Drive9.9.26Hr1: Division Predictions - NFC

0:00You are tuned to the drive on your 24-7 home of the Black & Gold Steelers Nation Radio. Good afternoon, Steeler Nation. It's the drive on the Steelers Audio Network and welcome to the NFL regular season. What's up, Matt? How we feeling? Well, we're giddy coming in because it's a regular season. It's about bleeping time. It is. It was so kind of giddy because there was some good food out in the outskirts. Yeah, we had fun in conversation before we got started today. We have been fun with some of our co-workers in here because everyone's fired up. Everyone's excited. The NFL is back, baby. Yes, then I am very excited. I mean, I love the off-season as everyone knows, but you can only grind it up.

1:06You can only grind on the same moves for so long without seeing some kind of results. And two good teams, Super Bowl matchup. I mean, we get back to back nights. I am very fired up. Yeah, me as well. And certainly Super Bowl rematch to the last. Meaningful NFL game that we saw is now the next meaningful NFL game that we are going to see tonight. Seems like there's a couple potential key absences on on each side. Yeah, Traviend Henderson is not going to play and then maybe some of the. Even warrior, I think very questionable. He's I guess he practiced once recently. And they've lost a lot in the secondary too. I mean, what's like with the game show more, but. They got hit a little bit hard in the secondary and then their second round pick, Bud Clark. They were kind of counting on to be a key guy and he's out for the year too. So they're a little thin on the back end. They sure are. Yeah, certainly a storyline to keep an eye on tonight. Matt and I will give some some final thoughts on that game. Before we get up out of here, I will tell you right now though. I hope it's a physical kind of knockdown drag out because as we discussed a week or two ago, a New England's going to have a lot of time to prepare for week two.

2:11Yeah, good point, which is of course against our Pittsburgh Steelers. So hopefully hopefully there's some some physicality in this one. And maybe even goes into overtime tonight. I would be so bad wouldn't complain if that were the case. I haven't said to watch them through that lens to though just started. What's a J Brown look like from your dog. Absolutely right. Drake May, you know, there are another big step forward for him here potentially after that outstanding sophomore season, runner up in the MVP race. Can he build on that and continue to grow a lot of different things to keep an eye on tonight? What is Sam? Darnell look like now with a lot of those kind of questions about him as a quarterback, put the rest. He is now Super Bowl champion. Gonna be a lot of fun out there in Seattle to get the NFL season underway this evening. And I haven't heard of Henderson's multi week injury or not. Okay, I mean, they rolled him out pretty quick. So I would think he's highly questionable for next week. Yeah, we'll see we'll see what that looks like certainly. But yeah, that we know they've got a talented tandem there and Steven sent in Hendrickson, but or Henderson part of me.

3:11But maybe if one of those guys is out, hey, anything anything to make life a little bit easier on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Yeah. Matt, just a little kind of news of the day here. We'll have a shorter first segment because we're going to have some beefy. You guys have been asking for it. You've been opining for it. And today we will give you our eight division winners are 14 playoff teams. That'll be kind of the bulk of today's conversation. It will crescendo, of course, with the AFC North. I figure we'll save the best for last. But before we get into all those divisions and who Matt and I think are going to get the other hats and the t-shirts sometime in late December or early January. Matt Baker may field in the Buccaneers have agreed to a contract extension three year deal for Baker may field worth $165 million dollars 40 million guaranteed. That's a 110 million in new guarantees kind of piggybacking off what he's already do this year. Cause I heard four years around 200, but I include toys making this year and three others. This one was a little surprising to me as you and I outlined at some points in the offseason.

4:20There was some nasty back and forth between these parties. I think even I bet he's not the guy deal with the times. I would imagine which is strength and a weakness for him. I think we've seen mostly it's been pretty cordial in the Joey Porter Jr. Steelers negotiations like neither side has thrown the other under the bus neither side has done scathing interviews. No, no, no, even heard a whole lot. Whereas, you know, there were some, there were some pretty, some pretty intense comments from both camps in Tampa Bay throughout this process. But the deal gets done good for Baker may field, good for Tampa Bay. And good for us, Max. I think we could finally put the rest any of the possibility of Baker may field being the Steelers next quarter. Yeah, that would have been the worst thing ever. It's just not what anybody wants to hear. You know, we've done veteran after veteran after veteran. Let's go to the well and swing for the fences and get the next Josh Allen or Pat Moe. You know what I mean? Exactly. Yes, Steelers are being good hands with may field. He's a good player. I don't want to spoil too much if we're going to do division rankings today. But I think this makes Tampa stronger, you know, just in terms of you look around the locker room and you're like, that's our guy.

5:28Obviously the teams behind him. We know he's going to be here for a while. I just think that stability comes. It shows up on the field. You know, I mean, you know, trust the organization. Hey, we're in it to win it. Bakers our guy. Let's roll. I think there is something to that. I'll be honest. I mean, considering Gonzalez and these corners are making well over 30. 50 a year for a quality starting quarterback. I know he's not the youngest guy in the world. Seems like a little bit of a bargain. I mean, maybe not for this year. I mean, I think that's kind of the going rate for the 12th best quarterback in the lead or so. But in 2028. I was making a joke on another show that, you know, a buco whenever his contract comes up, might make more than may feel you know, right? Yeah. So yeah, that's a good point by you. But those those guys getting it done. And Baker Mayfield locked up there in Tampa Bay. And I'm with you. I think you kind of highlighted this.

6:28At some point in the last month or so when you and I discussed what was seemingly an impasse between Baker Mayfield and Tampa Bay. It really sound like that was not going anywhere. That's a kind of weird spot to be where this is supposed to be your leader. This is supposed to be your guy. The organization's supposed to believe in the quarterback, but he doesn't have a long term contract. It's a little kind of an awkward juxtaposition when that's the case. So I think you're right. I think you got to back it up with the money. It's not that all the sudden they improve their roster. No, no, no, peace or anything. But I think this is a different feeling in the building. Different feeling in the building less thoughts of what week by week means for the future. And now you can just focus on the games at hand. Yeah. And I've been a little critical of Tampa. Haven't really done much in the draft of the quarterback position. They drafted trash could a couple of years ago. It's probably four or five now. And I was never super impressed with him coming out of college. I thought they at least should have used the third run pick on drowler. You know what I mean? At least at somebody kind of in the wings or some kind of project type of dude.

7:28And they never really went down that road. So let's say that they pretend I think they are odds on favor to win that division not by leaps and bounds. If you win that division, you're sitting there like 22 or whatever picking at least the 20s. I mean, it's kind of the sealer situation is if he walks, you don't have Howard and Aller even to be in the mix. You you almost have no choice, but the franchise them or make a trade for Mac Jones or maybe get up to seven or eight to get on these other quarterbacks. But then you're you're kind of hurting your capital to surround that. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Talent exactly. Exactly. So I think this is the best move for that organization right now. I'm with you on that. And maybe in the next. It's been a while since they've kind of stepped up to the plate and taken a big swing at quarterback. James Winston was probably the last. I mean, Brady was in there, but that's not in terms of like drafting one high homegrown right unknown commodity. Yeah. And I'm sure we'll see them. Maybe it's something. Maybe they look at this as you know, this gives us kind of two years to hopefully find and double somebody three years to maybe a bison.

8:34Or so to at least get a project or whatever, you know, maybe they're looking at it and they're saying, you know, this quarterback class could be loaded next year's quarterback class could be loaded. Maybe we won't have to move up to seven to get one. Maybe we could go from 22 to 16 someone that's super raw and get the fourth or fifth quarterback taken and let him sit for a year behind Baker. I think this makes a lot of sense for Tampa Bay and certainly I think within that locker room. You get you get a lot of your veterans, you kind of your leader on offense and defense extended this off season. Yeah, I forgot about Bay. Right now you're now your mic Evans leaving you kind of that stability, I think is important. Now you're ready to roll as a division favorite and feel like you've got a great shot to get back to the post season. Something they had done like five or six straight years before this last year. I think you've talked about this, but I've heard some people saying like, oh, now Baker won't have that chip on his shoulder and blah blah blah. I'm like, this guy finds a chip on it anywhere. It's out of it. It's a long time since he was a walk on. He was a first pick in the draft in the Heisman winner. Like I don't know that he's had the hardest road in the world.

9:38You know, I will you and I've outlined this before. There's something to be said for that walk on mentality. Right. When you were a Heisman trophy winner in the first overall pay. But at the same time, that's always been who Baker is. It's part of the edge that he plays. Well, find with some other edge, you know, right? Yeah, exactly right. And at this point, you ain't teaching an old dog new tricks. Certainly as I think he's 31. I want to say so he's not right. He's not staring down retirement. But he's a he's on the back. He's on the back nine of his career. Yeah, you get three or four good years out of him. I think they'd be happy and slowly groomed the next guy. So there's our opening kind of news of the day here to get us started. But when we return, we are going to dig into the eight divisions and pick our winners as well as our wild card teams. Maybe we'll start in the NFC South. The piggyback off this. When we return, West Euler Matt Williamson here on a Wednesday, the open of the NFL season. It's the drive. Steelers nation radio on the Steelers audio network. And now a word from our sponsor, Bud Light.

10:42There's nothing better than the clean crisp. There's nothing better than the clean crisp. What if we just got out of here and grab some Bud lights? The man we're on air for four more hours. They'll figure it out. Sounds good to me. Anything for the clean crisp taste of Bud Light. Stop up now. Bud Light. Easy to drink, easy to enjoy. Enjoy responsibly. Copyright 2026 and Heiser Bush Bud Light beer St. Louis, Missouri. I used to have cable internet, but I'm a 100% kind of fan. So I switched to Verizon Files. It's 100% fiber internet that's super reliable. So I streamed 100% at the NFL draft live with ultra low lag. And after what went down in the first round, still getting video calls from my best friend, robbing it in that he called all the pics. I told you they were building their own line. I win the bet. Get 100% fiber internet with Verizon Files because when it comes to your team, it's 100% or nothing. Call 1-3-3 Verizon to switch today. You can get that hot dog costume ready. Bra. You're tuned to the drive on your 24-7 home of the Black & Gold Steelers Nation Radio.

11:46All right, class. Get your notebooks and your pens out because this will be on the test. Yes. Matt and I are about to predict the division winners in the NFL. So eight of them as well as of course the six wild card team. Is that right? Yeah, six wild card teams. Eight division winners, six wild cards, 14 teams total. Matt like I said, we do every division all the way all the way down one through four. Predict the final stand. Yeah, we might as well. Okay, might as well. Um, and like I said, since we were just kind of talking about the bucks and Baker Mayfield there, you want to start in the NFC South. Yeah, I thought about this a lot and kind of went back and forth. You know, this could be anyone's division. I don't think the box of any excuse not to win this. I mean, there's still a veteran team. Probably the best quarterback in the division, although I think shocked could nick on nip on his heels if he takes a step forward.

12:50We'll talk a lot of Atlanta in these coming days, but I don't think they're in a good very good spot. No, they're not. Caroline has been hit with injury. I'm not a Bryce young fan. I think Tampa's pretty solid on both sides of the ball. I'm taking the box to win the division. I agree with everything you just said. But I'm taking the same from the division. I just don't be my second team. I feel like their pull is to take a big step forward. Now I will say. I was short Tyson was in the back. The actions of Julian Tyson makes things a little bit a little bit dicey. But I think I really like Kellin Moore as a head coach and what he's done with them in his short time there. I do think the verdict's not still out, but I'm very intrigued by year two of Tyler Shuck. I think I think he can be a not top five top seven elite quarterback. But I think he could be maybe the 12 best quarterback or the like we were talking about. Like we were talking about maker mayfield. And just for whatever reason. And maybe it's maybe I'm contradicting myself a little bit Matt because as you and I have laid out many times.

13:54Momentum at the end of a season. That doesn't really necessarily mean anything for the next year. There have been times. But if a rookie quarterback starting to get it. There's something to be said for the right. A rookie quarterback and a younger offense starting to come together here. Running it back with a similar coaching staff and things like that. I just want to I just think I give the Saints a slight edge over the box. I do think those are the clear cut. I'd be shocked if they didn't finish one and two. Yeah. And I think probably the Falcons finish fourth. I said you agree with Carolina three Atlanta four. I think I think so just if Atlanta, you know, if Atlanta had both of their pass rushers. I know. And a little bit no good mojo right now. No good mojo right now. Even if Penix had been healthy. And I think you'll get in there soon. I don't expect much from two. Obviously. That goes about saying or wouldn't have said that. And maybe he. Convinces them that he's good enough to be the guy. You know, I mean, that would be a successful season for the Falcons. But there's a lot of issues with that team right now.

14:54Quarterback pass rush, you know, are you going five new starters on their front seven? Do they really? And they're not even like phenomenal. Yeah, they're not all like upgrades. Yes. It'd be it'd be one thing if they were all first and second and third round picture. Yeah. You're excited about them all. You know, so you'll go Tampa, New Orleans, Carolina, Atlanta. Yes. And I told off the wild cards to go down with the comments. Yes. Absolutely. Absolutely. And then I will go. But Saints, Bucks, Carolina, Atlanta, there in the NFC South. Let's go to the NFC East next year, Matt, always an intriguing division. I do have a feeling we're going to pick the same team to win this one. But you know what? Don't look now, but all the sudden you and I, I think maybe at the start of training camp time, maybe the week before training camp, or kind of in content season, we went through division odds one show. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And just kind of talked about where we liked value and what we thought of how Vegas was predicting the divisions back in the middle of July.

15:56The cowboys have made a pretty significant jump. It's still they changed. It's still the Eagles to be the favorite. But I mean, the cowboy, the Eagles are plus one 20. The cowboys are plus 180. I mean, that is a, yeah, that's closer to remember. Yeah, fraction of a, of a difference. Yeah. So this division pretty close to becoming a pick them between the top two. Okay. Do you have a preference? I have assumed you're going to take one of those two. I'm going to take the cowboys. I am too. I thought we, I think you go with Philly. I just, I, I've told you this before. I think I'm, I think I'm very self aware as a radio host. And I've been for a year now. Since this time last year, man, I just feel, I feel Philly is very volatile. You know, they've got a ton of talent. They've got a great roster. They have a head coach. It's a Super Bowl champion. But he seems like he's always on the hot sea. They have a G. They were quarterbacked Super Bowl champion. He's always on the hot sea. GM, who's one of the more regarded GMs in the national football league. Yeah. For whatever reason, they can't just chill. They can't just stay out of the TMZ type headlines.

16:59And to me, it's also at times a very knee jerk organization. And just I think when they inevitably have some of those bumps in the road, it's, it's felt like it's pretty close to going the opposite direction. And I'm not saying they're going to win five or six games in tank and terrible. I think they'll still finish second in this division and, and be a viable viable wild card playoff type team. But I think the Cowboys have done enough on that defense. I think the off I like what they've done defense going to be one less than the league. I'm taking Dallas to win that division. Yeah. I am too. I agree with all that. I think Dak is what put me over. Dak works hearts. And a lot of things you mentioned just the volatility of the Eagles nature. Now, I think we talked about the Tyler Smith injury yesterday. And he might be the best garden at least outstanding. And I didn't notice this until that just happened to pull it up. I mean, if they hadn't changed for project Jones, their depth on the O line is real scary. And none of them are interior players. They're all tackles by nature. The other three guys that aren't starters at the moment.

18:02That's a pretty significant injury. I also think the Eagles D could be. Everybody's good as a Cowboys. Oh, I mean, it could be the best unit in the division, which is really saying something. I think that's a dynamite defense. Do you pick in the Cowboys to win it as well? Doing Cowboys, Eagles. And I think the Giants are in a much better spot than the commander. You know what? It's funny. I, if we would have done this exercise back before training camp. Yeah. I think I would have probably picked the commanders three in the Giants for. I think I would have to with Tuncel and, you know, right. I'm thinking about flipping. I'm thinking Giants three commanders for. I trust Harbaugh. I think there's a good chance. I'm not wishing this, but I can see a coaching change in Washington after the year. You know, they, they came on like gangbusters and then maybe two so so years in a row or disappointing years. Still love the weaponry. The O line really suffered with that Tuncel injury. It's another team. It's been no good mojo around the last month or so, except for the addition of digs. The Giants strike me as a team this year, Matt, that could lose a lot of one score games.

19:03Yeah. Play it tough and run and yeah. I don't even mean that as like a derogatory backhand thing. Mm-hmm. I mean that as I don't think they're going to get steamrolled. No. I think the defense has a lot of really good talent, a lot of really young talent. I can't wait to watch our Valries and I think the defense will keep them in a lot of games that probably they will ultimately lose more, you know, more than more than they, then they pull them out. I just don't see that. It's not going to be a high flying offense. They're going to want to play close to the vast. I see Northfoot ball. I have seen Northfoot ball. In the NFC East, I if if Jane Daniels is the sixth or seventh or eighth best quarterback in the world, then it's a different conversation. Yeah. That's the only way I see the commanders having any monochem of success. I just see that a little too dependent on the young quarterback. Yeah. I'm really high on and they lost their best offensive lineman. Yeah. And their defense is the annual durability worries me too. I mean a lot. I mean, to start. To be fair, yeah, to be fair. To be fair. To be fair.

20:03If you're going to put a, if you're going to put a chip down on which quarterbacks will have or which division will have the most starting quarterbacks, not finish the season. This might be those two are pretty strong. Because those two, man, dating back to their time in college have not had the best reputation of protecting themselves and staying out of harm's way. So are we in lockstep on the NFC East then Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Okay. So so far we got one similar one different here. Matt Williamson. Let's take a look at the NFC North, which I think might just be from top the bottom most intriguing division. It's the hardest one in order for me to rank them. Oh, absolutely. Because I think you could legitimately see any team winning this division. I think miss any of their defenses. I think menace except except for Flores. They don't know much talent, but all these defenses are kind of a mess right now. Yes they are. But I like all the offenses happened very quickly in Detroit where that defense went from being a real strength to a real question mark.

21:06Matt, this is another one where the division odds have changed since mid July when we last had this conversation. At that time, I believe it was Packers bears lions Vikings. The lions are actually are actually now the slight favorites over the Packers. The bears predicted to finish third. The Vikings fourth Gotcha. Okay. I am taking the lines to win it. Dang it. I think they're scheduled that like I know this is really get ahead, but you can bet on what week 15 games. I mean, that's all out there, which is insane, but you can. I think they're favored in 15 to 17 games today. The lions are yeah, I mean, they also have the the fourth place schedule, which is huge. I get Arizona. They get I guess the giant. Yeah, they get Atlanta or you know, I mean, that's a big deal in the NFC. So that's my tiebreaker for them. I do think their offense has a chance to be phenomenal. You know, I mean, really phenomenal. I mean, like they have two guys going in the first round of fantasy drafts and go off is really good and the port is a big time player, et cetera.

22:11I'm sweating hairs, but I did the schedule is what put me over the top with them. Number one. I'm going bears to and their defense scares the heck out of me. But I think Max Crosby might end up there something like that. You know what I mean, I almost texted you last night. Both of you guys in our little group chat that we have because I was. You and I joke I was like, lay in there thinking about this conversation we're going to have tomorrow. Then I was like, I just want to pull up the bears defense real quick. Oh, it's a little suspect, dude. Real suspect. I mean, and some of them are injured too. Devon Bush might be the best player on that defense. Yeah, and he's had a heck of a career. Well, lately, yeah, his credit, but he might be the best player on that defense. He probably isn't the front seven guys. I thought the same thing. I almost sent you guys a snap or a like a screenshot of their depth chart and be and saying. Yeah, this, this screams. Please trade for Max Crosby. Yeah, some of their secondary dudes are okay, but the Lumberhurt, Jalen Johnson, Kyler Gordon, all these guys are counting on Tyler just texted us that Carson Wences the backup now in Minnesota, not J.J.

23:19McCarthy. I can't say I'm super shocked about that rough rough week for Michigan guys. I tell you. Yeah, it is. Of course, I'm picking them. I'm picking them. Third, when you need them, the bike, the bike's third. Yeah, Packers fourth. Yeah, I'm a little down on them. I'm really high on Jordan love. I'm excited about their passing game overall craft. Golden, you know, I think reads are really good player Watson. They have major o-line problems that I don't think people are talking about enough. They got major corner problems. And those aren't positions you just pick stuff up at the trade deadline or whatever. Parsons being out scares me across the board on their defense. I think love can do a lot. I like their coaching staff and it's the only division I'd probably pick them to be fourth. But I'm pretty excited about the Vikings on both sides of the ball, especially offense. I mean, Darryl saw coming back and Jefferson could be offensive player of the year. You know, I mean, he's that type of guy. Do we have the same? You know, this is starting to feel like when you and Dale had your streak of predicting the same exact same exact score. That was crazy. I thought I'd be different, different for sure on the.

24:24I thought I thought because I know you are a Jordan love believer. And not that I think he stinks or anything, but I think he's really, really good. I think you're a little higher on him than most. So I thought that you would have the Packers finishing third in the division. And yeah, and I was like, I'm going to pick him to finish last. Yeah, I thought I would surprise you. But we do have the same exact picking the lines to win it. Then the Bears, then the Vikings, then the Packers Matt, I just don't like the vibes around the Packers this off. No, I don't either. Josh Jacob stuff to if you were to make a list of the Packers best five players. Oh, like four of them might not be four of them aren't starting the season. And they're a good five. You know, we love craft in person, etc. etc. Parsons is walking through that door anytime soon. No craft is going to be out there, but it's going to take him a while to do Tucker craft things again, I think. And Josh Parsons will be out a while. I mean, like 60 weeks and it might be it might be a Halloween before Tucker craft looks like one of the top tight ends in the league again. He's the one I'm least worried about with their introduce. And I think the aligns really problematic. And then Josh Jacob, who was a touchdown machine last year, what happens to that running game.

25:32That to me is is rather concerning if I if I'm in and she said country. Yep, I couldn't agree more now. I'll also say if the Packers won the division, it wouldn't, it wouldn't completely shock me. It would shock me in the other divisions. We talked about it. The bottom feeders won the division, not this one. No, not at all. And the odds kind of back that up where other than the NFC South, which is a different story. It's more so just that there's a lot of mediocrity there. This is the division that I think has the tightest odds from from first to four. And it definitely should agree with that. Now, no one ever sees it coming, but the Plexiglas principle does exist. Absolutely. You do a great job of lining this up every year. I mean, and real quick, what it is in the history of the NFL really, really shows this. The team that takes six steps forward in one year almost always takes two best. See the commanders Washington over the last two years, NSC championship game to happens all the time.

26:33To a top 10 pick. And I don't see it coming, but nobody ever does. But could the Bears be that team? I mean, they were very turn over reliant. They led the league in turning ball over the fewest times and took the ball away the most. Like, that's not going to happen. That's not going to. There's no way. But I trust the head coach and I think the quarterbacks are going to take a step forward. So you never see the Plexiglas principle coming, but it comes all the time. That's the Plexiglas principle. The Bears might be the most intriguing conversation in that realm this year. Because if Caleb Williams is jump forward, if Caleb Williams is a top 10 quarterback, yeah, Colson, Lovland is a top three tight end. I think you will be. They've got a one of the best offensive minds in the league. They might have the best offensive league. They might have the best offensive in the league. Yeah. But they could be the new Cincinnati Bengals in that regard or the new Dallas Cowboys in that regard where the D. Oh, I think they're going to be the defensive. Albatross that it sinks them. I think Detroit fits that mold too though. They have so many injuries on defense and yeah, Chicago is worse. And Chicago has to play the first place schedule this year too. Good point. Yeah. I mean, that's, let's legit difference.

27:36It certainly is. Yeah. The Chicago was what if, I don't know, maybe this, maybe this is something we could do later. Like list your most intriguing teams in the NFL this season where the variance is. Hey, they could win double digit games. They could pick in the top 10 top 12. Chicago might be at the top of that list. There's always a multiple of those teams and kind of that plexiglass principle. Yeah. That you state there, but they I think are the one that really could, um, could be affected by that this year. So I think the DVO a folks over at FTN fantasy have them. I know that they have them ranked as the 30 second defense going to the league for their projections and formulas. I'm almost certain they're the number one offense. I mean, bears games are going to be much what those watch TV and Caleb's a blast to watch anyways. Good bad ugly. You know what I mean? Yes. Yes. So they could be a massive roller coaster. Oh, man, that division is going to be a lot of fun. Matt Williamson. So to this point, NFC South, I'm picking the Saints. Matt is picking Tampa. The North, we've both got the lions, the east.

28:37We've both got the cowboys. Yeah. Well, we come back on the other side. Let's talk about the NFC West and then we'll pick our NFC wild cards. Okay. As well, West, you'll learn Matt William, NFC wild cards are much easier than aFC. You think so? I heard I'm not sure this is true. Maybe you're going to see the teams in the hunt. You mean that yeah. Okay. I from what I understand the AFC if we just pull up playoff odds in AFC. There's like nine teams that are almost even bets, which doesn't add up. I mean, like the math doesn't work. I mean, including like the Steelers, the Jags. Well, you know, right. There's only so many the Kamehameh Harden. They're not, uh, they are certainly going to be. They're always is even with the additional wild card teams that we've had now for the last few years. Yeah. There's always a good team or two that gets left out. Absolutely. That you could easily see as a, uh, as a viable playoff opponent. Let's talk NFC West and let's talk wild cards to round out this hour and the NFC when we return on the other side. You'll learn and Williamson. It's the drive Steelers Nation radio on the Steelers audio network.

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30:46You're tuned to the drive on your 24-7 home of the Black & Gold Steelers Nation Radio. It is prediction day here on the drive, first hour NFC. And of course, we will get into the AFC in hour number two. Matt, we have one division winner left to pick. And then our three wild card teams. And the division left is probably the best division in football. There is one really we think. But the other three all went to the playoffs last year. Two of them were in the NFC championship game. Of course, the Super Bowl champion Seattle. And now the darlings of 2026, the LA Rams. Matt, how's the West play out in the NFC? Here's what I see is no way around it. I think Arizona's fourth.

31:46Yes. Now they are on my list of will be better than you think teams. Okay. But I don't think their record unless they've reflected their schedule is so terrible. But I do think it's a really good nest for the next quarterback or they're doing some good things well. It's just going to be a tough year. To me, the Niners are pretty clearly third. Not that they're I mean, they're way ahead of Arizona. It's not like an NFC East situation. There's two at the bottom and two at the top. Sure. And I'm sure we'll do the same thing with the AFCs. I think the Niners are good. But there's just a there's just fragile and old. And you know, like it's not a big deal, but they lost another defensive lineman for the year yesterday. You got hurt in Australia. Yeah. You know, like there's a lot of bad stuff happening. They have had some of the worst juju when it comes to injuries in the league over the last few years. And I am going to pick the Rams to win it. So that leaves Seattle at two. I think the Rams. I think the right. I'm pretty bought in on the Rams to be honest with you.

32:47I mean, I know that that's not revolutionary. But I do think they're the best team in the league. Did you happen to see what I tweeted about their, I think you sent it to me about the plane. Yes. I think that's awesome. So they, the Niners have been in Australia for like a week a long time. The Rams just went over like five minutes ago. Like five minutes. Right. Right. Because they're, they, they basically rented, I guess, chartered the term I'm looking for this massive sleeper plane that has like, it's the nicest jet in the world. It's the nicest jet in the world. Yeah. It flies lower. It flies lower because you sleep better in altitude. It's all, at all, sleeper plane. They all have basically their own bed every player. And they're kind of timing it to stay on Pacific time and arrive and play the game as if it was at in San Francisco or wherever. Yeah. Yeah. Staying on the West Coast as opposed to the Niners who have been there and have acclimated, but they're going to have a 10 a.m. Game local time. Right. That game is at 10. It's Thursday night for us.

33:47It's 10 a.m. Local time Friday in Australia. Okay. So we were talking about this a lot on the podcast. Talk about a fun tailgate. Yeah. Kegs and eggs at 6 a.m. That's nuts. I mean, because, you know, you and I just been in Dublin and my co-hosts asked, which one would you rather do? And immediately I said, I think the longer you're over there, the better. But then it happened to be while we were break during that podcast. You guys sent that tweet about the jet. And then I'm like, no, I want to take that jet. It sounds awesome. And not even know what country I'm in. Exactly right. Yeah. Like, that sounds awesome. I'm just going to I'm picking that one. If anybody has one of those that they can lend Matt and I to play. Yeah. Take a photo. Perry. Very grateful. That would be awesome. But I am interested to hear how the players after the game when they're actually honest say they felt on game day. You know what I mean? So anyway, the Rams never spare any expense. You know, they and they see the world differently than the other world. Very different. Yeah. And it's working for them.

34:47And I'm a huge McVeigh fan. I do think they're the best team in the league. They're not invulnerable. I mean, they're they're wide receiver depth scares me. I don't think their tackles are particularly great. But I mean, if the cherry on top is Aaron Donald. I mean, that's pretty nice. Yeah. I mean, even if they didn't make the Garrett trade and the Donald stuff and just did the McDuffie move, I'd still think they might be the best team. So I do think they're really, really good. But people look at it like if they don't win the Super Bowl, it's a failure. Sure. I mean, their Super wads are still only like 18%. It's not even like 50%. I mean, it's not it's not Nick savens Alabama. No, no, it's not the you when they were, you know, like who's going to beat these guys? Yes. Yeah. But I think they're number one. I think they are too. Yeah. And man, Seattle is going to have something to say about that. Certainly. Sure. But they lost a lot in the Rams gained a lot. They did, they absolutely did. And even, you know, I think the Super Bowl hangover is more apt when you're the team that loses it.

35:49But I think there's always some of that too when you're the team that wins it. I think there's something saying said for I had to play three extra games or was something like that or even one extra game, you know. And Matt, all these guys are humans. You just, you can't tell me you're as motivated and as determined in an off season when you were just a world champion, just a Super Bowl champion. Sure. Sure. I think it's a little natural to enjoy your off season. Yeah. You've got the parades and the parties and the ring ceremonies. Sure. Like in the NHL, if you get the cup and you're literally probably since you were six, seven, eight, nine years old dreaming about that. Yeah. And, and, and that dream finally comes true. I think it's impossible to still have your foot on the gas full throttle all off season. It's just a reason teams don't repeat. It's just human nature. You get, you know, you got coaches plucked from them. They got good players plucked from them played extra games. They've had a little bit of bad luck with injuries already. They're second round picks out of the mix. I mean, I think they're going to be a really good team and I trust, I trust Arnold now.

36:49I didn't know if I'd say that two years ago. I trust her had coached in no end. Rams is really good. Yeah. I mean, both of these teams, it was a battle last year. It came down to the last week of the season. Wasn't it? Or was it maybe maybe the next the last week of the season? Yes. Of who was going to get the first round by and who was going to have to go to the wild card. And I wouldn't be surprised if that's the case once again. No. Now, here's one little Rams note just to nerd out on you guys. Remember, we talked a lot about right around the cut down day. You know, what's this dealer staff going to do in terms of course, special teamers? You know, we knew Tom Lone kept three, four, five, six, whatever. And what's McCarthy going to do? And basically they took the same approach. Yeah. The Rams on the other hand, they don't care at all about it. I mean, they just I'm keeping two, two at well. I'm not taking Ben Skronik. Yeah. You know, I mean, I know he was a Ram, but I mean, like you know what I'm saying. They were one of the worst special teams in the league last year.

37:49And that's just where they cut corners. And I mean, if you miss a big kick, that could be the difference, you know? Absolutely. Absolutely. Matt, the schedule makers. They've always got it figured out. You know the Seahawks and the Rams this year when they play their two games? No. Two of the final three weeks of the season. Really? I think we both prime time, I think too. Week 16 in Seattle prime time, week 18, final week of the season in LATBD, which I would be shocked. Yeah. Because you know how they do that now. It's all flex scheduling. Maybe the Rams are either, but more likely the Rams might need the game. Maybe they've been in a right. Yeah. Yeah. I don't think it's coincidence that those two meet two of the last three games of the year. That's very Steelers Ravens. It might be three of the last five games of the year. It might match and meet up again in the second round of the playoffs. Oh man, that would really feel like Steelers Ravens from a decade or two ago, certainly. So are we both go the same order?

38:50Just talking through it. Sounds like one Seahawks two, nine or three. Yeah. And I think this might be the easiest division to pick three and four. Yeah. I agree. I agree. Because I think the Niners are clearly a class ahead of the Cardinals who are who the Cardinals have substantially met. I mean, I'm talking more than double errors, more than double Miami, more than triple Vegas in terms of their odds to win that division. The Cardinals are by far the longest odds to win a division in the NFL. And I think we agree the gap from Niners to those above them is smaller than Niners to Cardinals. Absolutely. Well, I thought that I was going to throw you some curveballs, but we have three of the same four. I bet our AFCs will be more different. I think so. Division winners in the NFC, Matt's go in Tampa, Dallas, Detroit and L.A. I'm going New Orleans, Dallas, Detroit and L.A. Matt Wild card teams in the NFC.

39:50Give us your three. Here I go again, talking out of both ends of my mouth. The Philadelphia Eagles. Same as me. I just I still think even with the volatility, I think that defense is so good. Yeah. That's such a talented roster. I think they'll find a way to get into the playoffs. I think that when double digit games. I've got the defending Super Bowl champion, Seattle Seahawks. So do I. But then this last one was hard of all the NFC predictions. Yeah. The final wild card team might have been the probably was the most difficult one for me. Maybe picking the NFC South winner because I did obviously give real thought to Tampa Bay before I went with New Orleans. I'm going to lean on court. What when it comes down to tie breakers, I typically like to lean on quarterback and head coach, you know, all things else considered. If I think two teams are very equal, who's got the better quarterback? Who's got the better head coach? That's going to be what gets them over the edge. I'm taking the Chicago Bears as my final. Yeah, we do the same ones. Do we really? Yeah, I'm a son of a god. I strongly considered the Niners.

40:51Was that your second one? I thought about the Niners. I also thought about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Yeah, I just don't know if I see two teams coming out of the South. I know. I mean, if you're coming second in that division, you probably didn't go five and one or six and o in the division. And I definitely think one of those teams could go, could sweep that division. And then if you get six wins right off the bat, it'd be hard to keep you out of the playoffs. It's probably wind of division. Yeah, thought about the Niners, thought about the Bucks. I, you know, I did give some thought to maybe another team out of the, like a third team out of the North. Yeah, you know, maybe the Vikings. But I'm going to, I'm going to go with the Chicago Bear. Yeah, the Chicago Bears. Okay. There are only differences. NFC champ, any Steve South champ other than that. We are six of seven of the same. Bethesda surprised me though. I mean, Rams are really good. I mean, what shocked me was our North played out the same. I thought for sure, I thought for sure that you were going to have, you know, someone

41:51other than the Lions winning the, winning the North. I thought that's where I would get the thing where I definitely thought I was going to get you was Green Bay at four. I figured somebody would pick somebody else. I was like, I'm going to pick Green Bay fourth and Matt's going to tell me I'm crazy. Yeah. Yeah. And in reality, you had the same exact thing. That one is very tough. And the, I mean, the NFC just overall, I think each division race for different reasons, but it's going to be very, very intriguing there. I think the NFC is way harder to predict. We're going to find out when we come back for our number two, Matt Williamson. So there you have it. A little, I guess maybe a slightly anti-climactic, but you can also tell that Matt and I spend a lot of time together talking about. Yeah, it's bound to happen when you talk two hours a day about the same stuff, you know. Halfway home here on or in part of me, our number two, we will pick the NFC divisions. Of course, we'll have plenty of conversation in the AFC North. We'll pick the wildcard teams and we'll also hit on some of your tweets and some of your YouTube comments in our number two as well. Plenty of ground to cover. You know where to get at us if you want to get involved.

42:52Give us your predictions as well. You'll hear Williamson halfway home here on the drive on a Wednesday on the NFL opening day. It's Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network. Now a word from our sponsor, Bud Light. There's nothing better than the clean crisp. There's nothing better than the clean crisp. What if we just got out of here and grab some Bud lights? But man, we're on air for four more hours. I'll figure it out. Sounds good to me. Anything for the clean, crisp taste of Bud Light. Stock up now. Bud Light. Easy to drink, easy to enjoy. Enjoy responsibly. Copyright 2026 and has your Bush Bud Light beer St. Louis, Missouri. I used to have cable internet, but I'm a 100% fan. So I switched to Verizon Files. It's 100% fiber internet that's super reliable. So I streamed 100% at the NFL draft live with ultra low lag. And after what went down in the first round, still getting video calls from my best friend

43:52Robin Gideon that he called all the pics. I told you they were building their own line. I win the bet. Get 100% fiber internet with Verizon Files because when it comes to your team, it's 100% or nothing. Call 1-E-3-3 Verizon to switch today. Get that hot dog costume ready.