October 16, 2025 • 44 mins
NFL Network Insiders Mike Garafolo, Judy Battista & Ian Rapoport share the latest injury news heading into Week 7 including Mike Evans, Emeka Egbuka, Puka Nacua, and Kyler Murray. Cameron Wolfe reports live from TNF ahead of Steelers-Bengals. Brian Baldinger breaks down the Falcons run game and pressure fueled defense, plus the challenges the Vikings defense presents for the Eagles. Michael F. Florio delivers his Fantasy Starts & Sits for Week 7, and Marc Ross provides his “Marc Key’’ matchups.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
A couple of quarterbacks about to play a game to
night that's after their bedtime. And I'm only saying that
because Joe Flacco literally fell asleep on the bench during
a Thursday night football game a couple of years ago.
That was for the Browns, this time for the Bengals
Rogers Flacco.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
We're going to sit Toinnati to talk about that one.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Coming up, we will head to London for a report
from our Sarah Walsh, who probably has dual citizenship by now.
She is previewing the Rams Jaguars game coming up. Don't
know if we're gonna see Pooka no Koo. We will
talk about that a little bit later in the program.
And if it's Thursday, Michael f Florio is joining us
to tell us who to start and who to sit.
(00:46):
I have a question for him, and it's actually a
repeat question involves that guy right there. I believe the
answer is going to be different this week, But like you,
I gotta tune in to find out. Welcome inside eventually
with the insiders Judy Batista, Ian Rappaport and me your captain,
Mike Garaful. I'm not the captain, I mean, we're all
co captain. That's how this is the leadership committee. Right
(01:08):
here is what you got right in front of you.
Because we give you all the information, we're going to
lead you towards what's new today and what is new today?
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Some injuries, this is new.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Mike Evans back at practice for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
He's got a hamstring injury. He had won last year,
he had won this year.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Limited in practice today, but limited is better than not
practicing at all. So the Buccaneers, it's been kind of
like the hokey pokey, who's in, who's out at the
receiver position. Evans now going to be in. It seems, however,
a Mecca Ibuka going to be out. This is not
a significant hamstring hamstring injury, but it looks like it
is going to be enough to keep him out of
(01:47):
the game against the Lions on Monday. Eventually, I promise
you the Buccaneers will be at full strength of the
receiver position, just not right now.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
Ian DeJoy Lions are not at full strength in the secondary.
This is not an injury. This is a player who
may have cause an injury. With Brian Branch officially suspended
one game for what you're about this year.
Speaker 4 (02:07):
Which is that to Juju Smith Schuster, I don't know there.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
It is the mush, the push, not a punch, but
something very close whack right in the face.
Speaker 4 (02:18):
He appealed that got upheld late last night.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
Branch is going to be out in a huge, huge
game of Monday night against these Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Meanwhile,
for the Minnesota Vikings, they continue to have injury at
the quarterback position. Carson Wentz was a full participant this
week dealing with a left shoulder injury. JJ McCarthy, who
entered the season as their starting quarterback, was limited. Now
(02:41):
he is finally back at practice now dealing with the
high ankle spring tongue. Reporters, he is not one hundred
percent right now, Judy.
Speaker 4 (02:47):
That leads me to believe that.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
We might see Carson Wentz for one more week and
then we'll see no Furman.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
Final word on who the Vikings quarterback will be?
Speaker 5 (02:56):
You know who is apparently not one hundred percent Commander
is wide receiver or Terry mccluurin. He did not practice
on Thursday, one day after he was limited. In his
return to practice after missing three games with a quad injury.
Dan Quinn had been hopeful about mclaurin's return on Wednesday,
but certainly when reporters did not see him on Thursday
of practice, that would appear to be a step backwards.
(03:17):
The Commanders have a string of very high scoring opponents
coming up, starting Cowboys, Chiefs, Seahawks, Lions.
Speaker 6 (03:23):
Not having mcluuren would certainly be.
Speaker 5 (03:25):
A blow, and it would be in a bigger blow
because Deebo Samuel, who has a heel issue, also did
not practice Thursday. He did not practice on Wednesday as well.
The heel issue has been bothering him on and off.
He did play against the Bears. He had four receptions
for fifteen yards. Right now, with McLaurin and Deebo in
(03:45):
various states of injury, the Commanders have three, that is,
three healthy receivers on the active roster. Obviously, practice tomorrow
is going to be really important.
Speaker 6 (03:56):
For the Commanders.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
Meanwhile, Judy, the Green Bay Packers have plenty of healthy
receivers and it seems they are getting one more. Christian Watson,
their big play receiver who missed the end of last
year in the beginning of this year with an ACL
plus injury significant knee injury reconstruction and all that. This
is his second week back at practice. My understanding is
this was the week they targeted to get him back
(04:20):
on the practice field. They want to make sure he
gets through practice. Well, there are no issues, but certainly
we could see Christian Watson on the field for the
Packers this week, Mike, which would be massive news for
an offense that spreads it around a lot to its playmakers.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
Yes, and for the Arizona Cardinals offense. I was just
checking on the latest and I came across the headline
and said, Kyler Murray stuns Cardinals fans with unexpected practice breakthrough.
Don't believe all the clickbait headlines that you read out there.
Because he was throwing to the practice squad players during
practice today was an indication he's not going to be
a practice participant.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Jacoby Brissett played.
Speaker 1 (04:59):
Well on Sunday, looking like it's trending in the direction
of Jacoby Brissett again. However, we will keep you honest
on that as we get closer to Sunday. But if
you're new to the NFL, the weeks start on Thursday,
Thursday Night Football. Aaron Rodgers, Joe Flacco looking awfully mean
and honery both of them. However, they both are a
(05:22):
joy to interview and cover in different ways. Speaking of
covering things, Cameron Wolf out there in Cincinnati getting ready
for tonight's game, a big one because the Pittsburgh Steelers
cam double breasted Cam what up can put a hammer
lock on the AFC North and the Bengals Like the
(05:42):
idea was trade for Joe Flackel, keep us alive long
enough for Joe Burrow to come back.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
If it's gonna happen, it's gotta happen. Now.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
Three straight home games starting with this one, Cam set
the scene for tonight.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Well, they are calling this the Icy Hot Bowl.
Speaker 4 (05:56):
That's what Cam Hayward dubbed it.
Speaker 7 (05:58):
Because it's only the fourth games is nineteen fifty with
two forty plus year old quarterbacks. The only other time
we've seen is Tom Brady versus Drew Brees. Aaron Rodgers said,
it's a win for the old guys. And I'll tell
you this. Talking to them Steelers players, they said that
Rogers is very youthful. I know his age, but I
talked to Kennef Gangwell who said his jokes throughout the
week make it feels like he's twenty five years old.
(06:20):
As far as Joe Flacco you mentioned, just him coming
in and having a short period of time to catch
up for this game. They feel like they've added even
more to their playbook this week, and they think that
they can have a lot of success building off the
second half.
Speaker 8 (06:33):
Of what they did.
Speaker 7 (06:34):
I also thought it was interesting I talked to Bengals
cornerback DJ Turner. He said, I had it to a
double take when I first saw Joe Flacco in the building.
I was like six seven years old when he was
first starting to play quarterback.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
But like you mentioned, a.
Speaker 7 (06:46):
Huge, huge game for the Steelers, who could be three
and a half games up in the division with a win.
No team in the AFC North has had that big
of a leave this early in the season since the
realignment in twenty twenty two.
Speaker 8 (06:58):
And for the Bengals, they're just hoping to keep the
playoffs ut.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
I mean, I know you aren't going for it, but
there's another six seven right there by the way, and
it can't be ignored. Meanwhile, if you're in the field
covering games, we like to joke about how they always
play music while you're doing your live hits. I don't
know that we've ever hit the Q as perfectly as
we did just there. Started as soon as I threw it,
as soon as he started talking. Cameron Wolf Way to
battle for the Elements. Pal Wall be back with you
(07:23):
later in the program. Pooka Nikoua not practicing today in Baltimore,
which is where the raven of the Ravens.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Well, that's where the Ravens play.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
However, that's where the Rams are practicing this week after
playing the Ravens and heading.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
To London soon.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
So it does not look like Poka Nakua is going
to be playing in this one. And I'll have the
bye week after that, so that would be two weeks
off for him.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
If indeed he does not play.
Speaker 9 (07:46):
In the game. In London's Sunday Morning Football continues there,
presented by net app Matt Stafford and the Rams versus
Trevor Lawrence and the Jags, Sunday, nine thirty am Eastern.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
What time is that London? One thirm? Maybe only on
NFL Network and also streaming with NFL.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
Plus subscription required for NFL Plus visit Plus dot NFL
dot com.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Four urns. Sarah Walsh in London.
Speaker 10 (08:11):
Take it Away, if you think I've been over in
London for a while, cornerback Greg Newsom, he's right there
with me because he played here two weeks ago.
Speaker 6 (08:19):
For the Browns.
Speaker 10 (08:20):
Gets home from that trip on a Wednesday night, gets
a call from his agent. He thinks he's going to
be told that he's getting an extension, and instead his
agent called to tell him he was being traded to
the Jags. And in a week that he said, he
knew he was going to feel tired from London. He
immediately had to fly to Jacksonville, played for the Jags
last Sunday, and now traveled with the Jaguars back over
(08:41):
to London. So two international games for him for two
different teams in a three week span. He described the
entire thing as a whirlwind. Although he's not the only
player this has happened to. It's happened to four other
players before that have all played, including Adrian Peterson. Now
the Rams have an entirely different train of thought when
it comes to arriving here in London. They're spending all
(09:02):
week in Baltimore at Camden Yards on the baseball field
getting ready for this game. They are not going to
arrive here until Saturday morning. I asked matt Stafford about
that late arrival and he said, hey, look, we're going
to rip the band aid off. He told me he
doesn't ever remember being in the second quarter of a
game thinking well, I probably should have gotten a little
bit more sleep. Adrenaline guys can do wild things.
Speaker 5 (09:26):
Thank you, Sarah. We can't wait to have you back
home stateside. But let's dig into this game a little
bit more. Mark Ross and Brian Baldinger join this show.
All right, Mark, I want to start with you. Because
the Rams offense unlikely to have Pouka Nakua. We believe
they're about the middle of the pack in scoring. How
did they get this offense repped up?
Speaker 11 (09:45):
Yeah, which is kind of odd there because Matthew Stafford
is first of the league in passing yards and third
in passing touchdowns, but the offense itself is sixteenth in scoring,
So kind of an oddity there. And so they got
to get something more out of the run game, especially
if Puca is out of there, because you know, they
struggle last week against the Ravens defense and we know
(10:06):
hasn't stopped anybody, So that was kind of strange there.
So well, Devontae Adams change what he does in the offense.
You know how will to two at well get more involved.
And of course, as I mentioned, the run game has
to get going to take the pressure off of Stafford
having to throw all the time.
Speaker 8 (10:22):
Baldy.
Speaker 11 (10:22):
So this will be really interesting how much Sean McVeigh
changes the offense or is it just hey, Stafford, go back,
keep ripping it, Kyro Williams.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
You're out in the backfield.
Speaker 11 (10:30):
Every so often, and let's see if they can get going,
get some points on the board, not just having Stafford
throw all the time.
Speaker 12 (10:36):
A couple of things here, mark number one. Jacksonville does
lead the NFL in takeaways with fourteen. They didn't get
any in Seattle last week and they lost the game,
but fourteen still leeds.
Speaker 8 (10:46):
They feast off of that.
Speaker 12 (10:48):
They are getting Trayvon Walker back he played last week.
He's got a massive club on the risk that was
certainly repaired after that injury against the forty nine ers,
but it looks like he's getting healthier.
Speaker 8 (10:58):
He played sixteen snaps last week.
Speaker 12 (11:00):
That could help get after Matt Stafford a little bit,
along with some of his compadres on the other side.
And then It's interesting, you know, Sarah was talking about
Greg Newsom. He played nine snaps last week. The first
play he was on the field, Seattle attacked him with
Jackson Smith and Jigba and ran right by him sixty
one yard touchdown, a big play in that game.
Speaker 8 (11:21):
So we'll see if he's more comfortable this week.
Speaker 12 (11:23):
We'll see if the Rams go after Greg Newsom, new
to the scheme, new to the system, shocked that he
got traded, all those kind of things, but this is
the defense that's built around takeaways. Devin Lloyd, the inside linebacker,
still leads the NFL after six weeks with four interceptions
and of course the big one against the Chiefs with
that interception return ninety nine yards for a touchdown.
Speaker 5 (11:43):
Guys, thank you. We will talk to you again later
on Mike. Let's talk about a team that just got
back from London.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
Yes, the New York Jets back from London, still in
search of that first win. They've been looking worldwide for
it now hoping to find it in New Jersey and
needing to find it fast. Because now we're starting to
see some guys mention some stuff on social media. You
had the Garrett Wilson thing. With Aaron Glenn the other day. Ian,
(12:12):
let's talk about the state of the Jets, because we're
now getting to a pivotal point at least in the
season here where they have to make some decisions about
the roster and some of the key players here. What
is your feeling with regard to once we get closer
to the trade deadline, might the Jets make some moves?
Speaker 2 (12:26):
Can they salvage this season in some form or fashion.
Speaker 4 (12:30):
The Jets can salvage this season.
Speaker 3 (12:31):
And if you want to look at the best case scenario,
look at Dan Campbell when he started I believe it
was one in seven during his early years, turned it around,
finished the year, closed really hard, and kind of set
the stage for like, all right, this is a team
that finally enterstands the physicality, a team that's going to
play better and smarter in a team that's going to
bring it the next year. But to do that, you
(12:52):
got to win games, or at least you got to
win one game. And what it seems like, Judy, is
the Jets are at a point where they have to
start winning or else, and the or else is not good,
and the orrels is really this or else. Justin fields
would no longer be the starting quarterback and Tyrod Taylor
will at least get a shot to turn this thing
around or else. Aaron Glenn, whose job status as of
(13:12):
right now is totally fine and secure, might not be
totally fine and secure at some point if the losses
keep piling up, and because the trade deadline is in
three weeks, it didn't seem like the Jets want to
part ways with any of their really good players, especially
they're good young players are going to be keep part
of their future. But if the season keeps going like
(13:32):
this and the losses keep stacking up, by this, you're
gonna get offers and calls it at some point you
might have to do something. So the time is coming
for the Jets to win. They need to win at
some point. I just don't know if it's going to
be against an ultra physical Panthers team this week.
Speaker 6 (13:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (13:51):
If you want something on the bright side for the Jets,
it's that they have played well in parts. For instance,
Week one, the offense looked really good. As a matter
of fact, Aaron Glenn said after that game, you know,
he doesn't believe in moral victories, but there was a
lot to take away from that that you could build on.
There was some hope there from the offense, and then
last week in the loss, when the offense looked absolutely abysmal,
(14:15):
the defense had its best performance of the season. The
defense had been struggling up until this point. They haven't
been able to put it all together. It has been choppy,
it's been rough. Aaron Glenn came out and said he
does not believe in benching a quarterback after one bad start.
Speaker 6 (14:31):
That is what he thought last week was.
Speaker 5 (14:33):
He said it was a step back, but he thought
justin Field had shown promising things in previous games. Now
the question is how long can he stick with that
before players in the locker room start looking at the
head coach and saying, like, wait a minute, is this
really our best option? Again, this is a tough matchup
against the Panthers, and you do wonder if justin Field struggles,
(14:54):
could they make a change in game, Could they make
a change.
Speaker 6 (14:57):
After the game? We will see.
Speaker 5 (14:59):
They have been and very supportive of justin Field at
the Jets. They feel like his ceiling is very high,
and they certainly feel like his legs give them an
element that Tyrod Taylor simply can't give. But again you
saw players very frustrated, visibly frustrated. Garrett Wilson, especially one
of their stars, very very upset with the state of
(15:20):
things at halftime last week. And you do wonder if
Erin Glynn is going to have to start making more
dramatic decisions to try to get a win and to
try to quell any unrest.
Speaker 4 (15:32):
I gotta be honest, not a big birthday guy over here.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
I forget everyone's birthday, including mine. Not going to forget
this one though. Cowboys give a shout out to Brian Schottenheimer,
their head coach, wishing him happy birthday when he was
on the field today. All he wants, he said, was
for Ceedee Lamb to be on the field. That's as
good as a birthday president as it gets. And I would
say this, the Cowboys offense has been so productive that
maybe they don't need him.
Speaker 4 (15:55):
I'm just kidding. They need him. Jane Slater, thank you
for joining us on the Insiders. As always, I.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
Think it's pretty safe to say you know more about
Dallas than everyone. Their offense has been really good. Getting
CD back would really help. On the other side of things,
the defense has been not as good. Where does Matt
Ebert Fluss's defense stand and are they going to get better?
Speaker 13 (16:17):
Let's get creative here, Ian. You know, we like what
we're seeing from George Pickens on offense. Can CD play
quarterback because they certainly need some help with the back end.
I remember they changed Trayvon digs up from Alabama to
a quarter from wide receiver. I'm kidding, of course, but
three six weeks the Dallas Cowboys defense needs some help.
In this matchup against Washington could expose more cracks.
Speaker 6 (16:39):
Let me give you some numbers.
Speaker 13 (16:41):
The Cowboys are giving up thirty point seven points per game,
ranking twenty seven then the league in points allowed, their
yardage allowed equally, damning over four hundred yards per game
surrendered dead last in the league. But what haunts them
the most, Ian are these big plays. They've allowed multiple
twenty five plus yard touchdown passes, including a sixty five
yard bomb off a trick play, and then in one
(17:03):
recent game gave up a nineteen play seventy six yard
drive that eight nearly ten minutes.
Speaker 6 (17:08):
A nightmare for any defense.
Speaker 13 (17:10):
Now, I was here when we had Mike Nolan.
Speaker 6 (17:13):
He was the defensive coordinator for one year. Under Mike McCarthy.
The defense was equally.
Speaker 13 (17:18):
Bad that season, and remember Jerry Jones uncharacteristically let him
go after just one season. Now we've seen Monti Kiffin demoted.
They had another C back in the day that was demoted,
but this was the first true coordinator that was fired
while he was in contract. I asked Jerry Jones on Tuesday,
is there a possibility here of that? He intimated the
(17:40):
answer was no. When he explained why, he said, they
have a familiarity with Eberflus. In other words, he referenced, look,
he's been around the building for seven plus years.
Speaker 6 (17:49):
When you look at what he's doing.
Speaker 13 (17:50):
Now, they think that this is going to come down
to just more nuanced schematic changes and other words, they're
doing a lot of zone coverage. Maybe they need a
little bit more man the guys need to communicate better.
And then he feels good about some of the players
that are returning. Revela is one of them. You've also
gotten to Marve had over shown that. He said, start
eyeing for the bye week. So and then Jerry also
(18:12):
talked about, you know, by trading away Micah Parsons. Yes,
they've gotten help in the interior stopping to run. The
passing game has been tough in terms of they're not
getting enough pressure on the quarterback. He said he doesn't
have a trade in mind, but remember they have the
picks and the collateral to go and do that. But
that's going to take someone picking up the phone.
Speaker 3 (18:31):
Yeah, no doubt about that. Going to be a fascinating
couple weeks for the Cowboys defense. I think they'll bring
more pressure, five man pressure, just to get after him
a little bit. Anyway, plenty of time to talk about that.
I want to turn on the flip side. For the
Washington Commanders, Terry McClure and their star receiver has been
in and out of practice, still dealing with that quad
slash hip flexor injury.
Speaker 4 (18:50):
Where do things stand with Scary Terry?
Speaker 13 (18:53):
Well, Scary Terry was looking like he was going to
make her return. He was limited in practice this week,
but then we just got the practice I and you
know this, it looks like he did not practice on Thursday,
which now makes his activation still uncertain for Sunday. You know,
if he's active, McLaurin brings more than just route running.
He's a veteran leader, a safety valve for Jaden Daniels.
(19:14):
He's really that downfilled threat that they haven't consistently had. Luckily,
they do have some weapons around him, and you have
this anemic defense for the Dallas Cowboys, but he certainly
opens up that intermediate and vertical passing lanes and the
Cowboys have to respect him and coverage. So look, we'll
see if Terry makes his way back. But I tend
to think if you're Washington and you're looking at the
(19:36):
Cowboys and all those numbers that I just shared with you,
maybe a sit him out if he's not completely feeling
like he's ready to go. Although I would also point
out the two games that I've had here in Dallas,
the Cowboys you want to go ahead and said, ah.
Speaker 6 (19:48):
The Giants, they're not going to win. This one is
good Cowboys, and then we.
Speaker 13 (19:52):
End up with these crazy games going into overtime.
Speaker 6 (19:55):
So we'll see how this one shakes out on Sunday.
Speaker 2 (19:57):
Good stuff.
Speaker 3 (19:58):
Jane as always, cannot wait to see where this one goes.
If we get another wild, crazy shootout, I am all
for this one.
Speaker 4 (20:05):
Mike take it away, thank.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
You, Ian, Justin Jefferson, AJ Brown too, terrific wide receivers
getting the ball at different rates. However, justin Jefferson off
back to back hundred yard games. AJ Brown off back
to back frustrating games, back to back to back to
back to back to back frustrating games.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
That I get them all right there, Baldy.
Speaker 1 (20:25):
Eagles really got to turn this thing around quickly, but
also got to do it on the defensive side of
the ball. Let's talk about the Eagles defense in Week
five and week six, what you've seen from them.
Speaker 12 (20:38):
So, you know, they lost two games in four days, Mike,
and they gave up eighteen points in a fourth quarter
to Denver to lose at home and that game, and
then obviously they went to Giants Stadium and four days
later and they gave up five touchdowns to Jackson Dart
and the New York Giants. And so the defense hasn't
performed well. And you look at it and you go, okay,
their best pass rusher is on the field right there.
Speaker 8 (20:59):
Zadaria Smith retired, Nolan Smith is out.
Speaker 12 (21:02):
Jalen Carter has been invisible for the four games that
he has dressed and played this year. He has to
play better. And then they've got questions at corner that
have been going all year long. Now Quinnon Mitchell, maybe
he's back get healthy. That certainly makes a difference. He
went out in that Denver game. But the corner opposite
Quinnon has been a problem all year long. So can
the pass rush show up this week in Minnesota? And
(21:24):
can the corners cover Justin Jefferson? You know Jalen Naylor,
You look Jordan Addison. I mean, a fleet of really
good receivers regardless of who plays quarterback for the Minnesota
Vikings this week.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
Some chatter now that maybe Brandon Graham might be asked
to come out of retirement. If he's gonna do that, Brandon,
can you let us know because we're gonna have to
fill your spots in Good Morning Football for the rest
of the season. Brian floores Now, with his defense, it's
always complex. Now it's after the bye week where they've
had some chance to do some more tinkering and film
study and whatnot. Probably not a great thing for the
(21:59):
Eagle who are trying to figure out things on offense.
Speaker 2 (22:02):
What do you expect from this flow defense on Sunday?
Speaker 12 (22:04):
Well, you know, Brian, he presents a complex plan and
he really leaves you guessing. Sometimes he'll have six, seven, eight,
guys at the line of scrimmage, you're questioning your own
protection if it's a pass and if you is to run,
I mean the way that he can pressure you. He
has a lot of positionless players like Josh Metallists, Blake
Cashman comes back this week. He got hurt the first
(22:26):
week against the Bears. He'll be back in there. So
they have a variety of ways that they can get
after you, and they can frustrate all parts of your offense.
And last week or last year, I would say, Mike,
you know, they tied for the league league in takeaways.
They're not taking the ball away quite as often this year,
so that's kind of slowed them down a little bit.
But they want it to upgrade the run defense. They
(22:48):
brought in Javon Hargrave, Jonathan Allen. That's been a little
bit of a question mark on this defense. So if
there's one area I think that Eagles can attack, I
would say be time to get this running game in
Saquon Barkley going. If they're going to turned us around
and stopped the bleeding, I think it has to start
with the run game. In Minnesota's run defense has not
been exceptional so far this season.
Speaker 2 (23:08):
Nailed at Baldi.
Speaker 1 (23:10):
This is a game that the twenty twenty four Eagles
probably would have dominated. The twenty twenty five Eagles have
not been able to get that offensive line, that running
game going. This is the game to do it. Do
not play from behind the sticks against this team. With
the way your offense is playing, major problems. Brian Balding
are going to be there to call it all and
to see it first hand.
Speaker 2 (23:29):
Baldy.
Speaker 1 (23:30):
Always appreciate you, pal. Coming up next, we've got a
Thursday night matchup between two graybeards, Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco.
Speaker 2 (23:40):
We're going back to Cincinnati. Cam Wolf is out there
to break this one down further.
Speaker 5 (23:53):
It is a lovely fall day in Cincinnati for Thursday
night football, Steelers at Bengals, and that is where we
our Cameron Wolf posted up for the game tonight.
Speaker 6 (24:04):
There's Cam Kim.
Speaker 5 (24:06):
You know what, I was talking to somebody this weekend.
We were saying that Aaron Rodgers seems so happy and
settled and just like he's been a really good fit
with the Steelers.
Speaker 6 (24:17):
What is he brought to that team?
Speaker 2 (24:19):
Well, he's playing.
Speaker 7 (24:20):
First of all, Aaron Rodgers the best ball since twenty
twenty one when he won MVP, and talking to Steelers
players this week, they were so keen in on him
redefining his narrative and look.
Speaker 4 (24:32):
Kenneth Gainwell told me, I.
Speaker 7 (24:33):
Don't know what he was like for previous teams, but
he's been an invaluable resource for me. He says, inside
the huddle, we're always having nonverbal communications, him being able
to key me on an element of the game that
I don't see that he doesn't see. Joey Porter Junior
tells me about his jokes and ripping smelling salts, how
he's always having.
Speaker 8 (24:53):
Fun with him.
Speaker 4 (24:54):
And John Usmith told me that Aaron Rodgers one.
Speaker 7 (24:56):
Of the best teammates he has ever had, And so
they're all saying, I don't know who it's talking about.
Speaker 8 (25:01):
We don't like Aaron Rodgers, but we love him.
Speaker 7 (25:03):
And as we talked about earlier, the Steelers' offense is
playing excellent ball because of how Aaron Rodgers and Arthur
Smith their offensive coined or have.
Speaker 8 (25:11):
Been able to gel.
Speaker 7 (25:12):
They've been able to mold Aaron Rodgers' skill set with
Arthur Smith's scheme, and one big element has been Rogers
getting the ball out of his hands in the fastest
time per throw of his career. They're using play action,
they're using six offensive lineman set and that type of
success makes it feel like this team can be sustainable
in December and January.
Speaker 6 (25:30):
Right, let's look at.
Speaker 5 (25:31):
The other quarterback, because Joe Flacco made us first start
for the Bengals last week about five minutes after arriving
with the team. He's had a full week of preparation,
he got to introduce himself around the building. What do
we expect from Flacco with the Bengals this week, especially
because he is facing Mike Tomlin, a coach he has
faced like a million times in his career.
Speaker 7 (25:54):
Yeah, rivalry, so much so that Mike Tomlin voiced clear
displeasure that the Browns would dare trade Joe Flacco to
the Bengals of division rival and look, Joe Flacco knows
Mike Tomlin, and they think that's going to be something
that helps him get prepared on a short week. This
is a guy who was ten and eleven as a
starter against Mike Tomlin. He quickly pointed out he came
off the bench with the Colts last year and beat him.
(26:16):
He didn't get that win because Anthony Richardson started the game.
But I thought it was interesting talking to the Bengals
this week about how they've got him ready. Three players
have been instrumental in that, center Ted Carris, who told
me that they have taken their lunch from the cafeteria
into the film room every day and watch film while
eating the multitask there. Quarterback Jake Browning, who lost his
job to Joe Flacco, has certainly been helping him. And
(26:38):
Joe Burrow, who I'm told was back in the building
rehabbing this week, also helping Joe Flacco get ready for
this game. So they believe that he's going to be
in better position to capitalize what they had on the
second half and expect a lot of deep throws at
Jamar Chase and t Higginson. Night.
Speaker 5 (26:52):
We too, eat our lunch at the desk at work.
Thank you, Cam Wolfe. We will talk to you later
on this evening. Mike, take it away.
Speaker 2 (27:01):
You got time for lunch? How do you make that happen?
Speaker 1 (27:03):
Judy uh Falcons for that, We're very busy here at
NFL Noway Falcons forty nine ers. The battle in the
bay between the Falcons who came off that impressive win
against the Bills and the forty nine ers. Brian Baldinger,
Babe Baldinger, Brian, I mean, so we've got a lot
of bees happening here.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
It's the BEA's knees. Let's talk about the Falcons.
Speaker 1 (27:23):
Let's talk about Beijeon his impressive performance that the other day,
the running game, and.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
Then do a little defense for me too. Hit both
sides of the ball, ball, do you why not?
Speaker 12 (27:30):
We'll do'll take both sides, both sides here, Mike, I'll
run through it here. Look, I mean, the one thing
you can say about the Falcons after five weeks, they
lead the National Football League in rushing yards per game,
over one hundred and fifty yards a game. And it
starts up front, and we saw it against Buffalo this
past Monday night. And really it starts with just blocking
the most dangerous man, like just getting a hat on
(27:51):
a hat here and getting to the second level the
way Noozl did, the way Bergeron did right there, the
way Lynchtrom did, and then let Bijeon just be which
is leaping tall buildings. But it was the same thing
with Tyler alzire On this touchdown run right here, like you.
They blocked the five, those most dangerous men right here,
right you get a clean lane and then you get
(28:12):
Lindstrom and Bird on up.
Speaker 8 (28:13):
To the second level.
Speaker 12 (28:14):
You got to get the second level block, Mike if
you're gonna have runs like this, and then if you
want to go to the other side right here, their
ability to work with the tight ends right here to
create this wall, and that's all Vjean is looking for.
He's looking for that daylight right here where he could
just split it and hit it like he did. I mean,
that was a eleven yard run, but he did the
same thing on an eighty yard run. Defensively, all Brick
(28:34):
is dialing up great pressures here. You get the offered
right here coming along with Devine, Diablo and Josh Allen.
Might get away from one, he doesn't get away from
both of them. And this fourth and two play right here,
he's gonna send Kayden Ellis along with aj Terrell after
Josh Allen and on fourth and two, Josh Allen decides
this is his best option right here. Because of the
(28:56):
pressure that Jeff Albrick is applying. He's got a lot
of pieces in place on defense. Now, Mike, they've got
pass rushers, the rookies look pretty good.
Speaker 8 (29:05):
They've been drafting that position for two years now.
Speaker 12 (29:07):
But the back end of their defense with Xavier Watch
with Billy Bowman, you know, with some of the guys
aj Terrell and de Alford, they've played very well in
the back end. So they've married the rush with the
coverage becoming a much more difficult defense to penetrate right now.
Speaker 1 (29:23):
I really feel like lost in how Jeff Ulbrick became
the interim coach of the Jets and sort of how
things spiral downward towards the end there with the Jets.
People forgot how good of that defensive coordinator he is.
He is reminding folks again this year, Baldy. Also, you
showed that the breakdown of the offense there. Jake Matthews,
he was in there at left tackle, then he wasn't
in there.
Speaker 2 (29:43):
He got hurt in that game.
Speaker 1 (29:45):
He is not practicing yet this week, so that could
be a bad sign for him. So maybe the Falcons
will be down him. But they played well in his
absence as well. Brian Boldiger, thank you very much as
always for all your contributions here. The Insiders go call
the heck out of that.
Speaker 2 (29:59):
Bit Eagles game this weekend.
Speaker 4 (30:05):
Blaco in the gun, Blaco throwing the pass is hot.
Speaker 11 (30:10):
Oh my goodness, magnificent throw by Rogers.
Speaker 4 (30:14):
Day got a great quarterback.
Speaker 12 (30:26):
And he won't walk into the end zone.
Speaker 1 (30:35):
Oh it is time for starts and sits, with Michael
f Florio from NFL Fantasy Live joining us for the
general questions and then the specific ones, the selfish ones
for me and Ian regarding our team specifically. But as always,
we start on Thursday Night Football and we start with
the positive. Who are we starting tonight for the Steelers
and Megles?
Speaker 2 (30:55):
Yeah, this game is pretty straightforward, and I didn't want
to come out here and be like starting Jamore Chase.
So let's go with Jalen Warren tonight against the Bengals.
I have long term concerns with Jalen Warren and them
starting to use multiple other running backs, but tonight he
is very much so in play. The Bengals have allowed
the most fantasy points per game, second most rushing yards,
and fifth most receiving yards two running backs. In fact,
(31:20):
they've allowed a top thirteen fantasy running back every week
so far this season. So Jalen Warren because of the
matchup is in play, as is his quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. Look,
I don't think Aaron Rodgers is a straight You just
start him no matter what. But if you need a
streaming quarterback, maybe you need to replace a Josh Allen
or Lamar Jackson who are on buy. The matchup has
(31:40):
Aaron Rodgers in play. The Bengals have allowed the second
most passing yards and six most passing touchdowns. They've also
allowed a top twelve fantasy quarterback in three of their
last four games. So again, I know you're not dying
to get Aaron Rodgers in your fantasy lineups, but if
you're going a little bit deeper at quarterback, he's in
play because of the fantastic matchup.
Speaker 3 (32:00):
Plus, it's always fun to play someone who is playing
on Thursday night. Then you get an early jump on
rooting Ferry team. Let's go to the opposite side of
this thing. I'm mister negative, Mike is mister positive. Who
are we sitting tonight? We're sitting Chase Brown.
Speaker 2 (32:13):
I've reached a point where I have Chase Brown on
a number of teams and I just sit him most
weeks because he's averaging less than ten Fantasy points per
game this season, He has not finished any week as
a top fifteen running back. Of all running backs in
the NFL this season, with at least fifty five touches,
he has the worst yards before contact. And just last
(32:34):
week we saw the Steelers shut down Quinn Shaw, Judkins
and Matt Brown's rushing attack, which is much better than
what the Bengals are throwing out there right now. And
then John new Smith. I know a lot of people
are probably like, if I need a streaming tight end.
The Bengals allow the most fantasy points per game to
tight ends. Why don't I just get a little Thursday
action and start John new Smith. The issue is Arthur
(32:56):
Smith hates our fantasy teams, and they use four different
tight ends on any given week. So Smith, he has
fewer than five targets in every game since Week one.
He hasn't caught a touchdown in any of them. I
think it's a big night for the Steelers tight ends.
The issue is which one we don't know, So because
of that, I think you avoid them in fantasy.
Speaker 1 (33:18):
Understood, Michael laugh All Right, the forecast in Cleveland is
not pretty. I think there's like a ninety four percent
chance there's one hundred percent chance of a dome stadium
in the near future. However, right now they play in
the elements and they're not gonna be good. That being said,
Brown's running back Quinn John Jetkins start or shit.
Speaker 2 (33:36):
I think he is a must start this week. I
know he lets you down. Last week really his first
disappointing performance fantasy wise of this season, just four fantasy points.
But this I thought he was a muss start. Before
the weather, the Dolphins have given up the most rushing
yards to running backs. They give up explosive runs at
the highest rate in the NFL. In fact, they've allowed
(33:57):
four top nine fantasy running backs in the last five games.
And now you add in the weather and the fact
that it'll probably be a closer game that they won't
be able to air the ball out as much. This
has just feeding Quinnshaw Judkins written all over it.
Speaker 3 (34:12):
All right, I got one more for you, for you,
I got a couple more for you actually, But Laddi
McConkie kind of a fantasy darling on again, off again?
Where do you stand on Laddi McConkie, the Chargers Stars.
Speaker 2 (34:24):
I think last week might have been a start of
a resurgence for Ladd McConkie. I think he is someone
that you could plug into your starting lineups with confidence
this week. I know he's had a bit of an
unlucky start to the season. Drops for an issue, Justin
Herbert missed him a couple of times, those other receivers
were getting force fed, but he did have twenty three
targets last week. And speaking of the other receivers, we've
(34:47):
seen Keenan Allen start to fade a little bit. Plus,
the Colts' fourth most fantasy points per game allowed to
wide receivers and their top twelven yards to out wide
and slot receivers, and mcconkee bounces back and forth between
the slot and playing out wide. So I think this
is a good week for lad to build off of
what he did last week.
Speaker 1 (35:05):
Giants quarterback Jackson Dart getting it done with his legs
can always run in a touchdown and get you a bunch.
Speaker 2 (35:10):
Of points there.
Speaker 1 (35:11):
However, going up against a Broncos defense that was really
good last week against Justin Fields and able to contain him,
so Jackson Dart starters it look.
Speaker 2 (35:20):
I'll take the l for coming on the show last
week and saying to sit him. I've come on this
show every Tuesday for weeks and been like, get Jackson
Dart on your roster, But I think this is a
week where he should hit the bench all because of
the matchup. Like you were saying, Mike Denver bottom three
in passing yards, touchdowns, and fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks.
They have generated sacks at the highest rate in the NFL,
(35:43):
and then they do not allow quarterbacks to run against them.
In weeks one through five, qbs ran for fifteen yards
against them, and then last week they held justin fields
to under forty yards. Defenses hadn't been able to do that.
So you can't really bank on the rushing production, which
is what made Jackson Dart so great for fantasy these
first three weeks. There will be plenty of weeks to
start him. This is just such a tough matchup in
(36:05):
his fourth NFL start.
Speaker 4 (36:06):
All right, Well, let's kind of stay in this game.
Speaker 3 (36:08):
We know the Broncos defense is balling, one of the
best defenses in the NFL. Giants defense is talented, has
played some well some not.
Speaker 4 (36:16):
What does this all mean for Courtland's Sun.
Speaker 2 (36:19):
Courtland Sutton this year, every game has either been over
seventeen fantasy points or under three fantasy points. I think
you play him though, and we get a big performance
out of him because the Giants they've allowed not only
the third most fantasy points per game two wide receivers,
but they are allowing the seventh most yards to out
wide wide receivers, and Sutton runs about eighty percent of
(36:41):
his routes out wide. Plus they haven't really been doing
a great job of getting after the quarterback, so I
think bo Knicks will have time to throw in this game.
I think this is a bounce back week for a
lot of people who disappointed us in London last week.
Speaker 1 (36:54):
All right, now the time for me to start paying
attention DJ Moore. He is on my fantasy team. This
is not selfish question, this is a scripted one doesn't count.
But DJ Moore had that weird hospital visit after the
game the other night.
Speaker 2 (37:07):
Really hasn't been.
Speaker 1 (37:07):
The kind of production I thought that a lot of
people thought, so what are we thinking about Djmore?
Speaker 8 (37:11):
This week?
Speaker 2 (37:12):
Was not the kind of production I expected out of
him this year either. I've reached a breaking point with
DJ Moore. I just want to sit him everywhere I
have him nine fantasy points per game this season, less
than fifty receiving yards in each of his last four.
In fact, he's top double digits once this year. It
was thirteen fantasy points, and he needed a touchdown to
get that. And what I hate even more one end
(37:34):
zone target, only three deep targets, and he has one
game with more than five targets all year, it is six.
So he's not getting big play opportunities, he's not getting
touchdown opportunities, and he's not really getting a whole lot
of opportunities. In general. You need the ball to go
your way to score fantasy points, and it's just simply
not happening for DJ Moore.
Speaker 3 (37:51):
Right now, All right, all that was good, great stuff.
Really appreciate you. Thanks for you cluing everyone in on
what you're thinking.
Speaker 4 (37:58):
Now let's get to the more important stuff. My fantasy team.
Speaker 3 (38:02):
I got a situation because, as you know, I have
stashed Rashi Rice on my roster. This is the week
he is going to be activated. He is going to play,
He is going to play a lot. I also, by
the way, have Mike Evans and Devonte Adams if Evans
comes back. I got two receiver spots, which of those three,
am I using the two on.
Speaker 2 (38:24):
RACEI rice as a must start for me this week.
Last year, when he was top two in the NFL
in yards while healthy, eighty eight percent of his yards
came against the zone Raiders plays on eighty seven percent
of the time, second highest in the NFL. H I
love Devonte Adams matchup this week, but Mike Evans against
that depleted line secondary, I think I would give him
the start there. Okay, all right, you know my quarterbacks
(38:46):
bo nicks justin fields. So the question is which to start.
Speaker 1 (38:49):
But it's more focused on fields because I don't know.
Speaker 2 (38:53):
I'm like, have we seen the best of him?
Speaker 1 (38:55):
Like do we think that last week was a sign
of really bad things to come? Or can we still
get this? Like is it feast or famine? Do we
have any feasts left with him? I think so I
have both that starts this week. I think last week
was about the matchup. The Jets allow pressure fifty percent
of the time. The Bengal the Broncos generate pressure at
the highest rate in the NFL.
Speaker 2 (39:13):
He gets the Panthers this week. They generate pressure at
the lowest rate in the NFL. So it fields disappoints
this week, then we need to have a conversation.
Speaker 1 (39:21):
But I do think this is a bounce back opportunity
for him. All right, I have more questions, but we're
out of time. I'm gonna have to text that to you,
Michael f Florio, Yeah, no problem, I got your number,
don't worry about it. Thank you, dude, Thank you always,
and thank you in advance for the answers via text.
It is time for our Marquee matchups. After the break,
Mark Ross got to join us to break down some
(39:41):
of these matchups coming up in week seven in the NFL.
Speaker 6 (39:50):
Welcome back to the insiders.
Speaker 5 (39:52):
Here's a look at the big matchups of the week.
You got the London game, You've actually got tonight's game
that is Steelers at Bengals, and a whole bunch of
others Colts Chargers and I can't really see the other
ones down there, but five very good matchups. And to
discuss some of them, we've got our Mark Ross back
for Marquee matchups. You see what we're doing there every week,
(40:15):
Marquee matchups. All right, Mark, let's start with Colts Chargers.
What you got there?
Speaker 11 (40:19):
Well, I know the Colts duty have the best record
in the league. I know they leave the league in scoring,
but you know that's come against some of the worst
teams of the NFL. With the combined six wins, the
four of the wins, and of course their best win
is against Denver and then they lost to the Rams.
But when the Daniel Jones turned the ball over three times?
So will this be another one? This Chargers game look
(40:40):
a little bit more intriguing, but we know they've been injured.
But the Chargers have given up twenty seven points the
last two games, So will this be another Colts blowout?
But still might not be convinced even after this one, Judy.
Speaker 6 (40:51):
Next up, you got Giants Broncos.
Speaker 11 (40:53):
Why, well, you saw what the Broncos did last week
in London to the Jets, the other New York team.
And here it is. Rookie Jackson Dart has invigorated the
Giants organization, but that Denver front. The Denver defense leads
the league in sacks by ten hits and pressure rate.
And despite the good things Jackson Dart has done, he
(41:14):
has struggled against pressure. You know, a couple of weeks
ago against the Saints, turning over three times. So this
might get ugly for the rookie against that Denver defense,
who can just absolutely smother teams. Will we be looking
at another nine sack game by that defense. So tough
place to play anyway, and that defense is absolutely nasty.
(41:35):
So we'll see if Jackson Dart can raise his level
once again.
Speaker 6 (41:38):
Judy, all right, and.
Speaker 5 (41:38):
Here's the big one. The game you're going to be
at actually Bucks Lions.
Speaker 11 (41:42):
Yeah, going to hang out there, but this could be
really fun. Are these the two best teams in the NFC?
You know, I think so right now despite all the
injuries that both teams have have have had this year,
and the opposite going into this game were the Lions.
You've got all the injuries on the defensive secondary. Brian
Branch goes out with the suspension, but then the Bucks
(42:03):
have all the injuries at the receiver spot there. Mike
Evans a limited practice this week. Will he be back?
But the Mecca Buka has out. Uh, So you're looking
at Sterling Shepherd and Tess Johnson. The rookie there to
take a whole lot of snaps against a Meek Robertson
and Rock Yes, you know, it's just a who's who
going to be back there with receiver versus dB, but
(42:24):
should be a really fun entertaining game. Nonetheless, Judy appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (42:45):
Thank you.
Speaker 8 (42:46):
You know, whatever she brings, I'll where.
Speaker 9 (42:55):
All right.
Speaker 2 (43:00):
Yeah, the Forest Buckner won.
Speaker 1 (43:01):
I bet A couple of weeks ago when the Ducks
beat Penn State made Matt Conti their VP of media
relations where the Duck costume. This mony lost, though to
Colts owner Kaylin Jackson. All right, Dolphins Brown's game in Cleveland. Yes,
Andy Slater, slantu'scoops, slanata'scoops in the weather now, my man,
(43:22):
Andy's all over it. Yeah, this is gonna be ugly.
Do we like this? I'm gonna start with you, like,
do you like an ugly weather game? Do you feel
like you'd rather have ideal conditions?
Speaker 3 (43:31):
You know, people who are like real football fans like man,
I love it in the snow, I want the rain,
I want to win. I must not be a real fan.
I don't want any of it. I want like a
nice queen field, maybe a roof perfect weather. See the
best teams go out it with nothing else bothering them.
Speaker 4 (43:47):
Judy, is that so bad?
Speaker 2 (43:49):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (43:49):
Now?
Speaker 5 (43:50):
I love ugly weather games as long as I am
sitting on the sofa and not trying to.
Speaker 6 (43:54):
Do a hit before the game.
Speaker 5 (43:56):
Love ugly weather, bring on wind, rain, all of it.
Speaker 1 (44:01):
It's no soon and saders back on Friday. And if
all networks e then
A couple of quarterbacks about to play a game to
night that's after their bedtime. And I'm only saying that
because Joe Flacco literally fell asleep on the bench during
a Thursday night football game a couple of years ago.
That was for the Browns, this time for the Bengals
Rogers Flacco.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
We're going to sit Toinnati to talk about that one.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Coming up, we will head to London for a report
from our Sarah Walsh, who probably has dual citizenship by now.
She is previewing the Rams Jaguars game coming up. Don't
know if we're gonna see Pooka no Koo. We will
talk about that a little bit later in the program.
And if it's Thursday, Michael f Florio is joining us
to tell us who to start and who to sit.
(00:46):
I have a question for him, and it's actually a
repeat question involves that guy right there. I believe the
answer is going to be different this week, But like you,
I gotta tune in to find out. Welcome inside eventually
with the insiders Judy Batista, Ian Rappaport and me your captain,
Mike Garaful. I'm not the captain, I mean, we're all
co captain. That's how this is the leadership committee. Right
(01:08):
here is what you got right in front of you.
Because we give you all the information, we're going to
lead you towards what's new today and what is new today?
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Some injuries, this is new.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Mike Evans back at practice for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
He's got a hamstring injury. He had won last year,
he had won this year.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Limited in practice today, but limited is better than not
practicing at all. So the Buccaneers, it's been kind of
like the hokey pokey, who's in, who's out at the
receiver position. Evans now going to be in. It seems, however,
a Mecca Ibuka going to be out. This is not
a significant hamstring hamstring injury, but it looks like it
is going to be enough to keep him out of
(01:47):
the game against the Lions on Monday. Eventually, I promise
you the Buccaneers will be at full strength of the
receiver position, just not right now.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
Ian DeJoy Lions are not at full strength in the secondary.
This is not an injury. This is a player who
may have cause an injury. With Brian Branch officially suspended
one game for what you're about this year.
Speaker 4 (02:07):
Which is that to Juju Smith Schuster, I don't know there.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
It is the mush, the push, not a punch, but
something very close whack right in the face.
Speaker 4 (02:18):
He appealed that got upheld late last night.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
Branch is going to be out in a huge, huge
game of Monday night against these Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Meanwhile,
for the Minnesota Vikings, they continue to have injury at
the quarterback position. Carson Wentz was a full participant this
week dealing with a left shoulder injury. JJ McCarthy, who
entered the season as their starting quarterback, was limited. Now
(02:41):
he is finally back at practice now dealing with the
high ankle spring tongue. Reporters, he is not one hundred
percent right now, Judy.
Speaker 4 (02:47):
That leads me to believe that.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
We might see Carson Wentz for one more week and
then we'll see no Furman.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
Final word on who the Vikings quarterback will be?
Speaker 5 (02:56):
You know who is apparently not one hundred percent Commander
is wide receiver or Terry mccluurin. He did not practice
on Thursday, one day after he was limited. In his
return to practice after missing three games with a quad injury.
Dan Quinn had been hopeful about mclaurin's return on Wednesday,
but certainly when reporters did not see him on Thursday
of practice, that would appear to be a step backwards.
(03:17):
The Commanders have a string of very high scoring opponents
coming up, starting Cowboys, Chiefs, Seahawks, Lions.
Speaker 6 (03:23):
Not having mcluuren would certainly be.
Speaker 5 (03:25):
A blow, and it would be in a bigger blow
because Deebo Samuel, who has a heel issue, also did
not practice Thursday. He did not practice on Wednesday as well.
The heel issue has been bothering him on and off.
He did play against the Bears. He had four receptions
for fifteen yards. Right now, with McLaurin and Deebo in
(03:45):
various states of injury, the Commanders have three, that is,
three healthy receivers on the active roster. Obviously, practice tomorrow
is going to be really important.
Speaker 6 (03:56):
For the Commanders.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
Meanwhile, Judy, the Green Bay Packers have plenty of healthy
receivers and it seems they are getting one more. Christian Watson,
their big play receiver who missed the end of last
year in the beginning of this year with an ACL
plus injury significant knee injury reconstruction and all that. This
is his second week back at practice. My understanding is
this was the week they targeted to get him back
(04:20):
on the practice field. They want to make sure he
gets through practice. Well, there are no issues, but certainly
we could see Christian Watson on the field for the
Packers this week, Mike, which would be massive news for
an offense that spreads it around a lot to its playmakers.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
Yes, and for the Arizona Cardinals offense. I was just
checking on the latest and I came across the headline
and said, Kyler Murray stuns Cardinals fans with unexpected practice breakthrough.
Don't believe all the clickbait headlines that you read out there.
Because he was throwing to the practice squad players during
practice today was an indication he's not going to be
a practice participant.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Jacoby Brissett played.
Speaker 1 (04:59):
Well on Sunday, looking like it's trending in the direction
of Jacoby Brissett again. However, we will keep you honest
on that as we get closer to Sunday. But if
you're new to the NFL, the weeks start on Thursday,
Thursday Night Football. Aaron Rodgers, Joe Flacco looking awfully mean
and honery both of them. However, they both are a
(05:22):
joy to interview and cover in different ways. Speaking of
covering things, Cameron Wolf out there in Cincinnati getting ready
for tonight's game, a big one because the Pittsburgh Steelers
cam double breasted Cam what up can put a hammer
lock on the AFC North and the Bengals Like the
(05:42):
idea was trade for Joe Flackel, keep us alive long
enough for Joe Burrow to come back.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
If it's gonna happen, it's gotta happen. Now.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
Three straight home games starting with this one, Cam set
the scene for tonight.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Well, they are calling this the Icy Hot Bowl.
Speaker 4 (05:56):
That's what Cam Hayward dubbed it.
Speaker 7 (05:58):
Because it's only the fourth games is nineteen fifty with
two forty plus year old quarterbacks. The only other time
we've seen is Tom Brady versus Drew Brees. Aaron Rodgers said,
it's a win for the old guys. And I'll tell
you this. Talking to them Steelers players, they said that
Rogers is very youthful. I know his age, but I
talked to Kennef Gangwell who said his jokes throughout the
week make it feels like he's twenty five years old.
(06:20):
As far as Joe Flacco you mentioned, just him coming
in and having a short period of time to catch
up for this game. They feel like they've added even
more to their playbook this week, and they think that
they can have a lot of success building off the
second half.
Speaker 8 (06:33):
Of what they did.
Speaker 7 (06:34):
I also thought it was interesting I talked to Bengals
cornerback DJ Turner. He said, I had it to a
double take when I first saw Joe Flacco in the building.
I was like six seven years old when he was
first starting to play quarterback.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
But like you mentioned, a.
Speaker 7 (06:46):
Huge, huge game for the Steelers, who could be three
and a half games up in the division with a win.
No team in the AFC North has had that big
of a leave this early in the season since the
realignment in twenty twenty two.
Speaker 8 (06:58):
And for the Bengals, they're just hoping to keep the
playoffs ut.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
I mean, I know you aren't going for it, but
there's another six seven right there by the way, and
it can't be ignored. Meanwhile, if you're in the field
covering games, we like to joke about how they always
play music while you're doing your live hits. I don't
know that we've ever hit the Q as perfectly as
we did just there. Started as soon as I threw it,
as soon as he started talking. Cameron Wolf Way to
battle for the Elements. Pal Wall be back with you
(07:23):
later in the program. Pooka Nikoua not practicing today in Baltimore,
which is where the raven of the Ravens.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Well, that's where the Ravens play.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
However, that's where the Rams are practicing this week after
playing the Ravens and heading.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
To London soon.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
So it does not look like Poka Nakua is going
to be playing in this one. And I'll have the
bye week after that, so that would be two weeks
off for him.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
If indeed he does not play.
Speaker 9 (07:46):
In the game. In London's Sunday Morning Football continues there,
presented by net app Matt Stafford and the Rams versus
Trevor Lawrence and the Jags, Sunday, nine thirty am Eastern.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
What time is that London? One thirm? Maybe only on
NFL Network and also streaming with NFL.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
Plus subscription required for NFL Plus visit Plus dot NFL
dot com.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Four urns. Sarah Walsh in London.
Speaker 10 (08:11):
Take it Away, if you think I've been over in
London for a while, cornerback Greg Newsom, he's right there
with me because he played here two weeks ago.
Speaker 6 (08:19):
For the Browns.
Speaker 10 (08:20):
Gets home from that trip on a Wednesday night, gets
a call from his agent. He thinks he's going to
be told that he's getting an extension, and instead his
agent called to tell him he was being traded to
the Jags. And in a week that he said, he
knew he was going to feel tired from London. He
immediately had to fly to Jacksonville, played for the Jags
last Sunday, and now traveled with the Jaguars back over
(08:41):
to London. So two international games for him for two
different teams in a three week span. He described the
entire thing as a whirlwind. Although he's not the only
player this has happened to. It's happened to four other
players before that have all played, including Adrian Peterson. Now
the Rams have an entirely different train of thought when
it comes to arriving here in London. They're spending all
(09:02):
week in Baltimore at Camden Yards on the baseball field
getting ready for this game. They are not going to
arrive here until Saturday morning. I asked matt Stafford about
that late arrival and he said, hey, look, we're going
to rip the band aid off. He told me he
doesn't ever remember being in the second quarter of a
game thinking well, I probably should have gotten a little
bit more sleep. Adrenaline guys can do wild things.
Speaker 5 (09:26):
Thank you, Sarah. We can't wait to have you back
home stateside. But let's dig into this game a little
bit more. Mark Ross and Brian Baldinger join this show.
All right, Mark, I want to start with you. Because
the Rams offense unlikely to have Pouka Nakua. We believe
they're about the middle of the pack in scoring. How
did they get this offense repped up?
Speaker 11 (09:45):
Yeah, which is kind of odd there because Matthew Stafford
is first of the league in passing yards and third
in passing touchdowns, but the offense itself is sixteenth in scoring,
So kind of an oddity there. And so they got
to get something more out of the run game, especially
if Puca is out of there, because you know, they
struggle last week against the Ravens defense and we know
(10:06):
hasn't stopped anybody, So that was kind of strange there.
So well, Devontae Adams change what he does in the offense.
You know how will to two at well get more involved.
And of course, as I mentioned, the run game has
to get going to take the pressure off of Stafford
having to throw all the time.
Speaker 8 (10:22):
Baldy.
Speaker 11 (10:22):
So this will be really interesting how much Sean McVeigh
changes the offense or is it just hey, Stafford, go back,
keep ripping it, Kyro Williams.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
You're out in the backfield.
Speaker 11 (10:30):
Every so often, and let's see if they can get going,
get some points on the board, not just having Stafford
throw all the time.
Speaker 12 (10:36):
A couple of things here, mark number one. Jacksonville does
lead the NFL in takeaways with fourteen. They didn't get
any in Seattle last week and they lost the game,
but fourteen still leeds.
Speaker 8 (10:46):
They feast off of that.
Speaker 12 (10:48):
They are getting Trayvon Walker back he played last week.
He's got a massive club on the risk that was
certainly repaired after that injury against the forty nine ers,
but it looks like he's getting healthier.
Speaker 8 (10:58):
He played sixteen snaps last week.
Speaker 12 (11:00):
That could help get after Matt Stafford a little bit,
along with some of his compadres on the other side.
And then It's interesting, you know, Sarah was talking about
Greg Newsom. He played nine snaps last week. The first
play he was on the field, Seattle attacked him with
Jackson Smith and Jigba and ran right by him sixty
one yard touchdown, a big play in that game.
Speaker 8 (11:21):
So we'll see if he's more comfortable this week.
Speaker 12 (11:23):
We'll see if the Rams go after Greg Newsom, new
to the scheme, new to the system, shocked that he
got traded, all those kind of things, but this is
the defense that's built around takeaways. Devin Lloyd, the inside linebacker,
still leads the NFL after six weeks with four interceptions
and of course the big one against the Chiefs with
that interception return ninety nine yards for a touchdown.
Speaker 5 (11:43):
Guys, thank you. We will talk to you again later
on Mike. Let's talk about a team that just got
back from London.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
Yes, the New York Jets back from London, still in
search of that first win. They've been looking worldwide for
it now hoping to find it in New Jersey and
needing to find it fast. Because now we're starting to
see some guys mention some stuff on social media. You
had the Garrett Wilson thing. With Aaron Glenn the other day. Ian,
(12:12):
let's talk about the state of the Jets, because we're
now getting to a pivotal point at least in the
season here where they have to make some decisions about
the roster and some of the key players here. What
is your feeling with regard to once we get closer
to the trade deadline, might the Jets make some moves?
Speaker 2 (12:26):
Can they salvage this season in some form or fashion.
Speaker 4 (12:30):
The Jets can salvage this season.
Speaker 3 (12:31):
And if you want to look at the best case scenario,
look at Dan Campbell when he started I believe it
was one in seven during his early years, turned it around,
finished the year, closed really hard, and kind of set
the stage for like, all right, this is a team
that finally enterstands the physicality, a team that's going to
play better and smarter in a team that's going to
bring it the next year. But to do that, you
(12:52):
got to win games, or at least you got to
win one game. And what it seems like, Judy, is
the Jets are at a point where they have to
start winning or else, and the or else is not good,
and the orrels is really this or else. Justin fields
would no longer be the starting quarterback and Tyrod Taylor
will at least get a shot to turn this thing
around or else. Aaron Glenn, whose job status as of
(13:12):
right now is totally fine and secure, might not be
totally fine and secure at some point if the losses
keep piling up, and because the trade deadline is in
three weeks, it didn't seem like the Jets want to
part ways with any of their really good players, especially
they're good young players are going to be keep part
of their future. But if the season keeps going like
(13:32):
this and the losses keep stacking up, by this, you're
gonna get offers and calls it at some point you
might have to do something. So the time is coming
for the Jets to win. They need to win at
some point. I just don't know if it's going to
be against an ultra physical Panthers team this week.
Speaker 6 (13:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (13:51):
If you want something on the bright side for the Jets,
it's that they have played well in parts. For instance,
Week one, the offense looked really good. As a matter
of fact, Aaron Glenn said after that game, you know,
he doesn't believe in moral victories, but there was a
lot to take away from that that you could build on.
There was some hope there from the offense, and then
last week in the loss, when the offense looked absolutely abysmal,
(14:15):
the defense had its best performance of the season. The
defense had been struggling up until this point. They haven't
been able to put it all together. It has been choppy,
it's been rough. Aaron Glenn came out and said he
does not believe in benching a quarterback after one bad start.
Speaker 6 (14:31):
That is what he thought last week was.
Speaker 5 (14:33):
He said it was a step back, but he thought
justin Field had shown promising things in previous games. Now
the question is how long can he stick with that
before players in the locker room start looking at the
head coach and saying, like, wait a minute, is this
really our best option? Again, this is a tough matchup
against the Panthers, and you do wonder if justin Field struggles,
(14:54):
could they make a change in game, Could they make
a change.
Speaker 6 (14:57):
After the game? We will see.
Speaker 5 (14:59):
They have been and very supportive of justin Field at
the Jets. They feel like his ceiling is very high,
and they certainly feel like his legs give them an
element that Tyrod Taylor simply can't give. But again you
saw players very frustrated, visibly frustrated. Garrett Wilson, especially one
of their stars, very very upset with the state of
(15:20):
things at halftime last week. And you do wonder if
Erin Glynn is going to have to start making more
dramatic decisions to try to get a win and to
try to quell any unrest.
Speaker 4 (15:32):
I gotta be honest, not a big birthday guy over here.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
I forget everyone's birthday, including mine. Not going to forget
this one though. Cowboys give a shout out to Brian Schottenheimer,
their head coach, wishing him happy birthday when he was
on the field today. All he wants, he said, was
for Ceedee Lamb to be on the field. That's as
good as a birthday president as it gets. And I would
say this, the Cowboys offense has been so productive that
maybe they don't need him.
Speaker 4 (15:55):
I'm just kidding. They need him. Jane Slater, thank you
for joining us on the Insiders. As always, I.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
Think it's pretty safe to say you know more about
Dallas than everyone. Their offense has been really good. Getting
CD back would really help. On the other side of things,
the defense has been not as good. Where does Matt
Ebert Fluss's defense stand and are they going to get better?
Speaker 13 (16:17):
Let's get creative here, Ian. You know, we like what
we're seeing from George Pickens on offense. Can CD play
quarterback because they certainly need some help with the back end.
I remember they changed Trayvon digs up from Alabama to
a quarter from wide receiver. I'm kidding, of course, but
three six weeks the Dallas Cowboys defense needs some help.
In this matchup against Washington could expose more cracks.
Speaker 6 (16:39):
Let me give you some numbers.
Speaker 13 (16:41):
The Cowboys are giving up thirty point seven points per game,
ranking twenty seven then the league in points allowed, their
yardage allowed equally, damning over four hundred yards per game
surrendered dead last in the league. But what haunts them
the most, Ian are these big plays. They've allowed multiple
twenty five plus yard touchdown passes, including a sixty five
yard bomb off a trick play, and then in one
(17:03):
recent game gave up a nineteen play seventy six yard
drive that eight nearly ten minutes.
Speaker 6 (17:08):
A nightmare for any defense.
Speaker 13 (17:10):
Now, I was here when we had Mike Nolan.
Speaker 6 (17:13):
He was the defensive coordinator for one year. Under Mike McCarthy.
The defense was equally.
Speaker 13 (17:18):
Bad that season, and remember Jerry Jones uncharacteristically let him
go after just one season. Now we've seen Monti Kiffin demoted.
They had another C back in the day that was demoted,
but this was the first true coordinator that was fired
while he was in contract. I asked Jerry Jones on Tuesday,
is there a possibility here of that? He intimated the
(17:40):
answer was no. When he explained why, he said, they
have a familiarity with Eberflus. In other words, he referenced, look,
he's been around the building for seven plus years.
Speaker 6 (17:49):
When you look at what he's doing.
Speaker 13 (17:50):
Now, they think that this is going to come down
to just more nuanced schematic changes and other words, they're
doing a lot of zone coverage. Maybe they need a
little bit more man the guys need to communicate better.
And then he feels good about some of the players
that are returning. Revela is one of them. You've also
gotten to Marve had over shown that. He said, start
eyeing for the bye week. So and then Jerry also
(18:12):
talked about, you know, by trading away Micah Parsons. Yes,
they've gotten help in the interior stopping to run. The
passing game has been tough in terms of they're not
getting enough pressure on the quarterback. He said he doesn't
have a trade in mind, but remember they have the
picks and the collateral to go and do that. But
that's going to take someone picking up the phone.
Speaker 3 (18:31):
Yeah, no doubt about that. Going to be a fascinating
couple weeks for the Cowboys defense. I think they'll bring
more pressure, five man pressure, just to get after him
a little bit. Anyway, plenty of time to talk about that.
I want to turn on the flip side. For the
Washington Commanders, Terry McClure and their star receiver has been
in and out of practice, still dealing with that quad
slash hip flexor injury.
Speaker 4 (18:50):
Where do things stand with Scary Terry?
Speaker 13 (18:53):
Well, Scary Terry was looking like he was going to
make her return. He was limited in practice this week,
but then we just got the practice I and you
know this, it looks like he did not practice on Thursday,
which now makes his activation still uncertain for Sunday. You know,
if he's active, McLaurin brings more than just route running.
He's a veteran leader, a safety valve for Jaden Daniels.
(19:14):
He's really that downfilled threat that they haven't consistently had. Luckily,
they do have some weapons around him, and you have
this anemic defense for the Dallas Cowboys, but he certainly
opens up that intermediate and vertical passing lanes and the
Cowboys have to respect him and coverage. So look, we'll
see if Terry makes his way back. But I tend
to think if you're Washington and you're looking at the
(19:36):
Cowboys and all those numbers that I just shared with you,
maybe a sit him out if he's not completely feeling
like he's ready to go. Although I would also point
out the two games that I've had here in Dallas,
the Cowboys you want to go ahead and said, ah.
Speaker 6 (19:48):
The Giants, they're not going to win. This one is
good Cowboys, and then we.
Speaker 13 (19:52):
End up with these crazy games going into overtime.
Speaker 6 (19:55):
So we'll see how this one shakes out on Sunday.
Speaker 2 (19:57):
Good stuff.
Speaker 3 (19:58):
Jane as always, cannot wait to see where this one goes.
If we get another wild, crazy shootout, I am all
for this one.
Speaker 4 (20:05):
Mike take it away, thank.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
You, Ian, Justin Jefferson, AJ Brown too, terrific wide receivers
getting the ball at different rates. However, justin Jefferson off
back to back hundred yard games. AJ Brown off back
to back frustrating games, back to back to back to
back to back to back frustrating games.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
That I get them all right there, Baldy.
Speaker 1 (20:25):
Eagles really got to turn this thing around quickly, but
also got to do it on the defensive side of
the ball. Let's talk about the Eagles defense in Week
five and week six, what you've seen from them.
Speaker 12 (20:38):
So, you know, they lost two games in four days, Mike,
and they gave up eighteen points in a fourth quarter
to Denver to lose at home and that game, and
then obviously they went to Giants Stadium and four days
later and they gave up five touchdowns to Jackson Dart
and the New York Giants. And so the defense hasn't
performed well. And you look at it and you go, okay,
their best pass rusher is on the field right there.
Speaker 8 (20:59):
Zadaria Smith retired, Nolan Smith is out.
Speaker 12 (21:02):
Jalen Carter has been invisible for the four games that
he has dressed and played this year. He has to
play better. And then they've got questions at corner that
have been going all year long. Now Quinnon Mitchell, maybe
he's back get healthy. That certainly makes a difference. He
went out in that Denver game. But the corner opposite
Quinnon has been a problem all year long. So can
the pass rush show up this week in Minnesota? And
(21:24):
can the corners cover Justin Jefferson? You know Jalen Naylor,
You look Jordan Addison. I mean, a fleet of really
good receivers regardless of who plays quarterback for the Minnesota
Vikings this week.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
Some chatter now that maybe Brandon Graham might be asked
to come out of retirement. If he's gonna do that, Brandon,
can you let us know because we're gonna have to
fill your spots in Good Morning Football for the rest
of the season. Brian floores Now, with his defense, it's
always complex. Now it's after the bye week where they've
had some chance to do some more tinkering and film
study and whatnot. Probably not a great thing for the
(21:59):
Eagle who are trying to figure out things on offense.
Speaker 2 (22:02):
What do you expect from this flow defense on Sunday?
Speaker 12 (22:04):
Well, you know, Brian, he presents a complex plan and
he really leaves you guessing. Sometimes he'll have six, seven, eight,
guys at the line of scrimmage, you're questioning your own
protection if it's a pass and if you is to run,
I mean the way that he can pressure you. He
has a lot of positionless players like Josh Metallists, Blake
Cashman comes back this week. He got hurt the first
(22:26):
week against the Bears. He'll be back in there. So
they have a variety of ways that they can get
after you, and they can frustrate all parts of your offense.
And last week or last year, I would say, Mike,
you know, they tied for the league league in takeaways.
They're not taking the ball away quite as often this year,
so that's kind of slowed them down a little bit.
But they want it to upgrade the run defense. They
(22:48):
brought in Javon Hargrave, Jonathan Allen. That's been a little
bit of a question mark on this defense. So if
there's one area I think that Eagles can attack, I
would say be time to get this running game in
Saquon Barkley going. If they're going to turned us around
and stopped the bleeding, I think it has to start
with the run game. In Minnesota's run defense has not
been exceptional so far this season.
Speaker 2 (23:08):
Nailed at Baldi.
Speaker 1 (23:10):
This is a game that the twenty twenty four Eagles
probably would have dominated. The twenty twenty five Eagles have
not been able to get that offensive line, that running
game going. This is the game to do it. Do
not play from behind the sticks against this team. With
the way your offense is playing, major problems. Brian Balding
are going to be there to call it all and
to see it first hand.
Speaker 2 (23:29):
Baldy.
Speaker 1 (23:30):
Always appreciate you, pal. Coming up next, we've got a
Thursday night matchup between two graybeards, Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco.
Speaker 2 (23:40):
We're going back to Cincinnati. Cam Wolf is out there
to break this one down further.
Speaker 5 (23:53):
It is a lovely fall day in Cincinnati for Thursday
night football, Steelers at Bengals, and that is where we
our Cameron Wolf posted up for the game tonight.
Speaker 6 (24:04):
There's Cam Kim.
Speaker 5 (24:06):
You know what, I was talking to somebody this weekend.
We were saying that Aaron Rodgers seems so happy and
settled and just like he's been a really good fit
with the Steelers.
Speaker 6 (24:17):
What is he brought to that team?
Speaker 2 (24:19):
Well, he's playing.
Speaker 7 (24:20):
First of all, Aaron Rodgers the best ball since twenty
twenty one when he won MVP, and talking to Steelers
players this week, they were so keen in on him
redefining his narrative and look.
Speaker 4 (24:32):
Kenneth Gainwell told me, I.
Speaker 7 (24:33):
Don't know what he was like for previous teams, but
he's been an invaluable resource for me. He says, inside
the huddle, we're always having nonverbal communications, him being able
to key me on an element of the game that
I don't see that he doesn't see. Joey Porter Junior
tells me about his jokes and ripping smelling salts, how
he's always having.
Speaker 8 (24:53):
Fun with him.
Speaker 4 (24:54):
And John Usmith told me that Aaron Rodgers one.
Speaker 7 (24:56):
Of the best teammates he has ever had, And so
they're all saying, I don't know who it's talking about.
Speaker 8 (25:01):
We don't like Aaron Rodgers, but we love him.
Speaker 7 (25:03):
And as we talked about earlier, the Steelers' offense is
playing excellent ball because of how Aaron Rodgers and Arthur
Smith their offensive coined or have.
Speaker 8 (25:11):
Been able to gel.
Speaker 7 (25:12):
They've been able to mold Aaron Rodgers' skill set with
Arthur Smith's scheme, and one big element has been Rogers
getting the ball out of his hands in the fastest
time per throw of his career. They're using play action,
they're using six offensive lineman set and that type of
success makes it feel like this team can be sustainable
in December and January.
Speaker 6 (25:30):
Right, let's look at.
Speaker 5 (25:31):
The other quarterback, because Joe Flacco made us first start
for the Bengals last week about five minutes after arriving
with the team. He's had a full week of preparation,
he got to introduce himself around the building. What do
we expect from Flacco with the Bengals this week, especially
because he is facing Mike Tomlin, a coach he has
faced like a million times in his career.
Speaker 7 (25:54):
Yeah, rivalry, so much so that Mike Tomlin voiced clear
displeasure that the Browns would dare trade Joe Flacco to
the Bengals of division rival and look, Joe Flacco knows
Mike Tomlin, and they think that's going to be something
that helps him get prepared on a short week. This
is a guy who was ten and eleven as a
starter against Mike Tomlin. He quickly pointed out he came
off the bench with the Colts last year and beat him.
(26:16):
He didn't get that win because Anthony Richardson started the game.
But I thought it was interesting talking to the Bengals
this week about how they've got him ready. Three players
have been instrumental in that, center Ted Carris, who told
me that they have taken their lunch from the cafeteria
into the film room every day and watch film while
eating the multitask there. Quarterback Jake Browning, who lost his
job to Joe Flacco, has certainly been helping him. And
(26:38):
Joe Burrow, who I'm told was back in the building
rehabbing this week, also helping Joe Flacco get ready for
this game. So they believe that he's going to be
in better position to capitalize what they had on the
second half and expect a lot of deep throws at
Jamar Chase and t Higginson. Night.
Speaker 5 (26:52):
We too, eat our lunch at the desk at work.
Thank you, Cam Wolfe. We will talk to you later
on this evening. Mike, take it away.
Speaker 2 (27:01):
You got time for lunch? How do you make that happen?
Speaker 1 (27:03):
Judy uh Falcons for that, We're very busy here at
NFL Noway Falcons forty nine ers. The battle in the
bay between the Falcons who came off that impressive win
against the Bills and the forty nine ers. Brian Baldinger,
Babe Baldinger, Brian, I mean, so we've got a lot
of bees happening here.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
It's the BEA's knees. Let's talk about the Falcons.
Speaker 1 (27:23):
Let's talk about Beijeon his impressive performance that the other day,
the running game, and.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
Then do a little defense for me too. Hit both
sides of the ball, ball, do you why not?
Speaker 12 (27:30):
We'll do'll take both sides, both sides here, Mike, I'll
run through it here. Look, I mean, the one thing
you can say about the Falcons after five weeks, they
lead the National Football League in rushing yards per game,
over one hundred and fifty yards a game. And it
starts up front, and we saw it against Buffalo this
past Monday night. And really it starts with just blocking
the most dangerous man, like just getting a hat on
(27:51):
a hat here and getting to the second level the
way Noozl did, the way Bergeron did right there, the
way Lynchtrom did, and then let Bijeon just be which
is leaping tall buildings. But it was the same thing
with Tyler alzire On this touchdown run right here, like you.
They blocked the five, those most dangerous men right here,
right you get a clean lane and then you get
(28:12):
Lindstrom and Bird on up.
Speaker 8 (28:13):
To the second level.
Speaker 12 (28:14):
You got to get the second level block, Mike if
you're gonna have runs like this, and then if you
want to go to the other side right here, their
ability to work with the tight ends right here to
create this wall, and that's all Vjean is looking for.
He's looking for that daylight right here where he could
just split it and hit it like he did. I mean,
that was a eleven yard run, but he did the
same thing on an eighty yard run. Defensively, all Brick
(28:34):
is dialing up great pressures here. You get the offered
right here coming along with Devine, Diablo and Josh Allen.
Might get away from one, he doesn't get away from
both of them. And this fourth and two play right here,
he's gonna send Kayden Ellis along with aj Terrell after
Josh Allen and on fourth and two, Josh Allen decides
this is his best option right here. Because of the
(28:56):
pressure that Jeff Albrick is applying. He's got a lot
of pieces in place on defense. Now, Mike, they've got
pass rushers, the rookies look pretty good.
Speaker 8 (29:05):
They've been drafting that position for two years now.
Speaker 12 (29:07):
But the back end of their defense with Xavier Watch
with Billy Bowman, you know, with some of the guys
aj Terrell and de Alford, they've played very well in
the back end. So they've married the rush with the
coverage becoming a much more difficult defense to penetrate right now.
Speaker 1 (29:23):
I really feel like lost in how Jeff Ulbrick became
the interim coach of the Jets and sort of how
things spiral downward towards the end there with the Jets.
People forgot how good of that defensive coordinator he is.
He is reminding folks again this year, Baldy. Also, you
showed that the breakdown of the offense there. Jake Matthews,
he was in there at left tackle, then he wasn't
in there.
Speaker 2 (29:43):
He got hurt in that game.
Speaker 1 (29:45):
He is not practicing yet this week, so that could
be a bad sign for him. So maybe the Falcons
will be down him. But they played well in his
absence as well. Brian Boldiger, thank you very much as
always for all your contributions here. The Insiders go call
the heck out of that.
Speaker 2 (29:59):
Bit Eagles game this weekend.
Speaker 4 (30:05):
Blaco in the gun, Blaco throwing the pass is hot.
Speaker 11 (30:10):
Oh my goodness, magnificent throw by Rogers.
Speaker 4 (30:14):
Day got a great quarterback.
Speaker 12 (30:26):
And he won't walk into the end zone.
Speaker 1 (30:35):
Oh it is time for starts and sits, with Michael
f Florio from NFL Fantasy Live joining us for the
general questions and then the specific ones, the selfish ones
for me and Ian regarding our team specifically. But as always,
we start on Thursday Night Football and we start with
the positive. Who are we starting tonight for the Steelers
and Megles?
Speaker 2 (30:55):
Yeah, this game is pretty straightforward, and I didn't want
to come out here and be like starting Jamore Chase.
So let's go with Jalen Warren tonight against the Bengals.
I have long term concerns with Jalen Warren and them
starting to use multiple other running backs, but tonight he
is very much so in play. The Bengals have allowed
the most fantasy points per game, second most rushing yards,
and fifth most receiving yards two running backs. In fact,
(31:20):
they've allowed a top thirteen fantasy running back every week
so far this season. So Jalen Warren because of the
matchup is in play, as is his quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. Look,
I don't think Aaron Rodgers is a straight You just
start him no matter what. But if you need a
streaming quarterback, maybe you need to replace a Josh Allen
or Lamar Jackson who are on buy. The matchup has
(31:40):
Aaron Rodgers in play. The Bengals have allowed the second
most passing yards and six most passing touchdowns. They've also
allowed a top twelve fantasy quarterback in three of their
last four games. So again, I know you're not dying
to get Aaron Rodgers in your fantasy lineups, but if
you're going a little bit deeper at quarterback, he's in
play because of the fantastic matchup.
Speaker 3 (32:00):
Plus, it's always fun to play someone who is playing
on Thursday night. Then you get an early jump on
rooting Ferry team. Let's go to the opposite side of
this thing. I'm mister negative, Mike is mister positive. Who
are we sitting tonight? We're sitting Chase Brown.
Speaker 2 (32:13):
I've reached a point where I have Chase Brown on
a number of teams and I just sit him most
weeks because he's averaging less than ten Fantasy points per
game this season, He has not finished any week as
a top fifteen running back. Of all running backs in
the NFL this season, with at least fifty five touches,
he has the worst yards before contact. And just last
(32:34):
week we saw the Steelers shut down Quinn Shaw, Judkins
and Matt Brown's rushing attack, which is much better than
what the Bengals are throwing out there right now. And
then John new Smith. I know a lot of people
are probably like, if I need a streaming tight end.
The Bengals allow the most fantasy points per game to
tight ends. Why don't I just get a little Thursday
action and start John new Smith. The issue is Arthur
(32:56):
Smith hates our fantasy teams, and they use four different
tight ends on any given week. So Smith, he has
fewer than five targets in every game since Week one.
He hasn't caught a touchdown in any of them. I
think it's a big night for the Steelers tight ends.
The issue is which one we don't know, So because
of that, I think you avoid them in fantasy.
Speaker 1 (33:18):
Understood, Michael laugh All Right, the forecast in Cleveland is
not pretty. I think there's like a ninety four percent
chance there's one hundred percent chance of a dome stadium
in the near future. However, right now they play in
the elements and they're not gonna be good. That being said,
Brown's running back Quinn John Jetkins start or shit.
Speaker 2 (33:36):
I think he is a must start this week. I
know he lets you down. Last week really his first
disappointing performance fantasy wise of this season, just four fantasy points.
But this I thought he was a muss start. Before
the weather, the Dolphins have given up the most rushing
yards to running backs. They give up explosive runs at
the highest rate in the NFL. In fact, they've allowed
(33:57):
four top nine fantasy running backs in the last five games.
And now you add in the weather and the fact
that it'll probably be a closer game that they won't
be able to air the ball out as much. This
has just feeding Quinnshaw Judkins written all over it.
Speaker 3 (34:12):
All right, I got one more for you, for you,
I got a couple more for you actually, But Laddi
McConkie kind of a fantasy darling on again, off again?
Where do you stand on Laddi McConkie, the Chargers Stars.
Speaker 2 (34:24):
I think last week might have been a start of
a resurgence for Ladd McConkie. I think he is someone
that you could plug into your starting lineups with confidence
this week. I know he's had a bit of an
unlucky start to the season. Drops for an issue, Justin
Herbert missed him a couple of times, those other receivers
were getting force fed, but he did have twenty three
targets last week. And speaking of the other receivers, we've
(34:47):
seen Keenan Allen start to fade a little bit. Plus,
the Colts' fourth most fantasy points per game allowed to
wide receivers and their top twelven yards to out wide
and slot receivers, and mcconkee bounces back and forth between
the slot and playing out wide. So I think this
is a good week for lad to build off of
what he did last week.
Speaker 1 (35:05):
Giants quarterback Jackson Dart getting it done with his legs
can always run in a touchdown and get you a bunch.
Speaker 2 (35:10):
Of points there.
Speaker 1 (35:11):
However, going up against a Broncos defense that was really
good last week against Justin Fields and able to contain him,
so Jackson Dart starters it look.
Speaker 2 (35:20):
I'll take the l for coming on the show last
week and saying to sit him. I've come on this
show every Tuesday for weeks and been like, get Jackson
Dart on your roster, But I think this is a
week where he should hit the bench all because of
the matchup. Like you were saying, Mike Denver bottom three
in passing yards, touchdowns, and fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks.
They have generated sacks at the highest rate in the NFL,
(35:43):
and then they do not allow quarterbacks to run against them.
In weeks one through five, qbs ran for fifteen yards
against them, and then last week they held justin fields
to under forty yards. Defenses hadn't been able to do that.
So you can't really bank on the rushing production, which
is what made Jackson Dart so great for fantasy these
first three weeks. There will be plenty of weeks to
start him. This is just such a tough matchup in
(36:05):
his fourth NFL start.
Speaker 4 (36:06):
All right, Well, let's kind of stay in this game.
Speaker 3 (36:08):
We know the Broncos defense is balling, one of the
best defenses in the NFL. Giants defense is talented, has
played some well some not.
Speaker 4 (36:16):
What does this all mean for Courtland's Sun.
Speaker 2 (36:19):
Courtland Sutton this year, every game has either been over
seventeen fantasy points or under three fantasy points. I think
you play him though, and we get a big performance
out of him because the Giants they've allowed not only
the third most fantasy points per game two wide receivers,
but they are allowing the seventh most yards to out
wide wide receivers, and Sutton runs about eighty percent of
(36:41):
his routes out wide. Plus they haven't really been doing
a great job of getting after the quarterback, so I
think bo Knicks will have time to throw in this game.
I think this is a bounce back week for a
lot of people who disappointed us in London last week.
Speaker 1 (36:54):
All right, now the time for me to start paying
attention DJ Moore. He is on my fantasy team. This
is not selfish question, this is a scripted one doesn't count.
But DJ Moore had that weird hospital visit after the
game the other night.
Speaker 2 (37:07):
Really hasn't been.
Speaker 1 (37:07):
The kind of production I thought that a lot of
people thought, so what are we thinking about Djmore?
Speaker 8 (37:11):
This week?
Speaker 2 (37:12):
Was not the kind of production I expected out of
him this year either. I've reached a breaking point with
DJ Moore. I just want to sit him everywhere I
have him nine fantasy points per game this season, less
than fifty receiving yards in each of his last four.
In fact, he's top double digits once this year. It
was thirteen fantasy points, and he needed a touchdown to
get that. And what I hate even more one end
(37:34):
zone target, only three deep targets, and he has one
game with more than five targets all year, it is six.
So he's not getting big play opportunities, he's not getting
touchdown opportunities, and he's not really getting a whole lot
of opportunities. In general. You need the ball to go
your way to score fantasy points, and it's just simply
not happening for DJ Moore.
Speaker 3 (37:51):
Right now, All right, all that was good, great stuff.
Really appreciate you. Thanks for you cluing everyone in on
what you're thinking.
Speaker 4 (37:58):
Now let's get to the more important stuff. My fantasy team.
Speaker 3 (38:02):
I got a situation because, as you know, I have
stashed Rashi Rice on my roster. This is the week
he is going to be activated. He is going to play,
He is going to play a lot. I also, by
the way, have Mike Evans and Devonte Adams if Evans
comes back. I got two receiver spots, which of those three,
am I using the two on.
Speaker 2 (38:24):
RACEI rice as a must start for me this week.
Last year, when he was top two in the NFL
in yards while healthy, eighty eight percent of his yards
came against the zone Raiders plays on eighty seven percent
of the time, second highest in the NFL. H I
love Devonte Adams matchup this week, but Mike Evans against
that depleted line secondary, I think I would give him
the start there. Okay, all right, you know my quarterbacks
(38:46):
bo nicks justin fields. So the question is which to start.
Speaker 1 (38:49):
But it's more focused on fields because I don't know.
Speaker 2 (38:53):
I'm like, have we seen the best of him?
Speaker 1 (38:55):
Like do we think that last week was a sign
of really bad things to come? Or can we still
get this? Like is it feast or famine? Do we
have any feasts left with him? I think so I
have both that starts this week. I think last week
was about the matchup. The Jets allow pressure fifty percent
of the time. The Bengal the Broncos generate pressure at
the highest rate in the NFL.
Speaker 2 (39:13):
He gets the Panthers this week. They generate pressure at
the lowest rate in the NFL. So it fields disappoints
this week, then we need to have a conversation.
Speaker 1 (39:21):
But I do think this is a bounce back opportunity
for him. All right, I have more questions, but we're
out of time. I'm gonna have to text that to you,
Michael f Florio, Yeah, no problem, I got your number,
don't worry about it. Thank you, dude, Thank you always,
and thank you in advance for the answers via text.
It is time for our Marquee matchups. After the break,
Mark Ross got to join us to break down some
(39:41):
of these matchups coming up in week seven in the NFL.
Speaker 6 (39:50):
Welcome back to the insiders.
Speaker 5 (39:52):
Here's a look at the big matchups of the week.
You got the London game, You've actually got tonight's game
that is Steelers at Bengals, and a whole bunch of
others Colts Chargers and I can't really see the other
ones down there, but five very good matchups. And to
discuss some of them, we've got our Mark Ross back
for Marquee matchups. You see what we're doing there every week,
(40:15):
Marquee matchups. All right, Mark, let's start with Colts Chargers.
What you got there?
Speaker 11 (40:19):
Well, I know the Colts duty have the best record
in the league. I know they leave the league in scoring,
but you know that's come against some of the worst
teams of the NFL. With the combined six wins, the
four of the wins, and of course their best win
is against Denver and then they lost to the Rams.
But when the Daniel Jones turned the ball over three times?
So will this be another one? This Chargers game look
(40:40):
a little bit more intriguing, but we know they've been injured.
But the Chargers have given up twenty seven points the
last two games, So will this be another Colts blowout?
But still might not be convinced even after this one, Judy.
Speaker 6 (40:51):
Next up, you got Giants Broncos.
Speaker 11 (40:53):
Why, well, you saw what the Broncos did last week
in London to the Jets, the other New York team.
And here it is. Rookie Jackson Dart has invigorated the
Giants organization, but that Denver front. The Denver defense leads
the league in sacks by ten hits and pressure rate.
And despite the good things Jackson Dart has done, he
(41:14):
has struggled against pressure. You know, a couple of weeks
ago against the Saints, turning over three times. So this
might get ugly for the rookie against that Denver defense,
who can just absolutely smother teams. Will we be looking
at another nine sack game by that defense. So tough
place to play anyway, and that defense is absolutely nasty.
(41:35):
So we'll see if Jackson Dart can raise his level
once again.
Speaker 6 (41:38):
Judy, all right, and.
Speaker 5 (41:38):
Here's the big one. The game you're going to be
at actually Bucks Lions.
Speaker 11 (41:42):
Yeah, going to hang out there, but this could be
really fun. Are these the two best teams in the NFC?
You know, I think so right now despite all the
injuries that both teams have have have had this year,
and the opposite going into this game were the Lions.
You've got all the injuries on the defensive secondary. Brian
Branch goes out with the suspension, but then the Bucks
(42:03):
have all the injuries at the receiver spot there. Mike
Evans a limited practice this week. Will he be back?
But the Mecca Buka has out. Uh, So you're looking
at Sterling Shepherd and Tess Johnson. The rookie there to
take a whole lot of snaps against a Meek Robertson
and Rock Yes, you know, it's just a who's who
going to be back there with receiver versus dB, but
(42:24):
should be a really fun entertaining game. Nonetheless, Judy appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (42:45):
Thank you.
Speaker 8 (42:46):
You know, whatever she brings, I'll where.
Speaker 9 (42:55):
All right.
Speaker 2 (43:00):
Yeah, the Forest Buckner won.
Speaker 1 (43:01):
I bet A couple of weeks ago when the Ducks
beat Penn State made Matt Conti their VP of media
relations where the Duck costume. This mony lost, though to
Colts owner Kaylin Jackson. All right, Dolphins Brown's game in Cleveland. Yes,
Andy Slater, slantu'scoops, slanata'scoops in the weather now, my man,
(43:22):
Andy's all over it. Yeah, this is gonna be ugly.
Do we like this? I'm gonna start with you, like,
do you like an ugly weather game? Do you feel
like you'd rather have ideal conditions?
Speaker 3 (43:31):
You know, people who are like real football fans like man,
I love it in the snow, I want the rain,
I want to win. I must not be a real fan.
I don't want any of it. I want like a
nice queen field, maybe a roof perfect weather. See the
best teams go out it with nothing else bothering them.
Speaker 4 (43:47):
Judy, is that so bad?
Speaker 2 (43:49):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (43:49):
Now?
Speaker 5 (43:50):
I love ugly weather games as long as I am
sitting on the sofa and not trying to.
Speaker 6 (43:54):
Do a hit before the game.
Speaker 5 (43:56):
Love ugly weather, bring on wind, rain, all of it.
Speaker 1 (44:01):
It's no soon and saders back on Friday. And if
all networks e then
Hosts And Creators
Judy Battista
Tom Pelissero
Ian Rapaport
Mike Garafolo
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