NFL Rants & Raves is your weekly dose of unfiltered football talk. Steven breaks down the games, the calls, and the storylines that had everyone yelling at their TV, and this season he goes head to head with Axis Iron, the AI challenger, in a season-long battle of NFL picks. Rants, raves, hot takes, and a scoreboard that never lies.

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Episode 6.23 – Week 2 Preview

NFL Rants & Raves
NFL Rants & Raves
Episode 6.23 – Week 2 Preview
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Steven and Jeff are back it with a look at Week 2. The guys discuss some NFL news, including the league sending out an memo to the teams regarding proper conduct around media, Lions QB Matthew Stafford out with a shoulder injury, QB Kevin Kolb does not pass the concussion test given to him and another missed practice by the Redskins DT Albert Haynesworth. Steven has some interesting comments regarding Ines Sainz and her issue with the Jets.

The guys then focus on the 16 games on the Week 2 schedule and they include some great games. The Manning boys, Peyton and Eli, are at it again in Indy and the Colts can ill afford starting the season 0-2. QB Tom Brady hates the Jets and this week he gets to tell them that in person. The Bengals, with Batman (Terrell Owens) and Robin (Chad Ochocinco) look to upset the Ravens at home, while potential playoff teams, like the Vikings, Cowboys, Chargers and Falcons look to avoid 0-2 starts.

The guys discuss Michael Vick getting the start for the Eagles against the Lions. If he has a big game, will head coach Andy Reid pull him out of the starting lineup when Kolb is healthy again? The guys only disagree on one game this week, making the Chiefs at Browns the Challenge Game for Week 2. Plus Steven starts a new segment, “This I Guarantee!” in which he makes a couple predictions regarding the games. This week his predictions include RB Chris Johnson and WR Randy Moss vs CB Darrelle Revis.

 

Episode 6.22 – Week 1 Recap

NFL Rants & Raves
NFL Rants & Raves
Episode 6.22 – Week 1 Recap
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The NFL season kicked off with a bang! Week 1 is completed and Steven and Jeff have returned from covering the games in New York. Week 1 had a little of everything, and the guys discuss the season ending injuries to RB Ryan Grant of Green Bay and DT Kris Jenkins of the Jets. Then the guys talk some NFL News, with the NFL investigating allegations from a female reporter, and Redskins RB Clinton Portis adding fuel to that fire by sticking his foot in his mouth, breaking news as Reggie Bush forfeits his Heisman Trophy and WR Randy Moss making comments regarding his contract after the teams huge win. Steven defends Moss, while Jeff is the voice of common sense.

Steven and Jeff return from the Big Apple where they experienced the Giants and Jets opening their new stadium in the Meadowlands. The Giants struggled early and but their defense stepped up late to seal a 31-18 win over the Carolina Panthers, while the Jets loss a tough game 10-9 to the Baltimore Ravens.

Week 1 had it all, last second wins as the Chiefs and Bears hold on to win late. Some controversy with Calvin Johnson’s catch/no-catch in the end zone and even an overtime game as the Steelers Rashard Mendenhall breaks a 50-yard touchdown run to end the game. Both guys end the week at 9-7, but Steven wins the Challenge game for Week 1.

 

Episode 6.21 – Week 1 Preview

NFL Rants & Raves
NFL Rants & Raves
Episode 6.21 – Week 1 Preview
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Finally, the preseason is over and Week 1 is here. The guys could not be more excited about the season kicking off. The guys talk some NFL News as Darrelle Revis and the New York Jets agree to terms, TJ Houshmandzadeh signs with Baltimore and Matt Leinart lands in Houston. The guys also report on a contract offer the Patriots have made to Tom Brady and reports that Reggie Bush will be stripped of his Heisman Trophy.

Steven and Jeff then discuss all 16 Week 1 games and make their picks. The guys only differ on two games so once again, the Challenge Game starts up again. Steven likes the Cardinals while Jeff once again takes the Rams.

Plus the guys reveal their news plans to join Sky Sports News Radio on Fridays to talk NFL action.

Episode 6.20 – 2010 NFL Prediction Show

NFL Rants & Raves
NFL Rants & Raves
Episode 6.20 – 2010 NFL Prediction Show
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The season starts in one week, and the guys are pumped. Steven and Jeff start with some NFL News as they discuss the current officiating issue that surrounds moving the umpire from the defensive side of the ball to the offensive side of the ball. Both guys have different suggestions to resolve the issue. They also discuss the fracas in San Francisco between TE Vernon Davis and WR Michael Crabtree, the situation QB Matt Leinart finds himself in and QB Ben Roethlisberger seeking a reduced suspension down to three games.

The guys then get to it and give your their predictions for all eight divisions. Steven and Jeff agree on plenty of division winners, but where they disagree, they really disagree. Listen as the guys go week by week and try to give you the essence of the ebbs and flows of each teams NFL season. The guys have the same AFC representative in the Super Bowl, but differ on the NFC Super Bowl team. Jeff’s selection is pretty incredible while Steven explains his reasoning behind his pick.

And of course, finally, Jeff reveals which team he will cheer for in the 2010 NFL Season. Listen to this shocker!

 

Episode 6.19 – NFC West Assessment Show

NFL Rants & Raves
NFL Rants & Raves
Episode 6.19 – NFC West Assessment Show
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The final assessment show of the summer is here as the guys take on the NFC West. First the guys talked about some of the current NFL news. Antonio Bryant is out in Cincinnati, QB Matt Leinart is not starting in Arizona again and he’s not happy about it, and the Giants placed backup QB Jim Sorgi and WR Sinorice Moss on season-ending injured reserve.

Steven and Jeff are then joined by L.A. Times NFL Writer, Sam Farmer. Sam tells the guys of the training camps he visited and shares his opinions of some of the biggest stories to watch as the 2010 NFL season unfolds. Sam also has some predictions for the season and Jeff gets a little ornery when Sam picks Steven’s team!

Finally, the guys get to the NFC West and cover the Cardinals, Rams, 49ers and Seahawks. The guys both believe that the Cardinals have taken a huge step backwards by losing Kurt Warner and the 49ers can very well win this division as long as Alex Smith stays healthy. Steven has the Seahawks as a question mark in the division and Steven also teases his Rams prediction coming up next week.

 

Episode 6.18 – NFC South Assessment Show

NFL Rants & Raves
NFL Rants & Raves
Episode 6.18 – NFC South Assessment Show
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Steven and Jeff are back from San Diego and are ready to take on the NFC South. The guys start with some NFL News and discuss the return of QB Brett Favre and his missing WR Sidney Rice. The guys talk about Chan Gailey getting on some fans that were heckling the Bills players, the Jets center Nick Mangold becoming the highest-paid center in the NFL, and Chad Ochocinco gets fined $25,000. Listen to Steven’s idea for Chad to save a little money.

The guys then focus on the Falcons, Panthers, Saints and Buccaneers. Both Steven and Jeff like the Saints to repeat as division winner, as long as QB Drew Brees can stay healthy and avoid the Madden Curse. Jeff thinks the Falcons can make it three years in a row with a winning record. Steven finds it difficult to see the Bucs win more than three games, while Jeff thinks they can turn from the Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything to the Pirates Who Do Some Stuff Every Once in a While. Steven likes Panther QB Matt Moore, but thinks he will have a difficult time if there is nobody else to step up at wide receiver next to Steve Smith.

The guys share some stories from the Chargers Press Box, while Steven makes Jeff talk about Rick Springfield.

 

Episode 6.17 – NFC North Assessment Show

NFL Rants & Raves
NFL Rants & Raves
Episode 6.17 – NFC North Assessment Show
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Jeff returns from 49ers camp and has some interesting stories to share. The guys cover some NFL news, from Eli Manning’s bloody night, to Tony Dungy talking about potty-mouth Rex Ryan and Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald getting hurt in the first preseason game. Plus the Bears keep getting rejected by veteran quarterbacks, what is going on with Brett Favre, and why are NFL officials apologizing for past missed calls?

The guys turn to the NFC North and discuss the Bears, Lions, Packers and Vikings. The guys break the division into the have-s, the middle of the roads, and the have-NOTS! Steven likes the Bears more than Jeff does and he also says to hold off on putting the Packers in the Super Bowl. Steven sees the Vikings winning the division regardless of what “Cuatro” does, while Jeff thinks its time for the Packers to lay claim to the division. The guys have a new lion roar audio sound, but Steven says the Lions don’t get the sound clip until they win seven games or more.

Come check out the site www.NFLRandR.com and see Steven attempt the conditioning video.

 

Episode 6.16 – NFC East Assessment Show

NFL Rants & Raves
NFL Rants & Raves
Episode 6.16 – NFC East Assessment Show
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As Jeff prepares to go off to 49ers camp, the guys bring to you an early show to cover the NFC East. The guys start out with some news and discuss Albert Haynesworth finally passing the conditioning test, and how did Steven do? The guys talk about the Commish saying the Super Bowl will be played in 2012, Tim Tebow and the Broncos play in the mud despite having several injuries plague them already and the guys talk about their plans to be in New York for the season opener.

Steven and Jeff then turn their attention on the NFC East and talked Cowboys, Giants, Eagles and Redskins. Steven doesn’t understand why so many people are upset that the Cowboys are being talked about as having a legitimate shot of winning the Super Bowl in their own stadium. Both the guys think the Cowboys have a hard schedule, but they think they can pull out another division win. Although Steven thinks the Eagles will struggle, he likes the Eagles much more than Jeff does. The guys fell that the Giants defense will need to be better if the Giants are going to compete in the division and Steven believes the Redskins will bring up the rear in the division again because of their new player mix.

Plus the guys ask you to visit the website and check out the video of Steven’s attempt at the Haynesworth Conditioning test.

 

Episode 6.15 – AFC West Assessment Show

NFL Rants & Raves
NFL Rants & Raves
Episode 6.15 – AFC West Assessment Show
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Another super long show, just a little over two and a half hours, but this time, it’s not the guys fault. With training camps in full swing, the guys got right to football. The show started with the breaking news that Brett Favre was calling it quits. Steven didn’t believe but Jeff felt this might be the real deal. The guys discussed Albert Haynsworth failing the Redskins conditioning test, AKA The Shanny, and Steven claimed he could pass the test. Plus the guys talked about Sam Bradford becoming the $50 million man, Eric Perry getting tons of money too, and the guys came up with a solution to a rookie salary cap.

Steven and Jeff then turn their attention on the AFC West and talked Broncos, Chiefs, Raiders and Chargers. Steven says he is excited about the Chiefs and Raiders. Find out why. Jeff feels the Chargers will still win the division, but wants to know if the other three teams have caught the Chargers. The guys have an interesting discussion on Tim Tebow and why he is so popular. The Broncos are an intriguing team in this division, but it all depends how they come out of the gate. Steven gives props to Raiders QB Jason Campbell, and feels he might be good enough to make everyone forget that Tom Cable is the coach in Oakland.

Plus listen to more NFL news, including the city of Indianapolis and the Super Bowl in 2012, Leroy Hill waiting to have his day in court, and Chargers LB Shawne Merriman’s quote of, “I want to be on a team where someone is going to be building a defense around me.” And finally, Steven starts a new venture, check it out at www.ffbuddy.com

 

Episode 6.14 – AFC South Assessment Show

NFL Rants & Raves
NFL Rants & Raves
Episode 6.14 – AFC South Assessment Show
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The guys come back with a super long show, just shy of two and a half hours. With training camps opening up, there was just too much to talk about. A sad farewell to Raiders Jack Tatum who died at 61. Steven and Jeff discuss rookie WR Dez Bryant not carrying Roy Williams‘ shoulder pads, Osi Umenyiora waiting to have hip surgery, Wes Welker starts off on the PUP list, and Ravens rookie Terrance Cody not being able to practice because he failed a conditioning test.

Steven and Jeff then turn their attention on the AFC South and the Texans, Colts, Jaguars and Titans. Steven says three of these teams will be in the playoffs and the the fourth team might be headed for London. Jeff feels bad because he has virtually nothing positive to say about one of the teams, and Steven wonders what would have happened to the Jaguars had they drafted Florida Gators QB Tim Tebow. Both guys like the Colts to repeat as division champs, while Steven feels the Titans and Texans are not too far behind and will make the division interesting.

Plus listen to Jeff talk about why you should come out and play fantasy football, only a few spots left in the RARN Leagues. Then Steven and Jeff discuss the ending of Inception and Steven wonders if they are dreaming about doing the show. Hmmmm.