Overview of PMS 2.0 1652
Pat McAfee and crew broadcast from Salt Lake City ahead of Utah vs. Houston, blending a lively NFL Week 7 recap, college football preview, insider news with Ian Rapoport, and a long sit-down with Utah head coach Morgan Scalley. The show centered on how football is being reshaped by elite quarterback play, coaching stability, and growing parity in both the NFL and college game.
NFL Week 7 Recap: Bears, Patriots, and the Caleb Williams Hype
Caleb Williams’ breakout continues
- The biggest football takeaway was Caleb Williams’ strong Thursday night performance in Chicago’s win over New England.
- McAfee and the panel argued that Williams is starting to look like the “generational” prospect people projected, especially now that he’s operating more effectively from the pocket in Ben Johnson’s offense.
- His improved decision-making, pocket discipline, and ability to create off-script were highlighted as signs of a true franchise quarterback.
Drake May impresses in defeat
- Drake May also drew praise despite the Patriots loss.
- The crew suggested that both Chicago and New England may have found long-term quarterbacks and could become annual contenders if the teams keep building around them.
- The conversation framed Bears vs. Patriots as a potential future Super Bowl matchup down the line.
Team and betting notes from TNF
- The Bears won and covered, and the game also went over.
- The show celebrated the success of their Thursday night betting boost, noting the quarterbacks hitting their passing props.
- The crew also discussed how the NFL’s parity makes almost every week unpredictable and entertaining.
Ian Rapoport Injury and NFL News Roundup
Cole Kmet injury update
- Rapoport reported that Cole Kmet suffered what appears to be a serious knee injury and may miss the rest of the season.
- The Bears will likely lean more on Colston Loveland in the short term.
Colts uncertainty and trade deadline talk
- The Colts’ GM situation was a major topic:
- The team’s future at general manager and head coach remains unclear.
- Quentin Nelson, Jonathan Taylor, and DeForest Buckner were mentioned as notable potential trade or roster-decision names.
- Rapoport said the Colts are likely trying to determine whether they’re buyers or sellers before the trade deadline.
- The discussion also revisited the Anthony Richardson era and the franchise’s continued struggle to stabilize at quarterback.
Other injury updates
- Puka Nacua: calf injury, status uncertain.
- Davante Adams: surgery expected, likely a 6–8 week timeline.
- Myles Garrett: expected to return to practice soon.
- Baker Mayfield: likely to play, with a custom glove made with help from the Rays’ equipment staff.
- CJ Stroud / Bryce Young: contract extension talk likely waits until after the season.
- Zach Charbonnet: expected to return for Seattle and see significant work.
- Lamar Jackson: still week-to-week, but progressing and potentially close to returning.
Utah Football Preview: Morgan Scalley Joins the Show
Utah’s identity under Morgan Scalley
- Utah head coach Morgan Scalley joined live on set and explained his program’s identity:
“Relentless, smart, nasty, ball hawks.” - He described how the defense’s culture is built on accountability, toughness, discipline, and shared language across the program.
- Scalley emphasized that culture only exists when everyone in the building is aligned.
His Utah roots and coaching journey
- Scalley has deep ties to Utah:
- Played there.
- Grew up a Utah fan.
- Has been with the program since the late 1990s.
- He credited mentors like:
- Ron McBride
- Urban Meyer
- Kyle Whittingham
- He described Urban Meyer as a “master motivator” and Whittingham as a mentor who taught him players-first leadership.
Utah’s current state and Big 12 outlook
- Scalley praised the Utah offense’s variety and the team’s ability to challenge defenses with multiple personnel groupings.
- He said Houston’s athleticism and efficiency make this week a real test.
- He also argued the Big 12 deserves multiple playoff bids, not just one, because the league has become deeper and more competitive.
Culture, alumni, and NIL
- Scalley discussed why he personally donated money to Utah athletics, saying the university and its people had given so much to him and his family.
- He stressed the importance of keeping alumni connected to the program.
- He also talked about how modern recruiting requires honesty: players need to know they’ll compete, not just be promised roles.
Nick Saban on College Football, Intensity, and the Playoff
Saban’s big-picture view
Nick Saban joined and offered his usual blunt, high-level football perspective on:
- Sustaining intensity week to week.
- Why teams struggle after emotional wins.
- The influence of NIL, agents, social media, and constant outside noise.
His playoff stance
- Saban argued for a larger College Football Playoff field, saying the current percentage of teams getting in is too small.
- He framed it as a fairness issue: more teams should have a real chance to prove themselves on the field.
What makes a great program
- Saban said the best programs are built on:
- Consistency
- Accountability
- Smart decision-making
- Team-first behavior
- He repeatedly emphasized that success is more than one big win; it’s about sustaining performance over time.
Stanford Steve’s Weekly Picks and NFL Betting Talk
Key picks discussed
The crew and Stanford Steve ran through a full weekend slate of picks, including:
- Steelers vs. Saints: split opinions, with Steve leaning Saints.
- Colts vs. Vikings: major debate; the team was split on whether Indianapolis could keep it close without key players.
- Ravens vs. Bengals: leaned Ravens if Lamar Jackson plays; Bengals if he doesn’t.
- Texans vs. Giants: Texans favored heavily, but the crew debated whether that line was too steep.
- Buccaneers vs. Panthers: discussion centered on Baker Mayfield’s glove and whether he’d play.
- Titans vs. Browns: Steve leaned Titans; others liked Cleveland.
- Dolphins vs. Jets: Miami was still winless in terms of time leading this season, which became a talking point.
- 49ers vs. Falcons
- Broncos vs. Cardinals
- Rams vs. Raiders
- Packers vs. Lions
- Chiefs vs. Seahawks
Betting and “backdoor” chatter
- The crew repeatedly joked about backdoor covers and how much the betting landscape changes week to week.
- They also noted that the Thursday night boost hit again, improving their season record.
Ramp Truck Segment and Defensive Highlights
“Ram Truck” hits of the week
The show’s football-highlight segment featured the hardest hits of the week, including:
- San Francisco defensive plays from Malik Mustapha and Fred Warner
- Big-time collisions and tone-setting tackles from the 49ers defense
- A bizarre golf cart crash that made the segment despite not really being a football hit
Takeaway
The Ram Truck segment reinforced the theme that football remains a physical, violent, and emotionally charged sport.
Personal Notes: Mosquito Bowl Premiere and Road Life
McAfee’s movie premiere
- Pat shared a long reflection on attending the premiere of Mosquito Bowl, the World War II football film he appears in.
- He described:
- Watching himself on the big screen
- Being nervous but ultimately relieved
- The emotional power of the film’s war and football scenes
- He praised director Peter Berg and the cast, and said the film is a serious, respectful tribute to WWII-era Marines and the greatest generation.
Road-trip and production life
- The crew also joked about:
- Flights, hotel power outages, and travel fatigue
- Haircuts, outfits, and behind-the-scenes show logistics
- The intensity of producing live shows on the road
Main Takeaways
- Caleb Williams and Drake May are shaping up to be the future of the NFL.
- The Bears look like a legitimate long-term contender under Ben Johnson.
- College football’s parity is real, and the playoff debate is only getting louder.
- Utah’s Morgan Scalley has built a strong program identity around toughness and continuity.
- Ian Rapoport’s injury updates underscored how thin the margin is for contenders in both the NFL and college football.
- The show balanced football analysis, betting, insider news, and entertainment in classic McAfee fashion.