Week 16 Winners & Losers: It Helps to Have a Quarterback Whisperer

Former Chiefs All-Pro tackle Mitch Schwartz joins This Is Football to break down what actually went wrong for Kansas City and what comes next. From the evolution (and stagnation) of Andy Reid’s offense, to why Mahomes can’t fix everything on his own, to the importance of schematic advantages in the modern NFL, this is a masterclass in how football really works. Schwartz explains why under-center offenses are back, how teams like the Rams and 49ers are creating run-game advantages with motion, and why winning on third-and-long is the real separator for contenders.  Plus: Why elite defensive linemen could still play into their 40s The best offensive line in football right now Who deserves “Protector of the Year” How Tyrann Mathieu changed the Chiefs’ culture The funniest trash talk Mitch ever heard on an NFL field What it’s actually like being a Jewish NFL player during Christmas week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Week 16 is in the books, and Kevin Clark breaks down three wild days of NFL football. From the Bears finally showing signs of real life behind Caleb Williams, to Bryce Young’s growing résumé as one of the league’s most clutch quarterbacks, this episode is about the rise of the quarterback whisperers and why offensive head coaches may be taking over the NFL for good. Kevin explains why Carolina, Chicago, and Jacksonville are all changing their trajectories, and why Trevor Lawrence suddenly looks like the player everyone scouted at Clemson. Plus: Why the Lions/Steelers ending was an officiating mess, and why the NFL needs replay transparency now What’s gone wrong in Houston despite the win Why the Giants’ nine-game losing streak is completely indefensible Kevin’s blunt take on Joe Schoen and the myth of “young talent” And a reminder that celebrating a big win over age 35 can end in injury Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Clark is joined by Daniel Jeremiah to take a look at whether the Chargers are legitimate contenders in the AFC and what makes Jim Harbaugh such a great coach. DJ lays out what the plan should be for the Chiefs this offseason as they look to rebound from their worst year in a decade. Plus, an incredible story from Daniel's scouting days about Colts legend Bob Sanders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Richard Sherman joins Kevin Clark for a wide-ranging NFL conversation ahead of Seahawks vs. Rams on Thursday Night Football. The 5 time pro-bowler and Amazon Prime analyst breaks down how Mike Macdonald has rebuilt Seattle’s defense, why rookie Nick Emmanwori has become the engine of that unit. Richard also dives into Matthew Stafford’s arm talent , why he’s playing some of the best football of his career, and how Sean McVay reinvented the Rams. Plus, Sherman picks which defense he’d want to play in if he were 25 again, revisits the one play he’d change from his career, and shares what fans often miss when watching defense on Sundays. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Clark breaks down everything from a chaotic Sunday across the NFL — Patrick Mahomes suffers a torn ACL, the Kansas City Chiefs are eliminated from playoff contention for the first time in over a decade, and the league’s balance of power may have just shifted. Kevin covers historical context (Patriots parallels), and why today may be the clean dividing line between Chiefs 1.0 and whatever comes next. Kevin also covers Micah Parsons’ devastating injury and why the Packers Super Bowl hopes are fading. Plus: Josh Allen putting on the cape again, Philip Rivers’ bizarre, vintage return, and Giants dysfunction reaches a breaking point Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Clark is joined by NFL veteran Mitch Morse provides insight into playing center for Josh Allen & Patrick Mahomes, and talks about the time he gave Paul Rudd an AFC West hat & the relationship he's developed with the Chiefs superfan. Mitch shares some incredible stories, inlcuding the toughest players he’s faced to a time where nature called at the worst possible time forcing Mitch to run to the blue medical tent. Then NFL HOF Joe Thomas & Gatorade HS Player of the Year and fellow offensive lineman Jackson Cantwell. Joe details what he thinks Shedeur Sanders needs to do over the final month of the season to cement himself as the Browns quarterback of the future. Jackson shares what he's learned from Joe about playing offensive tackle as he prepares to play for the University of Miami next year.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Clark is joined by Jordan Reid to take a look at how the QB class for the 2026 NFL Draft is shaping up. Hear why Jordan has Dante Moore as the top QB in the class should he choose to leave Oregon and enter the draft. Plus, the prospects worth watching in the upcoming College Football Playoff. Then Bill Cornerback Christian Benford takes us through his heroic interception Sunday against the Bengals. Christian gives insight into what it's like to go against Josh Allen in practice everyday. Plus, what has surprised him about living in Buffalo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Clark breaks down all the major storylines from Week 14 . On today’s episode: the Steelers win despite zero fourth-quarter success offensively, Josh Allen looks like the best player in the world, the Browns run one of the strangest two-point conversion plays you'll ever see, and the Bucs continue to slide. Kevin also dives into:• Why Jordan Love and the Packers might actually be NFC favorites• Caleb Williams’ encouraging (and chaotic) performance• Daniel Jones’ Achilles injury and what it means for the Colts• Bo Nix’s growth and Denver’s steady improvement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Clark is joined by Chris Simms for a deep dive into the biggest storylines across the NFL. Hear why Chris thinks Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears have the league’s best playbook, and what Caleb Williams is still learning as an NFL quarterback. Then he breaks down Drake Maye’s rise, how Josh McDaniels rebuilt him mechanically, why the Patriots are suddenly the most complete team in the AFC. Plus, why Chris believes that the root of the Eagles & Steelers problems offensively is at the quarterback position. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter joins Kevin Clark for a wide-ranging conversation on the league’s biggest storylines — from Mike Tomlin’s future, and the upcoming NFL coaching carousel, to the wild behind-the-scenes details on Matthew Stafford trade talks this past offseason, and which college coach might secretly be NFL teams’ No. 1 target. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices