The MMQB NFL Podcast

As the world turns and the Division Preview Series moves on, Jenny, Conor and Gary turn their attention to the NFC South, home of the defending Super Bowl champions, the NFL’s strangest QB situation, the most challenging reclamation project in the league, and… also the Falcons.Just how good was the Bucs offense last season? And if the answer is “not as good as you remember it being,” can we expect this year’s edition to be better than last year’s champions?Jameis? Taysom? Ian? Who should start at quarterback for the Saints this fall, and what does Sean Payton have to do to keep this team on top?A discussion of what the Panthers can hope for from Sam Darnold and from an intriguing young defense, and whether the Falcons—who consider themselves to be in “win-now” mode—should truly be in “win-now” mode.Also, an official end to the term “quarterback whisperer”—you are banned from using it—our weekly Mad Libs, predicted order of finish and more!Have a question for a future mailbag? Dare to guess how we’ve ordered these division previews? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI, @JennyVrentas 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 Division Preview series moves on to the AFC West, where Jenny, Conor and Gary wanted to talk about pretty much everything except Patrick Mahomes.The Chiefs are penciled in as heavy favorites again, but who will emerge as their top challenger within the division? A look at why expectations for the Chargers should be high for reasons that go beyond Justin Herbert. The Broncos have the pass rush and the secondary is shaping up for a bounceback season—the question is whether the offense can keep this from becoming Vic Fangio’s last stand.But most of the show is devoted to shouting about Jon Gruden, still looking for his first playoff berth since signing that mega-deal to take over the Las Vegas Raiders. Now that they’ve re-acquired a potential game-altering pass rusher in Yannick Ngakoue, does Gruden have the pieces to get to the postseason?Plus, our weekly Mad Libs, predicted order of finish and more!Have a question for a future mailbag? Dare to guess how we’ve ordered these division previews? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI, @JennyVrentas or @ConorOrr Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

As the division preview series moves on, Jenny, Conor and Gary arrive at the NFC East, the division with nowhere to go but up.A discussion of Ryan Fitzpatrick—maybe the missing piece, maybe a ticking time bomb—in Washington, and just how good the Football Team defense was and can be. A look at the kinda-but-not-really make-or-break year for Daniel Jones and Jason Garrett, now that the Giants have upgraded their weapons. The Cowboys bring back Dak—and bring in Hard Knocks—but it’s the re-re-made defense that will decide Dallas’s fate. And what exactly is going on with the Eagles’ weird treatment of Jalen Hurts, who they seem already resigned to move on from as soon as they can?Plus, more Mad Libs, our NFC East predictions poll, an absolutely irresponsible comparison between the 2020 Bucs and the 2021 Football Team, and plenty more.Have a question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Chapter 3 of the Division Preview Octology has arrived, as Jenny, Conor and Gary break down all things AFC East.Bill Belichick has his hand-picked QB and some old friends on the defensive side of the ball as the Patriots redemption tour gets underway; how good they can be, and a much-needed reset of the draft-season narrative on Mac Jones. Plus, Brian Daboll looks for a repeat performance with Josh Allen while Greg Rousseau brings a fascinating piece to Buffalo's defense, the Dolphins brought in some new kinds of weapons for Tua, and everything you want to know and more about the Jets' offensive line (now featuring Morgan Moses!).Plus, more incremental improvement from Conor on the latest edition of Mad Libs, and sorting out just which of these teams should be thinking Super Bowl contention, playoff contention, or neither.Have a question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Division Preview Series moves on to the bluebloods of the NFC West, where all the most interesting QB-coach marriages live.What do Jenny, Conor and Gary make of the upgrade from Jared Goff to Matthew Stafford? Does this ramp up the pressure on Sean McVay? Does Les Snead catch some heat if a thin defense falls apart? And is anything less than a Super Bowl acceptable for the Rams?A look at Trey Lance and all the many reasons this isn't like the RG3-Kyle Shanahan setup in Washington. Examining the Seahawks' search for answers with a Russell Wilson-centric offense, and finding a solution for Jamal Adams on defense. And does Kliff Kingsbury's offense have anything beyond a cool name—and could Rondale Moore be the alcohol that spikes the red Kool-Aid?Plus, our preseason poll for order of finish, a division preview Mad Libs-style, Conor's anti-bucket list, lots of powdered beverages and so much more.Have a question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It's that time of year: A deeper look at how each of the divisions are shaping up in the first of our eight division previews. It’s a look at the AFC North.Who was the best veteran addition in the division? The most intriguing rookie? Which coach—head or assistant—are we keeping an eye on in 2021?The Ravens’ work solidifying their roster, the Steelers offensive question marks, the never-overwhelming expectations of the Bengals, and the bona fide (according to one host) Super Bowl aspirations of the Cleveland Browns. Plus, an unveiling of our absolutely unassailable collective projection for the order of finish in the AFC North.But the true highlight of this episode is AFC North mad libs, a wonderful idea from Conor that went swimmingly once Conor understood how Mad Libs work.Have a question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jenny, Conor and Gary—again, and surely not for the last time—revisit Aaron Rodgers in light of his holdout from OTAs. A discussion of the possible outcomes if the GM isn't going anywhere, and what the Packers need to do to get this resolved.Then, the new game show that's basically on the verge of sweeping the nation: Four blind items about NFL quarterbacks when they were young, and what people wrote about them. It's Jenny vs. Conor, winner takes all. (All of what? We're not sure yet.)And, finally but most importantly, a discussion on the state of vaccinations around the league, and why it's so disheartening.Have a question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jenny, Conor and Gary start things off with every conceivable take on the Julio Jones trade: The positives for the Titans, trying to figure out the Falcons' plan, one coach who is simultaneously thrilled and maybe a little terrified, and much, much more.And before we get into more serious topics, a conversation about the week's two silliest headlines, starting with Tua and the playbook. What does it mean when a second-year quarterback says on a Zoom call that he has a better grasp of the playbook? And how would opening locker rooms to (vaccinated) journalists be a step toward avoiding such silly controversies in the future?Then, the goings-on in Chicago, where apparently a promise made in March to Andy Dalton is being treated as an unbreakable contract in June. Why the Bears will absolutely not be starting Dalton when the season begins if he doesn't outplay Justin Fields this summer.Plus, a deeper look into the mess the league has made for itself when it comes to Toradol usage and race-norming in the concussion settlement. And why it’s taking them far too long to do the right thing.Have a question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

With summer getting underway, and the "NFL preview" calendar about to kick into gear, Jenny, Conor and Gary take one last chance to have some fun. Some *real* fun. We're going to rescue football before it falls into the kind of rut we see in other sports. We’ll discuss doink points and the Rammstein-soundtracked narrow uprights, make-it-take-it two-point conversions and endless games, the coaches' nightmare that is spot-and-choose, a chance for trolling, and a very Greg Schiano tale of defending victory formation. Then, be there podcasting history as, for the first time ever, the Orracle comes to the Monday Morning Podcast. We discuss where Julio Jones should land and where he will land. (Julio Jones, our phone lines remain open to you.) Plus, the upcoming weekend of board games and why Sorry will forever tear families apart everywhere. Have a question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The first half of this episode is not suitable for younger listeners.Jenny and Gary discuss the investigative piece—months in the making—that we unveiled on Friday, including the trove of new information about the Deshaun Watson cases. Misconceptions around the cases and the story itself, why it's important to gather information from someone aside from the lawyers involved, and why a better grasp of consent is most important to understanding how Watson and 22 women arrived at this point. Plus, putting an end to some of the ridiculous conspiracy theories surrounding the timing of cases and the Texans organization. In the second half of the show, Conor joins Jenny and Gary to discuss the Falcons' strange insistence on trading Julio Jones—specifically, why they’d probably be better off keeping their legendary receiver. Plus, the "seldom punt" coach is getting his shot in Division I, and Conor couldn't be more excited. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy