PMT DB
PMT DB
Week 18 Recap: The Packers are Dead, Billy Hits the Bottom of the East River, and the Bears Land #1
Week 18 is officially in the books, and the regular season finale delivered exactly the kind of chaos we crave. The big story of the night was the Detroit Lions—who had absolutely nothing to play for—walking into Lambeau Field and putting the Green Bay Packers in the dirt. It was a beautiful, poetic end to the season for anyone who enjoys watching Aaron Rodgers walk off the field in frustration. Big Cat was practically glowing as he watched the Packers' playoff hopes vanish while he held the #1 overall pick in his pocket.
The Lions are Building Something
Dan Campbell has his squad playing with a level of grit that hasn't been seen in Detroit in a long time. They didn't just play spoiler; they looked like the better team. Jared Goff played mistake-free football in the cold, proving he can handle the elements, and Big Cat thinks the search for a new Lions QB should probably be on hold for a while.
Big CatJared Goff is the franchise quarterback for the Detroit Lions
Dan Campbell's building something and guess what? I think Jared Goff is his, the quarterback... he is fucking good.
While the Lions were celebrating, the Packers were unraveling. Between Quay Walker pushing a trainer and Rodgers throwing a back-breaking interception late, it was a total meltdown. PFT noticed the body language at the end of the game and thinks we might have just seen the last of #12 in a Green Bay uniform.
PFT CommenterAaron Rodgers has officially retired from football
I think he's retired. I think he's done. He didn't talk much after the game. They asked him for a jersey swap. He said no, hang on to this one. And then he walked into the hallway with Randall Cobb arm in arm.
Duval is Hosting a Playoff Game
The Jacksonville Jaguars completed an incredible mid-season turnaround by beating the Titans to win the AFC South. Doug Pederson has completely erased the stench of the Urban Meyer era, turning Trevor Lawrence into a franchise cornerstone in just one season. PFT is ready to give the man his hardware.
PFT CommenterDoug Pederson should win NFL Coach of the Year
Doug Pederson is gonna get my coach of the year vote. Trevor Lawrence looks like he is like the next guy.
The contrast between Pederson and his predecessor couldn't be sharper. Seeing the Jags celebrate a division title just one year after being the laughingstock of the league makes the previous regime look even worse in hindsight.
Big CatUrban Meyer is the worst head coach in NFL history
I think this [the Jaguars winning with Doug Pederson] does cement Urban Meyer's [legacy] as maybe the worst coach, NFL coach of all time.
The Bears are on the Clock
Thanks to the Houston Texans somehow winning a game they had every reason to lose, the Chicago Bears have secured the #1 overall pick for the first time since 1947. Lovie Smith went out a hero in Chicago by winning his final game in Houston, and while the Texans are left searching for a new head coach, Big Cat is ready to play some games with the rest of the league.
Big CatThe Bears should use a 'smokescreen' about drafting a QB to drive up the trade value of the #1 pick
I want everyone to know that what I'm about to say is smokescreen. Justin Fields might not be the guy. The Bears might draft a quarterback... You better trade and trade a lot for that number one pick.
Securing the top pick is a franchise-altering moment for the Bears, especially given their massive cap space heading into the offseason. Even if they don't take a quarterback, the leverage they now hold over QB-needy teams is immense.
Big CatHaving the #1 overall pick is the second-best outcome a team can have
I'd actually argue that the number one pick, if you can't win the Super Bowl, that's the second best spot to be in. Number one pick. Give the number one pick.
Billy's Quest for Mammoth Bones
In what might be the most dangerous bit in the history of the show, Billy Football decided to spend his Saturday morning 74 feet below the surface of the East River. After hearing a rumor on Joe Rogan's podcast that mammoth bones were dumped there in the 1940s, Billy teamed up with Donnie Does and a professional dive crew to go treasure hunting.
Billy described the experience as being on another planet, dealing with insane currents and zero visibility while wearing a weighted lead vest. While he didn't find any actual mammoth tusks—and definitely didn't find the fake skeleton bone he tried to pass off on Twitter—he did survive the trip. PFT was genuinely concerned for Billy's life, especially considering Billy skipped the usual several-week certification process to just strap on a helmet and jump in.
Looking Ahead to Wild Card Weekend
The playoff matchups are set, and the guys are already eyeing the board. The Cowboys' embarrassing loss to the Commanders has everyone fading Dak Prescott, who has now thrown an interception in seven straight games. Big Cat has seen enough to know he doesn't trust the Cowboys when the lights are brightest.
Big CatDak Prescott stinks and I don't believe in him
Dak Prescott seven straight games with an interception. Yeah. He stinks. He's bad. I don't believe in him whatsoever. I'm sorry. I just don't.
PFT is leaning hard into the Buccaneers for their matchup against Dallas, mostly because betting against Tom Brady in the playoffs against a struggling Cowboys team feels like a trap he's happy to walk into.
PFT CommenterThe Buccaneers will beat the Cowboys in the Wild Card round
Tom Brady has never lost to the Cowboys... I'm gonna say [the spread is] a pick'em. I love the Bucks in this. Did you see the Cowboys today? Dog shit. Brady's never lost to that shit organization.
It was a fittingly weird end to a weird regular season. Between the Packers dying, the Bears winning by losing, and Billy nearly becoming a permanent resident of the East River, we're heading into the playoffs with max energy.
Don't forget to listen to Milwaukee radio tonight if you want to hear the sound of a fan base losing its mind.
