PMT DB
PMT DB
Andrew Hawkins and Warren Sharp Preview Super Divisional Round
The NBA world was set on fire this week with James Harden finally eating his way out of Houston and landing with the Brooklyn Nets. Big Cat is already looking at the bright side for the Rockets, noting that getting a haul of picks for a guy who was actively trying to look like a pony keg is a massive win.
Big CatThe Houston Rockets are the winners of the James Harden trade
The Rockets, actually, I will say are a winner just because James Harden was going to eat himself to 300 pounds, was not going to try... they got anything for him, and they got a lot. They got a lot of picks.
The move creates a hilarious level of dysfunction in Brooklyn, especially considering the current status of Kyrie Irving. While Big Cat is ready to see the Nets try to score 150 points a night, Hank isn't convinced the big three will ever actually be on the floor at the same time.
HankKyrie Irving is never coming back to this planet
What makes you think Kyrie Irving is ever going to come back to this planet?... [He has] gotten farther and farther off the reservation. And it just never happened. And he's gotten farther and farther off the reservation.
With Super Divisional Round on deck, Big Cat and PFT are bracing for a weekend of elite football. Big Cat is leaning toward the Packers due to Jared Goff's surgically repaired thumb and the Lambeau elements, but PFT thinks the Rams' defense is the ultimate equalizer.
PFT CommenterThe Rams will beat the Packers because of their defense
I want the Rams to win, but I disagree with you because I do think that the Rams could win. I'm feeling good just in terms of their defense. I like the Rams' defense a lot.
Andrew Hawkins on the Browns' Destiny
Former Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins joined the show to discuss Cleveland's first divisional appearance in decades. Hawk explained that while the media talks about tanking, the players are just out there trying not to get their heads taken off by Ray Lewis. He thinks the Browns have a legitimate path to upsetting the defending champs if they can stick to a physical identity.
Andrew HawkinsThe formula for the Browns to beat the Chiefs is a dominant run game and keeping Patrick Mahomes off the field
We have to have the absolute best running game that the Cleveland organization has seen in the last 10 years... and the Chiefs defense is like 31st against the run. If we can get out to control the clock, early start, gain a lead, and kill time, that is our best chance.
Hawk also broke down the evolution of the Browns' offense this year, pointing out a counterintuitive reason why Baker Mayfield started playing better down the stretch. It turns out not having a superstar to force the ball to can actually help a young quarterback find his rhythm.
Andrew HawkinsThe Browns' offense improved when Odell Beckham Jr. got injured because Baker Mayfield stopped forcing him the ball
When OBJ went down, the offense kind of started clicking more because at that point Baker Mayfield stopped thinking, 'Oh, let me get Jarvis touches, OBJ touches'... and it was like, 'Let me just throw to the open guy.'
Warren Sharp's Deep Dive
Warren Sharp brought the analytics to preview the weekend, specifically highlighting why the Bills vs. Ravens matchup is a nightmare for bettors. While Josh Allen has been an MVP candidate, Sharp warned that his success is entirely dependent on keeping him clean from a very specific kind of defensive heat.
Warren SharpJosh Allen struggles significantly when he is pressured
Josh Allen has faced eight top 10 blitz heavy teams... and he's done well against the blitz. But there's a difference between a blitz and pressure... And Josh Allen has massively bad splits when he is being pressured.
Sharp also looked at the NFC clash between the Bucs and Saints. Despite the Saints sweeping the regular season series, Sharp noted that beating a team three times is statistically a massive mountain to climb, especially when the Bucs have finally integrated Antonio Brown into the scheme.
Andrew HawkinsThe Buccaneers will beat the Saints in the Divisional Round
I actually have the Bucs winning this game... Antonio Brown is starting to look like Antonio Brown... they're finally getting his rhythm. Couple that with some of the injuries on the Saints side... I'm going with the Bucs.
Fyre Fest and Boxing Lessons
Fyre Fest of the week featured Hank dealing with a broken zipper in the New York cold and Jake Marsh noticing his first gray hairs, which the guys assured him would only help his Big J career. However, the most electric update came from Billy Football, who has officially transitioned from athlete to weapon as he prepares to fight Jose Canseco. Billy claims he has "hacked the code" of boxing by realizing that if he simply punches the other guy harder, they will stop punching him.
Billy FootballI am going to kick Jose Canseco's ass
I'm going to fucking kick his ass... I'm going to fuck him up. No, yeah, you are. Dude, I've hit the point in my athlete-to-weapon transition where it's like, the only way to win and to get this guy to stop punching me is I have to punch him harder to make him quit.
Hopefully, the Bears' front office can eventually find a way to collaborate their way into a winning record before Big Cat loses his mind entirely.
