E.P.I.C. Podcast "Every Play Is Crucial"
Life is full of moments you cannot predict or control only experience and enjoy right? Come join Vernon, Isaac, Justin, and Jared every Wednesday where we lend our opinions about current event going on in sports. Every episode is promising to be entertaining, not necessarily informational.
E.P.I.C. Podcast "Every Play Is Crucial"
Episode 45: NBA Tumult and NFL Strategy: Lakers Woes, Manning's Future, Bears' Crossroads, and Cowboys' Shake-Ups
Prepare to be schooled in the latest NBA shake-ups and the thrilling intricacies of NFL strategy in our newest episode that's more loaded than a Thanksgiving plate at Grandma's! We're tearing into the Lakers' baffling slump and giving a standing ovation to the Oklahoma City Thunder's young guns for shaking up the court. And for those riding the Timberwolves' hype train, Jared’s got some insider insights that'll have you howling with excitement—or concern. But it’s not all hoops and dunks; Isaac’s got his playbook out, dissecting the Lakers' defense—or rather, the conspicuous absence of it.
When it comes to football, we're not just throwing the pigskin; we're tossing around some of the game's most pressing questions. Can Arch Manning sidestep the transfer portal dance, or will he waltz into new territory if benched? The Chicago Bears are at a crossroads, and we're debating whether they should bet the house on Justin Fields or draft their way into a new era. Every Bears fan has their two cents, and we're throwing ours into the ring with the force of a linebacker.
Closing out the episode, we're sizing up the Cowboys’ unexpected knockdown and what it means for the star-spangled squad moving forward. Rumors are swirling like Texas tornadoes, and we’ve got the low-down on potential shake-ups in Dallas. But that's just the pregame show before our main event: NFL playoff predictions. We're calling the shots on the gridiron giants who’ll be clashing for the ultimate title, breaking down key matchups and the x-factors that could write the final chapters of this season’s epic saga.
I Ran up a check. I might do it again. Enemies close, tell me thinking they're friends. Ten toes down, I'll be free into the end crib outside the city. I don't fit. See fit. My ass took so many years. I'm just waiting for the wins. I'm in debt to know him. But the one who took my sense. I do it for real. It's no reason to pretend. If I do it once, I do it again.
Speaker 2:Yo yo yo. Welcome back to another episode of the epic podcast. We're in the house again with Jared and Isaac. I'll be Vernon man. We're gonna get this thing started. We had a lot of stuff go on this weekend, man. How much our sports weekend. I Didn't well.
Speaker 3:I guess I can back the route against out. So they that worked out, but You're probably watch.
Speaker 2:You probably watch a lot of basketball this weekend.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I mean I've been kind of all over the place, special all these damn TV's. I can't even focus on that. I still gotta get over the.
Speaker 2:Well, we super boy, chill house. So I'm gonna be over. I need to see yeah.
Speaker 4:I just, I just was briefed on that today. I was just briefed on it too, so I guess, but I'm cool with it, as always yeah, Nikki toes, you're fine.
Speaker 2:She's like oh yeah, by the way, we're going to Jared and him for the alright Cool. That's not always, is bro you know, we just got a pay for everything.
Speaker 2:Nonetheless, let's get into it, man. We're gonna start off with the NBA real quick, since we got halfway through the season almost all star break. We'll talk about some of the biggest surprises and disappointments so far. I'm gonna start this one off, man. I would say my biggest disappointment is Probably pride and Lakers. I mean, you can always go there this time of the season, like past couple years. This is kind of where they've been. Um, they'd number 10 in the West right now. So, like that's, you can always start with them. But surprise, I would probably have to say Problem. Okay, see, and there's not really a surprise, just because at some point all those draft picks and all that young talent was eventually gonna come together, but I would probably have to say them being 27 and 12. That's Pretty solid in the in the West, in a Western conference where it's pretty loaded.
Speaker 4:So that's cool. I'll go next. I will probably say my biggest disappointment I'm gonna tell you on the Lakers. It's just, it's just crazy. They're just and it's not even Personnel, because whoever they put on their team, it's just the same, like this has been this. We've been watching the same team, regardless of players, for last since the bubble. It's like it's gotta be. At this point they gotta be LeBron and a D. I have to be. I don't know what they do or don't do To why these guys aren't playing.
Speaker 4:I don't know if they're their injury prone, is it's causing them not to practice or our goals? I have no idea, but it's definitely it's gotta be something at this point. That they're doing or not doing is why this team is just can't get over the hump. I'm gonna go Minnesota as my shocker. I mean, they've been one of those teams like like the Lakers, that no matter who they have, what combination, they just haven't been able to get over the hump. But I feel like I feel like this year is different. I mean, they they've started out fast. So that would be my surprise. I mean, as long as we've been adults, minnesota has been terrible. So you know, to see them finally doing it is, you know, it's a little shocking to me, but they got some good pieces and it's just it's kind of cool to see him finally putting it together. So I'm gonna go Minnesota my shocker.
Speaker 2:About you like.
Speaker 3:I.
Speaker 2:Don't want to say the latest.
Speaker 3:I have been trying to find a reason to say somebody else other than Lakers, but I can't really justify anybody else being as big of a disappointment, even though I feel like it's also not really that surprising. They were literally with same record at this point last year, right around the same record at this point last year. So if I feel like it should be that surprising but they also make moves in the all season that you would think, yeah, you would think would have some kind of impact and To be in the same place, same record, like it's really hard to pick anybody else. I Wanted to say San Antonio just because, just like you said about Minnesota, like we're as kids were used to the San Antonio being an amazing team. I mean, you know they did have the number one pick. You expect to some kind of change there and not really seeing it, but they didn't really put anything else around one of you. So I guess I can understand that a lot more than I can understand.
Speaker 3:Palatine, with LeBron and AD, consistently find their way towards the bottom of the West and, if I'm Don't, they played more, I think, this year today. They played in years past so you can't even say it's like oh, it's injury. Ad's is, I think, played a lot better than People expect AD to play at this point in a year. I mean he's. He's shown Glimpse of being what would be an MP MP candidate if he Was a little bit more consistent, but I think he's been more consistent this year than he's been in the past. So you can't even say, oh, it's AD, and again they're both playing. It's just I gotta put him there because I just don't understand how you could completely neglect the defense and like they played the. I've never seen Maddador defense play so well man, they care nothing about defense.
Speaker 4:And it's like the other night whose coach was that I Was a game that they won. I know they'd be okay. See, last night it was a game that they won and the fourth quarter it was against Toronto actually Toronto Raptors and it was like a 23 to 2 free throw disparity in fourth quarter.
Speaker 4:Oh, just like, is he? Was he watching the game? I know he was there. Were you watching? Lakers, don't play no defense. You got to play defense, to foul. And then you know, of course I'm, you know my mind is going. I'm just like I gotta figure this out. So of course I look up to see who has the least of who commits the least amount of files. And it's the Lakers. That's no coincidence. They don't try on defense, they don't sure they can see too many bastards. You know like sometimes you see a guy going to the hole for wide open layup, foul him one time or something like try to, nobody gets dumped on at least try to like, like, keep them from wanting to go to ballet.
Speaker 2:All right, cool like and also no easy.
Speaker 4:But this is I keep on a perimeter. You know guys that can shoot the three. They just give them that space that they need to just just pull right at this. Just I don't understand it and that I mean, and that's where you could go coaching. Clearly the coach needs to make some adjustments. Hey, when XYZ is doing this, you need to go over and contest. You need to if you got a foul and foul them. They don't file, they don't play defense. So that's why they're losing.
Speaker 3:Oh, that brings me to a question. Makes sense, I mean because, yeah, I mean, yes, that's, that's a coaching thing typically. But if it's been the same for the last couple of years and they've had different coaches, like at what point Do you say, all right, it's you, is not me. We've changed out the coach a couple of times and you still doing the same thing, like it's you, it's not me.
Speaker 4:That's what I said. Just start off that segment. I was saying it has to be LeBron or AD at this point, but what I'm saying is that if they had a coach, that I don't know if the coach is scared to step on their toes or what, but it has to be something dealing with LeBron and AD how they want to play defense. But then ultimately it's up to the coach because you're letting it happen. So it's definitely not just on one or the other, but there's there's definitely something more deeply rooted in the Lakers outside of the coach, but the coach is allowing it. You're the coach that not allow certain bad tendencies and habits to take place on the basketball court.
Speaker 1:So you have to take some of that.
Speaker 2:You got to figure it out and start correcting it.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I totally.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you can't correct effort, though effort is just what it is, that's in the person.
Speaker 4:You got to do something, or I wouldn't even be mad if he came out in the media and just start calling boys out In the press conference.
Speaker 3:Already on his way out.
Speaker 4:He already but on the top of black man.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 4:You wouldn't even be that far if he had grabbed his nuts. You're the coach. Because if I tell you what, if I'm the coach and I can't coach, man, what's my bow? I'm out of here, I'm not gonna be a coach and I can't coach? No, I'm not, I'm not doing it. So at some point he needs to step up and say, hey, this isn't my product that I want to put out on the court. We're making these changes, if so, and so isn't gonna fall in line yeah, they not really a.
Speaker 2:D. Yeah, you got to get them to buy in. You got to have buy in with them to you have to if not, then everybody else is gonna kind of be like yeah exactly, exactly.
Speaker 4:So it's definitely on the players, but it's also on the coach for allowing it. Like you know, I Don't, I can't do that.
Speaker 3:Hey, I'm brought a man I definitely Darryl Williams to do like a cat Williams type interview. Just go, yeah, maybe some names. What's the worst that can happen to you? You go get fired.
Speaker 4:You ain't gotta, you ain't gotta do it disrespectfully. I mean you could like, really like, beat around the bush with it, like.
Speaker 1:I know certain things.
Speaker 4:They're just not. You know certain things I'm asking. This is not how I Envisioned playing. Guys are doing what they want after an upset something. I just dance there with his hands in his pocket in.
Speaker 3:I want to be a disrespect force possible. I at this point why what you say even works for. But I'm also legit with the biggest surprise being Minnesota Cats been written off like I don't know how many times. Man and granted, he is, I think, obviously a number two when they try to make them a number one. I think that was the issue and him having if now we're stepping in and take that number one and take that pressure on the shoulder has made cats seem to be a much better player and I think that's that's been a huge Contribution to the improvement of that team. I absolutely did not expect them to be anywhere near when they are in now. Twenty eight, eleven, okay, see, I at least saw improvements. I don't think I saw in and Minnesota.
Speaker 2:They did make the playoffs last year.
Speaker 4:Yeah, they did.
Speaker 2:They got beat by Denver, right yeah that was my thing, why I didn't kind of pick them as the product. I'm like what they was in the playoffs last year, like, okay, see, like, but even they might have been playing still though.
Speaker 3:I said okay, see, because they were, like, I think, 20 or almost 30 games maybe above what they were projected last year. So I mean, there was a really big jump last year. So yeah, I think another league wasn't. You know, that's surprising.
Speaker 2:Okay, cool, cool, cool, moving right along. Let's uh talk a tad bit college real quick. So I guess, for what I'm hearing, the QB for Texas is coming back. I forgot his name, I had it on to my time. No, not arch the starter yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah. So he's coming back to start, just coming back to play this year Texas. So everybody's kind of wondering like alright, like Archimanding, is he gonna sit behind him another year? Is he gonna transfer? Nobody really knows. Archers been asked. I've been searching around internet to try to see if he's got we got any confirmation from him. I don't want to hear from, like, what people think, like from him and he's been saying like no, he's not really thinking about transferring. He kind of like where he is, things of that nature. But that's all the politically think correct things to say right now. But he couldn't technically enter the portal until April when it opens back up. So like, if so, where could y'all see him going? What type of systems in places do you see in fitness, especially with everything changing in college football next year?
Speaker 4:I actually don't see him going anywhere. I feel like, with his uncles being who they are, I feel like he has a old soul about our old approach to the situation. Like I don't, I don't feel like he's without that. That that transfer stuff, which, a lot of the transfer stuff, I think it's a jump to. I mean I feel like guys you shouldn't leave in, for I mean you got like Addison last year he he wins the Blitnikoff award and then transfers like I Don't. I mean you got starting quarterbacks transfer, and so it is one thing if you're transferring.
Speaker 4:If you're, you know, deep down in the hole and you want to go down to somewhere where you can play, for example, cal McCourt, you know what really the God of House, they went to Syracuse, perfect, that's the perfect fit for him. We'll be able to do whatever he wants. There's no pressure, there's nothing, no kind of standard that he needs to. He'll cook there, he'll do well, but guys are just transferring just because they can like I think that's silly. I don't really see that in Arch Manning, just based on his lineage. But I mean if I had to pick somewhere, I can't even do that. I really can't see him going anywhere. So I don't know, I can't. I can't really answer where I think he'd go, but I don't think he goes anywhere. I actually I'm pretty certain.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I'm with you on that. Um, I don't really see him going nowhere. I mean like somewhere where you could be like, okay, he'll be a good fit there, or where he's gonna come in and just like instantly have that Start and roll. Unless he goes somewhere where it's just a super, super struggling program, where of course his name is gonna Always gonna have eyes on him. But you go to a struggling program, it's like Do you really want to deal with that and not possibly, you know, being one of top tier picks, or you can wait another year in Texas, you know. I mean, come out in 2025 and dominate.
Speaker 2:You know, Projectively be one the top quarterbacks in the 26th.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I think he still has all four years eligibility left.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 4:Sky's limit. So you know you sit one more year.
Speaker 2:You could really cook for three years after Quinn leaves, like or right now days you really only got to cook one good year.
Speaker 4:No, I was just giving him maximum. Yeah, like he really only one year to really cook being a man like somebody's gonna grab you for sure, for sure, I was just giving him, you know, his maximum cuz like no I don't see him as a type that's gonna run to the league either. Like yeah, like if he's on the fringe he's gonna stay, just like, just just cuz of the lineage like so and there's no rush, but do you want to come in at 27, 28?
Speaker 2:I mean, I Mean I mean he's already making NFL money right now, so he's one of the top. Nil guys out there.
Speaker 3:So, being a top pick, and he'll I mean they did it with Eli feel like where he might end up.
Speaker 1:I ain't really got to go 20 bill.
Speaker 3:This Don't sit around here beer, exactly.
Speaker 2:Um Shoot, speaking of that man Talking about the draft, where do we think? The Bears and I didn't not get a banner for this. So we're gonna jump over to the NFL, but I didn't get a banner for this question, cuz I totally spaced it.
Speaker 2:But what do we think that the Bears are gonna do with the number one pick? So do they keep Justin and trade the number one pick, trade down maybe two or three picks to grab somebody else, maybe like Marvin, or Do they get a quarterback and kind of hit that reset button again?
Speaker 4:You said what I was asking. I didn't want to go first.
Speaker 3:Oh yeah, I definitely go first, yeah oh man, so I've Not even thinking we were gonna talk about this. I've talked to a couple of Bears fans and I've never, I don't think, seen a mixed bag of keep fields versus Cut fields or trade fields, like I and all my years of talking sports with people just casually, I don't think I've ever seen is a fan base this like mix on like what to do, and I Don't know what these you do. I mean I like fields. I Can't blame every issue that they've had on Justin Fields. I feel like he had a really good rapport with DJ Moore.
Speaker 3:I Feel like he's still running for his life, so like it's still gonna be difficult for him to be successful and, honestly, if you drive another quarterback, how's that gonna change? I guess, especially if it's gonna be somebody who's doing I guess you get more time to you know, develop them and get them behind, and he's he's been injured so that definitely doesn't help with getting other people in or Basically kind of contributing to you know some of that success, because he's not playing as much as I guess you would like. I'm still a Fields fan, I'm. I say, if you get him Short office of line and if you can get Margaret Harrison Junior that now you've got more, and Margaret Harrison Junior, like it makes the office that much more so. So they did run fairly decently when they decided to run the ball. So I mean they still can't run, it's still a running team. They've got a protecting and I mean you get him another weapon and then see, you know what can happen after that. I mean you've got we just talked about ours many.
Speaker 3:I mean you know, if it doesn't work, you in the same position in the next couple of years You're probably gonna be available to get ours many when he comes out. So I mean you're gonna be. If you're not successful, you're going to be in the quarterback market for the next couple years anyway. I mean I'm assuming the Caleb Williams is still the guy that they're I am who was to say there's not another Caleb Williams out there.
Speaker 3:After my watch couple Caleb, I wouldn't super impressed, to be honest, and then definitely think that there would be another Caleb Williams out there for them to get in the next Two to three years. You know, if this doesn't work, and if this doesn't work and you still have Marma Harrison Junior and are able to then resign DJ more, you at least bring that new quarterback in with Some weapons, as opposed to starting with absolutely nothing. Like Feels dead. So I don't think that they should drive the quarterback. But if you need to drive the quarterback right now, I think that there's other things that could help make that team more successful Outside of the quarterback position.
Speaker 2:What you think, jared I.
Speaker 4:Would actually, if I'm bears, I would actually take an unconventional approach. How about sitting down with Justin Fields and asking what he thinks like do you want to trade? Do you want a new start? What do you want to do? And if he says no, I like to hear, I want to be here, I'm rolling with it because I mean he has a talent.
Speaker 4:I was actually debating my dad last night like from an Ohio State fan that's seen All of Justin Fields snaps and all the CJ's straw snaps. Justin Fields, contrary to popular belief, is just as talented, talented as CJ Stratus Not the same kind of, but they're both equally as talented. That's my belief and that's from watching, like I said, every down of both of them. So I feel like Justin Fields can do certain things. He can win games, he can be a good quarterback, but has to be in the right situation. Has to be in the right situation, has to have the right coach and has to have the right schemes. He got to just be able to just let the ball go. He can make those passes and he can run. Cj Stratus is not really a game breaker with his legs. Justin Fields can make those throws and he can run.
Speaker 4:If you could just put together a perfect team around this kid, I feel like he could kid. What am I talking about? This man? If you can put a perfect team around Justin Fields, he can definitely win you games and be a franchise quarterback.
Speaker 4:But I mean, chicago has failed for how many years to be a team to have that great quarterback. I mean, when is the last great quarterback to played in Chicago? So I think it's deeper than just you know personnel now. It's just like something built into the culture that they got to break. But I feel like Justin Fields can be that guy and if he's fully committed and wants to run it back, I would take him up. I'm not that sold on Caleb Williams. I don't feel like Caleb Williams is that much greater than Justin Fields. That's just my personal opinion. If you had a chance to draft a joke or Patrick Mahomes, maybe you make that change, but I don't feel like any of the quarterbacks that they have opportunity of getting are just going to be that much greater than Justin Fields. That's just my personal opinion.
Speaker 3:And even. Mahomes was what the 18th picker or something Like. Back in the draft he wasn't a number one, number two pick. As you was saying. That Jared, like I, just may not be the greatest example this year, but I mean, think about what happened with Jalen Hurts, like when you actually tailored an offense around his game and then you went and got them and they and then they had the if I tell you, you know so there's.
Speaker 3:There's definitely answers outside of a. We need to cut trade, release whatever, because you've already used a top draft pick on the quarterback.
Speaker 2:Like you have him there and he's like like y'all both were saying he's he's showing he has talent, he's showing that he can make plays with his arm and his leg. He showed even this year, like the second half of the season, like he played so much better. Like the barriers look way different. I don't know what they did, but they looked way different. Even the line, as mediocre as they are, was blocking better and playing better.
Speaker 2:So I agree, I think you probably just trade back and maybe grab another, grab another weapon and if somebody got two picks in the first round, maybe you know jump up, maybe trade with them, get an offense lineman and if you can get Marvin you know what I mean. I say go that route, and you know what I mean. Like you said, just work on the areas y'all need to work on. You know what I mean. Dbs and O-line is probably the most significant needs for Chicago right now. That's what I would do and just keep the. You know you already got rid of your coordinator, so you're going to bring in new coordinators this year and give him some consistency, like you another receiver too, man.
Speaker 2:That's what I'm saying. Like Marvin. I mean, if you get Marvin more, bring in a free agent, because you're going to have money. Yeah, he's super young, they, they're going to have money. So bring in a free agent, grab Marvin, grab a couple of O-linemen and go from there and do some DBs. You got a DBs to me, big plays. They gave up on defense. Now, with sweat, you got somebody up front who gone command double teams, who could get to the QB linebacker. They always pretty good at linebacker, but on that back end they were getting killed. So you got to be able to stop people too. So I'll say DBs, o-line and another weapon, that receiver. I think they'll be able to compete. So, moving right along, let's talk about the, the matchups from this past. Uh, wildcard weekend, uh, the upsets.
Speaker 4:I knew y'all both was going to go that way.
Speaker 3:I was up for one of these games. I don't know what game it was. I want to say it was a. It was. The bill still is game I knocked out in the first five minutes of that game.
Speaker 2:It was tough. I would say I'm going to just go get mine out the way. My biggest upset is clip the Texans. Uh, I just thought that the browser put up, uh, a bigger defense against them, like I just thought they would play better. Um, and definitely the Eagles, definitely definitely the Eagles. Um, though they had been struggling the past two months. Um, I just thought, you know, come play off time. You know, sometimes like teams can just rally and pull it together, and that Tampa Bay team who struggled all year made them look like they didn't deserve, uh, to even be in the playoffs. So, yeah, um, those would be my two upsets. It was, it was crazy born tough teams, but it was like weather and like it was a whole bunch of stuff going on these games. But uh, yeah, so they wasn't as exciting. The most exciting game was the Rams Lions game.
Speaker 1:So which, who would?
Speaker 2:have thought. Who would have thought Uh, but uh yeah, it was ridiculous.
Speaker 4:I mean those would be my two updates. But Miami didn't put up a fight, the Cowboys didn't put up a fight. Um, the Eagles didn't put up a fight. I mean these, these were terrible games, terrible, terrible games, like absolutely terrible. Um, of course, I had money on the Cowboys as well. I knew that was over when it was 14. Nothing like, yeah, it's a wrap. Um, I knew that the uh Eagles game was over pretty pretty early. Uh, they, they got. Yeah, it's over.
Speaker 4:Um, so yeah man, I can't rank them. I don't know which one. I can't even tell you which one I thought was the worst. Um, I think the the score of the Packers and the Cowboys looks a lot better than what it really was. Yeah, that's, that's crazy. Um, so yeah, I can't even really rank them, but just terrible football across the board.
Speaker 3:Uh, I mean, if I'm going, the biggest upset it's definitely the Packers, the Eagles. I appreciate what I said this last week. After like week eight then the worst defensive league I came in and said that they were going to lose that game. I absolutely knew that. They weren't going to be to stop anybody. They were 10 and one. They won 11 games. Right, they were 10 and one. They finished the season with 11 wins.
Speaker 4:Twice and the commanders twice. I mean shit. I don't know how many of those games are down the stretch.
Speaker 2:I know at least they lost to the commanders down the stretch, like come on, man, and we were just talking about this before we went live, just like they attended one whenever attended one. Like we were saying like yeah, they're attending one, but like there's clear flaws there that they're gonna have to get corrected before the end of the season or they're not gonna have a deep playoff run, and they kind of showed themselves like the old line Wasn't as good as last year. Clearly AJ Brown is a huge part of that offense that makes it makes it go the way it go. They're super slow at linebacker. They can't, the linebackers can't cover anybody and if it's summary, the DB's this year Just can't tackle. Like they missed so many tackles. It don't matter if it's a running back, if it's a receiver, like who's a quarterback running, it does not matter. Like they just cannot tackle.
Speaker 2:So Kind of fundamentally, the Eagles was flawed from the jump. So and I don't know if it's when you lose both of your coordinators To the team, just feel like y'all can coast Back into the next season after being in the Super Bowl last year. I don't know what it is, but like it got to be some changes there and it's something that happened in that locker room. Like something has happened in that locker room. Don't know what it is, haven't heard anything, but something that's happening. That's just my personal opinion.
Speaker 4:I'm rolling.
Speaker 3:Yeah, absolutely Request a trade.
Speaker 2:Oh yes, oh yes.
Speaker 3:Getting back to the question, I mean the Cowboys built themselves up on being this high powered offense and this immaculate defense, like I mean you can say the Browns was again, we had a really good defense, but the Browns didn't. They never talked trash about the defense, like they didn't have nothing to say. They ain't on podcast talking trash about every other team each week. The Cowboys were like Mike, of course, is it? He still talked about Brock Hardy and they just lost. He didn't say anything about Brock Hardy. I just want to throw it up. So I mean one Not only do you expect them to win that game, you expect me when that game handling, even though the Packers were playing well, no, coming into the playoffs.
Speaker 3:You definitely didn't expect it to be 48 to 16, with like six minutes left in the fourth quarter, like there was absolutely. I don't think there's anybody who would have thought that it was gonna be a blowout in the other direction. Like you wouldn't have been surprised if the Cowboys blue the Packers out, but for the Cowboys to get blown out at home when they won 16 straight at home. Now that point your last game, so that you can get the number to see. You did all of this, and then you went and got smoked and now your quarterback, your quarterback may be gone, your coach may be gone, and everybody had. Nobody was on a high seat before that game. The entire team is on a high seat except for Michael Parsons and CDL am at this point.
Speaker 2:There's not another person on that team who's opposite and the thing is with the Cowboys to like, like, and I said I said this last week, I said I'm going Green Bay Because it just seemed like one of them games the Dallas would lose, like yes, they've been great at home, but it was like they ran up against a Green Bay team that's really been playing good, contrary to their record. The past month They've been playing really good. They've been finding a stride, like they're healthy. Like and I was like this is the Bulls all team for Dallas and like Whenever Dallas get on a high horse, whether it's Dallas themselves, well, it's Dallas, the city where it's just Texas. Whatever cowboy fans across the nation, whenever they start getting on a high horse and they start talking about this could be the year. That is the damning words for the Cowboys. This may be the year, and guess what they say every single year?
Speaker 4:This can be the year it always is like I still never heard it.
Speaker 3:I've got quite a few friends or Cowboys fans and I've got some who are cool. Ain't gonna say too much, but, fam, I trust me, I know at least three or four off the top of my head who were going. That's crazy.
Speaker 4:I've never, ever, ever my life encountered obnoxious Cowboys in life. So when people talk about all these, I I've met just about every other fan I've never heard. I think as a 49er fan, I for whatever reason I'm not a fan of this.
Speaker 3:So I think I get them a lot more. I got this ton of my friends were Cowboys fans. As soon as I say I'm a 90s fan, it's instant disrespect and I don't ever say nothing to them and I like I started, I off to finish it, but nonetheless I don't never started. I don't come in talking trash Soon as I say 49ers, they've got everything to say and I mean they can say well, you know, it's been longer for us to win a Super Bowl than has been for them, because we won the year before them. I would at least we've competed and not been disappointments for the most part in that last 30 year run.
Speaker 2:And y'all not saying, oh man, this is the year we're going to win it. You don't hear nothing from the, from the Niners, you don't hear nothing from their, from their front office, and none of that. Every team believes every year is their year and they, you know, I mean they're going to win. You know, I mean that's just how you approach the game. But the Cowboys are so loud and with them being on national TV every year, like I'm having every week, like it's just it gets like you say, it gets annoying, like that's not all they follow.
Speaker 3:They do have the biggest fan base.
Speaker 2:No, but I'm just saying like I understand, but it's what they say.
Speaker 3:Yeah, it's gonna be a lot more voices, and loud, because they have so many fans. So it's unfortunate that they're just probably not as many fans who are as boisterous as there are who are chilling. You know this. You know when they get through a playoff game. But you know they say you know, one bad apples was a bus and they got at least two of them. That every year be super loud.
Speaker 4:I just listen to Stephen A Smith going on his ranch. I'll be like I just I don't, I don't know, I'm not with it, but who do you?
Speaker 2:Okay, then let's just. Let's just talk Dallas real quick. Who do you bring in as a coach? Did you say, hey, look, we've been what? 12 and five, 12 and six, or whatever for the past three years? Who do you bring in as a coach to say, ok, that's going to get us to 15 and three, or you know, I mean, who's going to change our record?
Speaker 4:and make us play better. I don't know if you necessarily move on from McCarthy Like. I don't feel like anybody thinking like who nifty? And we just better than you.
Speaker 2:That's what I'm saying. And do you have one of the most solid rosters? Like you got players at every position that like? Like, what do you do? Do you just blow it up? I mean, like what, what is it? I don't know, that's what I'm saying. Like I can't find that flaw, just like, oh, look, you know what. That's the change they need.
Speaker 4:They don't have anything that just jumps off at you. I was reading something that somebody mentioned their smaller, smaller linebackers. I was like, ah, they do, got some like safety sized guys playing linebacker. Maybe you know they can, I don't know. Maybe you bring in another edge and you let you let homeboy play actual linebacker.
Speaker 2:But, he, but he's so efficient at rushing the passers Like, do you just take him out of position or throw him down at the end.
Speaker 4:See, I'm the type that, like, playing defense is all about sex, like.
Speaker 2:I'm I agree, but I'm just saying get after the quarterback, Like he's just so talented at that.
Speaker 4:I would take a little bit less of that and you just be a linebacker Like I, because that's like. That's like the guy for us Hendrickson, like yeah, he got, he had like 17 sacks, but like it's just, it's just different. Like I mean, what are you doing against a run, like? Are you a short tackler when you're in the backfield? Are you making those those you know those plays on? Are you making plays on third downs, like, or all your sacks on first down, first second down, like? Are you it's?
Speaker 2:just impact plays and yeah.
Speaker 4:And it's almost like I give up some sacks to have somebody in the middle of the defense calling the defense, making the adjustments, sure tackler going to get in the backfield playing both all sides of the field. Give me that. Give me. Give me eight sacks from Michael Parsons, but shutting shit down in the middle of the defense. Then just those 17 sacks and that's just it. Yeah, you know, that's just kind of personal.
Speaker 2:No, I agree, but I think, like nowadays, with the NFL being so past happy, like you need smaller guys that can move, that can tackle and that can cover. You're not feeling the holes, though.
Speaker 3:Hey look, I gotta be able to stop the run, Like I mean, that's what I was just about to say, like we are saying they don't have any weaknesses, they have a glaring weakness they can't stop the run. That's why the game plan for and I mean, even as to the last reason, I said it would be close if Green Bay came out and ran the ball like they could. Now they came out and ran the ball a lot better than nice they could. And Aaron Jones, I mean I didn't realize that he had had like three straight honey yard games. So I mean he came in the game high to sell so they just kind of wrote that out hand.
Speaker 3:But they definitely have that thing weakness. I was literally right before we got on looking at somebody who had posted something about one of their linebackers who literally tried to run around some blocks because he didn't want to run straight into the gap and stop the run. And on that particular manager I was like no, 15, 16 yards and I didn't even know. I thought dude was a safety, like he was way too small to be in there with them big body, so they have weaknesses.
Speaker 3:So I mean they do have something they need.
Speaker 4:Well, that's an easy fix.
Speaker 2:If that's what I'm saying, if that's what costs them.
Speaker 3:Every year I put all that stuff in years, though they're just not doing it. They lose us. We run the ball they lost to what Arizona and kind of like crazy.
Speaker 3:I'm trying to think who. I said every team that they lost to the running back had a really good day. In fact, if I, in fantasy, I knew if I had a running bag going against the Cowboys, my running back was going to definitely give me any kind of bonus and a touchdown at least, because they don't even try to stop the run. And the problem with that is once a team gets, once a team is able to run on them and you're not able to get those scuba scores or pick sixes and you're not ahead, then they start to press, then you start to get wide open to the back, then everybody seems to be open. It didn't know. Romeo Dive is catching any and everything that comes this way and it doesn't seem like there's a man close to him. Because now we can't stop the run, we try to stop the run and the past becomes that much easier.
Speaker 2:That's true, because now you got your linebackers thinking before they you know what I mean Instead of reading. So once you get them thinking, then, like you said, they're going to take that stuff forward, anticipating the run before you know there's no what you know To have been that open.
Speaker 3:Like Jordan loves through the ball short. He's still here to stop. Come back, catch it, turn around, did a gritty couple of backflips.
Speaker 4:Still walking. They haven't practiced, and I mean they look like they had been so far. They look like they were in preseason mode, Like Stefan Gilmore was just getting torched. He's 15 yards the other way before he realized that the guy could. We might be talking about the same play.
Speaker 3:It might be the same play.
Speaker 4:Terrible.
Speaker 3:I'm like they do have a couple of cats on the defense who are up for contract too, so they may not even have the same defense next year.
Speaker 2:I think you're more is a contract next year right, yeah you're more yeah. So, but I think, I think, with, with with old boy stepping up this year, you still got digs you could kind of let. You could probably let Gilmore go, especially with him being older, even though he played well this season.
Speaker 4:He played well for the most part.
Speaker 2:Unless he's willing to just take less money, because he's still on that, he's still in the Indianapolis deal, which we gave him some decent money Nothing crazy, but decent. And do you got Dexter Lawrence? You got a couple, yeah, you got a couple guys that you may have to re up, but again, like you just need to really probably grab a linebacker or two.
Speaker 4:They kind of feel that in Remember we trade on all year too, so you get him back.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Digs will be back like you'll. You'll be okay in the back on the second. The second door is never really been a problem. Maybe, like you said and that's something that I missed it could be just a linebacker position because van de Bosch been out and that's their banger, that's they run. Stop it right there. But who knows if he even coming back he got some I think he's some some with his neck, what's going on? He been having like some lingering issues with his neck, so he may not even be back. You need a Roquine Smith, you need one of them bangers.
Speaker 1:One of them run.
Speaker 2:I'm just saying one of them run stop and linebackers one of them linebackers who can read and react, you know. But y'all got a Warner, somebody that hey look, he's going to hit the hole. He's going to hit the hole with passion. You know what I mean, right? So like everybody needs that, that, that hitter in the middle at linebacker, to fill those run, to stop the run. I'm glad we got a Zaire Franklin. You know what I mean.
Speaker 2:Somebody that cover and that will run in there and hit the hole. He's undersized too, but you know he's a very good tackler. If nothing else, let's. Let's move on to this weekend. Man, we get off the passes, jump into the future real quick Divisional matchups.
Speaker 2:So Saturday at 430, you got the Texans and Ravens 815 the late game. You got Packers and Niners. Sunday at 3pm, which is weird. At 3pm you got the Bucks and the Lions and then you got Chiefs Bill. As a 630pm man, these is I mean seeing how they play last week. This, these looks some good, better matchups. Now that Texan Raven game is going to be interesting. Just with the Texans playing so well and the Ravens playing so well, I think that's going to be a very, either very good game or it's going to be a blowout. One way or another. Both teams can put up points, but both teams have been playing good defensively too. Packers, niners I don't know the Niners, niners have been the Niners, but again, the Packers have just been playing good at the right time. So like we can come in and underestimate them, that's it.
Speaker 3:The fact that they played Dallas the way they play, I think, helps keep us focused. Now we can't be like, all right, it's the.
Speaker 2:Packers, you can't be like oh, it's just a page.
Speaker 3:If we come in and take a light, you know 486 16s movie like this, Not man. We got to come in focus and much more ready to play than the Cowboys were, I agree.
Speaker 4:The hard part about making these predictions is that it's really Couple turnovers. That could be the game. They don't even got to be like forced like rock party. One fumble yeah, it could just be some bullshit, like a bad snack, exactly Shit like that could, especially in the playoffs, like that'll be the game. You know what I'm saying Because, like, I think Dallas had a shot. They were getting ready, I think they were down 14 at the time and they had a shot to score before the half and they were getting the ball back and he threw a pick six. That's game. Like that you can lose the deck. So you went from possibly being able to score, get the ball back, tie it up to being down three scores.
Speaker 3:Yeah, they would have been like 1420 going to have instead of 27 to seven or whatever it was. So, yeah, that's a huge momentum swing play and.
Speaker 1:I'm going to say one.
Speaker 3:Yeah, just one play could completely, and especially if you're down, you down, you start to press, you start to maybe try to find them, tight windows and make it right instead of just running your regular offense. So at this point, these things are here for a reason. Yeah, nobody can be taken away.
Speaker 2:I agree, I agree. And then the chiefs and bills, which they've matched up in the playoffs a couple times the pet over the past couple years. It's in Buffalo, though, which I don't think that matters, but the chiefs, they ain't been playing their best ball. The kind of last week look like. They kind of look like the old chiefs, but again, like the bills is that buzz saw, like Dave, they plan for good football at the right time, and just earlier this year we were talking about if something going on in a locker room so whatever it is, it feels like they kind of corrected it. And Josh Allen Play like late he played last week. It's gonna be a problem. They definitely got a short to run. They definitely got to keep him in the pocket and force him to pass the ball.
Speaker 4:Oh, yeah, I believe it, that's homeboys first-row playoff game. Yes, more Super Bowl championships and you have role playoff games you got Really good.
Speaker 3:It could also be very bad 112 games like we were saying it down. They should. I still want with the level of games like 11. That's a down year for the chiefs.
Speaker 2:Most things would pray for that every yes, yeah, yeah. So yeah, man, I don't know man Texans Ravens. I'm gonna go Ravens, yeah. I just think it's just a little. Maybe, if we're just talking Offense the office, I think it may be a little too much Ravens. And just on defense. They're very seasoned on defense too. So I just think it may be too much Ravens against the Texans Packer what about it? Okay, I lay everybody pick, oh.
Speaker 3:I get really soon. I'm really thinking these to me, I'm time said. I mean I Think it'd be close, but I don't know that they gonna be overcome the defense.
Speaker 4:Man based on this week, crazy or shit has happened, so I don't know. It's a tough game to pick that is a great point.
Speaker 3:The Cowboys also supposedly had that defense, but I think the Ravens are actually much more battle tested.
Speaker 4:And then we gotta take in consideration that week off to well, really two weeks off of the Ravens. So really this is yeah.
Speaker 2:Cuz I'm already paid in two weeks yeah.
Speaker 3:Run the ball.
Speaker 4:We know who is. You know Rhythm is what I CJ strap. You know who isn't rhythm. So I still got Ravens, but, like I said, after this weekend.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I mean, that's why I said I got it close, but I think the Ravens pull it out.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I don't see it as a blowout. I don't see that, like I said, I just think it's maybe a little bit too much. Ravens, and like we were saying, it could be one play. It could be one play. It could be a fumble, it could be a turnover, it could be just one random costly mistake of return, a kickoff return, a punt return.
Speaker 2:It could be something a holding yeah something that changes the game and you know you go. Illegal use of hands to the face is some stupid. That just changed the trajectory. That game Packers Niners I'm gonna go. I'm gonna go Niners too, just cuz I mean like Just too much Niners. I think Maybe the spotlight could be too big for Jordan Love and that young team they got the youngest team in NFL. So it's like, yeah, to get one playoff win, but to go in the count To kind of stick and yeah, that's gonna be a tough task.
Speaker 3:I still kind of stick as well.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I'm trying not to say I know it's not called it or more but Levi's Stadium. But to go go into San Francisco and try to win there against that, that team who clearly got something to prove this year after last year, I think that's a bit to ask for that young team. So I'm gonna go Niners. I.
Speaker 3:Mean, I got faith in cow, this ain't the Super Bowl, the fourth quarter Super Bowl. So I, in the last, with four years we've got two playoff games that were dubs with a completions 11, completions 11. We go run the ball and we go forcefully the ball to the running back until we can't anymore. And I'll start to worry a little bit more if we can make it to the Super Bowl, because then it seems like that's when you Kind of kind of starts to show a little bit of his issues. But I don't know, we definitely I don't think we're going to this game just trying to be super past happy I got. I feel like for the next several games we are heavily rely on that run and we come here we can say what travels, the run game and your defense, unless you're the Dallas Cowboys.
Speaker 2:And I think you protect party to after last year, like just protect your quarterback, like pass when you have to. You got your bell cows, you've got a, you got a good running back, like even Dbo, like you know what I mean. Put him back there like protect party at all costs. You know you just don't want a repeater last year in no shape or form, so don't even put him at harm's way. Let you know me pass when you have to run the ball. Keep it on the ground.
Speaker 3:That is the epitome of a curse if we end up losing all our TVs again. I.
Speaker 2:Agree with that, me too. Uh, bucks, lions, I don't know man, this is I.
Speaker 4:No, I did.
Speaker 2:I don't have. I don't have faith in any of these either. One of these teams, the Lions, went a tough game it you know what I mean against the Rams, which we thought had nothing at the beginning of this season, and then the Bucks dominate a clearly Dead, morale wise Eagles team. So are they gonna be? Why in the high horse? Because they be, you know, look out the Eagles and they think that they are that. Or would the Lions be too emotional, off of that win with Stafford and the history of those two teams, to come in and perform against the Bucks? I have no idea who wins this.
Speaker 1:If I had to pick.
Speaker 2:I'm gonna pick the Lions. I think they're better on each side of the ball.
Speaker 4:But again, I'm a sensei and take that 30 years playoff drive all the way to the Super Bowl, like.
Speaker 2:That's what I'm saying, like, and it could just be that this is the Lions. You.
Speaker 3:I Got a homeboy about Five, six weeks ago. He'd be up and he called a Niners Lions NFC Championship game. And that doesn't say I'm. I say I mean I can see it. But I don't know.
Speaker 4:Hey baby right Now.
Speaker 3:Of course he called the Lions winning that game. I'm not. I worry about that. No if that happens if he gets to that point?
Speaker 4:you say that's where he, that's where he's wrong.
Speaker 3:That's. That's what we parted ways, but nonetheless, look, I mean, that was a hell of a prediction on his part. I mean and he's one of the people I know was crazy every Lions fans I know they can think like they may be some of the most you got. You gotta be Loyal fans. That I have never met in my life like they legit was still Lions fans after 0 and 16 and you know I think that they deserve they get right now. So I can't even mad at him. I got the minds Because I want to see him succeed until the next week when, hopefully, they come.
Speaker 4:If you hang around that long, you, you gotta be loyal. That I mean it's like saying it's almost like identical Situations with us, like it was the same thing two years ago for us. Like you gotta be loyal if you around that long, I mean 30 years, no playoff man.
Speaker 1:Like that would like the Browns also.
Speaker 2:Browns. Following that category, it's a couple teams. Did you just be like? These fans are still here, so who do you think with the Lions and Bucks?
Speaker 4:No idea, but give me Lions for the sake of having to make a pic.
Speaker 2:Okay Okay, they've got chiefs bills. This is probably the most interesting one.
Speaker 4:I can't wait to see what happens with him playing on the road that's gonna be.
Speaker 2:It's gonna be a new territory for Patrick Mahomes and, like I said, the bills is man they. They plan good football at the right time, whatever, going on and look like they figured it out Boom.
Speaker 3:Sorry, okay yeah.
Speaker 2:Who do you think with chiefs and bills? Then Jared.
Speaker 4:Oh Yo, hopefully it's a good game. Well, like I said, I'm so like shaking by this past weekend.
Speaker 1:It makes you scared to pick.
Speaker 4:It just makes me think that it's just not like. I have no reason to believe it. It's gonna be a good game, just after what I saw this weekend.
Speaker 2:Oh Me, give me chiefs close, hopefully okay, okay, I'm gonna say no, this is part of the hardest game to pick, just cuz they have played each other a lot and you anticipated being a very good game.
Speaker 3:I feel like the feels outplayed the teams the last couple of games they play, even though facts touchdowns and like 13 seconds and one of some some crazy like that that last play up the game. That that was a phenomenal game. I'm expecting the same meta this one. I think the bills have been playing as a team better than the chiefs. The chiefs didn't seem to have the issues with the drops last week, but who knows if that's gonna carry over to this week. Kelsey to be doesn't seem to be what he used to be. So I think this you're not as worried about the past, even though this Mahomes he's gonna throw a tomb. It's just I think I'm catching Right and Kelsey just don't see. Kelsey used to never say like he had anybody next to him and now it's like every time he catch the ball he's going straight down.
Speaker 3:He's catching like seven, eight years late yeah yeah, bro, it's crazy, but I'm gonna take the bills. I don't have a hundred percent, like 51 49, when it comes to confidence in that, but they've got to get revenge at some point, right.
Speaker 4:Yeah, they definitely owe the chiefs, for sure.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I'm going, chiefs too. I think it's gonna be close. It's just hard to go against my Patrick Mahomes so.
Speaker 3:Do it, it to me to the man right, right, right.
Speaker 2:I'm a, I'm a stick with him, I mean, to the wheels fall off. It's gonna be. I think it's gonna be a good game and, like you said, jared, I hope it's a good game right, all right, man maybe too hot. Oh, all right. So, with that being said, man, let's get up out of here, man. Final thoughts, man.
Speaker 4:Not playing our plan. Our freshman and I Not planning he ain't played in any and it's like we've been close cuz like the big 12 was the best Conference as far as basketball goes, and man, we've been Like we've been close. Man, we're just looking for just that, that spark. And we got a six foot six freshman four star from the city of Cincinnati just on the bench to link plate.
Speaker 1:Hmm.
Speaker 4:So that burns that, that. That burns me up every single time I watch the game. But yeah, so they got to get that together. But other than that I think I'm good for the week. Hey shots Mike Brown. Did y'all see his love? His little incident where he bought off the laptop and was calling after reps. Oh yeah, you got fine Crazy, but shot to him. That was hard. I fuck with it.
Speaker 2:Hey, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do, but for sure, special with these refs, man, they, they dictate games, man.
Speaker 4:He said, fuck them nigga, pulled out the laptop, turn it around. You see that right there I was like oh shit, that's hard, but yeah, it cost you. Hey you got receipts yeah what about you?
Speaker 3:Man, typically the least serious person here Love, love you Family, look friends. What's the note? That you love and careful.
Speaker 1:You don't know what's going on with them, and so.
Speaker 2:That's really all.
Speaker 3:I got. It's kind of cute to show it's up.
Speaker 2:That's good man, and again. I mean, I'm just I'm glad we're here another week, man. I appreciate y'all giving me an hour yeah time every week, man and you know, kind of releasing man. I think this is a good release for us. Hopefully next week we have boom. We have a big Steve with us, so Another person to add to the roster, so bring some great insight like I said, I've been friends with him for a long time, so He'll bring some good. You said what.
Speaker 3:I still think boom hair and every time I hear His nickname is boom.
Speaker 2:We are, we call them big C, but like and if you see any person you will know why he's called boom. So yeah, man, I guess it's been that man. This has been another episode of the epic podcast. Man, we see y'all next week. Peace out.