The volume. Oh my god, how could he do that?

The volume. Oh my god, how could he do that?

What Charles Darwin? The nerves is where it's at. Welcome everybody back into nerd Sash as always. I'm Carson Brevan. Alongside me is Logan Camden, and we apologize that we were not able to give you guys our regular Sunday Night NFL reaction yesterday. That is because we were both at a wedding. But we are back now. Logan and I yesterday were wed in the great state of Kansas. It was a beautiful little ceremony, quaint, intimate and I'm just so excited to spend the rest of my life with you, buddy.

What Charles Darwin? The nerves is where it's at. Welcome everybody back into nerd Sash as always. I'm Carson Brevan. Alongside me is Logan Camden, and we apologize that we were not able to give you guys our regular Sunday Night NFL reaction yesterday. That is because we were both at a wedding. But we are back now. Logan and I yesterday were wed in the great state of Kansas. It was a beautiful little ceremony, quaint, intimate and I'm just so excited to spend the rest of my life with you, buddy.

Yeah, so am I man. I couldn't be happier.

Yeah, so am I man. I couldn't be happier.

It was a hell of a wedding. Of course, after this, our friend Gabe and his new wife Laura, was a love wedding we attended.

It was a hell of a wedding. Of course, after this, our friend Gabe and his new wife Laura, was a love wedding we attended.

Well, no, see, if we pretend that we got married, then we can just go on a fake honeymoon too. Doo. He's get a free vacation.

Well, no, see, if we pretend that we got married, then we can just go on a fake honeymoon too. Doo. He's get a free vacation.

Where would you want to go? Pittsburgh?

Where would you want to go? Pittsburgh?

Gross for vacation?

Gross for vacation?

Jesus, man, are you shitting on the Steel City?

Jesus, man, are you shitting on the Steel City?

What are we gonna do?

What are we gonna do?

Good industrial town?

Good industrial town?

Smoke cigarettes, in a back alley.

Smoke cigarettes, in a back alley.

Like this doesn't sound so bad to me. Actually sounds really nice.

Like this doesn't sound so bad to me. Actually sounds really nice.

All right. I mean, if you're down, I'm down, bro. Let's do it.

All right. I mean, if you're down, I'm down, bro. Let's do it.

Look at us already fighting. Oh my god, not even twenty four hours we've been married and we can't agree on our honeymoon. Let's talk some football. And we actually just had a pretty fun Monday night game, lots of points put up. But I want to start with the game of the week because, as we discussed, the NFL, with their greedy, greedy little overreach, put most of the great games this week before the actual Sunday slate, so there was really only one game that I was excited for, and that was Vikings Packers And Logan, the Minnesota Vikings just keep on rolling. They are fourteen and two and they will now be playing Lions tonight's winners over the forty nine ers for not just the NFC North but the number one seed next week, which is going to be super fun. But how impressed were you about Minnesota in this game? And dare I say, Logan, dare I ask are they the number one team in the NFC to you?

Look at us already fighting. Oh my god, not even twenty four hours we've been married and we can't agree on our honeymoon. Let's talk some football. And we actually just had a pretty fun Monday night game, lots of points put up. But I want to start with the game of the week because, as we discussed, the NFL, with their greedy, greedy little overreach, put most of the great games this week before the actual Sunday slate, so there was really only one game that I was excited for, and that was Vikings Packers And Logan, the Minnesota Vikings just keep on rolling. They are fourteen and two and they will now be playing Lions tonight's winners over the forty nine ers for not just the NFC North but the number one seed next week, which is going to be super fun. But how impressed were you about Minnesota in this game? And dare I say, Logan, dare I ask are they the number one team in the NFC to you?

Now? They're not. Minnesota hasn't gotten there for me yet and I still have Philadelphia. I just think Philadelphia is the most talented team arguably in the NFL, and that's why I would marginally go with them. That being said, I think Minnesota's been top five. I think they are a real deal Super Bowl contender. I mean, I wouldn't be surprised. I'll put it this way, a positive spin. I wouldn't be surprised if Minnesota was a representative in the NFC in the Super Bowl, especially because I thought the Packers got lucky in this game, that it was as close as.

Now? They're not. Minnesota hasn't gotten there for me yet and I still have Philadelphia. I just think Philadelphia is the most talented team arguably in the NFL, and that's why I would marginally go with them. That being said, I think Minnesota's been top five. I think they are a real deal Super Bowl contender. I mean, I wouldn't be surprised. I'll put it this way, a positive spin. I wouldn't be surprised if Minnesota was a representative in the NFC in the Super Bowl, especially because I thought the Packers got lucky in this game, that it was as close as.

It was, like fake close game one hundred percent.

It was, like fake close game one hundred percent.

I think this is one of Minnesota's more convincing wins this year. And you think about what happens early in this football game, Joshacobs fumble, Jordan Love interception. Minnesota scored zero points off of those turnovers. The Packers defense came up huge, you know they are. They trail twenty to three in this game, they trail twenty seven to ten. They end up making a close twenty seven to twenty five at the end of this game. But I mean, they were resilient. I'll give the Packers that, but they should be thinking they're lucky stars that this wasn't a bludgeoning because I think a few plays go a different way in Minnesota is I mean smokes Green Bay in this game, they looked way better in my opinion, And I mean, you got to sing your praises about Sam Donald. Man, I don't want to beat like a dead horse because me and you have been talking about how great he's played over the past six weeks. But it's like that was the biggest variable about this football team at the start of the year, and I harped on it because I didn't know if I could believe in Sam Donald. And I'm there. I think that Sam doesn't hold them back. I think he elevates them. This is a great situation obviously for Donald, but I don't have this pit in my stomach when I watch Donald play anymore like I used to where I'm waiting on the impending doom, on the disaster play. I trust Sam Darnald and he has played, in my opinion, just over like this seven to eight week stretch. I think he's been one of the top five quarterbacks in the NFL over that span. I believe Minnesota is not my number one right now. I do prefer Philly, but they are my number two and I'm stam up with that.

I think this is one of Minnesota's more convincing wins this year. And you think about what happens early in this football game, Joshacobs fumble, Jordan Love interception. Minnesota scored zero points off of those turnovers. The Packers defense came up huge, you know they are. They trail twenty to three in this game, they trail twenty seven to ten. They end up making a close twenty seven to twenty five at the end of this game. But I mean, they were resilient. I'll give the Packers that, but they should be thinking they're lucky stars that this wasn't a bludgeoning because I think a few plays go a different way in Minnesota is I mean smokes Green Bay in this game, they looked way better in my opinion, And I mean, you got to sing your praises about Sam Donald. Man, I don't want to beat like a dead horse because me and you have been talking about how great he's played over the past six weeks. But it's like that was the biggest variable about this football team at the start of the year, and I harped on it because I didn't know if I could believe in Sam Donald. And I'm there. I think that Sam doesn't hold them back. I think he elevates them. This is a great situation obviously for Donald, but I don't have this pit in my stomach when I watch Donald play anymore like I used to where I'm waiting on the impending doom, on the disaster play. I trust Sam Darnald and he has played, in my opinion, just over like this seven to eight week stretch. I think he's been one of the top five quarterbacks in the NFL over that span. I believe Minnesota is not my number one right now. I do prefer Philly, but they are my number two and I'm stam up with that.

I love Minnesota. I feel like they've been the most underrated elite team probably the entire year, and really the most unexpected elite team. But they got off to their five and oh start and felt like everybody was on the bandwagon at that point, and then they dropped two straight games and it's like everybody's off, even though those were close games to the Lions and Rams, and then Donald has a couple of rough performances against the Colts and the Jags, and it just felt like they totally got buried in the hierarchy under other teams, at least in terms of the public discourse, that they didn't belong below. In my feeling has been since early in the season, this is one of the most complete teams in football. They have consistently been a top five team in football in my eyes since they had that really impressive early stretch. But the thing that moves me to at this point I actually view them as my number one team in the NFC is the level that Sam Donald is playing at. I mean, it's so impressive. I have significantly more faith in him right now. Than I do in Jalen Hurts. When I'm looking at the other most talented roster, most complete team in the NFC and compared to the Lions, I mean that offense is unbelievable. It is an unstoppable machine. But I think that defense, and it's largely just because of injuries, which is just brutal luck for them, but is an absolute, abject disaster right now. So I think that they are an incredibly complete team Minnesota, and in a couple of these key categories versus Philadelphia, I trust them a lot more. And that's quarterback where I trust Donald, and that is coaching, where I think Kevin O'Connell is brilliant, and I think Brian Flores is brilliant, and I still don't believe in Nick Sirianni. But when it comes to the level that Donald has been playing at. You mentioned it's the last seven weeks where he had the couple clunkers, but since then has just been dialed in. He's averaging two hundred and eighty eight yards per game, eighteen touchdowns, two picks, a passer rating of one hundred and fourteen, and it's just an incredible raw arm talent, right and when he's throwing from a clean pocket, can really sling it and has improved so much as a processor of the game. If you have one question about Darnald still, I do think it's probably in his ability to manage and deal with pressure, and I think that's where we've seen him have some bad moments this year, particularly when it comes to taking more sacks than you would like. And I still think you got a bit of a mixed bag with that. In this game, he actually did a really good job of evading sacks. He only took one, but he also puts some balls in harm's way under the rest where he throws the pick kind of as he's falling down trying to fit a ball into a tight window, and there were a couple other dangerous ones under pressure. So like that's the one concern I would have. But I do think his mobility inside the pocket outside the pocket has been underrated. I think the arm talent is there, and again, like you can't separate him from the situation, but I don't think that you necessarily need to, because he's in this situation with this elite play calling, with these elite receivers, with a really good offensive line, with a balanced offense, and he is just excelling in this situation. So I think they're the team that I trust the most right now in the NFC because they don't have a hole. This was an outstanding performance from their defense, I thought, because they held the Packers to ten points midway through the fourth quarter, they were still sitting on that. And I thought that they got after Jordan Love in a way nobody else has been able to write. This is the guy who, alongside Josh Allen this year, has been the king of not taking sacks. They brought him down three times. We know that they bring pressure as much and as effectively as anybody in football. And then offensively, I really really like their formula. And when I believe that Darnald is a guy who can throw the ball for four hundred yards when you need him two week after week, I'm just all in on this team, I am.

I love Minnesota. I feel like they've been the most underrated elite team probably the entire year, and really the most unexpected elite team. But they got off to their five and oh start and felt like everybody was on the bandwagon at that point, and then they dropped two straight games and it's like everybody's off, even though those were close games to the Lions and Rams, and then Donald has a couple of rough performances against the Colts and the Jags, and it just felt like they totally got buried in the hierarchy under other teams, at least in terms of the public discourse, that they didn't belong below. In my feeling has been since early in the season, this is one of the most complete teams in football. They have consistently been a top five team in football in my eyes since they had that really impressive early stretch. But the thing that moves me to at this point I actually view them as my number one team in the NFC is the level that Sam Donald is playing at. I mean, it's so impressive. I have significantly more faith in him right now. Than I do in Jalen Hurts. When I'm looking at the other most talented roster, most complete team in the NFC and compared to the Lions, I mean that offense is unbelievable. It is an unstoppable machine. But I think that defense, and it's largely just because of injuries, which is just brutal luck for them, but is an absolute, abject disaster right now. So I think that they are an incredibly complete team Minnesota, and in a couple of these key categories versus Philadelphia, I trust them a lot more. And that's quarterback where I trust Donald, and that is coaching, where I think Kevin O'Connell is brilliant, and I think Brian Flores is brilliant, and I still don't believe in Nick Sirianni. But when it comes to the level that Donald has been playing at. You mentioned it's the last seven weeks where he had the couple clunkers, but since then has just been dialed in. He's averaging two hundred and eighty eight yards per game, eighteen touchdowns, two picks, a passer rating of one hundred and fourteen, and it's just an incredible raw arm talent, right and when he's throwing from a clean pocket, can really sling it and has improved so much as a processor of the game. If you have one question about Darnald still, I do think it's probably in his ability to manage and deal with pressure, and I think that's where we've seen him have some bad moments this year, particularly when it comes to taking more sacks than you would like. And I still think you got a bit of a mixed bag with that. In this game, he actually did a really good job of evading sacks. He only took one, but he also puts some balls in harm's way under the rest where he throws the pick kind of as he's falling down trying to fit a ball into a tight window, and there were a couple other dangerous ones under pressure. So like that's the one concern I would have. But I do think his mobility inside the pocket outside the pocket has been underrated. I think the arm talent is there, and again, like you can't separate him from the situation, but I don't think that you necessarily need to, because he's in this situation with this elite play calling, with these elite receivers, with a really good offensive line, with a balanced offense, and he is just excelling in this situation. So I think they're the team that I trust the most right now in the NFC because they don't have a hole. This was an outstanding performance from their defense, I thought, because they held the Packers to ten points midway through the fourth quarter, they were still sitting on that. And I thought that they got after Jordan Love in a way nobody else has been able to write. This is the guy who, alongside Josh Allen this year, has been the king of not taking sacks. They brought him down three times. We know that they bring pressure as much and as effectively as anybody in football. And then offensively, I really really like their formula. And when I believe that Darnald is a guy who can throw the ball for four hundred yards when you need him two week after week, I'm just all in on this team, I am.

Yeah, And I think I underrated Darnald too. I mean that's why I think the quarterback ranking episode was so fascinating. If you guys did end up watching it, thank you. If you have not, encourage you too. I thought it was a really it's a long episode, but I thought it was really really good. This stuff changes, you know, so often, week to week, and one game can swing public opinion and this and that. But I really do wonder if I sold not crazy, but I wonder if I sold Donald in golf short by like two or three spots. I wonder if I should have had them right outside the top ten. I don't think I could be moved to put them above like a Baker or Jaden, But in that geno Kyler tier, I wonder. I do love me some Baker man. He's special. He had a great game this week too. But you make a great point to Carson, when you think about Super Bowl contenders, they get pressure on quarterbacks, they disrupt them. That's a huge key in playoff games in Super Bowl scenarios. And I thought Green Bay did a good job at getting at Donald too. But that's probably the area where I've been most impressed with Donald this season. Is not just executing simple stuff. It is extending plays and making plays out of structure and getting out of sacks and still throwing balls down field. Bro Darnald doesn't look scared anymore, like, not at all. And I don't know if it's just game ra if it's he's playing well, so his confidence is riding high too, you.

Yeah, And I think I underrated Darnald too. I mean that's why I think the quarterback ranking episode was so fascinating. If you guys did end up watching it, thank you. If you have not, encourage you too. I thought it was a really it's a long episode, but I thought it was really really good. This stuff changes, you know, so often, week to week, and one game can swing public opinion and this and that. But I really do wonder if I sold not crazy, but I wonder if I sold Donald in golf short by like two or three spots. I wonder if I should have had them right outside the top ten. I don't think I could be moved to put them above like a Baker or Jaden, But in that geno Kyler tier, I wonder. I do love me some Baker man. He's special. He had a great game this week too. But you make a great point to Carson, when you think about Super Bowl contenders, they get pressure on quarterbacks, they disrupt them. That's a huge key in playoff games in Super Bowl scenarios. And I thought Green Bay did a good job at getting at Donald too. But that's probably the area where I've been most impressed with Donald this season. Is not just executing simple stuff. It is extending plays and making plays out of structure and getting out of sacks and still throwing balls down field. Bro Darnald doesn't look scared anymore, like, not at all. And I don't know if it's just game ra if it's he's playing well, so his confidence is riding high too, you.

Know, and it's all I mean, he's been under great coaches the last two years. And by the way, you mentioned all the stuff that he's doing right, creating more out of struction than we've seen. He's doing all this while playing turnover free football. A get its two interceptions in the last seven weeks. He's really really playing at a high level.

Know, and it's all I mean, he's been under great coaches the last two years. And by the way, you mentioned all the stuff that he's doing right, creating more out of struction than we've seen. He's doing all this while playing turnover free football. A get its two interceptions in the last seven weeks. He's really really playing at a high level.

He's playing at it at a huge level. And it's again, it's never been an arm talent thing man. Donald always had that, but it's him finally figuring it all out. I couldn't be happier for the guy. Man. You love a comeback story, and I hope this is a theme of NFL quarterbacks, you know, hopefully in the future. Man, Like, just look at the last four years, right Geno and his redemption with Seattle, Baker, his redemption with Tampa Bay. Donald's getting that. Everybody loves a comeback story. And Sam doesn't. I believe in Sam. I just I don't. I don't. He doesn't scare me in the way where I feel like he's just gonna fall apart in a big moment, and Minnesota is really deep around him. I agree with you, though, man it. I don't blame you. You said Minnesota is.

He's playing at it at a huge level. And it's again, it's never been an arm talent thing man. Donald always had that, but it's him finally figuring it all out. I couldn't be happier for the guy. Man. You love a comeback story, and I hope this is a theme of NFL quarterbacks, you know, hopefully in the future. Man, Like, just look at the last four years, right Geno and his redemption with Seattle, Baker, his redemption with Tampa Bay. Donald's getting that. Everybody loves a comeback story. And Sam doesn't. I believe in Sam. I just I don't. I don't. He doesn't scare me in the way where I feel like he's just gonna fall apart in a big moment, and Minnesota is really deep around him. I agree with you, though, man it. I don't blame you. You said Minnesota is.

Number one for you, right they are now.

Number one for you, right they are now.

I don't blame you for the coaching being the deciding factor. I don't like Sirianni. I don't. I mean, you might be my least favorite head coach in the National Football League.

I don't blame you for the coaching being the deciding factor. I don't like Sirianni. I don't. I mean, you might be my least favorite head coach in the National Football League.

If you've got the coaching and quarterback edge. To me, the other sort of fundamental thing you look at is the defense. I think the defenses are neck and neck. I mean, I think that they are two of the three best defenses in football. Through the Steelers in there, you could have the Broncos in that same tier. Pitts, you want to think the Steelers out of there now or without the Shawn Elliott. They fell, they fall off.

If you've got the coaching and quarterback edge. To me, the other sort of fundamental thing you look at is the defense. I think the defenses are neck and neck. I mean, I think that they are two of the three best defenses in football. Through the Steelers in there, you could have the Broncos in that same tier. Pitts, you want to think the Steelers out of there now or without the Shawn Elliott. They fell, they fall off.

We've been banged up, but I don't I'm gonna be honest. I don't think we belong with those groups. I don't think we belong with Minnesota. I don't think we belong with Philadelphia. I think they're better.

We've been banged up, but I don't I'm gonna be honest. I don't think we belong with those groups. I don't think we belong with Minnesota. I don't think we belong with Philadelphia. I think they're better.

That's fair, And I think that the story of the year for Minnesota really is consistency and that as an overall football team, because even when Darnold had his down performances. They were still winning games, and it was against a not so great competition. But like, their defense gives them a really high floor. Their skill position talut, their scheme offensively gives them a really really high floor. And when Arnold is playing like this, they're an elite offense in an elite defense with no holes. So I love Minnesota. On the flip side of this logan, what do you take away for the Packers? How are you feeling about them?

That's fair, And I think that the story of the year for Minnesota really is consistency and that as an overall football team, because even when Darnold had his down performances. They were still winning games, and it was against a not so great competition. But like, their defense gives them a really high floor. Their skill position talut, their scheme offensively gives them a really really high floor. And when Arnold is playing like this, they're an elite offense in an elite defense with no holes. So I love Minnesota. On the flip side of this logan, what do you take away for the Packers? How are you feeling about them?

I'm disappointed. I'm really disappointed. You know. They get some pressure on Donald, but they don't have an elite pass rush like a Minnesota or a Philadelphia where I would be shaking in my boots if I'm the opposing team's quarterback. That's a distinct edge that I think both of those teams have over Green Bay at this point. And Jordan Love's consistency, man, you know, I don't know. I'm the highs with Jordan Love are so freaking high, but it's just a consistency thing with him, and I just wonder if I got maybe a little too bit high on him in Green Bay like they are. I wonder if I should have them in my Super Bowl bubble is where I'm at with Green Bay because I look at the teams. I put them over Detroit a couple of weeks ago with the power rankings, and I just think I was wrong because and we'll get to Detroit and here in a minute with the Niners game. But Detroit, even though they're really banged up, and the Niners offense was for a lot of this game was moving on them like a hot knife through butter. They're well coached and Aaron Glenn is gonna have these guys prepared. But there's leagues between these offenses, like Detroit is one of statistically one of the great offenses of the twenty first century. Like it's when you look at the offenses this year, it's Baltimore, it's Buffalo, and it's Detroit, and they are a class above everybody else. I think, I just what I'm getting at here with Green Bay Minnesota. You know it has an elite thing, right, It's that pass rush, it's that front, right. Detroit has an elite quality, Buffalo has an elite quality, it's that offense.

I'm disappointed. I'm really disappointed. You know. They get some pressure on Donald, but they don't have an elite pass rush like a Minnesota or a Philadelphia where I would be shaking in my boots if I'm the opposing team's quarterback. That's a distinct edge that I think both of those teams have over Green Bay at this point. And Jordan Love's consistency, man, you know, I don't know. I'm the highs with Jordan Love are so freaking high, but it's just a consistency thing with him, and I just wonder if I got maybe a little too bit high on him in Green Bay like they are. I wonder if I should have them in my Super Bowl bubble is where I'm at with Green Bay because I look at the teams. I put them over Detroit a couple of weeks ago with the power rankings, and I just think I was wrong because and we'll get to Detroit and here in a minute with the Niners game. But Detroit, even though they're really banged up, and the Niners offense was for a lot of this game was moving on them like a hot knife through butter. They're well coached and Aaron Glenn is gonna have these guys prepared. But there's leagues between these offenses, like Detroit is one of statistically one of the great offenses of the twenty first century. Like it's when you look at the offenses this year, it's Baltimore, it's Buffalo, and it's Detroit, and they are a class above everybody else. I think, I just what I'm getting at here with Green Bay Minnesota. You know it has an elite thing, right, It's that pass rush, it's that front, right. Detroit has an elite quality, Buffalo has an elite quality, it's that offense.

Right.

Right.

All of these teams have something that they are a plus elite at. And when I look at green Bay, I don't know if I see it, And so what that means is when I'm looking at them in their playoff prospects. Because of that, Jordan Love is gonna have to overcompensate and play above his means to drag this team, I think the wins. I think he's gonna have to play MVP level football in the playoffs for this team to get to where they need to be. And I'm not ruling that out of the realm of possibility, but I think it's just more unlikely. And I like other teams formula more and so Green Bay is right now on that cusp of are you real or are you in that? I don't mean this as a dig at them, but like are you in the Chargers tire or are you in the like super bowls?

All of these teams have something that they are a plus elite at. And when I look at green Bay, I don't know if I see it, And so what that means is when I'm looking at them in their playoff prospects. Because of that, Jordan Love is gonna have to overcompensate and play above his means to drag this team, I think the wins. I think he's gonna have to play MVP level football in the playoffs for this team to get to where they need to be. And I'm not ruling that out of the realm of possibility, but I think it's just more unlikely. And I like other teams formula more and so Green Bay is right now on that cusp of are you real or are you in that? I don't mean this as a dig at them, but like are you in the Chargers tire or are you in the like super bowls?

Here?

Here?

Are you really really good or are you, you know, with the cream of the crop.

Are you really really good or are you, you know, with the cream of the crop.

I have very consistently felt this year that they are, I know, do the real outskirts of that Super Bowl bubble. I have never, for a moment moved them above Detroit or Minnesota. And I think the Packers are really good, but I do think that they've gotten a bit overrated, and I think part of that is a lot of people just felt that they were like the logical successor in the NFC after last year because they're the youngest team in the conference. Jordan Love is such a young quarterback, especially in terms of experience, and here they are, They're ascending and like they were, I think the most popular pick to win the NFC before the year, and it's just kind of annoyed me that I feel like, maybe because of that preseason hype, people continue to try to put them at the very top of the NFC, and I don't think that they belong quite up there. I'm not saying they're not capable of beating any of these teams, but at the same time, they are zero to five against the top three teams of the NFC this year. They're oh and two against Detroit, They're oh and two against Minnesota, They're own to one against Philadelphia, and yet coming into this game in Minnesota, the Packers were favored by like two and a half points. Like, I just don't understand that perspective because this really was a fake close game, and I mean this was twenty seven to ten. They were out gained by one hundred and seventy yards. Will Reiker missed two field goals for Minnesota, like Green Bay, got spanked until their final two drives when they finally got the passing game going. And I mentioned they're oho to five in games against the top three teams in the NFC. In three of those games, they were down eight to seven to Minnesota the first time round twenty four to three to Detroit in twenty to three to Minnesota in this game. So it's not just that they're losing. They've gotten drugged in a few of these games, more than the final scoreboard would even indicate. And Jordan Love, as much as I love the guy, has had some inconsistencies and he's had some really slow starts in a couple of these big games. I thought Minnesota's defense again was phenomenal. I thought they brought the boom. I also think we can kind of lose sight of the Packers' offensive identity because it's interesting to me you talk about Jordan Love having to really carry them. I kind of feel like he more just has to carry his weight as the sort of top seven quarterback that we view him as. But really the foundation of this team is their ability to run the ball so consistently and set up the play action and set up the explosive passing plays with that run game. Their top five and rushing yards, top five and rushing touchdowns. They're seventh in yards per attempt, They're thirtieth in pass attempts on the season. And you think about how successful they were with Malik Willis right where they went undefeat with him as the starter. Why was that? Because they can run the shit out of the ball. Lafleurt schematically is excellent and that really is the foundation of this offense. And this was an anemic performance from the passing attack. And although I do think Jordan Love is really really good, we've seen a couple too many of those. Now. He's been playing cleaner football as of late, of course, which is great. No turnovers in the Toyota than period. But like they just needed to get more going through the air in this game. And the defense just isn't that impressive to me. I think it's a good run defense, and I thought the run defense played well in this game, and I know the bottom line numbers for this defense are good, but against really good competition, they haven't been good defensively. They've really been out classed. And I don't like their pass defense, I think they have vulnerabilities there that kind of offset the strengths they have against the runs. So I think it's a very mediocre defense, and I think it's a really good offense. But I don't think it's an offense we can put quite in a class with Detroit, with Buffalo, with Baltimore. Those teams were mentioning. And then defensively, I think Minnesota is just lapping them and it's pretty darn close offensively. So they're a team that can make noise. But I have them as a really solid fourth in the NFC as I have had them.

I have very consistently felt this year that they are, I know, do the real outskirts of that Super Bowl bubble. I have never, for a moment moved them above Detroit or Minnesota. And I think the Packers are really good, but I do think that they've gotten a bit overrated, and I think part of that is a lot of people just felt that they were like the logical successor in the NFC after last year because they're the youngest team in the conference. Jordan Love is such a young quarterback, especially in terms of experience, and here they are, They're ascending and like they were, I think the most popular pick to win the NFC before the year, and it's just kind of annoyed me that I feel like, maybe because of that preseason hype, people continue to try to put them at the very top of the NFC, and I don't think that they belong quite up there. I'm not saying they're not capable of beating any of these teams, but at the same time, they are zero to five against the top three teams of the NFC this year. They're oh and two against Detroit, They're oh and two against Minnesota, They're own to one against Philadelphia, and yet coming into this game in Minnesota, the Packers were favored by like two and a half points. Like, I just don't understand that perspective because this really was a fake close game, and I mean this was twenty seven to ten. They were out gained by one hundred and seventy yards. Will Reiker missed two field goals for Minnesota, like Green Bay, got spanked until their final two drives when they finally got the passing game going. And I mentioned they're oho to five in games against the top three teams in the NFC. In three of those games, they were down eight to seven to Minnesota the first time round twenty four to three to Detroit in twenty to three to Minnesota in this game. So it's not just that they're losing. They've gotten drugged in a few of these games, more than the final scoreboard would even indicate. And Jordan Love, as much as I love the guy, has had some inconsistencies and he's had some really slow starts in a couple of these big games. I thought Minnesota's defense again was phenomenal. I thought they brought the boom. I also think we can kind of lose sight of the Packers' offensive identity because it's interesting to me you talk about Jordan Love having to really carry them. I kind of feel like he more just has to carry his weight as the sort of top seven quarterback that we view him as. But really the foundation of this team is their ability to run the ball so consistently and set up the play action and set up the explosive passing plays with that run game. Their top five and rushing yards, top five and rushing touchdowns. They're seventh in yards per attempt, They're thirtieth in pass attempts on the season. And you think about how successful they were with Malik Willis right where they went undefeat with him as the starter. Why was that? Because they can run the shit out of the ball. Lafleurt schematically is excellent and that really is the foundation of this offense. And this was an anemic performance from the passing attack. And although I do think Jordan Love is really really good, we've seen a couple too many of those. Now. He's been playing cleaner football as of late, of course, which is great. No turnovers in the Toyota than period. But like they just needed to get more going through the air in this game. And the defense just isn't that impressive to me. I think it's a good run defense, and I thought the run defense played well in this game, and I know the bottom line numbers for this defense are good, but against really good competition, they haven't been good defensively. They've really been out classed. And I don't like their pass defense, I think they have vulnerabilities there that kind of offset the strengths they have against the runs. So I think it's a very mediocre defense, and I think it's a really good offense. But I don't think it's an offense we can put quite in a class with Detroit, with Buffalo, with Baltimore. Those teams were mentioning. And then defensively, I think Minnesota is just lapping them and it's pretty darn close offensively. So they're a team that can make noise. But I have them as a really solid fourth in the NFC as I have had them.

Well, you know, it's funny, man, You know how everybody always does the Rogers far thing with Jordan Love, right because they've had three you know, star quarterbacks, right, the handing of the torch. Yeah, it's funny because I think that Love needs to strike that balance a little bit better, man, because you talk about it. It's like Love just needs to sometimes just play complimentary football, you know. I feel like sometimes that gunslinger, right, we have this like Jamis Winston glorification of the of the gunslinger. Right, it's either your humming at fifty yards downfield for a TV or you're hucking at sixty yards downfield for a pick. I feel like Jordan just needs to move the ball sometimes, man, I'm not so like, just real it in a little bit where you're just playing more methodical, complimentary football and loves a boom er bus guy some games and it's frustrating, man, because I get so high on the guy because I know what he can do, and then sometimes it doesn't show up. Also, as we've mentioned all year long with Green Bay two, and this was a little bit of the case last year, it's a big play defense and sometimes when the big plays don't come, defense doesn't look that good. You know, you don't swing the game. And that's where I'm not putting Pittsburgh in that tier. But like, Pittsburgh's one of those teams too, where you know, if they get those big swing plays, you go, goddamn, man, that Steelers defense is awesome, and then if they don't, you're like, man, they got marched on today. I'm not putting them in the same tier, but I think it's a solid comp And yeah, I think I got a little bit too high on Green Bay, man. I think right now there are six teams that I think could win the Super Bowl, and I think Green Bay is number seven.

Well, you know, it's funny, man, You know how everybody always does the Rogers far thing with Jordan Love, right because they've had three you know, star quarterbacks, right, the handing of the torch. Yeah, it's funny because I think that Love needs to strike that balance a little bit better, man, because you talk about it. It's like Love just needs to sometimes just play complimentary football, you know. I feel like sometimes that gunslinger, right, we have this like Jamis Winston glorification of the of the gunslinger. Right, it's either your humming at fifty yards downfield for a TV or you're hucking at sixty yards downfield for a pick. I feel like Jordan just needs to move the ball sometimes, man, I'm not so like, just real it in a little bit where you're just playing more methodical, complimentary football and loves a boom er bus guy some games and it's frustrating, man, because I get so high on the guy because I know what he can do, and then sometimes it doesn't show up. Also, as we've mentioned all year long with Green Bay two, and this was a little bit of the case last year, it's a big play defense and sometimes when the big plays don't come, defense doesn't look that good. You know, you don't swing the game. And that's where I'm not putting Pittsburgh in that tier. But like, Pittsburgh's one of those teams too, where you know, if they get those big swing plays, you go, goddamn, man, that Steelers defense is awesome, and then if they don't, you're like, man, they got marched on today. I'm not putting them in the same tier, but I think it's a solid comp And yeah, I think I got a little bit too high on Green Bay, man. I think right now there are six teams that I think could win the Super Bowl, and I think Green Bay is number seven.

I have Green Bay at number seven too. I don't know if I could fully rule it out, because if you get Jordan Love at his best, I mean, this offense is pretty special. But I think it's very unlikely. And I do think that for me, there is a drop between the top six teams and the seven. Like the top six I actually think are all pretty close, and those are like the bona fide super contenders, and then the Packers are the one team where I'm like there's a sliver of a chance outside of that group. But I do think it would take a lot to go right, and I think it would take that defense taking a level up. But I think it would take Jordan Love actually being really special and playing at a top five level, which he hasn't quite been at as good as he has been. Let's talk about this Monday night game Logan. The Lions pick up another win in a game that did not mean anything for them because it's win, and they get the one seed next week no matter what, because they would have the tiebreaker over Minnesota. But nevertheless, Dan Campbell had the fellas fired up and they went out there and they took a win. I'll start with this classic question, Logan, who do you think this one said more about Detroit or the Niners?

I have Green Bay at number seven too. I don't know if I could fully rule it out, because if you get Jordan Love at his best, I mean, this offense is pretty special. But I think it's very unlikely. And I do think that for me, there is a drop between the top six teams and the seven. Like the top six I actually think are all pretty close, and those are like the bona fide super contenders, and then the Packers are the one team where I'm like there's a sliver of a chance outside of that group. But I do think it would take a lot to go right, and I think it would take that defense taking a level up. But I think it would take Jordan Love actually being really special and playing at a top five level, which he hasn't quite been at as good as he has been. Let's talk about this Monday night game Logan. The Lions pick up another win in a game that did not mean anything for them because it's win, and they get the one seed next week no matter what, because they would have the tiebreaker over Minnesota. But nevertheless, Dan Campbell had the fellas fired up and they went out there and they took a win. I'll start with this classic question, Logan, who do you think this one said more about Detroit or the Niners?

For me where I've been out with both of these teams, probably Detroit just because I was wrong the second that McNeil went down, I kind of wrote this team off and said that this defense isn't good enough to do it. Who cares? I mean, when your offense can put points up like this every single game, I don't really know if it matters. Like, don't get me wrong, Carson, I are nerds, So probability is what we base most of our predictions off of. So there's less probability that the Lions are gonna do it with all these injuries.

For me where I've been out with both of these teams, probably Detroit just because I was wrong the second that McNeil went down, I kind of wrote this team off and said that this defense isn't good enough to do it. Who cares? I mean, when your offense can put points up like this every single game, I don't really know if it matters. Like, don't get me wrong, Carson, I are nerds, So probability is what we base most of our predictions off of. So there's less probability that the Lions are gonna do it with all these injuries.

For yourself, Nerd, like you said.

For yourself, Nerd, like you said.

I can't count Detroit out. They're just every week they come back and it's hey maker, hey maker, hey maker, and the stuff that they break out another hooking ladder.

I can't count Detroit out. They're just every week they come back and it's hey maker, hey maker, hey maker, and the stuff that they break out another hooking ladder.

Like that's erotic, it's awesome.

Like that's erotic, it's awesome.

People are like, you know, is it a theo came on the Quarterbacks episode? You know, is it dishonorable to do this? Did it work? You know? I mean the Lions just have all of these tricks up their sleeve and the offense seems unstoppable. They are one of ten teams and I'm gonna break this out this stat out for another team on this episode. They're one of ten teams INFL history with over point five points per play. Now, that stats started being tracked in two thousand and three, so that's why the number is so small. But you look at some of the other teams on this list, those four Colts, oh seven Patriots, the nine Saints, the twenty ten Patriots, the twenty eleven Packers, the twenty thirteen Broncos, the sixteen Falcons, the eighteen Chiefs, the twenty Packers, this year's Lions, in this year's Bills. Those are the only teams since oh three, when that stats started being tracked, that are over point five points per play. That is ridiculous. Yeah, Like I think all of them, all of them, all of them, and again, you know, maybe they didn't last long, right, like the twenty sixteen Falcons for that one year. It's all time stuff. And that's why I can't count Detroit out because you look at some of the other names on that list. The Pats got to the Super Bowl, the Saints won the Super Bowl, the Packers won the Super Bowl the year previous, right the twenty thirteen Broncos got to the big game. It's just like, that's a really good track record, and I was disappoint ian with what we got out of the defense. I wanted a stronger first half. They might have the best safety tandem in the league, and that's an edge up that I would still give the Lions. Where Look, the rest of the defense has holes. Right linebacking corps are way down, defensive line is all banged up. The entire defense is banged up. Kirby Joseph and Brian Branch if they can stay healthy and hold it down over the top. I'm just not ready to slam the door on the Lions. And I was two weeks ago and I put my hand up Nick Collinson word to Gabe, I got it wrong, man. I don't think the Lions are I don't think the Lions are on the ground just yet.

People are like, you know, is it a theo came on the Quarterbacks episode? You know, is it dishonorable to do this? Did it work? You know? I mean the Lions just have all of these tricks up their sleeve and the offense seems unstoppable. They are one of ten teams and I'm gonna break this out this stat out for another team on this episode. They're one of ten teams INFL history with over point five points per play. Now, that stats started being tracked in two thousand and three, so that's why the number is so small. But you look at some of the other teams on this list, those four Colts, oh seven Patriots, the nine Saints, the twenty ten Patriots, the twenty eleven Packers, the twenty thirteen Broncos, the sixteen Falcons, the eighteen Chiefs, the twenty Packers, this year's Lions, in this year's Bills. Those are the only teams since oh three, when that stats started being tracked, that are over point five points per play. That is ridiculous. Yeah, Like I think all of them, all of them, all of them, and again, you know, maybe they didn't last long, right, like the twenty sixteen Falcons for that one year. It's all time stuff. And that's why I can't count Detroit out because you look at some of the other names on that list. The Pats got to the Super Bowl, the Saints won the Super Bowl, the Packers won the Super Bowl the year previous, right the twenty thirteen Broncos got to the big game. It's just like, that's a really good track record, and I was disappoint ian with what we got out of the defense. I wanted a stronger first half. They might have the best safety tandem in the league, and that's an edge up that I would still give the Lions. Where Look, the rest of the defense has holes. Right linebacking corps are way down, defensive line is all banged up. The entire defense is banged up. Kirby Joseph and Brian Branch if they can stay healthy and hold it down over the top. I'm just not ready to slam the door on the Lions. And I was two weeks ago and I put my hand up Nick Collinson word to Gabe, I got it wrong, man. I don't think the Lions are I don't think the Lions are on the ground just yet.

Man.

Man.

I think the Lions are still very, very legitimate.

I think the Lions are still very, very legitimate.

This is so funny. I feel like I leave this game feeling worse about the Lions now. I think that I was higher on them than you after all the injuries. But it's just no news to me that this offense is completely unstoppable and one of the best that we've seen this century, and like has the single easiest formula, probably with how dominant they are in the trenches and how great the run is, and with the elite receiving tandem that they now have with Amanrahan, the growth of Jamison, and with their incredible genius play calling and GoF playing at a really high level, Like they just move the ball at will against just about anybody. But you mentioned some of those all time great offenses, and there's one that you didn't mention since two thousand that kind of comes to mind for me. With the Lions we're seeing right now, I wonder if they're marching towards like two thousand Rams territory, which is literally one of the greatest offenses we've ever seen, right between their two Super Bowls. But that defense was horrible, and I'm not saying that the Lions are that bad. And again, injuries are the driving force behind all of this, right, Losing Aliam McNeil, losing Carlton Davis, losing Angeloni, losing obviously Aiden Hutchinson, Like they've just lost so many of their best players, but I'm really worried about their defense over the last three weeks, which is when they've really just become ravaged by these injuries. They're allowing four hundred and seventy two yards per game in thirty three points per game, and the Bills game is a big part of that. But they got torched in this game. And if it's not for those two I mean Forbby Joseph interceptions, I mean, they didn't get any stops.

This is so funny. I feel like I leave this game feeling worse about the Lions now. I think that I was higher on them than you after all the injuries. But it's just no news to me that this offense is completely unstoppable and one of the best that we've seen this century, and like has the single easiest formula, probably with how dominant they are in the trenches and how great the run is, and with the elite receiving tandem that they now have with Amanrahan, the growth of Jamison, and with their incredible genius play calling and GoF playing at a really high level, Like they just move the ball at will against just about anybody. But you mentioned some of those all time great offenses, and there's one that you didn't mention since two thousand that kind of comes to mind for me. With the Lions we're seeing right now, I wonder if they're marching towards like two thousand Rams territory, which is literally one of the greatest offenses we've ever seen, right between their two Super Bowls. But that defense was horrible, and I'm not saying that the Lions are that bad. And again, injuries are the driving force behind all of this, right, Losing Aliam McNeil, losing Carlton Davis, losing Angeloni, losing obviously Aiden Hutchinson, Like they've just lost so many of their best players, but I'm really worried about their defense over the last three weeks, which is when they've really just become ravaged by these injuries. They're allowing four hundred and seventy two yards per game in thirty three points per game, and the Bills game is a big part of that. But they got torched in this game. And if it's not for those two I mean Forbby Joseph interceptions, I mean, they didn't get any stops.

A lot of things broke their way too. I mean, the the party picks the Miskicks like it's a really specific formula that they're gonna have to follow, Carson, but it's like, I don't know, I can't put it past them that they can. I don't know if there's a defense that has an answer for they make it look so easy every.

A lot of things broke their way too. I mean, the the party picks the Miskicks like it's a really specific formula that they're gonna have to follow, Carson, but it's like, I don't know, I can't put it past them that they can. I don't know if there's a defense that has an answer for they make it look so easy every.

Week they do they do. I just worry if you are destined to being in a shootout every single week, is that sustainable? Because if there are defenses that are flawed, who I have higher than Detroit's right, I'll just spoil this for our power rankings, I guess to make this point, Buffalo being an example, Baltimore being an example, the reason that I feel like I can justify is those teams still have their talent on the field, and they have their inconsistencies, but they've shown highs with their best players on the field where I can say, Okay, they're inconsistent, but they're not outright bad defenses. The Lions, as they're currently configured, down so many of their best players, I think, are a bad defense.

Week they do they do. I just worry if you are destined to being in a shootout every single week, is that sustainable? Because if there are defenses that are flawed, who I have higher than Detroit's right, I'll just spoil this for our power rankings, I guess to make this point, Buffalo being an example, Baltimore being an example, the reason that I feel like I can justify is those teams still have their talent on the field, and they have their inconsistencies, but they've shown highs with their best players on the field where I can say, Okay, they're inconsistent, but they're not outright bad defenses. The Lions, as they're currently configured, down so many of their best players, I think, are a bad defense.

It's ten consecutive quarters of being marched on every single drive seemingly.

It's ten consecutive quarters of being marched on every single drive seemingly.

Well, yeah, it's basically kind of the last twelve because they were good against the Bears in the first half, but then they even got marched on by the Bears in the second half. It's rough. So I still think they're an elite team. I still think they can win the Super Bowl because this offense is that unbelievable. But within that super Bowl tier they have all for me, I would agree. Whereas when this defense was fully healthy, I thought there was a strong case they were the best team in football. How about the Niners. Logan, you got a very interesting rock Party stat line in this game where he he racks up three hundred and seventy seven passing yards three touchdowns. He's also got two interceptions, leads this game very late and we get the Josh Dobbs Show. What did you make of this performance from San Francisco and Purty?

Well, yeah, it's basically kind of the last twelve because they were good against the Bears in the first half, but then they even got marched on by the Bears in the second half. It's rough. So I still think they're an elite team. I still think they can win the Super Bowl because this offense is that unbelievable. But within that super Bowl tier they have all for me, I would agree. Whereas when this defense was fully healthy, I thought there was a strong case they were the best team in football. How about the Niners. Logan, you got a very interesting rock Party stat line in this game where he he racks up three hundred and seventy seven passing yards three touchdowns. He's also got two interceptions, leads this game very late and we get the Josh Dobbs Show. What did you make of this performance from San Francisco and Purty?

I mean, like, dude, I feel like I'm about to take an elbow drop from the top rope and then lay it on my opponent. Dude. Niners fans have a really weird relationship with Rock Perdy Carson. Every Niners fan I talk to has this like complicated love hate. You can't pay the guy, Like, dude, it's so funny too, how fast sports moves and just this, you know, like, you know, back in my day, we had to wait for the newspaper to come out to watch the football game. Right now, you just got twitters. You know what's going on every second of the day. And it's so funny. Brock has that first half and it's sixty million dollars, yes, yes, And then we played two more quarters of football and it's man, I wouldn't resign this guy to a you know, a minimum deal. You just can't pay Brock, And like, I don't know what else this season has indicated to you, bro You know what the first pick, all right, well, actually he throws two. That was hilarious. He throws one that gets called back, and then he throws another one to Kirby. That second pick was embarrassing, Carson, I don't know what Brock is looking at on that play. That's an inexcusable interception to me. The Lions drop into a cover three where the two guys go off top take the third, and Kirby Joseph is just standing there still in the middle third waiting. I mean, it was almost like he baited Brock on that play where it was all right, they like running that little post route with with pearsall Kirby just sit on it, and it was deliberate, like the guy, you know, like the Lions threw debate out there and Brock just took it. The middle of the field is wide open, Kirby jumps it. I just I don't think Brock's good enough to pay all this money, man. I don't think he's the solution still. And you get the good and the bad in this game. He makes some plays like it wasn't all bad stuff from Brock in this game, right, Like he sets him up to potentially get points before the end of the first half too. They can't capitalize on that. It wasn't all Brock's fault in this game. And I think Brock is a good quarterback. But it's like you mentioned that thing that you said on the show a couple of weeks ago, Carson about I don't know if it was Mikey or who you were talking to about the contracts, but it is eye opening when you look at it and you go, well, two is making the same money as Trevor Lawrence. Trevor Lawrence is making the same money as Dak Prescott. Dak Prescott's making the same money as Mahomes and Josh Allen. That's not how this is supposed to work. And you are just you are handcuffing yourself. You were tying an anville, a boulder, a rock around your legs that you're gonna drown Brock. Purty is going to drown your team because you're not gonna have enough resources. I've had this take spein and I had a lot of time to think about it with all the free time during the wedding this weekend. But I really think that the new wave for these teams, with these middle of the road quarterbacks, the new wave is going to be scouting your guy in the draft drafting him in that rookie contract. And it's not a new thing, right, It's been happening like this. That's gonna be your time to strike. Either when you can get that bridge guy and pay him ten meal like Darnald and fill out the rest of your roster and load it up, or you get that rookie quarterback and you can pay him a low deal. Or the Niners are gonna have to put their nuts on the table and finally be the first team that says, hey, we're not gonna do this, We're gonna let some other team make the mistake. But I continue to feel that way, Man Bird Party isn't the only problem the Niners have. The Niners are way worse than last year. They've got a ton of injuries, They've got way other They've got a myriad of issues. Brox not the biggest one, but he will be if they pay him that gargantuan contract.

I mean, like, dude, I feel like I'm about to take an elbow drop from the top rope and then lay it on my opponent. Dude. Niners fans have a really weird relationship with Rock Perdy Carson. Every Niners fan I talk to has this like complicated love hate. You can't pay the guy, Like, dude, it's so funny too, how fast sports moves and just this, you know, like, you know, back in my day, we had to wait for the newspaper to come out to watch the football game. Right now, you just got twitters. You know what's going on every second of the day. And it's so funny. Brock has that first half and it's sixty million dollars, yes, yes, And then we played two more quarters of football and it's man, I wouldn't resign this guy to a you know, a minimum deal. You just can't pay Brock, And like, I don't know what else this season has indicated to you, bro You know what the first pick, all right, well, actually he throws two. That was hilarious. He throws one that gets called back, and then he throws another one to Kirby. That second pick was embarrassing, Carson, I don't know what Brock is looking at on that play. That's an inexcusable interception to me. The Lions drop into a cover three where the two guys go off top take the third, and Kirby Joseph is just standing there still in the middle third waiting. I mean, it was almost like he baited Brock on that play where it was all right, they like running that little post route with with pearsall Kirby just sit on it, and it was deliberate, like the guy, you know, like the Lions threw debate out there and Brock just took it. The middle of the field is wide open, Kirby jumps it. I just I don't think Brock's good enough to pay all this money, man. I don't think he's the solution still. And you get the good and the bad in this game. He makes some plays like it wasn't all bad stuff from Brock in this game, right, Like he sets him up to potentially get points before the end of the first half too. They can't capitalize on that. It wasn't all Brock's fault in this game. And I think Brock is a good quarterback. But it's like you mentioned that thing that you said on the show a couple of weeks ago, Carson about I don't know if it was Mikey or who you were talking to about the contracts, but it is eye opening when you look at it and you go, well, two is making the same money as Trevor Lawrence. Trevor Lawrence is making the same money as Dak Prescott. Dak Prescott's making the same money as Mahomes and Josh Allen. That's not how this is supposed to work. And you are just you are handcuffing yourself. You were tying an anville, a boulder, a rock around your legs that you're gonna drown Brock. Purty is going to drown your team because you're not gonna have enough resources. I've had this take spein and I had a lot of time to think about it with all the free time during the wedding this weekend. But I really think that the new wave for these teams, with these middle of the road quarterbacks, the new wave is going to be scouting your guy in the draft drafting him in that rookie contract. And it's not a new thing, right, It's been happening like this. That's gonna be your time to strike. Either when you can get that bridge guy and pay him ten meal like Darnald and fill out the rest of your roster and load it up, or you get that rookie quarterback and you can pay him a low deal. Or the Niners are gonna have to put their nuts on the table and finally be the first team that says, hey, we're not gonna do this, We're gonna let some other team make the mistake. But I continue to feel that way, Man Bird Party isn't the only problem the Niners have. The Niners are way worse than last year. They've got a ton of injuries, They've got way other They've got a myriad of issues. Brox not the biggest one, but he will be if they pay him that gargantuan contract.

Absolutely, I mean, it's just the sort of thing that I don't think you can come back from. You are taking away the greatest advantage you have over these teams that have these superhero quarterbacks, which is they have to dedicate fifty to sixty men million dollars of their cap to these elite players, which means they probably can't build elite rosters around them, or at least they can't pay a bunch of guys these really high dollar values. The second that you pay a middling quarterback, that you've negated that advantage. Now you've limited your ability to build an elite roster and you don't have that difference maker force multiplier who's gonna will you to being a really good offense every year. I've been very consistent on this. They cannot pay rock Prety that kind of money. And look, this is not like some disaster game from him, right. The Niners average almost eight yards per play a lot of that is what really concerns me about the Lions defense. But again, outside of those couple of turnovers, they move the ball at will. But it is those couple turnovers that stand out. I mean, just completely sailed the first one and didn't see Kirby Joseph at all on the second one. So there's a lot of moments where the timing is pretty good here within structure, and the accuracy is pretty good, and you're also getting a lot of separation from these receivers, particularly Kiddlewin Piersoll in this game, and you're getting a lot of really good scheming from Kyle Shanahan, drawing dudes open. But then you just have the couple of backbreaking moments. And I think that we've seen time and again that Brock Purty is not a guy who is an elevator, an amplifier who you can't expect to carry an offense. And at that point, you're in the mid level market where it's like, Okay, I would pay Brock thirty million a year, sure, because I don't just want to take a crazy chance on some rookie quarterback, even though I'm really confident in Shannonan's ability to develop guys, Like there's a level at which I said, Okay, Brock is solid. We know he's solid, we can pay him. But if you pay him like one of the elite guys, you're cooked, and there's no coming back from that. Because the Niners do have a lot of big issues they need to address. They have key players who are aging, who are injury prone. They need to figure out the defensive side of the ball, they need to figure out the offensive line, and they cannot attempt to do all that while they're dedicating elite money to Brock Purty, who is not an elite quarterback.

Absolutely, I mean, it's just the sort of thing that I don't think you can come back from. You are taking away the greatest advantage you have over these teams that have these superhero quarterbacks, which is they have to dedicate fifty to sixty men million dollars of their cap to these elite players, which means they probably can't build elite rosters around them, or at least they can't pay a bunch of guys these really high dollar values. The second that you pay a middling quarterback, that you've negated that advantage. Now you've limited your ability to build an elite roster and you don't have that difference maker force multiplier who's gonna will you to being a really good offense every year. I've been very consistent on this. They cannot pay rock Prety that kind of money. And look, this is not like some disaster game from him, right. The Niners average almost eight yards per play a lot of that is what really concerns me about the Lions defense. But again, outside of those couple of turnovers, they move the ball at will. But it is those couple turnovers that stand out. I mean, just completely sailed the first one and didn't see Kirby Joseph at all on the second one. So there's a lot of moments where the timing is pretty good here within structure, and the accuracy is pretty good, and you're also getting a lot of separation from these receivers, particularly Kiddlewin Piersoll in this game, and you're getting a lot of really good scheming from Kyle Shanahan, drawing dudes open. But then you just have the couple of backbreaking moments. And I think that we've seen time and again that Brock Purty is not a guy who is an elevator, an amplifier who you can't expect to carry an offense. And at that point, you're in the mid level market where it's like, Okay, I would pay Brock thirty million a year, sure, because I don't just want to take a crazy chance on some rookie quarterback, even though I'm really confident in Shannonan's ability to develop guys, Like there's a level at which I said, Okay, Brock is solid. We know he's solid, we can pay him. But if you pay him like one of the elite guys, you're cooked, and there's no coming back from that. Because the Niners do have a lot of big issues they need to address. They have key players who are aging, who are injury prone. They need to figure out the defensive side of the ball, they need to figure out the offensive line, and they cannot attempt to do all that while they're dedicating elite money to Brock Purty, who is not an elite quarterback.

Yeah, I completely agree. And we've been negative on the Niners for a while here because it's been a disappoint Right. The standard in San Francisco is super Bowl or bust, and unfortunately what comes with those expectations is that if you don't, if you fall short, it's a disaster of a season by your personal scale.

Yeah, I completely agree. And we've been negative on the Niners for a while here because it's been a disappoint Right. The standard in San Francisco is super Bowl or bust, and unfortunately what comes with those expectations is that if you don't, if you fall short, it's a disaster of a season by your personal scale.

Right.

Right.

If it's the Cleveland Browns, nobody cares, right, they do this every year. The Niner standard is we get to the big games, we win them. We're competitive. So this is a letdown of a year. The one positive thing I'll say, and you tell me if you agree or disagree. Carson, I really like a lot of the young talents that they have here, and I don't I wonder if it's worthwhile exploring moving some of those guys, specifically at Deebo Samuel.

If it's the Cleveland Browns, nobody cares, right, they do this every year. The Niner standard is we get to the big games, we win them. We're competitive. So this is a letdown of a year. The one positive thing I'll say, and you tell me if you agree or disagree. Carson, I really like a lot of the young talents that they have here, and I don't I wonder if it's worthwhile exploring moving some of those guys, specifically at Deebo Samuel.

McCaffrey, bag of potato chips, yep.

McCaffrey, bag of potato chips, yep.

Deebo, whatever you can move off of him for I would prefer to keep eye Uke if possible. But look, I like piercell A lot. He's looked better week after week. He's looked really good. Recently. I really like Juwan Jennings. I think he's an absolutely stud I'd really like Grendo, right, Jordan Mason tore it up when he was there, so it's like a part of that. I do think Kyle Shanahan deserves an immense amount of credit, dude.

Deebo, whatever you can move off of him for I would prefer to keep eye Uke if possible. But look, I like piercell A lot. He's looked better week after week. He's looked really good. Recently. I really like Juwan Jennings. I think he's an absolutely stud I'd really like Grendo, right, Jordan Mason tore it up when he was there, so it's like a part of that. I do think Kyle Shanahan deserves an immense amount of credit, dude.

Also like best run scheme in football. The ability to produce so consistently in the run game, regardless of who is at running back and regardless of the level of your offensive line is at is unmatched.

Also like best run scheme in football. The ability to produce so consistently in the run game, regardless of who is at running back and regardless of the level of your offensive line is at is unmatched.

And they lose this game. I thought it was an excellently coach game from Shanahan, with the game plans, the calls like they were. It's obviously a component of the Lions being decimated by injuries, but the Niners are running circles around them with this game plan, so I think he deserves in the movie.

And they lose this game. I thought it was an excellently coach game from Shanahan, with the game plans, the calls like they were. It's obviously a component of the Lions being decimated by injuries, but the Niners are running circles around them with this game plan, so I think he deserves in the movie.

Also cost them seven points in.

Also cost them seven points in.

This game, true, exactly. So that's the one positive because I know we've been negative all year, We've said all these bad things about Brock Purdy, but I think that they've hit on a lot of their skill position talent outside of the stars that always get the shine, and that's really encouraging to me that maybe this offseason, move some of those guys around. You get McCaffrey back healthy, you get brock On, hopefully not the mega deal. I'm not super optimistic about honestly, Carson, I I'm really worried that we've seen the last of great McCaffrey. And that kind of hurts just because I think he's one of the great. He's one of the greatest duel throat running backs of all time. So just as a football fan, it kind of hurts my heart to think that maybe we won't see him at one hundred percent again. But I think that's huge, and I think that's one encouraging thing that we can take away from a disappointing season for San Francisco.

This game, true, exactly. So that's the one positive because I know we've been negative all year, We've said all these bad things about Brock Purdy, but I think that they've hit on a lot of their skill position talent outside of the stars that always get the shine, and that's really encouraging to me that maybe this offseason, move some of those guys around. You get McCaffrey back healthy, you get brock On, hopefully not the mega deal. I'm not super optimistic about honestly, Carson, I I'm really worried that we've seen the last of great McCaffrey. And that kind of hurts just because I think he's one of the great. He's one of the greatest duel throat running backs of all time. So just as a football fan, it kind of hurts my heart to think that maybe we won't see him at one hundred percent again. But I think that's huge, and I think that's one encouraging thing that we can take away from a disappointing season for San Francisco.

I totally do agree with that, and that's something that is so impressive about this team. And obviously they take Piercell in the first round, so they were still investing in skill position talent. But this was a phenomenal game from him. I believe deeply in him. Covered him at Asu sent him a text after every good performance, just kidding, I don't do that, but he's really good, man. He can really separate. He's a really good route runner. I think that he's good after the catch, and I absolutely think that they should just be moving on from Deebo. I don't think you're getting more than a fifth back if you can trade him. They might just cut him out right because this was a really rough year and simply but he's not worth like fifteen million, which he's making next year, and he has no future with the team after that. But that's okay because they do have receivers who don't replicate his versatility. But I think can still bring real value and more value honestly than Deebo brought this year because he just wasn't good. So that's the positive takeaway, specifically just how good Ricky Piersoll was. But the Niners have a big decision. They need to look themselves in the eye. They need to not be concerned with public opinion because I think a lot of Niners fans still irrationally believe in brock Purty, and they need to say, we are making the decision that we think puts us in the best position to win next season and to win going forward, and that is not to pay brock Purty a dollar value that he is just not worth. Let's talk about the Sunday Night football game logan which involved a couple of quarterbacks on those sweet sweet rookie deals. We saw Jayden Daniels versus Michael Pennix. It was the first ever primetime game between two rookie quarterbacks. I saw that stat which is kind of crazy. It ends up being a commander's overtime win. What did you take away from this one?

I totally do agree with that, and that's something that is so impressive about this team. And obviously they take Piercell in the first round, so they were still investing in skill position talent. But this was a phenomenal game from him. I believe deeply in him. Covered him at Asu sent him a text after every good performance, just kidding, I don't do that, but he's really good, man. He can really separate. He's a really good route runner. I think that he's good after the catch, and I absolutely think that they should just be moving on from Deebo. I don't think you're getting more than a fifth back if you can trade him. They might just cut him out right because this was a really rough year and simply but he's not worth like fifteen million, which he's making next year, and he has no future with the team after that. But that's okay because they do have receivers who don't replicate his versatility. But I think can still bring real value and more value honestly than Deebo brought this year because he just wasn't good. So that's the positive takeaway, specifically just how good Ricky Piersoll was. But the Niners have a big decision. They need to look themselves in the eye. They need to not be concerned with public opinion because I think a lot of Niners fans still irrationally believe in brock Purty, and they need to say, we are making the decision that we think puts us in the best position to win next season and to win going forward, and that is not to pay brock Purty a dollar value that he is just not worth. Let's talk about the Sunday Night football game logan which involved a couple of quarterbacks on those sweet sweet rookie deals. We saw Jayden Daniels versus Michael Pennix. It was the first ever primetime game between two rookie quarterbacks. I saw that stat which is kind of crazy. It ends up being a commander's overtime win. What did you take away from this one?

I think the big thing that we can start off is just how this game ended in regulation. I mean that to me was the storyline of this game, just with Raheem Morris's clock management. You're tied twenty four, twenty four, forty seconds on the clock, you got two timeouts. What is the goal? Get a field goal? Put this thing away in regulation? You don't want to give arguably a top five offense this year the ball back in overtime. That's like marching to your death sentence. And credit to Penis because earlier in this game, the drive previous did this before the Falcons defense forces is a three and out drives them down there and gets a TD. So that was huge. Penix throws a dot almost to midfield. I mean it is the ideal first play that you could have in this situation, and they opt to not call a timeout at thirty four seconds. They weigh seventeen seconds a clock. Luckily for them, they get a pass interference call that gives them a field goal attempt. Because they don't get this DPI call, they don't even attempt a field goal on this drive. They just go into overtime. Patterson misses a fifty six yard are well short. Daniels marches in overtime for another classic moment in his greatest rookie quarterback campaign. It's like, dude, the clock management incompetence of this level is really what makes me wonder. It makes people wonder if games are rigged. Like, I don't know any other way that you could look at. It is a utter disaster.