December 4, 2025 • 44 mins
NFL Network Insiders Mike Garafolo, Ian Rapoport and Judy Battista get you set for Week 14, joined by Jane Slater with a live report from the TNF Matchup between the Cowboys & Lions. Then Marc Ross and Brian Baldinger breakdown this week’s “Marc Key” Matchups.
Later, Baldy & Jeffri Chadiha preview the Texans-Chiefs clash in the AFC, before Judy Battista analyzes the unanswered QB questions heading into Week 14 and beyond.
Plus, Michael F. Florio delivers his latest fantasy Starts & Sits.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
It is the rare Thursday night football game where both
teams have a full week's rest, and boy, is it
going to be a good one. Lions Cowboys in a
vital game for both teams as they try.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
To make the postseason.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
Our Judy Batista has some lingering unanswered quarterback questions looming
over the twenty twenty five NFL season and playoff race.
She's got answers too, she always does. We'll talk about
that's coming up, and Michael let Florio in the house
as he is every Thursday, and tell you who to
start in fantasy football both tonight for Thursday Night Football
(00:40):
and the rest of Week fourteen in the NFL. Welcome
inside with the insiders Ian Rappaport, Judy Batista and me
Mike Garrafolo joining you as we get steps for that big,
big matchup in Detroit and some other big big matchups.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
In the NFL this coming weekend.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
We'll break all that down and give you the latest
news around the NFL. But first, yeah, we're heading out
the Ford field. The sight of that Thanksgiving game last
week that the Lions dropped against the Packers, now looking
to bounce back against the Cowboys, are Jane Slater is
there going right there? Because we have got some big
time injury information.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
We are tracking ahead of this one.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
I'm and Ross Saint Brown injured in that game last
week against Green Bay, was hopeful to play.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Jane listed is questionable. What are we expecting with am
On rock.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Well, it's clear that this is the injury update that
everyone is looking forward to. Will Amen Ross Saint Brown play?
The answer is it's a game time decision. So I'll
be the eyes and ears out here and I'll keep
an eye on it.
Speaker 4 (01:39):
Here's what I would say about him.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
He's a gamer though in five seasons he's only missed
two games.
Speaker 4 (01:44):
Now this is an ankle injury.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
They have a mini buy of sorts next week. Let's
see if they push it. You know, Dak Prescott dealt
with an injury heavy team to start the season, but
they are finding their groove, telling us this week he's
been part of teams that have started hot then faded,
but he believes this group is different, saying, quote, to
have the momentum we do right now, the confidence and
not just that the right guys in the locker room
who understand who we are, what we're trying to do
(02:08):
and show up in prep throughout the week.
Speaker 4 (02:10):
It's been fun and you're seeing that swagger. Hard knocks.
Speaker 3 (02:13):
Even caught Prescott passing at turkey leg around to his
coach and and Jerry Jones to on that post.
Speaker 4 (02:18):
Chiefs win so much.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
For Covid right and speaking of Jerry, give him his flowers.
He said help was coming after that Mica trade and
he used those picks to beef up the defense.
Speaker 4 (02:28):
Since then, they added Quentnin Williams.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
Dallas has gone from struggling to stop the run to
looking like one of the stingiest fronts in football, anchored
by Williams, Kenny Clark and Osa and Diggi Zua and oh,
by the way, if they don't have Aman Ross Saint
Brown to play in this one, let's not forget the
two headed monster they have here in Jamior Gibbs and
David Montgomery. Now, they put up one hundred yards between
them last week and still lost. But I also expect
(02:51):
Jamison Williams to get the call. And remember this Cowboys
secondary still struggling to find an identity, although I do
like what we're seeing from Chavon Revel, the junior, the
rookie rather, he's really been coming along this season in
each week getting stronger and stronger.
Speaker 4 (03:05):
So this is going to be an interesting.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Game already sort of has a playoff field leading up
to this one.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
Cowboys that confidence is growing week by week, win by win.
So if they take this one tonight, it's only going
to grow, and their chances of making the playoffs only
going to grow. By the way the Lions we talked
about Amon Ross, Saint Brown elevated wide receiver Molik Cunningham
from the practice squad earlier, doesn't mean I'm Ro's not
going to play, just certainly at least there's the very
least some added insurance. So Jane, you will keep us
(03:32):
posted on aman Roth's status as well as everything surrounding
this game.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Coming up.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
Here is your NFC playoff picture. I saw something today
posted from our around the NFL account saying that the
Bears are the number one seed in the NFC yet
only have a seventy six percent chance of making the playoffs.
Speaker 5 (03:50):
That's how tight things are.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
You see the Panthers and the Cowboys keeping this thing
tighter as they continue to win football games. Here, So
Judy coming back to Ian here as we talk about
this game tonight what intrigues you the most? Because there's
just so many storylines involving this game and just so
much on the line when it comes to Dallas and
Detroit here, Well.
Speaker 6 (04:10):
I think that's exactly what intrigues me the most is
there is so much on the line for both of
these teams. I mean, this is as much of a
do or die game as you can get. And just
look at the records of the teams. First of all,
both of these teams are on the outside looking in
right now. And if you look at the records, the
seven seed right now, which is San Francisco, already has
(04:31):
nine wins. So to get into the field as a
wild card, let's say, you're going to have to have
that at least ten, maybe eleven victories. They've got to
start stacking victories. And of course, it feels like these
two teams have been going in opposite directions. The Lions
have been struggling a little bit and the Cowboys have
taken off winning.
Speaker 7 (04:50):
Three in a row.
Speaker 6 (04:51):
This is a really big opportunity for the Cowboys because
if they can get this one, the rest of their
schedule is pretty manageable. And we know that the Eagles
are having their own issues and now have an issue
with jailing partner's availability as well, So there's an opening here.
It may be splim, but the Cowboys are in a
position that if they can get this win tonight, they
(05:12):
could kick the door open on the NFC East just a.
Speaker 7 (05:15):
Little bit more.
Speaker 8 (05:17):
Yeah, it really does, Judy feel like a playoff play
in game for these two teams. You're right, kind of
heading in an opposite direction. But what I'll be watching
is both teams defenses, right.
Speaker 5 (05:28):
I mean, We've been.
Speaker 8 (05:28):
Spending a lot of time this year on the Cowboys defense.
They were so terrible matd eberfulsh is ridiculous. Higher then
they got a bunch of other good players, as our
good friend Jane detailed, and now suddenly, and this is
actually interesting, when you get better players on defense, you
start playing better. And that's what the Cowboys have done.
Quinn Williams, Logan, Wilson, a bunch of guys off Fire,
schavar Raval The Cowboys defense have been impressive, but can
(05:49):
they slow down what has been an electric lines offense?
Even if amen Ra is not out there? And then
Kelvin Shepherd is not a name that a lot of
people know he is the defensive coordinator of the Lions,
is rising head coach prospect. He is a fiery dude,
and he is one of the guys Mike that has
this Lions defense really really firing. If they can slow
down a efficient Cowboys offense, lines might be in business tonight.
Speaker 7 (06:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
The Lions offense ranked third in the NFL in both
points and yards. We talked about this on Good Morning
Football recently, like the numbers popped up as far as
what they were ranked.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
I was like, it's weird because you just don't feel that.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
You don't feel the Lions offense like you have previously
under Ben Johnson. They've sort of done it in spurts.
With Dan Campbell as the play caller. There's been confidence
that they're going to get back to that explosive nature
and continue that way. But it's got to start now
and it's got.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
To continue now if this team's going to go for
a run.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
Here you saw where they stand in the playoff picture.
One of the teams that we thought we could just
you know, right in at the beginning of the season
as a playoff team needs to do some work down
the stretch.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
Here to get in.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
Jalen Carter had some work done on his shoulders, both
shoulders procedure done, so he has ruled out a Monday's
game against the Chargers.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Gonna be considered week to week.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
Look that Bears team was running against the Eagles right
up the gut against their defensive tackles, and you're like,
what's going on here? What's clear that Carter, who's been
dealing with shoulder stuff for pretty much the entire season,
probably not at one hundred percent and felt like this
needed to be done now to get him to one
hundred percent heading down the stretching into the postseason. So
we'll see how quickly he's able to get back. Lamar
(07:21):
Jackson did not practice today due to an ankle injury.
We thought, oh, he's gonna get a full week of
practice when he practiced on Wednesday, they pulled back the
reins a little bit, so he doesn't get a full
week of practice, but that's sort of been the norm
for Lamar Jackson lately, so that will continue. Stone sense
any great concern about his availability, should be back on
the practice field.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Friday and good to go this weekend.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Darius Slay does not sound like he's going to be
playing this weekend and maybe not ever again, after being
claimed by the Bills, off waivers from the Steelers, after
asking for his release, now contemplating retirement.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Will not report to Buffalo right away.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Now the Eagles put it a claim and this sort
of felt like Ian some kind of coordinated effort to
get him back to Philadelphia. Not going to be the case,
and maybe not even a Buffalo will keep an eye
on Sleigh to see whether he decides eventually Ian to report.
Speaker 8 (08:14):
Yeah, Bill's ruined everything by claiming him. Plans foiled. Now
we'll see if Darius play plays again. This guy's gonna play.
All these guys are gonna play. Baltimore against Pittsburgh gonna
be a fun one this Sunday and really gonna be
a fun division to track over the course of the
next month or so. It is tightly packed. He got
six and six, You got six and six. Everyone's got problems,
(08:36):
Everyone's got issues, and then there's the Cincinnati Bengals just
kind of hanging around anyway. Raven Steelers play each other
on Sunday. Our good friend Brian Baldinger is going to
be there live and in person, breaking it all down
wearing his Rob Low esque NFL varsity jacket.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
Baldy, what's up?
Speaker 8 (08:56):
Thanks for joining us break down the keys for this
Ravens Steelers game for us, will you please?
Speaker 7 (09:02):
I don't think we have to get very complicated here, Ian.
Speaker 9 (09:04):
You know, we just saw the Steelers three nine yards
rushing at home to Buffalo last weekend, and that's the
worst the Steelers have ever done at home there at
either Hinz Field or Ackerser Stadium.
Speaker 7 (09:16):
And that's what Baltimore likes to do.
Speaker 9 (09:18):
They actually one of the teams in this league that
run it more than they throw, obviously Derrick Henry, Keith Mitchell,
Lamar Jackson.
Speaker 7 (09:25):
They've got some really talented runners.
Speaker 9 (09:27):
And to me, just watching the tape this weekend, the
Steelers a they didn't get off blocks and then at
times they were looking to beat block rather than to.
Speaker 7 (09:35):
Make the play.
Speaker 9 (09:36):
I mean that should easily be pointed out by Mike
Tomlins his defensive staff. I mean, they can't play defense
like that and beat the Baltimore Ravens this weekend. So
they've got to fix the run defense. They've got to stop,
you know, not just the beat blocks. They've got to
refuse to beat block like, that's the mentality they've got
to have. They're not going to change personnel. It's going
(09:57):
to be the same guys up front. It'll be the
same combination of inside linebackers. They just got to decide
to do a better job than what we saw last week.
Speaker 7 (10:05):
It's buffalo.
Speaker 9 (10:06):
I think that's the key to this game, because if
Baltimore can run the ball effectively and get Derek Henry going,
they will continue to run.
Speaker 7 (10:14):
And when they do.
Speaker 9 (10:14):
That, they wear teams down and they usually come away
with the victory. So if you ask me what's the
biggest key, that's the biggest key, and that can be
fixed because I think stopping.
Speaker 7 (10:24):
The run is as much a mentality as it is.
Speaker 9 (10:28):
Any sort of you know, coaching decisions or scheme or
anything else.
Speaker 10 (10:35):
Welcome back to the Insiders.
Speaker 6 (10:36):
Here is our buddy, Nick Schuks Week fourteen Top ten
quarterback rankings. And if you look, key got Matthew Stafford,
Drake May, Dak Prescott, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes.
Speaker 10 (10:47):
I bet that's those guys are probably.
Speaker 6 (10:49):
Going to get some MVP votes, maybe in exactly that
order of the top guys. And here's my MVP is
just to do you, Mark Ross joining me guys, I
wrote this week about questions surrounding quarterbacks. We got so
many questions about the season and as we come down
to the stretch, lots of questions about lots of quarterbacks.
The first one I talked about was Jalen Hurts and
(11:11):
can he smooth over the issues they are having with
the Philadelphia offense.
Speaker 10 (11:16):
As we know, this.
Speaker 6 (11:17):
Offense has been sputtering all season, up and down. The
running game has mostly been absent. They just haven't been consistent.
They're not getting the top playmakers involved. The listless loss
to the Bears on Black Friday, coming right after blowing
the twenty one point lead to the Cowboys, now feels
like we're definitely in crisis mode. They were winning games before,
(11:40):
now they are losing in really bad fashion.
Speaker 10 (11:43):
It's going to be up.
Speaker 6 (11:43):
To Jalen Hurts to get this team into the playoffs
to stave off the Dallas Cowboys. It's probably too late
to fix all the issues on the offense, guys, but
I think Jalen Hurts, if anybody is going to get
this team through to the playoffs and avoid twenty twenty
three type of collapse, it's going to have to be Hurts.
Speaker 11 (12:04):
For sure, Judy and Philadelphia fans have wanted this out
of Jalen Hurts. But the concern is that just really
isn't the type of quarterback he is. He works best
as an almost system quarterback. Even the best game he
ever played as a pro, when he was Super Bowl MVP,
he only threw the ball seventeen times. It's all about
working off the run, game, the play action, and then
(12:25):
using his legs. So he really needs all the other
components to thrive. And as a scout a former scout,
I'll always go back to how players were in college.
That's the same way he was in college. That's why
he lost his job to Tua at Alabama because he
couldn't elevate that offense. Of course went to OEU second
round pick, same thing because of the concerns as a
(12:46):
passer and throwing at thirty times a game, Judy, So
if anyone's expecting Jalen Hurts to be that guy, I
don't think we'll see it this year.
Speaker 6 (12:55):
Their playoff lives might depend on it, all right. The
next one I wrote about was Lamar Jackson and is
he healthy enough to get the Ravens into the playoffs.
Of course, they are in a struggle right now just
to get into the playoff fields. He has missed a practice.
He missed a practice again today. He has missed a
practice in each of the last few weeks. He's got
all kinds of ailments. He missed games with the hamstring,
(13:16):
he's got knee, ankle, it's all over his lower body,
and you can see his mobility is not what it
once was. Next Gen stats has an amazing stat Lamar
has not forced a mistackle on any of his twenty
designed runs this season. That's unbelievable. In the last four games,
his completion percentage is in the mid fifties.
Speaker 10 (13:38):
So he is really struggling.
Speaker 6 (13:40):
Jeffrey, I don't know if the Ravens can get there
if Lamar is not healthy enough to get them there.
Speaker 12 (13:46):
Well, they can't get there if he's not healthy. And
that's really the big question I've had. He had that
hamstring injury going back before there by weekend, and you
raise a lot of good voys there, Judy, but the.
Speaker 5 (13:55):
Fact is this team, when they've been in these.
Speaker 12 (13:58):
Stretch runs the last couple of years of your life,
so much on Lamar Jackson playing at an MVP level
last year he could have won it. Two years ago
he did win it, And really to talk here, the
concern here is that if he can't do those things,
is there enough defense? Enough in the supporting cash. Derek
Henry's not doing the same stuff. The offensive line isn't
as good, and so yeah, I do have the same
questions you have about this team down astript Lamar banged up.
Speaker 6 (14:21):
All right, this is a question we've all been talking
about pretty much all season. Can Shadeur Sanders do enough
in the remaining starts that he has to convince the
Browns not to take a quarterback in the first round
next season. I feel like this is probably going to
be an uphill battle for sure. He's been fine last
week in really windy conditions. He didn't make any bad mistakes.
(14:43):
He was sixteen of twenty five for one hundred and
forty nine yards and a touchdown, no interceptions. That was good,
But the offense wasn't really going anywhere. They couldn't convert
third down opportunities. They never got into the redstone. They
just don't have a lot going for them on offense. Generally,
Shador can feed off of and don't forget. The Browns
have two first round draft picks next year, so they
(15:06):
will be in position to draft one of the top
quarterbacks if they like any of them. I think it's
going to be tough for Shador to say, hey, don't
take another quarterback.
Speaker 11 (15:16):
Judy, and look, he's had his flashes. Of course, he
rolls out the pocket, He's had a couple big throws downfield,
but the consistency is just not there yet. It is
a tough job for a fifth round pick to jump
in there and say.
Speaker 5 (15:28):
Let's go move the offense.
Speaker 11 (15:29):
But again, taking it back to how I scouted him
coming out, I saw him as a backup talent in
the NFL. Of course, he does have time to do it.
He does have time to show he can be the guy.
But even if he does that, much like the Browns
did this year throwing all those assets at the quarterback position,
you can't have two first round picks next year, Judy
and not at least take a chance on another quarterback
(15:53):
to compete with Shador next season.
Speaker 6 (15:55):
Right, and finally, will Caleb Williams completion percentage ever become
problem for the Chicago Bears. Keep in mind they are
right now. The number one seed in the NFC. So
things are going just fine for the Chicago Bears. But
Caleb's completion percentage is just fifty eight point one percent.
Speaker 10 (16:11):
That's fortieth in the league. Part of it is drops.
Speaker 6 (16:14):
They have been plagued by drops eighteen dropped passes so far.
The good news is he is pushing the ball down
the field and I think, maybe most importantly, he's not
getting sacked anywhere near as much as he was last season.
He was sacked sixty eight times last season, only nineteen
so far. But Ben Johnson has said, you know, we're
winning despite the offense, and nobody is happy about that.
(16:36):
So certainly you would expect that they would like to
get his completion percentage up a little bit more, especially before.
Speaker 10 (16:42):
They have to go against the top playoff teams.
Speaker 12 (16:45):
Yeah, a lot of Alex Smith calla Williams game right now, Judy,
But that's not a bad thing for a team that
won five games last year. I love the way that
this guy's playing the clutch. I know the numbers aren't guardy,
but I believe that Ben Johnson is building the right
infrastructure around Caleb Wiams to have him successful over the
long term.
Speaker 5 (17:02):
You look at that run game.
Speaker 12 (17:03):
The offensive line, the defense is taking the ball away
at an amazing level. And so yeah, I mean, it's
nice to be able to have a quarterback out there
doing the Patrick Mahomes Josh Allen thing. But ultimately this
team should be happy that they're sitting where they are
because they were taking that all day long last year,
in mid.
Speaker 5 (17:19):
Years in the past.
Speaker 10 (17:22):
That's right.
Speaker 6 (17:23):
Times they are very very good for the Chicago Bears.
Mark Jeffrey, thank you very much. You can read more
of the article. I have ten questions about quarterbacks NFL
dot com slash Natista and when we return on the
Insiders tis this season at ford Field and Detroit, we
will go back to ford Field and join our James
Slater for more on TNF.
Speaker 5 (17:49):
Detroit.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
Fordfield the site of a just a huge game, a
huge game for both the Lions and the Cowboys, both
of them coming off hosting thanks Giving games.
Speaker 2 (18:00):
The Lions get one more here.
Speaker 1 (18:02):
The NFL likes to use this Thursday night as a
way of getting teams with a full week's rest that
played on Thanksgiving.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
So here you see how important it is.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
I mean, look, the final wild card team right now
in the NFC. We just crossed Thanksgiving already has nine wins.
We may be looking at an eleven win team that's
not going to get into the playoffs. Will that be
the Lions? Will that be the Cowboys? Whoever loses this
game tonight, man, it is going to make things a
lot tougher to get into the postseason. Jane Slater knows
(18:31):
that she knows a lot of things about this game,
which is why we're bringing her in right now. Jane,
you see what the Lions can do on the ground.
You see what the Cowboys have done since the Micah
Parsons trade, bringing in Kenny Clark and then Quinn Williams
to help that run defense. The importance of that run
defense in this game just it can't be overstated.
Speaker 3 (18:50):
Yeah, in this game, when we talk about this improved
Cowboys run defense, this is going to be the test.
Jamier Gibbs and David Montgomery are a problem. When you
look at their seasons so far, They've put up close
to sixteen hundred rushing yards between the two of them,
and Detroit really leans on these two to set their tempo.
Since the mid season overhaul with Quinn Williams joining Kenny
(19:11):
Clark and Osai Diggeezua. Dallas have been far more physical
up front. You're basically asking runners to go up against
a nine hundred pound interior wall. That improved front has
allowed Dallas to call more five man pressures.
Speaker 4 (19:24):
They stayed aggressive.
Speaker 3 (19:25):
Let's see if they can still hold up against the run,
something they couldn't do earlier in the season. If the
Cowboys can do it tonight, I think this says a
lot about this final four stretches after this one, no
doubt about it.
Speaker 5 (19:35):
Jane.
Speaker 2 (19:36):
And the better you are inside listen.
Speaker 5 (19:38):
The better you are.
Speaker 2 (19:39):
Inside, the better you are in the second.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
Better you are house helps the guys on the edges
as well. So this Cowboys edge rush coming alive as well.
Jadevian Clowney listen is questionable.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
Right.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
We know about clowney status and how important he is
this defense here.
Speaker 10 (19:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (19:53):
I just reached out to a source about an hour ago, Mike,
and I was told he is truly a game time decision.
We look at Jadavian Clowney, He's kind of been understated
about what he's been able to sort of help these
guys do that this year. He's really helped solidify that front.
With some of these guys. It allows him to play
a little bit more freely.
Speaker 7 (20:09):
For you.
Speaker 4 (20:10):
He's been dealing with the hamstring.
Speaker 3 (20:11):
Didn't practice this week. His head coach, Brian Schottenheiber told
us the focus was really just on resistance cords off
to the side. I'll be on the field pregame, so
I'll keep an eye on that one. And the thing
here I think for the Cowboys is you want to
get in Jared Goff's face. He gets really rattled when
you get up there in front of him. But Dallas
can't give up the big explosive place. Jamison Williams pulled
off a thirty seven yard touchdown pass against the Cowboys
(20:34):
last season. He is certainly capable of stepping up if
a manros Saint Brown can't go.
Speaker 4 (20:39):
This is going to be an interesting one.
Speaker 3 (20:40):
To watch because we've talked about some of the improvements
for the Cowboys. This could be a real test today
for them.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
You see those numbers we just showed you defensively for
the Cowboys, certainly affected by how much yardage they gave
up early in the season. The numbers have been better
since the bye week and since the acquisition of Quinn
Williams and they hope they continue to be better tonight later.
Speaker 2 (21:00):
Thank you very much, looking forward.
Speaker 1 (21:01):
To all your coverage leading up to kickoff tonight Thursday
at Football Ian.
Speaker 8 (21:05):
You got it, I do have it, And what I
got is a bunch of big time matchups this week,
Week fourteen. We're gonna see one of them tonight. That
is gonna be a fun a fun one. Cowboys lines,
a bunch of other fun ones. Have got some AFC South.
I mean, look, it's gonna be good. There's the AFC
playoff picture and so many of those games right there
are gonna figure prominently. And who's playing in January NFC
(21:28):
right there with the big old Chicago Bears logo, We're
gonna see some really good teams being left out of
the playoffs. Time now for marque matchups, something we do
every week, sometimes several times a week. Mark, thank you
for joining us as always, Baldy, welcome back. All right,
I want to get to some of the marquee matchups
(21:48):
for this week. Let's start mark with Colts Jaguars in
the AFC South. What do you see in for that one?
Speaker 11 (21:54):
Well, a few weeks ago this seemed like this was
gonna be a Mike Tyson first round knockout.
Speaker 5 (21:58):
For the Colts of this division.
Speaker 11 (21:59):
And now we're on with an old school Ali Fraser
fifteen round slugfest between the.
Speaker 5 (22:04):
Colts, the Jags, and the Texans.
Speaker 11 (22:07):
And it's all due to the regression of the Colts
with Daniel Jones not really playing up to that level.
Speaker 5 (22:12):
Team's figuring out, hey stop Jonathan Taylor.
Speaker 11 (22:15):
They haven't been able to beat you and the Jags
with their resurgence of kind of winning ugly. But over
the last three weeks, Trevor Lawrence and that offense is
scoring twenty nine points per game, third in the league.
So the Colts are on the downswing. The Jags are
on the upswing. Got to mention the Texans two on
the upswing. So this is really a chance, Baldy, for
the Jaguars to say, you know what, we are the
(22:35):
best team in this division and we'll keep continuing this resurgence.
Speaker 7 (22:40):
Yeah, well, they know you mentioned that the Colts are sliding.
Speaker 9 (22:43):
They've lost three out of four the turnover battle, they're
not running the ball the way Jonathan Taylor was running
away with the rushing title. So you look at what
Anthony Campanilly. He's done with Jacksonville's defense. I mean, it's
almost the same guys as last year, and they don't
break down, they don't beat themselves. They take the ball
away at a pretty good rate. And so that's going
to be the challenge for Daniel Jones in this offense.
(23:06):
But I feel like, I feel like this offense is
still very viable. I mean, I think this thing is
going to be a very very close game. It's a
close division right now, but I feel like the Colts
at home right here. I think they have a little
bit of an advantage. The Jacksonville defense is good, is
not as good as what Houston was that beat Indianapolis
this week. I think they're pretty healthy. I like for
(23:27):
the Colts to bounce back and win this division games.
Speaker 8 (23:30):
We get it, and no Sauce Gartner makes that a
challenge for sure. By the way, I was just reading
earlier today, Micah Parson's new edition for the Green Bit
Packers already says he hates the Bears, really getting into
the spirit of this rival re Mark, tell me what
you are looking forward to for Bears Packers Sunday.
Speaker 11 (23:45):
Well, unbelievably, the Bears are here with the number one
seed and they're winning ugly. They'll remind me of the
two thousand and one Bears team that won thirteen to
three under Dick Jaron and kept having those spectacular finishes.
Speaker 5 (23:56):
My philadelph Eagles.
Speaker 11 (23:56):
Team beat them in the playoffs, but I'd aggress getting
back to the Bear.
Speaker 5 (24:00):
They're formula as simple.
Speaker 11 (24:01):
They've turned teams over on defense, they're plus seventeen and
the plus minus there with the takeaways and turnovers.
Speaker 5 (24:08):
And they run the ball.
Speaker 11 (24:10):
The most glaring game they lost against Baltimore, who had
Tyler Huntley at quarterback. They couldn't turn the Ravens over
and they ran for less than one hundred yards and
they lost that game. So it's going to be incumbent
on them to turn green Bay over. I think green
Bay at their best on both sides of the ball,
maybe the best, the most complete team in football because
of that defense has been so dominant and Jordan Love
(24:31):
that offense can put thirty on anybody win. They're right,
so Baldy, the Bears are going to have to turn
them over to have a chance. It's just a regular
game there. I think green Bay is just a much
more balanced team.
Speaker 9 (24:43):
Yeah, I would agree with that, Mark, And it's interesting
we'ent back and watch the interception reel of the Chicago Bears.
They've got seventeen they're all in zone defense. I mean,
they have good zone eyes, whether it's name Sean Wright
or Kevin Byern, whoever's out there, like they throw a
plays off his one and so they see the flight
of the balls up the Really, Jordan loves to do
(25:03):
what he has been doing, which is he's made aggressive
throws down the field to watch and dobbs a variety
of guys since Tucker Kraft went down, and he hasn't.
Speaker 7 (25:12):
Made the mistakes. He's seeing things very clearly right now.
Speaker 9 (25:15):
Great throw right there to don Tavia's wits, you know,
on Thanksgiving was a big play in that game.
Speaker 7 (25:20):
He's got three good.
Speaker 9 (25:21):
Targets to the outside, and the Bears have got to
be able to match it in their zone.
Speaker 7 (25:25):
Looks they don't have great pass rush.
Speaker 5 (25:27):
Mark.
Speaker 9 (25:27):
I feel like this is Jordan Love's game to kind
of separate himself and maybe separate the Packers here.
Speaker 7 (25:34):
Down the stretch from.
Speaker 9 (25:35):
The Bears a little bit right here with how they
can play defense and compliment with the way the quarterback
is playing.
Speaker 8 (25:43):
One more for you, Mark one more Mark Key matchup
Monday night, the Big one Chargers Eagles. Take me inside
that game.
Speaker 11 (25:52):
Well, the biggest obstacle here is how healthy is Justin Herbert.
You know he had the surgery on the hands, not
the throwing hand on the off hand. But how effective
can he be? I mean it's surgery, you know, it's
still surgery. So how effective will he be? Will he
be out there? If he is, then the Chargers are
definitely have a chance. If he's not, then I think
this is the Eagles game, especially with Omarion Hampton coming
(26:15):
back for the Chargers and now hearing that Jalen Carter,
the defensive tackle for the Eagles, will not be playing,
So that would definitely play into the favor of the
Chargers that, hey, we've got our stud first round pick
coming back and a top ten quarterback here to go
attack the Eagles defense. And on the flip side, of course,
we can't get through a segment without talking about the
Eagles offense and Jalen Hurts and their struggles Baldy. So
(26:38):
this is really a game that the Chargers defense is
pretty stout against most people. Harball always has that team prepared,
and I know the Eagles are kind of favored in this,
but if Herbert's healthy, with Omarion Hampton coming back, and
there's struggles on the offense that we keep talking about this,
this could be another letdown for the Eagles.
Speaker 9 (26:58):
Well, I don't think anybody that the Eagles can just
snap out of this thing.
Speaker 7 (27:02):
I'd be surprised if they do.
Speaker 9 (27:03):
Him it's a it's a real regression, it's a funk,
it's real. You know, we see him give up twenty
and eighty one yards rushing last week with Jalen Carter
in the live I means the run defense was awful.
And so it's it's an infection within this team right now.
And you just watch what Kamani and Vidal has done
as a fourth team running back. He's got three hundred
(27:24):
plus yard rushing days. They're going to figure out ways
to run the ball. And they're very good against the run. So,
you know, unless they can get sa Quon really rolling,
which it's only happened one time all year against the Giants,
mark unless they can get that running game cranked up,
and without Lane Johnson at right tackle, they've never been
very good up front.
Speaker 7 (27:43):
They have not moved the line of scrimmage. That's why
they got to go to the trust push.
Speaker 9 (27:47):
And so I feel like the Chargers can be in
a good position to stay in this race in the
in the AFC West by taking down the Eagles on
Monday Night.
Speaker 10 (27:57):
A nice scene from last year. That's my home and
C J.
Speaker 6 (28:00):
Stroud embracing after their game last season, the big game then,
and they have an enormous one this week, another big
game on the slate. Patrick Mahomes has played in some
big games. He has thoughts.
Speaker 13 (28:15):
I mean, we've played a lot of big games, and
so knowing that the speed of the game speeds up
and the moment's bigger and you got to settle yourself
and go out there and play your best football. But
I mean, I don't know if we've been in this
situation as early in the season, and so I think
just learning from it together, building together, and then using
what we can use from prior seasons to hopefully make
(28:37):
a run of this thing and try to get ourselves
in the playoff and see where we can go from there.
Speaker 6 (28:41):
All right, here is the AFC playoff picture. How weird
is it to see the Chiefs in the in the
hunt category, not just in the hunt but at the
bottom of the in the hunt category. Look at how
tightly packed the AFC race is.
Speaker 14 (28:55):
Though.
Speaker 6 (28:55):
Let's bring back our jeff Shedeah and Brian Baldinger to
talk about this game. Jeffrey, you know this team so well.
I mean, this is maybe a crazy question. How big
a game is this for the Chiefs and how do
they beat the Texans?
Speaker 5 (29:10):
Well, I've been saying it every week now.
Speaker 12 (29:12):
This is the biggest game they've been playing in Narrowhead
Stadium since Patrick Mahomes showed up. And I'm wondering if
he's like Sampson where he cut his hair. He had
a old picture last year have had the same success
that his hair got shorter. But this team is certainly
in a difficult place and they recognize the urgency of
it because if they lose this game, their playoff chances
go way down. And Mahomes has talked about just how
(29:33):
important is for this team to be on point and
be ready to play. And really this game comes down
to two things. Can they affect the Houston Texans quarterbacks
Taj Stroud and can they keep Mahomes protected. You know,
you look at this team on defense. They have had
a sack in the last two games, Judy. But more importantly,
they're missing three offensive line potentially in this game, and
they're going back against the Houston Texans pass rush that
(29:54):
is one of the best in the NFL, maybe the
best in the NFL, with the Neil Hunter and Will
Anderson and all those guys. So they know they got
a big chow ahead. Baldy, I know you're going to
talk about this, but my god, this is a tough challenge.
Let chiasse this week.
Speaker 6 (30:07):
Yeah, well, Baldi, I'm sorry. I mean Jeffrey mentioned it.
That defense is really what is carrying the Texans.
Speaker 2 (30:14):
C J.
Speaker 6 (30:14):
Stroud is coming back from the injury. He was fine
last week, but it is the defense that has powered
this push. I know you did a breakdown, let's see it.
Speaker 7 (30:22):
Well, Judy.
Speaker 9 (30:23):
The thing is when Patrick Mahomes watches last week's game
against the Indianapolis Colts, that was the number one offense
in football, and they shut down the leading rusher in
the LEADU and Jonathan Taylor and a number one offense.
They held them in sixteen points. And so they're very
very simple. I mean, they are four man front, single
high safety there's a bullet. There's a free safety right here.
And what they do if they load the box box
(30:45):
on early downs eight man box, nine man box right here,
they want to stop the run. They're going to commit
extra guys there and that's the focus, and that will
be the focus against Kansas City as well, and they'll
do a lot of differentias. But you'll see everybody on
this defense tackles. Camari Lassiter is a great tackler. Stingley's
a great tackle. You give them that b gap right there.
(31:07):
Last's not gonna miss. He's gonna go and do his job.
They butt you up, they take you down, and you
can see it from a variety of ways. I mean,
whether they're gonna start in the two high safety, but
they're gonna cheat down here. They're gonna cheat down and
their staying right there and there's your safety and they're
gonna stop this rushing attack because what they want to
do is they want to get after the quarterback and
(31:27):
they want to lay their legs.
Speaker 7 (31:29):
They want to hit you with big wood.
Speaker 9 (31:30):
Will Will Anderson and Daniel Hunter as good at tandem
as there is.
Speaker 7 (31:34):
They crush the pocket.
Speaker 9 (31:35):
They continually collapse the pocket right here, there's a four
man rush.
Speaker 7 (31:39):
They don't have to blitz a lot right there. Sheldon
Rankins gets the sack.
Speaker 9 (31:43):
But they're doing this down with Will Anderson like they're
isolating him here on Taylor Bordolini the center by tying
up both guards, and they're gonna let Will Anderson come
with his power and his infectious energy just to collapse
his pocket on Daniel Jones. The ball comes out. Will
Anderson is an unstoppable force right now. The way that
(32:03):
he just energizes this team, they gets you in a
pass rush situation. Patrick Mahomes like he's a loosive. He's special,
but he's gonna have to have all the superpowers going
I think against this defense.
Speaker 7 (32:16):
On Sunday, time.
Speaker 1 (32:20):
To go inside with NFL Fantasy Lives, specifically with Michael
f Florio giving you all the starts and the CITs. See,
we had our personnel meeting earlier in the week, who
were claiming off the waiver wire.
Speaker 2 (32:30):
Now we've got the coaches meeting. Who am we're starting,
who are we sitting?
Speaker 5 (32:33):
What it do stop?
Speaker 2 (32:35):
I'm just like some people don't watch every week.
Speaker 5 (32:37):
Ian.
Speaker 2 (32:37):
We're just going to teach him how it works here.
Speaker 5 (32:39):
What The flow of the show.
Speaker 1 (32:40):
Is Dak Prescott, Jared Goff, Jamison Williams. Some of the
big names tonight in Thursday Night Football. Are we starting?
Are we sitting? What are we doing?
Speaker 2 (32:48):
Floria?
Speaker 14 (32:49):
You should try to get exposure to this game tonight
because I expect it's an indoor game, two great offenses,
two defenses that have struggled. I expect a lot of points,
which is why you're playing both quarterbacks. Dak has scored
twenty or more fantasy points in three straight and seven
of his last nine games. But what I really love
he leads the NFL in yards and his fifth and
(33:10):
touchdown passes against man coverage. The Lions play man coverage
at the highest rate in the NFL. They have a
banged up secondary. And then Goff at home and what
could be a score fest against the Cowboys, who allowed
the most passing yards, touchdowns, and fantasy.
Speaker 5 (33:24):
Points per game.
Speaker 14 (33:25):
Two quarterbacks four of the last five QBS to face
him and scored at least twenty three fantasy points, with
the lone exception being Gino Smith. And then I think
you start who might be Jared Goff's wide receiver one
tonight in Jamison Williams. He is a must play if
a Monroe doesn't suit up because we saw him explode
last week. But I think you play him either way.
(33:45):
Because the Cowboys have allowed the most touchdowns, fantasy points
and third most yards two wide receiver. They also give
up the most fantasy points yards touchdowns on deep passes.
They struggle against wide receivers who play out wide. We
know that Jamison could sy field. This ceiling is so high.
He could be a top five wide receiver this week.
Speaker 5 (34:05):
So yeah, get him in.
Speaker 14 (34:06):
Your lineup, all right.
Speaker 8 (34:07):
So that was all nice and positive, a lot of points,
a lot of fun tonight. So you're starting everyone, Are
you sitting anyone?
Speaker 14 (34:15):
This one is more of a beware. It's a little
bit more option dependent. But David Montgomery is not someone
that you just have to set and forget in your lineup,
because in his last three games he has eight carries
or fewer in each of them. He has ran for
over fifty yards once in the last seven games. And
(34:35):
the Cowboys early on you could run all over them.
But in the last month they've allowed the fewest yards
and fantasy points to running backs. They have not allowed
a touchdown and Monty is touchdown dependent, so it really
depends on your options there. But if you can get away,
I think it's okay to do so. And then the defenses, right,
don't play either of them. The Lions, they've allowed the
(34:57):
second fewest fantasy points per game to opposing defenses. The
Cowboys have allowed the third few is only the Colts
have allowed fewer points to defenses than these two offenses
have this year. I think again I keep saying it,
a lot of points should be had, which means you
don't want to play the Legion of Whom or the
Cowboys defense tonight in fantasy football.
Speaker 1 (35:17):
I heard a Ron Popele mentioned in there. He said
it and forget it. He had a lot of products.
Speaker 2 (35:22):
That he pitched.
Speaker 1 (35:23):
Ron Poppel he's gone to the big juicer in this guy,
Rip buddy, Justin Jefferson. As we now turned our attention
to the rest of the weekend in the NFL, Justin
Jefferson start or a lot of consternation. Didn't talk to
the media the other day. Is that a red flag
when it comes to fantasy Look, a lot.
Speaker 14 (35:40):
Of people are going to tell you to sit Justin
Jefferson this week. I get it. He had four yards
last week. I am not one of them. I think
that this is a game that Justin Jefferson gets right.
In fact, I think he's going to have his best
game of this season this week because he is clearly frustrated. Right,
I think we're going to get a squeaky wheel game here,
could be double digit targets. What I'm hoping for is
(36:02):
they get him a couple of early ones, catch and run,
kind of like what the Eagles did with aj Brown
after he crashed out. And then the Commanders are top
six and yards and fantasy points allowed to wide receivers.
They really struggle against the deep ball. Speed has gone
to them. This is not a good defensive unit. So
I'm willing to bet on the talent that is Justin
(36:22):
Jefferson in this great matchup. And again, I think his
best Fantasy day of the year comes this week.
Speaker 8 (36:27):
All right, let's talk about talent. Lamar Jackson is talented
as anyone. Been in and out of practice all season.
Didn't practice today. Sounds like he got stepped on and
is probably fine, But still another day of nonpractice for
Lamar Jackson in a game that the Ravens gotta have.
Are we starting or sitting Lamar this Sunday.
Speaker 14 (36:45):
It's more option dependent, but I am leaning towards sitting
Lamar Jackson because he has struggled. Right Like last week,
he was a bit unlucky. I get at Flower likely fumble.
There was that Flowers OPI that took a touchdown away,
but it was his worst career game EPA per dropback
in his entire career, and it came against the Bengals
(37:07):
defense who get lit up weekly. And then on top
of that, he has struggled against the Steelers in his career,
one touchdown or fewer in four of six games. He
has never ran for a touchdown against them. And speaking
of running, he's not doing that right now, less than
twenty rushing yards per game since returning. I do not
think Lamar is healthy, and I think that is why
(37:28):
he is struggling. But if you have these are the
quarterbacks I would play over him, Alan Dak Stafford, Hertz, Burrow,
Mahomes Golf, Love Mayfield, and I even think Jacoby Present
has a safer floor this week. But that's a little
bit more. If you want to roll the dice on
Lamar or not.
Speaker 1 (37:46):
Interesting, I am going to get back to Jacoby Brissett
in a couple of minutes here with you, now that
you threw that one out there, Christian Watson, this game
on Sunday is in Green Bay at four twenty five PM.
Speaker 2 (37:57):
A high of twenty degree, so that's probably gonna be called.
It that a decent amount of win.
Speaker 1 (38:01):
Take all that into consideration and tell us whether we're
starting or sitting.
Speaker 14 (38:04):
Christian wants The weather is the only thing that gives
me a little bit of pause. But I still think
you could play Christian Watson this week because since Tucker
Kraft has gone down, he leads them in all receiving
cat routes, targets, yards, receptions, all of that, and the
Bears they've allowed the most yards to out wide wide
receivers since Week nine. He runs sixty five percent of
(38:26):
his routes out wide. They've also allowed the second most
on deep targets in that span. We know Christian Watson
is a field stretcher, so the weather is a little
bit concerning, But I also really like the Bears blitz
and play man coverage at an above league average rate.
Love leads the NFL and EPA against blitz and against
man coverage. So the weather aside this everything is there
(38:48):
for love and Christian Watson to have a big game
and it must win game for.
Speaker 8 (38:53):
The Packers, even if Jayden Reid comes back, which he
might actually this week, we're still starting Christian wants.
Speaker 5 (38:58):
That's all right.
Speaker 8 (38:58):
I love me some Christian wants and he is an electric,
electric downfield threat. Roman Dunze also talented for the Chicago Bears.
Different type of receiver, but very productive, very talented. What
are we doing with romadonsay? We're starting their sitting.
Speaker 14 (39:11):
I think this is a week to try to get
away from him, and I have a Dunesay in a
number of teams myself, and I've had him hit the
bench this week because since October we're talking two months now,
he's averaged less than seven targets per game on three
catches for forty six yards per game. That equates to
less than eight Fantasy points and the bears seventh lowest
pass rate since their Week five. By the run game
(39:34):
is clearly the strength of their offense. I don't expect
that to change. They're going to lean into that. Ben
Johnson came out this week and said they're winning in
spite of the passing game. And then a Dunsay fewer
than twenty yards in two of his last three games.
And the Packers defense has kind of flipped in the
last month. Six fewest Fantasy points per game to wide receivers,
but they've been week against the run. Early in the
(39:56):
year was the opposite. You could throw on them, but
you couldn't really run. The last four or five weeks
it's been the exact opposite. So I expect the Bears
to try to run as much as they can in
this game. I think it's okay as long as you
have another option you like to get away from a
duneesday this week.
Speaker 1 (40:10):
All right, now to the selfish portion of the program,
where Ian and I get to ask you about our
own teams.
Speaker 2 (40:14):
I mentioned Jacoby Brissett.
Speaker 1 (40:16):
I got like four guys on buy this week, so
a lot of my questions are already answered. But Bo
Knicks or Jacoby Brissett.
Speaker 14 (40:24):
I'm gonna go with Jacoby Brissett here because I don't
think bow Knicks against the Raiders is going to necessarily have.
Speaker 2 (40:31):
To air it out.
Speaker 14 (40:32):
I think they'll play it a little bit safer there.
The Cardinals probably gonna be taling against the Rams. And
second half trailing and catch up mode. Jacoby Brissett is
the best Jacoby brit Like. He might have six Fantasy
points at half, he's gonna finish with over eighteen because
he's done that in every single start he has made
this year, multiple passing touchdowns in all but one. And
the Outsiders need a big week to to clinch the
(40:54):
playoffs and the bye. So let's get Jacoby to get
you there.
Speaker 8 (40:58):
Oh, Jacoby, he has been a garbage time monster this
year in fantasy all right. More importantly, let's get to
my fantasy team. So I got one flex spot, and
here are my options.
Speaker 5 (41:08):
Okay, you ready.
Speaker 8 (41:09):
Michael Wilson from the Cardinals, Jordan Addison from the Vikings.
You know the passing struggles they've had, so I figured
I know which way this one is going. And Isaiah
Pachecko in his second game back with the Kansas City
Chiefs but missing both offensive tackles.
Speaker 14 (41:22):
I'm going with Michael Wilson there. I expect the Cardinals
have to throw a lot if they're trailing against the Rams.
Michael Wilson has been awesome the last I know. Last
week was a little bit of a down week for him,
but Pachecko only had a handful of touches last week.
Kareem Hunt's gonna get the goal on work and look,
I might trust Jefferson in that matchup, I'm not trusting
the secondary options for the Vikings, so I'm gonna go
(41:43):
with Michael Wilson. Feels like the safer play and the
highest upside play to me.
Speaker 1 (41:47):
All Right, I got a lot of friends in control room,
so I'm gonna ask one for a friend.
Speaker 12 (41:52):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (41:52):
We got like writing questions this week, got so much
time with Florio.
Speaker 9 (41:56):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (41:57):
Jared Goff tonight already a holdout for I took Mahomes
on Sunday.
Speaker 14 (42:02):
I have both as starts this week, and the thing
I like about Mahomes the Texans weakness is running quarterbacks.
They've allowed six over six yards per carry to quarterbacks,
a lot of expulsive runs. Mahomes leads all quarterbacks and
expulsive runs this year, but it's still the toughest matchup
for a quarterback in fantasy. So I'm actually going to
play Jared Goff and what I think is going to
be a very high scoring indoor game tonight, so it's close's.
(42:26):
I've never really sit Mahomes, but this week, I think
I would go with the indoor cat Jared Golf.
Speaker 2 (42:31):
There you go.
Speaker 1 (42:32):
You get your answer tonight, and whether he was right
or at least the first part of the equation for
all his other answers, go to NFL dot com.
Speaker 2 (42:39):
Slash starts it.
Speaker 1 (42:40):
His name is Michael f. Florio and the F stands
for fantasy. We know that I still actually don't know
what the F stands part. I hope he never tells
me that so I can make it be fantasy or
something else all the time. Here's where I find the
Insiders Monday through Friday.
Speaker 2 (42:54):
Today is Thursday. You know what I find us. You're
watching us somewhere tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (42:57):
NFL Network, NFL Plus those are your to find us.
Read the fine print wherever you find your podcasts as well.
Speaker 2 (43:05):
No excuses to not watch or listen to the Insiders.
Speaker 1 (43:18):
Thirty two of the NFL's best when it comes to
contributing to the community off the field. Here are your
Walter Peyton Man of the Year Award, presented by nationwide
nominees for the twenty twenty five season.
Speaker 2 (43:32):
Great job to all these gentlemen.
Speaker 1 (43:35):
They will be honored at NFL Honors the week of
the Super Bowl, and one of them will come away
with the most prestigious award in the NFL. Judy your
thoughts when you see these gentlemen up for the award
and the meaning of the award itself.
Speaker 6 (43:48):
Well, whenever you talk to guys who are nominated, they
all talk about this is the most meaningful award in
the NFL. This they have Riddle reference for Walter Payton,
the player and the person and what this award stands for.
I look at Solomon Thomas, who is a repeat nominee.
He just got to Dallas and he has already been
nominated for his work. All of them exceptional, exceptional guys.
(44:12):
No losers there.
Speaker 8 (44:15):
Yeah, Salmon Thomas has already had to fortunately go to
his area of expertise for the Dallas Cowboys. This is
a great list. This is my favorite award of the
whole year. Whenever we're sitting in NFL Honors and the
and the speech comes on, I always get altereary eyed.
I cannot wait for that. They're all deserving which they
could all win it.
Speaker 1 (44:33):
Mike Texans linebacker as he's al shaer up for the award.
Speaker 2 (44:36):
He will join the Insiders on Friday.
Speaker 14 (44:38):
That's an interesting one.
Speaker 2 (44:39):
I'm going to talk to him. Thanks for spending some
time with us.
It is the rare Thursday night football game where both
teams have a full week's rest, and boy, is it
going to be a good one. Lions Cowboys in a
vital game for both teams as they try.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
To make the postseason.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
Our Judy Batista has some lingering unanswered quarterback questions looming
over the twenty twenty five NFL season and playoff race.
She's got answers too, she always does. We'll talk about
that's coming up, and Michael let Florio in the house
as he is every Thursday, and tell you who to
start in fantasy football both tonight for Thursday Night Football
(00:40):
and the rest of Week fourteen in the NFL. Welcome
inside with the insiders Ian Rappaport, Judy Batista and me
Mike Garrafolo joining you as we get steps for that big,
big matchup in Detroit and some other big big matchups.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
In the NFL this coming weekend.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
We'll break all that down and give you the latest
news around the NFL. But first, yeah, we're heading out
the Ford field. The sight of that Thanksgiving game last
week that the Lions dropped against the Packers, now looking
to bounce back against the Cowboys, are Jane Slater is
there going right there? Because we have got some big
time injury information.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
We are tracking ahead of this one.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
I'm and Ross Saint Brown injured in that game last
week against Green Bay, was hopeful to play.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Jane listed is questionable. What are we expecting with am
On rock.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Well, it's clear that this is the injury update that
everyone is looking forward to. Will Amen Ross Saint Brown play?
The answer is it's a game time decision. So I'll
be the eyes and ears out here and I'll keep
an eye on it.
Speaker 4 (01:39):
Here's what I would say about him.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
He's a gamer though in five seasons he's only missed
two games.
Speaker 4 (01:44):
Now this is an ankle injury.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
They have a mini buy of sorts next week. Let's
see if they push it. You know, Dak Prescott dealt
with an injury heavy team to start the season, but
they are finding their groove, telling us this week he's
been part of teams that have started hot then faded,
but he believes this group is different, saying, quote, to
have the momentum we do right now, the confidence and
not just that the right guys in the locker room
who understand who we are, what we're trying to do
(02:08):
and show up in prep throughout the week.
Speaker 4 (02:10):
It's been fun and you're seeing that swagger. Hard knocks.
Speaker 3 (02:13):
Even caught Prescott passing at turkey leg around to his
coach and and Jerry Jones to on that post.
Speaker 4 (02:18):
Chiefs win so much.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
For Covid right and speaking of Jerry, give him his flowers.
He said help was coming after that Mica trade and
he used those picks to beef up the defense.
Speaker 4 (02:28):
Since then, they added Quentnin Williams.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
Dallas has gone from struggling to stop the run to
looking like one of the stingiest fronts in football, anchored
by Williams, Kenny Clark and Osa and Diggi Zua and oh,
by the way, if they don't have Aman Ross Saint
Brown to play in this one, let's not forget the
two headed monster they have here in Jamior Gibbs and
David Montgomery. Now, they put up one hundred yards between
them last week and still lost. But I also expect
(02:51):
Jamison Williams to get the call. And remember this Cowboys
secondary still struggling to find an identity, although I do
like what we're seeing from Chavon Revel, the junior, the
rookie rather, he's really been coming along this season in
each week getting stronger and stronger.
Speaker 4 (03:05):
So this is going to be an interesting.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Game already sort of has a playoff field leading up
to this one.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
Cowboys that confidence is growing week by week, win by win.
So if they take this one tonight, it's only going
to grow, and their chances of making the playoffs only
going to grow. By the way the Lions we talked
about Amon Ross, Saint Brown elevated wide receiver Molik Cunningham
from the practice squad earlier, doesn't mean I'm Ro's not
going to play, just certainly at least there's the very
least some added insurance. So Jane, you will keep us
(03:32):
posted on aman Roth's status as well as everything surrounding
this game.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Coming up.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
Here is your NFC playoff picture. I saw something today
posted from our around the NFL account saying that the
Bears are the number one seed in the NFC yet
only have a seventy six percent chance of making the playoffs.
Speaker 5 (03:50):
That's how tight things are.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
You see the Panthers and the Cowboys keeping this thing
tighter as they continue to win football games. Here, So
Judy coming back to Ian here as we talk about
this game tonight what intrigues you the most? Because there's
just so many storylines involving this game and just so
much on the line when it comes to Dallas and
Detroit here, Well.
Speaker 6 (04:10):
I think that's exactly what intrigues me the most is
there is so much on the line for both of
these teams. I mean, this is as much of a
do or die game as you can get. And just
look at the records of the teams. First of all,
both of these teams are on the outside looking in
right now. And if you look at the records, the
seven seed right now, which is San Francisco, already has
(04:31):
nine wins. So to get into the field as a
wild card, let's say, you're going to have to have
that at least ten, maybe eleven victories. They've got to
start stacking victories. And of course, it feels like these
two teams have been going in opposite directions. The Lions
have been struggling a little bit and the Cowboys have
taken off winning.
Speaker 7 (04:50):
Three in a row.
Speaker 6 (04:51):
This is a really big opportunity for the Cowboys because
if they can get this one, the rest of their
schedule is pretty manageable. And we know that the Eagles
are having their own issues and now have an issue
with jailing partner's availability as well, So there's an opening here.
It may be splim, but the Cowboys are in a
position that if they can get this win tonight, they
(05:12):
could kick the door open on the NFC East just a.
Speaker 7 (05:15):
Little bit more.
Speaker 8 (05:17):
Yeah, it really does, Judy feel like a playoff play
in game for these two teams. You're right, kind of
heading in an opposite direction. But what I'll be watching
is both teams defenses, right.
Speaker 5 (05:28):
I mean, We've been.
Speaker 8 (05:28):
Spending a lot of time this year on the Cowboys defense.
They were so terrible matd eberfulsh is ridiculous. Higher then
they got a bunch of other good players, as our
good friend Jane detailed, and now suddenly, and this is
actually interesting, when you get better players on defense, you
start playing better. And that's what the Cowboys have done.
Quinn Williams, Logan, Wilson, a bunch of guys off Fire,
schavar Raval The Cowboys defense have been impressive, but can
(05:49):
they slow down what has been an electric lines offense?
Even if amen Ra is not out there? And then
Kelvin Shepherd is not a name that a lot of
people know he is the defensive coordinator of the Lions,
is rising head coach prospect. He is a fiery dude,
and he is one of the guys Mike that has
this Lions defense really really firing. If they can slow
down a efficient Cowboys offense, lines might be in business tonight.
Speaker 7 (06:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
The Lions offense ranked third in the NFL in both
points and yards. We talked about this on Good Morning
Football recently, like the numbers popped up as far as
what they were ranked.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
I was like, it's weird because you just don't feel that.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
You don't feel the Lions offense like you have previously
under Ben Johnson. They've sort of done it in spurts.
With Dan Campbell as the play caller. There's been confidence
that they're going to get back to that explosive nature
and continue that way. But it's got to start now
and it's got.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
To continue now if this team's going to go for
a run.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
Here you saw where they stand in the playoff picture.
One of the teams that we thought we could just
you know, right in at the beginning of the season
as a playoff team needs to do some work down
the stretch.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
Here to get in.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
Jalen Carter had some work done on his shoulders, both
shoulders procedure done, so he has ruled out a Monday's
game against the Chargers.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Gonna be considered week to week.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
Look that Bears team was running against the Eagles right
up the gut against their defensive tackles, and you're like,
what's going on here? What's clear that Carter, who's been
dealing with shoulder stuff for pretty much the entire season,
probably not at one hundred percent and felt like this
needed to be done now to get him to one
hundred percent heading down the stretching into the postseason. So
we'll see how quickly he's able to get back. Lamar
(07:21):
Jackson did not practice today due to an ankle injury.
We thought, oh, he's gonna get a full week of
practice when he practiced on Wednesday, they pulled back the
reins a little bit, so he doesn't get a full
week of practice, but that's sort of been the norm
for Lamar Jackson lately, so that will continue. Stone sense
any great concern about his availability, should be back on
the practice field.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Friday and good to go this weekend.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Darius Slay does not sound like he's going to be
playing this weekend and maybe not ever again, after being
claimed by the Bills, off waivers from the Steelers, after
asking for his release, now contemplating retirement.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Will not report to Buffalo right away.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Now the Eagles put it a claim and this sort
of felt like Ian some kind of coordinated effort to
get him back to Philadelphia. Not going to be the case,
and maybe not even a Buffalo will keep an eye
on Sleigh to see whether he decides eventually Ian to report.
Speaker 8 (08:14):
Yeah, Bill's ruined everything by claiming him. Plans foiled. Now
we'll see if Darius play plays again. This guy's gonna play.
All these guys are gonna play. Baltimore against Pittsburgh gonna
be a fun one this Sunday and really gonna be
a fun division to track over the course of the
next month or so. It is tightly packed. He got
six and six, You got six and six. Everyone's got problems,
(08:36):
Everyone's got issues, and then there's the Cincinnati Bengals just
kind of hanging around anyway. Raven Steelers play each other
on Sunday. Our good friend Brian Baldinger is going to
be there live and in person, breaking it all down
wearing his Rob Low esque NFL varsity jacket.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
Baldy, what's up?
Speaker 8 (08:56):
Thanks for joining us break down the keys for this
Ravens Steelers game for us, will you please?
Speaker 7 (09:02):
I don't think we have to get very complicated here, Ian.
Speaker 9 (09:04):
You know, we just saw the Steelers three nine yards
rushing at home to Buffalo last weekend, and that's the
worst the Steelers have ever done at home there at
either Hinz Field or Ackerser Stadium.
Speaker 7 (09:16):
And that's what Baltimore likes to do.
Speaker 9 (09:18):
They actually one of the teams in this league that
run it more than they throw, obviously Derrick Henry, Keith Mitchell,
Lamar Jackson.
Speaker 7 (09:25):
They've got some really talented runners.
Speaker 9 (09:27):
And to me, just watching the tape this weekend, the
Steelers a they didn't get off blocks and then at
times they were looking to beat block rather than to.
Speaker 7 (09:35):
Make the play.
Speaker 9 (09:36):
I mean that should easily be pointed out by Mike
Tomlins his defensive staff. I mean, they can't play defense
like that and beat the Baltimore Ravens this weekend. So
they've got to fix the run defense. They've got to stop,
you know, not just the beat blocks. They've got to
refuse to beat block like, that's the mentality they've got
to have. They're not going to change personnel. It's going
(09:57):
to be the same guys up front. It'll be the
same combination of inside linebackers. They just got to decide
to do a better job than what we saw last week.
Speaker 7 (10:05):
It's buffalo.
Speaker 9 (10:06):
I think that's the key to this game, because if
Baltimore can run the ball effectively and get Derek Henry going,
they will continue to run.
Speaker 7 (10:14):
And when they do.
Speaker 9 (10:14):
That, they wear teams down and they usually come away
with the victory. So if you ask me what's the
biggest key, that's the biggest key, and that can be
fixed because I think stopping.
Speaker 7 (10:24):
The run is as much a mentality as it is.
Speaker 9 (10:28):
Any sort of you know, coaching decisions or scheme or
anything else.
Speaker 10 (10:35):
Welcome back to the Insiders.
Speaker 6 (10:36):
Here is our buddy, Nick Schuks Week fourteen Top ten
quarterback rankings. And if you look, key got Matthew Stafford,
Drake May, Dak Prescott, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes.
Speaker 10 (10:47):
I bet that's those guys are probably.
Speaker 6 (10:49):
Going to get some MVP votes, maybe in exactly that
order of the top guys. And here's my MVP is
just to do you, Mark Ross joining me guys, I
wrote this week about questions surrounding quarterbacks. We got so
many questions about the season and as we come down
to the stretch, lots of questions about lots of quarterbacks.
The first one I talked about was Jalen Hurts and
(11:11):
can he smooth over the issues they are having with
the Philadelphia offense.
Speaker 10 (11:16):
As we know, this.
Speaker 6 (11:17):
Offense has been sputtering all season, up and down. The
running game has mostly been absent. They just haven't been consistent.
They're not getting the top playmakers involved. The listless loss
to the Bears on Black Friday, coming right after blowing
the twenty one point lead to the Cowboys, now feels
like we're definitely in crisis mode. They were winning games before,
(11:40):
now they are losing in really bad fashion.
Speaker 10 (11:43):
It's going to be up.
Speaker 6 (11:43):
To Jalen Hurts to get this team into the playoffs
to stave off the Dallas Cowboys. It's probably too late
to fix all the issues on the offense, guys, but
I think Jalen Hurts, if anybody is going to get
this team through to the playoffs and avoid twenty twenty
three type of collapse, it's going to have to be Hurts.
Speaker 11 (12:04):
For sure, Judy and Philadelphia fans have wanted this out
of Jalen Hurts. But the concern is that just really
isn't the type of quarterback he is. He works best
as an almost system quarterback. Even the best game he
ever played as a pro, when he was Super Bowl MVP,
he only threw the ball seventeen times. It's all about
working off the run, game, the play action, and then
(12:25):
using his legs. So he really needs all the other
components to thrive. And as a scout a former scout,
I'll always go back to how players were in college.
That's the same way he was in college. That's why
he lost his job to Tua at Alabama because he
couldn't elevate that offense. Of course went to OEU second
round pick, same thing because of the concerns as a
(12:46):
passer and throwing at thirty times a game, Judy, So
if anyone's expecting Jalen Hurts to be that guy, I
don't think we'll see it this year.
Speaker 6 (12:55):
Their playoff lives might depend on it, all right. The
next one I wrote about was Lamar Jackson and is
he healthy enough to get the Ravens into the playoffs.
Of course, they are in a struggle right now just
to get into the playoff fields. He has missed a practice.
He missed a practice again today. He has missed a
practice in each of the last few weeks. He's got
all kinds of ailments. He missed games with the hamstring,
(13:16):
he's got knee, ankle, it's all over his lower body,
and you can see his mobility is not what it
once was. Next Gen stats has an amazing stat Lamar
has not forced a mistackle on any of his twenty
designed runs this season. That's unbelievable. In the last four games,
his completion percentage is in the mid fifties.
Speaker 10 (13:38):
So he is really struggling.
Speaker 6 (13:40):
Jeffrey, I don't know if the Ravens can get there
if Lamar is not healthy enough to get them there.
Speaker 12 (13:46):
Well, they can't get there if he's not healthy. And
that's really the big question I've had. He had that
hamstring injury going back before there by weekend, and you
raise a lot of good voys there, Judy, but the.
Speaker 5 (13:55):
Fact is this team, when they've been in these.
Speaker 12 (13:58):
Stretch runs the last couple of years of your life,
so much on Lamar Jackson playing at an MVP level
last year he could have won it. Two years ago
he did win it, And really to talk here, the
concern here is that if he can't do those things,
is there enough defense? Enough in the supporting cash. Derek
Henry's not doing the same stuff. The offensive line isn't
as good, and so yeah, I do have the same
questions you have about this team down astript Lamar banged up.
Speaker 6 (14:21):
All right, this is a question we've all been talking
about pretty much all season. Can Shadeur Sanders do enough
in the remaining starts that he has to convince the
Browns not to take a quarterback in the first round
next season. I feel like this is probably going to
be an uphill battle for sure. He's been fine last
week in really windy conditions. He didn't make any bad mistakes.
(14:43):
He was sixteen of twenty five for one hundred and
forty nine yards and a touchdown, no interceptions. That was good,
But the offense wasn't really going anywhere. They couldn't convert
third down opportunities. They never got into the redstone. They
just don't have a lot going for them on offense. Generally,
Shador can feed off of and don't forget. The Browns
have two first round draft picks next year, so they
(15:06):
will be in position to draft one of the top
quarterbacks if they like any of them. I think it's
going to be tough for Shador to say, hey, don't
take another quarterback.
Speaker 11 (15:16):
Judy, and look, he's had his flashes. Of course, he
rolls out the pocket, He's had a couple big throws downfield,
but the consistency is just not there yet. It is
a tough job for a fifth round pick to jump
in there and say.
Speaker 5 (15:28):
Let's go move the offense.
Speaker 11 (15:29):
But again, taking it back to how I scouted him
coming out, I saw him as a backup talent in
the NFL. Of course, he does have time to do it.
He does have time to show he can be the guy.
But even if he does that, much like the Browns
did this year throwing all those assets at the quarterback position,
you can't have two first round picks next year, Judy
and not at least take a chance on another quarterback
(15:53):
to compete with Shador next season.
Speaker 6 (15:55):
Right, and finally, will Caleb Williams completion percentage ever become
problem for the Chicago Bears. Keep in mind they are
right now. The number one seed in the NFC. So
things are going just fine for the Chicago Bears. But
Caleb's completion percentage is just fifty eight point one percent.
Speaker 10 (16:11):
That's fortieth in the league. Part of it is drops.
Speaker 6 (16:14):
They have been plagued by drops eighteen dropped passes so far.
The good news is he is pushing the ball down
the field and I think, maybe most importantly, he's not
getting sacked anywhere near as much as he was last season.
He was sacked sixty eight times last season, only nineteen
so far. But Ben Johnson has said, you know, we're
winning despite the offense, and nobody is happy about that.
(16:36):
So certainly you would expect that they would like to
get his completion percentage up a little bit more, especially before.
Speaker 10 (16:42):
They have to go against the top playoff teams.
Speaker 12 (16:45):
Yeah, a lot of Alex Smith calla Williams game right now, Judy,
But that's not a bad thing for a team that
won five games last year. I love the way that
this guy's playing the clutch. I know the numbers aren't guardy,
but I believe that Ben Johnson is building the right
infrastructure around Caleb Wiams to have him successful over the
long term.
Speaker 5 (17:02):
You look at that run game.
Speaker 12 (17:03):
The offensive line, the defense is taking the ball away
at an amazing level. And so yeah, I mean, it's
nice to be able to have a quarterback out there
doing the Patrick Mahomes Josh Allen thing. But ultimately this
team should be happy that they're sitting where they are
because they were taking that all day long last year,
in mid.
Speaker 5 (17:19):
Years in the past.
Speaker 10 (17:22):
That's right.
Speaker 6 (17:23):
Times they are very very good for the Chicago Bears.
Mark Jeffrey, thank you very much. You can read more
of the article. I have ten questions about quarterbacks NFL
dot com slash Natista and when we return on the
Insiders tis this season at ford Field and Detroit, we
will go back to ford Field and join our James
Slater for more on TNF.
Speaker 5 (17:49):
Detroit.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
Fordfield the site of a just a huge game, a
huge game for both the Lions and the Cowboys, both
of them coming off hosting thanks Giving games.
Speaker 2 (18:00):
The Lions get one more here.
Speaker 1 (18:02):
The NFL likes to use this Thursday night as a
way of getting teams with a full week's rest that
played on Thanksgiving.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
So here you see how important it is.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
I mean, look, the final wild card team right now
in the NFC. We just crossed Thanksgiving already has nine wins.
We may be looking at an eleven win team that's
not going to get into the playoffs. Will that be
the Lions? Will that be the Cowboys? Whoever loses this
game tonight, man, it is going to make things a
lot tougher to get into the postseason. Jane Slater knows
(18:31):
that she knows a lot of things about this game,
which is why we're bringing her in right now. Jane,
you see what the Lions can do on the ground.
You see what the Cowboys have done since the Micah
Parsons trade, bringing in Kenny Clark and then Quinn Williams
to help that run defense. The importance of that run
defense in this game just it can't be overstated.
Speaker 3 (18:50):
Yeah, in this game, when we talk about this improved
Cowboys run defense, this is going to be the test.
Jamier Gibbs and David Montgomery are a problem. When you
look at their seasons so far, They've put up close
to sixteen hundred rushing yards between the two of them,
and Detroit really leans on these two to set their tempo.
Since the mid season overhaul with Quinn Williams joining Kenny
(19:11):
Clark and Osai Diggeezua. Dallas have been far more physical
up front. You're basically asking runners to go up against
a nine hundred pound interior wall. That improved front has
allowed Dallas to call more five man pressures.
Speaker 4 (19:24):
They stayed aggressive.
Speaker 3 (19:25):
Let's see if they can still hold up against the run,
something they couldn't do earlier in the season. If the
Cowboys can do it tonight, I think this says a
lot about this final four stretches after this one, no
doubt about it.
Speaker 5 (19:35):
Jane.
Speaker 2 (19:36):
And the better you are inside listen.
Speaker 5 (19:38):
The better you are.
Speaker 2 (19:39):
Inside, the better you are in the second.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
Better you are house helps the guys on the edges
as well. So this Cowboys edge rush coming alive as well.
Jadevian Clowney listen is questionable.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
Right.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
We know about clowney status and how important he is
this defense here.
Speaker 10 (19:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (19:53):
I just reached out to a source about an hour ago, Mike,
and I was told he is truly a game time decision.
We look at Jadavian Clowney, He's kind of been understated
about what he's been able to sort of help these
guys do that this year. He's really helped solidify that front.
With some of these guys. It allows him to play
a little bit more freely.
Speaker 7 (20:09):
For you.
Speaker 4 (20:10):
He's been dealing with the hamstring.
Speaker 3 (20:11):
Didn't practice this week. His head coach, Brian Schottenheiber told
us the focus was really just on resistance cords off
to the side. I'll be on the field pregame, so
I'll keep an eye on that one. And the thing
here I think for the Cowboys is you want to
get in Jared Goff's face. He gets really rattled when
you get up there in front of him. But Dallas
can't give up the big explosive place. Jamison Williams pulled
off a thirty seven yard touchdown pass against the Cowboys
(20:34):
last season. He is certainly capable of stepping up if
a manros Saint Brown can't go.
Speaker 4 (20:39):
This is going to be an interesting one.
Speaker 3 (20:40):
To watch because we've talked about some of the improvements
for the Cowboys. This could be a real test today
for them.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
You see those numbers we just showed you defensively for
the Cowboys, certainly affected by how much yardage they gave
up early in the season. The numbers have been better
since the bye week and since the acquisition of Quinn
Williams and they hope they continue to be better tonight later.
Speaker 2 (21:00):
Thank you very much, looking forward.
Speaker 1 (21:01):
To all your coverage leading up to kickoff tonight Thursday
at Football Ian.
Speaker 8 (21:05):
You got it, I do have it, And what I
got is a bunch of big time matchups this week,
Week fourteen. We're gonna see one of them tonight. That
is gonna be a fun a fun one. Cowboys lines,
a bunch of other fun ones. Have got some AFC South.
I mean, look, it's gonna be good. There's the AFC
playoff picture and so many of those games right there
are gonna figure prominently. And who's playing in January NFC
(21:28):
right there with the big old Chicago Bears logo, We're
gonna see some really good teams being left out of
the playoffs. Time now for marque matchups, something we do
every week, sometimes several times a week. Mark, thank you
for joining us as always, Baldy, welcome back. All right,
I want to get to some of the marquee matchups
(21:48):
for this week. Let's start mark with Colts Jaguars in
the AFC South. What do you see in for that one?
Speaker 11 (21:54):
Well, a few weeks ago this seemed like this was
gonna be a Mike Tyson first round knockout.
Speaker 5 (21:58):
For the Colts of this division.
Speaker 11 (21:59):
And now we're on with an old school Ali Fraser
fifteen round slugfest between the.
Speaker 5 (22:04):
Colts, the Jags, and the Texans.
Speaker 11 (22:07):
And it's all due to the regression of the Colts
with Daniel Jones not really playing up to that level.
Speaker 5 (22:12):
Team's figuring out, hey stop Jonathan Taylor.
Speaker 11 (22:15):
They haven't been able to beat you and the Jags
with their resurgence of kind of winning ugly. But over
the last three weeks, Trevor Lawrence and that offense is
scoring twenty nine points per game, third in the league.
So the Colts are on the downswing. The Jags are
on the upswing. Got to mention the Texans two on
the upswing. So this is really a chance, Baldy, for
the Jaguars to say, you know what, we are the
(22:35):
best team in this division and we'll keep continuing this resurgence.
Speaker 7 (22:40):
Yeah, well, they know you mentioned that the Colts are sliding.
Speaker 9 (22:43):
They've lost three out of four the turnover battle, they're
not running the ball the way Jonathan Taylor was running
away with the rushing title. So you look at what
Anthony Campanilly. He's done with Jacksonville's defense. I mean, it's
almost the same guys as last year, and they don't
break down, they don't beat themselves. They take the ball
away at a pretty good rate. And so that's going
to be the challenge for Daniel Jones in this offense.
(23:06):
But I feel like, I feel like this offense is
still very viable. I mean, I think this thing is
going to be a very very close game. It's a
close division right now, but I feel like the Colts
at home right here. I think they have a little
bit of an advantage. The Jacksonville defense is good, is
not as good as what Houston was that beat Indianapolis
this week. I think they're pretty healthy. I like for
(23:27):
the Colts to bounce back and win this division games.
Speaker 8 (23:30):
We get it, and no Sauce Gartner makes that a
challenge for sure. By the way, I was just reading
earlier today, Micah Parson's new edition for the Green Bit
Packers already says he hates the Bears, really getting into
the spirit of this rival re Mark, tell me what
you are looking forward to for Bears Packers Sunday.
Speaker 11 (23:45):
Well, unbelievably, the Bears are here with the number one
seed and they're winning ugly. They'll remind me of the
two thousand and one Bears team that won thirteen to
three under Dick Jaron and kept having those spectacular finishes.
Speaker 5 (23:56):
My philadelph Eagles.
Speaker 11 (23:56):
Team beat them in the playoffs, but I'd aggress getting
back to the Bear.
Speaker 5 (24:00):
They're formula as simple.
Speaker 11 (24:01):
They've turned teams over on defense, they're plus seventeen and
the plus minus there with the takeaways and turnovers.
Speaker 5 (24:08):
And they run the ball.
Speaker 11 (24:10):
The most glaring game they lost against Baltimore, who had
Tyler Huntley at quarterback. They couldn't turn the Ravens over
and they ran for less than one hundred yards and
they lost that game. So it's going to be incumbent
on them to turn green Bay over. I think green
Bay at their best on both sides of the ball,
maybe the best, the most complete team in football because
of that defense has been so dominant and Jordan Love
(24:31):
that offense can put thirty on anybody win. They're right,
so Baldy, the Bears are going to have to turn
them over to have a chance. It's just a regular
game there. I think green Bay is just a much
more balanced team.
Speaker 9 (24:43):
Yeah, I would agree with that, Mark, And it's interesting
we'ent back and watch the interception reel of the Chicago Bears.
They've got seventeen they're all in zone defense. I mean,
they have good zone eyes, whether it's name Sean Wright
or Kevin Byern, whoever's out there, like they throw a
plays off his one and so they see the flight
of the balls up the Really, Jordan loves to do
(25:03):
what he has been doing, which is he's made aggressive
throws down the field to watch and dobbs a variety
of guys since Tucker Kraft went down, and he hasn't.
Speaker 7 (25:12):
Made the mistakes. He's seeing things very clearly right now.
Speaker 9 (25:15):
Great throw right there to don Tavia's wits, you know,
on Thanksgiving was a big play in that game.
Speaker 7 (25:20):
He's got three good.
Speaker 9 (25:21):
Targets to the outside, and the Bears have got to
be able to match it in their zone.
Speaker 7 (25:25):
Looks they don't have great pass rush.
Speaker 5 (25:27):
Mark.
Speaker 9 (25:27):
I feel like this is Jordan Love's game to kind
of separate himself and maybe separate the Packers here.
Speaker 7 (25:34):
Down the stretch from.
Speaker 9 (25:35):
The Bears a little bit right here with how they
can play defense and compliment with the way the quarterback
is playing.
Speaker 8 (25:43):
One more for you, Mark one more Mark Key matchup
Monday night, the Big one Chargers Eagles. Take me inside
that game.
Speaker 11 (25:52):
Well, the biggest obstacle here is how healthy is Justin Herbert.
You know he had the surgery on the hands, not
the throwing hand on the off hand. But how effective
can he be? I mean it's surgery, you know, it's
still surgery. So how effective will he be? Will he
be out there? If he is, then the Chargers are
definitely have a chance. If he's not, then I think
this is the Eagles game, especially with Omarion Hampton coming
(26:15):
back for the Chargers and now hearing that Jalen Carter,
the defensive tackle for the Eagles, will not be playing,
So that would definitely play into the favor of the
Chargers that, hey, we've got our stud first round pick
coming back and a top ten quarterback here to go
attack the Eagles defense. And on the flip side, of course,
we can't get through a segment without talking about the
Eagles offense and Jalen Hurts and their struggles Baldy. So
(26:38):
this is really a game that the Chargers defense is
pretty stout against most people. Harball always has that team prepared,
and I know the Eagles are kind of favored in this,
but if Herbert's healthy, with Omarion Hampton coming back, and
there's struggles on the offense that we keep talking about this,
this could be another letdown for the Eagles.
Speaker 9 (26:58):
Well, I don't think anybody that the Eagles can just
snap out of this thing.
Speaker 7 (27:02):
I'd be surprised if they do.
Speaker 9 (27:03):
Him it's a it's a real regression, it's a funk,
it's real. You know, we see him give up twenty
and eighty one yards rushing last week with Jalen Carter
in the live I means the run defense was awful.
And so it's it's an infection within this team right now.
And you just watch what Kamani and Vidal has done
as a fourth team running back. He's got three hundred
(27:24):
plus yard rushing days. They're going to figure out ways
to run the ball. And they're very good against the run. So,
you know, unless they can get sa Quon really rolling,
which it's only happened one time all year against the Giants,
mark unless they can get that running game cranked up,
and without Lane Johnson at right tackle, they've never been
very good up front.
Speaker 7 (27:43):
They have not moved the line of scrimmage. That's why
they got to go to the trust push.
Speaker 9 (27:47):
And so I feel like the Chargers can be in
a good position to stay in this race in the
in the AFC West by taking down the Eagles on
Monday Night.
Speaker 10 (27:57):
A nice scene from last year. That's my home and
C J.
Speaker 6 (28:00):
Stroud embracing after their game last season, the big game then,
and they have an enormous one this week, another big
game on the slate. Patrick Mahomes has played in some
big games. He has thoughts.
Speaker 13 (28:15):
I mean, we've played a lot of big games, and
so knowing that the speed of the game speeds up
and the moment's bigger and you got to settle yourself
and go out there and play your best football. But
I mean, I don't know if we've been in this
situation as early in the season, and so I think
just learning from it together, building together, and then using
what we can use from prior seasons to hopefully make
(28:37):
a run of this thing and try to get ourselves
in the playoff and see where we can go from there.
Speaker 6 (28:41):
All right, here is the AFC playoff picture. How weird
is it to see the Chiefs in the in the
hunt category, not just in the hunt but at the
bottom of the in the hunt category. Look at how
tightly packed the AFC race is.
Speaker 14 (28:55):
Though.
Speaker 6 (28:55):
Let's bring back our jeff Shedeah and Brian Baldinger to
talk about this game. Jeffrey, you know this team so well.
I mean, this is maybe a crazy question. How big
a game is this for the Chiefs and how do
they beat the Texans?
Speaker 5 (29:10):
Well, I've been saying it every week now.
Speaker 12 (29:12):
This is the biggest game they've been playing in Narrowhead
Stadium since Patrick Mahomes showed up. And I'm wondering if
he's like Sampson where he cut his hair. He had
a old picture last year have had the same success
that his hair got shorter. But this team is certainly
in a difficult place and they recognize the urgency of
it because if they lose this game, their playoff chances
go way down. And Mahomes has talked about just how
(29:33):
important is for this team to be on point and
be ready to play. And really this game comes down
to two things. Can they affect the Houston Texans quarterbacks
Taj Stroud and can they keep Mahomes protected. You know,
you look at this team on defense. They have had
a sack in the last two games, Judy. But more importantly,
they're missing three offensive line potentially in this game, and
they're going back against the Houston Texans pass rush that
(29:54):
is one of the best in the NFL, maybe the
best in the NFL, with the Neil Hunter and Will
Anderson and all those guys. So they know they got
a big chow ahead. Baldy, I know you're going to
talk about this, but my god, this is a tough challenge.
Let chiasse this week.
Speaker 6 (30:07):
Yeah, well, Baldi, I'm sorry. I mean Jeffrey mentioned it.
That defense is really what is carrying the Texans.
Speaker 2 (30:14):
C J.
Speaker 6 (30:14):
Stroud is coming back from the injury. He was fine
last week, but it is the defense that has powered
this push. I know you did a breakdown, let's see it.
Speaker 7 (30:22):
Well, Judy.
Speaker 9 (30:23):
The thing is when Patrick Mahomes watches last week's game
against the Indianapolis Colts, that was the number one offense
in football, and they shut down the leading rusher in
the LEADU and Jonathan Taylor and a number one offense.
They held them in sixteen points. And so they're very
very simple. I mean, they are four man front, single
high safety there's a bullet. There's a free safety right here.
And what they do if they load the box box
(30:45):
on early downs eight man box, nine man box right here,
they want to stop the run. They're going to commit
extra guys there and that's the focus, and that will
be the focus against Kansas City as well, and they'll
do a lot of differentias. But you'll see everybody on
this defense tackles. Camari Lassiter is a great tackler. Stingley's
a great tackle. You give them that b gap right there.
(31:07):
Last's not gonna miss. He's gonna go and do his job.
They butt you up, they take you down, and you
can see it from a variety of ways. I mean,
whether they're gonna start in the two high safety, but
they're gonna cheat down here. They're gonna cheat down and
their staying right there and there's your safety and they're
gonna stop this rushing attack because what they want to
do is they want to get after the quarterback and
(31:27):
they want to lay their legs.
Speaker 7 (31:29):
They want to hit you with big wood.
Speaker 9 (31:30):
Will Will Anderson and Daniel Hunter as good at tandem
as there is.
Speaker 7 (31:34):
They crush the pocket.
Speaker 9 (31:35):
They continually collapse the pocket right here, there's a four
man rush.
Speaker 7 (31:39):
They don't have to blitz a lot right there. Sheldon
Rankins gets the sack.
Speaker 9 (31:43):
But they're doing this down with Will Anderson like they're
isolating him here on Taylor Bordolini the center by tying
up both guards, and they're gonna let Will Anderson come
with his power and his infectious energy just to collapse
his pocket on Daniel Jones. The ball comes out. Will
Anderson is an unstoppable force right now. The way that
(32:03):
he just energizes this team, they gets you in a
pass rush situation. Patrick Mahomes like he's a loosive. He's special,
but he's gonna have to have all the superpowers going
I think against this defense.
Speaker 7 (32:16):
On Sunday, time.
Speaker 1 (32:20):
To go inside with NFL Fantasy Lives, specifically with Michael
f Florio giving you all the starts and the CITs. See,
we had our personnel meeting earlier in the week, who
were claiming off the waiver wire.
Speaker 2 (32:30):
Now we've got the coaches meeting. Who am we're starting,
who are we sitting?
Speaker 5 (32:33):
What it do stop?
Speaker 2 (32:35):
I'm just like some people don't watch every week.
Speaker 5 (32:37):
Ian.
Speaker 2 (32:37):
We're just going to teach him how it works here.
Speaker 5 (32:39):
What The flow of the show.
Speaker 1 (32:40):
Is Dak Prescott, Jared Goff, Jamison Williams. Some of the
big names tonight in Thursday Night Football. Are we starting?
Are we sitting? What are we doing?
Speaker 2 (32:48):
Floria?
Speaker 14 (32:49):
You should try to get exposure to this game tonight
because I expect it's an indoor game, two great offenses,
two defenses that have struggled. I expect a lot of points,
which is why you're playing both quarterbacks. Dak has scored
twenty or more fantasy points in three straight and seven
of his last nine games. But what I really love
he leads the NFL in yards and his fifth and
(33:10):
touchdown passes against man coverage. The Lions play man coverage
at the highest rate in the NFL. They have a
banged up secondary. And then Goff at home and what
could be a score fest against the Cowboys, who allowed
the most passing yards, touchdowns, and fantasy.
Speaker 5 (33:24):
Points per game.
Speaker 14 (33:25):
Two quarterbacks four of the last five QBS to face
him and scored at least twenty three fantasy points, with
the lone exception being Gino Smith. And then I think
you start who might be Jared Goff's wide receiver one
tonight in Jamison Williams. He is a must play if
a Monroe doesn't suit up because we saw him explode
last week. But I think you play him either way.
(33:45):
Because the Cowboys have allowed the most touchdowns, fantasy points
and third most yards two wide receiver. They also give
up the most fantasy points yards touchdowns on deep passes.
They struggle against wide receivers who play out wide. We
know that Jamison could sy field. This ceiling is so high.
He could be a top five wide receiver this week.
Speaker 5 (34:05):
So yeah, get him in.
Speaker 14 (34:06):
Your lineup, all right.
Speaker 8 (34:07):
So that was all nice and positive, a lot of points,
a lot of fun tonight. So you're starting everyone, Are
you sitting anyone?
Speaker 14 (34:15):
This one is more of a beware. It's a little
bit more option dependent. But David Montgomery is not someone
that you just have to set and forget in your lineup,
because in his last three games he has eight carries
or fewer in each of them. He has ran for
over fifty yards once in the last seven games. And
(34:35):
the Cowboys early on you could run all over them.
But in the last month they've allowed the fewest yards
and fantasy points to running backs. They have not allowed
a touchdown and Monty is touchdown dependent, so it really
depends on your options there. But if you can get away,
I think it's okay to do so. And then the defenses, right,
don't play either of them. The Lions, they've allowed the
(34:57):
second fewest fantasy points per game to opposing defenses. The
Cowboys have allowed the third few is only the Colts
have allowed fewer points to defenses than these two offenses
have this year. I think again I keep saying it,
a lot of points should be had, which means you
don't want to play the Legion of Whom or the
Cowboys defense tonight in fantasy football.
Speaker 1 (35:17):
I heard a Ron Popele mentioned in there. He said
it and forget it. He had a lot of products.
Speaker 2 (35:22):
That he pitched.
Speaker 1 (35:23):
Ron Poppel he's gone to the big juicer in this guy,
Rip buddy, Justin Jefferson. As we now turned our attention
to the rest of the weekend in the NFL, Justin
Jefferson start or a lot of consternation. Didn't talk to
the media the other day. Is that a red flag
when it comes to fantasy Look, a lot.
Speaker 14 (35:40):
Of people are going to tell you to sit Justin
Jefferson this week. I get it. He had four yards
last week. I am not one of them. I think
that this is a game that Justin Jefferson gets right.
In fact, I think he's going to have his best
game of this season this week because he is clearly frustrated. Right,
I think we're going to get a squeaky wheel game here,
could be double digit targets. What I'm hoping for is
(36:02):
they get him a couple of early ones, catch and run,
kind of like what the Eagles did with aj Brown
after he crashed out. And then the Commanders are top
six and yards and fantasy points allowed to wide receivers.
They really struggle against the deep ball. Speed has gone
to them. This is not a good defensive unit. So
I'm willing to bet on the talent that is Justin
(36:22):
Jefferson in this great matchup. And again, I think his
best Fantasy day of the year comes this week.
Speaker 8 (36:27):
All right, let's talk about talent. Lamar Jackson is talented
as anyone. Been in and out of practice all season.
Didn't practice today. Sounds like he got stepped on and
is probably fine, But still another day of nonpractice for
Lamar Jackson in a game that the Ravens gotta have.
Are we starting or sitting Lamar this Sunday.
Speaker 14 (36:45):
It's more option dependent, but I am leaning towards sitting
Lamar Jackson because he has struggled. Right Like last week,
he was a bit unlucky. I get at Flower likely fumble.
There was that Flowers OPI that took a touchdown away,
but it was his worst career game EPA per dropback
in his entire career, and it came against the Bengals
(37:07):
defense who get lit up weekly. And then on top
of that, he has struggled against the Steelers in his career,
one touchdown or fewer in four of six games. He
has never ran for a touchdown against them. And speaking
of running, he's not doing that right now, less than
twenty rushing yards per game since returning. I do not
think Lamar is healthy, and I think that is why
(37:28):
he is struggling. But if you have these are the
quarterbacks I would play over him, Alan Dak Stafford, Hertz, Burrow,
Mahomes Golf, Love Mayfield, and I even think Jacoby Present
has a safer floor this week. But that's a little
bit more. If you want to roll the dice on
Lamar or not.
Speaker 1 (37:46):
Interesting, I am going to get back to Jacoby Brissett
in a couple of minutes here with you, now that
you threw that one out there, Christian Watson, this game
on Sunday is in Green Bay at four twenty five PM.
Speaker 2 (37:57):
A high of twenty degree, so that's probably gonna be called.
It that a decent amount of win.
Speaker 1 (38:01):
Take all that into consideration and tell us whether we're
starting or sitting.
Speaker 14 (38:04):
Christian wants The weather is the only thing that gives
me a little bit of pause. But I still think
you could play Christian Watson this week because since Tucker
Kraft has gone down, he leads them in all receiving
cat routes, targets, yards, receptions, all of that, and the
Bears they've allowed the most yards to out wide wide
receivers since Week nine. He runs sixty five percent of
(38:26):
his routes out wide. They've also allowed the second most
on deep targets in that span. We know Christian Watson
is a field stretcher, so the weather is a little
bit concerning, But I also really like the Bears blitz
and play man coverage at an above league average rate.
Love leads the NFL and EPA against blitz and against
man coverage. So the weather aside this everything is there
(38:48):
for love and Christian Watson to have a big game
and it must win game for.
Speaker 8 (38:53):
The Packers, even if Jayden Reid comes back, which he
might actually this week, we're still starting Christian wants.
Speaker 5 (38:58):
That's all right.
Speaker 8 (38:58):
I love me some Christian wants and he is an electric,
electric downfield threat. Roman Dunze also talented for the Chicago Bears.
Different type of receiver, but very productive, very talented. What
are we doing with romadonsay? We're starting their sitting.
Speaker 14 (39:11):
I think this is a week to try to get
away from him, and I have a Dunesay in a
number of teams myself, and I've had him hit the
bench this week because since October we're talking two months now,
he's averaged less than seven targets per game on three
catches for forty six yards per game. That equates to
less than eight Fantasy points and the bears seventh lowest
pass rate since their Week five. By the run game
(39:34):
is clearly the strength of their offense. I don't expect
that to change. They're going to lean into that. Ben
Johnson came out this week and said they're winning in
spite of the passing game. And then a Dunsay fewer
than twenty yards in two of his last three games.
And the Packers defense has kind of flipped in the
last month. Six fewest Fantasy points per game to wide receivers,
but they've been week against the run. Early in the
(39:56):
year was the opposite. You could throw on them, but
you couldn't really run. The last four or five weeks
it's been the exact opposite. So I expect the Bears
to try to run as much as they can in
this game. I think it's okay as long as you
have another option you like to get away from a
duneesday this week.
Speaker 1 (40:10):
All right, now to the selfish portion of the program,
where Ian and I get to ask you about our
own teams.
Speaker 2 (40:14):
I mentioned Jacoby Brissett.
Speaker 1 (40:16):
I got like four guys on buy this week, so
a lot of my questions are already answered. But Bo
Knicks or Jacoby Brissett.
Speaker 14 (40:24):
I'm gonna go with Jacoby Brissett here because I don't
think bow Knicks against the Raiders is going to necessarily have.
Speaker 2 (40:31):
To air it out.
Speaker 14 (40:32):
I think they'll play it a little bit safer there.
The Cardinals probably gonna be taling against the Rams. And
second half trailing and catch up mode. Jacoby Brissett is
the best Jacoby brit Like. He might have six Fantasy
points at half, he's gonna finish with over eighteen because
he's done that in every single start he has made
this year, multiple passing touchdowns in all but one. And
the Outsiders need a big week to to clinch the
(40:54):
playoffs and the bye. So let's get Jacoby to get
you there.
Speaker 8 (40:58):
Oh, Jacoby, he has been a garbage time monster this
year in fantasy all right. More importantly, let's get to
my fantasy team. So I got one flex spot, and
here are my options.
Speaker 5 (41:08):
Okay, you ready.
Speaker 8 (41:09):
Michael Wilson from the Cardinals, Jordan Addison from the Vikings.
You know the passing struggles they've had, so I figured
I know which way this one is going. And Isaiah
Pachecko in his second game back with the Kansas City
Chiefs but missing both offensive tackles.
Speaker 14 (41:22):
I'm going with Michael Wilson there. I expect the Cardinals
have to throw a lot if they're trailing against the Rams.
Michael Wilson has been awesome the last I know. Last
week was a little bit of a down week for him,
but Pachecko only had a handful of touches last week.
Kareem Hunt's gonna get the goal on work and look,
I might trust Jefferson in that matchup, I'm not trusting
the secondary options for the Vikings, so I'm gonna go
(41:43):
with Michael Wilson. Feels like the safer play and the
highest upside play to me.
Speaker 1 (41:47):
All Right, I got a lot of friends in control room,
so I'm gonna ask one for a friend.
Speaker 12 (41:52):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (41:52):
We got like writing questions this week, got so much
time with Florio.
Speaker 9 (41:56):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (41:57):
Jared Goff tonight already a holdout for I took Mahomes
on Sunday.
Speaker 14 (42:02):
I have both as starts this week, and the thing
I like about Mahomes the Texans weakness is running quarterbacks.
They've allowed six over six yards per carry to quarterbacks,
a lot of expulsive runs. Mahomes leads all quarterbacks and
expulsive runs this year, but it's still the toughest matchup
for a quarterback in fantasy. So I'm actually going to
play Jared Goff and what I think is going to
be a very high scoring indoor game tonight, so it's close's.
(42:26):
I've never really sit Mahomes, but this week, I think
I would go with the indoor cat Jared Golf.
Speaker 2 (42:31):
There you go.
Speaker 1 (42:32):
You get your answer tonight, and whether he was right
or at least the first part of the equation for
all his other answers, go to NFL dot com.
Speaker 2 (42:39):
Slash starts it.
Speaker 1 (42:40):
His name is Michael f. Florio and the F stands
for fantasy. We know that I still actually don't know
what the F stands part. I hope he never tells
me that so I can make it be fantasy or
something else all the time. Here's where I find the
Insiders Monday through Friday.
Speaker 2 (42:54):
Today is Thursday. You know what I find us. You're
watching us somewhere tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (42:57):
NFL Network, NFL Plus those are your to find us.
Read the fine print wherever you find your podcasts as well.
Speaker 2 (43:05):
No excuses to not watch or listen to the Insiders.
Speaker 1 (43:18):
Thirty two of the NFL's best when it comes to
contributing to the community off the field. Here are your
Walter Peyton Man of the Year Award, presented by nationwide
nominees for the twenty twenty five season.
Speaker 2 (43:32):
Great job to all these gentlemen.
Speaker 1 (43:35):
They will be honored at NFL Honors the week of
the Super Bowl, and one of them will come away
with the most prestigious award in the NFL. Judy your
thoughts when you see these gentlemen up for the award
and the meaning of the award itself.
Speaker 6 (43:48):
Well, whenever you talk to guys who are nominated, they
all talk about this is the most meaningful award in
the NFL. This they have Riddle reference for Walter Payton,
the player and the person and what this award stands for.
I look at Solomon Thomas, who is a repeat nominee.
He just got to Dallas and he has already been
nominated for his work. All of them exceptional, exceptional guys.
(44:12):
No losers there.
Speaker 8 (44:15):
Yeah, Salmon Thomas has already had to fortunately go to
his area of expertise for the Dallas Cowboys. This is
a great list. This is my favorite award of the
whole year. Whenever we're sitting in NFL Honors and the
and the speech comes on, I always get altereary eyed.
I cannot wait for that. They're all deserving which they
could all win it.
Speaker 1 (44:33):
Mike Texans linebacker as he's al shaer up for the award.
Speaker 2 (44:36):
He will join the Insiders on Friday.
Speaker 14 (44:38):
That's an interesting one.
Speaker 2 (44:39):
I'm going to talk to him. Thanks for spending some
time with us.
Hosts And Creators
Judy Battista
Tom Pelissero
Ian Rapaport
Mike Garafolo
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