PMT DB
PMT DB
Steelers and Bills Statement Wins, Bears Soul-Crushing Loss, and the Bengals' Season Ends
Week 11 delivered a massive slate of football that felt like a definitive turning point for several teams. The early window was dominated by the AFC North's premier rivalry, where the Steelers proved they don't need a single touchdown to beat the Ravens. Behind six Chris Boswell field goals and a defense that completely neutralized Lamar Jackson, Pittsburgh asserted its dominance. Big Cat is officially buying the hype on this unit.
Big CatThe Steelers need to be taken very much for real as Super Bowl contenders
This was the game that was like, damn, the Steelers need to be taken very much for real because their defense just bottled up a very, very explosive Ravens offense. And they now have a two game lead in the AFC North and they are in play for a one seed as well because the Chiefs lost.
While the Steelers defense looked elite, the Ravens had a legitimate crisis on special teams. Justin Tucker, the gold standard for kicking for a decade, missed two more field goals and looks like a shell of his former self. PFT isn't waiting around for a bounce-back, noting that the data is starting to match the eye test.
PFT CommenterJustin Tucker legitimately might be washed
There's something wrong with Justin Tucker and we've been calling him washed I think ever since it might've been 2017 when he missed that extra point against the Saints... now I think he legitimately might be washed. He's 30th in the NFL in terms of accuracy this year.
Despite the big win, Big Cat is already looking ahead to Thursday night, sensing a classic Mike Tomlin letdown spot against a Jameis Winston-led Browns team that always plays the Steelers tough in Cleveland.
Big CatThe Browns are the bet against the Steelers on Thursday night
The Browns are the bet on Thursday night. 'Cause the Steelers are coming off. I mean it's just, Mike Tomlin is a dog all day, every day. And then they're gonna go to Cleveland. ... Love it. Browns gimme the Browns all day. Browns. There's no reason for it. But Jameis primetime Steelers looking ahead. Feeling good about themselves.
The Bears Find a New Floor
The most painful moment of the weekend belonged to Chicago. In a game where Caleb Williams finally looked like a franchise quarterback under a new offensive play-caller, Matt Eberflus managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Between questionable clock management and a refusal to gain more yards before a game-winning field goal attempt, the Bears watched their kick get blocked as time expired. Big Cat was understandably spiraling, especially regarding the coaching staff's cowardice.
Big CatMatt Eberflus is a stupid head coach who coaches scared
Matt Eberflus is now 14 and 30 as a head coach. He's five and 17 in one score games... He's coaching like a guy who has like a 10 year contract. He's coaching like he shouldn't push the buttons to be like, 'Hey, you're a four and six team now.' ... Not only do you not run an extra play when you have a timeout in your back pocket to try to get closer, but in the drive before that it's fourth and three on the 50 yard line. Try to win the game right there.
Across the division, the Lions didn't just win; they committed a crime against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Detroit put up 52 points and over 600 yards of offense in a performance that looked like a varsity team playing the middle school squad. The carnage was so bad that Doug Pederson’s seat went from hot to incinerated.
Big CatDoug Peterson will be fired by the time this episode is released
There was a report this morning that Doug Peterson will probably get fired. I, I would assume by the time you're listening to this, Doug Peterson's been fired.
With the Chiefs finally dropping a game, the Lions have ascended to a place no one ever expected them to be. Detroit is the class of the NFL, and the gambling market is finally reflecting it.
Big CatThe Lions are officially Super Bowl favorites for the first time in franchise history
The Lions, for the first time in franchise history, are officially Super Bowl favorites. They are plus 350 to win the Super Bowl. The Chiefs are plus 450.
Afternoon Statement Games and Bo Nix Mania
Josh Allen and the Bills finally got over the regular-season hump against Patrick Mahomes, sealing a victory with an incredible fourth-and-two touchdown run. It was a rare moment where Sean McDermott actually played to win rather than playing not to lose. Meanwhile, in Denver, Bo Nix is making the guys look like idiots for their pre-draft takes. The rookie dismantled the Falcons, and the Broncos are suddenly a threat to win double-digit games.
Big CatBo Nix is back in the Rookie of the Year conversation
The Broncos... throttle the Falcons and now we have to have the difficult conversation. Is Bo Nix going to win Rookie of the Year? ... Bo Nix playing awesome. The last nine games for Bo Nix have been unreal in terms of scoring touchdowns and not turning the ball over.
PFT CommenterThe Broncos will finish the season with at least 10 or 11 wins
I got news for you. I, I think that the Broncos could get 11 wins. Yeah. I think it's, I think it's very possible. ... I have a feeling like they're gonna win one of those two games against either the Chargers or the Chiefs at home. ... I think 10 or 11 wins is very, very realistic for the Broncos.
While the Broncos are soaring, the 49ers are officially on life support. Losing at home to the Seahawks after leading in the fourth quarter is becoming a disturbing trend for Kyle Shanahan. PFT is officially out on the "fun" factor of the San Francisco offense.
PFT CommenterThe 49ers are no longer fun to watch and I'm very worried about them
I am very worried about the Niners now. I figured that they were gonna kick the shit out of the Seahawks today. ... I used to watch the 49ers play and be excited to watch them play. And that stopped when this season started. Even though they got Christian McCaffrey back, they're not fun to watch on offense right now.
Sunday Night Heartbreak in LA
The Bengals and Chargers capped off the night with a game that featured 15 plays in the final two minutes. Joe Burrow did everything in his power to drag Cincinnati back from a 21-point deficit, but a pair of missed kicks from Evan McPherson proved fatal. Big Cat is officially calling time of death on the Bengals' season.
Big CatThe Bengals are officially not making the playoffs
I'm ready to officially say the Bengals are not gonna make the playoffs. ... They have to run the table. They have to go six and oh down the stretch to finish 10 and seven and have a chance to make the playoffs. And they have to play the Steelers twice. I don't know how they're gonna win every game.
Jim Harbaugh, on the other hand, is doing exactly what he was hired to do: changing the culture of a franchise known for choking. The Chargers stayed aggressive and found a way to win a game that Brandon Staley would have lost by two touchdowns.
Big CatThe Chargers are a legitimate Super Bowl threat
The conversation started 35 to one. We talked about it at 45 to one, they're down to 20 to one. ... No, because the Chargers could win the Super Bowl. And then when they do, I'm gonna laugh in your [Hank's] face.
National Sports Podcast Updates
To wrap things up, the guys touched on the Netflix debacle that was Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson. While the streaming quality was prehistoric, the actual fight was even sadder. It was clear to everyone watching that Jake Paul had to pull his punches just to keep the 58-year-old legend on his feet.
Big CatJake Paul took mercy on Mike Tyson in their boxing match
I guess credit to Jake Paul for not knocking out Mike Tyson. ... He had no chance of winning that. And Jake Paul took mercy on his soul, which should never happen in a boxing match. ... That third round was elder abuse. That was the round where Jake Paul was like, I'm gonna start unloading. And Mike Tyson couldn't move.
Finally, Big Cat found his new favorite college basketball player in Bowling Green’s Marcus Johnson. He’s a big man with a smooth handle who can step out and hit the three—even if his actual shooting percentage from the Michigan State game suggests he should probably stay in the paint.
Big CatMarcus Johnson is a future star who should be in the NCAA Tournament
I dunno if you guys have seen Marcus Johnson on Bowling Green, but he's, he might be better than DJ Burns. He's a big man who shoots threes and he's fucking awesome. He looks so smooth doing it. ... We need to get Bowling Green... into the tournament. 'cause he's, he, he's got. He's doing everything.
It was a weekend of blocked kicks, perfect passer ratings, and Mike Tyson’s ass cheeks on global television. If the Chargers win the Super Bowl, Hank is getting a lightning bolt tattoo.
