Ben SolakEvery podcast appearance, updated as new ones drop

Nate Tice is joined by Ben Solak & JJ Watt for final predictions, win total picks & more ahead of the 2026 NFL season. First, Nate & Ben run through their final season predictions, including favorite win total picks, awards predictions (including some fun dark horse MVP picks), sicko long-shot bets they're placing and much more. Next, Nate is joined by 3x DPOY, NFL legend, CBS analyst and fellow Wisconsin alum JJ Watt to preview the Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings in Week 1, reminisce on their Wisconsin days, stories from training camp and more. To wrap things up...

Nate Tice is joined by Ben Solak & JJ Watt for final predictions, win total picks & more ahead of the 2026 NFL season. First, Nate & Ben run through their final season predictions, including favorite win total picks, awards predictions (including some fun dark horse MVP picks), sicko long-shot bets they're placing and much more. Next, Nate is joined by 3x DPOY, NFL legend, CBS analyst and fellow Wisconsin alum JJ Watt to preview the Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings in Week 1, reminisce on their Wisconsin days, stories from training camp and more. To wrap things up...

NFL Training Camps begin this week across the NFL! Today we discuss the biggest questions heading into the 2026 season with Ben Solak of ESPN in a special episode sponsored by ZBiotics. Go to https://zbiotics.com/SHARPORSQUARE and use SHARPORSQUARE at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics. Ben joins hosts Chad Millman and professional gambler Simon Hunter to discuss the Cleveland Browns under new coach Todd Monken, and the chances of a New England Patriots return to the Super Bowl with MVP candidate QB Drake Maye. We also hear about Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and a Kansas City Chiefs team flying under the radar this summer. Can the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson return to the playoffs with new coach Jesse Minter? And are Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo savvy enough to carry John Harbaugh's New York Giants back to the Super Bowl? We also hear about the latest data and analytics among the brightest NFL defensive coaching staffs, and whether Chicago Bears' quarterback Caleb Williams is ready to become the next Josh Allen. #Volume 0:03:00 - START 0:05:15 - GUEST BEN SOLAK 0:09:50 - NFL DEFENSIVE TRENDS 2026 0:20:06 - CLEVELAND BROWNS 0:30:00 - NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 0:48:00 - KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 0:57:30 - NEW YORK GIANTS 0:58:30 - BALTIMORE RAVENS 0:59:30 - NFC NORTH & CALEB WILLIAMS -- All lines provided by Hard Rock Bet Subscribe to Sharp or Square for gambling advice, best bets, and predictions from sports betting experts Chad Millman and Simon Hunter. Follow on all platforms: https://www.instagram.com/sharporsquare/ https://x.com/SharporSquare_ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NFL Training Camps begin this week across the NFL! Today we discuss the biggest questions heading into the 2026 season with Ben Solak of ESPN in a special episode sponsored by ZBiotics. Go to https://zbiotics.com/SHARPORSQUARE and use SHARPORSQUARE at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics. Ben joins hosts Chad Millman and professional gambler Simon Hunter to discuss the Cleveland Browns under new coach Todd Monken, and the chances of a New England Patriots return to the Super Bowl with MVP candidate QB Drake Maye. We also hear about Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and a Kansas City Chiefs team flying under the radar this summer. Can the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson return to the playoffs with new coach Jesse Minter? And are Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo savvy enough to carry John Harbaugh's New York Giants back to the Super Bowl? We also hear about the latest data and analytics among the brightest NFL defensive coaching staffs, and whether Chicago Bears' quarterback Caleb Williams is ready to become the next Josh Allen. #Volume 0:03:00 - START 0:05:15 - GUEST BEN SOLAK 0:09:50 - NFL DEFENSIVE TRENDS 2026 0:20:06 - CLEVELAND BROWNS 0:30:00 - NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 0:48:00 - KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 0:57:30 - NEW YORK GIANTS 0:58:30 - BALTIMORE RAVENS 0:59:30 - NFC NORTH & CALEB WILLIAMS -- All lines provided by Hard Rock Bet Subscribe to Sharp or Square for gambling advice, best bets, and predictions from sports betting experts Chad Millman and Simon Hunter. Follow on all platforms: https://www.instagram.com/sharporsquare/ https://x.com/SharporSquare_ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sheil and Ben Solak from ESPN shine a light on some of the most polarizing players, teams, and coaches around the league, and theorize the headlines we’re likely to see about them buzzing around NFL media circles in three years. (00:53) 2029 Future NFL Predictions (04:06) Jalen Hurts (18:55) Peyton Manning and Tom Brady (26:25) Mike Tomlin (45:03) Kyle Shanahan (50:48) Robot refs (57:35) Lamar Jackson (01:05:20) Chicago Bears (01:10:06) San Diego Chargers The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Host: Sheil Kapadia Guest: Ben Solak Producer: Chris Sutton Video Editor: Stefano Sanchez Production Supervision: Conor Nevins and Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

00:00 - 26:12 – JMV opens with his thoughts on the NBA Playoffs, and the fans that want the Pacers to try and land Kevin Durant. 26:13 – 41:40 – Greg Rakestraw from the ISC Sports Network joins the show! Greg and JMV discuss the Colts taking Center Grove alum Caden Curry in the NFL Draft! Greg also talks about the changing landscape in coaching for high school basketball, as well as the implementation of a shot clock. 41:41 – 46:14 – JMV wraps up the first hour! 46:15 – 1:13:47 – Ben Solak from ESPN joins the show! Ben and JMV go through the draft, discussing who did well, who did not, and where the Colts land on that scale! 1:13:48 - 1:32:39 – Rhett Lewis from the NFL Network joins the show and breaks down the record number of Hoosiers taken in the 2026 NFL Draft, and where they ended up! 1:32:40 – 1:37:28 – JMV closes out the 2nd hour! 1:37:29 – 2:05:50 – JMV talks NHL playoffs, as well as the MLB season! He then reads some comments and answers some questions from listeners! 2:05:51 – 2:16:18 – JMV reads more comments on the NBA, NHL and more! 2:16:19 – 2:22:15 – JMV reacts to the Fever exercising Caitlin Clark’s 4th-year option! Support the show: https://1075thefan.com/the-ride-with-jmv/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Full Go returns as Jason welcomes ESPN’s Ben Solak to the podcast! The two chat about what the rest of the league can take from the Seahawks’ run to the championship, what we found out about Will Campbell, and how Ben feels about Caleb Williams after his second season. Next, Jason gives his thoughts on the Super Bowl halftime performance, the reaction to it, and why music is meant to be a unifier. He also touches on the state of the misfit Bulls after the trade deadline and the general apathy around the team. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Voicemail line: ⁠708-550-3781⁠. Host: Jason Goff Guest: Ben Solak Producer: Kyle Williams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sheil is joined by Ben Solak from ESPN on Radio Row at the Super Bowl to share their instant reactions to the news that Jeff Stoutland is stepping down as the Eagles offensive line coach. They break down the monumental effect it will have on the team and new OC Sean Mannion’s offense before discussing what the general vibes are within the Philly locker room. They end the pod by talking about the Sixers trading Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder. (1:12) Jeff Stoutland out as Eagles offensive line coach (8:03) Is this move a scheme change indicator? (14:09) What are the vibes in Philly now? (20:21) Is this a Sirianni thing? Or is it organizational? (32:05) Sixers trade Jared McCain Email hot takes: ⁠Ringerphilly@gmail.com⁠ . Follow us on Instagram and TikTok: @ringersphillyspecial Become a member of our Reddit community: ⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/RingersPhillySpecial/⁠ . The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out ⁠rg-help.com⁠ to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Host: Sheil Kapadia Guest: Ben Solak Producer: Chris Sutton Music Composed By: Teddy Grossman and Jackson Greenberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sheil and Ben Solak from ESPN get together to take a hard look at the NFC championship matchup between the Rams and Seahawks and debate which team is more likely to represent the conference in the Super Bowl. (00:00) NFC championship game preview (3:23) Seahawks offense vs. the Rams defense (13:27) Seahawks defense vs. the Rams offense (26:30) The Ringer 107 Quit overspending on wireless with 50% off Unlimited premium wireless. Plans start at $15/month at mintmobile.com/RINGERNFL The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit ⁠ www.rg-help.com ⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Host: Sheil Kapadia Guest: Ben Solak Producer: Chris Sutton Video editor: Stefano Sanchez Social: Kiera Givens and Brian Waters Production supervision: Conor Nevins and Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sheil and Ben Solak from ESPN get together to take a hard look at the AFC Championship matchup between the Patriots and Broncos, and debate who’ll be the most likely team to make it to Super Bowl LX. (1:37) AFC Championship game preview (2:14) Broncos offense vs. Patriots defense (16:27) Broncos defense vs. Patriots offense (23:20) Buffalo Bills press conference The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Host: Sheil Kapadia Guest: Ben Solak Producer: Chris Sutton Video editor: Stefano Sanchez Social: Kiera Givens and Brian Waters Production Supervision: Conor Nevins and Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Solak returns to talk Week 16, Miami’s QB options, Trevor Lawrence’s massive opportunity in Denver, and how all of Green Bay’s injuries will impact the Packers-Bears rematch before talking about which birds he has been looking at outside his window. (00:00) Intro (02:54) Bengals-Dolphins (13:24) Jaguars-Broncos (20:29) Packers-Bears (28:29) Eagles-Commanders (36:34) 49ers-Colts (41:11) Punishment update (47:56) Bucs-Panthers (52:29) Patriots-Ravens (59:10) Raiders-Texans (01:01:44) Bills-Browns (01:02:22) Chargers-Cowboys (01:04:15) Chiefs-Titans (01:07:38) Vikings-Giants (0127) Jets-Saints (01:14:10) Falcons-Cardinals (0120) Ringer 107 Picks Discord link: https://discord.com/invite/WdtQNSdDUc Check out the 2025 Ringer Fantasy Football Rankings: https://fantasyfootball.theringer.com/ Email us! ringerfantasyfootball@gmail.com Hosts: Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, and Ben Solak Producers: Kai Grady, Carlos Chiriboga, Ronak Nair, and Ryan Garcia This episode is sponsored by Chime. Bank Smarter, Progress Further. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Full Go returns as Jason welcomes old friend Ben Solak from ESPN! The two chat about the differences between Ben Johnson as a head coach and Johnson during his time in Detroit, Ben's feelings about the Bears, and why he’s enjoyed watching the team play. Then, the two chat about Matthew Stafford playing his way into a different tier of all-time quarterbacks and how being a dad has affected Ben’s job. Next, Jason welcomes The Athletic’s Joel Lorenzi for his first time on the show! The two chat about the Bulls’ mediocrity, what has stood out to Joel about how the Bulls operate, and where the issues start for the franchise (37:07). The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit ⁠ ⁠ www.rg-help.com ⁠ ⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available.Voicemail line: 708-550-3781 . Host: Jason Goff Guests: Ben Solak and Joel Lorenzi Producer: Kyle Williams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sheil is joined by Ben Solak from ESPN to analyze and debate which players and coaches should be the front-runners for some of the major NFL awards at this point in the season. (00:00) NFL awards races! (1:21) The MVP race (11:05) The Coach of the Year race (19:05) The Offensive Player of the Year race (26:58) The Hurry Up: Lions vs. Cowboys on ‘TNF’ The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit ⁠www.rg-help.com⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Host: Sheil Kapadia Guest: Ben Solak Producer: Chris Sutton Social: Kiera Givens and Brian Waters Production Supervision: Conor Nevins and Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin O’Connor previews EVERY NBA team this month, starting today with the Pacific Division. NBA content creator Legend of Winning joins him to recap the summer and preview the Lakers, Clippers, Warriors, Suns and Kings.With the offseason additions made by both teams in Los Angeles, are the Lakers and Clippers in a position to be legitimately dangerous in the West? Meanwhile, the Warriors made almost no offseason moves-- are they going to find themselves in the play-in AGAIN? Elsewhere in the division, KOC and Legend try to be positive when discussing the Suns and Kings, but it's no small task. With the NFL season opener just days away, KOC is joined by ESPN’s Benjamin Solak to unpack the Micah Parsons trade to the Packers. Will Parsons be the missing piece in Green Bay's defense and how damaging is this move for the Cowboys ahead of their season opener against the Eagles? The two also preview the Ravens vs. Bills season opener and discuss how high the Vikings' ceiling can be when J.J. McCarthy takes the reins. (1:22) Pacific Division preview with Legend of Winning (1:47) Los Angeles Lakers preview (14:25) Los Angeles Clippers preview (27:41) Golden State Warriors preview (40:10) Phoenix Suns preview (49:09) Sacramento Kings preview (1:04:54) NFL news with Ben Solak (1:05:11) Micah Parsons fit with Packers (1:16:54) Cowboys @ Eagles preview (1:19:28) Vikings season expectations (1:23:05) 49ers WR room still in trouble? (1:27:36) Bills @ Ravens preview (1:31:16) Bill Belichick loses big in 1st CFB game (1:32:34) Arch Manning & Texas lose to Ohio State 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv 🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Kevin O’Connor previews EVERY NBA team this month, starting today with the Pacific Division. NBA content creator Legend of Winning joins him to recap the summer and preview the Lakers, Clippers, Warriors, Suns and Kings.With the offseason additions made by both teams in Los Angeles, are the Lakers and Clippers in a position to be legitimately dangerous in the West? Meanwhile, the Warriors made almost no offseason moves-- are they going to find themselves in the play-in AGAIN? Elsewhere in the division, KOC and Legend try to be positive when discussing the Suns and Kings, but it's no small task. With the NFL season opener just days away, KOC is joined by ESPN’s Benjamin Solak to unpack the Micah Parsons trade to the Packers. Will Parsons be the missing piece in Green Bay's defense and how damaging is this move for the Cowboys ahead of their season opener against the Eagles? The two also preview the Ravens vs. Bills season opener and discuss how high the Vikings' ceiling can be when J.J. McCarthy takes the reins. (1:22) Pacific Division preview with Legend of Winning (1:47) Los Angeles Lakers preview (14:25) Los Angeles Clippers preview (27:41) Golden State Warriors preview (40:10) Phoenix Suns preview (49:09) Sacramento Kings preview (1:04:54) NFL news with Ben Solak (1:05:11) Micah Parsons fit with Packers (1:16:54) Cowboys @ Eagles preview (1:19:28) Vikings season expectations (1:23:05) 49ers WR room still in trouble? (1:27:36) Bills @ Ravens preview (1:31:16) Bill Belichick loses big in 1st CFB game (1:32:34) Arch Manning & Texas lose to Ohio State Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on the your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts 🎧 Spotify 🖥️ YouTube 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network, yahoosports.tv and Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube

Sheil is joined by Ringer alum Ben Solak from ESPN to analyze and debate some of the team and player takes that are being propagated by the most educated football literati as we head toward the season kickoff, including: There’s still hope for Justin Fields The Ravens will get over the hump Justin Herbert is a top-five QB The official hipster team of The Ringer NFL Show Caleb Williams is taking the leap with Ben Johnson this year Trevor Lawrence is good at football Sheil ends the pod by sharing his take on the Micah Parsons drama coming out of Dallas Cowboys camp. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.rg-help.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Host: Sheil Kapadia Guest: Ben Solak Producer: Chris Sutton Social: Kiera Givens and Brian Waters Production Supervision: Conor Nevins and Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For the first time ever in Ringer’s Philly Special history, Sheil, Ben, and Cliff were actually in the same room and recorded a pod. Solak was in town for Eagles training camp and brought some observations (04:00). How will the Eagles perform on defense compared to last season with the loss of so many vets on that side of the ball (07:49)? The guys then dive into the Cam Newton–Jalen Hurts convo and why it has so many people riled up (23:22). Plus, who’s the biggest competition for the Eagles in the NFC East, as well as the conference as a whole (34:13)? Email hot takes: Ringerphilly@gmail.com. Become a member of our Reddit community: https://www.reddit.com/r/RingersPhillySpecial/. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out rg-help.com to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Host: Sheil Kapadia Guest: Ben Solak Producer: Cliff Augustin Music Composed By: Teddy Grossman and Jackson Greenberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gregg Rosenthal is joined by ESPN's Ben Solak to discuss the top-ten most interesting quarterbacks in the NFL. First, the guys react to the Buccaneers giving Jason Licht and Todd Bowles contract extensions (01:00). After the news, the guys tell you why Geno Smith (03:30), C.J. Stroud (08:50), Bryce Young (12:30), Trevor Lawrence (17:50), Caleb Williams (24:46), Justin Herbert (28:50), Justin Fields (35:00), Dak Prescott (37:55), Bo Nix (40:40), and Kyler Murray (45:00), and at the most interesting parts of their careers. Finally, the show is wrapped up with a thank you to the listeners and everyone involved with the first year of NFL Daily and the announcement of NFL Daily's Top 25 Players of the Last 25 Years series (49:39). Note: time codes approximate. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin Clark is joined by Ben Solak to see who helped and who hurt their draft stock this past week in Indianapolis. Could Abdul Carter slide down draft boards as a result of his injury? Plus, Kevin details what safety he thinks could be tops in the class after a strong performance at the combine. Ben & Kevin also give their thoughts on what Deebo Samuel will bring to the Commanders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Clark is joined by Ben Solak to see who helped and who hurt their draft stock this past week in Indianapolis. Could Abdul Carter slide down draft boards as a result of his injury? Plus, Kevin details what safety he thinks could be tops in the class after a strong performance at the combine. Ben & Kevin also give their thoughts on what Deebo Samuel will bring to the Commanders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There was little debate about the fact that the Philadelphia Eagles were the more complete team heading into Super Bowl LIX. Better up front on defense and offense. Better at running back and wide receiver than the Kansas City Chiefs. But the Chiefs still had Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. So the Chiefs were still dangerous. Well that proved to not be anywhere near enough, as the Eagles cruised to a 40-22 win on Sunday, claiming the franchises’ second ever Super Bowl victory. So today Ben Solak and Michele Steele breakdown what went exceptionally right for the Eagles, and immensely wrong for the Chiefs in the NFL’s final game of the season. And take a look at what comes next, for a Chiefs team that heads into the offseason, with more questions than we expected. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Super Bowl LIX is literally just a couple of days away, and after a long season, it’s down to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles battling for the Lombardi Trophy…Again. Our own Ben Solak has made the trip down to New Orleans, and with so many of the people that we love to talk ball with in town alongside him, he was able to get Kevin Clark, the host of This is Football , to join him ahead of the big game. It’s the buddy cop movie that you didn’t know you needed in your life, as they breakdown what you need to know about the Eagles plan of attack, and the Chiefs inevitability, ahead of Super Bowl LIX. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

‘The Full Go’ returns as Jason recaps the Bulls’ 22-point loss to the Boston Celtics. He laments the state of the franchise, why the organization can’t sell a product as something it’s not, and why the Bulls need to change their messaging. Then, Jason welcomes old friend Ben Solak of ESPN to the podcast! The two chat about fatherhood, if fans should redefine quarterback expectations, and how Ben Johnson will bring out the best in Caleb The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Host: Jason Goff Guest: Ben Solak Producer: Kyle Williams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The NFL regular season has come to a close. And the league saved the best for last, with the hunt for the NFC’s one seed coming down to a Sunday night matchup between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings. So with all of the byes determined, and playoff pairings set - Ben Solak and Michele Steele explore how the 14 playoff teams locked down their spots, and what the offseason holds in store for those who didn’t make it. Check out the playlist, featuring our favorite stories of 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the NFL season heads into its final few weeks, the jockeying for playoff position is getting more intense. There are three teams grouped at the top of the NFC, and with the Lions and Vikings poised to face off in week 18, and the Eagles coming off a tough loss in Washington on Sunday, it looks like the road through the NFC could run through the north. Meanwhile in the AFC, the Chiefs and Bills held serve. Buffalo survived an early scare from the Patriots, and Kansas City scared us all by taking no precautions with Patrick Mahomes against the Texans (of course it worked out). So today ESPN sports analytics writer Seth Walder and Ben Solak dig into the numbers to explain all of the postseason machinations in play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After 15 weeks of NFL football, the playoff picture is becoming more clear. But almost as important as who is going to get in, is how they are going to get there. We saw both the Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks finish their games with questions about the health of their signal callers. While in Detroit, the Lions, already seriously injured on defense, suffered through more pain in a loss to the Buffalo Bills. But that’s what happens at this time of year. Nobody is playing healthy. Except for Ben Solak and ESPN sports analytics writer Seth Walder. Ben switches into the hosts chair, while Seth subs in as guest. The pair make sure you understand how the action unfolded on Sunday, and why it went down the way that it did. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Solak joins to break down everything from Week 14. We discuss concerns about the Eagles, the Bills/Rams thriller, Sam Darnold's big day, and NFL intrusive thoughts! 0:00 Ben Solak joins to break down NFL Week 14 1:05 Eagles' close call vs. Panthers 9:49 Bryce Young's performance 18:29 Rams' big win over the Bills 29:38 Vikings' offensive explosion 36:50 NFL intrusive thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

14 weeks into the 2024 NFL season, and the playoff picture is starting to come into focus. The Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, and Philadelphia Eagles are in. And both the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers are sure to punch their tickets to the postseason soon. In the NFC, the competition for the rest of the landscape is fierce, while in the AFC, all but one of the teams currently slated for the playoffs has more than a 90% chance of making it in. So today, Michele Steele and Ben Solak break down how the teams that are in got there, and what everyone else needs to do in order to have a shot. You can honor Jim Valvano and support ESPN’s V Week with a donation to the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There were two big games on the week 13 NFL schedule - the Philadelphia Eagles at the Baltimore Ravens, and the San Francisco 49ers at the Buffalo Bills. And we did watch Saquon Barkley, Jalen Hurts, and a suddenly transcendent Eagles defense make a statement against Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers and the rest of the Ravens, during Sunday night football we saw Josh Allen potentially cement his MVP campaign against Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers. But Ben Solak wants us to know that there were also unexpected stories across the league. Like how the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals met up in the highest scoring meeting the two teams have ever had. Joe Burrow’s heroics weren’t enough to outmatch Russell Wilson’s prolific passing day. Or how between Shane Steichen, Jerod Mayo, Drake Maye, and Anthony Richardson, we might be seeing the rivalry between the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots enter a new - post Tom Brady and Peyton Manning - generation. And there’s even a second life for Bryce Young with the Carolina Panthers, who may have lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in overtime, but seem to be heading in the right direction. So Ben Solak joins us to tell us what he watched - and handicap the NFL’s MVP race as the season starts to wind down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Solak joins the show to break down everything Week 13, including Eagles/Ravens, Steelers/Bengals, shaky wins from the Chiefs, Texans, and Vikings, and more! 0:00 Ben Solak joins to break down NFL Week 13 2:24 Eagles/Ravens reaction 15:15 Concerned about the Ravens? 25:58 Are the Chiefs actually good? 30:11 Is Brock Bowers the top tight end? 34:26 Are the Texans actually good? 48:36 Are the Vikings actually good? 53:53 Steelers/Bengals 59:34 Should Falcons go to Penix Jr? 1:04:22 Are the Commanders back? 1:07:36 Reaction to the Bears firing Eberflus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices