2023 Week 12 Preview

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
They around the NFL podcast, Well, always.

Speaker 2 (00:05):
Cherish the young and sweaty hand from the Chris Wesley
podcast studio, It's around the NFL. I am Dan hansis
got heroes here, Greg Rosendal, Mark Sessler on this very
special week on the NFL calendar. It's week twelve, but
it's also here's the language. The John Madden Thanksgiving Commemoration.

Speaker 3 (00:30):
What's up, guys, also known as Thanksgiving? Which is fun.

Speaker 4 (00:33):
Yeah, well it's sets. The secondary title would be thinking, oh.

Speaker 2 (00:35):
NFL now has enough power due to the ratings and
the billions that Thanksgiving has been officially renamed.

Speaker 3 (00:42):
I'm with it.

Speaker 5 (00:43):
I mean, if there's one person that there's one person
that I want to be reminded of every year, it's
John Madden.

Speaker 6 (00:50):
He can just be in the New Love Jo saying
I like that angle of it. Greg we all you
know grew up with John Madden. I don't disagree that
he deserves to be recognized. But they then for them
to literally rename Thanksgiving. That flies in the face of
a larger population fall.

Speaker 3 (01:07):
That's just the football production value.

Speaker 2 (01:10):
Madden's first Thanksgiving game for the record, and maybe some people,
the younger listeners don't know John Madden.

Speaker 4 (01:17):
It's a video game.

Speaker 3 (01:18):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (01:19):
They a Hall of Fame a player and then a
Hall of Fame coach with the Raiders. Retired early and
then it got the bug to stay in the game
and ended up becoming I think, undoubtedly like the most
famous NFL announcer ever, launched a video game franchise that
became the biggest video game franchise ever, and he passed away.

(01:40):
I believe it was it last year or the year before,
and now we celebrate Madden and we celebrate his contribution
to the game because he kind of was Americana personified,
especially this time of year. And his last Thanksgiving Day
game as a commentator was way back in two thousand
and one.

Speaker 3 (01:58):
But it just goes to show you, uh, what kind
of connection he had.

Speaker 6 (02:02):
Well, also, there's no him without Pat Summer all as well.
It's like the two of them kind of were this
incredible duo. And I do wonder what it would be
like if if John Madden were dropped In today's world,
we're like half of the conversation is about like E
P A and d V O A.

Speaker 3 (02:16):
Like he was.

Speaker 6 (02:18):
He was from a time where that you don't you
just talking about what you're seeing on the field right now,
and like how big the guy's legs are, and like
they're smashing into each other and you're eating turkey.

Speaker 3 (02:25):
Kind of miss that. I kind of miss it, but
you're not. No, you're not.

Speaker 4 (02:28):
It's it's great what we have now. It's better, so
much better.

Speaker 3 (02:30):
I mean he I I hear you. By man.

Speaker 5 (02:33):
He he broke it down x as a O style. Yeah,
Mark over simplified it. He took a shot.

Speaker 6 (02:38):
I'm just saying, like, like I think I think he's.

Speaker 5 (02:41):
Very romo, Like I think, I mean, Romo is not
John Madden, and he's definitely not gonna be like writing
a bunch of number one best selling books like Madden did,
which another career. Yeah, that's right. Uh they were romance novels.
They kind of remind me that very steamy one of
the Eagles two feet the kind of kind of similar
to me the way they like the game.

Speaker 2 (02:58):
Speaking of historical figures, I gotta I gotta bring this up, Mark,
because we've long had a connect.

Speaker 6 (03:04):
By now, I'm like, I got the John Madden thing wrong,
Like Jula, We've moved on.

Speaker 5 (03:08):
Give me, let me do a thousand let's do you
have sixteen games to get through.

Speaker 3 (03:12):
I think it's the only time we'll ever do that.
Let's nail this historical figure out.

Speaker 7 (03:17):
Okay, we choose to go to the moon and dis
decay and do the other things, not because they are easy,
but because they are hard, because that goal will serve
to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills,
because that challenge is one that we're willing to accept.

(03:38):
One we are unwilling to postpone, and one we intend
to win.

Speaker 3 (03:43):
And the others too.

Speaker 2 (03:46):
JFK spitting bars in a big spot in an address
at Rice University on September twelfth, nineteen sixty two. Today's
November twenty second, twenty twenty three. It has been sixty
years since John Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Like coming
up up to the hour, almost sixty years, and Mark,
I've always been and this kind of talks about the

(04:06):
pull of Kennedy that even though this is a man
that's been gone sixty years when we were growing up,
like he was a major figure and someone you knew
about the Oliver Stone film. Of course, Yeah, in ninety three,
around the thirtieth anniversary was a major part of our
lives growing up.

Speaker 3 (04:21):
And I don't know.

Speaker 2 (04:22):
I think he's a figure of immense historical worth. And
you Mark, we have talked about him for years and
years since we've known each other.

Speaker 3 (04:30):
Yeah. I don't know if the listeners know this, but
John F.

Speaker 2 (04:33):
Kennedy was such a fascination and the details around his
tragic death that you almost wrote a book or started
writing a book about it.

Speaker 6 (04:39):
I went, I transferred colleges multiple times, and my third
transfer was to American University in DC, and I went
there under the guise of I'm going to research this
in the assassination left and right. But it was also
it was nineteen ninety three when I went and did that,
So was the thirty year anniversary, and about four hundred
and six books came out on the topic, and it

(05:01):
was just on the heels of the Oliver Stone film.
So it was like, did not pick the right spot?
But I've always thought he was Did.

Speaker 3 (05:06):
You actually start it? Yeah, but it's still going to research. Yeah,
it's still going strong, it is.

Speaker 6 (05:10):
But I think also I was in college and I
got diverted, you know, got like a founded a girlfriend
down the hallway and like JFK assassination to go hard
right out of my life.

Speaker 5 (05:18):
That's an unfinished work. I mean, it's still it's still popping.
They got they got a new JFK pod on the
old I Heart radio network. It did Rob Ryder and
it's still popping. To do better than popping, I think
it is.

Speaker 3 (05:28):
It's on our heel. We need home and home.

Speaker 2 (05:31):
Yeah, all right, And by the way, that was Kennedy,
you know, getting the US formerly into the space race.
You wanted to send a man to the moon and
bring him home safely by nineteen seventy.

Speaker 3 (05:45):
He was killed in sixty three.

Speaker 2 (05:46):
But we got there in July sixty nine, major sliding
doors moment.

Speaker 3 (05:50):
The history of this country is his death.

Speaker 4 (05:53):
And his brothers and mlk's and Malcolm X's.

Speaker 3 (05:56):
And say say what you wanna about LBJ.

Speaker 2 (05:59):
But he did get the Civil Rights Bill across the
finish line at sixty four, which was a Kennedy mandate
as well.

Speaker 3 (06:05):
That's true.

Speaker 4 (06:06):
He did some other things too that would have been
in the book.

Speaker 2 (06:11):
All right, let's get to it. Here we go, my
son Jack. One of the reasons they name that the
first Irish Catholic president as well.

Speaker 3 (06:21):
Let's move on.

Speaker 2 (06:22):
Yeah, I liked I didn't know that the best. All right,
here we go. Let's get into it. Let's start with
the Thanksgiving games, because that's how John Madden would have
wanted it. The early game is the green Bay Packers
against of course, the Detroit Lions. It is the tradition
that's gone back decades now for the NFL, and we

(06:44):
have a situation that's very different these days because the
Lions are now a hot ticket and that place is
gonna be on fire, Mark Sessler, because the Lions are
eight and two, they're on a three game winning streak,
and they get the Packers and this is good for
us the football fans coming off a nice one of
their own, a three point win over the Chargers that
kept them in the NFC playoff race.

Speaker 3 (07:05):
So it's kind of a gotta have a game for
Green Bay.

Speaker 2 (07:07):
And Greg, you've been talking about it, and I've noticed it,
and I'm sure you have as well. Mark, that Jordan
Love is starting to figure some things out the last
few weeks. Maybe we got a quirker here in the
NFC North.

Speaker 6 (07:18):
Yeah, I think like you're coming off of a performance.
Jordan Love's probably best of the year against the Chargers defense,
so you've got to take that into account. But you know,
three hundred plus yards effective as a deep thrower.

Speaker 4 (07:31):
I think they've got an interesting cast.

Speaker 6 (07:33):
Of wide receivers who have started to gel, so there
is some hope. The thing about this game, though, that
pops out for me more anything else. They have like
seventeen players the Packers on their injury report. Now they're
in varying states of up and down this but Aaron
Jones obviously not going to be playing with that knee injury.
Aj Dillon, their backup running back, is on the injury report.
Emmanuel Wilson, the third running back, is on the injury report.

Speaker 3 (07:56):
Luke Musgrave was hospitalized.

Speaker 6 (07:58):
And will not be playing, and Jayden reied Doantavian Wicks.
I mean, a lot of their offense is banged up,
and I think you'd need to be fully healthy and
completely on your on your act to have a chance
against the Detroit team that's gonna be extremely amped up.

Speaker 3 (08:13):
Yeah.

Speaker 5 (08:13):
Detroit's been pretty disappointing though over the last month, just
in terms of their defense. They they've been one of
the worst defenses in the league since they showed up
in Baltimore. I think the book is kind of out
that you just throw against them, Just throw, throw, throw, throw.
They're they're not good at cornerback. They don't really have
a great pass rush. I know Hutchinson's having a good year.

(08:33):
Ali mcmill's having a good year, but it's a reminder
you actually need more than two players and just consistency.
You could look at any metric you want. They're one
of the two or three worst defense in the league
SIN in the last four or five weeks, and you're
going up against the Packers passing attack that when you
can protect love weirdly, Dan, Yeah, they have more plays

(08:54):
over thirty yards than any team in the NFL. Doesn't
that kind of shock you. Some of them are schemed
up and it's like thirties of weird cutoff. There's actually
not that many for any team, but still the Packers
hit on some big plays. I could see a lot
of points. I think this will be fun. I think
the lines are favored by too much. It's seven and
a half.

Speaker 2 (09:09):
In this Yeah, I mean you heard it made some
news this week. Tom Brady talking about seeing, you know,
a level of mediocrity in the games he's watching maybe
that speaks to that a little bit, like if the
Packers are the team that's kind of leading the charge
in terms of big plays. And I just we just
finished watching a game on Monday night where you know,
Christian where Patrick mahomes him airing it out now is

(09:31):
like a seven yard game. But that's the reason why
it's hard to do. It's hard to hit on big plays.
And I think it does. Perhaps Greg hit on that
there is a lot of potential here both with the
quarterback and some of the playmakers, And yeah, I think
you hit on it there.

Speaker 3 (09:46):
That Detroit is the better team.

Speaker 2 (09:49):
Detroit is at home, Detroit is going to that building
is going to be rocking.

Speaker 3 (09:53):
I can't wait to see. I wish Creed was playing.

Speaker 2 (09:56):
Speaking of anniversaries, it's like the twentieth anniversary of the
Creed at halftime show gotten away from that, the bald
guy with a silver painted face came down from the
rafters with.

Speaker 3 (10:04):
This that was in Dallas. Oh yeah, that's right. It
doesn't matter.

Speaker 5 (10:08):
Think how big of a deal though it would be.
If they actually did that, people would love it.

Speaker 2 (10:11):
Oh, it'd be amazing. And now they think about it. Yes,
Scott's stapp was wearing. I don't know, like it was
like a Tony Romo jersey or whatever it would have
been back then. Anyway, Yeah, the defensive struggles with Detroit.
Maybe Jordan Love does have another big game here and
this one goes down to the wire, but I just
don't see the lines losing it.

Speaker 3 (10:29):
Maybe we get a nice shootout with a double thirty Burger.

Speaker 6 (10:31):
I think it'd be stunning if they lost to Home
on Thanksgiving. I really like what Jamiir Gibbs has been
over the last month and the pairing of him. It's
not like it's him where Dave David Montgomery. The two
of them together work really well. Green Bay is giving
up the fifth most rushing yards in the league.

Speaker 3 (10:47):
You can run on them.

Speaker 4 (10:48):
Their defense isn't special either.

Speaker 6 (10:50):
And I don't really care about what happened to Jared
Goff last week. I think in general, are sample size
of Jared Goff over the last seventeen games tells us
the story of an effective, efficient quarterback, And especially at home.
He has been lights out at home and I just like,
it's like, how do you come in and not?

Speaker 3 (11:06):
I I kind of see a romp.

Speaker 2 (11:08):
To be honest, he's not going to turtleshell after not
in this that's not really who.

Speaker 3 (11:12):
Did in that game.

Speaker 5 (11:14):
I think that running the attack and they've even doubt
the snaps now where gibbson Montgomery you're splitting might be
the very best in football, and they're often it's great,
but it's especially great run blocking. So I'm with you.
I think this is a perfect way to start. I
think we could get big time scores.

Speaker 3 (11:30):
Thirty eight, thirty one. Let's go, let's do it.

Speaker 6 (11:32):
I have one prophecy, you know, like aunt Beatrice whoever's
watching this game, but it is not a big football
fan necessarily, but it's on and you're stum.

Speaker 3 (11:42):
We got to get Beatris over early.

Speaker 6 (11:44):
Well, she's already sleeping over back. And before Beatrice alreadys
she flew inalhere you sleep. I'm just saying she's an
old she would be a matronly older aunt. It's not
my aunt, I'm saying, but this is actually a football
Someone had to ask the question. I am not really,
I'm saying the archetypal and Beatrice well come out of
this game around twelve thirty Eastern with a secret and

(12:07):
dangerous man crush on Sam Laporta, who win the game
for the Lions.

Speaker 3 (12:11):
OK, very nice call, I think you're gonna say.

Speaker 5 (12:13):
Dan Campbell also could be a favorite of the ant.

Speaker 3 (12:15):
Cra Oh he's too much man for me.

Speaker 2 (12:17):
The Lions are playing their eighty fourth game on Thanksgiving,
by the way, that is.

Speaker 3 (12:20):
The most all time.

Speaker 2 (12:22):
And wow, they are something crazy like sixteen and four
in their last twenty games overall dating back to last year.

Speaker 3 (12:28):
So the Lions are a roll in. Let's move on.
We gotta keep it on.

Speaker 2 (12:31):
We got so many games did today, So we're gonna
hit the middle game. And it's always the Cowboys. And
yes it was Scott's stap. Can we find out Eric
behind the glass? Scott's stap Thanksgiving two thousand and one?
Whose jersey he was wearing? I might have been DaMarcus Ware.
This is very important to find out, all right. The
Washington Commanders four and seven, third place in the NFC East,

(12:55):
travel to Dallas to face the seven and three boys.

Speaker 3 (13:00):
Greg I the Commanders, they're going in the wrong direction.

Speaker 2 (13:05):
And Howell had a miserable game against the Giants, and
now you're sending him to Dallas.

Speaker 3 (13:10):
Where again Dallas, who's you know?

Speaker 2 (13:13):
It's a very good team with an opportunistic defense playing
at home. I don't want to count out Howel because
he's really had a nice season on balance, but he's
in the danger zone. I think here when it comes
to turnovers, that could crush Washington.

Speaker 5 (13:26):
Well, especially because when you look at the schedule he's faced.
You know, according to football outsiders, he's faced the easiest
schedule of opposing quarterbacks so far this year, and now
it's going to get tough that he has a bunch
of tough matchups on the schedule, including I believe it's
two against the Cowboys, and so you hope it's the
good Howel because again, this could be a bit of

(13:46):
a score fest. I love the Commanders when they're trailing
in games because they will keep throwing and throwing and throwing.

Speaker 3 (13:52):
I also thought we missed it on the show.

Speaker 5 (13:54):
Is interesting that it was nice that Jerry Jones finally
announce Jimmy.

Speaker 3 (13:58):
Johnson going to the hall, you know, the ring of ns.
You want to make a big dai.

Speaker 5 (14:02):
He could have done it on Thanksgiving when this is
This and the Lions game are the two most watch
games of the entire season years.

Speaker 2 (14:08):
Just think how much bad blood there must have been
for Jimmy Jimmy Johnson, one of the most charismatic successful
figures in the history of that team.

Speaker 3 (14:15):
It's taking thirty years to get him into the team.

Speaker 4 (14:18):
Yeah, you're placing with Barry Switzer.

Speaker 3 (14:20):
Ego.

Speaker 5 (14:21):
Ego is a problem. Who wants the credit is a problem.
This way, we need to don't do this. Craft in
Belichick was we don't got thirty years. We don't have
thirty years to waste. Well Belichick, well crafts, you know,
or craft. But I'm Strafts in his eighties right now.
Let's see if Tony Pollard can pick it up here.

Speaker 3 (14:42):
The Cowboys are good at everything.

Speaker 5 (14:44):
They're twenty second though in rushing, and this is against
a good run defense. This is a team you attack
normally through the air. Washington, they're actually a pretty good
stop in the run.

Speaker 3 (14:53):
Of course, thank you, Eric. Of course it was a
number eleven.

Speaker 2 (14:58):
Staff Jersey was a self personalized whole nobody probably like
some Biblical.

Speaker 4 (15:05):
Would have to have been a quarterback back then.

Speaker 2 (15:08):
Yeah, yeah, how about Dron Bland, by the way, because
when when they lost Digs in the secondary, it was
supposed to be a crushing blow for Dallas' defense, but
Bland has become that guy. I feel like there's always
one guy in the secondary somewhere in the league every
year that just has that special interception season. But he's
taking the ball back with pick sixes. He's become he's

(15:30):
become a four that's got to be the right.

Speaker 6 (15:32):
Well, there's so these there's all these tweets out there
now about like the fact that he essentially has four
receiving touchdowns, but there's a flock of bigger name wideouts
to have three right for the course of a whole year.

Speaker 2 (15:42):
And I don't know if greg I don't know if
the the you know, PFF and other analytics back him
up as a premier corner, but he's a playmaker on
a team that is just loaded with him. So he
kind of he filled that void in a lot of
ways in their secondary because Diggs was kind of that
as well. He wasn't always perfect in coverage, but he
always was there around the ball.

Speaker 5 (15:59):
He's been solid though, even even in coverage on plays
that he's not returning to the house. And he was
good last year too. That they found something. I mean,
they are better in every way than this wash.

Speaker 3 (16:09):
I mean, I just they could get ugly but I
think it's get very ugly, and.

Speaker 6 (16:13):
I's think it starts with Micah Parsons, who like last
week he uh like dry scooped or something before the game,
which is like he took a bunch of protein I
think it was, and then he's like threw up multiple times.
But then go watch that Panthers game. He is destroying
them from all over the place. Sam Howell, I mean
this point, at this point, we've heard this before, but
he's been sacked fifty times, no other player more than forty.

Speaker 4 (16:34):
He's been hit ninety two times.

Speaker 6 (16:36):
I feel like Micah Parsons is like set up to
absolutely create utter havoc.

Speaker 5 (16:40):
Ron Blane is your number one PFF ranked coverage? Wow
in your back. I mean Diggs was not ranking like
that the last and.

Speaker 3 (16:48):
That's not a be all end all.

Speaker 2 (16:50):
But now if if the eye test and the tape
test and and of course the production of the pick sixes,
how is he not in the defensive Player of the
year conversation?

Speaker 3 (17:00):
I know you I haven't heard him.

Speaker 5 (17:01):
Parsons that it is funny because if he was just
like drafted in the top ten overall picks last year
instead of it the fifth round I have a feeling
he would be getting more attention for some reason.

Speaker 3 (17:11):
It feels more fluky.

Speaker 6 (17:12):
Do you think if Dak Prescott goes out and has
another one of these games? Because the Cowboys have changed
my mind, Dan from like where you're in to go,
I'm just I see it because the way they win,
they win an all in every in every way, and
some of their biggest wins haven't really been because their offense.
But if Dak goes out in mince meets like the
Washington defense like is he our MVP front runner?

Speaker 3 (17:32):
No, but it hurts. I don't think there is. I
think there are the two leaders in Vegas right now.

Speaker 5 (17:36):
I don't think it me I think seven weeks left,
it hasn't started.

Speaker 3 (17:40):
Like none of all happened that.

Speaker 2 (17:42):
I hate, sure though, but it matters whoever wants to
talk about it.

Speaker 5 (17:45):
No, No, But what I mean is like nothing that's happened
to this point I think is going to impact who
wins the MVP. There's about fifteen guys that could whoever,
and I think Dak has got to go there.

Speaker 3 (17:55):
So I think Dak, I mean Dak in Apparel Universe.

Speaker 6 (17:57):
He's got twelve interceptions and he's melting down, one's going crazy.

Speaker 3 (18:00):
He's having a great season.

Speaker 2 (18:02):
So it's funny because that guy's a chance. He'd be
a good story too.

Speaker 3 (18:05):
He is, he checks a lot of the boxes.

Speaker 2 (18:07):
I it's funny because I still I know the Cowboys
are going to be there in January, but Dak lighting
up the Commanders at home and Thanksgiving. I need to
see him really in a big spot in the playoffs.

Speaker 4 (18:20):
Well gains a big time game, nothing matter.

Speaker 2 (18:23):
So I always kind of doubt them because I have
questions about him, like personally in that type of environment.

Speaker 3 (18:28):
But you know what, as I say all the time,
I'm gonna be able to watch it. Let's catastrophe strikes
chinx anybody.

Speaker 2 (18:36):
Let's move to the final game, the Thanksgiving Night game.
See if you're following along in this, if you're tracking
the league, they it's incremental.

Speaker 3 (18:48):
But the NFL babbles things up.

Speaker 2 (18:51):
And about what was about ten twelve years ago, that's
when the Thanksgiving Night came as a game.

Speaker 3 (18:58):
And now we got Friday as well, Easter Sunday kick off.
Maybe don't doubt it.

Speaker 2 (19:07):
Let's see we have the forty nine ers traveling to
Seattle to face the Seahawks. The Seahawks have some injury
issues here. Gino Smith with the elbow. I think he's
tracking towards playing, but he's banged up. DK Metcalf also
banged up. And if you look at Seattle, Greg gets a.
It's a big game for them because, yes, the Niners.

(19:29):
It would be no shame if they weren't able to
beat the Niners at home. The Niners are arguably the
best team in football, if not a top three team
in football.

Speaker 3 (19:39):
However, you look.

Speaker 2 (19:40):
At the next three weeks after this at Dallas, at
San Francisco, VERSUS Philadelphia, they could go into a skid
that could ruin their season. So this almost is like,
in this environment, if you get this win, you could
probably survive the rocky terrain ahead and play down the
stretch or the real chance the playoffs, or this thing

(20:01):
could start spinning out of control after a bad loss.

Speaker 3 (20:03):
To the Rams.

Speaker 5 (20:04):
Yeah, it was probably about a month ago that I said, Wow,
I think this team has a higher ceiling than I
expected this season, And since then they've looked incredibly mediocre.
Their offense is definitely a little worse than it was
a year ago. It's not bad, but it's not a
difference maker. It's not consistent, and their defense has taken
a huge step back. And I just kind of think
when you're playing a team like the forty nine, you're

(20:26):
gonna have some things that they can pick on. You know,
are you physical enough to hold up to them? They
certainly weren't. This was a terrible matchup. They were really
embarrassed against the forty nine ers three times last year.
But it's like, what is it that you do really
well that can make up for that? And I don't
see anything with the Seahawks. They actually don't really have
any part of their team that's special. There's no Kenneth
Walker in this game. It'll be Zach Sharbonny. I don't

(20:47):
think that's a huge deal. But I worry about them
holding up to the physicality of the forty nine ers
defensive front.

Speaker 3 (20:53):
Especially.

Speaker 6 (20:54):
Yeah, like I get real tired of like historical matchup data,
but I don't. I don't think it's unreliable. Unreliable to
look at last year and these teams are very similar.

Speaker 3 (21:03):
It's coach totally, no, it's very similar.

Speaker 6 (21:05):
And like I like, I go back to that Thursday
Night game where I thought the Gino Smith and he
had a great season, but it started to tail off
a little bit in the final, you know, third or
fourth and San Francisco, Like, the Niners expose Seattle in
a lot of ways in that game. And if you
go look at their weapons Christian McCaffrey at running back,
Deebo Samuel George Kittle like at the running back, wide receiver,

(21:27):
and tight end position. No other three players have had
more success historically against Seattle than those three players. They
match up really well against Seattle's defense. Right now, we're
getting a version of where we've woken up from the
dream of that brock Perty is gonna come back down
to be some sort of second tier mezzening level quarterback.

(21:48):
He's been absolutely awesome for two weeks in a row.
I don't care that this game is in Seattle. That
doesn't seem to me the same way it used to.
I think the Niners own this team, and I don't
think Gino Smith is healthy even if he plays.

Speaker 2 (22:00):
I got some data points on Party who leads the NFL.
He has nearly ten yards in attempt his passer rating,
which I know is not everything, but when you're in
the he's at one point fifteen that tells you a lot.
I mean, how efficient he is. He's on pace for
over forty five hundred yards passing. He's completing seventy percent
of his passes. As you said, he's really he came

(22:22):
out of that slump, and it was a legitimate slump.

Speaker 3 (22:24):
But the last last couple of weeks he's.

Speaker 4 (22:27):
Wasn't like he was terrible during those in that slump either.

Speaker 2 (22:29):
Right, But the last two weeks he's completed seventy eight
percent of his passes, six touchdowns, no interceptions, with a
perfect passer rating. He is a guy that won't be
perfect always, but when he starts cooking in this offense
is rolling and if the defense is vulnerable, they're going
to score points. And then it's like Greg, can Seattle
keep up if this turns into a shootout, And the

(22:50):
way they are right now, I'm not sure.

Speaker 5 (22:52):
Right can they take advantage of the only weakness in
San Francisco, which I think is their cornerbacks? But I
don't know if they can hold up long enough. If
you just looked at the numbers without any context, rock
Perty is your MVP.

Speaker 6 (23:03):
Right, Why can't we Why can't anyone accept that just
because of the system.

Speaker 5 (23:07):
I think if I think the leader in EPA per
play for quarterbacks has one MVP something like six out
of or like seven years in a row. Six years
in a row like that usually is that it kind
of tells you who's playing the best. And he's he's
so far ahead in that number that there's almost no
chance he's not gonna have that lead.

Speaker 6 (23:25):
But why do we act like he's Holly Hobby just
because he's in a Kyle Shanahan offense.

Speaker 2 (23:28):
Like he It's unfair. I think it's unfair. Well, I
think the guys, like the guys that are he's competing
against for this award, like Lamar, like Jalen Hurts like
Mahomes if that offense ever wakes up. I think they're
better players. I think everyone kind of knows that they're
better players. And I think that's what hurts pretty because

(23:50):
people do say he's a good player in an incredible
scheme with an amazing talent around him, and it's like, yeah,
there's no way escaping that unless he pulls up the
enemy and says, I'm gonna go go do it somewhere
else on my own. So maybe that she has to
deal with the Shanahan tacks and there are worse fates
in the world. To be honest, Mark, but I see
what you're saying. If he leads the league in like
virtually every passing category, see, and the team goes thirteen and.

Speaker 6 (24:11):
Four to the eye like he's Josh allenis is like
a physical specimen Lamar's fatality.

Speaker 5 (24:15):
And also they carry their offense in a way that
he doesn't a because he doesn't run, and because he
doesn't throw the ball much. I mean, those guys have
thrown the ball one hundred and forty more times than him,
so they they I think that matters.

Speaker 3 (24:28):
Volume does matter a little bit. I feel your frustration.

Speaker 6 (24:30):
Yeah, but I I could argue against myself too. It's
just that it's like he's not even he won't even
get votes. Let's won't even get well.

Speaker 2 (24:36):
See, can you check the Vegas odds right now for MVP,
see where perty is, because he absolutely should be in
the top three, and if.

Speaker 3 (24:43):
He's not, there is a lot of bias going on it.

Speaker 6 (24:46):
By the way, how about Seattle go take care of
business against the Rams before this insane Like.

Speaker 3 (24:50):
Yeah, classic classic game. I don't buy them, classic trap game.

Speaker 5 (24:55):
I think Chase Young has really changed their defense the
way they were using him in both to kind of
like in the A gaps as like linebackers or something.

Speaker 3 (25:04):
It was kind of crazy.

Speaker 5 (25:05):
Eric Armstead had his most pressures of any game in
his career last week on top of that, and I
think that's partly because opposing offensive lines have so much
to deal with in the Seattle offensive line is terrible.

Speaker 3 (25:16):
It's been terrible. Hey, guys, real quick before we move on.

Speaker 8 (25:18):
I'm seeing on DraftKings right now brought pretty plus fifteen
hundred for MV people.

Speaker 3 (25:22):
Well, what notice.

Speaker 8 (25:25):
That would be behind Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes Tua.

Speaker 3 (25:28):
So that would be fifth Holmes. Well that's pretty high though.

Speaker 8 (25:32):
Yeah, Holmes is going to get the opposite tacks because
no matter what, DA you got Dak Prescott right behind
him at plus fifteen hundred, C J. Stroud plus eighteen
and CMC fifth plus twenty two.

Speaker 3 (25:41):
Totally out of the mix. So okay, he might be
creeping up.

Speaker 4 (25:44):
It says something that is running back is the first
non quarterback on that list.

Speaker 5 (25:47):
That would I if I had a vote today, I'm
putting tyreek Kill number one. It is crazy that Tyreek
Kill's not in the top ten there.

Speaker 3 (25:55):
It's crazy.

Speaker 5 (25:56):
He's on pace for two thousand yards that big season.
To me, he's been the most excellent player this season.
It's crazy, all right.

Speaker 3 (26:04):
So those are the Thanksgiving games.

Speaker 2 (26:06):
Now, for the first time ever, as I said, we
have a Black Friday game. It is the Jets and
the Dolphins at the Metal Lands and it is a
new quarterback for the Jets.

Speaker 3 (26:19):
Tim Boyle will be starting.

Speaker 2 (26:21):
Zach Wilson demoted all the way to emergency backup quarterback,
so with Trevor Simmons the number two. So that is
the sad state of affairs around the Jets and now
becomes greg. This game and the idea of this game
being enjoyable to watch comes down to a couple of things.

Speaker 3 (26:39):
One anybody other than Zach Wilson.

Speaker 2 (26:41):
So at least you get another quarterback who maybe has
a more professional ability to move an offense, and maybe.

Speaker 3 (26:47):
The Jets could score a couple touchdowns.

Speaker 2 (26:49):
But ken the Jets defense, which finally led up and
got beat up by Buffalo last week, are they going
to be able to cook up some things to slow
down to it in the Dolphins offense, which as we
know has happened in multiple points this season against good defenses.

Speaker 3 (27:04):
Right, really, for the last month, when was the last
great to a game? All right, let's look at it.

Speaker 5 (27:09):
I mean the Eagles game. I think he played very well.
It didn't show up statistically, but it would be the
week before that. We've gone basically a month without a
dominant Dolphins offensive performance by basically any metric you looked at. Offensively,
they've been average for a month now. Their defense is
getting much better, but you just see little cracks. They're

(27:32):
terrible in short yard they can't buy a yard when
it's third and one, fourth and one.

Speaker 3 (27:36):
They never just like run the ball normally.

Speaker 5 (27:38):
Their offensive line, which started out pretty in sync, you
see some leaks there. And this is a very tough
matchup against the Jets. So while this game is not
as nearly excited as I would have expected go into
the season, the Dolphins are still a very compelling team
at seven and three, trying to win this division, and
when they have the ball that this is an outstanding

(27:59):
test for them. If they're who we think they are,
they should be able to put some points up eventually
and pull away in this game.

Speaker 6 (28:06):
Last week against the Raiders. They kept getting in their
own way. They had three giveaways, like Tua finally looked
human on a number of passes. They had a yet again,
a turnover you know inside the five yard line.

Speaker 3 (28:17):
I mean that kind of stuff, but little snappy. It
was sloppy.

Speaker 6 (28:20):
But then it's like over and over like Tyreek Hill
kept digging them out. And I'm with you on the
MVP thing, but it's like no one could stop what
he was doing. And it's like, you're gonna get a
couple of those, and I think we're at the point,
and I think what happened. One of the reasons you
got this quarterback change in New York, I mean it
should have happened a long time ago, was that the
defense can't do it alone. And I think a change

(28:41):
for the sake of change was needed. And Tim Boyle
new face. But like Tim Boyle, if you look at
it in college, and you don't get a lot of
pro quarterbacks where this has happened in college, twelve touchdowns
and twenty six interceptions, that is not That is not
where an NFL quarterback comes from from a collegiate level.

Speaker 3 (28:58):
And Thanksgiving a couple of years ago didn't well he was.

Speaker 6 (29:01):
He's played for Detroit a number of times, and you know,
so I just I wonder what I Honestly, I was thinking,
like what if I were the Jets, what would I do?

Speaker 3 (29:08):
Like what do you do differently?

Speaker 6 (29:09):
And like I would literally think about just morphine out
of nowhere on Black Friday into like a surprise wildcat
type game where Breis Hall touches the ball, like yeah,
but they don't have an offensive line, so I change
all sorts of things. I'm just saying, do something that expected.

Speaker 3 (29:25):
Also, there are a lot of things going on here.

Speaker 2 (29:27):
Tim Boyle is good buddies with Aaron Rodgers, like this
is everything has kind of.

Speaker 3 (29:31):
Gone like the worst way.

Speaker 2 (29:32):
Well, they sign up for this, so this is they
got in bed with Rogers and and they get all
the bad stuff and none of the good stuff because
he's not playing.

Speaker 3 (29:38):
So now you have boil in the building.

Speaker 2 (29:40):
Probably because the Rodgers, you have Hacketts still the offense,
and almost any other offensive coordinator at the very least
would have lost his play calling duties by now, and
many would be fired. And we're gonna get to Matt
Canada who lost his job, but he's still there.

Speaker 3 (29:53):
So they are complete.

Speaker 2 (29:54):
Nathaniel Hackett, Thanks, it's nice to see you out here.
We are a long way from Hard Knocks when he
was this cute figure. And you know he's gonna be
there next year as well because he is Aaron Rodgers's boy,
so you have they are kind of caught in this
like tornado of Rogers, and they, like you said, signed
up for it. So I guess my only thought with
that is maybe Boyle is a professional to the point

(30:18):
where he could see the field and pull the trigger
and just make basic plays that Wilson just couldn't even make.

Speaker 3 (30:23):
It as though he's like he's sort of the opposite
of that.

Speaker 5 (30:26):
He's like a big arm guy who's gonna like make
some crazy thrill you know, mistakes.

Speaker 2 (30:30):
Honestly, it's just an I don't think anybody has high
optimism around this stark boil, but it's not Zach Wilson.
All it needs to be right and that's right now,
You're right, that's all it needs to be. And if
you're the Dolphins and your Dolphins fans like Handsome Hank
and everyone else, you could essentially end the Jets season
here because I thought going into this one two punch
of for the Jets Buffalo Miami. Coming off those two losses,

(30:54):
ugly losses against the Chargers and Raiders, the Jets had
to win one of them, and so I didn't think
they had a swing. They had at least win one
and then stop the bleeding. They get killed by Buffalo.
If the Jets get smoked again here, not only I
think for all intensive purposes, is it over the Aaron
Rodgers coming back on Christmas Eve. I think they need

(31:14):
to pump the brakes on that and whether Aaron Rodgers
wants to come back or not, and and slow things down.
But maybe we get an inspired defensive effort and boil
you know, hits a slanted Garrett Wilson that goes for
seventy and they hang around in this game.

Speaker 4 (31:28):
That's a different Dolphins defense with Jalen Ramsey though.

Speaker 3 (31:30):
Yeah it really him and Jalen Phillips. They have too.

Speaker 5 (31:33):
He's been very good premiere players and they're they're getting better.
But this is a Dolphins team that look at home. Uh,
we're trying to stop Aidan O'Connell two different times from
scoring a game tight in touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Speaker 3 (31:46):
So it's they're not above maybe.

Speaker 6 (31:49):
Differing that was, but they also picked them off three time,
like they also coaxed.

Speaker 5 (31:53):
They happened, and they were the better team in the game.
But you know they both both Ramsey picks insane, we're
incredible play.

Speaker 3 (32:02):
So he's turned back the clock.

Speaker 2 (32:03):
He's I was wondering whether he would be the same
player he was with the Rams, which wasn't top form
Ramsey last year.

Speaker 5 (32:10):
But he looks like a revitalized and healthy He's a
weird career. He either is like the best cornerback in
the league or not that close, but he's been the
best cornerback like four times.

Speaker 2 (32:21):
All right, let's now move to the primetime games, starting
with Sunday Night Football.

Speaker 3 (32:27):
The Baltimore Ravens.

Speaker 2 (32:29):
They could have well, they didn't do it alone because
the injury to quarterback plays a big role, but they
might have ended the Bengals season last Thursday night.

Speaker 3 (32:40):
And you know, I have a bone to pick. I
didn't bring it up on the Thursday recap.

Speaker 2 (32:44):
I am filing a formal protest in the lock Challenge
to get all the data removed from the season because
I would have never locked the Bengals on the road
against the Ravens if I knew the quarterback Joe Burrow
had a busted wrist, they hid that from me as well, Greg,
and that I would have never eradicate the entire Yeah,
the whole thing needs this way a bomb dropped on it.

(33:06):
Listen to the preview when I locked up the Bengals,
I basically said, this is a bad pick, but I
believe in Joe Burrow, and it's me and Joe against
the world, and they were hiding a crippling wrist injury.

Speaker 3 (33:19):
How dare you.

Speaker 5 (33:20):
The Bengals single handedly took you down because I remember
you went against You went against them when they played
the Niners, and then you said you're going to pick
them every week.

Speaker 2 (33:29):
They they ended my season as well. I lost three weeks.
I could vote to have you have a chance. This
was to have two locks. This week they're showing up.
They're showing the standings here. I didn't one the Wesleyan
Brose eight and three and hands and Sessler five and
if you added that's rough. But we're going to eradicate this.
So yeah, this means nothing.

Speaker 5 (33:49):
I'm fine with that. I've been trying to do that
for years, and you know what, the well, this season
or we could just start from scratch. From scratch, season
doesn't start till after thanks.

Speaker 3 (33:58):
I don't support that.

Speaker 2 (34:01):
I think the zoo keeper Nick Westling, by the way,
he's eight and three, and he was, you know, he
was starting to feel out what he was like the
character he's building for the show. And by the way,
Chris watching down wherever, he is having a ball watching Nick,
enjoying himself and feeling himself on the show.

Speaker 3 (34:18):
But remember he.

Speaker 2 (34:19):
Was leaning a little too hard if you look at
some of those early picks, like Showman type picks that
were really overly risky.

Speaker 3 (34:26):
Jets I believe Jetsick was in the mix. He got
the jets against the giants. That was the lot.

Speaker 2 (34:32):
Yeah, but there was another, but there was I think
in the beginning of the season, I wonder if he
could do it over again, he would have rained in
the Showman and maybe he'd be with Greg at ten
and well, but they haven't lost in weeks.

Speaker 3 (34:41):
I don't think he can't help it. It's a two
horse race. It's about me there. He is the great
Chris Westling. You know, I was thinking.

Speaker 2 (34:54):
That Chris and Lakeisha lived a town away from where
I am now, like going on double dates with Chris
and Lakisha and maybe we'd all be together on Thanksgiving.

Speaker 6 (35:03):
That well, there were a number of times that West
and I came over after that first Seattle San Francisco game,
we came over to your place.

Speaker 5 (35:12):
You even had macaroni only come I've ever eaten mac
and chee. It was Texas style.

Speaker 2 (35:16):
It had a little bit of a different consistency that
I think you open a base or whatever.

Speaker 3 (35:20):
But yes, Chris was with us right now. You know,
he pops up in your mind.

Speaker 5 (35:26):
I think that in the holidays when my family leaves me,
they were my adopted family during the holidays, spend.

Speaker 2 (35:31):
Christmas, always open arms in the Westlings with Lakeisha. Happy
Thanksgiving to Lakisha and Link and everyone back in Saint Louis.

Speaker 3 (35:39):
All right, here we go, Here we go, here we go.
Where were you?

Speaker 5 (35:42):
Oh?

Speaker 2 (35:42):
Yeah, So the Cincinnati Bengals screwed me, and that's the past.
Now the Ravens at eight and three with a real
chance here at the number one seed, and the AFC
get a Chargers team. I don't know, Mark, they stink.
That's all that's my data points on this one. They
keep getting primetime game, but we wanted to make the
Chargers a thing this year. The league wanted to make

(36:04):
them a thing, and they're just never going to be
a thing, at least not with Brandon Staley. No, we're
maybe with Bill Belichick.

Speaker 3 (36:08):
Yeah.

Speaker 6 (36:09):
Yeah, So it'll start all over again, sure in the
off season, but we're post Chargers at this point.

Speaker 4 (36:14):
We talked about it a lot on Sunday night.

Speaker 6 (36:16):
How you know, the Brandon Staley press conference for me
marked like a bookend where he just became.

Speaker 3 (36:21):
So the beginning of the end.

Speaker 6 (36:22):
Yeah, and it's like, you know that that stuff matters.
You gotta wonder what's happening with the locker room because
I see its like it is sort of two lightning
rod quarterbacks that have their little flocks, And like Lamar
Jackson experience is that he's in a team that's very
well coached and Brandon Staley is coaching the other quarterback,
Justin Herbert, who has like lost more one score games

(36:44):
over the past couple of seasons than any quarterback in
the league. And it's not his fault. The defense that
should be Staley's staple has allowed three hundred yards passing
in half of their ten games. So this is a
big opportunity for Baltimore to come into the on the road,
into an un problematic stadium. It's gonna be a Ravens
crowd probably like every other week, but you don't have
Mark Andrews, and I that's Mark Andrews has accounted for

(37:06):
twenty percent of their yardage through the air and half
of Lamar Jackson's touchdowns, and I think that's a big loss.

Speaker 3 (37:12):
He's the core of that offense.

Speaker 6 (37:14):
It's like a lot of pressure on Odell Beckham, who's
arrow up last couple of weeks. But I don't know
if I don't know if if like without without Mark Andrews,
you're not the same offense.

Speaker 5 (37:22):
It's funny because even before Andrews got hurt, my number
one concern I thought, the one thing that's gonna decide
whether the Ravens can maybe go win this super Bowl
or not is can the wide receivers and Lamar be
consistent and explosive enough on a week to week basis
to go win a shit Because I think they have
the opportunity. I think they've shown flashes, hasn't been consistent.

(37:43):
This matchup is great for that, Matt, you know, for
that happening because there's always blown coverages. You look last week,
the defenders are talking right before the Packers hit some
big plays down the field. They're not clear on assignments.
Everything is just counting on Herbert to play his best.
I think he's played easily his best two games of
the season in a row the last two weeks, and

(38:03):
they lost. They lost them both. I mean easily is
best too. And I saw a stat It was from
our June Manan not familiar with him before. He has
some good stats, he pointed out since week two, if
you just have the Charger's success rate on running plays
since then, it would be the worst rushing team in

(38:25):
the last decade. That's how bad they are on a
down to down basis running. So they have so many
different things going wrong from them. I couldn't believe it.
We'll see that uh Eckler run I was talking about. Yes, yeah,
that was put the piano on the back.

Speaker 3 (38:37):
That was not great.

Speaker 4 (38:38):
That was Kellen Moore was brought into change all.

Speaker 5 (38:40):
Then, so they they like you worry about Brandonsdale a
little bit in a primetime game.

Speaker 3 (38:45):
Primetime games are kind of when changes sometimes happened.

Speaker 5 (38:49):
And I looked at the number at this game, and
it's three and a half, and I'm thinking that's crazy
for it to be three and a half. And you
know how they have those little sides on the on
the Sofi stadium.

Speaker 3 (39:00):
It's not totally a closed air environment.

Speaker 5 (39:03):
Yes, and at night sometimes you coming in sideways.

Speaker 3 (39:07):
Why for the holiday season, we're.

Speaker 5 (39:09):
Gonna be helping out all the boys and girls in
the land.

Speaker 3 (39:12):
It's gotta be raining in.

Speaker 5 (39:13):
Las Vegas, Los Angeles Sunnday night.

Speaker 3 (39:17):
And we're locking it up too, We're doubling it up.
We're double double the pleasure. This is all right, little.

Speaker 5 (39:22):
Gravy, you mix everything together, the collar greens, the mashed potatoes.

Speaker 3 (39:27):
You gotta you gotta watch this on whatever best channel
or YouTube just to see the rain maker video component here.
It's so timid.

Speaker 6 (39:36):
It's not Craig at his most handsombod, because he's a
handsome person in general.

Speaker 3 (39:40):
Why did so Erica created this?

Speaker 2 (39:42):
You're saying, and it was after a fight that you
guys had a very volcanic relationship to you, Is that
a vengeance? You're wearing your glasses, so you must add
like some type of maybe.

Speaker 5 (39:51):
A stigma or you know, I like guy glasses. But
I definitely why this was. This was a path not
taken at you.

Speaker 4 (40:03):
Look like Greg, Well, that's or I guess for you
a bar mitzvah.

Speaker 5 (40:08):
No, this is I'm the state farm agent and I'm
gonna get you a good, good price on that home Homonado.

Speaker 3 (40:14):
Very nice, very nice. I like it, is this your
lock of the week or I'm locking it up to
I'm locking it up? Oh, it's a double up, doubble
Max missmashing. What could go right?

Speaker 2 (40:24):
You've really you've went from picking the Chargers to win
the Super Bowl to just going way on the other
side of them. But I can't question anything, Greg, because
you've had the golden touch this year with really everything.
But I also I have to say I think it
needs to be said this close to the holidays.

Speaker 3 (40:40):
To pull the rain maker. You know, there's gonna be
a lot of people out there.

Speaker 2 (40:44):
They're going to go all in those because they have
because Santi class has to come to town, you know
what I mean? Yep uh, And you understand there's a
great responsibility that you have here to make sure this
one's right.

Speaker 5 (40:53):
I do, but look, I'm I don't tell what our
listeners what to do all. I'm saying, if you had
just been following our locks every week for eleven straight
weeks and doing the money line, you'd be doing pretty well.

Speaker 3 (41:04):
Be doing it. We're in a show.

Speaker 6 (41:06):
We're recovering sixteen games, which is so we're going to
have I would say four to five more sell promotional
dialogues from.

Speaker 2 (41:14):
Greg Monday Night Football. Let's move on, And I'm with you.
I think the Ravens and the Chargers are two franchises
going in opposite directions. So but I would never put
someone else's money and Christmas Morning on the line, profession.
That's some people have different viewpoints on society and what
they give to it.

Speaker 9 (41:34):
All.

Speaker 3 (41:35):
Right, here we go the Bears. What do we got?
What are the Bears doing here? What have we got?
Bears in print time? Again? Why are we doing this?
Nobody wants us? I don't know.

Speaker 4 (41:44):
We've had this conversation one year after year.

Speaker 3 (41:46):
No, the Bears are the last place in the North.

Speaker 2 (41:49):
Justin Field's playing, of course, for a future in Chicago,
and they get the Vikings, the team of around the
NFL that had a gut punch loss on Sunday Night Football.
As we all know, twenty one twenty to the Broncos.
But here here is a very nice get right spot
both teams. That's their last game before they go into

(42:10):
a bye week. I I absolutely believe that the Vikings
would will take care of business in in.

Speaker 3 (42:19):
Easy, easy manner against.

Speaker 2 (42:21):
The Bears and by feeling good because they are the
team around the NFL, and I think Josh Jobbs is
gonna really have a big day, and when they get
back from the bye, they'll be comfortably in the playoff
picture with Justin Jefferson hopefully back.

Speaker 3 (42:37):
On the field.

Speaker 6 (42:38):
I'm with you, and I'm I agree with you so
much that with this music as the background, I am
locking this team.

Speaker 3 (42:44):
Up instead of like, are they in the are they
in the zone? Sure? Yeah, I'm sure I didn't look
three and a half.

Speaker 2 (42:51):
The Bears are getting Oh I'm with you, buddy, Let's
do it, lockbros.

Speaker 3 (42:54):
All right, we're in last.

Speaker 5 (42:56):
Does not make great as a fan of the team
around the NFL, but let's go, come on, let's go. Why, Greg,
I guess you could look just because of your records,
but also actually the Bears are played.

Speaker 3 (43:07):
Well, Whe're zero zero? Yeah?

Speaker 2 (43:08):
Because I just got breaking news, breaking news, just heard
from Paul Giamatti, son of Bartlett Giamatti, commissioner of the
Lock Committee.

Speaker 3 (43:22):
Oh yes, they are.

Speaker 2 (43:23):
They are wiping clean because of the Joe Burrow injury,
a failure for an injury designation in the week eleven
Thursday night affair against the Raves.

Speaker 3 (43:32):
Wiping all standing, so five losses. Talk to Paul Giamatti.

Speaker 4 (43:38):
It'll drop a food coloring in a glass of water there.

Speaker 3 (43:41):
That's the whole thing.

Speaker 5 (43:42):
I'm a little worried about this game for the Vikings though,
just because Beild's played awesome last week. I thought he
was the best, you know, one of the best players
on the field, one of his best games. It's coming
off two really good performances before he got hurt.

Speaker 3 (43:55):
As well.

Speaker 5 (43:55):
Their defense has been better slash respectable. I get why
it's three and a half. Like I've I'm taking the
Vikings certainly in this game, but the Bears are trend
in a little up. There's no justin Jefferson, like every
game is in advance that horn again, that's what I'm saying.

Speaker 6 (44:09):
I'm with you writing in the sense that like you
can look at how the game started up until you
know the collapse against Detroit and say, have the Bears
turned the corner.

Speaker 3 (44:19):
A little bit? They were dominating that game, that's what.
But then you also collapsed, But like that was that defensively? Yeah?

Speaker 6 (44:25):
But I like to see the ceiling versus where they
were two months ago.

Speaker 3 (44:29):
Why are we getting this this audio? By the way,
what do you mean the.

Speaker 2 (44:33):
Team around the unabl This is like the thing they played,
Oh Mark, come on, you don't know they blow the horn.

Speaker 4 (44:40):
The whole I like, I'd like to just play at
the whole show that part.

Speaker 3 (44:44):
I know you know this one, Yes, I do. I've
heard that roughly seven thousand times. All Right, anything else
on this game. Got to keep that running game going.

Speaker 5 (44:58):
I like that they got Madison for the first time
in forever last week.

Speaker 3 (45:02):
All right, there we go.

Speaker 2 (45:03):
So that is the Thanksgiving games, Black Friday, prime time.
We'll take a break and when we come back, we'll
do the draft. All right, welcome back. It is time
for the draft. Everybody get ready. It's time for the
first overall pick, presented by DraftKings.

Speaker 3 (45:20):
Sess Dog. He's the sess Dog. Do we have, By
the way, do we have the cess dog song? How
about that cess Dog song? To get the draft going.
Wasn't aware of that. I didn't know. Oh the sess dog.
Guess what, buddy, we got something for you. Really.

Speaker 2 (45:37):
Yeah, now we're all back together in the studio for
the first time.

Speaker 4 (45:41):
Well, let me hear it before I comment on it.

Speaker 9 (45:43):
Yeah, and Muck says the love. Everybody. Just listen up,
Tom for you to hear my stuff. Everybody can't get enough.
And Muck says the love everybody. Just listen up, Tom
for you to hear my stuff. Everybody can't get enough.

Speaker 3 (46:00):
Foot gold side foot, gold side up.

Speaker 7 (46:08):
What do you think about it's catchy?

Speaker 4 (46:12):
I could I could imagine playing in a loop in
my car where I.

Speaker 5 (46:15):
Think it captures the spirit of marsh very right, said Freddish.

Speaker 2 (46:18):
Definitely, you're inside Mark's brain on like a Saturday.

Speaker 4 (46:21):
That's what I'm telling myself over and over.

Speaker 3 (46:24):
I repeat that, Wane. I know who did it, Hobart, Curtis.

Speaker 2 (46:29):
Only a man named Hobart or Hobart could have something
that genius inside his own mind.

Speaker 6 (46:35):
Yeah, I could be a pen name or a artistic cover.
But I like it. Thank you Hobart.

Speaker 3 (46:40):
All right, you have the first pack.

Speaker 6 (46:41):
All right, I'm gonna take Cleveland at Denver. I know
last week I didn't go there in that direction. I
got a lot of hubb up. And it's like, I like,
I want to make one thing real clear, real fast.
Like I'm getting all these tweets like, oh, are you
like a Browns fan against Like I don't like anything
they've done over the last year in terms of one
specific subject, Like I can care about some of the

(47:01):
other players, and I kind of think this team is
a little bit interesting to me because they had they
were a rotting corpse on defense for so long, and
this is a weird team and you're saying yes, by
the way, for It's just like no, It's like I
haven't really It's like I'm not dancing around. It's like
I just I don't. I'm getting people saying like, oh,
you like backed off and this, like but if you

(47:22):
just say, well, it's gonna, I just I just said
it basically, I'm watching this defense gonna Actually.

Speaker 3 (47:35):
I'm not.

Speaker 6 (47:35):
And I'm not like like I think a couple of
years from now, I could come back and be a
full fledged Browns fan.

Speaker 4 (47:41):
That is what I would say.

Speaker 6 (47:42):
And it's like it's the insinuations left and right are
me are like foggy and stupid. So it's like, please
leave it alone.

Speaker 3 (47:49):
So in a couple of years you'll be a Browns
fan again.

Speaker 6 (47:52):
Maybe I'm not right now in the way that I
was before, and that never will be the same case.

Speaker 4 (47:58):
I don't how to describe it, just will never be
the same.

Speaker 3 (48:01):
All right, with your first overall picks, the Browns go ahead.
I am taking this game. I think this is you know,
for two reasons.

Speaker 6 (48:07):
Then Weeks go ahead, Mark no, for two reasons because
I think this team is kind of fascinating to watch,
Like their defense is historically insane, and they have created
If they had a more competent offense, like I think
they'd be fairly unstoppable as an overall team. Because they've
forced three and outs at a higher rate than any
club this entire century.

Speaker 3 (48:30):
That's not easy to do, it's it's over fifty percent.

Speaker 6 (48:33):
Because of this, the Browns offense has run one hundred
and eighty two more plays than their opponents, which is
more than double than the next team.

Speaker 3 (48:40):
Wow.

Speaker 6 (48:41):
Like they are shutting down drives and their offense is
being given the ball back at a quicker, faster, more
dangerous pace. But Cleveland's offense is twenty ninth and EPA
per game, twenty third in points per drive, and thirtieth
in yards per play. We know they're working around injuries,
but it's like the one thing I find interesting is
that there isn't this is the opposite of a fractured team.

(49:02):
Like that would be the like they're winning, so that
changes some of it, but this would be the medicine
or the setup for like the defense to be revolting instead,
like everything they've said, everything they've done as an overall
group has been the opposite of that.

Speaker 3 (49:15):
I think that's to the credit of Kevin Stefanski, who.

Speaker 2 (49:17):
All, as you win, as long as you win it,
you won't have players only meeting right, you won't have
rumbling from wide receivers.

Speaker 5 (49:23):
Also won the game thirty nine to thirty eight and
thirty three to thirty one, so they the defense knows
that in some big spots their offense has actually bailed
them out.

Speaker 6 (49:32):
Yes, that was with That's true, there were different players involved.

Speaker 3 (49:36):
At that point.

Speaker 6 (49:36):
But I would just say, like, this is not This
Denver team is completely different than the team that we
focused on early.

Speaker 3 (49:43):
They're like fifth in defense overall.

Speaker 6 (49:45):
Right now in over the last five weeks like they've
been we saw them on Monday night or on Sunday
night look much more competent on offense too.

Speaker 4 (49:52):
And that's been the case with Russell Wilson for a while.

Speaker 6 (49:54):
And I will say, when you go into out the
altitude thing, I'll never forget.

Speaker 3 (49:58):
I went with a f with a couple of families went.

Speaker 6 (50:01):
On a ski trip to Colorado back when I was
like in sixth grade, and like, you fly into Denver
and you think, like this is gonna be fine, We're
gonna go skiing, and like me and this girl from
another family like had to stay home the first day
and watch like, you know, I love Lucy all morning
because we could we were like throwing up left and
right with altitude sickness.

Speaker 4 (50:20):
So I always factor that in.

Speaker 2 (50:21):
Okay time in Denver historically toughy atmosphere. I I think
mark that and you look at like their schedule the
rest of the way, I pretty much see all games
that are going to come down to about a field goal.
I think that's just who the the way the offense
is built. And you got to give Thompson Robinson some

(50:42):
credit because he made throws that you know, kind of
got to make to be playing at this level. But
on that last drive he hit, he hit on three
completions that got him in field goal range and then
they get the kick and away we go. I think
you're gonna be white knuckling it throughout the season here.
But they have something special. Every team needs something special
if you want to play in January football that counts

(51:03):
like and they have this defense. So as long as
the offense doesn't blow their season, and I don't think
they will because I think they're gonna. I think Stefanski
is gonna play this right where He's not gonna He's
gonna play a conservative game. So I think thirteen to
ten type games are gonna happen a lot, and I
think it's gonna happen here against Denver as well.

Speaker 5 (51:19):
Right, they look they're kind of in a similar spot
as the Jets, except they have a better defense ultimately
as schedules helped, but a better defense and a better
play caller I think is important, a better overall offensive system.
That the Broncos are two and a half point favorites
in this game. The over unders thirty five, but that

(51:40):
is so so low, But I totally get it. I
like the Browns in this game. I took the Browns
last week. I hope Cess Spice, you know, finally gets
on board with the Browns in Sesspice.

Speaker 6 (51:52):
Spice doesn't know this, but Cess made an alteration to
the Sesspice picks and the brown Wow.

Speaker 2 (51:58):
It's like a It's almost like a head coach making
a change of play caller because it is a certain point.

Speaker 3 (52:03):
It's your responsibility.

Speaker 2 (52:04):
It is not Spice, sess It's says Spice, to control
the enterprise and do what's right for the entire next week.

Speaker 6 (52:10):
I made because I think I'm I'm working with a savant, right,
I really do.

Speaker 3 (52:13):
I think this is a reckoning.

Speaker 5 (52:15):
Though for Russell Wilson, I'm a little tired of like
the old Russ is back and oh you hate it. Well,
first of all, he's nowhere near the old Russ. It's
not what we're saying.

Speaker 3 (52:24):
They're treating him like he's saying that he's a rookie quarterback.

Speaker 5 (52:29):
Second, thank your straw man with you. It's it's not
a straw man. There's a lot of like they're doing
a great job. At some point they have to advance
from where they are by far the fewest air yards
in the league per throw Russell Wilson. So they're treating
him like he's Dorian Thompson Robinson. His career, he's never
been under eight point two. He's at six point eight
right now.

Speaker 2 (52:49):
They're playing really well and he's a lot of like
big throws for them. And sure you know that he's
not gonna because the defense has given them twelve extra possessions.

Speaker 3 (52:58):
The last the idea was entering the season that he
was cooked. He's most of us. He would have been
benched by now.

Speaker 5 (53:05):
I think this if he can be effective against the Browns,
and I don't mean like light him up, but not
be a reason that they lose.

Speaker 3 (53:14):
That that would say a lot. I have my dat
he's not dangerous anymore. No, but he's he's not. You know,
he's still there in trench starter and.

Speaker 5 (53:21):
No, he reminds me so much of tempers are good
under Sean Payon, that's exactly.

Speaker 3 (53:26):
You love Teddy Bridgewater, right, you love him more than
you love your children, And here you are berrying russ Still,
what is it? What is pretty good counter?

Speaker 5 (53:37):
I'm not burying him. It's a good counter. Like just
like the let's come down, all right.

Speaker 3 (53:41):
I hear, and I know generally what you mean.

Speaker 6 (53:44):
Find me the people that are hyped up though, I mean,
I think people are just saying he's not last right.

Speaker 5 (53:49):
I guess I would just push back on you saying
like they're so they're different defensively than they were the
first five weeks. They've been the same offensive team, basically.

Speaker 6 (53:55):
I said, I said defense last five weeks they've got
like forty two turnovers.

Speaker 3 (53:58):
That was the game of the week.

Speaker 1 (53:59):
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Speaker 5 (54:15):
Great, Let's do Bill's Eagles. That's the Tony Romo Jim
Nance game. Nice game?

Speaker 3 (54:23):
Why didn't you take this one more? Because I know
what happens.

Speaker 6 (54:28):
Everyone is going to be watching this, So it's like,
I don't like that dynamic where I pick a game
that seventeen people are talking about the same time.

Speaker 5 (54:34):
WHOA, that's an interesting interesting Why does that you already
knew that that.

Speaker 6 (54:38):
Happened when I picked Cowboys Eagles, And it's like, why
am I reporting on this game?

Speaker 3 (54:43):
I love it, like this game's mine. I don't want
your opinion. By nature.

Speaker 6 (54:46):
By nature, reporters should be be able to offer something
that the people he's reporting there doesn't know. And it's
like I'm talking to people who isn't that.

Speaker 5 (54:53):
I'd rather that than in the end, we all kind
of honk on all the games. So I'd rather have
the game where other people are giving more and.

Speaker 4 (55:00):
For I want to see how the altitude affects.

Speaker 2 (55:02):
The kind of open That was an eye opener there,
that was It is not an unusual or new comment
for me. And once again for the second straight week,
you're messing with the sanctity of the draft. You know,
I like the first pick, like a big game. We
get into it, I'm excited.

Speaker 4 (55:16):
There's nothing I could have done that you would not
have found a way to need.

Speaker 3 (55:19):
To take Buffalo Philly one. And then you go back
and I'm bored with the Bills. Okay, go ahead, you
start then why you're bored? Wow, I am, I'm over it.
Not only is he doesn't want to talk about the
game and he's taking my game. I'm he's introduced. There
you go. I like, I am, I am bored with

(55:40):
the Bills. I like, I want to I want you
to continue that first of.

Speaker 6 (55:44):
All, Like I just feel the energy around them. It's
like I feel like Othery're on every week on national television.
It's like an up and down affair. It's like good
Josh Allen, bad Josh Allen? Like you fight, you used
your play caller as your scapegoat scenario. Who's the next scapegoat?

Speaker 3 (55:58):
Because if they can.

Speaker 2 (55:58):
Take wait, wait a second, they had a really nice showing.
They won thirty two to six. You know, the Jets
are free fire. You didn't need like that.

Speaker 6 (56:07):
Like I thought that move was suspicious and it signaled
to me something weird going on.

Speaker 2 (56:12):
We all agree with that that general feeling around Buffalo.
But in the here and now, they had had an
eighty run eighty yard played a shakiir and a beautiful
throw by Awn.

Speaker 3 (56:21):
They played mistake free football for the most part.

Speaker 2 (56:24):
They were everything that I think with Sean mcdermotd was
hoping would come out of that firing, which was the
offense looking good, the team playing cohesively.

Speaker 5 (56:33):
He beat a broken down Jets team that's all passed
like they got an Eagles matchup. They got everything in
front of them. They're six and five. I think this
can still be a playoff team. I think this Eagles
team has not been as good as their record, and
I am curious just this is a spot here for
the Bills to change their season and and I think

(56:54):
I think they can do it. I am curious what
they'll do on offense a little bit. You know, has
emerged as their second best wide receiver in my mind,
Kincaid has emerged as a big time player that they
started getting back into the two tight ends last week
with Quinton Morris on the field, and they've been running well,
like this is a chance for a team that's been
consistently at the top of the game to basically erase

(57:17):
everything that's happened before you go win this game. They
know how big a game is. You did sense a
different back against the wall type of energy with them,
with with Digs on the sideline and given all this
leadership talk and him and Alan are like loving each other.
I know it's easier when it was win, but even
early in that game, I just sense this is a
team that knows this is a big type of big

(57:38):
time of season. They've been in some big time games,
and I kind of think they're gonna win this game.

Speaker 3 (57:42):
Like I don't know if that's I mean, I think
it's a coin flip, but I kind of lie them in.
I feel like they are.

Speaker 2 (57:50):
A very tough team to figure out what happens next
in their season, because it is there is plenty of
talent there, and they have a special quarterback who's been
mistake prone. But maybe it come to Jesus moment with
how things played out the last couple of weeks, and yes,
this is such a huge inflection point moment in their
season at Philly against an Eagles team that is, yes,

(58:11):
has one loss to the Jets. Weirdly, but week after
week I watch them and I say, it's not like
this team can't get picked off, and they're very good
at home and I very nearly lock them actually today,
But even as I was thinking to myself, I was like,
I don't know, man, do I really think that Philly,
in this kind of in their rocking chair right now
at nine to one, is a team that is safe
against the Buffalo team that's kind of got to have

(58:33):
it with after their bye they are at.

Speaker 3 (58:35):
Kansas City v. Dallas.

Speaker 2 (58:37):
They they kind of this is in a lot of ways,
and you know McDermott and behind the scenes, the way
they're talking about like this is our season right here,
it's our chance to make a big statement. So I
feel pretty good about the Bills too, and I it's
a coin flip to me, but it would not surprise me.

Speaker 6 (58:51):
I think the Eagles, unlike Buffalo, can win so many
different ways, and they're in they're in Philadelphia. I feel
like we're not really giving the ether here.

Speaker 3 (59:01):
Either's the the lines makers here three and a half point.

Speaker 4 (59:04):
I could care less what they're doing.

Speaker 3 (59:07):
I don't like that.

Speaker 6 (59:07):
I'm saying like this is like the Eagles are there,
them and the Niners. There is no I would never
put Buffalo in the Eagles category.

Speaker 3 (59:14):
Really is an excellent home team, there's no.

Speaker 6 (59:16):
I mean, they find so many different ways to win.
In the way they did it against Kansas City, It's
just like, I don't know.

Speaker 3 (59:21):
Defensively, I'm with you.

Speaker 5 (59:22):
I I think the Bills will have a hard time
stopping Daleen Hurts and in this running game, the way
they look last you know, they didn't do great for
most of that game against Kansas City, but just personnel ways,
I mean Jason Kelcey, that was like that was like
a Hall of Fame resume type of game for Jason Kelsey.

Speaker 3 (59:40):
Was all it's the year of Jason Kelsey. Did you
see that? Do you see that one clear out block
where he spread it down to the field. People like,
he makes center. Look, it makes it fun to play center.
So I think they can mow down the Bills.

Speaker 5 (59:51):
But I just gotta feel and team seasons change so
many times, and I just think these two teams, I
don't feel that that much differently than I did come
into the season where they both have a chance still.

Speaker 3 (01:00:03):
To do a lot.

Speaker 2 (01:00:05):
I got, predictably, some pushback from certain corners of Philadelphia
or Pennsylvania about my comments about Nick Sirianni, who sometimes
just needs a little whack in the head just to
be like sh enough.

Speaker 6 (01:00:19):
You had it down to like a woman's glove. Did
she take off and slap it with the glove?

Speaker 3 (01:00:22):
Let's go stom it.

Speaker 2 (01:00:24):
And I heard from some Eagles fans, including our buddy
Dan Soupy Campbell from the Wonder years, who was not
happy with my commentary and then you know and just
the way it is, and you could say I'm right
or I'm wrong.

Speaker 3 (01:00:38):
I think a lot of you know that I'm right
about this.

Speaker 2 (01:00:40):
Then I get this video sent my way from right
after the Chiefs game of Siriano heading towards the tunnel.

Speaker 3 (01:00:58):
You don't find too many coaches to in that you
know that there is I'm going to posit that there
was at least.

Speaker 5 (01:01:05):
First of all, he's getting a lot of grief from
Chiefs fans, I'm sure during the game, but there was
probably just one comment in there from some Chiefs fan
during the game that's stuck in his craw and it
didn't get out of his head, and I like, he's fired.

Speaker 3 (01:01:16):
I know you love it, Greg Nick Sirianni, Why.

Speaker 5 (01:01:18):
Do you have to take it? Why do you have
to take it from these goons in the crowd?

Speaker 3 (01:01:22):
You should?

Speaker 2 (01:01:22):
I mean, by the way, can we can we at
least have some general self awareness, Like you won the
game because a guy dropped a ball in the end zone.
So why don't we just get to the locker room
and get on the bus and get out of town.

Speaker 3 (01:01:34):
Gobby Nick Siriani. Chiefs win a Super Bowl because I'm
a holding call. You don't apologize. Let me see, let
me see that again. I want to watch that again.

Speaker 2 (01:01:40):
I mean, this is the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Speaker 3 (01:01:44):
Ladies and gentlemen, the head coach. I kind of love it.

Speaker 6 (01:01:56):
I mean, what's worst you got? Mike Diket's growing that's
going to someone's hair.

Speaker 3 (01:01:59):
Remember that that's from NBC Sports Philly.

Speaker 2 (01:02:01):
Nick Siriano is your friend who got arrested for a
road rage incident. Nick Ciano is the guy who doesn't
Sirianni is the guy who doesn't pay his fantasy dues
before the deadline because quote, you could take it out
of my winnings. Nick Sirianni is the guy who said
he's never listened to the Beatles before because they suck.
Nick Sirianni, I got some more this one. I asked
Zumbalt to write me a few. Oh, this one's fro

(01:02:23):
my buddy, Bob. Nick Sirianni still has a subscription to maxim.

Speaker 3 (01:02:28):
Let's see, I got a couple more here.

Speaker 2 (01:02:30):
Nick Sirianni proudly claims Bradley Cooper's character from Silver Lioni's
Playbook was crafted after him. Nick Sirianni has never met
a mascot. He couldn't punch him the peak face. Nick
Sirianni is the friend who hangs out at your house
to use your WiFi so he could apply for jobs.
That's the guy that's your hero, Nick Sirianni.

Speaker 3 (01:02:47):
The most accurate one.

Speaker 5 (01:02:48):
There was the guy who doesn't play his league fees
because he could take it out of my winnings.

Speaker 3 (01:02:54):
Good.

Speaker 2 (01:02:55):
Nick Sirianni has multiple Instagram photos with friends where they're all.

Speaker 3 (01:02:58):
Doing I actually can't say that. All right, Let's come on, Bob,
I can't work that blue reading in real time.

Speaker 2 (01:03:07):
All right.

Speaker 3 (01:03:08):
Oh, the Zoo, the Zoo.

Speaker 8 (01:03:10):
You mentioned earlier that you were going to lock up
the Eagles, switched off, did a little lock play date
with Mark. But somebody weighed in and has their opinion
on the Eagles.

Speaker 3 (01:03:22):
All right, hello heroes.

Speaker 10 (01:03:25):
Yeah you guessed, and I'm feeling myself after last week
taking a four point underdog on the road against.

Speaker 3 (01:03:31):
They were two and a half.

Speaker 5 (01:03:32):
He keeps bumping this up inaccurate two and a half.

Speaker 10 (01:03:36):
You guys have had this narrative that the Zoo doesn't
have it together. Guess what we're coming after you?

Speaker 3 (01:03:41):
Greggy.

Speaker 10 (01:03:43):
You play your conservative game just like the NFL. You
play conservative, you go home. Bottom line is I have
to do this video because you didn't take the six
and a half point favorite last week. You only took
a four point home favorite.

Speaker 3 (01:03:59):
That's fine.

Speaker 10 (01:04:00):
Again, you play your game. We're playing ours. We're coming
after that trophy, baby, And this week we're flying high
with the Eagles again. I told you all year the
Bills aren't making the playoffs. They take another step back
this week. Jalen Hurts, AJ Brown and the rest of
the gang fly high, lock it up.

Speaker 3 (01:04:23):
I'd happy be Thanksgiving to all of the Wesley Happy
Thanksgiving to Nick. I wish I was there.

Speaker 5 (01:04:28):
I love he gets fiery on the text, but then
he always says very very nice text.

Speaker 3 (01:04:32):
It's the duality of man.

Speaker 5 (01:04:34):
But I have to just point out factually he's always
lying about these spreads.

Speaker 3 (01:04:38):
Oh boy, the Ravens are a two and a half
Wain favorite.

Speaker 5 (01:04:40):
Last week Head it's always inflating his team was only
a two and a half way. So it's just like,
come up with the facts. When when you're gonna throw
a number out, just lie. We're clocking you, Nick. I'm
clocking Nick Si around.

Speaker 2 (01:04:51):
His girlfriend wants you to know he's really not like
this when it's just the two of them.

Speaker 5 (01:04:56):
Oh my god, we're still behind base. All right, I
am up. Here we go.

Speaker 2 (01:05:02):
You know, it's Thanksgiving. We're having a nice, fun preview show.
Everybody's enjoying. Everybody's listening right now with a big smile
on their face. Now the people behind the glass.

Speaker 4 (01:05:10):
Doing the show with us, Yeah, they home three minutes ago.

Speaker 3 (01:05:13):
Filled with rage.

Speaker 2 (01:05:14):
But I'm gonna try to speed it up now, starting
with our next game. I am picking, and I feel
like I keep missing every week, Like wherever I'm drafting.
When I'm at the top of a draft board, nothing good.
When I'm at the bottom of the draft board. That
both games get picked, let's see. I am up and
I will grab Chiefs at Raiders. Not the best Sunday, Nope,

(01:05:36):
And I find the Chiefs to be a deeply frustrating watch.
But I also am kind of fascinated by what Andy
Reid and Patrick Mahomes are gonna do to get out
of this mess. It is an eight and a half
point spread, and I do kind of owe the Raiders
an apology because I thought that the Dolphins were gonna
kind of bring them back down to earth.

Speaker 3 (01:05:58):
And while they didn't win the game, like we.

Speaker 2 (01:06:00):
Said, they kept it close and had multiple chances down
the stretch to even potentially steal that game.

Speaker 3 (01:06:05):
So credit where credit is due.

Speaker 2 (01:06:07):
The firing of Josh McDaniels has really sparked this team.
Antonio Pierce deserves a lot of credit and the rest
of that team. Because those things to go two ways,
it could also go the other way, where you stop
competing and you get blown out by three touchdowns every week.
The Raiders are in it to win it, or at
least attempt to win it. So I would say the Chiefs,
coming off a wildly frustrating loss to the Eagles, a

(01:06:30):
game that they lost in five different ways, are gonna
show up angry. And Travis Kelce coming off one of
his worst games ever, is going to go off in
this game, and Mahomes is gonna make it happen and
make it rain points. But at this point I can't
do it anymore. I can't just assume the Chiefs can
turn it on. I've seen them do it maybe once
this season. It was a first half, I believe against

(01:06:52):
the Cardinals where they were kind of totally just cooking.

Speaker 3 (01:06:57):
And since then the Bears and they were even shut out.

Speaker 2 (01:07:00):
I think of the second half of that game or
close to it, can that team show up again?

Speaker 3 (01:07:05):
Maybe, but it's also very possible. This game mark is
twenty to fourteen in the fourth quarter, I.

Speaker 6 (01:07:11):
Could see that, like the Dolphins defense under like sorry,
the Raiders defense with Patrick Graham running the show. You
want to look at their offense post Josh McDaniels, you know,
and it was really good at game A. Not so
good against the Dolphins up and down, but their defense
I thought gave Miami a lot of problems. If you
take Tyreek Hill out of that game, I understand that's

(01:07:31):
not how it works, but like they really caused. They
coaxed two into some mistakes. They played with a lot
more aggression. I just think that this team needed this change.
I see the Raiders through new eyes, and the microcosm
with the Chiefs is that they haven't figured out this
overall global problem is with their passing game. But inside
of like games itself, like they haven't figured it out.

(01:07:53):
In the second half, they've scored one second half touchdown
or one fourth quarter touchdown.

Speaker 3 (01:07:57):
They're in these close games and I'm with you.

Speaker 6 (01:07:59):
They're on the road here, and it's like, what's so
different from a couple of days ago when Donna Kelce,
like the most famous mom in America, is watching her
son and the Chiefs melt down in a huge moment
on Monday Night football.

Speaker 5 (01:08:10):
Well, I think the difference is, well, if the weather
helps you know your indoors, but mostly that you're playing
against Aidan O'Connell and that your defense showed.

Speaker 3 (01:08:19):
Me a lot on Monday night.

Speaker 2 (01:08:21):
We didn't talk about that enough. How great that deal.
Your defense is super Bowl level?

Speaker 5 (01:08:25):
Right, They didn't give up even despite all those possessions
the Chiefs kept giving him. It was under two hundred
and fifty yards, and that was to show me something
game for the Chiefs defense too. Where Man, it's very
much a sign of the twenty twenty three season. You
think back to that Super Bowl and these two MVP
candidates hurt some mahomes going up and down the field.
That's twenty twenty two. Fast forward to twenty twenty three,

(01:08:47):
and it's a defensive slug fest and the Chiefs are
a legit, Like there's no more way around. They're a
legit top five defense and that against a rookie quarterback
who who's not bad but is little robotic going through
his reads and everything. It's a lot to handle, and
I just think they can wear you down because until
that second half and even really the fourth quarter, it's

(01:09:09):
like I was impressed that the Chiefs are moving the ball,
they can run the ball, they're tough upfront, They're not explosive,
but they I think they can find a way to
be a fish and beat you know, relatively under man team.

Speaker 3 (01:09:19):
I would say the.

Speaker 2 (01:09:19):
One thing I am confident about is Kelsey and Mahomes
getting back on the right page and maybe that leads
to a big day and that that carries him because
I don't think the Chiefs defense is going to give
up a lot of points here. I think the Raiders
could struggle to get to double digits or you know,
two touchdowns could be asking a lot. So it feels
like it sets up well for Casey to get right.
I'd like to see because we know Watson ain't it,

(01:09:42):
and we know Tony ain't it, and we know insert
player here ain't it. Maybe Rice, like we've talked about him,
like maybe that was kind of fun. Okay, I mean
that's they got to use him in inventive ways to
get the most out of him. But Rice, we've kind
of all circled as maybe he the guy that needs
to step up. Somebody does, or it's not gonna happen

(01:10:03):
for the Chiefs. Let's move on. Snakes to me, really
not great. But you know, maybe even this one kind
of sticks it to Greg. It's not a purpose, Greg,
because I'm sure you wanted to watch it. Saints at Falcons.

Speaker 3 (01:10:15):
Great rivalry. That does stick it to me.

Speaker 5 (01:10:18):
These teams, you really wanted to watch it, because this,
to me is a perfect Saints Falcons game.

Speaker 2 (01:10:22):
These teams hate each other, these fan bases despise and
detest one a the other. There's nothing out of bounds
between Saints fans and Falcons fans, and now they're fighting
for first place in the NFC South. I'm not sure
what we have going on a quarterback situation for New Orleans,
but what I do know is that Desmond Ridder is

(01:10:43):
the starting quarterback in the plan now from Arthur Smith,
genius of all geniuses, is that it is Desmond Ridders
team for the rest of the year, and they will
sink or swim with Ritter I have my theories what
will happen, but we'll see.

Speaker 5 (01:10:57):
Yeah, I wasn't surprised by this, especially with Heinekee getting
a little banged up before the buye, but it sounds
like this was the plan all along, a reset Arthur.

Speaker 4 (01:11:06):
What are they just giving him a mental like rest basically.

Speaker 3 (01:11:08):
Exactly, and that they want to make this thing happen.
And look, it's year three.

Speaker 5 (01:11:12):
They haven't been to the playoffs, they haven't had a
winning record with Arthur Smith.

Speaker 3 (01:11:15):
It is very rare. And Robert Sallas probably thinking about
this too.

Speaker 5 (01:11:18):
For a guy to get a fourth year if you
haven't made the playoffs or had a winning record, it's
extremely rare. So he's putting his whole career on the
line here for Ritter versus the Saints defense, which will
be without Marshaun Lattimore, will be without Michael Thomas, and
as Dan mentioned, Carr as we're taping Wednesday morning, is uncertain.
He's still in the concussion protocol. But there's varying love

(01:11:40):
of the bye. That's that's not a good true but
sometimes that just me like if even sometimes it means
you can practice and by the end of the week
you're cleared.

Speaker 6 (01:11:48):
I'm not like I I know that there are bigger
Derek car fans than me. That's overt, but like I'm
not I'm not convinced that whether it's Car, Jamis Winston,
that it's uh, there's that much of a gap or
a chasm between the two.

Speaker 3 (01:12:01):
This year's version of.

Speaker 5 (01:12:02):
Derek Carr Man Saints fans are so tired of Derek Carr.
They would agree with you, and they think they're getting
the worst of Derek.

Speaker 2 (01:12:09):
Didn't.

Speaker 6 (01:12:09):
We sort of say this is probably what will be
how you'll be feeling frustrated and agitated by now. But
I but I also think if you got the best
version of Derek Carr, that would not be the way.
But it's like that he's not clicked with his offense.
He hasn't even been Andy Dalton. And if anything like
Jamis like the floor is insane, but the ceiling might
be a little bit better if they get a little
if you get a wacky, like high ceiling level version

(01:12:29):
of Winston.

Speaker 3 (01:12:30):
I kind of like that. That's when my pushback comes in.

Speaker 2 (01:12:32):
They can't stand here and hear Derek Carr slander and
then we're gonna go, what have you get?

Speaker 3 (01:12:37):
The best version of Davis Winston. There is no best
version different. They're different, they're not jams, not better than
the other, the just.

Speaker 2 (01:12:43):
Right, here's here's here's why they're kind of apples and
apples even though they're different players. Derek Carr is Derek
carrs Derek Carr is Derek Carr. James Winston is Jameis
Winston and James Winston is Jameis Winston. It's always going
to be a turnover fest with some high level throws
mixed in. And if that's what you want, Saints fans,
if you just want a little bit more of a
roller coaster, I hear you, but be careful what you

(01:13:04):
wish for, because everywhere that guy's gone, he's lost and
he's lost his job eventually, so whatever you.

Speaker 3 (01:13:10):
Sign up for.

Speaker 5 (01:13:11):
But it's also like the difference is though one it
made thirty is making thirty plus million a year and
is guaranteed money to next year. So the frustration level
with that that they should have known, Yeah, they should
have known.

Speaker 2 (01:13:21):
Like it was, he was always going to be, in
my opinion, an upgrade over Winston, but he was never
the answer.

Speaker 3 (01:13:27):
Like he kind of just a bridge to something.

Speaker 5 (01:13:30):
He has this crazy combo car of both avoiding hits
to an extreme degree by always getting rid of the
ball too quickly and not going through his reads. And
that's something that Winston will do get he'll give his
playmakers chance. But then he also takes insanely difficult and
massive hits. So it's sort of this weird combo that

(01:13:50):
occasionally he just hold onto the ball way too long
and he'll take a huge hit and he'll get her
inside the pocket. The Saints are underdogs in this game,
but only one point uh in Atlanta. This Falcons defense
has quietly been disappointing, getting a little worse throughout the
course of the season. I really think this is just
a huge game for these two teams. I am annoyed.

(01:14:12):
I am I'm annoyed. Now I'm honestly rethinking my draft strategy.
Should I have taken this number one?

Speaker 3 (01:14:17):
Overall? I might have to work a trade.

Speaker 5 (01:14:18):
Well, I'll do a trade with you, I mean across
you for freaking Saints Falcons.

Speaker 3 (01:14:23):
How how dumb is that? I don't know what did
you say, Mark? I'm annoyed now you wanted it too?
Took you took definitely wait Browns Broncos Pick one. You
probably managed to ye.

Speaker 4 (01:14:36):
Pick one happened seventy seven minutes ago.

Speaker 3 (01:14:38):
So all right, you're up. I am up.

Speaker 1 (01:14:42):
Uh.

Speaker 5 (01:14:42):
I'll take the first uh Jaguars Texans Division Crown game
of the week.

Speaker 3 (01:14:48):
Okay, Now I feel pretty good forgot that that was there,
bent yourself.

Speaker 4 (01:14:53):
A lot of internal monologue from Greg here, spout it
out in the public.

Speaker 3 (01:14:56):
Well, I just you know that's it. I'll trade you.

Speaker 5 (01:14:58):
I'll trade you that game for Saints uh Falcons. No,
now I feel differently. I'm just gonna just take the
draft as it came, it was meant to be. I
get to watch c. J.

Speaker 3 (01:15:08):
Stroud. Uh, he is an one and a half point underdog.

Speaker 5 (01:15:12):
Wow, if I had known that, Heck, I'm should we
bring out the rain maker again?

Speaker 3 (01:15:17):
Let's not go that far. But I like the Texans
in this. You know you're talking out loud, right. I
like to bring the people in, bring them inside the mind.

Speaker 5 (01:15:25):
One and a half point favorites, Jack chic here, I'm
gonna go full full like Mourning Fox f s one show.

Speaker 3 (01:15:35):
Here.

Speaker 5 (01:15:36):
Go ahead, just pose a question which you already know
the answer to. Based on my question, it would you
rather have c J. Stroud or Trevor Lawrence. Oh, because
I'd rather have st I'm already taken him for his career.

Speaker 2 (01:15:53):
Has has Trevor Lawrence had highs that have approached c J.
Stroud's highs? Yes, has Trevor Lawren. It's been in the
league now for what this is his third year. I think, Yeah,
this is the first time where I'm this season where
I'm like, man, maybe maybe he's not the generational talent
that he was hyped up to be.

Speaker 3 (01:16:14):
It's really maybe he's just a good to very good quarterback.

Speaker 2 (01:16:17):
Do I think that Lawrence, if everything lined up right,
as a super Bowl level quarterback?

Speaker 3 (01:16:22):
Potentially? Yes.

Speaker 2 (01:16:24):
Stroud, however, it has just been fantastic as a rookie.
So it's kind of like you almost have to go
with Stroud. You almost have to Wright.

Speaker 6 (01:16:31):
I just for me because I think one thing that's
a development that we didn't see coming that's pretty great
for an AFC South that's been milk toast for a
long time, is that for the next fifteen years, these
two quarterbacks are going to go at each other like
a Manning and Brady type situation.

Speaker 3 (01:16:46):
I think Welle Richardson gets to that mixup Richardson too.

Speaker 6 (01:16:49):
I'm not putting there yet, but I would say this,
it's like whenever I pick between those two, I always
was a brady guy. Like it's just how they make
me feel, and like Stroud has changed the way I
feel about the season, and I think Lawrence is awesome,
but he's just traveled Orence to me, like I just
I would I feel the way you feel about c J.

Speaker 3 (01:17:03):
Stroud and watching him play.

Speaker 6 (01:17:04):
I think it's so also so exciting that he just
toppled the draft community in terms of the S two tests.
Have talked about the ball that that's always been on
my radar, and it's like we need to see players differently,
and like c J. Stroud's response, like people like ours our.

Speaker 3 (01:17:17):
In fairness again, like a ton of people had Stroud first,
Like I know, I know, I know.

Speaker 6 (01:17:22):
I understand that one number two overall, like our research
packet asked, like ken c J. Stroud recovered from his
three interception performance, It's like he already made that clear
in the postgame comments. He's like, I'm gonna keep throwing
the ball the way I do it, and like he
was literally not affected by.

Speaker 3 (01:17:35):
All that A shot against the NFL. Reason it's just
a topic.

Speaker 6 (01:17:38):
It's like he had his first really rough game turnover
wise after in this hot streak, and it's like, I
have full trust that he'll recover.

Speaker 3 (01:17:45):
It's a great game before we move on.

Speaker 5 (01:17:47):
Just like they take over first place in the AFC
South Dan they win the Texans.

Speaker 3 (01:17:53):
That was quick. They're gonna win playoff games.

Speaker 5 (01:17:55):
And I and but they're two back if they lose,
and they no longer have the tie break right work
because they have split. So it's a huge, huge game.
And the Jags, to their credit, really changed up what
they did last week. They got a lot of criticism
for Dink and Dunk and Deacon Dunk and they went
heavy play action, the deepest targets they had all year.

Speaker 3 (01:18:12):
Help that say Jones was back.

Speaker 5 (01:18:14):
All of Calvin Ridley's big games have been with day
on the field because then you can move really around anymore.
So they were much more aggressive, way more play action.
I think you'll see more of that. It was a
little more of the Trevor you want to see.

Speaker 3 (01:18:25):
Well, that's good. It was a different Jags team.

Speaker 6 (01:18:26):
One quick thing, like because you know how you have
the seventeenth game and they throw in like another division
that you play. It's like the tick here was that
the Jaguars got the Niners and got totally clocked, and
the Texans got the Cardinals. I do wonder if you
are the Houston Texans we're seen right now, would you
have lost what was it, thirty four to three to
San Francisco.

Speaker 4 (01:18:47):
I think they give him a better fight.

Speaker 3 (01:18:49):
I don't think they're losing thirty four to three degains anyway.

Speaker 2 (01:18:51):
But and this is why I hate that that Fox
stuff sometimes, like Fox taking Astroy, because I still do
believe in Trevor Lawrence.

Speaker 3 (01:19:01):
I just think it hasn't kind of come together this
year the way it has.

Speaker 2 (01:19:04):
And also Stroud's on pace to throw for like five
thousand yards and thirty touchdowns as a rookie.

Speaker 3 (01:19:08):
So there's just you can't go wrong with either one.
I guess what I'm saying.

Speaker 5 (01:19:12):
Yeah, it's a big test for them though, against a
really good Jags defense too, so I'm not necessarily assuming
it's gonna be.

Speaker 3 (01:19:18):
All all Rose this year.

Speaker 2 (01:19:19):
Here is, by the way, the research and notes, the
full setup mark will rookie Phenom CJ. Stroud, the little
little pop off the top rope. That's fair Hart bounce
back after three. I nt game, but this is an
important close against the NFL's most opportunistic defense.

Speaker 6 (01:19:39):
It's it's it wasn't a me versus the research packet
like scenario. Okay, I just I said the answer I
already had in my head. Yes he will, Yes, he
even did in the last game.

Speaker 2 (01:19:49):
I think what they're getting across is that Jacksonville is
aggressive and opportunistic and CJ like you throw the ball.
Yes they use the word opportunity. Yes, they're aggressive tea
that kind of has a they have a nose for
the Ballmark, and that shroud is not.

Speaker 3 (01:20:04):
A frak I don't.

Speaker 6 (01:20:05):
I am not trying to confront an entire department here
within the building. They do excellent work, and I you know,
I use their pH.

Speaker 3 (01:20:11):
The guy and the trench coat's on the throat. No,
just be careful here. All right, let's move on, Mark,
You're up next. It's getting ugly.

Speaker 6 (01:20:18):
It's getting ugly, But I'm gonna go Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
AFC North Track in that division like the most interesting
division in football right now.

Speaker 3 (01:20:26):
I as much as c J.

Speaker 6 (01:20:28):
Stroud and the Texans make me excited for this season
as a completely new story. What's happened to the Bengals
is the worst thing that's happened to the entire league.
We lost I think the MVP and Joe Burrow. We
lost what I think could have been the AFC champion
in the Cincinnati Bengals, And now you're in a world
where Jake Browning is taking No. We don't know a

(01:20:50):
lot about him. He looked pretty good in the preseason.
I thought to some degree, he's twenty seven. The one
thing I was just trying to read what people were
saying about him in general, and it's like, is the
offense gonna change?

Speaker 4 (01:21:02):
Are you gonna like they're saying, we're going to try
to keep the same offense.

Speaker 6 (01:21:04):
I get that. It's like good luck, I know exactly
I mean, But what little like little nuggets about how
they feel about the person, you know, because you can
feel this with certain quarterbacks and like over and over
they're like, we just feel that this guy that the
qualities he has, he's super common, super collected, and super confident.

Speaker 3 (01:21:19):
I know maybe that means nothing.

Speaker 5 (01:21:20):
To us, but he also did if better about it,
better love the person because he has no resume and
they went into the season.

Speaker 3 (01:21:26):
But I think they do. I think they do, and
I also think it's the resumes. He's twenty seven.

Speaker 6 (01:21:30):
No. The other thing, though, I'd say, is like he
if there's any benefit to the fact that, like Burrow's
been so in and out of the lineup and missed
a big chunk of time, is that he got more
work with some of these players than he would have
if he had been you know, Peyton Manning's back up
back in the day and you don't even see the field.

Speaker 3 (01:21:47):
I know the numbers weren't great.

Speaker 5 (01:21:49):
It didn't look too big for him against Baltimore, so
that was an early encouraging sign. But it's totally changed,
you know how you look at the Bengals that they're
underdogs in this game just by point, Steelers favored by one,
and but the Steelers are a team again. They still
haven't out gained anyone and they finally did it. They
got rid of Matt Canada since we last.

Speaker 3 (01:22:08):
Talked named Canada, and uh, I get it, you.

Speaker 5 (01:22:11):
Wanted to make a change, but I was a little
confused because their new offensive coordinator is not calling the plays.

Speaker 3 (01:22:19):
So yeah, this is very It's one of these splits.

Speaker 5 (01:22:21):
Mike Tomlin is splitting the baby Mike Sullivan. I hate
that is grotesque, right, I mean, they just he's just
cutting that baby and has biblical I mean.

Speaker 3 (01:22:32):
You know, I didn't know that.

Speaker 4 (01:22:32):
It was what are they doing their cutting baby?

Speaker 2 (01:22:34):
It was like, this is my baby, it's my baby.
And then and then they were like, all right, we'll
split the baby down and then you can both it.
And then one of the one person said no, no,
never do that, and then they warded the baby of
the person that said that.

Speaker 3 (01:22:48):
Don't do that. Don't split the man. That was a
parable Thank you very much. That is that true? I
think so. I mean it couldn't be up here for
no reason. It sounds it makes me. I'll google it
split baby Bible.

Speaker 5 (01:23:00):
Running Backs coach Eddie Faukner is the OC. He's organizing
and he's kind of running the show. But Mike Sullivan,
who you might remember back with the Giants back in
the day, and I know he played college Greg.

Speaker 2 (01:23:11):
Has roots in Hebrew lore the job buddy, Okay, I'm
big spot for Rosenthal.

Speaker 5 (01:23:17):
Not aware of anything too religious or so you've got
how I was raised and Mike Sullivan's calling the plays
most of the plays, so that part's all a little confusing,
but they wanted to change things up. People seem happy.
Will that make Kenny Pickett any more inspiring? I sort
of doubt it. But it's a nice matchup because the

(01:23:37):
real issue with the Bengals, you know, trying to win
games without Joe Burrow, is that the defense has been bad.

Speaker 3 (01:23:44):
They've given up more explosive plays than any team in
the league.

Speaker 6 (01:23:46):
There's a pretty crazy Kenny Pickett stat out there that
he has a one point nine passing touchdown percentage. Obviously,
badd he has six touchdowns on the year, which is
no different than the Giants quarterback who's been there for weeks.

Speaker 4 (01:23:59):
That's the lowest percentage in NFL history.

Speaker 6 (01:24:02):
Like he's he's historically setting records for being unproductive and
finding the.

Speaker 3 (01:24:08):
That's what I've been watching quarterbacks like him my whole life.
For my team. He can't play. He can't play, and
I think.

Speaker 4 (01:24:14):
If it looks better than some of those quarterbacks that
can't play, though.

Speaker 2 (01:24:17):
But it's the same DNA where like, look at how
many touchdowns the offense scores.

Speaker 3 (01:24:21):
They don't move, they don't consistently move the ball.

Speaker 2 (01:24:23):
The game on the line this past week, that just
a grim three and out where it was a pass
to the right that wasn't handled. Then he sailed one
out of bounds to the left, and then he sailed
one out of bounds to the to the right, and
it was then they're punching it away and then the
Browns win the game. And I just wondered, now, because
Tomlin's obviously not going anywhere, nor should he now Canada's gone,
how much longer does picket? Do we continue with this

(01:24:45):
picket charade if you're Pittsburgh just when they can't. When's
the last time they had four hundred yards in a game?
Most like never under Canada.

Speaker 3 (01:24:54):
No, it was like eight like eons ago. So Canada's
out back in the Hebrew times though, actually been running
the ball.

Speaker 2 (01:24:58):
Well if yeah, Larran's become a really nice surprise to him,
like if if they don't start doing something now, he's
next and he should be next, because you don't just
get an infinite rope. Even as a first round pick.
It wasn't like he was a top five pick or anything.
He was what a late first round guy like first
little but the rope's not quite as long.

Speaker 3 (01:25:19):
That's all I'm saying, Nor should it be. I don't know.
You guys believe him? No, I think he's just middle
of the road.

Speaker 5 (01:25:25):
I've been on team this. This team would be better
with Mitchell Trubisky as their start. But I don't think
I'm not how much better and enough better that it
would make a difference and potentially wins and losses.

Speaker 3 (01:25:36):
I don't know.

Speaker 6 (01:25:37):
I know, like Mitchell Trubisky, like within a within two weeks,
we'd be Let's take ano little at Kenny Pickett.

Speaker 3 (01:25:44):
We're gonna take a break before we finish a draft
of First.

Speaker 2 (01:25:47):
The phrase split the baby has its roots and hebrew
lore in the story recorded at One King's Three sixteen eighteen,
of two mothers claiming before King Solomon that each was
the real mother of an infant son. The wise King
ordered that the baby be split in two, with one
half of the baby going to each mother. The first
mother's position was to accept the King's judgment is fair
what a psychopath, and the seconds was not the mother.

(01:26:07):
The seconds was to give the baby to the first,
whereupon the king determined that the infant son obviously belonged
to the second, as evidence by her willingness to sacrifice
her own self interest for.

Speaker 3 (01:26:17):
The good of the child, as a true mother would
the wise. Well, I think the first one just wasn't
aware of how babies work. You know, she's a dummy,
big old dummy. Yeah what half, No one's got a baby,
So she was either a.

Speaker 6 (01:26:29):
Psychopath all moms were just assuming all moms are great,
not true necessarily.

Speaker 4 (01:26:33):
Maybe it could have been the first but maybe, you
know what, maybe the king got wrong.

Speaker 3 (01:26:36):
But mothers should all be treated with respect. Mark, I
would agree with that. Good argument. There gotcha. All right,
let's take a break and then we'll finish the draft.
All right, let's close this thing up. Mark, next to you.

Speaker 6 (01:26:49):
All right, I'm gonna take a disaster zone contest. Patriots
a giant's uh. I want to watch a little Tommy
de v doo. I think that's exciting. He's been sacked
twenty times in three games. But ida he looked good
last week.

Speaker 2 (01:27:02):
First of all, what was expected to what we're getting.
I mean, that's you got to give it up for
the Jersey boy.

Speaker 6 (01:27:10):
I would just say, though, how good do you want
to look? Because these two teams are in contention. I mean,
if you're Brian Daball and you get that first overall pick,
like you can start to say, well, listen, now we're
gonna do what I've been planning to do all along
with a new quarterback. But I wonder, what if this
is quietly like Bill Belichick's greatest coaching job, because taking
all the strays and bows and arrows and like people

(01:27:31):
are just like saying that he doesn't have it anymore.
There's a lot of ages I'm going on, but he's
quietly tanking and this week we're probably going to see
multiple quarterbacks, if not just another terrible version of Mac
Jones and you and you're the team that gets set
in one pick, So it's like, what's your strategy here?

Speaker 3 (01:27:45):
Almost? I think if you're the do you want to
that theory hole?

Speaker 2 (01:27:50):
That theory would only hold if he has assurances behind
the scenes that he's their coaching.

Speaker 3 (01:27:54):
I just love you. I don't think I don't think
so either.

Speaker 6 (01:27:57):
But what I even love the most is like if
it were so deep state that they were like, let's
cook up narratives that there's all this infighting and Craft
and Belichick don't like each other, like let's just.

Speaker 3 (01:28:06):
Do a soft like Peyton manning out. Why would they
need to add that, Like, what is that? I don't know,
because it seems so.

Speaker 6 (01:28:11):
It's so because then when no one would believe the
concept that they're actually just losing, oh as a cover
for the ten, they're in disorder, They're in disarray.

Speaker 3 (01:28:20):
Bill Belichick is senile.

Speaker 5 (01:28:22):
No, I'm past giving Bill Belichick the benefit of doubt
that he has some master plan to get the ball
into the red zone and then mac Jones throws it
a horrific pick. I can't believe mac Jones looks like
I can't believe mac Jones looks like he's going to
be the starter. He said in his new press conference today.
He said, I think that's the plan. But he hasn't

(01:28:44):
been told, but he thinks that's the plan because it
sounds like he's taking most of the reps but not
all the reps. It's just like, come on, bro, they
are three points favorites. The Patriots are still three point
favorites on the road, which is surprising to me.

Speaker 3 (01:28:56):
I know, I know Tommy DeVito is struggling.

Speaker 5 (01:28:59):
Oh but me and struggle last week? Okay, fair enough,
and that the defense, you know, they got a front
line that this is such a big game. So if
the Patriots win this game, according to Seth Wilder at ESPN,
they only have a nine percent chance of getting.

Speaker 3 (01:29:12):
A top two pick.

Speaker 5 (01:29:13):
But if they lose this game, it's up to thirty
eight percent. It's a similar spread on both sides for
the Giants. And if you really want to go crazy
in terms of galaxy brain thinking, how about the Patriots
try to win this game, the Giants keep losing, get
Brian Dable fired, and then Bill Belichick's the Giants coach
next year.

Speaker 4 (01:29:32):
Oh, that's like when Hugh Jackson traded Carson.

Speaker 6 (01:29:35):
He basically had the Bengals trade for Carson Palmer for
the Raiders and then went back to the Bengals and
had a bunch of draft picks.

Speaker 2 (01:29:41):
So wait, so Table gets fired, Belichick takes the Giants
out and takes a quarterback, and then Dable goes and
rejoins mcdermot's a OC and sticks it to the Jets
and the Patriots on.

Speaker 3 (01:29:54):
Top of it, this is what you've brought us to,
all right, Giants, rough one and and shout out.

Speaker 2 (01:30:01):
I don't know if I said it on Sunday, but
again every week Saquon Barkley is playing at a very
high level and difficult circumstances. He had an incredible touchdown
pass as you're watching.

Speaker 3 (01:30:12):
Here on the video show.

Speaker 2 (01:30:14):
Great job by Madison and company in the glass. So
we'll see if he can keep it up. Three points
spread that game? All right, Greg, you are up?

Speaker 3 (01:30:23):
All right?

Speaker 5 (01:30:24):
I will I'll take the remaining Lake game because someone's
got to It's Rams. It's Cardinals, you like, Oh, I
love it. It's NFC West. This Cardinals team much more
exciting with Kyler Murray. Although Josh Dobbs fun, so I
take that back, but they've been competitive in two straight
games with Kyler Murray.

Speaker 3 (01:30:45):
He's been fun to watch.

Speaker 5 (01:30:46):
The Rams are one point favorites on the road, and
Fox has given it the old Chris Meyers Robert Smith treatment,
which I believe means it's their least boring prioritize game
of the week if that's fired there. But hey, the
Rams just just win this game. You kind of own

(01:31:06):
the Cardinals under Sean McVay and you're to five and six,
and I didn't think Stafford played his best game last
week against the Seahawks, but you found a way to
escape if you remember the last time these two teams played,
Kyra and Williams lit him up for one hundred and
fifty eight yards. We haven't seen Kyra and Willims since

(01:31:27):
he's back in this game, and I think their running
game showed some signs of life late in that game
against Seattle.

Speaker 3 (01:31:33):
We might get Cooper Cup.

Speaker 5 (01:31:34):
It actually sounds like he has a decent chance to
play this week to return despite that angle.

Speaker 6 (01:31:39):
That was a weird game because the Rams did I
think they had like ten yards rushing in the first
half and then lit him up. Williams came back and
like they leaned into it. They kind of last week
against Seattle did something similar on a smaller scale. They
went heavy and like they started to brutalize Seattle on
the ground and it kept them in.

Speaker 3 (01:31:57):
That game and they won it.

Speaker 6 (01:31:58):
And they I don't know, they had no business winning
that game from some angles, but I think part of
it for me with the Rams, like like I feel
like with each contest, Matthew Stafford's taking some sort of
like physical brutality and it's just like, is he gonna last?

Speaker 3 (01:32:12):
This season? In their line's been okay.

Speaker 5 (01:32:14):
I don't think they've had a they've improved quite a bit,
I would say, and this is a nice matchup. The
Cardinals defense does not get after the quarterback.

Speaker 4 (01:32:20):
Older Murray looks good on the ground.

Speaker 3 (01:32:22):
Let's keep moving, let's finish out this draft. I got
two picks.

Speaker 2 (01:32:25):
We'll start with Carolina at Tennessee. Let's see, all right,
So what do you have here?

Speaker 3 (01:32:32):
What do we got? Well?

Speaker 2 (01:32:34):
On the Panther side of things, you have a team
that's just now trying to figure out how to put
enough sunshine poking through the clouds where the head coach
and the staff gets a second year. That is that's
what we're up against now. And you start, I think
feel like you're hearing some whispers now that is really
in play with an impatient owner involved here. The Panthers

(01:32:56):
are at their worst record through ten games since twenty ten.
They finished and fourteen this year. That is certainly within
the range of outcomes two and fourteen or two and
fifteen this year.

Speaker 3 (01:33:06):
So they need to get something, some good news.

Speaker 2 (01:33:08):
And you know what, the Tennessee Titans, they have an
opportunity to do something because Tennessee is not a very
good team and we've been waiting greg for Will Levi
is in this offense to give us some more fireworks,
and then the waiting continues.

Speaker 5 (01:33:22):
Yeah, this is the team. I'm struggling to know what
to say on a week to week basis. So I
decided to reach out to our former producer, Justin Graver, Yeah,
also host of the Music City Audible podcast, which you guys,
music City Audible, Yes and wherever you get your potcort
I said, I don't know what to say about this
team anymore. Maybe I'll just until they prove that they

(01:33:44):
have something interesting to say. I'll just go to Graver yeah,
for a weekly statement. And so for this week, he
has given me the let's get the missive. Let's get
the missive that the Titans are undefeated at Nissan Stadium.
Did you know their stadiums called Nissan Stadium?

Speaker 3 (01:33:59):
That was new not it's not great.

Speaker 5 (01:34:01):
Three and zero averaging twenty seven points per game, and
they play five of their last seven games at Nissan Stadium,
so maybe they can make a run here.

Speaker 3 (01:34:09):
Thank you, Justin Graver. You know what, let's I like this.

Speaker 2 (01:34:14):
I like this as a as a segment going forward,
but you know what, I want to make it a
video segment. Let's get it Let's get him to send
us something every week until the season's over. Mercifully raise
the bar a bit for Nashville's football club. Let's hit
the final game the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Speaker 3 (01:34:32):
Turn it around, Bryce Young, Please, it keeps getting worse
and worse.

Speaker 5 (01:34:35):
This is a good matchup. Please turn around, Bryce, because
it is getting grim.

Speaker 4 (01:34:38):
Help him to getting grim. Frank Reig, Well, I think.

Speaker 3 (01:34:41):
The last three weeks were by far is worse three
weeks since week one?

Speaker 5 (01:34:44):
Who's the play calling now? I lose It's right, Frank Reich.
I just mean this is a good match brutalized, it's
not playing well.

Speaker 3 (01:34:51):
Like, let's please.

Speaker 2 (01:34:53):
Finally, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to Indianapolis to face
the Colts, who kind of under the radar.

Speaker 3 (01:35:01):
I kind of assume the Colts were out of the mix,
and then you look.

Speaker 2 (01:35:05):
Oh wait, the Colts are actually five and five, Like
they're one of those teams that's in contention and and
and fighting for a chance, and even you know, with
the Jaguars coming back down to earth a little bit,
it's the South is pretty wide open right now, and
they're coming out of their bye week, so you kind
of like admit it. Like everyone totally forgot the Colts existed, right,

(01:35:25):
like they were just gone and we're like, oh.

Speaker 3 (01:35:26):
They're not until these bye weeks, especially especially they.

Speaker 5 (01:35:29):
Especially this team, and they were in Germany, they were
they were off the continent in a game that was
very forgettable.

Speaker 2 (01:35:35):
But they do exist. So they come back from the
buy now and now you get the Bucks and you know,
I don't know what else to say really about you
know about it.

Speaker 3 (01:35:45):
These are the two teams. Games are both these games
Gardner Minshew.

Speaker 6 (01:35:50):
I for a period of time thought we're the same person,
you know, just but there they are such similar quarterbacks.
I will say this about the Bucks, like they could
not they got wrecked, wrecked against offense, but bigger in
the in like what in their wide receivers they put
up a fight, Like I I know. They're also one
of these teams that are so average and so kind
of tough to watch on a lot of levels.

Speaker 3 (01:36:10):
But they don't mind them. I don't like win that
division at this point.

Speaker 6 (01:36:15):
I think they've got I mean, all those teams have
a chance, but it's like they might like all those
schedules are easy.

Speaker 3 (01:36:20):
But the Bucks to me, like and it's a Baker
thing this year.

Speaker 6 (01:36:22):
I'm not saying he's had he's been better than worse,
but he just does not give up in these games.
I felt that in like in a lost cause against
San Francisco, they kind of showed me something.

Speaker 5 (01:36:31):
The way you brought it up, Dan got me thinking,
these are actually I think that the two teams that
have the best chance to make the playoffs that no
one realizes has actually a decent chance to make the playoffs.
Because there's got to be a name for this game. Then,
I don't know the Invisible Men Bowl. Let's do a
little news housekeeping, because I did think it was noteworthy

(01:36:52):
that the Colts release Jack Leonard this week. It's easy
to forget before he had multiple back surgeries, which is
I think really limited his effectiveness.

Speaker 3 (01:37:03):
He was on a Hall of Fame trajectory.

Speaker 5 (01:37:05):
Yeah, he was the defensive rookie of the year when
he came out twenty eighteen. He made three first team
All Pros in one second team. And you mentioned Chris
earlier in the show. And it's funny as some of
these players age out or they're not quite the same players.
That makes me sad too, because some of these players
when they came into the league. I think of how

(01:37:26):
excited Chris was and he was just really banging the
drum for what a great player Shaq Leonard was and
he really was. And it's sad it happens with injuries
sometimes with these careers.

Speaker 3 (01:37:35):
They just changed me. He's not even on the team
anymore and.

Speaker 2 (01:37:37):
Contract too, you know, from like personally, like my hero
growing up was Don Mattingly. He was on a Hall
of Fame trajectory and then a back injury derailed his career.
Larry Byrd another all time back injuries are one of
those type of injuries where it could just rob you
of what makes you special.

Speaker 3 (01:37:55):
And it's sad, but that's what happens.

Speaker 2 (01:37:56):
And you give it up for Shack Leonard and it
also was a look for him and maybe made the
cults think twice. But him handing out the turkeys yesterday
when made the rounds on social media with the Colts
the day that he was let go just shows that
he is he's a you know, obviously a good stand
up person, but also maybe you know, heads up, hey, teams,

(01:38:17):
this guy's a leader and a good dude, and maybe
you give him a chance to get his career back
on track.

Speaker 3 (01:38:21):
But the back injuries they rob you of greatness.

Speaker 6 (01:38:24):
I bet I'll get another chance. He got a chance
on our shoulder in super Bowl week and was a
great guest. That was back when we thought that he
was going.

Speaker 3 (01:38:30):
To the Hall of Fame. I don't even know you
may remember that, not at all.

Speaker 4 (01:38:34):
Its absolutely true way that he was on the show.

Speaker 3 (01:38:38):
Absolutely he was.

Speaker 4 (01:38:38):
It was when we were sitting on those couches. I'll
never forget it.

Speaker 3 (01:38:41):
Jack Leonard, Yep, I'm with Dan. I am no recollection.
This is wrong. Put a thousand dollars on it. Find me.
There's no way to know for sure.

Speaker 4 (01:38:51):
So there is, and we will find out. Yes, there
is a way.

Speaker 3 (01:38:54):
Then I won't take you on the bed.

Speaker 4 (01:38:56):
He was one of our like massive. It was one
of these days where, like you know, rolling through.

Speaker 2 (01:38:59):
Like originally the thousand bucks would have been decided by
majority vote here in the room.

Speaker 3 (01:39:04):
But now that you're telling me there's a way to
know for sure, Yeah, I'm going to not take you
on that.

Speaker 4 (01:39:08):
Okay, I don't think you should. But he was a gentleman.

Speaker 3 (01:39:12):
That was my point, Turkeys. He's a great guest. He
was very polite. I don't know turkeys everywhere. I feel
like I would remember that, Greg.

Speaker 4 (01:39:21):
I feel like there are a lot of things that
you acknowledge you don't remember.

Speaker 2 (01:39:24):
That is exactly the type of thing that I wouldn't remember.
And I feel like Greg, it depends, you know, like
we're headspace wise. But yeah, Greg usually is pretty sharp
with these things as well. So well, there's just no
way to know there is you could find the pod.

Speaker 3 (01:39:39):
Well, that's that's up for debate.

Speaker 5 (01:39:44):
Furiously, I am looking for it right now. I can't
couldn't find it when when I shoot, we'll see the bucks.
By the way, I don't know if we mentioned it,
are given two and a half points away. Very nice,
that's about right. I think this is the toughest game
to pick for the week. You know, maybe our listeners.

Speaker 3 (01:39:59):
I can't. I can't decide on this one this week.

Speaker 2 (01:40:01):
It would be a really good gift on Thanksgiving is
to give someone a whatever the team is personalized number
eleven stap jersey for Thanksgiving this year.

Speaker 3 (01:40:10):
Like just when they show up eastraggling to find it.

Speaker 6 (01:40:12):
You completely lost me. All I'm looking for is that
you get it. You have ten seconds to find it
or I get the grand That is not how this
works on any level. It must be based in fact,
and I'll spend all weekend looking for it. I'll spend
all Thanksgiving that youre looking for I.

Speaker 3 (01:40:25):
Mean, our listeners will find it if if it exists.

Speaker 2 (01:40:29):
All right, Yes, it is Thanksgiving this week, So happy
Thanksgiving to everyone, whether you're with your families or it's
a friends giving type vibe, which is also a lot
of fun. And enjoy all the football and know that
we will be back. I think we kind of very
quickly audibled, and we're going to do our Thanksgiving games

(01:40:50):
recap on Friday. We're gonna do a record that early
on the West Coast and get that out as soon
as possible, and then we're gonna throw the Jets Dolphins
into the Sunday night recap. So uh no double Friday
podcast or we're not gonna hit all those games, but
we're gonna have everything covered as we always do anything else.

Speaker 3 (01:41:08):
Boys, he's still well. First of all, you don't search
Shaq Leonard. He changed his name then, so that's eight seven. Oh,
I'll fight. What are you gonna do with your grand there?
I'll find you're not getting a cinema either. Call Happy
Thanksgiving

Speaker 6 (01:41:29):
H

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