It's the Mike Francesa podcast on the Bet Rivers Network.

Hello again, everybody, and welcome to the Mike Francesa podcast, part of the BetRivers Network, as we get ready for a football Friday, for week number 16.

Down the stretch we come as we approach the Christmas holiday. We head towards the new year.

We head towards the end of the season.

And it is very clear now, very clear that it is going to be a very different year in the National Football League as far as the playoffs go.

It was quite symbolic, literally and figuratively,

as we watched Mahomes carried down the runway as the season came to a close,

and the Chief's incredible run came to an end last weekend.

Mahomes, as you know, heads a long list of players who have suffered ACL injuries this year.

He's already had his surgery.

And the fact that he's already made statements about being

ready to play next year in week one that is exactly what I touched on last week

week why it is going to be so hard

for the two central figures,

the two iconic figures

who were part of the Chief's dynasty,

Andy Reed and Mahomes,

how it is going to be so hard for them to ever get ready to prepare for another championship game.

And it's going to be fascinating to watch.

I don't think Coach Reid is going anywhere.

Obviously, Mahomes is going nowhere.

He has many years left.

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