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"
The Epic Reunion: Sports Week Recap
Now we goin' way up. Now we goin' way up. Now we goin' On track. Now we goin' way up. Now we goin' way up. Now we goin' Keep that same energy. Work on being better. When I'm 70, your drip is just a water spring. You know I drip different just to set the seas. I deal with life different. Make that limit, squeeze Went off on my style and identity.
Speaker 2:Better bounce back and get the cheddar cheese. Yo yo yo. Welcome back to another episode of the Epic Podcast, episode two, season four, and we a little bit light today. Man, just me and Ike in the building right now. We should have Jerry join us a little later. Justin is super busy so he had things to do, probably adulting. Nonetheless, man, how's your sports week been since last?
Speaker 3:week. Oh, I should probably put this down.
Speaker 2:He's been drumlining for about 30 minutes.
Speaker 3:You know, some things never leave you. I haven't touched a drum since one elected class that I took in college, but it's been a while Sports week, I mean. You know I only got one team that I follow, so I mean we won. That's very true, you know. So it matters to me, you know, and I mean there ain't really nothing else going on. To my understanding, the Braves suck. But you know I don't watch baseball like that, I'm just like yo. Am I going to be able to go to a playoff game this year? Apparently, the answer to that is probably not. And you know I did go out somewhere Saturday and watch the Georgia-Tennessee game.
Speaker 3:Okay, watch the ambiance. It was dope. That game was crazy. I didn't know how Georgia won because Tennessee kickers, for whatever reason, choked in the wrong time. It was cool. It was like a little outside spot called Holiday Bar. It was kind a little outside spot called Holiday Bar. So it was kind of outside, kind of inside. Okay, that was pretty dope, but that was just because I wanted to get out the house. I don't do a ton of college football, they just happen to be on. They kind of set up like a little projector type of thing, so it was real cool.
Speaker 2:Good man, I'm glad to see you, even indirectly, diving into a little college basketball. I mean football. So you know, even if it's just for entertainment purposes and you're not really following it, I'm glad you got to watch the game.
Speaker 3:I mean, it was a good game. I ain't even going to ask. I still don't see how I'm about to start this again. I still don't see how they won Georgia won. To start this again. I still don't see how they won. Georgia won. They squeaked it out somehow, but man, that game was crazy.
Speaker 2:I mean, it did wonders for the rankings. Tennessee drops to 15. Georgia jumps up to 5. So we'll talk about that a little later. Go through some of the current rankings, at least for the top 12. Yeah, let's go. There's no y'all, it's just me and you. Normally you could pass it, but it's just me and you right now, man. So without further ado, let's jump into our topics for the day.
Speaker 2:Man, we're going to start, of course, a little WNBA news. It is going on right now. Actually, the Fever, and the Fever and the Dream are playing right now. This will determine who moves on to the next round. It is 1-1. Yeah, so that game started at 7.30, so that's going on right now. We got another game that starts at 9 tonight. Oh no, that's yes. 9.30 tonight, the Aces in the Seattle Storm. That is also tied 1-1. Winner takes all now between those two games and then tomorrow you have the Mercury and the Liberty at 9 pm on ESPN2. That's also 1-1. Of course should be a good matchup. It's been not close games both ways. So Liberty, the game one, they won by 17. The Mercury, game two, won by 26. So like it's been all or nothing both games. So get to see who's going to move on to the next round of WNBA playoffs.
Speaker 3:Oh man, we got y'all. Look at that man, I know, I know.
Speaker 2:He actually playing in Georgia right now, man.
Speaker 3:I mean, you know, I get semi-loyalty. I had a brother and really good friend who was working for his ring until very recently. So I mean he was, like you know, still cheering for him. But I'm like, all right man, they did my dog wrong so I don't know if I'm supposed to be sharing for him. But you know, I was getting into games. He was hooping us up. The first time that Caleb Clark played here I got to go to that game at State Farm, which was a dope game to go to. But other than that man, I don't have to. I follow much of anything. I had no idea Atlanta was number three. I'm just here so I'm going to get fined.
Speaker 2:Well, first of all, you're not going to get fined, let's start there but nonetheless, yeah, well, of course you know the fever just hit.
Speaker 1:Every game has been crazy. Even though she hasn't even been playing, it's still been a pretty good turnout. I mean, hopefully they can pull this off.
Speaker 3:Is she out for the season?
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, they announced it.
Speaker 3:Yeah, she's not going to pull this off.
Speaker 1:She done had like weird. I think she had like two groin injuries, like one happened. Happened once and then, when one was healing, ended up getting in another leg or something like that. She's just been injured all through. Kelsey Mitchell stepped up and a lot of the other girls stepped up and did a good job. It's worked out. Got us the number six seed.
Speaker 3:Just because I'm hating go treat Dang Well, that's you.
Speaker 2:I'm not even surprised. That's you. Hate, hate, hate, hate, hate. You are the biggest hater. I'm going to spit in your chalice but nonetheless, man, that's WNBA news is going on right now in the WNBA.
Speaker 3:I'm going to have to show somebody. Somebody spit in.
Speaker 2:For sure, for sure, moving right along, we're going to jump into a little college football Kind of piggyback, off of what we were talking about earlier. Little college football Kind of piggyback off of what we were talking about earlier. Yeah, so rankings have changed a little bit. We still got Ohio State as one, penn State at two, lsu at three, miami jumps into four. Like I said, georgia moves up to five. Oregon moves up to six, florida State jumps to seven. Texas drops up to six. Florida State jumps to seven. Texas drops down to eight. Illinois stays at nine. Texas A&M jumps up to ten, ou jumps up to 11. And then you got Iowa State at 12. So, yeah, a lot of changes, especially in that bottom half, a few in the top five, a lot in that bottom seven.
Speaker 2:Yeah, man, a lot of teams. I mean, like I said, the Tennessee's and things like that. Like Notre Dame lost again, so that dropped them out, being 0-2. I think they're like 25th right now. So a lot of teams, that's. I mean it's still early, but again you got to separate yourself. These are the games that some teams tend to. I want to say sleep on or take for granted and Hurst Day Rankings, like Alabama being one or two at 14, like again Tennessee at 15. But you have the Indianas, the Vanderbilts, the Georgia Techs and the, the Texas Techs and Utah, all undefeated. You know what I mean Just creeping up that ladder, just waiting for a lot of these top guys to slip down. You know, auburn, missouri and even USC was in the rankings last week, I think 12th, and they're down to 25, even though they haven't lost yet.
Speaker 3:You're an Alabama guy, right, I am. How do you feel about them this year? I'm sure you've watched it again at this point I have.
Speaker 2:You can just, like I said, you can just tell that Saban isn't there anymore. The standards that he put in place, or the Bama standards, they're just not there offensively or defensively standards that he put in place, or you know the Bama standards, it's just not there offensively or defensively and it's showing on the field. It's just dumb things, man. Like it's just not Alabama football. But, like even last year, it just took a while. Like, okay, you beat up on Wisconsin, so what, you beat up on Monroe, so what Like, but you shouldn't. It just took a while. Like, okay, you beat up on Wisconsin, so what, you beat up on Monroe, so what Like, but you shouldn't have lost to Florida State. And you lost bad, you know what I mean To Florida State. And now you got Georgia coming up. Like, bro, we're not ready for Georgia. Like you just see, like you said you were just talking about Tennessee game Like we're not ready.
Speaker 2:Three weeks after that, we get Tennessee, we're not ready for Tennessee. Like we get Georgia. Vanderbilt, missouri and Tennessee All tough games. Those are our next four. Oh yeah, and then our fifth game after that happens to be South Carolina, which is just a tough game anyway. And you're at South Carolina, which is one of the hardest places to play in in a nation. So yeah, and then, oh yeah. After that you get LSU and Oklahoma, do you get East Illinois and do you end the season with Auburn, as usual. So, like this is a very tough schedule.
Speaker 3:I just don't like I said, I just don't see it.
Speaker 2:Think you're going to make a bowl this year. But see, I can't think like that Because to me it's about the playoffs. I don't care about the random bowls. You may make a fucking Pop-Tart bowl or something like that. That's irrelevant.
Speaker 2:Alabama we have a history of winning national championships, being in the playoff, whichever format it may be, and competing for national championships. I always look at the season as like hey, do we have a chance to compete for a championship Right now? I'm going to say no, you have to show me something against Georgia. Like, first off, you can't lose to Georgia. You can't Like, you have to beat Georgia because there's a chance you may lose to Vanderbilt or Tennessee. So you have to beat Georgia and hopefully LSU don't fall off the map, because we may need them as a comeback game to maybe make it into that 12th or 11th. If we happen to lose to one of those one, like one or two of those four games, if we lose one of those we need, we're going to need that LSU game in order to try to make a case to get into the playoff. That's how I'm looking at the season right now for Alabama. Now, if we come out and whoop on Georgia, cool. All right, I feel confident. We're good If we whoop Vanderbilt, whoop Missouri, even if we lose or have a close game with Tennessee, I'm fine Because, like I said, it's all about LSU holding that position.
Speaker 2:If they stay top five, we can beat LSU anywhere. We can beat them at home. Actually, we will be at home this year with them. Usually we're in Louisiana, but yeah, we're at home this year. We can beat LSU. I'm not worried about Oklahoma. They got very good quarterback play, but I just I don't know, I'm not sure about Oklahoma being a top-12 team right now. So I have to see more from them before I look at that game as a or rate the level of importance of that game for me anyway. So that's how I'm viewing the season.
Speaker 3:I got another question for you.
Speaker 2:Yes, sir.
Speaker 3:You know I don't do too much of this, but I have, was it? I think it was Saban that recently said like the Big Ten is kind of taking over. Where are you in? That helped the Big Ten.
Speaker 2:Because normally Big Ten you're looking at Michigan, ohio State, iowa, sometimes Penn State too many times but not worthy, kind of like the conversation was having last week. Like Penn State just finds their way into the rankings and a lot of times they don't live up to it. I think last year was probably the closest they ever lived up to their ranking and this year, so far so good. But still being number two, I just don't see Penn State that high. But again I digress, I'm not going to go into that whole thing. But now you add Oregon, you throw Oregon in there. That's another powerhouse team, usc. Sometimes I think it helps the conference definitely challenge the SEC. But when you look at the Georgias, the Tennessees, the Alabamas, like the Texas now, like I think that was a huge addition, you look at those type of teams, even you know the 2000 Floridas and stuff like that, like it was a time where SEC it's been maybe 20 years.
Speaker 2:Sec football has damn near been carrying college football like, damn near. You know, outside of like, like I said, the Michigans, the Ohio States, from time to time the Oregon, from time to time you may get a spurt from Florida state or Miami or even the Clemsons in Syracuse is every once in a while, but for the most part it was the SEC that was carrying college football. So to overtake that I think it may take a while. Like Ohio State, winning last year was definitely a nudge in the right direction. So now if you get another Oregon or Penn State or even another Ohio State win, you know what I mean. If they're consistently putting together these runs in the playoffs where it's coming down to you know you getting three or four teams in and they're constantly competing, they're making it you know what I mean deep into the playoff, then, yeah, at some point you know what I mean. Maybe in the next five years you may say that like, hey, the Big Ten is now that conference.
Speaker 2:But I do think it's going to take a while to just overthrow what the SEC has built over the past I would say 10 years.
Speaker 3:Now you say that because the Big Ten has the last two, yeah, yeah, well, yeah. So I mean you're still saying it's probably on still.
Speaker 2:But I only say that because before, like Michigan, before that it's been a while for Michigan. So it's hard to give me give the Big Ten a lot of credit for the Michigan one just because it had been a while. Like, if it was Ohio State back to back, I'd be like okay, like maybe they about to start a run where they run off maybe. You know what I mean. Three out of five, you know what I mean. Or you know four out of seven, or something like that. I'd be looking like further down, like okay, like maybe maybe. But I just don't give the Michigan one a lot of credit just because they won one. Then they fell completely off. You know what I mean. And like this year, they're not looking the best. So I don't know what's going on with Michigan enough to give them enough credit for that. That's just me. That's just me. But I mean, like I said, we'll see. Like this year, if Oregon or, like I say, if Ohio State repeats, you know what I mean. If we start seeing that trend where the Big Ten is constantly, like I said, getting like four teams in and they're making deep runs and they're knocking off a lot of these SEC teams, knocking off the Bamas, the Georgias, just, you know, knocking off these powerhouses. Then, yeah, yeah, you definitely have to start saying that, like I said, even if they win this year, I'll say, okay, big Ten got three in a row. Like I said, you can put a little asterisk next to the Michigan one nonetheless, but three in a row and it's coming down to Big Ten teams and they're, like I said, they're knocking them off in the playoff. Then, yeah, you're going to start, they're going to start turning some heads, but we'll see. I'm not ready to hand that title over yet.
Speaker 3:Ah, I'm not ready to hand that title over yet. Ah, I see Bias over here.
Speaker 2:A little bit, a little bit of bias I am somewhat biased but also like, in order to be the best, you got to beat the best. And in college football, like it has to be a consistent thing because, yeah, like Ohio State is top dog right now, they're the champions. You know what I mean. Everybody got to go through them Respect. But if you just look back, it's like SEC been dominating. You can't just wipe that all away because of what they're coming on now. There's been a shakeup in the conferences Like I don't think you you know what I mean that justifies taking the title away. It's like, okay, now it's been a re-rack. Everybody has gained a little bit, you know, got a little better in their conferences. Let's give it a few years and see you know what I mean how this shakeup works. We, only two years into you know this conference realignment. So let's just see, you know, let's give it three, four years and just see how it shakes out. Then we'd probably be talking about the SEC still being on top.
Speaker 3:Are you thinking that it'll change that? I dig that. That's probably what Nick Saban was saying, that's kind of a huge thing that kind of caused the shift. I mean I can also feel like he was kind of saying they're kind of buying championships, but I mean it's legal technically. Is that what's closed the ground? What do you think has closed that ground in the last two or three years?
Speaker 2:Absolutely. But if we're really being honest, these dominant schools have been dominant, they've been had money, they've been taking care of players in some form or fashion. They've been able to recruit better and have better facilities, and you know what I mean. So, NIL, I think you know what I mean. That's the cherry on top. You know what I mean Because now, yes, you can buy a player. You know what I mean. And, hey, budgets matter, like you know, you look at somewhere like ohio state that may have a 25 million dollar roster. You know what I mean.
Speaker 2:It may be hard for a auburn maybe not auburn, but like a missouri or you know one of these small as a west constant or something like that to kind of pull in same guys. But sometimes we've seen we've seen it get to the playoffs and sometimes money don't matter, like, sometimes you could just get the right guys you know what I mean and within your budget, and still be able to compete. So, yes, nil, make a big difference. But now, you know, I wouldn't say it levels the playing field. It just is going to make it harder for the smaller schools to compete. So I think at some point they may come out with some type of balancing budget to make it. I don't want to say a collective bargain agreement, but kind of like conference based. The conference kind of spreads the money equally so all the teams can compete equally as far as what they can pay their players, and kind of. I don't want to say maybe a conference cap, salary cap, I don't know, but they got to come up with something. Or, like you said, the Ohio State, the bamas, the michigans, these big old schools with these big old ramadas who have these famous players, they could just throw money at the, at their, uh, at their schools. They're gonna get those guys.
Speaker 2:So, yeah, no, I think at some point it's just gonna take a while, because nil is so new, like, and there's no regulations right now. So, to your point, it's like people can technically what you say buy a championship, but at some point, like something, some entity has to step in and balance it out. We'll see what happens. Yeah, definitely, definitely, we'll see. We'll see what happens, man. Yeah, definitely, definitely, we'll see, we'll see. I think that's all I got for college football, man. We are moving very fast, man. This may be a very short show.
Speaker 3:You know, go ahead and call it man.
Speaker 2:Call it man.
Speaker 3:We got to talk some NFL bro, come on man, yeah, man, how much PTO I got already.
Speaker 2:Oh, before we jump, before we jump, some notable games that's going on, some ranked games. This weekend we got Texas Tech number 17, versus number 16,. Utah, we got Auburn number 22, at Oklahoma number 11. And you have Illinois number 9, at number 19, indiana.
Speaker 3:What do?
Speaker 2:you think about Indiana this year starting off 3-0? What noise do you think they're going to make with that being your old stumping grounds?
Speaker 3:I mean, obviously I'm always going with Ron Lamar. I feel like I was the only one really defending him last year.
Speaker 2:Yes, you were, and surprisingly so, because this is just not what you do.
Speaker 3:Nah, nah, man. Y' yes, you were, and surprisingly so, because this is just not what you do, man. I was coming on here slandering the hell out of you and it's pissing me off before being honest, but anyway, that was the last year. We know the deal. Ultimately, man, I seen the first game because I was back home so I was able to watch the first game. I mean, they won. I wasn't super impressed with that one. I didn't watch them beat up on who they played last week I think it was Indiana State.
Speaker 2:Yeah, they beat. They played Old Dominion. They beat them 27-14. They beat Kennesaw State 56-9. They beat Indiana State 73-0. But they got a test coming up this week. Like I said, illinois is a good way to you know what I mean, but they got a test coming up this week.
Speaker 3:Like I said, illinois is a good way to you know what I mean. Yeah, and I might actually go catch that game just to, because that will be more of a barometer of what we might be Exactly, what kind of give us, and it's something that will be a little bit different from last year. People say we didn't play anybody for the whole season, and having a game like this early in the season and you know, and if they can pull out a win, I think that'll go a long way. I have not watched Illinois at all. Obviously, it leads to rank number nine and rank number nine for a reason.
Speaker 3:So I don't know what the advantage disadvantage is or what their strengths would be, but I know that I'm always rooting for IU. Obviously, I have two degrees from Indiana University, so they did well by me and I ain't got no money to give y'all.
Speaker 3:So don't call me. You ain't giving back, I'm broke man, I ain't got no money. All the money I got got to go to me. I feel you. But nonetheless, man, I love my time there and it's hard for me to ever go against the school that I have so many fond memories of, and again I get two degrees from them.
Speaker 2:Yeah, no man, I agree with everything you just said Like this will be a really really good game to see where they really stack up Both of these teams actually, because neither one of them has really played any tough teams. Like this will be their first test. Actually, indiana has a decent schedule this year, so this this will show, because then they get Iowa, next Then they got Oregon, michigan State, ucla, maryland, but then they play Penn State, Wisconsin. Then of course, they end with Purdue, like they do every year. But I think you know the Illinois game, the Oregon game, even the Iowa game because Iowa just plays the Big Ten tough and the Penn State game. Like you know, even out of those four, if they win three out of four, I think this year two losses is going to be tough to get into the playoff. I think the schedules are a lot more balanced this year.
Speaker 3:So if you got two losses, you got to kick us out with one last year.
Speaker 2:That's very true, yeah, yeah. But I think two losses this year is going to be tough, just with everything that went on last year. So I think they're really going to try to hone in on like making sure some of the better teams get in, which I don't think last year's playoff was bad, but I think after the noise that was made, with the whole Alabama ranked 12th but out of the playoff, you know, I don't think that we deserve to be in. So I wasn't mad about it. I was just like, if you're not going to put us in, just rank us lower. You know what I mean. Just so it doesn't look like we should be in, like we're a top 12 team.
Speaker 2:That's not the only top 12 team that wasn't in the playoff, really, because a team won their you know, won their conference, like that's the difference. But if that's the case, just rank us 15th or something. So it's not even you know what I mean arguable, but I digress. But yeah, no, man, that'd be a good game to watch. I'm definitely going to try it. Well, it will be on TV here. Definitely going to try to catch that and see what's going on with Indiana, because I mean, I'm not, I didn't go there for school, but I do like.
Speaker 2:Indiana, you're down the street, I am, but like.
Speaker 2:I said I like them. I ain't got no beef with Indiana and any Indiana team that does well I'm going to root for Alright. We're going to jump over to the NFL Grown Man's League. Got a little bit going on, man. I thought I would switch it up today a little bit. Thought we would have more people on Right now. We got the Dolphins and Bills playing right now 7-7 in the second quarter. I mean in the first quarter. Two minutes left. Take that on Right now. We got the Dolphins and Bills playing right now 7-7 in the second quarter.
Speaker 2:I mean the first quarter, two minutes left. Check that on Prime right now if you haven't. So I wanted to dive into like 0-2 teams Best 0-2 teams that may still have a shot at the playoffs. If we had to guess and I'm going to do this backwards let's start at number 10.
Speaker 3:Number 10 is Cleveland Browns.
Speaker 2:Not a chance. Not a chance. I agree with that. It's too much controversy. Quarterback-wise, I think they traded Kenny Pickett Still doesn't change the quarterback situation. I mean, like I said, flacco's serviceable, but, like I said, I think until they decide which young guy they want to play or roll with, I think they're going to continue to have problems on offense. So no, I agree with you with that. New Orleans Saints.
Speaker 3:No, they about to be 0-3.
Speaker 2:I also agree with that. They again, like I don't think any of their quarterbacks on the roster are starting NFL quarterbacks are starting NFL quarterbacks.
Speaker 3:I will say that Rattler obviously I watched the game because they played us Rattler did not look bad last week. Now they also made Matt Jones look like Purdy at times. So you know, I mean there's some gear and take. I mean I don't think they're going to lose every game. I don't think they're going to beat the Seahawks this weekend for sure. I wish they would because they're in our division, but I just don't see that happening.
Speaker 2:I was very close to picking New Orleans only because, like it feels like a trap game. It just felt like one of them games that Seattle would fumble and Seattle didn't look too great last week, so I digress yeah, but New Orleans hasn't looked too great. No at all.
Speaker 3:Seattle looked decent against them. Maybe it's just teams that play us and look decent against us. It could be one of the it's just, but ultimately, man, I don't think that they have enough for that. It seems like they don't really know how to get the ball to their receivers. I don't know that. I remember Chris Olave doing much of anything. Now I mean, they still got Al Kamara, who still looks amazing every week, but at some point you're going to have to do something else, and I don't think they look that great defensively in either game. I don't know who they play the first week. I think they play somebody close the first week as well.
Speaker 2:Yes, the Cardinals. Okay, so yeah, I'm not counting that either, and there was only trailing 20 to13 late in the game.
Speaker 3:I mean because I don't think the Cardinals are that great of a team either. So, yeah, no, I think they lose this week and they're pretty much out.
Speaker 2:All right, what about Tennessee Titans?
Speaker 1:I want to have faith in the.
Speaker 3:Titans. I don't. I said I want to have faith in the Titans. I don't, I said I want to. No, I'm saying that I don't want to. You're in your division. That makes sense. Wait, didn't they get blown out last week? Though yes, they lost for most of the game. It kind of made it look close. It was like a league touchdown.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I can tell you they lost. Yes to the Rams 33-19.
Speaker 3:They're playing artificial. Yeah, I mean I'm not going to say they have a great chance. I don't think that they've played bad in the two games. I know they had a fairly close one with the Broncos for the first game of the season where neither team seemed like they could score a touchdown. For the longest they didn't give up a ton of points in the ring, if I'm remembering correctly.
Speaker 2:They gave up 33.
Speaker 3:No, they did give up a ton of points. Never mind, I'm going to take everything I said back, I just want to have faith in Ken Ward. I think that's really, really good.
Speaker 2:I'm actually a Miami fan like Hurricane. I definitely am rooting for Ken Ward, even though he's in Tennessee in our division.
Speaker 3:I want him to do well, not necessarily the Titans, yeah and I would say, from a mistake perspective, he hasn't made a ton of mistakes from the rookie, which is what a lot of people would expect from a rookie, but he ain't getting a lot of help either and I think that's really the problem. The one game I watched half of the Broncos game it seemed like the receivers couldn't get open. And I get, the Broncos are supposed to have a really good defense, but you know, at some point you know it didn't seem like Calvin Williams was doing anything. I think the other rookie and I cannot remember his name that ended up getting a touchdown last week. I know that him and Cam kind of had a connection there. That may be something to build on, but I mean, offensively they got really stagnant at points and I don't know what to think of the defense. Like I said, the first week close game of the Broncos give up 30 last week I said they're not going to make the playoffs Also.
Speaker 2:I think the speed has been out too. They've been to make the playoffs, so I think the speed has been out too. So, like they've been, steve missed a game. Only person that's really been doing anything was Simmons. The linebackers are cool in coverage Barton and Gray but again like Ward, being last in QBR right now, last in the league 19.8. He's on the average of three yards per drop back. Yeah, he's having a historic day. From what?
Speaker 3:I watched it looked like nobody is open when he dropped back ain't nobody in no separation. I get that as a QB in the NFL. It's a point. You got to learn how to throw people open. They're not going to be as open as they were in college Quote, unquote anyway. But I mean the receivers got to get something. They got to give you something to throw at it.
Speaker 2:Absolutely, I haven't seen that. No same here. Same here. I mean, he's averaging nine air yards per throw and only completing 50% of his passes. He's 5-24 on throws of 10 or more yards down the field.
Speaker 2:Yeah, he, I mean yeah, I don't really see too much going well for Tennessee and, like I said, I can't put all of it on him. Like you said, receivers have to get open. They need more weapons. I can't put all of it on him. Like you said, receivers have to get open, they need more weapons. O-line is decent, but you keep putting the defense out there too much Like.
Speaker 2:I don't think the defense is bad, but again, when they're on the field, so much like at some point they're going to start breaking. But I digress as far as them making the playoffs. I mean, I know right now the Colts are leading the division. I really need to see how they play against the Colts, which, again, this could be a game that the Colts lose. We'll talk about that at some point. But I need to really see what Houston is going to end up doing, because Houston hasn't looked too much better and with all the talent they have better and with all the talent they have trying to see right now who's fighting for who's going to be the top two teams in the AFC South. It looks like the Colts, but again, anything can happen, but right now, between the Texans and the Titans, I don't know who's worse. Right now, jacksonville, of course, has just looked like a college team playing against NFL teams. So but yeah, I definitely agree with that. I want Ken Ward to do well, but not at the expense of the coach.
Speaker 3:I guess that's fair. It makes sense.
Speaker 2:What about the Carolina Panthers man? I guess that's fair. It makes sense. What?
Speaker 3:about the Carolina Panthers. Man, man, y'all came out here and told me how well they did at the end of the season. They look like they did at the beginning of last year. No, I don't think that they have a chance. I think that Braxton looked better last week. Still not enough for me to say that they've even carried on whatever they did at the end of last season, when they played better. At this point, no, they ain't going to make the playoffs here.
Speaker 2:I kind of agree with that. But as far as NFC teams, if there's one who had the best chance I would probably say it's the Carolina Panthers. Just because the AFC South outside of Tampa Bay has been kind of open. Atlanta seems like they're figuring it out. After last week or Monday I should say Look like they're figuring it out on both sides of the ball. Their defense looks astounding. Like I said, the Saints, we just talked about them. Astounding. Like I said, the Saints, we just talked about them. And like Tampa Bay has kind of been that constant, even after since Tom Brady left and Baker Mayfield is there, they've kind of been that constant in the AFC South. So to come up, if they could be number two in the AFC South I mean NFC South they have a chance. But that's just. I just believe that to be tough with, how is?
Speaker 3:They could win six or seven games and be number two in the NFC South. I don't think that that means really anything as far as making the playoffs go.
Speaker 2:No, that's what I'm saying. If they have a good season, if they can turn it around, I'm just saying based on the division.
Speaker 3:I think they would have probably one of the best chances. Yeah, they would have to win the division to get in and I don't see that happening. I don't see them being better than third in the division honestly.
Speaker 2:Okay, I agree with that, especially man like even Young, again like 29th in QBR 36.3 right now. Yeah, after he got benched he jumped up to 6.2 last year. He's just averaging six yards per attempt, not completing 60% of his passes. That seems to just be the going trend right now with bad teams. The QB is just not completing enough passes. Yeah, it's just not good. Hopefully they don't have to bench him again for him to turn it around.
Speaker 2:Bench him for who? Andy Dalton. They benched him for Andy Dalton last year. Is Andy Dalton still there? I believe so. Oh, geez, I mean it's like yep, eddie Doan still there? I believe so. But I mean it's like yep, he is still there. But I think that sometimes you have to do that again to young quarterbacks. It woke him up a little bit. Like I said, they played better last year towards the end of the season, but it's like now they're right back to being the Panthers. Like I said, very slim to none chance. But I think out of NFC teams they probably have the best chance. New York Jets man, what do you think about the Jets?
Speaker 3:I guess if I had to pick a best chance because the Jets are supposed to be better defensively than they showed in the last game which that's probably who I would pick. I think that Joseph Fields is serviceable. I think that he has a specific skill set. He was 4-1, 5-1 with Pittsburgh before they finished him. He's shown that he at least in a good situation he can win games. He's going to need the defense. He does have familiarity with Gary Wilson, which I think is shown a little bit, at least shown in the first game. The last game, I think offensively they didn't do next to nothing. I don't know that I can 100% put that on just him, because it didn't seem like they had any kind of offensive game plan. From what I watched it just was like let's hope somebody catches the ball or let's hope something happens. So I'm not going to 100% put that on Justin Fields. I do think that he can win some games with him.
Speaker 3:I think the defense is what we always think that the defense is going to be from what they were up to two years ago. I would say they're probably just off. The teams that you've mentioned so far, who, I would say, has the best chance? Based off, they also played with the Steelers, and what did they play against with the Bills?
Speaker 2:Yes, so they lost to the Steelers 34-32. And they could have, they very much could have, and then lost to the Bills 30-10.
Speaker 3:I think they've played the toughest teams out of everybody we've mentioned so far. I'm not putting the Steelers in that 100%, but they are In comparison to the other teams that we've talked about in the schedule. But they've had so far. I think the Jets have played definitely tougher opponents. I mean a lot of people are considering the Bills the best team in the league right now. So I mean you can't say much about getting blown out by a team that has consistently put up 30, you know, over the last year and a half or so. And again I mean there's expectations on the Steelers, just because Tom has never had a losing record, you know, and seems to consistently, at the very least, win 19 games. So I mean you lost to them in a game that again should have won, for whatever reason you choked it away. That would probably be my. This team has the best bet of making the playoffs be like. This team has the best bet of making the playoffs.
Speaker 2:No, I agree with that, especially being the AFC East where Miami has looked very bad. New England is showing some signs of life, but I just don't think it's going to be this year, especially with a new coach just trying to figure it out. I think it's going to take them probably another year to be serviceable. They really do have the best chance. Like you said, the Bills is probably one of the least top three teams in the league right now how they're playing. So no, I agree with that. As far as AFC's team, they probably have the best chance to get in if they can find some type of rhythm. But they do have Tyrod Taylor behind Fields and Fields went out with a concussion last game.
Speaker 2:I don't think starting Tyrod Taylor is a bad thing. He's a vet. He's pretty much same skill set. Haven't really been given a true true chance, and when he has played, he's played very well. Given a true, true chance, and when he has played, he's played very well. Again, like Brees Hall's been playing well, he's probably the one bright spot on that offense. Yeah, again, gary Wilson. I just think he needs more rapport with these receivers. So again, in that defense, it's just too much talent on that defense for it not to be good. But again, I think we may be holding on to how they were, like you said, two to three years ago. So nonetheless, they got the Bucs coming up, which is going to be a challenge.
Speaker 3:Oh yeah, they can be 0-3-2.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, it's going to be a tough ending and, by the way, justin Fields had the worst QBR of his career this past week, which was 1.1. He was 3 of 11 for 27 yards and an interception before he left with a concussion. So yeah about that.
Speaker 3:And he had a great point average geez.
Speaker 2:What Bruh. 1.1. Giants what do you think about the Giants? Didn't play bad last week. Could have won the game Went to OT Probably the most fight I've seen out of a Giants team Since Eli.
Speaker 3:Probably. However, you play the Cowboys defense that is terrible and still lost that game. I don't know that you're going to get a worse defense, or a defense that's bad, or enough defenses as bad to say that you're going to be able to turn around a full season to make a playoffs, playoffs.
Speaker 2:They made Russell look like Seahawks Russell, but he was dropping dimes, I was about to say, but he was dropping in a bucket.
Speaker 3:But he also threw the pick there in the game. Fair enough, needless to say. Nah, I ain't putting no faith in that. I mean, y'all played a close game with what I think is probably going to be one of the worst defenses in the league this year and lost that game. Yeah, you can't go too much further up, in my opinion.
Speaker 2:Yeah, they lost to the Commanders 21-6, and then they lost Cowboys 40-37, and then they played the Chiefs. So like I don't see the Chiefs going 0-3, um, but I mean, like again, like it had they. They just can't have the mistakes late in games, um, yeah, but they really don't have a run game to depend on. So it kind of really Comes down to Russ being Russ, if that makes sense and the league neighbors.
Speaker 3:You let Russ cook, he doesn't cook. I'm sorry, I have never been a huge Russell Wilson fan. I get that he was a C Even after he left Seattle. I always thought that letting Russ cook stuff was super overrated. I thought that when he was a Seahawks Even after he left Seahawks, I always thought that that let Rose cook stuff was super overrated. I thought that when he was cooking it was because they had a running game, it was because they had Marshall Ellis back there who you could hand the ball out to consistently and know that he was going to get you At least four yards and then you could drop those dimes over. And I think ever since he's been gone he is not cooked Granted again. He played, he dropped dimes last week, but I put that with the asterisk because I have absolutely no faith in Dallas' defense. I feel like some of those touchdowns I probably could have thrown and I ain't throwing the ball to you.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and I think too, also also that, like he, he's also been places where he hasn't had a running game. So he goes to Denver they didn't have a running game at that point. Then he goes to Pitt and Najee Harris didn't have, you know, the best year and he didn't play all the games nonetheless.
Speaker 3:So, like I think, again, pitt went down, he won like I think again he went down, he won like five games and then he lost like five out of the last six or something crazy.
Speaker 2:Absolutely, Absolutely. So I think now in New York, like they need to find a running game, they need to find somebody who can produce on the ground, to give Russell another option instead of putting the ball up 40 times At this stage in the game in his career. He don't need to do that. That's not. That can't be your recipe to winning.
Speaker 3:They're about to go 0-3 as well.
Speaker 2:I agree. Just let Jackson Dirk get some burn at this point. I mean well, you know, usually they wait. They wait until closer to week eight-ish.
Speaker 3:I don't care, you ain't going to the playoffs. Let that boy get some burn.
Speaker 2:Look, I agree, you know, and I know this don't mean much, but he had a very good preseason. So if nothing else, you can at least give your fans some optimism.
Speaker 3:That's all.
Speaker 2:I can say that part. So I say you get to about half the season and see what Russ does for you and if it's like the glimmer of hope of playoffs looks bleak. I would say you let Dart burn the rest of those eight games and see what happens and see what you have. I'm not a proponent of tanking. No, and I don't think you're tanking if you put Dart in.
Speaker 3:I'm just saying because I think that people would say that If you put him in, especially now I don't think so. Either he's going to get the experience or he's going to have some of that success he had in the preseason and you can build on that, or you'll get the first pick next year and you can use that to build.
Speaker 2:To get a running back. Just let the boy.
Speaker 3:I don't know. I didn't have any faith in Cam Scadabow. I don't know why they drafted him. That's another thing, I'm going to let him play too. He's only had. He didn't play much in the first game. He looked okay last week, but I keep putting this Dallas defense in there. I'm like, eh, did he really look okay, or was the Dallas defense that bad? You don't know yet.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's too early to kind of tell. I'm glad we're kind of doing this, but I think it's still kind of early to kind of tell some of these teams. I would say our next team is that the Miami Dolphins. They're about to be 0-3, right now they are. They just look so bad, like normal, like I. I assumed the defense was gonna be bad. They just lost too much. They didn't seem like they cared to keep people on defense, like it, like they literally just glue a defense together. Um, but offensively I expect more. Like, at least get into some gunfights with some teams. There's no way the coach should have did that to you I'm a coach fan. There's no way that should have happened. And then last week they played.
Speaker 3:It happened the other day. They played last week Shoot hold on.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it don't matter the Broncos, no, no, yeah, it don't matter the Broncos, no, no, no, no, no, no, they did not play the Broncos. I am tripping hard, I'm going to find out right now, because it's going to be Patriots. The Patriots, yeah, like you lost 33 to 27. First off, you give up 33 to the Patriots.
Speaker 3:That in itself, yes, you deserve to lose that game, but I can't imagine people sitting out there looking like Marshall Fulton.
Speaker 2:Man. I think Tyreek doesn't want to be there. No more from what I hear. But there's nobody seeking out Tyreek Hill for a trade. If they do end up trading him, don't be surprised if it's a low draft pick. It's either going to be four or below. I heard they were trying to shop him quietly but they don't have any takers.
Speaker 2:It's the classic wide receiver situation. It's like, yes, is he one of the top receivers? Yes, but how is he in the locker room with guys? He forced his way out of Kansas City. He gets to where he wants to be. There's a whole bunch of just random stuff going on off the field. On the field, the one year he was completely healthy, he had a great season but then kind of fizzled off. Granted, he had that year where Tua didn't play. But if you're that guy, you got to produce. If somebody's throwing the ball, you got to produce. Y'all got to figure out a way to get him the ball. And not only that, you have another very good receiver on the other side of you, waddle. So like you should, it should be the Jamar Chase T Higgins. It should be that type of deal. One of y'all should be going off each game.
Speaker 2:Yeah, they changed it up here I mean yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean the offense is very good, talent-wise, like there's no reason why y'all shouldn't be competing, especially, but again, when y don't have a defense, that New England game 33 points to New England. Like who scored 33 on New England? You can name three offensive players on New England right now. You can't Like Drake May, that's all you got. Drake May. Andre Stevenson.
Speaker 3:Trent. Okay, stephon Diggs ain't done anything all year, by the way.
Speaker 2:Exactly, exactly.
Speaker 3:I don't know why I want to call him Lute, you know what I'm saying it's just like one of them things. It's like I probably don't know this from a fantasy football perspective, by the way.
Speaker 2:As you always do. So yeah, again, I think, like you said, right now, I think they're at Buffalo's, but I think it's going to be a close game because it's just they played each other too much. Y'all don't have any secrets. There's no surprises. I think Miami gets blown out tonight you do Okay, but I wouldn't be surprised.
Speaker 3:It's that I think Miami gets blown out tonight. You do Okay, but I wouldn't be surprised. It's that bad that Miami gets blown out, I agree.
Speaker 2:I do agree with that, especially if they don't score enough. If they don't score and if they're constantly putting their defense out there, then yes, it's going to be, yeah, they're going to get blown out. So we have Chicago Bears.
Speaker 3:Man, I think they're probably going to be the disappointment of the year.
Speaker 2:I was about to say the same thing. I was about to say the same thing. Everybody was fighting to try to get Ben Johnson as their coach. They still can't protect Williams. They haven't invested all that money and draft capital into that O-line and it's not working. Still, you have very good offensive weapons and somehow it's just not panning out to like good offense. You have this very good defense. At least it was last year that y'all could hang your hat on and thought y'all returned all good players. Granted, johnson has been hurt, but still one player on the defense. The way it was playing last year shouldn't make this big of a difference. Yeah, I don't know.
Speaker 3:They look terrible. I don't know where Caleb be going to ball. Sometimes it seems like he's still holding it too long at times. I don't really know why they let Keenan Allen go and now he's back with the Chargers going crazy, looking like he never left go.
Speaker 2:And now he's back with the Chargers Going crazy, looking like he never left.
Speaker 3:He's back there catching touchdowns every week. Now at this point, it seems like At some point they wanted to go with the young Cato.
Speaker 4:Duse.
Speaker 3:Give him somebody else on the other side that you at least got to think about, so that he is even more open he ain't got to work as hard and somebody who can give right, because Caleb don't have anybody he can throw to quickly.
Speaker 2:But look at this stat. It's odd that we're talking about him throwing the ball you know people to throw to. His off-target rate this season is 27%. So one out of four balls is off-target.
Speaker 3:Ain't nowhere near the receiver.
Speaker 2:That's double the NFL average Like, but he has the third highest completion percentage in the NFL at 70%, 61% of his 70%, 61% of his only completing 61% of his throws. He's the only quarterback underproducing his expected completion percentage as a higher margin this season is Patrick Mahomes. Patrick Mahomes is the only one that's underperforming worse than Williams, but it's like. Patrick Mahomes has super throws though.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I mean right, right, but I'm just saying like Patrick Mahomes, but it's like yeah, patrick Mahomes has some of those though. Yeah, I mean right, right, but I'm just saying, like Everybody's, like we know what the situation is there. I mean, I guess maybe he is throwing short. Maybe that's the only thing he's doing is throwing short. Maybe once he gets past 10 yards, his accuracy just completely drops off a cliff. I don't know. All I know is they ain't making playoffs yet.
Speaker 2:Yeah, no, I agree, like I said, I mean he just got. I don't know. I don't know, maybe he's still nervous from last year, maybe he just don't have the confidence in the O-line, maybe that's just throwing him off, maybe the O-line again is not playing well. I don't know. But Ben Johnson's system is a QB center system. You know what I mean. He's very strategic in getting receivers open and getting his weapons top guys open, very creative in that area. So I don't want to blame him yet.
Speaker 2:But Williams looked like last year with a new coach. So right now I think all fingers is pointing at Williams right now, I won't say being a problem, but maybe the reason right now. So again, I don't think they're making the playoffs. The Vikings, they're looking third-ish, but I think Detroit bounces back, which I think they did, and Green Bay is looking really good. That defense looks ridiculous and you would think, after losing Alexander and even though you gained Michael Parsons, like their secondary looks very well too, like Green Bay may have one of the best defenses in the NFL this year. So I don't see no way them making the playoffs.
Speaker 3:They said the only thing they was really missing was a pass rush. They got a pass rush at this point.
Speaker 2:Yeah, for sure, the number two team Texans.
Speaker 3:They're like Texas, texas are going to Yep. We lost to the Bucs. This was a close game. Who did lose in the first game?
Speaker 2:The first game they lost to was the Rams 14-9. Both games was close.
Speaker 3:Okay, so then that is my best chance. That's your best chance, because the Jets can go 0-3. I said that earlier. Yeah, that's your best chance Because the Jets can go 0-3. I said that earlier. Yeah, I mean two close games. I think the defense has shown up in both games. I mean they lost what 20-19, and then you said what 14-9. Yeah, so I mean it's not necessarily a problem on the defensive side of Boston what I'm seeing. And even in the last game, I think Stroud had four passes of 20 yards or more, or something like that, to four different receivers. So at some point I think they'll put it together. So if I'm going to say whoever's my best team, it's got to be Texas.
Speaker 3:I don't know who the next team is. Maybe I'll change that whenever you real who's next.
Speaker 2:You probably will change it. But also on that game, that first game, that running back fumbled in that red zone too and it was a potential game-winning touchdown. So drive on that drive in week one against the Rams. So maybe you know it's just one play here, one play there. They could be 2-0.
Speaker 3:I think Mixon makes a lot of difference right now in him not being there, I mean I.
Speaker 4:But Chubb hasn't played bad.
Speaker 3:He hasn't played terrible, but he's not what Mixon was for them last year Absolutely not. That was a huge thing for them last year. The way Mixon ran the ball last year opened up so much. Even after they lost Nico Collins, yeah, they still looked. You know they used to be very well offensively because there were times where they could at least rely on Mixon. So he got hurt. Now I think they don't know if he's going to play this year or not. So we're still trying to figure that out. And then Chubb Is kind of coming back off an injury and still trying to get his feet under him. So maybe he gets better. I mean, I think that in most scenarios, if Chubb is our backup, like we said, but to throw him in a role In which he's got to be what he was In Cleveland, he's not ready for that, but I think him in a role in which he's got to be what he was in Cleveland.
Speaker 2:He's not ready for that, but I think in two games he has 25 carries for 103. He averaging four yards a rush. He only got one TD. But I don't like. So I mean, is he playing really, really bad? I don't think so. But I think again, like you said, a year out of football I think you got to work your way back into football shape. You can't simulate that off the field. But I digress, I don't think I do. Like I said, I don't know to me. Like I said when I was talking about the Titans, I don't know to me. Like I said when we were talking about the Titans, I don't know who's worse between those two as far as being on two teams in the AFC South.
Speaker 2:Like I said, I'm not sold on the coach yet, so either one of those teams could turn it around and overtake the coach, I believe.
Speaker 3:So I think you should be worried about the Texans. Oh, absolutely, oh, yeah, I also think that they play a little bit better competition as well.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 3:No for sure. Most people think the Rams are going to win our division, the Bucs are going to win their division. I mean, the Bucs have looked, I think, better than most people are willing to admit, in the first couple of games as well.
Speaker 2:And they played two playoff teams like the Bucs and the Rams. So, like both of those teams made the playoffs last year. So, like I'm not, you know, and the losses were close. So, like you said, I mean Houston definitely. Like I said, let's again the Colts, let's get to week six and see, once the team's got tape on y'all you know what I mean. There's more out there with Daniel Jones and you know the schemes and things like that and let's see if we're still playing at that caliber, maybe revisit this conversation. But no, texans definitely have a chance. Like I said, play here, play there. They're easily 1-1 or 2-0. The number one team is the Chiefs. That's why I said you might want to change it. They are 0-2, aren't they? They are 0-2 for the first time in a long time. I don't even think they count this conversation First time in a long time.
Speaker 3:But you also, I mean I don't even think they count this conversation.
Speaker 2:That's what I was about to say. It's kind of like they don't. The running game hasn't been great this year.
Speaker 3:I think the running game has been great in most years.
Speaker 2:But normally it's serviceable. This year it hasn't been serviceable the longest carry on. 28 attempts have went for 11 yards. I'll let you have that one. So they're not getting the big plays down the field like they normally do at this point. You know what I mean. Let's see what did I say. Mahomes is three for eight for 136 yards on those throws deep downfield. So a lot of those have been 50-50 balls. That's not like normally how they have a guy almost running by himself.
Speaker 3:Yeah, but you got Kelsey who's not. He's lost a step. I mean, I think it's pretty obvious, yeah, but you got Kelsey who's not, he's lost a step.
Speaker 1:I mean, I think it's pretty obvious.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, worthy's been out. I mean, he got hurt very early. That's really a deep ball threat. And then he got Hollywood Brown too. Okay, so Worthy's been out. And then T-Roy is what suspended, right. Okay, so where have these been at? And then Chiro is what's suspended, right, yes, so I mean, I think that there's offensive weapons that they're going to have, that are going to come back, and yeah, I'm not going to count. I'm sitting in a stick with the Texans because I'm not going to count the Chiefs in this conversation.
Speaker 2:Thornton is the other receiver, so they got Hollywood Brown Thornton and Schuster those are their guys right now.
Speaker 3:Exactly, and that is probably why they're on too right now. I'm not going to be worried about them. It's hard to bet against Patrick Mahomes and these, but it would not budge. Hey, look at that. So I mean, I'm not counting them, I'm sticking with the Texans because I'm not counting them.
Speaker 2:Cool. Hey, man, we got Justin joining us. Justin Jared Clearly.
Speaker 1:Jared I was clicking.
Speaker 2:I was clicking on Justin's name. That's why he helped you move my bad. That's crazy. He did, he did, justin did, I guess.
Speaker 4:I can see the resemblance.
Speaker 2:I mean, you know, no, we got Jared with us. Man. We were just talking about 0-2 teams and like who has the best chance to make the playoffs out of those 0-2 teams. We were actually ending that as you were jumping on. I got nothing, chiefs being probably the best chance, yeah of course, yeah, the Chiefs for sure, probably the best chance out of them. We said the Chiefs, the Texans, who's the NFC team? We said probably had the best chance.
Speaker 3:We said the NFC team.
Speaker 2:I don't think we did. I don't think the NFC teams were yeah, they don't really have a chance, absolutely, but you jumped in right at a good time, man. Joe Burrow, injury man what have you heard being locked in on the Bengals being your team? What have you heard being locked in on the Bengals being your team? What have you heard?
Speaker 4:Three months out, I mean he still might make a run for the play, he might be back for the playoffs. I mean I doubt it. The reason why stuff really doesn't even affect me because I have so low expectations. As y'all know, before he was hurt I literally had nothing for Bengals, so it's just like expectations is always so low. I was at the game I'm in the stands when he went down. It's kind of just like Bengals fans are just immune to disappointment, so we all just were still chilling, the vibes didn't change.
Speaker 4:It was odd, the vibes didn't change.
Speaker 2:You're still just chilling watching the game.
Speaker 4:You're cheering the rest of the game and I mean it was a great game. To be my first game, you know, as a season ticket holder Like it was one of the best games to be at. I mean we were down bad and really we won another game that the other team blew. Jacksonville had the ball they dropped. Their team blew um. Jacksonville had the ball, um, they dropped a wide open touchdown with like three minutes or so left.
Speaker 4:You know that would have put them up 10 and I mean that that's the game there, absolutely so, yeah, some kind of way the defense was just making plays and I was able to pull it out. But yeah, the Joe Burrow thing, I mean it like I didn't even blink twice, I just it. You know I think our chances is crazy, but I think our chances of of having a good season are the same because it's not the players, it's like our organization, it's not the players like it. Just the players don't even really play that significant role for us. It's, it's deeper than that. So it's like that is what it is. See, you get back, if not this season, next season, same old shit, different year or so.
Speaker 2:No, I kind of agree with that also, Like was it going to make that big of a difference? I mean, Joe Burrow is Joe Burrow.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's crazy to hear that it's like Joe Burrow is Joe Burrow, but like if you just like they're putting like as many hits as and I didn't know this Like I seen this stat come across my timeline and I was like what His hit percent is up there with Andrew Luck, like all of that Like time pictures all of that Like, it's just like, damn, they're identical to andrew luck and it's like I watched the beating andrew luck take, like the whole world watched the beating to andrew look to and like to see that at this, at this same point in their careers, like, like, I feel, I mean I feel bad for him, like't want, I hope. I just hope he doesn't go out like, like, look, I don't.
Speaker 4:As a Bengals fan. I feel bad for him as a Bengals fan, but I'm numb, I mean like that's what I'm saying as a football fan.
Speaker 2:I just I hope they realize like okay, like let's put all our resources in to protecting this man, if nothing else.
Speaker 4:Stupid team, bro, stupid team. Stupid organization, stupid leaders going to do stupid things. So it's like, how you having all Because? I mean it's like, see, I'm a football fan. I tell people this all the time. I'm a football fan first, so I'm never going to talk about the game with my team like as a bias, you know. So it's like, man, where was I going with that? Oh damn, but no, like we just never. We just refused to go all in. Oh, I was saying that to say this.
Speaker 4:I was in like a Bengals form or something, and we were talking about picking up an offensive lineman. I'm like, so why are we still trying to solidify our offensive linemen by grabbing somebody that clearly nobody else wants Because it's week three of the preseason? Why are we still signing free agents Everybody? Well, our line is better than it was. I'm like, but that's not the point. Like, if you have that kind of quarterback for your team, your organization, the fact that you're even considering still making offensive line moves this late in the free agency period is ridiculous. I'd rather you to just say, okay, I'm fully committed in the guys that I have. Week three of the preseason, are you still kind of like? Maybe we need to go get this guy off the couch. This guy ain't been playing with nobody. Let's go get that. It's just that shows more recklessness to me than anything. What do I know? You know? I don't know what I'm talking about no.
Speaker 2:No, I agree with that. Like no, I'm just saying, but that should be a priority, like definitely a high priority going into the offensive line, especially with Joe Burrow.
Speaker 4:You should have your offensive line, especially with Joe Burrow. You should have your offensive line 100,000% solidified back in March. What are you doing?
Speaker 2:And do you get what you get? Yeah, no, I agree. I agree with that. Speaking of quarterbacks and being hurt, heard rumblings that Purdy may be back week three or this week. What y'all hearing this?
Speaker 3:What y'all talking about in San Francisco, man, last I saw it was three to five. I mean at this point I'm like double rushing. I mean the next three games we got, mean we played sites. We got the Cardinals, jaguars, Rams, bucs those are all winnable games and the way Matt Jones played last week, they're definitely winnable.
Speaker 3:I mean I think if the defense plays as well as they have played I mean they've had some bowhead things happen we have given a ton of points, but 13 to the Seahawks. I think we gave up 21 last week I think that we're okay with actually kicking field goals. We just got to get a little closer than Mooney's leg was, but I guess it didn't matter how close he was with Mooney, he was going to shank that thing anyway. So for now I think gave us a little more confidence that you know, if we get in within a certain area we can at least get three. I think we went for a couple of fork downs that we probably would not have gone for in other situations, because we were like we're not going to get the field goal, so might as well go for it. Damn, is he that bad?
Speaker 4:Not more than he was terrible man. You know what he was light out in college.
Speaker 3:It's one of those things that once he because his first year he was really good.
Speaker 4:Yeah, that's kind of like.
Speaker 2:McPherson McPherson, I was about to say hey, you haven't heard his name.
Speaker 4:He was light out that Super Bowl year. I can't remember if that was his first year or not, I think it was. I think it was. He made everything and ever since then I mean he hasn't been terrible. But them kicks that you absolutely need, he's missed every single one of them. Hey yo, how has McCaffrey been?
Speaker 3:McCaffrey been. Mccaffrey looks. He looks like McCaffrey, he probably been like. He has lost a step. He is literally Carrying our offense.
Speaker 2:He's probably yeah. Kittle's been banged up a little bit too, so it's really been him.
Speaker 3:Since the second quarter of the first game.
Speaker 2:That's what I'm saying. I mean he's really, who is that?
Speaker 1:Kittle Who'd y'all say who.
Speaker 4:Kittle.
Speaker 1:George Kittle.
Speaker 4:Tight end. Oh, george, okay, I thought y'all said Kittle, peyton Hill is something like that. No, no, no, no. 2001 Peyton Hillis. Wait a minute, I thought y'all said Hillis. I'm like hey, he had a run.
Speaker 2:That one-year run is probably one of the greatest one-year runs.
Speaker 4:Got on Madden and everything.
Speaker 2:Everything bro.
Speaker 3:Faded.
Speaker 3:Done I mean Curious House looked good but not Like, I think, the first game. Mccaffrey had like 31 touches, oh touches, 10 catches and 21 carries. It was yeah, you can. Just they say in maybe weeks it's. We're doing this with fierce odds on best procedure. I think our backup tight end is pretty well kind of switching out in his absence from a blocking and receiving perspective. But those next couple of games, if he needs more rest, give him more rest. I mean we can take those with Matt Jones and try to build for later in the season. Don't rush him back to getting hurt again. That's my mentality.
Speaker 2:No, I definitely agree with that. As long as Matt Jones is playing well, like you said, y'all got winnable games coming up. Don't rush them back for what? Like there's no reason to Not against the Cardinals, the Jags and, like I said, maybe I mean the Rams is probably where I will see where he's at.
Speaker 3:Yeah, that's definitely the tough the Bucs game, I think, is that's what I'm saying and they're back-to-back.
Speaker 2:So, like that's what I said, I would probably see where he's at before that Rams game and if he you know what I mean If he can go, then yeah.
Speaker 3:But, I mean because you got to go, you put him in, but if there's any inkling that he may not be ready, I wish I could say that about our upcoming games.
Speaker 4:bro, we got to yeah.
Speaker 2:I think I can do it.
Speaker 4:Bro Vikings at the Vikings at the Broncos home against the Lions at the Packers home against the Steelers.
Speaker 3:I'm taking that game. I have no trust in Ginger McCoy and who McCoy. I'm taking that game. I have no trust in Ginger McCarver and who McCarver. Oh yeah he hurt.
Speaker 4:Yeah, he got hurt too. Yeah, but like I said, like I've been telling y'all for three years now, we play the worst against backup guys. Yeah, I know, and I feel like quarterback absolutely kill us. But also, carson Wentz is going to have a day, sunday.
Speaker 2:Take the but then, like in Minnesota, the backups, because for some reason the starters have been getting hurt and backups have been getting a chance in Minnesota and they've been showing out period Like not only just against the Bengals, I'm just saying they've just been playing better than the starters.
Speaker 4:Book us for it, bro.
Speaker 4:We play horrendous against backup guys like Cooper Rush, like guys like they go crazy against us. So it's ugly. I'd much rather play the starter, like I don't want to play Josh Allen's backup. I'll take my chances with Josh Allen because the backups I mean, I don't know what it is. I think it's the lack of scouts that we have and the lack of coaching and the ability to be able to apply a winning game. I do know what it is, but it's crazy. We'd be getting lit like Christmas tree every time we play a backup quarterback. We'll see.
Speaker 2:Yeah, man. Last but not least, another weird thing that came across my timeline Lamar has not threw a pick in Monday Night Football Ever, ever Damn In his career. But they have the Lions. How do y'all see?
Speaker 3:this playing out.
Speaker 2:Both really good teams.
Speaker 3:Both playoff teams last year.
Speaker 2:That's going to be a real good Monday Night game. What do y'all think? How do y'all think that pans out?
Speaker 4:I'm going to go Baltimore.
Speaker 3:I'm definitely going Baltimore.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I have more belief in them than I think the Lions for sure.
Speaker 2:I just figured everybody was going to go Baltimore, so I did go Detroit. Just for that reason I don't think I'm far off in picking Detroit. I don't think that's a crazy pick.
Speaker 4:I mean, if Detroit won, I mean it wouldn't surprise me.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Like I said, it wasn't like a wild pick.
Speaker 3:Yeah no, it's not wild. I mean, I don't think anybody would be surprised if the Lions won the game. I don't think both of them's defense did great in the first game oh no, they didn't, and they got on Cleveland last week. I don't know who might count that.
Speaker 4:They actually got lit up the first game yeah.
Speaker 3:Well, they should have won that game, though 27-13 against the Packers.
Speaker 2:They got two up and then they beat the Bears 52-21. Again, that's the Bears which we talked about earlier, than the Packers, yeah, which probably looking like they're going to have one of the best defenses in the NFL this year. So, yeah, no man, we'll definitely see. I hope it's a good game. I don't want to blow it. I hope it's a good game. I don't want to blow it. I hope it's a good Monday night game Nonetheless. But man, that's really it, man. Shoot man we pretty much stretched this thing out. Oh freak.
Speaker 3:Man, you didn't kick the ball.
Speaker 1:No, no, man, Look, look, look, look, man, he's here, he's here, he's here, he's here.
Speaker 2:I got to update the slides. I got to update them. I didn't do it. I didn't do it B.
Speaker 1:Maybe I did. You did it again. Well, I.
Speaker 3:You ain't getting enough reps, man, whatever.
Speaker 2:Whatever, say what you want, but I guess, man, we're going to final thoughts. Man, wrap this thing up. We turned the short show into hour and 20.
Speaker 4:Yeah, apologize for being late guys. There's some schedule changes.
Speaker 2:I wouldn't even have said anything to you if I knew, if I knew the fan was in town.
Speaker 4:You know what I'm saying? It's always something so.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 4:It's life. Like you said. It doesn't be life. It should just be. I can't control.
Speaker 2:I didn't want to tell y'all what went on over here. It involved your niece, you guys' niece.
Speaker 1:Oh Lord.
Speaker 4:It got real, real bad. It's free, ayana, until it's back.
Speaker 2:She's free she is as free as she's ever been, and I tried to free her even more.
Speaker 4:I don't know how I feel about this.
Speaker 2:I don't know about you.
Speaker 4:Isaac, but this sounds kind of like, hey, should we send somebody over or like no, we'll talk about it off camera.
Speaker 2:I'm kind of scared.
Speaker 1:I'll let you guys know, put her up for adoption. No, what?
Speaker 4:I don't know what to think right now. I love my daughter for everybody out there.
Speaker 2:This is not it, but yeah, it was just crazy. It was just me and Spiders. I didn't have any backup yesterday. That's why I had to push it. Man, we ain't going to get nothing done.
Speaker 3:I used my part-time hours man.
Speaker 2:Whatever, the Crawford fight man, we did not touch on that. I was hoping Justin would be on. How did y'all feel about the fight?
Speaker 4:It was too late, man. I watched it though 1 am. They literally didn't walk out until 1 am, bro, it did Really, because I remember looking at the clock I was like this is crazy, they didn't walk out until 1. Yeah, I don't think I've ever seen them that late. Usually it's like 1130-ish, 1145, 1 o'clock. But I enjoyed it, though I'm glad Buddy got to win.
Speaker 2:Yeah, me too. Me too, I figured you would.
Speaker 3:Bud fought phenomenally and it seemed like Canelo was just chasing the big punch the whole time. And I think that's why Adam Baltimore is losing, because one bug showed that he could take a punch, but also him being a counter puncher and Canelo constantly looking for the big punch and later in the rounds he just kept getting countered. It almost kind of looked like when Canelo fought Floyd, when you threw a big punch, counter, big punches, counter, you might land one and still get counted. So I I thought but we're in a master class of how to like box, but I thoroughly enjoy it, other than the fact like they started at 1 am.
Speaker 4:And of course it goes the distance you know back in the day you'd be like man. I hope it goes the distance Now. I guess eighth round knockout, I ain't you know. Let's go home. Let's get a fight. You get a 30-minute fight. Let's go home. Back when I was younger I wanted everything to go the distance, but now everything does.
Speaker 1:People don't get knocked out.
Speaker 4:No more Nope, and that kind of speaks to like I think the I wish Justin was on here. It kind of speaks to like the shift in the sport man. It's like people say I think people not care too much but essentially care too much. You know what I'm saying? Like you can tell us more about the money, all about the money. People are super strategic with who they fight and when they fight, because you know they don't want to lose and all this other stuff. Guys don't get knocked out no more. So you know you can pretty much bank on anything going a distance nowadays.
Speaker 2:No, I definitely agree with that. But I think, hopefully, dana White and I can't remember the guy's name off the top of my head, the Saudi guy man hopefully they you know what they trying to do for boxing Hopefully you know make these top guys fight each other Like we. It was a really good fight, like you know what I mean. Like again, I'm happy, but one, two, but like it was a good fight it was. So if we can start getting more of these top guys to face each other, quit worrying about money and legacy and make these top guys fight so we can get really, really, really good fights, I think that would be better for the sport than anything.
Speaker 4:The money's going to come.
Speaker 2:Yeah, the money is there. The money is there, but we just want to see good fights like right, that's what happened. It was just a period of time I want to say maybe a five-year period where, if it wasn't floyd or pacquiao, like nobody was really watching and I didn't even.
Speaker 4:I've never. I still, to this day, I don't enjoy floyd mayweather's fights like I don't.
Speaker 2:I don't enjoy them, never have because you know, you know nobody's getting knocked out. It's not to be a whole bunch of hard punches, it's going to be a whole bunch of defense encounters, and you know what I mean. Just enough to win the fight, Like people are doing. Just enough to win the fight? And that's it, and they're not. They're fighting not to lose and they're not fighting to win.
Speaker 4:Right and as barbaric as it sounds, I boxing will go back to fighting until somebody quit, or at least until somebody got some damage. I mean, it ain't nothing that I hate more than seeing two guys at the end hugging, looking just like they did before the fight bro. You gotta have a cut or something you know, god, I mean they be looking like us right now. You can fuck this guy for 48 minutes or however long, 12 times. What 3? You know 36 minutes. You know Y'all. Look like y'all about to go to court.
Speaker 4:All right, bro. There also is no heavyweights either, so I guess I understand it. I want to see somebody get knocked out or hurt or something.
Speaker 2:Yeah, at least down to a knee or something.
Speaker 4:Man. Neither one of those guys has been knocked down ever. Yeah, I was like bro. That is insane.
Speaker 2:I agree, but yeah, man, that's all I got. Man Jared, I know you came a little late. Anything you want to add to the sports scene for this week?
Speaker 4:Defund the Bengals. Same old story. Reds make me sick. Yeah, that's it.
Speaker 1:All right.
Speaker 2:Ike final thoughts.
Speaker 3:I'm going to support my man, jvn Sports Locker. Yes sir. I'm going to get my Jordan cards here in my hand. Yeah, yeah, man. That's all I got, man.
Speaker 4:If anybody interested, man, I got all these Jordan cards for days for days, for days, for days, for days.
Speaker 2:Definitely support JVN Locker man. I got cards everywhere For days. They scattered all over the house.
Speaker 4:I appreciate y'all man. I really appreciate y'all more than I can even explain.
Speaker 2:Nah, man, we appreciate you too and, with that being said, this has been the epic podcast. We will see y'all next week.
Speaker 3:I got one last thing. Oh whoa.
Speaker 1:Justin still wears your boat jeans.
Speaker 3:Okay, we can go. We will see y'all next week. I got one last thing oh whoa, justin still wears your boat jeans. Okay, we can go.