The MMQB NFL Podcast

Latest Episodes:

On Antonio Brown and an Unusual Week 17 Jan 03, 2022

Show notes

The penultimate Sunday of the NFL regular season was the strangest Sunday of the NFL regular season, and nothing was more unusual than Antonio Brown walking out of MetLife Stadium during the third quarter of the Bucs-Jets game. Jenny, Conor and Gary discuss how we arrived at this point with Brown, how the Bucs could possibly justify bringing him in, defending some of his indefensible actions, then cutting him loose after what was a relatively minor incident compared to the rest of his history. What all of it says about Brown, the Bucs’ organization and the way the NFL handles players.

There was also plenty to talk about on the field, including Joe Burrow’s heroic performance in the Bengals’ division-clinching win over the Chiefs, the Cardinals defense rekindling concerns over Dak Prescott’s late-season performance, the Rams’ uneven win in Baltimore, the Raiders’ persistence in Indy, the Dolphins’ meltdown in Nashville, and the good and bad of Trey Lance’s second career start.

Plus, a fond farewell (though she’ll be returning as a guest) to our own Jenny Vrentas.

Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI, @JennyVrentas or @ConorOrr

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All About (Well, Mostly About) Mac Jones Dec 30, 2021

Show notes

Last spring he was the most polarizing quarterback in the NFL draft, a prolific collegiate passer who lacked the dynamic athleticism we’ve come to expect from this generation of QBs. But now, 15 games into this season and his NFL career—and even after back-to-back disappointing outings—Mac Jones is the Offensive Rookie of the Year frontrunner and objectively outperforming every other quarterback drafted last spring.

So… what does that mean? Jenny, Conor and Gary discuss Jones’s skillset—his strengths, his limitations and why, to this point, he can overcome those limitations—whether or not it will lead NFL teams to try to find similar quarterbacks in upcoming drafts, and why there’s more risk in identifying and drafting “the next Mac Jones” than you might think.

Have a comment, critique or question for a future mailbag? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI, @JennyVrentas or @ConorOrr

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Christmas Warmth and Ice-Cold Revenge Dec 27, 2021

Show notes

Jenny, Conor and Gary launch into the Week 16 show with a look at the Bills’ revenge game in Foxboro. The Patriots had few answers for Josh Allen, especially as an unexpected weapon emerged with a career game for Buffalo. Plus, what to make of this Patriots offense after another disappointing performance in December.

Then, what to draw from the Cowboys’ spectacular shellacking of Washington on Sunday night—is it time to put Dallas in the same class of the NFC elite? How the Chargers went to Houston and got their butts handed to them (and why David Culley is making, maybe, a half-serious Coach of the Year bid?), the superstardom of Joe Burrow and the impressive resilience of the Raiders.

Finally, a break down of the Saturday games, including the downs of Baker Mayfield and the ups of Carson Wentz, then the latest round of Antonio Brown absurdity in Tampa, a good day for the Jets, the legacy of Urban Meyer and the always-underprepared Jaguars, and the anger and sadness of the Falcons-Lions matchup.

Do you have a good rule-change suggestion? Even better, do you have a bad one? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI, @JennyVrentas or @ConorOrr

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We Let You Rewrite the Rules of Football! Maybe. Dec 22, 2021

Show notes

In the spirit of the holidays, Jenny, Conor and Gary are giving you the gift . . . of filling out our show outline for us!

Last week, we ran down the rule changes we need to see in the NFL. Now, we’re fielding your rule proposals and deciding which suggestions are worthy of working into our imaginary (and very much superior) version of the NFL.

Has the time finally arrived for the three-point conversion? What CFL rules should the NFL be adopting? Should the clock stop after the first down like in college football? And what should happen when the ball gets fumbled out of the end zone?

But, most importantly, we answer the age-old question: Does Krampus put kids in, like, a laundry hamper or something?

Do you have a good rule-change suggestion? Even better, do you have a bad one? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI, @JennyVrentas or @ConorOrr

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Postponed Games and Upsets Make For a Scrambled Week 15 Dec 20, 2021

Show notes

For the first time this season, the NFL postponed three Week 15 games due to COVID-19 outbreaks—they'll be played on Monday and Tuesday. The league and the players union also negotiated new protocols that include, surprisingly, less testing.

Conor and Jenny break down the rest of the abbreviated weekend schedule, starting with the Packers' win against Baltimore that came down to a failed two-point conversion try and knocked the Ravens out of first place in the wide-open AFC North. They also discuss the two big upsets: Tom Brady and the Bucs being shut out in yet another regular-season loss against the Saints, and the Cardinals being at risk for another late-season collapse after falling to a Lions team that had won only one other game this season.

Then, a discussion of the Jaguars' decision to fire Urban Meyer after his disastrous 11-month tenure, and the ripple effects for Trevor Lawrence and other college coaches looking to make the jump to the pros. Plus, the Steelers stay alive against a depleted Titans team, the Cowboys offense still trying to keep up with its defense and the theater begins for the Patriots-Bills showdown (Part 2) that we all need and deserve.

Have a question for the show? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI, @JennyVrentas or @ConorOrr

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We Will Rewrite the Rules of Football! Dec 15, 2021

Show notes

More specifically, Jenny, Conor and Gary each write—or change, or eliminate—one rule in the NFL that will make the sport we love into a sport we love more.

We saw it done in light of the Kenny Pickett “fake slide” move in the ACC title game—the rule banning it was in place less than a week later. So it’s time to get out in front of a few other things. Conor delves into the evils of the onside kick, and looks to the Alliance of American Football to improve upon it. Gary asks that you expand your mind, and reconsider how we administer penalties in light of down and distance—does the first-down marker really have to stay fixed in place like the North Star? And finally, Jenny wants more points for some kicks, but fewer points for others, and it doesn’t matter if it creates a nightmare scenario for indecisive coaches.

Do you have a good rule-change suggestion? Even better, do you have a bad one? Email themmqb@gmail.com or tweet at @GGramling_SI, @JennyVrentas or @ConorOrr

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actual Winners and Losers, and Urban Meyer-Defined Winners and Losers Dec 13, 2021

Show notes

Jenny, Conor and Gary run through a Week 14 Sunday rife with playoff implications. There were winners, losers, and Urban Meyer struggling through it all (including, allegedly, defining the words “winner” and “loser”).

First, the Bucs throw their hat in the ring as the NFL’s best before having to hang on against the Bills, but why Buffalo’s second-half performance was a positive step in the overtime loss. The 49ers steal one in Cin City thanks to their catch-and-run studs and a couple of special teams mistakes by the Bengals. And the AFC North is anyone’s race again (but especially the Browns’!) after Lamar Jackson’s ankle injury.

Then, a discussion of the latest Urban Meyer debacle on the field, and the constant fire raging around the coach when it comes to his interactions with his team.

Plus, SNF starts wild but ends up the same old story for Packers-Bears, Dallas proves they can get it done on an off day for Dak, coaches with chapped butts over guaranteed wins, Joe Judge and Matt Rhule go out of their way to warm their own seats, and much more.

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.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Game Night: Stumping Stats Edition Dec 09, 2021

Show notes

In light of the Patriots’ unique statistical profile in the windy Monday night victory over the Bills in Buffalo, Jenny, Conor and Gary decided to unleash a new game show on the world.

In it, each host asks for statistical leaders—sometimes players, sometimes teams—in three categories. Then, the other two hosts must collaborate and make their guesses. Each wrong answer scores a point for the host who asked the question.

Who is the NFL’s most accurate play-action passer? Which defense forces the highest percentage of three-and-outs? Who clocked the fastest speed in mph as a ballcarrier this season?

Join us and play along (on your own, we can’t hear you and also podcasts are not live), enjoy the mind-blowing stats and learn a few life lessons along the way.

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.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Games That Melted Our Icy Hearts Dec 06, 2021

Show notes

Week 13 looked like a dud of a slate until the games got underway and the chaos and excitement unfolded. Jenny, Conor and Gary start with a throwback rivalry game in Pittsburgh, where Ben Roethlisberger turned back the clock (for at least a quarter) and the Steelers pulled off the upset. What’s next for an otherwise frustrating offense? And where do we fall on John Harbaugh’s decision to go for two and the win after the game’s last touchdown?

Then, a discussion of the Chiefs rising defense and still-stalling offense, how the Lions got on the board and what the loss means for the Vikings' playoff hopes, and how the Seahawks knocked off the 49ers and Chargers topped the Bengals in downright wacky games.

Plus, whether the Bucs will continue to enable Antonio Brown after his latest suspension, the Panthers’ decision to fire offensive coordinator Joe Brady after not providing him with a quarterback, and more!

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.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Instructional Guide to Becoming an NFL Coach Dec 01, 2021

Show notes

With our four-step process, it’s never been easier to live out your dream of leading one of the 32 NFL franchises onto the field on autumn Sundays. Jenny and Conor run through everything you need to know to get started on your head-coaching career:

Getting your name in the news cycle

Learning how to ace an interview with a team owner

Do’s and Don’t’s for winning the press conference

How to lose your job but keep your dignity

By the time you finish this episode, you will have everything you need to go out and conquer the NFL’s next hiring cycle and land a job that could last multiple seasons if you’re lucky.

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.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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