Overview of PMS 2.0 1661
Pat McAfee’s show from Notre Dame centered on a massive college football weekend, especially No. 1 Miami at No. 11 Notre Dame, while also diving into the latest NFL news, trade-deadline chatter, injury updates, and a full slate of betting picks. The episode blended live game-day energy with big-picture football discussion: playoff positioning, coaching philosophy, lineup changes, and how injuries could reshape both college football and the NFL.
College Football’s “Separation Saturday”
Notre Dame vs. Miami is the weekend’s headline game
- The crew framed Miami at Notre Dame as a defining CFP game.
- Notre Dame was described as being in a must-win spot after the committee placed them at No. 11, while Miami still has some margin for error even with a loss.
- The game was repeatedly called a “separation Saturday” type matchup, with several other games around the country carrying playoff implications.
Malachi Toney injury changes everything for Miami
- The biggest storyline was the reported injury to Miami star Malachi Toney.
- Guests and hosts agreed that Miami’s offense will have to adjust quickly because Toney is:
- a major chunk of their production
- a leader on the team
- a blocker and weapon in multiple alignments
- Desmond Howard said Miami will likely respond with toughness and physicality, but they’ll need:
- better play from the rest of the receivers
- more production from the run game
- improved defense, especially in the secondary
Notre Dame’s path
- C.J. Carr was praised as composed and efficient.
- The Irish were described as needing to:
- run the ball
- avoid mistakes
- focus on execution rather than the result
- The panel felt Notre Dame still has a strong path if it loses a close game, but a loss would make the rest of the season much tighter.
Nick Saban: Strategy, Culture, and the Modern Game
Nick Saban joined the show and delivered several strong football takeaways:
Tightrope surgery and high-ankle sprains
- Saban explained how tightrope surgery works:
- it stabilizes a high ankle sprain by essentially wiring the bones together
- it can shorten recovery from weeks to around a month for skill players
- He said Alabama used it repeatedly during his tenure to get players back faster.
Playing for awards vs. playing to win
- Saban stressed that team success leads to individual awards.
- His message:
- “Be where your feet are.”
- Don’t force plays just to chase Heisman-level stats.
- Focus on executing the current game plan.
Big Ten vs. SEC
- Saban pushed back on simplistic conference comparisons.
- His view:
- the SEC still has more depth top-to-bottom
- the Big Ten may have strong teams at the top, but not the same depth
- hard schedules make teams better over time
Key Saban football principle
- He emphasized balance:
- run the ball
- play good defense
- have a quarterback who forces the defense to account for the pass
- He also made the case that teams built only to throw the ball can be less consistent.
NFL Recap: Jaguars Statement Win and Defensive Power Shift
Jaguars dominate the Ravens
- The biggest NFL reaction was to Jacksonville’s blowout over Baltimore.
- The crew was blunt: the Jaguars look like one of the best teams in the AFC.
- Key points:
- Trevor Lawrence is playing at a high level
- the defense is elite and physical
- the team has been on a serious run over the last 16 games
- the Ravens’ QB situation and injury issues made the matchup even harder
Jacksonville’s identity
- The Jags were described as:
- disciplined
- physical
- underestimated
- well-coached
- Liam Coen and the defensive staff got major praise for transforming the roster and the culture.
AFC and NFC defensive trends
- The discussion also highlighted how the NFC is loading up on pass rushers:
- Nick Bosa returning
- DeForest Buckner back
- Myles Garrett returning
- Micah Parsons nearing a return
- The panel kept returning to the idea that defense is becoming the separator in the NFC.
Rap Sheet Segment: Trade Deadline and Injury Watch
Ian Rapoport joined for the weekly NFL roundup and covered several major storylines:
Colts trade rumors
- The crew pressed him on:
- Jonathan Taylor trade chatter
- whether Daniel Jones could be moved
- Rap Sheet said:
- nothing would surprise him
- a midseason QB trade is rare
- interest around Taylor is real, but no deal is guaranteed
Vikings and Carson Wentz
- Carson Wentz is starting for Minnesota and could have a meaningful opportunity in Kevin O’Connell’s system.
- Rap Sheet noted that Wentz has looked good in stretches when healthy in this offense.
- He also mentioned Kyler Murray’s hamstring as a week-to-week issue.
Ravens and Derrick Henry
- Despite the record, Rap Sheet said Baltimore is more likely to be a buyer than a seller.
- He doesn’t expect them to move on from Derrick Henry.
49ers and Brandon Aiyuk
- Aiyuk’s situation was described as complicated:
- roster/contract issues
- possible grievance money owed
- uncertainty about when he’ll actually return
- The 49ers are not rushing anything, and the team’s response suggests some tension.
Other injury updates
- AJ Brown is out.
- TreVeyon Henderson had a neurological issue and remains under observation.
- Micah Parsons is expected back soon for Green Bay.
- Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald both trending back into action for the Rams.
Desmond Howard on Miami, Notre Dame, and the Playoff Picture
Desmond Howard joined from Coral Gables and offered strong insight into the Miami/Notre Dame matchup:
Miami’s response to the Malachi Toney injury
- Howard said the Hurricanes will rally around the loss and try to play with:
- toughness
- physicality
- urgency
- He expects Miami to lean on Mark Fletcher and the run game.
Notre Dame’s strengths
- Howard praised:
- C.J. Carr’s poise
- Marcus Freeman’s leadership
- Notre Dame’s ability to stay efficient and avoid mistakes
Playoff nuance
- He argued that Notre Dame could still survive a close loss if the resume holds up and other teams around them keep falling.
Stanford Steve and the Betting Slate
The final segment moved into full weekend picks. The key betting angles included:
Consensus or notable picks
- Chiefs over Jets
- Lions over Dolphins
- Broncos over Panthers
- Rams over Commanders
- Patriots over Packers from some on the panel, while others leaned Packers
- Browns over Saints was supported by Pat, AJ, and part of the crew
- Seahawks over Cardinals was a split decision
- Bears vs. Buccaneers drew mixed feelings, with some liking Chicago after their huge recent win
General betting theme
- The panel emphasized that this week features:
- unusually large spreads
- several “prove-it” games
- a lot of spots where weather, injuries, and home field could matter more than usual
Notable Takeaways
- Miami–Notre Dame is the weekend’s biggest college football game.
- Malachi Toney’s injury is the defining storyline for Miami.
- Nick Saban remains a masterclass in football philosophy.
- The Jaguars are being treated like a legitimate AFC powerhouse.
- Trade-deadline rumors are heating up around Jonathan Taylor, Daniel Jones, Aiyuk, and Derrick Henry.
- The NFC appears loaded with elite pass rush talent.
- Several teams are entering make-or-break games that could shape the CFP and NFL playoff races.