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Happy New Year ! Christmas Sackings & NFL Wildcard Weekend Preview
18 Plays2 months ago
United and Chelsea sack managers
- Do you agree with the decisions?
- Which job would be more appealing to you?
- What team has best chance to finish top 5?
- Predictions for next permanent United manager
NFL Wild Card Preview & Predictions
- Rams vs Panthers
- Bears vs Packers
- 49ers vs Eagles
- Jags vs Bills
- Texans vs Steelers
- Patriots vs Chargers
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction and New Year Greetings
00:00:11
Chino Onwuka
Hello and welcome to another episode of the love of the game. Happy new year, everyone. It is 2026.
00:00:20
Chino Onwuka
For those of us here on the pod, for those listening, I think it's a blessing that we're here to see this day. And, you know, thank God for another year. And I think looking forward to amazing things this year.
00:00:34
Chino Onwuka
With that
Holiday Gift Highlights
00:00:35
Chino Onwuka
being said, I'm joined. We're running a duel today. I'm joined by my main man, Chukku. Chukku, say what's up to the fam.
00:00:42
Chuku
Hey, what's up, what's up, guys? Good to be back. Happy New Year's. Hope you all have been, you know, living the well with the fams. You know, got to help, you know, if you've been able to have a good holidays and spend with the fam, then that's a blessing.
00:00:55
Chuku
I'm glad to be back 2026, ready to give the people what they want. And there's a shame we're not going to with one of our brothers tonight, but, you know, we got to do what we can. And, yeah, looking forward to this to this episode. Let's go.
00:01:09
Chino Onwuka
Speaking of, let me ask you a question. What was your favorite present that you got over this over this holiday day period?
00:01:19
Chuku
Hmm, good question, good question. I'd have to say pre-Christmas, but still counts, would have to be tickets to see Dave Chappelle live.
00:01:29
Chuku
That by my brother, that's a solid gift right there.
00:01:30
Chino Onwuka
Okay.
00:01:33
Chuku
So I'm going to go with that.
00:01:37
Chino Onwuka
You know, I can testify to that because I i was also there. It was was a very interesting show.
00:01:41
Chuku
Yes, you were.
00:01:43
Chino Onwuka
It was a very interesting show.
00:01:44
Chuku
Yep, to say the least.
00:01:45
Chino Onwuka
The special is now out on Netflix. So if you haven't caught it, you know, go check it out. Netflix, you feel free to to slip us a little something for that for that free advertisement.
00:01:55
Chino Onwuka
For me... wifey got me a great, great gift. And this was totally a surprise. And I think this is something that people who listen to this part will appreciate.
00:02:06
Chino Onwuka
She got me a a scrapbook of the football history of Arsenal as told by newspaper headlines. So this book and some people dictionary goes through the history of Arsenal from 1913 until as recently as the last North London Derby.
00:02:18
Chuku
Golly.
00:02:27
Chino Onwuka
in newspaper headlines and that was just so dope like i i never has spared it so i don't know
00:02:33
Chuku
That is a mod gift.
00:02:34
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, I don't know where she got the idea from, but it is.
00:02:34
Chuku
Hmm.
00:02:37
Chino Onwuka
It made my day, made my week. And it's pretty cool just, you know, re reliving some history or looking through some history I wasn't as familiar with. And then it was pretty cool from up until about 1998 when I became a huge Arsenal fan. And just I could literally remember every single game as I was going through the different headlines. So that was a pretty cool gift.
00:03:01
Chuku
No, no, 100%. That's an amazing gift. Very sentimental of your girl, or wifey, I should say, to send that to you. give that to you because that would have taken a lot of time.
00:03:13
Chuku
Is it like she made it for herself or she found a book that actually contains all this information?
00:03:13
Chino Onwuka
yeah no
00:03:19
Chino Onwuka
yeah no she didn't make it but there's a company that does produce them so it's got me thinking like even i think they have one for not just
00:03:20
Chuku
Yeah.
00:03:25
Chuku
Oh, okay.
00:03:29
Chino Onwuka
you know, the Premier League teams, they have one for different sports as well. So it's got me thinking for, you know, some of my, my man and some of my, my female friends as well, you know, that'd be a cool, a cool present to get for, for a loved one.
00:03:42
Chino Onwuka
So, you know, if you're looking for ideas for future, yeah.
00:03:43
Chuku
100%. I mean, how did you even come up with that idea? It's crazy.
00:03:47
Chino Onwuka
Yeah. If you're looking for future gifts for, for, for someone who's into sports, you know, check that out, check that out.
Premier League Managerial Changes
00:03:54
Chino Onwuka
Okay, so yeah, let's let's dive right into it.
00:03:54
Chuku
Nice plug.
00:03:57
Chino Onwuka
So we did take a little bit of a break during the holiday period, you know, honestly, sometimes just need you just need a second to recharge the batteries, you know, spend time with family and we've done that and I think we're rearing, we're charging rearing to go.
00:04:13
Chino Onwuka
you know, into the new year. And there's a lot, a lot has happened in the sports world between, you know, the world of football, NFL, basketball, you know, NFL, you know, the playoffs are about to start. We're recording this on a Friday night, January 9th, just before the wildcard weekend stat starts.
00:04:31
Chino Onwuka
You know, you have the, especially in the English League, you know, the festive period is always jam-packed with games and not just games, but lots and lots of drama off the pitch. So we're just going to start there.
00:04:42
Chino Onwuka
And really what we're going to focus on today is in the Premier League, two of the biggest teams in England, two teams in the big six, both let go of their managers or coaches, however you want to call them.
00:04:58
Chino Onwuka
you know Starting off with Chelsea, Maresca, after a draw came out and gave a very weird press conference where he talked a little bit about some of the things he was unhappy with. he it seemed directed at the board.
00:05:15
Chino Onwuka
couple of days and games later, he was gone. And then almost following the same playbook after a game,
00:05:24
Chino Onwuka
Ruben Amorim comes on and gives a so strange press conference himself, insisting that he is the manager and not the head coach. He will do his job, let others do their jobs. And by think about 48 hours later, he was gone. So we're just going to discuss that, those decisions, the fallout, what might happen next.
00:05:46
Chino Onwuka
And I guess I'll just start with a question. do you agree with the decisions? And you can speak to you know the Chelsea decision and the Manchester United decision individually.
00:06:00
Chuku
We're going with both or are we – thought we were starting with the Chelsea. What are we doing?
00:06:05
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, we can we can let let's talk let's start with Chelsea first since that that happened and then we can talk Manu. So do you agree with the decision to let go of Enzo Mareska?
00:06:12
Chuku
Yeah.
00:06:16
Chuku
I guess it depends on the perspective they're looking at it from, because if I was a Chelsea fan, which I want be clear, I'm not. I would definitely look at it as the wrong decision, because i would say i would like to say out of all the managers that they've hired in the last couple of years...
00:06:36
Chuku
Maresca has been the one that I thought was doing the best job with what he had, quite frankly. And I mean, when you know dive deeper to the situation at Chelsea, some of the things I was you know reading and hearing about, I mean, I can understand Maresca's frustration when basically whole story behind the...
00:06:57
Chuku
basically you know the whole story behind the the you know the You know better, you know, but help me out here. Like the health, like the treatment board, board the people who basically treat the players at the club. Right.
00:07:11
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, the physio stuff.
00:07:13
Chuku
things you write The physios, the fact like that I'm know reading and learning the at Chelsea, they do things a little bit different where they have their own, it's like a separate physio unit that is almost independent of the club that kind of makes you know final decisions as far as players playing time and their eligibility to be able to play on a given match day and and what they're allowed to play or how many minutes they're allowed to play.
00:07:40
Chuku
I mean, quite frankly, I thought the know the job of the manager was to kind of, you know, seek their advice and then be the one to make the final call when it comes to things of that matter, such as, you know, whether the player actually makes it to the pitch and if they do, how you know how much, you know, minutes they are given.
00:08:00
Chuku
But I guess at Chelsea, you know, they they do things a little bit different. So I mean, knowing what know has been leaked and spoken about since, no i guess, pre-firing and then after the separation of the of the two, would have to say as a fan, would definitely be on the Maresca side of things as far as feeling like that's a wrong decision to let him go.
00:08:26
Chuku
Now, if you're looking there from the perspective of the of the board, I mean, of yeah, I mean, you have the moment. your manager that you've employed starts to speak out the way he's been speaking out, you know, something has to be done, right? And I guess, I just guess the the Chelsea board must have reached a melting pot where there wasn't and there wasn't any going back and the they they just determined this the league wasn't going to be, you know,
00:08:51
Chuku
a situation where they're going to win anything at least major as far as the league is concerned. So if they're not going to win the league, they felt most likely they can probably get someone else in who can probably still help with securing some sort of European position and you know,
00:09:08
Chuku
and keep things pushing, you know, and not have to be hearing, you know, all the press conferences that Mariska has been making with each game that goes by. so look, the end of the day, man, all this is showing me, again, back to the fan lens of things, is that Chelsea at this point in time don't look like a serious organization that are vying to be, you know, winning majors, at least on a consistent basis, especially with the model that they've shown, you know,
00:09:38
Chuku
over the last few years of purchasing young talents and, you know, pretty much rotating these talents over after, you know, year season by season and not really developing much, you know, apart from, you know, Nicole Palmer signing and maybe another one or two there I'm missing here. Estabal, I guess, on top.
00:09:59
Chuku
There hasn't really been really much earth shattering, you know, name breaking sign is that, you know, this current or the board has brought into the club. And, you know, you just have to wonder, like, what exactly are the goals of the of this board at Chelsea? If I was a fan, I'd be questioning it because.
00:10:19
Chuku
This is not what it takes to to win leagues, at least to be consistent in that manner of vying for a major honors. And this model that was we've been watching and seeing you know build up for the last few years is is not it as far as buying and selling young young talents as if they're stock options or you know basically by low and try and sell high type of ordeal. So I'm just coming our with a lot of questions about the board is really where I'm at. And, you know, I wouldn't blame any Chelsea fan, you know, for having such questions because looking at their situation from the outside looking in,
00:11:01
Chuku
Moresca definitely was within his rights to voice his frustrations with the with the club. And at the end of the day, i just think he's destined for you know better things as far as you know being with an organization
Chelsea's Management and Strategy Issues
00:11:16
Chuku
that's going to be willing to provide him the tools that he would need to succeed right away.
00:11:21
Chuku
And, yeah, I'm very interested to see where Marissa goes because he's definitely, he's caught my eye with, know, some of his, you know, the tactics and his ability, know, his coaching no coaching skills. I personally think he's going to find another, you know, another opportunity. He's going to have another opportunity to to, you know, to manage at a top club. So I'll be very interested to see where it goes.
00:11:43
Chino Onwuka
it's It's interesting that you that that last point you just made because you know obviously when the situation happens, you get briefs and leaks from both side both sides. and you know What you're hearing from the Chelsea board is they're saying or part of their decision to to make this move is because Maresca was talking to City and he you know he'd been approached twice or he'd had two meetings with them. so you know you know We'd seen a report earlier in the year that you know if this is Pep's last year, and so Maresca is one of the candidates that they're looking at, and then you you know you you hear that there's been discussions between the two parties already, and so you know maybe there's some smoke and and fire to that situation. you know I wouldn't be surprised you know if Pep does leave, if that is where Maresca ends up, because he was he did spend time there as an assistant manager.
00:12:38
Chino Onwuka
And, you know, really, you know, to your point as to sort of what seems to be the the environment he was working under at Chelsea, he would definitely be going to more stable organization, you know, with City Football Club and City Group. And especially in terms of what theyre what their motivation and what their goals and what they're driving towards is because, yeah, like you said, you know, I...
00:13:07
Chino Onwuka
I do not... If I was a Chelsea fan, I would be upset because to me, any issues that you know are driving Chelsea's underperformance and frustrations, to me, I would place them more on the board than the coach you know mareska you know he's come in they gave him a mandate as a as a young coach and what's he done he's with the with the players he's been given very young players he's won them a conference league which is he's gotten them into the champions league you know they were
00:13:45
Chino Onwuka
briefly flirting with, you know, their entitled contention early in the year. And they've, you know, as much as we've joked about the tournament, they they won the club World Cup, upsetting PSG in the final. And so, you know, obviously there were expectations this year.
00:14:01
Chino Onwuka
They stood it up playing well, you know, culminating with, you know, their 1-1 victory against Arsenal that brought them the title. And, you know, they've we've seen a slide from there, which I think has exasperated a lot of the frustrations behind the scenes. But, you know, we've spoken on this part that Chelsea is sort of like one of the most confusing teams we've had to to follow and discuss on because...
00:14:27
Chino Onwuka
The Chelsea that I know that I grew up with, unfortunately, is is a Chelsea that was ruthless in in that their one motivation was to win trophies and the biggest trophies.
00:14:37
Chino Onwuka
And everything that they did, the way they, you know, let's be clear, you know, pushed the envelope. And I'm going to cheated, you know.
00:14:49
Chino Onwuka
the The way they they bought players, the amount of money they spent on players, the firing and hiring of coaches was all with the one pursuit of winning the biggest trophies.
00:15:01
Chino Onwuka
And in my in my mind, that's what I think of when I think of Chelsea, just roofless and in that. But then these new owners, yeah they're splashing the cash, you know, to a similar extent as the old Chelsea did, but...
00:15:15
Chino Onwuka
Like you said, like their goal is a player trading model where it's by young players and you know, you you you you you go through the growing pains with them, all the awards and as they start to develop, then you flip them and buy another player and then you're just in a constant cycle where you're not you're not growing and you have talented players but there's no leadership.
00:15:38
Chino Onwuka
So it's just really weird. I don't know what's going on at Chelsea. A big part of me is happy that they're this dysfunctional because, know, with the amount of money that they've spent, you know, you put that to the right players. That's a team that that a lot of teams would fear that would be, you know, perennially at the top of, you know, the English league table and and vying for Champions League as well. So,
00:16:09
Chino Onwuka
I don't think it's the right decision. They clearly want someone that they can control whose job is just to be a a head coach and just manage the players in the situation that he's been given.
00:16:24
Chino Onwuka
You know, I think that makes it tough for any manager that's going to come in there. So they have... They have made their hire. They've hired Liam Rosanoir, who was pre and i know i butchered that last name but forgive me who was previously at you know another Blue Coat club in Strasburg. So they've negotiated with themselves to bring him over to Chelsea.
00:16:46
Chino Onwuka
Strasburg gets screwed again, but he is their new manager. Chukwu, do you have any thoughts or any expectations on their replacement hire?
00:16:58
Chuku
I'll be honest, I'm not too familiar with his coaching scheme and and what he brings know in that department. But what I will say is, no the little I do know about Strasbourg, I mean, last year they seem to have gotten know managed to go to get into Europe, which for them know must be a huge accomplishment, right, with how the French league is set up.
00:17:21
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
00:17:22
Chuku
So, I mean, i'm I'm interested, right? I'm interested to see what he's able to implement in this Chelsea squad. But yeah, I just have to second yeah you know second your your thoughts on on the Chelsea board. And this appointment just screams, you know, hiring someone that is already within the no except within their model, their club model, right?
00:17:45
Chuku
Negotiating within themselves to bring in the their Strasburg manager. And yeah, you know He seems to have been doing a good job at Strasburg, so who knows, man? He could come in and do some some good things. But I will still you know still say, looking at the situation as a whole, if they're going to continue this model of what we've been talking about, of buying young players and shipping out, you know,
00:18:11
Chuku
players as like, you know, as like like a stock market or like option trading or something, you know, with when it comes to with players, then I just think the expectation and like what's going to actually come out of it is just can only be so much because there's no way in my no opinion,
00:18:27
Chuku
You can, at least in this in today's game, be consistent and be trying to win major honors with a model that doesn't really no necessarily encourage buying the best or truly at least close to the best players available.
00:18:47
Chuku
but rather just buying or stockpiling just young talents and hoping that one of them, you know, emerges and, you know, try and sell the others for a profit. It's just, i don't know. I just don't see it working long term.
00:19:01
Chuku
I could be wrong. We'll find out, you know, as this coming seasons come along. But,
00:19:07
Chino Onwuka
it it It can work right if you're adding to it. I think the issue with the way they're doing it is it's a constant churn in that, okay, you buy them young and then you develop them and then you sell them and start it all over again.
00:19:20
Chino Onwuka
You know, two questions, thoughts on Rosenor. I think Even though Chelsea are the ops, a part of me is you know secretly rooting for him to do well in his personal career because you know it's weird to see a a one he's beat british a a young black coach at this level of the game. I think the only other one we have is Vincent Kompany and he's doing...
00:19:46
Chino Onwuka
great things at Bayern, but this is a a young black coach. So, you know, I wish him the best. I wish him the best. I don't know if I wish Chelsea the best, but I wish him the best. And, you know, one of the things I wonder is, you okay you know, as for a young coach, and it's funny because guess one of the clubs that he played for. Where do Chelsea seem to get all their players and all their coaches from?
00:20:11
Chuku
Oh, I see. Brighton FC, the Seagulls.
00:20:15
Chino Onwuka
Yes, he did play for Brighton at once one point of time. So that's that's just a funny answer, though.
00:20:22
Chuku
That's funny.
00:20:24
Chino Onwuka
But it's one of those things, you know, in terms of, you know, not knowing what to expect. Again, I i've i know he he did well at Strasburg last year. You know, they got into Europe. And part of that is that Blue Coast spent a lot of money and a lot of the players that played for Strasburg are players that Chelsea, quote unquote, bought and then, know,
00:20:43
Chino Onwuka
gave to Strasburg, but, you know, you know, he's like a lot of the the young managers these days, you know, he seems to have certain principles which are attacking play, positional football. And so I think, you know, I've heard him speak a lot and he's very well spoken. I like some of his ideas.
00:21:02
Chino Onwuka
So it's one of those things is, is he somebody as he comes in, is he able to get the the dressing room on board with him? But then my thing is, okay, let's say he does, he comes in, does well, gets the dressing room on board. As he grows and does better, will he now start to chafe and have the same reservations that Maresca did as he started to get bigger?
00:21:25
Chino Onwuka
Because I think that's always going to be a
Manchester United's Management Challenges
00:21:27
Chino Onwuka
problem is at some point when you're a manager, you're going to want to get to a certain level. And if you feel like what the board is doing is restricting what you're doing, then you will be frustrated about that.
00:21:39
Chino Onwuka
And then not only are we going to see a cycle on the player side, are we just going to start to see a cycle on the coaching side as well? Because Mureska is not the first person to leave Chelsea because of this, you know, it's funny.
00:21:52
Chuku
Porch.
00:21:53
Chino Onwuka
One of them, when this new ownership group came in, one of the things they said is, you know, we're going to be more stable club that we were under Abramovich. We're not going to be firing coaches every year.
00:22:03
Chino Onwuka
we wanted to have a long-term plan. But I mean, how many coaches has it been now? It's been Tuchel, a couple of interim coaches I'm not going to remember.
00:22:14
Chino Onwuka
there's been There's been Potter, there's been Pochettino, there's been Mariska.
00:22:14
Chuku
watch
00:22:19
Chino Onwuka
So they've just been going through coaches like like Matt over there. And so are you just going to see a cycle there as well?
00:22:24
Chuku
But
00:22:26
Chino Onwuka
So... That is really interesting. And then, you know, that was, you know, enough of a shockwave as well. And then just not too long after, a similar thing happens with Manchester United and Ruben Amorim being let go. So I'm going to start on that one in that, you know, as much as I would have loved for them to give Amorim more time, I think he...
00:22:55
Chino Onwuka
I think they made the right decision, but for the wrong reasons. And let me explain. You know, listening to the reports, it doesn't seem like they let him go because of the results.
00:23:07
Chino Onwuka
They let him go because Amorim was upset in that he'd obviously he'd come in and he told them, this is what I want to play. I want to play 3-4-3. You might need certain players for it. you know He had them within touching distance of top four, which I'm sure the whole club wanted. He's asked for signings, and they haven't given him signings, and they've told him to deal with what he has now, but they've also told him, oh, we want you to play a back four.
00:23:39
Chino Onwuka
And he feels betrayed and backstabbed about that. And he's pretty much throwing a hissy fit so that they will fire him. So I just think that's weird. I think on one hand, i think just because of results, Amriem should have been let go. When you look at all the statistics, he is the worst Manchester United manager of all time.
00:24:05
Chino Onwuka
You look at the winning percentage, he's been dire. The football for a lot of his reign has been dire. You know, they finished what 15th last season.
00:24:16
Chuku
in your experience.
00:24:20
Chino Onwuka
They have a glimmer of hope against a Tottenham side that finished 17th. That could have gotten them back in the Champions League. They lost that game. And you know, his his being too principled and sticking to that 3-4-3 formation, even when it wasn't working.
00:24:38
Chino Onwuka
So I think he he could have been let go for at so many points in his reign. and And it's just really perplexing that the reason they let him go was not because of performance.
00:24:47
Chuku
Thank you.
00:24:52
Chino Onwuka
Because I do sympathize with Amirim in that.
00:24:56
Chino Onwuka
He told them before he was hired, this is the way I'm going to play. They hired him with that. So I think it's a bit hypocritical. Maybe it's not hypocritical, but they knew what they were getting when they hired him. So any blame for any of Amorim's failings, some of them are on him, but a lot of that is falling into to the board as well. If it's 3-4-3 he wants to play, then you have to back him to be able to support that formation, that style of play as he fits.
00:25:33
Chino Onwuka
you know i I know a lot of people were excited you know at their signings last year, but I think we said on the pod that, you know yes, their attack looks good, but it wasn't balanced. So why why they decide to spend $170 million on attackers?
00:25:49
Chino Onwuka
And I felt that they could have signed two attackers and one midfielder, and they could have gotten better balance there. Yeah. I agree with the firing of Ruben Amrim, but I do not agree with the reasons why, because I think he should have been let go due to performance, not due to them, you know, similar situation. They don't want a coach that that essentially talks back to them. i don't know. What do you think?
00:26:15
Chuku
yeah fair Fair enough. Look, I'm just going to just go on a – I mean, I'll have my thoughts on the whole you know United situation. Quite frankly, I think this is definitely more on the board.
00:26:27
Chuku
Amaran was his own issue. Don't get me wrong. Like, he definitely did the he definitely did things not to help himself without a shadow of a doubt. But I just think in a lot of ways, Amaran was brought in to be more of a scapegoat in my opinion.
00:26:44
Chuku
Even with the whole situation with Rashford, like when he first came in, I feel like part of his acceptance in the role, I think the board didn't want to pay Rashford the money he was paying. And I think Amorim, again, that could be totally way off base, but I definitely feel like the board used Amorim as a scapegoat as far as ensuring that Rashford was run out of the club.
00:27:10
Chuku
I also believe that, you know, with the whole situation with the board, they're the ones that decided to bring in to bring Amran midway or part of a way through this the the season.
00:27:24
Chuku
Right. Because as far as, you know, it's been reported, Amran was know the man that United wanted for the job. But the thing i about it was, I believe Amirim at the time i would have preferred it right to be brought in come the end of the season.
00:27:39
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, he wanted he wanted to come in at the end of the season, yeah.
00:27:42
Chuku
Exactly, right? But they decided, no, this was they they wanted him in right away. And who knows the exact reasons why wanted him right away, but that's what they they wanted. They got what they wanted. And then to top things off, you bring the man that you wanted, but then, he's like you said, you know brought up already, you know he has a system that he wanted to play, to deploy, whether it was to his no benefit or to, in know this case,
00:28:08
Chuku
to his downfall, he was going to live by his principle and his you know his beliefs as far as a manager and play how he wants to play. But the club clearly didn't have that same vision and weren't willing to provide him the players that were needed. so It begs the question, if that's the case and that's how you guys how you felt about things, why even bring this, like why were you in such a hurry or in a rush to bring this manager in?
00:28:36
Chuku
There's a lot of questions name on that we're not going to have an answer for today. But I mean, if I was a United fan, I'd be looking again at the, similar much to Chelsea fans, I'd be looking at the board with with with a side eye because I'm not no understanding what the what's going on there. but Look, at the end of the day, this was a firing that probably should have been done a lot sooner, to be quite frank. You know, in my opinion, this should should have been done start of the season, like, or sorry, ending of last season, if if they really wanted to be.
00:29:07
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, that's my point.
00:29:10
Chuku
If they really wanted to be take this this particular season seriously with the additions that they made, but they didn't and decided to keep him through or keep him till no Christmas period. And, you know, funny thing is like, I mean, look, look, I'm i'm a United hater. I hate United with, you know, with a passion.
00:29:30
Chuku
But I will be willing to admit that you know there are some talented guys on the United team. like i'm not goingnna Let's not sit here and act and say if United ain't got talent.
00:29:37
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, they have a devil really good player. So that's why, like I see what you're saying and blaming the board, but I think, like, Ruben Amorim, I think, like, now he was trashed.
00:29:54
Chuku
He didn't help himself. I'll give you the, he did not help himself one bit, but again, i feel like he, at this point, in my opinion, I just think he knew what it was as far as like, once he got there and realized the board wasn't backing his vision for what he wanted to bring to the club.
00:30:12
Chuku
At that moment, Amriem had checked out in my, in my opinion. I just think he was ready to get fired.
00:30:16
Chino Onwuka
and and yeah And here's what I think is happening, right? Like, i start matt I think this is sort of where it can be tough.
00:30:19
Chuku
Hmm.
00:30:24
Chino Onwuka
I think they hired him and very early it was like, uh-oh, this isn't working.
00:30:34
Chuku
Yeah.
00:30:34
Chino Onwuka
But the problem is they weren't brave enough to pull the cord as soon as possible. Like you said, that was probably a decision.
00:30:41
Chuku
and so yeah
00:30:43
Chino Onwuka
Once he didn't win the Europa League, to get them back in Champions League. To me, that's we have to be brave enough to be like, you know what? I messed up. And, you know, some of these guys at their level, it's hard for them to admit that they messed up.
00:30:59
Chino Onwuka
So instead of letting him go in the summer, they back him and they give, they spend $170 more million on signings. And you know what?
00:31:10
Chuku
But you know what it is, Joe?
00:31:10
Chino Onwuka
Yeah. Yeah.
00:31:11
Chuku
Not to interrupt you, Chinob, but do you know what it is?
00:31:12
Chino Onwuka
isn it
00:31:15
Chuku
you know you but I'm being sure you're aware of this, but like you know but about like with Amram, there was this clause in his contract about and the timing of his firing, how much United would have to pay as far as...
00:31:29
Chuku
can't remember how it was exactly formatted, but like if they had fired him earlier... They would have had to pay the higher, you know, payout to Amron.
00:31:38
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
00:31:39
Chuku
Right.
00:31:39
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
00:31:39
Chuku
So I think that definitely would have played a role because look, when you look at the sign-ins they made this summer, the sign-ins they made, i wouldn't say, like, I think we can agree. is The one really sign-ins for the manager per se, rather than there were more sign-ins for the club.
00:31:50
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, exactly.
00:31:53
Chuku
Like they, like regardless who the manager what which was going to be the next, you know, know,
00:31:58
Chino Onwuka
i agree with you there. I agree with you there. And, and, you know, I didn't know about, I think maybe I had heard about it, but to me, that's still the thing is if you, they still made the decision where they chose money over having the right guy to home the club because I, think
00:32:13
Chuku
Yeah, and that's so back on but and that's us back on the on the board. yeah they there
00:32:17
Chino Onwuka
yeah, that's what you're right. It's aberrant for not being the right man to lead man. You, and it's on the board for making that decision and not cutting bait. And so now it's just funny because even though United weren't really you know, pulling up roots this season.
00:32:37
Chino Onwuka
At the time of his firing, they were still, what, like two points off top four?
00:32:43
Chuku
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:32:44
Chino Onwuka
I think, mean, it's like, that's why, and maybe, yeah, this is more to your point. I just think the reason they're letting him go is just weird because...
00:32:55
Chino Onwuka
If anything, and it's to your point where maybe they didn't want to back him, but they could have backed the club still rather than him by signing some midfielders early.
00:33:06
Chino Onwuka
I'm guessing they didn't have they don't have the money to do that, which is why they said no, and then he got pissed and left.
00:33:14
Chuku
See, i wonder if this is the money or if they just didn't want to back him with the signings he wanted to get wanted to sign as far as in their midfield.
00:33:21
Chino Onwuka
right but But even if they didn't want to back him, it's quite clear where they're hurting, and that's in the midfield position. So even if they do the same thing where they buy a midfielder that could work for the next manager, like that would have been a very big thing that could help them get Champions League places this year.
00:33:41
Chuku
See... I hear you, but then I feel like what what im putting i i'm looking I'm looking at it from the board's perspective, right? And I hear you on the midfield, right? People complain about the midfield, my United.
00:33:54
Chuku
But I'll be frank, i feel like the midfield more exposed because of the style of play and how United play.
00:34:02
Chino Onwuka
true true true yeah yeah when you make 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 the makes more sense yeah
00:34:03
Chuku
You know what saying? Like, when you look at the names they actually have there, like, don't know. Look, I'm not saying anyone of those world beaters or anything like that, right?
00:34:12
Chino Onwuka
when you make it
00:34:12
Chuku
but
00:34:13
Chino Onwuka
four three three or four two three one the midfield makes more sense yeah
00:34:16
Chuku
more sense because you have you have you have you have you have ergate and we've seen that you know lissandra martinez can do a job in midfield as well like the they the problem making is their names that they have that i feel like in a different system sure that i'm not saying they're going to be world beaters or we're going to be winning the league or anything But I promise you, they would look more compact and or at least a better watch than they would be trying to implement this 343 system that has Mason Mount being one of the forwards in the in the in the in the three. I'm like, what's going on there? And like...
00:34:58
Chuku
you know, Bruno is playing like this weird 6-8 role that like having to like be a big defensive cover next to a Casemiro or know next to an Aguilar that doesn't really, you know, both these players, they're just getting exposed pretty much in the in the midfield by, you know, so i don't know.
00:35:15
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
00:35:17
Chuku
I just think like the end of the day, I'm sticking with, i I have a strong belief United i wanted to fire him, fire Amaran probably, you know, a lot earlier, but I think they chose, what they what they did was they chose to wait wait it out as far as, you know, waiting for a cheaper time to to cut him off or cut it caught caught him loose. And now, they you know, they're going to be looking to find, you know, a suitable replacement who, I mean, in my opinion, I i mean, don't know how other United fans feel about it, but I just think you know, social show right now seems to me, seems to be the most ideal fit, in my opinion, for right now and long term.
00:35:58
Chuku
I mean, wouldn't, if I was United, I wouldn't mind taking a, you know, a shot at a Glasner from Crystal Palace with seeing what he's been, you know, cooking up. Even though I understand from United fans, you know, this fear of, you know, oh, another manager that employs the three, you know, three at the back system.
00:36:16
Chuku
i would I would argue that that's more of a necessity at a club at like Crystal Palace rather than it being the manager's like actual you know preference of choice when it comes to setting up a team. Because Glasner in the past has set up teams with a four in the back prior to you know his Crystal Palace stint. And I just think...
00:36:37
Chuku
he He brings a new sort of you know philosophy and idea to the you know to to to a club. but again mind you obviously if If they can get some higher-rated managers, there no so be it. you know like i know I've heard Nelly fans talk about Nigel's men. I've heard them talk about Xavi. I've heard names they even like Zidane.
00:37:01
Chuku
I doubt the lot of the being Xavi and Zidane come to United. But yeah if you can get you know even an Nagelsmann to the club, I mean, you know that that also makes sense. But and end of the day, I just think...
00:37:17
Chuku
Without a shadow of a doubt, a new manager with it just just implements something like you know simpler simpler for the players that are currently at the team, at at the squad, is going to be a much needed you know difference for those United players that right now kind of been you know living off scraps as far as you know with with the the creation, the way they've been set up. you know is not really using players to the the the fullest of their abilities from if i'm being quite frank and mean perfect perfect example of this is what i've been seeing with with patrick dogel who know is brought in to be this you know left back wing back but i'm seeing him do a job i i i like the wing position left you know left to win left wing position or right we even seeing them at times in the right wing position Either way, like I just think the talent as a United is far greater than what we've seen being outputted in the last year and a half, you know almost two years at this point in time. So yeah, I'm mean interested to see who they you know who they do hire long-term. But you if you're a United fan, you've got to be happy about the know the second, regardless of the reason behind the second.
00:38:35
Chuku
Because you were you know basically the club is not going anywhere with em MRM.
00:38:37
Chino Onwuka
I think that's the interesting thing is United fans aren't happy because of the way it happened, because to them, it just, it brings up questions as to the capability of the board in that, you know, what I've heard from a lot of them is that they fear that this is just going to be a cycle where in a year and a half,
00:38:59
Chino Onwuka
there we're doing the same thing again. They don't trust the board to make the right decision because they clearly didn't get the hire right. And then the whole nature as to how this firing has come about doesn't look good.
00:39:12
Chino Onwuka
You know, I was going to ask you about, you know, who do you think the new manager should be? And you've sort of brought up some names already. know, it seems like, you know, Darren Fletcher's in charge right now. He's probably got one more game in then.
00:39:25
Chino Onwuka
Ole's at the wheel to the end of the season, you know, to bring some good vibes, you know, have the lad smiling again. But, you know, is he, are they going to then make a hiring, you know, come the summer once coaches are available? You know, yeah i think Glasner is your number one option. I think that'd be a good signing because, you know, Glasner, what people don't realize about the Premier League is you have coaches that would be coaching at the biggest clubs in other countries in Europe who now, instead of making that move, come and coach at, quote-unquote, mid-table teams in the Premier League.
00:40:09
Chino Onwuka
Unai Emery has great pedigree, you know won Europa Leagues, coached at PSG, coached at Arsenal. People don't realize that Aston Villa were 17th and four points off Four points off relegation when he left his club.
00:40:24
Chuku
for the
00:40:27
Chino Onwuka
I think it was at Villarreal or Valencia to go to Aston Villa. Oliver Glasner won the Europa League with Frankfurt and left that to come coach Crystal Palace.
00:40:42
Chino Onwuka
So that's the pedigree of these coaches. And he's clearly done a great job at Palace. He's won trophies. The question is, you know, does that formation work at a big club like Manchester United in the Premier League? In Italy, it's a lot more common.
00:40:57
Chino Onwuka
In the Premier League, does it work? i know you mentioned he's played four at the back before, but his principal formation is three at the back. You know, it's more of a about team that plays on the counter.
00:41:09
Chino Onwuka
how does it How does it change? What's he able to do when he's facing a deep block every game? Personally, you know we were we were doing this a year and a half ago, and and the name I'll bring up is, for me, still the same name.
00:41:24
Chino Onwuka
you know The board wants somebody that they can control. They want a head coach, not a manager. you know Is Glasner going to want to come under those restrictions?
00:41:35
Chuku
Don't wonder.
00:41:36
Chino Onwuka
I mean, to him, it might just be a step up anyway. But some of these other big coaches who might be free in the summer, like a Xavi, a Nagelsmann, or even a Tuchel, I think the reason they wouldn't go to Manchester United is if the board is saying, hey, we call the shots here and all you do is is manage what we give here, just the head coach. So I think those would be the best signings. That's the the type of coach they should be looking for, but I don't think they should they'll be able to get them.
00:42:05
Chino Onwuka
My pick is still going to be McKenna at Ispwich. You know, he was linked to them last time. They went with Amorim instead.
00:42:17
Chino Onwuka
I think he's good because he's a great young manager. He's British, you know, and he has a connection to the club. You know, one thing we found, you know, with Arsenal as we did our whole rebuild is...
00:42:33
Chino Onwuka
people tried to talk about, oh, well, Arteta was giving so much time. And you it's not an apples apples comparison. Even though Arteta was very inexperienced, was very young, it was his first coaching job, what a allowed not just the fans, but the board to stick with him is not just how he spoke, but his vision,
00:43:00
Chino Onwuka
his passion to change the club and part of that passion came from that connection that he had to the club as a former player and I feel like you know that's something McKenna could bring due to his past history at the club you know when you have somebody that has ties to the club where it means much to him it makes it easier to go through the hard times because you know that you know you almost feel like the same way that the same way it means to to you as a fan, you know, it means the same thing to them. And and that, that can help bring, you know, an underlying factor to to the situation as well.
00:43:41
Chuku
Yeah, no, totally agree.
00:43:44
Chino Onwuka
So we will see if I were to ask you, so right now, and this is crazy, Manchester United are one point above Chelsea in the table.
00:43:57
Chino Onwuka
United are in seventh place on 32 points. They are three points off of top four, one point off of top five, which is probably a Champions League place.
00:44:12
Chino Onwuka
And Chelsea are one point in one position below them at 31 points.
00:44:19
Chino Onwuka
Who do you think is going to finish higher during the season and... On top of that, who has the best chance of finishing top five?
00:44:30
Chuku
This feels so weird to say this. It really, it really, really, really feels weird to say this.
00:44:39
Chuku
But I'm picking Man United, man. I'm picking my United. And part of that is i just think like, look, say what you want about my United and how they've been looking the last year and a half, year, quarter, whatever you want to call it. Yeah.
00:44:55
Chuku
But quite frankly,
00:44:59
Chuku
When they get their attackers back, they want to miss out on AFCON. And you're bringing in a caretaker manager, whether that be Fletcher or whether that be, well, in my opinion, okay this is definitely barring if they bring social back. If they bring social back,
00:45:22
Chuku
I feel kind more confident in saying I think might not have the upper hand or better chance of getting top five out of the two. If they leave things with Fletcher,
00:45:36
Chuku
I'm not as confident in that. So my answer is definitely bearing on who comes in full time to be the caretaker for the season. But if from what I'm seeing, Sosha being hot name at the moment for that position, if he does come in,
00:45:55
Chuku
I'll be more inclined to believe that my United going to finish ahead of the us sorry the head of Chelsea in the top five race, simply just due to the fact that I just i just believe in their attack more.
00:46:07
Chuku
And I think having manager that's going to utilize the, you at least be better are you utilizing the talents that is available to you know to to them with the with the club.
00:46:20
Chuku
I just think, United will are you know are in a prime position to be able score enough goals that will get them enough points that will see them make that top five. Whereas with Chelsea, I don't know, man. i just i'm not I'm not a fan of their attacking options at the moment. And it's tough to believe. It's hard to say that because, I mean, i loved at some point, I loved Pedro Neto. But what I'm seeing from Pedro Neto as of late,
00:46:51
Chuku
Has me questioning the type of player he is. And if, you know, I even consider him a top winger, as I once did when back when he was at Wolves. You know, I'm looking at the other forward options, Garnacho, Giddens.
00:47:05
Chuku
I'm not moved by any way. Liam Dillap, Gial Pedro. does like I'm just looking at... I almost feel like they were better off last season with the attacking options they had versus what they have now.
00:47:17
Chuku
look In a lot of ways, if Cole Palmer is not firing...
00:47:23
Chuku
i I just don't see where the goals are coming from when when it comes to Chelsea. But with my United... Like Cunha, say what you want to say but Cunha, Mbomo, Sesco, see what Sesco is doing.
00:47:37
Chuku
And then backed by Bruno Fernandes and, you know, and Cole. You know, Ahmed still in the mix. I just think I just like those options better. I just like those options better. So for that reason and that reason alone, I'm picking United to be a surprise, bar that, you know, they bring in the good vibes with Socia back on the wheel.
00:47:56
Chuku
i think I think they have a better chance of finishing top five at the moment. Go by you.
00:48:01
Chino Onwuka
yeah I'm actually with you in that you know my pick is Manchester as well, but for maybe a a one one particular reason in that They're only playing one game a week.
00:48:15
Chino Onwuka
They don't have to contend with Europe. And so they can just focus on the Premier League. you know, they're going to get players back at AFCON. You know, always been there before he knows what to expect.
00:48:27
Chino Onwuka
You know, even throughout his journey, he's a more experienced manager than Liam Rosener. You know, the players will respect him. Again, you have that connection to the club. you know he's He's had them finishing second before, so you know with just one game a week, I think he's going to you know do enough to to get them in that top five position. you know I see it being you know Arsenal, Man City, Villa, Liverpool, and then Manchester United, i think is how it's going to finish.
00:49:03
Chuku
You think Newcastle drops off, eh?
00:49:06
Chino Onwuka
is is that where's Newcastle Newcastle sixth again if if we're saying top five right it's it's they have to beat out one of Aston Villa Liverpool in Newcastle to get top five so yeah so to me it's probably most likely to be Newcastle do you think it could be Villa or Liverpool
00:49:10
Chuku
Yeah, they're in the mix
00:49:21
Chuku
the mix. yeah that's chelsea Yeah. Chelsea and Minari will have to be that one of those three.
00:49:33
Chuku
Hell no. I mean, got to see what Liverpool do in the next couple, you know, in in this transfer window. But Villa, though obviously, to my in my opinion, look like the most secured in that top five outside of, obviously, you know, City and Arsenal.
00:49:52
Chuku
So, for me, that is that Liverpool, Newcastle, Chelsea, United? It's going to be a very interesting
Top Five EPL Predictions
00:50:00
Chuku
watch to see you know how things play out.
00:50:03
Chuku
But, honestly, I guess I mean, Isak, right? Isak, I know he's out for a minute. Is he scheduled to come back this season?
00:50:17
Chuku
Or is it more of like?
00:50:17
Chino Onwuka
maybe Maybe late in the season.
00:50:20
Chuku
Laying in season A. I mean, I guess I got to still pick Liverpool for a guaranteed spot at the moment. Just for the fact that they were previous champions and they still got championship pedigree.
00:50:33
Chuku
Going to be getting back Salah back, you know, Egetike is back healthy. Going to be looking to continue his form. I guess, you know what, yeah, yeah, I'll talk myself into, yeah, the Liverpool stays, Newcastle is the one that, I guess, will have a question mark on, but it won't shock me if I see Newcastle finish top five and that leaves both United and Chelsea out of the mix, you know, out of the top five equation.
00:51:00
Chino Onwuka
Yeah,
00:51:02
Chuku
It will not shock me one bit because, quite frankly, you know, yeah, and Newcastle, go ahead,
00:51:09
Chino Onwuka
it'll be between those those teams most likely, right? Because they're they're tied on points with United right now.
00:51:15
Chuku
Yeah, exactly. I'd like to form Newcastle a Bain. I mean, Wiesel has been... His impact no on the club, on the team, is not someone that they've been able to... you know I guess they've not had his you know had his presence you know, for long span of the season.
00:51:39
Chuku
And I think him coming in is bringing a different dynamic to that offense for Newcastle. The midfield has been great. You know, I mean, having come a pivot of Bruno and the Italian, what's his what's his name now?
00:51:56
Chuku
Tonali.
00:51:56
Chino Onwuka
To Nelly. To Nelly.
00:51:57
Chuku
Yeah, having that, you know, that's a great, like, I mean, a really, really good midfield combination that they have there. And I think, you know, Javi Barnes, Anthony Gordon, Ilanga, Murphy, like, they have, Newcastle have a squad now. don on don't don't Don't play. They they have a squad. So, I mean, end of the day, I just think, you know,
00:52:20
Chuku
Like said, won't shock me if you United and Chelsea don't make it to the top five, but it's going to be a close watch all all year round. So, you know, definitely going to be very fascinated to see how things play out the next couple of weeks for sure.
00:52:35
Chino Onwuka
Okay.
NFL Wildcard Matchup Previews
00:52:37
Chino Onwuka
It will indeed. So switching gears now, we're going to talk about the NFL playoffs. the The regular season is over.
00:52:47
Chino Onwuka
You know, 17 games have come and gone, and now it's time for for the games that really matter, you know, single elimination games to occur. It is wildcard weekend.
00:53:00
Chino Onwuka
the games, and and I'll just go over the matchups here. So starting tomorrow, we have LA Rams versus the Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers versus the Chicago Bears. That's the, those are the NFC games on Saturday. Then on Sunday, you have Bills, Jags, Chargers, Patriots, 49ers, Eagles, and Houston Texans Steelers. So Chukwu, we're going to go
00:53:31
Chino Onwuka
Division by division. And I'm going to give you a matchup and you're going to tell me who is going to win that matchup.
00:53:41
Chino Onwuka
First of all, actually, let me ask which game, which of these wildcard games are you most excited about?
00:53:49
Chuku
I mean, putting bias aside,
00:53:56
Chino Onwuka
Which you think
00:53:57
Chuku
I honestly honestly think the 49ers-Eagles has the best matchup as far as names, talents. I just think that is going to be a tough – I cannot believe that's a wild card game. That looks like a playoff – like you know a direct like you know playoff game from the jump.
00:54:17
Chuku
But i yeah my eyes are definitely on the Eagles-49ers. That matchup is – yeah.
00:54:23
Chino Onwuka
So we will we will start there then. who do you have coming out on top in that matchup?
00:54:29
Chuku
That's a tough one. I cannot even lie. That is a tough one. Because I want to say everything in me. want I want to say the Eagles. I really do. Because, I mean, if you're not, if you already know guys who, anyone listen to the podcast, I'm a huge Eagles fan.
00:54:44
Chuku
But with what I've been seeing with our play this year, it's been it's been, some games have been really tough watches, man. Like Jalen Hurts, the offense, we've regressed heavily to where we were, from where we were, you know, previously.
00:54:59
Chuku
49ers, I mean, I know they're dealing with some injuries. I'm not sure. Is there any word on Trent Williams if he's back? Or he's going be playing?
00:55:09
Chino Onwuka
Let me quickly search.
00:55:09
Chuku
Do we know?
00:55:11
Chino Onwuka
Let's see.
00:55:12
Chuku
Just two names to search. Trent Williams and George Kittle. are they Are those two going playing?
00:55:21
Chino Onwuka
It looks like they are both Trent Williams is questionable currently.
00:55:28
Chuku
Hmm.
00:55:29
Chino Onwuka
And it looks like Kittle is off the injury report. So it looks like Kittle is good to go.
00:55:35
Chuku
All right. Then, man, I got to say, my heart wants me to pick the Eagles. But I'll be frank, we've all been seeing with Brock Purdy, the way he's been moving and throwing the ball, and Kittle available.
00:55:53
Chuku
Possibly Trent's also available, possibly. And then he's still got the the the ridiculousness of Christian McCaffrey to worry about. Yeah, my head is telling me 49ers, man. And for that reason and that reason alone, I don't have to pick the 49ers.
00:56:08
Chuku
I just don't think the my Eagles... I worry about my Eagles, the offense this year, not looking as fluid as it was in the past, at least the year before. And i just I just see i see it being, and know, 49ers are going to be a slugfest. I don't trust my defense, at least in open coverage, as much as I have in the past. And I just think the 49ers are going to prove to be, you know, just be able to put more points on the on the on the board. So I'm going to go with the 49ers.
00:56:40
Chino Onwuka
Interesting, interesting. This is this is really either a great sign of growth from you or just the Eagles have been that bad for you to pick another the team over them.
00:56:52
Chino Onwuka
You know, I will still stand on it that the Eagles are by far the most talented team in the league, top to bottom, but I don't know what is going on with that offense. As somebody who...
00:57:07
Chino Onwuka
actually leaned hard into the Phillies offense in in in fantasy. had multiple shares of Jalen Hurts, had A.J. Brown, had Smith, and had firsthand witness to how terrible, terrible that offense is.
00:57:23
Chino Onwuka
it's This should be, they should be i think I had picked them as my team to make the Super Bowl. I think I had super Phillies Ravens you know at the beginning of the season.
00:57:35
Chino Onwuka
But even with how bad they've been on offense, I can't write them off. If the 49ers were fully healthy, that would different story. But I just think, you know, even if the offense is sputtering, their their defense is still really good and their offense going make just enough plays just to win it.
00:57:56
Chino Onwuka
You know what? I will i will still lean i will still leave Eagles for this matchup.
00:58:04
Chuku
mmm I like that
00:58:05
Chino Onwuka
will still i You know me. I'm somebody that I don't i don't move off my my feelings easily. it takes a lot for me to change my mind. And just everything, the behemoth that they were last year, the names that they have is still, at least for this round, I'm still going with the Eagles. Okay.
00:58:27
Chino Onwuka
Next matchup.
00:58:27
Chuku
okay
00:58:29
Chino Onwuka
And this one's probably, probably won't take too long. Rams versus the Panthers. Who you got?
00:58:39
Chuku
Man, easy peasy, all day Rams. I just, I'm not moved by the Panthers. I'm sorry. you know, it's been cute what Bryce Young has been able to do. I mean, shout out to their defense. They've been solid all year round, keeping them in games.
00:58:54
Chuku
But I just think, like, the the Rams offense, Again, i expect north Stafford with his experience, Puka playing out of his mind.
00:59:07
Chuku
i believe Devontae, I was hearing Devontae would be back for this, right?
00:59:12
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
00:59:12
Chuku
Yeah, Devontae would be back. Yeah, I just i just don't. if mean If you're telling me I got to believe in Bryce Young putting up numbers on the board to keep up with the Rams offense, count me out, man.
00:59:25
Chino Onwuka
meet
00:59:25
Chuku
I'm just not a believer.
00:59:27
Chino Onwuka
The Panthers did beat them in the regular season now.
00:59:29
Chuku
Oh, I'm aware. aware.
00:59:31
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
00:59:32
Chuku
i am aware. i mean, but I'm pretty sure in that game, Devante didn't play. I don't think Devante played that game, unless I'm mistaken. But I don't think he played.
00:59:44
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, because I was even going to say, if I was them, like give Devontae another week, let him rest up and get ready for the next round.
00:59:51
Chuku
Nah, nah, nah. It can't take no chances, man. i mean when youre See, when you're organization of the the Rams and you're and you have you're playing, you know, youre you have a quarterback like Matthew Stafford at the age he's at, you got to take full advantage of his of the situation.
01:00:05
Chuku
And I mean, if he's
01:00:06
Chino Onwuka
played and had two touchdowns in that game.
01:00:09
Chuku
Oh, sure. Okay. Got you. Got you. Look, I'm just... I'm still just... I'm just... I'm still not moved. I'm sorry. I'm still not moved. And I just think, you know... Call me a sleeper. I don't mind being a sleeper.
01:00:22
Chuku
But I'm sleeping on the Panthers. And I just think... When it comes... When the ball lights are on... And it's time to perform... know, one game... you know, on-game elimination.
01:00:32
Chuku
I just don't see Bryce Young, know, coming away with a victory ahead of Stafford. i just i i don't. I just don't see it. So, for that reason, I'm going with Rams. I appreciate this.
01:00:44
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, I think this one's pretty pretty cut and dry.
01:00:45
Chuku
don't
01:00:46
Chino Onwuka
the The Rams are going to be heavy favorites in this game.
01:00:50
Chuku
know.
01:00:50
Chino Onwuka
you know They were, for most of the season, you know arguably the best team in the NFL. I know they sort of sputtered a little bit there at the end, but maybe that's because they already knew knew they were in.
01:01:02
Chino Onwuka
Stafford has had an MVP season. They have Puka Nakua, who has had an amazing season. Now they have an amazing number two. in Devontae Adams. They have the running game. They have arguably the best coach in the NFL in Sean McVay. So yeah, I think this one could be a route.
01:01:20
Chino Onwuka
You know, like you said, it's a cute story for the Panthers, you know, considering how dire things look with Bryce Rung looking like a bust at one point in time. You know, they backed their way in into the playoffs with a 7-9 record and depending on, you know, another team to win for them to to make it in. So you know Bryce Young, let this bi be good playoff experience for you and Tech McMillan. you know Familiarize yourself with playoff atmosphere and come back again and grow for next season. so yet Definitely the Rams for me as well.
01:01:55
Chino Onwuka
Next game is going to be... i think this is one of the better games in this wild card slate. Green Bay Packers versus Chicago Bears.
01:02:07
Chuku
Really? OK. Is love back?
01:02:09
Chino Onwuka
yeah I think this is a great game. you know i'll put Up until the Micah Parsons injury, Packers probably would have been you know odds on one of the Super Bowl favorites.
01:02:12
Chuku
is love but
01:02:23
Chino Onwuka
you know But even with their injury, I still think they're one of the better teams. They have a good coach. and And Jordan Love is back.
01:02:33
Chuku
All right.
01:02:34
Chino Onwuka
So honestly, I think this could be and upset i i'm picking the packers i think you know it's been a great story in chicago with ben johnson and what he's done with caleb williams but i just think the bears are a little bit too inexperienced you know one of the criticisms they had was that they they face a really easy schedule you know this is a division rivalry and i think just the fact that they they're gonna have jordan love back You know, the Packers are going to want revenge. I think it's going to be a close game, but I just think the the Packers are going to come out.
01:03:11
Chino Onwuka
I'm picking the Packers in a three-point game that's going to come down to the last couple of minutes.
01:03:17
Chuku
Interesting. Interesting. See, I would be with you if i you know if you know the Packers didn't have all these major, huge, and I mean huge injuries, mainly talking about two players of the top of my head, Tucker Craft and Michael Parsons.
01:03:37
Chuku
But I just, i don't know, man. I just think the vibes have been immaculate on the Bears. They have been one of the surprise teams of the season.
01:03:47
Chuku
Ben Johnson has just added something to this offense, this team, that is just like, it's turning outsiders even like myself into believers, man.
01:03:58
Chuku
And I just think, man, I just, yeah, no. If I had to put money on this game, which I hope I would not have to do, but if I did, my money is on the Bears, man. I think the Bears see it through. I just think the Cinderella story continues. and Yeah, the good vibes are just continuing, man. like The vibes, like I said, have been immaculate and in Chicago, at least this season with the Bears. And Caleb Williams, he's shown he can make some crazy plays as he's been making throughout the entire season. And yeah, how I like what they have going on over there, man. Yeah, it's just I'm just kind of been lost so for words as to how we even got here because
01:04:40
Chuku
I promise you having the Bears be a wildcard team was not something I thought would be in my bingo cards you know for this season. But here we are. i stand corrected. And yeah, I think the Bears have a chance to to to to do something or continue with their you know amazing season that they've had so far. So I'm going with the Bears.
01:05:05
Chino Onwuka
Okay, so just to recap the NFC matchups, Eagles, 49ers v.
01:05:07
Chuku
just so we can't improve the life.
01:05:12
Chino Onwuka
Eagles, Chukwu has San Fran. I've got the Eagles, Rams versus the Panthers. Chukwu's got the Rams. We both have the Rams. And Bears versus the Packers. Chukwu's got the Bears, and I've got the Packers. Okay, now moving on to the AFC. Okay.
01:05:30
Chino Onwuka
Which matchup in the AFC are you most excited about or do you think is the best matchup? And we will start there.
01:05:39
Chuku
I would go with
01:05:43
Chuku
Bills-Jaguars.
01:05:46
Chino Onwuka
Hmm.
01:05:47
Chuku
I like that matchup a lot. And I just think, you know, well, sorry, are we giving predictions as well?
01:05:56
Chino Onwuka
Yep, yep, yep. You can go ahead.
01:05:57
Chuku
All right.
01:05:57
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, we can give your predictions.
01:05:59
Chuku
Yeah, you might like this one, H. But I honestly think the Jaguars, man, following the, so i mean, okay, minus the situation with Travis Hunter getting hurt and being shut down. is Is he done? Like, does he have any chance of coming back in the playoffs?
01:06:16
Chuku
Do you know? Or he's absolutely, yeah.
01:06:17
Chino Onwuka
I mean, i there's been nothing on it. I don't think there's a chance. I think he's just out of his... His crutches, now he can walk again.
01:06:25
Chuku
Okay.
01:06:27
Chino Onwuka
So I think, I don't think they take the risk. Maybe, yeah I think it's, he had surgery, so I don't think there's a chance.
01:06:30
Chuku
Yeah, I think, okay. That's fair.
01:06:35
Chuku
Fair enough. Fair play, fair play. Regardless, though, I just think Jaguars team overall are just too talented or just more talented than what the Bills have got going on at the moment. that i just i mean theyve yeah They're also coming off of another similar season to the Bears as far as know the vibes. This season has been one that has been you know really, really up there compared to what I feel like the opposite of the Bills where there's a lot of negative vibes going on over the organization. Regardless, still managed to find a way to make it through the wild cards.
01:07:17
Chuku
I just think, you know, there's not enough. Like the Bills organization, in my opinion, have failed to help their quarterback.
01:07:28
Chuku
And the fact of the matter is there's not enough offensive weapons where I feel confident enough to want to pick the Bills at this stage.
01:07:40
Chuku
It's just going to be one of those situations where... you know Josh Allen is going to have to pull off one of the another one of his historical, you know almost one-man show at this point in time.
01:07:54
Chuku
And yeah yeah, I don't think it's going to be enough to to beat an overall talented squad like the Jaguars have. And for that reason, I'm going with the Jaguars in this game.
01:08:06
Chino Onwuka
Okay, okay. I think this is might be the best matchup in the AFC as well. And it's funny because you have sort of some very clear
01:08:21
Chino Onwuka
positional matchups.
01:08:21
Chuku
positional mattress you have
01:08:21
Chino Onwuka
You have the best rushing offense in the league in Buffalo versus the best rush defense in the league in the Jags. I'm not sure if a lot of people know that.
01:08:32
Chino Onwuka
then you have a really hot passing game, you know, and Trevor Lawrence and, you know, Jacoby Myers, Brenton Strange, and Parker Washington versus the best pass defense in the league.
01:08:46
Chino Onwuka
And, you know, like you said, I think maybe the Jags have the more balanced team, you know, but to me, this is just going to come down to the superstar, the beast, the monster that is Josh Allen.
01:09:04
Chino Onwuka
And, you know, he's had so many chances, but has had to come up against Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes multiple times and none of those guys are there.
01:09:17
Chino Onwuka
And, you know, this is really his chance to to get himself to the to the mountaintop. So even though I think maybe the Jags are the more complete team, I just think, you know, Joe, Josh Allen, sorry, this is his chance. He's going to put that team on his back and do whatever it takes to win that game. So,
01:09:37
Chino Onwuka
As much as I would love my Jacks to win and think we'd have a chance, you know, i'm who would have thought you'd have said that at the beginning of the season? You know, i think the Bills just edged it out just because of that man, Josh Allen, at the helm for the Bills.
01:09:51
Chino Onwuka
So if I had to pick the Bills,
01:09:53
Chuku
No, just it.
01:09:57
Chino Onwuka
for for this game because yeah, you have best on best, but if if if Cook can do what he's done all season against our good rush defense, then I think that's where the game's going to be won and you know is Cook able to at least have a good game against the Jags defense.
01:10:15
Chuku
Oh, that is definitely going to be one to watch because, again, my my idea is that I think what's going happen and the way Jaguars are going to play this out is the game plan has got to be to come in and stop the russian the the James Cook rush game and...
01:10:33
Chuku
try and put the ball in Josh Allen's hands to make plays out with the receivers. And that's where if Jaguars are able to pull that off, i see I see that being a big problem because of the fact that the Bills just don't have enough weapons out there for Josh.
01:10:50
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
01:10:51
Chuku
i if if If there was just one...
01:10:53
Chino Onwuka
And can Trevor Lawrence avoid making any e backbreaking turnovers?
01:10:59
Chuku
Oh, yeah, about breaking errors, 100%.
01:10:59
Chino Onwuka
I think
01:11:00
Chuku
I mean, that's, yeah, that's fair first shot fur call-out, fair call-out. But, I mean, but you look at the weapons at, you know, at at the Jaguars. Like, Parker Washington is, like, the third receiver.
01:11:12
Chuku
And I'm pretty confident. what like I mean, I don't know but how you feel about him, but, bro, so watching some of the games I've seen him play, Dude looking like a miniature mini Amarose Brown with some of the plays I've been seeing him making this year, at bro. Like, who is this dude? Like, what? it's Like, I feel like he comes in. He's probably might be...
01:11:35
Chuku
the best wide receiver in Buffalo. I mean, like i I don't know. Again, I'm just going off of my eye test and what I've seen.
01:11:39
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, yeah, yeah
01:11:41
Chuku
But, like, Buffalo legit, do you know how crazy it is when your best receiver, receiving option, is a tight end that plays less than 70% of the snaps in your inner team?
01:11:52
Chino Onwuka
yeah.
01:11:54
Chuku
Like, can we truly, like, understand what Josh Allen is working with?
01:11:54
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
01:11:58
Chino Onwuka
So here's here's what I think. We have... a nice wide receiver room. It's nothing too crazy, but it's this is what happens when you pair a good supporting cast with a better than people think quarterback, right?
01:12:17
Chino Onwuka
yeah and and And that's because it's one of those things where i always tell people, you know, as much as Trevor Lawrence has been lambasted, he's not the prince that was promised like people thought. Any apart from the Urban Meyer year, every season that Trevor Lawrence has been healthy, we have either won the division or been in contention to win the division and make the playoffs.
01:12:42
Chino Onwuka
Every single time he's been healthy. This is the best supporting cast he's had. And so you can see as he's gotten familiar with the system, he can be, he has the talent to be a good QB. He's not, he's not a Joe Burrow. He's not a Josh Allen. He's not, he's not at that level, but he, he, he's really talented and you give him good playmakers that don't drop the ball. Every fricking play that he can trust, you know, this is what happened. So Parker Washington is good.
01:13:14
Chino Onwuka
He's, And he's in a good system playing with a good quarterback. And that's where you're seeing the performance that he's having, right? Because like you said, he's our wide receiver three, you know, and so he's going up against not your CB one, not your CB two, but your slot corner.
01:13:33
Chino Onwuka
And so he's going to feast.
01:13:35
Chino Onwuka
he is going to feed.
01:13:36
Chuku
I love that.
01:13:37
Chino Onwuka
So, but Buffalo has a good pass defense. So let's see how that happens. Okay. Moving on to the next game. We've got Patriots versus the Chargers. Now I think this could be, i would like this to be a good game. What I love about the AFC is, you know, all of my favorite quarterbacks are in here.
01:14:00
Chino Onwuka
got my boy T law, got my boy, my dog, Josh Allen. My guy, Justin Herbert, and the guy I told, I remember was talking Caleb Williams, I was always there saying, hey, don't forget about Drake May.
01:14:13
Chino Onwuka
And he's showing people what he has. So you got Drake May versus Justin Herbert, two of my guys at the quarterback position, both mo stallions, big guys with big arms, but are mobile, no can do everything you want at the position.
01:14:32
Chino Onwuka
I think it might be a closer, it could go either way, right?
01:14:33
Chuku
be too.
01:14:35
Chino Onwuka
the i remember us talking at the beginning of the season, Chargers came out hot, you know, and people were talking about Super Bowl favorites. And I said, hey, as someone who's followed the Chargers since LT was there, the issue with them is they're cursed.
01:14:52
Chino Onwuka
And they came in and what how were they going to play? They were going to play a physical game at the trenches. They had the two best tackles in the league. The first tackle signs the largest tackle contract. Three days later, he's out for the season.
01:15:06
Chino Onwuka
Then Joel Ault sprains his ankle twice, and he's out for the season. The replacements come in. They're out of the season. So they're at like offensive line number 5-6 now.
01:15:17
Chino Onwuka
And Justin Herbert's just been beat up. They came at the running back position with Najee Harris and Hampton. Najee burnt his face with fireworks during what that was that? Independence Day.
01:15:34
Chino Onwuka
And then Hampton got an injury. Just now we're seeing Hampton and even he got hurt just before the playoffs. So, you know, he says he's going to play. You know, you know what what percentage of fitness does he have? We don't know. So,
01:15:49
Chino Onwuka
The reason that this is going to be a game is just because of Justin Herbert. I don't know, Chukwu, I don't know if you've been watching what this guy's been doing, but it's... I don't know if I've seen anything like it because this dude has no reason to be there. He has a fractured hand and he is standing in there every play and taking shots and and getting laid out and standing back up each and every... I fear for him.
01:16:19
Chino Onwuka
I don't think it's right for him to go through what he's gone through, but he's done it. He hasn't complained. And so I just, if there's anyone that can break that charter charter's course, it's him, but they're going up against a machine of a team.
01:16:33
Chino Onwuka
Vrabel, you know, really good coach on fairly fired by the Titans. He's brought the Patriots back to prop prominence right quickly. We've seen a lot of turnarounds this year. Ben Johnson, Liam Cohen, Mike Vrabel.
01:16:47
Chino Onwuka
Now they're, you know They also got that strength of schedule. Asterix on their name. They didn't play too many good teams, but they're at home.
01:16:59
Chino Onwuka
Vrabel's been there before. They don't have a curse. Drake May, he's been the other MVP candidate, so it's his first playoff game. you know Can he come through? And I think just because the Chargers are so hurt, you know I'm going with the Patriots on this one.
01:17:15
Chino Onwuka
Who do you got?
01:17:16
Chuku
Yeah, look, I'm not going to go too long on this, man. I'm not convinced. I'm sorry. I've not been a big Chargers fan. I mean, look, shout out to Herbert and, you know, obviously playing with the hand injury. Like, it's been ridiculous what he's been doing this season as far as playing through, you know,
01:17:34
Chuku
all injuries as he's experienced on his O-line. The fact that he's been taking as many hits as means he's been taking. He's been a champ all year trying to play the best ball, put in put in the Chargers even with this curse season and they had the start of the year like losing their, no no is it number one or number two? and is it Second round running back Hampton and like just been, you know, basically having to put this team on his back week in, week out.
01:18:03
Chuku
I just, I'm just, yeah, I'm just not moved in terms of their odds or their chances to come across this juggernaut of a, of a new England team that I've seen, you know, Drake, me put up MVP like performances, you know, had an MVP like season and Just getting started, know, running backs out the wazoo with Trevor Henderson. And, you know, you got to you gotta to be always remind yourself of Stevenson as well. And the defense that the Patriots have, which has been, you know, top. I believe they've been the top half defense this year.
01:18:43
Chuku
I just think Justin Herbert is it's it's going to be too much to have him try and know lead this Chargers team to victory against this juggernaut of a Patriots organization at the moment.
01:18:53
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
01:18:59
Chuku
And yeah, I just think this game not going to be close. I have the Patriots winning by quite a... Quite a decent margin. Definitely more than a two one they are definitely more on a TD. I definitely see that being the case. and Yeah, Drake May. is going to be Drake May coming out party, man. So I got my money on the got my money on the on the Patriots.
01:19:21
Chino Onwuka
Okay. All right. So we're both picking the paths on that one. And lastly, and honestly, I don't know why this is the Monday night football game, but it is what it is. We've got Houston versus the Steelers.
01:19:38
Chino Onwuka
Who do you got for this one?
01:19:40
Chuku
Yeah, i don't know about y'all, but i don't know, man. I just feel like, to me, this the out of all the games, this is the least one. game like Yeah, this is the game i I'm interested in the least.
01:19:51
Chuku
But, regardless of that...
01:19:53
Chino Onwuka
I'm interested though in the Rams-Panthers game more than this one, but at least I feel like we'll see points scored in that one. This one could be very haram.
01:20:06
Chuku
Well, that's what I'm saying. I'm 100% more interested in the Rams-Panthers game. No question about that. And this is definitely going to be very, very... This is the story of two really, really, really, really good defenses and pretty much average to below average offenses that we're going watching in this game. And mean, look...
01:20:29
Chuku
oh I don't know how it's going to happen. I don't know. I'm just saying this more of the belief of the organization than I do actual players behind the organization.
01:20:42
Chuku
But I just think somehow, some way... The Steelers just find ways to get things done. i just, I don't know what it is, man. I don't know what it is. Because I, in my opinion, i believe they have no business as far as the talent that they have on offense, beating the talent, at least the per perceptionpt the way the perception is, as far as the talent on the Texans.
01:21:04
Chuku
I just don't. I just don't see the the Steelers having any business, like I said, personally speaking, in winning this game. But something just telling me some way, somehow, no.
01:21:18
Chuku
They're going find a way to pull it off. man I just don't know how. But, yeah, I'm going with the Steelers this game. It's going an ugly watch, but I'm going with the Steelers.
01:21:23
Chino Onwuka
Okay. Okay. And honestly, I have a lot of the same inklings that you do. I think the Steelers could surprise. I was actually impressed by what they did in that Ravens game to come out on top.
01:21:37
Chino Onwuka
You know, Aaron Rodgers sort of showed the, the you know, form may be temporary, but class is permanent. He definitely did that. I think DK Metcalf is going to be back, I believe.
01:21:52
Chino Onwuka
for this game, so that's going to be a great boost to them. You know, Houston should be the better team. they have the I know Seattle has the best defense in the league, but to me, Houston has the scariest defense because they got dogs all over that defensive line.
01:22:07
Chino Onwuka
Will Anderson, you know, so those guys are just dogs.
01:22:07
Chuku
Oh, man, they're scary for sure. Mm-hmm.
01:22:12
Chino Onwuka
You know, I like their coach. But that offense, I don't... That
AFC Playoff Predictions and Recap
01:22:19
Chino Onwuka
offense just... CJ Stroud, you know, he was billed as the next one and he's just regressed since then.
01:22:25
Chino Onwuka
And I don't know why they haven't been able to put a competent infrastructure for that offense. So I think that scares me a little bit in that if the Steelers somehow haram their way to a lead,
01:22:37
Chuku
the
01:22:41
Chino Onwuka
that they then, that it will now be tough for Houston to catch up. So again, I think this is another one where there's a chance, you know, this game could be closer than people expect. I think that's going to be the case for all of the games, except for Ram Seahawks. I think that's the cool thing about this playoffs is that, you know, almost any team can win, especially in the AFC. I think the AFC is wide open, but but I think just because they're at home,
01:23:09
Chino Onwuka
I will still give the edge to Houston in that one. Although as they're my division rivals, I would love if the Steelers won. I really wanted this Ravens Houston because I would have, you know, given the edge to the Ravens in this matchup.
01:23:19
Chuku
uh,
01:23:26
Chino Onwuka
So there we have it for the playoffs. So af NFC, we gave the recap there. So AFC, Jags, Bills, Chukas got the Jags, go Jags. I've, I've hesitantly gone with the Bills, Patriots, Chargers. We both have the Patriots.
01:23:42
Chino Onwuka
And then Houston versus the Steelers. Chuka's got the Steelers. And I've got Houston. So we are going to wrap it up there. You know, coming up next, we
Future Topics Teaser
01:23:53
Chino Onwuka
will be recapping everything that's going on, you know, what's happening in the world of of football as leagues come back, as the EPL race continues to heat up.
01:24:04
Chino Onwuka
You know, we will discuss the results of these this weekend's playoff games as well as preview the next round. You know, we might talk a little bit, you know, NFL firings and potential hirings, which openings are the best, which candidates are the best.
01:24:21
Chino Onwuka
And, you know, we didn't have a chance to talk about it today, but, you know. NBA trade season is heating up. We've already seen one big move, which we'll talk about in the future. So keep rocking with us. You know, lots to discuss. Let us know what you want to discuss.
01:24:38
Chino Onwuka
I will catch you back here next time on another episode of The Love of the Game.