Sports Illustrated staff writer Matt Verderame joins the show to break down the Super Bowl matchup between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, offering analysis on key players like Drake May and Sam Darnold, and giving his prediction for the big game! The conversation also covers the recent NFL coaching hires, including a look at the best new team/coach pairings this offseason.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Welcome and Super Bowl Matchup Set
• 00:26 Introducing Guest Matt Verderame, Staff Writer for Sports
• 00:53 Mike Vrabel's Job Turning Around the Patriots in One Season
• 01:30 Thoughts on Vrabel and Patriots' Offseason Additions
• 02:29 Reaction to Drake May's MVP-level Jump in Year Two
• 03:17 Drake May is Second Youngest Quarterback to Start in a Super
• 04:22 Drake May Pushing to Join the Elite AFC QB Group
• 05:00 New England's Advantage with Experienced Coaching Staff
• 06:23 Seattle is the Far Better Football Team
• 06:43 The Redemption Story of Seattle QB Sam Darnold
• 07:22 Sam Darnold's Unique Case in NFL History
• 09:42 Discussing the Unlikeliest Super Bowl Matchup
• 10:19 Super Bowl Prediction: Seahawks to Win by 14-17 Points
• 11:09 New England Must Win the Cornerback Matchups
• 12:10 Best New Coach/Team Marriage
• 12:36 Mentioning Minter and the Ravens, and Saleh and the Titans
• 13:20 Thoughts on Hafley and the Dolphins, and Brady with Buffalo
• 14:58 Where to Find Matt Verderame's Super Bowl Content

#NFL #SuperBowl #Patriots #Seahawks #MattVerderame #DrakeMay #SamDarnold #MikeVrabel #NFLCoachingHires #SportsIllustrated

Sportsnaut sits down with USA Today baseball writer and MLB insider Gabe Lacques to break down the latest news in Major League Baseball as spring training approaches. We discuss the New York Mets' aggressive pivot following a slow start to the offseason, the Toronto Blue Jays' focus on pitching, concerns about the New York Yankees' lack of major moves, and the impact of the Los Angeles Dodgers' massive spending on the future of collective bargaining and a potential work stoppage. The biggest winners and losers from the offseason!

Timecode

0:00 Welcome and Introduction of Guest Gabe Lacques

0:50 New York Mets Offseason: Are they better on paper?

1:54 Analysis of the Mets' new additions, including Jorge Polanco and Bo Bichette.

4:25 Freddy Peralta trade completes the rotation and makes the Mets a threat.

7:57 Toronto Blue Jays Offseason: Strengthening the pitching staff.

8:56 Analyzing Dylan Cease's stuff and numbers.

9:42 The loss of Bichette or Tucker and reliance on young players

11:24 New York Yankees Offseason: Concerns with running back the same team.

14:07 Question marks for the Yankees' pitching staff (Cole and Rodón).

15:02 The Dodgers' mega-deal for Kyle Tucker & possibility of a salary cap.

15:53 Tucker's contract as a potential "straw that broke the camel's back."

16:13 Dodgers operation and the impact of Shohei Ohtani's contract structure.

17:38 The owners' push for a salary cap

18:21 Winning without buying players and the potential effect of a salary floor.

19:17 Advice to fans: Enjoy the season before the 2026 CBA expiration.

USA Today MLB columnist Bob Nightengale joins the Sportsnot interview to discuss the slow MLB offseason, predicting a "flurry of activity" soon. Nightengale shares his thoughts on the best offseason moves so far (Orioles, Blue Jays, Dodgers) and when the remaining top free agents like Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger, Framer Valdez, and Zack Gallen might sign. He also discusses the likelihood of a work stoppage in 2027.

Chapters:

0:21 – Bob Nightengale joins; slow MLB offseason explained

0:44 – Relievers signed fast; big position players & starters still available

1:05 – Teams that improved most: Orioles (Pete Alonso), Blue Jays, Cubs, Dodgers (Edwin Diaz)

1:32 – Quiet big spenders (Phillies, Yankees, Mets) expected to move soon

1:59 – Alex Bregman started the dominoes; next: Kyle Tucker this week

2:15 – Then Bellinger, Framber Valdez, Zach Gallen likely soon after

2:36 – Most big free agents should sign before spring training (mid-February)

3:00 – Bo Bichette: Phillies lead, but Red Sox, Blue Jays, Dodgers as possible sleeper

3:41 – 2027 work stoppage probable (Dec 2026 start) due to salary cap fight + TV/revenue issues

5:19 – Stoppage likely short; sport is too profitable right now

10:00 – Wrap-up & thanks