Overview of PMS 2.0 1493 — Championship Weekend Preview (Pat McAfee, ESPN)
This episode (Jan 23, 2026) is a wide-ranging championship-weekend preview with game-by-game analysis, betting lines and picks, coaching/hiring intel, NBA trade and player drama, plus a major weather briefing. Guests include Adam Schefter (ESPN), Bill Cowher, Shams Charania (NBA insider), Jim Cantore (weather) and A.J. Hawk. The show focuses on Patriots–Broncos (AFC) and Rams–Seahawks (NFC), coaching hires around the league, major NBA storylines (Giannis, Lakers, Ja Morant), and a storm that could affect travel/conditions.
Episode snapshot
- Host: Pat McAfee
- Key guests: Adam Schefter, Bill Cowher, Shams Charania, Jim Cantore, A.J. Hawk
- Main topics: AFC & NFC Championship previews, spreads and public betting, coaching hires & coaching cycle, NBA trade/roster issues, weather forecast for the East Coast
- Tone: Conversational, heavy on narrative/horse-race details, with clear predictions near the end
Championship game previews and key takeaways
AFC: New England Patriots at Denver Broncos
- Short summary:
- Patriots: rapid rebuild under Mike Vrabel / Josh McDaniels influence, strong defense (noted for forcing turnovers; held C.J. Stroud to five turnovers in a playoff game).
- Broncos: No. 1 seed, dominant pass rush and home-field edge (altitude). Jared (Jared/Jarrett) Stidham (backup QB) expected to start for Denver.
- Betting lines & market:
- Line moved: Patriots favored initially around -5.5, moved to -4.5 despite ~70% of bets on Patriots (reverse line movement noted).
- Over/under: ~42.5
- Keys to the game:
- Broncos’ pass rush vs Patriots’ protection — Broncos lead NFL in sacks; Patriots allowed multiple sacks in playoff games.
- Drake Maye (Patriots QB referenced as Drake/Drake May) — mobility and pocket awareness; turnovers when pressured are a concern.
- Altitude and crowd energy in Denver: both could matter late in the game.
- Injury notes: Matt Collins (questionable for one team), Harold Landry ruled out for Broncos (mentioned later).
- Show’s consensus pick: Patriots on the road (Pat, several guests, and hosts backed New England).
NFC: Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks
- Short summary:
- Rams: Sean McVay / Matthew Stafford offense, MVP-level playmakers, multiple legit threats on offense.
- Seahawks: described as a tough, dogged team with a coach who set an immediate cultural vision — strong defense and home-field energy (12th man).
- Betting lines & market:
- Seahawks favored ~-2.5 at home (line stable), over/under ~46.5.
- Public action was heavily on the Seahawks (80%+ in places) — probably recency bias after big defensive performances.
- Keys to the game:
- Matchups between Rams’ top receivers and Seattle’s defense; ability of Stafford to avoid turnovers vs Seahawks’ defensive intensity.
- Seattle’s home crowd and defensive identity could tilt the game.
- Color and bold takes:
- “Bone” (fill-in contributor) bluntly declared “Seahawks dog walk the Rams,” which influenced later picks.
- Show’s consensus pick: Seahawks at home (hosts and many guests sided with Seattle).
Coaching & NFL personnel news (Adam Schefter)
- Major hires:
- Jesse Minter hired by the Baltimore Ravens on a five‑year deal — stayed in Baltimore instead of flying to Cleveland during interview cycle; familiarity with Lamar Jackson emphasized.
- Coaching cycle notes:
- Many jobs still in flux, but teams are balancing interviewing candidates who are still in playoff games (those candidates aren’t available until their season ends).
- Bills’ search: Philip Rivers was interviewing (Schefter expected Rivers to impress). Buffalo was reportedly allowing Josh Allen to sit in on interviews (unusual but viewed as reasonable for an MVP QB).
- Other teams mentioned as active/interesting: Browns (considering young offensive minds or Jim Schwartz), Cardinals, Steelers (Chris Shula, Nate Sheilhaus, Anthony Weaver, Mike McCarthy in conversation), Raiders, Raiders desire young offensives for QB development.
- Practical points:
- Teams that hire sooner have a larger coaching pool to choose from; waiting risks losing assistants to other openings.
Culture, coaching philosophy (Bill Cowher)
- Cowher discusses:
- Head coach as CEO/leader of men; importance of X’s & O’s plus explaining the “why” to modern players.
- Value of retaining terminology/continuity to avoid upheaval when staff changes occur.
- Praise for Mike Vrabel (Patriots’ coach) and his quick culture-building in New England.
- Approach to players: let elite players play to their strengths while requiring teammates to “cover up” when a star makes risky plays.
NBA roundup (Shams Charania)
- Teams to watch:
- East: Boston (surprising; Jalen Brown play & Tatum return timeline), Detroit top regular-season team, Knicks, 76ers, Cavaliers.
- West: Oklahoma City (Shai/Shea a top team), San Antonio surprising, Denver holding despite Jokic injury, Houston/Lakers/Minnesota/Phoenix hot.
- Trade deadline (less than 2 weeks away):
- Boston likely a buyer; teams jockeying for upgrades.
- Player/roster headlines:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bucks: Shams emphasized growing tension — Giannis has expressed frustration publicly (“I don’t know… I take it day by day”), Bucks underperforming (18-25), talks with teams (Knicks reported as preferred offseason destination). Shams sees this as an active, intensifying situation with the potential for big movement.
- Lakers & LeBron/Rich Paul: Rich Paul comments stirred discussion. LeBron’s future is uncertain (retire, sign elsewhere, or return to Lakers); trade deadline implications discussed.
- Grizzlies: Ja Morant situation — teams calling, Memphis entertaining offers; Jaren Jackson Jr. is a valuable movable asset if Memphis chooses a rebuild.
- Zion Williamson (Pelicans): still a conversation piece; Pelicans reportedly taking calls — key is getting Zion consistent game time and availability.
- Takeaway: deadline could reshape landscape — Giannis situation and Ja Morant are the biggest wildcards.
Weather & logistics (Jim Cantore)
- Major storm summary:
- A significant system (northern clipper + southern precip) was forecast to move into the Mississippi Valley and then Northeast over Sunday.
- Key threats: heavy snow (locally 12+ inches), significant ice accretion (danger of >1 inch of ice in some places), tree damage and power outages, followed by bitter cold.
- Practical implications: travel, local fan attendance, and field conditions can be affected (particularly relevant if a game or travel involves New England or the I-95 corridor).
- Cantore’s blunt notes: models locked in after high-resolution aircraft data; expect disrupted travel and long recovery because temperatures plunge after the system.
Notable quotes & moments
- “If you want to run later, we can do that. But the way quarterbacks win Super Bowls is by passing.” — conversation about limiting QB designed runs for long-term durability.
- Adam Schefter on hiring: “Bashadi said they will have input, but not power” — referencing how players may be consulted (Josh Allen sitting in on interviews).
- Giannis (reported quote): “I don’t know. I take it day by day.” — Shams on Giannis’ public comments signaling frustration.
- Bone’s emphatic line: “The Seahawks dog walked the Rams.” — memorable, polarizing soundbite.
Final picks (as presented on the show)
- Patriots over Broncos (Pat, many guests)
- Seahawks over Rams (hosts leaned Seahawks; public heavily on Seattle) (Note: hosts stressed close games and multiple possible outcomes; picks reflect the show’s consensus rather than guaranteed results.)
What to watch during the games (actionable viewing checklist)
- Patriots–Broncos:
- Can Denver generate sustained pressure and exploit Patriots’ sack vulnerabilities?
- Drake Maye’s pocket decision-making: stepping up vs. escaping vs. turnovers.
- Special teams and turnovers — those could flip field position in a low-scoring game.
- Weather/travel effects: wind/precip/field conditions, especially in the Northeast.
- Rams–Seahawks:
- Rams’ ability to move the ball vs. Seahawks’ pass defense; Stafford’s protection.
- Turnover opportunities and momentum swings — Seattle defense has been creating them.
- How both QBs handle third downs and red-zone opportunities.
Quick reference — names & items to track after the show
- Coaching hires: Jesse Minter (Ravens), candidates for Bills/Browns/Steelers/Raiders
- Bills interviews: Philip Rivers reported interviewing; Josh Allen’s role in coach selection
- NBA deadline watch: Giannis/Bucks, Ja Morant/Grizzlies, Lakers/LeBron, Celtics potential moves
- Severe weather: East Coast storm — expect travel disruptions, ice and heavy snow
If you want, I can convert this into a one-page shareable infographic (bullet timeline + picks + weather alert) or extract just the betting-market points (lines, public percentages, over/unders) for quick reference.