The MMQB NFL Podcast

The biggest surprise of the season thus far isn’t that Russell Wilson is merely struggling to adjust to a new team and new scheme. It’s that, over his first five games as the Broncos’ quarterback, he’s been one of the absolute worst quarterbacks in the NFL. Conor and Gary set out to find out just how bad it’s been, why it’s been precisely that bad, and what—if anything—can be done to fix it. A deep dive into Wilson’s unique set of strengths, undeniable set of weaknesses, and baffling alteration of his stylistic approach to the game. Plus, the natural politics that come into play with an NFL’s team’s front office, the quarterback they invested in and the coaching staff charged with finding answers, and why the Broncos will undoubtedly improve offensively as the year goes on, even if Wilson does not. Then, a discussion of the Bills defense’s next round against the now Tyreek Hill–less Chiefs, and the new-look Eagles vs. the new-look Cowboys, for the first time. 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 really was a series of weird games in Week 5—lots of sloppy offense but somehow lots of big plays in between. Conor and Gary break it all down, starting with the Bengals’ continued struggles, this time in Baltimore. How much of it was the absence of Tee Higgins? How much of it was a vastly different approach from first-year Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald? And how much of it was the Bengals simply coming back down the earth with an offense that asks so much of its quarterback? Then, a discussion of the Cooper Rush–led Cowboys and their quite Cooper Rush–less victory over the Rams, the magic of Abracadaniel in London, bad Josh Allen takes, the continued ascension of the Eagles, and for the love of God do *not* get off the Jaguars bandwagon! 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

On the mid-week episode, there is some Week 5 previewing to be done. Conor and Gary take a look at the Ravens’ woes heading into a showdown with Cincinnati, Jared Goff’s latest shot at a Belichick defense, and whether Geno Smith Fever will continue to spread after a matchup against a very good Saints defense. But this episode is more about the future—the distant future. Therefore, Sports Illustrated college football writer Richard Johnson returns to the show to discuss the top 2023 draft quarterback contracts. Size discussions around Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud, what it means for Will Levis to play for Kyle Shanahan/Sean McVay disciples, the ripening process for Tyler Van Dyke and Anthony Richardson, and a tricky projection for Sam Hartman coming out of a unique Wake Forest offense. Plus, who tore it up against Kutztown? You’ll have to listen to find out. 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

The Week 4 Sunday slate brought us some humbling losses and heartwarming victories, and Conor and Gary are here to discuss all of it, as well as remember two former Northwestern quarterbacks. We’ll start with the Chiefs in full on Sunday night, as K.C. got an early turnover and steamrolled the Bucs with a Mahomes-ian moment or two along the way. In Green Bay, the Packers continue to work through their growing pains while the Patriots, down to their third-string QB, are looking to become the scrappiest scrappers who ever scrapped. And, what to take away from the Eagles’ victory over the (very real) Jaguars, and the suddenly impressive Cowboys continue to make it work. Plus, more Ravens going for it on fourth down stuff, London hosts the most impressive missed kick in NFL history, Kenny Pickett time in Pittsburgh, the Giants run out of able bodies at quarterback, the small victories of Geno Smith 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

On the mid-week show, Conor and Gary take a look at three big Week 4 matchups. Will Doug Pederson get booed in his return to Philly? (And, also, do the Jaguars have the defensive formula to slow Jalen Hurts and friends?) How will the Bills offense respond in Baltimore after 90 plays in the South Florida heat? And will the Chiefs play nice offensively, and continue to put the pressure on Tom Brady defensively? Then, special guests Rashad Jennings and Lindsay McCormick, co-hosts of Sports Illustrated’s new business of sports podcast “The Bag,” join the show to run through the Lamar Jackson contract situation as well as some of the most important sports business stories affecting the NFL today. (Make sure to go listen to The Bag!) Plus, a look at West Bromwich Albion’s “Boiler Man” and what to do about Take 5 in any kind of candy rankings. 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 a bittersweet third week of the NFL season—lots of great games, but lots of bummer injuries. Conor and Gary work through the tears and break down everything that happened on Sunday. It starts with another peculiar performance from the Broncos offense, who were stuck in the mud until the final drive of Sunday night, and seem to be melting down while also being 2–1. Meanwhile, Jimmy Garoppolo’s first start of this season looked a lot like his final start of last season, and an injury to Trent Williams means plenty of problems in San Francisco. Also, the Bills seem to tucker themselves out in the punishing Miami heat, the Chiefs let one slip away in Indy as quarterback and coordinator seem to butt heads, the Jaguars really might be really quite good for real, and how in the world is this happening to the Raiders? 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

We all know the—albeit fluky—stat regarding the drought of 0–2 teams going to the NFL playoffs, but what about 0–3? Because by Sunday evening, either the Titans or the Raiders, both playoff teams a year ago, will be in that unenviable hole. With that in mind, Conor and Gary discuss those two teams and their Sunday matchup, including whether or not to believe in their coaching staffs, and just how deep the hole is for either franchise if they lose a third straight to start the year. Then, a look at the Bills-Dolphins matchup, as Miami tries to exorcise some demons against a team that has owned them the previous two seasons. Can the Bills’ thin cornerbacking group still hang with the Tyreek Hill–Jaylen Waddle tandem? Plus, a run through the rest of the Week 3 action, and a Sega Genesis–inspired defensive approach for stopping Josh Allen. 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

The second Sunday of the NFL season was nothing short of incredible when it came to fantastic finishes and unlikely upsets. But what does it all mean!?!?! Conor and Gary are here to take some big-picture looks at what went on in Week 2. Is it time to flip the Tua Meter (should it exist) into the green (green being good) after a miracle win in Baltimore? It is time to give Mike McCarthy a big pat on the back after another win with Cooper Rush? Is there something really wrong with the Bengals, and if so can it be fixed? And what is going on with Nathaniel Hackett’s struggle to get things running on time in Denver? Plus, Joe Flacco and Jacoby Brissett are *both* heroes, friend of the show Rohan Nadkarni checks in with a profane series of celebratory texts and Packers fumble watch activates for… well, no good reason. 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

The first Sunday of the 2022 NFL season is in the books. A few of the games were really good. A lot of the games were really close. And the day ended with one star quarterback, Dak Prescott, injuring his thumb in an ugly loss to the Bucs. Conor and Gary unite to discuss it all, and to figure out what we can actually take away from Week 1. Are the Steelers going to pile up weird and wild wins again? Are the Colts going to keep on getting into dogfights with bad opponents? Is Saquon Barkley here to stay? Plus, the overhype-ness of the Baker vs. Browns matchup in Carolina, our first look at the Mike McDaniel Dolphins offense, the Wentz-led Commanders, and SI Media Podcast host Jimmy Traina helps out! 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

The NFL Opener is in the books and, basically, the defending champs lost by three touchdowns in a game that wasn’t even that close. The Bills picked up where they left off in terms of their general unstoppableness on offense, but it was more than that. They showed off an identity we haven’t seen much of from Josh Allen (it’s so quick!) and on the other side of the ball they had a cast of 10,000 very fast, very young pass rushers to go along with Von Miller in a dominant performance. For the Rams, was it rust? Was it Matthew Stafford’s troublesome elbow? Is Allen Robinson disappearing going to be a thing? Also, why it’s a tad of an overreaction to worry about their Von Miler–less pass rush (for now). Plus, Conor and Gary discuss precisely how fixed the NFL is, and identify their favorite matchups in the Sunday early window. 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