December 19, 2025 • 40 mins
Colin Cowherd breaks down one of the wildest NFL finishes of the season as the Seattle Seahawks pull off a stunning overtime comeback against the Los Angeles Rams, taking the No. 1 seed in the NFC. He explains why Darnold remains one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the NFL, despite consistently ranking among the league’s most productive QBs over the past several seasons
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
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Speaker 2 (00:21):
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Speaker 1 (00:26):
Oh what a beautiful day. Wonderful day. Couldn't be better today.
It is Friday Blazing five.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
In one hour, we are live. It is the Herd.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Wherever you may be and however you may be listening.
Thanks for making us part of your day. You know,
I'm not really into stats or anything, but here's a
couple of interesting ones. The last four teams Sam Darnold
has played for started a game four because he started
(01:00):
one game for the Niners. His last thirty nine starts,
He's thirty and nine. Here's another random stat that just
like fell into my hands last night. Sam Darnold became
the first quarterback in NFL history to win twelve games
back to back season on different teams. Brady didn't do it,
(01:23):
Joe Montana didn't do it. Farv didn't do it. Slinging
Sammy de did.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
The Rams dominated the first three quarters, and Sammy had
a couple of bad picks, but the Rams settled for
field goals in the red zone. Their special teams are shaky.
Four punts by the Rams in the fourth quarter, three
straight three and outs. I see Donald as relentless, doesn't pout,
doesn't sulk, has a short memory, and he took advantage
(01:52):
of opportunities.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Games aren't linear.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
Great first half for certain quarterbacks, bad second half. Been
saying that about Bownicks and Caleb Williams all year. I
know this, they win a lot, they're great in the
fourth and Sam Darnald has always had a little Andrew
luck and maybe a little less Brett Farv big arm,
big mobility, big playmaker. Wins a lot, and sometimes there's
(02:19):
an ugly one or two. But I thought Seattle also overreacted,
came in with a ridiculously conservative game plan based on
Sam's last game against the Rams. Sam Donald has way
too much raw talent to coach him like he's Jimmy Garoppolo.
(02:39):
You gotta live with the mistakes. You had to live
with the Andrew luckmcstakes. Donald also did this more history
last night. Donald converted three two point conversions in the
fourth quarter and overtime. No quarterback on a winning team
had done that in league history. Slinging Sammy Dee was
breaking records last night. He gets credit for that too,
(03:03):
not just criticism for the picks. Again, never pouts, doesn't sulk,
pump on his fist, takes accountability. He may not win
a Super Bowl. I mean, Farve only got one, and
Andrew Luck never got to one. He may never win
a super Bowl. But to deny his talent is being
(03:24):
stummered Sam Darnald in the fourth quarter in overtime. Forget
the convergence one hundred and five passer rating, big play
after big play. And for the record, Donald has really
struggled against Chris Shula and the Rams specifically and Chris Shula,
the defensive coordinator. Many are saying he's going to get
(03:46):
a head coaching job. In fact, he will get a
head coaching job. He's been there a while last four years.
Donald's one and three against the Rams. He's twenty nine
and six against everybody else.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
So the Rams have given him trouble.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
Well, guess what Chick gave Donald trouble two when he
was twenty one and twenty two and twenty three years
old with the New York Jets.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
He came into this league very raw, not.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
Well coached in college, not great on the white board.
But by the time he got to Carolina, that San Francisco,
that Minnesota and the Rams. To deny what he can do,
you're just being stubborn right now. The number one seed
in the NFC this year, the better conference. Sam Darnald.
(04:29):
Sam Darnald who's won thirty of his last thirty nine starts.
They're not always pretty, especially when he faces McVeigh, Shula
and the Rams. But this is what he's been doing
for years. Here's his coach after.
Speaker 4 (04:48):
Our story has stayed the same since day one with Sam.
You know, everybody else has different stories, but this is
the guy that we watch every day. It's the same
guy every day, no matter the circumstance. He's an old ti,
the competitor, he's a phenomenal leader and just keeps fighting,
just keeps plugging away. I wasn't worried about We weren't
worried about one bit. So that's Sam.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
That's Sam.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
First quarterback ever, twelve wins back to back seasons with
two different teams. I'm always impressed with people who overcome struggles.
I've said this for years. The most important thing to
success kind of in life is how you react to failure,
because everybody who takes a swing in life fails all
(05:35):
the time. Darnld just doesn't get down. He threw four
picks against the Rams last time in LA and then
we're driving for the winning field goal. He just doesn't
get down. He doesn't pout, he doesn't shrug his shoulders.
His body language isn't terrible.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
He is a fox, whole guy, my guy slinging Sammy d.
Speaker 4 (05:56):
So.
Speaker 3 (05:57):
First of all, the.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
NFC West is crazy to Seattle now leads twelve and three,
the Rams are eleven and four. San Francisco's ten and four.
Watch out for the Niners. And here's the thing about
the Rams. Salary caps mean there are no perfect teams.
Everybody's got holes. You try to hide the holes. But
(06:18):
the La Rams special teams have been an issue all
season long, and their secondary on the back end. We
watched Bryce Young torch it. So when they don't get
a great pass rush, and the Rams usually do but
not always, they are very vulnerable. So in Last Night
and the Rams are so good in so many areas.
(06:40):
They're good in the old line number two pff, they're
Noah's Ark. They got two of everything tight ends. But
earlier this year they lost to the Niners. Why special
teams mister field goal and an extra point? They lost
to the Philadelphia Eagles. Why remember this block kick? The Niners?
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Last night?
Speaker 1 (06:59):
The Seahaw and the Philadelphia Eagles. Those are three of
the four losses for the LA Rams, and special teams
was a huge factor in three of the four losses.
Speaker 3 (07:12):
In the other one, Bryce Young.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
Stafford had comeing off game and Bryce Young tore them apart.
So they're so good. I mean they've got three to
four different tight ends. They can all play Corum and
Kyron Williams. Devonte Adams was in there last night that
a seventh round receiver was taken up the slack. So
they draft well, they don't miss. Everything works for them offensively,
(07:36):
but that special teams unit and that secondary has been
costing them games all year and the last several Super
Bowl champs have not been perfect teams.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
The Rams are still my pick.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
To win the Super Bowl, but I will say this,
Stafford's not mobile, So when they go three and out,
three and out, three.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
And out in the second half.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
That's where Josh Allen can pick up first downs with
his leg you know, that's where Mahomes would win super
Bowls in the second half when you're off script and
the defense has seen all your tricks and all your
formations and all your motions. With Stafford he can have these,
you know, kind of rough second half, he kind of
gets into a rut and he's not getting you any
(08:19):
first downs with his legs, and so I thought, you know,
and I'm not blaming him, I'm just saying, is sometimes
a Josh Allen or a Mahomes or a Herbert's done
it the last couple of weeks, they'll move the change
with their legs.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
You're not getting that with Matt Stafford.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
So the special teams in the secondary are a real issue.
Matt Stafford though, four hundred and fifty yards when he
is humming, I mean, there's nothing quite like to go
to Seattle, that defensive coach, that secondary. Four hundred and
fifty seven yards, three tds, no picks.
Speaker 3 (08:56):
Here's Stafford after.
Speaker 5 (08:58):
Anytime coming here, that defense, you know, one of the best,
not the best, in the league. And you know do
we were able to do on offense, control the game,
you know, and you know, score whatever we score thirty seven.
Speaker 3 (09:12):
Feel good about it.
Speaker 5 (09:13):
Obviously, there's you know, a couple of plays we want
back to maybe score in the red zone earlier in
the game, or continue to drive where we got off
the field early in the game.
Speaker 3 (09:20):
But I was proud of our effort.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
A lot of people, myself included a little surprise. The
Rams didn't draft a corner last year. Their special teams
has lost them three games. That Carolina game, Bryce Young
had his highest highest career passer rating game against the Rams,
his entire career against the Rams.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
That's what a good pass rush.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
So the special teams last night the game changed, Rams
leading thirty fourteen, Rashid Saheed comes back, takes the punt, returning,
and I'm like, oh, it's the special teams here we got.
Saw it against the Niners, saw it against the Eagles, saw.
Speaker 3 (09:53):
It last night. It opened the door.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
And then a couple of three and outs in a row,
and Sammy d doing what he does. J Mac, I
know you were happy for him. I mean, it's hard
not to have a soul if you don't root for
Sammy d after that Judge debacle.
Speaker 6 (10:09):
Well, I'm happy that you're happy for him. I just
can't believe. Remember, Rashid Shaheed was picked up at the deadline. YEA,
every year at the deadline there's a huge move that
somebody makes that kind of swings the balance. I didn't
think Shaheed had been particularly great with the Seahawks the
first few games. Remember there was a struggle. They had
the kid hording. Yeah, who was showing and then he
had to go to the bench.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
But that that punt return was everything.
Speaker 6 (10:31):
And special teams, as you noted going into the game
con the Rams had the fewest madefield goals in the league.
We're talking about a league where Brandon Aubrey and Cameron Dickers,
these guys are automatic.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Did you notice McVeigh early on deep in his own territory.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
We're going for it. I mean, the Rams came in.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
Their takeaway is they're trying to mitigate how bad their
special teams are, so they're they're they're being hyghper aggressive,
which by the way, analytically is the right thing to
do because they're so stacked on offense. But I mean
they go for it a lot of it, just they
just don't trust their special teams.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
Let me just ask you. This is a tough question,
and I.
Speaker 6 (11:06):
Don't want people to freak out, But Colin, after that
game in Seattle, Rams led by sixteen with eight minutes left,
Seattle wins. Who do you feel is the better team
going into the playoffs? Rams or Seahawks.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
I think the Rams high end is better. They did
Devonte Adams.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
Remember, Okay, so the coach, I'd go and I love Seattles,
I'd go Rams. The quarterback, I'd go Rams. Offensive line,
I'd go Rams. Receiving targets, total, Rams, defensive front slight Rams.
The Rams out played them for three quarters. But again,
the Rams have a hole with special teams that the
(11:44):
Seahawks don't have. And the Seahawks secondary, I think is
pretty good. That's why the Puka Stafford combination last night's crazy,
because that's Seahawks secondary is super talented.
Speaker 6 (11:54):
Guys. McDonald is a sharp guy. Why did he keep
job is sewed up against Puka? He had no chance
all game.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
They're highlighting it.
Speaker 6 (12:01):
You could hear the announcer Herbstreet's like, I mean, I
stunned that they just kept doing the same damn thing
and Pooka. Of course I'm facing him in fantasy last night.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
That did not go well. I mean, greatest game ever.
Speaker 1 (12:13):
All Right, we got a lot of stuff Blazing five,
Top of Next Hour. Robert Mays from The Athletic is
so good. He'll join us on a variety of topics.
We'll go a mile deep on some stuff.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays
and noon eastern nine am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio
FS one and the iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Hey is Covino and Rich from Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 7 (12:35):
Now, In addition to hearing us live weekdays from five
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Speaker 3 (12:45):
Yup, that's right.
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Speaker 3 (13:04):
Chris Peterson.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
Later in the show, I'll make my predictions for the
college football playoff. First game to last Blazing five Top
of Next Hour, The Big Game tomorrow Packers Rick Chicago Fox.
It's going to be unbelievable seen in Chicago's biggest regular
season game in Chicago, long long time. I think it's
eight eastern on Fox. So Jeff Hafley was hired from
(13:28):
a college position. He was a head coach at BC.
Green Bay hires him.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
As the DC.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
He's been great, he'll probably get ahead job. He in
the DC for the Rams have done an amazing job,
and the team is falling apart. Sometimes in life it's
bad luck. Green Bay offensively is missing six players, and
now Michael Parsons has gone and Kenny Clark was traded.
So now you lose your best run stopper arguably and
(13:53):
your best athlete on defense. And here's Jeff Hafley.
Speaker 3 (13:58):
You can't let circumstance dick tea behavior. You know, it's
just a week ago.
Speaker 8 (14:04):
We're in here after we beat the Bears, and we're
all walking in here, all up beaten and ready to roll.
And I said, shame on you if you walk in
here any different today. It's not who we are, right,
And that's our job as leaders and as coaches to
make sure that we don't do that.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
We got really good players.
Speaker 8 (14:17):
We've played good defense and we're going to continue to
play good defense.
Speaker 3 (14:20):
And our guys understand that.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
Yeah, it may not dictate behavior, but it will dictate outcomes.
I like the Bears tomorrow, and I do not believe
Green Bay now is a Super Bowl team. If you
watched last night, who were the stars in last night's game?
Second half JSN great player, Pookah Stafford, first half, Kobe
Turner's third round on a wake forest years ago. He
(14:46):
is a Pro Bowl player. Last night a pick to sacks.
He was unbelievable. It was the best players JSN. Darnold Stafford, Pooka,
Kobe Turner. You need these great players. The NFL is
a It has been about attrition right last year. At
the end of the year, Philly's healthy, Kansas City and
the Super Bowl's not.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
And that's the reality of it.
Speaker 1 (15:08):
You can't lose your best athlete defensively, your best pass rusher,
your best tackle, your best volume receiver, Tucker Craft, your
deep threat, You're really your best deep threat, Christian Watson.
I mean, I'll put it up on the board here.
There's too many elite players. I mean, Tucker Craft made
you less of a team and now you take out
(15:29):
Christian Watson, your best deep threat, Josh Jacobs, they're in trouble.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
I mean, they weren't running.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
The ball very effectively sometimes this year with Josh Jacobs.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
So it's bad luck.
Speaker 1 (15:42):
I just don't think you can lose the best deep threat,
the best volume receiver, the best offensive tackle. And they
lost key positions. And because Kenny Clark's in the cowboy trade,
so now I lose my best run stopper and my
best athlete up front. That's why they went and got
Michael Parsons. They've lacked an athlete to close games.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
Okay, so at just.
Speaker 1 (16:06):
This is the reality of who the Packers are. Some
teams fall apart, some get healthy. Last night, those two
teams were mostly healthy. You know. The Seahawks were missing
a left tackle he'll be back, and the Rams were
missing a star receiver and Pooka made up for it.
Speaker 3 (16:23):
Jmack with the News.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
This is the herd Line news.
Speaker 6 (16:30):
All right, Colin, we got to talk about that wacky, crazy,
unbelievable two point conversion lord in Ram.
Speaker 3 (16:36):
Seahawks last night. So if you somehow missed the game,
you missed the game of the year. But Colin did.
Speaker 6 (16:41):
None of this made sense until they showed that overhead Camvin. Yeah, yeah,
which was clear that it was a backwards pass. Now,
I know everybody's been online and they've heard the whistle
blue before Zach Scharbonay picked it up in the end zone.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
That is one thousand percent clear.
Speaker 6 (16:57):
I mean, mcveigh's going to demand clarity on this because
it's very shaky. Here's mcday after the game talking about
the two pointed.
Speaker 9 (17:06):
I've never quite seen anything like what happened on the
two point conversion where you're wind up to kick off,
then they say it's a fumble because they had the
clear and obvious recovery. Now you tack it on, you
make it a thirty thirty game.
Speaker 3 (17:17):
Very interesting.
Speaker 9 (17:18):
Didn't get a clear explanation of everything that went on,
just because of some of the timing of it.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
They were trying to be able to do that.
Speaker 9 (17:25):
But that's the thing that I've said, I've never seen
anything or never been a part of anything like that,
and I've grown.
Speaker 3 (17:30):
Up around this game.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
Yeah it was I listen, this is why you have replay.
Give Charbonay credit for I don't even It's not like
he was being a learned he was just going to
pick the ball up and what was.
Speaker 3 (17:45):
Next to him. That's the only reason he picked it up.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
Right, Listen, when you win a game like this, when
you may have the two best teams in the league,
those could I'm serious, that could be the two best teams.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
In the league.
Speaker 3 (17:56):
That game was wild.
Speaker 1 (17:57):
Seattle gets dominated for three quarters and then the Seahawks
dominate in fourth quarter in overtime. Sometimes it's this is
the decision, right, Like you could the Rams can complain,
but let's be fair. The Rams had three straight three
and outs in the fourth quarter.
Speaker 3 (18:12):
Yeah. This And the other thing is when you go.
Speaker 1 (18:13):
On the road to face an elite team, and if
I would have told you before the game, the Rams
get dominated in the fourth quarter, and they also give
up a punt return for a touchdown, you would not
have thought it would have been this close. When you
give up a punt return on the road for a
touchdown against an elite team, what's the winning percentage ten
(18:33):
to fifteen percent. So it's like, you can blame the
officials all you want, but with all the Rams talent
in the fourth quarter, they had four punts in the
fourth quarter.
Speaker 6 (18:43):
Yeah, I don't think anybody's blaming the officials, right, obviously
this call is unfortunate, but there was sales six minutes left.
You're right, though, the Rams zero turnovers, five hundred yards
of offense six point six yards per play, didn't punt
through the first three quarters.
Speaker 3 (18:57):
You gotta win that game. Guys. You know, it's just
fluky stuff.
Speaker 6 (19:01):
But I don't know, what do you think they do
with this rule in the off season, because Colin, what
if the ball had kept rolling out of.
Speaker 3 (19:08):
The end zone and Charboney picked it up.
Speaker 6 (19:11):
Like then what no two pointer because he picked it up?
It just feels like there needs some clarity.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
Well, but the NFL, to its credit, and most leagues
do this. Baseball's done it. They go to the off season,
the rules committee and the NFL tweaks all the time,
and then they have a point of emphasis in the preseason.
Then they'll like overcall something, you know, to kind of
stimulate conversation, stimulate talk within locker rooms. So it's just
it's a weird break. It went their way, you know
(19:39):
in the games.
Speaker 6 (19:40):
I see this in the Super Bowl though, and in
the game two points like that would be one of
these whoa, whoa, whoa you know, kind of rough. All right,
let's go to the next Stele layer of this NFC
West story, and that's the Seahawks are now number one
in the division, numbers in the conference.
Speaker 3 (19:56):
But keep an eye. We talked about this yesterday.
Speaker 6 (19:59):
Yeah, Purdy and the San Francisco forty nine ers Colin
if they beat the Colts, I think they will, They
host the Bears, They'll be favored. They will play Seattle
in Week eighteen for the number one seed. They've let
all the time breakers nuts.
Speaker 3 (20:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
Is that insane that the Niners can be forget a
playoff team, the number one seed with the most Bosa gone,
Fred Warner gone, traded, Hafunga green Law. There are four
best players from last year gone, and Saula was doing
it with smoking mirrors. I bet people in San Francisco
(20:37):
can't name half of their defensive players. And it's It's
been an incredible coaching performance by Shanahan and Sala.
Speaker 3 (20:44):
Yeah, I'm on record.
Speaker 6 (20:46):
I think the Niners will assuming they beat the Colts
and Bears.
Speaker 3 (20:49):
I think they will.
Speaker 6 (20:50):
I think they'll win that Week eighteen game against Seattle,
and it's at home, remember, because they already beat him
in Seattle in Week one. I mean, Colin, if the
can you imagine if the Niners get the one seed,
would that then drop the Rams to the seven and they're.
Speaker 3 (21:05):
The Super Bowl favorites. Seahawks would have the tiebreaker, right
or Rams?
Speaker 1 (21:09):
I think this morning are still a little super Bowl favorites?
Speaker 3 (21:12):
Yes, as well, they should be.
Speaker 6 (21:13):
Yeah, yeah, I mean, but this the NFC West is
absolutely stacked. I mean, that division is you know, what
was it last year? Was it the AFC West that
was loaded? Remember with the good coaches?
Speaker 3 (21:25):
Maybe?
Speaker 6 (21:25):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (21:26):
I mean I don't remember which one.
Speaker 6 (21:27):
But this has got to be one of the better
divisions we've seen in recent memory.
Speaker 3 (21:30):
Just three awesome teams. You could argue the.
Speaker 6 (21:32):
Three best seams in the NFC. Sorry Bears. Final story, Colin,
Let's go.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
To the NBA.
Speaker 6 (21:37):
Yes, the basketball happened last night. The Lakers didn't play
much defense against Utah, found themselves trailing for much of
the game, and then guess what happened in the forest
Luca Legend took over forty five points, fourteen assists, eleven rebounds,
and oh by the way, he had five steals. Colin,
I mean, listen, Jack guy is unbelievable.
Speaker 3 (21:57):
The issues Lebron's plus mind, I did not look at
Lebron's plus minus lowest on the team. Interesting, No, Austin
reez last night.
Speaker 6 (22:06):
So win a game without your second best player, pretty impressive. Uh, Luca,
By the way, forty point triple doubles?
Speaker 1 (22:14):
Are you gonna mention? I'm gonna mention they've played Utah
three times in Utah is easily the worst defensive team
in the league.
Speaker 3 (22:20):
Are gonna mention that?
Speaker 6 (22:21):
I mean, you just did so no deed for me,
A pylon a win is a win, baby. Yeah, So listen,
I just wanted to give you an opportunity to say
nice stuff about Luka.
Speaker 1 (22:30):
Doncic is the I've said he is the world's best
offensive basketball player, no question he is. He is a
combination of He's for the record, skinny, Luca is also
getting to the basket more, as you know. So he
last year he settled for a lot of stuff leaning away.
He's getting to the basket. He's finishing at the rim.
So that this version of Luca, which is what we
(22:52):
saw the first three years before he got banged up
a little bit, put on some weight. It's he is
an all time great offensive player. I've said before, I
think he's a way better version of Carmelo Anthony. But
for Carmelo Anthony, I didn't think was a winning player.
But Carmelo was gonna get his twenty seven a night
like some guys can just get a bucket. And Luca's
(23:12):
the best in the world at that Right now.
Speaker 6 (23:14):
I think Christmas Night, I believe it's Lakers Rockets.
Speaker 3 (23:17):
So I'm and Thompson one of the best.
Speaker 6 (23:18):
Defenders in the last against Luca. That should be really fun, obviously.
Kevin Durant Lebron Yeah.
Speaker 3 (23:25):
J Mack with the news, Well.
Speaker 2 (23:27):
That's the news, and thanks for stopping by the herd
Line News.
Speaker 3 (23:31):
So you know it is.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
I could make an argument Matt Stafford is the last
great pure pocket passer in the NFL. Yes, he has
a lot of support. I mean three different tight ends
for the Rams. Three had multiple catches. They are again
Noah's Ark, two backs, two receivers. The Rams don't miss
on draft picks. They had a seventh round rookie last night,
(23:57):
Connada Mumfield.
Speaker 3 (23:58):
He was outstanding.
Speaker 1 (23:59):
Three big cat so I mean it's Blake Krum, It's
Kyron Williams.
Speaker 3 (24:04):
They don't.
Speaker 1 (24:05):
Jordan Whittingham's a six round wide receiver. They don't miss
on draft picks. But I'll tell you this, nine different
guys caught a pass is They always use that term
arm talent. It was on display last night in high
leverage situations. The side arms stuff great touch down, the sideline,
(24:26):
no look stuff, deep ball ease. By the way, there's
another receiver may have been an undrafted one. Yes, Pooka
is great, but he's a fifth rounder. So there are
just Matt Stafford does stuff arm wise that other people
just can't and don't do. And I do think it's
fair to say this. This is not a criticism. It's
(24:47):
a reality. He is the last great pocket passer. It
is sometimes a reality that in a second half where
Josh Allen has been so great, you know Josh can
just say I'm gonna pick up first downs. Herbert's done that,
Jalen Hurts can do that. You know Sam Donold can
do that. Stafford's got to make Hay from the pocket.
(25:09):
And I've thrown this out there and I said this
three or four years ago. What happens off this MVP
level season. If he wins a second Super Bowl, you
start looking at that resume with he and Aaron Rodgers.
I mean, but to be in your late thirties, not
be mobile in the game today, and to be putting
(25:31):
up the numbers.
Speaker 3 (25:32):
Last night was the eighth game this season.
Speaker 1 (25:34):
Three touchdowns, no picks against Mike McDonald, that defense, that
rush on the road. What is he right now? Forty touchdowns,
five picks. That is insane and arguably the best division
in football. So he is not, just to remind you of,
he is athletically the opposite of Josh Allen. We looked
(25:57):
it up. He is not rushed for a single first
down this season.
Speaker 3 (26:05):
I mean, and to be.
Speaker 1 (26:06):
And everybody knows it. The whole league knows where he's
going to be one second after the snap. The whole
league knows where he's going to be standing. Yes, he's
got McVeigh and Pooka and the tight ends.
Speaker 3 (26:20):
The PFF loves their old eye.
Speaker 1 (26:22):
I'm not denying that. In the Rams don't miss a
lot of picks. But a god reached down at some
point and he blessed Nolan Ryan, Justin Verlander and Matt
Stafford's arm. Here was Stafford on the loss in the
playoff picture.
Speaker 3 (26:40):
Go play where are we playing? Who we play?
Speaker 10 (26:43):
And put the ball down, prepare, go play. That's the
attitude this team's had this day one. This the attitude
we're going to have to the last game we play
this year. Listen, respect, everybody, fear, nobody.
Speaker 3 (26:55):
Go play.
Speaker 1 (26:57):
Josh Allen has four thirty one first downs from rushing.
Matt Stafford as zero, and it is a disadvantage. I mean,
it's always been the knock on golf. You know where
he's gonna be one second after the snap, go pursue
that area. We same thing with Stafford and it's forty touchdowns,
(27:18):
five picks.
Speaker 3 (27:19):
The guy is just an all tat.
Speaker 1 (27:21):
He is arm talent when people use that term. And
these receivers. Pukah's fifth, I'm not sure if that guy
was drafted. Wittingham is sixth. Most of the tight ends
are mid round guys, even Kyra and Williams. The running back,
I think he's a fourth rounder. They're not doing it
with these glossy you know Calvin Johnson that was with
(27:41):
him in Detroit.
Speaker 3 (27:44):
What a show by Matt Stafford.
Speaker 2 (27:47):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays
and noon Eastern not a em Pacific.
Speaker 3 (27:52):
What's better than a Saturday?
Speaker 6 (27:54):
How about a Super Saturday with an NFL doubleheader. First
it's Eagles versus Commanders, Then the Packers take on the
Bears for control of the NFC North. Pregame coverage begins
at four pm Eastern tomorrow on Fox.
Speaker 1 (28:08):
I'll tell you the Eagles Commanders is interesting because, as
you noted and Greg Cosel noted, it looks like Philadelphia
they may run the ball more is Philadelphia going to
get it right? They play the Commanders twice, so both
those games are interesting. So the college football Playoffs starts tonight,
and I thought i'd just lay out my picks. The
hardest pick for me is the game tonight Alabama Oklahoma.
(28:31):
That's a tough one, but just let me lay out
how I think it works out. So in the first round,
I think Oregon beats James Madison handily. The group of
five teams are zero to two in the playoffs, both
losses seventeen plus points. I mean, the only loss for
Oregon this year was to Indiana, who maybe the best
team in the country. So Dante More, they're healthier now
(28:54):
at wide receiver. I don't think this one's terribly close.
I like Oregon easily. I'm gonna take Oklahoma close over Alabama.
They have the better defense, they're at home, they can
run the ball a little day have won four straight game.
The Sooners have won four straight, including three against ranked teams.
(29:15):
Again at home, better defense, a little better running game.
Alabama in back to back games. It kind of feels
like we've seen Alabama what they can do and it's
basically pass. The good news is if Alabama's down in
the second half, they're built to come from behind because
of their quarterback and their three really good receivers. I'm
gonna take Old Miss over Tulane. Not difficult. Tulane's got
(29:38):
the worst point differential in yardage differential of anybody in
the playoff. Now I Old Miss, no Lane Kiffin. Are
they going to be distracted? I don't think Old Miss
will be great. I think Old Miss could lose this
game against a lot of teams. They're not losing it
against Tulane. I'm gonna take the upset here. Miami defeats
(29:59):
Texas A. I know, I know it's a home game
for the Aggies, but Miami had the best point differential
in the ACC. They were on a heater at the
end of the year. Miami's a young team getting better.
They have a very good O line D line combination.
I trust their quarterback here, Carson Beck Malachi Tony. That
freshman is maybe the best player on the field at
(30:20):
different times. Miami with an upset over an m quarterfinals.
Another upset Texas Tech over Oregon. I think everybody's sleeping
on Texas Tech. They had the number one scoring offense. Yes,
they played in a weaker conference, but all twelve of
their wins this season came by twenty two plus points,
so they dragged the teams they played. They'll come in
(30:42):
an underdog. Everybody's going to be sleeping on them. I'm
gonna take Texas Tech upset against Oregon. I think Indiana
is just a better team than Oklahoma, a much better offense.
Kurt Signetti is twenty four and two. I mean, that's
pretty amazing for Indiana. And let's be honest about Oklahoma.
(31:03):
Their offense is a struggle, and they're doing it with defense,
and they're doing it with toughness. I think they'll meet
their match in Indiana. I like Georgia to defeat Ole Miss.
Georgia has a nine game winning streak and coming off
a twenty one point win over Alabama. I think they
have better personnel. I think they're better upfront defensively, I
(31:25):
think Old Miss, if Lane Kiffen was there, would play
a really loose style game with a lot of tricks.
I don't know what I'm gonna get from Ole Miss.
I think their season ends here. I'm gonna take Ohio
State over Miami. You're not gonna run the ball much
on Ohio State, so number one scoring defense. I think
Carson Beck's gonna have to have one of his great games,
(31:47):
probably his best game as a collegiate, to win that game.
But I mean, let's be fair about Ohio State. They've
won sixteen of their last seventeen games and had a
chance to beat Indiana, who could be the best team
in the country.
Speaker 3 (31:58):
We don't know.
Speaker 1 (32:00):
We go to the semifinals, I think Indiana defeats Texas Tech.
Texas Tech did not have a terribly difficult schedule. Indiana's
was much tougher. They won at Oregon, they beat Ohio State,
so I think Indiana is more battle tested, And then
I think Ohio State will beat Georgia. Georgia had a
(32:22):
lot of close wins. Tennessee was a close win Florida
Georgia tech Ole, Miss. So this is a very good
Georgia team. It's not Georgia three years ago, four years
ago Georgia. And then I think Ohio State and Indiana,
two big ten teams, beat again. I think it's close again.
One of the star pass rushers for the Hoosiers is
(32:43):
we know that out. I think it's really really hard
to be the great staff, Ryan Day and Matt Patricia
and a loaded roster. Two times we said this last year.
Oregon beat Ohio State last year, and then Ohio State
thumped them the second time. I don't think Ohio State's
gonna thump Indiana. But my guess this is where it
(33:05):
lands again. I think the Alabama Oklahoma game is the
toughest one to call. Alabama's got no run game, Oklahoma's
offense is limited. It could be very, very low scoring.
My guess it is it's a field goal game. Jmak
your thoughts on this.
Speaker 6 (33:20):
Yeah, it's pretty clear cut that there's a top four
teams and then Oregon right after that. It's you know,
kind of a crapshoot. If Notre Dame were here, they'd
be a threat. I just it's tough for me to
go against much of this. I did bet Miami, I
did take two points with JMU, but they're winning in Oregon.
Speaker 3 (33:36):
Is gonna be impossible.
Speaker 6 (33:38):
I guess the only quibble I would have is I
would keep an eye.
Speaker 3 (33:42):
On Texas Tech.
Speaker 6 (33:42):
Maybe you sold me on them earlier. And I do
wonder if Indiana peaked early with the Big Ten championship.
They felt like they won the Super Bowl right the
reaction on the field. I know they've had some time.
We'll see how they react. But yeah, Ohios take going
back to back, Colin. That would be three straight Big
Ten champs.
Speaker 1 (33:59):
Well, not only that, but what if the Hoosiers and
the Buckeyes end up in the championship three straight and
you're getting two Big Ten teams vying for it. Listen,
we said this when NIL hit. This was my big prediction.
I said, it's the wild wild West. Eventually they'll put
guardrails on the nil, I said, but there's just more money.
The Big ten schools now with Oregon and Phil Knight Seattle,
(34:22):
big money, usc big money. The Big Ten's got more money.
Nick Saban has referenced this a lot of the SEC
schools are smaller schools, and often a very well to
do car dealer is your second biggest booster. It's more
car makers in the big ten. You've got so much
money at Michigan, Ohio State USC for the record, Mark Cuban,
(34:46):
and I think it's the Ross family at Indiana. So
the big ten schools are massive. They pour out all
sorts of graduates to the coast and they give back
to their schools. So Nick Saban's pointed this out. Everybody
can pay. The big ten schools have more money.
Speaker 6 (35:02):
So let me ask you, let's spin this forward. I
was talking with a college football gambler, a big one
about this. Let's say Alabama loses to Oklahoma and they say,
Michigan says we're going after Kayland Boor and they get
Kaylen de Bor. Yeah, what does Alabama do?
Speaker 3 (35:18):
Colin?
Speaker 6 (35:18):
Because I know for a long time Dabosweeney at Clemson
has been the guy allegedly is Alabama an upgrade from Clemson?
Speaker 8 (35:25):
Right now?
Speaker 6 (35:25):
I don't know the answer to that. Well, because like
you said, the nil has changed so much. I don't
know that Alabama's just going to be able to.
Speaker 1 (35:32):
Go well, Alabama is still a very good job, and
Greg Burns a great ad, and they'll find somebody.
Speaker 3 (35:37):
There's always a coach out there.
Speaker 1 (35:38):
I mean, the transfer portal doesn't even open up till
I think it's January now.
Speaker 3 (35:42):
So you've got time.
Speaker 1 (35:43):
The NIL has changed that you don't have to necessarily
hire a coach immediately after the season. You take a
deep breath, let the playoff play out. But I mean, listen,
Penn State found Matt Campbell late. That is a huge hit.
Speaker 6 (35:57):
Yeah, Galen doesn't be on this is you know, it
would be done a deathnel to Alabama, but it would
be devastating Alabama.
Speaker 3 (36:06):
It will always be good.
Speaker 1 (36:08):
I think going forward, they got the right ad in
the right pl they're gonna be good.
Speaker 6 (36:11):
But they also have the kind of crazy fan base,
you know, like you know, that's a thing. Michigan's fans
are passionate intents. It's different in the SEC.
Speaker 1 (36:18):
Michigan has a top ten endowment in the country. SODA's
Notre Dame. I'll say this if Texas and Texas A and
M were not in the SEC, because that's Texas money.
That's a different economy. Nick Saban pointed this out years
ago when he was at Alabama still and he faced
Texas and Sark he started complaining, as nil thing, It's
(36:41):
just why we better get guardrails. Nick new Nick called
Jimmy Sexton get me on TV. He knew that Alabama
couldn't go toe to toe with Texas and Texas and
and they can't. And they're not going to go to
tote with Ohio state money or Michigan money, or USC
money or Oregon money. They can't. Consistently they can't. So
(37:01):
there you go. I want to talk. We say this
all the time. One of the advantages the Philadelphia Eagles
have and the Rams have they have very wealthy owners
and they're very aggressive. I talked about this yesterday Seattle
GM John Snyder, he's a friend of mine, was with
him last night.
Speaker 3 (37:18):
He's a sharp dude.
Speaker 1 (37:19):
That punt return last night by Rashid Shahed that changed
the momentum of the game. You're like, wow, if they
can get one stop and get the ball back. He
also had a very key end around thirty one yard
puer speed. Two huge plays by his former New Orleans Saints,
and again this is what a Cincinnati doesn't do. A clever,
(37:41):
savvy trade deadline move. They cave up a couple of
mid late round picks. So many gms either sit on
their hands or wildly overswing. This was a great pickup
a home run hitter, you know, jet sweeps, end around
punt return and a deep threat and they didn't give
up a ton for it. And the other move that
(38:02):
happened at the trade deadline. Jacoby Myers for the Jags,
I think I just read this morning. They're signing him
to a three year deal. That has turned around the
Jag season. That Jacoby Myers. Remember when Bill Belichick let
him go, Me, you and everybody in the world.
Speaker 3 (38:19):
Went, why is your best receiver? What are you doing?
Speaker 1 (38:22):
You can barely draft offensive players. Once you get one,
don't let him go, Raiders, let him go. Jacoby Meyer's
been outstanding, so Jacoby Myers, AFC, NFC Rashid Sahed. That's
what savvy general managers do. And you know, we all
know there's gaps, some crazy owners and great ones, gaps
(38:44):
and head coaches and quarterbacks.
Speaker 3 (38:46):
Everybody knows that there's.
Speaker 1 (38:48):
A Grand Canyon gap in what the Cincinnaties of the
world do and what Seattle and Philly and the Rams
do in the front office's a great GM. Philadelphia's got
a great GM. Rams do. We've said Rams went and
got Debonni Adams. A lot of other teams go to
(39:08):
ad him, Nate Lanman, He's been unbelievable for them. Here's
Rashid Shaheed on the punk return for a touchdown.
Speaker 11 (39:16):
Based on the field position, we knew we were going
to be able to get a return. We've been focused
on that left return field return all week. We knew
that they had kind of a weak point with their
special teams, and you know we were able to circle
the part team and make a big play.
Speaker 1 (39:32):
Yeah no, and referencing again. We knew the Rams were
not good on special teams. So when I was watching
that game last night, the first three quarters, my opinion was,
you know, the Rams are better, They just have more depth.
And then I watched this and went, oh, you got
to be kidding me. Niners game, Ego game, seat game.
And then the end a round and you could just
(39:52):
feel the momentum changing. And you know, this is why
we talk about it all the time. Front off and
general managers matter a lot. I saw a story yesterday.
Here you go, you got the Bears today. Like on
the eve of planning the Packers, and yesterday the story breaks.
You know, the Bears may build a new stadium in Indiana.
(40:15):
The Bears owners are barely billionaires, a bunch of kids, mccaskey's,
you know, bad timing, just so clumsy. Ben Johnson to me,
there's your MVP of the league. Don't forget what we
thought of upstairs and the ownership of the Bears. But
that announced me yesterday was so weak
Thanks for listening to The Herd podcast. Be sure to
catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in
noon to three Eastern nine am to noon Pacific. Find
your local station for The Herd at Fox Sports Radio
dot com, or stream us live every day on the
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Speaker 2 (00:21):
You're listening to Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Oh what a beautiful day. Wonderful day. Couldn't be better today.
It is Friday Blazing five.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
In one hour, we are live. It is the Herd.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Wherever you may be and however you may be listening.
Thanks for making us part of your day. You know,
I'm not really into stats or anything, but here's a
couple of interesting ones. The last four teams Sam Darnold
has played for started a game four because he started
(01:00):
one game for the Niners. His last thirty nine starts,
He's thirty and nine. Here's another random stat that just
like fell into my hands last night. Sam Darnold became
the first quarterback in NFL history to win twelve games
back to back season on different teams. Brady didn't do it,
(01:23):
Joe Montana didn't do it. Farv didn't do it. Slinging
Sammy de did.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
The Rams dominated the first three quarters, and Sammy had
a couple of bad picks, but the Rams settled for
field goals in the red zone. Their special teams are shaky.
Four punts by the Rams in the fourth quarter, three
straight three and outs. I see Donald as relentless, doesn't pout,
doesn't sulk, has a short memory, and he took advantage
(01:52):
of opportunities.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Games aren't linear.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
Great first half for certain quarterbacks, bad second half. Been
saying that about Bownicks and Caleb Williams all year. I
know this, they win a lot, they're great in the
fourth and Sam Darnald has always had a little Andrew
luck and maybe a little less Brett Farv big arm,
big mobility, big playmaker. Wins a lot, and sometimes there's
(02:19):
an ugly one or two. But I thought Seattle also overreacted,
came in with a ridiculously conservative game plan based on
Sam's last game against the Rams. Sam Donald has way
too much raw talent to coach him like he's Jimmy Garoppolo.
(02:39):
You gotta live with the mistakes. You had to live
with the Andrew luckmcstakes. Donald also did this more history
last night. Donald converted three two point conversions in the
fourth quarter and overtime. No quarterback on a winning team
had done that in league history. Slinging Sammy Dee was
breaking records last night. He gets credit for that too,
(03:03):
not just criticism for the picks. Again, never pouts, doesn't sulk,
pump on his fist, takes accountability. He may not win
a Super Bowl. I mean, Farve only got one, and
Andrew Luck never got to one. He may never win
a super Bowl. But to deny his talent is being
(03:24):
stummered Sam Darnald in the fourth quarter in overtime. Forget
the convergence one hundred and five passer rating, big play
after big play. And for the record, Donald has really
struggled against Chris Shula and the Rams specifically and Chris Shula,
the defensive coordinator. Many are saying he's going to get
(03:46):
a head coaching job. In fact, he will get a
head coaching job. He's been there a while last four years.
Donald's one and three against the Rams. He's twenty nine
and six against everybody else.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
So the Rams have given him trouble.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
Well, guess what Chick gave Donald trouble two when he
was twenty one and twenty two and twenty three years
old with the New York Jets.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
He came into this league very raw, not.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
Well coached in college, not great on the white board.
But by the time he got to Carolina, that San Francisco,
that Minnesota and the Rams. To deny what he can do,
you're just being stubborn right now. The number one seed
in the NFC this year, the better conference. Sam Darnald.
(04:29):
Sam Darnald who's won thirty of his last thirty nine starts.
They're not always pretty, especially when he faces McVeigh, Shula
and the Rams. But this is what he's been doing
for years. Here's his coach after.
Speaker 4 (04:48):
Our story has stayed the same since day one with Sam.
You know, everybody else has different stories, but this is
the guy that we watch every day. It's the same
guy every day, no matter the circumstance. He's an old ti,
the competitor, he's a phenomenal leader and just keeps fighting,
just keeps plugging away. I wasn't worried about We weren't
worried about one bit. So that's Sam.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
That's Sam.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
First quarterback ever, twelve wins back to back seasons with
two different teams. I'm always impressed with people who overcome struggles.
I've said this for years. The most important thing to
success kind of in life is how you react to failure,
because everybody who takes a swing in life fails all
(05:35):
the time. Darnld just doesn't get down. He threw four
picks against the Rams last time in LA and then
we're driving for the winning field goal. He just doesn't
get down. He doesn't pout, he doesn't shrug his shoulders.
His body language isn't terrible.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
He is a fox, whole guy, my guy slinging Sammy d.
Speaker 4 (05:56):
So.
Speaker 3 (05:57):
First of all, the.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
NFC West is crazy to Seattle now leads twelve and three,
the Rams are eleven and four. San Francisco's ten and four.
Watch out for the Niners. And here's the thing about
the Rams. Salary caps mean there are no perfect teams.
Everybody's got holes. You try to hide the holes. But
(06:18):
the La Rams special teams have been an issue all
season long, and their secondary on the back end. We
watched Bryce Young torch it. So when they don't get
a great pass rush, and the Rams usually do but
not always, they are very vulnerable. So in Last Night
and the Rams are so good in so many areas.
(06:40):
They're good in the old line number two pff, they're
Noah's Ark. They got two of everything tight ends. But
earlier this year they lost to the Niners. Why special
teams mister field goal and an extra point? They lost
to the Philadelphia Eagles. Why remember this block kick? The Niners?
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Last night?
Speaker 1 (06:59):
The Seahaw and the Philadelphia Eagles. Those are three of
the four losses for the LA Rams, and special teams
was a huge factor in three of the four losses.
Speaker 3 (07:12):
In the other one, Bryce Young.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
Stafford had comeing off game and Bryce Young tore them apart.
So they're so good. I mean they've got three to
four different tight ends. They can all play Corum and
Kyron Williams. Devonte Adams was in there last night that
a seventh round receiver was taken up the slack. So
they draft well, they don't miss. Everything works for them offensively,
(07:36):
but that special teams unit and that secondary has been
costing them games all year and the last several Super
Bowl champs have not been perfect teams.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
The Rams are still my pick.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
To win the Super Bowl, but I will say this,
Stafford's not mobile, So when they go three and out,
three and out, three.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
And out in the second half.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
That's where Josh Allen can pick up first downs with
his leg you know, that's where Mahomes would win super
Bowls in the second half when you're off script and
the defense has seen all your tricks and all your
formations and all your motions. With Stafford he can have these,
you know, kind of rough second half, he kind of
gets into a rut and he's not getting you any
(08:19):
first downs with his legs, and so I thought, you know,
and I'm not blaming him, I'm just saying, is sometimes
a Josh Allen or a Mahomes or a Herbert's done
it the last couple of weeks, they'll move the change
with their legs.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
You're not getting that with Matt Stafford.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
So the special teams in the secondary are a real issue.
Matt Stafford though, four hundred and fifty yards when he
is humming, I mean, there's nothing quite like to go
to Seattle, that defensive coach, that secondary. Four hundred and
fifty seven yards, three tds, no picks.
Speaker 3 (08:56):
Here's Stafford after.
Speaker 5 (08:58):
Anytime coming here, that defense, you know, one of the best,
not the best, in the league. And you know do
we were able to do on offense, control the game,
you know, and you know, score whatever we score thirty seven.
Speaker 3 (09:12):
Feel good about it.
Speaker 5 (09:13):
Obviously, there's you know, a couple of plays we want
back to maybe score in the red zone earlier in
the game, or continue to drive where we got off
the field early in the game.
Speaker 3 (09:20):
But I was proud of our effort.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
A lot of people, myself included a little surprise. The
Rams didn't draft a corner last year. Their special teams
has lost them three games. That Carolina game, Bryce Young
had his highest highest career passer rating game against the Rams,
his entire career against the Rams.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
That's what a good pass rush.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
So the special teams last night the game changed, Rams
leading thirty fourteen, Rashid Saheed comes back, takes the punt, returning,
and I'm like, oh, it's the special teams here we got.
Saw it against the Niners, saw it against the Eagles, saw.
Speaker 3 (09:53):
It last night. It opened the door.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
And then a couple of three and outs in a row,
and Sammy d doing what he does. J Mac, I
know you were happy for him. I mean, it's hard
not to have a soul if you don't root for
Sammy d after that Judge debacle.
Speaker 6 (10:09):
Well, I'm happy that you're happy for him. I just
can't believe. Remember, Rashid Shaheed was picked up at the deadline. YEA,
every year at the deadline there's a huge move that
somebody makes that kind of swings the balance. I didn't
think Shaheed had been particularly great with the Seahawks the
first few games. Remember there was a struggle. They had
the kid hording. Yeah, who was showing and then he
had to go to the bench.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
But that that punt return was everything.
Speaker 6 (10:31):
And special teams, as you noted going into the game
con the Rams had the fewest madefield goals in the league.
We're talking about a league where Brandon Aubrey and Cameron Dickers,
these guys are automatic.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Did you notice McVeigh early on deep in his own territory.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
We're going for it. I mean, the Rams came in.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
Their takeaway is they're trying to mitigate how bad their
special teams are, so they're they're they're being hyghper aggressive,
which by the way, analytically is the right thing to
do because they're so stacked on offense. But I mean
they go for it a lot of it, just they
just don't trust their special teams.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
Let me just ask you. This is a tough question,
and I.
Speaker 6 (11:06):
Don't want people to freak out, But Colin, after that
game in Seattle, Rams led by sixteen with eight minutes left,
Seattle wins. Who do you feel is the better team
going into the playoffs? Rams or Seahawks.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
I think the Rams high end is better. They did
Devonte Adams.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
Remember, Okay, so the coach, I'd go and I love Seattles,
I'd go Rams. The quarterback, I'd go Rams. Offensive line,
I'd go Rams. Receiving targets, total, Rams, defensive front slight Rams.
The Rams out played them for three quarters. But again,
the Rams have a hole with special teams that the
(11:44):
Seahawks don't have. And the Seahawks secondary, I think is
pretty good. That's why the Puka Stafford combination last night's crazy,
because that's Seahawks secondary is super talented.
Speaker 6 (11:54):
Guys. McDonald is a sharp guy. Why did he keep
job is sewed up against Puka? He had no chance
all game.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
They're highlighting it.
Speaker 6 (12:01):
You could hear the announcer Herbstreet's like, I mean, I
stunned that they just kept doing the same damn thing
and Pooka. Of course I'm facing him in fantasy last night.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
That did not go well. I mean, greatest game ever.
Speaker 1 (12:13):
All Right, we got a lot of stuff Blazing five,
Top of Next Hour. Robert Mays from The Athletic is
so good. He'll join us on a variety of topics.
We'll go a mile deep on some stuff.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays
and noon eastern nine am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio
FS one and the iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Hey is Covino and Rich from Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 7 (12:35):
Now, In addition to hearing us live weekdays from five
to seven pm Eastern two to four Pacific on Fox
Sports Radio, We're excited to announce a brand new YouTube
channel for the show.
Speaker 3 (12:45):
Yup, that's right.
Speaker 7 (12:46):
You can now watch Covino and Rich live on YouTube
every day. All you gotta do search Covino and Rich
FSR on YouTube again go to YouTube search Covino and
Rich FSR. Check us out on YouTube. Subscribe that s
thumbs up icon coming away.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
Chris Peterson.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
Later in the show, I'll make my predictions for the
college football playoff. First game to last Blazing five Top
of Next Hour, The Big Game tomorrow Packers Rick Chicago Fox.
It's going to be unbelievable seen in Chicago's biggest regular
season game in Chicago, long long time. I think it's
eight eastern on Fox. So Jeff Hafley was hired from
(13:28):
a college position. He was a head coach at BC.
Green Bay hires him.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
As the DC.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
He's been great, he'll probably get ahead job. He in
the DC for the Rams have done an amazing job,
and the team is falling apart. Sometimes in life it's
bad luck. Green Bay offensively is missing six players, and
now Michael Parsons has gone and Kenny Clark was traded.
So now you lose your best run stopper arguably and
(13:53):
your best athlete on defense. And here's Jeff Hafley.
Speaker 3 (13:58):
You can't let circumstance dick tea behavior. You know, it's
just a week ago.
Speaker 8 (14:04):
We're in here after we beat the Bears, and we're
all walking in here, all up beaten and ready to roll.
And I said, shame on you if you walk in
here any different today. It's not who we are, right,
And that's our job as leaders and as coaches to
make sure that we don't do that.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
We got really good players.
Speaker 8 (14:17):
We've played good defense and we're going to continue to
play good defense.
Speaker 3 (14:20):
And our guys understand that.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
Yeah, it may not dictate behavior, but it will dictate outcomes.
I like the Bears tomorrow, and I do not believe
Green Bay now is a Super Bowl team. If you
watched last night, who were the stars in last night's game?
Second half JSN great player, Pookah Stafford, first half, Kobe
Turner's third round on a wake forest years ago. He
(14:46):
is a Pro Bowl player. Last night a pick to sacks.
He was unbelievable. It was the best players JSN. Darnold Stafford, Pooka,
Kobe Turner. You need these great players. The NFL is
a It has been about attrition right last year. At
the end of the year, Philly's healthy, Kansas City and
the Super Bowl's not.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
And that's the reality of it.
Speaker 1 (15:08):
You can't lose your best athlete defensively, your best pass rusher,
your best tackle, your best volume receiver, Tucker Craft, your
deep threat, You're really your best deep threat, Christian Watson.
I mean, I'll put it up on the board here.
There's too many elite players. I mean, Tucker Craft made
you less of a team and now you take out
(15:29):
Christian Watson, your best deep threat, Josh Jacobs, they're in trouble.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
I mean, they weren't running.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
The ball very effectively sometimes this year with Josh Jacobs.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
So it's bad luck.
Speaker 1 (15:42):
I just don't think you can lose the best deep threat,
the best volume receiver, the best offensive tackle. And they
lost key positions. And because Kenny Clark's in the cowboy trade,
so now I lose my best run stopper and my
best athlete up front. That's why they went and got
Michael Parsons. They've lacked an athlete to close games.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
Okay, so at just.
Speaker 1 (16:06):
This is the reality of who the Packers are. Some
teams fall apart, some get healthy. Last night, those two
teams were mostly healthy. You know. The Seahawks were missing
a left tackle he'll be back, and the Rams were
missing a star receiver and Pooka made up for it.
Speaker 3 (16:23):
Jmack with the News.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
This is the herd Line news.
Speaker 6 (16:30):
All right, Colin, we got to talk about that wacky, crazy,
unbelievable two point conversion lord in Ram.
Speaker 3 (16:36):
Seahawks last night. So if you somehow missed the game,
you missed the game of the year. But Colin did.
Speaker 6 (16:41):
None of this made sense until they showed that overhead Camvin. Yeah, yeah,
which was clear that it was a backwards pass. Now,
I know everybody's been online and they've heard the whistle
blue before Zach Scharbonay picked it up in the end zone.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
That is one thousand percent clear.
Speaker 6 (16:57):
I mean, mcveigh's going to demand clarity on this because
it's very shaky. Here's mcday after the game talking about
the two pointed.
Speaker 9 (17:06):
I've never quite seen anything like what happened on the
two point conversion where you're wind up to kick off,
then they say it's a fumble because they had the
clear and obvious recovery. Now you tack it on, you
make it a thirty thirty game.
Speaker 3 (17:17):
Very interesting.
Speaker 9 (17:18):
Didn't get a clear explanation of everything that went on,
just because of some of the timing of it.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
They were trying to be able to do that.
Speaker 9 (17:25):
But that's the thing that I've said, I've never seen
anything or never been a part of anything like that,
and I've grown.
Speaker 3 (17:30):
Up around this game.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
Yeah it was I listen, this is why you have replay.
Give Charbonay credit for I don't even It's not like
he was being a learned he was just going to
pick the ball up and what was.
Speaker 3 (17:45):
Next to him. That's the only reason he picked it up.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
Right, Listen, when you win a game like this, when
you may have the two best teams in the league,
those could I'm serious, that could be the two best teams.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
In the league.
Speaker 3 (17:56):
That game was wild.
Speaker 1 (17:57):
Seattle gets dominated for three quarters and then the Seahawks
dominate in fourth quarter in overtime. Sometimes it's this is
the decision, right, Like you could the Rams can complain,
but let's be fair. The Rams had three straight three
and outs in the fourth quarter.
Speaker 3 (18:12):
Yeah. This And the other thing is when you go.
Speaker 1 (18:13):
On the road to face an elite team, and if
I would have told you before the game, the Rams
get dominated in the fourth quarter, and they also give
up a punt return for a touchdown, you would not
have thought it would have been this close. When you
give up a punt return on the road for a
touchdown against an elite team, what's the winning percentage ten
(18:33):
to fifteen percent. So it's like, you can blame the
officials all you want, but with all the Rams talent
in the fourth quarter, they had four punts in the
fourth quarter.
Speaker 6 (18:43):
Yeah, I don't think anybody's blaming the officials, right, obviously
this call is unfortunate, but there was sales six minutes left.
You're right, though, the Rams zero turnovers, five hundred yards
of offense six point six yards per play, didn't punt
through the first three quarters.
Speaker 3 (18:57):
You gotta win that game. Guys. You know, it's just
fluky stuff.
Speaker 6 (19:01):
But I don't know, what do you think they do
with this rule in the off season, because Colin, what
if the ball had kept rolling out of.
Speaker 3 (19:08):
The end zone and Charboney picked it up.
Speaker 6 (19:11):
Like then what no two pointer because he picked it up?
It just feels like there needs some clarity.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
Well, but the NFL, to its credit, and most leagues
do this. Baseball's done it. They go to the off season,
the rules committee and the NFL tweaks all the time,
and then they have a point of emphasis in the preseason.
Then they'll like overcall something, you know, to kind of
stimulate conversation, stimulate talk within locker rooms. So it's just
it's a weird break. It went their way, you know
(19:39):
in the games.
Speaker 6 (19:40):
I see this in the Super Bowl though, and in
the game two points like that would be one of
these whoa, whoa, whoa you know, kind of rough. All right,
let's go to the next Stele layer of this NFC
West story, and that's the Seahawks are now number one
in the division, numbers in the conference.
Speaker 3 (19:56):
But keep an eye. We talked about this yesterday.
Speaker 6 (19:59):
Yeah, Purdy and the San Francisco forty nine ers Colin
if they beat the Colts, I think they will, They
host the Bears, They'll be favored. They will play Seattle
in Week eighteen for the number one seed. They've let
all the time breakers nuts.
Speaker 3 (20:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
Is that insane that the Niners can be forget a
playoff team, the number one seed with the most Bosa gone,
Fred Warner gone, traded, Hafunga green Law. There are four
best players from last year gone, and Saula was doing
it with smoking mirrors. I bet people in San Francisco
(20:37):
can't name half of their defensive players. And it's It's
been an incredible coaching performance by Shanahan and Sala.
Speaker 3 (20:44):
Yeah, I'm on record.
Speaker 6 (20:46):
I think the Niners will assuming they beat the Colts
and Bears.
Speaker 3 (20:49):
I think they will.
Speaker 6 (20:50):
I think they'll win that Week eighteen game against Seattle,
and it's at home, remember, because they already beat him
in Seattle in Week one. I mean, Colin, if the
can you imagine if the Niners get the one seed,
would that then drop the Rams to the seven and they're.
Speaker 3 (21:05):
The Super Bowl favorites. Seahawks would have the tiebreaker, right
or Rams?
Speaker 1 (21:09):
I think this morning are still a little super Bowl favorites?
Speaker 3 (21:12):
Yes, as well, they should be.
Speaker 6 (21:13):
Yeah, yeah, I mean, but this the NFC West is
absolutely stacked. I mean, that division is you know, what
was it last year? Was it the AFC West that
was loaded? Remember with the good coaches?
Speaker 3 (21:25):
Maybe?
Speaker 6 (21:25):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (21:26):
I mean I don't remember which one.
Speaker 6 (21:27):
But this has got to be one of the better
divisions we've seen in recent memory.
Speaker 3 (21:30):
Just three awesome teams. You could argue the.
Speaker 6 (21:32):
Three best seams in the NFC. Sorry Bears. Final story, Colin,
Let's go.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
To the NBA.
Speaker 6 (21:37):
Yes, the basketball happened last night. The Lakers didn't play
much defense against Utah, found themselves trailing for much of
the game, and then guess what happened in the forest
Luca Legend took over forty five points, fourteen assists, eleven rebounds,
and oh by the way, he had five steals. Colin,
I mean, listen, Jack guy is unbelievable.
Speaker 3 (21:57):
The issues Lebron's plus mind, I did not look at
Lebron's plus minus lowest on the team. Interesting, No, Austin
reez last night.
Speaker 6 (22:06):
So win a game without your second best player, pretty impressive. Uh, Luca,
By the way, forty point triple doubles?
Speaker 1 (22:14):
Are you gonna mention? I'm gonna mention they've played Utah
three times in Utah is easily the worst defensive team
in the league.
Speaker 3 (22:20):
Are gonna mention that?
Speaker 6 (22:21):
I mean, you just did so no deed for me,
A pylon a win is a win, baby. Yeah, So listen,
I just wanted to give you an opportunity to say
nice stuff about Luka.
Speaker 1 (22:30):
Doncic is the I've said he is the world's best
offensive basketball player, no question he is. He is a
combination of He's for the record, skinny, Luca is also
getting to the basket more, as you know. So he
last year he settled for a lot of stuff leaning away.
He's getting to the basket. He's finishing at the rim.
So that this version of Luca, which is what we
(22:52):
saw the first three years before he got banged up
a little bit, put on some weight. It's he is
an all time great offensive player. I've said before, I
think he's a way better version of Carmelo Anthony. But
for Carmelo Anthony, I didn't think was a winning player.
But Carmelo was gonna get his twenty seven a night
like some guys can just get a bucket. And Luca's
(23:12):
the best in the world at that Right now.
Speaker 6 (23:14):
I think Christmas Night, I believe it's Lakers Rockets.
Speaker 3 (23:17):
So I'm and Thompson one of the best.
Speaker 6 (23:18):
Defenders in the last against Luca. That should be really fun, obviously.
Kevin Durant Lebron Yeah.
Speaker 3 (23:25):
J Mack with the news, Well.
Speaker 2 (23:27):
That's the news, and thanks for stopping by the herd
Line News.
Speaker 3 (23:31):
So you know it is.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
I could make an argument Matt Stafford is the last
great pure pocket passer in the NFL. Yes, he has
a lot of support. I mean three different tight ends
for the Rams. Three had multiple catches. They are again
Noah's Ark, two backs, two receivers. The Rams don't miss
on draft picks. They had a seventh round rookie last night,
(23:57):
Connada Mumfield.
Speaker 3 (23:58):
He was outstanding.
Speaker 1 (23:59):
Three big cat so I mean it's Blake Krum, It's
Kyron Williams.
Speaker 3 (24:04):
They don't.
Speaker 1 (24:05):
Jordan Whittingham's a six round wide receiver. They don't miss
on draft picks. But I'll tell you this, nine different
guys caught a pass is They always use that term
arm talent. It was on display last night in high
leverage situations. The side arms stuff great touch down, the sideline,
(24:26):
no look stuff, deep ball ease. By the way, there's
another receiver may have been an undrafted one. Yes, Pooka
is great, but he's a fifth rounder. So there are
just Matt Stafford does stuff arm wise that other people
just can't and don't do. And I do think it's
fair to say this. This is not a criticism. It's
(24:47):
a reality. He is the last great pocket passer. It
is sometimes a reality that in a second half where
Josh Allen has been so great, you know Josh can
just say I'm gonna pick up first downs. Herbert's done that,
Jalen Hurts can do that. You know Sam Donold can
do that. Stafford's got to make Hay from the pocket.
(25:09):
And I've thrown this out there and I said this
three or four years ago. What happens off this MVP
level season. If he wins a second Super Bowl, you
start looking at that resume with he and Aaron Rodgers.
I mean, but to be in your late thirties, not
be mobile in the game today, and to be putting
(25:31):
up the numbers.
Speaker 3 (25:32):
Last night was the eighth game this season.
Speaker 1 (25:34):
Three touchdowns, no picks against Mike McDonald, that defense, that
rush on the road. What is he right now? Forty touchdowns,
five picks. That is insane and arguably the best division
in football. So he is not, just to remind you of,
he is athletically the opposite of Josh Allen. We looked
(25:57):
it up. He is not rushed for a single first
down this season.
Speaker 3 (26:05):
I mean, and to be.
Speaker 1 (26:06):
And everybody knows it. The whole league knows where he's
going to be one second after the snap. The whole
league knows where he's going to be standing. Yes, he's
got McVeigh and Pooka and the tight ends.
Speaker 3 (26:20):
The PFF loves their old eye.
Speaker 1 (26:22):
I'm not denying that. In the Rams don't miss a
lot of picks. But a god reached down at some
point and he blessed Nolan Ryan, Justin Verlander and Matt
Stafford's arm. Here was Stafford on the loss in the
playoff picture.
Speaker 3 (26:40):
Go play where are we playing? Who we play?
Speaker 10 (26:43):
And put the ball down, prepare, go play. That's the
attitude this team's had this day one. This the attitude
we're going to have to the last game we play
this year. Listen, respect, everybody, fear, nobody.
Speaker 3 (26:55):
Go play.
Speaker 1 (26:57):
Josh Allen has four thirty one first downs from rushing.
Matt Stafford as zero, and it is a disadvantage. I mean,
it's always been the knock on golf. You know where
he's gonna be one second after the snap, go pursue
that area. We same thing with Stafford and it's forty touchdowns,
(27:18):
five picks.
Speaker 3 (27:19):
The guy is just an all tat.
Speaker 1 (27:21):
He is arm talent when people use that term. And
these receivers. Pukah's fifth, I'm not sure if that guy
was drafted. Wittingham is sixth. Most of the tight ends
are mid round guys, even Kyra and Williams. The running back,
I think he's a fourth rounder. They're not doing it
with these glossy you know Calvin Johnson that was with
(27:41):
him in Detroit.
Speaker 3 (27:44):
What a show by Matt Stafford.
Speaker 2 (27:47):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays
and noon Eastern not a em Pacific.
Speaker 3 (27:52):
What's better than a Saturday?
Speaker 6 (27:54):
How about a Super Saturday with an NFL doubleheader. First
it's Eagles versus Commanders, Then the Packers take on the
Bears for control of the NFC North. Pregame coverage begins
at four pm Eastern tomorrow on Fox.
Speaker 1 (28:08):
I'll tell you the Eagles Commanders is interesting because, as
you noted and Greg Cosel noted, it looks like Philadelphia
they may run the ball more is Philadelphia going to
get it right? They play the Commanders twice, so both
those games are interesting. So the college football Playoffs starts tonight,
and I thought i'd just lay out my picks. The
hardest pick for me is the game tonight Alabama Oklahoma.
(28:31):
That's a tough one, but just let me lay out
how I think it works out. So in the first round,
I think Oregon beats James Madison handily. The group of
five teams are zero to two in the playoffs, both
losses seventeen plus points. I mean, the only loss for
Oregon this year was to Indiana, who maybe the best
team in the country. So Dante More, they're healthier now
(28:54):
at wide receiver. I don't think this one's terribly close.
I like Oregon easily. I'm gonna take Oklahoma close over Alabama.
They have the better defense, they're at home, they can
run the ball a little day have won four straight game.
The Sooners have won four straight, including three against ranked teams.
(29:15):
Again at home, better defense, a little better running game.
Alabama in back to back games. It kind of feels
like we've seen Alabama what they can do and it's
basically pass. The good news is if Alabama's down in
the second half, they're built to come from behind because
of their quarterback and their three really good receivers. I'm
gonna take Old Miss over Tulane. Not difficult. Tulane's got
(29:38):
the worst point differential in yardage differential of anybody in
the playoff. Now I Old Miss, no Lane Kiffin. Are
they going to be distracted? I don't think Old Miss
will be great. I think Old Miss could lose this
game against a lot of teams. They're not losing it
against Tulane. I'm gonna take the upset here. Miami defeats
(29:59):
Texas A. I know, I know it's a home game
for the Aggies, but Miami had the best point differential
in the ACC. They were on a heater at the
end of the year. Miami's a young team getting better.
They have a very good O line D line combination.
I trust their quarterback here, Carson Beck Malachi Tony. That
freshman is maybe the best player on the field at
(30:20):
different times. Miami with an upset over an m quarterfinals.
Another upset Texas Tech over Oregon. I think everybody's sleeping
on Texas Tech. They had the number one scoring offense. Yes,
they played in a weaker conference, but all twelve of
their wins this season came by twenty two plus points,
so they dragged the teams they played. They'll come in
(30:42):
an underdog. Everybody's going to be sleeping on them. I'm
gonna take Texas Tech upset against Oregon. I think Indiana
is just a better team than Oklahoma, a much better offense.
Kurt Signetti is twenty four and two. I mean, that's
pretty amazing for Indiana. And let's be honest about Oklahoma.
(31:03):
Their offense is a struggle, and they're doing it with defense,
and they're doing it with toughness. I think they'll meet
their match in Indiana. I like Georgia to defeat Ole Miss.
Georgia has a nine game winning streak and coming off
a twenty one point win over Alabama. I think they
have better personnel. I think they're better upfront defensively, I
(31:25):
think Old Miss, if Lane Kiffen was there, would play
a really loose style game with a lot of tricks.
I don't know what I'm gonna get from Ole Miss.
I think their season ends here. I'm gonna take Ohio
State over Miami. You're not gonna run the ball much
on Ohio State, so number one scoring defense. I think
Carson Beck's gonna have to have one of his great games,
(31:47):
probably his best game as a collegiate, to win that game.
But I mean, let's be fair about Ohio State. They've
won sixteen of their last seventeen games and had a
chance to beat Indiana, who could be the best team
in the country.
Speaker 3 (31:58):
We don't know.
Speaker 1 (32:00):
We go to the semifinals, I think Indiana defeats Texas Tech.
Texas Tech did not have a terribly difficult schedule. Indiana's
was much tougher. They won at Oregon, they beat Ohio State,
so I think Indiana is more battle tested, And then
I think Ohio State will beat Georgia. Georgia had a
(32:22):
lot of close wins. Tennessee was a close win Florida
Georgia tech Ole, Miss. So this is a very good
Georgia team. It's not Georgia three years ago, four years
ago Georgia. And then I think Ohio State and Indiana,
two big ten teams, beat again. I think it's close again.
One of the star pass rushers for the Hoosiers is
(32:43):
we know that out. I think it's really really hard
to be the great staff, Ryan Day and Matt Patricia
and a loaded roster. Two times we said this last year.
Oregon beat Ohio State last year, and then Ohio State
thumped them the second time. I don't think Ohio State's
gonna thump Indiana. But my guess this is where it
(33:05):
lands again. I think the Alabama Oklahoma game is the
toughest one to call. Alabama's got no run game, Oklahoma's
offense is limited. It could be very, very low scoring.
My guess it is it's a field goal game. Jmak
your thoughts on this.
Speaker 6 (33:20):
Yeah, it's pretty clear cut that there's a top four
teams and then Oregon right after that. It's you know,
kind of a crapshoot. If Notre Dame were here, they'd
be a threat. I just it's tough for me to
go against much of this. I did bet Miami, I
did take two points with JMU, but they're winning in Oregon.
Speaker 3 (33:36):
Is gonna be impossible.
Speaker 6 (33:38):
I guess the only quibble I would have is I
would keep an eye.
Speaker 3 (33:42):
On Texas Tech.
Speaker 6 (33:42):
Maybe you sold me on them earlier. And I do
wonder if Indiana peaked early with the Big Ten championship.
They felt like they won the Super Bowl right the
reaction on the field. I know they've had some time.
We'll see how they react. But yeah, Ohios take going
back to back, Colin. That would be three straight Big
Ten champs.
Speaker 1 (33:59):
Well, not only that, but what if the Hoosiers and
the Buckeyes end up in the championship three straight and
you're getting two Big Ten teams vying for it. Listen,
we said this when NIL hit. This was my big prediction.
I said, it's the wild wild West. Eventually they'll put
guardrails on the nil, I said, but there's just more money.
The Big ten schools now with Oregon and Phil Knight Seattle,
(34:22):
big money, usc big money. The Big Ten's got more money.
Nick Saban has referenced this a lot of the SEC
schools are smaller schools, and often a very well to
do car dealer is your second biggest booster. It's more
car makers in the big ten. You've got so much
money at Michigan, Ohio State USC for the record, Mark Cuban,
(34:46):
and I think it's the Ross family at Indiana. So
the big ten schools are massive. They pour out all
sorts of graduates to the coast and they give back
to their schools. So Nick Saban's pointed this out. Everybody
can pay. The big ten schools have more money.
Speaker 6 (35:02):
So let me ask you, let's spin this forward. I
was talking with a college football gambler, a big one
about this. Let's say Alabama loses to Oklahoma and they say,
Michigan says we're going after Kayland Boor and they get
Kaylen de Bor. Yeah, what does Alabama do?
Speaker 3 (35:18):
Colin?
Speaker 6 (35:18):
Because I know for a long time Dabosweeney at Clemson
has been the guy allegedly is Alabama an upgrade from Clemson?
Speaker 8 (35:25):
Right now?
Speaker 6 (35:25):
I don't know the answer to that. Well, because like
you said, the nil has changed so much. I don't
know that Alabama's just going to be able to.
Speaker 1 (35:32):
Go well, Alabama is still a very good job, and
Greg Burns a great ad, and they'll find somebody.
Speaker 3 (35:37):
There's always a coach out there.
Speaker 1 (35:38):
I mean, the transfer portal doesn't even open up till
I think it's January now.
Speaker 3 (35:42):
So you've got time.
Speaker 1 (35:43):
The NIL has changed that you don't have to necessarily
hire a coach immediately after the season. You take a
deep breath, let the playoff play out. But I mean, listen,
Penn State found Matt Campbell late. That is a huge hit.
Speaker 6 (35:57):
Yeah, Galen doesn't be on this is you know, it
would be done a deathnel to Alabama, but it would
be devastating Alabama.
Speaker 3 (36:06):
It will always be good.
Speaker 1 (36:08):
I think going forward, they got the right ad in
the right pl they're gonna be good.
Speaker 6 (36:11):
But they also have the kind of crazy fan base,
you know, like you know, that's a thing. Michigan's fans
are passionate intents. It's different in the SEC.
Speaker 1 (36:18):
Michigan has a top ten endowment in the country. SODA's
Notre Dame. I'll say this if Texas and Texas A and
M were not in the SEC, because that's Texas money.
That's a different economy. Nick Saban pointed this out years
ago when he was at Alabama still and he faced
Texas and Sark he started complaining, as nil thing, It's
(36:41):
just why we better get guardrails. Nick new Nick called
Jimmy Sexton get me on TV. He knew that Alabama
couldn't go toe to toe with Texas and Texas and
and they can't. And they're not going to go to
tote with Ohio state money or Michigan money, or USC
money or Oregon money. They can't. Consistently they can't. So
(37:01):
there you go. I want to talk. We say this
all the time. One of the advantages the Philadelphia Eagles
have and the Rams have they have very wealthy owners
and they're very aggressive. I talked about this yesterday Seattle
GM John Snyder, he's a friend of mine, was with
him last night.
Speaker 3 (37:18):
He's a sharp dude.
Speaker 1 (37:19):
That punt return last night by Rashid Shahed that changed
the momentum of the game. You're like, wow, if they
can get one stop and get the ball back. He
also had a very key end around thirty one yard
puer speed. Two huge plays by his former New Orleans Saints,
and again this is what a Cincinnati doesn't do. A clever,
(37:41):
savvy trade deadline move. They cave up a couple of
mid late round picks. So many gms either sit on
their hands or wildly overswing. This was a great pickup
a home run hitter, you know, jet sweeps, end around
punt return and a deep threat and they didn't give
up a ton for it. And the other move that
(38:02):
happened at the trade deadline. Jacoby Myers for the Jags,
I think I just read this morning. They're signing him
to a three year deal. That has turned around the
Jag season. That Jacoby Myers. Remember when Bill Belichick let
him go, Me, you and everybody in the world.
Speaker 3 (38:19):
Went, why is your best receiver? What are you doing?
Speaker 1 (38:22):
You can barely draft offensive players. Once you get one,
don't let him go, Raiders, let him go. Jacoby Meyer's
been outstanding, so Jacoby Myers, AFC, NFC Rashid Sahed. That's
what savvy general managers do. And you know, we all
know there's gaps, some crazy owners and great ones, gaps
(38:44):
and head coaches and quarterbacks.
Speaker 3 (38:46):
Everybody knows that there's.
Speaker 1 (38:48):
A Grand Canyon gap in what the Cincinnaties of the
world do and what Seattle and Philly and the Rams
do in the front office's a great GM. Philadelphia's got
a great GM. Rams do. We've said Rams went and
got Debonni Adams. A lot of other teams go to
(39:08):
ad him, Nate Lanman, He's been unbelievable for them. Here's
Rashid Shaheed on the punk return for a touchdown.
Speaker 11 (39:16):
Based on the field position, we knew we were going
to be able to get a return. We've been focused
on that left return field return all week. We knew
that they had kind of a weak point with their
special teams, and you know we were able to circle
the part team and make a big play.
Speaker 1 (39:32):
Yeah no, and referencing again. We knew the Rams were
not good on special teams. So when I was watching
that game last night, the first three quarters, my opinion was,
you know, the Rams are better, They just have more depth.
And then I watched this and went, oh, you got
to be kidding me. Niners game, Ego game, seat game.
And then the end a round and you could just
(39:52):
feel the momentum changing. And you know, this is why
we talk about it all the time. Front off and
general managers matter a lot. I saw a story yesterday.
Here you go, you got the Bears today. Like on
the eve of planning the Packers, and yesterday the story breaks.
You know, the Bears may build a new stadium in Indiana.
(40:15):
The Bears owners are barely billionaires, a bunch of kids, mccaskey's,
you know, bad timing, just so clumsy. Ben Johnson to me,
there's your MVP of the league. Don't forget what we
thought of upstairs and the ownership of the Bears. But
that announced me yesterday was so weak
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