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Indeed.com/slash BWN, terms and conditions apply. Good morning, everybody. Welcome into the Winklerverse. I'm Bart Winkler, joined. Bye, Ryan Horvat.
Of the Bet MGM network. That's exciting. How you doing, Harvey? Hey, good to see you, man. We haven't done one of these in a long time.
So I was excited when you sent me a text and you were like, hey, you want to do a Super Bowl pod? Because we didn't do one for the Royal Rumble. And I actually so I'm doing all right. Bet MGM Network, really exciting stuff. Check us out.
Bet MGM tonight, 7 to 11 p.m. Eastern tonight. I'm not going to lie. I'm going to be a nice guy and probably give out like all 18 props that I really like. I got.
I have like 45 right now. I'll give out the 18 props that I have more than $100 on, though, because I have some where I bet like please. Yeah, I got a lot that I like.
Well, I had a good night last night. It should have been better.
So. Had Josh Allen MVP at the end. I just saw a clip of you getting upset when Joe Burrow won. Oh, yeah, yeah.
So that sucks. That's what I was about to get to.
So I had. Josh Allen. 11 to 1 MVP. I had Saquon offensive player of the year, but not at 25 to 1 because I bet it offshore and it was like. 18 to 1, and I also bet Jameer Gibbs there, so wasn't the best hit.
But then I had Kevin O'Connell, coach of the year. 25 to 1. but I had already like spent the Sam Darnold money, man. That was 35 to one. I saw people that got better prices.
You know, I saw somebody on Twitter claim that there was like 150 to one. I never saw that.
Somebody had like 55 to one. I got 35 to one. But I was all excited. Because when I bet it, everybody's like Oh, he's not eligible to win the award. Dude, like You know you know I I d I don't know.
I I still feel like if Sam Darnold balls out People are going to vote for Sam Darnall. But I mean, at the end of the day, everybody was right. They were looking for somebody that was coming off an injury. I never thought Joe Burrow was going to win it because he had already won the award.
So now he's a two-time winner of comeback player of the year. Problem is there, like, if he's just. He's on a winning team. He's the MVP of the league.
So Even JK Dobbins finished second over Darnold, though.
So that sucked because he was the favorite. Um, you know, at the end of the day, there, and also that was 35 to 1.
So, I was planning to go to Croatia, and that would have been, you know, some spending money. Still a good night, and now if the Eagles win the Super Bowl. It's going to be an even better season. I bet the Chiefs, like I told you when we did the preview early on in the year, because I'm going to bet them every year until Mahomes either retires or dies, because then you're always going to have a hedging opportunity. But my big bet was the Eagles.
And Because of Fangio and because of uh, I like what at the beginning of the year you did Eagles? Yeah, I got the Eagles. That's what we talked about this already. And I think. What was your number?
Where'd you get him? You called me crazy on it, too. I got the Eagles 12 to 1.
Well, I thought Siriani stuffed him, and I was wrong about that, I guess, because then he shaved his head and I thought they'd never win again. And Uh Well, so yeah, Siriani is, you know, he was kind of. He was what I was worried about a little bit. I like Kellen Moore, the play color, sometimes. We'll see if I like Kellen Moore, the head coach, I guess, in a couple months.
And I love Fangio, and I love their draft. I wanted Cooper DeGene, and he's actually like the weak link in the draft right now. I mean, he's going to be a great player, but Quinyon is awesome. I just knew we had no shot at him. Jalen Carter is a grown man.
Nolan Smith has had a sack like every single game the second half of the season. Uh you know, like slay's still good. He's got one more year left in him. And yeah, Fangio. I knew the defense would take a little bit of time to gel, but now they have.
And they're number three in run-stop win rate. That secondary is one of the best in the league. And I can't wait for this Super Bowl. Everybody was like, oh man, Eagles Chiefs again. I don't know.
I'm pretty excited.
Well, the game's going to be like, I'm excited for the game. It's just the buildup. There's nothing there. Yeah. Especially with the trade deadline.
I've talked so little about the actual game this week. Like, not at all. That's why we're doing this, right? That's why. We're doing this.
Now, as far as the game, what I keep saying is. I think well, I think it's best case for America. If this game's a blowout. I think that it's counterintuitive and we'll hate it. But we either need to see the Chiefs get destroyed.
Or The Chiefs win so big that the Raff theories Don't Stay with them. People are like, don't you want to see history? I'm like, I do not care to see history. I see enough history every day of my life. I don't need to see it in football.
I think that the Eagles are not going to. I'm ruling out them winning a close game. Because they can't. Because the Chiefs do. They've won the stat 17 games.
In a row. Eight points or less. The odds of doing that are one-tenth of one percent.
So, what I think the Eagles need to do is. We'll get the ball and we're going to score. Get the football, go down the field. Oh, it's fourth and four on your own, 42. Go for it.
Don't give any points away. Just go, go, go, go, go. Score as much as you can. The most I've ever made on a Super Bowl, not a lot of money, but I was in Vegas, was when the Eagles beat the Patriots. Because I took Eagles on the alternative line So, the only bet I have out there right now is like a $5 free bet.
Where I took Eagles minus 19 and a half. Yeah. Yeah, so that's where I am. I don't know what happens, but if I'm going to bet anything, it's going to be Eagles. Blowout or Eagles.
Double-digit win. Because the Chiefs, look, there's going to be a lot of people who say, oh, I don't bet against Patrick Mahomes. But some point you're going to say that. And then you're gonna lose. The Eagles are a better team.
It's just that like If we didn't have the history, if we just came into this game and this was the first year of the Chiefs and the first year of the Eagles and they didn't have the rematch and they didn't have the five out of six. Super Bowl appearances. I think the Eagles are about a three and a half, four and a half point favorite. Wall I mean, it's funny that you say that because, see, this is the thing, right? And this is why it's so hard to like.
Price these pick'em games against the Chiefs and against Mahomes. Because Mahomes just wins these games. Like you said, I mean, these close games, it's not just Mahomes, right? It's the Kansas City Chiefs. And that's what.
That's why this team's here. That's why they're about to three-peat or trying to three-peat. And it's kind of remarkable. And yeah, I don't want to see history, especially because I bet the Eagles. And I bet him again on the money line as well.
I think the Eagles are going to win this game, right? But. You know, it's like, it's not only Mahomes, but it's Andy Reid. And then Steve Spagnola doesn't get enough credit at the end of the day. He does now.
I mean, everybody talks about Spags, right? And, you know, he's obviously, if not the best defensive coordinator of all time, he's definitely top five, I would say, especially if they do 3P. But I mean, like, that's the thing about the Chiefs, man, is they're so like. you know buttoned up One week, it's a blocked extra point or a blocked field goal to win a game. They're just so clutch.
Like, they make me believe in the clutch gene, right? Like, because Chris Jones, Chris Jones has never even had a sack in the Super Bowl. You know, but like all he does is make plays in the postseason. Travis Kelsey. Is breaking Jerry Rice's receiving records.
And, you know, Travis Kelsey, this stage of his career, he could barely move out there, but he's still, like, you know, especially if he plays own defense, finds a way to get open. And does his thing.
So it's just insane, man. But that's why, you know, everybody's going to pick the Chiefs, and I get it. And it's not a guarantee. I won't be shocked if the Chiefs win this game. I thought the 49ers would win last year, but the problem for the 49ers was the interior of their offensive line.
Brock Purdy. Was under pressure on like 40% of his drop backs. Philadelphia has the best offensive line in the league. Right. And Cam Jugens, I know that they're a little bit dinged up right now, but that was my concern coming into the season.
How do you replace Jason Kelsey?
Well, they did. And they still have the best, if not the best, like right there with Detroit. I think they're the best offensive line in all football. And then you have Jalen, and some people are down on Jalen. Jalen's not even 100% healthy.
I guarantee. A week or two after the season, he's probably having a cleanup procedure. Saquon Barkley, I love that pickup. That's why I bet them. And, you know, everybody out there, and I've been guilty of this too, right?
Like, even with Green Bay, I was like, ah, Josh Jacobs is coming off. You know, one of his worst seasons as a pro, not factoring in how bad that offensive line was for the Raiders. I was like, I'd rather spend money next year on like a T. Higgins at the wide receiver position for Jordan Love than get a running back. But with Saquon, I was like, nah, this is the right move.
With Derrick Henry, I was like, this is the right move. But you need a good running game, especially in the postseason. That's why Philadelphia is here. And that's why I kind of leaned them over Kansas City. But it's so scary betting against Mahomes.
But right now, that Kansas City run game, they just can't get it going. Pacheco, since he came back week 13, week 14, whenever it was, just hasn't looked like himself. Kareem Hunts had some nice games, but You know, he doesn't really have that same burst.
So they don't have that, you know, they can't really hit you with the explosives in the run game.
So that's why even last week against the Bills, Mahomes' pass rate was 10% above expectation. They're going to have to throw the ball. And it's tough to do that against this Philadelphia pass rush, you know, with Nolan Smith coming on. And that's been the issue for Kansas City this season. That's why they weren't blowing teams out.
Mahomes is still awesome, even though. His numbers weren't awesome this year. The skill position players are fine. Hollywood Brown just didn't play until week 14, week 15. Travis Kelsey is getting a little bit older.
The run game struggles. And the problem for them and why, like the Eagles, their offensive line, they've had an issue all season at tackle. Mahomes has been under constant pressure. And that's why Andy Reid's gotten really creative in both of these playoff games, right? Like I thought Mahomes was going to drop back 40 plus times last week and he didn't.
Instead, he was using his turn to Michael Vick. Yeah, exactly. And that's why it's so hard to bet against the Chiefs, but I'm going to do it because on paper, other than the quarterback position, I think Philadelphia is better. The Chiefs play a ton of man. It's tough to do that because you can't play man against AJ Brown.
You know, Spaggs is going to throw some zone out there. Devontae Smith, Devontae Smith said at least 90 receiving yards all three games against the Chiefs and two-plus explosive plays, I believe, in all three games as well.
So I took his receiving yards over 52 and a half. I love Devontae Smith in this game, took his anytime touchdown. He's trying to be the fifth player ever, by the way, to win like a Heisman National Championship and Super Bowl. There's a little narrative for you. If Jalen Hurts makes those sideline throws, like the one that he had to Devontae, because that's where I worry about Jalen.
Like, is he going to be able to stretch the, you know, use the whole field here? But Yeah, man, I like Philadelphia in this game. Other than the quarterback position, I think they're the better team.
Well, you're right. I mean, again, I think they are the better team. And I think that a lot of people would look at this game and pick the Eagles. But they'd rather They'd rather Lose money. And say, well.
I didn't see this coming, then lose money and be like, Oh, I tried to bet against Mahomes. Yeah. If you want to make money Or be I th I think the play I think the play is Philadelphia, the Saquon thing, the last time these two were in a Super Bowl two years ago. Chiefs won by three. Jalen Hurts was the leading rusher with 70 yards.
He had three touchdowns. He had to do it all. He was awesome. It was his best game, maybe, ever. Yeah, he should have been MVP.
They had to do. It in the passing game as well. But then after it hurts, They had like 40 more yards rushing from Boston Scott and Kenneth Gainwell. Like now, take the way they approached the Super Bowl two years ago and add Saquon Barkley. I don't Each week, I'm like, he can't do it.
Like, I see the props are like a touchdown and a half. And it's like, he can't do this. But then his first carry against the commanders, he rips off a 50-yarder, and then his second carry. He's back in the end zone. Again, so when it comes to how the game is gonna go.
If we both think eagles We're both going to think props along the line of the Eagles, but then do we look at it as? An Eagles double-digit win, which I think is the only way for them to win. Do we think the Chiefs? Get there.
Some of the guys that I've liked in terms of Looking at props so far and building my lineups. Devontae Smith, I'm with you. I like Dallas Goddard to be involved. Yeah um From the Chiefs side. I don't know.
It seems like Xavier Worthy is like their main target, but then it's probably like between Brown and Hopkins and. Noah Gray and Justin Watson, like one of those guys is scoring, I fear.
So I don't know who, or Juju Smith, Schuster.
So where are you at with some of the props that you like? Yeah, yeah.
So, uh All right, I'll just give them all out. Why not? I like, so I like Hollywood Brown in this game, actually. I bet I'm over 40 and a half receiving. Yeah, well, so first of all, I'm trying to think between him and DeAndre Hopkins because.
Hopkins. I feel like there's a storyline, like he's really pumped, but then he disappeared in that last game. Brown, when he's come back, has been targeted a bunch.
So I just don't want to take the wrong guy there.
Alright, so. I'm glad that you brought that up too, man, because I also bet DeAndre Hopkins over it's one and a half reception and it's plus 129. And I also bet him to score a touchdown because it was plus 625. But I feel like that's more just me saying, hey, this number's too low. If let's say, Let's say, like what you said, right?
Like, if the Eagles are up by multiple scores in this game. The thing that scares me there is if they are, it's probably because they're eating clock. Like, that's how I think Philadelphia wins this game, right? They don't face any third and longs. I don't want Jalen Hurts on known passing downs, third and seven, third and 11, patting the ball, because that's when he holds on to the ball a little bit too long.
I want every third down to be third and three, third and four, where you have that option where I know Jalen's not fully healthy, but he could use his legs, or it's a run to Saquon, you know what I mean? Or it's a quick throw to AJ Brown or Devontae Smith.
So that scares me a little bit. But let's say that it's a negative game script for Kansas City. I think some of these numbers are just too soft. The thing is, so last week, I played the over one and a half on Noah Gray, thinking they're going to come out in a bunch of 12 personnel against Buffalo, but they didn't. They did a bunch of 11 personnel.
So three wide receiver sets. And that's why Juju Smith Schuster went off in that game. His receiving yards were only five and a half. It's hard to price. You know, Kansas City, because you never know who it's going to be.
But I'm with you on D-hop. I'm playing those numbers because they're too soft. And I just have this narrative in my head that Andy Reid, extra week to prep. You know, you're going to look to get him going if you're running these three-receiver sets. The only problem is he only ran like 12 routes last week.
He got out snapped by Juju.
So Is he a shell? They go back to two tight ends. What if it's like a Noah Gray game? And that's the thing, right? Do they come out in two tight ends?
Now, Philadelphia has been pretty good against the tight end position, but I'm wondering if they do that because Vic Fangio right now wants to keep Cooper DeGene on that field. But if you come out with the heavier sets, he might struggle, man, right? Like if you come out in the wide receiver sets, you could keep Cooper DeGene on the field all day long. But Yeah, so Could see it going either way. It's Andy Reid.
You never really know what to expect. I'm going with they run more three wide receiver sets. I could, I could totally be wrong here.
So I bet the under one and a half reception on Noah Gray. I think I took under 14 and a half to 12 and a half receiving yards a couple different times. I went over on D-hop, one and a half reception, thinking it's DeAndre Hopkins. But I think the smartest bet. You know, if I'm looking at it, it would be Hollywood Brown, either over 40 receiving yards or over 18 and a half on the longest reception.
Right, because Right now, he's only got one reception of 19 yards or more since he came back from injury. It was 20 yards in his first game back, week 16. But the Chiefs keep trying to take these deep shots down the field to him, and he's like MVS. And remember when MVS went off in that Super Bowl last year? Yeah, that could be Hollywood Brown, man.
So he has 18.3 air yards per target so far, meaning 42% to 43% about his targets have been 20 air yards or more.
So that's one catch and we cash over 18 and a half. Problem is there, though, Philadelphia is secondary. Quinon, Slay, Cooper de Gene. The safeties there, Reed, they don't really give up the big play.
So I'm just going to go over 40 receiving yards. They've been running more crossers, they've been trying to get them the ball. And also, I got another narrative. You know, Hollywood Brown, the reason I like that pickup, it was a one-year prove-it deal.
So Remember when like OBJ was balling out in that Super Bowl before he unfortunately like died? You know, he had a touchdown. He already had gone almost over his receiving yards. I feel like Hollywood Brown is going to want to show out to try to get a big contract next year. Narrative.
And I just kind of like the matchup, especially if Kansas City has to throw the football. And I worry, are they going to be able to run the ball? Against this, uh, you know. Against this Eagles front, they're number three in run-stop win rate, which is my favorite nerd stat because that means they're getting to the ball carrier right away. And you know, if it's Derrick Henry or a bigger back, you could break those tackles, but you're not, you're not like getting past Jalen Carter, dude.
You know what I mean? Also, really quick on that, I got a couple props I like. Isaiah Pacheco, since he's come back, has looked like you and I out there trying to hit these holes. I feel like with another extra week, man, and I know I've said this a couple of weeks in a row now, Pacheco's rushing numbers are too low. I like him over 20 rushing yards in the game.
I like them over five and a half rushing attempts. And I like Kareem Hunt. Under 44 and a half rushing yards, and I like Kareem Hunt under 8.5 to 9.5 rushing yards in the first quarter, thinking Philadelphia gets ball first, like you said, a bunch of clock. How much time of possession does Kansas City even have in the first quarter? And Pacheco's been starting these games.
My hope is Pacheco finally gets it going, has a couple nice runs. They're gonna have to get some run game going, right?
So, I like Pacheco over 20. I like Kareem Hunt under. And then, as soon as we get to Super Bowl Sunday and everybody bets Kelsey's numbers up, I'm coming in on the under. He could easily burn me, but like right now, dude, he looks old, right? I know he's Travis Kelsey, but Philadelphia's defense is legit, man.
So those are a couple I got. And then I'll go from the Eagles side. Do you like Devontae, you said? I love Devontae.
So I got. Pacheco, first Chiefs touchdown, not first touchdown in the game, just first Chiefs touchdown, plus 900. Hollywood Brown over 40 receiving yards. I got Eagles to win the time of possession, minus 140. I love that.
I got Kareem Hunt under on the rushing yards, Noah Gray under on the receptions, D-hop anytime touchdown, D-hop over one and a half reception, which is plus 126 or was Pacheco over on the rushing yards, Jalen Hurts, MVP plus 370. I know the narrative, Saquon didn't get the MVP, got offensive player of the year. It's his birthday, but like we're pricing the quarterback almost four to one of the team that I think is going to win. And Jalen had his best game of his career two years ago against this Chiefs defense. I thought the Chiefs defense was better two years ago, right?
So I like that MVP number. Under on the rushing yards on Hunt. And then yeah, for the Eagles, I really like Devontae. And then I like Jalen Hurts, anytime touchdown, minus 115. I don't hate Saquon, minus 190, but I mean, you know, that's 200.
What do you think with Barkley? Like, is he going to, what is the over-under on him? Because I feel like. Him over is going to be so popular all over the place. All right.
I'm glad you went there.
So, I got a couple different ways I'm going to play him. Also, you brought up Goddard, and I'm totally with you.
So, this is one where. You know, it's like. You're going against the everybody in the world is like, oh man, the Chiefs can't defend the tight end position. Goddard's going to eat. But like we all know that, you know, you know that Everybody sitting on their couch knows that or doing these podcasts.
Don't you think Spaggs might, like, I don't know, throw a curveball or something? I feel like if Goddard's receiving number goes up anymore, and I know somebody already came in on the under, I might have to bet his unders, man. But, um, as far as Saquon, I'm I can't. I've heard people give out and talk about the under on the longest rush, which is like 24 and a half, 25 and a half. I get the thinking, Kansas City doesn't give up explosive plays, but like you said, dude, and I know that was against the commander's run.
You saw him take that pitch. To the house right away, right? I don't want to bet against Saquon Barkley and the rushing props. I got a little Super Bowl trivia for you, though. Maybe the last 100 yard rusher in a Super Bowl.
Um Down on James White. No, no, remember he had like 11 receptions. Oh, yeah. It was Damian Williams for the Kansas City Chiefs against the Niners in 2020, 17 attempts for 100 yards.
So, you know, I know a lot of people are gonna probably bet the under, maybe, if they're trying to be contrarian, but I couldn't do it. I couldn't do it. And what's funny is, Kansas City, man. Their run defense was like, you know, number two in the league, I think, against opposing running backs in the regular season. But these two games in the playoffs.
They've been a little shaky. I think they're giving up like four yards per carry. I actually thought Buffalo went away from James Cook. I mean, I love Josh Allen. He's the MVP of the league.
So I get wanting to keep the ball in his hands. But I would have pounded the rock against the Chiefs. Same thing with the Ravens last year.
So I like the over, if anything, on Saquon rushing yards. But I'll tell you what. I kind of like the under. If I was going to do any unders on Saquon and you want to like fade the public. I bet a lot of people think like over one and a half reception is a good bet.
I kind of like the under. I was talking about this on the show last night. They don't really use Saquon in the past game whatsoever. And Kansas City has been really good against opposing running backs.
So if I was going to do anything, I'd probably go under one and a half reception. It's right now you could get plus 150. 28 running backs have run at least 250 routes this season, if you include the playoffs. Barkley has a 13% target rate, which is the third lowest, meaning they don't really target him. That's why they play Kenneth Gainwell.
On third downs, and he was a full participant in practice yesterday.
So he's going to play in this game. And I like Will Shipley, man, out of Clemson. He made some plays last week. But the only running backs lower than Barkley are Jonathan Taylor, who, as we all know, doesn't really catch passes, and Kyron Williams. And then the Chiefs only gave up 61 receptions, seventh fewest in the NFL.
So if you do anything with unders on Barkley, I'd go under on the catches, but over on the yards for sure. This episode is brought to you by Squarespace. Squarespace is the all-in-one website platform for entrepreneurs to stand out and succeed online. Whether you're just starting out or you're managing a growing brand, Squarespace makes it easy to create a beautiful website, engage with your audience, and sell anything from products to content to time, all in one place and all on your terms. Introducing design intelligence from Squarespace, combining two decades of industry-leading design expertise with cutting-edge AI technology to unlock your strongest creative potential.
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Reigning middleweight champion Dracis Duplessis defends his title in a rematch against Sean Strickland. And Zhang Wei Li defends her strawweight title against undefeated Tatiana Suarez. UFC 312 Saturday at 10 p.m. Eastern. Fly it on ESPMplus.com slash PPB.
No. Oh, I can't hear you. Do you want to help me set a DraftKings lineup? Absolutely, let's do it.
Okay, because I'm trying to set one based on the things that you are saying. Um And I either have to leave out Saquon or Mahomes. Hey, I will help you with this, but I see Jake in the chat. I do want to talk a little bit about the WrestleMania card, and I want to give my thoughts on the Royal Rumble because I had to. I had to watch it on delay.
Me and Nate and my wife went to the Capitals game. Because he's really, we went and watched Ovechkin score a goal. We're on Ovechkin watch over here. And so we had to watch it at like, I let him stay up until like 2 a.m. And then I was texting you.
That's why I was texting you that late. I thought, Jay, I thought what happened there, well, we'll talk about it here in a second. Let's set the lineup. Yeah, so I'm trying.
So I need to figure out who my captain is going to be. If you think Hurts is going to be the MVP. I think at the captain position, you get 1.5. Of the points. But then you have to pay up that salary.
And I think that um It's probably going to be Hertz or Saquon that have the biggest game. Or I could put Pacheco in there or Devontae Smith. Um Because I want to play both quarterbacks. Yeah. And I want to play Saquon, but then if I do Pacheco at the captain, Devontae, Smith, Barkley, Hurts, Mahomes.
I only have enough money for Will Shipley, Smith Schuster, Dotston, or P. Ride. Or Justin Watson, I could. Nah, I mean, I would use, I would use Schuster. I would use Juju.
So, this would be a lineup without A.J. Brown. And without Travis Kelsey and without Xavier Worthy, So Dallas Goddard and without Hollywood Brown. Pacheco and the captain. Devontae Smith Barkley heard Mahomes and then a salary burn on Smith Schuster.
I feel like, man, the only thing that scares me, and I know I just talked up Devontae Smith. A. J. Brown is so freaking good. Right?
Like, would you be shocked if... AJ Brown has, and he finally came alive next week. He finally came alive in the NFC Championship game. Think about that, though. It was against the commanders, dude, in the corpse of Marshawn Lattimore, you know?
So so if I take out Smith, I can put A.J. Brown. And then if, if. If If We go crazy on an anytime touchdown. You know who I like for an anytime touchdown if he plays is Carson Steele.
No, don't do it. I've been doing it all year. Like, is he out in the end zone all year? I don't know, but I like him to score like how Will Shipley did last week. No, don't do it.
Don't do that. Don't do that at all.
Well, I only have 200 bucks left if I do this.
So 200 you could get Nobody. Paris Campbell? Oh, you know who I could get? Is Sky Moore playing? Sky Moore.
No, no, no. Is he playing? No, he's on the IR, isn't he? Yeah, they might bring him back. Do they even bring even if they do it Sky more, no.
What about Peyton Hendershot? He gets snaps. Where's um Where's Dotson? How much is Dotson? Dotson ran like 32 freaking routes again last week, and he didn't even get a target.
Dots and I could get in there. And then I could put like... I could put Devontae Smith maybe as the captain. My ADD is killed. Let's reset the lineup real quick.
All right. All right. All right, let's be realistic here. Go out. Who do we have to have who is going to score a lot of points this weekend?
Who has to be in a lineup? Ah, you know What if you left Saquon out? Hold on. Let me just see what you could do here. Go.
No, if I left Saquon out. I put Jalen Hurts as the M V P.
Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Hollywood Brown. No.
Though I wouldn't go any Chiefs receiver just because you never know, you know what I mean? The Eagles have. Three guys that actually get targets: Goddard, Brown, and Devontae.
So let's go Devontae. He's cheaper, right? Obviously. Devontae's cheaper and then I could go Well Okay. I leave Pacheco out for a second.
I know I just got done jocking him. Go up. Why am I seeing Kenny Pickett on this? 'Cause he's the backup. All backups are six K.
Go up though. Worthy, Kelsey, Hunt, Brown, Barkley. Uh go All right, put bar. Yeah, you're right. Put barcode in there now.
So now we have twenty five hundred Box. We have $5,000 on shit, guys. All right, hold on though. Do you like any of the defenses that have a big game, like a touchdown or something? No, no.
I actually bet under one and a half interceptions for the entire game, and it's my favorite bet. And I bet minus 140. Mahomes ain't throwing a pick in this game. Here, Danewell and Dotson, your boys. You know what?
I kind of like this, dude. I think Gainwell will get used in the past game.
So, this is all, this is all. Eagles, except for Mahomes. Like, oh, you got to play Mahomes, right? Yeah, you gotta pull it's it's yeah. Yeah, you gotta play both.
You gotta play both. We'll table that for now. Yeah, roll with that, actually. I like this lineup. I'll play with that.
Gainwell and Dotson, you want me to roll with two shit guys? Yeah. Excellent thing. Yeah. Look, I'm throwing 13 lineups into this thing.
This can be my lottery throw. You got Jalen, who I think is at least going to score a touchdown. You got Mahomes. And then I got four Eagles, including two Scrubs. You got Devontae Gainwell's going to play, and he's like, they still use him.
I was getting pissed off. He was getting carries last week. Or two weeks ago. And then I mean, Dotson, that's the problem. Or instead of Dotson, I could do Samajay P Rine.
Do oh, oh, P rhyme, man. Yeah, go with both third-down running backs to catch some balls. Because Dotson, like I said, man, his reception prop is one half. Dotson just needs one catch minus 135. All right.
P. Ryan, we're going third down backs, baby. I like that. I do like that. Um I told you about my experience with the Rumble where My kid kept wanting Jey Uso to win.
And I said, he's not going to win, dude. And he's like, if he does not win, I will be very mad. And I was like having to break his heart and then Jey Uso won. Um which was exciting, but now the IWC, the internet wrestling community. Uh is very upset about it.
Um The Rock's not going to be in WrestleMania, which throws a wrench into plans. 'Cause they were building that up and then he came back on the Netflix raw and was like Cody. Say how to your mom for me. Yeah. Say out of your mother for me, all right?
Yeah. Uh so that sucked.
So, as far as the card, I mean, Jay's going to talk to Cody tonight. I think he's got to fight Gunther. And then, wouldn't it make more sense though? What would make more sense to give the fans their Jey Uso moment? Or to really establish Gunther as a dominant heel by beating Jay.
Yeah, so I think Gunther needs to beat Jay.
So, Gunther, he's my favorite wrestler. I actually have his t-shirt because we go to the events. We went to SummerSlam. We're actually going to SmackDown coming up on February 14th at Capital One in DC.
So, I took the day off for that. Excited. But I like, I'm with you, man. Like, Gunther. You're going to Capital One the next Friday to watch Chris Middleton versus the Bucs?
Dude, how about that, man? I might run into him. I might run into. I said, big day for Gary Wolfel and for Ram on the north side, man, right? Like, Ram's been asking for Middleton to get traded since he was averaging 24 a game.
Gary actually, Wolfel was the first guy I saw that it was going to be Kuzma in return. I, by the way, really quick on that, dude. Like I get it, but like Are you beating Boston with Kyle Kuzma? No. And Dame?
No. And this is where, like, you know. Um Like, you know, is a Cubs fan? Hate to bring it up. Everybody was like, Rizzo sucks.
He's getting older. Bryant sucks. Baez sucks. You want to just win 88 games every year and finish in second in the central? And I was like, well, yeah, kind of.
Because, like, what's the alternative? You suck without all my favorite players. I was almost there with like Middleton in the Bucks. Like, yeah, I know. It's about over for Chris, but Uh which sucks 'cause of injuries.
But I don't know, man. I mean, for coups, I just. We'll see. We'll see. It's like every year, it's like you kind of got to go in for Giannis and at least.
Field the best team. But I hate Jimmy Butler. I hate his guts. As you know, my take is he'll never be the best player on a championship team. And now at 35, I feel pretty comfortable.
Well, it's talking about getting rewarded for bad behavior. My goodness. Yeah, and he's a real Richard. But, like, the thing is, I would rather have Jimmy Butler than Kyle Kuzma. Or Kevin, like Kevin Durant would have moved the needle.
You know what I mean? Like. You're going to go out and get it, get somebody. I would rather have like one of those. And Kuzma's like, hey, Bucks Nation, and he spelled it B-U-C-S.
I got to be honest, I'm just so pissed off. Hit the Dallas Mavericks, man. Like if you're gonna trade Luca. Make him available for everybody.
So, like, you know what I mean? And then at least get the full package of picks. And Dalton Connect so that the Lakers can't use those assets to get a big man. Yeah, I like that pickup, especially because Luke is just going to throw him alleops.
So I'm going to be playing his points, which I've already been doing in Charlotte over every single night. But yeah, that one kind of pissed me off a little bit. Like, obviously, John Horse is going to be like, you know. Suck it if you call him and say we want Giannis. But I mean, if it's Luca for Giannis, at least it's like not the craziest discussion ever, right?
And I'm not just throwing Giannis out there. I mean, I would make, I would be calling everybody. I'd call OKC. Hey, you know, want to do Shea. Everybody, I mean, it's not a crazy conversation.
I mean, Polinka had to be like, he had to be like, what is happening? Why, why am I able to talk this guy down? And he's not calling anyone else. This is nuts. Yeah.
But anyway, I just feel like everybody's just making all these deals just to lose to Boston in six anyway. Like, prove me wrong. And I know this isn't a Celtic show and I don't like Boston either, but I just feel like they're going to be a tough team to beat because. Drew Holiday in the playoffs. Derek, the thing is with the Spurs, man.
Imagine that team now with Fox and Wemby and Derek White. Derek White is awesome. Peyton Pritchard's going to win six man of the year. Al Horford's old as hell, but he's still out there doing some stuff every once in a while. Jalen Brown, I love Jalen Brown.
I don't care. He gets better every year, too. Jason Tatum is soft, but he's still a hell of a player once every three games in the playoffs. Porzingas, nightmare matchup. Even though I think he's soft.
But yeah, so Boston's going to be tough to beat. Don't really care about that. Back to the Rumble, really quick. Same situation here. My son loves Jey Uso.
When we went to SummerSlam, he was just yeeting. He's got the Jey Uso shirt and goggles and everything going on. My brother was actually like, hey, I don't want to be rude, but when Jey Uso gets eliminated in the Rumble, can you send me Nate's reaction? And instead, he ends up winning it. And here's where it's crazy, though.
So I don't hate it. Like, I like to see guys get rewarded for their hard work. Problem is, man, we just saw Jay Uso against Gunther.
So I thought originally the way they were going to set it up was we were going to get like. Not like the double heel turn, but so Cody, the way that he beat the living hell out of Kevin Owens in like massacre style. Didn't really remind me of like a face. And, you know, Kevin Owens is like the heel that you can make the case for. Right?
Now, not so much, like killing Sami Zayn, but before that. Right, you can make the case that he's actually kind of the good guy, like Seth. The bloodline was screwing people over for two years, and now everybody just wants to go team up with these guys. That doesn't make a whole lot of sense. And the lasting image is: Owens is like dead, which shout out to Kevin Owens, one of the all-time performers, by the way, of our generation, in my opinion.
And Cody's celebrating over him.
So I'm like, oh my God, did they just turn Cody into like the dude from the boys? You know, that they. Did they make him the bad guy and Jey Uso's the good guy? Right? But no, it's going to be the same story that we've seen.
And so I'm with you. I want to see Gunther beat Jey Uso. And here's where wrestling. Here's where I know I'm getting old, right? I used to hate John Cena.
My little brother loves Cena. I'm an Attitude Era guy, so I was stone cold, the rock, but I like the heels, right? I liked Orton when he was RKOing Stacey Keebler and kicking Stephanie McMahon in the head. I like that kind of stuff. That's bad examples, right?
We don't beat up, we don't condone violence to women. I like the heels, though. And so I used to like Triple H fighting around a Rousey. Like, I love, remember, my favorite pay-per-view match of all time remains this one. It was the ECW pay-per-view when they brought Jericho.
No, they no. Jeff Jarrett against China when he was hitting her with the freaking guitar over the head. It was. Uh-oh, did I? Yeah, no, I'm here.
I'm here. I'm here. So, Cena fought RVD, and the best part is like Cena takes off his shirt to throw it in the crowd, and they throw it back at him, and they're chanting F you, Cena, and Rob Van Dan beats him. But I used to cheer for anybody that was fighting against Cena.
Now I'm old. And I want to see him break Ric Flair's record.
So when it was him and Uso. In the final two, I wanted Cena, man, with his ball. Yeah, I'm on Cena. I'm mad at him. He's like, I'm going to do every house show.
And then he's like, well, off to Budapest. First round bye to the elimination chamber. Did he uh Yeah, it seemed like it was like a heel promo. You can't turn Cena heel, though, on his way out, in my opinion.
So, yeah, I wanted him to win. I don't think he wins the elimination chamber to be out of it. Who fights Cody? It's a great. Is it going to be?
Well, it looks like they're setting up a Punk Reigns Rollins triumvirant. or a Reigns versus Rollins match, which I don't I want that to be for the doesn't need the title, but I want that to be for the title. Yeah. I know. That's why I don't know where they're going to go.
That's a really good question. J if Jay faces like if Jay If they could play more into like I saw what you did to Kevin, man. That was a little messed up. Or have Sammy come out there and be like, dude, you went a little hard on Kevin, and then Jay come out, and then Jay gets fired up. I want to see Jay beat Cody rather than I would Gunther beat Jay.
I think you have to. Reward Jay with a strap. But I don't think he should beat Gunther. I think I think you get more long term out of Gunther beating Jay. Yeah.
I uh I think you got to go Gunther over Jake because, like, I didn't even like when Sami Zayn beat him, man. You got to make him this dominant heel.
So I just. I feel like he shouldn't lose yet. And he just wanted it SummerSlam.
So, and where do you go with him if he loses the Jay? Remember when Russell was dominant? And then they have Solo since he lost every match he's ever fought except the one against Cena. I have LG. That's an well, yeah, that's the thing.
And now, what are they going to do with him? Because he's already lost to Reigns. His guys are going to turn. And so now you can't really do anything with him. He's almost like a joke at this point.
So that's a good question. I have no idea what they do with him. Yeah, that's. I don't know. I guess maybe Cena.
So Cena wins and he faces Cody? And is that is that why they're is Cena the bad guy, or we just don't have a bad guy? I don't know. I mean, I would like to see that. I think they end up swerving and they go Jey Uso against Cody as a bad guy, and they do it like when.
Kofi Kingston reversed the role against Daniel Bryan, remember? And Daniel Bryan was the bad guy with the paper championship. And Kofi was the good guy to complete his story. Right? What if they go Cody versus Jey Uso?
And then they go Gunther against Cena. I feel that makes way more sense. You get the classic Cena. And I want Cena. Cena Gracky, Gunther, Cena loses.
Cena needs to lose, though, and then get him in chase mode all summer and then give him the dub at SummerSlam. Mm-hmm. Cena's the greatest of all time, dude. He puts everybody over now that he's back. Back in the day, he got so much better in the ring, right?
Like, he had some awesome AJ Styles matches. The Kevin Owens, early Kevin Owens, when he first got called up matches, uh, the RVD match, big game performers, they would be MFing them, chanting, you suck. That's tough to do, man. Like, I mean, I know it's wrestling and that's their job, but still, like, when you're trying to play the good guy, like Charlotte last week was like, I'm hurt, and everyone's like, Yeah, get the out of here, yeah, like if you're the bad guy, like Dom Mysterio, and they're booing the fuck out of you, like, that's an art form right there. But if you're the good guy and you're trying to get over, and they're like, This guy sucks, like.
That's that's that's that's tough right there.
So I think Cena's the GOAT. I would love to see him break the record personally, but I just feel like he's so unselfish that he's going to want to put somebody else over that he won't end up doing so. But I would love, and he makes wishes. He's made more wishes than anybody. I think he's just like a good dude.
Guys, all of a sudden, he's a thumbs fight. Who? Who's punk fight? Right, Reigns and Rollins? Yeah, I guess that's just the triple threat, and I guess that's they'll say that it doesn't need a belt, but punk should be like, I want the olafala.
I mean the whole thing is F now. Remember how Punk took over Nexus? Oh yeah. Hiya. Yeah, I just wanted to see Brian, I got some bad news for you.
The the rock screwed everybody up. Yeah, the rock should be fighting rains. Yeah, or Cody. That's what I'm saying. It should either be the rock or rains.
Or the rock and Cody. I think that's where the money was, though, man. And they set the whole thing up. Why did he come out and do the like, why did he do that then? And then he just comes back.
And he's just trying to sell his movie. They got like if The Rock's gonna come back and be this like middle-aged crisis, like he's going through like his midlife crisis, like where he wants he's the good guy and then he's the bad guy, and then he's like promoting his Disney movie, he's just gotta stay away. Cause there's like. You know, he's killing Kfab over here, man. Like, what the fuck?
Are we watching like the Dwayne or are we watching The Rock? I was, and I was jacked for the Netflix. The first episode, because I was like, okay, we're finally gonna pay off on this storyline. Cause I thought there was so much there, right? Like, yeah, my kid, I let my kid stay up for it.
There wasn't any wrestling for 40 minutes. He had to go to bed and he was crying. I was like, I was, yeah, I was torn. I was like, okay, so either the rock's back. And he's coming for Roman, and he is the leader of this new bloodline, Jacob Fatu, and all those weirdos, right?
Or he's coming back for Cody. And I like, what did he put in Cody's pocket? What the fuck did he put in Cody's pocket? We're talking about this. What did he put in his pocket?
It's like when the anonymous GM was Horn Swaggle. It's like they got a new beer panel. They never really paid off on GTV back in the Attitude Era. Remember, they would like have a camera and somebody would be like in the urinal and shit. By the way.
You know what does not age well, but it's hilarious, obviously. You ever go back and watch some, like, not the pay-per-views, but Monday Night Raw from the 90s, from the Attitude Era? No, but I should. Just the weirdest collection of shit. And if you watch and you read that Vince McMahon stuff, you're like, oh, oh.
He was just like really like Living out his fantasies. His gross fantasies, like through these, you know. Through these episodes, it was crazy. like Mae Young gave birth to a hand. I talked about this on the show last night because, yeah, I was telling my producer, he was like 24 and never got into wrestling, and he was like, I was telling him about the attitude, Aaron.
I was like, Yeah, Mae Young was banging the world's strongest man, Mark Henry, and then they gave birth to a hand. And he was like. Yeah, I think I'll just stick with real sports.
Well it made sense at the time. Um all right.
Well, we got the Eagles, I guess. Eagles. Buy Eagles fly. E-G-E-L-E-A-S Yeah, hopefully you hit some of those props. If anybody tails, I really do like me some Isaiah Pacheco, so he'll probably have like two carries for three yards.
And I like some Hollywood Brown, and I love Devon. I love some Samajay P Rine, baby.
Well, he is. I mean, he is going to get the targets, man. You know, he's going to have at least 12 receiving yards, I'd assume. Horvot, always a pleasure. Thanks, dude.
We'll talk to you soon. Thanks for stopping into the Winklerverse. Hello, birds. This episode is brought to you by Love Hurts. Kiwi Kwan has had quite a career, from childhood roles in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and the Goonies, to a recent Academy Award win for Everything Everywhere All at Once.
But now, Ki finally stars as a leading man in the film Love Hurts. Love Hurts is the perfect date-night movie with its mix of over-the-top action, comedy, and a ton of heart. Love Hurts, only at Theaters February 7th. And you are into the Winklerverse. Thanks again to Ryan Horvat.
We're going to hashtag TackItOn. Got the chat with Kevin Harlan again. He's going to be calling his family. 15th straight Super Bowl for Westwood One. The first one he called the Packers versus the Steelers.
So, how long has it been since the Packers have been in a Super Bowl?
Well, how long has Kevin Harlan been doing this consecutively? And there is your answer. Too long of a time. Able to talk with him for the Bart Winklers show on the Infinity Sports Network, 9P to 1A Central weeknights, wherever you get your Odysseys. And we do podcast the show.
Although I think there was a problem on Thursday night. You will live. We are brought to you by Happy Place Hemp, happyplacehemp.com. The promo code is BART. That's 25% off your order.
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So every time that you do order with them, first, second, third, fifteenth, The promo code will work. 25% off. Bart is the code. Happy place, hemp. My conversation for the national show with Kevin Harlan, and we'll be back next week.
Uh with the mm mm-mm. And then maybe a a Super Bowl. Recap of some sort. We'll get in there. As well.
Plus, we gotta talk to Tim Shea a little more, see how his new job is going. Um and how quickly he'll go back to his old one. as is tradition. Kevin Harlan calling his 15th consecutive Super Bowl this Sunday in New Orleans. Kevin, thanks for coming back on.
The show How different? Because, you know, for these players, they say. That it's a game. I mean, it's still the same clock you're using, the half-time's a little longer. But how different is the experience for you when you get there in the morning?
There's a lot of theatrics going on. Is there stuff that is a broadcaster you need to block out too, or what is your Super Bowl Sunday normally like now? Bart, you've summed it up. It's the optics that I think catch your attention, just the fanfare, the festiveness of it all. The feel looks different.
The stadium feels different outside the stadium. completely different. And then just the enormity of our broadcast audience across the country as we always have. Then on outlets in Europe, the American Armed Forces Radio.
So it it it touches a lot of parts of the globe and With that comes a lot of responsibility, but I've tried to treat every one of the previous 14 Super Bowls I've done. like it was another NFL game, and that has probably been a pretty calming effect on me. Just because if you got caught up in the anthem and got caught up in the pageantry of the of the game itself and even leading up to the game. I think it would be pretty, it'd be like an avalanche of emotion that you'd have a hard time. corralling.
I try to keep apart as normal as possible. Because you can get caught up in everything that's going on. And that would be the big fear if you let the moment. Creep into it and affect the way you broadcast.
So I try to. really keep it simple. And concentrate on the game and say that I've done, you know, 18 regular season games. for CBS and on Monday night and We'll stick with that same path for this big game in New Orleans on Sunday night. You know, you look at like the old Super Bowls when it was j I mean, we're talking the the first ones when it wasn't even called the Super Bowl yet.
And yeah, it was a spectacle of sorts. They had a marching band at halftime. Obviously a lot different than it is now, but This will be your 15th one in a row. How much different even is the Super Bowl just from 15 Years ago. Is there a noticeable difference?
Because I feel like. You know, it does get bigger every year and more brands try to get involved and You know, now you see commercials like The commercials that we see, we've already seen all of them that we're going to see.
So there's a lot more people trying to. Get a bang for their buck, but has it changed much just since when you started this streak? I would say, yes, it has grown in terms of corporate involvement and. Clearly, the ratings have skyrocketed over the last 15 years. And I think there's always been the buildup.
But there are now so many attached parts. to the event itself.
So many companies wanting to get their little sliver of space and time. amidst the the two week run up, but especially the week of And that's probably where it has changed the most. In my mind, as you were. Asking that question, Bart. I was going back to.
being in Texas for that Super Bowl 45. Rodgers against Roethelsburger, Packers against Steelers. That was my first one for Westwood One. And I remember, of course, it was icy. Remember, there was a ton of snow and.
They had some weather issues and they're bringing in plows from You know, 15 states to help plow this, it was a mess. And that's what really kind of put a damper on. the the pregame feel, but once once the game started, It it it's it has always remained about the game. and about accentuating performances and winners. and celebrating the NFL.
And the league has done a great job growing. You know, every year in that regard. I mean, who knows what it was like in Super Bowl I? But there was not anything, I mean, remotely. Close to what we go through now.
It's an extravaganza that seems to build upon itself every year. And I don't think there's any. stopping it. There's no yielding the progress and terms of corporate involvement and And people wanting to be outrageous and making a spectacle, and the parties, and everything else that goes on. It's pretty monumental, and you can get lost in that world if you chose to.
I've chosen not to, staying with the game. It has served me well. Kevin Harlan joining us. He'll be on the call again for the 15th straight time with Westwood One for the Super Bowl, of course, Sunday evening on many of these fine affiliates. When you look at the streak that you've been on, you saw really the Patriots' dynasty.
Was sort of broken in two, where in the middle part of that Other teams were getting a shot at their Super Bowl, like Aaron Rodgers got in there. Ben Rothlisberger got a couple. Russell Wilson got in there. Drew Brees.
Now you're seeing this Chiefs dynasty. Which And maybe they take some time off and then come back, but they're like not allowing anybody else in. Joe Burrow slipped through the cracks. Once, but they're not allowing anybody else in. And there's a lot of comparisons, as I think there should be.
To what the Patriots were with Brady and Belichick and that team, and now what the Chiefs are with. Mahomes and Reed and this team. Are there similarities you see to how these teams approach the week? Participate in these games because, like you mentioned, you can get caught up in the Super Bowl. And I think now with the Eagles being back there, they were there a couple of years ago.
The Chiefs last year had the Niners, they were there a couple of years ago. Maybe they lose a little bit of that edge of, you know, we know how to do this because we're the dynasty. Do you see similarities or are they completely like? different just different they're just different teams when they're out there Well, I think a lot of what you s say is a path to look into the the different ways, but I think they do converge. Like the Chiefs and Patriots.
Each of those rosters in the two different stints that the Patriots had their runs in the two decades. They really followed coaching. Getting players that served a purpose in a connective offense and defense. And and really While they may have tried to get MVPs and Hall of Fame caliber players along the way. You know, aside from the Seyows and the Randy Mosses.
They basically stuck to drafting developing and and and building from within. And look how many. Hall of Famers that Brady was around, the head coach, the tight end. After that, I mean, really, not too many, right? I mean, Moss was there for a very short time.
But but it wasn't like it was back in the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. 90s even. When you had all these great dynastic teams that had like double-digit Hall of Famers on them, Pittsburgh, Green Bay. Dallas, San Francisco. I mean, like, those teams had just a number of Hall of Famers.
on their teams. Kansas City doesn't. And Brady and the Patriots certainly didn't. But they were good enough because of the game plan they were handed. Staying on their page, doing their job, which we hear often.
It really was as simple as that. And I do think the Chiefs In the salary cap era with the Patriots, the two dynasties we've seen. You know, we should be appreciating and applauding. what they've done. and how they've done it.
in an era of parody. And let's make every team eligible at the end of the season. It keeps our fan base engaged. But it's hard to build. These huge teams with a bunch of named players.
You've got to rely on second and third-year players. You've got to rely on. Than getting maybe a journeyman, but putting him in the right position. to do his job. not to extend, not to leave his lane.
Just do as the as the play calls for. That's all we're asking. And the players that have done that for the Patriots always were part of championship teams. And certainly with the Chiefs going back to the Super Bowl. for the fifth time in six years.
They're doing it the same way. Sure, Joe Tooney may get some consideration. Maybe Chris Jones on the defensive line. McDuffie is thriving as a starting corner. But they're no surefire Hall of Famers.
aside from the coach, the quarterback, and the tight end. And that to me is remarkable. That to me is coaching. and coaching right through every position coach. Getting there.
Respective segment of that team. Ready to go. with a game plan they believe in. Total trust from tip to tail on everything they're being coached on. That's why the Patriots and Chiefs have been there.
And I think a lot of it. That's why the Eagles are back again now. Pound for pound. One that that roster of the Eagles. Probably is better than the Chiefs.
The line is. Terrific. There's only one Barclays one of one. Yeah. You know, you can go on and on and on.
But but the similarities between the chiefs and patriots are to me Incredibly vivid, and very much at the tip of this story.
Well, with I mean, with the Chiefs, you talk a lot about the coaching. With Andy Reid, of course, his impact on that organization is vast. The way that he's able to keep things they there's a lot of noise around the Chiefs a lot of the time, but they're able to keep it in house. I think the other side too, With the job Nick Siriani's done. That playoff game a year ago where they lost to Tampa Bay after losing five of six to end the season, I thought.
This guy might lose his job. He might lose his job. The way that they Just completely fell apart. And sure, they get Saquon Barkley, but also they changed coordinators. You know, Vic Fangio's in there.
He shaved his head earlier this season. I was like, oh boy. See, they're never gonna win another game. But I think as good as the coaching job that Andy Reid has done, For Nick Siriani to be in the Super Bowl. Have that close game.
Where Jalen Hurts probably could have won MVP in a losing effort. Then go through last season. and then refocus the team to get back here. Yeah, with some new pieces, Saquon and some of these rookies. I mean, I'm almost more impressed by what Sirianni's been able to do.
Siriani, you've captured it well. At the end of last season... It was it was touch and go if he was going to stay as the head coach. There's a ton of speculation. I credit, you know, Howie Roseman, the GM and their owner.
Jeffrey Lurie for staying the course. And clearly they talk with the veterans, you know, you you Why wouldn't you? input on on the way the locker room is Way the coaching is handled. They get Kellen Moore that you mentioned this, they change their coordinators. They get Fanjio on the defensive end, Kellen Moore on the offensive end.
Proved to be, you know, very good moves. He made the choice, Siriani, to. get out of the offense, which is his specialty. And just, and when you're a head coach, you got to have your hands on a lot of different parts of that team. And that's how he has operated.
And it is. It has worked. I would say that. Howie Roseman Kind of like Brett Beach and Kansas City, these two general managers. have been maybe the two best in pro football.
Brian Gudekunst and Green Bay has been terrific.
Some others certainly. uh uh Detroit and what they've done, the Lions and building. Acquiring kids off the street, drafting players, making trades, whatever the case is. But these GMs for this Super Bowl. Veach with the chiefs and Howie Rosenboy, Philadelphia, they have drafted remarkably well.
So that when a player becomes unaffordable, And you've got a backup that is. Beginning to thrive and may actually be better in a better situation. with more snaps. They're not afraid to make that move. or to go out and get a special teams player from the Saints.
who a lot of teams didn't even look at. The Saints make into maybe the defensive player of the year.
So These GMs have been very much in the first sentence of the story why These teams are where they are. But Siriani has survived. I'm sure he would tell you he's better as a head coach. He is doing things differently. He must be.
And then he's got two very smart people. that are his bosses, Lowry and And Howie Roseman that have stuck with him. And it's paid off. The system has stayed in place. Seriani is going to his second Super Bowl as a head coach.
And uh and and they seem to be Uh in a perfect position. To maybe pull this great game off with what they've done. The acquisition of Barclay is off the charts clearly. Hertz is playing well enough. Line is terrific.
Um just just so many things. have gone right for the Eagles. But the moves they've made, keeping the coach, changing coordinators, that is all paid offs. Kevin Hartland will be calling the Super Bowl. For Westwood one on Sunday.
His 15th straight Super Bowl. That'll be calling on the radio side. Leading up to that, you are calling some NBA games. You're going to get, you know, then right into a lot of NBA after this. Um, I guess what I'd like to know is your reaction to the Luka Doncic trade.
Chest bark stunned like everybody else. I was driving to a driving to a college basketball game late Saturday night. And before I got there, my phone kept buzzing. I couldn't, I go, what is going on with my phone? I don't look at my phone when I drive.
And sure enough, this trade had come down. I thought. I must not be reading that correctly. And digging into it, you see what they've done. Lakers have acquired an incredible talent, a generational talent.
and paired him with LeBron James. which I think is going to be The best thing that's ever happened to Dončic. I think he needs that leadership. I think he wants that kind of mentorship. And I think it's going to serve him well.
everything from conditioning and eating and preparation and attention to detail and Just everything. It's going to help him. LeBron will be re-in Regenerated, you know, rejuvenated, reinvigorated, like he's going to be. He is going to be at the top of his game. He'll defer as much as he needs to.
And then they get the center in another trade. which makes them complete.
So they're ready to go. And for Dallas. They're taking a lot of hits. You know, letting a player like this go. There are questions about Luca's.
diet, and other parts of his life, There were questions about keeping his body to the degree that they needed to. There was that Super Max waiting at the end of this deal. No. That that is going to be very tough to to manage. And I just think these just things build up, and they felt they go for a quality defensive player like.
Like Davis. comes at a high cost. But they they feel like this is the thing to do and Let's see how things turn out.
Well, yeah, I mean, it's been a busy week, and you've got the Super Bowl coming up, obviously, and I don't think that. Like this this Conversation. Might be the best that I've Giving the audience Super Bowl preview of the week because if anything's going to knock off the coverage, it's Luka Donchic. And this whole deadline itself, man, has been. Has been crazy.
So thank you for just nuts. You're right. It's just incredible the way the NBA has stolen some thunder from Super Bowl Week. Who would have thought?
Well, we relied on you to provide the Super Bowl. Breakdown, and we appreciate you for that. Kevin, always a pleasure, and we'll look to do it again. Bart, thanks for always having me on. Always appreciate your time.
Very privileged to be on with you. Thank you so much. Mm.
