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Mo Salah, Mo Problems | Are the Phoenix Suns for Real? | Can the Cowboys Still Make the Playoffs?
11 Plays2 days ago
This week on Who’s Got the Ball? James and Shane break down Aston Villa’s statement win over Arsenal, react to Mo Salah’s Liverpool meltdown, and preview the massive Sunderland vs Newcastle derby.
In the NBA, Michael officially joins the team to analyse whether the Phoenix Suns are genuine NBA Playoff contenders or simply riding a hot streak.
Over in the NFL, Evan returns to discuss Christian Watson’s best game of the season, and whether the Dallas Cowboys can still make the NFL Playoffs—or if their postseason hopes are officially over.
Plus: a fresh update on Gans Seans and the latest Power Rankings across all sports.
Tap to listen — you don’t want to miss this episode.
🎧 Listen if you’re into:
- Football (soccer) analysis
- NBA previews & predictions
- Weekly NFL reactions
- Underdog betting tips
- Draft-style sports debates
- Power rankings across multiple sports
- Sports content from an Irish perspective with global takes
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🌍 Based in Ireland | Talking global sports weekly
(0:00) Shane’s Dip in the Bath
(2:45) PL Performance of the Weekend
(8:56) Mo Salah, Mo Problems
(19:45) Sunderland vs Newcastle Preview + Predictions
(25:04) Are the Phoenix Suns Playoff Bound?
(47:27) Gan Seans: Our Underdog Picks
(50:33) NFL Clutch Player of the Week
(58:08) Can the Cowboys Make the Playoffs?
(1:12:02) Premier League X NFL X NBA Power Rankings
Recommended
Transcript
Shane's trip to Bath for Munster match
00:00:09
Speaker
Alright lads, welcome back to another episode of Who's Got the Ball. Myself and Shane here once again. Shane, fresh from a trip over to watch Munster face Bath. I know the result didn't go the way you wanted it, but did you have a good time?
00:00:22
Speaker
Yeah, so Munster were in Bath, but I don't think they were playing any rugby. um Yeah, joe lot it was a really nice city. I couldn't believe how nice it was, to be fair. I definitely recommend it and Christmas markets and everything. It was actually really nice, but then...
00:00:35
Speaker
Standing in that rain as Munster were just getting absolutely hockeyed was not fun. I had a couple of drinks so I didn't really notice the score until the next morning to be perfectly honest. plus I just knew it they'd been absolutely walloped.
00:00:50
Speaker
Look, it's another one off the list. I always try and get one Munster away a trip a year. Normally it's in January, i don't think I'll get away in January this year. So got that one ticked off the list again and on we move. yeah You might come up here and watch a bit of Leinster in January with me.
00:01:03
Speaker
Yeah, we'll see where it is.
Episode overview: Football and NBA
00:01:06
Speaker
But this week we've got an absolutely packed episode, so we'll get straight into the rundown of things. So where we're going to go first is is to the football stuff. So we we did a bit of a look at the performance of last weekend. So we gave Aston Villa the props there because brilliant against Arsenal, great win, puts them within three points, a top spot. next up we had to hone in on Mo Salah so we talked a lot about the situation with him his comments and the response to that and especially considering Shane is a Liverpool fan so it was interesting to get his take there and then we previewed the Tyne Weir derby and on Sunday Sunderland versus Newcastle is going to be a massive one next up we had Michael on and so we'll we'll discuss the situation surrounding Michael being on the podcast and And you'll hear all about that once you get to that segment. But Michael is a permanent member of the team now, as hopefully you'll have seen on Instagram. And he's going to bring a topic every two weeks. So he brought the question today of are the Phoenix Suns for real? Or are they just this on a similar wavelength to how the book the Bulls started the season with kind of a hot run and things fell off? Will the Suns fall off too? So we gave a good discussion about that, hitting it from all angles.
00:02:12
Speaker
and both sides of the debate. Then we had Evan on. A pleasure to have him back on once again. Our our resident Cowboys fan at this stage has been on a few times and we talked first of all about the Clutch Player of the Week last week in the NFL. So It was back to ah offense this week. We'll let you listen to that to hear who it was. And then we talked about whether or not the Cowboys can make the playoffs.
00:02:33
Speaker
A big focus on the remaining schedule for the Cowboys and the Eagles and and what they can do to to see out the rest of the season. So we've got Ganshan's throwing in their power rankings too. All that good stuff. So let's jump straight into it. All right, lads. Performance of the weekend in the football and in the Premier League. Usually it doesn't end up being the game that we previewed the week before because there's often like... a surprise or someone stepping up that we didn't expect that we kind of have to give the performance of the weekend to but this time we kind of had to go for Villa like incredible performance only the second game that Arsenal have lost all season on XG
00:03:09
Speaker
2.16 to 1.92, which shows like Arsenal, I know the score was 2-1, which is the most important part, but statistically behind it for Villa to do that to Arsenal is quite impressive.
00:03:20
Speaker
I think the way they won as well, they deserve the win and to score right at the very end, but like the last kick of the game couldn't be better in front your own fans. What did you think of them? Yeah, I was delighted for him. and Not only because i absolutely despise Arsenal, I just thought Villa were just so good. we We both had him in our gun chance as well. So we both had and we had an inkling it was going to go this way as well.
00:03:41
Speaker
I think I said 2-1 as well in our preview last week. So... I finally got something right, Sam. It's something I can put on the CV now that I call the game right. But I just thought from start to finish, they never really looked under pressure bar around when Arsenal scored. There was a five or ten minute period there where Arsenal looked like if they scored a second, they could have gotten three or four.
00:04:01
Speaker
But Villa were just so resilient from then. Matty Cash is having some season from He absolutely excellent again here. And Bündi is another man who... He looked like he was going to go in the summer and now he's one of their most important players. Harvey Elliott can't get a look in with the form that Buendia is in.
00:04:16
Speaker
And it was it was looking like they' were bringing Elliott in to get rid of Buendia in the summer. So fair play to him as well. And that's 12 wins in 14, I think, or 13 wins in their last 15.
00:04:28
Speaker
That's one hell of a run to be on. And I'm so happy they brought Arsenal back down there. Arsenal had a really poor week. and Four points from their three games and City are right back on their tails again now.
00:04:38
Speaker
Yeah, I think and Villa this season in general have really overperformed. They've scored a lot of long shots. um If you look at the expected points table, they should be 16th.
00:04:51
Speaker
So they're overperforming by 13 points. and They haven't been very convincing in a lot of their games. like When they beat Wolves 1-0, they were far from convincing. But then you look at what they did to Arsenal and you think, if they...
00:05:05
Speaker
start playing fully to their like ability that they did against Arsenal that we've seen in flashes, like how high can they go here? Because they're only three points off top and the majority of the season they haven't been overwhelmingly good, but they've been stacking wins after wins after wins by just doing what's needed. And then in this game, they show everything that they can do. So if their statistical performance and underlying numbers match up to the results they're getting,
00:05:32
Speaker
they can continue to climb here and they can push Arsenal because if they like like I said that's something that could be tick upwards now that they've beaten Arsenal they showed what they could do fully perform better not just won the game then you can you can really see where they could go from there I think The game was very well managed by both managers, I think, because Villa started off well. They did exactly what was needed to do. They had Arsenal under pressure. and Rice made a great block on cash. He could have had another goal there.
00:06:03
Speaker
and And Watkins missed a big chance in the first half. So in the second half, Arteta came out. He wasn't messing around. He had the team set up. He made a couple of subs. And like you said, Arsenal really put Villa under the cosh in that first 10, 15, 20 minutes and looked like they were going to win the game then. And then Emery kind of responded by taking off Watkins, who looked leggy, bringing on Malin, who was a great outlet and has been solid this season. And then when they started to get more of foothold, he brought on Bogard and Sancho, which brought a bit more urgency into the team. And then to bring on Buendia just before... Injury time and he gets the winner. It was great management. Great adaptation at halftime from Arteta. But he got outfoxed by Emery in the end. and he set them up right from the start and he reacted right so he won that tactical battle for me and it was it was a real a real good game to watch because of those things and those pushbacks back and forth between them and now is really a test in time for Villa because they've got West Ham next they should win that but after that they have Man United at home Chelsea and Arsenal away so gonna be a tough Christmas period and if they can build on that God knows how high they can go this season
00:07:15
Speaker
Yeah, that was the point I was going to bring up next as well about their run now coming into Christmas. But I saw a thing during the week that they should only be five points ahead of Wolves based on the expected goals table.
00:07:26
Speaker
And they're actually, I think they Villa are on 31 and Wolves are on two. So they're actually, they're outperforming that by 24 points, which is absolutely mental. The odds have didn't score their first goal of the season until game week five as well. So the fact they've gone from what they were doing at the start to what they're doing now and just...
00:07:41
Speaker
just grinding out wins week after week after week. It's it's a really impressive sign. And if if they do get going at any point, who knows where they can end up. They convert. their I think they're they're not a shoo-in for the top four, but if you're looking now and you're saying Man City and Arsenal are getting there, who's your next favourite to get in there? I'd be putting Bill in there as my third favourite to get into the top four at moment.
00:08:01
Speaker
We'll see now when it comes to January after they've played those four games where they are, if they're still on, like i don't think they're going to win all four. I think they they if they win two, draw one and lose one, I think that's a really good outcome for them. As long as you don't come out of that with one win and then three losses in the three big games, to beat West Ham and lose the other three, that could really rock them. But if they can just kind of ride the wave they're on now, keep going and just get over the line in those four games and say see where they're standing then after that.
00:08:27
Speaker
Yeah, not just as like a United fan, but I think that'll be a tough one for them because United are very good away from home. And you United do seem to give them problems in Villa Park, so I do think that that is an important one. And United haven't lost many games recently, despite some of the poor performances they've put out. they They have spurts where they're good, so... If they can beat West Ham and then on the back of that beat Man unit United, then I think they're they'll be flying into the Christmas period.
00:08:55
Speaker
But we've got to move on because we've got a preview for you of a big derby, but we've also got a big topic to touch on surrounding...
Mo Salah's benching reaction
00:09:04
Speaker
One of your star men, Liverpool, Mo Salah. I just think after the game, let's give a bit of background and then throw it to you.
00:09:13
Speaker
Crazy statement that he made. and So he he was an unused sub in the win away to West Ham. And he was on the bench and the other two games as well that Liverpool played in that period. The 45 minutes he had against Sunderland and then an unused sub. in the 3-3 draw with Leeds. Coming off that and draw with Leeds, he said, his quote was that I'm sitting out on the bench for 90 minutes, third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I'm very, very disappointed, to be fair. I've done so much for this club down the years, and especially last season. Now I'm sitting on the bench and I don't know why. it seems like the club has thrown me under the bus.
00:09:50
Speaker
That is how I'm feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame. So what did you make of that, Shane? First of all, I think he is he is so wrong for what he's after doing.
00:10:05
Speaker
I'd love for to sit here and say, oh I back him completely to the hill, but I can't. There's nothing that he did nothing you can back him on. There's a couple of sentences in that statement that are absolutely wild.
00:10:15
Speaker
um I don't have to earn my place in the team anymore for what I've done. That's ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. i point What I did for the club last season, yeah, and you got 400 grand a week in the summer first.
00:10:26
Speaker
Like Joe, it's not like you scored all the goals, got all these assists last year, they won the league and they let you go or they gave you a small contract. They gave you the biggest contract in club's history for what you did last year.
00:10:37
Speaker
You have to think about it this way. He's been out of the team for one week. It was seven days he is all he was out of the team for and this is how he's reacted. I'd say something if it was a month, he was out for the whole Christmas period, setting the bench. He wasn't going to half-con, he was just setting the bench for Liverpool like he didn't exist.
00:10:55
Speaker
But no, it was literally seven days he was on the bench. He played 45 minutes against Sunderland when they needed him. I just think it's absolutely ridiculous. and Of all times, Liverpool really didn't need this at the moment. There was enough fires inside and the inside the facility and he's just gotten a whole petrol station and dropped in it on top just to make it worse. I just i can't believe what he's done.
00:11:18
Speaker
and They've also gone unbeaten in the four games that he hasn't played in as well, which is a bit of um a kick in the teeth for him as well. I say the fact they've just looked so much more defensively solid until Canate...
00:11:30
Speaker
just decided to kick Nanto. They were so good against Leeds. And then they were really good midweek against Inter as well, where Canati didn't kick anyone and was just actually a defender for a change.
00:11:41
Speaker
So it doesn't look good for him. um Unfortunately, I think he does go. But if this is way it ends, it's it's really, really sad. Yeah, it's a bad end to if it is the way it ends, like you said. I think that was the point I was going to make.
00:11:56
Speaker
Without the inter-game, they dropped him completely, obviously, off the back of what he said. But before that, in the three games where he sat on the bench and one of them he came on, he got five points. What was it? like lost You lost six of seven before that in the Premier League. yeah So that's a lot more points than you were getting before. Now, granted, you did play Leeds and West Ham and Sunderland. Five points in those three games is terrible. Yeah. Five points in those three games is terrible, but...
00:12:22
Speaker
They looked so much better and so much more solid without Salah in the team, with Sabah Zay out on the right. don't think he was going to be dropped forever. I'm so annoyed at him because it's seven days. I'm going to say that over and over again until I'm blue in the face. It's only seven days he was out of the team. And this is the statement he makes. And someone wants me out of the club. They've thrown me under the bus.
00:12:43
Speaker
But it was a week. Come on, so just get get your head down and train and just get your way back into the team the way you've done the whole time you've been at Liverpool. You've always been a star. yeah This is such an ego issue, I think.
00:12:55
Speaker
Yeah, well, I'll come off that and say, Jamie Carragher's response on Monday Night Football, there's one quote there. There is some things that were, where yeah we're going to come on to that. But first of all, the one quote that i did think was right and probably is a good representation is that whenever Mo Salah stops in the mixed zone, he's when he's which he's done four times in eight years at Liverpool, it's choreographed with him and his agent to cause maximum damage and strengthen his own position.
00:13:20
Speaker
That is accurate because it does seem like he wanted to pin the blame here on Slott and throw like the toys out of the pram right at the moment where Slott was his weakest and get him sacked. That was his... i think that would seemed like that was his tactic.
00:13:34
Speaker
So I was like, all right, that's a good point from Carriger. But you could tell he was absolutely bullying. His earpiece fell out in his like eight or nine minute rant. Some of these further quotes... kind of just idiotic because he started it's to question him, like basically say that he was never a decent player before Liverpool and say that, you know, personally attack his performances with Egypt. So he said, quote, one thing i just want to sort of remind Mo Salah and maybe his agent is that before he came to Liverpool, Mo Salah was known as the guy who failed at Chelsea. That's just a fact.
00:14:08
Speaker
He's also the greatest player his country have ever had Egypt and the African Cup Nations are the most successful nation. He's going there in a couple of weeks. Mo Salah's never won the AFCON. Now, Egypt have had their own struggles as a country, so i think that was a bit tone deaf. And then he asked, have I ever criticized Mo Salah? To which the pundit said last week, he said his legs have gone.
00:14:30
Speaker
And Karagher came back and said, that's something that happens to every player. That's not a criticism of him as a player. So his head was gone. And that's exactly what Salah wanted. 100%. Salah got everything and more out of that character nine-minute rant.
00:14:46
Speaker
some like he made some good points and then once he lost his head, he just completely went said the most ridiculous things. That one about, I've never criticized him, was the one that um that it just sent him on the spiral.
00:14:59
Speaker
I really didn't like the comments about to Egypt and Chelsea failure. I thought that was absolutely ridiculous. Mo Salah would love that. There just another couple of things. Like he was just completely, at the start, I was like, oh, he's actually doing really well here. He's making his points. He's getting it across really well. And then he just fell apart. On Salah's agent, I cannot stand that man.
00:15:18
Speaker
He's always there with his cryptic tweets and all that kind of other nonsense. He's always been paying the backside. I can only imagine how hard he is to be able for the club in general. And as you said, it's always orchestrated for Salah come out and say it's...
00:15:31
Speaker
at the one time that it's it's the worst possible time. um Last year he did it after the Southampton game. He scored the winner penalty, came out and said, oh, I'm not getting contract this year. Didn't come on against Leeds and stops.
00:15:43
Speaker
just I'm so annoyed with him because he's Liverpool's, he's my favourite Liverpool player ever. and He's on 250 goals to the club now, which is immense in eight or nine years. And if if he's done this and this is how it ends and he goes off to Saudi at 33, I think it's a bit of a disgrace, to be honest.
00:15:59
Speaker
I think he should have just gotten his head down, as I said a few minutes ago, and just just worked and just fall a day back into the team. I hate this Twitter stuff now where it's like, oh, Salah's annoyed that Fierce is getting more game time. Salah's annoyed at this.
00:16:14
Speaker
All of that is just such nonsense. Only about him. That's all he thinks. Yeah. i Look, I just wish that those things weren't adding fuel, well, fake fuel to this unimaginably big fire already. I thought Seedorf was brilliant with Slott the other night.
00:16:30
Speaker
Hopefully he got through with him and they will actually have a conversation. And hopefully we see him on Saturday, and probably on the bench again. But as long as he's back in the squad, then it would mean that him and Slott have had a talk and might mean that he will stay then.
00:16:41
Speaker
I can't personally I can't see that because of AFCON coming up I feel like it'd be tabled and Salah would be in the position where he says yeah but that's it if you're gonna stick with the manager then I'm gone I think just based on that response and his ego in general will be hurt um by probably most people coming out against him in this situation and it's kind of a similar way to how things went when Ronaldo returned to United him and ten had clashed and then Ronaldo did a full scale interview with Piers Morgan afterwards and stuff so that made me annoyed because he had been my favourite United player growing up and that left a bad taste in my mouth about him to which end that when he got sent off against Ireland I was absolutely delighted but
00:17:24
Speaker
I think one final point i have on it is could he not have just sucked it up for one, two more games? If they had him on the bench against Inter and then this weekend, then he could have just went to AFCON. Then if Liverpool... you know just didn't play well when he was gone or things went different but you never know when he comes back who knows what would have happened and another point then on that which this one is something i wouldn't personally agree with but it is something i've heard is that could slot have maybe played him in one or two of the games benched him in the other played him in one or two of the last games and then Let him go to AFCON, hope that you win when he's gone and then be like, oh, well, you know, we're winning without you. But I don't agree with that one. But that's just another one I've heard. But what's your thoughts on those? I think you're probably on the same line as me that Salah should have just held his tongue until after.
00:18:14
Speaker
100% I agree with everything you said there. I agree with the first one and also agree with you disagreeing with the second one. like he's He's the manager. You can't just pick players because they're going to be crying in the corner if they don't get on the team. like um i think I think you absolutely have to back the manager in this case.
00:18:31
Speaker
And Salah should have known that as well. The club weren't going to a player. They've never backed a player. Steven Gerrard was thrown out in his arse the same way by Brendan Rodgers. And he's Liverpool's best ever player. So if you think you're going to be treated differently to how Steven Gerrard was treated, you're completely wrong.
00:18:45
Speaker
He should have just bit his lip. It was three more games, two more games. It was Inter Milan and Brighton. And then he's gone to Atkan for a month. Why did you pick this time to come out and completely just blow everything up?
00:19:00
Speaker
Absolutely mental behavior from him to come out and do it then. Go to AFKCON. If you're on AFKCON and you're still feeling upset, then do your interview over there with your Egyptian television channel or one day the one of the big ones at the AFKCON and say, oh, I feel like I've been let down.
00:19:15
Speaker
But like he might have started the Inter game. He might have been the team for the Brighton game. But now he's not going to know because he did this. It was seven days. Like it was only seven days, like he could have been back to the evening and all of a sudden everything's forgotten about and off you go.
00:19:29
Speaker
Just absolutely wild behavior for him. Yeah, I think yeah if if this is how it ends for him you're going to have to make the it it was just seven days your your new catchphrase because it's a bad way to end. And that is a great point about it. But let's move on to our preview.
Tyne-Weir derby preview
00:19:47
Speaker
For the weekend. We've got a Derby coming up. So. We've got the time we're at Derby. Super Sunday. Sunderland versus Newcastle. What a cracker this is going to be. Because we haven't had this game in the Premier League in so long. Sunderland flying high. Newcastle looking to bounce back.
00:20:03
Speaker
What way is this going to go? We'll we'll give our predictions. But. Initial thoughts. What do you think about this game Shane? And they're going to kick each other off the pitch. It's going to be more of a UFC battle than it is a football match. I think for the first 10 or 15 minutes, tackles are going to fly in and then it might settle down a bit.
00:20:20
Speaker
But I'd like, joe if Joe Linton gets booked with his first foul here, which he never does, he normally gets right about 6, then he's definitely going to get sent off. yeah I could see Xhaka being sent off. I could see John Linton being sent off. could see Bruno being sent off. All these lads who are just going to just fly into everything. this is going The atmosphere of this is going to be insane. It's going to be insane. It's going to some game.
00:20:44
Speaker
yeah I can't wait to see. It was one of the points I had as well. but Joe Linton versus Shaq in midfield should be fun. Those two are just going to burst each other. And like Joe Linton gets unfairly given extra fouls because it's like that thing. like If you constantly foul, the same in basketball with Draymond Green.
00:21:02
Speaker
He just constantly fouls people, so he gets like less technicals and less like harsh calls on the fouls because he's always fouling. And it's the same with Joe Linton. and But it makes for good viewing in games like this.
00:21:13
Speaker
For me, Sunderland, I know they're doing well. They're high up. but of There's games, like, when they played United, I wasn't impressed with them at all. thought they were very bad. And there's a couple of other times I've watched them where they've been poor.
00:21:26
Speaker
They've done exactly what they needed to do as a promoted team. And I think those they'll definitely stay up now in the position they're in there flying it. But at the same time, I think they're goingnna they're probably going to fall off a cliff at some point because they're not performing well consistently.
00:21:40
Speaker
They're the second lowest XG in the league with 13, so they're overperforming that by five. Only three shots on target per game. You can't consistently do that. Only Burnley are worse in both of those, and we saw how bad they are. 21 XG conceded, but they've only conceded 17 so...
00:21:56
Speaker
they're they're you know really looking out on that end too. And they should be 18th in the league on X points based on the XG. And they're overperforming by eight points there. Only Villa are the only team that's overperforming by more. So you know these things do catch up with you unless you shift your performance. And and i died as with Villa, they have the ability to go and play like the way they did against Arsenal. Sunderland don't have that ability, I'm sorry to say. They're a good team. They're doing exactly what they need to do to stay up, but they're going to plateau.
00:22:30
Speaker
And the main thing that they'll be hoping for going into this one is the fact they have seven, 15 points from seven games at home and Newcastle only have six from seven away. They are hoping that that form will carry them over this. So whether it's this week or in the future, but I do think it's going to be soon that they, that they do start to fall off.
00:22:49
Speaker
Yeah, i agree with you. I think it is going to catch them and I think it's going to start this weekend. i think Newcastle are going to catch them this weekend. and I know Newcastle have been poor at times, but they just have far more quality in their squad than Sunderland have.
00:23:01
Speaker
I think Sunderland have been getting some good results somehow. I don't know how getting away with some of them. but you just so You just listed off everything there. and Like I know a lot of people don't like XG and don't like all these DX points and stuff, but they're there for a reason and you're not going to keep getting away with, oh, you should be 18, but you're sixth. That's not normal. if You're going to finish up 15th or 14th, but they don't know what I'm staying up with the points they've amassed now while they did this season. They've done a great job in getting to where they are, but now it is time from to just actually be here from all the team again and lose three or four in the bounce, I think.
00:23:36
Speaker
Yeah, just looking at how they played the City too, it was quite poor. and and Really poor. Following on from that, like they've got this Newcastle game and then they've brightened away Leeds at home, which is a big one, for Leeds to try and show that they're improving. But then after that, City at home and Spurs away. So I i think it's very tough. The prediction I'm going for here is 3-1 to Newcastle.
00:23:57
Speaker
I just think it it might be a bit feisty. Newcastle do concede goals, but they score as well. And I think Gordon coming back, unbeaten in four um him back in the team for each of those getting some minutes he's just gives them something down that wing where he actually has a finishing product unlike Alanga who a lot of time he doesn't really know how to end i run and whereas you have Gordon he's clinical he's a decent finisher but he's also good at picking people out And then you have Vista to come off the bench. I think Newcastle could be sitting around 2-1, Sunderland keep pushing, and then Newcastle grab a goal on the break at the end, maybe through Barnes or Gordon or something, to make it 3-1.
00:24:34
Speaker
I have 2-1 Newcastle with everything you said, bar them hitting them on the counter at the last last couple of minutes to make it three one I think they'll go 2-0 off. Newcastle will, or Sunderland pull them back in the 70th or 75th minute, but they'll never look like getting an equaliser out of it. So 2-1 Newcastle for me.
00:24:50
Speaker
Yeah, I'm looking forward to this one though for all the reasons we said but yeah I think Newcastle are going to get a win here because theyre they're overdue a big win that kind of sorts them out and and rates the ship a bit more so yeah both going with a win there.
Michael's NBA focus
00:25:04
Speaker
So if you're following us on Instagram which if you're not get over there and follow us you'll see that we've got a new member of our team. If you've been listening to us before and you probably know him already Michael has been on a good few episodes with us, and providing some of his basketball expertise.
00:25:22
Speaker
yeah' Always great to have him always good feedback. So we yeah we've got him on now as a permanent member of the team. So it's going to be once every two weeks, he's going to be on the podcast, bringing a topic of his own to the table. And then we're going to do some additional once a month podcast, looking at the previous month in the NBA and what's coming up in the month ahead.
00:25:42
Speaker
So Michael, welcome to the team. Thanks very much. i'm I'm super excited to be here. you know There's a lot going on already and I'm slowly getting into speed, but hopefully I can be be as well versed as you guys in the next coming months.
00:25:57
Speaker
Yeah, you're you're right there with the with the NBA stuff. and We're going to ramp you up onto NFL level soon enough as well. You're you're full on in our fantasy league, so you've a you're growing that knowledge. um Unfortunately, an Eagles fan, but We'll leave that on there for now because we're on the and NBA.
00:26:16
Speaker
let's Let's throw it to you then. So Michael's going to bring a topic, kind of a nice a nice rounded topic that we can we can dish on for maybe 15 or so minutes every couple of weeks. So let's throw to you. What have you got for your first topic for us?
00:26:31
Speaker
So first topic was a little bit out of there, but I feel like there's been so much talk already with Chris Paul and the Bucks and Giannis and everyone else that I thought I went with something a little bit different, a little bit more interesting. The Suns, the Phoenix Suns are currently the seventh seed in the West after starting in the season four on one. They've lost Jalen Green now. They had him for a game and six minutes and he looked fantastic in those game and six minutes.
00:26:57
Speaker
ah Devin Booker is just coming back from injury now after a week being out and it looks like they've still managed to keep up their winning record. are we looking at a Bulls situation where it's just a little bit more prolonged and they're just going to fall off and hit the bottom of the conference? Or are we looking at a 6 seed? Are we looking at a 7 seed here?
00:27:18
Speaker
Well, for me, based on what they've done, Now it seems to be better than last year already. And I listened to an interview with Matt Ispia. He was on the Ryan Russillo podcast. And he spoke well. He usually tends to speak well, to be honest. But he kind of acknowledged that he made a mistake in allowing Durant and Beal to be the core of the team without throwing them under the bus, really. He is speaking between the lines. kind of also said that he didn't really have
00:27:53
Speaker
an over-involvement in that side of things. And now he's taken a more hands-on approach, kind of building the culture of the team and stuff, which take that what you will. It's kind of avoiding the negative part and putting himself in the positive side of things now that it's working. But I do believe he was being genuine. And he made a point about kind of having more like dogs in the team, people who want to fight. They want to give all their efforts.
00:28:19
Speaker
He made a point of Jordan Goodwin. he also... really honed it on Dylan Brooks here which I think is valid um because looking at what he's given the team offensively and defensively you're 22 points a game but also one and a half steals per game he's thrown up a lot of threes his percentage is tied for the worst he's ever had but that should even up out because he's never afraid to actually shoot them which is important and and I think him, Grace and Alan these type of guys are real menaces on the court. So they have a whole different identity and ah for me they're more enjoyable to watch.
00:28:55
Speaker
Whether they'll actually make the playoffs I think a play-in at this point watching them and seeing Booker come back and Jalen Green get involved I'd say a play-in will be the most they can do and because just because the West is so strong but I think it's a positive sign for them for the future.
00:29:13
Speaker
Yeah, the the issue I have with them is i don't think a team who's serious about going anywhere loses like 49 points to anyone. I know what this OKC team are... they're special, but you can't go out and lose by 49 points. If you're looking to be a sixth or seventh seed, I wouldn't expect The Wizards or to and lose by 49 or 50 points anyone, let alone a team that thinks that has like they have their eyes on doing something a bit special.
00:29:38
Speaker
They're five and five in their last 10, so it's not like they're this master run of form either, where they've just kind of just found a kind of a run and they're like seven and three or eight and two. They're five and five.
00:29:51
Speaker
They played the Rockets twice on OKC and not scored over 100 in any of those games as well. So I'm with you. I think if they can get to a play-in, I think they'll be doing very, very well. I think they're just, they're riding a bit of a wave. It's not much a wave now when you're five and five, but I think at 14 and 11, it's just, as you said, the West is so strong that it'd be very hard to see them getting 50 or 60 wins.
00:30:14
Speaker
not even sorry not even 60 that's ridiculous 45 or 50 based on that like record though I will say that it's less of a wave more than it seems to be like they're like if they were like 9-1 and we're seeing these same things in their last 10 and you'd be like great they're just on a spike but this seems a little bit more like who they are now that they'll win some games they probably won't beat the best teams because they're not one of the best teams but I'll also point out that You're never going to come close to the OKC when you don't have your two probably most prolific scorers. Like where else were they getting points from without Booker?
00:30:49
Speaker
And Jalen Green couldn't play either. So it's a tough one. But one guy I know you'll want to talk about anyway for sure, Michael, is Gillespie. I know for sure you want to make some some notes on this guy. So let's hear what you have to say about him.
00:31:05
Speaker
I think Gillespie has been fantastic for them. I think i think the Suns team is over-exceeding a lot of expectations, and that's the reason why I thought they were so interesting, is because, like you've said, they've just went 5-5, but they're still looking at the 7th seed. I mean, the Kings have fallen off the cliff, the Clippers have fallen off the cliff, and it kind of feels like the lower seeding in the playoff bracket is open.
00:31:32
Speaker
With Devin Booker coming back... and Jalen Green eventually coming back. I think this team is actually going to look a lot more dangerous than we thought. I mean, they're middle of the pack in defense. They're above average defense and slightly above average in offense. You kind of look at the team and you go like, who's scoring? And it's Dylan Brooks has all the confidence in the world. He knows Jalen Green is out. He knows somebody has to step up and shoot it. And by God, he's willing.
00:32:02
Speaker
And he's still doing that given... insane effort on the floor. Like you said, Colin Gillespie has been a savior for this Suns team. They have been desperate for someone who can read the floor and he has a great touch for it.
00:32:19
Speaker
Weirdly, I've seen multiple Suns games this year and I watched a lot of highlights coming up to it. But the biggest thing is Gillespie probably has the best court vision on that team when he's on the ball. Some of the passes he's making after being in the G League for the last two years is a huge leap from what you kind of expect from him.
00:32:38
Speaker
This team is chock full of shooters. I mean, Royce O'Neal can shoot the ball. Grayson Allen and is shooting 42%. forty two percent And I think Ryan Dunn as well.
00:32:49
Speaker
Someone else on the team is shooting 40%.
Phoenix Suns' season analysis
00:32:52
Speaker
have all of the stats in front of me and I'm losing all of them. ah Colin Gillespie and Grayson Allen. Sorry. There we go. Both of those guys are shooting 40%. Their three point percentage is pretty low and it will go up too, which is another point on that because like Booker and as I already mentioned, Brooks are both shooting quite poorly from three. So that's a good point that,
00:33:18
Speaker
They have a couple of guys shooting lights out that maybe you weren't expected, but then the rest of them are going to come around. So I think the offense is going to improve from the middle of the pack and it's whether they can hold on to that defensive level.
00:33:31
Speaker
what i oh yeah got license no don oh you go first i so I was just going to say there, like when they do have Booker back fully fit, they have Jalen Green back fully fit, but they can never get in there. And they have Dylan Brooks as well.
00:33:43
Speaker
They have three really good shooters there. um As you said about the three percentage being very bad, it will come up. It can't stay at the level it is, to be fair. They will come back up with those three lads when they get in a bit of a rhythm. um And then if you have Grayson Allen on top of that and you have Gillespie, then they do have...
00:33:59
Speaker
a good starting five, maybe one of them and will need to be a six man. but because So they they probably could guess the play-in. i just I'm just not as high on them as Michael has come in here today, is unfortunately, not yet anyway. Maybe I'll get there.
00:34:13
Speaker
I haven't watched a whole lot of them, to be perfectly honest. I've maybe be seen five or six of their games, and they don't really seem to be a team that are they're like They're not going to run away from anyone, if that makes sense. They're not going to out and batter anyone, really, unless if they're playing something really, really poor.
00:34:27
Speaker
And I think that's what we catch them. They'll have a lot of close games, and they'll probably lose more close games than they'll win, I think, personally. I think that it's interesting, though, well, the rotations that they can have in certain positions, because...
00:34:42
Speaker
The multiple players like we just named there, they're all guards. So pretty much like I know Brooks can play up to forward, but like he's not strong enough on the boards really to consistently be someone that rely on there. So you're looking at a solid like four or five man guard rotation. And then...
00:35:02
Speaker
It's maybe forward where they struggle a bit, but like they've got good bigs in there now. and The investment into centre seems to have already worked because you've you've given up picks to get Mark Williams, and you drafted Malawatch, they've also gotten Iguodoro, and they have... um richards too and from last year they had an offensive rebound percentage uh which was one of the worst in the league so they were they were sitting at 26.4 that was 26th in the league this year they've gone up to fifth in the league 33.8 that is a huge jump mark williams grabbing three a game done grabbing two a game
00:35:45
Speaker
Jordan Goodwin with his effort grabbing two game. Like there's, there's guys giving you seven offensive boards per game between, between three of them. And the majority of those guys are only playing around 20 minutes each.
00:35:56
Speaker
So I think, The pieces are there. I'm a lot more positive on them in in the long run than I was coming into the season. But I still think i agree with you, Shane, the fact that they're not going to be anywhere near the top lads this season. But maybe next year, it looks like at least they're building something a bit more sustainable and a bit more effective than what they seemed the path they seemed to be going down last year.
00:36:20
Speaker
Yeah, i i'm fully I'm fully with you. And I think the offensive of rebounding is such a good indication of the new coach Jordan Ott coming in. He really seems to have got these guys, everybody, 1 to 10 to buy in Everybody works so hard. And you look like you said, you look at this front court and you're kind of thinking like, who here is going to be rim protector? And, you know, you have Dylan Brooks and Ryan Dunn, who are both great defenders. But...
00:36:50
Speaker
You're looking at the superstars on the Western Conference and saying like, who are they going to stop? And the thing is, is they're not stopping that many people, but they're doing enough all together as a unit that they're above average on defense. I mean, I'm looking here at their number four and deflections, their fourth in like loose ball recovery. And then on the other end, not only do they work hard on defense, they're grabbing as many offensive rebounds as they can.
00:37:19
Speaker
And another thing that I wanted to point out that I thought was kind of an indication they were Bulls-like to start, but it has continued throughout. They are the second highest team on making defended field goals.
00:37:35
Speaker
between Devin Booker, Dylan Brooks, Grayson Allen taking a step up. These guys are hitting contested, defended like shots.
00:37:46
Speaker
And they've done it for a stretch now where I'm starting to think as soon as Devin Booker gets back, it gets a bit easier. And the biggest difference they don't have is they don't have anyone who's driving to the rim looking to take it to the to the backboard.
00:38:01
Speaker
And once Jalen Green comes in, I think he brings so much into that. Whether he improves from his Rockets days of if he's able to dish out of that well without giving up three turnovers a game, we'll see.
00:38:13
Speaker
but If Green is even moderately consistent coming in, I think this team is actually a lot better than we give it credit for. And I think they could really push a lot of teams just with this kind of play style and this coaching style.
00:38:31
Speaker
I don't know. What do you think, Shane? and yeah I think the way that Stinbrooks in particular started the season has shown him that, as you were saying, the interview with the coach where he said he was disappointed he built around um Kevin Durant. I think this trade has really worked out well for them as well as it has for the Rockets too.
00:38:49
Speaker
And if they get Jim Green back firing, playing properly, playing like he was when he was at the top of his game, with the Rockets, then yeah, who knows, maybe they can get into the last couple of playoff spots. I still think they'll be happy with the play-in and see where they go from there.
00:39:05
Speaker
and I think offensive boards are such a good... there's such a good barometer to see where team it is. like The offensive boards the Rockets are getting this year has been off the charts. It's actually, like it's at a level that's unsustainable, but it's second chance second chance points are so important in the NBA.
00:39:21
Speaker
And obviously the more offensive boards you get, the more chances you are going to get at second points. So if they can keep doing what they're doing and then get Jaden Green back, Booker back, get him shooting, get him firing with Dylan Brooks defending and shooting threes, then who knows? They will absolutely have a winning record by the end of season.
00:39:37
Speaker
It's just will the winning record be enough to get him into that top six or seven? Yeah, I think it is a really big part of this. like That was one of the main things I had written down and highlighted here.
00:39:49
Speaker
How does Jalen Green fit into this Suns team? Because we've named some guys who can play a certain way. And what you've said, Michael, makes perfect sense that he's going to drive...
00:40:00
Speaker
like a lot more. and and And in theory, give some other guys more space on kickouts, but that's never been his game. and he's He's more drive first and he doesn't really know else where else to look. So unless the presence of a big man inside is going to help that and he kind of learns how to play off of Mark Williams or he learns how to dish out to somebody. Then I'm struggling a little bit to see how well he'll play as part of this team. But then the one game he did play, he went off like 29 points in 23 minutes. But like, we've seen him do that before. It's just...
00:40:36
Speaker
This needs to be consistent. And the the main thing is, as I said, tiny sample size, but the main thing in that game was that Booker and seemed to work quite well with him. 24.7 assists. He did connect with him well. It was against a poor Clippers team. Only one game, as I said again, but like...
00:40:52
Speaker
These little things are glimmers of hope and they'll be hoping that they can maybe coach up Jalen Green to play into that side of things because if he just mindlessly dribbles with his head down to the basket then it's not helpful but if he gets into the paint and then looks to kick out when it's not there or... he makes smarter decisions to get himself to the line more, then yeah, this is the perfect player for his system. So i think all in all, despite their probably lack of size and and physicality in some of the
00:41:28
Speaker
kind of backcourt and you're looking at even they've got some solid centers but really we've mentioned Brooks and Dunn like these are not guys who are overly physical they're great handsy they are strong but they're not guys you'd go all right they're gonna get you like they're going to go up and block a shot at the moment that you need it, or they're going to pull down extra defensive boards or offensive boards consistently. But it's the effort that these guys give.
00:41:54
Speaker
It doesn't matter what what their physical limits are. They're putting in efforts, deflections, loose ball takeaways, offensive boards, all things we've pointed out. And all of those things are like hustle, things that you don't get without putting in an effort. And that kind of all ties in into what Ishbia said. So...
00:42:12
Speaker
I guess the proof is in the pudding and if they keep doing this then yeah makes sense but that's my main concern that when Green comes that he fits in properly and he doesn't affect the effort level of others done as well by poor decision making.
00:42:28
Speaker
Yeah, I think the thing with Green, if Green can come in here and do what he did last year for the Rockets, then he'll be a success. So last year he was averaging 21 points, five rebounds and four assists. If he's in around that again, averaging 20 points, where Stylen Brookes keeps up his average of 22, Devin Booker's averaging 25, that would really, really help him going forward.
00:42:48
Speaker
But if like if he could bring his rebounds up by, he brings them up by one, over the course the season on average brings it up to 5.6 per game. like That can make such a difference. Bring his points up to 25 level with Booker probably won't happen. I don't he's as good as Booker obviously but if he can kind of either know stick to his level or go up even 5% from what he is then he'll he'll be a success for the Suns in my opinion.
00:43:13
Speaker
and In terms of everything else you said i i actually have nothing to pick bones on. I think everything you said has been pretty much spot on to be properly honest. um I've nothing to come back at you on unfortunately as much as I want to.
00:43:26
Speaker
We'll throw it to you, Michael, then, if you have any closing thoughts on the Sons before we wrap up this this interesting and topic that you brought to us. Yeah, I mean, i think I thought it was going to be more of debate than than both of you guys thinking they're falling off. I think it's...
00:43:43
Speaker
like I think Jalen Green absolutely could average 25. That one game that he played against the Clippers, I think the biggest difference is they had him off ball for a good margin of the game. The coach seems to really buy into this playmaking by committee. And I think it's actually really brought out the the playmaking out of Gillespie, like we said. Even Ryan Dunn and Dylan Brooks at times when Devin Booker is on the court with him.
00:44:12
Speaker
The team's really, every second possession, you see a different guy bringing up the floor, whether it's one of those four, even Grayson Allen at times. Devin Booker is fantastic off ball, and you're kind of hoping that rubs off on Jalen Green. I mean, he had seven three-pointers made.
00:44:28
Speaker
In that first place game against the Clippers. And all he was doing was being the second pass. They would just swing it back to him. And he had a wide open three on the reverse. He seems to really like.
00:44:42
Speaker
I know it's a one game sample size. But he really seemed. comfortable in that system that they were playing. Another big thing is Devin Booker wants to shoot that jump shot every time. Every pick and roll he's doing, they're put pressing up on him. Now he's getting that pass into the center, into Williams and Richards, but
00:45:04
Speaker
Jalen Green was getting doubled by the Clippers. The first possession... Like, one of the first possessions of the game, he went around Zubat for a layup, and then they started dropping two every time he was on a pick-and-roll because they were worried about him getting to the room. He just gives...
00:45:19
Speaker
Add dynamic to this team that they're lacking right now and still having moderate success in. I think he does so much for to open the game for them that they could end the season as maybe a five seed if they get rolling. But like ah they could miss the play-in.
00:45:37
Speaker
I think i Devin Booker is still a superstar as well. That guy looks like he hasn't aged in the last four years. he will fry anybody in front of him. So this team I thought it was going to be fighting for a lottery pick and i think they might make the playoffs.
00:45:56
Speaker
Yeah, so if you were to say right now, I think on the Devin Booker point, then yeah, I i only agree. He's probably, aren't he gets way too little love. He's top 15, at least for me.
00:46:09
Speaker
He's like such a good player and and he's had to carry such a load for this team. But if you were to say right now, I think me and Shane are both kind of in lockstep to say play. And what do you think they're going to end up at when we get to playoff time?
00:46:28
Speaker
It's difficult to see them... Like, the top five are kind of locked. I'm not going to move the Spurs, Lakers, Rockets, Nuggets, Thunder. But it's a question of, like, the Timberwolves, really. And the Warriors. That kind of range.
00:46:45
Speaker
I already told you I wasn't messing with the Warriors preseason now. I told you this. I think the fall-off is incoming. But... ah I don't know. I think playing as well. I think a seventh seed. But if the Timberwolves have another couple, they have another rough month. Yeah. I'm going to be coming back on here triumphant about my my son's prediction.
00:47:09
Speaker
Oh, nice. Nice. We love it. We love it. Great topic. We'll be looking forward to the next one in two weeks time. Everybody keep an eye out for that. And thanks for coming on again, Michael. So week 14 of Gun Chance, both of us got two points again last week. So the lead is 14-13 to me. We're doing very well in the last few weeks, to be fair.
00:47:27
Speaker
and We both had the Pacers to beat the Bulls and that one came off. The Pacers actually won another game after that. So 6-18 now. Might be getting an old lead soon. and And then we both had Villa to beat Arsenal.
00:47:39
Speaker
That one came off, as we already mentioned. I had the Bengals to beat the Bills. The Bengals just shot themselves in the foot three times and then shot themselves in the face. So that one didn't come off. And then for you, you went with the Jets to beat the Dolphins. That was an absolute disaster. Yeah, let's not talk about it.
00:47:54
Speaker
So we'll go with this week's ones. I'll throw mine out first. I'm going back to the Bengals because I think when you have Joe Burrow, it's hard to overlook him when he's an underdog and the Ravens are just spluttering.
00:48:06
Speaker
And Lamar Jackson hasn't really been consistent and he's still not training every week. and He's not practiced again on Wednesday. So i'm going with the Bengals 5-4. They're at home 6pm on Sunday. I'm surprised that they're underdogs here.
00:48:20
Speaker
um Next up I'm going with Burnley to beat Fulham. It was between that and Brighton to beat Liverpool. But I think that has like a 3-3 written all over it. and Because both teams are a bit leaky and both teams score. a lot um when they're honest but i'm i'm going with burnley to beat fulham it's half five on saturday three to one i think is a great price because burnley showed a lot of fight against newcastle when they went down to 10 men they had a great chance at the end that could have drawn it back to two two um and fulham only have four points from seven away games they're awful away from home so i'm going with that and then last up i'm going with the hawks and to beat the pistons friday night at midnight
00:48:58
Speaker
Hawks are 14 to 11. Pistons are 19 to 5. So there's the five game gap. They've got Jalen Johnson and Chris Tapps back. So I think they might be the ones to bring Pistons back down a little bit to earth and show that they're not messing around either in the East. So those are my three picks.
00:49:14
Speaker
Not bad. I think it's the first time a long time we actually have three separate ones, completely all three of ours are different. So I'm going with the Lions to beat the Rams. So the Lions are 2-1, the Rams are I think the Lions need this so much. They're going to come out swinging with both fists and kicking as kicking the way around as well. So I thought a Not a bad chance. In the football, I've gone with West Ham to beat Villa.
00:49:37
Speaker
And Villa are playing right now, I think. Yeah, they're they're playing this evening at some point. So West Ham have a full week to prepare for coming into this. West Ham are 13-5, Villa are evens.
00:49:48
Speaker
um So I've gone for that. And I've gone for the Bucs at 10-15 to beat the Celtics, so we're 15-9.
00:49:55
Speaker
Oh, Bucks to beat the Celtics. That's an interesting one. and I think the the odds on those three, if once the Bucks odds come out, that'll be a hefty bet if that one came up. but West Ham to beat Villa. Interesting. I don't know. I could see that being a draw if West Ham just want to sit back, but um I think when we have these ones where we're all like three and three separate, it could go like completely one of us could get three and the other person could get none and then that's a massive swing. So I like that, that we have the same. And Villa are 1-0 up right now against Basil. Gaysand scored, which is good for him because he hasn't done a whole lot since they signed him. Yeah, but yet that's gone chance.
00:50:32
Speaker
All right, so we've got Evan back on once again.
Dallas Cowboys' playoff chances
00:50:35
Speaker
You'll have seen him before. Our resident Cowboys fan. What a better time to get him on than right now. and um Cowboys are pushing, trying to get into those playoff spots. We'll come on to that in a few minutes. We've got another little topic first, but first of all, welcome, Evan. and Thank you for coming back on once again.
00:50:53
Speaker
Thank you very much, gentlemen. Much appreciated. It's always a pleasure to be on Who's Got the Ball? It's an exciting one this week to to go through some bits and pieces, yeah especially with the roller coaster that is the Cowboys playoffs. But yeah, I'm looking forward to talking shite.
00:51:09
Speaker
Yeah, and we're what we're going to have to do as well at the end of the season is come back to our predictions that we made at the start and see how close we were because some are looking decent, some are looking dodgy. But yeah, we'll come back to those and probably in between the Super Bowl and ah the the playoff championship games. and So that's a nice time to to talk something about about your pre-season predictions. This is a bit of a dead week, but we'll start with what we usually touch on a Clutch player the week from the NFL. So myself and Shane have decided we go back offense this week. Two weeks defensive players last two weeks. But this time we're back on the offensive side of things. and Back in the NFC, Christian Watson.
00:51:55
Speaker
What a game he had for the Packers against the Bears. Kind of... A game that could be a turning point and for and the Packers and could be a turning point for the Bears too, depending on how they bounce back.
00:52:08
Speaker
So, he's in his fourth season in the league. he He has suffered injuries on and off, and even this season he started with injuries, but four for four, 89 yards, two touchdowns in a key game.
00:52:20
Speaker
What really much else can you ask from him like in a big moment when he needs to step up? He had a touchdown the week before against the Lions too, so... He's 15 games last season, 620 yards, two touchdowns, already in seven games this season, 452 five TDs. Shane, do you think that he's the new wide receiver one for the Packers, but Tucker Craft really was in that role until he got injured? Do you think Watson can can fill that?
00:52:46
Speaker
Yeah, I think the thing Watson is like he is the man on that team who was who has always been there to make these closer plays. So four catches for 89 yards, 22 yards a catch just over it is really good going. It's getting your team, getting it moving, getting down the field and getting your two touchdowns in as well then. It kind of makes him...
00:53:06
Speaker
It makes Jordan Love know he can trust him. um Jordan Love doesn't really like to throw the ball. He was only 17 for 25, which isn't great for Joe when he's our your quarterback and you so many wide receivers out there. But as you said, upon working on him, if you throw the ball to him four times, he catches it four times, goes off and gets two touchdowns and you win the game, there's not a whole lot more you can do really.
00:53:29
Speaker
I would say Jordan Love isn't like a gunslinger where he throws like 40 passes a game, but he is pass first and he likes to rifle the ball, like literally like take someone's head off with it.
00:53:44
Speaker
And I don't think Kraft, I don't think outside Kraft, anyone else had the hands to do that. So Watson, you know, I know he was like 4-10 against the Lions, but 4-4 last week you know And Jaden Reid coming back, I still do think, despite that, that Watson will be the number one. And I think he'll probably end up with the most touchdowns and the most receiving yards for the team this season. Even with Dobbs still out there, he's definitely going to surpass Kraft's touchdown numbers. So, Evan, what have you made of him over the last few weeks since he's he's gotten back into the fray?
00:54:17
Speaker
Yeah, absolute baller. um i I picked him up in week 10 on fantasy. Hell yeah. he was just He was just a big chilling on the waiver wire. mean, yeah, he came off a tour ACL at the tail end of 2024 against Chicago.
00:54:33
Speaker
That was a tough one. So he obviously missed a heap of preseason bits and pieces here and there. um And then he just exploded in, was it week seven against the Steelers, I think, when he first came back in.
00:54:49
Speaker
Had a great game. I mean, he's had some phenomenal performances since coming back. He's had one or two lullish games. You know, he's rocking 30 to 40, 50 yards a game. But, like, he's had multiple TDs in his last four games.
00:55:03
Speaker
He's the deep threat for Jordan Love. He's just somebody that Jordan Love now seemingly can rely on. ah Even looking back last year s the wide receiver threats that Jordan Love had to play with.
00:55:16
Speaker
Even in fantasy, it was a tough one to go with because you didn't know, is it Dontavion Wicks? Is it Romeo Dobbs? Is it Christian? You know, it didn't you didn't know who to run Greenbelt-wise as a receiver because everyone was getting dotted up and one person was popping off this week, the next it was somebody else.
00:55:33
Speaker
But Christian Watson is clearly the guy who's stepping up now on a near-round week-to-week basis and he'll definitely be the guy that they rely on going forward, I think, for sure. um yeah I think Jaden Reid kind of mentioned he just had his kind of breakout since he's got back in the frame. For me, at the start of the season, he was their most talented wide receiver.
00:55:55
Speaker
But Watson has proved reliable in the inter interim. And Dobbs has kind of fallen out of favor. So I think with Watson Reid going into the postseason with those two, Josh Jacobs running the ball,
00:56:09
Speaker
I think you can go pretty far with that. And obviously Micah on the other side of the ball. So I think they've they've really done well to solidify what they want to do. I think LaFleur has done a good job. and And especially in a game like that where it's like two offensive geniuses Ben Johnson against LeFleur before the season started. Ben Johnson was kind of making sly comments about LeFleur saying there was Kevin O'Connell and Dan Campbell in that division and he usually liked to beat LeFleur twice a season. LeFleur just came out and showed him what's what and the first time they play again and in a couple of weeks which I cannot wait for because... If LeFleur beats him twice, he surely can't hold his tongue there.
00:56:51
Speaker
He has to make some comment after the game. but and Really, right now, do you think they're going to win this division? I'm sure to you for chance. Yeah, I do think they'll win the division now. I think there're they're far enough ahead of it that I just can't see them falling off enough to let the Bears and the Lions get in ahead of them.
00:57:11
Speaker
I think the Lions will pick the Bears to the second spot, but i think I think the Packers are going to win the division now. Yeah, I think so too. I think they'll win it um Purely, maybe the tie might help them that they had with the Cowboys who we're coming on to in a minute, but yeah as to give them one less loss, and they might end up maybe as the same wins as one of the other teams and sneak in because they've won less loss there. But yeah, I think it's an interesting one between the Bears and Lions. What but do you make of this division going into the rest of the season? i Yeah, it is ah it is it is a bit of a tough one.
00:57:42
Speaker
um I think, yeah, for sure, they could absolutely just hold it down. it's going to be an interesting one to see how it pans out over the next couple of weeks. Match-ups-wise, we've got a lot of interesting match-ups. But I think overall, come playoff time, I think Green and Bay are fine. I think they're golden.
00:57:59
Speaker
yeah Yeah, NFC is tough and to win a division and get home field advantage would mean a lot to any team in the NFC right now. But let's stick with another team in the NFC, Evan, rocking the CD-Lam jersey. as Yes, sir. as he As he would love to see that man make it into the playoffs with the rest of his team, those Dallas Cowboys. They're kind of coming, they're coming in hot.
00:58:22
Speaker
and Looking at their recent performances, okay, they lost last weekend to the Lions. and Unfortunately, Lamb went out in that game. Looks like he's trending to return there for their game against Minnesota this weekend, which would be huge, absolutely huge Sunday night football. And before that, they were a very hot streak like After that loss to Arizona, I thought 3-5-1, that's it, like, finished.
00:58:47
Speaker
But to come off that, beat the Raiders, which was a nice confidence boost i'm on Monday Night Football, and then from there, to beat the Eagles and the Chiefs within the space of four days, that the Super Bowl competitors from last year... Before going into a really handy walk into the rest of the season, like you've got Vikings, and Chargers, Commanders and Giants and the Commanders are absolutely banged up. So the question is, can the Cowboys still make the playoffs?
00:59:14
Speaker
Evan, what do you think? Yeah, this is this is a tough one. So right now, we're currently hovering around 10 percent chance to make the playoffs, which isn't ideal.
00:59:28
Speaker
However, yeah, the Lions loss didn't help that. On the flip side, the Eagles loss to the Chargers went our way as well. da the The Detroit Lions game was a tough one. We shot ourselves in the foot. um The Eagles have turned the ball over far too many times in that Chargers game to to stay relevant and stay competitive.
00:59:48
Speaker
I think one thing that was really tough in that Lions game was, I think, Jake Ferguson. That was a tough one. So, like, overall as a tight end, He came out with solid game, decent receptions, moderate yards.
01:00:02
Speaker
But he had the fumble, which was tough. And then on top of that, he was the one holding where CD was towards the red zone and the P.I. and the, or I think it was illegal hands to the face, actually. not written space mask yeah Yeah, illegal hands to the face versus P.I.,
01:00:23
Speaker
they cancelled out each other and that would have put us in first and goal at the five yard line. So that could have been an absolute 180 on that game. But look, what can we do?
01:00:34
Speaker
That was one that, ah if coming into that trio of games, Eagles, Chiefs, Lions, I honestly didn't think that we were going to beat the last you know two Super Bowls, champions we'll say, in in the Eagles and the Chiefs. So The other thing as well, I think for us to like have a chance in our next run, we need to stop playing so massively from behind. um I mean, like that Eagles win in itself was huge, but it was off the back that it was 21-0 deficit. i It's not sustainable to play that far behind.
01:01:11
Speaker
um and I think that that's one thing that the Cowboys defense kind of needs to work on. But overall, we have some huge mashups. So we've got the Vikings, the Chargers, the Commanders, and then the Giants.
01:01:24
Speaker
As a fellow Giants fan, I know I said this to you last night, um if you could just roll over and give us that dub, that would be much appreciated. and We need the win, and you need the the closer round pick. know what i mean?
01:01:36
Speaker
So like you're you're hooking us up, and we're hooking you up. But yeah, like outside of that, yeah, it's a tough one. I think on paper... I think the Chargers is the going to be the hardest matchup that we have.
01:01:50
Speaker
mean, they're 11-ranked offense. They're 4-ranked defense. The stats don't like. They do a good job. Can we surpass that? that's Out of the four that we have upcoming, that's the one that's going to be a tough one, I think.
01:02:06
Speaker
Yeah, I think you're matched up well for that, though, in my opinion, because they want to run the life out of the ball because Justin Herbert is in bits. You could see he was he did a great job, but it was almost you know a bad decision to play him there against the Eagles. They got the win, but could have ended up a lot worse because of how many hits he took, eight sacks and...
01:02:27
Speaker
You know, he was clearly not right with his hand. He wasn't able to protect himself. So they were running the ball a lot. But the Cowboys have invested heavily in wanting to be a team to stop the run. So I've got Quinan Williams and Kenny Clark there, who are two great run stoppers. So it is a nice matchup.
01:02:45
Speaker
Although the Chargers are a good team, the Cowboys are the type of team that can kind of, I think... eliminate their strengths and but yeah i think you're gonna need to go for an all and then on the other side you're looking at the eagles playing the raiders commanders twice and the bills so really gonna have to lose the bills and then one of those other three with the cowboys winning all four with the way jaylen hurts is playing recently you know 55% and completion in his last two games, losing in both and throwing four interceptions on Monday Night Football. And it could have been more if there wasn't drops.
01:03:22
Speaker
The last two games they won, they only scored 10 and 16 points. So look, if the commanders put out an effort like they did against the Broncos the other week, then maybe they can take one of them. But it's it's such a handy little run-in for the Eagles outside of that Bills game. Shane, do you think that the Cowboys realistically do have a chance here or are the Eagles just going to run the table in these last four?
01:03:42
Speaker
Yeah, I'm i'm sorry Evan, I don't want to see the Cowboys making this. I really thought they were going to win out when they went back to back against the Chiefs and the Eagles. I thought they were literally going to go and win their last six or seven games and they'd have absolutely cruised in obviously then.
01:03:55
Speaker
That Lions loss is just, its it's the nail in the coffin for me unfortunately. Even if they do win their last four, I just don't see it being enough and he and to get them over... the Lions and to get them over the Eagles as well terms of the wildcard spot as well so no unfortunately I don't think you're going to make the playoffs you're going to be sitting with myself and Tranks watching from the outside look if that is the case I will happily join ye in the ring of sorrow you know what I mean oh man I love how you just brought back in cold the Tranks nickname I don't know where it came from haven't called it any more than months I'd say do that just completely came off the cuff there
01:04:33
Speaker
Back in the Uber days when we all worked together, I got nicknamed it. Oh, the story is just absolutely ridiculous. Let's just tangent off into it for a second. But yeah one of the lads was like, I'd recently joined one of the guys, Connor, a big Leeds fan, I'll help him. And he said that something like, I'll give you a name, but it has to be like with the nicknames or the letters in your name. And then he said...
01:04:57
Speaker
oh we can call you kettle because my my surname is kellett and then he was like oh we can go le ket and then not he was like l-e-k-e-t-t and then i was like oh there's an extra l and then he was like oh little cat like a rapper, little cat. And then I run, of course, from there, puts cat to ketamine into tranquilizer.
01:05:16
Speaker
And next thing, I'm just being called Tranks for absolutely no reason for a solid, well, however long was there, 11 months. So they yeah, out right that was a nice one. Good time. bu You were also part of that concoction of naming Shane. I was the one that got you from. life like When he was like trying to get there.
01:05:34
Speaker
Yeah, I was the one that got you from and Little Cat to Trunks. That was all me after James. jane I think Connor got us there and I just pushed it over the line. and as I think that's better, to be honest. I would rather that because the other one just makes me sound... yes It sounds like you should have face tattoos on your eyes if you're going to be called Little Cat, to be fair. Yeah, that's true. But I'd love if you just coldly dropped that in there. and Back on to the Eagles, or Cowboys, should I say. Well, both.
01:05:59
Speaker
But yeah one point I did want to make is that I know it's to say, oh, like if you had won one more game, but if you had just won that Cardinals game right now, it would be 7-6-1.
01:06:10
Speaker
The Eagles would be 8-5. If you win out, that's 10, sorry, 11-6-1 and the Eagles lose to Buffalo and then you're into the playoffs because you have a less loss. That one loss might be the one that bites you.
01:06:24
Speaker
But I think, yeah, I just don't know about the Eagles. that Let's talk about the Eagles for a sec. Like what on earth is going on over at there, Evan? Yeah, the Eagles are going through bit of a whirlwind at the minute. And like we said, yeah, their matchups upcoming, the Raiders, Commanders, Hoist and Bills, we're hoping that, yeah, the Bills put them down. We're hoping that the Commanders can once at least put them down.
01:06:49
Speaker
But if they want to stay on top and keep us at arm's length, they need to lock in. Their offense hasn't been great this year. Yeah, I'm sure they've been dealing with a lot of O-line issues and injuries. They've had play calling criticisms. They've had locker room and culture cracks showing.
01:07:06
Speaker
And seemingly, it's just the lack of ability to adjust from play to play on the field. but I think those are the things that are holding them back from you know how insane they looked last year.
01:07:17
Speaker
I mean, Saquon had ah historical recently. And that's just not how it is this season. But again, those things all coming together, it's all culminating into the downfall of the Eagles.
01:07:30
Speaker
I think, again, i don't want to be delusional, but yeah, I think we have a chance. Okay, I'm not going to be delusional. I don't think i don't think we're going to do it. I don't think we're going to do I think the Eagles lock in. I think they overcome the hurdles. um And i I do think they hold on to the spot.
01:07:48
Speaker
But look, we can always look forward to next year. You know what i mean? Well, I would say I have a bit of faith because I like i like would say if you win these next three and the Eagles lose to Buffalo and you're going into the last week, you're playing the Giants, that's a shoe-in. You're going to pull up like 700 yards on us.
01:08:07
Speaker
And then the commanders in the very last week, they can sting the Eagles to end the season. And they'd love to as well. They would absolutely love to go out there and do that. So that would be tasty. Yeah.
01:08:19
Speaker
For me, the thing with the Eagles is they've been trending downwards for so long in terms of their point scores. like The Giants' win over the Eagles literally seemed to break them. like It actually seemed to just put them, how on earth have we just let that happen? I know they went out and beat you two weeks later, but 10 points against the Packers to beat them, 16 against the Lions,
01:08:39
Speaker
21 against the Cowboys, who didn't score three quarters. 15 against the Bears, 19 against the Chargers. They're just not putting up the points. They work. You made a great point there that Saquon isn't doing what he was doing last year. He's just not able to get those long bursting runs where he goes 60 yards and just gets the Eagles flying up.
01:08:57
Speaker
And then you've, Jalen Hurts has forgotten how to throw ball and and he can't seem to run as well. his His double turnover at the weekend was absolutely brilliant. It's one of the best things I've ever seen in football.
01:09:08
Speaker
So funny, but it's just, they to seem to completely... They're just falling off a cliff and they're still falling. um Another great point you made by James there, the commanders would absolutely love go out and ruin their chances on the last game of the season, especially with how miserable their season has been as well.
01:09:25
Speaker
If they could like bring the Eagles down to their level for one more game, knock them of the playoff picture and get the Cowboy then, I'm sure they'd love to. Yeah, a sick one is kind of a sad situation as well if you're an Eagles fan. For me, as a Giants fan who let him go, it's like, oh, okay, you know, he wasn't exactly gracious when he left. So, you know, him not playing as well, as since it's not an injury, I'm kind of like, all right, okay, it's good to be happy with that. But it's kind of sad to watch the fact that they have to do a fake tush push to get him his first big run of the season. yeah Like, yeah, it's good play, Colin. You stole it from another team that did it like a week ago. boss
01:10:01
Speaker
And at the same time, he can't do it and in regular play. And that's probably down to Lane Johnson being injured. I think that's such a massive loss. And that's probably why Hartz is uncomfortable
NFL team performance discussions
01:10:11
Speaker
too. So yeah, it's not looking good for them in general. I think if they do sneak in, they're going to get waxed once they get into the playoffs, similar to the way they did two years ago. and because the NFC is so strong one of these wildcard teams is is going to be an unbelievable challenge so I'm not positive about the Eagles getting any further than one game in the playoffs if they do get in there I'd much rather see the Cowboys get in there and and cause a bit of a stir, because no one really wants to go to Dallas and get involved in a shootout as their very first game of the playoffs. So I think it's it's it's a good storyline going into the rest of the season. We need to keep watching the Cowboys and make sure that they don't slip up and lose. They're playing, oh, nine. They're playing nine.
01:10:53
Speaker
You know, big game against nine. JJ McCarthy. God help us all, what side of him is going to come out. When you give yourself the nickname of nine, You just know you're doing something wrong. yeah on him book we'll We'll leave it there.
01:11:07
Speaker
Thanks again for for coming on, Ev. We'll definitely have you on again. and Hopefully if the Cowboys make the playoffs, we'll will'll get you on sooner. But if not, we'll get you on close to the playoff time and we'll get you ah those predictions, chat.
01:11:21
Speaker
but before i Before I depart, I'd like to point out we're currently at six wins, by the way. okay The over-under wins At the start of the season, we're seven and a half.
01:11:33
Speaker
I'm just throwing that out there. I'm just throwing that out there. Right? Right? Everyone was laughing. Everyone was laughing. Here we are. Okay? Also, pre-Parsons trade, we were nine and a half.
01:11:47
Speaker
If we win out, I'm just saying. I'm just saying. Okay, so let's just book it in now. The Cowboys lose their last four games. Thanks for coming on. Cheers, Al. Thank you. Nice to talk to you soon. Thanks a million, lads. Have a good one.
Power rankings update
01:12:02
Speaker
Okay, so power rankings to wrap things up.
01:12:04
Speaker
Week 14 of these power rankings. I'll throw it to you first, Shane, if you want to throw out yours from last week and and your updates. Yeah, so last week I was OKC, Arsenal, Villa, Patriots, Broncos, Rockets.
01:12:16
Speaker
um I kept the same six this year, just as this this year this week, just just switched it up a bit. So OKC, Arsenal, Villa remain as my top three. I've moved the Rockets up to fourth and just pushed the Pats and the Broncos down to five and six.
01:12:30
Speaker
So the Rockets is the only change from sixth up to fourth. o So what's your full order? Sorry again. OKC, Arsenal, Villa, Rockets, Patriots, Broncos. Interesting. I'm still sticking with Arsenal in there as a second spot.
01:12:46
Speaker
What's the reason to mind that? They're still top the league. They've only lost that one game and they could have won it at many stages as well. So it's not like they they haven't fallen off a cliff just yet. Hopefully they do soon now, but for the moment they do do have to stay in there.
01:13:00
Speaker
Yeah, I think as well their performance in the Champions League showed that the Verde is still having that Madweke goal was... Outrageous. So mine then last week was OKC, Arsenal, Rams, Villa, Patriots, Pistons. I've got two new teams in here.
01:13:16
Speaker
So I've got OKC first still. Rams still... Rams, sorry, moved up now to second because I think the Rams are just unbelievable. And i I don't know. I just think that they might go out and...
01:13:29
Speaker
give a whooping to the Lions and that would be another even massive statement but I think that I just think that they're top class obviously OKC are 16 game win streak so they're gonna have to see them out and sit at the top but then I move Villa up to third I think that beating Arsenal continuing to win so many games and Arsenal dropping points recently deserves Villa to move up a spot at least for at least for this week.
01:13:53
Speaker
So Arsenal are in fourth then. My two new entries are at fifth and sixth. I've got the Seahawks in fifth. I just think that they are so good. I just don't know how they can't be in this. For me, the Rams and Seahawks are just the best two in it.
01:14:06
Speaker
And I just really, really, i just really, really want to have the Seahawks in here at this point. I know the Patriots were on a bye, but I just think the Seahawks are something else, the things that they can do to teams and defensively.
01:14:16
Speaker
And then number six, I've got the San Antonio Spurs. I think... 9-3 without Wemby is very, very powerful for me, including the win over the Lakers in the Cup last night, and they won against the Nuggets too.
01:14:30
Speaker
You can see other guys stepping up, you can see the Iron Fox really settling into this team. Dylan Harper has been impressive, and I just think that That's a powerful team if they're managing to do that even without by far their best players. So I've got OKC, Rams, Villa, Arsenal, Seahawks and Spurs as my six.
01:14:48
Speaker
So let's leave it there.
Future episodes and anniversary celebration
01:14:50
Speaker
That's another episode wrapped. Appreciate Michael for coming on. He'll be back on every two weeks. So you'll get plenty of him and we'll get Evan on again very soon. So appreciate both the lads for coming on. Throw it to you, Shane, to finish up.
01:15:02
Speaker
Yeah, thanks lads. Just keep watching, keep enjoying this. Over 50 episodes done now, so it's absolutely mad how quick this worked. Next week is 52, so it's a full year of episodes, which is unbelievable. So thanks for watching. We really do appreciate it. Like, subscribe, comment, whatever you want. Give us a view if you want.
01:15:19
Speaker
Just to do something and we'll see you next week. Nice one lads. See you next week. Welcome back to another episode of Who's Got the Ball with Shane and James.