Overview of PMS 2.0 1659
Pat McAfee and the crew spent most of the show reacting to the first College Football Playoff rankings, arguing that the committee is finally leaning into “football judgment” and trench play rather than just record and brand name. From there, the episode turned into a full NFL week-eight breakdown with J.J. Watt, A.Q. Shipley, Darius Butler, and A.J. Hawk joining to discuss dominant offensive lines, defensive playmakers, quarterback movement, and a wave of trade/injury news around the league.
College Football Playoff Rankings Reaction
Main takeaway: the committee seems to be valuing the trenches
- Pat was encouraged by comments from CFP chair Hunter Yurachek about “football people” in the room.
- The group repeatedly emphasized that offensive and defensive line play is becoming a bigger factor in ranking teams.
- They pointed to historical precedent:
- In the CFP era, most champions have come from the opening top four.
- Early rankings still matter a lot, even if chaos later reshuffles things.
The “trench ball” argument
- The crew liked that committee members with old-school football backgrounds appear to value:
- physicality
- run game
- line play
- strength up front
- They argued this could help teams like UCLA if the committee truly rewards dominant line play.
Reese Davis explained the process
- Reese Davis joined to explain how the committee ranks teams in pods/groups of six before voting and re-voting.
- He noted:
- teams are compared as groups, not always one-on-one
- some matchups may never land in the same “bucket”
- the process can create confusion and inconsistency
- He also said this year feels different from past years because teams are more evenly matched and the committee may be less certain than usual.
Notre Dame, Miami, and the chaos ahead
- Notre Dame vs. Miami was framed as a huge must-win game.
- The crew noted:
- Notre Dame’s path is simpler because it doesn’t have a conference title game
- Miami’s ranking and resume could shift drastically depending on that result
- They also discussed how many playoff scenarios could still self-correct over the next few weeks.
NFL Week 8: Trenches, Defense, and Offensive Lines
J.J. Watt on pass rush, body types, and momentum
- J.J. Watt joined for his weekly segment and immediately fit into the show’s chaos.
- He talked through:
- tech issues in the studio
- how NFL defenses feed off game script
- why good pass rushes depend on teammates working in sync
- He praised the Steelers’ defensive front and said the team’s sack production was a product of everyone doing their job, not just one star.
Steelers defense
- The Steelers recorded 8.5 sacks and looked dominant up front.
- J.J. explained:
- Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt, and the edge rushers were working in tandem
- rush lane integrity was key
- the Browns’ offense got overwhelmed by pressure and game flow
- The crew liked that Pittsburgh’s defense looked more connected and disciplined than just purely explosive.
Steelers offense and Mike McCarthy
- The Steelers’ offense was praised for:
- trap blocking
- using aggressiveness against a penetrating front
- dominating with run-game design
- J.J. and A.Q. both praised Mike McCarthy’s coaching and preparation.
- The crew said McCarthy gets unfairly labeled as stale or dull, but that he actually brings detailed planning and accountability.
A.Q. Shipley’s Top 5 Offensive Lines
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
- The Jags were praised for:
- powerful interior line play
- strong run-game structure
- smart RPO design
- Liam Coen’s offense was highlighted as one of the best schemed units in the league.
- A.Q. said the Jaguars are winning with a line that can bully people and create easy runs.
4. Buffalo Bills
- Buffalo’s line was praised for chemistry, especially in the run game.
- James Cook’s cutback ability was a major highlight.
- The group loved the way Buffalo manipulates defensive flow with motion and deception.
3. Detroit Lions
- Detroit’s line was celebrated for:
- counter schemes
- marrying run and pass looks
- getting both tight ends involved
- The Lions’ offense was described as evolving into a unit that can create space with multiple run looks and still stay explosive.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
- Pittsburgh’s line was the “trench football” poster child of the week.
- A.Q. said the Steelers attacked Cleveland’s penetrating front by:
- trapping aggressively
- using movement against aggressiveness
- keeping the run game efficient
- Jalen Warren was singled out for his big-play efficiency.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Tampa Bay got the top spot because they completely controlled the game on the ground.
- The Bucs didn’t even complete a pass and still dominated.
- Their counter game against Atlanta was highlighted as old-school football at its best.
- The crew joked that the Falcons looked like they needed to fire somebody after that loss.
Good D: Defensive Performers and Film Notes
Darius Butler’s defensive takeaways
- Darius Butler highlighted several defenders who stood out in Week 8:
- Ray Juan Lane III
- DJ Reed
- Geno Stone
- Trent McDuffie
- He focused on:
- safety rotation
- leverage
- undercutting routes
- forcing turnovers through anticipation
Key defensive themes
- Great defenses were described as:
- disciplined
- smart in coverage
- willing to capitalize on tipped balls and bad throws
- Butler emphasized that defense still wins championships, especially in a year where offense is strong but not always consistent.
Game-by-game defensive highlights
- Jaguars: turnover-heavy, efficient, and one of the league’s best defenses by takeaway differential.
- Lions: their back end is improving as health returns.
- Bills: showed smart coverage and opportunistic ball-hawking.
- Chargers/Chiefs context: the crew repeatedly noted how defensive game plans are forcing quarterbacks into uncomfortable situations.
Quarterback and Trade News
Jacoby Brissett to the Ravens
- Breaking news hit that Arizona was finalizing a trade sending Jacoby Brissett to Baltimore.
- The crew liked the move because:
- Brissett is a stabilizing veteran
- he can run an offense quickly
- he’s a respected locker-room leader
- They saw it as smart insurance for Baltimore amid quarterback injuries.
Other quarterback developments
- Carson Wentz is set for more action as Minnesota deals with injuries.
- Drew Lock got praise for being a viable backup who can operate a system.
- Minshew Mania continues to be a viable short-term answer in Arizona.
- Deshaun Watson being placed in concussion protocol was a major concern.
- Shadour Sanders was mentioned as the Browns’ starter for the Saints game.
- The group also discussed how quarterback injuries and backup quality are reshaping the trade market.
Chiefs, Broncos, and the Mahomes conversation
- The Broncos’ fourth-quarter heroics sparked another discussion about:
- Bo Nix’s late-game clutch ability
- Denver’s defense
- Kansas City’s lack of explosive passing plays
- The crew said the Chiefs need more downfield help and that Patrick Mahomes has not been as explosive as in past years.
- They also debated whether Kansas City needs to add another wideout before the deadline.
Injuries and Breaking Updates
Jack Campbell update
- The show closed with a very positive update on Jack Campbell:
- full movement in lower body
- continued progress in upper body
- optimism remains high
- The whole desk reacted emotionally and praised the Lions for rallying around him.
Malachi Toney status
- Miami star Malachi Toney was reported as dealing with an ankle issue ahead of the Notre Dame game.
- That mattered because of the significance of the matchup and his Heisman-level production.
Other notable health notes
- The crew discussed how injuries and protocols can change playoff races, quarterback depth charts, and trade decisions almost overnight.
Notable Takeaways
What the crew seemed to believe most strongly
- The trenches are becoming the biggest separator in football again.
- The CFP committee may be finally leaning into football judgment instead of just rankings math.
- Veteran offensive/defensive line play is driving team success more than flashy skill alone.
- A strong defense still matters most when postseason football gets physical.
Repeated themes
- “Run game travels.”
- “Football judgment.”
- “Trench ball.”
- “Defense wins championships.”
Final Note
The episode mixed comedy, chaos, and real football substance, but the biggest throughline was simple: teams that win up front are the ones most likely to keep winning when the weather gets colder and the games get bigger.