them back like three weeks, back to back, basically. It's like.

[Boston Connor]

I mean, till iu though. Like that. That was the conversation.

[AJ Hawk]

Their.

[Boston Connor]

Their fan base is rampant. They love this. They have one of the best home field advantages in all college football.

[Pat McAfee]

I think they're doing. I think they're doing a animal house toga.

[Ty Schmidt]

Okay. Celebration. Big rival, too. Classic rival. I mean, going back to PAC 10 even. And then also based on the. The rankings, like, Oregon can't afford to lose another game. Like every week is kind of their super bowl from here on out. So I. I think they'll be juiced up.

[Pat McAfee]

They're still very much in it.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Boston Connor]

And UFC is awesome, too. To. To point, like, it's going to be a great game because Oregon needs to win and USC still has the belief. Yeah. We got everything in front of us. And they got NFL dudes.

[Pat McAfee]

That graphic was at ten and a half line. Also at nine and a half. Here's some Hembo stats. Lincoln Riley, again against the spread with more than a field goal underdog. At USC, he's 7 and 2. At Oklahoma, he's 2. 1, 1. You do those numbers together. 9, 3, and 1. That's 75%. Is that good or not?

[Tone]

Yeah.

[Boston Connor]

And if we were to combine stats here, because Hembo does this. Remember from a few weeks ago when they traveled to Notre Dame where the whole entire thing was. Yeah. When they travel over a thousand miles, that his against the spread's terrible. This is not over a thousand miles. So if you were to kind of do that with that stat, I wonder how many of those against the spread odds that he lost were over a thousand miles of travel.

[Pat McAfee]

Interesting.

[Tone]

Another day this year, I believe. They didn't cover.

[Boston Connor]

No. Yeah. They did not cover because I rode with that stats. Hey, let's go, usc.

[Pat McAfee]

What? Whose stats?

[Boston Connor]

Or I'm Thinking of the opposite, I faded the stats of the over a thousand.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. I thought it was a real stat. You thought it was a fake stat like this? I used it on game day. That's how much I like that stat. I'm like, hey, this is a problem they have yet to figure out. I don't know if it's the way they're feeding them. I don't know if it's the way they're traveling. I don't know what it is, but these dudes are not good. Whenever they got to travel a long way, I think that's a trend. They broke it.

[Boston Connor]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Congrats to them.

[Boston Connor]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Huge win, Illinois.

[Boston Connor]

Ooh, no, they lost on the last second field goal, but I think they covered.

[Pat McAfee]

Ooh. I think they, they, they. Huh?

[Ty Schmidt]

They traveled.

[Tone]

No, they lost the owner.

[Ty Schmidt]

They traveled somewhere really far away, though, and won this year.

[Tone]

They Northwestern or. No, that was at home at Nebraska.

[Ty Schmidt]

There it is.

[Pat McAfee]

Nebraska. Nebraska. Nebraska. Nebraska. Nebraska.

[Boston Connor]

Oh, yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Coach ruled. Can't wait to catch up with him again next week. Cannot wait for that. We also had a chance to talk to an absolute legend and a man who has an opportunity to be an absolute goat. And what he's doing down in Miami is obviously spectacular. Especially because how I think are. I'm sorry. Spectacular. Especially with. Is that right?

[AJ Hawk]

I believe you nailed it.

[Pat McAfee]

Yes. He's the best. Cary is the best.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yes.

[Pat McAfee]

Like, how could you not watch.

[AJ Hawk]

Figure out the mechanics of this TV thing?

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, I'm getting to it. You know, I'm learning. And then him dropping out just started spinning, huh? All the Internet till 2. Think about him going, oh, no. The hell's going on? I got to do this one. And now I gotta do it two times. This is the worst part of my days, figuring out how to connect this shit. Worst part of my week is trying to connect this call. Now I gotta do it twice in one show. He's the best. But it was spectacular to catch up with a man who has a chant for him down in the Dolphins locker room currently. How's that chant go, gumpy?

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Jack Jones.

[Pat McAfee]

Jack Jones. Jack Jones. We caught up with Jack Jones, a stud from Arizona State. A man who has the capability to take over any game whenever the last two weeks. Dolphins. This man has become a pillar for a success story that seemingly was impossible for this Dolphins family in this current season. Ladies and gentlemen, Jack Jones.

[Boston Connor]

Yay.

[Pat McAfee]

I appreciate it. How are you, Jack?

[Jack Jones]

I'm good. How you doing?

[Pat McAfee]

Good, man. Okay, so let's talk about obviously game winning interception this Past week. Hey, let's go. Yeah, let's go. Especially hola. You're saying hola to Spain, obviously. What was the mindset with the international game and where you guys are at right now as you took on the commanders?

[Jack Jones]

The international game was actually. It was kind of tough to start off the week because Spain is six hours ahead, and it's like nine hours ahead from Cali, where I'm from. So it was kind of. It was kind of tough. But once I got used to it, then, you know, you love the city. You know, Spain took care of us, showed us, you know, great hospitality, and. And the fans was lit in the stadium. So, I mean, I don't know. The atmosphere was crazy.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay, Jack. Every international game, seemingly crazy. I think one of my favorite stories from any international game this season comes from you, allegedly. You know, before, you know, the interception against Marcus Mariota, you told the team, boys, stop the run. Okay? You just stop the run. This guy's gonna throw me a ball. That is just how this is gonna work. Did you know that? Was that a sense from film study from the game, or why in that moment. And are you a chirpy guy? Are you one of the leaders of this team now, especially with where the Dolphins are trying to head to.

[Jack Jones]

Yeah, I would like to say I'm one of the leaders on the team, you know, being one of the older guys who've been in the league and been around a little bit. So y' all would like to say that, but I think it was more so the game. As the Florida game was going, I felt like I had an opportunity at two other picks. I should have left the game with about three picks, but, you know, he threw one of them over my head. And that was the coverage against D. Boy, they called a bad PI call, and then the. There was one on the sideline where they called it uncatchable. And they tried to call that one PI too, but Mike McDaniels went crazy on the sideline and made the rest of the wave off the flag. But if I would have turned my head around and found the ball, I could have left the game with three picks. So I just was feeling. I'm like, man, then he gonna throw me one, man. And I. And I felt like OT I was like, they're gonna try to run the ball, so I gotta talk to the tackling leader in the NFL. Let him go stop that run. And that boy gonna throw me the rock, and we gonna light it up in the plane.

[Pat McAfee]

And it ended up working out exactly how you thought it would, which is spectacular. And I think, you know, we're gonna highlight this. This today in a good D segment. So. D. But we'll have a question for you about this play, I believe, here in a matter of moments. But let's talk about what you just said there about Mike McDaniel going crazy on the sideline for them to pick up a flag. Obviously, I didn't play for a team that he coached. I've never really been around him outside looking in. Seems like a unique fella. Okay. Seems like a very unique man. They fire Greer, obviously. General Mandrew, been there for a long time, which basically kind of says, like, hey, Mc Daniel, this is kind of your team right now, kind of what you want to do. How has the building been rallying around him? And what is he like as a coach, as a player for him? Because I don't think any of us truly can talk about that much.

[Jack Jones]

I think. I think he's actually a. A great person, and he actually care for his players. He's not one of those, like, where he's not understanding. He's understanding with all the players, and he give players, you know, opportunities, and I think that's one of the reasons that I'm here. You know, he. He give players opportunities, and. And I think Mike is a good coach. And I'm actually glad that they kept Mike, you know, and I appreciate Greer for giving me the opportunity, but I'm glad they kept Mike.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, it feels like players love him. We enjoy whenever he talks because it's entertaining, you know, I mean, he's an entertaining fellow. He sounds like nobody else that is a coach in the NFL. And on that note, you know, Miami's like nowhere else in the NFL, I think, as well. Obviously, you were in Las Vegas for a little bit. Sin City has its own thing. New York City, obviously massive. Los Angeles, massive. You know, Foxborough and Boston, obviously vastly different than all those other places, but still big city. Miami feels like a lot of distractions for me now if I would have been drafted to Miami. And I only know this because the conversations I had with Vonte. Rest in peace to Vonte. Fucking love that dude. But Vontae was drafted to Miami Dolphins. Me and Vonte, pretty similar type humans with how we wanted to live our lives. So when he gets the Indian output and I start talking to them and hearing stories, I'm like, if I would have got drafted to Miami Dolphins, I'd be fucking dead right now. I don't even know. I don't even know what it would be. Feels like there's a lot of distractions down there. So I've always kind of had the thought like, are the Dolphins even capable of fielding? 53 are professional athlete age guys to stay focused and try to win down there with all the distractions? Miami has, what has it been like being a Dolphin? And do you see, think that you guys are able to be a team that can go on a real run with everything that happens outside down there?

[Jack Jones]

It is, it is a lot that goes on around, around Miami, but I honestly think that, you know, you, you just got to lock in. I, I can't sit here and say that the distractions don't mess up the players because you know, you, you got players coming from college, they, they just got paid and you know, they living in Miami, probably never been in Miami before. So I can't say that. But you could just got to find a group of guys who, who care about football more than partying, you know what I'm saying? So if you, if you got guys that care about football more than partying, then you're not going to ever let the party and mess up your football, you know what I'm saying? But I think, I think we got a team this year. You know, even though we are a new team, you know, rookies and guys just got signed in the offseason during training camp, I think we're, we're a pretty good team. And the way we're starting to gel together late in the season is showing everybody, you know, what type of team we can be if we just keep it going and keep stacking bricks.

[Pat McAfee]

Well, congratulations on finding a group of guys that are able to do that because 20, I was drafted when I was 21. If 21 year old me was dropped into Miami, all I knew was Wayne saying live on Sunday, king of diamonds Monday. It's like, I'm going to Miami. I gotta like at least go check these places out. And then from what I've heard, once you check these places out, wow, these do live up to the hospitality. So yeah, a lot of hospitality, a lot of, a lot of opportunity down there from what I've been told. So it's like I think finding a team or fielding a team down there, especially with the type of humans that are in football versus maybe other sports now, the Heat obviously able to do it. So it is certainly something. But I think that is an added distraction that doesn't get talked about enough. Now let's talk about you guys going to Spain and Getting a big time win. Go ahead, D. Bud.

[Jack Jones]

Yeah, we talked about that interception. You've had some of my favorite interception that I've seen in NFL, period. Just great instincts on the field. You talked about being one of the older guys in the locker room. Now, how is your like, game prep changed? You know, watching film, getting ready for the game, and kind of getting in the moment and letting your instincts take over. One of the plays, I think it was maybe last year, the year before that. Pick six. Again, like, plays like you don't see like this, you know, rarely do you see a play like this. So how. How has your game prep kind of evolved throughout the evolution of your career?

[Dan Orlovsky]

Now, can.

[Jack Jones]

Can we break down this play? Because I kind of feel like this play blew up, but it didn't really blow up how it's supposed to, like, really think about this play. This is a screen play behind the backfield. I am a cornerback going behind the backfield, catching it, one hand, taking it to the end zone. That's ridiculous.

[Pat McAfee]

I agree. Hey, gas your. I like that. Hey, listen, we're on the Raiders. Not a lot of people talking, a lot of good things. But let's talk about. I had to commit. I didn't know this was happening. And if I missed this. This shit's out the gate the other way.

[Jack Jones]

Yeah, it's out the gate.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay. You just want to make sure we all understand what took place there. Okay? Got it, got it, got it. But on that note, you're an incredible ball hawk. I mean, in your. It feels like your feel, right?

[Jack Jones]

Yeah. Because you can't just go out there and just like, you gotta anticipate that was it. Four by one. Or maybe you saw the back down the distance. So like I said, like going into these games, like, what's. What's kind of your. How do you get ready for Sundays or Thursdays, Mondays whenever you're playing? I think it's film study, man. Definitely film study. And the coaches. One thing that I changed, you know, that I didn't really do when I was coming up, you know, like college, maybe like a little bit of my first year when I was with the Patriots is I never. I didn't really listen to the coaches like I listened to the coaches, but I was listening to the coaches as far as like, what plays we had to run. So when they was talking about the other team, it was just like it go blank for me because it was a point in time in college where I honestly stopped watching film. Like I was a film junkie. We Used to have, like film days. Me and my boy, we'll go just watch film together after practice. And. And I remember it was one week in college, man, they told me, he was like, man, we gonna have you guard this receiver, you know what I'm saying? You following them wherever he go around the field. So I'm like, for sure. You know, that made me watch film crazy. Like, I watched film the most I ever watched that week. So then when I was watching film, I noticed that every time the quarterback does a rollout to the right, the ex receiver, he does a comeback. So it just so happened. That play comes up in a game and I jumped it. And I jumped it. So crazy. I guess he changed his route and he ran a streak. And then. So I kind of just blamed film on that. I was like. I was like, I'm way too instinctual just to go out there guessing plays. You know what I'm saying? I kind of feel like film at one point, this was. At one point, film helped me. Film was hurting me by. I would look at a play and I'd try to guess that play, but it's like it's three different plays out of that formation. So I can't just guess that play. I have to anticipate that play. And I think that's what the coaches taught me, you know, how to. How to watch film and how to anticipate versus guessing. And then I also think that the coaches, like, they're. They're more correct than I am, you know what I'm saying? They sit there and watch the film for millions of hours versus me, you know what I'm saying? Versus my 5,000 hours or whatever it may be, you know what I'm saying? So I listen to the coaches and then go out there and let my instant instincts play.

[Pat McAfee]

I love the fact this is like when fat people have like a salad for the first time and they shit their pants, you know, because the salad.

[Boston Connor]

See, this isn't good for me.

[Pat McAfee]

I don't eat salad. That's why I don't do it. I shit my pants. You watching film. They got me one on one with a guy. I'm gonna know everything about this guy. Cause I'm gonna beat this dude's ass. And then it happens like, oh, I fucking know what we're doing right here. And then, touchdown. Never watching film again. I don't even know why I'm happy. You got back on board with a big difference.

[Jack Jones]

It is a big difference between guessing plays, especially as a db guessing plays and anticipating Plays and like, kind of like, yeah, absolutely. You see a split, you see a release, and it's like, okay, lining up. It's three. It was three options. And then kind of as you get into that down, it's like, okay, now I know. And then you put that foot in the ground because the quarterbacks, it's too good. You can't just be out there reacting to, trying to guard the whole route tree. So learning that different. Sometimes it's a coach, sometimes it's players like, oh, geez. Who teach you. Okay. This system, this coaching tree, this, this, this, that. So I love to hear that from you and probably a lot of other players in the league as well. Hell, yeah. That's a fact.

[Pat McAfee]

How long have you had the grill? The grill is awesome. It's got to be one of the best in the league. You froze up here. But how long. How long have you had that grill? That's got a. Justin Jefferson has a great one.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah, this is good.

[Pat McAfee]

Justin Jefferson has a great one.

[Jack Jones]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

I gotta.

[Jack Jones]

I got a funny story about the girl, but I had the girl about a year now. It's been about a year I had it. I really don't wear the grill like that. So I. I decided to wear the Bills week. I was like, man, I'm gonna just wear the grill. Like, why not, you know, swag it, get out. So I wore the grill, and I had a pretty good game. So everybody coming to the locker room, everybody on the team like, yo, Jack, when we go to Spain, don't pack no clothes, Just bring the grill.

[Pat McAfee]

It seems to be work. I love that you are very much like, hey, it's working right now. Let's just keep it going. Yeah, grill works.

[Jack Jones]

Yeah, let's keep it going.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, absolutely. And it looks so nice. South Florida, Miami db making the place that you're making, I think grill is a necessity at that point. Let's continue to chat about you, the human. Go ahead, con man.

[Boston Connor]

Yeah, Jack, as a Patriots fan, you know, it's been awesome. Following your career, you still got a lot of love in New England. I know a lot of Patriots fans who are big fans of yours. And that kind of all started your rookie year, and you didn't have, really a welcome to the NFL moment, but you had a pick six on one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of football, Aaron Rodgers in Lambeau. And that was something. I think everybody was like, okay, this is an absolute dude. When stuff like that happened, your rookie year, did you kind of realize, okay, I can dominate at this level, was that something. You know that when you make a play like that on a Hall of Fame quarterback like Aaron Rodgers, it just gave you kind of a bunch more confidence than you already had.

[Jack Jones]

You got to be delusional with this, man. You got to be sick in the head, like, absolutely gone. Like, you have to. I never lose. Like I was in high school thinking I could go up to the highest level and win. Like, like, so it wasn't. It wasn't like, I got to the NFL and I found that confidence. I've been confident. I've been. I've been one of them. Like, you know what I'm saying? This. It's just about me going out there, showing that that that's all it is.

[Pat McAfee]

What sports? What other sports?

[Jack Jones]

I ain't playing no other sport. I tried basketball, but I. I ain't no basketball player, man. I like to hit people.

[Pat McAfee]

You're the greatest, Jack. All right, last question here comes from Ty.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah, Jack, you know, a couple weeks ago at the trade day deadline, and I don't think definitely not the case in you guys's building, but the media, you know, we're talking about, hey, the Dolphins are going to be sellers. We see Jalen Phillips get traded and a bunch of other guys names kind of get floated out there and kind of the, the narrative is, okay, the Dolphins are packing it in. They're starting to look ahead towards next year. But then after that big win on Sunday in the last couple weeks, you know, and then what you guys have ahead of you, does it feel like, hey, okay, we weathered the storm, we're all the way back right now, and we still have. Have everything we want to achieve in front of us?

[Jack Jones]

Absolutely. I mean, we know that it's going to take a couple moving pieces to get to where we want to go. And also us, you know, playing dominant football, you know, so we understand that. We just got to keep going, man, play it week by week. You know, we. We got the Saints coming up next week, so go out there, attack that, come out victorious that week, and then move on from it. But we got to win games and peace has got to be moved around and for us to make the playoffs. And we know that. So. But. But we, we believe in our head that it can happen. So, you know, it can happen.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. Delusional, man. Gotta be. I mean, that's. That's literally half. Yes. Yes, you do. AQ has a question for you about all the messaging here.

[Boston Connor]

Yeah. On that note, what is coach's messaging.

[Pat McAfee]

Been like as you dug yourself a.

[Boston Connor]

Hole early as you just touched on. Now you're climbing your way out of it. What is his messaging, Ben?

[Pat McAfee]

Do we have a motto or a mantra, any of that shit?

[Jack Jones]

Yeah, be convicted. I mean, I think he says that all the time in the media. You know, be convicted. You know what I'm saying? You know, trust the team, trust the process. It's pretty simple, man. We all know, like, you can feel it in a building, like, where it was, like, damn, we're a really good team. But something is not clicking, but, like, what is it? And for some reason, just from what I got from the team, I didn't really see it. Didn't really seem like, like, a big question to where, like, guys started to change their formula and change their everyday. Their. Their everyday routine. They. They. They just kept going and putting one foot in front of another, trusting the coaches and. And, you know, it's starting to look the way it should, and I think that's the way it should be. Just keep trusting the coaches, putting one foot in front of another, because this is a tough league, man. And, you know, every coach, every player go out there and train as hard as they can to get that dub on Sunday.

[Pat McAfee]

All right, well, good luck out there. Down the stretch. We can't wait to watch. We're on bye week right now. Is that.

[Jack Jones]

Yes, sir.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay. How's it going? Where we got any plans? Obviously, we taking care of business through it all, but what do you have going on?

[Jack Jones]

Nothing, man. I'm just. I just honestly came back home, see my babies, and then I'm gonna go back out to Miami, start training. I'm not taking the whole week off. You know, it's still work to be done.

[Pat McAfee]

Tell the babies we said hello. We appreciate you joining us. You're the man. Keep killing it. And it's been fun to watch your entire story, dude. You know, a lot of people.

[Jack Jones]

Thank you. I appreciate that.

[Pat McAfee]

A lot of people. Not perfect. You know, know, myself included. I have one of the worst mug shots of all time. But watching you kind of go through everything here and continue to battle and continue to show up, and then watching your locker room fall in love with you down there in Miami is sick. You should know that. Us all watching. Big fans, dude, Keep going.

[Jack Jones]

I got. I appreciate that, man. I appreciate it for real.

[Pat McAfee]

Hell yeah. Ladies and gentlemen, Jack Jones.

[Boston Connor]

Y.

[Pat McAfee]

This is Kevin Carr.

[Mike McCarthy]

Mark for manscaped.

[Ty Schmidt]

Fellas, it's time to step up your.

[Mike McCarthy]

Grooming game, all right? I do this show three times a week, every single Time. I have to take grooming very, very seriously. Look back in the archives, guys. Look back and see the awful mustache I was trying to trot out last spring.

[Ty Schmidt]

I hate it.

[Mike McCarthy]

The other day I recirculated an interview with Drake May.

[Pat McAfee]

I wanted to CGI it. I wanted to CGI the mustache.

[Mike McCarthy]

After out.

[Pat McAfee]

I wanted to AI it.

[Mike McCarthy]

I couldn't. The mustache was there. And now I've got a nice little stubble, perfect length. Gonna have this for the rest of my life. Okay? Very, very, very important.

[Pat McAfee]

It's a part of confidence. It's a part of looking good. It's a part of being on TV. Manscape just leveled up with the Lawnmower.

[Ty Schmidt]

5 and the Chairman plus two powerhouses.

[Mike McCarthy]

Built for unmatched precision, comfort and control. Whether you're cleaning up before a night out, preparing for a big meeting, for getting ready for game day, Manscaped has the tools to help you look and feel your absolute best. These aren't your old school clippers. They're engineered for modern men who take pride in their daily routine. So upgrade your grooming gear and experience the difference. And now you can find Manscaped products at your local Walmart.

[Pat McAfee]

Ah, DSW Earth. Place of the humble brag here. The shoes are so good, no one would ever know how little you paid if you didn't go telling everyone that is. And with never ending options for every style, mood and occasion, all at really great prices, we'll definitely give you something to brag about. So go ahead, stock up on fresh sneakers from your favorite brands or try those boots you always secretly knew you could pull off. Find the shoes that get you at prices that get your budget at DSW stores [e-mail] let us surprise you. Football is magical. That's AJ Hawk. The toxic tables here at Boston Conor and at Ty Schmidt. 1/2 of the hammer done Cowboys AP Ton is here. Tone, I think it's almost time for us to make our official pick.

[Boston Connor]

Okay, here we go.

[Pat McAfee]

Coach McCarthy. So I'm go against Granher. Okay. And that is what his hat maybe look like on top of his head as well. Chevy riding high. Boy, I appreciate you doing that. And obviously, obviously you and him had a great moment about the Minnesota Vikings and how we don't really pay attention to them as packers fans. And then you and Kirk had a great moment earlier today as well that is seemingly captivating the Internet where you got really. You did get upset hostile with Kirkland. You know, the Internet has responded in a manner in which no expected. I think. Yeah, I Kind of expected that's going big. I think it was one of your best outburst I've seen in some time.

[Ty Schmidt]

Well, and I should have because I love Herby. I do. You know, that was just a moment. I may have woken up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, you know, and I was kind of just waiting for someone to just give me an opportunity.

[AJ Hawk]

And he did.

[Ty Schmidt]

And he did and Herby did. But I should have thought that a lot of people who he maybe picks against their teams on Saturdays, we're going to co sign be like, thank you. This dude. This guy sucks. That certainly wasn't the, the angle I was coming from. But hey, you know, sometimes things just happen.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. A lot of people saying that. A lot of people going, thank you, Ty. I've always wanted to say that. Yeah.

[AJ Hawk]

I didn't realize that'd be the Internet reaction so quickly. But yeah, I guess there's a lot. If you pick, if Kirk's picks get your team, they hate him for life probably, right?

[Pat McAfee]

Yes. As somebody that will speak for experience. Yes. That is a, that is a tough show, you know, interaction wise. That. Yeah, I mean they're, they're actually watching that. The picks and they're paying attention to who you're picking, how you're picking them, why you're picking them. You know, a couple teams I've seen some students or alumni or whatever do the percentage of times I picked their team versus picking against their team. Why have I picked their like full breakdown. This guy hates us. We need to stop being nice to this guy whenever he comes to town. You know, there's. They really. Yeah, it's a spot. When you're picking against an entire cult, which. There's a lot of them. There's a lot of cults out there. You know that Ohio State's.

[AJ Hawk]

So it makes it great. So it makes sports great.

[Pat McAfee]

Exactly. And you're picking against one of these Colts for sure. And at least four times you got to pick against the cult each Saturday.

[AJ Hawk]

And it's like, all right, got to take that personal.

[Pat McAfee]

I, you know, I've kind of mailed it in on a few this year. Saban said something. Yep. I kind of. He said it. Y. Yeah, he said it. Go ahead and get there, you know, cuz at the end I'm going to very much get some.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah, you're going to bury somebody the loudest.

[Pat McAfee]

The loudest. Yeah. That's been fun. Kind of figuring that out as the year has gone on. I must say. I, I really. Cuz going back To Oregon. I'm like, how is it going to be there? Like legitimately.

[Ty Schmidt]

See they lost though. Like you were on the right side of that. So I think like when that happens, like you're justified. Now if you do that whole, you know, spiel, song and dance and then Oregon goes out and they win by like four touchdowns then yeah, like you're gonna get heat, but you pick the right team.

[Pat McAfee]

Coach Dan Lanning will be joining the program tomorrow from out there in Eugene. I can't wait to catch up with him. You know, he, he obviously he understands what's going on. You know, he gets it. He was not thrilled. I don't think about me picking Indiana at Oregon, you know, because he might love it. How I feel them losing to Indiana. He might love that. That might have been something that would have been very good for his team team, you know, throughout the entire process. But what he did for game day, he took his shirt off out there. I mean he's like such a good for us. He drives from all travel as far as he does in the morning. Hops in a sprinter van, drives from airport all the way out to Thunderdome for us. His Sid not happy about it at all. Dan Lanning does like, we love Dan Lanning. I love Dan Lanning. I love Dan Lanning football. I love everything about it. Their fans are insane. I mean those game day sets are, those shots are just magnificent with how early it is and everything. And Dan Lanning taking his shirt off. I mean this is what, 6:30am or whatever? Yeah, local time. And he got Dan Lanning out there with the students just going crazy in the middle of it. It's, it's a special place they have out there.

[Mike McCarthy]

Far.

[Pat McAfee]

It's far. It's out there.

[Mike McCarthy]

It is.

[AJ Hawk]

That's why they appreciate it so much. Also is Dan Lane's a lefty. How he threw, how he did his little hand. It looks like he's a lefty. I didn't know that.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh, right back. I don't know. I don't normally I can tell if somebody's a lefty or not. Is it a fist pump or is it a shirt thing? What is it?

[AJ Hawk]

It's like a, just a one handed, like finger. Yeah, yeah. In a second when he gets his shirt off, you'll see.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay.

[Tone]

Not a hip hip hooray, is it?

[Mike McCarthy]

Here we go.

[Jack Jones]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh, interesting.

[AJ Hawk]

I, I think, I think you do that with your dominant hand usually.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, I think you would do that. But also shirt came off on right hand. So maybe he wanted Finger possible because it could have been audible. Real mode. Look natural. Lefty though, Right? Right is what you're saying.

[Tone]

Ambidextrous.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah.

[AJ Hawk]

Would you natural. Would you ever do that normal with.

[Pat McAfee]

Go back to that. Run that again. Run. I don't think I ever have.

[Boston Connor]

Could see it.

[Pat McAfee]

Shirt off goes to right hand. Right Dominant maybe. Shirt goes to right hand.

[AJ Hawk]

Yeah, you're right.

[Ty Schmidt]

You're right though, because the shirt is still over his wrist.

[Pat McAfee]

So you can't really can't do the finger thing.

[AJ Hawk]

You would have flipped it. You'd have flipped it to your left and done right hand. Woo. If you did, you think.

[Pat McAfee]

But he might have felt like in a moment. Need one. Right. Like right now is the right time.

[AJ Hawk]

We'll get to the bottom of it tomorrow.

[Pat McAfee]

Any chance you remember to ask him that tomorrow or no?

[AJ Hawk]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure. We got it.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, you certainly remember stuff. Yeah, you certainly don't. Just.

[AJ Hawk]

I say remember. I say remember. Don't say don't. Hey, remind. Don't let me forget. No, absolutely not. I will remember. Let me tell everybody it's in there.

[Pat McAfee]

I do that sometimes though. I do that as well. Where I go, hey, I want to remember this. Want to remember this to myself. I want to remember this one. Looking around, looking around. This is awesome. This is awesome. Like right now I just want back to a situation I was in. I was like, you kind of take like a scan almost with your brain. Remember, remember. And it does feel like it does lock it in a little bit. Now you. I think you say that like for a lot of things and then you just live moment to moment. You know, you're right.

[AJ Hawk]

I do live in the moment, but I do try to remember things when I want to.

[Pat McAfee]

It's tough. It's a tough balance, right? What's that balance?

[AJ Hawk]

It's a tough balance. It really is to live in the moment, but also remember what you have coming up in the near future.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, it's hard. That's chess players. That's. That's how those chess players get after it. You know, you. You may be the most in the moment guy I've ever encountered. I. I like really. I like to be where my feet be. But boy, you just the amount of. I didn't know that the amount of like those types of things. And then all in at the moment, you might be the most positive all in, in the moment guy that I've ever encountered. Even though brain very toxic at all times, trying to potentially win the war. Just like 9 and JJ. Yeah.

[AJ Hawk]

Oh, yeah, I, I don't know. I, I, yeah, I do not know.

[Pat McAfee]

I don't exactly what I'm talking about.

[Boston Connor]

That's AJ and 50.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. Let's talk about 9 and J. What is your take on it? Obviously we've all kind of had our, our conversation about it. I think he has a chance to get better and it'll be a good story long term. They say J.J. mcCarthy's awesome. Everybody likes everything about J.J. mcCarthy is Moxie's leadership, the way he goes about hanging with the boys, everything about him. They like nine on the field. Obviously going through some right now with the Minnesota Vikings offense with what the expectation of the offense is, what we've seen the offense be and what his performance is. Now granted, he has some dog in him for sure and in big moments he makes some plays, but there isn't a consistency. So now it's like, like he needs to develop. He needs to develop. I think everything we know about JJ will tell me that 9 will develop is what I think. Do you feel the same way? And is that good for the Minnesota Vikings or bad? Because the thought of, I think Sherm said it to Kirk Herbstreet. If Kirk Herbstreet was remembering the story well, Matt Jones, think about him.

[Ty Schmidt]

That's starting to get steam.

[Pat McAfee]

Everything he does today. Yeah, everything he does. It's like if you could get Kevin o' Connell with Brock Purdy, which you. Yeah. What if you can get a, with a taller Brock Freddy that we just saw kind of the last few weeks.

[Boston Connor]

In a bunch of games.

[Pat McAfee]

Isn't that, isn't that who has a lot of football under his belt? He's seen a lot of defenses into the playoffs. Yeah, he, he has kind of been there, which is with this mid season or mid career resurgence thing that's happening. It's like, do they, they're going to have to stay committed to the development of JJ and maybe they reap the benefits from it, obviously. But then there's going to be the constant, hey, you had dimes times, you had Darnold, Aaron wanted it, Mack was available. Like the, that all that gets real loud, especially when your team's ready to go. I don't know what the right answer is, honestly. I think developing a guy who's going to be a guy is obviously the right play. But like, what does that mean for today? And that's tough, especially when we live in a moment.

[AJ Hawk]

You know how many games they have left? Do we know how many games left this year?

[Pat McAfee]

Week 12 is coming up. Have they already had their buy.

[Ty Schmidt]

Seven.

[Boston Connor]

Yeah.

[Ty Schmidt]

Four and six.

[AJ Hawk]

Yeah. He just said he's got to show, like, improvement and grow growth when it comes to, like, his footwork and accuracy. We know accuracy is a thing. It's tough. I know we've talked about over the years on the show, like, can you. Can you get much better at your. If you. If you came in and you were an errant passer of the ball, but he had a strong arm in college. How do you, like, hone in on your accuracy now? I think Josh Allen has changed that for a lot of people. Like, he. He was not nearly as accurate as he is now when he first came into the league. So you can get better. But yeah, it's all those little things, like, listen to any great quarterback talk. Talk about, like, it's all, like, footwork, fundamentals, all, like, the boring stuff that people don't get, that guys like Tom Brady, Aaron, all these great quarterbacks every single day, their whole life they've been doing, like, all the tiny little footwork and all the little things that add up to become big things that give you a chance to be accurate when it truly matters.

[Pat McAfee]

You can be good sometimes, which is raw talent, you know, but the fundamentals are called fundamentals for a reason. Like, this is what you're going to have to be great at if you want. Want to be great. All the greats are good at this. I think you go through any sport, the greats are great at the fundamentals, whatever the basic is that you have to be able to do all the people that are great at all the things, they can do them. Now, does it come easier to some people than other people, potentially? Are some of them, though, just workaholics and workhorses and don't get bored being bored working on the things that are boring to work on, you know, that is. That is a big piece of being great. That's a competitive stamina. And I think that's all JJ was saying. I think JJ was saying, hey, listen, I'm out. And by. I'm trying to guess he's not getting bored at all. He's trying to expedite the entire process. And the development could be very real. But what if you do all this and it never. Well, you know, because you talked about accuracy. Accuracy used to be something you either had or you didn't. And then you brought up. Josh Allen was like a great development. That's right. I mean, he allegedly put lasers on his body, and he obviously had incredible arm talent. Like, I think everybody knew he could throw the. That thing like this. He could throw that thing like this. He could throw that thing like this. But they were like, if you get this thing actually locked in, fundamentally sound, guess what? You'll be a lot more accurate. You know why everybody who's accurate throws the same way? Because that's the most accurate way to throw a fucking football. So you need to do that. He want to work his ass off on that. And to your point, age, I think that he changed how we all view it. Like, Like, I, I didn't think you could develop that skill. I, I thought you either had it or you didn't have it, because I thought it was more of a. A mental thing. But then whenever they're like, no, whenever everybody's like. I think they were saying about Drake May, too. Yes, they were saying about Drake May, how Drake May's foot, Footwork and his feet just weren't good. And you could see it with younger guys. Anthony Richardson we saw with, like, he had incredible talent, but, like, whenever you're standing square to your target, like, marry your feet.

[AJ Hawk]

Remember, didn't Aaron say you got to marry your feet to your arm and your upper body? Like you have. They have to be in sync. You have to be together to give you a chance, I think, to make a play when it's third and seven and you got a tight window to fit that thing into.

[Pat McAfee]

And maybe you make one of those because you're so talented. Like, maybe you're able to stand square and like, jump and make a throw and it's like, yeah, that's awesome. Okay, now we got another play right now, bro. Okay, and get. We need a similar throw. Are you going to be able to feel your way through that again? Oh, maybe you are. Okay, good, good, good. Let's get now to a third down in the red zone where everything gets a lot smaller and you do the same thing and it's just a little bit off and then bang, they snatch it. It's like, hey, if you would have fucking just done get your feet right and actually threw the ball like how you're supposed to since you're a kid. They've deemed this the most. The best way to throw football is this way. You are in the NFL. Throw the fucking football like this, please. That is basically the conversation that happens with these young guys, a lot of them, especially as the more and more athletic quarterbacks come through the NFL. Josh Allen was one of them. Drake is another one. J.J. a.J. See, I don't think we view him as one of Those like super high end freak athletes. Right? I. I don't, I don't.

[AJ Hawk]

In my mind, he's got a super strong arm and he is very athletic. But you're right, like, we don't. I guess we don't. We haven't seen him use it as much. He has the, the mentality that, like, that's what I do love is his mentality. The whole nine thing. You can get caught up in that. But you know what's tough is when guys, you think you, hey, can this guy develop or not? And you kind of question whether how much he cares. Like, I don't question how much old J care. Like, J loves ball. We know that. So he's. If he's going to develop and become more accurate, like, he's going to do whatever it takes to try to become that guy now. We'll see if it happens.

[Pat McAfee]

I guess I agree on that. I think we all believe that J.J. mcCarthy is going to get better at something if he puts his mind to it.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah. I think the biggest issue, and you hit the nail on the head is he hasn't had very many starts. So like, he, he does need to develop, obviously. But like you said, like, this team was one win away from getting the number one over overall seed last year. Like, and everyone said going into the season, hey, if they get average quarterback play, this team should be in the NFC Championship. Like, when you look at Josh Allen, the development, like, no one was expecting those Bill. The Bill. Those Bills teams, they weren't on the precipice of like going to a Super bowl right before that. It was like, hey, th. If. If we can develop this guy, we'll be where we want to be in three to four years when he actually.

[Pat McAfee]

Get down the road.

[Ty Schmidt]

Exactly, exactly. That's not the case with the Vikings. Like, they had Sam Darnold, and I understand the playoffs went how they went, but they were there. They were knocking on the door and the idea was, hey, if we get this guy, we'll kick that door in. So it's like, it's one of those things where I don't. It's not fair to blame all this on JJ because situation. Yeah, he's young, he needs to develop. But that was kind of what was thrust upon him is, hey, when you get in here, you need to pick up the ball and run with it because this team is ready to win a Super Bowl. Look at their defense. They're by no means young. They've paid a lot of guys. Like, they, they were ready to Go right now. So they don't really have the luxury of, hey, it's okay. We got it. It'll take this guy a little time to develop. They. They are not in that position.

[Boston Connor]

And to Ty's point, too, like paid offensive lineman and free agency. Two of them, Ryan Kelly and Will Fries from. From Indianapolis. Paid defensive lineman. Now, they lost like a Cam Bynum and some other players, but for the most part, they were spenders this offseason because they thought they were going to be that good. I will say, though, hearing the press conferences and kind of understanding a little bit more what's going on, definitely do believe in J.J. mcCarthy as a quarterback in Minnesota. It's just there has to be, like, Josh Allen. There has to be some sort of improvement that, like, you can legitimately see. And it can't just be the, hey, most important time of the game, he's playing great. Because a lot of the times those teams that, you know, you're hanging around with and that you do, you know, edge out in the end, those teams aren't going to be there in the end. Like, those are the teams also that are kind of squeaking by and then get exposed by the best of the best teams like the Rams or Seattle or the Colts or the Broncos.

[Pat McAfee]

Like Philly.

[Boston Connor]

Philly. Bingo. Like, I mean, I won't say Lions because right now, but the Lions are getting a bunch of guys back on defense that'll be really cool to see. But still, all of those up there.

[Pat McAfee]

I don't know, it's calling plays up.

[Tone]

There this week is MCDC.

[Pat McAfee]

But you're right, though. You're 100% right, though. Whenever, you know, as like, him saying.

[Boston Connor]

That stuff makes me think, like, okay, maybe we.

[AJ Hawk]

We.

[Boston Connor]

He's not just exactly what he was in college. I mean, we know he's a hockey player. He's a fucking hard worker and the team loves him. But a lot of shit is going on behind the scenes with him changing how he plays quarterback. Fact that I at least was not.

[Pat McAfee]

Aware of until he said he's just being very transparent as well. I think there's a lot of development happening to a lot of young players, especially if they have to come into a new system, new scheme, new game. So they're working on stuff all the time. Like, I'm punter, so I can only speak from personal experience. It's like I change my drop completely, which is obviously like a scary thing for a punter to do. Their drop is kind of the entirety of the punt. How you're Dropping.

[AJ Hawk]

Where'd you go from. Where'd you go from? To. Where'd you.

[Mike McCarthy]

Where'd you.

[AJ Hawk]

The next thing.

[Pat McAfee]

So I had to tilt it in. I had to tilt it in like this because I used to watch other people do it, and they always murdered the ball, it looked like. And turns out with the tilt in, if that thing was to move at all anymore, you're. That thing is. With my leg swing. That thing's going like.

[AJ Hawk]

I did that a few times in high school.

[Jack Jones]

Yeah.

[AJ Hawk]

Put into the stand.

[Pat McAfee]

Yes, exactly. Exactly. I had a couple of those. I'm like, oh, this ain't good. Yeah, I'm going to get fired. I'm not going to have a job anymore. So I. I straightened the dropout a little bit more. And then even into, like, my second, third year, I think even into my fourth year, I was changing when I was dropping it during the season because it was, like, stuff that I was working on. Even day of game, I would, like, adjust something like, oh, actually, I'm gonna hang on to this a little bit longer. So, like, that's the most. I think there's always, like, an evolution or development happening, especially at a younger age. In every single position I saw him there was. That you had to work on as well, I assume.

[AJ Hawk]

Always. Yeah, always something new.

[Pat McAfee]

Footwork here, you know, for work.

[AJ Hawk]

Hands. Hands are a big thing. Luke Fickle taught me in college, like, taught me to use my hands. Like, that changes everything.

[Pat McAfee]

So he's being very transparent, I think, as opposed to maybe what other people would be doing. Joining us now is a man who's very transparent on every thought that he's ever had. You're going to hear it. Ladies and gentlemen, Dan Orlovsky.

[Dan Orlovsky]

Good life.

[Ty Schmidt]

Wow.

[Boston Connor]

Nice.

[Pat McAfee]

Sh.

[AJ Hawk]

Good. Look great.

[Pat McAfee]

You look really cool right now. Just want to let you know that you look really handsome.

[Ty Schmidt]

Oh, I don't like this. With the cars zooming by.

[Boston Connor]

Yeah, I mean, exactly. What's this guy doing?

[Pat McAfee]

This is a cold call he answered. We appreciate him doing that, but we will listen live with constant anxiety that somebody in your rear view there will just not, you know, stop and just come right into our camera.

[Dan Orlovsky]

I'm more. I'm. I'm further off the road than. Than it looks. I'm. I'm a good 10ft off.

[Pat McAfee]

Closer than they appear, too. I mean, there's a lot of different.

[Dan Orlovsky]

I have flashers on. Yep.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay. Sounds very adult. Maybe stick your head out the. The roof.

[Tone]

Is your Jeep still bright flares out back?

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. Maybe put flares. You're right. Maybe just let people know that it's happening. Dan, thanks for the hidden yardage tweet. That was fun. Hidden yardage, obviously. Gabe Williams cost from the most hidden yardage in the history. Hidden yardage is in special teams, brother. Okay. So don't be giving me some quarterback stat about hidden yardage. I don't need to hear it. Okay. Maybe bonus yardage, if you want to call it, or like super duper after being tackled. Stat yardage. Shit. Okay. Don't be taking hidden yardage. Okay. That's our game.

[Jack Jones]

All right.

[Dan Orlovsky]

I like bonus yardage. I could alter that. I can appreciate that. Sure.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay. I'm happy. Okay.

[Boston Connor]

Or stamp it. Dano yards.

[Pat McAfee]

Call them, Dan yards. Yeah, Dan and parcels. I think Big Tuna was a big fan of the bonus yardage that you're referring to there with Caleb, who should be sacked, but instead his EPA goes up because he's Caleb and he's able to do Caleb's stuff. So he's got super Duper bonus yards. It's actually hidden within his stat book because. Because if he was to be sacked, that yard's not going to hit. Stat book. That's a bonus yard.

[Dan Orlovsky]

Right, Exactly. I couldn't have said it better myself.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay. You're going to be able to say something better than we could ever say because you're a quarterback and had to develop JJ McCarthy being as transparent as he is about what is happening behind the scenes in the development of him being a quarterback. Good thing, bad thing. And what is your kind of takeaway of how it's all going out there for Minnesota with all the other quarterback off options that we know they had at the time with the team that they had.

[Jack Jones]

Yeah.

[Dan Orlovsky]

I can always appreciate transparency. I think that. I don't know if you guys have heard Kevin oconnell's comments on him yesterday as well. I believe it was yesterday or sometime this week about kind of what they're trying to get figured out and some of the mechanical stuff that they're working through. I thought Kevin Oconnell's, like, vantage point of it was fascinating. You know, it's. JJ's been really interesting this year because there's so many throws on tape that you sit there and say, that is perfect. It looks perfect. And then there's a throw that would happen, you know, five passes later that you. It blows your mind how bad of a miss it is. And so I live in the world. I don't find that to be. You're inaccurate. I. I find it to be you're having some very egregious misses. And don't get me wrong, the misses are awful, awful. And it makes no sense as to why. And so when you try to figure out, okay, what's going on with them, I think you find out the mechanical inefficiencies and the mechanical differences. You know, like, I've heard Aaron talk about this, that accuracy starts from the ground up. You know, McCarthy over strides, he's not a big dude. So when he over strides, I think the first thing that you see is like, he is a front or back to front thrower. He's a back instead of a rotational person. So when you're back to front, you're. I think it's always going to vary when the ball comes out of your hands. And so that's why you see some of those egregious misses. I think the second thing is you see almost like watching a pitcher on a baseball mound, his right leg flies all the way through. If you guys put up video of, like, Joe Burrow at practice yesterday, if you guys could pull up that video, watch Joe's right leg, it very rarely leaves the ground. It's just same with Josh Allen. It stays on the ground instead of almost like the old school pitcher off the pitcher's mound. So I think he becomes so on his front leg, the weight follows through. The other thing is his shoulders are constantly flat. No matter if he's throwing a ball 5 yards or 25 yards, you got to have a little bit of a tilt with your front shoulder. And then you see his left shoulder constantly fly open. I think that keeps him completely exposed on the front side. Instead of like, Tom Brady was like, the guy guy that I think first of, like, cape that left shoulder tucked, keep that left shoulder. So I think he's just got some really fixable but extreme, you know, mechanical things they got to figure out.

[Pat McAfee]

Dan, what do you know about putting your jaw on shore during a drop back?

[Dan Orlovsky]

Yeah, I don't know a ton about that. I don't know if that's a good.

[Pat McAfee]

Thing or a bad thing.

[Dan Orlovsky]

I don't know if I see a ton of guys do it.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Whoa.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh, you smarter than Mike McCarthy. That's crazy. Holy.

[Dan Orlovsky]

I didn't say. I didn't say that.

[Boston Connor]

Yeah, you did.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, you did.

[Tone]

Did you said it without saying it.

[Pat McAfee]

I want to punch and pull. I want to punch and pull. I'm going punch, punch and pull. Yeah. Oh, you agree with that, huh? Is that okay?

[Dan Orlovsky]

I didn't disagree with it. I said I don't know it.

[Pat McAfee]

Punch and pull. Let's go ahead and flip those hips here.

[Boston Connor]

Let's go.

[Pat McAfee]

Chin on shoulder, looking downfield. Thank you. Let's go ahead and rip that thing. Rip it. J.J. is going to be good.

[Dan Orlovsky]

Yeah, dude. I think he's so. Still very talented, I guess. I think he's. Yes, I think he's going to be a good player. Probably undervalued all the time. Missed. You know, he was so. I thought mechanically that was a strength of his coming out of Michigan and so the injury last year and then the injury this year, he's just. I think he's missed time. I also think he's developed really poor habits and they just got to work through them. I don't think it's going to get fixed this season. I don't believe it's something you can fix in season. It's going to be an off season fix.

[Pat McAfee]

Good luck. Nine.

[Mike McCarthy]

Go get him now.

[Boston Connor]

Cool.

[Pat McAfee]

Now, last quarterback question. Obviously it's a big one. Go ahead, Tone.

[Tone]

Yeah, Dan, Two quarterbacks played in Pittsburgh. One played the first half, one played the second half.

[Ty Schmidt]

Which half?

[Tone]

Did the Steelers offense look better last week?

[Dan Orlovsky]

Looked better in the second half. One ball went down the field more.

[Pat McAfee]

What's your problem?

[Dan Orlovsky]

You know, I think there was a little bit more of a willingness to hang in the pocket and make a throw when you got a body or a hit. So I think if Aaron doesn't play, I think they'll be okay as a one off or two off with Mason Rudolph.

[Pat McAfee]

Aaron's gonna play. Embarrassing. I don't even know what we're talking about here. I don't even know what we're talking about. He made a comment about. I don't know if it was AJ Or Aaron. Somebody made a comment basically like his non throwing arm has something wrong with it. I don't know if you're going to miss a game because of that or whatever. And then I think Aaron said the same thing. Aaron wanted to go back in there. Aaron old school guy and let alone it being the Chicago Bears. Now we have learned some things through a press conference of Aaron Rodgers. You know, he grew up with WGN being one of the six channels. He's actually a fan of. He's actually a fan of Chicago, believe it or not. For you, for the opponent this week.

[Mike McCarthy]

There'S incentive for every opponent. But I have enjoyed many a Sunday and Monday and Thursdays in that city. It's a great sports town, phenomenal sports fans and great place to play. Aaron, do you sort of Thrive off of being the villain there a little bit. Sort of enjoy that. I'd rather not be. I mean I'm not in Green Bay anymore. I feel like we can let bygones be bygones.

[Pat McAfee]

Maybe I can. I guess it's been. It's a great rivalry.

[Mike McCarthy]

I mean in the history of all sports you talk about the Lakers and the Celtics and the Red Sox and the Yankees, you got to talk about.

[Pat McAfee]

The packers and the Bears and there's.

[AJ Hawk]

Been some great memories there.

[Mike McCarthy]

When I first got to Green Bay, the Bears had the all time series lead when I left, packers did.

[Pat McAfee]

Since JLove has taken over, it's even gotten better.

[Mike McCarthy]

But I hope, I hope those fans can put that, put that behind them. I'm sure they can't. Don't expect them to. But I really enjoy the city. They got great sportsmen.

[Pat McAfee]

I grew up watching WGN on my.

[Mike McCarthy]

5 channel TV back in the day. So I was a Cubs fan and a Bulls fan.

[Pat McAfee]

How can you not be a Bulls.

[Mike McCarthy]

Fan unless you don't like Michael Jordan?

[Pat McAfee]

I did. I loved them. So it was a lot of fun memories over the years playing there. Yeah. So he's playing Dan and they're cheering for him whenever he's jogging out on the field too. You better understand that. So what do they, what should they be looking for with the Aaron Rodgers led Pittsburgh Steelers offense against the Chicago Bears defense? Dano.

[Dan Orlovsky]

Yeah.

[Boston Connor]

Start.

[Dan Orlovsky]

First of all Pittsburgh should run the football against them. Chicago's not a very good run defense and obviously some of the tight ends and the way that they run the football is a really big deal. The Bears defense is predicated 100 off giveaways. If you don't give them the ball. You can move the the ball up and down the field on them. It's not shut you down defense in part because there's whole secondary feels like it's been hurt for the majority of this season. But as long as Aaron's smart with the football, gets it out of his hands yards after the catch, Adobe totally fine. Obviously you got to go score in the red zone but it's not a defense.

[Mike McCarthy]

Oh, here.

[AJ Hawk]

Shaking the car.

[Pat McAfee]

Hey, we appreciate you Dano. All right, so look for the Steelers to run the ball. Darnell Mount Washington and Aaron Rodgers will do their thing. Do you have any more TV today? You're done.

[Dan Orlovsky]

No, I'm going to do NFL live now or at 4 o'.

[Pat McAfee]

Clock. Oh, I thought that was a 3 o'. Clocker. No, of course we know it's 4 o' clock. We watch every day, everybody. We watch every day.

[AJ Hawk]

Yeah.

[Dan Orlovsky]

Thank you.

[Pat McAfee]

You do a great fudging job.

[Boston Connor]

Yeah. Hey, Dan, real quick, just stick to Drake May, brother. Don't. Don't be running your mouth about the Patriots defense, okay? Darius Butler said it to me. I didn't even want to have to respond. Stick to Drake May, Daniel, but you gotta. Okay.

[Dan Orlovsky]

D bus got my number if he needs to share some things with me.

[Boston Connor]

Yeah, okay. Just letting you know.

[Pat McAfee]

Well, he's saying if you want to share things, things that are maybe certainly not going to be favorable.

[Dan Orlovsky]

Patriots fans were not happy with my thought on the Patriots, which, which, which.

[Boston Connor]

Was unwarranted, but I just want.

[Dan Orlovsky]

I just not unwarranted. When we do a segment on could get a team beat and the team is a pretty impressive team, you're trying to find out, okay, what is something that you could do against this team to gain an advantage to beat them? My thought was, well, New England, while the best run defense in football is in nickel. If I'm a team going against New England and I let them play nickel all game long and don't run it on them successfully, that's my fault.

[Pat McAfee]

Connor was on your side. I do appreciate you getting a chance to speak to the Patriots fans there though, who are, I assume, because they're great talkers which kind of like leads to. It's not great that the Patriots are all the way back that they're back just because a very good group of shit talking human beings now has a lot of reason to talk. So, Dan. Yeah, you. You decided to live in the paint. Patriots fans going to go ahead and dunk on you.

[Tone]

They don't care about. They don't care about you anymore, Dan. So you don't have to worry about the Patriots fans.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah.

[Mike McCarthy]

Sweet.

[Boston Connor]

Oh, yeah. I got another question, ladies and gentlemen.

[Pat McAfee]

That's Dan Orlovski. Thank you, Dan. Oh. Stay safe out there, Dan. There's a truck coming. Dad. There's a truck coming. Dad. There's truck coming in. Yeah. Yeah.

[Dan Orlovsky]

Can I get out? Can I get out?

[Boston Connor]

Stay connected.

[AJ Hawk]

Yeah, stay connected. What you.

[Pat McAfee]

I can't watch it. I can't watch it. I can't watch it, Dan. You focus on your driving. Jesus Christ. Oh, no.

[Dan Orlovsky]

We're good.

[Pat McAfee]

Three, two. We're out of here. We're out here.

[AJ Hawk]

We're out here.

[Pat McAfee]

Get him off my screen. Get him off my screen. I don't want to see you see him. Goodbye. Goodbye. Get. Get him out of here, please. I don't want to be A part of that. I don't like walking, watching that stuff.

[Ty Schmidt]

That's my least favorite thing of all time.

[Pat McAfee]

Side of the road. Kirk. Herb street legendary. Let me find the bottom of the hill around a bench. I'm gonna stand outside too so we get a better view of these things. Dan. Get away from me. Dan. I don't want to see it. Dan. Focus on driving.

[Boston Connor]

Dan. What the hell?

[Pat McAfee]

Hang up on Dan. Pull this guy over. You're not a lot of her. Yeah. Australia. They do not around with the phone thing. They got cameras every. Everywhere and it's just like. Well, you know, people would say that's not great either. But they, they, you know, certainly argument I guess both ways for all these things. More cameras are better.

[Ty Schmidt]

Keep the road safe.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. But they, they have cameras. So if you pull your phone out, it's an immediate. And they got everybody's license plate obviously. Boom bang palace. You're not doing any of that. But there are some people who are extraordinarily bad at being on their phone while driving. And if you're stuck in a car with those people, you would like there to be a jail sentence maybe for people getting on their phone while driving. Also motorcycle rider. You know, I enjoy riding. Riding my bike with my wife. It's a. It's a good hobby. Now Indiana. Indiana as a whole, it's tough to ride in because you know, we got potholes like actual. The moon. Like a lunar.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah. Craters.

[Pat McAfee]

Craters out here. So it's not necessarily as enjoyable of a ride because you turn a corner all of a sudden and you're. Yeah. But on a bike you would like everybody to not have their phones out because it's really hard to pay attention. But on that note, I'm not gonna act like I'm. You know, I try to wait for stop signs, red lights.

[Kirk Herbstreit]

Bingo.

[Pat McAfee]

Sure. Cause I would like to not be asshole driver strictly. But boy, whenever there's people sitting at the bottom of a hill around a bend and you got 18 wheelers coming down down and you're FaceTiming with them. Feels like every time they're dying.

[Mike McCarthy]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Kind of started get that feeling with Dan there towards more cars started coming.

[Mike McCarthy]

On that all you got to do.

[AJ Hawk]

Is swerve a little bit off the road and bam.

[Pat McAfee]

And on the Internet. We've seen enough of those. Yeah. Just. Yeah. Cuz all you need is somebody on the. Just to the right. I'm okay. I'm on the far right side. There's no on ramp anywhere. No way Dan is here Dar lost where?

[Tone]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Patriots fans.

[Boston Connor]

Which was unwarranted. I mean, the things he was saying were all valid. It was just, oh, Dan Orlovsky, the quarterback guy, wants to talk about defense and he just picked the Patriots defense. So Patriots people are as loud as possible. But what he was saying was all good football information.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. Dan Orlofsky is going to be well studied. He's also not going to say no to a producer telling him to say something about something. No. You think maybe this will get clipped and I'll get murdered for this? Never has come out of Dan Orlovsky's mouth.

[AJ Hawk]

Nope.

[Pat McAfee]

Darren Lavsky says you need a what about what? How many different determiners are there? Is everybody gonna know that this is the case? Sure. Give me the stats. That's what I thought.

[Ty Schmidt]

I got you.

[Pat McAfee]

I can do it. The context of the situation was nobody heard it, Dan. Nobody heard it, Dan. But we appreciate Dan. Dan's shins are very calloused and he steps right back in there every single time. All right, let's make some picks for tonight. This has been an interesting one for me because of how much I love one particular team and how good they've been to us with the Buffalo Bills. And then I guess Texans have been great to us as well. So I like that the Bills are playing great. I like that the Bills are winning. I don't love that they're six point favorites down there in Houston against the number one defense in the league. So I will take The Houston Texans +6 tonight on Amazon prime. And I do believe this is a Bills win. Like, I think in the end, Josh Will Allen will win this game. But I think we're in for one and I think there's a little bit of a game. There's a chance Josh Allen wins by 30. There's a chance. I. I've already walked through it enough times because I've been so confident about Houston +6 since the moment I woke up this morning. And I've certainly had to fade myself in there going, yeah, right. Why are you so confident in this? Sports books are going to get you. Then you look and it's like 77% are looking the other way. It's like, wait a minute, maybe I'm a shop all of a sudden. Maybe I woke up a shop. 22% okay. So I felt like okay about it. And then I started seeing the other side. I'm like, well, why would I not? And it's like, well, they got Josh Allen. Okay. James Cook's a monster too. Let's not even get it twisted now. They potentially without Kincaid, right?

[Boston Connor]

No Kincaid, no Curtis Samuel. Yeah, here it is.

[AJ Hawk]

No Gabe Davis though.

[Pat McAfee]

What's that?

[Tone]

Me too.

[AJ Hawk]

Gabe Davis back.

[Pat McAfee]

I love that look. For Gabe Davis to get his feet in the paint tonight. I would assume that's going to be something that they're going to look to do. I love the Gabe Davis Buffalo Bills time. But yeah, a lot of guys out to your point. And then obviously for the Texans, C.J. stroud out. So you got Dougie Davis Mills, which is kind of the entire storyline. It's like you got a guy that not a lot of people really know about playing quarterback for a team that doesn't look like they have the best record. So now you got the Buffalo Bills coming down. Is that why 77% of the bets are on the Buffalo Bills or they just think that the Texans aren't that good?

[Tone]

Yeah, it's probably because they just think the Texans aren't that good.

[Pat McAfee]

Bad record.

[Tone]

Yes, bad record. And they watched them. They had to kick a last second field goal last week against the Titans to win 16 13. So the offense, the offense has been pretty bad all season long. The defense has carried them and I assume they just, you know, they see what the Bills did to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week in a big like primetime game that everybody was watching.

[Ty Schmidt]

So it's.

[Tone]

It's probably a lot of recency buys as well.

[Pat McAfee]

Just one touchdown win is six zero. Just win by saying am I going to Buffalo? Who do you like?

[AJ Hawk]

I am going Buffalo Beals and I can get him at minus five and a half, right?

[Tone]

That is correct.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh man. My fading myself right now.

[Boston Connor]

You called Seattle verse the Rams perfectly this past.

[Pat McAfee]

I felt very good about it. I need to remember that you had.

[Boston Connor]

Seattle poster and a half half and you had the Rams with it.

[Pat McAfee]

Texans wearing all reds tonight too. Look out.

[Ty Schmidt]

Pretty cool.

[AJ Hawk]

That's yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Look part of it.

[Tone]

Like the pants too.

[Pat McAfee]

All reds.

[AJ Hawk]

Those look sweet.

[Pat McAfee]

What are you humming? Okay. We saw what you guys tried out.

[Tone]

I didn't love that either.

[Pat McAfee]

Are they red pants? Are we sure you think it's gonna be blue or black?

[Boston Connor]

I feel like done the blue cuz the same color as the numbers I feel like they've done before.

[Pat McAfee]

All red. All red.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[AJ Hawk]

Wow.

[Ty Schmidt]

These look pretty cool.

[Pat McAfee]

Is J.J. leading them out?

[Tone]

Oh, is that true?

[Pat McAfee]

Should I don't know. Can we call J.J. see if he's.

[AJ Hawk]

Who is. Is someone like ringing a bell or what do they do to start the game?

[Pat McAfee]

They don't do that. They play football.

[Boston Connor]

Speed.

[Pat McAfee]

Doing it.

[Ty Schmidt]

No, I need speeds in Cincinnati on Sunday.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh, speed is the ruler of the jungle for the Bengals. Joey Burrow's return. Potentially. Yeah. Maybe speed rule in the jungle.

[Tone]

Could he get a little scat back action on Sunday?

[Pat McAfee]

They should maybe put him out there slot. Yeah. Think about putting him at slot because Jamar's spend.

[Tone]

He spit on a guy right in his face.

[Pat McAfee]

It was disgusting. Yeah, a lot of people said that was the case. Here's the next ruler of the jungle Wash.

[Tone]

He should play wide out for the Bengals.

[Pat McAfee]

Keep living speed. Keep living speed. I hope he has to give a speech. Maybe let him give a speech.

[Boston Connor]

Yes, please.

[Pat McAfee]

Him calling out his chat while giving a speech. The roar to the entire jungle would be sick. There's no answer from judge, so we'll move on. I like the Texans plus six tonight. You like the Bills minus five and a half.

[AJ Hawk]

Correct.

[Pat McAfee]

All Reds change. Anything for you?

[AJ Hawk]

A little bit, but I'm gonna stick with it. I'm a Josh Allen guy, you know that.

[Ty Schmidt]

Oh.

[Mike McCarthy]

Oh.

[AJ Hawk]

What was that gonna be for?

[Pat McAfee]

You know what? I just wanted a little certainty, you know? But what I wasn't doing is I wasn't.

[Ty Schmidt]

Oh, yeah, right.

[AJ Hawk]

Tucking that chin.

[Pat McAfee]

That's hard to throw.

[AJ Hawk]

That was like a. That was a front to back, not a twist.

[Pat McAfee]

That's hard to throw. I don't know how you're supposed to.

[AJ Hawk]

That's.

[Pat McAfee]

I don't know if I'd be good at the quarterback camp.

[Ty Schmidt]

You showing in?

[Boston Connor]

You sure?

[Pat McAfee]

Count it.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Texans plus six, baby takes rest. Be a friend. Tell a friend something nice. It might change your life. We're in this thing together. I'll be in Eugene, Oregon, tomorrow. Can't wait. Aj, Safe travels over here. I appreciate the hell out of you. Let's enjoy this one tonight. Week 12 of the NFL season's kicking off. Hey, here we go. We're here. Here we go. Life is good. Team on me. Team on three. One, two, three.

[AJ Hawk]

Team.

[Pat McAfee]

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[Kirk Herbstreit]

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[Pat McAfee]

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