The Bill Simmons Podcast The Pats Grow Up, Nobody Believes in the Jags, the Bears are a Sports Movie, and Guess the Lines With Cousin Sal
Dec 22, 2025
Cousin Sal, a comedian and sports betting enthusiast, joins Bill Simmons to dive into the thrilling Week 16 NFL action. They rave about Drake Maye's clutch performance and the Patriots' surprising comeback against the Ravens. The duo debates the AFC landscape, championing Trevor Lawrence's explosive play as the Jaguars thrive. They also dissect the Bears' miraculous late-game heroics and share laughs over their fantasy league mishaps. Plus, they react to the recent Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul fight, blending sports insights with entertaining anecdotes.
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Drake Maye Emerges As Playoff Quarterback
- Drake Maye elevated the Patriots into legit contenders by delivering clutch long throws despite offensive injuries.
- Bill Simmons and Cousin Sal see him as a quarterback who holds the ball and makes accurate late throws under pressure.
Use Disguise Over Obvious Blitzes
- To slow elite QBs, disguise pass rushers and vary looks instead of pure blitzes or pure coverage.
- Bill recommends mixing stunts and disguised pressures to force mistakes.
AFC Is Wide Open, Upsets Plausible
- The AFC feels wide open; multiple teams have glaring weaknesses you can point to.
- Simmons argues that because every contender has flaws, teams like New England can plausibly make a Super Bowl run.