Santiago Leon and Jeff Fawver preview Week 16 of the NFL. Are the Baltimore Ravens the best team in the AFC? Can the Patriots finish strong with no all-star receivers?
Santiago Leon
To sports cast November 19. If you haven’t yet few subscribing, all our channels Periscope, iTunes Facebook and if you’re an iTunes Apple podcast, please leave a rating and review will help us out tremendously. Apple podcast is the number one podcast directory in the country and in the world. So if you leave a rating and review that’d be amazing because that will push this up. And that hopefully will be some ESPN podcast. And also business on the sports cast net for the latest and greatest when it comes to sports news like going on college recruiting, but also like things going on with the NFL. This episode is brought to you by Insta Bible download the app for iOS and share it to the world. NFL is coming to close got two more weekends left. A lot of things are organizing the seating is not yet set for the NFC AFC looks pretty clear or than NFC but to flush things out we got Jeff far. Welcome back to the sports cast.
Jeff Fawver
Man appreciate you have
Santiago Leon
Yeah, exciting couple weeks. Let’s start with the AFC are the Ravens going to win the AFC? Like we say that’s pretty clear right now.
Jeff Fawver
I think the lock up the number one seed you know the Ravens are playing awesome. They’ve been the hottest team in football for what feels like seven or eight weeks now to go through the stretch that they did not lose a game is pretty incredible. They played multiple playoff teams and they beat the niners, they beat the Patriots, they beat the Texans. They just they went through a really tough stretch and they didn’t have a single hiccup. And now these last two games are not give me so now they’re playing the browns and I get it the brown look like a mess right now. But the Browns did beat them early in the year. So I know things were a lot different than you know the Ravens didn’t have Marcus Peters and they were beat up in the secondary but the Losing games can always be funny. And then they finish the game against the Steelers in Baltimore. So I don’t think it’s necessarily a foregone conclusion. But if you had the, to bet on it, it definitely looks as though the Ravens will end up with that one seed. And they’ve earned it. I mean, there’s no doubt about that. You look at the schedule, they play it. They’ve earned it.
Santiago Leon
Yeah, definitely. The Ravens have really, really excited everyone this year. Lamar Jackson is in talks with the MVP. Do you think we’ll get it?
Jeff Fawver
Absolutely. So if you look at the look at the definition of the MVP, it’s the most valuable player. So it’s not necessarily not his stats are great, but it’s not necessarily just about stats. You know, I think sometimes the MVP turns into a stat competition. But you know, the MVP, Most Valuable Player. If you look at the Ravens, if you took Lamar Jackson away from the Ravens, you know, any team that was, yeah, any team that loses their quarterback that’s a big deal, but the Ravens specifically Can’t imagine them
Santiago Leon
takeover
Jeff Fawver
No, no I mean orgy three comes in during blow out those fine, but he’s not going to win your playoff game. So I think I think what more is armed Lamar has had a tremendous year. He’s grown a little bit as a passer, I still believe that he’s going to have to grow more as a passer to have longevity because he still runs the ball a lot. And we’ve seen it over again. He’s, he’s explosive, and you can’t you don’t want to neuter them. You don’t want him to completely stop running. But at some point, he’s going he’s going to have to continue to trend towards more passing and less running.
Santiago Leon
There is talks about Russell Wilson being the MVP is he is he the second on your list.
Jeff Fawver
I wouldn’t even have a problem with saying the Russell Wilson could win it as well. He The thing about Russell was Going into this year a lot of people thought this was a rebuilding year for the Seahawks. They have a lot of roster a lot of roster turnover from last year to this year. The defense although it ended up being better than what I think a lot of us thought it would be, isn’t a typical Seattle Seahawks defense. But man Ross Ross just holds it all together. He makes everybody around them better. So I think you could make a case for Lamar or for Russell Wilson either guy would be very deserving. I would say I think Lamar does have to win it though just because he’s been so dominant and he’s so important to that team but man Russell Wilson’s been awesome he’s been absolutely great any when you look at the receivers he throwing to me, Tyler Lockett is really good. But then when you look at everybody past and it’s a lot of youth, and they lost their tight end for the season has good player. They’re all offensive line I think is better but not great. So he’s really made everyone around them better.
Santiago Leon
Thanks to the AFC obviously the Patriots are the second team in the AFC right now. They have a huge loss. Well, I’m not saying huge loss, but they lost against the Kansas City Chiefs. Obviously you as a chief saying we’re pretty happy, but it would this spell trouble for the Patriots if they face the Chiefs in the playoffs.
Jeff Fawver
matchup was if you watch that game when they played each other now keep in mind no two games are exactly the same thing things could end up different. But what I found was the Patriots were desperate on offense. When you look at how they scored, they they had one touchdown that they scored. Actually, they got a field goal after the blocked punt, or no, no, they did score a touchdown. So they needed a block punt to get a touchdown. And the first start of the game they scored a touchdown, but it was third and 10 and they got a bogus pass interference called bail them out. And then it got the third and 10 again They got another pass interference. Now that one was legitimate the Chiefs defensive back tackle the guy. So that was legitimate. And then they needed trick play to score. So when you see your team play that way, what that tells me is they don’t trust their offense. They don’t they don’t even think that their offense can move the ball. That that’s a long term problem that they have. The Patriots offense just is it’s just lacking talent. You know, you lose gronkowski, Edelman’s a year older you had Josh Gordon and Tonio brown early in the year but neither one of those worked out. So when you really look at it, who’s the second best receiver on that team other than Edelman, I mean, it might be some new and he hasn’t been great either. So just matchup wise if the Patriots and his play each other again. I think the Chiefs matchup wise would be in a pretty good position, but at the same time, winning, winning key games at the same Susan I ask that it is a lot to ask to me that this bills patriots game this Saturday is gigantic. If the bills do win, and the Chiefs win their last two games, then the Chiefs would have the two seats instead of the Patriots. Now, although there seems to be a lot of enthusiasm about the bills, and rightfully so the bills are having a really nice year. I’m still having a really hard time expecting the bills to go into New England and we’re not saying it can’t happen. It certainly can and the bills played the Patriots really tough the first time around until Josh Allen got hurt. And that was another game that the Patriots use the blocked upon to score a touchdown. So I’m not I’m not saying like oh, you know, the Patriots are going to walk all over them or anything like that. But I it’s it’s hard for me to see the bills winning in New England.
Santiago Leon
Looking at the Chiefs obviously they did not have mahomes for a couple games, but there by the way. To maintain 10 and four, how do you look at the Chiefs team this season so far? And and can they go deep in the playoffs?
Jeff Fawver
As a team, they’re probably better than last year, but they’re not as fun. So they don’t get as much attention. The old fence definitely is not as good as last year. You know, you can look at 100 different reasons why they all said, I think the two biggest things that I’ve seen on watches, the interior offensive line is not as good as last year, and the running back position is not even close to last year. Those are the two positions that are going to have to find a way to play better if they want to make a deep run. The interior offensive line seems to get worse. I mean, I hate to say it, but just about every single week issues with the interior offensive line and the running back position just doesn’t say anything cool and
Santiago Leon
no one’s here,
Jeff Fawver
right? Yeah, I mean, he can still do some things. He still makes guys miss one on one, but he doesn’t have Speed they’d like to break away once he makes that governments don’t want Thompson’s a rookie and he has all those physical tools that you want strong is quickies is great balance. So you always wait for Darwin Thompson to make that big play, but it just doesn’t seem as though he’s quite there yet. I thought Darryl Williams was maybe their most balanced guy, but now he’s out for the year with that hamstring injury. That doesn’t help them. So the offense can still move the ball but when it comes to the playoffs, what’s going to determine whether the Chiefs get where they want to go, they have to find a way to finish drives in the red zone. And you know, they played in like they played a really good game against the Broncos they control that game, very start to the very end. You never felt as though the Broncos had a chance to win that game. At the same time. They did not make the most of the red zone opportunities and against the better team that that could definitely hurt you. The the defense is world’s better than This year than it was last year and I don’t care what analytic you look at what statistic you look at anything that you can measure their better this year than last year and losing oka for hurts picking up cell girl folks, minimises that some, and I like so. I think that I think they had to do that. So we’ll just we’ll just have to see how he played this with the chief so because before before is not a household name that a lot of people pay attention to but he was playing well, when he was healthy.
Santiago Leon
Kelsey, has he taken over that gronkowski role in the NFL?
Jeff Fawver
It’s funny. He’s the best pure receiving played out in the NFL but before you know, George kittel comes in and kid was great too. I think kibbles the better blocker, the more physical player. I Travis Kelsey is the better route runner though. Thomas Kelsey runs routes like a walkthrough. receiver. He’s phenomenal. If you just want to say best tight end, but it has to do their kelsea pedal, I can completely understand the argument for either one. But if you want to talk about being dominant just in the passing game thing, Kelsey, the guy, the thing that made gronk koski great. He was dominant the passing game and he would take he’d knock your block off he blocked really, really well. That’s where kittel is definitely the better player the LC not to say Kelsey is a bad blocker. He does what he has to do he he blocks in the run game. They don’t they don’t ask him to stay in and block a lot in the passing game but he will do it some very, I think you did. You give the nod to Kelsey right now but man Kindle is right there kills a great player
Santiago Leon
had dead so far is the password we’re today they’ll be facing the Steelers, a Steelers team with no love this burger. Do you like the duck over Mason Rudolph right now.
Jeff Fawver
I know he turned the ball over a lot last game. I think when when Tomlin made that move, it was the right move and it still is still is. At the end of the day Mason Rudolph just was not right after he took that hit from Earl Thomas, and it’s hard to blame them. When you look back on that. You know, I don’t want to sensationalize here but Mason Rudolph, that’s the worst possible type of hit that you can see. I mean, that’s the type of concussion that maybe he maybe we never seen those that are not completely right again. They had to play cards was to give themselves a chance. With that said there was a good reason that colleges open the year for fourth quarterback. He, you know he has his limitations physically. He’s just not he’s not a starting quarterback for good reason. now have the Steelers done an amazing job working around him on the solo. The defense has been phenomenal. They limit Hodges exposure. Try to just put him in a position where if he doesn’t turn the ball over, they can be competitive. And the reality is they gave the bill of all they could handle even with them turning the ball over. So I think the Steelers have been great Tomlin is the runaway Coach of the Year in my opinion whether the Steelers make the playoffs or not. Tomlin is the runaway Coach of the Year for me. The D the fact that the Steelers are even in the conversation for the playoffs is incredible.
Santiago Leon
Pretty incredible. I did not see that happening once I saw raw this burger you know, out for the season. I thought that was over for the Steelers. But Mike Tomlin I I was all in favor of just you know, get you know, haven’t fired. But so far. He’s shown a whole different picture this year. I think he’s played for I mean, he’s probably coaching for his contract.
Jeff Fawver
He has a lot of young here’s a lot of young talent on the defense to a lot of guys that are only going going to get better. And their front seven is now what you expect from a Steelers front seven. We always you know for any of us that are in our 30s if you look at the entire stretch of our football fandom, a vast majority of those years the Pittsburgh Steelers whether they were good bad or indifferent, they always had physical fast front sevens. And they do right now and that’s even that’s with to it being hurt who is an exceptional player. So even without to it, their front seven is very, very good.
Santiago Leon
AFC south, who do you expect to come into the playoffs? Texans are the Titans
Jeff Fawver
I like the Texans a little bit better. And for me, it’s really simple. To Shawn Watson is better than Ryan tannehill. And that’s not to take away from this run that Ryan tannehill has played well. I’m not
Santiago Leon
surprisingly, any dolphin player leaving the dolphins do well apparently
Jeff Fawver
has always been a good I that was capable of having stretches of client well, but when the Titans went on this run, and it goes back to that chiefs game where the Chiefs just, you know, tripped and fell flat on their face when they should have put that game away multiple times. I think that created an unrealistic view of what the Titans are. They have some nice pieces on defense. Tannahill will do enough to not lose you the game. And when Derrick Henry is playing well, he can take over a game. So I understand why people like the Titans but I also think that we sensationalize that a little bit. I don’t think they were ever quite as good as what they were being made out to be. The Texans that loss to the Broncos is pretty unforgivable. Just because it was a complete no show. When you look at how that game unfolded, and they just flat out did not show up to play that Sunday. And that’s going to hurt them because now they’re not Going, they’re not even brilliant. Unless there’s a miracle they’re not the running to get a bye week. And have they won that game, they could still at least be in the conversation to potentially get a bye week. But the reason I would still take the text as ever, the Titans is really, really simple to Sean Watson. Yeah,
Santiago Leon
he has. I mean,
Jeff Fawver
what? And the Sean Watson The thing about him that I noticed, he’s not afraid to make that big play down the field, no matter what the moment is. He looks to go dp test the defense, he forces you to cover every inch of the field. And when when Fuller’s healthy, they’re a different offense because Hopkins fuller and stills are all guys that can really test you vertically. And that’s hard. Not many teams have the personnel to match up with that. And then you add in the fact that Carlos Hyde has been resurrected, and Watson can run the ball too. So if you spread your defense out too much a don’t pay attention to him. You know, he’s that guy that its third and 62 hits that eight yard run it just breaks your back because you, you think you’re going to get off the field you find you find a way to cover Hopkins for and next thing you know, Watson’s running for eight yards and extending the drive. So I, the Texans are kind of a dangerous team if they would just be more consistent. The oldest the defensive side of the ball, it feels like one week they play really well. And then the next week, you just they don’t do anything. So to me, it’s more about the defense playing well on a week to week basis for them to reach their ceiling.
Santiago Leon
As a right now would you choose Ryan tannehill or Marcus Mariota for the Titans franchise quarterback?
Jeff Fawver
Sultana robot mile, I will if I were the Titan shoes, I don’t know that I’d want to find either one of them to a long term deal. But more I mean Mariota In my opinion, I wouldn’t even resign him. I think Mario is going to be one of those guys is probably going to go be a bad up somewhere that’ll be his role for the rest of his career. He’s going to be a backup quarterback that just you know maybe can come in for a game or two at a time if you need him to fill in for an injury. But he had his chance to be a starter he didn’t play well. I don’t think he’s really improved much since the second year of the NFL at this point is the type of field they can’t upgrade Tannahill he’s the clear he’s still the clear favorite over Mario de
Santiago Leon
yeah quite surprising Ryan towels career so far, but we’ll see what happens. It feels like a like it’s a good fit in Tennessee with him and Derrick Henry. Moving on to the NFC. We see the Seahawks Packers, Vikings saints in Niners pretty much those five teams are pretty much set for the playoffs. That final spot will be the Cowboys.
Jeff Fawver
I didn’t think the Cowboys were going to win another game all year. And then they actually dominated last week, which just completely took me by surprise. The Eagles are getting, unfortunately, a couple teams every year where they just get so beat up that it just becomes difficult. The Eagles on offense just have such a ridiculous number of injuries. But you know, to me, I, I still have a slight lean towards the Eagles. And it’s just as simple as I don’t trust Garrett more than I trust Peterson and I will I will be really surprised if it does end up the Cowboys. But I have a slight lean towards the Eagles. I do. And I just I feel as though the better coach team and even though they are really beat up, I trust their defense to make one big play in a big moment more than I trust the Cowboys defense, which I never thought I’d be saying right now because the Cowboys defense. When you look at all the individual talents they have, they have as much talent What is maybe any defense outside the top five? I mean, they have talent. But for whatever reasons, it just hasn’t translated this year. So I trust the Eagles a little bit more than the Cowboys.
Santiago Leon
What did the Eagles need to do to get things together and get into the playoffs?
Jeff Fawver
Well, they’re going to have to rely on their defense and manufacturer run game and hope that Carson Wentz makes a lot of plays. And Wentz has to stop fumbling. I mean, I watch Eagles game with my Eagles games with my father in law. And I just sold a statistic the other day where whence in the last, I want to say it was three years has 46 fumbles, and the next closest person has 21 he has to he has to start protecting the ball. Because Eagles can win ugly. they’ve proven that over the years, they can win ugly. But what makes it really hard to win ugly is when you turn the ball over. So if you’re going to win these 1714 games, that’s fine or even 2820 but you score later, whatever it is you can win Notably but you have to protect the football if you’re going to win. I still think once as a playmaker I mean that that throw he made the mile Sanders against the Redskins last week. I’ll tell you what, there’s only five quarterbacks in the NFL that can make that throw. You know, obviously he’s one of them cuz he made it. But he’s still capable of the wild throw. He’s still capable of the great play, but he has to cut down on the turnovers if they want to make any type of run. And let’s just be blunt here as beat up as the Eagles are, it’s going to take a minor miracle for them to make a real run because the NFC is just loaded this year.
Santiago Leon
Yeah, it’s it’s quite quite different on the packers and number two, the Seahawks on number one the saints fall off a little bit. But right now who you think is the best team in the NFC besides the records.
Jeff Fawver
I’m still affording honors believer now they didn’t play well. Losing to the Falcons is pretty bad. Yeah. At the same time the saints loss of the Falcons too. So the Falcons the Falcons are an odd team. They have five wins all year but they want at the Orleans at San Francisco. So they’re certainly capable of getting up and pulling an upset. But I like the niners. The Niners are another team that just got a ton of injuries at the worst time here here near the end of the year. They need to get Sherman back they need to get the Ford back to a to get part back. I think as long as they get a majority of those guys back, they’re going to be okay. So I like the niners a lot and what it comes down to is just that. I know Garoppolo is probably on the lower end of quarterbacks that are going to be at the playoffs. But when I look at how the niners matchup with each team, if they had to play the Vikings head to head if they had to play the saints again head to head they already proved you know they can score a ton of points against the saints. If they played the Packers. I just when I look at all those matchups I like how the niners matchup with them up front and groffle For the most part won’t have to play hero against those teams. But But again, I do think it’s important that they get that bye week. So that matchup head to head against Seattle is going to be enormous. Because what it does look like the way it’s going to play out is if the niners went out, they’ll end up with the number one seed because one of those games is against Seattle. But if Seattle does win that game, and they end up with the one seed Niners have to go on the road in the playoffs. Then all of a sudden, things get murky.
Santiago Leon
Last night, jack was fired. General Manager Tom Coplin days after the NFLPA warning to players What are your thoughts about that? What’s going on in Jacksonville?
Jeff Fawver
From what I can gather? It seems as though the Jaguars were finding guys for some nonsensical things. And part of me gets it and part of me says that’s just not how things are anymore. Tom Collins, an old school guy You know, he wants you to tie your shoes, make your bed, tuck your shirt in and show up to every practice 15 minutes early. And I can certainly understand that, because the Jaguars are a franchise that even when they were good, we’re lacking discipline. I mean, if they’re a more disciplined team, they probably played in the Super Bowl two years ago. Yeah. With that said, when you start finding God is $90,000, for nonsensical things. Well, you’re, you’re going to, first of all, it’s going to hurt your team morale. Second of all, when you do go try to sign free agents. Look, these guys talk to each other. If you want to bring in a big, big name free agent, that free agent that has talked to your other players, whether it’s at the Pro Bowl, whether it’s just because they’re friends, maybe they have the same agent, maybe they work, you know, doesn’t have the same endorsement deals. These guys talk to each other. So when you’re trying to get a new player to come into your team and they’ve found out You’re getting fine, 90 grand or 100 grand or who knows what just these crazy penalties that is not a way to attract top talent. Now I’m not saying you have to let it be totally anarchie and never hold standards never have discipline but there has to be a balance there where you you support your players and you’re not looking for reasons to nail them what fine
Santiago Leon
definitely a thing to look at there’s also rumors that they’re going to lose some house maybe even fire the coach
Jeff Fawver
marone to me, I think what really sped up the process and Jacksonville tell them Smith leaves you trade Ramsey class Campbell’s at the end of his career. Now Myles jack has been hurt. You are in a position where it’s time. You know they they tried to put together this dream team defense and to be fair, it almost worked. They were a player to away from beating the winglet do it. And if not for that botched fumble call that took away a big Myles jack return. They very well probably do make the Super Bowl, but it didn’t work. And at the end of the day when you try to stack one side of the ball with veteran players, you know that you have a short window. They brought in Nick foles to try to get over the hump this year. It didn’t work. And unfortunately for them, you had a small window it didn’t work. Now you have to go back to the drawing board. And to be fair, they do have some nice young pieces. I think Ronnie Harris at their safeties, really nice player. I think Josh Josh Allen is one of the best rookies I’ve seen all year. And I don’t know his exact stat line, maybe the stats don’t back that up. But when I’ve watched jaguars games, he jumps off the field he jumps off the screen. He’s he’s going to be a really good rusher. So the Jaguars have pieces to work with. think maybe they a young coach that can relate to the players a bit as they rebuild that Team.
Santiago Leon
Yeah. And also when they signed labels, I think that was a horrible decision when they were extending this contract.
Jeff Fawver
They’re still put out the way because they gave him multiple multiple year deal. And despite the fact that he probably played his best ball at the right time, in that in that playoff run, he was actually okay. I mean, that’s Steelers game. He played pretty well, you know, when they scored over 40 against the Steelers to win that game. But then he kind of crashed back to Earth The next year, and they there’s a lot of good defensive teams that always feel their quarterback away the Jaguars thought they were and as it turns out, like foles really, I mean, Nick foles, played a couple games. We played less than one game got hurt, came back, played one game and got benched. So I don’t know if that issue was the long term answer or not, but he at least gave them a fighting chance.
Santiago Leon
Definitely. Take a look at the next couple of months. For the Jaguars. Ron Rivera, let go The Panthers was that a right decision?
Jeff Fawver
I think Rivera’s a good coach, man. Sometimes it is just, it’s time for a change. So maybe that was a situation in Carolina, or they felt that they needed a fresh start. But rivers not going to be out of work long. And it’s funny. We just talked about the Jaguars. And even though there’s not necessarily a young guy, like I said, to fit that profile, Rivera could go in there and turn them around pretty quickly because he’d have talent on defense. I just can’t imagine the Rivera’s a free agent very long. I really can’t. Again, I could be completely wrong. But I think he’s a good defensive coach. Probably. You know, he’s
Santiago Leon
Jeff. Oh, sorry, guys. Jeff just went out of signal. Let me give him a call back. We’re talking about NFL Carolina Panthers. And the next question will be if Cam Newton will be back with the Panthers mostly Not but he’ll be great free agent for
Jeff Fawver
GFR and we get put off
Santiago Leon
get cut off Pennsylvania reception is not the best um let’s continue with the Panthers will Cam Newton be back
Jeff Fawver
hopefully he will. I don’t think so either I think if you’re gonna if you’re going to fire your coach and make these wholesale changes, then part of that is probably starting over back especially guys it’s been banged up a little a lot. You know, you just you make the complete fresh start.
Santiago Leon
something to definitely look at for the next couple months for the Carolina Panthers a hot team that made the went to the Super Bowl I believe in 2014 and around like the like the mid 10s obviously but yet Kyle Allen has had a great season so far. I think we’ll grill will graer will be starting this weekend.
Jeff Fawver
Yeah What they want to see what they have, take a look at them and and I get it if you’re out of the playoffs, that’s what you should be doing, examine your young talent, see who’s really going to perform for you so that you know going into the draft in the offseason what you need to do.
Santiago Leon
And I’ve been thinking about that where we can be a good fit and another NFL team.
Jeff Fawver
So
Santiago Leon
that’s tough, because he’s a mid tier injury prone. Yes, I go with a team that has a quarterback already. That’s what I’m thinking.
Jeff Fawver
I I think the team that isn’t getting to talk to us about in the quarterback conversation is the Steelers. So yeah, so everybody assumes the Ben Roethlisberger is just going to come back. But but but there’s two things with that. First of all, Roethlisberger was already showing signs of decay. Yeah. Before this year when he got hurt. Correct. He led the NFL in interceptions last year,
Santiago Leon
plus, he was Two years ago.
Jeff Fawver
Yeah, exactly. Talked about retirement. And now you add to that you add to that a major elbow injury or the sewing hat. Yeah. I think I think it’s a little bit optimistic to just assume Ben was going to come back and be anywhere to be anything what people have in their head. And the Pittsburgh Steelers, one of the reasons that they’ve been a great winterization time is they don’t mix feeling like they do what’s best to win games, period. I will not be surprised that the Steelers make if they if they don’t feel the Rothfuss burger is going to be what they need him to be. They know that they can only keep that defense together for so long. Now they are young, you know, but hey, word to it. Some of those guys are getting older. So maybe it’s not even necessarily cams, although I think cam would be a good fit there because the Steelers want to throw the ball down the field.
Santiago Leon
Well, it brings a veteran leadership to those guys. Let’s get to the quarterback.
Jeff Fawver
I’m just saying do not overlook the Pittsburgh Steelers when you’re talking about veteran quarterbacks that could get a shot. And the other one I would say is Denver, just because I know drew Locke had that one big game. We’ll see how these last two games go. But I don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion that drew Locke is the guy. Yeah, I i’m not saying it can’t be. I’m not saying he can’t be good. But I just don’t think it’s a slam dunk that he’s good either.
Santiago Leon
Yeah, definitely look at some quarterbacks out there. They’re losing favor in their respective clubs. And of course, just like Eli Manning, we don’t know he might not come back. So there’s another quarterback talk. He does not talk about retirement. So he might come back as a veteran role somewhere or You know, maybe go to a team that they’re going to pick up a rookie quarterback and maybe he’s able to bring that veteran leadership towards them or give him some guidance But anyways, anything else before we enter game predictions? I think we’re ready for the prediction. It’s a big week going on and all I gotta sneeze
Oh, man.
Let’s go with there’s a night football. No, actually Saturday football, Houston at Tampa.
Jeff Fawver
boy this is the Buccaneers weren’t so beat up at wide receiver. I would actually pick this up and upset on I think the box would win. You know what, I’ll be bold. I think this will be an upset that the Texans are in that in between game. In between the two times they play the Titans they just beat the tight little tough game. The books have nothing to lose. And the thing about James Winston He’s the most entertaining quarterback in football. He’s going to chuck it all over the yard. He’s going to throw pokes, he’s going to throw touchdowns. And the Texans have really struggled in the secondary. So it’ll be a high scoring game. And the Buccaneers pass rush will make one play in a big moment. And the winner 2824 five game you know,
Santiago Leon
James was the most unpredictable quarterback because he could throw you know, so I mean, he could have like 400 yards against the the 85 bears, and then play against a high school team and had like five picks.
Jeff Fawver
Yeah, that’s absolutely true. He turns the ball over a ton, but he also throws your foot down. He he is he’s like a video game quarterback where you just you throw caution to the wind.
Santiago Leon
Yeah, so this guy I don’t know. Anyways, let’s go on Buffalo and New England. It’s a kind of a critical game here.
Jeff Fawver
Yeah, oh, I’m sorry. I’m sorry you cut out there.
Santiago Leon
Oh, yeah, the bills at the Patriots.
Jeff Fawver
Yeah. So my routing, I don’t want my rooting interest to get in the way here we don’t build absolutely can we can win the game. But I, the Patriots just so many times over and over and over again have proven to bounce back with a really have to not lose these types of games. So I think the Patriots will win. It’ll be ugly. It might even be 1310 or 17 and 14. But I just don’t trust Josh Allen, to turn the ball over when it really matters. So I think the Patriots will win.
Santiago Leon
You think? Do you think the Patriots cheated and they filmed that sideline on purpose?
Jeff Fawver
100% Yeah. I don’t know why there’s no doubt about it at this point
Santiago Leon
and the question is Does anyone else in the past
Jeff Fawver
I mean we really don’t know if they did or did the the part that got me is when they when they’re talking to the camera man and his first thought is when can we just destroy it? Why Why are you so quick to want to destroy it kind of like if somebody if somebody finds your cell phone and they ask you a question and your first response is through the cell phone and the river well what was on your cell phone that you didn’t see?
Yeah, I kind of kind of fish
Yeah, I think they absolutely were trying
Santiago Leon
100% of course in the father figure out did the all the way did did he did belcheck knew ahead of time, but typically, they just have this system. I don’t know how they deal with like the whole like the whole ball deflate gate, like belcheck didn’t know but I don’t know it’s it’s murky, very murky.
Jeff Fawver
It is
Santiago Leon
Rams at the niners also big game
Jeff Fawver
the miners will get the miners will win that game I can’t imagine I know they’re really beat up but they’re not going to lose back to back home games and golf versus the niners defense even though it is beat up is not I don’t see that going well for
Santiago Leon
New Orleans Saints at the Tennessee Titans, divisional game.
Jeff Fawver
Yeah, I like the song. The Titan, the Titan will give them game the same thought play as what as well away from the dome. But the better team and the same pass game is really going to be a problem for the flight. The plate the secondary, not a strong they’ve had some injuries there. They’ve had some guys probably haven’t performed as well as I would hope. So, that that looks like a 31 to 20 or 31 to 17 games. Okay.
Santiago Leon
And what the Steelers walk over the Jets
Jeff Fawver
I don’t know about walkover I man, that’s a tough one for me. What I’m curious about is whether the Steelers will have a letdown after that tough loss to the bills. So I don’t know that we’ll see the Steelers best game playing at the Jets. But at the same time, they’ve played pretty well. Most of the year. So going along with I keep looking at it. I think the Steelers are going to get that six playoff spot over the Titans. So yeah, the Steelers will win. But I don’t think it’ll be pretty you know, it’ll be 2217 with a couple turnovers deciding the game. The Panthers at the Colts That’s a weird I mean I would take yeah you would think that oh yeah the culture playing for pride at this point but so the causers the Colts being at home though when especially with groups starting that’s a tough thing. Yeah like it was actually a girl does so the cold defense is very the very fundamentally sound the defensive coordinators really unpredictable. That’s hard for a young quarterback. So that’ll be another ugly I keep saying about all these ugly games, but I think it’ll be an ugly what fuko
Santiago Leon
here’s another ugly game loser bowl, the Bengals at the dolphins.
Jeff Fawver
The dolphins the one that games are the home team. The bangles are bad. I mean, they really are. I mean, they had that miked up session with an adult before the game guy want to be there so I think I don’t know of a team that I would pick to lose to the bangles right now
Santiago Leon
yeah team that I do not know why the the the the Patriots have to do a little bit of of of of cheating for its It doesn’t make sense ravens at the Browns divisional matchup rivalry that’s a rivalry game.
Jeff Fawver
I every week I say to myself the Ravens at some point right? But that’s what I just give me good looking to pick it they can’t they can’t they can’t just win forever, right like that. Like you’re not gonna finish the year 14 and two, are they?
Santiago Leon
I mean they gotta rest this guy more I mean he’s probably tired. I know he’s banged up a little bit I heard
Jeff Fawver
Yeah, and I the only reason I’m my thing is that I think the I think the Ravens though. If they win this game, they can probably rest of their starters week 17 against the Steelers. Yeah. A big deal
Santiago Leon
I believe the win this game they clinched the AFC completely
Jeff Fawver
the number one seed
Santiago Leon
Yeah, number one seed. Yeah, I believe that’s the case. So.
Jeff Fawver
So with that said that that leads me to believe the Ravens will be those focused because oh, like look if you play the Steelers that’s going to be a physical game. And the last thing you want to do is not take care of business and then half and then have a game against the Steelers means something. So I think they’ll be focused but for health and it’s all the browns. I mean, they beat the Ravens in the first matchup, but that was before the Ravens got their defense fixed. And the Browns have just been a mess. So yeah, they’ll I think they’ll take care of business the Ravens went by two scores 30 to 20.
Santiago Leon
Here’s another ugly game jaguars at the Falcons.
Jeff Fawver
Falcons the Jags. The Jags were kind of going through the motions at this point. And the Falcons obviously they’re playing hard to beat the niners and San Fran so they’re at least finishing the install. I think that could actually be a little bit of a blowout like a 34 to 17 type game.
Santiago Leon
giants at the scans
Jeff Fawver
you know watching that game last week. I thought the Redskins were still playing the home of the home team. You know kind of getting down the stretch here. The Redskins the one that won 2417
Santiago Leon
Detroit at the Broncos another ugly game.
Jeff Fawver
Broncos. Yeah, the book is the one that won the I mean, the lions are really beat up. Denver does play better at home. So yeah, the Broncos won that game. They do their defense plays really well at home, even though their defense is decimated right now. But, you know, I think the line was kind of playing out the stretch. I think block will be motivated to want to play a quality game here, especially at home. So the Broncos over that 120 17
Santiago Leon
Oakland at the chargers.
Jeff Fawver
Oakland. I mean, the, you know, it seems like a plan. That’s about everybody. A lot of teams are beating up this time of year. It just it feels as though we’re still playing hard. The Chargers, really, man last week. They point me I’m not saying they quit. So that’s a really, I think people throw around that term a little too much. But I think it is fair to say the Chargers aren’t totally vested in playing right now. So I think the Raiders will win that game just because they’re they’re still showing up every week.
Santiago Leon
Cardinals at the Seattle Seahawks I could smell an upset here.
Jeff Fawver
I could bought Yeah, that’s gonna be Seattle’s gonna take care of business there. I mean that’s that’s gonna be a 28 to 17 type game but the Cardinals might have to score late to get the 17
Santiago Leon
quiet the most probably the biggest game of the weekend and the most talked about weekend. Game of the weekend. The Cowboys at the Eagles
Jeff Fawver
Eagles the Eagles are going to win. And I don’t have a great reason for that other than I just like Peter so far that Garrett Sutton filling. So legal defense will make just enough plays on what 24 points.
Santiago Leon
What does Jason Garrett have to do to keep his job?
Jeff Fawver
To me it sounds as though he has to be in the playoffs and win a playoff game. I don’t have to do anything beyond that. But they’re gonna at least have to win a playoff game.
Santiago Leon
Yes. He’s like his job is on the line. There’s two college coach, two coaches that I’ve been hearing rumors that are strong candidates. So he’s definitely playing for, for his job right now. chiefs are visiting Chicago Bears.
Jeff Fawver
Boy, this one makes me a little nervous. So one of two things is going to happen. So the bears were eliminated from playoff contention last week. So when that happens, you see one of two things. You either see the team come out and just kind of have like poor performance because they’re they’re suffering that letdown from getting eliminated. But the other thing that can happen sometimes is guys just play for pride. So they actually come out play really hard on the whatnots that the bears are really good on the interior of their defensive line. And like we talked about earlier, that’s been a huge problem for the Chiefs all year. So the Chiefs will win, I think, but
Santiago Leon
you’re not too confident about this. Good.
Jeff Fawver
And it’s going to come down to the wire, I think the Chiefs defense is going to be the one that is going to have to win the game. And true bizkey. You know, he’s, he’s had some games where he’s played, okay, but he’ll give you opportunities for turnovers. I mean, every single week, they’ll give you throws that can be turnovers. What the chiefs are going to have to do is make good on those plays and set up the offense with good field position, and maybe even score defensive touchdown. So the Chiefs will win 2414 but i think that i think they might score a touchdown late to make the final score. Bigger than what the game really felt like. I don’t think it’ll feel like at that point when it’ll it’ll be a much closer game throughout.
Santiago Leon
Has trubiz skis stock dropped
this past season.
Jeff Fawver
Yeah, I mean, I if you’re the bears, I don’t know if you pull the plug and just start over. Maybe you try to find a stop gap veteran, maybe that’s where cam could end up. Because they do. I mean, the bears still have a ton of talent on defense. When you look at their defense when it’s healthy, they have a ton of talent on defense. And to be their offense has a lot of talent to their offense has good receivers, running backs, but when your quarterback isn’t good, it just messes it all up. So they figure out the quarterback position,
Santiago Leon
divisional rivalry, the Packers at the Vikings with no doubt that hackers
Jeff Fawver
Yeah, I like the Panthers. I know it’s a soda but I just always I like Rogers versus the Vikings. So many times it comes down to quarterback play and I just trust Rogers what I do Kirk Cousins
Santiago Leon
Yeah, Rodgers is having a phenomenal season. The packers are back where they need to be playing at the highest level. Right bye Another day do you prefer to wrap your your presence or put it in a gift bag?
Jeff Fawver
Oh gift bag for life
Santiago Leon
gift bag is winning 44% to wrapping 33% gift bag is it just the easiest way to do it depends what it does but I think most things could be in the bag but you know if it’s like a big trampoline you can put
Jeff Fawver
good luck rapid. Rapid
Santiago Leon
and question from the audience who was a better running back Clinton portis or Blake Lindsey
Jeff Fawver
oh my gosh will answer all the questions very I would say for the split chorus was really good in his prime. One of those guys gets forgotten about too quickly. So I’d say poor.
Santiago Leon
Just thinking about that thing. You Broncos and historically has had some good running backs.
Jeff Fawver
The Broncos there for a while. It’s similar everyone they drafted they were accepted. I think they still do have really good running backs. I just have to get the office around them to be better.
Santiago Leon
Yeah, I mean, Butlins is still young. You know, this is like a second season of starter. So we’ll see how his career will iron out. So we’ll definitely take a look at what’s going on with the Broncos. They’re going through a lot of changes right now post Peyton Manning era so that definitely I see where, you know, this whole quarterback issue where Joe Flacco is I think they’re probably gonna drop him. But anyways, that’s just another show to do. Jeff, what is the best where is the best way to reach you? To talk to talk to you about tyreke Hill?
Jeff Fawver
The best at janky follow on Twitter.
Santiago Leon
How is the health with Tyree Kill em Holmes? Is it
Jeff Fawver
this is Yeah, I think this is a selfie as the Chiefs have been a long football season. That’s about top Yeah, it’s, I mean like the beat up or you This is the best look I think he’s healthy at the hill. The following hamstring shoulder had a couple different issues but he seems to be running full speed again um so
Santiago Leon
definitely take a look at the AFC NFC look pretty tight so obviously things could change the next two weeks a lot could change drastically. You could be in the playoffs in pretty but they could be out of the playoffs in a split second. And always you can visit us on the sports cast.net Follow us any NFL news and NFL playoffs. Early signing was yesterday. We’ll have Tyler on hopefully today or tomorrow to summarize what happened this past weekend the feature of football players in this country. Anyways Jeff, always a pleasure and I hope to see you next week.
Jeff Fawver
Thanks a lot. Appreciate you having
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
