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Play Under Review | 30 Years of Sports, Fantasy Football & Trash Talk | EP. 8 · Play Under Review Podcast

• Chuck Atkinson: Welcome back everybody to another episode of Play Under Review. We are on episode eight with your host Chuck Atkinson and my co-host Jeremy Spencer. Jeremy, how are you doing? Jeremy: We are doing fantastic. It's Chuck Atkinson: Okay. Jeremy: it's been a while since we chatted and lots of sports to talk about. I'm I'm excited to chat. Chuck Atkinson: That there is, that there is. It's been a yeah, busy week in the NFL. Hockey is in high gear. Baseball World Series is almost coming to an end. Maybe, maybe not. And the NBA season is off to a injury riddled start. So we yeah, we certainly Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: have a lot to talk about for our our our listeners out there, our viewers and yeah, hopefully our first timers as well joining us. So as always, Jer, we're gonna kick it off with the NFL week seven. Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: what what do we think is going on in the NFL this week? What any any any any hot Jeremy: I don't know. They're Chuck Atkinson: takes? Any what's your what's your thoughts on let's just get right down to your team, the Packers. They played the long yeah. Jeremy: Well, the Packers blew a blew their game, so and then the calls at the end of the game. But Chuck Atkinson: Yeah. Jeremy: just lose by a field goal and Chuck Atkinson: Yeah, no, they were playing the Lions this Jeremy: So it goes. But Chuck Atkinson: week, right, in Detroit. Jeremy: I I'm getting a little concerned. they can't seem to put together a complete game lately and and losing to Detroit always makes it worse as a Packers fan. So Chuck Atkinson: Right. Jeremy: what do you what do you think? Like what are you thinking when you see Jordan Love? Like looks he he's Chuck Atkinson: I I I like what I see from him still. I know we Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: touched on him a few weeks back there. His throwing motion is a lot better ever since he started planting his leadoff foot and throwing off that again and not the back foot. But team wise, though, I thought they played great on Sunday against the Lions. Problem Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: is, problem is they were playing against not only the 11 men on the field, but also the referees there as well, apparently, because they Jeremy: I didn't want to say it because Chuck Atkinson: They get a hose, man. They got a hose. They should have won that game, free and clear. but Phantom roughing the passer calls. it it it was just a horribly called game. And the NFL has a bunch of egg on their face as a result, I feel. And no, Green Bay, they shouldn't feel any bad, any which way about losing to the Lions. Lions are a good team. But yeah, th they they really got hosed by that one. They should have won the game, Jer. They should have won the game, really. Jeremy: I I think so too. But they it is what it is. They're still in the thick of things, so but Chuck Atkinson: yeah, it's a tough division. sometimes the breaks go your way, sometimes they don't. unfortunately for the pack this past week, they didn't. the calls more the more than less the bounces didn't go their way. but yeah, no, it's it's an early we're still week seven going to week eight. A long road to hoe. Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: yet the Bears, the Vikings are awesome right now at six and The the Bears are at five and two. Jeremy: Yeah. Well, we Chuck Atkinson: And who else do they have in that division? well obviously the Packers and the Lions. So they're all they're all above above water at this point. So they're all good. Jeremy: The Packers and Lions. And and I'm thinking like a quick congratulations and in order for for your charges. They went through a week without losing. So Chuck Atkinson: Yeah. Yes, yeah. We were we remain we were the only undefeated team this week who did not Jeremy: That's right. Chuck Atkinson: lose because we did not play. That didn't make any sense at all because Jeremy: That's the only week. Chuck Atkinson: there was at least half the league that didn't lose their games this week. But you the difference is Jeremy: Yeah, so week seven, the Chargers are gonna go without losing probably this i it's like Chuck Atkinson: Yeah, if if I would have put the house on it last week, I would have bet the Chargers weren't gonna lose last week. Jeremy: Only time this year so far. Chuck Atkinson: Yeah, they are the the last of the winless teams in the NFL. Yeah, the Lowly Titans have won a game. The Dolphins. The Dolphins went into New York Jeremy: Mm-hmm. Chuck Atkinson: and beat the Jets. That's not saying a whole lot because it's still the Jets, but the Dolphins did get a W, so good for them. they can hang their Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: hat on that. But the Chargers, yeah, they what can I say that hasn't been said already, and I will repeat again as the year continues. they suck. Mike McDaniel needs to be fired and get whatever at playoffs, playoffs, playoffs. I just want us to win a game. I just want us to win a game. Jeremy: So you're not thinking playoffs. You you you you start You've started the scouting for next year. You're you're already Chuck Atkinson: I love Jeremy: we're looking ahead future times. Chuck Atkinson: Well well I would love for them to have the train of thought that the Colts have right now. they they you know, up until last week they said, you know what, we're gonna wait and see how how the next few weeks unfold before we start unloading players for draft picks and worrying about the future. Jeremy: Ha ha. Chuck Atkinson: you know, the Colts they played the Vikings tough. the Vikings still have problems scoring points. As great as their defense is, they're gonna run into a team that's gonna be able to score twenty points on them. And if they can't score more than 17, which they haven't done all season, I don't believe, it's gonna be tough for them to win a game. but they're still undefeated at six and Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: but yeah, no, they're the Chargers, they're a wash. Don't really want to think about them, talk about them too much. They they really need to think about next year at this point and and start trading away whatever Jeremy: So Chuck Atkinson: expiring contracts are around, like Kleel Mac, for example. And just get some draft capital back and see what you can do to improve on next year. 'cause really this year Jeremy: So you're not thinking Herbert's gonna rally them to a big win against the Rams this week coming up. That's that's a week off's not gonna give Chuck Atkinson: I I think I mentioned this to you about Jeremy: a Chuck Atkinson: I said this to you in week two or week three. I actually this week two after their their second loss. And we and we looked at the schedule together and we we we went down the line and I predicted and eight to start the year. Jeremy: Yeah. Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: so presently, right now they have who on the schedule this weekend? I think it is the Bills. Jeremy: The who's that? The Chargers or I think you guys got the Rams. Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: Yeah. The Rams. Okay. So we're we're playing a road game at home. Or a home game on the road. Either way, we're Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: not leaving Los Angeles and we're still gonna lose. Yeah, so that's gonna be O and seven. And then I think it's the following week, it's the Ran or the Bills and then the Ravens. So we could Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: be potentially looking at O and nine, for the Chargers to start the year. So Jeremy: So an O for the whole season, the you just the further you get going, the more that you could you could kinda put that on the table. Chuck Atkinson: Yeah. Yeah. no, for the whole season, I don't see that happening because we still play in the same division as the Raiders. So that still Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: gives us a a quality chance at a win. but listen, the possibilities out there, I don't want to go down the line's territory and take away their their winless season Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: from a couple of years ago. But no, we don't need to join those ranks. But I wouldn't be surprised if maybe a two in fifteen season Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: was in play. but yeah. That's they're in for a long stretch though. They're in for a long stretch. But thank God they're not on any nationally televised games where the whole world doesn't have be exposed to this madness. So Jeremy: Yep. I find the Bungles the Bungles beat the Ravens aga this weekend too. That's another interesting team that seems to be looking good. But it's hard to rely Chuck Atkinson: Yeah. Yeah. So what do you think about Jeremy: on the Cleveland or the the the Bengals. Chuck Atkinson: It it is, yeah, 'cause you don't know if Jeremy: Trying to be like they're good. Chuck Atkinson: it's the what's their defense they they they're so offense dependent. now they did go out and score thirty five second half points on the Ravens. I think I think it was Jeremy: Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Chuck Atkinson: what I think it was what, fourteen nothing and a half or fourteen to three. No, fourteen nothing I think it was. Jeremy: Something like that. Finish thirty five thirteen. Chuck Atkinson: Yeah, okay, so it's 13 0 going into halftime, and then they just dropped thirty-five straight points on him in the second half. So I'd probably be a little bit more concerned on the Ravens side of the game than the Bengals, because we all know the Bengals have a kick-ass offense. Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: the run game is always susceptible. It's a little too reliant on the passing game, but Joe Burrow wouldn't have it any other way. but on the other side of the ball, like I said, you know, it's the the Ravens. I've I've believed this from for at least, I don't know, five, six years now that I, Lamar Jackson is a good quarterback. I know we didn't play last week or hasn't played in three weeks, but Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: I I really don't think this guy is a Super Bowl winning quarterback. It his his window his physical Jeremy: Didn't they win one? He didn't win one? Chuck Atkinson: window has closed, I would say. His running capabilities have diminished, obviously with injuries increasing over the last couple of years. I I I just don't see him as a elite pocket passer in the NFL. to the likes of Joe Burrow, Pat Mahomes, Josh Allen, those guys there. So it's it's gonna be a a tough year for the Ravens. Derrick Henry under three and a half yards a carrier right now. I think it is definitely under four. this could be his last year if things go down this path for the Ravens even further. we'll see. But yeah, the the NFC the AFC North is always gonna be a tough battle. And but yeah, speaking of the Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: AFC AFC North, what do you think of the Cleveland Browns? Jeremy: buddy. Chuck Atkinson: The old deucey hat. Jeremy: This is the only time this hat's ever been relevant. what is going the I I'm love I love it. It's great, man. Football needs to be mixed up a little bit. And you got the Browns and the the the Bungles, Chuck Atkinson: It does. Mm-hmm. Jeremy: actually playing playing well. Yeah. Yeah. they beat Chuck Atkinson: Yeah. The the state of Ohio. Jeremy: the Titans, let's let's be real. But it doesn't matter. Chuck Atkinson: Last one. Jeremy: They're they're five and two. Chuck Atkinson: Exactly. The same thing was said last year about the Patriots playing a soft schedule on their way to a Super Bowl appearance. Now, Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: their offense really tailed off at the end of the year, the Patriots did going into the playoffs. should they have gone to the Super Bowl? If maybe not, probably not had Bo Nicks gotten hurt in that game. But let's bounce back to the Browns because that's where it's at in Cleveland. Jeremy: But is Deshaun Watson reviving his career? Is he is is what is going on? I know you had Chuck Atkinson: yeah. I Jeremy: the the start of the season wasn't wasn't all roses for this guy. And Chuck Atkinson: No, no. He he's he's played well. He's played well enough. Jeremy: He had a lot of work to do. Chuck Atkinson: He still has a lot of work to do. I don't I still don't believe he's a the solution, the long term solution. they're really just tied to him this year and that's it. They can cut him loose and be totally fine, be s you know, be well, they got Shador Sanders, they have Jeremy: Well and they have the other that that other guy there, right? what's his Shador Sanders, yeah. Chuck Atkinson: right, and they also have another guy, Dylan Gabriel, who they drafted actually ahead of. Shador Sanders last year, who's been hurt all season. He just came off the IR. So Jeremy: Okay. Chuck Atkinson: if things go south with Deshaun, you might even see Gabriel in there before Shador Sanders. Jeremy: Which, they could he's but it could keep going well for him. Chuck Atkinson: If at five and two, you're not gonna change your quarterback just because, Jeremy: No. Chuck Atkinson: maybe an underperformance of a game or two. he's he's led comeback drives, game winning drives for the Browns. So I'll give him that. to me, if it's against the Titans or the Steelers, it don't matter. You play who's in front of you, and you gotta win each game. And that's all you can control. So whatever the NFL throws at you for a schedule, that's what you deal with. And when you're a last place team every year. Well, you tend to get the softer schedules until you Jeremy: Well it just Chuck Atkinson: un until you dig yourself out of that little that rut. Because then they'll start putting Jeremy: It's like somebody flipped the standings upside down here right now for a little bit. It's not something you see every day. See in Cleveland Chuck Atkinson: Yeah. Jeremy: what, in fifth? Chuck Atkinson: What's that? Jeremy: I said it's not every day you see Cleveland sitting on the top side of the standings instead of the bottom. It's kinda Chuck Atkinson: That's right. Yeah. I don't think they've won. I'm correct. I'm probably wrong here when I say this, but you know, five wins in total over the you know, previous two years. whereas they have five wins in seven games. So my MVP for that team is Todd Munkin, the head coach. a guy who has Jeremy: Well, he's got going. Chuck Atkinson: he has them going, he has them playing hard. the defense in Cleveland really is awesome. And as I'm sure you know, I think you have maybe a rookie fantasy guy or one of the rookies on your fantasy team. they got two great young receivers there, Conception and Boston, Denzel Boston, I believe his name is. so they have and they got the groundwork. They have Judkins at running back, they have Daryl at Fannon or Hannon Junior. Jeremy: Or a fan in I think. Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: Fannin, okay. so he's a good young tight end as well. Really just at the end of the day for the Browns, it's gonna come down to solving that. Jeremy: He's a member of the Irv Irving Oilers, I believe, so that's why I know his name. He was be I I was being told how good he is. So Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: Okay. Well, that's right. That's right. Big Wayne from the Irving Oilers of our Riverview Fantasy Football League is in possession of Judkins, I believe, and the the Jeremy: And fan it. Chuck Atkinson: tight end. So he's he's all in on the Browns. Could be the year of the Oilers, not the year of the fleas. Could it go to a Spencer? Maybe not the one that we were all talking about. Jeremy: it's still the year of the fleas. So do you wanna like we got some new s kind of new segments sort of coming up? Like do you wanna dive right into Chuck Atkinson: Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. Jeremy: you wanna dive into the NFL Chuck's NFL top five power rankings? Chuck Atkinson: Yeah, that's the I'll call it the CPI, the CPR. That's just, you know, we all know what CPR is, so we'll we'll call it the Chuck Power Index for this week here. We may rename it. We'll call it the CPI for today. And we'll Jeremy: So the CPI the chuck power index, yeah. Chuck Atkinson: absolutely. So this is my power rankings for the NFL. And Jer, you're gonna you obviously you know give me some feedback on it, but you know, I'd also like to hear back from everybody out there as well what you think the of my rankings. who you think I might have missed. Give me give us your order of rankings as well. throw it in our chats and we'll we'll obviously get back to you guys there let you know what we think about your about your top fives but for today it's not about you it's about me and my top five so Jeremy: Ha. Chuck Atkinson: with that being said my power index the CPI for today number five we're gonna go with the Cleveland Browns Jeremy: There we go. Chuck Atkinson: That's right, folks. I said the Cleveland Browns, the same very team. Not the team necessarily, but the the player, the quarterback I was crapping on, I'll put it mildly, nicely, earlier the season before it got going. I don't believe he's the long-term answer, but you know what? When you're five and two and you're playing winning ball and you have great defense and you're two and Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: in your division, that deserves some recognition. They beat the Steelers, I believe, and also the Ravens. So to me, that deserves some some some recognition. I can admit when I was wrong. so to you, Cleveland Brown fans out there, congratulations. Your Browns are on the CPI list at number five this week. number Jeremy: Number five. Chuck Atkinson: four, we are gonna go with the Chicago Bears sitting at five and two. And Jeremy: That bears. Chuck Atkinson: the Bears. Caleb Williams is back. his first game back was against the Falcons a few weeks ago. Great first game back, but week two was a little tougher matchup at home. last Thursday night against the Patriots. They won, I believe, 30 to 24. And Caleb Williams is just turning into one of these all-pro quarterbacks that we're gonna be watching for the next 10 to 15 years. the same way we've been watching Pat Mahomes over the last 10 years grow into the superstar quarterback. I believe that we're seeing the same thing with Caleb Williams. And kudos to his counterpart that evening as well, Drake May, who has turned his season around after a rough start. they are not on my power rankings. I'm just giving Drake. I'm not giving that middle funny name they give him, repeating his same name twice. Drake May, you and the Patriots are gonna be on the list someday, maybe. But just not this week. number three, we're gonna go with the undefeated Minnesota Vikings. Now, you folks might be asking me, Chuck, if they're undefeated, why are they at number three if they're the last undefeated team in the NFL? Well, plain and simple, they only score 16 to 17 points a game. they just beat the Colts 16 to 10. Now, if you didn't hear me say that again, the Colts. 16 to 10. Now the Colts suck, as we all know, which is why they're doing a fire sale in Indianapolis these days. getting rid of Nelson, their offensive tackle, guard, I believe. tackle. No, he's a guard. And then they traded DeForest Buckner, back to the 49ers. Awesome defense, defensive lineman. So they're obviously in fire sale mode. They're they're they're just a shit show. But back to the Vikings. When you only score 16 points against the Colts at home, that tells me that you don't have much of an offense. Jefferson's only getting four or four or five catches a game. For a guy of his caliber and talent, he should be getting at least 10 balls thrown to him a game and with maybe seven to eight catches. their running game, it's really not that great. That's why there's rumblings of a trade for potentially Jonathan Taylor. and their quarterback play really, it's been they don't have a solution. They're in the Indianapolis mode right now where they're funneling through quarterbacks on a yearly basis, trying to figure out who's the long term solution. Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: they had Sam Darnold in their possession a few years ago. Let him walk because they didn't think anything of him. What did he do? Went off to get a Super Bowl. So they bring in JJ McCarthy. A kid who played maybe 10 games in college football in his entire career. Well, that just turned into a just a shit show. And he's now playing for the Giants and actually winning games for the Giants. So they're stuck with Kyler Murray and Ka and Carson Wentz, who I believe I said maybe a couple of weeks ago was the best quarterback on the roster. And I stand by that statement still. Look at Murray's passing number. So when I say number three. they have an awesome defense. They have the best defense in the NFL. Get yourself a better quarterback play. You need a running game. And then we'll talk maybe in a couple of weeks. A little bit higher in the list. Two, maybe one, if they're still undefeated. Jeremy: Yeah. It makes sense for Chuck Atkinson: At number two. Jeremy: the Colts to trade Jonathan Taylor, so it's a good landing spot for him. Chuck Atkinson: That would be a fantastic landing spot for him. not only for him, but also the Vikings. Jeremy: What is he twenty seven years old too? So he might have a year a couple of good years left in him. Chuck Atkinson: He he's in his prime right now. He's in his prime. I I'd I would like not to see him go to an outdoor stadium team like the Bengals. I heard rumblings of the Seahawks, but they have so many running backs in Seattle. They're not going to get rid of Charbonnet or Price, who they drafted this year. Jeremy: Right. Chuck Atkinson: they have Wilson as well, a couple other backs that they have on the roster who they've been riding with the last few weeks. So they're Taylor, I'd love to see him go there. It helps my fantasy team too. They're to be a winning team. Jeremy: So Chuck Atkinson: so there's always a plus side to all these things for the X Factor. at number two though, we're gonna go back to the CPI here and number two I got the Buffalo Bills. listen, Josh Allen is absolutely awesome. The Bills are as Josh Allen goes. They don't have a s super great defense, above average right now. running game is always good with James Cook. just as long as he holds onto the football and just cuts his fumbles down. And like I said, you know, Josh Allen, doesn't matter what receiver is on his team. Kind of reminds you of back in the day with Tom Brady, you know, a bunch of no names on the back of the jerseys. you know, even over, you know, Pat Mahomes. He doesn't it doesn't Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: he had some good receivers, not right now, but in his earlier years, he you he had Tyree Kill, but beyond Tyree Kill, Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: there was just wasn't much there. and that's the same. Jeremy: Yeah, it's not like the old Bills, there's no Andre Reed there, no Chuck Atkinson: Yeah, James Lofton exact for example, shoot that Jeremy: But he he makes good with what he's got 'cause Allen has been solid. Chuck Atkinson: I exactly. ke Keon Coleman, he's turning Keon Coleman into a a really good receiver. Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: Khalil Shakir, he he's a great receiver and underappreciated receiver, I think around the NFL as well. he's a steady hand for Josh Allen every week. and of course they have DJ Moore who they picked up, but he's having a hard time staying on the field these days. Exactly. Yeah. So a few more weeks and listen, if this Jeremy: Yeah, but he's not playing. I know. That's he's part of the reason the year of the fleas is having is sputtering. Chuck Atkinson: Well, i i if once things clean up for the bills there on the injury front, you know, they they could be at number one. Now that brings me to my number one on the CPI this week. And that's the San Francisco 49ers, people. yes, they did lose to the Atlanta Falcons last week. Jeremy: They sure did. Chuck Atkinson: 29 to 20. Now McCaffrey left for, you know, a probably about a quarter and a half. Almost two full quarters with a hamstring injury. Mild, mild hamstring injury, thankfully, for the X Factor's sake. And also the Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: 49ers, of course. but they were playing without Mike Evans. You know, the Christian Kirk was supposed to play. he didn't play at all. so their receivering, their receiving core right now is really thin, and but their defense is playing great ball. Like I said, they traded for DeForest Buckner. From the Colts. So he's going back to San Francisco, where he started his career. And they're gonna get Bosa back as well there pretty soon. Nick Bosa. So their their team, their defense is really holding down the fort while these injuries are happening on the offensive side of the ball. And listen, they're they're six and one right now, going into their bye week. Brock Purdy is playing at an all-pro level and quite frankly in an MVP level as well, which we're gonna touch on here in a few minutes. so Jeremy: No coincidence he's part of the X Factor football magnite. Chuck Atkinson: Well, i listen, i if if if Josh Allen if if Josh Allen was at six and for example, that would push me over and I put Josh and the Bills ahead. But because the listen, the forty nineers last week, they they're not gonna win every game. And with all the injuries that they have and have had. You know, losing Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: a game on the road to the Falcons. Who are they're not a crappy team, by the way, the Falcons. they have a really good offense. Penix is back from injury. And so they're humming along right now. And so losing to them, it's well listen, there's there's no harm to that. They're it's not like losing to the Browns. I'm so programmed to stay in the Browns, you Jeremy: Ha ha ha ha. Chuck Atkinson: know. You know, it's not it's not like they're losing to the Browns because I'm always expecting the Browns to be and whatever the hell the game is of the year. Jeremy: No, it's more like losing to the Chargers or the Dolphins. Chuck Atkinson: Exactly. You know, it's not like they're losing to the Chargers this week. You know, there it's you know, gonna have to change that verb around, that that that that that that saying. Jeremy: Or even the Titans. The Titans are falling finding themselves in that category these days. Chuck Atkinson: Well, you know what? The the Titans are putting up points at least. I if the Titans and Chargers got together for a game, I think the Titans would kick their ass, quite frankly. They got a better defense. The quarterback may not be as good, but Herbert sucks right now. So it doesn't really matter who we're playing. I get in zero faith in that charger team, zero confidence. But this is a CPI and the Chargers are nowhere near it. So we're not gonna talk about them anymore. The forty nineers at number Jeremy: All right. Chuck Atkinson: one. That's my feelings. Jeremy: So Chuck Atkinson: And so yeah, we got 49ers, Bills, Vikings, Bears, and the Browns. Jeremy: Bears. Chuck Atkinson: It's always gonna fluctuate from week to week, folks, based on how teams are performing, of course. But for week seven going into week eight, that's the CPI top five. And yeah, I would want to hear your guys' feedback. Put it in our comments as well. Jer, what do you think? Jeremy: I I'll just let you have your CPI. I I have a different view, but we don't have Chuck Atkinson: Ha ha ha. Jeremy: time for me to go down mine, but I I I think you've left the Chiefs off the list. Chuck Atkinson: Okay. Jeremy: And I s I I feel the way that they're playing, they may deserve to be in the top five. I would take I don't even know who I would take out necessarily, but you'd have to almost bump for me, you you're bumping the Bears off. Chuck Atkinson: Okay. No, I appreciate that. Jeremy: And I'm po and I'm pushing the the Chiefs Chuck Atkinson: Mm-hmm. Jeremy: to number two on that list. And I'm putting the Bills number one on that list and dropping your Niners to three. And the Vikings Chuck Atkinson: Okay. Jeremy: would go below that. So yeah. So the Bears are coming off the list. Chuck Atkinson: So the Vikings will be sitting at four then. And then we're sliding everybody down. Bears are coming off the list and we're keeping the Browns at five. All right. So that's the JPI. That's the Jeremy: That's the JPI. Chuck Atkinson: JPI right there. He's got the Chiefs. he's got the Bills. Was it again? Jeremy: We got the Bills, then the Chiefs, then the Niners, all right, and then the Vikings Chuck Atkinson: Than the Vikings and the Browns. Jeremy: then the Browns. Chuck Atkinson: Okay. So my reasoning for the brand for leading the Chiefs off is just plain and simple. They sucked last weekend against the Seattle Seahawks on the road, scoring three points. I'm worried about their I'm worried about their offense. Jeremy: They did. They did. I choose not to I I'm ignoring that. it's just a one of those blips and then if they look like that next week I'll completely change my mind. But I assume they're Chuck Atkinson: No, absolutely. Jeremy: gonna look just like they did the week before last next week. It was a blip. Chuck Atkinson: Yeah, I I guess my reasoning is, I guess I'll just lay it out there is they played a a a number two top two defense in the NFL. I put the Vikings number one, Seahawks number two. People can just shift those back and forth, but that's who everybody has. I feel number one and two in the NFL top defenses. playing on the road in Seattle, that's always tough. But and here's the way big one you only scored three points. Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: Pat Mahomes isn't the same Pat Mahomes. He's not playing like the same guy that we've been that we've been used to over last five years. Jeremy: No, and they w they stopped Walker big time. That's what and Chuck Atkinson: Yeah, and that was their goal, right? You're not gonna let your your fo your ex girlfriend come into your house and run amok in your in in your building. No, they weren't gonna have that. Jeremy: No. So they that was that was game plan number one, I think, for Seattle and they did it and then that that Mahomes isn't the same guy. He needs the running game to be effective now and he's not he didn't get it. Chuck Atkinson: Well absolutely, but but they're lacking in in in receiver help right now. you know, Rasheed Rice, I this guy's on my fantasy team. I have no idea when if this guy's ever gonna play. No idea. So he's so do Jeremy: I like Worthy. But he's just Chuck Atkinson: I, but you know, he's not doing anything. Jeremy: He's not getting no. So Chuck Atkinson: So that leaves us with Travis Kelsey. And is this guy he's not gonna blow past anybody? Travis Kelsey. Jeremy: No, but he still makes big catches. And he gets ya Chuck Atkinson: He does. Jeremy: f he gets your ten, he gets your first downs and he gets your touchdowns. Chuck Atkinson: Hmm. Well, didn't last weekend, so that's why they're off the CPI this week. They could be back in Jeremy: He's he definitely didn't last weekend. Chuck Atkinson: next week. It's the Chiefs. They're not gonna be off it forever. So Jeremy: So with all that being said, so we've Chuck Atkinson: Yeah. Jeremy: also got an we'll do another quick before we get out of football, we've got one more. We're gonna do a top five currently, who's your top five studs in the NFL? Who's your top five MB MVP Chuck Atkinson: So Jeremy: players? And we'll go through it relatively Chuck Atkinson: All right. So thus yeah, absolutely. So at this point right now, it's really it doesn't deviate too much from my my power rankings. so I'm just gonna give you my my top five MVP candidates at midpoint this year. we're gonna go five from one. And folks, I got some good news. It's not all quarterback play today. So at number five, we're gonna start off with a quarterback though. It's going to be Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars. he's got them off to a four-and-two start. he goes underappreciated, under recognized really for Jeremy: Yeah, man. Chuck Atkinson: how good he's been playing the quarterback position over the last two to three years in comparison to his first couple of years. So I know there there is a there was a a a there Jeremy: A little bit of worry there early on. Chuck Atkinson: was a a a a loud noise brewing, you know, some percolation of is this guy actually gonna be a good quarterback? not just for the Jaguars, but just in general. And Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: listen, the the I'm I was never a Trevor Lawrence backer, a believer in this guy coming out of Clemson, but he has proven me wrong as a fan, and I am now a fan of his. He is playing great ball. I believe right now he has around 14 touchdowns and only three or four interceptions. So if we extrapolate that over the next half of the season, we could be looking at at least 30 to 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, maybe max. I don't even think he's Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: going to go that high for pick wise. It helps that he plays in a pretty soft division with the Colts, Tennessee and Houston right now. All three teams, by the way, are under 500. So he can really make Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: a case for his own personal real life MVP status. By hammering this division into the ground for the remainder of the year and just balling out. he's got some great running backs there in Jacksonville and some great receivers as well. At number four, you're gonna like this Jar. I have Kenneth Walker the third. Yeah. And so he's my running back on Jeremy: Yep. Can't go wrong with Walker. Chuck Atkinson: the list today. And the main reason he's on here is that without him, Kansas City is not five and one. he is Jeremy: You're right. Chuck Atkinson: really Carrying that offense all the way. you see what happens last week. or excuse me, you saw what happened last week when a a top-tier defense put the clamps on their best running back. And what happened to the rest of the offense? It exposed them. It exposed them as one dimensional. And for that reason, not only is it the leading rusher in the NFL yardage wise, I think he's a top two, top three touchdown right now. Might be tied or pretty pretty well close with Jameer Gibbs out of Detroit. but for that reason, though, being the heart and pretty much the whole of the offense of Kansas City and their 5-1 record, he's at my number four for the MVP. At number three, I'm gonna give some love where it's due, quite frankly, for the MVP race. And that's the best offensive player in football. And that's Jackson Smith and Jigba of the Seattle Seahawks. He Jeremy: Yeah. Man. Chuck Atkinson: is a Target machine. Jeremy: He's Chuck Atkinson: He's a catch machine. He's a yardage machine. He's a yak machine. He's a touchdown machine. he he is part of the flea bastards Jeremy: He's a part of the he's part of the fleas in the east coast. Chuck Atkinson: and the East Coast League. Let's not get it twisted, because Jeff Hansen of our Riverview Fantasy Football League and the OnlyFans might be like, hey, no, no, no, no, no. He's on my team. But he is in the Riverview League. Jeremy: That's true. But in the in the ECF value belongs to me in which I'm ten and four, by the way. Just saying. Chuck Atkinson: I'm sure you're gonna remind us that in a few minutes after the MVP rankings come out here. so yeah, you got JSN at number three. He's the heart and you know the whole of the Seattle offense until you know they get a better running game going. So it's kind of on the reverse side, right? You have the Chiefs and their great running Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: game and no passing game really. You have the Seahawks with a mild running game right now, should improve with Nelson after that trade, but a really good passing game. When I say a really good passing game, Darnold to Injigba Smith. That's it. so Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: he's at so he's at number three. At number two, I got Josh Allen with the Buffalo Bills. The guy does it all. All-time leading rushing touchdown, all-time leading touchdown rusher or scrimmage touchdowns, actually, for the Buffalo Bills. And he's a quarterback. So, folks, if you don't know, scrimmage touchdown means rushing and receiving. The quarterback of the Buffalo Bills, halfway through his career, is the all-time scrimmage touchdown leader, passing Andre Reid. James Lofton, Thurman Thomas. He's a quarterback. Jeremy: I was just gonna say Thurman Thomas. Chuck Atkinson: Thurman Thomas. This man's a quarterback and he has more rushing touchdowns than Thurman Thomas. Okay, figure that one out. And by the way, he's a quarterback who can throw for 250, 350, 450. You name it, he can do it. So at that right now, because they're five and one and they're the Buffalo Bills, I got them at I have him at number two. Number one, some people are gonna be like, really? Get over it, people. Brock Purdy is an awesome quarterback. Brock Purdy is my number one candidate right now for MVP. listen, we all know about the injuries that the 49ers have, not only last year, but this year as well at this time. his quarterback play has been just about as perfect as he can get, minus that last game in Atlanta. but listen, Josh Allen, he's four, he's five and one. Nobody's perfect. So That being said, Brock's done an amazing job carrying the team offensively. McCaffrey's not running the ball very well these days. He's hurt. He's slow. how do I know? He's on my fantasy team, people. And the receivers, Mike Evans, touch and go from week to week, whether it's a concussion, leg injury, back injury, hip injury, toe injury. Jer, do you know of any other kind of injuries Mike Evans can get? Jeremy: I don't know, he's got all. Chuck Atkinson: He's got them all though. so their their spot their head sponsorship, I think, now in San Francisco is actually Band-Aid. Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: So but yeah, Brock Purdy, he's my number one guy at MVP. This is gonna fluctuate from week to week, folks. That's my thought. give us yours as well. Comment, give us your feedback, give us your top five MVP rankings in the NFL. so Jer, what do you think? Jeremy: Yeah. No. It's I don't know, I haven't thought about it enough to really change your list a lot, but I would move I I would put Walker a little higher, like number one. That's where I'd put him on that list. And then Josh Allen. And then JSN. And then Brock Purdy. Chuck Atkinson: Okay. And this has nothing and and this of course has nothing to do with his f with the with the flea bassers, does it? Jeremy: No, nothing. But Kenneth Walker is Chuck Atkinson: Yeah. Jeremy: said it yourself. He's the reason why K C is five and one. And Brock Purdy, Chuck Atkinson: Absolutely. Jeremy: it's just he's Brock Purdy. Does Brock Purdy things. He's Chuck Atkinson: And that's what I'm talking about, right? It's the narrative. You know, people are just stuck on Brock Purdy being a game manager. Well, earth the people Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: out there, earth the people, that's what quarterbacks are. Game managers. You know, that's what that is. Jeremy: It's true. He's just not as exciting as Chuck Atkinson: Like it all started with Trent Dilfer back in the day when he won the Super Bowl with the Ravens. Well, Trent Dilfer's not a good quarterback, he's Jeremy: Right. Trent Delver. Chuck Atkinson: just a game manager. Well, idiots out there, that's what Football quarterbacks are their game managers. I would rather have Brock Purdy as my game manager than Justin Herbert as my game manager right now. It doesn't matter how much skilled Jeremy: Yeah, for sure. Chuck Atkinson: Justin Herbert is, he's got perhaps better receivers than San Francisco. Well, he's got healthier receivers, I'd say. And then, you know, really it comes down to what's up here. What's up here? And that's what Brock Purdy has right now over everybody in the NFL. quarterback position. he's a he's an awesome passer. All time passer rating leader. So that's it. I will get off Brock Purdy and the Brock Purdy love. He's on the he's on the X Factor in both leagues. He's on the X Factor. Jeremy: All right, all right, we we get it, you love And guess guess who traded to ya? It was me. I I convinced ya. Brock Purdy's man. You gotta take Brock Purdy. And we made the trade. Chuck Atkinson: You want to trade for Brock? No. Jeremy: Ha ha ha. Chuck Atkinson: I'll I'll trade you for Brock you can have Brock Lesnar as your quarterback. That's about it. Jeremy: So we've been going at this for a while. Let's let's keep going football, but let's ch let's just touch on the fantasy football Chuck Atkinson: Yeah. Okay. Jeremy: situation. So, you know, I I I was checking a few things out currently. I mean, we've been talking about the year of the fleas. So Chuck Atkinson: Mm-hmm. Jeremy: just in the The current I I'm r in the East Coast football league, I'm now ranked at ninety-nine point four percent chance of making the playoffs. in the league that Chuck Atkinson: Okay. But but Jeremy: every that we all care about in the well we care about them both, but in the Riverview Chuck Atkinson: Yes, we do. Jeremy: League where the year of the fleas has originated and is is really hanging on, I've got a forty point four percent chance of making it at the moment. Chuck Atkinson: Okay. Forty point four. Jeremy: So yeah, apparently I'm a genius on one side and and not not so much on this side. But like I said, the year of fleas is not over. This is just a little bit of a blip. I'm gonna I'm gonna have a good week again this week. So Chuck Atkinson: Now I'm just doing some quick math here. You said forty point four percent to make the playoffs in the Riverview League, right? Okay. Jeremy: Something like that. Chuck Atkinson: So if my math is correct, that would mean there is a 59.6 chance percent 59.6% chance that you don't make the playoffs. Jeremy: Yeah. That that's that's if your mass correct. Chuck Atkinson: Okay. And that equals one hundred percent. You heard a hair pro Jeremy: You've got the X Factor are sitting at an eighty eight point four percent chance of making the playoffs in the Riverview League. Chuck Atkinson: Mm-hmm. Jeremy: And for some reason I didn't have a chance to come up with the actual stat in the other league, but it'd be about similar to that. Cause I think you're Chuck Atkinson: Yeah, that Jeremy: pretty even in both leagues right now. Chuck Atkinson: Yeah, and yeah, so I'm sitting at eight and six, I believe, after this after last week, in Riverview. Where are you at? Jeremy: In Riverview, I'm well, like I said, it's a forty point four percent chance of making the playoffs. So currently I'm six and eight, dude. I I'm I'm one week away from being five hundred. Chuck Atkinson: Well, no, no. I I think we're talking win-loss. There we go. There's the magic words. That's what we were looking for. Six and eight. All right. Jeremy: Six and eight. Chuck Atkinson: Under the Mendoza line. So he has to get to that Mendoza line of at least eight and eight. a lot of injuries happening around the NFL. A lot of bye weeks are starting to come into play as well. So Jeremy: I'm currently if the league ended if it star stopped today, I'm in the playoffs, by the way, with that record. If we finished up today, I'm eighth. Chuck Atkinson: Of it of of at six and eight. Okay. Jeremy: at six and eight. The Pythons would be out, the upper deckers Chuck Atkinson: Mm-hmm. Jeremy: would be out, the oilers would be out and the Rangers would be out. The Pythons are six and eight, the Deckers Chuck Atkinson: Okay. Jeremy: are five and nine, the Oilers are four and ten. And the Rangers are three and eleven at the moment. So Chuck Atkinson: Yeah. So what I'll Jeremy: Because those teams are that bad right now, it's it's Chuck Atkinson: Making life easy. Jeremy: it's helping the odds of the fleas. Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: Yeah, what I what I'm hearing from those numbers, those win loss records at the bottom of the pile, is The X factor are are are gonna be one through eight. And that and and Jeremy: Well well I can tell you right now the X Factor only really two spots ahead of the fleas in the current standing situation. I'm in eighth, you're in sixth. So that's the difference. Chuck Atkinson: Well, if we're going if we're going standing wise, yes. But did we did we not play head to head earlier this year? Jeremy: well, head to head whatever, it's Chuck Atkinson: Well no, head to head whatever. So if so if we're going by standings wise though and if we're if we happen to finish Jeremy: You're eight and six and I'm six and eight. Chuck Atkinson: Right. But in theory though, you're not two games behind me, you'd be three games behind me 'cause I own the head to head versus the fleas, is that correct? Jeremy: If it comes into a tiebreaker, but we play each other probably again before the season's over, so that can change. So Chuck Atkinson: we do. We do. We do. I may I I checked on when and we're c we're we're gonna clash here soon enough. So we'll we'll we'll we'll see if I can catch you on a bye week or two there maybe to help the X Factor out. Jeremy: Y do you have who's your biggest fantasy disappointment this week? Chuck Atkinson: This week or the season? the the Jeremy: Well you either. Chuck Atkinson: either go Rasheed Rice. Rasheed Rice. He's the biggest disappointment on my team. Period. Yeah, Jeremy: She rice, yeah. Chuck Atkinson: I mean the guy can't stay on the field. I mean I should have known better. He couldn't stay on the field last year either. he couldn't stay on the field when he's in jail. So I Jeremy: Mine is Jadarian Price. I I was expecting big things out of him and he's I I should have known better than to rely on a rookie. That's just a dumb Chuck Atkinson: Well, listen, in fantasy football world you have to take chances on the rookies. running backs are you know, it's it's gonna be a a a sticky proposition with running backs, especially nowadays. Receivers, rookie receivers that come in seem to have the success that the old rookie running backs used to have ten years ago, fifteen years ago. And now it's just flipped around. It used to be the case where Jeremy: Yeah. Yeah, you don't get that instant, draft Edrin James and bam right into the game, Chuck Atkinson: Exactly. You might occasionally the oddball, but definitely not like on a yearly basis. Jeremy: Ladanian Tomlinson, I don't think it took him three years to get going. Chuck Atkinson: No, I'll no no back see no but that was back in the day when actually running backs LT came out out of the draft and he was just awesome from the get-go. See, nowadays it's the on the other way around. It's like it Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: would usually take three years, two to three seasons for a rookie receiver to really grow and develop and find his place in the offense. Now it's the other way around. It's the rookie receivers are coming out, they're ripping it up, Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: kicking ass. And the rookie running backs are having a hard time getting going. whether it's price, love this year, even back to last year, Ashton Genty. One of the top running back coming out of the draft. And the guy can't pop any more than three and a half yards carry. Like he is gonna lose his job to this Washington guy, who he shares the backfield with in Oakland, Oakland, but in Vegas. Genty's a good receiving back. He's actually leads the league. He actually leads the league and drops this year, ironically. he's a better receiver than running back. So I don't know what that tells you. but yeah, no, that's just it's rookies, it's always hard though. It you know, Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: gotta find those gems and hopefully they pop for you. Jeremy: Yeah. So let's w wanna move into some ho a little bit of hockey here for for a bit, touch on that. We got some baseball to talk about, some some basketball. Let's start with Chuck Atkinson: Absolutely. Absolutely. So Hockey Land, your habs play well. Jeremy: So the Habs having a good week. We've got nine Chuck Atkinson: What Jeremy: of our last ten possible points. Chuck Atkinson: Right. So what's going on in Nets there these days? Update me and our fans and and the listening and viewing audience. what's going on with the goaltending situation there? Is Dobish ever gonna get a chance again? Are they gonna move him? Is Fowler the answer? Jeremy: Well, like I mentioned before, Fowler's always been the guy that the organization has had earmarked for the number one goal. He did just the timeline and everything is is what it is. He came up last year, he played really great. Him and Dobush played good when Montebeau was not at the end. And Dobush rolled with it in the playoffs. But Fowler is is is the real deal, man. Like I looked at I went back and looked at his whole career, he's never ever had a season of a with a goals against average over three in anywhere he's ever played. Chuck Atkinson: Any level. Jeremy: Any level. Chuck Atkinson: Wow. Jeremy: It's been below three the whole time. Like it I was like, wow. And then not saying he's gonna do that in the NHL, but the guy's like he's got about a one point five goals against average right now, two shutouts and six starts. And he's or seven starts. He's six and one. Like Chuck Atkinson: Nice. Jeremy: the Habs are gonna I think the Habs are gonna just We're not in the rebuild phase anymore. We're in the win Chuck Atkinson: No. Jeremy: phase. So we we're gonna go with the guy that gives us the best chance to win every night. And it's gonna be I think they're gonna go with Fowler until, you know, he has you know, he's there's a back to back game coming somewhere around I think around the eleventh of November. So you know, Fowler's probably gonna play until he has a game that he doesn't look that good or the back to back comes and then Dobush will get a chance and if Dobush has a great game, I betcha he'll play the next game. I I think that's where they're at. Like it and and then Chuck Atkinson: Did Fell Fall's last game was it was it last night or two nights ago? What now it was a shoutout. Jeremy: last night. forty six shots stopped last night. Chuck Atkinson: Two nothing, right? Jeremy: 2-0. 46 shots against the Blues. Shutout. Yeah, he was on it was on real. Whew. Chuck Atkinson: Wow. Yeah. Yeah. Forty six saves. that's just nuts. That is that that's that's going into like that that's like overtime talk right there. Like that that shot Jeremy: We're Chuck Atkinson: total. Jeremy: Suzuki got we're three and since Suzuki went out with his injury and we're managing to to get the wins and we got another one more game left on the road trip tomorrow night, I think. So but Chuck Atkinson: Okay. Yeah. Jeremy: the Heritage Classic, we just passed that this last week. That was that was pretty fun. When Montreal won that game two to one. Caulfield had a couple assists. that's always a fun game. Chuck Atkinson: Yeah, I I really I know you I didn't get a chance to watch the entire game. I I did tune in for a few moments. I love what these guy what they do for the Heritage Classic games every year. as far the Jeremy: It's just fun. It's like Chuck Atkinson: layout, right? the layout, the atmosphere that they present to the viewing Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: audience, but also the people there in the stands. Jeremy: It just kinda brings you back to being a kid playing hockey and Chuck Atkinson: Right. Jeremy: is is fun. the the Habs all showed up coming off the plane in i in Molson brewery gear. Did you see that with the hard hats? Chuck Atkinson: I did see that I did see that Jeremy: So they were having fun with it. Chuck Atkinson: image, yeah. Jeremy: So but yeah, no. Chuck Atkinson: It it looked like it looked like Cole Coffee was coming down the stairs there in some Osh kosh bigosh. Jeremy: Yeah, he's wearing his he was wearing his Randy Machaman Savage sunglasses. Chuck Atkinson: God, he came riding in Jeremy: So Chuck Atkinson: on his little Tonka truck there. He's so tiny. I mean, you can't be mistaken for a little kid there sometimes, but Jeremy: Florian Jackey also got his first goal last night for the Habs, which was awesome. On a big tip. So he Chuck Atkinson: Nice. Yep. So Jeremy: got it on the night where his his brother was was was a scratch. First time he was scratched this year, so but Chuck Atkinson: Now I'm hearing I'm hearing more rumblings about Dylan Larkin. So he's expanded his trade trade list, his team Jeremy: Draper has been in our house the last three games in a row watching our players. Chuck Atkinson: Right. So h he's not on the list right now, apparently. the ten team list, it's all American based. Shocking. Jeremy: No. But it's no secret that I think the Habs would be interested. Chuck Atkinson: the the Habs are interested from what I'm hearing, so I wanna get your take on this because as we discussed earlier as the season was just kicking off, the the crowd reaction to Larkin in Montreal. The we want Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: Larkin, the we want Larkin ch chance, right? Jeremy: It kinda bizarre. Chuck Atkinson: And so what I've heard is that that has kind of made its way to him. s well, Jeremy: Well of course he was right there. Chuck Atkinson: no, I mean, you know, as as far as his thought process now about b about potentially going to Montreal, right? So he I don't think the door is completely Jeremy: But I've also heard that Yeah, and apparently Chuck Atkinson: closed on Jeremy: apparently his wife is friends with Jeff Petrie's wife, and they were they I've heard this on a podcast that apparently they were talking and she explained that it's not, it's Montreal's a great place to be and good place for the kids to go to school, all that stuff. there's nothing to really be worried about going to Montreal. so I don't know, maybe his mind could be changed. I don't really want a guy on our team that doesn't want to be there. If he legit doesn't want to go to the Habs, I'm not interested at all. But in reality, if Montreal had a one two punch in Nick Suzuki and Dylan Larkin and I I I would be interested in looking at it if somehow it could happen and he wanted to do it, I I'm I'm thinking it would be pretty good. Chuck Atkinson: Yeah. Yeah. That absolutely. And to be honest, anything that could facilitate him getting off the Red Wings, I'm all for. Jeremy: But but is one of the reasons he doesn't want to go there is because he knows straight up he's not gonna be the number one center anymore or he's not going to be the captain or you know like Chuck Atkinson: Well, re regardless of where he goes, he's not gonna be the captain anywhere he goes. Let's just get that out of the way. Jeremy: 'Cause he fits right in with he fits right in with our salary makeup of eight and a half million or eight like he fits right in with our team, with the way that everything's going for us. And he wouldn't he would make a it's har I hate to say it, but I if if all things were equal and he actually wanted to be a Montreal Canadian, I think it would be great if we could get our if we could get him. And I I think I think one of the reasons Chuck Atkinson: I do too. I do too. And Jeremy: why you guys have been looking is we we scratch Jack eye last night and put in Adam Engstrom, which is one of our prospect defense prospects. And some people were saying that, you know, that's because scouts are in the house and we wanted to Yep. So my guess Chuck Atkinson: We want to get a good look at Okay. So Jeremy: is my guess it would take a pretty decent roster player off our team, a prospect Chuck Atkinson: Yes. Jeremy: like our defense and and then maybe a prospect that's not the NHL yet and probably a draft pick to get Dylan Larkin is what I'm guessing it would take. But the Canadians are Chuck Atkinson: I bla yeah I think so too. And so this is Jeremy: not we're not willing to give up Michael Hage or Zorofsky, I don't think, in a Dylan Larkin deal. I don't I I'm the to me. Chuck Atkinson: How would this sound if it included Jeremy: Maybe Dobus. Chuck Atkinson: exactly where I was going. I I you know my feelings on this guy. I've expressed them I've expressed Jeremy: Yeah, man. Chuck Atkinson: them clearly and plainly. I dislike the guy as a goaltender. I don't like him as a person. Jeremy: He's he's got a pla he's got a friendly contract, three and a half million for the next three years. We just signed him. He's Chuck Atkinson: That's all I like. Jeremy: great. I don't even think we really want to get rid of him. But if if a big move requires a big move. So you have to Chuck Atkinson: Exactly. Jeremy: you have to give up something. And and you guys could probably really unless the there is there is this this new kid you got in your in your your system right now. Chuck Atkinson: That's right. We have a rookie goaltender who just made his first couple appearances for us, as you mentioned in our pre in our talk earlier before we went on camera. Jeremy: But but yeah, but Dobish would make a great a great deal to to make you know a great chip Chuck Atkinson: Well, exactly. Jeremy: in that Chuck Atkinson: I now the downside to this is, you know, we have like you said, you know, that rookie goaltender that just came up, performed well for his first two games. we also have I believe it's Gibson. Jeremy: Yep, you've got Gibson. Chuck Atkinson: as our backup goaltender or our starting goaltender. Jeremy: Well, he's your starter for now, but this kid's apparently Yeah, Gibson is not Chuck Atkinson: Right. Not a long term solution. So do we trade him? Do we drop him? Do we send the rookie down to AHL? you know, it's adding another Jeremy: Yeah. It's Chuck Atkinson: goaltender could be a problem, but you know, we don't want the Canadians kind of problem where you have three goaltenders. You're gonna have solve this eventually. Either trade Montabo or you're Jeremy: It's Mikhail Postava. They call him the Postman. Chuck Atkinson: what's that? Jeremy: The the k the kid in Detroit. His name is Michael Postava. Postava. I don't know how you pronounce it. But his n his nickname is the Postman. He's our Chuck Atkinson: Hmm. coat. So they call him the postman. Cause he hangs around the only lit streetlight in Detroit by himself. 'Cause all the other ones they can't afford to turn the power on is Detroit. no, I kid, I kid. Jeremy: Yeah. But Chuck Atkinson: Detroit's not that bad, I'm sure. Jeremy: But going into that, your your Red Wings actually weren't too bad this week. They got a four three shootout win against the others in which this kid was playing. Chuck Atkinson: Mm-hmm. That's right. Jeremy: so that's Chuck Atkinson: Yeah. Jeremy: that's good news for you guys. Chuck Atkinson: It is. I guess. I look at it as as a Red Wing fan going, Okay, what's next? Jeremy: Do you feel like they're just gonna get you do you feel like this team gonna be out of it way before? Or do you feel like it's gonna be another year where they bring it to the last ten games and make everybody sort of excited Chuck Atkinson: Suffer. Jeremy: but miss again? Chuck Atkinson: I have no idea. Jeremy: Or do you think they're gonna make it? Chuck Atkinson: I have no idea how to read this team right now. And the simple reason is because of Dylan Larkin. I don't see them. Jeremy: Well, it's gonna depend on what h what you guys get in a Dylan Larkin deal. Is it a whole bunch of future Chuck Atkinson: Exactly. Jeremy: or you're gonna get something that helps you also right now, along with some future? So Chuck Atkinson: Now, I like the fact that De Brinkett signed up long term. He's not gonna go anywhere for the Red Wings. He loves being there. I'm happy to hear that. Cider's happy there. You know, we got a we got a good core players who want to be there and want to win. The only problem is that core players have been together now for four or five years and they haven't won dick. Okay. They haven't. They they blow it in the last week of the season, the last month of the season. We were in first place after the all-star break, and next thing we missed the playoffs completely. so I I I really this year, I I'd like to say this year is a year that we break that dubious streak of missing the playoffs. I I really it is. It but you know what, Jeremy: A really tough division that we're all in too. That's another thing about this whole thing. Chuck Atkinson: that's hockey and that's that's just sport in general, right? You have to adapt every year and Fix your problems and and grow from them. Get the right people in. Montreal's Jeremy: So yeah. Chuck Atkinson: not going to be down, you know, they're not down the bottom every year. They were down for a cup of coffee and they they developed and they grew their talent. And look where they're at now. They're going to be a Stanley Cup contender, just as I predicted earlier this year, before the season started, they were going to be in the finals. I still stand by that, even before a trade is made. I'll I'll say that even louder after a trade is made. So Montreal's gonna be my pick. It is. It is. Jeremy: Yeah. I feel like a trade is coming though between now and the trade deadline for the Habs. Something is coming. Whether it's Dylan Larkin or something. I I but I I Chuck Atkinson: You you can't keep on stockpiling draft picks and and and prospects because you don't have enough room for everybody on your roster. Right? Jeremy: Well well, and we have a lot of depth when it comes to really good, second, third line wingers. Chuck Atkinson: Mm-hmm. Jeremy: like we've got a lot of guys and then some r like we've got, you know, New Hook and Taxier and some of these guys that are good serviceable hockey players, but we've got other kids coming pushing them and Chuck Atkinson: Right. Jeremy: they can be traded as parts. We have we have the anyway, it's a Chuck Atkinson: Exactly. So yeah, I I like the the depth that you guys have because of the prospect pool that you have down below in the in the miners. That's why I'm giving you guys a nod as hey, listen, you you're not number one in points right now, but we're only a month into the season still. Right? So Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: it's it's we're s way too early to call Stanley Cup champions, somebody missing the playoffs. Jeremy: And we've moved back up to second place all of a sudden last night, so Chuck Atkinson: Exactly. it's still way too early to call. Teams have both teams Jeremy: So close. Chuck Atkinson: have only played what ten to fourteen games each. So Jeremy: We've got twelve games in and have sixteen points, but we're tied four ways with sixteen points, but the other teams have played fourteen games and thirteen games, so that's why we're in second. But Chuck Atkinson: So you guys were on the right track. You're you're not below five hundred. You're you're well above it right now. And that's exactly where you wanna be. So even if you maintained a five hundred record from here on out, you're guess what? You're still in the playoffs. You're still probably top two in your division. And Jeremy: Yeah. And w we've got yeah. Chuck Atkinson: So the the Habs are looking nice. I'd just like to see hopefully that Dylan Larkin trade happen in Montreal because, like we've said before and talked about, I like the quality of talent that you guys have drafted and developed over the years and I trust it. therefore I want some of that back in that Larkin trade. I can't get I can't guarantee I can't I can't get Jeremy: There's some good pieces that could come back. Chuck Atkinson: that guarantee from anybody else in the NHL right now Jeremy: Ha ha. Chuck Atkinson: because the consistency of their their drafting and their their their grooming of talent. Getting them ready for NHL just isn't on the same level as the Habs, quite frankly. And yes, I'm I'm giving Montreal a lot of props. So take it, put that in the bank, put it in Jeremy: the Gordon and Hughes have been a great team, man. Chuck Atkinson: What's that? Jeremy: I said Jeff Gordon and Hughes have been a really good team since they came in, man. It was a great move doing that. I love it. And Molson just Chuck Atkinson: They have. They have. They have. It starts from upstairs. A winning team. Jeremy: lets them do what they need to do. Chuck Atkinson: Exactly. so hopefully the halves can get or not the halves, but the wings can get back on that level there someday. but for right now, not right now. Okay. Jeremy: So in the immediate future, my Habs got Dallas coming Thursday. We got Pittsburgh on Halloween night, which we all know we need to crush Pittsburgh, keep Pittsburgh down the stand-ins so Chuck Atkinson: Mm-hmm. Jeremy: that there's a chance we can get Sydney Crossby at the trade deadline. So yeah. You gotta keep pit they're not playing well, Chuck. They're not playing well. That team could be out of the playoffs early. And if they are, that's what we need. Chuck Atkinson: Yeah, you you sound like Bon Jovi right now. You sound like Bon Jovi. Just keep the faith. Keep the faith. I gotta keep the faith, he says. I can get Crosby one day. Jeremy: Yeah. If Pittsburgh sucks real bad this year, we might get Crosby by the deadline. They're gonna rebuild. And then you guys have the Minnesota Wild coming up this coming up Sunday. That's a pretty pretty big test. One of the hottest teams. Chuck Atkinson: That's that's a big one. Jeremy: What do you think what do you think's gonna happen there? Chuck Atkinson: I I think we should probably is it in Detroit or Minnesota? Jeremy: not sure. I think it's at home. Chuck Atkinson: It don't matter. Minnesota's gonna win. Okay. Well, Minnesota's probably gonna win. They have a great defensive team. They're a great defensive team. Awesome goaltending. They have Quinn Hughes. They have Jeremy: Quinn Hughes is flying. Chuck Atkinson: Kip Kirill my god, what's his name again? Capri Soff, yep. So Jeremy: Pre soft. Yep. Chuck Atkinson: they they're looking good. yeah, Minnesota they're Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: they're a top team, hundred percent. Jeremy: That being said, we can rip right into you you might as well go right into it in your you got Chuck Atkinson: All right. Jeremy: the CPI in your top five NHL power rankings. Chuck Atkinson: That's right. We've got the CPI, NHL, power rankings. We're gonna go teams first and then we're gonna go the the MVP route once again, just as we did with the NFL earlier. Jeremy: Yeah. Yeah, yeah. These are these are gonna be features we may bring to to each league that we we do. I think Chuck Atkinson: Absolutely. And and we'll we'll give this to you folks on a weekly basis as well. Jeremy: yeah, they're gonna get they'll probably change. Chuck Atkinson: Although the rankings are gonna change on the weekly. but we just want to make sure everybody knows that we're gonna give this to you every week and we also want your reactions, your comments, who you think that we missed the boat on, things like that as well. And yeah, let us know what you think. so my CPI rankings for the NHL this week, power rankings. I got the Dallas Stars at number five, sitting at seven, four and one. I I think they're second or third in their division right now. but I think it's just maybe a point or two, something like that. out of first. Once again, the season's way too early. Ten to fourteen games in per team. So a two-game margin, a point margin here or there. it doesn't doesn't really make a difference to me. So I got the Dallas Stars on there at number five. I like their team. they're not really putting a lot of pucks in the net right now. but what they do have, I feel is the best goalie in in the NHL in Jake Ottinger. Jeremy: Mm. Chuck Atkinson: this guy is a goalie that stands on his head every night to keep his team in the game. he's winning them a lot of games actually early on. Jeremy: Audinger's been been great. Chuck Atkinson: He has, yeah. And Rantnon, great player, underperforming a little bit right now for the Dallas Stars, but like I said, ten games in don't make a season. But for today, they're at number five in my power rankings. Number four, we're gonna bounce over to the eastern side and we're gonna hit the Boston Bruins next at number four. they're sitting at nine, three, and one. how they do it year in and year out with you know, really no household names. Jeremy: this this is this is early. They're not gonna look like this later. Chuck Atkinson: Well no, no, they may not maintain it. But like I said, this is the October, Jeremy: Not the ruins. Chuck Atkinson: what do we say, twenty eighth? Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: Our rankings. Okay. So at this point today, they're in first place. They're in first place in the Atlantic. Jeremy: Yep. Yep. But the Bruins how they're nine, three and one I'm not sure. Chuck Atkinson: What's that? Jeremy: They're I don't know how they're nine three and one. It's basically the geriatric Chuck Atkinson: Well, that's just it. I don't either. Jeremy: squad with Swaymen. Chuck Atkinson: But they're not anymore. But they're they've they've flushed Jeremy: Not as no. Chuck Atkinson: they flushed all that old talent. They're all gone now, essentially. they got no Marchon anymore, no Bergeron anymore. Jeremy: That's true. Chuck Atkinson: I'm sure a lot of people are going, Is is Chara still on that team? That's been a minute, folks. He's not there anymore. but they got guys like McAvoy on there. they have a lot of great young talent. And nine, three, and one, first place in the Atlantic. Yeah, I'll give him number four. There's only four to Four divisions in hockey. Got to give the number Jeremy: All right. All right. Chuck Atkinson: one, number one team in their division the number four spot. Jeremy: All right. Chuck Atkinson: the Habs will get there, Jer. Don't worry. number three, we're gonna go with the Edmonton Oilers. Now I would have had them a little bit higher, probably at least one or two, but they've had an off week this week. Can't blame Connor. He only has what 34 points? Only. Only 34, 35, 36 points, something crazy. the third most point total. in NHL history to start a season. And that's a that's Jeremy: Yeah, it's not bad. Chuck Atkinson: a that's above Wayne Gretzky, by the way. The first two seasons for both Mario Lemieux. So he's had more points in the first month of the season than Wayne Gretzky ever did. And Wayne Greske put out 200 point seasons. I'm not Jeremy: Yeah. Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: saying that he's going to do that again or come close to it, but Jeremy: Can't see it, but we will see. Chuck Atkinson: we will see. yeah, anyways, Oilers at number three, high powered offense. Same problems every year. Goaltending and defense. Keep the puck out your net. You don't need to win games seven to six. All right. No, they Jeremy: They still can't correct that. So Chuck Atkinson: can't. how many years have we been talking about the Oilers and their shitty defense? Let's be real. That's their defense and their goaltending. That's what's keeping Connor McDavid from hoisting a Stanley Cup these days. And Leon Dreisidel. I'm not gonna I'll give Evan Bouchard some praise. Offensive scoring machine. He sucks as a defenseman, though. Jeremy: Ha ha ha. Chuck Atkinson: He does. He absolutely sucks as a defenseman. And when your job is to stop the other team from putting pucks in the net, you can't just leave it up to your goaltenders as the skaters pass by you and hope he stops every two on one. Okay. So for that reason alone, I get them at number three. They should be around number two maybe next week. At this point, though, number two belongs to the Minnesota Wild. I touched on them a moment ago. Awesome defensive team. They have the offensive firepower to get by games that are three to two, four to two, with Hughes, with Capri Soft there. And their goaltending is always strong every year. I think Wallstadt is his name, their goaltender, off to an awesome start. So I'm gonna give them the number two spot at today. And number one, I believe they are the reigning defending, undisputed Stanley Cup champions. The Carolina Hurricanes. Jeremy: They are. Chuck Atkinson: Sitting at 10-2-2 after 14 games. And this is without Seth Jarvis to start the season. I believe they just got their resolved their contract issue with a defenseman, Nakushkin. Correct me if I'm wrong in pronouncing that name. I'm sorry if I did. Jeremy: Yeah, Valerie Nikushkin, I think. Chuck Atkinson: yeah. And so they just re-signed him after a little stalemate in the offseason for some contract dollars. But once again though, the hurricanes are rolling. They do every single year. And I guarantee you no more you find any hockey fan on the street, and probably you can't name three to four guys on that team, but they win. They absolutely win. Yes, they have Sebastianaho. but all in all, they're just a strong powerhouse Jeremy: Yeah. They've got our own Chuck Atkinson: team every year. so they've reached that echelon of Top tier teams in the NHL and they're staying there just like the Colorado Avalanches of the world. So that's my top five power rankings. The Rod Brandemore is a fantastic coach. Absolutely. That's why I like St. Louis with Montreal Jeremy: Yeah, they got a great coach. They do have a they got another great coach. Brandemore and of course our coach Saint Louis. Chuck Atkinson: is when you have coaches who are relatable to the players, they've been Jeremy: Yeah, man. Chuck Atkinson: through the the grind in the past. They they know what the players have gone through as a playing career. that so that ability to relate to your players. Jeremy: And they just think outside the box and are very smart NHL guys to begin with. there's Chuck Atkinson: Yeah. Jeremy: reasons they're both very good at what they do. And they have great Chuck Atkinson: Absolutely. Jeremy: ideas that are not like every old coach that coached before them. Chuck Atkinson: Yeah. And and the current the hurricanes, they have a great goaltender in Bussey as well. So you know, whether it's whether it's the forwards Jeremy: Well, they it was Anderson they rode most of the year and into the playoffs last year, so Bussi's not proven yet. So we'll see. But Anderson always Chuck Atkinson: We'll see, we'll see. Jeremy: was injured, so there's always that. So Chuck Atkinson: Yeah. But aside though, they're they're off to a hot start. The most points in the NHL right now. So obviously they deserve the number one spot in the the CPI index for for the NHL this week. So that is my power rankings for the NHL, Jer. I know you have some thoughts on it. specifically with Boston being on a list that does not include Montreal. So what do you Jeremy: Yeah, but seriously, three straight wins. Young goalie playing out of his mind, man. We can't crack the top five. what is going on? Chuck Atkinson: I think this is the I think this is the portion where we should probably add some graphics around Jarr with the flames, shooting around his head, giving it right back Jeremy: Like Chuck Atkinson: at me here. how can I leave them off the list after three straight wins? Well, you're you're third in your division. That's how I'm doing it. Jeremy: Three straight straight wins. we're second in the division. Chuck Atkinson: Second, okay. So second does not equal two is not greater than one, is what you're telling me. Jeremy: We are literally two points behind the Bruins. Chuck Atkinson: This is where this is what you call a tongue twister, folks. He's looking for the right words to describe two is greater than one. Jeremy: But if you're asking me if you're asking me I've got I've got the Dallas Stars aren't on the list. Chuck Atkinson: Okay. That's fair. Jeremy: Okay. The Bruins are gonna go to number five. Chuck Atkinson: Okay. Number five. Jeremy: All right. The Oilers aren't on the list. Chuck Atkinson: What what? What are you smoking, bud? Jeremy: The the orders aren't on the list. Chuck Atkinson: So Dallas right off the way Jeremy: yeah. It's Chuck Atkinson: is not on. Edmonton's off the list. All right. Jeremy: No, yeah, and Utah is on the list. Yep. Chuck Atkinson: Okay. Where would you drop them? Utah. I like the mammoth. Mm-hmm. Jeremy: Utah Well, I'm now going Hurricanes one Chuck Atkinson: Mm-hmm. Jeremy: Mammoth two. Chuck Atkinson: Mammoth too, okay. Jeremy: Wild three. Chuck Atkinson: Wild, okay. Minnesota, okay, we're all right. I like that. Okay. Jeremy: Habs for All right. Chuck Atkinson: And then who do you get? the hurricanes. You're leaving at one. Mm-hmm. Jeremy: And then I got Hurricanes one. Chuck Atkinson: Utah, Minnesota, Montreal. And who's the number five? Boston. You put Boston five. Jeremy: Utah, Minnesota, Mont Montreal and I could leave Boston five probably, but I'd I don't like to. Chuck Atkinson: No, 'cause it's your Montreal fan. Let's be real. He's he's bu he's not biased at all, people. Jeremy: Well, the Golden Knights are the Golden Knights are are d pretty much just as good or better than them and they had the same record, which makes me almost want to push Boston right off the list 'cause I think it's an illusion. I don't think Boston's even gonna I'm serious. Do you pl they you realize they're playing in a division with the Habs? They're playing in a division with the Lightning, the Leafs, the Senators, the Panthers. They're not finishing in first. Chuck Atkinson: Okay, so what I've heard was Stanley Cup winner, Stanley Cup winner, playoff team, playoff team. And you don't want to give them the props of being the number one team in the division at this moment. Never mind the power rankings. Solely because. Why again? Let's be real. Be honest with Jeremy: It's an illusion. Chuck Atkinson: you. It's an illusion. Is it an illusion or is it delusion? Jeremy: No, I'm telling ya, the Bruins mark my words. What's the date today? October twenty eighth. Chuck Atkinson: October twenty eighth, yep. Jeremy: All right. Check back in with me on December first and ask me where the how the Bruins are. Nine three and one today. I'm guessing by this Chuck Atkinson: I'm making a note of this. I'm making a note. I'm not throwing this copy out, by the way. No. Jeremy: time they're they don't have fifteen wins. Chuck Atkinson: The Bruins. So in the Jeremy: Yeah. So they're nine, three, and one? Chuck Atkinson: So you think they're gonna go with the whole month of Oct of November and the last couple of days of October with a combined six wins or less. Jeremy: Yep. No more than th Yep. Yep. Their record ha only has they're gonna have six more wins on their record before between now and the end of November. Yep. Chuck Atkinson: Okay. You heard it here from a Montreal Canadian fan. What do you think of the Boston Bruins right now? Jeremy: So well, and I don't know where that's gonna put ya, but that'll give you fifteen wins. I don't think you're gonna have more than five more six more wins between now and the end of November. Chuck Atkinson: Hey, I can I hey listen, my team is second last in the division. I I I don't care who's first in the division at this point. All I know is that my power rankings have them at the number four spots. So Jeremy: Yep. So we'll yeah. So and then well let's quickly we're we're running we're running very we're very full of hot air tonight. So the t Chuck Atkinson: Yeah. Well Jeremy: top five V P rankings Chuck Atkinson: Yep. All right. My top five Jeremy: Here we go. Chuck Atkinson: MVP rankings for the NHL. Jeremy: Top five best players right now. Chuck Atkinson: No, MVP rankings. I actually went to thought and consideration. I got at Jack Eichel. Jeremy: Yeah, you you're Yeah, yeah, okay. Your your most valuable player Chuck Atkinson: Right. Number five, Jack Eichel. Jeremy: Right now in the NHL. Chuck Atkinson: Jack Eichel at the Las Vegas Knights at number five. Sitting there with 20 points. Vegas, as we just mentioned, in a strong position in their division right now, playing awesome. Number four, Sebastianaho with Carolina Hurricanes, sitting there with 19 points for the Hurricanes. Best record in hockey. Number three, Nathan McKinnon. The avalanche wouldn't be anywhere close to what they are without this guy scoring three, four, five points a game. He's right now at 21 points through 12 games, I believe. So I get him at number three. Number two, here's gonna be a weird one for some people. Kirill Kaprizov. He's sitting second on my list at 23 points. Minnesota is playing lights out, like I said. They just need to score a few more goals game. But on his end, he is more than carrying his weight to get the the Minnesota Wild where they're at. I believe number one in the standings in their division. And number one, really, this shouldn't come to us as a surprise or a shock to anybody. The MVP, the Art Ross trophy winner. call him whatever you want. I call him right now Connor the Great. Connor McDavid, 34 points, leading the NHL, just mind-blowing what he's doing right now. Never wanted to say this out loud, but I'm gonna give the Oilers some props as well. not a big Oilers fan, but listen, when you win, you you deserve recognition. And when you put up the points that Connor McDavid is putting up, you deserve the MVP. You deserve the Art Ross, you deserve the Maurice Richard. Whatever is coming his way, he's gonna get it. I I don't think he's gonna get to 200 points. I know he's on pace for it. I just don't think he's gonna get it. So he'll have to settle for maybe 170, 175. Jeremy: Mm-hmm. Chuck Atkinson: I'm saying that out loud, like it's 1985 right now, and Wayne Greske and Mary Olimure on the ice. 175 points from a modern hockey player is absolutely bananas. So if he can keep up a quarter or half of this pace, we're looking at some history this year, folks, and 50 goals, 120 assists. When you say that out loud, you almost sound silly because it sounds it can happen, but it will. Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: Connor McDavid is my MVP right now of the NHL in 2026 and the end of October. So early, like I said, but he's built up a nice little cushion, a nice lead. So as long as he stays healthy and the Oilers keep on playing above water and make the playoffs, I think he's in for another MVP trophy, another another right raw. So That is my V P rankings for the NHL at the end of October. Jarrett what do you think? Jeremy: I can't really argue it. I have it those are s that's some good picks for top players in NHL right now. I would give Chuck Atkinson: No, I'd love to add, every once in a while I I'd love to add a goalie, defenseman to the list. Way too early right now for any kind of goaltenders to be added onto the list. Jeremy: Quinn Hughes is playing outstanding and he's he's got something like eighteen Chuck Atkinson: Quinn Hughes is as well. but I can't Jeremy: points. Chuck Atkinson: but I can't put two Minnesota Wild on my top five. It's I would have Dry Sidal on there as well. But when you play with McDavid, it certainly makes life easier for everybody else to rack up points. So, so for today, we're gonna leave Dry Sidal and Hughes off my list. And but no, like you said, it you think it's pretty pretty accurate, you'd say. Jeremy: Yeah, I haven't really thought about it that much until I until I looked at it. But it just McDavid is it's an obvious pick. McKinnon's gonna be there. Capri Soff is Chuck Atkinson: After that it's just a s'org board really. It's just a matter of Jeremy: yeah. No, all good picks, man. I don't know that I'd have Aho there. I don't really like I said, I didn't look close enough to see who I'd put there in this place, but Aho's always he's always a steady guy. Carolina's winning for a reason. So Chuck Atkinson: Eg exactly. So I'm not putting so the I'll display it out here. when I put my rankings together, my MVP rankings for both sports, prerequisite, obviously, you have to be on a winning team. you can't be a a a floater team, you know, sifting around the Mendoza line there, making the playoffs, not making the playoffs. MVPs Jeremy: Mm. Chuck Atkinson: get their teams into the playoffs. Without a question. So I was taking that in consideration as well. And you know, their overall performance of the player and the team combined. and the Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: s and and the success. So that's how I came to the conclusion of my list here today. But folks, let us know out there. Comment, give us your list of top five MVPs power rankings in both hockey and football. Comment what you think of my list, Jer and h his list as well. So that's what I have for today, for our MVP rankings in hockey. Jer, what do we want to touch on next there? I know we've been talking hockey shop there and Jeremy: So yeah. Well, I think let's just we gotta we gotta talk about the World Series for a second. it's gotten pretty Chuck Atkinson: Yeah. Jeremy: interesting. Milwaukee's jumped out to a a three nothing lead on Tampa and but the Rays aren't gonna go away quietly, so I don't know. What what are you thinking on that? Chuck Atkinson: Yeah, no, it's been a great series so far. it's not as one sided as the the the series score reflects being three Jeremy: Ha ha Chuck Atkinson: to one right now for the Brewers. three of the four games have been one run game. So really they could have gone either way. game three wasn't one of those games. Milwaukee really just hammered Tampa Bay down to dust in that one there. They had a blowout fifth run inning. fifth inning it was, they scored eight runs. So just lock that one down. but tonight though is gonna be a awesome game five. you got Jacob Mizarowski going for the Milwaukee Brewers against Rasmussen for the Tampa Bay Rays. Both guys are their aces for each team. So there really isn't any excuses on having a a bullpen pitching day for a game, which I hate saying out loud for Major League Baseball because it just It ruins the the the pitching, quite frankly. the quality I guess of the baseball play. I I I I still pine for the days of pitchers that went seven, eight innings pitched Jeremy: I can't hear you. Can't hear ya. Chuck Atkinson: How about now? Are back? We're Jeremy: We're back, buddy. Chuck Atkinson: back. A little technical difficulty there. hopefully this one. I wore out the battery. Can you believe that? Jeremy: Yeah. We were got we're a little long in the the wind today and I think that we're wearing out the mics. It's been a while since we chatted. it's well I think it's been nine days since or something, so it's just a longer a longer time. Got a lot to talk about. Chuck Atkinson: Yep. but I don't know if you guys caught what I was saying about Mizarowski and Rasmussen. Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: did is that where you have where where did you hear me last there, Jer? I don't want repeat myself. Okay. Jeremy: I think that's about right where you were just finishing that. Chuck Atkinson: So yeah, so you got the two aces going tonight for Baltimore, not Baltimore, but Milwaukee and Tampa. it's gonna be an awesome pitching matchup. yeah, I just wish that you know we get more more length out of the starting pitchers nowadays in baseball. they don't go more than five innings. you can't see a batter more than twice in the game because he might know you too well after the third at bat or the second at bat, and he might get a hit off you. so other aside from that though, baseball world series has been awesome. Very, very tight. Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: Extra innings last night, went 12 game, 12 innings. Tampa Bay came back to win, which is nice. So hopefully it's another close one tonight. Jeremy: Yeah, man, they were three three outs away from winning the World Series, man. Then Cooper Pratt hits a home run in the top of the twelfth to put Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: That's right, yeah. Yeah, any anybody watching the game at that point there and knowing how the series is, Jeremy: You thought it was over in overtime. Chuck Atkinson: it exactly it was over. the you can see the faces on whatever rays fans were in the building, because it's really half and half in Tampa right now. Half Brewers fans, Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: half Tampa Bay fans, which is bonkers that that's happening. but yeah, it's Jeremy: And then who who was it in the in the bottom of the inning? Was it be b Ben Williamson? That's Chuck Atkinson: Yeah, he hit the the game winning single. Yeah. To to unlo to get that winning run home. Jeremy: Walk off hit. Chuck Atkinson: Yeah, it all started with a throw an error from the third baseman who they brought in as a defensive replacement, the prior inning. Jeremy: Week. Chuck Atkinson: so it's a little egg on that guy's face. You come in as a defensive replacement, the first hit that comes your way, you throw an error to the first baseman, and then from there, with no outs, Tampa Bay just rolled on and then they got like, I think five straight hits. And then the game was over. So but no, it was a great game. Jeremy: So, Chuck Atkinson: hopefully we're gonna end for another one tonight as well. Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: I wanna see this thing stretch out as long as possible. I'm a sports fan. You don't ever wanna see a World Series. Jeremy: So no teams ever come back to win be being down three nothing in a World Series. So they've got a huge, massive mountain to climb. but they Chuck Atkinson: That's right. Yeah. Jeremy: got a little momentum to start. So can they can they actually do it? Can or is Milwaukee gonna finish that up tonight? Chuck Atkinson: Yeah, we'll see. We'll see. It's gonna be tight. I I I I bet on Milwaukee to win tonight. I'm cheering for Tampa Bay, but I do want I did, you know, pick bet on Milwaukee tonight. So we'll see what happens. We'll see what happens. Jeremy: You wanna you wanna touch just a quick bit on the NBA, a little bit on what's going on with the Raps start the Chuck Atkinson: Well, the Jeremy: season in Kawaii and Chuck Atkinson: yeah, no, I'll give the NBA a couple of minutes of my time here. we're only three, four games into the season for most teams. Raptors are off to a two and one start. Jeremy: Yeah, we'll we'll give it a little more attention here as we as we go on. Chuck Atkinson: Absolutely. Raptors are off to a two and one start, which is nice. On the flip side, Kawhi Leonard is down with an injury. he's got swim some Jeremy: Already. Chuck Atkinson: swelling in his knee, some knee inflammation going on. Nothing structural. Jeremy: Yep, I'm going there in two weeks to see him. I hope this is I hope he's in when I get there. Chuck Atkinson: Yeah, that's right. Hey, you're going up there mid November. Jeremy: Yep, you've already heard. Chuck Atkinson: and he's already hurt. So right now they're calling it a week. potentially maybe two weeks. We'll see. So you might be in luck to get him there. Jeremy: be a lot of game management, Kawhi management. Yeah. Load management. Chuck Atkinson: load management is his middle name. Load management. as great of a player as he is, I have never seen a player get paid so much to do so little. Jeremy: Well, 'cause nobody most players you can't Chuck Atkinson: Ha ha ha. Jeremy: keep out of the game. And he's trying to schedule his time off. But Chuck Atkinson: Who's that? Kawaii? Jeremy: yeah. Chuck Atkinson: Well, he's always he's if he's not hurt, he he's he's on some rest management, some load management. And when he's not on load management, he is getting some backdoor deals from some companies in the states to promote something that he never has to show up to promote. So Jeremy: But man, are you kidding me? two games. We get two Chuck Atkinson: Ha ha ha. Jeremy: games out of the guy and he's already got knee swelling and he like I I was so excited and happy that he's gonna be there, but this is what I was worried about. the good news is I don't think there's Chuck Atkinson: Well that was everybody everybody was worried about. Jeremy: any acute injury of any sort that they're saying, they say you missed Chuck Atkinson: Wow. Jeremy: at least a week considering yeah. Chuck Atkinson: I think it was had to had to do with the the the late trade that they finally got him there. and then you know how much ramp up work was there actually done to get him into game shape to start the season? He didn't play a whole lot. Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: like most like most pro athletes, you know, you're superstars. You don't play them a whole lot in the preseason because you're afraid they're gonna get hurt. And when Jeremy: But how big of a gamble is this now when you think about it? You're bringing in a thirty-five year old, thinking and dreaming Chuck Atkinson: I is honestly dude, it's Jeremy: of what was Chuck Atkinson: You know what though? I I would t I I personally, for what they gave up to get him, I would make that deal ten out of ten days. Absolutely. Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: Or seven out of seven days, ten out of ten times, however you want to say it. they gave up Brandon Ingram, who did not fit in with what the Raptors were doing. they gave up Grady Dick. basically what they thought would be a great White Hope three point shooter that they drafted a handful of years ago. He just turned into a a rotational player that wasn't getting a whole lot of minutes. and then Jeremy: So Chuck Atkinson: so then they they took on Kawhi Leonard, they re-signed him to an extension. Now that was the big part of the deal was the extension. That's where it's gonna cost them for the next two to three years. But but Jeremy: Well of course, that's the I don't know if Uncle Rico's involved at all, but the extension would be a huge part. Chuck Atkinson: Yeah. yeah, Uncle Rico's not allowed doing business in the NBA no more. Yeah, you know that he's been he's been blacklisted from doing anything. Right. Jeremy: That's what I thought. So he's probably going under the name Uncle Chavez now. Chuck Atkinson: He's under Uncle somebody else. but Jeremy: No, but in all seriousness, like so are they better off trying to just manage his minutes all year and keep him healthy to get into the playoffs and Chuck Atkinson: Well, that's just what they're gonna have to do. he's not gonna be playing forty minutes a game ever again in his career. he's gonna be a thirty to thirty-five minute guy. but the team really it's all about it Jeremy: So just be another year we end up s talking about Kawhi all year, more about what he's up to than what he's doing on the court and waiting to see what happens in the playoffs. Chuck Atkinson: Well, the team is the team itself was in good position prior to him arriving. Jeremy: Yeah, we have a th there's a good team. Chuck Atkinson: they have, you know, they got Scotty Burns, they have Colin Murray Boyles, they have Jamal Sheed, Jeremy: AJ Barrett or Chuck Atkinson: they have RJ Barrett. Jeremy: All right, yeah. Chuck Atkinson: I'm missing a guy or two here. Perdle, even he's a serviceable center, they have. So they they have the pieces there. They played awesome last year without him, without Kawhi. They made the playoffs, pushed Cleveland to seven games in the first round. Probably should have won that series. so Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: they have they have a good core, good young nucleus. Kawhi was just there to help them get over that next step and hopefully get them to a championship level. but there are they're they're quickly, yeah. He's their point guard, absolutely. Yeah, so Jeremy: Yeah, they got a manual quickly there too, right? And that's that's the other guy, yeah. And yeah, it's Jakob Potal and Chuck Atkinson: Mm-hmm. But yeah, no, as long as it's a story every year though, and with the NBA, it's our superstars are this year they've been ravaged by injuries already. This year you have, like you say, Kawhi's been hurt by injuries. Jeremy: Ha ha. Chuck Atkinson: Anthony Edwards, superstar with the Timberwolves. He's out for two months. Tyrese Halliburton, who was missed he missed all of last year, came back. he's hurt right now. more more probably just because of the swelling and getting back into game shape, have not played in a full year and a half. I'm I'm missing some other guys around the N NBA right now who have dropped. but yeah, anyways, the there's just a a a rash of injuries going around the league right now that are to the superstars that are kind of slowing down a a good start that the the NBA season's having. Jeremy: Yeah, it kinda sucks. well. Hopefully it's not too big of a deal. Like I said, they apparently there was no acute injury or anything when they when they looked at him, so he's got some swelling. They'll probably just watch it for a week or so and hopefully he can he can play. And Barnes Chuck Atkinson: Exactly yep. Jeremy: and Barrett and quickly are just gonna have to step up. Chuck Atkinson: That's that's exactly basketball players get paid forty, fifty million dollars a year all the way around the board. They're gonna have to they're gonna have to earn they're Jeremy: Yeah, and you only have five on a team that matter. Chuck Atkinson: gonna have to earn this money, you know what I mean? So yeah. The Raptors gonna be the Raptors are gonna Jeremy: So that being said, Chuck Atkinson: be fine. Jeremy: so let's let's round this up here. I've got we've got a quick session we're gonna do at the end here for some rapid fire questions. And they're gonna be rapid fire. We're not gonna explain. We're not gonna do more much. I'm gonna ask you ten questions, you're gonna give me your answer, and then we'll I think we'll finish this up. We're we're over an hour and a half. And I didn't even tell you these questions. Chuck Atkinson: I and I have no idea about these I have no idea about these questions. That's right. We I have no idea. So you're just gonna lay on me. Rapid fire, let's go. Jeremy: Yeah. You don't get to explain. Just you just you just Chuck Atkinson: No Jeremy: All right. Chuck Atkinson: Just giving it to you. All Jeremy: Yeah. I'm gonna Yeah are you ready? So rapid fire question question number one. Who wins a cup first? Montreal, Detroit? Chuck Atkinson: Montreal. Jeremy: Who wins an NFL playoff game first, Packers or Chargers? Chuck Atkinson: Packers. Jeremy: Jacob Fow Jacob Fowler or the Postman? They're calling him the Postman in the Motor City. Do you like Chuck Atkinson: Jacob Fowler. Jeremy: there you go. Connor McDavid, Nathan McKinnon. Chuck Atkinson: Conor McDavid. Jeremy: Who would you rather see miss the who would you rather see the sorry, would you rather see the Red Wings miss the playoffs or the Canadians win the cup? I gotta give you some good ones. Chuck Atkinson: Okay, so let me just re I gotta re I gotta hear this quite so what mm-hmm. Jeremy: Would you rather see the Red Wings miss the playoffs or or the Habs win the cup? Chuck Atkinson: The Red Wings missed the playoffs. Jeremy: Who wins the Super Bowl this year? Chuck Atkinson: Super Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: Bowl. I I'm gonna stick with my preseason prediction still because they're right on track right now. San Francisco. Jeremy: Guy. Who's one player you're trading on the Red Wings? Chuck Atkinson: Dylan Lark. Obviously. Jeremy: It? Chuck Atkinson: can only pick one? Jeremy: who wins the Riverview Fantasy Football League? The Flea Bastards or the X Factor? Chuck Atkinson: I think the record spoke for itself thus far, folks. I think we know who we're gonna say on that one. It's the X Factor. Jeremy: If you could steal one player from the Habs for Detroit, who would it be? Chuck Atkinson: Nick Suzuki. Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: Well, you ask me if I can steal somebody. It doesn't matter if I can't have them or not. It is. I know myself, Jeremy: I'm just saying that was a good that's a good pick, dude. That's a friggin' good pick. Chuck Atkinson: man. I hey, I'm not a Habs fan, but I recognize real when I see it. Jeremy: That guy is a real deal. Final Chuck Atkinson: He is. Jeremy: question. If the Chargers go 0 17, are you still wearing Chargers Pi Chargers gear in public? Chuck Atkinson: my dog wears it nowadays, I don't. She has a she has a a Chargers jersey. I I I don't wear I yeah. No, I don't wear that in public right Jeremy: Yeah, you just need some better TA taste and sports teams. Chuck Atkinson: now. No, it's just a matter of, you know, my team's had success. They're just not having it right now. I've had the Red Wings had a a long, long, glorious stretch of winning playoffs, consecutive years, of course, which we all know. And then the four Stanley Cups. So I'm I'm more than content that I was able to see that Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: with my own two eyes. And I guess on the Chargers front, I saw Ladanian Tomlinson play football. That's all I need. Jeremy: Yeah, man. Chuck Atkinson: That's all I need. they never won a Super Bowl. They've never won. they went to the Super Bowl once. back when Stan Humphreys was playing for them. And Stan Jeremy: Dan Humphreys. Chuck Atkinson: Humphreys was their quarterback. And they played Jeremy: Wow. Chuck Atkinson: the forty they played the forty niners. And I'll I I I bet you know how that one went. It was Joe Montana was a quarterback. So Jeremy: With Joe Montana there? it was Steve Young. Chuck Atkinson: was Steve Young the quarterback that year they beat the Chargers? Jeremy: Must have been. Who else? Chuck Atkinson: One or the other. All I know is that the charges got drubbed in that game. So San Humphries was not the man. Stan was not the man. Jeremy: Or it wouldn't have been was I don't think it went back as far as Montana. Chuck Atkinson: no, well no, Montana played Montana was playing up until I believe what the mid nineties? Mid to late nineties? Jeremy: Yeah, but he played with the Chiefs member at the end, so I doubt he was Stan Humphreys played against him. Chuck Atkinson: Yeah, but that was only a that was only a three or four year stretch and the Chargers made the w a Super Bowl back in ninety four. So I think that might have been his last run at the Super Bowl. If I'm not Jeremy: With the Chiefs. Chuck Atkinson: mistaken. No, no, with the forty niners. Jeremy: Maybe. That would be Steve Young. Chuck Atkinson: Steve Young. All right. I stand corrected. that's right. I just Jeremy: I think it'd Stevie Chuck Atkinson: remember okay, now that I invit re envisioned it in my head, I see the big pass from Steve Young to Jerry Rice. The overhead shot, camera shot of him catching the the deep ball, running downfield and scoring the touchdown. The one of many touchdowns. Jeremy: Yeah. Can you imagine as Jerry Rice, you get to be a quarterback that had both Joe Montana and Steve Young throwing you the ball? Wow. Chuck Atkinson: Right. That well honestly that's kinda if you're a receiver for the Packers back in the day and you have w you went from Brett Farve to Aaron Rodgers or from Aaron Jeremy: Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: Rodgers to Jordan Love. I know there wasn't too many guys transitioning during during during that period that are still around, but but from Farve to Rogers, Jeremy: Yeah, not during that time as much, but and love is not quite either one of those guys yet. Chuck Atkinson: it's like the same idea, right? So Jeremy: Yeah. Cool. Chuck Atkinson: Yeah, that's that's I think that's anything else that you want to cover tonight, Jer? Is anything you want to discuss with our with our f our our fans out there, our friends in the pod land? Jeremy: I think I think that's that's pretty good. We've got got some games coming up to Chuck Atkinson: That's right. Jeremy: talk about. Lots of lots of stuff going. We've reached the sports equinox. happen Monday night, which Chuck Atkinson: Monday night, yeah, that's right. There was a sports equinox. Mm-hmm. Jeremy: yeah, every guy's f favorite day of the year if you're into sports, I suppose. It's when everything's happening all at once. Yeah. Chuck Atkinson: That's right, and every wives worst nightmare. Jeremy: Yeah, well like Ann said, she said I'll see you sometime in the spring, so Chuck Atkinson: Exactly. Exactly. She won't recognize you. You'll have shaved your beard and grown it back three times before she sees you next. Jeremy: Yeah, yeah. A lot of sports. But but yeah. Chuck Atkinson: Absolutely. well listen, no, if that's that's all that we have for tonight. I want to thank everybody, of course, for joining once again on another episode of Play Under Review. Chuck Atkinson and Jeremy Spencer. don't forget to put some comments in our feeds. click the subscribe button, the like button as well. let your friends and family know about our show. And we certainly hope you enjoyed the ride with us so far. on that, Jer, you want to sign us off for tonight? Jeremy: everybody have an awesome week ahead and remember, never lend your chainsaw to a guy with one eyebrow. Ha ha ha.