The Insiders: Giants GM Faces the Music, Patriots 10th Straight Win, and Week 14 Waiver Wire Targets
December 2, 2025 • 42 mins
NFL Network Insiders Judy Battista and Ian Rapoport breakdown GM Joe Schoen’s comments regarding the state of the 2-11 Giants following their loss to the Patriots on MNF. Then Brian Baldinger explains the Patriots key to success during their 10-game win streak, before Jane Slater reports on the Cowboys-Lions Week 14 TNF matchup.
Later, Jeffri Chadiha shares his reasons for hope for all the playoff bubble teams including Cowboys, Lions & Chiefs. Plus, Michael F. Florio delivers his Week 14 fantasy waiver wire targets.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
The Patriots started at the bottom and look where they
are now. I think that's the Drake lyric I may
have messed it up, Drake made didn't mess up at
all last night in drumming the Giants and putting the
Patriots atop the AFC as they head into.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
The Bide League.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
We will definitely get into a really impressive performance.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Not quite as imprison for these guys the AFC North.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
There's been a little up, a little down, and a
little weird Steelers Ravens. This week we are going to
get into an AFC North battle for two teams that really.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Gotta have it.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
And if you got to have it for your fantasy team,
well then you're like me. I have very little wins
and a lot of losses, and I need.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Some waiver wire pickups.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
Our good buddy, Mike Florio, Michael F. Florio as he
is known in our world, is going to tell us.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
All about it.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
Welcome Inside with the Insiders, presented by Progressive Insurance Ian Rapperdboard.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Here, Judy Batista. There, we got a great show.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
We got Baldy, we got Jayane Slater, we got Mark Ross,
we got Jeffrey Chedia, we got Steve Weiss, we got
Sam Schwartztein, We've got all sorts of stuff.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
But we're going to.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
Start judy with that game last night, which your Patriots
fan was really good, especially because that guy was involved.
That is Drake May, winners of nine straight. Shack Shondar
was back for a concussion. Didn't go great for him though,
But we'll start right there. Jackson dar first quarter, scrambling
to the right. By now you've seen the highlight leveled
by Christian Ellis, fully fully fair hit his feeware in bounds.
(01:40):
But it starts at app fu brawl theo Johnson, John
Michael Schmid going after Ellis. There is the highlight on
the legal play, but they're talking about on the sideline.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
He's got to protect himself anyway.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
Soon Patriot times first and goal, Kayshawn Booty with the
sweets over the shoulder catch and make it seventeen to nothing. Patriots,
it was all Patrick from there, seventeen to seven by
their second quarter, Jake May the third rounder Kyle Williams
thirty three yard touchdown on their way to a thirty
three to fifteen win. Look at that toe drag swag
(02:13):
by Kyle Williams the Patriots. If you're a Patriots fan,
you love seeing all of this. If you're a Giants fan,
well it's a bye week and that means it's time
to hear from general manager Joe Shane on the state
of the franchise.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Nobody's perfect, and you know, the chance of me batt
in one thousand are gone because I've made mistakes.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Okay, everybody's going to make mistakes, and.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
We're going to get some things right. As long as
you're learning from those mistakes and you reflect on the
process in place and where where you went wrong and
you can continue to get better, that's what's most important.
I've been in the league for twenty six years and
it's not good enough. And we're going to look at
the entire football operation, everything from free agency decisions, draft decisions,
(02:57):
coaching execution.
Speaker 4 (02:59):
What can we do better? What can we do better?
Speaker 3 (03:01):
Because there are pieces here, there are pieces here. Why
aren't we maximizing what we have? And that's what we're
gonna you know, that's gonna be our mission this offseason
to figure that out.
Speaker 5 (03:11):
You mentioned that your folks is getting Giants back to
routine contention and really turning this around. Why do you
believe that you're the right person to help turn this
thing around?
Speaker 6 (03:21):
Yeah, I understand the question.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
Again, my focus right now is on supporting Kafka as
we go forward, and we'll evaluate all aspects of the
football operation as we go forward. And hasn't been perfect, no,
but you know, I'm very confident my staff, myself and
our ability.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
To get this franchise back where and need to see.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
Them and a pretty lengthy press conference that I would say,
to be honest to you, he got a little uncomfortable
at times. We heard a lot that was about the
state of the Giants and Joe Shane's role in that.
We will get to that in the second but he
also talked about plenty of his players, talked about Jackson
Dart need to protect himself, talked about discipline for Abdual Carter.
Why don't you start on Jackson Dart. We saw the
(04:01):
hit on the sideline. What did we learn from Joe
Shane about keeping his franchise quarterback healthy?
Speaker 7 (04:08):
I actually thought he did a good job of threading
the needle. He praised Jackson Dart. He said he's exceeded expectations,
while also making it clear he can't be taking those,
as he said, you can't take unnecessary hits like that.
He compared Jackson Dart to other young athletic quarterbacks whore
on the run. He said, what makes these players great
is their toughness, their competitiveness, and their desire to win.
(04:29):
We appreciate that about Jackson. You've also got to be available.
That is certainly the message they have delivered to Jackson
Dark before, and they're going to keep delivering it to
Jackson Dart frankly.
Speaker 8 (04:40):
Until he gets the message.
Speaker 9 (04:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
And they're continuing to deliver messages to Abdul Carter, their
number three pick, their stud pass rusher, who again was
disciplined to begin this game. And you know, Shane kind
of going deep on this talking about how he does believe,
he does believe that Abdull Carter has what it's to
be a professional. He is professional, but there are certain things,
(05:03):
certain draws of let's say, of New York City, of
being in the spotlight of things they want to handle,
and obviously it is a process. Brian Dabele did not
as much discipline abdoc Carter. We've seen Mike Kafka do it.
Shane says, he supports it. But until Judy we can
get to a point where we are not talking about discipline.
For Carter, this is going to continue to be an issue. Meanwhile,
(05:25):
for Kafka, he is a candidate for the full time
head coaching job. He is going to continue to be evaluated.
But the wins have not come. It's an interesting point
for Kafka to be.
Speaker 7 (05:40):
Yeah, Joe Shane said multiple times they are focused on
supporting Mike Caska, that he is going to get a
real look here. That's where the head coaching search is now.
It's very very early, he said. They will get to
the full research for later on, but right now, it
is all about supporting Kafka. Joe Shane, you heard him
say that we've got pieces here, why aren't we maximizing it?
(06:01):
That certainly goes to the coaching issue and the coaching search.
Speaker 8 (06:05):
Ian.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Yeah, and I think there was some of that from
Joe Shane, and rightfully so. I mean, I talk to
people around the league. They believe there is talent on
this roster. Look on the defensive side of the ball,
some high price free agents, some good draft picks. On
the offensive side of all, they fixed the offensive line.
They got Malik Nighbors, who's not on the field. They
got a quarterback which Joe Shane engineered. It's just the
results haven't come. And look, I mean, if there's a
(06:31):
lot you can talk about Judy with the Giant season,
but it does seem to be two parts of it.
The foundation here and then they have not been good enough.
They just have not been good enough. And obviously this
is going to be something that we're going to be
keeping an eye on because, look, the reality is the
Giants are two and eleven. They're two and eleven, they're
the last and the NFC East, as the graphics says
(06:54):
right here, they're going to finish with six or fewer
wins again.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
So let's get into it now.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
So let's let's bring in our good friend Mark Ross,
who of course was a Giants executive for years and years.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
We heard Joe Shane, Mark, thank you for joining us
at the Insiders.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
We heard Joe Shane talk about the talent on the roster,
the core here. You did this for a living for
a very long time, and you do this for a
living for us as well. What is the state of
the Giants roster as it pregains to how much talent
there is well.
Speaker 10 (07:22):
First of all, that was an impossible task for Joeying
to go out there and try to defend five wins
in thirty.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Games, but kudos to him forgive it all.
Speaker 10 (07:30):
He had to try to talk about the positives, and yes,
of course he has to start with Jackson Dart because
everybody in that building thinks he is the guy. There
still is a big learning curve for him, but he
does have some pieces. He struck gold with elite neighbors,
but it has had a huge missions as well in
the first round with with Thibodeau, hasn't lived up the expectations,
Evan Neil hasn't played the oct banks. Of course, you
(07:53):
do have Andrew Thomas and Brian Burns, but now we're
seeing some disappointments with Abdul Carter, a guy who they
had high hopest for not living up the expectation. So,
of course you can pick and choose any GM. You're
going to find some hits and some missings, but those
first rounders are really the ones you're known for, and
you have to make your mark for to have impact players,
and he just hasn't done a good enough job with that. Therefore,
(08:15):
the scrutiny. So we'll see how this offseason plays itself.
Speaker 7 (08:20):
All right, Mark, you spent more than a decade in
that building. You know the DNA of the ownership, you
know the DNA of the franchise, and you also know
what that roster looks like. Right now, what kind of
head coach do you think they should be looking for?
Speaker 11 (08:35):
Now?
Speaker 8 (08:35):
What do they need?
Speaker 10 (08:38):
Well, I'm going to use Joe Shanes when he said
processes and here is his interview before I put this down.
Whatever their process has been, they need to change the
process and the criteria that they're looking for to head coach.
It's almost like we're talking about first round picks and
drafting bus. Well, they drafted four bus that. This is
the fifth time they're at this in nine years, and
(08:58):
I was there for one of them, so I know
what that process. Was not sure about the other three.
But they need to kind of change that process and
what they're looking for in the criteria and the DNA
of those coaches. But most importantly, I think they just
have to get a veteran coach who's had a winning
record at some point somewhere, whether that's college or the NFL.
Could be a coordinator now, but not a retreade, not
(09:19):
the hot young coordinator, not outside the box guy. Get
an established guy that's had a winning pedigree.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
You know, there are plenty available as you look out
into the coaching search world. We're going to get all
into it as we get into this offseason. By the way,
Joe Shane going to be running the coaching search so
that sort of answers that part of the question. These
guys got no questions eleven and two for the New
England Patriots, and man, did they look good on Monday Night.
Not just because the uniforms were extra sweet you see
Drake May wearing it there, but also because they were
(09:48):
very good. So let's bring in our good friend Brian
Baldinger to break it all down. Baldy, the Patriots won again.
You know, we could talk all we want about the
schedule and the challenges they faced. They beat all of them.
What did you take away from that Monday night beat
down by the Patriots?
Speaker 4 (10:08):
A couple of things.
Speaker 9 (10:09):
Ian.
Speaker 12 (10:09):
First of all, it's a very clean operation. Three penalties
the whole night. They execute at a very high level,
even though they had a backup left guard and a
backup left tackle in the game. You didn't know the
difference right there, and then you know, just throw right here.
Taboute is a perfect throw. The games in real estate.
This throwed Kyle Williams over the top. It's a perfect throw.
(10:31):
Drake May leads the league right now in every quarterback
category there is, whether it's completion percentage, yards per attempt,
or total yards. And so he's getting clean looks right now.
Hunter Henry was a big part of it. Stefan Diggs,
he has the mobility when he needs the mobility to move.
Speaker 4 (10:50):
But I would say the job.
Speaker 12 (10:51):
That Josh McDaniels has done as the offensive coordinator, Doug
Maron has done as the offensive line coach, it looks
like a very well coached team. And that's just on
the offense. We saw special teams dominate the Giants as well.
We saw defense dominate as well, But on offense right now,
I would say, I it is a clean operation.
Speaker 13 (11:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
They were fun to watch.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
I mean even you mentioned the special teams. We could
get as many special teams highlights as we do offensive highlights.
Drake May and MVP candidate a lot to like. If
you are the Patriots and your Patriots fan. Baldy Thank
you so much, great stuff, but don't move. We need
more from you for this show, just not like right
right now.
Speaker 6 (11:31):
Now, We're going to.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
Talk about the other news of the day, including this guy,
Aaron Rodgers right there. Mike Tomlin Meyler with reporters as
he does every Tuesday, says Rogers still doing with those
multiple fractures in his wrist. Going to be limited this week,
not a surprise. Biggest question coming out of this week
for Rodgers can he take a snap under center? More
information coming on that. The Pittsburgh Steelers also added a
(11:54):
weapon for Aaron Rodgers. Adam Thiel and the former Vikings
receiver who last four and received.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
His release that happened yesterday.
Speaker 1 (12:02):
He's not getting up playing time with the Vikings offense
that has been struggling all year.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
He goes on waivers.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
The Stealers were looking Judy three receiver all throughout the
trade deadline, I mean looking for one forever.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
They get an additional one.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
With Adam Field landing on the roster, We'll see what
kind of impact he can make, but at least he
does land in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 7 (12:22):
In the meantime, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had surgery on
his fractured left hand yesterday. He is considered day to day,
although he's expected to play on Monday against the Eagles.
Football players are crazy. Jim Horbot said that they will
get Trey Lance some practice time this week with the
first team, especially on goal line situations where they would
have to be under center. Obviously, Herbert might not be
able to do that with a bandaged left hand. As
(12:45):
for the big Thursday night game coming up, a Lions
receiver arm and Ross Saint Brown did not practice for
the second street day because of a sprained ankle he
suffered back on Thanksgiving.
Speaker 8 (12:54):
Saint Brown spoke to reporters this afternoon.
Speaker 7 (12:57):
And he said he doesn't know if he will play
Thursday against the Cowboys.
Speaker 8 (13:01):
He's going to try, certainly, but he's not sure.
Speaker 7 (13:03):
That is a game with huge NFC playoff implications. And
there is your TNF poster, Dak versus Jared Goff again.
Both of these teams are fighting for their playoff lives
right now, trying to get in.
Speaker 8 (13:19):
To the NFC field.
Speaker 7 (13:20):
Let's bring in our Jane Slater to talk about this.
Speaker 8 (13:23):
Game some more.
Speaker 7 (13:24):
Certainly, Jane, it feels like the Cowboys are finally headed
in the right direction.
Speaker 8 (13:28):
One three in a row. They seem to have their mode.
Speaker 7 (13:31):
Show those big wins back to back five days separating
them between the Chiefs and the Eagles. Those are big,
big games. I wonder why they have finally gotten the
rhythm at this point in the season.
Speaker 14 (13:47):
They have found an identity and they have found some confidence,
and I think that's been huge when you look at
this team as some of the adversity they had to
start the season. So credit to Aberflus and head coach
Brian Schottenheimer. But you know, like to you about this
game is heading into this one, As you said, Judy,
both of these teams.
Speaker 8 (14:03):
Are in the hunt.
Speaker 14 (14:05):
You've got Jared Goff and you've got Dak Prescott, who
tied right now with the second most passing touchdowns this season.
But Prescott enters this one with a full stable of
receivers at his disposal, namely Ceedee Lamb and George Pickens,
who Stephen Jones this week says is an off season
priority to get the soon to be free agent and
deal that would keep him in house the Lions, maybe
(14:25):
without im on. Saint Brownie's been struggling with an ankle injury.
According to head coach Dan Campbell, he's a game time
decision Thursday. Both of these teams in the playoff hunt.
One is trending up, the others trying to steer this
thing back. The Lions are still reeling from that lost
to Bears and the Cowboys.
Speaker 8 (14:40):
Big wins against the Chiefs and the Eagles. One thing
is certain.
Speaker 14 (14:44):
This will be a physical game capable of producing a
lot of points.
Speaker 8 (14:48):
Let's see how much we punt in this one, Judy,
maybe not at all.
Speaker 7 (14:52):
This might be one of the best Thursday night games
we've ever had on the schedule. All Right, Jamison Williams,
the Lions wide receivers, coming off a huge game on Thanksgiving,
we know Dallas has been vulnerable to the big play.
What are we expecting from him?
Speaker 14 (15:08):
Yeah, that's the one thing we're going to be keeping
an eye on is we cover this game. You know,
they have fixed the interior of this defensive line with
the trades and you know, Quinn Williams even we talked
about this last week, they've sort of adjusted schematically, playing
a lot of that five man front. You know, they've
done well against the run, but when you consider some
of the runners They've got Jamiir Gibbs and David Montgomery.
(15:29):
You know they're going to test that. The run Dee
has been huge, but I think Jamison Williams could be
a difference maker. He had a thirty seven yard touchdown
against the Cowboys last year.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
I talked to him.
Speaker 14 (15:40):
Yesterday about this game, and he said his OC John
Morton and head coach Dan Campbell are now calling the
places they want their receivers to be aggressive, telling me
quote they trust my ability to make plays, he says.
Morton shares his mentality move the sticks, score points, and
last year again he had that big touchdown. The Cowboys
have been known to give up some of those explosive plays.
(16:00):
Now someone who could help them, Judy, is you just
saw number seven Trayvon Diggs. He has come off of ir.
I'm told literally, I just texted ten minutes ago. He
is a fifty to fifty.
Speaker 8 (16:10):
Chance right now playing.
Speaker 14 (16:11):
But do you rushing back?
Speaker 8 (16:13):
I don't know.
Speaker 14 (16:14):
The defense kind of had that rhythm and I'm kind
of liking what I'm seeing from the rookie chavn Ravel.
We'll get some more information on this one tomorrow and Thursday,
but this.
Speaker 8 (16:22):
One's going to be a good one. Can not wait
to watch this game, Jane, thank you, Ian.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
I can't wait to watch it either.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
And if the East is becoming really fascinating, forget about
those two teams at the bottom, Let's focus at the
two teams at the top.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
We got the Eagles eight and four.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
We got the Cowboys sixty five and one, so obviously
with the Eagles in the lead, everything is fine.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
In Philly. I'm just kidding. It's a total dumpster fire.
Speaker 1 (16:47):
Listen to the college from WIP tellings everything they think
raw and unfiltered.
Speaker 15 (16:52):
You know, to me, John Ritchie, it looks like the
fish rots from the from the head down. I'm not
talking about Lori, you know, I'm talking about coaching here.
I just can't believe what we're seeing. And you can
point so many different places. For instance, with with Barkley,
he had all the want to and he had all
the motivation last year, not blaming him, and.
Speaker 13 (17:12):
Just I'm just baffled.
Speaker 15 (17:13):
Where do you get the looks and all that extra
stuff you need to continue at the level you were.
Speaker 8 (17:20):
The proof is in a putting. It is what it is.
Speaker 13 (17:23):
We're trash and not not not our talent, but it's
a freaking code.
Speaker 11 (17:30):
Look, I don't think Petulo is the top culprit, but
if they don't change the play caller to me that
you know, off those shows that you're saying like this
is the Jalen problem.
Speaker 2 (17:46):
Oh my god, the whole show should be that. It
should be just that.
Speaker 1 (17:49):
Yes, Baldy, Mark Cross, thank you for coming back and
hanging out with us. Baldy, I still need you to
break it down. But those guys at a fantastic job.
I gotta be totally honest. What in the world Baldy
is going on with the Philadelphia Eagles. How they're going
to fix this thing?
Speaker 12 (18:05):
Well, they've been trying, you know, they've been picking at
different things.
Speaker 4 (18:09):
The fish rots from the head down. I'm still laughing.
That's great.
Speaker 12 (18:13):
No, I think it always starts with the run game.
I mean, they led the National Football League rushing last year.
They ran the ball counting the postseason seven hundred and
twenty five times, the third most NFL history. Like, I
think they got to get Saquon Goni. He averaged five
point eight yards of carry last year. It's at three
point seven this year and he's the same guy. But
(18:33):
they're not getting movement up front. It starts up front.
They got to find runs that they can execute where
they can move the line of scrimmage, and they got
to start executing those. I think if they start running
the ball with more efficiency where they don't have so
many negative runs, I think this offense has a chance
to opening up. But I think that's where it's got
to change. If it does change, I think it's got
(18:54):
to start with the run game first, because that's really
has been their identity. If they're looking for it, that
was it, and they got to get back to that,
I think, Mark, Yeah.
Speaker 10 (19:03):
And now you understand why people understand why it's so
hard to repeat a Super Bowl champs, because as soon
as you walk off that field after you win and
the confetti's falling, your team is completely different. And you
talked about running the ball, well, last year they ran
the ball because they had the best offensive line in
football that absolutely dominated Well, they lost Makai Beckton and
then your big guns there Johnson, Lane, Johnson, Cam Jurgens
(19:25):
Land and Diggers and all had offseason surgery. They have
been severely compromised and in and out of the lineup
all season long. The replacements that they have, and they're Tyler,
Steve ben Taft are really back up players who aren't
really up to the standards.
Speaker 13 (19:38):
There.
Speaker 10 (19:39):
Even Jordan might A Lota's play has dipped a little bit.
So it all starts with that, from going from the
best offensive line at football that mauled people to well,
we're just average to below average at this point, and
we can't run the ball, which puts the onus on
Jalen Hurts, who isn't that sort of quarterback to throw
thirty times a game. Ian So thus you're seeing all
these problems compound themselves with this.
Speaker 1 (20:01):
Well, I certainly look forward to the WIP callers sorting
it all out over the course of the next month
or so leading up to the playoffs, which the Eagles
will surely make our Baldi Mark, thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
Don't go anywhere.
Speaker 1 (20:12):
We got plenty more to get to in today's show,
including our good friend Jeffrey Chidia drops his first read
article telling you all the bubble teams that still have hope,
which all you want this time of year is just
a shot.
Speaker 2 (20:25):
He will break that.
Speaker 1 (20:26):
Down for us, and then Steelers Ravens is a big,
big one coming up this weekend. Steve Weisch, Bran Balldinger
of course is back. They're going to tell you all
about it coming up next. I'm the Insiders.
Speaker 2 (20:48):
Welcome back to the Insiders.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
Time now for good coverage presented by Progressive Insurance to
those defense give the Steelers passing in trouble in week thirteen,
allowing a thirty nine points eight opposing passer rating, which
was the second lowest that week, and the lowest opposing
completion percentage of forty one point seven.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
Not bad, not bad.
Speaker 1 (21:11):
Let's get to the AFC North standings, which also not bad,
but also not great for just being totally honest, Ravens
and Steelers up top six and six. If only there
was a way to figure that out. So last segment,
we brought you angry calls by Eagles fans. Well, if
you're an angry Steelers fan calling into ninety three point
(21:33):
seven the Fan, you might be listening to yourself right now.
Speaker 15 (21:37):
I think Kawn's been horrible.
Speaker 13 (21:38):
These contracts, these signs, prior moves, what all these guys,
what is horrible? Forty one million man, I just notice
time we're changed. Everybody gotta go mad. I'm sorry, man,
everybody has to go you know you got a gas
Come on there, Hoki these guys and makes the Rudolph
makes the lutoff is what he is? You know, then
(22:01):
then you don't go out and help you know, Aaron
order offense and get no office or weapons. I'm watching
these games the last couple of weeks. It seems like
everybody got a good rookie where our receiver it was
in this year's tramp except the Stellers, Like we didn't
go out and address no major needs. Like I'm just
I'm burnt out, guys. I'm gonna continue to watch. But
(22:23):
the sad thing about how is there is that's still
gonna win a division about default.
Speaker 1 (22:30):
I mean, look, there's probably some truth there and if
history is any teller of what's going to happen, like
that's probably right and the Steelers will probably win it and
probably end up okay.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
But it has been in.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
Angst filled time. Steve Weish, welcome in Brian Baldinger as well.
Speaker 6 (22:45):
Guys.
Speaker 1 (22:46):
Let's get into this game. Baldy, I want to start
with you. Since the beginning of the season, the Steelers
run defense has been an issue. Trying to fix that.
Speaker 2 (22:54):
Still seems to be an issue. Huh.
Speaker 12 (22:57):
Well, they just gave up the most rushing yard cards
at Akrascher or Heinz Field Stadium last week against the
Bills in history. I mean, they ran for two and
forty nine yards in that game, and you know, guys
couldn't get off the block. Guys, we're looking to get
blocked rather than get off blocks.
Speaker 6 (23:15):
It was.
Speaker 4 (23:15):
It was really bad. And it's been bad upfront and
it's been a problem.
Speaker 12 (23:19):
And so that's got to get fixed, I believe, you
know this week going to Baltimore where you know, they
want to try to feature King Henry and if you
don't tackle him, and you don't you let him get
a runway like James Kokaz right here, he'll do the
exact same thing to the Steelers defense.
Speaker 4 (23:34):
So it's got to start up front.
Speaker 12 (23:35):
They got to get off blocks, they get a defeat blocks,
they got to refuse to be blocked. They've got to
play a completely different energy level than what we saw
against Buffalo. If they want to, you know, stop the
Ravens from you know, winning this game and winning the division,
they can do that, but it's got to start.
Speaker 4 (23:50):
I think upfront were stopping the run.
Speaker 16 (23:52):
Steve Ball, that's a great point because we're going to
find out about each of these teams Sunday, seeing how
their energy is, like how you know, the this rivalry
game right, all the playoffs stuff you can throw away,
all the bad stuff that's looked that looked things looked
like last week.
Speaker 6 (24:07):
This is where they have to come out and play.
Speaker 16 (24:09):
And you know, with the Ravens, if they don't run
the ball, after seeing what the Steelers just put on tape,
you know that that would be just criminal.
Speaker 6 (24:18):
Last week they ran the ball. Derek Henry had ten
carries for sixty yards. Let me see that.
Speaker 16 (24:22):
The math on that is six yards per carry. They've
got to commit to it. John Harbaughs said this week
after this game, they've got.
Speaker 6 (24:29):
To commit to the run.
Speaker 16 (24:30):
That in part is to help out Lamar, who doesn't
look right, but he is part of that running game
as well.
Speaker 6 (24:34):
They've got to figure something out.
Speaker 16 (24:36):
But I think both of us who will be covering
this game, Baldy, are going to be looking to see
at the focus that either one of these teams comes
out with, because it did not look good over the
past week the way both of these teams played on
both sides of the ball.
Speaker 7 (24:53):
Welcome back to the Insiders presented by Progressive Insurance, there
is your playoff picture.
Speaker 8 (24:58):
After week thirty.
Speaker 7 (25:01):
We're showing you the divisional round, We're showing you the
wildcard round. We really want to be thinking about the
teams that are just on the outside looking in, the
bubble teams. Let's bring in our Jeffrey Chidia and bring
back our Mark Ross because Jeffrey wrote his first Red
column this week about reasons for hope for teams that
are on the bubble. So let's get well, let's get
(25:22):
to the Thursday night game.
Speaker 8 (25:23):
First. Give me a reason for hope for the Dallas Cowboys, Jeffrey.
Speaker 17 (25:26):
But if you watch that Thanksgiving Day game, they got
the best thing going right now in the NFL. I
don't know if anybody is playing better than this team
right now, and it starts with Dak Prescott, those two receivers,
Ceedee Lamb and George Pickens, and that improved defense. They
made these trades for Quinn Williams and Logan Wilson, and
they found a way to get that defense moving in
the right direction. And so I know they got a
tough chance of making the playoffs. Mark, But right now,
(25:48):
the way they look on field. It's pretty impressive, Jeffrey,
one hundred percent agree with you. Dak Prescott, George Pickings,
Ceedee Lamb are absolutely frightening in the past game.
Speaker 10 (25:58):
But I'm a channel by George W. Bush, the former president.
Fool me once old saying in Texas for me once, Well,
just don't fool me again. How many times have we
seen this story with Dallas that we know where this
story is going to end? With them gets everybody hope up,
We talk about them, we put them on every segment,
and then they got Detroit and La Chargers the next
(26:19):
two weeks.
Speaker 2 (26:20):
They won't make it go all.
Speaker 7 (26:24):
Right, Let's go to the opposite side of that game, Jeffrey,
the Detroit Lions reason for hope for the Lions pedigree.
Speaker 17 (26:30):
You know, Dan Campbell built this thing from the ground up,
tore it down, built it up with grit and toughness,
and now it's time to show it. Because this team
won the NFC North the last two years. They still
got a ton of talent there. Dan Campb's got to
figure out how to call the plays when they can
ask this to offense can actually do more things.
Speaker 6 (26:46):
But I look at what they've been able to do.
Speaker 17 (26:49):
They know this is a tough spot to be in,
but they also know that they've been in touch spots before,
Mark and they found ways to get it done. I
like the Lions to find a way to get back
into the playoff race.
Speaker 8 (26:59):
Yeah, I like them too.
Speaker 10 (27:00):
In that pedigree, I'm going with explosiveness, and that's Jamiir
Gibbs who can absolutely take over games. James and Williams,
who you just saw there is finally getting back in
because of the Imam Ross Saint Brown injury, so he's
gotten more explosive plays. And also the schedule where they
have four of their last four game five games inside.
The only outdoor game is the last game at Chicago.
(27:21):
So I like for them, despite the banged up O line,
for them to be comfortable in those indoor environments.
Speaker 6 (27:26):
Judy and go win some.
Speaker 7 (27:27):
Games, right, Jeffrey, I bet I know what the answer
is going to be to this last one.
Speaker 8 (27:33):
What's the reason for hope for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Speaker 17 (27:36):
Well, it's the only answer they got now, and it's
Patrick Levon Mahomes the second.
Speaker 6 (27:40):
He's done a lot.
Speaker 17 (27:41):
Of great things in this league, pull up a lot
of miraculous things. This would be his biggest trick yet
because this team is one and five on the row,
they're one and six in close and one score games,
and they're winning three in their last game last games
against playoff contenders. So Mahomes is dealing with a tough defense,
a beat up offensive line, but he's still Patrick Mahomes.
We've seen it do amazing things.
Speaker 4 (28:00):
Mark.
Speaker 17 (28:01):
I can't imagine that this team can't at least still
keep fighting with him still under center.
Speaker 10 (28:07):
Yeah, of course Patrick Mahons and also Andy Reid and
of course still be in everyone. But just like the
last few years where although the offense and Patrick Mahons
weren't up, the part of the defense is what really
carried them to the Super Bowl last year and carried
them the early part of the season. They're severely compromised
and that's what my big worry, and he saw that
against Dallas where they just don't have the pass rush
(28:28):
to get home. Spags has the Blitz and their quarters
cannot hold up. Of course, they won't play Pickings and
Ceedee Lamb every week, so they'll have a break. But
they do have Houston, the Chargers, and Denver three of
the last five games, so I'm especially worried about the
Chiefs getting in. Sorry, Jeff, I know it's your team,
but worried about them from me, worried about them getting in.
Speaker 7 (28:51):
I will be I'll believe that the Chiefs are not
in the playoffs when the Chiefs are really not in
the playoffs.
Speaker 8 (28:57):
Jeffrey and Mark, thank you very much.
Speaker 7 (29:00):
Don't forget to check out Jeffries full article NFL dot Com.
Speaker 8 (29:03):
A slash, a first read ian A.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
Couple of bubble teams right there. That is the AFC
South standings. And this AFC South has gotten kind of fun,
just to be totally honest, kind of fun in part
because the Houston Texans have come all the way back
and the Cults have kind of come this way. There's
a lot to get into. Our good friend Steve Weisch
joins us again. I want to start, though, with the
Houston Texans. We've seen them in some many more high
(29:28):
profile games this season. I mean, they what they did
to the Bills offensive offensive line is something that Bill's
reeled from for like a week.
Speaker 2 (29:36):
Brutal.
Speaker 1 (29:37):
What do you make of the Texans and then the
AFC South in general, Steve Whaite, Now, first.
Speaker 16 (29:42):
Off, this game against the Chiefs is significant for both
of these teams because if they knock off the Chiefs,
that might be the death knell for Kansas City, and
it also could open up a second playoff spot for
a team in the AFC South.
Speaker 6 (29:53):
We'll get to that in just a minute.
Speaker 16 (29:55):
But the Houston Texans, the one thing that has been
consistent over and over has been the play of this
defense and that defensive front. The energy that it plays with,
namely Will Anderson and Daniel Hunter. The energy that they
played with is contagious. They are three linebackers, you know,
al Shayer speed and oh they can run with anybody.
They deliver contact, and we know how good that secondary is,
(30:18):
especially with the depth that they have on it. Now
you look at the way that they're starting to run
the football that has taken the pressure off first of
Davis Mills and now CJ.
Speaker 6 (30:27):
Stroud as he starts to get his mojo back.
Speaker 16 (30:29):
You seem already got the chemistry chemistry going with Nico Collins,
involving him some of the run game as well as
the passing game. They're a team that's on the ascent
and you look at their schedule. We talked about their
game with the Chiefs. They've got the Cardinals and the
Raiders after that, and then they finish off with the
Chargers and Colts, two teams that will be playing for
their playoff lives as well as Houston. Now let's get
(30:52):
into the rest of the division, and let's start with
the fact that there's going to be some cannibalization going
on between these two teams, the Colts and Jaguars, and
it starts this week as they play each other for
the first of two times, the Colts, and they have
the Jets and the Broncos. You know, the Jaguars, the Colts, Jets, Broncos,
Colts again in Tennessee. But look at the Colts schedule,
(31:14):
the Jaguars, Seattle, the forty nine Ers, the Jags again
and at Houston.
Speaker 6 (31:20):
That is a gauntlet.
Speaker 16 (31:21):
And that is why as well as the Colts looked
and playing the Texans last week, the fact that they
lost three or four coming into that with that schedule
right there, it looks very very tough. They're still a
very good football game and could very much qualify for
the playoffs.
Speaker 6 (31:36):
But you look at the schedules.
Speaker 16 (31:37):
With the Texans and the Jaguars, and the fact that
the Jaguars are showing the life of being a dangerous
football team. If they ever get to the point are
showing consistency, it will be a dangerous football team. Ian
So again, I think the fact if the Chiefs get
knocked off this week, that opens up the door for
two teams for this division to get into the playoffs.
(31:58):
We'll see which two Houston Texans are the one team
that seems like it's really on the ascent while the
other two. I think the culture treading water a little bit,
and the Jaguars are showing some life that they can
be dangerous even if they get into the playoffs.
Speaker 1 (32:14):
We'll go back to the Insiders presented by Progressive Insurance.
This is the portion of our program and we try
to make you feel terrible about your fantasy team. If
you were good at fantasy, this would be your lineup.
This is the perfect lineup in all of fantasy. I
don't have a lot of guys on there. Let's go
to the next page. I'm we'll show you where I
have more. There you go, this is the imperfect lineup.
This more resembles my fantasy team, which is fine. We're
(32:36):
actually caught fire a little bit. But most days it
kind of looks like that. Let's go inside Fantasy Live
with our good buddy Mico f Fourio. By the way, Fourio,
my fantasy team is now one four to five making
a late push for the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (32:50):
I know you care. I will keep you updated.
Speaker 1 (32:53):
What I want to get to now is which players
I need to target on the waiver wire. I potentially
we'll see last waiver wire of the season.
Speaker 2 (33:03):
Why don't you start us off with the quarterback position.
Speaker 5 (33:06):
No, we got to get you in so this is
not your last waiver wire, but four teams up by
this week.
Speaker 2 (33:11):
People need streaming options.
Speaker 8 (33:13):
Tyrod Taylor is one for you.
Speaker 5 (33:16):
He scored twenty one fantasy points and was the QB
six last week, and he ran for over forty yards.
He's done that now with two of his three starts.
He's topped sixteen fantasy points in each of those games.
And he gets a good matchup as the Dolphins have
allowed the seventh most fantasy points to quarterbacks, including the
third most rushing yard. So he brings the saint floor
(33:38):
and some upside. That's all you can ask for when
you're streaming at quarterback.
Speaker 1 (33:43):
Fascinating never would have thought, all right, what about running
back Chris Rodriguez.
Speaker 5 (33:48):
He has taken over in Washington the last two weeks.
In that span, forty five percent of the snaps, over
half of their running back carries, and he's getting all
of the goal line work, and normally he's more of
a floor play, but he brings a little bit of upside.
Speaker 8 (34:04):
This week because game script could be on his side.
Speaker 5 (34:07):
No team has been ran against more than the Minnesota Vikings.
Speaker 6 (34:11):
So if you're streaming at running back and I have
a couple.
Speaker 5 (34:13):
Of leagues where it's a pretty thin right now for
me with buys and injuries, Rodriguez is definitely a streaming
option this week.
Speaker 2 (34:20):
Weird week for buys to have him. But here we are.
Why don't you take me to a receiver on the
waiver wire, Alec Pierce.
Speaker 5 (34:27):
He should not be on the waiver war I say
the same thing for Christian Watson and Chris Godwin, who
are also out there in a number of leagues. But
Pierce has topped seventeen Fantasy points in three of his
last four. He currently leads the Colts in receiving yards,
and he always brings a high ceiling because of his
downfield usage. But I like him this week because look,
the Jags have been better as of late, but on
(34:49):
the year out wide wide.
Speaker 8 (34:50):
Receivers have torched him.
Speaker 5 (34:51):
He plays over eighty percent of his snaps out wide
and they struggle downfield. And then it's not just the
one we think. He gets the Jacks again and Championship week,
the forty nine.
Speaker 8 (34:59):
Ers a week sixteen. He's a good player to just
pick up right now.
Speaker 1 (35:04):
Bring it home, FOURIO give me a tight end on
the waiver wire.
Speaker 5 (35:08):
The big fellow Darren Waller, who returned last week and
led the Dolphins in yards. He just missed a touchdown,
but it is clear that he is the top red
and end zone option there. This week he gets the Jets,
who allowed the third most touchdowns to tight ends. They
got lit up by Kyle Pitt's last week, and he
is a very favorable playoff schedule, so he's not just
(35:30):
a one week rental. It's a good week for tight ends.
Though there's bretton Strange who's my top option, Hark Fann
and Don Schultz, feel Johnson and then there like please
add Jacoby percent already, but a lot of depth that
you should check your waiver wire just in case some
of these bigger names are out there, or and your handcuff.
Speaker 6 (35:48):
At running back for sure.
Speaker 7 (35:53):
Welcome back to the Insiders presented by Progressive Insurances. It
is a great stat by our John Todd. The Lions
had the most win it's an NFL history on Thursdays,
and the Cowboys are just one behind entering their Thursday
night football matchup this week just adds a little bit
more juice to an already very juicy game. Let's welcome
(36:13):
in Sam Schwarztein, Prime Video and TNFS analytics expert to
break down this week fourteen kickoff game. All Right, Dak
Prescott is back firmly in the MVP conversation now that
they are reeled off three straight wins.
Speaker 8 (36:28):
What makes him worthy of consideration?
Speaker 9 (36:30):
Sim here we go. Yeah, he's definitely the MVP conversations.
Speaker 4 (36:36):
He's clucked.
Speaker 9 (36:37):
That's playing simple.
Speaker 6 (36:38):
I don't it is not takesmanship.
Speaker 9 (36:40):
But he has three hundred and two percent win probability
added over the thirteen games just himself. That's by far
the most the NFL, by nearly fifty percent higher the
next closest player. The league average is thirty six percent
and he's doing it on all the important downs, whether
it's one hundred and twenty five percent added on third down,
one hundred and forty five percent added the fourth quarter,
(37:01):
and one hundred and ninety percent in quick throws when
he's able to diagnose everything. I think what's important, though,
is there is negative three hundred and forty one and
a half percent lost, but since adding quentinnin Williams, they've
added two point six percent.
Speaker 7 (37:14):
We basically spent the entire first half of the season
talking about Jerry jones trades on the defensive side of
the ball, But did we maybe not give him enough
credit for the George Pickens deal.
Speaker 6 (37:25):
Yeah, Jerry Jones.
Speaker 9 (37:26):
My family's all in Texas and they've never doubted him,
never doubt him, clearly, And the George Pickens trade is
massive for what they've done. He now leads all wide
receivers and EPA even more so than often the player
of your favorite Jackson Smith and Jigba. And I think
what's important is what he's added to his route tree
this year. He is twenty and a half EPA on
slants and he is a sixty one percent target win
(37:47):
slant win running slants. He also is the highest EPA
on INDs or dig routes twenty six percent target rate.
What they do with Pickens is they isolate him to
one side on the field. He's isolated forty one percent
of the time the most of the NFL. That either
makes teams dictate their coverage. Are they going to double
Pickings to leave Ceedee Lamb on the other side of
the field open, or if they don't double, don't double Pickens.
Speaker 2 (38:11):
That's when DA goes to him.
Speaker 7 (38:12):
The Lions are scrambling a little bit trying to get
back into the playoffs field. You cannot deny their speed
though they still got firepowers.
Speaker 9 (38:20):
In oh and they're so good at making explosive plays.
They have three players hopefully I'm on Rossaint Brown's going
to play. It doesn't look like it, but three players
with over twenty explosive plays. That's either a ten yard
run or a fifteen yard pass. And they can do
it in many different ways, whether it's screens, running plays
with Jamior Gibbs or Saint Brown from the slot. I
(38:41):
think what's important to remember is that when they have
an explosive play on that drive, they score a touchdown
on fifty two percent of their drives and most of
their explosives end up going for touchdowns like this when
they can create the big plays get open space for
their skill posion players. This is probably the most dominant
offense in the NFL, and they're going to eat it
on Thursday to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Speaker 8 (39:03):
Such a great matchup.
Speaker 7 (39:04):
Can't wait to watch it, Sam, Thank you very much,
and everybody can watch Sam every week on Thursday Night
Football's Prime Vision with Next Gen Stats, Alternate Stream Thursday's
coverage of the big Cowboys Lions matchup Prime Video and
NFL PLUFS. It begins at seven o'clock Eastern on TNF.
Before we completely turn the page though, on week thirteen,
(39:28):
let's look at the Pepsi zero Sugar Rookie of the
Week nominees. There you go, Tydler, Sure good for him,
Quarterback r J Harvey, Quin, Shawn Jenkins, Trevion Henderson, another
big game for him, Tylenogei who is all the talk
here from Rutgers Latham, Ransomcasher. Vote at NFL dot com,
Splash Rookies.
Speaker 8 (39:49):
We'll be back with the insiders.
Speaker 1 (40:00):
Watching us on NFL Network right now. But man, you
can watch the Insiders on a lot of different places,
on a lot of different days.
Speaker 2 (40:06):
We got the Monday.
Speaker 1 (40:07):
Podcast and NFL Fast platforms. You got NFL Plus at
all the days, you got NFL Network at all the days.
You've got YouTube on many days. I'm not going to
go through the whole thing. Just read there, and each
day you can know where you see us, which is
a lot of places. Welcome back to the Insiders in Rappaport, Judavitis.
Our good friend Jane Slater is right there. And before
(40:29):
we get to you, Jane, I want to get to
your social media because for a lot of people who
don't know this, Texas beat Texas.
Speaker 2 (40:37):
A and M and it was a whole thing. On Saturday, Electric.
Speaker 18 (40:53):
Given all access path to this game. Oh my god,
the greatest job in the world. Come in sports and
the Cowboys. Seriously, But since I graduated college, I've either
been working weekends or holidays, or if I'm credentialed, I'm
there as a working media member.
Speaker 8 (41:11):
I did not expect to have a credential to.
Speaker 19 (41:14):
Stand on the sidelines for my first SEC game, my
first night game at DKR, I was right there with
Matthew McConaughey.
Speaker 8 (41:22):
My boyfriend Ryan there got to come with me.
Speaker 14 (41:25):
Whenie Harrelson was there, We saw Glenn Powell.
Speaker 2 (41:28):
The drones were incredible.
Speaker 19 (41:30):
Miranda Lambert almost fought me when I tried to get
a picture with Glenn Powell.
Speaker 8 (41:34):
That is a great story.
Speaker 19 (41:35):
For the podcast another time. And then Arch for President.
Thank you Texas. From a filling the best fan experience
I could have ever asked for.
Speaker 8 (41:43):
At forty five, I felt alive.
Speaker 1 (41:46):
I mean, the fact that Arch actually played well was
noteworthy enough.
Speaker 2 (41:51):
And there you are on the field soaking it up
because I was there. Welcome Jane
The Patriots started at the bottom and look where they
are now. I think that's the Drake lyric I may
have messed it up, Drake made didn't mess up at
all last night in drumming the Giants and putting the
Patriots atop the AFC as they head into.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
The Bide League.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
We will definitely get into a really impressive performance.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Not quite as imprison for these guys the AFC North.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
There's been a little up, a little down, and a
little weird Steelers Ravens. This week we are going to
get into an AFC North battle for two teams that really.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Gotta have it.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
And if you got to have it for your fantasy team,
well then you're like me. I have very little wins
and a lot of losses, and I need.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Some waiver wire pickups.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
Our good buddy, Mike Florio, Michael F. Florio as he
is known in our world, is going to tell us.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
All about it.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
Welcome Inside with the Insiders, presented by Progressive Insurance Ian Rapperdboard.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Here, Judy Batista. There, we got a great show.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
We got Baldy, we got Jayane Slater, we got Mark Ross,
we got Jeffrey Chedia, we got Steve Weiss, we got
Sam Schwartztein, We've got all sorts of stuff.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
But we're going to.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
Start judy with that game last night, which your Patriots
fan was really good, especially because that guy was involved.
That is Drake May, winners of nine straight. Shack Shondar
was back for a concussion. Didn't go great for him though,
But we'll start right there. Jackson dar first quarter, scrambling
to the right. By now you've seen the highlight leveled
by Christian Ellis, fully fully fair hit his feeware in bounds.
(01:40):
But it starts at app fu brawl theo Johnson, John
Michael Schmid going after Ellis. There is the highlight on
the legal play, but they're talking about on the sideline.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
He's got to protect himself anyway.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
Soon Patriot times first and goal, Kayshawn Booty with the
sweets over the shoulder catch and make it seventeen to nothing. Patriots,
it was all Patrick from there, seventeen to seven by
their second quarter, Jake May the third rounder Kyle Williams
thirty three yard touchdown on their way to a thirty
three to fifteen win. Look at that toe drag swag
(02:13):
by Kyle Williams the Patriots. If you're a Patriots fan,
you love seeing all of this. If you're a Giants fan,
well it's a bye week and that means it's time
to hear from general manager Joe Shane on the state
of the franchise.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Nobody's perfect, and you know, the chance of me batt
in one thousand are gone because I've made mistakes.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Okay, everybody's going to make mistakes, and.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
We're going to get some things right. As long as
you're learning from those mistakes and you reflect on the
process in place and where where you went wrong and
you can continue to get better, that's what's most important.
I've been in the league for twenty six years and
it's not good enough. And we're going to look at
the entire football operation, everything from free agency decisions, draft decisions,
(02:57):
coaching execution.
Speaker 4 (02:59):
What can we do better? What can we do better?
Speaker 3 (03:01):
Because there are pieces here, there are pieces here. Why
aren't we maximizing what we have? And that's what we're
gonna you know, that's gonna be our mission this offseason
to figure that out.
Speaker 5 (03:11):
You mentioned that your folks is getting Giants back to
routine contention and really turning this around. Why do you
believe that you're the right person to help turn this
thing around?
Speaker 6 (03:21):
Yeah, I understand the question.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
Again, my focus right now is on supporting Kafka as
we go forward, and we'll evaluate all aspects of the
football operation as we go forward. And hasn't been perfect, no,
but you know, I'm very confident my staff, myself and
our ability.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
To get this franchise back where and need to see.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
Them and a pretty lengthy press conference that I would say,
to be honest to you, he got a little uncomfortable
at times. We heard a lot that was about the
state of the Giants and Joe Shane's role in that.
We will get to that in the second but he
also talked about plenty of his players, talked about Jackson
Dart need to protect himself, talked about discipline for Abdual Carter.
Why don't you start on Jackson Dart. We saw the
(04:01):
hit on the sideline. What did we learn from Joe
Shane about keeping his franchise quarterback healthy?
Speaker 7 (04:08):
I actually thought he did a good job of threading
the needle. He praised Jackson Dart. He said he's exceeded expectations,
while also making it clear he can't be taking those,
as he said, you can't take unnecessary hits like that.
He compared Jackson Dart to other young athletic quarterbacks whore
on the run. He said, what makes these players great
is their toughness, their competitiveness, and their desire to win.
(04:29):
We appreciate that about Jackson. You've also got to be available.
That is certainly the message they have delivered to Jackson
Dark before, and they're going to keep delivering it to
Jackson Dart frankly.
Speaker 8 (04:40):
Until he gets the message.
Speaker 9 (04:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
And they're continuing to deliver messages to Abdul Carter, their
number three pick, their stud pass rusher, who again was
disciplined to begin this game. And you know, Shane kind
of going deep on this talking about how he does believe,
he does believe that Abdull Carter has what it's to
be a professional. He is professional, but there are certain things,
(05:03):
certain draws of let's say, of New York City, of
being in the spotlight of things they want to handle,
and obviously it is a process. Brian Dabele did not
as much discipline abdoc Carter. We've seen Mike Kafka do it.
Shane says, he supports it. But until Judy we can
get to a point where we are not talking about discipline.
For Carter, this is going to continue to be an issue. Meanwhile,
(05:25):
for Kafka, he is a candidate for the full time
head coaching job. He is going to continue to be evaluated.
But the wins have not come. It's an interesting point
for Kafka to be.
Speaker 7 (05:40):
Yeah, Joe Shane said multiple times they are focused on
supporting Mike Caska, that he is going to get a
real look here. That's where the head coaching search is now.
It's very very early, he said. They will get to
the full research for later on, but right now, it
is all about supporting Kafka. Joe Shane, you heard him
say that we've got pieces here, why aren't we maximizing it?
(06:01):
That certainly goes to the coaching issue and the coaching search.
Speaker 8 (06:05):
Ian.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Yeah, and I think there was some of that from
Joe Shane, and rightfully so. I mean, I talk to
people around the league. They believe there is talent on
this roster. Look on the defensive side of the ball,
some high price free agents, some good draft picks. On
the offensive side of all, they fixed the offensive line.
They got Malik Nighbors, who's not on the field. They
got a quarterback which Joe Shane engineered. It's just the
results haven't come. And look, I mean, if there's a
(06:31):
lot you can talk about Judy with the Giant season,
but it does seem to be two parts of it.
The foundation here and then they have not been good enough.
They just have not been good enough. And obviously this
is going to be something that we're going to be
keeping an eye on because, look, the reality is the
Giants are two and eleven. They're two and eleven, they're
the last and the NFC East, as the graphics says
(06:54):
right here, they're going to finish with six or fewer
wins again.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
So let's get into it now.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
So let's let's bring in our good friend Mark Ross,
who of course was a Giants executive for years and years.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
We heard Joe Shane, Mark, thank you for joining us
at the Insiders.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
We heard Joe Shane talk about the talent on the roster,
the core here. You did this for a living for
a very long time, and you do this for a
living for us as well. What is the state of
the Giants roster as it pregains to how much talent
there is well.
Speaker 10 (07:22):
First of all, that was an impossible task for Joeying
to go out there and try to defend five wins
in thirty.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Games, but kudos to him forgive it all.
Speaker 10 (07:30):
He had to try to talk about the positives, and yes,
of course he has to start with Jackson Dart because
everybody in that building thinks he is the guy. There
still is a big learning curve for him, but he
does have some pieces. He struck gold with elite neighbors,
but it has had a huge missions as well in
the first round with with Thibodeau, hasn't lived up the expectations,
Evan Neil hasn't played the oct banks. Of course, you
(07:53):
do have Andrew Thomas and Brian Burns, but now we're
seeing some disappointments with Abdul Carter, a guy who they
had high hopest for not living up the expectation. So,
of course you can pick and choose any GM. You're
going to find some hits and some missings, but those
first rounders are really the ones you're known for, and
you have to make your mark for to have impact players,
and he just hasn't done a good enough job with that. Therefore,
(08:15):
the scrutiny. So we'll see how this offseason plays itself.
Speaker 7 (08:20):
All right, Mark, you spent more than a decade in
that building. You know the DNA of the ownership, you
know the DNA of the franchise, and you also know
what that roster looks like. Right now, what kind of
head coach do you think they should be looking for?
Speaker 11 (08:35):
Now?
Speaker 8 (08:35):
What do they need?
Speaker 10 (08:38):
Well, I'm going to use Joe Shanes when he said
processes and here is his interview before I put this down.
Whatever their process has been, they need to change the
process and the criteria that they're looking for to head coach.
It's almost like we're talking about first round picks and
drafting bus. Well, they drafted four bus that. This is
the fifth time they're at this in nine years, and
(08:58):
I was there for one of them, so I know
what that process. Was not sure about the other three.
But they need to kind of change that process and
what they're looking for in the criteria and the DNA
of those coaches. But most importantly, I think they just
have to get a veteran coach who's had a winning
record at some point somewhere, whether that's college or the NFL.
Could be a coordinator now, but not a retreade, not
(09:19):
the hot young coordinator, not outside the box guy. Get
an established guy that's had a winning pedigree.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
You know, there are plenty available as you look out
into the coaching search world. We're going to get all
into it as we get into this offseason. By the way,
Joe Shane going to be running the coaching search so
that sort of answers that part of the question. These
guys got no questions eleven and two for the New
England Patriots, and man, did they look good on Monday Night.
Not just because the uniforms were extra sweet you see
Drake May wearing it there, but also because they were
(09:48):
very good. So let's bring in our good friend Brian
Baldinger to break it all down. Baldy, the Patriots won again.
You know, we could talk all we want about the
schedule and the challenges they faced. They beat all of them.
What did you take away from that Monday night beat
down by the Patriots?
Speaker 4 (10:08):
A couple of things.
Speaker 9 (10:09):
Ian.
Speaker 12 (10:09):
First of all, it's a very clean operation. Three penalties
the whole night. They execute at a very high level,
even though they had a backup left guard and a
backup left tackle in the game. You didn't know the
difference right there, and then you know, just throw right here.
Taboute is a perfect throw. The games in real estate.
This throwed Kyle Williams over the top. It's a perfect throw.
(10:31):
Drake May leads the league right now in every quarterback
category there is, whether it's completion percentage, yards per attempt,
or total yards. And so he's getting clean looks right now.
Hunter Henry was a big part of it. Stefan Diggs,
he has the mobility when he needs the mobility to move.
Speaker 4 (10:50):
But I would say the job.
Speaker 12 (10:51):
That Josh McDaniels has done as the offensive coordinator, Doug
Maron has done as the offensive line coach, it looks
like a very well coached team. And that's just on
the offense. We saw special teams dominate the Giants as well.
We saw defense dominate as well, But on offense right now,
I would say, I it is a clean operation.
Speaker 13 (11:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
They were fun to watch.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
I mean even you mentioned the special teams. We could
get as many special teams highlights as we do offensive highlights.
Drake May and MVP candidate a lot to like. If
you are the Patriots and your Patriots fan. Baldy Thank
you so much, great stuff, but don't move. We need
more from you for this show, just not like right
right now.
Speaker 6 (11:31):
Now, We're going to.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
Talk about the other news of the day, including this guy,
Aaron Rodgers right there. Mike Tomlin Meyler with reporters as
he does every Tuesday, says Rogers still doing with those
multiple fractures in his wrist. Going to be limited this week,
not a surprise. Biggest question coming out of this week
for Rodgers can he take a snap under center? More
information coming on that. The Pittsburgh Steelers also added a
(11:54):
weapon for Aaron Rodgers. Adam Thiel and the former Vikings
receiver who last four and received.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
His release that happened yesterday.
Speaker 1 (12:02):
He's not getting up playing time with the Vikings offense
that has been struggling all year.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
He goes on waivers.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
The Stealers were looking Judy three receiver all throughout the
trade deadline, I mean looking for one forever.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
They get an additional one.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
With Adam Field landing on the roster, We'll see what
kind of impact he can make, but at least he
does land in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 7 (12:22):
In the meantime, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had surgery on
his fractured left hand yesterday. He is considered day to day,
although he's expected to play on Monday against the Eagles.
Football players are crazy. Jim Horbot said that they will
get Trey Lance some practice time this week with the
first team, especially on goal line situations where they would
have to be under center. Obviously, Herbert might not be
able to do that with a bandaged left hand. As
(12:45):
for the big Thursday night game coming up, a Lions
receiver arm and Ross Saint Brown did not practice for
the second street day because of a sprained ankle he
suffered back on Thanksgiving.
Speaker 8 (12:54):
Saint Brown spoke to reporters this afternoon.
Speaker 7 (12:57):
And he said he doesn't know if he will play
Thursday against the Cowboys.
Speaker 8 (13:01):
He's going to try, certainly, but he's not sure.
Speaker 7 (13:03):
That is a game with huge NFC playoff implications. And
there is your TNF poster, Dak versus Jared Goff again.
Both of these teams are fighting for their playoff lives
right now, trying to get in.
Speaker 8 (13:19):
To the NFC field.
Speaker 7 (13:20):
Let's bring in our Jane Slater to talk about this.
Speaker 8 (13:23):
Game some more.
Speaker 7 (13:24):
Certainly, Jane, it feels like the Cowboys are finally headed
in the right direction.
Speaker 8 (13:28):
One three in a row. They seem to have their mode.
Speaker 7 (13:31):
Show those big wins back to back five days separating
them between the Chiefs and the Eagles. Those are big,
big games. I wonder why they have finally gotten the
rhythm at this point in the season.
Speaker 14 (13:47):
They have found an identity and they have found some confidence,
and I think that's been huge when you look at
this team as some of the adversity they had to
start the season. So credit to Aberflus and head coach
Brian Schottenheimer. But you know, like to you about this
game is heading into this one, As you said, Judy,
both of these teams.
Speaker 8 (14:03):
Are in the hunt.
Speaker 14 (14:05):
You've got Jared Goff and you've got Dak Prescott, who
tied right now with the second most passing touchdowns this season.
But Prescott enters this one with a full stable of
receivers at his disposal, namely Ceedee Lamb and George Pickens,
who Stephen Jones this week says is an off season
priority to get the soon to be free agent and
deal that would keep him in house the Lions, maybe
(14:25):
without im on. Saint Brownie's been struggling with an ankle injury.
According to head coach Dan Campbell, he's a game time
decision Thursday. Both of these teams in the playoff hunt.
One is trending up, the others trying to steer this
thing back. The Lions are still reeling from that lost
to Bears and the Cowboys.
Speaker 8 (14:40):
Big wins against the Chiefs and the Eagles. One thing
is certain.
Speaker 14 (14:44):
This will be a physical game capable of producing a
lot of points.
Speaker 8 (14:48):
Let's see how much we punt in this one, Judy,
maybe not at all.
Speaker 7 (14:52):
This might be one of the best Thursday night games
we've ever had on the schedule. All Right, Jamison Williams,
the Lions wide receivers, coming off a huge game on Thanksgiving,
we know Dallas has been vulnerable to the big play.
What are we expecting from him?
Speaker 14 (15:08):
Yeah, that's the one thing we're going to be keeping
an eye on is we cover this game. You know,
they have fixed the interior of this defensive line with
the trades and you know, Quinn Williams even we talked
about this last week, they've sort of adjusted schematically, playing
a lot of that five man front. You know, they've
done well against the run, but when you consider some
of the runners They've got Jamiir Gibbs and David Montgomery.
(15:29):
You know they're going to test that. The run Dee
has been huge, but I think Jamison Williams could be
a difference maker. He had a thirty seven yard touchdown
against the Cowboys last year.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
I talked to him.
Speaker 14 (15:40):
Yesterday about this game, and he said his OC John
Morton and head coach Dan Campbell are now calling the
places they want their receivers to be aggressive, telling me
quote they trust my ability to make plays, he says.
Morton shares his mentality move the sticks, score points, and
last year again he had that big touchdown. The Cowboys
have been known to give up some of those explosive plays.
(16:00):
Now someone who could help them, Judy, is you just
saw number seven Trayvon Diggs. He has come off of ir.
I'm told literally, I just texted ten minutes ago. He
is a fifty to fifty.
Speaker 8 (16:10):
Chance right now playing.
Speaker 14 (16:11):
But do you rushing back?
Speaker 8 (16:13):
I don't know.
Speaker 14 (16:14):
The defense kind of had that rhythm and I'm kind
of liking what I'm seeing from the rookie chavn Ravel.
We'll get some more information on this one tomorrow and Thursday,
but this.
Speaker 8 (16:22):
One's going to be a good one. Can not wait
to watch this game, Jane, thank you, Ian.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
I can't wait to watch it either.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
And if the East is becoming really fascinating, forget about
those two teams at the bottom, Let's focus at the
two teams at the top.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
We got the Eagles eight and four.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
We got the Cowboys sixty five and one, so obviously
with the Eagles in the lead, everything is fine.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
In Philly. I'm just kidding. It's a total dumpster fire.
Speaker 1 (16:47):
Listen to the college from WIP tellings everything they think
raw and unfiltered.
Speaker 15 (16:52):
You know, to me, John Ritchie, it looks like the
fish rots from the from the head down. I'm not
talking about Lori, you know, I'm talking about coaching here.
I just can't believe what we're seeing. And you can
point so many different places. For instance, with with Barkley,
he had all the want to and he had all
the motivation last year, not blaming him, and.
Speaker 13 (17:12):
Just I'm just baffled.
Speaker 15 (17:13):
Where do you get the looks and all that extra
stuff you need to continue at the level you were.
Speaker 8 (17:20):
The proof is in a putting. It is what it is.
Speaker 13 (17:23):
We're trash and not not not our talent, but it's
a freaking code.
Speaker 11 (17:30):
Look, I don't think Petulo is the top culprit, but
if they don't change the play caller to me that
you know, off those shows that you're saying like this
is the Jalen problem.
Speaker 2 (17:46):
Oh my god, the whole show should be that. It
should be just that.
Speaker 1 (17:49):
Yes, Baldy, Mark Cross, thank you for coming back and
hanging out with us. Baldy, I still need you to
break it down. But those guys at a fantastic job.
I gotta be totally honest. What in the world Baldy
is going on with the Philadelphia Eagles. How they're going
to fix this thing?
Speaker 12 (18:05):
Well, they've been trying, you know, they've been picking at
different things.
Speaker 4 (18:09):
The fish rots from the head down. I'm still laughing.
That's great.
Speaker 12 (18:13):
No, I think it always starts with the run game.
I mean, they led the National Football League rushing last year.
They ran the ball counting the postseason seven hundred and
twenty five times, the third most NFL history. Like, I
think they got to get Saquon Goni. He averaged five
point eight yards of carry last year. It's at three
point seven this year and he's the same guy. But
(18:33):
they're not getting movement up front. It starts up front.
They got to find runs that they can execute where
they can move the line of scrimmage, and they got
to start executing those. I think if they start running
the ball with more efficiency where they don't have so
many negative runs, I think this offense has a chance
to opening up. But I think that's where it's got
to change. If it does change, I think it's got
(18:54):
to start with the run game first, because that's really
has been their identity. If they're looking for it, that
was it, and they got to get back to that,
I think, Mark, Yeah.
Speaker 10 (19:03):
And now you understand why people understand why it's so
hard to repeat a Super Bowl champs, because as soon
as you walk off that field after you win and
the confetti's falling, your team is completely different. And you
talked about running the ball, well, last year they ran
the ball because they had the best offensive line in
football that absolutely dominated Well, they lost Makai Beckton and
then your big guns there Johnson, Lane, Johnson, Cam Jurgens
(19:25):
Land and Diggers and all had offseason surgery. They have
been severely compromised and in and out of the lineup
all season long. The replacements that they have, and they're Tyler,
Steve ben Taft are really back up players who aren't
really up to the standards.
Speaker 13 (19:38):
There.
Speaker 10 (19:39):
Even Jordan might A Lota's play has dipped a little bit.
So it all starts with that, from going from the
best offensive line at football that mauled people to well,
we're just average to below average at this point, and
we can't run the ball, which puts the onus on
Jalen Hurts, who isn't that sort of quarterback to throw
thirty times a game. Ian So thus you're seeing all
these problems compound themselves with this.
Speaker 1 (20:01):
Well, I certainly look forward to the WIP callers sorting
it all out over the course of the next month
or so leading up to the playoffs, which the Eagles
will surely make our Baldi Mark, thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
Don't go anywhere.
Speaker 1 (20:12):
We got plenty more to get to in today's show,
including our good friend Jeffrey Chidia drops his first read
article telling you all the bubble teams that still have hope,
which all you want this time of year is just
a shot.
Speaker 2 (20:25):
He will break that.
Speaker 1 (20:26):
Down for us, and then Steelers Ravens is a big,
big one coming up this weekend. Steve Weisch, Bran Balldinger
of course is back. They're going to tell you all
about it coming up next. I'm the Insiders.
Speaker 2 (20:48):
Welcome back to the Insiders.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
Time now for good coverage presented by Progressive Insurance to
those defense give the Steelers passing in trouble in week thirteen,
allowing a thirty nine points eight opposing passer rating, which
was the second lowest that week, and the lowest opposing
completion percentage of forty one point seven.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
Not bad, not bad.
Speaker 1 (21:11):
Let's get to the AFC North standings, which also not bad,
but also not great for just being totally honest, Ravens
and Steelers up top six and six. If only there
was a way to figure that out. So last segment,
we brought you angry calls by Eagles fans. Well, if
you're an angry Steelers fan calling into ninety three point
(21:33):
seven the Fan, you might be listening to yourself right now.
Speaker 15 (21:37):
I think Kawn's been horrible.
Speaker 13 (21:38):
These contracts, these signs, prior moves, what all these guys,
what is horrible? Forty one million man, I just notice
time we're changed. Everybody gotta go mad. I'm sorry, man,
everybody has to go you know you got a gas
Come on there, Hoki these guys and makes the Rudolph
makes the lutoff is what he is? You know, then
(22:01):
then you don't go out and help you know, Aaron
order offense and get no office or weapons. I'm watching
these games the last couple of weeks. It seems like
everybody got a good rookie where our receiver it was
in this year's tramp except the Stellers, Like we didn't
go out and address no major needs. Like I'm just
I'm burnt out, guys. I'm gonna continue to watch. But
(22:23):
the sad thing about how is there is that's still
gonna win a division about default.
Speaker 1 (22:30):
I mean, look, there's probably some truth there and if
history is any teller of what's going to happen, like
that's probably right and the Steelers will probably win it and
probably end up okay.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
But it has been in.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
Angst filled time. Steve Weish, welcome in Brian Baldinger as well.
Speaker 6 (22:45):
Guys.
Speaker 1 (22:46):
Let's get into this game. Baldy, I want to start
with you. Since the beginning of the season, the Steelers
run defense has been an issue. Trying to fix that.
Speaker 2 (22:54):
Still seems to be an issue. Huh.
Speaker 12 (22:57):
Well, they just gave up the most rushing yard cards
at Akrascher or Heinz Field Stadium last week against the
Bills in history. I mean, they ran for two and
forty nine yards in that game, and you know, guys
couldn't get off the block. Guys, we're looking to get
blocked rather than get off blocks.
Speaker 6 (23:15):
It was.
Speaker 4 (23:15):
It was really bad. And it's been bad upfront and
it's been a problem.
Speaker 12 (23:19):
And so that's got to get fixed, I believe, you
know this week going to Baltimore where you know, they
want to try to feature King Henry and if you
don't tackle him, and you don't you let him get
a runway like James Kokaz right here, he'll do the
exact same thing to the Steelers defense.
Speaker 4 (23:34):
So it's got to start up front.
Speaker 12 (23:35):
They got to get off blocks, they get a defeat blocks,
they got to refuse to be blocked. They've got to
play a completely different energy level than what we saw
against Buffalo. If they want to, you know, stop the
Ravens from you know, winning this game and winning the division,
they can do that, but it's got to start.
Speaker 4 (23:50):
I think upfront were stopping the run.
Speaker 16 (23:52):
Steve Ball, that's a great point because we're going to
find out about each of these teams Sunday, seeing how
their energy is, like how you know, the this rivalry
game right, all the playoffs stuff you can throw away,
all the bad stuff that's looked that looked things looked
like last week.
Speaker 6 (24:07):
This is where they have to come out and play.
Speaker 16 (24:09):
And you know, with the Ravens, if they don't run
the ball, after seeing what the Steelers just put on tape,
you know that that would be just criminal.
Speaker 6 (24:18):
Last week they ran the ball. Derek Henry had ten
carries for sixty yards. Let me see that.
Speaker 16 (24:22):
The math on that is six yards per carry. They've
got to commit to it. John Harbaughs said this week
after this game, they've got.
Speaker 6 (24:29):
To commit to the run.
Speaker 16 (24:30):
That in part is to help out Lamar, who doesn't
look right, but he is part of that running game
as well.
Speaker 6 (24:34):
They've got to figure something out.
Speaker 16 (24:36):
But I think both of us who will be covering
this game, Baldy, are going to be looking to see
at the focus that either one of these teams comes
out with, because it did not look good over the
past week the way both of these teams played on
both sides of the ball.
Speaker 7 (24:53):
Welcome back to the Insiders presented by Progressive Insurance, there
is your playoff picture.
Speaker 8 (24:58):
After week thirty.
Speaker 7 (25:01):
We're showing you the divisional round, We're showing you the
wildcard round. We really want to be thinking about the
teams that are just on the outside looking in, the
bubble teams. Let's bring in our Jeffrey Chidia and bring
back our Mark Ross because Jeffrey wrote his first Red
column this week about reasons for hope for teams that
are on the bubble. So let's get well, let's get
(25:22):
to the Thursday night game.
Speaker 8 (25:23):
First. Give me a reason for hope for the Dallas Cowboys, Jeffrey.
Speaker 17 (25:26):
But if you watch that Thanksgiving Day game, they got
the best thing going right now in the NFL. I
don't know if anybody is playing better than this team
right now, and it starts with Dak Prescott, those two receivers,
Ceedee Lamb and George Pickens, and that improved defense. They
made these trades for Quinn Williams and Logan Wilson, and
they found a way to get that defense moving in
the right direction. And so I know they got a
tough chance of making the playoffs. Mark, But right now,
(25:48):
the way they look on field. It's pretty impressive, Jeffrey,
one hundred percent agree with you. Dak Prescott, George Pickings,
Ceedee Lamb are absolutely frightening in the past game.
Speaker 10 (25:58):
But I'm a channel by George W. Bush, the former president.
Fool me once old saying in Texas for me once, Well,
just don't fool me again. How many times have we
seen this story with Dallas that we know where this
story is going to end? With them gets everybody hope up,
We talk about them, we put them on every segment,
and then they got Detroit and La Chargers the next
(26:19):
two weeks.
Speaker 2 (26:20):
They won't make it go all.
Speaker 7 (26:24):
Right, Let's go to the opposite side of that game, Jeffrey,
the Detroit Lions reason for hope for the Lions pedigree.
Speaker 17 (26:30):
You know, Dan Campbell built this thing from the ground up,
tore it down, built it up with grit and toughness,
and now it's time to show it. Because this team
won the NFC North the last two years. They still
got a ton of talent there. Dan Campb's got to
figure out how to call the plays when they can
ask this to offense can actually do more things.
Speaker 6 (26:46):
But I look at what they've been able to do.
Speaker 17 (26:49):
They know this is a tough spot to be in,
but they also know that they've been in touch spots before,
Mark and they found ways to get it done. I
like the Lions to find a way to get back
into the playoff race.
Speaker 8 (26:59):
Yeah, I like them too.
Speaker 10 (27:00):
In that pedigree, I'm going with explosiveness, and that's Jamiir
Gibbs who can absolutely take over games. James and Williams,
who you just saw there is finally getting back in
because of the Imam Ross Saint Brown injury, so he's
gotten more explosive plays. And also the schedule where they
have four of their last four game five games inside.
The only outdoor game is the last game at Chicago.
(27:21):
So I like for them, despite the banged up O line,
for them to be comfortable in those indoor environments.
Speaker 6 (27:26):
Judy and go win some.
Speaker 7 (27:27):
Games, right, Jeffrey, I bet I know what the answer
is going to be to this last one.
Speaker 8 (27:33):
What's the reason for hope for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Speaker 17 (27:36):
Well, it's the only answer they got now, and it's
Patrick Levon Mahomes the second.
Speaker 6 (27:40):
He's done a lot.
Speaker 17 (27:41):
Of great things in this league, pull up a lot
of miraculous things. This would be his biggest trick yet
because this team is one and five on the row,
they're one and six in close and one score games,
and they're winning three in their last game last games
against playoff contenders. So Mahomes is dealing with a tough defense,
a beat up offensive line, but he's still Patrick Mahomes.
We've seen it do amazing things.
Speaker 4 (28:00):
Mark.
Speaker 17 (28:01):
I can't imagine that this team can't at least still
keep fighting with him still under center.
Speaker 10 (28:07):
Yeah, of course Patrick Mahons and also Andy Reid and
of course still be in everyone. But just like the
last few years where although the offense and Patrick Mahons
weren't up, the part of the defense is what really
carried them to the Super Bowl last year and carried
them the early part of the season. They're severely compromised
and that's what my big worry, and he saw that
against Dallas where they just don't have the pass rush
(28:28):
to get home. Spags has the Blitz and their quarters
cannot hold up. Of course, they won't play Pickings and
Ceedee Lamb every week, so they'll have a break. But
they do have Houston, the Chargers, and Denver three of
the last five games, so I'm especially worried about the
Chiefs getting in. Sorry, Jeff, I know it's your team,
but worried about them from me, worried about them getting in.
Speaker 7 (28:51):
I will be I'll believe that the Chiefs are not
in the playoffs when the Chiefs are really not in
the playoffs.
Speaker 8 (28:57):
Jeffrey and Mark, thank you very much.
Speaker 7 (29:00):
Don't forget to check out Jeffries full article NFL dot Com.
Speaker 8 (29:03):
A slash, a first read ian A.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
Couple of bubble teams right there. That is the AFC
South standings. And this AFC South has gotten kind of fun,
just to be totally honest, kind of fun in part
because the Houston Texans have come all the way back
and the Cults have kind of come this way. There's
a lot to get into. Our good friend Steve Weisch
joins us again. I want to start, though, with the
Houston Texans. We've seen them in some many more high
(29:28):
profile games this season. I mean, they what they did
to the Bills offensive offensive line is something that Bill's
reeled from for like a week.
Speaker 2 (29:36):
Brutal.
Speaker 1 (29:37):
What do you make of the Texans and then the
AFC South in general, Steve Whaite, Now, first.
Speaker 16 (29:42):
Off, this game against the Chiefs is significant for both
of these teams because if they knock off the Chiefs,
that might be the death knell for Kansas City, and
it also could open up a second playoff spot for
a team in the AFC South.
Speaker 6 (29:53):
We'll get to that in just a minute.
Speaker 16 (29:55):
But the Houston Texans, the one thing that has been
consistent over and over has been the play of this
defense and that defensive front. The energy that it plays with,
namely Will Anderson and Daniel Hunter. The energy that they
played with is contagious. They are three linebackers, you know,
al Shayer speed and oh they can run with anybody.
They deliver contact, and we know how good that secondary is,
(30:18):
especially with the depth that they have on it. Now
you look at the way that they're starting to run
the football that has taken the pressure off first of
Davis Mills and now CJ.
Speaker 6 (30:27):
Stroud as he starts to get his mojo back.
Speaker 16 (30:29):
You seem already got the chemistry chemistry going with Nico Collins,
involving him some of the run game as well as
the passing game. They're a team that's on the ascent
and you look at their schedule. We talked about their
game with the Chiefs. They've got the Cardinals and the
Raiders after that, and then they finish off with the
Chargers and Colts, two teams that will be playing for
their playoff lives as well as Houston. Now let's get
(30:52):
into the rest of the division, and let's start with
the fact that there's going to be some cannibalization going
on between these two teams, the Colts and Jaguars, and
it starts this week as they play each other for
the first of two times, the Colts, and they have
the Jets and the Broncos. You know, the Jaguars, the Colts, Jets, Broncos,
Colts again in Tennessee. But look at the Colts schedule,
(31:14):
the Jaguars, Seattle, the forty nine Ers, the Jags again
and at Houston.
Speaker 6 (31:20):
That is a gauntlet.
Speaker 16 (31:21):
And that is why as well as the Colts looked
and playing the Texans last week, the fact that they
lost three or four coming into that with that schedule
right there, it looks very very tough. They're still a
very good football game and could very much qualify for
the playoffs.
Speaker 6 (31:36):
But you look at the schedules.
Speaker 16 (31:37):
With the Texans and the Jaguars, and the fact that
the Jaguars are showing the life of being a dangerous
football team. If they ever get to the point are
showing consistency, it will be a dangerous football team. Ian
So again, I think the fact if the Chiefs get
knocked off this week, that opens up the door for
two teams for this division to get into the playoffs.
(31:58):
We'll see which two Houston Texans are the one team
that seems like it's really on the ascent while the
other two. I think the culture treading water a little bit,
and the Jaguars are showing some life that they can
be dangerous even if they get into the playoffs.
Speaker 1 (32:14):
We'll go back to the Insiders presented by Progressive Insurance.
This is the portion of our program and we try
to make you feel terrible about your fantasy team. If
you were good at fantasy, this would be your lineup.
This is the perfect lineup in all of fantasy. I
don't have a lot of guys on there. Let's go
to the next page. I'm we'll show you where I
have more. There you go, this is the imperfect lineup.
This more resembles my fantasy team, which is fine. We're
(32:36):
actually caught fire a little bit. But most days it
kind of looks like that. Let's go inside Fantasy Live
with our good buddy Mico f Fourio. By the way, Fourio,
my fantasy team is now one four to five making
a late push for the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (32:50):
I know you care. I will keep you updated.
Speaker 1 (32:53):
What I want to get to now is which players
I need to target on the waiver wire. I potentially
we'll see last waiver wire of the season.
Speaker 2 (33:03):
Why don't you start us off with the quarterback position.
Speaker 5 (33:06):
No, we got to get you in so this is
not your last waiver wire, but four teams up by
this week.
Speaker 2 (33:11):
People need streaming options.
Speaker 8 (33:13):
Tyrod Taylor is one for you.
Speaker 5 (33:16):
He scored twenty one fantasy points and was the QB
six last week, and he ran for over forty yards.
He's done that now with two of his three starts.
He's topped sixteen fantasy points in each of those games.
And he gets a good matchup as the Dolphins have
allowed the seventh most fantasy points to quarterbacks, including the
third most rushing yard. So he brings the saint floor
(33:38):
and some upside. That's all you can ask for when
you're streaming at quarterback.
Speaker 1 (33:43):
Fascinating never would have thought, all right, what about running
back Chris Rodriguez.
Speaker 5 (33:48):
He has taken over in Washington the last two weeks.
In that span, forty five percent of the snaps, over
half of their running back carries, and he's getting all
of the goal line work, and normally he's more of
a floor play, but he brings a little bit of upside.
Speaker 8 (34:04):
This week because game script could be on his side.
Speaker 5 (34:07):
No team has been ran against more than the Minnesota Vikings.
Speaker 6 (34:11):
So if you're streaming at running back and I have
a couple.
Speaker 5 (34:13):
Of leagues where it's a pretty thin right now for
me with buys and injuries, Rodriguez is definitely a streaming
option this week.
Speaker 2 (34:20):
Weird week for buys to have him. But here we are.
Why don't you take me to a receiver on the
waiver wire, Alec Pierce.
Speaker 5 (34:27):
He should not be on the waiver war I say
the same thing for Christian Watson and Chris Godwin, who
are also out there in a number of leagues. But
Pierce has topped seventeen Fantasy points in three of his
last four. He currently leads the Colts in receiving yards,
and he always brings a high ceiling because of his
downfield usage. But I like him this week because look,
the Jags have been better as of late, but on
(34:49):
the year out wide wide.
Speaker 8 (34:50):
Receivers have torched him.
Speaker 5 (34:51):
He plays over eighty percent of his snaps out wide
and they struggle downfield. And then it's not just the
one we think. He gets the Jacks again and Championship week,
the forty nine.
Speaker 8 (34:59):
Ers a week sixteen. He's a good player to just
pick up right now.
Speaker 1 (35:04):
Bring it home, FOURIO give me a tight end on
the waiver wire.
Speaker 5 (35:08):
The big fellow Darren Waller, who returned last week and
led the Dolphins in yards. He just missed a touchdown,
but it is clear that he is the top red
and end zone option there. This week he gets the Jets,
who allowed the third most touchdowns to tight ends. They
got lit up by Kyle Pitt's last week, and he
is a very favorable playoff schedule, so he's not just
(35:30):
a one week rental. It's a good week for tight ends.
Though there's bretton Strange who's my top option, Hark Fann
and Don Schultz, feel Johnson and then there like please
add Jacoby percent already, but a lot of depth that
you should check your waiver wire just in case some
of these bigger names are out there, or and your handcuff.
Speaker 6 (35:48):
At running back for sure.
Speaker 7 (35:53):
Welcome back to the Insiders presented by Progressive Insurances. It
is a great stat by our John Todd. The Lions
had the most win it's an NFL history on Thursdays,
and the Cowboys are just one behind entering their Thursday
night football matchup this week just adds a little bit
more juice to an already very juicy game. Let's welcome
(36:13):
in Sam Schwarztein, Prime Video and TNFS analytics expert to
break down this week fourteen kickoff game. All Right, Dak
Prescott is back firmly in the MVP conversation now that
they are reeled off three straight wins.
Speaker 8 (36:28):
What makes him worthy of consideration?
Speaker 9 (36:30):
Sim here we go. Yeah, he's definitely the MVP conversations.
Speaker 4 (36:36):
He's clucked.
Speaker 9 (36:37):
That's playing simple.
Speaker 6 (36:38):
I don't it is not takesmanship.
Speaker 9 (36:40):
But he has three hundred and two percent win probability
added over the thirteen games just himself. That's by far
the most the NFL, by nearly fifty percent higher the
next closest player. The league average is thirty six percent
and he's doing it on all the important downs, whether
it's one hundred and twenty five percent added on third down,
one hundred and forty five percent added the fourth quarter,
(37:01):
and one hundred and ninety percent in quick throws when
he's able to diagnose everything. I think what's important, though,
is there is negative three hundred and forty one and
a half percent lost, but since adding quentinnin Williams, they've
added two point six percent.
Speaker 7 (37:14):
We basically spent the entire first half of the season
talking about Jerry jones trades on the defensive side of
the ball, But did we maybe not give him enough
credit for the George Pickens deal.
Speaker 6 (37:25):
Yeah, Jerry Jones.
Speaker 9 (37:26):
My family's all in Texas and they've never doubted him,
never doubt him, clearly, And the George Pickens trade is
massive for what they've done. He now leads all wide
receivers and EPA even more so than often the player
of your favorite Jackson Smith and Jigba. And I think
what's important is what he's added to his route tree
this year. He is twenty and a half EPA on
slants and he is a sixty one percent target win
(37:47):
slant win running slants. He also is the highest EPA
on INDs or dig routes twenty six percent target rate.
What they do with Pickens is they isolate him to
one side on the field. He's isolated forty one percent
of the time the most of the NFL. That either
makes teams dictate their coverage. Are they going to double
Pickings to leave Ceedee Lamb on the other side of
the field open, or if they don't double, don't double Pickens.
Speaker 2 (38:11):
That's when DA goes to him.
Speaker 7 (38:12):
The Lions are scrambling a little bit trying to get
back into the playoffs field. You cannot deny their speed
though they still got firepowers.
Speaker 9 (38:20):
In oh and they're so good at making explosive plays.
They have three players hopefully I'm on Rossaint Brown's going
to play. It doesn't look like it, but three players
with over twenty explosive plays. That's either a ten yard
run or a fifteen yard pass. And they can do
it in many different ways, whether it's screens, running plays
with Jamior Gibbs or Saint Brown from the slot. I
(38:41):
think what's important to remember is that when they have
an explosive play on that drive, they score a touchdown
on fifty two percent of their drives and most of
their explosives end up going for touchdowns like this when
they can create the big plays get open space for
their skill posion players. This is probably the most dominant
offense in the NFL, and they're going to eat it
on Thursday to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Speaker 8 (39:03):
Such a great matchup.
Speaker 7 (39:04):
Can't wait to watch it, Sam, Thank you very much,
and everybody can watch Sam every week on Thursday Night
Football's Prime Vision with Next Gen Stats, Alternate Stream Thursday's
coverage of the big Cowboys Lions matchup Prime Video and
NFL PLUFS. It begins at seven o'clock Eastern on TNF.
Before we completely turn the page though, on week thirteen,
(39:28):
let's look at the Pepsi zero Sugar Rookie of the
Week nominees. There you go, Tydler, Sure good for him,
Quarterback r J Harvey, Quin, Shawn Jenkins, Trevion Henderson, another
big game for him, Tylenogei who is all the talk
here from Rutgers Latham, Ransomcasher. Vote at NFL dot com,
Splash Rookies.
Speaker 8 (39:49):
We'll be back with the insiders.
Speaker 1 (40:00):
Watching us on NFL Network right now. But man, you
can watch the Insiders on a lot of different places,
on a lot of different days.
Speaker 2 (40:06):
We got the Monday.
Speaker 1 (40:07):
Podcast and NFL Fast platforms. You got NFL Plus at
all the days, you got NFL Network at all the days.
You've got YouTube on many days. I'm not going to
go through the whole thing. Just read there, and each
day you can know where you see us, which is
a lot of places. Welcome back to the Insiders in Rappaport, Judavitis.
Our good friend Jane Slater is right there. And before
(40:29):
we get to you, Jane, I want to get to
your social media because for a lot of people who
don't know this, Texas beat Texas.
Speaker 2 (40:37):
A and M and it was a whole thing. On Saturday, Electric.
Speaker 18 (40:53):
Given all access path to this game. Oh my god,
the greatest job in the world. Come in sports and
the Cowboys. Seriously, But since I graduated college, I've either
been working weekends or holidays, or if I'm credentialed, I'm
there as a working media member.
Speaker 8 (41:11):
I did not expect to have a credential to.
Speaker 19 (41:14):
Stand on the sidelines for my first SEC game, my
first night game at DKR, I was right there with
Matthew McConaughey.
Speaker 8 (41:22):
My boyfriend Ryan there got to come with me.
Speaker 14 (41:25):
Whenie Harrelson was there, We saw Glenn Powell.
Speaker 2 (41:28):
The drones were incredible.
Speaker 19 (41:30):
Miranda Lambert almost fought me when I tried to get
a picture with Glenn Powell.
Speaker 8 (41:34):
That is a great story.
Speaker 19 (41:35):
For the podcast another time. And then Arch for President.
Thank you Texas. From a filling the best fan experience
I could have ever asked for.
Speaker 8 (41:43):
At forty five, I felt alive.
Speaker 1 (41:46):
I mean, the fact that Arch actually played well was
noteworthy enough.
Speaker 2 (41:51):
And there you are on the field soaking it up
because I was there. Welcome Jane
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