Sam and I are back on Till The Whistle Blows to discuss the latest in Football as we get increasingly closer to a Super Bowl matchup. We review the Divisional Round matchups, give our picks and thoughts on this coming weekend’s Championship matchups, and evaluate some of the recent head coaching hires. Specifically:
- The Packers roll past the Rams with a smooth passing game and an overlooked running game: How Aaron Rodgers bought into Matt Lafleur’s system to get back to playing in rhythm.
- Lamar Jackson gets hurt again and the Bills win a low scoring game in windy Buffalo: What the Ravens need to do to get their passing game on track next year.
- Brees and the Saints struggle in what may be the last career game for Drew: How turnovers killed them in this one, how Drew’s late season injury doomed him, and the amazing legacy that he leaves behind in New Orleans and the NFL.
- The Browns come up short in the AFC Championship, but they finally have a strong foundation and look to be back in the mix next year.
- Patrick Mahomes gets injured on an ill-advised play call, and Chad Henne has the moment of his 12 year NFL career, icing the game with a 13 yard run on 3rd and 14 and a first down strike on 4th and inches from a ballsy play call by Andy Reid.
- The Packers and Aaron Rodgers matchup well with the Bucs on paper, but they have some Championship Game demons to exorcise AND will need to avenge their earlier beatdown by the Bucs, their worst loss of the regular season.
- Similarly, the Chiefs look to make it 2-0 against the Bills on the year, but Mahomes’s health is key: Currently in concussion protocol, can he be ready to play by Sunday?
- The Jets bring in former 49ers Defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh as their new Head Coach–and as the first ever Muslim-American head coach in the NFL–and Mike Lafleur as their new offensive coordinator: Why we like the hires.
- The Jaguars bring in Urban Meyer, former Florida Gators and Ohio State Buckeyes Head Coach, to coach the Jaguars for his first ever NFL coaching gig: Why it’s a huge risk.
- The Falcons hire Arthur Smith, former Tennessee Titans Offensive Coordinator, as Head Coach: Why it’s a great move for a quick turnaround for Matt Ryan. The only question: Can he fix the defense?
- Lastly, the Chargers hire former Rams Defensive Coordinator Brandon Staley as their next Head Coach: The move is a bit of a surprise, but it still could work out.
I come on at the 24:36 mark. Till The Whistle Blows is available wherever you listen to podcasts, including on Apple. Thanks for listening, and we’ll be back next week with a Super Bowl matchup!
Cary Krongard's Football Blog 