The MMQB NFL Podcast

It’s a hybrid show on The MMQB NFL Podcast—not quite a review, not quite a preview, but you get a good meal. Conor and Gary do their best to ignore a horrifically boring slate of Week 16 games and instead look to the bigger pictures around the league. And, to do that, it’s a whirlwind trip division by division. On this show: • A discussion of the fallout in Denver, where the Broncos’ new ownership group takes the most predictable and—historically—least effective path toward putting out the five-alarm fire engulfing their organization. • Baker Mayfield’s on-field play has put him back in the discussion for a starting job in 2023. Should he want that? Should anyone want that? • The Packers are back in the playoff hunt. Have they really turned it around though? A search for optimism, but on the defensive side of the ball. • Plus, J.J. Watt’s retirement, the final stages of the Colts’ total collapse, the Bucs continue to hang by an absolute thread, and more. So 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

Or, upon fact-check, two crazy nights (or days—but depending on time zone it was night somewhere). Conor and Gary discuss three truly unprecedented moments from the Saturday-Sunday slate of games. First, a confused discussion of the most stunning finish to a game… maybe ever? The reaction to Jakobi Meyers’s lateral to nowhere with no time left in a tie game, landing in Chandler Jones’s hands for a game-winning TD. What could have been going through Meyers’s head? Is Rhamondre Stevenson the one who started the fire? And is there any way to pin this back on the Patriots’ insistence on calling 47 screen plays every week? Second, the coolest interception goes for naught, but goes nonetheless in Titans-Chargers. And third, the fallout of the Vikings’ record-breaking comeback against the Colts. Plus, Trevor Lawrence’s ongoing ascension to the elite class, the Lions keep winning but the Jets keep proving they’re good, a couch investigation of the late-game officiating in Giants-Commanders, lots of reminders that you’re two or three big mistakes from losing to anyone, 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

It’s the small-market show on The MMQB NFL Podcast—or the small-to-mid market show—as Conor and Gary take a trip around the NFL to discuss three QB-centric storylines. First, a refresher course on Desmond Ridder in advance of his first career start, and what to expect in an Arthur Smith offense for the rookie. Also, a discussion of Mariota-gate after a strange couple of days during which he may or may not have left the team following his demotion. Then, trying to figure out what in the world the Cardinals were thinking in regards to their roster-building, Troy Aikman shade, and the disaster it spells if Kyler Murray is going to miss even some of 2023. Finally, it’s time to see how the Dolphins offense adjusts to the adjustments. And time to find out just what Tua Tagovailoa does when he’s taken out of his comfort zone. Fans of the Eric Carle classic Pancakes, Pancakes! know what we’re talking about. Or not. 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 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