Matt & Ross In The Morning

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show preview the Houston Rockets in Chicago to take on the Bulls, and head coach Ime Udoka joins the show to discuss how younger players have stepped up amidst team injuries. With the Texans facing-off against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday in the first round of the playoffs, reports arise of the McNair family entering an ownership dispute. Will this negatively affect the Texans? Mike Snyder, host on NewsRadio WTAM 1100 in Cleveland, joins the show to provide insight on the Browns. Matt and Ross react to breaking news that Pete Carroll is out as Seattle Seahawks head coach, say "see you later" to Ross' Rotten Five, tell people to Shut Yo Bum Ass Up, mediate a verbal fight between callers and more.

Mike Snyder, host on NewsRadio WTAM 1100 in Cleveland, joins The Matt Thomas Show to preview the Cleveland Browns returning to Houston to take on the Texans in the playoffs. The Browns' offense is led by veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, who has been "doing uncharted things," Snyder said. "Flacco has picked up the system really quickly." The Browns' defense has continued to excel. Defensive end Myles Garrett has 14 sacks on the season, but Snyder says the "Texans should be looking out for" Za'Darius Smith on the other side of the defensive line as well. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has been in the "Coach of the Year" conversation alongside Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans. "He realized he had to make some changes." When asked what will be the key to a Texans' victory over the Browns, Snyder answered: turnovers. "That's the one area where I think the Browns are vulnerable."

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka joins The Matt Thomas Show to discuss the Rockets looking to get back in the win column after losing on the road to the Miami Heat on Monday. The Heat's "experience and continuity showed in" the 113-120 loss, Udoka said. The Rockets are in Chicago to take on the Bulls tonight, and Udoka predicts it will be a tough matchup. "Every game presents its own challenge," and the Bulls are "really good scorers," so the Rockets need to "keep their pace down." With Dillon Brooks and Tari Eason out due to injuries, younger teammates have stepped up, including rookie forward Cam Whitmore. Whitmore is "being aggressively offensive," but once he begins "knowing the personnel," you "can see the game start to slow down" and his "natural talents take over."

Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show and guest host Dan Mathews react to the news that the Tennessee Titans fired head coach Mike Vrabel. Where will Vrabel end up next? Speaking of head coaches possibly finding new positions, Ross and Dan question whether Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh will remain with the team after winning the College Football National Championship. The Wolverines defeated the Washington Huskies 34-13 in a packed NRG Stadium. Will Harbaugh be persuaded to return to the NFL? Ross and Dan also review the Rockets losing to the Heat, rank the NFL's top quarterbacks, give their Gut Feelings and more.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show relive the moment the Houston Texans clinched a spot in the playoffs after defeating the Indianapolis Colts 23-19. The Texans then won the AFC South after the Tennessee Titans beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 28-20. Head coach DeMeco Ryans speaks to the media ahead of the Texans upcoming matchup against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday at NRG Stadium. Matt and Ross break down the NFL playoff picture, preview the College Football National Championship happening tonight at NRG Stadium, give an update on the Rockets who defeated the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday and face off against the Miami Heat tonight and more.

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show react to Astros outfielder Michael Brantley announcing his retirement, and they relive some of his best moments in Houston. Craig Ackerman, play-by-play announcer for the Houston Rockets, joins the show to comment on the rumors surrounding suspected aliens at a mall in Florida. The Texans will face the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday in a fight for a playoff spot. Derek Schultz, writer for the Indianapolis Business Journal and Indianapolis Monthly, joins the show to preview the keys to each team's success. Rockets sideline reporter Vanessa Richardson also joins to preview Texans vs. Colts and Rockets vs. Timberwolves. Matt and Ross discuss the College Football National Championship in Houston, tell their Non-Florida Stories and more.

Derek Schultz, writer for the Indianapolis Business Journal and Indianapolis Monthly, joins The Matt Thomas Show to break down the Houston Texans heading to Lucas Oil Stadium to play the Colts for a playoff spot. The matchup will feature Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud against Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew, who took over for Anthony Richardson after he suffered an injury to his AC joint in the right (throwing) shoulder. Gardner Minshew is "one of the better backup quarterbacks in the NFL," Schultz said. Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is not having a break out year, according to Schultz. "He's not the homerun hitter right now." Schultz also predicts that a successful pass rush will be the key to a Colts victory because "the secondary is the weak link." Both teams have first-year head coaches in DeMeco Ryans and Shane Steichen, and they both "are front runners for coach of the year." According to Schultz, Steichen should be in the discussion for "maximizing the situation" and the ability to "keep the ship steady."

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of The Matt Thomas Show review the Houston Rockets victory over the Brooklyn Nets. Center Alperen Şengün had a good performance, scoring 30 points and improving his chances of being an All-Star. Ross returns to the studio and recaps the Sugar Bowl, where his Texas Longhorns lost 37-31 to the Washington Huskies. The Houston Texans will travel to Indianapolis to play the Colts for a playoff spot. Matt and Ross review the latest Pro Bowl selections that included offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil earning his fourth selection. Matt and Ross look back on 14 years of The Matt Thomas Show, Ross gives his Rotten Five, I Just Don't Get It and more.

Matt Thomas of The Matt Thomas Show and guest host Dan Mathews preview the Houston Rockets taking on the Brooklyn Nets tonight at the Toyota Center. Head coach Ime Udoka joins the show to talk about the game plan for defending Nets guard Cam Thomas, as well as give an update on Rockets forward Dillon Brooks who is dealing with an oblique injury. Matt and Dan break down the various scenarios in which the Texans can make the playoffs, but as long as they win against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, then they are guaranteed a wildcard spot. The NFL fines Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper $300K for throwing a drink at fans, Matt and Dan tell people to Shut Yo Bum Ass Up and more.

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka joins The Matt Thomas Show to preview the matchup against the Brooklyn Nets. Udoka says the defensive strategy will focus on Nets guard Cam Thomas. "He's the guy we really have to key in on." Udoka also gives an update on Rockets forward Dillon Brooks who has been out with an oblique injury. "He's getting work in," but "he's on a week-to-week basis." With various starting lineup combinations, Udoka highlights Jae'Sean Tate, Tari Eason and Alperen Şengün because they "have impacted winning the most this year." After guard Amen Thompson was out due to injury and then spent some time with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the G League, he is back in Houston and contributing to team success. An injury as a rookie "halted the progress," but he is "knocking the rust off," Udoka said.