Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off by breaking down exactly why Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford should be viewed as a Hall of Fame-level quarterback. Stafford had all-world statistics long before he earned his Super Bowl ring. Moreover, it’s not just that he won the Super Bowl, it’s how he won. It was a fourth quarter comeback in which Stafford threw the game-winning touchdown pass. In fact, Stafford led game-winning drives in his last three playoff games of the season. So when a guy like Richard Sherman comes out and says that Stafford shouldn’t be viewed as a Hall of Famer because he’s never been an All-Pro or an MVP, it should be taken with a grain of salt. Not only did Stafford play in what was arguably the Golden Age of Quarterbacks, but he also played for a terrible Detroit Lions franchise for most of his career. Later, Jason shares his thoughts on Kyler Murray's decision to clap back at anonymous sources claiming that Murray was self-centered. All signs point to the Arizona Cardinals' owner being the one who went to the press, and you have to wonder if these kind of comments will not only hurt his relationship with his franchise quarterback but also prevent them from landing top talent in free agency. Finally, our fearless leader closes the show on the report that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have zeroed in either Russell Wilson or Deshaun Watson as their next quarterback following the retirement of Tom Brady. If I'm Wilson or Watson, I'd explore other options away from Tampa. The Bucs are losing a ton of talent on both sides of the ball. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason and Producer Rob G bring you wall-to-wall reaction to the Los Angeles Rams' thrilling victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl 56. Matthew Stafford was fantastic early, brutal in the middle and clutch late in the Rams' win. With Odell Beckham Jr out for most of the game with a knee injury, Cooper Kupp stepped up big down the stretch and walked away with the Super Bowl MVP. Stafford-to-Kupp has been arguably the most lethal combination all season long so it's really no surprise that they connected for the game-winning touchdown in the final minutes. The Rams needed their two stars to shine too given that head coach Sean McVay was mostly bad yet again in a Super Bowl. Were it not for Stafford and Kupp's late-game heroics, we'd probably be talking about how McVay has been brutally out-coached in two straight Rams Super Bowls. If we take a step back and look at the big picture, it's clear that the Rams followed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' blueprint for winning a Super Bowl: Get a veteran quarterback to lead an already star-studded roster and let him work his magic. Tom Brady did it in 2020, Stafford did it 2021... could Aaron Rodgers do it 2022? The Denver Broncos have arguably the most talented roster in the NFL (outside of the quarterback position), and if they can swing a deal to bring Rodgers to the Mile High City, perhaps they could be the next team to follow the new Super Bowl Blueprint. Finally, the guys close the show by explaining how the Halftime Show featuring Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J Blige is being wildly overrated by fans on social media. Dre and Co. put on a fantastic performance, but it was nowhere close to the greatest halftime show in Super Bowl history. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason gets the party started with a deep dive into all the big deals that went down at the NBA Trade Deadline, and none were bigger than the one that saw the Brooklyn Nets send James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmons. Simmons and Sixers general manager Daryl Morey are clearly the big winners of the day; Simmons was able to get traded of a toxic situation and on to a team with Kevin Durant, and Morey was able to flip a disgruntled star (who hand't played all season) for a perennial All-NBA player to pair with Joel Embiid. Harden, on the other hand, quit on his second team in as many seasons. Harden has burned bridges with Hall of Fame teammates throughout his NBA career (Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Kyrie Irving and Durant), and at some point he's going to have to admit that maybe he's the problem; It seems that no matter what he does he'll never be happy. Finally, Jason closes the show with a bang as he gives you fifteen fantastic minutes on all of his favorite Super Bowl prop bets. If you've been listening to the pod at all the last two weeks you know our fearless leader is heavily invested in the Los Angeles Rams beating the Cincinatti Bengals, but wait until you hear about his lucrative player props! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a brief thought on the Los Angeles Lakers following their ugly loss to the depleted Portland Trail Blazers. Just when we thought things couldn't get any worse for LeBron James and Anthony Davis, they keep finding new and exciting ways to let their fan base down. If they don't make a major shake-up and Thursday's trade deadline, the Lakers could miss the playoffs altogether. Later, former NFL defensive back and NFL analyst Marcus Cromartie swings by to discuss how he's been recruiting his former college teammate Russell Wilson to join the New Orleans Saints, why he picked Joe Burrow and the Cincinatti Bengals to make the Super Bowl even before the regular season ended, Matthew Stafford's impressive play throughout the postseason thus far, the pros and cons of having Jalen Ramsey shadow Ja'Marr Chase throughout the Super Bowl, which Super Bowl bets and prop bets he likes the most heading into the big game, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason gets the party started by telling us that the biggest reason why the Brooklyn Nets seem to be in such a funk this season is because Kyrie Irving is not vaccinated. Kyrie being a part-time player has directly led to the team losing a handful of home games while the team has been dealing with injuries (Kevin Durant, Joe Harris, etc), and more importantly, it's played a large role in James Harden's overall unhappiness in Brooklyn. If Kyrie is vaccinated and available to play, do the Nets lose 9 straight games? Of course not. If Kyrie is vaccinated and available to play, does Harden feel the physical and mental stress of carrying the team on his back while KD is out? Highly doubt it. Any way you slice it, this is on Kyrie. Later, Jason shares a quick note on the trade between the Sacramento Kings and the Indiana Pacers that saw Domantas Sabonis and Tyrese Haliburton trade teams. This one was a clear win for the Pacers. One of the day's big losers, however, were the Los Angeles Lakers. Not only did LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the guys get blown out by the Milwaukee Bucks on national television, but the schedule is only going to get tougher the next few weeks. It's probably time to concede that the Lakers aren't going to win the championship this season. On that note, can you imagine how pissed the NBA would be if neither the Lakers nor the Nets got out of the first round of the playoffs? Yikes! Finally, Jason closes the show with a quick thought on Bradley Beal's future with the Washington Wizards. If Beal really cares about winning, he should try to force a trade to the Lakers in the offseason. Seriously. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a deep dive into Kyler Murray's peculiar decision to scrub the Arizona Cardinals entirely from his social media pages. Kyler and head coach Kliff Kingsbury share an agent, and our fearless leader suggests that the Cardinals quarterback is actually standing up for his coach since Kingsbury has been taking arrows ever since he got the gig. What's more, Kyler is up for a contract extension this offseason so it's entirely possible that his social media activity is serving as a negotiation tactic as well. Later, MMQB Senior NFL reporter Albert Breer swings by to discuss why Lovie Smith getting hired as the next head coach of the Houston Texans feels it could end the same way the David Culley Era ended a few weeks ago, how big of a role Josh McCown could have on the Texans coaching staff moving forward, which quarterback could ultimately end up replacing Tom Brady as the starter in Tampa Bay, what could have led Kyler to scrub the Cardinals from his social media pages, what he learned about the upcoming crop of NFL Draft-eligible quarterbacks last week at the Senior Bowl, whether or not we should expect Russell Wilson will still be a member of the Seattle Seahawks when the 2022 regular season kicks off, Jimmy Garoppolo's next landing spot, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason breaks down all the latest happenings around the NFL coaching carousel. With San Francisco 49ers whiz kid Mike McDaniel getting the head job with the Miami Dolphins, it’s become even more apparent that it pays to be offensive minded in today’s NFL. The majority of the head coaching hires the past few years have skewed towards the offense. In fact, three of the four head coaches from championship weekend (Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay and Zac Taylor) all came from the same coaching tree. If you want to get a head coaching job in the NFL, you better ask for a transfer to the offensive side of the ball as soon as possible. Later, Jason shares a quick note on the latest Twitter drama surrounding Kevin Durant. For whatever reason, KD is back sparring with anyone who has a negative thing to say about him in the media and on the internet. One day Durant will learn that it rarely pays to feed the trolls... today just wasn't that day. Finally, our fearless leader closes the show with a few thoughts on Russell Westbrook's benching in the Los Angeles Lakers' win over the New York Knicks. Westbrook has been an abject failure in LA so far, and unless he fundamentally changes the way he approaches the game of basketball, he could be out of the League entirely in two years. If Russ doesn't get with the times, his NBA career will come to a crashing halt the same way Allen Iverson's did back in the day. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, legendary sportscaster Bob Costas joins the show for an extended conversation with our fearless leader Jason McIntyre. During the interview, Costas discusses how sports gambling helped shape his upbringing as a youth, how he’s able to enjoy a fruitful life outside the world of sports, the ins and outs of the Olympic site selection process, the IOC’s controversial decision to hold the Winter games in Beijing, the biggest difference between Michael Jordan and LeBron James, how the NBA’s plan to put more games on cable television may have backfired in the grand scheme of things, whether or not Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens deserved to be voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, baseball’s complicated history with steroids and PEDs, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason brings you a deep dive into the NFL head coaching hires as of late. On Wednesday night, it was reported that the Minnesota Vikings would be hiring Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell - not University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh. O'Connell becomes the latest member of the Sean McVay coaching tree to get a gig. McVay is arguably the best coach in the League - and his tree has been very fruitful thus far - so it's no surprise that O'Connell got plucked so quickly. The one thing that people seem to have a problem with, however, is that O'Connell is a young, white male. With the Brian Flores racial discrimination lawsuit front and center, folks were miffed that another vacancy was filled without a minority candidate really being considered. Jason argues one of the biggest reasons why minorities keep getting passed over is that most of the best Black candidates work on the defensive side of the ball; Quarterback is the most important position in sports so it's no surprise that decision makers are looking for offensive-minded coaches to lead their team. Finally, Jason closes the show with a deep dive into the Ben Simmons Saga in Philadelphia. The situation between Simmons and the Sixers is still rocky as hell, but Philadelphia seems content to let it drag on. This is a mistake. The Philadelphia 76ers just can't afford to let another prime Joel Embiid season go to waste while they play a game of chicken. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a few thoughts on Brian Flores' decision to file a racial discrimination lawsuit against the NFL. It's become abundantly clear by now that the NFL never fulfilled its promise to promote more minority hires, so Flores' lawsuit isn't all that shocking. Perhaps the only surprise to come out of this whole ordeal is how Bill Belichick and John Elway became mixed up in all this. Later, Boston Sports Journal founder Greg A. Bedard swings by to share his thoughts on Flores' lawsuit, why he thinks Flores may end up becoming the Colin Kaepernick of NFL coaches, what kind of punishment we can expect the League to hand down on Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, why Josh McDaniels decided to leave the New England Patriots and become the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, why he believes Tom Brady still holds a grudge against the Patriots organization, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason kicks things off with a quick note on the latest surrounding Tom Brady’s impending retirement from the NFL. Brady is doing everything he can to make us think that he hasn’t made up his mind yet, but if you’re a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan, you need to start preparing yourself for lie after Tom. And let’s be honest, it’s going to be tough to find another quarterback willing to fill that void. Later, diehard Las Vegas Raiders fan Producer Rob G swings by to tell us why he’s not a fan of the team’s decision to hire Josh McDaniels as the next head coach. Not only has the Bill Belichick coaching tree produced a lot of bad apples over the years, but McDaniels’ history of cheating is a black eye that cannot be ignored. Finally, Jason closes the show with a quick defense of Odell Beckham Jr now that members of the Cleveland media have decided they’d like to ruin his happy ending with the Los Angeles Rams. So what if things didn't work between OBJ and the Browns? That's no reason to actively root against him heading into the Super Bowl. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason brings you wall-to-wall analysis of what was a wild Championship Sunday in the NFL. Our fearless leader was in attendance for the Los Angeles Rams comeback victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game, and his overriding opinion on the whole thing is basically: This is why they got Matthew Stafford. Stafford made several key throws in the second half to Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr to complete the comeback and the Rams to the Super Bowl. On the flip side, Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan had yet another late-game meltdown in a big playoff game. Fun fact - Shanahan has now coached the team that's been on the losing end of the largest comeback in Super Bowl history (Atlanta Falcons), the largest 4th quarter comeback in Super Bowl history (2020 Niners) and now the largest 4th quarter comeback in NFC Championship history (2022 Niners). This one is going to be tough to swallow for Bay Area fans for years to come. Later, Producer Rob G joins in on the fun to discuss the Cincinnati Bengals' thrilling upset victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. While it's hard to crush Patrick Mahomes for his ugly second half given how impressive he was in the first, it's really easy to praise Joe Burrow for what he did leading Cincy the win. The victory even prompted Rob G to declare Burrow the greatest #1 NFL Draft pick since Peyton Manning - a list that includes Stafford, Andrew Luck, Cam Newton and Eli Manning. Does he have a point? Finally, the guys close the show with a few quick thoughts on Tom Brady's reported 'retirement' snafu that shook up the sports world on Saturday. Look, until Brady actually says it himself that he's retiring, there's just not much we can say about it. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a deep dive into the NFL head coaching hires that were made on Thursday: Green Bay Packers Nathaniel Hackett to the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus to the Chicago Bears. It seems like the Hackett hire was made in an effort to help recruit Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams to Denver so it’s hard to fully judge that one right now. The Bears getting Ebeflus, however, is something totally different. On its face, it doesn’t appear like a homerun hire. Later, Jason and Producer Rob G make their official NFL Championship Weekend picks against the spread. Can Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals offense keep up with Patrick Mahomes and the high-flying Kansas City Chiefs? Will Steve Spagnuolo be able to go against his basic instincts and not blitz? Will Jimmy Garoppolo and the San Francisco 49ers really beat Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams for a third time this season? Is Kyle Shanahan really in the head of Sean McVay? The guys have it all covered! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason gets the show started with a deep dive into Jimmy Garoppolo's future with the San Francisco 49ers. For most of the season, our fearless leader has maintained that the Niners should keep Jimmy G as their starter for the 2022 season – especially if he ends up getting San Francisco back to the Super Bowl for the second time in three years. But after speaking with a plugged-in source, it appears as though the Niners have already made their decision to move on to Trey Lance in 2022. The current San Francisco quarterback situation is eerily similar to what they dealt with 25 years ago when they chose to make the transition from Joe Montana to Steve Young. Like Jimmy G, Montana was the face of the franchise with a history of winning (albeit at a much higher clip than Garoppolo), but the team still felt compelled to move on. The transition to Young paid off with a Super Bowl victory a few years later – maybe the same thing will happen with Lance. Later, former Cincinnati Bengals star, NFL analyst and podcast host Solomon Wilcots swings by to discuss the meteoric rise of Joe Burrow, why he believes Burrow is cut from the same cloth as guys like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, the Bengals' decision to draft Ja'Marr Chase over a top offensive lineman, what Cincinnati can take from their victory in Week 17 over the Kansas City Chiefs and apply to the upcoming AFC Championship Game, Zac Taylor's evolution as a coach, the changing of the guard in the NFL at the quarterback position, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason gets the party started with a quick though on the Los Angeles Lakers blowout victory over the Brooklyn Nets. Anthony Davis returned to the floor after 17 games away, but the big story to come out of this one was James Harden’s visible frustration during and after the game. Maybe the Harden-to-Philly rumor isn’t so farfetched after all. Later, our fearless leader tells us why he had a small problem with the BBWAA’s decision to leave Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens out of the Hall of Fame. Yes, both guys have been linked to PEDs, but you just can’t tell the story of baseball without mentioning their names. Period. On the NFL front, Jason says that Aaron Rodgers' latest comments suggesting that football fans were rooting for him to lose because of his vaccination stance proves that he's ready to embark on a Hero's Journey. Rodgers needs to leave Green Bay in order to become the best version of himself. Finally, former Pro Bowl safety and NBC Sports Bay Area analyst Donte Whitner swings by to explain why he's picking the San Francisco 49ers to beat the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship game, how he expects the 49ers defense to attack Matthew Stafford, why he believes a Super Bowl appearance should be enough to help Jimmy Garoppolo keep his starting job for at least one more season, why he thinks his former coach Jim Harabaugh becoming the next head man of the Las Vegas Raiders would be a great thing for the NFL, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a quick note on reports that Antonio Brown would like to catch passes from Lamar Jackson next season in Baltimore. The Ravens would be making a monumental mistake if they decide to kick the tires on AB for 2022 ;Baltimore doesn’t need that kind of distraction in their locker room. The biggest story to come out on Monday, however, was that the Denver Broncos have zeroed in on Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett to be their next coach. Recall during his offseason of discontent Aaron Rodgers reportedly was targeting the Broncos as his next landing spot. If the hiring of Hackett can guarantee the arrival of Rodgers as well, the Broncos suddenly become a viable Super Bowl contender. In fact, Jason argues, Rodgers in Denver would be eerily similar to Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. Finally, J-Mac closes the show with a few thoughts on the rumors surrounding New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton. Payton is reportedly eyeing a move to TV if he decides to step away from the Saints, but couldn't you picture him taking a year off to recharge only to return to the NFL as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys in 2024? File that one away. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason gets the party started with a deep dive into arguably the greatest Divisional Playoff game in NFL history. Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes put on an offensive show, but it was the Kansas City Chiefs who came out victorious over the Buffalo Bills. The only bad thing you can say about that game is that the NFL overtime rules need to change; After what we saw in regulation, it's a shame that Allen never got a chance to answer in overtime. And as for those who think that Bills head coach Sean McDermott cost his team the victory by refusing to squib in the final seconds of regulation, just stop- McDermott did the right thing. Unfortunately for Buffalo, Mahomes is just that special. On the flip side, one coach who absolutely, unequivocally did not to the right thing on Sunday was Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. The day after Bowles interviewed for a head coaching gig, he watched Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams run an offensive clinic against the Bucs defense. Tampa Bay was woefully unprepared for that game, and were it not for some bizarre Rams blunders and conservative play calling late by Sean McVay, this game would've been a blowout. Finally, Jason and Producer Rob G close the show by discussing which Super Bowl matchup they believe is most desirable. We can all agree that America wants to see Mahomes and the Chiefs on the biggest stage, but is the better storyline a Super Bowl rematch with the San Francisco 49ers or an encore of the greatest regular season game of all-time against the Rams? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off a few thoughts on the reports that Frank Vogel could be coaching for his job these days with the Los Angeles Lakers. That is absolutely stunning. Anthony Davis is still hurt and Russell Westbrook has been mostly terrible all season, so its should come as no surprise that the Lakers are struggling these days. If anyone has to go in Los Angeles, it should be Westbrook, not Vogel. Later, Jason does a deep dive into all of the NFL Divisional round playoff games from a sports gambling perspective. The Cincinnati Bengals are the postseason upstarts, but can they compete with a suddenly healthy Tennessee Titans squad? We're betting on Derrick Henry, AJ Brown and Ryan Tannehill in this one. The advanced statistics say that the San Francisco 49ers are actually a better team than the Green Bay Packers, but it’s really hard to bet on a banged-up Jimmy G at Lambeau Field. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers should win this one. Moving over to the Sunday games, most folks agree that it’s easier to trust Tom Brady in a big spot over Matthew Stafford, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the side in this game. Not only will the Los Angeles Rams cover the spread, but they’re going to win this one outright. Finally, Josh Allen versus Patrick Mahomes should easily be the game of the weekend. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean Kansas City won’t cover the spread; Put your money on the Chiefs. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason kicks things off with a deep dive into the reports that Jim Harbaugh would entertain a head coaching offer from the Las Vegas Raiders. The calculus has changed in college football the past few years, and with the Raiders transitioning into an entirely new regime, the stars appear aligned for Harbaugh to make a move back to the NFL. Harbaugh would instantly become the face of the franchise, and the Raiders have a decent foundation to build upon. This could be a win-win for both parties. Later, professional sports bettor David Baker swings by to discuss how he fared in the famed SuperContest after bringing home the title in 2020, why he's inclined to throw down some money on Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers simply because he doesn't trust Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams, why the Kansas City Chiefs versus the Buffalo Bills is easily the best game of the weekend but the hardest to bet on, why he's waiting on an update on Jimmy Garoppolo before deciding how he wants to bet in the San Francisco 49ers-Green Bay Packers game, why he's going to continue riding the Tennessee Titans bandwagon until the wheels fall off, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off by sharing some scuttlebutt he's heard about Jimmy Garoppolo's availability for the Divisional Playoff round against the Green Bay Packers. Folks in the Bay Area say that Jimmy G is dealing with a shoulder sprain that could keep him on the sideline, and now the wiseguys in Las Vegas are starting to bet big on Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. In the NBA, multiple reports coming out of Los Angeles indicate that Frank Vogel is coaching for his job on a night-to-night basis. Wait, what?! Did Lakers brass forget that Anthony Davis is hurt? Or that LeBron James missed a quarter of the season? Or that they've been ravaged by COVID? Or that they still have Russell Westbrook on their team? Moving on from Vogel makes zero sense given the circumstances. Later, USA Today Sports NFL columnist Mike Jones swings by to discuss why he doesn't hold Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury in very high regard - but doesn't necessarily think he should be fired, why it's hard to truly judge a head coach without giving him a decent roster and enough time to change the culture, whether or not candidates like Eric Bieniemy should try to hold out for plum head coaching jobs rather than jump at the first offer he receives, why he was so disappointed in the way the Houston Texans handled David Culley, why he's not ready to give up on Tua Tagovailia as a franchise quarterback just yet, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks thing off with some very interesting speculation regarding the Dallas Cowboys head coaching job. Fans and sports media members alike are calling for Mike McCarthy's job after their latest playoff debacle, and our fearless leader thinks that defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is actually angling to takeover the job. Quinn's name keeps popping up for head coaching vacancies - and maybe that's by design to make Jerry Jones think he's in high demand. Later, Jason shares a quick thought on the Arizona Cardinals' no-show against the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round. Kyler Murray was a dumpster fire, but the most shocking part of all was that he seemed unwilling to use his legs even after it became clear that he couldn't hit the red side of a barn threw the air. Is it possible that Kyler refused to run because he's convinced that the only way he'll have a long NFL career is if he wins games exclusively from the pocket? Plus, The Doomsday Podcast host Matt Mosley swings by to discuss the Cowboys' disappointing loss to the San Francisco 49ers, how Dak Prescott has mostly been able to avoid criticism during his tenure as the starting quarterback, why he thinks the team should considering moving on from Ezekiel Elliott, how the emergence of Quinn and Kellen Moore could impact the future of McCarthy in Dallas, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kick things off with a deep dive into the San Francisco 49ers upset over the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs. The Niners were in control for most of the game, but the big story to come out of this one was the Cowboys' peculiar decision to call a QB draw on the final play (without any timeouts) and the subsequent snafu involving the referee. Dallas never got a crack at the end zone to try and tie the game after that bizarre sequence. Whether it was Mike McCarthy or Kellen Moore who called the run, the face remains that Dak Prescott has to have more situational awareness. Moreover, it's hard to blame the officiating for what happened at the end when the Cowboys continuously shot themselves in the foot with dumb penalties throughout the game (and throughout the regular season). It was a terrible performance by all parties in involved, and it will be fascinating to see where Dallas goes from here. Later, Jason tells us why he's already laying down some big money on the Kansas City Chiefs to cover the spread and beat the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional round. Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen both put on absolute shows over the weekend - albeit against inferior competition - so it's a little surprising that our fearless leader was so quick to fire on the Chiefs. Plus, Producer Rob G swings by to pay homage to his beloved Las Vegas Raiders now that this season is officially over, and to tell us why he thinks that Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the least impressive team to win their Wild Card matchup. Finally, Jason closes the show with the Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams Monday Night Football Playoff edition of the Best Bet. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason is joined by Las Vegas sportsbook veteran oddsmaker and podcast host Dave Sharapan for an extended conversation heading into NFL Wild Card weekend. Sharapan discusses why he doubts the Pittsburgh Steelers will able to cover the spread much less beat the Kansas City Chiefs, why he thinks you should pound the over in the Cincinnati Bengals-Las Vegas Raiders game, why he's not expecting inclement weather to play much of a factor in the Buffalo Bills-New England Patriots showdown, why a lot of the betting public likes the San Francisco 49ers to upset the Dallas Cowboys, why he likes the Los Angeles Rams to beat the Arizona Cardinals this week even though he's less bullish on their Super Bowl outlook moving forward, and much more! Plus, Jason closes the show with his official NFL Wild Card weekend picks against the spread in an extended version of the Best Bet. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a deep dive into the NFL head coaching vacancies. Multiple outlets have suggested that the Las Vegas Raiders gig is the best that will (eventually) become available, but it's hard to make that kind of assessment given that their interim coach could still conceivable keep the job. Right now, the most desirable job has to be the Denver Broncos. If they can get their quarterback situation in order, the rest of that roster is ready-made for a deep playoff run. Later, Jason shares his thoughts on Dwyane Wade's assertion that the younger generations will forget about Michael Jordan in the GOAT debate the same way we forget about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar now. Wade is right; Future generations are more likely to call someone like LeBron James the GOAT simply because he was the greatest they ever actually saw... and then the next generation will pick someone else. That's the way these things work. Finally, Jason tells us why the Philadelphia 76ers decision not to trade Ben Simmons could come back to bite them in a big way. Can Daryl Morey really afford to waste another year of Joel Embiid's prime just to prove a point? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason kicks things off with a few thoughts on the Pro Football Focus All-Pro team which inexplicably left presumptive MVP Aaron Rodgers off altogether. According to PFF, both Tom Brady and Joe Burrow are more deserving of an All-Pro nod than Rodgers. This seems egregious on its face, that is unless you understand ‘how the sausage is made’ in sports media. PFF is clearly trying to cut through and get folks talking about them – and it worked. Later, Jason discusses the biggest difference between the vaunted Sean McVay Coaching Tree and the disappointing Bill Belichick Coaching Tree. The NFL has clearly moved away from the militaristic style that worked so well in New England; Players these days seem to respond much better to younger, offensive-minded coaches. Finally, our fearless leader does a deep dive into the pitiful College Football Playoff championship game ratings. Monday night’s title game between Alabama and Georgia were the 2nd lowest of the CFP era. Is it possible that sports fans are just tired of Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide? Does the CFP format need to be changed altogether to get fans from the West and Midwest more engaged? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason and Producer Rob G share their thoughts on the University of Georgia's thrilling victory over the University of Alabama in the College Football Playoff national championship game. Stetson Bennett made a few clutch plays late for the Dawgs offense, and the Georgia defense harassed Heisman winner Bryce Young all night. However, given that Alabama lost their top two wide receivers in their last 3 games, is it really fair to blame Young for the Crimson Tide's inability to put up points? These were two evenly matched teams so naturally Young losing his top two weapons on the outside was going to play a bigger role that most would expect. Later, the guys dive deep into the Miami Dolphins peculiar decision to fire head coach Brian Flores on Black Monday. There had been very little public speculation from any reputable reporter regarding any disconnect between Flores and the Dolphins front office - so what gives? How much did Flores' mismanagement of Tua Tagovailoa have to do with it? Did Dolphins owners Stephen Ross already have a replacement in mind? We'll find out soon enough. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason and Producer Rob G kick things off with a deep dive into the Las Vegas Raiders' thrilling overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams to clinch a spot in the postseason. Tip of the cap to Derek Carr and the Raiders who navigated an extremely tumultuous regular season to get to the playoffs, but let’s be real here, the Chargers choked that game away. Head coach Brandon Staley made two boneheaded decisions (Going for it on 4th down in third quarter and then inexplicably calling a timeout in overtime when the Raiders were content going for the tie) that ultimately cost his team a playoff berth. Staley deserves all of the criticism he's going to be getting on Monday. Later, the guys to a quick lookahead at all of the NFL Playoff matchups and tell us which underdogs are most likely to pull an upset during Wild Card weekend. Finally, former University of Alabama quarterback and WJOX Birmingham radio host Greg McElroy swings by to preview the College Football Playoff national championship between Alabama and Georgia, discuss what it was like quarterbacking the Crimson Tide to a national title under Nick Saban, share his thoughts on the pros and cons of Name Image and Likeness in college football - including how former Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams is working the system, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason kicks things off with a few thoughts on the latest in the ongoing soap opera between Antonio Brown and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Not only did AB take to social media to try and ‘expose’ everyone from Bruce Arians to Tom Brady, but now we’ve got a woman coming out of the woodwork suggesting that Brown may have spread COVID to the rest of the team after a late-night tryst. Unfortunately, Brown is getting all the attention he so desperately craves. Later, Jason does a deep dive into the entire NFL Week 18 slate, including the de facto play-in game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Las Vegas Raiders, if the Los Angeles Rams can expect ‘good’ Matthew Stafford to show up against the Arizona Cardinals, how the Antonio Brown saga could impact the Bucs this Sunday, the supposed last stand for guys like Mike Zimmer and Russell Wilson, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off by reminding all you NBA fans to pump the brakes a bit on the hype surrounding Kyrie Irving’s return to the court. The Indiana Pacers’ backcourt has been decimated by injuries and protocols. What's more, Kyrie still hasn't shown that he can win without LeBron James, so what are we all so excited about anyway? Later, Jason tells us why it's hard to believe Antonio Brown's story about why Bruce Arians decided to cut AB in the middle of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' game on Sunday. Not only is AB's version of events questionable at best, but his track record of misbehavior makes it almost impossible to give him the benefit of the doubt. We should note, however, that there is one specific reason why the Bucs still haven't formally cut ties with Brown - and it has everything to do with the NFL playoffs. Finally, Football Outsiders' NFL analyst Aaron Schatz swings by to explain why the Green Bay Packers should be viewed as the favorites to win the Super Bowl even if they aren't the best team in football according to his metrics, why the New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys' ability to blow out the bad teams during the regular season should bode well for them in the postseason, why the Buffalo Bills - and not the Kansas City Chiefs - should be viewed as the best team in the AFC, why this season has proven that the gap between Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff isn't as big as we originally thought, why the Tennessee Titans could be the worst 1-seed team in NFL playoff history, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a few words on Kyrie Irving's impending return to the court for the Brooklyn Nets. Kyrie's return couldn't come at a better time for the NBA as the League has gotten pretty stale as of late. Later, our fearless leader take a verbal blowtorch to NFL MVP voter Hub Arkush who said during a radio interview that he would not vote Aaron Rodgers for MVP because the Green Bay Packers quarterback is a 'jerk' and a 'bay guy'. Seriously. Arkush added that Rodgers might not even be as valuable to his team as Jonathan Taylor is to the Indianapolis Colts or Cooper Kupp is to the Los Angeles Rams. First off, there isn't a single player who is more valuable to his team that a great quarterback is to theirs. That goes without saying. More importantly, it's guys like Arkush who give the media a bad name because they let their own personal biases sway their reporting and commentary. Any objective person can see that Aaron Rodgers should win MVP; He has the counting stats and the eye test on his side. For Arkush not to vote for Rodgers is just willful ignorance. Finally, Jason closes the show with a thorough explanation as to why nobody in the AFC playoff picture should fear the top-seeded Tennessee Titans. Sure, they're capable of beating the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills, but they've also shown they're capable of losing to the Houston Texans and the New York Jets. The TItans are too inconsistent to be trusted. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a few thoughts on what was likely Ben Roethlisberger's final home game as the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback. Big Ben was mostly ineffective as a passer, but he did just enough to win the game. It was eerily similar to how Peyton Manning looked during his final season with the Denver Broncos. Now, Ben's Steelers won't win a Super Bowl like Peyton's Broncos did, but you get the point. On the flip side, Baker Mayfield was bad and his team lost. Mayfield has clearly regressed as a quarterback this season and it's hard to believe the Browns won't be looking for a potential replacement this offseason. One quarterback who could make sense for Cleveland is Las Vegas Raiders' starter Derek Carr. Carr has navigated a tumultuous season in Vegas and actually has his team in position to make the playoffs if they can get a win this Sunday. However, noted Raiders fan Producer Rob G still isn't so sure that the the Silver and Black should absolutely bring Carr back to the team in 2022. It's definitely a situation that should be monitored. Finally, the guys close the show with a deep dive into Caleb Williams' decision to leave the Oklahoma Sooners and enter the transfer portal. The transfer portal is something that should be embraced by college football fans, not chastised. If the Average Joe can enjoy the freedom to do whatever makes him happy then why can't a college athlete do the same? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason is back from parts unknown (but still dealing slight audio issues) to share his thoughts on all the craziness that took place in the NFL during Week 17. First off, can you believe that Antonio Brown actually quit on Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the middle of a game? Of course you can. Brown is one of the best wide receivers we've ever seen, but to say that he's a malcontent would be an understatement - both in the locker room and in his personal life. It's highly unlikely we'll ever see him in the NFL again. The Bucs weren't the only Super Bowl contending team to have a rough go of it on Sunday. Outside of Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, every single contender struggled mightily. The Buffalo Bills and the Los Angeles Rams squeaked by inferior competition while the Dallas Cowboys and the Kansas City Chiefs lost games outright. Dak Prescott and the Cowboys haven't beaten a good team in months so their home loss to the Arizona Cardinals probably wasn't much of a surprise, but Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs had been playing like the best team in football... until you realize that they've been getting fat on a lot of injured rosters and bad quarterbacks. Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase absolutely carved up the Chiefs defense. It was so bad that you'd be crazy not to second-guess the Chiefs as being the clear favorites to win the AFC. Sticking in the AFC, Jason used the Tennessee Titans' blowout win over the Miami Dolphins as an excuse to take an absolute blowtorch to Tua Tagovailoa. Things got so bad, in fact, that Jason actually argued he would rather have Zach Wilson over Tua moving forward. Finally, Jason closes the show with a quick lookahead to the College Football Playoff championship game between Georgia and Alabama. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason joins us from parts unknown (as you can tell by the audio quality) to explain how he's been able to make a little money betting on the college football bowl season. In a world where most of the best players are opting out and half the games are getting canceled due to COVID, our fearless leader managed to find an edge. Plus, Jason explains why he's expecting Ben Roethlisberger to take a loss in what should be his final home game as the quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. On the bright side, with Big Ben on the way out, the Steelers suddenly become one of the top destinations for disgruntled quarterbacks looking for a change of scenery - like Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson. Later, professional sports bettor Brad Powers swings by to handicap the College Football Playoff games between Georgia, Michigan, Alabama and Cincinnati, and share some quick thoughts on a few of his favorite bets for the NFL weekend. Finally, Jason closes the show with the NFL Week 17 edition of the Best Bet. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason and Producer Rob G kicks things off with a deep dive into the Miami Dolphins' suffocating win over the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football. It was Miami's 7th consecutive win. Now, before you start calling the Dolphins a legitimate threat in the AFC, let's not forget that they've faced arguably the worst group of quarterbacks in the NFL over the past month. Speaking of poor quarterback play, did you see that Ian Book performance last night for New Orleans? Saints fans are longing for the days of Jameis Winston, Trevor Siemian and Taysom Hill after that performance. New Orleans should be in the market for a new quarterback next season, but will their salary cap situation allow them to be serious players for the top guys? Doubt it. Finally, the guys close the show by trying to predict how the NFL quarterback carousel will turn in 2022. Would a Super Bowl be enough to keep Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay? Is Russell Wilson a lock for the New York Giants? Can Jimmy G hold on to the San Francisco 49ers starting gig for one more season? The guys have the answers to all those - and more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things with a few thoughts on his recently deceased Survivor Pool entry. Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers laid an egg against the Houston Texans, costing our fearless leader a chance at over $80,000 in winnings. It's a tough pill to swallow, for sure, but these Chargers have been the model of inconsistency for most of the season so we probably shouldn't be too surprised. On the flip side, shout out to Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys for blowing the doors off the Washington Football Team right out of the gates. Not only did it allow the gamblers to watch the second half stress-free knowing that the cover was in the bag, but it allowed all the East Coast football fans to hit the hay at a reasonable hour. With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers so banged up and Matthew Stafford reverting back to 'Lions Stafford' on Sunday, the Cowboys have a strong case for being the 2nd best team in the NFC behind the Green Bay Packers. On the coaching front, we've known for a while that that the Russell Wilson-Pete Carroll pairing was destined for a divorce at the end of this season (and Sunday's inexplicable loss to Nick Foles and the Chicago Bears only cemented that fact), but is it time for Steelers ownership to reconsider Mike Tomlin's future in Pittsburgh? The Steelers have been historically bad in the first halves of games the entire season - and that speaks directly to Tomlin's lack of preparation. On Sunday, Pittsburgh fell into a 23-0 first half hole against the Kansas City Chiefs on their way to a 36-10 blowout loss. Yikes. Finally, Jason closes the show with a Monday Night Football New Orleans Saints vs Miami Dolphins edition of the Best Bet. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason and Producer Rob G kick things off with a few thoughts on the Tennessee Titans’ win over the San Francisco 49ers. AJ Brown put on a hell of a show, but the big story to come out of this one was the performance of Jimmy Garoppolo. Jimmy G killed the Niners offense several times throughout the night, and proved once again that he’s Just a Guy. The only question then becomes: If Jimmy G is JAG, then why hasn’t Trey Lance taken the starting job from yet? Later, Straight Outta Vegas on FOX Sports Radio host Bernie Fratto swings by to promote his new book 'The View From the Cheap Seats', and discuss why he expects we'll see a Alabama vs Georgia rematch in the College Football Playoff Championship game, why he wasn't shocked at all to see the Detroit Lions upset the Arizona Cardinals last week, why he expects the Los Angeles Chargers to roll over the Houston Texans - even if he is very skeptical of their coach's infatuation with analytics, why he's staying away from Baltimore Ravens-Cincinnati Bengals from a gambling perspective, why he expects both the New York Giants and the Pittsburgh Steelers to cover as heavy underdogs this weekend, and much more! Finally, Jason closes the show with the NFL Week 16 edition of the Best Bet. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason hits you a very brief - yet highly entertaining - conversation about how COVID has absolutely wrecked the college football bowl season. We haven't even reached Christmas yet and we've already seen one Power-5 team pull out of a bowl game altogether, a 5-7 team being forced to bring their kids back early from holiday break so they can fill in, and the College Football Playoff committee publicly declare that a team could win the national championship via forfeit. This whole thing is crazy - and that's not even counting the college basketball season which has already gone off the rails before it's even really begun. Finally, Jason closes the show with a very special Thursday Night Football Tennessee Titans vs San Francisco 49ers edition of the Best Bet. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason and Producer Rob G kick things off with a deep dive into the Philadelphia Eagles' win over the Washington Football Team. The Eagles win kept Jason alive in the vaunted Survivor Pool, but the story of the game was Jalen Hurts. The second year quarterback threw for almost 300 yards in the win, and after the contest folks in the Twitterspere started calling him a 'franchise quarterback'. Wait, what?! Did they forget that Washington's defense was missing most of their starters? Or that Hurts had failed to eclipse 180 yards passing in the five previous games? Pump the brakes on the Hurts Hype; He hasn't proven anything yet. Later, the guys share their thoughts on the Los Angeles Rams' victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp and the boys seem to be peaking at the right time. With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' receiving core in shambles at the moment and the Dallas Cowboys offense in an overall funk, you could easily make a case for the Rams as the 2nd best team in the NFC. Finally, the guys close the show with a few thoughts on the Los Angeles Lakers' ugly loss to the Phoenix Suns. LeBron James is too old to carry this depleted roster anymore. Jason says it's time to seriously consider the idea that the Lakers won't make the playoffs, while Rob G insists that they'll still end up winning the NBA championship (assuming they get their full roster together at some point). Guess we'll just have to wait and see on this one. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason kick things off with a few thoughts on the Monday Night Football double-header that saw the Las Vegas Raiders beat the Cleveland Browns and the Minnesota Vikings beat the Chicago Bears. Neither game was particularly entertaining, but the mere fact that we had an extra game on Monday Night is still something to be celebrated. What’s more, as sports wagering and fantasy football becomes more mainstream, it gives fans an added reason to watch a game that they otherwise probably would not. Later, Producer Rob G explains why he believes the Kyrie Irving situation with the Brooklyn Nets and the Antonio Brown situation with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is actually pretty similar. In both instances, the powers that be had an about face towards their controversial superstars as soon as it became clear that they couldn't win without them. Would the Nets have allowed to become a part-time player if they felt they would win a title with just Kevin Durant and James Harden? Would the Bucs have welcomed AB back in the fold if Chris Godwin and Mike Evan were healthy? It's a fascinating discussion. Finally, Jason closes the show with a very special Thursday Night Football double-header Philadelphia Eagles vs Washington Football Team and Seattle Seahawks vs Los Angeles Rams edition of the Best Bet. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a deep dive into the New Orleans Saints' shutout victory over Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's clear over the last two seasons that Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen owns Brady, and may have single-handedly cost the GOAT his 4th MVP award. The Bucs better hope they don't end up facing New Orleans in the playoffs. Sticking in the NFC, the Green Bay Packers look like they'll be running away with the top overall seed in the playoffs thanks to yet another coach (Baltimore's John Harbaugh) getting drunk on analytics. The Ravens had a chance to steal a win over the Packers - with their backup quarterback, no less - but fumbled the bag with an ill-advised call to 'go for 2' late. It's clear that Harbaugh learned nothing from that Brandon Staley debacle on Thursday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Later, Jason throws a little love at Jonathan Taylor and the Indianapolis Colts after their big win on Saturday night over the New England Patriots. The Pats knew exactly what was coming... and they still couldn't stop Indy. The Colts know exactly who they are, and that makes them a very dangerous team should they make the postseason. On the flip side, the Dak Prescott-led Dallas Cowboys and the Ben Roethlisberger-led Pittsburgh Steelers both seem to be dealing with a crisis of identity. The Cowboys have worlds of talent on offense but they've been getting bailed out by their defense over the past month, and the Steelers believe they're a well-prepared team but their first halves say otherwise. After running though a series of Sunday headlines, Jason takes a minute to pour one out for all the Los Angeles Lakers fans out there. Superstar big man Anthony Davis will miss at least a month with a knee injury, and now it's time to seriously consider the idea that they might not make the playoffs. The roster was already clunky to begin with (We're looking at you, Russell Westbrook), but all these injuries coupled with the COVID outbreak are starting to take their toll. Finally, Jason closes the show with a very special COVID-induced Monday Night Football double-header (Cleveland Browns vs Las Vegas Raiders / Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears) edition of the Best Bet. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason and Producer Rob G kicks things off with a full breakdown of the Kansas City Chiefs' overtime victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football. The Chargers had this game in hand and their head coach Brandon Staley blew it. Staley's decision to 'go for it' throughout the game rather than kick the field goal and take 3 points (on at least three separate occasions) doomed Los Angeles; There's a difference between being aggressive and being stupid - and Staley's choices were stupid. Had the Chargers kicked the field goal in any of those spots, they win the game. Heck, had they kicked the field goal in all of those spots they probably win in a blowout. With the AFC playoff race tightening up, the Chargers have to be kicking themselves this morning for letting this game slip away (pun intended). Finally, Jason closes the show with a very special NFL Week 15 edition of the Best Bet. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks thing off with a few thoughts on the Jacksonville Jaguars decision to fire Urban Meyer (in the middle of the night). Few people were as high on the Meyer hire to begin with than J-Mac, so it's only fair that our fearless leader to make his medicine on this one. Urban wasn't just bad in Jacksonville, if you factor in all the off-the-field drama, he was arguably the worst coach in NFL history. Later, Bleacher Report NBA writer and author Jake Fischer swings by to discuss his report that the Los Angeles Lakers have internally discussed the idea of trading Russell Westbrook, why he doesn't actually expect the Lakers will be able to deal Westbrook, what kind of trade package the Philadelphia 76ers are looking for in any Ben Simmons trade, if should expect Damian Lillard to try and force his way out of Portland in the near future, how the play-in tournament could impact the futures of Zion Williamson and Bradley Beal, and much more! Finally, Jason closes the show with a Thursday Night Football Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers edition of the Best Bet. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason celebrates Steph Curry becoming the NBA's all-time 3-point leader by sharing a few of his favorite Curry stories. Did you know that Steph was Jason's first ever guest on his previous podcast? Have we ever told you about the time Jason ran into Steph at a local gym and suggested that the Warriors should sign Giannis Antetokounmpo in free agency? In any event, Curry is one of the most respected and well-liked athletes in all of sports. Moreover, if he keeps up his current pace, there's an outside chance of him cracking the list of the top-10 players in NBA history. Later, New York Post New York Jets beat writer Brian Costello swings by to discuss why he's been so underwhelmed by rookie quarterback Zach Wilson this season, if we should expect to see left tackle Mekhi Becton back on the field any time soon, why it may take another 2-3 years before the Jets are a competitive team again, what's gone wrong for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills this season, why we shouldn't be surprised that Bill Belichick has been able to turn the New England Patriots around so quickly even without Tom Brady, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a deep dive into the Los Angeles Rams' road win over the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football. It was a 'coming out party' of sorts for Matthew Stafford who finally showed that he's capable of beating elite teams. The knock on Stafford for most of his career was that his gaudy stats never actually translated to wins for the Detroit Lions. That narrative can officially be put to bed. Stafford went on the road against the top-seeded Cardinals and put on an incredible show. If he can duplicate this type of performance in the playoffs then the Rams can absolutely win the Super Bowl. On the flip side, it's hard not to have doubts about the Arizona Cardinals after this game. The Cardinals are a finesse team who by virtue of this loss may have to play a road playoff game in the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. Good luck with that. Moving over to college football, let's have a round of applause for Spencer Rattler who decided to take his talents from the cushy Big 12 (Oklahoma) to the rugged SEC (South Carolina). It's entirely possible that he gets exposed by the tough defenses he'll face week-to-week in the SEC, but you have to appreciate the willingness to challenge himself. Finally, Jason closes the show with a few thoughts on Steph Curry and his quest to break the all-time 3-point record. It's serendipitous that Curry is going to break the record at Madison Square Garden given that much of the buzz on Draft Night in 2009 was that the New York Knicks wanted to draft him. The only question at this point isn't whether or not he'll break the record, but rather, how long will it stand? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a deep dive into the Buffalo Bills' gut-punch loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tom Brady has the look of the presumptive MVP, but this was a game that the Bills desperately needed to keep pace in the AFC. Last season, Josh Allen and the Bills looked they had 'next' in the AFC. Now? They might miss the playoffs altogether. In the NFC, it's hard not be impressed by the Dallas Cowboys defense these days. With Demarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory finally back healthy, the Cowboys suddenly boast one of the most well-rounded defenses in all of football. If Dak Prescott and the offense can get back on track, Dallas should make some serious noise in the postseason. By the way, have you been paying attention to what the San Francisco 49ers have doing as of late? Jimmy Garoppolo has been rock-solid under center the last few weeks, and now the thought of a quarterback controversy in 2022 doesn't seem so farfetched anymore. Speaking of quarterback controversies, the Baltimore Ravens are in a tough spot when it comes to Lamar Jackson's contract extension. On one hand, a former MVP should be able to set the market on his next deal. On the other, Jackson still has room to grow as a pocket passer and it's hard to assume that teams would be falling over themselves to break the bank for him if he were to hit free agency. Finally, Jason closes the show with a very special Monday Night Football Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams edition of the Best Bet. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a few quick thoughts on the Minnesota Vikings wild victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football. Minnesota raced out to a 29-0 lead in the third quarter… and nearly gave it all back. Had Pat Freiermuth been able to hold on to the ball in the end zone on the last play of the game, Pittsburgh might have been able to steal this one in overtime. It was the most ‘Vikings’ game of all-time. The one positive that Minnesota can take from this game, though, is that Dalvin Cook looked great in his first game back from injury. The Vikings should be able to lean on Cook here down the home stretch. Later, former NFL Scout Chris Landry swings by to discuss what it was like working with Bill Belichick and Nick Saban on the Cleveland Browns staff back in the day, how Belichick and Saban's style of evaluating players differs, why so many NFL scouts - including himself - missed on Tom Brady coming out of college, why both the Bengals with Joe Burrow and the Chargers with Justin Herbert feel as though they got the best quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft, how University of Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett has elevated his draft stock this past season, why he doesn't expect any of the draft-eligible quarterbacks to have a first round grade this Spring, why Mac Jones has enjoyed more success as a rookie than guys like Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson, why he would be hesitant to give Baker Mayfield a big contract extension, and much more! Finally, Jason closes the show with a full NFL Week 14 edition of the Best Bet Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a few thoughts on the report that the Los Angeles Chargers could be without their two top wide receivers - Keenan Allen and Mike Williams - due to COVID. The Chargers were already one of the toughest teams to get a crack on this season, but this news makes it almost impossible. Even without Allen and Williams, Los Angeles should be able to beat a New York Giants squad down to their third-string quarterback... but we still can't recommend picking them in any Survivor pools this Sunday. Later, former Pro Bowl linebacker Ryan Shazier swings by to discuss the inspiration and writing process behind his new book 'Walking Miracle', why had no issue at all with the Baltimore Ravens decision to Go for 2 late in their loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, why he views the Cincinnati Bengals as the best team in the AFC North right now and has Joe Burrow - not Lamar Jackson - as the best quarterback in the division, what's next for Ben Roethlisberger after this season in Pittsburgh, why he believes that Michigan has a great chance to upset Georgia in the College Football Playoff, and much more! Finally, Jason closes the show with a Thursday Night Football Steelers vs Vikings edition of the Best Bet. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with lengthy discussion on the heels of the Los Angeles Lakers' primetime win over the Boston Celtics. Coming in to the game, the running narrative in basketball circles was that the Lakers' Big 3 of LeBron-AD-Westbrook was a bust and it would lead to Frank Vogel getting fired. Wait, what?! Did they forget that almost the entire Lakers roster is new? Or that we still haven't even seen a fully healthy roster? Or that LeBron has already missed half the games? Let them build a little continuity before you have an opinion. This rush to judgment about the Purple and Gold is laughable, and there may not be a bigger culprit in the national media than Charles Barkley. Chuck openly admits that he doesn't really watch the games or follow today's players, but even still he has no problem firing off wildly inaccurate hot takes on a weekly basis. Barkley is a hater, and he's only embarrassing himself here. Later, Jason does a deep dive into the ongoing soap opera between Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers. Earlier this summer the prevailing thought was that Lillard would force a trade out of town at some point this season. Now? According to reports, not only does Dame want to stay in Portland, he wants a massive contract extension and for the team to trade for Ben Simmons. Look, Lillard is a fantastic player, but the reality is that he's on the wrong side of 30 and he's shown nothing in his NBA career that would make you think he's capable of leading a team to a championship. It's why the Trail Blazers need to bite the bullet and explore trading Dame right now. Portland probably won't get a James Harden-level deal for Lillard, but they can absolutely get a collection of young talent and draft picks to start their rebuild. Finally, Jason closes the show with a few thoughts on the impending sale of the Denver Broncos. Rumor has it they'll fetch around $4 billion a sale; Not bad for a team who still doesn't have a quarterback! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason dives deep into the New England Patriots’ methodical demolition of the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. The game itself probably set the sport of football back 50 years as the Pats won the game despite only attempting three passes. However, there's something you have to appreciate about what Bill Belichick has been able to do with this roster. He's rebuilt on the fly around a rookie quarterback in Mac Jones, a fantastic running game and a stout defense; In many ways, this team is almost a mirror image of the Patriots Super Bowl teams during the early Tom Brady days. You can actually make an argument right now that Belichick's Patriots and Brady's Bucs are the two best teams in the NFL. On the flip side, nobody comes out of this game looking worse than the Bills. Even a blind man could see that New England was going to run the ball every play - and Buffalo still couldn't stop it. What's more, quarterback Josh Allen has seemed to regress following his MVP-caliber season in 2020. The Bills were the chic pick to win the Super Bowl this season. Now? They might miss the playoffs altogether. Later, Jason closes the show with a few thoughts on Miami's decision to hire Mario Cristobal as their next head football coach. It's a big loss for Oregon, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's a slam dunk for the Hurricanes. Moreover, with Oregon headed for something of a rebuild, what are the chances that USC tries to defect from the conference and go independent? Stranger things have happened in the world of college football, just sayin'. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason kicks things off with a few thoughts on the Baltimore Ravens' controversial decision to 'go for 2' late in their loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. John Harbaugh can try to justify the decision all he wants but the fact remains that he made a bad call. The inexplicable loss dropped Lamar Jackson and the Ravens from the #1 to the #3 seed in the AFC... and you can still make case for them being the class of the conference. The AFC is a jumbled mess. The Kansas City Chiefs proved on Sunday Night Football that they aren't 'back' no matter how much we all want them to be, the Tennessee Titans have been frauds for weeks, and as much as we like Mac Jones the New England Patriots are still handicapped by their rookie quarterback. Shifting over to the NFC, Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals may have had the least impressive double-digit road win of the season... and in doing so proved once again just how good they are. Few teams have been as consistently great as the Cardinals. If we had any faith at all in Kliff Kingsbury as a big-game coach, they would be the favorites to make the Super Bowl. Later, Jason and Producer Rob G share a few thoughts on the College Football Playoff field. We didn't know exactly how things would shake out, but we all kind of figured that Nick Saban and Alabama would find their way into the final four. However, are we sure that the committee got it right putting the Crimson Tide at #1? Finally, Jason closes the show with the Monday Night Football Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots edition of the Best Bet. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.