Countdown to Kickoff Presented by BetMGM

Published Jan 12, 2025, 6:39 PM

Brian Noe, Geoff Schwartz, and Bill Krackomberger recap Saturday’s NFL Wild Card round action, talk about which upcoming playoff games they’re most interested in, deep dives into each playoff game, some thoughts on the College Football Playoff, and more! Plus, Follow the Money with Christian Cipollini, Parlay Platter, Second Chance Score, Prop It Up, The Krack Challenge, Rapid Fire, and Bill’s play of the Day!

Oh, what a lovely morning. It is. Good morning everybody. We got wild card weekend going on. We'll get you all set for that.

But man, a big shout out to Chris Purfet, our technical producer extraordinaire, who man given some love to the Irish go into the national champions.

It's hard for me, but I allow it.

You know, I appreciate that he comes from a Notre Dame family. That Chris Prefet over there. Good morning guys, Jeff and Crack. How are we doing today?

Everything good?

Uh? Yeah, this is very funny. I I good, good work everyone on this. I gotta say, it's so funny how we cover or not we I didn't do this, but you know, as soon as Notre Dame won that game right in Ohio State won against Texas, Brian, what's the first thing I hear from people not amething it's smashed? Can you let Notre Dame enjoy making the championship game? Like why don't we have to immediately go to the next game? Like what not Dame is doing right now is remarkable and it's been fun to watch. I had that game sort of right, I mean I thought it'd be a close game. I thought Penn State was a little bit better obviously. I mean the three of us caused many passes Penn State's wide receivers. Did you know? You know what it is to me, guys, It's like it's miss is the Steelers. Thing for me last night for a little bit, especially in the first half, is like Penn State did not try. They didn't try to throw the ball, like they just didn't try. No names. Passing game is not great, but they tried and it worked. It worked. They had big explosive places which they really haven't had for the first two playoff games. Like it worked, and so I give a lot of credit to the physicality of that of that Notre Dame team, the way Freeman coaches them. And yes they are ten pounder dogs for a reason. Yes, I will wager on Ohio State. We can cover this maybe on Sunday. No offense to Brian, but like, yes, like those things are true, but we can also appreciate Notre Dame in this moment right now, you go into Atlanta, Brian, are you gonna go?

I don't think so. I don't think so.

But you could have taken the hotel I looked at before the organ game, or really I started looking at hotels. Unfortunately it's my fault. So yes, that is Monday, January twentieth. I think it's ten points still right, Ohio State, Notre Dame, somewhere around there. What's you know? What's interesting is is before the playoffs started, people were showing, you know, the old way we did things right the ratings, the BCS and in most of the rating systems it was Oregon one in all of them and number two was Georgia Notre Dame. Wow, like Notre Dame has played well this season, you know, the NAU game happened, and the college of playoffs this season is the NFL. You can lose a game and make the playoffs and get hot or just play like yourself and being a championship like Ohio State not Dame would not be in a fourteen playoff, but I certainly would have been in the BCS era probably not. So I enjoyed the college football. I enjoy the NFL yesterday, even though the games weren't great. So congrats to your Irish Brian. I know, how was the show with Jared yesterday?

We didn't have one?

Oh yeah, the fires. Yeah, I would like to mention that quickly wet the Irish shan go through off there a shout out to look, I'm from Los Angeles. The city that burned first is where my high school is, Palisades. My high school survived, but the rest of the town did not. Essentially, Palisads is gone. I mean, it's it's it's just it's gone. So obviously our thoughts are with those people in Altadina and Pasadena everywhere.

Now.

It seems like in Manuel Canyon a little bit. But the fire department, man, they're they're battling and they're doing an incredible job. They brought in obviously firefires from all over the place. They brought in the inmates that do fire in California. Uh, you know, the Mexican fire fire Department has showed up and what they had given and just I want to reiterate how much we appreciate the battle they're having right now. Uh to uh put these fires at least down for the moment. It seems like winds are gonna be bad again next week. It's a perfect situation for this to happen. I mean again, as someone who grew up in California, in Los Angeles, my parents my mom has lived La your whole life. Like everyone sort of talked about this happening one day and it seemed like the perfect conditions to happen. So I just want to say to those, you know, those firefighters and people still battling it, we we thank you. And there's ways to donate to if you have the means to do so. There's a good La Fire Department website that has a donation link to a crack. So I just want to reiterate that I've said on many programs this week, and it's been surreal watching the city you went to high school in disappear. I've my parents are fine. They're they're a couple of miles away from the fire and doesn't seem to be getting close to them. But it's been an it's I don't know, Brian, I don't have to say it. Watching that happen in real time was was I. I was texting some friends. I didn't know what to say. It's it's uh, it's just seeing like your childhood burned down. And again I'm three thousand miles away. I couldn't imagine if you had a home.

There, Jeff, you went to high school right there.

Yeah, palaceads.

Yeah, that's wow. Wow. So you know that whole entire area you actually know it then that's yeah your area.

Yeah wow yeah. And you know and the thing about that area too is that it is yes, it's affluent, but the people that live there have been there like forty years. It's not like a new family money. Yeah, Like it's not like and really the value or your your your net worth is your property, you know what I mean. Like, it's not a place where a lot of people like they've had their people my age thirty eight are not buying houses in the Palisades unless you're a celebrity, you know, like you have right, most of the houses that burned down are people that have been there for forty years, thirty forty years, and so it's really sad, man. And I know there's lots of talk about what could be done, what wasn't done. I'm going to tell you this, guys. When it started, I saw the video and and the first thing I texted Buddy Mine was like, this is gonna be bad. There's it didn't matter how much water they had or didn't have, or firefighters were here and there there were eighty miter winds in the middle of a city and in policy just sort of isolated from the one way in, one way out. Then another fire broke out, and so again I just commend the fire departments for working them. They're working their tails off Man twenty fives. I mean, they're they're buzzinger a butt to save the city.

Yeah, you know it just when you see some of these photos, they didn't look real. There was one wide shot and I was like, this is it looks like some kind of an AI image, a movie, a movie set. Is no way that could be real? That wide spread like that. It's it's uh, it really is it? There? You just get addicted to watching. I was flicking back and forth between stations for so many hours that first night. I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. And yeah, our hearts to go out. Well it gets It really was a few nights where you really put yourself in check and you think sometimes you're indestructible your domain, and you're you know, you know there there there houses are made of wood, they go up, and then you know these embers where we're flying over eighty mile an hour. Like Jeff said, you know, just think about how far and some of these embers can go with you know, thousands, not a thousands, but I heard I heard football fields in light.

Yeah. Well they also jump the eight lane highway, which is like the.

First eight plane highway on the time, because.

Normally the highways tend to be like the break points. You could say, okay, it's not going to go over the highway the big ones, and it did, I think in Pasadena.

So wow.

Yeah, and have so many things so we can say about this not remte the program, but like training, information on social media about this has not been great. I'll tell you that right. You know, obviously if you're in Los Angeles. I've been streaming you know, local stations in LA to get the best news. But the one thing that I it's not to say I've liked it, but it's put those helicopter water drop videos are amazing. They sink one of them to Mike Breensang yeaheah, and like these guys, I mean they're they're they're incredible. They're saving If without the water drops the city would be gone. I mean there's no you just can't stop about that immense amount of water being dropped. And there's one thing from Ventura County. There's some private contractors there and they're just flying and they're finding a reservoir and filling back up and flying back in. And so that has been the one thing that I at least put a smile on my face a little bit. Is like the helicopter water drops.

Hey, Jeff, how far is the stadium that they had to cancel the game? Well and move it the Arizona. How far is that the stadium?

The stadium is fine, cracked, but the air quality is you can't play in it. So because so far is not a dome. It's an outdoor stadium with the roof on top of it, so it's not enclosed. So the air quality and in two thousand and three there's it was a fire season, and it's another part of it. Fire season is not January. Okay for those who like, why are theyre't prepared? It's not January. It's not it's September October, because that's when you know it doesn't rain for all summer, and that's when the sant Anna's typically show up. But now it's the san Anna's are in January, which is not normal. So we had high school football game move because we had fires on a couple sides of the city and like the wind just Santa Anna's east to west. It just blew the palace. It just blows west and so you just can't breathe.

Crack.

I mean that's the problem that the fires are not coming to sofar city, but at least I don't think so they're not close, but you just can't breathe. And so I think it's a.

Few miles more inland.

It's about fifty it's about fifteen miles south south.

It's that far.

Yeah, the winds blow all that smoke complete.

Yeah, and my parents have My mom sat a picture yesterday, ashes just raining down in her house. Like and also too Kraga, think of the you know, the police pre as you need at a game like that. They can't do that right now. Police have to be used other places, and you know, La has had natural disasters and looting does happen. It's happening now. I mean, you have to use your resources, I think to you know, to make sure that. And I'm surprised they took them so long to move the game. I thought they would do it closer, but they I think they did a great job of traditioning Arizona. The Cardinals have done a nice job of helping the Rams out, you know, but I don't know how many RAMS players this is. This is this is like a difficult part talking about, like when we handicap this game, this is part of it. Like I don't know how many RAMS players are in their families are in the way of the fire. They've obviously evacuated, but like JJ Reddick, the Lakers coach, his house got burned down. It's gone right like and so that is something that I get. I feel uncomfortable talking about that when it comes to football, but that is a life thing. That's part of it. You're evacuating a city that's currently on fire, and the RAMS facility is not close to the fires. But still, I mean the players, I think live all over the city. So yeah, SOFI is not close to fire's cracked, but it's again the wind and the ash. Again, my parents live closer to the fire than so far, but the ash is falling down over the city.

Yeah, yeah, it was.

It gave me a flashback, Jeff to when I was working in Portland. There was a nasty wild fire in Oregon, far away from where I was living at the time, but it was in your house. Yeah, like you could barely breathe in your house. You had to stay low in your own house.

With fires way way, way far away.

So yeah, that's a good explanation as to why the football.

Game had to be moved. Yeah, you couldn't do it there. It's so far.

There's just there's just it's just no way. And from a gambling perspective, cracked. So they it depends on the house rules, right, some bets get avoided and some did not.

It depends on a lot more places I found out actually counted this bet. Now. I was like, I thought one place in Vagus, No, there was like four that actually say hey, the BET's stand no matter what. But then there was another on the other side is about five. So there's literally a little bit more that say hey, no, no, no, it's absolutely canceled your bet. It has to play on the exact spot where the game was scheduled. So check what your sportsbook for sure. So very interesting.

Yeah, good stuff.

All right, We've got Bill Krachenberger from crackwings dot com sports handicapper Jeff Schwartz, eight year NFL veteran.

I'm Brian, No, we got you covered.

We'll get you all the previews for the triple header today, the game tomorrow night, a little review from yesterday's beat downs, all that good stuff, and like Jeff was talking about, our thoughts and prayers with everybody affected by the wildfires. It's a crazy situation and we're thinking of you, anybody who's been affected in any any way. On the football side, we will pay attention to that today and it is football time at bet GM. Use code countdown and receive up to fifteen hundred dollars back in bonus bets if you don't win your first bet. When you registered with BETMGM, you'll get instant access to a variety of parlay selection features, live betting options, signature bets and the best daily promotions in the business. Download the betmgm app today or visit betemgm dot com and use code countdown to receive up to fifteen hundred dollars back in bonus bets if that bet loses. All right, coming up next our guy Christian Cipolini from BETMGM. He'll get you all the data the insights on the matchups today and the matchup tomorrow as well. It is Fox Sports Radios Countdown to Kickoff presented by BETMGM.

Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our shows at Foxsports Radio dot com and within the iHeartRadio app search FSR to listen live.

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All season long.

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All right, first, let's go to I Loo for some breaking news.

Season breaking news from Fox Sports.

Multiple outlets are just reporting that the New England Patriots are hiring Mike Vrabel as.

Their new head coach.

You, of course, spent eight seasons as a Patriot linebacker, winning three Super Bowls, seven years as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans, taking them to the playoffs three times and winning two division championships, So I'm sure in news that surprises and shocks us all, the choice in New England is Mike Rabel.

Guys, good stuff.

I loo.

Yeah, we'll circle back to that real fast that it makes me think of yesterday.

Really, you hear all these You gotta get an offensive minded head coach. You gotta get Ben Johnson.

Look at the T they have Demico Ryans, former linebacker with the Texans.

CJ.

Stroud had a sensational rookie season. Came back to earth this year. But it's pretty good yesterday, so it can work. Can work.

It worked with Belichick, defensive.

Minded head coach for that long, So I don't know why so many are quick to dismiss that. But we'll circle back to that first though. Let's dive into this.

Follow the money, real good money.

All right, Our good friend Christian Zippolini bet MGM Trading Managers us with us this morning.

Christian, Good morning to you man.

You know what, Listen, I'm from South Bend, Indiana, all right, it's my hometown.

I'm a Notre Dame honk.

But I'm just.

Looking at this point spread nine and a half, and I'm comparing into the NFL, where yesterday the Ravens were nine and a half point favorites against the Steelers. The Bills are eight and a half point favorites against the Broncos. Just comparing it, you think nine and a half is a point spread right there with the Irish involved against Ohio State Christian.

Yeah, I mean I think it's fair. I mean Notre Dame pas looks very good over the past couple of weeks, but Ohio State seems to be turning it on to a different notch at this point. Kind of weren't expected it to go. We will definitely get a good amount of Ohio State money, but Notre Dame fans are everywhere, so maybe we get a little bit of mix with that big high point spread. But I don't know, we'll see.

It feels like a lot of people are going with the Ohio State Baltimore Buffalo parlay. Maybe you throw the Eagles in there. Who do you need to lose outright? Today? Is a favorite to sort of help you guys the most.

Yeah, it's probably that one you mentioned. We have taken a ton of Eagles money. That might be the one. But I do think kind of to your point, I probably for the Broncos to cover them winning probably would be pretty good for us too. Although a bill's at this point, it gets done a Bill's ravings game would end up taking so much money that you know, we might prefer that next week versus this week. I would say, though the Bills are the one I would.

Pick Bill Christian Bill Krachenberger Here, I have a little story to tell you first. So you know, I all throughout the season here making some deposits down at my local bet MGM here and betting a lot of futures, a lot of big things, and I kept on like breaking even losing a little bit. Well then everything hit. I absolutely destroyed you guys. But let me tell you what's happened. In the last two weeks. Buddy lost about forty thousand in my bet MGM account. I'm looking for a meal, something, buffet, anything. Yeah, So I know you guys keep an eye on that. You know, trust me, you guys needed what I bet. I mean you needed more on it actually. But so I know when I lose a big a couple big bets, like the Detroit game when they played Minnesota, and you know the other day when during the Ohio State game, I know, like I have a feeling that I'm betting exactly what you guys need. But situationally, yeah, so now that I've lost this money back. I'm out to get you, just letting you know. So yeah, let me ask you because even yesterday, even my my brain which doesn't work when it comes to betting favorites, and I have to get by that. And I have evolved a little bit for sure, but I still couldn't pull the trigger on that exactly what Jeff just said. I couldn't pull the trigger on Baltimore Buffalo, Ohio state where you can go into Monday the twentieth and maybe even hedge the Notre Dame side. With those two big favorites, I'm under the real opinion that you know, these teams can still lose Green Bay and beat Philadelphia easily. I think Denver, I think Denver can even you know, winning buff Buffalo hasn't shown me that they're the best team right now in football. So those two teams, though, I was wondering the same thing. Is it really giant numbers that you need UH today Denver to maybe UH lose by one point or something like it? Is it? Is it really big? Lots of money line favorites, lots of money line parlays UH today like more than you've ever seen, or no kind of average are an average Sunday volume.

Wise, No, I think it's still still kind of more like an average Sunday. And to this point, like you mentioned that with the Broncos and the Packers, Yeah, we're at the point where the playoffs the playoff teams, so they're all teams that are good enough and they definitely all can win. The Broncos defense is pretty good. That Bills hasn't been that good, so I definitely think that a decent chance of that one. Uh is one that could be close. But for us at this point, with less games to get easier for us to kind of focus in on just the small amount of games we have. But the thing that happens for us is your the volume really increases, so we just take a ton more bets on these couple of games in the post to a full plate. So Barrosa's really just hoping we can get the results we want. And to your point about the last couple of weeks not doing so well, usually your side of the money is what we want. Is usually when you're taking the opposite of what the public's going But that week eighteen was one of the top three weeks we ever had. Everything shook out the way it wents, so we're hoping to continue that rolling in New wild Guard weekend.

I hope you go the exact opposite way, Chris, Yeah, I'm curious with these four playoff games left, like today and tomorrow. You spoke about volume, like which game looks to be the most heavily bet game of these four and which looks to be the least heavily bet game.

Yeah, well, the least bet is going to be this Broncos bill game just because the spread bigger. You know, for perspective, it seems like it could potentially be a blowout and maybe not watched as much, where the Packers Eagles game is probably the one on paper that's probably the best game. Do fan bases that do have a good presence kind of all over the place. But then even on top of that, usually night games for us in general usually take the most money. So I feel like it's gonna end up being this Packers Eagles one. But I really do think we're gonna end up getting a pretty good amount on those three games remaining, and then obviously we've can touch it on the National Championship that will be a massive one.

You mentioned looking ahead to something like Baltimore and Buffalo. How often do you sort of think about what matchups you want because like, for example, yesterday I was hoping the Chargers will win because I could not wait to bet against Themi Kansas City, Like I was thinking ahead there. Obviously that didn't happen. But are the matchups that but outside of Baltimore Buffalo you're sort of rooting for because they'll help you guys out.

Usually if we're thinking about somebody that it usually just tend to be like where our future's liability is. We don't really have any on the bills of the Ravens, and that just in my opinion, is expected to be such a big game that will end up with just so much more volume as opposed that you know, it ends up being something it's like Denver going going on, or you know, another upset here happening if the Steelers had one. You know, those games just aren't as interesting on paper. And when it is a more interesting game on paper, we always do see that in the volume. So I feel like I'd have a pretty good accurate prediction on what the viewership is on games just by looking at how much handle we get on.

These Christian What what was your rules? What's the bet MGM rules on that RAMS game? What was the situation there?

Yeah, location change, so that's a void for us. I think that's pretty standard across usually any location change. But when I got an early number, unfortunately it would have got avoided. But it has kind of come back to.

Where it was, right And is that a big volume game for you guys yet or no? Or do you expect it because it's this island game tomorrow night? Do you expect this to be more than even a Monday night football type of action? And what are you guys seeing right now?

Yeah? Like I said, those Island games are always a lot better. At this point, we did like we had a boid a ton of action that we already took going in. So it's it's chasing behind right now. It's the least handle game that we have at the moment. That will change though, But it's also, uh, you know, people don't tend to bet, or at least a lot of the general public doesn't bet on Monday's game on Sunday. They usually wait until right around kick off the short place the bets. But I don't think that one's going to be our most bet I do think it'll be probably between Packer's Eagles and then just Commanders Pops. Use, it's kind of people just rolling in. If they hit a couple of games, sure in the den, the first two go, they'll roll it into Sunday nights.

Just the last thing for you here, Christian, you mentioned all that cash that bet MGM one last if if you were to take all of that from week eighteen and have the perfect script for you guys with the remaining playoff games, what do you need to go your way and shake out that way?

So yeah, we would really just probably just be looking for a good game. I know. At this point, really the only thing that is on bet MGM's mind is the Lions losing. They are our biggest liability. There's the one team that we're really fading. It's kind of rare. Usually there's a couple of teams that we're fading, but this one is far and away Detroit. So pretty much as long as they get knocked out and we get a couple of good games, we'll be okay. So yeah, something like Bill's Ravens. Moving forward, we get a Bill's Chief sc Championship or Ravens Chiefs. Something like that is what we'd be looking for because we know the bout and be huge on that.

All right, all right, Christian, Well, hey, thanks for your time. I hope you have a great day. We'll catch you soon.

Yeah, you took to you next week?

All right?

There is Christian Sippolini bet MGM trading manager, joining us here. On countdown to kickoff. We go from heavy hitter to heavy hitter. Isaac lowen Kron, He's like Mariano Rivera, just warming up in the bullpen, you know, and here he is.

To close it down and nail down another save. What's going on?

I low hopefully this warn't turn out to be Game seven of the two thousand and one World Series.

That's a bluepig. I go, yeah, I know.

I guess I'm just a pessimist by nature. Brian sees the glass half full. I see the glass completely empty. The glass not empty. For Mike Rabel, multiple outlets report that Vrabel is the new head coach of the New England Patriots. He played for them for eight seasons as a linebacker, winning three Super Bowls. Most recently served as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans for six seasons from twenty eighteen to twenty twenty three, three playoff appearances, two division championships. Again, multiple outlets reporting a short time ago that the Patriots are hiring Mike Vrabel as their new head coach. In the AFC Wild Card Game on Saturday night, the Baltimore Ravens eliminated the Pittsburgh Steelers twenty eight to fourteen. Derreck Henry ran for onet eighty six and two touchdowns. The Ravens ran for two ninety nine as a team. Lamar Jackson eighty one rushing yards, completing sixteen to twenty one passes for one seventy five through the air, two touchdown passes, no interceptions. Ravens on a five game winning streak. The Steelers closed this season on a five game losing streak. Earlier Saturday, the Houston Texans eliminated the Los Angeles Chargers thirty two to twelve. The Texans intercepted Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert four times. He was intercepted just three times all season long. Today's action kicks off at one pm Eastern from Buffalo as the two seed Bills play host to the seventh seeded Denver, Broncos Fellas back to you.

Thank you, I Low.

It is Fox Sports Radios Countdown to Kickoff, presented by bet mgm rough.

Rough performance by Justin Herbert right there.

I'm curious what you guys think about this because, as I Low just said, four interceptions just yesterday against the Texans. He had three interceptions the entire regular season.

And look, he was bad.

Will Disley didn't do him any favors dropping the one pass that should have easily been caught turned into an interception. But it's hard to just point that out as if there weren't three other interceptions. You know, Herbert played badly, But I think multiple things can be true at the same time, where yeah, Herbert was bad, but the offensive line was bad yesterday as well, and you got to get him another wide receiver to go along with Lad McConkey.

Lad went crazy.

He went for a rookie record in receiving yards in the playoffs yesterday. But man, it's slim Pickens there. So both things can be true going forward. You need the offensive line to play better, you need another weapon as far as the wide receiver, but that doesn't take away from he played a bad game. Both things can be true.

At the same time, he did play a bad game, and it's it's a fair to criticize him with also the nuance that it was a team that has no receiving options outside of one, right, I.

Mean, and they got to the playoffs and it's a running back room that's not great, and they got to the playoffs. They don't really have a tight end. It's hard balls. First year in Los Angeles. It's a team in French is that traditionally isn't they called chargering? Right? They can they continually have these you know, these sort of no shows in these big situations, which I would argue last night it was a little bit of a no show. I don't know if it feels like more of the Texans maybe did a good job than maybe a no show, but the Texans for a big early part of that game. It wasn't good for Texans either, guys, I mean it was, it wasn't great. So, yes, it's it's fair to criticize all those things, but also too, I mean, this is the first year of the postseason under the Jim Harbaugh watch in this organization, which again it's hard to win. Sometimes your first playoff game. Look at what happened last season with the Texans. Since you wait, they make the playoffs first time and get blown out by Baltimore. And you know, if you tell me that that the Chargers add another wide receiver and they add you know, another tight end and whatnot, and I'd be like, Okay, well, I imagine they're back on the same spot next season, Crack. But I'll tell you what, I was more than happy to take the Texans plus three yesterday. Every single person Chargers, it's it's the time, it's their time, it's a Texans stake. I was like, you're taking a public road favorite and the Chargers out of all teams to back. So I was on Texans plus three. Small amount. I'll take it, though, crack.

You know, watching that game, like Jeff just said that, that first quarter, you just felt the Chargers were gonna roll here. Both of those field goals could have been touchdown, and it just seemed like Houston was at a sat I think I just it just really felt like they were Charges were over three to one live. I mean, you just felt that that was gonna be a real big Charger game. So quickly turned around. Herbert forard reception is this This outcome was a bit of a surprise to me. Actually, the Texans defense totally dominated the game, made things really hard on Herbert. Yeah, he threw, like I said, the forward exceptions and only had three of us on the regular season. But you can't blame this totally on him. I guess two of your exceptions probably weren't his fault, so he really didn't have a clean pocket to throw the entire game. And listen, like I said, credit to the Houston Texans d who pressured Herbert the majority of his dropbacks. Really that he was pressured, so the Texans had four sacks and the edge rushers really made it impossible for the Chargers defense to get the ball downfield. So if the Bills beat the Broncos today, then these Texans will head to Kansas City to face Jeff's Chiefs, and if the Broncos then win, they'll then the Houston will play ball at Baltimore. So it should be it should be some interesting turn of events. Listen, I know we didn't talk about the Broncos yet, but I actually would like to see the Broncos beat the Bills today. But I don't know if they can do it. It's a big, it's a big.

It's the one game where my heart is like, man, the Broncos are playing good football, but then I have like rookie quarterback on the road at a quarterby flow, like, yeah, it's gonna be. I think this game actually, out of all of them, we could well. I guess we won yesterday blowout, But today this is the one to me that screams like thirty five ten.

Could be, could be to put a bow on the Herbert thing. I just feel like they're the anti Herbert crowd is out there.

Oh, they're so happy.

Oh. I can just picture them listening to this show, and it's like you need to just crush this guy.

It's all his fault.

He sucks. He's the worst.

It's like the guy doesn't suck. He was bad yesterday, Like that pick six to get it going. That was before the Will Disley drop in that interception, it's just an overthrow of McConkey. It swung the game totally on Herbert, totally his fault. But I don't know about you, guys. I feel like Herbert's gotten a lot more criticism than deserved going back, like the epic collapse when the Chargers were up twenty seven to nothing on Jacksonville.

They killed Herbert for that.

It's like guys played some defense and it's way more on the defense for that collapse than Herbert. But Herbert has played well enough in the regular season where it's like, okay, time for the results in the playoffs, and when they're not there, he gets crushed again. He was bad yesterday. He was absolutely bad. But to make it out to be he's just.

A bad quarterback.

Really, you give him another weapon along with McConkey and you think he's just bad.

That come on, man, that just goes too far.

Ran. If I ever seen him out in a bar, I'm yelling at him because I got blown on the lone. He's got millions. He's getting yelled at from me.

So bag, all right, what would you yell?

Crack say, you rebum question. Put my money. I'm betting my money on you fore you earn the Charger yesterday. Crack, No, I'm talking about Charger people that bet the Chargers.

Oh, but said, it's like there's no way chargers yesterday.

No, just a lot of people that bet on the Chargers.

All right, we've got Bill Krackenberger from crackwins dot com sports handicapper, professional sports handicapper Jeff Schwartz, eight year NFL veteran.

I'm Brian No. Coming up next, the parlay platter.

Huh.

We each have one selection a piece. We pull it together for a greater payout. That's coming your way.

Next.

It is Fox Sports Radios Countdown to Kickoff, presented by BETMGM. It is Fox Sports Radios Countdown to Kickoff presented by BETMGM. Every time you make a wager at BETMGM, you earn BETMGM rewards points that can be redeemed for things like bonus bets or converted to MGM rewards points that could be used wards dining shows and hotel rooms at over twenty MGM resorts.

All right, let's do this.

Check this out.

Parlay ladder.

Ah, Yes, the parlay Platder. We each have one selection for you. We pull it together for a greater payout. Crack, We'll start with you.

What do you like? You know, not a lot to choose from today, So I'm gonna throw in a rare side here. I wish I had a better wine. It was better a little while ago. Butn't that a lot of money coming in on Denver? Right now? Give me Denver bet MGM plus a Denver on my portion of the parlay platter.

Okay, So you know, Crack gives us a lot of excellent wagers, and I tracked them were of many, many units. Like he is obviously fantastic. But there are times when it's like, oh boy, can I can I put money on Denver plus eight?

In heart?

They're like, I anything anything, Crackscend's over. I bet on it. We do the parlay platter, I do the p I do it all. I bet on it all. I'm gonna I'm a gonna do Denver. I'm gonna do it.

Tell Blow, what was the one where you only went half a unit? Was it Chiefs related?

Yeah? Yeah, I try to avoid the Chiefs. I mean next weekend, I will tell you right now whatever that line is. I'm betting on the Chiefs against Houston. I don't care what it is. It's gonna happen, all right, Denver plus am I'm putting in an account for today. I like Tampa Bay first half, guys. I'm a fund the right number here as it is at the moment. A couple of reasons why Tampa Bay is very good early, engaged to score a ton of points. They have eleven first drive points this season, eight of those being touchdowns. And I think you have a rookie quarterback on the road to Jenny Daniels, could be fired up, could be jack like, just emotional. I think it's a tough spot, just sort of early in the game here. So because now out to minus three. This was two and a half early this week. But I'll take you Tampa Bay minus three for the first half. I guess, I guess if we're doing a parlay, I just go money line. But you know what I'm doing money line. We look at Canabay money line minus one sixty five for the first half.

Okay, you know you got me thinking here, Jeff, I'm gonna go with a random bet here. But I'm looking at the Packers and the Eagles. I don't bet a whole lot of first quarters, but I think it makes sense in this spot. I'm gonna take under nine and a half in the first quarter because I think about both quarterbacks. Both quarterbacks have been banged up. Jalen Hurts hasn't played for a couple of weeks due to that concussion that he suffered, and Jordan Love had the elbow injury last week.

This game is gonna feature a lot.

Of running, and I don't think that we're gonna get early fireworks. And the Eagles are notoriously slow starters this season, so under nine and a half in the first quarter of this Packers Eagles game seems to make sense to me, So I'll throw that in the bladder here today.

The Packers take the ball first typically, right, so haven't that right?

Yeah?

Yes, And the Eagles don't score in the first quarter, and I to your point about like off a long layoff to this score in this game too, So I'm with you. I know, Crent you like Packers first quarter, right, That's what it is. Yeah.

So Tampa also a first quarter, so yeah, door line there, Green Bay hoss a half.

So yeah. I The thing about Denver too, is I know as soon as the people that I fade put their wagers out, they're gonna be brought on the bills. So I'm gonna be on. I'm gonna I'm gonna have to do Broncos anyway. It's gonna be the worst. I just know everyone, every single person was on the charge yesterday that I liked it.

Better get so you're I like this, You're anticipating the faith Oh.

We oh we yeah. We talked about what the fans are dropping me. So it's gonna be everyone's gonna have Denver money line today in a parlay. I can't say I don't, but I will tell you yesterday Baltimore got to minus eight and a half for a second, I put them in a teaser. I was shocked. I got day and a half back and a half.

It's kind of interesting too. We'll expand on this, especially the next hour and prop it up. But it's a little bit like yesterday.

If you think that Buffalo is it's gonna handle Denver pretty good today, right Like there are some props that take advantage of Like the Steelers got smoked, but Russell Wilson's props got there.

You know what I mean, like his passing yards. So like bow Knicks.

If you think Buffalo is gonna run through the Broncos, that there could be some bow Knicks props to take advantage of.

The thing I like to do in a situations that take those numbers live. That's a Perbert Live yesterday over his passing prop and it easily hit because the coffee touchdown when they got behind Biggs's passed the all wrestling the Russell Wilson completion one by half a compete o fish with twenty oh, just like he had two long you know, the pickings touchdown and one other one like it's like he had he had like thirty three yards passing the first half and went over his passing prop. Just so upsetting.

And it makes it even more gross when they bring in Fields for a little bit.

And I.

Knows to play more, I know, but even if if you're on the russ under it and Fields throws an incompletion and you're like, okay, good if they have to punt, this is really good. He still got there, man, barely barely got there. Welcome to the wonderful world of betting. Great all right, coming up next, the debut of one player. Will it go smooth the Rocky. We'll get into that.

Oh what is going on? Everybody?

Welcome in here, less than two hours away from kickoff on this wild Card Sunday triple header.

It's gonna be good looking forward to this.

Now we do have the first game of the day, the Broncos at the Bills, and like Krack said, there's some Broncos money coming in here. Down to an eight point spread, still getting over a touchdown at BETMGM, God bless bet MGM. By the way, have you guys seen the amount of prop bets that they have? Yes, my lord, it is like day list for receiving yards or catches.

They've listed everybody.

I swear anybody who can catch a pass is it's listed here today. They might have like the equipment manager and the water boy on this thing as well. It's extensive. But my attention goes to guys. First off, bow Knicks. This is his first playoff game. Of course, this is a road playoff game. And I don't know about you guys, but I think a little bit like Jaden Daniels in the Nightcap, where at least this is I would say, sort of a soft launch, right. It's not like either bow Knicks or Jaden Daniels. You're saying, man, you're going up against that defense. Good luck. I don't look at the Bills as being all world. They're twenty fourth against the pass. Tampa certainly is an all world against the pass. They're really bad they're twenty ninth against the pass. So for Daniels and bow Knicks, I don't know that their teams are gonna win, but I think the matchups lend themselves to. You could see the quarterbacks play well individually at least.

Yeah, I think the one with Knicks, though it has to be on schedule, guys, so they get down fourteen nothing, that's not where they want to be. I think if they're within rhythm in the offense, Bo Knicks probably will be okay. But and they're gonna think a couple of shit. It's the same game, but they didn't organ guys. They're gonna short easy throws, ballack quickly, and then they're gonna take a deep deep shot, which Bonicks can throw the way the longest I think air yard passed the season. He threw the ball at sixty five yards in the air for a touchdown. He give a little ball deep. I don't know why people think he can't they do that that half roll out, he sets up and he does the ball as far as he can down the field right like they have that in in their offense. But they get behind and don't trust their offense or don't trust Bo Nicks to come back. That's what we get in trouble because I think today and we saw this wee with with Lamar yesterday who had a bazillion carries. This to me is a bow Knicks. We're running the football at bow next day. His bet MGM, his rushing attempts is five and a half, it's plus one hundred. That's a lot for him. Six will be a lot this season. But this is a game where I think he has to use his legs, like they're telling him pressure, go, pressure, run, like just go. And we saw this with with Will Howard with Ohio State crunch time guests who ran the football. Will Howard, Riley Leonard run the football for another day Like this is the time of year when these guys start using their legs. They've saved it all season. I had Riley Leonard over rush attempts. He got sacked like four times, which was what's helped so much in the college game when they offer rush attemps, which they don't really offer it till the postseason. I don't think so crack. I think bow Knicks has to use his legs in this game. I think Josh Allen, by the way, we'll talk about props. I like him to run the football. We saw la Marius like, is this the time of the year when you save all of that to do it now? And I think that both quarterbacks will have to do that today.

Lots of talk about both of these rookie quarterbacks on the road. Daniel Mbow knicks today for playoff experience, of course, so you know this is going to be the big thing. You know, out of the two, boy, I tell you Daniels really played good in the middle of the season. Well, I don't. I can't even pick one maybe in this situation over the other. You know, he is only, like I said, it's his first season here, obviously no playoff experience. The season, he's looked great though when the Broncos have had a lead. However, he did struggle a little bit when he's forced to make things happen come from behind, and that looks like the type of game it can be today. I'm hoping he gets out ahead there. Listen, it's the playoffs. It's not no giant bet. First of all, to an NFL side, It's not no giant bet for me. But I just think that over a touchdown, I've seen Buffalo look not the best at certain times this season, even though you know they're one of the big choices to go to the Super Bowl. So Josh Allen of course a ton of playoff experience. He's lost some real heartbreakers too. But and you know what I love. I love the kid. Now I'll say kid because I'm double as age on so I can always say that. I guess I'm not double his age, but I still always root for him. The Broncos d also up against it today with Allen.

But.

I'd be more concerned with Nicks probably how he plays under these tense playoff conditions. However, I do like I Like I said, I do like his chances here with the points. Jeff, you played in a couple of playoff games. Did you have any extra nerves before your first one or were you able to treat it just like any other regular game?

What I didn't get to play in one until year my first year I was on practice squad. We lost to the Cardinals playing that game, obviously, Yeah, I don't really. There's a reason why rookie quarterback struggle in his games, crack and is because it's not a normal game. So when I was a young player. Offensive line coach with the Panthers, Dave Magazue told me that there are different speeds to the game, and there's like preseason speed Week one speed sort of settled into the season speed till about Thanksgiving. That's sort of playoff push speed. And then there's postseason. Now, I have played in postason games, so I know what that does feel like. It just the game is faster. It's a faster game in the postseason, and things happen quicker, and there's a preparation level that players just they dial in more, right, they do not to prepare differently. So that's why I think it is tough for a guy doing it for the first time on the road, especially. And look, I don't think that that there's an overwhelming amount of home field advantage in Tampa Bay compared to other places. And Jay Daniels has played in big games. It's not his first big game of his career, but it is in Bonux. It's it's just different. It's a different vibe to standalone game. Right, your your parents, your friends, your family are watching this one game today. And even if you're the Broncos and nothing, you know, like you're this is a free role for you. You know year one was with bow Knicks. You'll have to win this game. It's a different vibe, man, and you'll Buffalo like Baltimore, there's pressure on them toay to win, right, they're supposed to win, but they've been here before, they've done it before. The Washington game to me, and Tampa Bay has more volatility because those defenses I think can be had. Buffalo's defense sort of, I guess can be had, but I don't trust bow Knicks. I think Brian to get it done in that in that sense. So we'll see. I mean, obviously I can't wait to watch it.

Yeah, I guess for both rookie quarterbacks. You know, take it like this if we use Jayden Daniels And we'll get to that full breakdown a little bit later in the show today. But do you have more questions about Jayden Daniels in his rookie debut or that Washington defense and that particular matchup. I have way more questions about their defense, right, So if you because they're going to be in Tampa's offense, Tampa's offense is fantastic, Washington's defense isn't that good?

Same question?

For this game Denver at Buffalo. Do you have more questions Jeff about bow Knicks and his playoff debut or that Broncos defense when you're going up against Josh Allen, who maybe is the MVP this season.

More questions about who's gonna do well? I mean the Broncos offense obviously, I.

Think, right well bow Knicks, Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I think it's fair to look at bow Knicks and think, you know, I think there's a couple of questions about whether or not, you know, how could we play? But again, like this is to me, it's a free role for them today. Man, Like they're playing with house money. It. Yeah, they could stink and we'd be like, oh that makes sense, Murki quarterback. Or they could play well and you're like, wow, they're ahead of schedule. They're not supposed to be here right, And so to me, it's it. It doesn't really how they play, doesn't fat time I feel about Broncos, and of course with the spread and whatnot. The one thing that I do worry about if you're on the Broncos is is it feels back door cover feels very unlikely in this game, like last night, I was terrified I was gonna lose the Ravens wager because the Steelers were driving down the field there. I was like, oh boy, here we go. But that was not a problem obviously.

Yeah, no, it worked out.

Okay, related what did you have a money online something with the money you just didn't know?

Well, so someone the Bartender had the Steelers, so I took the Ravens.

Yeah, I see that's why.

Okay, So it wasn't a big play of mine. We had the under though, too, in that game, and that was like, seriously, really, we're really going to lose the under in that game.

I thought we're going to lose the under in that game?

Yeah, that would have been that would have been the uh but.

You see getting the best line. Did you guys have under forty six or though.

Whatever you said for I think I had forty five and a half, which would have covered a field goal anyway.

You see, like anyone else that better had, they had a chance to even lose because I went down to like forty went down to forty three at one time. Let me ask you, Jeff, I forgot check the Bartender did and then had a coming off a good season. What was the other play they had to Washington. Washington.

Yeah, I feel like Washington is going to be a public play. You look at Tampa the way they played last week. Everyone loves Jen and Daniels and no, I just think that it's gonna be everyone's gonna be a co matters.

Today might be right. Man, that Tampa team, that offense, that offense.

Is just nasty when when it gets rolling.

Yeah, yeah, absolutely it is. It's a weird team. They're a little bit up and down. But man, when you have the number three passing offense and the number four rushing offense, yeah, and you're going up against Washington, I just don't know that their defense is going to be able to do enough. Jaydon Daniels fantastic. I love what he's done is rookie season, but you gotta play some defense.

Yeah, I mean, this is sort of why I think the first half is my play for the moment. I might take Tampa full game. It's basically the same number rights three. Either way is Daniels can sit alone at some point and maybe Tampa's defense gets tired and there's a little bit of a play late in the game where he just sort of scrambles and makes plays and whatnot. And speaking about that, I said, you guys, the earlier there was a sports book that offered, you know, most rushing yards this weekend for Waldcard weekend, and I played three quarterbacks. I played Jane Daniels. Well, I tried to excuse me. I played Lamar, Josh Allen, Jane and Daniels. One of the sports books because it was not offered you know, Ben MGM has for the whole postseason, right, it has a list for like your best most rushing yards for the whole, but didn't have any for Walcard weekend. They said it was gonna win too much money. If I made the wager crack it would already amount of I could win on a wager. It was sixty five hundred for like Josh Allen or something, and it was like, no, exceed the winning amount you can win. What is that nonsense?

Yeah? No, some of the books get a little bit weird when you're going to win lots of money, like.

Don't post odds that that's.

What I feel. I feel that way.

Was that my fault that I found the wager?

I like, yeah, yeah, they're not gonna win.

Derek Henry had one hundred and fifty yard yesterday. You lost yourselves a little bit of a sprinkle there sports book, you are going to win now.

And that's kind of weird to me too, because I get it.

It's different if you come up with some crazy ten leg parlay and the payout is through the roof. They're like, yeah, go ahead, we'll take your money, you know what I mean. They don't have the message of you could win way too much money. You could have this long, crazy parlay that wins half a million dollars, and they don't post that that you could win a little bit too much money, you know what I mean. It's just weird where it's here and there where you might get that message.

It does. It frustrates me that I and I see you know people on social media that that BT deal.

I know you were going to say this.

Six figures on the future. I can't bet one hund hundred dollars if Joshnad's have the most rushing yards this weekend.

Brian said this multiple times. It's to short syndicate me.

It's not trust me. I have my wagers every week. It's not I actually I if I just didn't, if I could resist live wagering. I'd make so much more.

Money, really, but it's a bad thing for you.

Don't forget you're laying and you're laying double the juice on live waging than you are.

I don't live wag I don't live. It's more like live wager props than anything else. It's not like live wagering sides. I don't live wager sides and totals very much. If I have a side, or if I have a thought in the game, that's what I have. I don't really move off of that. I don't think there's much value in it. Sometimes I don't do that. College football do that more. I think I might live wager aside NFL I almost never do. I don't find much value in it, honestly, Like if if you have, like if you have, if you have, let's use the Broncos again. If you have the Broncos plus eight today and they're sort of keeping pace with the with the Bills for a while, maybe I'll take Bill's money line if it gets, you know, like a cheaper number. But then again it's like, well, the Broncos are playing well, why that feels like a risk or in the other direction, let's say the Bills up twenty one points. I'm not taking Broncos plus twenty four and a half, like no chance. So that's my mind.

I don't you know that this is a great subject matter. I really never put my brain. I just don't think it sounds like props. Live betting props would be better, much better than live betting a game cider total. Well.

As I add up my wagers every week, I maybe I'm just choosing the wrong props. The wager on like I was one, I was actually taking it back I was yesterday though, I'll tell you what the one day yesterday I was. Yeah, I was two for two yesterday I took Herbert overpassing in the middle of that game. And then when the Ravens were sort of winning twenty one nothing, I took Justice Hill. It was five and a half over rushing yards and he hit he got like eleven or twelve. But I don't know why I'm not. I'm not typically not good at them. I maybe choose the wrong one yesterday I did. But I'm telling you I don't win them.

A lot of time.

It was a rare occurreah, I but it is. It's like the mindst You know what kills me, storry to ramble on. This is the ones I targeted.

This.

I target quarterbacks that are losing in a game. Like I took Stroud overpassing in the Ravens game. He didn't even get close, like didn't get close to his number in the middle. Because they just a lot of times in these games, these blowouts, his quarterbacks are just they stink so bad and then and they don't get enough chances, like the other team just runs to the clock out or take a running back over backup, running back over crack. But a lot of times the end of the season, especially, they put the third string guy in, not the second string guy, in these blowouts, and so you don't like in the playoffs, the second string guy goes in. The third string guy doesn't play at all, Like so that makes sense, Like I I'm taking the seventh string runner and they put the third the third guy in. It happens all the time.

I would think the quarterback situation that they know you're going to be betting not to show everyone's going over, so they put that tax in there.

Look, I think if Herbert did not hit the conky in that long catch last night. He probably doesn't get over the number, I'll probably lose a game.

It would have been close.

Yeah, And because even with that, I think he the live number was two thirty three. I got he was at like one eighteen at the time, and he finished like two fifty and that was include a seventy five yard touchdown catch. So that's why maybe I'm theory for wager on these but they don't. It doesn't happen as much as you think. These these books know what they're doing, unfortunately, which do but uh yeah, I just I don't know.

Yeah, all right, We've got Bill Krackenberger from prac wins dot com, professional sports handicapper Jeff Schwartz, eight year NFL veteran. I'm Brian No. Be sure to check out the new looking features in the bet mgm app. It's fast and easy access to the sports you love, whether it's the easy parlay builder, teasers, live betting, live betting Jeff, the daily National Lions Boost, or the new bet slip layout. Use code countdown, receive up to fifteen hundred dollars back in bonus bets if you don't win your first bet. Download the betmgm app today or visit betmgm dot com and use code countdown to receive up to fifteen hundred dollars back in bonus bets if that bet loses all right, coming up next, will we get a good game? Are we headed to beat Down City? We will compare notes. It is Fox Sports Radios Countdown to Kickoff presented by BETMGM. It is Fox Sports Radios Countdown to Kickoff presented by BETMGM. Throughout the entire football season, BETMGM will offer all different types of no sweat tokens. Be on the lookout for no sweat same game parlay tokens and parlay boost tokens just to name a couple. Be sure to follow BETMGM across all socials at betmgm. Okay, fellas, So we'll have next Sunday to preview the National Chaminampionship game. So we don't need a full breakdown here. Maybe just you know, maybe your big toe, maybe your entire right foot, you know, But that's about it. No cannon balls into the deep end. But your first impressions, irish, I just saw a little bit.

Of line movement here.

Notre Dame now an eight and a half point underdog instead of nine and a half.

A little bit, you know, the movement that definitely started moving for sure.

What do you think first impressions Jeff on Irish v Ohio State or do you want to relive any of the way both teams got here?

You know, I don't think no Dame can score in this game, and that's a problem. Ohio State might be able to score either, so we'll see. But I mean think about Ohio State scored twenty eight points in this game, seven on defense and seven on just an utterly atrocious defensive efforts on that screen. And I had, by the way, I don't how a State minus six and a half for the first half of an alternate number. I got pretty lucky there. Fair Yeah how about that? Yeah?

How much time did they have?

So Texas scores and it's seven to seven Ohio they have a lot of time, Yeah.

Fifty seconds maybe, and they scored that screen pass seventy. But that was like the worst of of offense. I want to talk about this. So this is something that's pretty interesting, just maybe just from my football brain. So we've seen Ohio State in the last month face two teams that run zone defense a lot, Texas and Michigan. They play that too high shell and they struggle to basically do much because then those defensive lines are good. Oh, there's a bunch of backup offensive alignment. They two I say, did you want to run the football? They couldn't run the football, couldn't pass the football. They faced two defenses that sort of run more man coverage, Tennessee and Oregon, and smoked them.

Right.

Notre Dame runs man coverage.

Ye.

And it's it's hard to explain this to people, and Oregon fans are having trouble with this right now. It's like you can't just decide to run too high in a week, like you have to practice it. And to just for no name, just to say we're gonna do zone coverage now is not really how football works. Now, Oregon, We'll go back to Oregon ran a bunch of too high this year, more than they've ever done, maybe in preparation to play Ohio State, because last year against Washington man coverage you got smoked. But in the end, you sort of go with what brought you to the dance. And I just don't know if the name is gonna say if you're an aggressive attacking defense, it's hard just to say we're gonna pull back today, We're gonna pull back and can can al golden say hey guys, let because part of it too is if you if you do the too high again to Sam Mean's two safeties, there's less guys in the box, right, and sort of the to the box is defined as basically like from tackle to tackle, tight end to tight end the box you have to stop the run with less defenders. Well, Notre Dame is a bunch of injuries on the defensive line. So if you say we're gonna play too high, can you stop the rustle? Run the football? Chim Kelly wants to run the football, like, sign me up for that. So I think the matchup is just bad for Notre Dame on that side of the ball. Even if you say Ohio State's offense struggled against this look, that's not Notre Dame's look, right, and so how do you fix it? On the other side, I think I think defense is good. I mean they got beat in the same concept twice. That was it. I mean otherwise there was nothing. So to me, it's an uphill battle for Notre Dame to score. And then the other side Brian. I know I'm talking down about your Irish, but not really. The matchup to me is not great. Now, Crack my wager on this game based off of something different than I'm gonna do it, which I was. So I don't like Gohi State for those reasons. I just think it's an uphill battle for Notre Dame Crack, and so that's my first impression of this game. We'll talk about next Sunday because it happens on Monday on the twenty. But I lead Ohio STATEIU made no way during the game. I would look for Roddy Leonard rushing props again, though I think he's gonna have to run the ball twenty times in this game. I remember all sacks count as rush ups in college football.

You know, I haven't talked about this game, even when you guys off air. What happened here in town. Now, I found out from someone that works in the book. So this line comes up nine and a half immediately, someone they respected. Now, granted, only three or four lines came up on this sport on this game right away. I think there was three actually, and unbelievably, they got they got hit with they had they had a ten ten grand max bet on this game at the time. So someone bets ten thousand right away on Ohio State. They moved to ten and a half. It sat there for thirty seconds of me looking at it, and I said, wow, I log ones, you know what I have to even though I made a bet. They made a bet one of the books here when last week Ohio State minus won ten. I made that bet for a good amount and I said, you know what, I'm not hedging, but I just think the ten and a half's too many points, even ten. So I went to the log in right away it was ten and a half, went to make the bet and it moved to ten and it was the only ten. I still took it for a small bet.

There you go, go Irish right crack.

Let's well, I need know how to state the win for between one and ten. So if at lands Ontown, I'll be upset. Though I just missed ten and a half by a matter of seconds. And like Brian just said, this games just moved in the last literally in the last ten minutes, a little bit, a little bit of some some dog money coming in, so Brian. By the way, the Notre Dame team pulled off an exciting win. I had a terrible under. I lost what they score thirty one points in the fourth quarter. That was crazy, terrible under that I lost in that game. I had a small position on the dog there too, so I was going too, but the under was the bigger position. So anyway, your team, you know, did very well and now face Ohio State and the championship THEA Yeah, odds makers aren't giving them too much of a chance though, but somebody just did. Because someone just took that out there, you go a little bit.

So, yeah, well, you know, that's a dream scenario because Ohio State has been so good in the playoffs. Yep, not as good against Texas, but still the first two games crushing Oregon, crushing Tennessee. The dream scenario is Notre Dame beating Ohio State when most people are going to be like, dude, this is gonna be nasty. That's the dream scenario. But I don't disagree with what Jeff laid out there. Yeah, and I'll say this, I think that Listen, what you said about just adjusting on the fly is really interesting because I feel and you guys correct me if you think I'm wrong, But I think people are more likely to say that about a defense, like, hey, this too high safety look works against Ohio State.

Why don't you guys just do that?

I think they're more likely to say that about a defense than an offense. Yes, you know what I mean, Like you wouldn't just say based on the matchup, Hey, Army, you're going up against a bad pass defense, just start throwing the ball.

Yeah that's not what you do, right, Yeah?

Correct, But I think it's more noticeable on a defense sometimes, especially because you know the big plays and whatnot. So I have, guys, I have no name plus nine hundred to win the championship, and I took Ohio State a big position after they beat Oregon, so I don't have to do anything for the game.

But there's the prop devil on your shoulder, like Riley Leonard rushing attempt.

Well, I mean I don't I don't think it's up yet, but Ry Leonard rush attempts. I mean it was eleven and a half I think, and I and so that's a lot. That's a lot. But he finished with what fourteen or fifteen?

It was something I got it for you right here. Yeah, he finished.

Something a little heavy like that eighteen including Yeah, so I did.

A score band. By the way, you give me me a score. What do you think to me? Yeah, I mean you think the State game.

I think it would be something like like thirty one seventeen seventeen feels even high a little bit something like that.

Brian, I want to know what you think. I mean, try to take the Notre Dame out of there, like what do you really objective?

Yeah, I'll be objective. I'll go Notre Dame fifty five to six.

You got laughing.

That was good? That was good.

That was good, very good.

Yeah, I don't know. I think it's I think it's it's it's just a difficult matchup.

It is.

Absolutely it's a tough matchup, There's no doubt about it. But we'll get into it a little bit more next week.

You know.

It's a good uh yeah for next week. Intro to the final right there?

All right?

Uh, speaking of good little intro, right here, we've got Isaac Lowen Crount. You want to talk about a great way to start an update. Listen to what I low hits you with right.

Here, especially if you're a New England Patriots fan, because as was pretty much expected, they have officially hired Mike Rable as their new head coach. Won three Super Bowls as a Patriots linebacker, spent six seasons as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans, taking them to the playoffs three times, winning two division championships. On the field on Saturday night, Derrick Henry the Baltimore Ravens ran for one eighty six and two touchdowns in their twenty eight to fourteen win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Earlier Saturday, the Houston Texans eliminated the Los Angeles Chargers thirty two to twelve, as the Texans intercepted Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert four times. He was intercepted as three times all season long. Kicking off just under an hour and a half from now, the two seeded Buffalo Bills hosting the seven seeded Denver Broncos, Bronco's running back Audric Estimate a surprising healthy scratch for this game. He is inactive and the Broncos fans is surprised, as you guys are. On social media at Seal Team Nick's good username by the way, posting quote, wtf did estimate do mile high? Scott adding quote, since when is estimate out? WTF? And finally, on the Buffalo side, Eccentric Bills receiver Mac Hollins arrived at the stadium for today's game barefoot. That's actually nothing new, but yeah, but he was also dressed precisely as Fred Flintstone, complete with a loyal order of water Buffalo's hat.

Like I said, I'm choosing to call him eccentric. Back to you guys, what.

Was our guy mile high Scott?

Mile high Scott and also at Seal Team nix.

Which was a very creative username.

Good stuff.

So I guess those props so we had an estimator no longer. Yeah, we'll get that money back, I imagine. Yeah, wow, yeah, yes, crackt them.

I just didn't think that this would happen, but but it is ready for one of my props later.

I'm sorry, you are all right.

It's Fox Sports Radio Scutdown to Kickoff, presented by bet MGM.

All season long.

Bet MGM is offering you a second chance on your first touchdown bet in the NFL. When a customer places an NFL wager on a first touchdown score bet and he doesn't score first, but score second, bet MGM will return one hundred percent of their stake back in cash.

All right, let's do this.

Let's go rush, let's second chance score.

This might be our last opportunity.

Man.

All right, we'll start with you crack. We're looking for a first touchdown score.

Ideally we win our bet, but hopefully worst case he scores second, we get our cash back.

Who do you like today?

Yeah, let's go with James Cook plus five twenty five on the bills. Again, this makes it a good really a better bet here because you get your money back on if he scores U one James Cook plus five twenty five.

I mean SAK one plus four hundred. I think that you know he's gonna be gonna be roaring ready to go, and so uh, I mean these end up just you just choose the running backs and hope you're right. I think it's the best way to put it, right. I mean, it's it's just a you know, difficult to think sometimes. I think the other thing you could do is just I don't know, it's the second chance thing. But just like find a Broncos tight end, you like, I mean, just some rand because the Broncos have some random touchdowns. Man from random players sometimes as Bonexpress spreads that ball around. But I like Saque in this situation.

Yeah, I'm just you got my mind thinking about a random tight ends.

You know, let's you could scroll down scrolled our guy, Adam Troutman is forty to one. You know you can go w It's.

Surprise you if Adam Troutman caught the first touchdown in this game.

Not me.

I mean, if you're looking for a long shot, that makes a lot of sense. I get what you're saying there. For sure, I'm gonna go with Bucky Irving. It's your first thought is pick a running back and helpe. You're right, five to one is pretty good payout. Listen, there are a lot of dudes that are capable of scoring in that Commander's Bucks game, but Bucky Irving should have a night. That Washington rush defense is bad and Bucky Irving looks to be used early and often. So I'll go with Bucky Irving to score the first touchdown plus five hundred. That's a good payout, man.

I know.

Sometimes you get We've talked about this every week, Like I would love an Adam Troutman forty to one cash that that's you know, the dream scenario. But I think that there's a tendency to look at five to one like, eh, it's only five.

Five to one is a great hit. You take that all day? Oh yeah, yeah yeah.

If you put together, you know, two or three bets for a parlay and it's plus five hundred, you consider that a great win. So I don't know why it'd be different with a a first touchdown bet. Hey our thanks to Rapid Radios, the official communication device of Fox Sports Radio. Rapid Radios are instant push to talk walkie talkies offering national LTE coverage and no subscription or monthly fee. Business owners can keep it touch with up to two hundred staff at one time, and it's a great alternative to a mobile phone for your kids. Go to rapid radios dot com now for sixty percent off and free shipping. Ad code Radio and get an extra five percent off. All right, We've got Bill Krackenberger from crackwins dot com. Jeff Schwartz, eight year NFL veteran, I'm Brian No coming up next, prop it up so many prop bet opportunities. We even have extended time. Ah, how many plays will crack share with us we'll find out coming up. It is Fox Sports Radios Countdown to Kickoff presented by BEDMGM. It is Fox Sports Radios Countdown to Kickoff presented by BEDMGM. Once a day, Monday through Friday. I play the free to play BETMGM Ultimate Teams to receive an Ultimate Team's card with the pro Football team, and that team covers the spread that NFL week you can win prizes. Play every day Monday through Friday. Have all five of your teams cover, you're eligible to win bet MGM's weekly Jackpipe.

Alright, let's do this.

Prop it up player plays.

Ah, yes, so many prop bet opportunities.

Crack.

We'll start with you. What's something you like.

Let's go with the Browns game, the Browns game. Yay, okay, let's go with the Eagles game under Brown boil. I'm glad I don't get to mention the Browns games anymore this season, that's for sure. Let's go under. Let's go under his receptions though, so Brown under receptions. Let's see bet MGM is under five and a half minus a quarter under a J Brown receptions. You know, I don't know if he's one hundred percent healthy yet, so I'm kind of worried about he's fully healthy, even though I think the Eagles really need him today. But I'm gonna go under on his receptions under five and a half.

Okay, what's the what's the most juice you're willing to lay on a prop?

Anybody depends on the prop.

Yeah, it depends on a prop. Good answer.

Okay, So I like take one Barkley over one and a half receptions. It's minus two hundred.

You can play more on that.

Sure, it was minus one's seventy when I got it. This week maybe a little bit, maybe a little less. I think he has two catches. They didn't use him in all in the past game the last month as they were trying to get him the receiving the rushing record. I think today they use him in the passing game mightily against the Packers. Split schemes and a man coverage and good matchup. So I like take one over one and a half receptions. Again, minus two hundred might be rich for people's blood, but again I got a better number. I would still be okay with that number. Quite honestly, I think it's a good wager for this game.

Do you immediately think of a leg like that as like a parlay leg.

Jeff you if it makes you feel better, yes, So maybe you go like Josh Allen over rushing or Josh Allen rush attempts over seven and a half, something like that, and put them together. Yeah, if you can find that. You can't typically find alt numbers for rush attempts, but if you want to put Barkley over that with an alt number for like an Alan rushing, maybe you do that.

Uh huh, putthing like that something like that. It's funny you read my mind. I'm going with Josh Allen. Give me his rushing attempts, big games, Josh Allen, He's like, screw this.

I'm running the ball, you know.

Like and also something else to keep in mind is the Broncos have the number three rush defense.

So if the Bills.

Running game isn't great, you know, if James Cook is rushing props at fifty eight and a half, that's not anything crazy. That's one of the lowest of any starting running back who's left.

So let's say James Cook in the.

Run game isn't doing a whole lot, even more reason and more incentive for Josh Allen Yes to tuck it and go. So I'm gonna take over seven and a half rushing attempts these bigger games, man, And you saw it like something to put your mind at East. If the Bills are winning comfortably, look at the Ravens last night. The Ravens won comfortably and every time you you blinked, Lamar was tucking it and running. He had a ton of rush attempts. So seven and a half might sound like a lot before the game starts, but you know, third and one sneak, you know, a scramble here, scramble there, all of a sudden, a couple of tush pushes and it's like, wow, he's up up to five already. I think that's what we're gonna look at with Josh Allen today.

Agreed, the toush pushes really set that number though, Like that, the tush push and like it's that and the kneel downs and the game possible. Yeah, be part of.

As well, part of that also for sure.

Yeah, how about this with I low talking about Audric Estima, one of the Broncos running backs healthy scratch, Does that change any way you think about either McLoughlin or Javonte Williams because that they're gonna get Estimate's touches.

Now, yeah, I'm sure.

I haven't thought about that. I don't know how much you're gonna run the football today though. The game thing for me right like, I just don't know how much. I think again, they have to keep up a buffalo over one. And in my mind.

In my mind, one of the guys I like out of the backfield is Chavonte Williams. In the past game they've used him effectively, especially as of late, he's broken a couple of nice games. And with without Estimate in there again a little bit more, Javonte Williams, he's more. It's weird because he's the bigger dude. He's more like they're they're catching guy.

Uh.

If you look at Javonte Williams, just for argument's sake, so his catches it's at two and a half.

His receiving yards is at fifteen and a half.

You compare that to Jalil McLoughlin, who's quicker, you know, smaller. Jalil only has one and a half for his catch prop and nine and a half for.

His receiving yards.

So it's weird that the bigger back has the higher receiving numbers there for Javonte, but I like him out of the backfield. They've used them effectively. I think today could be a good day for.

That as well.

They might have to do that too, with all the with all the you know the passes like you know, two minutes stuff like that.

Yeah.

Yeah, you would think McLoughlin would be that guy, wouldn't you. But Javonte they throw it to him.

A lot catch.

That's one of the more runbacks right, absolutely as possible.

Bet MGM. It's ten and a half on McLaughlin and his over one and a half minus one seventy five. Well Williams actually is over two and a half minus one fifty five, so.

He's got he has got a kid eleven targeted the Chargers three games ago. H wow.

Yeah, they used Davante, I'm telling you, man. And once he gets it in space, you know what I mean. Like you'll see teams do that like Texas, right, college footballer, just throw it out there and get your guy in space.

They do it with Javonte effectively. All right, come it up next.

One of the games of the day and one of the fun facts.

Also welcome in less than an hour away from kickoff, looking forward to it one of the games of the day, Packers at the Eagles. Yeah, are you ready for a completely idiotic fun fact here?

Oh?

I can't wait?

Ready for this?

Would you preface anything? But by that I mean I'm excited anyways, but not really.

Even more so. It's good. Okay, try this out. You guys.

Realize that both starting quarterbacks have the same middle name.

That's correct. We're seeing Jordan Alexander Love against Jalen Alexander Hurtz today. What other show is going to give you that?

Also, my son's middle name so interesting.

A kidden.

One of my nephews middle names.

Right there we go.

You know, I wonder if Love or Hurts were mischievous like my my nephew, because I heard ty Alexander many times from my sister.

We we don't. I don't ever do like that. You know what it is? I our kids go by the middle name, so he goes by alex for the most part. But his first name is glorious. It's Norman. It's fantastic and all go with the Norman. When he said a full name, I won't, I'll just call it Norman From a real and I love he doesn't look he does not look like a Norman, which is the best part. I even know what it, know what looks like. And in public all I call he doesn't care what I call him. I'll call him Norm in public, Norm like come here, Norm. It's the best, not not not. When he's like just like generally the court, Norm fin means I need I need help over here. It's just it's the best. Man. I love that we named our kid Norman.

That the best. What's the dog's name? What's that? What's that?

He's walking back there? He's having a he just got up and had a little bark for some reason. He's about to go in his little kennel here if he uh, two hours is about about time when he's like, I'm over you talking now, I'm ready to go play outside. It's more just a time. And he's still, you know, he's still. He turns to march, but uh, yeah, he's he's a good boy. But yeah he two hours about what I get so and no one's home right now, so okay, yeah he's wrestless. I'll have to put him in his uh in his create a few minutes. But he likes his great man.

It's it's that that's there, that's their safety.

We spent a lot of money on that freaking cratty better like it. He broke the first one.

Well what's he about? Eighty pounds?

Eighty five pounds? Yeah, yeah, he's skinny, he don't he unlike his dad, he's not food driven. He will he will just not eat like we leave his like well like all porm food today, I don't know may or may not eat.

Let me bring it back to uh, Jordan Alexander and Jalen Alexander. Here, which which quarterback in this particular matchup?

Right?

Which quarterback are you more confident in today?

Oh?

Good question? Oh boy? As a as a passer, probably Love, But as a player Hurts. Does that make sense? Like, I think that Hurts has obviously been here before, he's more seasoned. But as a passer, Love is the better passer. But he doesn't have Watson today. He's on the road like like there other things, a lot of things. I think that they are going against him today, guys, But is it? Is it? I think I trust I think I trust Love as a passer, but I trust Hurts as a player more. If that makes sense. Does that make sense?

Brian?

It makes sense?

And I also think who you're going up against makes a big difference. Right, if you look at the Packers, JayR Alexander, he's on ir. If you look at the Eagles surprisingly number one this season in passing yards giving up per game Eagles, the Eagles number one? Isn't that surprising? Like, think of their record, right, they have a great record. They're playing from ahead. Teams have a reason.

I have a reason why. I think maybe because they're ahead and games and teams pass.

But that's what I'm saying.

They're number one against the pass they have, they're number.

The number one they allow the most pass yards. Oh, number one against the pass?

Yes?

Oh?

Any defense? Is that good?

Yeah?

They they don't seem to be that good. They're number one? How crazy is that?

Well?

What are the quarterbacks they played? That's right, That's where I turned.

To, Well he's starting the division, Jade and Daniel's pretty good, right.

Yeah, you know, like, but he tore them up the last time they played.

Right, you know, Cowboys you had the you know Dak injury. But and it was Trey Lance this last game, right, the Week eighteen game.

But still like I was here and there.

So sure you were going to say they were worse in the NFL, that I was best.

They're the best against the past this season. That's crazy to me.

I can't without Christian Watson. How Jordan Love's hand Do we know quite yet how his hand is?

He just had a little bit of numbness.

Help the floor puts that out there, like, well, you know, we hope he plays he'smanship, yeah, I mean it seems like he likes to hide a lot of things there. But both of these quarterbacks coming up. Listene, when does a quarterback come off a concussion and come back to his one hundred percent form? So you have questions here. I'm actually surprised the overt a little bump today. It was forty five and a half's out there. They all got taken out up to forty six. Yeah, when does quarterbacks come back real healthy after a situation like that? This is a game that, boy, I'll tell you, I think the line is perfect at five. I think it's perfect. I mean, I really do so interesting, you know, we really didn't. I really didn't have much of this game except for that brown under earlier today, Both like I said, boy, who are you more confident than Jesus? If I had to choose, I'd probably go with Hurtz on Jeff just said, he's the He's the quarterback that's been in the situation before coming off the concussion protocol, rather than Love, who's dealing with that right elbow injury from last week's game against the Bears. And Hurts has been successful in the playoffs before. Like I said, so is Love.

Though he Loved did well last year in his first postseason.

Yeah, he did, he did, he did, he did. I think there's all these weapons pretty healthy now for the Eagles to uh, you know, if you look at the other the other side, they lost Watson last week. I just think it might be a little bit tougher for him. But we'll see, we'll see what I look forward to this game more than any today, more than the Tampa Bay game tonight, more than the earlier game. I can't wait to watch the Philadelphia Green Bay game.

Yeah, they got mad at me and Milwaukee when I filled in because I kept on replaying the Jordan Love interception against the forty nine ers.

You know, shockingly, they got mad at that.

Huh.

There's a total joke right there.

You know, I think that this is gonna be a fun game. We I think either I get to eat your team winning obviously, I think we all feel that same way. It would surprise me if the Packers won. One surprised that the Eagles won. I think a tough spot for the Packers to be and Eagles are rested. Man, that's so the rest is so important, guys. I know that sometimes you I think that the players should play twenty four to seven, But the Eagles are going to be so refrustrated after that rest they just had. Yeah, I think that they're going to just over sixty minutes sort of be able to take out the Packers.

I'm so interested to see the beginning of this game because the Packers you obviously have to slow down Saquon. That's as obvious as the Wats, but even more so because Jalen Hurts hasn't played in a couple of weeks. You know, I don't anticipate the Eagles just slinging it all over the place. They're gonna want to run the ball establish that and the Packers know it. So it's really like a pitcher's thing. I'm throwing a fastball right here? Can you hit it? Because the Packers know it's going to be a heavy dose of Saquon Barkley early on. And I'm just curious if the Packers rush defense has success early on. Can Jalen Hurts first quarter beginning of the game, third and seven, third and eight? Can you move the chains if it's that type of situation. But that rush defense in the first quarter, I can't wait to see what the Packers can do against Saquon.

Well. Yeah, I mean everyone's gonna be getting for the run. And that's why I think to your point about the first quarter under like, I think it is a sort of a slow start as each team you'll fill each other because the Packers want to run the ball too, you know, like that's what they want to do as well, So both teams sort of want to do the same thing early in this game. The Eagles, I don't think I'll get off runt of the footballf it doesn't go well, They'll keep trying because with Saquon, it just takes one one play and he's out the gate.

That was earlier in the season against Washington. I remember because I had a prop bet on it. I was sweating Saquon again. They were hosting Washington, and Washington did a good job throughout most of the game of bottling Saquan up, and then all of a sudden, Saquon just hit like.

Two or three long runs.

Yeah, you're right, Like the Eagles will just stick with it even if it's not that effective. We saw that recently with Derek Henry. Not yesterday, not last night, but before what game were we on?

The game?

It was we game too, it.

Was the game before that. It was the uh the who did played before that? When he had the two runs late in the game the Browns game, right, was it the Browns?

Right?

Right?

Yeah, they're playing the Browns. We needed him to score, and the Browns did a great job throughout most of that game.

He just ripped off those long ones at the idea.

He did nothing the whole first half and then you look up and it's like, wow, one hundred and fifty ish yards.

It can happen like that.

That's why that's why these guys, I mean, they're just it's it's so hard to play these running backs for that reason, and you just have to stick with it. And that's what look I felt like yesterday. The Ravens were like, we heard all the complaints last season about we're not running football. We're gonna run the football in this game, and it worked out well for them. They ran the ball hard, they ran the ball well. It was impressive.

Did you see you see the rushing yards crack on that? Steelers two ninety nine? Yes, I'm sorry Ravens Steelers twenty nine.

Oh yeah, not great?

But can you guys go over one oh four and a half laying a dollar thirty?

Wow?

Yeah, Jesus is that high?

Really?

He would easily over too, which is crazy.

Now, I know, I know that the public is betting that though I know it, so I don't want to be on the over, but I'm not betting the under. So that's interesting.

Sakue is just such a great home run hitter.

Like if that that total one oh four and a half is too high for you, maybe a longest rush prop.

It's so hard under that.

Yeah, I like as long as rush props. You know, again, I do wonder too, like if again the game strip part of this, right, the Eagles just say we're going to run the football hell or high water, you know, And that's again like that puts a problem for you know, for you if you're on the under on this prop, right, like he might get thirty carries in this game.

He could wouldn't be his first rush attempt three and a half yards over under. Boy, that looks tempting to bet that over. Wow, eleven and a half. I love that. Yeah, you can actually make a bet if he goes over nine and a half and take three eighty. I mean there's some tempting things there. I would look more towards the over three and a half though, but boy, it just feels so square when I go to the over. But I have evolved, so you know.

I like the longest rush one. I've hit those a couple of times this season. Yeah yeah, longest rush just takes one what normally it's like nineteen and a half. What's it up? Do you see it?

Brian?

It because I think it's like seventeen.

Yeah, yeah, so a lot so crack. I bet that a couple of times this year for different guys. It's nineteen and a half has typically been the highest, So you're you're charging extra yard today, so I don't think you play it. Seventeen and a half is to be the lowest for starting running back. Nineteen and a half feels like the highest, Brian, I've played those couple times a year. Backup running backs tend to be like a ten half eleven and a half. Yeah, so I would stay away if they're charging that extra dollar, I mean the extra yard anyways.

Yeah, go for him to get twenty Yeah, yeah, right, yeah, Josh Jacob's at thirteen and a half.

Just to show the difference.

That's it. Huh well, interesting, Yeah.

That hurts also, twelve and a half's interest, Yeah, hurt.

I don't see hurts. I don't. I don't actually don't like that one for hurts.

You don't.

No, ill freaking cushion. You're gonna scramble a lot, you're.

Right, cushion.

Yeah, very good, good?

Interesting?

I mean would he first running people all over?

But you said something about Saquan his carries where he could get thirty Just as a point of reference, yesterday, Joe Mixon with twenty five carries, doesn't seem like he carried it that much. Derek Henry with twenty six carries.

Yeah, Lamar Lamar.

Had fifteen fifteen rushes for a quarterback man.

That's why, It's why I think like for these bone Nicks and Josh Allen and Jane Daniels today even Baker Baker runs the bow a little bit. I think these quarterbacks in these games, now that they're off the races, man, I know it.

Yes, it's playoff time. Man, training wheels are off, by the way, real fast. Let me throw this at you two, because the totals have all ticked up today.

How about this?

So you've got krack mentioned this, Green Bay and Philly went up half point to forty six, another half point, Denver, Buffalo up to forty eight and a half.

Now watch you guys.

Get up with fifty one. What's that crack?

What'd you guys get on that buffeting? All right, you guys are wise.

Guys, I know right. Yeah, yeah, good for us, Good for us. Yeah.

Now we're just gonna win.

And tell you what, the more you do this, the more you realize that that half point, that very.

Loch, it matters. It matters so much that, let me be blunt, what the guys are talking about is earlier in the week on the text message, I said over forty seven on this game, guys, I said, it's going to move in about five minutes and now I would love to give it to the guys at the end of the show. I thought about giving this alf for my best play of the day. I can't. Jeff's right, I cannot give this out of forty eight and a half. Forty seven is a key number. And guess what even forty eight can be a key number twenty four to fourteen. I mean, I can go on and on and on two, twenty eight, twenty, there's so many different numbers. I mean, I cannot because of a lousy little point and a half. Jeff is right, I can't. It's not responsible to give this out after the move. So that's why that's why we're part of that text chain earlier in the week. But yeah, anyway, yeah, I know it's It's Jeff's right. Half points mean a lot, and years and years go by, you realize it more and more. Being a professional sports better because it doesn't seem like no big deal. As they can go over forty seven, they can go over forty and a half, well let's see what happens. But lots of times that those points are very valuable.

Yeah that is.

I love sharing picks, but that's the annoying part of it. When uh, we're doing the show right before kickoff, these lines move like crazy. You might have gotten a better line and that could be the difference between a win and a loss, you know, and so.

Your face with that decision, like do I still give this out?

I don't know that.

Yeah, that could bite you.

So are we doing crack Challenge today or done for the season?

Je parties over.

We'll do a recap, you know, we'll do a recap of it, but we don't.

Have five games today. We don't have five games left this entire you know, even tomorrow.

We have a pick against every game because I was going to have a you know, pick for every game, i' know, if we needed one for every game today. So I guess we don't. That's good.

Yeah, Yeah, we recap though.

We've got Bill Krackenberger from crack wins dot com professional sports handicapper, Jeff Schwartz, eight year NFL veteran hashtag Schwartz syndicate.

You know, yeah, I.

Wish, Yeah, I'm Brian.

Now coming up next, is this team's defense good enough to get it done? It is Fox Sports Radios Countdown to Kickoff, presented by BETMGM it is Fox Sports Radios. Countdown to Kickoff presented by BETMGM Football is here at end BETMGM, use code countdown and receive up to fifteen hundred dollars back in bonus bets if you don't win your first bet. When you register with betmgm, you'll get instant access to a variety of parlay selection features, live betting options, signature bets, the best daily promotions in the business. Download the betmgm app today or visit betmgm dot com and use code countdown to receive up to fifteen hundred dollars back in bonus bets if that bet loses. All right, fellas, So we've got Washington at Tampa, which I don't know about you guys. This is the game I'm most looking forward to. Okay, I'm really excited for Packers, Eagles, excited for tomorrow night Vikings Rams, But Jayden Daniels in his playoff debut against a bad pass defense and everything that Tampa does offensively, this should be a really, really fun game. I just don't know that Washington's defense is good enough. Like Jayden Daniels is fantastic. He could have a great game tonight. Wouldn't surprise me at all. I just don't see Washington's defense doing enough in this game.

Do you guys see that?

I don't. They haven't done enough most of the season. And you got to think, like last week Tampa played bad. It's a bad game and they had to win, and so they sort of played a playoff game last weekend. So must win game. By the way, Brian, we are no money is owed in either direction, and our Panthers and.

Say, oh us, can you tell the people what happened?

So we have a yearly wager. I don't know how it started, but I don't either. One year, brother, the same are more games than Panthers. I was like, no, they're not. So we've had this wager back and forth and you've lost it now twice in the final week.

I love you.

Well, yeah, like we tied this year, Like I've lost the win.

Right, But yeah, one year we were tied and you lost and we were together in Cincinnati. But basically the Saints lost in the Panthers beat the Falcons in overtime, and so we pushed on the wager.

I didn't know that happened.

Yeah, So I don't mean I don't I don't have to send Brian five hundred bucks. But my point is that Tampa Bay played poorly and you could tell that they they play with the pressure of having to win that game. But like a better team the Saints, they rallied and won the game. Got Mike Evans is his bonus. I think today they're more free. I think they play a little more free today. As I mentioned, very good, very good. In the first quarter of games. Eleven times this year, they have scored points on the first drive of the game. Eight of those have been touched on, so half of their games nearly they have scored touchdown on the first drive of the game. And I think, like Washington, if you put him behind you a little bit, you will get sort of the Daniels trying to make plays mode. But I'm not sure that's where you really want to be in this game. So I like Tampa to win and cover crack in this game. I have the first half. I might take them full game. It's the same number those I might stay away from from that, but I like him Bay first half for for sure.

You know, you guys are making me think I want to see this game a little bit more now. I mean, I wanted to see it anyway, but I promise my wife I'd go to a common rare night out with the wife. But that's not until eight pm. Yeah, NFL Sunday. It's like I said, it's a rare night out. Is where you go? We like downtown Las Vegas. Here there's a there's a comedian that we like. I'm not I'm not a comedy guy. By the way, I can't really watch any new comedy. But this is an old school knock around guy. That's he picks on everyone in the audience. His name is Vinnie favor Rito. He picks on everyone in the audience and he goes after everyone and like the tickets say, prepare, we don't want to hear anything about, you know, people complaining about it. He was too vulgar.

I'm on the front, dough because like they only rose people say in the front. Are you going to sit in the front?

No, No, he knows me. I'm a friends with I'm sorry, I just did a documentary. When it's going to be out on it's going to be out on on Prime matter of fact in a couple months, shameless plug. But I'm friends with Andrew Dice Clay been there was house, been with his kids hung out. I love Andrew Dice Clay too. That's my kind of comedy. So yeah, So anyway, anyway.

The Day the Laughter died is one of my favorite yeah there comedy, yeah yeah.

Yeah, But all right, let's go back to the football. By the way, just so happens that both of those guys like the gamble a little bit too, so they're in.

That's how I know him, is Dice like, hey, well you got this week brag guy.

No, actually, Dice, it's funny Dice. He made a video and send it to me. He said, uh, Billy four, five, six, because I told him the fours, the fives, and the six is in blackjack are the most important cards to come out. So that's what his nickname is for me now. But uh yeah, no, he's a blackjack player and Vinnie bets on everything, as you'll see in the documentary when it comes out. So anyway, sorry, So Washington defense, I haven't been improving all year. It's it's much better than it was when these two teams met the first game of the regular seasons. So a lot of people, because I know a lot of people are saying going back to that game and say, well, they played once already, and.

That's ridiculous if people go back to.

Week Oh anyway, Yeah, because like the Bucks really shredded to the secondary in that game. But it's a it's a different uh I should say it's a different maker. Baker Mayfield. I mean, he had four touchdowns in that game. But yeah, he's having He's having a really unbelievable season. So the Bucks have also improved their running games throughout the season. H Bucky Irving, Like I really kept on hearing his name all year long. Now that he and uh, you know, he probably should get the majority of the carries versus Washington defense that ranks thirtieth against the run, but I forgot about that. There you go. I'm not sure the Washington d can win this game for them, but if they can adjust maybe and get a few stops and their offense has enough to win the game, and I do I'm looking forward to see Daniels out there. I know, rookie quarterbacks on the road home, you know, I mean first round of playoffs. I know I haven't been successful, but I don't know. I'm looking forward to see these two rookies on the road today. These are maybe a little bit different, different type of people. So, you know, I didn't like Jeff just mentioned they can rebound. I did not like that. I needed the Bucks to win last week because I had a ticket Will New We'll oh will Atlanta not make the playoffs plus two thirty five here in town, And I didn't like what I seen that out of Tampa Bay, like like for free for three quarters. I was like, Wow, they need to win this game and they can't beat the Saints over I know it.

They're weird like that because compare it to the week prior against Carolina, they freaking crushed Carolina. Carolina has been playing a lot better toward the end of the season.

But Jeff, being a player in the NFL, you're saying they can learn from that. Yeah, yeah, so that's interesting, all right, all right?

Yeah, I had Tampa Bay to win the division and Falcus to miss the playoffs almost when that went out too. No, I think last week Tampa Bay, at least early in that game, they looked a little tight, like they looked like it was a must win. And I think today they're gonna not feel that same way, because again, last week it was sort of like a playoff game for them.

Isn't that funny? Because today is too you know what I mean. I understand I'm not pushing back on what you're saying, but it's weird how that can work where yeah, there was so much stress last week. It's it's almost like you take a breath, even though it's a do or die tonight.

Also, it's weird how it works that way.

It is weird.

The other thing I like about this game, by the way, is I like Todd Bowles.

Against Yeah, right right, Yeah, I don't like their past defense at all, but I would expect Todd Bowles to throw a few different looks. Jayden Daniels way and listen. It's it could be ben but don't break. And it could be just force a takeaway, force one bad decision, get one interception. You know, that's what could swing the game. I'm curious how much Jayden Daniels runs in this game, because he ran wild in week one, and he could do the same thing.

I think. I think he's gonna feel like he has to make those special plays and part of that and and I like, look, I like Tobay's pass rush, so he might have to do.

That game exactly, exactly, no doubt. All right, speaking of no doubt, that would be Isaac lowen Kron, no doubt, the best in the freaking business.

And listen to why I say that right here?

All right, you're talking about building somebody up.

I don't know if I I don't know if I can go on after that? All right, I can't back to you, guys.

I'm tom sorry.

The Deugland Patriots, as expected, today officially hired Mike Vrabol as their new head coach. He of course, won three Super Bowls for them as a linebacker during his eight years with New England from two thousand and one through two thousand and eight. Also, by the way, remember he wound up catching two touchdown passes in the Super Bowl, one in Super Bowl thirty eight and one in Super Bowl thirty nine in Jacksonville.

He then moved on to spend six seasons as the.

Head coach of the Tennessee Titans from twenty eighteen through twenty twenty three, winning division championships twice and taking to the playoffs thrice. Meanwhile, in the AFC Wild Card Game last night, Dereck Henry of the Baltimore Ravens ran for one point eighty six and two touchdowns in their twenty eight to fourteen win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Earlier on Saturday, the Houston Texans eliminated the Los Angeles Chargers thirty two to twelve. Interceptive Jargners quarterback Justin Herbert four times. He was intercepted just three times all regular season long, the fewest.

In the NFL.

Coming up at the top of the hour from Buffalo, the two seeded Bills play host to the seventh seeded Denver Broncos. Broncos rookie running back Audric Estime a surprising healthy scratch inactive for this game. At four point thirty Eastern, the NFC playoffs kickoff with the two seeded Philadelphia Eagles hosting the seven seeded Green Bay Packers. Then tonight from Tampa, the three seeded Buccaneers host the six seeded Washington Commanders.

Guys, it's all yours, thank you, I Low.

It is Fox Sports Radio Scoutdown to Kickoff, presented by BEDMGM.

Shortly after the show, our podcast will be going up.

If you missed anything on today's show, be sure to check it out. Just search Fox Sports Radio wherever you get your podcasts, be sure to also follow rate and review it again. Just search Fox Sports Radio wherever you get your podcasts, and you'll see the show posted right after we get off the air, real real fast, because we want to get to Vikings Rams here. I just have to say this, Jeff. We had our season long bet Saints Panthers. Yes, I just needed your Panthers to lose last week and I would have won the bet.

But the game goes to overtime.

They win the coin toss and they go right down the field and scored a touchdown.

Screwed it up for me.

The Falcons look like they saw the scoreboard. Oh gosh, that was rough. They had to beat right.

Right at Tampa won and it's kind of like super deflating. Their chances were dead. But I just bring this up because Crack, you were involved in the Circus Survivor contest, right, and how crazy it was painful enough with our season long bet, Jeff. Imagine the two people that had the Falcons in Survivor and like eight.

Eight well okay, well a couple of them were.

They're at Circa Like some people got in that casino to watch the eighteen and you're watching the Falcons and all of a sudden your team loses, they can't get a stop in overtime, and everybody else is just cheering because their payday just got bigger because your team lot.

Can you imagine?

So I after this show, not today, but I've been doing another radio show, uh on Visen from Circa, and we interviewed two of the six people of a group that won Survivor and they're called the meat there from the meatball to their meatballs, and so they but like they had the Colts, I think, and they won Survivor and they came on the show and they've been a little kneebra, a little excited, but they mean they made it all the way to week eighteen, which is remarkable.

Crazy.

Okay, So Vikings Rams that'll be tomorrow night. Game is in Phoenix due to the wildfires in LA which obviously it's freaking terrible, but I mean just the football aspect of this, it's a.

Big deal for the Rams.

Spread swung a big change because it's at a neutral site there in the Phoenix area. And it's funny, right, It's a reminder because you hear this a lot of well home field doesn't mean what it once did. This is a great example of home field. If this is at Sofi compared to where the Arizona Cardinals play, and you saw how much the point spread swung. It's like, yeah, home field doesn't mean as much as it once did, but it still means a lot. And this game not being at Sofi is a big deal for the Rams.

You know, the pushback I have on that is like, it's Sofi Stadium. There's no home advantage of Sofi Stadium. Like, it's not like it's.

So Still, Man, it's not. You're not and a half point dog at Sofi.

I know, it's more about the travel of this game, right than anything else. So that like the travel, the up, the up heavil of your normal routine. That feels like more of the money moving than anything else. So nonetheless, though I like the Rams, maybe I'm being square here, but the Vikings mentally, where are they at right now? They go to Minnesota, I mean, they go to Detroit, they don't play terribly well, Donald missed a lot of guys, but now they go back on the road again. You know, you think you're the one seed, now you're the five seed. The Rams a arrested I like the matchup to the Matt Stafforcans. Zero against zero coverage is really good, which with the Vikings blits a ton. I just I like the matchup Brian of the Rams. In this game, I get a better quarterback, not a better coach per se, but experienced coach. In these games, I get a arrested team and crack. I like at bet against Sam Donald a road playoff game. I mean, sign me up, Buddy, so ms this one.

He gets a lot of flackful after last week had a great season and last week kind of everyone was, uh, it's that old line from the Arizona coach. There he is who we thought? He was like, you know, I don't know. I just it's one game. But uh they played so good fourteen and two right fourteen and they had a great, great season.

But I mean in the end, like you lost the lines twice and I guess yeah, but Sam dono a road playoff game, I don't know, man, I don't see it happen first.

And but Jeff's right though, I don't know how big of a disadvantage this is for the Rams. I'm you know, they travel to Arizona, Okay, great. It's not that big of a deal as people might think. Just you know, I'll tell you why, because Jeff said it right. Anyone who's been to Sofar or for a Rams game, you already know the opposing team has a decent presence there in La. It just it is what it is. I've been the games in LA, and I've been the games in Florida, and I always noticed that and more than anywhere. Last night I went to the Las Vegas night's game. Here my buddies that were in town, there was more Ranger fans there than Las. I'll say fifty to fifty last night.

That's not surprising.

Yeah, so so Vegas has the same thing with the Raiders. Here you'll see more Pittsburgh Steeler fans, more Kansas City Chiefs fans. Anyway, it might be closer to the fifty to fifty. And I'm sure in Arizona. And you know, I want to remind anyone don't forget any any sports book you're betting with. Make sure that your individual books to see if your bet was canceled or not, because I actually bet this game when it first opened and it was canceled after the location change. However, if you bet it here at one of the biggest sports books in town Action and one of the one nationwide ones Action. So you know, make check check, make sure you have a bet or you don't have a bet.

Yeah, you're curious how Sam Darnold responds to your point. Crack played pretty good football throughout the regular season until it mattered most division on the line, one seed on the line, and he laid a complete egg against the Lions. So curious how he responds. I don't know how well the Rams run the football, you know, like this is a good Vikings rush defense.

Kyron Williams's rushing props at.

Eighty four and a half, that's high, But we'll see how that goes.

I'm just surprised at you guys.

You guys make it sound like, eh, whatever, so far, Phoenix whatever, Like.

You think the Rams.

Let's say there are no wildfires whatsoever, which would be a perfect scenario.

And you said to Sean McVay.

Hey, you could play this game at so fire or you could just play at a neutral site in Phoenix.

Definitely, of course.

Like I know, it's not the greatest home field advantage, but traveling going to a neutral site, that's a big deal to me.

Man. Yeah, definitely, yeah, definitely.

All right, We've got Bill Krackenberger from crack Wins dot Com, Jeff Schwartz, eight year NFL veteran, I'm Brian Nell coming up next Picks Galore. Krack will have his best play of the day rapid fire all that good stuff comes your way. Next is Fox Sports Radios Countdown to Kickoff presented by BETMGM. It is Fox Sports Radios Countdown to Kickoff presented by BETMGM. Throughout the entire football season, BETMGM will offer all different types of no Sweat tokens and boost tokens. Be on the lookout for no sweat same game parlay tokens and parlay boost tokens just to name a couple. Be sure to follow BETMGM across all socials at BETMGM. Props to the crew, our trusted producer Bo Benson, The Dodger Zone podcast, our technical producer Extraordinary Chris Purfett, Pride of Detroit podcast, Crushing the Updates and crushing life that is Isaac Loewenkron and shout out to our guys Sager on Digital posting our clips. Top of the Hour, Red Zone Radio, Steve Hartman, Rich Ornberger, they have got you covered in less than ten minutes. Keep it locked right here on Fox Sports Radio. All right, we got some picks to make and recap. Let's do it time.

Five games against the spread.

We call it. Call it the Crack Challenge.

Okay, bittersweet because we don't have any Crack Challenge picks for you today. Right, it's just a regular season thing, five games against the spread.

But a recap here.

Jeff, prop to you over five hundred winning record for the season, second straight year. I was not as lucky, so my one year winning streak came to an end.

But props to you two years in a row. Very well done.

Well, I don't know if that's good or bad because this is a very public year, a lot of favorites, and so I don't know if I want to be lumped into that crowd because that is next year in row.

That's why I struggled, because I'm so sharp.

I'll tell you what next year though, typically these trends change. I think next year is we're going to make a lot of money fading these bozos to take favorite every week. So I can't wait. I can't wait. To do so. So yeah, I mean, these favorites this year just outcover just outrageous, outrageous cover rate.

Boy. Bookmakers are crying too. Bookmakers are crying the last they are, yeah, the last like six seven weeks, the favorite for like sixty one and sixteen, straight up, and yeah, they're they're they're doing something. I tell you.

Everyone did the parlay that I did, Ohio State, Baltimore, Denver. I think I.

Threw Buffalo, right.

Buffalo, Buffalo, sorry Buffy, not Denver Buffalo. I probably, I don't know if I threw in Command Bucks maybe in there, like I don't know, so Notre Dame. I did not play no Dame in that parlay. I'm sorry, crack, sorry, Brian out. I will not play next week. So Imports of Good Numbers by Jared text Us early last week. Hey, Jeremiah Love get it. Yeah, now it's gonna move. And he gave us forty seven and a half and I took it and it closed it like thirty five. He had forty four.

Yeah, and he also said it so low at some point you have to take the over and it was right in the middle.

Could have middled that. I didn't do that. But a good middle opportunity there with carem I love, no doubt. Numbers are important, everybody.

No doubt. All right, let's get to this.

Rapid fire, all right.

Practically start with you. What something you like, buddy, Let's go.

Let's go with first quarter. Let's go with the Packers plus a half in the first quarter minus a dollar fifty Green Bay. You know I like them to score first too, by the way, but they should be getting the ball first, so we'll use that.

One, okay, Jeff, anything you want to mention taba first half?

I like that Barkley one. I like a lot. I mean, it's just it's expensive. The bone Nicks if you missed it, Bonnicks over rushing attempts, out over rushing attempts, and yeah that's what I got.

Yeah, I'm on Tampa minus three today. I just think their offense a handful for at Washington defense.

And Jeff, you and I are united.

I don't know, crack. You want to join the party. Javonte Williams, Broncos running back. I took yes, yeah, steven yards fifteen and a.

Half, sixteen and a half right around there. All right, let's get to this.

This is the best play of the day.

The first dollars.

All right, crack, what is it for us team to score first? Bet MGM still staying at it. Minus a dollar forty five on Tampa Bay. I have bet this multiple times at bet MGM. They just don't respect me here minus a dollar forty five. Still, I think they'll get the most first. I'll love to score first, buckskay.

Go with Tampa on that one. All right, good stuff. Everybody enjoyed the ball today. We'll catch it soon.