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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.—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.—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 jumpDefensive 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 BoomWild 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

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.—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

Subtitle—In this episode:—Timestamps:—» 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

Why poor linebacker play is wrecking NFL defenses, breaking down Brent Venables' plan for Alabama, and a TNF preview.—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.—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

Analyzing Indiana’s defensive disguise, Jalen Hurts’ issues against the blitz, and diagnosing the Chiefs' offensive collapse.—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.—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