SMQBs Episode 45: NFL Week 15! Urban Meyer! Prime Time! PFOTW! Lasso!
Episode 45 kicks off by honoring legendary pitcher Bob Gibson, number 45, known for his intimidating presence and impressive career with the St. Louis Cardinals. The hosts then dive into NFL Week 15, highlighting the surprising resurgence of the Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers, and Big Ben Roethlisberger’s climb to fifth in all-time passing yards. They discuss critical coaching decisions, such as those by Brandon Staley of the Chargers and John Harbaugh of the Ravens, that impacted game outcomes. The podcast also covers major upsets, including the Lions’ victory over the Cardinals and the Saints’ shutout win against the Buccaneers, raising questions about the consistency of top teams.
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the escalating impact of COVID-19 on professional sports, with postponed games and altered protocols across the NFL, NBA, NHL, and Premier League. The hosts debate the implications of the Omicron variant and the NFL’s controversial decision to relax testing and postponement policies. They express frustration with Commissioner Roger Goodell’s handling of the situation, particularly in light of teams with high vaccination rates being penalized. The hosts also discuss Urban Meyer’s tumultuous tenure and subsequent firing from the Jacksonville Jaguars, pondering the future of his coaching career. The episode concludes with a “Ted Lasso” segment celebrating Tiger Woods’ and his son Charlie’s impressive performance in the annual father-son golf tournament, highlighting Tiger’s remarkable comeback from injury.