The Badass Knicks, Purdy on Trial, Lamar vs. Mahomes and Million Dollar Picks With Rob Mahoney and Peter Schrager
Jan 26, 2024
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Football and basketball take center stage in this entertaining podcast. Rob Mahoney and Peter Schrager discuss the NBA All-Star ballots, the rise of the New York Knicks, and playoff predictions in the NBA. They also delve into NFL coaching vacancies, analyze the Chiefs vs. Ravens game, and preview the upcoming Lions-49ers matchup. Bill Simmons wraps up the podcast with his Million-Dollar Picks for the conference championship round.
The NFL coaching vacancies remain in Washington, Seattle, and Atlanta, each with different approaches and requirements for their next coach.
The Detroit Lions face a tough challenge against the San Francisco 49ers, as their physical style of play may not be enough to overcome the 49ers' talent and home field advantage.
The Ravens vs. Chiefs matchup presents a difficult decision, weighing the Ravens' strong defense and momentum against the playmaking ability of Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
Deep dives
Coaching Carousel: Available Jobs and Bella Check's Potential
As of now, there are three coaching vacancies remaining in the NFL: Washington, Seattle, and Atlanta. Atlanta has already interviewed numerous candidates and seems to be seeking a coach who will handle coaching responsibilities while the organization handles the rest. Washington is looking to establish a new infrastructure, while Seattle may be in search of a more traditional coaching candidate. The possibility of Bill Belichick returning to coaching has been a topic of discussion, but it is uncertain if any of the remaining openings would be the right fit for him. With each passing day, the likelihood of Belichick landing a coaching job diminishes. The coaching landscape is constantly evolving, and it will be interesting to see how these vacancies are ultimately filled.
Key Points about the Lions
The Detroit Lions have a physical and aggressive style of play, often toeing the line between physicality and dirty play. They have been successful in running the ball against their opponents, but their defense has struggled against strong receivers. The Lions have some key players with injuries, including their left guard Jonah Jackson and center Frank Ragnow. Overall, this game will test the Lions' physicality against the Niners' dominant offense.
Key Points about the 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers have been the most talented team in the NFC throughout the season. They have a versatile offense with players like Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Brandon Aiyuk, who can make big plays. Their defense is also impressive, ranking number one in several categories. The home field advantage at the 49ers' stadium, fueled by an energetic crowd, can play a significant role in the game. However, concerns remain about the health of Deebo Samuel and the effectiveness of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Summary Points
The Detroit Lions face an uphill battle against the San Francisco 49ers, who have been dominant throughout the season. The Lions' physical and aggressive style of play, coupled with some key injuries, may not be enough to overcome the 49ers' talented offense and dominant defense. The 49ers have a strong home field advantage, which can impact the game. Overall, the 49ers are positioned to secure a victory and advance to the next round of the playoffs.
The Ravens have a healthier roster than the Chiefs and have shown improvement in their offense
The Ravens come into the game against the Chiefs with a healthier roster, while the status of Chiefs' Joe Tooney is uncertain. The Ravens' offense has shown improvement since their loss to the Raiders, averaging 7.0 yards per play in their last few games and having success in the running game with Isaiah Pacheco. They have also been able to make explosive plays, with multiple players contributing with 20+ yard catches.
The Ravens have an advantage in shutting down explosive pass plays, but the Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes
The Ravens' defense has been successful in limiting explosive pass plays, with teams like New England not having a pass over 10 yards against them. However, the Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes, and if the game is within three points in the fourth quarter, he has shown the ability to make miraculous plays. Ultimately, choosing between the Ravens and the Chiefs is a tough decision, weighing the momentum and suffocating defense of the Ravens against the experience and playmaking ability of Mahomes and the Chiefs.
The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Rob Mahoney to discuss Kings-Warriors, a Golden State check-in, and NBA All-Star ballots (2:38), before discussing some positive Knicks buzz, the Eastern Conference rounding into shape, the Suns, Clippers, and more (21:53). Next, Bill talks with Peter Schrager of NFL Network and Fox Sports about the NFL coaching carousel, and some serious coaches without jobs (45:10), before previewing Chiefs-Ravens (1:05:37) and Lions-49ers (1:21:31). Finally, Bill makes the Million-Dollar Picks for the conference championship round (1:42:08).
Host: Bill Simmons
Guests: Rob Mahoney and Peter Schrager
Producer: Kyle Crichton
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