Bald Guys On The Bench
Bald Guys On The Bench
Fantasy Football Stress, College Playoff Debates, and NFL Highlights
Recorded December 23rd, 2024
Ever find yourself torn between the thrill of fantasy football and the heartbreak of supporting teams like the Steelers and Chargers? That's exactly where we found ourselves this weekend! Tune in as we relive the rollercoaster of emotions from our fantasy football playoffs to the dramatic Monday Night Football game. Despite some letdowns with our sports bets and those ever-so-controversial ref calls, the holiday vibes keep our spirits high. We're all set for a festive season with our loved ones and, of course, another exhilarating round of football.
Have you been questioning the college football playoff system or pondering the potential impacts of expanding the playoff field? You're not alone. We dive into the complexities of the system, debate the committee's decisions, and imagine what the future of college football might look like with more teams in the mix. We also take you through some thrilling NFL highlights, from the Texans' unexpected claim of Diontae Johnson to Washington's surprising comeback against the Eagles. With the twists and turns of the current NFL season, there's never a dull moment.
As the year winds down, we're filled with gratitude for our listeners who've been with us through all the ups and downs. We've got holiday wishes and a preview of our upcoming episode, where we'll be offering quick reactions to key games and discussing the evolving NFL playoff scenarios. With just one more episode before we embrace 2025, we're excited to see what lies ahead. From the Bald Guys on the Bench, have a Merry Christmas and a joyous holiday season!
#baldguysonthebench #graboneandcrackone #collegefootballplayoffs #fantasyfootball #nfl #steelers #lachargers #tigerwoods #mnf
welcome to another episode of the bald guys on the bench podcast, with your hosts graham cohen and scott wasco what's up everyone and welcome back to a christ Eve Eve edition of the ball guys on the bench Sitting here watching the Monday night football game with my boy, Graham. Second half just kicked off. My co-host on the other side of the world stressing out a little bit right now in fantasy football playoffs Graham, how you doing over there? What's going on? What are we getting into tonight, buddy?
Graham:Wow, you know, I feel like it's been a long time since our listeners have heard a good quality sigh from yours truly.
Scott:Well, they didn't have to wait long for that one tonight.
Graham:Man, what a weekend. Some positive Mainly. Well, I don't want to say negative, it's not negative, but you know, things happen. I'm going to get there, bro, don't worry about it. All right, yo, apparently, hey. So Scott and I, we're going to talk some sports. We're thirsty, let's grab one and crack one man. Huh, is that what you're waiting? For yes bro, I was getting there, I was building it up, but apparently not fast enough for you and your dry mouth.
Scott:So let's grab one. A crack one, bro. It's about time. Oh, love that sound. So, jesus, as you were sighing and all that stuff, I mean last last week when we talked it was, I think, wednesday night, right, yeah, it was the night before the Charger game. I know you went, I know you had a good time We'll get into that in a few minutes but you know how was your weekend after that when you got back and you know, like we always do a little recap of the weekend, what's cracking?
Graham:You know, all in all, you know, weekend was good. Watched some college football on Saturday, went to work on Sunday, back at the golf course the first time in a couple weeks, watched some ball while I was at work mainly and you know, uh, it's tough, it's a fantasy playoffs for a lot of people. Yours truly just happens to be in the heated semi-finals match right now, which what I thought after yesterday was no chance money in the bank, but now your boy's sweating it like a $3 hooker in fucking TJ right now. So my Steelers didn't win. Two days ago, my sports bets that you thought were obvious plays decided to not be obvious plays because the refs yet again keep fucking us.
Graham:What else, yeah, that's pretty much it, but uh hey christmas is right around the corner, pretty much finished the shopping, so that's all good and now I'm just ready to relax. My sister comes into town tomorrow morning and, uh, just excited to see her spend some time and uh, you know, just do the holidays. So what about you, brother? How was your weekend?
Scott:it was good, dude. Kicked off thursday night obviously with the chargers win, especially the way they came back and won but went to work. It's cold here, not much going on at the club. Kellen had a wrestling tournament on saturday then you know, watch some. The college football playoffs, you know, started off friday night and we'll get into that in a minute. But good weekend. Not very good for gambling, but, like you just said a minute ago, there's no such thing as an easy win. That's why they call it gambling. They don't build all those buildings on the strip because of people winning. You know, I mean yeah. I mean yeah. I mean yeah. I mean touchdown parlay, just, for example, everything was a no-brainer. Mcbride really top five tight end in the league. Can my guy get a touchdown? I'm like you're at the Panthers Got to hit, got to hit, nope.
Graham:They give up the most touchdowns to tight ends Anyhow. Got a hit, got a hit? Nope, they give up the most touchdowns to tight ends, exactly Anyhow. And then the New England Patriots again keep paying the referees because the amount of pass interference calls that they got. I'm just like really Like, come on, robert Kraft, like what are you doing? Yeah, you're not even winning the game, but yet you're still getting these calls Dude.
Scott:The Patriots and Jets always play the Bills tough, no matter what you know.
Graham:But you would expect a 14-point favorite at home To not go down 14-nothing.
Scott:Yeah Right, I don't Looks like Jacobs just got banged up, dude. But yeah, Brooks is in right now. That ain't any good. But let's rewind. Thursday you made the trip from Vegas to LA for the football game. Anybody that listened to the episode and saw our Instagram posts, you know. I called out Rob and Trevor and they made it work, dude. They sent me a little video.
Graham:Yes, sir.
Scott:So what a great way for Rob and Trevor to walk off into the sunset. Nice pass, jordan Love. Can he catch that ball with his toes? Hey, I'll take it. I'll take it Anyhow. Tail of two halves Chargers. Defensive backs are depleted.
Scott:May got hurt early in the first quarter and literally made Derwin go back and play a true safety because he's been playing nickel and playing on the line. And, dude, the Broncos just gashed us because Derwin had nothing to do with defending the run game and the Broncos just, I mean their first drive it was like boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. Thanks for playing. They're seven. Yeah, you know our first possession. We got the ball first, went three and out and you know, thank God, we answered after their first touchdown with our own touchdown. But then we just looked terrible, you know, until there was eight seconds left. Dude, in the first half. Fourth down.
Scott:And the thing that people aren't talking about enough and that I'm going to talk about right now is the broncos have the ball. It's fourth down. They're gonna punt. Most opposing coaches are just gonna let the clock run out. Go, go to the locker room, lick your wounds down. What was it? 21 to 10 or whatever it was. Harbaugh calls a timeout with eight seconds left and that timeout, right there, allowed history to be made. And if anybody's asking what that is, obviously you haven't watched tv in the last week. But fair catch interference, dude, fair catch interference with no time left on the clock results in either a free kick or one untimed down. We get a free kick, 57-yard kick, from my boy, dicker the Kicker. Let's go.
Scott:And that thing was good from about 67. Easy Dude, as it's going on and as the penalty is called, whoever the dude is that comes on and talks about rules on Amazon Prime, because Thursday night's Amazon dude dude, he nailed it from the beginning and he's like this is what it is, this is what it is, this is what it is. Rob in the stands is going. What is going on? I don't understand why are they lining up like they're the old school kickoffs? You know you're in the crowd, you don't know what's going on, you can't hear what's going on and it's something that we've never seen in a long time. And as soon as dicker makes it, you know they're running off into the locker room at halftime and you could just see the chargers running into the locker room, smiling, laughing, and it starts coming out on twitter. That hasn't happened since 1976, 48 years ago. And then, as we start researching it a little bit more, there has been free kicks tried. There hasn't been a free kick successful since 1976. Okay, so I forget when the last free kick was attempted. I think it was two or three years ago, but there hasn't been one made since 1976. Got it? So the weird thing of all of it is. It was the chargers who made the last one in 1976. That's how weird, is that? But anyhow, chargers come out, dude, in the second half and they're a different ball club.
Scott:You know, mentor, I listened to his press conference. He was like all right, having derwin playing that true safety was killing us, we're selling out. We put derwin back on the line at the nickel and it worked. Broncos couldn't run the ball. Herbert went ape shit, ran the ball that big third and nine late, you know, banged up ankle, ran for that first down and we got the dub. And that's the most important thing, you know, you called me out and I called myself out, dude. I was like, dude, we couldn't stop a nose run in the first half. This shit's done. Facts. I mean, how much confidence are you having in your squad when you watch that shit? You know we couldn't do anything.
Scott:And, dude, second half, what do we outscore them? 21 to 6 or something like that. I don't know what it was, yeah, something like that. But amazing, dude, uh, I just. It was a good feeling for a Charger fan. I mean, my wife even stayed up for the entire game and most of our listeners know our least favorite team as a Wasco family in the entire NFL are the Donkeys. I would cheer for any team in the NFL over the donkeys. Raiders let's go, chiefs let's go, patriots let's go. I mean any team. And without getting into why, you know why. I've been to that stadium in Denver a couple times and the Raiders fans get called worst fans in football. The Eagles fans get called the worst fans in football. Good, mile high, that's all I'm going to say about that.
Graham:Hey, I met some classy people there. You've never been to.
Scott:Denver for a game Facts. But anyhow, good dub you know, put Denver with their backs against the wall, right.
Graham:Yeah, I mean they still have the upper hand, but their game next week against Cincinnati is a must. If they win, they're in For both.
Scott:If they lose, they better hope the Chiefs beat the Steelers, because the Chiefs will clinch the number one seed and the Chiefs will be trotting out Carson Wentz Right Anyhow which hey, Carson Wentz has magic. I mean, he was going to be the MVP until he got hurt.
Graham:Right, yeah, I mean, he's no slouch. You know, one thing I wanted to say about the game was for it being the last home game and I'm 99.99% positive. This is my last year as being a Chargers season ticket holder, mainly just because not living in LA, it's harder. It's such a pain in the ass driving back. And the thing is I have two tickets and a lot of the times like it's hard for me to find people to go with. It's hard for me to find people to go with, and at this point it's like, why am I paying for a second ticket when I'm just giving it to someone else so they can come with me to have a good time? Granted, like you know the fair trade is, I'll get you the ticket. Just give me a couple beers and we'll call it a wash. You know what I mean. So I mean, yeah, that's cool and all, but you For the price of tickets now going up.
Graham:It's just like I'd much rather just save the money and then go back for a single game or a game that I want to go to, because it's just like the unfortunate fact is, unless you're in the end zone, the tickets are so hard to resell because no Charger fans are buying them, it's all the opposing team. And I went to three games or four games this year and all the other games I was only able to sell two of them, and the four games that I went to I still offered them to sell but they just didn't sell. And when you're selling tickets for face value and they're not even selling or should I say offering them for under face value it's like what's the point. So now if I'm going back, it's just like yo, when Scott's in town, we're doing it over to. You know, if there's other people, I'll meet up and do something.
Graham:So I'm just I'm was appreciative that my last game at SoFi for the year and as a season ticket holder, it went the way you wanted it to go. I mean, look, as a fan, no one's expecting or would you be super excited if you go to a game and it's just an absolute blowout, like how we're watching the Packers game right now. Like, yeah, blow it. Yeah, if your team wins, you're happy, but like after a while it's like you know you need some excitement in this game, like there's no excitement in this Packers Saints game at all.
Scott:Well, unless it comes down to your fantasy team.
Graham:Well, I mean, that's a different scenario. I'm not talking about that. Oh my God, we got a first down. I think, that's like their fifth of the game. But back to my point, the vibe from the stadium. Granted, there was a lot of Broncos fans there, always are.
Scott:Hey, and let's don't forget this, the Chargers coming off blowout, getting killed by Tampa and Denver. I think it just won four in a row.
Scott:maybe going into that yeah, that played a lot into. You know the atmosphere there, and not only that, but the stress of charter fans like we had just lost three of our last four, maybe you know. And yeah, and the last game was a blowout against tampa, but you know, then we're getting blown out at halftime and it's like all right. And I guess we came out. Harbaugh told derwin the floor is yours at halftime and derwin just did what he needed to do. Dude, we we made the adjustments, put him back on the line and we dominated the second half. And that's all that we needed.
Scott:But anyhow, let's move right on. Dude, something amazing to see. We're going to just fast forward. Anybody that's a golf fan, even though it wasn't televised a lot because of the college football playoffs. It was televised on saturday after they already finished. The pnc father or parent child event was this week, and did you see who finished in a playoff?
Graham:Hey T-Dub, hey Saints got a first down again, holy shit, yes, sorry. Look his son getting older, swing obviously still impeccable, just like his father. And look, pops is getting healthy again, which is always a sign. I mean, I'm not gonna lie. It seems like I say this a lot recently, does it? How do I say this? Because tiger's been such a big uh role model for me in golf oh, there's an interception, kidding me in golf.
Graham:Oh, there's an interception. Are you kidding me? Wow, tiger, being so big in the game and for the longevity in which he's been in it, you tend to forget yo, our boy's 48 years old. He's up there, and the reason why I say it that way is we, as fans, still expect for him to come back from another injury, as yet we always do, hey, whether it's his back, his leg, his back again, like we've always said his back again.
Scott:What anything I do surprise you no, absolutely not.
Graham:But I'm just saying we're so excited to bring him back, to be in a tournament where it's just like yo, yeah, it's great if he plays again and obviously we all want him to win. But it's now it's at a point where I'm just saying, like his age and what expectations there are, it's just like now. It's kind of like. I think what I'm saying is is like now. I think I'm at the point where it's just you're acknowledging the acceptance of another win is probably not going to happen.
Scott:I'll bet you're right, it could.
Graham:Oh, it's a bet. I'd love to lose. Yeah. I mean granted for making a bet. I want it to be on a major not just a regular no no no no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Scott:You said win again, but the odds are in your favor because he ain't playing in too many events other than majors. Yeah.
Graham:He's playing his event. Yeah, you know so.
Scott:Anyhow, but still, him and Charlie go out first day and, yeah, it's a scramble, little 59. Thanks for playing, appreciate it. Oh, that's it, yeah. But then, dude, yesterday and I didn't see it live, but little man made a hole in one. And to see Tiger's reaction, not as Tiger Woods, but as Tiger the dad For me that's a dad and watch my son play sports was the absolute coolest thing ever and then, in true Tiger fashion, has to throw a little jab at his son and say it's about time. I made my first one at age six and you're 15 and made your first one I was like, oh my God, did he really just say that? Wow?
Graham:Amazing right Now. Are you surprised that's his first? Not really. I don't have one. I mean, I know it's a ridiculous comment to make, I have two double eagles, but I don't have a hole-in-one. I would think that's harder to do than a hole-in-one.
Scott:But still it's like really, oh, there's a Saints interception. Yes, oh, and he dropped it. But anyhow, another comment Tiger said drinks are on you. And his son's like Dad, I'm broke, Come on now, dad, I'm broke, your father is Tiger Woods. You're not broke, you will never have to work a day in your life. But anyhow, him and Charlie lost in the playoff to Bernhard. I play from 6,000 yards, in the event longer. And I mean, come on, dude, a couple years ago Gary Player was 88. They didn't allow him to play the forward G's. So then, not only that, I mean, did anybody notice Bernhard yeah, it's a scramble format Bernhard teeing his ball up in the fairway bunker so he could hit driver out of it. I don't know. Whatever, whatever, whatever, whatever. I don't like it. I'll do a Graham sigh for that one and a classic gram quote back to back. I mean make it make sense, dude, I, I, whatever anyhow.
Graham:And then the uh, you're unbelievable. Yeah, bernard longer anyhow.
Scott:Uh, college football round one gets kicked off. What Friday night? Right, yeah, indiana and Notre Dame, yeah, yes, sir Blowout, thanks for playing. We all knew that was coming. Then, saturday the noon, the first game of the day SMU at Penn State, and you know the weather was ridiculous. Something you pointed out today that I can't believe you didn't see, because the telecast was showing it, is where they put the SMU band, you know, way up top in the bleachers. That was classic.
Scott:But Penn State laid the wood, I'm just going to say, and talked about this the other day, dude, smu got the ball first and was driving down the field, and fourth and one, fourth and two on like the 10-ish around that, and they go for it. They run a little bootleg. The quarterback, like I told you, could have walked into the end zone and he decides to pass it to a wide open I think it was tight end, I don't know, I was listening to it on the radio Throws it to him, he drops it. The end Game over, the end game over. Smu holds Penn state to three and out on their next possession, and then SMU gets the ball back and the first of two pick six has happened and it was like see you later. The end Penn state looked good. I mean they look great. They their best two games of the year where their last two against Oregon and then against SM mean they looked great. Their best two games of the year were their last two against Oregon and then against SMU.
Graham:They looked great. Hey, I'd rather get hot at the end, bro, absolutely.
Scott:It's all about when you get hot. And now they go on the road to well. I don't know where the game is it's not in Boise State, but they open up against Boise State 11-point favorites.
Graham:Phoenix, but they open up against Boise State 11-point favorites. Phoenix, it's in Phoenix. Okay, yeah, it's the Fiesta Bowl, so it's at Arizona Cardinal Stadium, which is a shithole.
Scott:I've been there.
Graham:Yeah, we've been there together.
Scott:But open up the State Farm Arena. 11-point favorite Probably about where it should be. Yeah, next game.
Graham:They got to stop the run.
Scott:Next game was Texas and Clemson. Clemson goes down the field, boom, boom, boom, score six. And I think I said in the episode last week that Clemson was going to beat Texas. I'm sitting there going, let's go Pounding my chest. And then Texas was like hey, hold my beer, scotty Game over. It was like, hey, hold my beer, scotty Game over. But hey, clemson made it close. I mean, at one point they were down seven late. It was late in the second half and then it was just the end, the end, the end.
Scott:And then the last game, saturday, you know, ohio State and Tennessee, which everybody thought was going to be the best game of the day. And Ohio State goes down the field, boom, boom, boom. I think it was 21-0 at one point and then it was at halftime, it was 21-10, which was huge for Tennessee to get those points. And, by the way, I know you didn't watch game day, but all the dudes on college game day said that was the most away fans they have ever seen at a college game day, said that was the most away fans they have ever seen at a college game day setting tennessee. That's crazy.
Scott:C was deep in ohio state territory and you could see it on tv, but anyhow, it was 21 to 10, I think, at halftimeftime and Tennessee gets the ball coming out in the second half and I literally text TP and I'm like dude, if Tennessee can score on their opening possession in the second half, we got a ball game and he goes yeah, but they're not and they didn't and it was the end. So all blowouts, you know it's nice they didn't?
Scott:people can bitch and moan about, you know, smu being there, indiana being there. It is what it is. I mean even Kirk Herbstreet, who never goes off on a tangent about this, and that he was going off on it, but it is what it is. We got some matchups though this coming week, which I love. It is what it is. We got some matchups though this coming week, which I love.
Graham:So does the committee learn? Or do the playoff system? Whoever governs that? Will they learn?
Scott:for next year. They're not going to change. It's too late now.
Graham:I mean, it was two years to get this in work once it got voted on. No, they'll still do it the same way, but I'm just saying who they allow One, how they place the seedings of the event, but then also who even makes the teams, because I mean, it really comes down to this. Isn't the point of the playoffs? To see the best teams? It is, You're not wrong. So I mean at this point the strength of schedule.
Scott:Why are we only doing 12? The strength of schedule and record needs to outweigh the record and we learned that with Indiana. Yeah, they were 11-1. I mean but they didn't.
Graham:Yes, but then are we going to get into an 8-5 team who only played all tough teams? If you're in the sec, maybe versus a, I know.
Scott:Alabama and Notre Dame or South Carolina Penn state Wouldn't have been more entertaining matchups than what we got to see.
Graham:I'm not disputing Right.
Scott:I'm just saying there's.
Graham:it's a tricky line and not like no one's going to be happy, I mean, even if they made it 24 teams Say that again They'd put the team what you just said. You can't make everyone happy Bingo.
Scott:I mean college basketball.
Graham:we have 64 teams and people are still bitching how teams and people are still bitching how, Like, if you're not the top 64, or really the top 60, because then you know Well, they also have the playing games, so it's 66.
Scott:Whatever we said this way back when, when this shit was announced. Kudos to them for finally trying to make a change. But no matter what, people are going to be bitching and, like I always say, and like I said a couple weeks ago, bama fans, you want to bitch? Yeah, you probably shouldn't have lost to Oklahoma.
Graham:Yeah, but yeah. But then it all comes back to are these big programs going to schedule difficult non-conference games? I mean, schools are just going to navigate how the rules are.
Scott:You can't really schedule those layovers because the conferences are so goddang big.
Graham:No, but they can choose who they play, At least in the first couple games. You know what I mean.
Scott:So as we roll into the second round. I think your game's on New Year's Eve and then there's three games on New Year's Day. I believe we got Ohio State dude two-and-a-half-point favorites. Oregon, the number one team in the country pretty much all year, beat Ohio State earlier in the year at the Rose Bowl. Beat Ohio State earlier in the year at the Rose Bowl. I think the best thing that happened to Ohio State was Michigan beating them. Yeah, Unfortunately, Ohio State's going to win the national championship. I'm saying it right now. Saying it right now Don't want it to happen's gonna happen. We talked about penn state, boise state, penn state laying 11. What do you like?
Graham:it's a lot of points, but I'll say penn state, but I'm not taking a minus 11.
Scott:Yeah I just think the size of penn State and the athleticism is just going to overpower Boise State.
Graham:Hey, that Gentry guy is no joke, though he's done. You can't rush for 2,000 yards in what 13 games? Yeah, and be a slouch when you're the second coming of Barry Sanders. It's like you might want to watch out for this guy. So I mean they'll stack the box. I mean like I got faith in Penn State. The question is You're tight end dude, I forget his name.
Scott:44. Dude's a stud. Yeah. Stud, stud, stud. I can't think of his name, whatever, not important First rounder, oh, 100%. Then we got Texas, arizona State, texas, laying 14. Oof, I'm going you know where I'm going, dude, because I've been sweating Arizona State for a while, calling upset.
Graham:No, I'm just saying or just taking the points I'm taking the points.
Scott:Oh, okay, I mean Arizona State was picked to finish last in the Big 12. Yeah. Yeah, their win total was like three, three and a half.
Graham:I mean their coach man, born and bred, went there.
Announcer:He just lit a fire under that team right now and you got to give him credit.
Graham:Absolutely. I love it. Got to give him credit.
Scott:Love it. Notre Dame, Georgia. That's the game. Homeboy's not playing either the Georgia quarterback.
Graham:Yeah, beck, season-ending surgery, he gone.
Scott:Notre Dame Money line Take them, let's go Way to jump on that one. I don't know, I don't know.
Graham:Georgia's a one and a half point favorite. One and a half don't mean shit. I don't know how the bracket, let's just call it a pick up.
Scott:I don't know how the bracket lays out, because I don't have it in front of me right now. Is there any chance Notre Dame could play Ohio State in the championship? I have no idea. That's a good question. Yeah, I'm not sure how it lays out. Are you looking it up right now? Yes, sir, yeah, I have no clue. All right, that would be sick if it could.
Graham:Oh, of course not. Oh, of course not. So the winner of the Texas-Arizona State game plays the winner of the Ohio State-Oregon game. So Penn State, if they continue, would have to play the winner of the Notre Dame-Georgia. Well, that sucks. I don't disagree. It sucks. That's going to be a tough game. Oh yeah, because if Penn State somehow gets through that game, hey, you're down to the final four games.
Scott:Yeah.
Graham:Ain't nothing easy. I mean, look when you get down to the final eight teams and you didn't win your conference and you still have a chance for the national championship ain't mad at that.
Scott:That's why this system was started.
Graham:And look, we're grateful. I'm not even saying that as a Penn State fan, saying that as a Penn State fan, I'm just grateful, like bro, for someone that's been paying attention to college football realistically, you know, since around like 2000,. I'm tired of seeing the same six teams, bro.
Scott:Like really, With this NIL and all this shit, you're gonna keep seeing them.
Graham:No, I think the bigger schools will do a better job with the NIL. I mean, look, North Carolina hiring Belichick. North Carolina has been what in college football it's been a while. They've had some surprises, but when was the last time Kansas Kentucky was relevant in football? When was the last? You know what I mean? I'm just saying, like there's big schools that have big programs in other sports that just football. Is not it that now you're giving them an opportunity, because the NIL is not just for football?
Scott:It's for everything. It's for the entire school.
Graham:It's just the football program moves the needle for most colleges. Then, depending upon which school you are, then it's basketball obviously is number two. But, like you know, I think the NIL is really going to help all those other schools and I think it's surprising to say this, but I think it will make it a more level playing field. The only difference is it's going to be like the NFL and you're just buying players. I mean, there's going to be no continuity, it's just the best teams will be the teams that can get their guys that they have for that year and just make them the best team that they can be.
Scott:Absolutely so real quick before we move on to NFL. Ohio State, oregon winner. No spread who's winning?
Graham:I hate saying it, but Ohio State yeah, I know it's just gut feeling. My gut says, that's what.
Scott:I'm saying We've got Penn State, boise State. We already know that. Penn State, texas ASU. I'm going to go. Asu Shock the world, let's go. The Irish against the Bulldogs.
Graham:I'm going to take Notre Dame.
Scott:Dude, it's weird, we agree on all of them. That means anybody listening. Don't place a wager.
Graham:Bet the opposite If you want to go.
Scott:Moneyline bet the opposite. Yeah, oh man. Saturday we had a couple NFL games Chiefs and Texans, your Steelers and Ravens, first game of the day, obviously, chiefs and Texans. Everybody questioned is Kermit going to play because of his ankle and this and that? And you know, full participant in practice all week and came out and did their thing. Dude, did their thing. But the worst part of that, Did Hollywood Brown play. I don't know he was supposed to.
Graham:I thought yeah, I missed that, that's a good question. I'm going to be honest, I kind of forgot the game was on. I woke up and I was like wait a minute. I'm laying in bed, I got my phone that I put on YouTube TV and it's just like oh, steelers starting 15 minutes and I was like what yeah?
Scott:I was on the way home to go to Kellen's wrestling tournament, listening to the Penn State SMU game, and I'm like get a notification. I'm like, oh shit, I forgot the Chiefs and Texans were on. But you know, worst thing about that was the Tankdale brutal injury. Ugh dude, awful, awful, awful awful.
Graham:It's like when you watch it it didn't look that bad. Until you saw his kneecap.
Scott:Yeah, and then it was bad. Then it was bad.
Graham:But you know, I mean, I feel the worst for Stroud.
Scott:That's his best friend.
Graham:You guys have seen your best friend just bust his knee up like that, Like dude was crying, and I'm not saying that like I'm not clowning the dude.
Scott:No, I know, I know when you see your best friend, get busted up like that dude.
Graham:I'd be crying like a baby out there.
Scott:Especially how many injuries he's had and gone through recently. Oh, I know, I know, and they're right there, you know, in the playoffs.
Graham:Now let me ask you this question, For as well as Stroud did his first year, we always say there's a sophomore slump. Do you think this season, as of right now, is more teams to that effect of they're figuring him out, or do you feel that the injuries that they had during the season has kind of dictated what's going on Like? What's your thoughts on?
Scott:that I'm going to say a little bit of both, and then also the addition of Mixon to their squad, because you know, when you acquire somebody like Joe Mixon, who's been a beast all year, then he got banged up, right, it took a little pressure off of Stroud. Then, remember, diggs got hurt. Yeah, it's both. It's all of the above. There's not a right answer. It's all of the above. But Stroud was unconscious last year. I mean, what he did last year was ridiculous.
Scott:Yeah, he had the greatest rookie season of all time, almost he was second behind Herbie.
Scott:That's in yards, not like what I'm saying but you're basically seeing, oh, what a catch. But what you're basically seeing, oh, what a catch. What Stroud did last year is basically what you're watching Daniels do this year for Washington. And I'm going to just say Daniels is better. I mean, tomato, tomato, I know, I know, but brutal tomato, I know, I know, but brutal, brutal. You know, the Texans caught everybody off guard last year because, you know, first-time head coach, they were last. I mean, didn't they have the first round pick or second overall pick, then traded with somebody else to come back and get the defensive guy. Dude, it's Arizona. Yeah, I just feel's Arizona. Yeah, I just feel bad for Tankdale. But oh, 1,000%, anyhow, steelers-ravens, ravens are what? One and eight in their last nine games against the Steelers, something like that. Yeah.
Scott:And game started off good. It was back and forth low scoring, like we all thought. And then I missed the fumble you were talking about from russ. I was on the way to my dad's and it was just the injuries caught up with you. I was questioning, maybe on the show last week, the seven point spread or six and a half, whatever it was the Ravens were laying. I'm like what Don't they know? These games are always super close.
Graham:Yes, but what I would say to that is this no-transcript. You're missing three of your back four. You're missing the stud to Sean Elliott. You're missing. Jpj was out. Our other corner was out. That hurts when you have rookies.
Graham:Porter went out during the game. No, but he was tweaked during the game. He was tweaked during the before, during the week. Okay, he played during the week. Yeah, he played a little bit. He didn't play much, but then he actually, yeah, he hurt himself more because it was only a hamstring, but then now it's like hamstring and something else. It's like knee or something. But the big thing, was TJ going to play? Was Pickens going to play? Tj played, pickens didn't play. That's fine.
Graham:What I'll say about the game is this Every coach says it, but obviously me being biased about Pittsburgh and Mike Tomlin and the gravitas that he has he says something, or should I say he has said things that I've heard him say on countless times, where it's basically to the point of there are things that happen in a game that change the trajectory of what's happening. And perfect example it's 7-7. Right, it's the second quarter, pittsburgh, even without pickens. Look, the previous week they couldn't move the ball on Philadelphia at all. Well, you have to have the ball to move it. Facts Well, that was the second half, but yeah. But I'm just saying, like Russ was cooking Run game, was doing well, he's hitting all the other receivers, everything's looking great.
Graham:But they're on the Ravens' half of the field. They get a first down. They're on like the 30 or so yard line. It's a third down. Russ scrambles wide open through the middle. He just he gets about five yards from the end zone Like he juked a couple of people, gets five yards from the end zone and he just sees the open daylight. He sees the gloriness of the of the end zone, but he doesn't see the safety and instead of sliding he just gets wham, gets tackled from the side and ball comes out. Ravens get it. Ravens get it on the four-yard line and take it 96 yards down the field. Ravens get it on the four-yard line and take it 96 yards down the field. So instead of us going up at minimum, 10-7 or potentially 14-7,.
Graham:Now it's 14-7 them right. And then also this was, I think don't quote me on this, but I think it was the third quarter towards the end of third or early fourth. You know Russ on third down was evading a tackle, you know, evading a sack, and was trying to hit you know trying to hit a wide receiver in the flat, and kind of threw it a little behind him and Humphrey took it for a pick. Six Huge momentum swings Can I ask you a question? Huge, what's up?
Scott:So Humphrey has the pick six and he's taunting the Steelers offensively.
Graham:I said that I was screaming at the TV. Why was that not a penalty?
Scott:The last 10 yards until he got in the end zone. Yeah, but Tyreek Hill puts up a finger or whatever he does. The peace sign.
Graham:Yeah. What do you like to say? Make it make sense.
Scott:I just, I don't get it.
Graham:I mean At this point? Why do we have referees on the field?
Scott:Can we just have some robots?
Graham:I mean, there's 800 cameras in there. You can see every angle. Will it slow the game down a little bit?
Scott:Possibly. Whatever, I mean, I have a god dang robot that sweeps my Fours, that program itself, to my phone and it gets it pretty right. But like I just I'm tired of beating the dead horse, let's talk real quick. I texted you Another missed face mask. Oh, imagine that. Is there one missed face mask in every game that we're watching now? Oh facts, facts.
Graham:It's not face masks incorrectly called, pass interference incorrectly holding, like I've seen a a couple.
Scott:there was a couple holding calls, I was like you're not calling, that doesn't? The holding doesn't bother me as much as the face mask or the pass interference or this bullshit. I mean there's a holding call could be called on every play. But we saw what the rams and saints happened in the NFC Championship game that year. They changed the rule because of that god-awful pass interference.
Graham:Yeah, dude, should they do what college does and just give them the 15 yards? Because, trust me, there's game plans where the whole point is throw it down there and try to get pass interference.
Scott:Duh, I mean you're down late in the fourth quarter by seven. Throw it down there and try to get past interference. Duh, I mean you're down late in the fourth quarter by seven.
Graham:Throw it up. Yeah, would you be a fan of that if they did it the college way?
Scott:Yes, yes, kristen's dad has always, always said that, yeah, it's 15 yards, dude, that 45-yard penalty changes everything. It's a judgment call. I agree, I don't know. We talked about it last week. Steelers and the Gauntlet dude Three games in 11 days. Y'all got to turn around real quick. You got the Chiefs at home on Christmas Day, of course, like we talked about last night. Of course you guys are the first game, of course, and then the Ravens Are the Ravens at the Texans. Yes, okay.
Graham:So Ravens at the Texans Just claimed Deontay Johnson. I mean, it's too quick of a turnaround, but Texans just claimed Deontay.
Scott:Johnson, I mean it's too quick of a turnaround, but how hilarious would it be if he did play and scored. That's another thing I was going to talk about. Totally spaced, Deontay Johnson is waved by the Ravens right. So yeah, a few days ago get through.
Scott:He had to get through waivers, which waivers are on Monday, and the chargers and the Texans were the only two teams to put in a claim for him and the Texans were awarded this guy Number one. I thought it was very bizarre that the Chargers put a claim in for him when Harbaugh's brother released him last week. Yeah, I thought that was very bizarre. But then how did the Texans win the claim over the Chargers when the Texans have a better? They're in first place in the division. We have the same record, but the Texans have a better division record and a better conference record. I have no idea how that all works out, but I'm glad we didn't get him. Yeah, but I just whatever, whatever it is what it is. So, like we talked about earlier, steelers beat the chiefs on christmas day. Chiefs have to play the last week of the year against the broncos. Uh, dude washington, philadelphia. Dude Washington, philadelphia. Yesterday, and Washington Eagles up 21 to nothing. Hurts goes down, boom, washington comes back. Jaden, five touchdown passes.
Graham:What started off as a blowout turned into the game of the week. Well, it's a cross between that game and then the Minnesota-Seattle game, which was sick as well.
Scott:That was insane. But it's funny, dude, because I saw something last night early this morning on Instagram. You know NFL memes Instagram. You know Commanders fans hey we won the game. And Eagles fans' response oh nice, pass. How are you in the?
Graham:NFL Right Literally Spencer Radler. You have not looked this bad ever in your life, like I've seen you play games before. You're a dual threat guy. You can't make a seven yard pass running forward. Are you kidding me?
Scott:But commanders fans we won, Eagles fans Congrats on being a backup quarterback. And then there's a picture it says also the Eagles competition for the last decade against the commanders and it's got a picture of like 100 jerseys well, it's each jersey from each game right oh yeah, there you go.
Graham:Please throw into triple coverage. It's not like I need the packers defense to get any more points so, anyhow, commanders, huge win.
Scott:I don't understand how Daniels has five touchdown passes and Scary Terry only has one.
Graham:All right, you're saying that for fantasy purposes.
Scott:Yeah, that is 100%. But, dude, they flex. Next Sunday night's game it's the Commanders and Falcons. Dude, falcons in first place now, since Tampa lost last night which is another sore subject with me Tampa looked like Super Bowl winners last week against my Chargers and then a depleted Cowboys team just laid the wood to them. Are they calling it pass interference?
Graham:I don't know, but it's just like Personal foul. I think I'm getting to a point now where some of the teams are like, look, I get it any given Sunday, yes, I get it. But even teams that are bad, I think now you kind of have to, especially in the betting aspect. I think you kind of have to put some weight behind yo, we're on prime time. Yeah, like that Dallas game. You'd think if that was a regular 1 o'clock start for them, they'd play that well.
Scott:I will tell you this.
Graham:It's just knowing that everyone's watching.
Scott:Yeah, I will tell you this about that game, agree or disagree? I think McCarthy saved his job last night.
Graham:I don't disagree with you. I just think it's McCarthy's in a very unique situation, because it's like if you've been there four years and three of your four years you've won 12 games. You ain't wrong. How do you get fired, considering the fact you lose your franchise quarterback?
Scott:you have no running game, especially now that Belichick's in the college game.
Graham:Yeah, like it's.
Graham:I mean, look, when you got 88-year-old or however old he is Jerry Jones. I mean I love the quote that I saw earlier. I don't know when he made it, but he's just like who else knows contracts? Like I know contracts, who else is going to come in here and make the decisions? Like I could make the decisions. He's like I'm the best guy for the job and I'm like, bro, what medication are you on? Like, are you just smoking weed? Or like, do you got pills? Like what are you on? Because either you're the most confident person on Earth or you're the most delusional person on Earth. Like what?
Scott:Dude. I just I don't know they're going to. I think he saved his job.
Graham:I don't disagree with you. They shouldn't fire him Like look, cooper Rush almost had his best game. He played great.
Scott:Yeah game he played great. Yeah, he played great. Speaking of getting fired, dude, only the raiders win a game when losing cements them pretty much in the first or second pick. Did you see the press conference with antonio? No, dude. Somebody asked him a question about winning in the draft pick and his answer was that's not up to me. Ask Tom Telesco.
Graham:He ain't going to be there next year. But here's the thing, folks. If you didn't know, it's already been reported. I mean, I've seen this from a couple different places the Giants want Cam Ward, so it doesn't really matter.
Scott:That also could be a smokescreen, but Speaking of a fun fact about the Giants, my Mets baseball team has won a baseball game more recent than the Giants have won a football game, and it's Christmas Eve Eve.
Graham:What? Hey? Oh my God, you're up 27, nothing. And it took till six minutes left in the fourth for you to take out your starters. Matt LaFleur, you're a jackass. Like if your players would have got hurt I would have laughed my ass off. You're going to blow out a team, hold them scoreless and you're playing your starters in the fourth. The fact that you're even playing them in the third like yeah.
Scott:Wow, but did you hear what I just said about the Mets?
Graham:Yes who.
Scott:Yeah, shut up. Anyhow, we got a lot of playoff scenarios this week.
Graham:I mean dude. Game of the week Donkeys Bengals, that's huge Beng. Game of the week Donkeys Bengals, that's huge Bengals gonna lay in the wood. It's in Cincinnati, right, I think. Yeah.
Scott:Bengals lay in the wood, I think.
Graham:I mean, look Pittsburgh's banged up and I may sound like a homer, but I like Pittsburgh's chances at home against the Chiefs.
Scott:I said it to Billy a couple hours ago at the bar I'm like I think Steelers win this game. How did he drop that pass, don't know? I said I think I told him I'm like I think Pittsburgh wins this game.
Graham:You know Billy's going to say something to jinx it.
Scott:No, he was good with it. I mean, as we talked about last episode, your boys go into the Chargers at Patriots game at Gillette Stadium. Let's go, chargers, win. I'll be there for the clinch. Got to get the dub.
Graham:Got to get. The dub Got to get that win.
Scott:And of course you know, negative, nancy, robb. Oh, the Patriots almost beat the Bills. I'm like Rob, the Patriots always play the Bills well. Yeah. Relax Allen was hurt, but whatever, I'm stoked. I haven't seen the Chargers in person since the game with you in Arizona. Damn. It's been a while. I know it's been a while, so I'm excited to go.
Graham:I'm just excited Cause I want to know what charger stuff you're going to wear. You always wear your chargers, that blue shirt that you have.
Scott:That's my biggest dilemma. I don't have any Chargers. Winter gear.
Graham:Do you have a hat at least? I mean like a winter hat.
Scott:Yeah, I've got a couple hats. But I'm trying, I'm digging through boxes I was actually doing it earlier trying to find my old, old, first Chargers jersey, ever LT jersey or my Mike Cyphers jersey Are you kidding me? And and dude, I don't know like I was on amazon the other day trying to find a sweatshirt to wear, I mean, it's going to be a high of 44. At least the game's at one o'clock so that maybe the sun will be out, at least it's not a late game. But you know, my boy th4 hooked it up six tickets. Let's go pretty pumped about that, taking him some duckwoods country club gear. Uh, I'm excited, dude, I'm pumped.
Graham:So, especially, especially, we get the dub, we clinch a playoff spot so for the fans, can we get a over under and how many beers you're going to have at the game? Uh, and let me rephrase that beers prior count as well.
Scott:No, it won't be that many, cause I'm going with my mom and yeah you know I'll be on my best behavior.
Graham:All right.
Scott:Backup question.
Graham:Hopefully it's's close, hopefully on the field, you know, before the game if it gets close and it gets nerve-wracking, are you and kellen gonna step away from the fam and walk around the stadium? Because, trust me, I know you bro.
Scott:Maybe, maybe, maybe not. I mean, that's why I was stressing the Broncos game so much last week. Yeah. Because if we won against the Broncos our last two weeks, we just got to get one dub Right, as long as the Raiders don't fail at tanking, you know. I mean it's going to be a hopefully non-stressful game.
Graham:Which, now that you say that I might buy a ticket to go to that game, which, why not Considering the game yesterday? Take a guess how much the tickets went for for the Jacksonville game at Allegiant Bro. You could sit in the 200 sections for $30.
Scott:Well, I was looking when you said that earlier or last night. I was looking earlier before we got on and you can get a ticket in the 100 section in the end zone, and it was like $70 for the Charger game. Yeah, I'm just glad to be in this position. I don't care who we play in the playoffs. No, I agree which I hope it doesn't happen where the Chargers go on the road and you guys win the North. One of my members at the club has already told me you don't have a choice. I like this guy, we're going to the game, oh, and I'm like yeah, dude, we're going, I'm not going. Yes, you are, and he's like you're going. Yeah, he's like you're going, he goes.
Graham:As long as you got a ticket for me too, he goes.
Scott:I've had season tickets forever. No, I don't think you're invited.
Graham:Well, you better give me this dude's information. I'm about to let him know. This is a couple thing, bro. You can't have one without the other.
Scott:I don't want to go there, but anyhow, everybody, it's Christmas Eve Eve Probably. I'm not taking my microphone and everything up north to my mom's, but I will have my earbuds so we might do a quick episode next Monday night. Okay, quality might not be as good as it normally is, but we'll just do a quick one. You know reactions from what happens in the Steelers Chiefs game, chargers, patriots and you know all the other crazy shit in the NFL with playoff scenarios, but from the bald guys on the bench. I hope you and your families have an amazing Christmas, or whatever you celebrate. Be safe, enjoy the family time. I think we've got one more episode left dude in 2024.
Graham:Yes, sir, 2025, watch out.
Scott:It's coming. I can't believe it's there already. Epic.
Graham:I know, I know it's been a long one, but I'll say this it's been a hell of a year, a lot of ups and downs. I'm not to, I would say more than usual, but just been a real crazy year. Thankful for a lot of things, thankful for you, thankful for where I'm at, and I'm just thankful for what 2025 will bring and love you. The fam. Wish all of the listeners very merry christmas and happy holidays. Be safe out there, don't do anything stupid. Um, get a dd. There's uber, lyft whatever you want to use waymo whatever.
Graham:Be smart and um hey that's the best, homie always says good night, friends.
Scott:we'll see you in a couple days. Santa Ho, ho ho, let's go.
Announcer:This episode of the Ball Guys on the Bench podcast is brought to you by our friends at Northstar Credit Union and Southern Auto, located in Southeast Virginia.
