The NFL season is heating up, and Week 5 has officially wrapped up! On this episode of the A&D Podcast, Austin and Dietrich trade the rugby pitch for the gridiron to break down the biggest storylines, early-season surprises, and teams whose seasons might already be slipping away.

Which NFL teams are legitimate Super Bowl contenders, and which are just benefiting from a hot start? Who are the sleeper teams that could make a serious playoff run, and which franchises should already be hitting the panic button? Are we overreacting to five weeks of football, or are some teams showing us exactly who they are?

Austin and Dietrich debate the early-season favorites, question which teams are built to last, and look at the franchises that could be headed for a long season. With plenty of hot takes, bold predictions, and NFL football debate, this episode is guaranteed to give fans something to argue about!

🏈 Sound off in the comments! Which NFL team are you buying or selling after Week 5? Who's a legitimate contender, who's a dark horse, and which team is already cooked? Let us know if Austin and Dietrich are onto something or completely off the mark!

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The A&D Podcast is trading the rugby pitch, the gridiron, and the playing field for the iron sanctuary! Austin and Dietrich are stepping into the gym to break down the shocking results of the 2026 Mr. Olympia. New champions have been crowned, the bodybuilding hierarchy has been shaken up, and the debate over who truly deserves a place at the top is just getting started!

Who proved they belong among the elite? Which veterans still have what it takes to reclaim their throne? And are we witnessing the beginning of a new era in professional bodybuilding, or will the old guard remind everyone why they dominated in the first place?

The guys aren't stopping at the results, either. Austin and Dietrich are throwing out some way-too-early predictions for the 2027 bodybuilding season, debating which rising stars could take over the stage, which established names could bounce back, and who might be getting more hype than they deserve.

From Mr. Olympia results and bodybuilding judging to future champions, comeback stories, and bold predictions, this episode is guaranteed to get the bodybuilding community talking.

💬 JOIN THE DEBATE: Did the right competitors win at the 2026 Mr. Olympia? Which new champion is most likely to stay on top, and which veteran has the best chance of reclaiming the crown? Drop your predictions in the comments!

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On this episode of the A&D Podcast, Austin and Dietrich are once again in a somber mood as they break down the USA Eagles’ Pacific Nations Cup bronze medal matchup against Canada in Tokyo.

After the embarrassing performance against Japan, the USA needed a response—but did they actually find one?

Canada struck twice in the opening 15 minutes, both tries coming directly from lineout situations, while the USA struggled to build any sustained attacking rhythm. There were flashes of cohesion, but the Eagles repeatedly failed to maintain momentum, struggled with support lines, and allowed Canada to generate multiple jackal opportunities.

The guys also dive into some of the individual performances and tactical questions from the match. Maluia’s raw athleticism was on display, but his lack of rugby experience raised questions about how predictable his attacking game can become. Meanwhile, Ben Benasso put together a standout defensive performance, including two blocked kicks, and the Eagles showed flashes of what their attack can look like when everything clicks.

And then came the 78th minute.

A bold sequence involving Noah Brown, Du Has, Carty, Besag, Roberts, Lopeti, Alikaan, and Benasso nearly produced one of the most exciting tries of the match. From winning the territory battle off a Canada lineout to the kick chase and Benasso’s chip over the defensive line, the USA came agonizingly close to executing the kind of creative rugby the Eagles need to produce more consistently.

But that raises the bigger question:

Is the USA’s system actually the problem—or is the lack of depth and adaptability the real issue?

When the Eagles have their top players available, the system can work beautifully. But when injuries, club commitments, or player availability force the USA to rely on less experienced options, the attack can become predictable, and the team seems to struggle to find another way to win.

Can Scott Lawrence learn from this Pacific Nations Cup campaign as he did after the infamous 83-0 loss to Scotland? Is the USA developing enough depth to survive without its best players? And does this Eagles team actually have a Plan B?

Austin and Dietrich break down USA vs. Canada, the Pacific Nations Cup, squad depth, attacking structure, lineouts, defense, player development, Scott Lawrence, and what the USA Eagles need to fix before the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

What do you think?

Is this a coaching/system problem, a player-depth problem, or both? And if the USA’s best players aren't available, can this team actually adapt—or are the Eagles too dependent on Plan A?

Let us know what you think and debate it with us in the comments.

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On this episode of the A&D Podcast, the excitement surrounding the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) comes crashing down after a brutal opening-round performance from the USA Eagles.

Austin and Dietrich break down the USA’s shocking 63–14 loss to Japan in Tokyo and ask the question every American rugby fan is thinking: What didn’t go wrong for the Eagles?

From defensive breakdowns and missed opportunities to discipline, execution, physicality, and overall game management, the guys dive into what went wrong against Japan and whether this result is simply a disastrous one-off—or evidence that USA Rugby has seriously regressed.

Is Japan really that much better than the USA right now? Has the Eagles’ progress under Scott Lawrence stalled? Or are fans overreacting to one horrible performance?

With the 2027 Rugby World Cup approaching and the USA looking to establish itself as a serious international rugby nation, this loss raises some uncomfortable questions. Was 63–14 an anomaly, or should American rugby fans be genuinely worried?

Austin and Dietrich give their honest reactions, break down the USA Eagles’ performance, and debate what needs to change before the Eagles take the field again.

What do YOU think? Was this just one bad game, or is the USA Eagles program heading in the wrong direction? Let us know in the comments.

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On this episode of the A&D Podcast, Dietrich is BACK—and just in time for the USA Eagles to face one of their biggest challenges of the year.

The Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) is here, and the Eagles open their campaign against Japan in Tokyo. With clubs around the world beginning their seasons, the USA enters the tournament with a growing list of unavailable players, leaving Scott Lawrence and the Eagles to rely on new faces and unproven talent in some critical positions.

Can these newcomers step up on the international stage?

Austin and Dietrich break down the USA Eagles roster, the biggest selection questions, and what this matchup against Japan could reveal about the future of American rugby. Japan are the favorites—but is an upset really as unlikely as everyone thinks? The guys debate whether the USA has enough firepower to pull off a historic result and continue a five-Test winning streak that has completely changed the conversation surrounding the Eagles.

And with the 2027 Rugby World Cup getting closer, this isn't just another Test match. Could the Pacific Nations Cup uncover the players who become essential pieces of the USA's World Cup roster? Or will Japan expose the same weaknesses that have held the Eagles back?

Is the USA ready to take the next step—or is the hype getting ahead of reality?

All of this and more on the latest episode of the A&D Podcast.

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On this episode of the A&D Podcast, Austin sits down with teammate Diego Fortuny to talk about an incredible rugby journey that spans continents, cultures, and some of the sport's highest levels.

Diego takes us from his grassroots rugby beginnings in Argentina to representing Argentina at the U20 World Rugby Championship in Italy, and eventually to the United States. Along the way, he has played with, competed against, and trained alongside some of the biggest names and best players in world rugby.

What is it really like coming through the Argentine rugby system? How different is rugby in Argentina compared to the United States? What can American rugby learn from the countries that consistently produce elite players? And after experiencing both sides, is the USA on the right track to become a legitimate force in international rugby?

Austin and Diego dive into player development, international rugby, the USA Eagles, Argentine rugby culture, life as a professional rugby player, and the experiences that shaped Diego's career.

Which rugby system do you think develops better players: Argentina or the USA? And what does American rugby need to change to compete with the world's best? Drop your take in the comments and join the debate.

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On this episode of the A&D Podcast, Austin and Dietrich break down the latest USA Eagles vs. Argentina XV matchup—and the Eagles are officially riding a five-game winning streak. Is this the turning point USA Rugby fans have been waiting for, or are we getting ahead of ourselves?

The guys dive into what went right for the USA, whether Scott Lawrence has finally found the right system, and what this winning streak actually says about the direction of the USA Eagles and American rugby.

There were plenty of positives: new players gaining valuable international experience, emerging prospects getting the chance to prove themselves, and a USA squad that has the hosts feeling optimistic about the future. But is the hype justified?

Has Scott Lawrence finally cracked the code? Is USA Rugby genuinely turning the corner? And how far can this Eagles team go if this momentum continues?

🔥 We want to hear from you: Is this the best USA Eagles team we've seen in years, or are five straight wins not enough to prove anything yet? Sound off in the comments!

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Is Major League Rugby facing another major setback—or is this just another bump in the road?

On this episode of the A&D Podcast, Austin and Dietrich dive into the latest bad news surrounding Major League Rugby (MLR) and the growing questions about the league’s future. After what felt like an incredible stretch for USA Rugby and the USA Eagles, is it frustrating to see more uncertainty surrounding the domestic league that is supposed to help develop American talent?

Austin argues that this latest development may have been inevitable—and that it might not be nearly as disastrous as some fans believe. Dietrich isn’t quite ready to dismiss the concerns. The guys debate what happens next, what MLR should prioritize moving forward, and whether the league can turn this situation into an opportunity for growth.

Can Major League Rugby stabilize and build on the momentum surrounding the USA Eagles? What changes does MLR need to make? Is the league actually in trouble, or are fans overreacting to another piece of bad news?

Let us know what YOU think: Is Major League Rugby heading in the right direction, or is this another warning sign for the future of professional rugby in America?

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