WEBVTT - From refrigerator magnets to a national event - NFL Schedule release 0:00:05.058 --> 0:00:07.778 NFL Inside Report is a production of the NFL in 0:00:07.898 --> 0:00:21.738 partnership with I Heart Radio. I'm Red Louis and this 0:00:22.178 --> 0:00:28.618 is NFL Inside Report. One day after the extravaganza. The 0:00:28.658 --> 0:00:33.138 schedule release is now done. We know where, when, and 0:00:33.258 --> 0:00:38.418 how all two and seventy two regular season games over 0:00:38.458 --> 0:00:43.018 the course of eighteen regular season weeks will play out. 0:00:43.218 --> 0:00:44.658 And here to help us break it all down here 0:00:44.698 --> 0:00:51.938 today our friends Judy Fatista and Jeffrey Chidya. Wow. I mean, guys, 0:00:51.978 --> 0:00:54.378 every year it just it gets bigger and bigger, and 0:00:54.458 --> 0:00:56.818 it builds and it builds. And we've been talking about 0:00:56.858 --> 0:01:00.298 schedule release since before the draft now, and we started 0:01:00.298 --> 0:01:02.938 getting some of the little tidbits right, some of the 0:01:02.938 --> 0:01:06.298 little appetizer games. You know, we have each network released 0:01:06.298 --> 0:01:08.898 a game. We had the International Series games come out 0:01:09.338 --> 0:01:12.418 all right after the draft, and now we have the 0:01:12.458 --> 0:01:17.418 whole enchilada, so to speak. Um, let's let's first start 0:01:17.458 --> 0:01:19.458 with Jeff, Judy and then and then Jeff, I'd love 0:01:19.458 --> 0:01:22.298 to just get your thoughts on the spectacle that this 0:01:22.338 --> 0:01:28.138 has become, especially for planners, right, I mean, like this 0:01:28.218 --> 0:01:31.778 is like a huge This was a huge day for 0:01:31.898 --> 0:01:36.618 everyone looking to plan their next six months right right, 0:01:36.738 --> 0:01:38.978 Like I mean, I happen to know some fans who 0:01:39.018 --> 0:01:41.378 actually try to travel to some of the away games. 0:01:41.378 --> 0:01:43.778 So for them, it's it's a very big deal right there, 0:01:43.778 --> 0:01:46.258 you're trying they or they have season tickets. They want 0:01:46.258 --> 0:01:49.178 to know. I get that. The fact that it is 0:01:49.218 --> 0:01:53.338 now a week's long extravaganza is just a credit to 0:01:53.458 --> 0:01:57.898 the marketing genius that they employed at the NFL. Because listen, 0:01:57.978 --> 0:02:00.498 it was not that long ago. I remember you used 0:02:00.498 --> 0:02:02.138 to get a phone call from somebody in the league 0:02:02.138 --> 0:02:04.098 office and they would say like, hey, I want the schedule, 0:02:04.218 --> 0:02:07.498 like literally, that's what it was. It was that many 0:02:07.538 --> 0:02:11.178 years ago that that happened. So this is just I mean, 0:02:11.218 --> 0:02:13.258 it's amazing that and and now it's like a sort 0:02:13.298 --> 0:02:17.338 of a week long thing that it's it's remarkable and 0:02:17.498 --> 0:02:20.858 credit to them because they've created another fan that everybody 0:02:21.098 --> 0:02:23.578 is wrapped up in. Yeah. I remember those days, but 0:02:23.618 --> 0:02:26.338 you would just get the the opponents was a big deal. 0:02:26.418 --> 0:02:28.298 To know they were gonna play whatever the Chiefs, We're 0:02:28.298 --> 0:02:31.658 gonna play against the AFC East. That was a huge revelation. 0:02:31.738 --> 0:02:33.298 So now to get to a place where we are 0:02:33.338 --> 0:02:36.258 just you know, waiting with bated breath to see what's 0:02:36.258 --> 0:02:39.178 going to happen with this. I remember, I remember like 0:02:39.218 --> 0:02:45.258 the cards, Yeah, put on a little mini cars. That's 0:02:45.258 --> 0:02:48.938 so twentieth century, right, come on, way beyond that. This 0:02:49.018 --> 0:02:52.658 is like I'm waiting for Jerry Joe to introduce some 0:02:52.778 --> 0:02:56.378 kind of a reality show where you actually have every 0:02:56.378 --> 0:02:58.818 city doing some big event trying to top each other. 0:02:59.218 --> 0:03:02.298 Explain this because all the social media teams out there 0:03:01.538 --> 0:03:04.418 with the team doing it right right right, Yeah, that's 0:03:04.418 --> 0:03:06.738 a great and in credit to all the social media 0:03:06.818 --> 0:03:09.978 teams out there, all departments just do a phenomenal job, 0:03:10.778 --> 0:03:15.058 you know, making schedule release into this huge piece of 0:03:15.418 --> 0:03:19.418 digital entertainment, so to speak. And it's it's really fun 0:03:19.458 --> 0:03:22.218 to see how they got the creativity that's out there 0:03:22.538 --> 0:03:25.338 amongst all of our teams, social clubs and of course 0:03:25.338 --> 0:03:28.298 our our own here at NFL Media as well. Actually 0:03:28.338 --> 0:03:31.298 watch I would watch a hard knock style show, um, 0:03:31.338 --> 0:03:33.938 the Schedule group, like the people are in the room, 0:03:34.058 --> 0:03:38.378 like the David tom Brady unretired after they had already 0:03:38.418 --> 0:03:41.258 started planning for him to be entired. I would like 0:03:41.338 --> 0:03:44.458 to watch that episode of you know, like their heads 0:03:44.498 --> 0:03:46.378 blowing up and like the woking up the schedule and 0:03:46.378 --> 0:03:49.418 going back. I think I'd watch that stuff. I would agree, 0:03:49.458 --> 0:03:51.538 because it's a great point, like how many games would 0:03:51.538 --> 0:03:53.498 have been in prime time for the Bucks, you know, 0:03:53.658 --> 0:03:56.138 if if Brady wasn't there, you know, And and now 0:03:56.218 --> 0:03:59.378 of course they're, um, they're they're very well represented on 0:03:59.498 --> 0:04:04.338 the primetime schedule clearly. So I'm also curious, um, as 0:04:04.378 --> 0:04:07.538 you guys spend many of your Sundays on the road 0:04:07.818 --> 0:04:12.898 or at games period, um, Because as well as I 0:04:13.018 --> 0:04:18.298 understand it, there's certain individual UM in our newsroom who 0:04:18.338 --> 0:04:22.618 controls many of these game assignments and many of these 0:04:22.818 --> 0:04:25.978 um quote unquote requests. And I was told that when 0:04:25.978 --> 0:04:30.258 the International Series came out, if you happen to request, 0:04:30.898 --> 0:04:34.778 you are already out of the running. Uh this, how 0:04:34.818 --> 0:04:37.538 does that work? Um? As as you guys who spend 0:04:37.618 --> 0:04:40.018 so much of your your fall in winter, you know, 0:04:40.098 --> 0:04:42.578 on the road and covering so many games in Jeff, 0:04:42.618 --> 0:04:44.138 I'll start with you, and then Judy had let me 0:04:44.138 --> 0:04:47.058 get your take. Care what does this day do for you? 0:04:47.338 --> 0:04:49.578 As you kind of start to begin to plot out me, Okay, 0:04:49.618 --> 0:04:51.458 this is something I could be it could be here, 0:04:51.498 --> 0:04:54.338 could be there, that sort of thing I'm sure Judy 0:04:54.338 --> 0:04:58.178 would agree with this. I think for me generally, there's 0:04:58.458 --> 0:05:01.178 different phases of the schedule that that you kind of 0:05:01.338 --> 0:05:02.978 The first couple of weeks there's a lot of build 0:05:03.058 --> 0:05:05.418 up and excitement because you you want to see these matchup, 0:05:05.458 --> 0:05:07.338 You see Bills Rams, Oh, I can't wait to see. 0:05:07.698 --> 0:05:10.138 And then by time we get through week three, week four, 0:05:10.218 --> 0:05:12.418 you kind of know who's good. You kind of know 0:05:12.498 --> 0:05:15.538 who was overhyped and who's not gonna be who's gonna 0:05:15.538 --> 0:05:17.698 be disappointing, And the game has become a lot more 0:05:18.058 --> 0:05:20.618 um harder to predict where you want to go watch 0:05:20.618 --> 0:05:22.618 teams play because you now you know you're gonna see 0:05:22.618 --> 0:05:26.578 some weird matchups, some not that entertaining matchup. So you 0:05:26.618 --> 0:05:28.658 go through that phase and you get around mid season, 0:05:28.698 --> 0:05:30.538 and then towards in the year, things pick up because 0:05:30.578 --> 0:05:32.778 you kind of know the playoff race is in play. 0:05:32.858 --> 0:05:34.258 So for me, that's kind of more of how I 0:05:34.298 --> 0:05:37.458 look at it. Just early on there's a ton of buzz, 0:05:37.818 --> 0:05:39.578 but by week three weeks four, you're kind of like, 0:05:39.738 --> 0:05:42.898 do I really want to watch the Commanders play the Texans? 0:05:43.498 --> 0:05:45.018 You know, it's just it's not It's not to me 0:05:45.098 --> 0:05:47.098 I want to see you can probably say right now 0:05:47.138 --> 0:05:51.698 you do not. Yeah, yeah, I would agree with that. 0:05:51.738 --> 0:05:54.658 I think like it's very hard to map out past 0:05:54.818 --> 0:05:58.218 weeks one and two, maybe three, where you're gonna go 0:05:58.298 --> 0:06:01.658 because things sort out, I mean, unfortunately we have injuries 0:06:01.698 --> 0:06:04.178 will happen, like you'll just you get a much better 0:06:04.218 --> 0:06:06.618 feel after was opening weeks and I not usually look 0:06:06.698 --> 0:06:08.658 at the schedule and like I look at week one, 0:06:08.778 --> 0:06:11.698 like where are we likely to be in week one? Um? 0:06:12.498 --> 0:06:15.418 And then frankly this year, I mean on a personal level, 0:06:15.418 --> 0:06:18.658 I was looking at the Christmas and Christmas Eve schedual 0:06:18.818 --> 0:06:22.778 and like, what's what's the travel likely to be there? Um? 0:06:23.338 --> 0:06:27.258 But it's really I find it's really hard to project, um, 0:06:27.338 --> 0:06:29.498 more than a few weeks out, even once you're in 0:06:29.538 --> 0:06:33.458 the season, Like it's hard to project more than the 0:06:33.498 --> 0:06:35.938 next week coming up what you're going to be interested in, 0:06:35.978 --> 0:06:39.938 because you know, the season is really fluid and the 0:06:39.978 --> 0:06:42.338 games that look great, you know there's a there's a 0:06:42.378 --> 0:06:44.338 Monday night game in the next to last week of 0:06:44.418 --> 0:06:49.018 the season that I think is Bengals Bills right which 0:06:49.098 --> 0:06:52.298 right now would seem to be like a blockbuster game. 0:06:52.978 --> 0:06:54.938 But I mean, who the heck knows, but what the 0:06:54.978 --> 0:06:57.418 season is gonna look like by then, So it it's 0:06:57.458 --> 0:06:59.698 really hard to project what you're going to be interested 0:06:59.738 --> 0:07:04.538 in past September. We've known, you know, who the opponents 0:07:04.538 --> 0:07:06.338 are going to be for quite some time. We've known 0:07:06.698 --> 0:07:09.698 now since the season ended. With the strength of schedules, 0:07:09.818 --> 0:07:12.218 we're going to be right with the Rams having the 0:07:12.218 --> 0:07:17.338 toughest strength of schedule, the NFC East having like collectively 0:07:17.578 --> 0:07:20.258 the worst strength of schedule, are the easiest strength of schedule. 0:07:20.298 --> 0:07:22.018 I guess I should say which kind of makes sense 0:07:22.218 --> 0:07:25.578 based on what we've seen from that division in recent years. Um, 0:07:26.858 --> 0:07:30.378 when you see the dates and you see when these 0:07:30.418 --> 0:07:33.378 teams are playing each other, Judy, does it feel like 0:07:33.378 --> 0:07:36.058 you have a better grasp on what those games will 0:07:36.098 --> 0:07:40.578 mean and what those teams are playing for at that time? Yeah, 0:07:40.938 --> 0:07:44.098 on both extremes, the good, the really good teams and 0:07:44.178 --> 0:07:47.538 the you know, really bad teams. Um, you know, I 0:07:47.578 --> 0:07:50.218 look at the Rams schedule the Chiefs schedule, and you're 0:07:50.298 --> 0:07:53.178 looking at like the sort of really tough stretches like 0:07:53.218 --> 0:07:57.498 the Chiefs just have. I mean, man, you know they're 0:07:57.498 --> 0:08:01.178 gonna if if they're in the NFC Championship game, again 0:08:01.178 --> 0:08:04.098 this year, which is of course entirely possible. Like they're 0:08:04.218 --> 0:08:09.858 they're gonna it, that's for sure, Rams the box, I mean, Bengals, Bills, 0:08:10.018 --> 0:08:12.978 all outside of the division, right, I mean you look 0:08:13.018 --> 0:08:15.298 at and where I look at when the schedule comes 0:08:15.298 --> 0:08:17.738 out is um. I know we're sort of saying like, oh, 0:08:17.778 --> 0:08:19.498 it's just the order that we're waiting for. But the 0:08:19.578 --> 0:08:23.618 order is really important, right, Like are they playing a 0:08:23.618 --> 0:08:25.418 ton of those games in a row where they're going 0:08:25.458 --> 0:08:28.578 from one, you know, powerful opponent to another to another, 0:08:29.338 --> 0:08:31.938 you know, and in the cases of those teams they are, 0:08:32.018 --> 0:08:34.738 So yes, I do think you get a better feel 0:08:34.818 --> 0:08:38.178 for what that season is going to be, Like, you know, 0:08:38.258 --> 0:08:40.658 it's it's gonna be hard. For instance, that the Patriots, 0:08:40.858 --> 0:08:42.498 who we haven't talked about, but the Patriots have a 0:08:42.578 --> 0:08:46.098 really tough stretch at the end of their schedule, and 0:08:46.218 --> 0:08:48.738 like you're you're just looking at that like, wow, I 0:08:48.778 --> 0:08:50.858 mean that is going to be a test of of 0:08:50.898 --> 0:08:52.978 a team that I don't think we really have a 0:08:52.978 --> 0:08:56.858 great feel on after this offseason. So yeah, you definitely 0:08:56.898 --> 0:09:00.178 get a feel for what their season might look like. Yeah, Jeff, 0:09:00.178 --> 0:09:02.978 do you kind of see the the order of these things, 0:09:02.978 --> 0:09:05.978 and maybe not even the end. But you know, we 0:09:06.058 --> 0:09:08.018 look at a team like the Chiefs really struggled at 0:09:08.018 --> 0:09:10.458 the beginning of the season last year, right, and then 0:09:10.458 --> 0:09:12.098 you look at some and then they were able to 0:09:12.138 --> 0:09:14.178 figure it out, you know, towards the middle and then 0:09:14.178 --> 0:09:16.858 down the stretch of course, But do you look at 0:09:16.858 --> 0:09:19.498 like the way teams are gonna have to start the season, 0:09:19.578 --> 0:09:22.178 like especially teams where we have high expectations, you know, 0:09:22.178 --> 0:09:24.338 and the run that they're gonna go, the you know, 0:09:24.418 --> 0:09:26.298 the road away the amount like do you have the 0:09:26.338 --> 0:09:29.138 Saints starting with three division games in a row in 0:09:29.178 --> 0:09:31.098 the first year the Dennis Allen era. There are some 0:09:31.138 --> 0:09:34.338 really interesting quirks at the beginning of the season as well. Yeah, 0:09:34.378 --> 0:09:37.298 I was. I was intrigued by by certain teams, some 0:09:37.338 --> 0:09:41.418 of the better teams. Some had really tough beginnings, like 0:09:41.458 --> 0:09:44.098 the Chiefs. I mean, you're right, seven out of eight 0:09:44.098 --> 0:09:46.378 games or against playoff teams from last year, which I've 0:09:46.418 --> 0:09:50.098 never seen that before before, with with the you know, 0:09:50.098 --> 0:09:52.378 the Tom Brady's and the Josh Allens, all those guys 0:09:52.418 --> 0:09:55.778 coming at you. But then like with the Bengals playing 0:09:56.218 --> 0:09:58.738 like their last six games are pretty are pretty brutal, 0:09:58.778 --> 0:10:01.018 with with the Bills and the Ravens and the Patriots 0:10:01.018 --> 0:10:03.538 and the Broncos and the Bucks. So it's just I 0:10:03.618 --> 0:10:06.778 do feel like there's going to be some game some 0:10:06.778 --> 0:10:10.178 some teams that if they start slow the Chiefs did 0:10:10.258 --> 0:10:12.778 last year, which was a typical they're usually a pretty 0:10:12.778 --> 0:10:14.778 good team in September, But if they start three and four, 0:10:14.898 --> 0:10:16.938 I don't see how they come back from that, Whereas 0:10:16.938 --> 0:10:18.978 on the flip side of it that the Bengals are 0:10:19.018 --> 0:10:21.938 kind of hovering around five and five, six and five 0:10:21.978 --> 0:10:24.258 going into the end of the season, trying to make 0:10:24.298 --> 0:10:26.098 a playoff push, Like, I don't know how you should 0:10:26.098 --> 0:10:29.858 buy that kind of crucible, and so I do think 0:10:29.858 --> 0:10:33.298 it makes it for more. It's more entertaining. But keep 0:10:33.298 --> 0:10:35.698 in mind, going back to the Chiefs example, last year, 0:10:35.738 --> 0:10:37.498 they were they had a stretch there after that three 0:10:37.498 --> 0:10:40.018 and four start where they were playing the Packers, the Cowboys, 0:10:40.018 --> 0:10:43.098 and I forget somebody else, um in the three games start, 0:10:43.098 --> 0:10:46.738 the Raiders in the three games stretching, Aaron Rodgers got covid. Uh, 0:10:47.218 --> 0:10:49.898 I think Amari Cooper was knocked out for COVID, and 0:10:49.938 --> 0:10:51.858 the Cowboys had a couple of d linemen down and 0:10:51.898 --> 0:10:54.058 so all of a sudden. You know, you try to 0:10:54.058 --> 0:10:58.218 predict this stuff, but people, people get hurt. Things happened, Uh, 0:10:58.258 --> 0:11:01.338 things can change. The Cowboys are like that too. Like 0:11:01.378 --> 0:11:04.498 the Cowboys I think have a tough few games. They 0:11:04.498 --> 0:11:07.258 have feet easiest strength of schedule based on last year's 0:11:07.298 --> 0:11:10.058 results in the league. But there is a stretch early 0:11:10.898 --> 0:11:14.298 where they have their tough games, and so they got 0:11:14.298 --> 0:11:16.578 to start fast and then then things he's up like 0:11:16.618 --> 0:11:19.418 they'll they should be able to roll up wins, you know, 0:11:19.458 --> 0:11:21.178 in the second half of the season, but that first 0:11:21.178 --> 0:11:22.738 part of the season they're going to get. It's a 0:11:22.778 --> 0:11:26.018 real test I think to see, uh you know where 0:11:26.058 --> 0:11:30.058 they fit in among the league's eleague teams. Yeah, and 0:11:30.378 --> 0:11:37.898 I'm just looking like Week one, he's insane, like days 0:11:37.938 --> 0:11:40.178 away from the kickoff game, which might be on paper, 0:11:40.218 --> 0:11:42.218 one of the best kickoff games we've ever you know, 0:11:42.538 --> 0:11:45.858 had scheduled with the Buffalo Bills, who you know, I 0:11:45.858 --> 0:11:47.658 don't think anybody would have batted an eye if they 0:11:47.658 --> 0:11:49.578 would have ended up in the Super Bowl, right based 0:11:49.578 --> 0:11:52.738 on the game they played against the Chiefs um and 0:11:52.898 --> 0:11:54.818 then you have you know, them playing against the Super 0:11:54.858 --> 0:11:57.898 Bowl champion L A. Rams right here, in Los Angeles, 0:11:58.458 --> 0:12:01.538 Bill's Rams insane hundred eighteen days away from that game 0:12:01.578 --> 0:12:05.418 as we sit here taking inside report today. Then you've got, 0:12:05.498 --> 0:12:08.098 like I said, a number of division games, Saints and Falcons, 0:12:08.138 --> 0:12:10.098 one of the more bitter rivalries you know in this 0:12:10.418 --> 0:12:14.058 in the league. Kicking things off, You've got Steelers Bengals, 0:12:14.098 --> 0:12:17.058 another fantastic division matchup. Got a brand new quarterback going 0:12:17.098 --> 0:12:20.498 to be starting for Pittsburgh. Um, I mean Baltimore in 0:12:20.538 --> 0:12:23.058 the Jets, the Ravens of the Jets. Two teams with 0:12:23.098 --> 0:12:25.818 great expectations now based on what they've done this offseason. 0:12:25.978 --> 0:12:28.658 Patriots and Dolphins always a fun one, and that one 0:12:28.738 --> 0:12:32.578 in Miami in September, Patriots struggle with the weather in 0:12:32.698 --> 0:12:40.858 December in Miami there huge, and then Tampa and Dallas 0:12:41.138 --> 0:12:44.378 on Sunday night, and then Denver and Russell's return to 0:12:44.418 --> 0:12:47.698 Seattle to open things up on Monday. Like I mean, 0:12:48.378 --> 0:12:50.858 you know, it's like are you not entertained well? And 0:12:50.938 --> 0:12:53.618 it's it's really is the natural extension of what you've 0:12:53.618 --> 0:12:55.978 seen happen in over the last to three years with 0:12:56.018 --> 0:12:58.778 the off season. I mean, there's just been so much happening. 0:12:59.458 --> 0:13:02.378 Was even like five years ago, it wasn't you'd have 0:13:02.418 --> 0:13:04.498 free agency, you'd have the draft. But now it's like 0:13:05.098 --> 0:13:08.618 people are making blockbuster trades and huge moves and even 0:13:08.738 --> 0:13:10.378 throwing the draft. The first day the draft, You've got 0:13:10.418 --> 0:13:13.058 eight nine trades happening. There's just so much of a 0:13:13.138 --> 0:13:15.338 push that all these teams are making to be a 0:13:15.378 --> 0:13:16.938 good So when you get to week one, this is 0:13:16.978 --> 0:13:19.138 the culmination of that. And that's what I was saying, 0:13:19.138 --> 0:13:20.498 like after a couple of weeks, you find out how 0:13:20.578 --> 0:13:22.898 good teams actually are, but you want to see how 0:13:22.898 --> 0:13:25.978 this all looks on paper. Even the Jets, you know 0:13:26.018 --> 0:13:28.458 what they've done in the last couple of years for 0:13:28.458 --> 0:13:31.018 the draft and Zack Wilson, it's intriguing. What is it 0:13:31.098 --> 0:13:32.978 gonna look like? What is too are gonna look like 0:13:33.178 --> 0:13:34.738 in Miami with all these weapons and any of the 0:13:34.778 --> 0:13:37.378 teams that aren't even the cream of the crop in 0:13:37.378 --> 0:13:41.458 the a f C. Right Sure, all right, guys, So 0:13:41.538 --> 0:13:44.138 as we you know, assessed with the schedule, you know 0:13:44.178 --> 0:13:46.738 now is going to look like once we see where 0:13:46.738 --> 0:13:49.178 and when these games are being played in what time 0:13:49.258 --> 0:13:51.298 and on what network and whether they are in prime 0:13:51.338 --> 0:13:53.698 time or not. As as we've kind of talked about here. 0:13:53.738 --> 0:13:56.098 It gives us a little bit of a better grasp 0:13:56.338 --> 0:13:59.458 on what these teams might end up looking like based 0:13:59.458 --> 0:14:01.618 on how we view them at this point. Obviously a 0:14:01.658 --> 0:14:05.698 lot can change injuries as teams develop the training camp. 0:14:05.938 --> 0:14:07.538 But we're gonna take a quick break and when we 0:14:07.578 --> 0:14:11.138 come back, it's never too early or way through early. 0:14:13.778 --> 0:14:18.858 Yes the grounds and so yes, way too early predictions 0:14:18.898 --> 0:14:20.978 of all sorts when we come back here an inside report. 0:14:37.498 --> 0:14:40.018 I bet you're with you on NFL Inside Report. Judy 0:14:40.018 --> 0:14:43.618 Batista and Jeffrey Jadilla are joining us here today as 0:14:43.658 --> 0:14:46.898 the dust is now settled on the two game NFL 0:14:48.058 --> 0:14:53.098 regular season schedule after our big schedule release extravaganza on 0:14:53.218 --> 0:14:57.098 NFL networking throughout the NFL media social platforms, and now 0:14:57.378 --> 0:15:01.258 we know where, we know when, we know how all 0:15:01.338 --> 0:15:04.298 of these teams will be playing, and you know, let's 0:15:04.298 --> 0:15:06.778 just talk let before we get into the predictions here, guys. 0:15:07.178 --> 0:15:11.498 You guys kind of laid out some prime time predictions earlier, right, 0:15:11.538 --> 0:15:13.698 and so you both said that that Judy, you said 0:15:13.698 --> 0:15:16.218 the Chiefs you wanted to see essentially in prime time 0:15:16.458 --> 0:15:20.258 all season long. I would like an entirely separate package 0:15:20.258 --> 0:15:25.378 of a f yes, like, but the Chiefs. I think 0:15:25.458 --> 0:15:27.658 the Chiefs will be well represented in prime time? Does 0:15:27.698 --> 0:15:31.098 that satisfy you? Yes? Yes, But I would watch I 0:15:31.098 --> 0:15:33.138 mean seriously, I would watch the Chiefs every week if 0:15:33.178 --> 0:15:36.578 I could. And then, of course, Jeffrey, you said, the Bucks, 0:15:37.418 --> 0:15:41.218 who also have five prime time games, we're gonna see 0:15:41.258 --> 0:15:43.418 him on Sunday night, will seem on Thursday night, Monday night. 0:15:43.498 --> 0:15:46.898 You know, all of the prime time mechanisms, and they'll 0:15:46.938 --> 0:15:49.538 have three of those games at home Chiefs, Ravens, and 0:15:49.578 --> 0:15:51.538 Saint It's gonna be phenomenal. And then on the road 0:15:51.578 --> 0:15:54.578 at the Cowboys and the Cardinals, Like, there's there's a 0:15:54.618 --> 0:15:57.658 lot to like there too. As you know, Tom Brady's 0:15:57.698 --> 0:16:02.938 returned through a wrench into the scheduling algorithm. Oh yeah, no, definitely. Yeah. 0:16:02.978 --> 0:16:06.418 You wonder how much, you know, you wondn't what the 0:16:06.458 --> 0:16:09.338 schedule would have looked like if he wasn't playing. Even 0:16:09.418 --> 0:16:12.498 with that, you know, they're going to an international game. 0:16:12.498 --> 0:16:15.138 They're playing, Like, would that have happened? Would he have 0:16:15.138 --> 0:16:17.818 been playing over there? I doubt it, But they said, 0:16:17.978 --> 0:16:21.338 they said they committed to the box going to Germany. 0:16:22.418 --> 0:16:25.498 They knew he was retired, so they were going then 0:16:25.498 --> 0:16:33.258 he retired, Like what a deal? What? What a deal? 0:16:33.338 --> 0:16:36.018 Maybe that's why Brady came back because they were going 0:16:36.058 --> 0:16:40.338 to Germany. That's it right, sure? Okay, So I wonder, 0:16:40.458 --> 0:16:42.658 by the way, if Brady like is looking at the 0:16:42.698 --> 0:16:45.578 Fox schedule, like huh, I'd be doing this game, that game, 0:16:45.658 --> 0:16:48.738 this game, that game. Right, that's a whole different podcast, 0:16:48.898 --> 0:16:53.298 right there, no doubt. All right, let's run through some 0:16:53.378 --> 0:16:55.578 of these predictions here, just based on how we see 0:16:55.578 --> 0:16:57.418 it now after the schedule has been laid out, we'll 0:16:57.418 --> 0:17:00.018 take it um, division by division. Will start in the 0:17:00.098 --> 0:17:02.578 a f C, and let's start in the a f 0:17:02.618 --> 0:17:06.058 C East, and we'll go, Judy, give your years first, 0:17:06.098 --> 0:17:08.498 and then Jeff you'll follow up for all the a 0:17:08.578 --> 0:17:10.418 f C teams, and then we'll flip it for the NFC. 0:17:10.538 --> 0:17:13.738 So let's start in the East here, Judy, what do 0:17:13.738 --> 0:17:17.418 you got? I have the Bills. I don't think anybody. 0:17:17.538 --> 0:17:20.858 I think maybe the Dolphins closed the gap a little bit, 0:17:20.978 --> 0:17:23.938 but not not nearly enough, because the Bills I think 0:17:23.978 --> 0:17:26.858 got better. Um, they filled their only holes were I 0:17:26.898 --> 0:17:29.578 think cornerback they needed, and and then they got von 0:17:29.658 --> 0:17:32.818 Miller to rush the passer when they really need them. Yeah, 0:17:32.898 --> 0:17:37.258 the Bills certainly for me, Jeff definitely Bills. I mean 0:17:37.378 --> 0:17:39.898 they have own the ship this year. Yeah, and they 0:17:39.898 --> 0:17:42.978 have to this. This is beyond the division. This is 0:17:43.018 --> 0:17:46.298 about getting a Lombardi Trophy. So if they blow the division, 0:17:46.298 --> 0:17:49.178 I can't imagine with that time will do And and 0:17:49.298 --> 0:17:53.378 perhaps you know, beginning to run now of Patriot like 0:17:53.498 --> 0:17:56.018 dominance in the a f C East with a quarterback 0:17:56.018 --> 0:17:58.418 that's certainly capable of it. Very interesting there are, Judy, 0:17:58.458 --> 0:18:02.258 Let's move to the north. I have the Bengals um 0:18:02.298 --> 0:18:05.498 in part because I have a few. First, all the Steelers, 0:18:05.538 --> 0:18:07.138 we don't know who their quarterback is going to be. 0:18:07.178 --> 0:18:09.138 Their defense is intact, but we don't know what their 0:18:09.178 --> 0:18:11.618 quarterback is going to be. Cleveland, you have no idea 0:18:11.698 --> 0:18:14.258 what DeShawn Watson's available. If he could be, he could 0:18:14.258 --> 0:18:15.938 be there on Week one, he might not be there 0:18:15.938 --> 0:18:19.818 at all. So you can't predict anything about them. And 0:18:19.818 --> 0:18:23.418 then the Ravens I have high hopes for, but like 0:18:23.498 --> 0:18:26.218 you know, they had to rebuild part of their because 0:18:26.258 --> 0:18:29.018 of injuries. They had to rebuild some of their defense. 0:18:29.538 --> 0:18:32.978 Lamar's got to stay healthy. So I feel most confident 0:18:33.018 --> 0:18:36.218 about the Bengals, and also I'm a huge Joe Burrow fan. Yes, 0:18:37.378 --> 0:18:40.218 yeaham with you, and people, for whatever reason seemed to 0:18:40.258 --> 0:18:42.058 write off the Bengals as if they were just some 0:18:42.178 --> 0:18:48.738 nice little story that there are really continue better that 0:18:48.778 --> 0:18:51.258 got better excited went to the draft, that having to 0:18:51.298 --> 0:18:52.618 do a whole lot. I mean, it's like they were 0:18:52.658 --> 0:18:55.378 really stacked team. And so I'm with you. You they're 0:18:55.378 --> 0:18:58.098 the safest pick in the a f C North, and 0:18:58.618 --> 0:19:00.578 I think that after the way they played last year 0:19:00.618 --> 0:19:02.178 and the way things went down in the Super Bowl 0:19:02.178 --> 0:19:04.298 against the Rams, that they're going to be highly motivated. 0:19:05.298 --> 0:19:07.378 I don't see how they I think they're they're a 0:19:07.498 --> 0:19:11.818 very strong pick in that division. And they're young exactly right. 0:19:11.898 --> 0:19:15.258 Their studs are young like the Bills, like could be 0:19:15.298 --> 0:19:16.698 in a position to do this for quite a while. 0:19:16.698 --> 0:19:19.338 How about the South duty I'm going with the Colts. 0:19:20.058 --> 0:19:23.178 I like what they did this offseason and I don't 0:19:23.218 --> 0:19:26.338 like what happened in Tennessee this offseason. So the combination 0:19:26.338 --> 0:19:28.698 of those things I have. I think Matt Ryan brings 0:19:28.778 --> 0:19:32.538 a really important stabilizing influence. The defense is going to 0:19:32.618 --> 0:19:36.898 be good in Indianapolis. I think the Colts do it 0:19:36.938 --> 0:19:38.618 this year. Look, I mean, they were almost a playoff 0:19:38.618 --> 0:19:41.618 team last year except for catastrophic failure at the end, 0:19:41.698 --> 0:19:43.218 So I think this is the year they win the 0:19:43.258 --> 0:19:46.338 division again. Yeah, I'm with you on that one as well. 0:19:46.858 --> 0:19:50.698 They got a huge game against Jacksonville early in September eighteen, 0:19:50.858 --> 0:19:55.018 which allows them to exercise and demons from the end 0:19:55.018 --> 0:19:57.858 of last year. They played the Titans twice in October, 0:19:57.938 --> 0:19:59.978 so they could actually get ahold of this division early 0:19:59.978 --> 0:20:02.538 and lost them, you know, two times last year. I 0:20:02.578 --> 0:20:05.298 think that they've been a quarterback away for while, and 0:20:05.298 --> 0:20:07.618 I think Matt Ryan's the best coreback they've had since 0:20:07.658 --> 0:20:10.138 Andrew Luck was there. And I do feel like the 0:20:10.178 --> 0:20:12.498 Tennessee Titans took a step back losing A J. Brown. 0:20:13.458 --> 0:20:15.018 I think you don't know what dere can we getting 0:20:15.138 --> 0:20:17.578 hurt in this past year. Is he starting to that 0:20:17.578 --> 0:20:19.818 point running back start getting more and more banged up? 0:20:19.858 --> 0:20:22.498 So I trust the Colts a lot more. And by 0:20:22.538 --> 0:20:25.338 the way, Matt Ryan had a really good season with 0:20:25.378 --> 0:20:30.538 practically no offensive what last year, no receiving, so like, 0:20:30.698 --> 0:20:33.098 I have a lot of faith in Matta. Some improvements 0:20:33.138 --> 0:20:35.818 there for sure. Let's move then to the a f 0:20:35.938 --> 0:20:40.858 C West and feel free to throw your hands. Um, 0:20:40.978 --> 0:20:43.938 I'm still going with the Chiefs. I cannot pick against 0:20:43.978 --> 0:20:49.578 Patrick Mahomes until proven otherwise. Um, but wow, that division 0:20:49.698 --> 0:20:52.578 is going to be spectacular and I cannot wait for 0:20:52.618 --> 0:20:56.938 that Chargers Chiefs game like wee week two on Thursday night, 0:20:56.978 --> 0:20:58.858 Like that game is gonna be crazy. And how about 0:20:58.938 --> 0:21:03.218 Chargers Raiders to kick things all of it? What about 0:21:03.218 --> 0:21:05.378