The Harrises react to the Broncos clinching the AFC West and positioning themselves as one of the top teams in the AFC, discussing why winning ugly still matters, the value of a bye week, and why Denver is such a tough place to play in January. Shelby, Chris, and Ryan also dive into fundamentals slipping late in the season, trap games around the league, coaching futures in Pittsburgh, and key playoff matchups across both conferences. The conversation wraps with a spirited MVP debate, weighing recent performances, historical precedent, and whether a second-year quarterback can realistically take home the league’s top individual honor.
Shelby Harris explains why attention to detail and fundamentals become harder to maintain late in the season and why that discipline separates playoff teams from pretenders. The guys examine the AFC and NFC playoff landscapes, including divisional races, inconsistent contenders, and defenses that travel well in January. They also touch on coaching stability versus change, potential fits around the league, and why experience matters when the pressure ramps up. The episode closes with an in-depth MVP discussion, comparing recent winners, historic second-year MVPs, and what ultimately defines the league’s most valuable player.
00:00:02:24 - 00:00:04:22
Speaker 1
Welcome to the Harrison's. We got
00:00:04:22 - 00:00:07:05
Speaker 1
current NFL star Shelby Harris,
00:00:07:08 - 00:00:11:19
Speaker 1
and we've got Chris Harris, junior perennial Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion
00:00:11:21 - 00:00:20:03
Speaker 1
alongside myself. Ryan Harris will fellas,
00:00:20:05 - 00:00:28:16
Speaker 1
Like.
00:00:28:19 - 00:00:34:08
Speaker 1
make of the Broncos winning the AFC West and looking like the top team in the AFC?
00:00:34:10 - 00:00:41:14
Speaker 2
Yeah, it was an ugly game. But, you know, the Broncos, they were, you know, close out the game. There was going against a quarterback that wasn't very,
00:00:41:17 - 00:00:49:29
Speaker 2
they couldn't throw the ball. He wasn't a pocket passer, but he was a great scrambler. So, but, you know, they didn't have any fear that he could beat them with their arms.
00:00:49:29 - 00:01:01:19
Speaker 2
And it was good for the Broncos to win the AFC West. Going on a drought for ten years have won since 2015. And, you know that she's been nominated over the past decade.
00:01:01:24 - 00:02:02:19
Speaker 2
So it was felt great. And probably not those boys off.
00:02:02:22 - 00:02:57:22
Speaker 1
What? It hurts the Broncos that so many other teams in the AFC did well right. I mean even
00:02:57:25 - 00:03:34:05
Speaker 1
to win, and you have to be consistent, and it doesn't start in the fourth quarter, starts in that first and second quarter.
00:03:34:07 - 00:03:42:00
Speaker 1
I think that's going to help them though, getting that bye week two I mean, they look like a tired team
00:03:42:02 - 00:03:47:27
Speaker 1
Yeah.
00:03:48:00 - 00:03:50:27
Speaker 1
that focus on details? What makes that difference?
00:03:51:00 - 00:03:55:24
Speaker 2
Yeah. It's just, locking in onto your details and fundamentals, especially
00:03:55:26 - 00:04:16:17
Speaker 2
at the end of the year. You know, at the beginning, you you practice so much individual, you do so much drill work. That's the incomes everybody knows in the NFL. What do you do? You do less practice time on the field, less individual. So you got to do some more stuff yourself to be able to keep yourself fundamentally and, technically sound throughout the whole season.
00:04:16:17 - 00:04:26:16
Speaker 2
And a lot of guys slip through the cracks and fall off at the end. And that's something that you got to stay on point as the season goes. So your fundamentals and your technique doesn't slip, and you can.
00:04:26:16 - 00:04:27:19
Speaker 3
Definitely see it slipping.
00:04:27:19 - 00:04:35:11
Speaker 2
With a couple of guys. And that this is the time period where you need to be. I used to always, always play better.
00:04:35:11 - 00:04:35:28
Speaker 3
As the season.
00:04:35:28 - 00:04:54:06
Speaker 2
Goes. And, that was just because of my training. And I always contributed to the offseason. But a lot of guys don't finish strong like that. And, but that's what the Broncos are going to need to do. You know, to be able to, to get over that hump. A lot of these guys the second time going into the playoffs.
00:04:54:08 - 00:05:05:22
Speaker 2
So they'll have, a little bit more experience. But, being at home is what's going to help them. I'm telling you, it's hard to go to Denver in the playoffs. They got to win this game. This is a huge game.
00:05:05:25 - 00:05:10:20
Speaker 2
Because they they, like you said, it won't be pretty if they got to go on the road week.
00:05:10:26 - 00:05:44:17
Speaker 2
Road, round one. So we don't want that to happen. So they got to win this game for sure to go on to the playoffs. Having a some good momentum.
00:05:44:20 - 00:05:48:29
Speaker 1
Well congratulations to Broncos Country. You get a home playoff game at least one
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Speaker 2
Yeah.
00:06:04:13 - 00:07:54:17
Speaker 2
I.
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Speaker 2
I.
00:07:59:19 - 00:08:36:27
Speaker 1
When you bring it up some conspiracy points that that are pretty compelling right. I mean TJ what does have the sack record. Myles Garrett has terrorized the Steelers since he's been a brown.
00:08:37:00 - 00:08:43:06
Speaker 1
The trap was the focus on Myles Garrett and not sealing up the division. And you're absolutely right.
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Speaker 2
It was definitely a trap game for them. And just.
00:08:46:16 - 00:08:48:27
Speaker 3
Watching the game it was it was a good game you know at that.
00:08:48:27 - 00:08:51:06
Speaker 2
Defense. Both sides played tough.
00:08:51:08 - 00:09:09:02
Speaker 2
He just had one really bad play I think on the interception it was a bad play. But other than that he came out good. His I think what I heard him was his number one receiver got hurt. And he already has below average receivers. You know if I played the Browns I wouldn't be scared of it.
00:09:09:05 - 00:09:29:28
Speaker 2
Too many guys on your team other than probably the running back 22 because he has that home run ability, you know, but he doesn't really have a lot of weapons. So I guess, you know, to be plus, you know, being able to still hold it down, get the win as a quarterback. Defense play good. The last four weeks I haven't been stopping the run at all.
00:09:29:28 - 00:09:48:10
Speaker 2
So y'all did this week and, was able to get back onto it, back on track. And I don't know what the hell they were thinking throwing that Denzel Ward the last three times in the game when he did have another guy open down the middle, but he just didn't look at him, you know, and he just tried Denzel three times in a row.
00:09:48:10 - 00:10:09:01
Speaker 2
The best corner on the team and really made no sense. So I got the Ravens with it. If they're going to, the Steelers are going to be that dumb. I don't think they're going to be able to be horrible. I think the Ravens finally get it. They're going to give the ball to Derrick Henry. And these 30 touches, whether Lamar's there or not, you still got to ride with him.
00:10:09:01 - 00:10:11:29
Speaker 2
So I'm gonna go with the Ravens winning this week.
00:10:12:02 - 00:10:21:23
Speaker 2
I never trusted Aaron Rodgers the whole season, so, but, what? I know D.K. no weapons. I'm a I'm a ride with the Ravens.
00:10:21:26 - 00:10:34:26
Speaker 1
Well, with the Steelers pretty much having the upper hand, the last two games, just needing to win one and to clinch division if they don't win it,
00:10:34:29 - 00:11:30:09
Speaker 1
Oh.
00:11:30:11 - 00:11:50:17
Speaker 2
Yeah, it's going to be tough. Especially if they don't make the playoffs and having a, lead in this bad division with burrow being out, Lamar being out. You expect him to win this division? But you who would want to go in just in Pittsburgh and take my time is, like, I'm just thinking of all the coaches are out there.
00:11:50:17 - 00:12:11:29
Speaker 2
Like they're saying, man, Joseph is the top one of the top guys. You know, out there and, if they fire Tomlin, like, who would fit that mold? Like, as a Steeler coach, I can't really see it. Like, it's hard to backdoor him. And then I'm knowing that he'll probably be picked up well, this year or the next year.
00:12:11:29 - 00:12:35:13
Speaker 2
You know, he won't be a free agent long as a head coach, so. But if I don't make the playoffs, I see you moving on and and starting, you know, getting some fresh air, being able to start his, you know, build up his own program somewhere else and, and, but if I'm the Steelers, I wouldn't take them for granted because it's we we've been in this league and it's not a lot of good coaches just being real.
00:12:35:16 - 00:12:37:06
Speaker 2
There's not a lot. So when you can
00:12:37:09 - 00:12:41:24
Speaker 2
have when you finally have one you gotta keep it.
00:12:41:27 - 00:14:08:05
Speaker 1
thing just in that who would take his job. I thought it was interesting fellas. Notre Dame's playing Pitt. There's Jon Gruden on the sideline. What's he doing walking talking to both teams. You know. And if you're looking for a guy to replace
00:14:08:07 - 00:15:10:17
Speaker 1
What to me the top team is still the Rams even though they've had a couple of losses lately. They don't have Devonte Adams. That's not the same team
00:15:10:19 - 00:15:16:16
Speaker 1
of all divisions in the NFL. But man it's a fun time to be an NFC fan.
00:15:16:19 - 00:15:18:28
Speaker 2
Yeah. Two major games. The bucks
00:15:19:01 - 00:15:21:05
Speaker 3
Panthers.
00:15:21:07 - 00:15:29:29
Speaker 3
It's like that every year. It seems like it always happens. You know, every year it always comes down to who's going to win this last game. And the bucks have been able to.
00:15:29:29 - 00:15:34:15
Speaker 2
Do it the last, you know, couple of years. So, it's going to be hard to not.
00:15:34:15 - 00:15:38:24
Speaker 3
Choose them even though I like the Panthers defense. You know Jaycee Horn Jackson.
00:15:38:27 - 00:15:39:03
Speaker 2
Their.
00:15:39:03 - 00:15:44:11
Speaker 3
Secondary big. What's the big dude in the middle? Brown. Is that his name?
00:15:44:13 - 00:15:48:10
Speaker 2
Last name Brown. He's a monster in the middle. There.
00:15:48:10 - 00:15:55:04
Speaker 3
So, is this. Sometimes they surprise you. Sometimes the Panthers play good. Then the next week, they just like trash.
00:15:55:06 - 00:15:56:25
Speaker 2
Then they're going to beat the Packers.
00:15:56:28 - 00:16:11:19
Speaker 3
Then they'll be. Then they be Seattle. You know they. Oh, no. They just lost to Seattle last week. But they always play a good teams pretty solid you know. And then next week they just play terrible. So they're up and up and up and down team.
00:16:11:21 - 00:16:12:22
Speaker 2
The the 40.
00:16:12:22 - 00:16:18:14
Speaker 3
Niners. You know the I think their offense right now is elite, you know is playing an elite.
00:16:18:16 - 00:16:30:18
Speaker 3
Play right now. Jennings I can't believe they ever since Shelby called him out, this dude has been balling. I don't know what the hell. Like, when I was playing then he was a blocker. He was the guy that did the dirty work. He was a, you know.
00:16:30:22 - 00:16:31:04
Speaker 2
You know.
00:16:31:05 - 00:16:49:07
Speaker 3
You know, in the run zone scheme, you got to have solid blockers from the running, from the receivers. That's what Jennings Rowe is now this guy's like he's like the number one receiver without Deebo. And you not there. But my best team I got to go with Seattle. Just by their defense, I got to go with the best defense.
00:16:49:10 - 00:16:51:28
Speaker 3
When I look at Seattle secondary, they're like six to.
00:16:51:28 - 00:16:53:00
Speaker 2
Above at.
00:16:53:00 - 00:16:56:26
Speaker 3
Every position. Six three safety, six four safety.
00:16:56:28 - 00:17:16:00
Speaker 3
And the D-line is coming. I like their linebackers. So you know me, I might have to go with the best defense. And, I think right now Seattle's defense is is tough, man all the way around.
00:17:16:03 - 00:18:48:20
Speaker 2
No.
00:18:48:22 - 00:19:03:06
Speaker 1
I'm with you there. Well let's move to fourth down and talk about the MVP race. It's heating up now because Matthew Stafford hasn't played perfect down the stretch. Drake Maye keeps winning. Who's your
00:19:03:08 - 00:19:05:13
Speaker 1
But.
00:19:05:15 - 00:19:14:12
Speaker 1
You got a go.
00:19:14:14 - 00:19:26:11
Speaker 1
Yeah.
00:19:26:13 - 00:20:08:04
Speaker 1
Yeah.
00:20:08:06 - 00:20:11:28
Speaker 2
Yeah. It's hard to give it to Stafford. He didn't finish strong and
00:20:12:00 - 00:20:28:01
Speaker 2
he really didn't look like the MVP, you know. And Jake May is just balling, you know, in the pages of putting up numbers. Me just two, five touchdowns past week. You know, it's it's hard for me to give it to a guy in a second year in the NFL.
00:20:28:04 - 00:20:28:22
Speaker 2
That's my only.
00:20:28:22 - 00:20:31:27
Speaker 3
Thing. I haven't seen it. Yeah, we got to go in the history books.
00:20:31:27 - 00:20:36:25
Speaker 2
Maybe they they been able to find us. The stats on how many.
00:20:36:25 - 00:20:37:07
Speaker 3
Second.
00:20:37:07 - 00:21:02:11
Speaker 2
Year MVP is, out there in the NFL. You know, I can't remember too many. And, for him to get that, that's a major accomplishment. Salute to Mike Vrabel. Really, it comes down to Josh McDaniels also. Right. Being able to have one of the top offensive coordinators, a guy that's played, that's seen all the great defenses, you know, and it has great experience play calling to be able to walk this guy.
00:21:02:12 - 00:21:04:13
Speaker 2
Oh you know imagine being able.
00:21:04:13 - 00:21:05:02
Speaker 3
To have Brady's.
00:21:05:02 - 00:21:24:00
Speaker 2
OC. You with you at the beginning of your career and he's, you know, he's going to be there probably for a long time because this guy sucks as a head coach. Right? So, you know, Jake is in a perfect setup. He's he bought out this year, and you just got to give him credit, man.
00:21:24:00 - 00:21:42:22
Speaker 2
He's he's the guy that, you know, sacked second year and and put the team on the back. I always wanted Bo Nix to play better than, just because of the, you know, the rivalry and drafting. But hey, this guy bought in and all that you can say is, this he can make all the throws, he can scramble and be a little bit mobile.
00:21:42:25 - 00:21:47:08
Speaker 2
He throws to everybody, right? Everybody gets to eat. So, I mean.
00:21:47:08 - 00:22:35:08
Speaker 3
I like it man. Jake May for the MVP.
00:22:35:10 - 00:22:50:20
Speaker 2
We just make the list two right here. Two year guys, Jim Brown, Jim Nantz, Earl Campbell, Dan Marino, Kurt Warner, Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson. So it it's happened recently. So it can.
00:22:50:20 - 00:22:51:00
Speaker 1
Happen.