Listen up football fans, you won't want to miss this. Right now, new Bet365 customers bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets win or lose.
So you could turn that $200 into something bigger when you bet on Money Live, Spread, Totals, Player Props. $200 in bonus bets when new customers bet $5. I know where I'm going to bet from now on. Everordinary F Bet365. Gambling problem?
Call 1-877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov. Must be physically located in North Carolina. TMC Supply and app only. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. What if comparing car insurance rates was as easy as putting on your favorite podcast?
With progressive, it is. Just visit the Progressive website to quote with all the coverages you want. You'll see Progressive's Direct Rate, then their tool will provide options from other companies so you can compare. All you need to do is choose the rate and coverage you like. Quote today at progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive.
Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Comparison rates not available in all states or situations. Prices vary based on how you buy. I'm Dr. Mary Claire Haver, and my new podcast, Unpaused, is the place for bold, unfiltered conversations about what it takes for women to thrive in the second half of life.
Listen to and follow Unpaused, available now wherever you get your podcasts. It's the JR Sport Brief Show here with you coast to coast on the Infinity Sports Network. Last night, We saw Seattle. They took care of Washington thirty eight to fourteen. Sam Darnold perfect in the first half.
The Seahawks, are they contenders? Are they pretenders? The Darnold looks great. The defense is stopping to run. To talk about these Seahawks and what we can expect for the rest of the season, joining us right now.
It's someone who covers all things Washington Sports for the AP. Welcome to the show, Andrew Destiny. Andrew, we appreciate the time, man. Thanks so much for having me. I appreciate it.
It's good to be on the show. I'm a big fan as well, so happy to be on. No, thank you so much. I mean, we we saw a beatdown last night. You got Seattle now on a three-game losing streak, or excuse me, winning streak.
They got a record of 6-2. How serious should we take them, in particular Sam Darnold, given how we saw him end last year? I think this team is to be taken seriously, and I think it's less so about Sam as it is about the cast around him. I think you have to take into consideration just how good of a season Jackson, Smith, and Jigba has been having. Actually, I'm writing about it right now.
This is a guy who is on pace to shatter Calvin Johnson's single season record for receiving yards uh in a season, right? Like that's That's not to be taken lightly. evidence of just how good Smith and Jigba has been. And the defense has been excellent. I mean, as much credit as you want to give the offense, especially for how good Sam played yesterday, the front seven is excellent.
The injury to Ernest Jones is certainly a little concerning. Mike McDonald just talked to us reporters over Zoom and didn't have much. the in three but Long and short of it. I think this is an excellent Seahawks team, as good as we've seen since 2020, which is the last time they started 6-2. This is a really good team.
Um They've got a lot of potential. And I think that Sam Darnold playing the way that he is Offensive coordinator Clint Kubiak is really intriguing. I think he was an excellent pickup. Um getting him aw from New Orleans last year. I think that this team is really firing on all cylinders and it all starts at the top with Mike McDonalds.
He's really put a good team together here.
Well, Andrew, you talk about the offense, and Jackson, Smith, and Jigba has just been absolutely amazing, and now being elevated to wide receiver one. Are you concerned about balance on the offense given the the running game and then Cooper Cup is the second best receiver? He's not the player that he used to be. Are you concerned about the balance on the offense? Absolutely.
And I think that's the biggest question: is that, okay, this is all well and good in the regular season, but will you be able to pass the ball like this in January, especially as cliché as it gets? But let's say the Seahawks are heading back east for some of those matchups or to the NFC north. Where you might be playing a game in Green Bay in January. Can you pass the ball 40 times a game and trust that Sam Darnold's going to get the job done? I don't know if you can.
Um So I think that is certainly a concern.
Now, that being said. you take it for what it's worth, the offensive line has been drastically better than a year ago. And part of that is due to Sam Darnold, I think, being, you know, no disrespect to Geno Smith. I think he's been a better quarterback than Geno Smith. In terms of the offensive line play for the Seahawks, they've done a much better job of keeping him upright.
And in terms of just being able to create holes, being able to create time and space. Um the run game itself though, that certainly is a question. Kind of Walker the Third Zach Charbonnet, those guys haven't quite been able to get it done. The offensive line has been better, but not quite to the level that the Seahawks would want. Yeah.
I think that in terms of the biggest question marks, it's can they finally be able to firmly establish a run game? And can a number two option arise? Because as much as Cooper Cup is the bigger name, Tori Horton has flashed at times. Maybe he's the guy. Maybe Jake Bobo returning from injury a few weeks back and looking more and more like himself each week.
Maybe he's the guy. But to your point, yeah. there needs to be a number two option and it needs to be somebody who can kind of assert themselves rather than continuing to spread the ball around to five, six, seven different guys, which has worked to this juncture, but you would like for a true number two option to emerge. Andrew Destin is here with us on the JR Sport Reef Show. Covers all things Washington Sports for the Associated Press.
Well, Andrew, we know the trade deadline is to morrow, four PM Eastern, one Pacific. Do you see the Seahawks doing anything? They're not going to stay in Pat, right? I can't imagine they stay in Pat. If there's a couple of things to keep tabs on, it's the following.
Will they move Greek Woolen, the cornerback who is in his contract year, is a former Pro Bowl guy, but has kind of had a down season. Is he somebody that they moved because they don't see themselves extending him? Or? is requal in a guy that they look at and say, well, we will extend him and we won't trade him. He's somebody who could be on the move.
On the side, I would say that They might be looking for some linebacker help. Yes, injury to Ernest Jones IV looks like it could be fairly serious and they like what they have with Drake Thomas and Tayokata to be able to fill the gap if need be for the time being, but Ergus Jones has been having a career year. You don't just replace that guy internally. You might need some help.
So, are they going to theoretically be able to trade for somebody as good? Um as good next uh by you know tomorrow, probably not, but you have to believe they'll get some reinforcement.
So I would say linebacker wide receiver maybe even Um you know I maybe some offensive line help to shore up the depth there. It's not going to be any gigantic splash moves unless they decide, hey, we're not going to be able to keep woollen. Let's try and get some value for him. Let's move him now versus letting him walk in free agency and get nothing for him.
So obviously, those are some things to keep tabs on. is definitely something that given yesterday's game that has suddenly become a pressing need.
Well, Andrew, we know that that front line on the Seahawks defense has just been performing like one of the best, if not the best, in the entire NFL this season, stopping the rush. Are there no concerns at the cornerback position? I know you talk about Rick Woolen. What has happened to him over the past couple of years? It's tough to say.
First off, because this is my first year covering the team full time. Previously, it was located in Pittsburgh for three years. From what I can gather here and from what I've observed with Wallen, it seems it's just like inconsistency. That's the best way to put it. Um lack of attention to detail, lack of ability to stay locked in on every single play the way that you need to.
Um one of my fellow beat reporters here in Seattle kind of described it as The mentality a cornerback needs to have is That 365 is paying out before the final whistle. Check out Bet365's unrivaled early payout offer. When you bet on the team to win and they take a 17-point lead, you get paid no matter the final score. Forget the final whistle and start counting that cash. Hold up.
You get early payout on parlays too! Download the app and see why it's never ordinary at Set365. Gambling problem? Call 1-877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov. Must be physically located in North Carolina.
TNC Supplies. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Whether you love true crime or comedy, Celebrity interviews or news, you call the shots on what's in your podcast queue. And guess what?
Now you can call them on your auto insurance too, with the name your price tool from Progressive. It works just the way it sounds. You tell Progressive how much you want to pay for car insurance, and they'll show you coverage options that fit your budget. Get your quote today at progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates.
Price and coverage match limited by state law. Hiring isn't just about finding someone willing to take the job. It's about getting the right person with the right background who can move your business forward. And to find candidates who match what you're looking for, trust Indeed-sponsored jobs. Stop struggling to get your job post even seen on other sites.
Give your job the best chance to be seen with Indeed-sponsored jobs. They help you stand out and hire quality candidates who can drive the results you need. Sponsored jobs boost your post for quality candidates so you can reach the exact people you want faster. Join the 1.6 million companies that sponsor their jobs with Indeed. Spend more time interviewing candidates who check all your boxes.
Less stress, less time, more results now with Indeed-sponsored jobs. And listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at indeed.com/slash listen. Just go to indeed.com/slash listen. Right now, and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Indeed.com/slash listen.
Terms and conditions apply. Hiring? Do it the right way with Indeed. Expecting that the ball is going to be thrown to them every single time. And I don't know for certain if Rick Woland has that mindset.
There are certainly times where he takes plays off, loses interest, loses focus, all those sorts of things. He's guilty of it as much as anybody in life is guilty of daydreaming and things like that, but His athleticism, his ability, it's incredible. It's just not quite there at the level that the Seahawks need it to be.
Well, as we we head ov over to the deadline, it looks like Seattle is is pretty much I don't want to say set To go ahead and make it into the postseason. We got the Rams in the division at 6-2. San Francisco. Is six and three, despite not having Purdy and being busted up all year. How do you see things kind of filling out?
Like Seattle's not going to fall off, right? They'll make it to the postseason. Yes, I think they'll make it to the postseason, especially because I'm writing about this now, but you look at who they're playing the next five weeks. Four of those teams are below five hundred, including one of them in the Tennessee Titans, who we know how bad they've been this season. Arizona Cardinals have had their struggles.
They're done to make the postseason. The question is just whether or not they can win the NFC West. And I think... big matchup to circle on the calendars is just a couple of weeks from now when they travel down to LA to play the Rams. That's going to be a huge game with the Rams also being six and two.
So This is a postseason team. I think they will be markedly better in terms of the win-loss record than last year when they finished 10-7. I think they get to 12-5, which is pretty darn impressive. But sitting here at 6-2, there are some games you look at on the calendar and say, okay, can they beat the Rams? Can they beat them twice?
Did they split? How about when they travel to play the Niners again? Do they lose that matchup again? These divisional games, we know how important they are. Um and I think that those two teams, the Niners and the the Rams, they do kind of put us in trouble.
They are bad matchups for Seahawks, so kinda curious to see how those kind of matchups. There's three more of those games, and if you include the Cardinals game coming up this weekend. Four of their six NFC West games are still to take place. uh the back half of the season.
So A lot to be determined in the division, but this is a postseason team. I can say that pretty confidently. Andrew Destin here with us from the Associated Press. Knowing that Sam Darnold is the guy last night, the four touchdowns, I don't think anybody could have asked for anything else than what he's been able to do. Do you think he's going to be at the end of the season in the MVP conversation again?
I think so. Which only further validates that, listen, no disrespect to the Minnesota Vikings, but it only further validates that, yeah, this is a guy who last year was not a one-off. It was not a fluke. It's somebody who. I know we've written about this at the APA a few times, like I think ahead of the Buccaneers matchup, one of the fine games of the season where some offenses were really showing out.
Um Sometimes quarterbacks just need more time. Maybe Sam Darnold wasn't in the right spot with the Jets and the Panthers. Maybe that's really obvious now in hindsight, but. the way the Jets are playing this year. Maybe guys, maybe he deserved to be a top five pick.
Maybe he really was that good in college and just needed some time to adjust to the league. I remember I had a good conversation with Drew Locke about this. A couple of months ago, asking him about how important is it to get second chances, that maybe your first spot isn't the perfect fit. And he was like, Yeah. Quarterback, it's different from other positions.
You really do need time, and the jump from kind. college to throw at that position. The jump from college to pro for anybody is incredible, but You know, I think it's fairly c you know, uh, easy to say that Justing from college to pro as a quarterback versus an offensive back versus Uh, an offensive lineman, those are big, big differences. The mastery of the playbook, the speed of the game, the availability of receivers, how much separation they cre can create. That is all marketably different.
So Long and short of it? Sam Darnold's playing really well. I don't think it's a fluke. I think he'll be in the MVP conversation at the end of the year for a really good Seahawks team. Wow.
Well, Andrew, final question for you. All things considered, what do you think is the ceiling for the Seahawks team this year? What do you think is the most likely outcome? Yeah, I would say most likely is they win a playoff game. I think that's most likely.
Anything beyond that is cravy. I'm not looking at this team as a true, true Super Bowl contender just because of how. Tight it is, and a really good NFC West, and some of those other teams in the NFC that really are the bellwether franchises. I think the Seahawks are maybe a year away from being spectacular. That being said.
Jackson Smith and Jacob is playing at an elite elite level, but defense when healthy can be the best in the league, if not one of the top three, top five. I don't know, man. I think they can be they can get to the NFC championship game. And once you're there, you know. throw the record books out the room, right?
Like anything's possible.
So I would say that a good expectation, a good feeling for this team is the NFC Championship game. a realistic one would be that, you know, they get the playoffs. They went again and That's uh we see where it goes from there.
Now do the fans share that sentiment or are they kinda head over heels right now with excitement? I think head over heels, but not to speak for the Seattleants on their behalf as somebody who's been here all six months. I think that the way that things went with the Seattle Mariners. Fans are really optimistic, really excited, but tempering expectations per usual. Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves.
Completely understand that.
Well, Andrew, we appreciate the time and you lending your expertise. Tell everybody where they could find, follow you, and keep up with all your work. Yeah, absolutely. I'm on X. Formerly known as Twitter at AndrewDestin1.
That's the numeral one. And you can read all of my work at ap.org, as well as so many of my colleagues here at the Associated Press.
So thanks so much for having me. This was such a pleasure. No, no problem, man. We'll catch you soon, Andrew, okay?
Sounds like a plan. Looking forward to it. That 365 is paying out before the final whistle. Check out Bet365's unrivaled early payout offer. When you bet on the team to win and they take a 17-point lead, you get paid no matter the final score.
Forget the final whistle and start counting that cash. Hook up. You can early pay out on parlays too! Download the app and see why it's never ordinary at Fed365. Gambling problem?
Call 1-877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov. Must be physically located in North Carolina. TNC's applied. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Whether you love true crime or comedy, Celebrity interviews or news, you call the shots on what's in your podcast queue.
And guess what?
Now you can call them on your auto insurance too, with the name your price tool from Progressive. It works just the way it sounds. You tell Progressive how much you want to pay for car insurance, and they'll show you coverage options that fit your budget. Get your quote today at progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates.
Price and coverage match limited by state law. I'm Dr. Mary Claire Haver. Ready for honest conversations about thriving in midlife? Listen to and follow my new podcast, Unpaused, available now wherever you get your podcasts.
What's that sound? That's the sound of downy, unstoppable scent beads going into your washing machine and giving your clothes freshness that lasts all day long. There it is again. It's like music to your ears, or more like music to your nose. That freshness is irresistible.
Let's get a downy unstoppable bottle shake. And now a Smith Solo. Nice. With Downey Unstoppable, you just toss, wash, Wow, for all day freshness.
