NFL Cover Zero with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin

Matt Jones and Drew Franklin dive in with Monday Night Football and the Chiefs return with Patrick Mahomes and Kenneth Walker.  Sam Darnold avoids a major injury.  Is it possible for a team to go winless this season?  Matt looks at MVP odds after NFL Week 1.  We preview Lions/Bills on Thursday night and the rest of the Week 2 games

NFL Cover Zero is part of the NFL Podcast Network 

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Matt Jones and Drew Franklin just watched the Giants win over the Cowboys.  The Lions hold off an amazing Saints comeback.  The Bears were just awesome against the Panthers.  After the Ravens win, is Derrick Henry the best RB of all time?  The Browns loss to the Jaguars could be worst opener of this season.  The Bengals took advantage of 4 turnovers from the Bucs.  Aaron Rodgers was impressive as the S...

Matt Jones and Drew Franklin start off with some NFL news and the Week 1 starters that won their positions in training camp.  The Rams and 49ers are preparing for their game in Australia.  

Onto the Week 1 games with thoughts on each game from Patriots/Seahawks to Brroncos/Chiefs on Monday Night Football!  Where are the biggest possible upsets and which games will be the closest?  Plus, survivor picks and T...

Matt Jones and Drew Franklin are back for their Division Previews with the AFC North and AFC West. First up, the NFL Cover Zero Fantasy Draft is underway and Matt talks about his team.

Drew thinks the AFC North comes down to two teams and makes his choice.  Matt wonders if John Harbaugh leaving the Ravens has them take a step back.  Which team's season could be decided in the first 4 games?  

Onto the AFC West, ...

Drew Franklin and Billy Rutledge are excited to see football back on the field after the Hall of Fame Game.  NFL Cover Zero's Division Previews with the AFC South and the AFC East. Can the Jaguars win another division title, or will the Texans and the best defense in football get over the hump? Don't forget about the Colts too. In the AFC East, will the Dolphins or the Jets finish last? And will the Patriots success from last ...

Matt Jones and Drew Franklin continue Division Previews with the NFC North and the NFC West! Can the Bears maintain their upswing while the Lions are looking to rebound?  Matt thinks this is the toughest division in the NFL.  Onto the NFC West, are the Rams the given favorites with the defending Super Bowl champions in the division?  Turning the page to the news, Drew recaps the Hall of Fame game and the performances...

Matt Jones and Drew Franklin are looking ahead to the Hall of Fame game between the Panthers and Cardinals.  NFL Cover Zero begins their Division previews with the NFC East and the NFC South. Who wins the division and what are the biggest changes?  Drew makes a surprise pick in the East and Matt gives his first 'lock' for the season.  Also, the guys discuss the latest news around the league including thoughts on...

Matt Jones and Drew Franklin open the NFL Cover Zero mail bag to answer listener questions.  What are the best/worst uniforms in the league?  Matt gives his thoughts on playing fantasy football and a change he'd like to see in the NFL.  Plus, Drew reveals the best food he's ever eaten at a sporting event.  

Onto NFL news, how will the 49ers adjust through camp after Kyle Shanahan's accident.  Tyreek Hl...

What are the most highly anticipated games on the 2026 NFL schedule? This episode of Cover Zero, Drew Franklin and Billy each pick five games of the season to name the Top Ten Games of the 2026 season.   Including only one International game and only one game a week!  Billy finds a game between two contending teams in a very desirable location! Drew is considering a Thanksgiving matchup, but which one will be the bes...

If you started an NFL franchise today, who would you choose as your quarterback? Matt Jones and Drew Franklin are back drafting QB's to lead a franchise.  Drew struggles with his first pick deciding between winning and future growth.   Do you look at the success of Mahomes, Allen, and Burrow or the futures of Drake Maye or Caleb Williams? Matt wonders how many elite years Lamar Jackson will have in the NFL. &nbs...

Matt Jones and Drew Franklin ask the question: if you are becoming a fan of the NFL today, who are the best teams to root for?  The guys rank each team based on their fan bases, future success, game environments and several other factors.

Also, Matt and Drew look ahead to the Hall of Fame Game, discuss ESPN's newest piece on Sean Payton and look at the guest list of the Kelce-Swift wedding.

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The boys are back! Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Billy Rutledge return for the 2nd season of NFL Cover Zero and to recap the biggest headlines from the offseason. The guys evaluate the Myles Garrett and AJ Borwn trades and debate the future of Caleb Williams. Will Russell Wilson succeed on TV? How many more years will Travis Kelce play football? And will the Bengals finally make the playoffs this year?

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Matt Jones talks about watching the NFL Draft and recaps the Top 10 picks.  Which of the picks were surprises?  Matt reveals which team he thinks got the steal of the Draft!  Billy delivers some of the Draft headlines and notes the impressive showing from the city of Pittsburgh.  Was the Rams drafting Ty Simpson as big of a suprise as some thought? Matt breaks down the remaining QBs taken through the Draft....

Matt Jones is excited for Draft Week and wonders if teams will draft for production or potenial.  Do the Raiders draft Fernando Mendoza to play or to sit him for a while?  Where will the surprises by and how closely will teams stick to their needs?  Matt reacts to the Bengals trading for Dexter Lawrence while wondering what Aaron Rodgers' future in Pittsburgh will be.  Plus, every pick for every team in Rou...

Matt Jones and Billy are getting ready for the opening night of the NFL Draft.  How much coverage will you be watching?  Matt shares his experiences with Mel Kiper Jr. and what kind of Draft show he enjoys.  What advice does Matt have for Fernando Mendoza while doing interviews?  Plus, we look back to our time at the Super Bowl and a discussion with Bengals OT Orlando Brown!

NFL Cover Zero returns on Monday...

Drew Franklin and Billy continue their look at offseason NFL news leading up to the Draft!  How do you feel about the probable #1 overall pick possibly not being in Pittsburgh?  Kirk Cousins joins the Raiders and could be a mentor to Fernando Mendoza, if he goes #1.   How high in the draft will ND running back Jeremiyah Love go?  Drew plans on watching every minute and every round of the NFL Draft!

Sai...

Drew Franklin and Billy continue their look at offseason NFL news leading up to the Draft! The NFL has revealed the upcoming Hard Knocks teams.  Drew is surprised and looks forward to the inside scoop from the teams.  We've gotten the yearly coach picture from the NFL Owners meeting, what do you make of all the new faces? Drew was impressed with Mike Vrabel at the Arizona State Pro-Day.  Plus, we hear a visit wi...

Drew Franklin and Billy continue watching NFL Free Agency with Joe Flacco signing with the Bengals.  Should Matt Leinart let USC un-retire his number for an incoming recruit?  What did we learn about the future of the tush push?  Plus, we hear from Browns CB Denzel Ward about being on the same defense as Myles Garrett.  

We're back next week with 49ers LB Eric Kendricks! 

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Drew Franklin and Billy look at NFL Free Agency and the changes we've seen so far.  The Bucs lose Mike Evans to the 49ers.  Kyler Murray is headed to the Vikings, will there be a QB competition in the Minnesota?  Travis Kelce is headed back to the Chiefs.  What does the future hold for Maxx Crosby? Plus, Drew is enthused by the changes with the Titans! 

Revisiting the Super Bowl and San Fran, Chargers ...