Guest: Paul "Boy Green" Asden Jr., host, Boy Green Daily Podcast and Heavy.com Jets reporter

Segment 1: Background/origin of how Paul's Boy Green Daily Podcast came to be (2:20)

Segment 2: Jets Off-Season Review, Insights (3:16)

• Headline: Unexpected family reunion: QB Geno Smith (drafted by Jets, second stint) and LB Demario Davis (third run w/the team) return
• Team greatly improved on paper, especially on D, especially with new faces on the D line through trades and free agent signings to fix a porous run defense
• Great personal story of free agent signee CB Nashon Wright (who led the league in INTs w/5 last season in Chicago)
• The re-signing of two players that were head scratchers
• GM Darren "Mougician" Mougey let one of the NFL's best performers at his position walk despite having plenty of salary cap space

Segment 3: Jets Draft Philosophy and Strategy (21:34)

• Paul: conviction, schematic fit and sound decision making
• How much of a factor will be HC Aaron Glenn's job (in)security impact draft decisions?
• 3 interesting draft trade scenarios
• Main reason Jets did not have one interception last season

Segment 4: Players to watch and dream/nightmare scenarios (28:15)

• Avril Reese, David Bailey, Carnell Tate, Sonny Stiles, Caleb Downs
• Best case scenario, Round 1: double dip to get two of the top 9 players in the draft
• Two nightmare scenarios, Round 1 (hint: QB)
• Goal: come away with 4 starters in the draft
• Importance of the Sauce Gardner trade and potential seismic impact on landing a franchise QB
• Leverage some draft capital for Joe Burrow? "Risk it to get the biscuit"
• Cautious optimism Geno Smith will be a competent, confident starter and major upgrade

Segment 5: Lightning Round (52:37)

• Breakout player
• Veteran most likely to surprise good/bad
• Will Aaron Glenn be the head coach at the end of the season
• Concern Aaron Glenn will be calling defensive plays in 2026, plus HC/CEO duties
• How quickly and well can the head coach assimilate 10 new assistant head coaches including both offensive and defensive coordinators

Segment 1: 2026 Off-Season is Underway, Observations (starts at 0:55)

• 4 players designated with franchise tags; Daniel Jones later signed a 2-year deal worth up to $100M with the Colts
• Free agency signings/trades
  • Raiders very busy
    • traded stud edge rusher Maxx Crosby to Ravens for two no. 1 picks...Baltimore canceled after the physical
    • made three major signings quickly, including signing Ravens C Tyler Linderbaum to the richest center contract in NFL history (annual average average)
  • Ravens lost 7 players on first day, apparently weaker on paper
    • pivoted to sign edge rusher Trey Hendrickson (for less than Crosby's contract) plus they pick those two No. 1s
  • AFC East
    • Dolphins: turning over roster with new GM and head coach including cutting QB Tua Tagovailoa
      • • signed Packers backup QB Malik Willis (similar deal Justin Fields received from Jets last off-season)
        • hard to believe: half of 2026 salary cap going to players NOT on the roster and dead money: $151 million! That includes almost $100M hit re: Tua and WR Tyreek Hill departures
    • Patriots: cut WR Stefon Diggs, signed former Packers WR Romeo Doubs (4 years/$80M); signed Jets talented OL Alijah Vera-Tucker to nearly $50M contract despite concerning injury history (played in half the games)
    • Bills: traded for Bears WR DJ Moore, resigned TE Dawson Knox
  • Chiefs big move to fix running game: signed Super Bowl 60 MVP Kenneth Walker III (after we taped this traded for Jets QB Justin Fields for a 2027 6th round draft pick); will be interesting to see how they use Fields and his skill set)
• NFC
  • Niners signed likely HOF Bucs WR Mike Evans for less than TB offered
  • Rams traded for Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie to bolster a very strong D
  • Panthers signed two very good defensive players: Eagles edge Jaelen Phillips and Jaguars LB Devin Lloyd
  • Giants very busy with a bunch of moves including bringing on Ravens TE Isaiah Likely, LB Tremaine Edmunds, CB Greg Newsome II, Commanders S Ar'Darius Washington, resigned LB Micah McFadden (good move)

Segment 2: Insights on Jets Off-Season Needs and Moves (17:35)

• Off-Season Objectives
  • rebuild the D
    • signed and traded for two defensive linemen to stuff the run (a massive problem last season)
    • traded for S Minkah Fitzpatrick (3 year, $40M), potential huge upgrade
    • signed two edge rushers from the Bengals and Packers
    • signed LB Demario Davis, 37, third time with team
    • signed CB Nashon Wright from Chicago (tied for NFL lead with 5 interceptions -- 5 more than the entire Jets D last season)
    • head scratcher: DL Micheal Clemons signed massive deal with the Colts after many penalties and other issues
  • find a starting QB
    • traded for QB Geno Smith for minimal draft capital and Raiders paying most of Smith's 2026 contract
  • secure more offensive weapons
    • franchised talented RB Breece Hall
    • signed Raiders LG Dylan Parham; appeared in 64 games, starting 63; expected upgrade over departed LG John Simpson
    • no major WR or TE additions, so we'll look to the draft next month
    • ??? let very consistent K Nick Folk go to Atlanta, weakening Jets lone bright spot last season: special teams
  • assimiliate 10 new assistance coaches including a new offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator
    • which OC Frank Reich will show up? Super Bowl winning OC with the Eagles, or the coach fired in-season in his last two NFL (head) coaching jobs
  • draft capital
    • April 2026 Draft: two No. 1s, four selections in the top 44, 5 in top 103
    • received a 4th round pick and 5th round selection as compensatory picks for players lost last season including CB DJ Reed ($48M deal in Detroit)
• Segment 3: Jets QB Room (31:15)
  • Jets approved on paper but...
  • More to do, including adding another veteran QB and potentially drafting one next month, and playoffs at WR, TE
  • Improvements on D, GM Darren Mougey proving very good at trades
  • Combine performance vs. college game tape in terms of draft positioning (the later is more important though some teams fall in love with athleticism)
  • Leave it to the Jets to have the No. 2 overall pick in a draft with only one certifiable college QB worth drafting that high
  • Jets to take similar approach to the Giants trading up last year in the first round for Jaxson Dart?
    • Alabama QB Ty Simpson apparently flying up draft boards, does not fit the bill (only started 15 games)
    • Goal in draft should be to find starters not necessarily reach for a QB
  • Team has a really good opp to refresh team with top talent and improve the team quickly, plus has 3 No. 1 picks in 2027
  • Hard for Jets fans to realize many agree they like the moves this month so far..."optimistic"? No head scratching moves...yet (although resigning S Andre Cisco after we taped this and giving average TE Jeremy Ruckert $10M for 2 years could qualify)
  • Fans want the team to start winning during the season, not the off-season
  • Discussed some clear ways to determine if they've improved (being competitive in every game, not always playing from behind two good examples to look for)
• Segment 4: Where will key free agents like WR Tyreek Hill wind up? (52:04)
  • Imagine Hill joining the Eagles offense? Back to KC? Buffalo?
  • Stefon Diggs?
  • How high will Notre Dame stud RB Jeremiyah Love go in the April Draft? Could be in the top 5

Segment 1: Mr. Robinson's NFL Resume/Career Highlights (Starting at 0:50)

• Walked on to Colgate University's Football team, had academic scholarship; member, Colgate Wrestling Team (leverage and power needed was a strong background for playing football and tackling techniques)
  • inducted into the Colgate University's Hall of Fame
• NFL Career
  • 16 seasons: 250 games played, 232 started
  • 57 Career INTs: exceeded by only 11 players, 4 of whom are in the Hall of Fame
  • Seattle: 11 seasons, made the Pro Bowl twice
    • had some great mentors, Dave Brown (RIP) and Kenny Easley (RIP)
    • detailed film study helped him spot and digest tendencies
    • started every game at safety from 1986-1995 (except 2 games in 1989)
    • second all-time leading tackler, second in INTs in franchise history
    • led the NFL interceptions in 1993 (9)
    • named member of the Seahawks' top 50 players
  • Not a fan of some key rules:
    • pass interference calls when d backs do not turn around
    • illegal man downfield
    • change of possession after the offense fumbles into the end zone
    • taunting penalty
  • Suggests creating a new stat: accountability for receivers not catching passes that get intercepted
  • Played in 3 consecutive Super Bowls 31-33
  • Green Bay (after trade)
    • Reggie White called him and asked him if he wanted to join the Pack
    • went to the Super Bowl both seasons, winning in 1996 vs. the Patriots
    • injuries cost them against Denver; John Elway and RB Terrell Davis, Shannon Sharpe really tough; huge fan of Elway (all-time great)
  • Atlanta
    • made the Pro Bowl (third time), again started all 32 games those 2 seasons
    • played in third consecutive Super Bowl (very rare!)
      • made major game-saving play in the NFC Title game, breaking up a sure TD by HOF Randy Moss
  • Carolina
    • finished his playing career in 2000 with the Panthers, starting (you guessed it) every regular season game
    • remained in Charlotte; color analyst on Panthers radio network until 2018
    • HS Varsity football and wrestling coach
    • Co-host, Charlotte Today on WCNC-TV

Segment 2: Super Bowl 60 Observations, Amazing Rise of Sam Darnold (17:40)

• Defense wins championships (Seattle D dominant)
• Key strategy: successful pass rush with four D linemen; will see a ton of copycating across the league
• Surprised Patriots coaching did not help O line stop the pass rush with extra linemen or TEs
• Darnold made believer of Eugene; rough time in Carolina, then played really well in consecutive years winning 14 games in Minnesota and then with Seattle
• Darnold great comfort level in Seattle; prediction: Darnold will finish career with Seahawks

Segment 3: Top Questions for NY Jets Leading into the Off-Season, Thoughts on Frank Reich (25:02)

• Eugene a big fan of Reich
• Very good offensive mind, was OC with Eagles in 2017, great success with Carson Wentz and won the Super Bowl with backup QB Nick Foles
• Reich well suited to be offensive coordinator; feels he can be successful in the role
• Advice for HC Aaron Glenn: continuity needed to win especially w/young coaching staff, need time to develop players and coaches; need a strong O line and "dogs" (super talented playmakers)
• Eugene: don't be dismayed as a Jets fan

Segment 4: Observations from around the League (27:02)

• Carolina Panthers a team on the rise; Bryce Young looking good
• Best QB option for Jets: trade for Joe Burrow if you can; he has proven himself on the NFL level

Segment 1: 4 Observations from SB 60 and the playoffs (0:45)

• Defenses win championships (4 down lineman to hit/sack QB winning formula)
• More head coaches to call defensive plays after Mike Macdonald's SB success in Seattle?
• Running backs matter! Seattle WR Kenneth Walker III best offensive player on the field, won the MVP without scoring a TD, credit offensive line, owned the edge
• 10 New NFL Head Coaches Hired: Which ones are best set up for early success?

Segment 2: SB 60 Recap: Seahawks 29, Patriots 13 (13:40)

• Seahawks dominant D the top story; offense: 5 FGs, 1 TD
• Pats O Line challenges protecting QB Drake Maye continued; surprising coaching staff did not add extra help (TEs, additional O line) to stop the Hawks pass rush
• Sam Darnold first QB from 2018 draft class to get to and win a SB (not Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson); very happy for him given his challenging climb to get there; key: no major mistakes, leveraged a great D and strong running game; he did put on the cape vs. Rams in the NFC Title Game vs. NFL MVP Matthew Stafford (4,700 yards passing, 46 TDs) and in the 38-37 thrilling OT win in Week 6, after trailing by 14 in the 4th quarter
• Drake Maye on his back the entire game
• Defensive struggle through 3 quarters, then 30 points scored in the 4th
• Overall yards even, but Seattle had 2x the rushing yards and wore down very good Pats D
• Huge loss for Seattle: offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is now the Raiders head coach
• Do we still (unfortunately) need the Rooney rule? Spirit of the law vs. letter

Segment 3: Hope Springs Eternal: Pitchers and Catchers Report to Spring Training (27:46)

• How to compete with the Dodgers' talent and bottomless budget?
  • $700M for Dodgers star DH/P Shohei Ohtani
  • Plus...$765M for Juan Soto, 36 players with at least $200M guaranteed contracts
• Lockout a definite possibility -- no surprise given such a huge revenue disparity between big market teams and small. Are we finally looking at a salary cap in major league baseball?
  • lockout never good for a pro sport
• It's owners vs. owners in addition to vs. players...salary cap could be fairest move, could need a salary floor to wwork
• Interesting question: why is the NFL so much more popular vs. MLB?
• Top 5 questions for the Yankees and Mets leading into the season

Taped on Jan. 27, 2026...

Segment 1: 3 Observations After the AFC and NFC Championship Games (Starts at 1:02)

• Surprise that Sam Darnold will be the first QB to make the Super Bowl from the 2018 NFL Draft class that included Baker Mayfield, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson
• Has Rams QB Matthew Stafford played his last NFL game after throwing for 4,700 yards and a career-best 46 TDs? Concerns about his previous back issues at 38 years old
• What are the Jets doing? Head Coach Aaron Glenn has fired 8 assistant coaches including both offensive and defensive coordinators...(Note: since taping, the Jets have hired Steve Duker as DC, not Wink Martindale, as Aaron Glenn reportedly wants to call the defensive plays in 2026)

Segment 2: AFC and NFC Championship Game Highlights and Observations (10:40)

Patriots 10, Broncos 7

• Broncos likely win with QB Bo Nix on the field
• Denver Coach Sean Payton will have nightmares for years on his decision to go for it on 4th down and not kick a field go to up 10-0 with a backup QB that hadn't played in two seasons
  • Nigel talks about how locally in Colorado fans disagreed with not kicking the FG in that situation...4 missed FGs in the game by both teams
• Weather a massive factor; Patriots HC Mike Vrabel outcoached Payton down the stretch in the blustery blizzard; we talk through the factors the coaches were pondering in real-time
• Drake Maye made a big difference with his legs and had the longest run of the game (28 yards)
• Hard to repeat as AFC Champs, and the road likely does not get easier: Massive number of comeback wins by Denver is not sustainable, Chargers have a new OC, should get their O Line healthy and the Chiefs should reload with higher draft picks in each round than in the past several seasons; Mahomes return from surgery TBD
• Discussion around when to take running backs in the NFL draft

Seahawks 31, Rams 27 (27:40)

• Darnold played well: 3 TDs and no turnovers, Stafford 3 TDs and close to 400 yards passing
• Rams NC Sean McVay's decision to go for it on 4th down and not get it late in the 4th quarter was not game changing
• Seattle did a great job keeping the ball away from Stafford and the Rams offense after that decision

Segment 3: Super Bowl Preview and Predictions (30:01)

• Rematch of Super Bowl 50: Pats 28, Seahawks 24 (last time Seattle made the big game); Pats CB Malcolm Butler jumped a route and intercepted Russell Wilson as Seattle was about to score and likely win the game with a TD late in the fourth quarter
• Both head coaches (Mike Macdonald and Mike Vrabel) are in their first year with their teams, rare to get to the Super Bowl, even more so that both coaches do it the same year
• First SB appearance for both Sam Darnold and Drake Maye
• Maye could become the youngest winning QB in NFL SB history
• Darnold led NFL with the most turnovers; last QB to lead league in INTs and make it to the Super Bowl: Eli Manning in 2007
• 3 keys to the game
  • Turnovers
  • Will Patriots' offense be abled to keep pace with Seattle's?
    • Patriots averaging 18 PPG in postseason, Seahawks 36 PPG
  • Patriot OL vs Seahawks D Line I(keep Maye upright and with time to throw), and covering Seahawks star WR Jaxson Smith-Njigba
• Prediction: Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak will be a head coach sooner than later (very good play caller)
• Prediction: Seahawks will win

Segment 4: Coaching Carousel (41:00)

• Two NFL teams are still looking for their next head coach: Raiders and Cardinals
• After we taped this, the Browns announced the hiring of Todd Monken, former Ravens offensive coordinator
• Recent success of first year head coaches: Seahawks Mike Macdonald, Bears Ben Johnson, Jaguars Liam Coen to name a few...does this give long-suffering Jets fans hope???
• Will the Bills and Ravens be better with their new HCs? Are they upgrades?
• Stefanski an upgrade in Atlanta
• Will there be a salary cap in Major League Baseball?
• Reminiscing about last NY Rangers last Stanley Cup in 1994

Segment 1: Divisional Round Game Top 3 Observations (Starts at 1:00)

• Niners at inflection point?
• Is there doubt about CJ Stroud being the long-term QB solution in Houston? Sit tight on contract extension? One example of surprisingly poor QB play this postseason
• Bears had a great first season under new Head Coach Ben Johnson; record setting number of comebacks, will be tough to win THAT many games trailing at the end of so many games (Nigel's return to the mean theory) in 2026/27

Segment 2: Divisional Round Detailed Recap (15:53)

Broncos 33, Bills 30 (OT)

• Scored 30 points despite 5 turnovers, 4 by Josh Allen (2 INTs, 2 fumbles) very costly
• Many key drops including in OT by Buffalo WRs
• Bills rallied from 23-10 down after allowing 10 points in the final 30 seconds of the first half to lead 24-23
• Bills robbed by INT call in OT on catch by WR Brandin Cooks? That call does Bills way, likely talking about Buffalo in the AFC championship game in New England and HC Sean McDermott would still be employed
• Broncos well coached; they don't beat themselves with mistakes; QB Bo Nix (only 5 letters, very efficient) makes plays deep in games; did not see the play in which he hurt his ankle
• Josh Allen: fumbled 14 times in 15 postseason games; 0-7 in OTs (odd); led team to 5 straight AFC East titles, two AFC championship games

Seahawks 41, Niners 6

• game basically over after first play, returned for TD by former Saints WR Rashid Shaheed
• Seattle up 17-0 after first quarter
• Second time in a month, Seahawks D held the Niners without a TD (Seattle D playing very good, consistent football)

Patriots 28, Texans 16

• Story: implosion by QB CJ Stroud: 4 INTs in the first half, 5 fumbles vs. Steelers
• Stroud: very inaccurate all game, missing best WR Nico Collins (concussion previous week)
  • set NFL playoff record, first player with at least 5 INTs and 5 fumbles in a single postseason
• Pats D dominant for the second straight playoff week
• Great one-handed TD catch by Pats WR Kayshon Boutte against All-Pro CB Derek Stingley Jr. all over him

Rams 20, Bears 17 (OT)

• Bears QB Caleb Williams historically great play on 4th and 14 on TD pass to TE Kmet to tie game at 17; threw key INT in OT; amazing sideline catch by Davante Adams in OT
• Bears D played very well, holding high-scoring Rams offense to just 17 points
• Chicago: great season at 11-6, won NFC North division;

Segment 3: AFC and NFC Championship Game Previews (34:20)

AFC: Patriots at Broncos

• All signs to point to the Patriots winning with Denver playing a backup QB who has not taken an NFL snap in two years.
• Mistake to count out the Broncos and HC Sean Payton?
• Can Denver take advantage of potential league MVP Drake Maye's lack of ball security this postseason (10 sacks and 6 fumbles in two games at home?)
  • Broncos led the league in sacks
• Key matchup: underrated Patriots D vs. Denver's offense...will the Broncos be able to run the football? Couldn't against a mediocre Bills defense and Pats run D is way better
• Both defenses will try to make the opposing offenses one dimensional
• Patriots 8-0 on road this season, 1-4 vs. Broncos in the postseason

NFC: Rams at Seahawks (third meeting this season)

• Seahawks playing very well in all three phases; overcame a 30-14 deficit vs. the Rams in Week 16 to win a thrilling 38-37 game in OT after a daring, successful 2-point conversion
  • Stafford had over 400 yards passing, team forced 3 INTs, had none and STILL lost
• Seattle's lost loss: Week 11 in LA vs. Rams
• QBs: advantage Rams
  • Rams have already beaten the Seahawks and have a battle-tested QB in Matthew Stafford up for league MVP; Seahawks playing better than Rams past month
  • Sam Darnold playing in his first conference championship game; nice to have a strong running game and elite D; rooting for him as Jets fans (Darnold drafted by the Jets)
    • Darnold 14-3 the past two seasons (in Seattle 2025, with Vikings 2024)
• Seahawks will be missing injured RB Zach Charbonnet (12 rushing TDs), does have WR Kenneth Walker III (close to 300 total yards vs. Rams this season)
• Rams have two really good WRs in Puca Nacua and Davante Adams, can't double team them both

Segment 4: NFL Coaching Carousel (49:40)

• Bills fire Head Coach Sean McDermott (8-8 in playoffs) yet promote GM Brandon Beane???
  • ended 18-year playoff drought in his first season
  • 7 straight 10 season wins, 98-50 record
  • Last straw not getting to the Super Bowl with no Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson in the way this postseason
  • GM never replaced the talent after WR1 Stefon Diggs traded
  • Under consideration: Bills OC Joe Brady (also in running for other open HC jobs), Brian Daboll in the mix (from West NY, great job as Josh Allen's first OC, though challenge is his record as Giants HC (lost 2x as many games as he won)
• Giants have a new HC: John Harbaugh (5 years, $100M)...good work if you can get it
  • will report to ownership not GM, similar to his arrangement in Baltimore; replacing majority of coaches under Daboll
• Titans hired Robert Saleh, great defensive coordinator; really needs a strong offensive coordinator to win; will he learn from his mistakes as Jets head coach?
• Kevin Stefanski the new Falcons head coach; retained D Coordinator Jeff Ulrich (former Jets DC); strong offensive talent (RB Bijan Robinson, WR Drake London, TE Kyle Pitts), pretty good D; challenge: QB room, Penix oft-injured in college and now again in the pros, Kirk Cousins near the end
• Dolphins have new HC: Jeff Hafley, former DC of Packers; 8th consecutive hire with no prior NFL head coaching experience; last one: Dave Wannstedt
• Chargers hired former Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel, though interestingly still interviewing for HC jobs
• (After we taped this) Steelers hired Pittsburgh-native Mike McCarthy; potentially reunites with Aaron Rodgers from their days together in Green Bay
• Bills, Ravens, Raiders, Browns and Cardinals still looking for their next HC
  • Raiders and Ravens have conducted over a dozen interviews each
• Nigel prediction: Mike Tomlin or Mike McDaniel to be named Jets head coach next year??? No major candidate likely to take Jets HC job without a QB with which he thinks he can win

Segment 1 - NFL Wild-Card Weekend Results (0:47)

• 3 Observations
  • Bears building something potentially special offensively with QB Caleb Williams and first year Head Coach Ben Johnson
  • Chargers QB Justin Herbert's 0-3 playoff record and play is raising questions
    • Who would you prefer to QB your team: Herbert vs. Jordan Love?
    • While...4 playoff QBs led their team to a win after trailing late in the 4th Q: Matthew Stafford, Josh Allen, Caleb Williams, Brock Purdy
  • Josh Allen willed the Bills to win against very good Jags team, but does he have the skill position talent around him to go to the Super Bowl?
• Rams 34, Panthers 31
  • QB Matthew Stafford's 54th game-winning drive in 4th Q/OT, 5th most in NFL history
  • Not the Rams' best game; special team issues continue to be a problem, concern
  • Panther fans should be happy w/division title, playing Rams well
• Bears 31, Packers 27
  • One of the biggest comebacks in the NFL playoffs since 2000 - down 21-3 at the half
  • QB Caleb Williams threw 25-yard-TD with 1:43 left, and 361 yards
  • Packers QB Jordan love threw for 4 TDs, 323 yards
  • 34 points scored in the second half
• Bills 27, Jaguars 24
  • Fun to watch; Bills first road playoff win since 1992
  • Jags played well out of the game, chunk yards on the ground
  • 4 lead changes in the 4th Q tied for most in NFL playoff history
  • Major challenge by Bills successful, takes Jags offense off the field
• 49ers 23, Eagles 19
  • Niners will be a tough out; doing nice job dealing with many injuries
  • Niners scored led to go-ahead and winning TD late in game
  • Eagles offensive continued to struggle; QB Jalin Hurts threw into triple coverage on their last offensive play
  • Major changes coming in Philly (O coordinator fired)...others? Saquan Barkley? Hurts?
• Patriots 16, Chargers 3
  • Pats D dominated, Chargers D played well
  • QB Drake Maye struggled in playoff debut
  • Chargers QB Justin Herbert now 0-3 in playoffs, injured O Line a big problem
• Texans 30, Steelers 6
  • Texans D dominated, scored two defensive TDs
  • Houston surprised with a very effective running game, 92-yard drive!
  • Where was Steelers WR DK Metcalf in the second half?
  • If Aaron Rodgers retires, his last play was a pick 6

Segment 2: Divisional Playoff Games Preview: Final 8 are Set (38:45)

• Bills at Broncos
  • Josh Allen experience, talent vs. 2nd Year QB Bo Nix playing best football of season
  • Denver elite offensive line, strong pass rush and D, all-pro CB Patrick Surtain II
  • Broncos had several comeback wins during the regular season; can run on Bills
• 49ers at Seahawks
  • Rematch of Week 19 Seattle 13-3 win; Seahawks tough to beat if don't turn it over
  • Niners w/out several starters (Bosa, Warner, Kittle)
  • Seahawks one of best D's in league; QB Sam Darnold led NFL w/most turnovers (20)
• Texans at Patriots
  • If Texans QB CJ Stroud does not play better, will be very hard to win
  • Houston best WR, Nico Collins, left Steelers game with concussion
  • Key matchup: Texans pass rush vs. Pats O line
• Rams at Bears
  • Bears have 7 come-from-behind wins in final 2 min/OT, most ever; they can't keep doing that...or can they?
  • Rams last game in playoff in freezing temps: 1983 (forecast low 20s in Chicago) Source: ESPN
  • Key matchup: Rams strong O line vs. Bears pass rush

Segment 3: NFL Coaching Carousel (47:02)

• 9 teams have head coaching vacancies
• Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin leaves after 19 seasons; reports he will take year off
• Broncos DC Vance Joseph and former Browns HC Kevin Stefanski lead candidates with 6 interview requests each -- Cardinals, Falcons, Giants, Ravens, Raiders, Titans
• Niners DC Robert Saleh next with five interview requests -- Dolphins, Falcons, Raiders, Ravens, Titans
• Combine Saleh (D) with former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel (O) could be very powerful combo
• Looking like John Harbaugh will be the Giants next head coach

Segment 4: College Football Championship/Indiana dominant in win vs. Oregon, Plays Miami for Title (57:35)

• Undefeated Indiana crushes Oregon, plays U of Miami for national championship Jan. 19
• QB Fernando Mendoza played really well, with strong running game, throws more TDs than incompletions, cementing himself at No. 1 overall pick in NFL Draft (Raiders)
• Oregon QB Dante Moore submarined his chance to be a first round pick in April's NFL Draft with his performance; made right decision to stay in college one more year, will reportedly make $7.6 million to play football for Ducks on Saturdays (not Sundays) next season

Segment 1 - (Cranky) Thoughts on Jets' Week 18 35-8 Loss at Buffalo (Starting at 1:05)

Neil was wearing a shirt, JETS...Just Endure the Suffering

• Jets D allowed almost 500 yards of offense against Bills' backups
• 2025 was one of the Jets' worst seasons in franchise history
• Set two ugly records
  • worst December negative point differential (-107)
  • zero interceptions for an entire season (how is that possible?)
• Jets miss the playoffs for the 15th straight season
• Dismal performance led to securing the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft

Segment 2: NFL 2025 Season Surprises (5:08)

• The success of the Seahawks, Broncos, Bears and Patriots
• The Chiefs missing the playoffs for the first time since the Ice Age
• Detroit, after going 15-1 last season, not making the playoffs

Segment 3: NFL Wild Card Weekend Preview (7:45)

• Drake Maye, Caleb Williams and Bryce Young play in their first NFL playoff games
• Unusual number of road favorites/underdogs in the playoffs vs. the spread
• Rams at Carolina (rematch of a month ago, Panthers winning that one w/3 turnovers forced), Rams WR Davante Adams practiced and is expected to play; removed from the injury report after missing three games with a hamstring injury
• Packers at Chicago (divisional rivals' third matchup of the season); Bears WR Rome Odunze expected to play after missing last five games
• Bills at Jacksonsville (Josh Allen's clearest path to Super Bowl w/Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes watching from home; Bills looking for their first ROAD playoff win since the 1990s)
• 49ers (were one win away from NFC No. 1 seed) at the Eagles (defending champs inconsistent, not sure of their performance week to week)
• Chargers at Patriots (both QBs looking for their first NFL playoff win)
• Texans at Steelers (Pittsburgh looking for its first playoff win in 10 years)

Segment 4: Latest NFL Draft Team Order (31:30)

• 1 - Raiders, 2 - Jets, 3 - Cardinals, 4 - Texans, 5 - Giants,
• 6 - Browns, 7 - Commanders, 8 - Saints, 9 - Bengals, 10 - Chiefs
• Browns, Jets and Rams all have two No. 1 picks in April
• Jets have 4 of the top 44 picks, 5 in the first 103 (will they make the RIGHT choices)
• Giants dropped from No. 2 overall to No. 5 with their Week 18 win over the Cowboys; discussion around the impact of winning the game on an upnote

Segment 5: Black Month Coaching Carousel Observations (36:34)

• Eight teams looking for new head coaches:
  • Browns, Cardinals, Dolphins, Falcons
  • Giants, Ravens, Raiders, Texans
• Impact of John Harbaugh becoming available, really changes the coaching carousel landscape
• Ravens head coaching job very attractive for candidates (QB, front office)
• Bills Head Coach Sean McDermott job security in jeopardy if the team does not get to the AFC Title Game or Super Bowl? In playoffs every year since 2018
• Ditto Nick Sitrianni in Philly if the Eagles don't go back to the big game despite winning the Super Bowl last year given beyond rabid fan base?
• Ditto Steelers HC Mike Tomlin (not one losing season since 2007, though no playoff wins since 2016)???
• Belichick???

Segment 1: Quick rant about the Jets' disasterous season, not showing up to play New England in season home game finale (0:57)

• Pats 42, Jets 10:
  • Jets D gave up TDs on each of the Pats' first possession
  • Pats QB Drake Maye had 4 TDs and only 2 incompletions (one of which was a dropped pass)
  • The team has regressed in all phases with the exception of special teams
  • Jets playing with third string QB, traded away two best defensive players, missing best offensive weapon in WR Garrett Wilson, fired defensive coordinator...understood. Still, team unprepared to play -- unacceptable
  • Have gotten blown out each of the past 4 games
  • NFL considering draft lottery for bottom 5 teams to avoid tanking in future

Segment 2: Latest NFL Playoff Picture Heading into Week 18 (7:47)

• Key matchups on Sunday to determine final playoff seedings
• AFC (Seedings leading up to Week 18):
  • With the Chiefs eliminated from the playoffs, the AFC is wide open and will not go Kansas City for the first time in nearly a decade
  • Broncos currently ranked No. 1 (would have first round bye)
  • New England clinched AFC East, currently No. 2 seed able to retool with new, competent head coach (Mike Vrabel), a franchise QB (Drake Maye) and really good offensive coordinator Josh McMichaels
  • Jaguars No. 3
  • Ravens at Steelers to determine AFC North, AFC No. 4 seed: chance the losing coach is looking for work after the game
  • Texans currently have the No. 5 seed
  • Chargers at No. 6
  • Bills No. 7 (will be on the road for all playoff games)
• NFC (Seedings leading up to Week 18):
  • Surprising Seahawks are the No. 1 seed, leading the NFC West; will play the Niners in SF on Saturday for the No. overall seed and the NFC West title
  • Chicago has No. 2 seed, winners of the NFC North
  • Eagles seeded No. 3, winner of the NFC East again
  • No. 4 seed: will be determined on Saturday as the Panthers play the Bucs in Tampa Bay
  • Niners currently seeded 5th, but could jump to the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC by beating the Seahawks
  • No. 6: Rams
  • No. 7: Green Bay 7th seed
  • Detroit eliminated in Minnesota with third string QB: historic loss: Vikings QB Max Brosmer only NFL QB since the 1960s to play entire game, finish with under 70 yards passing and sacked 7+ times AND STILL WON

Segment 3: Latest (with one left to play in NFL Season) NFL Draft Order (29:47)

• 1 - Raiders
• 2 - Giants
• 3 - Jets
• 4 - Titans
• 5 - Cardinals
• 6 - Browns
• 7 - Commanders
• 8 - Saints
• 9 - Chiefs
• 10 - Bengals

Segment 4: Debate: Should the Jets Draft their next QB from college (unproven at pro level), or trade for proven veteran? (31:15)

• Joe Burrow trade? Lamar Jackson trade? Reports out of Baltimore indicate Jackson and/or Head Coach John Harbaugh are going tired of each other...funny how we did not hear stories like that when Jackson was winning MVPs...
• Need a great QB to win in the NFL but the Jets need to add talent in a variety of positions. Give up major draft capital? Joe Burrow to have same level of success playing for the Jets?
• Team is NOT just a QB away from competing.
• Jets need draft capital acquired this season to replenish talent and fill many, many roster holes -- need WR, TE, defensive lineman, linebackers...build quickly through the draft given multiple needs
• QB plan: bring in stop gap for a season. then draft a college QB for the future in 2027 draft (Jets have 3 No. 1 picks, and two No. 2s in April 2027 draft)???

Segment 5: Has Jets First Year Head Coach Aaron Earned The Chance to Come Back for his Second Season? (41:05)

• Argument 1: Glenn to come back to see if he can mold a winning team with another offseason, and learn from his mistakes as a rookie head coach
• Argument 2: NYJ lost by 24 to Dolphins, Jaguars hung 48 points on them, Saints scored 29 and the Pats scored 42...the team is not competitive; this experiment not working out, and too many decisions (QB, defensive coordinator, in game debacles) should mean a new HC is needed
• If the team chooses to move on from Glenn, strongly recommend they hire an experienced NFL head coach with a resume of success and winning track record...challenge is will anyone with those credentials be attracted to this "empty cupboard" with this owner
• Last 6 Super Bowl champions have had offensive head coaches...
• Question: do you have confidence in Aaron Glenn to turn things around? Huge red flag re: several blowouts and being non-competitive
• Which coach would you prefer to have: John Harbaugh, Mike Tomlin or Aaron Glenn? The Giants are a much more attractive team to coach because of rookie QB Jaxson Dart
• Jon Gruden an intriguing option for Jets head coach?

Segment 1: Jets 27, Falcons 24 Recap (starts at 0:53)

• 4 TDs and 2 missed FGs in second half
• Found a way to win late in game despite bad sack and two false start penalties
• Jets' special teams continue to shine, strong punt return sets up...
• K Nick Folk's clutch, game-winning 56-yard FG
• Jets 3-2 over five game stretch after 0-7 start
• Continue to evaluate first year head coach Aaron Glenn

Segment 2: Dolphins 34, Jets 10 Recap (5:11)

• Interesting pre-game stat on Miami's previous games vs Jets that of course proved prophetic
• Miami up 21-0 after the first quarter, averaged 9.9 yards per offensive play...where was the Jet D?
• Dolphins QB Tua unbeaten vs. the Jets in his career
• Clear questions on the future of first year Jets D Coordinator Steve Wilks...who is taking responsibility for the D's season-long ineffectiveness?
• QB Tyrod Taylor hurt, rookie QB Brady Cook made his NFL debut, did not take first team snaps, 2 INTs, sacked 6 times
• 5 dropped passes including 2 by TE Mason Taylor
• Special Teams Excellence: Isaiah Williams made electrifying 78-yard punt return for TD; team leads NFL with 4 special teams TDs this season
• Jets D: 10 missed tackles, pass rush has disappeared
• Players are auditioning for jobs next season
• Calling this game ugly is an insult to the definition of ugly

Segment 3: Preview of Weeks 15 and 16 (15:08)

Week 15

Jets at Jaguars

• Rookie QB Brady Cook to start vs. Jaguars...bring back QB Mike White!!!
• Garrett Wilson eligible to return from injured reserve: do NOT play him rest of season after knee injury
• Jax on a 4 game winning streak, 9-4 atop the AFC South, No. 3 seed in the AFC
• QB Trevor Lawrence has 9 TD passes during the streak; working with this third head coach
• Jags D playing well, allowing just 13.3 points per game over the streak, leading NFL with fewest rush yards/game

Games of Note: Colts Sign 44-Year-Old QB Out of Retirement to Replace QB Daniel Jones after Season-Ending Injury

• Chargers at Chiefs (Mahomes has never missed the playoffs)...Chiefs could get higher draft picks than over the past several years to rebuild the team)...historically KC finds ways to wins, especially close games, not in 2025
• Bills at Patriots (rematch with Patriots victorious earlier in the season)
• Packers at Broncos, possible Super Bowl preview...Denver is winning most close games, not sure which Green Bay team will show up week to week
• Lions at Rams (huge game, if Detroit loses could ruin their playoff chances after being 15-1 last season)
• NFC West could produce three playoff teams (Rams, Seahawks, Niners)
• Colts at Seattle: Indy signs 44-year-old Philip Rivers (father of 10, one grand offspring) after retiring five years ago...knows the offense, played for Colts Head Coach Shane Steichen for six years with Chargers; backup QB Riley Leonard played in last season's College Football Championship game for Notre Dame, and did practice after hurting knee
• Really tough break for QB Daniel Jones, out (again) for the season

Week 16

Jets at New Orleans

• Saints have really good offensive talent, including RB Alvin Kamara (hurt much of the season, 1 TD) and WR Chris Olave
• Stretch: fine with Saints winning, for better Jets draft positioning...another thought: would like to see the Jets win a few games to help build the program leading into next season
• Which teams with the worst records need a QB? Raiders for sure...
• Discussion around Browns QB Shedeur Sanders potential trade value

Top Matches (Many Consequential Games for Playoff Positioning)

• Rams at Seahawks: clash for the NFC West crown
• Eagles at Commanders
• Packers at Bears, rematch from a few weeks ago
• Chargers at Cowboys should be fun game to watch
• Jax at Denver
• Steelers at Detroit
• Niners at Colts (Jets own the Colts next two first round draft picks, so the more losses for Indy, the better it is for the Jets come NFL Draft time)
• Bucs at Carolina (tied atop NFC South)
• Jaguars at Broncos
• Giants fans hoping Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin is available after the season

Segment 4: The Great Debate(s) New Segment! (40:05)

• 1: Mets' disasterous week and roster reset...lost closer and 1B/slugger on same day: Edwin Diaz bolts for Dodgers (3 year, $69M), home grown and franchise home run leader Pete Alonso is off to Baltimore on a 5-year, $155M contract, more years than Mets management wanted to spend; Alonzo NOT the reason for team's issues, it was pitching!; and OF Brandon Nimmo traded to Texas for 2B Marcus Semien; now the focus is free agent Cody Bellinger and others
• 2: Talk of Philip Rivers brought up another interesting topic: Is Eli Manning an NFL Hall of Famer? (Rivers traded for Manning); Eli: 2 Super Bowl MVPs, 117-117 career record; Giants/Manning had to win 6 playoff road games and defeat Tom Brady twice in 2007 and 2011; comparison to brother Peyton Manning, who transformed the position with pre-snap reads, one argument for Peyton to be in discussion for GOAT...