PMT DB
PMT DB
Chris Long on Divisional Round, Adam Schefter on Deion to Dallas
It is officially one of the best weekends of the year. The lopsided Wild Card blowouts are in the rearview mirror, and we are left with the elite eight. PFT made it very clear that while Wild Card weekend has volume, the Divisional Round has the prestige.
PFT CommenterDivisional Round is the best sports weekend of the year
This is my favorite sports weekend of the year. Because in Wild Card weekend, sometimes you have, you get some lopsided matchups. Divisional round, you get the prestigious teams, you get the elite teams.
The guys kicked things off with the most electric rumor in the sport: Deion Sanders potentially taking over the headset in Dallas. While some people might look at it as a circus, PFT is all-in on the theater of Coach Prime and Jerry Jones sharing a sideline.
PFT CommenterDion Sanders to the Cowboys would be an incredible story for the NFL
I want it because it would be just an incredible story for the NFL. Having Dion in the NFL, especially for the Dallas Cowboys, would be awesome. I wanna see Dion interacting with Jerry Jones... Dion will not be pushed around by Jerry Jones.
Before getting into the picks, Big Cat took a moment to double down on his defense of Justin Herbert. After the Chargers' season ended, the Herbert haters have been out in full force, but Big Cat isn't selling his stock to anyone.
Big CatIf you think Justin Herbert is a bad quarterback, I question whether or not you watch football
I mean, if you really think that Justin Herbert is a bad quarterback, I question whether or not you watch football. I do.
Saturday: Mahomes vs. The Field
Starting with Texans at Chiefs, the conversation inevitably turned to the dominance of Patrick Mahomes. He isn't just good in the Divisional Round; he is historically untouchable. Big Cat pointed out the terrifying stats that Houston is walking into at Arrowhead.
Big CatPatrick Mahomes is basically lights out in the Divisional Round
He plays in this divisional round and he's basically just, he's, I mean he's undefeated. He lights out. That's just what happens. He is six and oh. He has 1,813 total yards, 16 touchdowns... zero interceptions.
While Mahomes is the engine, Travis Kelce remains the playoff cheat code. The guys discussed how Kelce seems to save his best for the postseason, flipping a switch that most defenders can't find.
Big CatTravis Kelce ramps it up in the playoffs compared to the regular season
I do think this is where Travis Kelce ramps it up. Like, I like his over yards. I think this is, he, he, he plays in second gear for the majority of the regular season. And then when you get to these points... it's Travis Kelce or Mahomes using his feet.
PFT is keeping a close eye on CJ Stroud's legs in this one. Stroud has shown he can scramble when the pocket breaks down, and PFT expects that to be a major factor against the Kansas City pass rush.
PFT CommenterCJ Stroud will rush for over 14.5 yards in the Divisional Round against the Chiefs.
I like CJ Stroud over 14.5 rushing yards. I like that a lot too. Last week that hit... CJ can run. He can use his feet. I think he'll do it again.
The Lions and Commanders Showdown
Moving to the nightcap, PFT is riding a wave of Commanders' magic. He admitted the Lions are probably the best team in the NFC, but he thinks Detroit might get a little tight if Jaden Daniels keeps it close late.
PFT CommenterIf the Commanders keep the Lions game within one score in the 4th quarter, they will win
If we can keep it within a score, Jaden Daniels can go out there and win the game. And the Lions' buttholes might get tight.
PFT CommenterThe Lions have been the best team in the NFC for the entire season.
I've said all year the Lions are the best team in the NFC.
Sunday: Cold Weather and Coaching Wizards
For Rams at Eagles, Big Cat expects Vic Fangio to have some tricks up his sleeve for a Matthew Stafford who isn't exactly a "cold weather guy" anymore. The Philly defense might be the deciding factor if they can rattle Stafford early.
Big CatVic Fangio will dial up something to stifle the Rams offense
I think Vic Fangio is gonna have, he's gonna dial some shit up. Stafford, older, doesn't play well in cold weather. I think Vic Fangio is gonna have, he's gonna dial some shit up.
Max shared his deep-seated fear of the punt return. For a team with Cooper DeJean back there, the stress levels are through the roof because of how quickly one muffed catch can end a season.
MaxReturning punts is the scariest play in football because of the high risk of a game-changing turnover.
Returning punts is the scariest play in football for me. Because I feel that it has to be the highest percentage play of turnover. It's very easy to turn the ball over on a punt and it completely changes the game.
Finally, for Ravens vs. Bills, PFT is questioning if Lamar Jackson is ready for the single-digit temperatures in Orchard Park. Lamar is a Florida guy at heart, and eight degrees is a long way from Broward County.
PFT CommenterLamar Jackson may struggle because he doesn't like the cold
Coldest game that Lamar Jackson's ever played. Guess what it was? 27. This is eight degrees is very different from 27. Lamar, in their earlier matchup this season, the temperature was like 60 and he was wearing a hoodie and a beanie for it. I don't know that Lamar loves the cold.
Chris Long and Adam Schefter Stop By
Our good friend Chris Long joined the show to break down the matchups from a player's perspective. He thinks the Texans' only hope is keeping Mahomes contained, though that is easier said than done. He also gave massive props to Sean McVay's coaching ability.
Chris LongSean McVay is one of the best coaches of our generation
I think Sean McVay is a wizard. I really do. I think Sean McVay is one of the best coaches of our generation. I think he is that good.
When it comes to the Bills, Chris Long thinks the key isn't necessarily the big names, but Khalil Shakir, who has emerged as Josh Allen's most reliable target when it matters most. He's so confident in Buffalo that he's ready to put his money where his mouth is.
Chris LongBetting Buffalo +1.5 at home is the move
I'm probably gonna, you know, I'm inevitably gonna bet Buffalo. Just do it. Blood oath. We're gonna bet Buffalo.
Adam Schefter joined the program to clarify the coaching carousel chaos. He confirmed that both Kellen Moore and Deion Sanders are very much in the mix for the Cowboys job. He also shut down any rumors of Ben Johnson staying in Detroit for another year as a coordinator.
Adam SchefterBen Johnson is definitely taking a head coaching job this year
I don't see it this year. I don't see it. Ben Johnson has turned down two years of opportunities... at some point you have to take the plunge. The money is too great, the opportunities are too great... I believe he's taking a head coaching job this year.
Schefter also addressed the constant complaints about playoff seeding, making it clear that the NFL has no interest in punishing teams for winning their division, even if a wild card team has a better record.
Adam SchefterThe NFL has no intention or momentum to change the playoff seeding rules that allow division winners to host games.
The league is intent upon rewarding division winners. I don't see that changing anytime soon. I've never heard any momentum or movement to change the way the playoff seeding system works.
We wrapped things up with Fyre Fest of the week, including Hank having to defend his heterosexuality to the entire office and Big Cat preparing for a weekend of solo parenting during the biggest games of the year.
Good luck to the Commanders, and may the Lions' buttholes stay loose.
