The Richard Sherman Podcast - 2024 NFL season predictions: 49ers-Chiefs Super Bowl rematch?

Richard Sherman is back to give his final predictions for the 2024 season. Richard goes through each division and forecast each team's fate – will the San Francisco 49ers overcome the offseason drama to make it back to the Super Bowl? Can anyone stop Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs from a three-peat? Are CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans a dark horse to come out of the AFC? Richard has answers for all of that and more, and caps off the show by giving his picks for the Super Bowl winner, NFL MVP, and all of the major awards.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
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Speaker 2 (01:36):
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All right, man, you go ahead. Welcome to the Richard
Sherman Podcast. And before we get started, we got an
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(01:59):
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(02:23):
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(02:47):
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of you and, without further ado, without further delay, welcome

(03:11):
back to the Richard Sherman Podcast. We got a hell
of a show for.

Speaker 1 (03:16):
You, Richard. Nothing says we have finally arrived like getting
a title sponsor like Brightling. I mean, this just says
it all. We're excited to get into it.

Speaker 2 (03:28):
It's the twenty twenty fourth season, so exciting. Everybody ready
for a new start. Everybody starts zero and zero everybody
has hopes of a Super Bowl win holding up the
Lombardi Trophy. Mitchell, I know you feel great about your
Detroit Lions in that NFC North, and I feel good
about the San Francisco forty nine Ers and the Seattle

(03:49):
Seahawks this year with new coach Mike McDonald and the
scheme that he's been drawing up. There's a lot of
excitement and a lot of energy coming out of that
training camp. How you feeling, Mitchell.

Speaker 1 (03:59):
Richard fired up? I for one am going to the
game Sunday night. Matthew Stafford returns back home to Detroit again,
where he was met with a chorus of booze during
that playoff win. No surprise there being in Detroit of
this Detroit city wants wins, especially in the playoffs. We're
not used to them. Let's just start out by you
your territory, the NFC West, where our listeners love to live.

(04:23):
Let's take it down the line. Vegas has some predictions
out there. They got the Niners at over under eleven
and a half, the Rams that over undered eight and
a half wins, the Seahawks over under seven and a half.
That might be a little light and then the Cardinals
at six and a half. Richard, what are your thoughts
of the NFC wes. Who's taken the crown this season?

Speaker 2 (04:44):
Well, Mitchell, it's gonna be It's gonna be a dog fight,
much more than it has been the last couple of years. Obviously,
the Rams surprised a lot of people last year with
how well they played. Sean McVay raheem. They did a
great job with that team, very young team, pooking the
cool came out of nowhere. They played really well defensively.

(05:04):
But now you know, you're not gonna have Aaron Donald,
You're gonna have Stafford another year older. You know, how
was Cooper Cup's health? He had a down year ish
last year. Can pook in the cool repeat? Kyron Williams
was a was a revelation last year. Can he continue?
Those are the questions they need to answer if they're

(05:25):
gonna have success in this conference. I got him right
around what Vegas has them that Mitchell eight eight and
a half wins, you know, eight wins, nine wins just
over a winning season, maybe sneaking to the playoffs at
the end. Sean McVay obviously is gonna draw it up Well,
they're gonna have a good good chance, but starting out
in Detroit is gonna be tough. It's gonna be tough
to go out there and win with the way Detroit

(05:46):
is built, the way Dan Campbell has built this team,
this culture, the way this community has gotten behind them. Mitchell,
there's a lot of positive energy coming out of Detroit,
and they have a really good team. Let's not let's
not say it's all good energy out to winning these balls. Okay,
they have a really good team. They're paying their guys.
I'm and Ross Saint Brown got paid, Piney Sewell got paid. Defensively,

(06:07):
they filled some holes with Carlton Davis at the corner spot.
They drafted well, Branch will be better, Hutchinson will be better.
I think this is going to be a really tough
out for anybody going to Detroit or playing them on
the road either way. But I do think the San
Francisco forty nine ers have a really good chance to
win this division. Again, I think the Seattle Seahawks are

(06:30):
going to give them a run for their money in
a dogfight, especially with the scheme that Mike McDonald has.
They had a lot of trouble with it when he
was in Baltimore. Obviously, this is a different place, different personnel.
But one thing the Seattle Seahawks have done is they
have invested in that defensive line a ton. They got
Leonard Williams, they just drafted Byron Murphy. Draymont Jones is

(06:50):
playing in his more natural position on the end in
a You know, it's hard to say three four four
to three. You know, it's all gonna look pretty blended
at this point. But they got Jaron Reid, who's gonna
be a monster within this scheme. It's gonna be really
fun to watch. Boye Mafe has been a menace. It's
gonna be really fun to watch that lineback in court.

(07:12):
It leaves a lot to be desired at this point
in time. I look forward to seeing what they can do.
I try to tell people, hey, you need to keep
Bobby Wagner. People say, oh, you're crazy new blood. Knew this,
knew that well. I got high hopes for your dog
and we don't see. But in the secondary, they're going
to be fantastic with Devin Witherspoon. I think Tarik Wooland
had that shoulder injury last year, but he's poised to

(07:33):
return to the upper echelon of cornerback play and to
be one of the best corners in the National Football League.
Devin Witherspoon is going to be an all around great player,
especially playing that nickelback role, the role Kyle Hamilton I
think played last year. I think Kobe Bryant, not the
late great, but the Kobe Bryant who moved from nickel
to safety on this defense is going to have a

(07:54):
great impact. I think that's a phenomenal move for him.
Jordan Love is going to be continued to be a great.
But the San Francisco forty nine ers have gotten Trent
Williams in the building. I believe, you know, reports reports, reports,
I can't confirm. I'm not there. I wasn't on the
plane with him. I'm not seeing any Instagram updates. But
I'm pretty sure they got him in the building just

(08:15):
in time to get ready for this game. I believe
if anybody else was gonna come in this late into
the process, I'd be like, I don't know if he's ready.
But Trent Williams, at thirty six years old, played the
best left tackle in football, and I think that's been
pretty unanimous. I think he's gonna come in ready to play.
I think he's gonna come in ready to do his
job at a high level. They got the New York

(08:35):
Jets at home on Monday night, a Rodd's return again.
A Rod has not historically played well against the San
Francisco forty nine ers. I think they're gonna be able
to come out of that game with a win. I
know it's been a tumultuous offseason for him, but I
still think they have everything that it takes. I look
forward to seeing Nick Sorenson and what he can do

(08:56):
with this defense. It's gonna be consistency. It's gonna be letting,
the pass rush, rush, the coverage cover. I think Charvarius
Ward and Diamador Leonor are gonna help elevate this team.
Talanoa Hufanga, Oh, I love to hear that he's back.
He's questionable obviously for Week one, but he's back in
the fold. I think this is gonna be a fun
year for this team. Nicholas John Bolsa, everybody knows is

(09:18):
gonna have a really great year, a huge impact. Javon Hargrave,
he's gonna have to play. What are they gonna do
without Eric Armstead. Can the guys that they replaced him
with by committee be able to replace his impact? Because
he his impact was much bigger than the stat sheet
could ever show, And that the offensive line this preseason,
we saw what they could look like without Trent Williams.

(09:39):
Now that he's back in the fold, are we gonna
see a little bit more continuity there? Are we gonna
see a little bit more Consistentcye, Christian McCaffrey, Deebo, Samuel Brandon, Ayu,
Ricky Purcell. Parcell just got shot, but he was in
the weight room the other day, Mitchell, I respect the kid.
He's getting a lot of street credit, Mitchell's he's walking
in that locker room. You know, play many men got

(10:02):
which death upon me? Blood and my dog? And I
can't see, like, Mitchell, you get shot and two days
later I'm in the weight room. This is dedication. This
is dedication you like, I can't wait to see it.

Speaker 1 (10:17):
It's wild, Richard, It's an absolutely wild story. I mean,
this guy, like you said, getting shot, coming back two
days later, that says a lot about him. And I'm
sure he gained a ton ton of respect in that
locker room.

Speaker 2 (10:32):
Richard.

Speaker 1 (10:32):
The Richard Sherman podcast brought good fortune to the San
Francisco forty nine ers right after we wrapped our segment
last week the big story of the off season with
Brandon Ayuk, and we were talking about it last week,
and then I think the Richard Sherman Podcast might have
brought some good fortune and good luck to San Francisco
forty nine er land because right after we wrapped, we
got news that Brandon Ayuk has signed his mega extension,

(10:54):
which is huge, and Richard, I got a feeling just
maybe maybe we might bring more good luck and good
fortune to the folks out in San Francisco that Trent
Williams might be signing his extension right after we wrapped
this up as well. Richard, with that being said, with
the off season issues of Ayuk and Trent Williams now
hopefully behind San Francisco, are you worries about this team decreased?

(11:17):
Do you think that they come out of this division victorious?

Speaker 2 (11:21):
Well, my concern level without Trent Williams in the building
was a nine point four, Mitchell very concern with him
back in the building. With Brandon Ayuk situation resolved, I'm
very happy for Ba. He deserved every penny. He deserves
what he gets. He's a tremendous teammate, tremendous guy, tremendous player.
Happy for him and his family. Another guy in the

(11:42):
volte but again the San Francisco forty nine ers or
on a timer Mitchell times ticking like it has to
be now, it has to be now. It's a lot
of things, a lot of tough decisions happened last next year.
Obviously it started this year. They lost Eric Armstead. That
was a tough decision. I don't care what you say,
I don't care what you think. That's a very tough decision.

(12:04):
The guy's playing his whole career there, done a great
job for this team, and now they're playing without him
because it was financial, you know, the salary cap is
what it is. That cap hit was too big and
they had to move on, which is I think every
each side understood. Eric got paid in Jacksonville. But I
feel really good with Trent Williams back in the building.
I think he solidifies this team. I think he's an enforcer.

(12:26):
I think he's a leader. Obviously one of the best
football players in the National Football League, and he helps
his team tremendously. I think I feel really good about
them being a one or two seed in the NFC
this year. You know, with fingers crossed, you know, great
health for the team, but you know everything. This is
why people love football, because anything can happen. Any given week.

(12:46):
Your season could be in jeopardy. One guy sprains an ankle,
and now you know he's out four games and we're
talking and having a whole different conversation. But I think
they're gonna do well, and I'm excited for BA. I'm
happy for Trent, him getting his money. Has the best
tackle again. I don't know how the tackle market got
so far away from the receiver market. That's another question

(13:08):
for another day. But it's gonna be fun. It's gonna
be fun this season. I think it's gonna be a
very competitive NFC West. I do not see the Arizona
Cardinals doing a lot. I'm sorry, Phoenix fans, Cardinal fans.
I don't see a lot of talent on either side
of the ball. Obviously, Marvin Harrison Junr. Is gonna be fantastic,
even though they can't sell his jersey yet and he's

(13:29):
in a lawsuit with fanatics. You know, that's a whole
different story for a different day. But Kyler Murray, you know,
I think he's on the hot seat a bit. You
got to figure out if he's gonna be a franchise
quarterback or not. And I think it's a legitimate question.
You know, he came in, he came in, played okay
last year at times, obviously dynamic as a runner. But

(13:50):
can they win with them? Can they? They gave him
a huge weapon in Marvin Harrison Junior. Obviously he's or
he's a rookie, but can he win? And he has
to show what this year are They're gonna have to
be some hard conversations about moving on from it. It's
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to your conference, Mitchell, Let's move to the north.

Speaker 1 (15:33):
More excited for this conversation, Richard, I was just reading
an article. Bill Simmons came out with his NFL hierarchy,
the pyramid, if you will, and alone on that pyramid
was none other than my hometown Detroit Lions. I never
thought this day would come, but here we are. Vegas
loves the Lions over under eleven and a half wins.

(15:53):
They've got the Green Bay Packers nipping at their heels.
They obviously, you know, anytime you strike gold three times
in a row, quarterbacks, and now Jordan Love taken over
there in Green Bay, and then the Bears. I mean,
there's so much talent in Chicago with Caleb Williams, with
DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, roma Dunes that they bring in

(16:15):
DeAndre Swift.

Speaker 2 (16:16):
The list goes on.

Speaker 1 (16:16):
There's a lot of name value in Chicago. Richard, Who
do you like coming out of this division?

Speaker 2 (16:23):
Uh? Obviously I like your Detroit Lions. I think they're
the class of division. I think what the Green Bay
Packers showed last year gives their fans some optimism and
gives everybody a bit of Paul's because can they do
it again? You know, it's one thing to surprise people,
sneak up on them. Hey, they don't understand. You guys
are young, and you guys snuck up on them. But

(16:45):
it's another thing when people are looking you dead and
I and you gotta show it again. They're prepared for
what Jordan Love brings. They have a year of tape
on him and everybody always says, oh your tape, and
they can figure it out, But the greats continue to
elevate even after they've did you jout? And so can
he do that? That'll be a question they have to
answer defensively, Jay r Alexander in that defense, Preston Smith,

(17:07):
those guys, will they continue to elevate with Hafley? They
got Jeff Hafley as a decordinator. Now he'll bring a
very consistent scheme like we did in San Francisco in
twenty eighteen, and I'm sure they'll respond well. I'm sure
there'll be a top ten defense offensively that young receiving core.
Can they continue to be healthy? That's gonna be a

(17:28):
big thing for them. They showed by committee they're a
really talented group that can get it done. But who's
gonna be the one for them? Who's gonna be the
number Is it gonna be Watson, Is it gonna be Read?
Who is going to be the number one receiver for them?
On a weekend, week out? Basis? Because it was by committee,
every game you look up and somebody else is the
leading receiver. And that may be how they do it

(17:49):
this year. And it's hard to game plan a team
like that. Quarterbacks spreading the ball around but I do
not think they're beating the Detroit Lions for the division.
I think it's Detroit's division to lose. I think they
coming second. I think the Vikings find a way to
come in third. And I think Caleb Wood, I mean
Caleb Williams and these these bearers coming forth, but they
just don't have the experience yet. I think he'll do well.

(18:12):
I think he'll make some exciting plays. I think they'll
see that there's a lot to be excited for in
the future. I think he has the receiving core to
have make games really exciting. I think that defense with
Montese Sweat Jalen Johnson, they made this defense a really
top ten defense for the last eight games of the season.

(18:33):
Can they continue on that path, because this is gonna
be a really competitive division, not that coming and forth
in his division. They may win nine games and still
coming forth, Mitchell, they may win eight games and still
coming forth, or they may be tied, you know, right
there with the Vikings. I think it's gonna be close,
but I don't see him doing much more than that. Well.

Speaker 1 (18:52):
I love your hype for the Lions, Richard, and I'm
gonna jump on board with that. As well. The story
around Detroit this offseason has been Dan Campbell's approach, you know,
not not just taking what they did last year and
being okay with it. Their goal, as Brad Holmes said,
is to win the Super Bowl, and that's their expectation.
They've approached this offseason as such. They played all their

(19:13):
starters and you know, the joint practices they've They've suffered
a couple of injuries, they've they've dealt with that. But Richard,
this team, the Detroit Lions team is only elevated from
where they were last year. A lot of folks have said,
can they can they get past that next hurdle? And
I think they can. They brought in and addressed their
positions of stress last year. I mean, they were starting

(19:35):
guys that were fresh off practice squads in their dB room.
You know, this is something this year they're not going
to have to worry about. When you draft two corners
back to back in the draft with Terry on Arnold
and as Reichstraw, and then you bring in a guy
that you loved in Carlton Davis, and then you solidify
that a defensive line. I don't want to overhype the Lions.
But I truly think you're looking at a top three offense.

(19:57):
You got the best offensive line in football, you got
one of the best running back tandems. There's question marks
at the wide receiver three. But this Detroit Lions defense
is where I think this team's going to elevate. I
believe they're gonna be a pop time defense in this league.
And what's even more wild to me, Richard, what's even
more and I know you probably saw it playing with
San Francisco and Seattle, is that there's now players aging

(20:17):
veterans that are wanting that one last shot at a
title that are now signing with the Detroit Lions. We
saw Tim Patrick sign with them. We just saw Alon
Robinson sign with him. This never would have happened in
Detroit before, and it's happening now. Brad Holmes is faced
with having the good fortune of agents calling him as
opposed to the Lions calling and begging for their clients
to play for the Lions. Richard, I love Detroit out

(20:40):
of the NFC North bias aside, I think they win
it and I think they are strong, strong Super Bowl contenders.
Let's take it to the NFC South. The story here
is really about the Falcons. You know, they've got this
plethora of offensive talent, and they bring in the veteran,
the proven winner and Kirk Cousins, who I know you've
loved for years, Richard. Let's start there. How good can

(21:04):
this Atlanta Falcons team be with Kirk oh at the helm.

Speaker 2 (21:08):
Mitchro they can be very good. And I think it's
gonna be really interesting to watch this conference because I
mean this division, because there hasn't been a lot of consistently.
See obviously Tampa has won it the last few years.
Obviously Tom was there, Baker did really well last year.
The year before you know, it's it's it. Mike Evans

(21:30):
is an inevitability. The Saints have been kind of down
quarterback situations rocky, but Atlanta bringing Kirk Cousins in brings
a bit of legitimacy to this franchise. I think his receivers,
these Kyle Pitts, will have a great year. Jery London
will have a great year, but John Robinson will benefit.

(21:50):
The offensive line will benefit where Heem Morris, the new
head coach, will benefit them. Bringing in Matthew Judon for
a third round pick, that's gonna be great for that defense. Obviously,
Justin Simmons, what was he still doing in free agency
available for a team like this to pick him up.
He's going to be a huge addition. You don't randomly
get all pros just sitting in free agency. I think

(22:13):
this defense, this team is gonna be legit and that's
why Vegas has some at nine and a half wins.
I think they're gonna be really competitive everywhere. I think
they're gonna surprise a lot of teams. Kirk is gonna
continue to surprise a lot of teams. He's gonna be
very good. But John Robinson will probably make a lot
of fantasy owners really happy this year. I'm excited to

(22:35):
see what Kyle Pitts can do with competent quarterback play consistently,
uh and Pennix will be on the bench. Terry Fontino
has done a great job just forming this roster, filling
the holes. I'm excited to see what they can do.
But again, Tampa Bay is always going to be there.
I think Baker is poised for another good year. That defense,

(22:56):
you know, Kyle Bowl, I mean Todd Bowles and that
defense has I mean, they're consistently an issue and it
takes people time to figure them out, and if offensively
they can be as explosive as I expect them to be. Obviously,
they lost Dave Canalis to Carolina, but they still have
Mike Evans, and if I know nothing else, I know

(23:16):
Mike Evans since Jesus was a baby, is going to
have one thousand yards and nobody else in the history
of this game, outside of Jerry Rice, has had one
thousand yards as many times as Mike Evans has Mitchell
in a row. It's this is going on year eleven.

(23:40):
It's wild. It's absolutely well having consecutive years crazy.

Speaker 1 (23:45):
It's insane. And like you said, the Box are that
team that I think everyone overlooks, and we talked about
them last year going into the season.

Speaker 2 (23:51):
You liked him.

Speaker 1 (23:52):
I like him. I think Baker is more than a
capable quarterback and he proved it last year. The Saints
are always going to be the Saints. You know, we'll
see if they can stay healthy, if Derek carrk and
can get that offense, you know, moving in the right
direction on a routine gaming game out manner. They were
in games, but they couldn't close them out all the time.
And then the Panthers. They're the Panthers. We shall see

(24:14):
about them. But Richard to confirm you like the Atlanta
Falcons coming out of the NFC.

Speaker 2 (24:19):
Norm I like it between the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa.
Let mean, if I got a gun to my head, yeah,
I take it. I take Tampa because Tampa has been
proven and they just prove it and I just can't.
You know, there's a lot of unknowns for Atlanta. They
have all the pieces where it should work, but they
haven't done it. And so until they do it, I'm
not gonna give them all that. Carolina I don't think

(24:41):
has enough talent yet to go. I think Dave Canali
starts to get them on the right track, wins a
couple of games, surprises a couple of people, but I
don't think they're gonna gonna make any too much noise
in this conference. Alvin Kamara's contract is up, and they're
just acting like it's just oh okay, We're like maybe
on the hot seat. It's just they've just been cruising

(25:03):
along for the last couple of years since Sean Payton left,
and nobody's saying anything. What is Derek Carr doing? I mean,
Spencer Rattler looked good, So there may be a little
quarterback controversy late in the season. If they're not winning games,
there's gonna be a lot of noise to plip Spencer
Rattler in the game and give him a shot. He
looked really good in the preseason at times. But that's

(25:25):
my two cents for the South. I like it.

Speaker 1 (25:29):
NFC East. Now, this one is always always goes the
direction that Vegas doesn't think. Vegas thinks the Eagles are
gonna win the division this year. Ten and a half
will get games over under Cowboys at nine and a half,
the Giants at six and a half, and the Commanders
at six and a half. Richard, let's cut right to
the chase here. Is it gonna be the Eagles or

(25:51):
the Cowboys?

Speaker 2 (25:55):
Well, Mitchell, oh boy, We'll start with the Cowboys. When's
Michael Parsons getting paid? Have they got paid yet? No?
When's Dak Prescott? You know it's There was a very
odd conversation from Jerry Odd mental conversation with Jerry Jones

(26:20):
where they asked him about Dak Prescott and he basically said,
I love Dak Prescott as a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys.
It's done a great job for us, and that's what
you need, is a great quarterback in this league. You
didn't say you're gonna keep him, because if you were
saying you were gonna keep him, you would say, we're
working on getting this contract done. Just give us a
sec we're figuring it out, and we expect him to

(26:42):
be quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys for a long time.
That's not what he said. He didn't. He didn't give
anybody confidence that he believes in Dak Prescott or that
Dak Prescott is a long term answer in Dallas and
that as an outside observant. For all Dak's faults, Dak
was second team All Pro last year. I don't it

(27:07):
is very rare you hear about a second team All
Pro quarterback being talked about like he's just a joke,
just a jag Minchell, just another guy. And that's the
way the Dallas Cowboys are treating Dak Prescott. They should
be sitting signing him up. Trevor Lawrence got fifty five
million dollars. He's not better than Dak Prescott. He's not.

(27:33):
I'm sorry. There's there's very few quarterbacks that can have
an argument or a debate about better. Obviously, Maholmes is
in a mountain, top of the mountain, not a question.
Josh Allen's there with Burrow. They're probably right there. One
and two. Then then it gets up in the air, Mitchell,
if you like Lamar, it's Lamar. If you like Dak,
it's Dak. If you like you know, if you like CJ.

(27:56):
Stroud to be thrown in that mix, you can like.
If you like Brot Party in that mix, you can, Mitchell,
you you you'd be well within your rights to put
those guys in it. Obviously, Aaron can fall anywhere in
between there because four time MVP don't don't count him out,
but they're treating him like he's just a bottom tier quarterback.

(28:17):
And that's ridiculous. And that's why I don't have a
lot of faith in him, Mitchell, because he doesn't have
a lot of faith in them. So maybe they win
this division because the way Philly ended last year, all
day always open. AJ Brown wasn't was hurt banged up?
Maybe wasn't, I don't know, you know, wasn't playing. There's
a lot of losing a lot of games in a row.

(28:38):
I think they lost five or six or something at
the end. It just didn't look like the team. Then
you lose Kelsey in the middle, which is a much
bigger deal than people are saying. It's gonna put a
lot more pressure on Jalen Hurts, who everything we've heard
from training camp has done very well with the transition.

(28:58):
Put a little more pressure on him, a little more
on his plate, and he's he's handled it beautifully. Uh.
They paid aj Brown, so he's there. He's happy. Uh
got Art is back, he's healthy. They got Saquon Now
that's a big deal. Offensive line is still one of
the best offensive lines in football. But without Kelsey, we're

(29:19):
gonna see a difference. Just understand that it's gonna be
different defensively. They Bradbury got injured, and however you feel
about Bradberry, he's out. Keethy Ringo, who should have been
a first round pick, you know, fell a little bit
in the draft. But it's getting his chance to start
for the Philadelphia Eagles, and I think he's gonna do
really well. He's gonna be really impressive on the opposite

(29:40):
side of Sleigh. Obviously, they drafted two corners and neither
neither one of them could beat him out. That says
something that's telling as well. They got CJ. Gardner Johnson back,
who was kind of their minutce back there, and I
think that's gonna be really good for that secondary. I
think they're gonna get back on track. But Sirianni, if
if it's not a great season, I think they're gonna
start being a little bit of heat up under that seat.

(30:02):
And I'll give it to Philly. I'll give it to
Philly just because I'm not I don't see Dallas believing
in their guys. You're not paying Michael Parsons. He's been
two time first team All Pro and you're not paying
him because you guys aren't winning and you're ready to reset.
Let Michael Parsons and Dak Prescott go somewhere else, Mitchell,
and you'll see how much the rest of the league

(30:23):
values them. If Jerry Jones doesn't value them, I guarantee
you there's probably thirty other teams that are within the
show exactly. I think Tennessee Titans will be sitting there
at Dak's doorstep at twelve oh one am when they
can with a Brinch truck and everything he needs. You

(30:43):
need ten Acas in Tennessee, you got it. But I
got Philly winning that division, Dallas coming in second. I
think the Commander's coming third with Bobby Wagner, Dan Quinn
bringing some stability to that franchise, Jade and Daniels kind
of kind of getting things back on track. I think

(31:03):
they got a good d line obviously, Bobby Hall of
Famer linebacker corps. The secondary is gonna have to They're
gonna have to learn, They're gonna have to trial by committee.
I think the receiving corps solid. Obviously Scary Terry's been there,
he's been consistent. Hopefully Jadon Daniels brings them up some
more energy, but I don't. I don't see them winning

(31:24):
that division. But they could surprise. They could. Maybe Jason
Daniels has a CJ. Stroud like season and elevates that
franchise to the Promised Land and they upset Philly in Dallas.
That's not out of the cards. But the New York Giants, Mitchell, Mitchell,

(31:48):
I'm not going, Mitchell, I feel bad for the fans.
I'm not gonna lie to you. I feel frustrated. I'm
out because you let Sakwan y'all when you look at
your team and you're like, we got Daniel Jones, Like,
but then you like how we got say Kwon Barkley.

(32:09):
That that makes me feel a little better. We got
one of the best player running backs like you got
you got Malik Neighbors, one of the best receivers in
the draft this year gonna be dynamic. Who's your running back?
I don't know. Got two good tackles, you know, two
really good tackles, which is what you need. Defensive line,
you got a really good defensive line in they brought
your Dory Jackson back into the fold to be on

(32:31):
the opposite side. The defense will probably be solid. But
you got Daniel Jones, Mitchell. No matter what you do,
you come back and say, we paid Daniel Jones. And
I know, no matter how much Giants fans want to
ignore that fact, it is glaring every single week. You
saw in the preseason he had another blunder play where

(32:51):
you're just like, geez, little wiz, this is their starter,
this is the guy.

Speaker 1 (32:57):
Oh, they've brought it up and the HBO is hard.
The offseason. I don't know how much he had time
to watch that, Richard, but they brought it in and
they basically said, hey, we're willing to draft a quarterback here,
and we're willing to trade the sixth overall pick and
a couple picks next year too to move up three
spots to get that quarterback. That shows you what they
think about Daniel Jones Richard. But back to the Commanders,

(33:18):
like you said, this is a dark horse team for
me in the NFL as a whole, because if Jayden
Daniels can come in and he showed it at Arizona
State and at LSU, he can take teams and elevate
everyone around him, and you've already seen it with Commanders,
they have playmakers on the outside. If they can get
Terry McLaurin going and Jayden Daniels has a similar season

(33:39):
in the CJ. Stroud, this could be a team that
sneaks into the Wildcard and makes some noise, much like
the Houston texas As did last year. While we're talking
about the Texans, I want to talk a little bit
about the AFC South. Let's take it to the other
conference the AFC. THEFC South projects the Houston Texans to
win this Vegas projects the Texans to win this division

(34:01):
with the Jaguars, Colts, and Titans followed behind Richard. How
much do you love CJ. Stroud with this offense? They've
added Steph Diggs, They've added Joe Mixon. Can this Texans
team elevated to the next level? What are your thoughts here?
Very high hopes Mitchell I have.

Speaker 2 (34:20):
I think in that AFC Championship, the final four of
the National Football League, I expect him to be there.
I'd be very surprised if they're not there. They're well coached,
Tamiko Ryans has done a phenomeno job offensively, defensively, schematically.
They are ready to take the next step. I think CJ.

(34:42):
Stroud is the real deal. I think Nico Collins. I
think getting Tank Dale back in the mix off of injury.
I think adding Stefan Diggs and hopefully he understands his role.
You got three good receivers, so the baul is gonna
get where it's gonna get. Dalton Schultz is also gonna
get his touches. They have a really good old line.
The Jeremie Tunsil outside of Trent Williams is one another

(35:06):
one of the best tackles in the National Football League.
On the left side. Defensively, Derek Stingley is making his
case that he's the top five corner of the National
Football League, if not top three. Uh they have. They
got is Z's al Shair from this AF well from
the Tennessee Titans. Now he's back in the fold with Demico.

(35:26):
That's gonna be great. Will Anderson is gonna be a
problem with Danil Hunter now in the mix. Who's who's
walking ten sacks every single year, Jalen Petree, Jimmy Ward
opposite side, Kamari Lassiter from Georgia who they drafted in
the second round. They're saying he's one of them. They're

(35:47):
saying he's one of them. Mitchell, he beat out your boy,
Jeff Akuda. You know who was the top three pick.
You know who's who's had a resurgence, who's had a
resurgence in his career and none better. But he was
beat out by the rookie, and that says a lot.
I think they're gonna make a lot of noise. I
think Joe Joe Mixon is gonna be a big, big

(36:10):
time player. Their offense is gonna be good, their defense,
they're gonna be a tough out. I got them at
twelve thirteen wins.

Speaker 1 (36:15):
I don't disagree with you one bit. And then the
question becomes, I know you're not a huge fan of
Trevor Lawrence, but the Jags were hot at portions of
the season both last year and the year before that.
They just couldn't keep that consistency going. Can the Jaguars
challenge them or are you just writing them off at
this point?

Speaker 2 (36:36):
Well, I don't want to write them off because they
have talent offensively, but can Trevor Lawn stopped turning the
ball over? Canny stop? Because their defense is getting turnovers
at a historic rate at times. That's why they get hot,
because their defense gets a lot of turnovers and if
they don't, they don't have success. And that's true if

(36:57):
you just look at the stats Trevor Lawrence, when they
don't have a turnover and all their defense doesn't get
a turnover, he's one and eighteen. So it's really based
on what the defense is able to do. They have
to get turnovers. They have to give him the ball
back consistently, and he has to stop turning over so consistently.
If he can do that in Dug Peterson's offense, I

(37:19):
think they you know, Travis Etn is really good. They
got some good players that can get the ball. Christian
Kirk has had some really good times. I think they
can be a competitor. I do not think they can
take the division from the Houston Texans, but I think
they can make the playoffs and be a solid team.
But it's gonna be on that defense causing turnovers and

(37:40):
Trevor Lawrence limited them.

Speaker 1 (37:43):
Yeah, and then the Colts. I mean, this is a
team Anthony Richardson finally healthy. Hopefully the Colts could be
another one of those teams at the dark horse. Anthony
Richardson's really got to come out and prove himself this division.
I don't want to say it's up for grabs because
I know Houston. I believe it is going to come
outvictorious here. But the Indianapolis Colts is another team, much
like the Washington Commanders that are a bit of a

(38:05):
dark horse right now. If Anthony Richardson can come out
and be dominant, look out for the Colts, Richard, look
out for the Colts. Let's move it to the AFC West.
The Chiefs back to back Super Bowl champs, can they
realistically three peat this year?

Speaker 2 (38:22):
Richard, I don't put anything past them. Last year was
your chance. Last year was your chance, Mitchell. Last year
was your chance if you were going to beat them.
They were having an off year. They went in as
a wide. They didn't have home field advantage throughout the
entire playoffs. They have to go on the road in

(38:43):
the playoffs. They had to go to Baltimore. Did they
have to go to Buffalo? Yep? Like that was your chance?
They got to go to you Buffalo January at home? Yeah? Hot,
they're there. You know they're they're vulnerable offensively, more vulnerable
than they had been. You didn't know who their stars were.

(39:04):
You know where she Rice was was having a solid season.
But they were just by committee. Obviously, Travis Kelsey's always there.
He's an inevitability. You gotta worry about him. He's gonna
be there. But now, Mitchell, they're getting They've gotten better.
They got their deep threat again, they got their speeds
sturing worthy, their defense. I mean, you saw him in

(39:25):
a Super Bowl. They play really well. Spags Is is
drawing it up better than ever. I don't know, Mitchell.
I think if you were gonna get them, you had
to get him. Last year they were having an off year,
Mahomes was having a non Mahons year. They didn't get them.
So yes, I think they can repeat. Mitchell, I think
it's gonna be again. I think San Francisco forty nine

(39:48):
ers meet them there again. I think they're emotionally drained.
I think they're tired. I think they're I think they
can do it, like they can beat them. They play
them in a regular season, regular season game will not
matter at all. San Francisco can beat him by forties,
the Chiefs can beat him by forty. None of that
matters if you meet again. But I it happened last

(40:11):
year was a very missed opportunity for a lot of people. Mitchell.
That was a missed opportunity for Buffalo and his missed
opportunity for Baltimore and Lamar Jackson MVP season at home,
great defense, Mike McDaniels. Now Baltimore has a new DC,
it's different, there's a little bit of transition in there.

(40:32):
But we'll see, Mitchell, Well, we'll see how they can do.
But I think you had to get them last year.
So with all that said, I think they have a
great chance. I think the Chargers will be better I think.

Speaker 1 (40:41):
What are your expectations of Hardball entering year one after
a hiatus and a national championship at U of M
last year.

Speaker 2 (40:48):
I think he does well. I think he goes old school,
which is how he's won every level that he's played.
He's gonna run the football, even with even with Herbert
as the quarterback, He's gonna run the football. He's gonna
play action, he's gonna play to their strengths. I don't
know who they have that receiver right now, Mitchell that

(41:10):
can do it without Keenan Allen. They still have Mike Williams, right,
but without Keenan Allen that's been a guy.

Speaker 1 (41:19):
And Mike with the Jets, they got Josh Palmer and
McConkie from Georgia and then they also signed h DJ Shark.
So that's who they're dealing with out there right now.

Speaker 2 (41:32):
Rich that's it, and so you don't have a go
to so now justin Herbert is gonna have to figure
it out. But again, Hardball has done a lot with
a little in terms of building it. I don't think
they win the AFC West this year. I do not,
but I think they come in second because they'll run
the ball. He'll get the most out of that defense
because they'll play the time possession game. Joey Bosa says

(41:56):
he wants to be relevant. Well, you guys are as
relevant as it gets right now, and so I think
they're gonna have a really good chance to do as
he That's why he's had success. They brought Greg Roman in,
who's the running the football savant they're gonna I'm telling you,
he can draw it up for however you feel about
him coordinating offenses. In terms of run game, He's as

(42:18):
good as he gets and I'm not gonna not gonna
debate that. That's why he brought him in. I think defensively,
they're gonna get maximized that talent finally, really good players.
I look forward to to seeing what they can do.

Speaker 1 (42:34):
And let's take it to the AFC North. This is
probably one of the most competitive divisions in football. The Ravens, Bengals, Steelers,
and Browns all projected, you know, eight and a half
plus wins by Vegas. Let's start with Cincinnati because last
year was an interesting one for them without Joe Burrow
and winning consistently without your your star quarterback is very

(42:56):
difficult and we saw the backup come in and really
keep that team competitive. How much of an impact does
Joe Burrow have on this Bengals team? Can he get
him back into the AFC Championship Game? Can he get
him back into the Super Bowl.

Speaker 2 (43:11):
We're about to see. We're about to see exactly how
important Joe Burrow is because Jamar Chase says he's not
playing until he gets one penny more than his LSU brethren,
Justin Jefferson and I do not think that Mike Brown,

(43:31):
being the penny pincher that he is, is gonna do it,
and he hasn't done it yet. Games in five days
has not done it. I don't think Jamar Chase has
played or practiced yet. I could be wrong, but I
don't think he's played a practice. And if he doesn't
play in his game, they can still win. But if
he doesn't play the first couple games of the season,

(43:53):
you're gonna see how important Joe Burrow is. Can he
have that success without Jamar Chase? Is it's the chicken
or the egg who's more important. We've had to see
Jamar Chase without Joe Burrow. Obviously for times he's had
his ACL he went out last year with the thumb injury.
Can Joe Burrow consistently win without Jamar Chase or can

(44:14):
they get Jamar Chase paid as the top receiver in
the National Football League, which is what he's looking for.
That's the question. In Cincinnati. I don't know what they're
gonna do with their defense. I think their defense is
kind of taking a hit that there. You know, it's tough.
It's a very tough division. It's become Baltimore's division again,

(44:34):
and I think that's gonna be the case again this year.
I think Cleveland will make some noise, but if they don't,
the Deshaun Watson conversations get even louder because they were
able to to go on a run last year with
our guy, well faithful. Joe Flaggle took him on a
run last year, took him on a fun ride to

(44:54):
the playoffs. You know, it petered out, but it was
a fun ride for those fans, and they don't see
the same kind of production with the guy they're paying
millions and millions and millions of guaranteed dollars. I think
a tough conversation is gonna start to occur for Stefanski
and uh, because they got a lot of talent and
then they picked up Jerry Judy. Uh. You know, I

(45:17):
think I think their receiving corps is really solid. They're
gonna be able to Chubb's not gonna be back for
the first four I think, but once they get him back,
they're even more solid. A five Miles Garrett is a monster.
Their secondary, their their defense has done fantastic. They played
fantastic football last year and I think that continues. I
don't I don't know Cincinnati's gonna be above Cleveland this year.

(45:39):
I think they might be second third in a division.
Maybe nine wins and depending on when Jamar Chase is
really depending on Jamar Chase's availability. If he's not available,
that number changes.

Speaker 1 (45:52):
Well that's wild. Do we like the Ravens.

Speaker 2 (45:56):
Yeah, Yeah, there's no reason not like the Ravens. I mean,
they Dereck Henry, they don't lose a ton, they get healthier.
They lose Mike McDonald to the Seattle Seahawks. But I'm
sure schematically they're gonna attempt to at least be similar
to what they did last year. Yeah. I see them

(46:17):
comfortably winning this division and being competitive in the to
be in the final four, they have to show they
can beat the Kansas City Chiefs. Though still they like,
I'm not putting them.

Speaker 1 (46:29):
In there, because this was a team that looked flat
out immortal during the regular season and then all of
a sudden you face the buzz saw that is Kansas City.
And like you said last year, this team in Kansas
City was not the same team where you see him.
And then all of a sudden in that game they
were and it's like, can the Baltimore Ravens finally get
past that last hurdle? They were right and paying Lamar

(46:51):
he looks like that guy everyone thought he was. We
shall see I too, like the Ravens out of this division.

Speaker 2 (46:58):
And it was still a few plays that changed the game.
You know, there's a force fumble, Well he's heading over
the goal line. You know that that I think Lagerius
Sneed made that play. You know, just still a few
plays in the ball game. But that's it's a game
of answeres, that's all. What it always comes down to
is a few plays here and there. And they say
they got away from the running game, and that's why
they brought Derrick Henry in. But again, are you gonna

(47:19):
feed Derrick Henry in the way that he needs to
be fed to be effective, or are you gonna let
Lamar pass the football? I don't know. They went away
from the run game in the playoffs and critical situations.
That's why they probably didn't win the game. If they
would have kept unning the ball, who knows where they
would have been. But hopefully they don't make that mistake.
If they don't, maybe they beat Kennas City this year.
Maybe the tides are changing in Baltimore.

Speaker 1 (47:41):
And finally, the afcast probably arguably the division with the
most question marks going in you get the return of
Aaron Rodgers finally with the Jets, and then the Bills,
who lost a ton of talent offensively and defensively for
that matter. And then you also got to look at
the Dolphins. I mean, who do you like the most

(48:02):
out of those three? Richard? Is it Aron and the Jets?

Speaker 2 (48:07):
Yes? Yes it is. I like I want the Jets.
I'm sorry. I don't want to jinx him this year.
I did too much with him two years ago. I
feel like I jinked him. I'm not gonna jinks him
this year. I feel really good about the Jets. If
Aaron Rodgers is healthy. Tyron Smith in a in a
green jersey is going to be different in an adjustment
after being in the Dallas Royal Blue for so long

(48:29):
and white with the Star. It's gonna be different. But
he's still a really good player and still couldn't hold
his own. Hopefully he can stay healthy for sixteen seventeen games,
because that's what that was. Another achilles heel. Their tackle
play last year. I think I think they're going to
be really good. I think Garrett Wilson is up for
a career year with Aaron. I'm sure Aaron feels like

(48:50):
he owes it to the kid. Their defense, I'm sure
he feels like he owes their defense. Who've been playing
lights out one of the best secondaries in football. Added
Chuck Clark from Baltimore. They got Tony at Adams obviously,
Michael Carter and the Nickel Sauce Gardner and DJ Red,
Sauce and Reed, you know, give the Jets everything they need.

(49:13):
They gonna they're gonna make sure they keep a lead
with Sauce and Red, you know, things of that nature.
You know, we gotta get Sauce on the pod so
we can continue to come up with different anecdotes and
rhymes and things of that nature. But I think I
think Miami, I think they come back to earth a
little bit. I think there they'll be good, really good defensively,

(49:35):
offensively Tyreek. You know, I think Sneed showed people a
little bit of something. You know, I think his comfort
level with Tyreek showed people, hey, he can be pressed.
Now get up there, challenge him, feel him like, be aggressive,
be consistent, be confident, and that there's there's corners in
this league that are willing to play that way, you know,
play the way Snead uh played him in that divisional game,

(49:57):
divisional playoff game. Uh. And why they're gonna have to
have a really good season to a tongue of Ailoa
got his money. Now he's gonna have to show consistency.
We'll see. They're gonna have to have run the ball
with the way they did with Devin Chain and Raheem Moster.
They had incredible years last year. They're gonna have to
continue to have those kind of years in order for

(50:18):
Miami to have success. And we'll see if they can.
You know, Mike does good job drawing it up. But
I think they're set for second place in this division,
and I think Buffalo is the third because Josh Allen
is an incredible quarterback, but you're taking his weapons. I
think Dalton kon Kid has a really good season. I
think Kean Coleman has a breakout rookie year, Khalil secure
Shakira has a good year. But is that enough? Like

(50:42):
you said, there's been losses on defense. Can Ken a
name that you haven't heard for a while, Ken von
Miller get back to his old form, That'll be a
huge deal for this defense. Ken von Miller make an
impact this yeason. Can he make have ten sacks? Obviously
a lot of years in football for von Miller, so

(51:02):
be what it's fourteenth year. You know he came in
with me, Mitchell and I've been on TV for three years,
so let's not get crazy here. You know, to walk
away from the game at this time would be a
Hall of Famer, one of the best to ever play.
But can he make that impact? And I think he can,
But I just don't think they have enough offensively, enough consistency,
enough veteran presence to really be competitive in a year.

(51:25):
They're going to have to be well.

Speaker 1 (51:27):
Richard, that gets us through our division. So we've gotten conclusion.
Got the Niners out of the NFC West, the Bucks
out of the South, the Lions out of the North,
and then the Eagles out of the Easts. And then
we go to the Chiefs, the Texans. You like the Ravens,
and now you like the Jets. So who are going

(51:47):
to be your wild card teams? We got picked? Give
me three from the NFC and three for the AFC.
I want to walk you through your game by game prediction.
I guess if you will these playoffs. Let's ke go
who wins the AFC Championship, NFC Championship, and Super Bowl.

Speaker 2 (52:03):
Much get too specific. We're gonna just pick the line
pick the lineups. Rich These teams play before I can
really give you all that nitty gritty.

Speaker 1 (52:13):
Give me something to talk about her, Richmond.

Speaker 2 (52:15):
We got NFC, we got one. We got it. We'll
start at the bottom. I got Atlanta making the playoffs
at seven. I think they sneak in there. I think
they find a way. I got Dallas coming in at six.
I think they they you know, they still have a
really talented team, so they're gonna make these playoffs. I

(52:36):
think the Green Bay Packers at five. They're gonna be
in the playoffs. I don't think they beat Detroit. I
think Philly wins the division, but they're they're worse than
the division. So therefore of the division champions. Uh, I
think Atlanta wins. So there they have ten wins and
they're the Bucks. Bucks Bucks ten wins, So the Bucks

(53:00):
are in at three. And then oh boy, I got
to San Francisco forty nine ers getting the one seat. Again.
Talented Mitchell, They're just too talented. They're too good of
a team for me to put him at a two seed.
I got the Detroit Lions at the two seed. That's
my NFC. Wait, did I not put Seattle in the NFC?

(53:21):
You did not? Hey, I gotta go back, go back.
I'm not taking out Falcons. Just miss it. Seattle's in,
and we'll put them at We'll put them at six,
move Dallas to seven, and we'll keep Green Bay at five. Yeah,
feel good about that.

Speaker 1 (53:37):
Okay.

Speaker 2 (53:38):
The AFC, I'm gonna go the opposite way. We've got
the Kansas City Chiefs as the one seed. I think
Worthy is just gonna play in that Tyreek role and
give Patrick Mahomes something he hasn't had for a couple
of years, and that's a lot more space on the field.
Him back in the safeties up some and having a
respect or not back in the safeties up and just

(54:00):
going over the top of them for a number of
touchdowns is gonna be huge. Uh, Baltimore being the two seed,
Houston at three, you're gonna make a lot of noise
at four. I have.

Speaker 1 (54:15):
M hm.

Speaker 2 (54:18):
The j A t S Jets, Jets, Jets winning the
AFC East fifth seed. I got the Miami Dolphins, sixth seed.
I have It's it gets tough. Mitchell had five.

Speaker 1 (54:32):
It gets tough Rounds, Bengals, you got that's it does
get tough, Jags, Bills.

Speaker 2 (54:40):
I got the Bengals with Joe Burrow staying healthy. And
then I have I'm missing someone.

Speaker 1 (54:52):
You talk to Bills or the Jags or the Charge.

Speaker 2 (54:57):
I got the Bills, I don't. I don't know about
the Jags right now. I'll go Bills. I'll go Bills.
I'll give Josh Allen that that he has enough to
get his team over the hump.

Speaker 1 (55:08):
What do we like in the AFC Championship game.

Speaker 2 (55:12):
AFC Championship, Yeah, I said, Stroud will be in its
Stroud Chiefs Texans NFC Championship repeat Detroit, San Francisco Super
Bowl Detroit, I mean San Francisco Chiefs, Mitchell. I'm sorry,

(55:35):
I'm sorry. Look Mitchell, it's hard britt hotel here that
San Francisco forty nine ers are winning the Super Bowl.
All this turmoil, all this all season drama gets overshadowed
by Super Blombardi Trophy. The quester for six ends is
what I say again, I was really close last year,
but my goodness, what overtime win for the Kansas City Chase.

Speaker 1 (55:58):
And then finally, Richard, let's talk about a little forecasting here.
Give me your coach of the year.

Speaker 2 (56:04):
Coach of the year is give me go Ryan. I'll
go Ryan. Coach of the year far and away takes
this team, makes him really competitive offensively, defensively, has c J. Stroud,
the MVP race, very strong receiving corps, has them vying
for the one seed deep into December. I think offensive

(56:28):
Rookie of the Year probably is going to be probably
Kean Coleman. Just ideal situation, not another true number one.
They're probably gonna get a lot of footballs his way,
a lot of opportunities, really good quarterback, who's gonna be dynamics,

(56:49):
scrambling around, hit him deep down the field, put him
in positions. Joe Brady's gonna gonna do a good job
with him on the in this offense. Defensive Rookie of the Year, your.

Speaker 1 (57:04):
You got one of Detroit. Easy picking for you, Richard.
His name's Terry On Arnold.

Speaker 2 (57:09):
That's easy pick for you.

Speaker 1 (57:10):
That's your pick, Mitchell, that's ah, that is my pick.

Speaker 2 (57:13):
Okay. I think Byron Murphy in Seattle is gonna have
a really good year. Strong bet just with Mike McDonald,
the way he's gonna use him, the way they're going
to pressure, the way they're gonna confuse, offensive schemes, offensive
line schemes, blocking schemes, He's gonna have a lot of
free shots at the quarterback outside of him winning on
his own accord.

Speaker 1 (57:34):
Yeah, how about the NFL MVP.

Speaker 2 (57:38):
MVP, It just depends on if they get bored with
Patrick or not. If they're bored with Patrick's performances, you know,
it's just greatness. You get boring and they get tired
of voting for the same guy and giving him regardless
of how well he plays. Unless he's throwing for six
thousand yards. Jalen Hertzeill put his name in had no rings.
C J. Stroud will put his hat in a ring.

(58:00):
Josh Allen. If he has that team and competitive anywhere
near the one or two seed, he's gonna be in it.
Ay Rod A Rod's one four of them. You know
he's he's loader long in the tooth. But if he
starts playing in low turnover football, high touchdown, that ratio
gets to to get crazy again, he'll be in it.

(58:21):
Brock Perty will be in it. Because San Francisco fort nine,
this will be competitive. H Your boy Jared Golf might
make uh now we're talking.

Speaker 1 (58:30):
Now we're talking.

Speaker 2 (58:32):
Hm hm hm. Will Jordan Love take that next step?
I'm not sure. I think they'll have to get another playmaker.
Christian Watson will probably have a good season, but his
hamstring it's been really temperamental. Hmmm. Does Joe Burrow put

(58:53):
the team on his back? Stroud Mitchell, I wanted to
be Stroud. It's gonna be Stroud. I wanted to be
st ut Okay Shroud to show up in a big way.
They've surrounded him with weapons. Actually, they're gonna give Kevi
Williams offense rookie year. I keep forget it in the
first round, number one hype, You'll be the starter all season.
He'll throw for a bunch of yards. They'll give it

(59:13):
to him. Yeah, that's what I'm going with.

Speaker 1 (59:17):
MVP Shroud Okay, and finally the defensive player of the Year.
I know you like talking about this. I know you
called Nicholas John Bosa last year. Your thoughts going into
this year? A couple of years ago, A couple of
years ago, I wanted to be a corner. This year,
I wanted to be a corner. I wanted to be
a corner.

Speaker 2 (59:34):
But it's just that nobody's getting the pick numbers like
that and when they are, I mean Deron Bland did,
but his play was consistent and radic Otherwise, Trayvon Diggs
is coming back. I don't know. Does Michael Parsons finally
get over that hump and the old twenty sacks and
play with like a man with his hair on fire.
T J. Watt have another year like he usually does.

(59:59):
Nicholas John come back to the fold with the seventeen
eighteen SLAT season. Ah Rocan Smith, Mitchell Rokwan Smith defense
player to you. Okay.

Speaker 1 (01:00:10):
And then finally, my personal favorite topic of every every
podcast I guess we do is your power ranks Richard.
I'm so excited to see where my Detroit Lions fall
in your first power ranks of the season. Give me
your tip five.

Speaker 2 (01:00:26):
Hmm, there're are Okay, Detroit Lions are in it. I'm
gonna go San Francisco, forty nine Ers, Kansas City Chiefs,
Detroit Lions, not the ones south the way, Mitroy. Okay,
I can take an exhale because four and five are
a lot more difficult to call. Houston Texans four, m Mitchell. Five?

(01:00:53):
What was five? Baltimore? Baltimore's five?

Speaker 1 (01:00:58):
All right, there we have it that that's the forty
nine Ers, Chiefs, my Detroit Lions, Houston Texan's getting a
lot of love on this podcast. Away, and then the
Baltimore Ravens.

Speaker 2 (01:01:11):
Richard.

Speaker 1 (01:01:12):
This concludes our NFL preview. A couple predictions coming out
your way, Richard, I will let you sign us off.
I know we are absolutely pumped to be bringing you
guys content throughout the year. Richard, take this away.

Speaker 2 (01:01:27):
Well, I appreciate you guys joining us. These are our predictions.
They can change, they can be altered. It's not rocket science.
These are all, you know, moving pieces. But I feel
good about my picks this year. If I didn't pick
your team to win it, it's no offense to you
or your fandom. It's just one of those years for you, guys,
and maybe they're gonna surprise and shut me up in

(01:01:49):
a big way. But I appreciate you guys listening, as always,
hits a sub button if you knew, you're getting the clue.
We're gonna be putting out a lot more content this year,
a lot more game reviews, a lot more interviews, so
stay tuned the volume