Podcast: So, who's actually a Super Bowl contender?
The NFL hasn't been this muddled this late in a season in ages. We try to make sense of it all on the Go Long Podcast.
Last night’s Steelers-Vikings game sure did symbolize the NFL in 2021, didn’t it?
Minnesota rolled to a 29-0 lead.
Pittsburgh, left for dead, fought back to make everyone in U.S. Bank Stadium sweat yet again. Minnesota hangs on for dear life to win, 36-28.
That’s how this season’s been. It’s hard to draw any conclusions at all with so many teams stuck in the .500 middle. Even the — air quotes — “contenders” have all suffered some head-scratching losses. So, on this episode of the Go Long Podcast, longtime NFL personnel man Jim Monos and myself try to figure out which teams are for real and which are not. It’s always about getting hot and healthy at the right time.
Keep an eye on these trends…
The Cardinals’ decision to rest quarterback Kyler Murray a full month is looking brilliant. Not only did Colt McCoy go 2-1 in his absence, but Murray was himself in a win at Chicago. He scored four touchdowns and didn’t baby that ankle one bit.
Baltimore’s injuries, somehow, have only gotten worse. Now, star cornerback Marlon Humphrey is done for the season with a shoulder injury. Soon, they’ll be seeing Rod Woodson and Chris McAlister have 15 snaps in them.
I know the last time we saw this Browns offense, it wasn’t pretty but a bye week has to help quarterback Baker Mayfield, who’s been dealing with a myriad of issues. There’s a lane for the Browns to make their move in the AFC North.
Washington is surging. Feeding Antonio Gibson, a WR-turned-RB whose rise is unique, is paying off. Can the WFT really catch Dallas in the NFC East. It’s possible. “Broadway Mike” McCarthy guaranteed a win this Sunday. This is quite a moment for the staggering Cowboys, a position they’re all-to familiar with these last 25 years.
Sean McDermott had no problem putting the blame on Buffalo’s offense in a loss to the Patriots. You very rarely hear a head coach throw his offensive coordinator under the bus like this, let alone one who was a massive reason why the Bills went 15-4 last season. How will the team respond down in Tampa Bay? Against the defending champs? We spend a good amount of time recapping the aftermath of the embarrassing loss to Bill Belichick. People sure were upset.
You can listen to the Go Long Podcast wherever you get your pods with a few links and the full video below.
Today, our Bob McGinn has an exceptional profile on Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. He talked to Bill Cowher, Rob Ryan and everyone who knows the man best. As always, his “McGinn Files” series digs into Bob’s personal archives of what scouts said on prospects when they were drafted, too.
Also, be on the lookout soon here at the newsletter for a wild conversation with former NFL safety T.J. Ward. We chatted for an hour on Thursday about his “No Fly Zone” defense in Denver, a changing NFL, the seemingly infinite number of concussions he suffered and why he believes the league blackballed him.
Thanks, everyone.
Ty, old buddy, old pal,
Any chance to get Aaron Rodgers on a podcast. I’m thinking that’s a big negatory, but just asking. I figure he would only go on a podcast where he knows will be given softball questions. That would not be Go Long, which plays a friendly game of hardball.
If I ever get to New York State you are in notice that I’m buying you a few pints! Lol