Bald Guys On The Bench
Bald Guys On The Bench
College Playoff Chaos And Week 14 Whiplash
Recorded December 7th, 2025
Playoff crowns fell, rankings scrambled, and the sport felt brand new again. We dive straight into the chaos: Texas Tech’s Big 12 breakthrough, Alabama undercutting Georgia’s aura, and Indiana turning a “nice story” into a serious program statement. NIL money, smarter staffing, and modern recruiting are redistributing power, and the postseason committee is trying to referee it with rules that reward optics as much as results. We unpack the Notre Dame dilemma, why independence costs leverage, and how a 12-team bracket still leaves room for controversy—plus the cleaner fix we’d actually bet on.
Then we flip to Week 14 and get brutally honest about what changed. The Cowboys’ passing game shrank the moment CD left, exposing how quickly a plan can collapse when your No. 1 vanishes. George Pickens’ effort questions resurfaced. Ben Johnson’s Coach of the Year case? It’s real, built on identity and adaptability. Ravens-Steelers delivered the kind of rock fight where one blown call becomes the headline, even though the game turned on missed chances and situational execution. We explain what Pittsburgh did differently, why Baltimore shouldn’t point to a single play, and where that leaves both teams in the AFC grid.
Quarterbacks moved the needle more than the box score shows. Josh Allen’s late burst—legs, windows, timing—flipped Bills-Bengals faster than the win probability model could refresh, while Burrow’s back-to-back turnovers broke Cincinnati’s grip. In the North, Jordan Love found rhythm, and Caleb Williams mixed magic with late-game decisions that will define Chicago’s ceiling. We close with a sharp Eagles-Chargers preview: injuries in the trenches, primetime tendencies, and how a solid defense and clean protection can still tilt a “wide-open” AFC. Parity isn’t a subplot this year—it’s the theme.
If you vibed with the honesty and the heat, tap follow, share this with a friend who loves ball, and drop a review with your spiciest playoff take—we’ll read our favorites on the next show.
#baldguysonthebench #graboneandcrackone #cfp #nfl #steelers #lachargers #notredame
Welcome to another episode of the Bald Guys on the Bench podcast with your hosts Graham Cohen and Scott Waska.
Graham:What's up everyone? Welcome back to another episode of The Bald Guys on the Bench, Scotty Wah. The college football playoffs are set and it's week 14. How you doing, brother?
Scott:I'm doing great. But before we even get started, I think my boy Graham owes me a shot. Let me guess, you forgot.
Graham:No, I was gonna say we can't do that. We can't even grab it and crack it first. I gotta hit the shot first.
Scott:Well, you can do whatever you want.
Graham:Well, no, I mean we'll let's do the shot and then we'll do the rest of the regular open. Damn.
Scott:Let's go. Let's go. It's starting to be a tr trend on the show lately. But uh, you know, let it you just said it. Let's grab it, let's crack it. It's Sunday night. We're watching the Chiefs, Texans, fourth quarter, nine minutes left, tie ball game. Let's go, Texans.
Graham:Let's go, Chiefs!
Scott:Dude, so how was your weekend? What'd you do before we even get started? I mean, crazy weekend of sports. You know, Thursday night started off with the Cowboys Lions, and then we had some college football action Friday and more conference championships. Dude, get up how did Chris Jones? Oh, what a laser.
Graham:Dude, that's like the fourth time this game has him almost dead to rights and then throws a ball for 20 plus yards on third down.
Scott:You're talking to a guy that lost to him in the playoffs last year when we're winning, and he's gonna take a 30-yard loss for a sack and then throws a bomb to Collins, and that was the end. So you want me to feel sorry? No, I don't. Uh uh once again. Uh whatever. Uh I asked you a question, you didn't answer it. We got sidetracked.
Graham:You didn't give me a chance.
Scott:Yeah. Oh, there's three more yards. Can we get four more rushing yards, please, Stroud?
Graham:Can he get sacked? Yeah. Weekend, uh, I mean, good and bad. Good in the sense that worked, made some money, bad. My bet's no good. And what was obvious was apparently not obvious.
Scott:Hey, speaking of bets no good, I'm pretty sure on the episode last week I guaranteed a couple things, and that was UVA and JMU. And for now on, folks, I'm just gonna say it. I've joked about it. When I say it's a hundred percent, take the opposite. You're welcome. I I just yeah.
Graham:Um, so you know, and then uh Sunday being Sunday, got up, watched some ball, started off good, and uh, you know, we'll talk about the rest. What that's me. What about you, brother?
Scott:How was your it was it was good, you know. I mean, geez, Louise. Thursday night, Lions, Cowboys, crazy game. It was good, yeah, right, entertaining. Uh I thought the Lions were gonna win, but Cowboys actually came back, made it a little close, and you know, CD did his two impersonation when he had his concussion and locked up on the on the field. You know, hope he gets better.
Graham:But Jesus.
Scott:But I I mean, dude, it was a good weekend, you know, had a little tournament yesterday at work, you know, toys for Todd, freezing cold. Then Ava had a swim meet last night, fun, came back, watched some college football, watched college football all day. But you know, something I gotta say, and I'm not sitting here patting myself on the back. Texas Tech. I'm pretty sure we talked about it on the on the show. Uh Big 12 champions laid the wood to BYU, right?
Graham:Yeah.
Scott:It was close game until it wasn't. BYU turned it over four times. Dude, your boy. Oh, 10 to 1. Thanks for playing. Before the season started, big 12 champions. Let's go. Dude, and you can say what you want, you can do what you want. Dude, the NIL, when they brought that booster in and he started paying players, Texas Tech's defense, dude, is legit.
Graham:I mean, legit. What did I say last week? And I've been saying it for a while now, but the college football landscape is not the same. It's it's a whole new league.
Scott:Of course.
Graham:Of course. Anyone who's anyone, if they got a big donor, they got big pockets, and they want to spend some money, anyone can be a contender. There's a reason why Texas Tech, I mean, they how much money do they spend?
Scott:Shit ton. And they have one of the best, if not the best, defense in college football. I mean, something I saw today, just put this in perspective. Jeremiah Smith, the wide receiver for Ohio State, yeah, is making more money a year than uh the leading receiver in the NFL, Jackson Smith and Jigwa.
Graham:Rookie deals, baby.
Scott:It's crazy. But yeah, yeah, it was a good weekend. Uh, watched some football yesterday. It was pretty entertaining, dude. Both games were awesome. I mean, the BYU Texas Tech game was good until it wasn't, like I said, turn it over four times. Texas Tech dominated. Dude, and then the Bama Georgia game. In your life, did you see that outcome? Ending like that. I mean, the line was Georgia was favored by one and a half. Kirby Smart is owned by Bama. Bama owns him. And dude, that block punt was the end. Yeah.
Graham:I I you know, college football is just it's it's a different animal right now. It's so hard to predict how things are gonna go, how teams are gonna play. Um, I mean, we've had weeks where teams have looked like gangbusters, and then they'll rattle off three weeks. You're just like, is that the same team?
Scott:I'll tell you right now, the way Georgia looked yesterday. Oof.
Graham:Yeah. I mean, Oklahoma during the season, they had a three-week stretch. You're like, are they making the playoffs? And then, oh, there you are. Um, I just look the game of the week. Uh I mean, it's not game of the year, but I mean the game of the week. Number one versus number two. Ohio State Indiana, that was a game.
Scott:I'll say this. Indiana impressed the shit not only out of me and you, but the whole goddamn college football world.
Graham:Yeah. Well, I mean, it doesn't hurt that Signeti is what? What I see is 23-2 in the last two season, joining the the college team that is the worst program of all time in football.
Scott:I mean, that team though, dude, they came out, they played, dude. They're they were, I mean, especially when the quarterback gets drilled and beaten the bookie literally tweets, rest in peace. And I'm like, oh my god, what happened? I just got home from Ava Swim Meet. Yeah. And he came out of the game and he did get drilled, but he came back, dude. That team, ice in their veins, dude. My only question is that my dad brought it up earlier. Like, Ohio State is what known for what? They're wide receivers. Yeah. Okay. You got this Tate guy that's going to be a top five pick this coming draft, and then you got Jeremiah Smith, who's going to be a top five pick next year. Yeah. Why the shit are they still trying to run the ball?
Graham:Well, I mean, you have to dude. I thought you were a football guru. I thought you had the offense.
Scott:And but when you have when you have those guys, uh, like what are you doing?
Graham:Uh you still gotta establish the run.
Scott:Yeah. And dude, towards the end, and it's fourth and goal, and they go for it, they don't get it, down three, then they miss the field goal down. Uh it was, dude, I don't know, man. Uh can you say welcome to the Raiders? What's the dude's name? The quarterback? I can't even think of his name. Mendoza. Mendoza, because the Raiders took over the one first pick. Really? For his sake, I really hope that doesn't happen. Hey, hey coach, can I stay?
Graham:Yeah. Oh, for sure. I you know, it's funny. A couple things about that game. I mean, not specifics of the game, but isn't it kind of shocking? Did you know? Do you know who Indiana's backup quarterback is? No idea. How about Mendoza's younger brother? That's sick. I like it. Right? Pretty sick. Second point. Oh, come on. Come on, Mahomes. What was that? I I mean, this is the play of the game right here, four down.
Scott:You know what's what I heard earlier, you probably heard it too. If the Chiefs lose, it guarantees I'm not to win the AFC West. Yes, I heard that for the first time in however long.
Graham:Right. Um, yeah, so getting back to that Indiana game last night, what really got me was the whole time, especially the pregame leading up to it, and even during the game, everyone was all they were talking about was the Heisman talk. Is it gonna be Mendoza? Is it gonna be the rookie from Ohio State? Is it gonna be Pavia, the guy from Vanderbilt? It's just like they were touting the whole game. And I'm watching this game, and they keep saying, you know, if a quarterback, you know, has a tremendous game, you know, this is definitely gonna seal it. After watching that game, did anything of either of those two quarterbacks who were Heisman hopefuls, did they show you anything that's like really locking it up that they should get the Heisman over, you know, the guy Pavia from Vanderbilt? I mean, what he did this year.
Scott:I'm just gonna say the way Mendoza stepped up, made a couple throws late in the game that mattered. He sealed it.
Graham:Yeah, but I mean, he also threw a at least one pick. I don't think it was two, but I mean, it wasn't sealed it. No, I I I get it. Look, will he probably win it after that performance? Yes. I, you know, it also depends upon what happens also in the playoffs a little bit, which they say it shouldn't, but who knows?
Scott:It's uh oh, he dropped it. Well, the Heisman is announced before the playoffs even start.
Graham:So we'll see, there you go. Yeah, and just for that, I'll just you know what, I'll just take another shot because the Chief.
Scott:Oh, Arrowhead's quiet right now.
Announcer:My uh my sportsbook account is quiet now. Dude. Real quiet.
Scott:Yeah, I don't even know what to say because I thought the Chiefs were gonna come out and dominate the second half, which they did.
Graham:But they can still go three and out. We can get a pick. Something could happen.
Scott:I'm yeah, I'm not saying it's over, we all we all know the Chiefs.
Graham:But when it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and sounds like a duck. It's a it's a duck. But here's the thing. Oh, well, that saying of, oh, it's the Chiefs. I, you know, I hate complimenting Collinsworth, but maybe it ain't the Chiefs anymore. I mean, the bounces that they would get, they are not getting this year. And look, is it great for the NFL to, you know, have some new blood in there, not seeing the same old thing all the time? Absolutely. But it's look, I'm not saying it's the end of the era in Kansas City, it's definitely not, but last year for Kelsey, I mean, unofficially official.
Scott:Um I would have to say, yeah, it's probably the end for him.
Graham:I uh it's I mean, look, what can you expect when you're losing three starting offensive linemen, then on the first play of the game, you lose another offensive lineman, then you lose then you hurt someone else gets hurt. You know, the fact that Mahomes is doing what he's doing with what he has right now, give him credit because they are playing the number one defense in the league, so but as they say, there's no moral victories, right? Yeah.
Scott:And once again, you're preaching to the choir. I don't give two shits about the Chiefs and their offensive linemen because uh just look at my squad. Okay, the two best bookend tackles in the league. Yeah, okay.
Graham:Uh but yeah, but you guys have a winning record, though.
Scott:Yeah, and Herbert still gets shitted on. Just the fact that you just Chris Collins were at Mahomes and his Kermit the Frog a little wiener, and didn't say one word about Herbert and give credit where credit is due.
Graham:Well, I mean, you guys do have an easier schedule, so I mean whatever, dude. Whatever, dude.
Scott:Uh anyhow. Duke beats UVA last night and overtime crazy. Right? The scenario is if UVA loses to Duke, JMU's getting in, make it make sense. It was bizarre. Something I sent you last night that Billy and I were talking about, something else that make it make sense. If you go look at the standings, dude, UVA was seven and one in the ACC. Okay. And you go back and look at their schedule, they lost to NC State and Wake Forest. Um, last time I checked, pretty sure that NC State and Wake Forest are in the ACC. That would be two losses in the ACC. Why the shit are we sitting here looking at on the standings 7-1? Well, did a little research. The game against NC State because you're only allowed to play eight conference games, and this is something I had no idea about, was announced as a non-conference game. Dude, uh whatever. Don't get it. It is what it is. You know.
Graham:Hold on a second. Can we just duke a program or not a program, a school that's known, well known as a as a basketball school. Well known. The fact that they won their conference championship blows my mind.
Scott:It's awesome. I don't know if you watched that game because you were probably watching Ohio State.
Graham:I watched it, I got them both.
Scott:Dude, they came out, and I was like, Ava's boyfriend Andrew and I, we got back from swimming, we're just like, the shit are we watching right now?
Graham:Like, yeah, well, after you were talking about, oh, well, I watched them. I'm listening to the commentators are like, well, yeah, they played literally the worst game of their life. And they're like, da-da-th. And it's just like they basically said, Hey, if they didn't make all those mistakes they did before, this would have been a lot closer of a game. And boy, was it. I mean, the Duke quarterbacked, he looked good. I just I I I was surprised. I was also surprised that the last time Duke won the ACC, surprisingly, was like in 1989. I'm surprised it was even that close.
Scott:Dude, I and the the crazy thing, Virginia just beat Duke two weeks ago, 34 to 17, and garbage time touchdown at the end to make the hit 17. But uh hey, it's why, like we always say, it's why you play the game, right? But research.
Graham:Sheesh, man. I didn't realize that they played two weeks prior. I was like, oh, when I heard that, I'm like, yeah, I should have changed my bit. Yeah. Damn. But well, such is life. It is what it is.
Scott:Yeah, it is. So college football playoffs obviously were announced today at noon. And no matter, like we said last week, when you have the NCAA field for basketball, somebody always gets snubbed. Somebody's always gonna get be bitter. Dude, this I don't know, program, whatever the hell you want to call it, is the dumbest thing I've ever seen in my entire life. And not because, you know, you know me, dude, as a Michigan guy. I hate Notre Dame. I think they're I think they're terrible. Whatever. Play in a conference. But dude, for Notre Dame not to get in, I mean, yeah, they lost, they're not in a conference, whatever. They don't play in a conference championship, but guess what? They lost two games. The first game and the second game of the season by a combined total of four points. To Miami by three, Texas AM by one. Okay, both teams are in the playoffs. Miami gets in, they jump spots, didn't play a game this past weekend. Bama loses to Florida State week one, uh gets boat raced yesterday. You're telling me in that fourth quarter with three minutes left, they weren't trying to uh style point it. I mean, I'm not saying somebody should be in there, somebody shouldn't be in there, but I mean JMU, yeah, I get it, uh, but dude, Oregon's. Gonna beat the beat the living. I mean, might as well give Oregon a goddamn bye week. Yeah. I mean Ole Miss Tulane? Ole Miss already beat him this year. Yeah. You're telling me Notre Dame or Vanderbilt wouldn't put up a better fight. I mean, I understand it it is what it is, but I just it's so stupid, dude. I just don't I don't with everything in life, it's all about politics. And it's not politics. This is the these are the rules that were put in place for the college football playoffs.
Graham:My personal opinion. When it comes to Notre Dame, you and I have been talking about this every year. And by every year, I mean every football season since doing.
Scott:I'm not a Notre Dame fan. No, I call them bitches because they bitched out on the contract with Michigan.
Graham:That's my point. Well, a part of the point. How do you I don't say recognize, but how are you Kelsey's dead? Oh, Travis Kelsey's dead. He didn't get wow. I need another shot.
Announcer:I just, oh my god. I it's one of those weeks, folks.
Scott:One of those weeks. Oh, and Andy, of course, is blaming it on DraftKings because he lost his survivor pick with the Chiefs.
Graham:I didn't even think about it. I'm not laughing at you, Andy. I'm just saying.
Scott:Oh, Kelsey just got lit up like a Christmas tree.
Announcer:He's gonna be lighting something else up tonight, I promise you that.
Graham:Uh back to Notre Dame. Look, I feel like finally the committee, college football, see, this is all a trans. They're in this transition where, like we were talking before, we're finally glad they got the playoffs. We're finally glad they extended it to 12 teams. They should extend it to 24. In football, we don't need more than 24. Just have it to the 24. If you don't make the top 24, I mean, look, the top the the college poll is the top 25, right? So just leave it at that number. No excuses after that. How do you say this? How do you reward a team that purposely does not play in a conference, only plays two good teams a year? Maybe three, four. How many cakewalk games? How many cakewalk games let's do it?
Scott:Two good teams a year. Two good teams a year. Okay. They don't play Michigan. Okay.
Graham:Who do they really play?
Scott:Who did Ohio State play? Who did Indiana play?
Graham:Well, that's but they're in the conference they rotate the teams in the conference.
Scott:They're in the Big Ten.
Graham:That has 30 teams in it. What do you want?
Scott:That's all 30. I thought it was more than that. My bad. Dude, Indiana, they beat Oregon. Okay. Ohio State beat Michigan. That's it, dude.
Graham:Well, wait, hold on a second.
Scott:I mean, it's uh I don't I mean Oh no.
Graham:I got you right here. I got you right here. I got you right here.
Scott:Ohio State beat Texas week one by seven. Okay, good job.
Graham:Congratulations. I went too far back. Hold on. Whoa. Come on. Go go guess your phone. What are we doing? I don't know.
Scott:You don't even have a clue.
Graham:No, I do have a clue. I'm just trying to make a point here. We eat ribs with this dude.
Scott:Shut up. I mean, Indiana, dude. They week one, they only beat Old Dominion by 13. Are you listening to me?
Graham:Yeah.
Scott:Old Dominion by 13. Yeah, I got you right here.
Graham:Notre Dame at Texas. Overtime. 4750. Alright. Their next game. At home against Nevada. Lost to Michig. Wait, why does it say 16? Where the where is this taking me? Oh my Google, you're killing me right now. Dude, I remember my first time using the internet. I I just piped this is ridiculous. Here we go. Oh, come on, Notre Dame. I don't give a shit about this. Uh okay, here we go. Purdue, terrible. Arkansas, terrible. Boise State, decent. But they still beat them 28-7. NC State, terrible. SoCal, decent team, 134-24. Boston College, terrible team. Navy, not good. Pitt, decent. Syracuse, terrible. Stanford, terrible. Who like? If you don't play in a conference and you don't play you have that type of record, it gets to a point where I was listening to a commentator. Look, if they're not going to be in a conference, they shouldn't make the playoffs if they lose more than one game.
Scott:If you lose two games by a combined total of four points, it's a two.
Graham:I get what you're saying. I'm not saying hold on.
Scott:Hold on. I understand. Okay. So who did Miami beat? Miami beat Notre Dame, week one. Bethune. Am I even pronouncing it correct? Okay. Maybe, maybe not. South Florida, week three. Florida Buffoon. Yeah, probably. They beat Florida State, you know. Okay. Well, Florida State beat Bama. They beat they lost to Louisville. They beat Stanford. They beat SMU. Syracuse. Oh, yeah. Syracuse. You were just talking shit about them. Uh NC State. Yeah. They fuck ass. Uh beat Virginia's Tech. Yeah. Beat them. Oh, and Pitt, you know? Number 22? Beat them. Oh. Whatever, dude. I mean, no matter what, tomato tomato, nobody's ever going to be happy. There's always going to be just like the basketball tournament for March Madness. You could open it up to 80 teams and people are still going to be bitter. We talked about this before the college.
Announcer:64 is enough.
Scott:We talked about this before college football playoffs were ever even started. And people are still going to be bitter. You know, if you go to the FCS format where there's 24 teams, eight teams get a buy, there's still going to be people pissed. Yeah. All right. Well then it's it's 2025 Graham.
Graham:Hey, I got a solution. If they're that pissed, all right, fine. We'll let 120 people in, right? That's fine. We'll start the we'll start the season sooner. But if the one verse is after how many buys that you you're gonna have to give X amount of buys, if those if the teams that are in between 80 to 100, if they get boat raced, then the next year it won't matter. Like I know it's all right.
Scott:Let's don't be like everybody else in the world right now, right? Let's just talk. Let's uh it is what it is, okay? Let's just talk about matchups, okay?
Graham:If there's a top 25 AP poll, there should be 24 teams. Or do the 25 and then have the number one seed be the bye, everyone else play. Like there's ways to do this. Look, for how many years did we have the only option was yeah, you have to be the number one versus the number two. So, I mean, we've progressed. We have. I'll give them that.
Scott:We have. But let's move on.
Graham:Yeah, let's move on.
Scott:I'm just gonna say this, and Buckeye and I were talking about it yesterday. Ohio State losing yesterday to Indiana literally gave Ohio State an easier path to the championship.
Graham:Yeah.
Scott:Okay, Ohio State's number two. Indiana's number one. Guess who Indiana gets to play, dude, in their first round game?
Graham:The winner of Bama and Oklahoma.
Scott:Uh Ohio State gets to play the winner of Miami and Texas AM. Georgia, Georgia gets to play the winner of Ole Miss and Tulane. Texas Tech gets to play the winner of Oregon and JMU.
Graham:Right? Yeah. That being said, I can't believe I'm saying this. How good does Indiana look, though? I'm just saying, like, yeah, they got a tougher schedule, but if this was an eye test and you haven't been watching football these last two years, you'd be like, wait, what? Indiana's doing what? I mean, dude, they took care of business.
Scott:And I I just I said it earlier. They impressed the masses last night.
Announcer:A hundred percent. The masses.
Graham:Like I mean, do I think they win it all? No. But uh am I rooting for them the whole way? A hundred percent.
Scott:You know what?
Graham:I think you're spot on with that.
Scott:I don't think they're gonna win it all. Am I gonna root for them? Absolutely. Until they play Texas Tech.
Graham:Shut the front door.
Scott:Dude, I'm telling you right now, place all your bets on Georgia.
Graham:Hold on a second. Didn't you uh 27 minutes ago say, folks, whatever I say, take the opposite?
Scott:Yeah. So that's why I'm saying place your bets on Georgia that way.
Graham:Texas Pick wins. Didn't you also say Georgia looks like the best team in the country? Did they not yesterday? I'm not saying they didn't. I'm just saying. Did they not? Hey, I'm just going off what you're saying here, bro. You know?
Scott:But I don't know, man. Anyhow, NFL week 14 action. Dude started Thursday, like we were talking about. Lions and Cowboys. Cowboys tricked everybody, and you know. Hey, they they played a good game and Lions beat them. But then let's just jump right out, dude.
Graham:Hold on a second. Do the do the Lions still win if C D doesn't go down in the second?
Scott:I'm gonna say no. Because C D was tortured him.
Graham:Bro, he had he was six or seven for 122 in this in the second quarter, and then he went down. And you know, let's actually talk a little bit more about this game. Because who have you been hyping about Dallas these last couple weeks? Not that I'm saying he doesn't deserve it, but Pickens. Pickens.
Scott:And what happened when Pickens went when CD went down? Oh, I can tell you firsthand because I had a bet on him. Uh I needed one reception for Pickens in the second half to win a parlay. And you'd think going in halftime, oh, one reception from Pickens in the second half. Oh sign sale delivered. Oh, your boy was stressing, like, why? Oh, you know, let's double team Pickens because CD's not in there.
Graham:It's not even that. There were two plays that he literally, I don't want to say gave up on, but just was like, yeah.
Scott:Yeah.
Graham:I don't care.
Scott:I heard the drama between him and Richard Sherman. I I'm not quite sure if I saw the play that they were doing.
Graham:It was the third down play. But he gave up on the play. It's like it and that's why Pittsburgh was just like, you know, I mean, that amongst other things, where it's just like you can't have a player that's all world, all I mean, not saying it all, I'm not calling it all program. I'm just saying, like, when you have an athlete that is a specimen among specimens, an A1 alpha that can make the catches, that can do everything, you're like, I'm loving life right now. But yet it's the same person that can literally change his emotions on the on the flip of a switch. You're just like, wait, what?
Scott:And like I said last week in the show, when he was with Pittsburgh, I forget who it was, they said when he came out of the huddle, they could tell if it was a pass or if it was a run by his body language.
Graham:Yeah. You can't do that in the NFL. Like, it doesn't matter how much talent you have.
Scott:Here's a quick question. Did Pickens ever play with Rothesberger?
Graham:No.
Scott:And I'm not being a dick.
Graham:I no, no, no, no, no. No.
Scott:I'm just saying, yeah. Uh so he never had solid quarterback.
Graham:Then you're just making my point even better. You leave a team that had unstable quarterback play. You go to Dak and the Cowboys who's slinging it all over the yard, and you're still gonna act up. Make it make sense. I I mean, they're just gonna do I mean he's gonna do uh look, it is what it is, and the worst part is the fact all the hype going into this week, aka Thursday for them, people are like, hey, there's a chance they could make the playoffs based on the rest of their schedule. Like they were they were looking good, but a lot of things had to happen in their favor, but based on their schedule, I mean they could have done something, but when CD went down, it was just like and the thing is Pickens is used to being the number one that shouldn't scare them. Like, my thing is when CD went down, it didn't bother me because Dallas has other options, which there was guys that stepped up, you were like, Who is that? I mean, I remember watching the game with it. You're like, Who's this Duvenay guy? Or whatever.
Scott:Like, can I get my boy Turban? One more recession. Who the hell is this guy? And and he was and he was catching balls when CD was still on the field.
Graham:Yeah.
Scott:Like, I've never even heard this dude's name.
Graham:Oh I yeah, it's just it I I mean, look, it's amazing how stories or should say it's amazing how NFL stories, Swifts, Swifts, shifts can change so quickly. And look, what used to be good yesterday and the week before ain't that good right now, and it just it is what it is. Just ask Herman.
Scott:Uh is it just uh the Colts? Yeah, oh, dude, I don't need to talk about that yet. Can we just go ahead and say one thing?
Graham:Yeah.
Scott:And if anybody votes against this, please tell me their name. Can we go ahead and give can we go ahead and give Ben Johnson coach of the year? Oh, it's not even against that. If anybody votes against that, you don't watch football.
Graham:No, if anyone votes against it, they need to have their voting card revoked. Yeah. I'm not I it's not like it should be unanimous, but I mean Okay, okay, I agree.
Scott:It shouldn't be unanimous.
Graham:Oh, I'm sorry. Was Derek Jeter not unanimous?
Scott:Did I just I mean you could put you could put the Jaguars coach Liam out there? He's done a job.
Graham:Uh uh those are the two choices. It's between them two.
Scott:But I don't know. Let's jump into your game real quick. We're 40 minutes into the show. You waved the white flag last week, and you know, you didn't have a lot of positive thoughts going into the Ravens game, and it's so funny. Before you even start, yesterday we had a little tournament at the club, and one of my junior lessons is a huge Ravens fan. And I was like, How do you feel going in tomorrow? He's like, I don't know, dude. He goes, This sucks. He goes, all my all my group threads with my Steelers friends and me. It's just like everybody's down in the dumps and feeling sorry for each other. And then one of our members, who's a huge Ravens fan, says the exact same thing. He goes, I don't know what to think. I don't know what to it's like the battle of the losers. You know, the beginning of the season, the Ravens defense couldn't stop a nose run. Now their offense can't do shit. I mean it was a good game. You know, uh you guys finally put up some points. Everybody's praising Aaron Rodgers for his yardage that he had today. Well, did you not see the little dump off past to Warren that got him 50 extra yards?
Graham:Yeah. That's that saved my fantasy team, but didn't? Yeah.
Scott:Hey, hey, what are you? You're in first place in the AFC North. You're the four seed as of right now. What are you what's your record? Seven and six. Yeah. Four games left. Another one against the Ravens. You got the Big. You got the Bengals, right?
Announcer:No, we're done with them.
Scott:Are you?
Announcer:Okay.
Scott:Yeah. But who knows, dude? I think the I think the Bills did the AFC North a favor today by coming back and beating the Bengals.
Graham:Well, I mean, yeah, the Bengals had to win out. I mean, it's just look, I I knew you were I knew you were gonna come at me with this, and I'm just gonna say this. The number one killer in life is hope. Yeah. Jesus. Am I wrong? No, but you just caught me off guard. Um I mean, y'all got the Dolphins next week.
Scott:You got the Lions, Browns, Ravens.
Graham:Two and two. Finish nine and eight.
Scott:Eh. I was gonna say three and one.
Graham:Well, I well, I mean, it could happen, yeah, for sure.
Scott:But if you're the Dolphins have won four in a row.
Graham:Dude, I tell you one thing. If the if the Dolphins come into Pittsburgh and win on Monday night, Tomlin should be fired. Not that week. I'm saying at the end of the season. I'm just saying the amount of times that the shitty Dolphins in the last 20 years, but especially yeah, in the last 20 years, that somehow come to Pittsburgh and win on the most bullshit of bullshit games. Like it's you you've heard that saying, well, what happened was that's what those games are. Well, what happened was no, and look, this game this week, I know what I said last week, and also what I just said now. The number one killer of life is hope. And I mean, you know where I'm going with this. Look, I watched this game, and there's a part of me that says, Where the bleep was that all season? Right? But also the amount of injuries that we've had, especially on the defense, even the offense. I'm not gonna lie, there was a couple things, too in particular, that when you watched it, you're just like, oh, that makes sense. No wonder Pittsburgh should have done this, but they didn't. And it's gonna sound crazy, even though they didn't play a lot of plays, but them calling up MVS, which by the way, I didn't realize that dude was like 6'3, and them also trading, or not trading, picking up off the the waiver wire, getting Thielen. Thank you. I'm like picturing this dude's face and the name just left. Uh, and getting Thielen, who only I he only played a handful of snaps, but he didn't make a catch. Gee, I don't know offense. If you have a threat on the other side, that opened up DK. This game was DK's best game of the season. Like, he had close to over a hundred yards before halftime. Him him, our quote unquote best player on offense has been has been getting double covered, coverage over the top, and just getting bombarded. When you have something on the other side that opens it up, you're just like, oh, hey, our offense looked like, oh, we could do something. And when you get the hope, you're just like, well, then what happened the last couple of weeks? What's gonna happen? I I mean, there are points where I'm not gonna lie, I'm watching the game and I'm just like, Graham, don't get your hope up. Yeah, we could still beat the Bengals, I mean, beat the Bengals, we could still beat the Ravens, but that's not helping us in the playoffs. But there also, there was a few series that I'm just like, hey man, defense looks good, even with X amount of players out. Uh offense is looking pretty good. Something could happen.
Scott:So I as we're sitting here talking about this, Andy sends a text today when y'all won. And he goes, Remember last episode when Graham waved the white flag two shows in a row? And I was like, Yeah. I'm like, he still will be.
Graham:Oh, I am.
Scott:And he goes, hi, my name's Graham, and I like draft picks. And and I was gonna respond, and I didn't, and I was gonna say, my name's Graham, and I'm a realist.
Graham:With the injuries that we have on our back end, who are we beating in the playoffs?
Scott:This is not You're gonna be the four seed if you get in.
Graham:No, but that's but but yes, but here's my point. This is not 2005 when Pittsburgh got in as a six seed and went to Cincinnati, upset them, went to the Colts, upset them, went to Denver in the YfC Championship and upset them, and then beat Seattle and in you know in the in the Super Bowl. This is not that team. Like look, as a fan, when you're watching a game from start to finish, you need to have some parts of it where just like good things happen to give you hope. Otherwise, what's the point of watching a game?
Scott:Yeah, I agree.
Graham:Like that's why, hey, when people talk about who are the most loyal fans in the league, you gotta give the Browns credit. Like, how can you be a fan of an organization when you know you're watching a team that's going to lose?
Scott:Hey, I give Browns fans credit, and I've always all the time given Raiders fans credit.
Graham:That's what I'm saying. Like, it and you know, we joke around, like, oh, you know, they're delusional and blah blah blah, but where it's just like, look, the only way that you can watch your team when you know they're gonna lose, you kind of have to be a little delusional. I mean, like, let's be real either that or you gotta pick a new team.
Scott:But I mean that ain't happening.
Graham:Yeah, you're not gonna be the bandwagon. So it's just like I'm happy that we won because we beat the Ravens and what that rivalry means to the team. Of course, right? I'm happy that Rogers looked like a competent quarterback. I'm happy that DK looked like who the person we spent that money for and traded for.
Scott:Are you happy the NFL blew the touchdown that likely caught?
Graham:Here's the thing. Thank you for bringing that up. We should not have won that game. So that being said, was it a touchdown?
Scott:Was it not a touchdown? Tomato tomato. That's a touchdown. Tomato tomato.
Graham:How was that not a touchdown? To the eye test, that's a touchdown. Like, why does it seem like every year what's considered a touchdown changes?
Scott:It's ridiculous.
Graham:I thought, especially in the end zone, if you catch it and you make two steps, you're good.
Scott:Especially when he had the ball out, you know, he was taking the ball away. Extended, so the defender could not slot at it.
Graham:But look, whatever there was other plays in that game that Baltimore missed. So I mean, I I'm not crying over spilled milk.
Scott:We said we said it earlier before we even got on. Baltimore fans cannot be upset and say that's the play that lost in the game. Right. You had other ones.
Graham:That it is what it is. So it's like it's like I'm happy.
Scott:Zay Flowers, remember how to catch a ball?
Graham:Bateman, when they were in the red zone, missed that one. I just so many plays. So I just like it's a it's a love hate. I'm happy we beat the Ravens, but depending on how the schedule goes, if we're tied going into the last game, you know I'm gonna want to beat the Ravens at home. But then I also know that we'll get boat raced in the playoffs. And if we lose that I the thing it really comes down to how many okay, not boat raced. If we do or don't make the playoffs based on what the regular schedule is, our draft pick, which is this is why I've been wave waving the white white flag, right? Our draft pick is really only gonna change three spots. Two tops. If we make the playoffs, we'll be 24th. Or no, 22nd, what whatever the math is. Yeah. If we miss the playoffs, we'll be 19th. Like, what's what's the difference? So I'm it's just it is what it is. I just like I hate being that guy. Like, I I'm not rooting against the team, I'm just a realist. And look, after what happened last week, if you're a diehard fan, how do you not wave the white flag? There were fire Tomlin chants.
Scott:Did you see I mean they were booing renegade?
Graham:I know you were watching it on red zone, but you didn't see at the end of the game when the everyone's you know rushing the field, Tomlin looks at the cameraman and blows a kiss.
Scott:Good for him.
Graham:You know what I mean?
Scott:It's just like it was a tough week, it was a tough week for Tomlin. Tough week. Yes, yeah, but but here's the thing came out yesterday and it said they weren't gonna fire him.
Graham:I didn't hear that. Look at that.
Scott:They said he has they have to make their option in March. They're not firing him. You know, we've talked about this enough, and we're not gonna keep beating this dead horse.
Graham:They're not gonna fire Tom and the investors say otherwise. Uh that's all I'm gonna say. They're not firing.
Scott:All right.
Graham:Jag's Colts, dude. Danny dimes sucks, bro.
Scott:Sucks for Colts fans.
Graham:Would he be considered sorry to cut you off. No, if he didn't get hurt, is he considered comeback player of the year? If he continues on.
Scott:How is he not? Right? How is he not? I I mean, it just sucks.
Graham:You know who's comeback player of the year now?
Scott:He still might be.
Graham:Yeah, right?
Scott:He still might be.
Graham:Right?
Scott:I mean, you know, we're not gonna spend a lot of time on it, but Washington, Minnesota. Uh Daniels gets hurt again, same elbow.
Graham:But why did he play? No, seriously, they've won only three games. Why is he playing? They're not like it makes no sense to me. They have no shot at the division, they have no shot at the playoffs. Why risk playing him?
Scott:And he gets hurt after throwing a pick.
Graham:That's my point. Like that make it make sense. There's literally no reason.
Scott:Speaking of make it make sense, okay. This is gonna tie the Washington team in. The Broncos haven't lost a game since getting beat by the Chargers in week three at SoFi. Washington hasn't won a game since beating the Chargers in week five at SoFi. But the worst part about the Washington Minnesota game is Zach Hurts. Yeah, that is crushed all crush for the guy. The guy's been in the league forever. He's been an amazing person. You could see how much he means to his teammates and coaches after the injury when they're all bawling their eyes out.
Graham:Oh yeah. I mean, is it career ending? Probably. Probably. I hope not, but dude, he was I'm not saying he's playing on borrowed time, but for his age and that age in in in the NFL, right? I mean, there's only a handful of players that play in the league that are older than him at impact positions, right?
Scott:Dude, I'm almost I'm almost positive that him and Kelsey came out the same time, same year.
Announcer:Possibly. I'm almost positive.
Graham:Dude, he uh I mean not saying he's a face face of the franchise, but like what that do I mean what he did for them last year single-handedly, like yeah, he was Jaden Daniel's best friend, yeah.
Scott:But I mean I want to know the Bills, the Bills. What were you gonna say? You want to know what? Yeah. Did you talk to Audrey today? You texted? I did not. Well, we texted about Tampa and Survivor. Yeah, but feel bad for you, Boo. Sorry. Yeah, Bills, Bangles, dude.
Graham:Is that the game of the week?
Scott:Dude. The bangles are just come out straight lay in the wood. TP texts me, Bills are frauds. You know, they look terrible. Joey Bosa, you know, I don't want anybody to get hurt, but he's finally missed a game with an injury. The Bills fans are finally feeling what Tarter's fans felt forever. But dude, the crazy thing is, you know, with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Bengals are up ten. With seven minutes and thirty seconds left, the Bengals are up three. With five minutes and twenty five seconds left, uh, the bills are up four. Uh with three minutes left, the bills are up eleven.
Graham:You know what?
Scott:You want to talk about a perfect time to save Buffalo.
Graham:Oh, a hundred percent. But this is also a perfect time to throw shade to someone. And folks, what happened at the end of that game was the MVP quarterback of the league, not I'm a glorified tight end, came in and said, Hey, let me put you on the on my back and win this league.
Scott:Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Did Josh Allen have a pick six? Oh, I'm sorry. Did Josh Allen have the very next pass? Did he intercept that? No, he didn't.
Graham:Did he did he run 45 yards for a touchdown in the busted coverage to take the lead?
Scott:He did. He did. No, that wasn't to take the lead. That was to come back. Oh, sorry. If I could run 45 yards, I could have scored a touchdown on that play. Okay. Let's don't let's don't forget. Okay.
Graham:He's the MVP of the league. Is he not? Not this year. I'm just saying he is the returning MVP of the league, and this game proved it. That's all I'm saying.
Scott:This game didn't prove shit.
Graham:What? What the plays that he made? Dude, the the the touchdown to Shakir? Shakure. That was a laser. That was a laser.
Scott:Dude, that was I still don't understand how that ball fit through that little tiny gap. Like I'm not. But but dude, let's don't let's don't forget Burrow pick six, the very next pass interception. Like, come on now. I mean, let's also don't forget James Cook. James Cook. Hey, you might not want to put the ball in the round. Yeah, especially going into the end zone. Yeah. Because the first one they got lucky and it wasn't called a touchback.
Announcer:But that second one.
Scott:It was a touchback. It's funny, my buddy, my buddy that's a huge Bills fan, he texted me, he goes, dude, it's crazy. We have this many games meaning so much this early in the season.
Graham:I'm like, well this early.
Scott:Yeah, I was like, Well, you're probably not used to it as a Bills fan. You're always way out in front in your division. He was like, Yeah, good point.
Graham:But yeah, the the last four years, I mean, let's yeah, I mean I I'll say this. There's been a couple episodes back to back that we said, hey, their window is closing. Alan makes that window not closed. I'm not saying they're gonna win it. I'm just saying he gives them a chance. Well, he doesn't hurt it, obviously. Well, thank you, Captain Obvious. I'm just saying, like I mean he put the team on his back. And when's Kincaid coming back? Is he out for the season or something? What the hell?
Scott:He played today. Thanks for the understats.
Graham:Uh I'm watching my team, bro. I'm I got you know, I got uh red zone on. I didn't see him.
Scott:Dude, let's see something real quick.
Graham:I'm just uh look.
Scott:Oh yeah, they oh yeah Josh Allen, player of the game today. Player of the game. Okay.
Graham:When it matters the team on the when it when it matters, right?
Scott:He was don't matter, it's when it matters. 15 for 23 had a grand total of 123 yards, one tutty and one interception. And then, you know, Josh Allen, player of the game, had 38 rushing yards and one tutty. But let's go, let's go to the defense, okay? Let's go to the defense. Let's don't talk about the defense, okay? I mean, Jiminy Crickets. I mean, they only had one sack, but I mean, dude, I don't even want to.
Graham:Dude, I tell you one thing. If Josh Allen was on the Chargers, they would be they'd be what?
Scott:They'd be what? Undefeated. Jimmy Crickets, dude. I don't even know who you are anymore. Uh Packers, Packers, Bears, dude. Packers, Bears. Wow. What a game. Slug fest. Right?
Graham:I mean it didn't start off great for the Bears.
Scott:No, it didn't. But 0 0 after the first quarter. Jordan Love looked pretty good. You're like, oh man, is this gonna be the game that the Bears get beat the shit out of? No. It wasn't.
Graham:To quote my best friend, Caleb, I paint my fingernails, came out and did work. Dude. Like he had throws, and those escape runs that he had. Look, they could have won that game.
Scott:Dude, if he throws it at the end, if he throws it to fucking number two, what's his name?
Graham:DJ Moore.
Scott:DJ Moore.
Graham:Yeah. Yeah. It's a couple of things. I think he also could have ran. I think he could have ran at least for the first down, too. Yeah.
Scott:I mean, hey, I'll tell you this right now. And TP said it as soon as the game was over. And I love TP's little quotes, except for the one that made me waste money on the Bengals when in the division was five. I mean, I liked it. I was feeling the hype, you know. Sorry, TP. It is what it is. But I can tell you this right now. I can tell you this right now. And I think I agree with TP. I'm trying to find it.
Graham:Alright, let's hear it.
Scott:TP says. I'm going back. There we go. I guarantee if the Packers play the Bears in the playoffs, the Bears will win.
Graham:That is spicy. And you know what? I love it. I love it. Love it. You know what, TP? You might have to make a second appearance on the podcast with put with quotes like that.
Scott:I'm just gonna say right now, it's kind of like the Knicks in the NBA. When the Knicks are playing well, it's great for the NBA.
Graham:Oh, 100%.
Scott:When the Bears are playing good in the NFL, yeah.
Graham:It's good for the NFL.
Scott:Yeah. And hey, I three, four weeks ago, I said it on the podcast. I was a big Caleb Williams hater. I'm not anymore. Okay. The guy's made some plays this year. He's made he's made some throws.
Graham:Bro. The Bears are the Bears this year are last year's Minnesota Vikings. Oh no, dude. They're better than that.
Scott:Let's don't compare them to a Minnesota team.
Graham:I'm sorry. How many games did they lose last year? Hold on. I'm listening. How many?
Scott:The Vikings? Yeah. Uh three, right? Yeah. They got boat raced in week 18 by the Lions when it counted. And then they got boat raced in Arizona by the Rams because the Rams couldn't host a playoff game.
Graham:Because of the fires in LA.
Scott:Yeah, I'm not saying anything negative about it. I'm just saying. Hey, real quick. We're a long ways into this episode. We gotta talk about it. Dude. My squad tomorrow night. My squad tomorrow night. Monday night football. I don't have a lot of hope.
Graham:I tell you one thing. The only good news about the Patriots slap myself. The only good thing about the Chiefs losing today is now tomorrow's not going to be awkward because the last leg of my bet was the Eagles minus two and a half.
Scott:Well, you know what? I'm glad you lost.
Graham:I'm just I and the only reason I'm saying that is just because it has nothing to do with the Chargers. I like it. Hey, I said it last week. I said it's a good thing. Does this not have to be a bounce back game for Philly, though?
Scott:If Philadelphia wasn't coming off two losses.
Graham:That's my point. That's the only reason why I took them. It's not because of the Chargers. That's the reason.
Scott:But how confident in the Eagles are you?
Graham:That's what makes no sense to me. Is it not that almost the same team as last year?
Scott:Yeah, but remember, think about this. The Eagles win the Super Bowl, right, against the Patriots.
Graham:Yeah.
Scott:Okay.
Graham:Wait, what wait, hold on a second.
Scott:The Eagles win the Super Bowl. The Eagles win the Super Bowl against the Patriots five years ago. Oh who left the first year? I thought you said last year. I was like, oh, yeah. And who leaved? Their offensive coordinator, who's now what? The head coach of the Colts.
Graham:Yes.
Scott:And their D coordinator, who went to the Cardinals. And then, guess what happens? They have a shitty year. They started off 9-0. Got boat raced by Tampa in the playoffs. Then what happens? They hire Vic Fangio, they get Kellen Moore. What happens? Win the Super Bowl last year against the Chiefs. Kellen Moore exits, goes to the Saints. Fangio is still there.
Graham:Uh I'm not trying to change topics here, but on a side note, I'm watching Red Zone. I don't know what Kellen Moore is doing down in New Orleans, but that dude puffed up. Like he's eating that seat. He's eating something. Like it looked like he gained 20 pounds. When I looked at him, I was like, bro, are you are you alright? Like he just looked puffy. I know that means absolutely nothing in this whole podcast, but I just it just caught me off guard. I'm looking at him like, yo, did you gain 20? Like, what are you doing down there? Like, sorry. I just like I just noticed it. I'm like, you alright, bro? I look between the injuries, you know, for for the Eagles, uh, obviously the injuries with the Chargers and their tackles. Look, is playing in prime time, like what with what they did to the Steelers, is that Charger team showing up?
Scott:Or I just hey Chargers are 4-0 in prime time this year.
Graham:I know that's what I'm saying.
Scott:Is we finally have and and I said it last week. Saylor. When Slater went down Herbish rookie year, who filled in at left tackle? Samari Saylor. We finally put him at left tackle last week, and he dominated. We don't have to play against who for the Eagles. That's out this week. Jordan Davis. Jalen Carter.
Announcer:Or sorry, yeah, Jalen Carter.
Scott:Yeah. And we don't have, and Wats is not sitting playing either on their offensive line. Lane, is it Lane Johnson? Lane Johnson. Right tackle. And I said it last week. I'm not really worried about our defense because our defense has been solid. I'm worried about our offense. And and Herbie's injury. But he's gonna play. How much is he gonna play? I don't know. The thing I will tell you right now is he's not gonna be running the ball.
Announcer:No.
Scott:But if and if you look at his if you look at his rushing prop bets, take thunder. But like I said earlier in the show, whatever I say, go opposite.
Graham:You know what I'm rooting for. I need oh Hampton to give me over a buck fifty all-purpose and two tutties.
Scott:And like I was getting ready to say, Hampton's back, Fidel, the one-two punch with those two. You know, I I I don't know. I it's gonna be, and I was talking to Kristen about it earlier. I think we only hosted the Eagles one time at Qualcomm when I was a season ticket holder.
Graham:That's not a usual game.
Scott:Just because of the way the NFL schedule is. Yeah, and and I'll play them once every four years. And I will say this that was probably the most opposing fans I've ever seen. More than as famous. I'll tell you right now, SoFi is going to be green to hundred percent. I've already seen things on Chargers, Instagram, and Facebook, you know, shit. Oh, thousand Eagle fans down here at the Santa Monica Pier. Uh it's gonna be green, dude. It's gonna be green.
Graham:How about our close friend of the program, Jeff? He's hosting the Eagles team at his restaurant tonight.
Scott:You know what I told him?
Graham:Yeah.
Scott:Jeff, uh, your boy would be much appreciated for a little food poisoning for the Eagles. But hey, you know, it is what it is. It's Monday night game. Uh I just don't want Herbert to get hurt. You know, the left the left hand break. And to be honest with you, dude, a lot of things I've been reading this week and in press conferences, Trey Lance has been taking a lot of first team reps, obviously. Under under center goal line. I'm not hating against Trey Lance.
Graham:No, I mean, dude, he looked good. Granted, it was preseason. There's times where he looks good. I okay, I just have this one question for you. We've may have talked about this in the past, or if we did, it was off air. How I feel about my team. Is there any correlation with you? And based on you know, not having your book in tackles as a Chargers fan, and I'm low-key, you know, Chargers second team. Is there joy in the fact of okay, if we do make the wild card, but how far are we gonna progress in the playoffs? Is that like a matter to you in the sense of how that affects the draft pick? Because it almost feels like not saying that the Chargers can't win on the road, I'm just saying it comes back to the do you want the win? Do you I mean I know you I know I know you don't tell you straight a hundred percent the way I feel. Yeah.
Scott:The AFC is wide open.
Graham:Yeah.
Scott:And the way our defense is I think we can play with people.
Graham:I agree.
Scott:I the Patriots. Shitty schedule. Am I saying they're bad? Absolutely not. They're awesome. The Broncos.
Graham:The top two teams in the AFC don't like, do they really scare anyone? You know, Denver that's barely winning games. You know, the Patriots that are haven't played anyone. I mean, they lost to us.
Scott:Yeah, they lost to the Raiders. Yeah, I just I I mean, the funny thing was when I'm watching the Broncos and Raiders tonight, they're saying, hey, the Broncos now own the tiebreaker over the Patriots because of the Raiders lost.
Announcer:AFC conference. Yeah.
Scott:I I mean I don't know. Am I saying we're gonna go on a run? No. Am I saying we're gonna get one and done? Maybe if we play a team from the goddamn AFC South.
Graham:Because we know but uh you're gonna have to go, you're gonna have to go back to Jacksonville.
Scott:Dude, that would be awful. If we if we get the five seed, we would go to you guys. Oh, please tell us.
Graham:Or Baltimore. I just would just be a lose-lose for us.
Scott:I mean, I know we've got a lot of cap space next year, and Joe Ortiz is done well in the draft.
Graham:No, a hundred percent. Like, there's complete confidence for me for the chargers in the future. It's just it's just the conversation that I'm bringing up with how things are now, knowing what the future is gonna be. That's all I'm saying.
Scott:I mean, coming off the the Colts when they boat raced us, and then the Jaguars boat race us, it was like, how much confidence can I have in this team? Especially we beat you guys on Sunday night football, and the Chargers are on the top of the world, and go to Jacksonville, and they run for how many god dang rushing yards? 200 plus? Yeah.
Graham:Uh uh, I don't know, dude.
Scott:I don't know.
Graham:I guess my my um one of my last points is this. Because I was just thinking about it, and I'm like, yeah, but what we said about the Colts four weeks ago, five weeks ago, we were saying they were the best team in the league. And my point in just thinking about that and saying that is this This is not the same old NFL anymore. It almost feels like every week or every other week, the best team in the league changes.
Scott:Dude, we were crowning we were crowning the Rams. They lose to the Panthers last week.
Graham:We were crowning the the Packers after two weeks. They lose to the Browns and the Panthers. Yeah.
Scott:The only team that I keep saying, and I really believe in that I really think is the best team of the NFL, Jeff, you're welcome to Seattle.
Graham:Yeah. Dude, I mean Yeah. And the thing is, when they played the Rams in LA, Darnold threw through Darnold threw. Wow. Darnold, can I say through? Wow. He tossed four interceptions and they still had a chance in that game. Up in Seattle. I I just hey, these next couple weeks are gonna be juicy.
Scott:Like they always are, but I'm just saying West is Dude.
Graham:There's still a chance the AFC which the AFC West, which I did say however many weeks ago, the AFC West could get four team three teams. It's not gonna happen anymore, obviously, with what happened tonight and the Chiefs. Thank you very much, assholes. But it could definitely be, you know, you guys and the Broncos for sure. So I mean, we'll we'll see what happened. Yeah. AFC South is gonna get two teams. Could you imagine the Texans and then also duo? Dude, I mean a smile on your face right now, if people could see it right now.
Scott:Just because of our playoff predictions and division winner episode. Just the fact I picked the Jags and the Patriots, and you called me an idiot. It was awesome. I that's better, that's better than any money won on a futures bet. Okay, I mean, and you said something too about the Colts. I'm not gonna, you know, hate on it, but DuVon.
Graham:Hey, I'm sorry. Did no one, no one saw the Colts doing what they were doing up until them losing Danny Dimes. No.
Scott:What are they gonna do now? And Anthony Richardson, dude, wasn't even their backup.
Graham:He's still on the IR for the uh the injury with the oxidal bone in his face.
Scott:Yeah from his stupid warm-ups before the game. I mean, come on, guys. I mean, come on, dude. I mean you want to cut that guy didn't have if he didn't have bad luck, that motherfucker had no luck. I mean, good God. I mean, wow. All I'm gonna say is wow, wow, and wow. Um 118 right now. I know, and you know what? It's weird, it's been an hour and 18 minutes, and I haven't brought her up. Melissa Stark, even though it's cold tonight in Kansas City, you were still looking good. You're welcome.
Graham:I mean just saying every week, you got me?
Scott:Dude, how am I not gonna bring her up?
Graham:It's uh I'm just saying, you you just it's not that you shouldn't bring her up. I'm just saying you just catch me like so off the bottom.
Scott:The worst the worst part, the worst part of this is the worst part of this is she should be following us.
Graham:I mean, are we not her biggest fans?
Scott:We we we ain't in France, mother.
Graham:I'm sorry, you I mean who has who has two thumbs that says this guy?
Scott:I mean, goodness gracious, but I don't know, man. Uh Graham, it's been fun. Uh I'm sorry we've lost a lot of bets this weekend. And I don't want to talk about it. I don't either. I don't either, but you know, it's what it is.
Graham:I tell I'll just say this. I've learned something for next season. The only thing that I've been profitable in is the NFL. If I talk about betting college next year, slap me in the face. Well, like, seriously.
Scott:Whoa. Like I have lost every college bet. Well, that's because you're betting championship games, and why the regular season.
Graham:I'm not taking part like I'm not I've done individual games.
Scott:You know the you know the one sport to bet on to make money, right? Yeah, baseball.
Announcer:The game you hate. I fucking hate it. But guess what?
Scott:That's where dudes make cash. Yeah, well.
Graham:Folks, yeah. Maybe I might be watching baseball next year. Maybe. Dude, did I just see on a side note, did the Dodgers sign Bellinger back again? Did I see that correctly? I have no idea. I think they did. And they signed Miguel, the savior of the team, Rojas, to another one year deal. No idea. They did. Anyway, Scott. I mean, it's a pleasure. I just, you know, I'm just thinking back on this episode and I'm like, what did we really talk about? I just, I don't know. But it was fun. I had a blast. I had a blast. And you know, as the best homie always says, Boo-bye!
Scott:Good night, friends. Let's go, Red Raiders. Texas Tech. Let's get that shit done. Make your boy some more cash. And on another note, good night, big red. I hope you don't get too many ribs in that mustache of yours as you're eliminated from winning the AFC West. And maybe you should eat a salad or two. Bubba!
Announcer:This episode of the Ball Guys on the Bench Podcast is brought to you by our friends at North Star Credit Union in Southern Auto, located in Southeast Virginia.
