October 23, 2025 • 44 mins
NFL Network Insiders Mike Garafolo, Judy Battista & Ian Rapoport tackle the top news stories ahead of Week 8. Steve Wyche reports from SOFI Stadium on the TNF matchup between the Vikings & Chargers. Stacey Dales gives her read on Aaron Rodgers, as he prepares to face the Packers for first time since being traded in 2023. Then Marc Ross provides his Marc Key matchups for Week 8, before Michael F. Florio wraps the show with this week’s Starts and Sits.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
To Fight Stadium, the scene for Thursday Night Football once again.
This time is the Chargers, the Superchargers in those dark
blue uniforms hosting the Vikings, two teams that badly need
will win. Right now, we'll go to Steve Weisch to
tell us which one's gonna get it. We're gonna have
to watch the game. Steve knows everything. Meanwhile, in Owings Mills, Maryland,
Lamar Jackson back on the practice field looking like a
(00:30):
limited participant.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Your excuse there, Ian.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Lamar Jackson potentially gonna play this week. Let's see about
his status on Friday when they finally have to give
his status in the ADRI report, we'll tell you what
we're seeing right now. And Michael f Florio, as he
does every Thursday, it tells you who to start, who
to sit, not only for Thursday Night Football, but for
the entire weekend in the NFL. Welcome inside with the insiders.
(00:56):
I and Rappaport, he of the throat clearing Just now,
Hasta and me. Mike Arra followed Mikes nak you through
everything involving.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Mike's are always up.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
They're always hot, just like the action in the NFL,
which is why there's always news, and this is what's
new today.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Lamar Jackson back at practice.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
I guess it's not new because it's the second straight
day that he's sort of been that limited role. But
look at them and look at everybody around, so happy
that he is there giving them hugs because the Ravens
without Lamar Jackson just have not been the same team.
So the hope is that he will be ready to
go against the Bears this weekend. But we shall see
as we get closer to Friday. The fact that he's
on the practice field two straight days good sign, Ian
(01:38):
good sign.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
Yes, indeed, not a good time for the Washington Commanders.
This is why I was clear in my thought because
I had to talk soon. I'm talking right now about
Jayden Daniels officially being ruled.
Speaker 4 (01:46):
Out, which I mentioned yesterday, by the way, for the big.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Time Monday night game against the Kansas City Chiefs. It
is a low grade hamstring strain. Wanted to play, wanted
to play very badly. In another case, to the doctor saying,
you know what, we are in it.
Speaker 5 (01:59):
For the long term.
Speaker 4 (02:00):
You are in it for the long term, not this week.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Marcus Mario to Judy gets this start in a big
one against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
Speaker 6 (02:09):
It's time for our semi regular update on San Francisco
quarterback Brock Perty's turf too. We're getting closer, General manager
John Lynch said today. Purty is back at practice, but
still on a limited basis. Lynch said this morning, though,
that Purdy is getting closer to her return, even though
he would not put a firm timeline on when that
return might be. Lynch said, They've gotten a lot of opinions,
(02:32):
but what it is going to come down to is
how does Purdy feel and does he feel like himself
and can he play like himself. We're not quite there yet.
It is going to be another mac Jones start this week,
but we are getting closer to seeing Brock Purty back
on the field and as far as.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
The night's game goes, Aaron Jones senor Yes, he was activated.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
Off injured reserve and is expected to play tonight against
the jar That is not great news for Jordan Mason
owners such as myself, but we'll talk to Michael f
Floria about that later in the show. It is good
news for the Vikings as they now have that two
headed monster back together in the backfield. Yes, the Super Chargers.
(03:15):
It's funny. Everybody was clamoring for the powder blue throwbacks.
Now these are the throwbacks. Everybody time is a flat
circle when it comes to uniforms. Steve Weisch, you are
there on the scene at so far. Like I said,
both of these teams badly in need of a win.
I made the case on Good Morning Football this morning
that if the Vikings lose this game, they're done because
(03:38):
this schedule that they've got the roommate the rest of
the season is just absolutely brutal.
Speaker 5 (03:42):
I know it's not technically a must win game, Steve, I'm.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Calling it a must win game.
Speaker 7 (03:47):
Well, look, they're not technically done, but at three and
three are coming off of a bad loss to Philadelphia.
This is a huge game for them, but also for
the Chargers. They're losers of three and four. But I
want to get to how you got into this segment.
That's Aaron Jones coming back for the Minnesota Vikings. This
is significant. Well, how much of a low he shares
with Jordan Mason will see. But this is an offense
that has not had one hundred yards rushing in each
(04:09):
of their last three games, and they're facing a Chargers
defense that has allowed more than one hundred and forty
yards rushing over the past three So that's going to
be a huge help to Carson Wentz, the quarterback making
his fifth consecutive start, and it could be his last, Mike,
because as we know, JJ McCarthy, the season opening starter,
has been coming back from that high ankle sprain.
Speaker 5 (04:28):
He could be up next.
Speaker 7 (04:29):
Went saying this week he's got thinking about his future.
Speaker 5 (04:32):
He's only living in the moment.
Speaker 7 (04:34):
Also living in the moment for the Chargers is left
tackle Joe Alt. He is expected to play. He's been
out in Week four with a high ankle sprain. That
is a huge pickup to a Chargers offensive line that
has yet to get things going in the run game,
but has also allowed quarterback Justin Herbert to be pressured
one hundred and thirty five times. That's thirty times more
(04:54):
than the next quarterback that being cam Ward to the
Tennessee Titans. It's getting all back will be huge, Getting
Aaron Joe back will be huge, some injured players coming back,
and like you said, Mike, this is a victory that
could tip the scales in either direction for either team.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
The Chargers yeah, getting healthier, still banged up Nahem Hines,
who hasn't had a touch in an NFL game NFL
regular season game since December twenty fourth.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
Christmas Eve twenty twenty two.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
With Hassan Haskins out, could see Nahim Hines touch the
football for the first time in almost three years, which
is not as long as it's going to be. Before
we see you, Steve White, We're going to see you
later in the program, so I don't go anywhere, Judy.
Speaker 6 (05:35):
How about this chart? Jordan Love and Aaron Rodgers, Man,
is it good to be a Green Bay Packers fan
when you've got this kind of quarterback succession through their
first three seasons as a starter? Pretty even very good?
Of course, Aaron Rodgers ultimately did win a Super Bowl
in Green Bay. Jordan Love hasn't quite gotten there yet.
They will face each other Packers Steelers is this weekend.
(05:58):
This is one of the big ones, and let's bring
it in our Stacey DALs and Mark Ross to talk
about this game. But before we do that, we're going
to hear from that before and Aaron Rodgers himself.
Speaker 8 (06:10):
He looks like he can still do anything. What's surprising
for such an old man. He's still moving around pretty
good too, so and you've seen it in multiple games.
I mean, the arm strength is still plenty there, you guys.
You especially saw it on the hail Mary. I mean,
(06:31):
I don't know many guys that can throw the ball
over seventy yards in the air, and I'm not quite
sure how far it went, but it was had to
have been at least seventy yards.
Speaker 9 (06:40):
It's still pretty impressive what he can do.
Speaker 10 (06:42):
I don't have any animosity toward the organization, obviously. I
wish that, you know, things have been better in our
last year there, but you know, I have a great
relationship with a lot of people still in that organization,
and I don't This is not a revenge game for me.
I'm just excited to see some of those guys and
beyond Sunday night football again.
Speaker 6 (07:04):
All right, here's Stacy and Mark. Let's talk about this. Stacey,
you have talked to Aaron Rodgers an awful lot throughout
his career. So is this a revenge game or do
you believe him? Well, he told us.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
It's not a revenge game.
Speaker 11 (07:16):
But I would beg to differ because I don't know
of a player in the National Football League over the
seventeen years I've covered this thing, and he's played longer.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
Than I've covered it.
Speaker 11 (07:24):
That has more of a chip residing on his shoulder
than Aaron Rodgers. After he was drafted late by the
Green Bay Packers, he ends up playing there for eighteen seasons,
the starter for fifteen after Brett Farv was an illustrious
quarterback there in Green Bay. And you know, while he
said that the writing was on the wall when the
(07:44):
organization drafted Jordan Love six seasons ago, I believed him.
Speaker 6 (07:48):
He knew it, They knew it.
Speaker 11 (07:50):
And when he left and his journey, his next the
next part of his career started. It didn't go well
with the New York Jets. It's going really well with
the Pittsburgh Steelers. You heard Mattle Floor saying he can
still sling it and throw at seventy yards. Well, might
I inform you that he's having his best season since
twenty twenty one as a Packer, when he was last
named the most Valuable Player of the NFL, a season
(08:12):
in which he led the NFL in passer rating with
a one to twelve passer rating. Guess what his numbers
right now with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He's got a one
h five rating, two hundred and twelve passyards per game,
fourteen touchdowns, just five interceptions, and he's knocking on the
door of a seventy percent completion rating. And if he's
(08:33):
not calling it a rent revenge game, I'll say this,
it's because Micah Parsons is coming to town. And nobody
has more quarterback pressures. In just six games, He's got
forty one of them. And he was named the NFC
Defensive Player of the Week for good reason. Mark and Judy,
he'll love his mind on Micah Parsons. And this really
this Pittsburgh excuse me, green Bay defense that's not only
(08:54):
stopping the run, but they're getting after quarterbacks.
Speaker 12 (08:56):
Yeah, for sure, as Facy, we were in Green Bay
together door in training camp, remember back in the day there.
And I think this is just a great measuring stick
for for both of these teams. Because remember the Packers,
they've got the four wins, they came out the first
game and absolutely destroyed Detroit. Is like, this is going
to be the best team in football. They're heading right
to the super Bowl, and then they've struggled since then.
(09:17):
You know, even though they they're piling up wins. You know,
the last two wins against Cincinnati and Arizona really just
we're sluggish, showing offense and couldn't put both of those
teams away at the bottom of the league.
Speaker 5 (09:28):
And even with.
Speaker 12 (09:29):
Pittsburgh they've got their four wins and you know, States
you talk about how well Aaron is playing, but you
know that defense has been gashed at a lot of
times and the offense has stalled, you know, outside of
you know, Aaron throwing a DK those big plays that
they have, you know, haven't been super consistent on both
sides of the ball, kind of piecing it together. So
I think for both of these teams, with Green Bay
(09:50):
is like, okay, are we a legit Super Bowl contender?
And for Pittsburgh, you know, are we the best team?
And that not so great AFC North. You know, that's
the measuring state for them at this point. So a
lot of intrigue, a lot of backstories, of course, but
just football wise, I think this will tell a lot
about both of them.
Speaker 6 (10:07):
Judy, Yeah, I am definitely interested to see how both
of these teams come out. Don't forget the Steelers are
coming off that loss to the Bengals when the defense
really did not look so good. So we will see
how they look Stacey Mark, you will both be back
later on in the show. Thank you very much, Ian
fun One.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
This weekend fun uniform matchup this weekend Dallas Cowboys Denver Broncos.
We know what the Cowboys are going to be wearing.
That's what the Broncos are going to be wearing. Some
by the way that I assume they were when Brian
Baldergan was still playing. I assume right, not saying he's
that old Brian Baldinger. Get in here before we get
to a little breakdown of this very very prolific and
(10:47):
stunningly awesome Cowboys offense.
Speaker 4 (10:49):
You played against those uniforms, yes.
Speaker 9 (10:52):
Yeah, of course.
Speaker 13 (10:53):
I never won a game in Denver and Seven Tribes
when I was playing. I mean, this is a hard
place to play. The noise, altitude, breathing, just it's hard.
It's hard up there, man. So everybody gets tested when
they go to Plaum mile Hoyt and play a game
when you up there.
Speaker 3 (11:10):
All right, So take me through the kind of test
that the Browncers are going to get from this very
prolific Dak Prescott led Cowboys offense.
Speaker 9 (11:19):
It's such a good design.
Speaker 13 (11:21):
Clayton Adams, the new offense coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer. They've designed
his offense about around rhythm and timing, and it is
and Dak has never flourished better. I don't believe in
and how he's playing in it right now. So I
have a little breakdown here of the game against Washington
a week ago, and you can see it.
Speaker 9 (11:40):
You're gonna bring This is a third and one play.
Speaker 13 (11:42):
They bring CD across the formation and they're going to
run these double slats with Jake Ferguson right here. But
the key is how bad how fast the ball comes out.
I mean, honestly, Dak is hitting his back foot three
steps hitch and throw and same thing right here. Watch
this just a two step drop, and watch when he's
releasing this ball like he's just trusting George Pickens can
(12:03):
be able to go get it to a perfect throw.
He's got a little bit of room on the sideline.
The legs go dead. He's out there. This is third
and twelve man and a little bit deeper drop. Five
step drop, But hitch and throw right here to Ferguson
where he's going to be with anticipation in front of
the safety right here.
Speaker 9 (12:19):
It's a perfect throw for a first down.
Speaker 13 (12:21):
And even this third down throw to Pickens when he
goes across the formation, little indicator Latimore's in man coverage
on him right here. Dak's going to have some pressure
in his face free here coming out of He's not deterred.
He releases this ball before Pickens is out of his
break and he gets the first down. And what that
has done into this offense is Javonte Williams.
Speaker 9 (12:42):
Is getting favorable you know, run looks.
Speaker 13 (12:44):
The safety's are deep, they're dropping the pass coverage right here.
Speaker 9 (12:48):
And he's getting good lanes to run through.
Speaker 13 (12:50):
And you can see it just a full scoop from
the right tackle all the way to the left guard
Tyler Smith right here, and he finds the daylight. You know,
he's only five yard away from Jonathan Taylor from leading
this league in rushing, and.
Speaker 9 (13:03):
He's going up against the team that kind of gave
up on him.
Speaker 13 (13:06):
So I'm sure he's going to be a little extra
motivating going back to Denver where he spent his first
few years in this league. And so really it's clicking everywhere.
Three of the seven games right now, they've scored more
than forty points.
Speaker 9 (13:19):
And I don't believe that Dak has ever.
Speaker 13 (13:20):
Looked more comfortable or more certain about what he's looking
at and where he needs to throw, more accurate about
getting the ball to his receivers.
Speaker 1 (13:31):
The third of three straight home games for the Chiefs,
there two and zero so far, having beat the Lions
and the Raiders, looking to make it three and oh
against the Commanders on Monday night. Here is Patrick Mahomes.
Speaker 5 (13:44):
Just having success.
Speaker 14 (13:45):
You know, you train so hard to go out there
and have success on every drive and whenever you're to
go able to go out there and do that, man,
it is something that you're happy about. But at the
same time, you know you to continue to get better
and better. And in this league, defense is adust and
they challenge you to be even better. And so we'll
continue to build. You know, I feel like we still
have a long ways to go and we're just kind
of hitting our stride. Let's continue to get better and
(14:06):
better as a season goes on.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
The Patriots, winners of four straight, looking to make it
five against the Browns at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, a
one o'clock start. There Here is Mike Vrabel saying you
can learn from wins and you can learn from losses.
Sounds like he prefers learning from wins.
Speaker 15 (14:28):
I try not to focus on that. I think we
focus on what's going on this week and what corrections
need to be made. And the good thing is is
there's a lot of things that we can improve. There's
so much that we can improve in all three phases
right and still be able to win a football game.
But we have to improve on them and correct them,
(14:50):
you know, or we're going to The unfortunate part is
is you're going to have to learn from losing, and
I don't want to do that.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
See I told you. Here is the Ten Bay Buccaneers.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
Rashad White with Bucky Irving down's been leading that backfield.
Look a lot of people down for the Buccaneers, including
now Mike Evans for most of the rest of the
regular season. So they got themselves a division rival in
the Saints that.
Speaker 2 (15:15):
Really doesn't care what the injury report looks like. They're
gonna want to beat them. So Baker Mayfield says, I
don't like that.
Speaker 16 (15:21):
Hasn't exactly been clean play from their part when we
play them, It's a physical game.
Speaker 5 (15:28):
It is what it is.
Speaker 16 (15:28):
You expected division rival, Yeah, not much else say besides
the fact I don't like them.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
Oh the records out when these two teams play, they
don't like each other.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
Mark Ross coming in.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
Baker, by the way, was upgraded today to a full
participant in practice with that knee injury. Mark, let us
talk about some of these Mark Key matchups. You got
a pause there between Mark and Key, so you know
exactly what we're going for Bill's Panthers starting there.
Speaker 5 (15:59):
How about the bill are coming off a two game
losing streak. Is that real? You know?
Speaker 12 (16:03):
And then the four wins that they've had are against
four of the worst teams in the league, you know,
the Ravens, the Jets, the Dolphins, in the Saints. So
here comes those Carolina Panthers, you know, who are a
resurgent with four wins.
Speaker 5 (16:14):
There by that guy there, Rico.
Speaker 12 (16:16):
Daldell, who has averaged one hundred and fifty six yards
the last three games. Chew Hubbard also coming back, and
that Buffalo rush defense is thirty first in the league,
giving up one fifty six. So there's a clear path
for the Panthers to pull off another one keep feeding
that man right there. Gash the defense and don't let
Josh Allen go nuts.
Speaker 6 (16:35):
On you all right? Next to mar Key? Matchup forty
nine Ers Texans. What you got there, poor Texans? I
mean you're talking about their defense. It leads the league
in points per game, but their offense just cannot get
anything going. Demico Ryans the head coach.
Speaker 12 (16:51):
They are playing his former team where he got the
job as the defensive coordinator. So will this guy CJ.
Stroud finally get unlocked? Will they get on the same page?
You know, I think that Joe Mixon not being a.
Speaker 5 (17:02):
Part of that.
Speaker 12 (17:02):
They just can't get anything done with the run game there,
and then CJ just has not been sharp, so the
defense will have to dominate again. San Francisco playing with
Mac Jones making finding ways to win got the five wins.
So San Franz finding the way with Mac Jones. No
brock Purty again. But Texans offense, how about Will Anderson
and d'anil hunter at some point?
Speaker 5 (17:21):
Please? All right?
Speaker 2 (17:23):
Giants?
Speaker 1 (17:23):
Eagles the rematchup that Thursday night game a couple of
weeks ago that did not go well for the Eagles.
In that game, they were banged up coming in, Jalen
Carter didn't play. Then they lost Quinna Mitchell halfway through
the game. So those guys back in action, which should
help the Eagles. If I'm them, I want to get
off to a fast start. I don't want to be
playing from behind in this game. Then you start to
think mark about like, oh my, does this team have
(17:45):
our number or something.
Speaker 12 (17:47):
Yeah, And of course the Eagles have been dominating the
Giants over the past what fifteen twenty years, and so
that was shocking to see that happen to them and
get bullied the way they did. Of course, the Jalen
Carter and the crew not being in there. But you
know Cam's kataboo Jackson Dark. Cam rushed for ninety eight
yards and Dark ran for fifty eight hit time he
throws it on the flip side. You know, Jalen Hurts
(18:07):
wasn't sharp. We saw how sharp they were last week
against Minnesota. But remember that big shot down the field
to Smitty that he missed which led to all the
talk this last couple of weeks until they got right
last week. So this is all set up for a
revenge game for Philly, which is rare to say. Against
the Giants. But it's all set up. You know, these
people in philadelphiare ready for this one because they cannot
(18:28):
stand the Giants.
Speaker 9 (18:29):
As we know.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
Yep, Eagle's going to get themselves a bye after this game.
So if you get this win, you're on a two
game winning streak heading into the by all those bad vibes,
you push them further off and you get yourself another
week to reset, look at things, and go back to
what you are comfortable doing.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
Those are your mark key matchups.
Speaker 1 (18:49):
I gotta pause like murder, she wrote, like Pat Summer
all used to do. Coming up, we're back to Sofi Stadium.
Steve Weisch is standing by to talk more about this
matchup tonight between the Chargers and the Vikings.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
That's next on Answiders.
Speaker 5 (19:09):
They're time to think the moment. But they told him
tell me about what.
Speaker 6 (19:13):
They look a.
Speaker 5 (19:25):
Touchdowns orgos come on the way.
Speaker 3 (19:28):
Like a rope strip on my weights or something no,
I won't slip dedicated and mix.
Speaker 9 (19:32):
It for you.
Speaker 2 (19:35):
Go eat.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
Some exceptional player is going to be playing tonight at
Sofi Stadium. For some teams that have less than exceptional records,
they've got average records.
Speaker 2 (20:00):
They got to make a playoff push. And again, this
is just so huge for the.
Speaker 1 (20:03):
Vikings knowing what they have remaining on their schedule, which
is why when he said, Steve, weisch to so far
to cover this game.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
Carson Wentz starting again for JJ McCarthy. I had said
I think there's good football left.
Speaker 1 (20:17):
In Carson Wentz that he had come on in relief
for the Rams a couple of years, and I said, see,
like if he could just play in a game, and
he's done it.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
He's made a couple of mistakes, but he's done pretty well.
Speaker 9 (20:27):
So now's the fifth game.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
Now for Carson Wentz.
Speaker 5 (20:29):
Steve.
Speaker 7 (20:31):
And Mike, it's just those little mistakes because in those
two games that the Vikings have lost, he's five hundred.
Speaker 5 (20:36):
As a starter.
Speaker 7 (20:37):
He's got two interceptions in each of those games, and
he's thrown for more than three hundred yards in both
of those games. So he's got to clean that up.
That's also been the issue for Justin Herbert and three
of their four losses he's got a total of five interceptions.
But let's go talk to some defensive players about how
they're going to.
Speaker 5 (20:52):
Planning on stopping these quarterbacks.
Speaker 7 (20:54):
And I spoke to Charger safety Tony Jefferson, and he said,
when they're facing one thing you notice on film and
some of their probably didn't employed today when you see
how teams are defending the Vikings, and of course they're
having over the top help on Justin Jefferson, Nearly every
rowdy has that Jefferson has doubled. So Jordan Addison has
been eating with Carson Wentz eighteen catches over the past
(21:14):
three games. So they're gonna have to pay special attention
also to Jordan Addison because this one said earlier this
week he really trusts Addison in the.
Speaker 2 (21:21):
Way that he's playing. All right, So on the other side.
Speaker 1 (21:25):
Here Justin Herbert, excuse me, almost said Justerson, Justin.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
Herbert, get some costine tonight.
Speaker 1 (21:31):
We know what Jim Harball think has been with the Chargers,
saying what about the team they're playing?
Speaker 2 (21:35):
What are the Vikings Brian floores this defense? What are
they saying about facing Herbert?
Speaker 7 (21:41):
Yeah, well, they're coming off of a tough game against
the Philly Alphia Eagles by speosly as rusher Jonathan Grenard,
and he said they have so much respect for the
way Justin Herbert plays the big arm, the strength, the leadership,
and believe it or not, they say they've got to
get him to throw the ball this week. They've got
to deny the run hopefully get up in points they
can get after justin Herbert. As we know, the Charges
(22:02):
offensive line is a lot of Herbert to get hit
in a funduts of times. They're getting Joe All back
at left tackle tonight. Looks like that could help that
offensive line. But Grenard said, if they get Herbert off
the spot, he trust his arm a lot more than
other quarterbacks.
Speaker 5 (22:17):
That's why he's willing.
Speaker 7 (22:18):
To maybe put one or two up there that the
defense can get.
Speaker 5 (22:20):
They got to play much stick your coverage, and they
did against the.
Speaker 7 (22:22):
Eagles, who have two wide receivers go for one hundred
plus receiving yards last week and beating the Vikings.
Speaker 1 (22:29):
Herbert's cleanest game was the opener against the Chiefs in Brazil.
Speaker 2 (22:32):
The Chargers want to get back to that.
Speaker 1 (22:34):
I mean, obviously having the protection you talked about, Joe
All returning, having that offensive line comeback the protecting better
will be the big key to that.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
Steve Wish, thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (22:43):
Looking forward to your continued coverage ahead of this game tonight,
which JJ McCarthy will not play in. And I know,
like the timelines that have been thrown out with JJ McCarthy,
I think we've put it this way.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
And Tom pellisera as an adamant about.
Speaker 1 (23:01):
It that the Vikings want JJ McCarthy to be fully
healthy when he comes back.
Speaker 2 (23:05):
Kevin O'Connell talked.
Speaker 1 (23:06):
Earlier this week, Hey, they put him through a workout,
he just wasn't there. Maybe if it hadn't been a
short week in Rappaport, he could have potentially returned, which says, okay,
so likely back the next game, right, I mean, is
that the.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
Way we're expecting it to go for McCarthy.
Speaker 3 (23:20):
First of all, there's gonna be no decision for the
Vikings on who is their starting quarterback until everyone is healthy.
It does seem like JJ McCarthy is close. You mentioned
that workout it was earlier this week. Wasn't quite there yet. Look,
had it been a great workout, might have maybe started
Thursday today. Who knows. We'll never know had it been Sunday,
we will not know. What we will know is when
(23:41):
everyone is healthy. Now, what I also understand is that
they're going to fully reserve judgment until they see how
everything goes. Like, for instance, one of Carson wentz tows
are four and fifty yards tonight, do you give him
one more start?
Speaker 5 (23:53):
It's all on the table.
Speaker 3 (23:54):
Best case scenario for the Vikings absolute best case scenario
is if JJ McCarthy is fully healthy and their starting quarterback.
That would be the good stuff right there. That's what
they want. They want to put him in position to succeed.
And for Kevin O'Connell, who has been maybe the most
outspoken voice on developing quarterbacks, he knows more than maybe
(24:15):
anyone else how to have these guys play and be
successful when they do play.
Speaker 4 (24:21):
Mike trust Kevin O'Connell. He is going to put JJ
McCarthy in a good spot to go out and play
and be successful.
Speaker 2 (24:28):
In KOC I trust.
Speaker 13 (24:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
He did a great job with Sam Darnold last year
as a reclamation project. Now doing a great job with
Carson Wentz.
Speaker 1 (24:36):
Well, the key one it's gonna be McCarthy, Like, that's
the biggest one.
Speaker 2 (24:40):
Yeah, Vikings for the long term.
Speaker 1 (24:42):
I think this is where I usually thank people, but
I think I'm throwing it back to you.
Speaker 2 (24:46):
Are you taking this now here? The rest of the way.
Speaker 4 (24:48):
Yeah, I got happening.
Speaker 3 (24:49):
Go away, go a way. Oh, go for it, go away,
I got it. We're talking Lamar Jackson, who, by the way,
has been at practice the last two days.
Speaker 5 (24:57):
Limited.
Speaker 3 (24:58):
You could see everyone's pretty excited to have there because
he's Lamar Jackson and it's a long time since he's play.
It's only been three weeks including the bye, but still
a long time, too long for Ravens people. Let's bring
in our good friend Stacy Dale's after we take a
look at what cool.
Speaker 4 (25:14):
People are wearing.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
I don't know, game day threads. That's what the Ravens are.
They always seem to wear the same stuff. It's cool though,
it's nothing wrong with it, but it's not like the
Broncos old school threads, which are really the best I know.
Stacey Dale's is all over it. Hi, Stacy, thanks for
hanging out with us. Hi, Lamar Jackson. Let's talk Lamar Jackson.
There's been no official proclamation, but it seems like he
(25:35):
is headed toward getting on the field. How important is
his health for the Ravens.
Speaker 11 (25:41):
Well, it's vital for the Baltimore Ravens. I was actually
just on the phone with that guy that you guys
flashed up there, Mark Andrews, their superstar tight end, and
they're pumped that he's back on the practice field this
week in limited capacity, that's what they're calling at this stage.
But listen, I'm traveling there on Sunday for Sunday's contact
and I'm preparing to see him play. I'll tell you
(26:02):
something else. The Chicago Bears are preparing to see him play.
They are steadfast in that preparation. We know that Lamar
Jackson suffered that hamstring injury in the Chiefs game in
in Week four, so he missed.
Speaker 6 (26:14):
The next two.
Speaker 11 (26:16):
Then they had the bye week, so they're coming off
the bye week. He had that extra week of recovery
and it's wonderful to see him on the field. As
I discussed with Mark Andrews, just the morale boost alone
with his energy. He is the leader of this franchise,
make no mistake about it. And for the Chicago Bears
as they prepare for him. I spoke with safety Kevin Byerd,
who has been outstanding this season, leading the league, I
(26:38):
believe at this stage with four interceptions, the Bears leading
the league with sixteen takeaways, And think about that They've
had three plus in each of their last four games
in that win streak, the four game win streaking in
they want to force him lateral. They're expecting the best
version of Lamar Jackson, regardless of the injury. I want
to force him lateral so they can prevent those downhill
(26:58):
runs where he's so dangerous.
Speaker 6 (27:00):
But as dangerous.
Speaker 11 (27:01):
But as Kevin Byer told me, much like Patrick Mahome,
he has a scramble to throw quarterback and they know
how good that arm is as well. The Bears are
not expecting a labored or injured Lamar Jackson. They're expecting
the two time MVP Lamar Jackson on Sunday.
Speaker 5 (27:18):
All right, Well, let's flip this.
Speaker 4 (27:18):
Around a little bit.
Speaker 3 (27:19):
We've spent a lot of time talking about Ben Johnson,
the quarterback whisper, the great job that he's got to
do with Caleb Williams, and that is all true. The
Bears can run the heck out of the ball, and
it has been a little undercover, but they are That
running game has been surging greatly. How important is it
for this Ravens defense to somehow figure out of way
(27:40):
to stop the Bears multiple running backs?
Speaker 6 (27:43):
Well, it's a focal point.
Speaker 11 (27:44):
I was also on the phone with Aloie Gilman, one
of the defensive backs for these Ravens, and the run
game is the focal point, of course, because since the
bye week, over the last two games, that's Commanders, that's
the New Orleans States. The Bears are averaging. Listen to
this hundred and eighty four rush yards per game, and
the guy that you see on your screen, DeAndre Swift,
(28:06):
has one hundred and sixteen per game since the buye
and it's really been the job the offensive line has
done up front. Ben Johnson, the head coach, told me
yesterday one of the things he loves to do is
he loves to watch on tape the sideline view of
the run game or the trench work after every contest,
and what he determines there is how physical the trenches are,
and that's what he has seen. It's those combo blocks
(28:28):
up front from the big guys and the ability and
intentionality of the running backs. Manungai included and Roshawn Johnson
included behind Swift to identify those holes and hit him.
That's what the Bears are doing and they're going to
try to continue that course of action on Sunday against
these Ravens who are desperate for a victory.
Speaker 1 (28:45):
Ian time to go inside, get the insiders, then you
go inside again. So it's double inside with Fantasy Live
Inside the Insiders with Michael f Florio gives you all
the inside information on the houdahsart, Who to start, who
to sit in Week eight, not just tonight, but we
will start with tonight Thursday Night Football.
Speaker 2 (29:05):
Start with the starts. Who is starting?
Speaker 17 (29:07):
I think Ladd McConkie is very much so in play tonight.
First of all, fifteen targets last week and twenty four
in his last two games. In the last three weeks,
he leaves the NFL and end zone targets. What stood
out to me last week over seventy percent of his
snaps came from the slot. That was a season high.
The Vikings have struggled against slot receivers this season, and
(29:29):
I think the Eagles kind of found a way to
attack this defense. It's up the middle, it's downfield, up
the seams, and now those are the routes that LADDI
McConkie runs. So I do like Ladd a lot tonight.
I also like Jordan Addison, who has averaged seventeen fantasy
points per games since he's returned. He gave you over
one hundred and ten yards and two of his three
games and a touchdown in the other. He's been a
(29:51):
first read on twenty eight percent of the passing play
since he's come back, and I like that they are
using him a lot downfield, like you were talking about
it earlier, that Carson Wentz just seems to trust him
and with this is a so so matchup fantasy wise,
but the Chargers score points, so I would not be
surprised if the Vikings are in ketchup mode.
Speaker 5 (30:10):
And that is where Jordan.
Speaker 17 (30:11):
Addison has been at his best for fantasy purposes this season.
Speaker 3 (30:16):
Now we're talking, I'm starting Addison tonight. Let's go furio.
All right on the other side of this thing. Who
am I sitting? Who am I getting out of the
lineup to you're starting Addison?
Speaker 17 (30:26):
I would not be starting the guy throwing him the
ball in Carson Wentz because it's just really hasn't been
great for fantasy for Wentz. In fact, in his four starts,
he's topped sixteen fantasy points just one time, and in
his last two games he has one passing touchdown and
two interceptions.
Speaker 5 (30:43):
That's not good.
Speaker 17 (30:44):
And the Chargers since week two just one top ten
Fantasy wide receiver performance allowed. Their secondary has been playing
lights out and then not as much of a must sit,
but still someone I think it's okay to get away
from is TJ Howkinson. He's been we had a lot
of floor and not really a lot of upside.
Speaker 5 (31:03):
We did see last week he got.
Speaker 17 (31:04):
A lot of volume when they were in pure ketchup
mode in the second half. Maybe that's why you could
bank on again if you start him. But the Chargers
are in the bottom ten and fantasy points per game
allowed two tight ends, so again with six teams on
by not a must sit. But I have Hockinson in
a couple of places, and I have tight ends on
those rosters that I like more like haild Fan and
Junior Kyle Pitts, just to name a couple, all.
Speaker 1 (31:25):
Right, Michael F I will be at Lincoln Financial Field
on Sunday for the Giants Eagles rematch. Jackson Dart had
a great game against the Eagles a couple of weeks ago.
The rushing yards were down against the Broncos, but that's
sort of what they do, so Where do we stand
on Jackson Dart right now?
Speaker 17 (31:42):
I think Jackson Dart has reached the territory where you
just start him, especially in a week like this with
six teams on by. You mentioned that the Broncos they're
elite at stopping running quarterbacks, but he still went off
for four total touchdowns, one being a rushing touchdown, and
was the QB two on the week against arguably the
best defense in the league. He's averaged twenty two fantasy
points per game as a starter, which is elite territory,
(32:04):
and it's because of what he does with his legs
at least fifty rushing yards in three of the four games,
at least one rushing touchdown in three of the four,
and he had this exact matchup two weeks ago he
finished as to QB three. I know you can bank
on that exact production again, but everything that he's doing
right now points to just play him, especially again with
six teams on buy this week.
Speaker 3 (32:26):
You know, for you, we had our good friend Stacy
Dale's on a minute ago talking about how great the
Bears run game is. Definitely true passing game though, DJ Moore,
what do we think.
Speaker 2 (32:37):
I'm done with? Dj Moore.
Speaker 17 (32:38):
It's painful to say I have him on a number
of fantasy teams, but like you need production to be
started in fantasy, and he is one game with double
digit Fantasy points this year. It came in this game
against the Cowboys, which is the best matchup for a
wide receiver, and it came because of that late game
touchdown that you just saw. And even with that just
twelve fantasy points. He is five targets in every game
(33:01):
but one this year, and in that one game it
was six. And on top of that, three deep targets,
two end zone targets. If you're not getting a lot
of volume, you need to make up for it with
big plays or touchdowns.
Speaker 5 (33:12):
He's not getting the opportunity to.
Speaker 17 (33:14):
Do either of those things. So because of the way
he is being used, even in what is a very
favorable matchup on paper, I don't see how you could
trust DJ Moore.
Speaker 2 (33:24):
Now my decision to be done with DJ Moore. You
can tell he's on my team, by the way.
Speaker 1 (33:29):
A lot easier before AJ Brown, No, my bad, we're good.
Before the AJ Brown has had his hamstring issues, which
he's not practicing.
Speaker 2 (33:38):
So now that makes a lot. We'll talk offline.
Speaker 1 (33:40):
You and I about that, But another guy on my team,
Traveon Henderson.
Speaker 2 (33:43):
Don't say my bad.
Speaker 1 (33:44):
Don't say my bad, but Traveon Henderson, we talked about it.
Speaker 5 (33:47):
Done.
Speaker 2 (33:47):
I've been done. Where are you on this one? I'm
waving the white flag.
Speaker 17 (33:51):
I'm done, HAREDI my bad to you and to everyone else.
I still believe Traveon Henderson is a very talented player
and he's not seeing the field.
Speaker 5 (34:01):
He had three snaps in.
Speaker 17 (34:03):
The first half last week against the Titans, which was
a prime matchup, and then you're like, Okay, they're just
saving him for the second half when things get out
of hand, They'll give their young running back some work.
Speaker 5 (34:12):
Nope, it went to Terrell Jennings, who Mike Rabral.
Speaker 17 (34:15):
Is celebrating with after the game, calling their new five
minute back. They're not using Trevion and when they do,
they're making him run up the middle, not out wide
in space, which is where I think he's at his best.
Speaker 4 (34:26):
It was where he was at his best in college.
Speaker 5 (34:28):
It's just it's not happening. So I apologize.
Speaker 17 (34:30):
I've waited the white flag on every.
Speaker 5 (34:32):
Show this week.
Speaker 4 (34:33):
Yeah, definitely your fault. Let's go to one that is
not your fault.
Speaker 3 (34:36):
Rico Dowd has been one of the best Fantasy stories
of the year. Chuba Harvard now back split and carries.
What is your view on Rico Daudo start or shit?
I think you start Rico.
Speaker 17 (34:47):
I think both Panthers running backs are in play this
week because of the matchup and the six teams on by.
But if you have to pick one, I really like
Rico this week. They did split reps last week, but
Rico had more carries, and he did a whole lot
more with his opportunities. He turned the nineteen chances he
got into ninety six yards. He is clearly the more
(35:08):
explosive option of the two, and that is huge this
week because the Bills allow explosive runs to running backs
at the highest rate in the NFL. They allow the
most yards per contact. So yeah, I think Rico and
the Panthers are going to look to establish the run
because of who's on the other side. So I think
both are in play, but definitely Rico.
Speaker 2 (35:27):
All right, this is where we get to ask about
our team.
Speaker 1 (35:29):
You've already answered about two of my guys on my team,
but we get to answer ask you one.
Speaker 2 (35:34):
You mentioned six buys.
Speaker 1 (35:36):
The only one I really have is Trade McBride though
on my team, so I avoided by mcgeddon pretty well.
Kate Oughten, Dalton Schultz, Haerrold Fannin, Chigakuon Kuo, any of
the seven Steelers tight ends, who's standing out Noah fan
who's standing out the ear?
Speaker 17 (35:51):
I was originally going to say, like Kate Aughten or
Dalton Schultz because Schultz, there's no Nico Collins. It's starting
to look like we got to see what his status
is before games, and the Bucks are super thin right now.
But you mentioned Harold's fan of Junior. I think that
is who I would go with. I think there's just
a connection between him and Dylan Gabriel and it is
a favorable matchup. The Patriots are in the top ten
(36:12):
in yards allowed two tight ends, so he also.
Speaker 5 (36:14):
Plays as a running back, as a receiver. He does everything.
Speaker 4 (36:17):
I like him the most.
Speaker 3 (36:19):
Okay, all right, that actually helped me too, But that's
not my question for you.
Speaker 4 (36:22):
Here's my question. I got Mike Evans.
Speaker 3 (36:24):
Had Mike Evans now he's on ir surgery, broken collar bone,
give me like a wide receiver three who would maybe
be available on the waiver wire to fill in if.
Speaker 17 (36:37):
Tess Johnson is available. He is one that I like
a lot. He seems to have the trust of Baker Mayfield.
Speaker 2 (36:42):
Right now played all the routes had nine targets.
Speaker 17 (36:45):
I also like Romeo Dobbs, who has had eight targets
or more in the last three games. He's averaging close
to eighteen Fantasy points per game in that stretch. With
a favorable matchup. Matthew Golden might be out there in
some leagues. Alec Pearce is going a little bit deeper.
And I shout out to you, man, because you tweeted
last week that you forgot to pull DeVante Adams out
of your lineup, and fantasy people were like, what kind
(37:07):
of ly No, you have good options you You've.
Speaker 5 (37:09):
Ran that by me on this show last week.
Speaker 17 (37:11):
So shout out to you for having really good depth.
Speaker 4 (37:13):
On your fantasy teams. Yeah, appreciated my team.
Speaker 1 (37:17):
Shout out that's what we need.
Speaker 2 (37:20):
Or shout out super the Man.
Speaker 1 (37:24):
Shout out to Michael f Florio and his article.
Speaker 2 (37:28):
You will need more of this, of course you do.
Speaker 1 (37:30):
NFL dot com Start sit That's where you find all
the information every single week about who to start and
who to sit right there and the you are O,
Michael f Florio, Love you, pal, appreciate you.
Speaker 2 (37:39):
Probably gonna be texting you more. In the next couple
of days.
Speaker 1 (37:43):
We are back with some more Mark pause Key matchups.
Speaker 2 (37:47):
In the NFL.
Speaker 1 (37:48):
Mark Ross joining our, joining our, Judy Battista and.
Speaker 2 (37:51):
Brian Ball to your next on the Insiders.
Speaker 6 (37:59):
You know what, we love mar Key matchups so much
around here, We're going to do more mar Key matchups.
We have Mark and bald d for the Marquee matchups.
All right, We're actually going to do matchups inside the
matchups here. So Mark, let me start with you. We
got Cowboys Broncos.
Speaker 12 (38:18):
Well, this is gonna be a fun one because, as
we talked about Nat in the last couple of days,
I think he's the MVP so far, but Patrick surtain
On there on the other side, and the matchup within
the matchup is how will they deploy him against either
matching up against CD Lamb, matching up against George Pickens,
mixing and matching him. So both of those guys have been,
you know, picking super dangerous. CD's had the injury, came
(38:40):
back last week, looked like his old self almost so
how are certain go up against both of those two, Baldy,
You'd be super fun either way.
Speaker 9 (38:48):
I agree.
Speaker 13 (38:50):
I was really taking a look here, Mark, at the
Giants and the Eagles, the rematch and the revenge game
right here, and what the Eagles receivers just did really
in that game against Minnesota last week. Can the Giants
defensive backs who we saw Javon Hall and Paulson de
Debo go out in that game against Denver, can they
match up against you know, Devonte Smith and AJ Brown
(39:12):
who had you know, thirteen catches over two hundred yards
in all three touchdowns. How are they going to handle
this passing game of the Eagles, especially if they go
to some of that play action passing.
Speaker 6 (39:22):
All right, Mark, The next one up for you as
an AFC South matchup two teams going in very different
directions Colts Titans.
Speaker 12 (39:31):
Well, this is going to be Mark Kee for one side,
and that's one Jonathan Taylor, who I talk about beak
being an MVP, but I mean, this guy's the offensive
player of the year. He's leading the league in rushing
not only that Bolding and Judy, but by one hundred
and five yards over the next guy, which is Devonte Williams.
So he's going up against this Titans defense that's twenty
ninth in the league in rush defense have really been struggling.
(39:54):
Of course, fire their coach already, so this is just
really I'm looking at a pad the stats game, Marky
Pattistat's game for Jonathan Taylor and that Colts offense.
Speaker 9 (40:04):
Baldy, good job there, Mark.
Speaker 13 (40:06):
I'm going to take a look at Sunday night's game
here with the Green Bay Packers coming to Pittsburgh Steelers,
and will the Steelers do a better job against Micah
Parsons than what we saw from the Arizona Cartins. Carlins
had a chance at the very end and Michael Parson's
ruined both tackles and just was all over to Kobe Brissett.
And we know that Aaron Rodgers wants to get rid
of the ball fast, right, Mark, But if you give
(40:29):
Michael Parsons those kind of runways to the quarterback, it
could really swing to balance of power in this game
Sunday night.
Speaker 6 (40:36):
All right, last one for you Market's Bears Ravens. We
were just talking about this game potentially the return of
Lamar Jackson.
Speaker 12 (40:44):
Yeah, the return of Lamar Jackson on the offensive side,
and I'm looking at the woefull thirty second ranked the
scoring defense of those Baltimore Ravens going against Caleb Williams
and head coach Ben Johnson. The Bears have scored twenty
five plus points in their last four.
Speaker 5 (41:00):
A lot of it fueled by the defense.
Speaker 12 (41:02):
But you've seen glimmers, You've seen Caleb get better, You've
seen him get more consistent, and you know, Ben Johnson
has really got to be in the lab looking at
all the matchup problems that the Ravens have with formations
and shifts and how they could just get totally out cooked.
So you got to think Ben Johnson is ready to go.
This could be Caleb's signature breakout game Baldi against that
(41:24):
woful defense.
Speaker 13 (41:24):
As I said, yeah, you know, Mark, My third matchup
here is the Cleveland Browns coming to visit Drake May
and the New England Patriots. And really it's Draight May,
the leagust number one rated quarterback. That throw to Keija
Bhute was amazing thirty nine yards right on the dime,
but the number one rated quarterback against Miles Garrett and
Jim Schwartz's defense, we know that they've been excellent against
(41:46):
the run and if they stay that way. I mean
Miami could not score a touchdown last week two was
under all kinds of duress.
Speaker 9 (41:54):
They turned it all over a bunch of times.
Speaker 13 (41:57):
Like I want to see what Drake may in this
new found on Patriots offense is playing very well does
against Swartze and Miles Garrett this weekend.
Speaker 1 (42:08):
I want to know where to find the insiders write
all this down right, take a screen shot. Nobody writes
things down anymore, but here's where you can find us
every single day.
Speaker 2 (42:17):
This is Thursday.
Speaker 1 (42:18):
We're on the NFL Plus, NFL Plus like u Chi code,
It's going to get you most of it. The NFL
channel on YouTube. Tomorrow back on NFL Network and NFL Plus.
I will speak slow. I was going to speak slowly
so you had more time to write all that down.
Like I said, here are your Pro Football Hall of
Fame coach candidates for the class of twenty twenty six. Man,
I was making that case for Tom Coughlin amongst others,
(42:41):
but Tom Cofflin really Then Bill Belichick shows up. Now,
I know that Coughlin beat him twice, but Belichick's got
all those rings. Judy Batista, please explain because some folks
might say, like, he's only been out a couple of years.
Speaker 2 (42:52):
Why is it different for the coaches than the players.
Speaker 6 (42:54):
Yeah, so last year the eligibility rules were changed for
the coaches, and so you only have to be out
of the NFL one year to be eligible if you're
a coach. It does not address the idea that, like,
you could even come back to the NFL, right, which
Bill theoretically could do. So Bill's been out of the
NFL more than a year, as it turns out, but
(43:15):
he only needed to be out a year and he
is eligible. And let's be honest, it is very hard
to imagine that Bill Belichick is not going into the
Hall of Fame as soon as he can. I would
expect that he will be elected. But I agree with you,
Tom Coughlin belongs in there among others on that list too.
Mike Shanahan, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (43:34):
I mean part of the problem though, is like each
time you have, you know, you add a coach to that.
You know, Belichick's obviously going to get in, and then
it's like Coplin should get in sure, and Shanahan should
get in sure, and it's like It's like the receivers, right,
It's like every year you add a couple of receivers,
who do you not let in? If you're going to
let those guys in, this is the problem with having
a lot of great coaches.
Speaker 4 (43:53):
Anyway, Yes, Bill Belichick can get in. Thank you for that.
Speaker 3 (43:55):
Yeah, explanation, Judy, I was not aware of that, and
so I talked to you yesterday about this.
Speaker 4 (43:59):
The same the.
Speaker 1 (44:01):
Centennial class allowed a lot of guys to get in.
So if you're on that list, don't worry. It's less
than one hundred years before the next centennial class will
be in.
Speaker 2 (44:09):
Now, get some of these guys in here. We are
back on Friday on NFL Network. That's the Insiders for Thursday.
Thank you for joining us.
To Fight Stadium, the scene for Thursday Night Football once again.
This time is the Chargers, the Superchargers in those dark
blue uniforms hosting the Vikings, two teams that badly need
will win. Right now, we'll go to Steve Weisch to
tell us which one's gonna get it. We're gonna have
to watch the game. Steve knows everything. Meanwhile, in Owings Mills, Maryland,
Lamar Jackson back on the practice field looking like a
(00:30):
limited participant.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Your excuse there, Ian.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Lamar Jackson potentially gonna play this week. Let's see about
his status on Friday when they finally have to give
his status in the ADRI report, we'll tell you what
we're seeing right now. And Michael f Florio, as he
does every Thursday, it tells you who to start, who
to sit, not only for Thursday Night Football, but for
the entire weekend in the NFL. Welcome inside with the insiders.
(00:56):
I and Rappaport, he of the throat clearing Just now,
Hasta and me. Mike Arra followed Mikes nak you through
everything involving.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Mike's are always up.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
They're always hot, just like the action in the NFL,
which is why there's always news, and this is what's
new today.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Lamar Jackson back at practice.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
I guess it's not new because it's the second straight
day that he's sort of been that limited role. But
look at them and look at everybody around, so happy
that he is there giving them hugs because the Ravens
without Lamar Jackson just have not been the same team.
So the hope is that he will be ready to
go against the Bears this weekend. But we shall see
as we get closer to Friday. The fact that he's
on the practice field two straight days good sign, Ian
(01:38):
good sign.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
Yes, indeed, not a good time for the Washington Commanders.
This is why I was clear in my thought because
I had to talk soon. I'm talking right now about
Jayden Daniels officially being ruled.
Speaker 4 (01:46):
Out, which I mentioned yesterday, by the way, for the big.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Time Monday night game against the Kansas City Chiefs. It
is a low grade hamstring strain. Wanted to play, wanted
to play very badly. In another case, to the doctor saying,
you know what, we are in it.
Speaker 5 (01:59):
For the long term.
Speaker 4 (02:00):
You are in it for the long term, not this week.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Marcus Mario to Judy gets this start in a big
one against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
Speaker 6 (02:09):
It's time for our semi regular update on San Francisco
quarterback Brock Perty's turf too. We're getting closer, General manager
John Lynch said today. Purty is back at practice, but
still on a limited basis. Lynch said this morning, though,
that Purdy is getting closer to her return, even though
he would not put a firm timeline on when that
return might be. Lynch said, They've gotten a lot of opinions,
(02:32):
but what it is going to come down to is
how does Purdy feel and does he feel like himself
and can he play like himself. We're not quite there yet.
It is going to be another mac Jones start this week,
but we are getting closer to seeing Brock Purty back
on the field and as far as.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
The night's game goes, Aaron Jones senor Yes, he was activated.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
Off injured reserve and is expected to play tonight against
the jar That is not great news for Jordan Mason
owners such as myself, but we'll talk to Michael f
Floria about that later in the show. It is good
news for the Vikings as they now have that two
headed monster back together in the backfield. Yes, the Super Chargers.
(03:15):
It's funny. Everybody was clamoring for the powder blue throwbacks.
Now these are the throwbacks. Everybody time is a flat
circle when it comes to uniforms. Steve Weisch, you are
there on the scene at so far. Like I said,
both of these teams badly in need of a win.
I made the case on Good Morning Football this morning
that if the Vikings lose this game, they're done because
(03:38):
this schedule that they've got the roommate the rest of
the season is just absolutely brutal.
Speaker 5 (03:42):
I know it's not technically a must win game, Steve, I'm.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Calling it a must win game.
Speaker 7 (03:47):
Well, look, they're not technically done, but at three and
three are coming off of a bad loss to Philadelphia.
This is a huge game for them, but also for
the Chargers. They're losers of three and four. But I
want to get to how you got into this segment.
That's Aaron Jones coming back for the Minnesota Vikings. This
is significant. Well, how much of a low he shares
with Jordan Mason will see. But this is an offense
that has not had one hundred yards rushing in each
(04:09):
of their last three games, and they're facing a Chargers
defense that has allowed more than one hundred and forty
yards rushing over the past three So that's going to
be a huge help to Carson Wentz, the quarterback making
his fifth consecutive start, and it could be his last, Mike,
because as we know, JJ McCarthy, the season opening starter,
has been coming back from that high ankle sprain.
Speaker 5 (04:28):
He could be up next.
Speaker 7 (04:29):
Went saying this week he's got thinking about his future.
Speaker 5 (04:32):
He's only living in the moment.
Speaker 7 (04:34):
Also living in the moment for the Chargers is left
tackle Joe Alt. He is expected to play. He's been
out in Week four with a high ankle sprain. That
is a huge pickup to a Chargers offensive line that
has yet to get things going in the run game,
but has also allowed quarterback Justin Herbert to be pressured
one hundred and thirty five times. That's thirty times more
(04:54):
than the next quarterback that being cam Ward to the
Tennessee Titans. It's getting all back will be huge, Getting
Aaron Joe back will be huge, some injured players coming back,
and like you said, Mike, this is a victory that
could tip the scales in either direction for either team.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
The Chargers yeah, getting healthier, still banged up Nahem Hines,
who hasn't had a touch in an NFL game NFL
regular season game since December twenty fourth.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
Christmas Eve twenty twenty two.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
With Hassan Haskins out, could see Nahim Hines touch the
football for the first time in almost three years, which
is not as long as it's going to be. Before
we see you, Steve White, We're going to see you
later in the program, so I don't go anywhere, Judy.
Speaker 6 (05:35):
How about this chart? Jordan Love and Aaron Rodgers, Man,
is it good to be a Green Bay Packers fan
when you've got this kind of quarterback succession through their
first three seasons as a starter? Pretty even very good?
Of course, Aaron Rodgers ultimately did win a Super Bowl
in Green Bay. Jordan Love hasn't quite gotten there yet.
They will face each other Packers Steelers is this weekend.
(05:58):
This is one of the big ones, and let's bring
it in our Stacey DALs and Mark Ross to talk
about this game. But before we do that, we're going
to hear from that before and Aaron Rodgers himself.
Speaker 8 (06:10):
He looks like he can still do anything. What's surprising
for such an old man. He's still moving around pretty
good too, so and you've seen it in multiple games.
I mean, the arm strength is still plenty there, you guys.
You especially saw it on the hail Mary. I mean,
(06:31):
I don't know many guys that can throw the ball
over seventy yards in the air, and I'm not quite
sure how far it went, but it was had to
have been at least seventy yards.
Speaker 9 (06:40):
It's still pretty impressive what he can do.
Speaker 10 (06:42):
I don't have any animosity toward the organization, obviously. I
wish that, you know, things have been better in our
last year there, but you know, I have a great
relationship with a lot of people still in that organization,
and I don't This is not a revenge game for me.
I'm just excited to see some of those guys and
beyond Sunday night football again.
Speaker 6 (07:04):
All right, here's Stacy and Mark. Let's talk about this. Stacey,
you have talked to Aaron Rodgers an awful lot throughout
his career. So is this a revenge game or do
you believe him? Well, he told us.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
It's not a revenge game.
Speaker 11 (07:16):
But I would beg to differ because I don't know
of a player in the National Football League over the
seventeen years I've covered this thing, and he's played longer.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
Than I've covered it.
Speaker 11 (07:24):
That has more of a chip residing on his shoulder
than Aaron Rodgers. After he was drafted late by the
Green Bay Packers, he ends up playing there for eighteen seasons,
the starter for fifteen after Brett Farv was an illustrious
quarterback there in Green Bay. And you know, while he
said that the writing was on the wall when the
(07:44):
organization drafted Jordan Love six seasons ago, I believed him.
Speaker 6 (07:48):
He knew it, They knew it.
Speaker 11 (07:50):
And when he left and his journey, his next the
next part of his career started. It didn't go well
with the New York Jets. It's going really well with
the Pittsburgh Steelers. You heard Mattle Floor saying he can
still sling it and throw at seventy yards. Well, might
I inform you that he's having his best season since
twenty twenty one as a Packer, when he was last
named the most Valuable Player of the NFL, a season
(08:12):
in which he led the NFL in passer rating with
a one to twelve passer rating. Guess what his numbers
right now with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He's got a one
h five rating, two hundred and twelve passyards per game,
fourteen touchdowns, just five interceptions, and he's knocking on the
door of a seventy percent completion rating. And if he's
(08:33):
not calling it a rent revenge game, I'll say this,
it's because Micah Parsons is coming to town. And nobody
has more quarterback pressures. In just six games, He's got
forty one of them. And he was named the NFC
Defensive Player of the Week for good reason. Mark and Judy,
he'll love his mind on Micah Parsons. And this really
this Pittsburgh excuse me, green Bay defense that's not only
(08:54):
stopping the run, but they're getting after quarterbacks.
Speaker 12 (08:56):
Yeah, for sure, as Facy, we were in Green Bay
together door in training camp, remember back in the day there.
And I think this is just a great measuring stick
for for both of these teams. Because remember the Packers,
they've got the four wins, they came out the first
game and absolutely destroyed Detroit. Is like, this is going
to be the best team in football. They're heading right
to the super Bowl, and then they've struggled since then.
(09:17):
You know, even though they they're piling up wins. You know,
the last two wins against Cincinnati and Arizona really just
we're sluggish, showing offense and couldn't put both of those
teams away at the bottom of the league.
Speaker 5 (09:28):
And even with.
Speaker 12 (09:29):
Pittsburgh they've got their four wins and you know, States
you talk about how well Aaron is playing, but you
know that defense has been gashed at a lot of
times and the offense has stalled, you know, outside of
you know, Aaron throwing a DK those big plays that
they have, you know, haven't been super consistent on both
sides of the ball, kind of piecing it together. So
I think for both of these teams, with Green Bay
(09:50):
is like, okay, are we a legit Super Bowl contender?
And for Pittsburgh, you know, are we the best team?
And that not so great AFC North. You know, that's
the measuring state for them at this point. So a
lot of intrigue, a lot of backstories, of course, but
just football wise, I think this will tell a lot
about both of them.
Speaker 6 (10:07):
Judy, Yeah, I am definitely interested to see how both
of these teams come out. Don't forget the Steelers are
coming off that loss to the Bengals when the defense
really did not look so good. So we will see
how they look Stacey Mark, you will both be back
later on in the show. Thank you very much, Ian
fun One.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
This weekend fun uniform matchup this weekend Dallas Cowboys Denver Broncos.
We know what the Cowboys are going to be wearing.
That's what the Broncos are going to be wearing. Some
by the way that I assume they were when Brian
Baldergan was still playing. I assume right, not saying he's
that old Brian Baldinger. Get in here before we get
to a little breakdown of this very very prolific and
(10:47):
stunningly awesome Cowboys offense.
Speaker 4 (10:49):
You played against those uniforms, yes.
Speaker 9 (10:52):
Yeah, of course.
Speaker 13 (10:53):
I never won a game in Denver and Seven Tribes
when I was playing. I mean, this is a hard
place to play. The noise, altitude, breathing, just it's hard.
It's hard up there, man. So everybody gets tested when
they go to Plaum mile Hoyt and play a game
when you up there.
Speaker 3 (11:10):
All right, So take me through the kind of test
that the Browncers are going to get from this very
prolific Dak Prescott led Cowboys offense.
Speaker 9 (11:19):
It's such a good design.
Speaker 13 (11:21):
Clayton Adams, the new offense coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer. They've designed
his offense about around rhythm and timing, and it is
and Dak has never flourished better. I don't believe in
and how he's playing in it right now. So I
have a little breakdown here of the game against Washington
a week ago, and you can see it.
Speaker 9 (11:40):
You're gonna bring This is a third and one play.
Speaker 13 (11:42):
They bring CD across the formation and they're going to
run these double slats with Jake Ferguson right here. But
the key is how bad how fast the ball comes out.
I mean, honestly, Dak is hitting his back foot three
steps hitch and throw and same thing right here. Watch
this just a two step drop, and watch when he's
releasing this ball like he's just trusting George Pickens can
(12:03):
be able to go get it to a perfect throw.
He's got a little bit of room on the sideline.
The legs go dead. He's out there. This is third
and twelve man and a little bit deeper drop. Five
step drop, But hitch and throw right here to Ferguson
where he's going to be with anticipation in front of
the safety right here.
Speaker 9 (12:19):
It's a perfect throw for a first down.
Speaker 13 (12:21):
And even this third down throw to Pickens when he
goes across the formation, little indicator Latimore's in man coverage
on him right here. Dak's going to have some pressure
in his face free here coming out of He's not deterred.
He releases this ball before Pickens is out of his
break and he gets the first down. And what that
has done into this offense is Javonte Williams.
Speaker 9 (12:42):
Is getting favorable you know, run looks.
Speaker 13 (12:44):
The safety's are deep, they're dropping the pass coverage right here.
Speaker 9 (12:48):
And he's getting good lanes to run through.
Speaker 13 (12:50):
And you can see it just a full scoop from
the right tackle all the way to the left guard
Tyler Smith right here, and he finds the daylight. You know,
he's only five yard away from Jonathan Taylor from leading
this league in rushing, and.
Speaker 9 (13:03):
He's going up against the team that kind of gave
up on him.
Speaker 13 (13:06):
So I'm sure he's going to be a little extra
motivating going back to Denver where he spent his first
few years in this league. And so really it's clicking everywhere.
Three of the seven games right now, they've scored more
than forty points.
Speaker 9 (13:19):
And I don't believe that Dak has ever.
Speaker 13 (13:20):
Looked more comfortable or more certain about what he's looking
at and where he needs to throw, more accurate about
getting the ball to his receivers.
Speaker 1 (13:31):
The third of three straight home games for the Chiefs,
there two and zero so far, having beat the Lions
and the Raiders, looking to make it three and oh
against the Commanders on Monday night. Here is Patrick Mahomes.
Speaker 5 (13:44):
Just having success.
Speaker 14 (13:45):
You know, you train so hard to go out there
and have success on every drive and whenever you're to
go able to go out there and do that, man,
it is something that you're happy about. But at the
same time, you know you to continue to get better
and better. And in this league, defense is adust and
they challenge you to be even better. And so we'll
continue to build. You know, I feel like we still
have a long ways to go and we're just kind
of hitting our stride. Let's continue to get better and
(14:06):
better as a season goes on.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
The Patriots, winners of four straight, looking to make it
five against the Browns at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, a
one o'clock start. There Here is Mike Vrabel saying you
can learn from wins and you can learn from losses.
Sounds like he prefers learning from wins.
Speaker 15 (14:28):
I try not to focus on that. I think we
focus on what's going on this week and what corrections
need to be made. And the good thing is is
there's a lot of things that we can improve. There's
so much that we can improve in all three phases
right and still be able to win a football game.
But we have to improve on them and correct them,
(14:50):
you know, or we're going to The unfortunate part is
is you're going to have to learn from losing, and
I don't want to do that.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
See I told you. Here is the Ten Bay Buccaneers.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
Rashad White with Bucky Irving down's been leading that backfield.
Look a lot of people down for the Buccaneers, including
now Mike Evans for most of the rest of the
regular season. So they got themselves a division rival in
the Saints that.
Speaker 2 (15:15):
Really doesn't care what the injury report looks like. They're
gonna want to beat them. So Baker Mayfield says, I
don't like that.
Speaker 16 (15:21):
Hasn't exactly been clean play from their part when we
play them, It's a physical game.
Speaker 5 (15:28):
It is what it is.
Speaker 16 (15:28):
You expected division rival, Yeah, not much else say besides
the fact I don't like them.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
Oh the records out when these two teams play, they
don't like each other.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
Mark Ross coming in.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
Baker, by the way, was upgraded today to a full
participant in practice with that knee injury. Mark, let us
talk about some of these Mark Key matchups. You got
a pause there between Mark and Key, so you know
exactly what we're going for Bill's Panthers starting there.
Speaker 5 (15:59):
How about the bill are coming off a two game
losing streak. Is that real? You know?
Speaker 12 (16:03):
And then the four wins that they've had are against
four of the worst teams in the league, you know,
the Ravens, the Jets, the Dolphins, in the Saints. So
here comes those Carolina Panthers, you know, who are a
resurgent with four wins.
Speaker 5 (16:14):
There by that guy there, Rico.
Speaker 12 (16:16):
Daldell, who has averaged one hundred and fifty six yards
the last three games. Chew Hubbard also coming back, and
that Buffalo rush defense is thirty first in the league,
giving up one fifty six. So there's a clear path
for the Panthers to pull off another one keep feeding
that man right there. Gash the defense and don't let
Josh Allen go nuts.
Speaker 6 (16:35):
On you all right? Next to mar Key? Matchup forty
nine Ers Texans. What you got there, poor Texans? I
mean you're talking about their defense. It leads the league
in points per game, but their offense just cannot get
anything going. Demico Ryans the head coach.
Speaker 12 (16:51):
They are playing his former team where he got the
job as the defensive coordinator. So will this guy CJ.
Stroud finally get unlocked? Will they get on the same page?
You know, I think that Joe Mixon not being a.
Speaker 5 (17:02):
Part of that.
Speaker 12 (17:02):
They just can't get anything done with the run game there,
and then CJ just has not been sharp, so the
defense will have to dominate again. San Francisco playing with
Mac Jones making finding ways to win got the five wins.
So San Franz finding the way with Mac Jones. No
brock Purty again. But Texans offense, how about Will Anderson
and d'anil hunter at some point?
Speaker 5 (17:21):
Please? All right?
Speaker 2 (17:23):
Giants?
Speaker 1 (17:23):
Eagles the rematchup that Thursday night game a couple of
weeks ago that did not go well for the Eagles.
In that game, they were banged up coming in, Jalen
Carter didn't play. Then they lost Quinna Mitchell halfway through
the game. So those guys back in action, which should
help the Eagles. If I'm them, I want to get
off to a fast start. I don't want to be
playing from behind in this game. Then you start to
think mark about like, oh my, does this team have
(17:45):
our number or something.
Speaker 12 (17:47):
Yeah, And of course the Eagles have been dominating the
Giants over the past what fifteen twenty years, and so
that was shocking to see that happen to them and
get bullied the way they did. Of course, the Jalen
Carter and the crew not being in there. But you
know Cam's kataboo Jackson Dark. Cam rushed for ninety eight
yards and Dark ran for fifty eight hit time he
throws it on the flip side. You know, Jalen Hurts
(18:07):
wasn't sharp. We saw how sharp they were last week
against Minnesota. But remember that big shot down the field
to Smitty that he missed which led to all the
talk this last couple of weeks until they got right
last week. So this is all set up for a
revenge game for Philly, which is rare to say. Against
the Giants. But it's all set up. You know, these
people in philadelphiare ready for this one because they cannot
(18:28):
stand the Giants.
Speaker 9 (18:29):
As we know.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
Yep, Eagle's going to get themselves a bye after this game.
So if you get this win, you're on a two
game winning streak heading into the by all those bad vibes,
you push them further off and you get yourself another
week to reset, look at things, and go back to
what you are comfortable doing.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
Those are your mark key matchups.
Speaker 1 (18:49):
I gotta pause like murder, she wrote, like Pat Summer
all used to do. Coming up, we're back to Sofi Stadium.
Steve Weisch is standing by to talk more about this
matchup tonight between the Chargers and the Vikings.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
That's next on Answiders.
Speaker 5 (19:09):
They're time to think the moment. But they told him
tell me about what.
Speaker 6 (19:13):
They look a.
Speaker 5 (19:25):
Touchdowns orgos come on the way.
Speaker 3 (19:28):
Like a rope strip on my weights or something no,
I won't slip dedicated and mix.
Speaker 9 (19:32):
It for you.
Speaker 2 (19:35):
Go eat.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
Some exceptional player is going to be playing tonight at
Sofi Stadium. For some teams that have less than exceptional records,
they've got average records.
Speaker 2 (20:00):
They got to make a playoff push. And again, this
is just so huge for the.
Speaker 1 (20:03):
Vikings knowing what they have remaining on their schedule, which
is why when he said, Steve, weisch to so far
to cover this game.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
Carson Wentz starting again for JJ McCarthy. I had said
I think there's good football left.
Speaker 1 (20:17):
In Carson Wentz that he had come on in relief
for the Rams a couple of years, and I said, see,
like if he could just play in a game, and
he's done it.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
He's made a couple of mistakes, but he's done pretty well.
Speaker 9 (20:27):
So now's the fifth game.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
Now for Carson Wentz.
Speaker 5 (20:29):
Steve.
Speaker 7 (20:31):
And Mike, it's just those little mistakes because in those
two games that the Vikings have lost, he's five hundred.
Speaker 5 (20:36):
As a starter.
Speaker 7 (20:37):
He's got two interceptions in each of those games, and
he's thrown for more than three hundred yards in both
of those games. So he's got to clean that up.
That's also been the issue for Justin Herbert and three
of their four losses he's got a total of five interceptions.
But let's go talk to some defensive players about how
they're going to.
Speaker 5 (20:52):
Planning on stopping these quarterbacks.
Speaker 7 (20:54):
And I spoke to Charger safety Tony Jefferson, and he said,
when they're facing one thing you notice on film and
some of their probably didn't employed today when you see
how teams are defending the Vikings, and of course they're
having over the top help on Justin Jefferson, Nearly every
rowdy has that Jefferson has doubled. So Jordan Addison has
been eating with Carson Wentz eighteen catches over the past
(21:14):
three games. So they're gonna have to pay special attention
also to Jordan Addison because this one said earlier this
week he really trusts Addison in the.
Speaker 2 (21:21):
Way that he's playing. All right, So on the other side.
Speaker 1 (21:25):
Here Justin Herbert, excuse me, almost said Justerson, Justin.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
Herbert, get some costine tonight.
Speaker 1 (21:31):
We know what Jim Harball think has been with the Chargers,
saying what about the team they're playing?
Speaker 2 (21:35):
What are the Vikings Brian floores this defense? What are
they saying about facing Herbert?
Speaker 7 (21:41):
Yeah, well, they're coming off of a tough game against
the Philly Alphia Eagles by speosly as rusher Jonathan Grenard,
and he said they have so much respect for the
way Justin Herbert plays the big arm, the strength, the leadership,
and believe it or not, they say they've got to
get him to throw the ball this week. They've got
to deny the run hopefully get up in points they
can get after justin Herbert. As we know, the Charges
(22:02):
offensive line is a lot of Herbert to get hit
in a funduts of times. They're getting Joe All back
at left tackle tonight. Looks like that could help that
offensive line. But Grenard said, if they get Herbert off
the spot, he trust his arm a lot more than
other quarterbacks.
Speaker 5 (22:17):
That's why he's willing.
Speaker 7 (22:18):
To maybe put one or two up there that the
defense can get.
Speaker 5 (22:20):
They got to play much stick your coverage, and they
did against the.
Speaker 7 (22:22):
Eagles, who have two wide receivers go for one hundred
plus receiving yards last week and beating the Vikings.
Speaker 1 (22:29):
Herbert's cleanest game was the opener against the Chiefs in Brazil.
Speaker 2 (22:32):
The Chargers want to get back to that.
Speaker 1 (22:34):
I mean, obviously having the protection you talked about, Joe
All returning, having that offensive line comeback the protecting better
will be the big key to that.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
Steve Wish, thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (22:43):
Looking forward to your continued coverage ahead of this game tonight,
which JJ McCarthy will not play in. And I know,
like the timelines that have been thrown out with JJ McCarthy,
I think we've put it this way.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
And Tom pellisera as an adamant about.
Speaker 1 (23:01):
It that the Vikings want JJ McCarthy to be fully
healthy when he comes back.
Speaker 2 (23:05):
Kevin O'Connell talked.
Speaker 1 (23:06):
Earlier this week, Hey, they put him through a workout,
he just wasn't there. Maybe if it hadn't been a
short week in Rappaport, he could have potentially returned, which says, okay,
so likely back the next game, right, I mean, is
that the.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
Way we're expecting it to go for McCarthy.
Speaker 3 (23:20):
First of all, there's gonna be no decision for the
Vikings on who is their starting quarterback until everyone is healthy.
It does seem like JJ McCarthy is close. You mentioned
that workout it was earlier this week. Wasn't quite there yet. Look,
had it been a great workout, might have maybe started
Thursday today. Who knows. We'll never know had it been Sunday,
we will not know. What we will know is when
(23:41):
everyone is healthy. Now, what I also understand is that
they're going to fully reserve judgment until they see how
everything goes. Like, for instance, one of Carson wentz tows
are four and fifty yards tonight, do you give him
one more start?
Speaker 5 (23:53):
It's all on the table.
Speaker 3 (23:54):
Best case scenario for the Vikings absolute best case scenario
is if JJ McCarthy is fully healthy and their starting quarterback.
That would be the good stuff right there. That's what
they want. They want to put him in position to succeed.
And for Kevin O'Connell, who has been maybe the most
outspoken voice on developing quarterbacks, he knows more than maybe
(24:15):
anyone else how to have these guys play and be
successful when they do play.
Speaker 4 (24:21):
Mike trust Kevin O'Connell. He is going to put JJ
McCarthy in a good spot to go out and play
and be successful.
Speaker 2 (24:28):
In KOC I trust.
Speaker 13 (24:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
He did a great job with Sam Darnold last year
as a reclamation project. Now doing a great job with
Carson Wentz.
Speaker 1 (24:36):
Well, the key one it's gonna be McCarthy, Like, that's
the biggest one.
Speaker 2 (24:40):
Yeah, Vikings for the long term.
Speaker 1 (24:42):
I think this is where I usually thank people, but
I think I'm throwing it back to you.
Speaker 2 (24:46):
Are you taking this now here? The rest of the way.
Speaker 4 (24:48):
Yeah, I got happening.
Speaker 3 (24:49):
Go away, go a way. Oh, go for it, go away,
I got it. We're talking Lamar Jackson, who, by the way,
has been at practice the last two days.
Speaker 5 (24:57):
Limited.
Speaker 3 (24:58):
You could see everyone's pretty excited to have there because
he's Lamar Jackson and it's a long time since he's play.
It's only been three weeks including the bye, but still
a long time, too long for Ravens people. Let's bring
in our good friend Stacy Dale's after we take a
look at what cool.
Speaker 4 (25:14):
People are wearing.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
I don't know, game day threads. That's what the Ravens are.
They always seem to wear the same stuff. It's cool though,
it's nothing wrong with it, but it's not like the
Broncos old school threads, which are really the best I know.
Stacey Dale's is all over it. Hi, Stacy, thanks for
hanging out with us. Hi, Lamar Jackson. Let's talk Lamar Jackson.
There's been no official proclamation, but it seems like he
(25:35):
is headed toward getting on the field. How important is
his health for the Ravens.
Speaker 11 (25:41):
Well, it's vital for the Baltimore Ravens. I was actually
just on the phone with that guy that you guys
flashed up there, Mark Andrews, their superstar tight end, and
they're pumped that he's back on the practice field this
week in limited capacity, that's what they're calling at this stage.
But listen, I'm traveling there on Sunday for Sunday's contact
and I'm preparing to see him play. I'll tell you
(26:02):
something else. The Chicago Bears are preparing to see him play.
They are steadfast in that preparation. We know that Lamar
Jackson suffered that hamstring injury in the Chiefs game in
in Week four, so he missed.
Speaker 6 (26:14):
The next two.
Speaker 11 (26:16):
Then they had the bye week, so they're coming off
the bye week. He had that extra week of recovery
and it's wonderful to see him on the field. As
I discussed with Mark Andrews, just the morale boost alone
with his energy. He is the leader of this franchise,
make no mistake about it. And for the Chicago Bears
as they prepare for him. I spoke with safety Kevin Byerd,
who has been outstanding this season, leading the league, I
(26:38):
believe at this stage with four interceptions, the Bears leading
the league with sixteen takeaways, And think about that They've
had three plus in each of their last four games
in that win streak, the four game win streaking in
they want to force him lateral. They're expecting the best
version of Lamar Jackson, regardless of the injury. I want
to force him lateral so they can prevent those downhill
(26:58):
runs where he's so dangerous.
Speaker 6 (27:00):
But as dangerous.
Speaker 11 (27:01):
But as Kevin Byer told me, much like Patrick Mahome,
he has a scramble to throw quarterback and they know
how good that arm is as well. The Bears are
not expecting a labored or injured Lamar Jackson. They're expecting
the two time MVP Lamar Jackson on Sunday.
Speaker 5 (27:18):
All right, Well, let's flip this.
Speaker 4 (27:18):
Around a little bit.
Speaker 3 (27:19):
We've spent a lot of time talking about Ben Johnson,
the quarterback whisper, the great job that he's got to
do with Caleb Williams, and that is all true. The
Bears can run the heck out of the ball, and
it has been a little undercover, but they are That
running game has been surging greatly. How important is it
for this Ravens defense to somehow figure out of way
(27:40):
to stop the Bears multiple running backs?
Speaker 6 (27:43):
Well, it's a focal point.
Speaker 11 (27:44):
I was also on the phone with Aloie Gilman, one
of the defensive backs for these Ravens, and the run
game is the focal point, of course, because since the
bye week, over the last two games, that's Commanders, that's
the New Orleans States. The Bears are averaging. Listen to
this hundred and eighty four rush yards per game, and
the guy that you see on your screen, DeAndre Swift,
(28:06):
has one hundred and sixteen per game since the buye
and it's really been the job the offensive line has
done up front. Ben Johnson, the head coach, told me
yesterday one of the things he loves to do is
he loves to watch on tape the sideline view of
the run game or the trench work after every contest,
and what he determines there is how physical the trenches are,
and that's what he has seen. It's those combo blocks
(28:28):
up front from the big guys and the ability and
intentionality of the running backs. Manungai included and Roshawn Johnson
included behind Swift to identify those holes and hit him.
That's what the Bears are doing and they're going to
try to continue that course of action on Sunday against
these Ravens who are desperate for a victory.
Speaker 1 (28:45):
Ian time to go inside, get the insiders, then you
go inside again. So it's double inside with Fantasy Live
Inside the Insiders with Michael f Florio gives you all
the inside information on the houdahsart, Who to start, who
to sit in Week eight, not just tonight, but we
will start with tonight Thursday Night Football.
Speaker 2 (29:05):
Start with the starts. Who is starting?
Speaker 17 (29:07):
I think Ladd McConkie is very much so in play tonight.
First of all, fifteen targets last week and twenty four
in his last two games. In the last three weeks,
he leaves the NFL and end zone targets. What stood
out to me last week over seventy percent of his
snaps came from the slot. That was a season high.
The Vikings have struggled against slot receivers this season, and
(29:29):
I think the Eagles kind of found a way to
attack this defense. It's up the middle, it's downfield, up
the seams, and now those are the routes that LADDI
McConkie runs. So I do like Ladd a lot tonight.
I also like Jordan Addison, who has averaged seventeen fantasy
points per games since he's returned. He gave you over
one hundred and ten yards and two of his three
games and a touchdown in the other. He's been a
(29:51):
first read on twenty eight percent of the passing play
since he's come back, and I like that they are
using him a lot downfield, like you were talking about
it earlier, that Carson Wentz just seems to trust him
and with this is a so so matchup fantasy wise,
but the Chargers score points, so I would not be
surprised if the Vikings are in ketchup mode.
Speaker 5 (30:10):
And that is where Jordan.
Speaker 17 (30:11):
Addison has been at his best for fantasy purposes this season.
Speaker 3 (30:16):
Now we're talking, I'm starting Addison tonight. Let's go furio.
All right on the other side of this thing. Who
am I sitting? Who am I getting out of the
lineup to you're starting Addison?
Speaker 17 (30:26):
I would not be starting the guy throwing him the
ball in Carson Wentz because it's just really hasn't been
great for fantasy for Wentz. In fact, in his four starts,
he's topped sixteen fantasy points just one time, and in
his last two games he has one passing touchdown and
two interceptions.
Speaker 5 (30:43):
That's not good.
Speaker 17 (30:44):
And the Chargers since week two just one top ten
Fantasy wide receiver performance allowed. Their secondary has been playing
lights out and then not as much of a must sit,
but still someone I think it's okay to get away
from is TJ Howkinson. He's been we had a lot
of floor and not really a lot of upside.
Speaker 5 (31:03):
We did see last week he got.
Speaker 17 (31:04):
A lot of volume when they were in pure ketchup
mode in the second half. Maybe that's why you could
bank on again if you start him. But the Chargers
are in the bottom ten and fantasy points per game
allowed two tight ends, so again with six teams on
by not a must sit. But I have Hockinson in
a couple of places, and I have tight ends on
those rosters that I like more like haild Fan and
Junior Kyle Pitts, just to name a couple, all.
Speaker 1 (31:25):
Right, Michael F I will be at Lincoln Financial Field
on Sunday for the Giants Eagles rematch. Jackson Dart had
a great game against the Eagles a couple of weeks ago.
The rushing yards were down against the Broncos, but that's
sort of what they do, so Where do we stand
on Jackson Dart right now?
Speaker 17 (31:42):
I think Jackson Dart has reached the territory where you
just start him, especially in a week like this with
six teams on by. You mentioned that the Broncos they're
elite at stopping running quarterbacks, but he still went off
for four total touchdowns, one being a rushing touchdown, and
was the QB two on the week against arguably the
best defense in the league. He's averaged twenty two fantasy
points per game as a starter, which is elite territory,
(32:04):
and it's because of what he does with his legs
at least fifty rushing yards in three of the four games,
at least one rushing touchdown in three of the four,
and he had this exact matchup two weeks ago he
finished as to QB three. I know you can bank
on that exact production again, but everything that he's doing
right now points to just play him, especially again with
six teams on buy this week.
Speaker 3 (32:26):
You know, for you, we had our good friend Stacy
Dale's on a minute ago talking about how great the
Bears run game is. Definitely true passing game though, DJ Moore,
what do we think.
Speaker 2 (32:37):
I'm done with? Dj Moore.
Speaker 17 (32:38):
It's painful to say I have him on a number
of fantasy teams, but like you need production to be
started in fantasy, and he is one game with double
digit Fantasy points this year. It came in this game
against the Cowboys, which is the best matchup for a
wide receiver, and it came because of that late game
touchdown that you just saw. And even with that just
twelve fantasy points. He is five targets in every game
(33:01):
but one this year, and in that one game it
was six. And on top of that, three deep targets,
two end zone targets. If you're not getting a lot
of volume, you need to make up for it with
big plays or touchdowns.
Speaker 5 (33:12):
He's not getting the opportunity to.
Speaker 17 (33:14):
Do either of those things. So because of the way
he is being used, even in what is a very
favorable matchup on paper, I don't see how you could
trust DJ Moore.
Speaker 2 (33:24):
Now my decision to be done with DJ Moore. You
can tell he's on my team, by the way.
Speaker 1 (33:29):
A lot easier before AJ Brown, No, my bad, we're good.
Before the AJ Brown has had his hamstring issues, which
he's not practicing.
Speaker 2 (33:38):
So now that makes a lot. We'll talk offline.
Speaker 1 (33:40):
You and I about that, But another guy on my team,
Traveon Henderson.
Speaker 2 (33:43):
Don't say my bad.
Speaker 1 (33:44):
Don't say my bad, but Traveon Henderson, we talked about it.
Speaker 5 (33:47):
Done.
Speaker 2 (33:47):
I've been done. Where are you on this one? I'm
waving the white flag.
Speaker 17 (33:51):
I'm done, HAREDI my bad to you and to everyone else.
I still believe Traveon Henderson is a very talented player
and he's not seeing the field.
Speaker 5 (34:01):
He had three snaps in.
Speaker 17 (34:03):
The first half last week against the Titans, which was
a prime matchup, and then you're like, Okay, they're just
saving him for the second half when things get out
of hand, They'll give their young running back some work.
Speaker 5 (34:12):
Nope, it went to Terrell Jennings, who Mike Rabral.
Speaker 17 (34:15):
Is celebrating with after the game, calling their new five
minute back. They're not using Trevion and when they do,
they're making him run up the middle, not out wide
in space, which is where I think he's at his best.
Speaker 4 (34:26):
It was where he was at his best in college.
Speaker 5 (34:28):
It's just it's not happening. So I apologize.
Speaker 17 (34:30):
I've waited the white flag on every.
Speaker 5 (34:32):
Show this week.
Speaker 4 (34:33):
Yeah, definitely your fault. Let's go to one that is
not your fault.
Speaker 3 (34:36):
Rico Dowd has been one of the best Fantasy stories
of the year. Chuba Harvard now back split and carries.
What is your view on Rico Daudo start or shit?
I think you start Rico.
Speaker 17 (34:47):
I think both Panthers running backs are in play this
week because of the matchup and the six teams on by.
But if you have to pick one, I really like
Rico this week. They did split reps last week, but
Rico had more carries, and he did a whole lot
more with his opportunities. He turned the nineteen chances he
got into ninety six yards. He is clearly the more
(35:08):
explosive option of the two, and that is huge this
week because the Bills allow explosive runs to running backs
at the highest rate in the NFL. They allow the
most yards per contact. So yeah, I think Rico and
the Panthers are going to look to establish the run
because of who's on the other side. So I think
both are in play, but definitely Rico.
Speaker 2 (35:27):
All right, this is where we get to ask about
our team.
Speaker 1 (35:29):
You've already answered about two of my guys on my team,
but we get to answer ask you one.
Speaker 2 (35:34):
You mentioned six buys.
Speaker 1 (35:36):
The only one I really have is Trade McBride though
on my team, so I avoided by mcgeddon pretty well.
Kate Oughten, Dalton Schultz, Haerrold Fannin, Chigakuon Kuo, any of
the seven Steelers tight ends, who's standing out Noah fan
who's standing out the ear?
Speaker 17 (35:51):
I was originally going to say, like Kate Aughten or
Dalton Schultz because Schultz, there's no Nico Collins. It's starting
to look like we got to see what his status
is before games, and the Bucks are super thin right now.
But you mentioned Harold's fan of Junior. I think that
is who I would go with. I think there's just
a connection between him and Dylan Gabriel and it is
a favorable matchup. The Patriots are in the top ten
(36:12):
in yards allowed two tight ends, so he also.
Speaker 5 (36:14):
Plays as a running back, as a receiver. He does everything.
Speaker 4 (36:17):
I like him the most.
Speaker 3 (36:19):
Okay, all right, that actually helped me too, But that's
not my question for you.
Speaker 4 (36:22):
Here's my question. I got Mike Evans.
Speaker 3 (36:24):
Had Mike Evans now he's on ir surgery, broken collar bone,
give me like a wide receiver three who would maybe
be available on the waiver wire to fill in if.
Speaker 17 (36:37):
Tess Johnson is available. He is one that I like
a lot. He seems to have the trust of Baker Mayfield.
Speaker 2 (36:42):
Right now played all the routes had nine targets.
Speaker 17 (36:45):
I also like Romeo Dobbs, who has had eight targets
or more in the last three games. He's averaging close
to eighteen Fantasy points per game in that stretch. With
a favorable matchup. Matthew Golden might be out there in
some leagues. Alec Pearce is going a little bit deeper.
And I shout out to you, man, because you tweeted
last week that you forgot to pull DeVante Adams out
of your lineup, and fantasy people were like, what kind
(37:07):
of ly No, you have good options you You've.
Speaker 5 (37:09):
Ran that by me on this show last week.
Speaker 17 (37:11):
So shout out to you for having really good depth.
Speaker 4 (37:13):
On your fantasy teams. Yeah, appreciated my team.
Speaker 1 (37:17):
Shout out that's what we need.
Speaker 2 (37:20):
Or shout out super the Man.
Speaker 1 (37:24):
Shout out to Michael f Florio and his article.
Speaker 2 (37:28):
You will need more of this, of course you do.
Speaker 1 (37:30):
NFL dot com Start sit That's where you find all
the information every single week about who to start and
who to sit right there and the you are O,
Michael f Florio, Love you, pal, appreciate you.
Speaker 2 (37:39):
Probably gonna be texting you more. In the next couple
of days.
Speaker 1 (37:43):
We are back with some more Mark pause Key matchups.
Speaker 2 (37:47):
In the NFL.
Speaker 1 (37:48):
Mark Ross joining our, joining our, Judy Battista and.
Speaker 2 (37:51):
Brian Ball to your next on the Insiders.
Speaker 6 (37:59):
You know what, we love mar Key matchups so much
around here, We're going to do more mar Key matchups.
We have Mark and bald d for the Marquee matchups.
All right, We're actually going to do matchups inside the
matchups here. So Mark, let me start with you. We
got Cowboys Broncos.
Speaker 12 (38:18):
Well, this is gonna be a fun one because, as
we talked about Nat in the last couple of days,
I think he's the MVP so far, but Patrick surtain
On there on the other side, and the matchup within
the matchup is how will they deploy him against either
matching up against CD Lamb, matching up against George Pickens,
mixing and matching him. So both of those guys have been,
you know, picking super dangerous. CD's had the injury, came
(38:40):
back last week, looked like his old self almost so
how are certain go up against both of those two, Baldy,
You'd be super fun either way.
Speaker 9 (38:48):
I agree.
Speaker 13 (38:50):
I was really taking a look here, Mark, at the
Giants and the Eagles, the rematch and the revenge game
right here, and what the Eagles receivers just did really
in that game against Minnesota last week. Can the Giants
defensive backs who we saw Javon Hall and Paulson de
Debo go out in that game against Denver, can they
match up against you know, Devonte Smith and AJ Brown
(39:12):
who had you know, thirteen catches over two hundred yards
in all three touchdowns. How are they going to handle
this passing game of the Eagles, especially if they go
to some of that play action passing.
Speaker 6 (39:22):
All right, Mark, The next one up for you as
an AFC South matchup two teams going in very different
directions Colts Titans.
Speaker 12 (39:31):
Well, this is going to be Mark Kee for one side,
and that's one Jonathan Taylor, who I talk about beak
being an MVP, but I mean, this guy's the offensive
player of the year. He's leading the league in rushing
not only that Bolding and Judy, but by one hundred
and five yards over the next guy, which is Devonte Williams.
So he's going up against this Titans defense that's twenty
ninth in the league in rush defense have really been struggling.
(39:54):
Of course, fire their coach already, so this is just
really I'm looking at a pad the stats game, Marky
Pattistat's game for Jonathan Taylor and that Colts offense.
Speaker 9 (40:04):
Baldy, good job there, Mark.
Speaker 13 (40:06):
I'm going to take a look at Sunday night's game
here with the Green Bay Packers coming to Pittsburgh Steelers,
and will the Steelers do a better job against Micah
Parsons than what we saw from the Arizona Cartins. Carlins
had a chance at the very end and Michael Parson's
ruined both tackles and just was all over to Kobe Brissett.
And we know that Aaron Rodgers wants to get rid
of the ball fast, right, Mark, But if you give
(40:29):
Michael Parsons those kind of runways to the quarterback, it
could really swing to balance of power in this game
Sunday night.
Speaker 6 (40:36):
All right, last one for you Market's Bears Ravens. We
were just talking about this game potentially the return of
Lamar Jackson.
Speaker 12 (40:44):
Yeah, the return of Lamar Jackson on the offensive side,
and I'm looking at the woefull thirty second ranked the
scoring defense of those Baltimore Ravens going against Caleb Williams
and head coach Ben Johnson. The Bears have scored twenty
five plus points in their last four.
Speaker 5 (41:00):
A lot of it fueled by the defense.
Speaker 12 (41:02):
But you've seen glimmers, You've seen Caleb get better, You've
seen him get more consistent, and you know, Ben Johnson
has really got to be in the lab looking at
all the matchup problems that the Ravens have with formations
and shifts and how they could just get totally out cooked.
So you got to think Ben Johnson is ready to go.
This could be Caleb's signature breakout game Baldi against that
(41:24):
woful defense.
Speaker 13 (41:24):
As I said, yeah, you know, Mark, My third matchup
here is the Cleveland Browns coming to visit Drake May
and the New England Patriots. And really it's Draight May,
the leagust number one rated quarterback. That throw to Keija
Bhute was amazing thirty nine yards right on the dime,
but the number one rated quarterback against Miles Garrett and
Jim Schwartz's defense, we know that they've been excellent against
(41:46):
the run and if they stay that way. I mean
Miami could not score a touchdown last week two was
under all kinds of duress.
Speaker 9 (41:54):
They turned it all over a bunch of times.
Speaker 13 (41:57):
Like I want to see what Drake may in this
new found on Patriots offense is playing very well does
against Swartze and Miles Garrett this weekend.
Speaker 1 (42:08):
I want to know where to find the insiders write
all this down right, take a screen shot. Nobody writes
things down anymore, but here's where you can find us
every single day.
Speaker 2 (42:17):
This is Thursday.
Speaker 1 (42:18):
We're on the NFL Plus, NFL Plus like u Chi code,
It's going to get you most of it. The NFL
channel on YouTube. Tomorrow back on NFL Network and NFL Plus.
I will speak slow. I was going to speak slowly
so you had more time to write all that down.
Like I said, here are your Pro Football Hall of
Fame coach candidates for the class of twenty twenty six. Man,
I was making that case for Tom Coughlin amongst others,
(42:41):
but Tom Cofflin really Then Bill Belichick shows up. Now,
I know that Coughlin beat him twice, but Belichick's got
all those rings. Judy Batista, please explain because some folks
might say, like, he's only been out a couple of years.
Speaker 2 (42:52):
Why is it different for the coaches than the players.
Speaker 6 (42:54):
Yeah, so last year the eligibility rules were changed for
the coaches, and so you only have to be out
of the NFL one year to be eligible if you're
a coach. It does not address the idea that, like,
you could even come back to the NFL, right, which
Bill theoretically could do. So Bill's been out of the
NFL more than a year, as it turns out, but
(43:15):
he only needed to be out a year and he
is eligible. And let's be honest, it is very hard
to imagine that Bill Belichick is not going into the
Hall of Fame as soon as he can. I would
expect that he will be elected. But I agree with you,
Tom Coughlin belongs in there among others on that list too.
Mike Shanahan, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (43:34):
I mean part of the problem though, is like each
time you have, you know, you add a coach to that.
You know, Belichick's obviously going to get in, and then
it's like Coplin should get in sure, and Shanahan should
get in sure, and it's like It's like the receivers, right,
It's like every year you add a couple of receivers,
who do you not let in? If you're going to
let those guys in, this is the problem with having
a lot of great coaches.
Speaker 4 (43:53):
Anyway, Yes, Bill Belichick can get in. Thank you for that.
Speaker 3 (43:55):
Yeah, explanation, Judy, I was not aware of that, and
so I talked to you yesterday about this.
Speaker 4 (43:59):
The same the.
Speaker 1 (44:01):
Centennial class allowed a lot of guys to get in.
So if you're on that list, don't worry. It's less
than one hundred years before the next centennial class will
be in.
Speaker 2 (44:09):
Now, get some of these guys in here. We are
back on Friday on NFL Network. That's the Insiders for Thursday.
Thank you for joining us.
Hosts And Creators
Judy Battista
Tom Pelissero
Ian Rapaport
Mike Garafolo
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