Mike Johnson tests Dylan Mathews' and Ali Mac’s knowledge with some Throwback Thursday Trivia for the halftime portion of the show!

Ali Mac, Dylan Mathews, and Mike Johnson react to ESPN NFL analysts Mike Clay, Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder ranking every lineup in the NFL, and then combining their ballots to form the ultimate preseason roster rankings. React to Mike, Aaron, and Seth having the Falcons ranked tied for 29th best NFL starting lineup, and explain why they think they’ve slightly underrated the quality of the Falcons roster.

Ali Mac, Dylan Mathews, and Mike Johnson react to the news that former ESPN senior NBA writer Tim Bontemps has been hired for a front office role with the Atlanta Hawks and will be a strategic adviser for the Hawks and report to Atlanta president of basketball operations Onsi Saleh, and explain why they think the hire is a good move for both sides.

Ali Mac, Dylan Mathews, and Mike Johnson react to an annual list ESPN puts out where NFL executives, coaches and scouts rank the top 10 running backs in the NFL, talk about Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson being ranked number one on the list this year, react to an annual list ESPN puts out where NFL executives, coaches and scouts rank the top 10 cornerbacks in the NFL, talk about Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell not making the top 10 and just being an honorable mention on the list, and explain why they think A.J.'s low interception numbers doesn't mean he's not a Top 10 cornerback in the NFL.

Ali Mac, Dylan Mathews, and Mike Johnson recap and react to the Atlanta Braves beating the Pittsburgh Pirates last night in Pittsburgh 3-0 in game two of their three game series, and explain why they think the Braves win over the Pirates last night looked a lot different than their other recent wins.

The Morning Shift’s full show on Wednesday, July 8th, 2026.

HR1 - Braves pitching staff feels like it’s on life support after last night’s loss to Pirates

In hour one Ali Mac, Dylan Mathews, and Mike Johnson, quickly touch on some of the biggest headlines around the local and national sports scene, recap and react to the Atlanta Braves losing to the Pittsburgh Pirates last night in Pittsburgh 12-4 in game one of their three game series, explain why they think the Braves entire pitching staff is in disarray due to injuries and lack of depth, react to CBS Sports writer Tyler Sullivan’s Top 25 NFL players age 25 and under list, react to Atlanta Falcons Running Back Bijan Robinson being number one on the list and Falcons wide receiver Drake London being number 19 on the list, discuss if Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts should’ve made the list, recap and react to Lionel Messi and Argentina overcoming a 2-0 deficit and defeating Egypt in their Round of 16 match yesterday here in Atlanta 3-2, and explain why they think poor officiating helped Argentina comeback, but wasn't the sole reason for their comeback.

HR2 - Falcons must be legit contenders before Bijan Robinson is in MVP conversation

In hour two Ali Mac, Dylan Mathews, and Mike Johnson, quickly touch on some of the biggest headlines around the local and national sports scene, continue to react to CBS Sports writer Tyler Sullivan’s Top 25 NFL players age 25 and under list, react to Atlanta Falcons Running Back Bijan Robinson being number one on the list and Falcons wide receiver Drake London being number 19 on the list, discuss if Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts should’ve made the list, discuss if they think Bijan could be an MVP candidate if the Falcons are a playoff team this year, discuss if Bijan is the best player in the NFL right now, and if he isn’t right now will he ever be at any point during his career, play a round of Which One for the halftime portion of the show, where Ali gives Dylan and Mike two different scenarios or options and the guys have to pick one, including picking if Atlanta Braves Centerfielder Michael Harris II or Braves Second baseman Ozzie Albies is more likely to be on a Top 30 MLB players age 30 and under list, continue to recap and react to the Atlanta Braves losing to the Pittsburgh Pirates last night in Pittsburgh 12-4 in game one of their three game series, and talk about how Braves starting pitcher Hurston Waldrep is dealing with command issues this year that he didn't have last year.

HR3 - Falcons could have best young core in NFL as soon as next season

In hour three Ali Mac, Dylan Mathews, and Mike Johnson, quickly touch on some of the biggest headlines around the local and national sports scene, continue to react to CBS Sports writer Tyler Sullivan’s Top 25 NFL players age 25 and under list, react to Atlanta Falcons Running Back Bijan Robinson being number one on the list and Falcons wide receiver Drake London being number 19 on the list, discuss if Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts should’ve made the list, talk about if some of the other young players on the Falcons like Jalon Walker, Xavier Watts, James Pearce Jr., and Matthew Bergeron could be on the list next year, explain why they think the Falcons have one of the best young cores in NFL right now and could have the best young core in the NFL very soon, continue to recap and react to the Atlanta Braves losing to the Pittsburgh Pirates last night in Pittsburgh 12-4 in game one of their three game series, and explain why they think the Braves are not as bad as they’re playing right now, but also not as good as they played in April either. Then, Ali Mac and Mike Johnson close out hour three by spending some time with former 12-year professional soccer player and now Audacy soccer insider and analyst Jamie Watson! Mike, Ali, and Jamie discuss if yesterday’s Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt here in Atlanta, Georgia was Jamie’s favorite match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup so far, if Jamie gives more credit to Argentina for their 3-2 comeback win over Egypt yesterday in their Round of 16 match, or if Jamie thinks Argentina’s comeback was more a result of Egypt not getting any calls go their way. Mike, Ali, and Jamie also talk about what it's like for guys on Egypt who were on the wrong side of that comeback yesterday, if Jamie is a guy that likes to see the team that beats the team he plays for or roots for go on to win the championship or get blown out and lose in the next round of the postseason or tournament, the U.S. Men's National Team’s 4-1 loss to Belgium in their Round of 16 match on Monday night, which team he thinks is the best team left in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Jamie loving the city of Atlanta, and Atlanta being a great host city in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ali Mac and Mike Johnson spend some time with former 12-year professional soccer player and now Audacy soccer insider and analyst Jamie Watson! Mike, Ali, and Jamie discuss if yesterday’s Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt here in Atlanta, Georgia was Jamie’s favorite match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup so far, if Jamie gives more credit to Argentina for their 3-2 comeback win over Egypt yesterday in their Round of 16 match, or if Jamie thinks Argentina’s comeback was more a result of Egypt not getting any calls go their way. Mike, Ali, and Jamie also talk about what it's like for guys on Egypt who were on the wrong side of that comeback yesterday, if Jamie is a guy that likes to see the team that beats the team he plays for or roots for go on to win the championship or get blown out and lose in the next round of the postseason or tournament, the U.S. Men's National Team’s 4-1 loss to Belgium in their Round of 16 match on Monday night, which team he thinks is the best team left in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Jamie loving the city of Atlanta, and Atlanta being a great host city in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.