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2026 Wildcard Weekend!
15 Plays12 days ago
PLAYOFFS?! 14 teams remain in the hunt for the coveted Lombardi Trophy! Who has what it takes to move on? Join Mack and Bob as they break down every matchup for the 2026 Wildcard Weekend!
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Transcript
Playful Banter and Playoff Excitement
00:00:01
Bobbo
Playoffs, let's dive right in.
00:00:09
Bobbo
yeah he's dobbed me that was awesome playoffs let's da right in
00:00:39
Mackenzie Forgacs
Welcome back to Making Waves, an NFL confidence pool podcast. I'm your host, Meg.
New Year and NFL Playoff Reflections
00:00:45
Bobbo
And i am your host, Bob.
00:00:49
Mackenzie Forgacs
Sorry, do you want to keep that intro?
00:00:51
Bobbo
and mean, we're we're in it now. I know it's pretty good.
00:00:54
Mackenzie Forgacs
Oh my gosh, I'm sorry I laughed at just the way your voice came out. I don't know. It just really took me by surprise.
00:01:01
Bobbo
You weren't expecting the...
00:01:02
Mackenzie Forgacs
Hey, all right.
00:01:04
Bobbo
It just... of things that just comes to it and sometimes you just gotta... to You just gotta ride with it.
00:01:09
Mackenzie Forgacs
Oh, it just took me by surprise. I loved it, though. it is It is the playoffs, and it is an exciting time, so what better than an exciting voice?
00:01:13
Bobbo
It's
00:01:18
Bobbo
Exciting voice, um some laughter, all the emotions. that's That's what the playoffs are for, and that's what making waves is going to just continue on with for the next five-plus weeks.
00:01:31
Mackenzie Forgacs
Oh my gosh, that was hilarious. Well, anyways, yes, obviously very clear introduction. It is time for the playoffs. Last time we were with you all was three weeks ago.
00:01:42
Bobbo
Wow.
00:01:45
Mackenzie Forgacs
we
00:01:45
Bobbo
Wow.
00:01:46
Mackenzie Forgacs
and went through very rapid fire all three weeks. Christmas chaos indeed. And it is now 2026, if you can believe it or not.
00:01:55
Bobbo
Whoa. What
00:01:56
Mackenzie Forgacs
We are in a brand new year. got a bunch of brand new teams to the playoffs. I believe it was six teams I counted that made it last year that did not make it this year.
00:02:07
Mackenzie Forgacs
So we got that six spots up for grabs and some teams have definitely taken control of that and taken their opportunity here heading into the new year.
00:02:09
Bobbo
is it?
00:02:19
Bobbo
Happy New Year, first and foremost. 2026 is to be a big year, and I think it's going to be um started off with a bang. I know I'm really thankful for a lot of things in this new year.
00:02:32
Bobbo
One of them is the fact that my team is um NFC North 2025 six champions. I'm thankful to be back in the playoffs, and I'm thankful that um the road ahead is wide open.
00:02:43
Bobbo
And I think in February I could really be celebrating. So um there's a lot to be settled.
00:02:48
Mackenzie Forgacs
Wow. Bold product or prediction there, my friend.
00:02:51
Bobbo
Hey, you know what? I didn't say, you know, put it in the bank, but it it very well could happen. And September 25, Bob, would have believed that. So it's, ah you know, it's going to be a good year. It's going to be a good year.
00:03:05
Mackenzie Forgacs
That's fair. Yeah, I mean, if you told me, well, you did actually try to tell me that your boys were going to be the champs this year for the NSC North, and I ah definitely laughed in your face, and...
00:03:16
Bobbo
You did.
00:03:17
Mackenzie Forgacs
look at Look at us now here in January. But your boys are getting the last laugh, but my boys got two laughs this year.
00:03:20
Bobbo
Is this...
00:03:27
Mackenzie Forgacs
So pretty happy about that.
00:03:27
Bobbo
Yeah, well, you know. Yeah, I was hoping that we were going to avoid that, ah you know, topic, this this podcast. Because it's it's good vibes.
00:03:36
Mackenzie Forgacs
waited three minutes and 38 seconds, so.
00:03:37
Bobbo
and
00:03:37
Mackenzie Forgacs
waited three minutes and thirty eight seconds so
00:03:40
Bobbo
Yeah, but, you know, it's good vibes it's playoffs.
00:03:41
Mackenzie Forgacs
you
00:03:43
Bobbo
And, yeah, I thought we were going maybe skip that one.
00:03:46
Mackenzie Forgacs
Well, we will have a bit of a punishment coming for you all
Coaching Changes and Surprising Decisions
00:03:49
Mackenzie Forgacs
probably next week.
00:03:50
Bobbo
will. We will.
00:03:51
Mackenzie Forgacs
So stand by for that. But there is one that's coming Bob's way that he openly admitted to. He did not think there was a chance he was going to be the one doing it. So i'm pretty excited for
00:04:03
Bobbo
I really, yeah Do you want me to to explain the the torture going to be going through in, you know, six to eight business days?
00:04:08
Mackenzie Forgacs
Please, please do.
00:04:11
Bobbo
So me and Mac were, you know, in agreeance that the, of the fact that we were going to do a bat with, you know, the last game of the season being lions and bears, best pals, you know, it it was going to be fun. I thought, and we both kind of separately, but simultaneously said the bean booze game.
00:04:33
Bobbo
And that is the jelly bean game where I've done this once and it was like 12 years ago and it was really, really bad. I hated it.
00:04:41
Mackenzie Forgacs
Oh, you have, i see I've never done it
00:04:42
Bobbo
Um, Oh, I did it back in like, it was in college with like Jen and Meg and Kyle and like a bunch of them. I don't know what we were, where we were, um but I remember doing it with them and I ate a couple of them. It's like earwax, boogers, vomit. It's,
00:05:01
Bobbo
really bad. So there's like one color that's green apple. One color is like booger and you just have to pick a color. They look identical. One's sour, one sweet. Um, and I thought, well, this is gonna be so fun to watch Mac dry heaving, um, you know, online.
00:05:18
Bobbo
And then, unfortunately there, it, it tastes like you're eating vomit from what I remember.
00:05:19
Mackenzie Forgacs
They're that bad that you're like, who
00:05:25
Bobbo
It's just, it's just,
00:05:25
Mackenzie Forgacs
my God. Okay. I'm so glad I was like signing up, honestly, partially thinking there was a chance that I was going to be doing it. And I was like, it's going to that bad.
00:05:36
Mackenzie Forgacs
Right. But I didn't realize it was that bad.
00:05:37
Bobbo
okay No, that's legitimately like the worst thing you'll ever taste. So I very well may throw up. um For sure, there'll be some guy heaving. And yeah, that's that's what going to be doing next week because apparently being boozled is um tough to find in the city of Chicago. So we're doing it next week.
00:05:55
Mackenzie Forgacs
All right. Well, tune in people or don't, if you don't want to hear Bob throw up, totally understandable as well. um
00:06:02
Bobbo
Or do.
00:06:03
Mackenzie Forgacs
But I think it, I think it will be fun. So I'm looking forward to it. Maybe even a little extra now.
00:06:06
Bobbo
You know what? Yeah, I think you're probably going to have a better better time than I am, but it's it's going to be something for sure. I can't wait.
00:06:16
Mackenzie Forgacs
Well, hopefully you will be riding high on a Bears first round win. um If you're riding low, that's kind of going to be like kicking you when you're down.
00:06:27
Mackenzie Forgacs
So we'll have to see to see if we go through with it if the Bears lose this weekend.
00:06:28
Bobbo
Yeah. Yeah.
00:06:33
Mackenzie Forgacs
um
00:06:34
Bobbo
Yeah.
00:06:35
Mackenzie Forgacs
But yeah, hopefully you're riding high.
00:06:37
Bobbo
Definitely hope going go. I'll be smiling through the vomit um and the earwax taste if the bears do what they're supposed to do. If not, um um I'm going to be a big sourpuss because i also i got to do a cold plunge in like Michigan at some point in the next week or so.
00:06:51
Mackenzie Forgacs
Yeah.
00:06:51
Bobbo
um This might be the time to do it. It's like 58 degrees today, so I got to do that this weekend.
00:06:56
Mackenzie Forgacs
You should, honestly.
00:06:58
Bobbo
This is going to be like 19 degrees.
00:06:58
Mackenzie Forgacs
I mean, the water will still be cold, but it'll be a little bit better at least.
00:07:02
Bobbo
Yeah, to update the folks I got, I won the toilet bowl in Max's family. um football league. So it's the bears are in, but the football guys still need to get me a couple of times where it hurts.
00:07:12
Bobbo
So got a couple of punishments. I'm really pumped for
00:07:15
Mackenzie Forgacs
You can't have it all, you know, you can't have your cake and eat it too. So if those are the things you got to give up for the Bears being in the playoffs, I would trade you a thousand times over.
00:07:25
Bobbo
You know what? I think that's a good point. Um, so yeah, got some fun punishments, but speaking of more, actually, you know what? Let's, let's keep it the sour first. You can talk about the, the recent, um,
00:07:37
Mackenzie Forgacs
Ah, developments. Yeah. So obviously, you know, we're heading into the playoffs.
00:07:39
Bobbo
yep.
00:07:42
Mackenzie Forgacs
There are some teams that are super excited. They're looking ahead. They're they're looking at what what January is going hold and hopefully even looking ahead to February.
00:07:53
Mackenzie Forgacs
But for a lot of teams, they are done. They are in the offseason. My boys are one of those teams. They're already, you know, checked out.
00:08:03
Mackenzie Forgacs
Maybe they're in Cabo or Cancun or wherever they say they go. And unfortunately for several of these teams, their head coaches are now getting the boot. So we've seen several firings already.
00:08:16
Mackenzie Forgacs
The season ended literally a week ago, and we've seen, I believe it's six head coaches already fired.
NFL Confidence Pool Explained
00:08:22
Mackenzie Forgacs
There's definitely more on the line. So there's going to be a lot of changes this off season, lot of changes heading into next season as well.
00:08:30
Mackenzie Forgacs
So we're just going to quickly run through those head coaching changes. So first up, Mike McDaniel, the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, he got boot today, actually.
00:08:39
Bobbo
Hey
00:08:42
Mackenzie Forgacs
So he now going to be seeking a new team and they're going be seeking a new head coach.
00:08:43
Bobbo
Mike.
00:08:49
Mackenzie Forgacs
Big shocker of, I think probably all of them, is John Harbaugh of the Ravens. For me, that's the biggest shocker. um He's been with the Ravens, I see right here, I thought it was about 20. It's 18 seasons total.
00:09:03
Mackenzie Forgacs
And they have parted ways, which is crazy considering they were literally one field goal away from making it into the playoffs.
00:09:04
Bobbo
That's a lot of seasons.
00:09:14
Mackenzie Forgacs
And I think we'd be having a different conversation if If that just stayed straight. And that's pretty insane.
00:09:19
Bobbo
Yep.
00:09:20
Mackenzie Forgacs
Considering the way they started. So I don't know. Don't know if I agree with that one. But it has happened. um
00:09:26
Bobbo
Oh.
00:09:27
Mackenzie Forgacs
Jonathan.
00:09:27
Bobbo
Summit doesn't like either.
00:09:28
Mackenzie Forgacs
Oh, Summit is pissed. Summit does not want Harbaugh gone.
00:09:30
Bobbo
He's not happy.
00:09:34
Bobbo
Angry girl over there.
00:09:34
Mackenzie Forgacs
Jonathan, the coach of the Arizona Cardinals. He has got the boot. Summit is really upset.
00:09:42
Bobbo
does not like talking about firing.
00:09:43
Mackenzie Forgacs
He's called inspiring.
00:09:44
Bobbo
She's like, get back to the good stuff.
00:09:46
Mackenzie Forgacs
Pete Carroll, poor Pete Carroll of the Raiders. He's gone. he left Seahawks.
00:09:50
Bobbo
Ugh.
00:09:51
Mackenzie Forgacs
and Now he's he left the Raiders. I mean, it's for the best. They have not been looking good. Kevin Stefanski of the Browns. Raheem Morris of the Falcons. Brian Dable of the Giants.
00:10:03
Mackenzie Forgacs
And finally rounding it all out, Brian Callahan of the Tennessee Titans. So I think that's actually more than six.
00:10:10
Bobbo
I
00:10:14
Bobbo
was saying, was that like 12? Man.
00:10:15
Mackenzie Forgacs
Eight. Eight head coaches have been fired. So even worse than we thought. But, yeah, lots of changes coming in this offseason for at least eight teams and probably several more.
00:10:26
Mackenzie Forgacs
So we'll see.
00:10:27
Bobbo
man Well, thank you for that list. And also, um I know it's we're a 50-50 partnership with um the swag and like the money that comes into this podcast. Would you be okay if I sent a little swag package to all eight of those gentlemen who, unfortunately, are starting off the new year without job?
00:10:41
Mackenzie Forgacs
Please do. Please do. Yeah. Definitely send send them their way. they're I'm sure they're hurt and now they don't have a job. you know they're They have no money to their name now.
00:10:49
Bobbo
Yeah. Okay.
00:10:52
Mackenzie Forgacs
So yeah, definitely. And we have all the money we could ever need.
00:10:54
Bobbo
Okay. and
00:10:56
Mackenzie Forgacs
So please.
00:10:56
Bobbo
Exactly. Exactly. um And I'm sorry that I asked right now because i actually already sent those packages. I was hoping you said yes. um
00:11:04
Mackenzie Forgacs
Oh, well, thank goodness. how How much is that costing us?
00:11:06
Bobbo
Yeah.
00:11:07
Mackenzie Forgacs
Just out of curiosity.
00:11:09
Bobbo
Yeah. I know your cards on the company thing and I just put it on there. So you'll yeah probably see it.
00:11:14
Mackenzie Forgacs
No problem.
00:11:14
Bobbo
i that
00:11:14
Mackenzie Forgacs
I'll just see the statement.
00:11:16
Bobbo
Yeah. And I wired them a little.
00:11:18
Mackenzie Forgacs
I'll check that out.
00:11:18
Bobbo
Yeah.
00:11:19
Mackenzie Forgacs
I'll check that out ah after after we record here today and make sure we can.
00:11:22
Bobbo
Yeah. And it, Good. Okay. Yeah. don't let me know if you're mad. um I sent them a little cash, each of them as well. So yeah, we'll, we'll be okay. And why let you know on that.
00:11:31
Mackenzie Forgacs
it.
00:11:33
Bobbo
So yeah, to those eight gentlemen, we we're sorry it didn't work out, but Hey, maybe you'll find a new team and you'll turn into a new playoff time team. Like we've got so many of this season, good transition.
Playoff Schedule and Game Significance
00:11:46
Bobbo
I think it's time to talk about the, ah the format for our picks in the playoff and let the, uh, Maybe the more novice fans know the 26th playoff schedule here.
00:11:58
Mackenzie Forgacs
Yeah, absolutely. So obviously we're heading into playoffs. Our regular season, our pick them is over. Unfortunately, the hooligans did not bring home any Bucco Bucs yet again this year.
00:12:08
Bobbo
no ah
00:12:09
Mackenzie Forgacs
But now we I know it's just what are we even doing here? People are we are we even certified to be talking about confidences if we can't even win Bucco Bucs?
00:12:14
Bobbo
Unbelievable.
00:12:19
Bobbo
Apparently not.
00:12:21
Mackenzie Forgacs
Apparently not is right.
00:12:23
Bobbo
ah
00:12:23
Mackenzie Forgacs
um But alas, we're here and we'll do it again next year. So with that, we move into the playoff format. So the way we run the playoff format is still the same.
00:12:32
Bobbo
Way off.
00:12:34
Mackenzie Forgacs
We do confidences one through six, but each round as we move through wildcard, divisional round, conference championships, and then of course the Super Bowl, each round is worth more and more points stacked on top of each other.
00:12:49
Mackenzie Forgacs
So we're For example, this week we've got six games to choose our confidences for and choose our teams who we believe are going to win. Our sixth is our most confident. We put six points on that. There are six points up for grabs all the way down to one. Next week it'll be times two. So there will be less games, um but then it will be each game is worth two points. So two, four, six, eight, so on and so forth.
00:13:17
Mackenzie Forgacs
And that's how it's going to work all the way through. so This week, we have confidences, like I said, one through six, up for grabs. Each one that we put on confidences, it's equivalent to that many points.
00:13:31
Mackenzie Forgacs
And we'll see who comes out on top week one. It's good to get an early lead, but it's not the end of the world if you don't. so
00:13:37
Bobbo
It's really good to get an early lead. um You can rebound, but for instance, this is just totally random. If I got 11, 15, 18, 21 points and you ended up with zero per se, just totally random, then I would have a 21-point lead and you know I could play a little safer.
00:13:53
Mackenzie Forgacs
If you had a 21 point lead, I think it's over for me.
00:13:54
Bobbo
oh
00:13:56
Mackenzie Forgacs
So
00:13:57
Bobbo
if i If I end up with a 21-point lead, um yeah, you might be 10-stop.
00:14:00
Mackenzie Forgacs
you'd have to, think all the rest wrong, which I, yeah.
00:14:05
Bobbo
Or, you know what?
00:14:06
Mackenzie Forgacs
if i would done Right. This week, I'd be shocked if there are a lot of these games that we don't pick the same. um But if I get no games right this week, then I don't know.
00:14:19
Bobbo
Well, that would also mean you chose against my boys, and we would we would be really on bad terms if if you did that. So I know we're going to at least one.
00:14:24
Mackenzie Forgacs
Perfect. So I know there's at least one game we're choosing separate. So that's going to set us apart.
00:14:28
Bobbo
Oh, you said separate? Yeah, um I guess we'll have to get the brass tacks on that one. um
00:14:33
Mackenzie Forgacs
Oh
00:14:34
Bobbo
But technically, as long as we're within 16 points going into the Super Bowl, it's still up for grabs, right?
00:14:42
Mackenzie Forgacs
my God. Is the Superbowl going to be worth 16 points?
00:14:45
Bobbo
I think, right? Because first round's two.
00:14:46
Mackenzie Forgacs
Uh,
00:14:48
Bobbo
but One, then two, four. Oh, I guess it would be worth eight.
00:14:53
Mackenzie Forgacs
Okay. why did i Why did I not remember us doing like six full points? Yeah. I don't know. Let's do it. I love it. Let's see it let's see what happens.
00:15:03
Bobbo
Let's just dive right in. But do you remember that one year I needed to have a different team than you and you were playing all those head games all week? And then I ended up.
00:15:10
Mackenzie Forgacs
Oh, yes. And then we ended up picking the same.
00:15:11
Bobbo
Yeah.
00:15:12
Mackenzie Forgacs
Okay.
00:15:13
Bobbo
and picking the same And I was like, what the absolute excuse my French Frick. So, yeah, we've we've done this.
00:15:20
Mackenzie Forgacs
Yes, we have done this. Okay. All right. Well, I love it. Let's let's just see how it shakes out. And maybe it it might come down to the last week where there's no shot or it might come down to there is a shot.
00:15:30
Mackenzie Forgacs
So I guess, yeah, if you're within, you said eight points, then it'll be interesting.
00:15:35
Bobbo
Anything can happen as long as you choose a different team and that team wins.
00:15:38
Mackenzie Forgacs
Yeah.
00:15:39
Bobbo
is Before we start, is there any way you can stop playing with that Lions pen um right in my face?
00:15:44
Mackenzie Forgacs
I got this. It's a little pen. I'll just explain if for everybody listening. It's a little pen and there's a lion. There's like a, he's not plastic. What's that?
00:15:55
Mackenzie Forgacs
It is like plastic, but it's like that soft kind of plastic, like silicone almost. There's like a silicone lion at the top where you would push the pen in and it's really fun to play with. So.
00:16:05
Bobbo
Yeah, she's been playing with it, like really, really kind of like right my grill.
00:16:06
Mackenzie Forgacs
Lions.
00:16:10
Bobbo
um So I feel like it it might be on purpose. um Yeah, she's just pretending like he's like running across my screen right now. really Really don't love that. um Where did you get that pen, if you don't mind me asking?
00:16:21
Mackenzie Forgacs
I got in my stocking, so Santa brought it for me.
00:16:23
Bobbo
Oh, thanks, Santa. That was really nice.
00:16:25
Mackenzie Forgacs
Santa's so nice.
00:16:25
Bobbo
I'm glad that you did that. You don't you don't have any other – oh, looks like he's running on the bottom of my screen. Yep, there's the lion. Just run it running towards Cancun.
00:16:34
Mackenzie Forgacs
I actually don't have any other pens right here. I'm sitting at my desk, and that's my only pen, so, and it works.
00:16:38
Bobbo
You're telling me that's the only pen that's accessible right now? Perfect. Let me find my Bears pen real quick.
00:16:41
Mackenzie Forgacs
Yep, yep, so we're going use that one, but. With that, I think we should jump into the NFL playoff bracket.
00:16:44
Bobbo
Let me find my Bears pen.
00:16:52
Mackenzie Forgacs
So what's up?
00:16:54
Bobbo
I was going say wanted to talk about your pen for like 45 more minutes.
00:16:57
Mackenzie Forgacs
Oh, okay. For few minutes, let's do it.
00:16:59
Bobbo
let Let's dive right in. so i will So Max talked about the format. Thank you so much. I will talk about the six games, and then we we each just both give our quick little. We can still keep it to one minute because there's still six games, and we're already at 18 minutes. So maybe keep it to one minute.
00:17:18
Mackenzie Forgacs
Perfect.
00:17:19
Bobbo
Okay, so the schedule of the games, which came out on Sunday night, and I was very, um very bought in, obviously, because, you know, was trying to see when my boys were playing. But game number one of the weekend, this Saturday, January 10th, and these are in Central Standard Time. I'm um sorry if, you know, some Eastern folks are out there that are looking for Eastern times. If it's Central, you minus one hour.
00:17:42
Bobbo
If it's – maybe I got that wrong. Yeah.
00:17:44
Mackenzie Forgacs
We had an hour.
00:17:46
Bobbo
Add one hour. Correct. Game number one, Saturday, January 10th, 3.30 p.m. Central Standard. We got the Los Angeles.
00:17:53
Mackenzie Forgacs
430 Eastern Standard.
00:17:56
Bobbo
There you go. Add one. See? Simple. Very simple. 4.30 Eastern Standard. Mountain and and and Pacific, y'all
Game Analysis: Panthers vs. Rams and Bears vs. Packers
00:18:05
Bobbo
can figure it out.
00:18:05
Mackenzie Forgacs
Figure it out.
00:18:07
Bobbo
sorry Sorry, Yoders. Y'all can figure it out. Sorry, Lils. Rams and Stafford are traveling to Mack and Nick's home state of North Carolina.
00:18:17
Bobbo
Who would have thunk that the Carolina Panthers would be hosting a playoff game in 2026? Not this guy. Probably not that gal, I'm assuming.
00:18:27
Mackenzie Forgacs
Not not I, said the blind man.
00:18:31
Bobbo
So, yeah. um You know, things are crazy. The NFL is a wild league. Rams-Panthers in Carolina. First game. Game number two. A game that I have been thinking about and nervous about since the second the schedule came out. We've got the Green Bay yeah Packers. There is some dry heaving on this episode. Traveling to my hometown.
00:18:54
Bobbo
The greatest city in America. Possibly the world. Sorry, Asheville, you're awesome as well. Chicago, Soldier Field, the Bears hosting the Packers, 7 p.m. Central Standard Time, Saturday night. Be there, be square.
00:19:07
Bobbo
Game number three.
00:19:07
Mackenzie Forgacs
No!
00:19:09
Bobbo
do Be there, be square, Saturday night. Bills at the Jags, another team. Who would have thunk it? The Jags are hosting the Bills at home Sunday, January 11th. First game of three on Sunday at noon, 1 o'clock Eastern time.
00:19:24
Bobbo
ah The Niners will be traveling to Philadelphia, the saturday after or the Sunday afternoon game, 3.30 Central, 4.30 Eastern. And then the Sunday night game, another surprise. The Chargers, not the surprise in this game, traveling to the number two-seeded Patriots.
00:19:45
Bobbo
In New England. New England's back up um on top of the football world being contenders again. They are hosting Herbert in New England on Sunday night. And then we also have a bonus Monday night game with the Houston Texans and that unbelievable defense traveling to Pittsburgh.
00:20:04
Bobbo
A team that just squeezed into the playoffs um by the skin of their teeth in in Pittsburgh. So Texans are going to... To the the black and yellow zone on Monday night.
00:20:17
Mackenzie Forgacs
Okay, love it. And then real quick, we do have two number one seeds who are automatically moving forward to the next round.
00:20:20
Bobbo
So.
00:20:23
Bobbo
Yes. Yes, we do. pi
00:20:27
Bobbo
Yes, we do. ah The number one seeded team in the um AFC, American Football Conference, for those who may not know, is the Denver Broncos, led by an incredible defense. They snagged the number one seed in the AFC and in the NFC, also led by a defense, Defense Wins Championships. What do you know? Out West, another squad, the Seattle Seahawks.
00:20:50
Bobbo
um donning their first good defense since the Legion of Boom days. ah They snagged the number one seed in the NFC in that bye, thanks to beating the Niners um in a basically win, win the division, and the number one seed game on Saturday night. So congrats to the 12 playoff teams, and it should be a wild ride. No Mahomes, no Lamar, no Burrow. It's kind of wide open.
00:21:17
Mackenzie Forgacs
All right. Love it.
00:21:19
Bobbo
So should we do...
00:21:19
Mackenzie Forgacs
Thanks for setting up, Bob, teeing take on the take on this new format here and talk through all these games.
00:21:22
Bobbo
Thank you.
00:21:27
Mackenzie Forgacs
Appreciate that.
00:21:28
Bobbo
Of course. And I would love for you to do the honors of starting us off in in your home state of North Carolina, if you don't mind.
00:21:36
Mackenzie Forgacs
Absolutely will do. So yes, as Bob mentioned, North Carolina, the Panthers are hosting the l LA Rams this weekend.
00:21:40
Bobbo
you.
00:21:46
Mackenzie Forgacs
Insane to me. If we're talking about things that we would never would have predicted week one, this would be that game without a doubt. um This is insane.
00:21:57
Mackenzie Forgacs
ah absurd Even three weeks ago, if you'll remember, Bob and I both thought that the Bucs were going to sneak in at the end there. They did not. The Panthers held them off. Panthers lost to the Bucs last weekend, but actually got a little help from a divisional rival in the Atlanta Falcons. They ended up beating the Saints to allow the Panthers to sneak in. um it was it's just It's insane.
00:22:21
Mackenzie Forgacs
And I'm sure this fan base is going wild. I actually was just looking up tickets while you were talking there for a minute because it is pretty close.
00:22:26
Bobbo
Oh. Oh.
00:22:27
Mackenzie Forgacs
I don't know. Maybe maybe I'll need to sneak on over and watch my boys staff. But all that to say, this for me, Panthers, you had a great run. You made it into the playoffs.
00:22:39
Mackenzie Forgacs
Good for you because it has not been pretty the past few years. I do think the buck stops here. i do not believe you are going to move on beyond Saturday.
00:22:49
Mackenzie Forgacs
i think the Rams got this in the bag so much so that it's actually my most confident game. This for me, I'm putting at number six for the LA Rams. So here we go.
00:23:02
Bobbo
Folks, can you imagine your home team, your home stated team has a home playoff game.
00:23:06
Mackenzie Forgacs
This is not my home team. This is not my home team.
00:23:11
Bobbo
the the The team that lives in your home state, your wonderful home state, finally hosts a playoff game and you have the audacity to say, bang, you're losing. And I'm so confident I'm dropping a six on your head. North Carolina, we are a pro North Carolina podcast. And I just want to say that all the way from Chicago.
00:23:31
Bobbo
we love We love North Carolina. We love the underdog.
00:23:34
Mackenzie Forgacs
We do.
00:23:35
Bobbo
And unfortunately, you do, and
00:23:35
Mackenzie Forgacs
we We actually do. I love the old NC. But do you agree?
00:23:44
Bobbo
You do, Mac. um And sorry, I'd love to to take the mic on this because I feel like the Panthers fans are maybe a little upset with you. So they i don't know if they want to hear too much from you right now, unfortunately, after that.
00:23:51
Mackenzie Forgacs
Sorry. I understand.
00:23:54
Bobbo
um Panthers have had an unbelievable season. They really have. And against all odds, that they they they were under 500. Against all odds, they are a playoff football team.
00:24:06
Bobbo
Were they the beneficiary of a Falcons win, as as my co-host said? Of course. um Did they lose a lot of really bad games? Absolutely. Have they been one of the laughingstocks of the NFL for you know a decade ah to beyond? Yes, yes they have.
00:24:21
Bobbo
But they're in the playoffs, and that's all that matters. With that being said, we love you, North Carolina, but I'm also i'm also dropping a six on the Panthers.
00:24:32
Mackenzie Forgacs
Interesting.
00:24:32
Bobbo
I got the Rams.
00:24:33
Mackenzie Forgacs
He steals the mic. He tries to get um in their good graces, and then he also drops his drops a six on their heads. So that's interesting.
00:24:41
Bobbo
i I believe in my boy Puka, who won me a fantasy championship this year. And I believe in Stafford more than I believe in Bryce Young. So Panthers in North Carolina, we love you, but Rams for six.
00:24:54
Bobbo
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding.
00:24:54
Mackenzie Forgacs
All right. Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding. All right. So next up, Saturday, we jump ahead to a game that I know one of us is very much so looking forward to. I'll let you go ahead and just just fill us with your joy for that game. You deserve it. So go ahead.
00:25:13
Bobbo
Thank you so much. Can you play? do you have the Rocky music on Oh.
00:25:16
Mackenzie Forgacs
Oh, I can put that on for you. Hold on. Just give me one second.
00:25:19
Bobbo
among ba
00:25:28
Mackenzie Forgacs
He's doing jabs, folks. He's dodging. He's dip. He's diving. He's ducking. He's ready. he's getting faded out.
00:25:35
Bobbo
Time is here, folks. This is not a drill, Chicago. This is not a drill. I'm getting, excuse my French, I'm getting freaking chills thinking about it. I'm thinking about all the heartbreak. I moved to Chicago in 2018.
00:25:49
Bobbo
Doink, doink, the double doink.
00:25:52
Mackenzie Forgacs
Yeah.
00:25:52
Bobbo
Ripping my heart out, stomping on it.
00:25:54
Mackenzie Forgacs
yeah
00:25:54
Bobbo
Making the playoffs in COVID. Drop freaking perfect pass in the end zone from Trubisky. All the quarterbacks from Justin Fields, Mitch Trubisky, Jay Cutler, all the other bums in between.
00:26:08
Bobbo
The coaches, Eberflus, Matt Nagy, the bums, the clowns. The laughs from my friends, colleagues, family. God, the laughs. They were drowning.
00:26:20
Bobbo
And now f Bobby, F the bears. Oh, it's like in my nightmares, but you know what? The time has come and everyone laughed at me. My students included. I said, the bears going to win the division this year. And everybody said, Oh, Bob, go back to the bar. Have another one, pal.
00:26:36
Bobbo
And I said, no, I'm sober. And I've never been more clear headed. The bears going to do this. And you know what folks, they did it. Ben Johnson, Caleb Rome,
00:26:48
Bobbo
DeAndre, the defense, the squads, the city is abuzz here in Chicago, McKenzie. I know he said one minute, and i know I'm already over that, and I'm sorry, but I'm going to take time off of my other games to push into this game. And the city is abuzz, folks. I don't know if anyone that watches or listens to this podcast lives in Chicago. It's abuzz. You see the orange. You see the blue.
00:27:11
Bobbo
People are excited about Chicago. I'm pumped. I am ready to talk about the game. So not only the fact that the Bears won the division, we're back in the playoffs. We're playing our biggest rival in this world. The other Midwest foe, the frickin' Green Bay Vecnas.
00:27:30
Bobbo
We hate Vecna. We hate the Packers.
00:27:33
Mackenzie Forgacs
take
00:27:33
Bobbo
They're playing... They're coming to Chicago, the bitter rivals of the North. It does not get more poetic than this. Saturday night, I got the Bears winning this game. Not by three, not by seven, not by ten. I got the Bears.
00:27:50
Bobbo
Yep, you heard it. 100% accurately. I think the bears going to win this game by at least 14 points. We are going to punch Jordan love right in the mouth. We are going to be soldier field is going to be deafening.
00:27:59
Mackenzie Forgacs
Wow.
00:28:02
Bobbo
Caleb's going to be absolutely slang in that thing. And the bears, I think when 31 to 17 and we marched right through, right through the fricking Packers, we put the cheese grater on our head and we grade that block of cheese.
00:28:17
Bobbo
And yeah got to settle myself down. Bears win. I got the Bears for two. Oh,
00:28:22
Mackenzie Forgacs
Okay. Wow, that was a lot.
00:28:26
Bobbo
man. I'm going to pass out.
00:28:28
Mackenzie Forgacs
Yeah. Thank you. That's, that's great.
00:28:29
Bobbo
Yes.
00:28:30
Mackenzie Forgacs
Um, I won't spend that much time on it. Sorry. You said you picked the bears for two.
00:28:35
Bobbo
Yes.
00:28:36
Mackenzie Forgacs
Okay. I won't spend that much time on it. Obviously you spent a lot of really good time on it as well. Um, very happy for you. And yeah, I, I don't know about that big of a differential in terms of winning.
00:28:53
Mackenzie Forgacs
Um, I am maybe a little less confident than you that they will win, but there is literally no way in heck that I can, excuse my French, ah choose the Packers against my best bud. So I am going to go with the Bears. I'm going to put them at one.
00:29:13
Mackenzie Forgacs
I'll be rooting for them. I i'm nervous for them, but I'm rooting for them on Saturday, and we'll leave it at that.
00:29:15
Bobbo
the there's a but Bears at one, huh?
00:29:25
Mackenzie Forgacs
Bears at one. Yeah, I did. I picked them though. So that's good.
00:29:29
Bobbo
why Why does your voice keep getting super high when you're saying, yeah?
00:29:31
Mackenzie Forgacs
Well, I did pick them. That's good, right?
00:29:35
Bobbo
Yeah, you did, but I wish you were a little bit more boisterous than was.
00:29:38
Mackenzie Forgacs
I will say there's a little strategy too. There's one game that I'm pretty confident I picked different than you. um And I have that a little bit higher. There's a little strategy on my end, hoping for an upset. So
00:29:51
Bobbo
Okay. you know what? I'll leave it at this. I appreciate you for riding with your best pal. Bear down on Saturday night, and I'm either going be really jubial or really depressed next next week when we record as I'm i mean eating boogers.
00:30:05
Bobbo
So... ah
00:30:05
Mackenzie Forgacs
I will say I am fully rooting for them on Saturday. After this weekend, we'll have to see what happens, but definitely against the Packers. Well, I'm not going to ever root against them. I just don't know that I'll necessarily pick them after this weekend, but we'll see.
Debate: Bills vs. Jaguars Outcome
00:30:21
Bobbo
Okay. You know what? I'll take what I can get. Beggars can't be choosers. I can't have my cake and eat it too. Let's ah let's head into the next game. I'll take what I can get.
00:30:29
Mackenzie Forgacs
Perfect. All right. Who's kicking us off on Sunday? It is the Bills-Jags, I believe, right?
00:30:35
Bobbo
So Sunday, we've got... yeah
00:30:40
Mackenzie Forgacs
Okay. So this is actually, going to just not even bury the lead here. This is the one i I'm confident we are picking differently. um You have made it very clear who you believe is going to the Super Bowl this year and who's potentially going to be the Super Bowl champs.
00:30:57
Mackenzie Forgacs
You wear your heart on your sleeve, Bob. i love you for it. But now I'm going to try and turn it against you here.
00:31:04
Bobbo
Oh.
00:31:04
Mackenzie Forgacs
I think there is a real possibility that the Jags upset the Bills this weekend. The Jags have been on fire. They are coming off an eight-game win streak, and we all know momentum is super important heading into the playoffs.
00:31:21
Mackenzie Forgacs
Some of those games, for sure, are easy wins, like Titans and and so on and so forth, but One of those games, pretty handedly, they beat the Denver Broncos, who, as Bob said, is the number one seed right now in the AFC. And this was a few weeks ago. They were still a lot on the line, and they beat them pretty darn good.
00:31:42
Mackenzie Forgacs
So... To me, this is a scary team. And again, i mean, I am just shocked at what's coming out of my mouth. We're talking about Carolina Panthers. We're talking about the Jacksonville Jaguars. We're talking about Trevor Lawrence, who, sorry, Trevor Lawrence fans, my wife thinks is a real creep.
00:31:57
Mackenzie Forgacs
she Whenever he comes on, she's like, oh,
00:32:02
Bobbo
Does she actually?
00:32:03
Mackenzie Forgacs
she does not love the look of him. oh
00:32:06
Bobbo
That is hilarious.
00:32:08
Mackenzie Forgacs
Yeah, um she thinks he looks like, well, we've said Lord Farquaad too, but yeah, she's always like, oh, I don't know but something about him.
00:32:10
Bobbo
I did not
00:32:15
Mackenzie Forgacs
He just looks funky. um But anyways, all of it to say, never in a million years would have picked them against the Buffalo Bills. I think there's a really good chance. It's at home.
00:32:27
Mackenzie Forgacs
They are just feeling on fire right now. Their coach, hot shot coach. um He was the first, I believe, first and only coach now because how many how many wins did you all end up with?
00:32:43
Bobbo
ah We ended up with an 11.
00:32:44
Mackenzie Forgacs
Okay. So first and only coach to take a team that had was less than four wins the previous season and get them 12 or more. I saw that stat. That's a juicy nugget.
00:32:56
Mackenzie Forgacs
Um, just, but I mean, you, you guys were right there too, right there in the thick of it.
00:32:57
Bobbo
That's very juicy target.
00:33:03
Mackenzie Forgacs
Um, But, yeah, just insane. So he's been doing a phenomenal job. i think they are riding high. And they've been looking really good on both defense and offense.
00:33:14
Mackenzie Forgacs
And I think they might upset them. And I've got them at two.
00:33:18
Bobbo
Wow. Okay. You know what? i totally forgot that the Jags beat the brakes off of the Broncos. So that is an impressive win.
00:33:27
Mackenzie Forgacs
know.
00:33:28
Bobbo
That was pretty recent too, wasn't it? Wasn't like a couple weeks ago?
00:33:31
Mackenzie Forgacs
Three weeks ago. Yeah. So.
00:33:32
Bobbo
Okay. That's an impressive win.
00:33:34
Mackenzie Forgacs
Yeah, for sure. For sure. And their defense has been on fire. They've been getting a ton turnovers. I don't know. I just, I, something is in the air with this one. They also beat the Colts twice in the past, like five weeks, the Colts twice and the Broncos once and kind of beat the socks off of both of them.
00:33:51
Mackenzie Forgacs
So yeah.
00:33:53
Bobbo
When you beat the Sox off of a team, that's that's a pretty impressive win, too. So, yeah, hey.
00:33:57
Mackenzie Forgacs
Then there's no more socks.
00:34:00
Bobbo
Then you're just cold and there's no Sox. That's tough. So, yeah, when you – You know, yeah sometimes you just got to give kudos. I gave them to the Panthers, and I've given them to the Jags. That's a team that I did not think was going to sniff the playoffs, and here they are with 12 wins. They have a home playoff game.
00:34:17
Bobbo
um So, yeah, here's your roses. You creep, Trevor Lawrence, and the Jags. Sorry that you don't have a fan in in Nicole, um but you also don't have a fan in me because – I've really never thought – I don't think he's a creep.
00:34:34
Bobbo
um I just don't think that the Jags are a brand of football i enjoy watching. And I was looking at his stat, and I know i was very boisterous about saying this is the Bills' season. even you know That was before I knew the bears were going have a chance. I i will go back on that a little bit.
00:34:50
Bobbo
But I still think that the Bills – this is their best chance to get out of the AFC, even with not winning the division for the first time in five years, even with not having a home playoff game as the number seven in the last team in in the AFC.
00:34:57
Mackenzie Forgacs
for sure. Exactly.
00:35:05
Bobbo
I'm sorry, I'm losing my train thought Max playing with her line thing again. Um, I think that this is Josh Allen's best route to the Super Bowl because of this thing I saw on my phone right before I shut my eyes for sleep um and the end of winter break after the Sunday night game. because It was this visual it said the AFC playoffs is going to look a lot different this year. And it showed a picture, a black and white picture of Mahomes' face with an X on it, a black and white picture of Lamar's face, X.
00:35:36
Bobbo
Black and white picture of Burrow, X. Josh Harland is the only superstar QB in the playoffs in the AFC. Rodgers, absolutely passes prime. He's not a superstar. Lawrence, nope. Strout, nope. Certainly not Bo Nix.
00:35:53
Bobbo
Drake May is really good, but he's not a superstar. This is Josh Harland's best chance. That's why I have the Bills to win. But I don't feel that confident, so I have them at my lowest, at one.
00:36:06
Mackenzie Forgacs
Okay. I mean, you make great points. And I certainly would not be shocked if the Bills win. um Again, there's a little strategy in my mind going trying to purposefully pick against you.
49ers vs. Eagles Matchup Analysis
00:36:18
Mackenzie Forgacs
um But yeah, I would not be surprised.
00:36:19
Bobbo
That's how it's wrapped.
00:36:22
Mackenzie Forgacs
I'm i'm certainly rooting for him. I really... really like Josh Allen, really like the Bills. I think that they could go far. And like you said, there's a, this is probably their best path considering all those other guys that are not in it in terms of superstar hotshot quarterbacks. We'll see.
00:36:40
Mackenzie Forgacs
I think it's going be an exciting game.
00:36:42
Bobbo
It's going to be a super exciting game. So, okay, our first disagreement. um So we've got – you've got Jags at two. I've got Bills at one, correct?
00:36:50
Mackenzie Forgacs
Yep. I've got Jags at two.
00:36:51
Bobbo
Okay.
00:36:51
Mackenzie Forgacs
You got two one. Well,
00:36:53
Bobbo
Okay.
00:36:54
Mackenzie Forgacs
well
00:36:54
Bobbo
Let's move right along.
00:36:56
Mackenzie Forgacs
Yeah, we're already moving into Sunday, which is incredible.
00:36:56
Bobbo
Sorry? Sorry.
00:36:59
Mackenzie Forgacs
But you know what? Before we do that, we do have a lot of sponsors today, you know, and we just need to keep making that money because Bob's sending out all that swag.
00:37:10
Mackenzie Forgacs
So before we jump into Sunday, it is time for the first word from our sponsors.
00:37:17
Bobbo
Dang it.
00:37:19
Bobbo
and look yeah Those are fireworks, by the way.
00:37:21
Mackenzie Forgacs
Wow. Wow. Wow. you ready
00:37:24
Bobbo
Yeah, that's, I'm really happy the crowd's excited. I'm super excited too. um
00:37:30
Bobbo
Today's Playoff Special is brought to you by Shutterfly.
00:37:31
Mackenzie Forgacs
to be around.
00:37:36
Bobbo
Shutterfly, Shutterfly. Let your friends and family know what's going on. If you get engaged, Shutterfly.
00:37:47
Bobbo
Christmas card or holiday, Shutterfly. New Year's, Shutterfly. You got a baby on the way, Santa's Shutterfly. Hey, maybe you're just bored and you want to send cards to your loved ones.
00:38:02
Bobbo
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00:38:14
Bobbo
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00:38:27
Bobbo
Hey, dude.
00:38:31
Bobbo
sure fly
00:38:35
Mackenzie Forgacs
Okay, the rhyming at the end, actually on point. Well, I think you rhymed with git with git, but that's okay.
00:38:38
Bobbo
thanks
00:38:41
Mackenzie Forgacs
It still was great. I'll never forget.
00:38:42
Bobbo
thank you
00:38:43
Mackenzie Forgacs
thought that was really good. But it was just hilarious to me that you were still going. I was gonna start typing to you, still going, still going, still going.
00:38:48
Bobbo
I so
00:38:53
Bobbo
used to not do that. I learned that from you because you keep going.
00:38:56
Mackenzie Forgacs
I do do that.
00:38:56
Bobbo
it
00:38:57
Mackenzie Forgacs
I really do.
00:38:59
Bobbo
After my last one, I had to i had to really i had to lock in. And you know what?
00:39:02
Mackenzie Forgacs
No, that's good. That's a good Shutterfly, shutterfly. did it in ah Yeah, it was good.
00:39:07
Bobbo
it's It's kind of catchy, right?
00:39:10
Mackenzie Forgacs
That was really good
00:39:10
Bobbo
And you know what? Shout out to you and Nick um because I'm looking at your Christmas card on my fridge as we speak.
00:39:15
Mackenzie Forgacs
good.
00:39:16
Bobbo
And that's a little bit of
00:39:17
Mackenzie Forgacs
that is from Shutterfly.
00:39:19
Bobbo
Yeah, well, Shutterfly, little bit inspo. So shout out to Shutterfly. thanks for Thanks for hooking up ah Mac and Nick.
00:39:24
Mackenzie Forgacs
Yeah, love it. Awesome.
00:39:26
Bobbo
thanks Also, thanks so much for sprouting that on me when was really about to jump into a game.
00:39:29
Mackenzie Forgacs
Truly my
00:39:31
Bobbo
I appreciate it.
00:39:32
Mackenzie Forgacs
Truly my pleasure.
00:39:33
Bobbo
You're the best. You're the best. Well, Shutterfly is great, but NFL playoff football is even better. and We got a really, really good game in Philadelphia at 3.30 p.m. Central Standard Time this Sunday afternoon. And it's it's a game that could could be argued as the best game of the weekend. We got a 12-win 49ers team going into probably the most raucous football fan base or football experience in the NFL into Philadelphia and the team that someone's got to knock off before we can say there's go be a new Super Bowl champ.
00:40:10
Bobbo
So Niners, very good.
00:40:11
Mackenzie Forgacs
Yeah.
00:40:13
Bobbo
Eagles, very good. um Sunday afternoon, and I think one thing we we know for sure, it's going be loud in there. So I had a tough time. I went back and forth.
00:40:22
Mackenzie Forgacs
I did too.
00:40:22
Bobbo
Bears are... It's tough, yeah, and i figure I figured a lot of people probably will you know you're not a fan of either of the team. I've seen both teams play just because the Bears played both in late November and December. So not to make this about the Bears, but it's the best thing I can do because it's only game I've watched of both of theirs.
00:40:39
Bobbo
Bears went into Philadelphia and kind of bullied the the Widow Eagles. Sorry.
00:40:44
Mackenzie Forgacs
Okay.
00:40:44
Bobbo
They had a good... The Wittowikos. They had a good game against the Eagles, and Jalen Hurts, very up and down. Went into to San Fran, had an instant classic loss on the last play of game, but San Fran's offense is dialed.
00:40:58
Bobbo
Their defense stinks.
00:41:00
Mackenzie Forgacs
on
00:41:01
Bobbo
Um... So i think it all is going to come down to who has a better offense. And I think the Niners have a better ah offense.
00:41:09
Mackenzie Forgacs
okay
00:41:09
Bobbo
And I think they have more pedigree, um, with their coach. And I just think they've been balling out a lot more the last month. And the Eagles have been like, what are we doing here? Um,
00:41:23
Bobbo
They don't look like a Super Bowl contending team. The Niners do. So I've got the Niners going into Philadelphia and winning at a confidence of three. Wouldn't be surprised if we went differently here, but I'd love to hear love to hear who McKenzie went with here.
00:41:39
Mackenzie Forgacs
All right. Yeah. I mean, honestly, I really did go back and forth, which is hilarious considering we both have this at three.
00:41:47
Bobbo
Oh.
00:41:47
Mackenzie Forgacs
i we We both do. So it's hard because we're in the playoffs and anything can happen. Um, There's a couple things this came down to for me. I completely agree with what you're saying. When I look at them on paper at games they've won, I do feel like the 49ers, I mean, they're both insane teams. They're both super good. I do feel like the 49ers have had better wins and have had –
00:42:16
Mackenzie Forgacs
you know, they've put more into it, i guess, or or I guess, I don't know what I'm trying to say other than like, they have really done a phenomenal job, I feel like.
00:42:26
Bobbo
Yeah.
00:42:26
Mackenzie Forgacs
The hard part for me is the Eagles, despite their ups and downs all season, whereas I feel like the 49ers have always been up, um they still, like you said, have the better defense.
00:42:30
Bobbo
It's right there.
00:42:41
Mackenzie Forgacs
And when I look at the stars on the team, to me, that is what is going to edge this in the Eagles' favor. The 49ers, obviously Brock Purdy, phenomenal job. Kittle, bit banged up.
00:42:54
Mackenzie Forgacs
They have Christian McCaffrey, who has been phenomenal as well. But again, they're looking at a pretty stout Eagles defense who has who does a pretty good job stopping the run. So I think if they can do that, I think that this will...
00:43:09
Mackenzie Forgacs
for For them, I think this is what they need to do is be able to just stop Christian McCaffrey. And then on ah offense, I think they're going to have no problem considering the 49ers defense is not what it typically is.
00:43:22
Mackenzie Forgacs
So, yeah, all have to say, I did lean towards the Eagles.
00:43:23
Bobbo
All right.
00:43:26
Mackenzie Forgacs
um I would not be surprised in the slightest if the 49ers win this game. I honestly kind of am hoping that they do. I i don't. Sorry, Big T, I don't really want to see the Super Bowl champs go much further.
00:43:40
Mackenzie Forgacs
But all of it to say, this was hard. I did go Eagles. It is at home for the Eagles. And once again, we'll have to wait and see.
00:43:50
Bobbo
Ah, big apology to Big T. I didn't even think to apologize. He's going to be so pissed at me.
00:43:53
Mackenzie Forgacs
okay
00:43:54
Bobbo
Shoot. Well, I think that's crazy that we both said we went back and forth, and we are, like you said, both at three. So we'll – this –
00:44:02
Mackenzie Forgacs
know. And I really, like you said, I really did go back and forth because the 49ers, honestly, when I look at their games, to me, they will win this game. But when I look at the paper of who's playing for the Eagles, it's like they have
Patriots vs. Chargers and Texans vs. Steelers Predictions
00:44:17
Mackenzie Forgacs
to win. Right. So I don't know.
00:44:21
Bobbo
that's That's the game, other than obviously my boys, that I am most excited to watch just because it could go either way.
00:44:25
Mackenzie Forgacs
going be a good one.
00:44:25
Bobbo
this This is an early swing game, folks. Wave Riders.
00:44:29
Mackenzie Forgacs
I know this gonna this is gonna mean a lot for us.
00:44:29
Bobbo
then and
00:44:31
Mackenzie Forgacs
So
00:44:32
Bobbo
Yes, it is. three Three big points. So we shall see, folks.
00:44:36
Mackenzie Forgacs
yeah, yeah, yeah, we will. We will indeed. Oh, and I did want to ask too, if there's any sort of injuries between now and then, is there room for change? Like, for example, if George Kittle is ruled out and you consider, consider moving from the 49ers, is that allowed or are we locked in after this?
00:44:48
Bobbo
Good question.
00:44:54
Bobbo
Great question. um Didn't even think of that. ah What do you think? I have thoughts on it. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
00:45:02
Mackenzie Forgacs
I think I'm fine with it. I mean, we both have access to the same same information.
00:45:07
Bobbo
Yeah. Yes.
00:45:10
Mackenzie Forgacs
Probably, I guess, the only thing is like, and I know we will because we'll do it on honor system, is like, not don't change it just because, like, if it's worth for the Super Bowl, I'm not going to then just change to match you if I'm winning or something like that.
00:45:10
Bobbo
Yes.
00:45:24
Bobbo
that That would be very nice. um i will I will operate under those same those same ah values. So I like that.
00:45:31
Mackenzie Forgacs
Okay, perfect honor system.
00:45:35
Bobbo
Scouts honor?
00:45:36
Mackenzie Forgacs
Scouts honor.
00:45:37
Bobbo
Okay. Consider it done.
00:45:39
Mackenzie Forgacs
All right
00:45:40
Bobbo
Yes. and Okay. I think we got two more, three more games. Whoa. No, two more games, two more games.
00:45:44
Mackenzie Forgacs
right. Yep. Yep. So moving on. So, or I'm sorry. Yep. Two more. So that was the 430 game. So moving on to the Sunday night game. we have the New England Patriots hosting the Los Angeles Chargers. And I feel like we really kind of were hard on the Patriots a lot this year because they were doing a phenomenal job. Drake made doing a great job. But oftentimes I know you and I both were like, it's an easy schedule. It's an easy schedule. It's an easy schedule.
00:46:14
Mackenzie Forgacs
It was. And also it's important to recognize that winning any game in the NFL, I think is a really impressive feat.
00:46:23
Bobbo
Yep, yep.
00:46:23
Mackenzie Forgacs
um I do think they deserve a little bit more credit than we've probably given them throughout this season. And I do think that they are going to prove that to me this weekend in the first round of the playoffs.
00:46:36
Mackenzie Forgacs
So, oh boy, do we have another swing game? Because Bob's face is looking shocked. I do have the Patriots winning this game on Sunday night at home in Gillette Stadium.
00:46:42
Bobbo
Well, no.
00:46:49
Mackenzie Forgacs
I have them winning at a confidence of four.
00:46:53
Bobbo
Whoa, okay. Is the face mean that we're different? Am I playing head games? Hmm, interesting. Well, I'm going to take the slow way around the bus.
00:47:00
Mackenzie Forgacs
It's like pretty genuine reaction, so.
00:47:04
Bobbo
I'm going to take the chi slow way around the bush. So we've got two teams that are interesting. We got the Patriots.
00:47:09
Mackenzie Forgacs
Yeah.
00:47:09
Bobbo
We've kind of been, kind of been, uh, leading the way all season, had an easy schedule. And we got the chargers who have kind of been up. They've been down. They've had a lot of injuries. They're kind of like an icky team.
00:47:21
Bobbo
And they also limped into the playoffs. Um,
00:47:24
Mackenzie Forgacs
Mm-hmm.
00:47:25
Bobbo
The deciding factor of this is one of these teams I was watching a Sunday night football game about a month ago, and it was showing the starting offensive line. And it was like every single member of their offensive line was either on the second, third, sometimes fourth stringer.
00:47:42
Bobbo
So they're like the most banged up offensive line, and they didn't get healthy before the playoffs. So I don't think it's possible to have an offensive line that banged up and expect to win a ah playoff game, especially on the road.
00:47:54
Bobbo
So I agree with the Patriots, but Drake may don't get too cocky because I'm still on the fraud alert for you.
00:48:06
Bobbo
um For you fellas.
00:48:06
Mackenzie Forgacs
Yeah.
00:48:07
Bobbo
I think this is another pretty, ah I don't know, virtuous game for them with a just a really banged up. banged up Chargers team. So I got the Patriots and ding, di iting ding ding, ding, ding. I also got them for four.
00:48:25
Mackenzie Forgacs
Okay. Maybe that was the surprise face. Cause you really kind of like jolted out of your chair there for a minute. and as Oh, all
00:48:32
Bobbo
I was also going for a little bit of theatrics. Sorry.
00:48:35
Mackenzie Forgacs
right. Fair, fair, fair.
00:48:37
Bobbo
And, Max, oh, my gosh, I just realized we're down to our last game, and this is really funny this is really funny timing because I just realized that we have a lot of sponsors this week.
00:48:40
Mackenzie Forgacs
We are.
00:48:47
Bobbo
So I'd love for you to tell our folks who our second one is.
00:48:47
Mackenzie Forgacs
do. Yeah.
00:48:50
Bobbo
It's ah it's a really good one.
00:48:50
Mackenzie Forgacs
now Yeah, we need a we need a lot of, like I said, we need a lot of money because apparently you charged a lot to the company card.
00:48:51
Bobbo
It's important. It's important.
00:48:57
Bobbo
I did. but I did.
00:48:58
Mackenzie Forgacs
um This Wild Card Weekend NFL Confidence Pool Podcast episode is brought to you by personalized pens.
00:49:14
Bobbo
Gosh. go
00:49:16
Mackenzie Forgacs
The biggest eye roll I've ever seen. B-E-N-S, personalized pens. If you have a lion, rah.
00:49:29
Mackenzie Forgacs
If you have a bear, rah. If you han have a tiger, rah. Oh, my personalized pens.
00:49:41
Mackenzie Forgacs
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Get your personalized pens today. One for $9.99 or two for $15 Personalized pens, rawr.
00:50:00
Bobbo
Well, first off, really good prices too. That actually is a really nice deal.
00:50:04
Mackenzie Forgacs
Really affordable, really affordable and it's a great pen.
00:50:08
Bobbo
that It seems like a great pet. I would i would like the tiger or the the bear a little more. I was thrown that all three of those animals make the exact same roar. After you did the lion and then you went to the bear, it was the same one. I thought, oh, that was eerily similar. And then he's like the tiger, that was the exact same roar.
00:50:26
Bobbo
Mac, I'm impressed. You really kept the lions.
00:50:26
Mackenzie Forgacs
How would you roar differently?
00:50:31
Bobbo
r Bears. oh Tigers. errrar
00:50:37
Mackenzie Forgacs
Okay, much better.
00:50:38
Bobbo
a Yes. Mac, that might have been your quickest, most like to the point. I'm proud of you.
00:50:45
Mackenzie Forgacs
um tried to I tried to channel you on that one.
00:50:45
Bobbo
That was yeah that was good.
00:50:47
Mackenzie Forgacs
So you channeled a little I channeled a little you.
00:50:51
Bobbo
Look at us channeling each other. And, hey, shout out personalized passes. Maybe shoot a Bears one my way. I'd love one before the season.
00:50:56
Mackenzie Forgacs
Yeah, I'll have to ask Santa where he got it from because I have no idea.
00:50:59
Bobbo
Okay.
00:51:00
Mackenzie Forgacs
It doesn't have any sort of like logo on it. It's literally just a little giant.
00:51:03
Bobbo
Huh.
00:51:05
Mackenzie Forgacs
So.
00:51:05
Bobbo
Okay. Well, thank you for letting our our fans know about that. And we'll ah we'll have to look into that. So personalized pen.
00:51:11
Mackenzie Forgacs
Yeah.
00:51:11
Bobbo
Shout out.
00:51:12
Mackenzie Forgacs
Shouts out. Shouts out Santa.
00:51:14
Bobbo
Shout out. out
00:51:15
Mackenzie Forgacs
Personalized pens.
00:51:16
Bobbo
yeah It looks like a nice pen. And on on that such happy and exciting note, speaking of happy and end a wild card weekend, wrongo, we got one more game to cover, folks. And it is in, I think, one of the best sports cities in America. It's small market, but they got three teams that they love.
00:51:36
Bobbo
We're going to Pittsburgh. I still call it Heinz. And we've got the Texans. going in to play Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers. And this is tough. And I do know. Actually, Matt, do you want to make a quick bet?
00:51:49
Mackenzie Forgacs
Um, depending on what it is.
00:51:51
Bobbo
If I can guess, that it's one out of six chance. If I can guess exactly what confidence you have on this game, which really is low odds, would you Venmo me 20 bucks?
00:52:01
Mackenzie Forgacs
I'm to say no to that, but I will look into if there's a bear's pen for you.
00:52:03
Bobbo
Huh. I'll.
00:52:07
Bobbo
Okay, cool. Cool, cool, cool. I'm guessing, just to see if I'm right, I'm guessing that we both have this at a five. um Really low odds. um
00:52:15
Mackenzie Forgacs
Want to make reverse bet?
00:52:15
Bobbo
But sure. What are what are we thinking?
00:52:19
Mackenzie Forgacs
I can guess who you're going pick. Then you Venmo me 20 bucks.
00:52:28
Bobbo
let Let me let that simmer for a couple minutes.
00:52:30
Mackenzie Forgacs
OK.
00:52:31
Bobbo
I actually think that we might be different here. I'm very curious though. Um, cause I also went back and forth on this one. This is going to be interesting.
00:52:38
Mackenzie Forgacs
OK, if we bet differently, then how about whoever
00:52:39
Bobbo
I think that we're the same. I think we're the same. Um,
00:52:45
Mackenzie Forgacs
if If we bet differently, then I'll Venmo you. And if I can guess yours, you Venmo me.
00:52:51
Bobbo
See, I know you're you're confident with this, which makes me nervous. So I'm not going to accept that just because um I've been burned too many times. You know who I'm going with. So I'm gonna say Vito.
00:53:02
Mackenzie Forgacs
Okay, fine. Continue.
00:53:04
Bobbo
Because I think now knowing you. Okay. We'll see if I was right or you were right. Yeah.
00:53:11
Mackenzie Forgacs
Okay.
00:53:13
Bobbo
There's one factor in this game that, other than hate, because we do not like the quarterback, also known as Mr. Vecna. um Is it Derek? Is that the name in the show?
00:53:25
Mackenzie Forgacs
Yeah, the kid.
00:53:27
Bobbo
No, the the bad, like Vecna in his person form?
00:53:29
Mackenzie Forgacs
Oh, Henry.
00:53:30
Bobbo
him What's his name?
00:53:31
Mackenzie Forgacs
Henry.
00:53:32
Bobbo
Henry. I like to think of the Packers as Vecna and Aaron Rodgers as Henry.
00:53:37
Mackenzie Forgacs
Okay.
00:53:38
Bobbo
So we'll say that he...
00:53:39
Mackenzie Forgacs
He's the same thing.
00:53:41
Bobbo
Yeah, but, you know, different forms. the Like the big form that like you're like, holy S-bomb.
00:53:44
Mackenzie Forgacs
Different forms of evil, if you will.
00:53:47
Bobbo
Yeah, it's like holy S-bomb. That's your Vecna. Like the Packers, like holy shit. Ah, explicit. We were so close. um Henry's like, oh, he might be a nice guy. No, Baron Rodgers sucks.
00:53:58
Bobbo
So that's Henry. I hate him, but the Texans defense. So, you know, if we have the same at this point, the Texans defense is so dominant.
00:54:08
Bobbo
It's hard to ignore how good of a defense they are. And as we said earlier, as we alluded to the Texans defense, like defense wins championships and CJ Stroud also figured it out a little bit. They got a good receiving core with CJ Stroud and Higgins and a couple other guys. And That's a scary team to be coming into your building.
00:54:32
Bobbo
Steelers limped into the playoffs. It should be the the Ravens. And if it was Ravens, I might be thinking differently. But I think the Texans defense and the ability for them to move the ball on ah offense as well. I got the Texans and I'm pretty confident they're going win. So that's why I got the Texans at five.
00:54:48
Mackenzie Forgacs
Wow. Okay. I guess pants around my ankles, egg on my face. I guess I'm Venmoing you. um no I'm just messing with you. i also got the Texans.
00:55:01
Mackenzie Forgacs
I was assuming you would also pick the Texans.
00:55:01
Bobbo
laugh
00:55:05
Mackenzie Forgacs
I'll show you just to just to prove it that there's nothing crossed out there. Texans.
00:55:10
Bobbo
I see a big X. What is that?
00:55:12
Mackenzie Forgacs
Oh, please. um But yeah, got Texans at five. don't Don't have much else to say. I actually feel, obviously, pretty strongly about this game. If the Rams were not playing the Panthers, this was potentially going to be my number six. So I feel good about it, and
Episode Wrap-up and Future Podcast Plans
00:55:30
Mackenzie Forgacs
I'm excited. We got playoff football this weekend, baby.
00:55:34
Bobbo
We got playoff football this weekend, baby. I am also excited. And also, I'm looking at our games. Crazy that we got ding on six, ding on five, ding on four. Different team on three.
00:55:47
Bobbo
then Swip...
00:55:48
Mackenzie Forgacs
Two and one.
00:55:49
Bobbo
no Yes, and then different, and then, yeah, interesting. Okay, so there's a lot at stake. There could be some ah some big swings. So we've got Playoff Football Baby. We've got Bears. We've got ah some good ads, and I'm excited to get back at it next week.
00:56:06
Bobbo
Next week will be okay.
00:56:08
Mackenzie Forgacs
Yeah. Yep. We'll be excited to get back on it and we will be looking forward to eating those jelly beans, Bob. Hopefully a Bears win.
00:56:15
Bobbo
That's what I said.
00:56:16
Mackenzie Forgacs
I really will be rooting for them this weekend. I'm sure we'll be chatting throughout the game for sure. I'll be I'll be tuning in just just as much as you. So looking forward to it.
00:56:26
Bobbo
I appreciate it, my friend. I'm not excited because jelly beans. I'm excited to be back on with my best pals. and hey, feel free to invite Nick. We haven't had any special guests. So if Nick wants to join for a playoff episode next week or beyond, bring on the wifey.
00:56:40
Mackenzie Forgacs
I'll let her know. It's probably going to depend on if the 49ers win because she's not a huge Christian McCaffrey fan. and if the Jaguars win, then, you know, she's not a huge Trevor Lawrence fan. So it might depend on that, but I'll definitely give her the invite.
00:56:52
Bobbo
Okay, yeah, CMC screws Nick in fantasy, and and Trevor Lawrence is a creepo, so that's understandable. Well, McKen, can't wait to delve into everything.
00:57:00
Mackenzie Forgacs
Oh, man.
00:57:02
Bobbo
We'll talk about the current score next week of what happened this weekend. I'll eat some jelly beans, so it's going to be fun.
00:57:09
Mackenzie Forgacs
Sounds good. We'll talk to y'all next week.
00:57:11
Bobbo
See you this time next week. Peace.
00:57:26
Bobbo
Go Bears!