December 11, 2025 • 44 mins
NFL Network Insiders Mike Garafolo, Ian Rapoport and Judy Battista get you set for Week 15 with news around the league including the latest comments from Joe Burrow about his situation in Cincy. They also discuss Nick Sirianni's response to calls for him to bench Jalen Hurts.
Sara Walsh reports live from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida ahead of TNF’s Falcons-Buccaneers matchup. Then Marc Ross delivers his Week 15 “Marc Key Matchups,” before Michael F. Florio shares his fantasy playoffs weekly starts & sits.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Sixty nine glorious degrees in Tampa, Florida right now.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
You know what that means, cream sickle weather. It also means.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
They're a lot warmer down there than we are in
the northeast. So this is going to be your good
weather game for the weekend. Are Sarah Walsh is there
to talk Bucks Falcons ahead of Thursday Night Football.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
We've got some mark key matchups.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Our guy Mark Ross's going to be here to discuss
Josh Allen, Jared Golf, Matthew Stafford and the defenses that
they are going to be facing in some key games
this weekend. And Michael f Florio helped get you to
the fantasy playoffs, or at least he helped me get
to the Fantasy playoffs. Now he's going to tell you
who to start and who to sit, not just tonight
on Thursday Night Football, but the whole weekend in the NFL.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
That's how we do it.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Here on the Insiders, welcome inside with us Judy Batista,
Ian Rappaport and me Mike Garraffalo. We have got a
crucial game for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. We have the
Carolina there's right on their shoulder in the NFC South.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
They've got to win this game after losing to the Saints.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
We're going to talk about that and everything going on
around the NFL, including this one, a weird one.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
TJ.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Watt.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
This statement from the Steelers Bert Lawton, their media relations director.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
TJ.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
Watt currently in a local hospital for further medical evaluation
of his lung after experiencing discomfort at the practice facility
on Wednesday. He did not practice on Thursday. Status for
Monday in question. Coach Tim will provide more updates at
the appropriate time. The appropriate time was a little bit
after that, and here is the update from Tom.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
I'm a little bit, you know, cautious about what I
was saying because I'm not a medical expert. But to
make a long story short, he was experiencing some discomfort
when he was at the facility yesterday, and so we
took them to the docks and you know, they're they're
going through some procedures. He stayed overnight in the hospital.
He has a lung situation that's being addressed. I think
(01:58):
he has some testing and so forth ahead of them
this afternoon.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
And that's all.
Speaker 4 (02:01):
I knew this juncture here and not communicated last night.
He was comfortable, and that's all I have really at
this point. His status for Monday night is really up
in the air. I think what transpires this afternoon is
going to provide more information for us. I just don't
have a lot as I stand.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
Here today, hoping for the best for tj A WoT
beyond just the football status, his entire health status. Meanwhile,
elsewhere in the AFC North, the Ravens with an extension
for Travis Jones, who we thought was going to be
an unrestricted free agent, and then there were some question
there were some technicalities he may have been a restricted
free agent, which means his earning potential this offseason may
(02:38):
have been a lot lower. So the sides had some
discussions and they reached basically a compromise here a three
year it's a pretty good compromise.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Forty point five million.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
Dollar extension with twenty five million guaranteed. Jones and the
Ravens defense will be trying to stop this guy, Joe Burrow,
who had some comments that have some people thinking what's
going on here and what's what the pauses and everything.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Listen to this from Burrow.
Speaker 5 (03:02):
No, it certainly doesn't change my desire to win. You know,
if I want to, if I want to keep doing this,
I have to have fun doing it. You know, I've
been through a lot, and if it's not fun, then
(03:23):
what am I doing it for? So that's mindset I'm
trying to bring to the table.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Yeah, a little bit worrisome.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
There're not going to try to guess what's happening in
Joe Burrow's mind, but there will be more.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Questions and hopefully more answers from Burrow.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
Meanwhile, you got the Raiders flying to Philadelphia to take
on the Eagles.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Another disappointing loss.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Four interceptions for Jalen Hurts plus a fumble, so five
total turnovers for a guy who didn't turn over the
football early in the season. This Eagles offense and Hurts
the season just hasn't been right this year.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
So that led to some of these.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
Questions from WI Radio in Philly to Nick Sirianniks.
Speaker 6 (04:02):
Jalen definitely your starter Sunday, Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
Is there a possibility later this season if he continues
to struggle, that you can make a change at the
quarterback spot.
Speaker 7 (04:13):
No, I think that's ridiculous, you know, I think, you know,
every time I walk on in that field and Jalen
Hurts as the starting quarterback. I have so much confidence
that we can win every game, in any game that
we play, and that we're in.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
All right, We're going to talk Eagles for a change.
I'm kidding.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
We've had pretty much the same conversation every single week
with the Eagles because this one has been troublesome for
a team that won the Super Bowl and was pretty
much running at will, and then once they were running
so well they were able to throw at will. It
just hasn't been right. So ian now the questions are
about the quarterback. Do you see any scenario in which
Nick Sirianna may change his answer or what happens?
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Where do you go from here?
Speaker 8 (04:56):
First of all, this is not the same conversation every
other time we've talked about the Eagles. It seems it's
been focused around Aj Brown, right, I mean that has
been it's been the angst of AJ Brown wanting the
ball his social media posts, and now he's gone off
and had a couple of really nice games in a row,
and we aren't actually for now for the first time
talking about Jalen Hurts the starting quarterback. And I think
(05:17):
internally with the Philadelphia Egles. Some of these conversations have
been going on. Remember when there was the Saquon Barkley
Jalen Hurts AJ Brown parking lot conversation. Does seem like
some of the arrows or whatever you want to call them,
we're directed at Jalen Hurts just publicly. This has not
been the conversation. Now, Judy, it's all out in the open.
When the WIP radio hosts are starting to ask Nick
(05:40):
Sirianne whether or not his Super Bowl MVP of a
quarterback is someone they could bench, that's gotten pretty real.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
Here's what I know. The Eagles need to get.
Speaker 8 (05:50):
Better on offense, they need to start winning, and Jalen
Hurts is no longer bulletproof.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
We're going to get through this season.
Speaker 8 (05:56):
Whatever the Eagles do, they will do however they perform,
if they fix it or not. But all of these
questions are going to come up again in the off
season and the egos are going to have to have
some answers.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
And that is what I know.
Speaker 8 (06:08):
And when the conversation gets like this, all out in
the open, everything is up for grabs.
Speaker 9 (06:13):
I would say.
Speaker 10 (06:16):
Absolutely, It's going to be a very interesting off season.
But let's just bring it back to like this week,
right now? Should they bend him? I mean no, You're
going into the most important games of the season and
you want to roll out the backup quarterback who has
played his only real appearance was last year in a
game that didn't matter at the end of the season.
(06:38):
That is just not a practical solution for the Philadelphia Eagles.
The offense has been off the entire season, certainly especially
in the last few weeks.
Speaker 11 (06:47):
Jalen has not played well.
Speaker 10 (06:49):
Actually last week I thought he played well, like it
in moments like the drive that led to the game
tying field goal actually looked good.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
That was fine.
Speaker 10 (06:58):
And then obviously interceptions are terrible. But it's too late
to fix all of those things now. But the reality
is you're about to face the Raiders. This is a
potential sorry to say this about the Raiders, this is
a potential get right game for the Philadelphia Eagles. This
is an opportunity to try to get into a rhythm
on the offense, to try to work out some of
(07:18):
the kings, to try to build a little confidence, and
get everybody back on the same page. All of the
things that have to be dealt with in the off
season are for the off season, but for right now.
You can't bench your Super Bowl winning quarterback with the
most important part of the season ahead of you for
(07:39):
a backup quarterback. I know, backup quarterbacks are always the
most popular guy in town, but a backup quarterback who's
got like no playing experience, that is just not a
viable option for this team.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
Yeah, Eagles got the Commanders coming up as well, a
couple of games against the Commanders, a team that they
have played well against. I know they're not going to
the postseason, but they may present a challenge. But you're right, Judy,
some winnable game games on the schedule here for them
to close out. Finally, in NFC East, they probably should
have closed out by now.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
Speaking of teams trying.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
To close things out, here is the playoff picture as
it stands right now.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Nobody's in nobody's I mean, this is how wide open
it is.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
And that's how many teams with good records that we've
got right there. You see the Bucks down. They were
going to get to them in a second. But here's
how some of these teams can get in do not.
I've got this game on Sunday, this Buffalo, New England game.
Do not mentioned to the Patriots that it is a
hat and T shirt game. In fact, they spoke to
Christian Ellis, He's like, it's that one of those what
do you call it games? He knows what they call it.
(08:36):
They're just trying not to say it up in New England. Meanwhile,
down there in Tampa Bay, perhaps the Bucks could have
easily coasted to the division title, but they've had some
mishaps in the last couple of weeks and that is
why tonight they are facing not a must win, but
you know, really probably should win games Sarah Walsh.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Against the Atlanta Falcons.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
With the Panthers a team they have coming up twice
in the next couple of weeks, the Panthers right on
their tail, get us ready for this game tonight.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
It's got to be a get right game for the Bucks.
Speaker 12 (09:08):
Yeah, you touched on it, Mike g Despite that six
and two start to the season, there is no cushion
left for the Buccaneers. That is because they have dropped
four of their last five. They are currently tied right
now for the division lead with the Carolina Panthers.
Speaker 13 (09:21):
But you know what can really spark an offense bringing.
Speaker 12 (09:24):
Back a guy with some Hall of Fame credentials, and
that is what the Bucks expect to see tonight because
they are going to get Mike Evans back. He has
been out since October twentieth when he broke his collarbone.
Speaker 13 (09:35):
Not only are they.
Speaker 12 (09:36):
Expecting to have Mike Evans back on the field, but
we should see the season debut.
Speaker 13 (09:40):
Of Jalen McMillan tonight. Last year is a rookie receiver.
Speaker 12 (09:44):
He finished the year with seven touchdowns in his last
five games. Having those two back on the field will
be massive for this offense because really they have spent
this season relying in that receiver's room on a rookie
and a Mecca Abuka because Chris Godwin has been in
and out. As for the two guys returning tonight, McMillan
and Evans, Todd Bole says that they looked good, they
(10:05):
looked fresh, They ran great routes this week. He said,
they look like they have never left and clearly this
Buccaneers team is going to need that. When I spoke
to Chris Godwin this week, he said, it has never
been cleaned for us this year. We have never really
been healthy and Baker Mayfield. He hasn't missed a game,
but he has not been healthy either. Godwin told me
you wouldn't know it though by the way he carries
himself at work. He said that has been infectious. And
(10:27):
these Buccaneers really could use a boost for Baker and
this offense if they want to take a step closer
to claiming a fifth straight division title.
Speaker 10 (10:36):
Mike, Welcome back to the Insiders. It is Chargers week
for the Kansas City Chiefs. That's one of the very
consequential games of the weekend. Frankly, at this time of
the year, most of the games feel really really consequential.
The Chiefs, of course, are hanging on by a thread
to any playoff chances.
Speaker 11 (10:54):
Here is Patrick Mahomes on the urgency of the moment.
Speaker 14 (10:59):
I mean, we understand we got win. I mean, I
think that's at the point that's obvious. I mean, just
like you got to win the football game, and so
whatever it takes, you know, I mean, we said it
every week, but obviously you're kind of that back against
the wall time spot where you're playing a team that's
you're chasing, that that has a big lead in front
of you, and so you got to find a way
to win, and so you got to have that mindset
(11:20):
we step on the football field.
Speaker 10 (11:23):
It's incredible that we are having this conversation this late
in this season. Let's welcome in our Jane Slater and
Brian Baldinger to talk about this. Jane, we just heard
from Patrick Mahomes. He knows what the math is. This
is clearly a dire situation for the Chiefs.
Speaker 15 (11:38):
Which certainly makes this game in Kansas City all the
more entertaining. Baldy, I hear that you're going to be
there looking forward to that one.
Speaker 3 (11:45):
You know.
Speaker 15 (11:45):
He expanded on that, talking a little bit more about
maybe there's things that he can do too. Maybe it's
not taking the home run shot, maybe it's just getting
the completion. But at this point they have got to
win out the rest of this postseason to keep it alive.
To talk about kind of the unprecedented territory for Mahomes
and his team. Mahomes hasn't lost three consecutive straight games
(12:06):
in a season since his senior year at Texas Tech.
He's also been hit ninety plus times this season, among
the most in the league, and help up front can't
come soon. It up now there's talk that right guard
Tray Smith might mean back if he's available, that would help.
But right now we're looking at Juwan Taylor. Is he
going to be good to go with this triceps injury.
They've also going to be calling on that undrafted rookie
(12:28):
asapool to fill in on this offensive line.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Now.
Speaker 11 (12:31):
Obviously, the one thing that Mahomes does great is he
creates things.
Speaker 15 (12:36):
Outside of the pocket. The Chargers are bracing for exactly that.
If you look at their numbers, they've allowed just one
passing touchdown on the scramble drills this season. And look,
one of his more reliable targets is Travis Kelsey. But
it was Kelsey this week on his podcasts New Heights
that said, you know, most of the time, answers are
easy to come by. Right now they're not, and so
(12:57):
that's what's complicating things. He's not getting a lot of
his wide receivers. He's getting pressured, and you're catching the
Chargers right now that found ways to win in spite
of things.
Speaker 16 (13:07):
Last week, Jane, the Chiefs are six and seven and
struggling because they had problems on the offensive line all
year from the left tackle Trey Smith in and out
of the lineup right tackle right now. The penalties, the
drops that we continue to show, and so really what
the compensation for that has been and is is the
(13:27):
deep shots. Is Mahomes getting out of the pocket Last
week at the start of the third quarter, they're losing
ten to nothing. He gets a big shot the Hollywood
Brown down the field thirty five yards. They scored their
only touchdown of the game. When they get their explosive plays,
they have a chance to win these games because they're
not good enough just to march ten or twelve or
fourteen plays the way they once did and just execute
(13:49):
without the penalties, without the miscues on the offensive line,
without the drops. And so I feel like they got
to hit those in this game, Jane, in order to
have a chance to win this game, Jane.
Speaker 10 (14:01):
On the other side, the Chargers, they did win last week, certainly.
Speaker 11 (14:05):
Not the cleanest effort. Justin Herbert was sacked seven times.
Speaker 10 (14:09):
He's a big boy, but certainly, considering that he's also
playing around with a broken hand, I imagine there is
a great emphasis on keeping him more upright this week.
Speaker 15 (14:19):
And this is the same guy that was stiff arming
defenders with that hand. Just seven days removed from putting
bolts and screws in there. Now, I think the one
thing that should give Chargers fans, I don't know how
you want to hedge this one. He said, they did
X rays on it, and things seemed to come out
quote clean for the most part. What's more concerning is
that he ended up being the team's leading rusher ten
(14:40):
carries for sixty six yards, largely because he was pressured
for nearly three quarters of the game. He acknowledged afterward
that he missed him throws some highs, some outside because
of that constant dress.
Speaker 11 (14:50):
Now he faces a.
Speaker 15 (14:51):
Chief pass rush that you know, Baldy, despite some big names,
they're middle to lower tier statistically the season. So I
think the key here for the Chargers is key him upright,
let him get in a rhythm, and let's see if
he can get through another game where he's just getting
some of that punishing pressure up front. I mean, I
think the key here is, you know we can both
sides are dealing with offensive line. Was you don't want
(15:14):
Herbert to get in a rhythm here because, as we said,
this defense really isn't helping out the Chiefs. As we
said in the past either, although I wouldn't put things
past ste Spagnol, especially at home.
Speaker 16 (15:24):
Well, I thought like, even though the Charges won the
game the other night, I thought they got away from
a little bit of the things that Jim Harball has
always preached, like taking care of the football, which they
did largely.
Speaker 17 (15:34):
But you know, I didn't see Matt Locke on the field.
Speaker 16 (15:37):
I didn't see the big the big guys, Trevor Penny,
like dead thirty ones, and they were throwing the ball
on third and one, they had third and threes, and
they were throwing it deep down the field, and I
didn't really understand.
Speaker 17 (15:48):
That's not who they are, especially if your quarterback.
Speaker 16 (15:51):
Has got a bandage wrapped bolted hand together like he did,
and he was forced to scramble so many times for
you know, sixty yards first downs and whatnot. I just
think they need to get back to who they are,
which is really a ball control team and try to
win at the line of scrip. I know, the tackles
are out and you're down to Bobby Hart at right
tackle and all that kind of stuff, but really this
(16:13):
is who they want to be. I think they got
to get back to protecting him by running the ball better.
They got a Marrion back. He looked good when he
had a chance to carry the ball. Kamara of Videll
has been unbelievable. I think they got to get back
to that kind of ball control and maybe some play
action off it rather than just spread the defense out
and asked Herbert to go make perfect throws to Lad mcconki,
(16:33):
Trey Harris, Keenan Allen, pick a guy.
Speaker 10 (16:37):
You know, when the schedule came out all the way
back in May, we knew this was going to be
a big game. We probably didn't realize it was going
to be a big game for this particular reason. Chief
season on the line. Jane Baldi, thank you very much.
Speaker 11 (16:50):
And when we return on The.
Speaker 10 (16:51):
Insiders, we're going to talk about another really big game
this weekend, Broncos versus Packers. I think if you love defense,
this is the one.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
You want to pay attention to.
Speaker 10 (17:00):
We'll talk about it next on The Insiders.
Speaker 3 (17:11):
Welcome back to the Insiders.
Speaker 8 (17:13):
That is Tampa Bay, the sight of tonight's showdown.
Speaker 3 (17:17):
It's a showdown right Bucks Falcons where.
Speaker 8 (17:20):
The Bucks absolutely gotta have it if they want to
get back on track. Our buddy Sarah Walsh live and
in person, getting ready to take in tonight's game, Inducer
reporting on it. First of all, Sarah, I just got
this in the mail from the Bucks. It is a
VHS of their Raise the Flag documentary. Look at I
haven't seen a VHS in forever.
Speaker 9 (17:40):
Look how cool this is.
Speaker 8 (17:41):
Anyway, I can't wait to explain to my kids exactly
what that is. Hi, Sarah, before you start watching today game,
let's talk a little bit. Let's talk about Mike Evans
making his return tonight.
Speaker 3 (17:55):
What kind of bounce are the Bucks gonna get from
that one?
Speaker 2 (18:00):
Look?
Speaker 12 (18:00):
I don't know what's going to show up on the
stat sheet at the end of the night, but just
having him out on the field clearly has a massive
impact because he's somebody that has to be accounted for
at all times.
Speaker 13 (18:11):
He changes a defensive game plan clearly.
Speaker 9 (18:14):
I spoke with.
Speaker 12 (18:14):
Chris Godwin this week and something unusual has happened to him.
Speaker 13 (18:18):
For the first time in his nine year career.
Speaker 12 (18:20):
We've gotten to week fifteen and he has not been
on the field for a single game with Evans, and
that is because Godwin himself has been coming back from injury.
He told me that he had moments this year where
he wondered if he was going to play with Evans
this year. Once Evans went out on October twentieth, he
said it felt strange, but he's incredibly grateful that those
two will be reunited tonight.
Speaker 13 (18:42):
This Buck offense really needs to get going.
Speaker 12 (18:44):
This team has dropped four of its last five, but
you're putting Evans on the field with Godwin. Jalen McMillan
also expected to come back and play for the first
time this year. There is no receiving duo in the
league playing right now that has more combined receiving yards
than Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, and for the first
time this season Ian they will be reunited here.
Speaker 8 (19:05):
That's wild that they have. I mean, I guess I
sort of knew that, but I hadn't really thought about that.
They have not played together all year. Should be a
big one tonight for the Bucks. For the receiving core
from the other side, they got Kirk Cousins, not the
Falcons starter obviously that would be Michael Pennick juniors out
for the season where they torn acl but someone who
has played very well against the Bucks in the past.
(19:25):
What are we expecting from this Falcons offense.
Speaker 12 (19:29):
Well, Baker Mayfield says, they very much understand that this
is a Falcons team that would do love nothing more
than to just screw up the postseason plans for the Buccaneers,
and Rahee Morris is all but confirmed that. He said,
our job now is to play spoiler. You mentioned Michael
Pennocks junior not playing. These two teams met in Week one.
The Bucks escaped with the win there in Atlanta was
(19:49):
twenty three to twenty, but that was Pennick's playing and
now Kirk Cousins takes over. But Kirk Cousins has been
a tremendous problem for the Buccaneers. Last year, the Falcons
swept the Bucks and it's because Cousins put up monster numbers.
He set a franchise record with five hundred and nine
passing yards in that game. In two games he had
almost eight hundred yards. He said, you have to remind
yourself that you can do things like that. Right However,
(20:11):
he will be without Drake London tonight. Some good news
for the Buccaneers. They were without Tristan Wurfs.
Speaker 13 (20:17):
A week ago. We were talking about the guys that
they are going to have back.
Speaker 12 (20:20):
They are going to have Werfs back, but they did
lose another lineman in Ben Bredeson last week. So not
only is Cousins problematic, but this Falcons defense could cause
some issues because they like to get after the quarterbacks.
They rank third in the league forty three sacks and
this is a bucks O line and I know that
this happens a lot throughout the league. But they have
been revamped again and again this year, and they are
(20:42):
going to do it once again.
Speaker 13 (20:43):
This evening Ian.
Speaker 3 (20:44):
Falcons pass rush pretty nasty.
Speaker 8 (20:46):
They fixed that thing in one year and it has
been They have done a very very nice job there
from the Edges. Fun matchup tonight, Sarah, Thank you very much,
as always, enjoy the game. I'll send you a VHS
maybe if I have a spare one you can figure
out how to play anyway. Good stuff as always, Garreth,
follow and take away all right.
Speaker 1 (21:04):
The Packers wearing their winter warning uniforms this Sunday, a
little late.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
Winter's already here.
Speaker 1 (21:10):
It's cold everywhere, especially in Green Bay, but that's what
they will be wearing. All whites against the Denver Broncos
this coming Sunday. The Broncos have a bunch of clinching scenarios.
I am going to ignore the last four because we
don't expect ties, and when they happen, it Jess screws
everything off. Kyle Brant, Good Morning Football, loves ties, loves
the chaos.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
I hate him.
Speaker 1 (21:30):
What I do love is having people on the program
that know football. So let's bring in a couple of
Mark Ross and Brian Baldinger joining us here, and we
are going to break down this Broncos Packers game. I'm
going to start with you, Mark. I mean, we like
to say this throughout the season, and maybe people don't
believe it, but it's like this could be a Super
Bowl preview right here between the Packers and the Broncos
(21:54):
without a doubt.
Speaker 6 (21:55):
I mean, these two teams at the Broncos number one,
and they're legit and because.
Speaker 9 (22:00):
Of their defense, and that's no secret to anybody.
Speaker 6 (22:03):
Fourth in the league and points per game and number
one in sacks, and they come in waves and come
and droves with those sacks or Benito just says, hey,
let me just run by tackles.
Speaker 9 (22:12):
And go destroy games.
Speaker 6 (22:14):
But of course a big question mark is the offense
and the defense is so dominant that the offense can
afford to be inconsistent, and both Knicks can afford to
be inconsistent. Fourteenth in the league and points per game,
and he's kind of averaging all his stats. The run
game is average in what they do except when they
need to make plays and go win games. That is
(22:36):
an offensive skill that they have absolutely mastered and demonstrated,
particularly in their ten straight wins and getting that number
one seed. So when you do have that offense of
the defense playing like they are doing, the.
Speaker 9 (22:49):
Offense can be up and down until you need to.
Speaker 6 (22:52):
And Mike, it almost reminds me talking about Super Bowls
of the formula we had with the Giants where we
had pass rushers and the defensive dominate it in the
playoff runs and the Super Bowl.
Speaker 9 (23:03):
And then Eli and the offense are up here, up
and down.
Speaker 6 (23:05):
Okay, now when it's winning time in the playoffs, they
made the plays to go win the playoff games and
the Super Bowl. So there is a path for the
Broncos to play like this and still win it all.
Speaker 1 (23:18):
Speaking of pass rushers, a guy you know well, Brian
Baldinger Micah Parsons was brought to Green Bay to affect
quarterbacks in big games such is this one coming up.
So let's get the baldy breakdown of what Mike is
doing to harass opposing offenses.
Speaker 16 (23:33):
Be happened to you, Mike, You know, you got to
think that Micah was traded on August twenty eighth, just
a week before the start of the season. So I
think Jeff Hefley, the defensive coordinator, should be applauded and
how they're using Micah and the different ways that they're
now figured out, because there's the traditional ways that Mikey
can just line up like he can, like right here
against Detroit no help.
Speaker 17 (23:53):
That's tough for any tackle in this league.
Speaker 16 (23:55):
I mean, Taylor Decker is a quality tackle, but he
gets smoked right there and down goes to quarterback. You
watch him against Chicago right here, and he's got basically
a contained rush on the outside right now, and Caleb
has been noted to get outside the pocket, and there's
not many guys that he can run away from or
turn the corner on until he met Michael Parsons two
weeks ago, and when he did, he thought twice about
(24:18):
trying to turn that corner, pulled up and decided maybe
it's just better to throw it away. Mike has that
effect on quarterbacks, right, and so then you go, okay,
well what can we do here to kind of protect
our quarterback. So here's you know, Cole Comet right here,
he's going to chip them. Here's DeAndre Swift. He's going
to stay in there and he's going to try to
help out. But Mike is like squeezing jello. He's going
(24:41):
to find the opening someplace that he does. But this
is what Jeff Hafley has done. Now he's now got
structure as defense, where Mike has got freedom to go.
Now here's David Montgomery. He's going to try to chip them,
but he's used to seeing the chip and he still
gets to the quarterback. And then a few weeks ago
against Minnesota, here he is just on a freelance and
you know when he comes with his power, he can
(25:03):
just do these kind of things. Just run the center over,
claps the pocket and force JJ McCarthy into a sack.
And then once you start loading up for that, you
start using Micah as a decoy. Here the Bears, they
see him over here over the right tackle Darnell right,
they're gonna slide to them, all right, so they have
a full line slide to mike Ha to be able
(25:24):
to handle his pass rush powers, and then they overload
the other side, drop Mikeh as a decoy in the coverage,
overload the other side and get the same effect of
forcing the quarterback out of the pocket and throwing it away,
and so you can gain plan. Sean Payton has been
burning the midnight oil trying to gain plan to stop
Michah Parsons. But the way that they're using him right
(25:44):
now is becoming more increasingly difficult to stop him. And
he's not the only guy, you know, Rashan Gary. They've
got other pass rushers, but he's the focal point of
him getting after the quarterback. And Bo Nix, who has
been as athletic and gotten away from as many pass
rushers as anyone in this litigue, might be a little
bit different if Michael Parsons is chasing you.
Speaker 10 (26:05):
Welcome back to the Insiders. Here's our five Big Games
poster for this week. I feel like I'm getting better
at reading this graphic. They've got the Lions rams as
the headliner, but just down there you also see Bill's Patriots,
that is with the AFC East on the line the
Patriots that can clinch the division with a victory over
the Bills, really early clinching scenario.
Speaker 11 (26:26):
It's time for Mark Key matchups. And there's Mark Ross
and there's Brian Baldinger.
Speaker 10 (26:32):
All right, Mark Ross, let's start with you, and let's
start with Bills versus Patriots AFC East on the line.
Speaker 9 (26:40):
Yeah, amazing match up. There to be the man, you
got to beat the man. The Bills have been the man.
Speaker 6 (26:44):
The patriot have already beat them one time this year,
and let's see if they can do it again and say, yes,
we're the new kings of the AFC East.
Speaker 9 (26:51):
And in that first game, you know, Drake may On
an mvp' teir.
Speaker 6 (26:55):
Now, but he was twenty two of thirty two hundred
and seventy three yards, zero touchdowns, zero in a So
they won that game without him being spectacular. And for
the Bills, you know, despite the Josh Allen heroes, it
seems like still Baldy, their games are coming out of him.
Speaker 9 (27:10):
Let's go, Josh, go win the game. That defense give
it up tons of yards. Still twenty eighth in the
league in rush dye, so that'll be something to watch. Then.
Speaker 6 (27:19):
Also when Josh Allen has to play hero ball in
four of their losses. He's had two turnovers into these games,
so it'll be important for them to protect the football.
But this looks like another possibility for the Patriots, and
Drake made to say, we're the new Kings there, Baldy.
Speaker 16 (27:35):
You know, Mark, it's the Patriots signature win this year,
Week five, that's the biggest win. The schedule has been
a little soft, but they do have a formula. They
don't turn the ball over, they find ways to get
explosive plays, and they're just very sound defensively. They got
a guy in Christian Zalvez that can shut your guy down.
Marcus Jones has been a stud in the slot. You know,
(27:56):
they've got a formula. I'm interested to see, after one
watching Josh and studying him, how they design a defense
this week to control them, because Cincinnati didn't do it
last week, like he ran right through them forty yard
touchdown in the snow.
Speaker 3 (28:09):
Like.
Speaker 16 (28:10):
I don't think the Patriots are going to allow that
to happen. So I think that's the game within the
game is how do you either spy or control Josh
Allen and limit his either runs or the playsoff script
and I think that's going to be the key to
this game on Sunday.
Speaker 10 (28:24):
All right, Next up, guys is Lions Rams, a game
with big playoff implications for both teams mark.
Speaker 6 (28:31):
Big implications, but in two different ways, Judy, and for
the Lions this is almost a win and get in
type of game.
Speaker 9 (28:37):
Their playoffs are right now this weekend.
Speaker 6 (28:40):
And for the Rams it's, well, we're just trying to
show we're the best team, the most complete team in football.
Speaker 9 (28:46):
And for the Lions, despite all the back.
Speaker 6 (28:48):
And forth and the changing four Nators Dan Campbell taking over,
they're still number one in the league at points per
game on offense, so they can still score and get
the ball in there.
Speaker 9 (28:57):
And then on the defensive side, they're top five in sight.
Speaker 6 (29:00):
So I know there's been a lot of questions about
the Lions team throughout this year, but they can score
and they can get sacks.
Speaker 9 (29:06):
But for the Rams and Baldy I'm looking at it.
Speaker 6 (29:09):
I mean, they're amazing on offense and defense, top five
on both.
Speaker 9 (29:13):
Matt Stafford playing like an MVP.
Speaker 6 (29:14):
They can run the ball, two wide receivers who could
just absolutely take over a game and dominate. So I'm
looking at this as another statement win for the Rams
to saying yep, we're the one seed and the best
team in football.
Speaker 16 (29:27):
Mark the Lions have a bad pattern working against him
right now. They have one to one, lost one, one
to one lost one for the last two months, for
the last nine weeks, and so they win last week,
So they haven't stacked two wins in a row since
October fifth. That's a long drought to bring back to
back games. And now you're going against the team that
you just said like they're very, very complete. I feel
(29:49):
like if the Lions are going to win this game,
they've got to find a way to win in the trenches.
That means Jamiir Gibbs has got to have a big
day running the ball because when they explode and they
score the points, he's the the go to guy in
the running game, end of the pass game, and then
Jamis Williams has to get over the top.
Speaker 17 (30:05):
You know.
Speaker 16 (30:05):
They got to find their big plays and typically when
they explode, that's how they do it. But the Rams
have been very, very good on both sides of the ball.
That defensive line that they've built over the last three
years is as talented as any in the league right now,
and so they just destroyed Arizona last week. I'm sure
they're looking to maybe clinch the number one spot. Matt Stafford,
(30:26):
if you protect him, he's going to find a way
to complete a lot of passes. This is on the
Detroit's trench warfare to win this game, to help them
win this game and maybe stack their second win.
Speaker 3 (30:36):
In a row.
Speaker 10 (30:39):
All right, our final game is one did not even
make the poster.
Speaker 11 (30:42):
Kind of a late ad here. We all know why
we're all going to be watching Colts Seahawks.
Speaker 9 (30:48):
Mark Well, Judy. It didn't make a poster because someone.
Speaker 6 (30:51):
Wrote this script like for a movie and it got
rejected by every single movie studio. Of the forty four
year old quarterback who hasn't played in five years coming
back to say a season for an NFL team, I
get that out of here.
Speaker 9 (31:03):
But that's what we're going to see and not just
come back.
Speaker 6 (31:06):
And play any game they're playing, maybe popping out great
defenses earlier, the nastiest defense in the league with the
Seahawks with number two in points per game, number three
in sacks. Oh but also our offense is number two
in scoring, so this could get ugly quick Baldy there
and it's in Seattle as well, one of the toughest
(31:27):
places to play. But this is must see TV just
to see if the story about ending turns out to
be anything or it is just a.
Speaker 17 (31:36):
Nightmare, right you know. Mark.
Speaker 16 (31:38):
Yesterday in the press conference, Philip Rivers said, I'm not
here to be the savior, but if he plays on Sunday,
he's there to be the savior.
Speaker 17 (31:45):
That's what he has to be.
Speaker 16 (31:47):
They've lost three in a row and they're playing themselves
right out of playoff contention. So if he gets on
the field, and I think he's gonna get on the field,
they're gonna go ask him to be the savior.
Speaker 17 (31:56):
And that's almost impossible.
Speaker 16 (31:57):
Like I'm you know, the reflexes and the reactions that
every quarterback re lives on. There's no way they can
be sharp, just no way. And that's not the way
this league works. And so and against the defense that
you're speaking of, with the atmosphere that will be there
in Seattle, which is always there, that's almost it is
a movie script. That is disbelievable for this to actually happen,
(32:22):
for film to have success, I don't see it against
this defense. Watching Devin Witherspoon play last week, I mean
I want to give him the defensive Player of the
Year just on that game alone. The way that he
comes like that is a relentless team. You feel these
shots at every position, the way they hit on that defense.
Speaker 17 (32:40):
Right now, time to go.
Speaker 1 (32:43):
Inside with Fantasy Live. NFL Fantasy Live with our guy
Michael Florio. It is fantasy playoff time. He's got a
big playoff matchup with Marcus Grant. So we've got some
of our guys up against each other. How many playoff
games do you have in total? I've made it in
eight of my eleven leagues.
Speaker 2 (33:03):
Eight of eleven. See, that's why you get this guy
in here.
Speaker 1 (33:05):
If he said he made it in three of eleven,
you'd be like, no, this is not my fantasy.
Speaker 2 (33:09):
He's got a tough fantasy expert every single year.
Speaker 1 (33:11):
So in this time for starts and sits, and as always,
we start with these starts on Thursday night Football Bucks Falcons.
Speaker 18 (33:18):
Yeah, I think Baker Mayfield is in play this week.
I don't think he's like a must start, set it
and forget it tight, but it is a bad week
at quarterback. A lot of names that you could usually
start have really tough matchups or something like that.
Speaker 2 (33:32):
I know Baker has been struggling.
Speaker 18 (33:34):
Few were the two inns of yards and one touchdown
in each of his last four games. He hasn't scored
fifteen fantasy points in his last three, but he does.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
Have a history of success in this matchup.
Speaker 18 (33:44):
In fact, Baker has thrown three touchdown passes every game
against the Raheem Morris Falcons defense. And he's getting his
full allotment of receivers back this week, so just more
options for him to throw the ball to he has
success in this matchup. I think that has him as
a borderline QB one play and then I think this is.
Speaker 2 (34:03):
A get right game for a Mecca Abuca.
Speaker 18 (34:06):
Since Week six, when his struggles started happening, he is
the lowest catchable target rate in the NFL.
Speaker 2 (34:12):
I'm looking at you, Baker.
Speaker 18 (34:13):
Even last week he overthrew him a what should have
been a touchdown pass.
Speaker 2 (34:18):
Abuka is not without sinning that stretch.
Speaker 18 (34:20):
He does have the second highest drop rate, but the
Falcons are the top three and yards, touchdowns and fantasy
points per game. Two wide receivers in the last month
and with Evans back and McMillan back and god when
playing better.
Speaker 2 (34:32):
I think some defensive attention comes off of a mecca
at BUKA. And speaking of Mike Evans.
Speaker 18 (34:38):
I think he's in playing tonight, but he's not a
must start right like I would play him over your
Colts wide receivers or Troy Franklin, Dj Moore, but like
Jacoby Meyers, Juwan Jennings, Zay Flowers, those are some names
I would play over Mike Evans.
Speaker 3 (34:52):
Sounds like pitch count for Mike Evans tonight.
Speaker 8 (34:54):
So if you just catch lighting in the bottle, get
a touchdown or something, then it's worth it. If you don't,
probably not look at me dispensing fantasy advice. My team
is as always terrible. Who are we sitting tonight? Florio
for these T andF matchup.
Speaker 18 (35:08):
Not the biggest sits, but again with it not being
the best week at quarterback, you might be seeing Kirk
Cousins and being like, oh, well the Bucks their top
five and fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
Yeah, I'm not doing it.
Speaker 18 (35:19):
Look, Cousins has yet to reach fifteen fantasy points in
a game this season, so despite the matchup, if you
start him and he gets you like thirteen points, You're
gonna hate looking at that number all the way till Sunday,
and it might get you eliminated from the playoffs. Some
streaming options I would use over him Marcus Mariota, JJ McCarthy,
(35:40):
Tyler Schuck.
Speaker 2 (35:41):
I like shador.
Speaker 18 (35:41):
I just don't like the weather there, So that's one
to keep an eye on. And then look, even without
Drake London, you're sitting Darnell Mooney. You just simply cannot
trust him in the fantasy playoffs. He has topped fifteen
fantasy points once all season long. In his last two
games without Drake London to get five fantasy points.
Speaker 2 (36:02):
The only Falcons I would.
Speaker 18 (36:03):
Play tonight is b John Robinson obviously, and Kyle Pitts,
who's been the top target for Kirk Cousins in all
three of his last starts all right to the rest
of the weekend.
Speaker 2 (36:14):
In the NFL we.
Speaker 1 (36:15):
Go, Michael Wilson, Cardinals wide receiver has been really hot
of late.
Speaker 2 (36:19):
We're starting him. I have him as they sit this week. Now.
I'm not telling you to sit him for just anyone.
Speaker 18 (36:25):
You have to have another, but like in a league,
I'm sitting him for Juwan Jennings for example, because I
get it, he's averaged thirty one fantasy points per game
with no Marvin Harrison Junior.
Speaker 2 (36:34):
But look who's he's playing this week.
Speaker 18 (36:36):
The Texans have allowed the fewest fantasy points per game
to wide receivers.
Speaker 2 (36:40):
They just shut down Rashi Rice.
Speaker 18 (36:42):
In fact, it's just about half of the passes that
go to wide receivers that get completed against this defense.
And look, I've played fantasy for a while. We've seen
a lot of really fun stories come crashing down when
they get a matchup like this.
Speaker 2 (36:57):
I like Michael Wilson.
Speaker 18 (36:58):
I believe in his talent, but I fear the Texans
defense even more.
Speaker 8 (37:04):
Yeah, I'm not sure i'd start anybody against the Tech
and Texans defense. They are nasty, all right? What about
this wide receiver? Start or sit Justin Jefferson.
Speaker 18 (37:13):
We have been feuding on the NFL Fantasy Football Show
this week. I am team Justin Jefferson. Lawan Jones is
not team Justin Jefferson. But if you survived last week,
I will.
Speaker 2 (37:24):
Admit I was wrong to saying to start him.
Speaker 18 (37:26):
Then I don't expect the Vikings to go up thirty
one nothing again this week. In fact, I expect them
to be trailing and having to throw a whole bunch.
And the Cowboys have allowed the most fantasy points per game,
yards and touchdowns to wide receivers, the most of all
to out wide wide receivers, the most of all on
deep passes. So yeah, it is a fantastic matchup. We
(37:46):
have seen wide receivers eat weekly against this Cowboys defense,
even in the last month their top five, so they
got better against the run, not the pass. I think
justin Jefferson, you trust his talent in this fantastic It's
literally the best matchup he could have, So I'm gonna
trust him in that.
Speaker 1 (38:03):
I have long since stopped trying to guess what Sean
Payton is going to do with his backfield on a
week to week basis, But it says right here that
you are going to.
Speaker 2 (38:11):
Start or sit RJ. Harvey.
Speaker 18 (38:13):
I'm starting RJ Harvey because yet, look, Sean Payton is
a headache for fantasy running backs until he lost JK.
Speaker 2 (38:21):
Dobbins. Since then, RJ.
Speaker 18 (38:22):
Harvey has played sixty percent of the snaps, He's handled
two thirds of the Broncos running back carries, and he's
seeing the bulk.
Speaker 2 (38:29):
Of targets there too.
Speaker 18 (38:30):
It is why since thereby that post bump buy he
has gotten twenty one or more Fantasy points in both
of those games. Dobbins was only getting carries here in
this backfield. We haven't seen Sean Payton turn over the
entire backfield. He touches the carries, the targets, and the
goal line work to one running back since prime Alvin Kamara.
Speaker 2 (38:51):
I'm not saying RJ. Harvey is that, but he could
be like seventy five percent of it.
Speaker 18 (38:54):
He's a really explosive runner, so I think he still
has league winning upside despite the Bronco tough schedule to
finish out the season.
Speaker 8 (39:03):
All right, so what about another running back? What about
David Montgomery for the Detroit Lions.
Speaker 18 (39:08):
What do you think Fantasy playoff time, you have to
cover up names and look at opportunities and matchups, right,
And David Montgomery, despite being a big name, he's averaging
eight opportunities per game in the last month. He's averaging
less than ten Fantasy points per.
Speaker 2 (39:22):
Game in that span.
Speaker 18 (39:23):
In fact, the floor has become single digits for Monti
and he needs a touchdown to reach double digits at
least that's what we've seen since Dan Campbell has taken
over and really given this backfield to Jamior Gibbs.
Speaker 2 (39:35):
The issue with.
Speaker 18 (39:36):
Being touchdown reliant playing the Rams, they've allowed four total
touchdowns two running backs all year. In the fourth view
is fantasy points per game. So I look, I believe
where I can't get away, but if you can, I
think you do.
Speaker 1 (39:48):
With David Montgomery to the selfish portion of the program,
we go where we get to ask you a question
about our own team, and listen, you and I have
been talking about this for a couple of days. We
still don't have an so that would be a good
time to provide one in my first postseason game here.
Jacoby Brissett, that's not an option. We got rid of
that one. So we're talking about bo Nicks versus the field.
(40:10):
Who's the field? The entire waiver wire, Aaron Rodgers, JJ McCarthy,
Bryce Young, Tyler Shuck, Shadora Sanders, tempting after last week,
Tua Kirk Cousins.
Speaker 2 (40:21):
Mariota, I think we're done here. Two names stood out
to me there.
Speaker 18 (40:25):
One is JJ McCarthy, who I think has upside in
this matchup, but the.
Speaker 2 (40:29):
Floor is extremely low.
Speaker 18 (40:31):
I think Marcus Mariota is your sweet spot because his
floor that we've seen with him as the starter has
been pretty safe.
Speaker 2 (40:38):
But there's upside here.
Speaker 18 (40:39):
The Giants top three and fantasy points and passing yards
to quarterbacks. They're also in the top five in rushing
yards and rushing touchdowns allowed to quarterbacks. I like Mariota,
but look, if you don't want to go that route
and you just want to stick with Bo.
Speaker 3 (40:53):
I'm not going to knock you on that either. I like,
I'm not sure what I'm rooting for, and help.
Speaker 1 (41:00):
Maybe Ian can help me on this one, because I'd
much rather spend the entire in the next couple of
weeks and the entire offseason stewing over a guy that
helped get me here Bo Nicks versus I start JJ
McCarthy and he gets me like four points, and I like,
I'm just I can't live with myself if that happened.
Speaker 3 (41:19):
I mean, I did it last week.
Speaker 8 (41:21):
I had Jaden Daniels was on the bench for a while,
back in the lineup, back in my starting lineup, got
me like three points, and I'm like, hey.
Speaker 2 (41:29):
Got hurt?
Speaker 8 (41:30):
Did I not just stick with the guys who got
me there. I know is believer.
Speaker 3 (41:36):
That's why we're bad.
Speaker 2 (41:37):
All right?
Speaker 8 (41:38):
Anyway, yes, my question, all right, here's my selfish question.
I got a flex spot. I got Michael Wilson, I
know you waiting early in the show, or got Tyrone Tracy?
Speaker 3 (41:47):
What's say you for it?
Speaker 2 (41:48):
I think I think you roll the dice on Tyrone Tracy.
Speaker 18 (41:50):
The Commanders have really struggled against the run pass catching
running backs. But just like with Mike, if you'd rather
go with the guy that got you there, I'm not
gonna knock that either.
Speaker 2 (42:00):
Yeah, I think that's where we're going to wind up going.
Speaker 1 (42:01):
But you know what, I'll probably ask you six more
times Michael f Florio.
Speaker 2 (42:05):
You can catch all his advice at NFL dot com.
Speaker 1 (42:08):
Start sit which I may read six more times before Sonthy,
here's where to find the insiders.
Speaker 2 (42:12):
Every single day I usually voice it.
Speaker 1 (42:14):
Just take a picture, just take a screenshot, have it
in your phone, put it in your favorites so.
Speaker 2 (42:18):
You always know where to find the insiders. Zero excuses.
We're back after this. Chandor Sanders is your rookie of
the week.
Speaker 1 (42:35):
Three hundred and sixty four pass yards four touchdowns has
earned himself the starting job for the rest of the season.
Speaker 2 (42:40):
So there was the Cleveland Brown saying that's our guy. Yeah. God,
but Shador, don't forget your booties. It's going to be
cold this Sunday against the Chicago Bears. How cold, Well,
we've got all the answers for you.
Speaker 1 (42:54):
Our research department went back and found the coldest games
in Soldier Field history. And may I say that I
covered that one that was eight degrees against Dallas. Now
wind chill was minus nine, the coldest I've ever been
covering a game. There were people in no shirts as
Brian came out with no sleeves.
Speaker 17 (43:12):
It was awful.
Speaker 11 (43:14):
Awful, Judy, I covered a game in Foxboro.
Speaker 10 (43:19):
This was ages ago that they were calling dangerously cold,
and I remember calling the league office and saying like,
are you really going to play the game in this
colt And they were like, yeah, We're going to let
the fans bring sleeping bags. So that's what they did.
The fans brought sleeping bags. To try to say it
was ridiculous. It was like, I mean everything was iced over.
Speaker 11 (43:37):
Terrible.
Speaker 3 (43:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 8 (43:40):
I feel like my move would be full Ski outfit, right,
like get to the top of the mountain.
Speaker 3 (43:45):
You're freezing.
Speaker 8 (43:46):
You put the glasses and the thing over your mouth.
You just can't see any skin. That would be my move.
Don't be one of those linemen, Mike, who doesn't wear sleeves.
You want to show a tough fear. That's how you
got frost played. That could really hurt everybody. Cover up yourselves, you.
Speaker 1 (43:59):
Know, Yeah, it won't be that cold, but I'll be
in Foxborough thirty one degrees precipitation when it's going to
be rough.
Speaker 2 (44:04):
That's a cold. We're back Friday Insiders. Thank you for
joining us. It is cold.
Sixty nine glorious degrees in Tampa, Florida right now.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
You know what that means, cream sickle weather. It also means.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
They're a lot warmer down there than we are in
the northeast. So this is going to be your good
weather game for the weekend. Are Sarah Walsh is there
to talk Bucks Falcons ahead of Thursday Night Football.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
We've got some mark key matchups.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Our guy Mark Ross's going to be here to discuss
Josh Allen, Jared Golf, Matthew Stafford and the defenses that
they are going to be facing in some key games
this weekend. And Michael f Florio helped get you to
the fantasy playoffs, or at least he helped me get
to the Fantasy playoffs. Now he's going to tell you
who to start and who to sit, not just tonight
on Thursday Night Football, but the whole weekend in the NFL.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
That's how we do it.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Here on the Insiders, welcome inside with us Judy Batista,
Ian Rappaport and me Mike Garraffalo. We have got a
crucial game for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. We have the
Carolina there's right on their shoulder in the NFC South.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
They've got to win this game after losing to the Saints.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
We're going to talk about that and everything going on
around the NFL, including this one, a weird one.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
TJ.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Watt.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
This statement from the Steelers Bert Lawton, their media relations director.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
TJ.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
Watt currently in a local hospital for further medical evaluation
of his lung after experiencing discomfort at the practice facility
on Wednesday. He did not practice on Thursday. Status for
Monday in question. Coach Tim will provide more updates at
the appropriate time. The appropriate time was a little bit
after that, and here is the update from Tom.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
I'm a little bit, you know, cautious about what I
was saying because I'm not a medical expert. But to
make a long story short, he was experiencing some discomfort
when he was at the facility yesterday, and so we
took them to the docks and you know, they're they're
going through some procedures. He stayed overnight in the hospital.
He has a lung situation that's being addressed. I think
(01:58):
he has some testing and so forth ahead of them
this afternoon.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
And that's all.
Speaker 4 (02:01):
I knew this juncture here and not communicated last night.
He was comfortable, and that's all I have really at
this point. His status for Monday night is really up
in the air. I think what transpires this afternoon is
going to provide more information for us. I just don't
have a lot as I stand.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
Here today, hoping for the best for tj A WoT
beyond just the football status, his entire health status. Meanwhile,
elsewhere in the AFC North, the Ravens with an extension
for Travis Jones, who we thought was going to be
an unrestricted free agent, and then there were some question
there were some technicalities he may have been a restricted
free agent, which means his earning potential this offseason may
(02:38):
have been a lot lower. So the sides had some
discussions and they reached basically a compromise here a three
year it's a pretty good compromise.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Forty point five million.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
Dollar extension with twenty five million guaranteed. Jones and the
Ravens defense will be trying to stop this guy, Joe Burrow,
who had some comments that have some people thinking what's
going on here and what's what the pauses and everything.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Listen to this from Burrow.
Speaker 5 (03:02):
No, it certainly doesn't change my desire to win. You know,
if I want to, if I want to keep doing this,
I have to have fun doing it. You know, I've
been through a lot, and if it's not fun, then
(03:23):
what am I doing it for? So that's mindset I'm
trying to bring to the table.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Yeah, a little bit worrisome.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
There're not going to try to guess what's happening in
Joe Burrow's mind, but there will be more.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Questions and hopefully more answers from Burrow.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
Meanwhile, you got the Raiders flying to Philadelphia to take
on the Eagles.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Another disappointing loss.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Four interceptions for Jalen Hurts plus a fumble, so five
total turnovers for a guy who didn't turn over the
football early in the season. This Eagles offense and Hurts
the season just hasn't been right this year.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
So that led to some of these.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
Questions from WI Radio in Philly to Nick Sirianniks.
Speaker 6 (04:02):
Jalen definitely your starter Sunday, Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
Is there a possibility later this season if he continues
to struggle, that you can make a change at the
quarterback spot.
Speaker 7 (04:13):
No, I think that's ridiculous, you know, I think, you know,
every time I walk on in that field and Jalen
Hurts as the starting quarterback. I have so much confidence
that we can win every game, in any game that
we play, and that we're in.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
All right, We're going to talk Eagles for a change.
I'm kidding.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
We've had pretty much the same conversation every single week
with the Eagles because this one has been troublesome for
a team that won the Super Bowl and was pretty
much running at will, and then once they were running
so well they were able to throw at will. It
just hasn't been right. So ian now the questions are
about the quarterback. Do you see any scenario in which
Nick Sirianna may change his answer or what happens?
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Where do you go from here?
Speaker 8 (04:56):
First of all, this is not the same conversation every
other time we've talked about the Eagles. It seems it's
been focused around Aj Brown, right, I mean that has
been it's been the angst of AJ Brown wanting the
ball his social media posts, and now he's gone off
and had a couple of really nice games in a row,
and we aren't actually for now for the first time
talking about Jalen Hurts the starting quarterback. And I think
(05:17):
internally with the Philadelphia Egles. Some of these conversations have
been going on. Remember when there was the Saquon Barkley
Jalen Hurts AJ Brown parking lot conversation. Does seem like
some of the arrows or whatever you want to call them,
we're directed at Jalen Hurts just publicly. This has not
been the conversation. Now, Judy, it's all out in the open.
When the WIP radio hosts are starting to ask Nick
(05:40):
Sirianne whether or not his Super Bowl MVP of a
quarterback is someone they could bench, that's gotten pretty real.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
Here's what I know. The Eagles need to get.
Speaker 8 (05:50):
Better on offense, they need to start winning, and Jalen
Hurts is no longer bulletproof.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
We're going to get through this season.
Speaker 8 (05:56):
Whatever the Eagles do, they will do however they perform,
if they fix it or not. But all of these
questions are going to come up again in the off
season and the egos are going to have to have
some answers.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
And that is what I know.
Speaker 8 (06:08):
And when the conversation gets like this, all out in
the open, everything is up for grabs.
Speaker 9 (06:13):
I would say.
Speaker 10 (06:16):
Absolutely, It's going to be a very interesting off season.
But let's just bring it back to like this week,
right now? Should they bend him? I mean no, You're
going into the most important games of the season and
you want to roll out the backup quarterback who has
played his only real appearance was last year in a
game that didn't matter at the end of the season.
(06:38):
That is just not a practical solution for the Philadelphia Eagles.
The offense has been off the entire season, certainly especially
in the last few weeks.
Speaker 11 (06:47):
Jalen has not played well.
Speaker 10 (06:49):
Actually last week I thought he played well, like it
in moments like the drive that led to the game
tying field goal actually looked good.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
That was fine.
Speaker 10 (06:58):
And then obviously interceptions are terrible. But it's too late
to fix all of those things now. But the reality
is you're about to face the Raiders. This is a
potential sorry to say this about the Raiders, this is
a potential get right game for the Philadelphia Eagles. This
is an opportunity to try to get into a rhythm
on the offense, to try to work out some of
(07:18):
the kings, to try to build a little confidence, and
get everybody back on the same page. All of the
things that have to be dealt with in the off
season are for the off season, but for right now.
You can't bench your Super Bowl winning quarterback with the
most important part of the season ahead of you for
(07:39):
a backup quarterback. I know, backup quarterbacks are always the
most popular guy in town, but a backup quarterback who's
got like no playing experience, that is just not a
viable option for this team.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
Yeah, Eagles got the Commanders coming up as well, a
couple of games against the Commanders, a team that they
have played well against. I know they're not going to
the postseason, but they may present a challenge. But you're right, Judy,
some winnable game games on the schedule here for them
to close out. Finally, in NFC East, they probably should
have closed out by now.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
Speaking of teams trying.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
To close things out, here is the playoff picture as
it stands right now.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Nobody's in nobody's I mean, this is how wide open
it is.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
And that's how many teams with good records that we've
got right there. You see the Bucks down. They were
going to get to them in a second. But here's
how some of these teams can get in do not.
I've got this game on Sunday, this Buffalo, New England game.
Do not mentioned to the Patriots that it is a
hat and T shirt game. In fact, they spoke to
Christian Ellis, He's like, it's that one of those what
do you call it games? He knows what they call it.
(08:36):
They're just trying not to say it up in New England. Meanwhile,
down there in Tampa Bay, perhaps the Bucks could have
easily coasted to the division title, but they've had some
mishaps in the last couple of weeks and that is
why tonight they are facing not a must win, but
you know, really probably should win games Sarah Walsh.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Against the Atlanta Falcons.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
With the Panthers a team they have coming up twice
in the next couple of weeks, the Panthers right on
their tail, get us ready for this game tonight.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
It's got to be a get right game for the Bucks.
Speaker 12 (09:08):
Yeah, you touched on it, Mike g Despite that six
and two start to the season, there is no cushion
left for the Buccaneers. That is because they have dropped
four of their last five. They are currently tied right
now for the division lead with the Carolina Panthers.
Speaker 13 (09:21):
But you know what can really spark an offense bringing.
Speaker 12 (09:24):
Back a guy with some Hall of Fame credentials, and
that is what the Bucks expect to see tonight because
they are going to get Mike Evans back. He has
been out since October twentieth when he broke his collarbone.
Speaker 13 (09:35):
Not only are they.
Speaker 12 (09:36):
Expecting to have Mike Evans back on the field, but
we should see the season debut.
Speaker 13 (09:40):
Of Jalen McMillan tonight. Last year is a rookie receiver.
Speaker 12 (09:44):
He finished the year with seven touchdowns in his last
five games. Having those two back on the field will
be massive for this offense because really they have spent
this season relying in that receiver's room on a rookie
and a Mecca Abuka because Chris Godwin has been in
and out. As for the two guys returning tonight, McMillan
and Evans, Todd Bole says that they looked good, they
(10:05):
looked fresh, They ran great routes this week. He said,
they look like they have never left and clearly this
Buccaneers team is going to need that. When I spoke
to Chris Godwin this week, he said, it has never
been cleaned for us this year. We have never really
been healthy and Baker Mayfield. He hasn't missed a game,
but he has not been healthy either. Godwin told me
you wouldn't know it though by the way he carries
himself at work. He said that has been infectious. And
(10:27):
these Buccaneers really could use a boost for Baker and
this offense if they want to take a step closer
to claiming a fifth straight division title.
Speaker 10 (10:36):
Mike, Welcome back to the Insiders. It is Chargers week
for the Kansas City Chiefs. That's one of the very
consequential games of the weekend. Frankly, at this time of
the year, most of the games feel really really consequential.
The Chiefs, of course, are hanging on by a thread
to any playoff chances.
Speaker 11 (10:54):
Here is Patrick Mahomes on the urgency of the moment.
Speaker 14 (10:59):
I mean, we understand we got win. I mean, I
think that's at the point that's obvious. I mean, just
like you got to win the football game, and so
whatever it takes, you know, I mean, we said it
every week, but obviously you're kind of that back against
the wall time spot where you're playing a team that's
you're chasing, that that has a big lead in front
of you, and so you got to find a way
to win, and so you got to have that mindset
(11:20):
we step on the football field.
Speaker 10 (11:23):
It's incredible that we are having this conversation this late
in this season. Let's welcome in our Jane Slater and
Brian Baldinger to talk about this. Jane, we just heard
from Patrick Mahomes. He knows what the math is. This
is clearly a dire situation for the Chiefs.
Speaker 15 (11:38):
Which certainly makes this game in Kansas City all the
more entertaining. Baldy, I hear that you're going to be
there looking forward to that one.
Speaker 3 (11:45):
You know.
Speaker 15 (11:45):
He expanded on that, talking a little bit more about
maybe there's things that he can do too. Maybe it's
not taking the home run shot, maybe it's just getting
the completion. But at this point they have got to
win out the rest of this postseason to keep it alive.
To talk about kind of the unprecedented territory for Mahomes
and his team. Mahomes hasn't lost three consecutive straight games
(12:06):
in a season since his senior year at Texas Tech.
He's also been hit ninety plus times this season, among
the most in the league, and help up front can't
come soon. It up now there's talk that right guard
Tray Smith might mean back if he's available, that would help.
But right now we're looking at Juwan Taylor. Is he
going to be good to go with this triceps injury.
They've also going to be calling on that undrafted rookie
(12:28):
asapool to fill in on this offensive line.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Now.
Speaker 11 (12:31):
Obviously, the one thing that Mahomes does great is he
creates things.
Speaker 15 (12:36):
Outside of the pocket. The Chargers are bracing for exactly that.
If you look at their numbers, they've allowed just one
passing touchdown on the scramble drills this season. And look,
one of his more reliable targets is Travis Kelsey. But
it was Kelsey this week on his podcasts New Heights
that said, you know, most of the time, answers are
easy to come by. Right now they're not, and so
(12:57):
that's what's complicating things. He's not getting a lot of
his wide receivers. He's getting pressured, and you're catching the
Chargers right now that found ways to win in spite
of things.
Speaker 16 (13:07):
Last week, Jane, the Chiefs are six and seven and
struggling because they had problems on the offensive line all
year from the left tackle Trey Smith in and out
of the lineup right tackle right now. The penalties, the
drops that we continue to show, and so really what
the compensation for that has been and is is the
(13:27):
deep shots. Is Mahomes getting out of the pocket Last
week at the start of the third quarter, they're losing
ten to nothing. He gets a big shot the Hollywood
Brown down the field thirty five yards. They scored their
only touchdown of the game. When they get their explosive plays,
they have a chance to win these games because they're
not good enough just to march ten or twelve or
fourteen plays the way they once did and just execute
(13:49):
without the penalties, without the miscues on the offensive line,
without the drops. And so I feel like they got
to hit those in this game, Jane, in order to
have a chance to win this game, Jane.
Speaker 10 (14:01):
On the other side, the Chargers, they did win last week, certainly.
Speaker 11 (14:05):
Not the cleanest effort. Justin Herbert was sacked seven times.
Speaker 10 (14:09):
He's a big boy, but certainly, considering that he's also
playing around with a broken hand, I imagine there is
a great emphasis on keeping him more upright this week.
Speaker 15 (14:19):
And this is the same guy that was stiff arming
defenders with that hand. Just seven days removed from putting
bolts and screws in there. Now, I think the one
thing that should give Chargers fans, I don't know how
you want to hedge this one. He said, they did
X rays on it, and things seemed to come out
quote clean for the most part. What's more concerning is
that he ended up being the team's leading rusher ten
(14:40):
carries for sixty six yards, largely because he was pressured
for nearly three quarters of the game. He acknowledged afterward
that he missed him throws some highs, some outside because
of that constant dress.
Speaker 11 (14:50):
Now he faces a.
Speaker 15 (14:51):
Chief pass rush that you know, Baldy, despite some big names,
they're middle to lower tier statistically the season. So I
think the key here for the Chargers is key him upright,
let him get in a rhythm, and let's see if
he can get through another game where he's just getting
some of that punishing pressure up front. I mean, I
think the key here is, you know we can both
sides are dealing with offensive line. Was you don't want
(15:14):
Herbert to get in a rhythm here because, as we said,
this defense really isn't helping out the Chiefs. As we
said in the past either, although I wouldn't put things
past ste Spagnol, especially at home.
Speaker 16 (15:24):
Well, I thought like, even though the Charges won the
game the other night, I thought they got away from
a little bit of the things that Jim Harball has
always preached, like taking care of the football, which they
did largely.
Speaker 17 (15:34):
But you know, I didn't see Matt Locke on the field.
Speaker 16 (15:37):
I didn't see the big the big guys, Trevor Penny,
like dead thirty ones, and they were throwing the ball
on third and one, they had third and threes, and
they were throwing it deep down the field, and I
didn't really understand.
Speaker 17 (15:48):
That's not who they are, especially if your quarterback.
Speaker 16 (15:51):
Has got a bandage wrapped bolted hand together like he did,
and he was forced to scramble so many times for
you know, sixty yards first downs and whatnot. I just
think they need to get back to who they are,
which is really a ball control team and try to
win at the line of scrip. I know, the tackles
are out and you're down to Bobby Hart at right
tackle and all that kind of stuff, but really this
(16:13):
is who they want to be. I think they got
to get back to protecting him by running the ball better.
They got a Marrion back. He looked good when he
had a chance to carry the ball. Kamara of Videll
has been unbelievable. I think they got to get back
to that kind of ball control and maybe some play
action off it rather than just spread the defense out
and asked Herbert to go make perfect throws to Lad mcconki,
(16:33):
Trey Harris, Keenan Allen, pick a guy.
Speaker 10 (16:37):
You know, when the schedule came out all the way
back in May, we knew this was going to be
a big game. We probably didn't realize it was going
to be a big game for this particular reason. Chief
season on the line. Jane Baldi, thank you very much.
Speaker 11 (16:50):
And when we return on The.
Speaker 10 (16:51):
Insiders, we're going to talk about another really big game
this weekend, Broncos versus Packers. I think if you love defense,
this is the one.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
You want to pay attention to.
Speaker 10 (17:00):
We'll talk about it next on The Insiders.
Speaker 3 (17:11):
Welcome back to the Insiders.
Speaker 8 (17:13):
That is Tampa Bay, the sight of tonight's showdown.
Speaker 3 (17:17):
It's a showdown right Bucks Falcons where.
Speaker 8 (17:20):
The Bucks absolutely gotta have it if they want to
get back on track. Our buddy Sarah Walsh live and
in person, getting ready to take in tonight's game, Inducer
reporting on it. First of all, Sarah, I just got
this in the mail from the Bucks. It is a
VHS of their Raise the Flag documentary. Look at I
haven't seen a VHS in forever.
Speaker 9 (17:40):
Look how cool this is.
Speaker 8 (17:41):
Anyway, I can't wait to explain to my kids exactly
what that is. Hi, Sarah, before you start watching today game,
let's talk a little bit. Let's talk about Mike Evans
making his return tonight.
Speaker 3 (17:55):
What kind of bounce are the Bucks gonna get from
that one?
Speaker 2 (18:00):
Look?
Speaker 12 (18:00):
I don't know what's going to show up on the
stat sheet at the end of the night, but just
having him out on the field clearly has a massive
impact because he's somebody that has to be accounted for
at all times.
Speaker 13 (18:11):
He changes a defensive game plan clearly.
Speaker 9 (18:14):
I spoke with.
Speaker 12 (18:14):
Chris Godwin this week and something unusual has happened to him.
Speaker 13 (18:18):
For the first time in his nine year career.
Speaker 12 (18:20):
We've gotten to week fifteen and he has not been
on the field for a single game with Evans, and
that is because Godwin himself has been coming back from injury.
He told me that he had moments this year where
he wondered if he was going to play with Evans
this year. Once Evans went out on October twentieth, he
said it felt strange, but he's incredibly grateful that those
two will be reunited tonight.
Speaker 13 (18:42):
This Buck offense really needs to get going.
Speaker 12 (18:44):
This team has dropped four of its last five, but
you're putting Evans on the field with Godwin. Jalen McMillan
also expected to come back and play for the first
time this year. There is no receiving duo in the
league playing right now that has more combined receiving yards
than Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, and for the first
time this season Ian they will be reunited here.
Speaker 8 (19:05):
That's wild that they have. I mean, I guess I
sort of knew that, but I hadn't really thought about that.
They have not played together all year. Should be a
big one tonight for the Bucks. For the receiving core
from the other side, they got Kirk Cousins, not the
Falcons starter obviously that would be Michael Pennick juniors out
for the season where they torn acl but someone who
has played very well against the Bucks in the past.
(19:25):
What are we expecting from this Falcons offense.
Speaker 12 (19:29):
Well, Baker Mayfield says, they very much understand that this
is a Falcons team that would do love nothing more
than to just screw up the postseason plans for the Buccaneers,
and Rahee Morris is all but confirmed that. He said,
our job now is to play spoiler. You mentioned Michael
Pennocks junior not playing. These two teams met in Week one.
The Bucks escaped with the win there in Atlanta was
(19:49):
twenty three to twenty, but that was Pennick's playing and
now Kirk Cousins takes over. But Kirk Cousins has been
a tremendous problem for the Buccaneers. Last year, the Falcons
swept the Bucks and it's because Cousins put up monster numbers.
He set a franchise record with five hundred and nine
passing yards in that game. In two games he had
almost eight hundred yards. He said, you have to remind
yourself that you can do things like that. Right However,
(20:11):
he will be without Drake London tonight. Some good news
for the Buccaneers. They were without Tristan Wurfs.
Speaker 13 (20:17):
A week ago. We were talking about the guys that
they are going to have back.
Speaker 12 (20:20):
They are going to have Werfs back, but they did
lose another lineman in Ben Bredeson last week. So not
only is Cousins problematic, but this Falcons defense could cause
some issues because they like to get after the quarterbacks.
They rank third in the league forty three sacks and
this is a bucks O line and I know that
this happens a lot throughout the league. But they have
been revamped again and again this year, and they are
(20:42):
going to do it once again.
Speaker 13 (20:43):
This evening Ian.
Speaker 3 (20:44):
Falcons pass rush pretty nasty.
Speaker 8 (20:46):
They fixed that thing in one year and it has
been They have done a very very nice job there
from the Edges. Fun matchup tonight, Sarah, Thank you very much,
as always, enjoy the game. I'll send you a VHS
maybe if I have a spare one you can figure
out how to play anyway. Good stuff as always, Garreth,
follow and take away all right.
Speaker 1 (21:04):
The Packers wearing their winter warning uniforms this Sunday, a
little late.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
Winter's already here.
Speaker 1 (21:10):
It's cold everywhere, especially in Green Bay, but that's what
they will be wearing. All whites against the Denver Broncos
this coming Sunday. The Broncos have a bunch of clinching scenarios.
I am going to ignore the last four because we
don't expect ties, and when they happen, it Jess screws
everything off. Kyle Brant, Good Morning Football, loves ties, loves
the chaos.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
I hate him.
Speaker 1 (21:30):
What I do love is having people on the program
that know football. So let's bring in a couple of
Mark Ross and Brian Baldinger joining us here, and we
are going to break down this Broncos Packers game. I'm
going to start with you, Mark. I mean, we like
to say this throughout the season, and maybe people don't
believe it, but it's like this could be a Super
Bowl preview right here between the Packers and the Broncos
(21:54):
without a doubt.
Speaker 6 (21:55):
I mean, these two teams at the Broncos number one,
and they're legit and because.
Speaker 9 (22:00):
Of their defense, and that's no secret to anybody.
Speaker 6 (22:03):
Fourth in the league and points per game and number
one in sacks, and they come in waves and come
and droves with those sacks or Benito just says, hey,
let me just run by tackles.
Speaker 9 (22:12):
And go destroy games.
Speaker 6 (22:14):
But of course a big question mark is the offense
and the defense is so dominant that the offense can
afford to be inconsistent, and both Knicks can afford to
be inconsistent. Fourteenth in the league and points per game,
and he's kind of averaging all his stats. The run
game is average in what they do except when they
need to make plays and go win games. That is
(22:36):
an offensive skill that they have absolutely mastered and demonstrated,
particularly in their ten straight wins and getting that number
one seed. So when you do have that offense of
the defense playing like they are doing, the.
Speaker 9 (22:49):
Offense can be up and down until you need to.
Speaker 6 (22:52):
And Mike, it almost reminds me talking about Super Bowls
of the formula we had with the Giants where we
had pass rushers and the defensive dominate it in the
playoff runs and the Super Bowl.
Speaker 9 (23:03):
And then Eli and the offense are up here, up
and down.
Speaker 6 (23:05):
Okay, now when it's winning time in the playoffs, they
made the plays to go win the playoff games and
the Super Bowl. So there is a path for the
Broncos to play like this and still win it all.
Speaker 1 (23:18):
Speaking of pass rushers, a guy you know well, Brian
Baldinger Micah Parsons was brought to Green Bay to affect
quarterbacks in big games such is this one coming up.
So let's get the baldy breakdown of what Mike is
doing to harass opposing offenses.
Speaker 16 (23:33):
Be happened to you, Mike, You know, you got to
think that Micah was traded on August twenty eighth, just
a week before the start of the season. So I
think Jeff Hefley, the defensive coordinator, should be applauded and
how they're using Micah and the different ways that they're
now figured out, because there's the traditional ways that Mikey
can just line up like he can, like right here
against Detroit no help.
Speaker 17 (23:53):
That's tough for any tackle in this league.
Speaker 16 (23:55):
I mean, Taylor Decker is a quality tackle, but he
gets smoked right there and down goes to quarterback. You
watch him against Chicago right here, and he's got basically
a contained rush on the outside right now, and Caleb
has been noted to get outside the pocket, and there's
not many guys that he can run away from or
turn the corner on until he met Michael Parsons two
weeks ago, and when he did, he thought twice about
(24:18):
trying to turn that corner, pulled up and decided maybe
it's just better to throw it away. Mike has that
effect on quarterbacks, right, and so then you go, okay,
well what can we do here to kind of protect
our quarterback. So here's you know, Cole Comet right here,
he's going to chip them. Here's DeAndre Swift. He's going
to stay in there and he's going to try to
help out. But Mike is like squeezing jello. He's going
(24:41):
to find the opening someplace that he does. But this
is what Jeff Hafley has done. Now he's now got
structure as defense, where Mike has got freedom to go.
Now here's David Montgomery. He's going to try to chip them,
but he's used to seeing the chip and he still
gets to the quarterback. And then a few weeks ago
against Minnesota, here he is just on a freelance and
you know when he comes with his power, he can
(25:03):
just do these kind of things. Just run the center over,
claps the pocket and force JJ McCarthy into a sack.
And then once you start loading up for that, you
start using Micah as a decoy. Here the Bears, they
see him over here over the right tackle Darnell right,
they're gonna slide to them, all right, so they have
a full line slide to mike Ha to be able
(25:24):
to handle his pass rush powers, and then they overload
the other side, drop Mikeh as a decoy in the coverage,
overload the other side and get the same effect of
forcing the quarterback out of the pocket and throwing it away,
and so you can gain plan. Sean Payton has been
burning the midnight oil trying to gain plan to stop
Michah Parsons. But the way that they're using him right
(25:44):
now is becoming more increasingly difficult to stop him. And
he's not the only guy, you know, Rashan Gary. They've
got other pass rushers, but he's the focal point of
him getting after the quarterback. And Bo Nix, who has
been as athletic and gotten away from as many pass
rushers as anyone in this litigue, might be a little
bit different if Michael Parsons is chasing you.
Speaker 10 (26:05):
Welcome back to the Insiders. Here's our five Big Games
poster for this week. I feel like I'm getting better
at reading this graphic. They've got the Lions rams as
the headliner, but just down there you also see Bill's Patriots,
that is with the AFC East on the line the
Patriots that can clinch the division with a victory over
the Bills, really early clinching scenario.
Speaker 11 (26:26):
It's time for Mark Key matchups. And there's Mark Ross
and there's Brian Baldinger.
Speaker 10 (26:32):
All right, Mark Ross, let's start with you, and let's
start with Bills versus Patriots AFC East on the line.
Speaker 9 (26:40):
Yeah, amazing match up. There to be the man, you
got to beat the man. The Bills have been the man.
Speaker 6 (26:44):
The patriot have already beat them one time this year,
and let's see if they can do it again and say, yes,
we're the new kings of the AFC East.
Speaker 9 (26:51):
And in that first game, you know, Drake may On
an mvp' teir.
Speaker 6 (26:55):
Now, but he was twenty two of thirty two hundred
and seventy three yards, zero touchdowns, zero in a So
they won that game without him being spectacular. And for
the Bills, you know, despite the Josh Allen heroes, it
seems like still Baldy, their games are coming out of him.
Speaker 9 (27:10):
Let's go, Josh, go win the game. That defense give
it up tons of yards. Still twenty eighth in the
league in rush dye, so that'll be something to watch. Then.
Speaker 6 (27:19):
Also when Josh Allen has to play hero ball in
four of their losses. He's had two turnovers into these games,
so it'll be important for them to protect the football.
But this looks like another possibility for the Patriots, and
Drake made to say, we're the new Kings there, Baldy.
Speaker 16 (27:35):
You know, Mark, it's the Patriots signature win this year,
Week five, that's the biggest win. The schedule has been
a little soft, but they do have a formula. They
don't turn the ball over, they find ways to get
explosive plays, and they're just very sound defensively. They got
a guy in Christian Zalvez that can shut your guy down.
Marcus Jones has been a stud in the slot. You know,
(27:56):
they've got a formula. I'm interested to see, after one
watching Josh and studying him, how they design a defense
this week to control them, because Cincinnati didn't do it
last week, like he ran right through them forty yard
touchdown in the snow.
Speaker 3 (28:09):
Like.
Speaker 16 (28:10):
I don't think the Patriots are going to allow that
to happen. So I think that's the game within the
game is how do you either spy or control Josh
Allen and limit his either runs or the playsoff script
and I think that's going to be the key to
this game on Sunday.
Speaker 10 (28:24):
All right, Next up, guys is Lions Rams, a game
with big playoff implications for both teams mark.
Speaker 6 (28:31):
Big implications, but in two different ways, Judy, and for
the Lions this is almost a win and get in
type of game.
Speaker 9 (28:37):
Their playoffs are right now this weekend.
Speaker 6 (28:40):
And for the Rams it's, well, we're just trying to
show we're the best team, the most complete team in football.
Speaker 9 (28:46):
And for the Lions, despite all the back.
Speaker 6 (28:48):
And forth and the changing four Nators Dan Campbell taking over,
they're still number one in the league at points per
game on offense, so they can still score and get
the ball in there.
Speaker 9 (28:57):
And then on the defensive side, they're top five in sight.
Speaker 6 (29:00):
So I know there's been a lot of questions about
the Lions team throughout this year, but they can score
and they can get sacks.
Speaker 9 (29:06):
But for the Rams and Baldy I'm looking at it.
Speaker 6 (29:09):
I mean, they're amazing on offense and defense, top five
on both.
Speaker 9 (29:13):
Matt Stafford playing like an MVP.
Speaker 6 (29:14):
They can run the ball, two wide receivers who could
just absolutely take over a game and dominate. So I'm
looking at this as another statement win for the Rams
to saying yep, we're the one seed and the best
team in football.
Speaker 16 (29:27):
Mark the Lions have a bad pattern working against him
right now. They have one to one, lost one, one
to one lost one for the last two months, for
the last nine weeks, and so they win last week,
So they haven't stacked two wins in a row since
October fifth. That's a long drought to bring back to
back games. And now you're going against the team that
you just said like they're very, very complete. I feel
(29:49):
like if the Lions are going to win this game,
they've got to find a way to win in the trenches.
That means Jamiir Gibbs has got to have a big
day running the ball because when they explode and they
score the points, he's the the go to guy in
the running game, end of the pass game, and then
Jamis Williams has to get over the top.
Speaker 17 (30:05):
You know.
Speaker 16 (30:05):
They got to find their big plays and typically when
they explode, that's how they do it. But the Rams
have been very, very good on both sides of the ball.
That defensive line that they've built over the last three
years is as talented as any in the league right now,
and so they just destroyed Arizona last week. I'm sure
they're looking to maybe clinch the number one spot. Matt Stafford,
(30:26):
if you protect him, he's going to find a way
to complete a lot of passes. This is on the
Detroit's trench warfare to win this game, to help them
win this game and maybe stack their second win.
Speaker 3 (30:36):
In a row.
Speaker 10 (30:39):
All right, our final game is one did not even
make the poster.
Speaker 11 (30:42):
Kind of a late ad here. We all know why
we're all going to be watching Colts Seahawks.
Speaker 9 (30:48):
Mark Well, Judy. It didn't make a poster because someone.
Speaker 6 (30:51):
Wrote this script like for a movie and it got
rejected by every single movie studio. Of the forty four
year old quarterback who hasn't played in five years coming
back to say a season for an NFL team, I
get that out of here.
Speaker 9 (31:03):
But that's what we're going to see and not just
come back.
Speaker 6 (31:06):
And play any game they're playing, maybe popping out great
defenses earlier, the nastiest defense in the league with the
Seahawks with number two in points per game, number three
in sacks. Oh but also our offense is number two
in scoring, so this could get ugly quick Baldy there
and it's in Seattle as well, one of the toughest
(31:27):
places to play. But this is must see TV just
to see if the story about ending turns out to
be anything or it is just a.
Speaker 17 (31:36):
Nightmare, right you know. Mark.
Speaker 16 (31:38):
Yesterday in the press conference, Philip Rivers said, I'm not
here to be the savior, but if he plays on Sunday,
he's there to be the savior.
Speaker 17 (31:45):
That's what he has to be.
Speaker 16 (31:47):
They've lost three in a row and they're playing themselves
right out of playoff contention. So if he gets on
the field, and I think he's gonna get on the field,
they're gonna go ask him to be the savior.
Speaker 17 (31:56):
And that's almost impossible.
Speaker 16 (31:57):
Like I'm you know, the reflexes and the reactions that
every quarterback re lives on. There's no way they can
be sharp, just no way. And that's not the way
this league works. And so and against the defense that
you're speaking of, with the atmosphere that will be there
in Seattle, which is always there, that's almost it is
a movie script. That is disbelievable for this to actually happen,
(32:22):
for film to have success, I don't see it against
this defense. Watching Devin Witherspoon play last week, I mean
I want to give him the defensive Player of the
Year just on that game alone. The way that he
comes like that is a relentless team. You feel these
shots at every position, the way they hit on that defense.
Speaker 17 (32:40):
Right now, time to go.
Speaker 1 (32:43):
Inside with Fantasy Live. NFL Fantasy Live with our guy
Michael Florio. It is fantasy playoff time. He's got a
big playoff matchup with Marcus Grant. So we've got some
of our guys up against each other. How many playoff
games do you have in total? I've made it in
eight of my eleven leagues.
Speaker 2 (33:03):
Eight of eleven. See, that's why you get this guy
in here.
Speaker 1 (33:05):
If he said he made it in three of eleven,
you'd be like, no, this is not my fantasy.
Speaker 2 (33:09):
He's got a tough fantasy expert every single year.
Speaker 1 (33:11):
So in this time for starts and sits, and as always,
we start with these starts on Thursday night Football Bucks Falcons.
Speaker 18 (33:18):
Yeah, I think Baker Mayfield is in play this week.
I don't think he's like a must start, set it
and forget it tight, but it is a bad week
at quarterback. A lot of names that you could usually
start have really tough matchups or something like that.
Speaker 2 (33:32):
I know Baker has been struggling.
Speaker 18 (33:34):
Few were the two inns of yards and one touchdown
in each of his last four games. He hasn't scored
fifteen fantasy points in his last three, but he does.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
Have a history of success in this matchup.
Speaker 18 (33:44):
In fact, Baker has thrown three touchdown passes every game
against the Raheem Morris Falcons defense. And he's getting his
full allotment of receivers back this week, so just more
options for him to throw the ball to he has
success in this matchup. I think that has him as
a borderline QB one play and then I think this is.
Speaker 2 (34:03):
A get right game for a Mecca Abuca.
Speaker 18 (34:06):
Since Week six, when his struggles started happening, he is
the lowest catchable target rate in the NFL.
Speaker 2 (34:12):
I'm looking at you, Baker.
Speaker 18 (34:13):
Even last week he overthrew him a what should have
been a touchdown pass.
Speaker 2 (34:18):
Abuka is not without sinning that stretch.
Speaker 18 (34:20):
He does have the second highest drop rate, but the
Falcons are the top three and yards, touchdowns and fantasy
points per game. Two wide receivers in the last month
and with Evans back and McMillan back and god when
playing better.
Speaker 2 (34:32):
I think some defensive attention comes off of a mecca
at BUKA. And speaking of Mike Evans.
Speaker 18 (34:38):
I think he's in playing tonight, but he's not a
must start right like I would play him over your
Colts wide receivers or Troy Franklin, Dj Moore, but like
Jacoby Meyers, Juwan Jennings, Zay Flowers, those are some names
I would play over Mike Evans.
Speaker 3 (34:52):
Sounds like pitch count for Mike Evans tonight.
Speaker 8 (34:54):
So if you just catch lighting in the bottle, get
a touchdown or something, then it's worth it. If you don't,
probably not look at me dispensing fantasy advice. My team
is as always terrible. Who are we sitting tonight? Florio
for these T andF matchup.
Speaker 18 (35:08):
Not the biggest sits, but again with it not being
the best week at quarterback, you might be seeing Kirk
Cousins and being like, oh, well the Bucks their top
five and fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
Yeah, I'm not doing it.
Speaker 18 (35:19):
Look, Cousins has yet to reach fifteen fantasy points in
a game this season, so despite the matchup, if you
start him and he gets you like thirteen points, You're
gonna hate looking at that number all the way till Sunday,
and it might get you eliminated from the playoffs. Some
streaming options I would use over him Marcus Mariota, JJ McCarthy,
(35:40):
Tyler Schuck.
Speaker 2 (35:41):
I like shador.
Speaker 18 (35:41):
I just don't like the weather there, So that's one
to keep an eye on. And then look, even without
Drake London, you're sitting Darnell Mooney. You just simply cannot
trust him in the fantasy playoffs. He has topped fifteen
fantasy points once all season long. In his last two
games without Drake London to get five fantasy points.
Speaker 2 (36:02):
The only Falcons I would.
Speaker 18 (36:03):
Play tonight is b John Robinson obviously, and Kyle Pitts,
who's been the top target for Kirk Cousins in all
three of his last starts all right to the rest
of the weekend.
Speaker 2 (36:14):
In the NFL we.
Speaker 1 (36:15):
Go, Michael Wilson, Cardinals wide receiver has been really hot
of late.
Speaker 2 (36:19):
We're starting him. I have him as they sit this week. Now.
I'm not telling you to sit him for just anyone.
Speaker 18 (36:25):
You have to have another, but like in a league,
I'm sitting him for Juwan Jennings for example, because I
get it, he's averaged thirty one fantasy points per game
with no Marvin Harrison Junior.
Speaker 2 (36:34):
But look who's he's playing this week.
Speaker 18 (36:36):
The Texans have allowed the fewest fantasy points per game
to wide receivers.
Speaker 2 (36:40):
They just shut down Rashi Rice.
Speaker 18 (36:42):
In fact, it's just about half of the passes that
go to wide receivers that get completed against this defense.
And look, I've played fantasy for a while. We've seen
a lot of really fun stories come crashing down when
they get a matchup like this.
Speaker 2 (36:57):
I like Michael Wilson.
Speaker 18 (36:58):
I believe in his talent, but I fear the Texans
defense even more.
Speaker 8 (37:04):
Yeah, I'm not sure i'd start anybody against the Tech
and Texans defense. They are nasty, all right? What about
this wide receiver? Start or sit Justin Jefferson.
Speaker 18 (37:13):
We have been feuding on the NFL Fantasy Football Show
this week. I am team Justin Jefferson. Lawan Jones is
not team Justin Jefferson. But if you survived last week,
I will.
Speaker 2 (37:24):
Admit I was wrong to saying to start him.
Speaker 18 (37:26):
Then I don't expect the Vikings to go up thirty
one nothing again this week. In fact, I expect them
to be trailing and having to throw a whole bunch.
And the Cowboys have allowed the most fantasy points per game,
yards and touchdowns to wide receivers, the most of all
to out wide wide receivers, the most of all on
deep passes. So yeah, it is a fantastic matchup. We
(37:46):
have seen wide receivers eat weekly against this Cowboys defense,
even in the last month their top five, so they
got better against the run, not the pass. I think
justin Jefferson, you trust his talent in this fantastic It's
literally the best matchup he could have, So I'm gonna
trust him in that.
Speaker 1 (38:03):
I have long since stopped trying to guess what Sean
Payton is going to do with his backfield on a
week to week basis, But it says right here that
you are going to.
Speaker 2 (38:11):
Start or sit RJ. Harvey.
Speaker 18 (38:13):
I'm starting RJ Harvey because yet, look, Sean Payton is
a headache for fantasy running backs until he lost JK.
Speaker 2 (38:21):
Dobbins. Since then, RJ.
Speaker 18 (38:22):
Harvey has played sixty percent of the snaps, He's handled
two thirds of the Broncos running back carries, and he's
seeing the bulk.
Speaker 2 (38:29):
Of targets there too.
Speaker 18 (38:30):
It is why since thereby that post bump buy he
has gotten twenty one or more Fantasy points in both
of those games. Dobbins was only getting carries here in
this backfield. We haven't seen Sean Payton turn over the
entire backfield. He touches the carries, the targets, and the
goal line work to one running back since prime Alvin Kamara.
Speaker 2 (38:51):
I'm not saying RJ. Harvey is that, but he could
be like seventy five percent of it.
Speaker 18 (38:54):
He's a really explosive runner, so I think he still
has league winning upside despite the Bronco tough schedule to
finish out the season.
Speaker 8 (39:03):
All right, so what about another running back? What about
David Montgomery for the Detroit Lions.
Speaker 18 (39:08):
What do you think Fantasy playoff time, you have to
cover up names and look at opportunities and matchups, right,
And David Montgomery, despite being a big name, he's averaging
eight opportunities per game in the last month. He's averaging
less than ten Fantasy points per.
Speaker 2 (39:22):
Game in that span.
Speaker 18 (39:23):
In fact, the floor has become single digits for Monti
and he needs a touchdown to reach double digits at
least that's what we've seen since Dan Campbell has taken
over and really given this backfield to Jamior Gibbs.
Speaker 2 (39:35):
The issue with.
Speaker 18 (39:36):
Being touchdown reliant playing the Rams, they've allowed four total
touchdowns two running backs all year. In the fourth view
is fantasy points per game. So I look, I believe
where I can't get away, but if you can, I
think you do.
Speaker 1 (39:48):
With David Montgomery to the selfish portion of the program,
we go where we get to ask you a question
about our own team, and listen, you and I have
been talking about this for a couple of days. We
still don't have an so that would be a good
time to provide one in my first postseason game here.
Jacoby Brissett, that's not an option. We got rid of
that one. So we're talking about bo Nicks versus the field.
(40:10):
Who's the field? The entire waiver wire, Aaron Rodgers, JJ McCarthy,
Bryce Young, Tyler Shuck, Shadora Sanders, tempting after last week,
Tua Kirk Cousins.
Speaker 2 (40:21):
Mariota, I think we're done here. Two names stood out
to me there.
Speaker 18 (40:25):
One is JJ McCarthy, who I think has upside in
this matchup, but the.
Speaker 2 (40:29):
Floor is extremely low.
Speaker 18 (40:31):
I think Marcus Mariota is your sweet spot because his
floor that we've seen with him as the starter has
been pretty safe.
Speaker 2 (40:38):
But there's upside here.
Speaker 18 (40:39):
The Giants top three and fantasy points and passing yards
to quarterbacks. They're also in the top five in rushing
yards and rushing touchdowns allowed to quarterbacks. I like Mariota,
but look, if you don't want to go that route
and you just want to stick with Bo.
Speaker 3 (40:53):
I'm not going to knock you on that either. I like,
I'm not sure what I'm rooting for, and help.
Speaker 1 (41:00):
Maybe Ian can help me on this one, because I'd
much rather spend the entire in the next couple of
weeks and the entire offseason stewing over a guy that
helped get me here Bo Nicks versus I start JJ
McCarthy and he gets me like four points, and I like,
I'm just I can't live with myself if that happened.
Speaker 3 (41:19):
I mean, I did it last week.
Speaker 8 (41:21):
I had Jaden Daniels was on the bench for a while,
back in the lineup, back in my starting lineup, got
me like three points, and I'm like, hey.
Speaker 2 (41:29):
Got hurt?
Speaker 8 (41:30):
Did I not just stick with the guys who got
me there. I know is believer.
Speaker 3 (41:36):
That's why we're bad.
Speaker 2 (41:37):
All right?
Speaker 8 (41:38):
Anyway, yes, my question, all right, here's my selfish question.
I got a flex spot. I got Michael Wilson, I
know you waiting early in the show, or got Tyrone Tracy?
Speaker 3 (41:47):
What's say you for it?
Speaker 2 (41:48):
I think I think you roll the dice on Tyrone Tracy.
Speaker 18 (41:50):
The Commanders have really struggled against the run pass catching
running backs. But just like with Mike, if you'd rather
go with the guy that got you there, I'm not
gonna knock that either.
Speaker 2 (42:00):
Yeah, I think that's where we're going to wind up going.
Speaker 1 (42:01):
But you know what, I'll probably ask you six more
times Michael f Florio.
Speaker 2 (42:05):
You can catch all his advice at NFL dot com.
Speaker 1 (42:08):
Start sit which I may read six more times before Sonthy,
here's where to find the insiders.
Speaker 2 (42:12):
Every single day I usually voice it.
Speaker 1 (42:14):
Just take a picture, just take a screenshot, have it
in your phone, put it in your favorites so.
Speaker 2 (42:18):
You always know where to find the insiders. Zero excuses.
We're back after this. Chandor Sanders is your rookie of
the week.
Speaker 1 (42:35):
Three hundred and sixty four pass yards four touchdowns has
earned himself the starting job for the rest of the season.
Speaker 2 (42:40):
So there was the Cleveland Brown saying that's our guy. Yeah. God,
but Shador, don't forget your booties. It's going to be
cold this Sunday against the Chicago Bears. How cold, Well,
we've got all the answers for you.
Speaker 1 (42:54):
Our research department went back and found the coldest games
in Soldier Field history. And may I say that I
covered that one that was eight degrees against Dallas. Now
wind chill was minus nine, the coldest I've ever been
covering a game. There were people in no shirts as
Brian came out with no sleeves.
Speaker 17 (43:12):
It was awful.
Speaker 11 (43:14):
Awful, Judy, I covered a game in Foxboro.
Speaker 10 (43:19):
This was ages ago that they were calling dangerously cold,
and I remember calling the league office and saying like,
are you really going to play the game in this
colt And they were like, yeah, We're going to let
the fans bring sleeping bags. So that's what they did.
The fans brought sleeping bags. To try to say it
was ridiculous. It was like, I mean everything was iced over.
Speaker 11 (43:37):
Terrible.
Speaker 3 (43:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 8 (43:40):
I feel like my move would be full Ski outfit, right,
like get to the top of the mountain.
Speaker 3 (43:45):
You're freezing.
Speaker 8 (43:46):
You put the glasses and the thing over your mouth.
You just can't see any skin. That would be my move.
Don't be one of those linemen, Mike, who doesn't wear sleeves.
You want to show a tough fear. That's how you
got frost played. That could really hurt everybody. Cover up yourselves, you.
Speaker 1 (43:59):
Know, Yeah, it won't be that cold, but I'll be
in Foxborough thirty one degrees precipitation when it's going to
be rough.
Speaker 2 (44:04):
That's a cold. We're back Friday Insiders. Thank you for
joining us. It is cold.
Hosts And Creators
Judy Battista
Tom Pelissero
Ian Rapaport
Mike Garafolo
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