In Week 14 we learned that, if anything, it’s time to tighten our embrace on the Brock Purdy–led 49ers. Conor and Gary discuss how the seventh-round rookie was far from perfect in his first career start, but he’s looking like he’ll be more than enough for the 49ers to stay in the Super Bowl conversation. Also, Justin Herbert disproves the dumbest narratives while cracks show in the Dolphins’ offense, the Lions keep piling up the points in showing why they were legitimate favorites against the 10-win Vikings, the Jaguars beat the Titans like the Titans would beat opponents (if they had Trevor Lawrence), the Cowboys survive their off-week against Houston, and the Bills and Jets in an ultra-violent matchup in which everyone lost (except for the Bills, but especially Mike White’s rib cage). Plus, Deshaun Watson’s new kind of struggles in his second start, all the backup quarterbacks are called upon in Ravens-Steelers, Wilks-McAdoo 2023, and much more! Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Baker Mayfield’s year-long freefall seemingly continued into December, as he asked for—and was granted—his release from Carolina, and went unclaimed by everyone but the Rams. Conor and Gary discuss the real story behind “only one team claimed him,” where he fits in L.A. for the near-term, and where he might fit elsewhere in the longterm. Then, a discussion of Titans GM Jon Robinson’s surprise firings, and the always underestimated world of office politics in an NFL building. Also, looking back on the trades that landed the Seahawks, Lions and Eagles at 3-4-5 (currently) in the draft order, the Saints’ well-intentioned but ultimately disastrous plan, and the madness of rethinking the Matthew Stafford deal. Finally, pitching America’s new favorite game show: Who wants to coach the Houston Texans? (Really, it’s more people than you’d think.) Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

There were some very intriguing matchups in Week 13, but all eyes were on the return of Deshaun Watson in Houston. Conor and Gary discuss why that was particularly unfortunate, as Watson struggled in his first game back, the broadcast team struggled desperately to articulate why Watson hadn’t played in a meaningful football game in 700 days, and everyone else was treated to one of the worst games in recent memory. Then, things take a turn for the better in discussions of the Bengals’ already-great-but-still-improving offense, and Brock Purdy outdueling Tua Tagovailoa and the overwhelmingly good 49ers defense. Plus, the Ravens without Lamar Jackson, the Eagles’ best game of the season, and Jeff Saturday wears a hat and may or may not have a future as the Colts’ head coach. Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Deshaun Watson is set to play in his first regular-season game in 700 days on Sunday, when he returns from his 11-game suspension for multiple violations of the personal conduct policy regarding many accounts of sexual assault and harassment from massage therapists Conor and Gary once again delve into why, as of Thursday morning, Watson’s public denials of wrongdoing in the face of overwhelming evidence have been hugely problematic, and what it means to earn a second chance. Then, they discuss what to expect on the field on Sunday, in an NFL that’s changed since Watson last played. Also, a discussion of the Dolphins’ high-flying offense and its challenge against the 49ers’ dominating defense, the Chiefs-Bengals AFC title game rematch and how Patrick Mahomes can change things against a Cincinnati defense that got the better of him last time they met. Plus, men without hats. Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It was an entirely pleasant football Sunday in Week 12, with some close games, some stout defensive performances and some interesting developments. And nowhere were the developments more interesting than in Philadelphia, where Aaron Rodgers exited early and Jordan Love got a chance to show what he could do. Conor and Gary discuss Love’s impressive fourth-quarter showing against the Eagles, and what it means in light of another Packers loss and reports that Aaron Rodgers’s thumb is in bad shape. (They also get into the Eagles absolutely steam-rolling the Packers defense.) Then, Joe Burrow’s ordinary stat line doesn’t do justice to his extraordinary play as the Bengals beat the Titans again, Mike White Fever grips the greater New York area once again, and Trevor Lawrence delivers a superhuman performance as the Jaguars knock off the Ravens. Also, an act of cowardice in Cleveland’s win, another devastating injury for the Bucs, the unbearable play of the Texans, and we’re now just yelling at Russell Wilson. Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Whether you’re listening to this episode on your drive to Thanksgiving dinner or at some point in the summer of 2024, it doesn’t matter. This show is simply timeless. At least Conor and Gary assume so. The Hodgepodge starts with a discussion of the Odell Beckham Jr. Sweepstakes. Are these sweepstakes exciting? Who should want to win these sweepstakes? And who should Odell want to win these sweepstakes? Then, a discussion of Brandon Staley’s increasing meekness on fourth downs. Is it the Chargers fan(s)? Does job security play into this? Or is something else at work? Plus, a look at the emergence of a maybe new Jimmy Garoppolo, the Zach Wilson problem for the Jets, and a run down of all the potentially available quarterbacks this offseason for QB-needy teams. Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It had been months of frustration watching Justin Herbert and the meek offense the Chargers’ offensive coaches had him operating. But those who waited patiently were finally rewarded on Sunday night when Herbert’s Chargers and Patrick Mahomes’s Chiefs played a classic in L.A. Conor and Gary breakdown that AFC West showdown and much more from Sunday. That includes the weirdly almost-unbeatable Vikings getting very much beaten by the Cowboys, the Eagles making a narrow escape in Indy against the Jeff Saturday Colts, and the Bills digging out of the snow and back in the win column (despite getting torched by Jacoby Brissett). Also, what in the world is the deal with Russell Wilson, Kenny Pickett and Zach Wilson, all of whom continue to not play very well? Plus, the never-ending search for a Jonathan Allen nickname. (Grave Burner? Maybe? We’ll keep working on it.) Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

As it has been since the beginning of time, the third Thursday in November must be a mailbag show on any podcast. Thus Conor and Gary answer your questions, to an extent that might or might not satisfy you. Among the hard-hitting questions taken on in this episode… From an analyst standpoint, are we happy or unhappy about games being played in heavy snow? Deshaun Watson reportedly chose the Browns because they were good—but aren’t the Browns not good? Is Carson Wentz ever going to get the starting job back from Taylor “The Taxpayer” Heinicke? And are the Packers heating up? Plus, loud agreements about the overall meaninglessness of November NFL games (remember the Bills last November!?!?!?!), and various madness about a trick-play-only offense that some coach should go with. Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In light of the incredible, unfathomable final moments of the Vikings’ (make that the 8–1 Vikings’!) victory in Buffalo, it’s time to really understand what this all means. That’s why Conor and Gary call on the wise words of one Kirk Cousins before freaking out about the most bizarre finish of the NFL season so far. Then, the Packers finally catch a break, and maybe find a new element for their offense as they pull off an unlikely upset, the 49ers do their thing against a Chargers team light on humans, and the Bucs go to Germany and rediscover their offense. Plus, Jeff Saturday over Josh McDaniels in Vegas, a little bit of Kadarius Toney time for the Chiefs, the utter lack of offense in Broncos-Titans, lots of plugs for Fisher-Price products and much more! Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This episode was supposed to be a good ol’ fashioned, straightforward midseason report show, but then things went a little wacky. There was Josh Allen’s elbow injury (what now, Buffalo?!?!?!), but mostly, there was the Colts—and, seemingly, owner Jim Irsay specifically—going absolutely rogue. Thus, Conor and Gary try to talk through what might be going on in Indianapolis, where Jeff Saturday is now the interim head coach, logic has been suspended and nothing is as it seems. Why might Marcus Brady, a rising young offensive coach, have been pushed out? What kind of challenge is Saturday facing in stepping in mid-season as a theoretical Steve Kerr–style outsider? And what does this mean for the players and staffers in Indy? Then, a discussion of the Josh Allen elbow injury, and five midseason takeaway-type things. Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy