January 8, 2025 • 39 mins
With the 2024 NFL regular season in the books, Richard Sherman previews the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoff and gives his predictions for each game. In the NFC, Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers travel to Philadelphia to take on Saquon Barkley and the Eagles, Sam Darnold's Minnesota Vikings have to go on the road to play Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams, and Baker Mayfield's Tampa Bay Buccaneers host rookie phenom Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders. In the AFC, Lamar Jackson's Baltimore Ravens host Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC North clash, Josh Allen and the Bills host the Denver Broncos, and C.J. Stroud's Houston Texans host the Los Angeles Chargers. After, Sherm gives his picks for NFL MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Coach of the Year.
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
The volume.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Championships. That should always be the expectation.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
All right, man, you go ahead, Welcome back to the
Richard Sherman Podcast. It's that time of the year. It's
not Christmas, but it is the most wonderful time of
the year. It's time for the playoffs and the wildcard
matchups are presented. How are you feeling with the bye week,
Mitchell for your Detroit Lions.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Richard, I'm feeling calm. I'm feeling relieved. Yesterday was full
of emotion, you know, the anxiety leading up to that game,
not knowing whether you're gonna be going on the road
to la or taking the week off. And ultimately the
Lions get that one seed, which is huge. But the
rest of the NFC, I mean, let's start in the NFC,
because the landscape is set, and the Eagles take the
(00:54):
two seed and they're gonna play and they're gonna host
the Green Bay Packers. The Bucks are going to be
hosting the wash Into Commanders, and the Rams are going
to be hosting the Vikings.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Let's start with the Eagles taking on the Packers.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
The Packers are a team, you know, they finished with
a solid record, but ultimately you look at their wins
and they didn't beat anyone crazy impressive. They went zero
to five against the Lions, Vikings, and Eagles. Do you
think there's any shot the Green Bay Packers can put
it together and come out with a win in Philly.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
Uh, there's definitely a shot. You know, they got a
good staff, they got a good defense. It's playing well.
They're stopping the run really well, which is very important
in this game. With the season at Sakuon Barkley, the
historic season Stai Kawan Barkley has had for the Philadelphia
Eagles their offensive line, so the Green Bay Packers being
able to stop the run is huge. But what I
would feel better about if they had Jaire Alexander. If
(01:42):
they had Jaire Alexander in the lineup to help with
aj Brown and Devonte Smith, then I would feel a
lot better about it. But Keyshawn Nixon and the boys,
Rashaan Gary's having a really good season. Friends of the program,
Xavier McKinney got another pick last week, having an incredible
Pro Bowl season, all Pro season, So I think they
(02:03):
could get it done. But you have to be careful
because on the flip side, the Philadelphia Eagles defense has
played magnificently, and it seems like they've totally bought into
Vic Fangio's scheme. They understand it. Jalen Carter has developed
more into a leader of this defense. That d line
is playing really well versus the run in the past.
The secondary has played pretty good all year.
Speaker 4 (02:26):
C J. Gardner Johnson is.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
Doing what he has done, you know, in his defense,
he looks like he's back home making big plays. Obviously
had the snap food where he got kicked out of
the game, which is crazy, but outside of that, he's
made huge plays for this defense. I think Quinjon Mitchell
has played really well all season, especially for rookie. Cooper
dejen has played well, so our guy for end of
the program. Darius Slay continues to do what he does well. Offensively,
(02:54):
they have all the pieces. They have one of the
best offensive lines, if not the best offensive line in
football at their disposedale. I think that's what makes them
a really balanced and really dangerous team when it comes
playoff time. Now, there is a concern that I don't
understand why why Jalen Hurts is still in a concussion protocol,
you know, after this amount of time, that's a big
concerning for me, I mean, you would expect by by
(03:16):
Wednesday or maybe even late tomorrow, he should be cleared
to play. And if he's not, then I start to
get really concerned because they will have a much harder
time beating the Green Bay Packers without Jalen Hurts than
they would with him.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
For the Packers, you know, Christian Watson went down with
an injury last week too. I mean, that's a guy,
you know, not the best hands in the league, but
one of the fastest guys in the league, can take
the top off the defense and can really stretch the field.
Without him, they're gonna have to adjust, Richard, if you're
Matt lafleor how do you scheme this up to give
your team the best shot to win this game?
Speaker 1 (03:50):
Well, you you run the football. You alein't on the
run game, and you have to get that going. You
have to be consistent, Josh Jacobs, this is the reason
you got him to be effective in these playoff games,
to take pressure off of Jodan Love, to take pressure
off that defense, to possess the ball longer than your opponent.
Speaker 4 (04:05):
So that's what they're gonna have to do.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
They're gonna have to run the ball really effectively, Jordan
Love is gonna have to be very careful with the
football because if you give it over, give it away
in a game like this, you go home, and you
go home in a hurry and you're on the road.
So their defense are gonna need to cause the turnover
maybe two and give Jordan Love and Matt Lafour an
extra possession, and that'll help them win this game. But
(04:30):
without those things, if they're not able to run the
ball well, and they're having to lean on Jordan Love
and lean on this offense and the defense can't get turnovers,
and it's gonna be a long day for him. But
I think there's definitely a path for the Green Bay
Packers to win this game. But I think the Philadelphia
Eagles pull it out.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Well.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
They got to lean on the run game, Like you said,
that's what gave them success in last playoffs when they
blew out the Dallas Cowboys and really you know, gave
the San Francisco forty nine ers hell and that divisional
round as well. Let's see if they can replicate that
same you know, magic that they did last year. Let's
go to Tampa Bay. They're hosting the Washington Commanders, Washington
Commanders one of the surprise teams this year. Jaden Daniels
(05:07):
certainly looks like the answer for them at quarterback, and
our guy, you're one of your best friends. Bobby Wagner
shows why DQ Dan Quinn brings them in to be
the leader of that defense. But the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,
they're resilient, man. I mean, they don't get a whole
lot of credit, but they deserve a lot of credit.
I mean, this team we talked about on the last cast,
they had to overcome a ton of adversity this year
(05:29):
with key players getting injured on the offensive side of
the ball, with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans going out
for a considerable amount of time. This is going to
be a huge game. You know, the Tampa Bay is
a tough team. Do you think that they come out
on top? Vegas has got them as a three point favorite, you.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
Know, I think I think Tampa definitely has the advantage
right now. Young quarterback. But you know, the way Jayden
Daniel has played this entire season, I think he's put
us unnotice that you can't doubt him.
Speaker 4 (05:55):
You can't.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
You can't go into a game expecting him to be
like normal rookies and to play like normal rookies are
hard to have the nerves that normal rookies would have
in these playoff games. But on the flip side, there's
Todd Bowles, and in playoff games, Todd Bowles has a
team that creates turnovers at a high tilt. They get
sacks at a high tilt, and they limit scores at
(06:16):
a high tilt. And they're getting healthier. They've been banged up.
Jordan Whitehead has been banged up. Mike Edwards went out
in that game. They've been banged up in the secondary.
Vida Veya has played a Pro Bowl style football this
entire season. Their offensive line has played pretty good. Bucky
Irvin has coming to his own at the running back position.
He's done a great job. And I think Mike Evans
(06:38):
continues to be the steadying force of this offense. And
Baker Mayfield. Baker Mayfield has really played incredible football. And
I think you know, you lose track of where he
was drafted and all that because it's a feel good story,
but he still was a top pick in the National
Football League and he's playing that way. He's played forty
one touchdowns on the season, forty five hundred yards passing,
whether it's with his legs or with his arm. He's
(07:00):
a gamer and he's doing whatever is necessary to get
it done. But on the flip side dead so it's
Jayden Daniel. Jayden Daniels is running the football well, he's
doing it well. They made sure to let him sit
last week so he wouldn't put his body in arms way,
because they know how he goes. This offense goes and
he's gonna put his body in arms way. He's gonna
run the football. He's not sliding, he's getting the extra yards,
and he's trying to do everything that he can to
(07:21):
will his team to win football games. But there's a
reason that Bucks went six and one after the buy
and after Mike Evans came back, and they really could
have been seven and oh if not for a fumble
by Rashad White at the end of one of those games,
they would have been they would have been seven and
oh and and we'd really be talking about a team
that's red hot going into the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (07:42):
But I think this is going to be the most.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
Intriguing matchup of the playoffs of this first round, at
least in my opinion, I think it's going to be
really close. I think it's going to be really competitive.
Speaker 3 (07:52):
Well, this guy, I mean, Jayden and Daniels played in
the SEC obviously, you know, elevated the ASU before we're
transferring to LSU, and we I feel like the guy,
like you said, he doesn't get nervous, He plays wise
beyond his years. He certainly deserves the Rookie of the
Year award that I'm sure he will receive. They're also
getting Austin ecklerback, who was starting to become a solid
(08:12):
piece of that offense prior to going down with the
concussion and getting put on ir other side of the
ball of Tampa Bay. I mean, they seem to strike
golden in the draft twice, you know, on the offensive
side of the ball with Bucky Irving and Jaylen McMillan
out of Washington, Richard, who I know you've probably watched
time or two being up there in Seattle. This guy
has really elevated his game with Chris Godwin going down.
(08:35):
So I personally like the Bucks in this matchup, but
I too believe this is probably the best matchup of
the weekend, or at least the most intriguing. I think
the best matchup will probably go to La Rams in
the Vikings, which we can talk about next.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Yeah, I think that's going to be a really good
matchup just because of how they literally match up. You know,
the Brian floor as his defense is overly aggressive. You know,
zero pressure guys six seven min at the line of scrimmage,
back out, pop out in the cover, two, pop out
in a zero coverage play man to man, be multiple
on his coverage, play a little bit of palm. I
(09:09):
think I think Stafford had answers for that the first
time they played. I think Sean McVay had answers for that,
and that's why they were able to get the win
earlier in the season. I think there'll obviously be adjustments
made on both sides, but again, Kyron Williams is running
the ball well. Stafford with Pukaakua and Cooper Cup healthy,
Higbee's healthy.
Speaker 4 (09:28):
Now, I think.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
With all their weapons at their disposal, they're still a
very dangerous team. It's gonna come down to what can
they do offensively the Minnesota Vikings. Can Aaron Jones get going,
Can Cam Akers get going? Can can t J Hockinson
get open? And and be effective in this offense. Can
they can they finally, can they get Justin Jefferson and
(09:51):
Addison going in this game because they were shut down
against Detroit and it was straight man to man coverage.
And I think obviously the Rams seeing that on tape,
it's gonna be encouraging and they're gonna feel Chris Shula
is surely gonna think, Hey, if it's not broke, don't
break it. Why not do what Sam Donald struggled struggled
with against the Detroit Lions, which is pressureing, but pressure
(10:13):
in his face each and every play. Trust your defenders
down the field, Trust your dbs to be able to
hold up and stand up and coverage. Trust that he
will not be able to get the pass all and
they have good Jared Verst will probably be up for
a Defensive Rookie of the Year, if you know. I
think he'll be in the top three if he doesn't
win it, and he's having a great year. I think
Akello Witherspoon is covering his butt off. I think he's
(10:35):
doing great in their secondary. I think this defense can
get it done. But I do think they're gonna take
a page out of Detroit's book. To try to affect
Sam Donald, and how he responds to that will determine
who wins this ball game, because I think that Stafford
and their offense will be able to score points. If
the Vikings can score points and they can manage the
game and they can control it that way, I still
(10:56):
think they're the better team. But you know, the better
team doesn't always win in a playoffs. It's about matchups,
it's about scheme, it's about executing down a stretch, and
Stafford has shown that he will execute at a high level.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
Well.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
The last time the Vikings lost against the Detroit earlier
this season, they won on the road, and following that
and lost to the La Rams. We'll see if that
replicates itself. The Vikings, in my opinion, are a lot
better than they played last night against the Lions. You know,
I think the Lions kind of you know, schemed it
up well, especially defensively.
Speaker 2 (11:26):
My goodness.
Speaker 3 (11:26):
But my question for you Rich, like, after you come
off such a bad defeat, you know, and obviously with
so much on the line with that first round buy
on the right line, and now you've got to go
on the road again to La Like, how defeated do
you think this team is like mentally, do you think
I mean, do you think they're feeling all right right now?
Can they Can they provide the juice that they need
(11:48):
to get this win?
Speaker 1 (11:49):
No question, no question. They're playing in one of the
toughest divisions in football, and really one of the toughest
divisions in the last fifty years. So I think they
more fill their battle test. And you know, it's unfortunate
how that game went up, but they they fought them
down to the wire, and obviously Detroit was able to
pull away at the end, but it was a dog
fight against a really good team, and I think if
nothing else, it showed them defensively that they can play
(12:11):
with anybody. You know, that they can stand up against
a really tough team. Obviously Jamior Gibbs turned it on
and pull helped Detroit pull away at the end.
Speaker 4 (12:19):
But I don't think you're discouraged.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
A fourteen and three team isn't going to the playoffs
feeling discouraged when you lost three games out of seventeen.
I think you feel really good that you can play
with anybody, that you can beat anybody. I know, you
know this team beat you earlier. I think they'll look
at that tape and they will take a hard look
at that tape and see the things that they did
wrong and the mistakes they made. And I think they're
a much more veteran team since they played them the
first time and lost that game. So it's gonna be
(12:43):
a good game.
Speaker 4 (12:44):
I think.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
I think Minnesota finds a way to pull it out.
You know, I know they're on the road in LA,
but it's not a weather environment. It's an indoor stadium
against a talented team, but not as talented as they've
shown to be this year.
Speaker 3 (12:57):
Well, in terms of the La Rams, we're gonna see
it pooping the cool can keep up his hot streak.
The guy I would keep an eye on is Cooper Cup.
I mean, he's really been underwhelming for the last month
of the season. I think he's due for a breakout game.
We'll see if Minnesota can contain them. But this is
this is my matchup to watch right here. This is
my favorite matchup of the weekend Vikings against the Rams,
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Speaker 3 (15:57):
Richard, Let's go to the AFCU Wildcard matchups and let's
start at the top. I mean, the Chargers are taken
on the Texans, the Steelers are taking on the Ravens,
and the Broncos are taking on the Bills. Let's start
in Houston. I mean, the Houston Texans are going to
be hosting this LA Chargers team. You know, with new
coach Jim Harbaugh, you know, your former coach, and the
(16:18):
Chargers have kind of brought a whole new identity. I mean,
Jim Harbaugh likes to pound the rock. This Houston Texans
team has really, in my opinion, been very very much
so underachieved this year. I know they've battled injuries, you know,
obviously without Steph Diggs, without Tank Dell. But they they're
bringing in Deontay Johnson, we saw him in the week eighteen,
(16:39):
and you obviously got Nico Collins there. You know, can
Houston turn this around? And be the team that everyone
expected to be this season and go on a mini
run in this playoffs.
Speaker 4 (16:49):
Well, they have the talent to do it, you know.
I guess it's to be seen, you know. C J.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
Stroud has taken a step back in a pieer. Obviously,
they've been banged up, Tankdale going down, Stefan Diggs going down,
but Daniel Hunters having a good year. I think they
will get the pass rush dere Derek Stingley's having a
good year again. Nico Collins was leading the league or
receiving before he went down with injury, and maybe this
(17:13):
is the game that puts them back on track, that
get them back in rhythm. The Chargers have shown that
they struggle at times offensively to get a rhythm if
they can't run the ball well.
Speaker 4 (17:24):
Defensively, they've been really good in most of these games.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
But I think this is another intriguing matchup that can
really go either way. I don't see this being a
crazy blowout game from either side. I could see both
sides winning it. I can see how the Chargers could
pull away run the ball. Herbert's of fishing with him
with the football makes good decisions down the field, doesn't
turn it over. He hasn't in thirty three interceptions on
(17:49):
I think over five hundred throws. You know, had a
really good season. But I can also see how CJ.
Stroud and the boys can really get going. Joe Mixon
could get going on the ground game, and they could
start really imposing their will on this game if the
Chargers aren't able to stop the run. So that's what
I love about the playoffs. We're gonna see, We're gonna
find out, We're gonna see.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
I mean, you've talked about it on past podcast. You know,
Jim Harbaugh is so good at changing the culture and
identity of teams everywhere he goes. He wins from San
Diego to Stanford to obviously you know, San Francisco and
Michigan and now with the Chargers. I mean it's this
Chargers team had just been treading water for the last
(18:32):
five years, and now they've seemed to again developed this identity.
You gotta love what they're doing. They bring in Lad McConkie.
I mean, if I'm a GM dude, I'm drafting guys
from Georgia or Alabama straight up, like one in doubt,
draft from one of those guys and Lad McConkie. The
fact that you know this is gonna be like a
guy I wouldn't put him in the same category as
(18:52):
i'man ras, same brown, but the fact that teams traded
up and took guys above Lad McConkie that aren't making
any impact and the league right now is wild. Lan
mcconcky finds himself in a perfect situation with a perfect couple,
and justin Herbert to sling in the rock. I'd keep
an eye on him. Richard, I kind of like the
Chargers in this matchup. I think you got to go
(19:13):
with the team that's been playing better ball. Quinton Johnston.
I don't know where that performance was all year, but
my goodness, what was one hundred and eighty some yards
that he had last game? If he can catch the ball,
I mean, the guy's a burner, big body. You know,
the Chargers might have something here. I just like La
in this matchup above Houston, just because Houston has not
been playing to the air level. Let's go to Baltimore,
(19:36):
rich This Steelers team goes into Baltimore after finishing the
season losing four games in a row, and let's start
the conversation about Mike Tomlin, Like, this guy is such
a good coach. The fact that he's able to get
this team into the playoffs year after year after year
is so beyond impressive. But at what point does it
(19:58):
just not become enough rich because obviously going to the
playoffs you want to appreciate that, but you want to
win games in the playoffs, and the Steelers just haven't
been able to do that of late. Do you think
there's a timeline with how long Steelers can accept not
winning in the playoffs?
Speaker 1 (20:16):
They I don't know. I don't know, because I think
there'll be people lined up to get Mike Tomlin to
be their head coach. He's a culture builder, He's a
guy that has literally never had a losing season, And
I understand the frustration fans have, but that's that's what
happens when you never have a losing season. Fans never
want the losing season. They just want what comes with
(20:37):
the losing season. So you want a top quarterback, You
want to be able to draft a quarterback, a franchise quarterback,
and you'll never be bad enough to draft the franchise
quarterback and to get one in the top five unless
you get him in the later rounds in the second,
third round, and I think you thought you got that
with the feel good Canny Pickett story. Hey, he's a
hometown kid, went to pitt like, grew up around here.
(20:57):
Like we think we got our franchise guy, and that
didn't end up being the case. But I think some
of it starts with personnel, because offensively, your personnel hasn't
been up to snuff. Like how many receivers you know,
Deontay Johnson is playing for somebody else?
Speaker 4 (21:10):
Can he?
Speaker 1 (21:11):
George Pickens looks like a really good pick, but you
see the immaturity at times, and sometimes he deals with that.
But he's a really great talent. You picked up justin
Fields and Russell Wilson. Justin Fields was four and two,
but the offense was pretty stagnant. You know, he used
his legs a lot in the red zone. The past
game was pretty anemic. And so insert Russell Wilson and
he goes out, has really good games for the first
(21:34):
six games and looks good and looks like the guy
that maybe you need to sign an extension to. And
now if you look at if you look at the
conversation of Steelers fans were having in Russell's first six
games versus his last six, you know, our last four
or five. You know, it's totally changed. And I think
that's where the concern is, like, is that is that Tomlin?
(21:55):
Because the defense has regressed a little bit. You know,
they're not getting as much pressure, they're getting banged up,
but it's you know, Cam Hayward's played well, t J.
Wattis Bay played well. They're still Minka Fitzpatricks just made
another Pro Bowl, and you wonder, I don't think you
ever get rid of them. I don't think you can
get rid of them and justify it. You know, oh
we went to the playoffs and we didn't win. You really,
(22:15):
I'm not sure you had the talent to necessarily be
in the playoffs and do damage. And you know, unfortunately
that's just the case right now until you get a quarterback.
And if you think Russell's the guy, then you're gonna
have to surround him with more talent. You're gonna have
to surround him. Bringing Mike Williams in was helpful, but
you're gonna have to surround him with more talent and
more running game, more offensive lineman, better offensive Lineman more
(22:37):
protection in order for him to be successful, and then
you're gonna have to again show up that defense. But
anything gonna happen in the playoffs. But this is just
a tough division and right now it's Baltimore's.
Speaker 2 (22:47):
Well, no question.
Speaker 3 (22:48):
I mean, the Steelers really had a tough, tough matchups
down the stretch. They played the Eagles, the Ravens, the Chiefs,
and ultimately a very hungry Cincinnati Bengals team and Richard,
they weren't frankly close in any of these games whatsoever.
I think it's really telling about the team that they are.
I think they beat up on mediocre teams, but when
it comes to facing the big dogs, I just don't
(23:09):
think they're there yet. I mean, they have certain pieces
in place that certainly helped them. You know, Cam Hayward's
an absolute stud, obviously, TJ. Watt high Smith. Defensively, they
got weapons. But like you said, you see immaturity from
George Pickens. He talks a big game but then drops
three balls when it matters most against Cincinnati, and even
in that game, it took a muff punt for them
(23:30):
to get back and score in position to even make
that a game. So I want to talk a little
bit about the end of that game, because ultimately they
were in a position to go down and kick a
game winning field goal, but Russell does not get out
of bounds, runs the clock, and then ultimately they put
themselves in a position where they've gotta they've got to
get himself in a field goal position with eleven seconds left,
and Pat Frarman drops the ball. Like, I just wonder
(23:52):
again how frustrated this fan base will become and maybe
they lost a little bit of trust in Russ. We'll see.
But in terms of the Ravens, rich, Like, my goodness, man,
this team, I think they're due at some point in time.
This team, if they can get over that Kansas City
Chiefs hump there, certainly due. And Lamar Jackson showed it
(24:13):
all year. He's certainly worthy of being in this MVP conversation. Like,
how certain are you that the Baltimore Ravens are going
to go in there and come out with a convincing
win this weekend.
Speaker 4 (24:25):
I'm pretty sure about it, you know.
Speaker 1 (24:26):
I Mean, they're playing really well and they're gonna let
all let it all hang out. I think Lamar has
heard enough about him not running the ball in the
playoffs and him him being conservative and trying to be
quarterbacky or whatever. They're saying, like, hey, use everything at
your disposal, whatever's necessary to get to win. And I
think that's been his problem in the playoffs. He wants
to throw it and he stay in the pocket and
show he could be a pocket passer, and it's just
(24:48):
hasn't been. It hasn't been him, and so I think
he's gonna do whatever is necessary. You hear how hungry
Derrick Henry is from his locker room conversations. He's hung
a win. That defense they have that was struggling early
in the season, I think Zach Orr has finally figured
(25:08):
it out and made the right adjustments and that defense
is playing out of their minds now. Marlin Humphrees is
having a great season, another Pro Bowl season for him,
and I think that's gonna be the difference maker going
down to stretch. They're playing right, they're hot, they're playing
together at the right time, and I think they are
a team that can deal with the cold. You know,
if they got to go to Kansas City and get
(25:28):
it done, I think they can do that. If they
got to go to Buffalo and get it done. I
think they can do that. And so their team that's
built to have to weather the storm they're going to
have to get if they want to get a ring
this year.
Speaker 3 (25:38):
Well, we'll check the status on z Flowers. He went
out in Week eight team with an injury, but Rashad
Bateman filled in swimmingly. I mean that that guy looks fantastic.
You got Mark Andrews is healthy again, finally, big body
and like you said, the hammer Derrick Henry just wears
these teams down. I mean, the Ravens have everything they
need to make a title run and come out of
(25:59):
the AFC. It starts with the Steelers, though they got
to overcome a division fow. Let's take it to Buffalo.
Rich this team, you know, Josh Allen marvelous season. They're
hosting the Denver Broncos and bo Necks. I mean, the
guy looks like he's going to be a ten year
starter at minimum in the NFL going forward. And he's
got the perfect pairing for himself with Sean Payton. You know,
(26:21):
this is going to be a game that's certainly worth watching.
You know, the Broncos are eight and a half point dogs.
But I could see it being a lot closer than that.
You know, what are your thoughts on the Bills and
the Broncos heading into this matchup?
Speaker 1 (26:33):
Well, it could be intriguing. I think Buffalo just has
the pedigree. They're playing well. Josh Allen's having a really
fantastic season. I think Sean McDermott is doing a great
job coaching his team. Their defense is playing good enough,
but this Denver defense is one of those defenses that
could throw throw everything in the kitchen sink at Josh
(26:54):
Allen and really call some issues. And I think offsly,
if somehow bone Nicks plays a great game, you know,
he could play great, they have a chance and they
could pull an upset. But I think I don't know.
I just I don't think bone Knicks will play well
enough to beat Josh Allen in Buffalo. I think that'd
be really, really surprising if that happened. I think Josh
(27:17):
Allen is gonna will this team to a victory. They've
won their last four wild card games, and I know
this Denver defense has shown real great promise. Pratt Certannel
it might be the defensive player of the year this season,
and they do a great job against the run.
Speaker 4 (27:32):
Vans.
Speaker 1 (27:33):
Joseph deserves a lot of credit for what they've been
able to do, and it's a feel good story in
the playoffs. But Buffalo is just on another tier right
now than Denver, so this upset. If Denver found a
way to win, I'd be really really surprised. But anything
can happen in the National Football League, and sometimes a
rookie that comes in, young, dumb and full of gum
is just gonna it. Sometimes just goes out there and
(27:54):
does some things because he doesn't know, he's not supposed to,
he doesn't know what's supposed to happen. He's just out
there playing, involving and feeling good and enjoying the moment,
and sometimes that's enough to get a team going. You know,
if Sutton goes up there and makes a few big grabs,
and you know, things can happen where momentum can shift,
and Buffalo could be concerned. But I just don't see
Josh Allen losing this football game.
Speaker 3 (28:17):
I really like the Bills this year, Richard. They finally
have something they haven't had in years pass and that's
a very very reliable run game with James Cook pounding
the Rock. I mean, I think he just tied or
set the franchise record for rushing touchdowns if I'm not mistaken.
But you couple him with the ability of Josh Allen
to get on the.
Speaker 2 (28:34):
Move as well.
Speaker 3 (28:37):
I really like the Bills this year, and if it's
not this year, I don't know when. I mean, you
got Kean Coleman, you know, a wide receiver who's a
big body down downfield that they can just huck it to.
They really haven't utilized on Mari Cooper whatsoever, so I'm
wondering when he's gonna make his appearance with them. So
on the other side of the ball, the Broncos, I
mean shout out to bow Nicks for getting Courtland Sutton
(28:58):
more involved. I mean that's a rookie trusting the proven
veteran the Broncos and the Bills team that's used to
playing in the cold. Both of these guys love the matchup.
We'll see what happens. Let's talk about these season awards, Richard,
not that the season concluded. Like, what's your final say
with MVP? Are you giving it to Josh Allen? Are
(29:20):
you going to give it to Lamar Jackson. I know
we've talked about this at length and previous podcasts, but
I mean, in my opinion, it's it's a genuine toss up.
Speaker 2 (29:30):
Where does Richard Sherman lie in this?
Speaker 1 (29:32):
And now that's also about all for me. I think
it's Lamar Jackson's MVP. I think the numbers he put
up right now are historic. You know, the first four thousand,
nine hundred yard, forty touchdown five under five interception season
in NFL history. This league has been around a long time,
and there's been a lot of really incredible players to play,
(29:53):
and for somebody to have a first at this point
in time, something that's literally never been done in the
history of the league. And and I know that you
know the argument, what the argument is for Josh Allen,
but I think it's just hard for a narrative based
MVP season to go against a statistically based MVP season
(30:15):
when your narrative doesn't also include the number one seed
and dominance.
Speaker 4 (30:20):
And so.
Speaker 1 (30:22):
If the Buffalo Bills, you know, Josh Allen led them
to a to a playoff berth, and people said, oh, well,
nobody picked them to play this, well, it would sound better,
it would it would make more sense if the team
had actually underperformed at one point. I know they lost
a lot of guys, they lost a lot of pieces,
they lost Stefan Diggs, they lost a lot of veteran leadership.
(30:43):
I understand fully, but what I'm saying is in this situation,
it you have to also get the one seat. Like
they never missed the playoffs. They are a playoff team
last year. They are a playoff team this year. So
although the narrative out there may have been like, hey,
we're not sure, how could they're gonn to be this year,
they they're coming off a playoff season, so they're still
(31:04):
a playoff team, and they're a playoff team this year.
So if they were the one seed fifteen and two
with the narrative in these stats, then I could see, Hey,
they going to give it to Josh Allen. They're best
team in football. He's carrying them to this spot. I
know Lamar has had one of the most impressive seasons
in National Football League history, but it's tough to say
(31:26):
the best player on the best team. I understand that
when you're the two seed, it doesn't carry the same weight,
and so Lamar Jackson carries weight, and I know everybody's
like Dereck Henry. He has good players around him. Yeah,
it's kind of how it works. MVPs have good players
around him. I mean, that's how it's gonna weird. You're
not gonna find MVPs with bad players around him. You're
(31:47):
not gonna find good teams with bad players around him.
Speaker 4 (31:50):
You're just not.
Speaker 1 (31:51):
And Derreck Henry is having a little worse season than
he had when he had two thousand yards, and I
mean it's gonna be easier for both of them. It's
a good team. It's a good season, and that's why
he picked him up. But it doesn't take away from
forty one passing touchdowns from Lamar Jackson in only four interceptions.
Speaker 4 (32:06):
It's not like he's not throwing the ball at all.
Speaker 1 (32:08):
He's running the ball well, he's efficient, his offense is scoring,
they're winning games. They've won four straight in December, and
that's winning football, you know what I mean. These awards
are usually one in December. You know, people remember the
last things you've done. And I know that Josh Allen
has had a really good season. I would agree with him.
I'd say, man any other year, if the narrative was this,
(32:31):
he probably win it. But it's the historic season by
Lamar Jackson. That's gonna make it tough for voters to say, Hey,
forty one and four, forty one and four isn't gonna
win it? Like when is it not wanted?
Speaker 4 (32:43):
Win? Is some numbers like this not won MVP? You
find those numbers?
Speaker 3 (32:47):
For me, those are absurd stats. Let's look at the
Defensive Player of the Year. I know you've been singing
his praises all season, and that's Patrick sir Tan. He's
the overwhelming favorite to win this, above TJ. Watt and
Kirby Joseph and some other guys in there. How happy
are you to see that a corner is actually gonna
win Defensive Player of the Year or so, it looks like.
Speaker 1 (33:08):
That's pretty awesome. That's pretty awesome, and it couldn't happen
to a better guy. I think he deserves it. Patrick
Sartana has played well for so long, and he's really
been the standard for corner play over the last three
four years, and so for him to add this to
his to his resume, at this to his collection of awards,
(33:28):
is what he deserves. You know, he's been a consummate professional.
He's been the standard even for college kids. He's been
a standard for every coach to teach corners how to
play the position, and so I'm happy for him. He's
had a great season, one hundred yard pick six, made
tremendous plays, helped his defense be one of the top
defenses in the National Football League.
Speaker 4 (33:48):
So good for him.
Speaker 1 (33:50):
Obviously, pass rushers usually get it, and Miles Garrett and TJ.
Water are always around, but again, I just feel like
they're rushing the passer.
Speaker 4 (33:58):
A guy playing at a high level.
Speaker 1 (34:00):
A good defense needs to be celebrated, and that's what
they're They're getting it right this year.
Speaker 2 (34:06):
Let's look at the coach of the year.
Speaker 3 (34:07):
I mean, this is a conversation I'm looking forward to
having because you know, Vegas favors Kevin O'Connell heavily here,
followed by Dan Campbell and Sean Payton. You know, Kevin
O'Connell obviously brings Minnesota out of nowhere and finishes with
a fourteen and three record, But you know the same
could be said for Dan Campbell. I mean, granted, the
(34:28):
expectations for the Lions were to win the division and
be a Super Bowl contender coming into this season, but
still I would argue that Dan Campbell exceeded expectations with
this Detroit Lions team going fifteen and two. You know,
do you believe it's Kevin O'Connell's award or do you
think Dan Campbell should have equal state to that?
Speaker 4 (34:46):
Well?
Speaker 1 (34:46):
I think you know this is this is when it
comes down to whether you believe it's the narrative or
the expectations. You know, and I think if it's narrative,
basic guy has to go to Kevin O'Connell because he
came in with either a rookie quarterback or proven Sam Donald,
a guy who's been who's gone from a top three
pick to a journeyman coming from being a backup in
(35:07):
San Francisco behind Brock Perdy, and you're really expecting him
to start JJ McCarthy. JJ McCarthy goes out with the
meniscus injury, and now you got your force to start
Sam Donald. And just the season that he's had, the
season that Brian Flores has had, You're not talking about
a bunch of All pros and Pro Bowlers on the
defensive side of the ball. You're talking about Van Ginkel
(35:28):
and Grenard becoming Pro Bowlers this year in a great
scheme under Brian Flores, and in what they've been able
to do, which has been great. What he has done
is been masterful. These guys have come together really fast.
His scheme has been on display, his guys have played
hard for him, and they've been They won fourteen games,
and this is not a team that you expected to
(35:49):
win fourteen games. You're talking about a team that you
you really, I mean maybe ten games, you thought six
to seventh spot in the wild card. They were literally,
you know, playing for the one seed. And so I
think you have to give them credit for what they've
been able to build unexpectedly. I think the Lions you expected,
you know, they were top two NFC team last year,
(36:10):
they were in the NFC Championship, and guess what, they're
a top NFC team this year. San Francisco forty nine
ers had a bad year and fell off the face
of the earth, and the Detroit Lions have continued to
be what they were last year. And I think unfortunately
coaches get punished for that. You know, you're not Andy
Reid went fifteen to two and you're not even thinking
about him for coach a year because it's like, right,
(36:32):
you know what I mean, so sometimes you get punished
because your team's talented, because the expectations for your team
is high, are high, and that's why Kevin O'Connor will
likely get it. I mean, that's where Stefanski has multiple
Coaches of the Year and no postseason success to really
speak of.
Speaker 3 (36:50):
Well, Richard, before wrap this up, I got to get
the landscape of the Richard Sherman Power Ranks Week eighteen style.
I know that the relative irrelevant now that we're finally
in playoffs, but I got to know how you stack
up the NFL right now with these power rankings, a
lot of teams are playing at a high level.
Speaker 2 (37:09):
How do you stack them for Week eighteen, rich.
Speaker 1 (37:11):
Well, Kansas City Chiefs go one, your Detroit Lions two.
Three would have to be Baltimore Ravens. I'm gonna go
Baltimore at three, I'm gonna go Buffalo at four, and
I'm gonna go Philadelphia Eagles at five until they prove
me otherwise. If Buffalo beats Baltimore in Buffalo, then you
(37:33):
know they they color me surprised.
Speaker 3 (37:36):
The one team that the slide in those power ranks
from past weeks is the Minnesota Vikings. Fresh off the
loss of the Detroit Lions, Like, how much does that
loss really impact your view of them as a team.
Speaker 1 (37:47):
It doesn't impact my view of them in totality, but
it just did show that there was a different level
that they haven't reached yet, you know, especially with Sam Darnold.
You know, he looked flustered. He went zero for four
in the red zone, and they just the Lion's defense
doesn't They're banged up, they're depleted, and a depleted defense
helped you out of the end zone four times, turnover
(38:10):
on downs on one of those drives and helped you
to nine points. And I think probably six of those
are like you said, all nine of them were probably gifts,
you know what I mean, from turnovers that your defense
gave you. So that's where the concern level rolls for
me is just to see him not do well with
that pressure. Now, if he goes in there against the
Rams and plays a fantastic game, then you know, my
(38:31):
confidence level will increase.
Speaker 4 (38:32):
But that was concerning well.
Speaker 2 (38:35):
Richard, that concludes it.
Speaker 3 (38:37):
The regular season's over and we got a landscape of
playoff football to look forward to next weekend.
Speaker 2 (38:43):
I will let you sign us off my friend.
Speaker 4 (38:45):
Well, we appreciate you.
Speaker 1 (38:46):
Guys joining us as always, I can't wait to watch
these playoff games and see how they pan out if
your team didn't make it. Well, so I started studying
these colleges and starts figuring out what you want in
the draft. Do your mock drafts, or enjoy the playoffs
and watch these other teams and root against your rivals.
Whatever floatship vote. I'm not mad at you. We appreciate
you joining us. Whether it was for a second, a minute,
(39:07):
an hour, it does not matter. You stuck around with us,
and we sure do appreciate it. Hit that up button
if you knew the volume
The volume.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Championships. That should always be the expectation.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
All right, man, you go ahead, Welcome back to the
Richard Sherman Podcast. It's that time of the year. It's
not Christmas, but it is the most wonderful time of
the year. It's time for the playoffs and the wildcard
matchups are presented. How are you feeling with the bye week,
Mitchell for your Detroit Lions.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Richard, I'm feeling calm. I'm feeling relieved. Yesterday was full
of emotion, you know, the anxiety leading up to that game,
not knowing whether you're gonna be going on the road
to la or taking the week off. And ultimately the
Lions get that one seed, which is huge. But the
rest of the NFC, I mean, let's start in the NFC,
because the landscape is set, and the Eagles take the
(00:54):
two seed and they're gonna play and they're gonna host
the Green Bay Packers. The Bucks are going to be
hosting the wash Into Commanders, and the Rams are going
to be hosting the Vikings.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Let's start with the Eagles taking on the Packers.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
The Packers are a team, you know, they finished with
a solid record, but ultimately you look at their wins
and they didn't beat anyone crazy impressive. They went zero
to five against the Lions, Vikings, and Eagles. Do you
think there's any shot the Green Bay Packers can put
it together and come out with a win in Philly.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
Uh, there's definitely a shot. You know, they got a
good staff, they got a good defense. It's playing well.
They're stopping the run really well, which is very important
in this game. With the season at Sakuon Barkley, the
historic season Stai Kawan Barkley has had for the Philadelphia
Eagles their offensive line, so the Green Bay Packers being
able to stop the run is huge. But what I
would feel better about if they had Jaire Alexander. If
(01:42):
they had Jaire Alexander in the lineup to help with
aj Brown and Devonte Smith, then I would feel a
lot better about it. But Keyshawn Nixon and the boys,
Rashaan Gary's having a really good season. Friends of the program,
Xavier McKinney got another pick last week, having an incredible
Pro Bowl season, all Pro season, So I think they
(02:03):
could get it done. But you have to be careful
because on the flip side, the Philadelphia Eagles defense has
played magnificently, and it seems like they've totally bought into
Vic Fangio's scheme. They understand it. Jalen Carter has developed
more into a leader of this defense. That d line
is playing really well versus the run in the past.
The secondary has played pretty good all year.
Speaker 4 (02:26):
C J. Gardner Johnson is.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
Doing what he has done, you know, in his defense,
he looks like he's back home making big plays. Obviously
had the snap food where he got kicked out of
the game, which is crazy, but outside of that, he's
made huge plays for this defense. I think Quinjon Mitchell
has played really well all season, especially for rookie. Cooper
dejen has played well, so our guy for end of
the program. Darius Slay continues to do what he does well. Offensively,
(02:54):
they have all the pieces. They have one of the
best offensive lines, if not the best offensive line in
football at their disposedale. I think that's what makes them
a really balanced and really dangerous team when it comes
playoff time. Now, there is a concern that I don't
understand why why Jalen Hurts is still in a concussion protocol,
you know, after this amount of time, that's a big
concerning for me, I mean, you would expect by by
(03:16):
Wednesday or maybe even late tomorrow, he should be cleared
to play. And if he's not, then I start to
get really concerned because they will have a much harder
time beating the Green Bay Packers without Jalen Hurts than
they would with him.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
For the Packers, you know, Christian Watson went down with
an injury last week too. I mean, that's a guy,
you know, not the best hands in the league, but
one of the fastest guys in the league, can take
the top off the defense and can really stretch the field.
Without him, they're gonna have to adjust, Richard, if you're
Matt lafleor how do you scheme this up to give
your team the best shot to win this game?
Speaker 1 (03:50):
Well, you you run the football. You alein't on the
run game, and you have to get that going. You
have to be consistent, Josh Jacobs, this is the reason
you got him to be effective in these playoff games,
to take pressure off of Jodan Love, to take pressure
off that defense, to possess the ball longer than your opponent.
Speaker 4 (04:05):
So that's what they're gonna have to do.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
They're gonna have to run the ball really effectively, Jordan
Love is gonna have to be very careful with the
football because if you give it over, give it away
in a game like this, you go home, and you
go home in a hurry and you're on the road.
So their defense are gonna need to cause the turnover
maybe two and give Jordan Love and Matt Lafour an
extra possession, and that'll help them win this game. But
(04:30):
without those things, if they're not able to run the
ball well, and they're having to lean on Jordan Love
and lean on this offense and the defense can't get turnovers,
and it's gonna be a long day for him. But
I think there's definitely a path for the Green Bay
Packers to win this game. But I think the Philadelphia
Eagles pull it out.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Well.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
They got to lean on the run game, Like you said,
that's what gave them success in last playoffs when they
blew out the Dallas Cowboys and really you know, gave
the San Francisco forty nine ers hell and that divisional
round as well. Let's see if they can replicate that
same you know, magic that they did last year. Let's
go to Tampa Bay. They're hosting the Washington Commanders, Washington
Commanders one of the surprise teams this year. Jaden Daniels
(05:07):
certainly looks like the answer for them at quarterback, and
our guy, you're one of your best friends. Bobby Wagner
shows why DQ Dan Quinn brings them in to be
the leader of that defense. But the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,
they're resilient, man. I mean, they don't get a whole
lot of credit, but they deserve a lot of credit.
I mean, this team we talked about on the last cast,
they had to overcome a ton of adversity this year
(05:29):
with key players getting injured on the offensive side of
the ball, with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans going out
for a considerable amount of time. This is going to
be a huge game. You know, the Tampa Bay is
a tough team. Do you think that they come out
on top? Vegas has got them as a three point favorite, you.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
Know, I think I think Tampa definitely has the advantage
right now. Young quarterback. But you know, the way Jayden
Daniel has played this entire season, I think he's put
us unnotice that you can't doubt him.
Speaker 4 (05:55):
You can't.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
You can't go into a game expecting him to be
like normal rookies and to play like normal rookies are
hard to have the nerves that normal rookies would have
in these playoff games. But on the flip side, there's
Todd Bowles, and in playoff games, Todd Bowles has a
team that creates turnovers at a high tilt. They get
sacks at a high tilt, and they limit scores at
(06:16):
a high tilt. And they're getting healthier. They've been banged up.
Jordan Whitehead has been banged up. Mike Edwards went out
in that game. They've been banged up in the secondary.
Vida Veya has played a Pro Bowl style football this
entire season. Their offensive line has played pretty good. Bucky
Irvin has coming to his own at the running back position.
He's done a great job. And I think Mike Evans
(06:38):
continues to be the steadying force of this offense. And
Baker Mayfield. Baker Mayfield has really played incredible football. And
I think you know, you lose track of where he
was drafted and all that because it's a feel good story,
but he still was a top pick in the National
Football League and he's playing that way. He's played forty
one touchdowns on the season, forty five hundred yards passing,
whether it's with his legs or with his arm. He's
(07:00):
a gamer and he's doing whatever is necessary to get
it done. But on the flip side dead so it's
Jayden Daniel. Jayden Daniels is running the football well, he's
doing it well. They made sure to let him sit
last week so he wouldn't put his body in arms way,
because they know how he goes. This offense goes and
he's gonna put his body in arms way. He's gonna
run the football. He's not sliding, he's getting the extra yards,
and he's trying to do everything that he can to
(07:21):
will his team to win football games. But there's a
reason that Bucks went six and one after the buy
and after Mike Evans came back, and they really could
have been seven and oh if not for a fumble
by Rashad White at the end of one of those games,
they would have been they would have been seven and
oh and and we'd really be talking about a team
that's red hot going into the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (07:42):
But I think this is going to be the most.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
Intriguing matchup of the playoffs of this first round, at
least in my opinion, I think it's going to be
really close. I think it's going to be really competitive.
Speaker 3 (07:52):
Well, this guy, I mean, Jayden and Daniels played in
the SEC obviously, you know, elevated the ASU before we're
transferring to LSU, and we I feel like the guy,
like you said, he doesn't get nervous, He plays wise
beyond his years. He certainly deserves the Rookie of the
Year award that I'm sure he will receive. They're also
getting Austin ecklerback, who was starting to become a solid
(08:12):
piece of that offense prior to going down with the
concussion and getting put on ir other side of the
ball of Tampa Bay. I mean, they seem to strike
golden in the draft twice, you know, on the offensive
side of the ball with Bucky Irving and Jaylen McMillan
out of Washington, Richard, who I know you've probably watched
time or two being up there in Seattle. This guy
has really elevated his game with Chris Godwin going down.
(08:35):
So I personally like the Bucks in this matchup, but
I too believe this is probably the best matchup of
the weekend, or at least the most intriguing. I think
the best matchup will probably go to La Rams in
the Vikings, which we can talk about next.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Yeah, I think that's going to be a really good
matchup just because of how they literally match up. You know,
the Brian floor as his defense is overly aggressive. You know,
zero pressure guys six seven min at the line of scrimmage,
back out, pop out in the cover, two, pop out
in a zero coverage play man to man, be multiple
on his coverage, play a little bit of palm. I
(09:09):
think I think Stafford had answers for that the first
time they played. I think Sean McVay had answers for that,
and that's why they were able to get the win
earlier in the season. I think there'll obviously be adjustments
made on both sides, but again, Kyron Williams is running
the ball well. Stafford with Pukaakua and Cooper Cup healthy,
Higbee's healthy.
Speaker 4 (09:28):
Now, I think.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
With all their weapons at their disposal, they're still a
very dangerous team. It's gonna come down to what can
they do offensively the Minnesota Vikings. Can Aaron Jones get going,
Can Cam Akers get going? Can can t J Hockinson
get open? And and be effective in this offense. Can
they can they finally, can they get Justin Jefferson and
(09:51):
Addison going in this game because they were shut down
against Detroit and it was straight man to man coverage.
And I think obviously the Rams seeing that on tape,
it's gonna be encouraging and they're gonna feel Chris Shula
is surely gonna think, Hey, if it's not broke, don't
break it. Why not do what Sam Donald struggled struggled
with against the Detroit Lions, which is pressureing, but pressure
(10:13):
in his face each and every play. Trust your defenders
down the field, Trust your dbs to be able to
hold up and stand up and coverage. Trust that he
will not be able to get the pass all and
they have good Jared Verst will probably be up for
a Defensive Rookie of the Year, if you know. I
think he'll be in the top three if he doesn't
win it, and he's having a great year. I think
Akello Witherspoon is covering his butt off. I think he's
(10:35):
doing great in their secondary. I think this defense can
get it done. But I do think they're gonna take
a page out of Detroit's book. To try to affect
Sam Donald, and how he responds to that will determine
who wins this ball game, because I think that Stafford
and their offense will be able to score points. If
the Vikings can score points and they can manage the
game and they can control it that way, I still
(10:56):
think they're the better team. But you know, the better
team doesn't always win in a playoffs. It's about matchups,
it's about scheme, it's about executing down a stretch, and
Stafford has shown that he will execute at a high level.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
Well.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
The last time the Vikings lost against the Detroit earlier
this season, they won on the road, and following that
and lost to the La Rams. We'll see if that
replicates itself. The Vikings, in my opinion, are a lot
better than they played last night against the Lions. You know,
I think the Lions kind of you know, schemed it
up well, especially defensively.
Speaker 2 (11:26):
My goodness.
Speaker 3 (11:26):
But my question for you Rich, like, after you come
off such a bad defeat, you know, and obviously with
so much on the line with that first round buy
on the right line, and now you've got to go
on the road again to La Like, how defeated do
you think this team is like mentally, do you think
I mean, do you think they're feeling all right right now?
Can they Can they provide the juice that they need
(11:48):
to get this win?
Speaker 1 (11:49):
No question, no question. They're playing in one of the
toughest divisions in football, and really one of the toughest
divisions in the last fifty years. So I think they
more fill their battle test. And you know, it's unfortunate
how that game went up, but they they fought them
down to the wire, and obviously Detroit was able to
pull away at the end, but it was a dog
fight against a really good team, and I think if
nothing else, it showed them defensively that they can play
(12:11):
with anybody. You know, that they can stand up against
a really tough team. Obviously Jamior Gibbs turned it on
and pull helped Detroit pull away at the end.
Speaker 4 (12:19):
But I don't think you're discouraged.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
A fourteen and three team isn't going to the playoffs
feeling discouraged when you lost three games out of seventeen.
I think you feel really good that you can play
with anybody, that you can beat anybody. I know, you
know this team beat you earlier. I think they'll look
at that tape and they will take a hard look
at that tape and see the things that they did
wrong and the mistakes they made. And I think they're
a much more veteran team since they played them the
first time and lost that game. So it's gonna be
(12:43):
a good game.
Speaker 4 (12:44):
I think.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
I think Minnesota finds a way to pull it out.
You know, I know they're on the road in LA,
but it's not a weather environment. It's an indoor stadium
against a talented team, but not as talented as they've
shown to be this year.
Speaker 3 (12:57):
Well, in terms of the La Rams, we're gonna see
it pooping the cool can keep up his hot streak.
The guy I would keep an eye on is Cooper Cup.
I mean, he's really been underwhelming for the last month
of the season. I think he's due for a breakout game.
We'll see if Minnesota can contain them. But this is
this is my matchup to watch right here. This is
my favorite matchup of the weekend Vikings against the Rams,
and we'll see who pulls it out. NFL playoffs, We're
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Speaker 3 (15:57):
Richard, Let's go to the AFCU Wildcard matchups and let's
start at the top. I mean, the Chargers are taken
on the Texans, the Steelers are taking on the Ravens,
and the Broncos are taking on the Bills. Let's start
in Houston. I mean, the Houston Texans are going to
be hosting this LA Chargers team. You know, with new
coach Jim Harbaugh, you know, your former coach, and the
(16:18):
Chargers have kind of brought a whole new identity. I mean,
Jim Harbaugh likes to pound the rock. This Houston Texans
team has really, in my opinion, been very very much
so underachieved this year. I know they've battled injuries, you know,
obviously without Steph Diggs, without Tank Dell. But they they're
bringing in Deontay Johnson, we saw him in the week eighteen,
(16:39):
and you obviously got Nico Collins there. You know, can
Houston turn this around? And be the team that everyone
expected to be this season and go on a mini
run in this playoffs.
Speaker 4 (16:49):
Well, they have the talent to do it, you know.
I guess it's to be seen, you know. C J.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
Stroud has taken a step back in a pieer. Obviously,
they've been banged up, Tankdale going down, Stefan Diggs going down,
but Daniel Hunters having a good year. I think they
will get the pass rush dere Derek Stingley's having a
good year again. Nico Collins was leading the league or
receiving before he went down with injury, and maybe this
(17:13):
is the game that puts them back on track, that
get them back in rhythm. The Chargers have shown that
they struggle at times offensively to get a rhythm if
they can't run the ball well.
Speaker 4 (17:24):
Defensively, they've been really good in most of these games.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
But I think this is another intriguing matchup that can
really go either way. I don't see this being a
crazy blowout game from either side. I could see both
sides winning it. I can see how the Chargers could
pull away run the ball. Herbert's of fishing with him
with the football makes good decisions down the field, doesn't
turn it over. He hasn't in thirty three interceptions on
(17:49):
I think over five hundred throws. You know, had a
really good season. But I can also see how CJ.
Stroud and the boys can really get going. Joe Mixon
could get going on the ground game, and they could
start really imposing their will on this game if the
Chargers aren't able to stop the run. So that's what
I love about the playoffs. We're gonna see, We're gonna
find out, We're gonna see.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
I mean, you've talked about it on past podcast. You know,
Jim Harbaugh is so good at changing the culture and
identity of teams everywhere he goes. He wins from San
Diego to Stanford to obviously you know, San Francisco and
Michigan and now with the Chargers. I mean it's this
Chargers team had just been treading water for the last
(18:32):
five years, and now they've seemed to again developed this identity.
You gotta love what they're doing. They bring in Lad McConkie.
I mean, if I'm a GM dude, I'm drafting guys
from Georgia or Alabama straight up, like one in doubt,
draft from one of those guys and Lad McConkie. The
fact that you know this is gonna be like a
guy I wouldn't put him in the same category as
(18:52):
i'man ras, same brown, but the fact that teams traded
up and took guys above Lad McConkie that aren't making
any impact and the league right now is wild. Lan
mcconcky finds himself in a perfect situation with a perfect couple,
and justin Herbert to sling in the rock. I'd keep
an eye on him. Richard, I kind of like the
Chargers in this matchup. I think you got to go
(19:13):
with the team that's been playing better ball. Quinton Johnston.
I don't know where that performance was all year, but
my goodness, what was one hundred and eighty some yards
that he had last game? If he can catch the ball,
I mean, the guy's a burner, big body. You know,
the Chargers might have something here. I just like La
in this matchup above Houston, just because Houston has not
been playing to the air level. Let's go to Baltimore,
(19:36):
rich This Steelers team goes into Baltimore after finishing the
season losing four games in a row, and let's start
the conversation about Mike Tomlin, Like, this guy is such
a good coach. The fact that he's able to get
this team into the playoffs year after year after year
is so beyond impressive. But at what point does it
(19:58):
just not become enough rich because obviously going to the
playoffs you want to appreciate that, but you want to
win games in the playoffs, and the Steelers just haven't
been able to do that of late. Do you think
there's a timeline with how long Steelers can accept not
winning in the playoffs?
Speaker 1 (20:16):
They I don't know. I don't know, because I think
there'll be people lined up to get Mike Tomlin to
be their head coach. He's a culture builder, He's a
guy that has literally never had a losing season, And
I understand the frustration fans have, but that's that's what
happens when you never have a losing season. Fans never
want the losing season. They just want what comes with
(20:37):
the losing season. So you want a top quarterback, You
want to be able to draft a quarterback, a franchise quarterback,
and you'll never be bad enough to draft the franchise
quarterback and to get one in the top five unless
you get him in the later rounds in the second,
third round, and I think you thought you got that
with the feel good Canny Pickett story. Hey, he's a
hometown kid, went to pitt like, grew up around here.
(20:57):
Like we think we got our franchise guy, and that
didn't end up being the case. But I think some
of it starts with personnel, because offensively, your personnel hasn't
been up to snuff. Like how many receivers you know,
Deontay Johnson is playing for somebody else?
Speaker 4 (21:10):
Can he?
Speaker 1 (21:11):
George Pickens looks like a really good pick, but you
see the immaturity at times, and sometimes he deals with that.
But he's a really great talent. You picked up justin
Fields and Russell Wilson. Justin Fields was four and two,
but the offense was pretty stagnant. You know, he used
his legs a lot in the red zone. The past
game was pretty anemic. And so insert Russell Wilson and
he goes out, has really good games for the first
(21:34):
six games and looks good and looks like the guy
that maybe you need to sign an extension to. And
now if you look at if you look at the
conversation of Steelers fans were having in Russell's first six
games versus his last six, you know, our last four
or five. You know, it's totally changed. And I think
that's where the concern is, like, is that is that Tomlin?
(21:55):
Because the defense has regressed a little bit. You know,
they're not getting as much pressure, they're getting banged up,
but it's you know, Cam Hayward's played well, t J.
Wattis Bay played well. They're still Minka Fitzpatricks just made
another Pro Bowl, and you wonder, I don't think you
ever get rid of them. I don't think you can
get rid of them and justify it. You know, oh
we went to the playoffs and we didn't win. You really,
(22:15):
I'm not sure you had the talent to necessarily be
in the playoffs and do damage. And you know, unfortunately
that's just the case right now until you get a quarterback.
And if you think Russell's the guy, then you're gonna
have to surround him with more talent. You're gonna have
to surround him. Bringing Mike Williams in was helpful, but
you're gonna have to surround him with more talent and
more running game, more offensive lineman, better offensive Lineman more
(22:37):
protection in order for him to be successful, and then
you're gonna have to again show up that defense. But
anything gonna happen in the playoffs. But this is just
a tough division and right now it's Baltimore's.
Speaker 2 (22:47):
Well, no question.
Speaker 3 (22:48):
I mean, the Steelers really had a tough, tough matchups
down the stretch. They played the Eagles, the Ravens, the Chiefs,
and ultimately a very hungry Cincinnati Bengals team and Richard,
they weren't frankly close in any of these games whatsoever.
I think it's really telling about the team that they are.
I think they beat up on mediocre teams, but when
it comes to facing the big dogs, I just don't
(23:09):
think they're there yet. I mean, they have certain pieces
in place that certainly helped them. You know, Cam Hayward's
an absolute stud, obviously, TJ. Watt high Smith. Defensively, they
got weapons. But like you said, you see immaturity from
George Pickens. He talks a big game but then drops
three balls when it matters most against Cincinnati, and even
in that game, it took a muff punt for them
(23:30):
to get back and score in position to even make
that a game. So I want to talk a little
bit about the end of that game, because ultimately they
were in a position to go down and kick a
game winning field goal, but Russell does not get out
of bounds, runs the clock, and then ultimately they put
themselves in a position where they've gotta they've got to
get himself in a field goal position with eleven seconds left,
and Pat Frarman drops the ball. Like, I just wonder
(23:52):
again how frustrated this fan base will become and maybe
they lost a little bit of trust in Russ. We'll see.
But in terms of the Ravens, rich, Like, my goodness, man,
this team, I think they're due at some point in time.
This team, if they can get over that Kansas City
Chiefs hump there, certainly due. And Lamar Jackson showed it
(24:13):
all year. He's certainly worthy of being in this MVP conversation. Like,
how certain are you that the Baltimore Ravens are going
to go in there and come out with a convincing
win this weekend.
Speaker 4 (24:25):
I'm pretty sure about it, you know.
Speaker 1 (24:26):
I Mean, they're playing really well and they're gonna let
all let it all hang out. I think Lamar has
heard enough about him not running the ball in the
playoffs and him him being conservative and trying to be
quarterbacky or whatever. They're saying, like, hey, use everything at
your disposal, whatever's necessary to get to win. And I
think that's been his problem in the playoffs. He wants
to throw it and he stay in the pocket and
show he could be a pocket passer, and it's just
(24:48):
hasn't been. It hasn't been him, and so I think
he's gonna do whatever is necessary. You hear how hungry
Derrick Henry is from his locker room conversations. He's hung
a win. That defense they have that was struggling early
in the season, I think Zach Orr has finally figured
(25:08):
it out and made the right adjustments and that defense
is playing out of their minds now. Marlin Humphrees is
having a great season, another Pro Bowl season for him,
and I think that's gonna be the difference maker going
down to stretch. They're playing right, they're hot, they're playing
together at the right time, and I think they are
a team that can deal with the cold. You know,
if they got to go to Kansas City and get
(25:28):
it done, I think they can do that. If they
got to go to Buffalo and get it done. I
think they can do that. And so their team that's
built to have to weather the storm they're going to
have to get if they want to get a ring
this year.
Speaker 3 (25:38):
Well, we'll check the status on z Flowers. He went
out in Week eight team with an injury, but Rashad
Bateman filled in swimmingly. I mean that that guy looks fantastic.
You got Mark Andrews is healthy again, finally, big body
and like you said, the hammer Derrick Henry just wears
these teams down. I mean, the Ravens have everything they
need to make a title run and come out of
(25:59):
the AFC. It starts with the Steelers, though they got
to overcome a division fow. Let's take it to Buffalo.
Rich this team, you know, Josh Allen marvelous season. They're
hosting the Denver Broncos and bo Necks. I mean, the
guy looks like he's going to be a ten year
starter at minimum in the NFL going forward. And he's
got the perfect pairing for himself with Sean Payton. You know,
(26:21):
this is going to be a game that's certainly worth watching.
You know, the Broncos are eight and a half point dogs.
But I could see it being a lot closer than that.
You know, what are your thoughts on the Bills and
the Broncos heading into this matchup?
Speaker 1 (26:33):
Well, it could be intriguing. I think Buffalo just has
the pedigree. They're playing well. Josh Allen's having a really
fantastic season. I think Sean McDermott is doing a great
job coaching his team. Their defense is playing good enough,
but this Denver defense is one of those defenses that
could throw throw everything in the kitchen sink at Josh
(26:54):
Allen and really call some issues. And I think offsly,
if somehow bone Nicks plays a great game, you know,
he could play great, they have a chance and they
could pull an upset. But I think I don't know.
I just I don't think bone Knicks will play well
enough to beat Josh Allen in Buffalo. I think that'd
be really, really surprising if that happened. I think Josh
(27:17):
Allen is gonna will this team to a victory. They've
won their last four wild card games, and I know
this Denver defense has shown real great promise. Pratt Certannel
it might be the defensive player of the year this season,
and they do a great job against the run.
Speaker 4 (27:32):
Vans.
Speaker 1 (27:33):
Joseph deserves a lot of credit for what they've been
able to do, and it's a feel good story in
the playoffs. But Buffalo is just on another tier right
now than Denver, so this upset. If Denver found a
way to win, I'd be really really surprised. But anything
can happen in the National Football League, and sometimes a
rookie that comes in, young, dumb and full of gum
is just gonna it. Sometimes just goes out there and
(27:54):
does some things because he doesn't know, he's not supposed to,
he doesn't know what's supposed to happen. He's just out
there playing, involving and feeling good and enjoying the moment,
and sometimes that's enough to get a team going. You know,
if Sutton goes up there and makes a few big grabs,
and you know, things can happen where momentum can shift,
and Buffalo could be concerned. But I just don't see
Josh Allen losing this football game.
Speaker 3 (28:17):
I really like the Bills this year, Richard. They finally
have something they haven't had in years pass and that's
a very very reliable run game with James Cook pounding
the Rock. I mean, I think he just tied or
set the franchise record for rushing touchdowns if I'm not mistaken.
But you couple him with the ability of Josh Allen
to get on the.
Speaker 2 (28:34):
Move as well.
Speaker 3 (28:37):
I really like the Bills this year, and if it's
not this year, I don't know when. I mean, you
got Kean Coleman, you know, a wide receiver who's a
big body down downfield that they can just huck it to.
They really haven't utilized on Mari Cooper whatsoever, so I'm
wondering when he's gonna make his appearance with them. So
on the other side of the ball, the Broncos, I
mean shout out to bow Nicks for getting Courtland Sutton
(28:58):
more involved. I mean that's a rookie trusting the proven
veteran the Broncos and the Bills team that's used to
playing in the cold. Both of these guys love the matchup.
We'll see what happens. Let's talk about these season awards, Richard,
not that the season concluded. Like, what's your final say
with MVP? Are you giving it to Josh Allen? Are
(29:20):
you going to give it to Lamar Jackson. I know
we've talked about this at length and previous podcasts, but
I mean, in my opinion, it's it's a genuine toss up.
Speaker 2 (29:30):
Where does Richard Sherman lie in this?
Speaker 1 (29:32):
And now that's also about all for me. I think
it's Lamar Jackson's MVP. I think the numbers he put
up right now are historic. You know, the first four thousand,
nine hundred yard, forty touchdown five under five interception season
in NFL history. This league has been around a long time,
and there's been a lot of really incredible players to play,
(29:53):
and for somebody to have a first at this point
in time, something that's literally never been done in the
history of the league. And and I know that you
know the argument, what the argument is for Josh Allen,
but I think it's just hard for a narrative based
MVP season to go against a statistically based MVP season
(30:15):
when your narrative doesn't also include the number one seed
and dominance.
Speaker 4 (30:20):
And so.
Speaker 1 (30:22):
If the Buffalo Bills, you know, Josh Allen led them
to a to a playoff berth, and people said, oh, well,
nobody picked them to play this, well, it would sound better,
it would it would make more sense if the team
had actually underperformed at one point. I know they lost
a lot of guys, they lost a lot of pieces,
they lost Stefan Diggs, they lost a lot of veteran leadership.
(30:43):
I understand fully, but what I'm saying is in this situation,
it you have to also get the one seat. Like
they never missed the playoffs. They are a playoff team
last year. They are a playoff team this year. So
although the narrative out there may have been like, hey,
we're not sure, how could they're gonn to be this year,
they they're coming off a playoff season, so they're still
(31:04):
a playoff team, and they're a playoff team this year.
So if they were the one seed fifteen and two
with the narrative in these stats, then I could see, Hey,
they going to give it to Josh Allen. They're best
team in football. He's carrying them to this spot. I
know Lamar has had one of the most impressive seasons
in National Football League history, but it's tough to say
(31:26):
the best player on the best team. I understand that
when you're the two seed, it doesn't carry the same weight,
and so Lamar Jackson carries weight, and I know everybody's
like Dereck Henry. He has good players around him. Yeah,
it's kind of how it works. MVPs have good players
around him. I mean, that's how it's gonna weird. You're
not gonna find MVPs with bad players around him. You're
(31:47):
not gonna find good teams with bad players around him.
Speaker 4 (31:50):
You're just not.
Speaker 1 (31:51):
And Derreck Henry is having a little worse season than
he had when he had two thousand yards, and I
mean it's gonna be easier for both of them. It's
a good team. It's a good season, and that's why
he picked him up. But it doesn't take away from
forty one passing touchdowns from Lamar Jackson in only four interceptions.
Speaker 4 (32:06):
It's not like he's not throwing the ball at all.
Speaker 1 (32:08):
He's running the ball well, he's efficient, his offense is scoring,
they're winning games. They've won four straight in December, and
that's winning football, you know what I mean. These awards
are usually one in December. You know, people remember the
last things you've done. And I know that Josh Allen
has had a really good season. I would agree with him.
I'd say, man any other year, if the narrative was this,
(32:31):
he probably win it. But it's the historic season by
Lamar Jackson. That's gonna make it tough for voters to say, Hey,
forty one and four, forty one and four isn't gonna
win it? Like when is it not wanted?
Speaker 4 (32:43):
Win? Is some numbers like this not won MVP? You
find those numbers?
Speaker 3 (32:47):
For me, those are absurd stats. Let's look at the
Defensive Player of the Year. I know you've been singing
his praises all season, and that's Patrick sir Tan. He's
the overwhelming favorite to win this, above TJ. Watt and
Kirby Joseph and some other guys in there. How happy
are you to see that a corner is actually gonna
win Defensive Player of the Year or so, it looks like.
Speaker 1 (33:08):
That's pretty awesome. That's pretty awesome, and it couldn't happen
to a better guy. I think he deserves it. Patrick
Sartana has played well for so long, and he's really
been the standard for corner play over the last three
four years, and so for him to add this to
his to his resume, at this to his collection of awards,
(33:28):
is what he deserves. You know, he's been a consummate professional.
He's been the standard even for college kids. He's been
a standard for every coach to teach corners how to
play the position, and so I'm happy for him. He's
had a great season, one hundred yard pick six, made
tremendous plays, helped his defense be one of the top
defenses in the National Football League.
Speaker 4 (33:48):
So good for him.
Speaker 1 (33:50):
Obviously, pass rushers usually get it, and Miles Garrett and TJ.
Water are always around, but again, I just feel like
they're rushing the passer.
Speaker 4 (33:58):
A guy playing at a high level.
Speaker 1 (34:00):
A good defense needs to be celebrated, and that's what
they're They're getting it right this year.
Speaker 2 (34:06):
Let's look at the coach of the year.
Speaker 3 (34:07):
I mean, this is a conversation I'm looking forward to
having because you know, Vegas favors Kevin O'Connell heavily here,
followed by Dan Campbell and Sean Payton. You know, Kevin
O'Connell obviously brings Minnesota out of nowhere and finishes with
a fourteen and three record, But you know the same
could be said for Dan Campbell. I mean, granted, the
(34:28):
expectations for the Lions were to win the division and
be a Super Bowl contender coming into this season, but
still I would argue that Dan Campbell exceeded expectations with
this Detroit Lions team going fifteen and two. You know,
do you believe it's Kevin O'Connell's award or do you
think Dan Campbell should have equal state to that?
Speaker 4 (34:46):
Well?
Speaker 1 (34:46):
I think you know this is this is when it
comes down to whether you believe it's the narrative or
the expectations. You know, and I think if it's narrative,
basic guy has to go to Kevin O'Connell because he
came in with either a rookie quarterback or proven Sam Donald,
a guy who's been who's gone from a top three
pick to a journeyman coming from being a backup in
(35:07):
San Francisco behind Brock Perdy, and you're really expecting him
to start JJ McCarthy. JJ McCarthy goes out with the
meniscus injury, and now you got your force to start
Sam Donald. And just the season that he's had, the
season that Brian Flores has had, You're not talking about
a bunch of All pros and Pro Bowlers on the
defensive side of the ball. You're talking about Van Ginkel
(35:28):
and Grenard becoming Pro Bowlers this year in a great
scheme under Brian Flores, and in what they've been able
to do, which has been great. What he has done
is been masterful. These guys have come together really fast.
His scheme has been on display, his guys have played
hard for him, and they've been They won fourteen games,
and this is not a team that you expected to
(35:49):
win fourteen games. You're talking about a team that you
you really, I mean maybe ten games, you thought six
to seventh spot in the wild card. They were literally,
you know, playing for the one seed. And so I
think you have to give them credit for what they've
been able to build unexpectedly. I think the Lions you expected,
you know, they were top two NFC team last year,
(36:10):
they were in the NFC Championship, and guess what, they're
a top NFC team this year. San Francisco forty nine
ers had a bad year and fell off the face
of the earth, and the Detroit Lions have continued to
be what they were last year. And I think unfortunately
coaches get punished for that. You know, you're not Andy
Reid went fifteen to two and you're not even thinking
about him for coach a year because it's like, right,
(36:32):
you know what I mean, so sometimes you get punished
because your team's talented, because the expectations for your team
is high, are high, and that's why Kevin O'Connor will
likely get it. I mean, that's where Stefanski has multiple
Coaches of the Year and no postseason success to really
speak of.
Speaker 3 (36:50):
Well, Richard, before wrap this up, I got to get
the landscape of the Richard Sherman Power Ranks Week eighteen style.
I know that the relative irrelevant now that we're finally
in playoffs, but I got to know how you stack
up the NFL right now with these power rankings, a
lot of teams are playing at a high level.
Speaker 2 (37:09):
How do you stack them for Week eighteen, rich.
Speaker 1 (37:11):
Well, Kansas City Chiefs go one, your Detroit Lions two.
Three would have to be Baltimore Ravens. I'm gonna go
Baltimore at three, I'm gonna go Buffalo at four, and
I'm gonna go Philadelphia Eagles at five until they prove
me otherwise. If Buffalo beats Baltimore in Buffalo, then you
(37:33):
know they they color me surprised.
Speaker 3 (37:36):
The one team that the slide in those power ranks
from past weeks is the Minnesota Vikings. Fresh off the
loss of the Detroit Lions, Like, how much does that
loss really impact your view of them as a team.
Speaker 1 (37:47):
It doesn't impact my view of them in totality, but
it just did show that there was a different level
that they haven't reached yet, you know, especially with Sam Darnold.
You know, he looked flustered. He went zero for four
in the red zone, and they just the Lion's defense
doesn't They're banged up, they're depleted, and a depleted defense
helped you out of the end zone four times, turnover
(38:10):
on downs on one of those drives and helped you
to nine points. And I think probably six of those
are like you said, all nine of them were probably gifts,
you know what I mean, from turnovers that your defense
gave you. So that's where the concern level rolls for
me is just to see him not do well with
that pressure. Now, if he goes in there against the
Rams and plays a fantastic game, then you know, my
(38:31):
confidence level will increase.
Speaker 4 (38:32):
But that was concerning well.
Speaker 2 (38:35):
Richard, that concludes it.
Speaker 3 (38:37):
The regular season's over and we got a landscape of
playoff football to look forward to next weekend.
Speaker 2 (38:43):
I will let you sign us off my friend.
Speaker 4 (38:45):
Well, we appreciate you.
Speaker 1 (38:46):
Guys joining us as always, I can't wait to watch
these playoff games and see how they pan out if
your team didn't make it. Well, so I started studying
these colleges and starts figuring out what you want in
the draft. Do your mock drafts, or enjoy the playoffs
and watch these other teams and root against your rivals.
Whatever floatship vote. I'm not mad at you. We appreciate
you joining us. Whether it was for a second, a minute,
(39:07):
an hour, it does not matter. You stuck around with us,
and we sure do appreciate it. Hit that up button
if you knew the volume
Hosts And Creators
Colin Cowherd
Jason McIntyre
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