Ride Home Rants
Ride Home Rants
Breaking Down NFL 2024: Playoff Hopes, Super Bowl Predictions, and All-Time QBs
Can the Dallas Cowboys finally break their playoff curse? Join host Mike Bono and an all-star panel featuring Matt Landowski from Bethany College, Bill Stoy from Kent State, and Aaron Frye from Bethany College as we kick off the NFL season with some high-energy discussions. We reminisce about our football backgrounds and share our favorite pregame songs, from ACDC's "Thunderstruck" to DMX and Metallica’s "Enter Sandman," setting the tone for an exciting and nostalgic start to the season.
This episode goes deep into which teams and players have the most to prove this year, spotlighting the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, and Pittsburgh Steelers. We scrutinize the pressures facing their coaches and star players, including Mike Tomlin, TJ Watt, Deshaun Watson, Najee Harris, and Jalen Hurts. The stakes are high, and the expectations even higher, as we break down what each team needs to do to succeed. From potential playoff berths to MVP candidacies, we leave no stone unturned.
We wrap things up with our bold Super Bowl predictions and a spirited debate on the top quarterbacks of all time. Will the Jets and Lions be surprise contenders? What’s the future for coaching legend Bill Belichick? Lastly, I share my personal connection to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the unique challenge of supporting both the Steelers and the Buccaneers. Get ready for insights, hot takes, and plenty of NFL excitement as we gear up for another thrilling season. Don’t miss out—hit play and join the conversation!
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Welcome everybody to another episode of the ride home rants podcast. This is, as always, your host, mike Bono. I got a great and annual episode that we do here on ride home rants podcast. It is the best time of the year, it is football season and the NFL is about to get back into the swing of things, so I have a panel of guests here. We're going to talk all things nfl, but first and foremost, I gotta get these sponsors in here, and that is buddy's beard care. Buddy's beard care is premium men's grooming products made right here in ohio at an affordable price. Buddy's's Beard Care supports local. The majority of their suppliers are from other Ohio-based companies. You can find them on social media at Buddy's Beard Care or online at buddiesbeardcarecom. Use the promo code Bono10, and he will give you 10% off. Also, we have another great sponsor in Sweet Hand Sports from Matt Lando Landowski. You're going to hear from him here in a little bit. He is one of the guests and I'll shamelessly plug that to his bow.
Speaker 1:But elevate your game with Sweet Hand Sports. Our sports gloves are designed for champions, providing ultimate grip and durability. Achieve greatness with every match. Choose Sweet Hand Sports for the winning grip. Gloves are designed for champions, providing ultimate grip and durability. Achieve greatness with every match. Choose sweet hand sports for the winning grip. They're not just baseball gloves anymore. He has a golf glove now. I got to use it. I didn't think I was going to get out and get to play much golf this year, but I got to use it. This thing's phenomenal. Unfortunately, lando, it did not help my golf game and I don't think anything can help that golf game. I got a terrible, terrible golf game. But love to get out on the links but grip your victory as sweet hands sportscom. Use the promo code Bono 10. He will also save you 10%.
Speaker 1:Now I did just land a new sponsor right before this show, so we're going to get through this read here with them. And that is deemed fit. This is first responder owned company to help with first responders physical and mental health. A lot of their proceeds going to help first responders and military alike. I am wearing the hat. Sorry, lando, I had to wear the new sponsors hat tonight. Could not wear the sweet head sports hat, but here it is Deemed Fit.
Speaker 1:D-e-e-m-e-d F-I-T dot com. Go there, check it out. They have a great line of men's and women's products too as well, you're not gonna be disappointed with them. Use the promo code Mike bono, and you will save 20 percent. I feel like these sponsorship reads are getting longer and longer every as as the show goes along. Nothing wrong with that, love all of all of our sponsors. But we're going to get right into it here and we are going to let these guests announce themselves. So when you announce yourself, I need your name, what college you graduated from and what pregame song is the best in football. And since we talked about them, lando, we're going to start with you.
Speaker 3:Hey, bono, thanks for having me, brother. Hey, this is Matt Landowski. I went to Bethany College and I'm going to go with Thunderstruck, with ACDC.
Speaker 1:Can't go wrong with Thunderstruck, Absolutely Next on the list we got.
Speaker 4:Bill, what's going on? Guys, appreciate you having me on again. Bono, excited to talk football. It's in the air, as Matt was saying a little bit ago. Bill Soi, kent State Golden Flash proud alumni, excited to talk football. It's in the air, as Matt was saying a little bit ago. Bill Soi, kent State Golden Flash proud alumni. As far as best warm-up got to bring them out, nothing better than you're doing your high knees on one side. You're looking over the other side of the 50, the other squad over there. That'll bring them out and play and bring you back to the good old days. But yeah, looking forward to talking some ball here.
Speaker 1:Absolutely, and last but not least, rounding out our roundtable, here we got Aaron.
Speaker 2:Hey, what's going on? Bono, I appreciate you having me back on the show. Aaron Fry graduated from Bethany College. Shout out to Matt Landowski and Bono college. Shout out to matt landowski and bono um but um, I would say me personally, anything dmx. So the dmx intro on his darkest and it's dark and hell is hot album is my favorite, but I think, like as far as collective, it's got to be Enter the Sandman by Metallica. Yeah.
Speaker 2:If you ever watch Virginia Tech that ain't nothing gets you more jacked up to go ready to hit somebody.
Speaker 1:I got to tell you that's a solid choice, fry. I got to tell you that there, man, I was conflicted on this one between enter Sandman and Thunderstruck, like you said there, lando, because son's high school. He plays for the Philo electrics here at Ohio and they play, thunderstruck being the electrics, every pregame when they're warming up, when the team's running out on the field. I got to tell you, for a high school game, it gets the fans hyped, man, I can't. I can't tell you, for a high school game, it gets the fans hyped, man, I can't not go with that one. I'm going to have to say Thunderstruck and go with you there on that one, lando.
Speaker 3:I'm a big classic rock guy. I can listen to pretty much anything classic rock. Enter Sandman's. A good one too.
Speaker 1:I like that, oddly enough it was named can listen to pretty much anything. Classic rock, enter sandman's. A good one too. I like that. Oddly enough it was named uh, I can't can't help but put this in there, but it was the number two best tradition in college football. The number one, though, near and dear to my heart, my mountaineers and country roads after a win, after a victory, that is still number one best college tradition in college sports. So I got to love it. That's a solid top two for me. But let's jump right in here to the NFL. Lando, we're going to start with you. Which one team has the most to prove this season?
Speaker 3:Most to prove. I'm going to go with Detroit. Okay, yeah, they. They fell a little short last year. They have the same game plan which I, like you know, going fourth and goal fourth and short, whatever you know and a lot of people were cutting them up a little bit, I think, last year after they fell short last year a little bit in the playoffs versus the Niners. I just think it's their year, man. I think they got a lot to prove this year.
Speaker 1:Not a bad choice, Stoy. What about you?
Speaker 4:I feel like this is the one. Every year it's the Cowboys, I feel like every year, the one every year.
Speaker 4:It's the Cowboys, I feel like every year where it's the same storyline, kind of becoming a butt of a joke along with my brownies. The Cowboys in the playoffs every year can never really get over the hump. So we'll say them. I think you got Jerry Jones getting older. Last year, dak on the contract. I mean, if not this year, is there a rebuild coming? What's it going to look like? So I'll say Last year, dak on the contract. I mean, if not this year, is there a rebuild coming? What's it going to look like? So I'll say the Cowboys again. Probably the same answer as the past few years for me.
Speaker 1:All right, Rob. What about you? The most improved? No, most to prove?
Speaker 2:Oh, the most to prove. I'm glad you said that I'm going to go. Philadelphia Eagles you know, I think Philly they fell short. They, you know, with the offseason moves they made to trying to get back to the Super Bowl, from falling short and having, you know, dang near a championship roster, you know, I think they underachieved last year and then being able to come out there and go get Saquon and then making a move to get your Han Dotson, I really think that they're in championship mode and I think they got the most to prove.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. I never thought of Philly. I wasn't even thinking of Philly for this one. For me it's Pittsburgh, you know, I think Tomlin, you know okay, he hasn. I think Tomlin, you know okay, he hasn't had a losing season, but it's been a decade since he's really done anything in the playoffs. I mean, I'm a fan of Pittsburgh, not a huge fan of Tomlin. Unfortunately, I think his super bowls, uh, those were cowards teams that he just kind of took over. Uh, I get he hasn't lost or had a losing season, but if you're not competing for championships in Pittsburgh, that town will hang you out to dry faster than anything in the world. I think it's the Pittsburgh Steelers this year, and I hate to say that as a fan, but I got to go Pittsburgh on this one. Lando, let's go back to you. Which one player has the most to prove this season?
Speaker 3:Oh, I was talking about this earlier with one of my buddies and I think TJ Watt's going to come out with a little extra fire under his rear end this year. Man, I really do, man, I do. He kind of got cut from the defensive player of the year award last year and I think he's had a little fire man this year coming out and, yeah, I think he's going to be a little bit ticked off.
Speaker 1:That's not good if TJ be a little bit ticked off. So that's not good If TJ Watts ticked off a ticked off TJ what that spells.
Speaker 4:Trouble for a lot of quarterbacks this year. Stoy, what about you? It might speak. Trouble for who I'm going to say here? Deshaun Watson, I think for the Browns you got everything around him have kind of for a couple of years now. Miles Garrett, I mean Nick Chubb should be back healthy after a few weeks. Got Judy added, I mean defense should be great again. I think, Deshaun, if you can just come out and be close to what you were in Houston, that really should be the only thing holding the Browns back from a really successful year. So I will say to Sean haven't seen anything worth $230 million yet, so we'll see how that goes this year.
Speaker 1:Yeah, especially with them talks of a new stadium there in Cleveland. You definitely need to put up some wins for that couple billion dollar domed stadium that they're talking about there in Cleveland. Fry, what about you?
Speaker 2:Man, you know what I really wish? You would give us a top five for this one, but I got to go to me. I'm going to give my honorable mention to Jalen Hurts, but I'm going to go. I'm going to go with Najee Harris, ok, but I'm going to go with Najee Harris, okay, yeah, I think, najee, you know him. Not getting the Steelers, not getting his fifth-year option is going to be like a little extra added motivation. You know, he did something that nobody's ever done in Steelers history as far as going over 300, I'm sorry, 1,000 yards every season. And then it's like you know, hey, you know why, why aren't you buying into me? So I really think Najee has the most approved this year.
Speaker 1:I think Ward put a lot of pressure on him. The other running back that Pittsburgh has. He showed out last year, you know, and I think if that doesn't light a fire under Najee and them not picking up his fifth-year option, that's a tough look for Najee. For me you mentioned him as an honorable mention it hurts. I don't know how you start the season on fire, like you did, and then just crumble when it matters they won seven in the last eight games, or something like that. Start the season on fire like you did, and then just crumble what it matters and I remember they well, they won seven in the last couple of in the last eight games, or something like that and then just choking in the playoffs. I'll be it to my Buccaneers. I'll take that though. Uh, but um, but yeah, you know it.
Speaker 1:I think he has a lot to prove. Uh, picket is he has a lot to prove. Pickett is a solid backup there and they got Will Greer as the third string quarterback up there right now. I think he made the 53-man roster. I got to double check that. But you know that's two solid quarterbacks as your backup that are just waiting to take your spot. I think he has the most to prove to keep his starting job there. We were coming up with this one. You guys are going to know this is a question right here. So, lando, outside of Andy Reid being the best coach in the NFL, who are the next two best head coaches right now?
Speaker 3:Oh, best coaches besides Andy Reid.
Speaker 1:Yep the next two. So Andy Reid who's two, and three for you.
Speaker 3:Well, I'm going to go with my man, dan Campbell, mcdc, baby Motor City, dan Campbell, yep, and I'm also going to go with I'll go with Shirey and Arnie. Okay, the Eagles, yeah, Solid two picks right there. I'd throw a wall for those guys, man, they're intense, they're intense. You watch them on TV, they're intense.
Speaker 1:Absolutely Stoy. What about you?
Speaker 4:I think Shanahan got to be in the discussion for sure. So Shanahan will say and then might be a little bias coming out, but two coach of the year awards already will say coach serfanski, uh, kevin serfanski out of cleveland, uh, I think maybe some people disagree, but and two coach of the year awards in the past handful of years.
Speaker 2:So um, got the hard way to prove it okay brian, um, I think that the next behind Andy Reed, I mean you got to look at consistency and track records, so obviously I'm going to go with Mike Tomlin. It's very hard to win games in the NFL, and especially to do it on a year to year basis. You know, I'll give credit where credit is due. Not having a losing season is really impressive, um, and then, uh, shout out to dan campbell because he's doing amazing things in detroit. He's turned that culture around. But I'm gonna go with kyle shanahan um, behind my t and um andy reed um, kyle's been really consistent, um, you know there, consistent. There's a handful of other coaches I think that are well-deserving, but I think it's definitely, when it comes to those three, I think that's the bar, the standard in the NFL right now.
Speaker 1:Yeah, this one was a tough one for me. I know it just shit on them in the last question, but Tomlin's definitely in my top three right there for the no losing seasons. But it was a toss up between Shanahan and Dan Campbell. But just what Dan Campbell was able to do with Detroit and turn that franchise around In my opinion. I got to go Dan Campbell and Tomlin behind Andy Reed. I think they flip there. You can flip flop either one and two and three there. But yeah, I got to go with it. Yeah, and I know I'm really contradicting myself with just crapping on Tomlin, but you can have them.
Speaker 1:You can have them. Take them, he'll get you to the playoffs, but you won't do shit after that. Send them off to Cleveland. You can have them. You can have them. Take them, he'll get you to the playoffs, but you won't do shit after that. I'll tell you that. No, tom is a great coach, never having a losing season as a head coach. That's tough to do at any level. Even you go down to peewees. It's hard to be a coach somewhere and never have a losing season, so got to go with that one there. But, lando, will the Houston Texans be as successful as they were last year or do they take a step back this season?
Speaker 3:Well, that's a good question. Um, I think it'll be just as successful.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 3:I don't see any. I don't see them being like a Superbowl contender.
Speaker 1:Even with adding digs.
Speaker 3:No, no, okay. Yeah, I mean even batting digs.
Speaker 1:No, no okay yeah, I mean, I just no, I'm, I'm gonna. I was gonna answer this one right after you, but I'm gonna defer this one because I need to think this over here for a minute. But story, what about you? Heck the texans, are they as successful?
Speaker 4:so they overachieved last year for sure. So what Orlando's saying, kind of being on par, I can see that I mean they won a playoff game last year. Once you get to that level of the playoffs, I mean those are tough games. You're playing Mahomes Burrow Allen. One of those guys is going to go and win probably two playoff games. It's going to be tough, but I'm a believer in Stroud. I think the addition of Diggs got a ton of weapons Defense should be solid again so.
Speaker 4:I'll err on the side of better, but I mean again, once you get a game or so into the playoffs. Those are tough sledding games, so I wouldn't be surprised if it's right around that one playoff win as well.
Speaker 2:But I got them winning the division as well and definitely can see him making a little push. Okay, brian, what about you? Um, you know, I thought about this one actually a couple weeks ago. Um, I love what demico ryan's has done down there. Obviously, doing the same thing, I feel like as far as being on track, is what a Dan Campbell would do Turn it around a whole city. That has just been irrelevant for years.
Speaker 2:I honestly think the Texans took a step forward, and I say that because they they got opposite. They created opposition by getting Danielle Hunter from Minnesota, who I think has a couple of years left, to compliment Will Anderson. Will Anderson had a great, unbelievable rookie year last year defensively, and then D'Amico Rines is a defensive guy and then, looking at that offense, I mean you added Diggs and Mixon and Nico Collins, I think takes a step forward, forward, and tank dale, uh, takes a step forward. I can't really see. You know, obviously I think it's. It's a tough division because I think the colts, um will be tough um, with um anthony richardson and the pieces they have in order, um, and then the jaguars could be, you know, up in the air. But, um, I definitely think the Texans win a division and I think they they take another step forward.
Speaker 1:This one was was tough for me because I think Stroud as much as I'm a fan of him, takes a step back because I don't think he can be as good as he was last year, even with addict digs. But I think that defense for the Texans carries them. So I'm going to say kind of with Lando on this one. I think they're just as good, with the defense making up for Stroud taking a step back. I mean, he came off like a bat out of hell last year. No one really expected it from him. Now I think people are expecting it from him, so they're game planning for him a little bit more. So I think he takes a little bit of a step back, but the defense makes up for it.
Speaker 1:So I'm going to agree with Lando again on this one here and I'm going to say they're going to be as good as they were last year. I don't think they get better but I don't think they get worse. Think they get better but I don't think they get worse. But Lando, who was under more pressure as a QB this year? Aaron Rogers for the jets or to Sean Watson for the Browns. Speaker 3.
Speaker 3:Speaker 4 oh, you know, I was just thinking about Rogers no one really met. We haven't really mentioned him yet, and that's funny. He that up. Yeah, go with rogers, though I'm gonna go with rogers. The tail end of his career.
Speaker 1:He's what like 39, 40 years old now and I think he'll be 40 when, as the season goes on, yeah, and I mean this is it, man.
Speaker 3:I mean he's coming off a serious injury. Um, it's incredible he's even coming back. Honestly, yeah, uh, I think he has a lot to prove this year, man.
Speaker 1:Yeah, After only playing four snaps last year, I think, yeah, he has to see what he could do for New York. My, my pick for this one is Rogers. I think I know where you're going with this one story, but uh, you may surprise me. So what do you got on this one story?
Speaker 4:I think you're right. As far as rogers, I think I think some pressure there, especially for new york, but I think rogers has a mediocre year, retires after the year. I mean still hall of fame quarterback packard legend goes down in the in the history books, um, so I don't think there's really all that, all that much to prove. I think you know can go and be a legend of New York as well if he can bring that team to go in a Super Bowl and be relevant in the playoffs and stuff. But Deshaun, I just think you know has had his good years, a few good years down in Houston, but you know he's won maybe what a playoff game or so. So I think you know he has so much more to gain and so much more to prove. A ton of money Can do the same thing as Cleveland. Be a savior, you bring a Super Bowl to Cleveland. Think of how much you have to gain.
Speaker 1:I'd say Deshaun for sure. Okay, I really thought you were going with Rodgers on that one, but I had a feeling it was going to be Deshaun for your brownies on that one there. But, fry, what about you Run us out here?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I got to follow up with Stoyle on that. I think it's Deshaun Watson, without a doubt. You know, a-rod, you know injuries happen and it sucks that. It was like the fourth or the fifth play into the season last year with all of the hype surrounding the Jets. You know the browns went out and they took a leap of faith and and and signed to sean watson for unbelievable amount of money, um, and then you know he's been hurt. I don't know, he's not not really been on the field for the browns at all, um, and that's gotta hurt browns fans tremendously, um, kind of sorta. I mean, joe flacco came in and saved the day, but when you dump that much money into a guy, you kind of expect him to be available, and I think Deshaun Watson hasn't been that for the Browns, and so that's why I got to save Deshaun Watson on that one.
Speaker 1:Has he played a full season since he's been in Cleveland? I know he was suspended for the first year but then he was hurt. You know, I don't think he's played a full season since he's been there. And you're getting what? $230 million?
Speaker 4:Speaker. 3 of the five year deal and haven't seen too.
Speaker 1:Speaker 0, 7,. Yeah, hey, Cleveland, I can do that. Give me that kind of money, I could do that as a quarterback. Like, let's go. What are we talking about here, cleveland? Like you know, for that kind of money, shit I'll play with a broken arm, I don't care. But yeah, I mean, I still got to go Rogers. You know, on this one I was thinking about a little more. No, I still still got to go Rogers. New York is tough, but he is a legend of the game. Coming back from that injury how quickly he did is a testament to him as it is. But I think he has a lot to prove this year. But Lando, who is your regular season MVP pick, oh, who is your regular season MVP pick?
Speaker 3:Oh, I'm going to go with. Uh, does it matter?
Speaker 1:Offense or defense, or no, who's who's your regular season MVP.
Speaker 3:Right or season MVP. I'm going to go with uh Jared golf.
Speaker 1:Jared golf. I did not expect that one.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I think he's having a big year, man, okay.
Speaker 1:Golf, golf. It is for for Lando there Story. What about you?
Speaker 3:here. Man, I'm real big on the line, so just.
Speaker 1:I can see that I'm picking up on that there, lando, I'm picking up on that line coming out of you.
Speaker 3:I just think this is it, man. This is their year, man.
Speaker 1:I can't argue that.
Speaker 1:I think they only get better with Dan Campbell and Goff, but only time will tell. With Detroit they seem to be that team that you root for, but they always find a way to disappoint you at the end of the season. I hate to say that. I say that as a Pirates fan. We'll go a little bit MLB. I root for the Pirates every year. I know they're going to go out, I know they're going to try their best, I know they're going to lose and I love them anyways. That's just how I am with that. I feel like Lions fans can relate to that. But Stoy, who's your MVP?
Speaker 4:The mid-career, jared Goff, comeback season MVP would be crazy, but they're balling up in Detroit and he's leading it, so it wouldn't be the craziest thing, I think. I mean so many good options on this one, so many good options. But I'll go back to Stroud. I think, again, if they're leading that division, I don't think they had to mix him, but I see him incorporating the pass game as well. So I don't see them running the ball too much. I see them spreading around a ton. I think he can accumulate a lot of stats and I think he will, you know, towards the back of the year when he was performing so good. A little chatter for him last year for it. I think if we can have a good young quarterback, have a really good year, nfl and the media and everything can really latch on to that. We'll go Stroud. I think it'd be a bit of an upset, but I like him a lot. Okay, bri, what about you?
Speaker 2:All right, I got to go with Tua Tagovailoa. You know, I think that Tua is going to take a step this year in that Miami offense. They're loaded offensively, but him just getting his big payday and being, you know, more motivated to go out there and being able to lead the Dolphins to a deep playoff run, I think Tua gets the MVP this year.
Speaker 1:Okay, I wasn't even thinking Tua. Honestly, I'm going to have to play it safe. I'm going to. I'm going to have to play it safe. I'm going to have to go Mahomes on this one. I hate to pick Mahomes. I really do.
Speaker 1:I love him as a quarterback but I'm getting kind of tired to seeing him win MVPs and Super Bowls to pick White Frank. It's like he's starting to become my hatred for Tom Brady and it wasn't because he wasn't good, it was because he was so good that I couldn't stand them. You know what I mean? He's just one of those guys is like how, how does one person possess all these skills and why do you have all of them? And it my homes are starting to become the new Tom Brady for me. I I know he's talented. I know he's the best quarterback in the league right now with what he's doing in Kansas City.
Speaker 1:Quite frankly, I'm tired of seeing him win. I hate to say that about anybody, but I'd like to see him. But he's definitely going to play it safe. I'm going to say he's my MVP of the regular season this year. Lando, you're going to have to follow me on this question here for a little bit here, because this is long and this is definitely Fitty's question, for sure with this one. But in the AFC North there is a ton of pressure on Mike Tomlin to win his first playoff game in 10 years with the Steelers, and John Harbaugh, for the Ravens, needs to show he can be relevant with Lamar Jackson in the playoffs. Kevin Stefanski, with the Browns, has a top three NFL team with Super Bowl aspirations. If things go sideways with these teams and they aren't competing for a playoff bid and a Superbowl, what are the odds that all three of these coaches can be fired this off season?
Speaker 3:You're saying all three, all three, all three of these shirts don't make the playoffs.
Speaker 1:All three teams. You know they don't make the playoffs. Tomlin can? You know they don't make the playoffs. Tomlin can't win in the playoffs Again. He has a winning season but can't win in the playoffs. Stefanski, you know he does what you know the Browns have done the past couple of years in the playoffs and you know, with all these teams have Super Bowl aspirations and you know John Harbaugh trying to be relevant with Lamar Jackson and you know John Harbaugh trying to be relevant with Lamar Jackson. If all three of these teams can't produce what their aspirations are, you think all three coaches are still coaching these teams next year.
Speaker 3:Yes, that was it this is a loaded question for sure. I can go many different ways on this one. I'm going to say yes because, um, because they're all. I mean they're all three great coaches, man. I mean it's it's tough to find a coach you trust and can stick with and, um, like you can build an organization with. It's not easy just to throw them to the side. And these are, I mean, and everybody knows the AFC North is the toughest conference and football baby. So Everybody knows the AFC North is the toughest conference.
Speaker 1:Football baby. This was a tough one because I like the AFC North. These are three great coaches John Harbaugh, super Bowl champion Mike Tomlin, super Bowl champion Kevin Savansky he's right there, stoy. What about you with these three? Do you think these three, if they don't produce what they're supposed to do, you think these three coaches could be fired this offseason?
Speaker 4:I think Phinney's reaching a little bit. I think Phinney's reaching here.
Speaker 1:I think, all three.
Speaker 4:I mean you can see a way I think Harbaugh got to be safe. I mean you can see a way I think Harbaugh got to be safe. I mean it would take a real disaster up in Baltimore, I think, to see him gone. You see, you know, pittsburgh or Cleveland go like four or five wins or something like that. Maybe you can see a scenario where one of them are gone. But I'd be really shocked to see any of the three not coaching from the same team next year. Take a real meltdown, I think, across the board for it. But I would say all three coaches are safe. At least one more year, talk, talk. Two more years. I think there could be a little bit more wiggle room in there. But I think he should prove it all up to this point to have kind of a gimme year If something would go right and give a give another chance.
Speaker 2:I gotcha Right. What about go right and give it? Give another chance. I got you fry. What about you? My guy?
Speaker 2:All right, um, so I'm gonna say, I'm gonna say no, but I'm gonna go down the list here and say that, um, I'm, I don't think all three would get fired. I would say, as Tomlin just signed an extension and I feel like you know they have a championship defense but they haven't had the pieces on offense in order to kind of move the needle through and get in, kind of get on a playoff run. So I'm going to say Tomlin safe, but I'm going to say Harbaugh is not safe and I'm going to say that because of the talent he's had defensively and offensively with Lamar Jackson and the things he's been able to do. They just went out to get Derrick Henry and then a second year, zay Flowers, and offensively they're good, defensively they're definitely primed to make a championship run. So I could see an early round exit will be a hardball exit as well.
Speaker 2:Stefanski, ah, that's a tough one. I mean the browns definitely turn their franchise around. Um, you know they got a top three defense in the league and, uh, offensively they really, really put it together. I mean you got arguably the best back in football when he's healthy, in Nick Chubb. You went out to go get Deshaun Watson. You just picked up Jerry Judy, and then you got Amari Cooper and David Njoku. I mean Stefanski could be on the hot seat too with a first-round exit, if you know. Obviously, if they lose, I think those two get fired, but I think Tomlin's the only safe one in this one.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's kind of where I'm leaning on this one. They just extended Tomlin. Pittsburgh has had three total head coaches. You know what I mean. They're that team that holds on to their head coach and they build the program and the team around the head coach, which I kind of agree with. I think, seeing the NFL and seeing some of these coaches getting two, three years, you're not giving them enough time to build their program and to do what they need to do to be successful.
Speaker 1:I think with this one, I think Harbaugh and Stefanski are on the hot seat. Harbaugh for sure, because he has a lot of talent there with Lamar and everybody there in Baltimore. Stefanski I'm on the fence with, I think, the Browns hang on to him at least one more year. But an early round exit. It's going to be tough for that front office to hang on to him because I think the city of Cleveland might riot if they have an early round exit and Stefanski still has a job for one more year. But we'll see what happens. But yeah, I really think there's two of these three coaches that are on the hot seat this year. It's Harbaugh and Stefanski. But, lando, big question here who's your Super Bowl prediction and winner?
Speaker 3:I like that. Well, I'm a Steeler fan. So we're going Pittsburgh, baby Going Homer, and I can't forget about the Lions. So we're going to go with the Lions and the NFC. So, steelers-lions, who's your winner, steelers?
Speaker 1:There it is. Yeah, homer, homer, lando.
Speaker 4:Stoy, what about you not going to go to Homer Brown's pick here? Thank, you.
Speaker 1:You've done that the past two shows.
Speaker 4:You've picked the Browns we're going to do a little reverse mojo here to see if I pick someone else, we can get the Browns win.
Speaker 4:I hate to say it but I do like what's going on in Baltimore. So I see you guys say obviously great team out there, and I do agree. You add Derrick Henry. If he got another really prime year left in him. I mean, man, that's a scary backfield with him and Lamar, so good defense. You know I've got Zay Flowers still coming along. Mark Andrews, you know, seemed to have some weapons. You can have a scary running back in that backfield with Lamar. Could be crazy there. So we'll go Ravens and then I think, the Niners. I think they just have again probably the best roster in the NFL. So we'll say Ravens, niners and Niners finally get it done. Tough to pick against Kansas City in any fashion, but we'll go a little contrary with it. I'm sure someone will mention them. We'll say the Niners get it done this year, okay.
Speaker 2:Bry. So I've been thinking about this probably for like three weeks now. I'm just going to throw a wrench in there, um, in the afc and I'll I'll predict that after my nfc I definitely think the lions get it done this year and they get to the super bowl. You know, I like what dan campbell's done. Um, I definitely think he takes so many risks as a coach.
Speaker 2:I think that came and bit him in the butt in the NFC Championship game versus the Niners. I think he figures it out and gets to the Super Bowl. And in my AFC man I'm going to go with the New York Jets. You know it's tough, but I honestly think it's a revenge year. You know, I think Aaron Rodgers has proven to do what he does. He's one of the best quarterbacks to ever play. He got out of Green Bay to go to hopefully a contending team With Brees healthy and Garrett Wilson and some weapons to kind of get the job done on offense. Their defense is probably again a top three defense in the league. I think he can ride the coattails of the defense and get to the Super Bowl, and I think the Lions won the Super Bowl though.
Speaker 1:Okay, so you haven't called me a winner yet, but the Jets, though that's, I'll say it't called me a winner yet. But yeah, the jets, though that's, I'll, I'll say it, that's a bold stance, man. I, you know, to pick the jets to go to the super bowl. Um, uh, mine on this one, I'm really trying not to be a Homer here with saying Tampa Bay, uh, and saying that Tampa Bay gets it done and makes the Super Bowl behind Baker, mike Evans and those guys there that they got on offense. But for the NFC, the AFC, I definitely think it's the Lions. I definitely think the Lions get there in the AFC. It's hard to pick against San Francisco. I definitely think the Lions get there in the AFC. It's hard to pick against San Francisco. You know what Stoy, I think I'm going to go with you here and Lions and San Francisco. However, I think the Lions get it done and they beat the Niners in the Super Bowl.
Speaker 4:You got two NFCs. That's two NFCs, oh fuck.
Speaker 1:It's been a long. It's been a long day for me, y'all here and we're running out of fumes here. I got to re really rethink this. It FC how did I forget that Baltimore? We'll go Baltimore, but I think the Lions get it done this year. I really do Dan Campbell and what he's done with them and playing angry with how they got knocked out last year. I think Dan Campbell has that team angry and that's a terrifying decision. And the face of lines when they're angry. Um, so yeah, I, I got uh, lions and Ravens with the lines getting it done. And these next questions we're going to make it quick here. Uh, I just need a yes or no on this one here. Lando, will Bill Belichick be a head coach ever again?
Speaker 3:Wow, no, no, yes.
Speaker 1:No, I say yesoy. Yes, fry, no, I say yes, and it's next year. Okay, last question here. We're going to round it out with this one here and this kind of could be a little fun one here Lando, name your top three NFL quarterbacks of all time top three NFL quarterbacks of all time Brad Ford, ben Roethlisberger, terry Bradshaw, baby Three Steelers in there Story.
Speaker 3:What about you? I went with the toughest man. Those guys are tough as nails.
Speaker 1:I agree with Bradshaw. I'm not going to lie to you on Bradshaw. I agree that he's up there.
Speaker 4:I don't think he's top three, but you know We'll go with the GoAT, Brady Montana and Marino.
Speaker 1:Marino, alright, brian, what about you?
Speaker 2:Tom Brady, I gotta go with the Sheriff Peyton Manning and I gotta go with Joe Montana yeah, that's.
Speaker 1:That's my top three as well. It's Brady, Manning and Montana. I think those are the best three quarterbacks of all time. I don't know how you go against Peyton. Definitely Brady. Like I said, I know I hate him because he's that good. People were like oh, you're going to be a Tom Brady fan because he went to Tampa. No, I'm happy he gave us the Super Bowl, but no, Stop being so good that late in your career. I don't agree with it. Why are you that good?
Speaker 4:Then they'll clean black and gold over there.
Speaker 1:We'll bring him. He can come back to Pittsburgh. We'll see if he can bring championship to Pittsburgh. That'll be tough. Yeah, it's like him going to the jets and trying to be like Aaron Aaron Rogers there in in New York. But that's actually the last question we had here for the NFL round table. I want to thank Matt, phil and Aaron for joining me here. It's a lot of fun Always get to sit and talk football. Um, a lot of hot takes here, so I'm interested to see how these play out. I'm interested to see how the season goes.
Speaker 1:Uh, I am being a little bit of a Homer this year and I am going to be rooting for my Buccaneers and my Steelers. I know, yes, I have two favorite teams. I grew up an hour for the new listeners. I grew up an hour outside of Pittsburgh and West Virginia. West Virginia doesn't have a pro sports team in anything, so I always root for the Steelers. There's one time a year when I don't root for the Steelers and that's when they're playing the Buccaneers. If that ever happens and it's happened a couple of times it's a tough game for me to watch, like both teams. But I have a Buccaneers fan at heart, but I always root for the black and gold, growing up that close to the stadium and being that close to Pittsburgh.
Speaker 1:But that is going to do it for this week's episode in our NFL round table preview. I want to thank my guests again Matt Lando Landowski, bill Stoy and Aaron Fry. Thank you, guys. This was a lot of fun, as always. If you enjoyed the show, be a friend, tell a friend. If you didn't tell them anyways, they might like it just because you did. That's going to do it for me and I will see y'all next week.
