Championship Reactions: Indiana National Champions, McCarthy to Steelers, & Super Bowl Matchup Set
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About this listen
We break down Indiana's "perfect" National Championship run and the schematic evolution of the NFL run game from Wide Zone back to Duo. Plus, we react to the Steelers' controversial hiring of Mike McCarthy and analyze how the Patriots and Seahawks punched their tickets to the Super Bowl.
In this episode:
Break down Indiana’s “perfect” National Championship victory and the fundamental-heavy approach that defined their historic season.
React to the latest NFL coaching hires, including why Mike McCarthy to the Steelers feels like the “worst hire” of the cycle.
Analyze the AFC Championship game, questioning the Broncos’ aggressive 4th-down decision-making in severe weather conditions.
Recap the Seahawks’ win over the Rams, focusing on Sam Darnold’s surprising efficiency and the Rams’ passive defensive strategy.
Detail the schematic evolution of the NFL run game as offenses shift from Wide Zone back to Duo to punish lighter defensive fronts.
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Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro: Indiana as the "Perfect" College Football Story
06:52 - Cignetti’s Philosophy: Being an "A**hole" About Fundamentals
13:21 - Schematic Breakdown: How Indiana’s "Wolves in Sheep's Clothing" Defense Stifled Miami
19:15 - NFL Coaching Carousel: Stefanski & Harbaugh Staff Moves
21:40 - Hafley to Miami & The End of Tua?
23:45 - Jesse Minter to the Ravens
25:50 - Robert Saleh to the Titans
27:39 - Mike McCarthy to Pittsburgh: The "Worst Hire" of the Cycle?
32:01 - Eric Bieniemy Returns to KC (The "Soft Firing")
35:03 - The Buffalo Bills: The Most Dysfunctional Job in the NFL
40:36 - AFC Championship: Broncos vs. Patriots & The Weather Factor
44:34 - Is Christian Gonzalez Actually a Lockdown Corner?
52:08 - NFC Championship: Rams vs. Seahawks Recap
01:02:25 - Schematic Trends: The Shift from Wide Zone Back to Duo
01:05:40 - The Cardinals Vacancy & Prediction for Chris Shula
01:10:02 - Outro
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