The “Necessary Roughness Podcast” airs weekly on lastwordradio.podbean.com, and other LastWordRadio outlets.
|| Current Season (2025-26)|| 2024-25|| 2023-24|| 2022-23 ||
|| 2021-22 || 2020-21 || 2019-2020 || 2018-19 || 2017-18 ||
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 191): Super Bowl LVIII Recap! Plus, Nik’s Take on the 49ers Ridiculous OT Strategy
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into Super Bowl LVIII. He also touches on why firing DC Steve Wilks was the 49ers only real move to make, can’t help but discuss Patrick Mahomes’s GOAT trajectory, and poses his own Super Bowl conspiracy theory. Enjoy the show and join us March 15th for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 190): Super Bowl LVIII Preview! Plus, Why Brian Urlacher Has a Valid Point About Justin Fields and the Bears #1 Pick Dilemma
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into Super Bowl LVIII. He also discusses his confusion over Myles Garrett winning DPoY over TJ Watt, weighs in on the NFLPA’s comments on the NFL’s gambling policy, and examines the long-reaching implications of SB58. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 189): Nik’s Picks for the NFL’s Seasonal Awards! Plus, the Announcement of the Inaugural NFL All-Name Team
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic recaps last week’s NFL Championship weekend and gives his picks for the NFL’s end-of-year awards. He also wonders why all the blame for the Lions loss is being heaped upon HC Dan Campbell, catches up on the offseason coaching carousel, and discusses if the MVP and DPoY awards have become too focused on QBs and sack leaders respectively. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 188): NFL Conference Championship Weekend Preview! Plus, a Closer Look at Where Patrick Mahomes May Rank All-Time…After Only 6 Seasons
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL Conference Championship matchups. He also touches on the Ravens 2nd half domination of the Texans, weighs in on Chauncey Gardner-Johnson’s ongoing beef with Baker and the Bucs, and gives his take on Jon Anik’s remarks about fans and social media toxicity. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 187): NFL Divisional Weekend Preview! Plus, Nik’s Take on the Eagles and Cowboys Both Opting to Not Make a Coaching Change
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL Divisional weekend matchups. He also discusses his disappointment in Lions fans booing Matthew Stafford, wonders if the Packers are a budding NFC power, and weighs in on the still simmering beef between RGIII and Jay Gruden. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 186): NFL Super Wild Card Weekend Preview! Plus, Nik’s Take on the “Dramatic” Ending to Saints-Falcons
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL Super Wild Card weekend matchups. He also breaks down the Jaguars late-season collapse, touches on the Dolphins loss to the Bills, and weighs in on the Titans confusing decision to fire Mike Vrabel. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 185): NFL Week 18 Preview! Plus, Why Packers-Bears Could Decide Justin Fields’ Future
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL regular season’s Week 18 matchups. He also touches on the Ravens decimation of the Dolphins, weighs in on if the Steelers should move on from Kenny Pickett, and predicts a Tush-Push heavy road to the Super Bowl. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 184): NFL Week 17 Preview! Plus, Denver’s Bad Russell Wilson Extension has Come Home to Roost
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL regular season’s Week 17 matchups. He also praises the Ravens for making the 49ers look vulnerable, weighs in on the Joe Flacco-Comeback Player of the Year debate, and touches on this year’s edition of the “Jim Harbaugh to the NFL” rumors. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 183): NFL Week 16 Preview! Plus, Nik’s Take on this Season’s Biggest Sleeper Super Bowl Contender
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL regular season’s Week 16 matchups. He also discusses which NFL playoff teams are on “Fraud Alert,” breaks down which team has the inside track to win the AFC South, and wonders if it’s finally time for the Steelers and Patriots to begin looking for new head coaches. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 182): NFL Week 15 Preview! Plus, Nik’s Take on Tommy Cutlets (Linsanity 2.0?)
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL regular season’s Week 15 matchups. He also dives into the stumbling Eagles and Chiefs, can’t believe it took the Chargers this long to fire Brandon Staley, and wonders if CJ Stroud’s concussion is going to put an end to the Texans surprise playoff push. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 181): NFL Week 14 Preview! Plus, Nik’s Take on the Latest NY Jets-Zach Wilson Drama
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL regular season’s Week 14 matchups. He also gives an updated overview of the NFL playoff picture, wonders how Gardner Minshew wound up a journeyman back-up, and praises Commissioner Goodell for his (reported) interest in banning the Tush Push. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 180): NFL Week 13 Preview! Plus, Why Alex Smith is Right About Tom Brady’s Comments on “Mediocrity” in the NFL
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL regular season’s Week 13 matchups. He also can’t help but weigh in on Rex Ryan’s comments on Bill Belichick, finds himself confused by the Carolina Panthers hasty firing of Frank Reich, and wonders if the Seahawks or Vikings will right the ship in time for the playoffs. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 179): NFL Week 12 Preview! Plus, Why Nick Sirianni’s Victory Lap in Kansas City was Weird
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL regular season’s Week 12 matchups. He also welcomes the 49ers back to the top of his NFL power rankings, discusses how Jordan Love has already earned the right to start for the Packers next season, and argues that the Titans should let Ryan Tannehill finish the season elsewhere. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 178): NFL Week 11 Preview! Plus, Nik Tries to Make Sense of the Chaotic AFC Playoff Picture
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL regular season’s Week 11 matchups. He also dives into the disappointing Bills, touches on the now Burrow-less Bengals, and can’t help but weigh in on the odd remarks made by Charissa Thompson. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 177): NFL Week 10 Preview and Midseason Recap! Plus, Nik (Finally) Heaps Some Praise on the Baltimore Ravens
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL regular season’s Week 10 matchups and gives out his midseason awards. He also discusses yet another Dolphins loss to a fellow contender, wishes he could give the Off. Rookie of the Year award to more than one player, and debates if the coaches of contenders make good candidates for Coach of the Year. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 176): NFL Week 9 Preview! Plus, NostraDonadic Discusses the Raiders Implosion
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL regular season’s Week 9 matchups. He also warns the league that the Bengals may have things figured out, recaps the NFL Trade Deadline, and can’t help but rant about the clown fiesta that was the New York Giants loss to the Jets. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 175): NFL Week 8 Preview! Plus, Jim Irsay’s New Rule Proposal (That Won’t Pass)
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL regular season’s Week 8 matchups. He also can’t wrap his head around the Raiders loss to the Bears, laughs at the Brady Quinn-Deshaun Watson shenanigans, and wonders who’s actually going to win the crowded NFC South. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 174): NFL Week 7 Preview! Plus, Why a London-hosted Super Bowl Would be a Logistics Nightmare
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL regular season’s Week 7 matchups. He also gives his take on the dueling Eagles and 49ers upset losses, weighs in on the Brock Purdy “system QB” debate, and touches on the upcoming NFL trade deadline. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 173): NFL Week 6 Preview! Plus, Nik is Befuddled by Steve Smith’s Seemingly Random Beef with Jerry Jeudy
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL regular season’s Week 6 matchups. He also struggles to name the AFC’s top dog so far, touches on the 49ers early season dominance, and dives into the weird Steve Smith-Jerry Jeudy beef. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 172): NFL Week 5 Preview! Plus, Nik’s Take on NY Giants OL Evan Neal Lashing Out at the Fans
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL regular season’s Week 5 matchups. He also touches on the statement made by the Bills beatdown of the Dolphins, can’t help but take a shot at Chargers HC Brandon Staley over another questionable late playcall, and dives into a pair of sleeper playoff hopefuls who faced off last week. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 171): NFL Week 4 Preview! Plus, Nik’s Take on the Bizarre Last Few Minutes of Chargers-Vikings
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL regular season’s Week 4 matchups. He also touches on the big upsets of the past week, dives into which teams he believes are stuck in No Man’s Land, and discusses the oddities of the NFL’s new gambling policy. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 170): NFL Week 3 Preview! Plus, Nik’s Take on the Slumping Bengals and Chargers
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL regular season’s Week 3 matchups. He also heaps praise on the Commanders and Falcons surprising 2-0 starts, dives into the odd Justin Fields situation, and touches on the rash of significant early season injuries. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 169): NFL Week 2 Preview! Plus, Nik Breaks Down the Emergency QB Options for the Aaron Rodgers-less Jets
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL regular season’s Week 2 matchups. He also weighs in on the Bengals laying an egg against the Browns, touches on the Patriots surprising resilience against the Eagles, and discusses why the Grass vs. Turf debate is likely more nuanced than many realize. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 168): NFL Week 1 Preview! Plus, Nik’s Take on DeAndre Hopkins Odd Remarks Prior to Week 1
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL regular season’s Week 1 matchups. He also breaks down the Lions upset victory over the Chiefs, touches on the NFL’s new “emergency 3rd QB rule,” and sends his best wishes to former NFL WR Mike Williams. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 167): 2023 NFL Kickoff Special and Season Preview! Plus, Nik Gives Out His Preseason Awards Picks
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic breaks down the upcoming NFL kickoff matchup between the Chiefs and Lions, as well as gives his preseason pick to win the Super Bowl. He also forecasts a huge season for Joe Burrow (health permitting), debates if the Aaron Rodgers-led Jets will net an AFC playoff spot, and struggles with where the Jaguars rank in this year’s AFC. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 166): 2023-2024 NFC Preview! Plus, Why the NFC is More Top-Heavy than the AFC
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into his NFC Predictions for the upcoming year. He also debates if the Lions can overtake the Vikings, wonders if Baker Mayfield can lead the former champion Bucs core to the postseason, and discusses the dueling trades made by NFC East rivals this past week. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 165): 2023-24 AFC Preview! Plus, Why the Cleveland Browns Could be Poised for a Surprising Season
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into his AFC Predictions for this season. He also breaks down why injuries could turn the AFC North into a crapshoot, debates if the AFC East will snag three playoff spots, and discusses all the things we missed during the offseason hiatus. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!
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Necessary Roughness Podcast (EP 164): NFL Free Agency Discussion! Plus, Nik’s Potential Rule Change to Fix the “Rugby Scrum”
In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic breaks down the winners and losers of NFL free agency so far. He also wonders what the Titans plan for this season is, touches on the never-ending Lamar Jackson contract dispute, and weighs in on the troubling comments of Michael Thomas and Byron Jones. Enjoy the show and join us the weekend of April 29th for the following episode!
Nik Donadic 