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NFL Wildcard Playoffs 2021 is a wrap, and the biggest surprise where the Browns defeated the Steelers 48-37
Contributors
Santiago Leon – @sleon
Joe Toscano – @joeybagovdonuts
Twenty-eight points was enough. And so was roughly 25 years. The Cleveland Browns burst out to a startling 28-point first-quarter surge and then withstood a Pittsburgh Steelers rally. It added up to Baker Mayfield and the Browns earning a 48-37 Super Wild Card Weekend win over Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers on Sunday for Cleveland’s first postseason triumph since the 1994 season. The Browns will play the Chiefs in the Divisional Round, while the Bills will host the Ravens.
Recap
IND-BUF
The Buffalo Bills picked up their first playoff victory since 1995 on Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts, 27-24. The Bills will know their next playoff opponent by the end of the weekend.
The Bills were able to hold off a charging Philip Rivers and his offense at the end of the game. Indianapolis needed a big drive to either tie or win the game. Their matchup appeared to be over after Rivers threw the ball to Zach Pascal and the wide receiver fumbled.
However, replay showed that Pascal was apparently touched as his knee was on the ground and it gave the Colts another shot.
Indianapolis failed to get into field goal range and a last-second heave from Rivers didn’t even make it into the end zone, giving the Bills the victory.
LAR-SEA
The Los Angeles Rams delivered the first upset of the playoffs on Saturday with a victory over the Seattle Seahawks on the road, 30-20. It’s their first playoff win since their Super Bowl run a couple of seasons ago.
Jared Goff came into the game for starting quarterback John Wolford in the first quarter. Wolford exited the game with a neck injury and was later taken to the hospital for precautionary measures. He was 3-for-6 with 29 yards before he left.
Goff came in and was only 9-for-19 with 155 yards. He had the dagger touchdown pass to Robert Woods in the fourth quarter. Woods had four catches for 48 yards.
Cam Akers carried the offense with 131 rushing yards on 28 carries and he had a touchdown. Akers also had two catches for 45 yards in the win.
BUCS-WAS
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers moved onto the divisional round of the NFC playoffs with a victory against the Washington Football Team, 31-23, on Saturday night.
It’s the first time Tampa Bay had played in the divisional round since the 2002 season when the Jon Gruden-led team won the Super Bowl.
It was a Tom Brady performance NFL fans are used to, though the game was a bit closer than the team probably would have liked. Brady was 22-for-40 with 381 passing yards and two touchdown passes. He was sacked three times and didn’t throw any interceptions.
Brady’s first touchdown pass went to Antonio Brown in the first quarter. It was a 36-yard score to give the Buccaneers a 9-0 lead. Brady would connect with Chris Godwin in the second quarter on a 27-yard pass. Tampa Bay would lead 18-7 at halftime.
BAL-TEN
The Baltimore Ravens moved onto the divisional round of the AFC playoffs with a 20-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
It was the Ravens’ first playoff victory since the 2014 season. It was also Lamar Jackson’s first playoff win of his career.
The Titans came out strong with 10 unanswered points in the first half of the game. It looked as if they would repeat last year’s playoff matchup but Jackson was able to turn things around when he scored a 48-yard touchdown on 3rd-and-9 to tie it up after Justin Tucker’s 33-yard field goal.
The Titans defense did little to stop the Ravens. Stephen Gostkowski’s 25-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter would break Baltimore’s 17 unanswered points but Tucker would miss and then score another field goal to finish the game at 20-13.
Jackson’s duality was on full display during Sunday’s contest. He ran 16 times for 136 yards, nearly matching last season’s playoff appearance where he ran for 146 yards. Jackson joined Colin Kaepernick as the only quarterbacks to rush for 100 or more yards in multiple postseason games.
The 2019 league MVP also completed 17 of 24 passes for 179 yards.
In contrast, the Ravens limited the league’s leading rusher Derrick Henry to just 40 yards on 18 carries, perhaps a key factor in Baltimore’s victory.
CHI-NO
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees entered elite company with the team’s 21-9 victory over the Chicago Bears in their NFC wild-card game on Sunday.
Brees joined Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre and the legendary Tom Brady as the only quarterbacks to win a playoff game after the age of 40. Brees completed 28 of 39 passes for 265 yards and threw touchdowns to wide receiver Michael Thomas and running back Latavius Murray in the win.
Brees connected with Thomas from 11 yards out in the first quarter. It was Thomas’ first touchdown since Dec. 22, 2019 against the Titans. He missed nine games this year, including the team’s last three games, due to an ankle injury. Thomas finished with five receptions for 73 yards.
Running back Alvin Kamara added 99 yards on the ground and had a 3-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, which put the finishing touches on the Saints victory.
The Bears, on the other hand, put forth their best effort on defense, but they showed little-to-no signs of life on offense. Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky completed 19 of 29 passes for 199 yards and one touchdown pass to tight end Jimmy Graham as time expired. The Bears only had 48 rushing yards in the game.
Predictions
LAR-GB
Joe: GB
BAL-BUF
Joe: BAL
CLE-KC
Joe: KC
TB-NO
Joe: TB
Poll
What goes best with milk? #NationalMilkDay
Cookies- 66.7%, Cake- 16.7%, Pie- 8.3%, Pancakes- 8.3%
Joe: Cookies
Eagles Coach Doug Pederson fired
OHST- BAMA?
Joe: BAMA
Transcript
Santiago Leon 0:13
The sports cast January 11 2021. If you haven’t yet, please subscribe to all our channels Periscope, iTunes, and actually like Apple podcasts. And if you’re listening in on Apple podcasts, you could leave a rating and review it will help us out tremendously. Give us a pay raise. And you can listen to us on online digital radio, you could download the app and listen to our radio station, the sports cast on the iPhone iOS App Store. And of course, you could visit our website at the sports cast dotnet. We got some news there. And the app as well so everything’s mirrored out. In Follow us on our famous Twitter account. The sports cast one which will be live tweeting the national championship game tonight. That means college football, and we’re looking forward to a awesome game. But before we get to that game, this past weekend has been pretty horrendous for for one individual and maybe a whole city of Pittsburgh. We’re gonna recap the NFL wild card game. But of course, we’ll spend spend some time over a game between the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers and joining us all the way from Pittsburgh in the cold winter day. Joe Toscano welcome back.
Joe Toscano 1:40
Thanks for having me. I’m going to I might cry. I’ve been crying all day. That’s why I have my change on
Santiago Leon 1:48
something that I was definitely looking at. And when I asked you to come on the show today you said yes. So Joe, How you feeling? Obviously, he’s disappointed because the browns, surprise the Steelers. Now surprise is a could be a small word for some people. But the Steelers were having a bath few weeks. And coming into this game. It was a possibility that Cleveland could have won in Pittsburgh.
Joe Toscano 2:12
Really, it’s been a bad six weeks, you know, they started 11 to know. And then it just all fell apart. I mean, they had they had one good half against Indianapolis and they won that game. Otherwise, they would have went from 11 00 to 11. Six. It’s been it’s been a huge decline from you know, being undefeated to not being able to win at all. Now,
Santiago Leon 2:39
the talk, I’ve been hearing the chatter is having Ben Roethlisberger cut done. He’s done in Pittsburgh, what are your thoughts about that? Do you agree with those statements? Or do you think I will just give him another a whole nother year?
Joe Toscano 2:54
That is the big question. And the biggest question this organization has had to face in a long time, and it’s going to determine the future the next several years. So who knows what’s going to happen, Ben may decide to retire, the owner may decide to tell him to retire. They may keep them, they may keep him for a year, they may keep him for, you know, extend his contract right now what we know is because they kept pushing his contract back and restructuring it, his cap hit next year is 41 million. And right now, assuming the cap is going down, which it may or may not there that that would take up almost all a cap on its own, there would be over the cap right now as it stands, if they don’t do something, so they’re going to restructure the contracts somehow, if they cut him, I believe I’ve heard the term 22 million, so I still think he would still count 22 million toward the AP, if they cut him if they decide to go that route. So either way, it’s it’s a huge decision, it’s basically going to determine the franchise, you know, for the next several years.
Santiago Leon 4:07
Let me first ask you, how do you feel? Do you think? Do you think Big Ben should leave Pittsburgh? What do you personally think? What What is your emotions your heart telling you?
Joe Toscano 4:19
Wow, it’s, it’s hard because he at times looks really good. And when they were undefeated, and when they were winning games, it was a large part because of him. You know, he was basically, you know, basically putting the team on his back and it was working. So I mean, there was you know, he was in the MVP talk for for a while. So, you know, to go from that to what happened afterwards. It basically I think what happened was, teams figured out that basically, they figured out what the offense was doing and it was it was basically Basically just using that short passing game, they had no running game. So it’s like okay, we’re just going to take away the short passing game. Let’s see what happens. They couldn’t throw along. The offensive line sucks. That’s that’s another major problem with the team. But so you know, it’s so hard at times Ben look great and times he looked horrible. So he’s just ridiculously inconsistent right now. So I don’t know. I mean, they have no other you know, contingency plan. They have no, you know, there’s no heir apparent Mason Rudolph is not the guy. He might be a temporary guy for a little while, but he’s not the guy. So, you know, they might, they might have to be stuck, you know, with him for the next year, at least, until they figure out what they’re gonna do a quarterback.
Santiago Leon 5:48
Yeah, Mason Rudolph is the backup quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Let’s look back at the regular season where where was the fallout? Obviously, people are pointing towards those COVID schedule where Steelers were playing against teams that did not handle the whole COVID thing. And I’ll happen all of a sudden, Joe, do you think if it never, if Steelers didn’t have to have that COVID schedule where they had to play like a lot of games in 12 days. Do you think that would like you know, would you say things would be different?
Joe Toscano 6:19
No, because yeah, they didn’t really get a bye week. But I mean, they played the same amount of games as every other team. I think what really hurt them is in the defense. They lost their inside linebacker Devin bush. And they’re one of their edge rushers. Bud Dupree that I mean, that’s the other thing about last night’s game. Yeah. Ben threw four interceptions. And it you know, just the offense. Yeah. They literally gave away points, you know, marquees pouncy, throwing the ball over everybody’s head into for a touchdown. But the defense couldn’t stop anything. And this was supposed to be an elite defense. This was supposed to be an excellent defense with Minka Fitzpatrick and TJ watt and Cameron Hayward and and all these guys, and they could not stop Cleveland at all. And that’s, that’s another major reason why they lost so who knows what happened there? You know, you know, when you play a team three times in a year stuff like this is gonna happen. They’re gonna figure you out. So, you know, hats off to Cleveland. They did it but I mean, it’s you just can’t help especially, you know, you talk about COVID many members of the Browns we’re not playing because of COVID their their frickin coach wasn’t there. And, and yet, I mean, this was supposed to give us a huge advantage. And the they just threw it away. It was a it’s just it’s just, it’s just a pathetic excuse of a performance by the Steelers. And they deserve all the criticism every single person in that organization deserves tons of criticism today,
Santiago Leon 7:57
and Joe’s referencing to Browns coach, a coach to fan ski got COVID and was not able to be coaching the match the game. I’m going back into the blame game we said Ben Roethlisberger first how much of a fault is it towards coach Mike Tomlin the Steelers coach.
Joe Toscano 8:16
big big is your job as a coach to get the team ready. And the last time the Steelers made the playoffs was the 2017 season so they played in in January 2018 they played against the Jacksonville Jaguars. And almost the exact same thing happened in the Jacksonville game as in last night’s Browns game this the Steelers game basically gave the game away in the first half was under a huge deficit tried to make a big comeback but ended up losing and I believe the margin of victory was also 11 points. So you know, two games in a row now for two playoff games in a row that the team was just not ready and they basically gave the game away. You have to put that on the coach Look at his record in the past 10 years. I think they’ve won two playoff games in the past 10 years. You know I that people all
Unknown Speaker 9:17
in Pittsburgh
Joe Toscano 9:18
are always we’re always calling fire Tom and fire Tomlin it’s you know, it’s absolutely ridiculous because you know, he’s never had a losing record. You know, he’s he’s been you know, very successful in the regular season. But when you have stuff like this happen, he deserves all the criticism in the world and like I said, that was not even the Browns that their full power there was a Browns at you know, major players missing and didn’t even have a coach. This should have been an easy win for the Steelers. And yes, Tomlin deserves a lot of blame for that and hey, you want to fire gunfire?
Santiago Leon 9:53
Can we see a you know start of next season? Can you see it a Pittsburgh steel There’s team with no Ben Roethlisberger. And no Mike Tomlin. Joe. What do you think
Joe Toscano 10:05
it is possible, but I think both will be back. I think what will happen with both of them is basically to say, hey 2021 is both of your last years. And with with Ben it’s bent. This is your last year you’re going to retire or restructure your deal. Well, we’ll we’ll figure something out. But, you know, basically, that’s your farewell your Ben. Figure it out. Tomlin I think they’ll say I believe he has one year left on his contract. And usually what they do is they, they restrict they they usually extend the coach’s contract, when there’s, you know, one or two years left, and I don’t think they’re going to do that. I think they’re gonna say to Tomlin, hey, this is it. You got one more chance. If you if you do well, fine. What we’ll sign you back. I mean, there is that risk that he could go somewhere else. But if you if you don’t then see,
Santiago Leon 11:01
I would say, Joe, I think enough is enough. I think Ben needs to go and Mike needs to go. Coach Mike Tomlin. I think it’s I know there’s a lot of teams that are looking for coaches, so it makes it a little bit challenging and competitive to find a good coach. So maybe I could see a possibility maybe, you know, holding it now for another season for Mike Tomlin because I think there’s six or six to seven teams looking for coaches so that might not be good. Well, good for Mike Tomlin. But I don’t think I think might be too competitive to look for a coach but let’s look at the game last night. The Cleveland Browns scored 28 points in the first quarter first time since 1969. Which the Raiders did it and you know, the the Browns were comfortable after after the first half they were up 35 to 10 and baby Yoda has had something to say about that but it was pretty much over the Steelers were trying to rally back you know it came close but wasn’t enough I guess when when you when you go up 28 points in the first quarter is enough. But um, how do you see this Browns team? I mean obviously they’re going to Kansas City but do you think this team is good? You know how’d you see that team yesterday?
Joe Toscano 12:28
You got to give the Browns credit you know I’ve been critical of Baker Mayfield I didn’t think he could win a game like this. He did he did enough to win. You know they’re their strength is their running game. And Nick Chubb is a beast. You could easily top five quarters of running back in the NFL you know they have a great running game. Their passing game is good enough and you know their defenses is good enough to miles Garrett is is one of the best in the NFL. So they have pieces there. You know, I didn’t think they could they could do what it takes to win a playoff game. So anything is possible. I personally think the Chiefs will kill them only because the of the let’s say emotional effect that this will have. I think there will be a big letdown. You know, this is the first time the Browns made the playoffs in like 18 years, I believe. And then they actually won a game and they beat their archrival. Every time they play the Steelers it is their Super Bowl. So not only do they make the playoffs Not only did they win the game, but they beat their their huge rival that they hate so much. I could see a total letdown next week against the chiefs. Definitely a different player a different team. Baker Mayfield
Santiago Leon 13:48
finished 21 for 32 with 263 yards, and three touchdown passes. Chubb lead Browns rushers with 76 yards, hot had two rushing touchdowns and a 48 rushing yards. Landry wide receiver lead the Browns receivers with five catches for 92 yards. This team looks good on paper. But of course, we’ll we will predict what will happen with Kansas City and our later segment. But this Browns team is definitely looking good. They were looking at the press of a year ago. And how they’re there for sure. Looking good. Let’s go on. And let’s recap the rest of the NFC. No, the NFL wildcard weekend. All right, let’s go with the Colts and the bills. Bills pick up the first playoff victory since 1995 another stunner. The feet of the codes 27 to 24 um, Joe, what are your thoughts about this game? I
Joe Toscano 14:55
think the Colts could have won that game if they just did a couple things. Different things believe there was a goal line stand maybe the clock management wasn’t great you know at the end they kind of ran out of time and you know if they just did their clock management a little bit I think there was like a stupid challenge or something like that so I mean the cultivated The closer than I thought they would. So you know, hey great for the bills you know, they I would say the bills are definitely the second best team in the AFC behind the chiefs and maybe you know, if it comes to that maybe maybe they could beat the chiefs. The bills are just a powerhouse right now. Now we’re running on all cylinders
Santiago Leon 15:38
now like with the scoreline? Do you see red flags with the bills or just the cult? We’re having a good day.
Joe Toscano 15:44
Now the culture good cults have, they have a lot of pieces there. Philip Rivers was playing very well. Jonathan Taylor is awesome. And they have a great defense. So, you know, I’m not surprised that the score was close, especially, you know, as we saw with the playoffs, anything can happen. So, you know, it was not surprising that the Colts made it that close and almost won that game.
Santiago Leon 16:08
And another surprising game, probably the first upset of the weekend was the Rams defeating the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle. Already the 21st playoff wins since their Super Bowl run a couple of seasons ago. Joe I didn’t see this come in Seattle was a little bit shaky towards the end of the season. But this Rams team with with Jared Goff, which he was sort of injured came started this game, which he was not supposed to. But he started and won the game. We think about this Rams and Seahawks game.
Joe Toscano 16:40
You know, in the middle of the season, when the Steelers were you know, undefeated. At the same time. People were saying that Russell Wilson was the runaway candidate for MVP. And just he was just, you know, awesome. And he fell off just as bad as the Steelers did. I don’t know what happened to that Seahawks offense, but they just have been not good. Their defense actually got better. Their defense was absolutely horrible. And the defense improved, but hey, the Rams are I don’t want to say they’re legit. They’re there. their defenses. They probably have the number one defense in the NFL. And Jared Goff is he’s a mess. I think I think Jared Goff and Carson Wentz were in the same draft. They both got a giant I contracts. And that that worked out well for either of them. I know golf is hurts. But still. that’s a that’s a bit of a scary situation. But hey, you don’t need much of an offense when you have that great of a defense. So it’s gonna be real interesting next week against the Packers, but, you know,
Santiago Leon 17:47
I’m not surprised at the Rams won. And to be clear, the Rams started with quarterback john Walford, but then had a had a neck injury during the game. And it was taken out to the hospital. Of course golf came in and was nine 419 with 155 yards so had a dagger to Robert woods. So hey, you got some weapons golf came in. He’ll probably started in Green Bay as far as I can see. Next game it was kind of boring, but the Bucs defeated the Washington football team 31 to 23. Young was not able to get Brady as well as his well actually. He was sacked three times so but but they’re not throwing any interceptions. This is Brady’s first win with the Bucs and in the playoffs Joe, is it a good sign for them?
Joe Toscano 18:44
There are two very good signs for the box for one thing, you know there’s a lot of old quarterbacks in the playoffs right now. There was a band Philip Rivers, Alex Smith, Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees,
Unknown Speaker 18:58
Ben
Joe Toscano 18:59
looked, you know, 100 years old rivers did okay. But Brady, is he’s looking great. That whatever, whatever that Tv 12 crappies doing, man, it’s you know, you know, kale or whatever the heck, he’s eating whatever. He’s looking great. He’s still he’s still making good throws, and you gotta watch the box. One reason why Antonio Brown is heating up, if Antonio brown goes back to his form when he was not crazy and and and doing well. That could be scary. He’s been he’s been doing well for the past few weeks. And he scored another touchdown. telling you what box could be scary. It’s gonna be really interesting against the saints.
Santiago Leon 19:48
Exactly. Brady’s first touchdown was to Antonio brown for 36 yards score so they’re connecting. Everyone was saying that Mike Evans With his injuries, but hey, you got Antonio brown as your backup so you can’t beat that, though buccaneers have weapons and we haven’t seen much of gronk but you know who knows we can see him in Green Bay. Next game another a game that became a rivalry now between these two teams, ravens and a Tennessee Titans. Baltimore beat Tennessee 2013. Quite a shocker but Lamar Jackson came to his old self Joe
Joe Toscano 20:28
finally won that playoff game. I mean, we laugh Finally, what’s he been in the league? two years,
Santiago Leon 20:34
three years? Oh, yeah. Right.
Joe Toscano 20:37
Exactly. Exactly. That was that was a ridiculous thing. So yeah, I mean, that was that was we knew that was gonna be a really good game. And yeah, those teams do not like each other. Holy cow. I thought I thought only Juju Smith Schuster was the only one that puts people off. But no, they’re ravens and Titans are not happy with each other. But yeah, I mean, it’s they shut down their Camry, and they shut down Tannahill, too. And that was a very high powered offense from them to shut down. So kudos to the Ravens defense.
Santiago Leon 21:13
Yes. And of course everyone talks about Lamar Jackson but but let’s look at the Ravens defense you know, that organization is known for their defenses, and were able to to limit leaks leading rusher Derrick Henry 240 yards, so if you can do that, you have a good chance to beat the Titans. So, good job. The Ravens they’re going to Buffalo but we’ll preview that game a little bit later in the show. The Nickelodeon game Chicago Bears at the New Orleans Saints. Brees and the saints beat Chicago 21 to nine and head coach Sean McVeigh got slime at the end. I watched a Nickelodeon version. I’m not sure if Joe did but I’m sure he would.
Joe Toscano 21:56
Why would they put that game and show show kids? Hey, here’s here’s the Chicago Bears offense. They’re probably never gonna watch football again. Now. That was a this is not exactly the best game to be showing kids. Hey, kids, watch the NFL. You’re gonna watch Mitchell trubisky Oh, God, I mean, this kid’s gonna have nightmares.
Santiago Leon 22:19
Yeah, I think they did it in that game. Because of the dome. I guess they could do a lot of more of the effects. I don’t know if they could do that effects and in Tennessee on a bright sunny day, but hey, anything can happen. But I honestly really enjoyed it. There was some good positive feedback that they want to see more games on Nickelodeon. Joe, I don’t know about you, but maybe this is next.
Joe Toscano 22:43
Yeah, do Disney I want I want Hannah Montana on on, you know, in the end zone or whatever. But yeah, that whole slime thing when there was a touchdown. That was really cute. There was some really cute things I did with that. So yeah, let’s see more than that
Santiago Leon 22:56
would be awesome. If Warner Robins did it and have like, like the Looney Tunes. Oh my gosh, I’d be better.
Joe Toscano 23:04
Perfect. Like, like, like Space Jam except for football.
Santiago Leon 23:08
Exactly. And now we’re giving ourselves ideas. Now I can see the NBA hiring Warner Brothers to do a Looney Tunes basketball game.
Joe Toscano 23:18
Baby Yoda wants to be in a football game.
Santiago Leon 23:20
Have a Star Wars NFL game or NBA Star Wars
Joe Toscano 23:24
game. There
Santiago Leon 23:24
we go. Oh gosh. I don’t know who ever thought of this. But this should have been done a long time ago. But I enjoyed it. I know there was a positive reviews and the saints moved on. Not sure if Nickelodeon really helped them. But they definitely they defeated them. 21 nine Chicago I still wonder why they’re in the playoffs. But hey, it is what it is. Let’s go into predictions Joe. first game of the weekend for the NFL playoffs divisional playoffs is the Rams at Green Bay. Green Bay has the best home field advantage. It’s cold in January as far as people tell me what do you thoughts and what’s gonna happen
Joe Toscano 24:07
Packers get the advantage of the week off and they’re the only team in the NFC that got that week off so huge advantage for them. I got to give it the edge to the Packers. You know Aaron Rodgers is basically the MVP and yes the Rams defense is awesome. But I mean the Packers just look really good right now so I’m gonna I’m I’ll say the packers are gonna win
Santiago Leon 24:38
Yeah, Green Bay is no Seattle in is definitely playing up north in in Wisconsin. Not a good place to be in January. Next game Baltimore and buffalo. This game is gonna be exciting and probably the closest from the two AFC playoff game. Joe what’s gonna happen they’re
Joe Toscano 24:56
so excited. I would not surprise me at all. If there were ravens one that I don’t believe the bills and ravens have played each other this year in the Ravens are just so unique with their running attack. Oh, this is this is gonna be good. This is gonna be good. I’m gonna say the Ravens are gonna win.
Santiago Leon 25:17
I think that will probably be the upset of the weekend the most probable one of course buffalo is favored. But this bill’s I mean, this ravens team might have some momentum coming into Buffalo and with some fans in Buffalo. Next game the Browns at Kansas City of course Kansas City is is locked and loaded. Cleveland you can say but maybe in five years we’ll be more locked and loaded. How do you see this matchup?
Joe Toscano 25:44
Total letdown game for the Browns really their season is a success already making the playoffs after 18 years was was a success and then winning a playoff game against their hated rival the Steelers. So you know they’re playing with house money now. I think they’re gonna have a huge letdown. So I think this is probably going to be a blow up by the chiefs.
Santiago Leon 26:07
I agree. Maybe they make it maybe the Browns might score a touchdown, but we’ll see what happens. But I think Kansas City it seems like it’s in the bag. NFC NFC rematch between the Buccaneers and the saints Joe Tampa has lost two in a row with the saints. Could this be a hope that I mean, could the Buccaneers break through this time?
Unknown Speaker 26:32
Yes. Oh, wow.
Joe Toscano 26:35
You know, it is so hard when you play a team three times in a season. I you know, whatever the the saints did to stop them and the saints I mean, you know, we talked about the Rams offense is awesome. The saints and the Rams defense. The Saints defense is awesome also, and but you gotta think that Brady can figure them out. You know, Third time’s a charm and especially like I said, a Tonio Brown. Look out for him. The Saints offense. I mean, Drew Brees is, you know, bless his heart. He’s, but he’s old. And yes, it’s nice that Kamera and Michael Thomas are out there but it’s Drew Brees is he’s This is my, this isn’t his last year he’s going to be retiring soon. He’s just you know, the the saints offense will be good. It’s just not good as it has been before because of breeze so I’m gonna say the Bucs are gonna win the Bucs
Santiago Leon 27:35
when I can see that third is a term I think you you convinced me with that sentence. I do think Brady’s one more prepared and of course Antonio brown this time a little bit more at midseason form, so we’ll definitely see a little bit better Tampa maybe more gronk maybe Brockman like might be the secret weapon but pulled Question of the day at the sports cast Twitter what goes best with milk? Cookies cake pie or pancakes? Joe? What’s your answer?
Joe Toscano 28:04
Cookies when you dip the cookies and milk and make them nice and soggy? Oh man. And you know what? Best? Yes, chocolate chip cookies are the best and milk but Oreos and milk. Oh man.
Santiago Leon 28:20
I told me I was thinking of Oreos first before that chocolate chip cookies. Maybe I became an Oreo guy like yeah,
Joe Toscano 28:27
you can’t you can’t go wrong either way.
Santiago Leon 28:30
And of course with chocolate chip cookies. You will probably warm it up. Right or would you do it plain?
Unknown Speaker 28:35
Look
Joe Toscano 28:37
get warm? I don’t think I’ve ever had warm chocolate chip cookies and milk. That’s that sounds really good. But I mean, they’re gonna get they’re gonna get nice and soggy in the chocolate and in the milk. So you know, either way is fine. That does sound awesome.
Santiago Leon 28:52
I will pick cookies myself and most people are 66% cookies. 16% for cake and pie. So cake and pie are Thai. And pancakes are gains of votes at 8% not bad. I mean, I was trying to find a fourth choice and I couldn’t think of anything for pancakes was
Unknown Speaker 29:14
a choice. I
Santiago Leon 29:14
mean, what else would you replace it with?
Unknown Speaker 29:18
milk and eggs.
Santiago Leon 29:21
If I you pancakes I drink milk with it. I don’t know about you. I don’t drink. I mean I could drink water but that would not
Joe Toscano 29:26
have been pancakes. It’s with coffee.
Santiago Leon 29:29
Oh True. True with cream. Oh yeah. Before we go Eagles coach fire Doug Peterson Philadelphia Eagles, um, quite a surprise for a lot of people. Joe, what is your take?
Joe Toscano 29:43
Basically, I think it was a they choose, they chose between Carson Wentz and Peterson. And when you have a problem with either the players or the coaches, it’s a lot easier to get rid of the coach. So not surprising, or maybe it was that Nate sudfeld maybe he Maybe he’s you know, working things behind the scenes.
Santiago Leon 30:04
Yes. Which I’ve been hearing rumors that it was between Wentz and Peterson so it’s quite interesting how how much leverage went f has? Well, when you when you have like $100 million contract, it gives you a lot of leverage. And Jalen hertz was not enough to prove it. Um, tonight, Ohio State Alabama national championship. I’m not sure if you watch much college football, but if you had to choose one, who would it be?
Joe Toscano 30:32
I’m not saying Ohio State’s going to win, but I am saying they’re gonna make it close. And it’s not going to be his high scoring as people think it’ll still be pretty high scoring but not like crazy. So I think Alabama will win. But let’s say by maybe less than a touchdown.
Santiago Leon 30:55
Bama wins by let’s say a touchdown everyone saying high scoring. I think it’s high scoring but should be exciting tonight. Looking forward towards that matchup. And Joe, what is the best way to reach you? To find out more about pancake recipes.
Joe Toscano 31:10
And Joey bag of doughnuts, not just a bag of pancakes, although
Santiago Leon 31:14
that might be my burner account on Twitter v instead of an F. There you have it and you can follow us at the sports cast dotnet or the sports cast one we’ll be live tweeting the game tonight. Justin Riley is the master not the Master Yoda. But he is a master tweeter. And does that Yoda have a Twitter account? Or did
Joe Toscano 31:38
I have hired baby Yoda to use the Force to go back in time to replay that brown Steeler game? So we’ll see. We’ll see what
Santiago Leon 31:48
we’ll see what happens Steelers got down bitcoins going down. So things are interesting in this world. Hopefully we’ll have a good game tonight. and exciting things will happen. Joe Toscano Always a pleasure. I’ll see you next week because because because we’ll be wrapping up and and seeing what like what happened to Tom Brady and and the chiefs and everything else. So
Joe Toscano 32:10
I would love that I always love coming on. Yeah, I needed to vent. So thank you for that.
Santiago Leon 32:17
Yes, this is a therapy session. It’s not really sure. Definitely. Definitely. Okay. Anyways, Adios. Roll Tide. Let’s rock and roll.
Joe Toscano 32:26
Roll Tide.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Santiago Leon is the Founder and CEO of the Sports Cast. He covers NFL, NBA, and world soccer. He’s also founder of sleon productions, which he specializes in technology and serves clients with solutions to make their business grow.