#5 - NFL Predictions - NFC

Craig D'Alessandro : 0:24

On this episode of the SN SW podcast, it's the SN SW NFL prediction show as we look around the NFL and try to predict the records and reputations of the teams in the National Football League. On this episode we'll look at the NFC as Michael Mark Angelo Dave Clark and Rob Kelly. Try not to kill each other. This is the SM SW podcast, but it's all relative. Welcome to Episode Five of the SN SW podcast I am Craig D'Alessandro executive producer of the s and SW network. If this is your first time finding us, please consider subscribing. It's the easiest way to see when we publish new episodes. Yes NSW podcast is a one hour weekly two hour monthly podcast recapping the biggest stories In the world of sports with the New England flavour, the show notes and transcript of today's episode can be found in their description box below, as well as our WordPress and buzzsprout pages. We are on iTunes, Spotify, Google and wherever you generally get your podcasts. Be sure to write us and leave a review of any of our shows. We always appreciate your feedback. And also be sure to follow us on social media. All of our links will be in the show notes on this episode, yes, yes and SW prediction show as we predict the records and reputations of teams around the NFL. On this episode, we'll be focusing on the NFC and take us into this topic. Our hosts for this episode is Joe Malkin.

Joe Malkin : 2:02

Thanks Craig. Hey guys, how we doing?

Rob Kelly : 2:04

Great. Good, dear baby. How can you not be good? Let's go.

Joe Malkin : 2:08

I think it might be our second favorite topic after the NBA but tonight we're talking to NFL and the NFL starts this week. And that's pretty exciting to me on Thursday night with the chiefs and Texans playing and we got a a fun little show for you guys this week as we talk about the NFL, and we predict every team's record in the league. And Mr. Dave Clarke, who's here, gave us the rules, and I'm going to read them for you. So the rules are simple. We've been split into two teams. Mike, Dave, Bob, you're on the NFC team, you get to tell us why every team in the NFC, like the Cowboys, and the bears are gonna finish four and 12. And each group will get 12 minutes to submit their agreed upon best guess. And that's kind of the fun part, which I really like Dave is that we all have to agree, we'd get basically 12 minutes to agree on four teams records in each division. Then the other group will get two minutes to respond to our predictions tell us why we're awesome or why we suck. And each group will get a point for every correct record that we predict within two games. So if we say the past will win 10 games, they win eight, that's the point and so on and so forth, and At the end of the conference, we submit three wildcard picks, that if we're correct on, we get two bonus points. And the final tally will be at the end of the season. And we'll tell you who won and who has to do something slightly embarrassing. I just made that up right now. So get ready, guys. So we were going to start with the NFC with Dave, Mike and Bob. And they're going to tell us why the NFC East is going to finish the way it is. And I am going to start the timer. You guys have 12 minutes. Tell me why the Cowboys are going to finish fourth in the division.

Dave Clarke : 4:02

Okay, so here's what I think our strategy should be. I think I'm just going to give you guys a record, and you tell me if it's stupid, it's totally off base. Or if it's just like it completely accurate. We can just move on because we only have 12 minutes to talk about each team. So we've established our strategy everybody cool. Yeah. And with that, all right, and with so we're gonna I'm gonna start with you, Bobby. I think the Cowboys are going seven at night. I think That they were mediocre last year, AF. I think that Dak is on a contract here granted, but I think that he hasn't really proven anything. I think they're they didn't really make any big improvements in the offseason. And I think they're going to slide one more game because people are going to start to get worried. I think it might be a little bit of an up and down think they might win three games out of their first four. But I think it's just going to be up and down, up and down. What do you have to say to that?

Rob Kelly : 4:49

I couldn't disagree more. And I think that's probably the most obvious thing that we're going to hear on this podcast. But I have some legit reasons for why though. Now you say they didn't make any big additions, except for the fact that that clapper is no longer in Dallas. Okay, if that's not worth two to three wins. I don't know what is we've had the most mediocre, awful coach for the last eight to nine years that has wasted great talent in on this team. And now we finally have a new regime. We have Mike McCarthy as our head coach. We have Mike Nolan, as our defensive coordinator. We have one of the best special team coordinators in the week. That to me is worth at least two wins off of last year, which puts them worst case to me 10 and six to go a little further off of that as well. Not he has to learn a new game plan, the whole team has to learn new game plan. I'm with you there. So

Dave Clarke : 5:46

how often do they just go do you? Do you add three to four wins in a season where you have to wait, like change your entire look?

Rob Kelly : 5:52

No, but we've seen before when a coach is stale when he doesn't have it anymore. And when it's time for him to go. The mere fact of having just a new voice in that building changes everything. We've seen it so many times Bobby Valentine in Boston. We've seen it with me. Give me a record. Give me a record. What do you think? I'm gonna go in between my best case worst case I'm gonna go 12 and four.

Michael Marcangelo : 6:18

That is a tie that is absolutely fucking ridiculous. If you think that the Cowboys are gonna go in for you. I don't know. I don't say anything. So I do think that Mike McCarthy is at least two wins better than the clapper right? That puts him at 10 and six DAC Isn't it? Isn't it is in a contract here. He has a lot to prove. And he has a top three running back out there to hand the ball off to an individual off to are they going to be 12? Are they going to be elite? No, they will never be elite with Dak Prescott as their quarterback, but they will finish this year. 10 and six.

Dave Clarke : 6:52

Okay, so if he says to him before you say 10 and six, I say seven and nine. I think we have to go 10 and six for the Cowboys because

Michael Marcangelo : 6:59

10 and six for the Cowboys. I think seven to nine is asinine. I think 12 and four is equally as asinine

Rob Kelly : 7:04

and they might kind of make one more 1105. Okay, so the coaches were to wait just so the coaches were to wait, just wait, hang on. So coaches, you can't eat we

Dave Clarke : 7:15

only have 12 minutes.

Michael Marcangelo : 7:19

As the host of the segment,

Rob Kelly : 7:20

we're gonna look at gotten they've added Alden Smith. On Terry post stefon Diggs brother in Everson Griffin to the defense and it's still fun

Dave Clarke : 7:28

text brother. Tom Brady's cousin has been seen hanging out near the practice field. They're gonna be better this year,

Rob Kelly : 7:35

bro. He's so I'm telling you, it's more than 10 of sex. I will settle for 10 and say, well,

Dave Clarke : 7:40

it's well it's within two wins. So like you could still be right it could be 12 it could be 12 wins and we'd still do good.

Michael Marcangelo : 7:46

I've heard I've heard your argument Bobby. And I appreciate I respect it. So we're gonna go with 10 and six now for the

Dave Clarke : 7:53

What do you think the next best thing to move on to is because we need to get the best the next team that we're going to talk about the most but the Eagles Okay, cool. Do you have it? Go ahead, Mike.

Michael Marcangelo : 8:01

Yeah. All right. So so moving forward with the nfcs we're gonna go next to the Philadelphia Eagles. I'm gonna say that they're going to go nine and seven and I think that they're going to go nine seven because I don't think Carson Wentz can play a full season. He has not been able to yet and they have proven that no matter who their backup is although it has been Nick foles so far that they can still make a run in the playoffs and still get there. Carson Wentz was playing an all caliber year in 2017. If we can get 12 games out of that from him this year, they will go 9797 is my pick.

Rob Kelly : 8:33

I think nine and seven is best case scenario for that team. And I'll tell you a couple of reasons why a first thing like you said Carson Wentz is made of just straight glass of that man goes down without a quality backup behind him with a rookie quarterback now behind him it could get ugly over there very quick. And the reason for that is because they have by far the worst wide receiver court in the NFL. I'll Sean Jeffrey is old over the hill always hurt to Sean he's an anti Semite. Greg Wark Greg Ward is actually a quarterback by trade. All right. And not only that, but their number one draft pick. The guy that was supposed to save this wide receiver core is already out for two to four weeks. I think they go seven and nine.

Dave Clarke : 9:13

I could I see the validity of both your points. I think the thing that I will be definitely worried about with the Eagles is Carson Wentz because he's yet to record a playoff victory in his life. So I just even if he does take you They're like, What? Is he going to be able to do anything? If he takes you to a wild card game? Is he going to be able to like, stay healthy for that wild card game? And then like, you know, miracles happen to get him through like, no, I totally agree with you. seven and nine is harsh in a division where you get to play the Washington football team twice. And I think that I think that I also had my initial prediction at nine and seven, but I'm happy to split the difference of eight Nate if we're if we want to hedge that way. But I also had nine and seven so

Michael Marcangelo : 9:53

yeah, I'm not I'm not gonna lose any sleep or split any hair over the Eagles. We have them we'll say at eight and eight. That's halfway through our segments so far. So the next thing that we're going to go to is the New York football giants. I'm going to tell you right now, I think that they're going to finish six and 10. I think a lot of their wins will be because of Daniel Jones. He's put on 15 pounds in the offseason of pure effing muscle. But 10 of their losses will be because of him because I don't think he has a good handle on that offense. I think they're going to be asking a lot of say Quan Barkley who as you saw Last year can get hurt. And when that does when that does happen, that team falls apart. They're gonna need golden tape. They're gonna need the wide receivers core to stick to stand up for them. But they also need the ball delivered to them six and 10 for the Giants DK go.

Dave Clarke : 10:37

Ah, I, like I said, Washington football team. Yeah, they play them twice, but they also have to play the eagles and the Cowboys twice who are both better teams than the New York Giants like yes, they have Daniel Jones now but I don't think that answers any of their divisional problems. I think that it's one of the most boring teams to like to possibly ever watch. Like they just have no flair, like no firepower. Like nothing exciting happens with the New York football giants in years. And I just I honestly my from the heart number is three and 13.

Rob Kelly : 11:10

All right, except for the fact that it's a completely new regime in New York as well. So it may not have happened in the past but everything is completely different now. rookie quarterback, rookie or third year running back now maybe the best running back in the league. a rookie head coach, the wide receiver coach from the Patriots, I don't even remember his name right now. Not worth it. Right. But I'm in the middle of you guys too. I'm gonna go Hello. Hey, I'm gonna go five and 11 Actually, you know what? No, I'm going eight and eight. I'm gonna change this up a little bit. Stop it, you are out of your mind. So the reason is because I think like I said, I think the eagles and the Giants right now are two teams go in and complete opposite directions. So I think the reason I'm giving them two is because I think they're going to end up sweeping the Eagles. And they're going to go to eight and eight because of Daniel Jones and say Quan Barkley in that offense.

Michael Marcangelo : 12:09

So we have three and 13 eight and eight and six and 10 we just split the difference and just say 511 Okay,

Dave Clarke : 12:16

that works. Alright, fine. I got because I gotta tell you that there is an interesting take I have with the Washington football team in the fact that I think that they are going to win One game this season.

Michael Marcangelo : 12:25

All right, well, why don't why don't you just take us right right to the Washington football team is next and DK sizzle Dave Clark has a hot take

Dave Clarke : 12:32

talking about new regimes. Bobby again, the Washington football team really needs one in his front office but has won and a head coach and Ron Rivera that I think has kind of proven his mediocrity, like I already you know, I think he can take you to a certain place but he's building so much from the ground up over and Washington and they can't stop tripping over their own feet, even in the offseason. You know, they can't even get the basics right. Like, some guy embarrassed them in the offseason by copyrighting all their potential names. So they'd have which is genius on that guy's part. But like you how many minds do you have in front office that got duped by some dude in like Georgia?

Rob Kelly : 13:10

What Go ahead, Bobby, enough for that. One is he actually did that, like two years ago. So he the Redskins years now that's how

Dave Clarke : 13:19

far he lives in. I hope he lives in Vegas because the guy can gamble. That's just a great prediction. amazing and I think

Michael Marcangelo : 13:26

see your record is 115 those are gonna go on in 15 Yes.

Rob Kelly : 13:31

I'm only giving them one more than that. I'm going to 14 I thought I thought it was gonna be a saucy take. Everybody thinks they suck have written on my notes here. The only thing positive coming out of Washington this season, our COVID test and the Alec Smith come back.

Michael Marcangelo : 13:44

So in on that on that note I have there I have the Washington football team at 511 this year. I do think if alex smith plays let's say 10 games, he's capable of winning five of them. He's proven that he can he can kind of make chicken salad out of chicken You know what, and I do think that they have they don't have a great team but they're not one in 15 I just can't believe that. So I'm gonna say that that there that the Washington football team is at five and 11 so we have two and 14 one and 15 511 for me. I feel like the right thing to do would be say 313 but I am so confident in my take. I really want to say five and 11

Rob Kelly : 14:22

can I give you the Chroma reason why they're not because they had a running back this season go down for the reasons he went down. And then yesterday they just caught the best running back in NFL history with no one behind him on the depth chart to me that just said Adrian Peterson is the best running back in NFL history. That's that's what we're going with no of the best running backs in NFL history. All right, sorry. But I'm just saying karma is not with them. There's so many different things about this team that just screen negativity and stay away from me.

Dave Clarke : 14:54

I even if they even if they miraculously got a winning record this year, it wouldn't be a feel good story. Nobody would be like, Oh, I'm so glad the Washington football team like really pulled it around. Really decided to show us all like what they're made of. It's like everyone's still gonna hate them.

Rob Kelly : 15:07

I'm worth it. I think we go as low as possible just out of spite for this game right

Dave Clarke : 15:10

now. I'm so confident my one win that like the to win cushion that we give up. Is I still think we should just go one and 15 just like to be like, fuck you guys. You

Michael Marcangelo : 15:20

know what I think the alex smith story out way To all the negatives that were happening in Washington as the host, I have the ability to make the decision. But I won't, I will split the difference in say three and 13 for the Washington reds or for the Washington football team. Whoops,

Joe Malkin : 15:39

you guys finished with 20 seconds to spare? That's right. I know that that should give us two minutes and 20 seconds. But I kept track of not only the records in that, but the fact that Mike dropped the fact that he's the host of the segment twice during that. And the fact that the three times and the fact that Bob thinks that them cutting a 34 year old Adrian Peterson is a bad decision.

Michael Marcangelo : 16:04

Let's just quickly go into the fact that while wearing a Dallas Cowboy shirt, he said that Adrian Peterson was the best running back in NFL history

Dave Clarke : 16:11

our times over our times over all right, so

Joe Malkin : 16:15

Craig and rayshawn I'm gonna tell you guys, I don't disagree with any of those records. I think you guys are spot on.

Craig D'Alessandro : 16:21

I have a hard time disagreeing, if any of that. I think I think now it's pretty spot on it's pretty easy division to predicted we're gonna predict that one first. I know

Joe Malkin : 16:29

seriously ratio. Yeah,

Rayshawn Buchanan : 16:30

I mean yeah, then it enters at least for a reason. Yeah, I pretty much share the same sentiment. Um, I do wonder there's a pretty decent leader but when you're in Washington, everyone goes to sit over there so they suck. So next

Joe Malkin : 16:46

Yeah, it's where it's where players and I can't say that cuz hopefully Ron Rivera gets gets through his cancer about but yeah, so cowboys tendon 68 Nate giants five and 11 football team three and 13 that rubs up the NFC East and now we go to the all important NFC North with Dave's bears. And Mitch trubisky the most non quarterback quarterback in the NFL. Go ahead, guys. 12 minutes starts now.

Dave Clarke : 17:17

He can't hear me out. Hear me out guys. Guys. Hear me out. Okay. Just let me paint you a picture. of the quarterback competition that has been raging in the city of Chicago. Okay, Nick, we got a guy that everybody doubts. Nobody thinks he can do it, Mitch trubisky He's the butt of every joke. And then they bring in Nick foles a Super Bowl champion. The reason why they won the Super Bowl, a guy with a nickname that any dude would be jealous to have. And a guy with an attitude that makes you think his nickname is true. And he comes walking in to that, to that practice squad to that camp. And Mitch trubisky has the the guts to go up against them. The arm stuff shaking your head Mike, I'm not done the arm to compete with him. And he wins the quarterback competition. That is why Mitch is starting. He has won the quarterback competition he beat Nick foles out if if Jared Stidham was starting week one for the Patriots, you'd be like Bill we trust. He knows he knows what's up. He knows who the best guy is. It is what it is. You can't do that with Mitch trubisky. Cuz he's the butt of every joke and I get it. But he did have a good season. He has technically made it to the Pro Bowl. And I think his trouble was learning the playbook because I think he's a little stupid. Right? That's not to say this dude. It's a complicated playbook. Maggie's playbook is complicate. Okay, that's all I'll say. I really do think that we're gonna, we're gonna get we're gonna have an 11 and five record this year. I know. He doesn't believe what he just said. Did anyone just hear how high his voice went at the end of that right there? That's earnest. I'm earnestly pleading for you guys to see what I see. So we can win this game.

Michael Marcangelo : 19:07

So you must be doing some. I mean, Okay, you know what? 11 five, five. I get it hometown. I really understand it. Here's the reason why. Mitch trubisky is a starter. They paid Nick foles too much. He got there. He didn't. He didn't need to win it. He already got his money. I will tell you I do think that the better have a chance to go eight and eight this year. But that's only a big dick Nick, it gets on the field. Within six games, if they go, Oh Ma, or Oh, and seven or one six, which you're talking about, you're talking about the defense. That was the best defense in the NFC NFL two seasons ago and their personnel hasn't changed.

Rob Kelly : 19:43

That's where I'm gonna go based off of that. I feel you're eight and eight Mike. I think 1105 is a little high. I'm going to split the difference and go tenant six. Because of the fact of that defense exactly that they have Coolio Mac. They have a king hex Ron Smith, Kyle Fuller, all guys who were top three, three or four in there opted out for this right he did opt out. contain COVID. But then they also added Robert Quinn, former cowboy great to that defense as well. And I think that that adds another element to that defense. I'll split it I'm going 10 and six.

Michael Marcangelo : 20:20

So basically what I've heard is love and 576 I said eight Nate so We'll be gracious and say nine and seven is our record for the Chicago Bears. So that sounds fair.

Dave Clarke : 20:29

We couldn't we couldn't we couldn't really pull the head on that one. I'm disappointed but

Michael Marcangelo : 20:32

yeah, next team. This is my sneaky prediction. I think that the Detroit Lions are going to win this division and finish 10 and six. The reason why I think this is going to happen is because obviously as long as Matthew Stafford stays healthy, they have a new defense and not not just any defense, they, Matt Patricia bought into the Patriot way and brought in Shelton, Collins and harmans into that defense to solidify it. Defense does win championships in this case it will win the division, the Detroit Lions, I promise you, we'll finish 10 six.

Dave Clarke : 21:04

Like you know that we're doing a sports podcast that people actually listen to. We want people to think we know what we're talking about when we come in and start talking sports. How on earth could you predict a winning record for a matt Patricia team? Never mind, never mind the and I get at hometown guy you know he was there with Bill Look, I totally get it. You know, I totally understand it. But he's, he's so bad. He's such a bad coach. And he's in Detroit, which is exactly where he should be because you're not expected to win in Detroit. You're not you're expected to give the bears a good game and give the Packers a good game, but still roll over and take your medicine. The Detroit Lions are going to go three and 13 three and 13 this year and by the way, they're going to have zero divisional wins. They're gonna lose all eight of their divisional games. Just so you know. So do you.

Unknown Speaker : 21:55

I did. I did make aisle six aisle six, eighth.

Rob Kelly : 21:59

You definitely did my butt. No doubt about that. I'm with DK on this one. I don't see the lines with the only upside on the lines right now is DeAndre Swift. Who is my favorite rookie running back? I don't know if you guys knew that. I don't know if I've told you before.

Dave Clarke : 22:15

Only a few. I think that's why Mike padded the record because he I think he has him on a fantasy team too. So he's like,

Rob Kelly : 22:21

not only do I think the lions aren't going to be good But I'm calling Matt Patricia as the first coach fired in this season and I think by week 10

Dave Clarke : 22:30

we tend out you're giving him a long rope.

Rob Kelly : 22:32

Yeah, I, I see them god, they're gonna drop the first three, it'll get hot. And then know when one or two here there'll be a guy, he's fine, but then they're gonna drop four in a row. They'll be like two and seven. Ish, depending on there by week two and eight by week 10. He's he's

Dave Clarke : 22:47

he's Rex, Ryan 2020. He's running a linear achiever and he's not good at coaching football. Yeah, he's out by the end

Rob Kelly : 22:53

of the season.

Michael Marcangelo : 22:54

To be clear, Rex Ryan went to the playoffs two years in a row so I'm going to go ahead and use my executive powers this time. That way we have never had too much of that later. I'm going to say that the lions will finish nine and seven this year that is that is our agreed upon record. Thank you so much. Our records

Dave Clarke : 23:11

are gonna look so ridiculous now because the Vikings, Vikings the packers are gonna have right around the same record as the bears in the lions. It's not It's not possible. I think this is the toughest

Michael Marcangelo : 23:21

division in football this year. I think that we should go To the Minnesota Vikings. Listen I don't I just don't i don't agree that Kirk Cousins isn't a leak quarterback at all. I think that he's proven that he will make a big mistake under pressure. I also think that dalvin cook is just one hit a way from being injured and then what? And then what so my my guess is the Minnesota Vikings at eight Nate.

Rob Kelly : 23:46

Okay. I I okay. I can't disagree with everything you just said about the Vikings because that's that's most of what I was thinking when I was making this pick. The only thing is, though, is that defense is loaded. We always say defense wins championships. Daniel hunter Anthony bar, Harrison Smith, Yannick and Gok way just got from the Jaguars that defense is killer. It I don't think you're saying the lions are going to go nine and seven. When you think the Vikings with that defense,

Michael Marcangelo : 24:17

my opinion,

Rob Kelly : 24:19

Adam Thielen are going to go eight and eight. That just seems crazy to me. Vikings. I have them winning the division at 12 and four.

Michael Marcangelo : 24:29

Oh, yeah. And I'm on drugs for defense last. Everson Griffin.

Rob Kelly : 24:34

Give me why. Okay, everyone hates on Kirk Cousins. Everyone says he's terrible.

Unknown Speaker : 24:38

He sucks. That's why

Rob Kelly : 24:40

doesn't does not suck. He is a very solid NFL quarterback and a team with a good defense. He can actually take them places and we saw it last year it came down to the home playoff time. Clutch situation in New Orleans last second. Who threw the fucking ball to the corner of the endzone. Perfectly to get that when Kirk Cousins he beat the saints in the wild card round.

Michael Marcangelo : 25:05

who caught that ball for

Rob Kelly : 25:07

12 and four.

Michael Marcangelo : 25:08

Yeah, that's great. Okay, good. dk.

Dave Clarke : 25:10

I am adamant six and 10. I think they're overrated last year. I think they were better last year than they are this year. I think Kirk Cousins is a frog, obviously. And I think that their defense is super overrated by guys that overwrite them like by naming. literally the only four guys on their defense like, yeah, they have names, but that's flash. You know what I mean? It's like they always, they're like, Oh, we bend but we don't break. It's like, Really? I just watched you give up 28 points a game. So like, I don't, I don't agree personally.

Rob Kelly : 25:40

likings give up 28 points again.

Dave Clarke : 25:42

Okay, well, that might have been a touch of hyperbole, but like I always, you know, I always spot them a few because I hate them. But I, yeah, I had six and 10 I don't see that. I think that they're so lame. And I think Kirk Cousins is like the embodiment of that franchise right now because there's nothing exciting about them and six and 10 grow. So

Michael Marcangelo : 25:58

we got 12 and four, eight and eight, six and 10. I feel like the right thing to do here would be the difference. Oh, really. And just say eight Nate also is my pick. So we're for the Vikings at at at eight now. I'm going to change up the things that I that I sent you in the pre show apologize for it. Green Bay Packers. I think Aaron Rodgers this is the year where you really see him collapse only because he's going to be asked to not be As much of Aaron Rodgers as he was before, he's gonna be told to hand off the ball more. I think you're gonna see a big, big disagreement between the coach and the quarterback. Again, I also don't think that they have a lot of elite talent on offense. I'm sorry. I just don't think they really do. I'm going to say that the Green Bay Packers will finish this year at six and 10

Dave Clarke : 26:48

I had eight Nate for the Packers I think it's up and down again for them. I think that Aaron Rodgers Yeah, I agree with you. I think this is the year we're gonna be looking at Aaron Rodgers just start to flounder. That being said, I've been saying that about Aaron Rodgers for about four years now. And it might be wishful thinking on my part because he might be still like a top four quarterback and I might just be completely out of my mind, but I think that their running backs are like good on paper guys. And I don't actually think they're gonna make like a ton of scoring plays for them this year. I don't think they have a lot of size in that department. And I think that they're going to end up falling back on Rogers arm Bye bye. Halfway through the season, and that's why I think it's going to be like a neat neat thing. I think they are going to try and protect them like you said my butt and like try to work them less and try to like whatever it but it sounds to me like you You think he's gonna get into an argument with another coach. So you just think Aaron Rodgers is an asshole then?

Michael Marcangelo : 27:38

Well, I just think that unless the game goes exactly the way that he wants it to where he just gets to roll out and throw it wherever he wants to then he's gonna

Dave Clarke : 27:44

be you think he's a prima donna? Yes. Okay, fair enough. I'm happy to have that be. I don't. I don't know if I thought that before right now, but I'm happy to have that be true about him as I hate him. But go ahead, Bobby.

Rob Kelly : 27:56

I definitely don't think that's true. And I think the foot Yes, he was pissed when they dropped the drum love. Anyone would be the starting quarterback and they draft the quarterback in the first round instead of wide receiver. Yeah, I'd be pissed too. You see him in practice in the training in training camp. He's sitting there teaching Jordan love exactly how to throw their screen passes. exactly where to put that ball on those outs. He's not a prima donna. He's actually doing good but the kid also to go off the To go off the runningback point, Aaron Jones had 16 touchdowns last year so the man does make scoring plays also they added bc great AJ Dillon to the mix who has bigger thighs and say Quan I had him attendance six.

Michael Marcangelo : 28:38

So we have six and 1010 six and DK What was your pick? Eight Nate

Unknown Speaker : 28:45

feel you need you know

Dave Clarke : 28:47

everyone in the NFL is going eight and you

Michael Marcangelo : 28:48

know what I might make I might make an executive decision here and go with the Packers we'll finish six and 10 that is that is gonna be on our record to submit we're gonna live and die by DK soared

Joe Malkin : 29:01

ami seconds to swear again and I have two points that I want to jump in on here is that Nick foles is not an uncompetitive human being and to say that there's something else going on there. You don't sign a contract as Nick foles like he's never treated it like that anywhere. You never treated it like that in Philadelphia. I don't see him treating it like that in Chicago. Matt, Patricia is also not going to be the first coach fired in season and I'll get to that when we get to the AFC cragin ratio.

Craig D'Alessandro : 29:35

I actually disagree if you do, I think my Patricia will be the first qualifier and I think this wine scene will be that bad. Also, as for the rest of them, you know, the only reason the Vikings didn't win that division last year is because they lost twice to the Packers. I think the Vikings are actually gonna look pretty good this year. That's that's that's just me, though. Cricket.

Rayshawn Buchanan : 29:56

Listen, I'm Mike. I love you, man. I really do. But really, really with a straight face. claim that Detroit's gonna go 10 to six, let alone win the division. Um, you spoke about Bobby being asinine, bro. You just went after nine times 10. let's let's let's just make that clear. Um, this is the Aaron Rodgers division. Come on. You I

Joe Malkin : 30:24

disagree with you on that. I think the Vikings are winning this division.

Rayshawn Buchanan : 30:28

What? That's cool. And you can like that joke, but I like Aaron Rodgers. I'm riding with Aaron Rodgers on to me when he's on. He's still the best quarterback and division. And he's still a top five quarterback. And in my opinion, the team just went home for last year. Like you're telling me they're going to jump off by six wins. Now I think there's going to be issue what's going on with joining love and I thought he was he was pissed off about that. But that may work in his favor. He says, Well, you know what, watch this. I'm gonna show you why his axe is going to sound the sideline and I'm gonna dominate his vision like I've done since I've been here in Southern firewall when you started in 2008. So like Aaron Rodgers is still the cream of the crop and NFC north on I think if I could spend a second but Green Bay was that division.

Joe Malkin : 31:09

All right, I have to I have to shut up and host and say that we need to move on to the NFC South. Because I disagree with rayshawn on so many things there but I also disagree with Mike so I'm just gonna be Switzerland and tell you that you guys have 12 minutes to tell us Why the saints Falcons? Tampa Bay, Tom Brady's and Carolina Panthers will have the seasons that they will. Ready, set, go.

Michael Marcangelo : 31:35

Yeah, so I'm not gonna waste any time here. Let's just start with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers I have them at 12 and four. I think that the reason that they that they do go 12 and four is that they're going to lose a couple of games early. I think it takes a long time, especially with no preseason games, to build up that chemistry. But I also think that there's too many talented individuals on that team, let alone that offense. That defense was a top five NFL defense last year. Now you have Tom Brady, Rob gronkowski, the Sean McCoy Leonard fournette along with the other array of talented they have an offense 12 and four for the Bucks my Bobby

Rob Kelly : 32:12

so for the bucks for me, I I go 10 and six and I'll tell you why. How many years in a row. Have we seen the team that won the offseason now? not be as good as advertised. All right, well, I share with the Browns there's the air with the Eagles where they signed every single free agent. It's it's a trend that when a team wins the offseason, they don't win the season. It's just a fact. I expect a good not amazing season from Tom Brady. I see them at 10 and six enough to make the playoffs. Tom's coming home at seven anytime soon.

Dave Clarke : 32:47

Yeah, I mean, I don't have any evidence to support this. I know that we try to do that but I just have a gut feeling so I'm gonna explain it to you guys. I think that the Bucs have all the hallmarks of that team we've seen the Falcons Be it like a couple years in a row. You know that team that like just like pumps themselves up in the in the regular season and they win like a shitload of games. And all the people that can't really see that they've got big holes are going like oh, yeah, like they have the best record so they must be like the team that's going to go far. I think I know we're not doing playoffs yet, but I think they're gonna lose in their first playoff game, but I also think that they're going to go 14 into

Michael Marcangelo : 33:23

it. So I mean, I guess like what holes Do they have DK like just named named two. quarterbacks

Dave Clarke : 33:28

their quarterback is 43 years old and

Michael Marcangelo : 33:31

the great and the greatest of all time glad Bobby.

Rob Kelly : 33:33

No, he is he is the greatest of all time absolutely 100%. But they also have running backs that haven't proven themselves in this league. They have a coach who, although has shown that he can succeed and put up high scoring offenses, he hasn't shown that he can succeed, which ships in real actual meaningful games.

Michael Marcangelo : 33:57

Yeah, but we're not we're not talking about championships. Right now we're talking about the overall regular season record. You just said that Bruce Arians who took that any Indianapolis team to an 11 five record has not proven himself. That was Sean McCoy and Leonard fournette are not proven running backs in this league.

Dave Clarke : 34:09

Why did for neck cut though? Like why? Like why? You know what I mean? It's like that's suspicious,

Michael Marcangelo : 34:14

because he's probably a prima donna just like Aaron Rodgers.

Dave Clarke : 34:17

Okay, well, then it's a prima donna on your team. You know what I mean? Like you're looking at, you're looking at a situation where you have all the talent in the world. This is why I think this is I've decided this now I knew I had a gut feeling for a reason you have all the talent in the world and that'll shine like we're you know like a Kyrie Irving Celtics team that will shine through but mentality wise once you get in the playoffs you got to be like all they're like you got to have team spirit and they're going to play the saints twice this year and the saints both times are gonna show them what a unified and like very well lead and like well practice team looks like. So they'll go in they'll beat up on shittier teams in the NFC but when they play the saints, they're going to get punched in the mouth twice. I guarantee it like I guarantee it. Drew Brees is going to be his eyes are gonna be on fire. It's his division. It's that whole narrative.

Michael Marcangelo : 35:01

I'm just gonna say like you said 10 Bobby said 10 six you said 14 and two we'll just stick with 12 and four. That's what it said the Bucks will go okay for this year. The Saints are the next team the league and this division that we're going to discuss. I think that the saints will go 11 and five just one fall one game back of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers I think if Drew Brees is able to stay healthy this year and get production out of the manual Sanders this offense We'll be scary. I just don't know about that. I don't know about that division and I do think this is the year that this is the year where you do see Drew Brees his age catch up with him, because he relies on the long ball. Tom Brady doesn't the deep ball is part of your bruises game. And if you cannot make those throws, he's gonna be in deep trouble. The saints will be 11 and five

Dave Clarke : 35:46

I think I feel like that's that's a little unfair on Drew. I feel like you're saying that this is the season that any quarterback like over the age of 35 is going to explode. And it's just like not I just don't know if that's fair. It's not my case. Besides Tom Brady, I guess I feel like Drew Brees has actually always had to play with his brain and when you have a player like that, in any sport, you you kind of get a couple more years of longevity out of him because he's so little. He's always had to be really smart the way like where he throws the ball like he doesn't have kind of natural size advantages over other quarterbacks so and he's Yeah, I mean, relies on the long ball but like, you know, the guy completes so many passes. You know what I mean? Like he moves the ball so quickly and like he sets the tone For that whole division you know every team has to be built to beat Drew Brees and and the New Orleans Saints is the are the Buccaneers like was it? Do we just got to go get Tom Brady because we can or was it like we need to figure out how to how to beat the saints twice this year. And I don't think that they have figured that out. I actually agree with you on 11 to five because i don't think i think he was going to take a little bit to get going after last year. But and I think that maybe there's a couple games where it's like, whoo, I tweaked this what's going on here, which always happens like in a year like this, but

Rob Kelly : 36:50

yeah, I think 11 and five to actually I fully agree with you. I think you're being a little unfair to Drew Brees, but I think they will still lose five games. I think it's 12 and four. I see them winning the NFC South. And it is because of Drew Brees and Sean Payton. Those two have the best chemistry between a head coach and quarterback in the NFL right now. Along with maybe the best wide receiver in the NFL right now, who's also on my fantasy team. I think their defense makes plays can get the ball back for drew when it matters most. We've seen it before. I think the Saints Go 12 and four and win that division.

Dave Clarke : 37:28

So we're just gonna 11 of two to 211 and five, so you gotta say,

Michael Marcangelo : 37:31

yeah, we're gonna go 11 and five here for the saints. Yeah,

Unknown Speaker : 37:34

sorry, Bobby

Michael Marcangelo : 37:36

in the division is gonna be the Atlanta Falcons. I'm gonna go ahead and tell you right now, I think that they are mediocre at best, and I will wait towards their best I will say that they will go eight and eight. I think that the difference maker on this team this year is Todd Gurley. If he can be the Todd Gurley of two to three years ago, this team has a chance to be really really fucking good. Because then that Ryan does not need to throw the ball 50 times a game, you can actually hand off to a guy that can that can finish the job for him. But if this is the Todd Gurley of last year, this thing could freefall quickly, and we could be looking at a five and 11 team. I'm gonna say eight and eight but that is the best record. I think it could be the share.

Rob Kelly : 38:15

Yeah, Mike, I completely agree with you. There were Todd Gurley is absolutely the X Factor in this offense we've seen with Dan Quinn's team before when they have a winner. legitimate running back to back up that passing offense there widget to the point where they were up I don't know if you guys remember 28 to three in a Super Bowl before I don't know if you guys remember that game at all huh? No, I'm gonna go eight and eight. I see Dan Quinn also possibly as another coach out before the end of the season he was already on the hot seat coming into this year. I don't see anything changing unless girlie steps it up. I say eight and eight. And they're right on course with Matt Ryan the most mediocre and average quarterback in the NFL.

Dave Clarke : 38:58

Oh, that's so unfair on I thought you're a BC guy so unfair on Matty ice. But he does love losing and championship situations though. It's like one of his favorite things to do which is very unfortunate because I don't know if you remember his last game for bc but he did the exact same thing. I do. Um, it was that's how I knew with that in that patriots. Anyway, sorry. Nevermind. So back to back on course I'm already voted on the Falcons. So I think you're just going to go with that record. But I will say this about them. There's no way Todd Gurley Like, comes back as two years ago, Todd Gurley, like he blew his knee out, like essentially the way that people blow their knee out in movies. Like how I thought you blew your knee out, because I watched like the jersey on Disney Channel. Like I thought that's what like blowing your knee out was what? Oh, but then it turns out like they can actually fix like, 99.9% of the injuries and you're like 100% fine, like Adrian Peterson came back from an ACL tear in like, eight seconds. And like, and like and then like Todd Gurley is like, I blew my knee out and then it's like, oh, I think he has like arthritis. I heard that at some point.

Rob Kelly : 39:53

It was like the weirdest saga of like, is Todd Gurley. Like gonna play in the Super Bowl that year? It was just like what is happening? Go ahead, buddy. More important, the Carolina Panthers who are next. We just had our first Disney Channel the jersey reference ever on the Sunday night sports wrap won't be the last and that's worth mentioning because that was probably the best show ever on TV.

Michael Marcangelo : 40:14

So we were all in agreement Panthers eight Nate.

Unknown Speaker : 40:17

Yeah,

Michael Marcangelo : 40:18

great. Okay, next team row Falcons. Sorry, Falcons. Eight. I got a little ahead of myself. The next team that we're gonna What is Carolina Panthers? I'm gonna say that they're going to go six and 10 here's the reason if Bridgewater can increases downfield accuracy then maybe they have a shot to be a sneaky good wildcard team. But I think that most teams are going to try and suffocate Bridgewater sorry if Bridgewater can improve his downfield accuracy, but most defenses will try and suffocate McCaffrey and which will force Bridgewater to use other options? No. Greg Olson the big he's gone. I think Bridgewater is a good story. I just don't think he's a good quarterback. They're going to be six and 10

Dave Clarke : 40:54

I feel like Matt he's got like Matt Cassel disease, right? Because he like played really well coming in as a backup and then like, it's like, oh, Is he good? Is he good? Sick now, he's just been reading the playbook for, you know, however long so it's like he knows the plays he can run on but now he's in a new offense and his offense he's got to prove it. He kinda reminds me I don't know if you guys remember Chad Pennington but he kind of plays Chad Pennington where he's like he's like wicked accurate over like 3.6 yards of a throw. But if you ask him to throw like six to six to 12 yards, it's like no telling where it's gonna go you know, and like I remember I watched Pennington like complete like 80 passes in a row one game but they were all for like 2.6 yards and I completely don't know if those numbers are accurate but yeah, I feel like Bridgewater is not the real deal. They are gonna rely on McCaffrey. He's gonna get just pumped and beat up for the entire season. He'll put up numbers like if you have on your fantasy team. Don't worry, like he'll still score all their touchdowns but like, Yeah, no, I think what would you say like the Panthers records

Michael Marcangelo : 41:49

makes it six wins.

Dave Clarke : 41:50

six wins. Sounds good. I go with six wins for the Panthers. Yeah, that'd be it might be high Philly that might be high for the Panthers but i would i would take six

Rob Kelly : 41:57

Yeah, I think it's a little high. I have my foreign 12 This is a complete rebuild. There is absolutely nothing left from that original Carolina Panthers team. Everyone is gone. Even the star studded linebacker Luke Lee and other bc great. Foreign 12 it Matt rule is going to be a good coach. I really do believe that. But this is not the year for that. I think six is too much. I think it's four and 12 probably five My five as I say, 511 feels like the right thing to do here. So we had the Panthers at five and 11 this year.

Joe Malkin : 42:30

Okay, cool. Wow, a minute and five I thought we were gonna go over with the Buccaneer talk at the beginning, but I just want you guys are hilarious. Where Bobby makes the comment about Peterson and then Mike completely turns it around and uses it with Brady after giving Bobby shit about using it for Peterson and literally literally said the same thing. So and then, and then Bobby, with Boston College. First of all, every guy from Boston College is the greatest and when it comes to Matty ice, you're like, this guy sucks.

Rob Kelly : 43:02

just terrible. The reason for that? I know we're not supposed to talk right now, but I feel like I have to back that up is because of the Virginia Tech game where that and that game after he won that Virginia Tech game that was such a letdown to me that I will never forgive him for that. He's, he's he's close to me, and he always has been.

Joe Malkin : 43:20

So I personally agree and I like Matt rule as well. Think that he's gonna have a tough time coming from Baylor from the big 12 and then coming into this division with such a tough team because the Falcons at eight Nate and the Panthers at five and 11 I don't know if the Panthers will win a conference game and if they do they're gonna have to squeak win out against the Falcons but Craig and Ray go ahead we got about a minute.

Craig D'Alessandro : 43:44

I just have Yeah, I just have you know, Bobby took the words right out of my mouth. Yes, this patriots team I can I'm sorry. This this buccaneers team this year? Just Oh, I know. Right. Just reminds me so much of that goddamn 2011 Phalke Eagles team because they came in dominated the offseason because they could spend the money because they were just coming off the CBA they could spend as much money so what they loaded up nominee awesome. Why, why? cornerback and all those other players and then they just stunk they just that this. This team just has that stink of them this year and surely added. They added all those weapons in this offseason, Mike Evans Chris Godwin gronk Oj Howard. LaShawn, McQueen, Leonard fournette. Great. Only three those guys were good last year.

Joe Malkin : 44:34

Yeah, and one's gonna be done before the fifth week of the season because there's no way gronkowski gets through this entire season. And I agree with Dave that they will not win in the playoffs and everybody has them winning the Super Bowl. Not going to happen. Ray, go ahead.

Rayshawn Buchanan : 44:49

Yeah, um, I do think that Tampa doesn't win the division. I do think they lose, like an indivision around. Um, you know, and my, my observation, but as far as Carolina like I agree with Carolina record, I mean, I don't think my room was going to do that well, personally. Um, but to me, they are you messed up by not jotting Isaiah Simmons from Clemson, right. So when they had when they had the chance to draft him, they didn't draft him. It's like, this would have been the great air parents to loot quickly. So the fact that they didn't draft the name of the defensive tackle from Mr. Bernstein who was a good player last year, but I mean, I say Simmons was was a B so yeah, um, Tampa Bay should win this division. Um, I no longer trust Drew Brees. Um, you know, yes, you're disagreeing

Joe Malkin : 45:38

a lot here because I didn't mention it and I don't I don't mean to cut you off, but I actually think the saints are going to win the division the Buccaneers are gonna be a wild card team.

Rayshawn Buchanan : 45:46

Oh man, either way. Either way. Both teams have made the playoffs. Absolutely. But I just I think what drew brees um, I mean, how many chances can you get I mean, a guy has been to the playoffs. He had a few eight and eight years as well down there in New Orleans. So, um, you know, they say who that gonna beat those saints but it seems like everyone's been no saint. So just a matter of is he actually gonna get it done once again, he has the talent there, but somehow some way, um, they either get screwed or they screwed themselves. So

Joe Malkin : 46:17

Alright, and on to the last division in the NFC. The NFC West, where we have This is an interesting division to me. So I'll let you guys take it the Seahawks, Cardinals. Rams. And why am I blanking on the 14? Nine years? Niners that Oh, that the best one? No. All right. Sorry, guys. Go ahead. 12 minutes starts now.

Michael Marcangelo : 46:38

All right, I'm gonna go ahead and just leave this off here. I think that the Seattle Seahawks will win this division will be probably the number one number two seed in the NFC. I had the Seahawks at 12 and four. I think that the you know, because the offensive line has been secured, they will need to give Russell enough time to make the throws to his wide receivers and to Greg Olson, who will come in handy for them in the red zone. Seattle is at their best when they want to do the ground and pound along with the tough defense. I think losing clowny kind of sucks for them. But I think this is the year that Wilson cements himself as a top three NFL QB, maybe even Wednesday MVP this year. Seahawks will be 12 and four.

Rob Kelly : 47:17

I completely disagree with that. I think the Seahawks are maybe the most overrated team in the NFL right now. What they do and what they have done for years is they rely on Russell Wilson. You say they secured the offensive line. Why wouldn't you

Dave Clarke : 47:33

I just rely on your best player just go like why

Rob Kelly : 47:36

everybody does that need to rely on them but you got to protect him and actually give him something that he can actually work with there. I mean, I know he has so he has walk it and Metcalf. I know honestly, I think that there but one of the best wide receiver duo's in the league now. I just don't see it. For years This team has been averaged even though having one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. You guys hate on the Cowboys so much how they can't do anything in the playoffs. Guess what? These guys losses, the Cowboys in the playoffs? All right. They are a mediocre football team at best, who have nothing short of Russell Wilson, DK Metcalf and Tyler Walker. I see them at nine and seven. And that is strictly due to Russell Wilson. If Russell Wilson goes down, God forbid this team goes three and 13 four and 12 they literally have nothing Outside of him nothing

Dave Clarke : 48:26

I sort of actually agree with a couple of things you said I think he puts I'm glad he put some respect on my namesake with DK Metcalf though I love that guy because you know we share we share made up initials but and I think that yeah i think that um I think you're being a little unfair to the Seahawks I think that Mike might be puff them up a little bit but you can't really in the same sentence be like they don't have anything outside of Russell Wilson. Also DK Metcalf is good. It doesn't work like that. It's like they either do or they don't but it's fine I to him and Jamal Adams, but I was also thinking I was thinking I was gonna leave Mike but then you remind me that they lost the Cowboys the playoffs which is mad and then we're but we're also not talking about the playoffs and I think that the whole crowd thing was like made up for them. I don't really think that that was like oh, people are coming in scared and like the decibel levels like a few years ago is like that, whatever. But uh yeah, I think Russell was is really good. I've always thought he was better than it seems most people think That he is and I think that he does have weapons like we've been talking about his weapons and I think that Craig, Greg Olson, former bear is perfect for that system and I am leaning like 12. And for the Seahawks,

Rob Kelly : 49:37

I and even if they were 10 and six I still think they'd win that division to be honest with you, but for you make your executive decision, Mike. Let's just remember the Legion of boom is a very long time ago that defense is no longer good. Yes, they have Jamal Adams, they just acquired him. But did that make the Jets defense good? No. You have Jamal Adams with with that's not fair. The Jets that are where people go to die. That's not a tear. That's a terrible comparison. atolls defense right now besides Jamal Adams jumped off the page at you absolutely nothing.

Unknown Speaker : 50:07

Bruce Irving thing.

Rob Kelly : 50:10

Bruce Irvin

Michael Marcangelo : 50:12

preserving Yep.

Rob Kelly : 50:13

Yeah, I mean he's he's alright. He's not amazing, though.

Michael Marcangelo : 50:17

drawn read. Yeah. Yeah, so the executive decision has been made for for the Seattle Seahawks. Next we're gonna go to the San Francisco 40 Niners

Rob Kelly : 50:28

I'm posting all my posts after this

Dave Clarke : 50:31

no you're on our team you're on our team this is these are your official predictions for the season I

Rob Kelly : 50:36

feel like I should have been on Craig and Joe's team they seem to be agree with you're trying

Dave Clarke : 50:39

to jump right in the last division roof almost made it to the end did you're trying to jump ship. Nobody's gonna play the game yet. The ship is

Joe Malkin : 50:46

crap. I just want to say we're just five seconds. I am going to strongly disagree with you in my two minutes Bobby. Okay, that's how

Michael Marcangelo : 50:55

I know that I'm right. So now the San Francisco 40. Niners are going to go nine and seven. I think Jimmy G is a good quarterback. I think I think we have the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl hangover is real. I think losing Goodwin and Sanders will make it harder for him to get the ball downfield. He'll have to focus more on kills and that's not going to be good for anybody. Nine and seven for the 40 Niners Bobby, go ahead.

Rob Kelly : 51:19

I just agree. I think the 40 Niners

Dave Clarke : 51:22

what else is new. You don't want To be honest, he didn't even go to the school

Rob Kelly : 51:27

except posted him just saying what I'm thinking. Listen, I think that this team is real. I not only do they have probably the best running game besides the Ravens in the league, but they also found another big piece of that running game in the playoffs and Raheem mostert. They added another piece to that running game that was already second, actually. I think they were first in the league last year. They got Tevin Coleman Raheem mostert and then I think one of the more underrated underrated wide receiver corpse in the league. I think debo Samuel is an absolute stud and a playmaker. Plus, you know, when even mentioned cattle coming over the middle, alright.

Dave Clarke : 52:08

Oh my God, he's rhyming now. I just did dirt the 40 Niners defensive team.

Michael Marcangelo : 52:14

Hold on before you do that. What's the record? Bobby?

Unknown Speaker : 52:18

13 three.

Dave Clarke : 52:19

Oh my god, you know what you should go on the other team.

Michael Marcangelo : 52:23

We don't want you

Rob Kelly : 52:24

They were 33 last year. All right, Jimmy, jeez another year. Oh

Dave Clarke : 52:28

God, they gave him 21 points in a quarter in the Super Bowl. Bobby, they're all gonna be so upset all year mahomes doesn't matter. That's not how players think

Rob Kelly : 52:38

him that played the 49 or every team that played two chiefs in the playoffs last year gave up 21 points to Patrick mahomes in the fourth quarter.

Dave Clarke : 52:46

So that's not that's just an untrue statement that happened like two times and both to both terrible teams in the playoffs. Terrible teams. Yes, yes, that's that's gonna be the new Raptors because the 49 or stink are gonna go what we're gonna do all right. 40 Niners fucking stink.

Rob Kelly : 53:05

Do not that team is gonna go 13 and three. At worst. absolute worst that team is 1105. Isn't Richard

Dave Clarke : 53:13

Sherman still play there?

Rob Kelly : 53:15

Yeah. And he was just

Dave Clarke : 53:16

going to cry for the entire season about Are you kidding me? Have you ever heard him speak? I actually I don't even want to get by Richard Sherman because I actually think that he upsides to his personality that we didn't initially see

Michael Marcangelo : 53:28

TK pick for the 40, Niners

Dave Clarke : 53:30

seven and nine.

Rob Kelly : 53:33

That's out of spite right there.

Dave Clarke : 53:34

I was gonna say nine and seven but then you made me mad they stink.

Michael Marcangelo : 53:39

Alright, so So why don't we just split the difference and just call them 10 and six. Is that is that is that fair? Fair.

Dave Clarke : 53:45

Okay, were there 10 wins are coming from that's just that's outrageous. We need there. I'm just being

Unknown Speaker : 53:49

magnanimous. Now,

Dave Clarke : 53:50

Eris bears for those 10 teams. Excellent. I go ahead. Thanks, Tim. is the is the Arizona Cardinals and I think that this is it. I think they're gonna be sneaky. Good team. I think the best wide receiver and DeAndre Hopkins will just help Murray in his sophomore campaign. I also think that Drake is running back is really good. I think Fitzgerald Kirk. You know what I like this offense. I'm going to go ahead and say that the Cardinals will be 10 and six. It I think that Fitzgerald should be in like the league at this point. If there was one for football, he's like a million years old. I think That's such a crazy thing. It's Kyler Murray software season he's due for a slump especially a player like him. I think that he's coming in people kind of know what he's about. Now there's game tape on him. It's just it has all the red flags all the hallmarks of a slump offensively for him. He's able to move the same way. Like they're gonna trap them. They're gonna spy on them. He's it's gonna be it's, it's gonna be so predictable and obvious six and 10.

Rob Kelly : 54:47

I'm with Mike on this one. I Wow. I know betrayed.

Dave Clarke : 54:51

This is like a Shakespearean.

Rob Kelly : 54:54

I see the Cardinals as the surprise team in the NFL this year. Actually. I think they're going to be that team. No one sees coming. I see the Cardinals with the new toy DeAndre Hopkins. I think Kyler showed last year why they had to give up Rosen and go up and draft him and give up on the free regimes plan I guess. And then now after last year, you add the best wide receiver in the NFL to the team or maybe the best wide receiver In the NFL, I know where but up with the Cardinals right now. I see 11 and five for the Cardinals,

Dave Clarke : 55:30

you don't actually didn't think of is that they get to play the 40 Niners twice. So that's going to have the record a little bit so you actually I'll go with you guys.

Michael Marcangelo : 55:37

Yeah. All right so Cardinals 10 and six. Last team in this division is the Los Angeles Rams. I'm gonna make mine really really quick. Jared Goff is one of the if not the most overrated quarterbacks in the NFL. I think Jay Cutler was a better quarterback than Jared Goff ever will be. I think that the Rams will finish four and 12 this year. dk Go ahead. Ah,

Dave Clarke : 56:03

yeah, I agree. I do think Jay Cutler was a better quarterback than Jared Goff ever will be. I also agree that he's overrated. And I think that they have like a minor rebuilding situation on their hands, that people are like quietly not noticing about them. I think that they've kind of slowly lost pieces that brought them through to where they needed to be. championship wise and then like the second, Todd Gurley wasn't in the team, they got completely found out in the Superbowl two seasons ago. they handled him like I was trying to I was kind of making the point about earlier how weird the injury was they handled him so well so poorly that I just feel like that's, that's got like, that's just bad juju for me. You know, it's like, it's bad front office care. It's bad anytime in any sport where you get like, why aren't the medical staff good? You know, like, why didn't you hot? You know, it's just like, you didn't you don't hire good people. You're not Runwell over there. Like, there's just organizations that are Runwell and organizations that aren't like, Ryan paces my GM so like, trust me. Um, but yeah, I think eight and eight for the Rams bet. Best case scenario.

Rob Kelly : 57:04

For the first time in this entire thing. I agree with both of you. We said different things. No, but you both said the Rams are overrated, that they're not going to do anything this year. And I agree with you. It is completely just because of Jared Goff. I think Jared Goff is bad. I don't think he's average. I don't think he's you know, anywhere close to a quarterback that you can win with In this NFL I think as soon as you took Gurley out like you guys said he got exposed. Not only that, but as soon as the league saw how belcheck handled McVeigh's offense, it was rap. It was over that entire And not only that, the way that he straight up s bills D right on the 50 yard line before that's me, just was the end of the Sean McVeigh war.

Dave Clarke : 57:47

I'm just happy to be here guys. I'm just happy to be here. I respect you. So

Rob Kelly : 57:52

in the Super Bowl, what the hell

Dave Clarke : 57:54

are you doing? That was when Bill knew he had

Rob Kelly : 57:57

it. But um, I like you said I don't think he has grown to lean on. The prototype for NFL success to two years ago will now be in the NFL and NFC basement in 2020. I see them at 1610

Michael Marcangelo : 58:11

Alright, so six and 10 is where we will put the Los Angeles Rams Go ahead, Joe.

Joe Malkin : 58:16

I'm gonna let rayshawn take the lead on this one because I have a lot to say and I feel like Ray might too.

Rayshawn Buchanan : 58:22

Yeah, um I think there's a lot of disrespect for the San Francisco. Yes, they were up 10 Amanita sewable. But, um, since Jimmy G's been there in 2017 they've done nothing but when when he's been on the field, um, when he's not on the field that they're you know, then you could say they're pretty trash because they are That's a fact. Um, the balls not going to be in his hands for him to either win or lose the game in my opinion. So that's what's going to help them still be successful. Um, I think they you know, they just an alignment to help out the office line in the first round so San Francisco is going to be fine. Um, that being said, I have Seattle winning this division. Um, Russell Wilson when he is on is also a top five quarterback and I think that yes, they lost a Dallas I mean, that's that's never a good thing. But I feel like when he's always there, he's he's a top five guy, and I think they have another Super Bowl. Run ended. I'm not saying it will be this year, but I didn't have another run in them. So with the progression of DK Metcalf let's say getting Jamal Adams was huge. Listen, the judge test but what he did was irrelevant, but he was a good player there. Um, so they get another pro ball guy in the secondary, I believe that he's going to do well. And I just think like I said, you know that that division usually shows back and forth. Um, and so say to speak to Mike's point earlier. The NFC north is not the most competitive division it's actually the NFC West of the XP especially now with someone like Kyler Murray coming in there being someone that had a good season, and I don't see him having a sophomore slump like he could he does really well he can run so whether they have a spy two spies I spy you spy we all spy whatever, it doesn't matter. I think that he'll have a good season. So vice I guess he had a winning So go ahead, Joe.

Joe Malkin : 1:00:14

Craig, go ahead.

Craig D'Alessandro : 1:00:16

I actually defer my time to you because I know you're just going to go about to go off.

Joe Malkin : 1:00:19

Yeah, I am because the Seahawks are absolutely going to When the West and Bobby I mean, you sit there and you're like, well, they don't they don't have any weapons. Well, Chris Carson is pretty good in the backfield. Tevin Coleman is now there. They do have an old Greg Olson, but that you're just adding a veteran onto a veteran offense. Their defense has always been a good defense. And no matter what you say about Russell Wilson, or say about his head coach Pete Carroll, since 2011, the Seahawks have gone sorry, since 2012 11, and 513, and 312 and 410 and 610, five and one, nine and 710 611 and five, there's no way they don't go 12 and four, with the way they've bolstered that team, and just their track, record it breach speak to going anywhere so that the 40 Niners also all of you are giving them so much disrespect, they're 11 and five, but they're finished second in the division they get the wild card. Shanahan is a plus as a coach, and the reason why Jimmy gravel. The galloping chicken is going to be a good NFL quarterback is because he learned how to be a game manager under Bill Belichick. And he's learning how to be a quarterback under Kyle Shanahan that that 40 Niners team to me and this might be the hot take of the of the NFC side of things is like chiefs like that's that to me. That's what they are. And for to Dave's point about Richard Sherman crying, Richard Sherman is one of the most intelligent players in the NFL. And I just think he's very emotional. And I don't think in 20, you should make fun of him for crying. And that's all Oh, and the last thing I have to say, the Rams. The best thing for the Rams owner, Stan crunky. Is that Dan Snyder is still an NFL owner.

Michael Marcangelo : 1:02:12

Yeah, that's correct. So just kind of give a little bit of a rundown here for the NFC East Division winner. We have the Dallas Cowboys at 10 and six, and then for the NFC north. Again, executive decision, we're going to put a little asterisk on this, I'm going to pick the Detroit Lions at 972. To think that's

Dave Clarke : 1:02:31

going to work that they just lost this escape. So,

Michael Marcangelo : 1:02:33

to win that, to win that division, we also have the Bucs at 12 and four in the NFC South. And in the NFC West, I believe we can do a pretty general consensus minus Bobby, that the Seahawks are gonna win the division at 12. And for now for the three wildcard teams, I will let DK start.

Dave Clarke : 1:02:52

So I think despite my objections, our first wildcard pick is the 40 Niners right we're putting them through to definitely be I think

Michael Marcangelo : 1:03:01

in that division things the saints.

Dave Clarke : 1:03:03

Okay, the fine Well, I thought they're gonna win the division but fine, we'll say saints.

Craig D'Alessandro : 1:03:07

Uh,

Dave Clarke : 1:03:08

yeah, okay, fine. We'll say saints is our first wildcard pick. What do we say the saints we're gonna finish out a load of 511 and five. Yeah, okay. We'll say the Saints for our first official two point bonus wildcard pic. Who did we put through Who else do we put through as wildcard.

Michael Marcangelo : 1:03:23

I think that is I think the next logical decision is either the Cardinals or the 40 Niners. So the I mean, we haven't both at the same record. I think now I think we should probably lean more towards Bobby here and say that the 40 Niners are talented, they will make the playoffs. I mean, my pick would be the 49 to 10. Six.

Rob Kelly : 1:03:43

Yeah, I'm with I'm with 40. Niners. Okay.

Michael Marcangelo : 1:03:47

And the final pick our final wildcard submission. I think we have to go ahead and just say it will be a nine seven bears team that makes that the wild side.

Unknown Speaker : 1:04:01

We can't

Rob Kelly : 1:04:02

but we picked the Cardinals at

Dave Clarke : 1:04:05

11. During the same division,

Joe Malkin : 1:04:07

you can still have it as the 40 Niners you can still have two wildcards from the same division. I don't know how it works with three.

Michael Marcangelo : 1:04:14

Yeah, but I think I think that we have to pick the Cardinals because they have a better record because we can't do a consensus of 10 and six.

Dave Clarke : 1:04:21

Yeah, but you picked the Detroit Lions to win that division. We have to try Get some points back with

Michael Marcangelo : 1:04:24

NFC North gonna happen Dude, you just you just fucking wait. It's going to happen he will thank me at the end of the season. Alright, you're

Dave Clarke : 1:04:31

tying

Joe Malkin : 1:04:32

the train tracks right now when three teams from the NFC West make the playoffs

Rob Kelly : 1:04:37

who feel like we have all right. So that kind of throws everything off when it comes to the playoff picks though, because the lions winning that division automatically takes out teams. I mean, I had the Packers I thought that division was gonna get three teams into the playoffs. Vikings bears Packers.

Dave Clarke : 1:04:55

So you think bears for the third wildcard Picton

Michael Marcangelo : 1:04:57

right that there it is the bears. Yeah, at 97.

Dave Clarke : 1:05:03

So happy to see that game. Thanks, guys. Thanks

Joe Malkin : 1:05:04

for So just to clarify, too. I mean, with the two game cushion that's very possible where the niners could finish nine and seven or 11 and five, but the bears could also finish 11 and five and get the wildcard so or they could both fish 10 finish 10 and six. So make sense.

Michael Marcangelo : 1:05:20

The Saints, the bears and the 40 Niners in at the for three wildcards for the

Dave Clarke : 1:05:28

What's it for us then

Rob Kelly : 1:05:29

card or just make the playoff

Craig D'Alessandro : 1:05:31

and that'll wrap up episode five of the SMS w podcast I'm Craig D'Alessandro executive producer of the SMS w network tuned in episode six is to hear the AFC predictions with Joe Malkin Rachel became and then myself Craig D'Alessandro and this is your first time finding us please consider subscribing. It's the easiest way to see we publish new episodes. The SMS w podcast is a one hour weekly two hour monthly podcast recapping the biggest stories in the world of sports with Linda Whelan flavor, the show notes and transcripts. Today's episode can be found in the description box below, as well as our WordPress and buzzsprout pages. We are on iTunes, Spotify, Google and wherever you generally get your podcasts. Be sure to rate us leave a review of any of our shows. We always appreciate your feedback, and be sure to follow us on social media. All of our links will be in the show notes for the MSW crew. I'm Craig D'Alessandro. Thanks for listening.