September 25, 2025 • 43 mins
NFL Network Insiders Mike Garafalo and Ian Rapoport with up to the minute injury news including Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin, Malik Nabers and Brandon Aiyuk. Judy Battista reports on Vikings-Steelers ahead of their Week 4 matchup in Dublin. Brian Baldinger breaks down both defenses, as well as how Daniel Jones has led Colts to 3-0 start. Marc Ross provides his Week 4 ‘’Marc Key’’ Matchups. Bridget Condon reports live from State Farm Stadium ahead of TNF Matchup between Seahawks & Cardinals and Michael F. Florio brings his Week 4 Fantasy Starts & Sits.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
A big Thursday night football matchup in the NFC Wes.
Somebody's got to keep the heat on the forty nine ers.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
At the top of the division.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
Somebody's actually going to be in the basement after this one,
which kind of stinks because there'll be at two and two,
which is not a terrible record. We will preview that matchup. Yeah,
we're calling it the Duel in the Desert. First time
anybody's ever said that, First time anybody's ever said Irish Hello.
That's pretty good one there, right, because Irish goodbye?
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Get it.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
The Vikings and Steelers getting set to descend upon Ireland.
Our Judy Batista is already there. We will start to
break down the first of the NFL's four straight international matchup.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
We've already had one in Brazil, but we got four
in a row.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
And our Michael f Florio back again to tell you
who to start and who to sit not only on
Thursday Night Football, but also this entire weekend in the NFL.
Welcome inside with the insiders, Mike Garrofalo Ian Rapaport as
we get you set for Thursday Night football and talk
all the news across the league.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
Here.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
As we get set for Week four in the NFL.
In Week four, will the Commanders have their quarterback? We
shall see Jade and Daniels limited once again in practice
for the second straight day with that knee injury suffered
against the Packers on Thursday Night Football just a couple
of weeks ago. Oh, at this point, it's feeling a
(01:27):
little bit like it's going to be Marcus Mariota once again.
Why not if things were great with Mariota and you
want to make sure that you're not putting Jayden Daniels
in harm's way if you don't have to Ian. But
we'll see how this goes through tomorrow in the final
day of practice in preparation for Sunday.
Speaker 4 (01:42):
Yeah, and you got a think, Mike, if you didn't
get a full practice Friday, probably not going to play Sunday.
We'll see if this guy plays Sunday. To Terry mcclaurin,
the star receiver for the Commanders, who took up so
much headlines in the off season trying to get that
new contract and then pull the muscle holding out after
holding out the look this happens, he's dealing with a
quad slash hip flexor injury. No practice again, today. We
(02:04):
will see Mike if he's able to get out in
the field Sunday. Wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if
he ended up missing a game.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
Justin Fields missed the game after suffering a concussion against
the Buffalo Bills, but back at practice today ahead of
the team's matchup against the Dolphins coming up this Monday.
He participated in practice but still in the concussion protocol.
That's a key part of this, but Aaron Glenn saying
that if he does clear protocol, he will be back
to being the team starter against Miami. So we'll keep
(02:33):
an eye on field status over the next couple of days.
Speaker 4 (02:36):
Ian and he's got the extra day with Monday night football,
which helps. Meanwhile, San Francisco forty nine ers star pass
rusher Nick Bosu tore his ACL last Sunday, crushing, crushing
blow for this defense. Is going to have ACL reconstruction
surgery on Friday. General manager John Lynch told KNBR radio
(02:56):
it is his second ACL repair on the same knee.
You look at Bosa, he knew Mike. Another big injury
blow for the San Francisco forty nine Ers and what
seems like a season full of.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Them, Yes, indeed he did know.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
And speaking of injury news, we've got some that happened
last season.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
You're seeing it right here.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
Brandon Ayuk that torn acl we're at the point now
where he could be activated and added to the active roster,
but John Linz, the teams general manager, saying that that
is not close to happening.
Speaker 5 (03:27):
Brandon had a fairly significant injury, you know, involving a
lot of different things in his knee. He's he's a
really gifted athlete. He's a very hard worker, and so
when he combined that, you tend to come back at
a at a good clip. We're still you know, it's
there's no like absolutes on these things. So he's got
to continue to hit markers. But he is tracking well,
(03:50):
he's working hard, and you know, we'll just continue to
do that and you know we'll be a better team
when Brandon's out there, and so we look forward to
that day. But you know, it's not closed.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
May while for Thursday Night Football, you're seeing what Ian
Rappaport has laid out for you. The full participation from
Zach Charbonnat and Boye Mafe right there, Devin Witherspoon, good
to go. The Cardinals have some key players who are questionable.
It sounds like Paris Johnson is going to wind up
being a go, so we shall see about the rest
(04:22):
of those there.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
Four more on this game.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
We head out to our friend Bridget Condon, who is
out there in in Arizona ahead of tonight's meeting.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Between the Seahawks and the Cardinals.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
Bridget, come on in here because we want to get
the latest information on what.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
Is happening there ahead of this game.
Speaker 6 (04:41):
Bridget, Mike.
Speaker 7 (04:44):
Both of these teams coming in oheen one in the division.
It is going to be a crucial divisional matchup early
in the season for both of these teams who kind
of came into this week off of completely different games
on Sunday.
Speaker 8 (04:55):
Let's start with the Cardinals, who.
Speaker 7 (04:57):
Just lost a last second game to the Fury nine
Ers on Sunday. For the Cardinals this week, the conversation
has been about the wide receiver room, the lack of production,
the lack of targets, and some crucial drops in that game.
This is their first Thursday night football game since twenty
twenty two, so they're trying to get their offensive rhythm
going tonight in primetime. As for the Seahawks, kind of
(05:18):
a completely different story. They just put up forty four
points against the Saints four days ago. Jackson Smith and Jigba,
the wide receiver for Seattle, tells me that we need
to keep that momentum rolling, especially on a short week
on the road against a divisional opponent in primetime. We've
got to get each other excited and amped up. Us
against the world mentality coming into this one And one
(05:39):
other thing I want to note, Mike, last time Sam
Donald was here in Arizona, he was sacked nine times.
That was last year when he was with the Vikings.
Of course, they played the Rams in the playoff game.
That game got moved here to Arizona because of the
wild buyers in Los Angeles. I asked JSN about that
this week and he told me that's not Sam Donald.
Sam Donald's Seahawks now, and we've got him, so they're
(05:59):
not the thinking about that.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
That is a different guy. I don't know who you're
talking about. Sam Darnold now our quarterback. That's what the
Seahawks are saying. Thank you, Bridget. We will have more
from you out there in Arizona as we get throughout
the show, the.
Speaker 9 (06:16):
Minnesota vik Games and Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin ironless day?
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Are you chantically?
Speaker 8 (06:26):
Rogers fire doesn't even tags.
Speaker 10 (06:31):
John Son?
Speaker 6 (06:33):
You are not big enough to ride this by teaching
walk with the sack.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
That is loose days in the Maho.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
C in Dublin, My brother, how can you not be
excited about this one?
Speaker 10 (06:52):
Nine thirty am Sunday, which means wall to wall football.
It's the best.
Speaker 4 (06:57):
I cannot wait Viking Steelers his door Dublin game only
on anavil.
Speaker 10 (07:02):
Number goals for shooting on NFL plus. By the way,
it should be an excellent one.
Speaker 4 (07:06):
And to preview this for us, our good friend Judy Batista,
usually on The Insiders Live with Us, has joggled all
the way to Dublin to tell us all about it.
Speaker 11 (07:18):
Vikings and Steelers will arrive here in Dublin on Friday morning.
Speaker 8 (07:21):
They're gonna get on.
Speaker 11 (07:22):
The practice field almost immediately in preparation for the very
first regular season game to be played here in Ireland.
You know, this was a long held hope of the
late Dan Rooney that the NFL would play in Ireland.
Speaker 8 (07:35):
This counts as a Steelers' home game.
Speaker 11 (07:37):
It's probably going to feel a lot like a Steelers'
home game too, Although there are already thousands of people
on the ground here in preparation for this game, the
NFL anticipates seventy five thousand fans at Croke Park on Sunday,
and they expect about a third of those to be
people who have traveled over from the United States. Of course,
once the game begins to all eyes will be on
(07:58):
the quarterbacks. Aaron Rodgers says the Steelers offense is still
a work in progress, even though he has seven touchdown
passes already this season that's second only to Lamar Jackson.
The Vikings will have Carson Wentz for the second straight
week while JJ McCarthy recovers from his high ankle spring.
The Vikings offense accounted for thirty four points with Wentz
(08:18):
last Sunday against the Bengals. It feels very much like
a mini super Bowl here.
Speaker 10 (08:26):
Great stuff from Judy.
Speaker 4 (08:27):
Let's get into this game a little more welcome inside
with the insiders Brian Baldinger.
Speaker 10 (08:34):
And Mark ross Baldi. We will start with you.
Speaker 4 (08:37):
There's nothing I love more no offense, Mark, nothing I
love more than a Baldy breakdown on this show, So
we will start right there, get into it. Tell me
about these two defenses we are going to see on
Sunday morning.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
Well, you know it's interesting.
Speaker 9 (08:50):
And both teams, Okay, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota
Vikings led the league the National Football League and takeaways
a year ago with thirty three. Both teams this week's
victory both had five takeaways.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
They do it in a little different way. We'll start
with the.
Speaker 9 (09:05):
Minnesota Vikings here because Brian Flores is always going to
disguise as coverages before the step, and that's what he's
doing here to Cincinnati last week. But they get to
a two deep five hundredneath pretty popular zone. Look right here,
and this is Isaiah Rodgers down here in the flat
and he's basically they're high loaning him here with the
receiver behind him and the running back Chase Brown in
(09:26):
front of him. And when the ball isn't perfectly thrown,
he picked this ball up here and he went to
distance one of his two defensive touchdowns last week to
give the Vikings a fourteen to nothing lead against the Bengals.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
They never looked back.
Speaker 9 (09:37):
And then if you'll get defensive tackle Jalen Redmond here
here is taking on a double team, but he's keeping that.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
Right arm free.
Speaker 9 (09:44):
He's going to punch the ball out of Chase Brown's
hands and there's a scramble for it, but defensive tackle
Jonathan Allen.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Falls on it.
Speaker 9 (09:51):
One are five takeaways right there for the Vikings a
week ago, and for the Steelers they do do it
differently like last week.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
You look at this this Nick Kirkbik started for Alex Heismith.
Speaker 9 (10:02):
So you watch right here and Cam Heyward is going
to flush Drake May right here, move him into the pocket.
That's gonna allow or Nick Kirkbik to come and punch
this ball out. And there's TJ. Watt, who was spying
on the playing. He comes up with the recovery. That
play led to the go ahead touchdown for the Steelers.
If you look at this game against Seattle, Little Halffield
Reeds stack formation right here and here's Jalen Ramsey and
(10:25):
Manda Man coverage. But he's steaking a peek back here
at Sam Darnold just cluing him, and he jumps right
in front of the route to take it away. They've
got some thieves in the back end of that defense.
They've got the ability to put the pressure on the
quarterback and apply pressure from both sides different ways, different players.
But it's something I would watch in this game throughout
(10:46):
Sunday morning, is who's going to win that takeaway battle
between the Steelers and the Vikings.
Speaker 4 (10:53):
Teams all around on both defenses cannot wait for it.
So mark both these defenses are going to have to
deal with some offense. Is well one you take me
through the other side of the ball for both teams,
right on the flip side.
Speaker 12 (11:06):
You know how the Steelers going to attack that Vikings
defense because they're really struggling to run the ball and
they can't push the ball downfield. With Aaron Rodgers, he
has a set a touchdown, but most of those just
kind of tossing up the DK and he's making plays.
And really you can look at last season when Aaron
Rodgers with the Jets and the Vikings played them with
three got three interceptions off of Aaron Rodgers and three
(11:26):
sacks and really dominated that game. And the Steelers offense
is almost similar to that and having shown the ability
to kind of evolve. Not a lot of playmakers there,
So I think Brian Flores is really looking at it like,
I know how to really attack this. Pittsburgh's going to
have to open up be able to run the ball.
On the flip side with Carson Wentz with Minnesota, Kevin
O'Connell just puts quarterbacks in there and makes them look good,
(11:48):
you know, NonStop, but they can run the ball. And
then Jordan Mason has really been a revelation. Pittsburgh's run
defense gives up one hundred and thirty nine point nine
yards per game, so gets going this Vikings offense, that's
their key. And then Jordan Addison is coming back, so
here you provide another playmaker there to go with Jettas
(12:09):
and the rest of the crew. Christian Darreshaal came back
last week the left tackle, one of the best tackles
in the league. So they really have a lot of
complimentary pieces where Carson Wentz doesn't have to go in
there and play hero ball if he does not turn
it over, if they don't fumble much like last week
where Pittsburgh created all those turnovers and still almost lost
to the Patriots, I think Minnesota should feel fairly comfortable
(12:30):
with their defense playing nasty, running the ball, playmakers making place.
Speaker 1 (12:37):
Time Now for this week's Mark Key Matchups with our
guy Mark Ross joining me and Ian Rappaport here, let's
take a look at the Chiefs and the Ravens to
start here, Mark.
Speaker 12 (12:50):
Whoever thought one of these teams would have three losses
at this point? You think the whole season long they
might have three. But we saw last week with the
Baltimore Ravens just really struggling at this point, So I'm
looking to see if they can rebound versus the chief
Chiefs offense. It really just relies on Patrick Mahomes to
do everything. He leaves the team in rushing and of
(13:10):
course in passing. Then on the flip side, just can
the Chiefs offense keep up despite how bad it seemed
Baltimore played last week with the turnover by Derrick Henry
and getting sacked, so Lamar getting sacked, they still scored
thirty points.
Speaker 10 (13:23):
So it's really I'm looking at this.
Speaker 12 (13:26):
Can the Chiefs defense keep up with the Baltimore offense
or has thee Spagnola found out something from what Detroit
did to Lamar to slow them down?
Speaker 10 (13:34):
And that is going to be an excellent one.
Speaker 4 (13:36):
The fact that one of these teams is going to
be one and three is just ridiculous. Rayvends defense is
so so much talent, you gotta think they're going to
figure it out. Cannot have that many guys run free.
Mark take us through the Eagles Bucks. I know we
got a banged up Baker Mayfield, seems he's going to play.
Should be all systems go for that one.
Speaker 10 (13:55):
Yeah, banged up Baker Mayfield, banged up Bucks.
Speaker 12 (13:58):
Team where really leak of guys. But you know this
last season, the Bucks really beat the Brakes off of
the Eagles, and that sent the Eagles to two on
two and two, which was all chaos here in Philadelphia,
and then the Eagle just went and didn't lose a
game and won the Super Bowl after that really got
their season started. So has Todd Bowles really found out
something of how to stop Jalen Hurts because Jalen only
(14:20):
had one hundred and fifty eight yards passing.
Speaker 10 (14:22):
Last year in this game. And then last week when
the Eagles.
Speaker 12 (14:26):
Started out slow again with the passing game, Saquon couldn't
get going and then they just opened it up and
Jalen Hurts, AJ Brown DeVante Smith got unlocked last week
which led to the comeback win versus the Rams. So
I'm really looking at how the Eagles are going to
attack this Bucks defense of Okay, Saquan, are you still
our guy? And if Todd Bowles says he's not going
to beat us, what is the counter effect of that
(14:47):
of Jalen is this week two of Yep, I can
just go air it out and we can win in
that sort of fashion.
Speaker 1 (14:54):
Yep just started throwing on those passes to aj Brown
even when he's not open, he is potentially open.
Speaker 2 (14:59):
Pack Cowboys next Mark.
Speaker 12 (15:02):
Well, this has just got to be a get right
game for Jordan Love. I mean the shock of the
last week them losing that game, bad interception there at
the end there by Jordan Love, which put the Browns
right in it with a chance to win, which they
eventually did so against this poorest Cowboys defense and secondary
against the pass. You watch Cowboys games weekend and week out,
it's like, what are they doing? Are you going to
(15:24):
cover anybody? So for Jordan Love and this Packers offense,
who have shown to be proficient in the first two weeks,
run the ball, Josh Jacobs, plenty of playmakers there. Jordan
Love really has to get going like the last time,
he was in the stadium in the playoffs when they
put forty eight through for three touchdowns there and they
blew the Cowboys out there in that playoff a few
(15:44):
years ago. So I'm looking at this as a get
right game for Jordan Love and the Packers offense.
Speaker 10 (15:49):
Man Russell Wilson looks.
Speaker 4 (15:50):
So good against that Cowboys defense, and Kay Williams looks
so good against that Cowboys defense, and you really do
wonder if Jordan Love's going to look so good against
that defense. Russell Wilson didn't look as good the following week,
which is how we got here. Jackson Dart starts for
the New York Giants against the Chargers.
Speaker 10 (16:08):
Take me through that one, Mark.
Speaker 12 (16:10):
I wanted to talk about the left guard for the Chargers.
Speaker 6 (16:13):
I didn't want to know.
Speaker 12 (16:14):
Actually, yes, of course, it's all about Jackson Dart. And
you know, coming into the season, it really for me
was at what point is he going to play? I
had him going into.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
The Saints game.
Speaker 12 (16:23):
That would be the week they were weak ahead of
schedule there, just because Russell Wilson really just could not
generate anything. Looks like he had no confidence. And so
you know, with Jackson Dart, and the Giants. You don't
expect him against his Chargers defense, one of the best
lead to go out there and look like he's going
to be an all pro. But you want to see flashes,
You want to see the glimmers of hope of why
you drafted him, why you trade it up to draft him.
(16:44):
So you really have to look at little wins and
little signs of progression in this first start for Jackson Dart.
You know, I think they did it now because he
is at home. There's some advantages of that as opposed
to going on the road and playing in the dome
down there in New Orleans. So yes, of course it's
about hey. Is a lot a lot of talk about
a lot of voices there in the Giants organization from
(17:05):
top to bottom with Brian Dabile, with GM John Marra.
But is this a glimmer of hope? Is this the
right guy? Get him in there for at least now.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
Jackson Dart adding some excitement to another disappointing September for
the Giants to see how he does. If it's anywhere
near as well as he did in the preseason, Giants
fans and the Giants organization will be happy with that one.
That's your marquee matchups for Week four. New today into
the Insiders, Jadeen Daniels, Actually not new, It's same as yesterday.
(17:37):
Jaydeen Daniels limited in practice with that knee injury that
he suffered against the Green Bay Packers two Thursday night
footballs Go. We'll see about his status on Friday, but
if his Marcus Mariota again would not be surprised.
Speaker 2 (17:50):
Justin fields.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
Meanwhile, this is good news for the Jets. A full
participant in practice today, that injury report coming in this afternoon.
He does remain in the concussion protocol, but the fact
that he's practicing fully, as long as there are no
negative backward symptoms, that'll be a good side for the
Jets and Aaron Glenn saying if he's cleared, he will
start against the Dolphins. My leak Neighbors back to practice
(18:14):
for the Giants elsewhere here in Jersey was limited after
not practicing with a shoulder injury. Neighbors had a bunch
of ailments, but he continues to play through it and
out through them all and he continues to play.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
Well, that's how.
Speaker 13 (18:27):
You start games, okay, And we finished it right, Yeah,
we finished it right, And like you can tell about
the demeanor on the sideline, I think you guys feel
the same way. But we understand and we believe and
we know what we're capable of. There's room for growth there, Okay,
the defense of our decisions. We talked about living on
the edge. Here, we're gonna go look at some of
those drives and how they got extended. We're living on
(18:47):
the edge. Some of those things are cost doing business.
Some of those things we got to learn from and
grow from, Okay, because those are the things they're gonna
win us games in the future. Everybody agree with that, okay.
So hey, so we're rolling, okay, but we're we have
more level to get to. Okay, in all three phases,
everybody agree with that.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
That's the hell of a job.
Speaker 9 (19:04):
Man.
Speaker 14 (19:04):
Here we go Hawks all three, well, two three, and
see a lot of the Hawks tonight at that place
right there in Arizona, Seahawks Cardinals eight fifteen PM tonight
only on Prime Video.
Speaker 4 (19:19):
And we got Bridget Conson, our good friend hanging out
there with us, ready to give us everything we could
possibly want to know about this game.
Speaker 10 (19:27):
Bridget.
Speaker 4 (19:28):
We'll start with Mike McDonald and the Seattle Seahawks right there.
I mean, it's weird because they were good last year,
didn't make the playoffs, so they were good. Seems to
be a team that we don't really talk about a
ton wudn't you tell us how they've been on the
road and why they've been able to have some success.
Speaker 8 (19:46):
Eight and one on the road.
Speaker 7 (19:47):
Ian kind of crazy to hear that, right, Eight wins,
one loss on the road under head coach Mike McDonald.
They asked Jackson Smith and Jigba, the wide receiver for
the Seahawks, about.
Speaker 8 (19:56):
That this week and why that's the case, and he said.
Speaker 7 (19:59):
Look, when we go on the road, we play with
us against the world mentality. We know things aren't going
to always go our way, but we bond together and
they've found success. He also says that it's because he feels,
and you just kind of alluded to it, that maybe
they didn't get enough national recognition this offseason.
Speaker 8 (20:17):
He says, I know how good we are.
Speaker 7 (20:19):
I was with us all off season and during practices,
but we're not getting enough attention. So tonight the goal
is to show the world in primetime just how good
this Seahawks team is and He's not wrong.
Speaker 9 (20:30):
Ian.
Speaker 7 (20:30):
They're the only team in the NFL right now that
is top five in terms of scoring offense and scoring defense.
Speaker 8 (20:36):
And he says that is due to Sam Darnald.
Speaker 7 (20:38):
He said, when Sam Darnald got to Seattle, he was
an immediate leader.
Speaker 8 (20:41):
He said, he has pushed us all to be better.
Speaker 7 (20:44):
I asked him how, and he said, his consistency, what
he does day in and day out. Just being around
him and seeing him has made everyone on that team
want to be better.
Speaker 4 (20:52):
Ian, that's such a cool thing about these national games,
these spotlight standalone games. If the world does get the
fut what all these teams are about, and then you
dry rash conclusion based only on this game, and that
carries you through the entire season, which is exactly why
the Arizona Cardinals.
Speaker 10 (21:11):
Need to win. So that's not the only reason they
need to win.
Speaker 4 (21:13):
But tell me about the Cardinals and their standpoint coming
into tonight's game.
Speaker 7 (21:18):
And what were you doing in twenty twelve. Not to
put you on the spot, but I bet you don't remember.
And guess what, that's the last time I was getting
beat the Seahawks.
Speaker 8 (21:27):
You were in you were here.
Speaker 7 (21:28):
Okay, that's the last time the Cardinals beat the Seahawks
in front of a home crowd. They did it, of
course in twenty twenty, which was the COVID year, but
there was only really about one thousand fans in attendance,
So the last time their fans really got to enjoy
a Seattle win was back in twenty twelve, which I don't.
Speaker 8 (21:45):
Even I think I graduated high school.
Speaker 7 (21:46):
I don't know not to age myself, but yeah, they're
trying to do it tonight on primetime, but it's kind
of Kyler Murray's Achilles heel. He's two and eight against
Seattle in his career, and he'll have to do it
tonight without his leading back James Connor, who is out
for the season with a foot injury. He said, James
Connor is a guy that you cannot replace, not just
(22:06):
because what if he's done on the field, but his
presence in the huddle and his presence in the locker room.
So Murray said this week, I have to be more
of a vocal leader, and he was true to it.
Linebacker Mac Wilson tells me that Kyler was a lot
more vocal this week in practice, and he understands the
stake of the importance of this divisional game here tonight.
(22:27):
He's doing everything he can to step up and give
those wide receivers. We talked about a little bit earlier,
some confidence going into tonight's game.
Speaker 4 (22:36):
Bridget That was a lot of great information about tonight's game.
But the most notable thing I heard there was you
not sure whether or not you graduated high.
Speaker 10 (22:43):
School, to which I would say that.
Speaker 4 (22:45):
Was an excellent report for someone who may not have graduated.
Speaker 10 (22:49):
Great stuff.
Speaker 6 (22:49):
Thank you.
Speaker 10 (22:50):
As always, I.
Speaker 8 (22:51):
Like to keep it interesting. You never know.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
All right, Daniel Jones and the Cults are going out
to the to l A and they're gonna play the Rams.
It's gonna be the toughest matchup so far this season.
Here is the man known as Daniel Jones and playing
on the road.
Speaker 15 (23:10):
I've always enjoyed playing on the road. I think, you know,
in a in a hostle environment, and it's kind of
your you know your team, and and you know, I
think there's some part of that that brings you, you know, closer,
and and you kind of gotta, you know, pack together
and and go in there and get a win. So
I've always enjoyed playing on the road. I'm excited, uh
(23:30):
for our first opportunity to do that this year.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
Brian Balding, you are joining us, and I got to
be honest, I'm still greatly disturbed by that Daniel Jones DJ.
Speaker 2 (23:41):
Diamond chain diamond study that was video.
Speaker 1 (23:43):
So you take the Jesus take the wheel now, Baldy,
take the wheel right now and help us out here
talk about Daniel Jones and this Colts Rams matchup that
we got going on here.
Speaker 9 (23:54):
I'd like to just go with the Indiana Jones. Indiana
Jones I think is gonna stick. Okay, you know he
can third lead passer in this league right now, has
not turned the ball over eighty eight pass attempts, hasn't fumbled,
hadn't thrown an interception.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
He's taking care of football. But not just that. Mike
hasn't come close to turning it over.
Speaker 9 (24:10):
I feel like he's looking at a very clean picture
of credit change Steichen with some excellent design.
Speaker 2 (24:16):
I'll show you a.
Speaker 9 (24:16):
Couple of them that kind of, you know, waked me
up here last week in Tennessee.
Speaker 2 (24:20):
Here's mo Ali Cox and Michael Pittman.
Speaker 9 (24:22):
You're coming to create a little bunch cluster formation with
Josh Downs in the middle.
Speaker 2 (24:27):
That's what they wanted.
Speaker 9 (24:27):
They want to downs one on one against the slot
defender of Tennessee. Now, in order to get this route
down the field, they got to buy some time. So
it's a little drag slide concept here where Indiana Jones
gets outside the pocket and now he just has to
throw this ball to an open patch of grass.
Speaker 2 (24:43):
Mine Like, just throw it.
Speaker 9 (24:45):
Out there, let Downs go get it. And Dan did
a great job of laying it up there. But that's
a good design. I like this design right here. You
watch this simple high low concept here with Tyler Warren,
the rookie tight end and Michael Pittman. They're just gonna
high load the hook, curl defend right here. And really,
if this defender, this linebacker bites on Warren, throw up
behind him to Pittman. Pretty easy read. Dan Jones been around,
(25:07):
he makes it. Tom Pittman finishes in the end zone
right there. And then this one with the rookie tight end,
Tyler warnf they do a lot with him Mike here
he is in a power pistol formation. But they're gonna
play action fake right here with Jonathan Taylor. So now
the linebackers step up, and as they step up, Warren
runs by him and he gets behind him right here.
It is a pretty easy layup right here. But it's
(25:28):
a forty yard game, so it's a big play. Big
chunk yard is right there against Denver, who's a good defense.
But that design was good. And then we've always known
this about. Here comes Jeffrey Simmons in the red sleeves
right here. He's right on top of him, but he's
got elite athletic ability. He spins the win, gets out
of the arms way right here, and now he's taken off,
gets away from the five man rush and picks up
(25:51):
a first down and gets down. So I see a
lot of good design. I see a lot of great
throws by Danny Jones right now. And they're to try
and keep this thing rolling against the Rams defense that
played really well for about three quarters last week and
then kind of collapse. But some of those plays that
we just showed have been repeat plays that they have
(26:12):
been running week in week out.
Speaker 2 (26:13):
Baldy, thank you as always for the breakdown here on
the Insiders.
Speaker 1 (26:16):
Michae left Florio along. They joined us after the break
to tell you who to start. Who said in week
four of the NFL, and we're gonna go a little
bit beyond that because I need some advice beyond just
starts in stits, starts insinitts.
Speaker 2 (26:28):
Hang with us. You'll see it back to pass.
Speaker 10 (26:41):
Murray fires en zone and it's a touch up.
Speaker 8 (26:44):
What a dark Dond's gonna look touched up?
Speaker 6 (26:47):
Say, another perfect pass.
Speaker 16 (26:50):
By arm them.
Speaker 17 (26:50):
Murray rolls right underhand pits tucked by Honor tuckdown in Arizona.
Speaker 4 (27:10):
That time, once again on the Insiders, where we put
real football aside and focus on what is most important
for me and for Mike fantasy football. Michael f Fourio,
thank you for joining us as always on the Insiders.
Speaker 10 (27:24):
My team is in shambles. We'll get to that in
a second.
Speaker 4 (27:26):
Why don't you take us through tonight's Cardinals Seahawks game?
Speaker 10 (27:31):
Tell us who we need to start tonight?
Speaker 18 (27:33):
Yeah, Unfortunately, with James Connor being out for the year,
I think you just go when you plug Trey Benson
into as many lineups.
Speaker 6 (27:41):
As you can.
Speaker 18 (27:42):
Today, we had already seen Trey Benson playing a lot
of the passing downs, getting the two minute drills, the
third down stuff like that, and that was he was
carving out a useful fantasy role, but now with James
Connor out, I'm expecting him to be the full time
back for the Cardinals. He is the only running back
with one hundred over one hundred and seventy yards on
(28:04):
fewer than thirty touches, and I think this could be
a big Benson night because the Seahawks have allowed the
most targets and receiving yards two running backs, second most
catches and then Kenneth Walker. He has been a top
ten running back each of the last two weeks.
Speaker 6 (28:18):
He has shown us he can.
Speaker 18 (28:19):
Be effective near the goal line, and I just love
him in this scheme. He is a very explosive runner
who is getting to utilize that speed in a heavy
outside zone run system.
Speaker 6 (28:30):
So I like Kenneth Walker. I think there's going to
be a lot.
Speaker 18 (28:33):
Of big days ahead, and if the Seahawks have a
league tonight, that probably only means even more carries going
his way.
Speaker 1 (28:41):
All right, how about the other side of this one?
These sits who are we sitting for Thursday? Faball A
couple of big names. Actually.
Speaker 18 (28:47):
Marvin Harrison Junior, who is a huge name, was drafted early,
has not lived up to it at all so far.
In fact, he is averaging less than six targets per game,
and this is after he saw six or were targets.
Speaker 6 (29:00):
In over half his games as a rookie.
Speaker 18 (29:03):
He has a short week now against the Seahawks, who
he has never scored a touchdown against or never gone
for over fifty yards against.
Speaker 6 (29:10):
And I think their defense is even better this year.
Speaker 18 (29:12):
They've allowed the second fewest yards to receivers who are
lined up out wide. That's where Harrison has ran about
eighty percent of his routes. And then I'm saying Harrison,
I'm saying his quarterback, Kyler Murray has yet to score
nineteen Fantasy points in a game this season, and he
has been held to under fifteen in each of the
last two weeks. His high mark in passing yards this
(29:33):
year is two hundred and twenty and he has just
one game with multiple passing touchdowns. Meanwhile, Seattle has more
interceptions than touchdowns. They generate pressure at an extremely high rate,
and given Kyler's low floor so far this year and
a tough matchup on a short week, I would be
looking to go in another direction. And it pains me
(29:53):
because US short kings need to stick together. But for fantasy,
I think you could get away from Kyler tonight.
Speaker 4 (30:00):
You know that really spoke to my heart right there.
Mike has no idea what you're talking about. Let's focus
on the Bucks. Speaking of short kings, because Baker Mayfield
is certainly one of them. Welcome to the party, buddy,
Mike Evans not short, not gonna play this week and
next with a hamstring injury. What does that mean for
a Mecca Abuga? One of the biggest fantasy stories of
the year.
Speaker 18 (30:19):
This is the fourth straight week I'm sitting in this
studio right now and saying, start a Mecca Abuka because
if it isn't broke, don't fix it. He has top
twelve Fantasy points in every game, showing that he has
a safe floor, averaging seventeen per game. I don't think
I know people realize he's a top ten I believe,
even top five wide receiver in most scoring systems so
(30:42):
far this season, and with Evans out, I think Abuka
could be the top target. And if he's getting volume
from Baker Mayfield in this Bucks offense, they could.
Speaker 6 (30:51):
Be chasing points.
Speaker 18 (30:53):
I think all of that leads to you playing a
Mecca Abuka this week in fantasy once again.
Speaker 2 (30:58):
Okay, all right, we're gonna talk Cuba Hubbard now.
Speaker 1 (31:01):
But he was added to the injury report on Thursday
with a calf injury. A limited participant with a calf injury.
So hearing that information, are we starting or sitting Cuba Hubbard?
Speaker 2 (31:13):
Yeah?
Speaker 18 (31:13):
I start writing starts sit on Sundays, and I do
it all on Mondays. I don't know any of these
injury news when I write it, but I thought he
was a sit then, so a calf only even pushes him.
Speaker 6 (31:23):
Further in that sit direction.
Speaker 18 (31:25):
The Patriots, not only have they allowed these second fewest
rushing yards to running backs this year, they're really not
allowing much yardage before contact. That has been an issue
for the Panthers. But then last week was their first
game after putting numerous offensive linemen on ir They didn't
create any yards before.
Speaker 6 (31:43):
Contact for their running backs last week.
Speaker 18 (31:46):
And not only that, we saw Rico Dawdle starting to
play more. I think if you're playing Tuba this week,
you're hoping for a lot of receiving yardage, but they
might not even be in ketchup mode. It's not a
guarantee when you're playing the Patriots, so I would look
to play it safe with Cuba this week.
Speaker 4 (32:01):
So the Bengals didn't have a great week last week,
lost by a lot of points. Quarterback didn't play well obviously,
Joe Burrow not playing, so Jake Browning their starter. Take
me through T Higgins and where you stand on the
Bengals other star receiver now T Higgins.
Speaker 18 (32:17):
I think Jamar Chase has too much upside to ever
get away from.
Speaker 6 (32:20):
But T Higgins.
Speaker 18 (32:21):
I'm trying to get away and sit this week if
you have that option. He had just two targets and
one catch last week, and Jake Browning has five interceptions
in less than two games. He's yet to top two
hundred yards, so that right there is limited yardage and
touchdown opportunity.
Speaker 6 (32:37):
And T Higgins even if you.
Speaker 18 (32:38):
Count the game with Joe Burrow just thirty five yards
per game. Now he has to face Patrick Sartan and
the Denver Broncos, who are one of the toughest secondaries
in football. In fact, they've only allowed fifty six percent
of passes two wide receivers to be completed this year.
Speaker 6 (32:53):
I think the floor has been too low. You could
get away from t Higgins.
Speaker 1 (32:57):
All Right, if you just saw Brian Balding his breakdown
on Daniel Jones, you saw what the cults are doing
to create some space for Tyler Warren, who has been
excellent so far as a rookie tight end.
Speaker 2 (33:08):
No chance for sitting him right, No, every week on
this show just like a book.
Speaker 18 (33:11):
I've set to start Warren, but I'm going to raise
the bar a bit here now. I think we see
Warren's breakout game this week. Like I think what we've
seen so far is the floor. I think his ceiling
is like a big blow up Kiddle McBride.
Speaker 6 (33:24):
Bauers type performance.
Speaker 18 (33:25):
And throughout the tenure of Sean McVay with the Rams,
they have struggled against tight ends last season. They allowed
the most fantasy points to the position. Dallas Goddard had
a big week against against them last week, and the
Rams could put up points themselves. So this could be
like a back and forth game where the Colts have
to throw a little bit more that not only leads
to more targets, it leads to a lot more catch and.
Speaker 6 (33:46):
Run opportunity for Tyler Warren.
Speaker 18 (33:48):
So I think this could be his big break like
he's already had really good games. This is like, oh wow,
this guy is amazing type game man.
Speaker 10 (33:58):
Everybody was all over colshon leveling.
Speaker 4 (33:59):
You have been all over Tyler Warren in it for
sure has paid off. All Right, all that was whatever,
Let's get to the important stuff. My fantasy team. I
got an issue this week. Okay, I got two options.
I got Jordan Addison, who's been sitting on my bench
just getting ready while he served a suspension, and then
got Keon Coleman that I just picked up on the
waiver wire. I got one spot. What say you, Florio
(34:21):
about who I should play?
Speaker 6 (34:22):
Which one of them has given your team a pep
talk this week?
Speaker 4 (34:26):
That's the one I'm going We can't buy them defensive
players stepped up.
Speaker 18 (34:30):
I would go with Keon Coleman, though, of those two,
because it's Jordan Addison's first game, it's overseas.
Speaker 6 (34:36):
It's with a backup quarterback.
Speaker 18 (34:38):
We don't know how much work and chemistry Wentz and
Addison have. Meanwhile, the Saints great pressure at the lowest rate.
The Bills give up pressure at the lowest rate. That
Josh Allen should be able to pick this defense apart.
My only concern with Keon is one they're spreading the
ball out a lot, and two is this just a
game where it's James Cook all day? But I do
think the upside is higher with Keon, so I would
(34:59):
go that route.
Speaker 1 (35:01):
All right, Michael Leff, I got a question for you
that's beyond just the starter ship variety, and I've sent
you these. I'm starting to get a lot of trade
offers for Christian McCaffrey. We're one and two, but we
need some help. Look, here's the entire roster. I really
was all in on Bonex. I grabbed them off the
waiver wire has not really crushed it.
Speaker 2 (35:19):
We're not the deepest team.
Speaker 1 (35:20):
We're waiting for Hershi Rice to come back here. I've
been swatting away these offers, but some of them have
been decent. As a matter of fact, the one I
considered the most was Chase Brown and Quinn Shawn Judkins.
This is before last weekend. Judkins up, Brown down. I
have been swatting them all away. But should I really
entertain the thought of trading away McCaffrey and trying to
fill in some holes here?
Speaker 6 (35:41):
I think it's possible, like that is something you could do.
Speaker 18 (35:44):
I will say, though, if I'm trading CMC, I want
like a stud wide receiver in return, like a Pooka,
a Neighbors and a Monraw. But what I was thinking,
Mike was maybe you go and you pair CMC with
DJ Moore and you could get a big name wide
receiver and then try to buy low on another running
back like a Gens or any of these rookies that
are started off slow. Breisee Hall also comes to mind
(36:06):
because you have Rashid Rice, so that could be like
your flex in a couple of weeks. But you really
do want to strengthen that wide receiver two spot. DJ
Moore's usage hasn't been ideal. And then if you buy
low on one of these running backs and they hit there,
you go. You plug them in Christian McCaffrey's spot right there.
So that is what I would.
Speaker 1 (36:23):
Yeah, if Travion comes on, and I know you're a
big believer, and as we raft them, because I kneel
at the altar of Michael left Floria said that last week,
if he finally I saund like mad Doctor was not
that last week. If Traveon Henderson comes on, it'll change
my team completely.
Speaker 2 (36:37):
Cod Traveon it's the Panthers.
Speaker 6 (36:39):
It's now or never.
Speaker 10 (36:42):
Well and he's gonna get a lot of run.
Speaker 4 (36:43):
With Ramandre Stevenson dealing with some fundle issues in New England.
Tune in next week to find out if Mike's team
lost again or if my team lost again.
Speaker 10 (36:52):
Which week.
Speaker 4 (36:52):
We just want to thank you very much great stuff,
as always appreciate the advice.
Speaker 10 (36:57):
It better work. I'm coming back to you.
Speaker 1 (37:00):
It is a youth movement here in each brother for
Jackson Dart and Cam Scattabos. Skettbo has already been out
there in bulk for the Giants. Jackson Dart, I'm gonna
get the start against the Chargers on Sunday, the first
of his NFL career. Could he be the spark that
the Giants offense badly needs, especially in the red zone.
Speaker 16 (37:19):
I'm just gonna lay everything I have on the line.
That's just the way that I play the game. You know,
when I step in between those lines, nothing else in
the world matters to me except doing everything that I
can to win it. And I think, you know the
biggest thing for me is I just you know, I
want to do my best to dy spark. You know,
I want to create excitement on the field. You know,
(37:40):
I want to be explosive when when opportunities are there,
and you know, try to, you know, just bring you
a little bit of swagger.
Speaker 4 (37:46):
Last swagger coming out of this place right here, from
the quarterback who's stud to the fans who are amazing
and insane, who sometimes go through tables. One of the
best home environments in the NFL, as the Bills welcome
in the Saints, and Sean McDermott is, let's just say,
pretty happy about it.
Speaker 19 (38:04):
We take a lot of pride in defending defending our dirt.
There's no other way to really say it. And these
guys put a lot of time and blood, sweat and
tears into their jobs every day, their family sacrifice and
playing well at home is a big part of that is,
(38:24):
you know, defending what we take a lot of pride in,
which is our fan base and how hard we.
Speaker 2 (38:30):
Work and and so.
Speaker 19 (38:33):
And let's also be honest, our fans create an environment
that twelfth Man is real and we'll need them again
this week. This offense we're gonna play runs a lot
of no huddle and you know, I just watched them
try and get that done against Seattle. And I know
our fans are the best in the NFL for a reason.
Speaker 1 (38:54):
They'd love to be defending that dirt all the way
through the AFC playoffs, even get that one seed with
the start that they are off too and the schedule
that they have coming up. Meanwhile, the Browns and the
Lions set the face off. After the Browns stunning victory
over the Green Bay Packers, can they pull up another upset,
this time in Detroit, where Dan Campbell says, Yeah, we
know what the standard is around here.
Speaker 2 (39:14):
We're trying to live up to it.
Speaker 3 (39:16):
I've said this before and we'll say it again. Our
hardest workers are our best players. It's not lip service,
it's not fake. It's not our best players, our hardest worker.
Go and watch them practice and it's like that every day,
and so that's the standard. That's the standard. So if
you're not up to that standard with the effort matching
(39:39):
what our best players do, then you're not gonna be
around here very long.
Speaker 4 (39:44):
And that is where every team wants to get to,
just watching practice, your leaders out work and everyone. You
also want to get to where you can just get
down on the sidelines like that in celebration Aaron Gunn
is the best.
Speaker 10 (39:58):
He is very much himself.
Speaker 4 (39:59):
That was the celebration after a blocked field goal. And
if you listen to Aaron Gunn this week, you're gonna
see a little more of this and that is okay
by me.
Speaker 20 (40:08):
I'm gonna always be me and listen, these guys need
someone that's gonna show what they believe in them, and
that's gonna show they're product when they make plays. And
I'll tell you what I thought. If if I probably
didn't do that, my wife and kids would have said, man,
what's happening? You know what's going on with you? And
(40:29):
I'm glad that I'm gonna never be fake. I'm always
be me. Some people like, some people don't. Doesn't matter,
you know, But I'm glad that, you know, people could
see me my authentic self no matter what. And I
don't know what it means because someone would do a.
Speaker 2 (40:45):
Head coach or something like that.
Speaker 6 (40:46):
How does the head coach act?
Speaker 9 (40:49):
You know?
Speaker 20 (40:50):
I don't know, but.
Speaker 2 (40:52):
It was good.
Speaker 14 (40:53):
It was good.
Speaker 1 (40:56):
How about some Irish dancing The Vikings and the Steelers
Alive from doublin nine thirty a m Eastern My Buddies
in Vegas.
Speaker 6 (41:03):
He says, does that mean it's six thirty am?
Speaker 1 (41:06):
Right, yes, so wake up early or just keep going
from the night before. That's what you do in Vegas.
Speaker 6 (41:11):
Nick. Anyway, Yeah, we're looking forward to that.
Speaker 2 (41:13):
Uh, and not just dancing.
Speaker 6 (41:14):
They like to drink over there, and I was, how
was of my Irish drinking? We're gonna do that next
here on the Insiders splitting the g.
Speaker 21 (41:25):
Okay, So the G in the Guinness, if you're looking
at the font, has this little bridge here, so you're
supposed to in your first swig get as close to
the line and the G as you can. So I
have two attempts here, and I've never had a Guinness.
Let's also approach that I love beer.
Speaker 6 (41:40):
But they're good.
Speaker 2 (41:41):
You like it?
Speaker 21 (41:43):
Someone someone told me that it's you always undershoot.
Speaker 12 (41:47):
Okay, keep going, keep going, Jay, that's probably about it?
Speaker 6 (41:54):
Are you undershot?
Speaker 2 (41:56):
James?
Speaker 10 (41:56):
So many Jamie's.
Speaker 2 (42:05):
They have electronic goals in Ireland.
Speaker 6 (42:07):
James is gonna be riding.
Speaker 10 (42:08):
But let's go, come on, no, let's go.
Speaker 2 (42:14):
All right, here we go.
Speaker 11 (42:16):
Stay over their day.
Speaker 6 (42:22):
Number three, number number three, number three.
Speaker 1 (42:28):
Well, she's gonna have to get a couple more reps.
In and a couple more chances. Have you ever splited
the G?
Speaker 6 (42:35):
I've never even heard of that.
Speaker 10 (42:36):
I was sure that's the thing.
Speaker 4 (42:38):
Usually when I drink, you just take a sip and
then you drink a little bit, and then you put
it down, and then you chit chat, and then you
take another sip, and then when you finish, you just
get another one. I've never heard of these games. I've
heard of drinking games. Sometimes people play those in college.
You gotta be careful with those. But split in the
G seems made up for the show. That's a segment, right,
that's someone's idea.
Speaker 2 (42:57):
For a segment. No, this is a thing. It's it's
been the thing for a while. I'm surprised you never
heard of it.
Speaker 1 (43:02):
Jamie's got to do a better job there.
Speaker 2 (43:03):
Look do the math. How long have I been working today?
I haven't had one drink. If anybody should be drinking,
it's me. I have the same shirt on. I'm gonna
go hit the bar right now.
Speaker 10 (43:12):
No to peace.
Speaker 1 (43:13):
Thanks for watching The Insiders. We're back on NFL Network
on Friday.
Speaker 6 (43:16):
Bar Tighter
A big Thursday night football matchup in the NFC Wes.
Somebody's got to keep the heat on the forty nine ers.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
At the top of the division.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
Somebody's actually going to be in the basement after this one,
which kind of stinks because there'll be at two and two,
which is not a terrible record. We will preview that matchup. Yeah,
we're calling it the Duel in the Desert. First time
anybody's ever said that, First time anybody's ever said Irish Hello.
That's pretty good one there, right, because Irish goodbye?
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Get it.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
The Vikings and Steelers getting set to descend upon Ireland.
Our Judy Batista is already there. We will start to
break down the first of the NFL's four straight international matchup.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
We've already had one in Brazil, but we got four
in a row.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
And our Michael f Florio back again to tell you
who to start and who to sit not only on
Thursday Night Football, but also this entire weekend in the NFL.
Welcome inside with the insiders, Mike Garrofalo Ian Rapaport as
we get you set for Thursday Night football and talk
all the news across the league.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
Here.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
As we get set for Week four in the NFL.
In Week four, will the Commanders have their quarterback? We
shall see Jade and Daniels limited once again in practice
for the second straight day with that knee injury suffered
against the Packers on Thursday Night Football just a couple
of weeks ago. Oh, at this point, it's feeling a
(01:27):
little bit like it's going to be Marcus Mariota once again.
Why not if things were great with Mariota and you
want to make sure that you're not putting Jayden Daniels
in harm's way if you don't have to Ian. But
we'll see how this goes through tomorrow in the final
day of practice in preparation for Sunday.
Speaker 4 (01:42):
Yeah, and you got a think, Mike, if you didn't
get a full practice Friday, probably not going to play Sunday.
We'll see if this guy plays Sunday. To Terry mcclaurin,
the star receiver for the Commanders, who took up so
much headlines in the off season trying to get that
new contract and then pull the muscle holding out after
holding out the look this happens, he's dealing with a
quad slash hip flexor injury. No practice again, today. We
(02:04):
will see Mike if he's able to get out in
the field Sunday. Wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if
he ended up missing a game.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
Justin Fields missed the game after suffering a concussion against
the Buffalo Bills, but back at practice today ahead of
the team's matchup against the Dolphins coming up this Monday.
He participated in practice but still in the concussion protocol.
That's a key part of this, but Aaron Glenn saying
that if he does clear protocol, he will be back
to being the team starter against Miami. So we'll keep
(02:33):
an eye on field status over the next couple of days.
Speaker 4 (02:36):
Ian and he's got the extra day with Monday night football,
which helps. Meanwhile, San Francisco forty nine ers star pass
rusher Nick Bosu tore his ACL last Sunday, crushing, crushing
blow for this defense. Is going to have ACL reconstruction
surgery on Friday. General manager John Lynch told KNBR radio
(02:56):
it is his second ACL repair on the same knee.
You look at Bosa, he knew Mike. Another big injury
blow for the San Francisco forty nine Ers and what
seems like a season full of.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Them, Yes, indeed he did know.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
And speaking of injury news, we've got some that happened
last season.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
You're seeing it right here.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
Brandon Ayuk that torn acl we're at the point now
where he could be activated and added to the active roster,
but John Linz, the teams general manager, saying that that
is not close to happening.
Speaker 5 (03:27):
Brandon had a fairly significant injury, you know, involving a
lot of different things in his knee. He's he's a
really gifted athlete. He's a very hard worker, and so
when he combined that, you tend to come back at
a at a good clip. We're still you know, it's
there's no like absolutes on these things. So he's got
to continue to hit markers. But he is tracking well,
(03:50):
he's working hard, and you know, we'll just continue to
do that and you know we'll be a better team
when Brandon's out there, and so we look forward to
that day. But you know, it's not closed.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
May while for Thursday Night Football, you're seeing what Ian
Rappaport has laid out for you. The full participation from
Zach Charbonnat and Boye Mafe right there, Devin Witherspoon, good
to go. The Cardinals have some key players who are questionable.
It sounds like Paris Johnson is going to wind up
being a go, so we shall see about the rest
(04:22):
of those there.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
Four more on this game.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
We head out to our friend Bridget Condon, who is
out there in in Arizona ahead of tonight's meeting.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Between the Seahawks and the Cardinals.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
Bridget, come on in here because we want to get
the latest information on what.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
Is happening there ahead of this game.
Speaker 6 (04:41):
Bridget, Mike.
Speaker 7 (04:44):
Both of these teams coming in oheen one in the division.
It is going to be a crucial divisional matchup early
in the season for both of these teams who kind
of came into this week off of completely different games
on Sunday.
Speaker 8 (04:55):
Let's start with the Cardinals, who.
Speaker 7 (04:57):
Just lost a last second game to the Fury nine
Ers on Sunday. For the Cardinals this week, the conversation
has been about the wide receiver room, the lack of production,
the lack of targets, and some crucial drops in that game.
This is their first Thursday night football game since twenty
twenty two, so they're trying to get their offensive rhythm
going tonight in primetime. As for the Seahawks, kind of
(05:18):
a completely different story. They just put up forty four
points against the Saints four days ago. Jackson Smith and Jigba,
the wide receiver for Seattle, tells me that we need
to keep that momentum rolling, especially on a short week
on the road against a divisional opponent in primetime. We've
got to get each other excited and amped up. Us
against the world mentality coming into this one And one
(05:39):
other thing I want to note, Mike, last time Sam
Donald was here in Arizona, he was sacked nine times.
That was last year when he was with the Vikings.
Of course, they played the Rams in the playoff game.
That game got moved here to Arizona because of the
wild buyers in Los Angeles. I asked JSN about that
this week and he told me that's not Sam Donald.
Sam Donald's Seahawks now, and we've got him, so they're
(05:59):
not the thinking about that.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
That is a different guy. I don't know who you're
talking about. Sam Darnold now our quarterback. That's what the
Seahawks are saying. Thank you, Bridget. We will have more
from you out there in Arizona as we get throughout
the show, the.
Speaker 9 (06:16):
Minnesota vik Games and Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin ironless day?
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Are you chantically?
Speaker 8 (06:26):
Rogers fire doesn't even tags.
Speaker 10 (06:31):
John Son?
Speaker 6 (06:33):
You are not big enough to ride this by teaching
walk with the sack.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
That is loose days in the Maho.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
C in Dublin, My brother, how can you not be
excited about this one?
Speaker 10 (06:52):
Nine thirty am Sunday, which means wall to wall football.
It's the best.
Speaker 4 (06:57):
I cannot wait Viking Steelers his door Dublin game only
on anavil.
Speaker 10 (07:02):
Number goals for shooting on NFL plus. By the way,
it should be an excellent one.
Speaker 4 (07:06):
And to preview this for us, our good friend Judy Batista,
usually on The Insiders Live with Us, has joggled all
the way to Dublin to tell us all about it.
Speaker 11 (07:18):
Vikings and Steelers will arrive here in Dublin on Friday morning.
Speaker 8 (07:21):
They're gonna get on.
Speaker 11 (07:22):
The practice field almost immediately in preparation for the very
first regular season game to be played here in Ireland.
You know, this was a long held hope of the
late Dan Rooney that the NFL would play in Ireland.
Speaker 8 (07:35):
This counts as a Steelers' home game.
Speaker 11 (07:37):
It's probably going to feel a lot like a Steelers'
home game too, Although there are already thousands of people
on the ground here in preparation for this game, the
NFL anticipates seventy five thousand fans at Croke Park on Sunday,
and they expect about a third of those to be
people who have traveled over from the United States. Of course,
once the game begins to all eyes will be on
(07:58):
the quarterbacks. Aaron Rodgers says the Steelers offense is still
a work in progress, even though he has seven touchdown
passes already this season that's second only to Lamar Jackson.
The Vikings will have Carson Wentz for the second straight
week while JJ McCarthy recovers from his high ankle spring.
The Vikings offense accounted for thirty four points with Wentz
(08:18):
last Sunday against the Bengals. It feels very much like
a mini super Bowl here.
Speaker 10 (08:26):
Great stuff from Judy.
Speaker 4 (08:27):
Let's get into this game a little more welcome inside
with the insiders Brian Baldinger.
Speaker 10 (08:34):
And Mark ross Baldi. We will start with you.
Speaker 4 (08:37):
There's nothing I love more no offense, Mark, nothing I
love more than a Baldy breakdown on this show, So
we will start right there, get into it. Tell me
about these two defenses we are going to see on
Sunday morning.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
Well, you know it's interesting.
Speaker 9 (08:50):
And both teams, Okay, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota
Vikings led the league the National Football League and takeaways
a year ago with thirty three. Both teams this week's
victory both had five takeaways.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
They do it in a little different way. We'll start
with the.
Speaker 9 (09:05):
Minnesota Vikings here because Brian Flores is always going to
disguise as coverages before the step, and that's what he's
doing here to Cincinnati last week. But they get to
a two deep five hundredneath pretty popular zone. Look right here,
and this is Isaiah Rodgers down here in the flat
and he's basically they're high loaning him here with the
receiver behind him and the running back Chase Brown in
(09:26):
front of him. And when the ball isn't perfectly thrown,
he picked this ball up here and he went to
distance one of his two defensive touchdowns last week to
give the Vikings a fourteen to nothing lead against the Bengals.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
They never looked back.
Speaker 9 (09:37):
And then if you'll get defensive tackle Jalen Redmond here
here is taking on a double team, but he's keeping that.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
Right arm free.
Speaker 9 (09:44):
He's going to punch the ball out of Chase Brown's
hands and there's a scramble for it, but defensive tackle
Jonathan Allen.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Falls on it.
Speaker 9 (09:51):
One are five takeaways right there for the Vikings a
week ago, and for the Steelers they do do it
differently like last week.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
You look at this this Nick Kirkbik started for Alex Heismith.
Speaker 9 (10:02):
So you watch right here and Cam Heyward is going
to flush Drake May right here, move him into the pocket.
That's gonna allow or Nick Kirkbik to come and punch
this ball out. And there's TJ. Watt, who was spying
on the playing. He comes up with the recovery. That
play led to the go ahead touchdown for the Steelers.
If you look at this game against Seattle, Little Halffield
Reeds stack formation right here and here's Jalen Ramsey and
(10:25):
Manda Man coverage. But he's steaking a peek back here
at Sam Darnold just cluing him, and he jumps right
in front of the route to take it away. They've
got some thieves in the back end of that defense.
They've got the ability to put the pressure on the
quarterback and apply pressure from both sides different ways, different players.
But it's something I would watch in this game throughout
(10:46):
Sunday morning, is who's going to win that takeaway battle
between the Steelers and the Vikings.
Speaker 4 (10:53):
Teams all around on both defenses cannot wait for it.
So mark both these defenses are going to have to
deal with some offense. Is well one you take me
through the other side of the ball for both teams,
right on the flip side.
Speaker 12 (11:06):
You know how the Steelers going to attack that Vikings
defense because they're really struggling to run the ball and
they can't push the ball downfield. With Aaron Rodgers, he
has a set a touchdown, but most of those just
kind of tossing up the DK and he's making plays.
And really you can look at last season when Aaron
Rodgers with the Jets and the Vikings played them with
three got three interceptions off of Aaron Rodgers and three
(11:26):
sacks and really dominated that game. And the Steelers offense
is almost similar to that and having shown the ability
to kind of evolve. Not a lot of playmakers there,
So I think Brian Flores is really looking at it like,
I know how to really attack this. Pittsburgh's going to
have to open up be able to run the ball.
On the flip side with Carson Wentz with Minnesota, Kevin
O'Connell just puts quarterbacks in there and makes them look good,
(11:48):
you know, NonStop, but they can run the ball. And
then Jordan Mason has really been a revelation. Pittsburgh's run
defense gives up one hundred and thirty nine point nine
yards per game, so gets going this Vikings offense, that's
their key. And then Jordan Addison is coming back, so
here you provide another playmaker there to go with Jettas
(12:09):
and the rest of the crew. Christian Darreshaal came back
last week the left tackle, one of the best tackles
in the league. So they really have a lot of
complimentary pieces where Carson Wentz doesn't have to go in
there and play hero ball if he does not turn
it over, if they don't fumble much like last week
where Pittsburgh created all those turnovers and still almost lost
to the Patriots, I think Minnesota should feel fairly comfortable
(12:30):
with their defense playing nasty, running the ball, playmakers making place.
Speaker 1 (12:37):
Time Now for this week's Mark Key Matchups with our
guy Mark Ross joining me and Ian Rappaport here, let's
take a look at the Chiefs and the Ravens to
start here, Mark.
Speaker 12 (12:50):
Whoever thought one of these teams would have three losses
at this point? You think the whole season long they
might have three. But we saw last week with the
Baltimore Ravens just really struggling at this point, So I'm
looking to see if they can rebound versus the chief
Chiefs offense. It really just relies on Patrick Mahomes to
do everything. He leaves the team in rushing and of
(13:10):
course in passing. Then on the flip side, just can
the Chiefs offense keep up despite how bad it seemed
Baltimore played last week with the turnover by Derrick Henry
and getting sacked, so Lamar getting sacked, they still scored
thirty points.
Speaker 10 (13:23):
So it's really I'm looking at this.
Speaker 12 (13:26):
Can the Chiefs defense keep up with the Baltimore offense
or has thee Spagnola found out something from what Detroit
did to Lamar to slow them down?
Speaker 10 (13:34):
And that is going to be an excellent one.
Speaker 4 (13:36):
The fact that one of these teams is going to
be one and three is just ridiculous. Rayvends defense is
so so much talent, you gotta think they're going to
figure it out. Cannot have that many guys run free.
Mark take us through the Eagles Bucks. I know we
got a banged up Baker Mayfield, seems he's going to play.
Should be all systems go for that one.
Speaker 10 (13:55):
Yeah, banged up Baker Mayfield, banged up Bucks.
Speaker 12 (13:58):
Team where really leak of guys. But you know this
last season, the Bucks really beat the Brakes off of
the Eagles, and that sent the Eagles to two on
two and two, which was all chaos here in Philadelphia,
and then the Eagle just went and didn't lose a
game and won the Super Bowl after that really got
their season started. So has Todd Bowles really found out
something of how to stop Jalen Hurts because Jalen only
(14:20):
had one hundred and fifty eight yards passing.
Speaker 10 (14:22):
Last year in this game. And then last week when
the Eagles.
Speaker 12 (14:26):
Started out slow again with the passing game, Saquon couldn't
get going and then they just opened it up and
Jalen Hurts, AJ Brown DeVante Smith got unlocked last week
which led to the comeback win versus the Rams. So
I'm really looking at how the Eagles are going to
attack this Bucks defense of Okay, Saquan, are you still
our guy? And if Todd Bowles says he's not going
to beat us, what is the counter effect of that
(14:47):
of Jalen is this week two of Yep, I can
just go air it out and we can win in
that sort of fashion.
Speaker 1 (14:54):
Yep just started throwing on those passes to aj Brown
even when he's not open, he is potentially open.
Speaker 2 (14:59):
Pack Cowboys next Mark.
Speaker 12 (15:02):
Well, this has just got to be a get right
game for Jordan Love. I mean the shock of the
last week them losing that game, bad interception there at
the end there by Jordan Love, which put the Browns
right in it with a chance to win, which they
eventually did so against this poorest Cowboys defense and secondary
against the pass. You watch Cowboys games weekend and week out,
it's like, what are they doing? Are you going to
(15:24):
cover anybody? So for Jordan Love and this Packers offense,
who have shown to be proficient in the first two weeks,
run the ball, Josh Jacobs, plenty of playmakers there. Jordan
Love really has to get going like the last time,
he was in the stadium in the playoffs when they
put forty eight through for three touchdowns there and they
blew the Cowboys out there in that playoff a few
(15:44):
years ago. So I'm looking at this as a get
right game for Jordan Love and the Packers offense.
Speaker 10 (15:49):
Man Russell Wilson looks.
Speaker 4 (15:50):
So good against that Cowboys defense, and Kay Williams looks
so good against that Cowboys defense, and you really do
wonder if Jordan Love's going to look so good against
that defense. Russell Wilson didn't look as good the following week,
which is how we got here. Jackson Dart starts for
the New York Giants against the Chargers.
Speaker 10 (16:08):
Take me through that one, Mark.
Speaker 12 (16:10):
I wanted to talk about the left guard for the Chargers.
Speaker 6 (16:13):
I didn't want to know.
Speaker 12 (16:14):
Actually, yes, of course, it's all about Jackson Dart. And
you know, coming into the season, it really for me
was at what point is he going to play? I
had him going into.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
The Saints game.
Speaker 12 (16:23):
That would be the week they were weak ahead of
schedule there, just because Russell Wilson really just could not
generate anything. Looks like he had no confidence. And so
you know, with Jackson Dart, and the Giants. You don't
expect him against his Chargers defense, one of the best
lead to go out there and look like he's going
to be an all pro. But you want to see flashes,
You want to see the glimmers of hope of why
you drafted him, why you trade it up to draft him.
(16:44):
So you really have to look at little wins and
little signs of progression in this first start for Jackson Dart.
You know, I think they did it now because he
is at home. There's some advantages of that as opposed
to going on the road and playing in the dome
down there in New Orleans. So yes, of course it's
about hey. Is a lot a lot of talk about
a lot of voices there in the Giants organization from
(17:05):
top to bottom with Brian Dabile, with GM John Marra.
But is this a glimmer of hope? Is this the
right guy? Get him in there for at least now.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
Jackson Dart adding some excitement to another disappointing September for
the Giants to see how he does. If it's anywhere
near as well as he did in the preseason, Giants
fans and the Giants organization will be happy with that one.
That's your marquee matchups for Week four. New today into
the Insiders, Jadeen Daniels, Actually not new, It's same as yesterday.
(17:37):
Jaydeen Daniels limited in practice with that knee injury that
he suffered against the Green Bay Packers two Thursday night
footballs Go. We'll see about his status on Friday, but
if his Marcus Mariota again would not be surprised.
Speaker 2 (17:50):
Justin fields.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
Meanwhile, this is good news for the Jets. A full
participant in practice today, that injury report coming in this afternoon.
He does remain in the concussion protocol, but the fact
that he's practicing fully, as long as there are no
negative backward symptoms, that'll be a good side for the
Jets and Aaron Glenn saying if he's cleared, he will
start against the Dolphins. My leak Neighbors back to practice
(18:14):
for the Giants elsewhere here in Jersey was limited after
not practicing with a shoulder injury. Neighbors had a bunch
of ailments, but he continues to play through it and
out through them all and he continues to play.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
Well, that's how.
Speaker 13 (18:27):
You start games, okay, And we finished it right, Yeah,
we finished it right, And like you can tell about
the demeanor on the sideline, I think you guys feel
the same way. But we understand and we believe and
we know what we're capable of. There's room for growth there, Okay,
the defense of our decisions. We talked about living on
the edge. Here, we're gonna go look at some of
those drives and how they got extended. We're living on
(18:47):
the edge. Some of those things are cost doing business.
Some of those things we got to learn from and
grow from, Okay, because those are the things they're gonna
win us games in the future. Everybody agree with that, okay.
So hey, so we're rolling, okay, but we're we have
more level to get to. Okay, in all three phases,
everybody agree with that.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
That's the hell of a job.
Speaker 9 (19:04):
Man.
Speaker 14 (19:04):
Here we go Hawks all three, well, two three, and
see a lot of the Hawks tonight at that place
right there in Arizona, Seahawks Cardinals eight fifteen PM tonight
only on Prime Video.
Speaker 4 (19:19):
And we got Bridget Conson, our good friend hanging out
there with us, ready to give us everything we could
possibly want to know about this game.
Speaker 10 (19:27):
Bridget.
Speaker 4 (19:28):
We'll start with Mike McDonald and the Seattle Seahawks right there.
I mean, it's weird because they were good last year,
didn't make the playoffs, so they were good. Seems to
be a team that we don't really talk about a
ton wudn't you tell us how they've been on the
road and why they've been able to have some success.
Speaker 8 (19:46):
Eight and one on the road.
Speaker 7 (19:47):
Ian kind of crazy to hear that, right, Eight wins,
one loss on the road under head coach Mike McDonald.
They asked Jackson Smith and Jigba, the wide receiver for
the Seahawks, about.
Speaker 8 (19:56):
That this week and why that's the case, and he said.
Speaker 7 (19:59):
Look, when we go on the road, we play with
us against the world mentality. We know things aren't going
to always go our way, but we bond together and
they've found success. He also says that it's because he feels,
and you just kind of alluded to it, that maybe
they didn't get enough national recognition this offseason.
Speaker 8 (20:17):
He says, I know how good we are.
Speaker 7 (20:19):
I was with us all off season and during practices,
but we're not getting enough attention. So tonight the goal
is to show the world in primetime just how good
this Seahawks team is and He's not wrong.
Speaker 9 (20:30):
Ian.
Speaker 7 (20:30):
They're the only team in the NFL right now that
is top five in terms of scoring offense and scoring defense.
Speaker 8 (20:36):
And he says that is due to Sam Darnald.
Speaker 7 (20:38):
He said, when Sam Darnald got to Seattle, he was
an immediate leader.
Speaker 8 (20:41):
He said, he has pushed us all to be better.
Speaker 7 (20:44):
I asked him how, and he said, his consistency, what
he does day in and day out. Just being around
him and seeing him has made everyone on that team
want to be better.
Speaker 4 (20:52):
Ian, that's such a cool thing about these national games,
these spotlight standalone games. If the world does get the
fut what all these teams are about, and then you
dry rash conclusion based only on this game, and that
carries you through the entire season, which is exactly why
the Arizona Cardinals.
Speaker 10 (21:11):
Need to win. So that's not the only reason they
need to win.
Speaker 4 (21:13):
But tell me about the Cardinals and their standpoint coming
into tonight's game.
Speaker 7 (21:18):
And what were you doing in twenty twelve. Not to
put you on the spot, but I bet you don't remember.
And guess what, that's the last time I was getting
beat the Seahawks.
Speaker 8 (21:27):
You were in you were here.
Speaker 7 (21:28):
Okay, that's the last time the Cardinals beat the Seahawks
in front of a home crowd. They did it, of
course in twenty twenty, which was the COVID year, but
there was only really about one thousand fans in attendance,
So the last time their fans really got to enjoy
a Seattle win was back in twenty twelve, which I don't.
Speaker 8 (21:45):
Even I think I graduated high school.
Speaker 7 (21:46):
I don't know not to age myself, but yeah, they're
trying to do it tonight on primetime, but it's kind
of Kyler Murray's Achilles heel. He's two and eight against
Seattle in his career, and he'll have to do it
tonight without his leading back James Connor, who is out
for the season with a foot injury. He said, James
Connor is a guy that you cannot replace, not just
(22:06):
because what if he's done on the field, but his
presence in the huddle and his presence in the locker room.
So Murray said this week, I have to be more
of a vocal leader, and he was true to it.
Linebacker Mac Wilson tells me that Kyler was a lot
more vocal this week in practice, and he understands the
stake of the importance of this divisional game here tonight.
(22:27):
He's doing everything he can to step up and give
those wide receivers. We talked about a little bit earlier,
some confidence going into tonight's game.
Speaker 4 (22:36):
Bridget That was a lot of great information about tonight's game.
But the most notable thing I heard there was you
not sure whether or not you graduated high.
Speaker 10 (22:43):
School, to which I would say that.
Speaker 4 (22:45):
Was an excellent report for someone who may not have graduated.
Speaker 10 (22:49):
Great stuff.
Speaker 6 (22:49):
Thank you.
Speaker 10 (22:50):
As always, I.
Speaker 8 (22:51):
Like to keep it interesting. You never know.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
All right, Daniel Jones and the Cults are going out
to the to l A and they're gonna play the Rams.
It's gonna be the toughest matchup so far this season.
Here is the man known as Daniel Jones and playing
on the road.
Speaker 15 (23:10):
I've always enjoyed playing on the road. I think, you know,
in a in a hostle environment, and it's kind of
your you know your team, and and you know, I
think there's some part of that that brings you, you know, closer,
and and you kind of gotta, you know, pack together
and and go in there and get a win. So
I've always enjoyed playing on the road. I'm excited, uh
(23:30):
for our first opportunity to do that this year.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
Brian Balding, you are joining us, and I got to
be honest, I'm still greatly disturbed by that Daniel Jones DJ.
Speaker 2 (23:41):
Diamond chain diamond study that was video.
Speaker 1 (23:43):
So you take the Jesus take the wheel now, Baldy,
take the wheel right now and help us out here
talk about Daniel Jones and this Colts Rams matchup that
we got going on here.
Speaker 9 (23:54):
I'd like to just go with the Indiana Jones. Indiana
Jones I think is gonna stick. Okay, you know he
can third lead passer in this league right now, has
not turned the ball over eighty eight pass attempts, hasn't fumbled,
hadn't thrown an interception.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
He's taking care of football. But not just that. Mike
hasn't come close to turning it over.
Speaker 9 (24:10):
I feel like he's looking at a very clean picture
of credit change Steichen with some excellent design.
Speaker 2 (24:16):
I'll show you a.
Speaker 9 (24:16):
Couple of them that kind of, you know, waked me
up here last week in Tennessee.
Speaker 2 (24:20):
Here's mo Ali Cox and Michael Pittman.
Speaker 9 (24:22):
You're coming to create a little bunch cluster formation with
Josh Downs in the middle.
Speaker 2 (24:27):
That's what they wanted.
Speaker 9 (24:27):
They want to downs one on one against the slot
defender of Tennessee. Now, in order to get this route
down the field, they got to buy some time. So
it's a little drag slide concept here where Indiana Jones
gets outside the pocket and now he just has to
throw this ball to an open patch of grass.
Speaker 2 (24:43):
Mine Like, just throw it.
Speaker 9 (24:45):
Out there, let Downs go get it. And Dan did
a great job of laying it up there. But that's
a good design. I like this design right here. You
watch this simple high low concept here with Tyler Warren,
the rookie tight end and Michael Pittman. They're just gonna
high load the hook, curl defend right here. And really,
if this defender, this linebacker bites on Warren, throw up
behind him to Pittman. Pretty easy read. Dan Jones been around,
(25:07):
he makes it. Tom Pittman finishes in the end zone
right there. And then this one with the rookie tight end,
Tyler warnf they do a lot with him Mike here
he is in a power pistol formation. But they're gonna
play action fake right here with Jonathan Taylor. So now
the linebackers step up, and as they step up, Warren
runs by him and he gets behind him right here.
It is a pretty easy layup right here. But it's
(25:28):
a forty yard game, so it's a big play. Big
chunk yard is right there against Denver, who's a good defense.
But that design was good. And then we've always known
this about. Here comes Jeffrey Simmons in the red sleeves
right here. He's right on top of him, but he's
got elite athletic ability. He spins the win, gets out
of the arms way right here, and now he's taken off,
gets away from the five man rush and picks up
(25:51):
a first down and gets down. So I see a
lot of good design. I see a lot of great
throws by Danny Jones right now. And they're to try
and keep this thing rolling against the Rams defense that
played really well for about three quarters last week and
then kind of collapse. But some of those plays that
we just showed have been repeat plays that they have
(26:12):
been running week in week out.
Speaker 2 (26:13):
Baldy, thank you as always for the breakdown here on
the Insiders.
Speaker 1 (26:16):
Michae left Florio along. They joined us after the break
to tell you who to start. Who said in week
four of the NFL, and we're gonna go a little
bit beyond that because I need some advice beyond just
starts in stits, starts insinitts.
Speaker 2 (26:28):
Hang with us. You'll see it back to pass.
Speaker 10 (26:41):
Murray fires en zone and it's a touch up.
Speaker 8 (26:44):
What a dark Dond's gonna look touched up?
Speaker 6 (26:47):
Say, another perfect pass.
Speaker 16 (26:50):
By arm them.
Speaker 17 (26:50):
Murray rolls right underhand pits tucked by Honor tuckdown in Arizona.
Speaker 4 (27:10):
That time, once again on the Insiders, where we put
real football aside and focus on what is most important
for me and for Mike fantasy football. Michael f Fourio,
thank you for joining us as always on the Insiders.
Speaker 10 (27:24):
My team is in shambles. We'll get to that in
a second.
Speaker 4 (27:26):
Why don't you take us through tonight's Cardinals Seahawks game?
Speaker 10 (27:31):
Tell us who we need to start tonight?
Speaker 18 (27:33):
Yeah, Unfortunately, with James Connor being out for the year,
I think you just go when you plug Trey Benson
into as many lineups.
Speaker 6 (27:41):
As you can.
Speaker 18 (27:42):
Today, we had already seen Trey Benson playing a lot
of the passing downs, getting the two minute drills, the
third down stuff like that, and that was he was
carving out a useful fantasy role, but now with James
Connor out, I'm expecting him to be the full time
back for the Cardinals. He is the only running back
with one hundred over one hundred and seventy yards on
(28:04):
fewer than thirty touches, and I think this could be
a big Benson night because the Seahawks have allowed the
most targets and receiving yards two running backs, second most
catches and then Kenneth Walker. He has been a top
ten running back each of the last two weeks.
Speaker 6 (28:18):
He has shown us he can.
Speaker 18 (28:19):
Be effective near the goal line, and I just love
him in this scheme. He is a very explosive runner
who is getting to utilize that speed in a heavy
outside zone run system.
Speaker 6 (28:30):
So I like Kenneth Walker. I think there's going to
be a lot.
Speaker 18 (28:33):
Of big days ahead, and if the Seahawks have a
league tonight, that probably only means even more carries going
his way.
Speaker 1 (28:41):
All right, how about the other side of this one?
These sits who are we sitting for Thursday? Faball A
couple of big names. Actually.
Speaker 18 (28:47):
Marvin Harrison Junior, who is a huge name, was drafted early,
has not lived up to it at all so far.
In fact, he is averaging less than six targets per game,
and this is after he saw six or were targets.
Speaker 6 (29:00):
In over half his games as a rookie.
Speaker 18 (29:03):
He has a short week now against the Seahawks, who
he has never scored a touchdown against or never gone
for over fifty yards against.
Speaker 6 (29:10):
And I think their defense is even better this year.
Speaker 18 (29:12):
They've allowed the second fewest yards to receivers who are
lined up out wide. That's where Harrison has ran about
eighty percent of his routes. And then I'm saying Harrison,
I'm saying his quarterback, Kyler Murray has yet to score
nineteen Fantasy points in a game this season, and he
has been held to under fifteen in each of the
last two weeks. His high mark in passing yards this
(29:33):
year is two hundred and twenty and he has just
one game with multiple passing touchdowns. Meanwhile, Seattle has more
interceptions than touchdowns. They generate pressure at an extremely high rate,
and given Kyler's low floor so far this year and
a tough matchup on a short week, I would be
looking to go in another direction. And it pains me
(29:53):
because US short kings need to stick together. But for fantasy,
I think you could get away from Kyler tonight.
Speaker 4 (30:00):
You know that really spoke to my heart right there.
Mike has no idea what you're talking about. Let's focus
on the Bucks. Speaking of short kings, because Baker Mayfield
is certainly one of them. Welcome to the party, buddy,
Mike Evans not short, not gonna play this week and
next with a hamstring injury. What does that mean for
a Mecca Abuga? One of the biggest fantasy stories of
the year.
Speaker 18 (30:19):
This is the fourth straight week I'm sitting in this
studio right now and saying, start a Mecca Abuka because
if it isn't broke, don't fix it. He has top
twelve Fantasy points in every game, showing that he has
a safe floor, averaging seventeen per game. I don't think
I know people realize he's a top ten I believe,
even top five wide receiver in most scoring systems so
(30:42):
far this season, and with Evans out, I think Abuka
could be the top target. And if he's getting volume
from Baker Mayfield in this Bucks offense, they could.
Speaker 6 (30:51):
Be chasing points.
Speaker 18 (30:53):
I think all of that leads to you playing a
Mecca Abuka this week in fantasy once again.
Speaker 2 (30:58):
Okay, all right, we're gonna talk Cuba Hubbard now.
Speaker 1 (31:01):
But he was added to the injury report on Thursday
with a calf injury. A limited participant with a calf injury.
So hearing that information, are we starting or sitting Cuba Hubbard?
Speaker 2 (31:13):
Yeah?
Speaker 18 (31:13):
I start writing starts sit on Sundays, and I do
it all on Mondays. I don't know any of these
injury news when I write it, but I thought he
was a sit then, so a calf only even pushes him.
Speaker 6 (31:23):
Further in that sit direction.
Speaker 18 (31:25):
The Patriots, not only have they allowed these second fewest
rushing yards to running backs this year, they're really not
allowing much yardage before contact. That has been an issue
for the Panthers. But then last week was their first
game after putting numerous offensive linemen on ir They didn't
create any yards before.
Speaker 6 (31:43):
Contact for their running backs last week.
Speaker 18 (31:46):
And not only that, we saw Rico Dawdle starting to
play more. I think if you're playing Tuba this week,
you're hoping for a lot of receiving yardage, but they
might not even be in ketchup mode. It's not a
guarantee when you're playing the Patriots, so I would look
to play it safe with Cuba this week.
Speaker 4 (32:01):
So the Bengals didn't have a great week last week,
lost by a lot of points. Quarterback didn't play well obviously,
Joe Burrow not playing, so Jake Browning their starter. Take
me through T Higgins and where you stand on the
Bengals other star receiver now T Higgins.
Speaker 18 (32:17):
I think Jamar Chase has too much upside to ever
get away from.
Speaker 6 (32:20):
But T Higgins.
Speaker 18 (32:21):
I'm trying to get away and sit this week if
you have that option. He had just two targets and
one catch last week, and Jake Browning has five interceptions
in less than two games. He's yet to top two
hundred yards, so that right there is limited yardage and
touchdown opportunity.
Speaker 6 (32:37):
And T Higgins even if you.
Speaker 18 (32:38):
Count the game with Joe Burrow just thirty five yards
per game. Now he has to face Patrick Sartan and
the Denver Broncos, who are one of the toughest secondaries
in football. In fact, they've only allowed fifty six percent
of passes two wide receivers to be completed this year.
Speaker 6 (32:53):
I think the floor has been too low. You could
get away from t Higgins.
Speaker 1 (32:57):
All Right, if you just saw Brian Balding his breakdown
on Daniel Jones, you saw what the cults are doing
to create some space for Tyler Warren, who has been
excellent so far as a rookie tight end.
Speaker 2 (33:08):
No chance for sitting him right, No, every week on
this show just like a book.
Speaker 18 (33:11):
I've set to start Warren, but I'm going to raise
the bar a bit here now. I think we see
Warren's breakout game this week. Like I think what we've
seen so far is the floor. I think his ceiling
is like a big blow up Kiddle McBride.
Speaker 6 (33:24):
Bauers type performance.
Speaker 18 (33:25):
And throughout the tenure of Sean McVay with the Rams,
they have struggled against tight ends last season. They allowed
the most fantasy points to the position. Dallas Goddard had
a big week against against them last week, and the
Rams could put up points themselves. So this could be
like a back and forth game where the Colts have
to throw a little bit more that not only leads
to more targets, it leads to a lot more catch and.
Speaker 6 (33:46):
Run opportunity for Tyler Warren.
Speaker 18 (33:48):
So I think this could be his big break like
he's already had really good games. This is like, oh wow,
this guy is amazing type game man.
Speaker 10 (33:58):
Everybody was all over colshon leveling.
Speaker 4 (33:59):
You have been all over Tyler Warren in it for
sure has paid off. All Right, all that was whatever,
Let's get to the important stuff. My fantasy team. I
got an issue this week. Okay, I got two options.
I got Jordan Addison, who's been sitting on my bench
just getting ready while he served a suspension, and then
got Keon Coleman that I just picked up on the
waiver wire. I got one spot. What say you, Florio
(34:21):
about who I should play?
Speaker 6 (34:22):
Which one of them has given your team a pep
talk this week?
Speaker 4 (34:26):
That's the one I'm going We can't buy them defensive
players stepped up.
Speaker 18 (34:30):
I would go with Keon Coleman, though, of those two,
because it's Jordan Addison's first game, it's overseas.
Speaker 6 (34:36):
It's with a backup quarterback.
Speaker 18 (34:38):
We don't know how much work and chemistry Wentz and
Addison have. Meanwhile, the Saints great pressure at the lowest rate.
The Bills give up pressure at the lowest rate. That
Josh Allen should be able to pick this defense apart.
My only concern with Keon is one they're spreading the
ball out a lot, and two is this just a
game where it's James Cook all day? But I do
think the upside is higher with Keon, so I would
(34:59):
go that route.
Speaker 1 (35:01):
All right, Michael Leff, I got a question for you
that's beyond just the starter ship variety, and I've sent
you these. I'm starting to get a lot of trade
offers for Christian McCaffrey. We're one and two, but we
need some help. Look, here's the entire roster. I really
was all in on Bonex. I grabbed them off the
waiver wire has not really crushed it.
Speaker 2 (35:19):
We're not the deepest team.
Speaker 1 (35:20):
We're waiting for Hershi Rice to come back here. I've
been swatting away these offers, but some of them have
been decent. As a matter of fact, the one I
considered the most was Chase Brown and Quinn Shawn Judkins.
This is before last weekend. Judkins up, Brown down. I
have been swatting them all away. But should I really
entertain the thought of trading away McCaffrey and trying to
fill in some holes here?
Speaker 6 (35:41):
I think it's possible, like that is something you could do.
Speaker 18 (35:44):
I will say, though, if I'm trading CMC, I want
like a stud wide receiver in return, like a Pooka,
a Neighbors and a Monraw. But what I was thinking,
Mike was maybe you go and you pair CMC with
DJ Moore and you could get a big name wide
receiver and then try to buy low on another running
back like a Gens or any of these rookies that
are started off slow. Breisee Hall also comes to mind
(36:06):
because you have Rashid Rice, so that could be like
your flex in a couple of weeks. But you really
do want to strengthen that wide receiver two spot. DJ
Moore's usage hasn't been ideal. And then if you buy
low on one of these running backs and they hit there,
you go. You plug them in Christian McCaffrey's spot right there.
So that is what I would.
Speaker 1 (36:23):
Yeah, if Travion comes on, and I know you're a
big believer, and as we raft them, because I kneel
at the altar of Michael left Floria said that last week,
if he finally I saund like mad Doctor was not
that last week. If Traveon Henderson comes on, it'll change
my team completely.
Speaker 2 (36:37):
Cod Traveon it's the Panthers.
Speaker 6 (36:39):
It's now or never.
Speaker 10 (36:42):
Well and he's gonna get a lot of run.
Speaker 4 (36:43):
With Ramandre Stevenson dealing with some fundle issues in New England.
Tune in next week to find out if Mike's team
lost again or if my team lost again.
Speaker 10 (36:52):
Which week.
Speaker 4 (36:52):
We just want to thank you very much great stuff,
as always appreciate the advice.
Speaker 10 (36:57):
It better work. I'm coming back to you.
Speaker 1 (37:00):
It is a youth movement here in each brother for
Jackson Dart and Cam Scattabos. Skettbo has already been out
there in bulk for the Giants. Jackson Dart, I'm gonna
get the start against the Chargers on Sunday, the first
of his NFL career. Could he be the spark that
the Giants offense badly needs, especially in the red zone.
Speaker 16 (37:19):
I'm just gonna lay everything I have on the line.
That's just the way that I play the game. You know,
when I step in between those lines, nothing else in
the world matters to me except doing everything that I
can to win it. And I think, you know the
biggest thing for me is I just you know, I
want to do my best to dy spark. You know,
I want to create excitement on the field. You know,
(37:40):
I want to be explosive when when opportunities are there,
and you know, try to, you know, just bring you
a little bit of swagger.
Speaker 4 (37:46):
Last swagger coming out of this place right here, from
the quarterback who's stud to the fans who are amazing
and insane, who sometimes go through tables. One of the
best home environments in the NFL, as the Bills welcome
in the Saints, and Sean McDermott is, let's just say,
pretty happy about it.
Speaker 19 (38:04):
We take a lot of pride in defending defending our dirt.
There's no other way to really say it. And these
guys put a lot of time and blood, sweat and
tears into their jobs every day, their family sacrifice and
playing well at home is a big part of that is,
(38:24):
you know, defending what we take a lot of pride in,
which is our fan base and how hard we.
Speaker 2 (38:30):
Work and and so.
Speaker 19 (38:33):
And let's also be honest, our fans create an environment
that twelfth Man is real and we'll need them again
this week. This offense we're gonna play runs a lot
of no huddle and you know, I just watched them
try and get that done against Seattle. And I know
our fans are the best in the NFL for a reason.
Speaker 1 (38:54):
They'd love to be defending that dirt all the way
through the AFC playoffs, even get that one seed with
the start that they are off too and the schedule
that they have coming up. Meanwhile, the Browns and the
Lions set the face off. After the Browns stunning victory
over the Green Bay Packers, can they pull up another upset,
this time in Detroit, where Dan Campbell says, Yeah, we
know what the standard is around here.
Speaker 2 (39:14):
We're trying to live up to it.
Speaker 3 (39:16):
I've said this before and we'll say it again. Our
hardest workers are our best players. It's not lip service,
it's not fake. It's not our best players, our hardest worker.
Go and watch them practice and it's like that every day,
and so that's the standard. That's the standard. So if
you're not up to that standard with the effort matching
(39:39):
what our best players do, then you're not gonna be
around here very long.
Speaker 4 (39:44):
And that is where every team wants to get to,
just watching practice, your leaders out work and everyone. You
also want to get to where you can just get
down on the sidelines like that in celebration Aaron Gunn
is the best.
Speaker 10 (39:58):
He is very much himself.
Speaker 4 (39:59):
That was the celebration after a blocked field goal. And
if you listen to Aaron Gunn this week, you're gonna
see a little more of this and that is okay
by me.
Speaker 20 (40:08):
I'm gonna always be me and listen, these guys need
someone that's gonna show what they believe in them, and
that's gonna show they're product when they make plays. And
I'll tell you what I thought. If if I probably
didn't do that, my wife and kids would have said, man,
what's happening? You know what's going on with you? And
(40:29):
I'm glad that I'm gonna never be fake. I'm always
be me. Some people like, some people don't. Doesn't matter,
you know, But I'm glad that, you know, people could
see me my authentic self no matter what. And I
don't know what it means because someone would do a.
Speaker 2 (40:45):
Head coach or something like that.
Speaker 6 (40:46):
How does the head coach act?
Speaker 9 (40:49):
You know?
Speaker 20 (40:50):
I don't know, but.
Speaker 2 (40:52):
It was good.
Speaker 14 (40:53):
It was good.
Speaker 1 (40:56):
How about some Irish dancing The Vikings and the Steelers
Alive from doublin nine thirty a m Eastern My Buddies
in Vegas.
Speaker 6 (41:03):
He says, does that mean it's six thirty am?
Speaker 1 (41:06):
Right, yes, so wake up early or just keep going
from the night before. That's what you do in Vegas.
Speaker 6 (41:11):
Nick. Anyway, Yeah, we're looking forward to that.
Speaker 2 (41:13):
Uh, and not just dancing.
Speaker 6 (41:14):
They like to drink over there, and I was, how
was of my Irish drinking? We're gonna do that next
here on the Insiders splitting the g.
Speaker 21 (41:25):
Okay, So the G in the Guinness, if you're looking
at the font, has this little bridge here, so you're
supposed to in your first swig get as close to
the line and the G as you can. So I
have two attempts here, and I've never had a Guinness.
Let's also approach that I love beer.
Speaker 6 (41:40):
But they're good.
Speaker 2 (41:41):
You like it?
Speaker 21 (41:43):
Someone someone told me that it's you always undershoot.
Speaker 12 (41:47):
Okay, keep going, keep going, Jay, that's probably about it?
Speaker 6 (41:54):
Are you undershot?
Speaker 2 (41:56):
James?
Speaker 10 (41:56):
So many Jamie's.
Speaker 2 (42:05):
They have electronic goals in Ireland.
Speaker 6 (42:07):
James is gonna be riding.
Speaker 10 (42:08):
But let's go, come on, no, let's go.
Speaker 2 (42:14):
All right, here we go.
Speaker 11 (42:16):
Stay over their day.
Speaker 6 (42:22):
Number three, number number three, number three.
Speaker 1 (42:28):
Well, she's gonna have to get a couple more reps.
In and a couple more chances. Have you ever splited
the G?
Speaker 6 (42:35):
I've never even heard of that.
Speaker 10 (42:36):
I was sure that's the thing.
Speaker 4 (42:38):
Usually when I drink, you just take a sip and
then you drink a little bit, and then you put
it down, and then you chit chat, and then you
take another sip, and then when you finish, you just
get another one. I've never heard of these games. I've
heard of drinking games. Sometimes people play those in college.
You gotta be careful with those. But split in the
G seems made up for the show. That's a segment, right,
that's someone's idea.
Speaker 2 (42:57):
For a segment. No, this is a thing. It's it's
been the thing for a while. I'm surprised you never
heard of it.
Speaker 1 (43:02):
Jamie's got to do a better job there.
Speaker 2 (43:03):
Look do the math. How long have I been working today?
I haven't had one drink. If anybody should be drinking,
it's me. I have the same shirt on. I'm gonna
go hit the bar right now.
Speaker 10 (43:12):
No to peace.
Speaker 1 (43:13):
Thanks for watching The Insiders. We're back on NFL Network
on Friday.
Speaker 6 (43:16):
Bar Tighter
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