#232: NFL Conference Championship Preview (with Matt Barr)

1. Initial head coach hiring grades -Jaguars: Urban Meyer -Jets: Robert Saleh -Falcons: Arthur Smith -Chargers: Brandon Staley -Lions: Dan Campbell -Eagles: Nick Sirianni 2. Initial GM hiring grades -Broncos: George Paton -Texans: Nick Caserio -Falcons: Terry Fontenot -Lions: Brad Holmes -Panthers: Scott Fitterer -Jaguars: Trent Baalke -Washington: Martin Mayhew 3. Truth/Exaggeration -If the Texans don’t hire Eric Bieniemy as their new head coach, it will officially be the point of no return for Deshaun Watson and his relationship with the Texans -Long-term, the Jets may be a better trade destination for Deshaun Watson and he should HIGHLY consider going there (as Richard Sherman suggested) -IF the Lions decide to part ways with Matthew Stafford, the Colts and 49ers will be the top two teams in contention for his services -The Broncos should release Von Miller regardless of what the criminal investigation into his conduct reveals -The Bears made an egregious mistake by retaining both Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace for the 2021 season -Jameis Winston will be the Week 1 starter for the Saints in 2021 4. NFC Championship Preview: Bucs at Packers -It was reported today that the Bucs will get underrated NT Vita Vea back for this consequential game. This is a big deal, especially going up against Aaron Jones and that LETHAL Packers rushing attack. Could his presence be the decisive difference in this game? -How big of a deal is the absence of Antonio Brown for the Bucs? -Game-deciding matchups -Game picks 5. AFC Championship Game: Bills at Chiefs -As expected, Patrick Mahomes has cleared the concussion protocol, but he also suffered a toe injury in last week’s hard-fought divisional playoff contest against the Browns. How much will the toe injury hinder his improvisational abilities in the pocket, which are a trademark of his game? -Buffalo’s D sold out to stop the pass in their previous matchup and dared the Chiefs to run. Do you think they will do something similar on Sunday? -Game-deciding matchups -Game picks 6. Bold predictions -Me: Bucs/Packers will go to OT. Rodgers gets the ball first and the Packers end up 4th-and-goal at the 3…and kick a FG. Then Brady responds with a 10-yard TD to Gronk and third-and-goal -Matt: Josh Allen throws for three TD and runs for two more...and totals 375 yards  7. Challenge Flags -Me: Josh Allen, don’t get into your bad habits from 2019 (i.e: holding the ball too long) -Matt: Officials…DON’T BLOW IT!!!!!