Jan. 21, 2026

How New England Bullied Houston, Survived The Mistakes, And Set Up A Mile High Showdown

January football doesn’t hand out free passes, and this week proved it. We open with Buffalo’s exit and the myth that turnovers don’t belong to star quarterbacks. You can praise Josh Allen’s jaw-dropping talent and still say four giveaways are a losing script, especially when the defense keeps giving up 28-plus in the playoffs. That pattern, and the roster’s wide receiver neglect, finally came due. From there, we walk through the NFC’s pivots: San Francisco’s injuries catching up, Seattle’s defense arriving with bad intentions, and the Rams’ route precision and motion carving stress-free throws for Stafford.

The Bears gave us the rare loss you can build on. Caleb Williams remains controlled chaos—some routine stuff looks messy, then he rips a 51-yard-in-the-air dart to force overtime. That throw was timing, torque, and nerve, and it changes how Chicago is perceived by free agents and by the rest of the NFC. The middle class should be nervous.

Then we get to the main event: New England’s defense mauling Houston while Drake Maye rode the rollercoaster and still found answers. Four fumbles and a pick will usually bury you; instead, the pass rush set edges, the secondary stole windows, and the offense flipped from Pop Douglas to Kayshon Boutte without losing tempo. This version of the Patriots has something they’ve lacked for years: functional depth and multiple ways to win a drive. Heading into Mile High, the blueprint is clean—early screens to punish aggression, motion to declare coverage, quick-game confidence for Maye, then layered shot calls. On defense, make Jarrett Stidham solve late rotations and simulated pressure on third and long.

We close with picks for both title games and why this playoff run carries a familiar 2001 hum: tough defense, timely offense, and a young quarterback who keeps finding the throw that changes the night. If that identity holds in Denver, a Super Bowl date with LA or Seattle is more than a dream. If you’re riding with us, hit follow, share with a friend who needs smarter football talk, and drop a review with your AFC and NFC winners—who’s lifting the trophy?

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Hosts: Mike Marcangelo, Dave Clarke, Rayshawn Buchanan, Bob Kelly
Producer: Craig D'Alessandro

Inquiries: Craig@mtpshow.com

00:00 - Setting The Stage: Divisional Chaos

02:05 - Bills-Broncos Fallout And Allen’s Blame

06:45 - The Never-Ending Catch Debate

10:05 - Why Buffalo’s Defense Keeps Cracking

15:05 - Star Treatment And QB Double Standards

20:35 - NFC Shock: San Francisco Stumbles

24:10 - Bears’ Grit And Caleb’s Chaos

29:15 - Rams’ Precision And NFC Title Stakes

33:20 - Pivot To Patriots-Texans

36:50 - New England’s Defense Mauls Stroud

41:30 - Drake Maye’s Highs, Lows, And Composure

47:00 - Skill Players Stepping Up: Pop And Booty

51:20 - Echoes Of 2001 And Culture Reset

WEBVTT

00:00:06.160 --> 00:00:08.880
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to MTP Boston.

00:00:08.880 --> 00:00:10.880
Uh this week again pulling double duty.

00:00:10.880 --> 00:00:18.320
Uh we're gonna be talking about all of the National Football League games over the weekend and any any any news that happened to guide you through this wonderful experience.

00:00:18.320 --> 00:00:24.239
Uh I do need to be my my co-captain, my co-host, my boy, Hollywood Ray John Buchanan, I am Michael Marcangelo.

00:00:24.239 --> 00:00:30.320
And then the Patriots are headed to the AFC title game.

00:00:30.320 --> 00:00:32.240
Uh we're we have a lot to talk about.

00:00:32.240 --> 00:00:34.799
This weekend was full of it had a little bit of everything.

00:00:34.799 --> 00:00:36.960
If you if you like blowouts, we had one of those.

00:00:36.960 --> 00:00:39.200
If you like close games, we had two of those.

00:00:39.200 --> 00:00:46.719
And if you liked a game that you know should have been a little bit more of a blowout than it was, we had one of those as well.

00:00:46.719 --> 00:00:50.880
But like what what was your takeaway, Ray, from uh from divisional weekend?

00:00:51.600 --> 00:00:53.679
Overall, it just just for New England.

00:00:54.000 --> 00:00:54.399
Overall.

00:00:54.399 --> 00:00:56.159
We'll start big picture and we'll hone in.

00:00:56.320 --> 00:01:01.119
Well, yeah, over overall, I mean you're still still you know, seeing a lot of good football.

00:01:01.119 --> 00:01:06.319
I mean, I know obviously there was some messiness that went on in really all the games to an extent.

00:01:06.319 --> 00:01:11.040
Um, see some crazy throws, seen some some really good comebacks.

00:01:11.040 --> 00:01:16.000
Um but overall, see some really good defense being played too, um, at least throughout the four.

00:01:16.000 --> 00:01:17.439
Actually, really in all the games.

00:01:17.439 --> 00:01:24.879
I mean, yeah, the scores were different each of the games, but you see moments where the defense defenses all shine through.

00:01:24.879 --> 00:01:31.680
Um, so it's just it's just why another reason why their playoffs is just as good as anyone else in in pro sports.

00:01:31.680 --> 00:01:35.120
And it's a weekly drama, it's weekly stars being built.

00:01:35.120 --> 00:01:47.920
You know, um people might have been worried because there was gonna be a lack of you know an MI star power in the AFC, you know, with no Mahomes Burr or Lamar, but you know, it's fit the bill so far.

00:01:47.920 --> 00:01:53.040
And uh yeah, I'm just glad to still be, you know, in the final four.

00:01:53.840 --> 00:01:58.079
Yeah, I would say like uh I think we're gonna spend the majority of the time on the Patriots game, obviously.

00:01:58.079 --> 00:01:59.359
Uh we are a Boston show.

00:01:59.359 --> 00:02:02.640
So why don't we start elsewhere and then we'll end with the Patriots game?

00:02:02.640 --> 00:02:06.640
Um I think we'll we gotta start Broncos and Bills.

00:02:06.640 --> 00:02:07.760
Of course.

00:02:07.760 --> 00:02:09.199
We have to start there.

00:02:12.080 --> 00:02:12.719
So yeah, one up.

00:02:12.719 --> 00:02:13.360
I'm gonna order it.

00:02:16.240 --> 00:02:17.039
Over the Bills.

00:02:17.039 --> 00:02:29.120
Uh uh Josh Allen uh was unable to break through to the AFC title game or to the Super Bowl in a year that did not have Mahomes, Lamar, or Burrow in the playoffs, like we've talked about.

00:02:29.120 --> 00:02:41.520
Eight eight uh playoff uh eight playoff uh berths, two AFC title game births and no Super Bowl births, so much so that that it did cost uh Sean McDermott his job.

00:02:41.520 --> 00:02:46.560
So for all you uh Josh Allen apologists, now it's all on him.

00:02:46.560 --> 00:02:50.240
It's all on him now, just like it's it's all on Lamar now.

00:02:50.240 --> 00:02:57.840
Um but I will say I still don't really know what a catch is, do you?

00:02:59.439 --> 00:03:01.360
We haven't known since 2014.

00:03:01.360 --> 00:03:04.080
We're being honest.

00:03:04.080 --> 00:03:08.400
Really, even before then, like the Calvin Johnson game against Dallas years ago.

00:03:08.400 --> 00:03:09.840
Um, that was a catch.

00:03:09.840 --> 00:03:10.719
Sorry, Barbie.

00:03:10.719 --> 00:03:11.280
That was a catch.

00:03:11.280 --> 00:03:14.159
That was it was a catch for Calvin Johnson, it was a catch for Dez.

00:03:14.159 --> 00:03:17.919
Um, many years ago when we were kids, Michael Urban caught it too.

00:03:17.919 --> 00:03:20.479
I guess Dion, that was that was a catch years ago too.

00:03:20.479 --> 00:03:28.400
Um I just I don't I don't I don't know why they're so inconsistent on what that is.

00:03:28.400 --> 00:03:35.199
Uh because we've had a couple of plays where that could have gone New England's way and it should have gone New England's way and it didn't.

00:03:35.199 --> 00:03:43.919
Um, you know, I'm talking about for the regular season, but yeah, like I'm I'm um I'm just as confused as anyone else, honestly.

00:03:44.800 --> 00:03:51.680
I because I just don't, I mean, he went to the ground, he had possession, he was tagged on the ground, and he came up without the ball.

00:03:51.680 --> 00:03:52.080
Right.

00:03:52.080 --> 00:04:04.080
So I I don't under like I I truly don't understand if it was uh I I I'm just at a loss for words in that, but I really want to focus on um a couple things uh during this game, right?

00:04:04.080 --> 00:04:12.159
Obviously, Buffalo put up points, they put up 30, but in their last, was it is it their last four playoff games?

00:04:12.159 --> 00:04:14.879
Is their defense averaging?

00:04:14.879 --> 00:04:19.199
Like they're allowing at least 28 points a game in all in all of these games.

00:04:19.839 --> 00:04:23.439
I mean, Bruce Smith is not walking through that door.

00:04:23.439 --> 00:04:26.319
You know what I'm saying?

00:04:26.319 --> 00:04:32.879
And I I get that, you know, uh, you know, is it Nick or Joey over there?

00:04:32.879 --> 00:04:33.600
Is it Nick?

00:04:33.600 --> 00:04:34.560
Was it Nick or Joey?

00:04:34.560 --> 00:04:35.920
No, it's Joey, Joey's over there.

00:04:35.920 --> 00:04:36.399
Joey.

00:04:36.399 --> 00:04:44.720
So, you know, Joey Trump, sorry, Joey Bosa, um just didn't, you know, he he he was he was but he was pissed.

00:04:44.720 --> 00:04:47.920
Where there was element and everything else.

00:04:47.920 --> 00:04:50.399
That's why I have to say that because this is funny.

00:04:50.399 --> 00:04:53.920
He hasn't been just mad since Biden won.

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And I thought that was hilarious.

00:04:55.120 --> 00:04:56.000
I thought that was great.

00:04:56.000 --> 00:04:58.319
Um, because it's okay to have just the politics.

00:04:58.319 --> 00:04:58.639
It's okay.

00:04:58.639 --> 00:05:01.439
I know you guys want to get emotional about it, but that was funny.

00:05:01.439 --> 00:05:03.920
Um and it was funny that they lost.

00:05:03.920 --> 00:05:12.399
Like, I I once again, we he um, you know, also we'll we'll get into this shortly, but um, yeah, the defense just uh I don't know.

00:05:12.399 --> 00:05:17.360
Once again, you get Bosa, you have is it Russo, Rosso, Rosanna, Greg.

00:05:17.360 --> 00:05:18.639
I know I number 50.

00:05:18.639 --> 00:05:19.040
I don't know.

00:05:19.040 --> 00:05:20.879
They got is it Milano's over there too?

00:05:20.959 --> 00:05:22.480
Like, yeah, Greg Russo, right?

00:05:22.879 --> 00:05:24.240
Yeah, Greg Russo, Greg Russo.

00:05:24.240 --> 00:05:25.839
Um, especially he spells it differently.

00:05:25.839 --> 00:05:29.120
I'm I'm I'm thinking about Miss Russo, but that's because I'm Russell fan.

00:05:29.120 --> 00:05:35.279
Um but yeah, Russo, Poyer, Tradabius White, Milano.

00:05:35.279 --> 00:05:39.199
Like they got some guys on it that can, you know, individually are really good.

00:05:39.199 --> 00:05:43.040
Um now, Trey White hasn't been good, as good since he had the injury a few years back.

00:05:43.040 --> 00:05:48.079
Obviously, we know what happened with Damar Hamlin, you know, with his near death experience a few years old.

00:05:48.079 --> 00:05:49.759
So once again, just that he's a why.

00:05:49.759 --> 00:05:50.879
Forget about what he does on the field.

00:05:50.879 --> 00:05:59.519
But yeah, I think collectively they just have not been what they need to be, and they lean and rely heavily on 17.

00:05:59.519 --> 00:06:04.879
And once again, he couldn't he couldn't pull off the cape fully one more time on um on Sunday.

00:06:04.879 --> 00:06:06.560
On Saturday, excuse me, on Saturday.

00:06:06.639 --> 00:06:12.639
So Josh Allen goes a 25 of 39, 283, three touchdowns, two picks, three fumbles, two lost.

00:06:12.639 --> 00:06:15.600
So he turned the ball over four times.

00:06:15.600 --> 00:06:16.879
So I'm just gonna say it.

00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:19.680
I'm gonna say it out loud, the thing that I said in the group chat.

00:06:19.680 --> 00:06:26.879
You can't have three or four turnovers in a game where you lose and have it not be your fault.

00:06:26.879 --> 00:06:28.160
Right.

00:06:28.160 --> 00:06:29.279
It's your fault.

00:06:29.279 --> 00:06:32.560
You you were a cause of why you lost that game.

00:06:32.560 --> 00:06:36.560
Now the argument can be made that they were that he's the reason that they were in it.

00:06:36.560 --> 00:06:37.600
Absolutely.

00:06:37.600 --> 00:06:38.879
A thousand percent.

00:06:38.879 --> 00:06:40.959
They're not in that game without Josh Allen.

00:06:40.959 --> 00:06:43.439
But they win that game, but they win that game.

00:06:43.759 --> 00:06:44.000
That's true.

00:06:44.240 --> 00:06:44.800
That's true, Mr.

00:06:44.800 --> 00:06:48.079
Yeah, but they win that game if he doesn't make four turnovers.

00:06:48.319 --> 00:06:48.720
Sure.

00:06:48.879 --> 00:06:49.040
Sure.

00:06:49.360 --> 00:06:50.160
So there it is.

00:06:50.480 --> 00:06:51.279
No, for sure.

00:06:51.279 --> 00:07:00.240
But I I just also, and maybe you can answer this for me because you may joke to say Lamar, but I don't think you'll mean it if you say just what I'm about to say.

00:07:00.240 --> 00:07:09.519
Um I don't know of a quarterback that's gotten more of a pass in recent memory than Josh Allen.

00:07:09.519 --> 00:07:12.959
Like, you and I were on the air.

00:07:13.360 --> 00:07:17.519
I think Burrow gets a pass because of what he did that one year against Mahomes right Allen.

00:07:17.519 --> 00:07:18.959
Okay and he gets the Super Bowl.

00:07:19.199 --> 00:07:20.800
Sure, that's that's that's fair too.

00:07:20.800 --> 00:07:33.759
Um but even then, I'm like, damn, I it's still they don't they don't they don't give him the same love the way like whatever what Josh Allen did in a losing performance has brought him into folklore.

00:07:33.759 --> 00:07:35.199
It's unbelievable.

00:07:35.199 --> 00:07:36.160
Unbelievable.

00:07:36.160 --> 00:07:41.279
And once again, we we were on the air, I think the day or two after that happened.

00:07:41.279 --> 00:07:45.519
And once again, we announced at the time this is a top 10 game in the last decade.

00:07:45.519 --> 00:07:46.879
Easily, it was.

00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:57.839
Um, but he has gained so much cachet from that game, and it's like from then on, because you you stood tall, you fought hard against Goliath.

00:07:57.839 --> 00:08:00.160
Well, David won.

00:08:00.160 --> 00:08:03.600
Well, David won.

00:08:03.600 --> 00:08:07.279
David won, and you haven't you have not beat your Goliaths yet.

00:08:07.279 --> 00:08:08.079
You haven't beat them.

00:08:08.079 --> 00:08:09.600
So just saying.

00:08:09.920 --> 00:08:15.839
I do listen, I love kind of you know dipping my toe in the in the Josh Allen hater rate every once in a while.

00:08:15.839 --> 00:08:19.920
But to what you just said, I like here is my counterpoint.

00:08:19.920 --> 00:08:29.519
Brady left the field in all Super Bowls, but but the uh but the uh the last Philly Super Bowl with the lead.

00:08:30.399 --> 00:08:34.080
Right, not Seattle.

00:08:34.080 --> 00:08:36.320
What do you mean?

00:08:36.320 --> 00:08:40.000
Oh no, so sorry, they were down 10.

00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:41.039
Sorry, that's that's what I'm thinking about.

00:08:41.039 --> 00:08:41.759
They were down ten, dude.

00:08:41.759 --> 00:08:42.639
That's that's what I'm thinking.

00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:47.759
Yeah, so but like you so let's say that that let's just hold the same energy.

00:08:47.759 --> 00:08:53.919
Let's say he leaves, he he does what he did uh in uh uh in 2007 against the Giants.

00:08:53.919 --> 00:09:01.840
Eli goes down and does what he did with David Tyree, you know, Pascal Burris, and then Brady came back and and did a game-winning drive.

00:09:01.840 --> 00:09:04.240
I wouldn't diminish what Eli did.

00:09:04.240 --> 00:09:10.559
You know, like so like there there is lure to it in losses.

00:09:10.559 --> 00:09:18.559
I think I'll never hold it against Josh Allen that that he that he went into arrowhead and and battled uh Mahomes.

00:09:18.559 --> 00:09:22.960
It's not his fault that they left 18 seconds or 23 seconds, right?

00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:23.519
So right.

00:09:23.519 --> 00:09:28.879
Well, I mean, well, listen, the the touchdown that gave Davis, that should have been game because that that was un that was one that was a hell of a throw.

00:09:28.879 --> 00:09:29.279
Right.

00:09:29.279 --> 00:09:32.240
Dave Davis was unreal that that afternoon.

00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:32.799
Unreal.

00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:34.879
Um, that's one of the best performances I've seen, right?

00:09:34.879 --> 00:09:36.159
Like hands down.

00:09:36.159 --> 00:09:43.360
Um but yeah, I I mean, I guess because I just go by the notion that we talked about this before too.

00:09:43.360 --> 00:09:52.799
If if you get all the credit when you win, right, then you deserve the lion's share of the blame um when you lose.

00:09:52.799 --> 00:09:56.639
Now, yes, we know there's other things that add context.

00:09:56.639 --> 00:09:57.759
We get that.

00:09:57.759 --> 00:10:10.639
Um, but whether it was the Marino, whether it was at L Way, whether it was Brady, whether it was Peyton Manning, like those guys got the scrutiny when they lost and got all the praise when they won.

00:10:10.639 --> 00:10:12.799
Like, that's just how it was.

00:10:12.960 --> 00:10:14.960
I'm gonna throw I'm gonna throw a comp to you.

00:10:14.960 --> 00:10:18.639
I think he is the modern day so far, Steve McNair.

00:10:18.639 --> 00:10:22.240
Because I don't remember Steve McNair ever getting any shit.

00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:25.120
And he didn't win a big game.

00:10:25.120 --> 00:10:27.919
He got to a Super Bowl, sure.

00:10:28.159 --> 00:10:28.559
Right.

00:10:28.559 --> 00:10:33.039
I so and I'm about to contradict myself while I'm saying this.

00:10:33.039 --> 00:10:35.200
I know I put you in that position.

00:10:35.200 --> 00:10:40.879
Um but it's like, damn, Tennessee is not where they are.

00:10:40.879 --> 00:10:44.159
Like, Tennessee is not where they are.

00:10:44.159 --> 00:10:46.559
I I know they had Eddie George, just like how he has Double Cook.

00:10:46.559 --> 00:10:53.039
I mean, I double cooked James Cook, but you tell me another guy that could have came in and did what Steve Manaire did at that time.

00:10:53.039 --> 00:10:57.279
Um you are doing exactly what you said you were gonna do.

00:10:57.360 --> 00:10:57.840
No, that's what I was saying.

00:10:57.919 --> 00:10:58.240
That's what I said.

00:10:58.240 --> 00:11:00.720
I said about the country, I just said that, but I'm all the contradictions myself.

00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:08.399
But I just I just think that um he's also Josh South has also knocked at the door more than Steve McNair did.

00:11:08.399 --> 00:11:14.639
Yes, Steve Minair's there, and Steve Minair kind of he wasn't really the guy that he was by the time he got to Baltimore.

00:11:14.639 --> 00:11:16.559
So I think he just kind of faded off to the sunset.

00:11:16.559 --> 00:11:18.080
Yes, they made the throw bowl, yeah.

00:11:18.080 --> 00:11:28.399
They made the playoffs, but Baltimore at that time was just happy to have another quarterback because between Kyle Bowler, Anthony Wright, and you know, Tony Banks, whatever they it just it was just battle with their quarterback-wise.

00:11:28.399 --> 00:11:29.600
So they was happy to get anybody.

00:11:29.600 --> 00:11:35.200
You could have been back there, they didn't be like, look, we got Mike Rogangelo, he's slipped five, and you can't teach that.

00:11:35.200 --> 00:11:36.320
Like that, that's what it would have been.

00:11:36.320 --> 00:11:37.360
They'd have been happy about that.

00:11:37.360 --> 00:11:42.720
Um, needless to say, Josh Allen has been knocking at the door, knocking at the door, and we recognize the talent.

00:11:42.720 --> 00:11:44.080
That's why we're so hard on him.

00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:52.720
Though those that that have been hard on him, we recognize and we acknowledge that he very well is just as good as anyone else that we talk about.

00:11:52.720 --> 00:11:56.000
Might be the most talented of the group, if we're being real.

00:11:56.000 --> 00:12:04.879
The way that he runs, the way that he throws, he talent-wise, yeah, he's he's well, he's not heading to shoulders, but he's he to me, he is above the rest of those guys.

00:12:04.879 --> 00:12:09.279
When we talk about talent-wise, but you know, situations matter.

00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:13.759
Um but it's also on Sean McDemitch why he why he lost his job.

00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:24.879
You can't what they've done at the at the wide receiver position, and we know this because we've had to endure it ourselves, is football negligence.

00:12:24.879 --> 00:12:34.879
What they've done at the wide receiver position, um they had a really good they had a really good one when we growed up, uh, when we grew up, um Eric Molds.

00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:36.399
Eric Molds, yep.

00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:40.159
Um they had Pelis Price for a little bit, you know, before he was in Atlanta.

00:12:40.159 --> 00:12:41.519
Um they had Steve.

00:12:41.519 --> 00:12:43.679
TO older TO.

00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:45.840
They had Steve Johnson, Steve Johnson.

00:12:45.840 --> 00:12:48.639
So they had some guys come through there.

00:12:48.799 --> 00:12:52.720
Um that And I mean they had Steph Dicks and they let him go.

00:12:52.879 --> 00:12:53.600
Right, correct.

00:12:53.600 --> 00:12:54.720
And thank you.

00:12:54.720 --> 00:12:55.279
Thank you.

00:12:55.279 --> 00:12:55.759
Sure.

00:12:55.759 --> 00:12:57.039
Um, right.

00:12:57.039 --> 00:12:59.120
I hit um I don't know.

00:12:59.120 --> 00:13:01.679
I just think like I said, it's football management is what they've done draft-wise.

00:13:01.679 --> 00:13:12.879
I'm saying not what they've done in free agency of different trades, but what they what they've done draft-wise to get um and not develop guys under Josh Allen is criminal.

00:13:13.120 --> 00:13:18.480
If Khalil Shakir was your number two, you'd have one of the top uh like wide receiver rooms in the league.

00:13:18.480 --> 00:13:19.120
Absolutely.

00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:24.240
He he he's their number one because for what you said, it's a dereliction of duty.

00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:28.240
Um and yes, all that's true.

00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:30.320
Josh Allen still chokes.

00:13:31.039 --> 00:13:32.480
Yes, he does, he does choke.

00:13:32.480 --> 00:13:32.879
He chokes.

00:13:32.879 --> 00:13:38.080
Listen, I'm if you know if I was if we was in a studio, I would, I would, I would give you a hug.

00:13:38.080 --> 00:13:45.360
Um, because you know, we've we've jokingly in Jess gone back and forth, but you know, about the whole Lamar thing.

00:13:45.360 --> 00:13:54.159
And I'm like, I say all I all I want, and not just you, but from everybody gets on Lamar, I just want the same energy when other quarterbacks don't produce because it's not just him.

00:13:54.159 --> 00:13:56.399
And thankfully, you know, you've been out here, said it.

00:13:56.399 --> 00:14:02.480
Others have now finally come around and said, Well, you know, he's not doing them like, yes, that once again, you you can critique all day.

00:14:02.480 --> 00:14:04.000
That that's what that's what the show's about.

00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:04.720
That's fine.

00:14:04.720 --> 00:14:09.840
Just don't make it about just him, because it's not just him that's not doing it or not getting the job done.

00:14:09.840 --> 00:14:12.320
There's other quarterbackers once again, Burrow ain't got it done yet.

00:14:12.320 --> 00:14:14.320
Um, Josh Allen ain't got it done yet.

00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:17.039
Um, there's plenty of quarterback that have not got it done yet.

00:14:17.039 --> 00:14:18.240
Urban ain't got it done yet.

00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:25.120
So it's just like we make sure, but I think because we hold guys in different regards, which is fine.

00:14:25.120 --> 00:14:28.639
Um, you know, we we speak on on guys differently.

00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:35.519
Uh someone shared a picture of uh Josh Allen saying that he's the James Harden of the NFL, and I cannot stop laughing.

00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:37.440
I think that that spot on.

00:14:37.440 --> 00:14:38.399
Spot on.

00:14:38.399 --> 00:14:39.279
He is 2018.

00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:41.120
That that is spot on.

00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:41.840
So far.

00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:42.320
So far.

00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:43.279
Okay, so far.

00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:48.000
I mean, Harden hasn't, I mean, he's he's been knocking at the door many times too.

00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:48.559
Right.

00:14:48.799 --> 00:15:00.720
But just hasn't, you know, hasn't hasn't been so it if it was ever possible, and now I'm I just want to preface this by saying I I never celebrate an injury and I don't I don't wish them, right?

00:15:00.720 --> 00:15:12.879
But if two good things could have ever come from one game, it is the Buffalo Bills being eliminated, and now we have to go to Denver next week to play Jared Stinnham and the Denver Broncos.

00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:18.080
So Sean Payton, but but Sean Payton's like pupping him up, saying, like, I think at the best.

00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:20.159
He has to.

00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:22.399
He has to make him feel like he's Drew Brewers.

00:15:22.399 --> 00:15:22.960
2.8.

00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:24.639
He has to make him feel that way.

00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:28.159
That it's not gonna work, but that's that's what that's what he he has to do.

00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:30.720
That um I heard he was still in the league.

00:15:30.720 --> 00:15:34.480
So when I when I heard that, I was like, oh, but he's still still in the league.

00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:35.840
Wow, okay.

00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:41.120
Um secretly, I wanted San Francisco.

00:15:41.120 --> 00:15:45.679
Um, could I wanted Matt Jones versus Shake May if that was the case?

00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:50.240
That that would that just would have been that that just would have been perfect for me.

00:15:50.240 --> 00:15:58.159
But um, just for the the narratives that would have been built out there, um, hell, Jimmy Garoppolo might get a shot too, or something would happen.

00:15:58.159 --> 00:16:01.120
You you just you just never know.

00:16:01.120 --> 00:16:04.639
That that that that would be unbelievable to me if that was the case.

00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:12.320
Um, because then you you can book it that we'd be the seventh time world champions if that's the case.

00:16:12.320 --> 00:16:14.240
So say it's say that right now.

00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:22.000
Um just for the narrative, I hope that sit him does well, but I hope that it's 41 to 17.

00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:26.080
Yeah, I hope that's the 1248 championship game.

00:16:26.080 --> 00:16:27.039
What was that?

00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:29.840
I I I don't think we've ever seen anything like this before, right?

00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:35.360
Like where the uh Bo Next had one a hell of a game, you know, three touchdowns, uh a pick.

00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:37.200
He was their leading rusher.

00:16:37.200 --> 00:16:42.320
Um and he led that drive in overtime to get them down to to kick the field goal.

00:16:42.320 --> 00:16:44.639
And I didn't even notice that he was limping.

00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:45.840
I didn't I didn't even know.

00:16:46.399 --> 00:17:02.559
Yeah, in general, in general, but I didn't I didn't know we did so when when um I think you I think you're the one that broke the news so I was like, he broke his ankle talking about what like I like I thought you were joking around, like like oh, like um, you know, I just thought you were just messing with us, but I didn't realize that that was really a thing.

00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:15.920
Um, but I wish him a speedy recovery because once again, like he's I don't think he's supremely talented, but I do think they obviously he does enough in that system to be productive, obviously, and he got them to the AFC championship game.

00:17:15.920 --> 00:17:19.440
So um, you know, it speaks to his consistency.

00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:30.640
But yeah, um, but just like you know, Stedham is again pumped up, but we got a coach here that knows him very well because he brought him over there with him in in Vegas.

00:17:30.640 --> 00:17:34.559
So um not concerned in that regard.

00:17:34.559 --> 00:17:45.039
But once again, just for my narrative, I do hope that he does well meeting Stedham, but you know, just not where it means that you know Denver is going on obviously to the uh to the Super Bowl.

00:17:46.160 --> 00:17:57.279
Uh next game, which I mean, my I said before this game started, this is the game where Sam Darnold comes back down to earth within 20 minutes.

00:17:57.279 --> 00:18:00.799
Uh DK was like, this did not and will not age well.

00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:04.400
And and he was right.

00:18:04.400 --> 00:18:10.559
Now, I'll I'll just say 12 of 17 for 124 yards and a touchdown.

00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:11.599
Didn't lose it.

00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:14.480
I'm not saying flying, didn't lose it, he didn't lose it.

00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:17.680
I know that's that's what let it be you.

00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:21.200
What what the fuck happened to San Francisco?

00:18:21.680 --> 00:18:23.839
I think the injuries finally caught up.

00:18:23.839 --> 00:18:27.039
You know, I don't want to oversimplify it, but I think that's just what it was.

00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:29.759
Like I think they were Philly clearly quit.

00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:30.960
And now I don't want to take it away.

00:18:30.960 --> 00:18:35.279
Like they beat Philly, they came into Philly, they beat them, but Philly has quit on Jalen Hurts.

00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:40.799
I think Jalen Hurts quit on Nick Seriani and and Putulo, who cost him his job.

00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:43.279
So there was a bunch of turmoil going in there.

00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:45.119
So Philly wasn't gonna win regardless.

00:18:45.119 --> 00:18:50.079
Even they got past um Say Fran, they wasn't gonna get back to the Super Bowl.

00:18:50.079 --> 00:18:54.000
Um, because chemistry matters, and they don't have it right now.

00:18:54.000 --> 00:19:02.960
Um But yeah, they walked into a perfect storm, and I've been saying it all year when we've done all shows together.

00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:06.079
I said this felt different for Sam Darnold.

00:19:06.079 --> 00:19:10.000
It felt different because oh, you know, I I might it just it just felt different.

00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:11.200
Felt different.

00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:13.839
Um that defense is for real.

00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:14.720
Yeah, they are.

00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:15.759
They're very good.

00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:16.319
Yeah.

00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:30.400
Um and I have to say, even though Pop Douglas made me feel a bit better on Sunday, um, it hurt to see Rashid Shahid go off because that was something that we could have gotten at the deadline, especially for what he went for.

00:19:30.400 --> 00:19:32.559
Um, they gave like a third or a fourth for him.

00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:34.160
I'm like, are you kidding me?

00:19:34.160 --> 00:19:38.480
Um like, and he was great Saturday night.

00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:39.680
He was awesome.

00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:43.680
Um, I mean, yeah, something like that can have been used, huh?

00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:48.000
Yeah, I mean, he had the kickoff for him, but other than that, he didn't he didn't have a catch, he had two rushers, 27 yards.

00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:56.960
No, right, but I feel like the way that he can be used is he would have been another dynamic person in this offense to go on top of Wolfman, yeah, in my opinion.

00:19:57.039 --> 00:19:57.359
Yeah.

00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:59.519
Um, so but like I say, you know, he you know.

00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:01.039
Goes over there.

00:20:01.039 --> 00:20:04.400
Um, he looked like Percy Harvin on that return, right?

00:20:04.400 --> 00:20:05.759
Because that's I know it did.

00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:06.880
Yeah, you know what I'm saying?

00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:08.160
So like that, that was cool.

00:20:08.160 --> 00:20:19.200
But yeah, it was just a perfect storm of like it was like, I I think honestly, because clearly they rock with Sam, I feel like it was like, we're not going out the way Minnesota went out last year.

00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:20.640
Not like this, anyways.

00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:27.680
Um, so I'm I'm happy for Sam Donham because I I think that he has turned his career around dramatically.

00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:32.160
And um, you know, he he he deserves to have this moment.

00:20:32.160 --> 00:20:37.039
Um, and I said, you know, we'll go on to our friends when we get into the predictions, but yeah, happy for him.

00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:40.319
But yeah, they got smoked and it was over as soon as they got off the bus.

00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:42.079
It was crazy.

00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:47.279
I was like, you know, there's still time for Sam Darnold to do Sam Darnold things, but that the defense wouldn't have allowed it.

00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:49.839
They just wouldn't have they were all over that.

00:20:49.839 --> 00:20:51.839
All right.

00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:59.920
Uh but now if you if you've all if you uh have not heard it already, uh please go and listen to the DK, Mr.

00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:00.319
and Mrs.

00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:13.200
DK Sizzle reaction show uh to the Chicago Bears miraculously forcing overtime against the uh against the uh LA Rams, ultimately losing 20 to 17.

00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:23.039
Caleb Williams threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to end regulation, and that ball traveled 51 yards in the air.

00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:30.240
Um I mean, I almost drove off the road because I was in the car just scrambling to find uh a ways listen to the game.

00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:34.000
So I just hooked up Xfinity stream to my Bluetooth and started listening to it.

00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:37.279
But I couldn't, as someone who watched it, right?

00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:38.160
Yeah.

00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:43.599
Obviously, listen, Matt Stafford, Sean McVay, we know all that.

00:21:43.599 --> 00:21:45.440
Like, and we can talk a little bit about that.

00:21:45.440 --> 00:21:53.920
But I I do think, and I know that you and I are usually firmly on the same page, there isn't a lot that uh of of good that you can take away from losses.

00:21:53.920 --> 00:21:55.920
I do think this one's the exception.

00:21:55.920 --> 00:22:00.160
Because the Bears should not have, I mean, by all accounts, you know, we've been talking all season long.

00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:02.640
The Bears and the Patriots are kind of mirroring each other, right?

00:22:02.640 --> 00:22:12.559
They they got better faster, and I would I I'm I will fully argue uh or allow for the fact that the Bears had a tougher schedule than the Patriots, absolutely, right?

00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:17.279
But no, nobody had the Bears in the divisional rounds at the playoffs against the Rams.

00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:21.759
And then to be down to the last drive in the fourth quarter to tie it.

00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:27.200
Like, talk about the takeaways that you can have, you know, if you're the Chicago, if you're a Bears fan.

00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:32.000
So, I mean, easily the best season, I think, since 2018.

00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:36.720
I think when they lost us uh New Orleans up big in the wildcard round.

00:22:36.720 --> 00:22:44.559
Um, you know, or even better than that, when they went to the N6 Championship game in 2010 and lost to Green Bay.

00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:49.200
Um you have the guy, you had the coach.

00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:53.200
Um offense is not the problem.

00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:54.640
Yeah, offense is not the problem.

00:22:54.640 --> 00:22:55.839
But defensively they're fine.

00:22:55.839 --> 00:22:57.599
Once again, it was 20 to 17.

00:22:57.599 --> 00:23:05.759
It wasn't like they lost 41-17, like from Jalen Johnson to like they they got some they got some guys on on defense that can go.

00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:10.160
Um once again, they gave over 20 points, so it wasn't like they came in there and got smoked.

00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:22.400
Um I was texting you when that when that moment happened when they when they tied it, because the first three passes was it, it was the full Caleb Williams experience.

00:23:22.400 --> 00:23:27.599
And I know DK was disagreeing with me because of how the season overall went.

00:23:27.599 --> 00:23:29.839
Um, but he's erratic.

00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:35.039
And that's what it's that's what makes you rip out your hair about it, but what is it's also what makes it special, right?

00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:38.319
Um, kind of like how Josh Allen was early in his career.

00:23:38.319 --> 00:23:41.519
Josh Allen was super erratic, still is at times.

00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:48.319
Um but he does things that no one else could do on the field, so that's why you're like, oh, okay, like this is you knew he was gonna become something.

00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:50.160
It's just a matter of he has to keep developing.

00:23:50.160 --> 00:23:52.480
Same thing with Caleb, and there's nothing wrong with that.

00:23:52.480 --> 00:24:02.240
Um, but you know, I'm seeing the play break down in real time, and I'm like, oh man, like you you you can't like take a sack here though, but you can't just like throw it out of bounds.

00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:05.519
And I just see him just just toss it.

00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:07.440
I'm just like, where is he throwing you to?

00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:09.440
And I said, oh my god, he caught it.

00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:11.519
Like it's it's it's it's a touchdown.

00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:13.759
Like, and it would do with it'll be wide open.

00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:24.240
Like he threw the guy open, like that's un like that's that, and I don't want to over over-exaggerate, but that might be a top 10 throw I've seen in the playoffs the last 15 to 20 years, easily.

00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:24.799
Is it better?

00:24:24.799 --> 00:24:27.519
Is it better than last week's top 10 throw that he that he ate?

00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:28.880
Because I mean D'Air Jordan.

00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:38.480
Well, I I guess because of the moment, because it's hard to get him going overtime, so yes, but man, like if it I was like, that's he makes it harder than it has to be.

00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:41.119
I think that's what that's what aggravates people about him.

00:24:41.119 --> 00:24:44.160
Because some things he makes really look look really easy.

00:24:44.160 --> 00:24:46.319
Like there's a reason why he went number one.

00:24:46.319 --> 00:24:50.240
Like the dude just he makes things look very easy.

00:24:50.240 --> 00:24:54.720
Um, but yeah, they they have they have a really bright future.

00:24:54.720 --> 00:25:01.759
And based off this game, in my opinion, I feel like there should be guys that want to come there to lost those those added pieces.

00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:05.359
And um so that's what he accomplished on Saturday.

00:25:05.359 --> 00:25:09.119
But you know, it's still good, better, best, you know, you know, never let it rest.

00:25:09.119 --> 00:25:11.599
And you know, so the good gets better, you know.

00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:17.039
So yeah, so that it's it's it's uh I I I love that and um keep taking shit off, Ben.

00:25:17.039 --> 00:25:20.640
Um, you know, because yeah, yeah, I got some good things coming.

00:25:21.119 --> 00:25:34.720
Yeah, listen, I think I said to you, uh, if I don't know if it was before the show, if it was last night, uh I think a fair criticism of Caleb Williams is he makes plays that only he can make look easy.

00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:35.599
Yeah.

00:25:35.839 --> 00:25:42.000
And sometimes he makes plays that everyone else should be able to make look hard, right?

00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:46.559
And I do think he's he's like the Jeff Hardy of quarterbacks in football.

00:25:46.559 --> 00:25:48.480
Like he's he's controlled chaos.

00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:51.839
That's what he is, and that's not a bad thing.

00:25:51.839 --> 00:26:05.440
I think if he knows how to if he he's gonna learn more and more and get and get a handle on how to control it, but the my takeaway from Caleb is that if you if he's if if yeah, if there's one second on the clock, you're leaving him too much time.

00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:08.400
And when's the last time we could say that about a Bears quarterback?

00:26:08.400 --> 00:26:12.240
Never, never, never.

00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:16.960
Uh, so there's a lot to a lot to look forward to uh for the Bears.

00:26:16.960 --> 00:26:30.000
But listen the Rams, man, Kobe Parkinson, Puka Nakua, Devontae Adams has two catches, but they were some like they were two of the biggest catches of the game.

00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:31.440
Uh for for the Rams side.

00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:32.880
A lot of matters.

00:26:32.880 --> 00:26:38.319

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NFL Offseason Power Rankings 2025, Part 2. Teams 19 to 10