December 30, 2025 • 39 mins
The Los Angeles Rams entered Monday Night Football with optimal playoff seeding scenarios contingent on a win, yet it was the eliminated Atlanta Falcons that left with a convincing victory in Week 17. Matthew Stafford threw three interceptions, Puka Nacua kept quiet and Bijan Robinson went feral in a match that effected teams outside the stripes just as much as inside. Gregg Rosenthal and Nick Shook recap the game, discuss the MVP race and hash out the updated playoff scenarios in the latest episode of NFL Daily!
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
He intercepts it with ninety seven seconds left. One forty
(00:02):
one is what they put on the clock. And here
goes Bjon rabbitson.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Thirty thirty, Bob thirty midfield. It's a foot race, Robinson
thirty fifteen tenth, Bob house call, are you serious? Oh
my goodness, he just went ninety three.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
Hey La, that's the matrix for you. That was Bizad Robinson.
Speaker 4 (00:37):
That was West Durham on WZGC. And that was another
epic primetime performance on the regular season Monday night football
finale in the epic performance of course by the John
Robinson who shows up every week, but he really shows
up in primetime.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
That put them ahead twenty one to nothing.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
The Rams come all the way back to tie it
up at twenty four, but the Falcons get a late
field goal to win twenty seven to twenty four. Nick
Shook joining me live on YouTube, Thank you to everyone
watching us live. That second quarter run feels like five
hours ago.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
I'm I'm a.
Speaker 4 (01:17):
Little whip last year that the Falcons even won this
game because it looked like they were gonna blow their
biggest lead.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Since you know, the one.
Speaker 4 (01:25):
But for all the Falcons fans watching we should enjoy
a night where Jean Robinson goes crazy on the ground
once again. And there's someone out there that only watches
primetime games, Nick Shook, and they think that the Atlanta
Falcons are the best team in the NFL this year.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
Yeah, it's like I's sweeted. If they only played in primetime,
they'd probably win the Super Bowl because for some reason,
the bright lights of primetime just bring out the best
in Raheem Morris's bunch. You know, he started going into halftime,
he said, look, we screwed up the season, but we're
playing hard, and I think that's a great indicator of
where this team stands with Rahem as head coach. We
know that's a tricky spot. They may or may not
make a change and move on after the disappointment that
was this season. But man, in the big games, they
(02:07):
have played like a team that should be going to
the playoffs, and they went toe to toe. In fact,
they dominated a team that many, including myself think is
the favorite to win the Super Bowl for a half
tonight and then held on at the end. I mean,
they got the job done. They got the job done
because they have one of the best players in football
and John Robinson. They have a pass rush that is
significantly upgraded from where it was last year, and they
(02:27):
have a defense that was really opportunist tonight. And you
gotta love a win like this late in the season
for the Falcon.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
You love it, and you see the good in Raheem
Morris having his players out there hitting. Certainly it's an
aggressive defensive style. He forces Matthew Stafford into a few
big mistakes, three interceptions on the night. Maybe his MVP
chances go by the wayside on this night. I think
that's a little harsh. We'll talk about that, but I
(02:58):
want to get back to the Falcons. But I do
want to stop and ask you a question about what
you just said. You said the Rams were your super
Bowl pick before this game, and it sounds like after
this game, through the last two weeks, you know, choking
away that loss against Seattle and then losing this one
(03:19):
to the Falcons move you off your position or you
think that they can go win the Super Bowl from
possibly the sixth seed. Now, if they had won both
those games, they would have had the five seed, which
would have been on paper, an easier draw. You play
the NFC South winner, maybe even get a home game
in the NFC Championship. If it ends up being RAMS
(03:40):
forty nine ers or Rams Seahawks, it's not that crazy.
Now they're going to need some help from the Seahawks
next week they could be the sixth seed. How are
you feeling about Rams as a real deal Super Bowl
contender winner movies, not contender winner, your.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
Pick winner, because they're still a contender winner. Yes. When
I moved into that position a couple of weeks ago,
you know, maybe I should have their opponent. But they
look like the most complete team to be in the NFL.
And this is a season in which we have every
team that's a contender is flawed in one way or another.
Tonight we saw their flaws. Now you could say the
Seattle game exposed some of their flaws, maybe a lack
of mental toughness or an ability to get back, get
(04:14):
back up off the mat and fights. Yes, and that's
always been a problem for them the entire season, go
way back to when they lost in Philly on a
blocked field goal. Especially seams was advantageous for them. Tonight
Jared Versus blocking a field goal and return it for
a touchdown. I mean that's a shockingly positive play from
the special teams unit. But my biggest issue, and this
is where I always go and I'm going to go
back there again because I think it's the most important
(04:36):
part of football, the trenches. They could not protect Matthew
Stafford tonight. For a good portion of this night, they
couldn't stop the run. They were losing the trench battle
on both sides of the ball, And that always gives
me great concern because I think the best chance to
win a Super Bowl starts up front. If you can
get after the pass or if you can stop the run,
and if you could protect your quarterback, you have a
really good shot. Now, the offensive line issues may be temporary.
(04:57):
A Lark Jackson didn't play tonight, but you know there's
a potential that he'll be back before long. Because if
you're going to the playoffs. The Dj Humphries, the left tackle,
I don't believe in you.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
So that lost them in the game. It lost them
the game.
Speaker 4 (05:09):
You know, Dj Humphries, who's had a good career, he
was with the Cardinals for a long time. Has a
blown block on a fourth down which stops their first drive,
has an illegal formation, which did that kill a touchdown earlier.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
It was a long pass to It was a long
pass brought back right put them at a field goal
rangely punted on that drive.
Speaker 4 (05:29):
So you lose points off that illegal formation. He also
gave up a sack at one point, and then he
gets a holding call on a long touchdown to Puka Nakua.
I am with you. I put I was putting you
on the hot seat there. Look, I'm taking the field
over any two teams you give me. Maybe in the NFL,
the Seahawks and the Rams are still my two favorites.
(05:51):
I think they're the best two teams, but they're in
the tougher conference, so it's going to be tougher to
get through. But I would take the field over anyone
because or any two teams to give me, because it's
just a wide open year.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Now.
Speaker 4 (06:03):
That said, I think the Rams are still the most
balanced team offense, defense, special teams. When they flashed up
that graphic tonight that said, you know, the Rams can
only be the five or six seed, And I'm thinking
how they sat DeVante Adams, Alric Jackson and Kevin Dotson
their guard maybe their two best offensive linemen both out
for this game and I'm wondering, like, would they have
(06:25):
played them if it was a playoff game? Watching DeVante
Adams his pregame routine, I think he would have been
playing if it was a playoff game. And I do
give them just like the smallest little bit of a
pass that you know, they maybe aren't up for this
game in the same way that they would be up
for a playoff game.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
Now, Sean mcvagh talked tough, you know, for a couple week.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
I mean, I'm just saying they watched that game Sunday night,
they find out San Francisco wins, and they have no
more chance to win the division. They probably thought they
were going to come into this game with a chance
to win the division. It's a little bit of a letdown,
and the Falcons bum rush them. I've seen teams make
it from low seeds. You know what team did it?
I know they were a four seed.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
The New York Giants ran the table one time.
Speaker 3 (07:06):
How about the.
Speaker 4 (07:06):
Los Angeles Rams like five years ago, Like they were
a four seed and they ended up hosting the NFC
championship game because the forty nine ers made it even
as a lower seed. But it happens, you know, when
when Flacco that team won the Super Bowl, when the
Cardinals made it, you know, a couple of plays away,
when the Packers won the Super Bowl. When it used
to happen more often where teams gave up some l's
(07:28):
late in the season and they still won lower seeds.
Hasn't happened as much. But I've seen a Patriots team
lose a couple times in December, it happened. Let's talk
about what went wrong in this game, because I think
Matthew Stafford he probably lost the MVP tonight, at least
the betting nods, which is ridiculous that it's going through
(07:49):
during a live game, reflected that. Let's like, if you're
watching on YouTube, you can see the Xavier Watts interception
of Stafford. Let's go back to the second quarter and
kind of what you saw from Stafford early in this
game where he gets picked off two different times. The
one we're watching is with an under two minutes to
(08:10):
go and Wats makes a fantastic play on the ball
deep throw to Xavier Smith. It ends up being one
of two Watts interceptions on the day. A really fantastic
rookie season for the Falcon safety. What do you think
went wrong here with Stafford on this night.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Well, what I see here is Stafford's slight hesitation before deciding, yes,
I'm gonna launch this go ball because that's a mismatch
against a linebacker and I can put it out there
and Xavier and Xavier Smith can go catch this like
that's a simple that's a simple decision that he made.
But he hesitated, And when he hesitated, he bought Watts
the extra little split second to commit. Because if as
you see him step back and he does that little hesitation,
he loads to fire, Watts swivels his hips out and
(08:46):
starts spreading in that direction. Because he hesitated, they gave
him just enough time to close the gap and gets
the ball. Great play by Watts, great safety at Notre Dame.
I was surprised he lasted as long as he did
in the draft. I'm glad that he's playing really well.
He's a guy who plays with his hair on fire.
He deserves the recognition and the exposure that a primetime
stage would give him to make these kinds of plays.
But I think it was simply because Stafford hesitated there
trusted his arm a little bit, which I can't blame him.
(09:08):
He's made incredible throws like that all year, usually to
Pokin a Cop or Devonte Adams, this time a lesser receiver.
But I could still understand mismatch. I'm gonna put out there,
he's gonna make the play, but the hesitation burned him
on that one.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
Then he throws a third interception in the second half.
Again it's Watts jumping a route, kind of looking like
Malcolm Butler. This is a point where it's twenty four
to seventeen. It's in the middle of the Rams comeback.
They just got the blocked kick return from Jared Verse
where the game really changed, and you think Stafford is
(09:39):
going in for another touchdown and they pick him off again.
And that was kind of the moment that I thought,
it's not fair. And we'll talk about it with Patrick
Clayban on Wednesday show the MVP Conversation. But one of
the things that kind of bothers me about MVP is
a lot of times it just comes down to a
couple of nominees and then whoever has a great game
on a primetime performance December January, or whoever has a
(10:01):
bad game ends up winning the MVP, which is a
stupid way to do it. This is not the time
to go through the cases for Drake may or Matthew Stafford.
I think they both have strong cases. I wouldn't kill
anyone for making either decision. But I've seen MVPs lost
this way. We were texted back and forth about it.
Mike Vick lost one. I remember you brought up one.
It wasn't brock Purty a.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
Couple of games, Prescott, it was two years ago. And
that clunker he laid in Buffalo, it completely wiped him
out of the MVP conversation.
Speaker 3 (10:27):
And that's it's a dumb way to do it.
Speaker 4 (10:29):
Because Stafford also made some great throws in this game
and did lead them on a long comeback, but man,
he did have chances on the final drive.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
I know we're jumping all.
Speaker 4 (10:39):
Over the place here, but the Falcons and this is
why Raheem Morris's, you know, bid to keep his job
with three straight wins here and have them playing hard.
Isn't that simple. He drove me crazy with how conservative
he approached the end of the game. He was absolutely
trying to set up like a fifty plus yard field goal,
and that's exactly what happened, and he got it, but
(11:00):
it still to me is the wrong approach. And he
left the Rams time on the clock and then he
kicks it into the end zone because he's afraid of
a return instead of taking time off the clock, and
he gives Stafford a chance to do something spectacular. And
that's the thing about tonight. Stafford had a chance for
a bunch of MVP moments and he has a wide
open receiver that was Xavier Smith again on what could
(11:23):
have been the game winning touchdown. Jesse Bates just getting
way too aggressive there and Stafford misses the throw. The
very next play after that, I'm curious what your thoughts are,
Stafford throws a dime to Puka Nakua, who comes so close.
The play happens with ten seconds left from the Rams
(11:44):
thirty five yard line, and he throws it to the
opposite hash other thirty five and.
Speaker 3 (11:48):
Puka catches it with one arm.
Speaker 4 (11:50):
That could have been the catch of the year, but
upon review they do determine it's not a catch. The
ball kind of goes away from his body and I
don't know, man, I know, like by the letter of
the law, they say, like he didn't control it the
entire whole time. But like, what do you think about
this one? Because shook like to me, that's a catch.
Speaker 3 (12:13):
I don't care. I actually kind of think it is
a catch.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
Okay, so there's a lot to cover here, but we'll
go with this catch first. We'll kind of work in
reverse order. That play right there is a great example
of why as cornerbacks you are taught to continue to
rake at the guy's the receiver's hands or arms or
whatever you have, you know, contact with to try to
disrupt possession. Because that is a catch. He's got in
one hand, he's bringing it in, but because Ajterrell is
making contact with his arm, the ball comes loose for
(12:38):
just a second and it makes it an incomplete pass,
which is a bummer because you know, theol the cool factor,
like the cool factor alone, that's a great play. Let's
let's make that a catch. They're right on the field
goal target line right there, right. But then I'm gonna
go all the way back to kicking it into the
end zone because that is why you kicked it in
the end zone. Earlier in this game, the Rams had
a return that got beyond the forty yard line. If
they had not kicked in the end zone. The rams
would have had ten more yards, and it just makes
(13:00):
it more likely that you're going to move into the
edge of field in today's long kicks. Right, So I
agree with you because you're like, why you're giving them
the free time. I understand that part, but field position
does matter when you don't trust your kick coverage team
to keep them from exceeding the thirty five yard understanding.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
How about trying to compete. Troy Aikman was with me.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
And that's that's that's that's machismo. That's that's machizmo. That
they can burn you in a big spot.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
That's that's what they call me, Greg machismo. Rosenthal.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
You walk around with your chest out.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
I know you.
Speaker 4 (13:30):
Sean McVay doesn't care about special teams. He consistently treats
his team building operation like he doesn't care. He just
fired his his special team's coach, and it's in part
because he doesn't want to compete, and like, the odds
are you are gonna stop? You know, the average kick
return is not to the forty yard line, shook it.
(13:50):
It's too a round like the between the thirty and
thirty five. It's like thirty one, thirty two, and it's
going to take six seven seconds off the clock, which
is massive in that situation. And they drove me crazy
last year by kicking into the end zone. They've been
a little better this year, but they fire their special
teams coach going into this week. Okay, you gotta have
a finger on the pulse of this team, and you
know what happens in this game, Shook. They have one
(14:12):
of the biggest best special teams moments of the Sean
McVay era. Let's actually listen to our friend JB. Long
on that Jared Verse field goal block, the right.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
Hash for Zane Gonzalez, final minute of the third quarter.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
Right for the dude is rejecting pipped up scoots going
the other way.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
Williams tab it Jared Verse with a caravan, he takes
it back. Wow, the eight strikes in the Rams.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
How life.
Speaker 1 (14:42):
Gate. That's such a good nickname.
Speaker 3 (14:44):
Yes, that was so good. JB.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
Long is the best. And you know what trench and
analysis by our friend MGD. Wow, Look that that was
gonna be a three score game at the end of
the third quarter. The only reason the Rams are really
in this game is because Jared Verse turned it around.
So Shook you got to have a finger on the
pulse of your team, your.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
Special team with I'm totally fine with that.
Speaker 4 (15:07):
Let's let's let's show the guys that we trust him
a little and let him play a little football.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
I'm getting that's justify my point.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
Yeah, that justifies my point. I would kick away from
them if I'm rahem too. They had a kick return
that got beyond the fordy earlier. They're having a good
special teams night. Kick it out of the end zone.
That's fine, It's fine. I also want to go back
to that the misthrow at Xavier Smith real quick. We're
all over the place here, but I just really hate
it when a flood concept works perfectly and you missed
the throw wide because that would have been a big
play for them. You got here, you got a guy
going on the flat, he occupies that defender. You got
(15:35):
a guy running it out beyond the sticks, and then
you got Smith running the corner route. It worked perfectly.
Jesse Bates bites it. It's right there, and it's one
of the few times where it just doesn't work out.
And I think Smith doesn't flatten out his corner round enough.
He gets a little too vertical there, which is why
that ball ends up closer to the sideline. That's a
redline throw right there by the way, and and Stafford
knows it. He knows that he didn't flatten out that
corner out enough and he really wishes he had one
(15:56):
that had that back. This was the entire second half
of the RAMS I think was just about I wish
we had that one back. I wish we had that
one back. Close calls, close calls, ultimately not getting the
job done, which I would be worried if they were
at full strengthen this happened. But if we bring it
all the way back to the offensive line and the
struggles that they encountered in the first half, I mean,
the Falcons did a great job of getting after Matthew Stafford.
(16:17):
He was never comfortable until you know, time got late,
when he got really late in the game and he
had to make plays, and he made throws throughout this game.
So I guess I feel fine about them if they
can get back to full closer to full strength in
the offensive line.
Speaker 5 (16:30):
But yeah, look, but I do think when it comes
to tonight, like you saw the intensity at twenty one
to nothing from McVeigh, coming out of half them when
they started driving on their first drive and that got
that you know, a couple of big plays.
Speaker 3 (16:51):
And he could not have been more intense.
Speaker 4 (16:55):
They wanted this game, and I do think they kind
of wanted it for Stafford too, And it's it's unfair
for it to come down to a couple of primetime
games with Stafford where he had a chance, and he
absolutely came through against Seattle with the great overtime drive.
But I think for him because it depends how deep
you want to get into the statistical argument, like if
(17:17):
you just like if you look at yards and then
you know, touchdown interception ratio, Now that's a little muddy.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
He had that argument.
Speaker 4 (17:25):
If you look at advanced stats EPA per play success rate,
completion percentage, completion percentage over expected, like Drake May's blowing
him out of the water, Stafford's numbers actually aren't like
top five and in those sort of stats this year,
whereas Drake May's, you know, at the very very top.
And I do think if I just had to predict
what the voters would do and what I would do too,
(17:46):
I don't want to put it on the voters. I
do think ultimately like there's a reason why the MVP
has almost always come from the one, two or three
seeds in the in the conference, almost always like the
one or two seeds, that's who.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
Get the front running award, right, That's what sucks about it,
and so may So we can get into the argum. Okay, okay,
I'm gonna push back on this real quick before we
move on. Do you care more about and this is
this talks about the voters and what they'd spend their
NFL season doing. Because you and I we know what
we do. We're watching every game, every play, every game
every week. Are you leaning more on the statistical evidence
(18:21):
and comparing numbers versus numbers?
Speaker 3 (18:23):
Yes?
Speaker 1 (18:23):
Or are you leaning on anecdotal evidence on your own
experience the memory of some of the greatest plays in
the biggest situations. Because if we want to do a
one by one comparison as close as possible, Drake may
is coming off the game in which he just blasted
the Jets, one of the worst teams in football, and
Matthew Stafford goes to Atlanta where the Falcons are super
charged on primetime and they lose close to one where
he nearly throws them back into this game. Let's compare
(18:45):
one to one, how did Drake May perform against the
Buffalo Bills in the second half? Tell me that, because
that's probably the closest I can get in comparison to
really put this one, you know, side by side. I
think it's gonna be close. I think it's gonna be
very fascinating to see how it pans out. But to
the voters, let's not just lean on the numbers. Let's
lean on how we felt about these players throughout this season.
And maybe I'm coming from a place of luxury and
(19:05):
privilege because that's what I do. But let's all just
lean on, you know, the rise and fall on the journey. Yeah,
not just what happened in December.
Speaker 4 (19:12):
I thought you were going to mention the Falcons game
that May played, which I think the Falcons gave him
some trouble Between him, Josh Allen, and Stafford, who are
the three MVP leaders, essentially, they gave trouble to all
three of them.
Speaker 3 (19:23):
Now May play the best against him.
Speaker 4 (19:24):
May is the one that got the win against him
and avoided the big time mistake. And I think it's
a really interesting argument.
Speaker 3 (19:31):
In general.
Speaker 4 (19:32):
We have a comment here that's saying, you know, Drake
May's doing it with worse receivers, worse offensive line. That's true,
and I think that is sort of a point in
May's favor. The system is great for him, but ultimately
he's been under a ton of pressure without a ton
of talent around him all year. Stafford, on the other hand,
has played an absolute gauntlet of a schedule.
Speaker 3 (19:52):
While May, according to.
Speaker 4 (19:53):
DVOA, has played the easiest schedule for opposing offenses, Stafford
and the Rams have maybe played the hardest schedule in
the NFL.
Speaker 3 (20:01):
Like, that's a point for Stafford. I watch.
Speaker 4 (20:04):
I watched each and every snap, like both guys have
taken each year, and they've both been really special. It's
it's kind of silly to me, Like, the only people
that annoy me in this argument are the Patriots fans
or the Rams fans that I follow on Twitter, and
because of my rooting interests, I follow a lot of
both of them that are so strident that it's so
(20:25):
clearly one or the other.
Speaker 3 (20:26):
Just shut up.
Speaker 4 (20:27):
It's a beauty it's a beauty contest, and you're basically
choosing which guy looks better in the bikini, and you're
picking the guy that you like because he plays for
your team, and the neutral voter it's just kind of
just picking what on vibes or whatever they want because
they've it's all about what you like. I a lot
of the really smart people out there like me, and
(20:49):
I think a lot of the smart people like Stafford,
and he to me, has the more of the narrative
that would normally win the award.
Speaker 3 (20:55):
But it's all, it's all kind of silly.
Speaker 4 (20:58):
They're both great options vibes and it's it's not really
a big difference, So shut up to everyone who.
Speaker 1 (21:03):
Says that it's vibes. It's personal preference, and it's I
would say bias, and it's voter fatigue. All three of
those come into play.
Speaker 4 (21:13):
Well, I don't think either one of them have vote
any voter VERTI that's always an element.
Speaker 1 (21:17):
That's always an element.
Speaker 4 (21:18):
A lot of times it is, and it would have
hurt Josh Allen or Lamar this year. I think Josh
Allen played his way out of it. They've they've both
just done some exceptional things and I think the degree
of difficulty for both of them on so many throws
each and every week. And that's why Drake Navy's numbers
on the plus twenty throws are just outrageous, are so
(21:39):
high and anyway, they both would be really worthy. You
know who we haven't talked about enough Tonight it's time
for Who Delivered, presented by Uber. Let's talk about Jean
(22:02):
Robinson because he had some runs in this game, and
again we really appreciate if you're watching on YouTube, give
us a like, give us a subscribe.
Speaker 3 (22:11):
We love you.
Speaker 4 (22:12):
You can watch one of the best, like five yard runs.
We could have picked out a two yard run in
this game. We could have picked out a five yard run.
Here is a run in the third quarter where he
makes two jump cuts and when you're watching the original
TV copy, you don't even think it's anything special, and
then you realize, Pooniford beats his block, he's in the hole.
Speaker 3 (22:33):
Who's ninety?
Speaker 1 (22:33):
Is that?
Speaker 4 (22:33):
Kobe Turner beats his block, He's in the hole. Robinson
makes them both miss and then he drags another defender
for another four yards and he was absolutely outrageous in
this game, goes over two hundred yards from scrimmage. It's
so ridiculous, Shook. He averaged over two hundred yards from
scrimmage in these four prime time games. Would I looked
(22:55):
it up because I was like, man, he has been
outstanding in these games. And he went for two hundred
and twenty nine yards from scrimmage tonight in the other
four priming time games one seventy seven, two thirty eight,
one seventy five. I mean, we just haven't seen another
guy like him. I as good as McCaffrey's been, I
think he might be my my you know, either Offensive
(23:17):
Player of the Year or first team All Pro at
running back.
Speaker 3 (23:19):
We'll talk about that a little later this week.
Speaker 1 (23:20):
Are we missing one more too? Because that average might
actually be below because we got to think about the
Falcons Buccaneers game, right, But regardless, he's had a fantastic
run this season. Look, Raheem Morris has talked about this
since the start of the season, essentially that he believes
he's the best player in football, and he's not wrong.
He's one of the best players in football. I don't
know if I'm gonna call him the best player in football.
(23:42):
I mean, there's a lot of frustration that is associated
with the Falcons coaching staff and specifically Zach Robinson, in
the fact that they just go away from him for
entire stretches of games. Uh, and maybe that explains why
they are where they are record wise. But a weapon
like that is always prime to break out, no matter
the stage, whether it's primetime, whether it's a one o'clock
window on a sun because he is just different. You know,
(24:03):
that highlight that we just played reminded me of sitting
in the suite at Lucas Soil Stadium at the Combine
and watching him do the bag drill and watching him
do the deuce daily drill, and watching how he just visually,
when you're sitting there, you can see the difference between
the guys who are going to be elite and guys
who could beat all right or maybe won't last very long,
very visible from that moment, clearly the best running back
in this class by a mile because of the way
(24:25):
he moved. He's big, he glides, he's explosive, he's light
on his feet. He does everything well. He makes men miss.
And when he made those two guys miss, I just
thought about him cutting around the bags in Indianapolis. It's
just carried over a transition and he only continues to
get better and better. And they would be so wise
to build their offense around him more frequently than they
did there were times this year and I don't know
(24:47):
if it's just because they want Tyler Algier involved, which
is fine, he's a good power back, but like this
is a player that can carry your team even in
today's modern NFL, because you can also catch the ball
out of the backfield. Excellent night for him.
Speaker 4 (25:00):
Twenty seven touches total. He got five catches for thirty
four yards. And you were talking about that Bucks game,
how dare you shook question next? Greg's stats which was
scratched out right before we started that primetime game against
the Bucks. Yes, ninety three yards rushing, eight catches, eighty
two yards receiving. If he's not getting it done as
(25:22):
the running back, he's their number two receiver at least
when you know Drake London was hurt for a while.
Speaker 3 (25:27):
And Troy Aikman.
Speaker 4 (25:28):
When you hear Troy Aikman, who I love for a
lot of reasons, but one is that, unlike myself, he's
not prone to hyperberly. He is very cautious to say player,
you know, put players in historical context, and when he
starts comparing him to Barry Sanders and is just saying like,
there aren't many runners that have come out around since
Barry Sanders that could be at that level. I get
(25:51):
it because for me personally, I've covered the league since
two thousand and three, and I think just in terms
of total package as good as McCaffrey is, and there's
been some great great backs in terms of just pure
total package talent, Like the guys that he reminds me
of is Ladanian, Tomlinson and Marshall fought like in terms
of just being literally that good. Like that's how far
(26:13):
back I have to go to find a guy. And
we're splitting Harris Becausejumir Gibs is crazy and McCaffrey's crazy,
But with Bijon, he is just he's just something special
and it's really cool that he did it in four
primetime wins this season.
Speaker 3 (26:28):
Man.
Speaker 4 (26:29):
That was who Delivered presented by Uber Eats. When football
makes you hungry, get game day deals on Uber Eats,
the official on demand delivery partner of the NFL.
Speaker 3 (26:37):
Order.
Speaker 4 (26:38):
Now, do you have one last Bijon point you want
to make? Or should I tell you what the Falcons
did in primetime this year?
Speaker 3 (26:43):
Yes, it is outrageous.
Speaker 1 (26:45):
I figured out the other primetime game we were missing.
It was the Niners game, in which Bijon went fourteen
for forty six catches for fifty two.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
Okay, you can absolutely question next.
Speaker 1 (26:56):
Those numbers might come down, but it's still impressive. Nonetheless,
I just had to figure out which game was I missing.
Speaker 4 (27:02):
Yeah, I forgot about that one though, twenty to ten
loss Man. The schedule makers were so high on the
Falcons this season. Who get a double victory, by the
way in this game, because not only do they win,
but they make the Rams draft pick that they traded
for Atlanta a little worse, just a little revenge game
for the Falcons because all these Rams fans have been
(27:23):
enjoying owning this Falcons pick, which looked incredible three weeks ago.
But with three straight wins, it's closer to the middle
of the first round instead of the top eight or
nine picks.
Speaker 3 (27:33):
That forty nine Ers loss.
Speaker 4 (27:35):
Good note the only blemish on the primetime schedule. They
beat JJ McCarthy and the Vikings twenty two to six.
They beat Josh Allen and the Bills twenty four to fourteen.
They won that Bucks game by a point a couple
weeks back, and now they beat the Rams here, So
four and one in primetime, do you think it's enough
to save Raheem Morris's job?
Speaker 3 (27:57):
Well?
Speaker 1 (27:57):
I always like to reference the one year in what
Eric manngini Wan was is final four games with the
Browns and got another year with them and then was
a dumpster fire the next year. And while the Falcons
are not the Browns, they do own some similarities and
that they listen to what the outside people say in
motivating how they proceed with their team. I think that
it's I could see and this is going to be crazy,
because usually this does not work out. But I could
(28:19):
see a scenario in which they make front office changes
and they keep Raheem and they make an offensive coordinator change,
so like there's changes somewhere, but they keep the head coach.
Because clearly, what is the most important thing that everybody
likes to point to late in the season for a
team that's not making the playoffs and the head coaches
on the hot seat, is the team still playing for him?
And clearly this team is still playing for him. Defensive
minded head coach. He got investment in his defense in
(28:40):
the offseason. We've seen how they've been better in the
pass rush. This year, we saw guys like Xavier Watts
making plays, Jesse Bates making plays in the secondary. These
are all encouraging pieces of evidence that he should stay,
that they are playing for him, that they are figuring
it out. But ultimately it comes down to this, what
is their future with Michael Pennix, because this whole stretch
has been with Kirk Cousins, a guy that I told
(29:01):
you was playing a good quarterback, and he was playing
good quarterback even though he wasn't a huge part of night.
Speaker 4 (29:04):
It wasn't great tonight. Let's he was solid in the
first half. He was solid in the first half. And
I'm glad he brought up Kirk Cousins because it's actually
time for quarterback keeper presented by a snap dragon, and yeah,
the quarterback decision is gonna be massive. What do you
think because Pennix got hurt in terms of his ACL
so late in this season. It's an injury he's had before.
(29:26):
And I did think it was interesting that Troy Aikman
cited some coaches on the field that he talked to
who apparently posited, hey, don't be surprised if Kirk Cousins
is still on this team. In twenty twenty six. I
have a few things to say about that. I'm curious
what you think.
Speaker 1 (29:43):
Well, so, he's one of the top guys that I
look at in the off season as a potential trade
candidate for teams that need a bridge, that needs somebody
to stabilize a position. In fact, I wrote a piece
about this in place of QB Index last week. Three
quarterback trades I like to see this offseason. One of
them was Kirk Cousins to Cleveland because of his history
with Kevin Stefanski and how he could be bridge for
whoever they go with long term. Financially, it's a little
(30:03):
bit of a hurdle, but he is still an expensive
backup that becomes more valuable if you don't believe that
Michael Pennix is going to be one hundred percent ready,
or maybe you don't believe that he can carry you
through an entire season next year because of the injury
and because of whatever else, Do you still have the
same confidence and optimism in him that you did the
year before. Those two are tied. These decisions are tied together.
They neither can be independent, neither can be made in
(30:25):
a vacuum. And I think it also comes down to
are you keeping Raheem, Because if you're keeping Raheem, you
need to win. And if you need to win, you
need to have more than one option at quarterback. And
at that point, you keep Kirk Cousins because of what
he's done this season coming in as a backup, he
stabilizes it much like he would for other options. So
it's an interesting decision that they'll have to make. I
would side more toward them keeping him and just biting
(30:47):
the cost that it's going to be in their salary cap.
And that's fine because they've realized the value of having
an experienced backup, which a lot of other teams don't have.
But it's still far from certain right now.
Speaker 4 (30:59):
Yeah, it's so complex, and this is a good time
to talk about it because Cousins tonight showed like he's
not the solution to everything. I think he's been playing
good football. I think they've been a better offense with
Kirk Cousins. Michael Pennix was setting up pretty low floor
this year. It was a disappointing season. He did not
(31:21):
fit in this offense. They're clearly going to change offensive coordinators,
even if they don't change Raheem Morris. It gets complicated
for a few reasons. When Troy Aikman said that, I
was thinking, yeah, but those coaches aren't going to be
there next year, so like, who cares what they think?
And three straight wins, maybe if you finish off next
(31:42):
week in New Orleans that has an emotional you know,
resonance with Arthur Blanket. It shouldn't, but maybe that game
ends up mattering for the Falcons, whether they win or lose,
you know, winning four straight, maybe he'll think, Okay, let's
stay the course. The buzz that you kind of heard
around the league was they were going to make a
change that you know, Fontina has been there for their
(32:03):
GM has been there for four years. He's got two
different coaches, so I think in the ownership's mind they've
had this regime now for a while.
Speaker 3 (32:11):
It's not just Raheem Morris.
Speaker 4 (32:13):
We saw the report from Jay Glazier that they might
be bringing to Matthew Matt Ryan as a front office EXAs.
Speaker 1 (32:18):
Which would be hilarious by the way, given how font
No got rid of it.
Speaker 4 (32:22):
Right, So if Matt Ryan's coming in, I would assume
he's not going to be the GM, but maybe it's
in a sort of president you know.
Speaker 3 (32:33):
Figure, or that he's helping.
Speaker 4 (32:35):
Yeah, he's helping to hire the next GM and coach,
and then you would have to think everyone's gone Raheem Morris,
the's coaches and that that next you know, administration is
going to make a decision on Kirkkauz. Now, either way
you think about it, you look at his contract, it's
not it's not quite as bad as you remember. Now
because there's ten million dollars left of guaranteed money. You
(32:57):
got to pay him that regardless. Okay, there's also a
bonus five days into the year, which is I think
another ten million, So you got to make the decision quick.
You got to either cut him or try to trade
him before that. He's doing thirty five million dollars, which
sounds like a lot for Kirk cousins in twenty twenty six.
It is, it's too much, but it's not that that
(33:18):
crazy for a bridge.
Speaker 1 (33:19):
Quarterback, not when you have a rookie on a rookie contract.
Speaker 3 (33:22):
Right.
Speaker 4 (33:24):
My guess is they will try to see if they
can get anything in the trade for him, and.
Speaker 3 (33:30):
The crazy part is they might just get.
Speaker 4 (33:33):
Something well, right, you know, So they'll pretend that they're
going to keep them, and then we're at the combine
and there's a trade and it's like you got like
a fourth round pick or a fourth to fifth swap,
and we spend way too many NFL Daily episodes in
the meantime talking about it. I'm not looking forward to that,
but that could be an outcome no matter who is
(33:53):
running this team.
Speaker 1 (33:54):
I was just envisioning as you were getting to that
point there of being in Indianapolis and being at like
a hotel or some restaurant and being like, so, what's
the latest on Kirk Cousins, just because like, that's that's
gonna be one of the things that's got to happen then,
because we're going to be right on the prespice of
the new league year and then when that bonus is
going to come in. So yeah, I think you're absolutely right.
But they'll get something, but they won't get that much
(34:15):
because of the money that's attached to you.
Speaker 4 (34:16):
They might not get anything. I'm just thinking out loud.
I think it's possible.
Speaker 1 (34:19):
Something could be a Day three pick, an early Day
three pick, but the money attached to it is going
to lower the return on him. And is it worth
it at that point? It only happens then, like you said,
if there's a full regime changer. So I'm not one
hundred percent certain is coming.
Speaker 4 (34:34):
Right, Penni's not playing well, really complicated. So do you
want to start over? Do you want to start from scratch?
Those are all questions for the offseason. For now, the
Rams will keep playing. The Falcons have one more game
against the Saints. That was Quarterback Keeper, presented by Snapdragon.
Learn more at snapdragon dot com slash laptops.
Speaker 3 (34:53):
The other big item.
Speaker 4 (34:54):
From this game is the impact on the NFC South Race.
It started filtering out Sunday afternoon, this little nugget that
I frankly didn't put much stock into. I was like, Oh,
those are one of those cool little playoff scenario nuggets.
Speaker 3 (35:09):
I love that.
Speaker 4 (35:11):
Actually, the Panthers could lose in Week eighteen to the Buccaneers,
fall to eight and nine, but still win the division
if the Falcons won out and there was a three
way tie at eight and nine, and I kind of
dismissed it, you know, it's like, Wow, what are the
odds of that all happening? Well, the Bucks did lose
(35:32):
to the Dolphins, wasn't shocked by that.
Speaker 3 (35:33):
In fact, they picked it.
Speaker 4 (35:35):
That was a good pick.
Speaker 3 (35:36):
Panthers lose.
Speaker 4 (35:38):
But the one I didn't expect to happen is the
Falcons actually did beat the Rams. So now the Falcons
Saints game next week takes on bigger meeting. The Saints
have won what four straight now, and the Falcons have
won three straight. And the crazy part is if the
Bucks win that game next week, it will be a
three way tie at eight and nine like the Saint
(35:58):
You know, the Saints will have Wait now, the Saints
will have gotten the seven wins, the Falcons will have
gotten the eight wins. It is crazy that this team
that's been out of the playoffs for like a month,
the Falcons could end up in a first place tie.
It's just all the tie breakers that will cancel them out.
So the Panthers were watching this game, and I'm sure
they don't want to go into the playoffs losing, but
they're probably pumping their fists there when that final Kuka
(36:21):
Nakua catch was ruled out of bound.
Speaker 1 (36:23):
Yeah, but can you imagine a scenario and this is
all in the same window. No, wait, we have the
Saturday game against between the Bucks and Pans.
Speaker 4 (36:29):
Yes, the interesting thing here is if the Bucks win
that game. Now, thinking about Saturday, we actually won't know
who won the division until Sunday. The Bucks will celebrate,
but it's going to be very strange and awkward. They're
at home, like, do you fire the cannons if you
don't win the division? I don't think that you do.
You certainly aren't doing any T shirts and hats. It's
(36:51):
going to be a very strange situation that I wonder
if you know the ABC executives and everyone were even
thinking about when they when they put in that Saturday afternoons.
Speaker 1 (37:00):
So much intrigue now though, because if you've watched the
Saints over the last month, yes, they played a soft schedule,
but they did beat the Panthers during that stretch. They're
also one of the most electric fourth quarter teams that
you'll find over the last month because Taiwan, that's the.
Speaker 3 (37:11):
Best rivalry in football Week eight see is saved.
Speaker 1 (37:15):
I mean, I've never been more excited about a Falcon
Saints game in Week eighteen because I love the idea
of a team that's basically eliminated playing spoiler just for
the fun of it. I love chaos.
Speaker 4 (37:25):
I don't know if it was Week eighteen, but when
Jamal Williams and Jamis Winston decided to you know, run
that extra play that ye Allen didn't want to rub
it in on the Falcons, that was truly electric.
Speaker 1 (37:41):
That was almost a midfield fight between Dennis Allen and
Arthur Smith.
Speaker 4 (37:45):
And anyone who's in the comments questioning whether the Falcons
and Saints are the best rivalry in the league. I mean,
Raven Steelers are up there, but in terms of pure
fan hatred, they are right there. So congratulations to the Falcons.
There is almost no better team in the NFL than
the Falcon after they've been eliminated. Love this stat I
saw on Blue Sky tonight. Since twenty eighteen, they are
(38:06):
fifty three and seventy eight in games before they're eliminated
from playoff contention, twenty five games under five hundred. After
being eliminated from playoff contention, they're twelve and four. Like
they're getting a playoff by you know that they are
since win or in their games the Falcons since twenty eighteen,
so not a ton of games since they've been you know,
end of season games that don't matter.
Speaker 3 (38:27):
They are twelve and four. In those games, they did
it again.
Speaker 1 (38:30):
So let's just start the season. Just tell them, hey,
you're eliminated. Go play ball.
Speaker 4 (38:35):
What a night we might have seen the MVP decided,
and indirectly we might end up seeing the NFC South decided.
We will be back on Tuesday. Can't wait. NFL daily
every day this week. Back to full schedule. It's time
(38:55):
for the final QB Island of the season. This was
our last regular season recap of the season. It has
been a pleasure shook, but we will be back for
the playoffs. They have a Monday night game in the
Wildcard round, so we'll be going live then.
Speaker 3 (39:08):
We're going live on Sunday night. We will see you
then
He intercepts it with ninety seven seconds left. One forty
(00:02):
one is what they put on the clock. And here
goes Bjon rabbitson.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Thirty thirty, Bob thirty midfield. It's a foot race, Robinson
thirty fifteen tenth, Bob house call, are you serious? Oh
my goodness, he just went ninety three.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
Hey La, that's the matrix for you. That was Bizad Robinson.
Speaker 4 (00:37):
That was West Durham on WZGC. And that was another
epic primetime performance on the regular season Monday night football
finale in the epic performance of course by the John
Robinson who shows up every week, but he really shows
up in primetime.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
That put them ahead twenty one to nothing.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
The Rams come all the way back to tie it
up at twenty four, but the Falcons get a late
field goal to win twenty seven to twenty four. Nick
Shook joining me live on YouTube, Thank you to everyone
watching us live. That second quarter run feels like five
hours ago.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
I'm I'm a.
Speaker 4 (01:17):
Little whip last year that the Falcons even won this
game because it looked like they were gonna blow their
biggest lead.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Since you know, the one.
Speaker 4 (01:25):
But for all the Falcons fans watching we should enjoy
a night where Jean Robinson goes crazy on the ground
once again. And there's someone out there that only watches
primetime games, Nick Shook, and they think that the Atlanta
Falcons are the best team in the NFL this year.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
Yeah, it's like I's sweeted. If they only played in primetime,
they'd probably win the Super Bowl because for some reason,
the bright lights of primetime just bring out the best
in Raheem Morris's bunch. You know, he started going into halftime,
he said, look, we screwed up the season, but we're
playing hard, and I think that's a great indicator of
where this team stands with Rahem as head coach. We
know that's a tricky spot. They may or may not
make a change and move on after the disappointment that
was this season. But man, in the big games, they
(02:07):
have played like a team that should be going to
the playoffs, and they went toe to toe. In fact,
they dominated a team that many, including myself think is
the favorite to win the Super Bowl for a half
tonight and then held on at the end. I mean,
they got the job done. They got the job done
because they have one of the best players in football
and John Robinson. They have a pass rush that is
significantly upgraded from where it was last year, and they
(02:27):
have a defense that was really opportunist tonight. And you
gotta love a win like this late in the season
for the Falcon.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
You love it, and you see the good in Raheem
Morris having his players out there hitting. Certainly it's an
aggressive defensive style. He forces Matthew Stafford into a few
big mistakes, three interceptions on the night. Maybe his MVP
chances go by the wayside on this night. I think
that's a little harsh. We'll talk about that, but I
(02:58):
want to get back to the Falcons. But I do
want to stop and ask you a question about what
you just said. You said the Rams were your super
Bowl pick before this game, and it sounds like after
this game, through the last two weeks, you know, choking
away that loss against Seattle and then losing this one
(03:19):
to the Falcons move you off your position or you
think that they can go win the Super Bowl from
possibly the sixth seed. Now, if they had won both
those games, they would have had the five seed, which
would have been on paper, an easier draw. You play
the NFC South winner, maybe even get a home game
in the NFC Championship. If it ends up being RAMS
(03:40):
forty nine ers or Rams Seahawks, it's not that crazy.
Now they're going to need some help from the Seahawks
next week they could be the sixth seed. How are
you feeling about Rams as a real deal Super Bowl
contender winner movies, not contender winner, your.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
Pick winner, because they're still a contender winner. Yes. When
I moved into that position a couple of weeks ago,
you know, maybe I should have their opponent. But they
look like the most complete team to be in the NFL.
And this is a season in which we have every
team that's a contender is flawed in one way or another.
Tonight we saw their flaws. Now you could say the
Seattle game exposed some of their flaws, maybe a lack
of mental toughness or an ability to get back, get
(04:14):
back up off the mat and fights. Yes, and that's
always been a problem for them the entire season, go
way back to when they lost in Philly on a
blocked field goal. Especially seams was advantageous for them. Tonight
Jared Versus blocking a field goal and return it for
a touchdown. I mean that's a shockingly positive play from
the special teams unit. But my biggest issue, and this
is where I always go and I'm going to go
back there again because I think it's the most important
(04:36):
part of football, the trenches. They could not protect Matthew
Stafford tonight. For a good portion of this night, they
couldn't stop the run. They were losing the trench battle
on both sides of the ball, And that always gives
me great concern because I think the best chance to
win a Super Bowl starts up front. If you can
get after the pass or if you can stop the run,
and if you could protect your quarterback, you have a
really good shot. Now, the offensive line issues may be temporary.
(04:57):
A Lark Jackson didn't play tonight, but you know there's
a potential that he'll be back before long. Because if
you're going to the playoffs. The Dj Humphries, the left tackle,
I don't believe in you.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
So that lost them in the game. It lost them
the game.
Speaker 4 (05:09):
You know, Dj Humphries, who's had a good career, he
was with the Cardinals for a long time. Has a
blown block on a fourth down which stops their first drive,
has an illegal formation, which did that kill a touchdown earlier.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
It was a long pass to It was a long
pass brought back right put them at a field goal
rangely punted on that drive.
Speaker 4 (05:29):
So you lose points off that illegal formation. He also
gave up a sack at one point, and then he
gets a holding call on a long touchdown to Puka Nakua.
I am with you. I put I was putting you
on the hot seat there. Look, I'm taking the field
over any two teams you give me. Maybe in the NFL,
the Seahawks and the Rams are still my two favorites.
(05:51):
I think they're the best two teams, but they're in
the tougher conference, so it's going to be tougher to
get through. But I would take the field over anyone
because or any two teams to give me, because it's
just a wide open year.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Now.
Speaker 4 (06:03):
That said, I think the Rams are still the most
balanced team offense, defense, special teams. When they flashed up
that graphic tonight that said, you know, the Rams can
only be the five or six seed, And I'm thinking
how they sat DeVante Adams, Alric Jackson and Kevin Dotson
their guard maybe their two best offensive linemen both out
for this game and I'm wondering, like, would they have
(06:25):
played them if it was a playoff game? Watching DeVante
Adams his pregame routine, I think he would have been
playing if it was a playoff game. And I do
give them just like the smallest little bit of a
pass that you know, they maybe aren't up for this
game in the same way that they would be up
for a playoff game.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
Now, Sean mcvagh talked tough, you know, for a couple week.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
I mean, I'm just saying they watched that game Sunday night,
they find out San Francisco wins, and they have no
more chance to win the division. They probably thought they
were going to come into this game with a chance
to win the division. It's a little bit of a letdown,
and the Falcons bum rush them. I've seen teams make
it from low seeds. You know what team did it?
I know they were a four seed.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
The New York Giants ran the table one time.
Speaker 3 (07:06):
How about the.
Speaker 4 (07:06):
Los Angeles Rams like five years ago, Like they were
a four seed and they ended up hosting the NFC
championship game because the forty nine ers made it even
as a lower seed. But it happens, you know, when
when Flacco that team won the Super Bowl, when the
Cardinals made it, you know, a couple of plays away,
when the Packers won the Super Bowl. When it used
to happen more often where teams gave up some l's
(07:28):
late in the season and they still won lower seeds.
Hasn't happened as much. But I've seen a Patriots team
lose a couple times in December, it happened. Let's talk
about what went wrong in this game, because I think
Matthew Stafford he probably lost the MVP tonight, at least
the betting nods, which is ridiculous that it's going through
(07:49):
during a live game, reflected that. Let's like, if you're
watching on YouTube, you can see the Xavier Watts interception
of Stafford. Let's go back to the second quarter and
kind of what you saw from Stafford early in this
game where he gets picked off two different times. The
one we're watching is with an under two minutes to
(08:10):
go and Wats makes a fantastic play on the ball
deep throw to Xavier Smith. It ends up being one
of two Watts interceptions on the day. A really fantastic
rookie season for the Falcon safety. What do you think
went wrong here with Stafford on this night.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Well, what I see here is Stafford's slight hesitation before deciding, yes,
I'm gonna launch this go ball because that's a mismatch
against a linebacker and I can put it out there
and Xavier and Xavier Smith can go catch this like
that's a simple that's a simple decision that he made.
But he hesitated, And when he hesitated, he bought Watts
the extra little split second to commit. Because if as
you see him step back and he does that little hesitation,
he loads to fire, Watts swivels his hips out and
(08:46):
starts spreading in that direction. Because he hesitated, they gave
him just enough time to close the gap and gets
the ball. Great play by Watts, great safety at Notre Dame.
I was surprised he lasted as long as he did
in the draft. I'm glad that he's playing really well.
He's a guy who plays with his hair on fire.
He deserves the recognition and the exposure that a primetime
stage would give him to make these kinds of plays.
But I think it was simply because Stafford hesitated there
trusted his arm a little bit, which I can't blame him.
(09:08):
He's made incredible throws like that all year, usually to
Pokin a Cop or Devonte Adams, this time a lesser receiver.
But I could still understand mismatch. I'm gonna put out there,
he's gonna make the play, but the hesitation burned him
on that one.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
Then he throws a third interception in the second half.
Again it's Watts jumping a route, kind of looking like
Malcolm Butler. This is a point where it's twenty four
to seventeen. It's in the middle of the Rams comeback.
They just got the blocked kick return from Jared Verse
where the game really changed, and you think Stafford is
(09:39):
going in for another touchdown and they pick him off again.
And that was kind of the moment that I thought,
it's not fair. And we'll talk about it with Patrick
Clayban on Wednesday show the MVP Conversation. But one of
the things that kind of bothers me about MVP is
a lot of times it just comes down to a
couple of nominees and then whoever has a great game
on a primetime performance December January, or whoever has a
(10:01):
bad game ends up winning the MVP, which is a
stupid way to do it. This is not the time
to go through the cases for Drake may or Matthew Stafford.
I think they both have strong cases. I wouldn't kill
anyone for making either decision. But I've seen MVPs lost
this way. We were texted back and forth about it.
Mike Vick lost one. I remember you brought up one.
It wasn't brock Purty a.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
Couple of games, Prescott, it was two years ago. And
that clunker he laid in Buffalo, it completely wiped him
out of the MVP conversation.
Speaker 3 (10:27):
And that's it's a dumb way to do it.
Speaker 4 (10:29):
Because Stafford also made some great throws in this game
and did lead them on a long comeback, but man,
he did have chances on the final drive.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
I know we're jumping all.
Speaker 4 (10:39):
Over the place here, but the Falcons and this is
why Raheem Morris's, you know, bid to keep his job
with three straight wins here and have them playing hard.
Isn't that simple. He drove me crazy with how conservative
he approached the end of the game. He was absolutely
trying to set up like a fifty plus yard field goal,
and that's exactly what happened, and he got it, but
(11:00):
it still to me is the wrong approach. And he
left the Rams time on the clock and then he
kicks it into the end zone because he's afraid of
a return instead of taking time off the clock, and
he gives Stafford a chance to do something spectacular. And
that's the thing about tonight. Stafford had a chance for
a bunch of MVP moments and he has a wide
open receiver that was Xavier Smith again on what could
(11:23):
have been the game winning touchdown. Jesse Bates just getting
way too aggressive there and Stafford misses the throw. The
very next play after that, I'm curious what your thoughts are,
Stafford throws a dime to Puka Nakua, who comes so close.
The play happens with ten seconds left from the Rams
(11:44):
thirty five yard line, and he throws it to the
opposite hash other thirty five and.
Speaker 3 (11:48):
Puka catches it with one arm.
Speaker 4 (11:50):
That could have been the catch of the year, but
upon review they do determine it's not a catch. The
ball kind of goes away from his body and I
don't know, man, I know, like by the letter of
the law, they say, like he didn't control it the
entire whole time. But like, what do you think about
this one? Because shook like to me, that's a catch.
Speaker 3 (12:13):
I don't care. I actually kind of think it is
a catch.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
Okay, so there's a lot to cover here, but we'll
go with this catch first. We'll kind of work in
reverse order. That play right there is a great example
of why as cornerbacks you are taught to continue to
rake at the guy's the receiver's hands or arms or
whatever you have, you know, contact with to try to
disrupt possession. Because that is a catch. He's got in
one hand, he's bringing it in, but because Ajterrell is
making contact with his arm, the ball comes loose for
(12:38):
just a second and it makes it an incomplete pass,
which is a bummer because you know, theol the cool factor,
like the cool factor alone, that's a great play. Let's
let's make that a catch. They're right on the field
goal target line right there, right. But then I'm gonna
go all the way back to kicking it into the
end zone because that is why you kicked it in
the end zone. Earlier in this game, the Rams had
a return that got beyond the forty yard line. If
they had not kicked in the end zone. The rams
would have had ten more yards, and it just makes
(13:00):
it more likely that you're going to move into the
edge of field in today's long kicks. Right, So I
agree with you because you're like, why you're giving them
the free time. I understand that part, but field position
does matter when you don't trust your kick coverage team
to keep them from exceeding the thirty five yard understanding.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
How about trying to compete. Troy Aikman was with me.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
And that's that's that's that's machismo. That's that's machizmo. That
they can burn you in a big spot.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
That's that's what they call me, Greg machismo. Rosenthal.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
You walk around with your chest out.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
I know you.
Speaker 4 (13:30):
Sean McVay doesn't care about special teams. He consistently treats
his team building operation like he doesn't care. He just
fired his his special team's coach, and it's in part
because he doesn't want to compete, and like, the odds
are you are gonna stop? You know, the average kick
return is not to the forty yard line, shook it.
(13:50):
It's too a round like the between the thirty and
thirty five. It's like thirty one, thirty two, and it's
going to take six seven seconds off the clock, which
is massive in that situation. And they drove me crazy
last year by kicking into the end zone. They've been
a little better this year, but they fire their special
teams coach going into this week. Okay, you gotta have
a finger on the pulse of this team, and you
know what happens in this game, Shook. They have one
(14:12):
of the biggest best special teams moments of the Sean
McVay era. Let's actually listen to our friend JB. Long
on that Jared Verse field goal block, the right.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
Hash for Zane Gonzalez, final minute of the third quarter.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
Right for the dude is rejecting pipped up scoots going
the other way.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
Williams tab it Jared Verse with a caravan, he takes
it back. Wow, the eight strikes in the Rams.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
How life.
Speaker 1 (14:42):
Gate. That's such a good nickname.
Speaker 3 (14:44):
Yes, that was so good. JB.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
Long is the best. And you know what trench and
analysis by our friend MGD. Wow, Look that that was
gonna be a three score game at the end of
the third quarter. The only reason the Rams are really
in this game is because Jared Verse turned it around.
So Shook you got to have a finger on the
pulse of your team, your.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
Special team with I'm totally fine with that.
Speaker 4 (15:07):
Let's let's let's show the guys that we trust him
a little and let him play a little football.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
I'm getting that's justify my point.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
Yeah, that justifies my point. I would kick away from
them if I'm rahem too. They had a kick return
that got beyond the fordy earlier. They're having a good
special teams night. Kick it out of the end zone.
That's fine, It's fine. I also want to go back
to that the misthrow at Xavier Smith real quick. We're
all over the place here, but I just really hate
it when a flood concept works perfectly and you missed
the throw wide because that would have been a big
play for them. You got here, you got a guy
going on the flat, he occupies that defender. You got
(15:35):
a guy running it out beyond the sticks, and then
you got Smith running the corner route. It worked perfectly.
Jesse Bates bites it. It's right there, and it's one
of the few times where it just doesn't work out.
And I think Smith doesn't flatten out his corner round enough.
He gets a little too vertical there, which is why
that ball ends up closer to the sideline. That's a
redline throw right there by the way, and and Stafford
knows it. He knows that he didn't flatten out that
corner out enough and he really wishes he had one
(15:56):
that had that back. This was the entire second half
of the RAMS I think was just about I wish
we had that one back. I wish we had that
one back. Close calls, close calls, ultimately not getting the
job done, which I would be worried if they were
at full strengthen this happened. But if we bring it
all the way back to the offensive line and the
struggles that they encountered in the first half, I mean,
the Falcons did a great job of getting after Matthew Stafford.
(16:17):
He was never comfortable until you know, time got late,
when he got really late in the game and he
had to make plays, and he made throws throughout this game.
So I guess I feel fine about them if they
can get back to full closer to full strength in
the offensive line.
Speaker 5 (16:30):
But yeah, look, but I do think when it comes
to tonight, like you saw the intensity at twenty one
to nothing from McVeigh, coming out of half them when
they started driving on their first drive and that got
that you know, a couple of big plays.
Speaker 3 (16:51):
And he could not have been more intense.
Speaker 4 (16:55):
They wanted this game, and I do think they kind
of wanted it for Stafford too, And it's it's unfair
for it to come down to a couple of primetime
games with Stafford where he had a chance, and he
absolutely came through against Seattle with the great overtime drive.
But I think for him because it depends how deep
you want to get into the statistical argument, like if
(17:17):
you just like if you look at yards and then
you know, touchdown interception ratio, Now that's a little muddy.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
He had that argument.
Speaker 4 (17:25):
If you look at advanced stats EPA per play success rate,
completion percentage, completion percentage over expected, like Drake May's blowing
him out of the water, Stafford's numbers actually aren't like
top five and in those sort of stats this year,
whereas Drake May's, you know, at the very very top.
And I do think if I just had to predict
what the voters would do and what I would do too,
(17:46):
I don't want to put it on the voters. I
do think ultimately like there's a reason why the MVP
has almost always come from the one, two or three
seeds in the in the conference, almost always like the
one or two seeds, that's who.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
Get the front running award, right, That's what sucks about it,
and so may So we can get into the argum. Okay, okay,
I'm gonna push back on this real quick before we
move on. Do you care more about and this is
this talks about the voters and what they'd spend their
NFL season doing. Because you and I we know what
we do. We're watching every game, every play, every game
every week. Are you leaning more on the statistical evidence
(18:21):
and comparing numbers versus numbers?
Speaker 3 (18:23):
Yes?
Speaker 1 (18:23):
Or are you leaning on anecdotal evidence on your own
experience the memory of some of the greatest plays in
the biggest situations. Because if we want to do a
one by one comparison as close as possible, Drake may
is coming off the game in which he just blasted
the Jets, one of the worst teams in football, and
Matthew Stafford goes to Atlanta where the Falcons are super
charged on primetime and they lose close to one where
he nearly throws them back into this game. Let's compare
(18:45):
one to one, how did Drake May perform against the
Buffalo Bills in the second half? Tell me that, because
that's probably the closest I can get in comparison to
really put this one, you know, side by side. I
think it's gonna be close. I think it's gonna be
very fascinating to see how it pans out. But to
the voters, let's not just lean on the numbers. Let's
lean on how we felt about these players throughout this season.
And maybe I'm coming from a place of luxury and
(19:05):
privilege because that's what I do. But let's all just
lean on, you know, the rise and fall on the journey. Yeah,
not just what happened in December.
Speaker 4 (19:12):
I thought you were going to mention the Falcons game
that May played, which I think the Falcons gave him
some trouble Between him, Josh Allen, and Stafford, who are
the three MVP leaders, essentially, they gave trouble to all
three of them.
Speaker 3 (19:23):
Now May play the best against him.
Speaker 4 (19:24):
May is the one that got the win against him
and avoided the big time mistake. And I think it's
a really interesting argument.
Speaker 3 (19:31):
In general.
Speaker 4 (19:32):
We have a comment here that's saying, you know, Drake
May's doing it with worse receivers, worse offensive line. That's true,
and I think that is sort of a point in
May's favor. The system is great for him, but ultimately
he's been under a ton of pressure without a ton
of talent around him all year. Stafford, on the other hand,
has played an absolute gauntlet of a schedule.
Speaker 3 (19:52):
While May, according to.
Speaker 4 (19:53):
DVOA, has played the easiest schedule for opposing offenses, Stafford
and the Rams have maybe played the hardest schedule in
the NFL.
Speaker 3 (20:01):
Like, that's a point for Stafford. I watch.
Speaker 4 (20:04):
I watched each and every snap, like both guys have
taken each year, and they've both been really special. It's
it's kind of silly to me, Like, the only people
that annoy me in this argument are the Patriots fans
or the Rams fans that I follow on Twitter, and
because of my rooting interests, I follow a lot of
both of them that are so strident that it's so
(20:25):
clearly one or the other.
Speaker 3 (20:26):
Just shut up.
Speaker 4 (20:27):
It's a beauty it's a beauty contest, and you're basically
choosing which guy looks better in the bikini, and you're
picking the guy that you like because he plays for
your team, and the neutral voter it's just kind of
just picking what on vibes or whatever they want because
they've it's all about what you like. I a lot
of the really smart people out there like me, and
(20:49):
I think a lot of the smart people like Stafford,
and he to me, has the more of the narrative
that would normally win the award.
Speaker 3 (20:55):
But it's all, it's all kind of silly.
Speaker 4 (20:58):
They're both great options vibes and it's it's not really
a big difference, So shut up to everyone who.
Speaker 1 (21:03):
Says that it's vibes. It's personal preference, and it's I
would say bias, and it's voter fatigue. All three of
those come into play.
Speaker 4 (21:13):
Well, I don't think either one of them have vote
any voter VERTI that's always an element.
Speaker 1 (21:17):
That's always an element.
Speaker 4 (21:18):
A lot of times it is, and it would have
hurt Josh Allen or Lamar this year. I think Josh
Allen played his way out of it. They've they've both
just done some exceptional things and I think the degree
of difficulty for both of them on so many throws
each and every week. And that's why Drake Navy's numbers
on the plus twenty throws are just outrageous, are so
(21:39):
high and anyway, they both would be really worthy. You
know who we haven't talked about enough Tonight it's time
for Who Delivered, presented by Uber. Let's talk about Jean
(22:02):
Robinson because he had some runs in this game, and
again we really appreciate if you're watching on YouTube, give
us a like, give us a subscribe.
Speaker 3 (22:11):
We love you.
Speaker 4 (22:12):
You can watch one of the best, like five yard runs.
We could have picked out a two yard run in
this game. We could have picked out a five yard run.
Here is a run in the third quarter where he
makes two jump cuts and when you're watching the original
TV copy, you don't even think it's anything special, and
then you realize, Pooniford beats his block, he's in the hole.
Speaker 3 (22:33):
Who's ninety?
Speaker 1 (22:33):
Is that?
Speaker 4 (22:33):
Kobe Turner beats his block, He's in the hole. Robinson
makes them both miss and then he drags another defender
for another four yards and he was absolutely outrageous in
this game, goes over two hundred yards from scrimmage. It's
so ridiculous, Shook. He averaged over two hundred yards from
scrimmage in these four prime time games. Would I looked
(22:55):
it up because I was like, man, he has been
outstanding in these games. And he went for two hundred
and twenty nine yards from scrimmage tonight in the other
four priming time games one seventy seven, two thirty eight,
one seventy five. I mean, we just haven't seen another
guy like him. I as good as McCaffrey's been, I
think he might be my my you know, either Offensive
(23:17):
Player of the Year or first team All Pro at
running back.
Speaker 3 (23:19):
We'll talk about that a little later this week.
Speaker 1 (23:20):
Are we missing one more too? Because that average might
actually be below because we got to think about the
Falcons Buccaneers game, right, But regardless, he's had a fantastic
run this season. Look, Raheem Morris has talked about this
since the start of the season, essentially that he believes
he's the best player in football, and he's not wrong.
He's one of the best players in football. I don't
know if I'm gonna call him the best player in football.
(23:42):
I mean, there's a lot of frustration that is associated
with the Falcons coaching staff and specifically Zach Robinson, in
the fact that they just go away from him for
entire stretches of games. Uh, and maybe that explains why
they are where they are record wise. But a weapon
like that is always prime to break out, no matter
the stage, whether it's primetime, whether it's a one o'clock
window on a sun because he is just different. You know,
(24:03):
that highlight that we just played reminded me of sitting
in the suite at Lucas Soil Stadium at the Combine
and watching him do the bag drill and watching him
do the deuce daily drill, and watching how he just visually,
when you're sitting there, you can see the difference between
the guys who are going to be elite and guys
who could beat all right or maybe won't last very long,
very visible from that moment, clearly the best running back
in this class by a mile because of the way
(24:25):
he moved. He's big, he glides, he's explosive, he's light
on his feet. He does everything well. He makes men miss.
And when he made those two guys miss, I just
thought about him cutting around the bags in Indianapolis. It's
just carried over a transition and he only continues to
get better and better. And they would be so wise
to build their offense around him more frequently than they
did there were times this year and I don't know
(24:47):
if it's just because they want Tyler Algier involved, which
is fine, he's a good power back, but like this
is a player that can carry your team even in
today's modern NFL, because you can also catch the ball
out of the backfield. Excellent night for him.
Speaker 4 (25:00):
Twenty seven touches total. He got five catches for thirty
four yards. And you were talking about that Bucks game,
how dare you shook question next? Greg's stats which was
scratched out right before we started that primetime game against
the Bucks. Yes, ninety three yards rushing, eight catches, eighty
two yards receiving. If he's not getting it done as
(25:22):
the running back, he's their number two receiver at least
when you know Drake London was hurt for a while.
Speaker 3 (25:27):
And Troy Aikman.
Speaker 4 (25:28):
When you hear Troy Aikman, who I love for a
lot of reasons, but one is that, unlike myself, he's
not prone to hyperberly. He is very cautious to say player,
you know, put players in historical context, and when he
starts comparing him to Barry Sanders and is just saying like,
there aren't many runners that have come out around since
Barry Sanders that could be at that level. I get
(25:51):
it because for me personally, I've covered the league since
two thousand and three, and I think just in terms
of total package as good as McCaffrey is, and there's
been some great great backs in terms of just pure
total package talent, Like the guys that he reminds me
of is Ladanian, Tomlinson and Marshall fought like in terms
of just being literally that good. Like that's how far
(26:13):
back I have to go to find a guy. And
we're splitting Harris Becausejumir Gibs is crazy and McCaffrey's crazy,
But with Bijon, he is just he's just something special
and it's really cool that he did it in four
primetime wins this season.
Speaker 3 (26:28):
Man.
Speaker 4 (26:29):
That was who Delivered presented by Uber Eats. When football
makes you hungry, get game day deals on Uber Eats,
the official on demand delivery partner of the NFL.
Speaker 3 (26:37):
Order.
Speaker 4 (26:38):
Now, do you have one last Bijon point you want
to make? Or should I tell you what the Falcons
did in primetime this year?
Speaker 3 (26:43):
Yes, it is outrageous.
Speaker 1 (26:45):
I figured out the other primetime game we were missing.
It was the Niners game, in which Bijon went fourteen
for forty six catches for fifty two.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
Okay, you can absolutely question next.
Speaker 1 (26:56):
Those numbers might come down, but it's still impressive. Nonetheless,
I just had to figure out which game was I missing.
Speaker 4 (27:02):
Yeah, I forgot about that one though, twenty to ten
loss Man. The schedule makers were so high on the
Falcons this season. Who get a double victory, by the
way in this game, because not only do they win,
but they make the Rams draft pick that they traded
for Atlanta a little worse, just a little revenge game
for the Falcons because all these Rams fans have been
(27:23):
enjoying owning this Falcons pick, which looked incredible three weeks ago.
But with three straight wins, it's closer to the middle
of the first round instead of the top eight or
nine picks.
Speaker 3 (27:33):
That forty nine Ers loss.
Speaker 4 (27:35):
Good note the only blemish on the primetime schedule. They
beat JJ McCarthy and the Vikings twenty two to six.
They beat Josh Allen and the Bills twenty four to fourteen.
They won that Bucks game by a point a couple
weeks back, and now they beat the Rams here, So
four and one in primetime, do you think it's enough
to save Raheem Morris's job?
Speaker 3 (27:57):
Well?
Speaker 1 (27:57):
I always like to reference the one year in what
Eric manngini Wan was is final four games with the
Browns and got another year with them and then was
a dumpster fire the next year. And while the Falcons
are not the Browns, they do own some similarities and
that they listen to what the outside people say in
motivating how they proceed with their team. I think that
it's I could see and this is going to be crazy,
because usually this does not work out. But I could
(28:19):
see a scenario in which they make front office changes
and they keep Raheem and they make an offensive coordinator change,
so like there's changes somewhere, but they keep the head coach.
Because clearly, what is the most important thing that everybody
likes to point to late in the season for a
team that's not making the playoffs and the head coaches
on the hot seat, is the team still playing for him?
And clearly this team is still playing for him. Defensive
minded head coach. He got investment in his defense in
(28:40):
the offseason. We've seen how they've been better in the
pass rush. This year, we saw guys like Xavier Watts
making plays, Jesse Bates making plays in the secondary. These
are all encouraging pieces of evidence that he should stay,
that they are playing for him, that they are figuring
it out. But ultimately it comes down to this, what
is their future with Michael Pennix, because this whole stretch
has been with Kirk Cousins, a guy that I told
(29:01):
you was playing a good quarterback, and he was playing
good quarterback even though he wasn't a huge part of night.
Speaker 4 (29:04):
It wasn't great tonight. Let's he was solid in the
first half. He was solid in the first half. And
I'm glad he brought up Kirk Cousins because it's actually
time for quarterback keeper presented by a snap dragon, and yeah,
the quarterback decision is gonna be massive. What do you
think because Pennix got hurt in terms of his ACL
so late in this season. It's an injury he's had before.
(29:26):
And I did think it was interesting that Troy Aikman
cited some coaches on the field that he talked to
who apparently posited, hey, don't be surprised if Kirk Cousins
is still on this team. In twenty twenty six. I
have a few things to say about that. I'm curious
what you think.
Speaker 1 (29:43):
Well, so, he's one of the top guys that I
look at in the off season as a potential trade
candidate for teams that need a bridge, that needs somebody
to stabilize a position. In fact, I wrote a piece
about this in place of QB Index last week. Three
quarterback trades I like to see this offseason. One of
them was Kirk Cousins to Cleveland because of his history
with Kevin Stefanski and how he could be bridge for
whoever they go with long term. Financially, it's a little
(30:03):
bit of a hurdle, but he is still an expensive
backup that becomes more valuable if you don't believe that
Michael Pennix is going to be one hundred percent ready,
or maybe you don't believe that he can carry you
through an entire season next year because of the injury
and because of whatever else, Do you still have the
same confidence and optimism in him that you did the
year before. Those two are tied. These decisions are tied together.
They neither can be independent, neither can be made in
(30:25):
a vacuum. And I think it also comes down to
are you keeping Raheem, Because if you're keeping Raheem, you
need to win. And if you need to win, you
need to have more than one option at quarterback. And
at that point, you keep Kirk Cousins because of what
he's done this season coming in as a backup, he
stabilizes it much like he would for other options. So
it's an interesting decision that they'll have to make. I
would side more toward them keeping him and just biting
(30:47):
the cost that it's going to be in their salary cap.
And that's fine because they've realized the value of having
an experienced backup, which a lot of other teams don't have.
But it's still far from certain right now.
Speaker 4 (30:59):
Yeah, it's so complex, and this is a good time
to talk about it because Cousins tonight showed like he's
not the solution to everything. I think he's been playing
good football. I think they've been a better offense with
Kirk Cousins. Michael Pennix was setting up pretty low floor
this year. It was a disappointing season. He did not
(31:21):
fit in this offense. They're clearly going to change offensive coordinators,
even if they don't change Raheem Morris. It gets complicated
for a few reasons. When Troy Aikman said that, I
was thinking, yeah, but those coaches aren't going to be
there next year, so like, who cares what they think?
And three straight wins, maybe if you finish off next
(31:42):
week in New Orleans that has an emotional you know,
resonance with Arthur Blanket. It shouldn't, but maybe that game
ends up mattering for the Falcons, whether they win or lose,
you know, winning four straight, maybe he'll think, Okay, let's
stay the course. The buzz that you kind of heard
around the league was they were going to make a
change that you know, Fontina has been there for their
(32:03):
GM has been there for four years. He's got two
different coaches, so I think in the ownership's mind they've
had this regime now for a while.
Speaker 3 (32:11):
It's not just Raheem Morris.
Speaker 4 (32:13):
We saw the report from Jay Glazier that they might
be bringing to Matthew Matt Ryan as a front office EXAs.
Speaker 1 (32:18):
Which would be hilarious by the way, given how font
No got rid of it.
Speaker 4 (32:22):
Right, So if Matt Ryan's coming in, I would assume
he's not going to be the GM, but maybe it's
in a sort of president you know.
Speaker 3 (32:33):
Figure, or that he's helping.
Speaker 4 (32:35):
Yeah, he's helping to hire the next GM and coach,
and then you would have to think everyone's gone Raheem Morris,
the's coaches and that that next you know, administration is
going to make a decision on Kirkkauz. Now, either way
you think about it, you look at his contract, it's
not it's not quite as bad as you remember. Now
because there's ten million dollars left of guaranteed money. You
(32:57):
got to pay him that regardless. Okay, there's also a
bonus five days into the year, which is I think
another ten million, So you got to make the decision quick.
You got to either cut him or try to trade
him before that. He's doing thirty five million dollars, which
sounds like a lot for Kirk cousins in twenty twenty six.
It is, it's too much, but it's not that that
(33:18):
crazy for a bridge.
Speaker 1 (33:19):
Quarterback, not when you have a rookie on a rookie contract.
Speaker 3 (33:22):
Right.
Speaker 4 (33:24):
My guess is they will try to see if they
can get anything in the trade for him, and.
Speaker 3 (33:30):
The crazy part is they might just get.
Speaker 4 (33:33):
Something well, right, you know, So they'll pretend that they're
going to keep them, and then we're at the combine
and there's a trade and it's like you got like
a fourth round pick or a fourth to fifth swap,
and we spend way too many NFL Daily episodes in
the meantime talking about it. I'm not looking forward to that,
but that could be an outcome no matter who is
(33:53):
running this team.
Speaker 1 (33:54):
I was just envisioning as you were getting to that
point there of being in Indianapolis and being at like
a hotel or some restaurant and being like, so, what's
the latest on Kirk Cousins, just because like, that's that's
gonna be one of the things that's got to happen then,
because we're going to be right on the prespice of
the new league year and then when that bonus is
going to come in. So yeah, I think you're absolutely right.
But they'll get something, but they won't get that much
(34:15):
because of the money that's attached to you.
Speaker 4 (34:16):
They might not get anything. I'm just thinking out loud.
I think it's possible.
Speaker 1 (34:19):
Something could be a Day three pick, an early Day
three pick, but the money attached to it is going
to lower the return on him. And is it worth
it at that point? It only happens then, like you said,
if there's a full regime changer. So I'm not one
hundred percent certain is coming.
Speaker 4 (34:34):
Right, Penni's not playing well, really complicated. So do you
want to start over? Do you want to start from scratch?
Those are all questions for the offseason. For now, the
Rams will keep playing. The Falcons have one more game
against the Saints. That was Quarterback Keeper, presented by Snapdragon.
Learn more at snapdragon dot com slash laptops.
Speaker 3 (34:53):
The other big item.
Speaker 4 (34:54):
From this game is the impact on the NFC South Race.
It started filtering out Sunday afternoon, this little nugget that
I frankly didn't put much stock into. I was like, Oh,
those are one of those cool little playoff scenario nuggets.
Speaker 3 (35:09):
I love that.
Speaker 4 (35:11):
Actually, the Panthers could lose in Week eighteen to the Buccaneers,
fall to eight and nine, but still win the division
if the Falcons won out and there was a three
way tie at eight and nine, and I kind of
dismissed it, you know, it's like, Wow, what are the
odds of that all happening? Well, the Bucks did lose
(35:32):
to the Dolphins, wasn't shocked by that.
Speaker 3 (35:33):
In fact, they picked it.
Speaker 4 (35:35):
That was a good pick.
Speaker 3 (35:36):
Panthers lose.
Speaker 4 (35:38):
But the one I didn't expect to happen is the
Falcons actually did beat the Rams. So now the Falcons
Saints game next week takes on bigger meeting. The Saints
have won what four straight now, and the Falcons have
won three straight. And the crazy part is if the
Bucks win that game next week, it will be a
three way tie at eight and nine like the Saint
(35:58):
You know, the Saints will have Wait now, the Saints
will have gotten the seven wins, the Falcons will have
gotten the eight wins. It is crazy that this team
that's been out of the playoffs for like a month,
the Falcons could end up in a first place tie.
It's just all the tie breakers that will cancel them out.
So the Panthers were watching this game, and I'm sure
they don't want to go into the playoffs losing, but
they're probably pumping their fists there when that final Kuka
(36:21):
Nakua catch was ruled out of bound.
Speaker 1 (36:23):
Yeah, but can you imagine a scenario and this is
all in the same window. No, wait, we have the
Saturday game against between the Bucks and Pans.
Speaker 4 (36:29):
Yes, the interesting thing here is if the Bucks win
that game. Now, thinking about Saturday, we actually won't know
who won the division until Sunday. The Bucks will celebrate,
but it's going to be very strange and awkward. They're
at home, like, do you fire the cannons if you
don't win the division? I don't think that you do.
You certainly aren't doing any T shirts and hats. It's
(36:51):
going to be a very strange situation that I wonder
if you know the ABC executives and everyone were even
thinking about when they when they put in that Saturday afternoons.
Speaker 1 (37:00):
So much intrigue now though, because if you've watched the
Saints over the last month, yes, they played a soft schedule,
but they did beat the Panthers during that stretch. They're
also one of the most electric fourth quarter teams that
you'll find over the last month because Taiwan, that's the.
Speaker 3 (37:11):
Best rivalry in football Week eight see is saved.
Speaker 1 (37:15):
I mean, I've never been more excited about a Falcon
Saints game in Week eighteen because I love the idea
of a team that's basically eliminated playing spoiler just for
the fun of it. I love chaos.
Speaker 4 (37:25):
I don't know if it was Week eighteen, but when
Jamal Williams and Jamis Winston decided to you know, run
that extra play that ye Allen didn't want to rub
it in on the Falcons, that was truly electric.
Speaker 1 (37:41):
That was almost a midfield fight between Dennis Allen and
Arthur Smith.
Speaker 4 (37:45):
And anyone who's in the comments questioning whether the Falcons
and Saints are the best rivalry in the league. I mean,
Raven Steelers are up there, but in terms of pure
fan hatred, they are right there. So congratulations to the Falcons.
There is almost no better team in the NFL than
the Falcon after they've been eliminated. Love this stat I
saw on Blue Sky tonight. Since twenty eighteen, they are
(38:06):
fifty three and seventy eight in games before they're eliminated
from playoff contention, twenty five games under five hundred. After
being eliminated from playoff contention, they're twelve and four. Like
they're getting a playoff by you know that they are
since win or in their games the Falcons since twenty eighteen,
so not a ton of games since they've been you know,
end of season games that don't matter.
Speaker 3 (38:27):
They are twelve and four. In those games, they did
it again.
Speaker 1 (38:30):
So let's just start the season. Just tell them, hey,
you're eliminated. Go play ball.
Speaker 4 (38:35):
What a night we might have seen the MVP decided,
and indirectly we might end up seeing the NFC South decided.
We will be back on Tuesday. Can't wait. NFL daily
every day this week. Back to full schedule. It's time
(38:55):
for the final QB Island of the season. This was
our last regular season recap of the season. It has
been a pleasure shook, but we will be back for
the playoffs. They have a Monday night game in the
Wildcard round, so we'll be going live then.
Speaker 3 (39:08):
We're going live on Sunday night. We will see you
then
Host
Gregg Rosenthal
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