December 24, 2025 • 42 mins
NFL Network Insiders Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport and Judy Battista bring you the latest on key injuries, including Ravens QB Lamar Jackson and Steelers DE TJ Watt. Brian Baldinger and Bucky Brooks join the conversation to analyze the Jaguars' rising offense, plus dive into crucial matchups such as Texans vs. Chargers and Bears vs. 49ers, that have major playoff implications. Seahawks safety Julian Love talks with Tom and Ian about his team's pursuit of the NFC West title and his nomination for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Marcas Grant highlights the fantasy players that will help or hurt you in Week 17, and Cam Wolfe breaks down Bills RB James Cook’s hunt for the rushing title, along with how the Steelers plan to manage star wideout DK Metcalf’s two-game suspension.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
The best gift this holiday season is sharing it with
the ones you love. Unless your team is in a
playoff chase, then you know clinching a home game would
be pretty nice. Our two wise men, Brian Baldyer and
Bucky Brooks, are here tonight to help us break down
the biggest matchups of week seventeen. It is Christmas Eve,
not Valentine's Day, but it's never too soon for love.
(00:23):
Julian Love, the Seahawks safety, joins us tonight to talk
about is Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination and
whether Sam Darnold can fill Seattle stockings with some playoff wins.
There's another holiday that starts tomorrow. It's Fantasy Championship weekend.
Before you set your lineup for maximum merriment, Marcus Grant
will be here tonight to tell you who to load
(00:44):
into the sleigh and who to leave. Ho Ho home.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Okay, I'm done.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Now, Welcome inside with the Insiders, presented by Progressive Insurance,
alongside Ian Rapperboard and Judy Batista. I am tom peliicero.
Merry Christmas to all those of you who celebrate. Thank
you for spending the next hour with us. No doubt
watching on your phone while hiding from your family in
the bathroom.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
We got news to get to.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
Let's start out in Baltimore where Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson
did not practice again today as he deals with a
back contusion that sidelined him in the first half of
last week's game. It is win or go home for
the Ravens on Saturday night at Green Bay. And if
you're looking for some encouraging signs about jackson status, well
don't necessarily look to John Arba.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
Undetermined right now, non participation today, was not able to practice,
but he could play, you know, without that practice for sure.
He's practiced, played a lot of football one a lot
of games for us. If he's ready to go, he
will go. If he can go, he will go. You
can bet on that.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
So so you stay with undetermined right now with.
Speaker 4 (01:51):
Them, yeah, day to day.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Couldn't practice today, So we'll see where it's at tomorrow
and as we go forward. I had a great conversation
with Lamar this morning, a few things and football and
how he's feeling things like that. So our relationship is
a plus. So I love him, always have, always will,
and I know he's fighting like crazy. To get back,
So anot of reports or things that gets said or
(02:14):
written or whatever. I don't really appreat, you know. I
don't need anybody speaking for me, you know, so just
ask me and I'll tell you what I think.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Things that John harbaughd does not want to be talking
about before a must win game in week seventeen. Reports
and the health of his quarterback both pretty high on
the list. Here, Ian, what do you make of the
situation right now and Lamar's chances if any are beat
out there Saturday night in Green Bay.
Speaker 5 (02:42):
Yeah, I'll start with the second part. First. There's been
no official determination on Lamar Jackson's status, but my feel,
my read on the situation does not have it headed
in a positive direction. Look, it's possible Lamar practice tomorrow
that says I'm good to go, But the fact that
he hasn't practiced yet, the fact that he's still dealing
with the after effects of a very serious back bruise,
does not bode well for him playing, which means we
(03:05):
could very well see Tyler Snoop Hunley out there starting
once again, as he has done extremely well for the
Baltimore Ravens this year. Now, the other part of this
is the John Harbaugh and Lamar Jackson part of this,
and he mentioned reports Mike Preston and respected columnists in
Baltimore for The Baltimore Sun wrote about the relayship and
laid bare some things which have sort of been circling,
(03:28):
which is that things may not be completely well with
Lamar Jackson and John Harbaugh and the raven Then, to
be sure, has been a frustrating season on many levels.
Judy Lamar has not practiced as much as they thought.
He has been injured in some games, and as we
saw two years ago, an injury that maybe they thought,
oh well, he'll probably be out there ready to play,
(03:49):
has not put him out there in a timely enough fashion.
We'll see where this goes. It does feel to me
like a little bit of an inflection point. You know,
we have John Harbord discus his status, we have the
former MVP, and Lamar Jackson had the opportunity to re
up his contract before the season at a time and
a lot of people thought that he would did not happen.
(04:12):
The Ravens at the very least have some things to
figure out and some relationships to discuss in the off season.
I'm not saying there's anything that's going to blow up,
but at least there needs to be some conversation about
how everyone can move forward together. And what is a
great quarterback, a great coach, and a very stocked roster
that could miss the playoffs?
Speaker 6 (04:32):
Well, you know what else. John Harbaugh does not want
to be talking about, with a must win game on
the horizon, his own job security, and he has fielded
questions about that this week as well. Here's the situation.
Steve Baschatti the team owner. He does not speak regularly
to reporters. John Harbaugh has been his head coach for
eighteen years. Steve Baschatti has never fired a head coach.
(04:56):
He inherited a Brian Billick when he bought the team.
He did fire Brian Philip, but then he hired John Harbaugh.
He's been there for eighteen seasons. He's only had two
losing seasons. Maybe this one winds up being the third one.
He's obviously been highly successful. They won a super Bowl.
But the question is is Steve Bashatti comfortable running it
(05:16):
all back exactly the same next season. This has been
an underperforming team, a disappointing season. Certainly, there's been a
lot going on. It certainly feels like things have just
been a little bit off. Really since the start of
the season. It has not been a good one even
for Harbaugh, starting with Week one when they blew the
(05:37):
big lead to the Buffalo Bills and lost the game
in Week one, all the way to just last week
when Derrick Henry wasn't on the field in the final
minutes of the game with the game on the line.
Steve Baschatti, though, has to answer the question does he
believe that maybe his team needs a different voice. There's
no question John Harbaugh is a very very good coach.
(06:00):
The question is is the team still responding to him?
Is Lamar Jackson still responding to him? Does he need
to make a change just for the sake of shaking
things up. Maybe the answer is no, We don't know
because we haven't heard from Steve Bashatti yet, but certainly,
for the first time in years, it feels like these
are questions that have to be answered by the Baltimore ravens.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
Lamar Jackson's won two NFL MVPs, has not yet been
to a Super Bowl. Three total playoff wins. That has
been the hurdle they've not gotten over in the lamar era.
We'll see what direction it goes, and that might depend
at least this week on the play of his backup
Snoop Puntley. The Packers also have a major quarterback question
headed into that game on Saturday. Jordan Love limited in
(06:46):
practice once again today. A positive chance that he's been
out there two days in a row gives him an
opportunity potentially to play on Saturday. Coach Matt Lafleuer said
Love still in the concussion protocol, which requires clearance by
an independent neurologist before return to play. Meanwhile, his backup
Leik Willis was not spotted on the field today did
not practice as he deals with a right shoulder injury
(07:07):
and an illness. A lot of quarterback drama, albeit of
a different type right now for Green Bay and.
Speaker 5 (07:16):
As far the Buffalo Bills, not as much quarterback drama,
but still I would say maybe a little bit of
a question. Remember last week when Josh Allen left the
game with his shoe off and went in to get
X rays. Looked like a catastrophic situation for the Buffalo Bills.
Then he returned to the game because that's what he does.
X rays were negative, it's been limited in practice this week,
didn't practice yesterday, was limited today. Certainly seems like it's
(07:38):
heading in a good direction, Judy, but at least we
will take note that the potential MVP was limited before
a massive game for the.
Speaker 6 (07:46):
Bills well a site for Soriyes in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 5 (07:50):
TJ.
Speaker 6 (07:50):
Watt returned to practice in a limited capacity today for
the first time since he had the procedure to repair
the punctured lung. He had missed two games with the injury.
His step us for Sunday's game against the Browns is
still unclear, but obviously it is a very good sign
that he is back at practice, certainly that he would
be available at least for the postseason. Nick Herberg Piz,
(08:10):
by the way, was also back at practice today. He
missed last week with a hamstring injury.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
Christmas unwrap all Day football with the NFL Holiday games
featuring Cowboys against Commanders, Lions Vikings on Netflix, then a
primetime showdown on Prime Video Broncos versus Chiefs, three games
one epic Holiday It's all tomorrow. For the full schedule,
visit watch dot NFL dot com playoff implications in some
(08:38):
of those games including the Broncos trying to hold on
to right now is a tiebreaker that gives them the
number one seed. Still a couple of spots available in
that playoff field. Heravenger Steelers will win their division the
last wildcard spot available as well. The Jaguars are already in.
They officially clinched their playoff spot. Still some work to
(09:00):
do to wrap up the AFC self title with two
games to go for more on the Jaguars and back
Brian Baldinger as well as Bucky Brooks. Benzel that Jaguars team. Baldy,
you've been watching that Jaguars offense. This might be the
best we've seen, at least statistically. Trevor Lawrence play. When
you break down the tape, what are you seeing?
Speaker 2 (09:20):
Well, they just had their best win and I think
Buck he would back me up that.
Speaker 7 (09:23):
Going to Denver beating the Broncos thirty four to twenty,
and Trevor was flawless. He's thrown twelve touchdown passes new
interceptions in his last four wins.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
And when you look at the offense, I mean.
Speaker 7 (09:33):
There is a real and firm commitment to the run
game and they'll come out there in two tight ends
a wy wye formation with Morrison Munt. They're gonna get
double teams at the point they're going to feed Travis
Etn their leading rusher. He's just gonna look for some daylight.
He's a talented runner that has a home run hitting
ability that that's important because it does set up some
(09:54):
play action passes. You see Wyatt Milin the rookie guard
out of here. He's there for a reason. You'll see
uf this playoffs pass right here like this is he's
protecting the backside of Trevor Lawrence.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
It's a good pocket.
Speaker 7 (10:06):
Last week, Breton Strange had a good game, big chunk
right there, twenty four yards. Now they've got three receivers
out that they really love, Thomas Parker, Washington, Jacoby Myers,
three verticals right here, and Jakoby's gonna run this box
cut right there in the middle of that Broncos defense
right there, and Trevor delivered a lather.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
And when you watch it, Brighton Strange is in there
to chip.
Speaker 7 (10:28):
Over here, the back of the Quinn Allen is over
here to chip, and what you get is a beautiful
cradle of bluff to throw the ball from. And Trevor
when he gets that kind of cradle, he doesn't miss
right now. He's just he's not hesitating at all. And
you have to account for Travis Etn in the red zone.
He's got six touchdown passes.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
Last week.
Speaker 7 (10:47):
They just cleared it out for him, let him go
one on one. I mean it's nothing, but Steph Curry,
you know, just cleared out, let him go score. And
that's what Travis Etn did. And then they call plays
like this is third and five played for Parker Washington
last week, and he got the match up. He won
the third and five right here, Trevor gets the ball
in his hands and he's dangerous after the catch down
(11:09):
inside the five yard line. And then whether it's a
design run or scramble. In this case, it's a scramble.
Trevor Lawrence is running the ball very well. He's their
second leading rusher. He spins out right here, quickly puts
the ball in his left hand. He's run for seven touchdowns.
He's also run for thirty five first downs, including that
one right there. This is a very complete offense. I
(11:29):
always get the feeling two things bucking like they always
will look at protection first when they're throwing it and
then there is a commitment to the run, regardless to
how many yards are running for. There's a real commitment
to the run by this offense right now.
Speaker 8 (11:47):
Yeah, body, you hit a nail on the head when
you broke down the tape. This is a team that
is very committed to balance, and that balance isn't just
run pass, but it's in the distribution. And what they've
done is they've created the offense where they make a
baby challenging for the defense to defend all aspects of
the offense, particularly in the passing game. Brian Thomas Junior
can take the top off the defense and can make
(12:07):
the big plays. Jacoby Myers is the guy that is
safe and dependable, the chain mover. Parker Washington is the
X factor because he can turn those catch and run
concepts into big plays as a punt returner with Pizzaz
bretton Strange working over the middle, can dominate his matchup
against linebackers, and in Travis it's the end in the backfield.
He is a guy who not only can run it
(12:28):
between the tackles, but you wrote down how he's effective
in space as a receiver. This offense is clicking on
all cylinders because the weapons around Trevor Lawrence are playing
well and he's playing the best football of his career.
Speaker 1 (12:41):
Another big one coming up this weekend, Chargers Texans. Baldy
break this one down for me. What do you see
in the matchup between these two teams have a lot
of stake in that AFC playoff chase.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
Now, you just watching the Chargers taking part to the
Cowboys last week.
Speaker 7 (12:55):
I mean, every receiver beat every Cowboy defender in man
coverage all game long, it didn't matter who it was.
And you came away thinking, this is a really talented
charge of receiving court, including Trey Harris and Lad McConkie
and Keenan Allen, and you go around and around and around.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
But the Texans have an excellent secondary. We saw a
pick six from.
Speaker 7 (13:14):
Darryl Stingley Junior last week early in the game for
the first touchdown. But on the other side, Pemi Lassiter
has been excellent all year. I think that this is
going to be a great matchup because I think, you know,
it's hard to get Keenan Allen to the It's hard
to get Justin Herbert to the ground, and he has
played well behind a bakeshift offense line that's protected well,
(13:37):
but they're gonna be able to throw the ball. They're
gonna bounce it up or Amarion Hampton has played very,
very well since he's come back from injury, and so
they're going to see a very good offense. This is
gonna be a classic good offense against a very talented,
if not the best defensive football.
Speaker 4 (13:53):
Yeah. I haven't seen both of those teams.
Speaker 8 (13:55):
I got to say the Houston Texans defense is terrific,
maybe the best defense in football. They have the balance
that you want where they can rush with four, they
can play sticky coverage in the back end. But the
point that is most impressive their physicality and their tackling prowess.
They don't miss mini tackles on the perimeter and when
they hit you, they hit you hard and they hit
you to go down. Very physical team built in the
(14:16):
image of the head Coast.
Speaker 4 (14:17):
To Miko Ryans, the.
Speaker 1 (14:19):
Only thing better than listening to you guys talk about
that game is going to be watching it right here
on NFL Network. That's right Justin Herbert and the Chargers,
C J. Stroud and the Texans. It's NFL Saturday Watch
December twenty seventh, That is this Saturday, four thirty pm
Eastern only on NFL Network and streaming.
Speaker 4 (14:37):
On NFL Plus. So Schrichen required for NFL Plus.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
A lot more to.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
Come first on this show. Right here, it's a Christmas
Eve edition of The Insiders. We're breaking down another one
of the big matches with Baldy and Bucky. In just
a bit, bears forty nine ers who would have circled
this one on the calendar, bears a forty nine ers
fans probably, we'll talk about that game. We'll also talk
about the s Hawks twelve and three, sitting in the
number one seed in the NFC West, They still got
(15:05):
some work to do. How do they close this thing out?
How far can they go in the playoffs? Safety Julian
Love joins us in just a little bit on The Insiders,
presented by a Progressive Insurance. Big year for Julian Love,
not just on the football field, but off as well.
The Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee for the
(15:28):
Seahawks based on his plethora of work in the community
and serving underprivileged children and families. He's with us right now,
Julian Love here on The Insiders with me, Tom Pellicero,
and Ian Rappaport. We had all kinds of football stuff
Julian to talk about, But first let's start there. What
does it mean to you to be nominated for the
NFL's highest honor.
Speaker 9 (15:50):
It's exciting. I mean, I'm a Chicago kid, and so
Walter Payton, you know, he's like a superhero to me,
and so I know my whole crew back home is excited.
I'm only you know, the families that we've been able
to impact, it's been pretty meaningful.
Speaker 5 (16:06):
I want to go through some of the things that
you've done off the field, just so that people can
know how you've been spending your time. You've donated twenty
five thousand dollars for children need at the Boys and
Girls Club, coach for over three hundred children at the
Seattle YMCA. You partnered with Dix for a back to
school event for underserved children. You've helped donate four hundred
(16:27):
thousand dollars in snap benefits for families in Washington and Chicago.
It is a lot. You're also a very good football player,
which Tom mentioned. We will get to in a second,
But I guess my question to you is, how do
you manage all of these things while also doing pretty
well on the football field.
Speaker 4 (16:46):
Yeah, it's been a grind for sure.
Speaker 9 (16:49):
You know, I've been dealing with, you know, a little
bit of body stuff this year, and so it kind
of led me to tap in a little bit more
into the community. Each Tuesday, that one off day. We've
just been I do my family stuff in the morning
and do something with the community in the afternoons.
Speaker 4 (17:03):
And I don't know, it's been fun.
Speaker 9 (17:05):
I think this community in Seattle is pretty special, and
so I've been just trying to tap in a little
bit more. And then the stuff I do back home,
that's just you know, that's where I'm from. I'm just
trying to make my community better as well.
Speaker 1 (17:16):
So all right on the field, now, you guys are
twelve and three. You're in position for the number one seed.
I know you still got business to take care of,
just to wrap up the NFC West title, But just
tell me about the twenty twenty five Sea Hawks and
what if anything you see about this group that makes
it capable of accomplishing what you have so far.
Speaker 9 (17:35):
Yeah, it's been a lot of fun. I think it
starts in the locker room. Our locker room. The energy,
the vibe is is better than any anywhere I've been
in any team I've been a part of.
Speaker 4 (17:46):
Everybody so close.
Speaker 9 (17:46):
Everyone plays for the person next to one place for
each other. You know, we trust Mike head coach Mike
to get things done for us and play us in
the best position to succeed. And so it says kind
of everything's just aligning for us, and we know he's
kind of got attack at one game at a.
Speaker 4 (18:01):
Time and just keep pushing.
Speaker 9 (18:03):
But right now we're in a great spot, better spot
that I've been in the past for sure.
Speaker 5 (18:07):
Because you guys are going to be have such a
spotlight as the season draws to a close and then
obviously in the playoffs standing as the number one seed.
Right now, people are going to start learning about Mike McDonald.
You have learned about him, and obviously one of the
reasons you guys are where you are is how has
he done this? How has he sort of created this
(18:27):
culture in just a couple of years to get you
guys to the point of where you are potentially the
number one seed.
Speaker 9 (18:35):
Yeah, I think when you take over a culture that's
so strong, you know, and Pete Carroll and that kind
of you know era.
Speaker 4 (18:42):
Of Seahawks football. It is tough.
Speaker 9 (18:44):
I think there has to be a lot of pushing
pool to kind of get your your mission, your standards across.
Speaker 4 (18:50):
And so he's been pretty vulnerable.
Speaker 9 (18:52):
Does he identifies kind of where you know, he lacks,
where he's strong at, and then he lets the players
fill in the gaps. I think as a player, having
a coach that just kind of believes in your skill
set and let you play and maximize that is pretty special.
Speaker 4 (19:05):
And so I think as we get to.
Speaker 9 (19:07):
Know Mike a little more, you'll get to see that.
Speaker 4 (19:09):
He's not super extroverted.
Speaker 9 (19:11):
He pretty much has his way and the dude just
knows ball and so selfishly as a defensive player, he
calls the defense.
Speaker 4 (19:18):
I've been pretty blessed to have him.
Speaker 1 (19:21):
I mean, this is in the nicest way possible. Mike
has a serial killer personality. He seems very calm on
the outside, but you can tell the intensity. You've seen
it in the game when things are heating up, and
every now and then a little bit of it kind
of bursts out here. Your quarterback Sam Darnold, you know,
has some similar types of traits. He does not show
(19:41):
a ton of emotion obviously, you know, a pretty consistent approach.
He's went through a lot, you know, you know, the
market that he played in and started his career out
there in New York. It can be really hard. I
know it's on the other side of the ball. But
what have you seen from Sam the highs and lows
through this season, and what do you hope he's able
to do for you guys when it really counts here
down the stretch.
Speaker 9 (20:02):
Yeah, I think first and foremost, Sam is just a guy.
You know, He's a guy who you know, you're comfortable going,
you know, out with after games or after you know, events,
and just kind of kicking it with. I think that
kind of sets him apart just from a personality. Everybody
likes to just be around him. He's a good dude.
Then just a professional side of it. He's in early,
he's he's he leaves the building late. He's a pro like,
(20:25):
he knows how to conduct business. And then he just
he maximizes our offense. Everyone's looking at him to be
kind of the leader of the.
Speaker 4 (20:31):
Guy, the quarterback.
Speaker 9 (20:32):
It's not always the case across the league that your
quarterback can be that for you because it's a lot,
but Sam is able to kind of put down his
shoulders and lead us.
Speaker 5 (20:42):
I know the division you guys playing is about as
physical as any. But the team you guys are playing
this week. You know, if you said to me earlier
in this season, like, oh, Seahawks Panthers, that can be
a good game, Like, I don't know, it's a really
good game. They bring it on offense. What do you
see from this Carolina team that you guys are facing
on Sunday?
Speaker 9 (21:05):
Yeah, this team, I mean, I think they're kind of
finding their identity as an organization and it's gonna take
off for sure. You know, they've beaten some good teams
this year. They have on offense, they have skill, they
have a great running back room, Bryce Hun's playing at
a high level, and then they have young receivers who
are taking over games. And so it does present some
(21:25):
challenges and they're just not a team you can you
can really sleep on. We know, we just have to
bring our best going into their house. Their stadium has
more juice than in the past, and so yeah, they
present some challenges.
Speaker 4 (21:37):
We got to go and compete for real.
Speaker 1 (21:40):
Julian, congrats again on the award. Best luck the rest
of this season. Have a merry Christmas as well. Man,
We'll talk to you down the line.
Speaker 4 (21:48):
Yeah, Marry Christmas. Thank you guys, appreciate it.
Speaker 5 (21:51):
This Christmas unwrapped all day football with NFL Howaday games
featuring Cowboys Verse Commanders and Lions Versed Vikings on Netflix.
Then Primetime Showdown on Prime Video Broncos versus Chiefs three
games one epic Holiday. For the full schedule, visit watch
dot NFL dot com time Now for good coverage presented
(22:17):
by Progressive Insurance. The Chicago Bears lead the NFL with
thirty one takeaways this season, my guy Dennis Allen. They
also have a league leading plus twenty one turnover differential.
The last time the Bears led the league in turnover differential,
they were shuffling into Super Bowl eighty five. That is
(22:37):
not bad company to keep if you are these Chicago Bears. Meanwhile,
here is the NFC playoff picture. A lot of really
good teams on there. A couple of the teams are
actually playing each other this week forty nine Ers and Bears.
Really good one coming up for us. Like to bring
(22:57):
in our good friends Brian Baldon and Bucky Brooks Baldy.
I want to start with you. You got two really
good teams, and the Bears and the forty nine Ers,
both of them headed to the playoffs. Big time showdown.
How do you see this game breaking down for.
Speaker 2 (23:14):
All of us?
Speaker 7 (23:15):
Well, I mean this is very competitive here. I mean
we've got four teams right there you just put on
the list. They got a eleven wins, all with a
chance to get the number one seeds. So there's a
lot to play for. I'll take this. I'll take this
side of it. I'll take We just watched, you know,
Brock Perdy put on an epic performance Monday night against
the Colts. Five touchdown passes. We know Kyle Shanahan called
(23:36):
an excellent game. You got the matchups he was looking
for and perty executed it. The Chicago Bears don't have
a great defense, but as you mentioned, Ian, they leave
the league with thirty one takeaways.
Speaker 2 (23:47):
They've got land mines everywhere along the defensive front, from
the back end, Kevin Byer, who leaves the league interceptions
for the second time in his career a pro bowler,
nay Sean Wright. Get what they do with Tremaine Edmunds,
that middle linebacker You've got to be careful with some
of the layer throws that Kyle Shanahan loves to throw
(24:08):
in the middle of the field. You get your finger
tips on some of those. Sometimes you can get some takeaways.
Speaker 7 (24:12):
So I think if you asked a lot of defensive
coordinators like Dennis Allen, would you rather lead the league
in defense or takeaways? They would probably say, we'd rather
lead the league in takeaways. And so that's what the
Bears can give you. They can take the ball away.
They did it against the Green Bay Packers to help
win that game. They got an on side kick that
helped get the ne extra possession, and so I think
(24:34):
that's what the forty nine ers have to really contend
with here this week is a defense that's proficient at
getting the ball back to the offense and getting extra
bats for Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams.
Speaker 8 (24:47):
You know, boud do you talk about a defense being
a takeaway defense, and that is the most important statistic
in football.
Speaker 4 (24:53):
Can you take the ball away from the opponent? It
leads to wins.
Speaker 8 (24:56):
And the Bears of being able to do that, and
with Ben Jason dolling the offense the way that he's
been doing it. They've been able to run the football,
calmun Nungai, DeAndre White, Jondre Swift being able to get
it done passing it on the perimeter, Kayleb Williams being
very efficient. But I'm gonna say this, I believe Kyle
Shanahan has done his best coaching job of his career
this season with the Niners. The Niners have had injuries abound.
(25:18):
The Niners are traditionally talked about as a title contending.
This is the first year coming in that no one
really hailed them as a contender. I think that it
has freed them up to just try and be the
best version of themselves. And what we're seeing is a
team that has taken that process mindset and just gotten
better and better.
Speaker 4 (25:37):
They're not perfect, they have flaws, but man, their.
Speaker 8 (25:40):
Confidence, their connectivity, their chemistry is coming together at the
right time. And you can look up and you can
see the San Francisco forty nine ers owning the number
one seed where they play at home the entire month
of January and February on their way to another Super
Bowl appearance.
Speaker 4 (25:58):
That's how good the Niners are playing.
Speaker 5 (26:00):
They might never play another away game. It's crazy and
the fact that they may have to play this week
without George Kittle for every other team would be a
huge deal for them. It's sort of like they're used
to it. You guys can handled Bucky Baldy. Thank you
very much, great stuff, Great breakdowns is always cannot wait
for that one.
Speaker 10 (26:18):
Hey, I'm Hunter Henry from the New England Patriots, and
I'm wishing you and your family at Merry Christmas.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
All right, This is Alex Heiswerth the Pittsburgh Dealers.
Speaker 7 (26:26):
I just wanted to wish you and your family a
merry Christmas and happy holidays.
Speaker 9 (26:30):
My name is Tom la Charges and I want to
wish you and if im me a happy holiday.
Speaker 4 (26:35):
Hello.
Speaker 7 (26:36):
This is Rob Gronkowski and I want to wish you
and your family the happiest happy holidays.
Speaker 1 (26:42):
That one makes me laugh every time. This guy that
was a serious news man, Our guy, Cameron Wolf aka
the Wolf of ball Street with me Tom Peliicero here
on the Insiders Week seventeen, Tons at Steak Cam. Where
are we starting on what you're hearing around the league?
Speaker 11 (27:00):
Tom, Let's start the Wolf of ball Street in Buffalo,
where James Cook should be a top contenitor. Of Offensive
Player of the Year. He told me in the locker
room after this past win that I want the rushing title.
That's something I want on my mantle, in part because
it's something my brother Dalvin Cook doesn't have. James Cook.
I remember back in April, I was on a fishing
(27:21):
boat with James Cook and he told me, I'm going
into this year like it's my last year in Buffalo.
He hadn't got his long term deal yet, there was
questions about his future. He came out here had his
best year as a pro after getting that long term deal.
He's also been extremely vocal hyping guys up on the
sideline during games, being that sole member of the Bills offense.
(27:42):
As they go into a period towards the playoffs, they're
going to lean more and more on Cook and he
has records that he wants to break, including that rushing title,
which he currently has in his grasp. Next, let's go
to Pittsburgh, where the legend of Kenny g is getting
more and more attention. They're offensive coording to Arthur. Smith
told me he loves gainwell, mostly because of how he
(28:04):
can contribute as a receiver. We saw that catch last week.
The incredible grab he made with his concentration. With DK
Metcalfs suspended, They're going to lean even more on Gainwell.
Speaker 2 (28:14):
As a receiver.
Speaker 11 (28:15):
Don't be surprised to see Gainwell and Jalen Warren out
on the field at the same time with Gainwell playing receiver.
They love his hands and he's built a trust with
Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers has told people he's one of the
smartest players on this team and he trusts him in
key situations.
Speaker 4 (28:30):
So Kenneth Gainwell may be.
Speaker 11 (28:31):
A X factor for the Steelers' playoff run. And finally,
let's go to Carolina, where Rico Dawdle has been one
of the best value free agency signings. They signed him
for a one year, two point seventy five million dollar deal,
and now he has setting himself up to get paid.
He has a huge incentive this week. If he gets
seventy scrimmage yards, he gets one million dollars. He also
(28:53):
gets another two hundred fifty thousand dollars if he gets
a touchdown. Is a part of his incentiate based contract,
setting him up for this career year. And I remember
talking to general manager Dan Morgan a few weeks ago
talking about how they saw Dowdle play well against them
last year, and when they got rid of Miles Sanders,
they dialed into Dowdle as a backup running back. He
(29:13):
has become the lead dog for much of the year,
and now he has the opportunity to continue to lead
them going forward and potentially get paid not only that
a million dollars incentive, but also big money this offseason
when he hits freegency.
Speaker 1 (29:27):
Cam great stuff as always. You know what's even cooler
than one million dollars, Let's find the playoffs ready in.
Speaker 5 (29:37):
Seventy scrimmage yards for a million bucks. Count me in
on that. I don't get any of it, but I
am excited for Rico Daldo on that one. Here's the
NFC playoff picture. A lot of things have been decided,
a lot of teams have clinch berths, and there is
the NFC South. Can I wait to see how this
plays out? Assuming the Bucks can get us to Week eighteen?
(29:58):
Baker Mayfield, what's going on?
Speaker 10 (30:02):
Yeah? I mean, listen, we would love to be and
I would love for us to be in a different
spot than we're in right now. Don't get me wrong,
but we've been here before and you can always rely
on those experiences and take what you've learned and go
from there. But I trust this group. You know it
hasn't been our best play by any means. I know
that we all know that, but we can still accomplish
(30:23):
everything we want to.
Speaker 5 (30:24):
Still all there for the ten Bay Buccaneers as we
welcome in Judy Batista once again, Judy, allow me the
honor of team you up on your own article on
NFL dot com that sorts through all the teams that
have clinched playoff bers, all the upsets coming, kind of
the ins and outs of what we're going to see
over the course of the next couple of weeks. So
we saw Baker Mayfield there talking about the future of
(30:47):
the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. What is at stake here and
what should we expect from Baker's team.
Speaker 6 (30:53):
Well, Baker is right, it's all still in front of them.
If the Bucks went out, they still win the NFC South.
But certainly things have gone sideways for this team. They've
lost six of their last seven after starting hot, and
I think what's most concerning is everybody was waiting for
them to get healthy, figuring then the offense would kick
into gear and things would go back to normal. Except
(31:14):
they are as healthy as they have been at any
point this season. The offense is almost entirely intact, and
it's still not getting better. They're averaging just nineteen points
per game since Week twelve, that's twenty fifth in the league.
Baker's performance has declined as well. He's thrown six interceptions
in the six game since Week eleven. His completion percentage
(31:35):
has dropped by seven percentage points. So it's just not
clicking into gear again. They're healthy, it's still in front
of them, but certainly it's worrisome for the Bucks that
they were building up to this opportunity to get everybody
on the field together. Now they are together, and the
offense still hasn't clicked into gear.
Speaker 5 (31:55):
Pressures on for the next two weeks. I really wonder
if that left shoulder injury is still affected Baker. Maybe
that's some of the issues there were probably never going
to know. He's never going to say anything, but I
do wonder about that. All right, take me to Green Bay.
No Michaeh Parsons last week. Obviously the defense is going
to collapse, except they didn't actually looked really good. What
do we expect here from the Packers defense that is
(32:17):
somehow still standing.
Speaker 6 (32:20):
I think the Packer defense may be okay. Is it
going to be as spectacular as if Michael Parsons were
on the field. No, he's not replaceable. But this was
a top five defense last season, so they're not starting
from zero. They held the Chicago Bears for fifty nine
and a half minutes last week to nine points. They
(32:41):
are playing well. They still look competent. They don't look
disorganized without Michael Parsons. The pass that Caleb Williams threw
to win the game was a perfect cast. The coverage
was good. It wasn't like it was bad coverage. It
was just a perfectly placed paths and a perfect catch.
So I think the Packers are going to be okay.
(33:03):
Can they win a Super Bowl without on Michael Porson's
I don't know. We will see, but certainly they are
good enough as a defense right now to get into
the playoffs and maybe to make a little noise.
Speaker 5 (33:15):
I feel like had they not traded for Micah Parson
before the season, we'd still be talking about this really
good Packers defense. They just it's a challenge, but everyone
has challenges.
Speaker 10 (33:25):
This time.
Speaker 5 (33:25):
All Right, the Seattle Seahawks don't have many challenges. They
are very good rolling along there. New friend Julian Love
was just talking about his quarterback Sam Donald and how
just chill he is. Donald has also kind of lashed
back at his doubters a little bit, not with his words,
that's not like him, but with his play.
Speaker 6 (33:45):
Yeah, last week I think was a really important moment
for Sam Donald's. First of all, a game with absolutely
enormous stakes, and he did struggle early, right through those
two interceptions, and I think we were all watching saying like,
oh no. But then he rallied, and he rallied the team,
and he played really well down the stretch, almost flawless.
(34:07):
He led those two touchdown drives at the end, and
then don't forget he completed three passes on two point conversions.
Those were critical in the game too, So I think
he exercised some demons in this game. Again, not only
did he perform well down the stretch, but he actually
rebounded within a game. He didn't get shaken by his
(34:29):
early struggles. I always go back to that quote of
his saying he was seeing ghosts. He clearly wasn't seeing
ghosts for very long. He got rid of the ghosts,
and I think we can stop wringing our hands in
big games over Sam Darnold, I.
Speaker 5 (34:43):
Think you're right now. The good thing is they got
a couple more coming up next two weeks and then
into the playoffs. It'll all play out for us. Judy,
great stuff right here, Great stuff on NFL dot com.
And I'll see you in a couple of segments because
you and I are now going to take a break.
And the reason we're going to take a break is
because Tom is going to talk with our good friend
Marcus Grant about something called fantasy football. Now I've heard
(35:06):
of this, but because my team was so bad, I
am not participating in any fantasy football conversation with anyone
who's in the finals. So Tom, this is all you
coming up masked.
Speaker 4 (35:25):
What's up everybody? Lavonte David here, linebacker the Tempa Bay Buccaneers.
Speaker 8 (35:29):
Wish you guys a happy Holidays and a merry Christmas.
Speaker 2 (35:31):
Hope you enjoy God bless hey. This is Alexis that
never broughtors. I just want to wish you and your
family happy holidays.
Speaker 4 (35:38):
This is a shar with the Houston Texas.
Speaker 2 (35:40):
Just want to wish everybody a happy holidays.
Speaker 11 (35:43):
I'm Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens, and I want
to wish you and your family a happy holidays.
Speaker 1 (35:49):
Time now to Marcus. My words with our guy, Marcus Grant.
If this were a day ago, it would be Festivus.
Speaker 4 (35:56):
Marcus.
Speaker 1 (35:56):
I would spend my time here airing the grievances of
all the players you know showed me on last week
and cost me a spot in my fantasy championship.
Speaker 4 (36:04):
But I'm gonna give the floor to you.
Speaker 1 (36:06):
We're talking players in your fantasy lineups for the championship
who are not gonna leave Cole in your stocking for
the guys you were worried about. Give me a quarterback
who you don't want to see Santa coming down the
chimney with.
Speaker 12 (36:18):
Well, it's gonna be Bryce Young right now. And some
weeks Bryce Young has been naughty, some weeks he's been nice.
He was pretty me in a pair of positive matchups lately,
and look I get it. Last week Seattle got roasted
by Matthew Stafford like chestnuts over and open fire. But
generally speaking, they've been screwed against quarterbacks all season long.
A bottom ten matchup for the position. So there's a
(36:38):
really good chance Ryce Young could be more like Bob
Cratchit this holiday weekend.
Speaker 1 (36:44):
All right, how about a running back marcus that you'd
be worried about if you see him sitting under the tree.
Speaker 12 (36:50):
It's gonna be Ashton Gentz and last week against the
Houston Texans kind of came out of nowhere. It was
like an early Christmas gift for a lot of people.
The problem is that Raiders offensive line has been more
crampist than Kringle this year because of a Gent's been
inefficient running the football. No brock Bowers, which means you
can target him a little bit more. Plus the Giants
running back charity may have dried up recently. They've been
(37:12):
a bottom six matchup for the position over the last
four weeks. So may not be any silver and black
bells ringing in this Raiders offense this week.
Speaker 1 (37:21):
Nargus, give me a wide receiver who's the equivalent of
the leaky jello or the cap in a box that
you don't want to see coming in the front door.
Speaker 12 (37:29):
That's gonna be Michael Wilson, unfortunately, because he's been really
good for us down the stretch. Here's the thing. The
Bengals have had a sleigh full of goodies for the
tight end position, but the wide receivers have not been
able to join in any reindeer games. Against Cincinnati. We
know TREYE. McBride's the top target there in Arizona. He
is going to eat well. So it makes you wonder
how much leftover food will there be for Michael Wilson
(37:51):
this week.
Speaker 4 (37:51):
We'll see if.
Speaker 5 (37:52):
There's enough holiday cheer to go around.
Speaker 12 (37:54):
But this is one you might be better off sort of,
you know, keeping the receipt on and maybe returning afterwards.
Speaker 1 (38:00):
One more, a tight end who would be the equivalent
of a paint can strung to the ceiling hitney in.
Speaker 2 (38:05):
The face mark.
Speaker 12 (38:06):
It's probably gonna be Tyler Warren, unfortunately, who's been great
for us all season long, but Philip Rivers deliveries haven't
been getting to their intended destination the last couple of weeks.
Six catches forty nine yards on fifteen targets for Warren
With Rivers at quarterback. A bottom three matchup for tight ends,
the Jaguars have been the grinch against the position for
(38:29):
most of the season. They held Warren to just two
catches for fifteen yards back in week fourteen. Unlike a
Christmas story, this is an Indiana holiday tale that may
not have a really happy ending.
Speaker 1 (38:41):
Marcus, thank you very much. Merry Christmas. Enjoy your ugly
sweater party. Assuming that do you think that that sweater
doesn't look good? I'm not quite sure. Thank you very much.
You can feel the intensity at the magnitude of this
moment and this matchup. Jump bro stick down a lupside,
Wat's mcmillin's.
Speaker 12 (39:01):
Tax doing a great job.
Speaker 4 (39:02):
You know, we special pressure off the edge.
Speaker 1 (39:04):
Bryce dancing in the pocket, tried to old Vada sack
he does Bros packing the eadside one open touchdown car.
Speaker 8 (39:14):
Line up LJTA scramble response, seeing me get outside the
pocket and doing a great job of losing as man.
Speaker 7 (39:20):
And that play happened because Bryce was fimble.
Speaker 1 (39:25):
Bryce be quick.
Speaker 5 (39:26):
It feels great and it'll feel great for the next
twenty four hours.
Speaker 4 (39:29):
After that, it's not gonna matter.
Speaker 11 (39:30):
There still a lot more football to kake again a
twenty four hour we'll celebrate this one, but we know
that complete.
Speaker 7 (39:36):
We have to refocused this place Proverst into sweet gerline
at Jutison.
Speaker 4 (39:42):
And it's one of the sweetest South.
Speaker 12 (39:43):
This city is heard dafter football in.
Speaker 1 (39:47):
A long time. Another big game Sunday for the Panthers
against the Seahawks. But first you got three on Christmas.
Unwrap all day Football with the NFL Holiday Games Cowboys, Commanders,
Vikings on Netflix. Then a primetime showdown on Prime Video
Broncos against the Chiefs. Three games, one epic holiday. For
(40:08):
the full schedule, visit watch dot NFL dot com. Week
seventeen rolls on on Saturday, including a big time AFC
potential playoff matchup between two teams that are gonna square
off right here on NFL Network, CJ. Stroud and the
Texans taking on Justin Herbert and the Chargers in his
NFL Saturday Watch December twenty seventh. This Saturday, four thirty
(40:31):
Eastern only on NFL Network and streaming on NFL Plus.
Subscription required for NFL Plus and it does not end there. Sunday,
nine am Eastern. Get Ready for Kickoff, which with Rich
Eisen and the crew will break down all the fallout
from the Christmas and Saturday games. Patriots tight end hunter
Henry talks about what's changed under Mike Vrabel and why
(40:52):
he's confident in quarterback Drake May. Plus the Bears and
forty nine Ers face off as both teams look to
keep their hopes for the number one seat alive. And
we got our New Year's resolutions for twenty twenty six.
Speaker 11 (41:04):
All that and more.
Speaker 4 (41:06):
Sunday at nine a m.
Speaker 1 (41:08):
Eastern I conducted my annual poll of GM's other NFL executives.
Votes in from thirty teams, and here are your unofficial winners.
Matthew Stafford as the MVP, JS and Miles Garrett t
mac Carsons west Or, Mike Rabel, John Schneider, Judy Batista.
You often weigh in on these various awards. Anything that
(41:31):
surprises you or one where you would vote another direction.
Speaker 6 (41:35):
Actually, no, I have a vote, and this is how
my votes will probably go unless something goes really haywire
in these final two weeks.
Speaker 4 (41:46):
And shake it up for me. Anythink you'd vote differently.
Speaker 5 (41:48):
I was surprised with Coach of the Year. I mean
you hear plenty of people say, well, obviously this locks
up Coach of the Year for whoever, and it's it's
you could go Sean Payton, you could go Rabe, you
could go Canalis, and then that seemed obvious from your poll.
I was also surprised that the MVP was not as
close as I anticipated with Stafford. I thought Josh Allen.
Speaker 1 (42:10):
Maybe, but Mike Rabel got thirteen votes. Ben Jonson the
runner up with six. John Snyder Loyal Insiders Fan got
nineteen and a half for Executive of the Year. Congrats John,
Merry Christmas. Everybody see
The best gift this holiday season is sharing it with
the ones you love. Unless your team is in a
playoff chase, then you know clinching a home game would
be pretty nice. Our two wise men, Brian Baldyer and
Bucky Brooks, are here tonight to help us break down
the biggest matchups of week seventeen. It is Christmas Eve,
not Valentine's Day, but it's never too soon for love.
(00:23):
Julian Love, the Seahawks safety, joins us tonight to talk
about is Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination and
whether Sam Darnold can fill Seattle stockings with some playoff wins.
There's another holiday that starts tomorrow. It's Fantasy Championship weekend.
Before you set your lineup for maximum merriment, Marcus Grant
will be here tonight to tell you who to load
(00:44):
into the sleigh and who to leave. Ho Ho home.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Okay, I'm done.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Now, Welcome inside with the Insiders, presented by Progressive Insurance,
alongside Ian Rapperboard and Judy Batista. I am tom peliicero.
Merry Christmas to all those of you who celebrate. Thank
you for spending the next hour with us. No doubt
watching on your phone while hiding from your family in
the bathroom.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
We got news to get to.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
Let's start out in Baltimore where Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson
did not practice again today as he deals with a
back contusion that sidelined him in the first half of
last week's game. It is win or go home for
the Ravens on Saturday night at Green Bay. And if
you're looking for some encouraging signs about jackson status, well
don't necessarily look to John Arba.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
Undetermined right now, non participation today, was not able to practice,
but he could play, you know, without that practice for sure.
He's practiced, played a lot of football one a lot
of games for us. If he's ready to go, he
will go. If he can go, he will go. You
can bet on that.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
So so you stay with undetermined right now with.
Speaker 4 (01:51):
Them, yeah, day to day.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Couldn't practice today, So we'll see where it's at tomorrow
and as we go forward. I had a great conversation
with Lamar this morning, a few things and football and
how he's feeling things like that. So our relationship is
a plus. So I love him, always have, always will,
and I know he's fighting like crazy. To get back,
So anot of reports or things that gets said or
(02:14):
written or whatever. I don't really appreat, you know. I
don't need anybody speaking for me, you know, so just
ask me and I'll tell you what I think.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Things that John harbaughd does not want to be talking
about before a must win game in week seventeen. Reports
and the health of his quarterback both pretty high on
the list. Here, Ian, what do you make of the
situation right now and Lamar's chances if any are beat
out there Saturday night in Green Bay.
Speaker 5 (02:42):
Yeah, I'll start with the second part. First. There's been
no official determination on Lamar Jackson's status, but my feel,
my read on the situation does not have it headed
in a positive direction. Look, it's possible Lamar practice tomorrow
that says I'm good to go, But the fact that
he hasn't practiced yet, the fact that he's still dealing
with the after effects of a very serious back bruise,
does not bode well for him playing, which means we
(03:05):
could very well see Tyler Snoop Hunley out there starting
once again, as he has done extremely well for the
Baltimore Ravens this year. Now, the other part of this
is the John Harbaugh and Lamar Jackson part of this,
and he mentioned reports Mike Preston and respected columnists in
Baltimore for The Baltimore Sun wrote about the relayship and
laid bare some things which have sort of been circling,
(03:28):
which is that things may not be completely well with
Lamar Jackson and John Harbaugh and the raven Then, to
be sure, has been a frustrating season on many levels.
Judy Lamar has not practiced as much as they thought.
He has been injured in some games, and as we
saw two years ago, an injury that maybe they thought,
oh well, he'll probably be out there ready to play,
(03:49):
has not put him out there in a timely enough fashion.
We'll see where this goes. It does feel to me
like a little bit of an inflection point. You know,
we have John Harbord discus his status, we have the
former MVP, and Lamar Jackson had the opportunity to re
up his contract before the season at a time and
a lot of people thought that he would did not happen.
(04:12):
The Ravens at the very least have some things to
figure out and some relationships to discuss in the off season.
I'm not saying there's anything that's going to blow up,
but at least there needs to be some conversation about
how everyone can move forward together. And what is a
great quarterback, a great coach, and a very stocked roster
that could miss the playoffs?
Speaker 6 (04:32):
Well, you know what else. John Harbaugh does not want
to be talking about, with a must win game on
the horizon, his own job security, and he has fielded
questions about that this week as well. Here's the situation.
Steve Baschatti the team owner. He does not speak regularly
to reporters. John Harbaugh has been his head coach for
eighteen years. Steve Baschatti has never fired a head coach.
(04:56):
He inherited a Brian Billick when he bought the team.
He did fire Brian Philip, but then he hired John Harbaugh.
He's been there for eighteen seasons. He's only had two
losing seasons. Maybe this one winds up being the third one.
He's obviously been highly successful. They won a super Bowl.
But the question is is Steve Bashatti comfortable running it
(05:16):
all back exactly the same next season. This has been
an underperforming team, a disappointing season. Certainly, there's been a
lot going on. It certainly feels like things have just
been a little bit off. Really since the start of
the season. It has not been a good one even
for Harbaugh, starting with Week one when they blew the
(05:37):
big lead to the Buffalo Bills and lost the game
in Week one, all the way to just last week
when Derrick Henry wasn't on the field in the final
minutes of the game with the game on the line.
Steve Baschatti, though, has to answer the question does he
believe that maybe his team needs a different voice. There's
no question John Harbaugh is a very very good coach.
(06:00):
The question is is the team still responding to him?
Is Lamar Jackson still responding to him? Does he need
to make a change just for the sake of shaking
things up. Maybe the answer is no, We don't know
because we haven't heard from Steve Bashatti yet, but certainly,
for the first time in years, it feels like these
are questions that have to be answered by the Baltimore ravens.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
Lamar Jackson's won two NFL MVPs, has not yet been
to a Super Bowl. Three total playoff wins. That has
been the hurdle they've not gotten over in the lamar era.
We'll see what direction it goes, and that might depend
at least this week on the play of his backup
Snoop Puntley. The Packers also have a major quarterback question
headed into that game on Saturday. Jordan Love limited in
(06:46):
practice once again today. A positive chance that he's been
out there two days in a row gives him an
opportunity potentially to play on Saturday. Coach Matt Lafleuer said
Love still in the concussion protocol, which requires clearance by
an independent neurologist before return to play. Meanwhile, his backup
Leik Willis was not spotted on the field today did
not practice as he deals with a right shoulder injury
(07:07):
and an illness. A lot of quarterback drama, albeit of
a different type right now for Green Bay and.
Speaker 5 (07:16):
As far the Buffalo Bills, not as much quarterback drama,
but still I would say maybe a little bit of
a question. Remember last week when Josh Allen left the
game with his shoe off and went in to get
X rays. Looked like a catastrophic situation for the Buffalo Bills.
Then he returned to the game because that's what he does.
X rays were negative, it's been limited in practice this week,
didn't practice yesterday, was limited today. Certainly seems like it's
(07:38):
heading in a good direction, Judy, but at least we
will take note that the potential MVP was limited before
a massive game for the.
Speaker 6 (07:46):
Bills well a site for Soriyes in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 5 (07:50):
TJ.
Speaker 6 (07:50):
Watt returned to practice in a limited capacity today for
the first time since he had the procedure to repair
the punctured lung. He had missed two games with the injury.
His step us for Sunday's game against the Browns is
still unclear, but obviously it is a very good sign
that he is back at practice, certainly that he would
be available at least for the postseason. Nick Herberg Piz,
(08:10):
by the way, was also back at practice today. He
missed last week with a hamstring injury.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
Christmas unwrap all Day football with the NFL Holiday games
featuring Cowboys against Commanders, Lions Vikings on Netflix, then a
primetime showdown on Prime Video Broncos versus Chiefs, three games
one epic Holiday It's all tomorrow. For the full schedule,
visit watch dot NFL dot com playoff implications in some
(08:38):
of those games including the Broncos trying to hold on
to right now is a tiebreaker that gives them the
number one seed. Still a couple of spots available in
that playoff field. Heravenger Steelers will win their division the
last wildcard spot available as well. The Jaguars are already in.
They officially clinched their playoff spot. Still some work to
(09:00):
do to wrap up the AFC self title with two
games to go for more on the Jaguars and back
Brian Baldinger as well as Bucky Brooks. Benzel that Jaguars team. Baldy,
you've been watching that Jaguars offense. This might be the
best we've seen, at least statistically. Trevor Lawrence play. When
you break down the tape, what are you seeing?
Speaker 2 (09:20):
Well, they just had their best win and I think
Buck he would back me up that.
Speaker 7 (09:23):
Going to Denver beating the Broncos thirty four to twenty,
and Trevor was flawless. He's thrown twelve touchdown passes new
interceptions in his last four wins.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
And when you look at the offense, I mean.
Speaker 7 (09:33):
There is a real and firm commitment to the run
game and they'll come out there in two tight ends
a wy wye formation with Morrison Munt. They're gonna get
double teams at the point they're going to feed Travis
Etn their leading rusher. He's just gonna look for some daylight.
He's a talented runner that has a home run hitting
ability that that's important because it does set up some
(09:54):
play action passes. You see Wyatt Milin the rookie guard
out of here. He's there for a reason. You'll see
uf this playoffs pass right here like this is he's
protecting the backside of Trevor Lawrence.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
It's a good pocket.
Speaker 7 (10:06):
Last week, Breton Strange had a good game, big chunk
right there, twenty four yards. Now they've got three receivers
out that they really love, Thomas Parker, Washington, Jacoby Myers,
three verticals right here, and Jakoby's gonna run this box
cut right there in the middle of that Broncos defense
right there, and Trevor delivered a lather.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
And when you watch it, Brighton Strange is in there
to chip.
Speaker 7 (10:28):
Over here, the back of the Quinn Allen is over
here to chip, and what you get is a beautiful
cradle of bluff to throw the ball from. And Trevor
when he gets that kind of cradle, he doesn't miss
right now. He's just he's not hesitating at all. And
you have to account for Travis Etn in the red zone.
He's got six touchdown passes.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
Last week.
Speaker 7 (10:47):
They just cleared it out for him, let him go
one on one. I mean it's nothing, but Steph Curry,
you know, just cleared out, let him go score. And
that's what Travis Etn did. And then they call plays
like this is third and five played for Parker Washington
last week, and he got the match up. He won
the third and five right here, Trevor gets the ball
in his hands and he's dangerous after the catch down
(11:09):
inside the five yard line. And then whether it's a
design run or scramble. In this case, it's a scramble.
Trevor Lawrence is running the ball very well. He's their
second leading rusher. He spins out right here, quickly puts
the ball in his left hand. He's run for seven touchdowns.
He's also run for thirty five first downs, including that
one right there. This is a very complete offense. I
(11:29):
always get the feeling two things bucking like they always
will look at protection first when they're throwing it and
then there is a commitment to the run, regardless to
how many yards are running for. There's a real commitment
to the run by this offense right now.
Speaker 8 (11:47):
Yeah, body, you hit a nail on the head when
you broke down the tape. This is a team that
is very committed to balance, and that balance isn't just
run pass, but it's in the distribution. And what they've
done is they've created the offense where they make a
baby challenging for the defense to defend all aspects of
the offense, particularly in the passing game. Brian Thomas Junior
can take the top off the defense and can make
(12:07):
the big plays. Jacoby Myers is the guy that is
safe and dependable, the chain mover. Parker Washington is the
X factor because he can turn those catch and run
concepts into big plays as a punt returner with Pizzaz
bretton Strange working over the middle, can dominate his matchup
against linebackers, and in Travis it's the end in the backfield.
He is a guy who not only can run it
(12:28):
between the tackles, but you wrote down how he's effective
in space as a receiver. This offense is clicking on
all cylinders because the weapons around Trevor Lawrence are playing
well and he's playing the best football of his career.
Speaker 1 (12:41):
Another big one coming up this weekend, Chargers Texans. Baldy
break this one down for me. What do you see
in the matchup between these two teams have a lot
of stake in that AFC playoff chase.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
Now, you just watching the Chargers taking part to the
Cowboys last week.
Speaker 7 (12:55):
I mean, every receiver beat every Cowboy defender in man
coverage all game long, it didn't matter who it was.
And you came away thinking, this is a really talented
charge of receiving court, including Trey Harris and Lad McConkie
and Keenan Allen, and you go around and around and around.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
But the Texans have an excellent secondary. We saw a
pick six from.
Speaker 7 (13:14):
Darryl Stingley Junior last week early in the game for
the first touchdown. But on the other side, Pemi Lassiter
has been excellent all year. I think that this is
going to be a great matchup because I think, you know,
it's hard to get Keenan Allen to the It's hard
to get Justin Herbert to the ground, and he has
played well behind a bakeshift offense line that's protected well,
(13:37):
but they're gonna be able to throw the ball. They're
gonna bounce it up or Amarion Hampton has played very,
very well since he's come back from injury, and so
they're going to see a very good offense. This is
gonna be a classic good offense against a very talented,
if not the best defensive football.
Speaker 4 (13:53):
Yeah. I haven't seen both of those teams.
Speaker 8 (13:55):
I got to say the Houston Texans defense is terrific,
maybe the best defense in football. They have the balance
that you want where they can rush with four, they
can play sticky coverage in the back end. But the
point that is most impressive their physicality and their tackling prowess.
They don't miss mini tackles on the perimeter and when
they hit you, they hit you hard and they hit
you to go down. Very physical team built in the
(14:16):
image of the head Coast.
Speaker 4 (14:17):
To Miko Ryans, the.
Speaker 1 (14:19):
Only thing better than listening to you guys talk about
that game is going to be watching it right here
on NFL Network. That's right Justin Herbert and the Chargers,
C J. Stroud and the Texans. It's NFL Saturday Watch
December twenty seventh, That is this Saturday, four thirty pm
Eastern only on NFL Network and streaming.
Speaker 4 (14:37):
On NFL Plus. So Schrichen required for NFL Plus.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
A lot more to.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
Come first on this show. Right here, it's a Christmas
Eve edition of The Insiders. We're breaking down another one
of the big matches with Baldy and Bucky. In just
a bit, bears forty nine ers who would have circled
this one on the calendar, bears a forty nine ers
fans probably, we'll talk about that game. We'll also talk
about the s Hawks twelve and three, sitting in the
number one seed in the NFC West, They still got
(15:05):
some work to do. How do they close this thing out?
How far can they go in the playoffs? Safety Julian
Love joins us in just a little bit on The Insiders,
presented by a Progressive Insurance. Big year for Julian Love,
not just on the football field, but off as well.
The Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee for the
(15:28):
Seahawks based on his plethora of work in the community
and serving underprivileged children and families. He's with us right now,
Julian Love here on The Insiders with me, Tom Pellicero,
and Ian Rappaport. We had all kinds of football stuff
Julian to talk about, But first let's start there. What
does it mean to you to be nominated for the
NFL's highest honor.
Speaker 9 (15:50):
It's exciting. I mean, I'm a Chicago kid, and so
Walter Payton, you know, he's like a superhero to me,
and so I know my whole crew back home is excited.
I'm only you know, the families that we've been able
to impact, it's been pretty meaningful.
Speaker 5 (16:06):
I want to go through some of the things that
you've done off the field, just so that people can
know how you've been spending your time. You've donated twenty
five thousand dollars for children need at the Boys and
Girls Club, coach for over three hundred children at the
Seattle YMCA. You partnered with Dix for a back to
school event for underserved children. You've helped donate four hundred
(16:27):
thousand dollars in snap benefits for families in Washington and Chicago.
It is a lot. You're also a very good football player,
which Tom mentioned. We will get to in a second,
But I guess my question to you is, how do
you manage all of these things while also doing pretty
well on the football field.
Speaker 4 (16:46):
Yeah, it's been a grind for sure.
Speaker 9 (16:49):
You know, I've been dealing with, you know, a little
bit of body stuff this year, and so it kind
of led me to tap in a little bit more
into the community. Each Tuesday, that one off day. We've
just been I do my family stuff in the morning
and do something with the community in the afternoons.
Speaker 4 (17:03):
And I don't know, it's been fun.
Speaker 9 (17:05):
I think this community in Seattle is pretty special, and
so I've been just trying to tap in a little
bit more. And then the stuff I do back home,
that's just you know, that's where I'm from. I'm just
trying to make my community better as well.
Speaker 1 (17:16):
So all right on the field, now, you guys are
twelve and three. You're in position for the number one seed.
I know you still got business to take care of,
just to wrap up the NFC West title, But just
tell me about the twenty twenty five Sea Hawks and
what if anything you see about this group that makes
it capable of accomplishing what you have so far.
Speaker 9 (17:35):
Yeah, it's been a lot of fun. I think it
starts in the locker room. Our locker room. The energy,
the vibe is is better than any anywhere I've been
in any team I've been a part of.
Speaker 4 (17:46):
Everybody so close.
Speaker 9 (17:46):
Everyone plays for the person next to one place for
each other. You know, we trust Mike head coach Mike
to get things done for us and play us in
the best position to succeed. And so it says kind
of everything's just aligning for us, and we know he's
kind of got attack at one game at a.
Speaker 4 (18:01):
Time and just keep pushing.
Speaker 9 (18:03):
But right now we're in a great spot, better spot
that I've been in the past for sure.
Speaker 5 (18:07):
Because you guys are going to be have such a
spotlight as the season draws to a close and then
obviously in the playoffs standing as the number one seed.
Right now, people are going to start learning about Mike McDonald.
You have learned about him, and obviously one of the
reasons you guys are where you are is how has
he done this? How has he sort of created this
(18:27):
culture in just a couple of years to get you
guys to the point of where you are potentially the
number one seed.
Speaker 9 (18:35):
Yeah, I think when you take over a culture that's
so strong, you know, and Pete Carroll and that kind
of you know era.
Speaker 4 (18:42):
Of Seahawks football. It is tough.
Speaker 9 (18:44):
I think there has to be a lot of pushing
pool to kind of get your your mission, your standards across.
Speaker 4 (18:50):
And so he's been pretty vulnerable.
Speaker 9 (18:52):
Does he identifies kind of where you know, he lacks,
where he's strong at, and then he lets the players
fill in the gaps. I think as a player, having
a coach that just kind of believes in your skill
set and let you play and maximize that is pretty special.
Speaker 4 (19:05):
And so I think as we get to.
Speaker 9 (19:07):
Know Mike a little more, you'll get to see that.
Speaker 4 (19:09):
He's not super extroverted.
Speaker 9 (19:11):
He pretty much has his way and the dude just
knows ball and so selfishly as a defensive player, he
calls the defense.
Speaker 4 (19:18):
I've been pretty blessed to have him.
Speaker 1 (19:21):
I mean, this is in the nicest way possible. Mike
has a serial killer personality. He seems very calm on
the outside, but you can tell the intensity. You've seen
it in the game when things are heating up, and
every now and then a little bit of it kind
of bursts out here. Your quarterback Sam Darnold, you know,
has some similar types of traits. He does not show
(19:41):
a ton of emotion obviously, you know, a pretty consistent approach.
He's went through a lot, you know, you know, the
market that he played in and started his career out
there in New York. It can be really hard. I
know it's on the other side of the ball. But
what have you seen from Sam the highs and lows
through this season, and what do you hope he's able
to do for you guys when it really counts here
down the stretch.
Speaker 9 (20:02):
Yeah, I think first and foremost, Sam is just a guy.
You know, He's a guy who you know, you're comfortable going,
you know, out with after games or after you know, events,
and just kind of kicking it with. I think that
kind of sets him apart just from a personality. Everybody
likes to just be around him. He's a good dude.
Then just a professional side of it. He's in early,
he's he's he leaves the building late. He's a pro like,
(20:25):
he knows how to conduct business. And then he just
he maximizes our offense. Everyone's looking at him to be
kind of the leader of the.
Speaker 4 (20:31):
Guy, the quarterback.
Speaker 9 (20:32):
It's not always the case across the league that your
quarterback can be that for you because it's a lot,
but Sam is able to kind of put down his
shoulders and lead us.
Speaker 5 (20:42):
I know the division you guys playing is about as
physical as any. But the team you guys are playing
this week. You know, if you said to me earlier
in this season, like, oh, Seahawks Panthers, that can be
a good game, Like, I don't know, it's a really
good game. They bring it on offense. What do you
see from this Carolina team that you guys are facing
on Sunday?
Speaker 9 (21:05):
Yeah, this team, I mean, I think they're kind of
finding their identity as an organization and it's gonna take
off for sure. You know, they've beaten some good teams
this year. They have on offense, they have skill, they
have a great running back room, Bryce Hun's playing at
a high level, and then they have young receivers who
are taking over games. And so it does present some
(21:25):
challenges and they're just not a team you can you
can really sleep on. We know, we just have to
bring our best going into their house. Their stadium has
more juice than in the past, and so yeah, they
present some challenges.
Speaker 4 (21:37):
We got to go and compete for real.
Speaker 1 (21:40):
Julian, congrats again on the award. Best luck the rest
of this season. Have a merry Christmas as well. Man,
We'll talk to you down the line.
Speaker 4 (21:48):
Yeah, Marry Christmas. Thank you guys, appreciate it.
Speaker 5 (21:51):
This Christmas unwrapped all day football with NFL Howaday games
featuring Cowboys Verse Commanders and Lions Versed Vikings on Netflix.
Then Primetime Showdown on Prime Video Broncos versus Chiefs three
games one epic Holiday. For the full schedule, visit watch
dot NFL dot com time Now for good coverage presented
(22:17):
by Progressive Insurance. The Chicago Bears lead the NFL with
thirty one takeaways this season, my guy Dennis Allen. They
also have a league leading plus twenty one turnover differential.
The last time the Bears led the league in turnover differential,
they were shuffling into Super Bowl eighty five. That is
(22:37):
not bad company to keep if you are these Chicago Bears. Meanwhile,
here is the NFC playoff picture. A lot of really
good teams on there. A couple of the teams are
actually playing each other this week forty nine Ers and Bears.
Really good one coming up for us. Like to bring
(22:57):
in our good friends Brian Baldon and Bucky Brooks Baldy.
I want to start with you. You got two really
good teams, and the Bears and the forty nine Ers,
both of them headed to the playoffs. Big time showdown.
How do you see this game breaking down for.
Speaker 2 (23:14):
All of us?
Speaker 7 (23:15):
Well, I mean this is very competitive here. I mean
we've got four teams right there you just put on
the list. They got a eleven wins, all with a
chance to get the number one seeds. So there's a
lot to play for. I'll take this. I'll take this
side of it. I'll take We just watched, you know,
Brock Perdy put on an epic performance Monday night against
the Colts. Five touchdown passes. We know Kyle Shanahan called
(23:36):
an excellent game. You got the matchups he was looking
for and perty executed it. The Chicago Bears don't have
a great defense, but as you mentioned, Ian, they leave
the league with thirty one takeaways.
Speaker 2 (23:47):
They've got land mines everywhere along the defensive front, from
the back end, Kevin Byer, who leaves the league interceptions
for the second time in his career a pro bowler,
nay Sean Wright. Get what they do with Tremaine Edmunds,
that middle linebacker You've got to be careful with some
of the layer throws that Kyle Shanahan loves to throw
(24:08):
in the middle of the field. You get your finger
tips on some of those. Sometimes you can get some takeaways.
Speaker 7 (24:12):
So I think if you asked a lot of defensive
coordinators like Dennis Allen, would you rather lead the league
in defense or takeaways? They would probably say, we'd rather
lead the league in takeaways. And so that's what the
Bears can give you. They can take the ball away.
They did it against the Green Bay Packers to help
win that game. They got an on side kick that
helped get the ne extra possession, and so I think
(24:34):
that's what the forty nine ers have to really contend
with here this week is a defense that's proficient at
getting the ball back to the offense and getting extra
bats for Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams.
Speaker 8 (24:47):
You know, boud do you talk about a defense being
a takeaway defense, and that is the most important statistic
in football.
Speaker 4 (24:53):
Can you take the ball away from the opponent? It
leads to wins.
Speaker 8 (24:56):
And the Bears of being able to do that, and
with Ben Jason dolling the offense the way that he's
been doing it. They've been able to run the football,
calmun Nungai, DeAndre White, Jondre Swift being able to get
it done passing it on the perimeter, Kayleb Williams being
very efficient. But I'm gonna say this, I believe Kyle
Shanahan has done his best coaching job of his career
this season with the Niners. The Niners have had injuries abound.
(25:18):
The Niners are traditionally talked about as a title contending.
This is the first year coming in that no one
really hailed them as a contender. I think that it
has freed them up to just try and be the
best version of themselves. And what we're seeing is a
team that has taken that process mindset and just gotten
better and better.
Speaker 4 (25:37):
They're not perfect, they have flaws, but man, their.
Speaker 8 (25:40):
Confidence, their connectivity, their chemistry is coming together at the
right time. And you can look up and you can
see the San Francisco forty nine ers owning the number
one seed where they play at home the entire month
of January and February on their way to another Super
Bowl appearance.
Speaker 4 (25:58):
That's how good the Niners are playing.
Speaker 5 (26:00):
They might never play another away game. It's crazy and
the fact that they may have to play this week
without George Kittle for every other team would be a
huge deal for them. It's sort of like they're used
to it. You guys can handled Bucky Baldy. Thank you
very much, great stuff, Great breakdowns is always cannot wait
for that one.
Speaker 10 (26:18):
Hey, I'm Hunter Henry from the New England Patriots, and
I'm wishing you and your family at Merry Christmas.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
All right, This is Alex Heiswerth the Pittsburgh Dealers.
Speaker 7 (26:26):
I just wanted to wish you and your family a
merry Christmas and happy holidays.
Speaker 9 (26:30):
My name is Tom la Charges and I want to
wish you and if im me a happy holiday.
Speaker 4 (26:35):
Hello.
Speaker 7 (26:36):
This is Rob Gronkowski and I want to wish you
and your family the happiest happy holidays.
Speaker 1 (26:42):
That one makes me laugh every time. This guy that
was a serious news man, Our guy, Cameron Wolf aka
the Wolf of ball Street with me Tom Peliicero here
on the Insiders Week seventeen, Tons at Steak Cam. Where
are we starting on what you're hearing around the league?
Speaker 11 (27:00):
Tom, Let's start the Wolf of ball Street in Buffalo,
where James Cook should be a top contenitor. Of Offensive
Player of the Year. He told me in the locker
room after this past win that I want the rushing title.
That's something I want on my mantle, in part because
it's something my brother Dalvin Cook doesn't have. James Cook.
I remember back in April, I was on a fishing
(27:21):
boat with James Cook and he told me, I'm going
into this year like it's my last year in Buffalo.
He hadn't got his long term deal yet, there was
questions about his future. He came out here had his
best year as a pro after getting that long term deal.
He's also been extremely vocal hyping guys up on the
sideline during games, being that sole member of the Bills offense.
(27:42):
As they go into a period towards the playoffs, they're
going to lean more and more on Cook and he
has records that he wants to break, including that rushing title,
which he currently has in his grasp. Next, let's go
to Pittsburgh, where the legend of Kenny g is getting
more and more attention. They're offensive coording to Arthur. Smith
told me he loves gainwell, mostly because of how he
(28:04):
can contribute as a receiver. We saw that catch last week.
The incredible grab he made with his concentration. With DK
Metcalfs suspended, They're going to lean even more on Gainwell.
Speaker 2 (28:14):
As a receiver.
Speaker 11 (28:15):
Don't be surprised to see Gainwell and Jalen Warren out
on the field at the same time with Gainwell playing receiver.
They love his hands and he's built a trust with
Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers has told people he's one of the
smartest players on this team and he trusts him in
key situations.
Speaker 4 (28:30):
So Kenneth Gainwell may be.
Speaker 11 (28:31):
A X factor for the Steelers' playoff run. And finally,
let's go to Carolina, where Rico Dawdle has been one
of the best value free agency signings. They signed him
for a one year, two point seventy five million dollar deal,
and now he has setting himself up to get paid.
He has a huge incentive this week. If he gets
seventy scrimmage yards, he gets one million dollars. He also
(28:53):
gets another two hundred fifty thousand dollars if he gets
a touchdown. Is a part of his incentiate based contract,
setting him up for this career year. And I remember
talking to general manager Dan Morgan a few weeks ago
talking about how they saw Dowdle play well against them
last year, and when they got rid of Miles Sanders,
they dialed into Dowdle as a backup running back. He
(29:13):
has become the lead dog for much of the year,
and now he has the opportunity to continue to lead
them going forward and potentially get paid not only that
a million dollars incentive, but also big money this offseason
when he hits freegency.
Speaker 1 (29:27):
Cam great stuff as always. You know what's even cooler
than one million dollars, Let's find the playoffs ready in.
Speaker 5 (29:37):
Seventy scrimmage yards for a million bucks. Count me in
on that. I don't get any of it, but I
am excited for Rico Daldo on that one. Here's the
NFC playoff picture. A lot of things have been decided,
a lot of teams have clinch berths, and there is
the NFC South. Can I wait to see how this
plays out? Assuming the Bucks can get us to Week eighteen?
(29:58):
Baker Mayfield, what's going on?
Speaker 10 (30:02):
Yeah? I mean, listen, we would love to be and
I would love for us to be in a different
spot than we're in right now. Don't get me wrong,
but we've been here before and you can always rely
on those experiences and take what you've learned and go
from there. But I trust this group. You know it
hasn't been our best play by any means. I know
that we all know that, but we can still accomplish
(30:23):
everything we want to.
Speaker 5 (30:24):
Still all there for the ten Bay Buccaneers as we
welcome in Judy Batista once again, Judy, allow me the
honor of team you up on your own article on
NFL dot com that sorts through all the teams that
have clinched playoff bers, all the upsets coming, kind of
the ins and outs of what we're going to see
over the course of the next couple of weeks. So
we saw Baker Mayfield there talking about the future of
(30:47):
the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. What is at stake here and
what should we expect from Baker's team.
Speaker 6 (30:53):
Well, Baker is right, it's all still in front of them.
If the Bucks went out, they still win the NFC South.
But certainly things have gone sideways for this team. They've
lost six of their last seven after starting hot, and
I think what's most concerning is everybody was waiting for
them to get healthy, figuring then the offense would kick
into gear and things would go back to normal. Except
(31:14):
they are as healthy as they have been at any
point this season. The offense is almost entirely intact, and
it's still not getting better. They're averaging just nineteen points
per game since Week twelve, that's twenty fifth in the league.
Baker's performance has declined as well. He's thrown six interceptions
in the six game since Week eleven. His completion percentage
(31:35):
has dropped by seven percentage points. So it's just not
clicking into gear again. They're healthy, it's still in front
of them, but certainly it's worrisome for the Bucks that
they were building up to this opportunity to get everybody
on the field together. Now they are together, and the
offense still hasn't clicked into gear.
Speaker 5 (31:55):
Pressures on for the next two weeks. I really wonder
if that left shoulder injury is still affected Baker. Maybe
that's some of the issues there were probably never going
to know. He's never going to say anything, but I
do wonder about that. All right, take me to Green Bay.
No Michaeh Parsons last week. Obviously the defense is going
to collapse, except they didn't actually looked really good. What
do we expect here from the Packers defense that is
(32:17):
somehow still standing.
Speaker 6 (32:20):
I think the Packer defense may be okay. Is it
going to be as spectacular as if Michael Parsons were
on the field. No, he's not replaceable. But this was
a top five defense last season, so they're not starting
from zero. They held the Chicago Bears for fifty nine
and a half minutes last week to nine points. They
(32:41):
are playing well. They still look competent. They don't look
disorganized without Michael Parsons. The pass that Caleb Williams threw
to win the game was a perfect cast. The coverage
was good. It wasn't like it was bad coverage. It
was just a perfectly placed paths and a perfect catch.
So I think the Packers are going to be okay.
(33:03):
Can they win a Super Bowl without on Michael Porson's
I don't know. We will see, but certainly they are
good enough as a defense right now to get into
the playoffs and maybe to make a little noise.
Speaker 5 (33:15):
I feel like had they not traded for Micah Parson
before the season, we'd still be talking about this really
good Packers defense. They just it's a challenge, but everyone
has challenges.
Speaker 10 (33:25):
This time.
Speaker 5 (33:25):
All Right, the Seattle Seahawks don't have many challenges. They
are very good rolling along there. New friend Julian Love
was just talking about his quarterback Sam Donald and how
just chill he is. Donald has also kind of lashed
back at his doubters a little bit, not with his words,
that's not like him, but with his play.
Speaker 6 (33:45):
Yeah, last week I think was a really important moment
for Sam Donald's. First of all, a game with absolutely
enormous stakes, and he did struggle early, right through those
two interceptions, and I think we were all watching saying like,
oh no. But then he rallied, and he rallied the team,
and he played really well down the stretch, almost flawless.
(34:07):
He led those two touchdown drives at the end, and
then don't forget he completed three passes on two point conversions.
Those were critical in the game too, So I think
he exercised some demons in this game. Again, not only
did he perform well down the stretch, but he actually
rebounded within a game. He didn't get shaken by his
(34:29):
early struggles. I always go back to that quote of
his saying he was seeing ghosts. He clearly wasn't seeing
ghosts for very long. He got rid of the ghosts,
and I think we can stop wringing our hands in
big games over Sam Darnold, I.
Speaker 5 (34:43):
Think you're right now. The good thing is they got
a couple more coming up next two weeks and then
into the playoffs. It'll all play out for us. Judy,
great stuff right here, Great stuff on NFL dot com.
And I'll see you in a couple of segments because
you and I are now going to take a break.
And the reason we're going to take a break is
because Tom is going to talk with our good friend
Marcus Grant about something called fantasy football. Now I've heard
(35:06):
of this, but because my team was so bad, I
am not participating in any fantasy football conversation with anyone
who's in the finals. So Tom, this is all you
coming up masked.
Speaker 4 (35:25):
What's up everybody? Lavonte David here, linebacker the Tempa Bay Buccaneers.
Speaker 8 (35:29):
Wish you guys a happy Holidays and a merry Christmas.
Speaker 2 (35:31):
Hope you enjoy God bless hey. This is Alexis that
never broughtors. I just want to wish you and your
family happy holidays.
Speaker 4 (35:38):
This is a shar with the Houston Texas.
Speaker 2 (35:40):
Just want to wish everybody a happy holidays.
Speaker 11 (35:43):
I'm Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens, and I want
to wish you and your family a happy holidays.
Speaker 1 (35:49):
Time now to Marcus. My words with our guy, Marcus Grant.
If this were a day ago, it would be Festivus.
Speaker 4 (35:56):
Marcus.
Speaker 1 (35:56):
I would spend my time here airing the grievances of
all the players you know showed me on last week
and cost me a spot in my fantasy championship.
Speaker 4 (36:04):
But I'm gonna give the floor to you.
Speaker 1 (36:06):
We're talking players in your fantasy lineups for the championship
who are not gonna leave Cole in your stocking for
the guys you were worried about. Give me a quarterback
who you don't want to see Santa coming down the
chimney with.
Speaker 12 (36:18):
Well, it's gonna be Bryce Young right now. And some
weeks Bryce Young has been naughty, some weeks he's been nice.
He was pretty me in a pair of positive matchups lately,
and look I get it. Last week Seattle got roasted
by Matthew Stafford like chestnuts over and open fire. But
generally speaking, they've been screwed against quarterbacks all season long.
A bottom ten matchup for the position. So there's a
(36:38):
really good chance Ryce Young could be more like Bob
Cratchit this holiday weekend.
Speaker 1 (36:44):
All right, how about a running back marcus that you'd
be worried about if you see him sitting under the tree.
Speaker 12 (36:50):
It's gonna be Ashton Gentz and last week against the
Houston Texans kind of came out of nowhere. It was
like an early Christmas gift for a lot of people.
The problem is that Raiders offensive line has been more
crampist than Kringle this year because of a Gent's been
inefficient running the football. No brock Bowers, which means you
can target him a little bit more. Plus the Giants
running back charity may have dried up recently. They've been
(37:12):
a bottom six matchup for the position over the last
four weeks. So may not be any silver and black
bells ringing in this Raiders offense this week.
Speaker 1 (37:21):
Nargus, give me a wide receiver who's the equivalent of
the leaky jello or the cap in a box that
you don't want to see coming in the front door.
Speaker 12 (37:29):
That's gonna be Michael Wilson, unfortunately, because he's been really
good for us down the stretch. Here's the thing. The
Bengals have had a sleigh full of goodies for the
tight end position, but the wide receivers have not been
able to join in any reindeer games. Against Cincinnati. We
know TREYE. McBride's the top target there in Arizona. He
is going to eat well. So it makes you wonder
how much leftover food will there be for Michael Wilson
(37:51):
this week.
Speaker 4 (37:51):
We'll see if.
Speaker 5 (37:52):
There's enough holiday cheer to go around.
Speaker 12 (37:54):
But this is one you might be better off sort of,
you know, keeping the receipt on and maybe returning afterwards.
Speaker 1 (38:00):
One more, a tight end who would be the equivalent
of a paint can strung to the ceiling hitney in.
Speaker 2 (38:05):
The face mark.
Speaker 12 (38:06):
It's probably gonna be Tyler Warren, unfortunately, who's been great
for us all season long, but Philip Rivers deliveries haven't
been getting to their intended destination the last couple of weeks.
Six catches forty nine yards on fifteen targets for Warren
With Rivers at quarterback. A bottom three matchup for tight ends,
the Jaguars have been the grinch against the position for
(38:29):
most of the season. They held Warren to just two
catches for fifteen yards back in week fourteen. Unlike a
Christmas story, this is an Indiana holiday tale that may
not have a really happy ending.
Speaker 1 (38:41):
Marcus, thank you very much. Merry Christmas. Enjoy your ugly
sweater party. Assuming that do you think that that sweater
doesn't look good? I'm not quite sure. Thank you very much.
You can feel the intensity at the magnitude of this
moment and this matchup. Jump bro stick down a lupside,
Wat's mcmillin's.
Speaker 12 (39:01):
Tax doing a great job.
Speaker 4 (39:02):
You know, we special pressure off the edge.
Speaker 1 (39:04):
Bryce dancing in the pocket, tried to old Vada sack
he does Bros packing the eadside one open touchdown car.
Speaker 8 (39:14):
Line up LJTA scramble response, seeing me get outside the
pocket and doing a great job of losing as man.
Speaker 7 (39:20):
And that play happened because Bryce was fimble.
Speaker 1 (39:25):
Bryce be quick.
Speaker 5 (39:26):
It feels great and it'll feel great for the next
twenty four hours.
Speaker 4 (39:29):
After that, it's not gonna matter.
Speaker 11 (39:30):
There still a lot more football to kake again a
twenty four hour we'll celebrate this one, but we know
that complete.
Speaker 7 (39:36):
We have to refocused this place Proverst into sweet gerline
at Jutison.
Speaker 4 (39:42):
And it's one of the sweetest South.
Speaker 12 (39:43):
This city is heard dafter football in.
Speaker 1 (39:47):
A long time. Another big game Sunday for the Panthers
against the Seahawks. But first you got three on Christmas.
Unwrap all day Football with the NFL Holiday Games Cowboys, Commanders,
Vikings on Netflix. Then a primetime showdown on Prime Video
Broncos against the Chiefs. Three games, one epic holiday. For
(40:08):
the full schedule, visit watch dot NFL dot com. Week
seventeen rolls on on Saturday, including a big time AFC
potential playoff matchup between two teams that are gonna square
off right here on NFL Network, CJ. Stroud and the
Texans taking on Justin Herbert and the Chargers in his
NFL Saturday Watch December twenty seventh. This Saturday, four thirty
(40:31):
Eastern only on NFL Network and streaming on NFL Plus.
Subscription required for NFL Plus and it does not end there. Sunday,
nine am Eastern. Get Ready for Kickoff, which with Rich
Eisen and the crew will break down all the fallout
from the Christmas and Saturday games. Patriots tight end hunter
Henry talks about what's changed under Mike Vrabel and why
(40:52):
he's confident in quarterback Drake May. Plus the Bears and
forty nine Ers face off as both teams look to
keep their hopes for the number one seat alive. And
we got our New Year's resolutions for twenty twenty six.
Speaker 11 (41:04):
All that and more.
Speaker 4 (41:06):
Sunday at nine a m.
Speaker 1 (41:08):
Eastern I conducted my annual poll of GM's other NFL executives.
Votes in from thirty teams, and here are your unofficial winners.
Matthew Stafford as the MVP, JS and Miles Garrett t
mac Carsons west Or, Mike Rabel, John Schneider, Judy Batista.
You often weigh in on these various awards. Anything that
(41:31):
surprises you or one where you would vote another direction.
Speaker 6 (41:35):
Actually, no, I have a vote, and this is how
my votes will probably go unless something goes really haywire
in these final two weeks.
Speaker 4 (41:46):
And shake it up for me. Anythink you'd vote differently.
Speaker 5 (41:48):
I was surprised with Coach of the Year. I mean
you hear plenty of people say, well, obviously this locks
up Coach of the Year for whoever, and it's it's
you could go Sean Payton, you could go Rabe, you
could go Canalis, and then that seemed obvious from your poll.
I was also surprised that the MVP was not as
close as I anticipated with Stafford. I thought Josh Allen.
Speaker 1 (42:10):
Maybe, but Mike Rabel got thirteen votes. Ben Jonson the
runner up with six. John Snyder Loyal Insiders Fan got
nineteen and a half for Executive of the Year. Congrats John,
Merry Christmas. Everybody see
Hosts And Creators
Judy Battista
Tom Pelissero
Ian Rapaport
Mike Garafolo
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