Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre

Latest Episodes:

Bad Football is Still Good, What Kyrie Irving and Antonio Brown Have in Common & Tuesday Night Best Bets Dec 21, 2021

Show notes

On today’s episode, Jason kick things off with a few thoughts on the Monday Night Football double-header that saw the Las Vegas Raiders beat the Cleveland Browns and the Minnesota Vikings beat the Chicago Bears. Neither game was particularly entertaining, but the mere fact that we had an extra game on Monday Night is still something to be celebrated. What’s more, as sports wagering and fantasy football becomes more mainstream, it gives fans an added reason to watch a game that they otherwise probably would not. Later, Producer Rob G explains why he believes the Kyrie Irving situation with the Brooklyn Nets and the Antonio Brown situation with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is actually pretty similar. In both instances, the powers that be had an about face towards their controversial superstars as soon as it became clear that they couldn't win without them. Would the Nets have allowed to become a part-time player if they felt they would win a title with just Kevin Durant and James Harden? Would the Bucs have welcomed AB back in the fold if Chris Godwin and Mike Evan were healthy? It's a fascinating discussion. Finally, Jason closes the show with a very special Thursday Night Football double-header Philadelphia Eagles vs Washington Football Team and Seattle Seahawks vs Los Angeles Rams edition of the Best Bet.

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Blueprint to Beat Brady and the Bucs, the NFL is Drunk on Analytics & the Ugly Truth About the Lakers Dec 20, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a deep dive into the New Orleans Saints' shutout victory over Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's clear over the last two seasons that Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen owns Brady, and may have single-handedly cost the GOAT his 4th MVP award. The Bucs better hope they don't end up facing New Orleans in the playoffs. Sticking in the NFC, the Green Bay Packers look like they'll be running away with the top overall seed in the playoffs thanks to yet another coach (Baltimore's John Harbaugh) getting drunk on analytics. The Ravens had a chance to steal a win over the Packers - with their backup quarterback, no less - but fumbled the bag with an ill-advised call to 'go for 2' late. It's clear that Harbaugh learned nothing from that Brandon Staley debacle on Thursday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Later, Jason throws a little love at Jonathan Taylor and the Indianapolis Colts after their big win on Saturday night over the New England Patriots. The Pats knew exactly what was coming... and they still couldn't stop Indy. The Colts know exactly who they are, and that makes them a very dangerous team should they make the postseason. On the flip side, the Dak Prescott-led Dallas Cowboys and the Ben Roethlisberger-led Pittsburgh Steelers both seem to be dealing with a crisis of identity. The Cowboys have worlds of talent on offense but they've been getting bailed out by their defense over the past month, and the Steelers believe they're a well-prepared team but their first halves say otherwise. After running though a series of Sunday headlines, Jason takes a minute to pour one out for all the Los Angeles Lakers fans out there. Superstar big man Anthony Davis will miss at least a month with a knee injury, and now it's time to seriously consider the idea that they might not make the playoffs. The roster was already clunky to begin with (We're looking at you, Russell Westbrook), but all these injuries coupled with the COVID outbreak are starting to take their toll. Finally, Jason closes the show with a very special COVID-induced Monday Night Football double-header (Cleveland Browns vs Las Vegas Raiders / Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears) edition of the Best Bet.

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Stupid Decisions Doom the Chargers Against the Chiefs & NFL Week 15 Best Bets Dec 17, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode, Jason and Producer Rob G kicks things off with a full breakdown of the Kansas City Chiefs' overtime victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football. The Chargers had this game in hand and their head coach Brandon Staley blew it. Staley's decision to 'go for it' throughout the game rather than kick the field goal and take 3 points (on at least three separate occasions) doomed Los Angeles; There's a difference between being aggressive and being stupid - and Staley's choices were stupid. Had the Chargers kicked the field goal in any of those spots, they win the game. Heck, had they kicked the field goal in all of those spots they probably win in a blowout. With the AFC playoff race tightening up, the Chargers have to be kicking themselves this morning for letting this game slip away (pun intended). Finally, Jason closes the show with a very special NFL Week 15 edition of the Best Bet.

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A Mea Culpa on Urban Meyer, the TNF Best Bet + Bleacher Report NBA writer Jake Fischer Dec 16, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode, Jason kicks thing off with a few thoughts on the Jacksonville Jaguars decision to fire Urban Meyer (in the middle of the night). Few people were as high on the Meyer hire to begin with than J-Mac, so it's only fair that our fearless leader to make his medicine on this one. Urban wasn't just bad in Jacksonville, if you factor in all the off-the-field drama, he was arguably the worst coach in NFL history. Later, Bleacher Report NBA writer and author Jake Fischer swings by to discuss his report that the Los Angeles Lakers have internally discussed the idea of trading Russell Westbrook, why he doesn't actually expect the Lakers will be able to deal Westbrook, what kind of trade package the Philadelphia 76ers are looking for in any Ben Simmons trade, if should expect Damian Lillard to try and force his way out of Portland in the near future, how the play-in tournament could impact the futures of Zion Williamson and Bradley Beal, and much more! Finally, Jason closes the show with a Thursday Night Football Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers edition of the Best Bet.

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Steph Curry Story Time, Curry's Path to Top-10 All-Time + New York Jets beat writer Brian Costello Dec 15, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode, Jason celebrates Steph Curry becoming the NBA's all-time 3-point leader by sharing a few of his favorite Curry stories. Did you know that Steph was Jason's first ever guest on his previous podcast? Have we ever told you about the time Jason ran into Steph at a local gym and suggested that the Warriors should sign Giannis Antetokounmpo in free agency? In any event, Curry is one of the most respected and well-liked athletes in all of sports. Moreover, if he keeps up his current pace, there's an outside chance of him cracking the list of the top-10 players in NBA history. Later, New York Post New York Jets beat writer Brian Costello swings by to discuss why he's been so underwhelmed by rookie quarterback Zach Wilson this season, if we should expect to see left tackle Mekhi Becton back on the field any time soon, why it may take another 2-3 years before the Jets are a competitive team again, what's gone wrong for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills this season, why we shouldn't be surprised that Bill Belichick has been able to turn the New England Patriots around so quickly even without Tom Brady, and much more!

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Matthew Stafford Silences the Doubters & How Long Will Steph Curry's 3-Point Record Last? Dec 14, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a deep dive into the Los Angeles Rams' road win over the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football. It was a 'coming out party' of sorts for Matthew Stafford who finally showed that he's capable of beating elite teams. The knock on Stafford for most of his career was that his gaudy stats never actually translated to wins for the Detroit Lions. That narrative can officially be put to bed. Stafford went on the road against the top-seeded Cardinals and put on an incredible show. If he can duplicate this type of performance in the playoffs then the Rams can absolutely win the Super Bowl. On the flip side, it's hard not to have doubts about the Arizona Cardinals after this game. The Cardinals are a finesse team who by virtue of this loss may have to play a road playoff game in the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. Good luck with that. Moving over to college football, let's have a round of applause for Spencer Rattler who decided to take his talents from the cushy Big 12 (Oklahoma) to the rugged SEC (South Carolina). It's entirely possible that he gets exposed by the tough defenses he'll face week-to-week in the SEC, but you have to appreciate the willingness to challenge himself. Finally, Jason closes the show with a few thoughts on Steph Curry and his quest to break the all-time 3-point record. It's serendipitous that Curry is going to break the record at Madison Square Garden given that much of the buzz on Draft Night in 2009 was that the New York Knicks wanted to draft him. The only question at this point isn't whether or not he'll break the record, but rather, how long will it stand?

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Cowboys are Contenders, the Bills Look Busted & Lamar Jackson's Contract Conundrum Dec 13, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a deep dive into the Buffalo Bills' gut-punch loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tom Brady has the look of the presumptive MVP, but this was a game that the Bills desperately needed to keep pace in the AFC. Last season, Josh Allen and the Bills looked they had 'next' in the AFC. Now? They might miss the playoffs altogether. In the NFC, it's hard not be impressed by the Dallas Cowboys defense these days. With Demarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory finally back healthy, the Cowboys suddenly boast one of the most well-rounded defenses in all of football. If Dak Prescott and the offense can get back on track, Dallas should make some serious noise in the postseason. By the way, have you been paying attention to what the San Francisco 49ers have doing as of late? Jimmy Garoppolo has been rock-solid under center the last few weeks, and now the thought of a quarterback controversy in 2022 doesn't seem so farfetched anymore. Speaking of quarterback controversies, the Baltimore Ravens are in a tough spot when it comes to Lamar Jackson's contract extension. On one hand, a former MVP should be able to set the market on his next deal. On the other, Jackson still has room to grow as a pocket passer and it's hard to assume that teams would be falling over themselves to break the bank for him if he were to hit free agency. Finally, Jason closes the show with a very special Monday Night Football Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams edition of the Best Bet.

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The Vikings Went Full 'Vikings', NFL Week 14 Best Bets + Former NFL Scout Chris Landry Dec 10, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a few quick thoughts on the Minnesota Vikings wild victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football. Minnesota raced out to a 29-0 lead in the third quarter… and nearly gave it all back. Had Pat Freiermuth been able to hold on to the ball in the end zone on the last play of the game, Pittsburgh might have been able to steal this one in overtime. It was the most ‘Vikings’ game of all-time. The one positive that Minnesota can take from this game, though, is that Dalvin Cook looked great in his first game back from injury. The Vikings should be able to lean on Cook here down the home stretch. Later, former NFL Scout Chris Landry swings by to discuss what it was like working with Bill Belichick and Nick Saban on the Cleveland Browns staff back in the day, how Belichick and Saban's style of evaluating players differs, why so many NFL scouts - including himself - missed on Tom Brady coming out of college, why both the Bengals with Joe Burrow and the Chargers with Justin Herbert feel as though they got the best quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft, how University of Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett has elevated his draft stock this past season, why he doesn't expect any of the draft-eligible quarterbacks to have a first round grade this Spring, why Mac Jones has enjoyed more success as a rookie than guys like Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson, why he would be hesitant to give Baker Mayfield a big contract extension, and much more! Finally, Jason closes the show with a full NFL Week 14 edition of the Best Bet

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COVID Hits the Chargers + Former Pro Bowl linebacker Ryan Shazier Dec 09, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a few thoughts on the report that the Los Angeles Chargers could be without their two top wide receivers - Keenan Allen and Mike Williams - due to COVID. The Chargers were already one of the toughest teams to get a crack on this season, but this news makes it almost impossible. Even without Allen and Williams, Los Angeles should be able to beat a New York Giants squad down to their third-string quarterback... but we still can't recommend picking them in any Survivor pools this Sunday. Later, former Pro Bowl linebacker Ryan Shazier swings by to discuss the inspiration and writing process behind his new book 'Walking Miracle', why had no issue at all with the Baltimore Ravens decision to Go for 2 late in their loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, why he views the Cincinnati Bengals as the best team in the AFC North right now and has Joe Burrow - not Lamar Jackson - as the best quarterback in the division, what's next for Ben Roethlisberger after this season in Pittsburgh, why he believes that Michigan has a great chance to upset Georgia in the College Football Playoff, and much more! Finally, Jason closes the show with a Thursday Night Football Steelers vs Vikings edition of the Best Bet.

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Let the Lakers Live, Charles Barkley is a Hater & It's Time to Trade Damian Lillard Dec 08, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with lengthy discussion on the heels of the Los Angeles Lakers' primetime win over the Boston Celtics. Coming in to the game, the running narrative in basketball circles was that the Lakers' Big 3 of LeBron-AD-Westbrook was a bust and it would lead to Frank Vogel getting fired. Wait, what?! Did they forget that almost the entire Lakers roster is new? Or that we still haven't even seen a fully healthy roster? Or that LeBron has already missed half the games? Let them build a little continuity before you have an opinion. This rush to judgment about the Purple and Gold is laughable, and there may not be a bigger culprit in the national media than Charles Barkley. Chuck openly admits that he doesn't really watch the games or follow today's players, but even still he has no problem firing off wildly inaccurate hot takes on a weekly basis. Barkley is a hater, and he's only embarrassing himself here. Later, Jason does a deep dive into the ongoing soap opera between Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers. Earlier this summer the prevailing thought was that Lillard would force a trade out of town at some point this season. Now? According to reports, not only does Dame want to stay in Portland, he wants a massive contract extension and for the team to trade for Ben Simmons. Look, Lillard is a fantastic player, but the reality is that he's on the wrong side of 30 and he's shown nothing in his NBA career that would make you think he's capable of leading a team to a championship. It's why the Trail Blazers need to bite the bullet and explore trading Dame right now. Portland probably won't get a James Harden-level deal for Lillard, but they can absolutely get a collection of young talent and draft picks to start their rebuild. Finally, Jason closes the show with a few thoughts on the impending sale of the Denver Broncos. Rumor has it they'll fetch around $4 billion a sale; Not bad for a team who still doesn't have a quarterback!

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