The Read Optional NFL Podcast

Jan 08 2025 29 ep. 78 mins 14

The Read Optional NFL Podcast artwork

Smart Football. Explaining Why. NFL Newsletter and Podcast.

www.readoptional.com

Copy RSS

Subscribe on Podcast Addict

AFC Wildcard Preview

Jan 08 2025 67 mins

New Pod! It’s playoff time! We kick off our playoff previews with the AFC, with a long look at all three matchups. Can the Texans, Steelers or Broncos pull off an upset?Texans v Chargers - Can Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter win their matchups against Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater? Are the Chargers capable of attacking the Texans’ biggest weakness to great success? Can Nico Coll

The 2024 All-Underrated Team: Offense

Dec 17 2024 135 mins

New Pod! We have a fun pair of shows this week. Jon and I are building out our teams of underrated players from this season, going position by position on both sides of the ball. There are three stipulations: the player cannot have made an All-Pro team, Pro Bowl roster or be a rookie. Other than that, anything goes. We are starting with our offenses.Which QB qualifies for the All-U

What is wrong with the Chiefs secondary?

Dec 05 2024 102 mins

We’re back digging into the rest of the AFC. We discuss the diverging directions of the Bills and Chiefs secondaries, Chamarri Conner issues, the Dolphins pass game staying elite with Tua, De’Von Achane’s usage/role and Bernhard Raimann’s development in Indy.Bills - How has Sean McDermott gotten this secondary to play at such a high level? What are the staples of a strong B

Is Josh Allen the midseason(ish) MVP?

Oct 31 2024 23 mins

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.readoptional.comNew pod! We wrap up our AFC week by digging into compelling storylines around the conference.Bills - Are the Bills running the most distinctive offense in the NFL? What are some of the things that Joe Brady is doing to create success? Does the style maximize Josh Allen? Raiders - Has Tyree Wilson actu

Why the Colts benched Anthony Richardson

Oct 29 2024 30 mins

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.readoptional.comNew pod! We’re swinging through the AFC talking about a batch of quarterbacks, a dodgy defense, and a whole bunch more.Colts - The Colts have decided to bench Anthony Richardson (the news drops after this segment, but we respond to it on the show). Is it the right move? Is Richardson progressing in

We need to talk about Brian Branch

Oct 22 2024 19 mins

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.readoptional.comIt’s time for another stroll around the NFC. Lions - Brian Branch has been the best safety in football this season, largely thanks to his his versatility. How has he moved positions so seamlessly? In what ways is he more valuable than the average starting safety?Packers - Jordan Love’s process, fr

How have the Chargers built the league's best run defense?

Oct 17 2024 27 mins

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.readoptional.comNew pod! We’re continuing our deep dive around the league. We’ve included time stamps from this week (shoutout to Dave Powell) if you want to bounce around segments. Chargers - How is the Chargers defense playing so well with so few big names? Has Khalil Mack found the fountain of youth? How did J

Evaluating Drake Maye's first start

Oct 15 2024 22 mins

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.readoptional.comNew pod! We’re bouncing around the AFC, digging into some of the grim situations and trying to find positives (we try!). We also react to the two big receiver trades of the day.Jets - New York finally landed Davante Adams, but at 2-4 is it too late? Can they get back in the playoff picture? How will

How Washington's offensive line is fueling the best show going

Oct 10 2024 28 mins

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.readoptional.comWe keep rolling with our NFC deep dive. Giants - The Giants pass rush is killing people after a rough Week 1. How disruptive has the group been? How is Dexter Lawrence amplifying the entire group with the way he rushes? Are Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux living up to the hype?Seahawks - Why is the

Robert Saleh is out. What next for the Jets?

Oct 08 2024 38 mins

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.readoptional.comNew pod! We’re talking a whole bunch of whatever is going on with the Jets before we move onto our NFC deep-dive. We discuss:Jets - Was firing Robert Saleh before Week 6 the right move for the Jets? How was his tenure as HC? Does the team have a better chance to improve under Jeff Ulbrich? Do we thi