PMT DB
PMT DB
Pete Prisco and Jon Anik on NFL Week 5 and UFC 229 Chaos
Week 5 is officially in the books, and the biggest story in the world of sports isn't just a football game—it's the absolute mayhem that went down in Las Vegas at UFC 229. But before the guys got to the Octagon, they had to tackle the Fastest 2 Minutes and a Sunday slate that felt like a fever dream. The Cleveland Browns actually won a football game on a Sunday, and it feels like the universe might be shifting on its axis. PFT is fully bought in on what Baker Mayfield is building in the Land.
PFT CommenterThe 2018 Cleveland Browns are for real
These Browns are for real. Phew! Never meant to make the Ravens cry. I apologize a trillion times. Browns 12, Ravens 9.
The Battle of Bad Coaching
Big Cat and PFT spent a good chunk of time dissecting the disaster that was Texans vs. Cowboys, which they dubbed the "who can get fired quicker" bowl. Bill O'Brien and Jason Garrett seemed to be in a heated competition to see who could make the most cowardly decision in overtime. Between O'Brien's inability to score from the one-yard line and Garrett punting on 4th and 1 from the opponent's side of the 50, it was a dark night for coaching. PFT is especially concerned that O'Brien has no idea how to utilize his franchise cornerstone.
PFT CommenterBill O'Brien doesn't know how to coach Deshaun Watson
[Bill O'Brien] doesn't know how to coach Deshaun Watson, that's pretty clear. He was like putting him in shotgun and running the ball in fourth and one on the goal. I don't know what the hell he's doing.
While the Texans eke out a win, other teams are trending toward the abyss. The Falcons' defense is so decimated by injuries that they've essentially become a revolving door for points, leading Big Cat to reach for the jewelry.
Big CatThe Falcons are officially a 'Done Chain' candidate
Falcons are definitely a Dunchain candidate. Put the Dunchain right around their neck. [Pete Prisco] The Falcons can't stop anybody. They're pretty much done.
Pete Prisco on the Offensive Explosion
CBS Sports' Pete Prisco joined the show to provide some much-needed adult supervision, though he spent most of the time defending his favorite son, Blake Bortles. Prisco pointed out that Bortles threw for 400 yards, which apparently negates throwing a pick-six off his own lineman's helmet. Prisco also took a flamethrower to the idea that current NFL scoring levels are sustainable, arguing that defensive coordinators are finally starting to figure out the "candy-ass" gadget plays teams are using.
Pete PriscoNFL scoring will go down as defenses catch up to offensive gimmicks
Look what happened today. You know what happens? Everybody catches up with the gimmicks. The gadget plays. Offense is going to rule. Never again will the defense be able to stop them. Look at today. They started to slow them down today... Scoring will go down. It will not stay the same pace.
Prisco also gave his thoughts on the hierarchy of the league, specifically the dominance of Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. While Mahomes is the story of the year, Prisco isn't ready to put him in Canton just yet, though he does think Kansas City is the class of the AFC West.
Pete PriscoThe Chiefs are for real and will win the AFC West
The Chiefs are for real and they will stay there. The rest of that division, I mean, the chargers are okay, but the rest of that division is not very good.
One of the more heated moments of the interview came when PFT tried to defend the honor of the fullback. Prisco, a true modern offensive mind, wasn't having any of it, calling the position a relic that does nothing but help the defense.
Pete PriscoUsing a fullback is donating a down to the defense
Look, fullbacks, if I needed a blocking back, I'd bring one of my linemen in. Other than that, I'm in one back all the time with three receivers. I don't need a fullback. [Using a fullback] is donating a down. Don't ever hand to him. He can lead the blocking or whatever. Don't hand off to him.
Jon Anik Recaps the UFC 229 Riot
Jon Anik, who was on the call for the Khabib-McGregor fight, hopped on to help the guys process what they saw after the final bell. Anik described the scene as total mayhem, admitting he was still ingesting video to see exactly who punched whom. While the brawl took the headlines, Anik made sure to give credit to the actual fighting that happened before the chaos, specifically highlighting Tony Ferguson's incredible performance.
Jon AnikTony Ferguson must be the next undisputed UFC lightweight title contender
Tony Ferguson is absolutely impossible to deny right now. 11 straight wins at 155 pounds. His next fight has to be for the undisputed UFC lightweight championship, and I can't say that any louder.
Monday Segments
Who's Back of the Week featured the return of the "clutch gene." Big Cat cited new research suggesting that being clutch isn't just a narrative—it's a literal muscle.
Big CatThe clutch gene is a real muscle that can be strengthened
Researchers who study the brains of athletes believe more and more that a so-called clutch gene exists. They've seen enough incremental improvement through brain training that they regarded as a muscle capable of being built and likewise atrophying.
In a classic Embrace Debate, the guys questioned whether Darren Rovell is an athlete after he finished the Chicago Marathon. While Rovell was busy Instagramming his 4:25 finish and invoking Roger Bannister, Big Cat was unimpressed and issued a challenge that will hopefully take place once his physical therapy is complete.
Big CatI will beat Darren Rovell in a mile run once my back heals
I will beat [Darren Rovell] in a mile, though. He's said anywhere, anytime. So I'm just going to let my back heal up next four or five months, get my core strong. I'm going to show up at his house and just be like, let's go.
If the Browns can win a game and Ryan Lochte can be in two states and two accidents in the same day, anything is possible.
