The Mmqb: 10 Things

It really was a series of weird games in Week 5—lots of sloppy offense but somehow lots of big plays in between. Conor and Gary break it all down, starting with the Bengals’ continued struggles, this time in Baltimore. How much of it was the absence of Tee Higgins? How much of it was a vastly different approach from first-year Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald? And how much of it was the Bengals simply coming back down the earth with an offense that asks so much of its quarterback? Then, a discussion of the Cooper Rush–led Cowboys and their quite Cooper Rush–less victory over the Rams, the magic of Abracadaniel in London, bad Josh Allen takes, the continued ascension of the Eagles, and for the love of God do *not* get off the Jaguars bandwagon! Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On the mid-week episode, there is some Week 5 previewing to be done. Conor and Gary take a look at the Ravens’ woes heading into a showdown with Cincinnati, Jared Goff’s latest shot at a Belichick defense, and whether Geno Smith Fever will continue to spread after a matchup against a very good Saints defense. But this episode is more about the future—the distant future. Therefore, Sports Illustrated college football writer Richard Johnson returns to the show to discuss the top 2023 draft quarterback contracts. Size discussions around Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud, what it means for Will Levis to play for Kyle Shanahan/Sean McVay disciples, the ripening process for Tyler Van Dyke and Anthony Richardson, and a tricky projection for Sam Hartman coming out of a unique Wake Forest offense. Plus, who tore it up against Kutztown? You’ll have to listen to find out. Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redc

The Week 4 Sunday slate brought us some humbling losses and heartwarming victories, and Conor and Gary are here to discuss all of it, as well as remember two former Northwestern quarterbacks. We’ll start with the Chiefs in full on Sunday night, as K.C. got an early turnover and steamrolled the Bucs with a Mahomes-ian moment or two along the way. In Green Bay, the Packers continue to work through their growing pains while the Patriots, down to their third-string QB, are looking to become the scrappiest scrappers who ever scrapped. And, what to take away from the Eagles’ victory over the (very real) Jaguars, and the suddenly impressive Cowboys continue to make it work. Plus, more Ravens going for it on fourth down stuff, London hosts the most impressive missed kick in NFL history, Kenny Pickett time in Pittsburgh, the Giants run out of able bodies at quarterback, the small victories of Geno Smith and much more! Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGram

On the mid-week show, Conor and Gary take a look at three big Week 4 matchups. Will Doug Pederson get booed in his return to Philly? (And, also, do the Jaguars have the defensive formula to slow Jalen Hurts and friends?) How will the Bills offense respond in Baltimore after 90 plays in the South Florida heat? And will the Chiefs play nice offensively, and continue to put the pressure on Tom Brady defensively? Then, special guests Rashad Jennings and Lindsay McCormick, co-hosts of Sports Illustrated’s new business of sports podcast “The Bag,” join the show to run through the Lamar Jackson contract situation as well as some of the most important sports business stories affecting the NFL today. (Make sure to go listen to The Bag!) Plus, a look at West Bromwich Albion’s “Boiler Man” and what to do about Take 5 in any kind of candy rankings. Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPri

It was a bittersweet third week of the NFL season—lots of great games, but lots of bummer injuries. Conor and Gary work through the tears and break down everything that happened on Sunday. It starts with another peculiar performance from the Broncos offense, who were stuck in the mud until the final drive of Sunday night, and seem to be melting down while also being 2–1. Meanwhile, Jimmy Garoppolo’s first start of this season looked a lot like his final start of last season, and an injury to Trent Williams means plenty of problems in San Francisco. Also, the Bills seem to tucker themselves out in the punishing Miami heat, the Chiefs let one slip away in Indy as quarterback and coordinator seem to butt heads, the Jaguars really might be really quite good for real, and how in the world is this happening to the Raiders? Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out:

We all know the—albeit fluky—stat regarding the drought of 0–2 teams going to the NFL playoffs, but what about 0–3? Because by Sunday evening, either the Titans or the Raiders, both playoff teams a year ago, will be in that unenviable hole. With that in mind, Conor and Gary discuss those two teams and their Sunday matchup, including whether or not to believe in their coaching staffs, and just how deep the hole is for either franchise if they lose a third straight to start the year. Then, a look at the Bills-Dolphins matchup, as Miami tries to exorcise some demons against a team that has owned them the previous two seasons. Can the Bills’ thin cornerbacking group still hang with the Tyreek Hill–Jaylen Waddle tandem? Plus, a run through the rest of the Week 3 action, and a Sega Genesis–inspired defensive approach for stopping Josh Allen. Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPriv

The second Sunday of the NFL season was nothing short of incredible when it came to fantastic finishes and unlikely upsets. But what does it all mean!?!?! Conor and Gary are here to take some big-picture looks at what went on in Week 2. Is it time to flip the Tua Meter (should it exist) into the green (green being good) after a miracle win in Baltimore? It is time to give Mike McCarthy a big pat on the back after another win with Cooper Rush? Is there something really wrong with the Bengals, and if so can it be fixed? And what is going on with Nathaniel Hackett’s struggle to get things running on time in Denver? Plus, Joe Flacco and Jacoby Brissett are *both* heroes, friend of the show Rohan Nadkarni checks in with a profane series of celebratory texts and Packers fumble watch activates for… well, no good reason. Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: http

The first Sunday of the 2022 NFL season is in the books. A few of the games were really good. A lot of the games were really close. And the day ended with one star quarterback, Dak Prescott, injuring his thumb in an ugly loss to the Bucs. Conor and Gary unite to discuss it all, and to figure out what we can actually take away from Week 1. Are the Steelers going to pile up weird and wild wins again? Are the Colts going to keep on getting into dogfights with bad opponents? Is Saquon Barkley here to stay? Plus, the overhype-ness of the Baker vs. Browns matchup in Carolina, our first look at the Mike McDaniel Dolphins offense, the Wentz-led Commanders, and SI Media Podcast host Jimmy Traina helps out! Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The NFL Opener is in the books and, basically, the defending champs lost by three touchdowns in a game that wasn’t even that close. The Bills picked up where they left off in terms of their general unstoppableness on offense, but it was more than that. They showed off an identity we haven’t seen much of from Josh Allen (it’s so quick!) and on the other side of the ball they had a cast of 10,000 very fast, very young pass rushers to go along with Von Miller in a dominant performance. For the Rams, was it rust? Was it Matthew Stafford’s troublesome elbow? Is Allen Robinson disappearing going to be a thing? Also, why it’s a tad of an overreaction to worry about their Von Miler–less pass rush (for now). Plus, Conor and Gary discuss precisely how fixed the NFL is, and identify their favorite matchups in the Sunday early window. Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt

There are six—no more, no fewer—storylines that will define the 2022 NFL season (as stated in the episode title, try to keep up), and Conor and Gary, only on this show, will unveil each one of them to you. That’s just the start of what might be the most important MMQB NFL Podcast of our lives. Editor Mitch Goldich joins the show to insult and otherwise taunt Conor over his 272 games predictions process, then tries his hand (by request!) at More Than Four But Fewer Than Six Questions. And, finally, as the dawn of a new NFL season is upon us, Conor and Gary unveil their predictions for awards, surprise playoff teams, and Super Bowl participants and champion—if you don’t want to watch football at all this season, you don’t have to! Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

At long last, Conor and Gary arrive at the thrilling finale of their preseason power rankings countdown series. It’s time to reveal, indisputably, the four best teams in the NFL. As usual, we will not reveal who the teams are in this episode description, but we will provide these clues from our conversations: Also Team 4: The most controversial team of the countdown. Gary made Conor pick them to go 12–5. Team 2: How will the longer season wear on them. Also, maybe it’s time for everyone to take a break, maybe a couple seasons off. Also Team 2: Everyone wants to talk about the offense, but this might be the most talented defense in the NFL. Team 1: Every season for the next decade will come down to what happens in January and February. Plus, Conor introduces our latest sponsor, who may or may not exist, and may or may not actually be a sponsor... yet. Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle

And, more specifically, the back half of the Elite Eight, but the Elite Eight nonetheless. Conor and Gary delve into the NFL’s borderline elite teams heading into the 2022 season. Once again, we will not reveal who the teams are in this episode description, but we will provide these clues from our conversations: Team 8: Either the most exciting debut in football or the soon-to-be most disappointing debut in football. Team 7: A Pythagorean Win projection of nearly 16 games! But that’s after losing one of their most valuable non-quarterbacks, and having a quarterback who may or may not want to be there. Team 6: What happens if the big plays go away? First of Two Team 4’s: The NFL’s best team on paper, probably. Come back every Monday for the next four teams in the countdown. Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

With Gary Gramling away, Conor Orr is joined by SI Fantasy Football Guru Michael Fabiano, and we talk about the shrewdness of Jim Nantz in celebrity studded fantasy leagues. Also, you’ll want to stick around to hear about a fantasy football collective that includes the band mates from Alice In Chains, Anthrax and…Michael Buble? Plus, Fabiano tells us who we’re overdrafting, underdrafting, and everything in betweenAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It is, indisputably, time to start thinking Super Bowl for these teams in the latest installment of the Preseason Power Rankings Countdown. Once again, we will not reveal who the teams are in this episode description, but we will provide these clues from our conversations: Team 12: Will this be the best third-place team in football? And what do we make of the newness of it all (or the maybe lack of good-ness in the linebacking corps)? Team 11: Let’s see just how much competent quarterback play and a new defensive coordinator who never blitzes means for this team. Team 10: A team that used to be bad, but now will likely be good for a long time. And while their offense should evolve, it’s already built to last. Team 9: The unluckiest then luckiest then unluckiest team of 2021. The alternate title to this episode: “There Are Two Dylan Parhams.” Come back every Monday for the next four teams in the countdown. Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling

It’s a special emergency episode of the The MMQB NFL Podcast, as Conor and Gary delve into the final (maybe?) settlement of the Deshaun Watson suspension. Watson did a 180-degree turn on his apology soon after word of the settlement came out. What might Roger Goodell and the league think about that? And is there any mechanism in that settlement for this suspension to go past 11 games? Also, looking at the messaging coming out of Watson’s camp—from his agent, his private quarterbacks coach and their surrogates—and a discussion of what happens when some journalists are desperate for access while others are not. Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We’re in the middle of the NFL’s middle, then moving toward the top of the middle as Conor and Gary continue their four-at-a-time season preview countdown. This episode features two teams with Super Bowl titles in the past five years, lots of quarterback questions, and plenty of blind trust. Once again, we will not reveal who the teams are in this episode description, but we will provide these clues from our conversations: Also Team 16: The second half of a tie carried over cliffhanger-style from the previous show, this is the team that refused to tank (so good for them!). Team 15: You’d call their offensive coordinator setup a no-win situation... if it were any other franchise. Team 13: We like everyone on this team, and Conor has proclaimed them “Conor’s Team” for the 2022 season. Also Team 13: The first team in their division to make an appearance on this countdown.   Plus, more Orioles takes that no one particularly wanted. Come back every Monday for the next four teams in the countdown. Have a comment, c

It’s time to get into the middle-iest of the NFL’s middle, as Conor and Gary continue their four-at-a-time season preview countdown. This episode features two 2021 playoff teams, one underdog darling and one former underdog darling of whom we’ve talked about quite a bit.Once again, we will not reveal who the teams are in this episode description, but we will provide these clues from our conversations:Team 20: Taking on the crushing noise that will define 2022.Team 19: Let’s get carried away with some unbridled optimism for once.Team 18: They managed to screw everything up over the past 10 months, but maybe the quarterback can carry them to the playoffs anyway.Team 16: One of the league’s best-coached teams, but can they overachieve yet again?Come back every Monday for the next four teams in the countdown!Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redci

Conor and Gary welcome back Jenny Vrentas of the New York Times to delve into all things Deshaun Watson once again. A discussion of why Sue Robinson’s factual determinations in her ruling are much more significant than the number of games she suggested for a suspension, how the door was flung open for the NFL to determine its own punishment, and how all of it should force the NFL to confront some of its outdated stances (and terminology) regarding sexual violence. Plus, what’s next as the NFL moves forward with its appeal and Watson continues to show no remorse for his actions. Then, a look at the relatively light punishment for owner Stephen Ross and the Dolphins as the NFL gets them on tampering charges—and, in a way, gets them on tanking charges but decides Ross was just joking. Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The third episode of Conor and Gary’s team-by-team, four-at-a-time season preview countdown is here, and they’re getting into the teams that should be entering 2022 with playoff aspirations (of varying degrees). Once again, we will not reveal who the teams are in this episode description, but we will provide these clues from our conversations: Team 24: A way to program the quarterback to carry out one of three tasks: Quick throw, throw away, or crumple like a deflated Christmas decoration. Team 23: Is the ceiling ever going to get any higher? Team 21: If your manager tells you to go away, would you go to their boss and tell them that you’re staying? Also Team 21: The ballad of the re-cast offensive lineman. And who will advertise a netball sub? Come back every Monday for the next four teams in the countdown and perhaps to hear what archaic technology Conor Orr is re-embracing next. Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI or @ConorOrrAdvertis

One long-awaited quarterback contract got done this week, but as with all things Cardinals-front-office-and-Kyler Murray since the team’s wild-card round meltdown in January, it wasn’t without loads of negativity and drama. Specifically, the now infamous “homework clause” that appears in Murray’s record-setting deal, the cause of tremendous embarrassment for the star QB this week. Conor and Gary welcome MMQB Business of Football columnist and former Packers team president Andrew Brandt, to discuss the mind-blowingly foolish clause, who might have come up with the idea and why it’s a terrible idea, as well as a discussion of the money and the way the contract is structured to pay out. Also, looking at the Lamar Jackson negotiations dragging on in Baltimore, and what it means for a player to hammer out a deal without an agent. Plus, Andrew takes his shot at America’s least favorite game show: More Than Four But Fewer Than Six Questions! Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gm