The Sports Hangover

Michael and J Dawg are back after a week off. The Braves stole a game at Dodger Stadium with a bullpen game, the Vikings are 4-0 but J Dawg isn't buying it, and J Dawg answers everyone who came at him over his viral "Caleb Williams is soft" take.

Plus: Michael's betting model is hitting 60% in our pick contest, Survivor picks for the week (load up on the Bengals?), coaches on the hot seat from LaFleur to Dan Campbell, the Browns and Raiders takes we may need to delete, Scandal City, and MLB playoff predictions.

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🏈 Two weeks into the NFL season, Survivor pools are falling apart—and the Chargers are giving us the same old headache.

Michael Benatar and J Dawg break down the Week 2 chaos, Tampa Bay’s ugly start, the Raiders’ upside, and why the Chiefs look dangerous again. Plus: our model’s early Week 3 picks include Miami +10.5. Yes, really.

In this episode:

🔥 Could the Chargers start 0–6?

💀 Survivor carnage—and whether saving teams still makes sense

🎰 Are the Raiders legit?

👀 Seahawks love, Steelers concerns, and Chicago’s quarterback uncertainty

🤖 Five early model picks and our Survivor shortlist

The model sits at 5–5 through two weeks. We’re sharing the numbers, the disagreements, and the picks that make us uncomfortable.

Subscribe for weekly NFL reactions, betting breakdowns, and unapologetic football arguments.

Find our newsletter, app, and merch at TheSportsHangover.com. Follow @TheSportsHangover on your favorite platforms.

Picks and lines reflect the discussion at recording and may change.

#NFL #SportsHangover #NFLWeek3

I’ve officially done voodoo on the Chargers. After what they’ve done to me, I’m declaring a losing season. The curse is active. 🪄⚡

For the second straight year, the Chargers knocked me out of Circa Survivor. Another $1,000 entry gone.

I went to Vegas. I made shirts. My entry didn’t even make it to Monday Night Football.

Michael Benatar and J Dawg break down NFL Week 1, from the Chargers disaster and Justin Herbert debate to Caleb Williams’ MVP potential, Minnesota’s quarterback questions, and the Giants’ strong start against Dallas.

Then we preview Week 2 with early Survivor candidates, model leans, and a debate about whether the Australia trip will affect the Rams and 49ers.

IN THIS EPISODE

⚡ The Chargers end our Survivor hopes

🐻 Caleb Williams: MVP potential or Week 1 overreaction?

👀 Vikings quarterback questions and Giants optimism

✈️ Our Australia travel theory gets another test

💰 Early discussion: Texans, Browns, Commanders and Raiders

CHAPTERS

00:00 Week 1 chaos and Australia jet lag

01:27 The Chargers cost Michael another $1,000

05:33 The Justin Herbert debate

09:54 Vikings win, quarterback questions remain

12:46 Bullshit or Believe: Caleb Williams MVP?

18:11 Are the Giants for real?

21:01 Saints drama and our betting recap

23:54 Early Week 2 Survivor shortlist

27:29 Week 2 model leans and disagreements

30:57 Raiders +7 against the Chargers

31:46 Final thoughts

CORRECTIONS TO THE ON-AIR DISCUSSION

• Chicago scored 59 points against Carolina, not 50.

• New Orleans visits Baltimore in Week 2.

• Giants–Rams is Monday, September 21, so New York is not playing on a short week.

The betting numbers discussed come from our September 14 recording. They are preliminary leans, not a finalized card or confirmed current sportsbook offers.

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Chargers fans: What’s the defense this week? Leave it in the comments.

#NFL #TheSportsHangover #Chargers #NFLWeek1 #NFLWeek2 #SurvivorPool

Can Justin Herbert and the Chargers get you through Week 1—or should you go against the crowd? We break down our NFL Survivor picks, five underdogs, and the return of Michael’s Road to $10K.

This week on The Sports Hangover, Michael Benatar and J-Dawg debate Chargers vs. Cardinals, Jacksonville’s Survivor appeal, and why they’re leaning toward the 49ers against the Rams in Australia.

Plus: Baker Mayfield’s reported extension, Joe Burrow vs. Sam Darnold for MVP, AFC futures, and a potential $100 starting bet on Seattle.

🏈 WEEK 1 PICKS DISCUSSED

Saints +7 vs. Lions

Cardinals +10 vs. Chargers

Buccaneers +3.5 vs. Bengals

Commanders +5.5 at Eagles

Browns +8.5 at Jaguars

J-Dawg’s Survivor pick: Chargers

Michael’s proposed Road to $10K opener: Seahawks moneyline, potentially rolling the proceeds into Raiders moneyline if Seattle wins.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Football is back

00:29 Fantasy draft chaos and commissioner power

04:49 Baker Mayfield’s extension

07:04 Week 1 Survivor strategy

10:38 Can you trust the Chargers?

13:01 Jacksonville and the Survivor alternatives

16:10 Rams vs. 49ers in Australia

18:46 Road to $10K: Seattle, then Las Vegas?

21:52 Week 1 underdog picks

24:39 Joe Burrow and the Bengals outlook

25:08 Commanders vs. Eagles

26:59 Burrow vs. Darnold for MVP

28:03 Browns vs. Jaguars

30:16 Kirk Cousins vs. Geno Smith

31:06 AFC futures and season win totals

32:59 Can the Seahawks repeat?

34:33 Sports Hangover app update and wrap-up

Who’s your Week 1 Survivor pick? Drop it in the comments.

Subscribe to The Sports Hangover on YouTube and Substack for weekly NFL picks, fantasy football arguments, and updates on the Road to $10K.

Lines and odds reflect the recording and may change.

#NFL #NFLWeek1 #SurvivorPicks

Football is officially back—and the fantasy football scandals have already begun. 🏈

Michael and J-Dawg break down a suspicious fantasy draft shuffle, the biggest mistake managers make in snake drafts, the NFL’s most disrespected team, and nine AI-generated win-total bets for the upcoming season.

Plus:

🏆 J-Dawg presents his massive fantasy football trophy

🚨 Michael defends his “no rules, just my rules” commissioner strategy

🎯 The secret to drafting players you actually want

🟢 Why the Seahawks may be seriously undervalued

😴 How the Steelers became completely irrelevant

🤖 Michael reveals his custom AI fantasy draft tracker

💰 Rams, Ravens, Chiefs, Cowboys, Bears, and more season-long bets

Do you have a corrupt fantasy commissioner?

Call them out in the comments—and please make it public so we can turn the drama into content.

👉 Join the Survivor pool: [INSERT LINK]

👉 Subscribe for weekly NFL picks, fantasy football takes, betting predictions, and sports chaos.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Football season is finally here

00:54 J-Dawg reveals his fantasy football trophy

01:46 The corrupt commissioner scandal

07:03 First-round fantasy draft strategy

10:26 The proxy-betting controversy

12:30 Are the Seahawks being disrespected?

18:45 The fake 49ers player story

20:14 Tony Romo’s future at CBS

21:30 Fantasy football suspension concerns

23:25 The Steelers have become irrelevant

26:45 Nine AI-generated NFL win-total bets

32:25 Super Bowl predictions

33:29 Michael reveals his AI fantasy draft tracker

Odds and availability may change. Please gamble responsibly.

#NFL #FantasyFootball #SportsBetting #NFLPredictions #TheSportsHangover

Football is BACK 🏈 and somehow the NFL is already completely off the rails.

This week on The Sports Hangover, Michael and J Dawg break down the latest NFL chaos, the Deshaun Watson situation in Cleveland, early fantasy football sleepers, breakouts and fades, plus some very questionable preseason overreactions.

We’re talking:

🏈 The latest wild NFL owner scandal

😬 Why Browns fans are already done with Deshaun Watson

📈 Fantasy football breakout candidates

📉 Why we’re fading Patrick Mahomes in fantasy

🚀 The JSN hype train

👀 Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts, Cam Skattebo, Travis Etienne & more

⛳ Is LIV Golf finally dying?

💰 Why sports franchises might be getting TOO valuable

🎴 Plus another NFL card pack rip and giveaway

And yes… Michael pulled an Ashton Jeanty rookie card.

Want the cards? Comment on the episode or any of our clips and we’ll pick someone to send the pack to.

Next week, we’re going even deeper into:

🔥 Fantasy drafts

💰 NFL gambling

🎯 Survivor picks

📊 Betting models

🏆 Week 1 predictions

Subscribe now because football season is officially here.

📲 Download The Sports Hangover app

🎙️ Listen wherever you get your podcasts

📩 Follow The Sports Hangover newsletter

💬 And if you hate our takes… come on the show and defend yours.

#NFL #FantasyFootball #NFLNews #FantasyFootball2026 #Football #SportsBetting #NFLFantasy #DeshaunWatson

We spent $80 on six NFL cards—and somehow pulled Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford, Dak Prescott, and more.

Now we’re giving the entire pack away. 👀

But first, Michael and J Dawg break down:

🏈 Which terrible NFL team might actually surprise us

🌍 Why the NFL’s international expansion could become a logistical nightmare

💰 The questions surrounding the reported Lakers blockbuster deal

📉 How Rashee Rice landed back near the top of fantasy football rankings

🤡 The most dysfunctional fantasy football league in America

💧 And the conspiracy Big Water doesn’t want you to hear

Want the cards?

We’ll randomly select one eligible winner and contact them from the official Sports Hangover account. Please don’t post personal information in the comments.

No purchase necessary. Eligibility restrictions apply. YouTube is not a sponsor of this promotion.

Listen, watch, and join the chaos:

🌐 https://sportshangover.com

📱 The Sports Hangover app on iOS

CHAPTERS

00:00 Football is finally back

00:34 Which bad NFL team could surprise us?

01:40 Why are NFL players always injured?

03:26 The Big Water conspiracy

04:24 Michael bought an $80 card pack

06:57 J Dawg needs a backup NFL team

10:14 Something feels strange about the Lakers deal

17:54 The Clippers and Kawhi rumor mill

19:01 The NFL’s international expansion problem

25:26 Rashee Rice’s fantasy football comeback

26:04 Our fantasy league is falling apart

30:09 Opening the $80 NFL pack

31:54 The Sports Hangover survivor league

32:33 See you next week

The NFC has 16 teams—but after simulating the 2026 season 10,000 times, two teams captured more than 56% of the conference titles.

The defending champion Seattle Seahawks are the model’s No. 1 team.

The Los Angeles Rams are Vegas’ Super Bowl favorite.

So who’s right? 👀

Michael and J Dawg break down every NFC division, debate Rams vs. Seahawks, reveal the Vikings’ sleeper-champion case, and explain why the Cowboys’ 10.5-win total may be the biggest brand-tax line in football.

🏈 In this episode:

00:00 — Preseason football and Michael’s solo Vegas trip

04:13 — Seahawks vs. Rams: Who really owns the NFC West?

09:25 — Are the 49ers finally declining?

14:55 — The wide-open NFC North

16:24 — Can Kyler Murray revive the Vikings?

19:45 — Eagles, Cowboys and the NFC East

26:30 — Somebody has to win the NFC South

31:44 — Model vs. Vegas and the best NFC bets

34:39 — NFC champion and Super Bowl predictions

🔥 The biggest predictions:

• Seattle is the model’s best Super Bowl value at +1100

• Minnesota is the ultimate sleeper candidate

• Dallas under 10.5 wins is the model’s strongest win-total edge

• Chicago may be headed for major turnover regression

• The entire NFC could come down to Rams vs. Seahawks

Who wins the NFC: Seattle, Los Angeles—or someone completely unexpected?

Drop your prediction in the comments.

Visit The Sports Hangover: https://thesportshangover.com

Find The Sports Hangover on Substack, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and the iOS App Store.

Odds referenced from July 2026 markets and may change. Always check the latest lines.

#NFL #NFCPredictions #Seahawks #Rams #NFLBetting

What do the last 10 Super Bowl champions have in common?

Michael built a championship blueprint using coaching windows, quarterback narratives, elite roster units, and betting-market discounts. Only one NFL team checked every box:

The Minnesota Vikings.

Yes, seriously.

Michael and J Dawg break down why Kyler Murray and the Vikings could become the NFL’s biggest sleeper, which Super Bowl favorites the model says to fade, and why Jacksonville may be the ultimate “dart throw with a case.”

Plus:

🏈 Is Tony Romo finished at CBS?

🎙️ Could J.J. Watt become the next great NFL analyst?

🤯 NFL talent evaluators ranked Caleb Williams as a top-10 quarterback

💰 Should Tampa Bay pay Baker Mayfield?

👑 LeBron James shocks the NBA by choosing Philadelphia

⚾ The Dodgers broke baseball again

🎰 Michael heads to Las Vegas to enter the Circa Survivor contest

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to The Sports Hangover

00:08 Michael’s solo Circa Survivor trip

01:15 The secret Super Bowl blueprint

02:54 The four traits of recent champions

04:40 The shocking team that checks every box

05:50 Super Bowl teams the model says to fade

07:56 Best NFL futures and sleeper bets

09:14 Is Tony Romo done at CBS?

13:21 Why rich athletes and celebrities never retire

15:44 Aaron Donald returning to the Rams?

16:47 NFL executives rank the top 10 quarterbacks

18:32 Chargers fans defend Justin Herbert

20:08 Caleb Williams ranked as a top-10 quarterback

21:18 Baker Mayfield wants a new contract

24:30 The 49ers’ injury curse continues

26:32 LeBron James joins the Philadelphia 76ers

29:56 The Dodgers broke baseball again

31:51 Does MLB need a salary cap?

34:20 NFC preview and Circa Survivor picks

Listen to last week’s complete AFC preview and come back next week for our full NFC breakdown.

Download the Sports Hangover app and grab the new football-season swag at:

TheSportsHangover.com

Have a take, future bet, or Survivor pick we need to hear?

#NFL #NFLPredictions #MinnesotaVikings #SuperBowl #TonyRomo #LeBronJames #Dodgers #SportsPodcast

Football is back, and so is our favorite annual battle: J Dawg vs. AI.

The TSH Prediction Engine simulated the 2026 NFL season 10,000 times. J Dawg countered with Sportsradamus predictions, offseason gossip, quarterback psychology, green line tests, and pure football instinct.

In this episode, Michael and J Dawg preview every AFC division, debate the biggest offseason moves, reveal their division winners, and break down the best early betting and Survivor angles.

Will the Broncos represent the AFC? Can the Chargers finally deliver? Are the Chiefs headed for a major regression? Is C.J. Stroud broken? And has Aaron Rodgers finally reached enlightenment?

Chapters

00:00 Football is back

02:50 The TSH Prediction Engine vs. J Dawg

04:07 AFC West preview begins

04:46 Why the model loves the Denver Broncos

06:45 Can the Chiefs survive Mahomes’ ACL injury?

07:42 AFC West projected standings

09:17 Why Mike McDaniel could unlock Justin Herbert

10:08 Raiders outlook and the Fernando Mendoza prediction

12:24 AFC West division picks

12:47 AFC East preview begins

13:03 Malik Willis and the new-look Dolphins

14:22 Are the Dolphins the most watchable bad team?

15:24 The March for Arch prediction

16:07 Dolphins win total debate

17:08 Patriots preview and the new NFL power rankings

18:12 Welcome to Scandal City

19:17 Why J Dawg is fading the Patriots

20:28 Bills preview and Josh Allen’s playoff problem

22:29 Are the Bills too distracted to win?

24:17 The new stadium bump

25:37 AFC East division picks

26:04 AFC North preview begins

26:15 Trey Hendrickson, Dexter Lawrence and the new defenses

27:21 Ravens and Bengals schedule advantages

29:05 Why the Ravens could be the AFC’s best team

30:05 The Joe Burrow September and December betting strategy

31:07 Burrow and Lamar betting manifesto stats

32:11 Michael’s Steelers Super Bowl prediction

33:37 J Dawg destroys the Aaron Rodgers theory

35:04 The Aaron Rodgers green line test

37:14 Cleveland Browns outlook

38:26 AFC South preview begins

39:28 Texans, Jaguars, Colts and Titans rankings

39:48 Could C.J. Stroud get benched?

40:30 Why Jacksonville could finally win the division

41:13 The Travis Hunter disappointment

42:17 Daniel Jones and the Colts

43:06 Titans outlook and Robert Saleh’s golf reputation

43:43 AFC South division picks

44:14 Best NFL win total bets

44:59 Who represents the AFC in the Super Bowl?

45:44 Daniel Jones’ brutal primetime record

45:59 Early Week 1 Survivor picks

47:06 Michael’s Circa trip and Survivor plans

47:44 Sports Hangover app and final thoughts