November 22, 2024 • 37 mins
Which Harbaugh brother will win the battle in the Baltimore Ravens-Los Angeles Chargers matchup? In a massive NFC showdown, will the Green Bay Packers or San Francisco 49ers come out on top? Can the Chicago Bears bounce back against the Minnesota Vikings after two devastating losses? Will the Dallas Cowboys ever win another game this season? Is Bo Nix setting himself up for rookie of the year?
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
Everybody. Welcome to game debut for Centaby Mercedes been Patrick
playbond back here with my dear friends Greg Rosenthal and
Cynthia Freeland in week twelve, where things become very consequential
because the line here between making the playoffs and not
making the playoffs Greg gets very very tight.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
I love this time of year.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
It's like every week the games get more and more important,
and yes, my picks get better and better. I'm in
the matrix right now. Give me cancer stops. He gave
me a standing.
Speaker 4 (00:36):
I don't even know what to say.
Speaker 5 (00:37):
I mean, he is in the matrix, but also like
he's also going to tell you about it, so I
don't know if anyone needs.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
It's what I tell my kids when things are going well,
enjoy it because it's not going to last forever, so
you might as well just enjoy.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
But what about the people in your proximity? What if
they don't enjoy? I heard about how well things are going,
because it's directly relating to their failures. Anyway, let's jump
right into it. Monday night, we're getting a new edition
of the Hardbowl, John and Jim facing off the first
time since John's Ravens beat Jim's forty nine Ers thirty
four to thirty one, and Super Bowl forty seven after
the lights went out, Big brother John two to zero
(01:12):
in his career against his little brother as head coaches.
So both the Ravens so much has changed.
Speaker 5 (01:19):
I mean, Jim wears cleats now I need to know
if John does too. But in that last clip that
he wasn't wearing cleats, So maybe that's the difference. If
your head coaches wearing cleets.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
Things are different, cleats and gloves in warm ups. Both
the Ravens and the Chargers have seven wins in the playoff. Hunt,
does little brother Jim finally beat big brother on Monday Night? Greg?
Speaker 3 (01:39):
It's so weird to think of Jim Harbaugh as the
little brother, and yet he is in this matchup and
he will be on Sunday night again because the Ravens
are winning this game twenty seven to twenty four. I
was at that game in the Super Bowl, I mean
in the in Hard Bowl back in New Orleans, and
it's because a quarterback play that they won that game.
Joe Flacco won that game for them, and Lamar Jackson
(02:01):
is going to be the better quarterback in this game too.
Love Herbert, but what Lamar Jackson can do against pressure
is unique. You know who also was great against pressure
last week, Joe Burrow against this Chargers defense in the
second half. I do think there are holes in this secondary.
If Lamar Jackson can just get away from that first rusher,
and he's so good at doing that buying time, I
(02:23):
think he'll be able to find open receivers down the field.
Because as good as this Chargers secondary has played, considering
they're playing two fifth round rookies and Kristin Fulton, who's
kind of a reclamation project, the talent is on the
Baltimore offensive side of the ball.
Speaker 5 (02:37):
The word reclamation made it into our show. Congratulations to
the wordsmith, Greg. Not only are you beating us in picks,
you were also the best.
Speaker 4 (02:45):
Wordsmith of round.
Speaker 5 (02:46):
I only have a one point win for the Ravens,
and I want to talk a little bit about what
Joe Brow and that Cincinnati offense did to this defense
last week. The adjustments were pretty epic, including which is
a high probability of it not working out a fourth
down touchdown to Uno. That is what you call Jamar Chase.
Just so you know, it's called Uno time clear just
I learned that last week. But when I'm looking at
(03:07):
the opportunity here, you know, look what t Higgins did
the two different receiver sets, which one are you going
to take in this one? And then, by the way,
they also have this great tight end that they could
also be or several great tight ends I guess that
they could also be hitting them with. So even if
the first half doesn't look great for the Ravens, expect
good second and third you know, options, and then the
(03:30):
second half to look a little bit different.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
Only one option between our score, Cynthia, because I have
the same exact score out yeah on Cynthia's homework, as
most people should if Cynthia's homework is available to see
twenty five twenty four Baltimore Ravens winning and this comes
on the strength of the Baltimore Ravens run defense, where
the Chargers do commit to the run, but it's gonna
be the difference late. The team is almost two reliant
(03:54):
on its quarterback to create that's actually the opponent this
time for the Baltimore Ravens, and they have a case
as the best run defense in the league. The Chargers score,
I believe the Ravens ultimately score one more. I understand
there's injuries on the Ravens defense concerns there, but they
haven't really been able to stop anybody for most of
the season since all.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
Board for US regular worried we've doubted the Chargers too
many times this year, perilous.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
Let's do some math on this game, Cynthia. We'll Justin
Herbert throw for over or under two hundred and fifty
seven and a half passing yards on Monday Night.
Speaker 4 (04:26):
Well, we all have.
Speaker 5 (04:27):
A close game, even though Greg's is the least close,
and I think that dictates a passing game script late
in the game.
Speaker 4 (04:33):
You also can pass on this Ravens defense.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
Even if they.
Speaker 5 (04:36):
Decide to give a light box to Justin Herbert for
whatever reason they choose, it still doesn't matter. You're still
gonna have enough of those catches by their receivers, who
are both very playable in fantasy. This game, think Justin
Herbert has at least two hundred and fifty eight passing yards.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
All right, Civil rivalries great playoff rivalries. Even better, The
Packers and the Niners have one of the best. Most recently.
San Francisco got the dub in last year's Divisional round.
A HI for Drake green Law, who I sit for
San Francisco last January. Get well soon, dre As. I
think the Niners would have had Lobardi Trophy if he
didn't hurt himself jogging on the field in the Super Bowl.
The rivalry continues though Sunday in Lambeau. Who comes away
(05:16):
victorious this time around? Greck.
Speaker 3 (05:17):
I am going with the Packers this time, twenty eight
to twenty four in this game because neither of these
teams are quite what we expected, at least not where
they were last January. But the offense for the Packers
is coming into form, Jordan Love, and this Packers passing
attack is actually the one part of this game along
with the running.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
Really, it's the whole offense that I trust.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
This forty nine Ers defense, whether Nick Bosa is out
there or not, a little ordinary. The forty nine Ers offense,
little dude, Juan Jennings, reliant, not what they used to be.
Packers defense don't really love it, Jordan Love. I do
love it, and I know he'll give you an interception
every now and then.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
I don't care.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
Look at these throws that he is making week after week.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
They are getting it done.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
They are so dynamic in the passing game, and you
know they can hit you on the ground too, But
it's Jordan Love's ability to make those special throws and
the variety of the receivers that they have that they
ultimately think gets it done.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
Offense wins.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
Yeah, I'm with you, Greg. No practice for Nick Bosa
late in the week on Wednesday, couldn't finish the game Sunday.
Problem for the pass rush and overall problems against the
run all season long. And they number twenty eight against
runs outside of the tackles. And you look back last
year at what was a top three defense. They go
all the way to the Super Bowl. Yeah, they give
up some points to the Detroit Lions, and it's like, ah,
(06:37):
this defense is trouble. They lose to the Chiefs and
the Super Bowl. It's like, how we got to fire
our defensive coordinator. Now, look, the Lions are scoring a
billion points a game and they have to play against
the Packers, who were top ten in outside runs. Josh
Jacobs's powers to pack to victory.
Speaker 5 (06:51):
Cynthia, Oh, well, I guess we're giving me a prime
number here by just one point.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
Boo boo, ple bl blu umbers, numbers.
Speaker 5 (06:59):
Numbers, there's my number, but look it's twenty four to
twenty three. Now, I will put a little asterisk here
if for some reason there's no brock Purty, that will
change things and the Nick Bosa factor will have to
see exactly what happens, so hythem. I reserve the right
to switch it on Sunday with the injury report, not
that we'll know anything before ninety minutes before kickoff anyways,
because that is how they do things in.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
The forty nine Ers camp.
Speaker 5 (07:20):
But the person who I do think is playing is
the straw that is stirring the drink for this offense
this season. That is number eighty five. When you're looking
at what George Kittle means to this offense, especially when
he lines up as an inline receiver.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
Whoo, things are good.
Speaker 5 (07:35):
And that is an area that this Packers defense that
I do not trust, is very susceptible to. So if
you see something like George Kittle lined up in line,
just know the Packers have allowed like a ninety five
completion percenta is two shuch throws. So if we're talking
about like brock Purty's playing, check George Kittle playing check.
Speaker 4 (07:54):
Nick Bosa check. Then it is definitely Niners.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
Yeah. If you see something, say something. Well, George Kittle
lined up in Lott as a receiver the team that
beat the forty nine ers last week, He's the Seahawks.
With less than twenty seconds ago, Eugene Cyril Smith shocked
the fans in Santas Clara. Well, personal biases have the
Holy Catfish call high on the call of the year's standings.
Gino put the forty nine ers to bed last week. Now,
(08:18):
the Seahawks play host to the first place Cardinals Kyler
squad coming off of the bye week. The division is nuts, Greg,
how do you see it going?
Speaker 3 (08:25):
I see the Seahawks taking that energy that they got
from that last drive and bringing it to this week
in a twenty four to twenty two victory. Look, I
love the Cardinals I've been picking them all year, but
Gino Smith on this last drive was something special. He's
winning from the neck up and he's just got something
a little extra.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
He stays calm in the big moments.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
You know who led the NFL and fourth quarter comebacks
and game winning drives a year ago. Geno Smith. You
know who's gonna do it? Again Geno Smith. Look at
the matchups in the secondary. When Gino Smith goes back
to pass, and I think, for once he might have
some pass protection because the Cardinals don't rush the passer
that well. Jackson Smith and Jigbu is really breaking out.
(09:06):
DK Metcalf back healthy. I think they have mismatches in
the back end, and I think a special run by
the Seahawks team is going to start right now.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
I like that.
Speaker 5 (09:16):
I also agree with who wins. I have a score
of twenty three to twenty one is a two point
win as well. But we need to give a little
love to Kyler Murray specifically when he runs the football.
Why because one interesting thing about this Seahawks defense is
that the two starting linebackers from week one guess where
they are now?
Speaker 2 (09:34):
Not of the team right ones of Miami.
Speaker 4 (09:36):
Right one was traded away, but Ernest Jones has been great.
Speaker 5 (09:39):
He actually has one of the top run stop percentages
among linebackers since he came over in that trade. But
Kyler Murray is a different beast. This is a situation
where all of those bootlegs to the left, he runs
to the left a lot right. All those you can
close your eyes and see it. They haven't seen something
like that before, at least not the rookie. So when
you see something where you know, look, this is a
vision opponent. They're going to have new tricks and folds
(10:02):
every single time they play. And Kyler is just special,
so he deserves to be talked about.
Speaker 4 (10:06):
Even though I'm picking the Seahawks.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
Yeah, absolutely, Mike McDonald's defense. If you look season long
wise the Sea, it's like, oh, the Seahawks are a
bad defense. I think they've gotten a little bit better,
but I also have a slim margin win for the
home team spoiler alert or when they play this game
again in a couple of weeks, I'll take the home
team there again. But I would mainly like to talk
about this Cardinals defense that I lovingly call the search
(10:28):
Bar because I'm constantly having to figure out who exactly
these people are. They are being able to accomplish a
lot despite not really getting a ton of pressure on
the quarterback. They're only ahead of the Panthers and the
Falcons and pressure percentage, but they have more sacks than
both of those teams combined. Fighte blitzing less It works sometimes,
but I think you really have to get absolute pressure
(10:49):
on Gino and swarm him and able to be able
to win, especially game in Seattle. I don't think they'll
be able to do that enough here. So we are
all on the Seattle Seahawks and the memes are rolling
here on game debut, It's time from the Drive to
Excellence presented by Say. He's been Saquon adding this move
seventy yards of the fourth quarter rushing in that last
game against the Commanders the Eagles in the Rams Sunday
(11:11):
Night at So far Philly has won six straight since
they're by They're in first place in the NFC East.
The Ramilly definitely in the playoff race. Does it get
even better in the playoff race for the Rams?
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Cynthia no Oh, I'm sorry.
Speaker 5 (11:23):
I have twenty six to twenty two in favor of
the Eagles, in large part because of that man. We
just watched a bunch of highlights on that is Saquon Barkley.
When I'm looking at the opportunity to leverage him in oh,
the pass catching game, running on inside routes, running onto
the outside, like all of the different ways that you
would like to use him. Well, that O line is
specifically tailored to him. I know that the strength of
(11:46):
this Rams defense is right up front. But you know what,
when you run away from the pressure, things get better
for you. So Saquon Barkley a massive day. I think
that that helps bolster the Eagles chances to beat the Rams.
Speaker 1 (12:00):
Yeah. I'm looking forward to this game where there's two
incredible young defensive lines that get a lot of pressure
on opposing quarterbacks. But I locked the Eagles offensive line
more so, I will talk about the Eagles defensive line,
namely Jalen Carter, who is the only interior defensive lineman
who's generated multiple pressures in every game this season. An
asterisk because Dexter Lawrence is getting double in triple team
(12:22):
like a million tunds. But still, Jalen Carter has fifteen
quick pressures this season. He's top three in that category,
and I think he gets one that changes this game.
On Sunday, Greg, Eagles winning, I.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
Was with you.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
That was how I lean because I picked the Eagles
to win actually every single game this year, fun fact,
you know, and six straight times have been right. And
yet as the week went on, Chames my mind and
I had a vision of the Rams winning this game.
Rams are a very hard team to predict. I think
they win a relatively high scoring game, and it's partly
because of Sean McVay.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Let's just greg it up.
Speaker 3 (12:54):
I got a hunch about this team across the street.
It's a revenge game for Sean McVay, a revenge that
last six years. Let's go back to twenty eighteen Bears Rams.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
Why are we showing you that game?
Speaker 3 (13:04):
Vic Fangio, the defensive coordinator of the Bears, helped change
NFL history with a six to one front that really
stopped the outside zone Rams team back then. There's Fangio
now doing a great job a lot of the same
concepts with.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
This Eagles team.
Speaker 3 (13:18):
Sean McVay, the whiz kid he got pants in the
Super Bowl by Bill Belichick, who copied that game plan. Really,
the whole NFL started copying that game plan for years.
It got Jared Goff out of Los Angeles. It made
Sean McVay change the whole offense. They don't even run
outside zone anymore. This has been in his head for
six straight years. He wants revenge because he was the
(13:40):
hot kid in town. That Fangio took that from him,
and now he's gonna show.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
Who's I think we have the same thought, Cynthia.
Speaker 5 (13:47):
What, I'm so confused that you're taking revenge on Fangio
for something Belichick did.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
Well, No, Fangio did it because Fangio showed him how
to beat Sean McVay and it was at a time
where he was just looking like the smart kid in town.
I just mean, I think this one means a little
extra to McVay. I think he's gonna have some special
sauce a young Eagles defense. They can't win every game.
I think Sean McVay is gonna have some great stuff.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
We could ultimately end up with Vic Fangio getting credit
for two teams winning the Super Bowl that he did
not coach for. The Eagles are chasing for the top
seed in the NFC right now. That's a team that
I guess thanks to Vic Fangio has Jared Goff, Cynthia's
Detroit Lions. You're getting you don't even know it, which
most dead people fall into that category. Jared Goff coming
(14:29):
off with four touchdown game. The Lions ain't straight games.
Some folks saw it coming. They've got Anthony Richardslim and
the Colts. On Sunday I think they make it nine straight,
winning twenty seven to thirteen, because you saw it on
that play. There's so many aspects of the Lions offense
that we can celebrate. Why don't we look at Jared
Goff passing with play action, folks. He's over one thousand
yards already on just play action passing this season. In fact,
(14:53):
he has two hundred more yards on play action than
the next closest quarterback, which is Matthew Stafford, who is
there because of Vic Fangio's efforts in a Bears game
against the Rams a couple of years ago. I think
the Lions win this one thirty seven.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
It made sense in my head. A lot of it.
Even made Sean McVay be.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
Like, I got to get a defensive quarter You're like Fangio,
so he hired Brandon Staley.
Speaker 2 (15:15):
Lots of things happen go on to this game.
Speaker 5 (15:17):
You know what, Thank you for your service, Vic Fangio.
We all we're actually probably all here because of you,
Vic Fangio. But the Lions win this one, twenty nine
to twenty one. I want to talk about Aman Ross
Saint Brown for a second here, because he actually has
the highest upside for any wide receiver in my model
this week.
Speaker 4 (15:35):
Why because you know who plays a lot of zone.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
Who's up?
Speaker 4 (15:38):
Yeah, the Colts.
Speaker 5 (15:38):
They played the most zone and they kind of do
it even if it doesn't work. But you know where
Jerik Goff has thrown all of his interceptions against zone.
Speaker 4 (15:45):
So this team figures to be a team that is
working out some kikes.
Speaker 5 (15:48):
That is kind of my explanation for what we saw
last week when they did not take their foot off
the gas against the Jaguars. But I think this is
an opportunity to really target the guy against zone. And
this is a guy who has twenty nine percent target share,
second highest in the NFL. So I think if you're
looking for a really nice, high upside fantasy playlet's.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
To number fourteen.
Speaker 3 (16:08):
I love this Lions team because they're great. They can
make comebacks against the Texans, but they're also great front runners,
which is why all three of us not only have
the Lions winning this game, we have them covering. I
have them winning by ten, and it's partly because of
the way the Colts won last week. Let's show some
great Anthony Richardson footage. I point out these throws just
(16:28):
to show you how difficult.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
They all were.
Speaker 3 (16:31):
Part of the reason they had to win with difficult
throws where Anthony Richardson had to fit the ball into
tight windows. Is the running game really wasn't working. Jonathan
Taylor was stuffed by a pretty bad Jets run defense
Anthony Richardson except for those runs on the goal line,
which are important, he's such a red zone threat, he
didn't really get it going on the ground either. That
worries me because against a Lions team that stops the
(16:53):
run and I think will be able to control Jonathan
Taylor and Anthony Richardson on the ground. Man, you're gonna
be trailing. You're gonna have to hit low percentage throws.
That's only gonna work so much. They play well, not
well of if they lose by ten.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
As we look at the first touchdown score odds between
the Vikings and the Bears, Aaron Jones in the familiar
spot playing against the Chicago Bears the leading the way
at four hundred plus four to fifty Justin Jefferson. Right
after that, DeAndre Swift at seven fifty, Jordanatis and TJ.
Hockettson browning things out. Let's talk about this matchup a
little bit more of the Bears haven't won in over
a month, while the Vikings have won three straight. The
(17:26):
Monsters of the Midway, can they come back from that
huge disappointment?
Speaker 4 (17:30):
Get a win here, Cynthia, Anything's possible.
Speaker 1 (17:33):
Oh, there we go.
Speaker 4 (17:33):
But my model says no.
Speaker 5 (17:35):
I have Minnesota by at least four points twenty three
to nineteen. Part of those numbers there dictate the total
in the game. I think it could be even more
than four points if you're picking up what I'm putting down.
But Caleb Williams did look significantly better last week. Some
of the things that we talked about with Thomas Brown
and targeting this defense where they were actually most vulnerable,
(17:55):
and also being smart about using his feet to rush
when it meant and it made sense.
Speaker 2 (18:00):
KYLEB.
Speaker 4 (18:00):
Williams looked considerably better.
Speaker 5 (18:02):
I think if you're a Bears fan, I understand that
is a terrible way to lose a game. However, there
are a lot of things to be excited about if
you're a Caleb Williams fan, and for the future, so
it not all is lost.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
Those stunned Monsters of the Midway are gonna be You're
gonna be okay.
Speaker 3 (18:17):
Okay, so you said it might be even more than
four points. I say it will be more than four points.
I got it as a touchdown Vikings on the road,
and it's partly because Brian Flores he's got more than
one pitch.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
It's not just all about the fastball. He's changing it up.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
You know who's been very average and blitzery over the
last three weeks, the Vikings. The Vikings, after always sending
the heat over and over. Brian Flores said, you know what,
we're actually getting a lot of pressure with just our
regular four. Jonathan Gernard is playing fantastic. Van Ginkle's awesome.
Some no names up front. We got Patrick Jones and
he can just pick any dial on the menu. It's
(18:53):
like one of those restaurants where he has so many
different options and you just Picknickick. And I always worry
about the team that has the moral victory the week before.
Everyone's kind of higher on the Bears than they were
a week ago, because like, oh, they play really well,
they deserve to win that game, And sometimes I actually
feel like there's a letdown after the moral victory. Thomas
Brown put that week on tape. Now that floor is
can kind of cook up.
Speaker 1 (19:13):
And the thing is where even if the Vikings do
line up like they're not going to blitz, there's still
the idea that Van Ginkel and Grenard and all those
guys could get pressure on the quarterback from any particular way.
They come in so many different ways. But the Bears
need to have a run game to try to make
Thomas Brown's offense somewhat successful. It's been tough for them
to do. This is not the team to get your
ground game going against. If we look over at next
(19:36):
Gen stats the ten rush defense categories, they are in
the top ten in nine of ten of those categories.
They're number one in four of those categories. They can
approach the run and the pass game so many different ways. Also,
late week practice checks for DeAndre Swift. Keep an eye
on that if you're paying attention to this game to
(19:58):
whether or not it's all Rope One or DeAndre Swift.
But we all expect the sadness to contain and you
in Chicago. Sorry, Bears fans, including our beloved producer Vegas,
not expecting a ton of points in this one. Here's
a look at the lowest point totals for the week
thirty nine and a half there down in Houston, it's
at forty and a half the Broncos and the Raiders.
(20:19):
Most of that may be scored by the Broncos as well.
Let's make some quick picks here on game debut. The
Chiefs and the Panthers KC dropped their first game of
the season last week in Buffalo. Do they bounce back
with a vengeance here against the Panthers.
Speaker 4 (20:31):
Absolutely. I have a twelve point win for them.
Speaker 5 (20:33):
This is the first time I've had them over their
number the entire.
Speaker 4 (20:36):
Season long WOY eight to sixteen.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
In this matchup.
Speaker 5 (20:40):
And even if Isaiah Pacheco is one hundred percent clear
to go, which we are still unclear as of the
time of this taping, it doesn't matter. You're still playing
Kareem Hunt and potentially looking at him because the opportunity
to run against this Panthers defense will be a nice
return to football moment for Pacheco should he come back.
But ultimately I don't care. This is a team that
controls the ball. They have the most yard ten plus
(21:01):
play drives. They've scored on twenty four of them. That's
the most of the league.
Speaker 4 (21:04):
They average six point seven plays per drive. They got
this one. She's got this one big.
Speaker 1 (21:08):
Yeah, We've all got plus ten point wins and this one.
Let's go to the Bucks and the Giants. Mike Evans
expected back for Tampa, Tommy DeVito starting for the g Men,
with Danny Dimes now super on the bench, Spoine, a
couple other quarterbacks. Who do you think is gonna win.
Speaker 3 (21:21):
Here, gret I think the Bucks are gonna win, even
before I heard that Danny Dimes was their safety on
the scout team.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
Not just embarrassing. You got Mike Evans back on the field,
you know you're gonna.
Speaker 3 (21:30):
Go win against this Giants secondary who likes to travel
a lot of times with their top cornerback.
Speaker 2 (21:37):
I don't think Mike Evans is gonna worry about that.
Speaker 3 (21:39):
I really like how the Buccaneers have developed their offense
without Mike Evans, and now when you add him back
into the mix, this is legitimately one of the best
offenses in the league. I think they'll be able to
run the ball efficiency efficiently and then get the ball
to Mike Evans.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
Let's go to the Patriots and the Dolphins. Miami has
won two in a row, their longest streak of the season.
I think they make it three in a row here.
Guys win in twenty six to sixty eight on the
power of John hu Smith, who is back in our
lives after being targeted on just nineteen percent of his
route to the first four weeks of the season. John
neu Smith folks twenty seven percent target rate since then,
replacing some productions. It seems like Jalen Waddell might be
(22:15):
playing through something. I have no information there, but numbers
down for Jalen waddle across the board, including on stats
and production, next gen stats wise, speed wise as well.
I think John Hu Smith big replacement. Their fins get
a chance to win it here. The question is can
they make the push to the playoffs when we come
back to the playoffs?
Speaker 2 (22:33):
Just around the.
Speaker 1 (22:34):
Corner, which fringe teams are getting in and who's going
to be stuck watching right along with us. We'll cool
you in as you're watching game debut presented by Mercedes Dang.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
You hit the forty nine ers with a fringe team
their fridge.
Speaker 1 (22:51):
Oh so much excitement. Let's discuss some French playoff teams
and what we think is going to happen. This is
the AFC playoff picture of the Broncos right now, holding
on to that seventh and final spot in the AFC.
The Chiefs locked up a boy as of right now,
but looking on at the team they just lost to
the Buffalo Bills, leading division the Steelers as well. Do
(23:13):
you think the Denver Broncos, greg, who are currently number
seven in the AFC, do you think they will make
the playoffs? Yes? Or no?
Speaker 3 (23:20):
I believe let's do it. Yeah, I think I think
bo Nicks gets this thing. But the thing, it's the
offensive what I don't know which? Either way it's up here,
it's all up.
Speaker 2 (23:29):
I'm colorblind.
Speaker 3 (23:30):
These things have never been friendly to the colorblind community.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
I love all of you out there. You know what else?
Speaker 3 (23:35):
I love the offensive line of the Denver Broncos. I'm
gonna show you some great bo Nicks highlights. Okay, first
of all, Courtland Sutton's still getting it done.
Speaker 2 (23:43):
Sean Payton still getting it done.
Speaker 4 (23:45):
That's like a crazy mouth to one handed catch there.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
Sean Payton getting it done. You see a lot of
wide open receivers.
Speaker 2 (23:50):
You know what else?
Speaker 3 (23:51):
You see not a lot of pressure on bo Nicks.
This has been a fantastic offensive line when they signed
Quinn Minors in training camp.
Speaker 2 (23:59):
It was a statement of intent.
Speaker 3 (24:01):
We're gonna build through a lot of guys you don't
know up front, and they're gonna be better than you think. Heck,
and when they're not, bon Nicks can scramble just like.
Speaker 5 (24:09):
That best tummy in football by far, bone Nicks, the
phone Nicks.
Speaker 4 (24:16):
No, I don't know what his tummy looks like. He
doesn't push you anyways.
Speaker 5 (24:20):
I too believe that the Broncos will make the playoffs.
And let's talk about pressure, but defense of pressure, because
this defense is absolutely.
Speaker 4 (24:29):
Crushing, especially when they only rush for look Out, number
ninety nine is coming for your life. It's Zach Allen.
Speaker 5 (24:35):
Last year, some people were like, oh, that was a
lot of money you paid this man and he's not
giving you the good return on investment. Ha ha ha, No, no, no,
this I mean, yes, he was good last year, but
this year he's exceptional. And that difference making and getting
that pressure, the quick pressure on opposing quarterbacks that has
been a problem for other teams. This is one of
the reasons why they're able to not necessarily they blitz
(24:57):
because they choose to. They don't blitz because they have
to and that secondary is backed up and they work together,
handing love, just like we put my hand in this
cleft here, Meaning they're going to the playoffs.
Speaker 1 (25:08):
Initially, when I looked at this question and the rest
of the season, I thought it was a oath. But
now I'm a yes because I was looking at the
next matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs, and then I
remember the Chiefs might have already clinched by the time
they played that game. So this revenge game opportunity where
the Chiefs maybe come back, Hey, we almost lost to
this team. Patrick Mahomes might not even play in this game.
(25:30):
This may be a game where the Chiefs are getting
ready to go into having a buy and the Denver
Broncos need to get a win. Watch smash yourselves against
that wall. Because there's a couple of other really good
teams in the AFC that are on the fringe. I
think that alone pushes the Denver Broncos into the playoffs,
as Patrick Mahomes will be doing that watching potentially from
the sidelines. We'll go to the Dolphins, who have now
(25:51):
won two in a row. They almost knocked off the
Bills a few weeks ago. Greg does to Miami Dolphins.
Do they make the playoffs?
Speaker 3 (25:57):
I don't think so because there are already a couple
losses behind the Broncos. Here, let's go no, because look,
they've been great on third down. They've been great with
a short passing. I want to extol the virtues of
the Dolphins. I think they get into the mix. Their
next four game is pretty easy. I think they beat
the Patriots fun Thanksgiving night game. I think that's the
one that could trip them up. But I think they
can beat the Jets and the Texans. The problem is
(26:19):
when you look at the two schedules between them and
the Broncos, for instance, or the Ravens. Who else could
be in the wildcard mix.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
I think the Broncos have the easiest schedule. It's going
to be too hard.
Speaker 3 (26:30):
It's that backup quarterback situation that put them in too
big of a hole.
Speaker 1 (26:33):
All right, it's going to Joe Burrows squad playing an
MVP level. Is the quarterback defense? Isn't the Bengals four
and seven decency make the playoffs?
Speaker 5 (26:41):
Bump Bump bu Sorry, Cincinnati, I really like you, but unfortunately,
especially with that win last week, it makes it very
very difficult.
Speaker 4 (26:50):
You know who they have to play against the AFT North.
Speaker 5 (26:53):
That is difficult when you're looking at the opportunity that
the Bengals had to make the postseason.
Speaker 4 (26:58):
They just haven't won the games that they were supposed to.
Speaker 5 (27:01):
They kind of squandered away some of those fourth schedule
situations that they were in. This is not a great
opportunity when your defense is giving up a lot of
yards on the ground, a lot of yards through the air,
and when you can't make kicks like last week, the
bad defense situation becomes even worse.
Speaker 3 (27:17):
And then to be fair, like Joe Burrow like keep
hearing that he's like the MVP, but his team's not
helping him. Was like, hey, maybe win a game like
one of the five times when he got the ball
with the chance to go put the game away on offense.
Speaker 5 (27:29):
You were to extol the virtue of Joe Burrow not
doing a taking a hail maker, saying.
Speaker 3 (27:33):
They had them all like three times against the Chargers
in that game.
Speaker 2 (27:36):
Score some points. Yeah, Joe, I didn't say it.
Speaker 1 (27:40):
Let's take a look at the playoff picture over in
the NFC where it's Detroit Cynthia's Detroit Lions currently with
the buye. The Eagles leading division, as are the Cards
and the Falcons the Vikings in the wild card. But
let's look over at the Indie Hunt spot. Because the
forty nine ers the playoffs started today, they'd be watching
on some comfy chairs. Can they change that, Cynthia to
(28:01):
the San Francisco forty Niners make the playoffs?
Speaker 5 (28:04):
Well again, if there's no this game this week is
actually a must win game if I'm looking at the
schedule going forward, and since I have them winning, the answer.
Speaker 4 (28:12):
Is yes, by a little This needs to be a little.
Speaker 5 (28:15):
Tiny smidge because I think that with Christian McCaffrey coming
back and his ability to change the way the offense operates,
especially in the red area, they really do have an
opportunity here to kind of get around some of their
defensive woes. So along the same lines of like what
I said before, like if there's no brock Party, things change,
If there's no George Kittle, things change. But Christian McCaffrey
(28:37):
is a really big difference maker going forward.
Speaker 4 (28:39):
Should the rest of those pieces also be available?
Speaker 3 (28:41):
Yeah, you look at their schedule the rest of the
way and it's very difficult, including this week. And that's
why I'm going to go ahead and say no. I
think it's going to be tough for two NFC West
teams to get into the playoffs, and I do not
think they're going to.
Speaker 2 (28:53):
Win the division.
Speaker 3 (28:54):
So I'm going to say a big, fat no for
the San Francisco forty nine. I had them, you know,
in the preseason we did over unders and I had
them as one of my very first picks to go on.
Speaker 2 (29:04):
I just feel like, this isn't their year. Too much
has happened.
Speaker 4 (29:07):
Yeah, well they're over under was like eleven. It was crazy.
Speaker 1 (29:10):
Anyways, looking back, if we go back to the twenty
twenty three San Francisco forty nine Ers twenty eight points
per game, a top ten offense that the points per
game has only dropped three. The problem is over on
the defensive side. The offense still scored twenty five points.
I do not think. I do not think the San
Francisco forty nine Ers will make the playoffs. And there's
so many games that we can look back to to
(29:32):
determine where it all went wrong. I think at the
end of the season, they're gonna look back at this
early season matchup in Sofi Stadium where they had the
lead against a very, very hurt Los Angeles Rams team.
They could not close them out.
Speaker 2 (29:45):
National teams has killed them all year.
Speaker 1 (29:47):
It's about Sean McVay runs in in the postgame, bewildered
that somehow the Rams won this football game, and that's
gonna keep his good pal and old buddy and playoff
rival out of the playoffs. Maybe we'll see a lot
I'm gonna sit they a lot hinges on whether or
not they could beat the Packers this week. Let's go
to the NFC South, where the leading Falcons currently lead. Greg,
(30:10):
do you think the team that's leading the division right now?
Speaker 3 (30:12):
No, now, even before you enter the answer the question,
it's gonna be a Bucks world in the playoffs. I
love this Bucks team. They're better than their record, and
you look at the Falcons coming up. They're schedule tougher
than the Bucks. Their defense worse than the Bucks, their
defense worse than almost.
Speaker 2 (30:28):
Anyone else's defense.
Speaker 3 (30:29):
Yes, like Kirk Cousins has made it happen from the
pocket all season, and that's great, But some of these
games that the Buccaneers have, i mean found a way
to lose against the Falcons, and that the Falcons have
found a way to win at the very end, a
little bit of luck involved in just generally no pass rush,
no good linebacker play either, especially in coverage.
Speaker 2 (30:50):
It's not like they're a great run defense.
Speaker 3 (30:52):
I think a defense this bad, especially with those odds
minus four hundred to.
Speaker 2 (30:56):
Make the playoffs. Like I'm liking the upset pick here.
Speaker 1 (30:59):
So if they don't just win, lose in the division
and they don't get in the wild card, let's talk
about another team that could be in that mix. The
Rams Cynthia currently sitting just outside of the wild card
at five and five rams in.
Speaker 5 (31:11):
Oh boy man, that ninety seven yards across the way
or whatever we decided it was.
Speaker 4 (31:16):
They are not going to like me.
Speaker 5 (31:17):
Why Well, to me O, line play is extremely important
and they have been banged up and also when I'm
looking at you know, even coming back then being banged
up again.
Speaker 4 (31:27):
Then being bad.
Speaker 5 (31:27):
This has not been an opportunity to be consistent for
Matthew Stafford. I know Matthew Stafford is great when he
doesn't the play after being pressured. He doesn't even need
that to be excellent. Oh, line play just needs to
be better than average, and it just hasn't been. And
you've seen Kyron Williams now not be as effective.
Speaker 4 (31:44):
So I kind of agree with you that.
Speaker 5 (31:47):
I mean, unless it's the Niners and the Cardinals, I
don't think two NFC West teams came in, so right now,
I think it's Cardinals.
Speaker 3 (31:54):
And just look at the name names on the bottom
of that graphic.
Speaker 2 (31:57):
There.
Speaker 3 (31:57):
You got the Eagles this week, which I think the
Rams could win, but that's tough. You got the Bills
in a couple weeks.
Speaker 2 (32:01):
Don't you think they Couldn't they really going to win?
I think they could win.
Speaker 3 (32:04):
I'm just saying, these are three really tough games. Yeah,
that's true, Darren Ridsey, this is four tough game. Frizzy
ball tom Rosse to do some.
Speaker 1 (32:13):
Quick picks here on game debut, the Titans and the
Texans in Houston. Who gets the win? Greg?
Speaker 3 (32:19):
The Texans get the win, but the Titans get the
cover with room to spare, I have this as a
one point game. I have the Texans on upset alert
in part because we've seen a better version of Will
Levis the last couple of weeks. Let's give Will Levis
some love. I asked for, like, let's get some Will
Levis highlights, And I was told no One that NFL
networks like cut a Will Levis clip. Since Week four,
(32:39):
it's like he's totally off the radar. He's making some
good passes. The last couple of weeks, He's taken a
lot of sacks. He's not a perfect quarterback, little mechanical
going through his reads. You could almost see him thinking
the coaching notes. But he's playing smarter and when he
does let go of that ball, it's pretty I think
he's gonna have a nice career, maybe not as a
franchise quarterback, but a guy that comes in and gives
(33:01):
your offense a spark. I think they keep it close
again into Texans offense that's really been struggling.
Speaker 1 (33:06):
All right, Let's go to the Broncos and the Raiders
bow knicks through four touchdowns last week. Does Denver keep
it rolling, Cynthia.
Speaker 5 (33:12):
They absolutely do have a seven point win twenty three
to sixteen.
Speaker 4 (33:15):
But because we haven't talked about the Raiders at all.
Speaker 5 (33:17):
And Brock Bauers is doing amazing things, we need to
talk about him. Number One, he had the most the
single game touch tight end reception record.
Speaker 4 (33:26):
He made it last week.
Speaker 2 (33:27):
Let's go.
Speaker 5 (33:28):
He also is tied for the two games of ten
plus receptions. This can you talk about someone with a
great career and going to have an excellent upset career
like this is an epic start.
Speaker 4 (33:38):
And a team that really needs him.
Speaker 5 (33:40):
They knew that he was going a telegraphed hey Worth
basically like when Gardner Minshew throws the ball, he's like,
I'm going to throw it to brock Bowers.
Speaker 4 (33:47):
Doesn't matter, he's still going to catch it.
Speaker 5 (33:49):
So congratulations brock Bowers and good things for the Raiders.
Speaker 2 (33:52):
That's a happy thing.
Speaker 1 (33:52):
Yeah, it looked like on one of those plays rock
Bowers didn't think the ball was coming in him. He's like,
oh wait, why.
Speaker 2 (33:58):
Who cares?
Speaker 1 (33:59):
The Cowboys and the Commanders Dallas says, drop five in
a row. I think dan Quinn comes in and exit
six and a revenge game. Well maybe not. He had
good times in Dallas. I've got the Commanders winning twenty
eight to sixteen on the heels of Cooper Rush throwing
the ball fifty five times on Monday Night football against
the Houston Texans. Fun fact, the Commander's defense since Week
(34:19):
four has twenty five sacks. They're playing good defense, They're
gotting pressure on the quarterback and the Cowboys can't really
run or pass right now? It's rough.
Speaker 3 (34:28):
Is it really a revenge game when you were like
the highest paid defensive coordinator in the league and the
owner of the Cowboys? This week, Jerry Jones is almost
openly saint man. I kind of wish we still.
Speaker 1 (34:38):
Had Dan Quinn.
Speaker 2 (34:39):
You know, he think I think he misses him.
Speaker 1 (34:42):
Maybe the revenge is against everybody posting all those twenty
eight to three memes all the time, Greg coming up
our favorite player props for week twelve. We went oh
and three last week. Ah, but the laws of science
and maths say that we're due, even though it's not
really true. We guarantee these props hit or were putting
Greg's address up on blue Sky. I didn't write that
(35:02):
stick around. We're back on game Dare you? On Sunday
at nine am Eastern Rich Eisen, Kurt Warner, Mooch, Cynthia Freeland,
and the rest of the GDM crew get you set
for a kickoff with NFL Game Day Morning folks tell
(35:23):
us how the forty nine ers can shake off their
Super Bowl hangover. Plus, did the Bills give the blueprint
on how to beat Patrick Mahomes is very simple. Have
Josh Allen All that and more are coming up Sunday
at nine am.
Speaker 2 (35:34):
Alien grew this week. Nazi's taller than Kyle. This is great.
Speaker 1 (35:38):
Yea Garifolo pull it off the very small edition of
Mike Garifolo top for Write this down here on our
program as we get to some predictions for week twelve.
Started off for the people.
Speaker 3 (35:47):
Yeah, my write this downs have been as clumsy as
the cotton on this little table scape here, But I'm.
Speaker 2 (35:53):
Turning around this week.
Speaker 3 (35:54):
Josh Jacobs over seventy and a half rushing yards. Love
this matchup against the forty nine ers. I think they're
gonna have a winning game. Scriptyet playing from a head.
Love the way he's running that the scheme. Lafleur has
been cooking up run schemes ever since that loss in
the playoffs last year. He wants revenge on his buddy
Kyle Shanan. Josh Jacobs helps give it to him.
Speaker 1 (36:15):
All right, get a write this down from Greg there. Well,
Josh Jacobs hitting that number. I've got Courtland Sutton having
over sixty and a half receiving yards against the Las
Vegas Raiders. If you want to know when the last
time this didn't happen. You gotta go all the way
back to October seventeenth, twenty twenty four. You know why
didn't happen because they were on a bye that with
the Denver Broncos are throwing the ball a ton. I
(36:36):
think Courtland Sutton gets you sixty and a half receiving
yards easy.
Speaker 4 (36:39):
Cynthia, I have one that I guarantee will hit.
Speaker 5 (36:42):
But the first one here is cade Aughton having more
than forty and forty nine and a half receiving yards.
Speaker 4 (36:47):
I love this opportunity.
Speaker 5 (36:49):
Remember, I know Mike Evans is back, but they need
to pass the ball even more. And you know Baker
Mayfield loves to throw the ball. But the one that
I guarantee is that Patrick is going to have the
happiest birthday.
Speaker 4 (36:58):
Oh yeah on Monday, Happy.
Speaker 2 (37:00):
Yay, Happy.
Speaker 4 (37:02):
Guarantee that one hits.
Speaker 1 (37:03):
That one's well, I think it might depend on the
results of the game over there on Monday night. Football folks,
Thank you, Cynthia, Thank you guys for thinking the happy birthday,
And then thank you I were spending all this time
with us here on game debut. Percented by Mercedes Business.
Speaker 2 (37:17):
Lamar Look at you. You hold this man in your hands.
Good day. You've already got that beautiful sweater. What more
does he need?
Speaker 1 (37:23):
A win would be nice, And you guys to watch
this next week. We'll see you then coming up on
game debut. Thanks for watching, everybody,
Everybody. Welcome to game debut for Centaby Mercedes been Patrick
playbond back here with my dear friends Greg Rosenthal and
Cynthia Freeland in week twelve, where things become very consequential
because the line here between making the playoffs and not
making the playoffs Greg gets very very tight.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
I love this time of year.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
It's like every week the games get more and more important,
and yes, my picks get better and better. I'm in
the matrix right now. Give me cancer stops. He gave
me a standing.
Speaker 4 (00:36):
I don't even know what to say.
Speaker 5 (00:37):
I mean, he is in the matrix, but also like
he's also going to tell you about it, so I
don't know if anyone needs.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
It's what I tell my kids when things are going well,
enjoy it because it's not going to last forever, so
you might as well just enjoy.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
But what about the people in your proximity? What if
they don't enjoy? I heard about how well things are going,
because it's directly relating to their failures. Anyway, let's jump
right into it. Monday night, we're getting a new edition
of the Hardbowl, John and Jim facing off the first
time since John's Ravens beat Jim's forty nine Ers thirty
four to thirty one, and Super Bowl forty seven after
the lights went out, Big brother John two to zero
(01:12):
in his career against his little brother as head coaches.
So both the Ravens so much has changed.
Speaker 5 (01:19):
I mean, Jim wears cleats now I need to know
if John does too. But in that last clip that
he wasn't wearing cleats, So maybe that's the difference. If
your head coaches wearing cleets.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
Things are different, cleats and gloves in warm ups. Both
the Ravens and the Chargers have seven wins in the playoff. Hunt,
does little brother Jim finally beat big brother on Monday Night? Greg?
Speaker 3 (01:39):
It's so weird to think of Jim Harbaugh as the
little brother, and yet he is in this matchup and
he will be on Sunday night again because the Ravens
are winning this game twenty seven to twenty four. I
was at that game in the Super Bowl, I mean
in the in Hard Bowl back in New Orleans, and
it's because a quarterback play that they won that game.
Joe Flacco won that game for them, and Lamar Jackson
(02:01):
is going to be the better quarterback in this game too.
Love Herbert, but what Lamar Jackson can do against pressure
is unique. You know who also was great against pressure
last week, Joe Burrow against this Chargers defense in the
second half. I do think there are holes in this secondary.
If Lamar Jackson can just get away from that first rusher,
and he's so good at doing that buying time, I
(02:23):
think he'll be able to find open receivers down the field.
Because as good as this Chargers secondary has played, considering
they're playing two fifth round rookies and Kristin Fulton, who's
kind of a reclamation project, the talent is on the
Baltimore offensive side of the ball.
Speaker 5 (02:37):
The word reclamation made it into our show. Congratulations to
the wordsmith, Greg. Not only are you beating us in picks,
you were also the best.
Speaker 4 (02:45):
Wordsmith of round.
Speaker 5 (02:46):
I only have a one point win for the Ravens,
and I want to talk a little bit about what
Joe Brow and that Cincinnati offense did to this defense
last week. The adjustments were pretty epic, including which is
a high probability of it not working out a fourth
down touchdown to Uno. That is what you call Jamar Chase.
Just so you know, it's called Uno time clear just
I learned that last week. But when I'm looking at
(03:07):
the opportunity here, you know, look what t Higgins did
the two different receiver sets, which one are you going
to take in this one? And then, by the way,
they also have this great tight end that they could
also be or several great tight ends I guess that
they could also be hitting them with. So even if
the first half doesn't look great for the Ravens, expect
good second and third you know, options, and then the
(03:30):
second half to look a little bit different.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
Only one option between our score, Cynthia, because I have
the same exact score out yeah on Cynthia's homework, as
most people should if Cynthia's homework is available to see
twenty five twenty four Baltimore Ravens winning and this comes
on the strength of the Baltimore Ravens run defense, where
the Chargers do commit to the run, but it's gonna
be the difference late. The team is almost two reliant
(03:54):
on its quarterback to create that's actually the opponent this
time for the Baltimore Ravens, and they have a case
as the best run defense in the league. The Chargers score,
I believe the Ravens ultimately score one more. I understand
there's injuries on the Ravens defense concerns there, but they
haven't really been able to stop anybody for most of
the season since all.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
Board for US regular worried we've doubted the Chargers too
many times this year, perilous.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
Let's do some math on this game, Cynthia. We'll Justin
Herbert throw for over or under two hundred and fifty
seven and a half passing yards on Monday Night.
Speaker 4 (04:26):
Well, we all have.
Speaker 5 (04:27):
A close game, even though Greg's is the least close,
and I think that dictates a passing game script late
in the game.
Speaker 4 (04:33):
You also can pass on this Ravens defense.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
Even if they.
Speaker 5 (04:36):
Decide to give a light box to Justin Herbert for
whatever reason they choose, it still doesn't matter. You're still
gonna have enough of those catches by their receivers, who
are both very playable in fantasy. This game, think Justin
Herbert has at least two hundred and fifty eight passing yards.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
All right, Civil rivalries great playoff rivalries. Even better, The
Packers and the Niners have one of the best. Most recently.
San Francisco got the dub in last year's Divisional round.
A HI for Drake green Law, who I sit for
San Francisco last January. Get well soon, dre As. I
think the Niners would have had Lobardi Trophy if he
didn't hurt himself jogging on the field in the Super Bowl.
The rivalry continues though Sunday in Lambeau. Who comes away
(05:16):
victorious this time around? Greck.
Speaker 3 (05:17):
I am going with the Packers this time, twenty eight
to twenty four in this game because neither of these
teams are quite what we expected, at least not where
they were last January. But the offense for the Packers
is coming into form, Jordan Love, and this Packers passing
attack is actually the one part of this game along
with the running.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
Really, it's the whole offense that I trust.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
This forty nine Ers defense, whether Nick Bosa is out
there or not, a little ordinary. The forty nine Ers offense,
little dude, Juan Jennings, reliant, not what they used to be.
Packers defense don't really love it, Jordan Love. I do
love it, and I know he'll give you an interception
every now and then.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
I don't care.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
Look at these throws that he is making week after week.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
They are getting it done.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
They are so dynamic in the passing game, and you
know they can hit you on the ground too, But
it's Jordan Love's ability to make those special throws and
the variety of the receivers that they have that they
ultimately think gets it done.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
Offense wins.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
Yeah, I'm with you, Greg. No practice for Nick Bosa
late in the week on Wednesday, couldn't finish the game Sunday.
Problem for the pass rush and overall problems against the
run all season long. And they number twenty eight against
runs outside of the tackles. And you look back last
year at what was a top three defense. They go
all the way to the Super Bowl. Yeah, they give
up some points to the Detroit Lions, and it's like, ah,
(06:37):
this defense is trouble. They lose to the Chiefs and
the Super Bowl. It's like, how we got to fire
our defensive coordinator. Now, look, the Lions are scoring a
billion points a game and they have to play against
the Packers, who were top ten in outside runs. Josh
Jacobs's powers to pack to victory.
Speaker 5 (06:51):
Cynthia, Oh, well, I guess we're giving me a prime
number here by just one point.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
Boo boo, ple bl blu umbers, numbers.
Speaker 5 (06:59):
Numbers, there's my number, but look it's twenty four to
twenty three. Now, I will put a little asterisk here
if for some reason there's no brock Purty, that will
change things and the Nick Bosa factor will have to
see exactly what happens, so hythem. I reserve the right
to switch it on Sunday with the injury report, not
that we'll know anything before ninety minutes before kickoff anyways,
because that is how they do things in.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
The forty nine Ers camp.
Speaker 5 (07:20):
But the person who I do think is playing is
the straw that is stirring the drink for this offense
this season. That is number eighty five. When you're looking
at what George Kittle means to this offense, especially when
he lines up as an inline receiver.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
Whoo, things are good.
Speaker 5 (07:35):
And that is an area that this Packers defense that
I do not trust, is very susceptible to. So if
you see something like George Kittle lined up in line,
just know the Packers have allowed like a ninety five
completion percenta is two shuch throws. So if we're talking
about like brock Purty's playing, check George Kittle playing check.
Speaker 4 (07:54):
Nick Bosa check. Then it is definitely Niners.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
Yeah. If you see something, say something. Well, George Kittle
lined up in Lott as a receiver the team that
beat the forty nine ers last week, He's the Seahawks.
With less than twenty seconds ago, Eugene Cyril Smith shocked
the fans in Santas Clara. Well, personal biases have the
Holy Catfish call high on the call of the year's standings.
Gino put the forty nine ers to bed last week. Now,
(08:18):
the Seahawks play host to the first place Cardinals Kyler
squad coming off of the bye week. The division is nuts, Greg,
how do you see it going?
Speaker 3 (08:25):
I see the Seahawks taking that energy that they got
from that last drive and bringing it to this week
in a twenty four to twenty two victory. Look, I
love the Cardinals I've been picking them all year, but
Gino Smith on this last drive was something special. He's
winning from the neck up and he's just got something
a little extra.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
He stays calm in the big moments.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
You know who led the NFL and fourth quarter comebacks
and game winning drives a year ago. Geno Smith. You
know who's gonna do it? Again Geno Smith. Look at
the matchups in the secondary. When Gino Smith goes back
to pass, and I think, for once he might have
some pass protection because the Cardinals don't rush the passer
that well. Jackson Smith and Jigbu is really breaking out.
(09:06):
DK Metcalf back healthy. I think they have mismatches in
the back end, and I think a special run by
the Seahawks team is going to start right now.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
I like that.
Speaker 5 (09:16):
I also agree with who wins. I have a score
of twenty three to twenty one is a two point
win as well. But we need to give a little
love to Kyler Murray specifically when he runs the football.
Why because one interesting thing about this Seahawks defense is
that the two starting linebackers from week one guess where
they are now?
Speaker 2 (09:34):
Not of the team right ones of Miami.
Speaker 4 (09:36):
Right one was traded away, but Ernest Jones has been great.
Speaker 5 (09:39):
He actually has one of the top run stop percentages
among linebackers since he came over in that trade. But
Kyler Murray is a different beast. This is a situation
where all of those bootlegs to the left, he runs
to the left a lot right. All those you can
close your eyes and see it. They haven't seen something
like that before, at least not the rookie. So when
you see something where you know, look, this is a
vision opponent. They're going to have new tricks and folds
(10:02):
every single time they play. And Kyler is just special,
so he deserves to be talked about.
Speaker 4 (10:06):
Even though I'm picking the Seahawks.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
Yeah, absolutely, Mike McDonald's defense. If you look season long
wise the Sea, it's like, oh, the Seahawks are a
bad defense. I think they've gotten a little bit better,
but I also have a slim margin win for the
home team spoiler alert or when they play this game
again in a couple of weeks, I'll take the home
team there again. But I would mainly like to talk
about this Cardinals defense that I lovingly call the search
(10:28):
Bar because I'm constantly having to figure out who exactly
these people are. They are being able to accomplish a
lot despite not really getting a ton of pressure on
the quarterback. They're only ahead of the Panthers and the
Falcons and pressure percentage, but they have more sacks than
both of those teams combined. Fighte blitzing less It works sometimes,
but I think you really have to get absolute pressure
(10:49):
on Gino and swarm him and able to be able
to win, especially game in Seattle. I don't think they'll
be able to do that enough here. So we are
all on the Seattle Seahawks and the memes are rolling
here on game debut, It's time from the Drive to
Excellence presented by Say. He's been Saquon adding this move
seventy yards of the fourth quarter rushing in that last
game against the Commanders the Eagles in the Rams Sunday
(11:11):
Night at So far Philly has won six straight since
they're by They're in first place in the NFC East.
The Ramilly definitely in the playoff race. Does it get
even better in the playoff race for the Rams?
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Cynthia no Oh, I'm sorry.
Speaker 5 (11:23):
I have twenty six to twenty two in favor of
the Eagles, in large part because of that man. We
just watched a bunch of highlights on that is Saquon Barkley.
When I'm looking at the opportunity to leverage him in oh,
the pass catching game, running on inside routes, running onto
the outside, like all of the different ways that you
would like to use him. Well, that O line is
specifically tailored to him. I know that the strength of
(11:46):
this Rams defense is right up front. But you know what,
when you run away from the pressure, things get better
for you. So Saquon Barkley a massive day. I think
that that helps bolster the Eagles chances to beat the Rams.
Speaker 1 (12:00):
Yeah. I'm looking forward to this game where there's two
incredible young defensive lines that get a lot of pressure
on opposing quarterbacks. But I locked the Eagles offensive line
more so, I will talk about the Eagles defensive line,
namely Jalen Carter, who is the only interior defensive lineman
who's generated multiple pressures in every game this season. An
asterisk because Dexter Lawrence is getting double in triple team
(12:22):
like a million tunds. But still, Jalen Carter has fifteen
quick pressures this season. He's top three in that category,
and I think he gets one that changes this game.
On Sunday, Greg, Eagles winning, I.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
Was with you.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
That was how I lean because I picked the Eagles
to win actually every single game this year, fun fact,
you know, and six straight times have been right. And
yet as the week went on, Chames my mind and
I had a vision of the Rams winning this game.
Rams are a very hard team to predict. I think
they win a relatively high scoring game, and it's partly
because of Sean McVay.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Let's just greg it up.
Speaker 3 (12:54):
I got a hunch about this team across the street.
It's a revenge game for Sean McVay, a revenge that
last six years. Let's go back to twenty eighteen Bears Rams.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
Why are we showing you that game?
Speaker 3 (13:04):
Vic Fangio, the defensive coordinator of the Bears, helped change
NFL history with a six to one front that really
stopped the outside zone Rams team back then. There's Fangio
now doing a great job a lot of the same
concepts with.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
This Eagles team.
Speaker 3 (13:18):
Sean McVay, the whiz kid he got pants in the
Super Bowl by Bill Belichick, who copied that game plan. Really,
the whole NFL started copying that game plan for years.
It got Jared Goff out of Los Angeles. It made
Sean McVay change the whole offense. They don't even run
outside zone anymore. This has been in his head for
six straight years. He wants revenge because he was the
(13:40):
hot kid in town. That Fangio took that from him,
and now he's gonna show.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
Who's I think we have the same thought, Cynthia.
Speaker 5 (13:47):
What, I'm so confused that you're taking revenge on Fangio
for something Belichick did.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
Well, No, Fangio did it because Fangio showed him how
to beat Sean McVay and it was at a time
where he was just looking like the smart kid in town.
I just mean, I think this one means a little
extra to McVay. I think he's gonna have some special
sauce a young Eagles defense. They can't win every game.
I think Sean McVay is gonna have some great stuff.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
We could ultimately end up with Vic Fangio getting credit
for two teams winning the Super Bowl that he did
not coach for. The Eagles are chasing for the top
seed in the NFC right now. That's a team that
I guess thanks to Vic Fangio has Jared Goff, Cynthia's
Detroit Lions. You're getting you don't even know it, which
most dead people fall into that category. Jared Goff coming
(14:29):
off with four touchdown game. The Lions ain't straight games.
Some folks saw it coming. They've got Anthony Richardslim and
the Colts. On Sunday I think they make it nine straight,
winning twenty seven to thirteen, because you saw it on
that play. There's so many aspects of the Lions offense
that we can celebrate. Why don't we look at Jared
Goff passing with play action, folks. He's over one thousand
yards already on just play action passing this season. In fact,
(14:53):
he has two hundred more yards on play action than
the next closest quarterback, which is Matthew Stafford, who is
there because of Vic Fangio's efforts in a Bears game
against the Rams a couple of years ago. I think
the Lions win this one thirty seven.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
It made sense in my head. A lot of it.
Even made Sean McVay be.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
Like, I got to get a defensive quarter You're like Fangio,
so he hired Brandon Staley.
Speaker 2 (15:15):
Lots of things happen go on to this game.
Speaker 5 (15:17):
You know what, Thank you for your service, Vic Fangio.
We all we're actually probably all here because of you,
Vic Fangio. But the Lions win this one, twenty nine
to twenty one. I want to talk about Aman Ross
Saint Brown for a second here, because he actually has
the highest upside for any wide receiver in my model
this week.
Speaker 4 (15:35):
Why because you know who plays a lot of zone.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
Who's up?
Speaker 4 (15:38):
Yeah, the Colts.
Speaker 5 (15:38):
They played the most zone and they kind of do
it even if it doesn't work. But you know where
Jerik Goff has thrown all of his interceptions against zone.
Speaker 4 (15:45):
So this team figures to be a team that is
working out some kikes.
Speaker 5 (15:48):
That is kind of my explanation for what we saw
last week when they did not take their foot off
the gas against the Jaguars. But I think this is
an opportunity to really target the guy against zone. And
this is a guy who has twenty nine percent target share,
second highest in the NFL. So I think if you're
looking for a really nice, high upside fantasy playlet's.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
To number fourteen.
Speaker 3 (16:08):
I love this Lions team because they're great. They can
make comebacks against the Texans, but they're also great front runners,
which is why all three of us not only have
the Lions winning this game, we have them covering. I
have them winning by ten, and it's partly because of
the way the Colts won last week. Let's show some
great Anthony Richardson footage. I point out these throws just
(16:28):
to show you how difficult.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
They all were.
Speaker 3 (16:31):
Part of the reason they had to win with difficult
throws where Anthony Richardson had to fit the ball into
tight windows. Is the running game really wasn't working. Jonathan
Taylor was stuffed by a pretty bad Jets run defense
Anthony Richardson except for those runs on the goal line,
which are important, he's such a red zone threat, he
didn't really get it going on the ground either. That
worries me because against a Lions team that stops the
(16:53):
run and I think will be able to control Jonathan
Taylor and Anthony Richardson on the ground. Man, you're gonna
be trailing. You're gonna have to hit low percentage throws.
That's only gonna work so much. They play well, not
well of if they lose by ten.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
As we look at the first touchdown score odds between
the Vikings and the Bears, Aaron Jones in the familiar
spot playing against the Chicago Bears the leading the way
at four hundred plus four to fifty Justin Jefferson. Right
after that, DeAndre Swift at seven fifty, Jordanatis and TJ.
Hockettson browning things out. Let's talk about this matchup a
little bit more of the Bears haven't won in over
a month, while the Vikings have won three straight. The
(17:26):
Monsters of the Midway, can they come back from that
huge disappointment?
Speaker 4 (17:30):
Get a win here, Cynthia, Anything's possible.
Speaker 1 (17:33):
Oh, there we go.
Speaker 4 (17:33):
But my model says no.
Speaker 5 (17:35):
I have Minnesota by at least four points twenty three
to nineteen. Part of those numbers there dictate the total
in the game. I think it could be even more
than four points if you're picking up what I'm putting down.
But Caleb Williams did look significantly better last week. Some
of the things that we talked about with Thomas Brown
and targeting this defense where they were actually most vulnerable,
(17:55):
and also being smart about using his feet to rush
when it meant and it made sense.
Speaker 2 (18:00):
KYLEB.
Speaker 4 (18:00):
Williams looked considerably better.
Speaker 5 (18:02):
I think if you're a Bears fan, I understand that
is a terrible way to lose a game. However, there
are a lot of things to be excited about if
you're a Caleb Williams fan, and for the future, so
it not all is lost.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
Those stunned Monsters of the Midway are gonna be You're
gonna be okay.
Speaker 3 (18:17):
Okay, so you said it might be even more than
four points. I say it will be more than four points.
I got it as a touchdown Vikings on the road,
and it's partly because Brian Flores he's got more than
one pitch.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
It's not just all about the fastball. He's changing it up.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
You know who's been very average and blitzery over the
last three weeks, the Vikings. The Vikings, after always sending
the heat over and over. Brian Flores said, you know what,
we're actually getting a lot of pressure with just our
regular four. Jonathan Gernard is playing fantastic. Van Ginkle's awesome.
Some no names up front. We got Patrick Jones and
he can just pick any dial on the menu. It's
(18:53):
like one of those restaurants where he has so many
different options and you just Picknickick. And I always worry
about the team that has the moral victory the week before.
Everyone's kind of higher on the Bears than they were
a week ago, because like, oh, they play really well,
they deserve to win that game, And sometimes I actually
feel like there's a letdown after the moral victory. Thomas
Brown put that week on tape. Now that floor is
can kind of cook up.
Speaker 1 (19:13):
And the thing is where even if the Vikings do
line up like they're not going to blitz, there's still
the idea that Van Ginkel and Grenard and all those
guys could get pressure on the quarterback from any particular way.
They come in so many different ways. But the Bears
need to have a run game to try to make
Thomas Brown's offense somewhat successful. It's been tough for them
to do. This is not the team to get your
ground game going against. If we look over at next
(19:36):
Gen stats the ten rush defense categories, they are in
the top ten in nine of ten of those categories.
They're number one in four of those categories. They can
approach the run and the pass game so many different ways. Also,
late week practice checks for DeAndre Swift. Keep an eye
on that if you're paying attention to this game to
(19:58):
whether or not it's all Rope One or DeAndre Swift.
But we all expect the sadness to contain and you
in Chicago. Sorry, Bears fans, including our beloved producer Vegas,
not expecting a ton of points in this one. Here's
a look at the lowest point totals for the week
thirty nine and a half there down in Houston, it's
at forty and a half the Broncos and the Raiders.
(20:19):
Most of that may be scored by the Broncos as well.
Let's make some quick picks here on game debut. The
Chiefs and the Panthers KC dropped their first game of
the season last week in Buffalo. Do they bounce back
with a vengeance here against the Panthers.
Speaker 4 (20:31):
Absolutely. I have a twelve point win for them.
Speaker 5 (20:33):
This is the first time I've had them over their
number the entire.
Speaker 4 (20:36):
Season long WOY eight to sixteen.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
In this matchup.
Speaker 5 (20:40):
And even if Isaiah Pacheco is one hundred percent clear
to go, which we are still unclear as of the
time of this taping, it doesn't matter. You're still playing
Kareem Hunt and potentially looking at him because the opportunity
to run against this Panthers defense will be a nice
return to football moment for Pacheco should he come back.
But ultimately I don't care. This is a team that
controls the ball. They have the most yard ten plus
(21:01):
play drives. They've scored on twenty four of them. That's
the most of the league.
Speaker 4 (21:04):
They average six point seven plays per drive. They got
this one. She's got this one big.
Speaker 1 (21:08):
Yeah, We've all got plus ten point wins and this one.
Let's go to the Bucks and the Giants. Mike Evans
expected back for Tampa, Tommy DeVito starting for the g Men,
with Danny Dimes now super on the bench, Spoine, a
couple other quarterbacks. Who do you think is gonna win.
Speaker 3 (21:21):
Here, gret I think the Bucks are gonna win, even
before I heard that Danny Dimes was their safety on
the scout team.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
Not just embarrassing. You got Mike Evans back on the field,
you know you're gonna.
Speaker 3 (21:30):
Go win against this Giants secondary who likes to travel
a lot of times with their top cornerback.
Speaker 2 (21:37):
I don't think Mike Evans is gonna worry about that.
Speaker 3 (21:39):
I really like how the Buccaneers have developed their offense
without Mike Evans, and now when you add him back
into the mix, this is legitimately one of the best
offenses in the league. I think they'll be able to
run the ball efficiency efficiently and then get the ball
to Mike Evans.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
Let's go to the Patriots and the Dolphins. Miami has
won two in a row, their longest streak of the season.
I think they make it three in a row here.
Guys win in twenty six to sixty eight on the
power of John hu Smith, who is back in our
lives after being targeted on just nineteen percent of his
route to the first four weeks of the season. John
neu Smith folks twenty seven percent target rate since then,
replacing some productions. It seems like Jalen Waddell might be
(22:15):
playing through something. I have no information there, but numbers
down for Jalen waddle across the board, including on stats
and production, next gen stats wise, speed wise as well.
I think John Hu Smith big replacement. Their fins get
a chance to win it here. The question is can
they make the push to the playoffs when we come
back to the playoffs?
Speaker 2 (22:33):
Just around the.
Speaker 1 (22:34):
Corner, which fringe teams are getting in and who's going
to be stuck watching right along with us. We'll cool
you in as you're watching game debut presented by Mercedes Dang.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
You hit the forty nine ers with a fringe team
their fridge.
Speaker 1 (22:51):
Oh so much excitement. Let's discuss some French playoff teams
and what we think is going to happen. This is
the AFC playoff picture of the Broncos right now, holding
on to that seventh and final spot in the AFC.
The Chiefs locked up a boy as of right now,
but looking on at the team they just lost to
the Buffalo Bills, leading division the Steelers as well. Do
(23:13):
you think the Denver Broncos, greg, who are currently number
seven in the AFC, do you think they will make
the playoffs? Yes? Or no?
Speaker 3 (23:20):
I believe let's do it. Yeah, I think I think
bo Nicks gets this thing. But the thing, it's the
offensive what I don't know which? Either way it's up here,
it's all up.
Speaker 2 (23:29):
I'm colorblind.
Speaker 3 (23:30):
These things have never been friendly to the colorblind community.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
I love all of you out there. You know what else?
Speaker 3 (23:35):
I love the offensive line of the Denver Broncos. I'm
gonna show you some great bo Nicks highlights. Okay, first
of all, Courtland Sutton's still getting it done.
Speaker 2 (23:43):
Sean Payton still getting it done.
Speaker 4 (23:45):
That's like a crazy mouth to one handed catch there.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
Sean Payton getting it done. You see a lot of
wide open receivers.
Speaker 2 (23:50):
You know what else?
Speaker 3 (23:51):
You see not a lot of pressure on bo Nicks.
This has been a fantastic offensive line when they signed
Quinn Minors in training camp.
Speaker 2 (23:59):
It was a statement of intent.
Speaker 3 (24:01):
We're gonna build through a lot of guys you don't
know up front, and they're gonna be better than you think. Heck,
and when they're not, bon Nicks can scramble just like.
Speaker 5 (24:09):
That best tummy in football by far, bone Nicks, the
phone Nicks.
Speaker 4 (24:16):
No, I don't know what his tummy looks like. He
doesn't push you anyways.
Speaker 5 (24:20):
I too believe that the Broncos will make the playoffs.
And let's talk about pressure, but defense of pressure, because
this defense is absolutely.
Speaker 4 (24:29):
Crushing, especially when they only rush for look Out, number
ninety nine is coming for your life. It's Zach Allen.
Speaker 5 (24:35):
Last year, some people were like, oh, that was a
lot of money you paid this man and he's not
giving you the good return on investment. Ha ha ha, No, no, no,
this I mean, yes, he was good last year, but
this year he's exceptional. And that difference making and getting
that pressure, the quick pressure on opposing quarterbacks that has
been a problem for other teams. This is one of
the reasons why they're able to not necessarily they blitz
(24:57):
because they choose to. They don't blitz because they have
to and that secondary is backed up and they work together,
handing love, just like we put my hand in this
cleft here, Meaning they're going to the playoffs.
Speaker 1 (25:08):
Initially, when I looked at this question and the rest
of the season, I thought it was a oath. But
now I'm a yes because I was looking at the
next matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs, and then I
remember the Chiefs might have already clinched by the time
they played that game. So this revenge game opportunity where
the Chiefs maybe come back, Hey, we almost lost to
this team. Patrick Mahomes might not even play in this game.
(25:30):
This may be a game where the Chiefs are getting
ready to go into having a buy and the Denver
Broncos need to get a win. Watch smash yourselves against
that wall. Because there's a couple of other really good
teams in the AFC that are on the fringe. I
think that alone pushes the Denver Broncos into the playoffs,
as Patrick Mahomes will be doing that watching potentially from
the sidelines. We'll go to the Dolphins, who have now
(25:51):
won two in a row. They almost knocked off the
Bills a few weeks ago. Greg does to Miami Dolphins.
Do they make the playoffs?
Speaker 3 (25:57):
I don't think so because there are already a couple
losses behind the Broncos. Here, let's go no, because look,
they've been great on third down. They've been great with
a short passing. I want to extol the virtues of
the Dolphins. I think they get into the mix. Their
next four game is pretty easy. I think they beat
the Patriots fun Thanksgiving night game. I think that's the
one that could trip them up. But I think they
can beat the Jets and the Texans. The problem is
(26:19):
when you look at the two schedules between them and
the Broncos, for instance, or the Ravens. Who else could
be in the wildcard mix.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
I think the Broncos have the easiest schedule. It's going
to be too hard.
Speaker 3 (26:30):
It's that backup quarterback situation that put them in too
big of a hole.
Speaker 1 (26:33):
All right, it's going to Joe Burrows squad playing an
MVP level. Is the quarterback defense? Isn't the Bengals four
and seven decency make the playoffs?
Speaker 5 (26:41):
Bump Bump bu Sorry, Cincinnati, I really like you, but unfortunately,
especially with that win last week, it makes it very
very difficult.
Speaker 4 (26:50):
You know who they have to play against the AFT North.
Speaker 5 (26:53):
That is difficult when you're looking at the opportunity that
the Bengals had to make the postseason.
Speaker 4 (26:58):
They just haven't won the games that they were supposed to.
Speaker 5 (27:01):
They kind of squandered away some of those fourth schedule
situations that they were in. This is not a great
opportunity when your defense is giving up a lot of
yards on the ground, a lot of yards through the air,
and when you can't make kicks like last week, the
bad defense situation becomes even worse.
Speaker 3 (27:17):
And then to be fair, like Joe Burrow like keep
hearing that he's like the MVP, but his team's not
helping him. Was like, hey, maybe win a game like
one of the five times when he got the ball
with the chance to go put the game away on offense.
Speaker 5 (27:29):
You were to extol the virtue of Joe Burrow not
doing a taking a hail maker, saying.
Speaker 3 (27:33):
They had them all like three times against the Chargers
in that game.
Speaker 2 (27:36):
Score some points. Yeah, Joe, I didn't say it.
Speaker 1 (27:40):
Let's take a look at the playoff picture over in
the NFC where it's Detroit Cynthia's Detroit Lions currently with
the buye. The Eagles leading division, as are the Cards
and the Falcons the Vikings in the wild card. But
let's look over at the Indie Hunt spot. Because the
forty nine ers the playoffs started today, they'd be watching
on some comfy chairs. Can they change that, Cynthia to
(28:01):
the San Francisco forty Niners make the playoffs?
Speaker 5 (28:04):
Well again, if there's no this game this week is
actually a must win game if I'm looking at the
schedule going forward, and since I have them winning, the answer.
Speaker 4 (28:12):
Is yes, by a little This needs to be a little.
Speaker 5 (28:15):
Tiny smidge because I think that with Christian McCaffrey coming
back and his ability to change the way the offense operates,
especially in the red area, they really do have an
opportunity here to kind of get around some of their
defensive woes. So along the same lines of like what
I said before, like if there's no brock Party, things change,
If there's no George Kittle, things change. But Christian McCaffrey
(28:37):
is a really big difference maker going forward.
Speaker 4 (28:39):
Should the rest of those pieces also be available?
Speaker 3 (28:41):
Yeah, you look at their schedule the rest of the
way and it's very difficult, including this week. And that's
why I'm going to go ahead and say no. I
think it's going to be tough for two NFC West
teams to get into the playoffs, and I do not
think they're going to.
Speaker 2 (28:53):
Win the division.
Speaker 3 (28:54):
So I'm going to say a big, fat no for
the San Francisco forty nine. I had them, you know,
in the preseason we did over unders and I had
them as one of my very first picks to go on.
Speaker 2 (29:04):
I just feel like, this isn't their year. Too much
has happened.
Speaker 4 (29:07):
Yeah, well they're over under was like eleven. It was crazy.
Speaker 1 (29:10):
Anyways, looking back, if we go back to the twenty
twenty three San Francisco forty nine Ers twenty eight points
per game, a top ten offense that the points per
game has only dropped three. The problem is over on
the defensive side. The offense still scored twenty five points.
I do not think. I do not think the San
Francisco forty nine Ers will make the playoffs. And there's
so many games that we can look back to to
(29:32):
determine where it all went wrong. I think at the
end of the season, they're gonna look back at this
early season matchup in Sofi Stadium where they had the
lead against a very, very hurt Los Angeles Rams team.
They could not close them out.
Speaker 2 (29:45):
National teams has killed them all year.
Speaker 1 (29:47):
It's about Sean McVay runs in in the postgame, bewildered
that somehow the Rams won this football game, and that's
gonna keep his good pal and old buddy and playoff
rival out of the playoffs. Maybe we'll see a lot
I'm gonna sit they a lot hinges on whether or
not they could beat the Packers this week. Let's go
to the NFC South, where the leading Falcons currently lead. Greg,
(30:10):
do you think the team that's leading the division right now?
Speaker 3 (30:12):
No, now, even before you enter the answer the question,
it's gonna be a Bucks world in the playoffs. I
love this Bucks team. They're better than their record, and
you look at the Falcons coming up. They're schedule tougher
than the Bucks. Their defense worse than the Bucks, their
defense worse than almost.
Speaker 2 (30:28):
Anyone else's defense.
Speaker 3 (30:29):
Yes, like Kirk Cousins has made it happen from the
pocket all season, and that's great, But some of these
games that the Buccaneers have, i mean found a way
to lose against the Falcons, and that the Falcons have
found a way to win at the very end, a
little bit of luck involved in just generally no pass rush,
no good linebacker play either, especially in coverage.
Speaker 2 (30:50):
It's not like they're a great run defense.
Speaker 3 (30:52):
I think a defense this bad, especially with those odds
minus four hundred to.
Speaker 2 (30:56):
Make the playoffs. Like I'm liking the upset pick here.
Speaker 1 (30:59):
So if they don't just win, lose in the division
and they don't get in the wild card, let's talk
about another team that could be in that mix. The
Rams Cynthia currently sitting just outside of the wild card
at five and five rams in.
Speaker 5 (31:11):
Oh boy man, that ninety seven yards across the way
or whatever we decided it was.
Speaker 4 (31:16):
They are not going to like me.
Speaker 5 (31:17):
Why Well, to me O, line play is extremely important
and they have been banged up and also when I'm
looking at you know, even coming back then being banged
up again.
Speaker 4 (31:27):
Then being bad.
Speaker 5 (31:27):
This has not been an opportunity to be consistent for
Matthew Stafford. I know Matthew Stafford is great when he
doesn't the play after being pressured. He doesn't even need
that to be excellent. Oh, line play just needs to
be better than average, and it just hasn't been. And
you've seen Kyron Williams now not be as effective.
Speaker 4 (31:44):
So I kind of agree with you that.
Speaker 5 (31:47):
I mean, unless it's the Niners and the Cardinals, I
don't think two NFC West teams came in, so right now,
I think it's Cardinals.
Speaker 3 (31:54):
And just look at the name names on the bottom
of that graphic.
Speaker 2 (31:57):
There.
Speaker 3 (31:57):
You got the Eagles this week, which I think the
Rams could win, but that's tough. You got the Bills
in a couple weeks.
Speaker 2 (32:01):
Don't you think they Couldn't they really going to win?
I think they could win.
Speaker 3 (32:04):
I'm just saying, these are three really tough games. Yeah,
that's true, Darren Ridsey, this is four tough game. Frizzy
ball tom Rosse to do some.
Speaker 1 (32:13):
Quick picks here on game debut, the Titans and the
Texans in Houston. Who gets the win? Greg?
Speaker 3 (32:19):
The Texans get the win, but the Titans get the
cover with room to spare, I have this as a
one point game. I have the Texans on upset alert
in part because we've seen a better version of Will
Levis the last couple of weeks. Let's give Will Levis
some love. I asked for, like, let's get some Will
Levis highlights, And I was told no One that NFL
networks like cut a Will Levis clip. Since Week four,
(32:39):
it's like he's totally off the radar. He's making some
good passes. The last couple of weeks, He's taken a
lot of sacks. He's not a perfect quarterback, little mechanical
going through his reads. You could almost see him thinking
the coaching notes. But he's playing smarter and when he
does let go of that ball, it's pretty I think
he's gonna have a nice career, maybe not as a
franchise quarterback, but a guy that comes in and gives
(33:01):
your offense a spark. I think they keep it close
again into Texans offense that's really been struggling.
Speaker 1 (33:06):
All right, Let's go to the Broncos and the Raiders
bow knicks through four touchdowns last week. Does Denver keep
it rolling, Cynthia.
Speaker 5 (33:12):
They absolutely do have a seven point win twenty three
to sixteen.
Speaker 4 (33:15):
But because we haven't talked about the Raiders at all.
Speaker 5 (33:17):
And Brock Bauers is doing amazing things, we need to
talk about him. Number One, he had the most the
single game touch tight end reception record.
Speaker 4 (33:26):
He made it last week.
Speaker 2 (33:27):
Let's go.
Speaker 5 (33:28):
He also is tied for the two games of ten
plus receptions. This can you talk about someone with a
great career and going to have an excellent upset career
like this is an epic start.
Speaker 4 (33:38):
And a team that really needs him.
Speaker 5 (33:40):
They knew that he was going a telegraphed hey Worth
basically like when Gardner Minshew throws the ball, he's like,
I'm going to throw it to brock Bowers.
Speaker 4 (33:47):
Doesn't matter, he's still going to catch it.
Speaker 5 (33:49):
So congratulations brock Bowers and good things for the Raiders.
Speaker 2 (33:52):
That's a happy thing.
Speaker 1 (33:52):
Yeah, it looked like on one of those plays rock
Bowers didn't think the ball was coming in him. He's like,
oh wait, why.
Speaker 2 (33:58):
Who cares?
Speaker 1 (33:59):
The Cowboys and the Commanders Dallas says, drop five in
a row. I think dan Quinn comes in and exit
six and a revenge game. Well maybe not. He had
good times in Dallas. I've got the Commanders winning twenty
eight to sixteen on the heels of Cooper Rush throwing
the ball fifty five times on Monday Night football against
the Houston Texans. Fun fact, the Commander's defense since Week
(34:19):
four has twenty five sacks. They're playing good defense, They're
gotting pressure on the quarterback and the Cowboys can't really
run or pass right now? It's rough.
Speaker 3 (34:28):
Is it really a revenge game when you were like
the highest paid defensive coordinator in the league and the
owner of the Cowboys? This week, Jerry Jones is almost
openly saint man. I kind of wish we still.
Speaker 1 (34:38):
Had Dan Quinn.
Speaker 2 (34:39):
You know, he think I think he misses him.
Speaker 1 (34:42):
Maybe the revenge is against everybody posting all those twenty
eight to three memes all the time, Greg coming up
our favorite player props for week twelve. We went oh
and three last week. Ah, but the laws of science
and maths say that we're due, even though it's not
really true. We guarantee these props hit or were putting
Greg's address up on blue Sky. I didn't write that
(35:02):
stick around. We're back on game Dare you? On Sunday
at nine am Eastern Rich Eisen, Kurt Warner, Mooch, Cynthia Freeland,
and the rest of the GDM crew get you set
for a kickoff with NFL Game Day Morning folks tell
(35:23):
us how the forty nine ers can shake off their
Super Bowl hangover. Plus, did the Bills give the blueprint
on how to beat Patrick Mahomes is very simple. Have
Josh Allen All that and more are coming up Sunday
at nine am.
Speaker 2 (35:34):
Alien grew this week. Nazi's taller than Kyle. This is great.
Speaker 1 (35:38):
Yea Garifolo pull it off the very small edition of
Mike Garifolo top for Write this down here on our
program as we get to some predictions for week twelve.
Started off for the people.
Speaker 3 (35:47):
Yeah, my write this downs have been as clumsy as
the cotton on this little table scape here, But I'm.
Speaker 2 (35:53):
Turning around this week.
Speaker 3 (35:54):
Josh Jacobs over seventy and a half rushing yards. Love
this matchup against the forty nine ers. I think they're
gonna have a winning game. Scriptyet playing from a head.
Love the way he's running that the scheme. Lafleur has
been cooking up run schemes ever since that loss in
the playoffs last year. He wants revenge on his buddy
Kyle Shanan. Josh Jacobs helps give it to him.
Speaker 1 (36:15):
All right, get a write this down from Greg there. Well,
Josh Jacobs hitting that number. I've got Courtland Sutton having
over sixty and a half receiving yards against the Las
Vegas Raiders. If you want to know when the last
time this didn't happen. You gotta go all the way
back to October seventeenth, twenty twenty four. You know why
didn't happen because they were on a bye that with
the Denver Broncos are throwing the ball a ton. I
(36:36):
think Courtland Sutton gets you sixty and a half receiving
yards easy.
Speaker 4 (36:39):
Cynthia, I have one that I guarantee will hit.
Speaker 5 (36:42):
But the first one here is cade Aughton having more
than forty and forty nine and a half receiving yards.
Speaker 4 (36:47):
I love this opportunity.
Speaker 5 (36:49):
Remember, I know Mike Evans is back, but they need
to pass the ball even more. And you know Baker
Mayfield loves to throw the ball. But the one that
I guarantee is that Patrick is going to have the
happiest birthday.
Speaker 4 (36:58):
Oh yeah on Monday, Happy.
Speaker 2 (37:00):
Yay, Happy.
Speaker 4 (37:02):
Guarantee that one hits.
Speaker 1 (37:03):
That one's well, I think it might depend on the
results of the game over there on Monday night. Football folks,
Thank you, Cynthia, Thank you guys for thinking the happy birthday,
And then thank you I were spending all this time
with us here on game debut. Percented by Mercedes Business.
Speaker 2 (37:17):
Lamar Look at you. You hold this man in your hands.
Good day. You've already got that beautiful sweater. What more
does he need?
Speaker 1 (37:23):
A win would be nice, And you guys to watch
this next week. We'll see you then coming up on
game debut. Thanks for watching, everybody,
Hosts And Creators
Gregg Rosenthal
Rachel Bonnetta
Cynthia Frelund
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