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In this episode, we preview NFL Championship Sunday
Contributors
Santiago Leon – @sleon
Jeff Fawver – @Jtfawver
Ryan Christa – @maddawgreport
AFC Champ Preview
Ravens 3 Bills 17
IND 24 Bills 27
CLE 17 KC 22
Lets go to the Chiefs, what they have to do to win this game?
What if Chad Henney plays?
Similar to a Mac Jones when Tua got injured going up against Auburn
NFC Champ Preview
Bucs-Packers
Brady vs Rodgers
No Antonio Brown
Predictions
NFL
TB-GB, 3:05pm
Joe: GB
Chandler: GB
Ryan: TB
Jordan: TB
Jeff: GB, 28-24
Ryan: GB 38-24
BUF-KC, 6:40pm
Joe: BUF
Chandler: BUF
Ryan: BUF
Jordan: BUF
Jeff: KC, 31-24
Ryan: BUF, 23-17
Transcript
Santiago Leon 0:12
The sports cast January 22 2021. If you haven’t yet, please subscribe to all our channels Periscope, YouTube and iTunes, Apple podcasts. And if you’re listening on Apple podcasts, please leave a rating and review it will help us out tremendously. And visit us on the sports cast dotnet does sports cast net or or visit us on Twitter at the sports cast one you can also listen to our online digital radio at the sports cast that net or on our app, the sports cast championship weekend for the NFL. Two good games AFC Championship between the between the chiefs, and the bills and NFC between the packers and the Buccaneers, Brady versus Rogers, but we won’t probably go as deep with that, because we have Jeff Oliver on the line. Welcome back to the sports cast. Thank you, Santiago.
Jeff Fawver 1:09
appreciate you having me.
Santiago Leon 1:11
Jeff, a lot of storylines going on. Everyone’s talking about Patrick mahomes being ready for this Sunday. Of course he’s still in concussion protocols. Jeff, what have you heard lately?
Jeff Fawver 1:24
Well, I mean, most people seem to think he’ll play. And I think it also helps that when when you look at how he went down, it’s it’s obviously clear that something happened. And there’s been quite a few people speculating that it may not have even been a concussion. But thankfully, at no point did he hit his head really hard, right? Like when, when I know when I was watching the replay, I kept waiting to see like, Did his head bounce off the ground? Did? Did somebody knee him in the head? You know, you just didn’t know. So I kept waiting for that. And so thankfully, it seems like he avoided that. You know, obviously, I’m a doctor, I think so I don’t want to speculate too much. But it does seem as though based on everything that we’re seeing and hearing that most people expect that he’ll play.
Santiago Leon 2:12
Now, you said you heard that it wasn’t a concussion. What have you been hearing just a bump in the head? Well, I
Jeff Fawver 2:18
mean, it sounds like, you know, Jay Glazer said that his neck bent in a way that could have pinched a nerve that actually cost him caused him to nearly pass out. But I mean, again, it those tackles, and those plays happen so quickly. You know, we slow it down, and we watch it slowed down by 100 times. But in real time, that was a two second tackle, right? I mean, maybe not even two seconds. So I don’t like to speculate on those types of things. But it is possible, you know, it’s possible that it wasn’t a concussion. But it’s also possible that it was because the other things I’ve seen is that you don’t necessarily have to take a hard hit to the head to have a concussion. But I mean, the good news is it does seem regardless of what story you’ve heard, it does sound as though he avoided the worst case scenario.
Santiago Leon 3:15
Not only he had a head bump this past weekend, well, we’ll call it a bump. He also had a toe injury. How severe What have you heard and how severe is it?
Jeff Fawver 3:28
Yeah, so the first drive that happened, he looked pretty rough. When he took off the run. He was limping. And then when he walked back to the huddle, he had a pretty solid limb. But
Santiago Leon 3:38
then I got against the Browns guy, so just wanted to remind you
Jeff Fawver 3:41
Okay, sorry, go Yes. The against the browns. Yeah. So, but what I did notice too, is on a second drive them, it seemed as though it’s stable, like whether it was going numb or whether he was just getting used to it, whatever it was, it didn’t seem as severe. So I’m sure it’ll be one of those things that isn’t pleasant for him. Maybe it’s not ideal, but I don’t expect it to be something so severe that would change the outcome of the game.
Santiago Leon 4:11
something to definitely look at. As we are talking. We are previewing. The chiefs are paying the bills for the AFC Championship game, which will be on Sunday night at 6pm. So it will be the ladder game. the Buffalo Bills first time in the AFC Championship game since the 90s. defeated the Ravens this past weekend, a team that is guided by a quarterback Josh Allen, a team of the future they calling it a team that we probably be facing the Chiefs a lot in the future. Jeff, what are your thoughts of course the bills haven’t had a dominating playoff so far we haven’t seen on hike the best of them, but what are you going to expect against When they play against the Chiefs
Jeff Fawver 5:05
the first couple playoff games haven’t been pretty for them. And especially the Colts game. I don’t want to say the Colts outplayed them because obviously if you outplay somebody you should win. But the Colts didn’t finish drives well, and rivers missed some throws that he normally doesn’t. And then the Ravens game really, that game that pick six by Lamar Jackson just completely changed that game. Because even if the Ravens get a field goal there, they’re probably feeling pretty good about where they’re at. Because the bills offense. If I were a bills fan, my concern would be the offense hasn’t looked sharp. Now, the Ravens Colts both have pretty good defenses. But the Chiefs defense always gets overlooked. And I guess there’s there’s some, there’s quite a few reasons for that. But the Chiefs defense has played well, when it’s been called upon. And when mahomes got hurt, and the defense had to step up and carry the team a bit, they did a pretty good job. Now I would say what do you expect from the bills, they’re going to want to attack the Chiefs vertically. And you know, Josh Allen has a huge arm. He wants to throw the ball down the field. He wants to target digs. But what I’m curious about is this. So the chiefs, the Chiefs were the number one defense in the NFL against number one wide receivers. And with Josh Allen, the thing I noticed that with him against the Ravens is he’s he’s improved dramatically. There’s no disputing that. And I’m not saying anything, otherwise, he’s been phenomenal. But any quarterback when you take away the first read and start making them go down the line and not throw to their favorite receiver, can you know Can Can he consistently do that? That’ll be a challenge for him. And I’m not saying Diggs is gonna have zero catches, he’s gonna he’s gonna make some plays, he’s gonna he’s gonna get his catches, because he’s just a ridiculous talent. And he’s phenomenal. But I do think the chiefs are going to make it hard to force feed digs. I don’t think the chiefs are just going to let digs take over the game. So is Alan going to be able to go to a second and third read? And is he going to be able to stay patient? So when the deep stuff isn’t there, will he be patient enough just to dump it off to the running back and live to fight another, another down? I think that that’s what I’m curious about. But I expect the bills to be aggressive. Every it’s funny, because every team that plays the chiefs, they bring out the flee flickers, they bring out going forward on fourth and five, they punt less, they run trick plays on special teams, because they know they have to keep up. And I’m sure the bills will be no different. You know, I won’t be surprised if the bills fake upon or if the bills go for it on fourth and three from the 50 yard line. So they’re they’re going to do those types of things that stay aggressive. And that’s what I expect. I just expect all out aggressive from the offense.
Santiago Leon 8:04
Kansas City Chiefs looking at them, what do they need to do to win this game bills are not going to be easy. As you were saying it right now. What do you want to see from Kansas City this Sunday? Well,
Jeff Fawver 8:19
I’ll don’t mean this to sound arrogant. But if you if you look at it, and you just look at what the teams have done to get here. The Chiefs aren’t the number one seed by accident. I mean, the chiefs are the best team in the AFC. So at the end of the day, they have to play clean and not turn the ball over. I mean, that’s what it is. If the Chiefs if the Chiefs play a clean game, and they don’t turn the ball over, they should be in the Super Bowl.
Santiago Leon 8:51
Before we move on to Ryan, which is he’s coming in what with Chad henne place we’re talking about? I mean, I don’t know if he’ll play the whole game. What if he plays part of the game? Do you trust them at any point? He can go all the way.
Jeff Fawver 9:07
No, if Chad honey plays the bills are on the Super Bowl. I mean, I’m not trying to discredit anything honey could. Yeah, I mean, Chad henne did a nice job coming in. The Chiefs had I believe the Chiefs had a 12 point lead when he came into the game. He did just enough to hang on to it. He made those big plays at the end. I mean, that run was a big play. The fourth and one is a big play. But look mahomes is either the best player in the NFL or you could argue maybe the second best behind Rodgers this year. I mean, he’s the guy. So if you want to get to the Super Bowl mahomes has to be the quarterback.
Santiago Leon 9:42
You make a point there, Jeff Vegas has it if mahones play they win, but when they take out my homes, the like the point spread goes to the bills and I think those edge it out is not like a significant you know, bills edge I’m Ryan, Krista is very familiar with the bills. And of course you’re familiar with the Chiefs Ryan, Krista tells about this AFC Championship game where the keys and what’s going to happen
Ryan Christa 10:12
obviously in the bill side, good afternoon perfect. Yeah,
Santiago Leon 10:15
it’s gonna be good.
Ryan Christa 10:19
Glad to be talking about my, my new favorite local football team, the Buffalo Bills, jumping on the bandwagon here in western New York is going crazy. This region is desperate to get to the Super Bowl there. If anything, they just loving this, you know, break from reality basically here that the bills are providing, you know, and the game itself, you know, obviously, you know, caught, you know, Jeff talking about, you know, the value of the quarterback position. And, you know, my home is, you know, is the best or one of the best quarterbacks in NFL maybe behind Rodgers, you know, I, I think mahomes is going to be the best if not, if he hasn’t right now. But, you know, Josh Allen is not far behind this year has been an amazing, you know, progression of it, you know, you know, what, of his career, you know, first year, you know, kind of had the rookie struggles, accuracy was issue last year, you know, kind of put a little bit together, got fought for the bill to get into the playoffs, but you know, kind of lacked consistency, you know, but this year, you know, it’s almost like you skipped this step, you know, from you know, an average quarterback to a superstar, you know, obviously getting stefon Diggs you know, helped you know, an elevation of you know, Cole Beasley now, this is a team that really does it solely out through the air. They don’t get much from the running game now especially Zack moss, you know, you really can’t expect much but this offense line pass protects well, which is what you got to do against the chiefs. You know, I think when the Chiefs you know if they can get after the quarterback, the Chiefs defense is good. But I think the bills will be able to put a lot of pressure on that back end and a secondary. When Baker Mayfield had time on Sunday, he was really able to dissect that team. But one thing the bills don’t have this instead have is the running game. Speaking differently for the bills, you know, they just got to limit the playmakers which is obviously easier said than done. The bill this hasn’t been the vaunted bill defense you’ve seen the last couple years. You know, what the Chiefs obviously, you know, early on their game, you know, this year was a very strange game, you know, I’m sure Jeff can remember that it was a Monday Night Football game, it was raining in Buffalo. And, and the Chiefs didn’t beat the bills by a passing game was by the running game, you know, it was close, I would I want to say close to almost 300 yards rushing by the Chiefs tech game, it was it was a huge number. You know, and I think the scoring of being 2617 it was a nine point game. But it felt much bigger than a nine point game. You know, the Chiefs defense was excellent that day. Josh Allen’s by far his worst game of the season, you know, totally didn’t find rhythm barely passed for 100 yards. And this is a guy, you know, we have put up huge numbers, you know, best season, quarterback, you know, history for the bills, and that’s coming, you know, from following the likes of Jim Kelly. So, but the bill, you know, Bill defensively, gotta keep gotta stop the run. But you know, and then, but obviously, you know, you got to cover Kelsey, you got to cover Hill and then you you got to stop whoever that next guy up, you know, as a hard man, you know, whoever, you know, that’s what makes the Chiefs dangerous, because you take away their top two guys, you know, and right now, you know, they always have somebody else to step up, especially on a third down, you know, and that’s and that’s the likes of having mahomes back there. You know, he’s extensive play. You know, what the bills need to do it, you know, just keep him in the pocket. You know, don’t try to necessarily get the sack and just, you know, cover as best as you can.
Santiago Leon 14:12
Back to you. I mean, with Ryan second ones, Ryan? What if there’s no mahomes? What if there’s a Chad henne plane? Maybe the whole game maybe partial Lee the game? Does that move the momentum does that favor buffalo by a lot?
Ryan Christa 14:31
Oh, absolutely. No jet you know, Jeff, that hit it on the head. You know, honey did just enough to hold off the browns. You know, if Browns had one more possession they probably win that game. And it’s a whole different storyline. You know, I don’t think Kenny played bad he played did what a backup quarterbacks was still but you know. It wouldn’t take a monumental effort from money to be able to put enough offense on the board. But again, we talked about Cheese being able to run the ball quite effectively on the bill so they’re able to do that again you know, they want either they may be able to get the victory but I don’t foresee you know, see that happening in this game. But yeah, I think mahomes has to play for the Chiefs to win this game,
Santiago Leon 15:15
as well beat a Mack Jones type of thing where he had replaced to last year, the iron bowl even though Alabama had the weapons, same for hand, he has weapons, you just needs to utilize.
Ryan Christa 15:31
I mean, honey, I mean, goodness, Santiago is probably the same age as we are. I remember him playing it in Michigan, you know, when we were in college, you know, so this is a guy who’s been around, you know, had had some good years down in South Beach, San Diego under Bill Parcells, which seems like a long, long time ago, but um, yeah. I think mobile homes plays a change to the favorite hunting plays ability to pay, right? Well, just simple as that.
Santiago Leon 16:03
We’ll see. Well, we know what like the bills are favoring what they want to happen this weekend. Anyways, NFC Championship game. Brady versus Rogers. The Buccaneers versus the Green Bay Packers. I’ve been hearing a lot of different predictions on this one. I’ve been here in Green Bay blowing out the bucks. Today we found out that Mr. AB is not playing this Sunday. And Tonio Brown is not playing this Sunday. Jeff, how do you see this matchup? Is it going to be close? Or is it going to be Green Bay Packer blowout what everyone’s saying
Jeff Fawver 16:45
I don’t I don’t think either team’s gonna win by blowout. I think it’ll be a good game. Earlier in the year the Bucs really had their way with the Packers. But you see it over and over again that when a when a team sees each other in the playoffs, it those blowout games rarely mean anything. You know, the saints beat the Bucs by double digits both times they played in the regular season. And then the Bucs beat them in New Orleans. So I don’t put a whole lot of stock into the earlier of the game earlier in the year. I would lean towards the Packers. And the biggest reason for that is I mean Rogers for one he’s just playing awesome. It is tough to go against Brady though, man. Because, you know, I didn’t think that the Patriots were gonna go into Kansas City and win a couple years ago because you know, the Brady aging, but he just he plays his best ball at the right time. And that’s what Brady has always done. He plays his best ball at the right time. So I lean towards the Packers but I don’t get I just don’t get any of the blowout talk. The Bucs defense is really good. And I think the Packers defense has played better i don’t think i’m not saying the Packers defense is a liability. But if you put you know the Bucs on offense, the Packers defense the Bucs defense of the Packers offense. I think the Packers defense is probably the worst unit of the group. So they’re gonna have to play well. And I don’t I don’t think the Packers necessarily want to get into a shootout. Even though even though their offense is great. their offense is phenomenal. I still don’t think they really want the game to turn into a high octane shootout.
Santiago Leon 18:26
Ryan the Buccaneers are in a momentum streak right now Brady’s playing at a at a high level right now. This is the first NFC Championship game in Green Bay. This is stuff that Aaron Rodgers has dreamed about his opportunity to go to another Super Bowl and win a second. How do you see this matchup?
Ryan Christa 18:48
Oh, yeah, Jeffrey, I hit on a hat. You know, let’s toss away that game in week six. It doesn’t matter. I think you know, a big thing. You got this guy and you know, what’s the weather gonna be like in Green Bay? You know, you’re going boys from Florida do not like to play in cold weather. Luckily, I mean, you’re kind of your X Factor. There is time Ray. Obviously, he’s played a lot of cold weather games, so it’s not gonna freak him out. But you got more than just Tom Brady. And then you got, you know, 51 other players out there. In the A B factor. Yes. Big but I don’t think he’s been the difference maker for the Buccaneers. They got a lot of players, you know, I rather have Evans and Godwin healthy and gronk and Brad, you know, and Ronald Jones and for now, you know, that that’s a healthy dose of often other weapons that could definitely fill in for Brown, you know, not to discredit how brown you know, his career, but you know, he’s not the same player. He was in Pittsburgh. You still have my Kevin I, you know, you stopped Mike Evans. You know, Chris, golly. It’s a stellar offense. You know, and that’s Yeah, like Jeff said, do they he’ll put a lot of pressure On Packers defense, where, you know, they haven’t always had to play their A game because, you know, I just put up big numbers this year, they seem to play a little better home, you know, just if you look at the stats, so that should be a factor. But, you know, I like you know, it’s gonna be exciting to see this you know, good Buccaneer secondary against being able to sit down davante Adams and company, you know, you got to stop Aaron Jones. First off, you know, and then stop Adams, you know, if you can do that, obviously easier said than done. That’s the game plan. You’re gonna have a shot, but you know, whether they can do that for 60 minutes. You know, then earlier this year, but again, like I said, That’s Week Six, along a lot of things have happened since then.
Santiago Leon 20:49
And there you have it, there’s a key points that’s entered to our our final predictions over championship Sunday. Jeff, give us a final score for buffalo at Kansas City.
Jeff Fawver 21:02
You know, it’s it’s tough because, you know, a little bit of weather couldn’t play and if mahomes isn’t completely right, maybe he won’t be himself. But I keep going back to just what what Andy Reid mahomes have done together in the playoffs. they’ve they’ve always scored right. So when I look at it, I think it’ll be a 31 to 24 game. I think the Chiefs win. I think the difference in the game will just be that mahomes mahomes is just a little bit cooler than what Allen is. And I think he’ll just make one more play. It’s not discrediting. Allen. I think he’ll play a solid game, but I think I think mahomes will make one more play the Chiefs a win 31 to 24
Santiago Leon 21:49
should be a good one. Ryan. Krista. Could this be a chance for the bills to go back to the Super Bowl since 1994?
Ryan Christa 21:57
Absolutely. And like I said, you know, mahomes plays gives the edge to the chiefs, but no one circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills. So I am going to go I’d say 2317 bills.
Santiago Leon 22:11
2317 that’s probably Chad heading me plane. Back at at Tampa Bay at Green Bay. Right. Jeff, give us a final score. Brady versus Rogers.
Ryan Christa 22:28
I’ll take the first one and this one, I’ll go green bay as say 3824 3824
Santiago Leon 22:34
Jeff favor.
Jeff Fawver 22:40
Man, I think Green Bay is actually going to run the ball a lot. And even though the Bucs run defense last I saw was pretty good. But I just think that’s kind of who the packers are. And I think the scoring will be a little bit lower than what some anticipate. So I like the Packers, but I’m gonna say 28 to 24 and I am sure at some point I’m going to regret saying that a tom brady team in the playoffs is going to score 24 points that would probably come back to bite me. But uh yeah, I just think that the fences will play well, and even though the offenses will move the ball they’ll both probably run the ball a little bit more so so that’ll lower the scoring a little bit so I think it’ll be 28 to 24
Santiago Leon 23:26
the Packers will win there we have it Jeff has greenbay going Ryan as well put two different teams in the AFC which okay from the two really quick guys which game will be the tightest
Jeff Fawver 23:40
think the Packers box will be a little bit closer.
Ryan Christa 23:42
Yes. Ryan I go the opposite I think Kansas a buffalo i think you know I can’t I obviously I think Kansas is not going to go down without a fight. And I think of Kansas he plays it to the level they were last week I think Buffalo’s got a chance but I don’t know if that was just I just don’t think Kansas City played a great game last week they played good enough to win I just think buffalo is better than Cleveland. So is Cleveland if Kansas City doesn’t improve I think buffalo wins
Santiago Leon 24:14
which which game I should make some dinner reservations for
Ryan Christa 24:21
would you say San Diego
Santiago Leon 24:22
which which game? I should make some restaurant reservations for
Jeff Fawver 24:27
man neither I don’t want to be seen in public watching playoff games.
Ryan Christa 24:31
Yeah,
Santiago Leon 24:32
exactly. Well, I was gonna pick density and Tampa so I’ll definitely be watching that
Ryan Christa 24:38
night so yeah, so we we gotta go my wife’s gotta go we gotta go the same routine we order from the same restaurant that we did last week because that’s what she’s she’s all I’m you know. She’s dusted off all her bills, clothes where you know
Santiago Leon 24:55
you have any type of superstitious stuff you do for the for any Kansas City game.
Jeff Fawver 24:59
You Don’t want man last year. I had to like not wear anything chiefs gear because I was wearing my chief stuff when the Texans were just clobbering them. I’m like forget this I just put a random Under Armour shirt on. And so I didn’t wear any chief stuff until they lost the game against the Raiders in the regular season. And then I was like, Okay, I’m okay to wear my chief stuff again. So I just I didn’t want to be the reason that they picked up that next loss. So
Santiago Leon 25:28
there you have it, guys. were once I different from your other sock. Anyways, Ryan Krista what is the best way to reach you to get that football Super Bowl recipe?
Ryan Christa 25:39
Ready? Mad Dog report 18.
Santiago Leon 25:42
Jeff, what is the best way to reach you to to perfect the person’s barbecue sauce.
Jeff Fawver 25:50
Best way to follow along is at JT over on Twitter.
Ryan Christa 25:53
And you can follow us endpoint Diego before before we’re done. Which type of barbecue sauce do you prefer? Do you prefer the buffalo sauce or the KC sauce? Oh, wow.
Santiago Leon 26:05
I have to be honest, I like the KC sauce better.
Unknown Speaker 26:09
Oh boy.
Santiago Leon 26:09
Yeah, I gotta be honest with you. I mean, I just it is what it is. It just tastes better. But this is my opinion. It’s not the best sauce.
Ryan Christa 26:18
Right? That’s why I asked you. Yeah, there’s no wrong answer.
Santiago Leon 26:21
Anyways, you could definitely comment me on the sports cast one on Twitter or at the sports cast. dotnet for the latest and greatest this weekend. We’ll be live tweeting the games. And of course before we leave Ryan any any closing thoughts on Hank Aaron passing in a way today at 86 Major League Baseball Hall of Famer
Ryan Christa 26:39
absolutely what I can, you know, really changed the game for many ways, you know, really winning the, you know, great power hitters of all time you know, if we asked some baseball purists he stood the all time home run hitter, you know, made an impact, you know, not on the field off the field and just is all around good guy and it’s a sad day for sport of baseball, but you know, his impact will live on. And there you have it.
Santiago Leon 27:09
Great legend. And recognize here at the sports cast Jeff Farber Ryan, Krista. Thanks for coming on the sports cast. Enjoy championship, weekend, Sunday.
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.