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Jan. 20, 2021

2020 Divisional Round Recap: Finally, It's Tom Brady vs Aaron Rodgers

2020 Divisional Round Recap: Finally, It's Tom Brady vs Aaron Rodgers

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Lombardi Field?

On this episode of Missing the Point, we recap the NFL Division round, and a look ahead to the championship round.  We’ll focus on some of the biggest storylines coming out of the weekend.

Is Davante Adams of the Green Bay Packers the best Wide Receiver in the NFL after his display vs the Los Angeles Rams, or could it be Buffalo Bill's Stefon Diggs, after yet another outstanding effort vs the Baltimore Ravens?

Will Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs be ready for the Bills with Mahomes’s status still uncertain, and has Tom Brady cemented his place in NFL history, as he advances to yet another championship round?

We’ll look to answer all that today.

Tweet your questions to @MTPshow with hashtag #askMTP, email us at Craig@MTPshow.com, or leave us a voicemail on our website!

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Transcript
Craig D'Alessandro:

This episode of missing the point is being brought to you by box Oh crafts, save 15% off your first holiday box at checkout with the promo code MTP. That's box o crafts.com. On this episode of missing the point, we recap the NFL divisional round. And as we look ahead to the championship round, we'll focus on some of the biggest storylines coming out of the weekend. Like if davante Adams is the best wide receiver in the NFL after his display versus the Rams or could it be stefon Diggs after you have another outstanding effort versus the Ravens will Patrick mahomes and the Chiefs be ready for the bills with mahomes status still uncertain, and as Tom Brady cemented his place in NFL history as the advances TF and other championships on day, we'll look to answer all those questions today. But first, some housekeeping. missing the point it's a one hour podcast recapping the biggest stories in the world of sports with the New England flavor. The show notes and transcript of today's episode can be found in the description box below, as well as on our website, www dot MTP show.com. If you're new to the show, consider subscribing is the easiest way to see when we publish new episodes. We are on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Google and wherever you get your podcast. If you're listening on Apple podcasts, make sure to rate the show and leave a review for a chance to win a free missing the point t shirt. Be sure to follow us on all of our social medias. All of our links will be in the show notes and check it out brand new website WWW dot MTP show.com that's MTP show.com.

Unknown:

And now

Craig D'Alessandro:

this is missing the point Episode 34. But it's all relative.

Michael Marcangelo:

Welcome, everybody to missing the point I am your host Michael Mark angele as always joined by the EP Craig D'Alessandro and rayshawn Buchanan, the real BK Bob Kelly and today we are talking about the NFL divisional matchups that took place last weekend. We're gonna preview the NFC and AFC Championship game. I'm not going to ask you how you guys are. It's not really top of my to do list. But I do have the first thing I want to say to you guys, what did we learn? What was your biggest takeaway from the division around games? Bobby, I'll start with you.

Rob Kelly:

My biggest takeaway would probably have to be it's between either how excited I am for this upcoming championship week, or the fact that one gang Lamar Jackson showed that he cannot show up in a primetime playoff game. I'm torn between those two, but I'm gonna have to go with Lamar Jackson. I think it's pretty evident at this point that Walmart just is not an elite quarterback. And I think we're really learning that this past weekend. I hope he's alright. just preface that with I hope he's alright.

Michael Marcangelo:

Yeah, absolutely. Ray. I I see you just staring a hole thrown. What's your biggest that your takeaway from the weekend?

Rayshawn Buchanan:

Well, first, I'm doing well. That's wrestling. But no biggest takeaway is that number 12 is going to another championship game. It doesn't matter what championship game you put him in. He just finds a way to get it or I should say, I was excited. That wasn't the best game that he's ever put together. Once again, it's your knees on it's going to a place of prominence. So that was exciting to see.

Michael Marcangelo:

Yeah, I think, you know, nine championship appearances in the last 10 years. Brady, you know, back in 2018, when they went to the super bowl with the Patriots, their slogan when they left was we're still here. He still is here. And it's unbelievable. I think you know, we've all been talking recently about this, just to sit back and think about it. Just the greatness that we're seeing from him, just compare it like Drew Brees was always compared to Peyton and to Tom Brady, and to the other greats. And you saw last weekend just the overall difference between the two. One is a 43 year old quarterback who can still sink it in there when he needs to. The other one Drew Brees. Love You mean it? I don't think he's a top five. He might be a top 10 quarterback of all time, but it felt like we were watching the last year of Peyton Manning with him like where he just couldn't throw anymore. His mind was a lot better than his arm was. He just hadn't got there yet. I don't know if you guys felt the same way. Yeah,

Rob Kelly:

I completely agree with that. Especially about briefs about Brady two, I'll get to that. But with breeze it seemed like his accuracy was there. Everything was there. It's just his balls took so long to get to their targets like those things were just floating up there for people to take them away. When it comes to Brady. A couple of the stat standout most to me is I have here in this. So first one is something I said in the group chat a few times where Tom Brady, at this point in his career is a legitimate top five franchise in the NFL when it comes to NFL playoff wins. Like that is something that is just unfathomable to me granted. Yes. Is he flawed? Does he have does he miss throws? Does he have these things that you're like, oh, maybe he doesn't have it doesn't matter man. He wins games and that's What it really comes down to do they have what it takes to be green bay this weekend? Not sure. But is this man, just special? When you tell me nine out of 10 conference title games, 14 in 20 seasons and 32 playoff wins, that is a third is just levels that like you never thought you would hear about an NFL quarterback. And it's just like the fact that he keeps coming back and keeps doing this. It's a great, I think you win that first category, man like that is the takeaway from this weekend. You know what I mean? 100% when you think about this past weekend, you're right, man, Tom Brady. Yeah,

Rayshawn Buchanan:

I mean, you know, me being a math teacher, a math guy, like he's having 14 out of 20. So 70% of his career, the man has been in a position to either go to the Super Bowl, he gets there. That's a joke, man. Like, it's unbelievable. How good he's been. And, you know, and like I said, let me preface it before, it was not his best game. Like that's what not it wasn't something where he threw for 350 yards and four touchdowns in one pack or four touchdowns and no pigs but they had to convert he did that. So whether it was a short field or a longer field, and did not matter. He got the job done. For the most part, he has always gotten the job done. And I'm hoping next week, he continues to get the job done.

Michael Marcangelo:

I will say no to that point where it was not his best game. You're right. But when they needed his best friend him in a few key spots he delivered, Brees couldn't do it. And we'll get into that game a little bit more as we talk about the full matchup The next thing, one of the storylines going into the week war where the Browns for real? Could they be taken seriously? So I'll ask you, right, based on what you saw against the chiefs. Were the Cleveland Browns. Were they a real playoff team? You know, because everyone puts aside that winning against the Steelers. What did you learn about Cleveland? What did you learn about Baker?

Rayshawn Buchanan:

Yeah, but they shouldn't have put away now when it's hard as clearly knows to make the postseason. So for them to get their first playoff wins since 2002. You know, I think Kelly Hogan was a quarterback like that's a long time ago, and I was in seventh grade. So once again, and I was I was about 150 pounds lighter. So once again, that's a long time ago. Just saying that they play phenomenal. You know, during wildcard weekend. It's amazing to me. How do I say I put it like this. Cleveland, even though we know that Kansas City is the better team. You know, the dynasty is coming. You had a chance to hold off a dynasty for one year, but it's coming regardless, can you say it's coming regardless, as long as mahomes is there it's coming, but you had a chance to suppose wonderful one year and when mahomes got a concussion, you know that you know he got that injury. It's like yo you you have to capitalize those you have to win that game. And so let Chad handy who has done nothing says Michigan run and get 13 yards and a third or 14 and then you know I'm Michele Xander even having the balls to throw it on the fourth one. I thought they were gonna punt it and just had them go to went to the field. He's like nah, we're ending this year right now. And I was like yes yes sir. I'm here for it like that's what's up. Cleveland Cleveland had a really good season man like they definitely exceeded expectations. Kevin Stefanski is definitely the leader that team is needed. And you know, they just had to keep they had to keep doing what they had to season but yeah, they definitely were a real playoff team and you know they shouldn't be slighted you know shape what you were wrong they didn't get smacked you know kid that salt over there is better on the steak anyways, you know, just show me a clean clean with real good there was real good and unfortunately ending but they were pretty good this year.

Rob Kelly:

Yeah, the whole chase Claypool thing to me, I thought was the most absurd him and Juju just like was Juju the other one that spoke up? Yep, it's just a guy Shut up. It's like you walk it doesn't matter what. You season's over go home.

Michael Marcangelo:

At least at least, Claypool waits until the game is over. Like Juju says like, they're just the browns. We don't care about them. And then they got their asses whooped by them.

Rayshawn Buchanan:

I mean, but you have to say you can't and you cannot say that in that moment like, and once again, we're in the social media error. You're going to get trolled immediately when you say stuff like that. You can't do that. Like, Listen, don't bring extra here and once again, we know Cleveland taught the Patriots or the sheep so maybe they will stick about we can just say this because it's not gonna be bulletin board material. But either way y'all set it it was out there. And once again, y'all took them lightly. You know, once again, we're going back we're going back around because I you took lightly and they sent you home so pack them up and send it home but you guys are home on the couch. You know, just like me and you know, I know this group as a whole couldn't be happy here. That first burgers home once again. We talked about the being good during the season. And you know, we joke about Bobby having them down four or five slots of the Patriot fanime how Yeah, I want to CRISPR to go down. But for content purposes, I had to say they're Pittsburghers. Well, because their record was really good, but you had to pick the patient frenemy. Yeah, listen, you guys have rarely won when it matters. The last time you've been suitable was 2010. I was a sophomore a dean in you know, saying hey, you know, sounding awful on a radio now I'm on a podcast Hall that's your boy. Well, yeah, you know, but it's just like damn, like, you know, it's they never get it done when it matters at least a lot. I can't even talk the last six or seven years.

Rob Kelly:

So to go back to the Browns real quick. I think it's funny to me like yes, they hung in this game. They were awesome you know, they were the underdogs they did did much better than we all thought. But only the grounds can lose to the one seed buy for five points when they're not supposed to. and still have it be embarrassing. You know what I mean? Like only the Browns would lose the Chad handing after he comes in on that specifically that run that he had only the Browns would would have that fumble go out of the back of the end zone and have it actually end up costing them the game. It's just as much as I love the story and everything like that. Like you just have to point it out. He definitely was still like that would only happen to the browns. You know what I mean? Like it's just funny to me they lose to a one seat but here we are still talking. They were the ones he bought five points. But we're still talking about it's the browns and those are those are the mistakes they make.

Rayshawn Buchanan:

Mario let me ask you this, then do you put any blame on Nick Chubb just to me, he had two catches that maybe could have went for a touchdown or at least help extending the drive in semitones a drive because when you don't make that play, so how much do you put on Nick Chubb?

Rob Kelly:

I think I put a lot of blame on that backfield a little bit. We'll get to it once they get one free to go into the game, but like the Chiefs have a really soft run defense and they have all year and for you guys for them to show up and barely break. Actually, they'd better get in than I thought. But those two big plays were big two plays right, Nick Chubb. dropping those two were huge. I completely agree with that they actually had almost 100 yards rushing or like exactly 100 yards rushing.

Michael Marcangelo:

I think it's gonna be hard for us to talk a little bit about each thing and not go into the game. So why don't we just go into the game, so I was on the docket was the LA Rams coming off a huge win against the Seattle Seahawks against the Green Bay Packers. We I thought that the Rams defense would be strong enough to stop Aaron Rodgers. Turns out, I was wrong. It happens more often than it doesn't greenbay 32 Rams 18 I think the most important part of this game, though, was Aaron Rodgers. 23 of 36 to 96 and two touchdowns in the playoffs. So he washed away a lot of the history there. Yeah,

Rob Kelly:

he's special man. He's the most talented. He's one of the most talented quarterbacks I've ever seen. I'll preface that was one of I know, but he's the only quarterback. I've seen that. Like he legitimately looks like he's playing games out there with defenses like he's sitting there smiling. He always has this look on his face. Like he knows something that the defense does it. And it's been a little bit more these past few years once forgot there. But yeah, I to see what this team did to that la defense with Aaron Rodgers. It, they were toying with them. All day long. It was up and down, back and forth. One point here, the Packers score, 32 points 484 yards, which was 94 more than la had in any game this season, is scored on their first five drives. They didn't turn the ball over, they did not allow a sack and they punted twice. That is legitimate, like I said that you guys want that surgery. They were a surgical offense that day, they knew exactly what they wanted to do. And they did it and the Rams could do nothing about it. It was absurd.

Rayshawn Buchanan:

TNT. Tactical. Right? Yeah. Tactical baby.

Rob Kelly:

That bad boys to reference for everyone out there in case you wonder.

Michael Marcangelo:

One of the surprising things for me too, I'll kick it over to you right there was the rushing attack by Green Bay. They ran for almost 200 yards. It was like 100 and 187 yards. Aaron Jones obviously with 14 carries 99 yards and a touchdown. Jamal Williams 12 carries 65 yards AJ Dillon six carries 27 yards. So they beat la in every single facet of the game. And I think for all of us, especially you and I are we were talking a lot about this over the last couple of weeks. Aaron Rodgers has a history of making a really good regular season run and then laying in an egg in the playoffs. This time. He has homefield advantage of the number one seed and from I don't want to speak for you so I'll ask when you saw Rogers take the field were you thinking like I was thinking man, he's gonna screw this up.

Rayshawn Buchanan:

So I think initially, you know, just you know, I think that's just a normal way of thinking because obviously, if you go back to 2012 I believe they went 15 to one, and then you really lost the giants in the division around. And you know, that Rams team was kind of similar to what that giant scene was then, you know, just kind of sticking into the playoffs and, you know, having a really good defense and then having a quarterback that's just gonna do enough to get you there. You know? Yes, giants fans, Eli's better than golf, no calm down. You know, he'd be opinions in a bunch. Just you know, but it's very, very similar. But, you know, I felt like, you know, Aaron Donald had to be, you know, he had to turn to Lawrence hill or Bruce Smith. And he didn't do that. on on on Saturday. You know, once that happened, it was like, you know, he's like, like, like Bobby said, He's gonna become surgical. And when he surgical, you know, it's not Aaron Rodgers is Dr. Rogers. And, you know, Lambeau Field became a very friendly neighborhood, you know, for him. So, to me, you know, once they once the once the game got rolling, I was like, Yeah, he's not losing this. And once again, when you give him a running game, because like Aaron Jones is easily the best running back that's came through there, maybe set some on green, or even if you want to go back to Dorsey lemons were bred far, like they will. I know, he played with both in many ways. But that to me, AJ Dillon, you know, Aaron Jones, and then the Williams kid, like, that's a very good trifecta. And if you take your pressure off, Rogers, you just let him run around and have that playground style like Bobby alluded to. It's a rat, because he's not going to lose in that regard. You know, we'll see what happens next week. But I just know, if you give him a decent running game, he's gonna he's gonna do whatever he wants to do. And that's what happened on Saturday.

Michael Marcangelo:

Before we can go further into the Aaron Rodgers saga, and how we were all thinking about it. I kinda want to take a step back and talk a little bit about Jared Goff right, because for me, again, this guy is just a quarterback that is in the right system at the right place. That was always my thought he doesn't have any guts. What I'll tell you is for the second week in a row, he did not make any mistakes. 2127 174 yards and a touchdown. He put his team in a pretty good position to win. Always. And it didn't happen this time. The defense didn't stand up like you thought it was going to. You're just kind of I know the game is just happened. What do you guys think now about golf? Is he still their quarterback? Or do you start taking a look somewhere else?

Rob Kelly:

I think McVeigh starts looking somewhere else. I really do. I think he's very impressed with what happened with golf this past week. But from all reports and everything I've heard about McVeigh and golf and the relationship this season is that it's pretty much non existent anymore. When Who's that other guy I don't even remember Santa Monica hurt last week. Oh, well forgot her before that game like Troy Aikman was talking. You know, you heard him talking all the crap about golf how he thought the brand Saw that? You know, Jake had a better shot with him. They had this. That's only because the Rams coaches told aikman that like listen, we really think Wolfers are a better quarterback. We think that he's our best chance to win this game. didn't work out like that golf had to play both games. But I just think McVeigh is out on Jared Goff I I would be very surprised to see Jared Goff back in Ramadan.

Michael Marcangelo:

I guess my question would be, do you think that they think he's better for them now? Because God has that surgically repaired throwing thumb or overall? Because it would make sense to me as to why a backup would probably give you a better chance to win with a guy who cannot doesn't have a thumb, right?

Rob Kelly:

Yeah, no, that's a very good point that broken Tom was definitely big. But I just think you expect you so much more out of Jared Goff that like I feel like it'd be very hard to as a head coach to look at the team that you have and not think someone else can bring you better success. That's just how I see you guys know how critical I am on quarterbacks. I just don't see him being the answer for this team. You know, if they put all this in, they put all this time in draft picks and really went in to make this defense this good. If they had a quarterback that could just make a few plays for them and have you know, instead of 2127 and under 200 yards, and that's 28 of 35 for 280 yards and two touchdowns. That's a whole different ballgame. You know what I mean? So like, I know, that's like a really good stat for a quarterback. But I'm just saying like, if you have a good quarterback in there, it's a whole different ballgame for the rep. So I just think he's out.

Rayshawn Buchanan:

Yeah, right now I think that he's Alec Smith. I feel like you know, kind of before Alec Smith kind of evolved.

Rob Kelly:

Yeah, that's a good one.

Rayshawn Buchanan:

I like it, you know, so I that's just where he's at. So I think that he can get there and once again, you know, you have Cooper cup, but Cooper cup has always been hurt. That's the problem, you know, soft flesh. And he was really great for me on fantasy. So shout out to you Cooper. But But you know, have Robert woods, you know, higby you know, the, you know, Cam makers. You know, I made the joke a few weeks ago about kingmakers turning into you know, Eric Dickerson and Marshall Faulk, you know, against the Patriots. I was it gets a picture. Yeah, it gets a picture. It's like it was a joke.

Rob Kelly:

I hate another great game too.

Rayshawn Buchanan:

Right. Yeah, exactly. So this is like maybe they shouldn't win some a little bit more. But you know, maybe Green Bay was just prepare for that. But yeah, I think that he just They'll be that guy once again, they've already gotten so suitable with him. And you know, he's been on the field more than once. You know, I still think you know, your guy down in Dallas is definitely better than both of them. You know. So when we look back at that 2016 draft, we'll say, you know, the DAG is probably the best that came out that class and that's not to me, that's not debatable. You know, we draw control about that all day. But barring injury that tears up everybody in the NFC really the NFL, do

Rob Kelly:

you hear that? Yeah, that

Rayshawn Buchanan:

is true. We joke and we troll about sure, but we got to be honest. It's called

Michael Marcangelo:

timeout here. So Dak Dak tears up. Patrick mahomes he tears up Josh Allen he tears up Aaron Rodgers. Like that's what we're saying. Because they're in the NFL too. And you just said he tears up the entire NFL.

Rayshawn Buchanan:

Those guys don't play defense only he tears up defenses. So I mean, we I guess he would give up as a good game though. You know, I'm saying like not so he's not gonna be every

Rob Kelly:

whack Dak with two ankles as a top 10 quarterback.

Rayshawn Buchanan:

Play anybody would say naked. Let's go Let's get it. But I think that I don't know who you look to replace the thing is they're not going to have a high pitch because you know, they made the playoffs so they're going to be in the 20s in the first round. You know, and I know they give him a lot to get Jalen Ramsay to so I don't know what they're looking to do at the QB position. But listen, just because wolfer had a nice game with 17 doesn't mean he's the guy the future. You know, it is no different than what my friend has done. You know, no different than you know maybe like a Mack house or something for a few games. Jacoby percent back in the day, don't put too much thought into that. I just think he'll be a decent backer wherever he goes, but gotcha, gotcha. So so just to start, not just on the Rams, but on several teams in the NFL, so we'll see what happens.

Michael Marcangelo:

I also see here that in the notes it was added under this game is davante Adams, the best wide receiver in the NFL. I assume that Bobby thinks that he's one of them. Okay to answer your question shortly. Yeah, go ahead. No

Rob Kelly:

who's better?

Michael Marcangelo:

Tyreek Hill don't like him person but he's better. Stefon Diggs

Rob Kelly:

davante Adams is just he's the most all round best wide receiver because like there's nothing that you can do to stop this man. It you he can play the slot. He can play outside. He can play everywhere. I'm not saying he is the best. That's why I put a question mark next to it. I just think it's something that is absolutely up for debate and is between I think it's between digs. And Adams I don't think hills I think hills just really fast and he's got a guy that can really throw the ball to him.

Michael Marcangelo:

Davonte was even the best wide receiver on the field and his side of the on his team on on Saturday.

Rob Kelly:

He had not no don't talk to just because he had more yards just because he had more yards. He was up against Jalen Ramsey all day. Jalen Ramsay hasn't allowed. Jalen Ramsey hasn't allowed more than 50 yards against him all season. And devonte tore I don't wanna say tore him up. demonte had a very good game against the best corner in the NFL

Michael Marcangelo:

nin catches 66 yards and a touchdown.

Rob Kelly:

And that touchdown he made him look foolish. He made him look foolish on that touchdown.

Michael Marcangelo:

That's pretty good. That's pretty good.

Rob Kelly:

It's very good against the competition.

Rayshawn Buchanan:

Somewhat you guys named all these guys in every single one of them the great What about DK Metcalf? No, no, no, no. Not yet.

Rob Kelly:

Are you going Deandre Hopkins

Rayshawn Buchanan:

yes how not how can we not bring him up?

Michael Marcangelo:

He's not playing

Rayshawn Buchanan:

Deandre hopkins I just I don't understand that. It doesn't matter for quarterback you put him with that man balls the fuck out and I don't understand how what is better is the only hop is like I'm sorry. Like I get it davante Adams is he's very smooth like you know part of it is because they don't always have a secondary option is going to be you know, consistent. So he catchy gets most of the, you know, most of the targets. But listen, davante Adams is definitely top three. I'm not debating that. But listen to this hop this man. And tight tyreke Hill. He's top five, but I can't say he's the best. He's top five though. Like, to me. I put days before him. I put there's a special man like they showed me something. Buffalo man I didn't I knew he was good at running today. The guy got replaced them. Justin Jefferson is a problem too. Maybe they becoming a nice little factory out in Minnesota too. But he had some evil. I say Hopkins is still one, let's say doesn't matter where you put him. He's going to dominate. And maybe you put dates to the one say three. And I thought I'd put Hill right there. Now from if you're talking about just a speed, you know, speed standpoint game to just standpoint then yes, you have to put tiebreaker number one because literally, you could put a double team one and like I remember the game a couple years ago with the Houston patriots. Jonathan Jones is one of our fastest corners. You know, and he literally had Jonathan Jones stuck in mud as he was early on. I don't see him but I was like, well, we'll be lucky to get to the Super Bowl cuz this motherfucker is Fast lady is going out there sweating as always like it's ridiculous like, so. Listen, I get it. I understand the fastest retirement kill but I'll take into it happens.

Michael Marcangelo:

You mentioned you didn't mention stefon Diggs y'all mentioned stefon Diggs and that so I do want to move to the next game on the docket, which was the Baltimore Ravens going into buffalo. Buffalo has, obviously we know, it's their first playoff appearance and since 1995, that the Ravens, who I called paper champions last year, meant it more this year, went into Buffalo and Lamar Jackson did exactly what we all said he was going to do. Well, I don't say we all when I said he was gonna do a Baba citizen to do, he could not make the throws that he needed to make in the tight windows that he needed to make them which resulted not only in a 101 yard interception return for a touchdown, but ultimately a loss to the bill 17 to three ratio. I think that you have been, especially the people that are on the show right now, the biggest offender of Lamar, so I'm gonna go to you first. What is what were your thoughts in this game? And was it an indictment of Lamar Jackson?

Rayshawn Buchanan:

Okay, let me down. Let me know what so I just know, I can defend it now. I was very happy to see him get his first win, you know, against the Titans in the wild card round. You know, I think it was good to get that I'm going to get that weight off his shoulder and finally win one. Because, you know, to me, I felt like he was a little unfairly criticized because I felt like Josh Allen did get one too last week bigger naked went to last week, every tour every quarterback in the 2018 draft, I felt like you know, they didn't get when they said we know Sam Donald and doing shit. So let's be real. I thought that he was kind of unfairly criticized, I feel like he kind of got put on a, you know, a different path or got, you know, got called out a lot more, in my opinion, last last week, because basically what people have been talking about, so it's like the intercessor throws the, you know, only being counted all for your legs. But that on that pick six back to the house that's on him. And it's about progressions, right? So when he's running out, he's scrambling, obviously, he's easily one of the more dangerous players in open field. That's not debatable. But if they know that you're only looking for 89, in the in the endzone, of course, the defenders are going to flock to 89. They know you're now looking for Hollywood, you know, looking for release need, you're looking for 89 Could I get it? Baltimore just they just love tide. And so whether it was in the shower back in the day, whether it was Todd heap, I get it. That's just what they do. But as soon as he didn't look him up, he looked them off. He may have been able to catch it. But that didn't happen. He didn't look him off. He literally threw a right to him where you know, any one of us on here could have caught it. Yeah, we might have only went about four or five yards after that catch. We want to go the whole distance. But yeah, he said his progressions have taken a step back for sure. And I can see why folks say that he did regress, hopefully he bounces back. And I said that loss that loss on Saturday night is on him and I can't defend that.

Rob Kelly:

You say that he's unfairly criticized and like, I do think that Lamar Jackson is a special player, I think he's amazing. But like when you win an NFL MVP award, you are now you're automatically going to be criticized at the level of the NFL MVP. So like when you think about who the NFL MVP is, you know, it's like Aaron Rodgers. It's Patrick mahomes. It's easy to get back all these MVP, quarterbacks, it's like, what was the thing they could do? They can win the game on their own. It didn't matter what else happened. If you had this dude, you were winning. And like, that's just not something that I would ever trust Lamar Jackson to do. I just think you have to have a specific game plan. And a specific way you go about your game, to have Lamar be that special of a player and take you that far. You know what I mean? He's not gonna be Aaron Rodgers, where he's gonna win you a Super Bowl, that's never gonna happen. Unless he rushes for 200 yards, you know what I mean? Like, as a quarterback, I just could never I could never but I could never be able to put all my trust in those baskets just because like I don't ever see him being able to do that he's never going to be able to come back from a 21 nothing deficit, you know what I mean? Like she's not gonna happen.

Rayshawn Buchanan:

You think it's consistent wide receivers? Because to me Hollywood Brown is not the system.

Rob Kelly:

No, I agree. The wide receivers Do you know,

Rayshawn Buchanan:

he was okay in New Orleans, but it's like, a lot of job passes. He granted not to say this is the most accurate I would not make myself look that stupid on this show. But he is put it in their hands or thought you know, to their chest. You know, they've dropped it. It's just like, yo, like, it's bad enough that he's not the most accurate passer. You can't have those moments where you're dropping passes that he's throwing on the money to you. Like the guy that can't happen, you know, unless we saw the ship we can so it's like,

Rob Kelly:

they're not expecting it.

Rayshawn Buchanan:

You gotta have those moments when, if he's making a good throw to you. You have to catch that, you know, This is not on the on the runner, but I'll ask Mike because Mike brought this up about Baltimore. So it's Who do you think they can bring in as a wide receiver to maybe help Lamar progress as a quarterback, then

Michael Marcangelo:

Allenn Robinson, that's the guy.

Rob Kelly:

That's a good call.

Michael Marcangelo:

You got to go get him. He's a bit. He's big. He's fast. He commands he outside who I think he'll make Hollywood Browns life a little bit easier. I also think, just to your first point about him getting unfair treatment. I think him winning the MVP has a lot to do with that. Yeah, I think it would have been VP and then going out the way that they went out last year. And then seeing that you see Josh Allen, who's completion percentage has progressive, you know, has gone up over the last three years, I think went up 10 10%, between last season and this season. And you if you look at Lamar Jackson, he was a 66 completion percentage last year, it went down this year. So he now I do think that the talent as far as wide receivers is different, right? I think I would throw 10% better balls if I was known as Stefan Dix. I think that's just true. But you have to take better care of the football. And you have to be you have to be able to make the decisions quickly in the postseason, and decisively. And I think that's one of the things that I really hurt Lamar, but now listen, he gives Alan Robinson that's a new game, right? Because they have they had the rushing attack with him with Dobbins. And they can and they have an outside deep threat. That's a heart offense the gameplan for

Rayshawn Buchanan:

Yeah,

Rob Kelly:

I'd say get go. So it's kind of like what happened with we bring him Josh Allen. Well, good, good segue over to him is it's kind of what happened with him this year. You know what I mean? Like we say, stefon Diggs last year, what was the criticism of Josh Allen, he didn't have it, when it came down to those last few minutes. He wasn't the guy that you could rely on as a quarterback. But guess what you put stefon Diggs over there, suddenly, Josh Allen wants to fucking better throw in that fucking football. You know what I mean? Like, it's a whole different ballgame. So I do think that there is a path where little mark can be successful. I don't ever want to say that's not his thing. I just think that in the current state that he's in, and the current team he's in, it's just something where he's going to be unfairly criticized a he won MVP. So they expect a lot more of them when it comes to who he is, as a quarterback. You just expect a lot more of a quarter of MVP winning quarterbacks. You know, that's like, a different Exelon that you've now reached? No,

Rayshawn Buchanan:

that's fair. put it that way. Personally, I think they should go get Julio Jones. Oh,

Rob Kelly:

I think that'd be

Rayshawn Buchanan:

another thing I was on. I feel like he screams Baltimore. To me. I felt like just, he could be on bone. That was when he got there. And I think that to me, after that big possession guy, who could still running somebody who need him to grant I would love to see him in New England. You know, we're going to be objective. To me. I think I could see him be in a ravens uniform. I think to me, he'd be the perfect guy to mentor Oliver Brown. Roberts. I don't think about Robinson so that's a good that was a good name drop there. But yeah, I think Julio would be perfect in Baltimore. You know, hey, you know, call up the boys on and say, Hey, you know, you know, Julio, come on, come on back off to Landover Washington place, but

Michael Marcangelo:

I don't know what his cap hit is. I assume. I assume it's large. I assume his salary is ridiculous.

Rayshawn Buchanan:

It is. But so is his play. You know, it's

Michael Marcangelo:

next thing though, is when he's still on when he stays on the field. He's moving. He's moving into probably the end of his prime for a wide receiver. Is that fair to say?

Rayshawn Buchanan:

Yeah, he's 31.

Michael Marcangelo:

And injuries have started to creep up a little bit more. So I think for injuries too. Yeah. Yeah, you don't? Yeah, you don't look like injuries for a receiver. I think for, you know, from Lamar, he needs a young stud, you know, like an allen Robinson and it's a little bit of a lesser cap hit. But for me, you know, what's also would be interesting, because I think that this wide receiver really just flourishes and chaos would be like a wallflower. He is someone that, again, when he can stay healthy, that when he'd love, he doesn't love running routes, he runs straight or runs a deep post. But when deshawn scrambles, he always looked for well, because he knew that he just be following him. So that's a good kind of wide receiver combo that you'd want there. The next thing I want to talk about is Josh Allen. I think we all had such unrealistic expectations for this game, right? We're talking about in our group chat, DK, Joe and I talked about it last week that this is going to be chaos on the field that did not live up to that. But Josh Allen again, 2337 206, a touchdown, no picks. That's the difference, right? He did not make any crucial mistakes. And for what it's worth, the offense of the bills was pretty anemic. when you really think about it. Allen throws her 206 106 of those yards or two digs, right. So there was 100 yards elsewhere, and the team collectively rushed for 32 yards on 16 carries for two yards of carry. So if they play like that, this week, which we'll talk about, they're not going for. So what were your thoughts and your feelings on this? bills Bobby and how they performed?

Rob Kelly:

So to me it the basic question with them is was it like we saw the one wreaking havoc that entire game any? There is one direction that teams were going that just like if you're kicking a field goal that direction you were doing anything that direction you were toast. So to me it was like is that is that the bigger issue was that the wind causing havoc on the offense, and it caused havoc on everyone? Which is why we saw the 17 to three score? Or is this actually something that we need to worry about two bills? I want to lean towards the wind because of what we've seen the whole, you know, whole season is the same. It's just been electric week in and week out no matter what, buddy? I'm not sure. I'll tell you what if they show up like this next week. They're in trouble, for sure. For sure. I agree with you there, but I don't see it. I don't see I think that it really was just a win. I think Josh Allen is special. And I think getting Zach moss back is going to be a big thing. Because as much as I love Singletary since I traded them for him in my dynasty league. He's not the answer. He's really not. And that's pretty evident. He's not good. And Zack moss adds a different element to that rushing game. So I think he's big coming back. But yeah, it was surprising to see them struggle, it really was. Because I expected it like you guys, I thought this was gonna be a high scoring electric game. That's just not what we got.

Michael Marcangelo:

I think as fans ratio, I'll let you go for this too. I think as fans, we get baited into this every year, right? There's always that one matchup every year in the playoffs, where we see these two dynamic offenses with mobile quarterbacks that can also sling it. And we just think to ourselves, man, this is gonna be something like 2724, it's gonna be nuts. And it's always 17 to three, it's always 10 to three, it's never what we think it's going to be. So what Haven't we learned that in? In the playoffs? defense gets a little bit better for every team that's in there, for whatever reason it is, unless you play the chiefs, it gets a little bit better. The one thing that I want to ask you about this game rayshawn How does Josh Allen stock improve? Or has it for you based on what you've seen so far in the playoffs? And most importantly, in this game, where they is a home game? They needed to win? They did it?

Rayshawn Buchanan:

Well, you know, the credit goes to Craig and I, you know, Craig Craig, I talked about earlier in the year that buffalo was gonna run AFC East. And we basically said, because it was going to be because of Josh Allen. I actually said I'm on the sports page called sports nation primetime online. And a couple years ago, when actually it was the game after Josh Allen had to get to Minnesota where he heard of somebody to get a first down and I said, Oh, shit, I said we were in trouble was Brady's out of here cuz I said, that guy's gonna run division and I got laughed at man. Oh, man brings that what pictures? Nope. I'm telling you, when number of total leaves number 17. That guy Orchard Park, that guy's gonna run division. And lo and behold, that's what's happening. No, he hasn't changed anything in my mind, because I thought that he was going to be good. And that game changer for me. Now, like I said, Bobby was right, you know, because I know Bobby, you talked about last year, you know, him making a behind the back passes. And, you know, doing laterals that just didn't make any sense. And once again, that's part of the maturation process, right? Like we do things. Like I love the touchdown pass the car last year he was done on the end around our belt was awesome. But you know, to me, he's tough. You know, he's looks like someone that he could throw at a mile. So no, just the stock didn't change formula. I think he's just going he's going up. And I think that the ABC and really the NFL know better what better watch out because I said that dude, to me is lethal, and he's only going to get better.

Michael Marcangelo:

Moving on to the first game on Sunday, we had the upstart Cleveland Browns coming into Arrowhead Stadium to take on what we all believe we are witnessing is the the middle of a dynasty, the beginning in the middle of a dynasty Reverend Kansas City and Patrick mahomes. And the Kansas City Chiefs. This game had all the makings of a blowout. The things that that mahomes can do on the field that offense can do on the field at Reed is always good coming off of a by always, he's historically a terrible clock, game time manager and clock manager but he wasn't this time. In this game. You saw Patrick mahomes go down. And Chad henne comes in and saves the day for Kansas City. 2217. We talked a little bit about this, you know earlier in the show. Bobby to you first. What are you most impressed by? Chad Henne or Andy Reid's fourth in one call?

Rob Kelly:

Oh wow. That's a fucking tough question. I want to say Andy Reid's fourth out college just because of how much balls it really took lesson. Chad Hansen was awesome. That run was awesome. But he was still Chad heading. You know what I mean? He still made some mistakes and he still made that interception that he threw was just beyond atrocious there was there was no one even close to where he was throwing the ball. So as much as that was awesome. Man that fourth down call. I everyone here knows how much of a Tony Romo fan. I am I've never heard this man so flabbergasted in my entire life like he lost. This is like, there's no way they're snapping it from a shotgun for them. They snap that that whole sequence was amazing. Yeah. And that took some brass balls by Andy Reid, for sure. It would be one of those things where if he didn't get that, and Cleveland won that game, he would go down in the history for that call. But they did every hour, they won.

Michael Marcangelo:

I also think like calling the game as if mahomes is still in it that shows you how much trust he has in the guys out there because that's what that was right? That was a mahomes in the game, fourth and one. That's it, that's the exact same play that they're going to run, no chat any through an awful duck, but he still was six of eight for 66 yards and that long punt or interception. I think for me, the star of the game and had to have been Tyree kill. Again, he catches 110 yards. The guy is you just can't catch him. You know what I mean? He's gonna be so hard to cover, regardless of who you put on him. I think if mahomes is healthy, this the final score of this game is a little bit different because we did see, as you know, I think rayshawn kinda was pointing out. There was a little bit of a fumble by by Higgins, that for me, and I think Rachel said it in the chat. That's ballgame. That's game over. If you can't score that touchdown, if you can't make that play, like you're not gonna win. So based off of what you saw, let's go for from post that moment. Because I know that at that moment, you said, game's over. What did you learn about Cleveland after that? How do they fight back? Did they make you a believer in them? Talk to me?

Rayshawn Buchanan:

Well, I almost almost had to eat crow because, you know, they got that touchdown. And I'm like, oh, like, I think Bobby for like the lead cursor line. Like, not so fast. I was like, Damn, like, you're rightly they're about to come back. But then, you know, they did what they do, man, you know, it's like, you know, once again, once see to me as a competitor. And granted I know, because I had a conversation with my roommate about this. He was like, man, like, you know, I want to provide the beat mahomes I'm like, yo, doll. Of course, you want to be mahomes. I'm like, Yo, this is a play. I was like, this is a chance to go to AFC Championship game. And he goes down, and you still lose like, that's unreal to me. Like the moment that he went down. Like the Cleveland Browns should have felt the same way Craig felt and they should have been jumping for joy that you are time the witness game and let's seize the opportunity. And he didn't do that. So whether it was job passes, whether it's I think the play actually the good I think the drive right after the quote unquote punch size interception. They did nothing on that drive. And it's like, oh, like, that can't happen, bro. Like you that can not happen. So you cannot have Jarvis Landry. You cannot have Harrison Bryan. They've been in jokey joke. Ooh, let me know chub and hunt. And it was the looper and it's like, you know, Kareem hunt? Who Okay, have you had to choose my words wisely here? You came into this game talking about it was personal. And it was personal. You know, they let me go. You know, you kick somebody in the car. You get the woman. Put it out there call it what it is, you know, but you couldn't fix it on the field. clinic clinic no game if it ran in front of a big fella. And that's a shame. It's unfortunate because you call it a personal talk to all that trash before the game. When you go on the field, and when you hear about into the third quarter. That's unfortunate. You know your connection sometimes man or just his his

Rob Kelly:

level. It's great.

Rayshawn Buchanan:

I wish he had a connection on Sunday. maybe it'd be a little different. But it's unbelievable what what happened. But no, listen, Cleveland does, man. There's just like, it's unfortunate. But I said from that fumble, realize it really really should have been called a helmet to helmet like I just wanted to have that like once again, had had been a chief receiver. They had a call that shit. That's what gets me upset. They look out because once again as patriot fans, we've gotten plays on our side too. So I get it. But when you are favorite, they look out for you. That's just how it goes. I'm sorry. What is Green Bay, New England and New Orleans at times Indianapolis at times when you are the favorite. They look out for you. So like I'm surprised it wasn't a flag called for the mahomes that either like I'm surprised like,

Rob Kelly:

yeah, that's the way it goes. You know, when when you're the underdog, you got to be perfect. And you're not going to get the breaks that that that team get you got to be perfect, man 100%. But so that rule though, so I do want to I want to I want to talk about that rule a little bit because like, to me, I think that's the dumbest rule in football, that if you fumble the ball and it goes out of the end zone, the other team gets the ball in the 20 and you fold it up to one like that's the only place on the field that that happens and I just think that it's like I don't know I don't know what the solution is whether you just give it back to him at the one yard line whatever the case is, but like to me fumbling out of the back of the hands on like that when you're stretching for the pylon should not give the other team the ball in the 20 yard line. You know, that's just it's so crazy to me. That's that's still the rule after all. The times you've seen this happen that this just hold on to the ball. I know but like, then you can't, then you can't make the pylon. Gold, you know that like pylon is golden. You can just reach the ball out and tap it like, Yeah, I don't know. I don't know,

Rayshawn Buchanan:

I agree with you, Bobby, like Mike just wants to be addicted and say otherwise. But

Michael Marcangelo:

I mean, I I agree with you. But in another essence, like, if you're going down to the one yard line, you said there's a defender coming near you, you should always try and do whatever you can do to make a play, I get that put your team the best chance to win. I understand that. But also have faith in your team that maybe if you go down at the one yard line, because you're securing the football, you don't want to cough it up. You have the faith in them to score a touchdown within the next four tries.

Rayshawn Buchanan:

So usually you think about that in that moment. You don't close it is always the

Michael Marcangelo:

first thing you think about first thing you think about. First thing you think about ray is you play it as you score a touchdown. Second thing you think about it, you better protect the ball when you're doing so. And he didn't

Rayshawn Buchanan:

get laid out. He got hit in the head. Like if he got hit in the leg. I'd be like cool. You know what, that's I got you. He got laid out Mike. And then you want to say he got flatlined as a two yard line. Like it wasn't like it wasn't a regular hit. He got his ass laid out. That's what happened. Like, that's, once again I I hear you, but I'm what you bought me like that rule is dumb. And maybe you want to put it back into one or two. You're like, Alright, he fumbled it cool. I'm fine with that. But just don't. To me, you're basically for one or the other team. When that happens, once again, we saw earlier this year with you know, Craig's favorite patriot N'Keal Harry. Like you know, he

Michael Marcangelo:

fumbles. He was basically untouched.

Rayshawn Buchanan:

Right? You know, it's just like, you know,

Rob Kelly:

a ball if that ball goes out three inches forward, it's at the one yard line they have three more chances right you know what I mean? So like what

Rayshawn Buchanan:

I don't know man like I I hate it to me. I hate the rule. I hate it. They want to change everything else change that shit. Then talk about that with the compensation committee over the summer and just say hey, we got to change this rule.

Michael Marcangelo:

I want to make sure that we have enough time to talk about the the Brady and Brees showdown and preview that the matchup. So I want to ask you guys a question. I want a 32nd timer on each of you. Right. I'm gonna keep a mental note here. I'll cut you off. Based on what you saw this season. And in this game, does Baker Mayfield deserve a long term contract in Cleveland? Bobby, you're on the clock.

Rob Kelly:

Yeah, absolutely. He even just for the precedent of what he's done with this team. You know, he's not what everyone thought he was gonna be. He's not the most electric quarterback. He's not Patrick mahomes. He's not that level. But the fact that he brought the Cleveland Browns to their first playoff victory and appearance since becoming a franchise like the team owes him that. I think that he played up to that contract to me getting him there this season, losing OBJ and going through the adversity that they did especially against the Steelers was Stefanski out, and they still come back and win. Yeah, here in that contract. The last and the most Brown's way to the number one seed that I could imagine. But yeah, he deserves a contract for sure. Right. 30 seconds. Yeah,

Rayshawn Buchanan:

I mean, he definitely does not obviously he's not getting with tomorrow, you know, moans are good, obviously. But can you give him a gym he got a couple years ago, which is like five years 135 with like 102 guaranteed Sure, why not? You know, he's done a really good job that he's gotten better each year. So it's amazing how much better he got when OBJ went on the sidelines. Definitely think he should be there for a long time. Called it. The game

Michael Marcangelo:

that I think that we are all we're really looking for forward to this weekend. I know I was personally I have a personal connection. A heartfelt connection to this game was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers going into the the Superdome and going against Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints. There was all the reports coming out pregame that this could be and will very likely be Drew Brees is last stand in New Orleans. Right. New Orleans had beaten Tampa Bay twice this year. Brady did not look good in either of those games. So Tom Brady, in this game 18 of 33 199 yards, two touchdowns, no picks, he made a couple bad throws, and he also rushed for a touchdown. When you needed him to be the goat. He was the goat. Bobby What did you learn in this game? Did it meet your expectations? Did it exceed them? Did it I mean fall short. You tell me?

Rob Kelly:

Should I take aim at them? I don't think it was. I think in the first half of this game. It was very evident that the two quarterbacks that were playing were definitely over 40 years old. I don't think there's any doubt about that. But it was a great game. I loved every second of it. I have to say I loved the added wrinkle of this is breezes last game and the New Orleans Saints were going all out to win this game for them and they still couldn't pull it off. I just think it really just goes to show you that like yes Braden has the most amazing game but when the turnovers got made by the saints, the Bucs capitalized every single Tom Brady knew he had that short field to work with. He knew what he had to do. And he got a dump is like we saw the most stereotypical Brady performance to me, you know, like, I've been going coming up on my Facebook, post all these things, all these memories, I've been seeing things that like the Patriots and beauty. He's never been amazing. You know what I mean? That's what like, I think people forget is like, this dude hasn't always been electric. He's one of the guys that just like, you don't know why. He just wins and like his stats aren't great. When you're watching them. You're like, oh, maybe he missed that throw. He missed that throw. But like, they still win. And he still, when it matters, he makes the throws like that Mike Evans throw. That was such an amazing throw in the end zone. Then there is a quarterback sneak where like, he doesn't just quarterback sneak he finds a seam. You know what I mean? You see him do it. Like he snapped, he steps back, he finds where he has to go. And he does it. He's the best I've ever seen at it. It's just like the small things that he does that take away from anything negative that he does and brings him to this next level and allows them to win this game.

Michael Marcangelo:

I will say before you go rayshawn Brady got lucky twice in this game, right? That out that he threw on the sidelines that was a pick six in the first game was it was this close to make it pick six again. And he threw he threw what would have been an interception. But the defender only got one foot down. It was a sideline, fade, whatever. He wasn't perfect. But to your point about he was never great. Brady for the overwhelming majority of his career. Whenever you needed him to do something, he did it. And he never cost his team when I say never. I don't mean always that's a bad choice. But overwhelmingly, he never was the reason that they lost the game. So for Ray, I know, you know, we've both been kind of saying you know, we want Brady to do well. So when you're watching this game, you're seeing what you're seeing. The first question I would ask you is pretty specific. When you compare Brady to Brees in this game, is there any doubt who the better quarterback is?

Rayshawn Buchanan:

No, it wasn't even God beforehand, even when he lost the two games and like, I'm still taking Tom Brady over to raise like, I love the meme that you sent me. Where you know from WrestleMania 24 is that match between Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair. And you know, you see Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair before he kicks us. He fixes uh, you know, kick him in the face. Switch him music is like, I love you. I'm sorry. He just ends the day, you know, 123 and that's exactly what happened. That's exactly what it was. You know, I said to me, I know some people who firmly believe that breeze was better than Tom and I have you put him in Norton Norland, you know, you did X, Y and Z them like, once again, this is proving that you can't just put anybody into the system and just think that they're gonna do you know, X, Y, and Z. But listen, man, let's say I didn't change anything for me. I'm writing with a Brady always. And, you know, to me, this performance really reminded me of actually his first syllable against the Rams, like 16 to 2740 bucks. 45. And then, you know, like a touchdown, right? So not something that's gonna overwhelm you. But once again, you know, the pastor Redmond, your pastor to Patton, you know, when you need him to make a play, like he did early in his career. Now he's more of a game manager. I feel like you know, he's still putting up big numbers. He just finds a way. So once again, not gonna always put up the form 250 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions. But when you need him to make a play, you know, he would have had another one who got one and drop it. You know, I'm probably pointing that out. I was all he does is

Rob Kelly:

drop passes badly. How

Rayshawn Buchanan:

do you drop that? He has made some really good plays, though. But he has he has he was like, Damn, like, you're too good, bro to keep dropping these type of passes. And like, you know, you know, Brady gets, you know, when he gets frustrated when he gets pissed. You know, I would just fit him like, I might catch them. I wanna I want to blow up, blow them. I wanted a smoke show. I said it to me. It reminded me of his first performance in the Superbowl. And like I said, it wasn't spectacular. But just whenever he needs to do in order to make the play, he's always going to.

Michael Marcangelo:

I also want to point out that Rob gronkowski, dropped and was hitting the hands in the endzone twice and dropped. The one the one where he's the one where he laid out. If he catches that's a great catch. That's not

Rayshawn Buchanan:

what I'm talking about. Yeah, that was kind of that was that was out of his reach a little bit. I was expecting to see what I saw in the AFC Championship Game a couple years ago from gronk. Kind of just that kind of that last and who knows. You might see it next week in Green Bay. Stay tuned. Well, you know, I just to me, Well,

Michael Marcangelo:

he's coming back next year. So it's already

Rob Kelly:

Yeah, he's not going anywhere.

Michael Marcangelo:

He's coming back next year. He's gonna pray he's gonna play with Brady for as long as Brady plays.

Rayshawn Buchanan:

And I'm here for it. I'm Keep going. Keep running the NFC South keep going through everybody.

Michael Marcangelo:

I just I just wanted to be real clear here for all those that are listening. I am a tom brady fan. I'm rooting for Tom Brady to win Super Bowl. I am not rooting for Rob gronkowski because of the way that he left and I know that there was a week the Patriots did a lot of things bad Tim is not it. This is not a page conversation, but for him to not for him to wait till free agency had started to declare that he was retired so that we could not get Jared cook that hurt us and her Brady that year if he was here without him. So like, I hope he's okay. If he wins. I'm not rooting for him. But it's fine, though. I do want to ask you though, Bobby. Drew Brees, what you saw of him this year. And this guy I know that he fractured 11 ribs. He punctured a lung. The fact that he came back in four weeks is a testament to the competitor that he is. That being said, Did he hang on a year too long? Yeah, I

Rob Kelly:

think so. But that's a tough question, though. Because Yes, he did. Rolly fair enough. That's why you're here. So he did hang on too long. Because I just think that like the braids, a breeze we got this year, even the breeze we got last year is like, yeah, they were hanging on to this last thread of hope of winning a Super Bowl with this quarter that they had because this team has been through a lot together. You got to remember the heartbreak that this team has been through over the last four or five years they've lost on the last play in the playoffs. Was it three years in a row now? There's the digs. There's Rudolph last year, I think there's one the year of the pass interference against the Rams. So that's three years in a row where they just went through total heartbreak. I think he had a run like this last year. I think you see Brees walk away last year, but because of the heartbreak and everything like that, like it's really hard to blame him for coming back. But like everything was pretty blatant that it's the opposite of what from Tom Brady, you know what I mean? Like you look at these older quarterbacks in history, and it's like, they always have that one season where you're like, man, they really, they were struggling that year. And it's like, Brees that was this year. Tom Brady's the exact opposite, where he's just better and better. keep bringing it back to him. But like, it's just like, that's where I keep going. Because it's like, This dude is at the end of his career. He's two years younger than Brady, and he looks 10 years older than him. And he's playing 10 years older than him. And then you have Brady who's 43 now, right 43. Yeah, and just playing some of the best football career. So

Michael Marcangelo:

now for I think one of the other questions that we can kind of discuss and pose here is Tampa Bay's defense legit. And I think it is I'll throw it to you rayshawn first reason why I'm gonna say yes. is because they give up a what was it as a 75 yard kick punt return? Where the New Orleans get to down on the Was it the 15 yard line? And they hold him to three points? That No sir. So Drew Brees can throw 15 yards down the field, we know that but in the red zone, he can still make those throws the field is shorter. He has a lot of weapons. They help Michael Thomas to was it was zero. Yeah, he caught as many passes as I did on Sunday. So my question to you Ray, is this defense legit was it was this game? They're coming out party? And does it give you more confidence in them going into next week?

Rayshawn Buchanan:

So I wouldn't say they're legit. I think they're opportunistic. So kind of like how Kansas City's defense was last year. You know, not saying that music on the Superbowl. But I just I think that, you know, they made plays when they need to, they're really good against the run for sure. I think they can get burned. In the passing game. I've seen it. I remember that chiefs game. And my god time ago had 20 yards in the first quarter, the first quarter and I was just like, yo, like, this is insane. Like, out of control. So if I say passing wise, I just I don't think that they're that good. But far from r&d from a running standpoint, I think they're really good. And you know, obviously noted down because to run, you know, makes that go on the front seven. So, yeah, from running why sure. But like I said, they're opportunistic, like, they're not someone that's gonna set you down forever. But they'll make plays when they need to, as they did last week. And, you know, hopefully that'll be enough to

Rob Kelly:

Yeah, it's so funny. That's where you went with that. Sorry to cut you off like but so it's so funny. That's where the text is. That's literally exactly what I was thinking is like their run defense 100% legit their linebackers. 1,000% legit. Well, vontae Davis, Devin white and Shaquille Barrett. Those three are probably the best linebacker in the NFL. They're up there.

Michael Marcangelo:

And Jason Pierre Paul,

Rob Kelly:

he am here right here and Pierre Paul. Right. Exactly like their their front seven is unreal. Then they got Golson and Sue on the line. So they have a really good front seven. To me What stood out is you know, like you said the secondary is the flaw. Winfield Jr. and Murphy bunting. Those two played out of their mind this past week. So those two stood out to me if they can show up next week. They have a chance against the Packers for sure.

Michael Marcangelo:

To be fair, did they play out of their mind or did they take advantage of a guy who couldn't hit his receivers on the field? Because that's not gonna happen this week. Right and they're gonna go against the guy that left with the flick of a wrist can throw the ball 50 yards still

Rob Kelly:

on say and it was a banged up Michael Thomas, we can't forget that his reports came out saying that he needs surgery.

Unknown:

And I hate that like listening

Rob Kelly:

to I know it's very hockey it's very Bruins like this guy played with 14 broken ribs.

Rayshawn Buchanan:

Mr. five yard slant you guys shut down. So it went from o h i o to o wage, and no, because oh no, I can't believe we lost another playoff game. It doesn't make sense. But yeah, Better luck next year. Mike, see you later. But yeah, man, I said your opportunity, like I said, and I think that, you know, listen, we got we're gonna have to get into this because we you know, we're running out of time. But I think you have to, you gotta Why can I not talk tonight? You have to double the one say, just like I'm tongue twister. They're gonna be twisted next week, and they don't double demonte Adams

Michael Marcangelo:

one last thing before we get into that there was a moment after the game between Tom Brady Drew Brees, you know, all of a sudden moment on the field. I think a lot gets lost on, you know, especially here Brady is this weird guy now, he's been weird for a while with Alex Guerrero, and all of his TV twelves and his cacau and his avocado ice cream. I get it. It's working for him. Sure. But when you see a moment, like you did, after the game with Brendan, his family, it does remind you of just the decent guy that we all knew, you know, way back when he first was here. And that he probably still is listen, he's just a weird guy. I don't think he's a bad human being. I think that the moment that you saw between those two after is something that you should really go back and watch again, because Drew Brees isn't a top five. But he's the top 10. And I'm talking all time and to see that moment between those two it was I think it was something it was something to see some something to cherish too, because you don't get a lot of that in the NFL anymore.

Rob Kelly:

So no, I completely agree. That moment to me was so special. Like you just see these two on the field is like we just saw literally the most storied maybe the most accomplished this week might be that. I put that before. But the most accomplished quarterback matchup in the history of the NFL is what we just witnessed. You know what I mean? These two are two literally the two greatest quarterbacks that have ever faced each other during the playoffs. And for them to have that moment at the end like it just made it No, just who, but like,

Michael Marcangelo:

I still think it's I still think Yeah, all right. Manny Brees You're

Rob Kelly:

right, you're right. One of the most You're right. You're right, man. I met Marissa Manning brace.

Michael Marcangelo:

It was super bowl, but it was fine.

Rob Kelly:

That Manny Brady 100% So God dammit now You just ruined everything I was saying.

Michael Marcangelo:

It's okay. Because in reality what you were saying wasn't real because this week's matchup which we're gonna talk about right now is that I think it's better and it's obviously you know, Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going up to Lambeau Field some called Lombardi field and they're gonna play the Green Bay Packers at three o'clock

Unknown:

that right there that's

Michael Marcangelo:

what all we've been hearing right now so I think right now this game was a three and a half point favorite it's in favor of the Packers their home so it's basically a pickup in this game. For me what Tom Brady needs to do to win I'm gonna I'm gonna pose this to you guys as to I'm gonna try and keep this as short as possible right? For me, Brady needs to not be oh seven Brady. He needs to be Oh for Brady. He needs to make the smart throws to the open guys not trying to force anything and not try and out throw Aaron Rodgers. If he does that he's going to lose. I think he has more weapons, but I don't think he doesn't have the arm. So just play the smart game. Because it says right here in my notes. What is Brady need to do to win? Don't make a mistake and don't try like I said out throw mahomes but in this game, Aaron Rodgers so for you, Bobby seniors, you wrote this down? What is Braden need to do to win?

Rob Kelly:

So what breaks so I just think it comes down to can Tom Brady do the Buccaneers have the game plan to beat this team that's when we see the Buccaneers lose? That's when we see them go down dark holes that you're like who is this team that we're watching when they don't have a specific game plan or you see them get away from who they are within that first quarter? If we see the Bucs come out and we see them have that first drive that we know Brady always gets we see them have a you know an absolute commitment to either going with Ronald Jones Leonard fournette actually having something that they think is going to work against this team I think we're gonna see a great game I think the biggest thing for this team is for them to stay in it in that first half It was a Packers get away in that first half it's gonna be ugly for the for Tom Brady in the book.

Michael Marcangelo:

Or it'll be another playoff comeback by Tom Yeah, he really can't Yeah, it's a hard it's a hard thing to predict right? Because you always want to say in RAM I'm gonna go to you next. Like you never want to you never want to fall behind. Yeah, no shit Sherlock. That's sports. You never want to lose. But Brady has a pretty okay track record of falling behind in the first half and coming back Pretty good. I think he I don't know this for a fact. So I just want to put a little asterisk next to it. I think he is the all time leader in combat and come from behind wins I think could be wrong, but we can have someone fact check me You can find me on Twitter Ray for you. What does Tom Brady and what did the Buccaneers need to do to win this game? And like do you think they're going to it's funny I

Rayshawn Buchanan:

actually don't think they are gonna win the game. I want to be wrong, but I just think that Aaron Rodgers is on he's on another level right now. And it's hard it's hard to it's hard it's hard to put into words how good he's been and how good he could be on Sunday but I think that Aaron Rodgers can outdo him but I disagree about you having to be you know, already having to be Oh for Brady. I want oh seven. I want him to sling that shit all over the field. sling it to Mike Evans. sling it's a Godwin sling it to gronk sling it to Sky to Heidi Miller. Just go just go just go I want that and I if you're gonna go out swinging like I don't want to don't play a safe scrolling I don't know it wasn't Sam. Tom. sling that shit all over the field. No for 40 go for

Rob Kelly:

Drew Bledsoe with that shit.

Rayshawn Buchanan:

Say you don't say I'm sorry. Like I don't want to play safe This is not Oh for Brady. You know once again Oh for Brady had to do that because when you're only going to patent and Givens are really just give it to that time and do ranch like, okay, you have to play the same. This dad receiving Corps is not just receiving Corps, so you could do whatever you want to do. Hell, the four of us could go out there behind behind center and maybe get 150 or 175 yards with that with those receivers. Oh my god, and I forgot my guy. And Tony. Oh Rob that grant he's a lawyer. He's a law engine right now so I don't know how he's gonna be next week. But you know, man, he gets a chance to go to the football hopefully like listen saying that said Tom do as you need to don't listen to Mike don't go Oh, 407 on him. But when my when my when? That's why

Michael Marcangelo:

I said 04 remember? Cuz they want 07 They didn't

Rayshawn Buchanan:

Yeah, I know.

Michael Marcangelo:

I do I do. Before you go Bobby, I would be remiss to not do this. I know where I've turned over a new leaf. I'm trying to be less combative. But Ray, I just want you to look at the field of teams that are in the conference championships and identify to me which one of those teams is there because of their running back?

Rayshawn Buchanan:

Ah, oh, he did it. Zach moss duh. No. No, no. It clearly is not right. Obviously it would have been it would have been Baltimore would have been obviously Tennessee had they had they won. But I will say kudos to all of us. We did pick the right four. So our four is in there. So we did pretty well as I must say so myself. But I do think by ironically, you still have to run the ball in order to have a decent game because once again, we talked about Josh Allen and you know him slinging it all over the field. Guess what? Zack? masa Singletary can't run the ball. Guess what? You're gonna lose my 25 points. Like, you have to run the ball. So if you're right, there's no dominant running back. They have that they have to run the game they have

Michael Marcangelo:

just being a smartass. Hey, because I'm contractually obligated to do like, I know that. You know, Ronald Jones. He's there. Leonard fournette has been a beast so far. He's there. Aaron Jones. They're there. They have good running backs. So Bobby, I'm really sorry to cut you off there. For you. You're gonna you're telling me what you think you already know what you think Brady needs to do to win. What does Aaron Rodgers need to do? And a caveat does a win at home at Lambeau and the NFC title game. Does it make you think differently of Aaron Rodgers moving forward?

Rob Kelly:

No, because I already had that. I already know Aaron Rodgers is Aaron Rodgers. He is the most talent. One of I keep doing this. He's one of the most talented quarterbacks that we've ever seen. And there's no doubt about that. Like you said, the way he told her defenses is unlike anything that we've ever seen. To me, what he needs to do to win is go play his ball game loop, the Packers need to go be them. You know what I mean? They need to have the motions that we've been seeing from knology or they need to have that electric offense we've been seeing from them all year. And if Aaron Rodgers come out and have those turnovers that we've seen him having those big games, it's gonna be trouble for them. Really.

Michael Marcangelo:

One of my favorite parts of this is predictions because I get to hold you to whatever you say for the rest of your lives and never let you live it down. So rayshawn What is your prediction of this game?

Rayshawn Buchanan:

So I have Green Bay 31 Tampa Bay 24 No, two

Michael Marcangelo:

why would Okay, that's I hate it.

Rayshawn Buchanan:

I listen, I hate it too. But

Michael Marcangelo:

once again, you're going with your head not your heart.

Rayshawn Buchanan:

I am 3124 greenbay

Unknown:

Yeah,

Rob Kelly:

man, right. You Really? I wanted to go with my head, not my heart to man. I really did because I love Tom Brady. I think this is the best story. I would love it to see him go. Brees Rogers mahomes and take on the Super Bowl. Just have it be like listen, we talked about speakers. The House takes that go deck right on the fucking table. Like there's nothing you can do about that anymore. I would love to see that story. I just don't know if they have enough to beat this version of Aaron Rodgers, man, we said it before. I think this is the best version of Aaron Rodgers we've ever seen in this offense with this talent. You're gonna have to go 30 to 35-28 Packers no 35-31 Packers.

Michael Marcangelo:

So I'm going 27-21 Tampa Bay. I think it's gonna be a relatively low scoring game. But I'm not taking against Tom, I don't want to. I don't believe in it. Even if I did it. I think for me, he is on a path. And we all know that when he has to prove people wrong. He's on another level. And right now, this is all about shoving it straight up. Bill Belichick says he wants to be in that Super Bowl and say, Hey, I'm still here. Where are you? How's the couch? What's up, Linda? So I think he's gonna be I think he's gonna be fully on board. AFC title game. The number two Buffalo Bills going against the number one Kansas City Chiefs mahomes. He practiced. He was on his way to practicing. So he's gonna clear that protocol. It looks like for you rayshawn what needs to happen or what are you expecting out of this game? Don't give me a prediction, but give me the overall feel of what you think's gonna happen in this game. Can buffalo keep it close?

Rayshawn Buchanan:

I can give you all of it in one. But can I do that? Is that okay? Yeah, yeah. I think Kansas City, Missouri, I spent the close game until the fourth quarter. Like I think there's going to be back and forth. You know, I think actually, I think buffalo would take a lead early like there'll be like 1710 and going into the half Kansas City, you know, Bob is gonna meet a group satellite. Josh Allen was great guys, doesn't he? And we're gonna be like, Yeah, I don't know. Not so fast. It's not over yet. And then you know, they're gonna go Okay, this is gonna go on the run, just like they did last year. Like Damn, they really scored 20 straight or 25 straight. Like, this team is unreal to me. Let's say it's gonna be close. But I just think that whoever makes the most plays on really on defense, because I said offense, whatever, you know, they're gonna both teams will score but whoever can make this stop that they need on defense is going to win in my opinion. You know, great heartache there, but that's just how I feel. I got Kansas City when you're 4228

Michael Marcangelo:

that's what I was gonna say, dude.

Rayshawn Buchanan:

Oh, we've been around a long time. So sometimes we have the same mindset.

Michael Marcangelo:

My brother Alright, you can go Bobby. Alright,

Rob Kelly:

so I'm gonna go I think that kids city to me it's still a question of Are they still played dead? I don't think last week was a good indicator of it because again mahomes went out right when they I thought that they're waking up. I thought they were gonna drive down the field scoring a touchdown right there and that was gonna be ballgame. He goes out a whole different story that entire fourth quarter. I still think they're Sleeping Giants. I think we haven't seen the best out of them yet. I I completely agree that I think buffalo is gonna stay in it for a while. But it's just gonna be too much. Patrick mahomes. Man, if he can stay healthy. The team is just too good. You know what I mean? Like, I want to build again, play with the head and not the heart here. I want the bills to go to the Super Bowl. so bad. I really do. I think it'd be such a cool story. It has the bills go up and lose the Super Bowl. To Tom Brady clean up hilarious, but I don't see it happening. I think the Chiefs when I think it's gonna be 2824

Michael Marcangelo:

Wow, that's really close. Yeah, I'm right there with Ray. I thought this game was gonna be something along the lines of 21 to 10 in favor of the bills at halftime. And then you just see what we all come to expect as mahomes and the Chiefs has put up 30 on answered something like that, to make this 4228. By the end, I think we are destined to see mahomes versus Brady in the Super Bowl. I think Brady again, I don't want to turn this into the Tom Brady parade. But to win three games on the road to play a home Super Bowl game. You literally can't write this better. And I'm begging them begging whoever's out there to just let him get there because I think playing a home Super Bowl is the first person to do it should be the greatest of all time. And it should be Tom Brady.

Rob Kelly:

Yeah, no, I completely agree with that. Like Yeah, I put it on Facebook this week. I begged the football Gods for this exact AFC NFC Championship matchups because it's just like the best we could possibly imagine. But for him to do that couldn't agree more man couldn't agree more and

Rayshawn Buchanan:

honestly and I know he's not going to do this but just to me I would if you go through Brees Rogers in homes, go out on top Tom. You'll never get a moment like this. Those three guys and a player in a row bro. You gotta go in on top dog like,

Michael Marcangelo:

I'm sorry, what? As good as he's been looking doing it for him. First of all, he's not retiring until he's 45 Tb 12. His whole little method, his book, everything he says he's gonna play until he's 45. And I kind of think he'd say, You know what's cool, but like, what about doing that just one more time. Just one more time because he could do it. I can't imagine what I mean what better than seven rings? Eight going out back to back?

Rayshawn Buchanan:

Yeah, I guess so. But unless you're looking at what does this WrestleMania 25 or 26. Michaels against? I'll take her back to that great matches. Putting my Corona lions hype daily. Are you kidding me? I don't know, man breed this will be a crazy road row like breeze. Rogers mahomes. Like, how do you talk that bro? Like, how do you top out unless you say you know what? I never went 19? No, let me do I kind of do before. That's the that's the only thing. That's the only thing that he would that would be left to do is that he's done everything else. And if he wins number seven, once again, he's already the best of all time. But seven. Listen, I don't know if he gets seven. There's no one touching that I'm sorry. Like I said, and I

Rob Kelly:

just wrote it. Go dig. That's all that is. This happens. I know. There's no more haters. And again, we don't want to turn this into like a TV 12 jerk off session. But like, at the same time, it's like, holy shit, like, look at what we're actually witnessing here and look at what's actually happening in front of us. And like, if he loses this week, fine. He'll come back next year, and it'll be the same shit all over again. He'll be right back in the NFC Championship game. And we'll be having this same occasion. That's what I mean. So it's just like, it's unbelievable man.

Michael Marcangelo:

The one thing I want to say because I don't want to go too far down a rabbit hole here and I don't want our EP to quit. If you just think about the NFC South breezes gone. His the two of his losses are gone from this year next year. Carolina still doesn't really have a good quarter. Teddy Bridgewater is fine, whatever, Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons, we know who they are. They're nobodies. So he could potentially come back, have a better record and have a buy, you know what I mean? So he's not hanging it up. I hope he gets to the Super Bowl. And we're I'm sure we're gonna we're gonna talk to death about that next week and on the live show coming up in a couple weeks. So to wrap it up real quick. rayshawn. Any final words about what you saw this past weekend? Or what? You're looking forward to seeing this coming weekend?

Rayshawn Buchanan:

No, I'm just looking forward to great matchups coming up this weekend. You know, I mean, less, I think, you know, the four best teams didn't make it because sometimes that doesn't happen. But in this case, the four best teams are there. You know, I'm excited to see how Josh Allen plays in the championship game. You know, I think Allen is probably mahomes light in that regard. You know, we're gonna see how he fares against them. And then obviously, you know, you're looking at two legends, right? icon versus icon. It's just not the skydome. I'm excited to see, you know, Rogers versus Brady. And, you know, even though I picked me in Bay, I'm hoping there's not a friendly day in the neighborhood.

Michael Marcangelo:

Bobby, final word.

Rob Kelly:

So I just want all NFL fans to take a step back and look at what we're witnessing this next coming upcoming week is we're looking at possibly maybe the best AFC NFC Championship Game combo, maybe ever when it comes to implement implicate implications for this league, like a fucking talk. So we have future quarterbacks, Josh Allen, Patrick mahomes, versus the legends. Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. We have never seen anything like this that I can remember. in NFL history. This is the most unbelievable championship weekend. I can't wait for it. I'm just sitting I'm giddy just thinking about it. I can't wait.

Michael Marcangelo:

Yeah, there has never been such a visual passing of the torch as there is this weekend and what will be in the Super Bowl, you have one way or the other. You're gonna have a legend versus a young upstart. One that was already wondering is on his way to try to win 234 or five, you know, LeBron and Miami, or it's Josh Allen, who's going to defy the odds. So I agree with that sentiment, Bobby, I think just kind of take a step back. Take a look at what's happening here. Because it's not, you might never see this again. Especially. And one last thing I do want to say Drew Brees, hell of a career man to do what you did at six one. And in a league where 6566 quarterbacks are the ones that are always dominating. You did it for a very long time for what you did for that city. What you did for the people, no one's gonna forget that. The one thing I will say is, you should have won more than one you needed to you. You won just wasn't enough based on how good you were and how good your coach is or we think he is and how good your offense is. So we are so I'm sorry to see you go. I think it's a great career. I think you are a top 10 I think one more would have gotten you into the top five but for the real BK Bob Kelly ratio and Buchanan Craig D'Alessandro. I am Michael Marc Andreessen. Thank you so much for listening to this episode of missing the point and we'll talk to you soon.

Craig D'Alessandro:

Thanks for listening to this episode of missing the point. missing the point is a one hour podcast recapping the biggest stories in the world of sports with the New England flavour. The show notes and transcript from today's episode can be found in the description box below, as well as on our website. www dot MTP show.com. If you're new to the show, please consider subscribing The easiest way to see when we publish new episodes, we are on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Google and wherever you get your podcasts. Be sure to rate us and leave a review of any of our shows. We always appreciate your feedback. Let us know how we're doing and how we can sound better. Also, be sure to follow us on all of our social medias. All of our links will be in the shownotes attacking a brand new website. www dot MTP show.com. That's MTP show.com. For all of us here missing the point. I'm Craig D'Alessandro. We'll talk to you next time.