First Things First Falcons beat Bucs, Drake Maye vs. Josh Allen, Eagles avoiding funk, Upset Alert & Nick’s Picks
Dec 13, 2025
The Falcons pull off a thrilling comeback against the Bucs, raising questions about Baker Mayfield's future. Drake Maye's matchup against Josh Allen is hotly debated, alongside worries about the Eagles' slump. Phillip Rivers' potential return adds drama, while the Chiefs face pressure to prove themselves against the Chargers. Upset Alert gets the hosts buzzing as they predict who could surprise this week. The Lions aim to overcome the Rams, with Goff and Stafford’s showdown on everyone's mind.
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Simplify Offense For Emergency QBs
- When inserting an emergency veteran QB, prioritize quick throws and the run game to limit pressure.
- Coach Mangini advises handing off often and avoiding long-developing plays for Phillip Rivers in Seattle.
Comebacks Can Reframe Legacies
- A short, high-profile comeback can actually help a retired QB's Hall of Fame narrative even if on-field results vary.
- The hosts note Rivers' return could create sympathetic context for his legacy regardless of performance.
Adjust Scoring To Reward Close Upsets
- Reward bigger upset-picks with proportionally larger points to reflect difficulty.
- Kevin Wilds proposes changing their Upset Alert scoring to add extra points when picks cover the spread but don't win outright.