Jan. 23, 2026
Defense Wins Titles? Breaking Down the NFL Conference Championships
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🎙️ Those Guys with Nick Ferguson & Alex Hardy — Conference Championship Breakdown
With the NFL season barreling toward the Super Bowl, Nick Ferguson and Alex Hardy dig into the chaos, strategy, and storylines surrounding the AFC and NFC Conference Championship games. This episode is a football fan’s chessboard, breaking down Rams vs. Seahawks and Patriots vs. Broncos with the insight only a former NFL defensive back and a seasoned analyst can deliver.
The conversation centers on power-on-power matchups, quarterback pressure moments, and the razor-thin margins that decide playoff football. Nick zeroes in on defensive consistency, secondary play, and why Seattle’s defense and special teams could once again be the difference-maker. Alex challenges long-held narratives around quarterbacks like Sam Darnold and Matthew Stafford, asking whether this postseason is about legacy or opportunity.
The duo also dives into Denver’s offensive struggles, the uncertainty surrounding Jarrett Stidham, and whether New England’s defense can exploit turnovers and field position. Along the way, fans get candid locker-room insights, coaching philosophy breakdowns, and the kind of behind-the-scenes football logic you don’t hear on highlight shows.
If you love NFL playoff analysis, defensive strategy, quarterback debates, and real football talk, this episode delivers heat from kickoff to final whistle.
📺 Subscribe to our channel: 👉 YouTube.com/@thoseguyssportspodcast
Alex Hardy (00:00)
We are those guys. Hey, you see these guys over there? Well, don't forget about those guys, especially with what's at stake for the conference championship in the National Football League. I'm Alex Hardy. With me as always, Nick Ferguson, 10 years in the National Football League. ⁓ Now he is the number one Patriots fan on this show. You can see his swag doubles mine right now. What's going on, Nick Ferguson?
Nick Ferguson (00:22)
I wouldn't go that far to say that I am the number one Pats fan. I think I give that to back to you. But yeah, it's the season is winding down. There's only four teams is AFC. NFC is for the right to represent East Conference in the Super Bowl. And I have to tell you man, it's going to be one hell of a game because the back and forth has started here in Denver, Colorado.
get to that but yeah there's another game that's taking place and the NFC and it's gonna be a tough game because both teams I mean this will be the third time these two teams actually face one another and I'll say
in that second game where the Rams were on the road in Seattle, it just seemed as though the Rams were gonna win that game. So I'll say this, say this first. I feel as though that was a game that the Rams lost and gave away, opposed to the Seahawks actually winning the game. What say you?
Alex Hardy (01:13)
Yes.
No,
I think that's totally fair. This is the rubber match, right? The team splitting and ultimately, know, Seattle getting the tiebreaker, you know, finishing two games above LA in the West. So, look, we're talking about a huge swing, a game that was so important and the wrap for one Sam Darnold, that being a big game. He hadn't won a big game before, right? Going back to last year with Minnesota. Well, I would say that that game against the 49ers, that was a pretty big game for him to win as well.
So now that we have the Rams going to Seattle, they play really well in Seattle, by the way, for their last six, they've won in the Pacific Northwest. They also, you know, do have the disadvantage, I'd say they have one last day arrest. ⁓ But look, this Rams team kind of has Seattle's number in the postseason, 2-0 against them, I think within the last 20 years or so. And most recently with Sean McVay.
this Rams team has not lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the postseason. So what I'm kind of intrigued in is power on power, strength on strength. These two teams that kind of operate similarly, of course, Clint Kubiak's offense coming from that Shanahan McVeigh, his father's coaching tree. ⁓ They want to run the football. They want to establish time of possession, but they both possess signal callers and quarterbacks that can splash big plays as well.
But I'd say, you know, the defense and special teams for Seattle is what really made that a dominant win over San Francisco last week. I sort of give them the edge in this one, but I understand this is the kind of scenario. It may just play out just like the last one did where the team that has the ball last is going to win this game. I mean, is the bigger question mark for you that Rams defense their secondary pieces kind of shuffling around ⁓ or is it?
the Seahawks offense and the lack of consistency in that passing game and Sam Darnold in these quote unquote big time games.
Nick Ferguson (03:29)
Well, I'll go back to the Rams secondary because that's the group that's going to be facing off against Sam Dono, no matter what you think about him. And that's a group that for me, you can definitely attack. It's not like the Seattle group, right? Seattle group, believe is probably.
The second solid group in the secondary other than the Denver Broncos secondary, but that Seattle defense can turn you over. That Rams defense has been suspect all season long. And obviously you think about the game last time. No, no Charbonne. So you would think from a running game standpoint, everything leans towards Sean McVay and their running game because they have two running backs with Kyron Williams and Blake Corum. And the wild part about this whole
situation is is like the you never see the video that I guess I guess was a gift the gift of the two spider-man's pointing at one another
Alex Hardy (04:26)
Sure,
yeah, yeah, yeah, of course.
Nick Ferguson (04:26)
That's
exactly what this is because it's the same damn offense, right? It is the same damn offense. But when you look at it, so many storylines just like the Patriots and the Broncos, you have Puginacool on the Rams side, who is now the new face of the offense. And on the opposite side, you had the old face, the Triple Com and, you know, Cooper Cup going at it for, I guess, air supremacy. So it's very interesting. And when you look at the two quarterbacks, they
have similar skill sets. only difference that's kind of set them apart is that Sam Donah can run. Matthew Stafford isn't going to run, right?
So that's why if you wanted to twist my arm and ask me who am I leaning heavily towards, it would probably be the Seattle Seahawks because they still can run the ball with Kenneth Walker. They still get competent play. Obviously, I say that with the short lease because we know Sam Dono is still Sam Dono. But the other part about it is that their defense, just like the Denver Broncos, is really carry them thus far.
Alex Hardy (05:33)
Is it time to flip the narrative because this is something that we asked of Matthew Stafford and he was never able to do it in Detroit and it was just finding the right opportunity in LA and his first year with the Rams they go over the top they win that Super Bowl. I mean maybe this is just the right fit for Sam Darnold. I just don't know if we just are writing a guy off until we physically see him do it. If this is just kind of a case of history repeating itself. I think outside of you know as far as these two teams are concerned.
No one has more at stake than Sam Darnold does, but at the same time, this could be the last ride for Matthew Stafford. He's already won though. So asking Sam Darnold to elevate and put this Seahawks team over the top, he'll have to take advantage. I mentioned that Rams secondary, Akela Witherspoon, done for the year, but Emmanuel Forbes is coming back. And meanwhile, Byron Young ⁓ was dealing with the knee injury and he was sick as well. Like there's just too many moving parts on this defense.
and they haven't gotten that consistent pass rush from that big defensive front that the Rams like to use. know, they're big boys on the defensive line. So, it could go in a number of directions, but I do believe this is a close game nonetheless. ⁓ Seahawks, the benefit of being at home, the benefit of winning the last matchup, ⁓ you know, just a two and a half point favorite. So, I think I'm picking Seattle for this one, and the difference for me,
is they get one score out of defense or special teams. I don't know if they open up like Rashid Shaheed did this past week against San Francisco or the Cliff Averill safety in Super Bowl 50. Oh gosh. Either way, we're not gonna see the CAOX defense or special teams score in the first place. I'm not even gonna try the number. Nick's already scrubbed that from his memory. I'm just saying historically,
Nick Ferguson (07:10)
Yeah.
I'm not even gonna drive.
Alex Hardy (07:30)
When Seattle's been this good, they get the benefit from their defense, their special teams that will put them over the edge against this Rams team.
Nick Ferguson (07:38)
Now here's what Sean McVeigh and the Rams are going to be saying. Well, we faced this team twice. We beat them at home. We lost on the road. But the road loss should have never taken place because we didn't play our best game. There were a number of factors that were kind of really bizarre when you think about it that took place. It's like, wait a minute. I don't know because.
You know Sam Dono had turned the ball over he turned the ball over a couple of times and everyone was going see I told you right It's just like Kirk Cousins right, but but but a better but a better player
And it was like, well, we're going back down memory lane where Sam Donnell starts to fall apart. That was kind of the idea. But then the defense made some plays. The Rams didn't capitalize off on opportunities. And then it allowed the Seattle Seahawks to climb back in the game, get inside the red zone. And I'm like, I don't know what the defender was thinking covering the tight end. like, when they was in the corner, I'm like, that's your guy. You're in the red zone. ⁓ It does help to cover your guy.
in the red zone and Sean McBade is going to say well we left them we let them off the hook right we know who they are right we let them off the hook right
Alex Hardy (08:51)
Yeah, yeah. Thank you, Denny. Thank you,
Denny Green.
Nick Ferguson (08:53)
to give you a little bit of Danny Green. So that's what he's telling his team. He's saying, well, we're not that far apart. We just have to make sure that we go into Seattle and win the game. And yes, we know there's going to be crowd noise. We've dealt with it before. We were able to operate. We just now need to step our game up. But here's the other thing that you brought up. When you look at the Rams defensive line, yes, you have Jared Verst. They have some other big guys. But when you talk about
Alex Hardy (09:21)
brain first has
been inconsistent.
Nick Ferguson (09:23)
Yeah.
So when you start looking for someone who can make an impact in the run game, in the passing game, they don't really have that guy. There is no Dono, right? You don't have Dono just kind of messing things up in the interior. You don't have him anymore. So they have to come together collectively as a defense. And I think that's going to be really tough for the third time.
Alex Hardy (09:48)
Is Puna Ford the difference maker for this Rams team compared to years past because if they can stuff Kenneth Walker and force Seattle into longer situations like is he you know for lack of a better comparison is he the defensive MVP if the Rams are able to pull this out?
Nick Ferguson (10:07)
Yeah, I mean, it would be equivalent to ⁓ the Vince Wolf work for the New England Patriots, which I know you are fond with, because you need someone to...
Alex Hardy (10:15)
That's that, hey, that's that's
his helmet that you have, not me.
Nick Ferguson (10:18)
Yeah, but the idea is you want to try to take away something that a team does, whether it's in the pass a game or player, take something away from them and make them play with one hand tied behind their backs. But here's what Clint Kubiak would actually do. See, if you start taking away things by plugging the two a gaps, you know what they're running outside zone, right? And here's the thing with outside zone.
Alex Hardy (10:40)
Yeah. Yeah. With Kenneth, which is
tailor made for Kenneth Walker.
Nick Ferguson (10:45)
Yes,
tailor-made for him. And here's the intricate part of running the outside zone offense. You need your wide receivers to be an extension of the run game. And what I mean by that is you want those guys blocking on the perimeter, right? The whole idea of no block, no rock. That's kind of the staple of Mike Shanahan offense. So I think that would be the go-to for Clint Kubiak, the outside stretch zone.
Alex Hardy (11:11)
Just in a vac, not necessarily in a vacuum because they're both deployed in the similar offensive play calling. Jackson Smith and Jigba, Pukunakuwa. What do you like from both? Is there a certain, an eruption spot from either one or both ⁓ as a key to victory for either of these offenses?
Nick Ferguson (11:30)
Look man, both of these players are dogs, right? ⁓ mean, Puganakua reminds me of a younger, know, Cooper Cup, when, you know, Cooper can still, you know, run. Both of these guys can...
Alex Hardy (11:38)
Mm-hmm.
And he's not dead. I mean,
he's coming off of one of his best games in the last couple of months. And the Rams, you know, victory a week ago.
Nick Ferguson (11:49)
Yeah, and once again, it's important how you use your guys as an offensive coordinator. So Clint Kubiak knows that there's certain aspects of Cooper Cubs game that he still can actually lean on. Just think about Anquan Bolden when Anquan Bolden was on the back half of his career, right? And it seemed like an insult to receivers when you say, OK, well, you're just a possession receiver. To me, I look at it the same way that I look at a quarterback that you say a game manager.
Alex Hardy (12:08)
In Baltimore?
Nick Ferguson (12:19)
That means you're reliable. You are freaking reliable and I know anytime I need to go to a guy in a third and long situation, you got me. So this is how I see Pugna Kua and Jackson Smith and Jigba, but I'm gonna say there's more explosiveness that you get from Jackson Smith and Jigba. So it's gonna make things really interesting. Once again, going back to what does the Ram secondary actually look like?
Alex Hardy (12:44)
We'll have to give the Rams as much of the benefit as we can. This is Thursday. They have a couple more days of practice. See who is in and out of the injury report until we get there. Looks like we're both kind of leaning towards Seattle, but this may be the closer of the two ⁓ conference championship games because if we talk about New England and Denver, Nick, I'll let you get on out of here. I think it's the Patriots by 15 points. All right, good night, Nick.
Nick Ferguson (13:09)
Well, you know what? ⁓
I wouldn't be mad at you for that for the obvious reasons because there is no bow nicks and the reason I say there is no bow nicks over the past two three weeks the leading rusher in the clubhouse has been number 10 bow nicks and the Broncos have struggled over the past two three years under Sean Payton establishing the run now the idea is that well some people in the media and the fans would say well it was a running back's fault they couldn't run the ball they couldn't stay
on track and I'm like well if you look at it I don't think that is the case. The Broncos known as though they do have some big guys up front they don't create a lot of space that those run lanes are really crowded and also Sean Payton likes to run a lot of reduced formations and what what that does from a defensive standpoint it makes those lanes even tighter. Now
What he tries to do is to kind of simulate runs by trying to get the backs out on the perimeter and jump on off to him. And when anytime you see Marvin Mims in the game as a defensive player, the first thing you should think is something is up. They're trying to do something to us because Marvin Mims as good as I think he is, he hasn't really been utilized that much. And in the game against Buffalo, he was only inserted into the lineup because you had Troy Franklin who went out early with the hamstring.
You had Pat Brian who went down with the concussion. So they were running out of receivers and by the end of the game, man, them dudes were gassed, right? They were gassed. So the Patriots just need to pay attention to that because the word here in Denver is, in the run game, do you trust? And most people would say, not a damn try.
Alex Hardy (14:56)
That's been something that you harped on. mean, we saw each other earlier this year and you told me the great story of Sean Payton needing to write in Sharpie on his play sheet. Remember to run the damn ball. Always been an issue for Sean Payton, but when he's had that kind of personnel, you know, this isn't New Orleans and the glory days of Deuce McAllister and then Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara. It's a different time, but it's a different, well, sure, Reggie as well, but I...
Nick Ferguson (15:20)
Reggie Bush, yes.
Alex Hardy (15:25)
Reggie, man, I was just thinking about seeing him when the Saints went to New England his rookie year right before Sean got there. That was really cool for me to see. I will just say that much. And I digress. So sticking in the ⁓ the current season and not going back to when I was a kid and Nick Ferguson was still suiting up on Sundays. The the elephant in the room is is Jared Stidham, right? And they change it quarterback. And you mentioned the running game and we're still
Nick Ferguson (15:43)
you
Alex Hardy (15:55)
Not entirely sure. You don't have any inside scoopage on JK Dobbins, do you? Designated to return off IR. We haven't seen him since November. ⁓ It's still early enough in the week. There's no update really on JK at this time, right?
Nick Ferguson (16:07)
Well,
the only update is that they open the practice window and it's been limited practice for him. When they open up that window, the fans were so happy because, you know, with J.K. Dobbins in the mix, that was a guy that can run through tackles and he's had two games this season. One of those games, albeit being against the low full Cincinnati Bengals defense. And before that, I think the last time the Broncos had a 100 yard rusher, Latavious Murray
Alex Hardy (16:13)
Mm-hmm.
Nick Ferguson (16:37)
was in the Broncos uniform so just the news of him the possibility of opening that window excited a lot of people now whether he plays on Sunday I'm not sure and if he does he would definitely be on the pitch count and if I am like variable I approach it the same way I see another guy on the opposite side in the uniform you look to hit him so
I would say with him being out so long and we talk about eight or nine weeks, what's his level of conditioning, right? Because you also have to build that callus to take those shots. He hasn't taken those shots in a while. So it's going to be interesting how the Broncos use or decide to deploy him.
Alex Hardy (17:18)
So then let's stay with the signal caller. We haven't seen Jarrett Stidham since the 2023 season with Vegas. Sean Payton, you know, saw him beat San Francisco in 2022. He was the first signing of the Sean Payton era. Allegedly the Patriots were interested in a reunion, but he chose to stay in Denver this past off season. So he's been an integral part of the team and has the support.
you know, the quote that went around for John Franklin Myers was this guy operates the the scout team better than most guys do as a starting quarterback. So like, look, they're not going to be deterred. They're not going to say, whoa, is me. Like we don't have bow. A bow is not me, I guess. So they're confident, but I don't, I'm going to expect there's some kind of drop off. And it's not just because I'm parroting Milton Williams and saying, you know, this guy's not bow. If bow were healthy, bow would be playing, but
There's definitely a bit of uncertainty to what Jared Stidham brings just because we haven't seen him. But the two play callers in this contest, Sean Payton, Josh McDaniels, are the two guys most familiar with Jared Stidham.
Nick Ferguson (18:31)
Yeah, absolutely. And ⁓ that was kind of the conversation. Well, the Broncos have an advantage because the Patriots don't know how to plan for Jarrett's Thetum. And I was like, well, that's not true because they drafted him in 2019 in the fourth round. And I do recall there was a preseason game where he went in and he threw maybe two touchdown passes to Damaris Thomas. And I did. was like, my God. OK, well, he could be the guy that replaces Tom.
Alex Hardy (18:58)
Yes.
Nick Ferguson (19:00)
And when you think about who Jarrett Stidham is, Jarrett Stidham has been a long time backup in this league. He's been in league seven, eight years, but he's only had four starts. And he's won three in those starts. And all of those starts have come at the tail end of the season when the starter was either benched or the starter was injured. So both of these guys know Jarrett Stidham. So it's not like, well, you're coming in and there's a lot of mystery to him. No, they know what he can and can't do.
So
it is incumbent upon Sean Payton to put him in a situation to succeed. And here's the way I figured that he's going to do that, When you think about, know, Bo Nix, Bo Nix, you know, has a running and rushing element to it. Like I told you, leading the team and rushing for the past two or three games, Jaris Thedem is not going to do that. Jaris Thedem is mobile. So if he does run a bootleg, he can get yards. But he's looking to possibly get a couple of yards and get down, unlike, unlike Bo.
So I'm thinking that Sean is going to put Jarrett Stidham under center more than he put Bo Nicks under center because now when you're under center from a defense standpoint, you don't really know if it's run or pass. Now there's a boot keep game and I know Sean likes to run those reduced formations and he likes to bring the receivers in and he likes to run the shallows with the deep overs. So the way you play that defensively is if I'm on the right side of the field and I see Colin Sutton
and the number two slot and he's on the ball, guess why he's there, right? I mean, if he doesn't run a quick out, he's running a deep over, right? It is amazing that guys don't really communicate in that particular way and I would find it really difficult for a Mike Vable coach team, for those guys not to be, you know, spot on. But here's the other thing, I know I'm getting a little winded here, but I want to make sure I point out this.
Alex Hardy (20:39)
Yeah.
Nick Ferguson (20:57)
I know the idea is that with Stidham has played well in practice and rightfully so. He's made some plays against Pat Sertan and some of the other defensive guys. But here's the other element of practice that is not really spoken of. When you're in practice and you're running on a scout team, those defensive guys who get close to the quarterback depth, they don't hit him.
So because they don't hit him, that allows him to have that confidence in the pocket to make whatever throw that is. When you're in a live game, all bets are off. They're trying to tackle you. So it's not going to be like, oh, it's practice. We cannot hit the quarterback. It's like, no, you're in a different uniform. So I wouldn't go leaning so far as to say, well, hey, man, he did great in practice. So that's going to translate to a game. I'm not 100 % sure.
Alex Hardy (21:45)
Well, we have a body of work switching to the Patriots offense where Drake May has been one of the best quarterbacks in the game. Meanwhile, the Patriots are 2-0 beating the Chargers and Texans, but he's been sacked 10 times. He has technically two interceptions, but again, end of the first half against Houston just throws up a Hail Mary just to throw it and he gets picked off. I'm not really going to count that. The six fumbles, three of them lost. ⁓
Nick Ferguson (21:58)
Yes.
Alex Hardy (22:13)
They got absolutely bailed out on a ridiculous fumble recovery that allowed them to keep momentum and, well, frankly, keep Houston from taking the ball over inside the red zone, which was huge in that first half. So it's been a little sloppy. Will Campbell has looked overmatched facing the likes of Will Anderson, Daniil Hanner, Khalil Mack. I understand that. But that Denver Broncos defense at front, I for all the credit we were giving Seattle and how that defense puts them over the edge.
Am I wrong in saying that the Broncos defense and what kind of havoc they could wreak havoc they could reap on Drake May and that offense is that is what going to keep Denver in the game.
Nick Ferguson (22:52)
Yeah, absolutely. Because all season long I've been calling the defense ⁓ MacGyver because just like the TV show, they always show up when you need them the most. And they've carried this team thus far to this point. I've had a very interesting output at conversation with someone who works here in local radio.
where I was told that, listen, ⁓ in that game against Buffalo, the Broncos offense carried the Broncos defense. And I said to that person, I don't know what MFing game that you were watching, but that's not what I saw, right? The defense had... Yeah.
Alex Hardy (23:30)
Okay. That's right, because they were carried by the refs and they were carried by the league trying
to fix a game so that Josh Allen, one of the league's biggest stars, couldn't win. That's what was going on. It was rigged.
Nick Ferguson (23:41)
Hey man, whoa, whoa, whoa,
whoa. That's a whole different story. I'm keeping it between the Xs and Os. I'm not talking about the zebras and calls that were either made, and neither, either made or not made, but, well, listen, there were a lot of plays on both sides that you say, well, they should have been called, that maybe, should have been called, and maybe shouldn't be called.
Alex Hardy (23:46)
Ha
Yeah, and the tin foil and yeah, yeah, yeah.
No, no, no, no. You talked about how it
was a gas defense, just as you had said, you know, the likes of Marvin Minze, or stretching the field, guys just grab, and if they don't call it earlier in the game, they're gonna call it when it's supposed to be called. I'm not gonna let four turnovers get overruled by two flags in overtime.
Nick Ferguson (24:21)
Whoa, OK, OK. To be fair, there was a holding call, a holding.
play that took place when Josh Allen was in the end zone. And usually if you get holding in the end zone, that's automatic safety because when you watch it, looked like DJ Jones was being held and it wasn't called. So I digress. We're not going to get into the officiating, but it just comes back to which team turns the ball over the lease. And those fumbles by Drake May, you can't do that. ⁓
Alex Hardy (24:35)
Mm-hmm.
Nick Ferguson (24:55)
throwing interceptions, you can't do that because if you do that, now you're putting yourself in a tough situation. Now Sean Payton can now milk the clock, right, and work the clock knowing as though he's playing with the lead. And this is why Coach Payton, and I give him credit for it, ⁓ when Bo Nicks, when it was announced that Bo Nicks was not going to play and he was done for the season, immediately Coach Payton said, Steady is that guy, I need you guys to get behind him, do all of that, because once again, what it spoke to me,
I don't know everyone else, but it spoke to me. That's more pressure on Vance Joseph in the defense. I need you guys to make more plays. And you know what was wild, Alex? There were so many fans who have gotten behind Jared Stidham so much, they changed their social media avatar to Stiddy. So it raised a question for me.
Alex Hardy (25:42)
Yes. Let me pull it, let me pull
it. Yeah.
Nick Ferguson (25:45)
Yes,
it raised a question for me like, wait a minute. So Bo Nix has been your quarterback all year long. He gets injured. Insert Jarrett Stidham. And then now you guys are changing your avatars to Jarrett Stidham, who hasn't played since 2023. When you could have done that for Bo, I was told that, well, I'm being negative. How am I being negative?
Alex Hardy (26:08)
I'm just trying to pull it right now because we really have to do it justice, right? Where we just see our guy, right? Like he's got the LeBron meme, no team in NBA Finals history has come back from trailing 3-1. This is the moment, right? This is ⁓ the glasses, the ear, but like we're just tuning all that out. So.
Nick Ferguson (26:14)
Yes, everyone with the same.
That's
like the Jim McMahon Chicago Bears look.
Alex Hardy (26:33)
Yes, exactly, exactly. Another contemporary reference, Nick. Look, I think it's because everyone loves an underdog story and the guy that hasn't played, whereas we've seen Bo Nix and he's cost the Broncos games this year. He's won a lot more than he's lost, but we're going to remember the ones that gave us an upset kind of feeling and a discomfort in our tummy. So that's just, that's kind of the way it is. And what it also is, is bulletin board material, right? That's the guy we're going to put up there and we're going to be rooting for.
It's not like the kind of bulletin board material where Sean Payton, again, love the fans for being able to rally behind Stitty, but Payton says, leave it all out on the field. You guys will have two weeks off before we play again. Is he out of pocket here or was a K Sean booty out of pocket for saying, you know, you can spend two weeks in Cancun if you want as well.
Nick Ferguson (27:17)
you
Well, I mean, it's a war of words. And here in Denver, it was like, OK, just like the Jacksonville situation, it was taken out of context. That's not what he was. That's not what he was really saying. I'm just telling you, that that's got that's the word on the street. The word on the street was it's being taken out of context. Right. And the media loves to kind of feed into this because they're always listening for a sound bite. So Kayshaun Booty, he was asked, actually,
Alex Hardy (27:32)
No... No- ⁓ okay. Uh-huh.
yeah.
Nick Ferguson (27:53)
It was leading the witness to be exact, right?
Alex Hardy (27:56)
I'm with K-Shawn. I'm asking you about your head coach, Payne.
Nick Ferguson (28:00)
Well, for me, look, it's happened before. It's just like you never want to say anything that can give another team bulletin board material, whether it was taken out of context or not. I'll say this. ⁓ If the Broncos don't win, then that is going to be the comment that's going to be in the loop section, right? And if they were to win,
It's only going to entice Coach Payton to just keep on saying it because you know everyone is superstitious, right? If you brush your teeth with the right side and you win the game, guess what? From here on out, you gotta brush with your right hand, right?
Alex Hardy (28:37)
Is that you
Nick? When you were with Denver, was that a playoff beard? Was that not changing in the underwear? Was it actually brushing your teeth with the right hand?
Nick Ferguson (28:45)
No, for me, it was getting to the game four to five hours early. That was my thing. So, yeah.
Alex Hardy (28:49)
Okay.
I won't pry too much, but it just seems like you wouldn't be a lot of fun around the house on game day anyway. So you're just doing a service to everyone else, just disappearing early for those playoff games.
Nick Ferguson (29:05)
Well,
for me, mean, usually game day, but just like training camp. I slept in the basement, right? I was sleeping in basement and what happened was, okay, well you go to the hotel the night before, so that's where you're sleeping. I would come home, I would grab my clothes and then I would leave because on game day, I didn't really eat, right? I didn't really eat because it was just kind of like, in my mind I was like, okay, well if you eat,
then you have to go to the bathroom. And what if you have to go to the bathroom while you're on the field, right? And you don't want to put that on tape because you won't be able to live that down. So my idea is that if I didn't eat, I didn't have to go to the bathroom. But I'll tell you this, man, talk about having the shakes after the game. I mean, I'm like, I'm just on one. I'm like, give me something, a bar or orange. Give me something to eat. But being hungry,
on the field actually played dividends because it made me more intense if you can understand that. That made me more hangry.
Alex Hardy (30:12)
I understand you, I'm just gonna counter with Lamar Jackson not subscribed to that theory at all and he has a couple of MVPs to show for it. ⁓ Clearly he has no fear of needing to go to the bathroom when he has to go to the bathroom. We all saw it, we all saw it. That man running on the field and running in the bathroom as well. ⁓ I'm giving the edge to the Patriots, I have the feeling that this is...
Nick Ferguson (30:32)
I don't want to do that. I don't want to be that guy.
Alex Hardy (30:38)
a race to who scores 20, 24 points first. And I just give the nod to the team that's been playing better and the team that has the experienced quarterback. Second year in the league, he's the experienced quarterback.
Nick Ferguson (30:50)
Well,
you know what most fans would say here in Denver, well, Drake May is not the most experienced because Stiddy has been in the league for a while. So he is more experienced with his years, but not as it pertains to actually games played.
Alex Hardy (31:08)
So what do you got?
Nick Ferguson (31:09)
I'm leaning towards the Pats. Here at Denver, people may feel a little indifferent to that, but for me, look, Steady is a very competent player, because now you talk about...
you know, capability versus capacity. Yes, is he capable because he's been in the league a while? Yes. Is he capable because he's been in the scheme for almost three years? Yes. But as far as capacity, that in trusting in him to make the plays down the stretch when the game gets tight, I haven't seen that. Now, had I seen that all season long, then my mindset would be a little different than, by the way, the Broncos don't run the ball.
right? They don't, haven't run the ball well. And then when you look at shots down the field, like you only get shots down the field if you're the Broncos offense based on what I've seen, if you're blowing coverage and last week against the Buffalo Bills.
Man, there was a lot of blown coverage where I was like, what in the hell are their secondary looking at? So if you have a bus in your secondary, they will definitely take advantage of you because like I told you, they're running a lot of crossers, a lot of guys from right to left, and they love to kind of flood the zone. So if you're in man or zone and you're not really communicating, they would definitely take advantage of it.
Alex Hardy (32:31)
He's Nick Ferguson, 10 years in the National Football League, primarily with the Denver Broncos where he reps Denver, still there to this day. I'm Alex Hardy. It seems as if we're in lockstep Seattle and New England for both of these conference championship games. We'll get a rematch of Super Bowl 49. Happy to get into how that one came out, but we'll have plenty of time to ⁓ relive that glory for Malcolm Butler if we do get that match up, but we won't know.
until we're back next time following the championship round. ⁓ Nick Ferguson, I'm excited. We've got three games left. The final four, as you said, when we first came on. So let's get on out of here. What do you have to say to the people?
Nick Ferguson (33:11)
⁓ people, don't believe everything that you hear, right? And always keep your eyes on your luggage.
We are those guys. Hey, you see these guys over there? Well, don't forget about those guys, especially with what's at stake for the conference championship in the National Football League. I'm Alex Hardy. With me as always, Nick Ferguson, 10 years in the National Football League. ⁓ Now he is the number one Patriots fan on this show. You can see his swag doubles mine right now. What's going on, Nick Ferguson?
Nick Ferguson (00:22)
I wouldn't go that far to say that I am the number one Pats fan. I think I give that to back to you. But yeah, it's the season is winding down. There's only four teams is AFC. NFC is for the right to represent East Conference in the Super Bowl. And I have to tell you man, it's going to be one hell of a game because the back and forth has started here in Denver, Colorado.
get to that but yeah there's another game that's taking place and the NFC and it's gonna be a tough game because both teams I mean this will be the third time these two teams actually face one another and I'll say
in that second game where the Rams were on the road in Seattle, it just seemed as though the Rams were gonna win that game. So I'll say this, say this first. I feel as though that was a game that the Rams lost and gave away, opposed to the Seahawks actually winning the game. What say you?
Alex Hardy (01:13)
Yes.
No,
I think that's totally fair. This is the rubber match, right? The team splitting and ultimately, know, Seattle getting the tiebreaker, you know, finishing two games above LA in the West. So, look, we're talking about a huge swing, a game that was so important and the wrap for one Sam Darnold, that being a big game. He hadn't won a big game before, right? Going back to last year with Minnesota. Well, I would say that that game against the 49ers, that was a pretty big game for him to win as well.
So now that we have the Rams going to Seattle, they play really well in Seattle, by the way, for their last six, they've won in the Pacific Northwest. They also, you know, do have the disadvantage, I'd say they have one last day arrest. ⁓ But look, this Rams team kind of has Seattle's number in the postseason, 2-0 against them, I think within the last 20 years or so. And most recently with Sean McVay.
this Rams team has not lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the postseason. So what I'm kind of intrigued in is power on power, strength on strength. These two teams that kind of operate similarly, of course, Clint Kubiak's offense coming from that Shanahan McVeigh, his father's coaching tree. ⁓ They want to run the football. They want to establish time of possession, but they both possess signal callers and quarterbacks that can splash big plays as well.
But I'd say, you know, the defense and special teams for Seattle is what really made that a dominant win over San Francisco last week. I sort of give them the edge in this one, but I understand this is the kind of scenario. It may just play out just like the last one did where the team that has the ball last is going to win this game. I mean, is the bigger question mark for you that Rams defense their secondary pieces kind of shuffling around ⁓ or is it?
the Seahawks offense and the lack of consistency in that passing game and Sam Darnold in these quote unquote big time games.
Nick Ferguson (03:29)
Well, I'll go back to the Rams secondary because that's the group that's going to be facing off against Sam Dono, no matter what you think about him. And that's a group that for me, you can definitely attack. It's not like the Seattle group, right? Seattle group, believe is probably.
The second solid group in the secondary other than the Denver Broncos secondary, but that Seattle defense can turn you over. That Rams defense has been suspect all season long. And obviously you think about the game last time. No, no Charbonne. So you would think from a running game standpoint, everything leans towards Sean McVay and their running game because they have two running backs with Kyron Williams and Blake Corum. And the wild part about this whole
situation is is like the you never see the video that I guess I guess was a gift the gift of the two spider-man's pointing at one another
Alex Hardy (04:26)
Sure,
yeah, yeah, yeah, of course.
Nick Ferguson (04:26)
That's
exactly what this is because it's the same damn offense, right? It is the same damn offense. But when you look at it, so many storylines just like the Patriots and the Broncos, you have Puginacool on the Rams side, who is now the new face of the offense. And on the opposite side, you had the old face, the Triple Com and, you know, Cooper Cup going at it for, I guess, air supremacy. So it's very interesting. And when you look at the two quarterbacks, they
have similar skill sets. only difference that's kind of set them apart is that Sam Donah can run. Matthew Stafford isn't going to run, right?
So that's why if you wanted to twist my arm and ask me who am I leaning heavily towards, it would probably be the Seattle Seahawks because they still can run the ball with Kenneth Walker. They still get competent play. Obviously, I say that with the short lease because we know Sam Dono is still Sam Dono. But the other part about it is that their defense, just like the Denver Broncos, is really carry them thus far.
Alex Hardy (05:33)
Is it time to flip the narrative because this is something that we asked of Matthew Stafford and he was never able to do it in Detroit and it was just finding the right opportunity in LA and his first year with the Rams they go over the top they win that Super Bowl. I mean maybe this is just the right fit for Sam Darnold. I just don't know if we just are writing a guy off until we physically see him do it. If this is just kind of a case of history repeating itself. I think outside of you know as far as these two teams are concerned.
No one has more at stake than Sam Darnold does, but at the same time, this could be the last ride for Matthew Stafford. He's already won though. So asking Sam Darnold to elevate and put this Seahawks team over the top, he'll have to take advantage. I mentioned that Rams secondary, Akela Witherspoon, done for the year, but Emmanuel Forbes is coming back. And meanwhile, Byron Young ⁓ was dealing with the knee injury and he was sick as well. Like there's just too many moving parts on this defense.
and they haven't gotten that consistent pass rush from that big defensive front that the Rams like to use. know, they're big boys on the defensive line. So, it could go in a number of directions, but I do believe this is a close game nonetheless. ⁓ Seahawks, the benefit of being at home, the benefit of winning the last matchup, ⁓ you know, just a two and a half point favorite. So, I think I'm picking Seattle for this one, and the difference for me,
is they get one score out of defense or special teams. I don't know if they open up like Rashid Shaheed did this past week against San Francisco or the Cliff Averill safety in Super Bowl 50. Oh gosh. Either way, we're not gonna see the CAOX defense or special teams score in the first place. I'm not even gonna try the number. Nick's already scrubbed that from his memory. I'm just saying historically,
Nick Ferguson (07:10)
Yeah.
I'm not even gonna drive.
Alex Hardy (07:30)
When Seattle's been this good, they get the benefit from their defense, their special teams that will put them over the edge against this Rams team.
Nick Ferguson (07:38)
Now here's what Sean McVeigh and the Rams are going to be saying. Well, we faced this team twice. We beat them at home. We lost on the road. But the road loss should have never taken place because we didn't play our best game. There were a number of factors that were kind of really bizarre when you think about it that took place. It's like, wait a minute. I don't know because.
You know Sam Dono had turned the ball over he turned the ball over a couple of times and everyone was going see I told you right It's just like Kirk Cousins right, but but but a better but a better player
And it was like, well, we're going back down memory lane where Sam Donnell starts to fall apart. That was kind of the idea. But then the defense made some plays. The Rams didn't capitalize off on opportunities. And then it allowed the Seattle Seahawks to climb back in the game, get inside the red zone. And I'm like, I don't know what the defender was thinking covering the tight end. like, when they was in the corner, I'm like, that's your guy. You're in the red zone. ⁓ It does help to cover your guy.
in the red zone and Sean McBade is going to say well we left them we let them off the hook right we know who they are right we let them off the hook right
Alex Hardy (08:51)
Yeah, yeah. Thank you, Denny. Thank you,
Denny Green.
Nick Ferguson (08:53)
to give you a little bit of Danny Green. So that's what he's telling his team. He's saying, well, we're not that far apart. We just have to make sure that we go into Seattle and win the game. And yes, we know there's going to be crowd noise. We've dealt with it before. We were able to operate. We just now need to step our game up. But here's the other thing that you brought up. When you look at the Rams defensive line, yes, you have Jared Verst. They have some other big guys. But when you talk about
Alex Hardy (09:21)
brain first has
been inconsistent.
Nick Ferguson (09:23)
Yeah.
So when you start looking for someone who can make an impact in the run game, in the passing game, they don't really have that guy. There is no Dono, right? You don't have Dono just kind of messing things up in the interior. You don't have him anymore. So they have to come together collectively as a defense. And I think that's going to be really tough for the third time.
Alex Hardy (09:48)
Is Puna Ford the difference maker for this Rams team compared to years past because if they can stuff Kenneth Walker and force Seattle into longer situations like is he you know for lack of a better comparison is he the defensive MVP if the Rams are able to pull this out?
Nick Ferguson (10:07)
Yeah, I mean, it would be equivalent to ⁓ the Vince Wolf work for the New England Patriots, which I know you are fond with, because you need someone to...
Alex Hardy (10:15)
That's that, hey, that's that's
his helmet that you have, not me.
Nick Ferguson (10:18)
Yeah, but the idea is you want to try to take away something that a team does, whether it's in the pass a game or player, take something away from them and make them play with one hand tied behind their backs. But here's what Clint Kubiak would actually do. See, if you start taking away things by plugging the two a gaps, you know what they're running outside zone, right? And here's the thing with outside zone.
Alex Hardy (10:40)
Yeah. Yeah. With Kenneth, which is
tailor made for Kenneth Walker.
Nick Ferguson (10:45)
Yes,
tailor-made for him. And here's the intricate part of running the outside zone offense. You need your wide receivers to be an extension of the run game. And what I mean by that is you want those guys blocking on the perimeter, right? The whole idea of no block, no rock. That's kind of the staple of Mike Shanahan offense. So I think that would be the go-to for Clint Kubiak, the outside stretch zone.
Alex Hardy (11:11)
Just in a vac, not necessarily in a vacuum because they're both deployed in the similar offensive play calling. Jackson Smith and Jigba, Pukunakuwa. What do you like from both? Is there a certain, an eruption spot from either one or both ⁓ as a key to victory for either of these offenses?
Nick Ferguson (11:30)
Look man, both of these players are dogs, right? ⁓ mean, Puganakua reminds me of a younger, know, Cooper Cup, when, you know, Cooper can still, you know, run. Both of these guys can...
Alex Hardy (11:38)
Mm-hmm.
And he's not dead. I mean,
he's coming off of one of his best games in the last couple of months. And the Rams, you know, victory a week ago.
Nick Ferguson (11:49)
Yeah, and once again, it's important how you use your guys as an offensive coordinator. So Clint Kubiak knows that there's certain aspects of Cooper Cubs game that he still can actually lean on. Just think about Anquan Bolden when Anquan Bolden was on the back half of his career, right? And it seemed like an insult to receivers when you say, OK, well, you're just a possession receiver. To me, I look at it the same way that I look at a quarterback that you say a game manager.
Alex Hardy (12:08)
In Baltimore?
Nick Ferguson (12:19)
That means you're reliable. You are freaking reliable and I know anytime I need to go to a guy in a third and long situation, you got me. So this is how I see Pugna Kua and Jackson Smith and Jigba, but I'm gonna say there's more explosiveness that you get from Jackson Smith and Jigba. So it's gonna make things really interesting. Once again, going back to what does the Ram secondary actually look like?
Alex Hardy (12:44)
We'll have to give the Rams as much of the benefit as we can. This is Thursday. They have a couple more days of practice. See who is in and out of the injury report until we get there. Looks like we're both kind of leaning towards Seattle, but this may be the closer of the two ⁓ conference championship games because if we talk about New England and Denver, Nick, I'll let you get on out of here. I think it's the Patriots by 15 points. All right, good night, Nick.
Nick Ferguson (13:09)
Well, you know what? ⁓
I wouldn't be mad at you for that for the obvious reasons because there is no bow nicks and the reason I say there is no bow nicks over the past two three weeks the leading rusher in the clubhouse has been number 10 bow nicks and the Broncos have struggled over the past two three years under Sean Payton establishing the run now the idea is that well some people in the media and the fans would say well it was a running back's fault they couldn't run the ball they couldn't stay
on track and I'm like well if you look at it I don't think that is the case. The Broncos known as though they do have some big guys up front they don't create a lot of space that those run lanes are really crowded and also Sean Payton likes to run a lot of reduced formations and what what that does from a defensive standpoint it makes those lanes even tighter. Now
What he tries to do is to kind of simulate runs by trying to get the backs out on the perimeter and jump on off to him. And when anytime you see Marvin Mims in the game as a defensive player, the first thing you should think is something is up. They're trying to do something to us because Marvin Mims as good as I think he is, he hasn't really been utilized that much. And in the game against Buffalo, he was only inserted into the lineup because you had Troy Franklin who went out early with the hamstring.
You had Pat Brian who went down with the concussion. So they were running out of receivers and by the end of the game, man, them dudes were gassed, right? They were gassed. So the Patriots just need to pay attention to that because the word here in Denver is, in the run game, do you trust? And most people would say, not a damn try.
Alex Hardy (14:56)
That's been something that you harped on. mean, we saw each other earlier this year and you told me the great story of Sean Payton needing to write in Sharpie on his play sheet. Remember to run the damn ball. Always been an issue for Sean Payton, but when he's had that kind of personnel, you know, this isn't New Orleans and the glory days of Deuce McAllister and then Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara. It's a different time, but it's a different, well, sure, Reggie as well, but I...
Nick Ferguson (15:20)
Reggie Bush, yes.
Alex Hardy (15:25)
Reggie, man, I was just thinking about seeing him when the Saints went to New England his rookie year right before Sean got there. That was really cool for me to see. I will just say that much. And I digress. So sticking in the ⁓ the current season and not going back to when I was a kid and Nick Ferguson was still suiting up on Sundays. The the elephant in the room is is Jared Stidham, right? And they change it quarterback. And you mentioned the running game and we're still
Nick Ferguson (15:43)
you
Alex Hardy (15:55)
Not entirely sure. You don't have any inside scoopage on JK Dobbins, do you? Designated to return off IR. We haven't seen him since November. ⁓ It's still early enough in the week. There's no update really on JK at this time, right?
Nick Ferguson (16:07)
Well,
the only update is that they open the practice window and it's been limited practice for him. When they open up that window, the fans were so happy because, you know, with J.K. Dobbins in the mix, that was a guy that can run through tackles and he's had two games this season. One of those games, albeit being against the low full Cincinnati Bengals defense. And before that, I think the last time the Broncos had a 100 yard rusher, Latavious Murray
Alex Hardy (16:13)
Mm-hmm.
Nick Ferguson (16:37)
was in the Broncos uniform so just the news of him the possibility of opening that window excited a lot of people now whether he plays on Sunday I'm not sure and if he does he would definitely be on the pitch count and if I am like variable I approach it the same way I see another guy on the opposite side in the uniform you look to hit him so
I would say with him being out so long and we talk about eight or nine weeks, what's his level of conditioning, right? Because you also have to build that callus to take those shots. He hasn't taken those shots in a while. So it's going to be interesting how the Broncos use or decide to deploy him.
Alex Hardy (17:18)
So then let's stay with the signal caller. We haven't seen Jarrett Stidham since the 2023 season with Vegas. Sean Payton, you know, saw him beat San Francisco in 2022. He was the first signing of the Sean Payton era. Allegedly the Patriots were interested in a reunion, but he chose to stay in Denver this past off season. So he's been an integral part of the team and has the support.
you know, the quote that went around for John Franklin Myers was this guy operates the the scout team better than most guys do as a starting quarterback. So like, look, they're not going to be deterred. They're not going to say, whoa, is me. Like we don't have bow. A bow is not me, I guess. So they're confident, but I don't, I'm going to expect there's some kind of drop off. And it's not just because I'm parroting Milton Williams and saying, you know, this guy's not bow. If bow were healthy, bow would be playing, but
There's definitely a bit of uncertainty to what Jared Stidham brings just because we haven't seen him. But the two play callers in this contest, Sean Payton, Josh McDaniels, are the two guys most familiar with Jared Stidham.
Nick Ferguson (18:31)
Yeah, absolutely. And ⁓ that was kind of the conversation. Well, the Broncos have an advantage because the Patriots don't know how to plan for Jarrett's Thetum. And I was like, well, that's not true because they drafted him in 2019 in the fourth round. And I do recall there was a preseason game where he went in and he threw maybe two touchdown passes to Damaris Thomas. And I did. was like, my God. OK, well, he could be the guy that replaces Tom.
Alex Hardy (18:58)
Yes.
Nick Ferguson (19:00)
And when you think about who Jarrett Stidham is, Jarrett Stidham has been a long time backup in this league. He's been in league seven, eight years, but he's only had four starts. And he's won three in those starts. And all of those starts have come at the tail end of the season when the starter was either benched or the starter was injured. So both of these guys know Jarrett Stidham. So it's not like, well, you're coming in and there's a lot of mystery to him. No, they know what he can and can't do.
So
it is incumbent upon Sean Payton to put him in a situation to succeed. And here's the way I figured that he's going to do that, When you think about, know, Bo Nix, Bo Nix, you know, has a running and rushing element to it. Like I told you, leading the team and rushing for the past two or three games, Jaris Thedem is not going to do that. Jaris Thedem is mobile. So if he does run a bootleg, he can get yards. But he's looking to possibly get a couple of yards and get down, unlike, unlike Bo.
So I'm thinking that Sean is going to put Jarrett Stidham under center more than he put Bo Nicks under center because now when you're under center from a defense standpoint, you don't really know if it's run or pass. Now there's a boot keep game and I know Sean likes to run those reduced formations and he likes to bring the receivers in and he likes to run the shallows with the deep overs. So the way you play that defensively is if I'm on the right side of the field and I see Colin Sutton
and the number two slot and he's on the ball, guess why he's there, right? I mean, if he doesn't run a quick out, he's running a deep over, right? It is amazing that guys don't really communicate in that particular way and I would find it really difficult for a Mike Vable coach team, for those guys not to be, you know, spot on. But here's the other thing, I know I'm getting a little winded here, but I want to make sure I point out this.
Alex Hardy (20:39)
Yeah.
Nick Ferguson (20:57)
I know the idea is that with Stidham has played well in practice and rightfully so. He's made some plays against Pat Sertan and some of the other defensive guys. But here's the other element of practice that is not really spoken of. When you're in practice and you're running on a scout team, those defensive guys who get close to the quarterback depth, they don't hit him.
So because they don't hit him, that allows him to have that confidence in the pocket to make whatever throw that is. When you're in a live game, all bets are off. They're trying to tackle you. So it's not going to be like, oh, it's practice. We cannot hit the quarterback. It's like, no, you're in a different uniform. So I wouldn't go leaning so far as to say, well, hey, man, he did great in practice. So that's going to translate to a game. I'm not 100 % sure.
Alex Hardy (21:45)
Well, we have a body of work switching to the Patriots offense where Drake May has been one of the best quarterbacks in the game. Meanwhile, the Patriots are 2-0 beating the Chargers and Texans, but he's been sacked 10 times. He has technically two interceptions, but again, end of the first half against Houston just throws up a Hail Mary just to throw it and he gets picked off. I'm not really going to count that. The six fumbles, three of them lost. ⁓
Nick Ferguson (21:58)
Yes.
Alex Hardy (22:13)
They got absolutely bailed out on a ridiculous fumble recovery that allowed them to keep momentum and, well, frankly, keep Houston from taking the ball over inside the red zone, which was huge in that first half. So it's been a little sloppy. Will Campbell has looked overmatched facing the likes of Will Anderson, Daniil Hanner, Khalil Mack. I understand that. But that Denver Broncos defense at front, I for all the credit we were giving Seattle and how that defense puts them over the edge.
Am I wrong in saying that the Broncos defense and what kind of havoc they could wreak havoc they could reap on Drake May and that offense is that is what going to keep Denver in the game.
Nick Ferguson (22:52)
Yeah, absolutely. Because all season long I've been calling the defense ⁓ MacGyver because just like the TV show, they always show up when you need them the most. And they've carried this team thus far to this point. I've had a very interesting output at conversation with someone who works here in local radio.
where I was told that, listen, ⁓ in that game against Buffalo, the Broncos offense carried the Broncos defense. And I said to that person, I don't know what MFing game that you were watching, but that's not what I saw, right? The defense had... Yeah.
Alex Hardy (23:30)
Okay. That's right, because they were carried by the refs and they were carried by the league trying
to fix a game so that Josh Allen, one of the league's biggest stars, couldn't win. That's what was going on. It was rigged.
Nick Ferguson (23:41)
Hey man, whoa, whoa, whoa,
whoa. That's a whole different story. I'm keeping it between the Xs and Os. I'm not talking about the zebras and calls that were either made, and neither, either made or not made, but, well, listen, there were a lot of plays on both sides that you say, well, they should have been called, that maybe, should have been called, and maybe shouldn't be called.
Alex Hardy (23:46)
Ha
Yeah, and the tin foil and yeah, yeah, yeah.
No, no, no, no. You talked about how it
was a gas defense, just as you had said, you know, the likes of Marvin Minze, or stretching the field, guys just grab, and if they don't call it earlier in the game, they're gonna call it when it's supposed to be called. I'm not gonna let four turnovers get overruled by two flags in overtime.
Nick Ferguson (24:21)
Whoa, OK, OK. To be fair, there was a holding call, a holding.
play that took place when Josh Allen was in the end zone. And usually if you get holding in the end zone, that's automatic safety because when you watch it, looked like DJ Jones was being held and it wasn't called. So I digress. We're not going to get into the officiating, but it just comes back to which team turns the ball over the lease. And those fumbles by Drake May, you can't do that. ⁓
Alex Hardy (24:35)
Mm-hmm.
Nick Ferguson (24:55)
throwing interceptions, you can't do that because if you do that, now you're putting yourself in a tough situation. Now Sean Payton can now milk the clock, right, and work the clock knowing as though he's playing with the lead. And this is why Coach Payton, and I give him credit for it, ⁓ when Bo Nicks, when it was announced that Bo Nicks was not going to play and he was done for the season, immediately Coach Payton said, Steady is that guy, I need you guys to get behind him, do all of that, because once again, what it spoke to me,
I don't know everyone else, but it spoke to me. That's more pressure on Vance Joseph in the defense. I need you guys to make more plays. And you know what was wild, Alex? There were so many fans who have gotten behind Jared Stidham so much, they changed their social media avatar to Stiddy. So it raised a question for me.
Alex Hardy (25:42)
Yes. Let me pull it, let me pull
it. Yeah.
Nick Ferguson (25:45)
Yes,
it raised a question for me like, wait a minute. So Bo Nix has been your quarterback all year long. He gets injured. Insert Jarrett Stidham. And then now you guys are changing your avatars to Jarrett Stidham, who hasn't played since 2023. When you could have done that for Bo, I was told that, well, I'm being negative. How am I being negative?
Alex Hardy (26:08)
I'm just trying to pull it right now because we really have to do it justice, right? Where we just see our guy, right? Like he's got the LeBron meme, no team in NBA Finals history has come back from trailing 3-1. This is the moment, right? This is ⁓ the glasses, the ear, but like we're just tuning all that out. So.
Nick Ferguson (26:14)
Yes, everyone with the same.
That's
like the Jim McMahon Chicago Bears look.
Alex Hardy (26:33)
Yes, exactly, exactly. Another contemporary reference, Nick. Look, I think it's because everyone loves an underdog story and the guy that hasn't played, whereas we've seen Bo Nix and he's cost the Broncos games this year. He's won a lot more than he's lost, but we're going to remember the ones that gave us an upset kind of feeling and a discomfort in our tummy. So that's just, that's kind of the way it is. And what it also is, is bulletin board material, right? That's the guy we're going to put up there and we're going to be rooting for.
It's not like the kind of bulletin board material where Sean Payton, again, love the fans for being able to rally behind Stitty, but Payton says, leave it all out on the field. You guys will have two weeks off before we play again. Is he out of pocket here or was a K Sean booty out of pocket for saying, you know, you can spend two weeks in Cancun if you want as well.
Nick Ferguson (27:17)
you
Well, I mean, it's a war of words. And here in Denver, it was like, OK, just like the Jacksonville situation, it was taken out of context. That's not what he was. That's not what he was really saying. I'm just telling you, that that's got that's the word on the street. The word on the street was it's being taken out of context. Right. And the media loves to kind of feed into this because they're always listening for a sound bite. So Kayshaun Booty, he was asked, actually,
Alex Hardy (27:32)
No... No- ⁓ okay. Uh-huh.
yeah.
Nick Ferguson (27:53)
It was leading the witness to be exact, right?
Alex Hardy (27:56)
I'm with K-Shawn. I'm asking you about your head coach, Payne.
Nick Ferguson (28:00)
Well, for me, look, it's happened before. It's just like you never want to say anything that can give another team bulletin board material, whether it was taken out of context or not. I'll say this. ⁓ If the Broncos don't win, then that is going to be the comment that's going to be in the loop section, right? And if they were to win,
It's only going to entice Coach Payton to just keep on saying it because you know everyone is superstitious, right? If you brush your teeth with the right side and you win the game, guess what? From here on out, you gotta brush with your right hand, right?
Alex Hardy (28:37)
Is that you
Nick? When you were with Denver, was that a playoff beard? Was that not changing in the underwear? Was it actually brushing your teeth with the right hand?
Nick Ferguson (28:45)
No, for me, it was getting to the game four to five hours early. That was my thing. So, yeah.
Alex Hardy (28:49)
Okay.
I won't pry too much, but it just seems like you wouldn't be a lot of fun around the house on game day anyway. So you're just doing a service to everyone else, just disappearing early for those playoff games.
Nick Ferguson (29:05)
Well,
for me, mean, usually game day, but just like training camp. I slept in the basement, right? I was sleeping in basement and what happened was, okay, well you go to the hotel the night before, so that's where you're sleeping. I would come home, I would grab my clothes and then I would leave because on game day, I didn't really eat, right? I didn't really eat because it was just kind of like, in my mind I was like, okay, well if you eat,
then you have to go to the bathroom. And what if you have to go to the bathroom while you're on the field, right? And you don't want to put that on tape because you won't be able to live that down. So my idea is that if I didn't eat, I didn't have to go to the bathroom. But I'll tell you this, man, talk about having the shakes after the game. I mean, I'm like, I'm just on one. I'm like, give me something, a bar or orange. Give me something to eat. But being hungry,
on the field actually played dividends because it made me more intense if you can understand that. That made me more hangry.
Alex Hardy (30:12)
I understand you, I'm just gonna counter with Lamar Jackson not subscribed to that theory at all and he has a couple of MVPs to show for it. ⁓ Clearly he has no fear of needing to go to the bathroom when he has to go to the bathroom. We all saw it, we all saw it. That man running on the field and running in the bathroom as well. ⁓ I'm giving the edge to the Patriots, I have the feeling that this is...
Nick Ferguson (30:32)
I don't want to do that. I don't want to be that guy.
Alex Hardy (30:38)
a race to who scores 20, 24 points first. And I just give the nod to the team that's been playing better and the team that has the experienced quarterback. Second year in the league, he's the experienced quarterback.
Nick Ferguson (30:50)
Well,
you know what most fans would say here in Denver, well, Drake May is not the most experienced because Stiddy has been in the league for a while. So he is more experienced with his years, but not as it pertains to actually games played.
Alex Hardy (31:08)
So what do you got?
Nick Ferguson (31:09)
I'm leaning towards the Pats. Here at Denver, people may feel a little indifferent to that, but for me, look, Steady is a very competent player, because now you talk about...
you know, capability versus capacity. Yes, is he capable because he's been in the league a while? Yes. Is he capable because he's been in the scheme for almost three years? Yes. But as far as capacity, that in trusting in him to make the plays down the stretch when the game gets tight, I haven't seen that. Now, had I seen that all season long, then my mindset would be a little different than, by the way, the Broncos don't run the ball.
right? They don't, haven't run the ball well. And then when you look at shots down the field, like you only get shots down the field if you're the Broncos offense based on what I've seen, if you're blowing coverage and last week against the Buffalo Bills.
Man, there was a lot of blown coverage where I was like, what in the hell are their secondary looking at? So if you have a bus in your secondary, they will definitely take advantage of you because like I told you, they're running a lot of crossers, a lot of guys from right to left, and they love to kind of flood the zone. So if you're in man or zone and you're not really communicating, they would definitely take advantage of it.
Alex Hardy (32:31)
He's Nick Ferguson, 10 years in the National Football League, primarily with the Denver Broncos where he reps Denver, still there to this day. I'm Alex Hardy. It seems as if we're in lockstep Seattle and New England for both of these conference championship games. We'll get a rematch of Super Bowl 49. Happy to get into how that one came out, but we'll have plenty of time to ⁓ relive that glory for Malcolm Butler if we do get that match up, but we won't know.
until we're back next time following the championship round. ⁓ Nick Ferguson, I'm excited. We've got three games left. The final four, as you said, when we first came on. So let's get on out of here. What do you have to say to the people?
Nick Ferguson (33:11)
⁓ people, don't believe everything that you hear, right? And always keep your eyes on your luggage.