Overview of Stanford Steve Talking Ball, NFL Week 14 Picks & Preview (Pardon My Take)
This Pardon My Take episode (Dec 5) features Stanford Steve (the show’s “Dude of the Year”) and covers a packed sports slate: college football playoff talk, a Week 14 NFL preview with picks, reactions to Lions beating Cowboys, LeBron’s historic scoring streak ending, Chris Paul being removed from the Clippers, Giannis injury/rumors, and other pop-culture/sports asides. The hosts also run through commercials/promos (DraftKings, Twisted Tea, Uber Eats, Venmo, Chevy, Morgan & Morgan), a touchdown parlay, and a short “Jerry’s Fantasy Minute” video bit.
Key topics and headlines
- NFL / Week 14
- Detroit Lions’ statement win over the Dallas Cowboys (Amon-Ra St. Brown’s presence; Jahmyr Gibbs strong receiving night; David Montgomery running well; Cowboys turnovers & special teams issues).
- NFL Week 14 described as “slate of the year” — hosts parse consequential games for playoff seeding (Bengals–Bills, Ravens–Steelers, Colts–Jaguars, Bears–Packers, Chiefs–Texans).
- Several hosts emphasize “playoffs start now” — seven teams’ playoff chances swing ≥25% with Week 14 results.
- NBA & big-name news
- LeBron James’ streak of 10+ point regular-season games ended (hosts quote ~1,297 straight games — they debate the exact number) after a low-scoring night in Toronto; he still produced a game-winning assist.
- Chris Paul reportedly kicked off the Clippers roster during his “farewell season”; hosts discuss locker-room friction and Paul’s temperament.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo left a Bucks game with a calf strain; there are reports he once explored other teams — hosts discuss trade rumors and Milwaukee’s future.
- College football
- Stanford Steve critiques the CFP committee process (Miami vs. Notre Dame controversy), calls the weekly ranking/justifications chaotic and sometimes arbitrary, and recommends minimizing mid-season ranking noise.
- Discussion of potential College Football Playoff teams (Ohio State, Alabama, Texas, Texas Tech, BYU, A&M, etc.) and how close calls, strength of schedule, and recency bias factor in.
- Pop culture / misc
- Fyre Fest / Morgan & Morgan ad bits; holiday drink sponsor: Twisted Tea; Venmo Stash rewards for college-branded debit cards.
- Internal show bits: “Stretch January” idea (hosts joking about starting a pre-show stretch routine), “TD parlay” and odds talk, and “Jerry’s Fantasy Minute” one-minute video cameo.
Notable stats & claims discussed (hosts’ numbers)
- Lions: post-game playoff odds shift — Lions up to ~53% to make playoffs (hosts referenced various models).
- Jahmyr Gibbs: hosts claimed Gibbs tied Barry Sanders for most touchdowns before turning 24 (they presented the stat as noted in-game — treat as host-cited).
- Brandon Aubrey (Cowboys kicker) nearly approached 300 yards in a game of field goals; multiple long kicks (including 60+ yard).
- LeBron: streak ended after roughly 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with 10+ points (postseason excluded).
- Joe Burrow: hosts noted a recent 8-0 stretch as starter within a 12‑month window (clarified as a rolling 367-day sample — context matters).
- Ravens-Steelers, Colts-Jaguars, Bengals-Bills highlighted as top consequential games; multiple teams’ playoff chances shift dramatically depending on outcomes.
Week 14 preview — games to watch (hosts’ emphasis)
- Bengals vs. Bills (early slate): previewed as a major early-game showdown; Josh Allen/Joe Burrow match-up, Bills’ offensive line and injuries noted.
- Colts @ Jaguars: Jaguars historically tough at home in this series; Daniel Jones playing with a leg injury (3D-printed pad), Jaguars soft spots and toughness discussed.
- Ravens @ Steelers: division and playoff implications; Lamar Jackson’s reduced rushing numbers and Steelers’ struggles examined.
- Seahawks vs. Falcons: Seahawks defense hot; Sam Darnold late-career tendencies discussed.
- Chiefs vs. Texans (Sunday Night): Chiefs short favorites but hosts express respect/fear for the Texans’ defense (D’Amico Ryan). Called a quasi-elimination game for KC.
- Bears vs. Packers: major NFC matchup — hosts analyze Ben Johnson vs. Matt LaFleur coaching dynamics, turnover margins, and why the Bears are not to be dismissed.
- Titans @ Browns: weird low total; debate over under/over given Deshaun Watson window and Browns defense.
Picks & betting highlights
(Hosts exchanged multiple personal picks and small parlays. Below are clear picks discussed on-air — framed as show picks, not editorial recommendations.)
- Touchdown parlay (hosts’ group choice): Devonta Adams, Kareem Hunt, and Troy Franklin (the trio for the parlay).
- Individual picks (examples pulled from the on-air picks round — several hosts shuffled lines):
- Zach: Over Bengals–Bills (53.5); Over Rams–Cardinals (47.5); Seahawks -7 (vs Falcons); Steelers +6; Texans +3.5; Commanders +2.5; Over Titans–Browns (33.5).
- Other hosts: Over Steelers–Ravens (42.5), Eagles -3 (vs Chargers), and other head-to-head/over-under plays were made during the show.
- Promo: DraftKings offer mentioned — new customers bet $5, win = $200 in bonus bets (promo code TAKE; terms vary by jurisdiction).
(If you want a direct copy of each host’s picks with lines, re-listen — the show switches speakers often during the picks segment and lines move.)
Stanford Steve interview — highlights & takeaways
- “Dude of the Year” backstory: hosts previewed past hangouts and Wrigleyville bar memories (Stanford Steve’s top-venues list).
- Favorite college game-day venues: Wrigley Field, LSU, Camp Randall, Lubbock (Texas Tech) and other high-energy places — Steve emphasizes atmosphere and alcohol/tailgate culture.
- CFP committee criticism:
- Steve calls the weekly committee ranking cadence messy and suggests waiting closer to playoff selection, likening the current weekly spectacle to unnecessary drama.
- Miami vs. Notre Dame pick: hosts argued head-to-head and on-field results should carry more weight; Steve suspects recency bias and conference sympathy shape rankings.
- College-team reads:
- Texas Tech: defense makes them interesting, but questions about offensive line vs. elite competition remain.
- Texas and Alabama: debate on where they fit into an eventual 12-team playoff.
- Ohio State vs. Indiana: previewed as a tactical matchup (Steve expects a lower-scoring, ball-control game).
- Personal angle: Stanford Steve shared his love for fandom rituals, stadium atmospheres, and practical travel/tailgate tips.
Notable quotes & comedic moments
- “Playoffs start now” — hosts repeatedly used this to underline Week 14 stakes.
- On LeBron’s streak: “He robbed that from us — he made the right play for the win.” (hosts half-jokingly lamented the loss of the streak but praised the basketball decision-making)
- On the CFP committee: “They need to not release rankings until later — it’s like March Madness, but annoying earlier.”
- On Chris Paul: hosts debated whether a veteran should “ride out” a farewell tour vs. hold teammates accountable — “nobody gets kicked off their own farewell tour.”
Action items & recommendations from the show
- Viewing suggestions (top TVs): Bengals–Bills, Ravens–Steelers, Colts–Jaguars — these were described as the most “must-watch” (Week 14).
- DraftKings: promo code TAKE — bet $5, possible $200 in bonus bets for qualifying new customers.
- Uber Eats: game day deals for wings/burgers during football season.
- Venmo Stash: Venmo debit card with college-branded designs and cash-back opportunities (hosts mentioned as sponsor).
- Health idea from the show: “Stretch January” — hosts toyed with a plan to do 10 minutes of pre-show stretching to avoid injuries and tightness.
Sponsors/ads called out during the episode
- Twisted Tea — holiday/social drinking sponsor (several flavor shout-outs).
- DraftKings Sportsbook — Week 14 partner, promo code TAKE.
- Uber Eats — game-day deals.
- Venmo Stash — college-themed debit card and up to 5% cash back at select merchants.
- Chevy (Silverado) — truck sponsor.
- Morgan & Morgan — “Fyre Fest” ad/bit about legal help with injuries.
Quick “what to watch/remember” summary
- Must-watch Week 14 games: Bengals–Bills, Ravens–Steelers, Colts–Jaguars, Bears–Packers, Chiefs–Texans.
- Big ongoing storylines: Lions’ playoff rise after beating Cowboys; LeBron’s regular-season scoring streak ended; Chris Paul removed from Clippers; Giannis calf strain + trade chatter.
- Stanford Steve pushed the message: CFP committee logic is inconsistent; judge teams by on-field results and minimize week-to-week noise.
- Betting / promos: DraftKings barstool GOTW + bet $5 promo (code TAKE); hosts ran a touchdown parlay (Adams + Hunt + Troy Franklin).
If you want a compact one-line recap for socials: Pardon My Take (with Stanford Steve) dove into Lions’ statement win, LeBron’s streak ending, Chris Paul/Giannis updates, ripped the CFP committee, previewed Week 14 with picks (Bengals–Bills & Ravens–Steelers top must-watch) and ran a DraftKings-backed TD parlay (Adams/Hunt/Franklin).