Burg and Manish kick off this episode with a lively discussion on recent NFL headlines like Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice landing in jail for 30 days after violating the terms of his probation and the latest on the A.J. Brown trade news. Is the Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl wide receiver still destined for a Mike Vrabel reunion with the New England Patriots or will Philly general manager Howie Roseman find the 2027 first-round pick that he covets from another team like the Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs or someone else? The guys spin around the league with the NFL’s embarrassing mistake on Jaxon Smith Ngigba’s NFL OPOY Award, the backlash at ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania for reporting the NBA MVP winner, the NFL’s questionable accelerator program and more.
Burg and Manish follow by diving into their bold predictions after the recent 2026 NFL Schedule release. How will the New England Patriots do out of the gate after their magical run to the Super Bowl last season? Will they struggle after feasting on an historically easy schedule in 2025? When will new Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike Lafleur win his first game? Or are the Cardinals destined for the No. 1 pick in a quarterback-rich 2027 NFL Draft? How will the New York Giants start off under John Harbaugh? Could the Giants surprise people in the NFC East? Will Geno Smith help the New York Jets break their long playoff drought?
The guys engage in a fun conversation after revealing their records predictions for all 32 NFL teams. How critical is having a rest advantage? Which teams have the toughest and easiest schedules using projected win totals for opponents from Las Vegas oddsmakers? Who will surprise? Who will disappoint?
Highlights:
(1:30): NFL Headlines: Matthew Stafford extension, Rashee Rice, Nolan Smith, A.J. Brown, Cam Skattebo, JSN, Bill Belichick, Shams Charania, NFL Accelerator Program
(28:30) Bold predictions: Will Mike Vrabel and the Patriots struggle without a cupcake schedule? Which team will not win their first game of the regular season until Christmas week?
(43:01) AFC North. Who will come out on top? Steelers, Ravens, Bengals or Browns?
(45:46): AFC East. Will the Patriots or Buffalo Bills prevail? How bad will the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets be?
(51:01): AFC West. Will Justin Herbert get to the next level with new Charger offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel? Or Will the Denver Broncos repeat? How healthy will Patrick Mahomes be for the Chiefs? Will Fernando Mendoza help the Las Vegas Raiders get out of the cellar in Klint Kubiak’s first season?
(57:36): AFC South. Will Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars build on last season? Will Daniel Jones return to form for the Colts? Will C.J. Stroud hold back the Houston Texans and their great defense?
(59:01): NFC East. Will the Philadelphia Eagles repeat or is this the end for Jalen Hurts in Philly? How will the Dallas Cowboys revamped defense look? How quickly will John Harbaugh bring the Giants back?
(1 hour, 1 min): NFC North. Are the Chicago Bears for real? What should be make of the Detroit Lions? Will the Green Bay Packers finally live up the hype?
(1 hour, 4 min): NFC West. Will the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks repeat? Or will the Rams and 49ers overtake them?
(1 hour, 7 min): NFC South. Can the Carolina Panthers build on their playoff appearance from last season? Will be the quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons? Are the Saints for real? Can Baker Mayfield carry the Buccaneers back to the postseason?
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