November 20, 2024 • 24 mins
How far did the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens drop after their losses on Sunday? After the Falcons embarrassing loss to the Denver Broncos, should they fall out of the top-15? Do the Pittsburgh Steelers deserve credit for their win over the Ravens or did they just get lucky?
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
NFL Power Rankings is a production of the NFL in
partnership with iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Welcome to a brand new edition of NFL Power Rankings.
Mike yam along with the man who legitimately I say
has the hardest job in the building, Eric at Holme.
Checking out this podcast, you can see all of his
rankings one through thirty two on NFL dot com.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
Eric.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
The reason why I say you have the hardest job.
It's already difficult enough to rank.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
The teams one through thirty two.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
But the reaction that you get on social media from
fan bases that might be a little upset on where
you slap your team, that's what makes your job really hard.
Is there a reaction of recently last couple weeks of
stand out to you from an angry fan.
Speaker 4 (00:41):
Base, Yeah, very enthusiastic Bills fan ripping me for putting
them at number two. Overall, right, the disrespect. Can you
imagine Mike shocking at this point? Again, if you're a
Bills fan, you've seen Josh Allen do some amazing things
this season, but let's have some perspective. Lines are pretty
good too, you know.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
Well, I'm glad and that's probably the best place to
start with the number one team as we take you
through the ranks one through eight. Yeah, no change at
the top there. The lines just continue to ball. And yes,
we do have a new number two team. You did
give the Bills plenty of respect. They beat the Chiefs,
so they sit at two. Kansas City suffers their first loss.
They drop a spot to three. The Eagles welcome the
first place in the NFC East, the Vikings at five.
Speaker 3 (01:21):
They're an eight win football team.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Massive win by the Steelers, who we will talk about
in just a couple of minutes as they take out
the Ravens who sit seven. The number eight team, the Packers,
a dramatic block field goal walk off win. All right,
let's start with the number two team. It is the
Buffalo Bills. I ask you this sort of with the
smile on my face, knowing some of the social media
reaction that you get. This is a Bills squad that's
(01:45):
beaten the Chiefs last four regular season games. They haven't
beaten them in the postseason last three times. Does the
win from the weekend even matter?
Speaker 4 (01:54):
It does, but maybe not in a we've got their
you know their number kind of way. We all, like
you said, Obviously, the postseason record speaks for itself. Buffalo
still got to prove itself once again gets to the postseason,
especially when you know that inevitable that rematch is coming.
But yeah, I mean it's important because it keeps the
door open for the Bills to potentially steal the number
(02:14):
one seed. No, the AFC East is all but wrapped up,
we know that. But it also speaks to the fact
that they won without Dalton king k they won without
Keon Coleman. I mean, you know, they're still kind of
shorthanded on defense, and we're able to play a great game.
The run game wasn't terrific, but when you have Josh
Allen doing things like this, it all tends to work
out pretty well. So big, big day for Buffalo's defense.
(02:35):
A couple of interceptions, also the three three and outs,
and I don't think you could ask for more. But
like you said, until we get to the postseason, until
these two teams face again, that Bills Chiefs things still
has an asterisk by it.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
Look, this is a great barometer game for Buffalo, and candidly,
because of some of those injuries, Eric I thought Kansas
City was going to win this football game. I was
all prepared in my mind last week, finishing the show, going, hey,
you know what do we make of this Kansas City squad?
Who you have that number three? They continue to win
somebody's football games. Now they lost this matchup, but I
sit here and go, this might be a good thing
(03:10):
for this squad, and hear me out, Eric, this is
a team trying to win a third consecutive Super Bowl,
and now all of a sudden, you got this undefeated season,
the legacy of this franchise with Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes, Like,
now you don't have to.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
Worry about that. You got the loss out of the way.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Let's just move on and really accomplish the task at hand,
which is to make sure you got a first round
by in the postseason and got an opportunity to hoist
another Lombardi.
Speaker 4 (03:34):
Absolutely right. I mean it would be great for a
team like the Chiefs that has accomplished so much over
the last five six years to add another feather in
their capital, that unbeaten season. Sure, it's not in the
cards this year. It's not gonna happen. Now. Their focus,
like you said, is on sealing up that number one seed.
Don't let the Bills get hot, try to have that
rematch if it does happen, occur in Arrowhead Field and
(03:54):
not up at high Mark. So yeah, that's obviously the
focus here. Isaiah Pacheco on track to get back. There's
still finding ways to get DeAndre Hopkins involved in the playoffs,
already involved in the offense rather and you know, I mean, look,
it's another week of rest if they get that buy
for guys like Travis Kelcey who take so much wear
and tear over this course of the season. Patrick Mahomes
(04:15):
two is still playing with the you know, a little
bit banged up with the ankle and everything. So yeah,
the focus hasn't changed. Obviously. This team takes care of
business more often than not. So while Sunday was a setback,
I don't think it was a major one.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
All right, So as far as the AFC teams are concerned,
yes it's Buffalo, Yes it's Kansas City. We'll have a
conversation on the Steelers and the Ravens.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
I think there's a real.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
Conversation by the end of the season to decide which
team we think is truly the best team in that conference.
Because I still think it's up in the air, and
it's maybe not the team that most would point to. Meanwhile,
the Philadelphia Eagles quie start here.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Think.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
I don't know if at one point this season, Eric,
you might have had them outside of the top ten.
But right now they move up to the number four spot,
as dangerous as they come in the NFL, and to me,
they're peaking. I don't want to say it's the right time,
but clearly the second half of the season.
Speaker 4 (05:06):
Yeah, at no point really or at not very many
points towards the end of that ten and one streak
they were on last season that I say, Okay, this
is unquestionably one of the best teams in football. Their
records said they were, but the numbers told a different story.
This year, however, I feel like it's a stronger club,
even with a worse record, And they've been, like you said,
sort of growing since the bye week in all three phases. Really,
(05:28):
I think especially defense, you've seen the bigger improvement there. Yeah,
there's still a little bit of a slow starting offense.
We'd like to see a little more first quarter action
there from them, but by the end of the game
they find a way to kind of crank themselves up
to a rolling boil. Saquon Barkley's in the MVP discussion.
Even for a running back, Jalen Hurts has played great football.
(05:49):
They have their stud receivers, back, godders back. You know,
it's all shaping up nicely. And they are dominant in
both lines of scrimmage, which to me says a lot
about a contender. If you're healthy on the offensive and
defensive lines, and you've got difference makers up front, you
have an excellent chance to make some day the postseason.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Look, we're going to talk about the Rams a little
bit later here on Power Rankings. They get that team
Sunday Night Football cross the street from where our studios
are at SOFI Stadium. I can't help but think that
the Rams are going to be haunted by a loss
on Monday Night Football against Miami. The other week, they
responded with a win against the Patriots. But boy, get
this one. Get the SHARPI out and circle it. That
is going to be must see television. It is time, though,
(06:28):
for future champions. Take a look at the.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
Odds for the AF seed North.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Hello, the Pittsburgh Steelers still the favorite to win this division.
According to FanDuel the Baltimore Ravens not far behind. I
still can't believe the way Cincinnati lost that game against
the Chargers. What a heartbreaking loss. And then the Cleveland
Browns bringing up the rear. But let's focus in on
the number sixteen. It's the Steelers. Yeah, they're in first
(06:53):
place in this division. I'm going to say it, Eric,
knowing that I might take some heat for it. I
think they got lucky against the Ravens.
Speaker 4 (07:04):
They did too right, you would have gave without scoring
a touchdowns and they hate Eric Boswell.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
I might have said it first, but he doubled down
on it.
Speaker 4 (07:12):
Absolutely. No, I'm with you, right, come after both of us.
I think it's a fact. Look, obviously you can't negate
the fact that Nate Herbert made a great impact defensive
play right away, you know, kind of spurred everybody excitement.
You know, Patrick Queen made the big turnover right before halftime.
Peyton Wilson, same thing. Look, they played Lamar Jackson great, right,
They got just enough big plays from Pickens and Harris
(07:34):
and guys like that, But it wasn't a great game
from Russell Wilson. The offense still had some fits here
and there. You know, the defense still was a two
point conversion away from losing this game, and they had
to have miskicks from Baltimore just to get to that point.
So yeah, in no way, shape or form should the
Steelers be beating their chests and saying we're the clear
you know, kings of the AFC North at this point.
(07:55):
But they have had Baltimore's number in recent matchups. They
seem to kind of get in their heads a little
bit and muddy up the waters when they play them,
So that rematch looms large, just gonna have a big
say on who ends up winning the division. But Steelers
in a really nice place. All of a sudden, they're
in a good spot game and a half up two
in the lost column. Feeling pretty good.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Yeah, what's the old adage, better be lucky than good.
By the way, I think the Steelers are a good
football team. All I'm saying is, yes, three turnovers, the
Ravens had the two missfield goals, a miss two point conversion,
and Derek Henry, who never fumbles, fumbles and they lose
by two. That's the argument there. Yeah, that's Steelers once
again rights football. Yeah, yeah, I mean, just it is
(08:35):
what it is the Ravens, though you actually dropped them
three spots. They get the Chargers on Monday, ed football.
Great game that is looming, but based off of the
way that they played against the Steelers, should I be
worried about the squad.
Speaker 4 (08:49):
It's like every week we've got sort of a new
area to focus on, right. I know we've talked about
Justin Tucker. He's had struggles throughout the season. That was
an issue Sunday. The defense, which has been a problem
more often than not, actually played pretty darn well, I thought.
So it was a big bounce back game for Zach
Orr's group. You know, did enough on that side of
the ball. But offensively, you know, this was Lamar Jackson's
worst game and over a year probably, and you know
(09:11):
he's still made plays, but it wasn't enough. And they
only seemed to kind of get in his head and
you know, force him to make some uncharacteristic throws not
very accurate. You know, this is this is the problem.
If you are so heavily reliant on what has been
a great offense, no question about it, things like this
happen if you can't you know, you can't have that
great day offensively it requires everything else to be really
(09:34):
buttoned up, and two missfield goals not so buttoned up.
Penalties have been an issue all season long. Mic. You know,
that's one of those things where you say, look, John
Harbaugh is staff are great, but hard not to overlook
the results. The bottom line is they're just making mistakes.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
Yeah, I still can't believe we're talking about a seven
and four football team. If for what it's worth, you know,
all of us are fans, Eric, and sometimes you're watching
the game and you just throw out something you have
no idea if it's fact or not. I had said
this to myself, I'm like, I don't think there's a
team in the NFL that's got more drops on third. Well,
here's the beauty of working at NFL Network. You can
just ask your research department. They looked it up for me.
(10:10):
They are tied for the fifth most, only four drops.
But as I was told, hey, sometimes that is a
little bit of an arbitrary stat But the point is
it's still a really high number. Forum it's apparently four
on the season. I feel like it's more than four.
But the point is there's been quite a few of those. Meanwhile,
there is a team that we haven't even name checked.
(10:31):
In fact, they're in the next tier of squads that
I think is as dangerous they come in the postseason.
Will tell you who it is, and we'll get Eric's
take on that. That's still to come here on power rankings.
Back here on Power rankings. Teams nine through sixteen. Here
we go the Chargers, very very dangerous. That's the squad
(10:53):
that I made reference to before the break. I don't
think anyone wants to take on this team. The Commanders
drop two spots following a loss that Houston, Texas get
a big Monday Night football win. I think there's questions
and answers right now around that squad. Oh.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
I love the.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
Arizona story with this Cardinals team who sits twelve bow knicks,
is bawling there at thirteen.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
The fourteenth ranked team is the Buccaneers.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
The Seahawks score a big win in the Bay Area
against the Niners. They are the fifteenth ranked team in
San Francisco, sitting at sixteen. This is a Charger squad
abou a twenty one point halftime lead. I felt like
this thing was over. Cincinnati makes the run. They still
figure out a way to get a win. I think
there's something to be said for it. And I know
(11:35):
people are throwing out, hey, not the same old Chargers there,
but I think there's something to it. I don't know
if this squad, after blowing a lead like that in
previous seasons, would have had the mental fortitude to come
back and win.
Speaker 4 (11:46):
Oh yeah, I mean, tell me you didn't watch that
game and immediately think of the Jackson playoff game, right.
I understand it's a different coaching staff, and that obviously
makes a big difference I think. I mean, even if
Jim Harbaugh had that glazed look on his face at
times in the second half, they found a way. They
were tough. I mean, justin Herbert I think was like
five for eighteen at one point in the second half,
missed some big throws, and then found lab McConkey for
(12:08):
the two big plays late. That ultimately was the difference.
I mean, obviously Cincinnati not being able to convert. You know,
this has been a very very good Chargers defense all
season long. They've kept point totals down. They hadn't allowed
more than twenty points in the game all season. They
allowed twenty one in about an eight minute stretch there
in the second half, so there are some questions with
(12:28):
that secondary the pass rush didn't always get home. But still,
as you said, I think there is just a different attitude,
a different belief there now that they aren't the butt
of the joke anymore. They can go out and win
these types of games. So big statement with Ravens next week,
Chiefs in a couple of weeks. They've got some tougher
tests up ahead.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
Yeah, we'll talk Cincinnati coming up in just a bit.
By the way, during the game broadcast, you mentioned some
of the numbers for Herbert. I couldn't believe it, and
if I'm misquoting him, totally my bad. But I thought
Mike Tarico said there was a zero for seven stretch
for Justin Herbert, which was the longest incompletion stretch of
his career. Just have that resonate in your mind for
just a moment. That's how Goodt's been in is pretty
(13:05):
good career. Yeah, terrific. Texans went on Monday night football
lopsided win.
Speaker 3 (13:10):
Here.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
Is there a team in the AFC playoff picture that
would be scared of them?
Speaker 4 (13:15):
Though? Fair question, good question, Yeah, I don't know that
there is. You know, you look at the Chargers if
they end up facing off as a as a five
to four matchup, or the Ravens. I don't think either
one of those teams is going into Houston scared. I mean,
you saw Monday night. Obviously the score indicated a kind
of a lopset of victory, as you said, but you know,
Nico Tuck Collins's touchdown gets pulled off the board on
(13:36):
the first play of the game because of penalty, and
it kind of, you know, emblematic of the entire game.
Right there was some some promising stuff. Collins was back,
Joe Mixon was terrific, Stroud kind of settled down after
the early pick, but also several steps back as well, penalties,
mental airs, things like that. They got a defensive touchdown
that kind of bumped up the score a little bit,
and credit goes to that defense. I mean, Daniel Hunter
(13:58):
was great, you know, I mean the you know, the
strip and score from Derek Barnett outstanding, Derek Stingley and
Age great. But let's also point out the fact that
other mixing, they didn't have a whole lot of consistent
offensive you know, firepower if you will. So I do
have a little bit of worry about them finishing drives
and are they gonna play this well defensively every week?
(14:19):
I'm not so sure. It was a backup quarterback in Dallas,
So still those questions exist. They remain the massive favorite
to win the AFC or South, I should say, and
get that home game. But to your point, I don't
know anyone's gonna be going in there really scared about
facing them at this point.
Speaker 3 (14:34):
Yeah, I think there's still some more.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
There are more questions and answers right now around this
Houston squad, especially on the offensive side. Still a positive.
I'd rather have some of those teaching moments with a win.
Nico Collins coming back obviously should be a huge boost.
We did see him flash yesterday in that win or
Monday night, I should say against the Cowboys. The one
team you could make in argument of the question that
I had and you and I were talking off air
(14:57):
about this is the Broncos squad maybe in that postseason
mixed not scaring teams, but the way bo Knicks is playing,
Like I get what we're seeing at the top of
that quarterback class with Caleb and Jadan Daniels.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
Bo Nicks, Let's not forget he kind of fell a
little bit.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
He's balling right now and the Broncos are winning some
football games.
Speaker 4 (15:15):
Absolutely, one of the first rookies to complete eighty percent
of his passes, throw for more than three hundred yards
career high on Sunday, and also have four more touchdowns
of a single game. Actually he's the only one to
ever do that. But it was a lot of his
own defense from Atlanta. He took the reads that were there.
Sean Payton's play calling certainly helped bo Nicks out a
lot in that game. But you know, when he had
(15:35):
the few opportunities to create, he made plays too. So
you see him kind of letting that leash out Peyton.
You know, they have this interesting relationship, a little of
tough love but also an appreciation from Peyton talking about
the maturity and the poise that Nicks has shown and
the toughness. So he's a running factor. He's thrown the
ball accurately, he dissects zones like he's back in college.
I was very impressed, and that Denver d holds up too,
(15:58):
So they've been great. I'm not saying it's a Super
Bowl caliber club, but I do think it is the
kind of club that, like you said, that was a
Texans Broncos type of matchup in round one. They could
go in there and give him a darn good game
and possibly come out with a win. So really good progress.
From the start of last season until now, Sean Payton
has done an excellent job. I think.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
I don't want to speak for you, I'll just speak
for myself.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
I didn't see this happening Like Bonick's great, he could
ball a ton of experience if even if he was
playing well. I didn't see a turnaround like this, especially
if you look at what this Broncos team looked like
on the football field a season ago. There was a
lot of questions around this team. So major respect hat
tip to Sean Payton and what that organization is doing.
(16:38):
Time for power moves. Sitting at number fifteen, it's the
Seattle Seahawks eric who move up two spots. They get
an Arizona squad. Speaking of things that I didn't see happening,
going on the road, beating the San Francisco forty nine
ers in the Bay Area. That's a big time win,
and all of a sudden, this division looks as wonky
as ever.
Speaker 4 (16:59):
Sure does. One through four I mean it's sort of
almost where we thought the the NFC North was a
month ago er, but it's not quite as powerful on top.
You know, San Francisco's had a disappointing season. Seahawks started
three and oh then fell back. But when you see
a game like this and the way it played out,
you know, San Francisco had every opportunity to win it.
The Seahawks dug in found a way great last drive.
(17:21):
Gino finishes it off. You know, he's been through so
much up there, the ebbs and flows, the ups and downs.
Now a coaching changes past season, but you know, really
got to admire what he can do at the end
of a game after he's taken a lot of hits
and had some some disappointments. So again, like you said,
we kind of write them off, push them out of
the picture a little bit. They find their way to
(17:42):
wedge back in. It wasn't pretty on either side of
the ball, But you got to give the Seahawks their kudos.
They're actually small favorites against the Cardinals, who've been you know,
terrific this season, played a tough schedule, but yeah, they
got a lot of work to do.
Speaker 3 (17:54):
Yeah, let's see how that one shakes out.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
I think for both of these teams, because Arizona is
one of those squads that I'm sitting here going all right,
like I'm believing in it. But to get this one
against Seattle really gives them a leg up inside that division.
But we're in the second half of the bottom half,
I should say the rankings.
Speaker 3 (18:12):
And Eric, there are two teams that are lurking.
Speaker 2 (18:14):
Right now that truly believe they have a run in
the postseason in them.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
We'll tell you who those squads are. It's coming up
next on Power Rankings.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
Back here on Power Rankings Team seventeen through twenty four,
the Falcons dropped three spots to seventeen thirty eight to six.
Speaker 3 (18:34):
I won't actually read.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
What I have in my notes regarding that finish, not
necessarily appropriate for this show. And number eighteen that's the
Miami Dolphins, still hopes alive for the postseason. They were
one of those teams that I was alluding to that
feels like, hey, maybe there's a run here. They look
like the old Miami Dolphins. Over the weekend, the Rams
the road win, They're sitting at five hundred.
Speaker 3 (18:53):
They move up two spots.
Speaker 4 (18:55):
The Colts.
Speaker 2 (18:55):
How about Anthony richardson coming alive against the Jets.
Speaker 3 (18:58):
There's some news.
Speaker 2 (18:59):
Surrounding Ganggreen in just a moment. Cincinnati, they drop three spots.
They are at four and seven. I'm not totally ready
to put a fork in them, Eric, I don't know
if you are. The Chicago Bears also dropped three spots.
The Saints once again looking like they have some signs
of life in that offense. They are twenty three and
Joe Douglas, the general manager of the New York Jets,
(19:20):
has been fired. So Slagan Joe Douglas is gone, and
major questions this offseason about the direction of this organization.
Let's focus in on this RAM squad. They move up
to two spots. We talked about their opponent against Philadelphia
that they have on Sunday Night Football. They've won four
out of five here, Eric, to me, they're frigging dangerous.
Like this team is legitimate and when they are healthy,
(19:41):
as good as any in the NFC.
Speaker 4 (19:44):
I think we'll look back on that Dolphins loss and
say it was a big missed opportunity for me, Because
I think you're right. For the most part, they have
looked really good, you know, we've seen Nakua come back.
You had the diving touchdown last week, and then they
pulled Kolbe Parkinsonata mouthballs and Stafford throws them an absolutely
beautiful touchdown. It was really about the passing game in
this one New England secondary. I had no idea how
(20:05):
to handle Kupp and Nakua and all the other weapons.
Very impressive. Stafford looked, you know, it was kind of
back to his gun slinging ways. Look very comfortable back there.
No worry about the pass rush. So those issues have
kind of gone by the wayside. You know, this Rams defense,
it's it's an emerging group, but still one that it's
prone to some setbacks and they let New England kind
of hang around. You know, Drake may had the ball
with a chance to win it at the end, they
(20:27):
get the late pick to hold on. I'm curious they did,
you know, kind of pass up the field goal. Are
they worried about Cardi the kicker? I don't know, But
like you said, dangerous team. On the right day, they
can beat almost anybody.
Speaker 3 (20:38):
Yeah, mothballs, that's still a thing.
Speaker 4 (20:41):
I see it in the store. I don't know if
I ever buy it though, you know, yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:45):
I haven't bought it. It's like it's always like a
Grandma thing in my mind. I just maybe I'm not alone,
or maybe I am on that one. The Cincinnati Bengals.
You know, I've been high on this team. I've been
a supporter of them making the postseason. They lose again,
is there an argument?
Speaker 4 (21:01):
Yeah? I mean, look, I think they're about under ten
percent in the you know NFL the next Gen stats
playoff percentages. There's just a real tough stretch right here.
The best they can finish just ten and seven kind
of requires them obviously running the table, but also kind
of pulling off some upsets. Two games left against the Steelers.
I mean, it's not dead, but certainly on life support
(21:21):
right now. You could see how unhappy everybody was in
that sideline prior to the comeback, and it didn't end
the right way. I mean, they were in great position
twelve minutes to go, all the momentum on their side,
couldn't pull it off. It just feels like there's always
one or two critical mistakes in each of these losses
that really fell them at the wrong time. So, you know,
(21:42):
even with Josh Norman playing well in the secondary, I
think there's some issues back there that they may not
be able to clean up this season.
Speaker 2 (21:49):
There is I'm looking at their schedule right now, there
is a chunk of games that are gettable.
Speaker 3 (21:53):
I'm just throwing that out there.
Speaker 2 (21:54):
They have the buy Steelers is not necessarily one of
those teams. Cowboys are free falling, Titans aren't necessarily a
good team. Browns, I get it in the division, but
not world beaters. And then it's Broncos and Steelers. So
I'm not saying it's an impossible schedule. But if we
see the defense play like it did in the second
half against the Chargers, feel confident about that offense, maybe
(22:15):
they can run the table. Still once again, this is
going to be an uphill battle for them.
Speaker 3 (22:20):
Meanwhile, teams twenty five through.
Speaker 2 (22:22):
Thirty two, as I made reference to the Dallas Cowboys,
a little bit of a tough deal, and then no
change across the board. You got the Cleveland Browns at
twenty six, the New England Patriots at twenty seven, the
Carolina Panthers probably still feeling themselves after that win in
Munich at twenty eight, the Giants making some news we'll
get to in just a moment, and then your bottom
three teams, the Titans, the Raiders.
Speaker 3 (22:43):
And the Jags.
Speaker 2 (22:44):
My god, that Jaggs roster to sit there at thirty two.
I know we talked about it last week. Still shocking
to me, but Tommy cutlet's let's go for the g men.
Daniel Jones gonna be your third string quarterback. There's some
contracts issues there, which is why we're going down that
path here. But what does the quarterback change actually mean
for New York?
Speaker 4 (23:06):
Yeah, I guess it'll just sort of give opponents a
different look and hopefully energize the team like de Vito
did last season for a brief spell. Took too many
sacks and went back to the bench eventually, but you know,
did light a fire under this team, and they clearly
don't think Drew Locke can do it, so they keep
talking about football decisions. I understand that applies to Jones.
It probably applies to de Vito too, but clearly this
(23:27):
is a you know, a coach in the front office
that feels like it needs to win games down the
stretch to feel comfortable about their situation heading into the offseason.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
I had posted this on Twitter and Blue Sky. Yes
I'm there as well, I can't. And this is before
the Joe Douglas firing, Right Football New York is done.
I mean we're thinking about the draft. I'm a Giants fan.
I've talked about it on the show, Eric, like I'm
thinking about what quarterback they're going to be taken in
next year's class. Yep, that's the point that we're at.
Speaker 3 (23:52):
It's where we're at some week of football. Eric, you're
the best man.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
Always appreciate your time and going through teams one through
thirty two.
Speaker 1 (24:04):
NFL Power Rankings is a production of the NFL in
partnership with iHeartRadio. For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the
iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
NFL Power Rankings is a production of the NFL in
partnership with iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Welcome to a brand new edition of NFL Power Rankings.
Mike yam along with the man who legitimately I say
has the hardest job in the building, Eric at Holme.
Checking out this podcast, you can see all of his
rankings one through thirty two on NFL dot com.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
Eric.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
The reason why I say you have the hardest job.
It's already difficult enough to rank.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
The teams one through thirty two.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
But the reaction that you get on social media from
fan bases that might be a little upset on where
you slap your team, that's what makes your job really hard.
Is there a reaction of recently last couple weeks of
stand out to you from an angry fan.
Speaker 4 (00:41):
Base, Yeah, very enthusiastic Bills fan ripping me for putting
them at number two. Overall, right, the disrespect. Can you
imagine Mike shocking at this point? Again, if you're a
Bills fan, you've seen Josh Allen do some amazing things
this season, but let's have some perspective. Lines are pretty
good too, you know.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
Well, I'm glad and that's probably the best place to
start with the number one team as we take you
through the ranks one through eight. Yeah, no change at
the top there. The lines just continue to ball. And yes,
we do have a new number two team. You did
give the Bills plenty of respect. They beat the Chiefs,
so they sit at two. Kansas City suffers their first loss.
They drop a spot to three. The Eagles welcome the
first place in the NFC East, the Vikings at five.
Speaker 3 (01:21):
They're an eight win football team.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Massive win by the Steelers, who we will talk about
in just a couple of minutes as they take out
the Ravens who sit seven. The number eight team, the Packers,
a dramatic block field goal walk off win. All right,
let's start with the number two team. It is the
Buffalo Bills. I ask you this sort of with the
smile on my face, knowing some of the social media
reaction that you get. This is a Bills squad that's
(01:45):
beaten the Chiefs last four regular season games. They haven't
beaten them in the postseason last three times. Does the
win from the weekend even matter?
Speaker 4 (01:54):
It does, but maybe not in a we've got their
you know their number kind of way. We all, like
you said, Obviously, the postseason record speaks for itself. Buffalo
still got to prove itself once again gets to the postseason,
especially when you know that inevitable that rematch is coming.
But yeah, I mean it's important because it keeps the
door open for the Bills to potentially steal the number
(02:14):
one seed. No, the AFC East is all but wrapped up,
we know that. But it also speaks to the fact
that they won without Dalton king k they won without
Keon Coleman. I mean, you know, they're still kind of
shorthanded on defense, and we're able to play a great game.
The run game wasn't terrific, but when you have Josh
Allen doing things like this, it all tends to work
out pretty well. So big, big day for Buffalo's defense.
(02:35):
A couple of interceptions, also the three three and outs,
and I don't think you could ask for more. But
like you said, until we get to the postseason, until
these two teams face again, that Bills Chiefs things still
has an asterisk by it.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
Look, this is a great barometer game for Buffalo, and candidly,
because of some of those injuries, Eric I thought Kansas
City was going to win this football game. I was
all prepared in my mind last week, finishing the show, going, hey,
you know what do we make of this Kansas City squad?
Who you have that number three? They continue to win
somebody's football games. Now they lost this matchup, but I
sit here and go, this might be a good thing
(03:10):
for this squad, and hear me out, Eric, this is
a team trying to win a third consecutive Super Bowl,
and now all of a sudden, you got this undefeated season,
the legacy of this franchise with Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes, Like,
now you don't have to.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
Worry about that. You got the loss out of the way.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Let's just move on and really accomplish the task at hand,
which is to make sure you got a first round
by in the postseason and got an opportunity to hoist
another Lombardi.
Speaker 4 (03:34):
Absolutely right. I mean it would be great for a
team like the Chiefs that has accomplished so much over
the last five six years to add another feather in
their capital, that unbeaten season. Sure, it's not in the
cards this year. It's not gonna happen. Now. Their focus,
like you said, is on sealing up that number one seed.
Don't let the Bills get hot, try to have that
rematch if it does happen, occur in Arrowhead Field and
(03:54):
not up at high Mark. So yeah, that's obviously the
focus here. Isaiah Pacheco on track to get back. There's
still finding ways to get DeAndre Hopkins involved in the playoffs,
already involved in the offense rather and you know, I mean, look,
it's another week of rest if they get that buy
for guys like Travis Kelcey who take so much wear
and tear over this course of the season. Patrick Mahomes
(04:15):
two is still playing with the you know, a little
bit banged up with the ankle and everything. So yeah,
the focus hasn't changed. Obviously. This team takes care of
business more often than not. So while Sunday was a setback,
I don't think it was a major one.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
All right, So as far as the AFC teams are concerned,
yes it's Buffalo, Yes it's Kansas City. We'll have a
conversation on the Steelers and the Ravens.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
I think there's a real.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
Conversation by the end of the season to decide which
team we think is truly the best team in that conference.
Because I still think it's up in the air, and
it's maybe not the team that most would point to. Meanwhile,
the Philadelphia Eagles quie start here.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Think.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
I don't know if at one point this season, Eric,
you might have had them outside of the top ten.
But right now they move up to the number four spot,
as dangerous as they come in the NFL, and to me,
they're peaking. I don't want to say it's the right time,
but clearly the second half of the season.
Speaker 4 (05:06):
Yeah, at no point really or at not very many
points towards the end of that ten and one streak
they were on last season that I say, Okay, this
is unquestionably one of the best teams in football. Their
records said they were, but the numbers told a different story.
This year, however, I feel like it's a stronger club,
even with a worse record, And they've been, like you said,
sort of growing since the bye week in all three phases. Really,
(05:28):
I think especially defense, you've seen the bigger improvement there. Yeah,
there's still a little bit of a slow starting offense.
We'd like to see a little more first quarter action
there from them, but by the end of the game
they find a way to kind of crank themselves up
to a rolling boil. Saquon Barkley's in the MVP discussion.
Even for a running back, Jalen Hurts has played great football.
(05:49):
They have their stud receivers, back, godders back. You know,
it's all shaping up nicely. And they are dominant in
both lines of scrimmage, which to me says a lot
about a contender. If you're healthy on the offensive and
defensive lines, and you've got difference makers up front, you
have an excellent chance to make some day the postseason.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Look, we're going to talk about the Rams a little
bit later here on Power Rankings. They get that team
Sunday Night Football cross the street from where our studios
are at SOFI Stadium. I can't help but think that
the Rams are going to be haunted by a loss
on Monday Night Football against Miami. The other week, they
responded with a win against the Patriots. But boy, get
this one. Get the SHARPI out and circle it. That
is going to be must see television. It is time, though,
(06:28):
for future champions. Take a look at the.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
Odds for the AF seed North.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Hello, the Pittsburgh Steelers still the favorite to win this division.
According to FanDuel the Baltimore Ravens not far behind. I
still can't believe the way Cincinnati lost that game against
the Chargers. What a heartbreaking loss. And then the Cleveland
Browns bringing up the rear. But let's focus in on
the number sixteen. It's the Steelers. Yeah, they're in first
(06:53):
place in this division. I'm going to say it, Eric,
knowing that I might take some heat for it. I
think they got lucky against the Ravens.
Speaker 4 (07:04):
They did too right, you would have gave without scoring
a touchdowns and they hate Eric Boswell.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
I might have said it first, but he doubled down
on it.
Speaker 4 (07:12):
Absolutely. No, I'm with you, right, come after both of us.
I think it's a fact. Look, obviously you can't negate
the fact that Nate Herbert made a great impact defensive
play right away, you know, kind of spurred everybody excitement.
You know, Patrick Queen made the big turnover right before halftime.
Peyton Wilson, same thing. Look, they played Lamar Jackson great, right,
They got just enough big plays from Pickens and Harris
(07:34):
and guys like that, But it wasn't a great game
from Russell Wilson. The offense still had some fits here
and there. You know, the defense still was a two
point conversion away from losing this game, and they had
to have miskicks from Baltimore just to get to that point.
So yeah, in no way, shape or form should the
Steelers be beating their chests and saying we're the clear
you know, kings of the AFC North at this point.
(07:55):
But they have had Baltimore's number in recent matchups. They
seem to kind of get in their heads a little
bit and muddy up the waters when they play them,
So that rematch looms large, just gonna have a big
say on who ends up winning the division. But Steelers
in a really nice place. All of a sudden, they're
in a good spot game and a half up two
in the lost column. Feeling pretty good.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Yeah, what's the old adage, better be lucky than good.
By the way, I think the Steelers are a good
football team. All I'm saying is, yes, three turnovers, the
Ravens had the two missfield goals, a miss two point conversion,
and Derek Henry, who never fumbles, fumbles and they lose
by two. That's the argument there. Yeah, that's Steelers once
again rights football. Yeah, yeah, I mean, just it is
(08:35):
what it is the Ravens, though you actually dropped them
three spots. They get the Chargers on Monday, ed football.
Great game that is looming, but based off of the
way that they played against the Steelers, should I be
worried about the squad.
Speaker 4 (08:49):
It's like every week we've got sort of a new
area to focus on, right. I know we've talked about
Justin Tucker. He's had struggles throughout the season. That was
an issue Sunday. The defense, which has been a problem
more often than not, actually played pretty darn well, I thought.
So it was a big bounce back game for Zach
Orr's group. You know, did enough on that side of
the ball. But offensively, you know, this was Lamar Jackson's
worst game and over a year probably, and you know
(09:11):
he's still made plays, but it wasn't enough. And they
only seemed to kind of get in his head and
you know, force him to make some uncharacteristic throws not
very accurate. You know, this is this is the problem.
If you are so heavily reliant on what has been
a great offense, no question about it, things like this
happen if you can't you know, you can't have that
great day offensively it requires everything else to be really
(09:34):
buttoned up, and two missfield goals not so buttoned up.
Penalties have been an issue all season long. Mic. You know,
that's one of those things where you say, look, John
Harbaugh is staff are great, but hard not to overlook
the results. The bottom line is they're just making mistakes.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
Yeah, I still can't believe we're talking about a seven
and four football team. If for what it's worth, you know,
all of us are fans, Eric, and sometimes you're watching
the game and you just throw out something you have
no idea if it's fact or not. I had said
this to myself, I'm like, I don't think there's a
team in the NFL that's got more drops on third. Well,
here's the beauty of working at NFL Network. You can
just ask your research department. They looked it up for me.
(10:10):
They are tied for the fifth most, only four drops.
But as I was told, hey, sometimes that is a
little bit of an arbitrary stat But the point is
it's still a really high number. Forum it's apparently four
on the season. I feel like it's more than four.
But the point is there's been quite a few of those. Meanwhile,
there is a team that we haven't even name checked.
(10:31):
In fact, they're in the next tier of squads that
I think is as dangerous they come in the postseason.
Will tell you who it is, and we'll get Eric's
take on that. That's still to come here on power rankings.
Back here on Power rankings. Teams nine through sixteen. Here
we go the Chargers, very very dangerous. That's the squad
(10:53):
that I made reference to before the break. I don't
think anyone wants to take on this team. The Commanders
drop two spots following a loss that Houston, Texas get
a big Monday Night football win. I think there's questions
and answers right now around that squad. Oh.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
I love the.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
Arizona story with this Cardinals team who sits twelve bow knicks,
is bawling there at thirteen.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
The fourteenth ranked team is the Buccaneers.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
The Seahawks score a big win in the Bay Area
against the Niners. They are the fifteenth ranked team in
San Francisco, sitting at sixteen. This is a Charger squad
abou a twenty one point halftime lead. I felt like
this thing was over. Cincinnati makes the run. They still
figure out a way to get a win. I think
there's something to be said for it. And I know
(11:35):
people are throwing out, hey, not the same old Chargers there,
but I think there's something to it. I don't know
if this squad, after blowing a lead like that in
previous seasons, would have had the mental fortitude to come
back and win.
Speaker 4 (11:46):
Oh yeah, I mean, tell me you didn't watch that
game and immediately think of the Jackson playoff game, right.
I understand it's a different coaching staff, and that obviously
makes a big difference I think. I mean, even if
Jim Harbaugh had that glazed look on his face at
times in the second half, they found a way. They
were tough. I mean, justin Herbert I think was like
five for eighteen at one point in the second half,
missed some big throws, and then found lab McConkey for
(12:08):
the two big plays late. That ultimately was the difference.
I mean, obviously Cincinnati not being able to convert. You know,
this has been a very very good Chargers defense all
season long. They've kept point totals down. They hadn't allowed
more than twenty points in the game all season. They
allowed twenty one in about an eight minute stretch there
in the second half, so there are some questions with
(12:28):
that secondary the pass rush didn't always get home. But still,
as you said, I think there is just a different attitude,
a different belief there now that they aren't the butt
of the joke anymore. They can go out and win
these types of games. So big statement with Ravens next week,
Chiefs in a couple of weeks. They've got some tougher
tests up ahead.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
Yeah, we'll talk Cincinnati coming up in just a bit.
By the way, during the game broadcast, you mentioned some
of the numbers for Herbert. I couldn't believe it, and
if I'm misquoting him, totally my bad. But I thought
Mike Tarico said there was a zero for seven stretch
for Justin Herbert, which was the longest incompletion stretch of
his career. Just have that resonate in your mind for
just a moment. That's how Goodt's been in is pretty
(13:05):
good career. Yeah, terrific. Texans went on Monday night football
lopsided win.
Speaker 3 (13:10):
Here.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
Is there a team in the AFC playoff picture that
would be scared of them?
Speaker 4 (13:15):
Though? Fair question, good question, Yeah, I don't know that
there is. You know, you look at the Chargers if
they end up facing off as a as a five
to four matchup, or the Ravens. I don't think either
one of those teams is going into Houston scared. I mean,
you saw Monday night. Obviously the score indicated a kind
of a lopset of victory, as you said, but you know,
Nico Tuck Collins's touchdown gets pulled off the board on
(13:36):
the first play of the game because of penalty, and
it kind of, you know, emblematic of the entire game.
Right there was some some promising stuff. Collins was back,
Joe Mixon was terrific, Stroud kind of settled down after
the early pick, but also several steps back as well, penalties,
mental airs, things like that. They got a defensive touchdown
that kind of bumped up the score a little bit,
and credit goes to that defense. I mean, Daniel Hunter
(13:58):
was great, you know, I mean the you know, the
strip and score from Derek Barnett outstanding, Derek Stingley and
Age great. But let's also point out the fact that
other mixing, they didn't have a whole lot of consistent
offensive you know, firepower if you will. So I do
have a little bit of worry about them finishing drives
and are they gonna play this well defensively every week?
(14:19):
I'm not so sure. It was a backup quarterback in Dallas,
So still those questions exist. They remain the massive favorite
to win the AFC or South, I should say, and
get that home game. But to your point, I don't
know anyone's gonna be going in there really scared about
facing them at this point.
Speaker 3 (14:34):
Yeah, I think there's still some more.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
There are more questions and answers right now around this
Houston squad, especially on the offensive side. Still a positive.
I'd rather have some of those teaching moments with a win.
Nico Collins coming back obviously should be a huge boost.
We did see him flash yesterday in that win or
Monday night, I should say against the Cowboys. The one
team you could make in argument of the question that
I had and you and I were talking off air
(14:57):
about this is the Broncos squad maybe in that postseason
mixed not scaring teams, but the way bo Knicks is playing,
Like I get what we're seeing at the top of
that quarterback class with Caleb and Jadan Daniels.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
Bo Nicks, Let's not forget he kind of fell a
little bit.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
He's balling right now and the Broncos are winning some
football games.
Speaker 4 (15:15):
Absolutely, one of the first rookies to complete eighty percent
of his passes, throw for more than three hundred yards
career high on Sunday, and also have four more touchdowns
of a single game. Actually he's the only one to
ever do that. But it was a lot of his
own defense from Atlanta. He took the reads that were there.
Sean Payton's play calling certainly helped bo Nicks out a
lot in that game. But you know, when he had
(15:35):
the few opportunities to create, he made plays too. So
you see him kind of letting that leash out Peyton.
You know, they have this interesting relationship, a little of
tough love but also an appreciation from Peyton talking about
the maturity and the poise that Nicks has shown and
the toughness. So he's a running factor. He's thrown the
ball accurately, he dissects zones like he's back in college.
I was very impressed, and that Denver d holds up too,
(15:58):
So they've been great. I'm not saying it's a Super
Bowl caliber club, but I do think it is the
kind of club that, like you said, that was a
Texans Broncos type of matchup in round one. They could
go in there and give him a darn good game
and possibly come out with a win. So really good progress.
From the start of last season until now, Sean Payton
has done an excellent job. I think.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
I don't want to speak for you, I'll just speak
for myself.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
I didn't see this happening Like Bonick's great, he could
ball a ton of experience if even if he was
playing well. I didn't see a turnaround like this, especially
if you look at what this Broncos team looked like
on the football field a season ago. There was a
lot of questions around this team. So major respect hat
tip to Sean Payton and what that organization is doing.
(16:38):
Time for power moves. Sitting at number fifteen, it's the
Seattle Seahawks eric who move up two spots. They get
an Arizona squad. Speaking of things that I didn't see happening,
going on the road, beating the San Francisco forty nine
ers in the Bay Area. That's a big time win,
and all of a sudden, this division looks as wonky
as ever.
Speaker 4 (16:59):
Sure does. One through four I mean it's sort of
almost where we thought the the NFC North was a
month ago er, but it's not quite as powerful on top.
You know, San Francisco's had a disappointing season. Seahawks started
three and oh then fell back. But when you see
a game like this and the way it played out,
you know, San Francisco had every opportunity to win it.
The Seahawks dug in found a way great last drive.
(17:21):
Gino finishes it off. You know, he's been through so
much up there, the ebbs and flows, the ups and downs.
Now a coaching changes past season, but you know, really
got to admire what he can do at the end
of a game after he's taken a lot of hits
and had some some disappointments. So again, like you said,
we kind of write them off, push them out of
the picture a little bit. They find their way to
(17:42):
wedge back in. It wasn't pretty on either side of
the ball, But you got to give the Seahawks their kudos.
They're actually small favorites against the Cardinals, who've been you know,
terrific this season, played a tough schedule, but yeah, they
got a lot of work to do.
Speaker 3 (17:54):
Yeah, let's see how that one shakes out.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
I think for both of these teams, because Arizona is
one of those squads that I'm sitting here going all right,
like I'm believing in it. But to get this one
against Seattle really gives them a leg up inside that division.
But we're in the second half of the bottom half,
I should say the rankings.
Speaker 3 (18:12):
And Eric, there are two teams that are lurking.
Speaker 2 (18:14):
Right now that truly believe they have a run in
the postseason in them.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
We'll tell you who those squads are. It's coming up
next on Power Rankings.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
Back here on Power Rankings Team seventeen through twenty four,
the Falcons dropped three spots to seventeen thirty eight to six.
Speaker 3 (18:34):
I won't actually read.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
What I have in my notes regarding that finish, not
necessarily appropriate for this show. And number eighteen that's the
Miami Dolphins, still hopes alive for the postseason. They were
one of those teams that I was alluding to that
feels like, hey, maybe there's a run here. They look
like the old Miami Dolphins. Over the weekend, the Rams
the road win, They're sitting at five hundred.
Speaker 3 (18:53):
They move up two spots.
Speaker 4 (18:55):
The Colts.
Speaker 2 (18:55):
How about Anthony richardson coming alive against the Jets.
Speaker 3 (18:58):
There's some news.
Speaker 2 (18:59):
Surrounding Ganggreen in just a moment. Cincinnati, they drop three spots.
They are at four and seven. I'm not totally ready
to put a fork in them, Eric, I don't know
if you are. The Chicago Bears also dropped three spots.
The Saints once again looking like they have some signs
of life in that offense. They are twenty three and
Joe Douglas, the general manager of the New York Jets,
(19:20):
has been fired. So Slagan Joe Douglas is gone, and
major questions this offseason about the direction of this organization.
Let's focus in on this RAM squad. They move up
to two spots. We talked about their opponent against Philadelphia
that they have on Sunday Night Football. They've won four
out of five here, Eric, to me, they're frigging dangerous.
Like this team is legitimate and when they are healthy,
(19:41):
as good as any in the NFC.
Speaker 4 (19:44):
I think we'll look back on that Dolphins loss and
say it was a big missed opportunity for me, Because
I think you're right. For the most part, they have
looked really good, you know, we've seen Nakua come back.
You had the diving touchdown last week, and then they
pulled Kolbe Parkinsonata mouthballs and Stafford throws them an absolutely
beautiful touchdown. It was really about the passing game in
this one New England secondary. I had no idea how
(20:05):
to handle Kupp and Nakua and all the other weapons.
Very impressive. Stafford looked, you know, it was kind of
back to his gun slinging ways. Look very comfortable back there.
No worry about the pass rush. So those issues have
kind of gone by the wayside. You know, this Rams defense,
it's it's an emerging group, but still one that it's
prone to some setbacks and they let New England kind
of hang around. You know, Drake may had the ball
with a chance to win it at the end, they
(20:27):
get the late pick to hold on. I'm curious they did,
you know, kind of pass up the field goal. Are
they worried about Cardi the kicker? I don't know, But
like you said, dangerous team. On the right day, they
can beat almost anybody.
Speaker 3 (20:38):
Yeah, mothballs, that's still a thing.
Speaker 4 (20:41):
I see it in the store. I don't know if
I ever buy it though, you know, yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:45):
I haven't bought it. It's like it's always like a
Grandma thing in my mind. I just maybe I'm not alone,
or maybe I am on that one. The Cincinnati Bengals.
You know, I've been high on this team. I've been
a supporter of them making the postseason. They lose again,
is there an argument?
Speaker 4 (21:01):
Yeah? I mean, look, I think they're about under ten
percent in the you know NFL the next Gen stats
playoff percentages. There's just a real tough stretch right here.
The best they can finish just ten and seven kind
of requires them obviously running the table, but also kind
of pulling off some upsets. Two games left against the Steelers.
I mean, it's not dead, but certainly on life support
(21:21):
right now. You could see how unhappy everybody was in
that sideline prior to the comeback, and it didn't end
the right way. I mean, they were in great position
twelve minutes to go, all the momentum on their side,
couldn't pull it off. It just feels like there's always
one or two critical mistakes in each of these losses
that really fell them at the wrong time. So, you know,
(21:42):
even with Josh Norman playing well in the secondary, I
think there's some issues back there that they may not
be able to clean up this season.
Speaker 2 (21:49):
There is I'm looking at their schedule right now, there
is a chunk of games that are gettable.
Speaker 3 (21:53):
I'm just throwing that out there.
Speaker 2 (21:54):
They have the buy Steelers is not necessarily one of
those teams. Cowboys are free falling, Titans aren't necessarily a
good team. Browns, I get it in the division, but
not world beaters. And then it's Broncos and Steelers. So
I'm not saying it's an impossible schedule. But if we
see the defense play like it did in the second
half against the Chargers, feel confident about that offense, maybe
(22:15):
they can run the table. Still once again, this is
going to be an uphill battle for them.
Speaker 3 (22:20):
Meanwhile, teams twenty five through.
Speaker 2 (22:22):
Thirty two, as I made reference to the Dallas Cowboys,
a little bit of a tough deal, and then no
change across the board. You got the Cleveland Browns at
twenty six, the New England Patriots at twenty seven, the
Carolina Panthers probably still feeling themselves after that win in
Munich at twenty eight, the Giants making some news we'll
get to in just a moment, and then your bottom
three teams, the Titans, the Raiders.
Speaker 3 (22:43):
And the Jags.
Speaker 2 (22:44):
My god, that Jaggs roster to sit there at thirty two.
I know we talked about it last week. Still shocking
to me, but Tommy cutlet's let's go for the g men.
Daniel Jones gonna be your third string quarterback. There's some
contracts issues there, which is why we're going down that
path here. But what does the quarterback change actually mean
for New York?
Speaker 4 (23:06):
Yeah, I guess it'll just sort of give opponents a
different look and hopefully energize the team like de Vito
did last season for a brief spell. Took too many
sacks and went back to the bench eventually, but you know,
did light a fire under this team, and they clearly
don't think Drew Locke can do it, so they keep
talking about football decisions. I understand that applies to Jones.
It probably applies to de Vito too, but clearly this
(23:27):
is a you know, a coach in the front office
that feels like it needs to win games down the
stretch to feel comfortable about their situation heading into the offseason.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
I had posted this on Twitter and Blue Sky. Yes
I'm there as well, I can't. And this is before
the Joe Douglas firing, Right Football New York is done.
I mean we're thinking about the draft. I'm a Giants fan.
I've talked about it on the show, Eric, like I'm
thinking about what quarterback they're going to be taken in
next year's class. Yep, that's the point that we're at.
Speaker 3 (23:52):
It's where we're at some week of football. Eric, you're
the best man.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
Always appreciate your time and going through teams one through
thirty two.
Speaker 1 (24:04):
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