That's a wrap on the NFL season! (muffled cries) Tanya kicks the show off with few broad takeaways from the Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl win over the Cincinnati Bengals, including the difference between a good game and good narratives. Then she dives into the main topic of the show, explaining why Aaron Donald should have been the game's MVP, how broadcasters can better help shape the conversation about players and how Cooper Kupp's MVP win is a perpetuation of the league's insistence on rewarding inconsistent but flashy offense over elite defense (9:03). Then she hits on what the win means for Matthew Stafford and why it proves that upgrades at QB aren't just about the stats (22:32). Tanya also offers her thoughts on where the Bengals go from here and hard decisions they might need to make to prevent Joe Burrow from becoming the next Dan Marino (27:42), and why this Rams Super Bowl may be the peak before the valley after their all-in gamble for a title paid off (33:01). 

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48. Super Bowl LVI wrap-up: Aaron Donald is the latest proof of the NFL’s obsession with flashy offense

We should be talking about the impending showdown between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. However there are bigger things at play this week. Tanya starts the show off with an overview of the allegations in the lawsuit filed by Brian Flores accusing three NFL teams of racism in the hiring process (3:36). She goes into exactly what is at stake for the former Miami Dolphins head coach, how the power structures remain complicit, and she outlines exactly where the league has to start in order to address this problem head on (8:41). Then she talks about the controversy over Tom Brady leaving the New England Patriots completely out of his retirement speech, and explains why Pats fans absolutely deserve a personal finale farewell from their QB of 20 years (25:37). 

47. NFL’s racism is on full display in Brian Flores lawsuit, Tom Brady owes Patriots fans their farewell

This was one of the best NFL divisional rounds that most of us can remember, and Tanya hits on every game and every major storyline from the weekend. First up is the Bengals in over an underwhelming No. 1 seeded Titans, and her concern over what she sees as Cincinnati's greatest liability as they establish themselves as real players in the AFC (3:52). Then it's on to the 49ers edging the Packer in Lambeau and specifically the demystification of Aaron Rodgers whose real character on and off the field is now out there for everyone to see (8:28). Then it's onto Tampa Bay, which kicked off with a terrifying Tom Brady comeback that almost sent the Rams packing. Instead, Matt Stafford helped his team survive and now Brady is mulling retirement. Tanya reveals what she's seen that makes her think the GOAT may actually hang it up (13:56). Finally we come to the main event, where Tanya hits on the marvelous offensive showdown between the Bills and Chiefs (24:53). However she also calls bullshit on the idea that it was the "greatest NFL game ever" (26:32) and then proposes an overtime rule change that no one is talking about (33:50). 

46. NFL Divisional wrap-up: Aaron Rodgers is the same fraud on the field as he is off it, and why Tom Brady may actually retire

The wild card round is complete and the New England Patriots are just one of several teams to leave the playoffs with more than just hurt pride. Set aside the hysterics, Bill Belichick and the defense will be fine. But there is one major change the team will have to make in the offseason if they want any chance of getting Mac Jones into AFC contending shape. Tanya breaks it all down, from his standing among rookie playoff QBs of the past to what the Patriots will need to see next season if they're going to go all in on a pure pocket passer with a regular arm in this era of the NFL (3:22). Then she quickly recaps where the rest of the league stands, how the divisional matchups are poised to shake out, and she makes her predictions for the final four (23:39). 

45. NFL Wild Card wrap-up: Tom Brady’s not walking through that door so it’s officially stud WR offszn

The Winter AMA mailbag has arrived and Tanya is ready for the questions from across sports and pop culture. She kicks things off by laying out the latest with Antonio Brown and his bizarre take on Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady. Then she hits the mailbag, beginning with musings on 'Survivor' as the greatest competitive social experiment of all time (5:12), then discusses the evolution of her dream job (8:50). Tanya gives a quick and uninformed defense of Tuukka Rask (12:32) before moving on to the parity of the AFC playoff field (14:10) and whether the Patriots would be better off heading to the playoffs right now with Cam Newton (16:02). Then she shares her thoughts on the Patriots running more no-huddle with Mac Jones (21:29), and waves away concerns about Bill Belichick's issues with drafting wide receivers (24:30). She also complains about WWE botching the chance to put Brock Lesnar up against a babyface after his title win at Day 1 (30:42), and closes things out with a prediction about Russell Wilson's preferred destination in 2022 (33:45) and which open NFL coaching gig is the most desirable (35:20). 

44. Winter Mailbag: AB goes scorched earth, Survivor, AFC playoff picture, Russell Wilson’s future & more

We've finally made it to the first inaugural WEEK 18 of the NFL season and much like the season itself, things are still very chaotic. First up, Tanya addresses the situation with Antonio Brown that led to his swift release from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - and her controversial tweet about Tom Brady's role in bringing him to the team (3:42). Then she breaks down the NFL playoff picture and which matchup she prefers for the New England Patriots in the wild card round (21:32). To wrap up, Tanya offers some big picture thoughts on Bill Belichick and Mac Jones teaming up for a playoff run that is yet another feather in the GOAT's cap (27:06) . 

43. Antonio Brown made Tom Brady and Bruce Arians look foolish, Bill Belichick is back in the playoffs

From Bill Belichick vs Tom Brady to Mac Jones vs Cam Newton to the Red Sox vs the Yankees, Tanya hit on all the best rivalries in Boston sports this year... and did a little ragging on Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers for good measure. Here's some of the best rants from Almost Shameless in 2021. See you in 2022, gang.  (1:23) Enough of the comparing, Brady and Belichick did it together. (4:15) Fox & Fallon reunite to assign each of Brady's 7 Super Bowl rings to a day of the week  (6:16) Aaron Rodgers preseason shit-talking (7:43) Arizona Cardinals one of the most underrated teams heading into the 2021 season  (10:24) Mac is the Patriots starter. Now what?  (13:34) Keys to the Patriots succeeding with a rookie QB in 2021 (18:02) CC Sabathia dunks on the Yankees after they lose again to the Red Sox in the playoffs  (20:29) Steelers fan Jarrett Bailey defends Big Ben's honor (23:31) Jon Gruden's leaked emails tell a story about who people are when they think no one's looking (25:56) Roger Goodell will never give us the answers we're looking for (29:28) This or That with Mike D'Abate: Belichick as Coach of the Year or Mac as Offensive Rookie of the Year?  (33:57) Patriots Mid-season Awards: Best win of the first half 

Belichick rules and the Yankees suck: Best of Almost Shameless 2021

Tanya followed the New England Patriots' lead and took a bye week for the holidays, but she's back and taking a tour of the NFL's weird Week 15. She kicks things off by checking in with the Buccaneers and Tom Brady after another loss to the Saints (3:03) before delivering a blunt explanation for what we saw from the Patriots in their loss to the Colts on Thursday Night Football (7:41). Then she takes a look around at the rest of the AFC and the NFL overall amidst accusations that some teams are "pretenders" rather than "contenders" (17:12). Tanya closes the show with a rant about John Harbaugh's decision to forgo overtime against the Packers, and rips his unorthodox approach prior to making the game-losing call (27:46).

42. There‘s no real Super Bowl favorite in 2021 so every team in the playoff picture better buckle up

The Patriots beat the Bills in an unforgettable way on Monday Night Football to take sole possession of the No. 1 seed in the AFC heading into their bye week. The aftermath was fraught with accusations of overreaction and hyperbole, balanced out by the dawning realization from everyone else that the Patriots are back on top. Tanya breaks down exactly what the conditions were like and rips into people who complain about bad weather games outside (3:08). Then she explains that Monday's unique game plan was no fluke, it was the culmination of everything that Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels have been preparing for (8:31). Then Tanya reads a few criticisms of the Bill Belichick praise from prominent media members and she responds by laying out the history of QBs who succeed in their rookie year then go on to win the Super Bowl early in their careers (15:20). Finally, Tanya rips Bills coach Sean McDermott's insulting lack of accountability and deflection after the game (24:48).  

41. The Patriots and Bill Belichick know exactly what they‘re doing & the rest of the NFL just realized it

Tanya is joined by the host of the Locked on Patriots podcast and writer for SI Patriots Maven, Mike D'Abate to catch up on the NFL season through Week 13. They kick things off by chatting about the players on the offense who are best positioned to help Mac Jones continue his hot streak (4:48). Then they hit on the state of the Patriots defense and if that unit has any weaknesses (10:41), which guys might be the unsung heroes on the season so far (16:54), and how they expect the final five games of the season to play out (22:40). Then Tanya makes Mike play a rousing game of 'This or That' NFL 2021 Edition  where they touch on topics across the league (27:02).

40. Long live Bill Belichick plus NFL 2021 ‘This or That‘ with guest Mike D‘Abate

Tanya starts things off this week by taking a look at Cam Newton's triumphant return to the Panthers and to the field in Week 10, and what it could mean for Carolina in a surprisingly open NFC South divisional race (5:08). Then it's a full deep dive into what the Patriots are doing that's working so well, how Bill Belichick turned a rebuild into real playoff contention, the rise of their elite defense and what the next two games could mean for the season-long outlook of the conference (9:35).

39. Bill Belichick has Patriots poised to become leading Super Bowl contenders sooner than later

The New England Patriots have played nine games in this new 18 week season and so it's time for the Almost Shameless Podcast to hand out some midseason awards!! First, Tanya quickly touches on a few of the biggest stories of the week, including Odell Beckham Jr. signing with the Rams over the Patriots (among others), Cam Newton landing back with the Panthers and the Ravens losing a very bizarre game to the Dolphins (2:45). Then it's time to hand out the awards for the best offensive, defensive, special teams, rookie and comeback players on the Patriots through the first half of the season, as well as some bonus team awards for best loss and best win of the year so far (7:08).

38. Patriots 2021 Midseason Awards!!

The Patriots secured their biggest win of the season on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers with a classic Bill Belichick defensive performance and some old-school possession offense. Now that people are paying attention to the GOAT and his rookie up in New England, can they deliver on the promise they've shown and make a real playoff run? Tanya addresses that, where they stand in the AFC playoff picture as of now, and what it will take to sustain this momentum (2:40). Then she lays into Aaron Rodgers for being a know-it-all fraud who asserted his dominance all over Green Bay only to now hand his potential replacement the biggest opportunity of his career (18:55).

37. Patriots finally have everyone‘s attention, but can they keep it? Plus Aaron Rodgers is a fraud

Tanya is back and kicks things off with examining the harsh realities of Roger Goodell's reign over the NFL, and a critique of the way fans and media respond to the lack of transparency in league culture and investigations (3:00). Then she moves onto Thursday night's wild game between the Cardinals and Packers, and the resulting praise of Aaron Rodgers that took a turn back into the delusional GOAT discussion that won't go away (17:12). 

36. Stop expecting Roger Goodell to be someone he‘s not, don‘t embarrass Aaron Rodgers by comparing him to Tom Brady

Tanya welcomes Jarrett Bailey, Fansided NFL contributor and co-host of the Laces Out Podcast, to take a look across the league as we head into Week 6 and the real meat of the NFL season. First though, Tanya and Jarrett breakdown and react to the fallout from Jon Gruden's resignation after the leak of a slew of racist, homophobic and misogynistic emails between he and former Washington Football team President, Bruce Allen (2:06). Then they move into assessing which of the NFL's top-tier teams are for real Super Bowl contenders, and which might be headed for a downturn as the season moves on (25:25). Finally Tanya forces Jarrett to face the real possibility that his Steelers and her Patriots may very well face a battle down the stretch for the final wild card playoff spot in the AFC (55:00). 

35. Jon Gruden fallout, real Super Bowl contenders, Steelers & Patriots potential wild card battle w/ Jarrett Bailey of Fansided

I started in Boston as an aspiring sports writer. I landed in L.A. as an aspiring sports legend. I brought my takes with me.

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Almost Shameless

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