first-things-first – Page 5

Chris Broussard: Brandon Staley cost Chargers the postseason in OT loss to Raiders I FIRST THINGS FIRST

The Las Vegas Raiders advance to the playoffs after they elect to kick a game winning field goal in overtime to eliminate the Los Angeles Chargers. This came after a questionable timeout call by Chargers’ head coach Brandon Staley. A tie would’ve sent both teams to postseason. Chris Broussard explains why he believes Staley’s decision cost the Chargers a postseason appearance.

Nick Wright on Patriots’ loss to Dolphins: ‘Mac Jones is playing his worst football at the worst time’ I FIRST THINGS FIRST

Nick Wright says there’s no defending Mac Jones after the New England Patriots were crushed by Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins in Week 18. The quarterback played his worst football at the worst time, and Nick has no faith the rookie quarterback will be able to pull off a win in the Wild Card round against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Watch as Nick shares his thoughts on Mac’s performance against the Dolphins.

Nick Wright: The 49ers defeated the Rams ‘in spite’ of Jimmy Garoppolo I FIRST THINGS FIRST

The San Francisco 49ers have advanced to the postseason after Jimmy Garoppolo led them to a to 27-24 OT win over the Los Angeles Rams. Chris Broussard believes this is a statement win, silencing all the Jimmy G doubters, but Nick Wright isn’t so sure. Watch as he lays out why he still doesn’t believe Garoppolo can take the 49ers to another Super Bowl.

Nick Wright: Bengals sitting Burrow vs. Browns is an inditement on Mac & Pats I FIRST THINGS FIRST

The Cincinnati Bengals have announced they will be sitting their quarterback Joe Burrow in their upcoming game against the Cleveland Browns. If the Browns defeat the Bengals, this all but guarantees the Bengals will see the New England Patriots in the Wild Card round. Nick Wright explains why opting for a likely Wild Card round matchup with the Pats means the Bengals don’t fear Mac Jones and the Pats.

Nick Wright defends Bruce Arians: 'This was about Antonio Brown not getting what he wanted' I FIRST THINGS FIRST

As more information surrounding Antonio Browns’ bizarre exit from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ game is unsurfaced, many are beginning to point fingers are Bruce Arians for allegedly forcing AB to play with an injured ankle. Chris Broussard is open to explore if that allegation is true, but Nick Wright says track record and equity matter, and the track record for both Arians and AB are inarguable. Watch as Nick says this is more about AB’s ego, his money, and AB not getting what he wanted in that exact moment.

Chris Broussard: Baker Mayfield needs to look in the mirror, stick with Browns I FIRST THINGS FIRST

Baker Mayfield calls report that he and head coach Kevin Stefanski aren’t seeing eye to eye, and that he may request a trade “clickbait”. Chris Brosusard explains why he doesn’t mind Baker pushing back at the media, but advises him to do it with ‘more class’. Plus, if there’s any truth to Baker looking for a trade, Broussard lays out why Baker may get his feelings hurt by what’s waiting for him on the market.

Antonio Brown releases statement on why he left Bucs game early — Nick Wright reacts I FIRST THINGS FIRST

Antonio Brown has released a statement on why he left the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ game early on Sunday, stating Bruce Arians pressured him to play with an ankle injury. Nick Wright and Chris Broussard share their reactions to this update, and whether or not it changes their opinions on AB’s behavior on Sunday.

Chris Broussard decides which players are under duress going into Week 18 I FIRST THINGS FIRST

Chris Broussard’s ‘BUD List’ is back just ahead of Week 18. Watch as he reveals why Jimmy Garoppolo, Josh Allen and Justin Herbert are under duress in this weekend’s batch of games.

Nick Wright: We got the full Nets experience in Kyrie’s return to basketball I FIRST THINGS FIRST

Kyrie Irving returned to the court, scoring 22 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists in the Brooklyn Nets’ win over the Indiana Pacers. Nick Wright says it was the full Nets experience, with Kevin Durant’s brilliance, abysmal defense, ‘what’s my role?’ from James Harden, and Steve Nash pushing the ‘play KD for 40 minutes’ button. Although Nick was happy to see Kyrie’s brand of basketball again, watch as he lays out why he not sure this will continue to work for Brooklyn.

Chris Broussard is excited to see Kyrie Irving’s return to the Brooklyn Nets I FIRST THINGS FIRST

Kyrie Irving will make his return to the court as the Brooklyn Nets take on the Indiana Pacers. Nick Wright is skeptical about this working for the Nets, Chris Broussard explains why he’s excited for Kyrie’s return, and why he helps Brooklyn’s chances to claim a title this season.

Nick Wright unveils his NFL Tiers ahead of Week 18 of the 2021 NFL season I FIRST THINGS FIRST

Week 18 of the NFL season is approaching, and it’s time for Nick Wright to reveal his Tiers. Will the Kansas City Chiefs remain at the top despite the loss to the Cincinnati Bengals? Are the Green Bay Packers the biggest Super Bowl contenders? Watch to see which teams land where on Nick’s NFL Tiers.

Nick Wright: Aaron Rodgers’ offseason didn’t hurt Packers enough to cost him MVP I FIRST THINGS FIRST

Despite a tumultuous offseason, Aaron Rodgers wouldn’t lose Nick Wright’s MVP vote if he had one, but that doesn’t mean Nick thinks it’s outrageous for Hub Arkush to say he won’t vote for Aaron Rodgers because he’s “the biggest jerk in the league”. Watch as Nick, Chris Broussard and Kevin Wildes decide if Rodgers’ behavior off the field negatively impacted the Green Bay Packers enough to cost him the MVP award.

Nick Wright decides if Browns should move on from Baker Mayfield I FIRST THINGS FIRST

After falling to their division rivals, Nick Wright wonders if the Cleveland Browns should consider moving on from their quarterback Baker Mayfield. Baker struggled with injuries this season, and wasn’t able to overcome them, leading Nick to believe betting on himself might have blown up in Bakers’ face.

Nick Wright: Let’s not overreact to Chiefs’ Week 17 loss against the Bengals I FIRST THINGS FIRST

The Kansas City Chiefs are 1-4 this season against current AFC playoff teams, and LaVar Arrington joins Nick Wright to tell the First Things First crew why this isn’t a big deal. Watch as LaVar and Nick tag team and explain why the close loss to the Cincinnati Bengals isn’t something that worries them when factoring in all it took for Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase to win. Plus, Nick lays out why the 1-4 stat is a misleading one when you consider their record against the NFL as a whole.

Nick Wright: ‘Without Antonio Brown, Tom Brady and the banged up Bucs leave a clear path for Green Bay’ I FIRST THINGS FIRST

How good are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ chances of repeating their Super Bowl win now that Tom Brady is down one receiver in Antonio Brown? Nick Wright says not that good. Watch as he breaks down why he now thinks the Green Bay Packers have a clearer path to the Super Bowl.

Chris Broussard: Browns should stick with Baker Mayfield despite a disappointing season I FIRST THINGS FIRST

Despite a season full of injuries, struggles, and disappointing losses, Chris Broussard wouldn’t advise the Cleveland Browns to move off of Baker Mayfield. Although he admits Baker has been a mediocre quarterback, he doesn’t believe a better QB would be interested in making the move to Cleveland, and while Baker struggled, he showed heart in playing through injuries. Watch as Broussard lays out why Baker’s time in Cleveland isn’t done.

Chris Broussard & Michael Vick are concerned for Antonio Brown after his bizarre exit from the Bucs Game I FIRST THINGS FIRST

The First Things First crew welcome Michael Vick on the show today to discuss his former teammate Antonio Brown, and his behavior on Sunday when he walked out of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ game against the New York Jets. Watch as Chris Broussard and Nick Wright discuss whether they believe we’ll see AB in the NFL again, and what their thoughts were on his behavior Sunday.

Nick Wright: Concerns about Dak are legit, but McCarthy cost Cowboys the game I FIRST THINGS FIRST

According to Nick Wright, Mike McCarthy blew it in the Dallas Cowboy’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Though concerns for Dak Prescott’s performance are warranted, Nick lays out why McCarthy’s lack clock management have cost Dallas again, dooming the Cowboys to the No. 4 seed, and lowering their chances to make the Super Bowl.

Matt Leinart: ‘I have Michigan winning this game against Georgia outright” I FIRST THINGS FIRST

According to Matt Leinart, the Michigan Wolverines look like the best team in college football, and so he’s picking them to defeat the Georgia Bulldogs in the Orange Bowl and move on to the National College Football Championship. Watch as he lays out what makes Michigan the superior team in today’s matchup.

Matt Leinart weighs Cincinnati’s chances to hold off top-ranked Alabama I FIRST THINGS FIRST

The Cincinnati Bearcats are coming into a David and Goliath situation as they take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2021 Cotton Bowl Classic, and while Mat Leinart isn’t predicting a Bearcat win, he is predicting this Cincinnati team won’t play scared. Watch as he details whether he thinks we’ll be looking at a blowout here, and what it means for a Group of 5 school to play in the College Football Playoff.

Nick Wright on Brady-Burrow comparisons: 'Let's take a breath before we anoint Burrow the next all-timer' I FIRST THINGS FIRST

Just ahead of Joe Burrow leading the Cincinnati Bengals in their Week 17 matchup against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, the 2nd year quarterback is being hit with the Tom Brady comparisons again, this time from the Chiefs’ DC Steve Spagnuolo. Nick Wright agrees Burrow is a great quarterback, but watch as he lays out why we need to pump the breaks before we anoint him the next all-timer.

Nick Wright decides who needs a Week 17 win more: Cardinals or Cowboys? I FIRST THINGS FIRST

The Dallas Cowboys will face off against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17, and Nick Wright, Chris Broussard and Kevin Wildes decide which team needs this win more. Despite the Cardinals’ setbacks, Nick maintains they are still a strong team, and while Dak Prescott has led the Cowboys to a 4-game win streak, Nick questions whether they can maintain that streak against a good team. Watch as he decides whether needing to prove they can beat good teams makes this game more important for Dallas.

Chris Broussard: If it's Russell Wilson or Pete Carroll, I'm going with Russ I FIRST THINGS FIRST

Chris Broussard talks Russell Wilson’s future in Seattle after the Seahawks’ quarterback said that he was unsure if this Sunday’s match up against the Detroit Lions would be his last game with the Seahawks. Broussard isn’t sure he believes Russ, but does think the quarterback is looking for a fresh start, and Seattle could provide him that if they explored new coaching options.

Nick Wright: Everyone knows Kyrie returning to the Nets isn’t going to work I FIRST THINGS FIRST

Kyrie Irving met the media for the first time since being cleared to return for the Brooklyn Nets’ road games. Chris Broussard thinks Kyrie’s return will be a positive for a struggling Nets team, but Nick Wright maintains this is a bad idea. Watch as Nick lays out why he doesn’t think Kyrie returning to the Nets is going to work.

Chris Broussard decides which players are under duress going into Week 17 I FIRST THINGS FIRST

Chris Broussard’s ‘BUD List’ is back just ahead of Week 17. Watch as he reveals why Baker Mayfield, Justin Herbert, and Kyler Murray are under duress in this weekend’s batch of games.

Nick Wright: LeBron’s Lakers lost this game because of Russell Westbrook I FIRST THINGS FIRST

The Los Angeles Lakers added another loss to their season record, falling to the Memphis Grizzlies 104-99, after Ja Morant scored 41 points. LeBron James had a strong game as well, with 37 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists, but Nick Wright says even LeBron’s performance couldn’t save the Lakers from Russell Westbrook’s ‘total abomination’ of a late half. Watch as Nick lays out why he believes L.A. lost this game because of Russ.

Chris Broussard: ‘We should never forget how great of a coach John Madden was’ I FIRST THINGS FIRST

While John Madden has been celebrated for popularizing the game of football with his color commentary and the iconic video game named after him, Chris Broussard calls attention to his legacy as a head coach. Watch as Broussard lays out the impact Madden made during his time as the coach for the then Oakland Raiders, and why we should never forget how great of a coach Madden was.

Nick Wright: ‘John Madden is more responsible for the popularity of football than anyone in his lifetime’ I FIRST THINGS FIRST

Nick Wright takes a moment to honor John Madden, who he believes is not only a deeply talented and passionate head coach, but unquestionably the greatest color commentator in sports. Watch as he breaks down Madden’s contribution to the NFL, and how that has affected his own career in sports commentary.

Nick Wright reveals his NFL Tiers heading into Week 17 of the season I FIRST THINGS FIRST

The end of the regular season is fast approaching, and the number of teams that make it onto Nick Wright’s NFL Tiers are shrinking. Watch to see whether the Kansas City Chiefs are able to maintain their place as the top of the tiers after Patrick Mahomes led them to a victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers without Travis Kelce or Tyreek Hill. Plus, see where teams like the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers land after their Week 16 wins.

Nick Wright: Nets’ back-to-back wins are a step in the right direction for James Harden | FIRST THINGS FIRST

The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers back-to-back, and while James Harden is a big factor in those wins, Nick Wright isn’t sure it’s enough to convince him Harden is back. Watch as he lays out why these wins were necessary for Harden and Nets, but not enough to re-earn his spot on Nick’s player pyramid.