2026 NFL Primer: EVERY AFC Team Previewed

Transcript

Speaker: Alright lads, welcome back to another episode of Who's Got the Ball. Myself and Shane back once again. Shane, what was the crack? Yeah, not a whole lot. I'm just going to put it out at the very start of this episode. I know this is it it is a very, very long one, but it's it's one of the funniest ones we've ever put together. I really do think it's worth listening to the very end of this one, although you can stop listening before the Chargers section because it's not about the we will keep the Inter short this time. I'm delighted for him.

Speaker: Aside from that, it's just been a quiet weekend and it's just a busy time looking ahead now. Premier League is coming back. We've got a lot to talk about in the NFL as well. So this is episode one of the previews.

Speaker: Yeah, it's quite a long one as Shane said, but yeah, I want to say the same as you, Mayo. What a win. What a game to watch. The scenes after were unbelievable. That's just properly what sport is all about. But Conan does join us. we We tried to do four minutes per team on this preview of the AFC. We did...

Speaker: just over five minutes per team in total because of all the laughs and the crack that we had. So this is a bit of a longer one. Don't hold us to the time too much and do enjoy it, as Shane said, but we preview and give our thoughts on every single AFC team to get you ready for the season ahead. And next week we will have Evan for the NFC. So keep an eye out for that one and let's get into this one.

Speaker: Okay, so we are 43 days out from the NFL season starting. So we've got to give every single team some time. We've got Conan here with us. Conan, thank you once again for joining. Everybody missed you from like two weeks ago, so you had to come back on again. Okay, all right. Well, thank you very much. Thank you very much. It's nice seeing Shane as well. seen Shane as well.

Speaker: Hello, Shane. It's been, a it's actually been ages. You should hear what we're after saying over the last half an hour. It's stuff that we get as all cancelled if we were to, if it was to make a... Well, don't lump us in with you, all the things you were saying. hey All the crazy stuff.

Speaker: Hey, I didn't say anything. Oh anyway um and but On that note, let's get into the AFC. So we're going to preview the AFC this week, NFC next week. We're going to give every team its due representation. So we're going spend about four-ish minutes max on each team so we get them all in in just over an hour.

Speaker: We've been assigned teams. We're starting in the East. Shane, you're up first. The Buffalo Bills. Yeah, let's be honest here. There's very little to say about the Buffalo Bills that we don't already know. They're very clearly...

Speaker: one of the one of the main Super Bowl contenders again this year. They brought in the likes of CJ, DJ, to iron out the defence to help him there. If they did need any help, I'm not going to say his full name. I will absolutely butcher it, even though it's easy. It's the four names that sound so similar. CJ Gardner-Johnson. They brought in... They finally given Josh Allen a true wide receiver one and DJ Moore as well on top of that. Look, he's been doing it with...

Speaker: nonsense players over and over again, bringing in free agents. And he just finds them every single time. He makes it easy for them. Having someone like DJ Moore, who's well able to catch a ball, he's been doing it for the Panthers, for God's sake. If you can do it there, you can do it for Josh Allen. So it it really does help. And if they can just keep things straight and narrow, not too ant and silly, they are absolutely one of the biggest Super Bowl contenders coming into this season.

Speaker: It's just the coaching and the defensive aspects. They just need to get that right this year. that That's what lets them down. Maybe not so much the coaching, but definitely the defensive aspects. So hopefully CJ, CJ can help them. They have Lloyd Cushenberry and Austin Corbett brought in as well to help with that.

Speaker: Yeah, it's just, they they can only go one way if everyone stays healthy. And I think they've won the most complete rosters in the AFC. Yeah, I think they've they've definitely added a lot of good pieces. and DJ Moore, you mentioned, adds to that. It depends what Josh Palmer can do, but Kalusha Kier, I think, is definitely proper wide receiver 1B, maybe. So if between him and Moore, you can get some good production there.

Speaker: You mentioned... adding Corbett and Cushenbury, so you've got some additions on the offensive line. But they've already been good there, so that's that's pretty solid. And then Bradley Chubb, I think, was a really big a big splash, kind of something that they hadn't done a whole lot of, go out and actually give up some draft capital to get players. So they've done that with DJ Moore and Bradley Chubb this offseason. So yeah, I think they're surely one of the top teams heading into this next season. I would say...

Speaker: top three chances of winning a Super Bowl once you've got Josh Allen? um i I mean, i think they're always going to be they're always goingnna be good if Josh Allen is by the helm, really.

Speaker: My concerns lie with potentially the offensive line now that Edwards is left to join my beloved Saints.

Speaker: And they they didn't really address... didn't really address much of that in the draft. They addressed lot of the defensive needs in the draft, which I loved. They picked TJ Parker from Clemson, which I thought was great addition. Edge rusher from Clemson. and They picked up Zane Durant.

Speaker: which is the combine monster. He's like the the big behemoth, the D tackle, right? Like a sub four, oh, was it 4.7, maybe 40, which was crazy. But, and then they pick up Caleb Illams or from TCU as a linebacker as well. But yeah, my only concerns are the offensive line and whether James Cook can have as good of a year running the ball with weaker line in front of them.

Speaker: Yeah, I think that but you you make a good point about that, but I do think that they... we're going to move on to some teams that just do not care about the offensive line and they're getting by sometimes. But like, I think reallocating funds maybe across the roster might be a little bit more helpful this time around, but we'll see. I know they've never got over the line yet. So maybe this is the, this is the time. And TJ Parker is one we actually mentioned, I think when we did the pre-draft episode. So nice to get him back in there. Or anything else, Shane, before we move on to the next team?

Speaker: Yeah, like I think what James just said about the offensive line is very true. that We're about to talk about teams who just never seem to worry about it. The fact that they have tried to strengthen a bit.

Speaker: like I think last year was their year with Patrick Mahomes falling off at a cliff and then getting that ACL injury. Last year was their year to try and just like they really, last year was the year they needed to get that Super Bowl and get over the line because the Chiefs are going to come back stronger this year.

Speaker: Obviously, they always do. They always come back after a down in the year. Whenever Pashim Mahomes gets back to full fitness. Yeah, so I just think that they have strengthened a little bit. It's not great, but it's still better than a lot of other offensive lines that are out there in the league. And as you said, we'll be talking about a couple coming up. But I just think that, as you said, with Josh Allen there, he can run it, he can pass it, he do what he wants. He's James Cook on his shoulder. DJ Moore, Shakir, has so many options now. And If the defence can hold up, I don't see why they can't just go on a proper run this year. And you know what? They just need to get over that voodoo. Because if Josh Allen finishes career without a Super Bowl, it's going one of the biggest Travis season. That's coming from a Jets fan. I hate when people say that online. I really, I appreciate you from a Giants fan. But like, it's just, I just think he needs to get one. And what I think if he gets one, he could easily get three or four. He just needs to get over the the line the first time really, really soon. Okay. Miami Dolphins, Conant, you're up.

Speaker: Oh, that's me. Yeah. Okay, so it's a different Dolphins to what we saw last year, both both mentally and literally on the field. Two is gone.

Speaker: Gerald Waddle's gone. okay two I feel like Looking back at it, right, I feel like the Dolphins weren't as bad as everyone makes out them out to be. Obviously, they were bad, but I feel like the biggest letdown was the interceptions that two of through. He threw 15 interceptions in 14 games.

Speaker: which you can't you cannot get any rhythm. You can't get any sort of momentum or leverage on a game if you're doing that. There are Jordan Brooks on the defense who led the NFL in tackles with 183. He's just been extended and the contract is ah extension there.

Speaker: Jalen Wardle was quite lackluster. Whether you want to look at it with, because it was Tua, but he led the team in receptions with 910 yards and that's from 16 games.

Speaker: so I don't know if i know I mean, we all know how good he can be, whether he was there last year is another thing. But Devane Chan, of course, we all know how he is. 13, over 1300 rushing yards, second the receiving yards on team with 488.

Speaker: And he had the most receptions on the team, which I thought was nuts. Yeah. I think their special teams was actually a really big part of, ah well, how they didn't completely collapse.

Speaker: Riley Patterson was surgical. He only missed four games, a four kicks in the entire season. a Special teams only allowed 259 yards on punt returns as well, which is lower than the league average.

Speaker: They also did well in the draft. I loved, well, I loved Jacob Rodriguez, of course, picking him up as a linebacker to play. play with Jordan Brooks as well. You know Heisman finalist. I still don't know how he fell so low.

Speaker: ah kyle louis Kyle Lewis, also another linebacker. Brilliant. I think he was great in the combine as well. I know the combine doesn't, you know equate to actual gameplay, but yeah I think he's also a really good addition.

Speaker: Obviously, they've got Caleb Proctor, the first pick. Say what you want. He's a big body. i feel like at worst, he can be like an average lineman, which is not that bad of a thing to have. They also picked up Michael Taft, the safety from Texas, which I also loved. So I know they're addressing lot on defense and they've clearly going to be struggling on offense, but I feel like you can't,

Speaker: I feel like once you you focus on one side of the ball, you your special team's quite solid. Once you focus on defense, okay, now we can focus all our energy on offense next time around.

Speaker: you know Halfway through the season, if we know defense is clicking, okay, we can put all our energy on this offense to just cut get some kind of rhythm. So basically, I don't think it's as doom or gloom as people might think.

Speaker: think it is yes they will suck this year that that's a given but I don't think they're gonna I mean they are gonna lose games but the year afterwards and the years after that I reckon they'll be all right not with Malik Willis by the wheel but whoever else goes in and that's me I'm really glad i'm yeah I'm really glad you finished that with they will suck because that was the first point I was going to bring up I love how you've tried to put, like you have tried to put a really positive spin on this, but I just don't see where this positive spin is coming from outside of Devon Achan, who's obviously an absolute machine.

Speaker: They won seven games last year. i i don't think they're going to win seven seven games this year. I really don't. I don't think they're winning seven games this year. I think they're probably going to finish bottom of the AFC East, hopefully. Because that would mean my Jets aren't finishing bottom of the AFC Eats for the first time in God knows how long.

Speaker: i just i think they're a mile off where they should be. And I think, yeah, they've done well. They brought in an absolute ton of draft picks and they've used them well this summer. But... like having draft picks isnt doesn't help you go on the pitch.

Speaker: And I don't know what they've done. Obviously, I'm no college expert. I say it every time I talk about the nf state betty NFL. They could have brought in absolute superstars from college and they could prove me very, very wrong. But at the moment, I don't see where these seven wins are coming from.

Speaker: Yeah, fair enough. I'll wrap it quickly because you guys have kind of covered everything. But one I think the another good pickup was Chris Johnson in the first round. I think that was that was another solid need for them that they've gone and addressed.

Speaker: I will point out that they picked up Zane Gonzalez. So I don't know what way they're going to approach the kick-in situation with Zane. and patterson and gonzalez both there it's an interesting one um to to look at it's probably kicker battle is not something that anyone really wants to hear about so won't rely on that one too much but i will push back on what you said shane i don't think they'll finish bottom that's that that position is uh is assigned to your jets but let's move on to the new england patriots and you'll have your jets your jets chance in just a minute

Speaker: I'm on the Patriots. This is the team that made it all the way back to the Super Bowl, led by Drake May. I don't think I've seen a worse performance across the playoff run by a quarterback.

Speaker: and So there's certainly a huge amount of room for improvement if they get back there. Minus 0.68 EPA per drop back in the biggest game of them all is a very accurate representation of how May played in that offseason. It wasn't just a Super Bowl um mishap. It was across the whole offseason.

Speaker: Now, going into the offseason itself, there was a lot of question marks around Mike Vrabel with the Diana Rossini scandal. And no, bringing a puppy onto the podium will not distract us from what you've done all summer long, Mike.

Speaker: On a positive note, AJ Brown has now landed in New England and he's going to play alongside Romeo Dobbs out wide. Dobbs got that monster four-year, $80 million dollars contract, churn-free agency.

Speaker: Adding Elijah Varadukar, another good guess, obviously from your Jets, Shane, I think he could help shore up an offensive line that clearly needed help in January as it was destroyed by a lot of teams.

Speaker: I see them as a strong regression candidate, to be honest, because they overperformed last year. This year they're playing a first-place schedule, so a lot of tougher teams. and But they might just do enough to make in make up the wildcard spots in the playoffs. i I really don't think they're going to win this division, though, this time around.

Speaker: um if If it's all right for me to add on to this, I think personally, i think it now for this upcoming season, it comes down to if the players are willing to play for the coach. I think i think they've they've signed bigger names. They've got more help on offense.

Speaker: So, you know, no technically I know, you know, if let's not look at upcoming fixtures, wherever on the field, they've gone stronger in a sense. Then, you know, with that, you think, okay, confidence is up.

Speaker: Yeah. They want to, they they know, okay, we want to get back to where we are no matter who's in front of us type thing. But then you, you factor in, everything that's happened Mike Vrabel, and you just think, now I feel like the games are going to won in the locker room now. So it depends on if everyone's playing for each other and playing for the coach.

Speaker: And if they don't, they if I reckon it could get quite ugly, actually. So who knows what the hell will happen, how faith will be seasoned, if they play badly. But I think that i think that'll be the big testament there.

Speaker: Yeah, I agree with you there. And I think the point you made about they brought in the bigger names is a really good one. But the likes of Romeo Dobbs, they have overpaid so much for him. Like $18 million over four years for someone like him, I think he is absolutely meant a lot.

Speaker: And it's one of those off-seasons where if they had waited and waited, they'd have gotten him for half the price if they hadn't just jumped at him. Or someone else would have gotten him for less. I think they just jumped in and said...

Speaker: We were in the Super Bowl. Romare Dobbs well able to run deep. Let's just take him. And he's like, how much do you want? 80 million. Bang. Okay, no bother. Like, I just... say I think, you like, you we were talking last week, the week before, about the Washington Wizards and what they're after doing with Trae Young. And i won't go into that again because I've had my say in that. But that was another one where it was like, we need to keep you. What do you want? 275 million. Okay, here you go. It's like, they really wanted another wide receiver. And I think it might have been in case they didn't get AJ Brown. Because that was only done. That was done after. And it was like, okay, we need someone who we can rely on. It's like, oh, now we've AJ Brown. We need to pay him as well. And it's kind of like...

Speaker: I'm not going to say they panicked, but they saw during Super Bowl, they're how do we strengthen this? We need to pay a big bucks. And then Mike Vrabel has done what he's done. And they're like, you give him money to people who have always seemed to have a bit of an attitude problem.

Speaker: So let's see if they're going to a more of an attitude problem with Vrabel, with each other, with the quarterback. Like, where is this attitude probably going to come down to now? And I think James made a point about they're playing a first-play schedule this year as opposed to a four-play schedule last year.

Speaker: Yeah, they they're they're not getting back to the Super Bowl. My friend Chops is a Patriots fan and he was shocked they the Super Bowl this year. There's no way he sees them getting back to one this year. And actually think they could be a good watch, but it could be for to the wrong reasons. It could be a good hate watch as a Patriots hater this year because... i usually is when they're losing. I think they might struggle this year.

Speaker: Yeah, I don't see it going well from this year. I think there's no denying Drake Mayer's talent, but... Can he be better? We'll just have to we had to wait and see. Okay, then on to the best team in the league, New York Jets.

Speaker: Here we go, Shane. Yeah, I've really tried to not do what I did last year. I came in absolutely all guns blazing. Oh my God, I remember this. Oh my God, I remember. The t-shirt around the head everything just absolutely lost my mind.

Speaker: I want to be positive. I want to be positive. They've revamped the coaching staff after a year where we brought in a defensive coordinator, head coach, and then didn't get an interception.

Speaker: like it's like case You really are working from the bottomist of the bottom bars and you can only go up. Gino Smith a quarterback like is it just is it one of those where it's like we don't like the quarterbacks this year so we're just going to bring in someone who is steady and see what we can do for a year and just try and get a couple of wins keep the fans on sides and Yeah, I don't know. Like, Minge and Fitzpatrick's a great pickup.

Speaker: If the defense can get back to what they were doing the year before last, then there's a chance that we can win a couple of games, finish above the Dolphins, and maybe be an outside wildcard team, maybe. no Okay. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. He's done it again. Please. again Please. Brees Hall are something.

Speaker: look be be okay garre wilson and bruce harverson I will say, I'm going to give you some positives here because I think I said this already when we talked about the draft, but their draft was very impressive because Omar Cooper Jr. was a great pickup.

Speaker: Kenyon Sadiq, obviously also in the first round, and David Bailey. They cleaned up in the first round. Three brilliant picks. and And then beyond that, D'Angelo Pons in the second round, he can play your nickel corner position. So I think that's impressive. They did well in the draft, but they're...

Speaker: third This is not a team led by a man that would make you want to run through a wall. like He's fallen so short of what he promised, and this is going to be his last season. The Jets would do well to you know shore up the defense a little bit, but they need someone else in there, and then they can look forward when they have their their chance to pick their quarterback next summer. I'd say the best thing the Jets can do this season is...

Speaker: not do well and just have a high draft pick and get a new coach because Aaron Glenn is not it and neither is Geno Smith. Look, I think there's a reason, i say k i let you in a second, but i think there's a reason that...

Speaker: that Aaron Glenn, like, he's, I don't know if it was here i don't think he was ever, no, he wasn't ever an NFL head coach before, and there's a reason for that, there's reason he was a coordinator. The Jets brought him in to almost do a tanking job, but even that they haven't done very well.

Speaker: Like, they didn't get the top pick last year because they won too many games, so it's like, I i didn't, yeah, like, it's so hard to support the Jets, it really, really is, and... I curse my father every day for picking that ball out of the 32 balls in JFK that day when I was 12 years old that got me stuck here. But like if it can't always be dark days. It mightn't be this year. Maybe it'll be next year. But I just think with Brees Hall, with Gary Wilson, you really do have two really good offensive weapons there.

Speaker: And Braden Allen looks like a solid halfback as well. He's big. He's strong. But it's just everything else that went wrong last year is just inexcusable. Not getting an interception in the whole season, being the first team to ever do with it, it's... like There must be a word that's more embarrassing than embarrassing to describe now not getting an interception in the whole season. How you can sit there, come off to park and say, oh, I did well this year. Yeah, you didn't get an interception. You didn't do well. You didn't. A really solid defensive coordinator is your head coach and mess it up. So he has changed his coach's staff because that's what every struggling head coach does.

Speaker: Blames everyone else and brings in someone new that has new ideas and fresh face, blah, blah, blah. Yeah, I just, I have absolutely no confidence. And... Yes, I say it's playoff dark horse, but if you go back and listen to how I said it, it was the most sheepish I've ever been in my whole entire life.

Speaker: So I have no confidence. Absolutely no confidence. different than last year, to be fair. Let's just move on. Yeah, 100%. But it couldn't be worse. Any quick Jets thoughts, Conan? ah Well, two just two points. Firstly, I think it's hilarious that you had zero interceptions and your head coach used to be a DB. I think that is that is quite funny.

Speaker: I know. But secondly, right, so going back to the draft, yes, brilliant draft. I love the draft they had. They picked up every single knee they they needed.

Speaker: Even Darrell Jackson is a defensive tackle from Florida State. I loved it. Now, how the one that I like a lot is Cade Klubnik from Clemson. Okay.

Speaker: Now, now, now, now. Basically, I will try and fill you up with some confidence here, Shane. um So, played for Clemson. Had a very good year, about two years ago.

Speaker: Going into last year, people had him as like the Heisman favorite, and they were like, this guy's goingnna going to be unbelievable. A little bit lackluster. think the coaching staff didn't help him and he got injured and think it was all ah figures all a mess anyway.

Speaker: But I genuinely think he has got something to him. that that You don't go from... the possible a Heisman like finalist to, to nothing and then not have anything to you.

Speaker: I think Kate Klubnik has something to him. I think he still has something to show. And I think, especially sitting behind, not necessarily Geno Smith, because you know he was he was coined as... Las Vegas Raiders fans coined him as a terrorist last year, so I don't think he is the best do for here's the best player to sit behind.

Speaker: But just for him to sit behind someone, not having that pressure on him, I feel like he is going to do is gonna benefit from it. Now, this is not me saying Klubnik will be the MVP in two years' time, but...

Speaker: I do think he is worth worth summon as well. I think is he's he's got something to give. Okay, K. Klubnik want to watch. Let's go into the AFC North, lads. He's MVP of 2026, K. Klubnik. You heard it here first from Conan. All right, that's why you shouldn't anything. forget this. They said he was not going do that. That's why you shouldn't say anything.

Speaker: We're at like pushing six minutes per team at the moment, lads. So let's speed this thing up. Oh, sorry. to the afc north Baltimore Ravens come on Europe. Oh, that's me as well. Okay. Hey, guys, did you know Lamar Jackson was the 10th most sacked QB in the league last year?

Speaker: I didn't actually. I know. I know. It's quite nuts, isn't it? So that's worse than Jackson Dart, two attack of Iloa, Bryce Young, and Aaron Rodgers. Okay? So, and this is, he was also averaging, you know, almost 200 yards per game through the air with 21 passing touchdowns. e So with that,

Speaker: The Ravens clearly addressed the the situation and the issue. Picked up Oliver Vega, Ioane from Penn State. Great pickup. So now hopefully he's not in that egregious side of the most sacked list.

Speaker: Derek Henry, great year. little bit overshadowed by James Cook. But he also had the second most fumbles from a running back in the league. So got to not do that, basically. Hmm.

Speaker: ah Tyler Loop missed 11 kicks on the year with 10 less points than the league average. Also not good. And then Zay Flowers had over 1,200 receiving yards and led led the team.

Speaker: But then followed followed by that was Mark Andrews with 422. So it's quite a drop. So they addressed all this in the draft. okay Picked up Jacoby Lane, who I loved from USC. Picked up Elijah Surratt from Indiana. Now, with the Ravens, I think they just...

Speaker: They got to not overcomplicate it. They got a new head coach in. Okay. Defensive minded. Great. Just leave. You know, Lamar Jackson can do it. Okay.

Speaker: You've given him more weapons. We know Derek Henry still can still run with the rock. You're making the line stronger. I feel like they the grip on the AFC North is not... a Well, a clearly they didn't have a grip on it last year, but as one of you know as the top team in the AFC North, I feel like that is not as strong as it has been in previous years. Now I know that that's not you know it's not as much of an outrageous thing to say when they didn't when they didn't finish top of the lead the division last year, but the point still stands.

Speaker: So I feel like they just need to... Just focus on sharing the workload, not relying on specific people.

Speaker: And just play more as a team. Just play together, man. That's all I got. I think Adam Jesse Minter was a good was like such a good pickup as their new head coach. And I have them as one them. I think they're one of the favorites for me to win the Super Bowl. I think they're going to bounce back massively.

Speaker: I think he's going to change this defense around a lot. They're getting a lot of guys back from injury on that defense that didn't play at all last season, like Travis Jones, Matabike. And then they were hit with injury across their roster last year, obviously.

Speaker: We've still got Kyle Hamilton there. You added Trey Hendrickson, which is a massive piece. like the The team just looks so much better. And Minter has a great relationship with Lamar Jackson. And as you said, they they assessed some of the wide receiver options in the draft and the offensive line. So I think they they have all the reasons to be positive heading into this one. And I think they win the AFC North.

Speaker: Yeah, look, I don't have much to add and we're trying to keep it for minute, so I have one question, Conor. Where do you see them, like your face of, your look of shock there when James said he has him as one of his Super Bowl favourites. Where do you have him heading into this season?

Speaker: I think they will do considerably better, considerably better, yes. But, I feel like the some other teams in the AFC are stronger now than they were last year.

Speaker: feel like the Broncos are going to come back even stronger. feel like the Bills got a little bit stronger. The Chiefs are going to bounce back. So I would be as...

Speaker: dead set with them being going to the Superbowl, but I do agree with James and and I do think they will bounce back considerably. They're not going to, I don't think they'll struggle as much to win the, to win out, you know, the AFC North this year as they did last year.

Speaker: But yeah, what, I don't know how far they'll get. ah that that's my That's my next bit. I couldn't really tell it. Okay. Which is not ideal for a podcast.

Speaker: Well, that's okay. You don't have to make any definive definitive statements in July. We'll get there soon enough. I don't want to get clipped like Shane. Yeah. So the Bengals are, I think, their main contender and in the AFC North. But it's all down to Joe Burrow.

Speaker: This is pretty much where it begins and ends for this team. If Joe Cool, as they call him, can stay injury-free for a full season, there's no reason why this team cannot go all the way back to the Super Bowl as they did in 2022. But that is a massive if.

Speaker: In 2025, Burrow only managed to start eight games. Joe Flacco came in, obviously, took the reins. Jamar Chase has entered in the first year of his huge deal. Tee Higgins entered in the second year of his huge deal.

Speaker: There's no time like right now for the Bengals to make this run. And this window is growing ever smaller for them. I think the revamp of the defensive line is a very good one after Trey Hendrickson left because now they've traded for Dexter Lawrence from my Giants and they paired him with Jonathan Allen from the Vikings. So that's a strong and middle of your line there. And then on either edge, they've got... Bayou Maffe, who they added in free agency, and then they drafted Cassius Howell.

Speaker: So I think there's there's some more variety off the edge. Brian Cook is a big upgrade and for them at safety after they got rid of that one season wonder, Geno Stone. Biggest question is...

Speaker: The offensive line, is it going to be good or is it going to still be the same? They've done absolutely nothing. They re-signed Orlando Brown Jr. and then they waited until the fourth and fifth round of the draft to draft some backups.

Speaker: It just makes the ifs surrounding Joe Burrow even bigger because I just wouldn't bank on him staying healthy behind the same O-line that always lets him down. What say you, Shane? Yeah, so I think everything you're saying there is perfectly right. And the money they've put on Tee Higgins and Jamar Chase is so big that they really have like they have to be win now.

Speaker: Or what's the point in all the money they're after throwing around at their wide receivers? I wonder this now, and it was coming into last season as well, I didn't voice it, but I am this time. Are they, like, how far away they from saying, okay, Joe Barrow, thanks for the memories, but we're going to get five draft picks and see we can do because he can't stay fit...

Speaker: but snow like big pick if if If he can't stay fit and you're throwing all this money at your wide receiver to bring in Joe Flacco to try and find him instead, I just think it's pointless. And I think it's wasting money that you can be putting elsewhere to try and make the teams better. And...

Speaker: I think Joe Burrow is absolutely incredible. but That's when he's on the pitch. As you said, eight games last year as all he started. He got Turf Toe, which was a new one for me. I had him a fancy night to look up see how long he going to be out. Hey, Turf Toe is not to be messed with. I'm more than aware. It's just my beloved Michael Thomas. Do not not talk about Turf Toe like that. It's it's like the ACL for your toe, as they say.

Speaker: Yeah. i I just, I think genuinely de they are going to start asking questions about can they trust him to be the one that leads him to a Super Bowl with all this money on the wider series at some point.

Speaker: And i don't know how long they can wait. Before you just give your any thoughts you have, Conant, I will just say they need to look at themselves first because they need to pay the O-line and sort that out because it's their it's' it's the O-line's fault that he keeps getting injured across his career. So if they're not going to revamp that, then yeah, if they're they're making a mistake. But Conant, any quick thoughts?

Speaker: ah I mean, my thing with the Bengals has always been that defense as well. I feel like that defense is more egregious than the offensive line at times. They got Demetrius Knight last year as a linebacker.

Speaker: Statistically, he was quite good. But then, i mean, I'll be honest with you, gents. I was watching Bengals games in their entirety and purely watching Demetrius Knight every single game. But people don't like him, and I i don't know why.

Speaker: But I think the defense is will really... ensure that they make it ah far enough. I think Cassius Howell, I love him, but again, it's this T-Rex arm syndrome that's clearly going around this year. So that is a concern that people have about him, but he has he has crazy pace. I also love Colby Young, the wide receiver, the drafted from Georgia, who's like the same like build as your T Higgins and almost like Jamar Chase. He's just big and quick.

Speaker: like There's nothing nothing slot and petite about him. like He's big, he's going to get up there, and he's going to win those 50-50 balls. So I think as well as how well can this offensive line play, I think the defense is also a big, big question mark on this team and how far they can go. Okay, two big questions for the Bengals. Shane, what you got now for the Browns? Plenty of questions lined up here, I'd say.

Speaker: Yeah, there's so many questions that I really don't have that many answers from, to be perfectly honest with you. I keep getting these themes that are either absolutely class or absolutely dog poo.

Speaker: And they cleve the Cleveland Browns one of those themes that are absolutely dog poo. So they have brought in a new coaching staff. they are They are trying something. They're trying to rebuild the offensive line. That seemed to be their priority this offseason.

Speaker: ah Edl... Elk... Jenkins and Zion Johnson have both come in for him to try and shore up their offensive line. i I never realized I was so bad at names until I started recording myself doing podcasts. They brought in Titus Howard as well and they've drafted a fella called Spencer Fano. I'm sure you can go into... a bit more about him in a couple of minutes and I'm done talking nonsense here. But yeah, like can they be Can they be competitive while they're rebuilding? And I think that's the big question from this year. come like they I just

Speaker: i like Jenkins at running back. I think, sorry, Judkins at running back. I think he's really, really solid and he's the one they need to build around for the offense. But on the defensive side, there's so much for him to do.

Speaker: last The first game of last season, I came out saying it was the Jets against the Browns. The Browns won. I came out saying, oh, the Jets look really, really good. it's No, but just the Browns actually looked really, really bad and just beat an absolutely terrible Jets team. They they pulled the wool over my eye for a week and a half.

Speaker: I can see them doing do the same again this year. I don't think they're very good. I think there's too much competition in their division for them to do anything close to remotely decent. I think they're just going to be another rebuilding team aiming for a quarterback and next draft.

Speaker: I would give them a lot more credit on the defense than you've given them right there. I thought their defense had some really good young pieces on it last season. and They looked very good. That was the only thing holding them together, to be honest.

Speaker: And you've got Carson Sueshinger, who they drafted last year in the second round. Absolute beast. Denzel Ward is still there. Now they've drafted Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, who... was a great pickup i thought the giants should be looking at someone like him to play safety they've added jared vers and quincy williams they drafted mason graham last year that defense looks great and then they've assessed the wide receiver problem with casey concepcion and denzel boston i think the only issue with with this team at all really for kicking on is the quarterback

Speaker: Like that might be the reason why you end up picking high again next year, not because of anything else. Once they add a quarterback to this team, they're going to make noise because the rest of this roster is is stacked.

Speaker: Okay. and and it james kind of covered yeah James kind of covered every single thing possible that team. Because I was going to go... I was also going to bring up how brilliant the Emmanuel McNeil-Warren draft was and the Casey Conception ah pick. Because not only is he not a bad receiver, he can also get it done in the return game as well.

Speaker: i I feel like that might be... the reason that they they they went for him as well big in the first round especially. um Because straight after they picked Denzel Boston from Washington.

Speaker: Yeah, getting him in the second round is crazy. It's crazy. And especially like because he's completely different like type of receiver as well. That is your like X or Z receiver. That is your...

Speaker: yeah yeah I feel like he he has a higher ceiling ceiling than a Jerry Judy. And then Casey Conception is there for special teams as well. So now you've got the solid defense. Kastner Schlesinger is going to be crazy good next year.

Speaker: Then you got a solid special teams. And i mean obviously everyone knows about the QB situation. They drafted Taylor Green, which I thought was quite a confusing pick. You already have a confusing quarterback battle going on. Why would you add a young quarterback to that? a waste of the as well. Because he you know eat the best...

Speaker: possibly with the best combine stats of any QB ever. I think, I think it's fair to say, say that like his four yard time is is four yard dash time. Everything was just crazy good.

Speaker: So yeah, I mean, I really don't understand why they did that. They also drafted Justin Jefferson. Yeah.

Speaker: Linebacker. Linebacker Jadis. Yeah, sorry. I was just expecting... I was just looking at Shane's face to see if he had said something.

Speaker: I don't know Colin. but that buy Come on now. Sorry, it's not his name. Okay, well, incredibly rude note... Sorry, sorry, sorry. i well you yeah shows so Your punishment for that is the Steelers, so let's get on it.

Speaker: God damn it. Okay, I want to spend all this much time with this. Okay, hey guys, did you know that Aaron Rodgers had more passing yards than Lamar Jackson last season?

Speaker: I actually didn't. so no but you did also know Did you also know he had a higher passing yards per game average as well than Lamar Jackson? No, that's more impressive. He about 200.

Speaker: 207.6 passing yards per game, apparently, average. average Now, their issue... Well, they have a lot of issues, but it's mainly offense. Their defense is solid. But the Steelers had eight recorded players who rushed the ball last season, and they all...

Speaker: collectively, accumulated 1,756 rushing yards on 407 carries, right? Now, if we so if we're comparing that to just Derek Henry... Sorry, I know I'm... um mice No, I won't spend more time. So that is...

Speaker: Just, my maths is awful. That is, you know, a little bit, just about 200 yards more than Derrick Henry on 100 more carries between eight people, right? It's also 150 rushing yards less than the league average collective by the collectively. So...

Speaker: so That's got to change. That's got to change. They just couldn't get a rhythm on offense. DK McAff had 850 receiving yards on 59 receptions. and just It's just not good. But then we all know...

Speaker: Defense is just solid. know The linebacker duo of Peyton Wilson and Patrick Queen had 120 or more tackles each. So we like i'm I'm not even looking at you know your TJ Watt and that incredible D-line that they had and probably still have. But you know looking elsewhere is still solid. um Now, my other thing is, you know I've just established how they can't couldn't get a rhythm on offense.

Speaker: didn't really have a you know a certain dynamic on it. Now, I don't think they addressed the correct needs in a draft, really. They picked Max Ian Atchor as an offensive tackle from Arizona.

Speaker: Good pick. okay I'm not overtly mad at that one. ah Then they drafted Drew Alla. from Penn state now, not really a fan of that.

Speaker: Um, I think I bring this up every single time i I'm on this podcast, but what's wrong with Will Howard? Yeah. What was wrong with him? Like, I don't... i Really? i really don't get it. that He must be doing something outrageous to the Steelers coaches because I really don't get why they're not even giving him the light of day. They also drafted Gennings Dunker as another offensive tackle. hes the He was the kid with the mullet that everyone was, like, fawning over.

Speaker: But I feel like they were just... feel like they were just making up numbers and not really going out of the to kind of get, like, a bigger name or try and actually... make much of a difference. So it was a weird one for me in the draft. But yes, that is my assessment. i'm i'm not going to I'm not going to waste more of your time and do apologise.

Speaker: Yeah, so I think the thing with the Steelers is that because they are now Ireland's team, because they have done this relationship with Ireland, that everyone is kind of just, as you said, the like you just said everyone's falling over that lad with mullet. Like everyone in Ireland was almost falling over the Steelers last year.

Speaker: They keep giving Aaron Rodgers the time of day, which is more than anyone should be doing. No one should be giving him the time of day at this stage. I know he had more passing yards than ever was than LeMar Jackson, but he's one of these that he loves the drama. He loves being, oh, where am I going? Where am I going? Where am I going? saying, no one actually cares. You're 40...

Speaker: million years old. i don't know exact number. I don't think he's actually 40 million, but he's one of those that it's time for him just call it a day, and the Steelers sticking with him for another year means they're doing another year of not doing anything, and yeah in my in my humble opinion. You said DK Metcalf had, what, 750 yards last year? were against the Jets, so dude it doesn't really count of that luck So...

Speaker: It's like, it's it's just, it's one of those where unless he's playing in Ireland, he's not going to do anything. Aaron Rodgers isn't going to do anything. They're so harmless. It's not even funny. So that's just, to just let him be themselves and we we'll worry about him when he gets rid of Aaron Rodgers again.

Speaker: Well, everyone in Ireland, they're going to be watching them, they better get ready to learn terrible football because this is going to be shit again this season. yeah It's going to be worse. Like, they're not making the playoffs. their're Their winning streak is going to snap. um The draft was terrible.

Speaker: Whatever, Iheanacho was a fine pick, but there's a reason why 160,000 people left the whole draft party at once in Pittsburgh when they saw him getting drafted. They didn't know what they were doing sure that yeah during that draft. They thought they were getting somebody that they weren't.

Speaker: I'm over-exaggerating. Not everybody left, but a lot of people did leave. A lot of people did leave and they were really annoyed by that pick. So, yeah, I think the the whole, if you look at that video of when they drafted him and the sound in that room, yeah, that's going to be the sound that all the fans are making watching them this season. So let's let's move to the AFC South. Okay, on to the AFC South. I'm going to start up with the Texans after Shane's pee-pee break. I'm about to piss myself.

Speaker: That we just had. Good God, this defense is great. I just love to sit down and watch the the Houston D-line just play work, play every single week. And then when CJ Stroud comes onto the TV, just turn it off. Okay, I'm being a bit a little bit harsh on Stroud. He's a good quarterback, but...

Speaker: He was asked to do too much last season. I think he has a lot of talent, but calling checks, readjusting pressure, protection, should I say, at the line, that did not help him going into his third year. and I think they should just peel it back a lot. And I think they're they're planning to do that.

Speaker: They have a tough running back group now. I think that's going to stand to them when they do try to make another playoff push. um David Montgomery being added, Woody Marks look pretty good too. I think that makes for a solid duo.

Speaker: And then their O-line has been completely revamped it with Braden Smith, Wyatt Teller being picked up, and then they selected Keelan Rutledge in the first round. So all of those kind of point towards ah a stronger O-line. Sprout should be better protected and then in turn have a more reliable running game, and that will unleash that deep ball that he has to Nico Collins or one of Noel Higgins and even a returning Tank Dell. So I think come playoff season, no team will want to come up against this defensive front whatsoever. They don't even bother simulating or disguising their pressures. It's just good old put your hand in the dirt and absolutely mash an offensive lineman. And there's nothing he can do about it. So I think as long as their offensive game plan is simplified and Stroud doesn't throw four interceptions in their return to to the playoffs in January, then this team could very well go all the way to LA.

Speaker: um've They've got all the pieces that they need to do it. So that's my take on on the Texans. think they're going to be a great watch this year. Yeah, I would actually agree with you. want to sit beside you and just watch this this Houston Texans defense go at it because they are absolutely, they're just such a good watch. and they don't want like it they they make defense They make defense fun, and is the way to put it, because everyone, like the money goes, yeah, but a lot of money he goes on defense. But like the the people said,

Speaker: the players, people sit down to watch, the wide receivers, the Justin Jefferson of this world, the people like him, but just sit down and watch these Texans lads go to work because they absolutely love what they do. And it there really is a credit to them and they are absolutely incredible. But CJ Strauss is their, both their biggest issue and their biggest opportunity.

Speaker: If they can, as you said, simplify you for him this year, Just strip everything back, say you throw it here, the ball goes there, let your wide receivers do what they were good at doing two years ago and we'll see from there because that performance in the, was it the final that they were knocked out? Was it not super final, the AFC? No, it was the round before that. No, it was the divisional round.

Speaker: My God, the offense absolutely stunk that day. It really did. And there was there's nothing defense the defense could do to help them. And that was them to see the show being asked for 17 games prior to that to do too much.

Speaker: if they if they get If they can get the ah offense right, they are in a really, really strong position of going all the way to LA, as you just said. um I don't have much really to add. just feel like this offense will be crazy good this year.

Speaker: I think like James said, they've revamped the offensive line. and I think that wide receiver room, the the guys that they picked up last year, i can't i still can't believe they picked up both of them.

Speaker: And I think, yeah, i i I have nothing much to say. I just think they will be really good. David Montgomery is going to be interesting. Will he be as good if he's having more of the share of the ball rather than you know playing off of like a Jameer Gibbs type when he was with the Lions?

Speaker: Could use Marks a little bit more. We'll Are those days behind him? Yeah. I think it's an interest. Yeah, I think they will. think they'll have to But that's another thing to watch this season. Colts, Shane?

Speaker: Yeah. and You're going to have to let me land here now for a second and not show any faces. Or it does let me say my first sentence and then let me elaborate on it. I think the Colts have all the talent they need to comp compete in the AFC South. Yeah.

Speaker: I think their big issue is quarterback again because they've given millions upon millions upon millions to Daniel Jones who has never shown he can stay fit. Anthony Richardson is back up.

Speaker: They put a ton of money into Alec Pearce as well. if they If they can stay fit, get right, they can definitely compete in the AFC South. I asked you not to make any sounds or noises while I was talking. No, no, no, no, no. I said I said i get it no no continue sorry I said I get it I think stability and consistency is going to be key for them this year because the way they started last year they were they were they were like a house on fire the way they went off last year and then Daniel Jones did what he does got injured and it just went to complete and not her shit we're allowed say shit because James has said shit so I can say that now

Speaker: I think they've they've they've done well. They've retained their key pass rushers. They've added linebackers. So that's kind of... like that's I wouldn't say set in stone, but it's definitely more solid than it was last year.

Speaker: If they can just get Jonathan Taylor firing again, get Alex Pearce showing he's worth the money they've given him, and Daniel Jones needs to show that he's worth the money they've given him as well. But... Could they have done with a better backup or QB1B more than likely they could have? Because it's not going to be Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones isn't going to play more than eight games more than likely.

Speaker: Listen, are we forgetting that Riley Leonard is on the team? Okay, it's my turn to talk. I'm forgetting. and Come on, man. You can't just keep naming random backups. Not all of them are going to work. No, I know. Hey, he's legit. I'm telling you now. Next year, hey, you can bookmark this. Riley Leonard will be will be a dark horse in the league next year.

Speaker: Okay, hello gen james I'm being a bit harsh. i think I think you make a good point on on Leonard. What I will say is and I don't think this team is is going to go anywhere because Jones is just going to be injured. I've watched enough of them to know what's going to happen. And and Alec Pearce for that money is just outrageous. Josh Downs and...

Speaker: nick westbrook akina as your other two wide receivers stinks um and then the defense looks great as you said shane but i just don't think that's enough to uh offset the the issues at quarterback and receiver when you have a great offensive line too it just makes it even even even harder to stomach how how much money they pumped into those bad positions but yeah if you want to give your little riley leonard spiel i'll let you go ahead here come on No, it's not a spiel at all. It's not a spiel at all. I just think he's... I think he's got something to him is all was going to say. I also don't think Josh Downs is as poo as you think he is. Hey, listen. Hey, listen. To everyone listening here who knew that he was going to be a sneaky good fantasy pick like me, then you'll know that Josh Downs has got something to him. How do you do in our fantasy league?

Speaker: Pretty good. i How about you shut up? Maybe? I'm talking. Maybe? Maybe? I think it's quite sly as well. But poor old Daniel Jones, he snapped his ACL. It's not his fault. It is. It's not his fault. He's so injury prone. I don't know how you can pay him and rely upon that. I'm telling you, Danny Dimes is the man. Okay. Okay.

Speaker: Okay, moving on anyway. All I was going to say was I liked that they picked up CJ Allen and AJ Holsey in the draft, but I'm going to shut up because I've clearly lost all all credibility. Credibility, it that's the word. tip up good Okay, well, you have a chance to regarner it here with your Jags. Let's hear what you've got to say about the Jags.

Speaker: Hey guys, did you know? No, I don't. No, I was actually really enjoying those. I really was. talked to her brilliant. yeah Well, I have one, but I feel like it'll be so long winded for me to say it. Okay. Look at the time. Okay. So Trevor Lawrence, great year. Okay.

Speaker: I mean, I, I, I loved it. I loved it. You had over 4,000 yards passing average of 235.7 passing yards per game. Quite good. The only thing that worried me were the interceptions.

Speaker: He had 12. So other than that, he was quite solid. Travis HN, because James showered at me for calling him ETN. I don't care what James says. Well, talk to James about it. okay He's got the new name. and i go He's still here with me as he was the last day. whole no plus I do remember. It's just a weird end to pod. Anyway, Travis Achan had just over 1,100 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. He is now gone to my beloved Saints. Beysol Tootin,

Speaker: So this guy who everyone is everyone's fawning over him. He had just over 50 rushing yards less than Trevor Lawrence with 307 rushing yards. That's all whilst having one more carry than him and four less rushing touchdowns.

Speaker: So that just let that simmer little bit, okay? So he's now... Let that sink in. Yeah, let that sink in. Let the sink in. So he's now the lead. um like Unless my ball knowledge has gone out the window. Is he not the lead back now with the Jacks? Yep, he is. Yep. And they signed Chris Rodriguez to back him up, which is terrible.

Speaker: So, you know, quite concerning there. The receivers shared the ball well, which I like. Parker Washington leading in the charge. Who'd have thought? 847 receiving yards. Brian Thomas down with 707. Brenton Strange with 540. And Jacoby Myers with 483. That was only after nine games.

Speaker: Now, Devin Lloyd tied the most second most interceptions in the league last year with five. He's now gone. That's going to be a massive blow. I feel like defensively, they're going to be struggling this year. Then special teams as well. Parker Washington, a beast again, returned two punts for a touchdown and had the average return rate of 13.64, which is more than double the league average.

Speaker: So last year, the guy was crazy. So now you hope that... whatever your your opinions are on Travis Hunter, mine aren't the highest, but he's coming back into it now. Whether that is a big addition to the receiving core, I don't know.

Speaker: But, yo, their draft sucked. So, I don't know. they got they lost They lost a lot of players, and they haven't really helped themselves with the draft at all. They got Nate...

Speaker: Burkitscher, I can't say his name. They had him as their first pick in the second round. He's a ah subpar tight end, which a ah massive reach on him. Emmanuel Pregnon, okay, I liked him as a pick, but that's essentially the only pick I liked out the draft. He drafted two wide receivers, two edge rushers, and two tight ends.

Speaker: Now, why? i couldn't tell you. When clearly they have needs elsewhere, know, they need to, they should be focusing more on, you know, the filling that gap of Devin Lloyd leaving. I forget if the timeline Devin Lloyd leaving after the draft or before, but regardless, you know, the teams are going after him.

Speaker: You must, you gotta to have a backup plan to him. So yeah. Huh. Four minutes. Yes, I did it. But yeah, so the four minutes is supposed to be for all three of us to talk about about the team. So think that you should have been done two and a half minutes ago. um Look, you've said everything you needed to say. I think they didn't replace who they lost and they've still got some good players, but they probably will regress because they've lost a lot of good players. And yeah, anything else, Shane?

Speaker: Yeah, Trevor Lawrence is still crap. Let's go. Okay, Titans. um Look, why do have to get the Titans? Robert Sala, Ryan Dayball, Wanda Robinson.

Speaker: Keldrick Falk, Daniel Bellinger. All of these are very you statements. Okay, they can have Jalen Hyatt if they want. Not sure how to summarize this mess of a roster. I've said it before and I'll say it again. How does hiring the ex-coaches of the Jets and Giants and paying all the players that those losing teams are willing to let go amount a winning football team?

Speaker: It just doesn't. This team will not be a winning football team. Who knows what's to come with Cam Ward down the line. Look, he showed flashes, especially towards the end of last season, but the team was terrible. and it was not fully down to him, especially given the the horrendous coaching situation he was in The O-line was an issue, and I really don't think adding Volsson from a bad Cincy line and Schlottmann, who was a backup for the Giants on a bad line,

Speaker: really help JC Latham in the first round is going to help that at least to give a ah bookend opposite Dan Moore so that's something but the backfield confuses me as well Pollard and Spears are still the main guys we talked about Calvin Ridley the last time you were on and he is somehow still a starter on this team despite his inability to catch a cold.

Speaker: Carnell Tate is a great pick up in the draft but Juan Dale Robinson is also somebody who I said can be a release valve but not for 70 million over 4 years Defence has the brand new look. John Franklin Myers, Jordan Elliott, Jermaine Johnson all added to the line. I really liked Anthony Hill pickup at linebacker. It gives Salah that kind of Fred Warner option that I mentioned before. And I did also like Cordell Flott last season for the Giants, but again, not for 45 million over three years.

Speaker: The team could get five or six wins if things go their way, but the offence as a whole is just way too far off for me. Conan, what do you think? Yeah, if we...

Speaker: I like Connell T. That's all I have to say. Okay, great. Yeah, i only have won I only have one line as well. Yeah, I have one line as well, and you sounded up perfectly. You kind of left it when you said, what do they think hiring coaches of the Giants and Jets and players that were released by these terrible organizations, how do they think that's going to work?

Speaker: like I obviously like Robert Sala. I think he should still be in charge of the the Jets. But aside from that... they are there They're Mount Everest and they don't have any shoes and they don't have any sticks to help them and they are going absolutely nowhere.

Speaker: No sticks and no shoes on the top of Everest. That's the Titans summed up for this season. That's the worst situation. I know it could be. Let's get into the AFC West then as our last division. and Denver Broncos are up first.

Speaker: Yeah, I'm going to keep this about 90 seconds. It's very easy. I think they are legitimate contender this year. and Playoff contender, sorry, not Super Bowl contender. they are They're definitely going to cause teams issues.

Speaker: I think what killed them last year against Drake May and the Patriots, God, that took a while, was the snow. The snow absolutely ruined them.

Speaker: And... The Patriots were just better at slogging it sluggingist than they were and Their quarterback is just going to continue developing. Obviously, I think i do think Bo Nix is i don' I don't know if he's good, but he's definitely sound. And I think that goes an awful long way in helping you um keep your offense on on side if you're going to be sound.

Speaker: Yeah, I just, I don't know. I have so much written here, but I just think it's all crap. I think everything I've written is absolutely crap on this team. To be perfectly honest. So I'm just going to let you jump in here and talk. I've absolutely lost a running with Delphier. I've been actually hoping to talk about the Chargers this time. Well, okay. I think, to be honest, that you're not too far off that they're going to be a contender. I have two question marks.

Speaker: Obviously, Bo Nix was injured for that game against the Patriots, so that was a another factor. i don't think there's any issues with the defense. Really much issues with the offense. They've added Jalen Waddell now, too. I still like J.K. Dobbins and R.J. Harvey, and they added Jonah Coleman for another option there. The only kind of question I have is about Bo Nix and the potential relationship between with the head coach Sean Payton who is incredibly hard to get on with and Nick seemed to take issue with the fact that Sean Payton made public that he had had multiple injuries in college that he required treatment for, that Nick did not want to be out there. Because obviously down the line, that affects your resale ability, your monetary gain that you can make from this sport and how well you can avoid injury. And he wasn't happy with that. And Payton does a lot to rub people up the wrong way. And finally, he is not going to be the play caller this year too.

Speaker: because he needed to make that splash and hold on to their their offensive coordinator, whose name has completely s slipped my mind now. I'll check in a sec. But they needed to make him the play caller, basically, to hold on to him. and And I don't know if Peyton's going to deal with that either. So it's all down to relationships. and If the relationships are right, this team could go very far, as Shane said.

Speaker: Any thoughts, Conant? I think Nick Bonito will be the defensive player of the year next year. And that's all I have to say. i yeah I don't mind that and I think they're one of these teams that they haven't gone out and thrown a ton of money at players that aren't going to help them the way the Patriots have brought in Romeo Dobbs for 18 minutes they haven't gone and done something that's that you continue like flashy or just they they haven't gone and just chucked a load of money at one person thinking this time this in peace they kind of backed the lads they had and i think i think that's going to help them go into this season as well

Speaker: Yeah, yeah, I think you're right. I think that they held on to players and they look good for what they have. And whereas when you look at the Jags that we just talked about, they let players go, but they didn't refill really fill the holes. And it's Davis Webb is the name I was trying to think of a minute ago. But moving on to the Kansas City Chiefs, so we've got Conan with them. Yeah.

Speaker: No, I'll keep it. No, no, no. I have no no fun little facts here, okay? Kareem Hunt led the team with rushing yards, which was 611 rushing yards through seventeen games I think i I don't have the stats in front me, but I think Pacheco had less than 500 throughout the year, yeah which is the foul.

Speaker: So clearly that's been addressed by bringing Kenneth Walker. So that's always good. um Obviously we all know Mahomes had a down year, know, injury injury.

Speaker: you know The supporting cast wasn't the best. Poor run game. So now with Kenneth Walker in, i feel like he might... Well, we know how good he is. So I feel like he'll obviously do better than last year. ah Travis Kelsey led the team in receiving yards with 851 yards and five touchdowns.

Speaker: What the hell? So that has happened. So that can't that can't happen again this year. the other like i mean... what the hell is going on with Rasheed Rice? I don't know.

Speaker: So, at the um like, personally, i i don't know i don' i don't know. I don't know. I don't think, I don't know why how he's gone away with what he has, and I don't know how he's back to where he is and not with not much consequence. Anywho, defensively, they had three players with more than 100 tackles on the defense, and Nick Bolton alone 154.

Speaker: Now to have that many when two of the guys had more than a hundred tackles is quite good. If anything, I'd say that's maybe a little bit more impressive than Jordan Brooks on the Dolphins leading league in tackles. But the guy in second only had led less than a hundred. I think was like 80 something. So defensively,

Speaker: especially with pickup of Mansoor Delane, who I really wanted i wanted the Saints to pick, a cornerback from LSU. Picking up Peter Woods, great D tackle from Clemson. So I think this this defense is going to be quite good.

Speaker: I mean, it's always good, but I think it's going to be even better than usual. Garrett Nussmeier was an interesting pick. Now, I mean, you guys can talk about your opinions on the Chiefs, but let that one simmer as well. Maybe if you have an opinion on the whole Garrett Nussmeier pick, but...

Speaker: i I don't know. I know that they're thinking of having Justin Fields as a running back now or go doing running back but like carries, which is crazy. So is Garen Nussmaier the out-and-out backup? I don't know. I don't know what's happening there. So yes, that is it. I don't know how much I spent on that, but that is it.

Speaker: That was beautiful. I'll go really Yeah, I'll go really quick. I think this is the year where part-time football player, full-time podcaster Travis Swift is going to be the reason that they have, that they struggle. I think that they obviously have everything there from they still have Andy Reid, Patrick Mahone is going to come back to full fitness at some point.

Speaker: They brought in the second best quarterback in the world and Justin Fields is a backup. I'm joking, he was absolutely crap last year. And I think having Travis Kelce Swift is going to be an issue from this year. I think this is the summer he should have retired. He should have just hung it up and said, I'm going living off my millions and billions now.

Speaker: Yeah, I just, I don't fancy them for a playoff this year. And I think they're going, a lot of people are saying that they're going be back. I don't think they'll be back as, I don't think they'll be as back as people think they're going to be. Oh, yeah. Yeah, I think it's like one of those things. I sense that very much a little bit jealousy

Speaker: okay I don't know what you're talking about.

Speaker: That was great. That was a great note. That's change Shane's one true love as Taylor Swift. So good pick up there on the on the senses. But I think I kind of had them in my mind as that they're going to bounce back. And now like when I'm like, I need to actually think about who I'm going to predict to get into the playoffs. I don't know if I'm going to pick them to get there.

Speaker: When I actually have to think about those things and making those decisions and looking at the wide receiver room, Taequann Thornton, rishi rice xavier worthy three question marks outside of that offensive line still has question marks mahomes coming back obviously he's going to do everything he can but i liked the nussmeyer pick i said before the draft that getting somebody in somebody taking a risk on somebody like him or a club nick could be worth it because you get them for virtually nothing in terms of draft capital and then they could be a solid backup that

Speaker: actually develops down the line under good coaching staffs like the way andy reed is in place obviously he's he's the best guy you would want and obviously as soon as my homes moves on that would be best the luck to reed so even if it did come to the fact that it would be nuss myra probably be a new head coach but i think it's a good system to learn under but yeah i really don't know i need to put more thought into how far they're going to get here because it's still There's so much questions, as you guys said, and Kelsey being their lead and receiver last year is a a huge concern. That's simply not good enough, James. I need an answer now.

Speaker: Well, once you make a prediction on where any team is going to finish, I'll give you my answer on the Chiefs. Okay. All right. Okay. Okay. Raiders time.

Speaker: Why did I get this one? Same thing I wrote for the Titans. Copy and paste. I'm jealous. At the top of this podcast, I thought I was after landing the short straws with the team's legs on, but geez, you've gone back to back on the Titans and the Raiders. I actually think I've gotten away quite lately here.

Speaker: So get ready for at least a month of Kirk Cousins, lads. The Raiders are letting it be known he is their guy all year with Mendoza, which means Kirk will get at least a month of terrible losses before he's swapped out of the lineup for a younger version of himself.

Speaker: I asked the question about the Titans wide receiver room earlier. Good God, is this one worse? Jake Betch, Prair Tucker and Jalen Naylor projected to be the starting trio. And while Mendoza is the man of the future, there's not many quarterbacks that could rack up nine or ten wins with those receivers at their disposal.

Speaker: Notable pickups, Taron Johnson, who can play a nickel. I thought that was a good pick. A good pick up, should I say, in free agency. N'Kobe Dean kind of secures the middle of their defense.

Speaker: Linderbaum was the splash of free agency, but they paid a stupid amount of money. 81 million over three years makes him the highest paid interior offensive lineman in NFL history. Obviously that connection with him at center and may be a great one with Mendoza when we, when we look down the line, but it's hard to see this price point ever being worth it and The biggest storyline of all though was the Max Frasby trade. That wasn't, he was in Baltimore ready to get the deal done to firsts. And then the Ravens got little spooked by his off season surgery, as they say,

Speaker: pivoted to Hendrickson and now everyone seems to have questions over the need for the knee surgery and if things could only deteriorate in future because of that knee surgery all of a sudden everyone is a doctor but I'm certain that new head coach Clint Kubiak will only be too happy to have Max on board for his first season in charge and I think the goal surely has to just be to build and get six or seven wins under their belt before heading into a full season of Mendoza next time around Oh god.

Speaker: What? wait Wait till you're editing this together and you see what he's out to do. I couldn't, like I was still busy looking at my notes. What did he do? Anyway, I'll start. You'll see in post and everyone else is going to see it when they see my reaction, my face reacting to him.

Speaker: think, actually, is what he's you said or wins. Oh my god. Yeah, so I think their free agency moves have been really, really good.

Speaker: But I just said they have overpaid for lot of them because who on earth wants to go to the Raiders if you're not going to be getting 81 million over three years? Let's be perfectly honest here. I think aside from that, i think Gentry is only going to get better. I think he was really solid last year. He's year two in league now. He's a year older, he's stronger, he's he's not any taller, I don't think. was i just i think but i think when they do eventually drop Mendoza in there, I think Gent is going to be a really good foil for Mendoza.

Speaker: As you said, the wide receivers, they might as well have me, you and Kenan in and there because where we would do as much as their three wide receivers they have starting will do. Yeah, I think they're a team that might be worse than the Jets again, but hopefully not too much worse because they don't need a quarterback than we do.

Speaker: But I won't. kind and I disagree. I disagree. i think Trey Tucker, Jack Besh, and Brock Bowers is an unbelievable trio. Brock Bowers is not included in the trio. We're talking about wide receivers. You can't just add in the best tight end in the league. like Yeah. Yeah. It's a different question. it do He's on the team. Yeah, but we're talking about the wide receiver lineup.

Speaker: No, no, no. I think, right, listen, hear me out, okay? I think Jack Bash was dealt a horrid hand last year. i still think he's got a lot to give.

Speaker: Pete Carroll like despised him and his entire lineage for some reason, and he just didn't want to play him. But Jack Bash, telling you now, you can clip this, but Jack Bash is better than people think.

Speaker: What's so good about getting a clip of that? That was just the most mid-statement. He is better than people think. This man has spent the last hour and 17 minutes looking for a clip. He's looking for a clip for the last hour and 17 minutes.

Speaker: listen's Listen, listen, listen. Okay. Jack Bash had 224 yards, receiving yards on the year. Okay. That's after 16 games. Right. He had less than 30 targets. Right.

Speaker: I'm telling you now. whoever is still listening to this at this point, there's Jack Jack Besh, Jack Besh will have no less than 700 receiving yards and he will have three touchdowns under his belt. Oh my God. can't wait. I can't. I can't. Oh Oh I Anywho, Jamal McCoy,

Speaker: just i just know it's gonna happen anyho um jamard mccoy They picked him up in the fourth round. Now, that could be either the biggest steal of the draft or, i mean, just a buggy mess.

Speaker: But we we're looking at we're looking at like the same scenarios the Cardinals had the year before with, I forget his name, was it Will?

Speaker: No. Oh, no. My my lack of knowledge. no john that would Johnson? No. Will Johnson? what Will Johnson. Yes, I think. Yes. Hold on. Let me yeah let me go i check that let me cook.

Speaker: Okay, yes. Sorry. Will Johnson. Yes, I knew that. So it's the same it's the same sort of... Potluck here. Now, Jamal McCoy has the capability to be a really good cornerback for the Raiders on an already quite solid defense. So I'm looking forward to seeing that. I'm looking forward to seeing Jack Besh make you swallow your words and Trey Tucker winning Offensive Player of the Year.

Speaker: Okay, the Chargers to round us off. Shane? Yeah, I, wow, I can't believe what we just listened to there, honestly. So I'm going to start this by saying, you want a prediction, the prediction, Chargers are your Super Bowl winners 2027. Damn. That is a clip.

Speaker: damn

Speaker: and the clip

Speaker: Trent McDuffie Aaron Donald Justin Herbert is a another year old there he's still I think he's the beast you're just after naming two Rams players on the Chargers sorry wow let's let's get done yeah sp good bit good bit The Chargers do have Justin Herbert. The Chargers are not going to win the Super Bowl. But the Chargers are going to win 10 to 12 games this season.

Speaker: um I think they are a legitimate challenger. and I can't do it i seriously now after I just said. I think they are a real challenger to Kansas City for the division. second course for the But i yeah, don't they're not going to win the Super Bowl. Hopefully James has cut out the part I said previously. and then one do thats how How can I cut it out now? Because you just referred to it like three more times. Yeah, you should have brought it back.

Speaker: Oh, my face is so sore from laughing. Oh, my God. You should have brought it way back. It's too late now. There's no one even listening anymore, so it doesn't matter. Chargers going to win the Super Bowl in 2027. Matt Stafford will listen up again.

Speaker: Mostly because of Pook and Akua.

Speaker: Oh, my life. We have to leave it in. Any actual actual actual thoughts I have on the Chargers are that they're actually going to be really good because yeah they've got ah they've got a really good O-line now that everyone's back with Joe Halton and Rashaun Slater. They also drafted Jake Slaughter. What name for left guard. And and then you've got but a name Trey Johnson.

Speaker: Sorry, not Trey Johnson. Trey Harris. Quentin Johnson. Ladd McConkie. And then Herbert, as you mentioned. I like Omarion Hampton a lot. kamani vidal is not a bad backup and then their defense is it's just so good it continues to be good now not a whole lot was added through the draft but look some of the some of the players they've already got with tuli to a piloto um khalil mac is is there now and then you've got derwin james obviously still on the team and the one for me that stands out is dayon henley i absolutely love watching him play he's just

Speaker: gets involved in absolutely everything so violent like his hard-hitting tackles are just 10 out of 10 he fits right in on on this defense and i think maybe it'll regress a little bit without minter but i still think they'll be a very very good team and unlikely make the playoffs again i think with the addition of sean mcmay i mean mike mcdaniel i think i think I think Mike McDaniel being there as well is, I mean, I feel like that's like almost the final piece of the puzzle there. I feel like he, maybe head coach was always too much, maybe too much, um, responsibility for him, pressure, responsibility. I feel like OC is where he's really going to flourish. Like we've seen it with, um, Oh my God, I've started off ah up on a tangent and I can't remember the names of people. they're bary a bit like mine listen listen listen I know exactly who he is okay it might come to me the former the former LA Chargers head coach who is now the defensive coordinator for the Saints oh yes I predicted his arrival yeah you did he's on your own team and you don't even know his name

Speaker: No, but but look, I, of course, remember Brandis Daly. Okay. So we look at Brandis Daly as an example. Okay. Brandis Daly, horrific head coach. Yes. DC, however, really good.

Speaker: So I feel like we're going to see the same on Mike McDaniel. a Head coach, maybe too much for him. OC, though. he's going to be quite good with it. And he's got a better supporting cast possibly with the the charges. he' got a better offensive line, at least with the charges than he ever had with the Dolphins, whether, you know, the the receiving cast isn't the best he's ever played with.

Speaker: But I just feel like not much can go wrong there. That pairing of Mike McDaniel and that charges offense, especially with all the the players that they have there. Yep, on the O-line. It was Brandon Steney you were talking about.

Speaker: do he just He just said that. i Like one minute ago. I didn't hear Okay. We're off the rails. What's going on? What's it what's going on?

Speaker: I'm not speaking Welsh right now. all this was I suppose I'm sorry. Was I speaking Welsh or English? I forget. It's a language barrier thing. but Okay, well, listen. I this i am absolutely servant. We are going 20 minutes over to him already. i can I need to eat. Sorry, sorry, sorry. Let's wrap this up for someone.

Speaker: Someone else says something outrageous. But that's been your AFC preview. A little bit longer than promised. But yeah, I hope you enjoyed it. Fun episode. Conan, thank you for joining. All the good stuff. Like, subscribe, share, everything. Everything you can. Just do it.

Speaker: And also do it for Conan's podcast, which you would like to say the name and well, I don't know. Okay, yeah. The helmet feature. Yay. Does the helmet fit? Yeah, thanks again.

Speaker: Okay, thank you again for coming on. so give Does the Helmet Fit a follow and a subscription wherever you listen to your podcast. But yeah, we'll be back again next week for the NFC version of this. I'm about to piss myself.