The FAN Checkdown

Matt Marchese and Donnovan Bennett start the show with James Brown of The NFL Today as they preview the Thursday Night Football game between the 2-10 Patriots and the Kenny Pickett-less Steelers. They discuss if both Bill Belichick and Mike Tomlin deserve more flack for their roster constructions, how difficult it is to be a coach in the modern football era, and if the league suffers from mediocrity. The boys are joined by Steve Buckley of The Athletic to dissect New England’s season, Bill Belichick’s future with the team, and if Mac Jones can still be a successful quarterback in the NFL (31:01)

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Matt Marchese and Donnovan Bennett start the show with NFL Network’s Adam Rank diving into the questionable decisions that the New York Jets have been making this season, and if Zach Wilson is justified for not wanting to step back onto the field before debating if teams need to retool the way they evaluate quarterbacks in the NFL. Next, the guys ask the one question that has been puzzling fans all season long: who is the clear-cut MVP for the season? (30:20)

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Matt Marchese and Donnovan Bennett start the show recapping an unexpectedly competitive thriller between Jacksonville and Cincinnati, Trevor Lawrence’s injury, and if Lawrence’s injury just caused a shift in the playoff positioning with several teams looming behind them. Next, the boys debate if Buccaneers WR Mike Evans is a Hall of Famer after his tenth-straight 1000-yard season, before discussing the Jets possibly going back to Zach Wilson as their starting quarterback and Wilson hesitant to do so (34:12)

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Matt Marchese opens the show recapping Week 13 of the NFL with the Packers upset win over the Chiefs, the controversial late calls, their playoff chances as they ride a three game wins streak, and if Jordan Love is the real deal before looking at the Chiefs and why they may no longer be the best team in the league. He then breaks down the Niners’ dismantling of the Eagles, Deebo Samuel and Brock Purdy’s excellent game, and if both Purdy and Christian McCaffrey deserve to be in the MVP conversation. Then, Matt talks about the Patriots continued woes after they drop their tenth game of the season and Bill Belichick’s snappy post-game comments before previewing the Bengals/Jaguars Monday night-er (30:26)

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Matt Marchese kicks off the show recapping the Cowboys/Seahawks game, the incredible number of penalties called, Dallas finding their offensive groove with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb’s continued excellent play, and if their defence is as good as people think. He then goes into Seattle’s tough loss, and if they just might miss the playoffs with a tough schedule looming. Next, Matt brings in producer Daniele Franceschi to preview the Week 13 slate on Sunday (23:10)

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Matt Marchese kicks off the show questioning the report of the Jets opening Aaron Rodgers’ 21-day practice window less than three months after his Achilles injury, and why Rodgers is pushing to come back so quickly. He then discusses Joe Flacco possibly starting for the Browns this weekend, and if he has anything left in the tank to keep the Browns competitive. Matt then tees-up the Thursday night-er between Dallas and Seattle as Michael Shawn Dugar of the Athletic joins to talk about the Seahawks’ inconsistencies with Geno Smith and DK Metcalf’s season, and if the team lacks an identity. Next, Matt is joined by Calvin Watkins from the Dallas Morning News to talk about if the Cowboys are contenders or pretenders, Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb’s outstanding seasons and how it’ll affect their upcoming extensions. (31:27)

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Matt Marchese is joined by Adam Rank from the NFL Network to break down the Panthers terrible week. After owner David Tepper commented on Carolina wanting CJ Stroud over Bryce Young, they ask who would actually want to go work for the Panthers, discuss the Broncos impressive turnaround for their season, and debate if the Vikings should move on from Joshua Dobbs as their starter. Next, Matt is joined by producer Daniele Franceschi to dissect why the Bills are entering their bye with a 6-6 record, and not in a playoff position before figuring out what quarterbacks they would take over CJ Stroud if they were starting their own franchise. (29:43)

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Matt Marchase opens the show talking about the horrible Bears/Vikings game, if Josh Dobbs’ four interception performance will cost him the starter role for Minnesota, Justin Fields’ future in Chicago and if he will still be starting for the Bears with the possibility of them having the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Matt then discusses Giants GM Joe Schoen’s comments on Daniel Jones remaining the starter if he’s healthy, and if the Giants end up drafting a quarterback with a high draft pick. Next, Matt brings in former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl champion Shaun King to dive into the development of both Justin Fields and Bryce Young, why both teams are not surrounding their quarterbacks with talent, the potential elite talent with the upcoming quarterback class (25:38).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Matt Marchese opens the show with Brenden Deeg of theScore as the two discuss the news of the Carolina Panthers firing HC Frank Reich just 11 games into his tenure and if he was scapegoated over poor management. They then recap the Bills overtime loss to the Eagles, if it’s time to move on from Sean McDermott, and if the Bills could miss the playoffs with a tough schedule to finish the season before looking at who is the favourite to win MVP. Next, Matt talks about the Steelers offensive resurgence against the Bengals and wins for the Ravens and Chiefs before previewing the Bears/Vikings Monday night-er. (35:17)

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Matt Marchese starts the show with Jim Monos of the Go Long Podcast and dives into the Packers upsetting the Lions on Thanksgiving, Jordan Love’s impressive performance, and the news of Washington firing Jack Del Rio as the DC of the Commanders after another rough outing against the Cowboys. They then investigate the Niners' dominating win over the Seahawks, how stacked San Fran are with talent, and if Seattle are contenders or pretenders. Next, Matt previews the Jets/Dolphins Black Friday game, and asks if New York even have a chance with Tim Boyle starting at quarterback before looking at Sunday’s slate of games. (34:42)

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.