5 Big Things | Football Show Week 18

·18 min·1 clip

Mike Valenti warns that Week 18 was 'anesthesia for football fans' and previews the problem with future 18-game NFL seasons.

["The episode begins with Mike Valenti and Jim Costa introducing the '5 Big Things' segment for Week 18 of the NFL season.", "Valenti opens by criticizing Week 18 as 'anesthesia for football fans' and warns about the future impact of an 18-game season with multiple bye weeks.", "The first topic is the Seattle Seahawks' victory over the San Francisco 49ers to secure the NFC's number one seed.", "Costa questions whether the Seahawks are true contenders or pretenders, citing quarterback Sam Darnold's unproven ability in high-pressure situations.", "Valenti agrees, noting that while Seattle's running game and defense excelled, Darnold missed key throws and fumbled, making the team vulnerable in high-scoring games.", "The second topic shifts to the AFC, where the hosts discuss the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots as potential playoff teams.", "They debate which team is better, with Valenti leaning toward the Patriots due to quarterback Drake Maye, but both express skepticism about either making a deep run.", "The third topic is the NFC South's 'Proxy Bowl,' where the Carolina Panthers and other teams competed for the division title with losing records.", "Valenti and Costa criticize the NFL's rule allowing division winners with poor records to host playoff games, calling it an embarrassment.", "They describe the game as sloppy and representative of a weak division, with Carolina ultimately benefiting despite not controlling their own fate.", "The fourth topic focuses on Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, who broke the NFL sack record this season.", "Valenti argues that Garrett could be considered the best defensive end ever, comparing him to legends like Reggie White and Michael Strahan.", "Costa notes Garrett's career consistency and mentions he is likely to win his second Defensive Player of the Year award.", "The fifth topic is a rant by Valenti against the New York Giants for winning two consecutive late-season games despite being eliminated from playoff contention.", "He points out that the Giants have a pattern of winning meaningless games, which cost them draft position and a chance to select quarterback Drake Maye.", "Valenti criticizes team ownership and management, suggesting they avoid a general manager search due to owner John Mara's health issues.", "He angrily dismisses narratives about 'culture wins' and calls for accountability, even joking about arresting executives for 'football crimes.'", "After the main topics, the hosts discuss teams they look forward to betting against in the playoffs, highlighting the Chicago Bears for unsustainable turnover luck.", "They also mention the Jacksonville Jaguars and Philadelphia Eagles as flawed teams vulnerable to early playoff exits.", "The episode concludes with sponsor messages and a tease for upcoming offseason analysis."]

As heard by us

A loose football debate turns a bad division, a sack record, and a heavily hit quarterback into sharp topic fuel.

The segment catches the South in a suitably messy spot: Carolina has a home playoff game even with a record the hosts call embarrassing, while New Orleans and Atlanta remain part of the argument because Carolina failed to settle its own business.

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Why you'd press play

You get Carolina playoff absurdity, Myles Garrett's record, and a 264-hit Burrow question in one sloppy football argument.

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