Stuck in a Slide, Stuck at QB: AFC/NFC North Previews & IMAX Madness

August 18, 2025 — Hosts Will Alimonos and Zach Bishop open the episode with a hilarious and baffling local rescue (00:00:43 Playground Slide Rescue): a 40-year-old man wedged feet-and-head-first inside a Connecticut tube slide, prompting a half-hour firefighter rescue and plenty of playground etiquette questions. The conversation pivots to the NFL preseason with deep dives into the AFC and NFC North (00:04:32). Will and Zach make their division predictions — Baltimore as the clear AFC North favorite (00:06:32 Ravens’ Fantasy Prospects), skepticism about the Bengals’ defense despite Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase (00:08:30 Bengals’ Performance Expectations), doubts about Aaron Rodgers’ impact in Pittsburgh, and the Browns’ quarterback chaos with Joe Flacco, rookie Shadur Sanders, Dylan Gabriel, Kenny Pickett, and the Deshaun Watson fallout (00:13:14 Cleveland’s Quarterback Chaos). In the NFC North, they discuss Detroit as the favorite, the Green Bay vs. Minnesota battle for the runner-up spot (including rookie J.J. McCarthy’s ceiling), and realistic expectations for Caleb Williams and the rebuilding Chicago Bears (00:15:02 Bears’ Rebuilding Year). Fantasy football takeaways and player notes include analysis of Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry’s role and ADP concerns, DeAndre Hopkins’ arrival in Baltimore, Joe Burrow’s fantasy ceiling versus the Bengals’ defensive limitations, and sleepers and busts across the division (Jahmyr Gibbs, Justin Jefferson, Matthew Golden, DJ Moore and more). The hosts also share strategic drafting advice for quarterbacks and running backs. The discussion shifts to college football news with Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal (00:32:43 Michigan’s Sign Stealing Punishments), covering financial fines, recruiting restrictions, coaching bans, and their take on vacated wins versus monetary punishment. From there, Will and Zach react to NBA programming changes — NBC’s new Coast to Coast Tuesday schedule, later start times for the late game, West Coast viewing benefits, and whether extended studio time is worth delaying tipoff — followed by a rant about TV habits, late start frustrations, and odd practices like playing show intros before commercials (South Park fans take note). The episode closes with movie and pop culture debates: the new Odyssey teaser and the frenzy over IMAX tickets selling out a year in advance (00:38:33 IMAX Movie Ticket Controversy). They discuss the economics of event cinema compared to sports secondary markets and whether this level of anticipation is good for casual fans. As always, the show wraps up with more banter, fantasy draft tips, and a reminder to subscribe to A Little of Column A, A Little of Column B. Follow Zach on X @WickedZman24 for updates and hot takes.