Overview of The Brady Bunch? Bills Hire a New HC, and Recapping the Seahawks and Patriots Wins
This episode of the Media.com Show (championship weekend recap) with Mina Kimes and Dominique Foxworth breaks down major coaching/front-office moves and the two divisional playoff games: Seahawks vs. Rams and Patriots vs. Broncos. The hosts debate Buffalo’s internal head-coach promotion, other recent hires (Steelers, Titans), and give detailed game analysis—focusing on play-calling, quarterback performance, defensive matchups, and game-management decisions. They close with notes about upcoming shows and live events.
Coaching & front-office headlines
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Bills promote from within (Joe Brady promoted to head coach):
- Reaction: many fans reacted coolly; hosts characterize the move as predictable and “stale” because it didn’t represent a clear fresh start.
- Concerns raised: lack of new defensive voices, roster holes (particularly defensive pieces and receivers), and whether continuity actually hides deeper roster limitations.
- Credit: Joe Brady is viewed as a capable offensive play-caller; questions center on whether he can succeed while also being head coach and if roster upgrades follow.
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Brian Daboll to Tennessee Titans (reported/O.C. talk):
- Hosts approve in principle: Daboll’s track record developing young QBs and flexibility in scheme (examples cited from his work with Josh Allen and Daniel Jones) make him a good fit to help develop a young QB (Cam Ward referenced in the conversation).
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Steelers hire Mike McCarthy:
- Mixed reaction: some fans disappointed (expected a younger, flashier hire), but hosts say McCarthy can provide stability and veteran leadership.
- Key point: how McCarthy is used (CEO-type head coach vs. hands-on play-caller) and quarterback decisions (Aaron Rodgers speculation) will shape perceptions.
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Other notes:
- General theme: many hires reflect teams prioritizing either continuity/stability or aiming to plug specific developmental needs; the hosts warn against assuming “tank” strategies automatically succeed.
Seahawks vs. Rams — game recap & analysis
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Quarterbacks and play:
- Sam Darnold: unexpectedly excellent in this game—completed many intermediate/deeper throws, made several big throws under pressure, and converted key third downs late. Hosts emphasize this outing contrasted with his poor stretch late in the regular season.
- Matthew Stafford: superb performance, making throws into tight coverage consistently; still, Rams struggled to convert third- and fourth-down opportunities.
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Seahawks offense (Clint Kubiak’s scheme):
- Aggressive play-calling late in the game: Seahawks trusted Darnold and attacked (lots of trips formations and purposeful use of motion), instead of conservative clock-killing runs.
- Formation and schematic notes: Seattle ran trips at a much higher rate in this game than usual; motion and trips stressed the Rams’ zone coverage and DB depth.
- RPO/quarterback-run threat: the Seahawks’ offense leveraged QB mobility and designed/option-like concepts to create mismatches and open lanes.
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Rams defense and roster issues:
- Lack of DB depth: Rams often played base (4 DB) looks and were repeatedly hurt in those configurations; injuries and personnel limitations showed up in matchup coverage issues.
- In-game adjustments: Rams did not counter Seattle’s aerial attack effectively; hosts debated whether that was scheme, personnel, or failure to adjust.
- Special teams miscues were costly (notably a muffed punt), tilting a close game away from the Rams.
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Key individual plays:
- Seahawks defensive back Devon Witherspoon made crucial pass breakups late (third/fourth down), sealing momentum.
- Ramsey/line play: Rams’ defensive line didn’t win consistently enough to bail out the secondary.
Patriots vs. Broncos — game recap & analysis
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Patriots defense and roster construction:
- Patriots front seven won the line of scrimmage and disrupted the Broncos more than expected—hosts credited offseason additions and free-agent signings for shoring up the defensive identity.
- Multiple new acquisitions (defensive linemen, linebackers, secondary pieces, and special-teams contributors) were highlighted as contributors during the playoff run.
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Quarterback play and game flow:
- Patriots offense: relied heavily on the QB’s rushing ability (hosts repeatedly noted the “legs” factor), which changed how the Broncos defended and opened up play-calls.
- Broncos QB/offense: struggled with negative plays and turnovers in poor weather conditions; Jared Stidham (as discussed in the transcript) had key mistakes and issues holding the ball, while the Patriots’ defense punished negative plays.
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Coaching decisions and miscellany:
- Sean Payton’s fourth-down call (Broncos) generated debate—Payton later expressed regret about the specific call; hosts note weather and game conditions factor into these high-leverage choices.
- Patriots’ aggressive fourth-and-1 decision was mentioned as an example of taking risks that paid off.
- Hosts caution against overreacting to outcomes that occurred in “horrific” weather—film and conditions matter.
Key takeaways & themes
- Continuity vs. fresh voices: Promoting internally (Bills) can be defensible but may frustrate fans seeking big change—without roster upgrades, continuity risks exposing underlying roster limits.
- Quarterback mobility matters: QBs who run or step up in the pocket (the hosts compared styles to Josh Allen) create mismatches and are difficult to defend; this was pivotal in the Patriots game and factored in Seahawks success.
- Aggressive playoff play-calling is rewarded: Seattle’s willingness to attack late in clock-managed situations and the Patriots’ fourth-down aggressiveness were decisive.
- Personnel depth matters—especially DBs and special teams: Rams lacked DB depth and were penalized on special teams; those smaller, non-glamorous units can swing close postseason games.
- Coaching/game management nuance: Decisions like going for two, fourth-down plays, and conservative vs. aggressive end-game approaches remain context-driven and deserve cautious critique.
Notable quotes & insights (condensed)
- On Bills internal hire: “It’s not Joe Brady in isolation — it’s the moves combined that feel a bit stale.”
- On Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh: stability can be a valid choice after a surprise coaching change; timing and QB direction will determine success.
- On Sam Darnold’s performance: “He defied career expectations in this game — he was lights out when it mattered.”
- On aggressive late-game coaching: “They had the balls to not do what we’ve seen so many defensive coaches do in moments like that.”
What the hosts are watching next / upcoming episodes & events
- Upcoming podcast guests and topics:
- J.B. Long will join later in the week to discuss MVP and other awards (host is a voter).
- Super Bowl preview episode with Ben (and a live show in San Francisco featuring Dominique Foxworth and others).
- Live appearances:
- Dominique Foxworth’s live show in San Francisco (fundraiser; special guests).
- Omaha Productions’ “Night of Champions” San Francisco event celebrating the 1989 49ers (tickets via Omaha Productions channels).
Bottom line (for readers who want the headlines)
- Coaching: Bills’ internal hire drew skepticism because it didn’t signal a clear new direction; other hires (Daboll-to-Titans, McCarthy-to-Steelers) are framed as stability or developmental fits.
- Seahawks beat the Rams thanks to surprising QB play (Darnold), aggressive scheming (trips + motion), and clutch defensive plays; Rams were hurt by DB depth and special teams mistakes.
- Patriots beat the Broncos behind a dominant defensive front and an offense that used the QB’s running ability as a weapon; weather and negative plays hurt Denver.
- Small details (special teams, third/fourth-down conversion rates, DB depth) continue to decide tight playoff games.