The Patriots Are Pathetic, Detroit Crushes Minnesota, Plus Wild-Card Guess the Lines With Cousin Sal
The Bill Simmons Podcast
Deep Dive
Why are the Patriots being criticized for winning their final game against the Bills?
The Patriots' victory cost them a higher draft pick. By winning, they moved down from the potential first overall pick to the fourth. This is seen as a missed opportunity to acquire a top quarterback prospect in what is considered a weaker draft class.
Who are considered the top contenders for the Super Bowl after Week 18?
The Lions are the current betting favorites at 3-to-1 odds, followed by the Chiefs at +350. The Ravens and Bills are both at 6-to-1, while the Eagles are at 7-to-1. The Vikings have dropped to 14-to-1 after their loss to the Lions.
Why did the Rams appear to not prioritize securing the third seed in the NFC?
The Rams prioritized rest over seeding. Having not had a bye week since Week 6, they felt the benefit of rest outweighed the advantage of playing a potentially weaker opponent in the first round of the playoffs.
What was surprising about the Lions' performance against the Vikings?
The Lions' defense played exceptionally well, exceeding expectations. Their strong performance, coupled with their home-field advantage, suggests they could be a formidable opponent in the playoffs.
Why is Bill Simmons critical of the Patriots' coaching decisions in their final game?
Simmons argues that allowing a coach who is about to be fired to make crucial game-day decisions, especially when those decisions could impact the team's draft position, is illogical. He believes the Patriots should have made the coaching change before the game to prioritize the long-term interests of the franchise.
What are some of the key statistical leaders from the 2023 NFL regular season?
Ja'Marr Chase led the league in receiving yards and touchdowns, while Joe Burrow had the most passing yards. Saquon Barkley was the only 2,000-yard rusher. Derrick Henry and Dalvin Cook tied for most rushing touchdowns. Chris Boswell made 41 field goals, and Carl Hendrickson led the league with 17.5 sacks.
What is the "Shakey Schaub Classic"?
This refers to the Houston Texans' frequent appearances in Week 18 games with playoff implications for other teams, but not for themselves. They have been in this situation eight times since 2011.
Why does Bill Simmons believe Baker Mayfield deserves MVP consideration?
Simmons argues that Mayfield's performance, leading the Rams to 10 wins despite a lack of consistent weapons and coaching stability, warrants him being in the top three MVP contenders, even ahead of Joe Burrow.
- Lions' 31-9 victory over the Vikings
- Exceptional performance by the Lions' defense
- Vikings' unexpected struggles and turnovers
- Anzalone's significant impact on the Lions' defense
- Debate on the Vikings' playoff potential
- Lions established as Super Bowl favorites
Shownotes Transcript