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Both cities are starving for a Super Bowl.

Both head coaches built their contenders from scratch.

Without a doubt, the finest game this weekend will take place at Ford Field between the Buffalo Bills (10-3) and Detroit Lions (12-1). Sean McDermott and Dan Campbell may seem like polar opposites in their postgame speeches. One curses like a sailor, the other does not. But both knew they needed to flip their respective buildings — and did it their ways.

Here’s a podcast discussing it all with our pal Jim Monos, the Bills’ former director of personnel.

We look back at the Bills’ 44-42 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, and what McDermott could’ve done differently. His timeout at the goal-line has been debated nonstop, but that’s not what we focus on this conversation.

Big picture, this is a head coach who has unquestionably evolved for good since a particular series dropped one year ago. McDermott has mostly coached to win and seems determined to let Josh Allen be Josh Allen. Look no further than his fourth-and-2 moment against the Kansas City Chiefs. The loss to the Rams brought back some nightmares for some locals — should there be more January concern? This is the beauty of the NFL. Seven days later, another monster litmus test awaits. Both the Bills and Lions need this one.

Monos also touches on a variety of NFL topics.

Video and audio are accessible here at Go Long and inside your Apple, Spotify and YouTube feeds.

At one point on the show, I mention our past chat with ex-NFL QB Chris Simms. Here’s that link.

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ICYMI:

‘Kill ‘em all:’ The Sean Rhyan Code

Inside the sad case of Atlanta Falcons TE Kyle Pitts: 'absolute freak' to 'major disappointment'

Ty & Bob Pod: Dan Campbell's 'Northern Savages,' Packers-Lions (growing) hatred & Sam Darnold's future

Matthew Stafford, the L.A. Rams and separating fact from fiction

The Case for Joe Schoen

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This is a game of attrition. Injuries are a fact of life.

Some teams nosedive into irrelevancy when starters go down.

Some tread water.

Then, there’s the Detroit Lions. GM Brad Holmes, head coach Dan Campbell and the entire pro scouting staff scan the veteran market better than anyone in the league. As a result, they’re 12-1 and in line for the NFC’s No. 1…

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Think back to the moments that introduced you to the sport. We can all recall a play or a game that showed us why football is different. For us 90’s kids, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ belligerent “Blitzburgh” defenses were unforgettable. Greg Lloyd and Kevin Greene were wild men who set the tone — and they weren’t alone.

On this episode of “How the NFL Works,” we explore what made this group special with the (massive) inside linebacker on those teams: Levon Kirkland.

At 280, he could both tattoo running backs and run down the seam with tight ends.

As the 2024 Steelers start to resemble a legitimate contender, it felt like a good week to go back in time. As much as the sport has changed — year to year to year — the Steelers Linebacker persists. Kirkland invites listeners into the time machine to those 90s, shares more stories about his friend Lloyd and offers his thoughts on both the Steelers of today and Clemson’s football team where he works in player development.

Audio is above, and we’ll share a written Q&A later.

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Previous episodes of “How the NFL Works” below:

* S1 E6: The Domination of Chris Lindstrom

* S1 E5: Inside Kenny Clark's Lair

* S1 E4: 'Get a Quarterback' with Super Bowl champ and ex-NFL exec Jim Monos

* S1 E3: Resurrecting a Franchise with Ron Wolf

* S1 E2: Life After Football with Ryan Leaf

* S1 E1: Building the 2024 Quarterback with Quincy Avery

ICYMI, related stories:

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe

After three crushing defeats, the Chicago Bears canned Matt Eberflus. It’s a move they should’ve made a long time ago. But as we discuss here on the Ty & Bob Pod, the issues run deeper in Chicago. The ownership is much stronger elsewhere in the NFC North, and it’s showing in the standings.

So, what now? Should president Kevin Warren and GM Ryan Poles hire an offensive wiz who’ll maximize Caleb Williams’ talents or an old-school type who’ll build a team capable of exchanging body blows with Dan Campbell’s crew year-in and year-out? Contrary to Warren’s sale’s pitch, this is not the most coveted job on the market. Bears talk starts around the 22-minute mark.

Sam Darnold and the Vikings were clutch. The Vikings are built the right way, and it’s showing late in games. We review their 23-22 win over Arizona at the 43-minute mark.

Bob McGinn sees a very encouraging development in Wisconsin. This Matt LaFleur-led team has the muscle that so many Packers edition past lacked. His full Packers-Dolphins film breakdown starts at 1:02:00.

And… yes. We’ve got to give McGinn the floor at the top of the pod. What a win for his Michigan Wolverines. He said he’s an “animal” during “The Game.” What does that look and sound like exactly? McGinn supplies the full play by play.

As always, we cap with a McGinn Memory. It’s hard to play in the cold and the snow, but those teams down south also have a distinct advantage each September.

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Audio is above. Video is below.

You can also catch Go Long episodes on Apple and Spotify.

ICYMI:

Russ is back... and the Pittsburgh Steelers find a new formula

Survival Mode: The Power of Ray Davis’ Pain

Black Friday Deals GALORE at Go Long!

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Hey, it was a snow globe after all. Buffalo and San Francisco played in classic Western New York conditions Sunday night.

Kyle Shanahan’s team continued to show zero fight.

Buffalo rolled right along.

At halftime, I recorded another Substack Live video with Jim Monos, the former Philadelphia Eagles scout, New Orleans Saints scout and director of personnel for the Buffalo Bills. Today, he’s the GM of the Memphis Showboats in the UFL. As always, he brings some original takes to the table. We get into several topics.

* Which team in the AFC is the biggest test to Buffalo and Kansas City?

* Is this truly a different Pittsburgh Steelers offense in 2024?

* Bryce Young was excellent in overtime defeat vs. Tampa Bay. Monos said last week he’s been outplaying C.J. Stroud. That was the case again. A good lesson when it comes to rookie quarterbacks.

* What now for Caleb Williams and the Bears?

You can join our live videos any time by downloading the Substack app and flipping notifications on:

As a reminder, we’ve got a “Black Friday” offer for you.

New readers: Subscribe annually and we’ll send you a Go Long sweatshirt — hoodie or crew. (Email size and mailing address to [email protected].)

Current subscribers: Gift a sub to a friend or pledge to renew once your current term expires, and we’ll also send you a hoodie or crew. (Email size and mailing address to [email protected].)

Thanks, all.

Our Ray Davis profile is also linked here, icymi.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe

Big Boy Football is here. It’s almost December.

And all the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers keep doing is win. Combined, these three teams are 27-6. Sam Darnold fought through his inevitable midseason slump to look like the Vikes’ quarterback of 2024 and beyond. Green Bay caught a stammering 49ers team at the right time. The Lions smacked Indy, and let ‘em know.

While Bob McGinn and myself strongly disagree on “taunting,” we both can’t get enough of Jahmyr Gibbs.

At Lambeau, Josh Jacobs scored three touchdowns. We compare/contrast, Jacobs and Aaron Jones.

And if you had to win one game, would you rather have Darnold or Jordan Love at this moment?

We’ve got a loaded two hours for you.

Thank you for listening.

To our new readers, a paid membership gets you access to everything. Our holiday deal is live. Make the move to an annual membership, and we’ll send you a Go Long sweatshirt — hoodie or crew. This same deal applies to current subscribers who’ll be renewing or would like to gift a subscription to a loved one. Email me at [email protected].

Audio is above. Video is below.

Have a phenomenal Thanksgiving, everyone.

Mentioned on the pod, here’s my story on the 2024 Minnesota Vikings and Darnold’s turnaround, as well as a profile of linebacker Blake Cashman and big-picture piece on Love. McGinn’s Midseason All-NFC North team is right here. As for the McGinn Memory? Bob looks back to the majestic dominance of Ronnie Lott and Jerry Rice, specifically this touchdown by Rice vs. the Packers in 1987.

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The Anthony Richardson Experience continues to give viewers vertigo. This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone.

Those New York Giants have (again) entered the Tommy Cutlet stage of regret. What’s next for Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll?

Elsewhere, Jordan Love keeps winning, Bryce Young has a moment of promise and Bo Nix is everything our special guest predicted.

Here’s our latest Substack Live recording at Go Long. I’m joined by Jim Monos — the former NFL exec/scout — to make sense of Week 12 in the NFL. He lived these quarterback decisions and offers a very fresh perspective. I’ll continue to record these videos throughout the rest of the season. If you’d like to watch live and ask questions, be sure to download the Substack app and turn notifications on:

ICYMI:

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe

Good afternoon, readers! The goal is to take you beyond the press conference as much as possible.

Sometimes, that means brokering a meeting over cheese curds.

On our most recent trip to Wisconsin, Go Long brought LeRoy Butler and Evan Williams together for a first (football) date. It was an incredible night. At The Lodge — not too far from Lambeau Field — the Pro Football Hall of Fame safety and the Packers rookie talked ball for a solid two hours. Be sure to read our full story here, icymi.

Had some time here before the Week 12 games kicked off — thanks to Mrs. Go Long, as always — so figured I’d splice up some audio for those who’d like to listen to these two banter and dive into the X’s and O’s.

Go Long is nearing its four-year anniversary.

Thank you for making us your completely independent home for longform journalism.

Recent stories, icymi…

* The Great Anthony Richardson Debate: One scout says "He cannot play quarterback." One says "Sky’s the limit. Probably more Lamar Jackson with a little bit of Josh Allen thrown in there." Bob McGinn explores the NFL's greatest mystery.

* Q&A, Chris Lindstrom and the art of offensive-line war: Nobody plays the position better. What makes the Falcons guard special? He takes you into his world. (Video/Audio here.)

* Killer instinct, found: They're bound to see the Kansas City Chiefs again. That's how it works for Josh Allen, Sean McDermott and the Buffalo Bills. Sunday's 30-21 win is proof that 2024 could have a different ending.

* Kenny Clark: 'I want to hold that trophy' (And the audio here.)

* ‘Twenty-one months ago, I was dead:’ Go Long chats again with the man who came back to life. Damar Hamlin knows he's only getting started: "I really see myself as one of the best safeties in this league."

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe

His job is thankless. Seventy thousand fans filling a stadium are not fixating their binoculars on No. 63 in black.

But his job is exceptionally important to the entire operation. Down-in and down-out, he is the player unlocking doors in the offense. That’s why the Atlanta Falcons made him the highest-paid guard in NFL history last year at five years, $102.5 million.

Meet Chris Lindstrom, the best offensive guard in the NFL.

On this episode of “How the NFL Works, Lindstrom explains his job in meticulous detail. A profession that is equal parts brain and brawn. True, he must pummel linebackers into the turf. But being the best guard in football demands far more thinking than anyone knows. Lindstrom explains everything that goes into a wide-zone run, the “flow state,” how he harnesses intensity, how he bulked up in college, the toughest defensive tackles he’s ever faced and a ton more.

This has been a peculiar season for the Falcons, obviously.

We sat down with GM Terry Fontenot ahead of their wild offseason. Since then, the mandate’s been clear. This team expects to win in 2024 — and beyond — with their quarterback of the present (Kirk Cousins) and the future (Michael Penix Jr.) on the roster. One Thursday Night Football shootout against Tampa Bay supplied plenty of hope. But after racing to 6-3, the Falcons have backtracked with a pair of losses. They’ll try to get back on track against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

It’ll sure help to have Lindstrom — PFF’s No. 1-rated guard into 2024 — paving the way.

You can watch the video of our conversation above. If audio is preferred, just click that icon to the left of the screen on your desktop. This episode is also available on our Apple, Spotify and YouTube channels.

Here is the written Q&A transcript:

Thanks, all!

Go Long is your forever home for longform journalism in pro football.

Previous episodes of “How the NFL Works” below:

* S1, E5: Inside Kenny Clark's Lair

* S1 E4: 'Get a Quarterback' with Super Bowl champ and ex-NFL exec Jim Monos

* S1 E3: Resurrecting a Franchise with Ron Wolf

* S1 E2: Life After Football with Ryan Leaf

* S1 E1: Building the 2024 Quarterback with Quincy Avery

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.golongtd.com

This isn’t the first time a Green Bay Packers-Chicago Bears football game came down to the final kick.

Nor will it be the last.

We take you deep into the 20-19 Packers win with Hall of Fame scribe Bob McGinn on this edition of the Ty & Bob Pod. As always, McGinn meticulously breaks down the film. Christian Watson enjoyed his finest day as a Packer. Xavie…