The Ryen Russillo Podcast

Episode: Broncos or Pats for the Best Win? Plus, the Best Coach Right Now and the Team Misery Index With Mike Sando and Ryen’s First CFB Top 12 Playoff Rankings!
Date: October 6, 2025
Host: Ryen Russillo
Guest: Mike Sando (The Athletic)

Episode Overview

Ryen Russillo opens the episode with an action-packed breakdown of NFL Week 5, focusing on the best and worst performances, nuanced quarterback play, and trends shaping the league. He brings in Mike Sando from The Athletic to dive deeper into stories around the Bucs, Seahawks, and more, before unveiling his first-ever Top 12 College Football Playoff rankings. The episode wraps with the 'Team Misery Index,' discussing languishing franchises, plus a candid 'Life Advice' segment. The episode is a blend of sharp analysis, statistical insight, and the podcast's trademark irreverence.

Main Themes & Key Discussion Points

Five Things from Week 5 (NFL)

• Best Win of the Week: Denver Broncos at Philadelphia Eagles

  • Denver overcome a 17-3 deficit on the road, a feat they’d only accomplished once before in their franchise history (1-112 previously when down 14+ on the road in Q4).
  • Ryen acknowledges rookie QB Bo Nix’s growth ("I'm probably being a little harsh on Nix… that's just a win. It's a win across the board to have Bo Nix as a rookie get your team into the playoffs." — Ryen, 03:45).
  • Notable Stat: Nix started 1-for-8 on passes of 10+ air yards, but finished 9-for-10 in the comeback.
  • Russillo loves the coaching call for a decisive, quick 2-point conversion after a TD, highlighting Sean Payton's aggressiveness.
  • Denver’s defense dominated, with Benito recording 2.5 sacks; defense stopped Philadelphia on six straight third downs.

• Honorable Mention: New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills

  • Russillo notes Drake Maye’s "coming out party" and gutsy performance despite him not typically watching the Pats.
  • Stefon Diggs' quote: "My maturation process is second to none." ([27:16])

• Worst Loss: Arizona Cardinals Collapsing at Home

  • Arizona led 21-3 over the Titans but disaster struck: a 72-yard Mercado run ended in a fumble at the goal line ("...one of the closest ones I've ever seen…you can just think of the review people going through it back at HQ, talking with the officials on the field. I just wonder if they think it's even a tie, and they're just like, fuck this guy… but anytime it happens… it never stops." — Ryen, 10:08).
  • Leads to the whimsical "Mike Vick jersey with a pit bull photo shoot award for worst decision of the week."

NFL Deep Dives with Mike Sando (begins ~15:26)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Rise

• "Going into the year…they were in the second tier of NFC teams… but I think you have to give them a little bit more credit than that now." (Sando, 15:26)
• Both marvel at GM Jason Licht's post-Brady success and the revitalization of Baker Mayfield’s career (now the league's 19th-highest paid QB, producing at a top level).
• Sando: “Baker's value goes beyond the stats. He infuses that team with energy and fight. Wouldn't you love to play for him?”

Retread Quarterbacks — Mayfield, Geno Smith, Sam Darnold

• Ryen and Mike discuss Seahawks' pivot to Sam Darnold, crediting GM John Schneider’s risky moves; Darnold draws praise for nuanced, mature play "like a tier one quarterback." (Sando, 24:13)
• They compare the value of systems/offensive minds (Shanahan, McVay) in making QBs like Darnold and Geno Smith look much improved.
• "When the Seahawks passed on Geno… I finally gave in… this guy's better than some guys we have hope for every weekend." (Russillo, 21:45)

Philadelphia Eagles’ Struggles Post-Loss to Denver

• Sando analyzes the Eagles’ offense line issues, regression in Saquon Barkley's production, and the loss of Jason Kelce’s presence.
• Sando: “I think their offensive line has been the engine for them… not as great right now…” (26:12)
• Conversation highlights how essential O-line health is to overall offense.

Drake Maye & the Patriots’ Big Win

• Discussion of Maye’s "gutsy" performance overcoming heavy pressure vs. Buffalo, and public vs. league perception gaps.
• “I think opinions in the league take time to change. That was a super positive development for them.” (Sando, 31:28)

Most Important Win: Washington Commanders

• Jaden Daniels' clutch comeback after injuries and lineup absences.
• Sando: "They have been invisible to me without [Daniels]… it's a huge win… maybe we can rediscover Washington." (33:04)

Fun with Standings and Stats (21:00+)

• Miscellaneous stat drops:
  • Jackson Dart leads all starters in scramble rate.
  • Javonte Williams is third in the NFL in rushing.
  • Dallas is #1 in yards per game, #4 in points, but dead last in points allowed.
  • "Indianapolis Colts, currently the AFC’s #1 seed… Kansas City, maybe best in the NFL…" (22:00)

Team Misery Index (34:49)

• Sando’s weekly ranking of the 10 most miserable teams: features Raiders (blown out by Colts), Giants, Titans, Cardinals, Panthers, Jets, and more.
• Sando: "[Raiders] for them to be down whatever, 30… outscored 40-0 in the second and third quarters yesterday… That's hard to do.” (35:49)

Miami Dolphins Discussion (41:42)

• Sando: “It has felt a little dead man walking there… fired their gun and now they're out of bullets.” Points to a cratering defense and needing to “love up” a team that increasingly demands tougher leadership.

NFL Coaching Value and Who's the Best Right Now (50:21)

• The Shanahan/McVay Effect: How much do elite offensive minds matter? Is there a non-QB you’d take over the best coach?
  • McVay, Shanahan, Tomlin, Carroll cited as culture-setters or difference-makers.
  • On McVay: “He looked miserable at times in the past and almost walked away. And I just feel like… there's some other boxes have just kind of been checked for him." (54:12)
• Fun hypotheticals on player/coach value exchanges (“Would you trade Sean McVay for Mahomes? Allen? Lamar?” — consensus: only a handful of QBs are more valuable.)

Analytical Segment: Is Scoring Late Getting Easier? (57:03)

• Russillo’s perception: late-game comebacks and field goals feel more frequent.
• Sando produces the data:
  • Since 2000, the average late-game score rate is 22%. This year it’s at 47% (“Wow.” — RR, 59:02)
  • “There’s been eight field goals in those situations this year through five weeks — there were 11 all last year…” (Sando, 60:38)
• Confirmed: it’s not just your imagination — teams are much more likely to score (tie/win) in under-2-minute, trailing situations.
• Stat caveat: Field position is slightly worse than historical average.

College Football: Russillo’s 2025 Top 12 Playoff Rankings! (62:15)

A brisk, sharp rundown — most notable highlights:

1. Miami (“number one team in the country… they are just housing these teams physically.”)
2. Ohio State (Elite third-down and red zone defensive efficiency.)
3. Oregon
4. Oklahoma (if healthy Mater was playing)
5. Ole Miss
6. Texas A&M (noticed by advanced defensive stats)
7. Alabama
8. Texas Tech
9. Indiana
10. Georgia (“the most one-dimensional team of the top 10.”)
11. Tennessee
12. Mizzou

• Noted: Penn State and Texas drop out after bad losses; references to the impact of travel and schedule strength (“no one fucking cares, man — you guys all did this to yourselves… you ruined the geographical, nature and identity and culture of this sport.” — RR, 76:07).

Life Advice Segment (78:31 onwards)

• Topic 1: Relationship Communication
  • Listener question: Why does my husband validate my Red Sox takes with sparkly eyes but choke up when asked for relationship affirmation? ("He's not sure if you realize how special Roman Anthony is…")
  • Panel: "Most guys just don't do that. It's not efficient — if you look great, why would I tell you again?"
• Topic 2: Vintage Rolex Inheritance Dilemma
  • Listener inherited a vintage 1971 Rolex Pepsi GMT from a late, eccentric neighbor and wonders whether to:
    1. Fix and wear it (expensive maintenance),
    2. Sell and pocket the profit,
    3. Keep as is as a family heirloom.
  • Advice: Selling it for quick profit would be "kind of fucked." The consensus is to cherish it for its story and emotional value, repair it when possible, and absolutely avoid flipping it out of respect for the relationship and circumstances ("I'd be looking over my shoulder if I sold that watch… you don't want that on your conscience.").

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Best Win Wrap:
  • “That's just a win. It's a win across the board to have Bo Nix as a rookie get your team into the playoffs.” (Ryen, 03:45)
• Bo Nix High Floor QB Bit:
  • “He feels like a high floor QB, which may be me entirely missing the point… I'd maybe want my dentist to be a high floor guy… but I don't think it's a compliment [for QBs].” (Ryen, 06:17)
• Mike Sando on Baker Mayfield:
  • “Baker’s value goes beyond the stats… he’s an invigorating player… would you not love to play for him?” (Sando, 19:09)
• Team Misery Index:
  • “You're hoping with Dart, you're hoping with Carroll… and you're looking at this garbage.” (Sando, 36:47)
• Drake Maye on SNF (quote):
  • "My maturation process is second to none." – Stefon Diggs ([27:16])
• On Coaching Value:
  • "Would you trade McVay for Mahomes? Josh Allen? Lamar?" — (Ryen/Sando, 55:20)
• Scoring Trend Confirmation:
  • “Since 2000, the average drive scoring rate is 22%. This year it's 47%." (Sando, 59:02)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• NFL Week 5 Recap & Best/Worst (00:00 - 14:00)
• Tampa Bay & Quarterback Carousel Discussion (15:26 - 25:20)
• Philly Eagles Issues & Drake Maye (26:12 - 32:07)
• Most Important Win: Commanders (32:07 - 34:49)
• The Team Misery Index (34:49 - 41:42)
• Dolphins, Jets, and Trade-ability of Jeffrey Simmons (41:42 - 51:37)
• Best Coach in the NFL? McVay vs. the World (50:21 - 56:51)
• Scoring Late? Stat Segment (57:03 - 61:43)
• CFB Playoff Top 12 Rankings (62:15+)
• Life Advice: Relationship Talk & Inherited Rolex (78:31+)

Tone & Style

• Lively, smart, witty, and irreverent.
• Ryen’s monologues are peppered with humor and “tell it like it is” authenticity.
• Sando supplies data-driven perspective with calm, professorial energy.
• Life Advice features the regular panel’s banter, relatable stories, and genuine empathy.

For Non-Listeners: Why This Episode Matters

This episode delivers a pure snapshot of NFL and CFB storylines as of early October 2025, blending statistical insight with big-picture thinking on coaching, team trajectories, and the “real” state of several franchises. The fun, honest life advice section wraps it with real-world resonance and some poignant listener stories. If you want to track how narratives are made (and unmade) in football media, Russillo’s approach is a master class.