PMT DB
PMT DB
Jeff Passan and Matt Leinart on MLB Playoffs and College Football Chaos
The Dodgers are reaching a level of talent that is starting to feel like a video game with the sliders turned all the way up. Big Cat is already admitting he’s jealous of the strategy where an owner just decides to keep adding All-Stars until the rest of the league cries foul.
Big CatThe Dodgers are essentially a collection of All-Stars that is unfair to the rest of the league
Dudes on dudes. That's what the Dodgers are. They just have dudes everywhere. They just hit home runs. ... It's crazy how good the Dodgers are. It's not fair. ... Like I want that, I want an owner who's just like, oh yeah, we, we already have a, a ton of dudes that are awesome. Let's just pay another dude a hundred, $200 million just to get even more awesome.
PFT is leaning into the opposite end of the spectrum, finding his heart with the Seattle Mariners. There is a specific energy around that team right now, from the 15-inning marathons to the "Big Dumper" fan base, that screams destiny.
PFT CommenterThe Mariners are a team of destiny
I do feel Team of Destiny Vibes from the Mariners. Now their destiny might be to just get waxed by the Dodgers in the World Series. But I do think that Seattle's gonna get there.
The PMT Bowl and Monday Night Recap
The Bears-Commanders matchup lived up to the hype, mostly because it was a mess. Jayden Daniels fumbled away a handoff, the refs were calling penalties on every other play, and Cairo Santos went down only for Jake Moody to step in and nail the game-winner. Big Cat is cautiously optimistic about Chicago's trajectory.
Big CatThe Bears are unequivocally no longer a bad football team
I would say the Bears are not a good football team, but they're unequivocally no longer a bad football team. And that is a very important distinction to make in the progression of a team.
PFT isn't ready to bury the Commanders just yet, even after a performance that saw their rush defense get shredded. He’s looking at the long game and a schedule that might actually break their way if they can just figure out how to snap the ball in the rain.
PFT CommenterI still think the Commanders are going to make the playoffs at 3-3
I still think when all is said and done, 'cause it's a long season, we do have a very hard schedule from here on out. I still think that we're gonna make the playoffs at three and three. I think that that's definitely a possibility.
Before moving off the Monday night slate, the Falcons' win over the Bills caught everyone's attention. Bijan Robinson looks like the best back in the league, and the defense actually showed up to stifle Josh Allen in a way that felt sustainable.
Big CatThe Falcons are really legit
I think they [Falcons] might be really legit. They had two interceptions, four sacks, like they were all over the place. Held the Bills to two for nine from third down. I think they're really legit.
MLB Insider Jeff Passan
Jeff Passan joined the show to discuss why the Brewers vs. Dodgers series is about more than just who goes to the World Series. It’s a philosophical battleground for the next CBA negotiation.
Jeff PassanThe Dodgers vs. Brewers series is a proxy war for the future of baseball's economic system
This is not just the Brewers versus the Dodgers. This is the future of baseball as we know it in a proxy war because whoever ends up winning this series, the other side will use this when the MLB goes to a lockout and fights for a salary cap.
Passan also broke down the impending labor strife that could define the sport's landscape for years to come. He painted a picture of a staring contest between owners and players that could turn ugly quickly.
Jeff PassanThe impending MLB lockout will be the defining story of baseball next year
This is going to be the defining story of baseball next year. So hopefully people understand that this is gonna be a big deal... owners essentially lock players out, say you cannot report to work. And then it just becomes a staring contest.
As for the teams already heading home, Passan didn't hold back on the Phillies. After another postseason where the core failed to meet the moment, he thinks the era of just "running it back" has to be over.
Jeff PassanThe Philadelphia Phillies' current core is at a dead end and needs a major shakeup
The Phillies like, could be in a very transitional phase at this point because this current incarnation of them guys just has failed. Like they have not been able to win a championship. They've gone backward or, or been stagnant every year. And at some point you just gotta change the mix in the room.
College Football with Matt Leinart
Matt Leinart hopped on to talk about the massive USC-Notre Dame rivalry game and the absolute dumpster fire that has become the Wisconsin program. Big Cat is already calling for heads to roll in Madison.
Big CatLuke Fickell will be fired soon
I think Luke Fickell is fired by the way soon and maybe Macintosh the AD. Wisconsin's a dumpster fire, maybe worst program right now in Power four.
Leinart is also fully bought into the Cignetti era at Indiana. He’s seeing a world where the Hoosiers aren't just a fun story, but a legitimate threat to play for a conference title.
Matt LeinartOhio State vs. Indiana will be the Big 10 Championship game matchup
I think they're [Indiana] gonna win out. Like, I, I think they're gonna play Ohio State in the Big 10 title game and the way he's [Curt Cignetti] done that so quickly.
This led to a discussion on the Heisman race, which feels wide open. While the traditional names are getting the hype, Leinart is looking at the guys actually carrying their teams through high-pressure situations.
Matt LeinartFernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson are the actual Heisman Trophy frontrunners
Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson are your Heisman Trophy favorites. ... Mendoza's the real deal. Like he, he's a good player. ... I'd hammer Mendoza at that [odds]. Like, I think he's got a shot because I think Indiana can beat Ohio State.
Hot Seat/Cool Throne
Hank used his Hot Seat to call out the league office. After looking at a study from UTEP, he's convinced the Chiefs are getting the "dynasty whistle" in a way that would make the old Patriots blush.
HankThe NFL is rigged to favor the Chiefs
The NFL is rigged. There was a study, UTEP did a study. It's statistically proven that the Chiefs... have gotten way more favorable calls in that timeframe. And they did the research that that did not happen with other dynasties in the past.
Big Cat wrapped up with a shot at Sherrone Moore's fashion choices. He argued that putting on a blue-collar jacket doesn't automatically mean you've inherited Jim Harbaugh's magic, especially when you're getting smoked on the field.
Big CatSherrone Moore's 'blue-collar' jacket is a cheap, ineffective imitation of Jim Harbaugh
[Sherrone Moore] has his blue collar jacket on and he basically was like, Hey, I'm back to work. ... It worked for Jim Harbaugh because Jim Harbaugh had won... This feels like a cheap knockoff and it's not gonna work.
If the Bears beat the Saints this weekend, the city of Chicago might actually explode.
