
Advertise on podcast: Let's Talk Ball!
Rating
4.7from
This podcast has
87 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Cody Alexander & Felix JohnsonExplicit
No
Date created
2022/06/14
Latest episode
2026/02/04
Average duration
64 min.
Release period
8 days
Description
High-level football discussion for coaches and serious fans. Join Cody Alexander of MatchQuarters and Felix Johnson as they break down defensive schemes, offensive trends, and interview the best minds in the game — the home for real X's and O's talk. www.matchquarters.com
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Super Bowl LX Preview: The "Darkside" Defense vs. Drake Maye & 2026 Coaching Carousel Reactions
2026/02/04
We preview Super Bowl LX by analyzing if Drake Maye and the "Zombie" Patriots can upset the "Darkside" Seahawks defense in a battle of efficiency versus explosive plays. Plus, we break down the latest 2026 NFL coaching carousel news, including Todd Monken to the Browns and Mike LaFleur to the Cardinals.
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In this episode:
- Preview the Super Bowl LX matchup, analyzing whether the “Zombie” Patriots’ deep-ball attack can disrupt the “Darkside” efficiency of the Seahawks’ defense.
- Identify the biggest X-factors for Sunday, including Sam Darnold’s “redemption tour” against the team that made him see ghosts and Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s potential MVP performance from the slot.
- React to the Cleveland Browns’ “wild” decision to hire Todd Monken and the potential defensive fallout if Jim Schwartz departs.
- Discuss the continued dominance of the Shanahan/McVay tree in the NFC West with Mike LaFleur taking the Cardinals job and Clint Kubiak heading to the Raiders.
- Break down the Baltimore Ravens’ internal succession plan, with Jesse Minter returning as Head Coach and Anthony Weaver joining as Defensive Coordinator.
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Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro: Live from “Radio Row” & Super Bowl Week
02:00 – Reaction: Todd Monken to the Browns & losing Jim Schwartz
07:03 – Mike LaFleur to the Cardinals: The Shanahan/McVay tree dominates the West
11:22 – Klint Kubiak to the Raiders & how coaching hires affect playoff teams
16:03 – Ravens Reload: Jesse Minter returns as Head Coach
21:21 – Giants Hire Denard Wilson & the lack of minority offensive coordinators
23:16 – Joe Brady stays in Buffalo & rumors of Jim Leonhard to the Packers
25:24 – Cowboys Staffing: Christian Parker & the intra-division rivalry
27:04 – Super Bowl LXI Preview: The “Zombie” Patriots vs. The “Death Star” Seahawks
32:38 – The Drake Maye “Cheat Code”: Can he beat efficiency with deep balls?
38:35 – Sam Darnold’s Redemption Tour: Facing the “Ghosts” one last time
44:47 – Super Bowl X-Factor: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (JSN) vs. the Patriots’ secondary
50:49 – Keys to Victory: How New England can manufacture an upset
56:49 – Final Super Bowl LX Score Predictions
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» Join Felix and Cody each Wednesday as we dive deep into the game we love!
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—
© 2025 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe
Championship Reactions: Indiana National Champions, McCarthy to Steelers, & Super Bowl Matchup Set
2026/01/28
We break down Indiana's "perfect" National Championship run and the schematic evolution of the NFL run game from Wide Zone back to Duo. Plus, we react to the Steelers' controversial hiring of Mike McCarthy and analyze how the Patriots and Seahawks punched their tickets to the Super Bowl.
In this episode:
Break down Indiana’s “perfect” National Championship victory and the fundamental-heavy approach that defined their historic season.
React to the latest NFL coaching hires, including why Mike McCarthy to the Steelers feels like the “worst hire” of the cycle.
Analyze the AFC Championship game, questioning the Broncos’ aggressive 4th-down decision-making in severe weather conditions.
Recap the Seahawks’ win over the Rams, focusing on Sam Darnold’s surprising efficiency and the Rams’ passive defensive strategy.
Detail the schematic evolution of the NFL run game as offenses shift from Wide Zone back to Duo to punish lighter defensive fronts.
—
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro: Indiana as the "Perfect" College Football Story
06:52 - Cignetti’s Philosophy: Being an "A**hole" About Fundamentals
13:21 - Schematic Breakdown: How Indiana’s "Wolves in Sheep's Clothing" Defense Stifled Miami
19:15 - NFL Coaching Carousel: Stefanski & Harbaugh Staff Moves
21:40 - Hafley to Miami & The End of Tua?
23:45 - Jesse Minter to the Ravens
25:50 - Robert Saleh to the Titans
27:39 - Mike McCarthy to Pittsburgh: The "Worst Hire" of the Cycle?
32:01 - Eric Bieniemy Returns to KC (The "Soft Firing")
35:03 - The Buffalo Bills: The Most Dysfunctional Job in the NFL
40:36 - AFC Championship: Broncos vs. Patriots & The Weather Factor
44:34 - Is Christian Gonzalez Actually a Lockdown Corner?
52:08 - NFC Championship: Rams vs. Seahawks Recap
01:02:25 - Schematic Trends: The Shift from Wide Zone Back to Duo
01:05:40 - The Cardinals Vacancy & Prediction for Chris Shula
01:10:02 - Outro
—
» Join Felix and Cody each Wednesday as we dive deep into the game we love!
MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe.
—
© 2026 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe
Divisional Reactions: Sean McDermott Fired, John Harbaugh to Giants & Championship Sunday Previews
2026/01/21
We break down the Bills' firing of Sean McDermott after their loss to the Broncos, analyze the hire of John Harbaugh to the Giants, and preview the Championship Sunday matchups: Patriots vs. Broncos and Rams vs. Seahawks. Plus, was that the best throw of Caleb Williams' life?
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In this episode:
The McDermott Firing & Coaching Carousel: We analyze the Bills’ decision to move on from Sean McDermott, the hiring of John Harbaugh by the Giants, and Kevin Stefanski landing in Atlanta.
Playoff Recap & Controversy: We break down the controversial finish to the Bills-Broncos game, the “meta” flip that doomed Buffalo’s roster construction, and Caleb Williams’ insane throw in the Bears’ loss.
The CJ Stroud Dilemma: We discuss the Texans’ offensive collapse against New England and debate whether Houston is stuck in “quarterback purgatory” regarding Stroud’s next contract.
AFC Championship Preview (Patriots vs. Broncos): We look at how the Patriots can attack Denver’s pass rush and how the Broncos will adjust with Jared Stidham stepping in for the injured Bo Nix.
NFC Championship Preview (Rams vs. Seahawks): We preview the Round 3 matchup between Seattle and LA, focusing on the Stafford vs. Darnold quarterback battle and the Jaxon Smith-Njigba X-factor.
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Timestamps:
» Part I: The Coaching Carousel & Front Office
00:00 The Bills Clean House Discussion on the firing of Sean McDermott and the promotion of GM Brandon Beane.
00:47 Roster vs. The Meta Analysis of how the Bills built a roster to beat the Chiefs/Bengals but failed to adjust to the league-wide shift toward 12 personnel.
05:43 The “Intellectual” Defensive Coach: A look at candidates like Brian Daboll and the trend toward hiring “intellectual” defensive minds similar to Mike Macdonald and Brandon Staley.
07:53 Stefanski to Atlanta Breakdown of the potential fit for Kevin Stefanski with the Falcons’ offensive weapons (Bijan Robinson, Drake London).
10:38 Ulbrich & The Wide-9 Shift: Why keeping Jeff Ulbrich signals a commitment to the Wide-9/Quarters-heavy defensive structures popularized by the Saleh tree.
12:50 The Harbaugh Clause: John Harbaugh to the Giants, and the unique contract clause stating he answers only to the owner.
» Part II: Schematic Analysis & Game Recaps
21:03 Gap Schemes vs. Speed: How the Bills utilized Pin-Pull concepts to exploit Denver’s speed, noting Denver’s 20th rank against Duo runs.
22:33 Motion to Disrupt Coverage Denver used motion on 75% of plays (a season-high) to force communication checks and disrupt Buffalo’s split-field rotations.
24:22 Erasing the Deep Ball Denver’s secondary held Josh Allen to 0-for-6 passing with 2 INTs on attempts of 20+ yards.
27:03 Texans Offensive Collaps:e A breakdown of C.J. Stroud’s struggles and the Texans’ inability to counter the Patriots’ game plan.
30:08 Patriots MOFO Spike The Patriots increased their Middle of Field Open (MOFO) usage to 60%, using weak rotation vs. 3x1 and split-field vs. 2x2 to eliminate crossing routes.
» Part III: Previews & Adjustments
32:59 Patriots vs. Broncos Preview: The matchup of the Patriots’ Man-Blocking/Duo schemes against the Broncos’ fast-flow defense.
40:35 The Caleb Williams Throw Reaction to the 45-yard cross-body throw from Caleb Williams in the Rams-Bears game.
46:02 Pressure vs. Condensed Sets Dennis Allen’s adjustment to blitz the edges and use DB pressure specifically against 12/13 personnel condensed formations, forcing the Rams into spread looks.
» Part IV: NFC Championship Preview
48:41 #1 Offense vs. #1 Defense Setting the stage for the Rams (Outside Zone) vs. Seahawks (Wide-9/Cover 2).
50:00 The Schematic Conflict The clash between the Rams’ outside run game and the Seahawks’ defensive front is designed to force runs inside.
51:27 The Cover 2 Weakness Identifying the Seahawks’ 16th-ranked DVOA vs. Tight Ends as the key area for Stafford to attack the interior of the Cover 2.
55:53 The JSN Factor: Why Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the X-factor for breaking down zone coverages in this matchup.
—
» Join Felix and Cody each Wednesday as we dive deep into the game we love!
MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe.
—
© 2025 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe
Wild Card Reactions: Indiana vs. Miami, Buffalo's Cover 2 Scheme, & The Eagles' Collapse
2026/01/14
We break down the X's and O's behind the NFL's record-breaking Wild Card weekend, analyzing how Buffalo's disguised coverages and the Eagles' collapse defined the slate. Plus, we preview the National Championship clash between Indiana and Miami, explaining why the title will be decided by 'movement-based' defense versus raw trench power.
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In this episode:
The “Cignetti Bowl” Preview: We analyze the National Championship matchup, highlighting the shared James Madison roots of the defensive coordinators and contrasting Miami’s physical, NFL-prototype front with Indiana’s movement-based, stunt-heavy scheme.
Historic Wild Card Weekend: We recap a record-breaking opening round of the playoffs that featured more lead changes than the entire past postseason combined, headlined by Caleb Williams and the Bears rallying late to knock off the Packers.
Buffalo’s Cover 2 Masterclass: We break down how the Bills confused Trevor Lawrence by running “all the Cover 2s”—mixing various hybrid coverages and rotations to force mistakes despite playing a simple structure on paper.
The Eagles’ Statistical Anomaly: We discuss the Philadelphia Eagles' collapse and the heat on Nick Sirianni, noting the rarity of a team losing a playoff game despite being +2 in turnover margin and +65 in rushing yards.
The “Anti-Defense” Philosophy: We examine the modern defensive approach used by the Texans and 49ers, which relies less on exotic schemes and more on elite linebacker depth and precise vertical drops to shut down the intermediate passing game.
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Timestamps:
0:00 Intro: A Historic Wild Card Weekend
2:10 National Championship Preview: The "Cignetti Bowl"
5:00 Miami’s NFL Prototype Front vs. Indiana’s Movement-Based Defense
11:06 Natty Predictions: Why Mendoza Fits the Hoosiers
17:31 Rams vs. Panthers: Puka Nacua & The "Dome Quarterback" Dilemma
23:17 Bears vs. Packers: Caleb Williams Arrives in the 4th Quarter
28:36 Bills vs. Jaguars: Josh Allen’s Perfection vs. Trevor Lawrence’s Mistakes
31:37 Scheme Breakdown: How Buffalo Ran "All the Cover 2s"
33:20 49ers vs. Eagles: The Coaching Mismatch
35:35 The "Weak Hook" & The Value of Modern Linebackers
39:56 The Eagles' Collapse: Losing Despite Winning the Stats
45:40 Patriots vs. Chargers: The "Show Zone, Play Man" Game Plan
49:48 Texans vs. Steelers: The Nuance of "Anti-Defense"
53:01 The Coaching Carousel: Underrated Candidates & Predictions
—
» Join Felix and Cody each Wednesday as we dive deep into the game we love!
MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe.
—
© 2025 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe
Week 18 Reactions: The NFL Coaching Carousel & Wild Card Preview
2026/01/07
Cody Alexander and Felix Johnson break down the shocking firing of Kevin Stefanski and the 2026 NFL coaching carousel before diving into a schematic preview of every Wild Card Weekend matchup. From the Seahawks' defensive dominance to the Eagles vs. 49ers rematch, get expert analysis and predictions for the first round of the NFL playoffs.
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In this episode:
Reactions to Major Firings: Cody and Felix debate the logic behind the “shocking” firing of Kevin Stefanski by the Cleveland Browns and the expected departure of Pete Carroll from the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Coaching Carousel: The duo analyzes potential landing spots for top candidates, identifying the Atlanta Falcons as a perfect fit for Stefanski while discussing openings for names like Mike Vrabel and Bill Belichick.
Defensive Deep Dives: Cody breaks down the “Legion of Boom 2.0” in Seattle, detailing how their zone-heavy scheme dominates the middle of the field, and examines the blitz-heavy nature of the Broncos’ defense.
Wild Card Matchup Previews: The hosts discuss the “Paper Tiger Bowl” between the Patriots and Chargers and explain why Vic Fangio and the Eagles’ defense are uniquely suited to stop the 49ers’ offense in their rematch.
Playoff Predictions: Predictions for the weekend slate include the Texans winning a low-scoring slugfest against the Steelers and the Jaguars potentially upsetting the Bills by controlling the ground game.
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Timestamps:
The Coaching Carousel
00:00 Intro: Draft season vs. Playoff season
00:38 Raiders fire Pete Carroll: Was it the meddling? Plus, Patrick Graham’s future
02:12 Jonathan Gannon out in Arizona: Why the scheme never gelled
03:54 The Stefanski Shocker: Why the Browns fired him and why it’s a mistake
05:07 The Falcons Opening: Is Stefanski the perfect bridge for Cousins and Penix?
08:58 Titans & Giants: Vrabel’s exit and the strange stability of NYG’s front office
14:26 The Dolphins: Why Mike McDaniel is safe for now
16:54 NFC East Shakeup: Cowboys/Commanders firing; DC candidates for Dallas
19:34 Coordinator Candidates: Jesse Minter and Chris Shula are ready for the jump
Defensive Trends & Regular Season Review
22:53 Defense wasn’t the problem: Analyzing the Lions and Colts
26:55 “Paper Tiger” Defenses: Why the Patriots and Chargers are deceiving
30:06 49ers Defense: The “Mosquito Defense” Bend but don’t break
33:08 Seahawks Defense: How Mike Macdonald recreated the Legion of Boom
Wild Card Weekend Previews
36:16 Steelers vs. Texans: A low-scoring slugfest & the Texans’ “ass-whooper” scheme
39:40 Jaguars vs. Bills: Can Jacksonville control the clock and upset Josh Allen?
42:58 Patriots vs. Chargers: The “Paper Tiger Bowl”
44:57 Panthers vs. Rams: Can Carolina run the ball enough to keep Stafford off the field?
47:58 Eagles vs. 49ers: Why Fangio and the Eagles are the worst matchup for Kittle & Purdy
51:08 Bears vs. Packers: Caleb Williams vs. a suspect Packers defense
54:59 Broncos Analysis: Heavy blitz dependency and offensive limitations
57:42 The Dream Super Bowl? A Seahawks vs. Broncos defensive battle
—
» Join Felix and Cody each Wednesday as we dive deep into the game we love!
MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe.
—
© 2026 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe
Week 17 Reactions: Dan Quinn’s Struggles, Caleb Williams vs. Brock Purdy, & Saints/Jaguars Rising
2025/12/31
Cody and Felix break down the schematic issues plaguing the Cowboys and Commanders, and analyze how Brian Flores used specific pressure packages to confuse Jared Goff. The duo also discusses the Saints' resurgence, the Jaguars' playoff potential, and Caleb Williams' undeniable talent.
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In this episode:
- The continued dysfunction of the Las Vegas Raiders and the confusion surrounding their offensive staff structure.
- Dan Quinn’s defensive regression in Washington and the potential coordinator carousel looming for the Cowboys.
- Brian Flores’ tactical masterclass against the Lions and how he utilized specific pressure packages to rattle Jared Goff.
- Takeaways from the Chiefs-Broncos Christmas matchup, including the heated exchange between Bo Nix and Sean Payton.
- The contrast between Caleb Williams’ "undeniable" raw talent and the 49ers’ highly structured efficiency under Kyle Shanahan.
—
Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro & The Raiders "Dumpster Fire"
5:02 - Cowboys vs. Commanders & Dan Quinn’s Future
10:08 - The Cowboys' DC Search: Why Flores/Leonard Might Not Happen
15:42 - Broncos vs. Chiefs: Bo Nix Yelling at Sean Payton
19:15 - Chargers vs. Texans & CJ Stroud’s Struggles
24:59 - Packers vs. Ravens: Derrick Henry’s Dominance
28:26 - Bengals vs. Cardinals: Arizona’s Defensive Injuries
32:30 - Steelers vs. Browns & Aaron Rodgers’ Sack Aversion
35:12 - Dolphins Recap & Todd Bowles on the Hot Seat?
37:55 - Saints vs. Titans: Why New Orleans is a 2026 Sleeper
41:25 - The Jaguars' Ascent & Liam Coen’s Impact
43:31 - Patriots vs. Jets & Drake Maye’s Potential
48:42 - Vikings vs. Lions: Brian Flores’ Masterclass vs. Goff
52:30 - Bears vs. 49ers: Caleb Williams vs. The Shanahan Machine
55:29 - Eagles vs. Bills Recap
56:22 - Seahawks vs. Panthers & Bryce Young
58:48 - Rams vs. Falcons & Kirk Cousins’ Future
1:00:06 - Outro
—
» Join Felix and Cody each Wednesday as we dive deep into the game we love!
MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe.
—
© 2025 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe
Week 16 Reactions: The Post-Spread Era (Rams/Seahawks), Michigan Rumors, & CFP Recap
2025/12/24
Subtitle
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In this episode:
—
Timestamps:
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» Join Felix and Cody each Wednesday as we dive deep into the game we love!
MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe.
—
© 2025 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe
Week 15 Reactions: Mahomes & Parsons Injuries, Bills Defensive Issues, Rams vs. Seahawks Preview, & CFP Predictions
2025/12/17
Why poor linebacker play is wrecking NFL defenses, breaking down Brent Venables' plan for Alabama, and a TNF preview.
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In this episode:
CFP Preview: A look at Alabama vs. Oklahoma, focusing on Brent Venables’ diverse defensive scheme, plus predictions for Miami vs. Texas A&M.
The End of the Chiefs’ Season? Analyzing the fallout of Patrick Mahomes’ ACL tear and why the Kansas City defense was already regressing before the injury.
The Linebacker Problem: Why defenses like the Buccaneers and Panthers are collapsing due to poor second-level play and the inability to cover the middle of the field.
Rams vs. Lions: How Sean McVay has evolved the Rams offense with 13 personnel and why their “aggregate” defensive line is outperforming teams with “splash” edge rushers.
Bills Run Defense Issues: Breaking down why Buffalo’s light boxes and hybrid linebackers are a liability against physical AFC teams as they head toward the playoffs.
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Timestamps:
00:00 Heisman Snubs & Fernando Mendoza
03:09 CFP Preview: Bama vs. OU
07:05 Miami vs. Texas A&M
09:18 JMU vs. Tulane Breakdown
10:52 FCS Playoffs: Montana vs. Montana St.
12:15 Bucs Defensive Collapse
15:23 Panthers Run Game Struggles
19:49 Mahomes Tears ACL
25:02 Herbert Passes Mahomes
26:00 Micah Parsons Injury Impact
30:10 Bo Nix & Broncos Defense
35:40 Raiders’ Scoring Drought
38:59 Colts vs. Seahawks Recap
42:49 Rams Offensive Evolution
47:22 Dolphins Clock Management
50:00 Bills Run Defense Issues
53:40 Ravens Shutout Bengals
56:07 Trevor Lawrence’s Resurgence
58:39 Historic NFL Stats
01:01:08 Texans Win Streak
01:04:47 TNF Preview: Rams vs. Seahawks
—
» Join Felix and Cody each Wednesday as we dive deep into the game we love!
MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe.
—
© 2025 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe
Week 14 Reactions: CFP Bracket Breakdown, Chiefs Offensive Struggles, & Jalen Hurts struggles
2025/12/10
Analyzing Indiana’s defensive disguise, Jalen Hurts’ issues against the blitz, and diagnosing the Chiefs' offensive collapse.
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In this episode:
- CFP Bracket Reaction: We break down the playoff seeding, the “drunk” ACC, and preview key first-round matchups like Alabama vs. Oklahoma.
- Indiana’s Defensive Scheme: A deep dive into how Indiana’s defense utilized unique coverages to limit Ohio State and Jeremiah Smith.
- Coaching Carousel: Thoughts on the final spins of the coaching carousel, including Colin Klein returning to his alma mater, Kansas State.
- Chiefs in Crisis: Analyzing Kansas City’s offensive struggles, defensive regression without an effective pass rush, and whether the dynasty is truly fading.
- Eagles & Hurts Issues: Diagnosing Jalen Hurts’ poor performance against the Chargers and his struggles throwing into the middle of the field.
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Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro: College Football Playoff Reaction
06:30 - The “Drunk” ACC & Duke’s Championship Win
08:40 - Coaching Carousel: Colin Klein Returns to K-State
11:48 - CFP Bracket Reveal: G5 Teams & The “Paper Tiger” NCAA
16:20 - CFP First Round Previews: Alabama vs. Oklahoma & Texas A&M
20:00 - Heisman Talk & NFL Draft QB Implications
23:20 - Scheme Deep Dive: How Indiana’s Defense Stifled Ohio State
25:44 - NFL: Colts vs. Jaguars & The Anthony Richardson Injury Fallout
32:55 - Are the Chiefs in Trouble? (Offensive Struggles & Veach’s Moves)
41:25 - Shedeur Sanders, The Browns, and Titans
44:45 - Broncos vs. Raiders: PS2’s Dominance & “Boring” Wins
49:00 - Commanders Regression: Kliff Kingsbury & Defensive Issues
52:00 - NFC South: Saints, Bucs & The “Dirty Birds”
55:00 - Ravens vs. Steelers: Lamar’s Struggles & Tomlin’s Defense
57:50 - Bengals vs. Bills: Snow Game & Josh Allen’s Offense
01:00:30 - Dolphins Defense & Tua’s First Cold Weather Win
01:02:08 - Seahawks vs. Falcons: Nickel Play & Pass Rush
01:05:37 - Bears vs. Packers: Caleb Williams vs. Jordan Love
01:08:30 - Rams vs. Cardinals: Kyler Murray & Gannon’s Defense
01:10:00 - MNF Deep Dive: Jalen Hurts’ Issues vs. The Blitz
01:13:35 - TNF Preview: Falcons vs. Bucs & Outro
—
» Join Felix and Cody each Wednesday as we dive deep into the game we love!
MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe.
—
© 2025 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe
Week 13 Reactions: Is the Lions' Window Closing? Plus, Texas Playoff Hopes & The Chiefs' Offensive Problems
2025/12/03
Breakdowns of the CFB coaching carousel, why Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson struggle vs. the blitz, and the Packers' defensive evolution.
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In this episode:
Lane Kiffin to LSU: We break down the major coaching moves, including Kiffin taking the LSU job and John Sumrall heading to Florida.
Cowboys Upset the Chiefs: An analysis of how the Cowboys’ defense stifled Patrick Mahomes and why the Chiefs continue to struggle in the “middle eight”.
The Lions’ Collapse: A look at Dan Campbell’s questionable playcalling, the Packers completing the sweep, and why Detroit is in danger of missing the playoffs.
QBs vs. The Blitz: We discuss why mobile quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson are seeing the highest blitz rates in the league and struggling to counter them.
Texas & The SEC: A recap of the Texas defense stepping up against A&M and the reality check facing the Longhorns in their new conference.
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Timestamps:
00:00 Intro: NFL Coaches & Playbooks
04:16 Texas Defense shuts down A&M
07:51 Coaching Carousel: Lane Kiffin to LSU & John Sumrall to Florida
12:54 Pete Golding & The Future of Ole Miss Defense
16:05 Chiefs vs. Cowboys Recap: Why KC lost the “Middle 8”
18:49 How Eberflus Fixed the Cowboys Defense
27:37 Packers Sweep the Lions & Dan Campbell’s Playcalling Issues
32:06 Bears Upset Eagles & Caleb Williams’ Game Management
34:22 Why Jalen Hurts & Lamar Jackson Struggle vs. The Blitz
40:32 Bengals Defense Forces 5 Turnovers vs. Ravens
42:03 The AFC South Race: Texans, Colts & Jags
46:07 Quick Hit: Falcons vs. Jets 46:59 Rams vs. Panthers & Bryce Young
49:47 Browns vs. 49ers
52:14 Cardinals vs. Bucs
54:31 Seahawks Dominate Vikings & Kevin O’Connell’s Struggles
55:50 Bills vs. Steelers & Josh Allen
57:52 Broncos Win Again vs. Commanders
01:03:00 TNF Preview: Cowboys vs. Lions
01:06:37 Outro
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» Join Felix and Cody each Wednesday as we dive deep into the game we love!
MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe.
—
© 2025 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe
Week 12 Reactions: "Everything is a Lie", The Rams' Defense, Texans' Violence, & Caleb’s Evolution
2025/11/26
Cody and Felix analyze the Rams' "lie" defense and the Texans' physicality. Plus, previews for Ohio State vs. Michigan, Chiefs-Cowboys, and the full NFL Thanksgiving slate.
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In this episode:
- Texas & Oregon’s Ascent: We discuss how Texas is peaking at the right time with Arch Manning and analyze Oregon’s evolution into a “new blue blood” under Dan Lanning.- "The Game" Preview: We break down the Ohio State vs. Michigan matchup, highlighting the Buckeyes’ dominance and Michigan’s schematic regression under Wink Martindale.- Defensive Philosophies: We contrast the Houston Texans’ physical, “punch you in the face” style with the Los Angeles Rams’ deceptive, “everything is a lie” coverage disguises.- Rookie QB Realities: We examine the developmental paths of young quarterbacks, comparing Caleb Williams’ need for structured creativity against JJ McCarthy’s statistical struggles.- Thanksgiving Slate & Eagles Panic: We preview the holiday weekend games, predict a Chiefs win over Dallas, and discuss why the Philadelphia Eagles might be on the verge of a collapse.
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Timestamps:
00:00 Intro & Thanksgiving Break Chaos 01:10 Texas Dominance & Arch Manning’s Ascent 04:38 Oklahoma’s Defensive Identity vs. Mizzou 10:20 Can Lincoln Riley Fix USC? 12:26 Dan Lanning & Oregon as a “New Blue Blood” 17:00 The Game: Ohio State vs. Michigan Preview 19:33 The Wild ACC Playoff Picture 23:29 Texans Defense: “Punch You in the Face” Style 26:02 JJ McCarthy’s Struggles & Vikings Issues 30:09 Jameis Winston & The Value of Backup QBs 35:32 Chiefs Find a Way (Again) & Latu’s Interceptions 39:41 The Patriots’ Historic Defensive Run 44:21 Is JSN the Best Receiver in the NFL? 45:16 Caleb Williams: Genius vs. Structure 51:26 Saints, Taysom Hill, & 13 Personnel Obsession 54:08 Don’t Sleep on the Cardinals Defense 56:37 Rams vs. Bucs: “Everything is a Lie” Scheme 59:31 Ravens vs. Jets: A Win is a Win 1:01:44 Cowboys Stun the Eagles: Comeback Analysis 1:07:42 Thanksgiving Preview: Packers vs. Lions 1:08:52 Preview: Bengals vs. Ravens 1:10:09 Thanksgiving Preview: Chiefs vs. Cowboys
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» Join Felix and Cody each Wednesday as we dive deep into the game we love!
MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe.
—
© 2025 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe
Week 11 Reactions: JJ Can't Throw Left, Beating Zone Pressure, & The “Fake Tough” Teams
2025/11/19
Cody and Felix discuss James Franklin to Virginia Tech, the Broncos stun the Chiefs, and Josh Allen's historic day. Plus, film analysis on why J.J. McCarthy can't throw left.
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In this episode:
* React to the breaking news of James Franklin becoming the next head coach at Virginia Tech and discuss the future of the program.
* Analyze the Broncos’ stunning upset win over the Chiefs, focusing on how Bo Nix handled Kansas City’s zone pressures.
* Break down Josh Allen’s historic six-touchdown performance against the Buccaneers and why the Buffalo defense remains a concern.
* Discuss the Vikings’ struggles, specifically highlighting film evidence that rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy cannot throw to his left.
Preview the upcoming Thursday Night Football matchup between the Texans and the Bills, looking at how Houston’s defense matches up on a short week.
—
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro & Commanders vs. Dolphins: An “Overtime Thriller”
03:57 - Breaking News: James Franklin to Virginia Tech
08:58 - SEC Recap: Texas falls to Georgia & the state of the conference
11:41 - Texas A&M: Can Marcel Reed win a title?
15:11 - Oklahoma beats Bama again & Venables’ defense
16:43 - Cal & Indiana: Fernando Mendoza and Curt Cignetti’s success
18:59 - Bucs vs. Bills: Josh Allen’s historic 6-touchdown day
25:14 - Packers vs. Giants: Panic in Green Bay?
30:34 - Panthers vs. Falcons: Why Atlanta’s defense collapsed
33:10 - Michael Penix injury update & the Kirk Cousins contract
36:59 - Bears vs. Vikings: Brian Flores vs. Caleb & J.J. McCarthy’s fatal flaw
40:10 - Rams vs. Seahawks: McVay wins, Darnold throws 4 picks
43:46 - Broncos stun the Chiefs: Bo Nix vs. Spags’ zone pressure
51:48 - Jaguars vs. Chargers: LA needs tackles
53:19 - Lions vs. Eagles: Vic Fangio’s defense dominates
56:25 - AFC North: Flacco vs. Rodgers & Steelers/Bengals
58:21 - Thursday Night Football Preview: Texans vs. Bills
01:00:28 - Breaking: Victor Wembanyama out 2-3 weeks
—
» Join Felix and Cody each Wednesday as we dive deep into the game we love!
MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe.
—
© 2025 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe
Week 10 Reactions: Are the Patriots the AFC's Most Dominant Team? and More!
2025/11/12
A full NFL Week 10 recap! Are the Patriots the AFC's best? Plus: McVay's new offense, college's "singular toe" catch, and a Jets-Pats preview.
—
In this episode:
* Break down college football’s wildest moments, including Indiana’s “singular toe” game-winning catch and USC’s “cheeky” fake punt number switch that the Big Ten later admitted was illegal.
* Analyze the muddled AFC picture, noting the Dolphins “flipped the script” on the Bills and the Broncos’ offense looks “pitiful” despite their 8-2 record.
* Dive into the NFC West, highlighting Sean McVay’s successful pivot to 12 and 13 personnel with the Rams and Mike Macdonald’s “genius” Seahawks defense, which ranks as a top-five pressure team despite being bottom-ten in blitzing.
* Make the case for the New England Patriots being the true dominant team in the AFC, crediting the coaching of Mike Vrabel and the MVP-caliber play of rookie quarterback Drake May.
* Preview the Thursday Night Football matchup between the Jets and Patriots, predicting a “grimy game” and taking the under, but framing it as a game the Patriots must win to prove they are the AFC’s top team.
—
Timestamps:
00:15 - Texas Tech’s “East Coast 3-4” Defense
01:43 - Penn State vs. Indiana & “The Singular Toe”
01:57 - Breaking Down the “Catch of the Century”
02:20 - Should the NFL Adopt the One-Foot Rule?
04:18 - USC’s “Cheeky” Fake Punt & Illegal Number Switch
05:53 - “If You Ain’t Cheating, You Ain’t Trying”
06:23 - Memphis Upset & the G5 NIL Gap
09:56 - The American Conference as the “P6”
12:19 - TNF Recap: Broncos’ “Pitiful” Offense
14:05 - Is Bo Nix Holding the Broncos Back?
14:38 - Is it a Sean Payton Problem or a Bo Nix Problem?
16:43 - Colts vs. Falcons: Jonathan Taylor is the Engine
17:40 - Michael Penix’s Struggles with Protection Calls
19:47 - Dolphins “Flip the Script” and Dominate the Bills
21:13 - Is There a Dominant Team in the AFC?
23:12 - Rams Dominate 49ers with a New Offensive Pivot
23:46 - Sean McVay’s Shift to 12 & 13 Personnel
25:08 - Are the Rams the NFC’s Most Dangerous Team?
25:49 - Mike Macdonald’s “Genius” Seahawks Defense
29:46 - DeMarcus Lawrence’s “Rebirth”
30:53 - Seahawks D: Top 5 Pressure, Bottom 10 Blitz Rate
32:02 - Browns vs. Jets... “Somebody Had to Win”
34:02 - Texans Beat Jaguars; Davis Mills’ Weird Stat
36:18 - Making the Case: The Patriots are the AFC’s Best
37:09 - Drake May: “A Baby Josh Allen” & MVP Candidate
39:34 - Why Mike Vrabel is a “Coach’s Coach”
43:23 - Caleb Williams’ 4th Quarter Heroics vs. Giants
43:38 - Jackson Dart’s 4th Concussion
46:07 - NFL Week 10 Quick Hits: Lions, Saints, & Panthers
47:23 - SNF: Chargers Beat Steelers
48:28 - The Vikings: A “Week-to-Week” NFL
49:12 - Thursday Night Preview: Jets vs. Patriots
50:21 - Final Predictions: A “Grimy Game”
—
» Join Felix and Cody each Wednesday as we dive deep into the game we love!
MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe.
—
© 2025 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe
Week 9 Reactions: Bills Beat Chiefs, Steelers' New Defense, Eagles Trades, & the "Great" Quarters Debate
2025/11/05
The Bills top the Chiefs, the Steelers' defense transforms with a new two-high look, and the Eagles trade for Jalen Phillips. Plus, could Nick Saban return to LSU?
—
In this episode:
* Analyze the “great quarters debate” on social media and discuss the trend of NFL owners, like the Colts’, using headsets for direct oversight.
* Break down the college football landscape, focusing on Arch Manning’s development at Texas and a deep dive into the major coaching carousel openings at LSU, Florida, and Penn State.
* Detail the specific defensive schemes from Week 9, including the Steelers moving Jalen Ramsey to safety and the Panthers using two-high rotations and a “big five” front to stop Jordan Love.
* Examine the competitive NFC North, covering the Vikings’ use of A-gap blitzes to pressure Jared Goff and the Bears’ wild 47-42 shootout win over the Bengals.
* The main event, Bills vs. Chiefs, is dissected, with the hosts expressing concern over the Bills’ ability to run on the Chiefs’ defense, highlighted by James Cook’s 100-yard game.
—
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro: AFC West Standings & Chiefs vs. Bills Recap
01:17 Why the Colts Owner Wears a Headset on Gameday
03:55 The Impact of Private Equity & Consultants on NFL Franchises
05:17 Breaking Down “The Great Quarters Debate”
07:59 NFL Trade Deadline: Eagles Acquire Jalen Phillips & Jaire Alexander
09:13 College Football: Arch Manning & Texas’s Offense
11:07 Ranking the Top College Football Contenders
12:59 Analyzing the College Coaching Carousel: LSU, Florida, Penn State
17:55 Top Coaching Candidates: Lane Kiffin, Bob Chesney, & More
22:27 The Future “NFL Model” for College Football Programs
25:03 TNF Recap: Ravens vs. Dolphins
28:43 Packers vs. Panthers: How Ejiro Evero’s Scheme Stopped Jordan Love
32:08 Patriots vs. Falcons Recap
32:55 Steelers vs. Colts: Jalen Ramsey’s Move to Safety
37:42 Chargers vs. Titans Recap
39:03 Vikings vs. Lions: Brian Flores’s A-Gap Blitz Package
42:16 Broncos vs. Texans: A Defensive “Grindfest”
44:19 Bears vs. Bengals: A 47-42 Offensive Shootout
48:05 SNF Recap: Seahawks vs. Commanders
50:41 Main Event: Why the Bills’ Win Over the Chiefs is Concerning
58:47 Thursday Night Preview: Broncos vs. Raiders
—
» Join Felix and Cody each Wednesday as we dive deep into the game we love!
MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe.
—
© 2025 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe
Week 8 Reactions: LSU’s $54M Brian Kelly Firing SHAKEUP | Are the Packers a Super Bowl Team? | CFB & NFL Recap
2025/10/29
Analyzing Brian Kelly's $54M LSU firing, Miami's "horrendous" uniforms, and if the Packers are a legit Super Bowl team. Full CFB & NFL weekend recap. Plus, a look at this week's Thursday Night Football matchup between the Ravens and Dolphins.
—
In this episode:
*We break down the shocking firing of LSU’s Brian Kelly, including the tense meeting with the governor and the staggering $54 million buyout.
*The crew debates Miami’s “horrendous” military appreciation uniforms, which were so ugly they “stayed ugly” and made players invisible on TV.
*Vanderbilt is 7-1 for the first time since World War II, led by quarterback Diego Pavia, who is all moxie.
*The panel discusses whether the Packers are a legitimate Super Bowl team, citing the “27-year-old mark” for their quarterbacks as Love follows Favre and Rodgers.
*We highlight under-the-radar NFL prospects, including Indiana’s “cerebral” QB Fernando Mendoza, who was once bound for Yale.
—
Timestamps:
00:00 - Miami’s “So Ugly They Stayed Ugly” Military Uniforms
02:37 - South Carolina vs. Alabama Recap
02:55 - Alabama QB Ty Simpson & his 2028 prospect brother
03:45 - Is South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers the next Anthony Richardson?
05:00 - Nyck Harbor: “Built like Achilles with the hands of stone”
06:49 - Texas vs. Mississippi State & the cooling Arch Manning hype
07:46 - Will Texas coach Steve Sarkisian leave for the NFL?
09:47 - Indiana Football is “really, really good”
10:03 - Meet Indiana’s “cerebral” QB, Fernando Mendoza
12:14 - Brian Kelly FIRED by LSU after A&M loss
12:49 - The staggering $54 MILLION Brian Kelly buyout
15:22 - Is Matt Rhule the top candidate for the Penn State job?
16:22 - Cursed? Nebraska’s struggles since firing Frank Solich
18:09 - Luke Fickell & Wisconsin’s struggles
20:18 - Undefeated Georgia Tech: Why they can be a problem
22:28 - Ole Miss’s D2 QB, Carson Chambliss
23:32 - Vanderbilt is 7-1, their best start since WWII
26:22 - Houston is the Big 12 Dark Horse
27:10 - Chargers vs. Vikings: A “wasted season” for Minnesota?
29:51 - Saquon Barkley’s breakout game vs. Eagles
30:14 - Giants lose another one of their young stars
32:20 - Myles Garrett’s 5-sack game
32:53 - The Bengals’ defense is “bad”
35:53 - Broncos’ dominant win over the Cowboys
36:37 - Are the Packers a “legitimate Super Bowl team”?
37:16 - Thursday Night Preview: Ravens vs. Dolphins
37:51 - Ravens DC Zach Orr vs. Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver
41:49 - The value of an athletic backup QB (Snoop Huntley)
42:29 - Caleb Williams’ “quintessential” bad game
—
» Join Felix and Cody each Wednesday as we dive deep into the game we love!
MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe.
—
© 2025 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe
Podcast reviews
Read Let's Talk Ball! podcast reviews
MarioParty99 2025/12/19
Great podcast for football fans
Who doesn’t love driving home from work and just recapping the week’s games and previewing the games coming up? Look forward to the newest episode eve...
timmy840 2025/12/18
The Best
If you only have time for one weekly football podcast, this is the one to listen to. The hosts know way more ball than the others and communicate this...
Pierson69 2025/11/05
Cody & Felix are dropping absurd amounts of knowledge.
I absolutely love both MatchQuarters and Let’s Talk Ball. Both will help you understand the defensive side of current football much better. Awesome,In...
JPal1234 2024/08/29
Content great
I know the host is a football junkie and the content is great but one piece of advice. You don’t need to interrupt your guest’s answers every 30 secon...
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