- 2 years ago
The New England Patriots season has turned surreal as they became the first NFL team in 30 years to lose two straight games while also holding the opposing team to 10 or fewer points- the first since the 1993 Patriots. There's no way the laughable offense can perform any worse, so why not change it up next week against the Chargers? Alec and Rich cover it all.
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SportsTranscript
00:00 All right, hello everybody,
00:01 and welcome to Patriots First and Goal.
00:03 I am Alex Shane, here to break down
00:06 what I believe was a football game
00:08 between the Patriots and the Giants.
00:10 I use the word football very, very loosely in this context,
00:14 'cause that might've been the worst contest
00:16 I've ever seen for a Patriots fan.
00:18 And this is somebody who's watching this in the '80s.
00:20 It was just an awful, awful game.
00:22 Gonna break it down, we're gonna talk about week 13,
00:24 we're gonna talk playoffs, playoffs,
00:26 with my good buddy, Rich Hill.
00:28 Rich, how was your Thanksgiving?
00:29 Hopefully it was a lot better than what we saw
00:32 over the Patriots against the Giants.
00:33 - Well, I don't know what you mean, Alex.
00:35 This was a big win for the Patriots.
00:37 They went out there, they didn't give any hope or semblance
00:41 that they had a chance of beating
00:42 the absolutely hapless New York Giants.
00:46 They decided that maybe they wanted to make a run for it,
00:50 and then just true Patriots fashion for the past year,
00:53 they just collapsed, just complete and total just collapse.
00:58 And now they have the worst record in the AFC by two games.
01:02 They're the only two in team.
01:03 Every other team in the AFC has at least four wins.
01:06 They have very much an inside lane on a top three pick,
01:10 and now they have the tiebreaker with the Giants.
01:14 I don't know what more you're looking for, Alex.
01:16 I consider that game a win.
01:17 - No, again, I think the loss was a win.
01:19 Again, I am not rooting for the tank.
01:21 I am going down with the ship,
01:22 but I was 100% rooting for a loss there.
01:25 That loss was very beneficial from a draft standpoint.
01:28 And if Chad Ryland had made that kick
01:31 and they'd gone to overtime,
01:33 that would have been a very painful, painful experience.
01:35 So I was never so happy to see a rookie
01:38 miss a chip shot field goal to close it out.
01:40 Although I will say, Rich Hill, we'll start with this.
01:42 First and goal, what the hell was that?
01:45 Of all the ways to lose a football game,
01:49 I'm happy they lost in terms of draft perspective
01:51 and whatnot, but can it be like a fumble or an interception
01:55 to have a defensive stop, a punt at the 50,
01:58 you need 10 plays to go 30 yards
02:01 and you shank a field goal.
02:03 That's just such a bad look.
02:05 I'd rather have them lost in the true Patriots fashion,
02:08 which is like a pick six to close it out,
02:10 or like a Juju fall down route,
02:12 or like throwing to nobody,
02:13 or like Hunter Henry and Mike Isecki
02:15 collide in the middle of the field.
02:18 Something a little more Patriots perspective
02:20 that made more sense.
02:21 So just to lose on that kind of ridiculousness,
02:25 glad they lost, but I think there were less ignominious ways
02:29 to drop a game in my personal opinion.
02:31 - Yeah, I mean, like it's kind of just
02:35 what we have to be used to.
02:37 You know, this is a team that is not serious this year.
02:42 And honestly, I don't think that they've shown
02:48 any indication outside of that Bills game
02:51 that they plan on being serious.
02:53 And there's just so many points from this game
02:58 that just highlight how futile this team has been.
03:03 And for them to go down the field and miss a chip shot,
03:06 why not?
03:07 Why the heck not?
03:10 It would be the equivalent of putting starters
03:13 in the final quarter of your preseason game.
03:15 If you go to overtime here, there's no need to do it.
03:18 The Patriots offense, maybe we can like even just start here
03:23 on this one, Mack Jones and Bailey Zappi,
03:27 they combined for like 143 passing yards
03:31 against a very bad Giants team, very, very bad.
03:36 And at no point other than potentially Bailey Zappi's
03:42 touchdown drive, did this offense look like
03:45 it could do anything.
03:47 Three interceptions, three fumbles.
03:49 Fortunately, they didn't lose any of the fumbles,
03:51 but three fumbles, two from Demario Douglas,
03:53 which is always sad to see.
03:55 This offense outside of potentially Ramondre Stevenson,
03:59 who thankfully has found his groove as a runner.
04:03 He's, you know, whatever pre-early season jitters
04:06 he had are gone.
04:07 You know, he's healthy and he's able to produce.
04:09 And I'll throw Ezekiel Elliott in there too.
04:11 He's been a great counter and a number two to Ramondre.
04:14 Although they combined for seven catches for 15 yards.
04:18 That's laughable.
04:19 This team is wasting a very good defensive season.
04:26 And it's like going out there and rooting
04:31 for the University of Iowa.
04:33 And I just don't want to do that.
04:35 - Yeah, I mean, losing 10 to six and 10 to seven
04:38 in back-to-back weeks to not good teams
04:42 is just a real kick in the face.
04:44 Yeah, I feel like maybe for Pat's pulp,
04:45 but I should make like a Patriots lost bingo card.
04:48 'Cause I feel like they really, really checked all the box.
04:51 They had the misfield goal to close the game out.
04:53 They took a safety to end the game,
04:56 interception to end the game.
04:58 I believe there was like a four and out to end the game.
05:01 A reception that should have been caught
05:03 by Keyshawn Boutte first game to continue a drive.
05:07 They're running out of creative ways to lose the game.
05:10 I guess like a kickoff or a walk-off touchdown
05:13 for a partner term will have,
05:14 but that requires like a close game.
05:17 So that's probably not going to happen.
05:19 I guess that is something I will take your point
05:21 and I will run with it.
05:22 They are finding new ways to disappoint us,
05:24 which I guess is something.
05:26 That is something.
05:28 Overall though, Rich, again,
05:29 I don't have a whole lot to say about this game.
05:31 It was just atrocious.
05:32 The defense played fine, but it's even tough
05:34 to gauge how well the defense played
05:37 because Tommy DeVito is not an NFL
05:40 starting caliber quarterback.
05:41 - No, not at all. - He's a great story.
05:43 He's fun to watch.
05:44 I'm rooting for him as like a Jersey kid,
05:46 classic kind of Guido looking guy.
05:47 He really leans into that persona,
05:50 but against a pretty terrible Giants offense,
05:55 the Patriots held them to 10 points.
05:57 So that's good.
05:58 Like you said, completely wasted effort.
05:59 And I feel like they must feel
06:00 like the 2011 Patriots offense did,
06:04 where they were like, it does not matter
06:06 how many points we score.
06:08 We're gonna be in a shootout at the end.
06:10 It's gonna be like 50 to 47 every single week
06:13 and we can't score enough points.
06:15 And that's gonna be very frustrating for them.
06:16 - Totally.
06:17 I mean, I forget which Patriots player said this,
06:19 but coming out of the game,
06:20 they're like, we let up 10 points in two straight games
06:24 and we can't win.
06:26 Like we got to pitch a shutout.
06:28 That's the only way that this team can be competitive
06:30 because a three point lead for the other team
06:33 is insurmountable.
06:35 There's no trust or faith that this offense
06:37 could lead even a field goal drive at any point,
06:40 nevermind under pressure.
06:42 And yeah, I mean, it's just wasting
06:45 another really good, strong defensive season
06:48 for the Patriots.
06:50 It's what we were saying last year,
06:52 where like if we just had a league average offense,
06:55 last year's Patriots team
06:56 would have been a wildcard contender.
06:58 If we had a top 10 offense,
06:59 they would have been an AFC contender.
07:02 Same thing holds true here.
07:04 You know, if the defense,
07:06 knowing that they've lost Judon,
07:07 knowing that they've lost Christian Gonzalez,
07:09 their two best defensive players
07:12 are still producing well, albeit against DeVito.
07:15 They're doing what they need to in order to win.
07:19 And the Patriots for the first time since 1993
07:23 have lost two straight games
07:25 in which their defense has held their opposing team
07:27 to 10 or fewer points.
07:29 The last team in the entire league,
07:31 the last team in the NFL to do that
07:33 were the 1993 Patriots.
07:36 And so it's been a long time.
07:37 This is how futile this Patriots offense is.
07:40 It's historic levels of futility.
07:43 30 years worth of games have gone on
07:45 and we haven't seen offenses this bad,
07:47 complemented with a really good defense.
07:49 - We have not, Rich, no.
07:50 Which is a good transition to the second and goal.
07:53 The Patriots technically are not mathematically eliminated
07:56 from postseason contention yet.
07:58 That could, they have a, I think a 1% chance to make it.
08:01 They need an insane amount of help.
08:03 They need to win out.
08:04 They could possibly sneak in.
08:06 However, they can be mathematically eliminated
08:09 this week, week 13, with a loss against the Chargers,
08:13 coupled with wins by Steelers and the Colts
08:15 against the Cardinals and Titans respectively,
08:18 and either a Browns win over the Rams
08:21 or wins by the Bengals and Broncos
08:23 over the Jaguars and Texans.
08:25 All those things can happen.
08:27 However, I think it is in our best interest as Patriots fans
08:30 for them to be alive for one more week,
08:32 'cause we want the Cardinals to beat the Steelers
08:35 for that draft pick.
08:37 Don't see that happening 'cause the Steelers
08:38 are somehow in the playoff race.
08:40 This is a really bad football season.
08:42 There's a lot of crappy teams
08:43 vying for a lot of playoff spots, Rich Hill.
08:45 But there could be a chance that the season
08:47 is marginally mathematically over come Tuesday morning.
08:52 Do you see those scenarios playing out?
08:53 You think the Patriots are still gonna be alive
08:54 come Tuesday?
08:56 - I think they'll still be alive.
08:57 Like a lot of things have to go against them.
08:59 I have full belief that they'll lose to the Chargers.
09:02 But I feel like there's just enough other dominoes
09:04 that I don't feel great about that prognostication.
09:07 But specifically, I agree with your point.
09:11 I want the Cardinals to beat the Steelers.
09:13 And I think they could.
09:14 Like this Steelers team has been living on borrowed time.
09:18 They somehow are seven and four,
09:20 but they have a negative point differential, negative 23.
09:24 Teams have scored 23 more points against them
09:26 than they've scored.
09:27 They are basically what the Patriots wish that they could do
09:31 is that they have a top five defense
09:33 and a bottom five offense,
09:35 and they're just somehow pulling it off.
09:38 They're eking out victories.
09:39 They have a four point victory over the Browns,
09:42 a five point victory over the Ravens.
09:43 They more recently had a four point win over the Titans,
09:47 a four point win over the Packers,
09:48 and a six point win over the Bengals.
09:50 They've had a fortunate stretch
09:52 where they've played backup quarterbacks.
09:54 Cardinals just getting Kyler Murray back,
09:58 and they look bad.
09:59 They look very, very bad.
10:01 But this is a team that is kind of struggling,
10:05 just like the Patriots, to score more than like two scores.
10:08 And so there's enough variance in a given game
10:12 that I could see the Cardinals pulling it off.
10:13 And they're kind of due.
10:15 They've had some bad luck going their way this year,
10:16 and the Steelers have had a lot of good luck
10:18 going their way.
10:19 So I wouldn't be surprised if we left this week
10:21 with the Patriots and the Cardinals
10:22 a little bit more closely aligned for the top pick.
10:25 - It's certainly possible to get way, way ahead
10:27 of ourselves, Rich Hill, talking about draft.
10:30 Do you think the Cardinals,
10:31 if they hang on to that number two pick,
10:33 are gonna pick a quarterback,
10:34 or do you think they're gonna stick with Murray
10:35 for a little while longer?
10:37 - I think that they would be in the position
10:39 where they would trade it for a fortune.
10:42 I think that there will be enough teams this year
10:45 that will say, "We want either Caleb or Drake.
10:47 Those are our two options.
10:49 And so we need to have a top two pick
10:51 in order to get them."
10:52 This is gonna be similar in my head to that golf once year,
10:55 where you had a lot of teams trading out
10:56 for those top couple of picks.
10:58 I'd be curious to see if the Bears,
11:01 like obviously I wouldn't be super surprised
11:02 if they move on from Justin Fields,
11:05 but I would just be curious to know how those teams do,
11:07 because a lot of the teams jockeying for those top picks
11:11 already have a relatively young quarterback
11:15 on their roster.
11:16 And so will they move on?
11:18 What does that mean for the rest of the market?
11:19 We'll have to see.
11:21 - We'll have to see.
11:21 And again, getting way ahead of myself here, Rich.
11:23 But it's interesting, you talked about how the Steelers
11:26 have these negative point differentials
11:27 and the Cardinals can upset them.
11:29 I think the Chiefs are the best team in the AFC.
11:32 Who's your number two team in the AFC right now?
11:35 Is it the Ravens?
11:36 Is it the Dolphins?
11:37 Is it the Bills?
11:38 Despite the losses they've taken recently,
11:40 who would you place at number two in the AFC right now?
11:43 - Yeah, I mean, that's a very good question.
11:45 I think it's a hodgepodge.
11:48 There's a lot of very glaring weaknesses across them.
11:51 I don't think, I think the Jaguars
11:54 are a little bit of a paper tiger of sorts.
11:55 I think they've benefit from playing in a,
11:57 you know, continuously bad AFC South.
12:00 But I think that they have some interesting pieces.
12:04 I think they're very much a tier below the Dolphins.
12:06 I think that they're a tier below the Bills.
12:09 I just think that like the Steelers, the Browns
12:12 and the Ravens have enough holes.
12:13 I think the Ravens holes are mostly injuries,
12:16 but they keep finding ways to win across the three of them.
12:19 But the Browns have a, and the Steelers
12:22 have just really bad offenses.
12:24 Like the Browns offense rivals the Patriots.
12:26 And so does the Steelers.
12:27 And so they're just better able at pulling it out
12:30 at the end, but that's not how you contend.
12:32 So it's the Chiefs.
12:34 I feel like at the end of the day,
12:36 it will be either the Bills or the Dolphins
12:38 going against them.
12:39 And I could throw the Ravens in there.
12:41 I just feel like they're bound to have the wheels fall off
12:44 at some point.
12:45 But I would say that I'd put the Dolphins
12:48 at that number two spot.
12:49 - All right, flip side of a chill.
12:50 Patriots the worst team in the AFC.
12:52 - Easily.
12:53 - Obviously.
12:54 Are they the worst team in the NFL in 2023?
12:57 - They are the most uninteresting team in the NFL.
13:02 If we could say that, like I'd say that
13:05 from a talent perspective, they're out there
13:09 with the Panthers and potentially the Cardinals
13:12 for having the least amount of talent in the entire league
13:15 from an upside perspective.
13:17 At least the Panthers have a young new first overall
13:20 pick quarterback that if with the right coaching
13:23 could turn it around, maybe we'll see.
13:26 The Giants also have a bleak future based off
13:30 of what they've built around their team.
13:32 But I would say we are at this point now
13:34 that the Giants beat the Patriots that I don't know
13:38 if there's any other team in the league that would say
13:41 I would trade places with the Patriots right now.
13:43 So like that's kind of my answer.
13:45 I don't think any team in the entire league would say
13:48 let me swap spots with the Patriots.
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14:51 - Yeah, I guess on the plus side
14:54 they have the cap space coming the next year
14:56 but they just have so many holes all across the roster.
15:00 It's just, I don't know how much that cap space
15:02 is really gonna benefit
15:03 and how well they're gonna be able to spend it going forward
15:06 which leads me to the last part of second and goal Rich Hill.
15:09 I no longer care in the slightest
15:12 which quarterback gets the first team reps,
15:15 which quarterback starts.
15:16 I don't, doesn't matter to me.
15:18 I don't think Mac Jones or Zappy are gonna matter who
15:21 they both stink.
15:23 Maybe get Malik up there 'cause he's fun to watch
15:25 and he's like a running threat.
15:26 So it's like objectively interesting to see
15:28 but do you give a crap who the quarterback is
15:30 to the next six games?
15:32 Are you like leaning one way or another?
15:33 Do you wanna see Zappy get a start
15:35 in like game plan for him?
15:36 Give him a chance showcases where
15:38 it's maybe like a late round trade
15:40 or he's like, do you like me?
15:41 Have you given up?
15:42 Malik. - Malik Cunningham.
15:45 - You're on team Malik.
15:47 - Yes, I mean, we know what we have with Mac.
15:49 If they choose to go with him
15:51 then just stop pulling him from games.
15:53 Like just stop doing that show and just let him play.
15:58 It's like, you're not gonna get any better performance
16:01 from Zappy.
16:02 Like Zappy's touchdown drive, sure they scored.
16:06 What was the stat that he averaged?
16:08 Negative 0.5 yards, negative one yard of depth
16:12 of every single pass.
16:14 He was just throwing screens.
16:15 Like literally anyone could go out there.
16:18 Any NFL quarterback could go do that
16:20 no matter what string they are.
16:21 Like he is not bringing any sort of elements
16:24 to this Patriots team that is better than Mac Jones
16:28 that gives them a better opportunity to win.
16:31 Like neither of them have it for this Patriots team.
16:36 Like they might have it for a different team.
16:39 This Patriots team has no future.
16:41 Like they have receivers that based off of the playbook
16:45 and their own ability are worse than the league
16:47 at creating separation.
16:48 They are behind an offensive line
16:50 that is like becoming a little bit more sturdy.
16:52 Like that's been an upside.
16:53 That's been great.
16:54 And it's been yielding for the rushing attack
16:56 but the damage has already been done
16:58 where Mac Jones has no faith.
17:00 And the second that he feels like
17:02 there might be a semblance of pressure, he crumbles.
17:04 And it's already broken our quarterback.
17:07 And so it's, yeah.
17:12 I feel like if you're just gonna go with Mac Jones,
17:14 just do it.
17:15 But otherwise, if you're going to go
17:17 with different direction, put in Malik.
17:19 He brings an element that Mac Jones and Bailey Zappi
17:22 don't have with his mobility.
17:23 And maybe you'll be able to pull out some wins
17:26 that you otherwise wouldn't have
17:27 or just like be more entertaining.
17:30 Like the Patriots are committing the biggest sin
17:32 of being both bad and uninteresting.
17:35 - Yeah, and again, I think I talked about it
17:37 in our last podcast, like that minute and a half
17:39 when Zappi came in down four,
17:41 that was like at least a fun 45 seconds of football
17:45 until he threw into triple coverage on the fake spike.
17:47 Like I was like, I was like up for it.
17:48 I was like, all right, Zappi.
17:49 I don't know.
17:50 I was never start Zappi.
17:52 I'm not gonna be start Zappi now.
17:54 I don't see what the point is
17:56 of starting Zappi over Mac Jones.
17:58 I don't think it's matter for starting Mac Jones over Zappi.
18:02 I don't think Malik Cunningham has seen more
18:03 than a small handful of reps at quarterback in practice
18:06 is I'm mostly as a receiver.
18:08 So if they do start Malik Cunningham,
18:11 they have officially punted on the year.
18:13 I don't see it happening, but it will be interesting.
18:16 But again, I just personally don't understand
18:18 why there's any kind of discussion or debate
18:20 about who's gonna start for the Patriots.
18:22 'Cause having a discussion and debate implies
18:24 there's a right or wrong position to take.
18:26 I don't think it matters.
18:27 - It's all wrong.
18:29 It's all wrong.
18:30 It's all wrong.
18:32 But the good news is Rich Hill,
18:33 there's only six games left.
18:34 Six games left in this season can be mercifully taken up
18:37 behind the shed and put to sleep.
18:39 Let's get the third and goal Patriots chargers
18:41 coming up after this.
18:42 All right, Rich Hill, it is week 13.
18:46 And it's usually the time of year where Patriots fans
18:48 everywhere are talking about division crowns,
18:51 seating, playoff buys,
18:52 who's hosting who in the AFC championship game.
18:56 Like I said, in second and goal,
18:57 the Patriots can be eliminated for postseason this week,
19:00 probably won't happen, but they can be out of it.
19:02 Before we get into the Patriots chargers game,
19:04 which will most likely be a loss,
19:06 let's go around the league as we always do.
19:09 Are there any interesting games
19:10 you're particularly excited about this week
19:12 beyond Patriots chargers,
19:14 which I can't imagine you're that excited about
19:15 to be honest.
19:16 - Yeah, no, there are some really good games.
19:20 I think 49ers Eagles will be the best game
19:24 of potentially the season.
19:25 Like those are the two heavy hitters in the NFC.
19:28 I think that they'll be great.
19:30 That somehow Jalen Hurts keeps pulling out wins.
19:33 I don't know if you caught any of that game
19:34 against the Bills,
19:35 but like that was a team of destiny type of win
19:38 that they had against Buffalo.
19:39 A real like, oh, this is a contender.
19:42 They're going to find ways to win in super gritty ways.
19:45 And then you have the 49ers team that just,
19:48 I mean, Brock Purdy has been outperforming
19:51 his entire career,
19:52 but has been doing just such a good job with them.
19:54 So I think that'll be a very interesting game to watch.
19:58 And then my sneaky, really good game pick,
20:01 Broncos on the road against the Texans.
20:03 If people haven't been paying attention to those teams
20:07 because they don't really have a reason to,
20:09 and that would be totally fair.
20:11 The Broncos, you know,
20:12 remember how they started the season,
20:14 letting up 70 points to the Dolphins to open up 0-3.
20:18 They're currently running a five game win streak
20:21 with wins against the Chiefs, Bills,
20:23 obviously the Vikings in a different circumstance,
20:25 but also the Packers and the Browns.
20:27 Like this is a five game winning streak
20:29 that is a real winning streak.
20:31 They are beating good teams
20:32 and they're doing it with kind of complimentary football.
20:35 Russell Wilson playing really well.
20:37 He's playing like he's that top five quarterback
20:39 that they were hoping to acquire.
20:40 They have a very exciting offense
20:43 as it relates to just a variety of players
20:45 that are able to produce in different ways.
20:48 Their defense is also, you know,
20:50 putting together stronger outings.
20:52 They're not letting up 70 points anymore.
20:54 So like they obviously have a lot of ways to go,
20:56 but across their winning streak,
20:58 they've not allowed more than 22 points during that stretch.
21:03 So like they're doing their job on that one.
21:06 And then you look on the other side with the Texans,
21:09 CJ Stroud, front runner for offensive rookie of the year.
21:13 He's been just a revelation for this Texas offense.
21:16 So super Texans offense,
21:18 super happy for Nick Casario
21:19 to like find that young quarterback
21:21 'cause like he's got it.
21:23 Like I think if you just remember watching, you know,
21:26 Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence
21:27 at like the beginning stages of their careers,
21:29 like before, like now it's like, oh, okay.
21:31 Like Trevor Lawrence,
21:33 definite top 10 quarterback kind of player.
21:35 Joe Burrow went healthy, obvious top five.
21:38 Stroud is showing that flash.
21:39 Like he is going to be a difference maker
21:41 for this Texans team.
21:43 And you know, they have young players
21:45 that are really doing it.
21:46 Nico Collins, Tank Dell, they're both,
21:49 I think Tank Dell's a rookie,
21:50 I would say out of Houston or something like that,
21:52 but they're catching big plays.
21:53 Both of them averaging over 15 yards per catch.
21:56 Like they are producing in exciting fashion.
21:59 They're not winning every single game.
22:01 They're coming off of a loss to that Jaguars team,
22:04 but they're exciting.
22:06 I think that has the chance,
22:08 the Broncos, Texans to be one that people will be like,
22:11 oh, I'll watch the highlights from that one.
22:14 - Tell you Rich, a sneaky, interesting game
22:17 coming up week 13, given recent news
22:19 is the Jets hosting the Falcons this Sunday.
22:22 Jets have four wins, Falcons have five wins.
22:24 Both are in the playoff hunt
22:26 and Aaron Rodgers is back throwing.
22:28 The Jets have opened up his 21 day window to come back.
22:32 I personally don't see any reason
22:34 a 40 year old quarterback coming off an Achilles tear
22:37 for the Jets would come in this season and play,
22:39 but maybe the Jets get hot
22:41 and they're playing toward the very end of the season.
22:43 And that last week Patriots Jets
22:45 has some kind of play publications.
22:47 He comes back.
22:48 You see any chance Aaron Rodgers makes an appearance in 2023
22:51 he's kind of weird like that.
22:52 He's a nut job.
22:54 - I mean, maybe it'd be one,
22:56 it'd have to be one of those circumstances where,
22:58 you know, give him a couple of weeks
23:00 if the Jets eke out a couple of victories here,
23:03 because like, as you said,
23:03 like that Falcons game could be winnable.
23:06 Like they could theoretically win that game.
23:10 They have games against the Texans,
23:13 then one against the Dolphins after that.
23:16 Will he come back for that Dolphins game?
23:18 I don't know.
23:19 But if the Jets pull out two of those three victories,
23:23 if they're able to sit at like six and eight,
23:25 and then they have the Commanders,
23:26 Browns and Patriots to close out the year,
23:29 those are three very winnable games
23:31 for an Aaron Rodgers led Jets team,
23:33 even if he's at 80%.
23:35 Is it worth it for him to kind of lead a nine and eight team
23:38 to get a wild card spot?
23:41 Maybe, like, honestly, I could see it,
23:43 but a kind of dominoes have to go in their way
23:45 and there has to be a path to the playoffs.
23:47 If there's not one of those,
23:49 then I don't see him forcing his way back.
23:51 - Speaking of wild card hopefuls, Rich Hill,
23:53 the Los Angeles Chargers are coming
23:55 to the New England Patriots this Sunday, 1 p.m. game.
23:59 This is one of those games earlier in the season,
24:01 I figured it'd be a hard fought game,
24:03 but the Patriots would win,
24:05 because the Patriots seem to always beat the Chargers.
24:07 One of those teams the Patriots
24:08 have always beat up on historically.
24:09 Even in 2020, that random Cam Newton year,
24:12 it was like 45 to nothing, I believe.
24:14 Just an absolute beat down.
24:16 Obviously, different algebra coming into this one.
24:19 Let's rip the bandaid off,
24:20 do third and goal with the Patriots offense,
24:23 or what resembles the Patriots offense
24:25 against the Chargers defense.
24:27 The only really piece of analysis I have here, Rich Hill,
24:30 is you have to just run the ball a lot
24:33 and keep throwing those wide receiver screens,
24:35 hoping that somebody makes some separation
24:37 and does something.
24:38 Although, if PopDog was likely out in concussion protocol,
24:41 I don't know who your most elusive receiver is now.
24:44 Maybe this is a Keyshawn Boutte game,
24:46 but I don't really,
24:47 maybe they pass the ball beyond 10 yards,
24:51 which I don't think they did at all against the Giants.
24:54 So maybe a lot more runs,
24:56 a lot more wide receiver screens,
24:58 and just try and limit the disaster
25:00 to maybe like two picks instead of three.
25:03 Is that your offensive strategy?
25:04 How are you approaching this game if you're the Patriots?
25:07 - Okay, this is gonna sound a little flippant.
25:11 I don't fully mean it to be flippant.
25:13 Should the Patriots have a plan at all?
25:17 Right, like it's one of those things where
25:21 has any plan that they've had worked?
25:24 I don't think so.
25:26 Honestly, like this team seems like they are worse off
25:30 when they're trying to play within the structure
25:32 because teams are sitting on everything.
25:35 There's no player getting open.
25:37 The offensive line, yeah, as you said,
25:39 running the ball, totally fine.
25:41 But all of these designed plays
25:44 are being either extremely well-covered
25:47 or in the chances that they're not,
25:49 players aren't capitalizing on their opportunities.
25:52 They're not doing anything.
25:53 So like, this goes back to the Malik thing.
25:56 Let's play some backyard football here.
25:57 Like let's get a little weird.
25:59 Let's break the Bill O'Brien playbook
26:01 because even Bill O'Brien in his press conference
26:03 this week said that, you know,
26:05 not a lot has been going well
26:07 for the Patriots offense this year.
26:08 And it starts with him.
26:10 It's on him to be calling plays
26:12 that are putting these players in position to succeed.
26:15 Obviously the players need to execute on it.
26:18 But when every single player,
26:21 other than at this point in time,
26:23 maybe the offensive line and the running backs
26:26 is not able to execute and succeed,
26:30 that's a failure of the system, not of the players.
26:33 When you see players go to other teams and thrive,
26:37 like we're seeing with Jacoby Myers,
26:39 like we've seen with Johnnie Smith,
26:41 when we see that happen,
26:42 that is a massive indictment
26:44 on the Patriots offensive coaching decisions.
26:47 And so to that point,
26:49 I don't think that they should really try to attack
26:52 the Chargers in a way that you might expect.
26:55 You know, this is a Chargers team that has talent
26:58 up and down the roster.
26:59 You know, I think that, you know,
27:01 it's an Asante Samuel revenge game with his son out there,
27:04 JC Jackson revenge game for the Patriots,
27:06 but like kind of the inverse.
27:08 I feel like it's one of those circumstances
27:09 where the Chargers are gonna show up extra
27:13 to kind of capitalize on JC Jackson
27:15 not performing for them.
27:17 Derwin James, one of the best safeties in the entire league.
27:22 This is like a talented secondary.
27:24 You're not going to get anything through the air,
27:27 even if you're a good offense,
27:29 nevermind for the Patriots.
27:31 And so I know that overall,
27:34 the Tex or the Chargers have done pretty well
27:36 against the pass in general.
27:39 Patriots aren't gonna do it.
27:41 Patriots are not going to be able to throw
27:43 for like the 400 yards that the Dolphins
27:45 and the Chiefs have been able to do
27:47 at various points this year.
27:48 You look at the bad passing attacks,
27:51 like the Jets had 206 passing yards.
27:55 The Titans had 200, the Bears had 222.
27:58 I'm taking the under on that.
28:00 Patriots are gonna struggle to go for 200 through the air.
28:03 The way to win it,
28:05 and the way that you can kind of get by them,
28:08 look at what the Lions did in week 10,
28:10 look at what the Ravens did in week 12.
28:12 Lions got 200 on the ground, Ravens got 197.
28:16 It's going to be a big Raimondre day.
28:18 It's going to be a big Ezekiel Elliott day.
28:21 That's gonna be my X factors.
28:23 The Patriots rushing attack is,
28:24 can they do enough to overcome whatever negative performance
28:28 the Patriots passing attack is gonna put together?
28:31 - Yeah, I mean, I don't know why you'd do anything
28:33 but defend against the run
28:34 if you're going against this Patriots team.
28:35 I tell you, there's not a receiver
28:37 I wouldn't be totally confident covering one-on-one.
28:40 I'm gonna do something I said I wouldn't do again, Rich Hill,
28:44 but I'm going with Tyquan Thornton as my X factor.
28:47 They've been talking Tyquan Thornton up all week.
28:49 They've been defending him all week.
28:50 They've been talking about how good he is.
28:52 They've been saying, you know,
28:53 the routes he's running, are they're not on him?
28:55 For some reason, there's a lot of kind of pro Thornton talk
28:58 in the locker room and in the media this week.
29:00 And with Jermario Douglas likely out,
29:03 someone's gotta take those little screen routes
29:05 and do something. - That's true.
29:06 - So it might as well be Thornton.
29:07 I was going with maybe Boutte as my X factor
29:10 'cause he's probably gonna get some starting time
29:11 in with Douglas out, but maybe just given the hype
29:15 that Thornton's gotten this week,
29:16 they're gonna do one of those.
29:17 We're gonna prove you wrong
29:18 and he's gonna get a deep pass and connect and do something.
29:22 I know I said I would stop
29:23 with the Tyquan Thornton X factor,
29:25 but I'll give myself one more for the road.
29:27 - Well, okay, so I mean, my correction to that point of,
29:31 like, okay, if Jermario Douglas is unable to go,
29:35 I like the idea of some receiver
29:37 is going to have to step up in some way.
29:41 Douglas has stepped up since Bourne was hurt.
29:44 Those players that had been producing for the Patriots
29:48 are the slot receivers.
29:50 We're not talking about Tyquan Thornton,
29:52 who was the backup for Devante Parker on the outside.
29:55 We're not looking for those players to succeed.
29:57 We're looking for the slot players.
29:59 So this is gonna be even worse.
30:03 My guy, this is a Juju Smith-Schuster game.
30:06 This is the game where,
30:07 can Juju Smith-Schuster be the X factor?
30:09 Can he, Alec, I'm gonna kind of flip it back on you
30:12 from an over-under perspective.
30:14 Can our friend Juju Smith-Schuster,
30:17 can he rack up more than 30 yards this game?
30:20 - 30 yards?
30:22 - 30.
30:23 - Can that count like a screen that he goes, that he breaks?
30:26 - Yeah, by any means, can he get 30 yards?
30:30 - Who's throwing the ball?
30:34 Like, I'm at legit, like,
30:38 if the game plan in any way replicates
30:42 what we saw against the Giants,
30:44 there's not gonna be any passes beyond 10 yards,
30:46 which means he's gonna have to catch like six grabs for 30.
30:50 I don't see him making six catches.
30:51 So unless he like takes a screen and breaks one,
30:55 I'm gonna go no.
30:56 I'm gonna go the under on 30 yards.
30:58 I don't think a single Patriots receiver
31:00 eclipses 50 yards, I think, on the day,
31:03 save for maybe like a screen pass that goes
31:05 or like a chunk play.
31:08 I just don't see anybody kind of accumulating yards
31:11 through consecutive positive plays going forward.
31:14 I feel like that's kind of out of the Patriots' wheelhouse.
31:17 Consecutive good plays is not something we really see.
31:21 - Will they get in the end zone though, Rachiel?
31:23 Will they get in the end zone in this game?
31:24 I'll throw a prop at back to you.
31:26 Do we see a Patriots touchdown this Sunday?
31:29 - Yeah, yeah, yeah.
31:31 I feel confident that there will be a Patriots touchdown.
31:35 Will it matter?
31:36 That's an entirely different question.
31:38 And I don't think it will.
31:41 I mean, it's, I don't know.
31:44 I feel like I flipped a switch heading into last week's game
31:47 or like in the midst of last week's games
31:48 against the Giants where it's like, ugly can be fun.
31:52 Ugly can be like, how are they gonna mess up this drive?
31:56 Who's gonna fumble here?
31:57 Well, how bad will the pick be?
31:59 Who's going to just make the most ghastly mistake
32:02 and end it?
32:03 And you can watch this game as a bit of a sicko.
32:06 There's enough players that like, you know,
32:10 someone's gonna do something.
32:11 It's very hard to not score at least once in this NFL.
32:18 So I wouldn't be surprised if the Patriots get,
32:20 you know, one touchdown.
32:21 Will it be enough to overcome what the Chargers
32:23 might be capable of on offense?
32:25 I don't think so.
32:26 But one player that I would love to see,
32:31 absolutely love to see a little bit more of
32:33 would be Farrow Brown.
32:37 I don't know.
32:39 I know that the Patriots just like,
32:44 haven't been targeting him.
32:46 He's gone three games in a row without a target.
32:49 The Patriots offense looked at least a little bit better
32:53 when they were involving him.
32:54 They look better in general
32:55 when they include their tight ends.
32:56 For whatever reason, none of them are really doing anything.
32:59 Like Hunter Henry is, you know,
33:01 the definition of, you know,
33:04 middling slash workman's like for this Patriots.
33:07 He's had almost 300 yards on the year,
33:11 but he's not really doing that much out there.
33:15 Like, why aren't they targeting the tight ends?
33:17 Like, I think that there's just like some basic things
33:20 that the Patriots can do that I would just like,
33:23 be curious, will they get more than 50 yards to tight ends?
33:27 I don't know.
33:28 What do you think?
33:29 - No, no, I don't think they will, Rich.
33:35 I guess like one genuine positive
33:37 that I'm taking out of the season,
33:38 I don't think I've had a less stressful fan experience
33:44 than I did have in 2023.
33:46 I have not been sweating out any games,
33:48 maybe the Dolphins game in the early,
33:50 the first Dolphins game was kind of like a nail biter.
33:52 The Eagles game I expected to lose.
33:54 This is a really relaxing, stressful game,
33:58 or season I should say.
33:59 And I just don't expect them to do anything offensively.
34:04 And when your expectations are just non-existent,
34:09 anything they do is like a nice win for you.
34:12 However, Rich Hill, the defense is still good,
34:14 unfortunately for them.
34:15 If they're gonna win this game,
34:17 they're gonna keep it really, really close,
34:19 like the zero to zero tie.
34:22 That's gonna be where we're gonna be doing this.
34:24 Let's get the fourth and goal, Rich Hill.
34:25 Patriots defense versus Chargers offense.
34:27 Justin Herbert, good player.
34:29 A lot of, I feel like the Chargers are one of those teams
34:31 that should be nasty, but just aren't for whatever reason.
34:36 They have a lot of talent on this offense.
34:38 They'd never quite, they don't put a complete game together.
34:41 Maybe they're gonna underestimate the Patriots.
34:43 Maybe they're gonna play poorly,
34:45 but how are you attacking this pretty potent Chargers offense
34:48 on paper at least if you're, if the bell checks?
34:51 - Yeah, totally.
34:51 I mean, the thing to know about this Chargers team
34:54 is that they're both like a little disappointing
34:57 and also like dealing with injuries across it.
35:01 So like Keenan Allen,
35:03 still one of the premier receivers in the league.
35:06 You double him, that kind of is their passing attack.
35:09 Quentin Johnson is their rookie.
35:10 He's been extremely unproductive for them.
35:14 Massive case of the yips, had some big drops for them,
35:17 but he's also just like not been putting it together
35:20 for them this year.
35:21 So like he's been one of their top receivers
35:25 when you look at what their expectations are,
35:27 because Mike Williams dealing with an injury.
35:31 You look at their other players,
35:33 I believe it was Josh Palmer
35:36 is another one of their top receivers dealing with an injury.
35:39 And so this is not a healthy offense for this Chargers team.
35:44 And outside of Austin Eckler
35:47 and Josh Kelly coming out of the backfield,
35:50 you really just have to worry about Keenan Allen.
35:53 And so in standard Belichick way,
35:56 you double Keenan out there
35:58 and you make sure that the Chargers
36:01 don't get anything going on the ground,
36:03 knowing full well that Eckler is a big threat
36:05 as a receiving back,
36:06 but you make sure that they don't win
36:08 with their running backs.
36:09 You're gonna get some opportunities out there.
36:11 Herbert doesn't turn the ball over a lot,
36:13 but you're going to get some opportunities
36:15 for some third downs,
36:17 so long as you do your job in stopping Keenan Allen.
36:19 - So who are you putting on Keenan Allen?
36:22 Is this like a JC Jackson with some safety help game?
36:24 - I don't know.
36:27 It's definitely a circumstance where I'm not sure
36:29 what the Patriots would like to do, if that makes sense,
36:34 because Keenan Allen, definitely one of the bigger
36:38 wide receivers that the Patriots will face
36:41 from just like a prototypical, you know,
36:43 six foot two, six foot two and a half,
36:45 210 pound player who can like do it all.
36:48 He can do it all.
36:50 It's not something that you would necessarily say like,
36:53 you know, just from a prototypical standpoint,
36:55 like Jonathan Jones, you go out there and do that.
36:57 That doesn't really like map to his ability.
37:00 Miles Bryant is way too small for that.
37:02 So like, you're kind of left with JC Jackson
37:05 by the process of elimination.
37:07 The big concern that I have on that one
37:12 is the fact that JC Jackson was on the Chargers.
37:16 And there's just part of me that feels like the Chargers
37:20 are going to come out and just pick on him.
37:21 Like Jackson has been fine for the Patriots.
37:25 He's definitely not like the all pro caliber cornerback
37:28 that he was for the Patriots a few years back.
37:31 And so I would be a little nervous
37:34 if the Patriots put Jackson on him,
37:35 because I also don't think that the Patriots
37:37 have a good free safety who can help provide
37:39 the necessary coverage over the top.
37:42 So it's not going to be a great situation.
37:46 Perhaps, just like perhaps Jalen Mills could be that option.
37:52 Like in my head, I might consider putting Jalen Mills
37:56 out there just because he has that physicality out there.
37:58 Maybe you put JC Jackson on Quentin Johnson,
38:00 who where he can potentially capitalize
38:02 on some of the turnover attempts that might come his way.
38:05 But it's definitely not a matchup
38:07 that I think works well for the Patriots
38:09 'cause their secondary is in general,
38:11 a lot smaller than this Chargers receiving core.
38:14 - Yeah, no, it's interesting.
38:16 'Cause I thought, it's why I think
38:17 they're going to have success.
38:18 It's going to have to be getting to Herbert early and often.
38:22 I should go with Anthony Jennings as my X factor.
38:24 I think he's really come into his own
38:25 the past couple of weeks.
38:27 Got after DeVito a lot in the Giants loss.
38:29 He's kind of been a good edge guy.
38:31 I think they finally as a team, due to the six sacks
38:35 last week, they have surpassed Matthew Judon
38:37 as a leading sack leader.
38:38 So that's good.
38:39 They now have more sacks in the team than Judon did.
38:41 I think Jennings could be a good guy to trump Herbert.
38:44 One thing I will say about Herbert is if he gets rattled,
38:48 he can be continuously rattled.
38:49 He's not one of those clutch ice water in his veins,
38:52 shake off the pick and then come back
38:53 and have a lights out drive the next game.
38:55 So they can get to him early,
38:56 knock him off his game a little bit.
38:58 Maybe he gets careless with the ball,
39:00 throws one to Kyle Duggar, throws one deep
39:02 and then it gets picked off.
39:03 So hopefully Jennings can get through the pass rush.
39:06 - I like that.
39:07 I mean, I think Jennings has really come
39:09 into his own this year.
39:10 He's been, in my mind, one of the better Patriots on defense,
39:13 like really stepping up with the Judon injury.
39:15 He's earned every minute that he has on that field.
39:18 So absolutely love that.
39:20 I think if I'm the Patriots or like,
39:23 who is my X factor going to be,
39:26 Patriots need to force some turnovers here.
39:28 Like that's just the long and short of it.
39:31 They've done a pretty good job
39:33 of forcing turnovers as of late.
39:35 They just need to be able to force more turnovers
39:38 than the Chargers are going to be able to get
39:41 from this Patriots team.
39:43 And so who are the Patriots players
39:46 that are like best able to force those turnovers?
39:49 In my head, Jabril Peppers.
39:52 Jabril Peppers is going to be my like X factor
39:55 from can he just either get his hand on the ball,
39:59 he leads the team and passes defended.
40:01 He has that just incredible force fumble.
40:05 He's the player that I feel like is an X factor in general
40:08 for the Patriots, 'cause they ask him to do a lot.
40:11 And if he is able to go out there,
40:13 he's likely going to have to both either
40:15 cover the tight ends out there
40:16 and also make sure that Ekler and Kelly
40:19 don't make a lot of noise as receivers.
40:21 There's going to be a lot of expectations for him out there
40:23 and he's going to be in position to be around the ball.
40:26 And if he's able to force a turnover,
40:29 lead the Patriots to get a turnover or two,
40:32 maybe the Patriots could pull this one off.
40:34 Like I think that the Patriots could do it.
40:37 This feels like one of those weird games
40:39 that the Patriots would win.
40:41 Just like the Jets and the Bills game.
40:43 There's just certain games that have that vibe.
40:45 So maybe, and I think that Peppers forcing some turnovers
40:49 could be the reason for it.
40:51 Maybe is the name of the game,
40:53 which is a good transition, Rich,
40:54 to the predictions we will be making.
40:56 Let's see.
40:57 I think we both had the,
41:00 no, you had the Giants winning last week.
41:02 Good work.
41:03 Good man.
41:04 So you are the one with the hammer this week.
41:07 I had the Patriots winning 27 to 10.
41:09 (laughs)
41:10 - How do you know about that?
41:12 - Well, again, like the Patriots,
41:13 they're good for, even when they're bad
41:15 in the past couple of years,
41:16 they were good for like one blowout win
41:20 where like the other team just plays like crap
41:22 and everything kind of just goes right for the Patriots.
41:25 And I'm a little worried that blowout win
41:26 still has yet to happen.
41:27 And we're going to see it at the absolute worst possible time
41:31 with the number two pick on the line.
41:33 And that's going to be the blowout win.
41:35 But I will get to that maybe this week, maybe later on.
41:37 Regarding Lon is Rich, you have the hammer,
41:39 you got the pick.
41:40 So who do you got?
41:41 Patriots are hosting the Chargers this Sunday at one.
41:44 Who's winning this game?
41:46 - Yeah.
41:47 I'm coming with the Chargers.
41:48 I'm not going to change it up.
41:50 Patriots have one win at home this whole year.
41:53 It was against the Bills.
41:54 They have lost at home to the commanders.
41:58 They've lost in just truly dramatic fashion to the Saints.
42:02 They're not going to beat this Chargers team.
42:05 It's going to perhaps not be terrible,
42:09 but it's not going to be good.
42:11 Obviously the Chargers only put up 10 points
42:14 against the Ravens last week.
42:16 A lot of that comes to the like,
42:18 how did their drives end?
42:20 They were going for it.
42:21 You know, turnovers on downs.
42:22 They've obviously had like a few other interceptions
42:24 and things like that too, in fumbles.
42:26 They had about four drives, I want to say,
42:28 and in those like turnover plays
42:31 that like likely wouldn't happen again.
42:34 And their final two drives ended on downs.
42:37 They're not going to put up 10 points again this week
42:41 against the Patriots.
42:42 I think that they beat New England.
42:44 It's going to be pretty comfortable.
42:45 It's going to be something to the tune of like 24 to 10.
42:50 - 24 to 10 Chargers.
42:53 Rich Hill, do you know the last time
42:55 during our prediction season,
42:56 you picked the Patriots to win a game?
42:59 I'm going back to our list right here.
43:00 I got, when's the last time you picked the pass to win one?
43:02 Do you know?
43:03 - I'm curious.
43:05 Did I choose against the Raiders?
43:07 - The Raiders, you picked the Patriots,
43:09 but you did pick the Patriots against the Raiders.
43:11 You were wrong.
43:12 However, you picked the Patriots one more time.
43:16 Nope, you picked the Commanders to win that game.
43:18 You picked the Commanders to win that game.
43:20 Yes, you picked the Patriots to beat the Dolphins.
43:23 Coming off that, in your defense,
43:26 they were coming off that big Buffalo win.
43:27 We thought maybe they turned a corner.
43:30 It was a home game.
43:31 They thought maybe there was a situation,
43:32 or the way game at Miami,
43:33 thought maybe they would kind of get off the Schneider
43:35 after that Bills game.
43:36 But that was your last, that was your last Patriots win.
43:39 You picked the Commanders, the Colts, the Giants,
43:41 and now the Chargers to beat the Patriots
43:43 four weeks in a row.
43:44 Me, however, I picked the Pats against the Commanders,
43:47 the Colts, and the Giants.
43:50 And I've been wrong all three times.
43:52 So I'm not going with them anymore.
43:54 Screw that.
43:54 I am going with the Chargers to win this game as well.
43:57 I know you said the Patriots are gonna get in the end zone,
44:01 and I think they will.
44:02 I think they're gonna score two touchdowns.
44:04 It's gonna be a really big deal.
44:05 They're gonna get two touchdowns.
44:07 They're gonna score 14 points.
44:09 But unfortunately the Chargers are gonna score 30 points
44:11 because I don't, I just don't think this defense
44:14 can hold this much longer.
44:16 Like they have to be so sick of this,
44:17 giving up so few points.
44:19 They're on the field all the time.
44:21 They have to be tired.
44:22 They have to be frustrated.
44:24 And if Bailey Zappi does get the start,
44:26 I think it's gonna be even worse than Mac Jones,
44:28 to be honest with you, 'cause he's just not the guy.
44:30 And there's gonna be a lot of exhaustion.
44:32 And the Chargers, maybe it's close into the third quarter,
44:35 maybe another turnover, a pick six,
44:36 and then LA just runs away with it
44:38 'cause the defense is too tired.
44:40 - Yeah, no, I mean, we know the script.
44:43 We've talked about it many times on this podcast,
44:46 many times via text, that the Patriots will find themselves
44:50 in a hole early on that will feel insurmountable.
44:54 Perhaps they'll mount some semblance of a comeback
44:57 against a very soft prevent defense,
45:00 maybe in the no huddle prior to the half
45:02 that'll be like, oh, are they figuring it out?
45:05 And there'll be a costly turnover on offense
45:08 right at the most inopportune time
45:10 where then the other team is going to run away with it.
45:14 And maybe the Patriots get the ball at the end
45:15 with a chance to score, but it will ultimately mean nothing.
45:19 And I would not be shocked
45:21 if that was the script for this game too.
45:23 - Yeah, it's possible.
45:26 But again, this season, maybe this is the blowout,
45:29 maybe, or maybe they'll find a new creative way
45:30 to lose this one.
45:31 Again, maybe we'll complete the bingo card
45:33 with the way they lose this one.
45:35 It'll be something really, really fun and interesting.
45:37 And we'll be on here next week talking about,
45:39 well, we did not see that loss coming
45:41 in that particular way.
45:42 We knew they were going to lose,
45:43 but we didn't see that coming.
45:44 Maybe like a Miami miracle.
45:46 Maybe they'll be winning
45:48 and the Chargers will need to do some kind of
45:50 like last minute Hail Mary, Fumar Ruski kind of play.
45:53 I can see them losing on that way too.
45:55 - I'm here for that.
45:56 - I'm here for that too.
45:57 Again, at this point, I'm sitting back,
45:58 I'm enjoying the ride.
45:59 And again, I want the Patriots to win,
46:02 but I do understand it's all about the draft pick
46:04 at this point and the loss of the Chargers
46:06 would go a long way towards moving up
46:08 in that number two spot.
46:09 - Yeah, no, totally.
46:10 And like, I don't need the Patriots to prove themselves
46:13 by beating this Chargers team.
46:15 That doesn't mean anything.
46:17 Like they'll get their blowout win against the Steelers.
46:20 We know it, that is tradition.
46:23 It'll be okay.
46:24 They'll lose the other games.
46:26 Maybe they'll pull it off against the Jets.
46:28 But like, I don't think we should have any belief
46:32 that they're going to all of a sudden figure it out
46:35 against this Chargers team with one caveat, Alec.
46:39 Brandon Staley, head coach of the Chargers,
46:44 is on the hottest seat in the entire league
46:48 as it relates to retaining his job.
46:51 And you see how some of these other coaches,
46:55 the Raiders beat the Patriots
46:57 and then they fired Josh McDaniels.
46:59 The Commanders beat the Patriots
47:01 and then I think they let go of their defensive coordinator.
47:04 Is that what happened?
47:05 And then you look at this Giants team,
47:08 it hasn't happened yet,
47:10 but there were all these things percolating
47:11 about Dabell and Wink Martindale having it.
47:14 They're just like over it with each other.
47:17 These are all also bad teams that have made changes
47:21 as a result of this game.
47:23 Will this be a circumstance where the Patriots pull it off
47:27 and then Staley gets fired immediately after the game?
47:30 - Man, that's like a bizarro New England curse.
47:34 The Patriots are so bad that the stink of the Patriots
47:37 just permeates to the other side of the sideline.
47:40 - That's where they are.
47:41 - Yeah, and then maybe they beat the Patriots
47:43 and then the rumors of Belichick to the Chargers
47:46 in the off season can start swirling
47:48 and the madness continues.
47:50 I don't like any of this, Rich Hill.
47:51 I wanna go to bed.
47:53 I'm tired of this, this stinks.
47:55 - Well, I have nothing else to cover
47:58 on unbelievably week 13 of this NFL season.
48:02 And Alec, it's been a long year with this Patriots team.
48:07 I don't know if you have anything else
48:09 that you wanna cover that you haven't talked about
48:11 over the past 13 weeks of this season.
48:13 But if not, can't wait to talk to you.
48:17 Hopefully, I don't even know what the game is gonna be.
48:19 I kinda want them to lose for the sake of the draft pick,
48:22 but whatever happens, I'm looking forward
48:24 to breaking it down with you next week.
48:26 - I'll be here, unfortunately.
48:28 - Until next time, Alec, you have a good one.
48:31 - See you, bud.
48:32 - Later, man.
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