Football 301

Nate Tice and Matt Harmon take an in-depth look at the middle class of the NFL as they determine whether each playoff-hopeful team should be preparing for a playoff push or packing their bags.

First, the duo start with the news that the New York Jets fired their general manager Joe Douglas. This move was mostly expected, but it really puts in perspective how far this franchise has fallen from the optimism surrounding the Aaron Rodgers acquisition just two offseasons ago. Nate and Matt also discuss whether Rodgers could return (on another team) in 2025.

Moving on to some teams more deserving of attention, Nate and Matt start with teams on the bubble in the AFC playoff race, as they diagnose the Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals (both sit under 10% playoff odds), Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos and decide whether they are ready to make a playoff push or are destined for Cancun.

The NFC race is even tighter than the AFC, as Nate and Matt give their predictions on the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before attempting to parse out a neck-and-neck NFC West that includes the Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams.

(3:35) Jets fire GM Joe Douglas

(10:05) Playoffs or pack it up: Dolphins

(17:05) Playoffs or pack it up: Bengals

(26:10) Playoffs or pack it up: Colts

(34:25) Playoffs or pack it up: Broncos

(43:25) Playoffs or pack it up: Falcons

(51:00) Playoffs or pack it up: Buccaneers

(54:40) Playoffs or pack it up: Seahawks

(1:02:40) Playoffs or pack it up: 49ers

(1:10:05) Playoffs or pack it up: Cardinals

(1:18:25) Playoffs or pack it up: Rams

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Nate Tice and Charles McDonald kick off this monster episode by previewing the biggest matchups of an enticing Week 11 slate of NFL games by giving one (or two or three) things to watch in each. Later, Nate is joined by the Athletic's draft guru himself Dane Brugler to deep dive on the 2025 NFL Draft. The duo give strengths and weaknesses of the class and favorite players at each position before diving into their latest big boards and comparing key prospects to keep an eye on.

Nate and Charles start off the show with the five biggest games of Week 11, as they discuss how the Pittsburgh Steelers can beat the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, how Patrick Mahomes will attack the Buffalo Bills two-high defense, what to watch for when Joe Burrow takes on Jesse Minter's fierce Los Angeles Chargers defense, how the Atlanta Falcons can beat the Denver Broncos and whether or not the Chicago Bears can rise to the challenge against the rival Green Bay Packers.

Next, the Athletic's Dane Brugler joins Nate to deep dive into the 2025 NFL Draft class. The duo start off by breaking down the class as a whole by position, discussing strengths and weaknesses, giving insights into an unusual quarterback class, brain-dumping on running backs and wide receivers and much more. Next, Nate and Dane compare their latest 2025 big boards by discussing players they disagreed most on, which guys they wish they could've included in their top 50, their favorite players to watch overall and more.

(2:05) Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers

(8:30) Kansas City Chiefs @ Buffalo Bills

(14:45) Cincinnati Bengals @ Los Angeles Chargers

(18:20) Atlanta Falcons @ Denver Broncos

(20:50) Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears

(26:15) 2025 NFL Draft class overview

(1:08:15) Comparing big boards: biggest differences, favorite players

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The three man weave returns as Nate Tice is joined by Matt Harmon & Charles McDonald for a special midseason awards show. The trio check in on their preseason takes, predict true Super Bowl contenders, give their biggest surprises & disappointments so far this season and much more.

Nate, Matt and Charles kick things off with their short list of true Super Bowl contenders, as everyone has the same top four teams, but things get interesting after that. On the flip side, the hosts also predict which three NFL teams will end up with the top three picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, and they all happened to have the exact same list. The trio also give their thoughts on the Chicago Bears parting ways with OC Shane Waldron after a disastrous few weeks coming out of the bye.

Nate, Matt and Charles move on to their biggest surprises & disappointments on offense and defense and their standout rookies through ten weeks, breaking down the New York Jets, Washington Commanders, the Carolina Panthers wide receivers, the Dallas Cowboys defense, the Los Angeles Chargers defense and more.

Later, the three hosts wrap up the show with their favorite thing they've watched this season (Charles has some words on Antonio Pierce), looking back at preseason takes they made and either taking a victory lap or eating crow, their favorite niche players to watch and favorite coordinators and position coaches.

(2:55) Teams that can actually win the Super Bowl

(11:30) Predicting the three worst NFL teams this season

(19:10) Thoughts on Bears firing OC Shane Waldron

(25:50) Biggest surprises & disappointments: offense

(39:15) Biggest surprises & disappointments: defense

(50:20) Biggest surprises & disappointments: rookies

(58:25) Favorite thing we've watched this season

(1:07:00) Preseason take victory laps

(1:10:50) Preseason takes we want back

(1:16:00) Favorite niche players

(1:17:35 Favorite coordinators & position coaches

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Nate Tice is joined by Charles McDonald as they look ahead to Week 10 of the NFL season by deep diving on the biggest matchup of the weekend and giving one thing to watch in every single game.

Nate and Charles start with the Detroit Lions taking on the Houston Texans on Sunday night, as it's hard to see how Houston can stop the Lions from dominating both sides of the ball, but Nate points out that having Joe Mixon on the field makes a big difference. Both predict a Lions win, but there is a scenario where C.J. Stroud can play enough hero ball to keep it close.

Next, Nate and Charles give one thing to watch for every Week 10 matchup as they get into the one interesting matchup in the Munich game, a big rookie quarterback battle, the Pope sending encouraging words to the New Orleans Saints, how Bo Nix can beat the Spagnuolo defense, Jayden Daniels vs. Mike Tomlin, how Aaron Rodgers will attack the Arizona defense and much more.

Nate finishes up with a mailbag question on the Los Angeles Chargers run game as he takes a closer look at the offense in its first year under Jim Harbaugh.

(4:35) Detroit Lions @ Houston Texans

(20:25) New York Giants @ Carolina Panthers

(26:10) New England Patriots @ Chicago Bears

(31:10) Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints

(34:55) Buffalo Bills @ Indianapolis Colts

(38:15) San Francisco 49ers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

(42:25) Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs

(47:30) Tennessee Titans @ Los Angeles Chargers

(51:20) Minnesota Vikings @ Jacksonville Jaguars

(53:15) Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys

(57:25) New York Jets @ Arizona Cardinals

(1:01:30) Pittsburgh Steelers @ Washington Commanders

(1:06:40) Miami Dolphins @ Los Angeles Rams

(1:12:20) What's wrong with the Chargers run game?

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Nate Tice is joined by Matt Harmon to give their instant reactions and analysis for every major trade after a wild NFL trade deadline before diving into their favorite (and least favorite) things they saw in Week 9 of NFL action.

The duo start off with the eight biggest trades from trade deadline day, as they give thumbs up or down on every transaction, including Marshon Lattimore to the Washington Commanders, Mike Williams to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Za'Darius Smith to the Detroit Lions, Jonathan Mingo to the Dallas Cowboys and more.

Later, Nate and Matt dive into their six favorite (and two least favorite) things they saw in Week 9. Matt highlights Liam Coen and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the New York Jets passing game and the Los Angeles Chargers defense, while Nate highlights the Detroit Lions, Bijan Robinson and the new faces showing up big on the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles defenses. Matt is upset about the Jermaine Burton saga, while Nate is flabbergasted at the Shane Waldron Chicago Bears offense.

(2:10) Trade deadline instant analysis: thumbs up or down

(32:45) Liam Coen is crushing it

(41:30) Lions are juggernauts

(49:05) Jets passing game came alive

(53:30) Bijan Robinson

(58:15) Chargers defense is scary

(1:05:15) New faces on Rams & Eagles defenses show up big

(1:12:10) Least favorite things from Week 9

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Nate Tice is joined by Charles McDonald to give their thoughts and analysis on the two biggest games of Week 9, one thing to watch in six other games and the top prospects in Nate's latest 2025 NFL big board. The duo kick things off with the Denver Broncos visiting the Baltimore Ravens as Nate and Charles discuss why this game should be a lot closer than people think. The Green Bay Packers host a red-hot Detroit Lions team that will provide their biggest challenge to date, and Nate and Charles do a deep dive on each side of the ball.

Next, the two hosts give one thing to watch in six different games this weekend, as Charles has a gameplan for the Atlanta Falcons against the Dallas Cowboys, thoughts on the Philadelphia Eagles and a prediction for how many times a slop watch Carolina Panthers game will be shown Redzone. Nate is excited for the Washington Commanders to take on the New York Giants defense, the Miami Dolphins trying to get going against Buffalo and the ultimate Nate Tice matchup in the Arizona Cardinals and an ansty Chicago Bears team.

Nate and Charles wrap up with Nate's analysis on his latest 2025 big board as he ranks the strongest prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft class, and Nate answers a mailbag question on the difference between wide receiver positions.

(2:50) Denver Broncos @ Baltimore Ravens

(16:50) Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers

(30:50) Dallas Cowboys @ Atlanta Falcons

(33:15) Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills

(35:40) Jacksonville Jaguars @ Philadelphia Eagles

(38:40) Chicago Bears @ Arizona Cardinals

(44:05) New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers

(46:35) Washington Commanders @ New York Giants

(49:20) Nate's 2025 big board

(1:03:20) Mailbag question of the week

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Nate Tice and Matt Harmon join forces to react to the latest breaking NFL news and give their eight favorite things they saw from Week 8. Nate and Matt start with the news that Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is being benched, as both hosts wonder if this is a short-term move to protect the team or a longer-term one that could set the Richardson's development back. In other news, Stefon Diggs will be out for the remainder of the season, prompting questions over their offense, and Diontae Johnson was traded to the Baltimore Ravens, which gives Baltimore an additional capable receiving option.

Nate and Matt spend the rest of the show trading favorite things they saw from Week 8. The duo cover the emergence of Marvin Harrison Jr, Matt's boarding of the Pittsburgh Steelers hype train, the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles offenses taking steps forward, the Herbert to McConkey connection and much more.

(1:30) Is benching Anthony Richardson the right move?

(15:50) Stefon Diggs out for the season

(19:55) Diontae Johnson traded to the Baltimore Ravens

(24:30) Favorite things we saw in Week 8

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Nate Tice is joined by Charles McDonald to preview the Week 8 slate of NFL games, highlighting the two biggest matchups and giving out one thing to watch for the rest of the particularly sloppy Sunday slate. Nate and Charles start with the Buffalo Bills heading to Seattle, as they break down how the Bills run game can take off in this game and the one interesting thing that the Seattle Seahawks offense and the Bills defense have in common.

Next up is the Chicago Bears taking on the Washington Commanders (who may be without Jayden Daniels), and the duo discuss what's lead to Caleb Williams figuring it out so fast and whether or not the Commanders run game can keep rolling against a nasty Bears defense.

The hosts move on to the rest of the Sunday slate and give one thing to watch in each game, leading to conversations on Jim Harbaugh's run game, Tua Tagovailoa, why the Tennessee Titans defense is actually really good, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers creamsicle uniforms and much more before finishing off the show with a mailbag question on the best role players in the NFL.

(2:20) Buffalo Bills @ Seattle Seahawks

(13:40) Chicago Bears @ Washington Commanders

(25:50) One thing to watch in every game

(57:45) What makes a great NFL role player?

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Nate Tice is joined by the great Matt Harmon as the duo decide whether or not they're buying the biggest storylines and narratives to emerge from Week 7 of NFL action. After establishing Matt's new nickname as "Dr. Receiver," Nate and Matt dive into the first buy-sell of the day: does Russell Wilson unlock the Pittsburgh Steelers offense? The hosts also discuss what's wrong with Anthony Richardson and whether or not he'd benefit from sitting and Drake Maye's solid start to his career.

Later, Nate and Matt continue with buying or selling storylines by discussing the Chicago Bears offense, the Washington Commanders, whether it's time to panic over Marvin Harrison Jr, the Green Bay Packers improvements on defense and the Denver Broncos and whether or not they can sneak into the playoffs.

(2:55) - Does Russell Wilson unlock the Steelers offense?

(8:55) - What's going on with Anthony Richardson?

(19:20) - Can Drake Maye keep up the hot start?

(29:50) - Is the Bears offense about to take off?

(38:25) - Can the Commanders keep it up?

(47:35) - Is it time to panic over Marvin Harrison Jr?

(58:10) - Packers defensive improvements

(1:05:55) - Can the Broncos sneak into the playoffs?

Subscribe to Football 301 on your favorite podcast app:

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Nate Tice & Charles McDonald join forces to preview some very juicy matchups ahead of an exciting Week 7 slate of NFL action. The duo start with the Houston Texans visiting the Green Bay Packers, as the two hosts tell the tale of one amazing quarterback who's being set up to succeed, and another great quarterback who's doing it despite the surrounding offensive system.

Next up is the Kansas City Chiefs taking on the San Francisco 49ers in a Super Bowl rematch, as Charles breaks down why people need to calm down about the Chiefs offense not putting up explosive numbers, and Nate explains the dilemma facing Kyle Shanahan about how to attack the Steve Spagnuolo defense.

The Baltimore Ravens head to Florida to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Charles breaks down what makes the Ravens offense so unstoppable, while Nate explains how Baker and the Bucs can keep it close.

Finally, Nate and Charles deep dive on the NFC North showdown between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings. Sam Darnold had an off-game two weeks ago, and Charles wonders if that's just his floor if he's returning to the Darnold of old. On the other side of the ball, Brian Flores has to prepare for an absolute hoss fight against the bullying Detroit offense.

The hosts wrap up with a mailbag question on their favorite superhero movies.

(3:10) Houston Texans @ Green Bay Packers

(18:30) Kansas City Chiefs @ San Francisco 49ers

(33:20) Baltimore Ravens @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

(45:35) Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings

(57:30) Favorite superhero movies

Subscribe to Football 301 on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/46gILkF

🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3A4mYAD

📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT