NFL Schedule Release Special Pt. 2 - Best Matchups for 2024

1
00:00:09,432.5255727431 --> 00:00:10,352.525572743
We are those guys.

2
00:00:10,352.525572743 --> 00:00:12,752.525572743
We hope to be your guys bringing you the latest.

3
00:00:13,22.525572743 --> 00:00:24,922.525572743
Again, continuing our conversation about the NFL schedule release, knowing full well that, while taking a look at the big picture, uh, the week the schedule came out, here we are now, Nick.

4
00:00:24,922.525572743 --> 00:00:30,872.525572743
We've had some time to digest, and there are some matchups, particularly, that pique our interest.

5
00:00:31,142.525572743 --> 00:00:36,332.525572743
And, uh, I guess we should probably dive in after we say, what's going on Nick Ferguson.

6
00:00:36,982.525572743 --> 00:00:58,752.525572743
Hey, Alex Hardy, what's going on? I I'm trying to figure out how cute I want to be because when we talk about game to game matchups, right, we talked about, uh, the teams that, um, That are just kind of presumed to be winning a lot versus the ones that aren't, and kind of how some schedules shook out with travel.

7
00:00:58,882.524572743 --> 00:01:02,312.524572743
If you missed that previous episode, make sure to catch it right here.

8
00:01:02,492.525572743 --> 00:01:08,822.525572743
Uh, those guys, Ride the Wave Media, wherever you get your podcasts, Apple, YouTube, for our most recent episode.

9
00:01:08,972.525572743 --> 00:01:13,862.525572743
But today, the thought process is, let's put some quarterbacks, mano a mano.

10
00:01:14,52.525572743 --> 00:01:16,607.525572743
Let's Get some reunions.

11
00:01:16,617.525572743 --> 00:01:21,27.525572743
Let's talk about rematches of playoff games from a year ago.

12
00:01:21,307.525572743 --> 00:01:30,457.525572743
Particular matchups that Nick Ferguson, you have circled on the calendar, uh, with this NFL schedule fully out and available.

13
00:01:30,717.525572743 --> 00:01:32,217.524572743
So, I'll start with you, Nick.

14
00:01:32,247.526572743 --> 00:01:42,772.52557274
I think we have four matchups each, so we're going to talk eight games in total, where we are just intrigued with what it looks like on paper, knowing we've got a long way to get to the regular season.

15
00:01:42,772.52557274 --> 00:01:49,152.52557274
So, Nick, I'll tee you up the first game that you have circled on the NFL calendar from a matchup perspective.

16
00:01:49,912.52557274 --> 00:01:54,252.52457274
The first game it is Washington versus the Bears.

17
00:01:54,272.52457274 --> 00:01:57,312.52557274
It's a week eight matchup between Dayton Daniels.

18
00:01:57,897.52557274 --> 00:02:08,507.52457274
And Caleb Williams, but by this point in the season, week eight, we should have some kind of idea of what direction both organizations are going down.

19
00:02:08,737.52557274 --> 00:02:15,487.52457274
And it would have given either player Daniels or Caleb Williams an opportunity to kind of get their feet wet.

20
00:02:15,887.52557274 --> 00:02:21,877.52557274
So they're going to have their butts and bruises along the way, but the guy that went one and two, we get a chance to see them in week eight.

21
00:02:23,447.52557274 --> 00:02:37,997.52557274
So, week eight, we can presume, well, Caleb Williams, uh, you know, already named the week one starter, which is absurd considering they haven't played any organized football, you know, whatsoever, but that's the approach that this team is taking with their number one overall pick.

22
00:02:38,227.52457274 --> 00:02:46,187.52557274
Uh, week eight, you'd think that Jaden Daniels is ready to roll, um, fully entrenched if he doesn't win that job over Marcus Mariota in the summer.

23
00:02:46,377.52557274 --> 00:03:01,432.52557274
So, what kind of rust? Do you think, or, you know, experience these rookies can gain so that they may be starting to click come week eight, as opposed to, let's say we saw the number one and the number two overall pick duking it out week one or week two.

24
00:03:02,332.52557274 --> 00:03:09,422.52557274
Well, the biggest thing is once again, look at when this matchup actually takes place, we're talking about week eight.

25
00:03:09,952.52557274 --> 00:03:15,622.52557274
So obviously, like you said, Matt, you've already jumped down and said, well, Caleb Williams is our starter.

26
00:03:15,632.52457274 --> 00:03:18,932.52457274
You take a guy over one, number one, overall, you figured that's going to happen.

27
00:03:19,292.52557274 --> 00:03:26,942.52557274
Now with Jaden Daniels, obviously you have a veteran in Marcus Mariota like you mentioned, but at that point of the season, you're eight games in.

28
00:03:27,482.52557274 --> 00:03:27,812.52557274
Right.

29
00:03:27,862.52557274 --> 00:03:33,392.52557274
So Peters and Dan Quinch and have somewhat of an idea of what direction that they're going in.

30
00:03:33,682.52557274 --> 00:03:37,302.52557274
If Mario, his name was starter and things are not going great.

31
00:03:37,552.52457274 --> 00:03:40,82.52557274
At that point, you can go and use Jayden Daniels.

32
00:03:40,82.52557274 --> 00:03:45,512.52557274
You get an 8 game, 9 game sample size of what he could be as you roll into 2025.

33
00:03:46,417.52557274 --> 00:04:10,727.52557274
And I'll say this, I haven't looked at the odds yet, the Vegas odds, but I would give the nod to Caleb Williams simply because I believe that he has a better overall offensive supporting cast around him than Jayden Daniels, but it'd be great to see those two quarterbacks who, we don't know this yet, but the future of the NFL from a franchise standpoint rests on the shoulders of those two quarterbacks.

34
00:04:11,312.52557274 --> 00:04:15,812.52557274
We get a chance to see them play and you see which guy is a little more superior than the other.

35
00:04:17,322.52557274 --> 00:04:17,842.52557274
Yeah.

36
00:04:17,892.52557274 --> 00:04:20,82.52557274
You know, just one head to head matchup.

37
00:04:20,112.52557274 --> 00:04:24,332.52557274
I mean, Bryce Young did beat CJ Stroud when they met last year.

38
00:04:24,482.52557274 --> 00:04:49,882.52557274
Does that mean Bryce Young is the better quarterback based on one performance? Or is it just about, uh, seeing what these two teams have built around their rookie signal callers halfway through the season? It's basically seeing how that particular player plays, because Every single year and every single matchup as we go through, we're going to say, it's the battle of the quarterbacks in its entirety.

39
00:04:49,922.52557274 --> 00:04:50,992.52457274
No, it's not.

40
00:04:51,202.52557274 --> 00:04:52,942.52557274
They're just two guys who are under center.

41
00:04:53,192.52557274 --> 00:04:57,562.52457274
It's about which quarterback has the better supporting cast and the best team.

42
00:04:58,442.52557274 --> 00:05:12,12.52557274
Listen, there was a lot of talk between the Carolina Panthers and the Houston Texans, who was going to go number one overall, but it gave Bryce Young, who didn't really have anything of that much to root for in 2023, it gave him something to celebrate.

43
00:05:12,92.52457274 --> 00:05:23,2.52557274
Let's be told you went out and beat CJ Stroud, a team that was right there on a precipice playing in Baltimore, knocking on the door, but they fell short.

44
00:05:23,232.52557274 --> 00:05:29,887.52557274
But to say that, you know what, as crazy as last year was? I beat you, so that gives you a little bragging rights.

45
00:05:30,667.52557274 --> 00:05:36,907.52557274
Well, I would like to move on to my first game that may involve a rookie quarterback.

46
00:05:37,747.52557274 --> 00:05:38,887.52557274
This is Week 2.

47
00:05:39,17.52557274 --> 00:05:48,117.52457274
The San Francisco 49ers, after hosting Aaron Rodgers in the Jets in Week 1 for Monday night, they've got the short turnaround and travel to go to Minnesota.

48
00:05:48,357.52457274 --> 00:05:50,747.52557274
We have the Kevin O'Connell vs.

49
00:05:50,777.52557274 --> 00:05:52,767.42557274
Kyle Shanahan matchup.

50
00:05:53,7.52557274 --> 00:05:59,47.52557274
The, uh, the, the Jedi Master versus the Padawan, right? To give you a reference you appreciate.

51
00:05:59,377.52557274 --> 00:06:03,317.52557274
Uh, we, Hey, you know what? Sam Darnold was with the 49ers a year ago.

52
00:06:03,317.52557274 --> 00:06:04,657.52557274
You have familiarity there.

53
00:06:04,897.52557274 --> 00:06:07,607.52507274
And I'm curious if it's Darnold starting or J.

54
00:06:07,607.52507274 --> 00:06:07,787.52457274
J.

55
00:06:07,787.52557274 --> 00:06:08,547.52557274
McCarthy.

56
00:06:09,212.52557274 --> 00:06:22,792.52457274
In my opinion, the 10th overall pick with a Brock Purdy skill set, we're not sure which quarterback we get from, from Minnesota, but we have the Kevin O'Connell pupil, the first up against Kyle Shanahan.

57
00:06:22,822.52557274 --> 00:06:30,232.52557274
I'm not quite going to count Robert Sala on the defensive side of the football, though we served under Shanahan and you coached with them in San Francisco.

58
00:06:30,402.52557274 --> 00:06:32,82.52557274
So a meeting of the minds.

59
00:06:32,82.52557274 --> 00:06:34,572.52557274
You've got O'Connell versus Shanahan.

60
00:06:34,702.52557274 --> 00:06:35,512.52557274
Week two, Nick.

61
00:06:36,352.52557274 --> 00:06:40,912.52557274
Well, I'm going to give the nod to Kyle Shanahan.

62
00:06:41,52.52557274 --> 00:06:42,32.52557274
Of course, of course.

63
00:06:42,82.52557274 --> 00:06:43,172.52557274
You're the better football team.

64
00:06:43,302.52557274 --> 00:06:50,802.52557274
Yeah, the master and the apprentice because let's not forget, even though Kevin O'Connor was the head coach in his league, he was the quarterback's coach.

65
00:06:51,137.52557274 --> 00:06:55,507.52557274
And the pseudo officer coordinator under Sean McVeigh with the Rams.

66
00:06:55,767.52557274 --> 00:06:58,297.52557274
But Kyle has been at this for a while.

67
00:06:58,297.52557274 --> 00:07:04,637.52557274
Could you imagine? Hey, you have someone of an apprentice trying to run the same scheme that you're running, but you've run it more than he has.

68
00:07:04,687.52557274 --> 00:07:12,827.52557274
And oh, by the way, one of the guys who the architect of the office is your father, right? You get the whole comeback to Star Wars.

69
00:07:13,147.52557274 --> 00:07:14,747.52557274
Luke, I am your father.

70
00:07:17,527.52557274 --> 00:07:18,597.52557274
That's the kind of whole thing.

71
00:07:18,597.52557274 --> 00:07:20,27.52557274
And then you talk about Sam Donner.

72
00:07:20,197.52557274 --> 00:07:22,247.52557274
Yes, he was with the 49ers.

73
00:07:22,477.52557274 --> 00:07:26,567.52557274
Did he play? Absolutely not because of Brock Purdy.

74
00:07:26,607.52457274 --> 00:07:28,247.52457274
So it's week two.

75
00:07:28,287.52557274 --> 00:07:31,87.52557274
So you have to figure, okay, well, How far along would J.

76
00:07:31,87.62557274 --> 00:07:31,327.42557274
J.

77
00:07:31,327.52557274 --> 00:07:39,97.52557274
McCarthy actually be? So I'm thinking Sam Donnell being the elder statesman, knowing the offense because it's a similar type offense.

78
00:07:39,417.52557274 --> 00:07:41,717.52557274
He's going to be the guy playing against Brock Purdy.

79
00:07:41,887.52557274 --> 00:07:43,87.52557274
So that's going to be the narrative.

80
00:07:43,97.52557274 --> 00:07:45,977.52557274
It's not going to be about Kyle and O'Donnell.

81
00:07:45,987.52457274 --> 00:07:49,307.52557274
It's going to be Purdy versus Sam Donnell.

82
00:07:49,647.52557274 --> 00:08:01,667.52557274
And that's going to be really interesting to see because Brian Flores, their defensive coordinator, I mean, he is a hell of a coach, but to see him match wits with that of Kyle Shanahan, that's going to be interesting to watch.

83
00:08:02,227.52557274 --> 00:08:06,87.52557274
And the last piece of trivia I have for you, Nick, regarding this game.

84
00:08:06,97.52557274 --> 00:08:10,707.52557274
The last time the 49ers won in Minneapolis was 1992.

85
00:08:11,747.52557274 --> 00:08:14,377.52557274
Uh, Steve Young getting the victory for San Francisco.

86
00:08:14,377.52557274 --> 00:08:25,377.52457274
Who was the Vikings quarterback in 92 when they lost to the, uh, 49ers? When they lost to the 49ers, the Vikings coach? Yeah, the Vikings have won seven straight at home against Minnesota.

87
00:08:29,157.52457274 --> 00:08:29,677.52557274
I don't know.

88
00:08:29,917.52557274 --> 00:08:34,727.52557274
Coach Denny Green and his quarterback, former NFL MVP, Rich Gannon.

89
00:08:35,37.52557274 --> 00:08:36,957.52557274
Uh, which moves me.

90
00:08:37,322.52557274 --> 00:08:41,22.52557274
To my favorite, I think of the four games that I've picked.

91
00:08:41,132.52557274 --> 00:08:42,642.52557274
I think we'll do a little snake draft here.

92
00:08:42,642.52557274 --> 00:08:44,452.52557274
I'm just gonna go right ahead and march on.

93
00:08:45,22.52557274 --> 00:08:45,972.52557274
Week five.

94
00:08:46,42.52557274 --> 00:08:48,332.52557274
So I'm hitting the fast forward button a little bit.

95
00:08:49,2.52557274 --> 00:08:52,722.52557274
We've got the Cowboys hosting the Steelers on Sunday night football.

96
00:08:53,2.52557274 --> 00:08:55,582.52557274
You've got two of the most storied franchises.

97
00:08:55,582.52557274 --> 00:08:57,972.52557274
They met in the Superbowl three times.

98
00:08:58,42.52557274 --> 00:09:12,902.52557274
Pittsburgh beat Dallas twice, uh, for, uh, two of their, half of their four championships in those seventies with the steel curtain, and then Dallas beat Pittsburgh in Superbowl 30, which was also the last time Dallas got out of the divisional round of the playoffs.

99
00:09:13,172.52557274 --> 00:09:20,142.52557274
So assuming it's your guy, Russell Wilson for Pittsburgh, he's three and one all time against Dak Prescott.

100
00:09:21,277.52557274 --> 00:09:25,947.52557274
Uh, time that Dak beat Russ was in the 2018 wildcard game.

101
00:09:26,427.52557274 --> 00:09:36,797.52557274
Uh, when Russell's with Seattle, however, Russell's got the better stats, nine TDs, zero picks and four starts against Dallas where Dak has six interceptions in those four games.

102
00:09:37,97.52557274 --> 00:09:43,397.52557274
So clearly you've got both teams at a crossroads, Russell Wilson and a brand new, brand new scenery.

103
00:09:43,557.52557274 --> 00:09:48,857.52557274
But as we've seen with his history, He's had the ability to step it up when playing the Dallas Cowboys.

104
00:09:49,797.52557274 --> 00:09:51,777.52557274
Yeah, he definitely has.

105
00:09:51,777.52557274 --> 00:09:52,717.52557274
And here's the thing.

106
00:09:53,87.52557274 --> 00:09:57,517.52457274
This matchup comes down to who has the better supporting cast.

107
00:09:57,987.52457274 --> 00:10:12,177.52557274
When you look at the Dallas Cowboys, Michael Parsons has been a monster, but as Dan Quinn found out himself, I can't line him up every single play on all three levels and have a level of success.

108
00:10:12,467.52557274 --> 00:10:16,77.52557274
And let's talk, you say this game is week four, week five.

109
00:10:16,92.62557274 --> 00:10:22,652.52557274
Are you saying that CeeDee Lamb has reported to camp? We don't even know what's going to happen by that time.

110
00:10:22,652.52557274 --> 00:10:23,782.52557274
He wants a new contract.

111
00:10:24,182.52557274 --> 00:10:28,462.52557274
So if CeeDee Lamb is there, it makes things that much easier for Dak Prescott.

112
00:10:28,472.52457274 --> 00:10:39,47.52557274
But if he's not there, it's even tougher because who has a better defense? The Steelers? Or the Cowboys, and I'm going to lean towards the Steelers.

113
00:10:39,227.52557274 --> 00:10:40,47.52557274
Yeah, Pittsburgh.

114
00:10:40,407.52557274 --> 00:10:44,597.52557274
We don't know, will Russ be the starting quarterback? To me, it doesn't make a difference.

115
00:10:44,857.52457274 --> 00:10:50,447.52557274
Because if Justin Fields is the starting quarterback, both of those guys possess the same skill set.

116
00:10:50,667.52557274 --> 00:10:51,617.52457274
One's younger.

117
00:10:52,57.52557274 --> 00:10:53,307.52557274
And one's just a little older.

118
00:10:53,397.52557274 --> 00:10:55,937.52557274
It's almost like a used car and a new car.

119
00:10:56,437.52557274 --> 00:10:56,777.52557274
Right.

120
00:10:56,817.52557274 --> 00:10:59,437.52557274
And you have familiarity with both of these play callers.

121
00:10:59,447.52557274 --> 00:11:03,137.52557274
The Cowboys have Brian Schottenheimer who took over for Kellen Moore.

122
00:11:03,357.52557274 --> 00:11:07,47.52557274
Meanwhile, Arthur Smith steps in after his tenure with the Atlanta Falcons.

123
00:11:07,237.52557274 --> 00:11:09,437.52457274
These are both guys that want to run the football.

124
00:11:09,617.52557274 --> 00:11:12,847.52557274
They just have to have the personnel to match the Steelers making.

125
00:11:13,117.52557274 --> 00:11:20,17.52557274
Uh, moving heaven and earth to add offensive linemen in the draft and, uh, an emphasis on that running game.

126
00:11:20,147.52557274 --> 00:11:22,827.52557274
Also trading Deontay Johnson, their top receiver.

127
00:11:23,37.52457274 --> 00:11:26,797.52557274
This team is telegraphed, we want to run the football.

128
00:11:27,177.52557274 --> 00:11:35,327.52557274
And the Dallas Cowboys, I think based on having no pass catchers outside of CeeDee Lamb and Brandon Cooks, we want to run the football.

129
00:11:36,297.52557274 --> 00:11:41,397.52557274
And Zeke is back for his swan song after leading my New England Patriots in rushing yards last year.

130
00:11:41,397.62557274 --> 00:11:42,67.52557274
Wait, wait, wait.

131
00:11:42,437.52557274 --> 00:11:43,117.52557274
Come on now.

132
00:11:43,357.52557274 --> 00:11:48,357.52557274
Well, that's not hard to say, leading your New England Patriots in rushing yards.

133
00:11:48,397.52557274 --> 00:11:48,777.52557274
Yes.

134
00:11:48,817.52557274 --> 00:11:59,427.52557274
Because, look, even though Zeke seems to still be a very reliable, right? And I use that word very loosely, reliable running back.

135
00:11:59,737.52557274 --> 00:12:01,227.52557274
Three yards on a cloud of dust.

136
00:12:01,227.62557274 --> 00:12:13,327.52557274
I mean, when you look at the Pittsburgh Steelers, that's how that franchise had been built on doing two things and doing two things well, running the ball and stopping the run.

137
00:12:13,587.52557274 --> 00:12:16,767.52557274
So if you, if you were suggesting that somehow.

138
00:12:18,92.52557274 --> 00:12:23,172.52557274
Jerry Jones is going to be able to move heaven and earth and Zeke is going to have a great day on the ground.

139
00:12:23,582.52557274 --> 00:12:25,542.52557274
I'm going to say, nah, no.

140
00:12:25,652.52457274 --> 00:12:26,877.52507274
That's not going to happen.

141
00:12:26,877.52507274 --> 00:12:31,632.52557274
Well, it's one of six primetime games that the Dallas Cowboys have.

142
00:12:31,862.52557274 --> 00:12:38,402.52557274
Uh, Nick, I believe next up for you, you've got a game not quite in primetime, but an exciting divisional matchup nonetheless.

143
00:12:39,92.52557274 --> 00:12:44,522.52557274
Yeah, you know what? Let me see which direction I want to go, but I'm going to go Week 7.

144
00:12:45,22.52557274 --> 00:12:45,842.52457274
I'm going to go Week 7.

145
00:12:45,922.52557274 --> 00:12:46,472.52557274
7.

146
00:12:46,932.52557274 --> 00:12:51,92.52557274
Uh, NFC East Giants versus the Eagles.

147
00:12:51,352.52557274 --> 00:12:56,632.52557274
And the reason I love this matchup is because these two cities, they hate each other.

148
00:12:57,852.52557274 --> 00:12:58,852.52457274
They hate each other.

149
00:12:58,912.52457274 --> 00:13:06,522.42557274
Everything, every sports team, hockey, baseball, they hate each other, but the hate was only inspired more.

150
00:13:06,742.52557274 --> 00:13:24,682.52557274
By the idea of Saquon Barkley going and joining the division rivals and his back and forth on social media with, uh, Tiki Barber, that only is going to add to the energy of this game, but we know when we look at, you know, Philadelphia, they lost the Andre Swift.

151
00:13:25,267.52557274 --> 00:13:30,217.52557274
To Chicago, and now you got Saquon Barkley, a guy who carried the Giants.

152
00:13:30,417.52557274 --> 00:13:32,697.52557274
He carried them by himself, literally.

153
00:13:32,957.52557274 --> 00:13:42,77.52457274
The face of that team, without, without, I mean, granted we're seeing Daniel Jones with those tan pants and the new uniforms, but Saquon Barkley was that franchise.

154
00:13:42,387.52457274 --> 00:13:45,577.52557274
And they, they set, they cast them astray because of positional value.

155
00:13:45,927.52557274 --> 00:13:52,842.52557274
And listen, I can tell you this, It's great when someone passes on you.

156
00:13:53,252.52557274 --> 00:13:58,412.52457274
It's even better when it's someone that you were so thankful for them drafting you.

157
00:13:58,862.52557274 --> 00:14:07,352.52457274
Now, you go to your another team who's a rival in their backyard and you get a chance to force feed it down their throat.

158
00:14:07,602.52557274 --> 00:14:18,82.52557274
See, this is one of those games I really love to watch I know you look at the NFC, the AFC North as being the black and blue division, but no, no, no, no.

159
00:14:18,392.52557274 --> 00:14:23,532.52557274
This game is going to be the black and blue game between the Giants and the Eagles.

160
00:14:24,42.52457274 --> 00:14:38,332.52557274
Now I've got notes for both one, Nick, I want to congratulate you and tell you well, well done because again, the division matchups, you got two of them, but this week seven matchup, yes, it's Saquon Barkley going back to MetLife, but also.

161
00:14:38,722.52557274 --> 00:14:44,152.52557274
The next time they meet is week 18, when we already know the Giants are out of contention.

162
00:14:44,192.52557274 --> 00:14:48,2.52557274
I won't say that the Eagles are going to run away with the division like they did two years ago.

163
00:14:49,132.52557274 --> 00:14:54,982.52557274
What I've said on this podcast, and I'll reiterate it here, is that Drew Locke is going to be.

164
00:14:55,52.52557274 --> 00:14:58,632.52557274
The Giants starting quarterback by the time we get to week 18.

165
00:14:58,642.52557274 --> 00:15:03,252.52557274
We talked about this with Russell Wilson's example for a guy that's never been injured.

166
00:15:03,512.52557274 --> 00:15:07,302.52557274
Sean Payton benched Russell Wilson because of the injury guarantees.

167
00:15:07,532.52557274 --> 00:15:10,722.52557274
The New York Giants can get out from the Daniel Jones contract.

168
00:15:11,62.52557274 --> 00:15:16,352.52557274
Unless he gets injured this season because he's got two years worth of injury guarantees.

169
00:15:16,642.52557274 --> 00:15:26,612.52557274
So we get to a certain point and we figure out that this Giants team isn't going anywhere, or even worse, they're 500 and picking 12th or 13th overall.

170
00:15:27,432.52457274 --> 00:15:32,162.52557274
Daniel Jones is going to be riding that pine and your guy, Drew Locke, is going to have to step in.

171
00:15:32,432.52557274 --> 00:15:36,832.52557274
Uh, you know, if not for some Tommy DeVito nonsense, we get again.

172
00:15:38,722.52557274 --> 00:15:46,362.52557274
The week seven matchup is the juicier one, even though the NFL prides themselves on putting those divisional matchups at the end of the season.

173
00:15:46,732.52557274 --> 00:15:58,282.52557274
And yeah, I just think it's, uh, it's kind of the put up or shut up time for the Giants, if they can't beat Saquon or those Eagles in week seven, we may see Drew Locke sooner than, than we expect.

174
00:15:58,282.52557274 --> 00:16:19,57.52557274
Because again, If we're going to bench Russell Wilson, who's never had a significant injury, what do you think the Giants are going to do knowing his long injury history and the type of guaranteed money Daniel Jones would be given, um, compared to, you know, wiping themselves clean? You know, we're also going to get my second point on this.

175
00:16:19,257.52557274 --> 00:16:31,17.52557274
We're also going to see a, uh, Malik neighbors match up with a pair of defensive back rookies that the Eagles selected and Quinion Mitchell and Cooper Dejean.

176
00:16:31,227.52557274 --> 00:16:41,357.5255727
So it'll be interesting to see how the Eagles, by week seven now, deploy those look rookies into one of the league's worst secondaries where you've got the veteran experience.

177
00:16:41,802.5255727 --> 00:16:45,662.5255727
Um, pieces on the outside, adding two rookies into the formula.

178
00:16:45,842.5255727 --> 00:16:51,402.5255727
It'll be interesting to see how the Giants combat that with neighbors and not a whole lot of weapons otherwise.

179
00:16:53,62.5255727 --> 00:16:54,602.5255727
Just shout out to Evan Singletary.

180
00:16:54,682.5255727 --> 00:16:55,262.5255727
You go ahead.

181
00:16:55,412.5255727 --> 00:16:56,652.5255727
Well, I'll say this.

182
00:16:56,702.5255727 --> 00:17:02,752.5245727
Here's how the Eagles are going to really slow down neighbors, because let's be totally honest.

183
00:17:03,322.5255727 --> 00:17:16,632.5255727
Who do they have on the wide receiver front that is a real threat? Neighbors is just going to be a rookie wide receiver and you need multiple threats to really make it difficult on the defense.

184
00:17:16,972.5245727 --> 00:17:21,922.5255727
And even though I know Philly is going to have some young, you know, corners, Darius Slay is still there.

185
00:17:22,132.5245727 --> 00:17:27,372.5255727
That defense that they drafted, all those guys from the University of Georgia are still there.

186
00:17:27,582.5255727 --> 00:17:33,522.5255727
So that's way that you, whether it's Daniel Jones or Drew Lott, This is the way that you slow those guys down.

187
00:17:33,532.5255727 --> 00:17:39,32.5255727
Being able to put a lot of pressure on that quarterback, speeding up that clock, even if neighbors is open.

188
00:17:39,322.5245727 --> 00:17:39,612.5245727
Yeah.

189
00:17:39,692.5255727 --> 00:17:40,852.5245727
Get, get it to him.

190
00:17:41,242.5255727 --> 00:17:41,442.5255727
Yeah.

191
00:17:41,692.5245727 --> 00:17:44,592.5255727
I'm going to give the early night to the Philadelphia Eagles over the giant.

192
00:17:44,692.5245727 --> 00:17:45,292.5245727
Of course.

193
00:17:45,292.5255727 --> 00:17:52,152.5255727
And at six foot 200 pounds, you know, Malik neighbors as a Goliath compared to the four or five tiny slot guys.

194
00:17:52,152.5255727 --> 00:17:55,752.5255727
You mentioned Darius Slayton, Wandale Robinson, Jalen Hyatt.

195
00:17:56,72.5255727 --> 00:17:57,322.5255727
Isaiah McKenzie.

196
00:17:57,482.5255727 --> 00:18:00,822.5255727
Oh, but hey, they did just add Alan Robinson into the fold, so.

197
00:18:01,202.5255727 --> 00:18:01,832.5255727
That giant's offense.

198
00:18:02,232.5255727 --> 00:18:03,432.5255727
That giant's offense.

199
00:18:03,642.5255727 --> 00:18:04,182.5255727
My goodness.

200
00:18:04,682.5255727 --> 00:18:14,642.5255727
Uh, I think you've got, uh, you've got another pick that, uh, you can make, Nick, uh, with your best matchups, uh, looking head to head for the 2024 schedule.

201
00:18:14,952.5255727 --> 00:18:21,672.5255727
Yeah, this one I really, another one I really love because I love watching guys, uh, face off against their former teams.

202
00:18:22,102.5245727 --> 00:18:25,322.5255727
Kirk Cousins against the Vikings in week 14.

203
00:18:25,452.5255727 --> 00:18:26,132.5255727
Yes.

204
00:18:26,512.5255727 --> 00:18:31,482.5255727
Shout out our first, uh, the first team that we've both mentioned are the Minnesota Vikings.

205
00:18:31,512.5255727 --> 00:18:32,102.5255727
Shocker.

206
00:18:32,447.5255727 --> 00:18:33,927.5255727
I'm genuinely a shocker.

207
00:18:34,137.5255727 --> 00:18:34,377.5255727
Yeah.

208
00:18:35,497.5255727 --> 00:18:39,77.5255727
Now listen, really quickly, this is going out there on a limb.

209
00:18:39,487.5255727 --> 00:18:47,467.5255727
I know the Falcons and Terry Fontenot, I mean, screwed up the draft or shocked everyone by taking Pinnock's.

210
00:18:47,777.5255727 --> 00:19:02,377.5255727
Do you think by this time in week 14? Could Penix be the starter? Just, I mean, if Kirk Cousins could get injured, you know, this is why it's hard to crown paper champs because you can't account for injuries.

211
00:19:02,587.5255727 --> 00:19:20,197.5255727
Now, are you saying he could take the job from a healthy Kirk Cousins? Is that what we're asking? No, I'm saying that it's going to, it could be an injury that derails Kirk Cousins season that puts him out and kind of forces, you know, Raheem Morris to go with Michael Penix.

212
00:19:20,217.6255727 --> 00:19:36,97.5255727
No, I mean, it's very interesting because then, you know, you, you had, I see, I sense a theme here because you have the number one and the number two picks with your first matchup and now you're looking to more rookie quarterbacks come week 14 as a possibility.

213
00:19:36,367.5255727 --> 00:19:42,127.5245727
So, you know, you've obviously have, uh, Kirk cousins against his former team in Minnesota.

214
00:19:42,497.5245727 --> 00:19:45,227.5245727
Um, and beyond that.

215
00:19:45,617.5255727 --> 00:19:49,237.5255727
Uh, Raheem Morris and Kevin O'Connell, as you said, both under Sean McVay in L.

216
00:19:49,237.5255727 --> 00:19:49,547.5255727
A.

217
00:19:49,777.5255727 --> 00:19:53,607.5255727
There's a lot of familiarity with these teams.

218
00:19:53,887.5255727 --> 00:20:02,517.5255727
And by week 14, we're going to understand, uh, the play caller for Atlanta, Zach Robinson's identity in his first opportunity call and plays.

219
00:20:02,767.5245727 --> 00:20:04,417.5255727
So I'm, I'm fascinated.

220
00:20:04,597.5245727 --> 00:20:10,157.5245727
Of course, by week 14, you hope we have everything kind of shaken out because correct me if I'm wrong.

221
00:20:10,167.5245727 --> 00:20:13,497.5255727
Week 14 was kind of a, uh, a healthy scratch game for B.

222
00:20:13,497.5255727 --> 00:20:18,727.5255727
John Robinson, more or less, or he played a handful of snaps and Arthur Smith sat him with a migraine.

223
00:20:18,917.5255727 --> 00:20:33,302.5245727
It was, Kind of bizarre, and the mystery surrounding this team, I'm hoping, dissipates when we see, come week 14, against the Vikings, we know how the Falcons can utilize Bijan Robinson and Tyler Algier in the backfield.

224
00:20:33,492.5255727 --> 00:20:44,992.5255727
The, the, the pass catchers in Drake London, Kyle Pitts, um, uh, oh gosh, uh, coming over from Chicago, um, Who? Why is his name escaping me? Darnell Mooney.

225
00:20:45,202.5255727 --> 00:20:45,992.5255727
Darnell Mooney.

226
00:20:46,882.5255727 --> 00:20:57,662.5255727
So, like, look, you've got weapons on that side, you have Jefferson, Addison, a healthy TJ Hawkinson, right? We won't see him week two when I, when I brought up the Niners game.

227
00:20:58,612.5255727 --> 00:21:07,32.5255727
You've got weapons all over the place, whether it be Kirk Cousins or Michael Penix, Sam Darnold, or JJ McCarthy.

228
00:21:07,982.5255727 --> 00:21:14,332.5245727
We could have an exciting matchup if both of these offenses know how to get all of those pieces involved.

229
00:21:14,622.5255727 --> 00:21:17,852.5255727
Meanwhile, you have two rebuilding defenses.

230
00:21:18,242.5255727 --> 00:21:21,552.5255727
I'm just going to, you know, think about this matchup.

231
00:21:21,742.5255727 --> 00:21:25,502.5255727
This could be one of the highest scoring games in the NFL season.

232
00:21:25,912.5245727 --> 00:21:28,282.4255727
Just wait, wait, you really think so? Because.

233
00:21:28,612.5255727 --> 00:21:32,592.5255727
Once again, now we're still talking about, is it Darnold or is it J.

234
00:21:32,592.5255727 --> 00:21:32,772.5255727
J.

235
00:21:32,802.5255727 --> 00:21:39,72.5255727
McCarthy? Because if it's Darnold, they may stand a chance because Aaron Jones is a running back.

236
00:21:39,142.5255727 --> 00:21:43,562.5255727
And you talked about, you know, Jefferson and Addison, you have an opportunity.

237
00:21:43,632.5245727 --> 00:21:46,212.5255727
But if it's Mike McCarthy, not Mike McCarthy, but J.

238
00:21:46,212.5255727 --> 00:21:46,362.5255727
J.

239
00:21:46,362.5255727 --> 00:21:51,302.5255727
McCarthy, then it makes things a little more difficult as far as a rookie.

240
00:21:51,562.5255727 --> 00:21:53,162.5255727
And then here's another thing to keep in mind.

241
00:21:53,542.5255727 --> 00:22:00,732.5255727
It is week 14 and I still think that the Falcons will be contending with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

242
00:22:00,952.5255727 --> 00:22:10,282.5255727
So it's going to be a game that they can't just relax because in order to overtake the Bucks and win the division, that's going to be one of those games that they really need.

243
00:22:10,312.5255727 --> 00:22:13,282.5255727
So who is the quarterback? We don't know.

244
00:22:13,282.5255727 --> 00:22:21,462.5255727
A lot of things can happen at that time, but That would be a game where you can't rest your starters because you're still trying to think about seeding in the playoffs.

245
00:22:22,252.5255727 --> 00:22:26,52.5255727
Uh, my last two, Nick, I think are kind of the low hanging fruit.

246
00:22:26,92.5245727 --> 00:22:29,902.5245727
I thought I'd get fun with, you know, the first two games that I picked out.

247
00:22:29,902.5255727 --> 00:22:40,92.5255727
But if you Google best matchups of 2024, I couldn't leave these off because in Week 12, you have the Brother Bowl, you have the Ravens at the Chargers.

248
00:22:40,602.5255727 --> 00:22:43,872.5255727
John Harbaugh going back to face Jim.

249
00:22:44,227.5255727 --> 00:22:45,317.5255727
Uh, correct me if I'm wrong.

250
00:22:45,317.5255727 --> 00:22:48,997.5255727
The last time they faced off was the Superbowl, right? Right.

251
00:22:49,47.5255727 --> 00:23:02,377.5255727
So, uh, you also have the angle where, you know, the brain trust of the Ravens and Joe Horwitz, who was in Baltimore for 25 years under Ozzie Newsome, under Eric DaCosta in the scouting department.

252
00:23:02,727.5255727 --> 00:23:05,847.5255727
Is now running the front office for the Chargers.

253
00:23:06,87.5255727 --> 00:23:07,727.5255727
You see Gus Edwards, J.

254
00:23:07,727.5255727 --> 00:23:07,907.5255727
K.

255
00:23:07,907.5255727 --> 00:23:11,687.5255727
Dobbins, other Ravens type players that, that, that go over there.

256
00:23:11,887.5255727 --> 00:23:18,487.5245727
Uh, Jesse Minter, who left Baltimore to, uh, um, Michigan when Mike McDonald.

257
00:23:18,657.5255727 --> 00:23:19,827.5255727
Went to Baltimore.

258
00:23:19,887.5255727 --> 00:23:26,717.5255727
You just, obviously the brothers and their style of football, there's cross pollination between these two teams that will show up on the football field.

259
00:23:26,917.5255727 --> 00:23:34,917.5255727
And then Lamar Jackson, his first playoff game in 2018 was a wildcard loss to the Chargers where we were starting to see those flashes.

260
00:23:35,107.5255727 --> 00:23:35,907.5255727
We had debates.

261
00:23:36,297.5245727 --> 00:23:38,87.5255727
Flacco should be starting next year.

262
00:23:38,607.5255727 --> 00:23:40,407.5255727
Lamar Jackson went on to win the MVP.

263
00:23:40,597.5255727 --> 00:23:54,477.5255727
So I just think that While it may not be as high scoring as the Falcons and the Vikings come week 14, Nick, I'd like to see a lot of fireworks and maybe the most rushing yards in a single game this season.

264
00:23:54,977.5245727 --> 00:24:01,367.5245727
You think the most rushing yards in a single season will come in that game? Yeah.

265
00:24:01,467.5245727 --> 00:24:01,687.5245727
Yeah.

266
00:24:01,687.5255727 --> 00:24:07,387.5255727
Between what Jim Harbaugh wants to do with that offense and the combination of Lamar Jackson and Derek Henry.

267
00:24:07,407.6255727 --> 00:24:27,407.5255727
I can see that that is a very interesting matchup and anytime you are competing against a sibling, whether as kids or adults, it definitely makes things that much more interesting because the last time I think John beat Jim in the Super Bowl.

268
00:24:28,57.5245727 --> 00:24:33,647.5255727
So I don't think this is going to change that particular outcome because it's not way the same.

269
00:24:33,647.5255727 --> 00:24:34,687.5255727
It's not the Super Bowl.

270
00:24:35,2.5255727 --> 00:24:37,942.5255727
But beating your brother and being able to stick it to him.

271
00:24:38,312.5255727 --> 00:24:39,332.5255727
Yeah, you will.

272
00:24:39,342.5255727 --> 00:24:40,582.5255727
You would definitely like to do that.

273
00:24:40,582.5255727 --> 00:24:44,832.5255727
But once again, it goes back to who has a better team.

274
00:24:45,202.5255727 --> 00:24:57,359.1585727
It's like, do you believe in Lamar? Do you believe more in Justin Herbert? I believe in a combo of Lamar and Derrick Henry to a point where you don't really have to have a high scoring game.

275
00:24:57,359.1585727 --> 00:25:02,752.5255727
You can win a game like 1310 and the Ravens have those capabilities.

276
00:25:03,442.5255727 --> 00:25:04,752.5245727
Jim Harbaugh is just.

277
00:25:05,202.5255727 --> 00:25:15,702.5255727
Like, like, salivating at the thought of a 13 10 football game against his brother, you know what I mean? Like, that is, that is a dream for his, I'm sure.

278
00:25:15,852.5245727 --> 00:25:34,77.5255727
And obviously, with where the Chargers are in their rebuild compared to the Ravens, just coming off an AFC Championship appearance, I think like we've seen in the NBA playoffs, that's a tease for Nick before we split, Jim may want to drag his big brother down into the muck of, you know, You know, how the Chargers are going to play football.

279
00:25:34,307.5255727 --> 00:25:50,172.4255727
And my last one again, with the low hanging fruit, uh, Merry Christmas, Netflix, you give us the Chiefs and the Steelers, but my matchup, uh, again, back to back with the Ravens week 17 Ravens at Texans, uh, just a piece of how the Ravens, we talked about the Steelers, uh, and the Chargers.

280
00:25:50,312.5255727 --> 00:25:55,212.5255727
Last episode, uh, they have six division games plus the Eagles and the Chiefs to close out the year.

281
00:25:55,402.5255727 --> 00:26:03,842.5255727
Well, after the Ravens go on by Week 14, they're at the Giants, at home against the Steelers, at Houston on Christmas Day, and they wrap things up against Cleveland.

282
00:26:03,982.5255727 --> 00:26:05,762.5245727
But this Texans matchup, C.

283
00:26:05,762.5245727 --> 00:26:05,952.5245727
J.

284
00:26:05,952.5255727 --> 00:26:22,332.5255727
Stroud, Lamar Jackson, uh, the AFC Divisional Round rematch when the Texans just got by Cleveland in the wild card, and then they just They, they, they found out what it was like to go up against a consistent perennial playoff type of team.

285
00:26:22,772.5255727 --> 00:26:24,762.5255727
Tank Dell coming back off of injury.

286
00:26:25,2.5255727 --> 00:26:41,92.5255727
The addition of Stefan Diggs, plus the additions of, I don't know, a healthy offensive line for once Joe Mixon in that backfield, I think the Texans have the type of punch to at least stay in a store, a scoring contest with the Ravens, given all the.

287
00:26:41,587.5255727 --> 00:26:51,357.5255727
Departures on the defensive side of the football, including Mike McDonald, the Texans might be able to punch the Ravens in the mouth here just before we get to the postseason.

288
00:26:51,487.5255727 --> 00:27:01,407.5255727
So again, a rematch of the playoffs and the penultimate week of the regular season, we could be jockeying for, uh, maybe the number one seed in the AFC between these two teams.

289
00:27:01,937.5255727 --> 00:27:05,147.5255727
You know, that is a very intriguing, you know, matchup.

290
00:27:05,257.5255727 --> 00:27:09,277.5255727
Lamar Jackson, you know, who's been an MVP in the league twice.

291
00:27:09,902.5255727 --> 00:27:10,62.5255727
C.

292
00:27:10,62.5255727 --> 00:27:10,232.5255727
J.

293
00:27:10,232.5255727 --> 00:27:14,752.5255727
Stroud, who was in that conversation and played sensational in his first year.

294
00:27:15,312.5255727 --> 00:27:21,932.5255727
The way that I look at this, thinking about my time in San Francisco and knowing this Bobby Sloag is their offensive coordinator.

295
00:27:22,312.5255727 --> 00:27:26,752.5255727
He now has a do everything type of versatile running back in Joe Mixon.

296
00:27:27,522.5245727 --> 00:27:30,492.5255727
And this is going to be a run fest.

297
00:27:30,542.5255727 --> 00:27:34,662.5255727
And I know these are the type of games that Joe, he's used to playing against.

298
00:27:35,82.5255727 --> 00:27:37,792.5255727
You know, the Baltimore Raven is a friend of the Cincinnati Bingo.

299
00:27:37,792.5255727 --> 00:27:43,772.5255727
So, this is going to be a game of which team has the ball the last.

300
00:27:44,272.5255727 --> 00:27:46,512.5255727
And which team runs the ball the best.

301
00:27:46,532.5255727 --> 00:27:57,692.5255727
And if you look at what the Texans have done on the defensive side of the ball, I mean, Will Anderson was impressive as a rookie last year, but they've added, uh, some other guys opposite him.

302
00:27:57,692.5255727 --> 00:28:00,882.5255727
That's true to make that a front seven.

303
00:28:00,942.5245727 --> 00:28:01,242.5245727
Yeah.

304
00:28:01,352.5245727 --> 00:28:02,242.5255727
Daniel Hunter there.

305
00:28:02,522.5255727 --> 00:28:02,792.5255727
Yeah.

306
00:28:02,982.5255727 --> 00:28:04,102.5255727
Plays at Johnson Greenards.

307
00:28:04,102.5255727 --> 00:28:04,532.5255727
That's right.

308
00:28:05,112.5255727 --> 00:28:12,32.5245727
You know, run against, so they've gotten athletic, more talented, more aggressive on that defensive side of the ball for the Texans.

309
00:28:12,62.5255727 --> 00:28:14,262.5245727
And it looks similar.

310
00:28:14,602.5255727 --> 00:28:32,232.5255727
Like if you, if you put each roster side by side, it looks like both of these rosters kind of are mirror images of one another, because the idea is getting at the, after the pass rusher, I mean, getting after the quarterback with your pass rushers, but also having that physical nature.

311
00:28:33,122.5255727 --> 00:28:35,322.5255727
Always punching someone in the face.

312
00:28:35,832.5255727 --> 00:28:39,122.5255727
That's kind of the idea that both teams want to have.

313
00:28:39,122.5255727 --> 00:28:41,482.5255727
So, once again, I dare say it again.

314
00:28:41,642.5255727 --> 00:28:43,532.5255727
We know defense wins championships.

315
00:28:43,832.5255727 --> 00:28:47,732.5255727
But that could be the theme of this season for so many teams.

316
00:28:48,517.5255727 --> 00:28:55,487.5255727
Last season, a lot of teams struggled scoring points in the red zone, and when you build your defense, it makes it really tough.

317
00:28:56,307.5255727 --> 00:29:00,767.5245727
Well, I just thought it was kind of funny seeing, uh, the defensive additions that they made.

318
00:29:00,767.5255727 --> 00:29:04,507.5255727
Certainly, I mentioned Hunter, Danico, Autry on the defensive line.

319
00:29:05,317.5255727 --> 00:29:11,427.5255727
They're collecting, uh, they're collecting bust top 10 cornerbacks in Houston.

320
00:29:11,692.5255727 --> 00:29:20,192.5255727
Like, there were infinity stones on Thanos gauntlet because, of course, they drafted Are you talking about Jeff Okuda? I'm talking about Jeff Okuda and C.

321
00:29:20,192.5255727 --> 00:29:20,392.5250727
J.

322
00:29:20,392.5250727 --> 00:29:24,802.5255727
Henderson joining Derek Stingley, who was outstanding as the third overall pick.

323
00:29:24,802.6255727 --> 00:29:28,322.5245727
And, like, Lonnie Johnson was a high second round selection.

324
00:29:28,492.5255727 --> 00:29:39,647.4255727
They're just stacking these, you know, incredible athletes that may have flashed in college and Just it didn't work out in Jacksonville or Detroit in the case of Akuta.

325
00:29:39,727.5255727 --> 00:29:46,867.5255727
They're just, they're rolling the dice on these incredible athletes that hopefully can give them quality corner play, which was a huge issue for them.

326
00:29:47,127.5245727 --> 00:29:49,627.5250727
Uh, the Texans that is this past season.

327
00:29:49,627.5250727 --> 00:29:53,537.5255727
So Nick, you've got one more matchup that you're looking forward to on the 2024 season.

328
00:29:53,537.5255727 --> 00:30:01,967.5255727
Before we get that, I'll say, even though what you're saying is true, you former first rounders, second rounders.

329
00:30:02,262.5255727 --> 00:30:03,852.5255727
Being poured in by the Texans.

330
00:30:04,212.5255727 --> 00:30:10,322.5255728
The idea is that if You make your pass rushers that much more superior.

331
00:30:10,352.5255728 --> 00:30:13,492.5255728
We talked, uh, Daniel Hunter and we talked about Will Anderson.

332
00:30:13,882.5255728 --> 00:30:17,732.5255728
It's going to make everything lovely in the back end because the quarterback is not going to have that much time.

333
00:30:17,742.5255728 --> 00:30:18,492.5255728
He's got to get rid of the ball.

334
00:30:19,282.5255728 --> 00:30:23,842.5245728
So you can get the best out of those guys with a better pass rush.

335
00:30:24,172.5255728 --> 00:30:25,322.5255728
Yeah, exactly.

336
00:30:25,322.6255728 --> 00:30:25,977.4255728
Exactly.

337
00:30:26,337.5255728 --> 00:30:27,377.5255728
Making life easier.

338
00:30:27,607.5255728 --> 00:30:30,997.5255728
Uh, making, uh, our last matchup, Nick.

339
00:30:31,427.5255728 --> 00:30:31,667.5255728
All right.

340
00:30:31,667.5255728 --> 00:30:37,47.5255728
Last matchup week four, we're talking about the Vikings versus the Packers division matchup.

341
00:30:37,317.5245728 --> 00:30:47,347.5245728
You have Aaron Jones playing against his former team and every guy wants to play well against his former team and going back to Kevin O'Connell and what he wants to do with his running back.

342
00:30:47,607.5245728 --> 00:30:48,747.5245728
You got a dynamic guy.

343
00:30:49,277.5255728 --> 00:30:58,777.5255728
I mean, when you go back to watching Aaron Jones play against the Cowboys in the playoffs, playing against the 49ers in the playoffs, still showing as though he's got that burst and explosion.

344
00:30:59,67.5255728 --> 00:31:06,737.5255728
Now you add that with some superiority at the tight end position, the two wide receivers, that opens up everything, creates a lot of space.

345
00:31:06,787.5245728 --> 00:31:21,201.4455728
So it's going to be great to see how Aaron Jones responds to Blane, his former employer, who told him at the last minute, You know what? We're going to take on Giants Jacobs and we're going to send you out the door.

346
00:31:21,201.4455728 --> 00:31:28,72.5245728
So, to wrap things up, Nick Ferguson's four games that he has circled on the 2024 season.

347
00:31:28,322.5255728 --> 00:31:30,352.5245728
Week 4, Packers Vikings.

348
00:31:30,352.5245728 --> 00:31:32,42.5255728
Week 7, Giants Eagles.

349
00:31:32,42.5255728 --> 00:31:36,32.5255728
Week 8, the battle of the top two picks, Chicago Washington.

350
00:31:36,317.5255728 --> 00:31:42,277.5255728
Week 14, Atlanta and Minnesota, the Kirk Cousins game.

351
00:31:42,497.5255728 --> 00:31:45,667.5245728
Uh, on my end week two, you've got the 49ers Vikings.

352
00:31:45,927.5255728 --> 00:31:55,897.5255728
You've got the Cowboys and Steelers on Sunday night, week five, the brother bowl Ravens chargers week 12 and week 17, you've got the Ravens and the Texans.

353
00:31:56,167.5255728 --> 00:32:33,992.5255728
Nick, before we split, I mentioned the NBA playoffs, and I wanted to talk about just The type of, um, performances, right? We've seen, you know, whether it's my Boston Celtics or your Denver Nuggets, is there some way to translate, let's say, as a Denver Broncos football player watching Nikola Jokic in the playoffs? Is there a way to understand the heart of a champion on the hardwood and have that translate to a team in the Denver Broncos that have those type of aspirations? Meanwhile, in New England, are you talk about Uh, you know, the New York Knicks with their two, you know, uh, football teams.

354
00:32:34,642.5255728 --> 00:32:39,72.5255728
Uh, how, how can you watch success in another sport and try to translate it to.

355
00:32:39,457.5255728 --> 00:32:40,987.5255728
Winning in your program.

356
00:32:41,607.5255728 --> 00:32:53,947.5245728
Well, the idea is taking the page out of Nicola Yoki's book, where you just said, I don't give a damn, right? I don't care what people say about me as being a three time MVP of the league.

357
00:32:54,227.5245728 --> 00:32:57,217.5255728
And you know, yeah, he doesn't have the foot quickness.

358
00:32:57,217.5255728 --> 00:33:03,547.5255728
He doesn't have that, uh, that I guess gravitas that we used to seeing centers of the past have.

359
00:33:03,847.5255728 --> 00:33:06,417.5255728
But guess what? He's not going to allow people to slow him down.

360
00:33:06,597.5255728 --> 00:33:07,317.5250728
He's big.

361
00:33:07,317.5250728 --> 00:33:08,367.5245728
He's hard to get around.

362
00:33:08,632.5255728 --> 00:33:09,782.5255728
He's got a mid range game.

363
00:33:10,112.5255728 --> 00:33:21,32.5255728
He's a type of center that even Shaq, if he was honest with himself, would admit, you know what, when I grow up, I want to be Nikola Jokic, right? Because he has an all around game.

364
00:33:21,252.5255728 --> 00:33:21,792.5255728
That's what you do.

365
00:33:21,812.5255728 --> 00:33:32,997.5255728
You look at other guys and say, well, how can I bring that type of tenacity to the game? To my particular sport and don't really give a damn what people in the media or the fans actually think about me.

366
00:33:34,197.5255728 --> 00:33:35,287.5255728
He's Nick Ferguson.

367
00:33:35,397.5255728 --> 00:33:36,277.5255728
I'm Alex Hardy.

368
00:33:36,277.5255728 --> 00:33:37,267.5255728
We are those guys.

369
00:33:37,427.5255728 --> 00:33:40,837.5255728
We hope to continue to be your guys throughout the 2024 season.

370
00:33:41,87.5255728 --> 00:33:47,27.5255728
We've got two episodes now, deep dive on the calendar release with the NFL schedule.

371
00:33:47,157.5255728 --> 00:33:55,7.5255728
So you can check either of those episodes, this one right here, which you just finished or our most previous one, when the schedule first came out.

372
00:33:55,242.5255728 --> 00:33:56,272.5255728
Kind of a bigger picture.

373
00:33:56,272.5255728 --> 00:33:59,872.5255728
Look at things, Apple podcasts, wherever you get your podcasts, YouTube.

374
00:34:00,192.5255728 --> 00:34:04,282.5255728
And we're going to continue keeping you updated throughout the course of this off season.

375
00:34:04,612.5255728 --> 00:34:11,942.5245728
Times may be appearing slow, but that's never the case when you're working with a former 10 year NFL veteran and Nick Ferguson.

376
00:34:12,147.5255728 --> 00:34:19,397.5255728
So my guy, Nick, what do you have to say for the people on our way out? Hey, remember, don't eat before you swim.

377
00:34:22,117.5255728 --> 00:34:23,997.5255728
That's it? That's it.

378
00:34:24,297.5255728 --> 00:34:27,277.5255728
Like, at all? Yeah, I mean, you're not supposed to eat.

379
00:34:27,327.5255728 --> 00:34:29,587.5255728
Usually cramp, like, only after like half an hour.

380
00:34:29,607.5255728 --> 00:34:32,987.5255728
Can you, like, take a bite? You don't want to eat before you swim, man.

381
00:34:32,987.5255728 --> 00:34:34,857.5255728
You get, you catch a cramp and you drown.

382
00:34:35,217.5255728 --> 00:34:36,457.5255728
That's why you don't eat before you swim.

383
00:34:36,597.5255728 --> 00:34:37,957.5255728
Because you'll drown.

384
00:34:37,957.6255728 --> 00:34:38,428.4885728
Yes.