December 20, 2024 • 42 mins
NFL Network Insiders Tom Pelissero and Judy Battista discuss the big news from around the NFL and all of the week sixteen playoff-clinching scenarios. Brian Baldinger joins the show to discuss Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker making history with his fair-catch field goal in the Chargers win over the Broncos on Thursday Night Football. Plus, Steve Wyche discusses the AFC North matchup between the Ravens and Steelers and which team is in best position to get overall number one seed in the AFC & NFC; Jeff Chadiha previews Texans-Chiefs; Cameron Wolfe previews Eagles-Commanders; and Adam Rank provides his sweet sixteen fantasy players for week sixteen.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
It hadn't happened since nineteen seventy six. No, not a
Viking spacecraft landing on Mars, although that answer also technically
would be correct. It's an out of this world play
from Thursday Night's thriller.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
We will tell you.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Why the Chargers were ready. Got a chalk full weekend
slate around the NFL as well. All starts with Chiefs
Texans on Saturday, followed by Steelers Ravens, and those are
just the appetizer for the main spread on Sunday. We've
got everything you need to know. Meanwhile, are you in
your Fantasy semi finals this weekend? D you need a
(00:45):
quarterback to save the day. If you got Kirk Cousins,
well you were probably eliminated some time ago, but get
him out of the lineup. If you're still in, Adam
Rank has some intriguing alternatives for you. And we've got
so much more welcome inside with the insiders alongside Judy Battista,
I am Tom pelaserro. We got so much action Judy
(01:08):
coming up this weekend. Tons of playoff implications in all
these games. We've still got seven spots up for grabs.
Will break down a lot of these big matchups, including
that Saturday doubleheader during the course of this show. But
let's fast forward really quickly to Sunday as well. In
a big name who is going to be ready to roll?
That is Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown, who gave certainly
(01:31):
some fantasy owners as well as Eagles fans a scare
earlier this week, was limited miss some practice time because
of a knee issue, but he told reporters in the
locker room after practice he is going to play, and indeed,
Aj Brown off the injury report, ready for a big
divisional tilt against the Commanders one in Wench. The Eagles,
(01:51):
with a win, can wrap up the NFC East title.
They're also still in the running for the number one overall. However,
if the Commanders get a win and some help from
one or multiple of several teams, they can clinch their
playoff spot this weekend as well, so can the Packers.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
They play on Monday night game at lambeau Field.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
I will be there in what looks like a snow
game against these Saints. Win that one, get a couple
of other losses in Green Bay two would punch their
postseason ticket. In that same NFC North Division, the Lions
already know their playoff bound. They are also in line
for the number one seed potentially, but they got to
take care of business lease in the short term without
(02:34):
one of their star players among the whole lot of
other guys. David Montgomery initially feared to have suffered a
season ending mcl injury that would require surgery. Now sounds
like maybe there's a glimmer of hope.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
Dan Campbell.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
Optimistic with a couple of doctors that he saw the
last two and you know, so, I think I think
we may see where this thing goes. We still got
a decision to make because even if that is the case,
you know, it's a matter do you put him on
ir do you see you know how fast he can
(03:10):
come back from it? All that, but it certainly sounds
more optimistic. That's probably the best way to say it.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
Andy Reid once told us he had the loosest ligaments
in the NFL.
Speaker 5 (03:21):
Apparently still true.
Speaker 4 (03:22):
Patrick Mahomes good to go against the Texans despite the
high ankle spring he suffered less than a week ago.
He's going to get some big time help. Receiver Hollywood Brown,
who has missed the entire season with a shoulder injury
he suffered in the first preseason game. We're finally going
to get to see him in a Chief's uniform. He's
been activated. He will make his season debut for the
(03:44):
Chiefs tomorrow, and they've got plenty on the line in
this game tomorrow. They are the number one seed in
the AFC. Right now here are your AFC clinching scenarios
for the weekend. Pretty straight up for the Chiefs. If
they win, they would be the number one seed, get
the first round by and the home field advantage throughout
only though, if Buffalo loses to the Patriots, and then
(04:07):
you see some scenarios for the Steelers and Ravens to
get in.
Speaker 5 (04:10):
Steelers are already in.
Speaker 4 (04:11):
They would clinch the AFC North though if they beat Baltimore. Baltimore,
if they beat Pittsburgh would get in, or they could
even get in with a loss if Indianapolis and Miami
both lose.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
The Bengals still clinging to fate playoff hopes to Like
Zach Galafanakis standing at the blackjack table, the numbers are
going all through their heads. What they gotta do is
take care of business first against the Browns. They'll have
a couple of their stars out there. Te Higgins has
a knee injury causing a mispractice on Thursday, another panic
moment for fantasy players, but back at practice on a
(04:45):
limited basis today. He's off the injury report good to go,
as is quarterback Joe Burrow, who had.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
A knee issue pop up in addition to the.
Speaker 1 (04:53):
Right wrisk thing that he's been dealing with since he
suffered that season indiing injury early last season.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Burrow also off the report.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
He will start against the Browns, taking out the look
some of the other injury issues that potentially could be
impacting your fantasy playoffs this weekend. Jalen Waddell, listed as
doubtful for this game, didn't practice all week because of
a knee. Tyreek Hill, by the way, added late as questionable.
Sounds like though he should be all right to play
in that game. The forty nine ers gonna be down
(05:21):
into what their fifth string running back now because Isaac
Garrendo is out, so is Nelson Aguilar for the Ravens.
Or Shot Bateman's questionable, so they could be really shorthanded there.
Xavierly Get also ruled out. Gino Smith he's back full participant,
despite will look like a scary knee injury for him.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
And how about Tyler Higgy Higbee?
Speaker 1 (05:39):
You want to plug and play a tight end who
hasn't seen the field since the wild card playoffs last year,
You can roll the dice Higbee off the injury report.
He is indeed going to be out there. Let's go
back to last night's game, Thursday Night Football. It was
a good one. The Broncos seen to be in control
until a unique sequence late in the game.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
See that got beyond Jim Harbaugh.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
That's Ryan Ficken, the special teams coordinator who on Tuesday
had had the Chargers practice exactly this. It is a
fair catch, free kick. It's a unique formation. Cameron Dicker
nailed it. That is a turning point in that game,
pulled the Chargers within eight. Fast forward to the fourth quarter.
Chargers on the comeback Justin Herbert, How in the world
(06:22):
was this a touchdown pass? He's got no lower body
behind it, throws it across his body. Darius Davis nineteen
yard touchdown Later on in the fourth quarter, how about
one more? Justin Herbert to Hassan Haskins. Who Hassan Haskins,
you might have plug and played him in your fantasy
playoffs a couple of years ago he was with the Titans.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
I did that.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
He scored basically no points, and I got knocked out.
But it worked out last night for the Chargers, who
remained very much in the thick of the AFC playoff picture,
prevented the Broncos, by the way, from clinching his playoff
spot last night. Both those teams, though squarely in playoff position,
one more win and they would be in.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Meanwhile, the Colts, the Dolphins, the Bengals.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
Still sitting there and hoping something tilts in their favor,
namely one of those teams losing all their remaining games.
But everybody's still talking about the fair catch free kick,
including Cameron Dicker, who talked to our bridget content after
the game.
Speaker 6 (07:20):
He got hit and trying to catch it. We had
that penalty. I was like, okay, fifteen yards, that's gonna
put us up there. So then I went over to
the net and hit a couple of real quick I
ran over and then then the offense was out there,
and I was like, did they forget about this?
Speaker 7 (07:33):
Like?
Speaker 8 (07:33):
I was like, am I the one even remembered this?
Speaker 5 (07:35):
And then did he say something I.
Speaker 6 (07:37):
Did and I was in the net kicking. I was like,
oh remember, And so then Beep ran over and he
let me know and he's like, hey, we're going, We're going.
I was like, okay, got one more repping and then
ran out on the field and then the Broncos were confused,
so they called the time out.
Speaker 5 (07:49):
When you go out there, what are you thinking?
Speaker 6 (07:51):
I was kind of laughing. I was like, what a
funny moment like this is?
Speaker 8 (07:54):
This is cool.
Speaker 6 (07:54):
Just enjoy the moment, Embrace the moment and just go
go try to hit a bob and enjoy it.
Speaker 9 (08:00):
It's my favorite rule in football and just been trying
to get one of those, like every game, you know,
Uh yeah, yeah, yeah, the first one we've made.
Speaker 8 (08:14):
I tried.
Speaker 9 (08:15):
We tried one with the forty nine ers. I think
it was like a seventy yarder or something seventy one. Thanks, Yeah,
mister Dawson. Uh, probably a little if I wanted it
so bad that, you know, I tried a seventy one yarder,
But it is.
Speaker 8 (08:29):
It is my favorite rule.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Plenty of confusion in the stadium, people watching at home,
not on the Chargers sideline, but if you miss the
rule if the kicking team interferes with a receiver who
has signaled for a fair catch, the receiving team will
have the option to extend the period by attempting a
fair catch, kick or a snap from scrimmage after enforcement
of any applicable penalties.
Speaker 8 (08:51):
All that means.
Speaker 1 (08:52):
They got to move the ball up and then have
the holder come in. Cameron Dicker comes on and again
that was a very consequential moment in that game. As
we welcome in our Brian Baldinger to the conversation, Baldi,
one of the unique things in talking to people today
about this place, the kickoff rules changed four times in
(09:12):
the last five years, and the formation, everything about that
play now is different than every other kickoff that we see.
That's why the Chargers were drilling it on Tuesday. You
got to be a yard back as opposed to on
the line you're kicking from. You can leave when the
ball is kicked rather than when it's caught. You played
in a different era, obviously, did you ever see something
(09:33):
like this?
Speaker 8 (09:34):
I have not. I played thirteen years Tom.
Speaker 7 (09:36):
I never saw it in the time that I played,
but I played with Jim McMahon and Jim McMahon used
to practice drop kicking every day just in case the
opportunity came up, because like Camera Dicker, you could hold
it or you could drop kick it. The drop kick
is still I think it's still in the rules, so
either way, but we used to practice it and McMahon
was like, if this rule comes up, I'm ready, I'm
(09:57):
going in.
Speaker 8 (09:57):
I'm kicking it. So it's been out, I haven't seen it.
Speaker 7 (10:02):
Obviously, Tremon Smith interferes with Darius Davis.
Speaker 8 (10:05):
They get the penalty right there.
Speaker 7 (10:07):
Give give you the Chargers Special teams coach Harball credit
for knowing it and knowing what to do because it
cut that halftime lead to twenty one ten to twenty
one thirteen. It's an untimed down for the fair catch
interferes free kick rule, and they took advantage of it.
Speaker 4 (10:24):
H This was so great because I feel like every
Monday of the season we have to talk about poor
game management situations, bad decisions, bad clock management, stuff like that,
and this was the example of a coach taking advantage
of Let's face it, a really arcane rule in the book,
one that you don't see used very often.
Speaker 5 (10:45):
It's apparently Jim Harbaugh's.
Speaker 4 (10:47):
Favorite rule who knew but that he used it and
that they executed it so perfectly like it was kind
of refreshing that we finally got somebody who had mastery
of the rule book in the moment and they could
execute it per And as you pointed out, Tom, it
was a turning point in the game.
Speaker 5 (11:03):
It wasn't just a fun, sort of fluky play.
Speaker 4 (11:05):
It became a really important pivot point in this game.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
The only person who was more excited about that play
being possible than Jim Harbaugh might have been me.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
My wife can attest this. I jumped up off the
sofa and just went, they can do the free kick
here it is. He's like, what are you talking about?
Just watch this never ever happens. Sure enough, there was
the moment here again.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
Credit to to Ryan Ficken, one of the only holdovers
from the prior coaching staff. Jim Harbaugh kept him around.
He's turned around their special teams the past couple of years.
He had those guys ready for that moment, Baldy. The
rest of that game, the Broncos really seemed like they
were in control. There was a weird sequence that preceded
the fair catch free kick where they throw on second
downs in complete, then the Charges were able to use
(11:46):
the time out.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
What were your big takeaways of how this game unfolded?
Speaker 7 (11:50):
Well, what's been missing because for the three previous weeks
the Chargers have been a seventeen point offense.
Speaker 8 (11:55):
We identified that leading up to the game all week.
Speaker 7 (11:58):
But what had been missing because I saw him last
week against Tampa when he's four to seventeen, he got
blown out. But what had been missing was the explosive plays.
So you saw justin I just throw right here. Obviously
it's ridiculous. It's like bumping to his hut, his resume
reel right there to get Darius Davis. You know, Hassan,
You see Gus Edwards right here had the forty three
(12:19):
yarder in the fourth quarter, longest run from scrimmage for
AMO year. Lad McConkie obviously got things started early on.
That was a twenty seven yard throw. But they got
the explosive plays. This is Gus Edwards in the fourth
quarter in flip field position.
Speaker 8 (12:33):
On the next play, you know, Hassan Haskins goes the distance.
Speaker 7 (12:37):
So they were able to get these explosive plays right here,
and it was really the difference right there with Haskins
going into the end zone to be able to put
up a big number that they needed to in order
to knock the Broncos out.
Speaker 4 (12:51):
You know, I'm a little bit concerned about the Broncos
because they've only beaten one team so far this season
that is at five hundred or above, and that's the Bucks,
and I think that was all the way back in
week two or three of the season. They're one in
six against teams above five hundred, so and they're eight
no against teams that are below five hundred. So I
(13:11):
feel like the record is good and they're probably still
going to make the playoffs, But is that record a
little bit misleading about how far along this team has come?
Speaker 5 (13:20):
Clearly this is a team on.
Speaker 4 (13:21):
The rise, but every time they sort of take a
step up in quality of opponent, they can't seem to
match that level yet. And that raises concerns obviously about
if they make it into the playoffs. First of all,
if they make it into the playoffs right now, they
would be the seven seed, which means, if everything held
up as it is, they would have to go to
Buffalo to play the Bills. That's not a great matchup
(13:42):
at all for anybody. But I really wonder now if
that record is misleading about where the Broncos are in
their progression.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
Baldy, I know you had to press pause on a
Christmas party to join us here, So go back, eat
some little pieces of cheese on a stick.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
We really appreciate you being here. Forward to chatting with
you again soon.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
Coming up after this, we've got some fantasy advice. It's
a unique time you might need somebody to plug and play,
whether it's because of injury of Benching or otherwise. Adam
Rank has some really interesting thoughts on some names you
should consider later on in the show. After this, We've
got Steve White's going to be here to talk about
(14:22):
a really good slate of games, including Steelers Ravens on Saturday,
and who exactly is going to secure the number one
seed in each conference? Could Jared Goff and the beat
up Lions get it done? White has answers next on
the Insiders.
Speaker 8 (14:46):
They don't like us. We down, so I don't like them.
They about coming to the house.
Speaker 5 (14:50):
Take it down with.
Speaker 8 (14:52):
The Dux Dawn Steeler. Ben puts the ball right on
the the touchdowns three here.
Speaker 6 (15:02):
It is a first time star or Lamar Jackson against
the Steelers.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
Jackson is unbelievably gifted.
Speaker 1 (15:08):
That's down Raven, unbelievable blastic raven.
Speaker 9 (15:11):
Steelers all kind of hitting.
Speaker 8 (15:13):
Was tough to all down.
Speaker 6 (15:14):
Indeed, there's a hitting, there's some jog, there's everything we've
thought there would be.
Speaker 8 (15:19):
Definitely been a Facebook game.
Speaker 2 (15:21):
The Steelers are spelling blood.
Speaker 10 (15:23):
They got Ben, They fought fucking fat He got two teams.
Speaker 7 (15:26):
They respect one another, but doll like one another.
Speaker 8 (15:31):
Stittsburgh and Baltimore. You don't have to say a whole
lot more.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
Always fun when these teams get together, especially when it's
in December with a lot on the line. Steelers win tomorrow,
they clinch the AFC. North Ravens win tomorrow, they would
clinch a playoff. Berth can also get in with Colts
and Dolphins losses. Welcome back to the Insiders, Tom Pilicerro
and Judy Batista, joined now by our buddy White, Steve.
Speaker 2 (16:01):
This is as good as against.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
Right here, two teams that have seen to be on
a collision course throughout the course of the season.
Speaker 2 (16:07):
What are looking for is this one?
Speaker 8 (16:08):
Yeah?
Speaker 11 (16:08):
I mean every time they play it seems like a
collision course in one way or another. But think back
to Week eleven when these teams played eighteen to sixteen.
Pittsburgh wins again, the eighth victory over the Ravens in
nine games, but they do it by kicking six field goals,
which might be why the odds makers have the Ravens
as a six point favorite, because the Ravens offense has
(16:29):
been playing better. The Steelers don't have wide receiver George Pickens,
but again, Pickens wasn't that much of a factor. He
had eighty nine yards in receptions. The bigger issue the
last time they played was justin Tucker, the Ravens kicker
missed two field goals and you see it was just.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
A two point margin. So this is one here.
Speaker 11 (16:47):
If the Ravens can establish the run and maybe get
out to an early lead put pressure on the Steelers offense,
that's something that could flip things in Baltimore's favor. But
even if the Ravens win, as you just pointed out,
they are out of contention for that top seed in
the AFC playoff race. Boys, Pittsburgh still has an opportunity
to do it, but they would need to be to
(17:08):
win out and have some things happen with Kansas City
and Buffalo. Remember Kansas City right now has a two
game lead on Buffalo, who's is eleven and three of
the Chiefs. They play Houston, they play the Steelers, and
they played Denver. You see how tough that schedule is.
Whereas Buffalo, who's two games back, the Patriots twice and
(17:29):
the Jets.
Speaker 2 (17:30):
Plus they've got the head to head over Kansas.
Speaker 11 (17:33):
City from a regular season victory earlier this season. So
right now, we'll know a lot more after this weekend.
But Buffalo, as long as it continues to win, this
is coming down to week eighteen.
Speaker 4 (17:45):
One of the weirdest quirks of the AFC is that
Lamar Jackson is a multiple time MVP and the Steelers
keep beating the Ravens. Anyway, all right, let's flip it
over Steve to the NFC side and talk about who's
going to emerge there as the top seed. You've got
them fight Vikings, You've got the Lions, and you've got
the Eagles, all at twelve and two and two of
those teams are still battling for a division title.
Speaker 5 (18:08):
Who's gonna win here?
Speaker 11 (18:09):
And the thing is, like the Eagles are the only
ones that play outside. This is absolutely intriguing and this
spells Week eighteen all over it. And you see the
Lions against the Vikings in that game.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
Now you can sit here and.
Speaker 11 (18:20):
Say the Eagles might have the easiest route, but that
game against Washington is not going to be easy.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
Dallas is playing better football.
Speaker 11 (18:27):
Well, the Giant's okay, Yet that is the easiest route
when you look at the other two teams that they
have to play. But again, this is one where it
seems like the home field advantage favors the Lions if
they get it, because they get to play in that dome,
even though they're built to play outside. Now, Detroit, they've
got to play the Chicago Bears. They've got to keep
winning based on the way these teams play. And again,
(18:49):
that season finale against Minnesota in Detroit could be for.
Speaker 2 (18:53):
All of the marbles.
Speaker 11 (18:55):
And I know we're talking about all those injuries which
are legitimate for the Lions, all the players that they
have out, but let's not forget about all the players
that they still have on their roster. Philly yesterday might
have the best overall competitive roster, but the Lions right now,
with the schedule the Bears in forty nine ers coming
up next could be the odds on to get that
top seed.
Speaker 4 (19:16):
Yeah, the injuries caught up with the Lions last week
against the Bills, but that, of course is playing a
super elite team. The rest of the schedule is not
quite at that level, so they may be able to
piece it together.
Speaker 2 (19:27):
Steve, thank you very much. Enjoyed the games this weekend.
We look forward to chatting with you again soon.
Speaker 1 (19:33):
Speaking of these Saturday games, we got Chiefs Texans in
this one too, a potential playoff preview. We know Patrick
Mahomes somehow after that hit is going to be out there.
But what version of him do we get and how
do the Texans and CJ. Stroud solidify things to pull
off and upset. We will discuss it when Jeffrey Jda
(19:54):
joins us right after this on The Insiders. Twenty four
hours to kick off. Well, it's really like seventeen and
a half hours. This was posted six and a half
hours ago. That adds up, right, that's twenty four Yeah,
Chiefs Texans, it is a big game one pm Eastern time,
Newton Central at Arrowheads Stadium where the Chiefs, well they're
(20:15):
going to have their starting quarterback out there, Patrick Mahomes,
who got twisted up and bent over and put out
of shape. I guess still every time I see that play,
it just it hurts me physically. It looked rough, but
as usual, Patrick Mahomes tape it up. He's gonna get
himself back out there, off the injury report and good
to go against the Texans. Welcome back to the Insiders,
(20:37):
Tom Pillicero, Judy Batista, now joined by our friend Jeffrey Chidia.
Speaker 2 (20:42):
Jeffrey.
Speaker 1 (20:42):
A lot on line here still for the Texans as well.
There's seating things at play. The Chiefs are still aiming
to wrap up the number one seed is a Texans
team that's invested a lot of money.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
Though in that defensive front.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
We already heard one Texans player this week say Mahomes
better be able to move because we're coming after.
Speaker 8 (21:01):
Yeah, he'd better be able to move.
Speaker 12 (21:03):
Even though he's not on the injury report, he's still
going to have some level of pain involved with that ankle.
And the Texans know this. This is a huge matchup
for them because they realized that the Chiefs have given
up thirty five sacks this year. That's the most Patrick
Mahomes ever been sacked in his career was hit. He
was sacked thirteen times in three previous games before the
(21:23):
Cleveland game, and so the Texans are bringing a passwords
that's really serious. They know they've got to get after him.
They bring second in the league and sacked with forty
five sacks. They've got two guys in double digit sacked
with Daniel Hunter and Will Anderson Junior. And the Chiefs
have said they're going to keep Joe Tooney at left
tackle for this game. He did a good job against
Miles Garrett, as offensive coinator Matt Naggie pointed out, but
(21:44):
this is a different kind of animal, a lot of speed,
and the Chiefs better be ready for it.
Speaker 4 (21:49):
You know, we go back to when Mahomes had the
high ankle spring two years ago in the playoffs and
he played on it. He was able to move and
sort of slide out of out of harm's way. But
he's certainly not going to be able to move like
he does when he's completely healthy. Having said that, as
we've said before, Andy Reid says he's a very fast
(22:10):
heel or loosest ligaments in the NFL. So we will
see if he can get out of harms way again tomorrow.
All right, let's talk about though, the Houston Texans, who've
had a pretty tough time all season long protecting c. J.
Speaker 5 (22:22):
Stroud too.
Speaker 4 (22:23):
He has already been sacked more times this year than
he was all of last season. Last season he was
only only sacked thirty eight times. What are they going
to do to protect him better against, among others.
Speaker 5 (22:36):
Chris Jones.
Speaker 12 (22:37):
Well, they're the opposite of the Chiefs. They've taken The
chief has taken a left tackle and a left guard
moved in the left tackle. The Texans have taken an
offensive tackle in Titus Howard and moved him inside to
guard to try to help ease their interior line concerns,
and getting dealing with Chris Jones is going to be
foremost on their minds. Their offensive coordinator, Bobby Slowe talked
about he's watched film and seen other teams have plans
(22:59):
for him, and none of those plans have worked, and
so he's told his team just be ready to fight
stick with it. They realize that ninety five is going
to get moved all over the formations and he'll be
an end, he'll be a tackle, and so they have
to have a plan for him. But you're right, Judy,
the pressure that's binance. He j just Droud this year
has been a big factor and why this offense has
not performed at a high level. They have to have
(23:20):
a plan for Chris Jones or they will not win
this game.
Speaker 1 (23:23):
It feels like a divisional playoff weekend with two games
on Saturday, all involving very very relevant teams in this mix.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
Gonna be a lot of fun to watch, Jeffrey, thank
you very much.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
This, of course, is just the start of the NFL's
new holiday remix. Same teams, shovel him up. They'll play
again on Christmas Day. It's all part of a doubleheader
live on Netflix. Chiefs Steelers kick things off at one
pm Eastern, followed by Ravens and Texans at four thirty
pm Eastern. So kids finish opening those presents, Mom and
(23:58):
dad have football to watch, all live on Netflix Christmas Day.
Michael Pennix Junior gonna get his first start this week
for the Atlanta Falcons. But should he be someone you
should consider starting in your fantasy lineup? In a pinch
and Rank might have an answer that surprises you.
Speaker 2 (24:16):
Next on the Insiders.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
Time now to go inside with NFL Fantasy Live and
our buddy Adam Rank joining meet Tom Pelicero here on
the Insiders in his Week sixteen rank.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
You're sixteen weeks deep into coming up with.
Speaker 1 (24:32):
A nu miracle equation to the week here, and I
understand right now you're about to have your Fantasy Sweet
sixteen party.
Speaker 13 (24:40):
Yep, Jake, Ryan and I are going to be sitting
on a glass coffee table with a cake between us,
trying to win a fantasy football league. So I'm excited
for it. I don't know what we're gonna do for seventeen,
but sixteen seem to make.
Speaker 5 (24:54):
A lot of sense.
Speaker 1 (24:55):
All right, bring it on, quarterbacks to start, What do
you got for me?
Speaker 13 (25:00):
Well, one of the guys that I'm looking at, I
know that you use this in the tee. So let's
talk about Michael Pennix because there is a lot of
consternation about whether we can play this guy this week
or not. And you see right there, the projection's not
very robust. However, I do believe that this is going
to be an opportunity to unlock this Falcons offense. Guys
(25:20):
like Drake London, Darnell Mooney. I won't go as so
far as to say that we need to get Kyle
Pitts into our starting lineups, but I do think there's
an opportunity to go out there and play him this week.
It's a tough one, I know. Again, like if you
have an opportunity to get somebody like Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, yeah,
play those guys. But if you're looking at how last
(25:41):
week I needed to go with Bryce Young, I've pivoted
to Michael Pennox this week, and I'm willing to be
disappointed again.
Speaker 2 (25:49):
Here's your thing too.
Speaker 1 (25:50):
With Michael Pennix junior, Unlike a lot of the rookie
quarterbacks we've seen, especially guys like Bo Nicks, there's not
really a run threat with Michael Pennix.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
Go back and look at his stats in college here.
Speaker 1 (26:00):
It's not like, all right, if the past game isn't working,
he's gonna run for one hundred yards.
Speaker 2 (26:04):
That's not really his game. It'd be interesting to see
how he looks. How about a running back in your
sweet sixteen rank.
Speaker 13 (26:11):
Well, somebody who's been battling some injuries over the last
couple of weeks. But I think that he's safe to
start this week is going to be Bucky Irving, who
has been one of the finds of the Fantasy season
this year. You know, coming into this this year, Tom,
you know, there was a couple of rookies that I like,
Tyrone Tracy, Bucky Irving being one of them as well.
Nobody ever brings up that Instagram, Like, nobody finds that.
(26:32):
Anybody can go to the internet and find my prediction
on the Bears, like with great ease, I'm like, hey,
do you want to go back and say what I
was talking about? Button Noup? They'll never find that. But
Bucky Irving's been great. He's got a great matchup this
week against the Dallas Cowboys, who've been very generous to
opposing running backs this year. They've been a very generous
at home. They're a very hospitable guest as well. So
Bucky Irving's a good play if you have to hit
(26:53):
the waiver wire.
Speaker 8 (26:54):
Though.
Speaker 13 (26:55):
There are three guys, Dromeford, Alexander Madison. Alexander Madison is
very interesting because he is going to get the majority
of the carries for the Raiders this week, and of
course Kendrey Miller on Monday Night we're still waiting to see.
I don't know if you've broken this news yet. What's
up with Alvin Kamara? Is he playing like? I don't know,
but Kendrey Miller has been getting has been given fantasy
(27:16):
opportunities over the last couple of weeks, and even though
the Green Bay Packers are a good defense, they have
allowed the fourth most points per game to running backs
as far as receiving goes, So I think there's a
pretty good opportunity there.
Speaker 1 (27:29):
No Alvin Kamara spotted again today at practice. Darren Rizzy
has said unlikely that he's going to go to the
sign Edwards z Laire after he got released by the Chiefs.
I don't know how much action, if any, he can
see in the first week out here, but this has
kind of been the story of the Saints season. Fine
guys anywhere, plug them in and maybe like MVS, they
all of a sudden have fantasy production. How about a
(27:50):
wide receiver in your sweet sixteen rank?
Speaker 13 (27:53):
Well, I really like Malik Neighbors, who's had kind of
a kind of a volatile rookie season. Coming into the year.
A lot of people had high expectations for him given
what he was able to do at LSU, despite who
was starting a quarterback for the New York Giants, and
it's been a mixed bag. There's been some great weeks,
some not so great weeks, But over the last couple
of games, he's really started to find his stride. I
(28:14):
really like the production that he's putting out there. And again,
if you're looking at a game with the Atlanta Falcons
where we expect there to be a lot of points,
you expect this Falcons team to go out there and
score points. Well, the Giants are going to be in
a game script that will mean they have to throw
the football, which means more opportunity for Malik Neighbors. And
so while his rookie season might not be what you
(28:34):
once thought it was going to be, I think there's
still some great opportunities this week. And again, if you're
hurting for the wide receivers, Tim Patrick, I'm Tim Patrick's
a weird wild card outdoors in Chicago. Devonte Smith, Romeo Dubbs,
I think is another guy too. As you're trying to
figure out which one of these Green Bay Packers to
start this week, it's going to be it's always difficult
(28:57):
with them, but I know and it's tough to chase
the fantasy points. I hate that, but still, Malik Neighbors
should be great.
Speaker 1 (29:04):
And finally, at your fantasy Sweet sixteen party rank, what
tight end are you lighting a candle for?
Speaker 13 (29:11):
Well, you know what's funny is John U Smith has
been dominating over the last number of weeks. He has
been the He's been the tight end two since Week eight,
despite the fact that the number one guy gets so
many more targets than him, the number one guy, of
course being Trey McBride. And you're like, well, why isn't
Trey McBride ahead of him? I'll tell you why. John
(29:33):
HU Smith catches touchdowns. It is the most exasperating thing,
the fact that Trey McBride doesn't catch touchdowns. But John
new Smith has been fantastic, always getting into the end zone,
always finding a way. It's funny because when you think
about coming into this year, a lot of people drafted
Jayalen Waddell thinking that he was going to be the
compliment to Tyreek Hill. He was going to be the
(29:54):
guy that would be the number two pass catcher on
this team. But instead it's been John new Smith who's
gone out there and garnered all that production and doing
it from a position where there hasn't been a lot
of reliability. Like even if you think about guys like
Travis Kelce, like Travis Kelsey's great and everything, but he
hasn't been as reliable as he's been so outside of
a handful of a few tight ends, John Newsmith has
(30:16):
been one.
Speaker 8 (30:17):
Of the best.
Speaker 13 (30:18):
He's gonna finish as a top five tight end. And
of course, if you're looking for somebody on the waiver wire,
Brenton Strange, who plays down in Jacksonville, as somebody who's
put up a little bit of production. We saw it
last week. I hesitated two weeks ago because I wanted
to make sure it wasn't a fluke. But appears that
Mac Jones has a lot of chemistry with Brenton Strange.
(30:39):
So if you need somebody off the waiver wire right now,
you can go at him at this moment.
Speaker 1 (30:44):
Go set your fantasy lineups now if you were in
the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (30:47):
There's two games tomorrows games on Saturday, much championship week
for fantasy.
Speaker 1 (30:52):
In Week seven, team we got a triple header on
Saturday and it's right here on NFL Network. Chargers Patriots,
Broncos Bengals, and then a big one in the NFC
West Cardinals Rams to wrap it up. That is all
next Saturday, December twenty eighth, right here on NFL Network.
Coming up after this, the Eagles have a big one
(31:14):
this week against the Commanders. They can wrap up the
NFC East title. Our camera Wolf is gonna be there,
but first he'll be here alongside Brian Balneer to break
down who's got the edge between the Eagles and Commanders.
Next on the Incenters.
Speaker 7 (31:38):
Alright, blocking a little bit to us left, Rubble pressure stands.
Speaker 10 (31:44):
On his step turn Dolly four zone.
Speaker 8 (31:48):
Eds cart for a touchdown by the Flora. That was like,
where is he throwing this football? I thought this was
one of those rookie mistakes and outcomes.
Speaker 10 (31:56):
Terry McCord with the touchdown, now locates Barkley out of
the backfield.
Speaker 11 (32:02):
Barkley slips two tackles, it picks up the first down.
Speaker 12 (32:05):
It's the first got miss to skim Wolf at the
last second, bredon what tiky your.
Speaker 1 (32:11):
Birth is it?
Speaker 7 (32:12):
Bro?
Speaker 9 (32:13):
He turned around, jumped over, Hello, okay, move.
Speaker 5 (32:26):
Those guys can laugh.
Speaker 4 (32:27):
I bet defensive coordinators are not laughing at the idea
of facing Saquan or Jaden Daniels for that matter. They
meet this Sunday, huge playoff implications. As you can see here,
Commanders clinch a birth with a win and a little
bit of help. The Eagles win the NFC East with
a win, and of course they are still in the
mix to be the NFC's top seed.
Speaker 5 (32:47):
When all is said and.
Speaker 4 (32:48):
Done, let's welcome back Baldy back from the party. I
really feel bad about this that the party continues without you,
Baldy and cam Wolf, who probably has someplace fabulous to
go after this. Uh, Baldy, let's start with you so
that you can get out of here. This game, the
first time they met this season was really close and
then it just sort of got away from the Commanders.
Speaker 8 (33:10):
What are weird spot on JD.
Speaker 7 (33:11):
In fact, it was a twelve to ten Eagle lead
with a little over eight minutes to go to the
fourth quarter, and the Commanders had a fourth and two
after twenty six yard line and they kind of botched
the snap and botched the play and Zach Bond just
leveled Jayden Daniels he was going for the first down,
and the Eagles got the ball back at that point
(33:31):
and then scored two straight touchdowns to.
Speaker 8 (33:33):
Really put it out of reach. But it was a
very close game.
Speaker 7 (33:36):
And the other thing to consider is we just showed
a highlight of Jaydon Daniels throwing another touchdown to Terry McLarin.
He's got eleven on the season, and in the game
against the Eagles he got one pass or ten yards.
Speaker 8 (33:48):
I don't think that's gonna happen again.
Speaker 7 (33:50):
Terry mclarn is the deep threat in this passing offense
when they do throw it, and so it's something that
the Eagles I think should be ready for with Quinnon
Mitchell and you know, with Slay Outside, some of the
Cooper to game, some of the corners that are playing
for him, I would expect the ball to get down
the field to Terry McClard more than one time than
they had in that first game.
Speaker 10 (34:11):
Yeah, Baldi, A successful run game is what Jaydon Daniels
said this week is what held them back that first week.
Remember they're a top three rushing team, but they were
held under one hundred yards in that first matchup. And
Brian Thomas, Brian Robinson, their running back, told me this
week it was nothing they did.
Speaker 2 (34:26):
It was all on us. We feel like we are
the better team.
Speaker 8 (34:30):
They'll have a chance to show it.
Speaker 10 (34:31):
But the reality is that first game they never forced
Philly out of their coverage, heavy schemes and baldy. As
you watch this Philly defense when they are playing their
type of scheme, nobody can pass the ball on them,
and so I expect them to try to establish that
physicality up at the line of scrimmage. One other thing
to note, Jaydon Daniels was dealing with the rib injury
(34:51):
coming off of that game. He was only a few
weeks removed from it. For what I understand, it was
definitely limiting him. His past percentage rate was about sixty
percent five games after the rib injury. He had to
buy a couple of weeks ago. Since then, he's been
completing over eighty percent of his passes. So I think
you're going to see a more explosive version of Jayden.
Daniels also thought it was interesting this week Cliff Kingsbury
(35:13):
said that he tried to put too much in the
game plan in the first game on a short week,
and he thought it made them play tentative and so,
as you mentioned with Terry McLaurin, I think you see
them move him around away from queeny On Mitchell, who
had the straps on him in the first matchup, and
try to get him involved in the slot so him
and Jayden can have some success. Yep.
Speaker 5 (35:33):
Yeah, just to remember that game.
Speaker 4 (35:35):
The Commanders led it in the fourth quarter, and then
the Eagles scored twenty one un answered points in about
eight minutes of game time and that was it. It
was over all, right, Baldy, back to you. The Eagles
are rolling ten in a row. They are certainly in
the mix to be the NFC's top seed. They haven't
lost since September. What do they have to do to
(35:57):
get this one?
Speaker 7 (35:58):
Well, I mean it's it's kind of a same thing
every week. I mean even last week against Pittsburgh. They're
a slow starting team. Duty you know, there was seven
to three at halftime in that first game against the Commanders.
They just go to a total of twenty seven points
in the first quarter. This year, only the Bears have
scored a fewer. And so what happens is it takes
them a quarter to figure out what's working. Is it
(36:20):
Saquan is it Jalen? Is it getting the ball to
the receivers and I think like as you get to
bigger games and you get to the playoffs, regardless of
what seed they are, sometimes these games are compressed, judy.
They can be eight possessions and if you're kind of
fiddling around trying to figure out what's going to work
today and you're in the second quarter and you haven't scored,
sometimes you got to play from behind, and that's not
(36:42):
really the best way to go about business. So I
would think this week, knowing this is the second time
they've seen the Commanders, they know what they're doing on
defense right now, maybe get off.
Speaker 8 (36:52):
To a faster start and actually start and score in
the opening drive. That would be a change for this
Seagles team.
Speaker 10 (36:58):
The body it would be quite a t And every
time we talk about this Eagles offense, we start with
sakuon Barkley. But the matchup I can't wait to see
is how aj Brown goes against Marshawn Lattimore in this
Washington defense.
Speaker 8 (37:10):
Look.
Speaker 10 (37:10):
Aj Brown is off the injury report, he's ready to
play after a med week injury scare, but Washington traded
for Marshawn Lattimore for moments like this. He didn't play
in the first matchup and dan Quinn talked about how
he knows how he challenges number one receivers and last week,
in his first matchup, Latimore played nearly every snap and
didn't allow a single target. And so as we talk
(37:31):
about this Eagles team, we remember last week the storyline
was AJ Brown's comment about the passing and Brandon Graham
talking about the relationship and all that kind of funneled
through that. Well, I talked to Lane Johnson, the right
tackle who you know well Baldy had a great game
on TJ. Watt, helping that passing attack. But he said, look,
the reality is when the fire gets too hot, you
have to address it. And we definitely addressed it last week.
(37:53):
It was a talking point for us, and the reality
is I'm proud of how we respond it because it
could have gone the other way. The reality of our
offense is we haven't needed to throw the ball because
we have two six but we're going to need to
throw it at some point, and I'm glad that we
showed that we could now this week, at some point,
no matter how crazy Saquon does, they're going to need
to throw the ball to Aj with Marshawn on him,
(38:14):
And I'm eager to see how Aj and Jaln step
up in that moment. Can't be It's going to be
must c TV.
Speaker 8 (38:19):
Baldy, Yep, I agree, Jim.
Speaker 4 (38:22):
I thought that the most important quote that came after
that came was Jalen Hurd saying just because we didn't
do it didn't mean we couldn't do it.
Speaker 5 (38:30):
They can do it.
Speaker 4 (38:31):
What I'm so impressed with what we see from the Eagles,
especially in these last few games.
Speaker 5 (38:36):
Is they are really balanced.
Speaker 4 (38:38):
They can beat you any way they need to beat
you passing, running, The defense has been great. They are
Now that the Lions have as big an injury issue
as they have, the Eagles might be the most well
balanced team in the entire NFC. Guys, thank you very much, Baldy.
Back to your party, and when we return on the Insiders,
(38:59):
you know this is this season forgiving. We're going to
tell you what quarterbacks have been gifting their teammates, and
then Tom and I are going to share what we
would like our holiday gift ideas that we would give
to some NFL folks.
Speaker 1 (39:12):
More with Jaden Daniels and Kyle Brandt on Sunday morning.
A lot more to come from Deuce Jones Drew, the
son of our Maurice Jones Drew honored to receive an
offer from UCLA dad's alma mater, which, of.
Speaker 2 (39:26):
Course MJAD the on any thing he wants them to go.
Speaker 1 (39:29):
I don't know to the four exclamation points give it away, legacy,
says MJD. Congrats the Deuce, as I said, a lot
more to come from him, and I'm sure MJD will
talk a lot about it for many years to come.
Speaker 2 (39:42):
Welcome back to the Insider. It's Tom Pellicero. It is
Judy Batista. Judy.
Speaker 1 (39:49):
We've been watching around the NFL over the past several
days here and different quarterbacks giving some different gifts to
some of their teammates. Joe Burrow a unique one, giving
apparently swords s words, no swords, excuse me to his
teammates handcrafted, certainly unique. Some other ones we've seen more recently,
(40:14):
brock Perty gave all of his teammates cars or trucks apparently.
Speaker 2 (40:20):
Which that seems like a lot.
Speaker 1 (40:22):
That seems like more than you know, a guy on
a minimum contractor with the seventh round picks fil to
give way. Maybe there was a spots, maybe he got
a little bit of help. Who's to say he'll get
his money sooner than later. Patrick Maholmes meanwhile, also gave
out some coolers. One of the highest paid players gave
coolers and cowboy boots. The lowest pay guy trucks. So
(40:45):
that makes sense all which brings us to this year. Judy,
if you were gonna get I don't know me, the
folks in the control room in Englewood, or Friendzyan and Mike,
who are not here tonight, probably at holiday parties. Well,
what's a gift someone somewhere in the NFL world that
you would like to give.
Speaker 5 (41:02):
I would like to.
Speaker 4 (41:02):
Give the entire New York football universe competent, drama free
quarterback play and competent drama free football.
Speaker 5 (41:12):
It has been a long slog with.
Speaker 4 (41:14):
The Jets and Giants these last few years, not a
whole lot of winning, not a whole lot of happy
football fans. So I would like to give to everybody
in this region good football teams.
Speaker 5 (41:25):
Again.
Speaker 1 (41:26):
So during the Giant stretch with Eli Manning, they won
two Super Bowls, but they never won another single playoff
game in any of those other years. So for the Jets,
let's focus in on them would you rather give them
ten years of always being in the mix competent football.
You can watch it, it's good, but they never won
(41:46):
a Super Bowl, or give them one super Bowl and
nine years of, frankly, the same stuff we've been seeing.
Speaker 5 (41:54):
This is a good question.
Speaker 4 (41:55):
It's been so long since we've had consistent like just
in the mixed kind of football. I think a lot
of people would take that just to still be interested
when you get to December, except they ought to remember
the highs of those.
Speaker 5 (42:07):
Hey, Tom, would you gift those to anybody? Those are
your might cause my cleats right.
Speaker 1 (42:15):
Those are actually now on the NFL auction site. All
proceeds from those go to the Breast Research Breast Cancer
Research Foundation, so certainly anybody can log on purchase those
at auction. I would appreciate it, and so would many
other people around the world. Thank you very much for watching.
Everybody enjoy the games. We'll see you next week.
It hadn't happened since nineteen seventy six. No, not a
Viking spacecraft landing on Mars, although that answer also technically
would be correct. It's an out of this world play
from Thursday Night's thriller.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
We will tell you.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Why the Chargers were ready. Got a chalk full weekend
slate around the NFL as well. All starts with Chiefs
Texans on Saturday, followed by Steelers Ravens, and those are
just the appetizer for the main spread on Sunday. We've
got everything you need to know. Meanwhile, are you in
your Fantasy semi finals this weekend? D you need a
(00:45):
quarterback to save the day. If you got Kirk Cousins,
well you were probably eliminated some time ago, but get
him out of the lineup. If you're still in, Adam
Rank has some intriguing alternatives for you. And we've got
so much more welcome inside with the insiders alongside Judy Battista,
I am Tom pelaserro. We got so much action Judy
(01:08):
coming up this weekend. Tons of playoff implications in all
these games. We've still got seven spots up for grabs.
Will break down a lot of these big matchups, including
that Saturday doubleheader during the course of this show. But
let's fast forward really quickly to Sunday as well. In
a big name who is going to be ready to roll?
That is Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown, who gave certainly
(01:31):
some fantasy owners as well as Eagles fans a scare
earlier this week, was limited miss some practice time because
of a knee issue, but he told reporters in the
locker room after practice he is going to play, and indeed,
Aj Brown off the injury report, ready for a big
divisional tilt against the Commanders one in Wench. The Eagles,
(01:51):
with a win, can wrap up the NFC East title.
They're also still in the running for the number one overall. However,
if the Commanders get a win and some help from
one or multiple of several teams, they can clinch their
playoff spot this weekend as well, so can the Packers.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
They play on Monday night game at lambeau Field.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
I will be there in what looks like a snow
game against these Saints. Win that one, get a couple
of other losses in Green Bay two would punch their
postseason ticket. In that same NFC North Division, the Lions
already know their playoff bound. They are also in line
for the number one seed potentially, but they got to
take care of business lease in the short term without
(02:34):
one of their star players among the whole lot of
other guys. David Montgomery initially feared to have suffered a
season ending mcl injury that would require surgery. Now sounds
like maybe there's a glimmer of hope.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
Dan Campbell.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
Optimistic with a couple of doctors that he saw the
last two and you know, so, I think I think
we may see where this thing goes. We still got
a decision to make because even if that is the case,
you know, it's a matter do you put him on
ir do you see you know how fast he can
(03:10):
come back from it? All that, but it certainly sounds
more optimistic. That's probably the best way to say it.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
Andy Reid once told us he had the loosest ligaments
in the NFL.
Speaker 5 (03:21):
Apparently still true.
Speaker 4 (03:22):
Patrick Mahomes good to go against the Texans despite the
high ankle spring he suffered less than a week ago.
He's going to get some big time help. Receiver Hollywood Brown,
who has missed the entire season with a shoulder injury
he suffered in the first preseason game. We're finally going
to get to see him in a Chief's uniform. He's
been activated. He will make his season debut for the
(03:44):
Chiefs tomorrow, and they've got plenty on the line in
this game tomorrow. They are the number one seed in
the AFC. Right now here are your AFC clinching scenarios
for the weekend. Pretty straight up for the Chiefs. If
they win, they would be the number one seed, get
the first round by and the home field advantage throughout
only though, if Buffalo loses to the Patriots, and then
(04:07):
you see some scenarios for the Steelers and Ravens to
get in.
Speaker 5 (04:10):
Steelers are already in.
Speaker 4 (04:11):
They would clinch the AFC North though if they beat Baltimore. Baltimore,
if they beat Pittsburgh would get in, or they could
even get in with a loss if Indianapolis and Miami
both lose.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
The Bengals still clinging to fate playoff hopes to Like
Zach Galafanakis standing at the blackjack table, the numbers are
going all through their heads. What they gotta do is
take care of business first against the Browns. They'll have
a couple of their stars out there. Te Higgins has
a knee injury causing a mispractice on Thursday, another panic
moment for fantasy players, but back at practice on a
(04:45):
limited basis today. He's off the injury report good to go,
as is quarterback Joe Burrow, who had.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
A knee issue pop up in addition to the.
Speaker 1 (04:53):
Right wrisk thing that he's been dealing with since he
suffered that season indiing injury early last season.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Burrow also off the report.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
He will start against the Browns, taking out the look
some of the other injury issues that potentially could be
impacting your fantasy playoffs this weekend. Jalen Waddell, listed as
doubtful for this game, didn't practice all week because of
a knee. Tyreek Hill, by the way, added late as questionable.
Sounds like though he should be all right to play
in that game. The forty nine ers gonna be down
(05:21):
into what their fifth string running back now because Isaac
Garrendo is out, so is Nelson Aguilar for the Ravens.
Or Shot Bateman's questionable, so they could be really shorthanded there.
Xavierly Get also ruled out. Gino Smith he's back full participant,
despite will look like a scary knee injury for him.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
And how about Tyler Higgy Higbee?
Speaker 1 (05:39):
You want to plug and play a tight end who
hasn't seen the field since the wild card playoffs last year,
You can roll the dice Higbee off the injury report.
He is indeed going to be out there. Let's go
back to last night's game, Thursday Night Football. It was
a good one. The Broncos seen to be in control
until a unique sequence late in the game.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
See that got beyond Jim Harbaugh.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
That's Ryan Ficken, the special teams coordinator who on Tuesday
had had the Chargers practice exactly this. It is a
fair catch, free kick. It's a unique formation. Cameron Dicker
nailed it. That is a turning point in that game,
pulled the Chargers within eight. Fast forward to the fourth quarter.
Chargers on the comeback Justin Herbert, How in the world
(06:22):
was this a touchdown pass? He's got no lower body
behind it, throws it across his body. Darius Davis nineteen
yard touchdown Later on in the fourth quarter, how about
one more? Justin Herbert to Hassan Haskins. Who Hassan Haskins,
you might have plug and played him in your fantasy
playoffs a couple of years ago he was with the Titans.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
I did that.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
He scored basically no points, and I got knocked out.
But it worked out last night for the Chargers, who
remained very much in the thick of the AFC playoff picture,
prevented the Broncos, by the way, from clinching his playoff
spot last night. Both those teams, though squarely in playoff position,
one more win and they would be in.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Meanwhile, the Colts, the Dolphins, the Bengals.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
Still sitting there and hoping something tilts in their favor,
namely one of those teams losing all their remaining games.
But everybody's still talking about the fair catch free kick,
including Cameron Dicker, who talked to our bridget content after
the game.
Speaker 6 (07:20):
He got hit and trying to catch it. We had
that penalty. I was like, okay, fifteen yards, that's gonna
put us up there. So then I went over to
the net and hit a couple of real quick I
ran over and then then the offense was out there,
and I was like, did they forget about this?
Speaker 7 (07:33):
Like?
Speaker 8 (07:33):
I was like, am I the one even remembered this?
Speaker 5 (07:35):
And then did he say something I.
Speaker 6 (07:37):
Did and I was in the net kicking. I was like,
oh remember, And so then Beep ran over and he
let me know and he's like, hey, we're going, We're going.
I was like, okay, got one more repping and then
ran out on the field and then the Broncos were confused,
so they called the time out.
Speaker 5 (07:49):
When you go out there, what are you thinking?
Speaker 6 (07:51):
I was kind of laughing. I was like, what a
funny moment like this is?
Speaker 8 (07:54):
This is cool.
Speaker 6 (07:54):
Just enjoy the moment, Embrace the moment and just go
go try to hit a bob and enjoy it.
Speaker 9 (08:00):
It's my favorite rule in football and just been trying
to get one of those, like every game, you know,
Uh yeah, yeah, yeah, the first one we've made.
Speaker 8 (08:14):
I tried.
Speaker 9 (08:15):
We tried one with the forty nine ers. I think
it was like a seventy yarder or something seventy one. Thanks, Yeah,
mister Dawson. Uh, probably a little if I wanted it
so bad that, you know, I tried a seventy one yarder,
But it is.
Speaker 8 (08:29):
It is my favorite rule.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Plenty of confusion in the stadium, people watching at home,
not on the Chargers sideline, but if you miss the
rule if the kicking team interferes with a receiver who
has signaled for a fair catch, the receiving team will
have the option to extend the period by attempting a
fair catch, kick or a snap from scrimmage after enforcement
of any applicable penalties.
Speaker 8 (08:51):
All that means.
Speaker 1 (08:52):
They got to move the ball up and then have
the holder come in. Cameron Dicker comes on and again
that was a very consequential moment in that game. As
we welcome in our Brian Baldinger to the conversation, Baldi,
one of the unique things in talking to people today
about this place, the kickoff rules changed four times in
(09:12):
the last five years, and the formation, everything about that
play now is different than every other kickoff that we see.
That's why the Chargers were drilling it on Tuesday. You
got to be a yard back as opposed to on
the line you're kicking from. You can leave when the
ball is kicked rather than when it's caught. You played
in a different era, obviously, did you ever see something
(09:33):
like this?
Speaker 8 (09:34):
I have not. I played thirteen years Tom.
Speaker 7 (09:36):
I never saw it in the time that I played,
but I played with Jim McMahon and Jim McMahon used
to practice drop kicking every day just in case the
opportunity came up, because like Camera Dicker, you could hold
it or you could drop kick it. The drop kick
is still I think it's still in the rules, so
either way, but we used to practice it and McMahon
was like, if this rule comes up, I'm ready, I'm
(09:57):
going in.
Speaker 8 (09:57):
I'm kicking it. So it's been out, I haven't seen it.
Speaker 7 (10:02):
Obviously, Tremon Smith interferes with Darius Davis.
Speaker 8 (10:05):
They get the penalty right there.
Speaker 7 (10:07):
Give give you the Chargers Special teams coach Harball credit
for knowing it and knowing what to do because it
cut that halftime lead to twenty one ten to twenty
one thirteen. It's an untimed down for the fair catch
interferes free kick rule, and they took advantage of it.
Speaker 4 (10:24):
H This was so great because I feel like every
Monday of the season we have to talk about poor
game management situations, bad decisions, bad clock management, stuff like that,
and this was the example of a coach taking advantage
of Let's face it, a really arcane rule in the book,
one that you don't see used very often.
Speaker 5 (10:45):
It's apparently Jim Harbaugh's.
Speaker 4 (10:47):
Favorite rule who knew but that he used it and
that they executed it so perfectly like it was kind
of refreshing that we finally got somebody who had mastery
of the rule book in the moment and they could
execute it per And as you pointed out, Tom, it
was a turning point in the game.
Speaker 5 (11:03):
It wasn't just a fun, sort of fluky play.
Speaker 4 (11:05):
It became a really important pivot point in this game.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
The only person who was more excited about that play
being possible than Jim Harbaugh might have been me.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
My wife can attest this. I jumped up off the
sofa and just went, they can do the free kick
here it is. He's like, what are you talking about?
Just watch this never ever happens. Sure enough, there was
the moment here again.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
Credit to to Ryan Ficken, one of the only holdovers
from the prior coaching staff. Jim Harbaugh kept him around.
He's turned around their special teams the past couple of years.
He had those guys ready for that moment, Baldy. The
rest of that game, the Broncos really seemed like they
were in control. There was a weird sequence that preceded
the fair catch free kick where they throw on second
downs in complete, then the Charges were able to use
(11:46):
the time out.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
What were your big takeaways of how this game unfolded?
Speaker 7 (11:50):
Well, what's been missing because for the three previous weeks
the Chargers have been a seventeen point offense.
Speaker 8 (11:55):
We identified that leading up to the game all week.
Speaker 7 (11:58):
But what had been missing because I saw him last
week against Tampa when he's four to seventeen, he got
blown out. But what had been missing was the explosive plays.
So you saw justin I just throw right here. Obviously
it's ridiculous. It's like bumping to his hut, his resume
reel right there to get Darius Davis. You know, Hassan,
You see Gus Edwards right here had the forty three
(12:19):
yarder in the fourth quarter, longest run from scrimmage for
AMO year. Lad McConkie obviously got things started early on.
That was a twenty seven yard throw. But they got
the explosive plays. This is Gus Edwards in the fourth
quarter in flip field position.
Speaker 8 (12:33):
On the next play, you know, Hassan Haskins goes the distance.
Speaker 7 (12:37):
So they were able to get these explosive plays right here,
and it was really the difference right there with Haskins
going into the end zone to be able to put
up a big number that they needed to in order
to knock the Broncos out.
Speaker 4 (12:51):
You know, I'm a little bit concerned about the Broncos
because they've only beaten one team so far this season
that is at five hundred or above, and that's the Bucks,
and I think that was all the way back in
week two or three of the season. They're one in
six against teams above five hundred, so and they're eight
no against teams that are below five hundred. So I
(13:11):
feel like the record is good and they're probably still
going to make the playoffs, But is that record a
little bit misleading about how far along this team has come?
Speaker 5 (13:20):
Clearly this is a team on.
Speaker 4 (13:21):
The rise, but every time they sort of take a
step up in quality of opponent, they can't seem to
match that level yet. And that raises concerns obviously about
if they make it into the playoffs. First of all,
if they make it into the playoffs right now, they
would be the seven seed, which means, if everything held
up as it is, they would have to go to
Buffalo to play the Bills. That's not a great matchup
(13:42):
at all for anybody. But I really wonder now if
that record is misleading about where the Broncos are in
their progression.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
Baldy, I know you had to press pause on a
Christmas party to join us here, So go back, eat
some little pieces of cheese on a stick.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
We really appreciate you being here. Forward to chatting with
you again soon.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
Coming up after this, we've got some fantasy advice. It's
a unique time you might need somebody to plug and play,
whether it's because of injury of Benching or otherwise. Adam
Rank has some really interesting thoughts on some names you
should consider later on in the show. After this, We've
got Steve White's going to be here to talk about
(14:22):
a really good slate of games, including Steelers Ravens on Saturday,
and who exactly is going to secure the number one
seed in each conference? Could Jared Goff and the beat
up Lions get it done? White has answers next on
the Insiders.
Speaker 8 (14:46):
They don't like us. We down, so I don't like them.
They about coming to the house.
Speaker 5 (14:50):
Take it down with.
Speaker 8 (14:52):
The Dux Dawn Steeler. Ben puts the ball right on
the the touchdowns three here.
Speaker 6 (15:02):
It is a first time star or Lamar Jackson against
the Steelers.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
Jackson is unbelievably gifted.
Speaker 1 (15:08):
That's down Raven, unbelievable blastic raven.
Speaker 9 (15:11):
Steelers all kind of hitting.
Speaker 8 (15:13):
Was tough to all down.
Speaker 6 (15:14):
Indeed, there's a hitting, there's some jog, there's everything we've
thought there would be.
Speaker 8 (15:19):
Definitely been a Facebook game.
Speaker 2 (15:21):
The Steelers are spelling blood.
Speaker 10 (15:23):
They got Ben, They fought fucking fat He got two teams.
Speaker 7 (15:26):
They respect one another, but doll like one another.
Speaker 8 (15:31):
Stittsburgh and Baltimore. You don't have to say a whole
lot more.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
Always fun when these teams get together, especially when it's
in December with a lot on the line. Steelers win tomorrow,
they clinch the AFC. North Ravens win tomorrow, they would
clinch a playoff. Berth can also get in with Colts
and Dolphins losses. Welcome back to the Insiders, Tom Pilicerro
and Judy Batista, joined now by our buddy White, Steve.
Speaker 2 (16:01):
This is as good as against.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
Right here, two teams that have seen to be on
a collision course throughout the course of the season.
Speaker 2 (16:07):
What are looking for is this one?
Speaker 8 (16:08):
Yeah?
Speaker 11 (16:08):
I mean every time they play it seems like a
collision course in one way or another. But think back
to Week eleven when these teams played eighteen to sixteen.
Pittsburgh wins again, the eighth victory over the Ravens in
nine games, but they do it by kicking six field goals,
which might be why the odds makers have the Ravens
as a six point favorite, because the Ravens offense has
(16:29):
been playing better. The Steelers don't have wide receiver George Pickens,
but again, Pickens wasn't that much of a factor. He
had eighty nine yards in receptions. The bigger issue the
last time they played was justin Tucker, the Ravens kicker
missed two field goals and you see it was just.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
A two point margin. So this is one here.
Speaker 11 (16:47):
If the Ravens can establish the run and maybe get
out to an early lead put pressure on the Steelers offense,
that's something that could flip things in Baltimore's favor. But
even if the Ravens win, as you just pointed out,
they are out of contention for that top seed in
the AFC playoff race. Boys, Pittsburgh still has an opportunity
to do it, but they would need to be to
(17:08):
win out and have some things happen with Kansas City
and Buffalo. Remember Kansas City right now has a two
game lead on Buffalo, who's is eleven and three of
the Chiefs. They play Houston, they play the Steelers, and
they played Denver. You see how tough that schedule is.
Whereas Buffalo, who's two games back, the Patriots twice and
(17:29):
the Jets.
Speaker 2 (17:30):
Plus they've got the head to head over Kansas.
Speaker 11 (17:33):
City from a regular season victory earlier this season. So
right now, we'll know a lot more after this weekend.
But Buffalo, as long as it continues to win, this
is coming down to week eighteen.
Speaker 4 (17:45):
One of the weirdest quirks of the AFC is that
Lamar Jackson is a multiple time MVP and the Steelers
keep beating the Ravens. Anyway, all right, let's flip it
over Steve to the NFC side and talk about who's
going to emerge there as the top seed. You've got
them fight Vikings, You've got the Lions, and you've got
the Eagles, all at twelve and two and two of
those teams are still battling for a division title.
Speaker 5 (18:08):
Who's gonna win here?
Speaker 11 (18:09):
And the thing is, like the Eagles are the only
ones that play outside. This is absolutely intriguing and this
spells Week eighteen all over it. And you see the
Lions against the Vikings in that game.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
Now you can sit here and.
Speaker 11 (18:20):
Say the Eagles might have the easiest route, but that
game against Washington is not going to be easy.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
Dallas is playing better football.
Speaker 11 (18:27):
Well, the Giant's okay, Yet that is the easiest route
when you look at the other two teams that they
have to play. But again, this is one where it
seems like the home field advantage favors the Lions if
they get it, because they get to play in that dome,
even though they're built to play outside. Now, Detroit, they've
got to play the Chicago Bears. They've got to keep
winning based on the way these teams play. And again,
(18:49):
that season finale against Minnesota in Detroit could be for.
Speaker 2 (18:53):
All of the marbles.
Speaker 11 (18:55):
And I know we're talking about all those injuries which
are legitimate for the Lions, all the players that they
have out, but let's not forget about all the players
that they still have on their roster. Philly yesterday might
have the best overall competitive roster, but the Lions right now,
with the schedule the Bears in forty nine ers coming
up next could be the odds on to get that
top seed.
Speaker 4 (19:16):
Yeah, the injuries caught up with the Lions last week
against the Bills, but that, of course is playing a
super elite team. The rest of the schedule is not
quite at that level, so they may be able to
piece it together.
Speaker 2 (19:27):
Steve, thank you very much. Enjoyed the games this weekend.
We look forward to chatting with you again soon.
Speaker 1 (19:33):
Speaking of these Saturday games, we got Chiefs Texans in
this one too, a potential playoff preview. We know Patrick
Mahomes somehow after that hit is going to be out there.
But what version of him do we get and how
do the Texans and CJ. Stroud solidify things to pull
off and upset. We will discuss it when Jeffrey Jda
(19:54):
joins us right after this on The Insiders. Twenty four
hours to kick off. Well, it's really like seventeen and
a half hours. This was posted six and a half
hours ago. That adds up, right, that's twenty four Yeah,
Chiefs Texans, it is a big game one pm Eastern time,
Newton Central at Arrowheads Stadium where the Chiefs, well they're
(20:15):
going to have their starting quarterback out there, Patrick Mahomes,
who got twisted up and bent over and put out
of shape. I guess still every time I see that play,
it just it hurts me physically. It looked rough, but
as usual, Patrick Mahomes tape it up. He's gonna get
himself back out there, off the injury report and good
to go against the Texans. Welcome back to the Insiders,
(20:37):
Tom Pillicero, Judy Batista, now joined by our friend Jeffrey Chidia.
Speaker 2 (20:42):
Jeffrey.
Speaker 1 (20:42):
A lot on line here still for the Texans as well.
There's seating things at play. The Chiefs are still aiming
to wrap up the number one seed is a Texans
team that's invested a lot of money.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
Though in that defensive front.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
We already heard one Texans player this week say Mahomes
better be able to move because we're coming after.
Speaker 8 (21:01):
Yeah, he'd better be able to move.
Speaker 12 (21:03):
Even though he's not on the injury report, he's still
going to have some level of pain involved with that ankle.
And the Texans know this. This is a huge matchup
for them because they realized that the Chiefs have given
up thirty five sacks this year. That's the most Patrick
Mahomes ever been sacked in his career was hit. He
was sacked thirteen times in three previous games before the
(21:23):
Cleveland game, and so the Texans are bringing a passwords
that's really serious. They know they've got to get after him.
They bring second in the league and sacked with forty
five sacks. They've got two guys in double digit sacked
with Daniel Hunter and Will Anderson Junior. And the Chiefs
have said they're going to keep Joe Tooney at left
tackle for this game. He did a good job against
Miles Garrett, as offensive coinator Matt Naggie pointed out, but
(21:44):
this is a different kind of animal, a lot of speed,
and the Chiefs better be ready for it.
Speaker 4 (21:49):
You know, we go back to when Mahomes had the
high ankle spring two years ago in the playoffs and
he played on it. He was able to move and
sort of slide out of out of harm's way. But
he's certainly not going to be able to move like
he does when he's completely healthy. Having said that, as
we've said before, Andy Reid says he's a very fast
(22:10):
heel or loosest ligaments in the NFL. So we will
see if he can get out of harms way again tomorrow.
All right, let's talk about though, the Houston Texans, who've
had a pretty tough time all season long protecting c. J.
Speaker 5 (22:22):
Stroud too.
Speaker 4 (22:23):
He has already been sacked more times this year than
he was all of last season. Last season he was
only only sacked thirty eight times. What are they going
to do to protect him better against, among others.
Speaker 5 (22:36):
Chris Jones.
Speaker 12 (22:37):
Well, they're the opposite of the Chiefs. They've taken The
chief has taken a left tackle and a left guard
moved in the left tackle. The Texans have taken an
offensive tackle in Titus Howard and moved him inside to
guard to try to help ease their interior line concerns,
and getting dealing with Chris Jones is going to be
foremost on their minds. Their offensive coordinator, Bobby Slowe talked
about he's watched film and seen other teams have plans
(22:59):
for him, and none of those plans have worked, and
so he's told his team just be ready to fight
stick with it. They realize that ninety five is going
to get moved all over the formations and he'll be
an end, he'll be a tackle, and so they have
to have a plan for him. But you're right, Judy,
the pressure that's binance. He j just Droud this year
has been a big factor and why this offense has
not performed at a high level. They have to have
(23:20):
a plan for Chris Jones or they will not win
this game.
Speaker 1 (23:23):
It feels like a divisional playoff weekend with two games
on Saturday, all involving very very relevant teams in this mix.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
Gonna be a lot of fun to watch, Jeffrey, thank
you very much.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
This, of course, is just the start of the NFL's
new holiday remix. Same teams, shovel him up. They'll play
again on Christmas Day. It's all part of a doubleheader
live on Netflix. Chiefs Steelers kick things off at one
pm Eastern, followed by Ravens and Texans at four thirty
pm Eastern. So kids finish opening those presents, Mom and
(23:58):
dad have football to watch, all live on Netflix Christmas Day.
Michael Pennix Junior gonna get his first start this week
for the Atlanta Falcons. But should he be someone you
should consider starting in your fantasy lineup? In a pinch
and Rank might have an answer that surprises you.
Speaker 2 (24:16):
Next on the Insiders.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
Time now to go inside with NFL Fantasy Live and
our buddy Adam Rank joining meet Tom Pelicero here on
the Insiders in his Week sixteen rank.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
You're sixteen weeks deep into coming up with.
Speaker 1 (24:32):
A nu miracle equation to the week here, and I
understand right now you're about to have your Fantasy Sweet
sixteen party.
Speaker 13 (24:40):
Yep, Jake, Ryan and I are going to be sitting
on a glass coffee table with a cake between us,
trying to win a fantasy football league. So I'm excited
for it. I don't know what we're gonna do for seventeen,
but sixteen seem to make.
Speaker 5 (24:54):
A lot of sense.
Speaker 1 (24:55):
All right, bring it on, quarterbacks to start, What do
you got for me?
Speaker 13 (25:00):
Well, one of the guys that I'm looking at, I
know that you use this in the tee. So let's
talk about Michael Pennix because there is a lot of
consternation about whether we can play this guy this week
or not. And you see right there, the projection's not
very robust. However, I do believe that this is going
to be an opportunity to unlock this Falcons offense. Guys
(25:20):
like Drake London, Darnell Mooney. I won't go as so
far as to say that we need to get Kyle
Pitts into our starting lineups, but I do think there's
an opportunity to go out there and play him this week.
It's a tough one, I know. Again, like if you
have an opportunity to get somebody like Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, yeah,
play those guys. But if you're looking at how last
(25:41):
week I needed to go with Bryce Young, I've pivoted
to Michael Pennox this week, and I'm willing to be
disappointed again.
Speaker 2 (25:49):
Here's your thing too.
Speaker 1 (25:50):
With Michael Pennix junior, Unlike a lot of the rookie
quarterbacks we've seen, especially guys like Bo Nicks, there's not
really a run threat with Michael Pennix.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
Go back and look at his stats in college here.
Speaker 1 (26:00):
It's not like, all right, if the past game isn't working,
he's gonna run for one hundred yards.
Speaker 2 (26:04):
That's not really his game. It'd be interesting to see
how he looks. How about a running back in your
sweet sixteen rank.
Speaker 13 (26:11):
Well, somebody who's been battling some injuries over the last
couple of weeks. But I think that he's safe to
start this week is going to be Bucky Irving, who
has been one of the finds of the Fantasy season
this year. You know, coming into this this year, Tom,
you know, there was a couple of rookies that I like,
Tyrone Tracy, Bucky Irving being one of them as well.
Nobody ever brings up that Instagram, Like, nobody finds that.
(26:32):
Anybody can go to the internet and find my prediction
on the Bears, like with great ease, I'm like, hey,
do you want to go back and say what I
was talking about? Button Noup? They'll never find that. But
Bucky Irving's been great. He's got a great matchup this
week against the Dallas Cowboys, who've been very generous to
opposing running backs this year. They've been a very generous
at home. They're a very hospitable guest as well. So
Bucky Irving's a good play if you have to hit
(26:53):
the waiver wire.
Speaker 8 (26:54):
Though.
Speaker 13 (26:55):
There are three guys, Dromeford, Alexander Madison. Alexander Madison is
very interesting because he is going to get the majority
of the carries for the Raiders this week, and of
course Kendrey Miller on Monday Night we're still waiting to see.
I don't know if you've broken this news yet. What's
up with Alvin Kamara? Is he playing like? I don't know,
but Kendrey Miller has been getting has been given fantasy
(27:16):
opportunities over the last couple of weeks, and even though
the Green Bay Packers are a good defense, they have
allowed the fourth most points per game to running backs
as far as receiving goes, So I think there's a
pretty good opportunity there.
Speaker 1 (27:29):
No Alvin Kamara spotted again today at practice. Darren Rizzy
has said unlikely that he's going to go to the
sign Edwards z Laire after he got released by the Chiefs.
I don't know how much action, if any, he can
see in the first week out here, but this has
kind of been the story of the Saints season. Fine
guys anywhere, plug them in and maybe like MVS, they
all of a sudden have fantasy production. How about a
(27:50):
wide receiver in your sweet sixteen rank?
Speaker 13 (27:53):
Well, I really like Malik Neighbors, who's had kind of
a kind of a volatile rookie season. Coming into the year.
A lot of people had high expectations for him given
what he was able to do at LSU, despite who
was starting a quarterback for the New York Giants, and
it's been a mixed bag. There's been some great weeks,
some not so great weeks, But over the last couple
of games, he's really started to find his stride. I
(28:14):
really like the production that he's putting out there. And again,
if you're looking at a game with the Atlanta Falcons
where we expect there to be a lot of points,
you expect this Falcons team to go out there and
score points. Well, the Giants are going to be in
a game script that will mean they have to throw
the football, which means more opportunity for Malik Neighbors. And
so while his rookie season might not be what you
(28:34):
once thought it was going to be, I think there's
still some great opportunities this week. And again, if you're
hurting for the wide receivers, Tim Patrick, I'm Tim Patrick's
a weird wild card outdoors in Chicago. Devonte Smith, Romeo Dubbs,
I think is another guy too. As you're trying to
figure out which one of these Green Bay Packers to
start this week, it's going to be it's always difficult
(28:57):
with them, but I know and it's tough to chase
the fantasy points. I hate that, but still, Malik Neighbors
should be great.
Speaker 1 (29:04):
And finally, at your fantasy Sweet sixteen party rank, what
tight end are you lighting a candle for?
Speaker 13 (29:11):
Well, you know what's funny is John U Smith has
been dominating over the last number of weeks. He has
been the He's been the tight end two since Week eight,
despite the fact that the number one guy gets so
many more targets than him, the number one guy, of
course being Trey McBride. And you're like, well, why isn't
Trey McBride ahead of him? I'll tell you why. John
(29:33):
HU Smith catches touchdowns. It is the most exasperating thing,
the fact that Trey McBride doesn't catch touchdowns. But John
new Smith has been fantastic, always getting into the end zone,
always finding a way. It's funny because when you think
about coming into this year, a lot of people drafted
Jayalen Waddell thinking that he was going to be the
compliment to Tyreek Hill. He was going to be the
(29:54):
guy that would be the number two pass catcher on
this team. But instead it's been John new Smith who's
gone out there and garnered all that production and doing
it from a position where there hasn't been a lot
of reliability. Like even if you think about guys like
Travis Kelce, like Travis Kelsey's great and everything, but he
hasn't been as reliable as he's been so outside of
a handful of a few tight ends, John Newsmith has
(30:16):
been one.
Speaker 8 (30:17):
Of the best.
Speaker 13 (30:18):
He's gonna finish as a top five tight end. And
of course, if you're looking for somebody on the waiver wire,
Brenton Strange, who plays down in Jacksonville, as somebody who's
put up a little bit of production. We saw it
last week. I hesitated two weeks ago because I wanted
to make sure it wasn't a fluke. But appears that
Mac Jones has a lot of chemistry with Brenton Strange.
(30:39):
So if you need somebody off the waiver wire right now,
you can go at him at this moment.
Speaker 1 (30:44):
Go set your fantasy lineups now if you were in
the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (30:47):
There's two games tomorrows games on Saturday, much championship week
for fantasy.
Speaker 1 (30:52):
In Week seven, team we got a triple header on
Saturday and it's right here on NFL Network. Chargers Patriots,
Broncos Bengals, and then a big one in the NFC
West Cardinals Rams to wrap it up. That is all
next Saturday, December twenty eighth, right here on NFL Network.
Coming up after this, the Eagles have a big one
(31:14):
this week against the Commanders. They can wrap up the
NFC East title. Our camera Wolf is gonna be there,
but first he'll be here alongside Brian Balneer to break
down who's got the edge between the Eagles and Commanders.
Next on the Incenters.
Speaker 7 (31:38):
Alright, blocking a little bit to us left, Rubble pressure stands.
Speaker 10 (31:44):
On his step turn Dolly four zone.
Speaker 8 (31:48):
Eds cart for a touchdown by the Flora. That was like,
where is he throwing this football? I thought this was
one of those rookie mistakes and outcomes.
Speaker 10 (31:56):
Terry McCord with the touchdown, now locates Barkley out of
the backfield.
Speaker 11 (32:02):
Barkley slips two tackles, it picks up the first down.
Speaker 12 (32:05):
It's the first got miss to skim Wolf at the
last second, bredon what tiky your.
Speaker 1 (32:11):
Birth is it?
Speaker 7 (32:12):
Bro?
Speaker 9 (32:13):
He turned around, jumped over, Hello, okay, move.
Speaker 5 (32:26):
Those guys can laugh.
Speaker 4 (32:27):
I bet defensive coordinators are not laughing at the idea
of facing Saquan or Jaden Daniels for that matter. They
meet this Sunday, huge playoff implications. As you can see here,
Commanders clinch a birth with a win and a little
bit of help. The Eagles win the NFC East with
a win, and of course they are still in the
mix to be the NFC's top seed.
Speaker 5 (32:47):
When all is said and.
Speaker 4 (32:48):
Done, let's welcome back Baldy back from the party. I
really feel bad about this that the party continues without you,
Baldy and cam Wolf, who probably has someplace fabulous to
go after this. Uh, Baldy, let's start with you so
that you can get out of here. This game, the
first time they met this season was really close and
then it just sort of got away from the Commanders.
Speaker 8 (33:10):
What are weird spot on JD.
Speaker 7 (33:11):
In fact, it was a twelve to ten Eagle lead
with a little over eight minutes to go to the
fourth quarter, and the Commanders had a fourth and two
after twenty six yard line and they kind of botched
the snap and botched the play and Zach Bond just
leveled Jayden Daniels he was going for the first down,
and the Eagles got the ball back at that point
(33:31):
and then scored two straight touchdowns to.
Speaker 8 (33:33):
Really put it out of reach. But it was a
very close game.
Speaker 7 (33:36):
And the other thing to consider is we just showed
a highlight of Jaydon Daniels throwing another touchdown to Terry McLarin.
He's got eleven on the season, and in the game
against the Eagles he got one pass or ten yards.
Speaker 8 (33:48):
I don't think that's gonna happen again.
Speaker 7 (33:50):
Terry mclarn is the deep threat in this passing offense
when they do throw it, and so it's something that
the Eagles I think should be ready for with Quinnon
Mitchell and you know, with Slay Outside, some of the
Cooper to game, some of the corners that are playing
for him, I would expect the ball to get down
the field to Terry McClard more than one time than
they had in that first game.
Speaker 10 (34:11):
Yeah, Baldi, A successful run game is what Jaydon Daniels
said this week is what held them back that first week.
Remember they're a top three rushing team, but they were
held under one hundred yards in that first matchup. And
Brian Thomas, Brian Robinson, their running back, told me this
week it was nothing they did.
Speaker 2 (34:26):
It was all on us. We feel like we are
the better team.
Speaker 8 (34:30):
They'll have a chance to show it.
Speaker 10 (34:31):
But the reality is that first game they never forced
Philly out of their coverage, heavy schemes and baldy. As
you watch this Philly defense when they are playing their
type of scheme, nobody can pass the ball on them,
and so I expect them to try to establish that
physicality up at the line of scrimmage. One other thing
to note, Jaydon Daniels was dealing with the rib injury
(34:51):
coming off of that game. He was only a few
weeks removed from it. For what I understand, it was
definitely limiting him. His past percentage rate was about sixty
percent five games after the rib injury. He had to
buy a couple of weeks ago. Since then, he's been
completing over eighty percent of his passes. So I think
you're going to see a more explosive version of Jayden.
Daniels also thought it was interesting this week Cliff Kingsbury
(35:13):
said that he tried to put too much in the
game plan in the first game on a short week,
and he thought it made them play tentative and so,
as you mentioned with Terry McLaurin, I think you see
them move him around away from queeny On Mitchell, who
had the straps on him in the first matchup, and
try to get him involved in the slot so him
and Jayden can have some success. Yep.
Speaker 5 (35:33):
Yeah, just to remember that game.
Speaker 4 (35:35):
The Commanders led it in the fourth quarter, and then
the Eagles scored twenty one un answered points in about
eight minutes of game time and that was it. It
was over all, right, Baldy, back to you. The Eagles
are rolling ten in a row. They are certainly in
the mix to be the NFC's top seed. They haven't
lost since September. What do they have to do to
(35:57):
get this one?
Speaker 7 (35:58):
Well, I mean it's it's kind of a same thing
every week. I mean even last week against Pittsburgh. They're
a slow starting team. Duty you know, there was seven
to three at halftime in that first game against the Commanders.
They just go to a total of twenty seven points
in the first quarter. This year, only the Bears have
scored a fewer. And so what happens is it takes
them a quarter to figure out what's working. Is it
(36:20):
Saquan is it Jalen? Is it getting the ball to
the receivers and I think like as you get to
bigger games and you get to the playoffs, regardless of
what seed they are, sometimes these games are compressed, judy.
They can be eight possessions and if you're kind of
fiddling around trying to figure out what's going to work
today and you're in the second quarter and you haven't scored,
sometimes you got to play from behind, and that's not
(36:42):
really the best way to go about business. So I
would think this week, knowing this is the second time
they've seen the Commanders, they know what they're doing on
defense right now, maybe get off.
Speaker 8 (36:52):
To a faster start and actually start and score in
the opening drive. That would be a change for this
Seagles team.
Speaker 10 (36:58):
The body it would be quite a t And every
time we talk about this Eagles offense, we start with
sakuon Barkley. But the matchup I can't wait to see
is how aj Brown goes against Marshawn Lattimore in this
Washington defense.
Speaker 8 (37:10):
Look.
Speaker 10 (37:10):
Aj Brown is off the injury report, he's ready to
play after a med week injury scare, but Washington traded
for Marshawn Lattimore for moments like this. He didn't play
in the first matchup and dan Quinn talked about how
he knows how he challenges number one receivers and last week,
in his first matchup, Latimore played nearly every snap and
didn't allow a single target. And so as we talk
(37:31):
about this Eagles team, we remember last week the storyline
was AJ Brown's comment about the passing and Brandon Graham
talking about the relationship and all that kind of funneled
through that. Well, I talked to Lane Johnson, the right
tackle who you know well Baldy had a great game
on TJ. Watt, helping that passing attack. But he said, look,
the reality is when the fire gets too hot, you
have to address it. And we definitely addressed it last week.
(37:53):
It was a talking point for us, and the reality
is I'm proud of how we respond it because it
could have gone the other way. The reality of our
offense is we haven't needed to throw the ball because
we have two six but we're going to need to
throw it at some point, and I'm glad that we
showed that we could now this week, at some point,
no matter how crazy Saquon does, they're going to need
to throw the ball to Aj with Marshawn on him,
(38:14):
And I'm eager to see how Aj and Jaln step
up in that moment. Can't be It's going to be
must c TV.
Speaker 8 (38:19):
Baldy, Yep, I agree, Jim.
Speaker 4 (38:22):
I thought that the most important quote that came after
that came was Jalen Hurd saying just because we didn't
do it didn't mean we couldn't do it.
Speaker 5 (38:30):
They can do it.
Speaker 4 (38:31):
What I'm so impressed with what we see from the Eagles,
especially in these last few games.
Speaker 5 (38:36):
Is they are really balanced.
Speaker 4 (38:38):
They can beat you any way they need to beat
you passing, running, The defense has been great. They are
Now that the Lions have as big an injury issue
as they have, the Eagles might be the most well
balanced team in the entire NFC. Guys, thank you very much, Baldy.
Back to your party, and when we return on the Insiders,
(38:59):
you know this is this season forgiving. We're going to
tell you what quarterbacks have been gifting their teammates, and
then Tom and I are going to share what we
would like our holiday gift ideas that we would give
to some NFL folks.
Speaker 1 (39:12):
More with Jaden Daniels and Kyle Brandt on Sunday morning.
A lot more to come from Deuce Jones Drew, the
son of our Maurice Jones Drew honored to receive an
offer from UCLA dad's alma mater, which, of.
Speaker 2 (39:26):
Course MJAD the on any thing he wants them to go.
Speaker 1 (39:29):
I don't know to the four exclamation points give it away, legacy,
says MJD. Congrats the Deuce, as I said, a lot
more to come from him, and I'm sure MJD will
talk a lot about it for many years to come.
Speaker 2 (39:42):
Welcome back to the Insider. It's Tom Pellicero. It is
Judy Batista. Judy.
Speaker 1 (39:49):
We've been watching around the NFL over the past several
days here and different quarterbacks giving some different gifts to
some of their teammates. Joe Burrow a unique one, giving
apparently swords s words, no swords, excuse me to his
teammates handcrafted, certainly unique. Some other ones we've seen more recently,
(40:14):
brock Perty gave all of his teammates cars or trucks apparently.
Speaker 2 (40:20):
Which that seems like a lot.
Speaker 1 (40:22):
That seems like more than you know, a guy on
a minimum contractor with the seventh round picks fil to
give way. Maybe there was a spots, maybe he got
a little bit of help. Who's to say he'll get
his money sooner than later. Patrick Maholmes meanwhile, also gave
out some coolers. One of the highest paid players gave
coolers and cowboy boots. The lowest pay guy trucks. So
(40:45):
that makes sense all which brings us to this year. Judy,
if you were gonna get I don't know me, the
folks in the control room in Englewood, or Friendzyan and Mike,
who are not here tonight, probably at holiday parties. Well,
what's a gift someone somewhere in the NFL world that
you would like to give.
Speaker 5 (41:02):
I would like to.
Speaker 4 (41:02):
Give the entire New York football universe competent, drama free
quarterback play and competent drama free football.
Speaker 5 (41:12):
It has been a long slog with.
Speaker 4 (41:14):
The Jets and Giants these last few years, not a
whole lot of winning, not a whole lot of happy
football fans. So I would like to give to everybody
in this region good football teams.
Speaker 5 (41:25):
Again.
Speaker 1 (41:26):
So during the Giant stretch with Eli Manning, they won
two Super Bowls, but they never won another single playoff
game in any of those other years. So for the Jets,
let's focus in on them would you rather give them
ten years of always being in the mix competent football.
You can watch it, it's good, but they never won
(41:46):
a Super Bowl, or give them one super Bowl and
nine years of, frankly, the same stuff we've been seeing.
Speaker 5 (41:54):
This is a good question.
Speaker 4 (41:55):
It's been so long since we've had consistent like just
in the mixed kind of football. I think a lot
of people would take that just to still be interested
when you get to December, except they ought to remember
the highs of those.
Speaker 5 (42:07):
Hey, Tom, would you gift those to anybody? Those are
your might cause my cleats right.
Speaker 1 (42:15):
Those are actually now on the NFL auction site. All
proceeds from those go to the Breast Research Breast Cancer
Research Foundation, so certainly anybody can log on purchase those
at auction. I would appreciate it, and so would many
other people around the world. Thank you very much for watching.
Everybody enjoy the games. We'll see you next week.
Hosts And Creators
Judy Battista
Tom Pelissero
Ian Rapaport
Mike Garafolo
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