The Mmqb: 10 Things

The Chiefs fall again, this time on Sunday Night Football. Jenny, Conor and Gary run down how it’s going wrong for K.C., from the defense’s disappearing stars to the offense’s lack of patience. But also, a look at how the Bills finally got their white whale, scoring a convincing road win in the elements.Then, a discussion of the undeniably beautiful game between the Chargers and the Browns, in which Justin Herbert continued to establish himself as an MVP favorite, and the undeniably not-as-beautiful game between the Cardinals and the 49ers, in which you start to wonder how much longer Kyler Murray can be a superhero and exactly what we should have expected from Trey Lance in his first career start.The Giants limp into Dallas and... well, limp out of Dallas, the Bears win ugly in Vegas, another one for the Urban Meyer lowlight reel with the most bizarre challenge in recent memory, whether the Steelers can repeat Sunday’s impressive offensive performance, the Patriots and the Texans get weird, Matt LaFleur make

From an otherwise meaningless five-yard run at the end of a lopsided game came one of the most intense, delightful and senseless coaching feuds the NFL has ever witnessed.Jenny, Conor and Gary take a look at the utter absurdity—of all parties!—in the Vic Fangio-John Harbaugh feud that came out of Harbaugh’s desire to go for a record streak that, quite possibly, no one but him and a few Ravens coaches knew was a thing. We smile along with Lamar Jackson’s reaction, wonder whether player safety should have been taken into account, and ask the most important question of all: Whose side are you on?Inspired by this whole ordeal, the three-person panel of self-appointed football historians then reveals their favorite feuds from over the years, including a mysterious answering machine message the cheap shot it inspired, accusations of pre-game introduction shenanigans, and plenty of childish name-calling.Have a question for the show? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI, @JennyVrentas or @ConorOrr Learn

The biggest game in the history of sports (that actually doesn’t have that big an impact on the standings) was played in Foxboro on Sunday night, as Tom Brady played kinda O.K. in a game that his current team won against his former team after a last-minute field goal attempt bounced off the upright. Should Bill Belichick have gone for it on fourth down? Hypothetically, would Mac Jones have gotten it done against Todd Bowles and the Bucs’ shorthanded secondary? Will we talk about this game forever and ever? Maybe.Then, a discussion of the undefeated Cardinals, the difference between the 2020 and ’21 editions, and whether or not this year’s early success is sustainable. Plus, everything that’s going so very right for the Cowboys, the Giants finally show what Daniel Jones can become if they let him, the Browns are dominating with the defensive line, the 49ers don’t show much in Trey Lance’s first extended action, the Steelers look ugly as ever, and a very neat day for Zach Wilson.Have a question for the show? Em

You are in the same place. You are in the same time. But this world is very different. Different because of one thing: Tom Brady is still the quarterback of the New England Patriots.What would have happened if Brady re-signed with the Patriots in the winter of 2020? Travel the multiverse and find Jenny Vrentas, Gary Gramling and Conor Orr (with the help of alternate reality host Mitch Goldich), recapping the adventures of the Brady-led 2020 and ’21 Patriots, their success (or lack thereof) with their aging quarterback, the fate of Rob Gronkowski, and how it all would have played out heading into Sunday’s Week 4 home game against the Tampa Bay Bucs. After the exercise in sci-fi is through, an earnest discussion of why the Brady/Belichick split made the most sense for all parties, even as Brady lifted the Lombardi for the seventh time. In short: Why the greatest coach-QB pairing the league has ever seen had run its course. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inqu

Week 3 brought the usual surprises, along with some of the wackiest moments of the early season.Jenny, Conor and Gary start with the Sunday night thriller in Santa Clara, how in the end it came easy for Aaron Rodgers after the 49ers scrapped to take a late lead, why continuity matters, and a conversation about Davante Adams’s uncomfortably brief time in concussion protocol.Also, a discussion of the Rams’ asserting their superiority in the NFC behind Matthew Stafford and Raheem Morris’s defense against his former team, how the Raiders got to 3–0, why the Dolphins had a fighting chance behind Jacoby Brissett, the formula that has beaten the Chiefs and how the Chargers are treating Justin Herbert as the superstar quarterback he has become.The Justin Tucker heroics and the pleasures of being a Lions fan, a look at everything that went so very wrong for the Bears during and in the runup to Justin Fields’s first career start, what exactly went down on Ben Roethlisberger’s long day and strange final play, dueling Ja

Two-time rushing champion, fantasy football darling, and perhaps the most misunderstood man in the NFL. In this episode of The MMQB, Conor Orr and Gary Gramling examine what Derrick Henry is, what he is not, and how someone who plays the most devalued position in football has become one of the most indispensable non-quarterbacks in the NFL. How is Henry able to withstand a workload that has wrecked other running backs in recent years? How does he lift the Titans’ offense beyond just the prolific rushing stats? Is the 250-pound behemoth destined to be an outlier in the modern NFL—or is he a harbinger of a throwback era to come?From his immeasurable value in a trend-setting offense, to the workout regime that he believes keeps him going, gain a better understanding of a one-of-a-kind superstar.Have a question for the show? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI, @JennyVrentas or @ConorOrr Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle

It was a Week 2 Sunday full of thrillers, and Jenny, Conor and Gary are here to break it all down and tell you what it means.That starts with the Ravens finally knocking off the Chiefs on Sunday Night Football, behind Lamar Jackson heroics, a better O-line performance, a defense that didn’t take risks and a little bit of luck.A look at the Titans’ unlikely comeback win in Seattle, and what it says about the spectacular abilities of Derrick Henry and an impact that goes beyond rushing yards. The Raiders go east on a short week and Derek Carr does everything you’d ever want from your quarterback in an upset win over the Steelers. The Cowboys turn to a kicker, a rushing attack, a defense and lots of questionable clock management to steal one from the Chargers.The Bears, meanwhile, win one 2018-style with a torrent of takeaways, and the Andy Dalton injury likely forces Matt Nagy’s hand when it comes to Justin Fields—is that a good thing or a bad thing? Mike Zimmer is living a nightmare after rocky secondary play

Jenny, Conor and Gary took in all the action and bring you every take imaginable about all 14 games played on the first Sunday of the 2021 season.First, Matthew Stafford immediately showed why the Rams went and got him, as Sean McVay dialed up an early touchdown that simply wasn’t in the playbook with the previous quarterback. Plus, why Matt Nagy will have a tough time sticking with Andy Dalton after that meek opening-night offensive performance.Then, a look at the impressive Browns in a losing effort, falling victim to the kind of plays only Patrick Mahomes can deliver, the Packers’ meltdown against the Saints in Jacksonville, and a hearty debate about whether or not we should be impressed by the Steelers after their victory in Buffalo.A look at everything that went wrong in Urban Meyer’s disastrous NFL debut, the good and bad of the Patriots-Dolphins battle in Foxboro, the utter dominance of the Chandler Jones-led Cardinals defense in Tennessee, the utterly underwhelming Giants offense in an opening loss to

Jenny, Conor and Gary break down all things regular-season opener, starting with—of course—the star quarterbacks playing like star quarterbacks.The Tampa offense looks like it’s completely under Tom Brady’s command, while Dak Prescott might not have looked like 100% Dak, but was awfully close (especially as the game went on).Some Vita Vea appreciation, how the Bucs will deal with depth issues in the secondary, and a discussion of a Cowboys defense that still has issues (and still looks green at some spots) but showed encouraging signs on Thursday night.On a more serious note: A discussion of NBC’s continued problematic approach to Antonio Brown.On a much lighter note: Plenty of taunts and barbs directed toward Conor for his “fluid” prediction of a Browns Super Bowl.Also, T.J. Watt’s new deal, and the impact of two more big injuries to the Ravens.Have a question for the show? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI, @JennyVrentas or @ConorOrr Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpod

It’s the big one: Jenny, Conor and Gary etch their season predictions in stone.But first, they begin with some friendly, respectful, light-hearted disagreements regarding certain takes. Are the Patriots in a position to steal the AFC East—even with an offense that looks like it *might* have been built with Cam Newton in mind? Are the Browns or Steelers the better bet to win the AFC North? Is everyone sleeping on the Colts or are they right to be turned off by Carson Wentz’s rocky summer? Can the Seahawks figure things out on defense, and/or can the Cardinals figure things out on offense?Then, it’s on to the official predictions for the 14 playoff teams, conference championship matchups, regular-season individual awards and, finally, Super Bowl score predictions. Get upset at all of it!But be sure to stay for the mind-blowing twist toward the end of the show, when Conor reveals the truth behind his “Browns to the Super Bowl” pick and it turns out nothing is what it seems.Have a question for the show? Email the

With the preseason winding down, Jenny, Conor and Gary take a trip around the league to review major storylines and visit some big deals that went down—and didn’t go down—this summer.First, the Saints quarterback situation has been settled. For now. Probably. Why Jameis Winston got the job, and whether or not he can avoid the kind of absurd interceptions that cost him QB1 in Tampa. Then, a discussion of the rocky few weeks for Urban Meyer is having in Jacksonville, and how it changes the outlook for the Jaguars in the short- and long-term.Also, the curious case of Jamal Adams and his contract extension after some red flags popped up during his first season in Seattle, and a discussion of what’s next for Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield.Finally, in the series premiere of Law & Order: 272 Games, Gary and Jenny tell Conor precisely where he went wrong in his prediction of every NFL regular-season game.Have a question for the show? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI, @JennyVrentas or @ConorOrr

In recent weeks, as the NFL season fast approaches, Jenny, Conor and Gary have been identifying their X-factors for various teams across the league. But rather than unveiling them in a traditional manner like normal people would, the trio instead engage in a life-or-death battle of the classic children’s board game “Guess Who?”Based on a series of yes-or-no questions, can they identify who each person’s mystery player is? Play along, as the competition heats up until the mind-bending final twist that leaves everyone speechless (save for a number of angry outbursts and mild profanity).Then, while this isn’t a gambling/betting show per se, they couldn’t help but take a peek at the odds for Super Bowl and individual awards, and identify the best longshots for who might lift the Lombardi or win MVP this season.Have a question for the show? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI, @JennyVrentas or @ConorOr Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: htt

Jenny, Conor and Gary rip open the mailbag one more time before the regular season starts, and everyone is talking about Mac Jones. Or, at least three people are talking about Mac Jones toward the top of the show.After that, a buffalo wing heat index on everyone’s darkhorse picks, a discussion of what homefield advantage means, whether the Fangio/Staley-style defenses age better than the Seattle-style Cover-3 did, our favorite stats, and what non-special teams positions we could survive playing for a single play in the NFL.Plus, running down your nickname suggestions as Conor and Gary truly lose it in a moment of—depending on your perspective—anti-comedy or non-comedy. And the dramatic reveal of the question very few have been asking: Why were the division preview shows ordered the way they were?Have a question for the show? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI, @JennyVrentas or @ConorO Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcirc

The division preview series reaches its terrifying conclusion, as all eyes (or at least those of Jenny, Conor and Gary) turn to the NFC North.After an offseason of turmoil, Aaron Rodgers is back and the Packers are the prohibitive favorites to win the division. But how far will they go? That will depend heavily on the new defensive boss in town.As for the rest of the division: Lots of talk about Justin Fields, and a little more talk about what the Bears defense needs to do to return to 2018 levels. In Minnesota, some new faces in the secondary and some frustration with the quarterback. And in Detroit, a shorthanded defense and mild passing game, but a game-changing blocker and a kneecap-biting, coffee-chugging coach that should keep things interesting.Plus, the thrilling conclusion of Division Preview Mad Libs!, our predictions for order of finish, “Super Bowl or Not,” and much more!Have a question for the mailbag show next week? Dare to make one final guess on how we’ve ordered these division previews? Email

Chapter 7 of the Division Preview Series Octology delves deep into the AFC South, but the show starts with a look at the past week’s headlines as training camps got underway.Jenny, Conor and Gary discuss Aaron Rodgers doing exactly what everyone thought he would do and not coming away with a whole lot to show for his effort. Also, a larger look at how the new CBA has turned holdouts into hold-ins, including a more specific look at the Xavien Howard trade demand in Miami.As far as the AFC South goes, a lot of talk about whether the Colts can make it work offensively, the impact of Bud Dupree’s arrival and Arthur Smith’s departure on the Titans, just what should be expected out of the Jaguars considering Urban Meyer has an exciting quarterback and maybe not-so-exciting coaching staff, and the Texans figure to have an active punter. You can read the definitive Deshaun Watson story, referred to in this episode, here: https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/05/21/new-information-proper-context-for-deshaun-watson-sexual-miscon

As the world turns and the Division Preview Series moves on, Jenny, Conor and Gary turn their attention to the NFC South, home of the defending Super Bowl champions, the NFL’s strangest QB situation, the most challenging reclamation project in the league, and… also the Falcons.Just how good was the Bucs offense last season? And if the answer is “not as good as you remember it being,” can we expect this year’s edition to be better than last year’s champions?Jameis? Taysom? Ian? Who should start at quarterback for the Saints this fall, and what does Sean Payton have to do to keep this team on top?A discussion of what the Panthers can hope for from Sam Darnold and from an intriguing young defense, and whether the Falcons—who consider themselves to be in “win-now” mode—should truly be in “win-now” mode.Also, an official end to the term “quarterback whisperer”—you are banned from using it—our weekly Mad Libs, predicted order of finish and more!Have a question for a future mailbag? Dare to guess how we’ve ordered t

The Division Preview series moves on to the AFC West, where Jenny, Conor and Gary wanted to talk about pretty much everything except Patrick Mahomes.The Chiefs are penciled in as heavy favorites again, but who will emerge as their top challenger within the division? A look at why expectations for the Chargers should be high for reasons that go beyond Justin Herbert. The Broncos have the pass rush and the secondary is shaping up for a bounceback season—the question is whether the offense can keep this from becoming Vic Fangio’s last stand.But most of the show is devoted to shouting about Jon Gruden, still looking for his first playoff berth since signing that mega-deal to take over the Las Vegas Raiders. Now that they’ve re-acquired a potential game-altering pass rusher in Yannick Ngakoue, does Gruden have the pieces to get to the postseason?Plus, our weekly Mad Libs, predicted order of finish and more!Have a question for a future mailbag? Dare to guess how we’ve ordered these division previews? Email themmqb@

As the division preview series moves on, Jenny, Conor and Gary arrive at the NFC East, the division with nowhere to go but up.A discussion of Ryan Fitzpatrick—maybe the missing piece, maybe a ticking time bomb—in Washington, and just how good the Football Team defense was and can be. A look at the kinda-but-not-really make-or-break year for Daniel Jones and Jason Garrett, now that the Giants have upgraded their weapons. The Cowboys bring back Dak—and bring in Hard Knocks—but it’s the re-re-made defense that will decide Dallas’s fate. And what exactly is going on with the Eagles’ weird treatment of Jalen Hurts, who they seem already resigned to move on from as soon as they can?Plus, more Mad Libs, our NFC East predictions poll, an absolutely irresponsible comparison between the 2020 Bucs and the 2021 Football Team, and plenty more.Have a question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/br

Chapter 3 of the Division Preview Octology has arrived, as Jenny, Conor and Gary break down all things AFC East.Bill Belichick has his hand-picked QB and some old friends on the defensive side of the ball as the Patriots redemption tour gets underway; how good they can be, and a much-needed reset of the draft-season narrative on Mac Jones. Plus, Brian Daboll looks for a repeat performance with Josh Allen while Greg Rousseau brings a fascinating piece to Buffalo's defense, the Dolphins brought in some new kinds of weapons for Tua, and everything you want to know and more about the Jets' offensive line (now featuring Morgan Moses!).Plus, more incremental improvement from Conor on the latest edition of Mad Libs, and sorting out just which of these teams should be thinking Super Bowl contention, playoff contention, or neither.Have a question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/br

The Division Preview Series moves on to the bluebloods of the NFC West, where all the most interesting QB-coach marriages live.What do Jenny, Conor and Gary make of the upgrade from Jared Goff to Matthew Stafford? Does this ramp up the pressure on Sean McVay? Does Les Snead catch some heat if a thin defense falls apart? And is anything less than a Super Bowl acceptable for the Rams?A look at Trey Lance and all the many reasons this isn't like the RG3-Kyle Shanahan setup in Washington. Examining the Seahawks' search for answers with a Russell Wilson-centric offense, and finding a solution for Jamal Adams on defense. And does Kliff Kingsbury's offense have anything beyond a cool name—and could Rondale Moore be the alcohol that spikes the red Kool-Aid?Plus, our preseason poll for order of finish, a division preview Mad Libs-style, Conor's anti-bucket list, lots of powdered beverages and so much more.Have a question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com Learn more about your ad-choices at