This Vikings-Bears game at Soldier Field was everything everyone should love about football — hard hitting, inclement weather, every inch was earned.

Here on the Ty & Bob Pod, we dissect it all.

Two games in, the Minnesota Vikings should be feeling damn good about themselves, too. Brian Flores has his unit hunting, and the defensive coordinator is armed with an ascending star in edge rusher Dallas Turner. So, what makes this blitz-happy Vikings defense unlike any other? McGinn has studied the film (as only he can) and I’ve spent some time around the personalities who make this defense go. We discuss in full this episode.

Meanwhile, what a whirlwind of emotions in Chicago. After torching Carolina for 59 points, Ben Johnson’s crew was held to a mere field goal in its home opener. Quarterback Caleb Williams writhed in pain one moment — this looked (and sounded) like a season-ender. Testing has revealed a week-to-week hamstring injury. When should the quarterback return to action? Case Keenum may be the man under center on Monday Night Football vs. Philadelphia as Tyson Bagent works through the concussion protocol.

One major difference between these two teams: linebacker play. Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson are humming for the Vikes.

Elsewhere, the Green Bay Packers survived the wretched swamps of New Jersey.

It was ugly. It was win. Javon Bullard is bringing his words to life and Lukas Van Ness had his best game as a pro. But, goodness, what about that offense? The Zach Bako-Bewele injury is a killer up front.

Finally, it was a miserable night in Orchard Park, NY for the Detroit Lions. There are holes throughout Dan Campbell’s defense. How will the head coach adjust on the fly?

Stick around for a “McGinn Memory” looking back to a 1981 Packers trip to Shea Stadium.

We’ve got two-plus hours of NFC North talk for you each week at Go Long.

New here? McGinn, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has covered the NFL since 1979. We’re former co-workers at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Subscribers can access all episodes, all season long.

Related:

* ‘Through the storm:’ Blake Cashman is the Minnesota Vikings’ maniac in the middle

* ‘Who’s going to take this yard?’ The Arrival of Eric Wilson

* The Promise of Aaron Jones

* Canton is still the goal for Aaron Jones

* The Kyler Murray Project, Part I: Liberated

* The Kyler Murray Project, Part II: The Great Unknown

* Tate Ratledge feels no pain

* Javon Bullard is the dagger

* ‘Kill ‘em all:’ The Sean Rhyan Code

What a night it was at Highmark. The Buffalo Bills authored a storybook inaugural game against the Detroit Lions with, of course, Josh Allen taking centerstage.

Here’s my column from the 41-31 win. This “lunatic” of a quarterback with a smelling salt hanging from his mouth is playing more free than ever. (And he’s not alone.)

And, icymi, here’s our story off an exclusive 1 on 1 with owner Terry Pegula. He details why football always needed to stay in Western New York.

“The Bills are here. The Sabres are here. And they’re going to stay here.”

In addition to our two main podcasts — “Real Football” (with Jim Monos) and the “Ty & Bob Pod” (with Bob McGinn) — we’ll get into the habit of dinging record on a Bills show. As most know, Monos served as the team’s director of personnel from May ‘13 to May ‘17 and always brings a fresh perspective.

Today, we try to make sense of Allen’s performance and a perplexing defense. They made plays up front, but clearly this scheme is a major work in progress.

Enjoy the show? Share with a friend. We’re fueled by you.

Thanks, all.

Links from the week…

‘Legacy:’ Terry Pegula opens up on his mission to keep the Bills in Buffalo

‘Dangerous:’ Say hello to the new Buffalo Bills juggernaut offense

Real Football: Is Patrick Mahomes BACK?!

Ty & Bob Pod S5 E1: Inside the Packers-Vikings meltdown

Unfortunate Situation: Vikings roar and Matt LaFleur chokes (again)

Monos Report: What’s real and what’s fake in the NFL?

Do or Die for C.J. Stroud

We’re back. Welcome to another season of the “Ty & Bob Pod.”

Each week, I’ll be joined by Bob McGinn to discuss the NFC North.

To those who remember McGinn’s weekly Rating the Packers column at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the format is familiar. He studies the film of the NFCN teams — Packers, Bears, Lions, Vikings — and offers a fresh perspective on…

I believe it’s illegal in at least 27 states to publicly doubt Patrick Mahomes.

He has earned that right.

He was a central the-one-that-got-away figure in our first story ever at Go Long.

There’s a strong case to make that Mahomes is the best quarterback ever this side of Tom Brady. The Kansas City Chiefs star has captivated us all with a magic to his game.

Yet, last season, Mahomes posted career lows across the board and the Chiefs missed the playoffs. In my piece on C.J. Stroud and the gnarly Texans defense, sources detailed the team’s blueprint vs. Mahomes — one that Philadelphia used in the Super Bowl, one that bludgeoned the QB into submission. Houston made him look downright bad in 2025.

Of course, the three-time champion and five-time Super Bowl participant is also coming off a torn ACL. This could dull mobility, too.

Under the Monday Night Football glow, Mahomes started sluggish, ran for one touchdown and threw short for two more in a 31-10 win over Denver.

What do we make of his performance? Where do Mahomes and the Chiefs go from here?

This is our main topic on “Real Football” with co-host Jim Monos, our longtime NFL scout.

Andy Reid and Brett Veach restructured this team in major ways in an attempt to create a new championship window. (Holy, Kenneth Walker Jr.)

We get into plenty on the first episode of the regular season.

* Everything Mahomes. (Also: I loved the QB’s trainer, Bobby Stroupe, sharing our story as motivation.)

* Drake Maye’s scary debut. Aberration? Or cause for concern?

* Juggernaut Chicago Bears offense.

* Matt LaFleur’s Week 1 dud.

* Baker Mayfield’s $55M/year contract. If Monos was the Buccaneers’ GM, what would he have done?

* Why I still love the Ravens. New playcaller Declan Doyle, 30, supplied quite a first impression.

* UPSET ALERT. Monos believes the Indianapolis Colts will beat KC this week. We rapid-fire predict all Week 2 games.

Full video and audio is above.

As a reminder, you won’t be peppered with one advertisement at Go Long and that’s only possible because of you. So thank you for watching, listening and sharing with a friend.

Subscribers can also catch the two-hour, 12-minute NFC North podcast with Bob McGinn. He dissects all the action as only he can.

Here’s our mission into Year 7, icymi.

Thanks, all.

EAGAN, Minn — Packers. Vikings. Week 1 at U.S. Bank Stadium.

We’ll be on-hand for all festivities. Cannot wait to reboot our Gameday Chat. Tune in for all sights, all sounds and all tomfoolery with fellow readers around the country. Always a good time. We’ll discuss anything and everything you’d like all Sunday.

After two midweek clunkers, I’m feeling good about the Sunday slate. Or maybe it’s just the random Blake Bortles jersey I spotted at my layover in Detroit. Either way, let’s get the party started with Jarrett Bailey & Todd Haley of the insightful Pump Fake Podcast. Subscribe to their channel here. You know Haley from his long career coaching in the NFL — from WR coach to Arizona Cardinals’ Super Bowl OC to Kansas City Chiefs head coach to Steelers OC with a year in Cleveland we absolutely touch on. Bailey is an NFL writer at SB Nation and the producer of Behind the Steel Curtain.

We rip through a medley of topics on the cusp of this season.

* Aaron Rodgers’ podcast appearance on Not Just Football broke the Internet. He’s saying whatever he wants. Agree with him? Disagree? Bring it on. All of it.

* But as a quarterback — 43 years old in December — what does Rodgers have to offer? And what is Pittsburgh’s ceiling?

* Bailey has the Tennessee Titans making the playoffs, and explains why.

* Haley steers the focus to Robert Saleh. He wants the Titans HC to bring all of his sideline energy as a coordinator to the head job.

* Kyler Murray? No, Haley is not quite as bullish.

* None of us believe Chicago will make the playoffs. There’s got to be a odd man out in the NFCN.

* Which wide receiver did Haley need to convince to embrace blocking? His answer definitely shocked me.

* Does he still think about that ‘17 playoff loss to Jacksonville?

* C.J. Stroud and the Texans. We’ve got a deep dive live for subscribers. I hit on a few themes covered.

* You’ll want to stick around for Haley’s story from the 2018 draft. He was in Cleveland then and, dammit, he tried his best to convince owner Jimmy Haslam to draft Josh Allen. He relives that spring in full.

* Super Bowl picks.

Video and audio is above, and be sure to subscribe to our Apple, Spotify and YouTube channels.

You can follow Bailey and Haley on X, and listen to the latter on Sirius XM Radio.

Miss any season preview stories? All links below.

Do or Die for C.J. Stroud

Tony Pollard is the NFL’s hidden warrior

The “Big John” Simpson Creed

Tate Ratledge feels no pain

The Kyler Murray Project, Part I: Liberated

The Kyler Murray Project, Part II: The Great Unknown

‘We will be the best offensive line in football:’ Q&A with Alec Anderson, Buffalo Bills enforcer

‘Who’s going to take this yard?’ The Arrival of Eric Wilson

Jordyn Brooks is the captain now

Dregs to Domination: The Aaron Brewer Blueprint

Greetings from Orchard Park! I’ll be getting on a plane to Minneapolis Friday AM for Packers-Vikings. But first? Let’s talk some Bills-Texans with Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News.

It’ll be an AFC heavyweight fight at Reliant Stadium… a place that’s been a house of horrors for Josh Allen.

What changes in 2026? We discuss the matchup and the identity of the Bills here on a quick Substack Live video.

This Texans defense is a different animal, as we learned.

Now, Joe Brady takes charge. His boss, Brandon Beane, certainly understands the stakes of this season.

Also: Keep an eye out for an extensive C.J. Stroud piece soon. Nobody in the NFL faces more pressure to produce.

Want to join future Substack Lives? Download the app right here.

Thanks, all.

It’s Game Week.

The 2026 NFL Season is HERE.

No more lists. No more forecasting. We officially have substantive games to gnaw on starting Wednesday night.

You bet “Real Football” will march on with co-host Jim Monos, our resident NFL scout/exec, this fall. Subscribers can expect a full episode each Tuesday. Our goal — always — is to bring you something different. Monos will tap into his experiences with the Eagles, Saints and Bills, while I share reporting stories from the road.

In addition to these weekly shows, we’ve got fun news to share: Expect half-hour Buffalo Bills postgame shows on Substack Live. Monos served as the team’s director of personnel from May ‘13 to May ‘17 and I’ll be around One Bills Drive plenty this season. On these live videos, paid subscribers will be able to hang out with us and ask questions in real time after all games.

This week, my pal made the trip down to Ellicottville, NY.

We post up at Ellicottville Brewing Company.

Gotta say, as much as I love their signature EBC Blueberry, “The Charge Lager” and “Fan Zone” beers on tap deliver. Highly recommend. If we have readers that’d like to hang out in-person down here in the Southern Tier, let me know.

On this episode, we primarily we dig into everything NFC after last week’s AFC show.

The Los Angeles Rams have constructed a mega team.

Who’s the best challenger?

* There was one grave omission in our 2026 NFL Predictions: the Jaguars. How did we all overlook a 13-4 team?

* How is Sean McDermott taking in Bills games this season?

* Readers asked why in the hell Monos has Matt LaFleur on the hot seat while also picking Green Bay to make the Super Bowl. He explains. (And he still can’t shake that playoff loss).

* Jared Goff doesn’t move. That’s fine. His brain’s sharper than ever.

* Caleb Williams does move and improvise and create as well as anyone. Can he master the other stuff?

* Christian Parker, profiled here, could be the ultimate X-Factor in this conference. If the Cowboys’ defense improves to average, look out.

* You guys know I’ve been bullish on Minnesota.

* Hey, let’s not forget the Seattle Seahawks did win a Super Bowl.

Video and audio is above and accessible over on our Apple, Spotify and YouTube channels.

Once we get the season rolling, full episodes will be exclusive to members. A fine time to upgrade for those on the free list.

Go Long is completely independent because of you. No gambling BS, no ads, no sponsors. Thanks, all.

2026 NFL Season Preview Features to date…

* Tony Pollard is the NFL’s hidden warrior

* The “Big John” Simpson Creed

* Tate Ratledge feels no pain

* The Kyler Murray Project, Part I: Liberated

* The Kyler Murray Project, Part II: The Great Unknown

* ‘We will be the best offensive line in football:’ Q&A with Alec Anderson, Buffalo Bills enforcer

* ‘Who’s going to take this yard?’ The Arrival of Eric Wilson

* Jordyn Brooks is the captain now

* Dregs to Domination: The Aaron Brewer Blueprint

He played for two teams with Super Bowl aspirations this 2026 NFL Season — Houston and Detroit.

Glover Quin’s rise from the boondocks of Mississippi to NFL All-Pro is instructive for players, too.

This week on the Go Long Pod, I catch up with one of the best safeties in recent memory. Quin spent four seasons with the Texans and six with the Lions in starting 148 straight games. His best season, hands down, came in 2014. That playoff year in Detroit, Quin picked off an NFL-high seven passes. He guides us through them all.

Many war stories are shared. (Once, Quin caught three picks with a cast over his hand. How? He relives it all.)

He played for Jim Schwartz, Jim Caldwell and Matt Patricia in Detroit. Go Long readers may remember Quin’s name coming up back when we reported on life under Patricia. Players were not fans! Quin explains why the ex-Patriot coordinator failed so miserably as a head coach.

In Detroit, Quin also played with Matthew Stafford. We get his thoughts on the reigning NFL MVP.

As for today’s Texans defense — a crew full of savages — Quin offers a take you won’t hear anywhere else.

Nowadays, he’s a father of three and running his own business in Houston: “GQ Frames.” Life is good and he certainly earned every inch.

Video and audio are both above. Be sure to also add the Go Long channel to your Apple, Spotify and YouTube feeds.

Thanks for subscribing and sharing, all.

ICYMI:

* 2026 NFL Predictions

* ‘I’m a believer — more than most — in Jordan Love:’ 18-year NFL vet Matt Hasselbeck

* New head coach, new vibes, a title for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens?

* The “Big John” Simpson Creed

After 18 years of John Harbaugh, it was time.

The Jesse Minter Era is here for the Baltimore Ravens. We drove down to Maryland to sit down with “Big John” Simpson — that feature is here, icymi. Is this the season Lamar Jackson finally gets to a Super Bowl? To get more answers, let’s welcome on a new guest: Brian Wacker of The Baltimore Sun.

Wacker recently penned this excellent story on new Ravens OC Declan Doyle.

We dig into everything here on the Go Long Pod.

* Minter’s voice, and why it was needed.

* What’s new on defense? (A lot!)

* How is Doyle coaching Jackson? His attention to detail is extreme — in all of the best ways. Jackson, by all accounts, has been receptive, too.

* Where did things go wrong between Jackson and Harbaugh the last couple seasons? Something was clearly off.

* Explosive plays could be in high, high supply for the Ravens.

* Ja’Kobi Lane FEVER.

* Wacker’s concerns with this Ravens roster on offense, defense and special teams. He likes Cincinnati in the AFC North. (Paul Dehner Jr. dissected everything Bengals here.)

Video and audio of this podcast is above.

You can also subscribe to our Apple, Spotify and YouTube channels.

Thanks, all.

2026 NFL Season Preview Features to date…

The “Big John” Simpson Creed

Tate Ratledge feels no pain

The Kyler Murray Project, Part I: Liberated

The Kyler Murray Project, Part II: The Great Unknown

‘We will be the best offensive line in football:’ Q&A with Alec Anderson, Buffalo Bills enforcer

‘Who’s going to take this yard?’ The Arrival of Eric Wilson

Jordyn Brooks is the captain now

Dregs to Domination: The Aaron Brewer Blueprint

We’ve got a packed episode of Real Football for you this week.

Jim Monos will be with me all season long. The longtime NFL personnel man always brings A+ stories from his years in the league with the Eagles, Saints and Bills.

This week, we try to figure out who’ll represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

Topics include:

* We must start with Jed York and the prostitution sting that made all of us throw up in our mouths.

* Deshaun Watson is QB1 in Cleveland. Shedeur Sanders stinks. What do we make of the Browns?

* The Buffalo Bills. Monos — the team’s former director of personnel — has some real concerns with the personnel on defense.

* Jim Leonhard. Why his plan of attack should complement Josh Allen on offense.

* Jim’s AFC pick. (Hint: He might’ve worked with the head coach of this team before.)

* My AFC pick. (Hint: Unicorns.)

* Preseason FEVER. Monos has had enough. Some Rueben Bain chatter slips us into some bonus Bucs talk. We’ll get to the NFC at greater length next week.

The full 88-minute episode is available to Go Long paid subscribers.

Video and audio is above. If you prefer to listen on Apple or Overcast as a subscriber, bang it here to sync your subscription. Instructions on syncing on Spotify are also here.

Thanks, all!