Love Bombs the Pats, the Sorry NFC South, a Sorrier Aaron Glenn, Steph’s Revival and Guess the Lines With Cousin Sal
Episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast · November 9, 2026 · 1 h 54 min
Bill Simmons and Cousin Sal recap NFL Week 9, cross off playoff contenders, guess Week 10 betting lines, share parenting stories and discuss early NBA storylines.
Summary
Recorded live on Netflix after the Buccaneers-Bears Sunday night game, Bill Simmons and Cousin Sal reviewed Week 9 of the 2026 NFL season. They mocked a turnover-filled Bears win, marveled at the dismal NFC South, where no team had more than three wins, and continued their weekly cross-off segment, eliminating the Las Vegas Raiders after a Netflix audience poll. Sal criticized the near-universal push to go for two-point conversions, noting such tries remain roughly coin flips.
Simmons lamented a lopsided Patriots home loss to the Packers, blaming Mike Vrabel's game plan and cornerback Christian Gonzalez, and calling the A.J. Brown trade one of the worst in franchise history; he called Green Bay a conference-title-caliber team. Both ridiculed the Jets' end-of-half mismanagement in a loss to Kansas City, with Simmons citing Aaron Glenn's 5-21 record as among the worst coaching tenures of the modern era. Simmons declared he would never draft a running back in the top 10, citing second-contract economics, and they discussed the 49ers' use of the 'peanut punch.'
In Guess the Lines for Week 10, Simmons won the week narrowly. In Parent Corner, Sal recounted a frantic late-night drive to retrieve his son's lost Apple Watch, and Simmons described his wife and son arguing over whether she had fallen asleep during Blood Diamond.
The episode closed with the NFL trade deadline and the NBA: Simmons praised 39-year-old Stephen Curry's revival, urged the Warriors to trade for Anthony Davis, defended the Celtics' handling of the Jaylen Brown and Giannis Antetokounmpo situations, predicted a timed media story about Brown, and said the MVP race appeared to be between Luka Dončić and Victor Wembanyama.
Chapters
- 1:21
Buccaneers-Bears recap
The hosts break down a six-interception Bears win, Caleb Williams's struggles and the Bucs' standing in the NFC South.
- 11:51
Playoff picture and cross-offs
They survey NFL standings and debate whether to cross off the Ravens, Raiders or Commanders.
- 17:51
Browns-Saints and Cowboys-Colts
Discussion of Shedeur Sanders, the Browns' failed two-point try and a sloppy Dallas win over Indianapolis.
- 29:07
Packers rout the Patriots
Simmons criticizes Mike Vrabel, Christian Gonzalez and the A.J. Brown trade while both praise Jordan Love and Green Bay.
- 40:10
Jets-Chiefs and Aaron Glenn
They recount Patrick Mahomes's scary hit and the Jets' end-of-half collapse, ranking Aaron Glenn among the worst coaches ever.
- 49:02
Raiders-49ers, running backs and the peanut punch
Simmons vows never to draft a running back in the top 10, and they debate the legality of the 49ers' peanut punches.
- 53:14
Rest of Week 9 around the league
Quick takes on Broncos-Panthers, Bengals-Falcons, Rams-Commanders, Giants-Eagles, Cardinals-Seahawks, Texans-Chargers and Lions-Dolphins.
- 1:06:57
Listener mail and Sal's kidney stones
Listener emails, a prediction-market idea, and Sal's update on his kidney stone procedures.
- 1:09:31
Guess the Lines, Week 10
The hosts guess point spreads for Week 10 games, with Simmons edging out Sal.
- 1:32:36
Parent Corner
Sal recounts retrieving his son's lost Apple Watch and Simmons describes a family argument during Blood Diamond.
- 1:38:25
NFL trade deadline and NBA catch-up
Talk turns to the trade deadline, Stephen Curry's revival, the Celtics, the MVP race and OKC's trade for Nick Clifford.
Key points
What was said, by whom, with the exact words. Timestamps jump to the moment.
- Bill SimmonsPrediction · due Nov 2026
Simmons predicts the Giants will beat Washington on Thursday night, ending the Commanders' season.
“I think their season is over, but it's going to officially be over on Thursday night. Cause the giants are going to beat them”
- Cousin Sal
Cousin Sal argues that even in the most analytically obvious two-point situations, a team still has to convert what is essentially a coin flip.
“And as far as obvious as it was, you still have to cash in on a 50, 50 proposition for it to work out”
- Bill Simmons
Simmons says the loss to Green Bay was Mike Vrabel's worst coaching performance since he took over the Patriots.
“Mike Vrabel, that was the worst coach game we've had since he was with the bats”
- Bill Simmons
Simmons argues that, discounting a Week 3 loss to Atlanta, Green Bay has been one of the league's four best teams.
“If you throw that game out, Green Bay has been one of the best four teams in the league”
- Bill SimmonsPrediction · due Jan 2027
Simmons predicts that if one NFC North contender misses the playoffs, it will be Detroit.
“if one of those teams aren't making it, I think my pick this week would be Detroit. They seem the shakiest to me”
- Bill Simmons
Simmons says the A.J. Brown trade now looks like one of the worst trades in Patriots history.
“You feel the worst about the A.J. Brown trade, which now is looking like one of the worst trades in the history of the franchise, right?”
Listen from 37:08 · A.J. Brown trade to the New England Patriots
- Bill Simmons
Simmons calls Jets coach Aaron Glenn one of the worst NFL coaches of the century.
“I mean, he is one of the worst NFL coaches of this century. Since we've had this podcast, I can't believe how awful he is”
- Bill Simmons
Simmons argues the Jets should keep Glenn through the season because he is their best tanking asset.
“Yeah, I'm not making the playoffs. This guy's the best tanking asset we have”
- Bill Simmons
Simmons declares he would never draft a running back in the top 10 again.
“There's no scenario where I ever take a running back in the top 10 ever again”
- Bill Simmons
Simmons reasons that top picks should go to positions that command the largest second contracts, such as receivers, tackles and edge rushers.
“So why wouldn't you take the guy in the top 10 who is the guy that makes the most money when their second contract comes up?”
- Cousin Sal
Cousin Sal predicts the peanut punch will come to dominate the game unless the league addresses it.
“It's going to be all penalties and peanut punch outs in the next five years”
- Cousin SalPrediction · due Jan 2027
Cousin Sal predicts Joe Burrow will finish the season with 40 touchdowns and 4,500 yards.
“He's got 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. He's going to have 40 touchdowns and 4,500 yards”
- Bill SimmonsPrediction · due Feb 2027
Simmons predicts Josh Allen will win the NFL MVP award despite Burrow's surge.
“I, I still think Josh Allen's going to win the MVP”
- Bill Simmons
Simmons argues that recommending bets on NFC South games is pointless because nobody can predict that division.
“Then you're pretending you know what's going to happen to the NFC South. None of us do. It's impossible”
- Bill SimmonsPartly true
Simmons predicts a timed ESPN story about the Jaylen Brown situation will appear the day before the Celtics-Sixers game.
“So I'm going to make a prediction. There will be some sort of story tomorrow”
Listen from 1:39:24 · Jaylen Brown trade to the Philadelphia 76ers
- Bill Simmons
Simmons argues the Celtics made the right move passing on Giannis Antetokounmpo, saying he is no longer the player he was.
“Honestly, they made the right move with Giannis. I don't think they wanted them”
Listen from 1:40:11 · Jaylen Brown trade to the Philadelphia 76ers
- Bill Simmons
Simmons says Stephen Curry's scoring at age 39 is unprecedented for a guard.
“A 39-year-old guard scoring 30 a game in 28 minutes and dominating crunch time. This is fucking crazy”
- Bill Simmons
Simmons wants the Warriors to trade for Anthony Davis despite his injury risk.
“I want them to get Anthony Davis. I know it's risky and I know he'll probably get hurt”
- Bill SimmonsPrediction · due Jun 2027
Simmons expects either Luka Dončić or Victor Wembanyama to win the NBA MVP.
“But it's hard to imagine one of those two guys not winning from what we're seeing”
People
In the conversation
- Bill SimmonsSportswriter and founder of The Ringer, host of The Bill Simmons Podcast
- Cousin SalSal Iacono, American comedian, Jimmy Kimmel Live writer and Ringer betting podcaster; Dallas Cowboys fan
Discussed
- Caleb WilliamsChicago Bears quarterback and Madden cover athlete
- Ben JohnsonChicago Bears head coach
- Drake MayeNew England Patriots quarterback
- Mike VrabelHead coach of the New England Patriots
- Jordan LoveGreen Bay Packers quarterback who dressed as a blind referee for Halloween
- Christian GonzalezNew England Patriots cornerback
- Patrick MahomesKansas City Chiefs quarterback
- Aaron GlennHead coach of the New York Jets
- Hue JacksonFormer Cleveland Browns head coach
- Tom BradyRetired NFL quarterback cited as a longevity outlier
- Joe BurrowCincinnati Bengals quarterback who led LSU's 2019 title team
- Josh AllenBuffalo Bills quarterback
- Stephen CurryGolden State Warriors guard
- Luka DončićNBA guard on a high-scoring stretch
- Victor WembanyamaSan Antonio Spurs center and MVP candidate
- Jerry JonesDallas Cowboys owner
Topics
- 2026 NFL season
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
- Chicago Bears
- NFC South
- Green Bay Packers
- Sports betting
- Golden State Warriors
- A.J. Brown trade to the New England Patriots
- Running backs in the NFL Draft
- Peanut punch
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Cleveland Browns
- NBA Most Valuable Player Award
- Jaylen Brown trade to the Philadelphia 76ers
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From the publisher
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal after Buccaneers-Bears to recap Week 9 of the NFL season. Then, they Guess the Lines for Week 10 before Parent Corner. (0:00) Intro (0:59) Buccaneers-Bears and cross-off teams (17:50) Browns-Saints, Cowboys-Colts (29:04) Packers-Patriots, Jets-Chiefs (49:20) Raiders-49ers, Broncos-Panthers (54:53) Bengals-Falcons, Rams-Commanders (01:00:00) Giants-Eagles, Cardinals-Seahawks (01:03:41) Texans-Chargers, Lions-Dolphins (01:09:34) Guess the Lines, Week 10 (01:32:01) Parent Corner (01:38:22) NFL Trade Deadline and NBA catchup Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Cousin Sal Producers: Chia Hao Tat, Eduardo Ocampo, and Chris Wohlers This episode is brought to you by State Farm. Create a Personalized Price Plan® today. https://www.statefarm.com/lp/football/ #ULTRACourtside could get you closer to the game! https://michelobultra.com/courtside MICHELOB ULTRA® COURTSIDE ’26 to ’27. No Purchase Necessary. Open to US residents 21+ Begins on 10/1/26 and ends on 6/30/27. Multiple entry periods. See Official Rules at https://michelobultra.com/courtside for free entry, entry deadlines, prizes, and details. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Summary, chapters and key points were generated from the episode transcript on November 11, 2026. Quotes are checked word for word against the transcript.