Week 1 Preview

Welcome back again to the axis of football. Finally, char finally is the only word on my mind right now, because finally the 2022 NFL season upon us, we made it buddy. Congratulations. Oh, absolutely fantastic time of year. Fantastic time of year. And look a lot of really intriguing match ups to talk about heading into week one. But I gotta kick this thing off just by expressing, you know, my excitement. And of course, you know, bill Rams coming down the pike tonight, have you ever missed SHA if we didn't quickly pay some respect, queen Elizabeth, the second of England passing away earlier today. Condolences out there to the to the Royal. Did you hear about that show by the way? I dunno. You hear? Yeah, I got, I got a, I saw it on my news feed today and yeah. I mean, such a tragedy. I mean, you know, she lives such a short life and right. and well, one thing I was like, I remember even like 20 years ago, I'm like, how long is she gonna last around? Yeah, it's just, you know, the surprising part. I was surprised she was only 96. I thought she was at least 120 at this point. Do you do you know, do you know that she she actually served in world war. I. So there was there's the British army. Yeah. The British army as, as a nurse. And then she also was fixing cars that were broken. Like just this, like literally just like she was a very very down to earth, at least as a, a young person. It seems at least, at least if that's you, if you believe in the history as told by the powers that be interesting. So she's a, a, a queen and has a side hustle as a, as a car mechanic. That's a, yeah, that's a fun. I'd be remiss. This, this is gonna be, this is gonna be interesting. I'm gonna make a correlation here, cause believe it or not sure. There is a correlation to this incident, an opening day of the NFL and okay. Hear it. I saw when I saw the news, you know how sometimes you have a memory and you don't really realize it's there until you see something. And it triggers that memory like, oh my goodness. I totally forgot. This was the thing. Have you haven't you before in the past, you. Yeah. Like, you know, something reminds you of something, but I'm interested in hearing about what's reminding you of, yeah, here's the correlation I saw that she passed away today. Today's opening day of the NFL. Right. And immediately, when that, when that dot connected, I flashed back 25 years to August 31st, 1997, what a great year, an opening day of the NFL. And that was the day that princess Diana. Ooh. So 25, not, it's not 25 years to the day, right? Because it's for the calendar calendar. But five days to NFL opening day, a member of the Royal family has passed away. And, and if you were a betting, man, you would've thought it would've been the way around. Right. If, if it was gonna happen. Oh yeah. If you're, if you're a betting man in 1997. Yeah, yeah. Right. Yeah. Right. Yeah. So interesting that, that two. Members of the Royal family, both happened to pass away on opening day of the NFL season. Think of that. What you will, why did I think about it? I remember very vividly. Sure. That was the first time ever. I watched a game in a sports bar. I was maybe 12 years old. Oh God. And I remember char I didn't, I didn't at the time, I didn't realize that all these games were happening simultaneously. I thought, oh, the Cowboys are playing at, at 10:00 AM on the west coast. 10:00 AM. So I'll always turn the TV on at 10:00 AM. They'll be playing, I'll turn the TV on. And it's like, whoever is the Raiders or something you're playing, you know? And I'm like, wait, wait a minute. How am I gonna watch the game? And I said, dad, I need to watch the cowboy game. And obviously they're not gonna show it on cable. And so my dad could see the, the distress in my eyes, on my face. And he said, son, just get in the car. Don't worry about it. I got you. I'm like, where are we going? He's like, son, just get, I was like, dad, the game is happening right now. Can we just get he's like son, just trust me. Get in the car. hop in the car. He takes me to this magical place that I walk in. And there's just TVs with games everywhere. And I'm like, oh my goodness, what gate of heaven did I just walk into here? And yes, I identify the cowboy game. It just so happened that one of my dad's old employees at his grocery store was now working at this sports bar, a guy named Brian. And he said, listen, CRO, Brian's gonna, Brian's gonna watch you. He had to go to work. Right. He said, Brian, just take care of him. And so I was 12 years old. Sitting in a, in a sports pub watching the Cowboys game, the Cowboys play the Steelers that day at Pittsburgh, they won 37 to seven. I'll never forget it. My first game at, at a sports pub at 12 years old. And that was all. And I remember that on this day was the day that princess Diana, they actually in the telecast were talking about princess Diana's death. And I thought it was very, just interesting. You never really see an NFL telecast talking about Royal family, but obviously this is a, this is a really big international type. Anyway, I, I, I think, no, that's, that's a, that's a pretty cool memory, man. Yeah. That's what turned you to a football fan? I bet dude. Oh yeah. I mean, that was what an incre unfortunately the Cowboys that year finished six and 10. So they like the highlight of the year was that one week. And then it was all downhill from there. But it was, it was, it was really, and I actually, funny enough, I walked into, I was looking for the bathroom and I walked into this room full of Washington fans and they were just like, I walked in with my cowboy Jersey and it was. Had to be like 15 of'em in there and they all, and I don't know, I don't know why a sports pub in Fremont had that many Washington event anyway. Right. They all look at me like, what the hell are you doing here? Boy, it's just promptly, walked out there, found the bathroom. But anyway, back in those days, the Redskins were. We're one of the, one of the handful of teams that had fans everywhere in the country. Oh yeah. Lot of pride, lot of pride, man. I, I do, I seriously, like you wouldn't think it, even in California, like in the bay, you go to a sports club, like there there's, there's red, there's Mexican fans at that time. And you know, like they were there, there, there were showing out. Yeah. That's that's when our glory days were just a couple years prior, but yeah, I remember that's that's that's when I was. That was my second year of making it in the NFL. And that was a glorious time, man. That was a glorious time. Indeed. Indeed brother. Well, yeah, let's, let's fast forward to present days opening day and let's kick this thing off shark. It's Thursday night, it's the bills visit in the Rams. I mean, what a great matchup. Sometimes you get these super bowls champions defending their crown opening night and it's a bit of. You know, what would you call it? Almost like a sacrificial lamb type of matchup where you said, okay, this is just kind of like a tune up game for the champs. This is not that at least not in my estimation. Right? The Bill's crazy enough. Sorry. I'm sure. You know, is a betting man favored by two and a half points. Last time I saw it and I was pretty surprised to see that as, as a, as a road, favorite traveling to the super bowl champion in Los Angeles. That's very interesting. I can't remember the last time the, the champs were picked to lose, not pick, but essentially talk about the disrespect at home. A lot, a lot of disrespect here. Right? I love the bills. I've got the bills in the Superbowl, right? I don't know the Rams Superbowl. So to me, like, I, I, I respect the bills a ton too, but just this, this game at home opening day, the Banner's dropping. You know, what do you make of the bills being favored on the road opening day against the defending champs? Well, first of all, they might be traveling, but there it's not gonna a road for they're fans. You will well, and like seriously, like, you know, that Buffalo bands fans gonna travel well, like that's a give cause they gotta, they got low fan base and you know that LA fans are a little bit fair weather, but seriously, man, the team just won the darn super. And it's the first, first game following that you, you can't show up for that. When are you gonna show up? Well, the issue, the issue is this is that LA people, you got, you got two sets of you got, you got the upper class ones that have the money that are the fans, and then you have the, you know, the blue collar. That are, believe it or not still Raider fans. So you're not gonna, and, and those are the crazy ones you're not gonna get. You're not gonna get, you know, people rooting for Rams. Rams fans are generally from orange county because they used to play in Anaheim. If you remember, I dunno, if you remember, they used to play an angel stadium. When, when I was, when I became their fan, when I was a kid, Don't I don't think in my, by the time I was a fan, I don't think that that was a thing anymore. Before, when they moved, when they moved to St. Louis, they moved out Anaheim. They used to in Anaheim. So the majority of their fans are in orange county, orange county people, me being one of them, we don't like LA LA is the freaking armpits. We don't wanna go to LA. All right. We do not wanna go there. There's not a lot of Rams fans in actual like LA county or, or there's not as many. Right to, to the point where you're gonna fill up a hundred thousand seat stadium. Okay. Right, right. So, and here's the thing, doesn't matter what time of year, if you have an opportunity to go watch the bills play or your home team, or, you know, your favorite team play LA would be one of them, Las Vegas would be one of them. Miami would be one of it's a tourist city. So regardless, but I think even independent of that, Bill's fans travel pretty darn well, regardless. Yeah, they do. And add that on top of it and add that on top. So, so anyway, so having said that it's, it's really, really how much of a home field advantage is home field advantage for LA maybe, maybe one point and that's purely the time difference and the flight and stuff like that. Certainly not cause of the right. So if you're looking at this matchup and you're, you know, without trying to figure out how Vegas gets it, algorithms, what do you think if you had to, if you had to boil it down to maybe one or two things that has the odds makers thinking this sway in favor of Buffalo. What do you think it is? Is it the number, number one issue's arm coming in? Is it Josh Allen? Just upleveling himself to the point where, you know he's he's gonna be, you know, that much better. Is it Vaughn Miller coming off the edge? Likeon. It's so Miller it's look it's it's everybody. Buffalo bills are the darlings at the now, especially the way they lost Casey last year. All right. That the hype train is going crazy. I have never seen a hype train so much for a team before. And I'm telling you if, if the bills are not, they're gonna. And they're gonna find themselves in, in a situation where they're gonna, they're gonna feel themselves too much and really not focus on winning these games. And, and I'll tell you one, one of the biggest reasons why the bills are favored by two and a half 65% of the public is, is betting Buffalo, 65% of the public. You don't think that's gonna move the line. Yeah. I mean, of course it's gonna move the line. So look when, when you have two thirds of the ticket holders and, and two thirds of the cash on Buffalo, the biggest casinos have to adjust the line because what they wanna see, they wanna be able to have a equilibrium of, of, you know, just as many bets on on one team and then just as many on the other team so they can make the 10%. So having, having said that I'm, I'm picking the. I'm going against the public. I'm picking the Rams. I, I think this is a situation where everybody's just talking about. Builds how great they are. They're forgetting that there's a team in LA that has a quarterback that got a rejuvenated career. They have an unstoppable, unstoppable wide receiver who doesn't matter, you know, it's coming, you still can't stop it. And they have a ferocious defense with possibly the two best defensive players, the NFL under defense. So yeah, I'm, I'm pick, I'm picking the Rams. I'm picking the over. I'm gonna, I'm gonna parlay both of. And, and, and win some good money. Okay. Okay. Yeah. Like, I, I, I, I don't disagree with anything you said. I think when we think about Buffalo, we think of you're right. That last game, the way they lost to Kansas city, the last memory we have with Josh Allen, he, he was just incredible. Like he was dazzling. Right, right. and the back and forth in that game and the way they lost really was cuz of the defense. Right. We think about Josh Allen Steon digs the slew weapons. They got over there in Buffalo and, and kind of, you know, adding some guys and Dawson Knox is solid, tight end, right? Like James cooked DA's little brother running back. Like there's some exciting up and coming pieces to this team on offense. But I agree. I think maybe all will Stafford. Staffords show, was it his, is his elbow, or I think it's his elbow, the surgery on. And you know, is it gonna hold up? And at the end of the day, man, you're right. I mean, they, yeah, they're not, they don't have ode yet. And you think odes a guy, they, maybe you were thinking about bringing on later in the season. And as he, as he recovers from his injury that he suffered in the rule, but like you got Allen Robinson, you got Cooper cup, you got Tyler. Higby, who's a pretty darn good receiving option. At tight end you know, Whitworth did retire, but you know, note, boom, Cameron did a great job. They actually just extended Rob Stein, I think five years today. So like, so line, I think the part where I also agree with you sure. And why I sway the Rams, the defense is gonna be the difference. Right? I think both teams have very potent offenses for slightly different reasons, but look the, who do the bills have? Yes, they signed Von Miller, but in reality, outside of. You've got, you know, Jay and Ramsey. You've got, of course the great Aaron Donald Troy Hills, a corner that came along very nicely last year. And don't forget the added poppy Wagner in the off season, right? Yep. Machine. I mean, these guys, I, I, just, to me, it is opening day. And so some things on opening day are, it can be a little bit of, of a Mirage at opening sometimes. So that's why I think I wanna be careful of that too. That's a factor. Is that the thing that could mess up these predictions is there just might be certain things. The teams haven't quite gelled yet and might be playing at a character on opening day. But if all things equal, right? I still like the ramps. Cause I think it's their defensive prowess and star power. That's gonna make enough, stops down the stretch to allow the ramps to get the one, because really like, I mean the Bill's defense and I know, again, I know they added Von Miller, but like they could not buy a stop at the end of that Kansas city. What do they really do? What do they really do differently? Right. And, and so I think now, Hey, here's where I could be wrong. If Vaughn Miller comes out and absolutely works it. And maybe, you know, maybe they switch him up and put him and put him on note, boom side instead of havens Dean's side, right. To try and get a matchup optimization there, you know, outside, outside of that, if we're talking about this as by and large are very similar defensive units, what we saw. Against KC, they can be had far more than the Rams can be had. So I, and then the Rams were at home defending champs and by the wake star, did you know that Sean McVay has never, ever been under 500 as a head coach? I mean, how impressive, how impressive is that? So I don't see it happening tonight. I will say though, putting, putting the, the logic. I'm rooting for the bills. I would like to see the bills, get this win. However, if I'm a betting, man, I think, I think I, I love taking the, I take the Ramson two and a half plus two and a half, whatever it is. Like that seems like a really safe, good bet to me. Yeah. And well, here's, here's the other thing too, that. That like people, people are forgetting that these are, these guys are the champs. These guys, these guys won these guys you know, won the super bowl just what, four months ago, five months ago. And then the other thing that people are mistakenly, mistakenly acting on is they think that the somehow bills got robbed. Because of, of some stupid rules, which is the most ridiculous thing that I've, well, how do they get robbed? They couldn't played defense for 12 seconds. How is that getting Robb? Literally, literally the narrative out there. It says, oh, because of the unfair, because of the unfair overtime rules, the bills got robbed. You haven't heard that. You haven't heard people saying that. Look I'm the pundits too. Not just, not just the public. I, I, I would say I don't have a problem with the overtime rules as they are. I don't. I think, I think we actually talked about this in the segment. Yeah. After that game. I'm like, dude, make it stop. At some point you have to play defense, man. make it stop. Yeah. Get a stop, get a stop. The bangs did it. The bangs did it, right? Yeah. Literally you're right. The exact same scenario. The following week went to overtime chiefs again, win the coin to Bengal deed up Beng deed up and they got the ball back and guess what all they needed to win was a field goal. So like, I, I don't, I don't buy that garbage about the now look, there's emotional fans. Right. And, and I, I get that, but I think you, I, I know that, but these are the pundits commercial. These are the people that I hear on, on podcast. Yeah. I it's ridiculous. I just, I I'm not now look that like, like I think we talked about overtime rules. Like, could they be. More optimal. Maybe you have just like a, like the NBA, you have a running clock and whatever happens in that time is what happens in that time. Right. And, and you let both teams sorted out. Right. But they knew what the deal was, make a freaking stop, but I don't. But yeah, but to your point, I do not hate the overtime rules, but I digress let's, let's get back back on the topic of this game. Right. So you're saying this is narrative that the bills got robbed. So there was unfinished business perhaps, but. Hey, that might work in the Bill's locker room. They might be actually using that narrative. To their favor. We should have been the ones in that super bowl. Right. But also the Rams know are perfectly aware that super bowl champs in their home stadium at opening, game's probably the first time in the history, the, where the champs are the underdog in their home stadium day, the next year, and search that I wanna know what other in the history of the NFL in modern history of the NFL, the super bowl champions on opening day, the next season are underdogs. I wanna know. That's a great question. That's a great question. I mean, they, they, they, I maybe maybe when the Ravens won the super bowl, then they, then they. And they got Elvis's GU back as their quarterback instead of the next year. are you talking about 2001? Yeah, I I'm going back a little bit, but yeah. Yeah. Who knows? Or maybe, or maybe the, the, the Broncos after El retired after winning that second Superbowl or after or after? Payton retired. So who, who knows? Yeah. I'm sure it's happened, but you're. Yeah, but, but not when they have everybody bill, right. That's just by and large, a very similar team. You know, like I said, ode. Not, not, not there right now. Thinking to note van Jefferson, he's not gonna be in, so it looks like Ben Ben Quran. I, I always think of the rhymes with chronic and he's in California. It's always funny to think about the the old school hip hop Dray album, the chronic but anyway, SC to chronic is gonna be in there behind Robinson and cut. But look, I think the Rams are. You know, top to bottom, they're just a, a more sound football team. But look what we'll see, you know, Josh, Allen's the XFactor Josh Allen is the XFactor this guy can take games over. And so would that shock me? No, but if I'm betting, I'm picking the Rams, man. So look, look, if Josh Allen is gonna be able. Avoid Aaron Aaron Donald in company, and still be able to complete passes down the field then. Yes, O OB and obviously, look, they have a chance. Would I be shocked if the bills beat the Rams? No. Oh no. If I had to bet I'm gonna bet on the Rams at hope. Yeah. Yeah. But, but, but I will say, I think. Josh Allen is the biggest X factor on the field? Absolutely. Absolutely. And like, like, yeah, he, he could definitely muddy the predictions one way or the other let's let's keep in mind. This is the same team that went to Jacksonville and lost nine to nothing last year. So it's not like they're perfect. Look. And, and to your point about things getting into Buffalo's head, I was actually watching the America's game documentary. They do this documentary every year with the previous Ru bowl champs and it just drop. Last night on the Rams, on their story last year. And they went on a three game losing streak at one point last year, I think they had lost to, it was like San Francisco and Arizona and Tampa bay, Arizona. Yeah, it was, yeah, exactly. It was that, that stretch and Whitworth was one of the guys they were interviewing and he said, that was like, up to that point, we thought, oh, we got all this semblance of talent. It'll just fall into place. Right. And. When that happened, we were like, wake up call actually shit. We actually need to work at this. Right. We have the talent, but we need to bring our best worker. It's not gonna just fall into place. Cause the man next to you is talented. Right. Right. And so that was wake up call for them. Yeah. May, maybe, maybe, you know, the bills get to a point where they, where they are feeling themselves too much. But look, man, I, I, I like what they're doing over there in Buffalo. I think, I think they're well coached. I think Shawn, McDermott's got that team in the right mindset. And yeah, I just, you know, I don't, I don't think that'll be a problem for them, but, but who knows, who knows, man? I think it's, but I think knowing what I know, what I've seen from Sean McDermot I think he's gonna have him in the right mindset and say last year was last year. Everybody's picking us to win. We need to go out and prove it. We haven't, we haven't earned anything yet. Right, right. So that, that's the mindset that you wanna have if you're Buffalo. Okay. Char let's get to the next or another primetime magic happen. In week one, and that would be the Buccaneers visiting my Cowboys here in Dallas. The goat is in town, baby. This is the closest I'll likely physically be to Tom Brady all season, as you know, I I'll be there on Sunday night. Sure. I'm like I said, I'm gonna go in my Tom Brady Jersey with my Cowboys, headband, trying to rep both. Hopefully I don't get jumped by one side or the other prime time match matchup. Believe it or not. Shark Cowboys have never, actually it probably is believable. Cowboys have never. Tom Brady ever not once. So look, this is I think a prime opportunity for them to get that monkey off their back, so to speak and look, you know, Tom Brady that say, I know we've talked about these narratives and, and the media coming acronym, you know, look the he's he's supposedly having some marital strife Jelle has, has left the home and, and is upset about. Coming back to football this year. And, you know, he supposedly looks, looks thinner and you know, all that, like if, if we can't beat this Tom Brady, we might as well just give up, give it up, man. Like, this is this, this is it. This is the last, probably the last chance the Cowboys are gonna have at taking down the goat. But but look, what, what comes to your mind shark when you, when you think of this game, what are the keys to victory here for either. Well, last year they, they played early in the season too. I believe it was the it was, it was actually the same opening game. You're right. It's a re last year, week one. And it was great. And that was the opening Thursday game because the bucks were the defending champs. Yeah. I, it was 31, 29. The bucks won. Yeah. I had thought, I had thought that the, that the bucks were gonna steam the Cowboys because you know, that coming off as injury and, and you know, all this stuff. And, and I was, I was surprised by how well they played. I was really surprised by how well they play. And, and they really checked up with checked up with with the bucks this year. I'm afraid of making the same thing, but making the same guess. But I, I mean, look, Cowboys are missing several cheap pieces. They're offensive line has lower the bucks though. The bucks and Cowboys old lion are equally. In, in a bad spot. I wanna not equally, but they're both struggling with injury at the line only. Yeah. But, but then I, I trust more and Tom Brady being able to overcome than, than Dak, no offense to all the Cowboys trust Tom Brady, more Dak to me. I know. I apologize. But again, look, it's it's a situation where where the Cowboys are gonna have to rely on their defense. I mean when, when was the last time we could say that? So, well, look, I mean, they, they, they, they were one of the leading teams internally. I think they had the second, most turnovers last year, which was incredible because a couple years ago they couldn't buy a turnover if it hit him in the face. Right. Well, that, that was mainly because of your boy uh, digs in the back Kon digs, but you know, you know, Parsons had some strip SS, you know, like there, there would always some factors there and look, Dan Quinn is still the architect of this defense. So there's that, but you're right. I mean, I, I agree in. A lot of losses up front for the Cowboys. In terms of the offensive line, then you think about them having lost Randy Gregory, a free agency, a little bit less juice on the pass for side. Yeah. I'm, I'm not loving the match up and look, you've got, you know, Jason Peters who, who knows, who knows, right. What's gonna happen there. I think either way, if I'm Jason pure Paul, I'll probably look at my chops either way. Right? Yeah. I mean, it's look, you got, you gotta have two guys playing that the Cowboys weren't planning on starting four months ago, three months ago in those positions, they might have, they might have wanted to start one of them in different spots. Like. Like, you know, switching to the guys from right to left, then guard to tackle whatever they're doing, who knows what they're doing. But you know, you got two guys at the Cowboys we're expecting to play, you know, with different personnel in those positions. You know, I, I'm interested in seeing how Dak does without Cooper and Smith. So we'll see. See, no Tiran, no Imari look no, by the way. No, no, no Gallup either. Right? So I'm CD lamb and they got this new kid they drafted, I think outta gal, Tober, gal Tober at the third round. Yeah. He's a rookie though. I mean, and you know, we'll see maybe they put Tony Pollard and the slot more. I am three point interested in seeing what they do. In the receiving game to try and look, and obviously no Cedric Wilson either. Right? So this is a completely different, really, very different offense. What we had opening day last year, one thing to note share Chris Godwin did not practice today. He is officially questionable and he said he is a game time decision. So we'll see what happens that he's still coming off an injury and. Secondarily though, the bucks adding Russell G adding Julio Jones. So in addition to Mike Evans, obviously being there but no Gronk for them either. So no Gronk and potentially no Godwin which is gonna, here's what the Cowboys need to do, take and have him on the field at the same time with Zeke, which is basically what you're gonna see out of me bay a lot this year put 20 poll. Cause like didn't the guy played receiver in college. Him. He played both receiver running back. He was a return man as well, but, but you need to, be's what McCarthy can do, basically both the back. Bring I a, I mean, look you could do a lot worse than Tony colored, right? I mean, the guy, every time we touch the ball, something electric happens. So at the very least, maybe this, this motivates the cowboy. To use him more. I'm also looking out for my guy Kavante Turpin, right? Mr. Mr. Return, man in preseason he's electric. And, and you know, when you got a guy like that, who's potentially as dynamic as Turpin, that that could also flip the fortunes of a game. He might be an X-Factor. We'll see, he's also playing a little bit of a receiver as well. He's a, he's not like a, a, what you would call a polished receiver, but he's more of kind of a jitter. Quick kind of a guy. So yeah, I, I don't think we know what Dallas is gonna do on offense. We have an idea of what Brady's gonna do. Ultimately sure. You were kind of leaning about, I don't wanna make the same prediction as last year, but so to me it kind of feels like you are leaning towards Tampa bay. Actually. I don't know. Who's the books are the ones favorite in this game. The books are favorite in this game. So do you agree with this, with that with. Prediction from Vegas. The bucks are, the bucks are two and a half point favorites on the road in Dallas. But now I would have to argue that Dallas actually has a better home field advantage than, than the Rams. But historically speaking teams have played well in Arlington. Teams have flavor in Arlington and especially great quarterbacks. Cause it's, it's closed up. It's a dome ideal plane conditions, right? Yeah. So yeah. So I'm, I'm, I'm Tampa betting Tampa, I think should win. I think they should by about by more than the spread think they'll win by less than a touchdown, like right around, you know, five to seven points and, and that's, that's how I'm betting this week. So, so Tampa, Tampa wins. Tampa covers. What would need, so, so you were last year hesitant because D you weren't sure about Dak, but obviously Dak play a phenomenal game. And they actually were winning with less than two minutes left in the game. Right. So right. Could have won that game. What does Dallas need to do to pull this one out and beat the goat for the first time? What would have to happen? Zeke needs to rejuvenate back to about three years ago and have 9000, 1020 yards rush. And, and have Tony Pollard have like seven receptions for 75 yards. So kinda like your little slot receiver role and, and that way, and, you know, and obviously see doing his thing. So you know, if, if I told you that you have a team with Ze rejuvenated, Ze running back D press got a quarterback, 20 slot and, and CD lamb at receiver, you wouldn't feel too bad about. So that's that's, but it sounds like a lot of it is predicated. The way the Cowboys deploy their backs and of course Zeke, and by the way, with Zeke, I feel like, like this just gets old, the last, like three off seasons, the narrative always been Ze in the best shape he's ever been. So like, what? So he is in better shape than he was last off season. It's like every off season he's in the best shape he's ever been. At some point he gets old, right? Like, is Izzy really? Now what I can tell you about Ze is he was playing really well and had a lot of juice. Up until he had, I think it was a PCL injury. He suffered like week three week, four of last year. And that's when you could see he wasn't injured enough to not play, but, but he lost a bit of a step following that injury played through the rest of the year. So that's, what's gonna happen to older players. That's what's gonna happen to older players that when you, I, I told you that I, I said, as you get older, you wanna lose weight. But what you gotta watch out for is injuries because that extra layer of muscle is actually like armor. So we got, you know, yeah, yeah. So, so we'll see how, see how that, how that goes char. But yeah, I'll, I'll, I'll be there front and center and it's like one of those, you know, I'm a Tom Brady fan, but when, when he is playing the Cowboys, I'm, I'm almost little cowboy fan at heart man, but like it's, but it it's true. It does soften the blow a little bit went it's against Tom Brady cuz you know, I, I, I don't wanna say I went either way. But either I would, you win, win. We shall, but in any case, okay. From here, we've got a slew of really, really good divisional matchups to start the season. And these divisional matchups are always crucial early in the year. Right? Cause it's like, it's almost like a double win when you get these victories early. Sohar let's let's start out. We've got Packers, Vikings, pats, dolphins, Raiders, chargers, Steelers, Bengals. Why don't we start off with the NFC north Packers ad Vikings. One thing I'll say here. Char, do you remember when we did the NFC north preview earlier this summer? I kind of went, I got upset when we did it. This division is the same thing every year. It's like, and that's why I'm saying, why, why do, are we even doing a preview because we know what's gonna happen, right? Come on, hackers are gonna win it. The Vikings are gonna be good, but not good enough. And the lions and bears are gonna suck. Right. And look, and, and, and, and Aaron Rogers, Aaron Rogers yesterday, I knew that code, that sentiment, not quite as perhaps bluntly as I had put. But what he said, wasn't in an interview, he said in, in the locker room, in green bay yesterday, quote, all of the other teams in the NFC north, it seems like every single year, I think their fan base in their teams feel like this is our year to win the north. Hasn't really been the case during my time for the most part, right. This is the same guy who at, after scoring a touch against the bears last year, turned to the fans and said, I effing own you. Right? So. Hey, what attest for Kevin O'Connell and the Vikings outta the gate, opening day at home to the Packers. What do you think of this match up char? I, I think, I mean, I'm never gonna be against Aaron Rogers, but I think you wrong in discounting the Vikings. I think the Vikings are gonna have a phenomenal, phenomenal season and I think you're gonna be in the playoffs. So it it's, I mean, wow. They, they, they ain't went in the north though. They ain't went in the. I think I'll I'll look, they're gonna, I bet. And, and like the vis going the playoffs is not that like, they, they go to the playoff. They're always in the cusp where they make it. They just don't do anything when they go. I, I think this okay. How this game though? Let's talk about this game. They're at home to the Packers. Okay. This is Kevin O'Connell's. First game, his new head. What, what, how does this shake out? What, what are the keys to victory here? We know the Packers have lost Devonte Adams. Okay. So probably a little bit of relief for those corners. You know, your board, Romeo Dobbs, Christian Watson, the two rookies are out there. You got Lazard and Cobb, right. But I don't know that anybody really out of the gate is scaring, Minnesota and the secondary. So green bay, what are they gonna come out and do? And how does Minnesota. Come out. And and, and, and I don't wanna say shock the world, but get a really big win for the new head coach at home against the, the reign, the reigning division champions. Look, here's the thing it's gonna sound the same, the Cowboys, which I said to use Aaron, the slot would, would you be shocked if Aaron Jones was the target leader in, in green bay? This. Would it shock you? Yeah. I mean, with Devonte Adams out, it wouldn't shock me any week. Right, right. And Alan, Lazard's kinda, I'm not even sure if he's a, he's a go. Lazard is. Yeah, I think you, I think Lazard you're right. He, he, he is battling an injury. He might not be a go it like, he's not right. So, so, you know, I expect AJ di AJ, DI's kinda like the Zeke, you know, for, for the Packers. Obviously, I, I like him better than Zeke right now this year, obviously going forward you know, not, not, not disrespecting the great Z Elliot in the past. I'm talking about this year. And frankly, I like, I like Aaron Jones better in the slot than I do Tony Pollard. And I like Aaron Rogers better than I like Dak Prescott. I like their offense better than I do the so, so I, I, I feel, you know, I'm, I'm going, I'm going Packers this, you know this game, but don't count. Don't count on thes by Kings. There's been, they're talking about how they're gonna use Jefferson, like the use cup. We'll see how that experiment will pay off, but I'm, I'm really excited in seeing this game. I'm gonna watch this. Yeah, it's it's it's in that later slate of games. So you know, less qual quantity, more quality there between these two teams. Yeah. I I'm with you. I do have the Packers as well, but to your point, the Vikings have an exciting team on paper, right? They, and they also drafted Christian DSAW left tackle with that first round pick. I mean, he, he, he looks like a hell of a player. We'll we'll find out you know, Irv Smith, the tight end, who was injured for the, for a good part of last year, you know, he's, he he's back in the lineup. He's explosive. I don't even remember Irv Smith senior. His dad played in league. I think it might have been league Santa's U char. Is that does sound familiar? Remember Irv Smith being a corner? The, for the Carolina Panthers? No, no, he was, he was a, he was a tight, he was tight end. He was a tight end. Why am I thinking a person? I believe he was with the, I think he was with the Browns. I think he was with the Browns for a while. And the, yeah, exactly. Yeah. Yeah. He was, he was with the saints. He was a tight end as well. He was a tight end as well. And yeah, he was never like a game breaker. Right. I'm looking at his career stats, his best season. He had 45 catches for 466, 6 yards. That's that's pretty good for back then though. Come on. Yeah. For in 1995. Yeah. Oh, Yeah. So, yeah, so, but in any case, good, good, good blood lines there for Mr. ER Smith. Yeah. There's no que and like, I mean, how can you talk about Minnesota without talking about Davan cook and da, by the way, Minnesota did, did defeat. Was it? I think it was last year. They beat him. Yeah. They defeated the Packers in green bay. Yeah. Off the back of Davin cook. I think Davin had like four touchdowns in that. Yep. So like, yeah, I mean he, he and Kirk cousin brought him and Kirk cousin brought him back and scored the winning touchstone. We, and, and we talk about, we talk about like in the bills, Rams game, the XFactor being Josh Allen Davin cook to me is absolutely the XFactor in this one. Like, like he, he could change the flow of this game in a heartbeat. He's one of the guys, those guys who can, can break it on any given play. I'm watching the Packers defense in this one. I'm actually very, very excited to see qua Walker that outside linebacker, they drafted outta Georgia as well as Devonte Wyatt, the absolute monster monster defensive defensive lineman. They also got outta Georgia two first jump picks up Georgia's defense to that already. Very, very formidable defense. Right. We saw them take Raul Douglas last year at corner. and, and revitalize his career. And, and, you know, we know what you know Kenny Clark and Rashaun, Gary, and some of these guys have been able to do in the past as well. But I think the Packers defense it's already a top unit is gonna be even better. And I think, you know, Aaron Rogers might not have statistically at great season this year, but I think he's gonna be efficient. They're gonna lean on that running game between Dylan. And Jones, like you said. Sure. And just play some defense and win the old fashioned way. And yeah, I just, I, I, I could see them. I could see them suffocating Minnesota in this game. First game outta the new coach. We'll see. We'll see. Hey K. We need to stop recording right now. There's an emergency at my ex. Okay. Sure. So final predictions, green bay, Minnesota. Sounds like you're going green bay. Is that safe to assume? Yeah, I'm, I'm gonna go green bay and again, looking at the over and under numbers. I'm going, I'm going with the over because you got, even though I think that that both defenses are solid, especially, especially green 47 points. You're talking about. You know, it could be a 24, 23, 25, 23 type of a game. I, I just think that Minnesota's offense is gonna be able to keep up. And, and technically it could be more potent than green bay cause of those receivers that we have. Yeah. Yeah. I still, I, I, until the Viking's proving me wrong and I know you seem to believe in them more than I do. And again, I love my boy, Kevin O'Connell, but until the Vikings prove me wrong, I I'm, I'm going with Kings in the. Package you're taking this one. I'm gonna say something more akin to a I'm gonna say 28, 17 green bay. I think they're gonna by double digits. I, I, I think, I think it'll be around the same thing. 30, 30, 28, 31, 28. Something like it's gonna be a close. It'll be well, 20. Yeah, I guess to me, 28, 17, to me, it's like, well, what, my double digits. That's that's that's not a close game. I, I, you, you're calling, you're calling for a solid green. Solid green bay win solid green bay win. Okay. Sharp. Next divisional matchup. Let's go over to the AFC east. You got the Patriots visiting the dolphins year two of the Mac Jones project year. One of Mike McDaniels, the, the offensive whi as they say, taking over in Miami after the the Sean Payton, Tom Brady deal fell apart. They got two and, and McDaniels hanging into this year. I'm a big fan of McDaniels. I like him. This is gonna be interesting. We talk about tests out of the gate for a new coach. Kevin, O'Connell's got the reigning division champion Packers, and you've got now McDaniels facing as an offensive guy. One of the best, if not the best defensive mind in our game in bill Belichick, the game is in Miami and two has got some nice, shiny toys. Tyre kill you know, Cedric Wilson, they added chase Edmonds and Rohe moer, some nice pieces to this Miami offense. How do you see this one playing out char also knowing that the, the, the Patriots historically don't always play their best ball out in Miami. Or, or even at home against Miami a couple years back, didn't the dolphins. Knock him out those first, you're talking about a game, I think where then Patriots needed to win a home game against the, not a very good dolphins team. Right? Final week of the season. To secure a second seed in a first round by, and they lost Ryan Fitzpatrick came in and, and, and brought him back and won the game. That was Devon, actually that game Devonte, Devonte Parker went off. And this is kind of like, he's always played well against the Patriots. And it's like, it's one of those, if you can't beat him, join him type deals, Devonte Parker, and how member of the Patriots Right, right. So right. Plenty. And, and, and I guarantee you, the way he's played against them has had something to do with it. They've had front and center. Seats to his, to his film study. But at any case, R does this match up intrigue you at all? It does. It does because here's the thing. I I'm, again, I find my, I, I find myself in a difficult situation trying to pick against bill Belichick. And so maybe it's maybe it's that thought process. That's making me think how they could win this game. And one of the reasons why they're always lost is, is you had, you know, you had his assistant. The black coach, what's his name? Oh, Brian Flores. Brian Brian Flores. So he kind of had Bill's number a little bit, kinda like Mike had, has Bill's number. And generally speaking, bill ick has done well against these coaches from this you know this, this family tree of, of, of the, of the have family treatment. So, you know, so maybe, maybe that's not gonna continue, but he has so, but he has traveled in the past to. Contained Tyre kill. I mean, no kidding. Right? So, so it was the rest of the league, but right. But that that's, that's been tough for me to crack as well. What do you think of like the Mac Jones verse two coming into this game, right? Like both it's interesting. Isn't it? Two Alabama, two Alabama QBs two Kiwis. And I remember actually for a long time, twoo was kind of linked to new England. That was the guy in England was interested and supposedly, maybe it was a smoke signal. They were putting out pre-draft But yeah, I mean, you know, bill bell check, being a guy who's very, very intimately close to Nick Saban knows probably, probably one of the, the best resources for Alabama football in the NFL. So he knows these guys pretty well. Yeah, it is an interesting ju juxtaposition when we think about the two verse Mac Jones and, and they were never teammates though. Right? I don't believe they were maybe, maybe was if and two, two is outgoing. Yeah. They were because this is two this is two's third year and it's Mac Jones a second year. Yeah. So they probably, yeah, so they were, so they were, so they were, but in any case, man, who do you think has the edge here? Quarter? I've been hearing nothing but great things for tu and you and I, you know, we both have criticized his, his ability you more than me in, in, in the past, but we both also have said that he deserves a chance to see if we can make it. This is the year for two. Oh. And by all in indicating factors, everything that we hear outta training camp is that he's having a great, you know, camp and he's ready for it. But how many times do we hear this outta everybody's training camp? If we literally listen to everybody's training camp, everyone's everybody's, everybody's doing great. Have to hear a situation where this guy ISNT doing. Even, even with Trilon BES and, and, and in Tennessee, when people were saying, and, and I know that they were having issues with in Tennessee, they said, who's starting to figure out now, you know, so you always hear good things coming outta it until I see any different I'm. Am I root for first head coach or bill Becher? Right. So I'm I'm I'm gonna go against the grain. I'm I'm gonna take new England plus the. And are they, I only spread or is it Miami favor? Miami's favored by three and a half. Wow. And I'm also taking, I'm also taking the money line. It's a plus one 50. So my, my numbers, my numbers show it to be an under game. It's gonna be under the 46 points. And I, I think, you know, I believe in the defensive prowess of of bill Belichick against the Shanahan tree line, as, as we saw in the super bowl two years ago, or three years ago, whatever it. Yeah. Yeah. And I think, I think we're gonna see that experience rains this weekend. I'm with you. Sure. I really am. And I know we for the audience. We haven't talked about these games, right. In terms of our predictions, part of the show. I agree. Just like, I think the fact that Aaron Rogers has owned the NFC north for, since the beginning of time, seems like, I think we're gonna see that bill BCHS experience. As a defensive play caller just knowing how to go about an opening day, putting a game plan together, right? Like you never wanna go against bill bell, check outta the gate because he's had the summer prepare for you. Right, right. That's gonna show up and you're right. I, I still am critical of two tools. Look good in pre-season he's made some throws in training camp. This is the real game, baby. Right? This is, this is, this is, this is. This is not a dress rehearsal anymore. So is it gonna shock you? Is it gonna shock you if bill chick throws out a defense that's gonnae crap outta? No, I expect him to. Exactly. Exactly. I'd be more shocked if, if he didn't man. Right. But yeah, I just, I see the edge going to experience and look max, like max Jones, say what you will, he doesn't necessarily have a can of an arm. He doesn't have the intangibles of him at homes or Josh Allen, but you know what? Max Jones is not gonna lose the game for you. Max Jones is not gonna lose the game for you. Max Jones has some swagger. Now don't some swagger. He's lost some weight too. I think, man, I actually, I like the Patriots on offense. They don't have the shiny toys, but they have a lot of really nice you know I'm trying to make a, a toy analogy, right? The toys aren't as shiny. But they're slightly less shiny. They got some good Lexus. They have like a new Lexus. It's not a Ferrari, it's a brand new hundred thousand Lexus or the it's beautiful Lexus though. I mean, Some look, John O. Smith needs needs to show up Johnny Smith and to show up hunter Henry at tight end, right? Yeah. He'll I think they'll get him more. They pay those tight ends. Good money. They'll get those guys involved and look, Jacobi, Meers, Nelson, Aguilar, Kendrick born. These guys all put these. How about their running backs Stevenson and, and, you know right. And Damien Harris, Damien Harris. So now with the addition of Devante Parker again, no one on that list is gonna. Wow. I'm really gonna lose sleep over it, but the collection of that talent together, it's a really, really tough, but that's how Billick operates. That's what he wants. That's that's, that's a bill Billick team. And then look, they, you know, Isaiah win Trent brown Cole strange the first round pick. They got some good players on the line too, right? Like, like I, I like top to bottom. The, the machine that is a Patriots offense. So don't yeah, there's no Tyreek and chase Edmonds and explosive Rohe Moster and you know, all of that or you gel waddle, but. I think it's one of those, what what's the saying? Right? This, the, the, the, the, the, the sum is greater than it parts than all its parts. Right. I think that's the major Patriot's offense to me. Right. So, yeah. And, and look, I mean, again, Mike, big Daniel, Kevin O'Connell right. Very promising young offensive minds. I think Mike Daniel might be running into a freight train week one. This is first game. I think the guy's. I think it's be a phenomenal head coach. This is a hell of a test for him outta the gate. This is a hell of a test for him outta the gate. I'm intrigued. I'm intrigued to see, but I, I do think ultimately the theme between these two games is going to be experience reigns. So I've got, I've got the path in this one and you know what, you know, I don't, I'm not as confident in the score and this one, because look, Miami, Miami's got a nice defense. We talk about Brian Flores. He did a, he pretty did a pretty damn good job putting together a nice defense, right? So they, and they've got a lot of returning starters, those two star corners and zine Howard and Byron Jones. And, you know, they got some players now, Melvin Ingram as well, the former chargers, all star pass rusher, Emmanuel Agba. I mean, I like a lot of the players in their defense, so I think it's not, it's not a concern of mine. I just think ultimately belch schema and I could see. Let's see, I'm gonna say maybe let's call it a 23 to 17. I was gonna say, yeah, I was gonna say 24, 21. Ball game where it's one by field goal or less. Yeah. And, and that's why I'm taking the under, I, I think the two defenses are gonna are gonna shine through I'm counting on bill icks defense, being able to Mesmer too by the different coverages and things like that. He hasn't seen before. And then also you have Matt Patricia calling the offense. I'm not sure what. Play call. He's gonna be so we'll we'll we'll see. That's fair. That's an X factor, right? Like this could be like a, what in, what in God's name is Beche doing? Having his former defensive coordinator called the offensive player? I, I don't mind that though. I don't, I don't mind that because here here's the thing. I look, I, as an offensive lineman, I could very easily go and coach the defensive line and, and here he, but here's the thing though, where I will be limited is, is telling him how to do. Because I don't necessarily know all the ins and outs techniques. Yeah. But I'll be able to tell them what to do, because I know what it is, what it takes to be an offensive line. So inversely, I can, I can turn that around. I can tell him what to do, but I can't tell him how to do it. So as, as an offensive coordinator, he might, he might be able to pick part that defense, knowing what, you know, what could hurt it or not. So I wouldn't be so quick at jumping on that. There's been plenty of times where coaches have switched sides and found success. Yeah. Look, I mean, Brandon sta charters of. Was a former quarterback, I think gotta start as offensive coordinator, but really made his name as a de as a D coordinator. So this stuff does happen. Probably more of a microscope cuz be check's the, the one calling the shots, but yeah, we'll, we'll see. That is definitely to your point, SHA a very intriguing aspect of the storyline. Going forward and bill, look, Bill's not an idiot. Bill. Bill is not an idiot. He's not just gonna handle his offense over to somebody just on a web. So let let's give bill, let's give coach Billick a little bit more credit. We should and look big shoes to fill. Would Josh MCs departure. So you'd think the air apparent there is gonna be somebody that bill trust. Right? So, yeah. Tough to argue with that. Char let's keep it on the AFC. Let's go from the AFC east to our favorite division this year, the AFC west. Yes, sir. The. Battle. Oh, I was gonna, I keep again, man, I keep doing this. I was gonna say battle of California, cuz I'm still in my mind. It's Oakland Raiders, right? Battle of let's just say battle division arrivals, Raiders at the chargers Raiders. Come back to California and look Derek Carr, man. You wanna talk about shiny toys? How about that? I mean, he's got now Devonte Adams, his former college teammate got you've got Mr. Josh McDaniels at the helm. We just talked about departing from new. Hundred repos back, Darren, Waller's back in healthy. You know, they, they've got some pieces over there in, in Vegas and the chargers, man, they, they have not had any shortage of pieces. They've added the, the, the chief one being that of the great Khalil Mac off the edge alongside of, of Mr. Bosa. So look both teams kind of stacked. I mean, we know this whole division stacked. What do you think of this matchup in LA second game in LA. Great second, great game in LA in week one. I know you probably like the chargers cuz it's the, it's a home team. It's LA, but the Raiders have home field advantage to true. True. That's fair. The let's all the Raider, all the Raider hopefuls that are in LA, all the gang members, all the guys that I see. Oh, come on. All gang members. All that. No, I said, no, I didn't say all Raider fans are gang members. I said all the gang members that are Raider fans are gonna be at that. Okay. That's what I was trying to say. So I've seen some pretty gnarly, but when, at least you live in San Diego, there's some gnarly, gnarly beef. Oh, crazy fans, crazy fans. You don't think of, like, you don't think about it. Like when you think of NFL rivalries, you think of. Dallas and, and Washington, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Pittsburgh. You don't think Raiders chargers? No, it's. This is, I can tell you first it's ugly, man. I mean, even, even in the sports bars in San Diego would get, it would get ugly. It would get ugly. Two fan bases. I'm telling you right now all so, so little culture, culture lessons for those that are listening, there are two major Mexican gangs in California, the Northern Mexicans and the Southern Mexicans. Even the California penal system knows to separate these guys. So if, if somebody goes to jail, if you're Northern Mexican, they put you in, they put you in with the whites and then they, they separate the Southern Mexicans that put'em in with the blacks. And so it's, it's, that's how crazy it's Northern Mexicans are the Raider fans. You start and you start to get some of those ones in, in like, All, all the Mexican gangs from San Diego and, and, and Northern, Northern Tijuana area, places like that. They're all Raider fans. I've seen some scary crap happen in, in, in, in the old Qualcomm. It was Qualcomm stadium Qualcomm. Yeah. Yeah. Oh yeah, exactly. I went to watch Tim Tebo play. And this guy that was wearing his Jersey, got his nose broken, and I was gonna go crazy. I, I literally got up the guy, they punched this guy in the Southern end zone in the, and poor guy was sitting there. I got up, I started yelling. I'm fucking come me. And you know, my wife at the time I was down down, what are doing gnarly stuff happens. Some gnarly stuff happens with, with these things, expect the wild and crazy. Raider fans of old to come to LA, this, this this weekend actually stay in LA and expect all the crazy charger fans from San Diego to come up. Not necessarily for them to back up the chargers, just to get, just to get an bra with the Raiders. Yeah. That, that they come fight. And actually one thing that, that just, just to give you an idea, the chargers to kind of circumvent and weed people out back in the day, what they, I dunno if they still do this, but back in the day, what they would say. You cannot only for the Raider game, you cannot purchase a standalone. Take it to the Raider game. If you wanna come to the Raider game, you have buy two another game too. So you have to fight. So it's like, you can't just come to this one game to fight people. Right. You gotta commit to multiple games. It's smart. Smart. So, yeah, that's that's, I mean, that'll be something interesting to watch out for. How about on the field jar? What, what on the field about this game? Has you, has you. I wanna see how the is, is it Brendan Staley? The head. Yep. Okay. He owe, he owe a team Mr. Fourth, nine analytics, right? He, he, he, he owes his team in apology for how he, how he got the, he cost the money. He costs him playoff checks and he needs to stand up and say, I'm sorry, I'm not gonna pull this crap with you guys. And I, I wanna see if he's learned a lesson or not. I wanna see if this guy has learned a lesson or not. And here's the thing, the score that game, would've been so much worse. If his quarterback didn't convert, I think I saw two or four or five straight like fours or something. There was one that was fourth and 20 that he converted. And there was one that was fourth. That the guy converted. I just, yeah. Herbert bailed his butt out. Did he not? And, and, and, and at the end, the coach still lost the game for them. So look, it's God. I chargers are my pitch to win the division, but I'm gonna root for the Raiders because especially after this last weekend, when I was with the Raiders, my Raider blood is, is boiling again. And, and, and I'm gonna be rooting for the Raiders and. Out of, out of the out of the age, Sue west, the team that matches up with the chargers, the best is the Raiders. Okay. Is the Raiders, you're still thinking the chargers. I. Oh, my God. It's it's it's okay. do you have any Raider fan friends that you don't wanna offend? Is it, is that, is that what it, no, I, you know, my building is filled with chargers, so, and couple of them listen to the show. And, and, you know, a lot of people in my, in my store, in, in Santa, they're all like, and when I say gang members, there's a couple gang members that, that basically keep my, keep my store. That are all Raider fans. So you don't wanna jeopardize that. I'm you know, Screw it I'm I'm gonna, I'm gonna go, I'm gonna go Raiders. And this is, and I'm gonna go Raiders. Maybe it's my emotion talking. I'm going, I'm going Raiders was a live change of heart. The last time you had a change of heart midstream shark, I think was when you were when you were kind of came out and were criticizing Gadel for the, the Sean thing. You said actually, you know what. Good job, Roger, you did the right thing. You should, right? He did. He did. And, and look, this is not a weakness that I changed my mind. It's it's yeah. Talking about it, which it's it's it's organic, right, right. Yeah, I'm gonna, I still pick, I still pick the chargers to win the division. I'm gonna, I'm gonna be the Raiders to win this because it just, I, I dunno, I, I just get a sense that the Raiders are gonna pull the suit three and half point underdogs. I'm gonna, I'm gonna bet I'm gonna the Raiders plus three and half. I'm gonna the Raiders with the, the money line as well. And I'm gonna the over, I think it's just gonna be fireworks. Wow. You're char all in on the Raiders, unbeliev. Turn events there. Well, but let's see if this is a motion or if it's or if it's just a hunch that I have. So who knows? So, so where I think what I think this game could come, come down to, if we're just talking about on the, like on the field, right? Not, not taking into account you know, coaching strategy is really around the chargers receivers against the Raider secondary. I think that's a weakness that excuse. Which way did I say it? Yeah, no. You said it correctly. I think that's weakness that the charters can exploit the Raiders for as explosives they're on offense. They've got, they got guys up front, like, you know max Crosby and, and some of those boys on the D line. I am not a huge fan of the Raiders secondary. I'm really not like they, you know, Rocky scene, eh, right. A meek Robertson, Jonathan Abram. He more of a hitter safety. You're not really a cover guy. I really think keen and Allen and and Mike Williams and even Joshua Palmer guy was like that. Jalen guy and guy school all shot last year. I think that's gonna be a matchup they can take advantage of obviously Austin LER is explosive. He's, he's a great player, but I think really this game can be won through the air by the chargers. Yes, I do. I do. The Raider's offensive pieces, but it, it kind of goes back to which game we were talking about. Bill's ramps, right? Where like you like the offenses of both teams, but it comes down to a couple of matchups and then ultimately. The chargers have more fire power on defense now, JC Jackson, the middle, the acquired corner. I think he's still questionable to play. We'll see how that goes. But look, you got, you got K max, Joey boa. Durwin James, right? These guys are all are all. Hey, here's here's another revenge match that we, we forgot about the, the, the against the Raiders. Yeah, a lot of revenge. Obviously he went to the bears first, but yeah, this. He's gonna be playing him twice a year now, right? Yeah. And this is the team that gave up on him when Gruden came in. Absolutely. Absolutely. So so probably MCDS just saying, listen, buddy, I wasn't the one that lets you go, but I would've kept you if I was a coach. Right. Don't think it out on me now. But and look one, you know, one thing to think about too, the the Raiders, they did lose. Special teams, coach rich, rich Versace, rich Versace was the guy that took over the Raiders coaching job. Got him to the playoffs. Midyear post grin. Versace's actually now in, yeah, they couldn't, they couldn't have kept them. I mean that would've been made things weird. Awkward. Yeah. I, but, but look, I I'm interested in also seeing more broadly how the Raiders special teams fair now without the great rich Versace and, and I'll also like that's a major come up for green bay to get him given that they oh, huge they're season ended last year because of, for special teams play. But yeah, in, in any case, Sure. This is the first game you and I are gonna have to diverse pass. I'm the one going for your home team? I think the chargers take this one. I think it's kind of similar to Bill's Rams in the sense that I'm picking, I'm picking the home team to win, but I kind of wanna see the silver and black take this one. I kind of wanna see him win this game, but if I you're asking me based on what, what I can see the, the way I think the chargers can exploit the Raiders secondary. And the, just the, the extra MP they have in defensive fire power. I do like it now look, the part that I, that I could be underestimating is we know Brandon Staley had a rough year one, and it ended really poorly. We also know that look, I mean Josh McDaniels is no dummy. He didn't have the great first stint as a head coach initially with Denver. Maybe he's learned, maybe he's a much better game strateg game manager. Now that could be a major difference here. We'll see. We'll see if he's learned those lessons as a head coach. There's been a lot of head coaches that have done better in their second year. Tons of no question. I mean, look at Pete. Carol's a great example. Right? So bill, bill. Yeah, yeah. Right. Speak level. But yeah. So I've got the charges in this one, I think, but I do think this'll be a closer game. I could see a, you know, a, a. 31 24, 31, 27 type deal going down on this. But I think the charge will build, put some points here against the, yeah. I, I, I hope I'm not just speaking with my heart and, and division. That would take the team, but I, I honestly think this is a home team home game for the Raiders. Yeah, it is. I mean, I mean it more, more, so more how much you wanna bet that, that there's gonna be a sea of silver and black in that stadium. Oh, dude, I don't need to bet. I, I, I know it's gonna be the case. Yeah. Even when the Cowboys come to town, it's a similar deal. Look, we've talked. Oh, stop it. Stop. Stop with your cowboy. What do you mean? Stop it. Largest concentration of cowboy fans outside of Texas. OK. I bet you the Raider fans. I'll number cowboy fans here. Five to one. Yeah, but the Raiders were based in California, the cowboy fans. Exactly. Exactly. Not anymore. So always you and your freaking Cowboys always has to be about the cowboy. Look at you. I put a little spit on there, but it's, I'm just saying you notice it when they come to LA that there're especially the chargers, especially the chargers. It's true. But it's sad that we talk about both LA teams, both playing home games and, and we're both be great. The, the, the likelihood of both away teams having a major presence there you know, so we'll, we'll see if that has an effect and an impact on the game. Okay. Char let's round out the divisional tilts Steelers at the defending AFC championship. Bengals of course, the big storyline with Pittsburgh. Ruthless burger no longer the signal caller. He was sometimes people say he was forced to retire either way, no longer a Steeler, they drafted Kenny picket, but it's the, the one, the only Mitchell Tru Brisky holding on your boy, holding onto that job through training. There we go again, my boy never relinquishing it. And and look, so his, and, and this is another great example of we talked about O'Connell we talked. Now who are we talking about? We're talking about O'Connell sorry. Mike McDaniels with, with Miami having pretty big first tests. How about this for for, for size, for, for Trubisky first start with the Steelers at Cincinnati at the division at the Randy division champs at the reign AFC champs. What do you think happens here? Of course, since he is back in full force, they fortify the offensive line. Jamar chases back T Higgins is back, Joe Mixons in the mix. No pun intended. What do you think of this game? You know, you just can't help yourself. First of all, before I tell you, you just can't help yourself. You're a big fan of your risky. I know. How am I a big fan? You've always said you liked him. You like guys, you like his, I like the talent. Do you not? Do you not remember what I used to say about him when he was a quarterback in Chicago? Like he's one of the most inaccurate quarterbacks that I've ever seen? Well, I think you liked him as an analog to Josh Allen last year. Yes. I loved him as an analog and what I said, I said, if risky has any. Of becoming a franchise type quarterback, the best move he made was go to Buffalo and learn under the great who's the head coach now? With the giants. Oh, Brian. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. And learn and blink from it. Same thing. I love the fact that James Winston went and, and learn under Sean Payton to have a revival. I just think there was a reason why he was the first pick. He has tools that not, he is literally the closest. Cam Newton, Josh Allen, Mitch Trubisky. And I'm not stepping outta each thing that in terms of talent level, well look, you, you, you, you like some cam Newton, right? So I love Reese cam Newton. I'm just saying you, I think you like, you like Trubisky a little bit too. I'm I'm not. Yeah, but when you say he's my boy, you make, you seem like, no, this is, I like, I like where it's to. I like where he is heading, but I, I can't tell you, I don't know. What's between his two years. I don't know that. I don't know what's going on between his ears, but you're saying in this GA, so in this game, you still think the be in this game, if it wasn't for the fact, I would take Cincinnati and I would take it all day every day. The only thing is that there is a history of the hangover for the losers of the super bowl, but is it gonna happen week one against Mr. Bisky? That's what I'm saying in week one. Usually they, they come up and, and, and they, and they basically take a belly Flo. So, I mean, this is a, I mean, since. Favor by six and a half points. They are briefly a full touchdown. You know what screwed I'm I'm I'm, I'm obviously I'm gonna take sensei. I'm gonna take him to cover. And, and I, I, I think because of the ness of my comment and that defense they're gonna be able to, they're gonna be able to kind of keep it close for a little bit, but I think at the end of firepower is too much. And also I got news for everybody. Everybody thinks that it's, Jamar's chasing that team. I think this is gonna be a revival year for T Higgs. So keep that in. Yeah. I, I actually think this is gonna be a closer game than, than most might think. I, I am trusting in Pittsburgh's evaluation of their personnel. I'm not a big Trubisky fan, but if he was good enough to, I mean, they, they, they took picket in the first round. I mean, like you said, sharp he's in their backyard, university of Pittsburgh alumni. Like they, they see that kid, they know everything about. And Trubisky still won the job. Right. And I don't think it's one of these things where they're posturing to say, oh, you know picks better, but we're just gonna, we're just gonna put on the bench. Steven's gonna win now. They got, they got a pretty good roster around around the team. So like that tells me that Trubisky legit won this job it's for a reason. And I trust Pittsburgh's evaluation of their personnel. So based on that, I don't think, I don't see, I don't see this spread being so. Maybe I'm wrong here. I mean, and think about Trubisky. If he, as long as he doesn't mess this thing up, you've got look at the receiving core. I mean, Beyonce Johnson, chase Claypool, George Pickens. I mean that, that's a nice trio guys. They got over there, pat frying with off NA Harris Harris. And how about, I mean, how about the defense? I know the defense, wasn't the, the steel curtain last year, but they still got some players over there now TJ wa and think of its Patrick. This is a very talented football team. And I think they're being slept on you, you know, you know who their defense kind of reminds me of a little bit of the Rams and, and the chargers they have. They have, you have TJ wa and then they have that phenomenal safety who plays, who takes receivers on. On the, on the slot, make it, and so first on pick Terrell Edmonds as well, that guy is that guy's absolute force. So, so I, I, I really like him, but one thing I disagree with you Kru is, is that I think, I think it was preordained that their first round quarterback was not gonna start. I think, I think Mitch Trubisky didn't win the starting job from is it picks or pickets or whatever picket. Cause I know there's pick and picks, so I, I always miss. Yeah, no worries. Yeah. George picks is a receiver, but yeah. Yeah. Okay. So Kenny, Kenny, Kenny pick Kenny pick. So I, I think, I think it was preordained that he's not gonna, he's not gonna, he's not gonna start. They were gonna him. They were gonna, they were gonna bring him up either late in the season or best case scenario at the end of the season, you start working'em in the last couple of weeks. Cause look, if the one thing that the Steelers are, they. An ocean of stability in terms of not making moves for today, they make moves. They make moves. And for the next year, the following year, they're very systematic in their approach. They're the ones that they don't fire their coaches. They're the ones that are looking at a long term plan. All right. I, I can easily foresee that Mitch tabs. Even if he's struggling there, he's, he's gonna have a long leash. He's gonna have a long leash. And what Mr. BI he did is he won the starting job from Mason, Crosby, not from, is it Mason? Crosby it's Rudolph Mason Rudolph, right. Mason Rudolph not, not from because that kid was gonna be kept on the shelf and depending on how ready he was to play. They were gonna bring you up. Cause if you remember, when they drafted big Ben big Ben you're right. Big Ben. It was, it was, it was Tommy Maddox. It was the story, Tommy Maddox, but big, but he got hurt though. He got hurt. So he got hurt. Had to play him. And then do you remember how many times big, the big Ben to throw the ball? Not a lot. I mean, they, what that first super bowl that they when they made a run with the Willie Parker and Jerome beta show. Yeah, a AB absolutely. And, and look, I had, I had really. Connections with the Steelers back then. And I knew what they were doing and, and they basically said they would be damned if they psychologically screw big back. Cause they were looking at as a, they were looking at as a franchise quarterback, they're probably doing the same. I don't have the same connections with the Steelers that I had back then where I could pick up the phone and call five, six people. But but I, I can foresee that they're, they're having the same you know, the, the, the, the same thought with with this kid. We'll see. We'll see, man. I. I, I just think the Steelers are coming off and off year. I think they wanna win now. And that's my, that's my logic. I think you're gonna win now. And they they're willing. They're they're willing to give a very long has to go ahead. I was gonna say, I think it's gonna be much closer game Steelers still might still might not get to win. I still see the Bengals winning the game, but I think it's more like, 2017 type game 14, 17, then it is like a blowout. Well, we're, we're basically saying the same thing, except that I'm that at end of game, it's a one score game. And then since he's just gonna score either, either on a six or situation where they got the last, just go, that's all I'm saying. It's it's, it's gonna be one of those, even if it's a 10 point game, you're saying, oh no, no, this was a much closer game since it scored late, you know? Big score. Okay. So, so you do see the PI Pittsburgh showing some, some fight here. Good stuff, man. Pick. So dude, pick it against the, pick it against the chargers and the Steelers two teams you usually usually like, but in any case, ya that's that's that's the time we got, man. I'm I'm stuck, man. Real quick. What are your plans for watching the games this weekend? Just gonna start. I am going to my buddy's. Let's go. My, my, my Persian boy. Who's a huge Raider fan. Okay. He's God bless him. Prayers off. That's why he's the Raiders. I'm just, he's got well, no, but, but he's also, he's suffering from from, he's got lung cancer. Third, you know? Oh man. Stage three. No, no, no, he's in, he's in great spread, man. He looks great. He's got the six pack going. He just did his, he just did his second second set of chemo. And I saw him at the gym yesterday. Just, just working hard at it. Great spirit. All right. Amazing. So we we're. No, no, he's phenomenal. So. Gonna go to his house and and we're gonna watch the Raider game. And the dude, the dude is something else. So we'll have his chef cook us a nice, nice meal and and we'll watch the game. So let's go. Yeah, I'll be watching from my house and I'll be heading, I'll be missing, missing the tail end of the late game. So I'll be heading over to cowboy stadium, the catch bucks cowboy. So I'm excited, man. It's here. It's arrived. Let's go. One thing go 1, 1, 1 quick thing that we forgot to mention Panthers and the Browns don't tell me you're not gonna, you're not gonna be watching. No question about it, I'll be watching that. And I've been actually thinking about like, who am I pulling for in this game? You know, the Browns being the underdogs, the Jacobi Perce at the helm, or Mayfield getting a second shot. I think I'm actually pulling for the Browns. Cause I think it would just be funny if I just think it would be very funny. The Browns kind of did baker dirty. Right? He, we talked about how he kind of plays his, but off for them last year he was hurt and now they got Brice. I just think it would be funny if like the Browns were somehow better off with Jacobi Brice. just like more for the comic relief than anything else. I obviously, if I'm a betting, man, yes. I probably pick Caroline gonna win this game. But yeah, I think it would just be comical if burette pulled it. How here's a question. When did bred become such a joke of football player? He's not a joke. That's that's, that's my point. The guy has won football games in his career. The guy, I it'll be funny if the Browns beat Carolina with B Mayfield with the Deshaun Watson suspended and the guy that brought him to be his backup is the one who actually leads him to victory. He's still a backup quarterback, right? Like that, he's a, he's an. Back up, pull the back. I'm saying like, if, if, if I'm baker and I'm looking in the mirror this weekend, and I'm thinking about this game, the narratives gonna suck. If I can't beat my old team, would you call Burett at the hel? I'm not saying it's not an indictment on Burett he, you know, solid player, but let's be honest. That would be a very bad look for baker. Would it not? It, it, it absolutely would. And, but I, I think this is a game that Carolina's gonna take, take Handly, but don't count out that running game. Don't count. Look, Jacobi Burett has had, has had success. So it's not gonna be it's it's it's not gonna be, and maybe, maybe a good technician, a route runner like Aari Cooper is. Quarterback's best friend. Right? And, and David, well, David and Joe at, I think he is gonna have a coming party. And look here. Here's all I was saying in our last episode, when I said, would you be shocked if the Browns are making a, at the end of the season, here's their games. They got Carolina. I expect them to that. Right next they have, they have the jets that, that, that can be a win two backup quarterbacks going at it. Then they have Pittsburgh. Really is tra that much better than Jacob. Then they have Atlanta is Marietta. That that much is Marietta that much better than per yeah. Then they get, then they get tough. So right there, I wouldn't be shocked if the Browns are three and one to start to start the year off, it will be hell of a story and it will be a great way to keep, think about it. The, the brows meet three one, then, then they got the chargers new England and they got Baltimore in CI. All right. Then they got their BI week. Then they got Miami and Buffalo. So if they could squeeze the win out of that, if, if, if they are, if they're four and six, if there were four and six, by the time they, they play Houston, they got a shot and they end the season with a commander. So they, they look, if I was in the Browns locker room, I would say, Hey guys, let's take this victory. Let's let's utilize the fact that we know baker. We, we know his deficiencies. Let's let's let's get after him. Yeah. And we could be four. Oh. Before, you know, Before we know it and they got a good defensive, they have a great team around set. So don't, don't sell'em short, man. They probably have the three best running backs committee of three best running backs in the. Oh, yeah, absolutely. And I mean, and, and don't forget, you know, you got miles Garrett. Javian, Klon coming off the edge as well. They got some pro bowlers in the, in the secondary as well. So I mean, it's, it's, it's, it's a nice, it's a nice team around the quarterback, but obviously quarterback's an important position. Right? We'll see how much it plays out and look, and, and Carolina's got a healthy Christian McCaffery please. Christian McCaffery. I really hope he stays healthy. The league is better when he's electrify. On the field. You know, DJ Morra Anderson are back. I mean, Carolina has a decent core. They just definit quarterback held him back. So we'll, we'll see. I'm look, I'm rooting for baker. I'm rooting for, yeah, I'm not, I'm not I'm, I'm just not, cause I think just you're such a hater. I can't believe you're such a hater I'm rooting for the rest of the season. I just think if he, if he lost to the, his old team's back of quarter. That would just be, that would just be hilarious. So you, so you're rooting for the billionaires versus the millionaires I'm rooting for the millionaires. that? Listen, once you pass seven figures, it's all saying to me, no, that's that's no, don't make that mistake, buddy. That's a huge you're. If you're, if you're just a millionaire, you're closer to being broke. Than if you're a billionaire, this is true. No, look, I'm, I'm just rooting for being able to come back on this podcast and make some jokes that that's what I'm, that's what I'm rooting for. Well, well, that's terrible. That's very self, but here's the thing though. You know who the remind me of the Browns remind me of a good olds team that had like just a phenomenal offensive and defensive lines. They could run the ball and they had a quarterback. They could just think and duck like this team belongs in the eighties and. Let's see, man, look, you know, I'm a big fan of the eighties. So even more reason to root for the grounds now. cool. All right, man, I'm looking forward to it, man. Have, Hey, have a blast with your buddy. Hopefully. Yes, sir. This, these games help him have a positive mindset and help. Oh no, he's gonna win. He's gonna win this buddy. I have no doubt. I told him that yesterday. I have no doubt. He's gonna, he's gonna win the spike. Man we're we're literally gonna celebrate. That's all we do. We laugh and celebrate. That's a beautiful thing, man. I'm looking forward to it, man. I'm gonna just enjoy in my dungeon, some good football and then hopefully, hopefully I'll get to go see the Cowboys. Finally beat the go. We'll see. We'll see, sir. I'm not getting my hopes up, but we shall see you, but look, football is back. Football is back, baby. That's all about call us back. All right, man. Looking forward to getting back after with you next week and recapping these games, man. Sounds good, buddy. All right, till next time.