PMT DB
PMT DB
College Football Playoff Thrillers, Lamar Jackson’s MVP Statement, and the Eagles' Epic Collapse
Big Cat and PFT Commenter are back in studio to ring in the new year with a massive recap of the most chaotic football stretch of the season. Between the College Football Playoff providing two instant classics and Week 17 of the NFL narrowing the field, there was almost too much to digest. Michigan and Washington are headed to the National Championship, and while the Big 10 is technically representing America, it was the individual performances that stole the show.
Michigan Outlasts Bama, Penix Dazzles
The Rose Bowl was a defensive slugfest that turned into an overtime thriller. While Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines eventually ground out the win, the conversation shifted quickly to how the Crimson Tide looked out of sync for most of the afternoon. Jalen Milroe struggled to find a rhythm against a ferocious Michigan front, and the mistakes on special teams nearly cost Michigan the game.
PFT CommenterJalen Milroe played poorly against Michigan, looking like his early-season self
I thought [Jalen] Milroe stunk today. I thought Milroe looked a lot like old Milroe and not new Milroe. It was frustrating if you're an Alabama fan, he couldn't even connect on like a five, six yard pass. Everything looked a little bit outta sorts. Michigan was able to lean on him a little bit.
In the late game, Michael Penix Jr. put on a clinic against Texas, dropping dimes all over the field in a performance that had PFT Commenter ready to change the entire NFL Draft board. Between Penix's accuracy and the weirdness of the Texas comeback falling just short, the stage is set for an incredible final game.
PFT CommenterMichael Penix Jr. should be the first quarterback taken in the NFL Draft
Michael Penix [Jr.] should be the first quarterback taken in the draft. He was so good tonight, I think this might be the best college football performance from a quarterback I've seen in a very long time. He was like going back to Cam Newton.
PFT Commenter also noted a specific advantage Penix might have at the next level that most people overlook, specifically regarding the physics of the game.
PFT CommenterLefty quarterbacks are harder for defenses to intercept because the ball's spin is different
Isn't it also harder for defenses to intercept a lefty quarterback? ... The spin of the ball. Safety [struggles to] catch it. They don't think about the fact that it's hard for a safety to catch it.
Lions Fucked by the Refs and Mike McCarthy’s Clock
Saturday night gave us a preview of the drama to come when the Lions and Cowboys met in a game defined by a controversial ineligible receiver call. Dan Campbell decided to go for two not once, but three times after penalties moved the ball back and forth. Big Cat defended the aggression, noting that consistency is what makes a coach like Campbell special.
Big CatDan Campbell's aggression is acceptable because it is consistent
I think Dan Campbell, it's crazy to all of us. I don't think it's crazy at all to his players. I think he tells his players before the game, here's the plan. If we're ever in this situation, we're going for two. We're trying to win this game... when Dan Campbell's aggressive and consistently aggressive, I'm all for it.
The game also featured the return of the most debated rule in football when CeeDee Lamb fumbled through the end zone. While most of the internet was crying foul, PFT Commenter stood his ground in defense of the rule.
PFT CommenterThe fumble-through-the-end-zone touchback rule is a good rule that should not be changed
Everyone out there tweets the same thing. This is the worst rule in sports. Fuck you. It's not, it's actually a great rule. The end zone exists as a special place in football. There's different rules in the end zone... It's an agent of chaos too, which I, I like that little bit of uncertainty when you get down to the goal line.
Despite the win, Big Cat remains convinced that the Cowboys have a ceiling, and that ceiling is shaped exactly like their head coach. Mike McCarthy’s clock management was once again a disaster, nearly gifting the Lions the win before the officiating controversy took over the headlines.
Big CatMike McCarthy is the downfall of the Dallas Cowboys
Mike McCarthy, you have probably the best kicker in football right now... Mike McCarthy used a timeout before the two point conversion. If they get the two point conversion, you have two timeouts... He is so fucking stupid, so fat. He will be the downfall for the Dallas Cowboys.
Lamar Jackson Wraps Up the MVP
The Baltimore Ravens didn't just beat the Miami Dolphins; they sent a message to the rest of the league. Lamar Jackson put up five touchdowns in a performance so dominant that the MVP race is effectively over. Big Cat is ready to crown him, though he notes the stakes have never been higher for Lamar heading into the postseason.
Big CatLamar Jackson has officially secured the 2023 NFL MVP
Ravens 56 Dolphins 19 Ravens. The one seed. This was an ass kicking. Lamar Jackson. MVP. Happy. We can be done with that discussion.
Big CatThe Ravens must reach the Super Bowl to satisfy Lamar Jackson's legacy
It does feel though that the Ravens... there's a legacy Playoffs from Lamar Jackson coming up because if they fall short of, I would say they have to get to the Super Bowl. They have to get to the Super Bowl.
With the one-seed locked up, the Ravens have the luxury of resting their starters in Week 18. While most teams would struggle with backups, Big Cat thinks Baltimore’s depth might be enough to ruin the Steelers' season anyway.
Big CatTyler Huntley and the Ravens' backups can beat the Steelers in Week 18 even if the starters rest
I think Tyler Huntley might win that game. I think Tyler Huntley might win that game just because I think they'll rest all their key guys and I think Tyler Huntley might still win that game.
The Eagles are Officially Broken
Max joined the show in a state of pure, unadulterated misery after the Eagles blew a lead to the Arizona Cardinals. The vibes in Philadelphia have shifted from Super Bowl favorites to a fan base ready to fire everyone. Max didn't hold back on his evaluation of Nick Sirianni’s job security if things don't turn around immediately in the playoffs.
MaxNick Sirianni should be fired if the Eagles lose in the first round of the playoffs
If they lose in the first round... gone. Gone. I don't know what he does. Shane Steichen going on and doing what he's doing and then the offense looking what it is without him is insane. Like he has to be gone.
While Max is in the depths of despair, Big Cat is high on life after the Bears' dominant win over the Falcons. He’s seen enough to know that the trajectory in Chicago is pointing straight up, comparing their late-season surge to what we saw from Detroit a year ago.
Big CatThe Chicago Bears are building a winner identical to the 2022 Detroit Lions
The Bears are building something. I don't care what people say. I know people are gonna trash me. The Bears are building something. They're basically identical to what the Lions did last year and the fact that they almost made the Playoffs... Justin Fields. We're keeping Justin Fields. We're taking all the picks.
Big CatThe Chicago Bears will be a good football team in 2024
The Bears are going to be good in 2024. I'm saying it right now. This team is playing fucking good football. Justin Fields looks good... I don't care that this might be a terrible soundbite for me next year, but I'm saying it right now and I believe it.
Before heading out, the guys looked ahead to a Week 18 that features a "win and get in" matchup between the Texans and Colts, plus a massive Sunday Night Football game for the AFC East title. Between Shane Steichen’s Coach of the Year resume and the Chiefs potentially playing the underdog card, the playoffs are going to be a bloodbath.
Big CatShane Steichen is the 2023 NFL Coach of the Year
Shane Steichen should be Coach of the Year. He's got my vote. He's had my vote for a while. Colts were over under six and a half wins. They're now gonna play for a win and get in.
PFT CommenterThe Kansas City Chiefs are dangerous in the playoffs because everyone finally respects them less
I think they might be dangerous. Because I think that this is the one time where the Chiefs actually have the 'nobody believes in us' card that they can play... they will go through a dumpster to find disrespect. Now the entire world is talking shit about them... I think they're very scary in the Playoffs.
If the Bears don't draft a quarterback, at least we know PFT Commenter is ready to embrace a new era of Steamboat Willie merch.
