This weekend, Super Bowl LVI descends on Inglewood, Calif., and gleaming SoFi Stadium. For NFL fans with money to burn, this is the party of a lifetime. For the residents who never got a vote on this stadium, they’re left to deal with the aftermath. In conversations with residents, business owners, the mayor and more, John Gonzalez went to Inglewood to learn first-hand what’s happening to the people who live, work and worship there as so much in their city changes.Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrr Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The strangest coaching cycle in recent memory came to a close this week. Conor and Gary break down a bad organization hiring a good coach—the Dolphins nab Mike McDaniel as they look for a way to make it work with Tua Tagovailoa; a strange organization does the weirdest thing possible as the Texans promote Lovie Smith after firing David Culley; and the Saints go the continuity route with Dennis Allen as they (might, maybe) be looking to win a very weak NFC South in 2022.Then, friend of the show Mitch Goldich stops by to talk Super Bowl prop bets. Conor and Gary alternately praise and berate his picks—as well as Mitch himself. Will Mitch make money with his bets? Rather than waiting to see what happens in the game, we calculate his finances in real time.Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrr Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Rams are—rightfully—the favorites in Super Bowl XLVI. Most of the scenarios that have them losing involve Joe Burrow’s superpowers. On this show, Conor and Gary look past that, and discuss how *else* L.A. could suffer an upset loss. In other words: a talk about how the Rams suck.First, their struggle to tackle (sometimes) and how they can be out-physicaled by a Bengals offensive line that has some issues in pass protection but is sometimes pretty O.K. in the run game. And what are the chances the Bengals’ pass rush can take over this game against a Rams offensive line that’s had some ups and downs?Of course, the biggest mismatch in this game is the Rams’ front four going against a really porous right side of the Cincinnati O-line. How can the Bengals handle Aaron Donald, Von Miller, Leonard Floyd and Greg Gaines on Sunday?Plus, a discussion of two more head-coaching hires. The Vikings pluck from the Sean McVay coaching tree to get Kevin O’Connell; what does that mean for Kirk Cousins in the short- and long-term? And the Jaguars settle on a professional football coach this time around; a look at the long process that led to Doug Pederson.Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrr Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Tuesday’s revelation that former Dolphins coach Brian Flores is suing the NFL for racial discrimination rocked the football world. Conor and Gary are joined by special guest John Gonzalez to discuss, among other things: The impact of the suit from a big-picture standpoint, the fact that it’s Flores sticking his neck out, why the Rooney Rule isn’t working, and the potential fallout for both Flores, minority coaching candidates and the NFL as a whole—will the league take a long look at the hiring process, or will it be more of the same? Also, the role tanking plays in all of this, and the Bill Belichick texts (and the theories of how he mixed up two of his former assistants). Plus, a discussion of the newly-named Washington Commanders, and the underwhelmed feelings it sparks.Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrr Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Super Bowl LVI is set, and Conor and Gary break down everything that happened in the conference title games. In the NFC, how Raheem Morris dialed up the right blitz at the right time—again—to put away the 49ers on an otherwise off-night for the Rams. Plus, the likely end of the Jimmy Garoppolo era, and how Kyle Shanahan basically maxed out this team.In the AFC, never pick against the Bengals again. How the Cincy defense foiled Patrick Mahomes with three- and four-man rushes, and how Joe Burrow had enough magic to pull out another unlikely win.Plus, a look at the post-Tom Brady Bucs in light of retirement reports, and a run down of the coaching hires: Josh McDaniels to the Raiders, Brian Daboll to the Giants, Matt Eberflus to the Bears, and Nathaniel Hackett in Denver.Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrr Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Here's a sneak peek at SI's newest podcast, Sports Illustrated Weekly! Featuring storytelling, interviews, and unforgettable sports moments – SI Weekly is everything you love about the iconic sports magazine, now in podcast form. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week’s news that Sean Payton would be stepping down as head coach of the Saints came with a fair amount of shockwaves. Conor (the man who predicted it) and Gary break down what it all means for the Saints, for Payton, and for a handful of coaches who will likely enter 2023 on the hot seat (sorry Mike McCarthy, but we’re looking in your direction).Then, a preview of Conference Championship Sunday. Can Ja’Marr Chase go off again—and do the Bengals need him to if they’re going to pull off the upset? Does it matter that the Chiefs can’t protect Joe Burrow? And how many snaps will Blake Bell take?On the NFC side, do the 49ers continue with their magical run? Does Kyle Shanahan continue to have Sean McVay’s number? And is the Rams offense ready to fire on all cylinders again?Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrr Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

After about 40 minutes to compose themselves, Conor and Gary eventually get to the quartet of mind-melting games we just witnessed this weekend.First, the spectacular display in Kansas City between the Chiefs and Bills, and what the Mahomes-Josh Allen rivalry means for the near- to medium-future of the NFL. On Buffalo’s late-game inefficiencies, but also how the two quarterbacks and Tyreek Hill time and time again did the impossible.Then, the Rams’ near-meltdown and how they, ultimately, outclassed the Bucs, plus whether Tom Brady should come back for another run. The incredible special teams meltdown in Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers’s disappointing performance, and the Deebo Samuel show. Finally, why Mike Vrabel is right to be grumpy, why the Bengals were lucky to escape Nashville, the episode of Bones where they find a bone, and much more!Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrr Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Conference Semifinals Weekend is almost here, but first, a look back at Monday night, and the final moments of the Cardinals’ months-long collapse.Conor and Gary take a step back to examine the good and bad of Kyler Murray three seasons in, the strengths and shortcomings of Kliff Kingsbury, and whether this year should be considered progress for the Cardinals.Then, a look at the conference semifinal games. Whether the Titans are ready for Joe Burrow, why these 49ers are not like the teams that haven’t beaten Aaron Rodgers in the past, why the Rams and Bucs come down to which front four is more dominant, how the Bills will approach Patrick Mahomes in Round 4, and why Josh Allen is nearly unstoppable.Plus, our favorite shows that we never saw but are imminently familiar with because they were advertised, non-stop, all season long.Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrr Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Five of the six Wild-Card games are in the books, and Conor and Gary are diving into what went down. Which included Dak Prescott. A second too late. A discussion of the buffonish inefficiency of the Cowboys’ final play selection, as well as the performance of one team that wasn’t prepared, and another that seemed uninterested in closing them out.Then, the Bucs outclass the Eagles in a bitter end for Philly’s season, as Tom Brady continues to be often unstoppable and incredibly boring to watch. In the AFC, the Chiefs and Steelers square off in a game that never should have been played, but the football gods make up for it by sending Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen to play head-to-head next weekend. Plus, a trip back to Saturday night and how the Bills put together a flawless game against the Patriots, and the absurd goodness of Joe Burrow and the future of the Carr-Bisaccia Raiders.Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrr Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy