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A candid look at how the Patriots’ culture shift, a selfless offense, and a versatile content team reignited New England’s spark. Alexandra Francisco shares her path from writer to on-air host and the story behind “Good Jewels Hunting,” plus honest advice for women breaking in.

• Vrabel’s leadership and character-first roster building
• Drake May’s impact and a share-the-ball offense
• Behind the scenes of an award-winning schedule release
• From writing to radio to on-camera hosting
• Why winning changes content velocity and tone
• Community impact through the Patriots Foundation
• Confidence over imposter syndrome for women in sports media
• Practical tips for breaking into sports content now
• Where to watch Patriots Unfiltered and Alexandra’s interviews

Catch us on Patriots Unfiltered live on Patriots.com and all Patriots social channels every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. I’m always on Thursday. Find me on Instagram at al_francisco, X at byalfrancisco, and TikTok at Alexandra Francisco

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THE GAME X CUSOS BUFFALO BILLS TAILGATE 11/2 AT 11:00 AM ON IN THE HAMMER LOT! SEE YOU THERE <3.

New York was buzzing over a rookie tandem—until one brutal play stopped everything and reminded us how fragile this sport can be. Cam Scadaboo’s season-ending injury forced a gut-check for the Giants, and even Eagles fans rose for a standing ovation. Rivalries paused; respect didn’t.

From there, Week Eight delivered: a young QB learning why chemistry matters, a reset coming to New York’s RB room, and fantasy waiver names that call for patience, not panic.

Off the field, honesty stole the week. Justin Fields admitted he cried in his closet before leading the Jets’ first win—redefining toughness in real time. We debate the tush push (keep the play, fix the calls), say goodbye to the banana uniforms, and give props to NFL x Lululemon for finally getting what fans actually wear on Tuesdays.

The standings sharpened: the Colts keep surprising, the Chiefs recalibrated, the Broncos’ defense is real, and the playoff picture is finally taking shape. With the trade deadline looming, the Bills need a separator, the Vikings might chase a veteran QB, and the Saints have tough calls in a crowded WR room. Inside locker rooms, players—not coaches—are setting the tone for accountability.

Week Eight had everything: heartbreak, honesty, and just enough chaos to keep us glued. If this is where the league’s headed—raw, self-aware, and still ridiculous—we’re here for it.

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A pop lyric, a ping pong table, and a 33-point fourth quarter shouldn’t belong in the same story—but week seven made it make sense. We kick off with Taylor Swift’s “Redwood” line and the Kelsey brothers’ joke parade, then pivot into the meat of the league: what culture really means when your quarterback is struggling, your owner won’t stay quiet, and your kicker melts down at the worst possible time.

We unpack the Miami mess, where Mike McDaniel’s public nudge at Tua says more about leadership than box scores. Then it’s the Jets, expected to move from Justin Fields to Tyrod Taylor while front-office voices stoke headlines. Over in Baltimore, the Ravens removed locker room “toys”—ping pong, hoops, consoles—as if amenities were the issue, not cohesion or schematics. Contrast that with the Colts, who look like the most complete AFC team: Jonathan Taylor rumbling through the Chargers while the defense and offense sync in all the small ways that win Sundays.

The highlight reel belongs to Denver. Down big, the Broncos ripped off 33 in the fourth, capitalizing on a New York interception and two brutal missed extra points that flipped the script. We break down how the comeback unfolded drive by drive, why special teams discipline matters, and what this says about the Giants’ ceiling with Jackson Dart and Cam Scattaboo. And yes, we talk Russell Wilson vs Sean Payton—“classless” tweet and all—because words shape culture as much as play calls do.

There’s more: Chargers “banana” uniforms, Carly Irsay’s Dior sideline statement, a referee stepping in to shield a young star from a fight, and a few pick sixes that turned stadiums electric. If you care about football beyond the score—how teams actually hold together or fall apart—this one’s for you. Hit play, subscribe for the next breakdown, and drop a review with your boldest take from week seven. Who’s the most complete team right now?

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Week six felt unhinged—in the best way. We open in the parking lot at Arrowhead, where the roar starts hours before kickoff and never sits down. That college-like chaos becomes a lens for the week: why some stadiums compress energy into one electric bowl and others diffuse it into districts of bars, hotels, and options. Culture affects outcomes, and it shows up in how fans stand, how players respond, and how pressure becomes part of the play clock.

We dive into the Colts and Bucs sitting at five-and-one, sorting real substance from soft schedules. Baker Mayfield is cooking, but MVP crowns in October ignore the churn of injuries, opponents that punch back, and the way smarter defenses adjust by Halloween. The Colts’ scoring sprees evoke last year’s Lions, and the upcoming Chargers and Steelers tests should reveal whether this surge is flash or foundation. Along the way, we ask a harder question: do some franchises treat an elite quarterback as a band-aid for deeper flaws? The Bengals’ line issues, the Ravens’ dependence on Lamar’s brilliance, and the league-wide neglect of backup QB development all point to the same truth—depth wins.

We also pull the camera wider. Simone Biles deserves more than a sideline cameo; representation isn’t garnish, it’s part of the main course. Highlighting a generational Black woman athlete—and a vocal mental health advocate—expands who feels seen and who believes they belong in sports. On-field, the Bears–Commanders rivalry delivers another tight chapter, with young quarterbacks building a story that will only grow. Off-field, coaching hot seats and midseason firings reset playbooks and identities, often for rookies who just learned the last system. And in the NFC West, where the 49ers, Seahawks, and Rams trade blows, small edges like red-zone execution and turnover conversion separate contenders from almosts. We even celebrate Kristin Juszczyk taking women-first game-day style from the NFL to the NBA—proof that sports culture is bigger than the box score.

Come for the tailgate tales, stay for the strategy, and leave with a sharper lens on what actually wins in the NFL: depth, discipline, and decisions that match your identity. If you’re into smart football talk with heart—and a few hot takes—hit follow, share with a friend, and drop your MVP pick in a review. Who’s your frontrunner right now, and what would change your mind?

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JOIN THE COMMUNITY of women in our Substack Community for gameday chats, exclusive articles, and more NFL by the girls, for everyone: Thegamethepodcast.substack.com

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Ever wish football felt more like a group chat with a smart, funny friend than a pop quiz on stats? We sat down with Izzy, the creator of Hi Frankie—the astrology‑powered, zero‑gatekeeping football app that blends player outlooks, weekly matchups, and the best kind of gossip to make the NFL feel welcoming, human, and seriously fun.

We unpack the story behind Frankie as a persona and a product: why Izzy built an app that treats athletes as people first, how she designed a second‑screen experience that elevates drama and lore without condescension, and what it takes to ship a tech product from nights and weekends while holding a full‑time job. Izzy breaks down the algorithm in plain English—sun degrees, planetary aspects like trines and squares, teammate synergy, and opponent energy—showing how a 10/10 day can sync with jaw‑dropping plays and how mid‑range scores map to steady performers. Even if you don’t “believe,” you’ll see how star‑driven context can sharpen your intuition, energize watch parties, and make fantasy decisions feel intentional.

We also get real about culture: the fatigue of sports gatekeeping, the power of a welcoming voice, and the value of building community in bars, chats, and social feeds. Expect candid founder lessons on asking for help, iterating fast, embracing imperfection, and keeping joy at the center. Plus, a peek at what’s next—user charts, compatibility vibes with your favorite players, birthday trends, and more matchup moodboards.

If you want football without the side of condescension—and an app that turns every game into a shared ritual—press play. Then subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a friendlier way into the NFL, and leave a review to help more fans find us.

https://www.instagram.com/hifranky.app/

https://www.tiktok.com/@hifranky.app

"Hi Franky" in the App Store (Currently, IOS only)

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Upsets pile up, favorites stumble, and the league’s culture shifts under bright lights and louder music. We recap week five chaos, dig into Joe Flacco to the Bengals, and talk about boundaries on the sideline—then end on a story that made us cry happy tears.

You'll hear:
• There's no perfect team after week five shocks
• Patriots stun Bills, 49ers survive injuries
• Chiefs lose to Jags on Trevor’s birthday magic
• Chargers highs: McConkey return, Keenan 1,000 receptions
• Ravens' concerns grow after heavy Texans loss
• Mac Jones fits, rumors, and performance
• fantasy winners and sleeper tight ends
• Dua Lipa with DCC, Bad Bunny halftime impact
• NFL fashion, women’s viewership, and global push
• Joe Flacco to Bengals, line risk, veteran processing
• Browns elevate Dylan Gabriel to QB1 a rookie with opportunity
• Sideline violence is unacceptable, accountability matters
• Butterfingers plays and wild finishes
• Hot takes: Chiefs ceiling, Trevor’s confidence, Pats path
• David Montgomery’s family moment and TD pass

Listen to Izzy and her breakdown of the Hi Frankie, the Astrology x NFL app, on Friday!

Thanks for listening to The Game!

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We dive into a jam-packed AFC catch‑up: Bills cruising with balance and composure, Jets searching for footing with Justin Fields, Steelers steadying behind defense, Browns pivoting to rookie Dylan Gabriel, and a spooky top five of injuries and implosions changing October football.

We also unpack culture shifts in Indianapolis, the Titans’ hard reset, Chargers vs Chiefs momentum, and the turf debate ignited by MetLife. We keep it honest, curious, and fun—astrology cold open included.

• Bills’ 4-0 start built on balance and health
• Jets’ 0-4 with Fields’ mobility as hope
• Steelers’ defense-led identity with Rodgers under center
• Browns’ QB transition to Dylan Gabriel and what it signals
• Colts’ cultural reset and why it’s working
• Titans’ rookie learning curve and losing streak reality
• Chargers early edge, Chiefs’ inevitable climb
• Bengals offense shrinking without Burrow
• MetLife turf concerns and player safety
• Tyreek Hill injury ripple effects and Tua’s crossroads
• Tight end usage trends and red-zone leverage
• Community updates: Substack chat, fantasy leaderboard

Follow us, join the chat, and subscribe at thegame, thepodcast.substack.com. Don’t forget your lineups. “If you want 10% off, type in THE GAME at checkout or cuscocuts.com/thegame”

Thanks for listening to The Game!

We're happy you're here. If you enjoyed the episode, please send it to a friend, share it on social, or leave us a cute 5-star review.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY of women in our Substack Community for gameday chats, exclusive articles, and more NFL by the girls, for everyone: Thegamethepodcast.substack.com

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"We've known each other since we were 16 years old, and that is my person," says Brooklyn Adams of her relationship with Detroit Lions star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. But make no mistake – this isn't just another story about an NFL girlfriend. It's about a woman who carved her own path while supporting her partner's dreams.

Brooklyn takes us through their decade-long journey from high school sweethearts to navigating the complexities of long-distance relationships during college. While Amon-Ra was focused on football at USC, Brooklyn was discovering herself and her career path.

Now living in Detroit and running the St. Brown Foundation, Brooklyn offers rare insights into NFL life. She dispels stereotypes about players' partners while candidly discussing the challenges of sudden fame following their appearance on Netflix's "Receiver" documentary.

From game day rituals to their plans for the foundation's future, Brooklyn balances supporting Amon-Ra with maintaining her identity. "We're 26, we're living life, we're having fun." Her refreshing perspective reminds us that even in the spotlight, relationships thrive when both partners honor their individual journeys.

Want to learn more about Brooklyn and Amon-Ra's foundation? Visit StBrownFoundation.org to see how they're improving educational opportunities for children through literacy initiatives. You can find Brooklyn on TikTok and the Saint Brown Foundation on Instagram.

00:00
Introduction to Brooklyn Adams

01:01
High School Sweethearts: The Beginning of a Journey

05:39
Growing Together: Relationship Evolution

06:49
The Challenge of Long-Distance Love

08:34
Navigating Personal Growth During Long-Distance

13:18
Finding Identity Beyond the Relationship

16:28
Advice for Long-Distance Relationships

20:56
Transitioning from Long-Distance to Living Together

23:15
The Culture of the Detroit Lions

25:39
Wives and Girlfriends: Building a Supportive Community

30:49
Stepping into the Public Eye

36:17
Filming for Netflix: A New Experience

41:57
The Journey of Filming Receiver

44:13
Media Training and Authenticity

45:31
Navigating Career and Relationships

50:00
Giving Back: The St. Brown Foundation

5

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