Chiefs-49ers Super Bowl rematch, Luka & Mavs beat Thunder, Bears playoff bound? | FIRST THINGS FIRST
Summary
TLDRIn this sports discussion, the hosts analyze the Kansas City Chiefs' challenging NFL schedule, debating their chances against the 49ers to reach the Super Bowl. They highlight the Chiefs' strength despite a tough lineup and discuss Patrick Mahomes' impact. The conversation also touches on rookie quarterback Caleb's potential with the Bears, comparing him to past successful rookies. Additionally, they delve into NBA playoffs, discussing the Dallas Mavericks' performance and the potential of Luka Donฤiฤ and Kyrie Irving in the Conference Finals.
Takeaways
- ๐ The Kansas City Chiefs have a challenging schedule, but they are still favored to go to the Super Bowl due to their strong team performance and Patrick Mahomes' leadership.
- ๐ The NFL schedule is set by a computer, and the Chiefs have an unusually tough lineup, including playing every day of the week except Tuesday and having a 49-day stretch with minimal home games.
- ๐ค The discussion raises the question of whether the San Francisco 49ers or the Chiefs are more likely to return to the Super Bowl, with arguments presented for both sides.
- ๐ There is speculation about the potential for a slow start by the 49ers and the impact it could have on their season, including concerns about player health and contract negotiations.
- ๐ถ The number one draft pick, Caleb, is expected to have a smooth start with a schedule that ranks 29th in strength, and he's set to face off against other young QBs.
- ๐ A bold prediction is made that Caleb could lead the Bears to the Super Bowl in his rookie season, despite typical rookie struggles and the need for growth.
- ๐ The Denver Nuggets are highlighted as a dangerous team in the NBA playoffs, with their defense being remade on the fly and the potential for Luka to get healthier as the playoffs progress.
- ๐ฏ Kyrie Irving's performance is a point of discussion, with the suggestion that he might be pacing himself for the later stages of the playoffs rather than pushing for high scores early on.
- ๐ฎ The conversation suggests that the NBA playoffs will see some unexpected outcomes, with the potential for teams like the Nuggets to make a deep run.
- ๐คทโโ๏ธ There's a playful banter about making bold predictions, with some hosts being hesitant to commit to strong statements about the future outcomes of sports events.
Q & A
Which team is predicted to have the 16th toughest schedule according to nfl.com?
-Kansas City Chiefs are predicted to have the 16th toughest schedule.
What special matchup does the Kansas City Chiefs have on Christmas Day?
-The Kansas City Chiefs have a matchup against the Steelers on Christmas Day.
Who does the speaker believe is more likely to go to the Super Bowl, the Chiefs or the Niners?
-The speaker believes that the Kansas City Chiefs are more likely to go to the Super Bowl.
What is the speaker's opinion on the NFL's scheduling for the Chiefs?
-The speaker believes the NFL has intentionally stacked the odds against Kansas City with a difficult schedule.
What is the median season outcome for the Kansas City Chiefs in the last six years according to the speaker?
-The median season outcome for the Kansas City Chiefs in the last six years is a Super Bowl win.
Why does the speaker think the 49ers might not perform as expected this season?
-The speaker thinks the 49ers might struggle due to potential health issues of key players, the need to pay certain players which could lead to losing others, and the mental energy required to get back to the Super Bowl after a loss.
What is the speaker's view on the likelihood of the 49ers returning to the Super Bowl?
-The speaker believes it's less likely for the 49ers to return to the Super Bowl due to various challenges they might face.
What is the speaker's bold prediction regarding Caleb, the number one pick in the Draft?
-The speaker flirts with the idea that Caleb could lead the Bears to the Super Bowl in his rookie season.
Which team does the speaker believe has the easiest schedule for the upcoming season?
-The team with the easiest schedule, according to the speaker, is the one that Caleb will be playing for.
What is the speaker's opinion on the Dallas Mavericks' defense?
-The speaker credits the Mavericks' defense as being remade on the fly and considers them a dangerous team in the playoffs.
Why does the speaker think Kyrie Irving's current performance might be a strategic approach?
-The speaker suggests that Kyrie Irving might be modulating his performance to ramp up for the Conference Finals, as he seems to be in a good mental space and could be preserving energy for the tougher games ahead.
Outlines
๐ NFL Schedule Analysis and Super Bowl Predictions
The script opens with a discussion about the Kansas City Chiefs' challenging NFL schedule, which includes a Christmas Day matchup against the Steelers and a Super Bowl rematch against the San Francisco 49ers. The Chiefs are favored to reach the Super Bowl over the 49ers, despite having to play every day of the week except Tuesday, with a particularly brutal stretch of four short weeks and a 49-day period with limited home games. The debate centers on whether the Chiefs or the 49ers are more likely to return to the Super Bowl, with arguments highlighting the Chiefs' consistent performance and the rarity of teams returning after a Super Bowl loss.
๐ค Contrarian Views on NFL Team Performance
This paragraph delves into a counterargument suggesting that the San Francisco 49ers might have an edge over the Chiefs due to several factors. It mentions the 49ers' potential 'last hurrah' with key players like McCaffrey being at an age where performance typically declines, and the need to pay star players which could impact the team's depth. The discussion also covers concerns about the 49ers' potential slow start to the season and the difficulty of maintaining their previous year's success, despite the NFC being a weaker conference than the AFC.
๐ High Expectations for Rookie Quarterback and Team
The conversation shifts to the prospects of the number one draft pick, Caleb, and his team's chances in the upcoming season. The rookie quarterback is expected to face a relatively easy schedule and compete against other young QBs. There's a bold prediction that Caleb could lead his team, the Bears, to the Super Bowl in his rookie season, citing historical precedents of rookie QBs finding success. However, concerns are raised about the potential for a slow start and the impact of divisional games on playoff chances.
๐ฑ NBA Playoffs and Team Performance Evaluation
The script turns to the NBA playoffs, discussing the performance of the Denver Nuggets and their chances against the Dallas Mavericks. The Nuggets' defense is praised, and their ability to control games without needing to score excessively is highlighted. Concerns are expressed about Kyrie Irving's subdued performance and the need for him to step up in the Conference Finals. The discussion also touches on the importance of health, particularly regarding Luka Donฤiฤ's knee injury, and how it could affect the team's playoff run.
๐ NBA Playoffs Strategy and Player Performance
In the final paragraph, the strategy of the NBA playoffs is examined, with a focus on Kyrie Irving's possible pacing strategy to peak his performance for the later stages of the playoffs. The conversation suggests that Irving's current performance might be a deliberate choice to conserve energy and manage his body for tougher upcoming games. The potential impact of this strategy on the team's success in the Conference Finals and beyond is considered, with an overall sense that the team is in a strong mental state, which adds to their danger as a contender.
Mindmap
Keywords
๐กChiefs
๐กSuper Bowl
๐กSchedule
๐กPatrick Mahomes
๐ก49ers
๐กRookie
๐กPlayoffs
๐กDivision
๐กNFL
๐กBold Predictions
Highlights
Discussion on Kansas City Chiefs' full schedule and its difficulty, with 16th toughest according to nfl.com.
Chiefs' Christmas Day matchup against the Steelers and a week seven Super Bowl rematch.
Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers' chances of returning to the Super Bowl.
Debate on whether the Chiefs or the 49ers are more likely to go to the Super Bowl, with strong arguments for the Chiefs.
Kansas City's challenging schedule, including playing every day of the week except Tuesday.
Analysis of the NFL's scheduling system and how it may be stacking the odds against Kansas City.
Chiefs' performance in previous seasons and their potential for success this year.
Debating the Niners' chances due to factors like player health and contract situations.
Concerns about the 49ers' potential slow start and their tough early season matchups.
Aaron Rodgers' performance and the impact on the 49ers' season.
Bears' rookie quarterback Caleb's potential impact and the team's schedule.
Predictions on whether Caleb could lead the Bears to the Super Bowl in his rookie season.
Comparison of rookie quarterbacks' historical success and their ability to lead teams to contention.
Debate on the potential of the Denver Nuggets in the NBA playoffs and their performance.
Analysis of the Mavericks' chances against OKC and the impact of PJ Washington's performance.
Concerns over Kyrie Irving's shooting and its implications for the team's playoff run.
Kyrie Irving's potential strategy for the playoffs and his mental state.
Transcripts
live from New York it's a show that's
dropping weight for their prize fights
this about Marathon well I've been
dropping nobody cares a lot of people
care nobody car I've got several emails
about it I care while thank you true I
do thank you I just called you the most
honest man in sports television startor
a little bit today we get the full Chief
Schedule we actually got all the teams
schedule after last year's 20 and0
prediction how bold will this year's
take the are we going in the wrong
direction on the hotness of the takes
maybe meanwhile okay uh we start with a
look at the chief's full schedule tough
start but both of those games are at
home nfl.com has Kansas City with the
16th toughest schedule that doesn't seem
16th yeah that seems It's because the
division division stinks so that's why
uh We've also got a Christmas Day
matchup against the Steelers and a week
seven Super Bowl rematch on Fox in San
Francisco which is after thereby chief
by uh Super Bowl outs 49ers Kansas City
Baltimore and a log Jam at 4 Bengals
Lions bills Eagles Cowboys Texans and
then finally the
Packers so I'm going to ask you two
questions here which team is more likely
to get back to Super Bowl 49ers the
cheats and do you have some sort of 20
and0 sequel another tattoo something you
know today's the day I it wasn't no that
came last year in September but it feels
like today yeah well today's not the day
for any bold Chiefs prediction there
might be a different bold prediction
coming up in this very segment however
let me answer the question that we all
agreed upon at a meeting that I did have
to miss this morning at 10:00 a.m. which
is more likely to go to the Super Bowl
the Chiefs or the Niners and it's an
insulting question just like those Vegas
odds are insulting obviously
unequivocally without a doubt the answer
is the Kansas City Chiefs and it is not
only because the Niners went to last
year's Super Bowl and lost and you have
in the last 30 years the only team to go
back go to the Super Bowl after losing
it was quarterback by Tom Brady and it's
not just because the Chiefs are clearly
the best team in football it is also
because the Chiefs the NFL it's almost
as if they have intentionally stacked
the odds against Kansas City and they
will because how so well I can I'm so
glad you asked brw let me show you how
because who you play is set by a
computer the Chiefs the first team ever
to have to play every day of the week
except Tuesday they have four short
weeks they have a week six by which is
brutal you want it as late as possible
and they have a 49 day stretch where
they play one game in the Cozy confines
of Arrowhead Stadium despite all of that
they do they play on Friday yeah Black
Friday they play Black Friday they play
a Wednesday they play every day but
Tuesday and by the way I could see him
getting flexed to a Tuesday cuz the NFL
trying screw with them but that's fine
you want to give toughest schule well
that again Baltimore's got the second
tough that is set by the math you're not
allowed to change that all you can
change is the order so how do they start
it oh with Kan city having to face in
back toback weeks the two teams they
dispatch from the AFC title game how do
they end the season back-to-back weeks
on the road what about leading up to
that oh they have three games in 10 days
which I know Wilds thinks is insane I
think it's a little hard but we can have
that argument again if you'd like it do
they get a little rest before that no
they don't have they have their buy two
months prior Raiders Bo bronos the well
the Raiders and the Broncos are in the
division there's nothing you can do
about that and your team's dynasty was
built on the corpses of jets and bills
and uh Dolphins nobody's at quarterback
so don't even give me that but it's
still Kansas City CU I had the best
player to ever play and their basement
their worst season the last 6 years is
12 wins in an overtime loss in the
conference title game their median
season is a Super Bowl win their
slightly below average season is a Super
Bowl loss and their above average season
is a Super Bowl win so yeah the answer
is Kansas City and you have to agree BR
it's hard to argue because I agree with
you that Patrick Mahomes is the best ter
in fact I was the first Mo you were not
first first to Michael Jordan say Jordan
all of that and everybody knows it all
right that that just sticks in Nick's
craw really sticks craw I think it is
true actually um and look everything you
said a lot of that is true he doesn't
they haven't had bad season I think they
actually got better right and I think
the fact that they went had what we
would call a bad regular season that's
fair right ended five and five I think
that's just going to help motivate them
to go out and play well this year but
and and I fully sat down to work out my
answer thinking
Chiefs but then something struck me not
look I may change this in the fall when
we make our PR this is not prediction
time lest I get pelted with rocks next
time we go back to Kansas City but as I
was sitting down putting together my
answer I
said you know what
what I I think it's the ners why and
here here's why it's kind of you know
it's not like yeah it's esoteric it's a
thought it's a feeling it's their last
Terra oh it's their last harah cuz I I
looked at it like they went to the Super
Bowl a few years ago with garoo they
went last year can they keep going back
I mean that's going to be a lot of
mental energy just to get back but then
I said hold up mcaffrey has been healthy
the last two years and he's at age for
running backs 27 is he going to be
healthy F first of all we he even be
healthy this year but let's hope he is
but this might be his last great season
that's certainly on the board for
running back right Debo's names already
been mentioned in trade rooms they're
going to have to pay pery let's say he
has a good year they're gonna have to
pay him which means you might lose some
other people Trent Williams old yeah so
I'm going to say that th because this is
their last and the NFC is weaker even
though it's gotten better it's still
weaker than AFC I'm GNA say the ners can
are you not at all worried about the
ners potentially having a really slow
start because I am why no so I think
that the Jets are a live dog in that
game I think Brew agrees I think that in
San Francisco yeah I think I think let
me put it like this I think the Jets
will be at their the maybe the best they
are all year in week one because they're
injury-prone offensive lineman wide
receiver and quarterback again stuff
does happen in training camp but we
would assume that will be as close a
hole as they are yeah but don't you
don't it's going to be a tough game for
I buy that but do you also buy Aaron
Rogers hasn't really thrown a football
and you know yeah I think he'll get some
yes agree but I think he'll get some
maybe more preseason reps this year than
he typically would and then their next
two games are two teams that beat him
last year in Minnesota and in the the
Los Angeles Rams I think the Rams are
really good and obviously the Patriots
and Cardinals are two of the weaker
teams I agree with that but then they do
they have a few pocket it's a really
tough game Chiefs Cowboys is a brutal
spot and then at Green Bay at Buffalo in
late November early December with Brock
pie and his small hands that shrinking
the cold and I there are I just I think
it is more likely the ners find
themselves heading into the end of the
season fighting to get into the playoffs
than positioned for the one seed the way
they were last year and so I I just
think there are a lot more questions
about the n
then there I don't think there are right
now I know it sounds ridiculous but I've
just only been right every year I think
there are no questions about the Chiefs
there are none can I counteract that and
and support Brew I I just am going to
take the 49ers off of over Aaron Rodgers
and his achill
first so I will give him 49 JJ is going
to play his second game and outplay the
49 defense I do not buy that Stafford
they always play him they it's always a
little bit of a dog fight but 49ers win
the last matchup they had then you got
the Patriots which will be frisky but we
will lose that game Kyler I think will
be sneaky okay and then G they could be
I mean I don't want to be like Mr they
need
to could have a great record going in if
they were undefeated you wouldn't be
like flabbergasted into in meeting up
with momes so I would be I thought the
the Rams beat the ners I thought in week
18 of last year I thought it I thought
the Shanahan thing flipped finally they
the the ram the ners beat the Rams early
in the year they were one and one
against each other and so I just think
that I think their hardest divisional
game of the year is the one at the Rams
that's in week three sure I'll give that
the Vikings last year were one of the
teams were pry played brutal against in
that spot you think JJ's going to light
up the 49ers defense the second game
first of all I'm not even certain by the
way JJ McCarthy's going Sam darnold was
on the 49ers like we got this guys no
again La last year it wasn't Vikings
didn't win that game because anyone lit
up the Niners defense it was because
perie really struggled against Brian
flores's defense and so I just I don't
look at the Niners as a juggernaut I'm
not saying they're not a good team I'm
not saying they're not one of the NFC
contenders I do look at the Chiefs as a
juggernaut I think that they're they
were wor they are better this year than
they were either of the last two years
they should be our position better and I
know they don't have sne but they added
a lot of other pieces I just I I think
the Chiefs are I think the best bet in
the sport right now is the Chiefs to win
the AFC and then we go for I buy that
but I bet when they match up the 49ers
have a better record than the Chiefs
okay side bet okay check in on Caleb the
number one pick in the Draft starts his
schedule pretty smoothly strength the
schedule coming in at 29 wow face off
against a bevy of other young QBs who he
should outplay Brew will Levis Anthony
Richardson Bryce Jaden postp also CJ
strad week two who should outplay him
theoretically if history holds Brew are
you willing to guarantee Caleb makes the
playoffs no no I think they have a shot
a good shot because as you said 29th you
know
easiest toughest schedule in the league
but I'm looking at this Philly's to me
Philly's in I'mma put Detroit and Green
Bay in okay both obviously one Atlanta
or Tampa Tampa big San Francisco and the
Rams and then I think Chicago's battling
with say Tampa Bay or Atlanta and Dallas
for that spot and that's going to be
tough I think to have three teams from
that Division and I just I just feel
like as much as I like Caleb as much as
great as I think he will be I feel like
he's going to struggle a bit at first uh
I don't think he's going to have a CJ
stra type rookie year even though he's
kind of set up to do it because I think
his we know he's great off schedule I
think he's better on schedule than
people give him credit for but I think
he's going to have to learn lot in that
regard I think sometimes he might be
running when he should stay in the
pocket and throw the football so I think
he I don't think he's going to come
right in and light the league on fire so
given how the schedule lays out I do
think he is I also think I'm not this
isn't a criticism it's just a
observation I think the five teams that
you were most confident were going to
make the playoffs were five teams that
made the playoffs last year which is
kind of how it always feels right now
and then we you know what I mean that's
usually not how it goes I I was my only
concern for Caleb what if he has a slow
start yeah because he had a bad end of
last his college career as as we talked
with Danny Perkins yesterday about some
Bears fans still really being Justin
Fields guys if he gets off to a slow
start or when he is kind of going
through the growing pains you drop some
divisional games which can really hurt
you as far as making the postseason
instead he has a tailor made start to
his career of the team of the seven
teams projected to have the worst record
in football he gets five of them in the
first 10 or nine weeks of his career New
England Arizona Washington the Panthers
and the Titans that's five his first
nine games I think there's a seven- two
start is absolutely on the board which
is why and this is my bold prediction
forget guaranteeing the playoffs don't
I'm FLIR I'm flirting with the idea I'm
I'm asking the bartender no don't don't
do that again that's a creepy thing does
that take want a drink down there I'm
thinking about buying that take asking
that take that out out for dinner some
take at the end of the bar I think
Caleb could lead the Bears to the Super
Bowl in his rookie season oh God
Almighty can I can I can I give you a
little evidence and we just and BR beat
the Viking
has to play
the going to go to the Super
Bowl could beat the Vikings first you
said you're flirting with the take it
right yes and you're talking about the
fact that I said that the Niners could
lose to Minnesota which is unrelated to
this take entirely so we have seen
rookie quarterbacks step in be excellent
and the team be contenders we saw
Russell Wilson take his team to the
divisional round a game ended on a field
goal his rookie season Big Ben to the
AFC title game his rookie season we saw
CJ in the divisional round last year we
saw Dan Marino if you want to go back
forever was in the divisional round Dak
was in the divisional round his rookie
year luck and RG3 made the playoffs his
rookie year Brock pie was in the NFC
Championship Game his rookie year the
idea that and I don't know what you know
Mahomes would have done his rookie year
I think he would have done quite well
there's no way to prove it so the idea
that rookie quarterbacks don't don't
ever step in and have success is bed by
history and this Bears team is I think a
playoff team with just Bel slightly
below average Quarterback play you know
what I mean last year they were seven-
win team last year and they added a
dunesday they added Kean Allen so I in
that week NFC with that type of momentum
not having to play any divisional games
until the last third of his rookie
season when he's you know more seasoned
I could see the Bears shocking everyone
but me outside of St which obviously was
just last year all those guys you
mentioned if I'm not mistaken Marino
obviously is out they were game man they
managed like Brock py comes in as a
rookie he's just managing the game
making the righton all those guys so I
don't see Caleb as a game manager I see
even as he's grow going through his
Growing Pains I think he's going to try
to make spectacular plays and I think
that could hurt them initially so I do
think that's kind of something to look
at with a rookie can I ask you a
question on that before we move
do you I think that it is on the board
that Caleb absolutely would be willing
to be a game manager if he found himself
in the position where oh that's all we
need have to that's all I have to do he
never was in that position in college it
was it it was M never to do right where
it was if I'm not great we're going to
lose so the I it's it would be I feel
different Mahomes couldn't remember
Mahomes struggled to learn how to do
that yes to just take the easy stuff you
know fair enough I just think that I
don't know I think the I think that if