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H20man & Friends Sports Podcast

H20man & Friends Sports Podcast

By: Howard Waterman
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About this listen

 A podcast covering the world of sports with a focus on strategy. The goal: be entertaining and informative. The hosts each have roughly 50 years of experience following and playing organized sports in the New York/New Jersey metro area. Strong emphasis on NFL football. Good friends and one former sports journalist offer commentary with a pretty good chance of good-natured silliness mixed in. Dedicated to the memory of Steven Waterman, who was a passionate, ultra-knowledgeable sports fan with a great sense of humor who loved the NY Giants, Mets, Rangers and Brooklyn Nets, and adored his daughter, Lea and wife Andrea even more. He passed away unexpectedly in 2022 way, way too soon.2023 Football (American) Politics & Government
Episodes
  • S3 E 14 Super Bowl Preview and Predictions, AFC/NFL Title Game Observations

    S3 E 14 Super Bowl Preview and Predictions, AFC/NFL Title Game Observations
    Jan 29 2026
    • Taped on Jan. 27, 2026...

    Segment 1: 3 Observations After the AFC and NFC Championship Games (Starts at 1:02)

    • Surprise that Sam Darnold will be the first QB from the 2018 NFL Draft class that included Baker Mayfield, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson
    • Has Rams QB Matthew Stafford played his last NFL game after throwing for 4,700 yards and a career-best 46 TDs? Concerns about his previous back issues at 38 years old
    • What are the Jets doing? Head Coach Aaron Glenn has fired 8 assistant coaches including both offensive and defensive coordinators...(Note: since taping, the Jets have hired Steve

    Segment 2: AFC and NFC Championship Game Highlights and Observations (10:40)

    Patriots 10, Broncos 7

    • Broncos likely win with QB Bo Nix on the field
    • Denver Coach Sean Payton will have nightmares for years on his decision to go for it on 4th down and not kick a field go to up 10-0 with a backup QB that hadn't played in two seasons
      • Nigel talks about how locally in Colorado fans disagreed with not kicking the FG in that situation...4 missed FGs in the game by both teams
    • Weather a massive factor; Patriots HC Mike Vrabel outcoached Payton down the stretch in the blustery blizzard; we talk through the factors the coaches were pondering in real-time
    • Drake Maye made a big difference with his legs and had the longest run of the game (28 yards)
    • Hard to repeat as AFC Champs, and the road likely does not get easier: Massive number of comeback wins is not sustainable, Chargers have a new OC, should get their O Line healthy and the Chiefs should reload with higher draft picks in each round that in the past several seasons; Mahomes return from surgery TBD
    • Discussion around when to take running backs in the NFL draft

    Seahawks 31, Rams 27 (27:40)

    • Darnold no turnovers, 3 TDs, Stafford 3 TDs close to 400 yards passing
    • Rams NC Sean McVay's decision to go for it on 4th down and not get it late in the game
    • Seattle did great job keeping the ball away from Stafford and the Rams offense after that decision; Rams

    Segment 3: Super Bowl Preview and Predictions (30:01)

    • Rematch of Super Bowl 50: Pats 28, Seahawks 24 (last time Seattle made the big game)
    • Both head coaches are in their first year with their teams, rare to get to the Super Bowl, even more so that both coaches do it the same year

    Segment 4: Coaching Carousel

    • Browns announced the hiring of Todd Monken, former Ravens offensive coordinator after this taping
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    52 mins
  • NFL AFC & NFC Championship Preview, Divisional Round Review and Coaching Carousel Update (Bills fire head coach)

    NFL AFC & NFC Championship Preview, Divisional Round Review and Coaching Carousel Update (Bills fire head coach)
    Jan 24 2026
    Segment 1: Divisional Round Game Top 3 Observations (Starts at 1:00) Niners at inflection point?Is there doubt about CJ Stroud being the long-term QB solution in Houston? Sit tight on contract extension? One example of surprisingly poor QB play this postseasonBears had a great first season under new Head Coach Ben Johnson; record setting number of comebacks, will be tough to win THAT many games trailing at the end of so many games (Nigel's return to the mean theory) in 2026/27 Segment 2: Divisional Round Detailed Recap (15:53) Broncos 33, Bills 30 (OT) Scored 30 points despite 5 turnovers, 4 by Josh Allen (2 INTs, 2 fumbles) very costlyMany key drops including in OT by Buffalo WRsBills rallied from 23-10 down after allowing 10 points in the final 30 seconds of the first half to lead 24-23Bills robbed by INT call in OT on catch by WR Brandin Cooks? That call does Bills way, likely talking about Buffalo in the AFC championship game in New England and HC Sean McDermott would still be employedBroncos well coached; they don't beat themselves with mistakes; QB Bo Nix (only 5 letters, very efficient) makes plays deep in games; did not see the play in which he hurt his ankleJosh Allen: fumbled 14 times in 15 postseason games; 0-7 in OTs (odd); led team to 5 straight AFC East titles, two AFC championship games Seahawks 41, Niners 6 game basically over after first play, returned for TD by former Saints WR Rashid ShaheedSeattle up 17-0 after first quarterSecond time in a month, Seahawks D held the Niners without a TD (Seattle D playing very good, consistent football) Patriots 28, Texans 16 Story: implosion by QB CJ Stroud: 4 INTs in the first half, 5 fumbles vs. SteelersStroud: very inaccurate all game, missing best WR Nico Collins (concussion previous week) set NFL playoff record, first player with at least 5 INTs and 5 fumbles in a single postseason Pats D dominant for the second straight playoff weekGreat one-handed TD catch by Pats WR Kayshon Boutte against All-Pro CB Derek Stingley Jr. all over him Rams 20, Bears 17 (OT) Bears QB Caleb Williams historically great play on 4th and 14 on TD pass to TE Kmet to tie game at 17; threw key INT in OT; amazing sideline catch by Davante Adams in OTBears D played very well, holding high-scoring Rams offense to just 17 pointsChicago: great season at 11-6, won NFC North division; Segment 3: AFC and NFC Championship Game Previews (34:20) AFC: Patriots at Broncos All signs to point to the Patriots winning with Denver playing a backup QB who has not taken an NFL snap in two years.Mistake to count out the Broncos and HC Sean Payton?Can Denver take advantage of potential league MVP Drake Maye's lack of ball security this postseason (10 sacks and 6 fumbles in two games at home?) Broncos led the league in sacks Key matchup: underrated Patriots D vs. Denver's offense...will the Broncos be able to run the football? Couldn't against a mediocre Bills defense and Pats run D is way betterBoth defenses will try to make the opposing offenses one dimensionalPatriots 8-0 on road this season, 1-4 vs. Broncos in the postseason NFC: Rams at Seahawks (third meeting this season) Seahawks playing very well in all three phases; overcame a 30-14 deficit vs. the Rams in Week 16 to win a thrilling 38-37 game in OT after a daring, successful 2-point conversion Stafford had over 400 yards passing, team forced 3 INTs, had none and STILL lost Seattle's lost loss: Week 11 in LA vs. RamsQBs: advantage Rams Rams have already beaten the Seahawks and have a battle-tested QB in Matthew Stafford up for league MVP; Seahawks playing better than Rams past monthSam Darnold playing in his first conference championship game; nice to have a strong running game and elite D; rooting for him as Jets fans (Darnold drafted by the Jets) Darnold 14-3 the past two seasons (in Seattle 2025, with Vikings 2024) Seahawks will be missing injured RB Zach Charbonnet (12 rushing TDs), does have WR Kenneth Walker III (close to 300 total yards vs. Rams this season)Rams have two really good WRs in Puca Nacua and Davante Adams, can't double team them both Segment 4: NFL Coaching Carousel (49:40) Bills fire Head Coach Sean McDermott (8-8 in playoffs) yet promote GM Brandon Beane??? ended 18-year playoff drought in his first season7 straight 10 season wins, 98-50 recordLast straw not getting to the Super Bowl with no Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson in the way this postseasonGM never replaced the talent after WR1 Stefon Diggs tradedUnder consideration: Bills OC Joe Brady (also in running for other open HC jobs), Brian Daboll in the mix (from West NY, great job as Josh Allen's first OC, though challenge is his record as Giants HC (lost 2x as many games as he won) Giants have a new HC: John Harbaugh (5 years, $100M)...good work if you can get it will report to ownership not GM, similar to his arrangement in Baltimore; replacing majority of coaches under Daboll Titans hired Robert Saleh, great defensive coordinator; ...
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • NFL Divisional Playoff Round Preview and Wild-Card Weekend Recap

    NFL Divisional Playoff Round Preview and Wild-Card Weekend Recap
    Jan 17 2026
    Segment 1 - NFL Wild-Card Weekend Results (0:47) 3 Observations Bears building something potentially special offensively with QB Caleb Williams and first year Head Coach Ben JohnsonChargers QB Justin Herbert's 0-3 playoff record and play is raising questions Who would you prefer to QB your team: Herbert vs. Jordan Love?While...4 playoff QBs led their team to a win after trailing late in the 4th Q: Matthew Stafford, Josh Allen, Caleb Williams, Brock Purdy Josh Allen willed the Bills to win against very good Jags team, but does he have the skill position talent around him to go to the Super Bowl? Rams 34, Panthers 31 QB Matthew Stafford's 54th game-winning drive in 4th Q/OT, 5th most in NFL historyNot the Rams' best game; special team issues continue to be a problem, concernPanther fans should be happy w/division title, playing Rams well Bears 31, Packers 27 One of the biggest comebacks in the NFL playoffs since 2000 - down 21-3 at the halfQB Caleb Williams threw 25-yard-TD with 1:43 left, and 361 yardsPackers QB Jordan love threw for 4 TDs, 323 yards34 points scored in the second half Bills 27, Jaguars 24 Fun to watch; Bills first road playoff win since 1992Jags played well out of the game, chunk yards on the ground4 lead changes in the 4th Q tied for most in NFL playoff historyMajor challenge by Bills successful, takes Jags offense off the field 49ers 23, Eagles 19 Niners will be a tough out; doing nice job dealing with many injuriesNiners scored led to go-ahead and winning TD late in gameEagles offensive continued to struggle; QB Jalin Hurts threw into triple coverage on their last offensive playMajor changes coming in Philly (O coordinator fired)...others? Saquan Barkley? Hurts? Patriots 16, Chargers 3 Pats D dominated, Chargers D played wellQB Drake Maye struggled in playoff debutChargers QB Justin Herbert now 0-3 in playoffs, injured O Line a big problem Texans 30, Steelers 6 Texans D dominated, scored two defensive TDsHouston surprised with a very effective running game, 92-yard drive!Where was Steelers WR DK Metcalf in the second half?If Aaron Rodgers retires, his last play was a pick 6 Segment 2: Divisional Playoff Games Preview: Final 8 are Set (38:45) Bills at Broncos Josh Allen experience, talent vs. 2nd Year QB Bo Nix playing best football of seasonDenver elite offensive line, strong pass rush and D, all-pro CB Patrick Surtain II Broncos had several comeback wins during the regular season; can run on Bills 49ers at Seahawks Rematch of Week 19 Seattle 13-3 win; Seahawks tough to beat if don't turn it overNiners w/out several starters (Bosa, Warner, Kittle)Seahawks one of best D's in league; QB Sam Darnold led NFL w/most turnovers (20) Texans at Patriots If Texans QB CJ Stroud does not play better, will be very hard to winHouston best WR, Nico Collins, left Steelers game with concussionKey matchup: Texans pass rush vs. Pats O line Rams at Bears Bears have 7 come-from-behind wins in final 2 min/OT, most ever; they can't keep doing that...or can they?Rams last game in playoff in freezing temps: 1983 (forecast low 20s in Chicago) Source: ESPNKey matchup: Rams strong O line vs. Bears pass rush Segment 3: NFL Coaching Carousel (47:02) 9 teams have head coaching vacanciesSteelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin leaves after 19 seasons; reports he will take year offBroncos DC Vance Joseph and former Browns HC Kevin Stefanski lead candidates with 6 interview requests each -- Cardinals, Falcons, Giants, Ravens, Raiders, TitansNiners DC Robert Saleh next with five interview requests -- Dolphins, Falcons, Raiders, Ravens, TitansCombine Saleh (D) with former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel (O) could be very powerful comboLooking like John Harbaugh will be the Giants next head coach Segment 4: College Football Championship/Indiana dominant in win vs. Oregon, Plays Miami for Title (57:35) Undefeated Indiana crushes Oregon, plays U of Miami for national championship Jan. 19QB Fernando Mendoza played really well, with strong running game, throws more TDs than incompletions, cementing himself at No. 1 overall pick in NFL Draft (Raiders)Oregon QB Dante Moore submarined his chance to be a first round pick in April's NFL Draft with his performance; made right decision to stay in college one more year, will reportedly make $7.6 million to play football for Ducks on Saturdays (not Sundays) next season
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    1 hr and 10 mins
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