Fox & Fallon

Tanya kicks off NFL season with Patriots beat reporter and Locked On Patriots host Mike D'Abate by hitting on some of the hot preseason topics  around the league (2:30), including Aaron Rodgers' chances of making the Jets the real deal and which NFC North team is most ready to grab the division by the horns in his absence. Stay tuned after that for a Patrick Mahomes GOAT hot take (34:16) and then a blind ranking of 10 random NFL head coaches (48:06).

Tanya quickly recaps why it's encouraging that the Patriots won decisively against the Lions, who were a great matchup for their ailing offense, as they head into a more forgiving stretch of their season (2:00). Then she discusses the weird way that the broadcast handled Lamar Jackson's final drive in the Ravens' Week 5 win over the Bengals, and why it's yet another indication that Lamar doesn't get the respect he's earned (8:13). For the rest of the show, Tanya welcomes on Ladarius Brown to discuss the highlights of WWE's Extreme Rules pay per view and why one wrestler might be this generation's John Cena (13:49). 

Tanya dives into why the NFL and the Miami Dolphins deserve all the skepticism regarding what happened to Tua, and how it ties into learning our lesson from all the passes that we gave Brett Favre in spite of a million red flags (3:30). Then she hits on why she's tired of Bill Belichick's game of chess with the media regarding Mac Jones' injury status and availability in Week 4, and why it doesn't matter THAT much who is going to be behind center against the Green Bay Packers (16:16). Finally, Tanya explains why men on the internet need to check their biases when it comes to their over-the-top criticism of ESPN's Malika Andrews (21:08).

Tanya takes a deep dive into some major reporting failures in the story of Ime Udoka's misconduct within the Boston Celtics organization, the red flags raised by his one-season suspension and why it should never have been reported as a consensual relationship without more context (2:53). Then she hits on the Patriots win over the Steelers and why the Patriots offense may have to look back at what worked last year in order to move forward and help Mac Jones progress as they prepare for the Ravens in their first home game this season (15:41). Finally, Tanya talks about why teams like the Chiefs and Bills are thriving amid mediocrity as Week 3 of the NFL season approaches (20:09). 

Week 2 kicked off with a messy game between the AFC West rival Chargers and Chiefs, and we learned a lot about how not only that division could play out but also what it means for the rest of the AFC as the Chiefs establish their ability to stay in any type of game (1:58). With that in mind, Tanya takes a look at where the Patriots stand as they head to Pittsburgh to take on a weakened Steelers team, and makes a prediction on how the game will go based on where both teams stand after Week 1 (8:02). Finally, it's hot take time as Tanya reveals why she engages in Twitter debates with trolls and burner accounts (16:03). Take notes! Be sure to stay for the side note about the Belichick "hot seat" BS (22:02).

Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season officially kicked off on Thursday night with the Bills trouncing the reigning Super Bowl champion Rams, so Tanya dives into what we learned about both teams in the inaugural game of the year (01:31). She also examines what it means for the Patriots' ceiling this season (12:00). Then it's time to take a tour around the NFC to look at which teams have the best chance at locking up the division and who should be in wild card contention (15:15). Finally, Tanya explains why the Patriots have absolutely no room for error to lose in Week 1 to the Dolphins (26:28). 

The new season of Almost Shameless with Tanya Ray Fox kicks off with a more optimistic assessment of what we can and should expect from the New England Patriots coming off of a less than impressive preseason (03:47). Then she goes in on critics of Bill Belichick's career without Tom Brady (09:08), and hits on the issue of how sports media continues to deal with sexual assault stories in the NFL and why it's important to leave outdated journalistic values in the past (17:38). Finally, Tanya takes a tour around the AFC to make some broad predictions about what we can expect to see in the conference in 2022 and how it relates to playoff expectations for the Patriots (26:27). 

Almost Shameless is back with guest and Patriots insider Mike D'Abate just in time to break down the major QB moves that are shaking up the NFL, beginning with the blockbuster trade of Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos (03:17). Mike and Tanya continue the conversation by discussing whether Wilson can get the Broncos out of a very competitive AFC West (09:29). Next up they hit on the breaking news that the Indianapolis Colts traded Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders, and what that might spell out for the future of the QB position on a talented Indy roster (14:48). Then Tanya goes through the state of the Patriots in this early part of the offseason, including where Mac Jones goes from here without Josh McDaniels (22:22), what the coaching staff will look like in 2022 (28:10) and whether Bill Belichick is about to blow it by letting JC Jackson hit the open market (32:14). Finally, Tanya and Mike make their way-too-early predictions about whether the Patriots will improve their record next season (40:1

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). 

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). 

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 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). 

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 pre

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) . 

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 Goode

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).

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).  

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).

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).

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).