NFL Division Preview: AFC

In this episode of the Call Your Shot Podcast, the guys discuss their predictions for the upcoming NFL season and the division rankings. They start with the NFC South and make their way around the NFC. They discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each team's roster and make predictions based on their analysis, some of which might surprise you.

Transcript

Drew (00:00.098)
Welcome to the Collier Shop Podcast, your weekly sports recap podcast where we break down the hottest headlines, dissect the latest injuries, and serve up our own hard hitting analysis of the past week in sports. But that's not all. We're not just here to talk about the past. We're here to predict the future as well. On the Collier Shop Podcast, we boldly predict the outcomes of the upcoming week's games. Let's get started in AFC South as we have all of these young quarterbacks. know, have CJ Stratton, as we talked about with his

Rookie of the Year season, you have Anthony Richardson, who everybody is super high on when it comes to fantasy and his Russian ability. And you obviously have Trevor Lawrence, who we've mentioned got the bag. A few quarterbacks got the bag, we'll talk a little bit more about that later. Surprising bags, but it's okay. And then you have Will Levis, who added Calvin Ridley as well as still has DeAndre Hopkins from last year. So who do you have winning that division and how do you have it shaping up for the rest of it?

So this is a tough division. It is. It is. Because I don't want to be that guy and just like, Texans to the moon, bro. I'm telling you, like, CJ Stroud is going to do it. He's basically Joe Namath. All right. And so like, sure, know, 10 and 7 last year.

They had a rookie quarterback, rookie head coach, head coach probably should have won a rookie or coach of the year as well. Need to have an investigation on that. somehow didn't end up winning. I'm not gonna say nothing, but I'm saying something anyways. But I

No, you forgot to mention though, we just added Stephon Diggs and Joe Mc - Wee. Joe Mixon is - You hate - I don't know what's a qualified is, cause like Josh Jacobs is like a bruiser, I wouldn't necessarily say Joe Mixon's a bruiser, but like that tier quality of running backs, you hate volume monsters, that's what you hate. You hate Josh Jacobs, you hate Rashad White, you hate Joe Mixon, you hate, I don't know why.

Drew (02:09.133)
You hate volume up. Because he's not efficient. So not everybody can be Christian McCaffrey. I'm sorry. Like I want to see somebody that is maybe, you know, as an NFL quarterback, obviously, or quarterback as an NFL running back, obviously he's very good. Like he's the only running back over the past four seasons to finish in the top 10 each of the last four seasons. Well, that's because he just keeps on pounding the ball on the one yard line. He's basically like James Connor.

but a little bit. So does James Connor. This is true. He's literally the same. They're the same person. And this facts and then with with digs as well to too many mouths to feed over there. And that's my guy. Don't get me wrong. It's for CJ. Well,

is bad for Stefan Diggs and when Stefan Diggs does not get his targets, we know what happens. He turns into Diva? ...Brown. boy. Maybe not Antonio Brown. But he definitely turns into - Yeah, he got some diva. And so I think that it'll be interesting to see how CJ handles that when Diggs isn't getting his targets because he

He's his boy is is tanked out like that. That's his guy. He grew up with. It's Nico. Exactly. He's also got Nico as well. But if you're taking those targets away from each one of those those players, are they going to get upset because they're they're seeing this guy getting all the targets? And then what about Schultz going over the middle as well, too? And then you also got to get the ball to to mix in. Not sure why you would do that, but.

you'll see me get the ball to him. And, and so I just think that there's a lot of mouse to feed. It's a new offense for for these players that are that are coming into the team with mixing and digs. I don't know if they're going to have the same. I don't want to say I don't know if they're gonna have the same mentality and be able to

Drew (04:27.85)
accept their new role of not being the main focus of the offense is my thing. I feel like they're kind of like a lesser version of the Lions and the fact that like the Lions were, I don't want to say like everybody underestimated them, but they were kind of like a why not us mentality and kind of like exceeding people's expectations just like the Texans did last year. Nobody expected the Texans to be a playoff team. Nobody expected people to expect the seniors to be good, but not like

a borderline MVP quarterback and all this kind of stuff. So now when they actually do have those expectations with all the new talent that they have, yeah, I don't know exactly how it's gonna shape up, but I mean, do you have somebody beating them in the division or? Do I have anybody who ain't said it? You have anybody you're like, I don't want to be that guy.

He said, I don't want to be that guy who says Texans to the moon, just out to the moon, something like that. Like, OK, you have the Jags and the Colts or the Titans beating them because I know. Yeah, I'd have to go with the the Colts, honestly. you do, dude. In terms of in terms of overall team makeup, you know, sure. Yeah, you got.

You know, you got Bobby over there calling the plays and stuff and he's good. He's good. He's locking down the defense. But I think he squeezed out everything that he possibly could out of that defense. And you maybe I'm wrong. Maybe he does it again. Maybe he pulls a rabbit out of the hat and he's able to do it again. But I want to see him do it again. There needs to be a Texas that score 40 points a game. But again, with that too, like

the Colts are gonna have not a great defense as well. But in Shane's Stike and We Trust, I think that now that they're gonna have a healthy Anthony Richardson, they're gonna have Michael Pittman, and they're gonna have Taylor as well back there too. I think that this is going to be the year that the Colts take

Drew (06:46.83)
a step forward Mr. Harris. Mark my words today, what is today? August 27th. We can first bet of the season. How much you want to bet that the Texans finish with more wins than the Colts? Because this is my thing. So we talked about like even talk about the 49ers a few minutes ago and the injury concerns just like that. Anthony Richardson, I think it was like the famous footballers I was wanting like, didn't know he's played 17 games since high school.

So he started and said, that's ridiculous. So like, he's already an injury prone as it is. Jonathan Taylor, as we both know, can't stay healthy for anything. And you're just like, Michael Pittman, take us to the province. So if you were, if you do recall, last year in terms of the, how every week, whenever we talking about the games, I would always first talk about the, offensive line matchup. And that'd be where I kind of start my.

my analysis and then I go from there. Do you want to take a guess at where the Houston Texans rank in terms of O -line? Just overall O -line, not offensive like rushing run blocking or pass blocking or anything like that. Just offensive line in general, according to Pro Football Focus, of course. No clue. I know it was terrible because Damien Pierce looked like trash. That's what I do know.

So we'll say 29th. You're close. 32nd. Do know how many teams are in the NFL, Mr. Harris? 32. OK, Question for you. So where did the Colts rank last year when it came to offensive line? So last year, they finished overall eighth. They finished overall eighth. So it doesn't matter.

if Anthony Richardson is going to scramble and think he's a tank in Cam Newton and try that's how he got hurt last season. They had a great time. got that production out of Minshew. You think you think Anthony Richardson is better than Minshew? And that's that's the thing too, is that those are two completely different players. They set up their whole offense around Anthony Richardson, and they had to change the whole entire. Yeah, because he got hurt. yeah, it's just like what he what what he was saying.

Drew (09:06.38)
He's like, are you going to limit the running capabilities of Anthony Richardson going into the season? do know what his reply was? was, would you stop Steph Curry from shooting threes? Exactly. If Steph Curry breaks his wrist every time he does a follow through, I would probably think about everything and all that kind of stuff. He's injury prone. Just like the same thing with the people. it comes to fantasy.

He's like, OK, he played like two and a half games last year of like full like he finished like two or three games last year and he looks great. Yeah. And people are like, OK, yeah, let's draft him like fifth overall fantasy when it comes to quarterbacks. I think that was too high. Or let's say that the Colts are, you know, to the moon or league winners or whatever the case may be. Like this man has played like so like football season now is 17 weeks. So he's played one like he hasn't even played since high school. Like that. That's OK.

He's fresh. So you're just gonna assume. So the 49ers you're gonna assume because of injury history that they're gonna get injured. But with Anthony Richard and everything that he's shown you throughout his entire collegiate and professional career. You're just like, he's gonna play every game. I'm not saying he's playing every game. Who's their backup now? That is honestly a great question. Let's find out. He's not garden mentioned. mentioned. talked about garden, which is one of the better backup quarterback to the league. He is one of the better ones out there.

But yeah, no, I just think that in terms of the offensive line, you guys right. It's Joe Flacco. Yeah, you saw what he did. He might be the starter come week one. I know why. I'm surprised that somebody I'm surprised that like some team are like, hey, Joe Flacco. He was like $10 million going to this little starter. I don't even know how they how he bamboozled people into giving him money.

Because he took the Browns to the promised land. He he do I think it was actually him. No, I think that it was it was a lot of YOLO going on and a lot of bad defenses that they were playing. And then a lot of Stefanski magic happening too. I don't think that Joe Flacco just randomly became good again after being trash the past five years. Five. It's called a hot streak. Okay. No.

Drew (11:33.134)
Second it's got to be the Jaguars. Sorry. It's going to be the Texans. Sorry. Yeah, myself there. Gotta be the Texans. And then third, to be the Jaguars because I don't think that the Titans are going to be good in any way, shape or form this year. bottom of the barrel with them.

and I feel bad for the Jaguars because they, they were forced to give Trevor Lawrence more money. and it's basically, he might as well be wearing a ski mask and a gun and holding a gun every time he goes to cash his checks because he is just not it. Honestly, like if he can sure, you know, he has like, I think it's, he has like one of the highest percentages of drops, from his wide receivers in over the past two or three years. But at the same time.

He also just isn't good at putting his wide receivers in positions to catch the ball. He has a lot of turnover -worthy plays. Last year, he was fifth in the league in turnover -worthy play percentage. Do you know who was above him? Minchou, Sam Howe, Josh Dobbs, Desmond Ritter, and Mack Jones. Only one of them are actually a starter going into the next season and arguably probably shouldn't even be a starter in the NFL, Gardner Minchou. Everybody else?

I saw like gardener minchel who has like comparable like literally the exact same and like slightly better stats career stats than trevor waltz they played like the same amount of games their passion is the same gardener minchel has more touchdowns less interceptions but yeah trevor lawrence gets paid the hundred 200 million dollar content i don't know it's like in the nfl now if you're an ounce above if you're an ounce better than mediocre here's 200 million dollars and that's the thing too is like they

I was listening to one of their beat reporters talk about the situation and they were like, it was either we pay him or we take a risk on on an unknown commodity in the draft. you go and get a look at the other options that are out there. And none of the other options are better than than what you have with Minshew or sorry with Minshew with Lawrence same person. And so so then you go back to it and you're like, okay, well,

Drew (13:59.532)
You know, he's a top tier pick and he he's shown potential to be great. Can he sustain that, though? Can he stop making those stupid mistakes when he's on the one yard line fumbling the ball into the end zone? Can he stop just fumbling the ball in general? Can he stop turning over the ball? Can he stop throwing interception? He's going to have this list and just like, well, damn, he's doing all these bad things. And why the hell do we still got him? And so.

It weird though too, because I don't know how to feel about him because he, yeah, he's not bad. He's not good. I think he's just a solid quarterback and obviously he's young. given the situation, yeah, you're probably like, well, they're in the rock and a hard place. You kind of have to pay him. Kind of like he's better than Daniel Jobs. I guess you can say that. And then obviously Calvin Ridley went to the Titans and stuff. but know, Trevor Lawrence still has a good cast of, you

Receivers and help obviously ETN's Lee as a running back. I don't know how you feel about ETN because he gets volume I don't know anyway, no, he's a breakaway running back. You know, that's right. You had him on your team last year I forgot about that. All right. So yeah, so you have him you still have Christian Kirk You still they graph they drafted Brian Thomas jr Who I think you love you have Evan Ingram there who's you know PPR monster. So, I mean you still have good talent and stuff So I just don't think I think the Jacks just gonna be like a mediocre team I think they're gonna be somewhere around eight or nine

They're just gonna be solid. I think they're gonna be on the outside looking in when it comes to the wild card and I don't see them finishing me up better than third in the division unless it gets hurt. which again, one other thing I forgot to mention as well. So last season, since the since the Texans, I think they only had like four wins or something like that last year, or two years ago now, they were

Allotted one of the easier schedules throughout the season. Mm -hmm now since they So graciously won 10 games last year. They have the they're currently ranked 28th in terms of Strength of schedule and with the lower strength of schedule being the most difficult so and On the flip side of that you have the Colts who have the seventh easiest schedule

Drew (16:25.846)
So with that disparity, along with the O line disparity, along with all the moving pieces of the divas coming in, the inefficient Joe Mixon, I just think that it's going to be interesting to see what happens.

Where we playing?

Drew (16:57.581)
Like if we play playing a pinecrest or what? I got you know, 50 dollar round of golf, bro. We'll go to we'll go we'll go here in here in lakes, here in lakes round golf. Cool. All right. Sweet. right. I wish you I wish you nothing but health, Anthony, though. I do like Anthony Richardson.

But yeah, I don't see where you can't tell me that the Colts are more talented than the Texans. No, you can't. You can't tell me that the Anthony Richardson is going to stay healthy for the entirety of the season. Also, like he is a great dual threat, but like he's not the most accurate quarterback out there. His incompletion percentage was really high in the games that he did play. Obviously he was inefficient. He just was a great scrambler.

But that ended up being his detriment because man don't want to get down. He again thinks he's Cam Newton. And if you think you're Cam Newton, Cam Newton, things are eventually going to happen to you. It's just, anyway, moving on to what we want to go through next. We were talking a little bit about quarterbacks getting paid a lot of money this year. So we can go to AMC East where the Dolphins did pay to a large sum of money as well. They also rewrote Tyree Kills contract and they're like, Hey, you were the offensive.

You should have been offensively the year you're running up you should have had two yards But it doesn't get hurt a couple games, but we're just gonna rewrite you and give you like it's ten million dollars more a year just cuz And you have nothing but speed over there. So, how do you have that shaping up? You obviously have the bills with Stefan Diggs leading So gosh Allen doesn't have him anymore and then you have the Jets obviously with Aaron Rodgers who coming back from injury and so there's a lot of things that's going on and Then you have you know the Pat Strachan great May who is the answer?

So how do you have the AFC East shaping up? One last quick note on Joe Mixon. In terms of breakaway run percentage, out of 38 qualified running backs last season, he finished 31st. So I don't like him. Moving on.

Drew (19:17.39)
With the AFC East we have the... Exactly, that's why I have my Miami Dolphins finishing at the top of the division for the first time in a long time. I think that this is the beginning of the end for the Buffalo Bills. We saw last year a lot of what was happening. You couldn't really put it...

all on Josh Allen and it really wasn't all on Dorsey either. It was a combination of the two. And honestly, I don't think that Josh Allen was really playing all that bad. was instances of play that were costing them the games. It wasn't the overall body of work versus a couple years ago where it was just, it was just all bad. was just like terrible decision -making and stuff like that. Now granted he also still did.

Okay, he still did have 18 interceptions last year, which is not great. But at the same time, his passer rating, or passing grade, I should say on profitable focus, he was third in the league, only behind Dak Prescott and Tua. So he, he still was a very elite quarterback. And like I said, it was just a couple of instances throughout the game, or well, in the most pivotal point of the game, which is not great. But in the most big when you needed it the most like the avatar.

He disappeared and he ended up turning the ball over fumbled and it was a lot of fluky plays too It was like the ball tipped off of somebody's helmet and then went in like three yards down the field guy dove and caught it interception kind of thing and it was weird stuff like that fumbling the ball on Like random like weird situations where the ball just like slips out of his hand. So it wasn't necessarily anything that

that was concerning where I think, man, like, do remember how he was like a couple of years ago when he was just slugging that thing around? And then, you know, he was basically like Jamus 30 for 30 kind of guy. He still has his accuracy, still has control and stuff. It was just a little weird year. But then when he was able to get back to his running, that's when he was at his best. even though I do have not, or even though I do have the Dolphins finishing,

Drew (21:42.55)
ahead of the Bills, I do think that this could potentially be like an MVP type of season for Josh Allen, because of the freedom that he's going to have within the offense too. yeah. Yeah, I think I agree with you, which is why I have the Bills.

I think that Josh Allen towards the end of the season when they kind of stopped beard away from like the elite wide receiver one and Stefan Diggs and kind of kind of spread the ball a bit more and they lean more on James Cook. They actually finally had a good running back, which is weird because David Singletary and Zach Moss who were Josh Allen's running backs a few years ago, they went to different teams and then they wanted to play it all of sudden. But it really confusing to me. But I digress. Yeah, I think that James Cook along with, you the additions that they had, they drafted Keon Coleman.

they still have clear Shakira they brought in in BS they bought in Curtis Samuel so I they do have a good amount of options and they have the second year with Dalton King K and a tight end I'm not saying that they have nothing's a leader and you think that but I think they have decent weapons and I think that you and you have Josh Allen he's able to spread the ball out and like last year towards the of the season Stefan Diggs started like the first eight games as like a wide receiver one I think he's like the wide receiver three over all fantasy and then he finishes like the wide receiver 33 over like the last eight games because

I wasn't leaning on him like he had over the past few years. He's spread the ball out more, which is when they went on their heater to end up winning the division and to go on to win a whole bunch of playoff games until they met, you know, big boy Patrick Mahomes. But I digress. I think that the dolphins, I like the dolphins, obviously they're super exciting on offense and they have all of the speed and stuff like that. But like when the rubber meets the throw in like these big games, like they just aren't able to, they just aren't able to do it.

And then when they get into the cold weather games in the playoffs and stuff like that, that's like my main concern for them. So they lost a whole bunch of weapons defensively. They lost Avian Howard, Christian Wilkes, Andrew Van Diep, all of their players on defense. So I think they're going to be good. They're going to be entertaining and everything like that. But I think they're going to be competing more with the Jets than they are with the Bills. I still think that the Jets are still going to be good this season when Aaron Rodgers obviously is healthy now. And then I don't really need to talk about your boy A -Rod at all.

Drew (23:58.432)
You don't think that they have a chance to make some noise in the division or no? No, I I Mean how many was you know, I think that's gonna be a very competitive division so like I think the game but like I think that it's good, think it's gonna be similar to the The NFC East I think there's gonna be three very good teams and then there's gonna be that, you know the pastors

Yeah, it's a tough division to break down honestly, because of the unknown of Aaron Rodgers and the Jets and what they can be. Especially because, you they were able to have seven wins when they had the worst quarterbacking in history. They were so bad. It was like three yards in a cloud of dust.

Drew (24:53.294)
I like that Robert saw it like his post game interviews where he actually tried to sound make it sound like Zach Wilson actually was like competent when it comes to the quarterback position really tries. Yeah. You know, he he does his best. That's not good enough. But yeah, no, it'll I mean, even like a like a 50 % version of Aaron Rodgers is going to be better than whatever the hell they had last year. You don't think that's worth two wins?

I think that it's worth maybe a win because I don't think that the offense is going to run strictly, strictly through Aaron Rodgers. I think that exactly.????

Drew (25:51.79)
I think we're so going to see a decent amount of like similar play that we did last year, but a little bit more efficiency out of it. Cause if we go back to our lovely stat of EPA per play, plus completions over expected. Zach Wilson was 30th out of 30 qualified quarterbacks last year in that stat over the whole season. So if you can be better than dead last,

I think that they'll be at least exactly I think they'll be at least middle of the pack. And I don't want to like overreact and be like, well, they got seven wins, they got to at least get to like 1011. Because a lot of those games that they that they did win it was because of like a, you know, one in particular, it was a punt return against the against the Patriots where that it was the guys like first game ever.

In the NFL that he's playing for terms against the bills It was against the bills. It was like the first game this season when Air Rogers did tear the Achilles and they came back because Josh Allen threw four picks Didn't they have like two putt return? I think they I think they had one against the Patriot like later in the season the exact same thing It was like three to three the entire game and then somebody yeah Exactly. Yeah, but so I mean with that like those are very like volatile plays that have no

no kinds of like consistency and no way to predict like, if this ball went here, like, then they would have this percent chance of winning that game. Like that was a complete random thing that happened like a random occurrence. And with that variability thrown in, who knows what they could finish like you could tell me that they'll they're gonna finish with seven wins again this year. I'd be like, Okay, yeah, that makes sense. You could tell me they finished with 10 wins this year. I'd be like,

Probably that that is within their own possibilities It also does help to they they have They bolstered up their their offensive line Because it was one of the worst in the league last year quite frankly and we saw that that's as one of the reasons why Exactly, but now they have they have Tyron Smith from From the not the Colts go on say the Colts cowboys. Yep and

Drew (28:16.718)
Last year, he played just about every game. I believe he did play every game, actually. 27 ,000 years old. That is true. also, guess how many sacks he gave up last year? It's hard to give up sacks in your entire life. OK. You one sack last year. So is that good? I think that's good. He played 100 % of the snaps as well. Granted, he didn't play every game. But he played the majority of them.

Which is good. And with that too, he's obviously a future Hall of Famer left tackle. But like you said yourself, he's a million years old. But he is a lot better than anything that they put out there last year. Like me and you could have blocked better. Along with that, maybe not better than that. Five, six. Anyways. But yeah, and then along with that, they also added in Morgan Moses.

And he came over from the Ravens and that's going to help out the run game immensely. Obviously we saw what happened last year with the Ravens and their game as prolific as it was. So I think that having those two on the offensive line will be very beneficial. And that leads me to the Pro Football Focus ranking of this year. One of the other teams that has a very large jump in.

I'm kind of iffy on whether or not I believe it, but they went from 30th overall offensive line to eighth overall. That is quite the jump. That is very similar to the Bears where they went from 27th to ninth. I think it lies somewhere a little bit more in between than like top 10 because of those two players. I think that maybe they're more so around like 15 or so.

rather than being top 10. So yeah. And then Aaron Rodgers, like I said, with Kirk Cousins, not too concerned about his Achilles. Like it's basically a year removed from the injury. And usually with that injury, look from anywhere from about like nine or sorry, 10 to 12 months for that kind of injury. And he's well within.

Drew (30:41.53)
Return to play parameters there. So he should be good to go not with that BS of him saying I'm gonna come back during Christmas, bro. Like, you know, okay stop Moving on we can move on to the AFC West better known as Patrick Mahomes house So yeah, I have it chiefs just fine. I think that they're gonna do what they do. They're going to division pretty easily and then I have a charges I think that you know as long as

able to say healthy I think the addition of Jim Harbaugh. They do lose weapons with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. don't know how much you want to say Mike Williams is a weapon with his injury history. added Lad McConkey also added all these running backs since you also lost Austin Eckler. So you added J .K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards. So we'll see how that works. But I do think that they're going to be improved. I think they're going to be somewhat consistent. Raiders I still don't have. I think the Raiders and Broncos are going to be fighting for

third place. I think the Broncos are going to be improved. I do like Bo Nicks. I do like the arm. do obviously you would love Sean Payton for some reason. still don't understand that. I still think he's overrated as a coach, but I think that they are going to improve. think who Javante again a year away from his ACL injury is going to be better. So of course, even though they lost Jerry Judy and then the Raiders, know, are still the Raiders. I think Gardner mentioned she was going to be way better than any of the stuff that they had last season with Jimmy Garoppolo. I don't remember the second quarterback that they ended up playing.

Who's the rookie in O 'Connell? think it was something that I still think that gardener Mitchell I think garden was just very underrated and what he was able to do for the Colts last year and How many wins that they had especially after Anthony Richardson? I think that he'll be able to at least give Devon's a decent volume Especially if he was able to make Michael Pittman look that good, but I don't think they're gonna win a whole bunch of games So I have a Chiefs Chargers Raiders Broncos Interchangeable

One thing I forgot to mention, actually both kind of forgot to mention was the Patriots. Quick note, they're going to be the worst team in the NFL this year. Don't overthink it. Take the ender in their win total. I think they'll be better than the Panthers. No, actually they might not be. want a round of golf? Round of golf, No thank you. And Drake May we trust. He was playing against secondary.

Drew (33:06.726)
players and players that might not even have contracts going into the season so but anywho moving on to the FC West yeah that you know wash rinse repeat again like I said last year say it again just take just just take them to win like it's the easiest bet you can make every single year it's not gonna change until that man retires so hundred dollars win a couple pennies but you know a couple pennies goody

Not even a couple pennies. You can basically get like 50 % return on your investment, putting some down on them to win the division. And I mean, it's a pretty safe bet too, because like we were saying, the Raiders have nobody. don't care. And they lost Josh Jacobs. It's a mere white me trust, apparently. It's a mere white ain't it. I don't understand the hype around him. Ain't no Rico Daddle.

stop. Sure, you know, it's, it's his backfield and everything like that. But at the same time, is it? Yeah, like, who else is who else gonna take carries from? I would leave some running back off the street. That's fine. That'll be easy. And, and that's what Antonio Pierce likes to do is just running gun. So like, he's just going to give it to one guy and then just run it into the offensive lines, but like 50 million times and hope for the best. So

And unfortunately for Devontae Adams, my guy, he went all He's my wide receiver one though. He just needs his volume. Just give him his volume. Give me 130 targets. How is going to get the ball to him? He made Michael Pittman. I still think Devontae Adams is better at this point in his career than Michael Pittman, who's much younger. But if he can make Michael Pittman the wide receiver 12 overall.

He can make you want to add him at Tata. OK, yeah, we'll see. saying that Michael Pittman is better than Devon Adams? And I'm not saying that I'm just saying that I don't. I think that that Menchu season that he had last year was greatly helped by. Shane Steichen, I don't think a lot of I think a lot of the play calling was schemed up so that he could be successful, which is what makes.

Drew (35:33.822)
Stike and like a touch a great coach and which is why I think that they're gonna leave the division Because he sets his team up for success. I don't and quite frankly like he was what like one play Like one play away from from having them make the playoffs and and be in the position that the Texans were in No, I'm saying with the Colts and everything like

Anyways, moving on. The yeah, I don't think that the Raiders are really going to be doing anything this year. And the award that they win after having eight wins and nine losses last season is having the 24th ranked schedule in terms of having the 24th easiest schedule, which is not good for them. So they're they're not going to be doing anything anytime soon.

Same thing with the Broncos. They also have a gotlet to go through of a schedule. They have the 25th ranked easiest schedule, if you will. So between those two, somehow, someway, the Chiefs got the 12th easiest schedule. It's not fair for them. 3P. yeah, that's what it's really looking like right now. Thankfully for the Chargers, they have the second easiest

Easiest schedule out there. but I don't think that it's really going to be all that much help. Maybe I think that they can get back to about six to seven wins or so, is, is within the realm of possibilities for them. because they don't have anybody there either. Like it is crazy that last year all of the teams had like, like there's this one guy, there's this one place, you know, like

This year, there's a lot of teams that they just don't have anybody there. Like they have some respect for lad McConkie's name and stop it. before you drafted him, I literally had no idea who that man was. I literally never heard of that amateur. Okay, Google me. All right. Watch my watch my Georgia high. Do you think that Brock Bowers is the guy Google me Chuck? So it was all of that. This division's

Drew (37:59.224)
pretty pretty cut and dry. It's going to be this is the way that I have it breaking down is the the Chiefs Broncos Raiders and then the Chargers. I do think that the that the Broncos are going to be better this season. said that last year and the year before that to third time's charm. God damn it. Bro, can you finally admit that Sean Payton? No. So this thing too is like last year.

It was just a lot of all these excuses like Russell. Well, now hear me out like Russ wanted to do his thing. He he wasn't bad. He I know he wasn't bad. He was good. But the problem is Sean Payton doesn't like that. Sean Payton likes to like likes to puppeteer. He likes to, you know, say do this play run this play. You have these options if this doesn't work. And exactly as we were. Yes, sir. No, sir. Would you like some more, sir? That's what he likes.

You know what that's like? Don't even go there. even say that. quarterback was he calling? Yeah, Drew Brees. That makes sense. That checks out. And who did he call? Bo Nicks? that checks out. Yeah, Bo Nicks. But yeah, so with that, though, that's what he likes. And when a quarterback just does as he's told.

And Bo Nix says he's a rookie, he's just gonna do as he's told. He's a gunner. He's a gunner. And he's good at Oregon too. And the thing that helps him versus like somebody like Anthony Richardson is that he actually has some games underneath him. he's 24 or something like that. Coming into the league. Oregon runs a pro style offense too. Yeah.

Exactly. And so that definitely is going to help him out versus like, mean, we saw what happened with Trey Lance. Dude didn't play for a year, dude barely played any games. Then we saw what happened. He one of the worst quarterbacks in the league now. He just threw five interceptions like, yeah, I haven't seen that since Nathan Peterman. Every time, every time I see Nathan Peterman, like going under center, I lick my chops because I just hammer whatever team he's playing against. And it's the easiest is it's basically free money at that point. So if I ever see

Drew (40:19.308)
I've ever see trade lands playing free money. Anyways, their win total right now is at five and a half. I think that's kind of rude, honestly. But I do think that that's probably around where they'll end up finishing. I think that they can get to six wins. I feel like five is kind of just disrespectful. Six wins with the Hall of Fame coach. Yeah. That means like second season.

And anyway, that's all I need. right. Finishing up, last but not least, one of the more competitive divisions, at least last year, we have the AFC North. The Ravens looking to run it back as they were very squeaked out by the Chiefs in the AFC Championship. Coming back with Lamar Jackson and, know, him. Then we got the Bengals. have Joe Burrow, who's supposed to be...

supposed to be fully healthy. We don't know you can comment a little bit more on that. And then we have the Browns with Sean Watson, who's supposedly supposed to be fully healthy, but I guess he's dealing with some soreness in his forearm as well. And then you have the Steelers with the QB saga that we touched on towards the of the season with Justin Fields and Russell Wilson. Everything that I've been hearing recently saying that Russell Wilson likely will still be the starter for week one. But then how do you have this shaping up or do you have anybody that you feel like could make some surprises this year within the AFC North?

in terms of surprises, I mean, wouldn't really, okay, stop it. like speaking of Steelers, I, I think it's kind of silly that they're having a quarterback competition as if you're not going to start a future hall of famer. Like you're going to start Justin Fields, who's won nothing in his life over Russell Wilson. I mean, he's literally won nothing in his career. like versus.

versus Russ like he it makes no sense. And they're basically the same style of quarterback. Russ has has relies a little more on his passing game nowadays versus his rushing. Justin got confused. Yeah. And that's all he has is his legs. And that's not the kind of offense that Mike Tomlin wants to run. That's not to have offense that Mike Tomlin has ever ran. So I don't think that

Drew (42:36.59)
I mean, only way that Justin Fields gets on the field, no pun intended, is if he's, like somehow they're running like a two QB set or something like that, and then they like pitch it off to him and like they throw it back with Hey man, that's what I'm They might just be 100 % pure run, all right? Wildcat. He's gonna be like Tim Tebow, I think. Okay. Like Taysom Hill kind of thing. I don't think that

I don't think that they're gonna be all that good this year because also like their make -up of their teeth. I don't know. think that this might be the year. might be the that every year. You know how about last year? Like they've had years started Mason Rudolph. By the grace of God. Like literally by the grace. I have no idea how that. Kenny Pickett.

Drew (43:35.55)
But okay, so I looked up Justin Fields career record 11 and 20 We talked about earlier thank you this man no weapons they give him no weapons and then he leaves and they're like, know, we're gonna give this next guy everything the kitchen's All right, then we have went in the division I don't I I don't think it's gonna be the Ravens

I like, well, just because I looked up this stat real quick. Russell Wilson 115 and 72 and one. So not sure where the one comes into play, but yeah. Anywho, anyhow, yeah, I don't think that I'm gonna go with the Ravens this year. And here's why.

This year they have the 29th ranked schedule in terms of easiest schedules. These are all just basically based on the odds of their win totals and everything. Yeah, based on that too. So they have a very difficult schedule this year. Along with that, they lost your boy, your future coach of the year, Mike McDonnell.

Drew (45:01.786)
And without him navigating everything back there, I think that they're going to run into a good amount of problems. They lost a few guys on the defensive end as well. And last year with all the injuries that they had and not being able to efficiently run the ball because of all the lack of running backs that they had, I think that that was a major problem. They bring in Derrick Henry. Is that the solution? Maybe, maybe not. Probably.

The Yeti is getting old and he is one of the most game script dependent running backs in history of the NFL. Ravens are only game script. We're going to run the ball whether you like it not. Unless we're playing the Chiefs in the AFC Championship, then we're going to try to pass. Other than that, we're running. That's facts. But at the same time, that's going to be a problem when you go and scroll down here to find out where their offensive line ranks this year.

21st in the league. Where did the Titans rank last year? The Titans last year, they were 19th. Exactly. you go. So I'm just saying, well, in terms of run, run offense, our offensive run blocking, they were 13th. And then this year, the Ravens run blocking 21st. So.

little bit more of a difference there. yeah, you try to tackle in Sasquatch. Okay, well, how's he run? I just think it's gonna be a different offense. I don't like the weapons that they have outside of Andrews. That's fair. It's, it's pretty much just Andrews. it's ever been. Exactly. And you see how many championships they've won. So I don't think that the

Bengals have been injured. They should have. And they made it to the Super Bowl. Barely. Like, how many times Lamar Jackson made it Super Bowl? Hey, I ain't gonna be hating on my brother, all right? You lost to Patrick Mahomes. There ain't no shame in losing to Patrick Mahomes. That's fair. But, I mean, the only person that could beat Mahomes is Joey B. Yeah, and he can't stay healthy. Well, he's healthy this year.

Drew (47:25.814)
And that's why, that's why I'm picking the Bengals to win the AFC North this year. I think that sure. Yeah. You know, it's, can say wash, rinse, repeat. It's going to be the, it's going to be the Ravens again. but like I said, I think that having being removed from the calf injury with Joe burrow, and then you have.

Mar Chase, he got paid, got the bag and everything like that. Higgins is still doing his thing out there. He's still elite. He wants his money. That's fine. This is the last season there. No, not with him. That's fine. Well, he'll earn it. And so I hope so. He's on my team. And along with that, too, like, I don't think that the Browns are going to be particularly good this year.

I think that they had a lot of luck go their way clearly when you have Joe or Joe Flacco leading the charge. I think that some luck has to be involved. And there's some weird stuff going on with their defensive front in terms of like their home road splits were just like drastically different. On the road, they were basically like a bottom 10 defense on and at home they were like a top five, like Hall of Fame type defensive.

Force so I don't know what happened with that. I think it's probably as it always is somewhere in the middle

So for the Bengals, their main thing was their secondary. Yeah, they bolstered up their defensive line, which is great. But the problem is their secondary, which is not great. But that's OK, because their secondary, sorry, their D line can get penetration and slow down the passing game by speeding them up. They also have a pretty good run stop in defense as well.

Drew (49:51.864)
From those two perspectives, they'll be decent. But yeah, and the secondary is a concern. mean, but every every team has got a concern, you know, it's you know, thing. But yeah, no, I think that I do think that the Bengals are going to be much improved this year, along with the the schedule that the events have. It's pretty difficult to overcome.

especially when the Bengals have the six easiest schedule this year going into the season. I, along with those combinations, you like it, I love it. And want some more of Joey B. And I, again, are we forgetting the combination and the connection that those two had in the second half of the season when Joe Burrow was healthy before he hurt his hand or hurt his wrist or whatever.

He was back to the same old guy that he was two years ago. Now he's healthy. He looks like the real Slim Shady. And I think that he can get the job done. And the other thing with the, with the Steelers too, is that Tomlin, I hear you. I love you. You're a great coach. You're a Hall of Famer. But at the same time, I just, you know, it's just one of those things where I don't think he can do it anymore.

Hey, I'm always drunk.

Okay. So that's you should say for your boy, the Broncos coach. That's what Sean Bate should say. He's just stealing money at this point. But yeah, I agree. mean, like I still have the Bagels as a wild card team. That's something that's to off. So that makes sense. That will pretty much do it for all of the divisions. So those are division winners for this season. Next week, we will go over who we specifically have in playoff rankings and then who we kind of have going for the Super Bowl matchup as well as our predictions for

Drew (51:54.85)
like a war, it's MVP, coach of the year, defensive player the year, things of that nature. But other than that, Drew, is there anything else that you wanted to get into today? No, that's pretty much everything. Don't like Joe Mixon, don't like Josh Jacobs. Don't like Rashad White, don't like... Yeah, Rashad White. Rashad White's just bad. I hate that he finished as high as he did. It's RB4. That was all based on touchdowns and passing games. He's not a...

running back. was just dump offs. ETN did the same thing. I think ETN had breakaway runs and he actually was efficient and he was actually a good running back. I can't tell. Like Richard White is just, just can't even. Okay. moral of the story is the Mariners last thing here. The Mariners did classic Mariners things. They started out super hot, gave you a lot of hope out there. A lot of people were even

Like thinking the Mariners can actually make a pretty good run this year They're at the top of the division and they've actually been able to hold it through the summer and then I was like Exactly because the the Astros do with the Astros do they finally got healthy they stopped fooling around like they were in the beginning of the season and they were losing to like teams like the White Sox and stuff like that they turned it around and now they're ahead of the division and

Now the Mariners' hopes of making the playoffs are dwindling by the day. And they're most likely not going to make it, per usual. So, lived another day, lived to fight another year, I should say, actually, because it won't be this year, probably not next year, maybe not the year after that either. But hopefully in three to four years, we can eventually make the playoffs again. So help me God, in Jesus' name, amen.

That was pretty much the main notes as well. Awesome shout out to TUSA for bringing in the gold. Serbia gave us a little bit of a scare there but Steph Curry had to do Steph Curry things. LeBron had to do LeBron things. And LeBron gets to play with his son, Ronnie James in the upcoming season with the Lakers. So that's going to be great as we go 35 and 50. But I digress on that. So other than that, thank you for listening everybody. This has been the College Show Podcast. What you got? One last thing before I go. Also, don't sleep.

Drew (54:14.119)
The Paralympic Games are going to be starting tomorrow and going through September 8th. So that'll also be, I believe on NBC and Peacock, same as the actual Olympics as well. The Paralympics is also going to be in Paris. Got a lot of great athletes out there showing up and showing out. So be good to give them some support as well. That's all I got.

That this is the college podcast. Thanks for listening everybody. We back on our social media So on their YouTube Instagram

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