The MMQB NFL Podcast

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

There are six—no more, no fewer—storylines that will define the 2022 NFL season (as stated in the episode title, try to keep up), and Conor and Gary, only on this show, will unveil each one of them to you. That’s just the start of what might be the most important MMQB NFL Podcast of our lives. Editor Mitch Goldich joins the show to insult and otherwise taunt Conor over his 272 games predictions process, then tries his hand (by request!) at More Than Four But Fewer Than Six Questions. And, finally, as the dawn of a new NFL season is upon us, Conor and Gary unveil their predictions for awards, surprise playoff teams, and Super Bowl participants and champion—if you don’t want to watch football at all this season, you don’t have to! 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

At long last, Conor and Gary arrive at the thrilling finale of their preseason power rankings countdown series. It’s time to reveal, indisputably, the four best teams in the NFL. As usual, we will not reveal who the teams are in this episode description, but we will provide these clues from our conversations: Also Team 4: The most controversial team of the countdown. Gary made Conor pick them to go 12–5. Team 2: How will the longer season wear on them. Also, maybe it’s time for everyone to take a break, maybe a couple seasons off. Also Team 2: Everyone wants to talk about the offense, but this might be the most talented defense in the NFL. Team 1: Every season for the next decade will come down to what happens in January and February. Plus, Conor introduces our latest sponsor, who may or may not exist, and may or may not actually be a sponsor... yet. 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

And, more specifically, the back half of the Elite Eight, but the Elite Eight nonetheless. Conor and Gary delve into the NFL’s borderline elite teams heading into the 2022 season. Once again, we will not reveal who the teams are in this episode description, but we will provide these clues from our conversations: Team 8: Either the most exciting debut in football or the soon-to-be most disappointing debut in football. Team 7: A Pythagorean Win projection of nearly 16 games! But that’s after losing one of their most valuable non-quarterbacks, and having a quarterback who may or may not want to be there. Team 6: What happens if the big plays go away? First of Two Team 4’s: The NFL’s best team on paper, probably. Come back every Monday for the next four teams in the countdown. 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

With Gary Gramling away, Conor Orr is joined by SI Fantasy Football Guru Michael Fabiano, and we talk about the shrewdness of Jim Nantz in celebrity studded fantasy leagues. Also, you’ll want to stick around to hear about a fantasy football collective that includes the band mates from Alice In Chains, Anthrax and…Michael Buble? Plus, Fabiano tells us who we’re overdrafting, underdrafting, and everything in betweenAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It is, indisputably, time to start thinking Super Bowl for these teams in the latest installment of the Preseason Power Rankings Countdown. Once again, we will not reveal who the teams are in this episode description, but we will provide these clues from our conversations: Team 12: Will this be the best third-place team in football? And what do we make of the newness of it all (or the maybe lack of good-ness in the linebacking corps)? Team 11: Let’s see just how much competent quarterback play and a new defensive coordinator who never blitzes means for this team. Team 10: A team that used to be bad, but now will likely be good for a long time. And while their offense should evolve, it’s already built to last. Team 9: The unluckiest then luckiest then unluckiest team of 2021. The alternate title to this episode: “There Are Two Dylan Parhams.” Come back every Monday for the next four teams in the countdown. 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 a special emergency episode of the The MMQB NFL Podcast, as Conor and Gary delve into the final (maybe?) settlement of the Deshaun Watson suspension. Watson did a 180-degree turn on his apology soon after word of the settlement came out. What might Roger Goodell and the league think about that? And is there any mechanism in that settlement for this suspension to go past 11 games? Also, looking at the messaging coming out of Watson’s camp—from his agent, his private quarterbacks coach and their surrogates—and a discussion of what happens when some journalists are desperate for access while others are 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