Football 301

In today's episode of Football 301, Nate Tice and Matt Harmon break down the latest NFL coaching hires and what they mean for the future of the league. The duo starts off by breaking down the high-profile hiring of Ben Johnson, the new Chicago Bears head coach. Harmon and Tice explore what Johnson’s arrival could mean for future Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, and whether the young signal caller can thrive in a system tailored to his strengths.Next, the guys analyze the return of Mike Vrabel to the New England Patriots, where he’ll work to reinstate his tough, no-nonsense culture. Tice and Harmon discuss how Vrabel, fresh off a stint with the Tennessee Titans, will reshape a Patriots squad that’s been in transition, especially after a lackluster 2024 season. Next, the duo take a closer look at the most exciting assistant coach hires across the league, including Lou Anarumo as the Indianapolis Colts’ DC and Jeff Ulbrich as the Atlanta Falcons’ defensive coordinator.Finally, the podcast wraps up by exploring the league’s five remaining head coach openings, including the New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys and more, as Tice and Harmon break down the frontrunners for each opening.(1:35) - Bears hire HC Ben Johnson(22:00) - Patriots hire HC Mike Vrabel(34:10) - Favorite assistant coach hires(54:50) - Latest news on the remaining HC openingsSubscribe to Football 301 on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/46gILkF🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3A4mYAD 📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT

Championship matchups are set and Nate Tice and Charles McDonald are here to break down the Divisional Round, starting with Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills getting the best of the Baltimore Ravens. Lamar Jackson and Mark Andrews committed some pivotal turnovers to send the Bills to the AFC Championship vs. the Kansas City Chiefs.Later on, the guys discuss Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles defense taking care of defense vs. Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams. They also question how far Jalen Hurts can take Philly’s passing game with receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith not getting the ball as much as expected. Next the Eagles will face their NFC East rivals, the Washington Commanders, who pulled off the stunning upset of the Detroit Lions behind the spectacular play of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Nate and Charles lament the mistakes made by the Lions, including Jared Goff’s four turnovers.Finally, they break down the Kansas City Chiefs beating the Houston Texans and discuss the ongoing discourse about the way Patrick Mahomes is treated by the referees.(1:34) Bills 27 def. Ravens 25(13:38) Eagles 28 def. Rams 22(28:43) Commanders 45 def. Lions 31(41:19) Chiefs 23 def. Texans 14🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

Nate Tice and Charles McDonald dive deep into every matchup of the Divisional Round, looking at both sides of the ball for the remaining eight playoff teams. They kick the pod off with the Houston Texans visiting the reigning two-time Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Can the struggling Texans offensive line protect C.J. Stroud against Chris Jones and the Chiefs defense? And will the Texans defense follow up their impressive Wild Card performance with an encore against Patrick Mahomes? Next, the Washington Commanders take on the Detroit Lions, fresh off their bye. They question whether Jayden Daniels' tendency towards late game heroics will be enough to get the best of Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.The guys also take a look at the Los Angeles Rams matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles and whether LA's young defensive core can do enough to slow down Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley. Finally, the hosts dive into the Baltimore Ravens vs. the Buffalo Bills and the battle of MVP favorites Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. Which superstar will prevail?(2:20) Houston Texans @ Kansas City Chiefs(22:10) Washington Commanders @ Detroit Lions(35:05) Los Angeles Rams @ Philadelphia Eagles(46:50) Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo BillsSubscribe to Football 301 on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/46gILkF🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3A4mYAD

In this episode of Football 301, hosts Nate Tice and Matt Harmon dive into the aftermath of Wild Card Weekend, offering every team that took an L in the Wild Card round both a full postmortem and a potential offseason plan. They begin by revisiting the Minnesota Vikings' season, highlighting Sam Darnold's commendable but ultimately unsuccessful stint as quarterback. Matt likens Darnold's Vikings tenure to Game of Thrones' tragic Robb Stark, while Nate dissects the ongoing issues with Minnesota’s offensive line and the team's need for drastic improvements.Next, the duo shifts focus to the Los Angeles Chargers, who just didn't have the juice to hang against the Houston Texans. Nate points out how the Chargers' reliance on star power left them vulnerable, and the Texans’ dominant defensive line exposed their shortcomings. But it’s not all doom and gloom for the Chargers, as the team has solid foundations to build on. The conversation shifts to the Green Bay Packers, where the young roster showed flashes but ultimately couldn't put together consistent performances. Matt and Nate break down the need for a clearer offensive identity. The duo also hit on the Pittsburgh Steelers, who need to take a look in the mirror after yet another early playoff exit.The episode wraps up with a look at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Denver Broncos. Matt questions whether Tampa's offense can sustain its momentum, particularly with impending changes at offensive coordinator. Despite Bowles' underperforming defense, the Buccaneers could still be a threat in a weak NFC South. Meanwhile, the Broncos’ season is viewed as a success, given their offensive turnaround. Nate and Matt discuss how Denver's strong defense and improving offense could set them up for a brighter future.(2:20) - Vikings(24:30) - Chargers(36:50) - Packers(48:10) - Steelers(56:45) - Buccaneers(1:07:25) - BroncosSubscribe to Football 301 on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/46gILkF🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3A4mYAD 📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT

With five of six Wild Card games over and done, Nate Tice and Charles McDonald break down the first round of NFL playoff action. They kick things off discussing rookie phenom Jayden Daniels’ impressive road performance over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to lead the Washington Commanders to their first playoff win in 20 years, with help from a doink in walk-off field goal from Zane Gonzalez. Next, they talk about the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense showing up to send the Green Bay Packers packing.Later in the show, the guys discuss Josh Allen and James Cook running all over the Denver Broncos, as the Buffalo Bills dominated on the ground and in the air. They also discuss the Baltimore Ravens, who got out to an early lead over the Pittsburgh Steelers and never let their foot off the gas, with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry going off for two touchdowns each.They close out the show with the Houston Texans’ win over the Los Angeles Chargers as Houston’s defense comes up huge to intercept Justin Herbert four times and C.J. Stroud playing a solid game as they eye a divisional matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs.(2:19) Commanders 23 def. Buccaneers 20(9:08)  Eagles 22 def. Packers 10(20:50) Bills 31 def. Broncos 7(29:54) Ravens 28 def. Steelers 14(42:13) Texans 32 def. Chargers 12🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

In this absolutely packed episode of Football 301, Nate Tice and Charles McDonald break down every matchup heading into Wild Card weekend, offering insights into how playoff contenders are shaping up and which teams might be in trouble. First up is the Los Angeles Chargers at Houston Texans, featuring a crucial QB battle between Justin Herbert and CJ Stroud. Will the Chargers offense—built for a smash-mouth style—be able to dominate the Texans' struggling defense, or will Stroud find a way to get his team back on track despite numerous injuries? Next, the Baltimore Ravens take on the Pittsburgh Steelers, where Russell Wilson will have to hunt for explosive passes to keep up with one of the best offenses in the NFL.The hosts also tackle the Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos. Can Jordan Love rise to the challenge against Philadelphia's elite defense, or will the Eagles' depth prove too much? Meanwhile, the Bills are facing their own struggles against the Broncos, especially on defense, as Nate points out the advantage Denver's screen game might have over Buffalo's shaky defense.Later, the Washington Commanders face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with Charles and Nate breaking down what might be a classic hoss fight between two strong units. Can Vita Vea single-handedly shift the game for Tampa Bay? Finally, Nate and Charles dive into the Minnesota Vikings heading south to take on the Los Angeles Rams, where Matthew Stafford has the ingredients to keep up in what could be a shootout.(2:50) - Los Angeles Chargers @ Houston Texans(20:35) - Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens(30:00) - Denver Broncos @ Buffalo Bills(43:55) - Green Bay Packers @ Philadelphia Eagles(1:01:40) - Washington Commanders @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers(1:18:40) - Minnesota Vikings @ Los Angeles RamsSubscribe to Football 301 on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/46gILkF🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3A4mYAD 📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT

In this episode of Football 301, Nate Tice, Matt Harmon and Charles McDonald bring you their picks for end-of-season awards. From MVP to the best assistant coach, the trio debates the key players and coaches that defined the 2024 NFL season.The MVP race was tight, as the trio debate between Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. As the discussion shifts to Offensive Player of the Year, Saquon Barkley’s historic 2,000-yard season gives him a very strong case, though Ja'Marr Chase’s Triple Crown performance puts him in consideration. On the defensive side, Patrick Surtain II stood out as the top contender for Defensive Player of the Year with his lockdown play, while Dan Campbell's leadership and resilience in Detroit is compared to Kevin O'Connell's unbelievable turnaround of Sam Darnold's career in Minnesota for the Coach of the Year award.The episode also includes debates over Assistant Coach of the Year, with Aaron Glenn's impressive defensive turnaround in Detroit and Joe Gilbert’s work with the Carolina Panthers' offensive line both getting major props. Meanwhile, the Executive of the Year conversation highlighted the impressive work of Jason Licht for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Brad Holmes for the Detroit Lions, turning around their teams with savvy draft picks and trades. Wrapping things up, the guys discuss the candidates for Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year, including Jayden Daniels, Brock Bowers, Quinyon Mitchell, Jared Verse, Nate Wiggins and more.(3:00) - Most Valuable Player(11:15) - Offensive Player of the Year(18:25) - Defensive Player of the Year(28:10) - Coach of the Year(36:20) - Assistant Coach of the Year(45:05) - Executive of the Year(54:20) - Offensive Rookie of the Year(59:45) - Defensive Rookie of the YearSubscribe to Football 301 on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/46gILkF🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3A4mYAD 📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT

The 2024 NFL regular season is finally in the books and the blockbuster Sunday night finale between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings was a bit more lopsided than anticipated. Jared Goff and the Lions secured an overwhelming 31-9 victory in which Jahmyr Gibbs scored 4 touchdowns and the Vikings offense never got comfortable.Nate Tice and Charles McDonald break down the biggest storylines from the end of Week 18, leading off with Detroit securing both the NFC North crown and home field advantage through the playoffs. Next, they talk about the Denver Broncos blowing out the Kansas City Chiefs backups in order to punch their ticket into the AFC playoffs and how this came at the expense of the Cincinnati Bengals, who beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday.In the latter half of the show, the guys check in on the NFC South, where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers secured another division title and the Atlanta Falcons blowing a game in overtime to the Carolina Panthers.In a surprisingly swift bit of news, the New England Patriots fired head coach Jerod Mayo after just a single season after he had reportedly been the head coach in waiting for a number of years. Charles and Nate criticize the Patriots ownership and front office with the decision making and wonder if Mike Vrabel or Ben Johnson could be the next HC in Foxboro.Closing out the show, the run through some quick topics including the Tennessee Titans securing the top pick in this April's NFL draft, Trey Lance getting the start in Dallas over Cooper Rush and Tanner McKee looking solid in relief of Jalen Hurts in a Philadelphia Eagles win over the Giants.(0:32) - Detroit Lions soundly win NFC North(13:20) - Broncos get AFC 7th seed over Bengals & Dolphins(27:15) - Buccaneers secure NFC South, another Falcons flameout(41:25) - New England Patriots fire HC Jerod Mayo(48:50) - Quick hits: Titans, Eagles, Trey Lance🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

In this episode of Football 301, Nate Tice and Charles McDonald dive deep into the high-stakes drama of Week 18, breaking down the biggest matchups across the NFL, including the highly anticipated showdown between the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions. With the 1 seed on the line, Nate and Charles preview what should be a hoss fight for the ages. Will the Lions' defense, dealing with significant injuries, hold up against the explosive Vikings offense led by Justin Jefferson? And can Minnesota's aggressive defense stop the Lions' grinding run game? The guys explore these matchups and more as they analyze what makes this game a must-watch.Beyond the NFC North, the hosts touch on the Cincinnati Bengals' looming clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers, with playoff seeding and potential departures (including Tee Higgins’ future) looming large. Nate and Charles also give their take on the Kansas City Chiefs battling the Denver Broncos, with some lighthearted banter about backup quarterbacks and a fun tangent about Carson Wentz's unorthodox presence on the field. The duo also give their thoughts and predictions on the Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints matchups.As always, the crew wraps up with a mailbag question, where Charles gives his recommendations for books to read if you want to learn more about schemes and football terminology.(3:50) - Vikings @ Lions(41:15) - Bengals @ Steelers(46:10) - Falcons @ Panthers(53:20) - Chiefs @ Broncos(58:40) - Saints @ Buccaneers(1:05:00) - Mailbag question of the weekSubscribe to Football 301 on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/46gILkF🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3A4mYAD 📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT

In this episode of Football 301, Nate Tice and Matt Harmon are ringing in the New Year with their resolutions for NFL teams as the playoff race heats up. Matt's resolutions focus on teams in the playoffs, while Nate takes aim at franchises that are in need of some serious soul-searching.First, the guys tackle the red-hot Minnesota Vikings, who are gearing up for a crucial Sunday night game. Matt admits to regretting his past doubts about Sam Darnold, while Nate discusses how Darnold’s recent performances are reshaping the team’s future. From there, they turn their attention to the New England Patriots, discussing the lack of supporting talent around rookie QB Drake Maye and the need for a drastic roster overhaul. They also dive into the Detroit Lions’ identity, where Coach Dan Campbell's aggressive philosophy is clearly paying off.Next, they touch on the Chicago Bears, who have a lot of work to do, particularly in finding a long-term solution at center to help their young QB Caleb Williams. The conversation shifts to teams in need of renovation or a redefined sense of direction. The Los Angeles Rams need a refresh on offense with more speed and explosiveness, while the Indianapolis Colts seem stuck in the muck, lacking defensive leadership. On the flip side, Matt and Nate give props to the Houston Texans for their surprising playoff berth but caution that they may have overestimated their readiness for a deep run. Meanwhile, the Green Bay Packers might need to trim the fat in their offense, and the Las Vegas Raiders must decide whether to commit to a long-term plan or continue with their half-measure approach. The episode wraps up with a look at the San Francisco 49ers, who need to eat their vegetables.(2:15) - Minnesota Vikings(11:05) - New England Patriots(19:40) - Detroit Lions(24:40) - Chicago Bears(30:40) - Los Angeles Rams(38:05) - Indianapolis Colts(45:05) - Houston Texans(54:50) - Green Bay Packers(1:02:50) - Las Vegas Raiders(1:07:10) - San Francisco 49ersSubscribe to Football 301 on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/46gILkF🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3A4mYAD 📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT

One more week left in the 2024 regular season and the playoff picture (and first pick in the draft picture) is coming into shape. Nate Tice and Charles McDonald discuss the five biggest results from Week 17's Saturday and Sunday action, leading off with the Minnesota Vikings' well-earned divisional win over the Green Bay Packers.Nate & Charles discuss how Sam Darnold's play and Kevin O'Connor's scheming always kept Green Bay a step behind and why the Packers defense is not quite up to the task of stopping an elite Super Bowl-contending offense.Speaking of elite, the guys look back to Saturday and look at the Los Angeles Rams' 13-9 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Nate explains why sophomore receiver Puka Nacua has entered the top-tier of NFL wideouts and why his play the last two seasons is basically unparalleled from a statistical perspective.Also on Saturday, the Cincinnati Bengals eked out an overtime win over the Denver Broncos, keeping their playoff hopes alive. The guys talk about Joe Burrow's MVP case and how the Broncos still may backpedal into the playoffs against a Kansas City Chiefs team that will likely rest their starters next weekend.Closing out the show, they chat about Drew Lock and the New York Giants extinguishing the Indianapolis Colts' playoff hopes and Saquon Barkley's 2,000-yard season in a Philadelphia win over the Dallas Cowboys.(1:50) - Vikings take out Packers(12:10) - Puka's elite status in Rams win(24:40) - Burrow keeps Bengals playoff hopes alive(30:25) - Drew Lock extinguishes Colts(37:40) - Saquon hits 2k yards over Dallas(40:35) - Week 17 game balls 🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

As we enter the penultimate week of the NFL season, Nate Tice and Charles McDonald are back to break down all the action from a festive—but somewhat underwhelming—set of Christmas games before deep diving on the most interesting matchups to look forward to this weekend. The duo kicks things off by revisiting the Kansas City Chiefs' dominant win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, where despite some strong production value, the game got blown open as the Chiefs appeared to be entering postseason mode. The show then pivots to a tough reality check for the Houston Texans, who were completely outclassed by the Baltimore Ravens. While CJ Stroud did his best, the Texans’ glaring weakness in the trenches is hard to ignore, and Nate has some strong thoughts on their offensive line struggles.Next, Nate and Charles deep dive on the Denver Broncos @ Cincinnati Bengals matchup—a defensive hoss fight that features some of the league's top talent, including Ja'Marr Chase and Patrick Surtain II, and preview an intriguing Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings game where defensive adjustments will likely determine the outcome.As the episode rounds out, the guys tackle a high-stakes game for the Atlanta Falcons, who need a win against the Washington Commanders to keep their playoff hopes alive, and a double slop watch featuring the Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles and the Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The duo wrap up with a mailbag question, as Nate and Charles dissect the complexities of motion in the NFL and why some teams choose not to use it very often.(2:55) - Chiefs beat Steelers 29-10(11:35) - Ravens beat Texans 31-2(23:05) - Denver Broncos @ Cincinnati Bengals(33:05) - Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings(49:00) - Atlanta Falcons @ Washington Commanders(59:50) - Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles(1:03:30) - Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers(1:07:20) - Mailbag question of the weekSubscribe to Football 301 on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/46gILkF🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3A4mYAD 📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT

Week 16's biggest fireworks were in the NFC East, where the Philadelphia Eagles' 10-game win streak was put to a halt by Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders. The Eagles have looked unstoppable since early October, but a Jalen Hurts concussion sent the team scrambling to find an offensive identity under backup QB Kenny Pickett. Despite five turnovers, the Daniels-led Commanders came back late to get a statement December win against a division rival.Nate Tice and Charles McDonald close the book on Week 16 with this Sunday's edition of the fifth quarter: the five games that intrigued them the most. In addition to the Commanders-Eagles tilt, the guys discuss the Minnesota Vikings staying atop the NFC leaderboards with a win in Seattle, Michael Penix's first start with a solid 34-7 win for the Atlanta Falcons over the New York Giants and close out with the two Saturday games: the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs taking home big conference wins with two games left in the regular season.Closing out the show, the guys hand their game balls out to a pair of offensive masterpiece performers in Minnesota's Justin Jefferson and the Colts' Jonathan Taylor.(1:35) - Commanders defeat Eagles after Hurts goes down(8:25) - Vikings retain tie atop NFC North after win over Seattle(16:15) - Penix's debut in Falcons win over Giants(22:10) - Ravens even up season series against Steelers(27:35) - Chiefs get to 14 wins(31:15) - Game Balls 🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 

In this week’s action-packed episode of Football 301, hosts Nate Tice and Charles McDonald deep dive into the best matchups of Week 16, including a full breakdown of the weekend’s slop watch games and heavyweight matchups. First, Tice and McDonald open with a report on the New York Jets, whose dysfunction continues to spiral, especially with owner Woody Johnson reportedly nixing a trade for Jerry Jeudy because of his Madden ratings. The conversation takes a turn as C Mac reflects on the bizarre, unhinged decisions Johnson has been making for years and how the team’s dysfunction has only worsened over time.From there, the guys shift to some of Week 16's most intriguing games, including the New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons on slop watch, where Charles questions why Kirk Cousins wasn’t benched sooner, and Tice outlines what to watch for with Michael Penix Jr. in his first NFL start. Nate also mentions a New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills matchup that promises an intriguing duel between rookie QB Drake Maye and Josh Allen before the duo turn their attention to the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens automatic hoss fight. With George Pickens out, the Steelers' offense looks in peril – will they be able to keep up with Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ stout run defense? The Washington Commanders are taking on the Philadelphia Eagles, where they will look to improve upon their woes from the last matchup.Finally, McDonald and Tice wrap up with their analysis of Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs, where Patrick Mahomes' ankle injury could spell trouble for KC, and a Minnesota Vikings vs. Seattle Seahawks clash that promises explosiveness as both teams deal with key injuries. Finally, Nate and Charles wrap up with two mailbag questions, including thoughts on Jaxon Dart as a potential NFL prospect.(2:20) - Woody Johnson & the Jets' dysfunction(10:00) - New York Giants @ Atlanta Falcons(23:10) - Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens(32:55) - Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Commanders(41:00) - Houston Texans @ Kansas City Chiefs(55:00) - Minnesota Vikings @ Seattle Seahawks(1:07:30) - Mailbag questions of the weekSubscribe to Football 301 on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/46gILkF🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3A4mYAD 📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT

In this jam-packed episode of Football 301, hosts Nate Tice and Matt Harmon break down each top NFL contender's biggest concern that could send them home early in January.The Buffalo Bills kick things off, fresh off a big win. The offense is as dynamic as ever, while the defense—specifically the run defense—might be their Achilles' heel, especially when facing a physical team like the Baltimore Ravens. From there, the conversation turns to the Philadelphia Eagles, where Jalen Hurts' consistency in the passing game is a concern. The Kansas City Chiefs also come under the microscope, where a lack of downfield explosiveness and pass protection problems have made Patrick Mahomes and company more efficient than flashy.Next, the Detroit Lions’ injury woes have raised major red flags, but their high-powered offense may still be enough to overcome these setbacks. The Minnesota Vikings continue to live and die by big plays, while the Ravens have quietly improved their defense, but one wrinkle in their pass coverage continues to be a weakness. Along the way, the guys hit on other teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Houston Texans, each with their own set of glaring questions heading into the postseason. Will Baker Mayfield’s hot streak last in Tampa Bay? Can the Texans offense improve enough to compete in January? The duo wrap up with some quick-hit thoughts on the other likely playoff teams.(2:10) - Buffalo Bills(9:10) - Philadelphia Eagles(16:20) - Kansas City Chiefs(26:25) - Detroit Lions(32:15) - Baltimore Ravens(38:05) - Minnesota Vikings(47:50) - Pittsburgh Steelers(53:00) - Tampa Bay Buccaneers(57:40) - Houston Texans(1:02:40) - Lightning roundSubscribe to Football 301 on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/46gILkF🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3A4mYAD 📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT

The Buffalo Bills dropped over 40 points for the second time in two weeks...only this time they won! 48 points was certainly enough to do it in another explosive performance from MVP frontrunner Josh Allen and this Bills squad, this time surviving a ping-pong game against the Detroit Lions where Jared Goff's nearly 500 yards of passing just was too little too late.Nate Tice & Charles McDonald break down Bills/Lions as well as the four other best games of the week, including another win for the Philadelphia Eagles, this time over the cross-state sometimes-rival Pittsburgh Steelers, bringing Jalen Hurts' birds squad to 12-2. The guys also discuss a Denver Broncos win that was all about momentum after a costly Jonathan Taylor goal-line fumble, the Washington Commanders fighting off a late rally from the New Orleans Saints and a Cincinnati Bengals win over the Tennessee Titans that was about as messy of a game as you'll see all year.Closing the show, the guys give out their Week 15 Game Balls to a pair of defenders who changed the course of their games.(0:35) - Bills take down Lions in 90-pt offensive wonder(9:45) - Eagles prove Steelers offense isn't enough(17:05) - Colts melt down against Broncos(23:05) - Commanders hold off late Saints rally(28:45) - Bengals/Titans was ludicrously sloppy(33:10) - Week 15 Game Balls🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

In this action-packed episode of Football 301, Nate Tice and Charles McDonald dive deep into the most intriguing matchups of NFL Week 15. They kick things off by discussing the surprising news of Bill Belichick heading to UNC—Charles is skeptical about the challenge ahead for Belichick at a program with a poor recruiting class. Can coaching scheme make up for a lack of talent? Then, it’s on to the Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills, where Charles and Nate break down the matchup between Josh Allen and the Lions defense. With Allen’s prowess against man coverage and the Bills’ strength in the run game, can the Lions hold their ground?After the break, it’s time for a hoss fight as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head to LA to face off against the Los Angeles Chargers. Both teams have been defined by their physicality, and this matchup promises to deliver some fierce battles in the trenches. Nate and Charles also dive into Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Philadelphia Eagles, breaking down what’s become an unlikely "slop watch" game. Can Jalen Hurts and the Eagles overpower a Steelers team led by Mike Tomlin, or will Pittsburgh’s scrappy defense find a way to keep it close?The guys continue with predictions for Indianapolis Colts vs. Denver Broncos, a game that could have major playoff implications for both teams. Can Anthony Richardson take on a top-tier defense like Denver’s? Next, Charles and Nate break down Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks, with both teams fighting to assert themselves as true playoff contenders in the NFC. Who will come out on top—Jordan Love and the Packers’ high-flying offense or Geno Smith and the explosive Seahawks’ defense? Finally, the duo end with the mailbag question of the week on the pros and cons of spot drop and man-match coverage.(2:20) - Thoughts on UNC hiring Bill Belichick(7:45) - Buffalo Bills @ Detroit Lions(22:40) - Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Los Angeles Chargers(31:10) - Pittsburgh Steelers @ Philadelphia Eagles(42:15) - Indianapolis Colts @ Denver Broncos(48:35) - Green Bay Packers @ Seattle Seahawks(1:00:10) - Mailbag of the week: spot drop vs. man-match coverageSubscribe to Football 301 on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/46gILkF🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3A4mYAD 📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT

In this episode of Football 301, Nate Tice and Matt Harmon take a deep dive into the 2024 NFL rookie class, breaking down the highs, lows, and everything in between. From quarterbacks like Caleb Williams, whose start with the Chicago Bears has been filled with ups and downs, to offensive lineman like Joe Alt, the guys evaluate how these rookies are performing and what we can expect moving forward.Nate and Matt analyze Caleb Williams’ struggles with pressure and sacks in Chicago, acknowledging that the Bears’ disastrous season makes it hard to fully evaluate him. Meanwhile, Jayden Daniels has been a revelation for the Washington Commanders, impressing with his football IQ and his blossoming connection with Terry McLaurin. Nate and Matt also dive into the impressive start from Drake Maye, despite a lack of talent around him, and Bo Nix, who’s been aggressive with the deep ball but still has room to improve his pocket presence.The guys also look at the receiver class, noting that while Ladd McConkey has been the most consistent performer, it’s still early for many of the top draft picks. Despite some growing pains, they remain cautiously optimistic about the potential of late-round guys like Xavier Worthy and some slot receivers who haven’t quite hit their stride yet.Additionally, the guys highlight standout rookies at tight end, including Brock Bowers, who’s already making waves in the Las Vegas Raiders’ offense, and the impressive rookie offensive linemen, including JC Latham and Zach Frazier, who are living up to their first-round billing. The duo finish up with some rapid fire shoutouts on the defensive side of the ball.(3:50) - Caleb Williams(15:40) - Jayden Daniels(26:20) - Drake Maye(36:15) - Bo Nix(48:45) - Wide receivers(1:03:35) - Tight ends(1:08:20) - Running backs(1:13:00) - Offensive line(1:22:50) - DefenseSubscribe to Football 301 on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/46gILkF🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3A4mYAD

Nate Tice & Charles McDonald fire up the Football 301 fifth quarter with a look at four excellent games from Week 14's Sunday slate and one game that will have Chicago Bears fans wearing a bag over their heads.The guys kick things off with the epic 44-42 carnival show in Los Angeles where the Buffalo Bills fell narrowly to the L.A. Rams in the inter-conference tilt. Both Matthew Stafford and Josh Allen looked excellent, and while only one team got the win, the guys explain that the Bills don't have too much to worry about, aside from seeding in the AFC playoffs.Nate and Charles also discuss the Seattle Seahawks extending their NFC West lead with a win over the Arizona Cardinals, Sam Darnold throwing for 5 touchdowns in a 42-21 Minnesota Vikings win over the Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers staying frisky in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.Closing out the show, the duo share a mind-bogglingly terrible stat from the Chicago Bears loss and give out their game balls for Week 14.(2:25) - Rams knock down Bills in 44-42 thriller(12:20) - Seahawks extend NFC West lead over Cardinals(20:45) - Falcons fall to Vikings in huge Darnold game(29:30) - Eagles survive frisky Panthers team(39:00) - Bad Bears stat & Week 14 game balls🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

In this episode of Football 301, Nate Tice and Charles McDonald dive into their Week 14 preview, highlighting one thing to watch in every game. With playoff hopes on the line for many teams, the guys break down what to expect from a slate of games featuring struggling offenses and elite defenses.They kick things off with the Cleveland Browns visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers, where Charles thinks 6.5 points is too low for the Steelers given the Browns' ongoing offensive struggles. Nate also highlights Russell Wilson’s aging but effective play as a key factor in Pittsburgh's recent success. From there, the discussion shifts to an AFC East matchup between the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, with the Jets’ defense starting to unravel after Robert Saleh’s firing and Miami trying to find momentum to bring into the offseason.The “Hoss Fight of the Week” features the Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals. Nate highlights the improving Seahawks defense, led by Ernest Jones, while Charles wonders if Seattle’s pass-heavy offense is sustainable long-term. Over in Carolina, Bryce Young faces his toughest test yet against the Philadelphia Eagles, with both guys wondering if the Carolina Panthers can keep up against the Eagles’ elite defense.Later, the guys look at the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs, where Nate points to the potential impact of DJ Humphries' start at left tackle for Kansas City and predicts a big game for Chargers' receiver Ladd McConkey, before diving into a Slop Watch as the Jacksonville Jaguars take on the Tennessee Titans and hitting the mailbag question of the week.(2:20) - Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers(8:30) - Las Vegas Raiders @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers(13:50) - New York Jets @ Miami Dolphins(19:20) - Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals(26:25) - Atlanta Falcons @ Minnesota Vikings(32:40) - Buffalo Bills @ Los Angeles Rams(36:50) - New Orleans Saints @ New York Giants(39:45) - Chicago Bears @ San Francisco 49ers(42:35) - Carolina Panthers @ Philadelphia Eagles(47:45) - Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs(51:40) - Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans(56:05) - Cincinnati Bengals @ Dallas Cowboys(59:40) - Are nickel corners corners?Subscribe to Football 301 on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/46gILkF🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3A4mYAD 📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuT