Richard Sherman and Mitch analyze every Divisional Round matchup in this NFL playoff preview, with predictions, key matchups, betting lines, and storylines for San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos, and Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots. He discusses the NFC West rivalry, Brock Purdy vs. Mike Macdonald’s defense, Sam Darnold’s playoff pressure, George Kittle’s injury, and the Seahawks defense as a potential game-changer. Sherman covers Rams vs. Bears in cold Chicago conditions, Caleb Williams’ creativity, Matthew Stafford’s playoff pedigree, Ben Johnson’s offense, turnovers, and the advantage of cold-weather running. In the AFC, he previews Bills vs. Broncos, Josh Allen vs. Patrick Surtain, Bo Nix’s challenge, Denver’s defense, James Cook’s role, and Texans vs. Patriots, focusing on Houston’s defense, C.J. Stroud’s growth, Drake Maye’s playoff debut, and the impact of momentum and pass rush. The episode covers betting spreads, injury news, quarterback pressure, defense, and postseason experience.
All lines provided by Hard Rock Bet.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome back to the Richard Sherman Podcast. And I just
want to say I appreciate you guys. You can be
getting your NFL content from anywhere, but you're here with me.
I'm thankful for you. So hit that sub button so
you can get the notifications when I'm dropping a new episode.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
All love.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
Hope you guys are having a great New Year's accomplishing
all your New Year's resolutions and staying healthy. Welcome back
to the Richard Sherman Podcast. And you know what time
it is, Mitchell the Divisional Round previews and we have
some fantastic matchups going on this weekend. Obviously, the conversation
(00:40):
is the short week again for the San Francisco forty
nine ers playing on Saturday after just battling it out
with the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia on Sunday. There's a
lot of a lot of conjecture and conversation about that, Mitchell,
a lot of frustration, but that's usually when the one
seed's playing. You know, you could save yourself a lot
(01:01):
of time and a lot of headache if you get
the one seed, and that's what the Seattle Seahawks were
able to do. So it is what it is to me.
You know, it's one of those things you just gotta
deal with. You gotta you win your games. You win,
you move on, You deal with the circumstances that you're
the hand that you dealt of sorts. But it's great
to see Fred Warner opening his practice window. That's what
(01:21):
I would have expected from them if he had any
chance of playing at all during these playoffs, is during
this divisional game, them opening his window and just seeing
what he got, you know, maybe maybe having him do
some some some practice squad reps, some scout team reps,
uh and and just getting his legs back under him,
sprinting around, uh, you know, getting his shoulder pads, getting
(01:42):
some real live contact, which is which is all the
things you need to see from a veteran player in
order to see if he can actually play this game
at a high level, because you do not want to
walk into a playoff game with a lamp or gimp
or or or trying to compensate, uh for for a
body part that isn't working properly. And that's that's what
I'm sure the San Francisco forty nine ers are wary
about in that situation. But it's cool to see him working.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Out, no question about it.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
If nothing else, it's a rally boost to the team
that seems to have lost all their stars. I mean,
we see George Kittle go out with a gruesome injury
that you know all too well about the Achilles Richard,
Did you have any conversations with George at all after that?
Speaker 4 (02:20):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (02:21):
Yeah, yeah, we text probably about twenty thirty minutes after
he went to the locker room, and just different surgeons
and things like that, and you know, try to help
him make an educated decision about that, but he'll be fine.
Technology with Achilles has has has gotten better and better
and better every year, which is why Aaron Rodgers was
(02:44):
able to come back so quickly from his even within
the same season that he tours a I mean tours Achilles.
So you know, technology has advanced, and I don't I'm
not sure, you know, I can't speak for any timelines
or anything of that nature, and I won't speculate, but
I definitely don't think we've seen the last.
Speaker 4 (03:01):
Of George Kittle by any any stretch of imagination.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
How much does an injury like him, losing a guy
like that the heart and soul, you know, really whether
he's catching the ball or not. He's a huge contributor
in their run game with his physicality and blocking. How
much of an impact is losing him going to have
on the forty nine ers. They've been able to overcome
these injuries all season long, but at what point, you know,
(03:25):
does it become a breaking point? Because George kittle Man,
that is the that is the blood of this offense.
You know, like I said, man, how big of an
impact is that going to play in this game?
Speaker 4 (03:36):
Well? I don't know.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
I mean because they they you know, they've spent a
lot of the season without him, with a lot of
without a lot of their star powers. So they have
to play the first game against the Seattle Seahawks without him.
He got injured in that game and heard his hamstring
early in the season. So I think this team is
weathered every storm and at this point it's all the
same to him. You know, they know it's going to
(03:58):
be hard regardless of who's out there, and they know
whoever's out there is gonna have to do their best
versus an incredibly formidable opponent in the Seattle Seahawks, who
are playing these guys on a back to back. You know,
which is rare in the National Football League that you
play a team, then have a weak break, and then
play the same team. I mean, it's happened a few
times throughout the season, throughout the years. But that's gonna
(04:21):
be interesting in my in my opinion, I see that
hard Rock has spread at seven and a half points,
and I don't agree with that. I don't agree with that.
This is a division game given either team, seven and
a half points is insanity. So if I, if you're
a gambling man, that's a I would I'd put some
money on that because this is gonna be a dogfight
(04:43):
of a game. It was a dog fight the last
time UH and the Seattle Seahawks made plays down the stretch.
They they got a critical interception in the red zone
when Christian McCaffrey dropped the football and so that was
the turning point of that football game. And obviously they
miss field goals and then like that. But this is
a different San Francisco forty nine ers team with with
(05:05):
UH with Gallo and and and Kendricks in the lineup
at linebacker, because they're just playing sound discipline football. It's
not about being the extraordinary things. It's doing the detailed things,
doing your job, being where you're supposed to be in coverage,
being in the gap you're supposed to be in a
run game, calling the right you know, strength calls and
things like that. And Kendricks did a really good job
(05:25):
against the Philadelphia Eagles just being where he's supposed to
be sound tackling football. I don't think he missed the
tackling the game. And Gallo was was running sideline sideline
and making an impact, and I think that's gonna be
a big difference in this game. I think they're gonna
they're gonna help with, you know, some of the issues
that were prevalent in the last game against the Seattle Seahawks,
(05:47):
where Kenneth Walker had a lot of success. He had
that third and seventeen run sharper and they had some success.
And I still think the Seattle Seahawks defense is going
to be a huge issue for the San Francisco forty
nine Ers. Brought party in. The San Francisco forty nine
Ers offense, number one league on third down, could not
manage to convert. I think they were they they were
(06:09):
really bad in that game. I think twenty six, twenty
seven percent in that game, and the Seattle Seahawks defense
was the reason. Their front gave them a lot of
problems in the run game. They were stout and it
was Byron Murphy and Jaron Reid and Leonard Williams and
DeMarcus Lawrence and you name it. Guys hard to move.
They're double teaming them and they can't move them. And
(06:29):
that's gonna have to change in this game. Obviously, Trent
Williams went out in that game. He will be back
for this this rematch, so that'll make a difference in
a game. But it's gonna be a dog fight. This
is gonna be an absolute doll fight. We get to see
Sam Darnold in another playoff game and see how he responds. Obviously,
we all know the conversation that surrounded him last playoffs
(06:51):
with with Minnesota Vikings and how that played out. And
he has a chance to redeem himself in a huge
way against a division opponent. And you know how these
Seattle Seahawks San Francisco playoff games, Goo mitchell I do.
Speaker 4 (07:02):
I definitely know how they go.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
And so it's gonna be it's gonna be a it's
gonna be fireworks. It's gonna be running and hitting. It's
gonna be physical. You better bring your hard head. And
if you put your kids away, this is gonna be
It's gonna be rated our physicality. This is gonna be
the kind of physicality it makes kids uncomfortable, because I
know the Seattle Seahawks defense is gonna be running a
hidden and I know the San Francisco forty nine Ers
(07:27):
defense is gonna play with desperation the entire game. This
has been one of the top scoring offenses in the
league in the Seattle Seahawks, and this San Francisco forty
nine Ers defense played one of their best games against
the Sea Seattle Seahawks in the second half. I would
say in the second half they played a lot better.
And then they continued that play against the Philadelphia Eagles,
(07:48):
the defending champs, and I think that gave them some confidence.
So I can't imagine this being a seven and a
half point spread. If this is a seven and a
half point spread, that that's crazy and one of these
teams didn't show up. But I don't think it's gonna
be seven points at all. And I think that line
will change as you get closer to Gay.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
You know, I know, gambling has certainly gained a new,
I guess level of popularity now that it's been legalized
in a number of states. And to that point, Richard Lake,
you think brock Purty looks at this and has it
even bigger chip out of his shoulder. He's already mister irrelevant,
but now they have him as a seven and a
half point dog going into Seattle, a team that he knows.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Very very well.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
Do you think that the players in the forty nine
ers locker room look at that and almost feel disrespected.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
I'm not sure. I don't think they do.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
I know we didn't really look at them unless it
was something insane.
Speaker 4 (08:41):
But you know, maybe it's billboardon material.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
Maybe it's you know, I mean, bulletin board material, and
guys will read it, and guys will get hyped up.
But when you're talking about the San Francisco forty nine
Ers against the Seattle Seahawks, I don't care if it's preseason,
regular season, postseason, or off season.
Speaker 4 (08:59):
Mitchell.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
It's on site, so it's not like they need in
either team needs any bulletin board material.
Speaker 4 (09:05):
Mitchell.
Speaker 1 (09:05):
There's enough just normal everyday hate for one another that
you're gonna see in this game.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
So I've been exposed to such a different side of
this rivalry, Richard, because you and I have worked together,
been friends for so long. I was rooting for the
Seahawks for a number of years. Then you go to
the Niners, and now I see in the comments section
everyone is so darn confused, you know, man, you see
it time after time. I never, as a forty nine
(09:31):
er fan, would ever imagine myself rooting for Richard Sherman
or agreeing with what he says and vice versa with
the Seattle Seahawks.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
And here you are.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
You're that combining force, right, the neutrality, If you will,
everyone come together and hold hands during this game. No
one's gonna be holding hands in this game, though, Richard.
It's gonna be a bloodbath. And like you said, let's
talk a little bit more about Seahawks. We talked a
lot about the Niners. What do the Seattle Seahawks have
to do? Obviously they had the week off, an opportunity
to prepare, sit down. Sure, this is a matchup they wanted.
(10:01):
I mean, the Niners are on record for saying this
is a matchup they wanted. I'm sure the Seattle Seahawks
want them as well. You know, what is Seattle gonna
do specifically offensively in their plan of attack. We've seen
Kenneth Walker get involved more. We you know, we've been
peppering them for most of the season about their run game,
and over the last couple of games, Kenneth Walker and
Zach Charboney have really shown up. How much do you
(10:23):
think the Seattle Seahawks are going to be leaning on
the run. What level of jasang going to be involved?
You know how much pressure is on Sam Darnold after
last season's performance otherwise great season in Minnesota. There's so
many storylines here. Where's your head going?
Speaker 1 (10:40):
It's first off, they're gonna have to run the football.
That's gonna be the biggest thing. If they can't run
the football in this game, and nothing's to tell me
they can't because they were able to the last time
these two games, these two teams play. Obviously, when you
play again on such short notice, adjustments are made. And
again these are grown men. This is a will will
(11:00):
to will kind of deal. When the Seattle Seahawks won
that game, they got to they got the bragg and Rice,
they got to celebrate.
Speaker 4 (11:06):
They got to talk.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
They're talk and I don't think they expected to see
him the following game and have to see them again,
but they will and and you know what I mean,
I think that's gonna be the clash.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
But if they're not able to run.
Speaker 1 (11:19):
The football as well as they were it as well
as they did in the first half, Sam Donald's gonna
have to push the ball down the field. JSN has
been magnificent down the field, but for some reason, for
some reason, they haven't been able to get Rashichi heat
involved down the field. The thing he does, as good
or as anybody in the National Football League is a
deep threat. Put the ball as far as you can
(11:41):
and give him a chance to run under it. And
I don't know if that's just because of a chemistry
deal between him and Sam Donald, are just schematically that
they want to just keep things intermediate and keep it
controlled and walk the ball down the field. But I
think they're gonna have to take more shots in this game.
And again there is pressure on Sam Donald. But when
(12:02):
you have a great defense like the Seattle Seahawks do,
you can get away with more. We saw it the
other day with the Houston Texans. There were some mistakes
made by c. J. Stroud, some unfortunate plays, and his
defense bailed him out. They end up winning a game
by twenty four points, and he had five fumbles an
interception in the game. And again, when you feel like
(12:22):
you have that safety blanket of a great defense, it
allows you more freedom and to be more cavalier with
the football. Not that you want to put the ball
in danger, but it gives you a bit more cushion
in brevity to do so. And I think that's what
I believe Sam Donald's gonna feel is that, hey, I
can be a little bit more aggressive with the football
(12:44):
in this game and know that, hey, we got one
of the best defenses in the National Football League backing
me up. And this, outside of a few drives in
that game, this San Francisco forty nine ers offense didn't
show that they could figure this defense out. Now may again,
playing them on such short notice is gonna help them,
(13:04):
you know, kind of kind of feel more comfortable and
feel like, hey, this is just doll fight there, man.
But Mike McDonald has given Kyle Shanahan problems everywhere he's been,
and I mean he's only been two places. But when
they used to play the Baltimore Ravens and Mike McDonald
was a defense coordinator.
Speaker 4 (13:18):
They struggled and work.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
One of brock Perty's worst games came against the Baltimore
Ravens when Lamar Jackson was having an MVP campaign and
Brock purty. They came to Levi Stadium and Brock had
all those interceptions in that game. So again, those are
things you learn from. But one thing I do want
to say, uh is is if somehow the San Francisco
(13:41):
forty nine ers get ahead in this game, I think
the pressure builds and in the stress level is through
the roof really quickly because of how much this offense
has struggled over the last couple of weeks just pushing
the ball and even against this team like they've scored
hat games where they've scored forty points in the first half,
thirty eight points in the first half, and then just
(14:01):
kind of limp their way to the finish line in
the second half. So I think there's gonna be it's
gonna be a fun game. It's gonna be a really
fun game. I think this could be a real, big,
big time moment for Sam Darnold to show who he
is to be the big time quarterback that this franchise
believes he can be and allow him to showcase js
and the showcase aj Barner, to showcase Rashid Shahat in
(14:23):
a big way, and then allow Kenneth Walker and Sharviyonnay
to run the ball consistently.
Speaker 4 (14:28):
But it's to be seen. It's not gonna be easy.
Speaker 3 (14:31):
There's gonna be a lot of eyes on your boy,
Diamador Lenor in his matchup against JSN. What do you
look for in that game? I know Diamador wants JSN.
I know he wants that matchup. I mean, he's the
guy that seems to seek out the top opponent on
the other team. Do you think he has what it
takes to lock down JSN at least contain him in
this game?
Speaker 4 (14:52):
Well, they don't.
Speaker 1 (14:53):
They don't play man coverage like that outside of third down.
So you know, a lot of those matchups in a
lot of ways where a lot of teams are conflated.
You know, it's it's you're like, oh, man, I'm gonna
lock this guy down. Like you may have three snaps
of man to man against him, and two of those
snaps might be run plays, and so you're sitting here like,
oh man, this matchup, in this matchup, and just because
(15:15):
the guys lined up in front of another guy doesn't
mean they're in man to man. So I don't I
don't put a lot of onus into that. Obviously it hasn't.
It hasn't manifested itself into it to meaningful football. I
think sometimes when you talk things like that into existence,
they don't. They don't show up in the game like
you want them to. But when you when you don't,
when you don't think about it and you just think
(15:35):
about the game plan, and naturally those those matchups occur
down the field and you're like, hey, there we go.
Speaker 4 (15:41):
That's why we're watching the game.
Speaker 1 (15:42):
We want to see a go route with Diamador Lenore
and JS and down the field and see that's good football,
that's good playoff football. But I wouldn't put too much
weight into it because that's just not the way the
San Francisco forty nine ers play defense.
Speaker 4 (15:56):
That's not how solid calls the defense.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
Uh, They'll they'll play some men and man on third down,
that's what they've shown on tape. They've been pretty solid
in that. But for the most part, they're going to
be in some sort of zone or some kind of
zone pressure and they're gonna handle it like that.
Speaker 3 (16:11):
Richard, how impressed have you been with Robert Sala's performance
as he's wathered this constant wave of injuries. You know,
Robert Sala was a guy that earned his head coaching
position at the Jets. Was it the right environment for
him to be in. Probably not, But how impressed were
you or have you been by what Robert Sala has
(16:33):
been able to accomplish with this defense given how many
injuries to impact players there have been this season.
Speaker 4 (16:39):
I'm really impressed. I'm really impressed.
Speaker 1 (16:40):
He's been one of the best coaches assistant coaches in
the National Football League, and I think that's why his
name is being floated around for so many of these
head coaching positions, in these jobs out there, and there's
some good jobs out there. Pittsburgh just became available, Baltimore
became available, Atlanta's the Atlanta Falcons job is available. I
don't think he'd ever go back to New York for
the Giants job, but it's a job that's available. But
(17:04):
I think he's done a masterful job just just you know,
taking the hand that he's dealt and doing the best
he can with it, getting these young guys, coaching them up,
teaching them up, and even when when guys get out
go out with injuries. He's down to his fifth and
sixth linebacker that had to play this year, and he's
still enthusiastic. My guy, kJ Wright is going out there
(17:24):
and helping Eric Kendricks prepare for these games and getting
him up to speed so that he doesn't run into
a situation that he's unfamiliar with.
Speaker 4 (17:31):
You could see it in his drops.
Speaker 1 (17:33):
You could see it in his spacing on the field,
his feel for the game, his recognition of some of
these routes. He's he was coached well, and kJ Wright
is sticking by his side. That's one of the best
and smartest football players that I've ever had the pleasure
of playing with, and so I knew he would be
able to get him to that point. But again, he's
done a magnificent job and that's why he's getting getting
(17:54):
this attention.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
It's so wild.
Speaker 3 (17:56):
The business of football is a while one, Richard. We're
talking about kJ Wright, coach of the San Francisco forty
nine ers, going against his former team in Seattle. Richard,
it's prediction time, man, I know you always regular season
twenty five, twenty five. Let's all have fun. It's gonna
be a time game. I gotta put you on the spot. Man,
who do you think wins this game?
Speaker 4 (18:16):
That's tough.
Speaker 1 (18:17):
That's tough because it's it's such a it's such a
unique battle. And and I thought we'd get more information
from the last game, but you didn't get much. There
are two polar different games than the first two, and
the new circumstances with with kendricks In in Gallo, it
just it just feels it feels like an upset. It
feels like the recipe for an upset. It feels like
(18:39):
all the conditions are there. The injured, battered, bruised team,
limpinge in, you know, the limping in, vulnerable team with
the quarterback who who has only lost games that he's
he's either not finished or he left the field with
the lead. And that's all those are the only kind
of games brought party is lost. He lost against the
Philadelphia Eagles when when he got injured in the first
(19:03):
drive of the game or the first or second drive
of the game, and then they lost in the Super
Bowl after he gave his team the lead three times
in a row. Every time he lost left the field,
they had the lead, and then the defense went on
the field and and you know, we all know.
Speaker 4 (19:18):
How the rest shook out.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
But uh, you know, outside of those games, he's he's
giving his team the best chance to win the football games.
On the other side, he struggled against his defense. The
Seattle Seahawks defense is legitimate, it's real.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
They got playmakers on all three levels of the of
the defense. They got an All Pro. Ernest Jones went
an All Pro, Spoon was an All Pro. And you
can make an argument for a number of guys being
an All Pro on that defensive line that didn't necessarily
get the bid this year. But can they move Byron Murphy?
Can they move Jaron Jaron Reid? Can they move Leonard Williams?
(19:54):
I don't think they can. They didn't show that they
could in the first game, and I don't I don't
think they ate more weedies in the the two weeks
since to be able to move them. So I know
that's gonna be a critical matchup. If the San Francisco
forty nine ers can't can't run the ball, at all.
The looks and the confusion and the chaos that that
McDonald presents in that back end always leaves a little
(20:15):
bit of hesitation for the quarterback. And then the pass rush.
The pass rush has been outstanding. Uh and and they
have the death and that's the part that I believe
gives the Seattle Seahawks a great advantage in this game.
And I can understand hard Rock having him favored, but
seven and a half doesn't feel right. I feel like
this is gonna be a one score game with all
(20:36):
the way down to the last possession, and it depends
on who has the ball, man, So that's what it's
gonna be. It's gonna be down to the last possession
who has the ball? So hmmm, who's gonna have the
ball last possession?
Speaker 2 (20:49):
That's what don't don't don't do this, Richard, don't do
You were six and oh in Wildcar Weekend. You were
six and oh. So I'll do it for you.
Speaker 3 (20:59):
I'll pick a T for you and you can either
nod your head yes or nod your head no. I
think the Seattle Seahawks are gonna win this game. I
think they're gonna win by a shoot.
Speaker 2 (21:08):
I'm with you.
Speaker 3 (21:09):
I think it's gonna be a one score game. I'm
gonna call it twenty four to twenty Seattle. It's gonna
be a thriller. I think Brock Purdy, I think these
injuries are just too much to overcome at this point.
I love his game. I love what he's been able
to do. The forty nine Ers are valiant, They're fighting
their tails off. They remind me of the Lions, though
at some point, you know, last year, when the Lions
(21:32):
were fifteen to two and they were losing guys left, right,
and center, at some point it just became too much.
And I think that losing George Kittle made it too much.
And I know that they were able to beat the
Philadelphia Eagles. I think that was a great matchup for him.
I don't necessarily love this matchup with all those injuries.
For that reason, I'm gonna go twenty four to twenty
(21:54):
Seattle Seahawks. That being said, I think the forty nine
ers are gonna put up a hell of a fight,
and I do not want you San Francisco forty nine
Er fans be pissed off at me. I do have
a hat, a forty nine Ers hat. And you know what,
I'll wear it if they win. And that's my pick.
Speaker 1 (22:10):
Rich I like that, Mitchell, but again that that I
feel like that score can go either way.
Speaker 4 (22:18):
I'm with you with the injuries. But they've been injured.
Speaker 1 (22:22):
You know, they just played and they were injured, and
it was a it was a three to ten ball
game with the San Francisco forty nine ers in the
red zone and an interception happened that that gave the
Seahawks more life and in it the dreams of the
San Francisco forty nine ers. So it wasn't It wasn't
like it was just Hey, a dominant performance by the
(22:42):
Seahawks offense, although I felt like they were in control,
especially in the first half.
Speaker 4 (22:46):
They were driving the ball.
Speaker 1 (22:47):
I wheeled, But they were mistakes made in the first
drop the first drive of the game, I thought Sam
Darnold had I think it might have been Charbonne or
somebody to the flat first play after an explosive in
the red zone. It was a touchdown and he looked
dead at it and held the football. They ended up
getting sacked going forward on fourth down and not getting
points like they should have in that drive. And I
(23:09):
think you know, that's one of those things that that
gives me, Pauls, that gives me, that leaves me uneasy
because you cannot make mistakes like that in the playoffs.
I think you make mistakes like that against this team
right now, they're gonna they're gonna make a couple. This
team is an experienced team and they got a quarterback
that's been here and done that. He's been down double
(23:29):
digits in a in an NFC championship game.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
He's don't talk to me about that.
Speaker 5 (23:33):
Richard my bad, Mitchell bad bad, still fresh, still fresh,
he was, he was down, they were down to the
Philadelphia Eagles.
Speaker 1 (23:44):
You know that you you went into these situations where
you learned, and I think that's gonna help them. But
I know the Seattle Seahawks. This defense is the only
reason I believe the Seattle Seahawks have a chance in
this game because I know they've been so consistent this season.
I know the mind Mike McDonald has presented in the
scheme that he's presented and how sound it is and
(24:06):
how deep they are, and you you don't worry about
injuries with the Seattle Seahawks defense because when guys have
gotten injured. They've put guys in and they've played Will
really well. Josh Joe played really well when he got
in there. We talked about the defensive line and all
the depth they have with Derek Hall and Byron Murphy
and and and and pretty much anybody you bring in.
Jared Reid got banged up for for a couple of games.
(24:29):
But I just I'm honestly, I'm trying to call it, Mitchell.
I am trying my best to see it, but it's
it's difficult. It's difficult. It's difficult because they just played
HM trying to get it, Mitchell.
Speaker 3 (24:52):
You can do it off air, Richard, if you don't
want to piss a bunch of people off.
Speaker 2 (24:55):
And I respect that.
Speaker 4 (24:56):
I don't. I don't mind.
Speaker 1 (24:57):
I don't mind pissing people off. I just can't call
this game. It's I hate these Division games that are
like this, especially teams that just played.
Speaker 4 (25:05):
It was just like Green Bay in Chicago the other day.
Speaker 1 (25:09):
It's like, when you've just played, this is the third
time you're playing in thirty five days, right, it's so
much familiarity.
Speaker 4 (25:15):
It's gonna come down to the wire. And that's exactly
what it did.
Speaker 1 (25:18):
Freaking Packers have the ball driving down with a chance
to win the game at the end of the game,
and they were in control the whole game, But none
of that matters because it comes down to the last
draft of the game. Because these teams know each other
so well, so it's just gonna be a roller coaster.
Like this is a pick them for me, Mitchell, This
is a pick them. It could go either way fair enough,
and we'll leave it at that. We'll see what happens.
Speaker 3 (25:39):
You know, this reminds me of, though, is when we
did the season preview and you said that they were
gonna be in a tie and whoever won the last
game was gonna win the freaking division. And here we are.
You were right, So maybe you're right again. Maybe we'll
come down to whoever has a ball at the end
of the game.
Speaker 2 (25:54):
We shall see.
Speaker 3 (25:55):
Let's talk about the other NFC matchup. This is gonna
be a wild one as well, another NFC West opponent
La Rams go into Chicago to play the Chicago Bears
that are flying high right now, off back to back
miraculous comeback wins over the Green Bay Packers. I know, Chicago,
the city of Chicago has got to be live. I
know that stadium is going to be loud, it's going
(26:17):
to be cold, it's gonna be windy. Conditions for a
running back, Conditions for a running game, not so much
to be throwing the ball. It's Richard, this is setting
up to be a wild one in my opinion, because
there's so many different variables that are at play here.
This is not in La right, this is in the
Windy City, and those conditions seem to fit a scrambling
(26:41):
mobile quarterback like Caleb Williams a little bit better than
somebody like Matthew Stafford. That being said, Matthew Stafford, hats
off to him. He's got to be the MVP this year.
Does he have what it takes? I mean, do you
think the La Rams, all things considered, those variables number
one ranked off offense in the league and go into
(27:01):
the Chicago and take care of business.
Speaker 4 (27:03):
This Rams defense is what I'm concerned about. Again.
Speaker 1 (27:07):
They give up over thirty points to the Carolina Panthers,
the second time in less than a month they've given
up that. They gave up twenty seven to the Atlanta Falcons,
a team that struggled, and this was supposed to be
a really really good defense. They have a really talented
fun it's the back end that you leave really really
concerned with. And Caleb Williams does a great job of
(27:27):
escaping and creating longer plays and extra plays, and you
got to get to the second and third read in
the play, and he's able to do that. Is he
always the most accurate with the football.
Speaker 4 (27:37):
He's not.
Speaker 1 (27:38):
But when you got a run game like they do
the third ranked run game in the National Football League
with Manunghai and DeAndre Swift guys, they can go by
committee and really have an impact on this game. And
then you look at the success that Bryce Young was
even able to have against this against this team, were
(27:58):
they able to just scheme guys open. Tedoroal McMillan was
having some success. Jalen Kocher had one hundred and thirty
four yards on none catches. So there are holes in
this defense that can be exploited. And you know Ben
Johnson can scheme them up with the best of them,
as you know Mitchell be as good as anybody. So
this is a game where obviously Matthew Staffords played in
(28:20):
the NFC North, he can deal with the conditions. He's
played in the NFC North long enough majority of his career,
so I'm not afraid of him in the elements. I'm
not afraid of Devonte Adams in the elements. He played
in Green Bay, like we're gonna We're not gonna act
like these guys can't play. And they played a wild
card game against the Philadelphia Eagles last year and gave
the Philadelphia Eagles all they could handle in that game,
and it was a really cold game as well. So
(28:42):
I'm not concerned about them as much as I'm concerned
about just the way this defense is played down the stretch. Sure,
they've made plays, they've created turnovers, they have a really
talented defensive line, but Ken Nate consistently stopped this run game.
Because if they can't in these conditions, it's gonna be
a very long day for him. And if the conditions
are what they say, that what they think, they're gonna
(29:04):
be metroll if they if it's gonna be as cold
and snowy as they're saying, you gotta think the home
team would have the advantage.
Speaker 3 (29:12):
There, You would think, you would think. But you said
all this, Richard about the La Rams, and I love
what you said about the Vontae Adams and Matthew Stafford
playing in the NFC North, you know, and obviously Green
Bay and Detroit. There's something about this Rams team.
Speaker 4 (29:28):
I get it.
Speaker 2 (29:29):
You know.
Speaker 3 (29:29):
They struggled against Carolina, they struggled against Atlanta down the stretch.
You know, Detroit was able to move the ball quite
a bit on them defensively. But what it impresses me
about this Rams team is the two headed monster they've
got developing and kyn Williams and Blake Corum, you know,
and they also have a pretty darn good offensive line.
When you couple that with going against the Chicago Bears,
(29:51):
who have the twenty seventh ranked rush defense, I see
an opportunity for the Rams to take advantage as well
on the ground, you know. And also in addition to that,
Chicago has been skating by on a lot of luck
and they have not seen a team like the La
Rams with their back against the wall winner go home
a game.
Speaker 2 (30:11):
And Matthew Stafford has been an absolute killer. You know.
Speaker 3 (30:14):
I think the luck is eventually going to run out
for Chicago, and I think it's going to happen this weekend.
That's not to say that Chicago shouldn't you know, be
very very proud of their team, and they certainly have
a hell of an opportunity here to take care of business.
If Chicago is going to win this game, it's going
to come down to a couple of things. You've already
hit on two of them, Kylemnung Guy and DeAndre Swift.
(30:36):
How effective can they be on the ground. That is
going to be then absolute crucial point. But one of
the things with Chicago that's really impressed me over the
course of the last five six weeks is the emergence
of their number one pick, top ten pick, Colston Lovelan
out a University of Michigan. He is looking like an
absolute stud and the reason that they drafted to top ten.
It gives Ben Johnson that weapon that he had in
(30:57):
Detroit and Sam Laporta, and we're seeing it at play.
A guy like him on these short routes, his ability
to get yak. You know, this could be a game
for him to really come away as a guy that
you know is a future star in a lot of
folks eyes, Richard, You've played in very shitty conditions. You
(31:18):
played up in Minnesota in the Blairwash, infamous wide left game.
How much is it to be I mean, what was
it minus ten fifteen twenty degrees when you're up there.
This is gonna be pretty darn close. How much does
that impact you defensively? Because I think when I'm going
out and playing football in the snow, you know, winter
with my cousins, no one wants to tackle anybody.
Speaker 4 (31:39):
It's too cold.
Speaker 3 (31:40):
You're talking about negative seven degree temperatures here. How difficult
it is that as a.
Speaker 1 (31:46):
Defender, it's really difficult. And it also, this isn't the
best field in the world. This isn't a turf field.
This isn't This is a field that's slippery and bad
even in decent conditions. So you talk about the ground
being slick, that's worst case scenario for a devender because
(32:06):
you got to put the screws in and you have
to play with your feet under you the whole game.
You have to make sure, hey, I don't I don't
get too far outside of my frame. I don't want
to slip. Every break.
Speaker 4 (32:17):
You gotta be careful and.
Speaker 1 (32:18):
Cautious because one slip on, one slip, one misstep in
this game, and the game's over and it's it's a
big play and everybody's sitting there blaming you for it.
And but again in the last five games, Mitchell, in
the last five games, they gave up thirty eight. This
this Rams defense gave up thirty eight to Seattle. They
gave up thirty four to your Detroit Lions, they gave
(32:38):
up They just gave up thirty one to the Carolina Panthers,
and they gave up twenty seven to the Falcons. So
I think they like, they're not coming in here rolling
like they have been in the past. And I know
that that we feel great about Matthew Stafford and what
this offense can do, and rightfully so, but they have
been they at times have have kind of slowed down
(33:01):
and they've got gone stagnant at times, especially against decent defenses.
And this is the number one turnover defense in the
National Football League. We cannot lose sight of that. In
the Chicago Bears, there were opportunities in that Green Bay
game with the ball on the ground when they threw
the pass to the offensive lineman and everybody's like, oh,
they can't bring him down, he's too powerful. No, they
(33:22):
weren't trying to bring him down. You don't bring down
an offensive lineman. You let him run, you just slow
him down and punch the ball. He's not a ball carrier,
he's not used to handling the football, and he has
all this tape and huge gloves on.
Speaker 4 (33:32):
He can't feel it. You have. That's a perfect opportunity.
Speaker 1 (33:34):
And they got the ball out and then couldn't recover it.
It was ten yards down the field and nobody could
recover it. Then you have to play where the receiver
jumped in the end zone and dropped the ball. Balls
on the ground and the end zone. Nobody sees it,
nobody gets it. This is a team that creates turnovers.
If they're able to do that again against Matthew saff
from this offense, it's gonna be hard to beat him.
Speaker 3 (33:54):
I got Chicago, no kidding, And what a story that
would be for Ben Johnson and this Chicago Bears team.
That was a first win, the first playoff win in
fifteen years, right, and this city has been loyal to
this team. Credit to Chicago, man, huge huge win last weekend.
This match, this matchup this Sunday is going to tell
(34:16):
a lot about who Chicago really is because I think
their one critique was who they played on their schedule
and their comeback wins. It never looked tremendously dominant in
any game. So to your point, Richard, if they're able
to come away with a win, look out, Chicago is
going to be even more fired up than they already
are right now, Richard Sherman has Chicago to advance to
(34:39):
the NFC Championship Game. Wowsers. Let's move on to the
AFC here. I know you're excited about these matchups as well.
The Buffalo Bills are headed too Denver to take on
the Denver Broncos. Hard Rock has the Bills as a
one point favorite. Does that surprise you at all?
Speaker 4 (34:57):
No, that's the that's hard Rot saying. Josh Allen.
Speaker 1 (35:02):
Josh Allen is an MVP candidate or the reigning MVP,
and he's playing in this game.
Speaker 4 (35:09):
You're gonna give them an advantage for that.
Speaker 1 (35:11):
Even if you're going against the number two defense in
the National Football League, you're gonna give Josh Allen the
respect that he's doing. He's playoffs. He always shows up
and plays well regardless.
Speaker 3 (35:21):
Well to me, yeah, I'm with you. I don't think
that it's much of a surprise. I think Buffalo has
got everything that they need to take care of Denver.
I know you love Denver's defense, and rightfully so, but
for me, the eyes are gonna be on bow necks.
We all know how good the Denver Broncos defense is
gonna be. They've been tremendous all season long. But does
(35:42):
Bownecks have what it takes to elevate this offense and
take care of the Buffalo Bills and ultimately knock off
Josh Allen out of this playoffs.
Speaker 1 (35:52):
We'll see, We'll see. It's easier say it than done.
And the quarterbacks that have done it have been really,
really talented guys. They've got they've been guys that you
considered top five in the National Football League most times,
and most of the times it's Patrick Mahomes and the
Kansas City Chiefs and.
Speaker 4 (36:07):
They aren't here.
Speaker 1 (36:09):
But I'll give all the respect that is due to
the Denver Broncos and that they are incredible against the
run against the past. They play a lot of man
and man coverage. I think they play a third most
man and man coverage in the National Football League. They
have the reigning defensive Player of the Year and Patrick
certain they have a team that can get the job done,
no question about it. The question mark come on the
(36:30):
offensive side of the football, just like it has for
a number of these teams with great defenses. It's the
offense that you worry about. Kenny not put the ball
in harms way. Can can Sean Payton come up with
a good plan that that does a great job of
highlighting his strengths and and really staying away from his weaknesses.
Can he use his legs because that'll be a big
(36:51):
part of it.
Speaker 4 (36:52):
Use your legs to get down the field.
Speaker 1 (36:54):
Josh Allen will give you a blueprint of how to
win these games because I know he's gonna use his
legs and he's this game to try to win for
his team.
Speaker 4 (37:00):
I think they're gonna have a chance.
Speaker 1 (37:03):
But if this Broncos defense does what they have done
all season, they'll come out with a win. But it's
a big it's a big if. It's a reason they
have the the the Buffalo Bill's favored favorite on the
road against the number one seed in the National Football
League in the AFC because they've played really well with
when Josh Allen is on the football field, and there's
(37:24):
inconsistency from the Broncos offense.
Speaker 4 (37:27):
That you that you've got to be concerns about.
Speaker 2 (37:29):
No question.
Speaker 3 (37:32):
In terms of the Buffalo Bills, we saw James Cook
go out against the Jacksonville Jaguars and it kind of struggle.
Jacksonville's has got a great rush defense. The Broncos have
the same exact thing. James Cook is gonna have to
take over this game if the Bills.
Speaker 2 (37:46):
Are gonna win on the road.
Speaker 3 (37:48):
I know all the eyes are gonna be on Josh Allen,
but the Bills are gonna moves James Cook moves in
this in this game, they're gonna have to ultimately wear
out this this defense, and they're gonna have to control
time of possession. Not enough credit is given to the
Buffalo Bills defense. I mean, Richard, they got the number
one pass defense in the league. They got the number
seven overall defense in the league. So I think bo Nicks,
(38:10):
you know, coming into this game, that's probably why Hard
Rock has them favored, is because you're not only dealing
with Josh Allen, but you're dealing with James Cook and
this Bill's defense. Now, the question for Josh Allen is
gonna become does he have the offensive weapons at the
receiver position? To really take over this defense because you're
gonna go up against Patrick's or tan Is Khalil Shakir.
(38:32):
The guy to do it is Brandon Cooks. The guy
to do it is Dalton Kinkaid. The guy to do it,
we'll see. But that to me is the biggest question
with this Bills team is do they have enough offensive weapons?
Because I know Josh Allen is gonna be ready to
run and gun, but do you believe that the Bills
have what it takes from a personnel standpoint at these
key positions to get things done.
Speaker 4 (38:52):
Well.
Speaker 1 (38:52):
The part of this that's gonna be scary for the
Denver browncos is a this is a repeat matchup from
last season. This is a repeat matchup, and the Buffalo
Bills beat this team thirty one to seven. And so sure,
you could feel great, obviously that game was in Buffalo.
You could feel like, hey, man, you know we're better,
we're more experienced this year. But in the back of
(39:13):
your mind, you're like, hey, they got after us. They
had a great plant, they executed it. Josh Allen had
a fantastic game. Bow Knicks didn't necessarily have a great game.
They didn't lean on them as much. They weren't able
to run the football as well as they had, but
James Cook was and so they've had success running the
football in this team in the playoffs, and they're gonna
be confident they can do that. I'm sure McDermott is
(39:35):
gonna feel good about what his team is going into
this game, even as beat up as they are and
as injured as they are on both sides of the football.
When you've beaten the team in this exact same scenario,
not exact same scenario, but in the wild card round
going into the next season, you feel good. This is
a different Denver Broncos team. I will give them that.
(39:56):
They're more experienced. They've played better this season. Sean Payton,
this is the second year here, a second year with
this with bo Knicks at the helm, so I know
he feels better about the plan and what he can
do with him. But still, you got to show you
can beat Josh Allen. Until you do, Buffalo is gonna
be favored.
Speaker 3 (40:16):
Okay, so it comes out of prediction time.
Speaker 4 (40:18):
Who do you like?
Speaker 2 (40:19):
What's the final score here? Richard?
Speaker 3 (40:21):
What storylines do you think are gonna stand out with
this game? Keep in mind you do have the Denver
Broncos in the Super Bowl coming into this, that was
your prediction.
Speaker 1 (40:38):
Yeah, I was hoping they wouldn't get this matchup, but
I guess this is This is the matchup that had
to happen if they were gonna get there. So I
gotta go with the Denver Broncos. The Denver Broncos defense
is gonna have to do enough to stop Josh Allen
show that they belong to be here.
Speaker 4 (40:54):
So why they're the number one seed in the AFC.
Speaker 1 (40:59):
Obviously, I think Benito and and UH and Cooper are
gonna have a huge impact in this game. My guy
DJ Jones is going to be in there, uh, stopping
the run and again the Ranning Defensive Player of the
Year Patrick Surtain is going to make his impact felt
in this game.
Speaker 2 (41:12):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (41:13):
Hopefully my guy Rithy Moss is able to stand up
on the other side. Understand Uh, Buffalo doesn't have these
all world receivers and they just lost Gabe Davis for
the foreseeable future with the a c O injury. So
they'll find ways to get Khalil Shakir involved. They'll find
ways to get Kean Coleman involved. But I would I
would imagine that they're They're going to see a healthy
(41:33):
dose of man the Man and pressure on Josh Allen
all night long.
Speaker 4 (41:36):
Uh got the Denver Broncos sneaking by with a win.
Speaker 3 (41:43):
Okay, I'm rolling with the Buffalo Bills, So we got
h We got some differences here this uh, this upcoming
weekend here Richard, and finally the Houston Texans. So I
know you love and we love seeing the Houston Texan
fans in the comments section. By the way, thank you
guys for subscribing. Obviously from Houston, Texas. Richard's been a
(42:04):
huge advocate for your defense all season long. They're going
to be going on the road to New England against
the Patriots. Hard Rock's got the Pats as a three
point favorite. Something tells me you're probably not gonna like that.
Speaker 1 (42:18):
I don't mind it. Three points is what you get
for being at home. That's when when when when a
when a sports book thinks it's even they give you
three points for home, and if you don't get at
least three points from home, then they think you're underdowne
So they think that the Pats deserve to be here.
They think they're the better team and I can understand
that with the way that uh, the Texans offense struggled
(42:41):
for for large parts of that football game against the
Pittsburgh Steelers. But right now, if you're the if you're
the Houston offense, you feel like, hey, we just need
to take care of football. We need to manage the clock,
run the football well, not turn it over. If you
see j Stroud, if you're Demico Ryan, that's all you're
telling him all game, Hey, protect the football, protect the football.
(43:04):
Give our defense a chance to win this game. Because
on the other side, this Patriots offense has been potent,
but they have not faced a top five defense this
entire season. I think the Chargers were the top defense
that they faced the entire season, and of course they
won that game by ten points, but they struggled for
(43:24):
a good portion of it. That was a three point
game for a majority of that game, and the offense
was not able to generate a touchdown. This Houston defense
is better, They're more aggressive. The Chargers sacked them five times.
I would guess the Houston Texans will be looking to
do the same. And the difference between the Chargers and
(43:45):
the Texans is not only just a front but it's
the secondary. Obviously, they have Derwin James, an incredible playmaker,
but they don't have Derek Stingley, Junior, Kamari Lasster, Kayln
Bullock Petrie. They have playmaker after playmaker after playmaker, and
that's Candarry and a pro bowler in the middle in
Aziz al Shaire. So I feel really good and really
confident about this Houston Texan team going forward. They're on
(44:08):
a ten game winning streak and people don't understand the
what momentum is when a team is playing like this,
that they're going into games not even regardless of how
the game's going. They don't think they can lose, and
they're playing that way. When you're playing with that kind
of immense confidence, it's a tough I don't care what
seed you are, You're gonna be a tough out. And
(44:29):
if their offense gives them anything, they're gonna they're gonna
be a tough out. I got the Houston Texans winning
this game against the New England Patriots in New England
and Mike Rabel. I have a ton of respect for
what Mike has done and the way he treats his players,
the way he coaches, the way he played the game.
I think this is gonna be a fun, fun game,
one of the best AFC games of the week in
(44:51):
my opinion, But I still think that I think the
Houston Texans defense just has too much for this team
to overcome. If I'm being honest, it's how are you
gonna consistently block Will Anderson, Daniel Hunter? How are you
gonna I just how are you gonna block Rankins? How
are you gonna block these guys consistently.
Speaker 4 (45:09):
All game long?
Speaker 1 (45:10):
You weren't able to block oh Way in the last game.
Oh Way had three sacks for the Chargers last week.
So these guys are a different beasts in that. Not
to say, not to take anything away from him, but
Stefan Diggs was with the Houston Texans.
Speaker 4 (45:24):
They know him.
Speaker 1 (45:25):
I'm sure Derek Stanley feels very comfortable with him. They'll
have that matchup at times, you know. Is it Kamari
Lassiter on Booty? Is it Kamary Lassiter on Douglas? I'm
not sure, but I feel confident in what this team
can do. Have I been wrong before?
Speaker 4 (45:41):
Yes? But the way this defense is playing, unless the
eight something happens to him between now and that game,
I can't see him playing any different.
Speaker 3 (45:50):
Well, don't make don't give fooled here, Richard. New England's
also on a heater too, you know. I know their
level of competition hasn't been the best. They certainly have
had a very, very favorable schedule, but you know in
their matchup against the Bills, they took care of him
once this season. This is going to be a big
test for them though. It's going to be a big
test for Drake May, most specifically because he was starting
(46:11):
to enter into that MVP conversation a little bit towards
the end of the season, you know, so everyone's starting
to give him that credit and has he truly earned
it yet? He's had a great season, But this is
when you truly earn that that recognition. You know, when
you go against a ferocious defense like the Houston Texans,
the only thing that can really beat him is a
(46:33):
dynamite quarterback. Does Drake May have what it takes? We'll see.
I mean, New England, you talk about transitioning from Tom
Brady to a massive lull and then favorably getting Drake May.
It seems like they're going to be very comfortable at
that position for the next ten to fifteen years. But
he's going to have to win a big game like
this to put the rest of the NFL on notice
(46:53):
that he's here and he's there to stay. He's going
to be in that conversation with Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson,
Joe Burrow, Patrick Homes, etc. To be in that conversation,
you've got to knock off a team in a defense
like the Houston Texans on the other side of the ball. Houston,
you know, we've talked enough about their defense, We've sung
their praises. Pressure is gonna be and eyes are gonna
(47:13):
be on CJ. Stroud because, let's be frank, he almost
blew that game last last this past weekend. I mean,
fumbling the ball five times, losing it twice, you know,
throwing an interception. Like You've got one of the best,
if not the best defense in the NFL and they're
going to keep you in games. But if you really
want to blow the doors off the teams, CJ. Stroud
(47:33):
is going to have to be much like he was
his rookie year, I know. And that's that brings another question,
what's the status and Nico Collins. These questions are gonna
present themselves throughout the weeks. For the Houston Texans. Christian
Kirk had an amazing game last game, but I don't
know how reliable that can be going forward. Woody Marks
would rush for one hundred yards. I don't know if
(47:55):
they're gonna be able to replicate that against again again
against the New England Patriots. There's so many storylines with
this game. And I know you love the Houston Texans,
but be cautious. New England Jillette Stadium is gonna be
on fire as well, and I know this fan base
is gonna be rowdy.
Speaker 4 (48:10):
Richard.
Speaker 3 (48:12):
I don't want to call it an upset, but I
feel like I gotta call it an upset because you're
so high in the Houston Texans.
Speaker 2 (48:18):
I think the Pats are gonna take care of business.
Speaker 4 (48:20):
I liked.
Speaker 2 (48:20):
I think it's Drake May's time.
Speaker 1 (48:21):
Like Drake May, and I love everything He's become an
MVP candidate in this this season, and and like you said,
he wins this game. He's definitely in the conversation with
with with the top five quarterbacks in the National Football League,
and some guys are starting to move down because of
their performance and lack of availability this year, but we'll
talk about that in the offseason. But again, I trust
(48:45):
great defense and not to say that that New England
doesn't have a great aggressive style defense. The conversation out
of New England from the Chargers player players where they
couldn't understand, couldn't figure out what defense they were playing, Well,
guess what, You're gonna know exactly what Houston's playing. You're
gonna know where people are gonna be lined up, You're
gonna know what covers they're in, and then you're gonna
(49:07):
get hit in the face. And so that's the part
that I love when I because I played on a
defense like that, where hey, you know what we're doing,
you know where our guys are gonna be, you know
how we're gonna line up, and you cannot beat us.
We will win this game. We will out physical you
to the point that you fold. We know how you're
gonna attack this defense, because there's only certain ways you
(49:29):
can attack this defense. It's it's two or three, four, five,
six plays in the past game like that you can attack,
truly attack different levels of this defense. We'll usually recognize
them pretty quick and you better get that ball into
those windows really quickly. And in the run game, there's
only so many ways you can attack a totally gap
sound team. And if you're getting around and you're getting
(49:50):
through these gaps and we're adjusting and we're making plays,
it's tough to do. Sometimes when you keep it simple,
you're allowed to play fast and you're able to really
be as aggressive as you want to be. And I
think in the playoffs this style benefits the Houston Texans
because the rest aren't aren't calling every tickie tech penalty fans,
you can get upset and screen and pout all you want.
(50:12):
Nobody will remember that. Nobody will remember you being upset. Oh,
I thought that was a holding. That was br that
was a ground that we don't care. Is the playoffs
in the National Football League. The game is meant to
be decided on the football field, not with flags and whistles.
So that's the way these games are going to be determined.
And if the game is played like that, I know
the Houston Texans are going to be incredibly prepared. I
(50:32):
just if the Patriots win, they have earned it and
they become the favorite to win it all. And it'd
be hard not to say it, but I don't think
they get through this thing.
Speaker 2 (50:44):
Richard.
Speaker 3 (50:45):
I hate to bring up bad memories, but let me
just talk to you a bit. Before you guys ultimately
won the Super Bowl, you got knocked out by Atlanta
Falcons right the year prior, is that right you went
on the road to Atlanta. Do you think that possibly
you know that this defense, this secondary is a little
too young. Maybe they're they're a year I had a
(51:05):
schedule than they were. And then my question really becomes
to you is at what point did you guys realize
your defense was great, you know, because you had to
go through those road bumps you had to go.
Speaker 1 (51:16):
You lost that game because Chris Clemens got injured against
the against the Washington Redskins, and so Bruce Irvin wasn't
wasn't didn't have the weight to play the end, and
they ran the ball and they had some success and
then we we've made some mistakes. But this is an
entirely different defense by all metrics, Like they're his historic
(51:37):
good with how they played at the last game, they
they were playing at a historic playoff level with how
good they were against Pittsburgh, and they don't even need
to play at that historic level. That was historically good.
They just need to play at the level they've played
all season and that will give them the chance to
win this. Sometimes you hit people in the face over
and over and over, and I think Vrabel will have
(51:58):
a lot of respect for what he sees from this
Hue some Texan defense. What do you sees on tape?
And that's what you're gonna hear throughout the week.
Speaker 2 (52:05):
Give me a final score projection.
Speaker 4 (52:06):
Here, final score playoff grinding.
Speaker 3 (52:11):
I want to see how dominant this defense is truly gonna.
Speaker 1 (52:15):
Beat grindee, Grindee. Maybe a turnover here stopping the red
seventeen to nine Houston.
Speaker 2 (52:26):
Oh okay, Well there you have it.
Speaker 3 (52:31):
We're excited for this weekend. So let's recap it real
quick before we leave this. You've got whoever has the
ball last in San Francisco, Seattle, Okay, undetermined team, whoever
has the ball last. You've got the Bears winning, You've
got the Denver Broncos winning, and then you got the
Houston Texans winning. It's gonna set up for a doozy
(52:52):
of championship games the finaling weekend. Richard, It's always a pleasure,
my friend, sitting down with you every week. I will
say this before we sign off. We appreciate all of
our fans. We're trying to blow this podcast up. So
if you're new, you haven't hit that sub button, please
do Richard, I let you sign us off, my friend.
Speaker 4 (53:11):
Thank you guys for joining us again. I know you.
Speaker 1 (53:12):
It's San Francisco forty nine Ers and Seattle Seahawks fan.
We're looking for me to say your team is gonna
win it. Obviously I have no idea, and I want
to be able to call it if that. If there
look to be a clear cut advantage for one of
these teams, I would surely say it. But I know
how much of a doll fight this game is gonna be.
I know how much of a dogfight. That last time
these two teams played in a playoff game. I was there,
(53:35):
and guess what it came down to say it with
me Mitchell the last drive of the game. In that
last drive of the game, Colin Kaepernick decided to try
me with a sorry receiver like Craftree and everybody else
knows the rest. So when I say this, I speak
from the ultimate experience. It's gonna come down to the wire.
Very few meaningful games for these two teams this late
(53:57):
in the season, haven't come down to that. I remember
the game for the number one seed when when Dre
Greenlaw made that tackle again came down to the last
drive of the game. That's how it happens, folks. I'm sorry.
Speaker 4 (54:10):
Don't get comfortable with the either side throughout the game.
Do never.
Speaker 1 (54:14):
Don't get too comfortable. It's gonna come down to the end.
So keep your popcorn goal, keep your seat heaters, and
get your anxiety.
Speaker 4 (54:21):
Man. It's because
Welcome back to the Richard Sherman Podcast. And I just
want to say I appreciate you guys. You can be
getting your NFL content from anywhere, but you're here with me.
I'm thankful for you. So hit that sub button so
you can get the notifications when I'm dropping a new episode.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
All love.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
Hope you guys are having a great New Year's accomplishing
all your New Year's resolutions and staying healthy. Welcome back
to the Richard Sherman Podcast. And you know what time
it is, Mitchell the Divisional Round previews and we have
some fantastic matchups going on this weekend. Obviously, the conversation
(00:40):
is the short week again for the San Francisco forty
nine ers playing on Saturday after just battling it out
with the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia on Sunday. There's a
lot of a lot of conjecture and conversation about that, Mitchell,
a lot of frustration, but that's usually when the one
seed's playing. You know, you could save yourself a lot
(01:01):
of time and a lot of headache if you get
the one seed, and that's what the Seattle Seahawks were
able to do. So it is what it is to me.
You know, it's one of those things you just gotta
deal with. You gotta you win your games. You win,
you move on, You deal with the circumstances that you're
the hand that you dealt of sorts. But it's great
to see Fred Warner opening his practice window. That's what
(01:21):
I would have expected from them if he had any
chance of playing at all during these playoffs, is during
this divisional game, them opening his window and just seeing
what he got, you know, maybe maybe having him do
some some some practice squad reps, some scout team reps,
uh and and just getting his legs back under him,
sprinting around, uh, you know, getting his shoulder pads, getting
(01:42):
some real live contact, which is which is all the
things you need to see from a veteran player in
order to see if he can actually play this game
at a high level, because you do not want to
walk into a playoff game with a lamp or gimp
or or or trying to compensate, uh for for a
body part that isn't working properly. And that's that's what
I'm sure the San Francisco forty nine ers are wary
about in that situation. But it's cool to see him working.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Out, no question about it.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
If nothing else, it's a rally boost to the team
that seems to have lost all their stars. I mean,
we see George Kittle go out with a gruesome injury
that you know all too well about the Achilles Richard,
Did you have any conversations with George at all after that?
Speaker 4 (02:20):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (02:21):
Yeah, yeah, we text probably about twenty thirty minutes after
he went to the locker room, and just different surgeons
and things like that, and you know, try to help
him make an educated decision about that, but he'll be fine.
Technology with Achilles has has has gotten better and better
and better every year, which is why Aaron Rodgers was
(02:44):
able to come back so quickly from his even within
the same season that he tours a I mean tours Achilles.
So you know, technology has advanced, and I don't I'm
not sure, you know, I can't speak for any timelines
or anything of that nature, and I won't speculate, but
I definitely don't think we've seen the last.
Speaker 4 (03:01):
Of George Kittle by any any stretch of imagination.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
How much does an injury like him, losing a guy
like that the heart and soul, you know, really whether
he's catching the ball or not. He's a huge contributor
in their run game with his physicality and blocking. How
much of an impact is losing him going to have
on the forty nine ers. They've been able to overcome
these injuries all season long, but at what point, you know,
(03:25):
does it become a breaking point? Because George kittle Man,
that is the that is the blood of this offense.
You know, like I said, man, how big of an
impact is that going to play in this game?
Speaker 4 (03:36):
Well? I don't know.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
I mean because they they you know, they've spent a
lot of the season without him, with a lot of
without a lot of their star powers. So they have
to play the first game against the Seattle Seahawks without him.
He got injured in that game and heard his hamstring
early in the season. So I think this team is
weathered every storm and at this point it's all the
same to him. You know, they know it's going to
(03:58):
be hard regardless of who's out there, and they know
whoever's out there is gonna have to do their best
versus an incredibly formidable opponent in the Seattle Seahawks, who
are playing these guys on a back to back. You know,
which is rare in the National Football League that you
play a team, then have a weak break, and then
play the same team. I mean, it's happened a few
times throughout the season, throughout the years. But that's gonna
(04:21):
be interesting in my in my opinion, I see that
hard Rock has spread at seven and a half points,
and I don't agree with that. I don't agree with that.
This is a division game given either team, seven and
a half points is insanity. So if I, if you're
a gambling man, that's a I would I'd put some
money on that because this is gonna be a dogfight
(04:43):
of a game. It was a dog fight the last
time UH and the Seattle Seahawks made plays down the stretch.
They they got a critical interception in the red zone
when Christian McCaffrey dropped the football and so that was
the turning point of that football game. And obviously they
miss field goals and then like that. But this is
a different San Francisco forty nine ers team with with
(05:05):
UH with Gallo and and and Kendricks in the lineup
at linebacker, because they're just playing sound discipline football. It's
not about being the extraordinary things. It's doing the detailed things,
doing your job, being where you're supposed to be in coverage,
being in the gap you're supposed to be in a
run game, calling the right you know, strength calls and
things like that. And Kendricks did a really good job
(05:25):
against the Philadelphia Eagles just being where he's supposed to
be sound tackling football. I don't think he missed the
tackling the game. And Gallo was was running sideline sideline
and making an impact, and I think that's gonna be
a big difference in this game. I think they're gonna
they're gonna help with, you know, some of the issues
that were prevalent in the last game against the Seattle Seahawks,
(05:47):
where Kenneth Walker had a lot of success. He had
that third and seventeen run sharper and they had some success.
And I still think the Seattle Seahawks defense is going
to be a huge issue for the San Francisco forty
nine Ers. Brought party in. The San Francisco forty nine
Ers offense, number one league on third down, could not
manage to convert. I think they were they they were
(06:09):
really bad in that game. I think twenty six, twenty
seven percent in that game, and the Seattle Seahawks defense
was the reason. Their front gave them a lot of
problems in the run game. They were stout and it
was Byron Murphy and Jaron Reid and Leonard Williams and
DeMarcus Lawrence and you name it. Guys hard to move.
They're double teaming them and they can't move them. And
(06:29):
that's gonna have to change in this game. Obviously, Trent
Williams went out in that game. He will be back
for this this rematch, so that'll make a difference in
a game. But it's gonna be a dog fight. This
is gonna be an absolute doll fight. We get to see
Sam Darnold in another playoff game and see how he responds. Obviously,
we all know the conversation that surrounded him last playoffs
(06:51):
with with Minnesota Vikings and how that played out. And
he has a chance to redeem himself in a huge
way against a division opponent. And you know how these
Seattle Seahawks San Francisco playoff games, Goo mitchell I do.
Speaker 4 (07:02):
I definitely know how they go.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
And so it's gonna be it's gonna be a it's
gonna be fireworks. It's gonna be running and hitting. It's
gonna be physical. You better bring your hard head. And
if you put your kids away, this is gonna be
It's gonna be rated our physicality. This is gonna be
the kind of physicality it makes kids uncomfortable, because I
know the Seattle Seahawks defense is gonna be running a
hidden and I know the San Francisco forty nine Ers
(07:27):
defense is gonna play with desperation the entire game. This
has been one of the top scoring offenses in the
league in the Seattle Seahawks, and this San Francisco forty
nine Ers defense played one of their best games against
the Sea Seattle Seahawks in the second half. I would
say in the second half they played a lot better.
And then they continued that play against the Philadelphia Eagles,
(07:48):
the defending champs, and I think that gave them some confidence.
So I can't imagine this being a seven and a
half point spread. If this is a seven and a
half point spread, that that's crazy and one of these
teams didn't show up. But I don't think it's gonna
be seven points at all. And I think that line
will change as you get closer to Gay.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
You know, I know, gambling has certainly gained a new,
I guess level of popularity now that it's been legalized
in a number of states. And to that point, Richard Lake,
you think brock Purty looks at this and has it
even bigger chip out of his shoulder. He's already mister irrelevant,
but now they have him as a seven and a
half point dog going into Seattle, a team that he knows.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Very very well.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
Do you think that the players in the forty nine
ers locker room look at that and almost feel disrespected.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
I'm not sure. I don't think they do.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
I know we didn't really look at them unless it
was something insane.
Speaker 4 (08:41):
But you know, maybe it's billboardon material.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
Maybe it's you know, I mean, bulletin board material, and
guys will read it, and guys will get hyped up.
But when you're talking about the San Francisco forty nine
Ers against the Seattle Seahawks, I don't care if it's preseason,
regular season, postseason, or off season.
Speaker 4 (08:59):
Mitchell.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
It's on site, so it's not like they need in
either team needs any bulletin board material.
Speaker 4 (09:05):
Mitchell.
Speaker 1 (09:05):
There's enough just normal everyday hate for one another that
you're gonna see in this game.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
So I've been exposed to such a different side of
this rivalry, Richard, because you and I have worked together,
been friends for so long. I was rooting for the
Seahawks for a number of years. Then you go to
the Niners, and now I see in the comments section
everyone is so darn confused, you know, man, you see
it time after time. I never, as a forty nine
(09:31):
er fan, would ever imagine myself rooting for Richard Sherman
or agreeing with what he says and vice versa with
the Seattle Seahawks.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
And here you are.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
You're that combining force, right, the neutrality, If you will,
everyone come together and hold hands during this game. No
one's gonna be holding hands in this game, though, Richard.
It's gonna be a bloodbath. And like you said, let's
talk a little bit more about Seahawks. We talked a
lot about the Niners. What do the Seattle Seahawks have
to do? Obviously they had the week off, an opportunity
to prepare, sit down. Sure, this is a matchup they wanted.
(10:01):
I mean, the Niners are on record for saying this
is a matchup they wanted. I'm sure the Seattle Seahawks
want them as well. You know, what is Seattle gonna
do specifically offensively in their plan of attack. We've seen
Kenneth Walker get involved more. We you know, we've been
peppering them for most of the season about their run game,
and over the last couple of games, Kenneth Walker and
Zach Charboney have really shown up. How much do you
(10:23):
think the Seattle Seahawks are going to be leaning on
the run. What level of jasang going to be involved?
You know how much pressure is on Sam Darnold after
last season's performance otherwise great season in Minnesota. There's so
many storylines here. Where's your head going?
Speaker 1 (10:40):
It's first off, they're gonna have to run the football.
That's gonna be the biggest thing. If they can't run
the football in this game, and nothing's to tell me
they can't because they were able to the last time
these two games, these two teams play. Obviously, when you
play again on such short notice, adjustments are made. And
again these are grown men. This is a will will
(11:00):
to will kind of deal. When the Seattle Seahawks won
that game, they got to they got the bragg and Rice,
they got to celebrate.
Speaker 4 (11:06):
They got to talk.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
They're talk and I don't think they expected to see
him the following game and have to see them again,
but they will and and you know what I mean,
I think that's gonna be the clash.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
But if they're not able to run.
Speaker 1 (11:19):
The football as well as they were it as well
as they did in the first half, Sam Donald's gonna
have to push the ball down the field. JSN has
been magnificent down the field, but for some reason, for
some reason, they haven't been able to get Rashichi heat
involved down the field. The thing he does, as good
or as anybody in the National Football League is a
deep threat. Put the ball as far as you can
(11:41):
and give him a chance to run under it. And
I don't know if that's just because of a chemistry
deal between him and Sam Donald, are just schematically that
they want to just keep things intermediate and keep it
controlled and walk the ball down the field. But I
think they're gonna have to take more shots in this game.
And again there is pressure on Sam Donald. But when
(12:02):
you have a great defense like the Seattle Seahawks do,
you can get away with more. We saw it the
other day with the Houston Texans. There were some mistakes
made by c. J. Stroud, some unfortunate plays, and his
defense bailed him out. They end up winning a game
by twenty four points, and he had five fumbles an
interception in the game. And again, when you feel like
(12:22):
you have that safety blanket of a great defense, it
allows you more freedom and to be more cavalier with
the football. Not that you want to put the ball
in danger, but it gives you a bit more cushion
in brevity to do so. And I think that's what
I believe Sam Donald's gonna feel is that, hey, I
can be a little bit more aggressive with the football
(12:44):
in this game and know that, hey, we got one
of the best defenses in the National Football League backing
me up. And this, outside of a few drives in
that game, this San Francisco forty nine ers offense didn't
show that they could figure this defense out. Now may again,
playing them on such short notice is gonna help them,
(13:04):
you know, kind of kind of feel more comfortable and
feel like, hey, this is just doll fight there, man.
But Mike McDonald has given Kyle Shanahan problems everywhere he's been,
and I mean he's only been two places. But when
they used to play the Baltimore Ravens and Mike McDonald
was a defense coordinator.
Speaker 4 (13:18):
They struggled and work.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
One of brock Perty's worst games came against the Baltimore
Ravens when Lamar Jackson was having an MVP campaign and
Brock purty. They came to Levi Stadium and Brock had
all those interceptions in that game. So again, those are
things you learn from. But one thing I do want
to say, uh is is if somehow the San Francisco
(13:41):
forty nine ers get ahead in this game, I think
the pressure builds and in the stress level is through
the roof really quickly because of how much this offense
has struggled over the last couple of weeks just pushing
the ball and even against this team like they've scored
hat games where they've scored forty points in the first half,
thirty eight points in the first half, and then just
(14:01):
kind of limp their way to the finish line in
the second half. So I think there's gonna be it's
gonna be a fun game. It's gonna be a really
fun game. I think this could be a real, big,
big time moment for Sam Darnold to show who he
is to be the big time quarterback that this franchise
believes he can be and allow him to showcase js
and the showcase aj Barner, to showcase Rashid Shahat in
(14:23):
a big way, and then allow Kenneth Walker and Sharviyonnay
to run the ball consistently.
Speaker 4 (14:28):
But it's to be seen. It's not gonna be easy.
Speaker 3 (14:31):
There's gonna be a lot of eyes on your boy,
Diamador Lenor in his matchup against JSN. What do you
look for in that game? I know Diamador wants JSN.
I know he wants that matchup. I mean, he's the
guy that seems to seek out the top opponent on
the other team. Do you think he has what it
takes to lock down JSN at least contain him in
this game?
Speaker 4 (14:52):
Well, they don't.
Speaker 1 (14:53):
They don't play man coverage like that outside of third down.
So you know, a lot of those matchups in a
lot of ways where a lot of teams are conflated.
You know, it's it's you're like, oh, man, I'm gonna
lock this guy down. Like you may have three snaps
of man to man against him, and two of those
snaps might be run plays, and so you're sitting here like,
oh man, this matchup, in this matchup, and just because
(15:15):
the guys lined up in front of another guy doesn't
mean they're in man to man. So I don't I
don't put a lot of onus into that. Obviously it hasn't.
It hasn't manifested itself into it to meaningful football. I
think sometimes when you talk things like that into existence,
they don't. They don't show up in the game like
you want them to. But when you when you don't,
when you don't think about it and you just think
(15:35):
about the game plan, and naturally those those matchups occur
down the field and you're like, hey, there we go.
Speaker 4 (15:41):
That's why we're watching the game.
Speaker 1 (15:42):
We want to see a go route with Diamador Lenore
and JS and down the field and see that's good football,
that's good playoff football. But I wouldn't put too much
weight into it because that's just not the way the
San Francisco forty nine ers play defense.
Speaker 4 (15:56):
That's not how solid calls the defense.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
Uh, They'll they'll play some men and man on third down,
that's what they've shown on tape. They've been pretty solid
in that. But for the most part, they're going to
be in some sort of zone or some kind of
zone pressure and they're gonna handle it like that.
Speaker 3 (16:11):
Richard, how impressed have you been with Robert Sala's performance
as he's wathered this constant wave of injuries. You know,
Robert Sala was a guy that earned his head coaching
position at the Jets. Was it the right environment for
him to be in. Probably not, But how impressed were
you or have you been by what Robert Sala has
(16:33):
been able to accomplish with this defense given how many
injuries to impact players there have been this season.
Speaker 4 (16:39):
I'm really impressed. I'm really impressed.
Speaker 1 (16:40):
He's been one of the best coaches assistant coaches in
the National Football League, and I think that's why his
name is being floated around for so many of these
head coaching positions, in these jobs out there, and there's
some good jobs out there. Pittsburgh just became available, Baltimore
became available, Atlanta's the Atlanta Falcons job is available. I
don't think he'd ever go back to New York for
the Giants job, but it's a job that's available. But
(17:04):
I think he's done a masterful job just just you know,
taking the hand that he's dealt and doing the best
he can with it, getting these young guys, coaching them up,
teaching them up, and even when when guys get out
go out with injuries. He's down to his fifth and
sixth linebacker that had to play this year, and he's
still enthusiastic. My guy, kJ Wright is going out there
(17:24):
and helping Eric Kendricks prepare for these games and getting
him up to speed so that he doesn't run into
a situation that he's unfamiliar with.
Speaker 4 (17:31):
You could see it in his drops.
Speaker 1 (17:33):
You could see it in his spacing on the field,
his feel for the game, his recognition of some of
these routes. He's he was coached well, and kJ Wright
is sticking by his side. That's one of the best
and smartest football players that I've ever had the pleasure
of playing with, and so I knew he would be
able to get him to that point. But again, he's
done a magnificent job and that's why he's getting getting
(17:54):
this attention.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
It's so wild.
Speaker 3 (17:56):
The business of football is a while one, Richard. We're
talking about kJ Wright, coach of the San Francisco forty
nine ers, going against his former team in Seattle. Richard,
it's prediction time, man, I know you always regular season
twenty five, twenty five. Let's all have fun. It's gonna
be a time game. I gotta put you on the spot. Man,
who do you think wins this game?
Speaker 4 (18:16):
That's tough.
Speaker 1 (18:17):
That's tough because it's it's such a it's such a
unique battle. And and I thought we'd get more information
from the last game, but you didn't get much. There
are two polar different games than the first two, and
the new circumstances with with kendricks In in Gallo, it
just it just feels it feels like an upset. It
feels like the recipe for an upset. It feels like
(18:39):
all the conditions are there. The injured, battered, bruised team,
limpinge in, you know, the limping in, vulnerable team with
the quarterback who who has only lost games that he's
he's either not finished or he left the field with
the lead. And that's all those are the only kind
of games brought party is lost. He lost against the
Philadelphia Eagles when when he got injured in the first
(19:03):
drive of the game or the first or second drive
of the game, and then they lost in the Super
Bowl after he gave his team the lead three times
in a row. Every time he lost left the field,
they had the lead, and then the defense went on
the field and and you know, we all know.
Speaker 4 (19:18):
How the rest shook out.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
But uh, you know, outside of those games, he's he's
giving his team the best chance to win the football games.
On the other side, he struggled against his defense. The
Seattle Seahawks defense is legitimate, it's real.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
They got playmakers on all three levels of the of
the defense. They got an All Pro. Ernest Jones went
an All Pro, Spoon was an All Pro. And you
can make an argument for a number of guys being
an All Pro on that defensive line that didn't necessarily
get the bid this year. But can they move Byron Murphy?
Can they move Jaron Jaron Reid? Can they move Leonard Williams?
(19:54):
I don't think they can. They didn't show that they
could in the first game, and I don't I don't
think they ate more weedies in the the two weeks
since to be able to move them. So I know
that's gonna be a critical matchup. If the San Francisco
forty nine ers can't can't run the ball, at all.
The looks and the confusion and the chaos that that
McDonald presents in that back end always leaves a little
(20:15):
bit of hesitation for the quarterback. And then the pass rush.
The pass rush has been outstanding. Uh and and they
have the death and that's the part that I believe
gives the Seattle Seahawks a great advantage in this game.
And I can understand hard Rock having him favored, but
seven and a half doesn't feel right. I feel like
this is gonna be a one score game with all
(20:36):
the way down to the last possession, and it depends
on who has the ball, man, So that's what it's
gonna be. It's gonna be down to the last possession
who has the ball? So hmmm, who's gonna have the
ball last possession?
Speaker 2 (20:49):
That's what don't don't don't do this, Richard, don't do
You were six and oh in Wildcar Weekend. You were
six and oh. So I'll do it for you.
Speaker 3 (20:59):
I'll pick a T for you and you can either
nod your head yes or nod your head no. I
think the Seattle Seahawks are gonna win this game. I
think they're gonna win by a shoot.
Speaker 2 (21:08):
I'm with you.
Speaker 3 (21:09):
I think it's gonna be a one score game. I'm
gonna call it twenty four to twenty Seattle. It's gonna
be a thriller. I think Brock Purdy, I think these
injuries are just too much to overcome at this point.
I love his game. I love what he's been able
to do. The forty nine Ers are valiant, They're fighting
their tails off. They remind me of the Lions, though
at some point, you know, last year, when the Lions
(21:32):
were fifteen to two and they were losing guys left, right,
and center, at some point it just became too much.
And I think that losing George Kittle made it too much.
And I know that they were able to beat the
Philadelphia Eagles. I think that was a great matchup for him.
I don't necessarily love this matchup with all those injuries.
For that reason, I'm gonna go twenty four to twenty
(21:54):
Seattle Seahawks. That being said, I think the forty nine
ers are gonna put up a hell of a fight,
and I do not want you San Francisco forty nine
Er fans be pissed off at me. I do have
a hat, a forty nine Ers hat. And you know what,
I'll wear it if they win. And that's my pick.
Speaker 1 (22:10):
Rich I like that, Mitchell, but again that that I
feel like that score can go either way.
Speaker 4 (22:18):
I'm with you with the injuries. But they've been injured.
Speaker 1 (22:22):
You know, they just played and they were injured, and
it was a it was a three to ten ball
game with the San Francisco forty nine ers in the
red zone and an interception happened that that gave the
Seahawks more life and in it the dreams of the
San Francisco forty nine ers. So it wasn't It wasn't
like it was just Hey, a dominant performance by the
(22:42):
Seahawks offense, although I felt like they were in control,
especially in the first half.
Speaker 4 (22:46):
They were driving the ball.
Speaker 1 (22:47):
I wheeled, But they were mistakes made in the first
drop the first drive of the game, I thought Sam
Darnold had I think it might have been Charbonne or
somebody to the flat first play after an explosive in
the red zone. It was a touchdown and he looked
dead at it and held the football. They ended up
getting sacked going forward on fourth down and not getting
points like they should have in that drive. And I
(23:09):
think you know, that's one of those things that that
gives me, Pauls, that gives me, that leaves me uneasy
because you cannot make mistakes like that in the playoffs.
I think you make mistakes like that against this team
right now, they're gonna they're gonna make a couple. This
team is an experienced team and they got a quarterback
that's been here and done that. He's been down double
(23:29):
digits in a in an NFC championship game.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
He's don't talk to me about that.
Speaker 5 (23:33):
Richard my bad, Mitchell bad bad, still fresh, still fresh,
he was, he was down, they were down to the
Philadelphia Eagles.
Speaker 1 (23:44):
You know that you you went into these situations where
you learned, and I think that's gonna help them. But
I know the Seattle Seahawks. This defense is the only
reason I believe the Seattle Seahawks have a chance in
this game because I know they've been so consistent this season.
I know the mind Mike McDonald has presented in the
scheme that he's presented and how sound it is and
(24:06):
how deep they are, and you you don't worry about
injuries with the Seattle Seahawks defense because when guys have
gotten injured. They've put guys in and they've played Will
really well. Josh Joe played really well when he got
in there. We talked about the defensive line and all
the depth they have with Derek Hall and Byron Murphy
and and and and pretty much anybody you bring in.
Jared Reid got banged up for for a couple of games.
(24:29):
But I just I'm honestly, I'm trying to call it, Mitchell.
I am trying my best to see it, but it's
it's difficult. It's difficult. It's difficult because they just played
HM trying to get it, Mitchell.
Speaker 3 (24:52):
You can do it off air, Richard, if you don't
want to piss a bunch of people off.
Speaker 2 (24:55):
And I respect that.
Speaker 4 (24:56):
I don't. I don't mind.
Speaker 1 (24:57):
I don't mind pissing people off. I just can't call
this game. It's I hate these Division games that are
like this, especially teams that just played.
Speaker 4 (25:05):
It was just like Green Bay in Chicago the other day.
Speaker 1 (25:09):
It's like, when you've just played, this is the third
time you're playing in thirty five days, right, it's so
much familiarity.
Speaker 4 (25:15):
It's gonna come down to the wire. And that's exactly
what it did.
Speaker 1 (25:18):
Freaking Packers have the ball driving down with a chance
to win the game at the end of the game,
and they were in control the whole game, But none
of that matters because it comes down to the last
draft of the game. Because these teams know each other
so well, so it's just gonna be a roller coaster.
Like this is a pick them for me, Mitchell, This
is a pick them. It could go either way fair enough,
and we'll leave it at that. We'll see what happens.
Speaker 3 (25:39):
You know, this reminds me of, though, is when we
did the season preview and you said that they were
gonna be in a tie and whoever won the last
game was gonna win the freaking division. And here we are.
You were right, So maybe you're right again. Maybe we'll
come down to whoever has a ball at the end
of the game.
Speaker 2 (25:54):
We shall see.
Speaker 3 (25:55):
Let's talk about the other NFC matchup. This is gonna
be a wild one as well, another NFC West opponent
La Rams go into Chicago to play the Chicago Bears
that are flying high right now, off back to back
miraculous comeback wins over the Green Bay Packers. I know, Chicago,
the city of Chicago has got to be live. I
know that stadium is going to be loud, it's going
(26:17):
to be cold, it's gonna be windy. Conditions for a
running back, Conditions for a running game, not so much
to be throwing the ball. It's Richard, this is setting
up to be a wild one in my opinion, because
there's so many different variables that are at play here.
This is not in La right, this is in the
Windy City, and those conditions seem to fit a scrambling
(26:41):
mobile quarterback like Caleb Williams a little bit better than
somebody like Matthew Stafford. That being said, Matthew Stafford, hats
off to him. He's got to be the MVP this year.
Does he have what it takes? I mean, do you
think the La Rams, all things considered, those variables number
one ranked off offense in the league and go into
(27:01):
the Chicago and take care of business.
Speaker 4 (27:03):
This Rams defense is what I'm concerned about. Again.
Speaker 1 (27:07):
They give up over thirty points to the Carolina Panthers,
the second time in less than a month they've given
up that. They gave up twenty seven to the Atlanta Falcons,
a team that struggled, and this was supposed to be
a really really good defense. They have a really talented
fun it's the back end that you leave really really
concerned with. And Caleb Williams does a great job of
(27:27):
escaping and creating longer plays and extra plays, and you
got to get to the second and third read in
the play, and he's able to do that. Is he
always the most accurate with the football.
Speaker 4 (27:37):
He's not.
Speaker 1 (27:38):
But when you got a run game like they do
the third ranked run game in the National Football League
with Manunghai and DeAndre Swift guys, they can go by
committee and really have an impact on this game. And
then you look at the success that Bryce Young was
even able to have against this against this team, were
(27:58):
they able to just scheme guys open. Tedoroal McMillan was
having some success. Jalen Kocher had one hundred and thirty
four yards on none catches. So there are holes in
this defense that can be exploited. And you know Ben
Johnson can scheme them up with the best of them,
as you know Mitchell be as good as anybody. So
this is a game where obviously Matthew Staffords played in
(28:20):
the NFC North, he can deal with the conditions. He's
played in the NFC North long enough majority of his career,
so I'm not afraid of him in the elements. I'm
not afraid of Devonte Adams in the elements. He played
in Green Bay, like we're gonna We're not gonna act
like these guys can't play. And they played a wild
card game against the Philadelphia Eagles last year and gave
the Philadelphia Eagles all they could handle in that game,
and it was a really cold game as well. So
(28:42):
I'm not concerned about them as much as I'm concerned
about just the way this defense is played down the stretch. Sure,
they've made plays, they've created turnovers, they have a really
talented defensive line, but Ken Nate consistently stopped this run game.
Because if they can't in these conditions, it's gonna be
a very long day for him. And if the conditions
are what they say, that what they think, they're gonna
(29:04):
be metroll if they if it's gonna be as cold
and snowy as they're saying, you gotta think the home
team would have the advantage.
Speaker 3 (29:12):
There, You would think, you would think. But you said
all this, Richard about the La Rams, and I love
what you said about the Vontae Adams and Matthew Stafford
playing in the NFC North, you know, and obviously Green
Bay and Detroit. There's something about this Rams team.
Speaker 4 (29:28):
I get it.
Speaker 2 (29:29):
You know.
Speaker 3 (29:29):
They struggled against Carolina, they struggled against Atlanta down the stretch.
You know, Detroit was able to move the ball quite
a bit on them defensively. But what it impresses me
about this Rams team is the two headed monster they've
got developing and kyn Williams and Blake Corum, you know,
and they also have a pretty darn good offensive line.
When you couple that with going against the Chicago Bears,
(29:51):
who have the twenty seventh ranked rush defense, I see
an opportunity for the Rams to take advantage as well
on the ground, you know. And also in addition to that,
Chicago has been skating by on a lot of luck
and they have not seen a team like the La
Rams with their back against the wall winner go home
a game.
Speaker 2 (30:11):
And Matthew Stafford has been an absolute killer. You know.
Speaker 3 (30:14):
I think the luck is eventually going to run out
for Chicago, and I think it's going to happen this weekend.
That's not to say that Chicago shouldn't you know, be
very very proud of their team, and they certainly have
a hell of an opportunity here to take care of business.
If Chicago is going to win this game, it's going
to come down to a couple of things. You've already
hit on two of them, Kylemnung Guy and DeAndre Swift.
(30:36):
How effective can they be on the ground. That is
going to be then absolute crucial point. But one of
the things with Chicago that's really impressed me over the
course of the last five six weeks is the emergence
of their number one pick, top ten pick, Colston Lovelan
out a University of Michigan. He is looking like an
absolute stud and the reason that they drafted to top ten.
It gives Ben Johnson that weapon that he had in
(30:57):
Detroit and Sam Laporta, and we're seeing it at play.
A guy like him on these short routes, his ability
to get yak. You know, this could be a game
for him to really come away as a guy that
you know is a future star in a lot of
folks eyes, Richard, You've played in very shitty conditions. You
(31:18):
played up in Minnesota in the Blairwash, infamous wide left game.
How much is it to be I mean, what was
it minus ten fifteen twenty degrees when you're up there.
This is gonna be pretty darn close. How much does
that impact you defensively? Because I think when I'm going
out and playing football in the snow, you know, winter
with my cousins, no one wants to tackle anybody.
Speaker 4 (31:39):
It's too cold.
Speaker 3 (31:40):
You're talking about negative seven degree temperatures here. How difficult
it is that as a.
Speaker 1 (31:46):
Defender, it's really difficult. And it also, this isn't the
best field in the world. This isn't a turf field.
This isn't This is a field that's slippery and bad
even in decent conditions. So you talk about the ground
being slick, that's worst case scenario for a devender because
(32:06):
you got to put the screws in and you have
to play with your feet under you the whole game.
You have to make sure, hey, I don't I don't
get too far outside of my frame. I don't want
to slip. Every break.
Speaker 4 (32:17):
You gotta be careful and.
Speaker 1 (32:18):
Cautious because one slip on, one slip, one misstep in
this game, and the game's over and it's it's a
big play and everybody's sitting there blaming you for it.
And but again in the last five games, Mitchell, in
the last five games, they gave up thirty eight. This
this Rams defense gave up thirty eight to Seattle. They
gave up thirty four to your Detroit Lions, they gave
(32:38):
up They just gave up thirty one to the Carolina Panthers,
and they gave up twenty seven to the Falcons. So
I think they like, they're not coming in here rolling
like they have been in the past. And I know
that that we feel great about Matthew Stafford and what
this offense can do, and rightfully so, but they have
been they at times have have kind of slowed down
(33:01):
and they've got gone stagnant at times, especially against decent defenses.
And this is the number one turnover defense in the
National Football League. We cannot lose sight of that. In
the Chicago Bears, there were opportunities in that Green Bay
game with the ball on the ground when they threw
the pass to the offensive lineman and everybody's like, oh,
they can't bring him down, he's too powerful. No, they
(33:22):
weren't trying to bring him down. You don't bring down
an offensive lineman. You let him run, you just slow
him down and punch the ball. He's not a ball carrier,
he's not used to handling the football, and he has
all this tape and huge gloves on.
Speaker 4 (33:32):
He can't feel it. You have. That's a perfect opportunity.
Speaker 1 (33:34):
And they got the ball out and then couldn't recover it.
It was ten yards down the field and nobody could
recover it. Then you have to play where the receiver
jumped in the end zone and dropped the ball. Balls
on the ground and the end zone. Nobody sees it,
nobody gets it. This is a team that creates turnovers.
If they're able to do that again against Matthew saff
from this offense, it's gonna be hard to beat him.
Speaker 3 (33:54):
I got Chicago, no kidding, And what a story that
would be for Ben Johnson and this Chicago Bears team.
That was a first win, the first playoff win in
fifteen years, right, and this city has been loyal to
this team. Credit to Chicago, man, huge huge win last weekend.
This match, this matchup this Sunday is going to tell
(34:16):
a lot about who Chicago really is because I think
their one critique was who they played on their schedule
and their comeback wins. It never looked tremendously dominant in
any game. So to your point, Richard, if they're able
to come away with a win, look out, Chicago is
going to be even more fired up than they already
are right now, Richard Sherman has Chicago to advance to
(34:39):
the NFC Championship Game. Wowsers. Let's move on to the
AFC here. I know you're excited about these matchups as well.
The Buffalo Bills are headed too Denver to take on
the Denver Broncos. Hard Rock has the Bills as a
one point favorite. Does that surprise you at all?
Speaker 4 (34:57):
No, that's the that's hard Rot saying. Josh Allen.
Speaker 1 (35:02):
Josh Allen is an MVP candidate or the reigning MVP,
and he's playing in this game.
Speaker 4 (35:09):
You're gonna give them an advantage for that.
Speaker 1 (35:11):
Even if you're going against the number two defense in
the National Football League, you're gonna give Josh Allen the
respect that he's doing. He's playoffs. He always shows up
and plays well regardless.
Speaker 3 (35:21):
Well to me, yeah, I'm with you. I don't think
that it's much of a surprise. I think Buffalo has
got everything that they need to take care of Denver.
I know you love Denver's defense, and rightfully so, but
for me, the eyes are gonna be on bow necks.
We all know how good the Denver Broncos defense is
gonna be. They've been tremendous all season long. But does
(35:42):
Bownecks have what it takes to elevate this offense and
take care of the Buffalo Bills and ultimately knock off
Josh Allen out of this playoffs.
Speaker 1 (35:52):
We'll see, We'll see. It's easier say it than done.
And the quarterbacks that have done it have been really,
really talented guys. They've got they've been guys that you
considered top five in the National Football League most times,
and most of the times it's Patrick Mahomes and the
Kansas City Chiefs and.
Speaker 4 (36:07):
They aren't here.
Speaker 1 (36:09):
But I'll give all the respect that is due to
the Denver Broncos and that they are incredible against the
run against the past. They play a lot of man
and man coverage. I think they play a third most
man and man coverage in the National Football League. They
have the reigning defensive Player of the Year and Patrick
certain they have a team that can get the job done,
no question about it. The question mark come on the
(36:30):
offensive side of the football, just like it has for
a number of these teams with great defenses. It's the
offense that you worry about. Kenny not put the ball
in harms way. Can can Sean Payton come up with
a good plan that that does a great job of
highlighting his strengths and and really staying away from his weaknesses.
Can he use his legs because that'll be a big
(36:51):
part of it.
Speaker 4 (36:52):
Use your legs to get down the field.
Speaker 1 (36:54):
Josh Allen will give you a blueprint of how to
win these games because I know he's gonna use his
legs and he's this game to try to win for
his team.
Speaker 4 (37:00):
I think they're gonna have a chance.
Speaker 1 (37:03):
But if this Broncos defense does what they have done
all season, they'll come out with a win. But it's
a big it's a big if. It's a reason they
have the the the Buffalo Bill's favored favorite on the
road against the number one seed in the National Football
League in the AFC because they've played really well with
when Josh Allen is on the football field, and there's
(37:24):
inconsistency from the Broncos offense.
Speaker 4 (37:27):
That you that you've got to be concerns about.
Speaker 2 (37:29):
No question.
Speaker 3 (37:32):
In terms of the Buffalo Bills, we saw James Cook
go out against the Jacksonville Jaguars and it kind of struggle.
Jacksonville's has got a great rush defense. The Broncos have
the same exact thing. James Cook is gonna have to
take over this game if the Bills.
Speaker 2 (37:46):
Are gonna win on the road.
Speaker 3 (37:48):
I know all the eyes are gonna be on Josh Allen,
but the Bills are gonna moves James Cook moves in
this in this game, they're gonna have to ultimately wear
out this this defense, and they're gonna have to control
time of possession. Not enough credit is given to the
Buffalo Bills defense. I mean, Richard, they got the number
one pass defense in the league. They got the number
seven overall defense in the league. So I think bo Nicks,
(38:10):
you know, coming into this game, that's probably why Hard
Rock has them favored, is because you're not only dealing
with Josh Allen, but you're dealing with James Cook and
this Bill's defense. Now, the question for Josh Allen is
gonna become does he have the offensive weapons at the
receiver position? To really take over this defense because you're
gonna go up against Patrick's or tan Is Khalil Shakir.
(38:32):
The guy to do it is Brandon Cooks. The guy
to do it is Dalton Kinkaid. The guy to do it,
we'll see. But that to me is the biggest question
with this Bills team is do they have enough offensive weapons?
Because I know Josh Allen is gonna be ready to
run and gun, but do you believe that the Bills
have what it takes from a personnel standpoint at these
key positions to get things done.
Speaker 4 (38:52):
Well.
Speaker 1 (38:52):
The part of this that's gonna be scary for the
Denver browncos is a this is a repeat matchup from
last season. This is a repeat matchup, and the Buffalo
Bills beat this team thirty one to seven. And so sure,
you could feel great, obviously that game was in Buffalo.
You could feel like, hey, man, you know we're better,
we're more experienced this year. But in the back of
(39:13):
your mind, you're like, hey, they got after us. They
had a great plant, they executed it. Josh Allen had
a fantastic game. Bow Knicks didn't necessarily have a great game.
They didn't lean on them as much. They weren't able
to run the football as well as they had, but
James Cook was and so they've had success running the
football in this team in the playoffs, and they're gonna
be confident they can do that. I'm sure McDermott is
(39:35):
gonna feel good about what his team is going into
this game, even as beat up as they are and
as injured as they are on both sides of the football.
When you've beaten the team in this exact same scenario,
not exact same scenario, but in the wild card round
going into the next season, you feel good. This is
a different Denver Broncos team. I will give them that.
(39:56):
They're more experienced. They've played better this season. Sean Payton,
this is the second year here, a second year with
this with bo Knicks at the helm, so I know
he feels better about the plan and what he can
do with him. But still, you got to show you
can beat Josh Allen. Until you do, Buffalo is gonna
be favored.
Speaker 3 (40:16):
Okay, so it comes out of prediction time.
Speaker 4 (40:18):
Who do you like?
Speaker 2 (40:19):
What's the final score here? Richard?
Speaker 3 (40:21):
What storylines do you think are gonna stand out with
this game? Keep in mind you do have the Denver
Broncos in the Super Bowl coming into this, that was
your prediction.
Speaker 1 (40:38):
Yeah, I was hoping they wouldn't get this matchup, but
I guess this is This is the matchup that had
to happen if they were gonna get there. So I
gotta go with the Denver Broncos. The Denver Broncos defense
is gonna have to do enough to stop Josh Allen
show that they belong to be here.
Speaker 4 (40:54):
So why they're the number one seed in the AFC.
Speaker 1 (40:59):
Obviously, I think Benito and and UH and Cooper are
gonna have a huge impact in this game. My guy
DJ Jones is going to be in there, uh, stopping
the run and again the Ranning Defensive Player of the
Year Patrick Surtain is going to make his impact felt
in this game.
Speaker 2 (41:12):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (41:13):
Hopefully my guy Rithy Moss is able to stand up
on the other side. Understand Uh, Buffalo doesn't have these
all world receivers and they just lost Gabe Davis for
the foreseeable future with the a c O injury. So
they'll find ways to get Khalil Shakir involved. They'll find
ways to get Kean Coleman involved. But I would I
would imagine that they're They're going to see a healthy
(41:33):
dose of man the Man and pressure on Josh Allen
all night long.
Speaker 4 (41:36):
Uh got the Denver Broncos sneaking by with a win.
Speaker 3 (41:43):
Okay, I'm rolling with the Buffalo Bills, So we got
h We got some differences here this uh, this upcoming
weekend here Richard, and finally the Houston Texans. So I
know you love and we love seeing the Houston Texan
fans in the comments section. By the way, thank you
guys for subscribing. Obviously from Houston, Texas. Richard's been a
(42:04):
huge advocate for your defense all season long. They're going
to be going on the road to New England against
the Patriots. Hard Rock's got the Pats as a three
point favorite. Something tells me you're probably not gonna like that.
Speaker 1 (42:18):
I don't mind it. Three points is what you get
for being at home. That's when when when when a
when a sports book thinks it's even they give you
three points for home, and if you don't get at
least three points from home, then they think you're underdowne
So they think that the Pats deserve to be here.
They think they're the better team and I can understand
that with the way that uh, the Texans offense struggled
(42:41):
for for large parts of that football game against the
Pittsburgh Steelers. But right now, if you're the if you're
the Houston offense, you feel like, hey, we just need
to take care of football. We need to manage the clock,
run the football well, not turn it over. If you
see j Stroud, if you're Demico Ryan, that's all you're
telling him all game, Hey, protect the football, protect the football.
(43:04):
Give our defense a chance to win this game. Because
on the other side, this Patriots offense has been potent,
but they have not faced a top five defense this
entire season. I think the Chargers were the top defense
that they faced the entire season, and of course they
won that game by ten points, but they struggled for
(43:24):
a good portion of it. That was a three point
game for a majority of that game, and the offense
was not able to generate a touchdown. This Houston defense
is better, They're more aggressive. The Chargers sacked them five times.
I would guess the Houston Texans will be looking to
do the same. And the difference between the Chargers and
(43:45):
the Texans is not only just a front but it's
the secondary. Obviously, they have Derwin James, an incredible playmaker,
but they don't have Derek Stingley, Junior, Kamari Lasster, Kayln
Bullock Petrie. They have playmaker after playmaker after playmaker, and
that's Candarry and a pro bowler in the middle in
Aziz al Shaire. So I feel really good and really
confident about this Houston Texan team going forward. They're on
(44:08):
a ten game winning streak and people don't understand the
what momentum is when a team is playing like this,
that they're going into games not even regardless of how
the game's going. They don't think they can lose, and
they're playing that way. When you're playing with that kind
of immense confidence, it's a tough I don't care what
seed you are, You're gonna be a tough out. And
(44:29):
if their offense gives them anything, they're gonna they're gonna
be a tough out. I got the Houston Texans winning
this game against the New England Patriots in New England
and Mike Rabel. I have a ton of respect for
what Mike has done and the way he treats his players,
the way he coaches, the way he played the game.
I think this is gonna be a fun, fun game,
one of the best AFC games of the week in
(44:51):
my opinion, But I still think that I think the
Houston Texans defense just has too much for this team
to overcome. If I'm being honest, it's how are you
gonna consistently block Will Anderson, Daniel Hunter? How are you
gonna I just how are you gonna block Rankins? How
are you gonna block these guys consistently.
Speaker 4 (45:09):
All game long?
Speaker 1 (45:10):
You weren't able to block oh Way in the last game.
Oh Way had three sacks for the Chargers last week.
So these guys are a different beasts in that. Not
to say, not to take anything away from him, but
Stefan Diggs was with the Houston Texans.
Speaker 4 (45:24):
They know him.
Speaker 1 (45:25):
I'm sure Derek Stanley feels very comfortable with him. They'll
have that matchup at times, you know. Is it Kamari
Lassiter on Booty? Is it Kamary Lassiter on Douglas? I'm
not sure, but I feel confident in what this team
can do. Have I been wrong before?
Speaker 4 (45:41):
Yes? But the way this defense is playing, unless the
eight something happens to him between now and that game,
I can't see him playing any different.
Speaker 3 (45:50):
Well, don't make don't give fooled here, Richard. New England's
also on a heater too, you know. I know their
level of competition hasn't been the best. They certainly have
had a very, very favorable schedule, but you know in
their matchup against the Bills, they took care of him
once this season. This is going to be a big
test for them though. It's going to be a big
test for Drake May, most specifically because he was starting
(46:11):
to enter into that MVP conversation a little bit towards
the end of the season, you know, so everyone's starting
to give him that credit and has he truly earned
it yet? He's had a great season, But this is
when you truly earn that that recognition. You know, when
you go against a ferocious defense like the Houston Texans,
the only thing that can really beat him is a
(46:33):
dynamite quarterback. Does Drake May have what it takes? We'll see.
I mean, New England, you talk about transitioning from Tom
Brady to a massive lull and then favorably getting Drake May.
It seems like they're going to be very comfortable at
that position for the next ten to fifteen years. But
he's going to have to win a big game like
this to put the rest of the NFL on notice
(46:53):
that he's here and he's there to stay. He's going
to be in that conversation with Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson,
Joe Burrow, Patrick Homes, etc. To be in that conversation,
you've got to knock off a team in a defense
like the Houston Texans on the other side of the ball. Houston,
you know, we've talked enough about their defense, We've sung
their praises. Pressure is gonna be and eyes are gonna
(47:13):
be on CJ. Stroud because, let's be frank, he almost
blew that game last last this past weekend. I mean,
fumbling the ball five times, losing it twice, you know,
throwing an interception. Like You've got one of the best,
if not the best defense in the NFL and they're
going to keep you in games. But if you really
want to blow the doors off the teams, CJ. Stroud
(47:33):
is going to have to be much like he was
his rookie year, I know. And that's that brings another question,
what's the status and Nico Collins. These questions are gonna
present themselves throughout the weeks. For the Houston Texans. Christian
Kirk had an amazing game last game, but I don't
know how reliable that can be going forward. Woody Marks
would rush for one hundred yards. I don't know if
(47:55):
they're gonna be able to replicate that against again again
against the New England Patriots. There's so many storylines with
this game. And I know you love the Houston Texans,
but be cautious. New England Jillette Stadium is gonna be
on fire as well, and I know this fan base
is gonna be rowdy.
Speaker 4 (48:10):
Richard.
Speaker 3 (48:12):
I don't want to call it an upset, but I
feel like I gotta call it an upset because you're
so high in the Houston Texans.
Speaker 2 (48:18):
I think the Pats are gonna take care of business.
Speaker 4 (48:20):
I liked.
Speaker 2 (48:20):
I think it's Drake May's time.
Speaker 1 (48:21):
Like Drake May, and I love everything He's become an
MVP candidate in this this season, and and like you said,
he wins this game. He's definitely in the conversation with
with with the top five quarterbacks in the National Football League,
and some guys are starting to move down because of
their performance and lack of availability this year, but we'll
talk about that in the offseason. But again, I trust
(48:45):
great defense and not to say that that New England
doesn't have a great aggressive style defense. The conversation out
of New England from the Chargers player players where they
couldn't understand, couldn't figure out what defense they were playing, Well,
guess what, You're gonna know exactly what Houston's playing. You're
gonna know where people are gonna be lined up, You're
gonna know what covers they're in, and then you're gonna
(49:07):
get hit in the face. And so that's the part
that I love when I because I played on a
defense like that, where hey, you know what we're doing,
you know where our guys are gonna be, you know
how we're gonna line up, and you cannot beat us.
We will win this game. We will out physical you
to the point that you fold. We know how you're
gonna attack this defense, because there's only certain ways you
(49:29):
can attack this defense. It's it's two or three, four, five,
six plays in the past game like that you can attack,
truly attack different levels of this defense. We'll usually recognize
them pretty quick and you better get that ball into
those windows really quickly. And in the run game, there's
only so many ways you can attack a totally gap
sound team. And if you're getting around and you're getting
(49:50):
through these gaps and we're adjusting and we're making plays,
it's tough to do. Sometimes when you keep it simple,
you're allowed to play fast and you're able to really
be as aggressive as you want to be. And I
think in the playoffs this style benefits the Houston Texans
because the rest aren't aren't calling every tickie tech penalty fans,
you can get upset and screen and pout all you want.
(50:12):
Nobody will remember that. Nobody will remember you being upset. Oh,
I thought that was a holding. That was br that
was a ground that we don't care. Is the playoffs
in the National Football League. The game is meant to
be decided on the football field, not with flags and whistles.
So that's the way these games are going to be determined.
And if the game is played like that, I know
the Houston Texans are going to be incredibly prepared. I
(50:32):
just if the Patriots win, they have earned it and
they become the favorite to win it all. And it'd
be hard not to say it, but I don't think
they get through this thing.
Speaker 2 (50:44):
Richard.
Speaker 3 (50:45):
I hate to bring up bad memories, but let me
just talk to you a bit. Before you guys ultimately
won the Super Bowl, you got knocked out by Atlanta
Falcons right the year prior, is that right you went
on the road to Atlanta. Do you think that possibly
you know that this defense, this secondary is a little
too young. Maybe they're they're a year I had a
(51:05):
schedule than they were. And then my question really becomes
to you is at what point did you guys realize
your defense was great, you know, because you had to
go through those road bumps you had to go.
Speaker 1 (51:16):
You lost that game because Chris Clemens got injured against
the against the Washington Redskins, and so Bruce Irvin wasn't
wasn't didn't have the weight to play the end, and
they ran the ball and they had some success and
then we we've made some mistakes. But this is an
entirely different defense by all metrics, Like they're his historic
(51:37):
good with how they played at the last game, they
they were playing at a historic playoff level with how
good they were against Pittsburgh, and they don't even need
to play at that historic level. That was historically good.
They just need to play at the level they've played
all season and that will give them the chance to
win this. Sometimes you hit people in the face over
and over and over, and I think Vrabel will have
(51:58):
a lot of respect for what he sees from this
Hue some Texan defense. What do you sees on tape?
And that's what you're gonna hear throughout the week.
Speaker 2 (52:05):
Give me a final score projection.
Speaker 4 (52:06):
Here, final score playoff grinding.
Speaker 3 (52:11):
I want to see how dominant this defense is truly gonna.
Speaker 1 (52:15):
Beat grindee, Grindee. Maybe a turnover here stopping the red
seventeen to nine Houston.
Speaker 2 (52:26):
Oh okay, Well there you have it.
Speaker 3 (52:31):
We're excited for this weekend. So let's recap it real
quick before we leave this. You've got whoever has the
ball last in San Francisco, Seattle, Okay, undetermined team, whoever
has the ball last. You've got the Bears winning, You've
got the Denver Broncos winning, and then you got the
Houston Texans winning. It's gonna set up for a doozy
(52:52):
of championship games the finaling weekend. Richard, It's always a pleasure,
my friend, sitting down with you every week. I will
say this before we sign off. We appreciate all of
our fans. We're trying to blow this podcast up. So
if you're new, you haven't hit that sub button, please
do Richard, I let you sign us off, my friend.
Speaker 4 (53:11):
Thank you guys for joining us again. I know you.
Speaker 1 (53:12):
It's San Francisco forty nine Ers and Seattle Seahawks fan.
We're looking for me to say your team is gonna
win it. Obviously I have no idea, and I want
to be able to call it if that. If there
look to be a clear cut advantage for one of
these teams, I would surely say it. But I know
how much of a doll fight this game is gonna be.
I know how much of a dogfight. That last time
these two teams played in a playoff game. I was there,
(53:35):
and guess what it came down to say it with
me Mitchell the last drive of the game. In that
last drive of the game, Colin Kaepernick decided to try
me with a sorry receiver like Craftree and everybody else
knows the rest. So when I say this, I speak
from the ultimate experience. It's gonna come down to the wire.
Very few meaningful games for these two teams this late
(53:57):
in the season, haven't come down to that. I remember
the game for the number one seed when when Dre
Greenlaw made that tackle again came down to the last
drive of the game. That's how it happens, folks. I'm sorry.
Speaker 4 (54:10):
Don't get comfortable with the either side throughout the game.
Do never.
Speaker 1 (54:14):
Don't get too comfortable. It's gonna come down to the end.
So keep your popcorn goal, keep your seat heaters, and
get your anxiety.
Speaker 4 (54:21):
Man. It's because
Hosts And Creators
Colin Cowherd
Jason McIntyre
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