I’ve officially done voodoo on the Chargers. After what they’ve done to me, I’m declaring a losing season. The curse is active. 🪄⚡ For the second straight year, the Chargers knocked me out of Circa Survivor. Another $1,000 entry gone. I went to Vegas. I made shirts. My entry didn’t even make it to Monday Night Football. Michael Benatar and J Dawg break down NFL Week 1, from the Chargers disaster and Justin Herbert debate to Caleb Williams’ MVP potential, Minnesota’s quarterback questions, and the Giants’ strong start against Dallas. Then we preview Week 2 with early Survivor candidates, model leans, and a debate about whether the Australia trip will affect the Rams and 49ers. IN THIS EPISODE ⚡ The Chargers end our Survivor hopes 🐻 Caleb Williams: MVP potential or Week 1 overreaction? 👀 Vikings quarterback questions and Giants optimism ✈️ Our Australia travel theory gets another test 💰 Early discussion: Texans, Browns, Commanders and Raiders CHAPTERS 00:00 Week 1 chaos and Australia jet lag 01:27 The Chargers cost Michael another $1,000 05:33 The Justin Herbert debate 09:54 Vikings win, quarterback questions remain 12:46 Bullshit or Believe: Caleb Williams MVP? 18:11 Are the Giants for real? 21:01 Saints drama and our betting recap 23:54 Early Week 2 Survivor shortlist 27:29 Week 2 model leans and disagreements 30:57 Raiders +7 against the Chargers 31:46 Final thoughts CORRECTIONS TO THE ON-AIR DISCUSSION • Chicago scored 59 points against Carolina, not 50. • New Orleans visits Baltimore in Week 2. • Giants–Rams is Monday, September 21, so New York is not playing on a short week. The betting numbers discussed come from our September 14 recording. They are preliminary leans, not a finalized card or confirmed current sportsbook offers. Subscribe to The Sports Hangover on YouTube and Substack. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok. Chargers fans: What’s the defense this week? Leave it in the comments. #NFL #TheSportsHangover #Chargers #NFLWeek1 #NFLWeek2 #SurvivorPool

Can Justin Herbert and the Chargers get you through Week 1—or should you go against the crowd? We break down our NFL Survivor picks, five underdogs, and the return of Michael’s Road to $10K. This week on The Sports Hangover, Michael Benatar and J-Dawg debate Chargers vs. Cardinals, Jacksonville’s Survivor appeal, and why they’re leaning toward the 49ers against the Rams in Australia. Plus: Baker Mayfield’s reported extension, Joe Burrow vs. Sam Darnold for MVP, AFC futures, and a potential $100 starting bet on Seattle. 🏈 WEEK 1 PICKS DISCUSSED Saints +7 vs. Lions Cardinals +10 vs. Chargers Buccaneers +3.5 vs. Bengals Commanders +5.5 at Eagles Browns +8.5 at Jaguars J-Dawg’s Survivor pick: Chargers Michael’s proposed Road to $10K opener: Seahawks moneyline, potentially rolling the proceeds into Raiders moneyline if Seattle wins. CHAPTERS 00:00 Football is back 00:29 Fantasy draft chaos and commissioner power 04:49 Baker Mayfield’s extension 07:04 Week 1 Survivor strategy 10:38 Can you trust the Chargers? 13:01 Jacksonville and the Survivor alternatives 16:10 Rams vs. 49ers in Australia 18:46 Road to $10K: Seattle, then Las Vegas? 21:52 Week 1 underdog picks 24:39 Joe Burrow and the Bengals outlook 25:08 Commanders vs. Eagles 26:59 Burrow vs. Darnold for MVP 28:03 Browns vs. Jaguars 30:16 Kirk Cousins vs. Geno Smith 31:06 AFC futures and season win totals 32:59 Can the Seahawks repeat? 34:33 Sports Hangover app update and wrap-up Who’s your Week 1 Survivor pick? Drop it in the comments. Subscribe to The Sports Hangover on YouTube and Substack for weekly NFL picks, fantasy football arguments, and updates on the Road to $10K. Lines and odds reflect the recording and may change. #NFL #NFLWeek1 #SurvivorPicks

Football is officially back—and the fantasy football scandals have already begun. 🏈 Michael and J-Dawg break down a suspicious fantasy draft shuffle, the biggest mistake managers make in snake drafts, the NFL’s most disrespected team, and nine AI-generated win-total bets for the upcoming season. Plus: 🏆 J-Dawg presents his massive fantasy football trophy 🚨 Michael defends his “no rules, just my rules” commissioner strategy 🎯 The secret to drafting players you actually want 🟢 Why the Seahawks may be seriously undervalued 😴 How the Steelers became completely irrelevant 🤖 Michael reveals his custom AI fantasy draft tracker 💰 Rams, Ravens, Chiefs, Cowboys, Bears, and more season-long bets Do you have a corrupt fantasy commissioner? Call them out in the comments—and please make it public so we can turn the drama into content. 👉 Join the Survivor pool: [INSERT LINK] 👉 Subscribe for weekly NFL picks, fantasy football takes, betting predictions, and sports chaos. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Football season is finally here 00:54 J-Dawg reveals his fantasy football trophy 01:46 The corrupt commissioner scandal 07:03 First-round fantasy draft strategy 10:26 The proxy-betting controversy 12:30 Are the Seahawks being disrespected? 18:45 The fake 49ers player story 20:14 Tony Romo’s future at CBS 21:30 Fantasy football suspension concerns 23:25 The Steelers have become irrelevant 26:45 Nine AI-generated NFL win-total bets 32:25 Super Bowl predictions 33:29 Michael reveals his AI fantasy draft tracker Odds and availability may change. Please gamble responsibly. #NFL #FantasyFootball #SportsBetting #NFLPredictions #TheSportsHangover

Football is BACK 🏈 and somehow the NFL is already completely off the rails. This week on The Sports Hangover, Michael and J Dawg break down the latest NFL chaos, the Deshaun Watson situation in Cleveland, early fantasy football sleepers, breakouts and fades, plus some very questionable preseason overreactions. We’re talking: 🏈 The latest wild NFL owner scandal 😬 Why Browns fans are already done with Deshaun Watson 📈 Fantasy football breakout candidates 📉 Why we’re fading Patrick Mahomes in fantasy 🚀 The JSN hype train 👀 Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts, Cam Skattebo, Travis Etienne & more ⛳ Is LIV Golf finally dying? 💰 Why sports franchises might be getting TOO valuable 🎴 Plus another NFL card pack rip and giveaway And yes… Michael pulled an Ashton Jeanty rookie card. Want the cards? Comment on the episode or any of our clips and we’ll pick someone to send the pack to. Next week, we’re going even deeper into: 🔥 Fantasy drafts 💰 NFL gambling 🎯 Survivor picks 📊 Betting models 🏆 Week 1 predictions Subscribe now because football season is officially here. 📲 Download The Sports Hangover app 🎙️ Listen wherever you get your podcasts 📩 Follow The Sports Hangover newsletter 💬 And if you hate our takes… come on the show and defend yours. #NFL #FantasyFootball #NFLNews #FantasyFootball2026 #Football #SportsBetting #NFLFantasy #DeshaunWatson

We spent $80 on six NFL cards—and somehow pulled Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford, Dak Prescott, and more. Now we’re giving the entire pack away. 👀 But first, Michael and J Dawg break down: 🏈 Which terrible NFL team might actually surprise us 🌍 Why the NFL’s international expansion could become a logistical nightmare 💰 The questions surrounding the reported Lakers blockbuster deal 📉 How Rashee Rice landed back near the top of fantasy football rankings 🤡 The most dysfunctional fantasy football league in America 💧 And the conspiracy Big Water doesn’t want you to hear Want the cards? We’ll randomly select one eligible winner and contact them from the official Sports Hangover account. Please don’t post personal information in the comments. No purchase necessary. Eligibility restrictions apply. YouTube is not a sponsor of this promotion. Listen, watch, and join the chaos: 🌐 https://sportshangover.com 📱 The Sports Hangover app on iOS CHAPTERS 00:00 Football is finally back 00:34 Which bad NFL team could surprise us? 01:40 Why are NFL players always injured? 03:26 The Big Water conspiracy 04:24 Michael bought an $80 card pack 06:57 J Dawg needs a backup NFL team 10:14 Something feels strange about the Lakers deal 17:54 The Clippers and Kawhi rumor mill 19:01 The NFL’s international expansion problem 25:26 Rashee Rice’s fantasy football comeback 26:04 Our fantasy league is falling apart 30:09 Opening the $80 NFL pack 31:54 The Sports Hangover survivor league 32:33 See you next week

The NFC has 16 teams—but after simulating the 2026 season 10,000 times, two teams captured more than 56% of the conference titles. The defending champion Seattle Seahawks are the model’s No. 1 team. The Los Angeles Rams are Vegas’ Super Bowl favorite. So who’s right? 👀 Michael and J Dawg break down every NFC division, debate Rams vs. Seahawks, reveal the Vikings’ sleeper-champion case, and explain why the Cowboys’ 10.5-win total may be the biggest brand-tax line in football. 🏈 In this episode: 00:00 — Preseason football and Michael’s solo Vegas trip 04:13 — Seahawks vs. Rams: Who really owns the NFC West? 09:25 — Are the 49ers finally declining? 14:55 — The wide-open NFC North 16:24 — Can Kyler Murray revive the Vikings? 19:45 — Eagles, Cowboys and the NFC East 26:30 — Somebody has to win the NFC South 31:44 — Model vs. Vegas and the best NFC bets 34:39 — NFC champion and Super Bowl predictions 🔥 The biggest predictions: • Seattle is the model’s best Super Bowl value at +1100 • Minnesota is the ultimate sleeper candidate • Dallas under 10.5 wins is the model’s strongest win-total edge • Chicago may be headed for major turnover regression • The entire NFC could come down to Rams vs. Seahawks Who wins the NFC: Seattle, Los Angeles—or someone completely unexpected? Drop your prediction in the comments. Visit The Sports Hangover: https://thesportshangover.com Find The Sports Hangover on Substack, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and the iOS App Store. Odds referenced from July 2026 markets and may change. Always check the latest lines. #NFL #NFCPredictions #Seahawks #Rams #NFLBetting

What do the last 10 Super Bowl champions have in common? Michael built a championship blueprint using coaching windows, quarterback narratives, elite roster units, and betting-market discounts. Only one NFL team checked every box: The Minnesota Vikings. Yes, seriously. Michael and J Dawg break down why Kyler Murray and the Vikings could become the NFL’s biggest sleeper, which Super Bowl favorites the model says to fade, and why Jacksonville may be the ultimate “dart throw with a case.” Plus: 🏈 Is Tony Romo finished at CBS? 🎙️ Could J.J. Watt become the next great NFL analyst? 🤯 NFL talent evaluators ranked Caleb Williams as a top-10 quarterback 💰 Should Tampa Bay pay Baker Mayfield? 👑 LeBron James shocks the NBA by choosing Philadelphia ⚾ The Dodgers broke baseball again 🎰 Michael heads to Las Vegas to enter the Circa Survivor contest Chapters 00:00 Welcome to The Sports Hangover 00:08 Michael’s solo Circa Survivor trip 01:15 The secret Super Bowl blueprint 02:54 The four traits of recent champions 04:40 The shocking team that checks every box 05:50 Super Bowl teams the model says to fade 07:56 Best NFL futures and sleeper bets 09:14 Is Tony Romo done at CBS? 13:21 Why rich athletes and celebrities never retire 15:44 Aaron Donald returning to the Rams? 16:47 NFL executives rank the top 10 quarterbacks 18:32 Chargers fans defend Justin Herbert 20:08 Caleb Williams ranked as a top-10 quarterback 21:18 Baker Mayfield wants a new contract 24:30 The 49ers’ injury curse continues 26:32 LeBron James joins the Philadelphia 76ers 29:56 The Dodgers broke baseball again 31:51 Does MLB need a salary cap? 34:20 NFC preview and Circa Survivor picks Listen to last week’s complete AFC preview and come back next week for our full NFC breakdown. Download the Sports Hangover app and grab the new football-season swag at: TheSportsHangover.com Have a take, future bet, or Survivor pick we need to hear? #NFL #NFLPredictions #MinnesotaVikings #SuperBowl #TonyRomo #LeBronJames #Dodgers #SportsPodcast

Football is back, and so is our favorite annual battle: J Dawg vs. AI. The TSH Prediction Engine simulated the 2026 NFL season 10,000 times. J Dawg countered with Sportsradamus predictions, offseason gossip, quarterback psychology, green line tests, and pure football instinct. In this episode, Michael and J Dawg preview every AFC division, debate the biggest offseason moves, reveal their division winners, and break down the best early betting and Survivor angles. Will the Broncos represent the AFC? Can the Chargers finally deliver? Are the Chiefs headed for a major regression? Is C.J. Stroud broken? And has Aaron Rodgers finally reached enlightenment? Chapters 00:00 Football is back 02:50 The TSH Prediction Engine vs. J Dawg 04:07 AFC West preview begins 04:46 Why the model loves the Denver Broncos 06:45 Can the Chiefs survive Mahomes’ ACL injury? 07:42 AFC West projected standings 09:17 Why Mike McDaniel could unlock Justin Herbert 10:08 Raiders outlook and the Fernando Mendoza prediction 12:24 AFC West division picks 12:47 AFC East preview begins 13:03 Malik Willis and the new-look Dolphins 14:22 Are the Dolphins the most watchable bad team? 15:24 The March for Arch prediction 16:07 Dolphins win total debate 17:08 Patriots preview and the new NFL power rankings 18:12 Welcome to Scandal City 19:17 Why J Dawg is fading the Patriots 20:28 Bills preview and Josh Allen’s playoff problem 22:29 Are the Bills too distracted to win? 24:17 The new stadium bump 25:37 AFC East division picks 26:04 AFC North preview begins 26:15 Trey Hendrickson, Dexter Lawrence and the new defenses 27:21 Ravens and Bengals schedule advantages 29:05 Why the Ravens could be the AFC’s best team 30:05 The Joe Burrow September and December betting strategy 31:07 Burrow and Lamar betting manifesto stats 32:11 Michael’s Steelers Super Bowl prediction 33:37 J Dawg destroys the Aaron Rodgers theory 35:04 The Aaron Rodgers green line test 37:14 Cleveland Browns outlook 38:26 AFC South preview begins 39:28 Texans, Jaguars, Colts and Titans rankings 39:48 Could C.J. Stroud get benched? 40:30 Why Jacksonville could finally win the division 41:13 The Travis Hunter disappointment 42:17 Daniel Jones and the Colts 43:06 Titans outlook and Robert Saleh’s golf reputation 43:43 AFC South division picks 44:14 Best NFL win total bets 44:59 Who represents the AFC in the Super Bowl? 45:44 Daniel Jones’ brutal primetime record 45:59 Early Week 1 Survivor picks 47:06 Michael’s Circa trip and Survivor plans 47:44 Sports Hangover app and final thoughts

France is out of the World Cup and Michael is in mourning. This week: Spain ends France's run, Team USA's fraudulent exit to Belgium, why soccer may never work in America, the Seahawks selling for a record $9.6 billion, the Spurs announcer scandal, LeBron's never-ending free agency, Aaron Donald comeback rumors, the Kawhi investigation, the StubHub CEO's scalping side hustle, and McGregor's 69-second disaster. Follow The Sports Hangover on TikTok and Instagram Download the Sports Hangover app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sports-hangover/id6762103937 Newsletter: https://thesportshangover.substack.com Timestamps: 00:00 Intro + RIP France 00:52 Spain 2, France 0 (and the pale green jersey story) 01:36 Soccer flopping rant: foul the flopper 03:20 Team USA, biggest frauds of the summer 05:49 The "upper body sport" theory of American soccer 09:40 How to actually fix the MLS 13:31 Seahawks sold for a record $9.6 billion 15:43 NFL season prep: the model, Survivor rules, Super Bowl theory 20:33 Spurs announcer scandal 22:34 LeBron Watch: Week 3 27:00 Aaron Donald comeback rumors 27:44 Kawhi, the Clippers, and the paused trade 32:47 StubHub's CEO was the scalper all along 35:26 McGregor lasts 69 seconds on Paramount+ 38:34 WWE at MSG + next week's NFL previews

LeBron James told the Lakers he's leaving, and the whole internet turned into a GM. The leading rumor: he joins Steph Curry, Anthony Davis, and Draymond Green on the Warriors — a super team that's basically three 40-year-olds and a buffet. Then there's the Bronny clause: LeBron reportedly waited until the last second to leave so his son's extension got locked in first (J Dawg says corruption, Mike says good parenting). Meanwhile everyone is FLEEING Los Angeles — Kawhi gone, LeBron gone, Giannis off to Miami for the weather and the tax break, Jaylen Brown probably next. Plus the World Cup is loose in America: Germany's out on penalties, Morocco knocked out the Dutch, the Scotland Tartan Army drank Boston dry, and the World Cup FINAL is somehow being played at MetLife — a stadium one English fan reviewed as having "six pissers for about 10,000 people." We also get into the fake betting tracker coming to the app, why Mike's son thinks the TV only plays football, and a heavy, important one on Chris Johnson and going to the doctor. 📱 Sports Hangover is on iOS. Live scores, your teams, the podcast, TSH Daily, and the Hangover Hotline. Drop a 60-second take, we play it on the show: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sports-hangover/id6762103937 📱 The Sports Hangover iOS App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sports-hangover/id6762103937 📰 Newsletter: thesportshangover.substack.com 📧 Email: [email protected] 📸 Instagram: @thesportshangover 🎵 TikTok: @thesportshangover Subscribe and hit the bell so you don't miss next week's show. Timestamps 00:00 — Intro: New Haircuts, Going Bald, and Seasonal Baldness 02:15 — BREAKING NEWS: LeBron Is Officially Not A Laker 03:00 — LeBron To The Warriors? The Senior Citizen Super Team 04:45 — Can An Old-Man Roster Actually Beat The Thunder? 05:30 — The Bronny Clause: Corruption Or Good Parenting? 06:45 — LeBron's Legacy And The LA Clippers Problem 09:00 — J Dawg's Pitch: The MSG Farewell Tour 11:30 — Everybody Is Fleeing LA (Kawhi, Giannis, Jaylen Brown) 15:30 — Mike Goes Sober + The World Cup In America 17:00 — Korean BBQ, Cowboy Bars, and Watching Soccer Dry 18:00 — Germany Out, Morocco Advances, The Case For PKs 20:30 — ChatGPT Filled Out The Bracket (It Went Chalk) 21:30 — The Scotland Tartan Army Drinks Boston Dry 22:30 — Tom From England Reviews MetLife: 6 Urinals, 10,000 People 23:30 — Why The World Cup Final Should Be At SoFi 25:00 — NFL Season Prep: Seahawks Tickets and James's TV Theory 27:30 — Coming To The App: A Fake Betting Tracker 28:45 — One For Chris Johnson: ALS, Health, and Go To The Doctor 30:00 — Outro + Hangover Hotline + App Plug